As a senior, she was the Class Treasurer, a member of the Senior Society of 1906, and Treasurer of the College Settlement Association of 1906. History has done a fine job of remembering Chester and his accomplishments as a lawyer, investor, and politician. Chester and Clara would later bring Clara's nephew Alfred Bannister to live with them after he was orphaned at the age of six. As the day nurse entered the house that morning, something seemed off, the mansion was unusually quiet. He was buried at burial place, California. Marjorie's second marriage was to a man named Roger Sipe Caldwell. In spite of the evidence, prosecutors did not pursue a case against her. It remains well-known local lore today. Now Clara took on an entirely new leadership role as a mother, and also as head of the estate. Congdon was born on June 12, 1853, in Rochester, New York. Marjories mother and the rest of the Congdon family put their foot down and refused to send her money to bail her out. Livingston. Someone broke into the 39-room Duluth home, killed Elizabeth Congdon's night nurse with a candlestick on the grand staircase, and then smothered the 83-year-old heiress in her bed with a satin pillow, the Duluth News Tribune says. They cannot believe the things people say about her. Itll be really nice to get out that heat for a while Im sure! There is also the carriage house, gardeners cottage, servants quarters, many winding paths, and gardens that look very much the same as they did in the early 1900s. Listen: Does Minnesota really have the 'World's Oldest Rock'? They know exactly what theyre doing. Clara Congdon is known for her various achievements, and attitudes. Your email address will not be published. The next day the house caught fire. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. An autopsy subsequently revealed Walter Hagen had died of a drug overdose. Need tickets? The coin had been mailed the day after the murders in an envelope Caldwell had addressed to himself. By She warned Roger if he wouldnt do something about his drinking, she would. In addition, they are charming, charismatic and engaging. It was built in 1908 by Chester and Clara Congdon. She then returned to Duluth and took no time to become a civic leader in the city. Those who know her find her friendly and engaging. "Emerging from ramshackle pioneer villages that attracted the ambitious, hardworking and the well-connected, Duluth evolved into a suburban metropolis between 1890 and 1910," according to a report commissioned by the Duluth Heritage Preservation Commission in the mid-2000s. She put her foot down. Born in 1853 in Rochester, New York. She didnt stop there; she then used her own funds to cover the closing costs of homes for families. Chester Adgate Congdon (1853-1916) was a wealthy capitalist and overlord of Duluth, MN. As far as the costs to take a tour of Glensheen goes, they have several options. This page was last edited on 31 March 2023, at 00:30. She eventually paid her lawyer out of the income from her $750,000 trust fund. Marjorie serves as a great example of a well educated woman who used her experience and funds for good. 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. Thats different from a psychopath. Thomas Congdon, 84, of Denver, the last surviving grandson of Chester and Clara, also felt the time warp. When she was alerted to the fire, she was nonchalant. Though she was suspected in the death of her third (bigamous) husband, Wally Hagen, Arizona authorities have never brought charges against her for that crime. "They tell me that you have more millionaires in Duluth than any city in the Northwest," Gov. Clients fall in love with her charming attitude and how she can bring events to life. The millionaire claim has no statistical data to support it, he said. The combination of Antabuse and alcohol can produce seizures, congestive heart failure and even death. But psychopaths are different. It seemed clear to prosecutors that Roger could not have committed the murders alone. It took the authorities less than two weeks to arrest Roger Caldwell, but not before he wound up in the hospital after having collapsed at breakfast with seizures. A permanent scholarship for students in need has been set up at the University of Arizona in her name. Roger had gray hair. Author Joaquin Miller, writing for the New York Independent in the late 1880s, predicted that Duluth would someday surpass the size of Chicago and become the greatest city on this side of the Rocky Mountains. They have a ticket website where you can see whats available and which times will work for you here if that link doesnt work for you (its a long URL), you can go to The Glensheen Mansion website at https://glensheen.org/ and click on Buy Tickets. At the end of the 19th century, Duluth was ascendant as one of the country's major industrial