Holmes, Pt. III Preview

In this upcoming episode, we conclude the horrowing tales and lore of H.H. Holmes, America's First Serial Killer. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:03):
This taking contains content that may not be suitable for
all audiences. Listeners discretion is advised. July eighteen ninety four,
Saint Louis, Missouri, doctor Henry Howard Holmes is under arrest

(00:26):
for the first time, but it has nothing to do
with his criminal cohort and best friend, Benjamin Pitzel. No.
Holmes winds up behind bars in Saint Louis because, much
like Chicago, he's building an incomplete structure and trying to
scam investors and insurance companies. He's charged of selling mortgage goods.

(00:49):
During his stint in jail, albeit a short one, he
bumps into a man named Marion Hedgepath, a man who
might as well be a hero at Holmes in some
circles as the Handsome Bandit and Derby Kidd and others.
Hedgepath lands himself a twenty five year sentence after robbing
a train of twenty thousand dollars over in Glendale. He

(01:11):
and other members of the Sly Wilson gang flee from
the scene at the crime in eighteen ninety one, only
to be caught in early eighteen ninety two, and just
a couple of years later homes in this outlaw bandit
are sharing stories of corruption, cash, and cadavers. While one
might imagine it's best not to confess the true crime stories.

(01:34):
While in jail, Homes filters very little, including new plans
to scam the insurance companies. Holmes plans on faking his
own death again. With the little cooperation from Hedgepath. He
offers an extra five hundred dollars just for the name
of a shady lawyer who, ironically, Homes will need the

(01:56):
trust with the scheme jep The Howe is quick to accept,
noting how extraordinary and ingenious the plan sounds. An easy
ten thousand dollars for Homes and surely a decent payday
for how Unlike many of his other body swapping con jobs,

(02:18):
Holmes pulls through this time. Only none of the insurance
companies are buying his bullshit, and he's smart enough not
to press them. Fast forward and now Holmes presents Pizel
with an almost identical plan. Heights On. Holmes will journey
over to Philadelphia, where Homes will help establish himself as

(02:41):
an inventor known as BF Perry. This new version of
Pizel will take out a ten thousand dollars insurance policy
with Homes listed as the beneficiary. He'll be splitting the
pot with Attorney, how of course, assuring him no harm.
Pizel will then fake his death, with Homes providing a

(03:03):
doppelganger or unrecognizable corpse. The reason this scheme is likely
the work is simple. Homes has improved it by removing
all the variables that failed him before finding a suitable corpse.
Is seeing diminishing returns, so Holmes plans unforegoing the body

(03:24):
swap altogether. There's no body double. Holmes never planned on
having one. September fourth, eighteen ninety four. The chloroform does

(04:04):
wonders for Homes or Pizel, depending on how you look
at it. Up until now. Knocking pitsol out is easy
for Homes, and his friend remains unconscious while being doused
with benzene, a clear and extremely flammable accelerate used to
burn bodies at least in eighteen ninety four. It is

(04:30):
unfortunately Holmes isn't so certain that his friend is dead
once he strikes a match and sets him ablaze the

(04:51):
problem of many Homes's recent scams is that he struggles
to find a genuine corpse, but in this case, he
has pip Sol's actual body to collect an insurance payout,
and Holmes meant it that he looked after his wife
and children. Benjamin Pizel is safe and just lying low

(05:29):
while Holmes tries to cheat the insurance company out of
ten thousand dollars. At least that's what Holmes keeps telling
Carrie Carning, Heizel's wife. The parlor is quiet as Carrie
sits at a small table with a half dozen pages
of paper spread out before her. She picks up the

(05:51):
first page and runs her fingers along to course edges.
Maybe it's so she knows the documents are real. She
can hardly believe she's doing any of this. Holmes sits
across from her, calm unnerved, emotionless. Children's laughter can be

(06:12):
heard somewhere behind them. His voice is low and steady
as he reviews the custody papers with Carrie. The pen
trembles in her hand. Holmes has convinced her it might
be best if he'd gained full custody of a few
of her children. He assures her it's in her family's

(06:33):
best interest. Carrie whispers her words as she fills in
some of the details, names, dates, and a promise of
care of the five children. Carrie grants Holmes custody of
thirteen year old Alice, nine year old Nelly, and seven
year old Howard. Holmes doesn't interrupt, doesn't speak until Carrie

(07:01):
signs her name on the last page of the custody paperwork.
He moves quickly, organizing the documents, neatly folding them and
tucking them in his coat. Little time passes before the
children pack their belongings and prepare to live some duration

(07:21):
of their lives with Holmes. Carrie kisses her three children
one last time. She hopes Alice can help look out
after her younger siblings. Olmes promises them they'll be penpals
with their mom soon enough, and he'll make sure the
girls write often, and before they all know it, he'll

(07:45):
reunite them all with Benjamin. Carrie watches the lot of
them walk down the street, Olmes leading the children trailing behind.
She stands in the doorway well after they're out of sight.

(08:08):
When she finally steps back inside, the parlor falls quiet.
The house feels empty. In her mind, She's done the
right thing. Holmes is a friend. Benjamin Piitzel is alive,
and soon they'll have their shares of ten thousand dollars.

(08:29):
The kids will be back soon enough. But if only
she knew what she's done, If only she knew none
of the words of H. H. Holmes were true, If
only she knew what peril she's placed her and her
children into. Thank you for checking out this preview of

(09:12):
Holmes Part three, the latest episode from Less Taken Season four,
hollow Lands. Listen to the full episode next Tuesday wherever
you get your favorite horror podcast. In the meantime, please
let us know what you think of the show by
leaving a fair rating and review wherever you're listening, and
if you like the show, be sure to subscribe and

(09:34):
tell a friend. It all truly helps. Follow us before
we follow you on Facebook, Instagram, and threads under the
handle at Let's Taken Pod. Discover all things Less Taken
at our website Let's takenpod dot com. And a quick
note on our storytelling. While we do our best to

(09:54):
stick to the facts, we sometimes take creative liberties to
maintain narrative cohesive. I'm seeing Humphreys and this is Less
Taken Real life horror stories from the Midwest. Thanks for
listening and be sure to come back next Tuesday with
the full version of Homes Part three. Let's take it

(11:07):
as a Chase County production. Chase County Productions