Digest

This episode of Morbid delves into the chilling Louisiana Ax Murderer case, a series of brutal murders of black families along the Southern Pacific Railroad line between Southwestern Louisiana and Texas from 1909 to 1912. The episode highlights the similarities between the murders, including the use of an axe to fracture the victims' skulls, the targeting of black families living near the train line, and the murders occurring at night. The episode focuses on the arrest and trial of Clementine Barnabet, who confessed to murdering over 20 people, including the Randall family. However, Clementine's confession was riddled with inconsistencies and contradictions, leading to questions about her involvement and the true nature of the murders. The episode explores the sensationalism surrounding the case, the racist undertones of the media coverage, and the public's fear of voodoo and non-Christian religious practices. The episode concludes with Clementine's conviction and subsequent release from prison after undergoing a mysterious surgical procedure. The episode leaves listeners with more questions than answers, prompting them to consider the complexities of the case and the motivations behind Clementine's actions.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction

This Chapter introduces the episode and the topic of the Louisiana Ax Murderer case. It also mentions that Wondery Plus subscribers can listen to Morbid early and ad-free.

00:00:07

The Louisiana Ax Murderer Case

This Chapter delves into the details of the Louisiana Ax Murderer case, outlining the brutal murders of multiple black families along the Southern Pacific Railroad line. It highlights the similarities between the murders, including the use of an axe, the targeting of black families, and the murders occurring at night. The chapter also discusses the lack of a clear suspect and the difficulty in determining when the murders began.

00:00:26

The Opelousis Murders

This Chapter focuses on the first known murder in the Louisiana Ax Murderer case, the killing of Edna Opelousis and her three children. It details the gruesome scene, the lack of evidence, and the arrest of Houston Goodwill, Edna's brother-in-law, who was later released due to insufficient evidence.

00:00:33

The Buyers Murders

This Chapter examines the murder of Walter Buyers, his wife Silvina, and their six-year-old son. It describes the horrific scene, the discovery of a bloody wash basin, and the arrest of Walter Jackson and his brother, who were never prosecuted for the murders.

00:07:04

The Andrus Murders

This Chapter explores the murder of Alexander Andrus, his wife Meme, and their two children. It details the unusual arrangement of the bodies, the investigation into Garkon Good Godfrey, and the arrest of Raymond Barnabet, who was later released due to lack of evidence.

00:09:50

The San Antonio Murders

This Chapter discusses the murder of a family in San Antonio, Texas, near the Southern Pacific Railroad line. It highlights the similarities to the previous murders, including the use of an axe and the killer leaving the weapon behind.

00:10:10

Raymond Barnabet's Trial

This Chapter focuses on the trial of Raymond Barnabet for the murder of the Andrus family. It details his strange behavior during the trial, the testimony of his children, and the conflicting accounts of witnesses. The chapter concludes with Raymond's conviction and subsequent appeal.

00:16:19

The Randall Murders

This Chapter examines the murder of Norbert Randall, his wife Azema, their three children, and their niece. It describes the gruesome scene, the discovery of a child's bloody footprint, and the unusual use of both an axe and a gun. The chapter also details the arrest of Clementine Barnabet, her brother Zeffrin, and two other young men.

Keywords

Q&A

• What were the key similarities between the murders in the Louisiana Ax Murderer case?

  The murders were all characterized by the use of an axe to fracture the victims' skulls, the targeting of black families living near the Southern Pacific Railroad line, and the murders occurring at night. The victims were also all black, and the murders often involved entire families, including children.

• Who was Clementine Barnabet, and what role did she play in the Louisiana Ax Murderer case?

  Clementine Barnabet was a young woman who was arrested and convicted for the murder of the Randall family. She confessed to murdering over 20 people, but her confession was riddled with inconsistencies and contradictions. Her story became a source of sensationalism in the press, with many speculating that she was involved in a voodoo cult or religious fanaticism. Clementine's case remains a mystery, with questions about her true involvement in the murders and the motivations behind her actions.

• What was the role of the media in the Louisiana Ax Murderer case?

  The media played a significant role in sensationalizing the case, often using racist language and fear-mongering tactics to sell newspapers. They focused on the supposed involvement of voodoo and non-Christian religious practices, creating a climate of fear and prejudice against black communities. The media's coverage contributed to the public's perception of the case and the subsequent arrests and trials of the suspects.

• What happened to Clementine Barnabet after her conviction?

  After her conviction, Clementine was sentenced to life in Angola prison. She was later released from prison after undergoing a mysterious surgical procedure, the details of which are unclear. The procedure was described as a way to control her alleged "moral perversion" and "desire to slay." Clementine then disappeared from the public record, leaving behind a legacy of mystery and speculation.

• What are some of the unanswered questions surrounding the Louisiana Ax Murderer case?

  The case remains unsolved, with many unanswered questions. Some of the key questions include: Was Clementine Barnabet truly responsible for the murders, or was she falsely accused? What was the true nature of the murders, and were they motivated by religious fanaticism, personal vendettas, or something else entirely? What happened to the other suspects in the case, and were they truly involved in the murders? And what was the true nature of the surgical procedure that Clementine underwent, and did it truly "cure" her of her alleged "desire to slay"?

Show Notes