HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018 Issue 3 - Murders Most Foul, A Project by the RenteensFundraiser History-
Making Party on
September 26.
Programs Report
by Kim Owens, Public
Engagement Coord.
Donations,
Memberships,
& Memorials
Museum Report
by Elizabeth P.
Stewart, Director.
Editor’s Note: RenTeens is the Renton History Museum’s youth
advisory council. Every year they select and execute a project
of their choice pertaining to Renton history. Projects over the
past four years have included podcasts, blogs, and exhibits. This
year the RenTeens worked diligently on exploring “murders
most foul.” Each student chose a historic Renton murder case
to investigate. After hours of research, the students have become
experts on their cases.
Their insight and creativity produced projects outside
of the traditional realm of historical research. RenTeen Raven
Klingele wrote, directed, and acted in a one-act play featured
at Renton River Days. The three other students interpreted their
murder cases though historical context, illustration, and personal
letters. We are showcasing these students’ work in this newsletter
as a tribute to their historical curiosity. I hope you enjoy these
final projects as much as the students enjoyed working on them.
Also In This Issue...
RENTON HISTORICALSOCIETY & MUSEUM
Fall
September 2018
Volume 49
Number 3
Continued on page 5
2 4 143
MURDERS MOST FOUL
A Project by the RenTeens
QUARTERLY
RenTeens (L-R): Vanessa Pacheco-Altig, Althea Guanzon, Arvin Jex, Raven Klingele
2 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM
RENTON RIVER DAYS
The Renton History
Museum participates in
the city’s summer festival,
Renton River Days, in
our own special way: by
offering free admission,
hosting activities on our
lawn, and offering history-
based performances inside.
This year playwrights
Sabella Curtis and Raven
Klingele used real Renton
events as the jumping-off
point for two compelling
plays, one about three
politically active Renton
women in 1918 who
petitioned city officials
for better policing of
GRANT WINNERS!
This summer the Renton
History Museum was
awarded a grant from
the competitive Building
4Culture program,
with the help of King
County Councilmembers
Reagan Dunn and Dave
Upthegrove. 4Culture’s
capital grant program
provides money for
building improvements
for heritage and arts
organizations. This grant
will enable us to update
the signage on the front
of our building—door
canopy, monumental sign,
and building letters—
with our new logo. Over
17,000 cars drive by the
Museum every weekday,
and we want the front of
the building to reflect the
exciting things happening
inside. If you would like
to donate to this effort,
please contact Liz Stewart
at estewart@rentonwa.gov
or 425-255-2330.
A fter last year's fantastic event, the Renton Historical Society’s annual fundraiser
will again showcase Renton Makers & Doers with a very special Silent Auction.
Explore locals’ talents as you bid on their charming upcycled furniture and
decor, specially made for our auction. One-of-a-kind gifts and home furnishings
showcase Renton’s handmade tradition. Dinner, Dessert Dash, raffle, and emcee Aunt
Dottie and a special guest!
Reserve your tickets now! The fundraiser is Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at the
Renton Senior Activity Center. Tickets are $45 each. (http://historymakingparty2018.
brownpapertickets.com/)
On
SEPTEMBER
26
doors open at
5:30 PM
Prohibition, and another
about a young Renton
woman who took the law
into her own hands against
her harasser in 1937. We
served 465 visitors during
River Days, and the plays
were a hit with visitors.
Thanks to our talented
actors, costumers, and
playwrights!
Dinner & Dessert Dash?
FALL QUARTERLY, 2018 | 3
MUSEUM REPORT
QUARTERLY
Fall 2018
Elizabeth P. Stewart
Director
Ch- ch- ch- changes / Turn and face the strange,” as David
Bowie instructed us many years ago. Those of you who
have followed us for some time will have noticed that
staff changes and program innovations have become almost a
constant for the Renton History Museum. In August we said
farewell to Public Engagement Coordinator Kim Owens, who
had been with us almost two years, and now we’re searching
for our next talented staff member. Kim accomplished many
important goals for the Museum, including the adoption of our
Coast Salish curriculum as a core piece of the Renton School
District’s instruction; it was also Kim who shepherded the
2017–2018 RenTeens as they developed the projects you’re
reading in this month’s newsletter. And Kim was key to the
success of our 2017 Sorting Out Race effort, organizing—
with the help of numerous partner organizations—our largest
calendar of exhibit-related events to date.
