I have to wonder if this was the basis for that book and mocie "Arsenic and Old Lace?"
Tests confirmed that her fourth husband had been poisoned with arsenic. Tillie was arrested. Later, it was said that she told the arresting officer, "The next one I want to cook dinner for is you." (I don't think I would have eaten it.)
The bodies of her first three husbands were exhumed and all found to have been poisoned by arsenic.
Police also arrested Tillie's cousin, Nellie, who supposedly had given her the "Rough for Rats" rat poison to start the crime spree. After the arrest came to light, it was found that several neighbors and relatives of the two women had also died. Of twenty suspected victims, fourteen had died.
Tillie was only tried for the death of husband number three and found guilty and sentenced to life in prison, the harshest sentence ever given to a woman in Cook County.
Cousin Nellie spent a year in prison during her trial before being acquitted. Tillie died in prison November 20, 1936.
Wonder if the addresses mentioned in the first post are on any Chicago Crime tours. Where was Tillie buried? You'll find a big write-up on her at Murderpedia.com.
A Wife You Won't Get Along With for Too Long. --Cooter
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