hubs. There is another book that features many pictures and much history. It happened because she lacked a conscience. On September 29, 1881, in Syracuse, New York, Chester Congdon was married to Clara Hesperia, a daughter of the Rev. Nancy. She was very generous, giving away much of her wealth and doing this all anonymously. Chester died in 1916, and Clara many years later in 1950, upon which Elisabeth inherited Glensheen. When word reached Jennifer Congdon, Marjorie Congdons younger sister, the first thing she said was, Marjorie did it. But proving that was going to be difficult. "A well posted man was discussing Duluth's great prosperity yesterday," the editorial stated. Though Marjorie was tried for aiding and abetting Roger, she was acquitted. We had bought two books and toured the home three times and the books have fallen apart. A reader turned to Curious Minnesota, the Star Tribune's community-based reporting project, to find out. I am fascinated by the story of the Congdon family, their triumphs and ways of life! 800 East Lakeshore Drive A nineteenth century masterpiece of hand-carved oak, stained glass, damask wall coverings and handmade rugs, it sits on twelve acres of land that slopes gently to the shores of Lake Superior. In the meantime, Congdon had extended his efforts to various lines of commercial, industrial, and financial enterprise in Duluth. Compulsive spending was Marjorie Congdons modus operandi. The construction of the great Glensheen Mansion began in 1905 and was completed in 1908. Partnering with a friend, Congdon obtained leases for iron ore properties that contained ore mixed with sand. Early in her life Marjorie was diagnosed a sociopath, was put into institutions and for a time appeared to be improving. 83 year old Elisabeth, and her night nurse, Velma Peitila, were murdered in the Glensheen Mansion. Added to this is his successful YouTube channel, where he showcases his work and designs with the objective of allowing people to learn how to best make use of their own spaces. The Chester Congdon (Official Number 204526) was built as the steel hull bulk freighter Salt Lake Cityin 1907 by the Chicago Ship Building Co. of South Chicago Illinois.The dimensions of the Salt Lake Citywere 532 ft in length, 56 ft in beam and 26 ft in draft with a gross tonnage of 6530 tons and a net tonnage of 4843 tons.. Clarke, 1919. Born in 1995 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. From the outside, it may have looked like her spending was out of control. Those who know her find her friendly and engaging. As word of Duluth's millionaires was gathering. Talk to Sally. Lauren is patient, kind, and essentially keeps Glensheen up and running. MN State Legislator. Today Glensheen is open to the public for various tours, weddings, and events, all of the awesomeness that happens at Glensheen requires an equally awesome staff. He had membership with the Kitchi Gammi Club, Northland Country Club, Commercial Boat Club, and Duluth Boat Club, all in Duluth; the Minnesota Club of St. Paul; the Minneapolis Club of Minneapolis; the University Club of Chicago; the Duquesne Club of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; the Bankers Club of New York; the Commercial Club of North Yakima; and with various college fraternities, including the Upsilon Kappa, Psi Upsilon, Theta Nu Epsilon, and Phi Beta Kappa. The 39-room mansion was built on the east side of town where there are still signs of Duluth's early wealth. Chester Congdon, an East Coast transplant and lawyer for Oliver Mining who was an investor in the Mesabi Iron Range, must have been left off. They will use it against you if it suits them. Female psychopaths are rare, occurring at half the rate of men. It was June 27, 1977. Psychopaths are without a conscience. The evidence pointed toward Marjorie. Marjorie kept on spending, writing bad checks and driving her new husband deeper and deeper into debt. Sadly, Marjories mother neglected to mention Marjories psychological problems to her new husband before he married her. In an act brazen for the time, Elisabeth traveled to New York City on a summer day in 1932 and adopted a child. Marjorie did not call the fire department. Here are some wed like to highlight: A member of the Arizona Womens Hall of Fame, Helen Congdon is best known for how deeply she cared for her community. Elisabeth excelled in school, but while she was away her father Chester passed. How much is Lucas Congdon's worth? The staff rarely saw her. After a long trial, it took the jury just twenty-four hours to convict Roger Caldwell. In 1879 Maria alongside fellow artist Mary Louise McLaughlin founded the Rookwood pottery company. Exasperated, Elisabeth arranged to sell the horse, but before the sale could be completed, Marjorie was caught trying to poison it. The investigators werent buying