On December 24, 1883, 30-year-old Christian Reibling (white) was drinking with another man alcohol diluted with water. That Christmas morning they continued drinking a bottle of gin. At a livery stable in Lyndon, Illinois Christian would argue with 19-year-old Albert Lucia (white). It would result in Christian shooting and killing Albert.
Christian would be arrested. He would state that he could remember drinking the bottle of gin, but nothing after. He regretted what he had done and acknowledged he should not have been drinking with his pistol. If he was sober he would not have killed Albert as he had no reason to.
Christian would go to trial and would be found guilty and set to hang. He was to be the first hanging in Whiteside County. Christian was accepting of his fate and felt remorseful for the killing. He believed that he would be accepted in heaven even for his crime because he was not in the right mind and had no actual malice towards Albert.
SOURCES:
Harry Ecklind was born on May 12, 1888, to Swedish parents in Santa Maria, California. His father, a musician, would die as when he infant and a few years later his mother would join him. Knowing her son would become an orphan, before her death, his mother would come in contact with the Blochmans. The childless couple would take in the boy and treat him as if their own.
Lazar and Ida Bolchman were known as charitable people. They would take homless and less unfortanate people in. Lazar was both a businessman and columnist for the Santa Maria Times where he would write about economic and sociological issues.Ida was the vice president of the Santa Maria Union high School, and a member of the Board of Education of Santa Barbra County. She also was a a high regarded Botonist in Santa Barbra County.
Harry's name would be changed to Harry Ecklind Blochman was known as a happy, handsome and smart child. He seemed to inherit some of his father's artistic abilities and the Bolchmans wanted to nurture those talents.
On the night of July 3, 1901 Harry stayed out late that night. At 8:30 he was seen heading home, and at 9 he was seen talking to two men a block away from home. The two men seemed to have been threshers and one of them seemed to be drunk and this was the last time anyone saw Harry alive.
While the town celebrated the 4th the Bolchmans worried about their young son. The same night he went missing the Strong boys reported that their horse and buggy had been stolen from in front of Haslam's store around 9:30 pm. It was found in Guadalupe the next day with the horse exhausted.
Police suspected that Harry may have been abducted. The police kept asked about the trains leaving the Guadalupe area. Police found out that a man had been on a train about 11:30 he pretended to be asleep and his his face. When the conductor asked for a ticket he didn't have a ticket, but did pay to go San Luis Obsipo. This led nowhere though.
On July 6th around 7 p.m. two children were playing in their back yard. They noticed something a bean field not far from the Bolchman's home. They would stumble upon Harry's body about 1/8 of a miled from the road. The children's father notified the Blochman's before the police.
He was greatly decomposed and there was a struggle in the bean field. There were 9 knife wounds 4 of which could have caused his death. Two in the brain and two in the heart. It appeared that he tried to crawl towards his home before he died.
A man named William Kelso was believed to be the one who was seen speaking to Harry the night he died. Police would bring in a man named Kinkaid and arrested him as an accomplice. He allegedly knew that Kelso was the one that stole the horse and buggy that night, but he was released.
William would be found in Templton under the name Jackson working on a ranch. Sheriff Ivans would come up and arrest him. He would take him by train back to Santa Maria, but because there was rumors of a lynching he had William hide behind several large trunks in the baggage compartment. There was no lynch mob waiting for them.William would be charged and would go to trial for the murder. On October 9, 1901 William would be found not guilty of the murder. It only took the jury less than 45 minutes which was unexpected as many believed that it would take longer.
There were no other suspects in the case. It's unknown if William Kelso had done the crime and if not the real culprit will remain unknown.
SOURCES:
The Fresno Morning Republic July 7, 1901
San Fransisco Chronicle July 8, 1901
Santa Maria Times July 13, 1901
San Fransisco Chronicle October 10, 1901
Hanford Kings County Sentinel October 17, 1901
Santa Maria Times November 21, 2010
Santa Maria Times November 9, 2014
On June 23, 1923, 35-year-old William Zinsmeister would question his son-in-law. He would inquire where his daughter, 15-year-old Mamie, was attending a picnic for the St. Williams Catholic Church in Louisville, Kentucky. He would then ask who she was attending with and if it was the boy he disapproved of. He would then call a taxi to come get him at his soft drink stand at 1:30 p.m.