And soon it will be time to acquaint ourselves with a
new Public Engagement Coordinator, someone with new ideas
and fresh perspectives, different skills and complementary
knowledge. On a staff as small as ours—two full-time and two
part-time people—every player is vital. Yes, every new person
is an adjustment (that’s where “turning to face the strange”
comes in). But new hiring is an opportunity for all of us to
learn more successful ways of doing things. Kim helped us
launch a new approach to Renton River Days, bringing live
performances based on primary sources to the gallery. One
of her predecessors, Colleen Lenahan, led the effort to create
a new logo and a style guide to go with it. Each new Public
Engagement Coordinator and Office Aide over the past eight
years has contributed something significant to the Museum’s
growth and improvement. Each new relationship is also a
chance to expand our network of friends.
Studying history is all about change over time, and
some of our best projects have demonstrated that even painful
change has improved us. Our current exhibit I’m Going
Through: Black Miners Arrive in King County is about how
new miners came to terms with White neighbors and co-
workers. On the Battlefront & On the Homefront explores
Renton’s first experience being involved with global events.
And Sarah Samson’s project enumerating early 20th century
American women who lost their citizenship shows how
ordinary citizens dealt with the unintended consequences of
new immigration law, and ultimately demanded it be changed.
If there’s one thing we can all learn from history, it is that we
all have the resiliency to roll with the changes, face what is
new, and make the most of the opportunity.
by Elizabeth P. Stewart,
Museum Director
Kim Owens at the opening of Black
& White in 2017. Kim worked
with us as an intern, cataloguing
the Museum’s hat collection,
before joining the staff as Public
Engagement Coordinator.
RENTON HISTORICAL
QUARTERLY
Sarah Samson
Graphic Design & Layout
Karl Hurst
City of Renton Print &
Mail Services
RENTON HISTORICAL
SOCIETY BOARD
OF TRUSTEES
Laura Clawson, President
Colleen Lenahan, Vice President
Jessica Kelly, Treasurer
Antoin Johnson, Secretary
Lynne King, 2019
Pete Kalasountas, 2020
Betsy Prather, 2021
Elizabeth Stewart, Board Liaison
MUSEUM STAFF
Elizabeth P. Stewart
Museum Director
Sarah Samson
Curator of Collections &
Exhibitions
Kim Owens
Public Engagement
Coordinator
Nezy Tewolde
Office Aide
RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM
235 MILL AVENUE S
RENTON, WA 98057
P (425) 255-2330
F (425) 255-1570
HOURS:
Tuesday - Saturday
10:00am - 4:00pm
ADMISSION:
$5 (Adult)
$2 (Child)
2018 was the first time we
hosted a student-authored
and -directed play as part of
Renton River Days. Raven
Klingele’s project was part of
the RenTeens’ initiative.
“
4 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM
PROGRAMMING
REPORT
A fter one year and ten months as Public Engagement
Coordinator I have decided to take on a new position as
Program Director at the Seattle Architecture Foundation.
I consider myself very fortunate to have been involved in so many
different projects and surrounded by so many amazing people during
my tenure at the Renton History Museum.
When I started at the Museum in October 2016, preparations
for Sorting Out Race were underway. Stepping outside one’s comfort
zone is never easy and neither is talking about race. Those first six
months were extremely challenging, but the personal growth I noticed
in myself, our staff, and volunteers was energizing and the topic—
contagious. I needed the extra energy because programming and
staffing ten events and multiple tours in a brief eight week run was exhausting. If I had
to do it all over again, however, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Shortly after the run of Sorting Out Race I started focusing my energy on the
Coast Salish Curriculum revision project. Abby Rhinehart, a UW Museology graduate
student, assisted me with the project during the winter and spring quarters of 2017.