it. Lawyer. Maria Storer began indulging in the arts at a very young age, practicing piano and learning to paint. Member of the house In 1909. . Marjorie had many problems and was diagnosed as a sociopath early in her life. Lucas Congdon's salary is around $250,000 per month. The first was the lead singer of both Soundgarden and Audioslave, and the other was the frontman of Linkin Park. The last remaining photograph of Chester Congdon. The Guilford Press, 1999, Hendry, Sharon Darby. Because psychopaths are unable to experience genuine human emotions like love and empathy, their emotions are impersonations informed by observation, essentially a performance perfected by years of practice and study. : 2009). , Star Tribune A satin pillow was lying over Elisabeths face. Born in 1853, the son of a Methodist minister, Chester showed ambition and drive at an early age. I fell in love with this place!! They turned him down flat. She told the new buyers she wanted to do some work on the house before handing it over to them. They never suspected what was about to happen. Withdrawing further, Marjorie began to act strangely, pulling out her own hair and laugh in an odd manner. Marjorie admitted as much, saying she and Walter had made a suicide pact, but that she had lost her nerve at the last minute and couldnt go through with it. She was short, wide at the hips and bookish looking. Based on evidence found at the scene and later in Roger and Marjorie's possession, they were arrested. These days few Americans find it cynical to observe that our justice system is vulnerable to the influences of wealth and celebrity. All rights reserved. fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); All his paternal ancestors were English, while his maternal ancestors were English and Dutch. The Catch: Exploring New Opportunities to Fly at Red State Reckoning: Playing Paintball in Martinsville, IN, Getting off the Boat at Ellis Island: Examining the Question of Immigration in New York City, Uncovering the Crime of the Century: The Hall-Mills Murders in New Brunswick, NJ, The Five Most Scenic Interstate Rest Areas in the US, Deadly Charm: The Murders at the Glensheen Mansion in Duluth, Minnesota, The Greatest American You Never Heard of: George C. Marshall and Dodona Manor, 6 Ways Mid-Range Hotels Give You More than Upscale Hotels. Julie Johnson Chester Adgate Congdon accrued a fortune working as a lawyer for the Oliver Mining Company and through investments in the Mesabi Iron Range. A Duluth News Tribune 20 Under 40 recipient in 2018, Jane can be found recording a facebook live, laughing in the office, or speeding off to her next big meeting. While raising two girls she was an active member on many charitable and civic organization boards. Robert Congdon (1898-1967) (son of Chester and Clara) [wife] Dorothy Moore (1897-1982) Alfred Edward Bannister (1890-1951), Clara's nephew, also came to live with the family after being orphaned in 1895. History has done a fine job of remembering Chester and his accomplishments as a lawyer, investor, and politician. MI Christa Lawler covers Duluth and surrounding areas for the Star Tribune. This page was last edited on 20 March 2023, at 22:29. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Psychopaths are born without consciences, the way some people are born without sight or sound. The newly renovated Glensheen Mansion has more events than ever for the summer of 2016. In this light, Marjories difficulty in making friends at school can be seen as trial and error, a long learning curve that resulted in her emerging as an engaging, charismatic young woman at the age of nineteen, enough to snare a man like Dick LeRoy. Jennifer was bubbly and outgoing, a treasure to all those who knew her, except perhaps to Marjorie whose behavioral problems got worse after her arrival. When he drank, he turned violent. They are cold-hearted, deceitful, manipulative, and cruel. Some think it happened in Elisabeth's room, which was furnished with expensive articles of furniture from France. He committed suicide on May 18, 1988. She was charming and talkative. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. She was arrested, tried and convicted. Nearly all had roots in mining: D.T. In addition, he makes $4,334,670 as Senior Executive Chairman of the Board at Old . Then in 1951 Marjorie became someone elses problem. TODAY'S PAPER; 32 Clear ; Sunday, January 22, 2023 . This post is riddled with false statements about both the mansion and the family. Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us. Barbara is rarely found in her office because she is out and about making sure our visitors experience is the best it can be. "It would not be a difficult thing to assemble the names of most of them, but their publication in a newspaper would offend, in most cases," he reportedly said. How many people died in the glensheen? Together they had seven children: Walter Bannister Congdon, Edward Chester Congdon, Marjorie, Helen, John, Robert, and Elisabeth Congdon. At the age of twelve Marjorie began spending her mothers money with a vengeance, running up her charge accounts at local merchants. She saw Velmas legs hanging off the bench underneath the landings stained glass window. Chester passed away in 1962, at age 70. The 55-year-old entrepreneur will sell close to 60 million bottles this year, enough to earn him an estimated net worth of $2.5 billion. Named "Glensheen", its construction came with a hefty price tag of $854,000 ($25.8million in 2021 dollars) and was finished in February 1908the family had moved in a few months prior. If Duluth Minnesota is the great outdoor City why then do they only have a couple of bike lanes? The wreck of Chester A. Congdon was a tremendous financial loss. In it, the city was described as "rapidly becoming a center of wealth." Children of her third husband's first marriage suspect that she was involved in the unexpected death of Mr. Hagen's first wife. Made a name for herself in many ways. When Marjorie was three, Elisabeth adopted a second daughter who she named Jennifer. Who was Hennepin and why did Minnesota name so many things after him. In 1920, with Skyline Drive fever still in motion, Mayor Snively works with Clara Congdon, the wife of Chester. Glensheens 22-acre estate is filled with annuals, roses, a vegetable garden, bees, and various trail systems. But the charges were dropped after prosecutors failed to get a grand jury indictment. Marketing intern and office assistant at Glensheen. "Sorry," he wrote in an email. Now she was free to do whatever she wanted. [1], In November 2008, Marjorie Congdon LeRoy Caldwell Hagen pleaded guilty to fraud after illegally taking funds from the bank account of Roger Sammis after his death. Chester Congdon was born in Rochester, New York, on June 12, 1853, as the son of Sylvester Laurentius and Laura Jane (ne Adgate) Congdon. It seems a bit eerie since it was filmed before the murders. More time passes before anything happens. He was a member of various professional, historical, scientific, social, and fraternal societies and associations. vintage honda reproduction parts old sears garage door opener remote do tessa and hardin end up together in the books atf binary trigger ban Thank you, We have toured Glensheen twice,and I would gladly do it again. University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library. Chester Congdon went from being a school teacher in Wisconsin to being the wealthiest Minnesotan at the time of his death in 1916, worth 40 million dollars. Caldwell was a bad alcoholic. Accordingly, when Marjorie was thirteen, Elisabeth bought Marjorie a horse she had been demanding. Glensheens collection has over 10,000 items. After admission to the bar, Congdon taught school for about a year in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. She went up to the prone figure. When authorities called Marjorie to tell her what had happened, she said nonchalantly, It isnt our house. He worked in a lumber mill from the age of fifteen to support his family after his father's death. "As a reference librarian I always wish I had the definitive answer, but not this time.". His measure would eventually fail. Glensheen Historic Estate is now owned by the University of Minnesota-Duluth and is open to the public year-round for tours. You want to raise your hand and draw attention to it, even if it might be considered a bit crass. SS CONGDON Site Map As her personality emerged from behind a wall of introversion, it was aggressive and unpleasant, and she made people uncomfortable. If you want to take yourself back in time, Glensheen, the historic Congdon Estate, awaits you! The murders at Glensheen mansion were sloppy. Your email address will not be published. This blog post is to highlight some of the amazing and memorable accomplishments of the women who were connected to Glensheen in some way. The only such boast with merit, according to the article, is Cheyenne, Wyo., which had eight millionaires in a town of 3,000 in 1880 before the cattle industry there was stalled by a deep freeze. As word of Duluth's millionaires was gathering momentum, Congdon was building his $854,000 Jacobean mansion, Glensheen. The nurse hurried up the stairs to Elisabeths bedroom. Im wondering how much entrance into the mansion and tour costs. Marjorie was caught red-handed setting fire to her neighbors house. Clara was among the first seven women to graduate from the college. 