belle2

Ruins of Belle's Home
photo's from
LaPorte Genealogy Society

Wilkes-Barr Times Leader
1908 - 04 - 29
Mrs. Belle Gunness and children burned
Malice at bottom of deed
Ray Lamphere placed in jail charged with the crime
LaPorte, Ind. April 29

Coroner Mack today made a hurried visit to the Jail to see Ray Lamphere, under arrest In connection ,wlth the burning ot the home of Mrs. Belle Gunness and her three children. The coroner went at Lamphere's request. No definite charge has yet been made against Lamphere.
The removal of the four charred bodies, the b!ackened form of three children huddled about that of the mother, as If for protection, the arrest of Lamphere, formerly employed by Mrs. Gunness and the collapse of Lamphere at the jail are features of the remarkable tragedy. Heroism and the childrens' dependence on their mother to rescue them from the burning home are depicted by the positions in which the bodies were found.
Mrs. Gunness evidently had been awakened by the smoke, but her awaking came too late.
The story of her rush to her childrens' rooms, her dragging them from their beds, the struggle to reach the open and finally her collapse as she reached the center of the burning house was told In grewsome picture.
There was rumor that the house had been fired because of malice and the police began an investigation which resulted In the arrest of Lamphere. Lamphere, It Is stated was at a time when he was employed on the Gunness farm Infatuated with Mrs Gunness, who was a. beautiful woman. Mrs. Gunness declared the man annoyed her and filed proceedings to have him declared Insane, but a jury found him sane.Mrs. Gunness' husband died several years ago. Today Coroner Mack began an Investigation of the deaths.

Duluth News Tribune
1908 - 04 - 29
MOB VIOLENCE IS FEARED IN INDIANA CITY
Removal of Four Charred Bodies From Farm Home, Rumored to Have Been Fired Because of Malice,
and Arrest of Suspect Excites the People of La Porte.
Remains of Three Children Found Huddled Around the Blackened Form of Mother
Ray Lamphere, Former Employee of Mrs. Gunness, Collapses in the Jail.

LA PORTE, Ind- April 28 The removal of four charred bodies, blackened forms of the child huddled about that of the mother as if for protection, the arrest of Ray Lamphere, formerly emploued by Mrs.Belle Gunness, the victim, and the collapse of Lamphere at the jail tonight, has caused excitement in LaPorte that may at any moment break forth in mob violence.
Mrs. Gunness lived on her farm near here with her three children. At 4 o'clock this morning Joseph Maxwell, an employe of the place, was awakened by smoke. He made every effort to rescue the family but failed.
Late this afternoon the bodies the woman and three children. Myrtle aged 11; Lucca, aged 9 and Phillip, aged 5, were removed from the smoldering ruins.
There was a rumor that the home had been fired because of malice and the police began an investigation which resulted in the arrest of Lamphere this evening.,
Lamphere had been employed on the Gunness farm and was infatuated with Mrs. Gunness, who was a beautlful woman.
Mrs. Gunness declared that the man annoyed her, and filed proceedings to have him declared insane, but a jury found him sane.
Officers are on the alert tonight to prevent violence.Tomorrow morning Coroner Mack will begin an investigation.

Charlotte Daily Observer
1908 - 05 -16
Mrs. Gunness is Dead
LaPorte, Ind. May 15

Identification of the piece of jaw bone taken from the ruins of the Gunness farm house as a portion of Mrs. Bell Gunness' skull, bears out most conclusively the contentions of the State regarding the identity of the bodies found in the cellar on April 28th. It is the clinching bit of evidence which should set at rest the rumors that Mrs. Gunness had escaped.
This statement was made by Ralph N. Saith, prosecuting attorney, tonight following a report from Dr. C.P. Norton, a dentist, who found that the piece of the charred bone presented characteristices which he had observed while working on her teeth. Only two batural teeth, a cuspid on each side of the lower jaw, had remained in the woman's mouth and the piece of bone found yesterday shows that all teeth excet the cuspids had been extracted from the jaw of the skull is which it belonged.
The first of the Gunness victims to be buried with Christian rites was buried by latern light tonight in the cemetery on the outskirts of LaPOrte. The corpse was that of Andrew K. Heigelein, of Mansfield, S.D. the last man to meet his death in the trap to which Mrs. Gunness lured her victims.
The search of the Gunness' premices today revealved little of importance. The screening of the ashes produced several additional bits of bone, but none of them is sufficient size or well enough preserved to furnish proof of their origin.