Picking up where she left off meant continued consultations with the Duwamish Tribe,
Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, Renton School District, and the Native Education Coordinator
of the Eastside Native American Education Program. With their insight and experience
the curriculum successfully hurdled meetings, evaluations, and a pilot program with the
Renton School District. After a year and a half of work, the district signed a three year
license agreement with the Museum this summer. As a result, every third grader enrolled
in the Renton School District will learn the Museum’s curriculum as part of their core.
Of all the projects I’ve had the opportunity to work on, I consider Renton History
Live! to be the most rewarding on a personal level. The Museum knew it wanted to do
something different for Renton River Days 2017 and someone threw out the idea of
having historical re-enactors. Shortly after, I interviewed two new volunteers who just
so happened to have experience in script writing and costuming. Combining the research
skills and encyclopedic knowledge of the museum staff, the experience of volunteers,
and theater skills I developed in high school and college created a fun, accessible peek
into Renton history. The enthusiasm of the audience, the volunteers, and the staff led us
to produce another show for 2018 Renton River Days. This year we had more actors and
featured a student-written and -directed play. Knowing the level of talent at the museum, I
look forward to what 2019 brings.
by Kim Owens, Public Engagement Coord.
UPCOMING
EVENTS
KNIT YOUR BIT
October 13
11:00 am-12:00 pm
Learn how to make WWI-era
gear, contribute knitted goods to
charity, or just relax and work
on a private project.
TALES THAT GO BUMP
IN THE NIGHT
October 27
11:00 am-12:00 pm
Join Anne Rutherford & Norm
Breke for family-friendly spine-
tingling tales!
Cast of A Woman's Work is Never Done, (L-R) Devan
Malone, Carol Wieltsching, and Alice Bridgeforth.
Costumes by Bridget Shew & Cathy Lim.
WASHINGTON AT WAR:
THE EVERGREEN
STATE IN WWI
October 11
6:00-7:00 pm
Participate in a WWI readers'
theatre led by historian
Lorraine McConaghy.
STORYTELLER SONDRA
SEGUNDO
November 17
11:00 am-12:00 pm
Join Haida storyteller Sondra
Segundo for songs and stories
in celebration of Native
American Heritage Month.
Cast of The Trial of Marlene Collier, (L-R) Arvin Jex,
Raven Klingele, Lidia Ghebreab, and Lauren Fawcett.
Kim Owens
Public Engagement
Coordinator
FALL QUARTERLY, 2018 | 5
T his murder case follows the accidental shooting
of Mr. George Seguin by Ms. Billie Campbell
on September 3, 1935. Billie Campbell
was distraught over the death of her son, Stadden
Mackenroth (from a previous marriage) who had died
a week earlier after drowning off the coast of Alaska.
Campbell had been taking sedatives for anxiety and
depression following this traumatic incident. The day
of the shooting, Campbell and Seguin had gone to a day
outing and had drunk alcohol, but were not intoxicated.
When the couple got home, Campbell alleged to have
taken one sleeping tablet, although Seguin had accused
her of taking three. He then saw her with a .25-caliber
automatic pistol, likely about to attempt suicide while
being under the influence of the sedatives. Seguin
wrestled her for the gun but she managed to gain control,
aim the gun at herself, and pull the trigger. However,
when the smoke cleared, it was Seguin, not Campbell,
who was lying on the ground dead with a gunshot wound
to the heart. Apparently the pistol had twisted at the last
second, and Seguin had accidently been shot; Campbell
was unscathed. She was held without charge, absolved
of all blame and instead was a material witness. “I don’t
think any woman was worthy of a love like his,” Roy
Seguin, brother of George Seguin, testified.