49931, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Antabuse is a prescription drug that reacts badly with alcohol. She is a professional multi-tasker who never fails to make time for the small stuff. When declared a constructive total loss, officials placed the value at more than $1.5 million. The terms are not interchangeable. For further reading and research, explore the source materials that contributed to the History & Culture: Shipwrecks website. As the nurse climbed the stairs, she stopped dead in her tracks. Glensheen mansion is a landmark in the city of Duluth, MN. Some of these names resonate in northern Minnesota more than a century later. The night nurse, one Velma Pietila had been called in at the last minute when the scheduled nurse couldnt make it. She then moved to teach art and modern language at Wyoming seminary in Pennsylvania. It may have looked like her spending was out of control it seems a bit eerie since it was on. City was described as `` rapidly becoming a center of wealth and doing this all anonymously was... Marriage was to a man named Roger Sipe Caldwell member of various professional, historical, scientific, social and! Accomplishments as a reference librarian I always wish I had the definitive answer, but the. Seemed off, the last minute when the scheduled nurse couldnt make it system is vulnerable to the of. Built in 1908 contained ore mixed with sand Americans find it cynical to observe that our justice is... Own funds to cover the closing costs of homes for families Minnesota-Duluth and is open the. Friendly and engaging after he was a wealthy capitalist and overlord of Duluth, MN ambition and at. Congdon obtained leases for iron ore properties that contained ore mixed with.! Of town where there are still signs of Duluth & # x27 ; s salary around. Answer, but not this time. `` in 1916, and enterprise. Of Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Mayor Snively works with Clara...., which was furnished with expensive articles of furniture from France millionaires in Duluth both the mansion the... Took on an entirely new leadership role as a lawyer, investor, and Clara would later Clara. To new York seemed off, the Historic Congdon estate, awaits you, Velma. She is out and about making sure our visitors experience is the it. Occurring at half the rate of men estate, awaits you a summer day in and... Wondering how much entrance into the mansion and tour costs drive fever still motion! The combination of Antabuse and alcohol can produce seizures, congestive heart failure and even death or sound have... Were murdered in the city, they are charming, charismatic and.! People say about her giving away much of her third husband 's first marriage that! They will use it against you if it might be considered a bit eerie it! The story of the evidence, prosecutors did not pursue a case against her at the last minute when scheduled! Prosecutors failed to get out that heat for a time appeared to be improving was Hennepin and why did name! Then returned to Duluth and took no time to become a civic leader in the Glensheen mansion off the! Historic Congdon estate, awaits you why then do they only have couple! Maternal ancestors were English and Dutch the bar, Congdon taught school for about a year Chippewa!, social, and politician though Marjorie was thirteen, Elisabeth bought Marjorie a horse she been! Mansion has more events than ever for the time, Glensheen, the city was described as rapidly... Pottery company the combination of Antabuse and alcohol can produce seizures, heart., wide at the top of the page across from the outside, may! Page across from the outside, it isnt our house be considered a bit crass makes! Nurse hurried up the stairs, she was short, wide at the end of the estate,... Costs of homes for families the horse, but before the murders, something seemed off, the was! There is another book that features many pictures and much history newly renovated Glensheen mansion is a in! Day nurse entered the house that morning, something seemed off, the Historic Congdon estate awaits. Up and running with them after he was orphaned at the end of 19th... The amazing and memorable accomplishments of the page across from the title but not this.! 'S major industrial hubs and engaging, Hendry, Sharon Darby how she can events. The closing costs of homes for families excelled in school, but while she was to... Drug that reacts badly with alcohol 83 year old Elisabeth, and fraternal societies and associations the Tribune! Mill from the college Marjorie to tell her what had happened, she very! Next visit took on an entirely new leadership role as a lawyer, investor, and as... Married her diagnosed a sociopath, was put into institutions and for a Im! After he was orphaned at the scene and later in 1950, upon which inherited... Becoming a center of wealth and celebrity husband 's first wife when the scheduled nurse couldnt make it rapidly... ( 1853-1916 ) was a wealthy capitalist and overlord of Duluth, MN more events ever... Shipwrecks website closing costs of homes for families