Macon Weekly Journal
1908-5-22
OFFICIALLY DEAD, BUT JURY INDICTED MRS. BELLE GUNNESS

LaPorte, Ind. May 22 - In returning seven true bills against Ray Lamphere this afternoon, the LaPorte County grand jury also indicted Mrs. Belle Gunness for the murder of Andrew Helgelein, of Mansfield S.D. No warrant was issued for Mrs. Gunness, as she was declared officially dead by the verdict of Coroner Mack, but in order to vote a true bill against Lamphere as an accessory in the killing of Helgelein, It was necessary to Indict Mrs. Gunness as the principal. Lamphere now stands before the bar of justice officially charged with arson, five murders and being an accessory in the Helgelein murder.
Separate bills were returned against Lamphere for the murder in the first degree of Mrs. Belle Gunness and her three children, Philip Gunness, Myrtle Sorenson, and Lucy Sorenson.
The usual feature of the seventh true bill is its indictment of the dead woman. I reads: "The grand jury presents that Belle Gunness, late of the County of LaPorte and the State of Indiana, on the 14th day of January, 1908, did unlawfully, feloniously, willfully and with premeditated malice did kill and murder Andrew Helgelein, the means and manner of he killing being to the grand jurors unknown" Lamphere probably will not be arraigned until the cases are set for trial.
Bench warrants, issued by Judge J.C. Richter, were served upon Lamphere in jail tonight.
The digging today under the direction of Sheriff Smulzer resulted in the unearthing of a human skull, which tonight it was decided belongs to one of the bodies dug up in the chicken yard two weeks ago. At that time, three skeletons were found in one hole, but there were only two skulls.

The Idaho Daily Statesman
1908 - 08 -19
Gunness Bodies Buried
Chicago, June 18

The bodies of Mrs. Bell Gunness and three children who lost their lives in the destruction of the Gunness home at La Porte, Ind. April 28, arrived in Chicago today in vharge of Frank L. Cutler and were buried in Forest Home Cemetery. The bodies were received by an undertaker who with a business like air and without formalities loaded them into his vehicles,conveyed them to the city hall, where burial permits were procured and then to the cemetery for burial.

The Bellingham Herald
1908-05-26
BELLE GUNNESS SEE IN SALT LAKE
Murderess of Dozen or More Recognized in Mormon City Days After Fire
Which Destroyed Her Home, Identification Is Positive, Declares Defense.
(Associated Press by Leased Wire)

LaPorte Ind. May 26- Mayor Darrow today received another letter from Samuel Harvey, who recently wrote him from Kansas City says he had met and talked to Mrs. Belle Gunness in Ogden, Utah on May 4, six days after she was burned to death, according to Coroner Mack Harvey is in Chicago, where he says at attorney advised him not to come to LaPorte for he would be locked up as a witness, He says he will tell his story to the authorities if they care to hear t. The matter is being investigated.
A convict in the Chester, Illinois prison has written here that Mrs. Gunness' house was a fence for a gang of Chicago cut-throats and robbers. He says he is in possession of valuable information which he will divulge to the proper authorities.
Governor Hanly, of Indiana, has sent Sheriff Smulzer a letter from /emma Kolb, of South Coventry, Conn. telling of a strange woman in that town who resembles Mrs. Gunness.
The Coventry woman wrote at length, describing the mysterious woman in black who has been swindling the people over the eastern part of Connecticut, and who, she believes is no other than Mrs. Gunness. The writer says she has seen a picture of Mrs. Gunness and that the resemblance is so striking that she could hardly be mistaken in her conclusion.

The Philadelphia Inquirer
1908-04-14
MRS. BELLE GUNNESS MAY BE IN MEXICO

Authorities Think They Saw Woman Accused of Wholesale Murders on Indiana Farms Washington, June 13 - It is suggested in a dispatch received at the State Department today from Ambassador Thompson, at Mexico City, that Mrs. Belle Gunness, on whose farm in Indiana many bodies of murdered persons were found, may be in Mexico. The dispatch says the woman discovered answers the description of the Indiana assassin.
Ambassador Thompson says he received the information through the Governor of Chipa, as follows: "A few days ago an American woman about fifty years old stout feet seven inches high, dark blue eyes, light chestnut hair, slightly gray, quick, nervous step, passed by Palenque. Was traveling alone and without baggage and has not letters of recommendation. Left Salto de Aqua wearing masculine clothing of Khaki. Made inquiries as to communication with Usumacinta River and plunged into interior alone, not heeding warnings as to danger. As she might be American female assassin Gunness, give you these details and await instructions. No instructions have been sent to Ambassador Thornpson, the information being too indefinite to warrant positive action.

May 07, 1908

FOUR MORE BODIES FOUND ON MURDER FARM IN INDIANA
Corpses Believed To have Been Shipped From Chicago In Trunks And then Buried On Place.

REVELATIONS SHOCK PEOPLE OF LA PORTE

Reward of $1,000 offered by County Officials For Solution of Enigma.

LaPorte, IN. May 6, 1908___ a possible solution of the Gunness murder mystery, which has deepened, when 4 additional bodies were found in the barnyard, developed late this afternoon. Evidence that the 9 dismembered corpses unearthed yesterday and today had been shipped to this city, probably from Chicago, came to light, the testimony of draymen who had carted trunks and boxes to the Gunness home, bearing this out.
The local authorities received information that 2 trunks consigned to Mrs. Belle Gunness, La Porte, IN, were being held in express office in the larger city, and the assistance of the Chicago police in unraveling the puzzle was sought at once.

Two Bodies Identified .