The use and prescription of opioids and sedatives
in women has historically been higher than in men.1 They
are more likely to be prescribed painkillers at a higher
dose and for a longer period of time. Additionally, these
drugs have a higher chance of addicting women. This
could be because these drugs chemically affect women's
hormones more than men. Other reasons could be that
women’s stomachs are more acidic than men and absorb
more, the drugs metabolize in women's liver slower than
men, or women are more likely to suffer a relapse during
menstruation due to the fluctuation of estrogen.2
Since ancient times, women with anxiety or
other mental issues have been described as having female
“hysteria.” In the Middle Ages hysteria was usually only
assigned to women. They believed hysteria was caused by
a buildup of fluids in the uterus that needed to be extracted
to cure the female patient.3 Another suspected “cause” in
medieval times was the possession by a demonic figure
such as the devil. Single women and the elderly were the
most likely “victims” of possession. Common treatment
up until the early 20th century was the encouragement of
MAN KILLED IN
FOILING SUICIDE
sexual activity. Since 1952, the term “hysteria” has been
dropped, but there are obvious lasting social implications
associated with the use of this term.
Barbiturate prescriptions were at an increased
level from the 1920s-1950s. They were mainly used as
sedatives and hypnotics, therefore doctors at the time
were quick to prescribe these drugs to Campbell as a
sedative given her situation. Women are more likely
to overdose on barbiturates than men, since they are
prescribed these more often than men. This is because
women are generally more likely to seek medical help
regarding issues with depression and anxiety. Some
side effects of barbiturates include reduced heart rate,
breathing, and blood pressure. There is also the potential
for high dependence and harmful effects on fetuses.
While no longer prescribed as sedatives, they are still in
use today as a central nervous system depressant.4
Today, mental health is treated much better
than in the past. Perhaps, if Billie Campbell had gotten
the help she needed in today’s world, then maybe
she wouldn’t have been prescribed the sedatives, and
ultimately been erratic enough to pull the trigger of
her pistol. It is important to realize that if depression
and other illnesses are not treated accordingly, then the
individuals suffering from these may act out in ways,
such as suicide.
by Vanessa Pacheco-Altig
ENDNOTES
1 Taylor Prewitt, Take Some Pills for Your Hysteria, Lady: America’s Long
History of Drugging Women Up (The Vice Guide To Mental Health, 2015).
2 López-Muñoz, Francisco, et al. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, Dove
Medical Press, Dec. 2005, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PM
3 “Hysteria.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 12 May 2018, en.wikipedia.
org/wiki/Hysteria.
4 Jacobson, Roni. “Psychotropic Drugs Affect Men and Women Differently.”
Scientific American, 1 Jul 2014, www.scientificamerican.com/article/
psychotropic-drugs-affect-men-and-women-differently/.
Billie Campbell (Seattle Times, 3 Sep 1935, p.8)
6 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM
FALL QUARTERLY, 2018 | 7
8 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM
SPRING QUARTERLY, 2012 | 9FALL QUARTERLY, 2018 | 9
KILLED SO MANY OF HIS WIVES HE
CAN'T REMEMBER ALL THE DETAILS
February 2nd, 1919
I am going to be open and frank
with you from the start and will ask
you to be the same with me. I will not
tell you anything that is not true and
will make my motive plain, so as to be
clearly understood. My position is such
as to admit of me making a good home
for some good woman, one who wishes
to make home what it should be and
appreciate the same. I am in the 30s,
have brown hair, blue eyes and fair
complexion; weight, 150; am five feet,
seven inches tall.
I believe in the better and
elevating things in life. I am neat
in appearance and well respected,
having the confidence and friendship
of many good people of means and
influence. Pleased to say I have a
kind, considerate, affectionate
nature, and would appreciate the same
in a companion, Have several thousand
dollars in money and own quite a little
property, as well as having money
loaned out on first mortgage, from which
I receive a good interest.
