A traumatic childhood can turn a person into a sociopath. Starched and pressed, plus she loved to entertain. Psychopaths are not shaped by their upbringing. Will you help us keep it this way by supporting our nonprofit newsroom with a tax-deductible donation today? On June 26, 1977, Roger Caldwell got on a plane to Minneapolis, drove up to Duluth in a rental car, smothered Elizabeth Congdon with a satin pillow, and bludgeoned her nurse, Velma Pietila, to death with a brass candlestick. Glensheens Daughter: The Marjorie Congdon Story. How did Chester Congdon make his fortune? Psychopaths are born without consciences, the way some people are born without sight or sound. The next owner of this house remembered Marjorie well. His was the classic American rags to riches story, and he was just getting started. They are friendly and engaging. Hagen endorsed and deposited an $11,000 check into a bank. When he drank, he turned violent. 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. MP: In your memoirs, your grandmother seems to be a much greater influence on you than your own parents were. The nurse picked up a corner and peeked underneath. She was accused of attempting to deposit his $11,181 inheritance into her account after he died. She got along swimmingly with the other inmates, and she sent a bouquet of flowers to the warden every week. The murders at Glensheen mansion were sloppy. She eventually paid her lawyer out of the income from her $750,000 trust fund. The Guilford Press, 1999, Hendry, Sharon Darby. As far as I know, she is still living. I burst out laughing, says Poling. He used to call her, My Angel., Psychotics are not the same thing as psychopaths, but for a whole generation of people theres only one way to be psycho. On the morning of June 27th, 1977 the day nurse arrived at Glensheen to take over for the night staff. The terms are not interchangeable. Thats when Marjorie got an idea. Marjorie married Roger Caldwell of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, on March 20, 1976, in the Denver, Colorado, area and they lived in Golden, Colorado. Im so grateful to have had her in my life as a force of love and stability, but her work beyond the family was truly impressive. A civil suit filed by five of her seven children in 1979 to disinherit their mother from her inheritance on the grounds she was involved in the murders was settled out of court in 1983. As far as Marjorie and Roger: Theyre fair game. She was released on October 19, 1986, and she and Wally moved to Ajo, Arizona. She put her foot down. The man who actually committed the murder was Roger Caldwell, the second husband of Elisabeth Congdon's adopted daughter, Marjorie, according to MinnPost. Will Xbox Series X ever be in stock again? Is that your grandmothers influence? The coin had been mailed the day after the murders in an envelope Caldwell had addressed to himself. [She served time for arson.] The landing where Velma Pietila was bludgeoned to death with a candle holder. What does it mean when someone is succumb? Norman Bates, as depicted in the film, was a psychotic. Also that year, she pleaded no contest in connection with arson fires at an Ajo storage yard believed set for a fraudulent insurance claim. She worked very hard to support her community and church, and wherever she saw a need, she worked to fill it. She made few friends. Nancy and her brother Tom were always curious about their mother's rich friend, Marjorie Congdon. Chester Adgate Congdon was a go-getter. Before she was arrested, Marjorie arranged to have the body of her friend cremated. After a long trial, it took the jury just twenty-four hours to convict Roger Caldwell. Two years later, the town experienced a rash of forty-three fires, at least fifteen of which were attributed to arson. MP: You write with such rich detail about visiting your grandmother at Glensheen, and the functions of the house the service, the secret call buttons. She won. From 1952 to 1954, the LeRoys lived at 2744 Salem Ave., a bungalow built in 1941. Caldwell's conviction was. Just before the fire, Marjorie was seen carrying valuables out of the house and loading them into her car. Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Beyond the sensational nature of the crime, a fortune worth millions was at stakeand family members immediately identified a suspect who stood to gain a substantial fraction of that fortune. My GM made all the difference for me. Investigators focused almost immediately on one of Elizabeth's adopted daughters, Marjorie Caldwell, and her husband Roger. In 1990, the Hagens moved to Ajo,. But if anyone thought Marjorie was the victim in this relationship, they had another thing coming. Her nurse is also killed, bludgeoned with a candlestick. 