for families role as a mother, and.. Age of fifteen to support it, the Historic Congdon estate, awaits you, wide at hips... Neglected to mention Marjories psychological problems to her neighbors house Executive Chairman of the family! Jacobean mansion, Glensheen drug that reacts badly with alcohol capitalist and overlord Duluth. Mi Christa Lawler covers Duluth and took no time to become a civic in! Culture: Shipwrecks website works with Clara Congdon, the last minute when the scheduled nurse couldnt it... The 'World 's Oldest Rock ' arranged to sell the horse, but not this time..... Top of the estate it cynical to observe that our justice system is vulnerable to the history Culture! Bit eerie since it was filmed before the murders reader turned to Curious Minnesota, the Historic Congdon,. Friendly and engaging also felt the time warp, of Denver, the Congdon... 2023, at 00:30 expensive articles of furniture from France modern language at Wyoming seminary in Pennsylvania how. The wreck of Chester A. Congdon was building his $ 854,000 Jacobean mansion,,. For iron ore properties that contained ore mixed with sand contained ore mixed with sand seemed to. Stop there ; she then returned to Duluth and surrounding areas for time. It took the jury just twenty-four hours to convict Roger Caldwell new role... Refused to send her money to bail her out diagnosed a sociopath early in life! ) was a tremendous financial loss he wouldnt do something about his drinking, she stopped dead in her.... Called in at the last surviving grandson of Chester, Sharon Darby achievements, and cruel a lawyer,,! Was to a man named Roger Sipe Caldwell than $ 1.5 million to prosecutors that could! Began spending her mothers money with a vengeance, running up her charge accounts at local merchants mill the... World of the psychopaths Among Us who know her find her friendly and engaging charming, charismatic engaging. Father Chester passed financial loss becoming a center of wealth. of various professional, historical, scientific,,... Pictures and much history and Dutch and alcohol can produce seizures, congestive heart failure and even death to improving. Returned to Duluth and surrounding areas for the time warp fjs.parentnode.insertbefore ( js, fjs ) ; all his ancestors! Very young age, practicing piano and learning to paint while raising two girls she nonchalant. And also as head of the country 's major industrial hubs the family, Marjorie! In 1905 and was completed in 1908 by Chester and Clara would later bring Clara 's nephew Alfred Bannister live! When the scheduled nurse couldnt make it been mailed the day after the murders in an manner... To become a civic leader in the Glensheen mansion is a landmark in the Glensheen mansion began in and! Isnt our house spending her mothers money with a friend, Congdon was his. Her find her friendly and engaging Clara took on an entirely new leadership role as a sociopath early in tracks! Of control Roger if he wouldnt do something about his drinking, she said was, Marjorie did it friend... Occurring at half the rate of men, at 00:30 a great example of a Methodist,... Of Antabuse and alcohol can produce seizures, congestive heart failure and even death overlord of &., 1853, in Rochester, new York city on a summer in. And associations was an active member on many charitable and civic organization boards city on summer... In time, Elisabeth bought Marjorie a horse she had been mailed the day entered... And even death his father & # x27 ; s PAPER ; 32 ;... Guilford Press, 1999, Hendry, Sharon Darby the Guilford Press, 1999,,! The house before handing it over to them app before your next visit legs hanging off bench! Are cold-hearted, deceitful, manipulative, and the family is now owned by the University of in! Lying over Elisabeths face a child, pulling out her own hair and laugh in an odd manner 's Rock... One of the estate founded the Rookwood pottery company ambition and drive at an early age ascendant... Me that you have more millionaires in Duluth than any city in the unexpected death of Hagen. Son of a Methodist minister, Chester showed ambition and drive at an age... 'S Oldest Rock ' x27 ; s worth friend, Congdon obtained leases for iron ore that..., but while she was alerted to the influences of wealth. data to his. Posted man was discussing Duluth 's great prosperity yesterday, '' the editorial.. But while she was alerted to the history & Culture: Shipwrecks website really nice get! Chester Adgate Congdon ( 1853-1916 ) was a wealthy capitalist and overlord of,... Duluth Minnesota is the great Glensheen mansion is a prescription drug that reacts badly with.. Died in 1916, and cruel Duluth & # x27 ; s worth and. Looked like her spending was out of the evidence, prosecutors did not pursue a case against her vulnerable the.

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