Glensheen Mansion Tours do not highlight this tragedy, however, because they choose not to exploit the event or allow it to overshadow the Congdon family legacy. A Retelling of Minnesota’s Infamous Glensheen Murders. Goldschmidt also made note of some hemorrhaging in Congdon’s eyes. Glensheen at the time was owned by the Congdon family. Finding her body on the bed and seeing no sign of life, there was nothing more he could do. They found a receipt from the day of the murders from the Twin Cities Airport gift shop for a suede suit bag. Fearing the killer could still be in the house, the two women, side by side, walked toward the phone. Thinking Pietila must have forgotten, Conger continued on. A latent fingerprint was removed from the envelope containing the gold coin and was later compared to Roger’s prints taken at the time of his arrest. Police had to work at a slow pace to make sure they did not miss the slightest clue that could lead to the killer. He recalled an argument his wife had had with Elisabeth Congdon’s adopted daughter Marjorie. Nurse Klosowsky carried the suitcases upstairs to Elisabeth's bedroom. It was Marjorie, who stood to inherit $8 million after her mother died. After police learned of the Caldwell's financial troubles and the constant begging for money by the two, Marjorie and Roger became prime suspects. When Elisabeth saw the movie at the Duluth premiere she was surpised at the dark tone. He made note of the dark nylon stocking tied tightly around Pietila’s left wrist. "We spend a lot of time trying to make sure that the focus of Glensheen is not the murder. Another police dog that was on-scene picked up a scent trail from the back porch with the broken window and followed it down to the lake. Glensheen Mansion Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and said to be haunted. By then another police officer had arrived. Though one of the suspects was convicted, and later signed a confession, some elements of the crime remain mysterious, and it has persisted as a source of continued fascination. Feichtinger was born in Stamford, Connecticut, studied journalism at Southern Methodist University and received a B.A. Cold Spots: Glensheen Mansion by Steve Barton April 1, 2009, 12:58 pm 2k Views Duluth, MN – The newspaper headlines read like a tale from a dime-store detective novel. Police Officer Chris Kucera was the first to reach the Congdon estate at 7:03 a.m. Rather than risk an acquittal or a hung jury, officials struck a deal with Caldwell, allowing him to plead guilty to two, John Wayne Gacy Confessed to Killing Dozens (December 22, 1978). Help ensure MPR remains a resource that brings Minnesotans together. Waller entered Caldwell’s room and read Roger his rights. Marjorie's behavior in court also had an impact on the trial. Kucera entered the house. The nurse working that day was Mildred Klosowsky. Elisabeth Congdon, the owner spent winters in Tuscon so the film crew filmed during that time period. said Kimball. In the mean time they stayed in the Twin Cities at a Holiday Inn. ", "I went on one of the early tours," he said, "and one of the first things the guide said, was, 'when Ms. Congdon passed away, she willed the estate to the university.' Biography. When Goldschmidt finished making examinations of the bodies, they were removed and taken to a local hospital for autopsy. "Someone breaks into a 39-room mansion and killed the nurse on the grand stairway," with a candlestick, recalled Joe Kimball, a reporter with the Minneapolis Tribune who covered the murders. Also available from Amazon, With the purpose of writing about true crime in an authoritative, fact-based manner, veteran journalists J. J. Maloney and J. Patrick O’Connor launched Crime Magazine in November of 1998. Biography. The same bag that was found in Roger and Marjorie’s Holiday Inn room. "It really was like a house in a time capsule.". And he said it's too grisly to discuss on tours with families. When Nurse Mildred Garvue arrived shortly before 7 a.m., she went to the pantry’s refrigerator to get Elisabeth’s insulin. Police Officer Chris Kucera was the first to reach the Congdon estate at 7:03 a.m. Marjorie’s case began right after her husband's conviction. Though no direct evidence linked her son-in-law to the crime, circumstantial evidence -- the $8 million his wife would inherit -- made him the … After helping move Elisabeth into the house and laying her down on a sofa, she returned to the car to unload two suitcase wicker baskets. Learn More. The victims' families "were really hopeful that we would not have to retry the case with a chance of Roger walking free," DeSanto said. This time he told police that his wife’s car had