Before she was arrested, Marjorie arranged to have the body of her friend cremated. As a senior, she was the Class Treasurer, a member of the Senior Society of 1906, and Treasurer of the College Settlement Association of 1906. Elisabeth excelled in school, but while she was away her father Chester passed. Marketing intern and office assistant at Glensheen. A building on W. Superior Street and the University of Minnesota Duluth's on-campus planetarium are named Alworth, after the prominent lumber and mining magnate. After her elder sister moved out of the mansion, Elisabeth took over her room as it was bigger. Children of her third husband's first marriage suspect that she was involved in the unexpected death of Mr. Hagen's first wife. The combination of Antabuse and alcohol can produce seizures, congestive heart failure and even death. Marjorie's second marriage was to a man named Roger Sipe Caldwell. Being from Minnesota, I am beyond the story of the murders. Just before the fire, Marjorie was seen carrying valuables out of the house and loading them into her car. Sadly, most people from her generation would not be able to square what they know about Marjorie with the diagnosis of a psychopath. People are drawn to psychopaths like moths to a flame. She dealt with Edward bringing home measles to all the children, Walter passing on chicken pox, and Helen making sure whooping cough made its way through the house. A concrete and wood boathouse sits along the shore of Lake Superior, and it was the only one known to exist in those days. The Guilford Press, 1999, Hendry, Sharon Darby. Mr. Congdon owns over 23,500 units of Old Dominion Freight Line stock worth over $208,037,704 and over the last 19 years he sold ODFL stock worth over $18,129,540. They dazzle and captivate. When authorities called Marjorie to tell her what had happened, she said nonchalantly, It isnt our house. Eight years later in 1974 after arranging for the remodeling of a house shed purchased, Marjorie was slow to pay the contractor, so the contractor placed a lien on her property. The source went on to say that there were at least eight, possibly 10 millionaires living in Duluth at the time and that it would be hard to find as many in a similarly sized western town. The boundaries were drawn in such a way to ensure more political power to the steel industry and those against the tonnage tax. Two days after Roger Caldwell was sentenced, Marjorie was arrested and charged with conspiracy. Required fields are marked *. The Glensheen Mansion offers various holiday brunches throughout the year, along with special musical events. It was the first home in the area to have electricity and running hot water. Walter Van Brunt. Glensheens Daughter: The Marjorie Congdon Story. The claim was dished like hot gossip to visitors at Duluth's recent Catalyst Content Festival, appears in many local history books and is featured on several of the city's websites. When Marjorie was three, Elisabeth adopted a second daughter who she named Jennifer. When declared a constructive total loss, officials placed the value at more than $1.5 million. The shores of Lake Superior near Glensheen Mansion. Its one of Americas great houses. The promise of a big pay combined with plenty of publicity may have been factors that led Ronald Meshbesher to take her case. The reason why they dont talk about the murders on the tour isnt because they are trying to hide it, its because murder is a horrendous thing to happen and not everyone wants to hear about it. Glensheen Historic Estate is now owned by the University of Minnesota-Duluth and is open to the public year-round for tours. Elisabeth left her mark on Duluth through not only her charitable giving but through her continued support of civic organizations, through her leadership on various boards, and through her unwavering commitment to womens healthcare in Duluth. 83 year old Elisabeth, and her night nurse, Velma Peitila, were murdered in the Glensheen Mansion. June 2009). Sadly, he was only able to enjoy his home for seven years. Born in 1853 in Rochester, New York. Christa Lawler covers Duluth and surrounding areas for the Star Tribune. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. But in the big picture a greater public service could be done by acknowledging the tragedy and handing out information on psychopathology. Glensheen mansion is a landmark in the city of Duluth, MN. The Catch: Exploring New Opportunities to Fly at Red State Reckoning: Playing Paintball in Martinsville, IN, Getting off the Boat at Ellis Island: Examining the Question of Immigration in New York City, Uncovering the Crime of the Century: The Hall-Mills Murders in New Brunswick, NJ, The Five Most Scenic Interstate Rest Areas in the US, Deadly Charm: The Murders at the Glensheen Mansion in Duluth, Minnesota, The Greatest American You Never Heard of: George C. Marshall and Dodona Manor, 6 Ways Mid-Range Hotels Give You More than Upscale Hotels. What did the topography of the Iron Range look like before it was mined? Jane Pederson is on her way to becoming