Empire of Sin: A Story of Sex, Jazz, Murder, and the Battle for Modern New Orleans
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63 “it might give the nation’s enemies …” Tame Mardi Gras of 1918 per Mitchell, Mardi Gras Day, 167.
64 The Spanish flu epidemic … Armstrong, Satchmo, 92, 113.
65 “Why is the jass music?” The editorial “Jass and Jassism” was in the NOTP of June 20, 1918.
66 unusually large number of letters to the editor … Letters in the June 22, 23, and 25, 1918, editions of the NOTP.
67 “a departure from the proper in music” … as per the NOTP of June 23, 1918.
Chapter 17: A Killer in the Night
Much unsubstantiated nonsense has been written about the axman incident over the years, starting with Tallant’s account in Ready to Hang (see my reservations in the Afterword) and continuing all over the Internet. The most accurate secondary source I found is The Axman Came from Hell by Keven McQueen, who has done yeoman service in the Louisiana prison records. I have drawn my account mostly from contemporary newspaper reports and, where they exist, the Police Homicide Reports.
1 “In the same manner …” The opening quote is from the NOTP of June 28, 1918.
2 important differences between the two attacks … Details about the Besumer attacks come principally from the NOTP, NODI, and NODS editions of June 27 through 30, 1918. Where the newspaper accounts conflict significantly, the source of specific information is cited below.
3 “My God …” and other quotes from Zanca are from the NODI of June 27, 1918. (Some other newspaper accounts say that Zanca ran to the police station to report the incident.)
4 “I felt like I was going to faint …” as quoted in the NOTP of June 28, 1918.
5 categorically denied that there had been a quarrel … Harriet Besumer’s denial that Louis attacked her, and Louis Besumer’s boasts (about being rich, well educated, etc.) are from the NODI of June 27, 1918.
6 moved to New Orleans for a rest … The NODI of June 30, 1918, says that it had been two weeks since the Besumers arrived in New Orleans, though other sources give other amounts of time.
7 “Have you any enemies?…” This and the rest of the exchange are from the NODI of June 27, 1918.
8 It was a mulatto man … Harriet Besumer’s account of being attacked by a mulatto is principally as reported in the NODI of July 1, 1918. Other details are from the NOTP of June 28, 1918.
9 “If I said so formerly …” Harriet Besumer’s retraction of her previous accusation is from the NODI of July 1, 1918.
10 “The case has taken a peculiar turn …” The account of the unraveling of the Maggio case and the quote come from the NODS of May 26, 1918.
11 rampant speculation in the press … The cited headlines are from the NODS of June 28 and the NODI of June 30, both 1918.
12 “My husband is a German …” as quoted in the NODI of June 28, 1918.
13 spy PLOT … Headline and subsequent quote is from the NODI of June 30, 1918.
14 agents from the Department of Justice … The arrival of federal agents as per the NOTP of June 30, 1918.
15 convinced that the same assailant … Mooney’s discussion of possible explanations of the attacks are outlined in the NOTP of July 1, 1918.
16 “burn him down” … is from the NODS of July 2, 1918.
17 “The last I remember …” Harriet Besumer’s long quote is from the NODI of July 1, 1918.
18 “born investigator” … The conversation with Louis Besumer at police headquarters comes principally from the NODI of July 3, 1918. Other details are from the NOTP of July 4, 1918.
19 “If I am not …” The long conversation with Harriet Besumer and all quotes are mainly from the NODI of July 4, 1918.
20 notoriously corrupt and incompetent … For Mooney’s attempts to reform the police department, see the NOTP of September 8, 1917.
21 found at the Milneburg resort … For the incident involving the two detectives demoted for being at Milneburg, see the NOTP of July 7, 1918.
22 “one of the most baffling mysteries …” Mooney’s quotes to the press are from the NOTP of July 7, 1918.
23 “Along toward dawn …” Harriet Besumer’s recaptured memory of the man above her bed (with all quotes) is from the NOTP of July 7, 1917.
Chapter 18: “Almost As If He Had Wings”
1 It was two A.M.… For the attack on Mary Schneider, see the NODIs of August 4 and 5, 1918, and the NODS of August 5, 1918.
2 a broken glass lamp … Details about the lamp from the NOTP of August 6, 1918.
3 “delicate condition” … as per the NODI of August 4, 1918.
4 a box containing $102 … as per the NODI of August 4, 1918.