been stolen. There was a large pool of blood beneath Pietila’s head, but Garvue checked for signs of life anyway. That's because the operators say there's more to the Congdons and Glensheen than this one grisly crime. Learn More. The Caldwell’s remained in Minnesota for several days following Elisabeth’s funeral, waiting for the reading of Elisabeth’s will. Attached to the nurse’s room was a bathroom. Grams gave Waller a quick rundown of what has been found and a description of the two bodies. Conger and Garvue also made known their fears about the possibility of the killer or killers still being in the house. Not seeing any kind of puncture wounds on Congdon, Detective Waller figured the nurse had been killed first and it was her blood that was on Congdon. Marjorie had insisted she and Roger stay at Glensheen, but that request was refused since police still had to tie up loose ends. The historic home, completed by the Congdon family in 1908, is perched on the shore of Lake Superior and was the backdrop of a new “Hitchcockian” psychological thriller called "Girl Missing", starring Clint Eastwood's daughter, Francesca Eastwood. Being from Minnesota, I am beyond the story of the murders. An expert disputed a fingerprint that linked Roger to the crime. Detective Gary Waller arrived at Glensheen just after 8 a.m. and after parking his car he proceeded to the mansion’s front door. Garvue, terrified, ran down the stairs to the first floor where Conger was waiting to bring the tray. The bedroom was simply decorated, not something someone would expect of someone of Elisabeth Congdon’s means. Some small talk was passed between the two and Nurse Garvue then went to go upstairs to check on her patient. ... Glensheen was the site of the murders of heiress Elisabeth Congdon and her nurse, Velma Pietila, on June 27, 1977. I adore the Glensheen mansion as well as the Bed and Breakfast named, The Mansion. He was found guilty and given two life sentences. Individual donations are behind the clarity in coverage from our reporters across the state, stories that connect us, and conversations that provide perspectives. Today we’ll work on remembering Glensheen Historic Estate, better known as Glensheen Mansion. There is another book that features many pictures and much history. The night of June 27, 1977, Roger broke into Glensheen to burgle the 39-room mansion on Lake Superior that belonged to Marjorie’s mother, 83-year-old Duluth heiress Elisabeth Congdon. The book—called “The definitive book, the story behind the story of the Congdon-Pietila Murders”—is the only volume on the subject of the murders available for sale at Glensheen. Making note of the small drops of blood on the carpet and wall, Waller figured it looked like the nurse had put up a fight. See more ideas about glensheen mansion, glensheen, duluth. Glensheen had no electronic security system nor was there any security living on the estate. Also noted was a tattoo-like pattern of wounds to her face, forearm and finger. Explore the mansion digitally with a guide. He became shaky and almost passed out before finally going to the hospital. That's when Kimball decided to write a book about the case, "Secrets of the Congdon Mansion. Follow Us. Glensheen Mansion, Star Tribune The diving bell was discovered during recent restoration work on the Glensheen boathouse. Dresser drawers had been pulled out and empty jewelry boxes lay on the floor. Murder at Glensheen Mansion. 40 years later, Hartman said the murders are still fresh and raw for members of the Congdon family, some of whom sit on the museum's board. Jul 7, 2016 - Explore Deanna's board "Glensheen Mansion", followed by 314 people on Pinterest. The two women told the officer about the homicides and he went in to check for himself. Police concluded she had been beaten with her own shoe. Jun 12, 2015 - by Cal Schoonover. Justice on Fire is OConnor’s detailed account of the terrible explosion that led to the firefighters’ deaths and the terrible injustice that followed. In a plea bargain, the remainder of Roger’s prison sentence was dismissed as authorities hoped his confession would implicate Marjorie—though that didn’t turn out to be the case. Photo courtesy of Glensheen Manor. 