March 7, 1866Paris, IndianaGeorge Washington Sage (34) beats three children — one fatally — during the course of a burglary Sage had been employed by William Todd Sr. for two or three days during the winter. He learned his former employer had recently sold his farm for $350 (about $5,800 today) and remembered Todd was…
Man poisons boarder to prevent him from reporting abuse against 12-year-old
February 23, 1869Richmond, VirginiaAlbert Tyler poisons a boarder who was going to report his abuse of his stepdaughter Albert Tyler (referred to as Andrew in at least one article) lived with his stepchildren after the death of their mother, the oldest of whom was around 12 years of age. Tyler soon opened his home to…
Over 100 children killed after a stampede at a church function
February 11, 1823Valletta, Malta110 children are killed from being suffocated or trampled when uninvited guests attempt to receive bread and fruit at a church The capital city of Valletta was observing Carnival, a celebration immediately preceding Lent, at the time of the incident. To shield children from the “confusion” of the revelries of the adults…
The headless body of a pregnant woman is found
February 1, 1896Fort Thomas, KentuckyThe headless body of Pearl Bryan (23) is found The body of a decapitated woman, tossed into some bushes, was discovered by a farmhand on February 1. As her head was missing, identification proved difficult. The murder became an immediate sensation in the area due to the gruesome end the woman…
Man executed for the murder of his wife, ostensibly due to a feud with his father-in-law
January 21, 1881Danville, IllinoisFrederick Kester is hanged for the murder of his wife On the morning of August 22, 1879, Caroline Burmeister (also spelled as Bearmiester or Burmaster in contemporary newspapers) visited her sister Minnie Kester (alternately spelled Koester). Minnie was approximately 7 months pregnant at the time and Caroline often assisted with the chores…
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