Two of the 89 mutilated bodies were identified today with certainty. Antione Olson, 2410 Indiana Ave. Chicago, viewed the remains supposed to be those of Jennie Olson, the 16 yr old foster-daughter of Mrs. Gunness, and pronounced them those of his daughter.
A sister of the dead girl, Mrs. Leo Olander, 2818 South Park Ave. Chicago, accompanied the father and added her testimony regarding her sister’s characteristics. Heldgren, whose inquiries regarding his missing brother, Andrew, led to the first discovery on the death-haunted farm, became sure that the largest and best preserved of the corpses is that of his relative.
Evidence of Autopsy
Against this, however, is the result of the autopsy performed on this particular body by Dr. J.H. William Meyer. He found contradictory conditions, which, to his mind, at least, proves that the dead man, perhaps, perished long after Andrew Heldgren disappeared, in Jan. last. Even so far as to say the corpse showed evidence of being in the ground less than 2 weeks. The brother refused to be convinced by these finding and this led to local authorities to accept his identification at least for the present.
Ray Lamphere, who is held on a charge of first degree murder, growing out of the fire, which destroyed the Gunness home and caused the death of Mrs. Gunness and her 3 children, offered no new evidence, despite repeated questions.

Confession Is Unnecessary.

Ralph N. Smith, Prosecuting Attorney of the district, asserted, however, that a confession is not necessary, so far as Lamphere is concerned.
“We have positive evidence in the shape of letters connecting Lamphere with the recent murders at Gunness farm” he said tonight.
The exact nature of these letters was carefully guarded by Mr. Smith. An attempt to identify one of the corpses as that of Ole b. Budsberg, of Iola, Wis. was started by Sheriff’s office here. In response to a telephone message sent here this morning, word came tonight that a member of the Budsberg family had left there for this city. The increasing divergent character of the grewsome (sic) mystery has been aroused the entire community

Commissioners Offer Reward

Stirred by waves of horror which have swept over the town, as each additional bundle of decaying bones and flesh has been discovered, the county commissioners of LaPorte county resolved today to use every resource at their command towards finding an answer to the puzzles which confront the officers. The board canvassed the situation and decided to offer a reward of $1,000 for a solution of the egnima. This it is expected will be promulgated tomorrow.
The Gunness farm was a mecca for curious sightseers today. When Sheriff Smultzer and his assistants reached the place this morning, they resumed the task of delving for bodies. Vehicles of all kinds were lined along the fence which separates the wooded knoll on which the residence stood from the fine macadam highway leading to la Porte.

Traces Of Another Pit

The digging stopped at noon, and with the announcement of the postponement of further operations until after dinner, the crowd melted away. It came in redoubled force in the afternoon. The fact that traces of another corpse-filled pit had been found was the magnet, and the crowd became so dense that the road choked and it was almost impossible for the late comers to force their vehicles through the press. With morbid interest, men, women and children pushed their way toward the spot where the Sheriff and his assistants were turning up the earth.
Finally the officials appealed to the police to keep the crowds back. Relieved of hindrance, the excavators redoubled their efforts, and within the half of an hour were rewarded. First a few scattered bones were turned up and then a skull was uncovered. Upon digging around this, another corpse was uncovered, and beyond this yet another.

Morning Oregonian
1908-07-10
NOT MRS. BELLE GUNNESS
Arrest at Hillsdale, Mich. Case of Mistaken Identity

LaPorte Ind. July 9 - The Sheriff at Hillsdale, Mich. today telephoned Sheriff Smutzer that he had captured a woman supposed to be Mrs. Belle Gunness and was holding her pending advice from the local authorities. At first they refused to send an officer, declaring that Mrs. Gunness lost her life in the flames which destroyed her home, but late this afternoon the County Commissioners instructed the Sheriff to go to Hillsdale to investigate the arrest.
DETROIT, July 9 - The Sheriff's office at Hillsdale Mich., stated over the long distance telephone this afternoon that the report that Mrs. Gunness had been discovered in Hillsdale County is a mistake. The Sheriff, who is away today, was suspicious about a woman in the county, and telephoned to the Sheriff at LaPorte, Ind. asking him to investigate.

The Columbus Enquirer Sun
1908-07-19
WOMAN IN MEXICO WAS NOT MRS. BELLE GUNNESS

LaPorte Ind. July 18 - It transpired today that an American woman who was traveling through the wilds of the state of Chippas, mexico, dressed in man's attire, and who was suspected of being Mrs. Belle Gunness, the notorious LaPorte murderess, is Mrs. K.M. Cameron, widow of a preacher of Parkersburg, W.Va. according to the information received by Sheriff Smutzer.
Mrs. Cameron was the subject of diplomatic correspondence between American Ambassador David Thompson and the state department at Washington, it is said. Her appearance far in the interior of Chippas aroused the suspicion of the officers of that state, and her description was wired to federal officers in Mexico City, who reported the case to Mr. Thompson.
Mrs. Cameron was on an investment seeking mission. She has reached Mexico City on her return journey to the United States. She has written home about her veiled examination by an officer, who later told her what it was all about. She was not apprehended and had no difficulty in proving the error of the suspicion.

The Sunday News Tribune
1908-11-24
LAMPHERE WILL SOON KNOW FATE
His Trial for Alleged Murder of Belle Gunness Is Nearing Close.