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.In 1905, Chester began building Glensheen Historic Estate, a 39-room mansion on their 22-acre (89,000 m 2) estate in Duluth, Minnesota, seeing it finished 3 years later. So they made a deal. Penniless, he was forced to move to his hometown in Pennsylvania, and collect welfare. We don't really hide from it, but it's definitely not our number one marketing message to get out there.". Just after midnight on Wednesday, July 6, Detective Waller arrived at the hospital. Detective Waller found bloodstains on the door jamb and many faint spots of blood in the sink and on the tiled floor. The mansion was the site of a grisly 1977 real-life murder mystery, when the last surviving heiress to the home and family fortune, Elizabeth Congdon, and her nurse were killed here. About 6:30 p.m. the card game was stopped for a short break to eat dinner. On that last Sunday of her life, June 26, 1977, Elisabeth Congdon, who had suffered a severe stroke 12 years prior and required around the clock care, arrived at her family’s estate known as Glensheen. While making rounds, she was to unlock the front door so the arriving day nurse could enter and not have to ring the doorbell and disturb Elisabeth. While he was in prison, Marjorie divorced him and he had no access to the money promised by his ex-wife. On June 27, 1977, the aged heiress to a vast mining fortune is killed along with her night nurse at Glensheen, a posh mansion perched on the Lake Superior coast. When it opened two years after the murders, tour guides were instructed not to talk about them, because of the sensational nature of the crimes, and because it was still so raw and emotional for the families. Around 5 p.m. Elisabeth awoke from her short nap and asked her nurse to play a game of cards. It was the last time she would see Elisabeth Congdon or Velma Pietila alive. On June 27, 1977, the aged heiress to a vast mining fortune is killed along with her night nurse at Glensheen, a posh mansion perched on the Lake Superior coast. | May 1, 2009 Waller lifted the pillow carefully, he noticed there was what appeared to be a raw patch of skin on her nose. 005 Glensheen Mansion Murders Part 3. Photo courtesy of Glensheen Manor. This was now two years after the murders and, as Kimball recalled, two new developments hurt the prosecution. The couple was desperate for money, and Marjorie was in line to inherit $8 million when her mother died, said John DeSanto, the chief prosecutor at the time. The murders of heiress Elisabeth Congdon and her nurse were far from perfect. She also was the only one of the seven children to live in her family’s 39 room Duluth mansion, located on the shores of Lake Superior, her whole adult life. Sometime later, the quiet night was interrupted and Velma was in the fight for her life. Finding no pulse, he continued up the stairs to Elisabeth’s room. Blood money: The grisly murders at Duluth's Glensheen mansion Friday, December 7, 2018 by Hannah Jones in News. Hazel Conger, the maid, served dinner in the library, where after consuming her meal, Elisabeth would either watch TV or play more cards. Klosowsky left Elisabeth’s bedroom and went to the nurse’s room to watch for the oncoming night nurse, Velma Pietila. 40 years later, Glensheen murders still grip Duluth, Glensheen, home museums rethink rules to lure visitors. One last toot for Duluth, Minnesota's Glensheen murders. She had actually retired the month before and was looking forward to playing golf, traveling and spending more time with her husband. The blood type turned out to be type O; the same blood type of Velma Pietila and Roger Caldwell. The treating doctor found high levels of valium in Roger’s blood stream. That's in part because of what happened afterward — when the story gets even crazier. 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.In 1905, Chester began building Glensheen Historic Estate, a 39-room mansion on their 22-acre (89,000 m 2) estate in Duluth, Minnesota, seeing it finished 3 years later. Jul 7, 2016 - Explore Deanna's board "Glensheen Mansion", followed by 314 people on Pinterest. To her horror, she saw the lifeless body of Velma Pietila laying on the bench seat beneath the landing window. Is it a real haunting, or is it just an urban legend? Waller observed her room was disorganized and Congdon herself had bloodstains on her sheets, nightgown and on the pillow that covered her face. Pietila’s purse was on the bed, looking as though it had been gone through. "We always believed, and the whole theory of the case was, that she was the woman behind the man," DeSanto said. Glensheen, the Historic Congdon Estate is a 20,000 square foot mansion in Duluth, Minnesota, United States, operated by the University of Minnesota Duluth as a historic house museum.Glensheen sits on 12 acres of waterfront property on Lake Superior, has 39 rooms and is built in the Jacobean architectural tradition, inspired by the Beaux-Arts styles of the era. A diving bell was lifted from water and debris inside the boathouse at Duluth's Glensheen Mansion on Thursday, July 11, 2019. Is it a real haunting, or is it just an urban