ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Biographics The Axeman of New Orleans: The Killer Who Loved Jazz
On March 13, 1919, a mysterious letter arrived at a New Orleans newspaper. The letter was from someone claiming to be the “Axeman,” a ghostly figure who had been terrorizing the city. This person warned that they would continue their attacks unless the city played jazz music everywhere.
The Axeman’s frightening spree began on May 23, 1918. Joseph and Catherine Maggio were asleep in their home when the Axeman broke in, found an axe in their backyard, and attacked them. The scene was terrifying, with blood all over the bedroom. Joseph was found in bed, while Catherine was on the floor, suggesting she tried to escape.
The police suspected Joseph’s younger brother, Andrew Maggio, who was in the house but claimed he didn’t hear anything. He was arrested but later released because there wasn’t enough evidence against him.
On June 27, 1918, the Axeman struck again, attacking Louis Basuma and Harriet Lowe in their grocery store. Both survived but were badly hurt. The police had several suspects, but none could be proven guilty.
Then, on August 5, 1918, Anna Schneider, who was eight months pregnant, was attacked in her home. She survived but couldn’t describe her attacker. Shortly after, Joseph Romano, an elderly man, was killed in a similar way, confirming that a serial killer was on the loose in New Orleans.
The Axeman’s next attack was on the Cormiglia family on March 10, 1919, resulting in the tragic death of their young daughter, Mary. In a strange twist, Rosie Cormiglia accused two neighbors, leading to their wrongful conviction.
In a chilling letter, the Axeman demanded that jazz music be played all over the city on a particular night, promising that anyone who played jazz would be safe. The city responded by filling dance halls and homes with music, and surprisingly, no murders happened that night.
After a series of terrifying attacks, the Axeman disappeared after 1919. Many theories emerged about what happened to him, such as him dying, moving away, or being imprisoned. Despite investigating many suspects, including Andrew Maggio, the true identity of the Axeman remains a mystery.
One suspect, Joseph Mumfra, was killed in 1921, and some people thought he might have been the Axeman. However, there wasn’t enough evidence to prove this, leaving the case unsolved.
The Axeman of New Orleans is one of the most puzzling figures in criminal history. His story continues to fascinate those who love unsolved mysteries.
Imagine you are a journalist in 1919 New Orleans. Write a newspaper article about the Axeman’s latest attack. Include details from the article and add your own creative flair. Think about how you would capture the attention of your readers and convey the fear and mystery surrounding the Axeman.
Research jazz music from the early 20th century. Create a playlist of songs that might have been played in New Orleans during the Axeman’s reign. Share your playlist with the class and explain why you chose each song. Consider how the music might have influenced the mood of the city during that time.
Conduct a mock trial for one of the suspects mentioned in the article, such as Andrew Maggio or Joseph Mumfra. Assign roles to your classmates as lawyers, witnesses, and jury members. Present evidence from the article and debate whether the suspect could be the Axeman. Conclude with a verdict based on the evidence presented.
Develop a timeline of the Axeman’s attacks using the information from the article. Include key dates, locations, and victims. Use visuals like images or drawings to enhance your timeline. Present your timeline to the class, highlighting any patterns or unusual aspects you notice.
Write a short story from the perspective of a New Orleans resident during the Axeman’s attacks. Describe how the fear and uncertainty affected their daily life. Incorporate elements of suspense and mystery, and consider how the demand for jazz music might have influenced their actions and emotions.
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On March 13, 1919, a letter purportedly from a notorious figure in New Orleans history was sent to the local newspaper. This individual claimed to be the “Axeman,” a spirit and demon who had eluded capture. The letter revealed a chilling intent to continue his reign of terror unless the city filled the air with jazz music.
The Axeman’s crime spree began on May 23, 1918, when he broke into the home of Joseph and Catherine Maggio. He found an axe in their backyard and brutally attacked the couple while they slept. The crime scene was horrific, with blood smeared across the bedroom. Joseph was likely the first target, as he was still in bed when the attack occurred. Catherine’s body was found on the floor, suggesting she may have tried to escape.
The investigation into the Maggio murders raised suspicions about Andrew Maggio, Joseph’s younger brother, who was in the house at the time but did not hear the attack. Despite being arrested, he was eventually released due to a lack of evidence.
The next attack occurred on June 27, 1918, when Louis Basuma and Harriet Lowe were assaulted in their grocery store. Both victims survived but suffered severe injuries. The police initially suspected various individuals, but no solid evidence linked them to the crime.
On August 5, 1918, Anna Schneider, eight months pregnant, was attacked in her home. She survived but could not provide a description of her attacker. Shortly after, Joseph Romano, an elderly man, was killed in a similar manner, further confirming the presence of a serial killer in New Orleans.
The Axeman’s next target was the Cormiglia family on March 10, 1919. The attack resulted in the tragic death of their young daughter, Mary. In a bizarre twist, Rosie Cormiglia accused two neighbors of the attack, leading to their wrongful conviction.
A letter from the Axeman demanded that jazz music be played throughout the city on a specific night, promising that those who complied would be spared. The city responded by filling dance halls and homes with music, and remarkably, no murders occurred that night.
After a series of attacks, the Axeman seemingly vanished after 1919. Many theories arose regarding his disappearance, including death, relocation, or imprisonment. Despite numerous suspects being investigated, including Andrew Maggio and others, the true identity of the Axeman remains a mystery.
One notable suspect, Joseph Mumfra, was killed in 1921, with claims linking him to the Axeman’s crimes. However, evidence supporting this theory is lacking, leaving the case open to speculation.
The Axeman of New Orleans stands out as one of the most enigmatic figures in criminal history, and the story continues to intrigue those fascinated by unsolved mysteries.
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Axeman – A person who uses an axe, often referring to a historical figure known for committing crimes with an axe. – In the early 1900s, the Axeman of New Orleans was a mysterious figure who caused fear in the city.
New Orleans – A city in Louisiana, known for its rich cultural history, including music, food, and festivals. – New Orleans is famous for its vibrant jazz scene and historic architecture.
Jazz – A style of music that originated in the African American communities of New Orleans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. – Jazz music played a significant role in the cultural history of New Orleans.
Attacks – Acts of violence or aggression, often used to describe historical events where people were harmed. – The series of attacks in New Orleans in the early 1900s left the community in fear.
Mystery – Something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain, often involving unsolved historical events. – The identity of the Axeman remains a mystery to historians even today.
Serial – Occurring in a series, often used to describe crimes that happen repeatedly over time. – The Axeman was considered a serial criminal because of the repeated nature of his attacks.
Killer – A person who causes the death of another, often used in historical contexts to describe infamous figures. – The Axeman was a notorious killer whose identity was never discovered.
Police – The organized civil force responsible for maintaining public order and safety, often involved in solving historical crimes. – The police worked tirelessly to solve the mystery of the Axeman’s identity.
Evidence – Information or objects that help to prove who committed a crime, often crucial in historical investigations. – Despite the efforts of the police, there was little evidence to identify the Axeman.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, often involving the investigation of unsolved mysteries. – The history of New Orleans includes many fascinating stories, including the tale of the Axeman.