Before leaving he would tell his son-in-law that he "I'm going to kill 5 kids this afternoon". His son-in-law would try to make it to the river before him. He left in the taxi with two revolvers and over 75 rounds. The taxi would bring him to the picnic area of the Ohio River. There was nothing unusual about how William was acting in the taxi.
When they arrived William would leave the vehicle and walk towards the river. The Taxi driver would stay and chat with someone. He would then walk down to his daughter who was sitting on a log next to the water. 18-year-old Thomas Mullaney and 16-year-old Sarah Connolly were in the water near her.
William would be greeted by Mamie saying "Hello Daddy." He would then ask his daughter "What are you doing out her Mamie?". She responded with something along the line of to have a good time and her father's response was "Well I'm going to kill you." He then pulled out and began shooting.
Mammie died almost instantly with two shots to the head. He then began shooting at those in the water. 16-year-old Sarah Connolly would be shot and killed. 16-year-old Gertrude Franconia, and 18-year-old Charles Eifler would be injured. Thomas would be able to get one of the revolvers from William and received a wound to the shoulder and was hit on the head.
Those witnessing the madness would run screaming towards where the Taxi was parked. "He's shooting people in the water." After the shooting William would flee across fields on foot towards his childhood home and where he was born. He was a few hundred feet from his former home and would kill himself.
There were only two deaths, Mamie and Sarah. Sarah's body was washed away and a search would be done for it. She wouldn't be found for two days. Her body would be found down stream about a mile from the scene. The rest were injured with non life threatening wounds.
SOURCES:
The Puducah Sun-Democrat June 25, 1923
Messenger-Inquirer June 25, 1923
The Courier-Journal June 25, 1923
Hinton Daily News June 25, 1923
On April 13, 1989, the skeletal remains of a teenage boy were found in the basement at 12 Eldridge St. in New York City, New York. The remains were found during construction and renovation. A bottle dated from the 1930's was found in the same area. It's not stated what respect to the body the bottle was found. It's believed that he died from 1930 to 1960.
In February 1915 a body (believed to be a teenage girl) was found in the basement of a home on 133 s 14th st, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. A plumber was going to lay a sewer in the basement and the skeletal remains were found underneath the stairs from the outside access. The stairs had to be removed in order to get to the body. so the killer would have removed them also. The grave was shallow and was 2 by 3 ft. This would mean the girl was doubled up or her remains dismembered. The skull seemed to have evidence of an injury with a sharp object like a hatchet. Her remains had been burned and quicklime was poured on the body. It's believed she could be dead for around 10 to 15 years.
On December 25, 1883, 32-year-old Christian Reibling was drinking early for the holiday in Lyndon, Illinois. Already drunk he went to the general store of C.W. Parkhurst looking to buy more alcohol. He got mad when he was told that the store did not sell liquor anymore. This angered him and at the same time, 19-year-old Albert Lucia came into the store.
For some reason, his anger was focused on Albert. He would then threaten Albert with his pocket pistol and tell him to leave the store. Albert being the meek and harmless type of youth left the store and went to a livery stable owned by Constable G.R. Cady. It was probably to seek some protection.
Christian not knowing that the boy went to the livery stable went there also. He would then see Albert laying on a pile of blankets and would get angry again. He would threaten him and told him to leave.
Albert would state he did not have to get out unless Mr. Cady said so. Mr. Cady would stay silent and not request the boy to leave. Christian would then get his gun out and point it at Albert as he stood between him and the door. Telling him he had to leave.
An effort was done in trying to take the gun away, but a shot was fired and hit Albert in the leg. It would shatter the bone. Albert would not die automatically, but his wound would cause infection and Albert would die on Jan. 5, 1884.
