Torture chambers, secret passageways, tubs of acid, and deadly vaults. In 1895. Chicago police discovered horrific evidence of multiple murder at the castle of Henry Howard Holmes. Hiding under the guise of caring doctor, kind husband, and prominent businessmen, H.H. Holmes was a contemporary monster, designing his building solely for the disposal of human bodies. Torture doctor, and monster of 63rd Street, H.H. Holmes was America’s first serial killer. (Borowski). H.H. Holmes ,whose real name is Herman W. Mudgett, was born in Gilmanton, New Hampshire. Holmes was a troubling boy, he was constantly in trouble, and in his later year he was known for his evil treatment to animals, and children. His early years were ruled under strict religious studies by his mother, and strong discipline delivered by his father (Borowski). It is said that …show more content…
He acted as his own architect, and designed and built a three story hotel, which people started calling the “Castle.” He was the person who supervised the several construction crews. Holmes hired and fired several construction crews so that no one would figure out that he was designing a “murder castle.” In the, The Devil Comes to Chicago article said that, “The first floor of the building contained stores and shops, while the upper floors could be used for spacious living quarters. Holmes also had an office on the second floor, but most of the rooms were to be used for guests --guests that would never be seen again. Evidence would later be found to show that Holmes used some of the rooms as “asphyxiation chambers”, where his victims suffocated with gas. Other chambers were lined with iron plates and had blowtorch-like devices fitted into the walls. In the basement, Holmes installed a dissecting table and maintained his own crematory. There was also an acid vat and pits filled with quicklime, where bodies could be conveniently disposed of