Louis Wagner was recently featured in the Huffington Post article here titled 10 Killers That America Forgot.
We on Star Island have not forgotten the Smuttynose Murders, and there is also evidence that Louis Wagner may have been innocent! I have compiled some of the resources on the Vaughn Website under http://vaughncottage.omeka.net/freelouis
One of the other rumored suspects was Karl Thaxter, Celia Thaxter’s oldest son. She would have been especially motivated to become involved to make sure her son was safe. She wrote a letter about the murder available here, and also wrote A Memorable Murder on Smuttynose about the tragic event.
Just last night Ann Beattie presented Murder on Smuttynose Island at the Historic Star conference on island this week- the theme this year is Mystery & Mayhem! She presented a good case for Louis’ guilt, so perhaps it was him after all.
At the Discover Center there is currently on display the murder ax, shown above, on loan from the collection with a note that says there is definitive proof that Louis was indeed the murderer. There is more information available at Anatomy of an Ax Murder and other books and resources at http://vaughncottage.omeka.net/freelouis so you can decide for yourself!
OMG, Karl. Really? I must learn more about Karl.
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