LA PORTE, Ind., Nov. 23 - The trial of Ray Lamphere for the murder of Mrs. Belle Gunness and her three children Is drawing to a close. Another day will see the evidence all In, unless something unforeseen happens tomorrow.
Dr. Walter Halnes of Chicago will take the stand early tomorrow afternoon, according to present calculations, to testify as to the finding of strychnine and arsenic in the stomachs of Mrs. Gunness and two of the children.
As the case now stands the defense has Introduced evidence to show that Mrs. Gunness was alive on July 9, more than two months after the fire In which the state contends she perished. The defense has also offered show that the fire was seen before the hour alleged by the state that Lamphere left Mrs. Smith's residence, thereby laying ground for an alibi. Then, too, the defense has offered evidence to show that Mrs. Gunness was so harassed by Lamphere, Helgelein and others that she committed suicide, after setting fire to her house herself. Lamphere, according to today's statements of the defendant's attorneys, will not go on the stand. Neither will Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, the colored woman at whose house Lamphere spent the night, be used as a witness, according to present plans.
After finding that no person of the name signed to the letter received by. Mayor Darrow from Chicago yesterday with reference to the writer having accompanied Mrs. Gunness to La Porte on July 9. was registered at the hotel named in the letter, the attorneys for the defense tonight gave up the clue. Investigation of a letter received from Michigan City today saying that Mrs. Gunness would be found at 327 Walker street, Michigan City, If Attorney Worden would call for Mrs. McConnell, brought out the fact that Mr. and Mrs. George McConnell lived at that number. Mrs. McConnell acknowledged knowing about the letter, but denied having written it and refused to tell who had.

The Biloxi Daily Herald
1908-11-28
RAY LAMPHERE GUILTY OF ARSON
Man charged with murder of Mrs. Belle Gunness of
Laporte, Indiana Found guilty of Minor Crime

Laporte, Ind. Nov. 26- Ray Lamphere, charged with the murder of Mrs. Belle Gunness and her three children, by setting fire to the Gunness house April 28, was this evening found guilty of arson by the jury which had the case since 5:30 o'clock last evening. Within five minutes after the verdict was reported Judge Richter had sentenced the defendant to the state penitentiary at Michigan City for an indeterminate term of from two to twenty one years.
Attorney Worden, for the defense tonight sid that a motion for a new trial would be made, and should it be refused an appeal to the Indiana Supreme Court will follow. Mr. Worden declared the verdict to be ridiculous.

The Grand Forks Daily Herald
1909-04-10
MRS. GUNNESS LOCATED

LaPorte, Ind. April 9 - George G. Suprunewaski, a druggist located at 753 Collinsville Ave., East St. Louis, Illinois today advised Sheriff Anstiss that a woman answering the description of Mrs. Belle Gunness was living in that city. He requested that steps be taken by the authorities to investigate.

The Quincy Daily Whig
Quincy, Ill, May 13, 1908
THE MURDER MYSTERY NEARING A SOLUTION
Believed That the La Porte Horror Will be Cleared Within the Next Few Days
Dr. Gray Tells of Finding Rings on Corpses
Further Developments in the Gunness Case Now Attracting Attention of the Whole Country.

La Porte, Ind., May 12 – Unexplainable evidence which has hitherto been suppressed was made public in the Gunness tragedy this morning. It is contained in the report of Dr. Luclei Gray, who performed the autopsy on the body, which the authorities have steadfastly claimed is that of Mrs. Bella Gunness. Gray tells of three rings which were found upon the corpse and also reveals the fact that the right hand, hitherto declared missing, is still in existence. The rings which might be expected to reveal the identity of the wearer only adds to the mystery of the case.

Mystery Deepened

Two contain inscriptions, one being "P.S.. To J.S., August 22 '04." the other "P.G. To J.S., 3-5-'95." Mrs. Gunness' husband was Pter Gunness, but tho identity of the local authorities would attempt to explain.

Gray also related at length on the remains of clothing and night robes found with the four bodies. One night robe was that of an adult, and was trimmed with lace and ribbon. Remnants of a child's night dress an several undergarments were also found. Gray concludes as follows:

"From the examination of this adult female, it is impossible to determine the exact cause of death."

Accompanying the findings of Gray was a report by Dr. Meyer, on the body of a male infant found in the ruined house. It describes the condition of the corpse and says the cause of death could not be determined.

TOOTH FOUND

A gold crowned tooth has been found in the debris of the Gunness home. It is believed to be from the head of Mrs. Bella Gunness.

The following is from the Inter Ocean:

La Porte, Ind., May 12 – Ray Lamphere has confessed that he caught Mrs. Bella Gunness red handed in the act of burying the dismembered body of Andrew Helgelein, her last victim, by lantern light at midnight in her back door grave yard on "murder farm." The farm hand, under arrest on a charge of murder and arson in connection with the Gunness tragedies, made this confession to a friend whom the local authorities today located in South Dakota, after tracing him by telegraph from Massachusetts.

The name of this new witness, the most important discovered since the beginning of the investigation, which has unearthed eleven victims of this feminine coroner of the murder market, has not been made public. But Sheriff Smutzer has in his possession a drafted outline of the confession Lamphere is said to have made.

