106 years ago, in 1919, there was a serial killer in New Orleans called the Axeman. Apparently, he really liked jazz. As the story goes, he terrorized the city between May 1918 and October 1919, killing at least 12 people during that time. Possibly, he had even more victims. He was never caught, and the slayings remain unsolved. The interesting thing about the Axeman, however (and the part that’s ultimately the most relevant to us), is that, in March 1919, he wrote a menacing letter ordering residents of New Orleans to play jazz music all night.
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Numerous books, articles, and podcast episodes have been created about the Axeman of New Orleans. Despite numerous analyses and investigations, the case remains cold. One thing remains consistent, however: the jazz night of March 19.
According to the book Cold Cases by Helena Katz, a letter from the Axeman was published in newspapers on March 13. The killer claims that on 12:15 a.m. on March 19, he would spare the lives of any citizen playing jazz music from their homes or from dance halls. This led to a wild night of music and terror for New Orleans residents. Jazz music flooded the streets all night. In her book, Katz relayed that there were no murders that night.
The letter from the Axeman is completely bizarre, but it’s an entertaining read for us now. At the time, though, it must have been terrifying. Published in the Times-Picayune newspaper, it began with the address “Esteemed Mortals,” and gets weirder from there.
Jazz Music Floods the Streets of New Orleans for One Night to Satisfy a Serial Killer’s Demands
“They have never caught me and they never will,” the letter continues. “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 fell demon from hottest hell. I am what you Orleanians and your foolish police call the axman.”
The letter went on, “In my infinite mercy, I am going to make a little proposition to you 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 you people. One thing is certain and that is that some of your people who do not jazz it out on that specific Tuesday night (if there be any) will get the axe.”
According to a report from the Library Archives of St. Tammany Parish, every dance hall in New Orleans was filled to the brim with jazz bands. Music also spilled from every home. The Axeman was apparently appeased that night, having been treated to his own personal jazz concert in the streets. However, he went on to kill three more people before he disappeared as easily as he appeared in the city. Two things are sure about the Axeman: he remains a mystery, and he really loved jazz.
Featured Image by VisionsOfAmerica/Joe Sohm
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