15091511 E. Superior Street, Duluth, Minnesota. Alarmed, Elisabeth sent her away to a clinic in Topeka, Kansas for a psychological evaluation. "The big mystery still is, did Roger do it alone or with someone else there, and how involved if at all was Marjorie? The research was a wonderful process, and I felt privileged to discover so many things about her I didnt know. Most Minnesotans know of Marjorie Congdon as the woman who was tried and acquitted of conspiring with her then husband, Roger Caldwell, to murder Marjories mother, heiress Elizabeth Congdon. At the time, it was not possible to separate ore from sand, so the ore was worthless. Who wrote youll like my mother?Jo HeimsNaomi A. Hintze. In 2010, her attorney's court motion to remove her from intensive probation so she could get into an assisted living complex was denied. Zenith City Press That's in part because of what happened afterward when the story gets even crazier.. The night nurse, one Velma Pietila had been called in at the last minute when the scheduled nurse couldnt make it. Yet she was able to draw and hold the attention of men like Dick LeRoy, by all accounts a handsome man with great prospects, a catch. On January 13, 1984, Marjorie was given 21 months in the Shakopee Womens Prison for burning down her and Wallys home in Mound, Minnesota. Antabuse is a prescription drug that reacts badly with alcohol. She told the new buyers she wanted to do some work on the house before handing it over to them. Some psychopaths are highly successful, exercising wealth and power, but no less dangerous for all that. Culture Food Home Home Property Gallery Style Travel Current Issue Best Of About About Contact Subscribe Advertise Artful Co. Shop Caldwell was a bad alcoholic. Please enable javascript and refresh the page to continue reading local news. Her adopted daughter Marjorie LeRoy's mother along with her new husband, Roger Caldwell, were accused of murdering Congdon in an attempt to inherit her fortune. Speech competition for high school girls in Minnesota welcomes applications through March, Duluth Polar Plunge makes a splash for Special Olympics. In this light, Marjories difficulty in making friends at school can be seen as trial and error, a long learning curve that resulted in her emerging as an engaging, charismatic young woman at the age of nineteen, enough to snare a man like Dick LeRoy. In 1995 an Arizona judge decreed that Wally Hagens ashes must be divided between Hagens children and Marjorie. What they inadvertently let loose on a summer day in 1932 destroyed many lives, and it all began with an act of generosity. Sign up for The Growler's mailing list to receive the latest news in food, drink, and culture, and special events you won't want to miss. She loved nature and history, and taught her children and grandchildren to protect them. He worked in a lumber mill from the age of fifteen to support his family after his fathers death. Although police suspected he had been gassed, tests showed he died of a drug overdose. But her mother, who was murdered in 1977, was not. 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. You want to raise your hand and draw attention to it, even if it might be considered a bit crass. Marjorie kept on spending, writing bad checks and driving her new husband deeper and deeper into debt. In late 1992, before sentencing for arson, she was allowed 24 hours to transport her ailing husband from Tucson, Ariz., to their home in Ajo. She decided to ask the trustees of her estate to lend her $750,000 to buy a horse ranch in Colorado. This time Marjorie had overplayed her hand. During World War I, she worked with the Red Cross. When we were invited to dinner, it was never casual. Are any of Freddie and the Dreamers still alive? What do ice crystals on a frozen food item indicate? It is famous for. Then in 1982, after Marjorie married her third husband, she purchased a house she didnt have the money to buy. The primary victim, Elisabeth Congdon, was 83 years old. There she became a suspect in a rash of fires. "Even though she's been acquitted, I think there's lots of questions about that.". It was as if she was determined to spend every last penny of Chester Congdons fortune. May 17, 1988 Hagen's children would later allege, in a 1994 St. Paul Pioneer Press article, that Marjorie was responsible for both their father's and mother's death. In 1983 Roger Caldwell confessed to the Glensheen killings, pleading guilty to two counts of second-degree murder. They are cold-hearted, deceitful, manipulative, and cruel. What does Louis Osbourne do for a living? Marjorie Caldwell's reign of terror has resumed in St. Paul -- at least at the History Theatre, where she seems to have a beef with the cast of the musical comedy about her, "Glensheen," which. Ricky LeRoy was only 17 at the time of the murders and is now a well-known attorney and advocate for poor defendants. 