After a few months I am going
to take quite a vacation and will
visit several countries, including New
Zealand, Australia and the beautiful
city of Honolulu in Hawaii. I may
also visit Japan. After my vacation I
will either take over management of a
prosperous little town in California or
take up another line of business I am
familiar with.
I wish to make it plain that I
am a gentleman and will show you every
respect due a lady. Excuse me using
the typewriter, as I have a little
machine I take with me when away on a
business trip.
by Arvin Jex
Editor's Note: Imagine, if you will, a life of loneliness,
of insecurity, of dependence. It is women like this
whom notorious serial killer James P. Watson—dubbed
“Bluebeard” by the newspapers who covered his crimes—
preyed upon in the early 20th century. The nickname
“Bluebeard” comes from a French fairy tale recorded
by Charles Perrault and published in 1697. In the tale a
wealthy gentleman murders multiple wives. Watson was
not the first Bluebeard, and will sadly not be the last.
During the late 1910s, changing one’s name, life
story, and location was exceptionally easy. But what drove
him to become the most prolific (and least documented)
bigamist/wife murderer of the century?
To explore Watson’s modus operandi, RenTeen
Arvin Jex turned to the tradition of letter writing, one
of Bluebeard’s favorite techniques, as a way to let the
story unfold. Be wary of what you are about to read, as
Bluebeard was notorious for having his wives sign blank
papers, their ultimate use only to be discovered long after
the women’s disappearance.
10 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM
April 4th, 1919
Dear Cameron Baker,
I think it’s so wonderful to be
married again. Harvey has made my life
a million times better. He’s taking me
to see the Grand Canyon! Isn’t that
just grand? Oh, but that’s not all.
We’ll be visiting Mexico for a while
after that. He can speak a bit of the
language, so it will be an absolutely
perfect trip.
Also, friend, I apologize
profusely for being so rude, but I
won’t be able to visit you anytime
soon. After the trip, Harvey will
be quite busy, and needs me to come
around with him. Perhaps I’ll be able
to visit you next year! But for now, I
will simply continue to write to you.
I am also sorry for the short
letter. I have to get ready to leave
soon, and want to mail this soon. I’m
still getting used to the typewriter.
Your friend,
December 10th, 1919
My dearest brother Lloyd,
How have you been faring? I do
hope you’ve been treated well so far
at the railroad. It sounds like such
heavy labor! They ought to pay you
very well. Knowing how strong you
are, I’m sure you are really doing
most of the work for them. Remember
the time when you were only sixteen,
and you hugged me and suddenly picked
me up off my feet? I knew then, even
though you used to cling to me like
a baby, that you were very strong and
could take care of yourself. Still,
never let your guard down! Don’t be
content with the lowest they will pay
you. Make sure your boss knows how
important you are.
But I suppose I lecture you too
much about that, anyway. You were
good enough to listen to my rambling
even at the wedding. Thank you for
the dress, by the way, it’s just
marvelous. I’m wearing it right now,
as I write. I suppose it doubles as
a Christmas present, doesn’t it? You
clever rascal.
Things have been going fabulously
with Albert. He’s a wonderful fellow.
He bought a new hundred-dollar dress
the other day! Can you believe it?
But aside from that, just last week,
we were going out for a stroll in the
town; we were going grocery shopping,
but taking our time, you see. The
whole time through, I was telling
him all about wonderful you all are,
and perhaps how we should visit you
sometime. He was very patient in
listening to my incessant rambling,
and soon suggested we take trip out
somewhere. It was a wonderful idea!
But when he asked me where we ought
to go, I wasn’t sure. Where do you
think we should go, Lloyd? There are
too many choices, I can’t decide for
myself. You’ll have to choose for me.
Write back soon so I know where
I’m going!