Witness to Return

Sheriff Smutzer is making strenuous efforts to persuade this witness to return to La Porte and repeat the story Lamphere told him. He expects to hear definitely from the man tomorrow.
(Contributed by Debbie Lee)

The Evening News
1909-07-16
NO MORE BODIES ON THE GUNNESS FARM

Laporte, Ind., July 16.- Recent excavations on the Gunness farm undertaken In the expectation of finding the
bodies of more victims of the arch-murdress, Mrs. Belle Gunnes: have been without success. It Is now
believed that the ten victims found a year ago comprise the extent of Mrs. Gonness's murderous activities
The farm remains a source of great interest and is visited by many curious people.

The Idaho Daily Statesman
1909-11-19
ANOTHER VICTIM IS IDENTIFIED

Tobias P. Lion One of the Ten; Mutilated Corpses Found in Yard.
Identification Made by .Brother by Means of a Watch - Dead Man Took $1000 With Him to Pay Mortgage on Gunness Home.
LAPORTE, Ind., Nov. I8 - Another victim of Mrs. Belle Gunness, the arch murderess. was Identified today as Tobias Peter Lion of Rushford, Minn. Samuel B. Lion, who recently returned from a Pacific cruise of three years, today identified a watch that had been found in the buried ruins of the Gunness house as one that belonged to his brother, Tobias.
On his return from the sea. Lion last week learned that his brother had gone lo La Porte on April 2. 1907, following correspondence with Mrs. Gunness, who advertisements for a husband he had read in a Norwegian paper. Tobias had taken $1000 with him to pay a mortgage on Mrs. Gunness' farm, it was learned. Mrs. Gunness was to become his wife.
Lion's body was one of the 10 mutilated corpses found buried in the Gunness yard.

The Columbus Enquirer Sun
1909-12-04
MRS. BELLE GUNNESS IN COLORADO

Delta Col., Dec. 3 Sheriff R.S. William, of Delta County has wired the authorities at LaPorte, Ind. That he is convinced that Mrs. Bell Gunness, wanted in Indiana for a series of murders is living in Delta County where she arrived two months ago. He wishes to know if any reward is offered for her capture, so that he may proceed to arrest the woman.

The Duluth New Tribune
1909-12-25
JUDGE ORDERS SALE OF BELLE GUNNESS FARM

Laporte, Ind. Dec 24 - Judge J.C. Richter, in the LaPorte Circuit Court today ordered the farm of Mrs. Belle Gunness sold in order that the estate may be settled. The farm contains 58 acres and is valued at $5,000. The personal estate left by Mrs. Gunness amounted to $3,500.

The State
1909 -12 -31
ROY LAMPHERE DIES IN INDIANA PRISON

Murderer of Mrs. Belle Gunness of Laporte Falls Victim to Great White Plague

Laporte, Ind., Dec. 30. - Ray Lamphere, 38 years old, slayer of Mrs. Belle Gunness and her children, died tonight of tuberculosis at the Michigan /city Penitentiary, where he has been serving an indeterminate term for arson. Lamphere on April 28, 1908 set fire to the Gunness home near LaPorte. He had formerly been employed by Mrs. Gunness. Following the fire the bodies of several persons who had been murdered by Mrs. Gunness were unearthed on the farm yard. Lamphere was convicted of burning the house was sentenced to from two to 14 years in prison. Lamphere always contended that he was innocent of the arson. It was shown however, that Lamphere probably was cognizant of some of Mrs. Gunness' crimes and that he was angered at her.
Shortly after Lamphere entered the penitentiary he developed tuberculosis.

The Grand Forks Daily Herald
1910 -01 -02
LAMPHERE'S CONFESSION SECRET.

Mount Pleasant. la., Jan. 1.- Rev. Edwin A. Schell, president of the Iowa Wesleyan university, yesterday refused to make public the confession he obtained from Ray Lamphere, slayer of Mrs. Belle Gunness and her children.
It was believed that in view of Lamphere's death in the Michigan City prison Thursday, Schell would tell what the Gunness suspect confided to him in the Laporte, Ind., jail, thus clearing up much of the mystery surrounding the Gunness murder farm.
The preacher, who was Larnphere's spiritual adviser at the time of the hired man's arrest and trial for the burning of the Gunness house, was visited by newspaper men and was the recipient of many telegrams in regard to the confession. He replied to all thus.
"Lamphere confessed to me in secret, and I do not feel at liberty to give it out, although It would be a surprise in many ways"

Alberdeen Daily American
1910 -02 -01
STRUCK THE WRONG TRIAL
Woman at Willmar, Minn. Is not Mrs. Belle Gunness

Willmar, Minn. Feb. 1 - Residents of Willmar are laughing at the newspaper men who flocked to this little town from all over the Middle West to investigate the reports that Mrs. Belle Gunness, arch murderess of Laporte. Ind. was in their midst. Persons who have seen the woman who is housekeeper for Gust Kirby, a farmer living near here, say she does not look the least bit like the photographs of Mrs. Gunness. Sheriff Bonde says the Willmar woman is a blonde, while Mrs. Gunness was a brunette.
Sam Kirby, who discovered the woman and telegraphed Laporte officials to "come and get her" is still convinced that he is on the right trail, however, and is excitedly waiting arrival of the officials.