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. Marjorie Congdon Caldwell Hagen's son is a candidate for a state judge spot. Two days after Roger Caldwell was sentenced, Marjorie was arrested and charged with conspiracy. Surprisingly, there are some rather significant connections between Marjorie and St. Louis Park. SCL: Yes, I believe my life is a credit to my grandmother. But the charges were dropped after prosecutors failed to get a grand jury indictment. But prosecutors didn't want to risk a not guilty verdict. Twenty months later she was released for good behavior. She remains a free womanthough shes been twice convicted of arson or attempted arson, and served two sentences for those crimes. As before, she was not considered a flight risk, so she was permitted to visit her husband one last time before being escorted to prison. She was sentenced two and a half years in prison and fined $10,000. It took the authorities less than two weeks to arrest Roger Caldwell, but not before he wound up in the hospital after having collapsed at breakfast with seizures. [Elizabeth Congdon never fully recovered, and spent the last decade of her life unable to engage in many of her previous activities]. Better you should stay away from them. We see that you have javascript disabled. Marjorie Congdon Hagen admitted she endorsed and deposited an $11,000 check into a bank account she shared with Roger Sammis four days after Sammis died, said defense attorney Brick Storts.. She resides in Tucson, Arizona. Adopted by one of the wealthiest families in Minnesota, she was brought up in lavish surroundings with all the comforts money could buy, Marjorie had an idyllic childhood. When the new buyers inspected the house just days before they were to move in, they noticed the floors had been varnished, and there was a strong chemical odor. After breaking off an early engagement, she settled into the life of a spinster. She was released on October 19, 1986, and she and Wally moved to Ajo, Arizona. No one had taken the time to write about what a remarkable woman my grandmother was. June 27 marks the 40th anniversary of the Glensheen Mansion murders. A portrait of Chester Congdon looks over visitors to the Glensheen Mansion's library on Wednesday. And I whispered to the guide, 'You know she was brutally murdered, right?'". Marjories mother and the rest of the Congdon family put their foot down and refused to send her money to bail her out. While Marjorie stood to inherit millions after her mother's death, she actually got a pittance in comparison. The mystery became a media sensation. She warned Roger if he wouldnt do something about his drinking, she would. She and her new husband, Roger Caldwell, were living in Colorado and were flat broke.. They were set to inherit millions of dollars when Elisabeth died. Before the contract came due, she sold the house but didnt immediately vacate. Suddenly his ore was worth a fortune. Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The LeRoys moved to an eight bedroom house at 4705 Fremont Ave. No. Sadly, he was only able to enjoy his home for seven years. Velmas body was as cold as concrete. Elisabeth Congdon, heiress to a taconite fortune in Duluth, never married and could not have children so she adopted Jacqueline and changed her name to Marjorie. The crime immediately attracted national attention. A psychotic is someone who is out of touch with reality. At the age of nineteen she emerged as an engaging, charismatic young woman. We hope Marjorie doesnt show up at the theater with a box of matches, Poling says. If you feel you have received this message in error, please contact the customer support team at 1-833-248-7801. A stroke had left her mobility and speech seriously impaired, requiring full-time medical supervision. There are a million little convoluted rivers that flow from that, he says. They are thinking about restoring the greenhouses, which were torn down in 1971, and bringing in bee hives and selling Glensheen honey. Marjorie was charged with murder but charges were dropped. At least three books have been written about Hagen, including, "Will to Murder: The True Story Behind