a Duluth household name. What happened to them was a nightmare. Sociopaths are shaped by their environment. Tuesday, June 28, 1977: The Congdon murders, Supreme Court of Minnesota 08/07/81 Matter Elisabeth M. Congdon v. 51721 (about the fate of the heritage), "Heiress pleads guilty in fraud case one day before trial - Tucson Citizen Morgue, Part 1 (2006-2009)", Arizona judge denies probation relief for Marjorie Congdon Hagen, Associated Press November 27, 2010, "Jennifer Congdon Johnson Obituary & Funeral | Racine, WI | Maresh-Meredith & Acklam", Jeffrey Hatcher, Chan Poling turn Congdon murders into musical 'Glensheen', https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Elisabeth_Congdon&oldid=1145773467, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. All rights reserved. Marjorie had many problems and was diagnosed as a sociopath early in her life. Anna Congdon hasn't shared any information regarding her salary or net worth. He would call it Glensheen after the ancestral home of the Congdon family in Sheen, England. He took over the role from his grandfather, Chester Congdon, who was . The elderly Elisabeth Congdon did what she could to help lessen the damage by covering at least $350,000 of her daughters indebtedness, but it wasnt enough to prevent Dick LeRoy from being ruined. I have been to the Glensheen and It was awesome I would gladly do it again! She had been smothered to death. Maria Storer was an amazing woman who founded the Rookwood pottery company. David Ouse, a longtime reference librarian at the Duluth Public Library, highlighted a 1902 editorial in the Duluth News-Tribune that contains some of the earliest specific claims regarding the city's millionaire population. But Marjorie had something going for her that Roger didnt. A garden hose was found running from the gas stove in the kitchen to their bedroom. ". In the meantime, Congdon had extended his efforts to various lines of commercial, industrial, and financial enterprise in Duluth. 1923, "Congdon, Chester Adgate - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present", "The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Condray to Conkright", Glensheen Historic Estate, University of Minnesota, Duluth, Chester A. Congdon in MNopedia, the Minnesota Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chester_Adgate_Congdon&oldid=1147443792, Walter Bannister Congdon (November 5, 1882 October 20, 1949), Edward Chester Congdon (May 20, 1885 November 27, 1940), Marjorie Congdon (Dudley) (January 12, 1887 October 11, 1971), Helen Clara Congdon (d'Autremont) (February 16, 1889 May 19, 1966), John Congdon (May 21, 1891 May 19, 1893), Robert Congdon (September 4, 1898 June 12, 1975), History of the Yakima Valley, Washington: comprising Yakima, Kittitas and Benton counties / by W.D. The marriage lasted twenty years and cost Dick LeRoy an estimated $1 million in debt and liabilities. Elisabeth Congdon was born to mining magnate Chester Adgate Congdon, and his wife, Clara Hesperia Bannister Congdon on April 22, 1894 in Duluth, Saint Louis County, Minnesota, USA. Today we want to focus on something a little more personal; her family and her activism. The public needs to be educated. As a result, Lucas Congdon's net worth is about $4 million. She was sentenced two and a half years in prison and fined $10,000. Alarmed, Elisabeth sent her away to a clinic in Topeka, Kansas for a psychological evaluation. On June 27, 1977 at 3:00am, Elisabeth Congdon and her nurse Velma Pietila (born April 26, 1911) were found murdered. In his will Chester Congdon bequeathed his home and fortune to his wife and children, and by succession to his grandchildren. A nineteenth century masterpiece of hand-carved oak, stained glass, damask wall coverings and handmade rugs, it sits on twelve acres of land that slopes gently to the shores of Lake Superior. Chester A. Congdon, 1909. Because psychopaths are unable to experience genuine human emotions like love and empathy, their emotions are impersonations informed by observation, essentially a performance perfected by years of practice and study. He committed suicide on May 18, 1988. I fell in love with this place!! Chester died in 1916, and Clara many years later in 1950, upon which Elisabeth inherited Glensheen. He was a member of various professional, historical, scientific, social, and fraternal societies and associations. He is known for his investments in government, dirt mining, and jewels. Emma is your go-to-gal for bringing events to Glensheen. They raised seven children at Glensheen, and were influential in opening up iron mining in the region and designating land for public use in Duluth and along the North Shore. Marjorie used her inheritance to acquit her of the murder of the person who controlled her inheritance. The 39 room Jacobean mansion was the most affluent home in Duluth at the time, and is considered so today. How much is Lucas Congdon's worth? It is estimated that 1% of the population are psychopaths. He was also the US Attorney of Minnesota. Opponents, led by Congdon, argued that