Chicago has many ghost stories and one of these is the legend of beautiful Louisa Luetgert, the wife of German native and Chicago sausage king Adolph Luetgert. Her ghost is said to still be roaming the area of Hermitage Avenue, where her home once stood and the tale continues by saying her ghost tormented her husband, who was convicted of her murder.
On May 1, 1897, Louisa disappeared. When questioned by his sons, Luetgert told them that their mother had gone out the previous evening to visit her sister. Several days passed and no Louisa. This was enough and Louisa's brother Diedrich Bicknese went to the police. The investigation fell on Captain Herman Schuettler.
Louisa's body was never recovered and there were no witnesses to the crime, but police officers and prosecutors felt there was overwhelming evidence to arrest A.L. and they did on May 7 1897.
The first trial ended in a hung jury on October 21 1897.
A second trial was held and on February 9, 1898, and this time A.L. Luetgert was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment at Joliet.
In prison Luetgert started claiming that his dead wife was haunting him, intent on having her revenge, even though he was innocent of her murder. He spiraled to a babbling mess.
He died in 1900, possibly insane.
Louisa's body was never recovered and she was never seen alive again. However soon after her husband started his sentence in prison, her ghost began to be seen inside her house by her neighbors.
Eventually, the house was rented out but none of the tenants stayed there for long. Reports of Louise's ghost being seen also included sightings inside of the sausage factory.
Portions of the factory were turned into condominiums. No reports of ghostly activity have been reported by residents.
Legend continues though, and it is said that if on May 1, the day Louisa was allegedly killed, if you happen
to be in her old neighborhood, that you might see her ghost walking around.
The former A.L. Luetgert Sausage and Packing Company and the Luetgert residence was located on the southwest corner of Hermitage Avenue and Diversey Parkway, just before Paulina Street on Chicago's northwest side.
(This information comes mostly from Troy Taylor, author of many books on hauntings and paranormal phenomena).
On May 1, 1897, Louisa disappeared. When questioned by his sons, Luetgert told them that their mother had gone out the previous evening to visit her sister. Several days passed and no Louisa. This was enough and Louisa's brother Diedrich Bicknese went to the police. The investigation fell on Captain Herman Schuettler.
Louisa's body was never recovered and there were no witnesses to the crime, but police officers and prosecutors felt there was overwhelming evidence to arrest A.L. and they did on May 7 1897.
The first trial ended in a hung jury on October 21 1897.
A second trial was held and on February 9, 1898, and this time A.L. Luetgert was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment at Joliet.
In prison Luetgert started claiming that his dead wife was haunting him, intent on having her revenge, even though he was innocent of her murder. He spiraled to a babbling mess.
He died in 1900, possibly insane.
Louisa's body was never recovered and she was never seen alive again. However soon after her husband started his sentence in prison, her ghost began to be seen inside her house by her neighbors.
Eventually, the house was rented out but none of the tenants stayed there for long. Reports of Louise's ghost being seen also included sightings inside of the sausage factory.
Portions of the factory were turned into condominiums. No reports of ghostly activity have been reported by residents.
Legend continues though, and it is said that if on May 1, the day Louisa was allegedly killed, if you happen
to be in her old neighborhood, that you might see her ghost walking around.
The former A.L. Luetgert Sausage and Packing Company and the Luetgert residence was located on the southwest corner of Hermitage Avenue and Diversey Parkway, just before Paulina Street on Chicago's northwest side.
(This information comes mostly from Troy Taylor, author of many books on hauntings and paranormal phenomena).
Chicago has many ghost stories and one of these is the legend of beautiful Louisa Luetgert, the wife of German native and Chicago sausage king Adolph Luetgert. Her ghost is said to still be roaming the area of Hermitage Avenue, where her home once stood and the tale continues by saying her ghost tormented her husband, who was convicted of her murder.
On May 1, 1897, Louisa disappeared. When questioned by his sons, Luetgert told them that their mother had gone out the previous evening to visit her sister. Several days passed and no Louisa. This was enough and Louisa's brother Diedrich Bicknese went to the police. The investigation fell on Captain Herman Schuettler.
Louisa's body was never recovered and there were no witnesses to the crime, but police officers and prosecutors felt there was overwhelming evidence to arrest A.L. and they did on May 7 1897.
The first trial ended in a hung jury on October 21 1897.
A second trial was held and on February 9, 1898, and this time A.L. Luetgert was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment at Joliet.
In prison Luetgert started claiming that his dead wife was haunting him, intent on having her revenge, even though he was innocent of her murder. He spiraled to a babbling mess.
He died in 1900, possibly insane.
Louisa's body was never recovered and she was never seen alive again. However soon after her husband started his sentence in prison, her ghost began to be seen inside her house by her neighbors.
Eventually, the house was rented out but none of the tenants stayed there for long. Reports of Louise's ghost being seen also included sightings inside of the sausage factory.
Portions of the factory were turned into condominiums. No reports of ghostly activity have been reported by residents.
Legend continues though, and it is said that if on May 1, the day Louisa was allegedly killed, if you happen
to be in her old neighborhood, that you might see her ghost walking around.
The former A.L. Luetgert Sausage and Packing Company and the Luetgert residence was located on the southwest corner of Hermitage Avenue and Diversey Parkway, just before Paulina Street on Chicago's northwest side.
(This information comes mostly from Troy Taylor, author of many books on hauntings and paranormal phenomena).
On May 1, 1897, Louisa disappeared. When questioned by his sons, Luetgert told them that their mother had gone out the previous evening to visit her sister. Several days passed and no Louisa. This was enough and Louisa's brother Diedrich Bicknese went to the police. The investigation fell on Captain Herman Schuettler.
Louisa's body was never recovered and there were no witnesses to the crime, but police officers and prosecutors felt there was overwhelming evidence to arrest A.L. and they did on May 7 1897.
The first trial ended in a hung jury on October 21 1897.
A second trial was held and on February 9, 1898, and this time A.L. Luetgert was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment at Joliet.
In prison Luetgert started claiming that his dead wife was haunting him, intent on having her revenge, even though he was innocent of her murder. He spiraled to a babbling mess.
He died in 1900, possibly insane.
Louisa's body was never recovered and she was never seen alive again. However soon after her husband started his sentence in prison, her ghost began to be seen inside her house by her neighbors.
Eventually, the house was rented out but none of the tenants stayed there for long. Reports of Louise's ghost being seen also included sightings inside of the sausage factory.
Portions of the factory were turned into condominiums. No reports of ghostly activity have been reported by residents.
Legend continues though, and it is said that if on May 1, the day Louisa was allegedly killed, if you happen
to be in her old neighborhood, that you might see her ghost walking around.
The former A.L. Luetgert Sausage and Packing Company and the Luetgert residence was located on the southwest corner of Hermitage Avenue and Diversey Parkway, just before Paulina Street on Chicago's northwest side.
(This information comes mostly from Troy Taylor, author of many books on hauntings and paranormal phenomena).
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