Alex Hortis

And he talks her into giving herself up. She hasn't been charged yet, but they treat her like a fugitive.

And he talks her into giving herself up. She hasn't been charged yet, but they treat her like a fugitive.

He went into George Waite's apothecary, and he detailed evidence that Polly had essentially been sleeping with George Waite.

He went into George Waite's apothecary, and he detailed evidence that Polly had essentially been sleeping with George Waite.

George Wade is an apothecary, of course, off of Broadway, so he sold abortifacients at the time, these herbal remedies, which are very dangerous and noxious. So he is rumored to have procured, you know, maybe half a dozen abortions. There's really no proof of that. There's no way that the press could have proved that, but they ran with the story anyway.

George Wade is an apothecary, of course, off of Broadway, so he sold abortifacients at the time, these herbal remedies, which are very dangerous and noxious. So he is rumored to have procured, you know, maybe half a dozen abortions. There's really no proof of that. There's no way that the press could have proved that, but they ran with the story anyway.

At this point, he's a newsman, so he's writing essays for the Columbia Spy. But he was also very interested in crime, and he becomes fascinated with the idea of being essentially an amateur detective, and becomes fascinated in this idea that I can solve crimes using logic reported in the newspapers, and I can use deductive logic to solve crimes.

At this point, he's a newsman, so he's writing essays for the Columbia Spy. But he was also very interested in crime, and he becomes fascinated with the idea of being essentially an amateur detective, and becomes fascinated in this idea that I can solve crimes using logic reported in the newspapers, and I can use deductive logic to solve crimes.

So he's already writing detective stories. He writes the first detective story, The Murders in the Rue Morgue, in which this Detective Dupin, who becomes his alter ego and becomes the first sort of Sherlock Holmes character, solves an unsolvable crime. And then he comes across the Pauly Boudin case. He's following it very carefully. And then he goes on and he criticizes the police.

So he's already writing detective stories. He writes the first detective story, The Murders in the Rue Morgue, in which this Detective Dupin, who becomes his alter ego and becomes the first sort of Sherlock Holmes character, solves an unsolvable crime. And then he comes across the Pauly Boudin case. He's following it very carefully. And then he goes on and he criticizes the police.

And he decides that Pauly Boudin is clearly guilty, but he believes that the authorities will undoubtedly mess it up.

And he decides that Pauly Boudin is clearly guilty, but he believes that the authorities will undoubtedly mess it up.

As soon as the Herald and the Sun started reporting on the trial, it caused a huge furor. So people from Manhattan, people from Long Island, people from New Jersey, they all flocked to Little Staten Island and its courthouse. The case against Polly Bodine at that trial is largely circumstantial, but it's fairly extensive.

As soon as the Herald and the Sun started reporting on the trial, it caused a huge furor. So people from Manhattan, people from Long Island, people from New Jersey, they all flocked to Little Staten Island and its courthouse. The case against Polly Bodine at that trial is largely circumstantial, but it's fairly extensive.

One of the key pieces of evidence that had come out was some pawnbrokers had answered a reward in the newspapers and had said that somebody had come on Christmas Day, this is several hours before the murders were discovered, and had pawned Emmeline's valuables. So it raises the obvious question, How in the world were those goods pawned half a day before the bodies were discovered?

One of the key pieces of evidence that had come out was some pawnbrokers had answered a reward in the newspapers and had said that somebody had come on Christmas Day, this is several hours before the murders were discovered, and had pawned Emmeline's valuables. So it raises the obvious question, How in the world were those goods pawned half a day before the bodies were discovered?

How to have somebody who had access to the house?

How to have somebody who had access to the house?

But what they did was they had her dress up in her outfit that they had caught her with. And they brought the pawnbrokers to this lone cell. She was the only person there. There was no lineup. Like you'd have today, you'd have to have a lineup. Otherwise, it'd be considered unduly suggestive. And he said, you know, basically said, this is who we think it is. Is that her?

But what they did was they had her dress up in her outfit that they had caught her with. And they brought the pawnbrokers to this lone cell. She was the only person there. There was no lineup. Like you'd have today, you'd have to have a lineup. Otherwise, it'd be considered unduly suggestive. And he said, you know, basically said, this is who we think it is. Is that her?

And they all said it was her.

And they all said it was her.

And her family, Pauly Benign's family, the housemen, say George Waite's the killer, Pauly's innocent. George Waite essentially killed her for money.

