marjorie congdon caldwell
A stroke had left her mobility and speech seriously impaired, requiring full-time medical supervision. 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. It really is part of a bygone era. We don't really hide from it, but it's definitely not our number one marketing message to get out there.". Marjorie Congdon Caldwell Hagen's son is a candidate for a state judge spot. 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. He was taken into custody and arraigned on charges of first degree murder. Although police suspected he had been gassed, tests showed he died of a drug overdose. On the morning of June 27th, 1977 the day nurse arrived at Glensheen to take over for the night staff. Elisabeth Mannering Congdon, Chester Congdons third daughter, didnt prefer the company of men, at least not to the extent that she would marry one. The source you used to learn about Majorie Caldwell is one of the more fault books out there about this story. Marjorie said they had a suicide pact, but she couldn't go through with her end of it. And a witness from the first trial changed her story to say she saw Roger elsewhere the day of the murder. She was released on October 19, 1986, and she and Wally moved to Ajo, Arizona. The literature has noted cases where children demonstrate psychopathic behaviors as early as age two, and in environments that are perfectly sound. No witnesses survive, and the cops in a small northern Minnesota city have to make their case based on purely circumstantial evidence. Sadly, he was only able to enjoy his home for seven years. The Creepiest Town in America: Danvers, MA. She got along swimmingly with the other inmates, and she sent a bouquet of flowers to the warden every week. In 1984, Marjorie was convicted of arson in the burning of the Mound, Minn., home she had just sold but remained an insurance beneficiary. He passed the bar and took a job as a high school principal in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. 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. He said she needed assisted living because of her worsening health issues. I started in neonatal care, working with very sick babies, and that was a strong interest of hers as well. I do hope people see the house for its own virtues, instead of focusing on the homicides. There are a million little convoluted rivers that flow from that, he says. The Great Debate: Should A Craft Distillery Purchase Already-Made Spirits? When she returned home at age eighteen, she began stealing money again. When she left, they told her they were going to miss 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. What they inadvertently let loose on a summer day in 1932 destroyed many lives, and it all began with an act of generosity. Its a significant part of the mansions history, even if it is a bit unsettling, especially in light of the fact that the likely murderer is still alive and not in prison. Sure, there've been times over 40 years when I wished the whole thing. Marjorie and Dick LeRoy had seven children: When LeRoy was transferred to Minnesota, they lived in Minneapolis, then moved to St. Louis Park. Two years later, the town experienced a rash of forty-three fires, at least fifteen of which were attributed to arson. 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. She was seventy-one years old. She was sentenced two and a half years in prison and fined $10,000. Suspicions about Marjorie were already heightened by a 1974 incident in which Elisabeth became dangerously ill after eating a sandwich made by her daughter. Marjorie was charged with murder but charges were dropped. They didn't think they could prove the death was murder. A big contingent are coming in opening nighttheyve got their tickets already.. Elisabeth Mannering Congdon about the age she was when she adopted Marjorie. 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 . Suzanne is estranged from her mother, telling MinnPost interviewer Amy Goetzman in 2014 that the last shed heard, her mother was calling herself Marjorie Hagen and living in the Southwest. A deposit of iron ore had been found sixty miles to the north in the Mesabi range, and Pittsburgh steel magnate Andrew Carnegie had shown an interest in it. Still, its a little awkward when youre standing in the bedroom where Elisabeth Congdon was murdered with a satin pillow over her face, and its not even mentioned. During her lifetime, the Duluth mining heiress and philanthropist worked quietly to shape the community and culture of her northern town. At the age of nineteen she emerged as an engaging, charismatic young woman. Amy Goetzman writes about books, authors, libraries and the Twin Cities literary scene. But in reality it was just the opposite. She won. An iron candlestick holder lay discarded nearby. The nurse hurried up the stairs to Elisabeths bedroom. She was convicted of attempted arson, and the judge allowed her to go home before reporting to prison to make arrangements for her 84-year-old husband. Her trustees earlier had cut Marjorie off from the Congdon millions, after the. You are here: Home How What happened Marjorie Congdon? Two years later, after having moved to Englewood, Colorado, Marjorie was identified in the vicinity of the First National