5 several strands of the victim’s hair … and the detail about the missing ax per the NODS of August 6, 1918.
6 “At the present time …” as per the NODI of August 5, 1918.
7 earlier incident back in December 1917 … Epifania Andollina attack per McQueen, Axman, 23
8 successfully give birth to a baby girl … as per the NODI of August 5, 1918.
9 “Members of the [detective] squad …” as per the NODS of August 7, 1918.
10 chief and other police officials were on the record … as per the NODI of August 5, 1918.
11 ARMED MEN GUARD SLEEPING FAMILIES … as per the NODI of August 5, 1918.
12 “all-night vigils” … as per the NODS of August 7, 1918.
13 “some insane beast” … as per the NODI of August 5, 1918, and the NOTP of August 6, 1918.
14 “More than 12 victims have fallen …” as per the NODI of August 5, 1918.
15 detail of the 1910 Crutti attack … For the mockingbird incident, see the NOTP of August 14, 1910, as reported in McQueen, Axman, 11–12.
16 assigning as many patrolmen as could be spared … Mooney sending men to thinly settled areas per the NODI of August 5, 1918.
17 “study of criminals …” Letters from forensic expert per the NODI of August 8, 1918.
18 “The man seems to know considerable …” as per the NOTP of August 9, 1918.
19 “I’ve been nervous about this axman …” as per the NODI of August 10, 1918.
20 “There at the foot of the bed …” as per the NOTP of August 11, 1918.
21 “almost as if he had wings” … McQueen, Axman, 30.
22 “I’ve been hit …” as per the NODI of August 10, 1918, and the NOTPs of August 11, 1918.
23 a wallet, which was now missing … The NOTP said the wallet had been taken; the NODS (of August 10, 1918) claimed it was not taken.
24 much more was left behind … Gold watch on the mantelpiece, etc., as per the NODI of August 10, 1918.
25 “I’m convinced that the Romano murder …” as per the NODI of August 10, 1918.
26 decision to consult with expert criminologists … as per the NODS of August 11, 1918.
27 “This series of ax outrages …” as per the NODI of August 11, 1918.
28 WHO WILL BE NEXT … as per the NOTP of August 11, 1918.
29 “A literal reign of terror …” as per the NODI of August 10, 1918.
30 reports of alleged axman sightings … as per the NODI and the NODS of August 10, 1918, and the NOTP of August 11 and 12, 1918.
31 Everyone seemed to have a different theory … Speculation about axman identity per the NODI and NODS of August 11, 1918.
32 “Although practically all the victims …” Dantonio interview per the NOTP of August 13, 1918.
33 shooting at suspicious figures … as per the NOTPs of August 12, 1918, and the NODI of August 16, 1918.
34 “a badly frightened Negro woman” … Cardajal incident per the NOTP of August 17 and 19, 1918.
35 “I believe it is criminal …” as per the NODS of August 16, 1918.
36 “scathing criticism” … Public response to the absence of any arrest per the NODI of August 12, 1918.
37 “recovered from the trance …” as per the NODS of August 19, 1918.
38 “On the night I was assaulted …” as per the NOTP of August 20, 1918.
&nb
sp; 39 Louis Besumer arrested on a charge of assault … as per the NODI of August 19, 1918.
40 confirmed this last claim … Confirmation of Mrs. Lowe’s accusations as per the NODI and NODS of August 19, 1918, and the NOTP of August 20, 1918.
41 “Mrs. Lowe is a good woman …” as per the NOTP and NODS of August 20, 1918.
42 “dangerous and suspicious character” … Mooney’s grounds for protesting Besumer’s bail per the NODI of August 23, 1918.
43 “some weight to the theory …” as per the NODS of August 20, 1918.
44 ATTENTION MR. MOONEY … Text of ad per the NODI of August 22, 1918.
45 cresting of the Spanish flu epidemic … Effects of flu on nightlife per McCusker, Creole Trombone, 130.
46 great number of funerals … Brothers, Armstrong’s New Orleans, 239.
47 “itchy feet” … Chilton, Bechet, 24–25.
48 “A whole lot of musicianers …” Bechet, Treat It Gentle, 116.
49 joined the band led by Lawrence Duhe … McCusker, Creole Trombone, 25.
50 “featured hot man” … Chilton, Bechet, 28.