legend? The room was a mess. He noticed the pooled blood under her head. Marjorie Congdon's mugshot, when she was arrested for arson in Arizona on March 25, 1991. "It was clear she was then on a path to wanting to speed up her inheritance," said DeSanto, who's a judge now and co-author of a book on the case, "Will to Murder.". That night she was asked to fill in for the night nurse, who needed the night off. She enjoyed card games and was difficult to beat at gin rummy and hearts. Concerned for Congdon, Nurse Garvue was worried, but continued upstairs to Elisabeth’s bedroom. Roger’s fingerprints were nowhere to be found in Glensheen. Detective Waller didn’t think the prints were a clear enough match, but they were introduced at trial anyway. After settling in to the nurses room, Pietila propped open the window with her thermos and read her book I Didn’t Come Here to Argue by Peg Bracken. Fearing the worst, he had to wait until Inspector Grams broke the news to him. There was a strict routine followed by staff when it came time for locking and unlocking doors and windows. "Even though she's been acquitted, I think there's lots of questions about that.". The grotesque story is nonetheless a true one that unfolded almost 40 years ago now: Duluth’s Glensheen murders, an atrocity that riveted the region for years. In 2005, the museum reversed course. The 83-year-old heiress was smothered in her sleep with a pillow-case. Her left arm appeared bruised and her gold watch and diamond-sapphire ring were gone. The Minnesota Supreme Court ordered a new trial for August 7, 1982. Police were sent to the airport and after a brief search, the abandon car was found in the parking lot. Turing his attention to the bedroom, Detective Waller looked around for clues. ", "Because the family didn't want to go back to a murder scene," he explained. After some small talk and discussing the day’s events, Nurse Klosowsky left for the night. On receiving this news, Roger Caldwell appealed his conviction due to the lack of evidence presented at his wife’s trial. Because of the notoriety of the crime, it makes sense that a few other rumors cropped up along with it. With the death of Elisabeth, the Glensheen estate, which includes the 39-room mansion, carriage house, boathouse, and gardener’s cottage, was left to the University of Minnesota and has remained largely intact, down to the unopened house … From Will to Murder: The True Story behind the Crimes and Trials Surrounding the Glensheen Killings by Gail Feichtinger, John DeSanto, and Gary Waller (Zenith City Press, 2003). She was accused of murdering her third husband, although those charges were dropped. Roger’s trial began on May, 9, 1978. As she made her way up the stairs, Garvue saw two bare legs dangling on the landing between the first and second floors. The blood being wiped from the killer to Elisabeth Congdon as she fought her murderer. At this point, there was not even the slightest guess as to what the small injuries could have been. The murders of heiress Elisabeth Congdon and her nurse were far from perfect. Marjorie later was indicted on a variety of other strange but unrelated crimes in the southwestern United States. The police had circumstantial evidence against the Caldwell’s, however they lacked hard evidence. Making note of the small abrasion on her nose. I am fascinated by the story of the Congdon family, their triumphs and ways of life! As usual, she returned on Sunday night to Duluth. Then the story took another turn when the Minnesota Supreme Court court threw out Roger Caldwell's conviction based on the new evidence introduced at Marjorie's trial. Wyness at this time had no idea what had taken place inside Glensheen. Marjorie was released from prison in 2004. A police German Shepard was brought in and upon searching the mansion, police discovered what they suspected to be the intruder's point of entry. By 10:45 Elisabeth was finally settled in bed and was exhausted. At the time of questioning, Waller also observed Roger Caldwell’s right hand was swollen and he had a cut on his lip. While the dogs and some police were searching the grounds, Detective Waller began the difficult task of photographing the bodies and processing evidence. Bruises on her left arm from where her attacker held her down were also noticed. Twelve years after the murders, he committed suicide. When asked if he knew of any enemies his wife may have had, he said he was not sure. Elisabeth had spent the weekend at her summer home on the Brule River in Wisconsin, just like she did every weekend. As usual, Elisabeth slept with her gold watch on and her favorite ring -- a platinum strawberry dome ring that had 12 diamonds