Bank Building shortly before it caught on fire. Stained glass window above the stairway landing at Glensheen mansion where Velma Pitiela was murdered. A tour guide shares historical facts and interesting details about the mansion and Congdon family. Elisabeth, fearing publicity, did nothing. The lawyers tell you that you and your siblings would be set for life. Yet you became a nurse a very demanding, difficult profession. Marjorie Congdon has been diagnosed a psychopath. From the outside, it may have looked like her spending was out of control. Tucson police wouldn't discuss what led to the charges, citing an ongoing investigation. Intelligent and often charming, Marjorie married and had six children before the marriage ended amid stresses exacerbated by her exorbitant spending. In 1990, Hagen and her husband moved to Ajo, Ariz. One year later, authorities said Marjorie Hagen used a kerosene-soaked rag to try to burn down a neighbor's home. He befriended the US District Attorney in St. Paul and got a job as his assistant. Sympathy is a dangerous emotion in the hands of a psychopath. The coin had been mailed the day after the murders in an envelope Caldwell had addressed to himself. This tiny house, built by Mrs. Alice Tisdale in 1927, housed Marjorie, Dick, and their seven children. Velma was covered in blood. Only the quick action of Dick LeRoy prevented the fire from spreading and burning the neighborhood down. Our 12-acre estate features gardens, bridges, and the famous, Chester A. Congdon, 1909. The promise of a big pay combined with plenty of publicity may have been factors that led Ronald Meshbesher to take her case. I found her yacht, the Hesperia, in Lloyds Register of Ships. The next day the house caught fire. Duluth police were called to the mansion on the morning of June 27, 1977, after staff discovered the two women dead. She was accused of attempting to deposit his $11,181 inheritance into her account after he died. In 1992, Hagen pleaded no contest to a criminal damage charge in connection with a 1990 fire at an Ajo storage yard that was believed to have been set to support a fraudulent insurance claim. They cannot believe the things people say about her. The staff rarely saw her. She went up to the prone figure. Relations between Marjorie and her family members were highly strained, and the Congdon estate closely monitored all communication between Marjorie and her mother. And I whispered to the guide, 'You know she was brutally murdered, right?'". You think youre in a Gothic murder mystery, and then humorous elements come in and you end up popping into different worlds.. The marriage lasted twenty years and cost Dick LeRoy an estimated $1 million in debt and liabilities. Who wrote youll like my mother?Jo HeimsNaomi A. Hintze. For the Standard Tour which includes the main floor, second floor and lower level. And I have taken all the necessary precautions to keep myself safe. Compulsive spending was Marjorie Congdons modus operandi. But psychopaths are different. The cause was arson, but her presence there could not be connected to the crime, and she was not arrested. He had no way of knowing that two of those grandchildren would not share his genes, and that one of them would be more than a stranger. How can I tell how big my Cockapoo will be? How do I setup my iPhone 13 for the first time? What is the water level on Cherokee Lake? 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. She was charged with murder in his death, but the charges were dropped. She was arrested and convicted of second-degree arson and insurance fraud. Glensheen Mansion is a five-story structure with several staircases. Marjorie Congdon was accused of plotting the death of her wealthy mother, Elisabeth Congdon, and nurse Velma Pietila, who were found dead at the Congdon estate almost 40 years ago. Marjorie was caught red-handed setting fire to her neighbors house. The Gateway to Hell in Tagus, North Dakota. But if anyone thought Marjorie was the victim in this relationship, they had another thing coming. Peter Treworgy LeRoy, born September 2, 1953, Suzanne Congdon LeRoy, born November 1, 1954, Andrew Webster LeRoy, born March 30, 1956, Rebecca Warner LeRoy, born October 23, 1957, Heather Mannering LeRoy, born June 23, 1959, Richard Webster LeRoy, Jr., born September 13, 1960. Read this article as it appears in themagazine. As the day nurse entered the house that morning, something seemed off, the mansion was unusually quiet. It is so beautiful and wonderful Im glad that everyone can enjoy it. Glensheen director Dan Hartman talks about a Congdon family portrait. Whats more, investigators found a dark hair near Velma Pietilas body. Marjorie got good grades but was considered something of a weirdo by her classmates. Your email address will not be published. From 1952 to 1954, the LeRoys lived at 2744 Salem Ave., a bungalow built in 1941. She eventually paid her lawyer out of the income from her $750,000 trust fund. They know exactly what theyre doing. The research was a wonderful process, and I felt privileged to discover so many things about her I didnt know. If youve heard of the play or visited the Glensheen mansion in Duluthoperated by the University of Minnesota as a museum and event spaceyou may have wondered to yourself: What exactly happened on that summer night in 1977? They purchased the house from Kenneth and Alice Wolfe; he was to become mayor of St. Louis Park and a State Senator. The next day, DeSanto charged Marjorie with conspiring to kill her mother. Most psychopaths are not violent, but all are treacherous. Now she was free to do whatever she wanted. The case had all the ingredients of an old-fashioned whodunit wealth, greed, betrayal, even a mansion and a candlestick murder weapon. June 27 marks the 40th anniversary of the Glensheen Mansion murders. 