The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America

Olmsted and his family became increasingly aware of his dementia. He was housed at McClean Asylum in Massachusetts. Ferris’ wheel was relocated, though it was some years before it would again be a commercial success. Its designer died at 37 of typhoid fever. Sol Bloom lost all his money on a failed business venture, but he went on to craft the charter behind the United Nations and became a congressman. Buffalo Bill lost all his money and his alienation from his wife was pronounced. Dora Root remained a close friend of Burnham’s. Alfred Trude acted as prosecution at Prendergast’s trial. Prendergast sent Trude postcards throughout the trial but was nonetheless sentenced to death.

Holmes interrupted the gory testimonies of the prosecution to request a lunch break. Mrs. Pitezel broke down when asked to identify her children’s handwriting. As he awaited execution, Holmes prepared a long confession, once again largely fallacious, though his description of the Pitezel children’s deaths appears accurate. Holmes’ guards were sad to see him hanged. His brain was kept from medical science, and his body, encased in concrete according to his wishes, was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery. Strange things happened after his death: Geyer became seriously ill; the warden of Moyamensing prison committed suicide; the jury foreman was electrocuted; Emeline Cigrand’s father was burned in a boiler explosion; and a fire destroyed Attorney George Graham’s office, leaving only a photograph of Holmes unburned. In 1997, a copycat named Michael Swango was arrested. 

On board the Olympic, Burnham waited for news of Millet’s ship, the Titanic. Another vessel had intercepted the sunken ship. The extent of the Titanic tragedy surfaced, and Burnham lost his friend. Burnham died less than 50 days later. His widow died years later in 1945, and they are buried together near John Root in Graceland Chicago.