51 On June 19, a dance … Charters, Trumpet Around the Corner, 164; McCusker, Creole Trombone, 125.
52 “What about the band?…” McCusker, Creole Trombone, 125.
53 “I was back on my job …” Armstrong, Satchmo, 136.
54 “You still blowin’ that cornet?” … Armstrong, Satchmo, 137.
55 “What a thrill that was! …” Armstrong, Satchmo, 137.
56 gig that night at Economy Hall … McCusker, Creole Trombone, 126–27.
57 “blow up a storm …” Armstrong’s triumph per Armstrong, Satchmo, 138–39.
58 had to work various jobs … Brothers, Armstrong’s New Orleans, 24; Armstrong, Satchmo, 133.
59 “I was carrying the coal inside …” Armstrong, Satchmo, 144.
60 “a bolt of lightning …” Armstrong’s realization re: meaning of Armistice per Teachout, Pops, 46.
61 “The freewheeling days …” McCusker, Creole Trombone, 131.
62 another subdued affair … Mardi Gras of 1919 per Mitchell, Mardi Gras Day, 167, and the NOTP of March 5, 1919.
63 now on a murder charge … Harriet Lowe’s death per the NOTP of September 17, 1918.
64 morning of March 10, 1919 … Cortimiglia murder reported in the NODI, NODS, and NOTP of March 10, 1919.
Chapter 19: The Axman’s Jazz
1 “Who is the axman …” as per the NODS of March 11, 1919.
2 the most brutal assault so far … Details of the Cortimiglia attack are mainly from the NODI, NODS, and NOTP of March 10, 1919.
3 “Frank, I’m dying …” as per the NOTP of March 10, 1919 (apparently the Jordanos’ real name was Guagliardo, but they did business under the name Jordano).
4 $129 in cash … Details of “robbery” per the NOTP of March 10, 1919, and the NODI of March 11, 1919.
5 two axes on the premises … as per the NODI of March 10, 1919.
6 feuding for some time … Jordano-Cortimiglia rivalry per the NOTP of March 10, 1919.
7 “degenerate madman …” Mooney’s speculations in the NOTP of March 11, 1919.
8 continued to insist that he did not recognize … The NOTP and NODS of March 15, 1919, disagreed over whether Charles Cortimiglia joined his wife in condemning Frank Jordano; certainly the husband claimed later not to have recognized his assailant.
9 “vouch for the condition of their minds” … Doctor’s refusal to comment per the NODS of March 15, 1919.
10 “Both Charlie Cortimiglia and his wife …” as per the NODS of March 15, 1919.
11 a high-profile presentation to the press … as per the NOTP of March 16, 1919.
12 Location—In nearly all of the cases … List of common elements in crimes per the NOTP of March 16, 1919.
13 “Esteemed Mortal …” Text of Axman letter per the NOTP of March 16, 1919.
14 “The tinkle of jazz music …” as per the NOTP of March 19, 1919.
15 “Enter by way of the bathroom …” as per the NOTP of March 18, 1919.
16 “every known incidental …” Davilla’s composition per the NOTP of March 20, 1919.
17 “Immunity promised all homes …” as per the NODS of May 10, 1919.
18 police on high alert … as per the NOTP of March 16, 1919.
19 “No burglar …” as per the NOTP of March 16, 1919.
20 Besumer finally got his day in court … For the Besumer trial, see the NOTPs of April 29, May 1 and 2, 1919.
21 arrested two days after his son … Arrest of Iorlando Jordano per the NOTP of March 18, 1919.
22 trial for the murder of baby Mary Cortimiglia … Jordano trial per the NOTP of May 6 and 24, 1919.
23 jury found both Jordanos guilty … as per the NODS of May 27, 1919.
24 appealed to the state Supreme Court … as per the NOTP of August 4, 1919.
25 “There is no getting away from the fact …” as per the NODI of April 28, 1919.
26 3:15 A.M. on Sunday, August 4 … Sarah Laumann attack reported in the NODS, NOTP, and NODI of August 4, 1919.
27 “I felt a stinging …” as per the NODS of August 4, 1919.
28 “He was about five feet and eight inches …” as per the NODS of August 4, 1919. 295 grocer named Steve Boca … McQueen, Axman, 40.
29 a druggist named William Carlson … McQueen, Axman, 41.
30 “bellowing that her father was full of blood …” Pipitone murder per Police Report of Homicide and the NOTP of October 27, 1919.