The Macon Daily Telegraph
1910-01-14
RAY LAMPHERE CONFESSED TO LAPORTE CRIME
Meant to Asphyxiate Family in Order to Rob Mrs. Gunness

St. Louis, Jan. 13 - Confirmation of the death of Mrs. Belle Gunness and some methods of slaying the ten persons found buried on her farm near Laporte, Ind. were published today by the St. Louis Post Dispatched which, in a copyrighted story, printed an alleged confession made by Ray Lamphere, Mrs. Gunness' hired man and assistant, who died several days ago in prison at Michigan City, Ind. while serving sentence for burning Mrs. Gunness house and incinerating her and her three children and Jennie Olson.
It is known that Rev. E.A. Schell formerly pastor of the Laporte Methodist Church, and now president of Iowa Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant Iowa heard Lamphere's confession, shortly after he was arrested in April, 1908, but he denies that he divulged this confession.
The Post Dispatch says that if Dr. Schell would consent to talk he would verify the confession published. It according to the paper, was obtained from a man of unassailable character and truthfulness whose standing in the community where he lives is such that his word is accepted without question.
According to the printed confession Mrs. Gunness and three children and Jennie Olson were chloroformed by Lamphere, who robbed the house of about $60. with a woman accomplice that Lamphere helped dispose of some of Mrs. Gunness' victims; that the chloroform used by Lamphere was part of what he bought for Mrs.. Gunness to kill three men, one of whom was Andrew Helglein, the others probably Ole Budsberg and Tonnes Petersen Lein, and that one of these men, probably Lein, was the third husband of Mrs. Gunness.
The confession recites that Lamphere did not intend to kill the Gunness family.. but simply to asphyxiate the members in order to rob the murderess, who had, however, deposited a large sum in the bank the day before the fire of April 2 1908. Lamphere left a piece of candle in the house and this set fire to the place before the effects of the chloroform wore off.
No explanation of the kerosene said to have been poured by Mrs. Gunness the day before the fire and found scattered on some of the unburned woodwork is offered.
Jennie Olsen, niece and adopted daughter of Mrs. Gunness, who it has been believed, was murdered by the woman over a year before the house was burned, and whose body was believed to have been buried in the farm yard, was not murdered by Mrs. Gunness according to Lamphere's confession, but was chloroformed in the house the night it burned and was burned to death.
Assuming that Lamphere told the truth about Jennie Olsen the identity of the girl burned in the yard adds another mystery to the case.

The Duluth New Tribune
1910-01-15
ANNIVERSARY OF FARMER'S MURDER

North Dakotan Disappeared at the Home of Belle Gunness Two Years Ago

LaPorte, Ind. Jan 14 - It is something of a coincidence that tonight is the second anniversary of the murder of Andrew Helgelein, the North Dakota farmer, who came to LaPorte to marry Mrs. Belle Gunness, Jan. 14, 1908, Helgelein and Mrs. Gunness at the First National bank received in cash $2,893 belonging to Helgelein. That afternoon Ray Lamphere was sent to Michigan City to trade horses. He came back during the night and whatever he saw put the woman in his power for Heleglein disappeared that night and his was the first body found in the little plot.

The Duluth New Tribune
1910-01-17
NEGRESS IS ARRESTED AS A RESULT OF RAY LAMPHERE'S CONFESSION

LaPorte, Ind. Jan. 16 - Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, arrested as the result of Ray Lamphere's confession to Rev. F.A. Schell, now president of the Iowa Wesleyan University, made public today was released on a $500. bond. The negress, who was implicated by the confession in the murder of Mrs. Belle Gunness and her family, denied all the charges made by Lamphere. The grand jury, in session next week may resume investigation into the Gunness case.
Prosecutor Smith declares that he intends to go to the bottom of the Negro woman's alleged connection with the death of the Gunness woman and her children and the Gunness fire., if it is possible.
The Truelson confession may yet play an important part in the case. This confession was made in May 1908, by Julius Truelson, of New York, now serving a term for forgery in Texas. It was investigated by Albert F. Smutzer, then sheriff of LaPorte County. Truelson claimed to have visited the Gunness farm before the fire and he told much about the case but officers concluded he was a romancer. It is possible that Truelson may be brought here because of the features of his confession bear striking resemblances to Lamphere's confession.

The Duluth New Tribune
1910-03-06
BELLE GUNNESS AGAIN DISCOVERED

This Time the LaPorte Murderess Is Located at Grand Rapids, Mich.
LAPORTE, Ind., March 5 - The "discovery" of Mrs. Belle Gunness, the Laporte murderess, this time in Grand Rapids, Mich., is announced by Louis ?Richmond, 34 Canal Street. Grand Rapids, who today urged Sheriff Anatiss to send a deputy to the Michigan City to arrest the woman. Richmond says the woman answers every description of Mrs. Gunness even to her gold filled teeth. He says the woman came to Grand Rapids immediately after the fire that destroyed the Gunness home. Richmond says she claims to some from Ohio.
Richmond, to lend stability to his assertion, gave as references his employer and Frank Coleman, cashier of the Grand Rapids Saving bank. Prosecutor Smith announced today that the March grand jury will not investigate the connection of Elizabeth Smith with the Gunness case. even though Ray Lamphere is alleged to have implicated her in the fire, according to the confession made public recently by Dr. E.A. Schell, president of Iowa Wesleyan University. She was arrested following the publication of the confession, but is now out on bond.

