“The Voodoo Priestess, The Man From The Train, and More Ax Murders From The 1800s” #WeirdDarkness
Weird Darkness: Stories of the Paranormal, Supernatural, Legends, Lore, Mysterious, Macabre, Unsolved
Deep Dive
Why were the axe murders in Louisiana and Texas linked to a voodoo priestess?
The murders were gruesome and occurred in the 'colored' side of town, leading investigators to suspect a black killer. A teenaged voodoo priestess named Clementine Barnabette confessed to involvement in the killings, claiming she was part of a secret cult known as the Church of Sacrifice.
Who was 'The Man from the Train' and what did he do?
The Man from the Train is believed to be a serial killer responsible for over 90 murders between 1897 and 1912. He targeted families, often killing them with an axe in their homes near railroad tracks. Authors Bill James and Rachel McCarthy James argue that he was more responsible for the Louisiana and Texas murders than Clementine Barnabette.
How many murders did Clementine Barnabette confess to?
Clementine Barnabette confessed to involvement in the murder of 35 people between 1911 and 1912, with 17 of those victims reportedly killed by her personally.
What was the most shocking aspect of the Browzard family murders?
The Browzard family murders were particularly shocking because the children's blood was drained into buckets, and a message written in blood was left on the wall, suggesting occult involvement. The youngest victims were found with their fingers splayed and secured with paper and pins.
What was the motive behind the Randall family murders?
Clementine Barnabette claimed the Randall family was killed because they were considered backsliders by her cult, the Church of Sacrifice. The cult's leader, King Harrison, allegedly encouraged lethal discipline against wayward members.
What evidence suggested that Clementine Barnabette was involved in the murders?
Police found several sets of bloody clothes belonging to Clementine, including a suit covered in blood and brain matter. Blood was also found on the door leading to her room, leading to her arrest.
What was the connection between the Man from the Train and logging communities?
The Man from the Train is believed to have worked as a lumberjack, which is why many of his murders occurred in logging communities across the United States and Canada. He often used axes taken from the victims' homes, fitting the pattern of loggers familiar with the tool.
What was the significance of the Villisca axe murders?
The Villisca axe murders, in which eight members of the Moore family were killed, are considered one of the Man from the Train's most infamous crimes. The killer used the family's axe to bludgeon them to death while they slept, and one of the victims, Lena Stillinger, showed signs of post-mortem sexual assault.
What was the motive behind the Newton family murders in 1897?
The Newton family murders are believed to be the first crime committed by the Man from the Train. The motive remains unclear, but the killer, Paul Mueller, was a farmhand for the Newton family and likely used his familiarity with the household to carry out the murders.
What was the outcome of Clementine Barnabette's trial?
Clementine Barnabette was found to be sane and was sentenced to life in prison at Angola State Penitentiary. She later escaped but was recaptured and eventually released in 1923 due to good behavior.
Shownotes Transcript