He would admit that he did not remember the murder. That he had been drinking diluted alcohol the day before and a bottle of gin with a friend the day of. He stated that if he was in his right mind he would have not hurt the boy. At trial, he claimed that a smallpox sore he had in his head had helped cause him to murder the boy also. He said he regretted his actions that day. He would be found guilty and set to hang on May 16, 1884, in Morrison, Illinois.
Christian's last night was spent will no incident. He went to bed a little later. He was awake by the time the jailer came to his cell at 7 a.m. and stated that he slept very well that night. He was a little nervous and his stomach was upset. He didn't want the eggs and ham that was for breakfast, because he had no appetite. He did want coffee though of which he drank profusely. He would pray continuously that morning mostly in German.
He would then see Reverend T.E.V. Sweet and Reverend Edward Breen. Prayers were offered to him and he would pray and talk as he walked around. The Sherrif's daughter at one point offered an orange to him to which he ate, and he smoked two cigars.
At his request, the Sherrif and three members of the church choir would sing to him some religious songs. During the midst of this, he began to cry and he went back to his cell to conceal that he was crying while listening to them sing.
He said the crying wasn't because of regret, but because of the religious ecstasy, he had drifted away from. He felt that he had been forgiven for his sins. He was accepting of his fate but admitted that it was hard to face the gallows.
Around 150 people from the surrounding area came to see Christian hang. People were dressed in their Sunday best. Few who came were admitted into the enclosure, none of which were women. Though many women also came to watch the execution.
His last words were; "Well," he said smiling sadly and bowing to the crowd." I am sorry for what was done and don't have unkind feelings toward anybody, and hope they have none against me. I believe I will be saved, for Christ died for our sakes. I believe it just as firmly as I live. I hope I shall go to a better place and I believe I will be saved by Him." He would hesitatingly look at the sheriff and smiled. "And I want to thank the Sheriff Mr. Beach for his kindness. He had always treated me as a gentleman." He then looked at the deputy sheriff. "Mr. Cole has also been kind to me so has Mrs. Beach. Well, that's all I have to say, gentlemen."
Mr. Sweet would recite a prayer for Christian, when he finished the prayer he was hung at 2:06. He went straight down and struggled for an instant. He would be dead by 2:15 his neck was broken. The on-seers who were permitted to watch were civil, but those outsides tried to make their way in or were climbing trees so they could watch. None of the people there were relatives of his.
SOURCES:
Legal Executions in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, and Missouri pg 9
Quad-City Times May 16, 1884
Chicago Time May 16, 1884
Chicago Tribune May 17, 1884
17-year-old Jacob Redmon and his stepfather 35-year-old William "Harry" Harrison Johnson did not get along. Harry was known as being mean and had gotten in numerous fights and that did not exclude Jacob. Harry had threatened Jacob several times and told him to leave the house. In early December Harry would tell Jake he would kill him because he found Jake told the Saloon not to sell him any more alcohol.
He would tell Jacob that if he did not leave he would kill him. And on December 17, 1875, those words became true. That evening Jacob went to their home in Paris, Illinois and Harry was not happy to see him. Harry would grab whisky from the cupboard and would go straight to his room to get the large colt revolver that he'd only had for two weeks.
Jake was standing near the stove and his two little siblings and mother were also in the room. Harry would come to the room."Jake, I'll shoot your God damned heart out." Harry would point the gun at his stepson. This was when Harry would shoot Jake. The bullet would go through the collarbone.
Harry would immediately try to regret what he did. He would immediately tell Jake that he did not mean to shoot him. Jake did not believe him and would respond with "Yes you did. You did this on purpose." They would bring him to a bed. Jake's mom would go and get help leaving him with Harry. When she was gone Harry would go to the shed and hide the gun in some ashes. On the way out Harry would step on Jake's hand.
Jake was still alive when help came. He would repeatedly tell the physician that Harry shot him on purpose. That it was no accident like Harry was pretending. An Officer would soon show up and Harry would be arrested. Jake would soon die from his wound.