Your sister,
SPRING QUARTERLY, 2012 | 11FALL QUARTERLY, 2018 | 11
January 18th, 1920
My dear friend Jennifer,
I must say, I never thought I’d
be able to marry again. After all,
I already have my own child from a
different husband. Men don’t often
enjoy dealing with children that
aren’t their own. Who would want to
marry me? Well, this wonderful man
named Watson, of course. He’s been so
good to me thus far, and is really
good with Samuel, though I think the
boy’s still taking some time to warm
up to the man. I’m impressed more each
day by how kind and gentle Watson can
be. What he sees in me, I’m not so
sure, but I do hope I can be good to
him in return.
Also, I’ll have to say that you
were a bit too worried about putting
myself out on those newspaper ads for
the lonely singles. It’s how he found
me, after all! And it all worked out,
didn’t it?
Pardon the typed letter, I’m
trying to practice using it. I shall
write again soon.
Sincerely,
March 9th, 1920
From: Kathryn Andrew
To: Detective Parson
I am having worries about my husband
Walter that I’d like to ask your
assistance for. I’ve been married to
him for a few months now. He is a very
nice man when he is around, always
speaking so kindly and spending so much
time with me. But I am starting to have
some suspicions about him. You see,
every once in a while he goes off for
long periods of time, sometimes almost
a week. He tells me that he works for
a secret agency that makes him go on
these long missions, and where to he
cannot tell me. Now, I hope I do not
sound too unreasonable in saying that
I believe his disappearances are less
innocent than he makes them out to be.
I cannot say for certain, and I hope
more than anything that I am in fact
wrong, but I fear he may be seeing
another woman. I request that you find
this out for me, and put my anxieties
to rest.
March 12th, 1920
From: Detective Parson
To: Detective James
I’ve been doing some research on this
Walter Andrew guy after talking to
Mrs. Andrew directly. So apparently,
Andrews had been disappearing on the
same days that the bank robberies
downtown are happening. Suspicious,
isn’t it? I think we just might have
found our guy. I’d like to follow this
fellow around for a bit and see what
he’s up to, sometime soon.
12 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM
March 20th, 1920
The following is a transcript of an
interview between Mrs. Kathryn Andrew
and Detectives Parson and James, with
stenographer Mrs. Alexander present.
Extraneous dialogue has been removed.
Detective James: Let’s talk about the
suspect.
Detective Parson: Mrs. Andrew, what do
you know about your husband’s work?
Mrs. Andrew: He works for the
government as some agent. He says he
can’t tell me much else.
Parson: Nothing else? Not where he
goes?
Andrew: I haven’t the foggiest clue.
Far away, I suppose, with how long
he’s gone.
Parson: But you’ve written that you
might fear infidelity.
Andrew: That’s right. That is my main
concern.
Parson: Seems possible.
James: Ask about the bank.
Parson: Alright. Mrs. Andrew, what
does Mr. Andrew do when he returns
home after one of his long absences?
Andrew: Well, he’ll greet me, we’ll
hug and kiss… He’ll put his things
away, and usually has some present for
me, like some fruit or knick-knack.
Parson: I see. Does he ever bring
money with him?
Andrew: When he returns or when he
leaves?
Parson: When he comes back.
Andrew: When he comes back, no. Though
I don’t often check his luggage. That
would be rather invasive. I see him
take a few dollars with him when he
leaves, though.
James: Interesting. The dates are
still suspicious.
Parson: I’ll say. Mrs. Andrew, where
was your husband on February 12?
Andrew: Out, I’m not sure where.
Parson: When had he left?
Andrew: The day before.
James: Bank robbers don’t rob alone.
Does he have friends?
Parson: Yes, does your husband have a
lot of friends?
Andrew: Oh, sure he does. I haven’t
met any of them, really… He travels
around so much, he says they’re far
away.
Parson: He says.
Andrew: He says. Now, I’m suspicious
myself, because I expect him to be
honest, but he’s barely made any
mention of women friends, as if he’d
only have male friends.
James: Makes sense.
Parson: I’m convinced we ought to
continue this investigation and see
for ourselves.
Andrew: How do you mean?
