I went non-fiction with my viewing today on a History Channel series called "HAUNTED HISTORY" which looks at the bizarre story of largely unknown serial killer H.H. Holmes who murdered who-knows-how-many in his built-to-order "Murder Castle" right next door to the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. Originally making a fortune from the sale of cadavers to medical schools, Dr. H.H. Holmes chose to build his huge hotel next to the site of the upcoming Chicago World's Fair guaranteeing him a ton of customers. Unfortunately for them, Holmes built the rooms with secret doors through which guests were abducted and taken down to the extensive sub-level where many deluxe murder rooms had been constructed for their torture and murder. The programme visits several current day locations associated with Holmes and examines reported ghostly activity. However, the most intriguing part of the show is the hypothesis given that Holmes' whereabouts for the summer/autumn of 1888 (when the "Murder Castle" was under construction) are unknown; it is known that there was an American doctor who appeared in London attempting to set up a business selling skeletons to medical colleges. And this just happens to be the exact time period when Jack the Ripper was slaying prostitutes in Whitechapel. Right after the murder spree ended, Holmes reappeared in Chicago and the theory is put forward that he was possibly practicing in Whitechapel what he would do more elaborately in Chicago. Very interesting theory which actually fits into all the facts of the case. Hmmmmm......
1 comment:
Huh... Have heard about him and his Murder Castle, but never heard the Jack the Ripper connection before! Quite interesting!!!
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