Monday, Nov. 18, 1957: Ed Gein’s arrest
Posted on November 29th, 2007 – 11:38 PMBy Ben Welter
Based on the amount of bizarre news out of the Badger State over the years, Wisconsin could give Florida a run for its money as more deserving of its very own Fark label. Three notable murderers — Jeffrey Dahmer, Julian Carlton, Chai Vang – came to mind when I spotted this first-day account of the 1957 arrest of Ed Gein on the front page of the Minneapolis Morning Tribune.
Wisconsin Farmer Admits
‘Killing for Seven Years’
New Victim’s
Body Found
Hung in Shed
By TRYGVE M. AGER and WORTH BINGHAM
Minneapolis Tribune Staff Writers
WAUTOMA, Wis. – A pale, five-foot tall farmer curved his fingers into claws Sunday and told police “I’ve been killing for seven years” while crime laboratory experts sifted through bones found in a human slaughterhouse on his farm.
HUNG UP by the heels and “dressed out like a steer” in the farmer’s shed was the decapitated body of Mrs. Bernice Worden, 58, Plainfield storekeeper who had been missing since Saturday afternoon. In and around the shed were the bones of an estimated four or five women.
Clippings were found in the junk-littered house detailing violent deaths of a number of women in Wisconsin whose slayers have never been found, authorities revealed.
Jailed in Wautoma was the farmer, Ed Gein, 50. He at first denied taking Mrs. Worden to the farm, but later admitted it, authorities said. The farm is six miles west of Plainfield.
Mrs. Worden’s body had been cut open and the internal organs removed, authorities said. Her heart was found in a pot on the stove.
SEVERAL items of children[’]s clothing were found near the shed, authorities said.
The ashen-faced farmer told police he had ten skulls on the farm, but refused to say where they came from.
“It appears to be cannibalism,” said District Attorney Earl Kileen.
When Gein was asked by authorities to re-enact the crime he stepped toward the officers with his hands curved into claws, according to Herbert J. Wanserski, Portage county sheriff.
WAUSHARA county sheriff’s deputies were reportedly considering moving Gein to another location following reports that feeling in the community was rising against him.
Kileen said the man would be arraigned in county court today, but said a specific charge had not been determined.
The discovery came on the heels of the disappearance of Mrs. Worden from her downtown implement shop Saturday.
A blood-spattered store pickup truck that disappeared with its owner was found near the Gein farm later in the day. Gein was arrested shortly afterward on a neighboring farm.
THE VICTIM’S son, Frank, who operated the store with her, returned from deer hunting at 5:15 Saturday to find the store locked.
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| Ed Gein and Sheriff Arthur Schley. (Minneapolis Tribune photo by John Croft) |
Letting himself in with his own key, Worden saw a pool of blood on the floor and noticed the cash register was missing. He notified Sheriff Arthur Schley of Waushara county.
Gein’s arrest came after deer hunters told Schley they had seen the farmer driving the Worden truck earlier in the day.
The crime recalled several similar disappearances in the same general area of the state.
“THERE IS some possibility that we may have the murderer of Evelyn Hartley,” Kileen said. Gein is originally from La Crosse, scene of the famous abduction four years ago.
There too, bloodstains on the garage of a home where she was baby-sitting offered evidence that the 15-year-old girl had put up a struggle. La Crosse is about 100 miles from Plainfield.
AUTHORITIES also speculated that Gein might be the missing link in the still unsolved disappearance of eight-year-old Georgia Jean Weckler in 1947.
Georgia disappeared from her parents’ home in Fort Atkinson, Wis., May 2, 1947. Authorities said then that all clues indicated the child was taken “with criminal intent.”
A convict at Waupun state prison, already serving a life term for rape and murder, “confessed” the murder in December of 1947.
The man who the Waupun convict said was his companion in the crime, however, denied any knowledge of it under a lie detector test.
A second convict, in Nebraska, also “confessed” the murder. Authorities labeled it “vivid imagination.”
From nearby Stevens Point, came Sheriff Wanserski to question the suspect about the mysterious disappearance of Mary Hogan, 54, in December, 1955.
The woman disappeared from her dingy crossroads tavern in Stevens Point, leaving a spilled cup of coffee and a pool of blood on the floor.
THE TAVERN had been robbed of more than $3,000, but a trail of blood leading from the barroom ended in the tavern parking lot. The body has never been found.
It was reported that a skull X-ray, dated Sept. 9, 1939, and bearing Mary Hogan’s name, was brought to Wautoma last nigh by a Portage county deputy sheriff.
Worden told authorities Gein visited his mother Saturday and asked her to go roller skating. Worden said his mother refused with the comment she had not roller skated “for years.”
The farmer then asked him if he was going deer hunting, Worden said, but Worden refused to answer.
Mrs. Worden, a slight, gray-haired woman, had no known enemies, according to police. She has a married daughter living in Lincoln, Neb. Her husband, Leon, died in 1931.