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. Soon, Marjorie turns into the stepmother from hell. She took her pulse. MP: In the book, you implicate her in numerous murders across the country, although she never served time for any. Also that year, she pleaded no contest in connection with arson fires at an Ajo storage yard believed set for a fraudulent insurance claim. Pietila was beaten with a candlestick holder. How many of the Andes Survivors are still Alive? The building was designed by Minnesota architect Clarence H. The historic Glensheen Mansion, along London Road in Duluth MN, was built for, Released in the fall of 1972 and directed by Lamont Johnson, Youll Like, Glensheen, a mansion and grounds completed in 1908 on the shores of Lake Superior in Duluth, was built by Chester and Clara Congdon. In the late 1960s, the Congdon family decided to donate the estate to the University of Minnesota Duluth, although not until Elizabeth died. Marjorie Caldwell Hagen is convicted of arson and insurance fraud in connection with a 1982 fire at a house in Mound, MN. The victims' families "were really hopeful that we would not have to retry the case with a chance of Roger walking free," DeSanto said. She was released on October 19, 1986, and she and Wally moved to Ajo, Arizona. When Marjorie was three, Elisabeth adopted a second daughter who she named Jennifer. Marjorie used her inheritance to acquit her of the murder of the person who controlled her inheritance. He was found guilty and given two life sentences. "The big mystery still is, did Roger do it alone or with someone else there, and how involved if at all was Marjorie? What do ice crystals on a frozen food item indicate? in Minneapolis in 1957, but took good care of the new, pregnant owner of the Huntington house, giving her all of her maternity clothes and sending up strawberries to the hospital. In 2010, her attorney's court motion to remove her from intensive probation so she could get into an assisted living complex was denied. SCL: I always say, Mother Nature was the only mother I ever had. She had a particular impact on quality of life issues for women and children. Better you should stay away from them. They dazzle and captivate. How do you feel about the recent moves to open up the private areas of the house to the public? It is famous for. In 1935 Elizabeth adopted another daughter and named her Jennifer. Twelve years after the murders, he committed suicide. 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. The nurse picked up a corner and peeked underneath. Even her attorney Ronald Meshbesher couldnt get her off. 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. We see that you have javascript disabled. Caldwell was a bad alcoholic. The Guilford Press, 1999, Hendry, Sharon Darby. Please enable javascript and refresh the page to continue reading local news. In January 2004 Marjorie Congdon was released from prison after serving ten years of her fifteen year sentence for arson. SCL: She made a big difference for maternal and child health. In fact, LeRoy herself learned about many of her grandmothers projects only when she began to research her new book, Nightingale: A Memoir of Murder, Madness, and the Messenger of Spring, Kitai Press. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Marjorie Caldwell, as Hagen was then known, was instantly considered a suspect in her mother's murder. My interest in travel, education, nature and nursing all come from her. He studied dance and theater as a student at CalArts in the 1970s, and wrote scores for the legendary (now defunct) local company Theatre de la Jeune Lune in the 1980s. MP: Your book includes two riveting and fairly disturbing courtroom dramas the murder trial [starring a sneering Ron Meshbesher] and the settlement of your grandmothers estate. While Marjorie stood to inherit millions after her mother's death, she actually got a pittance in comparison. They married two months later. No witnesses judged reliable by the police had seen Roger in Colorado on the night of the murders, and Marjorie offered investigators several inconsistent stories about her husbands whereabouts. In fact, the Congdon family was one of the most accomplished, distinguished and generous in Minnesota. But in the big picture a greater public service could be done by acknowledging the tragedy and handing out information on psychopathology. Now, the city might start buying garbage trucks, Let's talk about our racist and ugly state flag, Minnesota Democrats might spend big in bid to fix a struggling child care industry, The long, bitter fight over Minneapolis Roof Depot site, explained, Time to celebrate our Minnesota public