and 15 round sapphires. The one corner of the pillow that covered Elisabeth Congdon’s face was still crumpled from where the killer held it in place. History Theatre’s popular musical “Glensheen,” about an infamous Minnesota murder case in a Duluth mansion in 1977, was due to return to the St. Paul theater’s stage for the… Drupal theme by ThemeSnap.com. He made note of the dresser in the room having all its drawers pulled out the same length. "I think also a downside of the murder is that people always viewed it from that lens, even in the history community," he said, "that they kind of forget it's actually this incredibly important historic site for our state. … Marjorie’s case began right after her husband's conviction. Glensheen, built just northeast of downtown Duluth in 1909, was the audacious symbol of Congdon's wealth and made the murders that much more intriguing. When she touched Pietila’s arm she could feel it was cold and stiff. Duluth officials were outraged by the Minnesota Supreme Court's decision, but knew they lacked hard evidence. Velma Pietila had been a nurse since 1933 and had spent the last seven years working at Glensheen. The next day, DeSanto charged Marjorie with conspiring to kill her mother. Kucera told him there was no need for paramedics and it was a double homicide. Her life at Glensheen ended abruptly on June 27, 1977, when the ailing, 83-year-old heiress was killed in the mansion along with her night nurse, Velma Pietila, 67. Marjorie was found not guilty of murder. Not knowing what to expect, he made his way up the stairs and when he saw Pietila, he checked for signs of life. There were well over 100 people interviewed in connection with the Congdon case, but this number was easily thinned. Glensheen Mansion was constructed in 1905 by the Lake Superior in Duluth, It was the brainchild of then wealthiest man in Minnesota, Chester Adgate Congdon. The murder at the Glensheen Mansion remains one of Minnesota's most well-known mysteries. from Carleton College, and … For authorities, the case that would become the notorious Glensheen murders began on a warm, muggy summer morning. By July 6, jurors began deliberations. There was also blood on her uniform and a large pool of blood on the polished floor. One of the first people to be interviewed was Loren Pietila. Leaving Congdon’s room, Waller and the Inspector went across the hall to the nurse’s room. She enjoyed card games and was difficult to beat at gin rummy and hearts. The court granted him a new trial. For authorities, the case that would become the notorious Glensheen murders began on a warm, muggy summer morning. May 12, 2017. A portrait of Chester Congdon looks over visitors to the Glensheen Mansion's library on Wednesday. The 39-room mansion and estate on the shore of Lake Superior in Duluth will be forever associated with the shocking events of June 27, 1977, when mining heiress Elizabeth Congdon was smothered in her bed and her night nurse Velma Pietila was … Elisabeth had out lived her brothers and sisters and therefore had control over the famous Congdon fortune. Glensheen, The Historic Congdon Estate: Glensheen Mansion - See 1,245 traveler reviews, 643 candid photos, and great deals for Duluth, MN, at Tripadvisor. It became kind of obvious that the jurors were thinking, boy I don't think this lady would kill her mother.". Marjorie was found not guilty of murder. Finding this strange, Waller made note the scene looked more staged rather than an actual robbery. Nurse Klosowsky helped Elisabeth into bed, opened a window, then removed her hearing aid and unplugged the phone. ... Glensheen University of Minnesota Covering Elisabeth’s face was a pink blood-flecked satin pillow. He noted she was beaten almost beyond recognition. After settling in to the nurses room, Pietila propped open the window with her thermos and read her book. Kucera left Elisabeth’s room and went back down the stairs. A pane of glass in a basement window was broken, and a mark that appeared to have been caused by a foot impression was found on a sofa underneath the broken window. Police in Golden, Colorado found a missing gold coin in an envelope in Caldwell's mailbox. Glensheen Mansion, Star Tribune The diving bell was discovered during recent restoration work on the Glensheen boathouse. Portraits of Chester and Clara ... he built the Glensheen Mansion in 1909. Thousands have toured it since it opened as a museum in 1979. July 15, 1977. The crime scene detectives processed the staircase and Congdon’s room before they finished in the nurse's room. Dead ; Miss Elisabeth ’ s trial time she would see Elisabeth Congdon his! 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