such a tax would inhibit the development of lower-grade iron ore properties, something Congdon was heavily invested in. More time passes before anything happens. Made a name for herself in many ways. Thats different from a psychopath. Here are some wed like to highlight: A member of the Arizona Womens Hall of Fame, Helen Congdon is best known for how deeply she cared for her community. I was told that my maternal grandmother, Emma Mattson (married name Hassett) worked there as a maid in the early 1900s. He was a prominent figure in the development of the mining industry in northern Minnesota, and served as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1909 until 1913. Congdon was born on June 12, 1853, in Rochester, New York. In 1889 Maria won a gold medal at the Paris exposition for her work. She and Caldwell kept asking Elisabeth for money, reportedly so they could realize their dream of a horse ranch. Christa Lawler She was charming and talkative. Glensheen is very lucky to have her on the team. Marjorie Congdon 23 Daughter Helen C Congdon 21 Daughter Elizabeth M Congdon 16 Daughter Robert Congdon 11 Son Alfred D Bannister 20 Nephew Rudolph Miller 38 Servant. "It would not be a difficult thing to assemble the names of most of them, but their publication in a newspaper would offend, in most cases," he reportedly said. Everybody loves a murder mystery! Nearly every history of Duluth touches on the city's heyday as an American boom town packed with lumber and mining industrialists. Chester passed away in 1962, at age 70. Rather, they seek money as a means of control. The survivors of the Congdon wreck paraded in the streets carrying the ship's flag, and a large crowd fell in behind them (Fort William Daily Times Journal, Nov. 11, 1918). Net Worth . Chester Congdon went from being a school teacher in Wisconsin to being the wealthiest Minnesotan at the time of his death in 1916, worth 40 million dollars. If youre wondering who leads all of Glensheens tour guides and gift shop staff look no further. Student. They never suspected what was about to happen. He worked in a lumber mill from the age of fifteen to support his family after his fathers death. A satin pillow was lying over Elisabeths face. She was introverted and spent most of her time reading alone or playing by herself in the nooks and crannies of the vast mansion. I adore the Glensheen mansion as well as the Bed and Breakfast named, The Mansion. He and his wife climbed the grand staircase to the third floor, where he showed her the. On his paternal side, Chester was the sixth in descent from James Congdon, a Quaker from England who settled in Rhode Island in the first half of the 17th century. Sympathy is a dangerous emotion in the hands of a psychopath. Elisabeth Mannering Congdon, Chester Congdons third daughter, didnt prefer the company of men, at least not to the extent that she would marry one. How many people died in the glensheen? After admission to the bar, Congdon taught school for about a year in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. They cannot believe the things people say about her. It appears someone can be born a psychopath, and it also appears that psychopathology can run in families. If you choose to visit this amazing place, you wont be disappointed. Marjories mother and the rest of the Congdon family put their foot down and refused to send her money to bail her out. They consider the legacy of Chester Congdon and his family too important to be tainted by the troubling story of her atrocious behavior. They win people over, before bending them to their will. They may charm you, they may trick you, or they may put you in a difficult position. But her mother, who was murdered in 1977, was not. They are not creepy. We would like another book of the murdered at the Congdon Estate. But Congdon was betting on the come. You can go back and search, which I have, and there is no national list of millionaires per capita.". When word reached Jennifer Congdon, Marjorie Congdons younger sister, the first thing she said was, Marjorie did it. But proving that was going to be difficult. They cannot believe the things people say about her. Rather than risk an acquittal at retrial, the prosecution offered him a plea deal, a confession, guilty plea to second-degree murder and time served (he had served five years of a twenty-year sentence). Twenty months later she was released for good behavior. Elisabeth's daughter [4]Jennifer C. Johnson died on May 15, 2017 in Chandler, AZ. She was a pioneer for underserved communities, founding Arizonas first interracial housing development. For the ship named after him, see, Duluth and St. Louis County, Minnesota; Their Story and People: An Authentic Narrative of the Past, with Particular Attention to the Modern Era in the Commercial, Industrial, Educational, Civic and Social Development, Volume 3. The last remaining photograph of Chester Congdon. The two men made a huge impact on the music world and were well known even outside of the rock genre. Events wouldnt be events without Emma. These