Pleasant Pruitt
Serial Killer of Wives
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Indianapolis, Indiana
TIME PERIOD
1888-1902
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
Pleasant Pruitt, an American serial killer, is known for the murders of his three wives between 1888 and 1902 in Indiana. His first wife died under suspicious circumstances in 1888, attributed to poisoning, while his second wife, Naomi Huffman, was allegedly killed in a shotgun accident in 1896, leading to a brief arrest but no charges due to lack of evidence. Pruitt's final wife, Winnie Berry, was also murdered, after which he committed suicide on October 9, 1902, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to evade justice. The case remains unresolved as Pruitt was never formally charged with any of the murders, and significant evidence linking him to the deaths was circumstantial, primarily based on community suspicion and subsequent investigations.
Pleasant Pruitt is believed to have murdered his three wives, with the first two deaths attributed to poisoning, raising suspicions about his involvement despite no investigations being initiated at the time. Community speculation suggests that his respectable reputation allowed him to evade scrutiny following the mysterious deaths. Some theorize that Pruitt's intelligence and social standing contributed to a facade that protected him from being suspected as a serial killer until he ultimately took his own life to avoid justice.
The Tragic Tale of Pleasant Pruitt
Early Life and First Marriage
In the quiet town of Edinburgh, Indiana, a man named Pleasant Pruitt was born around 1840 into a wealthy Protestant family. Known for his intelligence, Pruitt was a respected figure in his community. As a young man, he captured the heart of Miss Van Meter from Rushville. Their union brought forth four children—Alice, Leslie, Ethel, and Clyde, who later settled in Indianapolis. The Pruitt family was seen as the epitome of domestic bliss, with Pleasant at its helm.
The Murders Begin
The First Wife
The tranquility of Pleasant's life was shattered in 1888 when his first wife suddenly died of poisoning. The town of Edinburgh was taken aback by the tragedy. Yet, owing to Pleasant's pristine reputation, no suspicions were cast his way. The mystery of Mrs. Pruitt's untimely demise remained unsolved, leaving the townsfolk to speculate about the nature of her death.
The Second Wife
A year or two passed before Pleasant found love again with Naomi Huffman. The couple appeared happy, and life seemed to have regained its normalcy. However, in 1896, tragedy struck once more. Naomi met a sudden end when Pleasant claimed to have accidentally discharged his shotgun while cleaning it, resulting in her instantaneous death in the summer kitchen.
This second incident stirred the community, which remembered the first wife's suspicious death. The neighbors demanded an investigation, leading to Pleasant's arrest. Yet, lacking a clear motive and considering the couple's happy life together, the jury deemed the deaths bizarre coincidences. Pleasant was released, but the trial drained much of his wealth. This financial hardship propelled him to travel extensively until he met his third wife, Winnie Berry, in Iowa City.
The Third Wife and Tragedy
Pleasant and Winnie eventually made their home on East Ohio Street in Indianapolis, joined by Winnie's teenage son from a previous marriage, Jesse. Financial strains worsened, prompting Winnie to suggest converting their home into a boarding house. Initially, the venture thrived, but Pleasant's increasing melancholia and disputes over the house's management drove boarders away, igniting quarrels between him and Winnie. As love faded, Pleasant began plotting her murder.
On a fateful October 9, 1902, as Jesse left for school, the couple's arguments continued. Winnie descended into the basement to work over a washtub, oblivious to Pleasant's dark intentions. In a fit of rage, he followed her, grabbing a knife and stabbing her twice in the heart. The ferocity of his attack was evident in the disfigurement of her face, both eyes punched out.
Leaving the basement, Pleasant seemed ready to flee but inexplicably returned with a loaded .38 bulldog revolver. He ended his life with a gunshot to the head, collapsing over his wife's lifeless body.
Discovery and Aftermath
Jesse returned from school at 4:30 p.m., calling for his mother but receiving no answer. A tenant, Nicholas Yeager, mentioned that Winnie had been in the basement all day. Descending into the dark cellar, Jesse stumbled upon his stepfather's bloodied body. Terrified, he fled to the police station, where officers Morgan and Simon responded quickly.
Upon entering the cellar, Officer Morgan struck a match and immediately identified the scene as a murder-suicide. Relaying the grim news to Jesse, the young boy expressed a resigned understanding, hoping his mother and stepfather found peace in Heaven. The investigation revealed that the couple's constant bickering likely fueled the crime.
In the weeks following the tragedy, a legal battle ensued over the couple's estate. Frank McCray, representing Winnie's estate, and Otho C. George, representing Pleasant's, contested the ownership of the properties. The outcome of this lawsuit remains shrouded in uncertainty.
Sources
- "Is A Bluebeard". Topeka State Journal. October 13, 1902.
- "Pruitt's Awful Crime". Indianapolis Journal. October 10, 1902.
- "Dead Bodies of Man and Wife Found". St. Paul Globe. October 10, 1902.
- "Unique Point Raised". The Indianapolis Journal. October 30, 1902.
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First Wife Dies
Pleasant Pruitt's first wife dies from poisoning, raising no suspicion.
Second Wife Killed
Pleasant claims accidental shooting of his second wife, Naomi, but suspicions arise.
Third Wife Married
Pleasant marries Winnie Berry, later moving to Indianapolis.
Third Wife Murdered
Pleasant stabs Winnie to death during an argument and then commits suicide.
Discovery of Bodies
Jesse Berry finds the bodies of his parents in a murder-suicide.