And her family, Pauly Benign's family, the housemen, say George Waite's the killer, Pauly's innocent. George Waite essentially killed her for money.

was the defense's strongest point in many ways. She had actually delivered Annalisa, the young girl, an 18-month-old girl. Why in the world would Polly Bodine murder her 18-month-old niece over Christmas? Why would she murder her sister-in-law? The prosecution suggested that Polly was, in fact, in financial distress. The problem with this is that Polly came from a wealthy family.

was the defense's strongest point in many ways. She had actually delivered Annalisa, the young girl, an 18-month-old girl. Why in the world would Polly Bodine murder her 18-month-old niece over Christmas? Why would she murder her sister-in-law? The prosecution suggested that Polly was, in fact, in financial distress. The problem with this is that Polly came from a wealthy family.

There was an eccentric juror who actually was a fairly prosperous farmer on Staten Island. And he holds out and he says, I'm not going to convict her under any circumstances. There were some reports that he had been opposed to the death penalty. And so they have an all-night deliberation. And remember, these jurors, you know, these are not comfortable beds here. They're in a very small jury room.

There was an eccentric juror who actually was a fairly prosperous farmer on Staten Island. And he holds out and he says, I'm not going to convict her under any circumstances. There were some reports that he had been opposed to the death penalty. And so they have an all-night deliberation. And remember, these jurors, you know, these are not comfortable beds here. They're in a very small jury room.

They don't have much to eat. They have bread and water. They used to actually withhold bread and water from jurors until they reached a decision. But he's the lone holdout. Everyone else votes to convict. He literally jumps out the window and runs away.

They don't have much to eat. They have bread and water. They used to actually withhold bread and water from jurors until they reached a decision. But he's the lone holdout. Everyone else votes to convict. He literally jumps out the window and runs away.

So as he's sifting through the ashes, he hits something hard. He initially thinks it's a sheep or a dog. It ends up being Emmeline Hausman's torched and bludgeoned body.

So as he's sifting through the ashes, he hits something hard. He initially thinks it's a sheep or a dog. It ends up being Emmeline Hausman's torched and bludgeoned body.

And it becomes this enormous social event. It far attracted women spectators far more than men. They'd be dressed up in the latest stylish outfits. They'd be eating lunches. They'd bring their children. They'd treat it like a show, essentially. On the first day of trial, there was a near riot, and the police had to beat down spectators because it had caused such strong feelings about it.

And it becomes this enormous social event. It far attracted women spectators far more than men. They'd be dressed up in the latest stylish outfits. They'd be eating lunches. They'd bring their children. They'd treat it like a show, essentially. On the first day of trial, there was a near riot, and the police had to beat down spectators because it had caused such strong feelings about it.

It's really the first case... in which the entire country is following details of the case. And you have very able reporters that are transcribing it and doing very detailed day-to-day trial testimony.

It's really the first case... in which the entire country is following details of the case. And you have very able reporters that are transcribing it and doing very detailed day-to-day trial testimony.

So he creates this disgusting wax figure of Polly essentially as this old witch, killing Emmeline. And Annalisa. In the American Museum, he advertises during her trials, there are undoubtedly were many, many thousands of people who saw both this horrible wax figure and then went over and sat in the trial, which was only about two blocks away.

So he creates this disgusting wax figure of Polly essentially as this old witch, killing Emmeline. And Annalisa. In the American Museum, he advertises during her trials, there are undoubtedly were many, many thousands of people who saw both this horrible wax figure and then went over and sat in the trial, which was only about two blocks away.

Curiously, P.T. Barnum was not, you know, probably trying to endanger. He wasn't a bloodthirsty person. He opposed the death penalty. But he also knew he believed in selling tickets. That was his modus operandi. And so he really becomes one of the first people to make true crime entertainment.

Curiously, P.T. Barnum was not, you know, probably trying to endanger. He wasn't a bloodthirsty person. He opposed the death penalty. But he also knew he believed in selling tickets. That was his modus operandi. And so he really becomes one of the first people to make true crime entertainment.

The trial goes on extremely long, about five weeks. And the defense pulls out all the stops in this case. The defense floats the idea for the first time that it was a gang in New York. The Bowery Boys, the Dead Rabbits, the Roach Guard. These were menacing street thugs.

The trial goes on extremely long, about five weeks. And the defense pulls out all the stops in this case. The defense floats the idea for the first time that it was a gang in New York. The Bowery Boys, the Dead Rabbits, the Roach Guard. These were menacing street thugs.