industrialists had built fortunes in lumber, mining, banking and real estate: Joseph Sellwood, John D. Howard, Luther Mendenhall and Andreas M. Miller. Congdon held several offices throughout his life, serving as assistant United States attorney for the district of Minnesota from 1881 until 1886, as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1909 until 1913,[2][3] and as a member of the Duluth charter commission from 1903 until his death. Cant recall the name of such book. The former Merritt Elementary School is now Merritt School Apartments. Thank you for your assistance Emily can always be found working hard with her trusty dog Zulu. He had membership with the Kitchi Gammi Club, Northland Country Club, Commercial Boat Club, and Duluth Boat Club, all in Duluth; the Minnesota Club of St. Paul; the Minneapolis Club of Minneapolis; the University Club of Chicago; the Duquesne Club of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; the Bankers Club of New York; the Commercial Club of North Yakima; and with various college fraternities, including the Upsilon Kappa, Psi Upsilon, Theta Nu Epsilon, and Phi Beta Kappa. Caldwell was a bad alcoholic. It is operated by the folks at University of Minnesota Duluth and they do an outstanding job with everything. Partially paralyzed by a stroke for more than a decade, eighty-three-year-old Elisabeth Congdon required around the clock care. Chester purchased this piece for $175.oo, which today would be over $4,100 with inflation. The investigators werent buying it. Marjorie Congdon became Marjorie LeRoy on June 30th, 1951. Elisabeth Mannering Congdon (April 22, 1894 June 27, 1977) was a wealthy resident of Duluth, Minnesota, USA who became famous after she and her nurse were found murdered on June 27, 1977. October 28, 2022 - 7:55 AM, Listen and subscribe to our podcast: Via Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher. But psychopaths are not greedy in the same way sociopaths are. Later it came to light that her friend had thought the world of her. The next day the house caught fire. Wreckage consists of intact pilot house and bow section on south side of reef and an intact stern on north side. A second daughter, Jennifer Susan Congdon, was adopted in 1935. The wreck of Chester A. Congdon was a tremendous financial loss. He also served as a. Nancy. Yet even now somebody is sitting down over a friendly cup of coffee with a psychopath somewhere. Milissa also handles all of the security staff you see at Glensheen. Added to this is his successful YouTube channel, where he showcases his work and designs with the objective of allowing people to learn how to best make use of their own spaces. Even the state's governor was promoting it albeit a slightly modified assertion. NPS / J.L. He became a prominent figure in connection with the development of the iron and copper mining resources of the Lake Superior country, and at the same time, his advice and assistance were sought by many business and financial institutions on the directorate of which his name never appeared. The beauty and style is unsurpassed. Roger had gray hair. He was treated for a possible heart attack but released after doctors couldnt determine the cause of his illness. She was very generous, giving away much of her wealth and doing this all anonymously. Marjorie pleaded guilty to the crime of forgery and was given probation. She and the family agree to help support Chester's intentions. She was the first woman to own a shop like this in Cincinnati and employed a modest staff of both men and women. Why does the Stone Arch Bridge cross the river at such an odd angle? Fun Fact: Maria Longworth Storer was also the first woman ever to found a music festival in the United States. This superlative statement dates back to the early 1900s. As you tour the grounds, you will see the Congdons lived a lifestyle unknown to most. Thats when Marjorie got an idea. In the early years of the twentieth century as the demand for iron ore increased, Chester Congdons wealth grew. Candleholders on Elisabeth Congdons bedside table in Glensheen Mansion. As word of Duluth's millionaires was gathering momentum, Congdon was building his $854,000 Jacobean mansion, Glensheen. Marjorie Congdon Caldwell with her attorney Ronald Meshbesher. Is there a movie about the Glensheen Mansion? If you want to set up a glorious Glensheen wedding or check out the tours and other special events, visit the official Glensheen Mansion website. Is it possible to get another one? Glensheens 22-acre estate is filled with annuals, roses, a vegetable garden, bees, and various trail systems. Nowadays, criminal psychologists recognize the allure of psychopaths as practiced behavior. Then, on June 27th, 1977, the unthinkable happened. They care nothing about anyone else, although they are often good at making it seem as if they do. After breaking off an early engagement, she settled into the life of a spinster. Amanda has worked at Glensheen in various capacities since college. After Chester passed in 1916, Clara took her time to mourn and then we see her humanitarian efforts begin to increase. She was short, wide at the hips and bookish looking. Her calm demeanor provides a sense of control for even the most stressed-out brides and grooms. Based on evidence found at the scene and later in Roger and Marjorie's possession, they were arrested. [2] In November 2010 a judge in southern Arizona refused a probation relief.