The Axeman

Starting in 1918, over a period of roughly 18 months, the city of New Orleans, and surrounding areas, were rocked by a serial killer that would later go by the name "The Axeman". The Axeman was the manifestation of the Boogeyman, lurking in the shadows of New Orleans. Almost exclusively attacking at night. And is possibly responsible for 12 attacks and 6 killings. In chilling fashion, he only seemed to strike people while they slept in their beds.
The Axeman eerily never used his own tools. He only used what he could find on hand, in the victim's households.
Usually an axe, which he typically left behind at the scene of the crime.
On May 23rd, 1918, at 4901 Magnolia Street, the first suspected Axe Man attack occurred. Catherine and Joseph Maggio were struck violently by an axe. A straight razor used on their throats.
Catherine had almost been entirely decapitated. And Joseph had suffered many severe injuries. The bodies were discovered by Joseph's brothers, who lived in the same house. Nothing was heard or seen. And no valuables were taken. The bottom panel of the kitchen door was knocked out. All that was found was an axe.
Finger printing was around at the time. But was allegedly not yet a standard procedure. A little over a month later, on June 28th 1918, near the corner of Dorgenois and Leharpe streets, another attack occurred. A severely injured Louis Besumer and Anna Lowe were discovered by a baker named John Zanka, making morning deliveries.
Louis would actually survive the attack, but Anna would survive for another seven weeks before dying. Anna supposedly recounted to the police that a large white man, with a hatchet, had attacked them. The bottom panel of their bedroom door was missing. And once again, a bloody axe was left at the scene.
Roughly a month later on August 5th, 1918, in an undisclosed home location, Mrs. Ed Schneider was found by her husband in the afternoon at their home. Mrs. Schneider was still alive, and rushed to Charity Hospital, and would reportedly survive the attack. Upon investigation, it was discovered that their axe was missing from their shed. Mrs. Schneider was also pregnant. And I’ll gladly report, that following week, she successfully gave birth.
Five days later, on August 10th, 1918, reportedly near Tonti and Gravier street, 80 year old Joseph Romano was found by his nieces, Pauline and Mary after they heard him struggling. His head was bashed in.
The two girls allegedly saw the attacker, and described him as quote, "dark, tall, heavy-set, wearing a dark suit and a black slouch hat." Joseph Romano would die two days later.
Around this time, August 1918, the New Orleans (mumbles) newspaper allegedly recounted quote, "Armed men are keeping watch over their sleeping families while police are seeing to solve the mysteries of the ax attacks. Extra police are being put to work daily."
And when looking at the timeline, it apparently worked. For a while, that is.
As nearly seven months later, on March 10th, 1919, the Cortimiglia family was attacked. Rose Cortimiglia woke to her husband Charles fighting the Axeman. A fight that Charles would lose. Rose and their two-year old daughter Mary were also attacked. Rose and Charles would actually survive. But their daughter, tragically did not. In typical Axeman fashion, the axe used belonged to the Cortimiglia's.
Five days later, a New Orleans newspaper called The Times Picayune, received a letter from the apparent Axeman.
"Hell, March 13, 1919
Esteemed mortal, they have never caught me, and they never will. They have never seen me, for I am invisible, even as the ether, which surrounds your earth. I am not a human being, but a spirit and a fell demon from hottest hell. I am what you Orleanians, and your foolish police call the Axeman."
He also goes on to remind the people, that he could be worse.
"undoubtedly you Orleaneans think of me as a most horrible murderer, which I am, but I could be much worse if I wanted to. At will, I could slay thousands of your best citizens, for I am in close relationship with the angel of death."
However, the most important clause, is a specific threat that would terrify the entire New Orleans community.
"Now, to be exact, at 12:15 o'clock, earthly time, on next Tuesday night, I am going to pass over New Orleans. In my infinite mercy, I am going to make a little proposition to the people. Here it is, I am very fond of jazz music, and I swear by all the devils in the nether regions, that every person shall be spared in whose a jazz band is in full swing at the time I have just mentioned. If everyone has a jazz band going, well then, so much the better for the people. One thing is certain, and that is some of those persons who do not jazz it on Tuesday night, if there be any,
will get the axe."
This letter would later spark the creation of a jazz song entitled "Don't Scare Me Papa". Also known as the mysterious Axeman's Jazz.
The Tuesday night mentioned in the letter was March 19th, 1919. It is said that the city was truly alive that night, as people blasted jazz music in their homes. And those who did not have a record player, poured into local jazz clubs to stay clear of the Axeman's wrath. It's worth mentioning that nobody was killed on March 19th, 1919.
On August 10th, 1919, Steve Boca was badly injured in his home after he awoke to a man, next to his bed with an axe. Boca managed to survive the attack, reportedly staggering to a friend's home, who then called the police. Boca did not regain his memory due to the blows to his head.
Later that month, or in early September, on 2128 Second Street, 19-year old Sarah Laumann, was reportedly attacked by someone who entered through an open window. When she regained consciousness, she could not recall details of the attack.
About two months later, on October 27th, 1919, at the corner of South Scott and Ulloa Street, the suspected Axeman attacked Esther and Mike Pepitone. Esther reportedly awoke around 1:00 a.m. to her husband screaming, and ran to the bedroom. Her husband's head was struck 18 times, and died two hours later. Esther saw two figures in the bedroom, but could not identify them as they fled the scene.

This takes us to the supposed end of the Axeman's killing spree.