The cause was arson, but her presence there could not be connected to the crime, and she was not arrested. The grotesque story is nonetheless a true one that unfolded almost 40 years ago now: Duluths Glensheen murders, an atrocity that riveted the region for years. Poling says he and Hatcher are acutely aware that audience members for Glensheen will include members of the victims families, investigators who worked on the caseand possibly even Marjorie Congdon Caldwell. It is estimated that 1% of the population are psychopaths. The news, analysis and community conversation found here is funded by donations from individuals. And I have taken all the necessary precautions to keep myself safe. From 1952 to 1954, the LeRoys lived at 2744 Salem Ave., a bungalow built in 1941. If todays Duluth is an unusually lively and progressive city for its size, that is in part due to Congdons passions. 40 years later, Glensheen murders still grip Duluth, Glensheen, home museums rethink rules to lure visitors. Caldwell was a bad alcoholic. Female psychopaths are rare, occurring at half the rate of men. From an early age, Marjorie showed signs of devious behavior, and as a teenager she was diagnosed as a sociopath. Roger had gray hair. "People still won't talk to me on the record, because they're still afraid of retaliation," she said. Marjorie and Dick LeRoy had seven children: When LeRoy was transferred to Minnesota, they lived in Minneapolis, then moved to St. Louis Park. The last I heard, she was calling herself Marjorie Hagen and living in the Southwest. 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. Marjorie could not have been pleased. They may charm you, they may trick you, or they may put you in a difficult position. "It was clear she was then on a path to wanting to speed up her inheritance," said DeSanto, who's a judge now and co-author of a book on the case, "Will to Murder.". DULUTH Trouble continued to follow Marjorie Caldwell after her 1979 trial and acquittal for murder conspiracy in the slayings of her mother and her mother's nurse at Glensheen. Marjorie pleaded guilty to the crime of forgery and was given probation. Your email address will not be published. But she's not able to get around town like in the old days. They are callous and opportunistic and care nothing about you. Stained glass window above the stairway landing at Glensheen mansion where Velma Pitiela was murdered. It appears someone can be born a psychopath, and it also appears that psychopathology can run in families. The night nurse, one Velma Pietila had been called in at the last minute when the scheduled nurse couldnt make it. In fact, LeRoy herself learned about many of her grandmothers projects only when she began to research her new book, Nightingale: A Memoir of Murder, Madness, and the Messenger of Spring, Kitai Press. She was sentenced two and a half years in prison and fined $10,000. Details could be released next week. Marjorie got good grades but was considered something of a weirdo by her classmates. Then in 1951 Marjorie became someone elses problem. Roger. His was the classic American rags to riches story, and he was just getting started. Much of the following information came from the book Will to Murder: The True Story Behind the Crimes and Trials Surrounding the Glensheen Killings by Gail Feichtinger, John Desanto, Gary Waller, and John E. Desanto (2005:X-Communication). Congdon's adopted daughter, Marjorie Congdon Caldwell, was acquitted in 1979 of charges that she helped plan the murders in what the prosecution called a scheme to get an early inheritance. In 2005, the museum reversed course. She was charming and talkative. When he drank, he turned violent. She loved nature and history, and taught her children and grandchildren to protect them. If Marjorie couldnt have it, nobody would. Today, the University of Minnesota-Duluth operates the mansion, tours and events that take place inside and on the mansion's grounds. From 1993 to 2004, Marjorie Caldwell served 11 years of a 15-year prison sentence for arson. "People do see her out and about. 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. Just before the fire, Marjorie was seen carrying valuables out of the house and loading them into her car. But even today, guides don't discuss the murder during tours, although they will answer questions after, explained Glensheen Director Dan Hartman. Glensheen, built just northeast of downtown Duluth in 1909, was the audacious symbol of Congdon's wealth and made the murders that much more intriguing. She was accused of attempting to deposit his $11,181 inheritance into her account after he died. They didn't think they could prove the death was murder. Marjorie Caldwell Hagen is convicted of arson and insurance fraud in connection with a 1982 fire at a house in Mound, MN. And I loved nursing; I was very privileged to work in Minnesota, nationally, and internationally as a nurse. Relations between Marjorie and her family members were highly strained, and the Congdon estate closely monitored all communication between Marjorie and her mother. On January 13, 1984, Marjorie was given 21 months in the Shakopee Womens Prison for burning down her and Wallys home in Mound, Minnesota. Her nurse is also killed, bludgeoned with a candlestick. Psychopaths live in a world of their own, a world that is all about their wants and needs. He befriended the US District Attorney in St. Paul and got a job as his assistant. It happened because she lacked a conscience. Glensheen, a new musical about the crime by acclaimed playwright Jeffrey Hatcher and music by The Suburbs Chan Poling, opens October 3 at St. Pauls History Theatre. However, that didnt mean she didnt want children. Saturday, Aug. 23, 12 p.m., Village Bookstore, Grand Rapids, Minn. MinnPost's in-depth, independent news is free for all to access no paywall or subscriptions. It really is part of a bygone era. Marjorie Congdon was accused of plotting the death of her wealthy mother, Elisabeth Congdon, and nurse Velma Pietila, who were found dead at the Congdon estate almost 40 years ago. On June 26, 1977, Roger Caldwell got on a plane to Minneapolis, drove up to Duluth in a rental car, smothered Elizabeth Congdon with a satin pillow, and bludgeoned her nurse, Velma Pietila, to death with a brass candlestick. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. "She got no bulk sum after the murders - she basically lost it all . MP: You have a hard time calling Marjorie Caldwell your mother. In 1979, she was acquitted in the smothering of her adoptive mother and the beating death of a night nurse. During her lifetime, the Duluth mining heiress and philanthropist worked quietly to shape the community and culture of her northern town. A satin pillow was lying over Elisabeths face. After breaking off an early engagement, she settled into the life of a spinster. How do I setup my iPhone 13 for the first time? She appealed, was let free on bond and, after a year of setbacks and delays, she was finally remanded to Shakopee Womens Prison in Shakopee, Minnesota. Avoid being drawn in. On June 27, 1977 at 3:00am, Elisabeth Congdon and her nurse Velma Pietila (born April 26, 1911) were found murdered. The man who actually committed the murder was Roger Caldwell, the second husband of Elisabeth Congdon's adopted daughter, Marjorie, according to MinnPost. When we were invited to dinner, it was never casual. Marjories mother and the rest of the Congdon family put their foot down and refused to send her money to bail her out. Her regrets would be of a different, more vexing nature. [Its] a very rich Sondheim sound. Better you should stay away from them. Everyones life is important and has meaning, but she was so important to me. As a single woman, this bordered on the scandalous, but Elisabeths regrets would have little to do with the social opprobrium her action invited. Some call it Minnesotas Downton Abbey. From an early age, Marjorie showed signs of devious behavior, and as a teenager she was diagnosed as a sociopath. That's because 40 years later, Hartman said, about 70 percent of visitors don't even know about the murders. Marjorie Congdon Hagen admitted she endorsed and deposited an $11,000 check into a bank account she shared with Roger Sammis four days after Sammis died, said defense attorney Brick Storts.. Investigators quickly identify two suspects with a classic motive: struggling financially, the suspects stood to inherit millions upon the victims death. So they made a deal. Marjorie was caught red-handed setting fire to her neighbors house. Its wonderful to see their reactions. In 1984, Marjorie was convicted of arson in the burning of the Mound, Minn., home she had just sold but remained an insurance beneficiary. She was denied parole in 2001 after 10 people, including one of her daughters, sent strongly worded letters to the parole board urging her continued incarceration. SEE ALSO: Trail of clues, legal twists kept Glensheen murder case going for years, SEE ALSO: Glensheen murders still intrigue, Authorities ID man fatally shot by Duluth police, First Witness seeks state, local support for larger child advocacy center in Duluth, Court rejects challenge to Hibbing murder. In the early years of the twentieth century as the demand for iron ore increased, Chester Congdons wealth grew. Clarity means quality, and , We cant fight it any longer. Tour lengths vary depending on the type of tour and the desired experience. "I think also a downside of the murder is that people always viewed it from that lens, even in the history community," he said, "that they kind of forget it's actually this incredibly important historic site for our state. I started out with a Gothic feel, really influenced by Cabaret, Chicago, and Sweeney Todd, he says. After a long trial, it took the jury just twenty-four hours to convict Roger Caldwell. My GM made all the difference for me. But the charges were dropped after prosecutors failed to get a grand jury indictment. Their mother Hagen's previous wife was in a nursing home in 1980 when she collapsed into a coma and died after Marjorie allegedly was seen feeding her something from a jar. During World War I, she worked with the Red Cross. Police suspected that Roger Caldwell flew from Colorado to Minneapolis, drove to Duluth, and committed the murders under cover of darkness. Most psychopaths are not violent, but all are treacherous. The lawyers tell you that you and your siblings would be set for life. Yet you became a nurse a very demanding, difficult profession. It was a pattern that would repeat itself throughout her life. In 1995 an Arizona judge decreed that Wally Hagens ashes must be divided between Hagens children and Marjorie. Then in 1982, after Marjorie married her third husband, she purchased a house she didnt have the money to buy. Sign up for The Growler's mailing list to receive the latest news in food, drink, and culture, and special events you won't want to miss. The building was designed by Minnesota architect Clarence H. The historic Glensheen Mansion, along London Road in Duluth MN, was built for, Released in the fall of 1972 and directed by Lamont Johnson, Youll Like, Glensheen, a mansion and grounds completed in 1908 on the shores of Lake Superior in Duluth, was built by Chester and Clara Congdon. He was sentenced to two consecutive life terms. At many times, her life was filled with loss, illness and hardship, and yet she was always optimistic. Nancy and her brother Tom were always curious about their mother's rich friend, Marjorie Congdon. Two years later, after having moved to Englewood, Colorado, Marjorie was identified in the vicinity of the First National Bank Building shortly before it caught on fire. A psychotic is someone who is out of touch with reality. When I began my research, I discovered so many amazing things. Some psychopaths are highly successful, exercising wealth and power, but no less dangerous for all that. You are here: Home How What happened Marjorie Congdon? The investigators werent buying it. The public needs to be educated. Surprisingly, there are some rather significant connections between Marjorie and St. Louis Park. Dissatisfied, he moved to St. Paul, Minnesota with $31 in his pocket, passed the Minnesota bar, and joined a law firm. Chester Adgate Congdon accrued a fortune, How long is the tour? 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