The Axman of New Orleans.
“Mysterious Person’s Note Dated ‘Hell,’
Signed ‘Axman’:
Immunity Promised All Families Who Have Jazz Band
Playing in Their Homes When ‘Fell Demon from Hottest Hell’
Flies Over City.”
March 16, 1919.
The Times-Picayune has received a letter from a mysterious person who declares he is the axman wanted for five murders in New Orleans and vicinity since May, 1917. In it he characterizes himself as “a fell demon from hottest hell.” He also admits that he is fond of jazz music and makes the interesting announcement that next Tuesday night at 12:15 he will “fly over New Orleans,” but promises immunity to all families who have a jazz band playing in their homes.
The letter received by The Times-Picayune came in Friday’s mall. It was posted in New Orleans, is written in a clear, easily read hand, and is similar in some respects to letters that have been sent to Superintendent of Police Mooney from time to time while police were investigating the ax murder mysteries.
The letter follows:
“Editor of The Times-Picayune, New Orleans:
“Esteemed Mortal: They have never caught me and they never will. They have never seen me, for I am invisible, even as the ether which surrounds your earth. I am not a human being, but a spirit and a demon from the hottest Hell. I am what you Orleanians and your foolish police call the axman.
CALLS POLICE STUPID
“When I see fit, I shall come and claim other victims. I alone know who they shall be. I shall leave no other clues except my bloody ax, besmeared with blood and brains of he whom I have sent below to keep me company.
“If you wish, you may tell the police to be careful not to rile me. Of course, I am a reasonable spirit. I take no offense at the way in which they have conducted their investigations in the past. In fact, they have been so utterly stupid so as to amuse not only me, but His Satanic Majesty, Francis Joseph, etc. But tell them to beware. Let them not try to discover what I am, for it were better they were never born than to incur the wrath of the axman. I don’t think there is any need of such a warning, for I feel sure the police will always dodge me, as they have in the past. They are wise and know how to keep away from all harm.
“Undoubtedly, you Orleanians think of me as a most horrible murderer, which I am, but I could be worse if I wanted to. If I wished to I could pay a visit to your city every night. At will I could slay thousands of your best citizens, for I am in close relationship with the Angel of Death.
“Now, to be exact, at 12:15 o’clock (earthly time) on next Tuesday night, I am going to pass over New Orleans. In my infinite mercy, I am going to make a little proposition to the people.
Here it is:
“I am very fond of jazz music, and I swear by all the devils in the nether regions, that every person shall be spared in whose home a jazz band is in full swing at the time I have just mentioned. If everyone has a jazz band going, well, then, so much the better for the people. One thing is certain and that is some of those persons who do not jazz it on Tuesday night (if there be any), will get the ax.
“Well, as I am cold and crave the warmth of my native Tartarus, and as it is about time that I have left your earthly home, I will cease my discourse. Hoping that thou wilt publish this, that may go well with thee, I have been, am and will be the worst spirit that ever existed either in fact or in the realm of fancy,
“THE AXMAN.”
The latter is dated “Hell, March 13, 1919.” Its authorship will be subjected to the investigation it seems to warrant in view of the recent ax murders.
Text prepared by:
- Bruce R. Magee
Source
Axman of New Orleans. “Mysterious Person’s Note Dated ‘Hell,’ Signed ‘Axman’: Immunity Promised All Families Who Have Jazz Band Playing in Their Homes When ‘Fell Demon from Hottest Hell’ Flies Over City.’ The New Orleans Times Picayune, 16 Mar. 1919, p. 38, https:// infoweb. newsbank. com/ apps/ news/ openurl? ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id= info%3 Asid/ infoweb.newsbank. com&svc_dat= WORLD NEWS& req_dat= 100642D7 B5417221& rft_val_ format= info%3Aofi/ fmt%3Akev%3 Amtx%3 Actx& rft_dat= docu ment _id% 3Aimage%252Fv2% 253A1223BCE 5B718A166% 2540EANX-12297994 C34C1208% 25402422034- 1228D 5E854 AFE600% 254037-1320BCB4D076EF62% 2540 Mys terious% 252BPerson% 252527s% 252BNote% 252B Dated% 252B%252527 Hell%25252C% 252527%252 BSigned% 252B% 252527 Axman% 252527%252B Immunity%252B Promised%252 BAll%252 BFamilies% 252BWho% 252B Have% 252BJazz% 252BBand/ hlterms%3Amortal. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.