Women who commit multiple murders are a rarity. Given that Louise Vermilya committed these murders in the early 1900s, United States, is even more surprising. All in all, it is believed that Louise Vermilya poisoned a total of nine people, husbands and children, for the life insurance money. Her poison of preference was arsenic.
GUARD WOMAN
Police Investigate Deaths
Mrs. Louise Vermilya, about whose name is being woven a maze of sudden and mysterious deaths, is being guarded in her home by the police, though officials say she is not actually under arrest.
Investigation following the death of Policeman Arthur Bissonette, to whom she was engaged, has brought to light eight other deaths which will be probed.
In all of these, it is said, there were peculiar circumstances similar to those attending the death of the policeman.
The complete list follows:
Bissonette, Arthur, 26 years old, policeman; died at Mercy hospital Thursday.
Smith, Richard T., Illinois Central conductor; died March 11, 1911, at the Vermilya home where he roomed.
Vermilya, Charles, second husband, collector for Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. Died from acute gastritis after a six days’ illness at Maplewood, August 1, 1909.
Brinkamp, Fred, first husband of Mrs. Vermilya. Died on a farm near Barrington, Ill., 18 years ago, after a brief illness.
Brinkamp, Frank, 23 years old, son of Mrs. Vermilya, 411 West Twenty-ninth street, October 30, 1910, supposedly of pneumonia.
Brinkamp, Lillian, 26 years old, stepdaughter, died January 21, 1906.
Vermilya, Harry G., 35 years old, stepson. Died September 26, 1904.
Brinkamp, Cora, 8 years old, daughter. Died at Barrington.
Brinkamp, Florence, 4-1/2 years old, daughter. Died at Barrington.
Source (1911, November 01). Guard woman. The Day Book, p. 8.
