photo #1890092

March 19 is a big day in the Italian community as it's St. Joseph's day. Especially with Sicilians. And the majority of New Orleans Italian community has Sicilian roots. What a lot of people don't know is that it also plays a part in the Axman of New Orleans story. The serial killer terrorized the NOLA community for about 18 months between 1918 and 1919 (though there's other murders that are thought to have been committed by the same person prior to those years) and was never caught. There were several theories on who it could be and why it was happening. One of those theories was that it was Black Hand/Mafia related as it was mainly Italian shop keepers that were targeted. There's quite a few circumstantial facts that support that theory but then again there's a few that don't. The following piece of the Axman story helped bolster the theory of Mafia involvement. On Thursday March 13 1919 the Times Picayune received a letter from someone claiming to be the Axman. The time given in the Axman's instructions of "Next Tuesday night at 12:15" would have actually been on Wednesday morning which was March 19. Was it merely coincidence? Some speculation of the date led some to believe it further indicated Mafia/Black Hand involvement. There was also much speculation and argument if the letter was even actually from the crazed murderer himself. If it wasn't he never let the world know and so it's argued to this day. The letter below: Hell, March 13, 1919 Esteemed Mortal of New Orleans: They have never caught me and they never will. They have never seen me, for I am invisible, even as the ether that surrounds your earth. I am not a human being, but a spirit and a demon from the hottest hell. I am what you Orleanians and your foolish police call the Axeman. When I see fit, I shall come and claim other victims. I alone know whom they shall be. I shall leave no clue except my bloody axe, besmeared with blood and brains of he whom I have sent below to keep me company. If you wish you may tell the police to be careful not to rile me. Of course, I am a reasonable spirit. I take no offense at the way they have conducted their investigations in the past. In fact, they have been so utterly stupid as to not only amuse me, but His Satanic Majesty, Francis Josef, etc. But tell them to beware. Let them not try to discover what I am, for it were better that they were never born than to incur the wrath of the Axeman. I don't think there is any need of such a warning, for I feel sure the police will always dodge me, as they have in the past. They are wise and know how to keep away from all harm. Undoubtedly, you Orleanians think of me as a most horrible murderer, which I am, but I could be much worse if I wanted to. If I wished, I could pay a visit to your city every night. At will I could slay thousands of your best citizens (and the worst), for I am in close relationship with the Angel of Death. Now, to be exact, at 12:15 (earthly time) on next Tuesday night, I am going to pass over New Orleans. In my infinite mercy, I am going to make a little proposition to you people. Here it is: I am very fond of jazz music, and I swear by all the devils in the nether regions that every person shall be spared in whose home a jazz band is in full swing at the time I have just mentioned. If everyone has a jazz band going, well, then, so much the better for you people. One thing is certain and that is that some of your people who do not jazz it out on that specific Tuesday night (if there be any) will get the axe. Well, as I am cold and crave the warmth of my native Tartarus, and it is about time I leave your earthly home, I will cease my discourse. Hoping that thou wilt publish this, that it may go well with thee, I have been, am and will be the worst spirit that ever existed either in fact or realm of fancy. The Axeman There were no Axeman attacks that night as the city Jazzed it up! The sheet music pictured below was written by some locals just for the occasion.