Mrs. Worden operated the store with her son since the death of her husband. She lived alone in her home six blocks from the store.
“It was the worst thing I’ve ever seen,” Kileen said of the farmer’s shed. “I couldn’t sleep a wink Saturday night.”
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| Gein’s kitchen was a bit messy, to say the least. (Star Tribune file photo) |
43 Responses to "Monday, Nov. 18, 1957: Ed Gein’s arrest"
this guy is descusting!!!!!!! why wuold he do this to pore innocent girls????????
Well his soul will be forever damned, which is comforting eh. :-)
Ed Gein was an extremely confused and tortured man who was never allowed to develop any sort of individuality due to hes religously over powering mother, who should take full blame for her sons disturbing acts. Before ye judge, etc.
Also try using spell check. Pore? Descusting?
LOL
pore
and yes, nathan turner is correct btw
Who knows the mind workings of a mad man? I agree whih all I’ve read here on this from you all , and I must add this,he was seriously screwed up in the rational arena , even though his mother may have played a roll in his out come and yes I believe that his soul my be lost ! There was a point that he himself was responsible for his future and most importantly his actions . His mother didn’t hold a gun to his head and make him commit those ugly awefull acts ,I understand that she played a roll and she is going to be held acountable. somewhere along the line he focused on the wrong thing , by beholding the wickedness he cherished he became changed into that wickedness that he beheld .And now society has to live in the reality of this confused mind and hope we have the wisdom and strenght to keep our focus on that which is pure and just . Thanks .
i really loved the story line of ed gein. but the only thing that really pissed me off was that this story had nothing at all to do with the texas chainsaw massacare. compared to the movie what ed gein did looks like nothing.
“…Wisconsin could give Florida a run for its money as more deserving of its very own Fark label. Three notable murderers — Jeffrey Dahmer, Julian Carlton, Chai Vang – came to mind…”
Chai Vang was from St. Paul, you idiot.
Thanks for your post, Nuuzman. If you’re going to be picky, I’m guessing Chai Vang was from Laos. Julian Carlton was from Barbados. Dahmer grew up in Ohio. What ties all this together: The killings took place in Wisconsin.
Some Sconsinites sound like they are defending this sick SOB. It appears that these apples didn’t fall far from the Gein family tree.
do you honestly believe that the texas chainsaw massacre is going to allow the replay of the incident? Although im a huge horror fan and it is logical to rather watch something realistic than the supernatural (cause you know it can actually happen) im also somewhat against the fact that directors and whoever else(who made the texas chainsaw massacre, the stranger,9/11 movies) need to remember what is our enterainment is others lifes lost… thanx
Nathan could do with a little spell checking himself. Glass houses, casting stones, etc.
I just think it’s interesting that the media tried to connect the murders of Gein’s to the murder’s of some children that took place in previous years. How often it seems we want to try and wrap something up in a pretty bow. Gein’s motive was totally different. Regardless of where his soul is it’s sad that there wasn’t the appropriate help for him. It should also be said that after reading an article in Rolling Stone about the Van Maur killings that there is still no system in place to really help people with serious mental problems once they leave the sanctuary of childhood. We do live in a sad sick twisted world and the only thing that can save us our own inner voice of reason that tells us to be afraid. Ok I got that from a second I caught of Oprah but seriously its true. IF SOMEONE IS CREEPY STAY FAR FAR AWAY. Sadly we can’t always see that but really that inner voice inside us all is usually right on.
Dearest Nathan Turner, before ye judge, etc., use spell check yourself.
“Ed Gein was an extremely confused and tortured man who was never allowed to develop any sort of individuality due to hes religously over powering mother, who should take full blame for her sons disturbing acts.”
Here we go: hes religously should be his religiously; overpowering is one word, not two; her sons…acts - son’s, showing possession.
Nathan, get your own house in order “before ye judge”!
Shut up Brett.
Most people today deserve what Ed Gein did to be done to them anyway.
why iseveryone sohard on himnow?hehas beendead since 1984.his story is really fasinating to me!!
Ed Gein was a classic disorganized serial killer. His childhood and upbringing had everything to do with his crimes. His motivation was not to kill, but to become a woman by wearing a woman. That is why he skinned them, and wore masks of their facial skin. It is really not known if there is a “choice” factor in the development of the psychology of the serial killer, but his background was quite bad. I don’t so much feel sorry for him, as lament the fact that we cannot identify potential killers before they kill.
The guy was bat-sh1t insane. No one in their right mind goes about making skin masks, nipple belts, etc. Too bad there isn’t a better way of identifying people like him so that they can be isolated or watched to prevent them from killing anyone.
Ed Gein was framed.
It was the local Republican party officials who did the murders.
he’s my hero <3
where can i buy one of his lampshades??