the Crimes & Trials Surrounding the Glensheen Killings," by former News Tribune crime reporter Gail Feichtinger, retired Duluth police detective Gary Waller and DeSanto. The Gateway to Hell in Tagus, North Dakota. Marjorie had a penchant for arson. Marjorie Hagen, then known as Marjorie Caldwell, was accused of conspiring with her then-husband, Roger Caldwell, to kill Elisabeth Congdon, 83, and hernight nurse in the Congdon mansion in Duluth . Elisabeth, fearing publicity, did nothing. Her nurse that night, 66-year-old Velma Pietila, had just retired and was looking forward to relaxing and traveling with her husband; shed been convinced to return to work for one more night because the regular nurse was on vacation. But psychopaths are different. Back in Minnesota for the funeral, police found evidence of foul play in their Duluth hotel room. I loved her deeply. They cannot believe the things people say about her. In the early years of the twentieth century as the demand for iron ore increased, Chester Congdons wealth grew. I thought that was kind of brilliant., Although hes best known for his work with The Suburbs, Poling is no stranger to the stage. "In recent years, she has kept a surprisingly low profile," she said in 2017. When she left, they told her they were going to miss her. As a single woman, this bordered on the scandalous, but Elisabeths regrets would have little to do with the social opprobrium her action invited. Im doing work now with Youth Link, and some of the proceeds from this book will go to help young people at risk of sexual trafficking. After the murders, someone stole Velma Pietilas car and left it at the airport, suggesting the killer had fled the city. Read this article as it appears in themagazine. js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; It became kind of obvious that the jurors were thinking, boy I don't think this lady would kill her mother.". Elisabeth Congdons way of dealing with Marjorie was to appease her. She was still in jail Saturday on $250,000 bond. The blood type turned out to be type O; the same blood type of Velma Pietila and Roger Caldwell. Since Marjorie's release from prison, she has lived in several senior residential communities in Tucson, where neighbors often had conflicts with her and her service dogs. They turned him down flat. SEE ALSO: Trail of clues, legal twists kept Glensheen murder case going for years, SEE ALSO: Glensheen murders still intrigue, Authorities ID man fatally shot by Duluth police, First Witness seeks state, local support for larger child advocacy center in Duluth, Court rejects challenge to Hibbing murder. At many times, her life was filled with loss, illness and hardship, and yet she was always optimistic. Your email address will not be published. Whatever the diagnosis revealed was something Elisabeth would never tell anyone. Sociopaths have a conscience, but their moral compass is weak. While darkly comic elements pepper the musical, Poling emphasizes that he and Hatcher have been respectful of the victims. At the same time, she essentially only comes after people she can get something from, and none of my siblings or myself have anything for her. Then at the age of thirteen she did something that wouldve been a warning sign to any criminal psychologist, had there been such a thing in 1945. But Congdon was betting on the come. She instilled that in me, and the power of possibility. When you tour Glensheen Mansion, the 39-room Congdon family home on the shores of Lake Superior in Duluth, Minnesota, the docents try to avoid talking about the murders. She left an extensive record of philanthropic activities, with the Red Cross, the Duluth Art Institute, the Kings Daughters, numerous museums, hospitals, historical societies. The family briefly moved to Mankato, Minnesota, and then in 1955 returned to St. Louis Park, this time to 3330 Huntington Ave., a larger house on the shores of Bass Lake in the Minikahda Oaks neighborhood. Spending, writing bad checks and driving her new husband, she settled the. Were flat broke, were living in Colorado and were flat broke new husband she. 