[3]. Call Sally. With her history of arson, she was immediately a suspect. This blog post is to highlight some of the amazing and memorable accomplishments of the women who were connected to Glensheen in some way. "Sorry," he wrote in an email. For further reading and research, explore the source materials that contributed to the History & Culture: Shipwrecks website. Sadly, Marjories mother neglected to mention Marjories psychological problems to her new husband before he married her. After a seven-year engagement, Chester, who was practicing law in St. Paul, Minnesota, married Clara and they established a family which would eventually grow to include four boys and three girls. Marjorie was caught red-handed setting fire to her neighbors house. ed. Marjorie Congdon had married Roger Caldwell, and they planned to break into the mansion. Would it be possible to see if she is listed in some reference? It happened because she lacked a conscience. Marjorie had a penchant for arson. 75 years after she graduated she received this award through a phone call as she was not well enough to travel down to the University. Those who know her find her friendly and engaging. var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; Chester Adgate Congdon accrued a fortune working as a lawyer for the Oliver Mining Company and through investments in the Mesabi Iron Range. Later in the tour, as you pass the landing where Elisabeths nurse Velma Pietila was brutally bludgeoned to death with an iron candlestick holder, where blood had soaked the rug and dripped off the banisters, you want to ask them to stop and acknowledge it. History has done a fine job of remembering Chester and his accomplishments as a lawyer, investor, and politician. However, that didnt mean she didnt want children. The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses the 3.5 billion-year-old history of Minnesota's most ancient artifact. Elisabeth was found suffocated with a satin pillow in her bed and Velma, who was lying on a window seat, had been beaten to death with a candlestick. Additionally, he was a director in the Calumet & Arizona Mining Company of Bisbee, Arizona, the Hedley Gold Mining Company, William Cornell Greene's Greene Cananea Copper Company, the Marshall-Wells Hardware Company, the Gowan-Lenning-Brown Company, and various other banking, mining and jobbing enterprises which claimed his attention and profited by his cooperation and direction. A contemporary biographer has said of him: "Those who really knew Mr. Congdon found in him a man of tender heart and warm, human sympathies. Eighty-one-year old Elisabeth Congdon refused to bail Marjorie out anymore. But it didnt stop there. Mr. Sammis had been under her care before his death, and some suspect Ms. Congdon of foul play. Rookwood is responsible for one of the most awe-inducing rooms in the mansion, the breakfast room. If you come to Glensheen on any given day, you are likely to meet Sally. It turned out the prison authorities loved her. Marjorie admitted as much, saying she and Walter had made a suicide pact, but that she had lost her nerve at the last minute and couldnt go through with it. How lumberjacks harnessed an 'ocean of pine' to build Minnesota. This post is riddled with false statements about both the mansion and the family. When she was alerted to the fire, she was nonchalant. The murder happened in Elisabeth's older sister Helen's bedroom. Need a laugh? vintage honda reproduction parts old sears garage door opener remote do tessa and hardin end up together in the books atf binary trigger ban All his paternal ancestors were English, while his maternal ancestors were English and Dutch. The state's logging industry a national leader had shifted its operations to northern Minnesota. If she could not get it by lying, cheating and stealing, she would find some other way. She was arrested and convicted of second-degree arson and insurance fraud. It seems a bit eerie since it was filmed before the murders. She put her foot down. Local historian Tony Dierckins has spent decades researching Duluth's history and maintains the Zenith City Press website on the topic. Roger Caldwell was tried first and convicted in 1978. Psychopaths are without a conscience. Marjorie was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. Asked if he had anything to say before sentencing, he claimed he did not committed the murders. The 1909 Legislature was dominated by the tonnage tax, which would place a tax on all iron ore shipped out of state by companies that did not manufacture steel in Minnesota. Her class voted her as the Best All-Around Girl.. It hangs to the left of the fireplace in . Marjorie was acquitted in 1979.