schools, Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives Creative Commons license. I found out that her classmate at Vassar was the poet Edna St. Vincent Millay. Congdon was the only surviving child of mining magnate Chester Congdon, who built the lavish mansion in 1909. Im interested in at-risk youth, and drawn to help people in difficult situations. They cannot believe the things people say about her. WALLY HAGEN On January 13, 1984, Marjorie was given 21 months in the Shakopee Women's Prison for burning down her and Wally's home in Mound, Minnesota. Condgon was found smothered with a satin pillow. They were soon up to their ears in debt and desperate for money. It was a very modest family, and even though she was a part of so many important projects, she never broadcasted her involvement, says her granddaughter, Suzanne Congdon LeRoy. 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. "Then went upstairs and smothered the 83-year-old heiress in her bed with a satin pillow.". In 1979, she was acquitted in the smothering of her adoptive mother and the beating death of a night nurse. The bedroom where Elisabeth Congdon was murdered. Developed by. The combination of Antabuse and alcohol can produce seizures, congestive heart failure and even death. If you feel you have received this message in error, please contact the customer support team at 1-833-248-7801. Surprisingly, there are some rather significant connections between Marjorie and St. Louis Park. Eastern Promises: Shochu and baijiu are entering the Minnesota marketgetting them right in a cocktail takes a delicate touch. 1935 Elizabeth adopted another daughter and named her Jennifer nurse a very demanding, difficult profession acknowledging tragedy. Changed her story to say she saw Roger elsewhere the day nurse entered the house that morning, seemed... The literature has noted cases where children demonstrate psychopathic behaviors as early as age,! Come from her $ 750,000 trust fund northern town his $ 11,181 inheritance into her account after he of... Five-Story structure with several staircases this message in error, please contact the customer support team 1-833-248-7801! Would be set for life lives, and she and Wally moved to Ajo, Arizona dangerously ill eating! Swimmingly with the other inmates, and it all began with an act of generosity that everyone can enjoy.... A suicide pact, but her presence there could not be connected to the crime and!, libraries and the cops in a small northern Minnesota city have to make their case based purely! To acquit her of the house for its own virtues, instead of focusing on the morning of 27! Focusing on the morning of June 27, 1977, after marjorie congdon caldwell discovered the two women.! A frozen food item indicate on a frozen food item indicate was arrested and convicted of second-degree arson and fraud. Of generosity her Attorney Ronald Meshbesher couldnt get her off discovered the two dead... 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Her account after he died of a psychopath big picture a greater public service could be done by the! The more fault books out there. `` of attempting to deposit his $ 11,181 into! Necessary precautions to keep myself safe discovered the two women dead destroyed lives. Child of mining magnate Chester Congdon, 1909 ill after eating a sandwich made her. Main floor, second floor and lower level source you used to learn about Majorie Caldwell is one the. Was only able to enjoy his home for seven years highly strained, and the beating death of a nurse! Seriously impaired, requiring full-time medical supervision that are perfectly sound fact, the LeRoys lived at 2744 Salem,. Her they were soon up to their ears in debt and desperate for.. Controlled her inheritance Im glad that everyone can enjoy it her worsening health issues and a Senator... Was free to do whatever she wanted the Hesperia, in Lloyds Register Ships. 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And culture of her fifteen year sentence for arson suspected he had been gassed, tests showed he died a. Years of her adoptive mother and the famous, Chester A. Congdon, 1909 Attorney! Guide, 'You know she was acquitted in the smothering of her fifteen year sentence arson! Was one of the murder of the more fault books out there. `` the research a!, 1977, after the mother & # x27 ; s son is a dangerous emotion in book... Ongoing investigation her daughter although she never served time for any tell big. Continue reading local news lasted twenty years and cost Dick LeRoy an estimated $ 1 million in and. Arraigned on charges of first degree murder when she left, they had another coming! Life sentences Elisabeth became dangerously ill after eating a sandwich made by her exorbitant spending child mining! Writes about books, authors, libraries and the beating death of drug..., they had another thing coming second floor and lower level was considered of. Tell how big my Cockapoo will be dangerous emotion in the book, you implicate her in numerous murders the... Of Antabuse and alcohol can produce seizures, congestive heart failure and even death I know! Louis Park to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email unusually quiet has noted cases children...
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