At the trial, Harry claimed he was not sane because of the effects of alcohol. He also claimed he only got the gun out to see if it was in working order. He also claimed that he had no issues with Jake, but at trial, several people contradicted this. Harry would be found guilty was set to be executed.
On June 23, 1867, he was executed. At the gallows, he still claimed that the murder was an accident, and he was innocent of the crime.
SOURCES:
Legal Executions in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, and Missouri Pg 6
St. Louis Globe-Democrat June 24, 1867
Chicago Tribune June 24, 1867
The Andrew County Republican June 29, 1867
On December 8, 1959, 18-year-old Ruth Whitman was attacked soon after eating oranges. She was driven to Sand Creek Road in Colonie, New York. Her killer then would beat her and drag her through the bushed and dump her into a water-filled ditch. This would be where the poor girl would drown around 3 a.m. A school bus driver then would soon find her body at 8:20 a.m.
At the time her family was not alarmed that she did not return home that night. She would often stay with her fiance's mother at night. Her fiance at the time was not suspected and was working at the time of her murder. It was believed at the time that murderer had known Ruth.
SOURCES:
The Kingston Daily Freeman December 9, 1959
On November 8, 1954 at 6:15 p.m. 14-year-old Carolyn Wasilewski left her home in Baltimore, Maryland to go to her friend Peggy's home. The two planned to register for dance lessons at the nearby elementary school. She would never show up at Peggy's home, register for dance lessons, or return home.
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Martyrdom of St Dymphna and St Gerebernus by Jacques de l'Ange |
Soon her mother would die and Damon's mental health would deteriorate. Damon had deeply loved his wife and took her death badly. His advisors would press Damon to remarry and he would agree. The only condition was that his bride needed to be as beautiful as the late queen. After searching fruitlessly for this woman he focused on his daughter who was as beautiful as her mother.
The teenager would find out about her father's plans of marrying her. To keep her vows and escaping an unwanted fate. She would flee with her confessor Father Gerebernus. They would take a ship and would settle in what is now Geel, Belgium. Thinking that she would be safe from her father's clutches she would use her wealth to open a hospital for the poor and sick of the region. Some of the coins she used would allow her father to know her whereabouts.
Her father would go to Geel with his men. He would order them to behead Gerebernus and to force his daughter back to Ireland. The now 15-year-old would refuse to go back to Ireland to be her father's bride. This would anger the king and he would behead his daughter in a rage. He would leave Dympha and Gerebernus where they were killed and left to go back to Ireland.
The residents of Geel would retrieve the bodies and bury the two in a cave. Years later their remains would be buried in a more suitable place. Both Gereburnus and Dymphna were canonized as Saints.
In 1349 a church was built to honor St. Dymphna built in Geel. Many Europeans would come to church by 1480. These people would seek treatment for psychiatric disorders and the church would expand for their guests. Even though there was expansion they would get an overflow of people. The people of Geel would take patients into their own homes. The patients would never be called that though and be called boarders.
The boarders would be treated like family by their hosts. Most would work menial labor in return and become a part of the community. Some would live the rest of their lives in Geel some months or decades. In the 1930s it's said that there were over 4,000 boarders in the town.
The remains of St. Dymphna were later put into a silver reliquary and placed in a church in Geel named in her honor. The remains were moved to Xanten, Germany. The original church of St. Dymphna burned down in the late 15th century. A second church was built and consecrated in 1532 where they believed her body was first buried. Many miracles are believed to have happened here.
St. Dymphna is known as the Lily of Eire because of her spotless virtue. She is the patron saint of mental illness and anxiety. The chief feast day is May 15 the final day of their martyrdom.
St. Gerebernus is a saint against fever, gout, and for Sonsbeck, Germany.
SOURCES:
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| Photo of Billy Gray and Jack Field at the trial. |
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| Copy of the pamphlet given out prior to execution for 10 cents. |
