A women who lives in infamy.

The tale of Belle Gunness expands far beyond the community of La Porte, Indiana. Her horrific crimes captured the imagination of many people that told of her murderess tales through both songs, documentaries and podcasts. Her dark actions created a rise of media outlets that immortalized her through both books and song.

An example of this is the ballad text by Max Egly:

Belle Gunness lived in In-di-an; She always, always had a man; Ten at least went in her door– And were never, never seen no more. Now, all these men were Norska folk; Who came to Belle from Minn-e-sote; They liked their coffee, and their gin; They got it–plus a mickey finn. And now with cleaver poised so sure; Belle neatly cut their jug-u-lur [sic]; She put them in a bath of lime, And left them there for quite some time. There’s red upon the Hoosier moon; For Belle was strong and full of doom; And think of all them Norska men, Who’ll never see St. Paul again.

These songs were used for generations by both children and adults as a warning. To not judge a book and falsely assume that gender norms hold sway for everyone.

The list of books that are recommended: The Mistress of Murder Hill by Sylvia Shepherd, Belle Gunness: The Lady Bluebeard by Janet L. Langlois, Heartland Serial Killers by Richard C. Linberg

Visit the LaPorte County Community Museum for the Belle Gunness exhibit as well as a more in depth history of Belle Gunness and her farm.

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Belle Gunness and her step-children: circa. 1907. La Porte County Historical Society Museum. LaPorte Archives