Lawsuit Filed
A lawsuit is filed over the estates of Pleasant and Winnie Pruitt.
Pleasant Pruitt, an American serial killer, is known for the murders of his three wives between 1888 and 1902 in Indiana. His first wife died under suspicious circumstances in 1888, attributed to poisoning, while his second wife, Naomi Huffman, was allegedly killed in a shotgun accident in 1896, leading to a brief arrest but no charges due to lack of evidence. Pruitt's final wife, Winnie Berry, was also murdered, after which he committed suicide on October 9, 1902, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to evade justice. The case remains unresolved as Pruitt was never formally charged with any of the murders, and significant evidence linking him to the deaths was circumstantial, primarily based on community suspicion and subsequent investigations.
Pleasant Pruitt is believed to have murdered his three wives, with the first two deaths attributed to poisoning, raising suspicions about his involvement despite no investigations being initiated at the time. Community speculation suggests that his respectable reputation allowed him to evade scrutiny following the mysterious deaths. Some theorize that Pruitt's intelligence and social standing contributed to a facade that protected him from being suspected as a serial killer until he ultimately took his own life to avoid justice.
The Tragic Tale of Pleasant Pruitt
Early Life and First Marriage
In the quiet town of Edinburgh, Indiana, a man named Pleasant Pruitt was born around 1840 into a wealthy Protestant family. Known for his intelligence, Pruitt was a respected figure in his community. As a young man, he captured the heart of Miss Van Meter from Rushville. Their union brought forth four children—Alice, Leslie, Ethel, and Clyde, who later settled in Indianapolis. The Pruitt family was seen as the epitome of domestic bliss, with Pleasant at its helm.
The Murders Begin
The First Wife
The tranquility of Pleasant's life was shattered in 1888 when his first wife suddenly died of poisoning. The town of Edinburgh was taken aback by the tragedy. Yet, owing to Pleasant's pristine reputation, no suspicions were cast his way. The mystery of Mrs. Pruitt's untimely demise remained unsolved, leaving the townsfolk to speculate about the nature of her death.
The Second Wife
A year or two passed before Pleasant found love again with Naomi Huffman. The couple appeared happy, and life seemed to have regained its normalcy. However, in 1896, tragedy struck once more. Naomi met a sudden end when Pleasant claimed to have accidentally discharged his shotgun while cleaning it, resulting in her instantaneous death in the summer kitchen.
This second incident stirred the community, which remembered the first wife's suspicious death. The neighbors demanded an investigation, leading to Pleasant's arrest. Yet, lacking a clear motive and considering the couple's happy life together, the jury deemed the deaths bizarre coincidences. Pleasant was released, but the trial drained much of his wealth. This financial hardship propelled him to travel extensively until he met his third wife, Winnie Berry, in Iowa City.
The Third Wife and Tragedy
Pleasant and Winnie eventually made their home on East Ohio Street in Indianapolis, joined by Winnie's teenage son from a previous marriage, Jesse. Financial strains worsened, prompting Winnie to suggest converting their home into a boarding house. Initially, the venture thrived, but Pleasant's increasing melancholia and disputes over the house's management drove boarders away, igniting quarrels between him and Winnie. As love faded, Pleasant began plotting her murder.
On a fateful October 9, 1902, as Jesse left for school, the couple's arguments continued. Winnie descended into the basement to work over a washtub, oblivious to Pleasant's dark intentions. In a fit of rage, he followed her, grabbing a knife and stabbing her twice in the heart. The ferocity of his attack was evident in the disfigurement of her face, both eyes punched out.
Leaving the basement, Pleasant seemed ready to flee but inexplicably returned with a loaded .38 bulldog revolver. He ended his life with a gunshot to the head, collapsing over his wife's lifeless body.
Discovery and Aftermath
Jesse returned from school at 4:30 p.m., calling for his mother but receiving no answer. A tenant, Nicholas Yeager, mentioned that Winnie had been in the basement all day. Descending into the dark cellar, Jesse stumbled upon his stepfather's bloodied body. Terrified, he fled to the police station, where officers Morgan and Simon responded quickly.
Upon entering the cellar, Officer Morgan struck a match and immediately identified the scene as a murder-suicide. Relaying the grim news to Jesse, the young boy expressed a resigned understanding, hoping his mother and stepfather found peace in Heaven. The investigation revealed that the couple's constant bickering likely fueled the crime.
In the weeks following the tragedy, a legal battle ensued over the couple's estate. Frank McCray, representing Winnie's estate, and Otho C. George, representing Pleasant's, contested the ownership of the properties. The outcome of this lawsuit remains shrouded in uncertainty.
Sources
- "Is A Bluebeard". Topeka State Journal. October 13, 1902.
- "Pruitt's Awful Crime". Indianapolis Journal. October 10, 1902.
- "Dead Bodies of Man and Wife Found". St. Paul Globe. October 10, 1902.
- "Unique Point Raised". The Indianapolis Journal. October 30, 1902.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Wife Dies
Pleasant Pruitt's first wife dies from poisoning, raising no suspicion.
Second Wife Killed
Pleasant claims accidental shooting of his second wife, Naomi, but suspicions arise.
Third Wife Married
Pleasant marries Winnie Berry, later moving to Indianapolis.
Third Wife Murdered
Pleasant stabs Winnie to death during an argument and then commits suicide.
Discovery of Bodies
Jesse Berry finds the bodies of his parents in a murder-suicide.
Lawsuit Filed
A lawsuit is filed over the estates of Pleasant and Winnie Pruitt.