The Butcher of Elevator Street | Heinous History

On the morning of April 23, 1897, the mill workers at the Williamston Stave Company arrived at work and started their day just like any other. But little did they know that an absolute nightmare would soon be unfolding inside the creepy house across the street. The small village of Williamston, Michigan was a tight knit community, where everyone knew everyone, but it seems no one knew the turmoil and rage brewing inside the house across from the mill. And on that fateful spring morning, a combination of undiagnosed mental illness and pure unadulterated hatred would come to a head, and one of the most disturbing murders Michigan has ever seen would be committed as a result.

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[grapatin]

Re: Average life expectancy, it's important to understand that the number given is affected by high infant and child mortality. Many familes had at least one child that died within the first five years of life. Stillbirths and miscarriages were common.

So when you correct for child mortality, the average life expectancy is comparable to today at 75 years for men and 73 years for women. It was not uncommon to age past 50, let alone 70. Living past 80 was still rare, but not shockingly older than the general population. This period is also affected by the loss of one-third of the population in the Civil War, including both civilians and soldiers. Mariah was not an extreme outlier of her time and community by reaching 85 years of age.

[ericapierson-way]

Oh god, "Alfie died alone in the streets." That is absolutely heart breaking.

[DisableReality]

"Alfie died alone in the streets." How are you just gonna drop that bomb and end the video? Justice for Alfie!
But in all seriousness, great episode!

[elizabethwillis]

I feel the worst for poor Alfie.

And boy am I glad we no longer prosecute people for such trivial things like living together unmarried 😒

[MikadoYuma]

Wow, Alfie was such a good man for trying to see the good in her rather than piling on. I'm sure he had a lot of guilt for accidentally letting this happen, that must have been very painful.

[christopherA]

Sommer could read me the ingredients on a bottle of water and I’d be captivated. Love this lady !

[amyrivers]

I taught a boy who had absent seizures after a bike accident. He would go blank but carried on moving. For example when we were walking to activities like IT, or the library he would carry on walking but in a straight line. His best friend was always behind him and would put his hand on his friends shoulder to steer him when it happened. He went on to be the head boy of his graduating year. His mum had always been his teacher aide and she was a wonderful mum and friend. Sometimes he would have up to 30 seizures a day but they were so short most of them went unnoticed but his mum and I saw everyone of them and it was exhausting for the boy. It was quite a remarkable family especially how they managed his seizures. A lot of people think that when someone has a seizure they drop to the ground and have convulsions but there are different types.

[wandarobinson]

That poor Alfie couldn't catch a break. So sad he died living on the street. I can't imagine how he felt finding his mom's head on the plate. Martha was really a sick lady.

[Pamer]

Sounds like Martha suffered from schizoprenia. My stepson had the same symptoms. It started as severe depression, but then escalated into violence. Paranoid schizophrenia causes severe paranoia. He also heard voices. Told us the voices were angels and he had to do what they said. He tried to kill his father ( My ex) twice. We had him baker acted twice, but they just sent him home after 48 hours. He was very good at manipulating the professionals. I eventually had him arrested when he came at his father again, and he finally received the help he needed. His diagnosis was schizoprenia and personality disorder. He now receives injections and meds and is living a wonderful, "normal" life. When he was untreated, you could look into his eyes and there was no one there. I asked him months after he started treatment if he was upset with me for having him arrested. He said, "No, you saved my life and I love you" ❤

[davidlancaster]

I like these cases from the 1800s. The time travel details make the story more engrossing and easier to emerse in the time period. It seems easier to accept and process being distanced by over 100 years. Thanks for all you do Sommer. You are a raisin amongst the flakes.

[hosknxrdad]

My 13yr old daughter has absent seizures n it's heart breaking. She's got diagnosed at 3yrs old n finally after almost 10yrs we get to cut down her medication. Dad's so proud of U Sienna Rose🎉🎉
U are my hero Rosie, love from dad xo. Thank U for bringing light on a dark form of epilepsy that no1 normally talks or knows about. Thank U again

[Morticia]

Very interesting case. Poor Alfie. 1st he sees his mom's head on a plate then he has to ho to jail for living with his GF. I'm glad he at least had some happy years. Thanks Sommer💛

[charmaineberrywest]

Well, I remember when she just started telling her stories, I knew she was going to become amazing

[DVelez-wzfe]

To live to a ripe old age just to be heinously murdered is just so sad. I wonder why Mariah didn’t go live with another one of her kids

[hollyknox]

Well done case coverage. Mental illness is an awful thing. Poor Alfie, Mariah, and Martha too.

[emilydecker]

This happened less than 20 miles from where I live…I’ve never heard of this! Thank you! Local history is fascinating.

[Kari.F.]

Another wild case I have never heard of before. I don't know where you find some of your stories, but I'm glad you find them and share them with us!

[sinbient]

Thank you for always covering these older, more "historical" cases.

[rhynelinker]

My wife suffers from absent seizures. They've diminished quite a bit over the last few years but they can be just as scary as the regular kind if you know what's happening.

[mercedes]

I am new to this channel. Somehow, YouTube suggested your video on the vampire cult in Mexico. I can't stop watching. The history, the amount of research, and the storytelling style are fascinating! Im so curious, how did you ever become interested in this?