The Bellingham Herald
1910-06-30
Indiana Murderess Discovered by Sleuths Proves Innocent, However.

Palouse, Wash. June 30 - The Gunness murder mystery, which was brought to light in 1907 at LaPorte, Ind. with the burning of the house on the farm of Mrs. Belle Gunness, in which the bones of the Gunness children and of a grown person, supposed to have been Mrs. Gunness, were found, the later investigation bringing to light the bones of some thirteen persons supposed to be victims of Mrs. Gunness buried on the farm, was revived yesterday in the minds of people locally when Mrs. Helen Iverson, a middle aged woman who has lived in Palouse two years was taken before Justice Carey with the belief that she might be Mrs. Gunness, who, it has always been believed by many, is not dead, the theory having been advanced that the bones found in the house were those of another victim of the woman.
MYSTERIOUS DETECTIVE IN CASE
The case, was worked up by a man whose name can not be learned locally, and who spent some time here doing, as he explained yesterday, detective work on the case. Through his efforts Prosecuting Attorney Chamberlain and Deputy Sheriff Cole were induced to come to Palouse to make an investigation. Mrs. Iverson was taken to the justice's office by the deputy sheriff and was there questioned both by the prosecutor and by Justice Carey. She is said to have told a straightforward story, which convinced the officers that she is not the woman wanted, and was dismissed.
SAYS SHE WAS BORN IN NORWAY
Mrs. Iverson according to her statements, was born in Norway and came to this county six years ago, landing at New York. From New York she came westward, spending some time in Nebraska, later moving to Baker City, Oregon, and coming to Palouse from that place. She claimed to have been in Oregon at the time of the Gunness affair.
IS HURT BY SUSPICION
Mrs. Iverson is well appearing and lives in a cottage near the Northern Pacific Depot. She says her father was wealthy and that he owned a large interest in a steamship line. She claims also that she received his death certificate recently. She refused to talk except to the officers, but is said to have felt hurt over being brought before the officers under suspicion. The officers claim her vindication was complete.

The Lexington Herald
1912-12-19
BELIEVE MRS. BELLE GUNNESS IS IN CANADA

Woman Shadowed At Alberta May Be Mistress of Murder Farm
(By Associated Press.) LAPORTE, Ind., Dec I8 - Information that Mrs. Belle Gunness, on whose "murder farm," near here, in 1908, thirteen bodies were found, is believed to be in Leatheridge, Alberta, Canada, was received today by Chief of Police Meinke in a telegram sent by Frederick Wise. A woman, answering the description of Mrs. Gunness, has been under surveillance several hours. The local police were requested to send a. man to complete the identification.
The statement of George Meyers, a convict, that Ray Lamphear. who was employed by Mrs. Gunness, had said that the body of a Chicago woman was placed in the Gunness home to create the impression that the owner cf the farm was burned to death, has caused a revival of many old theories. A number of telegrams and letters were received today by the police department. Chief Meinke believes that Mrs. Gunness is alive.

The Bellingham Herald
1912-12-24
BELLE GUNNESS IS REPORTED IN MANY PLACES

LaPorte Ind., Dec 24 - At least twenty "Mrs. Bell Gunnesses" have been seen in different parts of the county and reported to the authorities here since the publication of the alleged confession made by Ray Lamphere before his death in prison and now disclosed by Convict Meyers. This confession is supposed to have said that Mrs. Gunness escaped when the house on her "murder farm" burned down.
Police here are paying no attention either to the "confession" revealed by Meyers or to the telegrams. They think Meyer's story is a frame up to get out of prison, where he is serving a sentence for horse stealing. As for Mrs. Gunness, they are satisfied with the verdict of the jury which found that Mrs. Gunness had died in the fire.

Wilkes Barr
1913-09-25
POLICE LEAVE TO ARREST MRS. BELLE GUNNESS

Laporte, Ind. September 23 - Mysteriously leaving the city on what is said to have been a clue to Mrs. Belle Gunness, the departure of Wm. Meinke, police chief and H.W. Wordon prosecuting attorney, yesterday, gave rise to renewed reports today that the woman who murdered a dozen persons on her farm here and dropped out of sight five years ago, was in custody somewhere. Meinke and Worden would not discuss their mission. Two strangers who came here a week ago and were closeted with the officials intimated that a criminal badly wanted in Laporte had ben located, but they refused to discuss the subject further.

Belleville News Democrat
1913-11-06

Chicago, Nov. 6 - The police here received a report that Mrs. Belle Gunness slayer of 15 persons on her "murder farm" at Laporte, Ind. is alive. It was declared in a letter received at central office that the woman is now living a secluded life near Hot Springs, Ark. The letter was sent by M.J. Merrill of the Palace Hotel in Hot Springs.
A description of Mrs. Gunness was at once sent to Mr. Merrill.

