Voting Station

The Axeman of New Orleans

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Murderer

The Resume

    Killed eight people in New Orleans with an ax (May, 1918-October, 1919)
    Also frequently used an ax to break down the doors of his victims' houses

Why he might be annoying:

    His victims included a pregnant woman and an infant killed in her mother's arms.
    He imitated Jack the Ripper by writing taunting letters to the police and newspapers.
    He claimed to be a supernatural demon from Hell.
    His killing spree started and stopped without any apparent reason.
    He was never caught.
    A theory proposed by true-crime writer Colin Wilson that the killer was one Joseph Momfre, who was shot in Los Angeles by the widow of the Axeman's last victim, turned out to be bogus.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He threatened to commit a murder at fifteen minutes past midnight on March 19, 1919, but promised to spare the occupants of any place where a jazz band was playing.
    That night, the city's dance halls were filled to capacity and hundreds of homes hired professional and amateur jazz bands to play.
    Some well-armed citizens sent the newspapers letters inviting the Axeman to visit their houses that night to see who killed who.
    One invitation requested that the Axeman not damage the door as a window would be left open for him.
    Ultimately, there were no attacks that night.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 8 Votes: 37.50% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 9 Votes: 88.89% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 5 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 20 Votes: 30.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 12 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 21 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 16 Votes: 56.25% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 14 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 22 Votes: 59.09% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 20 Votes: 70.0% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 17 Votes: 76.47% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 72 Votes: 69.44% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 36 Votes: 66.67% Annoying