Parson: We’d like to follow the man
around a bit, Mrs. Andrew. See what
he’s up to on a daily basis while he’s
gone. We can put your worries to rest.
Would that be alright with you?
Andrew: Oh, more than anything, yes.
James: Wonderful. I think that’ll be
all for now. Contact us anytime you
need.
End of transcript
FALL QUARTERLY, 2018 | 13
March 25th, 1920
To: Detective James
From: Detective Peterson
Thank heavens we saved Kathryn Andrew
from that Bluebeard fellow. Our
alleged bank robber turned out not
to rob banks, but lives. Who would’ve
suspected that that quiet and reserved
man had married dozens of wives and
killed nine of them? I suspect we
will be connecting more deaths to this
man in the days to come. When doing
your investigations, remember he took
many names, including Albert, Harvey,
Walter, Watson, and the like. We will
have the trial soon, and I am sure it
will be short.
April 3rd, 1920
To: Detective Peterson
From: Detective James
Oh, good lord. That Bluebeard Watson
fellow we caught a while ago for
bigamy and murder——You know what he
did? Remember all those letters we
collected from his victims' friends
and family, which all seemed strangely
shallow? Well, the victims didn’t
write them. He did. What a madman!
Clever, I’ll say, but terrifying. I
found a bunch of papers among the
stuff we confiscated from him. They all
had signatures of his wives at the
bottom, but the rest was blank. He’d
typewrite the letters and send them
off later. Not a single one of those
letters was written by an actual lady
herself!
April 4th, 1920
To: Detective James
From: Detective Peterson
Ah. I see. Well, I was hoping for
a letter from my friend staying in
Georgia, but now I think if I read it
now, I won’t be able to sleep at night.
By the way, let’s stop typewriting
our correspondences, Howard. I
think I’ll be more comfortable with
handwritten letters.
Editor's Note: Moving from one town to the next and
assuming different names was one way Bluebeard was
able to woo and marry at least 20 women (though
some estimates go as high as 45). Miss Alice Marian
Ludvigson, a Renton resident, was taken in by his charms
and ultimately lost her life, along with at least eight other
women from the western United States and Canada.
Ludvigson’s parents operated the Superior Hotel on
Wells near Third in Renton. After the death of her mother,
Ludvigson was left to take care of her siblings and help
operate the hotel, where she met her murderer.
About six months after Alice’s disappearance,
James P. Watson was arrested in California on charges of
bigamy in April 1920. One of his wives, Kathryn Andrew,
suspected an affair and hired a private detective. The
detective found a suitcase full of jewelry, blank pages
with signatures, and marriage certificates; he reported
Watson to the police. Soon after, a body was discovered
at Plum Station (near Seattle) and Watson, fearing it
was the remains of one of his dead wives, confessed to
everything to strike a bargain with the prosecutor.
During his questioning Watson was reported to
show little remorse. He explained he often advertised
for wives through newspapers and chose women with
money to wed. Many women were seduced by the promise
of companionship, a home, money, and trips around the
world. Once married, he would find excuses to have them
sign blank pieces of paper which he would use after their
disappearance to continue to correspond with family to
relieve suspicion. Watson did not kill all of his wives;
it is believed he sent some to Mexico as part of a sex
trafficking ring.
Watson received a life sentence and was
incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison. He remained
there until 1939 when he died of pneumonia.