This is a big problem for the prosecution. It disrupts their timeline.

This is a big problem for the prosecution. It disrupts their timeline.

These two witnesses are an enormous problem for the prosecution, and Pauly then starts to have less opportunity, less of a window to occur the murders.

These two witnesses are an enormous problem for the prosecution, and Pauly then starts to have less opportunity, less of a window to occur the murders.

He said that Pauly was going to a place to deal with her pregnancy, where there's euphemisms for an abortion, Or, alternatively, there were these houses where women gave up their children. He calls no witnesses to substantiate this. But it's a brilliant way because he knew how to play to the press. He knew that people cared about abortion. He knew people would pay attention to this.

He said that Pauly was going to a place to deal with her pregnancy, where there's euphemisms for an abortion, Or, alternatively, there were these houses where women gave up their children. He calls no witnesses to substantiate this. But it's a brilliant way because he knew how to play to the press. He knew that people cared about abortion. He knew people would pay attention to this.

It was plausible, you know, on his face at least, for why then she would have lied to her son. It gives her, quote, an alibi. But, of course, there actually is no alibi witness. But he knows he has to play to the press. He's very good at manipulating the press.

It was plausible, you know, on his face at least, for why then she would have lied to her son. It gives her, quote, an alibi. But, of course, there actually is no alibi witness. But he knows he has to play to the press. He's very good at manipulating the press.

There are some jurors that want a manslaughter conviction because the cause of death, the prosecution never could really prove the exact cause of death. They might have been bludgeoned. It might have been something else, poisoning.

There are some jurors that want a manslaughter conviction because the cause of death, the prosecution never could really prove the exact cause of death. They might have been bludgeoned. It might have been something else, poisoning.

He docks his schooner, and then he's walking over to the ferry boat, and he literally runs into his sister, Polly. And it falls upon Polly to tell him, the horrible news. They ride back in silence. He doesn't know what to say or think. He goes to the house, and all that's left is this burnt-out, scorched kitchen and the horrible remains of what was left of his family, Emmeline and Annalisa.

He docks his schooner, and then he's walking over to the ferry boat, and he literally runs into his sister, Polly. And it falls upon Polly to tell him, the horrible news. They ride back in silence. He doesn't know what to say or think. He goes to the house, and all that's left is this burnt-out, scorched kitchen and the horrible remains of what was left of his family, Emmeline and Annalisa.

He had long opposed the death penalty and was radically opposed to the death penalty. And in part is because he had sort of a radical Christian sympathy.

He had long opposed the death penalty and was radically opposed to the death penalty. And in part is because he had sort of a radical Christian sympathy.

He went on to write, So he projects his own kind of ideological views onto the case, just as Edgar Allan Poe projected his views about how the police should conduct investigations onto the case, and just as how many people on the abortion issue project their views onto the case, what this all had to do with her guilt or innocence, you know, very tenuous.

He went on to write, So he projects his own kind of ideological views onto the case, just as Edgar Allan Poe projected his views about how the police should conduct investigations onto the case, and just as how many people on the abortion issue project their views onto the case, what this all had to do with her guilt or innocence, you know, very tenuous.

In the last trial, the prosecution suffers from a number of problems. First of all, it's the third trial, and these witnesses are tired of being abused. Their names are run in the newspapers. They're, you know, savaged on their cross-examination.

In the last trial, the prosecution suffers from a number of problems. First of all, it's the third trial, and these witnesses are tired of being abused. Their names are run in the newspapers. They're, you know, savaged on their cross-examination.

What also happened was Newberg got turned off by all this vitriol towards Polly. There was this scandalous pamphlet that had made up, you know, these stories about her being a harlot, basically. And the people of Newberg were just so turned off by the red meat press at the time that they start swinging sympathetically towards Polly as if she were a victim. And so they acquit.

What also happened was Newberg got turned off by all this vitriol towards Polly. There was this scandalous pamphlet that had made up, you know, these stories about her being a harlot, basically. And the people of Newberg were just so turned off by the red meat press at the time that they start swinging sympathetically towards Polly as if she were a victim. And so they acquit.

And so Polly is let go eventually the following year, but in a sense she's not free because the people on Staten Island all believe that she's guilty. She lives in this small cottage. She never leaves Staten Island, and she's sort of this recluse. There are rumors about her, and she lives out her very long life as a recluse on Staten Island, still shunned.