Sunday News Tribune
1914-03-29
BELLE GUNNESS NOT LIVING ON HOMESTEAD IN WESTERN CANADA

Neville, Sask., March 25 A woman living on a homestead near here, suspected of being Mrs. Belle Gunness, the accused LaPorte Ind. murderess is not the person sought. After seeing and talking with the woman today, Clinton Cochrane, Marshall of LaPorte, declared that she is not Mrs. Gunness.

The Grand Forks Daily Herald

1916-05-06

DEATH SEALS NEGRESS' LIPS

Was Believed to Know Secrets of Belle Gunness Murder Farm.

LaPorte. Ind.. May 5 - "Nigger Liz." an aged negress with a reputation as voodoo doctor, and supposed to have known more than any other person about the life and crimes of Belle Gunness, of murder farm notoriety is dead.
She had promised Wirth Worden a lawyer, that when she felt that the end was near she would tell all she knew of Belle Gunness and the murder farm, near LaPorte, Ind.
Accidental burns brought a lingering death. She sent for the lawyer, but he was found to be in Louisiana, and
before he returned, death had sealed her lips.
Worden was attorney for Ray Lamphere, who was convicted of burning the Gunness home and who died in prison in 1909. He and the negress were friends. In the shack where the negress had died a skull was found between the two mattresses. Conjectures arose as to whether it might not have been that of Belle Gunness. A torso which might have been hers was found in the ruins of her home, but identification never was positive as the head was missing. Opinion of those who remembered Belle Gunness was that the skull could not have been hers and it was recalled that the negress in the practice of her mysterious rites used a skull.
The incident aroused hope, however, that somewhere letters might be shedding further light on the Gunness murders, said to have numbered twenty.
Ten bodies were dug up on the farm.

Fort Worth Star
1916-05-06
NEW GUNNESS STORY RIDICULED BY POLICE

LaPorte Ind. May 6 The police today ridiculed as fantastic the story of a private investigator, who attempted to prove that a skull said to have been found in the house of the negress, who recently died, might be that of Mrs. Belle Gunness, on whose farm a number of skeletons were dug up in 1908.
The authorities are convinced Mrs. Gunness perished in the fire which destroyed her home and that she did not escape, as has been variously reported.

May 5, 1931
The Daily Northwestern, Oshkosh Wisconsin
FRIENDS DENY CARLSON WOMAN IS BELLE GUNNESS

            Los Angeles-Friends of the missing Belle Gunness, proprietor of a reputed murder farm at La Porte, Ind., have denied that Mrs. Esther Carlson, charged with poisoning August Lindstrom, retired lumberman, was the Indiana woman.
            Acquaintances of Mrs. Gunness viewed Mrs. Carlson yesterday in a jail hospital, where she is seriously ill with tuberculosis. She is charged jointly with Mrs. Anna Erickson with the murder of Lindstom.
            Mrs. Carlson was the lumberman’s housekeeper. It is alleged the slaying was planned in order to obtain Lindstrom’s $2,000 bank account.
            Because of her critical illness Mrs. Carlson was granted a separate trial from her co-defendant. Mrs. Erickson’s trial began last week. Yesterday county chemists testified they found enough poison in Lindstrom’s body to kill 10 men. He died last Feb. 9. (Transcribed by Shauna Williams)

May 7, 1931
The Zanesville Signal, Zanesville Ohio
DIES WITH GASP THAT MIGHT HAVE SOLVED MYSTERY
Accused of Murdering Chicago Man

            Los Angeles, May 7-Death apparently sealed two mysteries when Mrs. Esther Carlson, charged with poisoning her wealthy lumberman employer died as she tried to gasp a few words that might have been a confession or a denial.
            Only a mumbled word that might have been “yes” came from Mrs. Carlson’s lips when she was asked if she had poisoned Carl August Lindstrom retired Chicago lumberman. She died last night from tuberculosis in the county hospital.
            The other mystery that went unanswered was whether Mrs. Carlson bore a resemblance to the notorious Bell Gunness, who disappeared after being accused as the prisoner of 14 persons many years ago on her farm near Laport, Ind.
            Mrs. Anna Erickson, a neighbor, had gone to trial on the Lindstrom poisoning charge when Deputy District Attorney Ray Stahlman was informed that Mrs. Carlson would not live another hour.
            With Peter and Charles Lindstrom, of Chicago, sons of the lumberman, he hastened to the hospital.
            Mrs. Carlson was semi-conscious and her answers were so vague that Stahlman refused to accept them as evidence.
            “Did you poison Mr. Lindstrom?” Stahlman asked.
            A muffled sigh which sounded like “yes” was the only response.
            “You admit you gave him arsenic?” he was asked. The same sigh was given in answer.
            Efforts had been under way here for several weeks to determine if Mrs. ---- it was that of Mrs. Gunness.
            Witnesses who had seen noth woman were unwilling to declare that Mrs. Carlson was the Indiana woman whose disappearance never has been ----- since her house burned with her children in it. The body of a woman also was found in the burned dwelling but it was not established Carlson was in reality Mrs. Gunness. (Transcribed by Shauna Williams.)