I just watched the movie on Hulu.com, “The Butcher of Plainfield,” what a sickness, what a horror. I bet Jeff Dahmer knew about this guy, probably emulated him. It turns my stomach.
The poor people that suffered because of that man !! I can only hope that God has done them justice by sending that man straight to Hell !!! Screw why or how he turned out that way - what matters is that he is dead . Sad thing is because of people like him , the world will always have these stories. Now that is a tragedy. Hero ? smart -ass , never.
actually nathan didn’t misspell a thing
do you think even hell will acept that kind of a man??? a very twisted and sadistic man… ^,..,^
Minnesota is my favorite Canadian province. Hello to all you hosers, eh.
I like to know more about ed gein
more photos of ed gein
Ya know, Ed gein is a very complex character. While his actions were horrendous, we’re still capable of giving him sympathy. Some of us are even sick enouph as to call him a hero. Though I will admit that the story is extravagantly interesting. If you want the full Ed Gein story, I suggest reading the book “Deviant: The shocking true story of Ed Gein, the original pshyco” by Harold Shecter.
its a shame that he was not stuided closer by competent psychiatrists =perhaps they COULD i dentify the workingsof a youing twisted mind before it goes too far.
Ed Gein is my favorite serial killer, after Leatherface, whom I dress up as
every Halloween.
man…
i cant begin to imagine what this man was thinking at the time of his actions…
thats crazy. and i believe that his mother is half the cause of this. the blame is on them both, and not to mention his abusive father…right?
im not defending ed gein, but u should consider all of the variables of his actions before judging him.
and by the way uhhh…boris, above me, leatherface is not real. he’s a fictional serial killer that was based off of ed gein…look it up.
Wow boris…. uh, anyway: Ed gein was the main basis for leatherface and the texas chainsaw massacre. Eddie is also the basis for Alfred Hitchcocks classic Psycho character Norman Bates. There are also numerous other fiction stories that are based on him, and hes gained quite a cult following.
Nuthin can replace a Mothers luv
look the reason this guy did this one momy was a bitch like you know those bitches that dnt allow friends or girls homw and if you do bring a girl home mommy will acually cut off your privets that is one reason number two he looks like the scrwany type to get picked on at school and three if your doing stuff like that now then in your previous life you were just as messed up or worse for there wre no rules in the old days but that one aint important still and some people acually find humour in this no reason its just like watching a comedy movie for them they just have fun with it dnt ask me ask them
oh and for those who confuse texas chain saw masacre and ed gien, gein was a farm boy who pretty much acted alone oh and gien did not use a saw if he did how could gien wear his bodys.
Gees think people texas yes there was a guy who did that but not in the bull way that hollywood advertises it look the massacre guy which there have been a few people know for using chainsaws in criminal history still the massacre guy was someone who kidnaped a few people actually cut them up or hunted them down hunting down is extreme opinion but he did kill people with a chainsaw and no the police never caught him do you know how many criminals have that still hollywood probably saw a article about some murders that happened and decided to embellish and make a movie and then we got the texas chainsaw massacre it did happen but again not in the bull shi way hollywood makes it out to be
Uh… well Ed Gein did get picked on a bit in school. He was always seen as a bit peculiar by his schoolmates and never had much luck with the ladies.
By the way: Ed Gein didn’t even own a chainsaw… he was too poor.
lol its true he was too poor hel i dont think he had enough money to have hygine well the putting peoples skin on himself well that shows he couldnt affoed hygine and it shows that he didnt want hygine
This guy is sick and it is the falt of his parents, but you want to read about one that is even worse then this guy, read about Albert Fish “the real Hanabal Lector”.
THIS GUY IS SICK I’M GLAD HES DEAD MAY HE BURN IN HELL FOREVER
To all the people who keep talking about the “poor people who suffered because of him” etc.. etc…. please listen and pay attention and do your research before you decide to voice yourself. He did not cause anyone to suffer. He did not get enjoyment out of watching people suffer. The man was just incredibly insane. He shot his victims in the head killing them instantly(according to the autopsy reports) and performed all his sick and twisted ritual crap post-mortem. meaning after they were dead. I am not defending this nutcase nor do i care if you pick apart my comment with english and grammer corrections as I am not writing my congressman, i’m simply throwin out some facts to help some people understand.
i dindt say that i just said that his crime was from his momma and his own abilty to talk himself into that state frankly bad shit happens you can either take like a big grwon up or you can whin like a lil bitch and and talk your self into somthing so stupid and all beacaus your stressed or tensed then you cant think properly and then you snap thats what happend to him he snap andrew so right my man so right not in your exact words but you get the jift
It sure is nice to be surrounded by all these experts. Now we ALL know what was wrong with “ol” Ed, and we know where he went after he died. It’s so comforting to know. Now I don’t have to do any thinking for myself.
I have an Ed Gein portrait tattoo! Whatcha think ’bout that!!!For better or worse, he’s a 20th century American icon.