And so Polly is let go eventually the following year, but in a sense she's not free because the people on Staten Island all believe that she's guilty. She lives in this small cottage. She never leaves Staten Island, and she's sort of this recluse. There are rumors about her, and she lives out her very long life as a recluse on Staten Island, still shunned.

Everyone knew everybody. But what was also distinct about Staten Island was just across the bay was the largest city, North America. And if you go over the hills, you could see some of the lights and all the ships going in and out from all over the world. So it was a very stark contrast between a very rural, small town that was connected to the great metropolis of the West.

Everyone knew everybody. But what was also distinct about Staten Island was just across the bay was the largest city, North America. And if you go over the hills, you could see some of the lights and all the ships going in and out from all over the world. So it was a very stark contrast between a very rural, small town that was connected to the great metropolis of the West.

He had a very prosperous oyster business. There was an oyster craze in New York. And so much of Staten Island's economy was feeding New York oysters.

He had a very prosperous oyster business. There was an oyster craze in New York. And so much of Staten Island's economy was feeding New York oysters.

It was considered sort of a match made in heaven because it was a marriage between two great clans on Staten Island, and clans meant everything on Staten Island. And these were families that predated the formation of the United States, and in the case of the Hausmans, predated even the English arriving.

It was considered sort of a match made in heaven because it was a marriage between two great clans on Staten Island, and clans meant everything on Staten Island. And these were families that predated the formation of the United States, and in the case of the Hausmans, predated even the English arriving.

He ends up being a drunk, ends up being abusive towards her, and ends up spending all the family money. So she separates from him, and in the 1840s, this is, if not unheard of, it's certainly scandalous.

He ends up being a drunk, ends up being abusive towards her, and ends up spending all the family money. So she separates from him, and in the 1840s, this is, if not unheard of, it's certainly scandalous.

He has a schooner business, but he's away at sea for long stretches of time.

He has a schooner business, but he's away at sea for long stretches of time.

George Waite is a 30-something sort of merchant prince. He owns his own apothecary just off Broadway. Broadway is the commercial emporium of the Western world at this point. And she would go in, come for a long weekend, and travel back, usually on Monday or Tuesday, back to Staten Island.

George Waite is a 30-something sort of merchant prince. He owns his own apothecary just off Broadway. Broadway is the commercial emporium of the Western world at this point. And she would go in, come for a long weekend, and travel back, usually on Monday or Tuesday, back to Staten Island.

They had no idea that the whole entire country would in a few weeks know about their adulterous relationship.

They had no idea that the whole entire country would in a few weeks know about their adulterous relationship.

What was the penny press? The penny press were the first newspapers to appeal to a mass popular audience. This was revolutionary at the time, because before that, there were these really kind of dull merchant publications. They would carry stock prices, they would carry official news, maybe some news from Washington, but they did not have a wide audience.

What was the penny press? The penny press were the first newspapers to appeal to a mass popular audience. This was revolutionary at the time, because before that, there were these really kind of dull merchant publications. They would carry stock prices, they would carry official news, maybe some news from Washington, but they did not have a wide audience.

So at the same time, the penny press papers were a penny, so they were affordable for the working person. The founders of it had this fantastic idea that you don't have to wait and sit back for subscriptions. You can sell it on the streets. So they start hawking the news. These are the first newsboys. And so they're selling to anybody who comes along and initially gets a working class audience.

So at the same time, the penny press papers were a penny, so they were affordable for the working person. The founders of it had this fantastic idea that you don't have to wait and sit back for subscriptions. You can sell it on the streets. So they start hawking the news. These are the first newsboys. And so they're selling to anybody who comes along and initially gets a working class audience.

On Christmas 1843 and Christmas night on Staten Island, there were a group of men that were walking towards the town's only tavern. One of them noticed smoke coming out of the kitchen chimney of Captain George Hausman. Didn't think much of it. There had been snow and it may have been wet logs. But soon a young kid comes down the road and yells, fire, fire, fire.

On Christmas 1843 and Christmas night on Staten Island, there were a group of men that were walking towards the town's only tavern. One of them noticed smoke coming out of the kitchen chimney of Captain George Hausman. Didn't think much of it. There had been snow and it may have been wet logs. But soon a young kid comes down the road and yells, fire, fire, fire.