14 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM FALL QUARTERLY, 2018 | 14
MEMORIAL DONATIONS
May 11, 2018 - August 10, 2018
Rachel M. Beatty
Louise George
Lucille Crozier
Hazelle Dubois
Virginia Lee Greenlee
Carrie & Greg Bergquist
George A. Poff
Bob & Pam Burdick
Erma L. Sidebotham
Mario Tonda
MEMORIAL
DONATIONS OF
$100 OR MORE
Kenneth Baker
Connie Baker
Tom & LoRayne Kerr
Connie Baker
MATCHING
DONATIONS
MUSEUM SPONSORS
NEW MEMBERS
Marilyn Edlund
Barbara Mandic
Carl Meinecke
Mike Shong
BENEFACTOR
MEMBERS
Shari Fisher
PATRON
MEMBERS
Stephen & Theresa Clymer
Jack & Maria Rogers
BUSINESS
MEMBERS
St. Charles Place Antiques
GENERAL
DONATIONS
Beth Asher
Mary L. Burdulis
Dorothy Caniparoli
Dan & Laura Clawson
Mary Dunphy
Gerald & Carole Edlund
Marilyn Edlund
Judith Leu
Tom & Linda Morris
The Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and
Forbes, among many others, have all observed
that as they downsize in retirement Baby Boomers
are having trouble finding takers for all their stuff.
“This is an IKEA and Target generation,” says Mary
Kay Buysse, executive director of the National
Association of Senior Move Managers. “They don’t
have the emotional connection to things that earlier
generations did.”
If you are tempted to put everything in your
attic, garage, or in a dumpster, remember the Museum.
Like your kids and grandkids, we are short on space,
but we are actively collecting post-WWII photos,
letters, diaries, and other ephemera (a fancy museum
word meaning “paper stuff”) that help explain
the Renton experience, especially in the 1950s
through the 2000s. Your donations help researchers,
genealogists, and students, and they are used in
BABY BOOMERS, LET YOUR STUFF GO!
exhibits and publications. Here’s our current wishlist:
• Photos of “Cruising the Renton Loop”
• Photos, posters, handbills, programs, ticket stubs
from performances by local bands and musicians
(The Eligibles, RedAx, the Gene Aitken Septet,
and others)
• Photos from the Renton Aire Faire (before Renton
River Days)
• Diaries and letters written by WWII
servicemembers, nurses, or defense workers
• Diaries and letters written by Vietnam-era
servicemembers
• Photos, minutes, or other items relating to
activities of Renton chapters of active civic or
political groups, like the National Organization of
Women, NAACP, Civil Air Patrol, Republican or
Democratic Party, or labor union locals
GENERAL
DONATIONS OF
$100 OR MORE
Ila Hemm
Gerry & Mary Marsh
Arline McCready
FALL QUARTERLY, 2018 | 15
MEMBERSHIP FORM
Please select a membership level:
Individual $30
Student/Senior $20
Family $40
Benefactor $75
Patron $150
Business/Corporate $175
Life membership $750
Basic memberships
Sustaining memberships
Name:
Address:
Phone:
Payment information
Visa or MC #:
Exp. date:
Signature:
Please make checks payable to the Renton Historical Society.
Please consider making a tax-deductible
donation! Your donations help us provide
new exhibits and exciting programs.
Donation: $
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Renton History Museum
235 Mill Avenue South
Renton, WA 98057
Phone: 425.255.2330
Fax: 425.255.1570
rentonhistory.org
T he need to communicate is central to our identity as human beings, but
how has communication changed as technology continues to evolve over
time? From quills to typewriters, from switchboards to smartphones, from
handwritten letters to Facebook, as our communication technology changes, so do
our messages. Exchanging ideas has never been faster or easier, but can we even hear
each other through all the noise? Switchboards to Selfies uses Renton artifacts to
explore this national and global story.
On display
NOVEMBER
20
to
APRIL
27
witchboards
A Look Back At How We Connect
SS
elfiesto
“So many cards and letters that I don't know which to answer next.”
-Margaret Lewis, 1919
RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM
235 Mill Ave. S
Renton, WA 98057
Mystery Mattie, ca. 1905. Do you recognize these early Kennydale residents? We know the bride's (3rd from left) name
is Mattie but we have been unable to uncover her last name. Possible names include: Mattie Jancko, Mattie C. Corum,
Mattie A. Scott, Mattie LaRose, Mattie Crowell, Mattie McDaniels, Mattie Corrigan, or Mattie Edith Brazee.
(RHM# 2014.026.085)
IN HINDSIGHT...