From 1910-1919 New Orleans would undergo a period of rapid social change. WWI would break out, Prohibition was just around the corner. The Spanish Flu was ravaging the country. And, the famed Storyville would be shut down causing an exodus of jazz musicians to the famed Second City of jazz, Chicago. Through this turbulent era of increasing mob violence, increasing prohibition era political activities, the Spanish flu, and the Great Migration of black family from the US South to North a serial killer stalked the streets of New Orleans. For 9 years the killer would break into homes in the middle of the night and attack sleeping families with a hatchet.

In this episode we explore the infamous Axman of New Orleans at the close of the Storyville era. The murders, the police investigation, and trials and uncover this bloody part of New Orleans past.

Sources Used: Empire of Sin, a Story of Sex, Jazz, Murder and the battle for Modern New Orleans

Author: Gary Krist

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