But then it becomes so popular and so addictive. to get this different kind of newspaper that it goes all the way up to the upper classes of New York City. The mayor, everyone was reading the penny press. So what made the penny press very different, it would cover murder and suicides. It would cover scandals. It was about sex. It was really, in many ways, the forerunners to our current tabloids.

But then it becomes so popular and so addictive. to get this different kind of newspaper that it goes all the way up to the upper classes of New York City. The mayor, everyone was reading the penny press. So what made the penny press very different, it would cover murder and suicides. It would cover scandals. It was about sex. It was really, in many ways, the forerunners to our current tabloids.

Everyone from longshoremen, rope makers, to ladies in smoking parlors, to the mayor, to anyone who could read was starting to pick up the penny press. And they love these stories.

Everyone from longshoremen, rope makers, to ladies in smoking parlors, to the mayor, to anyone who could read was starting to pick up the penny press. And they love these stories.

Gangs were very much a concern in New York City. And they would kind of roam through the streets committing crimes, occasionally committing murders. He really didn't have much of anything to go on when he said that.

Gangs were very much a concern in New York City. And they would kind of roam through the streets committing crimes, occasionally committing murders. He really didn't have much of anything to go on when he said that.

The other thing that aroused his suspicion was George Hausman had carried around $1,000 in silver coins at the time, which was a considerable amount of money, in big bags. And he had suspected that Polly had somehow tried to rob the money from Emmeline.

The other thing that aroused his suspicion was George Hausman had carried around $1,000 in silver coins at the time, which was a considerable amount of money, in big bags. And he had suspected that Polly had somehow tried to rob the money from Emmeline.

Polly Medine subsequently becomes the primary suspect. The reasons for this are a mix of rumor and some troubling facts. First of all, she's led a scandalous life. Her character is, quote, considered low. And so she was always held to be suspicious. When authorities look at Polly, they find out about the relationship with George Waite.

Polly Medine subsequently becomes the primary suspect. The reasons for this are a mix of rumor and some troubling facts. First of all, she's led a scandalous life. Her character is, quote, considered low. And so she was always held to be suspicious. When authorities look at Polly, they find out about the relationship with George Waite.

He eventually quickly confesses to say that he had a relationship with Polly Bodine. They find a very suspicious note on him when they search him, written from Polly, which, quote, says, "'Hide the things.'" This really alarms the authorities. They search the apothecary of George Waite, and they find this coral necklace that belonged to the infant, Annalisa, one of the victims.

He eventually quickly confesses to say that he had a relationship with Polly Bodine. They find a very suspicious note on him when they search him, written from Polly, which, quote, says, "'Hide the things.'" This really alarms the authorities. They search the apothecary of George Waite, and they find this coral necklace that belonged to the infant, Annalisa, one of the victims.

Polly is in her father's house. Her brother-in-law comes in out of the rain and says, essentially, Polly, you know, everybody thinks that you're the murderer. She immediately gets up. She goes to the back room. She gets her shawl, and she takes off into the rain as she's eight months pregnant. She walks the length of Staten Island all night long.

Polly is in her father's house. Her brother-in-law comes in out of the rain and says, essentially, Polly, you know, everybody thinks that you're the murderer. She immediately gets up. She goes to the back room. She gets her shawl, and she takes off into the rain as she's eight months pregnant. She walks the length of Staten Island all night long.

In the early morning hours, she's seen taking the Staten Island ferry, the Staten Islander, over to Manhattan.

In the early morning hours, she's seen taking the Staten Island ferry, the Staten Islander, over to Manhattan.

They run back. They arrive at this chaotic scene at the house. The back kitchen is on fire. There's flames spitting out of the windows, smoke billowing out. They break down the door. They find a way in. And inside, it's just a very intense fire. There was resin melting from the top. You know, it was permeated with smoke. Everything seemed to be on fire.

They run back. They arrive at this chaotic scene at the house. The back kitchen is on fire. There's flames spitting out of the windows, smoke billowing out. They break down the door. They find a way in. And inside, it's just a very intense fire. There was resin melting from the top. You know, it was permeated with smoke. Everything seemed to be on fire.

And then she walks all the way up to Harlem, which at the time were country estates. So she, over the course of two days, she essentially walks a marathon in the cold and rain as she's eight months pregnant.

And then she walks all the way up to Harlem, which at the time were country estates. So she, over the course of two days, she essentially walks a marathon in the cold and rain as she's eight months pregnant.