Duluth Lynchings
Glensheen Mystery
Chester Congdon finished the house in 1908 and appraised for $865,000 at that time. Chester's daughter, Elizabeth inherited the house, and was later murdered along with her nurse Velma Pietila on June 27, 1977. Eighty-three year old Elizabeth had been suffocated in bed with a pillow, and Velma had been bludgeoned to death on a stair landing with a candlestick from the home.
After the death of Elizabeth the Glensheen Mansion was turned over to the University' of Minnesota.
Elizabeth had an adopted daughter named Marjorie who was in line to inherit Elizabeth's fortune. Soon after the murder, Marjorie's husband was accused and convicted of the crime, but his conviction was overturned about 5 years later. Marjorie was also tried but acquitted. Marjorie's husband was found dead after his release under mysterious circumstances. Marjorie was initially charged with his murder but the charges were later dropped. Marjorie has a history of several other arrests, particularly for her apparent affinity for starting fires, and is presently serving 15 years in prison for attempted arson. The case of who murdered Elizabeth and Velma remains unsolved.
Suspicion for the Congdon murders immediately fell upon Miss Congdon's new son-in-law, Roger Caldwell, who was anxious for his share of the vast inheritance. Miss Congdon's adopted daughter, Marjorie Caldwell was married to Roger.
Other parties involved were : Ernie Grams, the chief investigator in the case; John DeSanto, prosecutor; and two prominent Twin Cities defense attorneys, Doug Thomson and Ron Meshbesher.
Some claim that Elizabeth and Velma now haunt the house. It is said that eerie black, shadowy figures walk about the basement, while lights turn on and off. Read more comments about the haunted experiences of visitors...