Elisabeth Congdon
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Elisabeth Mannering Congdon (April 23, 1894 - June 27, 1977) was a millionaire resident of Duluth, Minnesota, USA who became famous after she and her nurse were found murdered on June 27, 1977.
[edit] Biography
Elisabeth Mannering Congdon was born to Chester Adgate Congdon, and his wife, Clara Hesperia Bannister Congdon on April 22, 1894 in Duluth, Saint Louis County, Minnesota, USA. Her father was considered the richest man in Minnesota upon his death in 1916. Elisabeth later inherited this mining fortune, which amounted to over US$40 million at the time of her death in 1977.
In 1932, Elisabeth, a single woman in her thirties, adopted a little girl and named her Marjorie Mannering Congdon. Marjorie was always the black sheep of the family, as she constantly borrowed money from her mother and married numerous times. Early in her life Marjorie was diagnosed a sociopath, was put into institutions and for a time appeared to be improving. Marjorie's second marriage was to a man named Roger Sipe Caldwell. She and Roger kept asking Elisabeth for money, reportedly so they could realize their dream of a horse ranch. Marjorie and Roger, however, were never satisfied. Marjorie had seven children and she spoiled them with luxuries, the majority of which were furnished by Elisabeth.
On June 27, 1977, Elisabeth Congdon and her nurse Velma Pietila (born April 26, 1911) were found murdered. Pietila had been beaten to death with a candlestick and Elisabeth was found suffocated in her bed. The motive was unclear at the time because few valuables were looted from the room.
Marjorie Congdon was to receive $8 million at the time of her mother's death. In addition, Marjorie had authored a paper saying Roger was to receive about $3 million of her share. This paper was written three days before Elisabeth's death. This was apparently the motive. Marjorie and Roger were having financial difficulties and it is believed Majorie conspired against her mother for the inheritance.
The authorities never proved the guilt of Marjorie, though they had substantial reason to do so. Evidence included a letter and a ring of Elisabeth's that Marjorie was found wearing after her mother's death.
Years later, Marjorie was sent to Perryville prison in Arizona on July 19, 1993 on insurance fraud and arson. Roger's worsening mental illness brought him to suicide a few years earlier on May 18, 1988. Marjorie was released from Arizona State Prison on January 5, 2004, and is said to be living in or around Ajo, Arizona.
Marjorie was arrested in Tucson, Arizona, at her residence at an assisted living facility on March 23, 2007, on charges of computer fraud and several other counts, according to news report on Tucson KOLD Channel 9 TV.[citation needed]
[edit] Glensheen
In 1905, Elisabeth's father Chester began working on Glensheen Historic Estate, their 22 acre estate in Duluth, Minnesota. It took three years to build, with 39 rooms, and sported a 17th-century look. Over two million visitors and tourists have visited the estate since it was opened to the general public in 1979. In 1968 the estate was given to the University of Minnesota Duluth.
[edit] Trivia
- The book Will to Murder, by Gail Feichtinger, assisted by the chief investigator and the prosecutor in the case, explores the case in depth.
- The book Glensheens Daughter by Sharon Darby Hendry, is a fascinating account of the court cases, arson investigations, and Marjorie's madness
- CourtTV did a special about the murder in February 2005 on Power, Privilege, and Justice, hosted by Dominick Dunne. The book "Will to Murder" was a source for that program.
- A 1972 film, You'll Like My Mother was filmed at the Congdon Mansion in Duluth, Minnesota. After the murder of Elisabeth Congdon and her nurse, Velma Pietila, a movie theatre in Duluth revived the movie at midnight showings (much to the chagrin of the Congdon family).