31 a foot-long thick iron bar … Police Report of Homicide.
32 “Someone was calling me …” as per the NODS of October 27, 1919.
33 linking the Pipitone murder to the rash of Mafia killings … as per the NODS of October 27, 1919, and the NOTP of October 28, 1919.
34 “that the police have not the slightest clue” … as per the NOTP of October 29, 1919.
35 “Everyone kept saying …” as per the NODI of February 4, 1920.
36 “God, I hope I can sleep now …” as per the NOTP of February 2, 1920.
37 continuing criticism for his inability to solve the murders … See the NOTP of November 21, 1919, and March 20, May 30, and December 7, 1920.
38 in the wilds of Honduras … Mooney running railroad per the NOTP of January 10, 1921.
39 PUNCTILIOUSNESS, PRIMNESS, AND PRUDERY … as per the NOTP of January 2, 1920.
Chapter 20: The End of an Empire
1 going truly underground … For vice going underground in the ’20s, see especially Vyhnanek, Unorganized Crime, 130–34.
2 each arrested at least once … For White, Piazza, and Dix arrests, see Vyhnanek, Unorganized Crime, 132–33.
3 “You can make prosititution illegal …” cited frequently, as in Long, Babylon, 156.
4 sold his tony restaurant the Stag to Henry Ramos … as per the NOTP of October 18, 1907.
5 turned over to his longtime lieutenant … Annex to Struve per Succession of Anderson.
6 stately home on Canal Street … Canal Street house to Irene Delsa, move to Rampart Street apartment per Succession of Anderson.
7 “Why was Anderson never prosecuted …” as per the NOTP of October 13, 1918.
8 US government was still tasked … Continuation of War Department measures after Armistice per the NOTP of June 29, 1919. [NB: Since Republicans had been all but eliminated as a political force with the disenfranchisement of blacks in the 1898 Constitution, the Democratic primary was the key vote in any Louisiana election at this time, with the nominee virtually assured of winning in the general election that followed.]
9 inspections of the city’s cabarets … Wilson and Edler investigation per the NOTP of June 29, 1919.
10 evening of June 26, 1919 … The scene at the Arlington comes principally from testimony in the later trial, reported in the NODIs of February 3 and 4, 1920, and the NOTP of February 4, 1920.
11 “There he is now …” as per the NO
DI of February 3, 1920.
12 “That little fool …” as per the NOTP of February 4, 1920.
13 “The girl began wriggling …” as per the NODI of February 4, 1920.
14 “The Orleans Parish Grand Jury …” as per the NODI of June 29, 1919.
15 another indictment followed … US District Court indictment per the NODS of July 15, 1919.
16 “Cabaret Day in the court …” The Criminal District Court trial per the NODI of October 2, 1919.
17 ANDERSON CAFÉ SPOTLESS … as per the NODI of October 7, 1919.
18 “There is no evidence to show …” as per the NOTP of October 8, 1919.
19 “I will not discuss the case! …” as per the NOTP of October 8, 1919.
20 “I conducted a first-class saloon …” as per the NOTP of October 8, 1919.
21 “the amazing spectacle …” as per the NOTP of October 11, 1919.
22 “The best element of the citizenry …” as per the NOTP of October 9, 1919.
23 matters of state law … Anderson lawyers trying to get federal charges dismissed per the NODS of October 8, 1919.
24 “the period of emergency …” as per the NOTP of October 17, 1919.
25 “the indignation of the best elements” … as per the NOTP of October 13, 1919.
26 threaten the US prosecutor with removal … Preachers’ threats per the NOTP of October 12, 1919.
27 “thoroughly Tomandersonized” … as per the NOTP of October 19, 1919.
28 “In this state …” as per the NODI of October 24, 1919.
29 “This New Orleans Ring sends …” as per the NOTP of October 26, 1919.
30 “ingratitude” … Anderson railing against friends for being dropped per the NOTP of October 19, 1919.
31 “New Orleans Nights” … The series ran in the NOTPs of January 11–18, 1920.
32 “Under 20 YEARS OF RING RULE …” as per the NOTP of January 15, 1920 [emphasis in original].
33 defeated his opponent Stubbs … Parker defeats Stubbs by 12,000 votes per Behrman, Memoirs, 289.
34 “We are going to finish …” as per the NOTP of January 28, 1920.
35 “the case which has probably attracted …” as per the NOTP of February 3, 1920.