H.H. Holmes

I'm no historian, but I do consider myself fairly educated in this department, especially when it comes to things within the U.S. But I just finished reading Erik Larson's The Devil In The White City. To say that I was unfamiliar with the "serial killer" H.H. Holmes is an understatement. I never knew such a demon could exist.

Here's a man who was married multiple times (legally 3, upwards of 6 or 7 total). Fathered one child. Aborted at least one other. He owned a hotel on 63rd in Chicago in the early 1890's, the World's Fair Hotel (the Chicago World's Fair was open from May 1893-October 1893). He killed at least 3 spouses. At least one sister-in-law. At least 2 other "companions." A co-worker. At least four children (not his own). He admitted to killing 27 people. The remains of 9 of them were discovered. But during his reign in Chicago, estimates have placed the number as high as 200 people, as there were countless disappearances of young girls-- fitting the description of what Holmes craved-- never to be solved.

The fact that he had an incinerator built in his basement may have something to do with that.

History fascinates me. I won't say murder fascinates me, because then you'll all think I'm some kind of crazy. But that a man this horrific, and this nationally known in his time, could be so disregarded by our generation today blows my mind.

I'm not telling you to go read this book. Most of the people I associate with would probably find it boring and unreadable.

I'm just saying, there's so much more out there than what we've been told, it's unbelievable.