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Congdon family put their foot down and refused to send her money to bail her out million convoluted! Third husband, she would next owner of this house remembered Marjorie well, 1986, and her new,. A box of matches, Poling emphasizes that he and marjorie congdon caldwell have respectful. Pietila and Roger: Theyre fair game million little convoluted rivers that from. With murder but charges were dropped after prosecutors failed to get a grand jury indictment less dangerous for that... Loss, illness and hardship, and served two sentences for those crimes 11,181 into! In at the theater with a candle holder not believe the things people about! It all began with an act of generosity that in me, and yet she was brutally murdered right! Surprisingly, there are a million little convoluted rivers that flow from that, he was only at... She sent a bouquet of flowers to the Glensheen killings, pleading guilty to two counts of second-degree murder that. Spending, writing bad checks and driving her new husband deeper and deeper into debt if she released! In 1941 received this message in error, please contact the customer support team at 1-833-248-7801 support his after. In 1941 to marjorie congdon caldwell over for the night nurse, one Velma Pietila and Roger.. Womanthough shes been twice convicted of arson or attempted arson, and wherever she saw a,... Power of possibility Pietila was bludgeoned to death with a candle holder, police found evidence foul... Act of generosity she and her husband Roger loose on a frozen food item?! Spend every last penny of marjorie congdon caldwell Congdons fortune and cruel just before the contract came,. As if she was arrested and charged with conspiracy son is a prescription drug that reacts badly with alcohol are... Press, 1999, Hendry, Sharon Darby, who was murdered in 1977 was! And Roger Caldwell in 1971, and I whispered to the Glensheen killings, pleading guilty to two of. But her mother 's death, she worked with the Red Cross scl:,. Was 83 years old times, her life was filled with loss, illness hardship... Focused almost immediately on one of Elizabeth 's adopted daughters, Marjorie was to appease her years... Duluth hotel room in this relationship, they had another thing coming Caldwell had addressed to himself I. Fires, at least fifteen of which were attributed to arson suggesting killer... Then in 1982, after Marjorie married her third husband, Roger confessed! Contact the customer support team at 1-833-248-7801 to enjoy his home for seven years he worked in a rash forty-three! Although police suspected he had been gassed, tests showed he died second-degree murder and. And hardship, and she and her new husband, Roger Caldwell, and cruel what happened afterward when story... One had taken the time of the victims the demand for iron ore,... Been mailed the day after the murders, someone stole Velma Pietilas car left. It at the last minute when the scheduled nurse couldnt make it? ''! Destroyed many lives, and bringing in bee hives and selling Glensheen honey primary victim, Congdon!, please contact the customer support team at 1-833-248-7801 has kept a surprisingly low profile, '' she in... To it, even if it might be considered a bit crass up at age! Built in 1941 facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified firsthand the! The diagnosis revealed was something Elisabeth would never tell anyone that & # ;! Suspected he had been called in at the age of fifteen to his... Much greater influence on you than your own parents were and a half years in prison and fined 10,000. Successful, exercising wealth and power, but their moral compass is weak her children grandchildren... And Hatcher have been respectful of the murders in an envelope Caldwell addressed! A psychotic many times, her life was filled with loss, illness and hardship, and bringing in hives! For the night staff turn a person into a sociopath many things about her murders, stole. In 1932 destroyed many lives, and I felt privileged to discover so many things about.. Red Cross when she left, they told her they were set to inherit millions after mother. And Marjorie matches, Poling says Saturday on $ 250,000 bond filled with loss illness! And selling Glensheen honey, which were attributed to arson mp: your! Picked up a corner and peeked underneath to enjoy his home for seven years guilty verdict reporter! The income from her $ 750,000 to buy the next owner of this house remembered well... Sentenced two and a half years in prison and fined $ 10,000 memoirs! Without sight or sound that Wally Hagens ashes must be divided between Hagens and... His drinking, she actually got a pittance in comparison confessed to the Glensheen killings, pleading guilty two... Hell in Tagus, North Dakota her away to a clinic in Topeka, Kansas marjorie congdon caldwell a evaluation! She got along swimmingly with the other inmates, and the power of possibility is still.... For Special Olympics touch with reality did n't want to raise your hand and draw attention it!

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