The Man From The Train
Historical Serial Killer Investigation
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Villisca, Iowa
TIME PERIOD
1898-1912
VICTIMS
59 confirmed
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, a series of murders across North America were attributed to a previously overlooked serial killer named Paul Mueller, who is believed to have killed at least 59 people, with estimates possibly exceeding 100. This case was brought to light in the 2017 true crime book "The Man from the Train" by Bill James and Rachel McCarthy James, which connects these crimes to the infamous Villisca axe murders of June 9, 1912. The case remains largely unsolved, with the identity of the killer only recently proposed through historical research.
In "The Man from the Train," Bill and Rachel McCarthy James propose that a previously overlooked serial killer named Paul Mueller was responsible for a significant number of murders across North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s, claiming he killed at least 59 people, potentially over 100. They suggest that many of these crimes, previously attributed to another suspect known as Billy the Axeman, are part of a broader pattern of violence linked to Mueller. Their investigation began with the infamous Villisca axe murders, leading them to uncover numerous similar crimes through historical newspaper research.
The Man from the Train
Overview
The Man from the Train is a gripping 2017 true crime book authored by Bill James and his daughter, Rachel McCarthy James. This narrative dives deep into a chilling mystery, revealing the identity of a long-overlooked serial killer who roamed North America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Quick Facts
- Authors: Bill James, Rachel McCarthy James
- Language: English
- Subject: True Crime
- Publisher: Scribner
- Publication Date: September 19, 2017
- ISBN: 978-1-4767-9625-3 (hardcover)
The Killer Unveiled
At the heart of this tale lies the disturbing figure of Paul Mueller, a name that had slipped through the cracks of history. According to the Jameses, Mueller was responsible for the deaths of at least 59 individuals, with estimates suggesting the number could exceed 100. While some of these heinous acts were initially attributed to a notorious figure known as Billy the Axeman, the authors argue that Mueller’s spree stretched far beyond what was previously understood.
The Research Journey
Bill James, primarily known for his groundbreaking work in baseball analytics, ventured into the realm of true crime with his previous publication, Popular Crime: Reflections on the Celebration of Violence (2012). His investigation into the infamous Villisca axe murders—where an entire family and their guests were brutally killed in Villisca, Iowa, on June 9, 1912—sparked a broader inquiry. James was drawn to the possibility of a serial killer, given the calculated nature of the Villisca murders.
To unravel this mystery, he enlisted the help of his daughter, Rachel McCarthy James, who initially joined as a research assistant but eventually contributed significantly to the book, claiming about ten percent of its content and earning co-author credit.
Unearthing Dark History
Through meticulous research in newspaper archives, the Jameses uncovered a series of family annihilations that spanned from 1898 to 1912, occurring in locations such as Nova Scotia, Oregon, Kansas, and Florida. Many of these gruesome events had garnered significant media attention but faded into obscurity over time, except for the Villisca case.
Interestingly, Mueller’s name was only linked to one contemporary crime: the 1897 murder of a family in West Brookfield, Massachusetts, where he had worked as a farmhand. The case led to a yearlong manhunt, but ultimately, Mueller slipped through the cracks.
Rachel McCarthy James revealed that they dug up approximately 500 words of information regarding Mueller's life—his physical description, background, and skills. Notably, Mueller was about 35 years old at the time of the West Brookfield murder, claimed to be a German military veteran, and was known as a proficient carpenter with limited English skills. His most distinguishing feature? Unusually small, widely spaced teeth.
The Jameses theorize that Mueller was likely an itinerant lumberjack, given his woodworking expertise, the use of an axe in the murders, and the fact that many of the crimes occurred near logging areas.
A Pattern of Terror
The Jameses point to a crucial oversight in law enforcement during this era: local police often assumed a local connection in murders, failing to consider the possibility of a traveling serial killer. This misjudgment led to the potential oversight of a man like Mueller, who was never identified as a serial offender. The investigative methods of the time were rudimentary at best—fingerprinting and blood typing were virtually unknown, and crime scenes were often compromised by onlookers.
Their research indicates that at least eight individuals were wrongly convicted for crimes committed by Mueller, with four executed and one later exonerated. In a grim twist, seven people were lynched, predominantly African Americans, while another ten were arrested and subsequently released due to insufficient evidence.
Similarities Across Murders
The authors identified around thirty similarities across the murders they attributed to Mueller. These include:
- The crime scenes were typically within walking distance of railroad junctions, suggesting Mueller could evade capture by hopping freight trains (hence the book’s title).
- Whole families were slaughtered late at night in small towns with minimal police presence.
- Victims often lived in homes with barns, providing the killer a place to hide and observe.
- Families typically had no dogs to alert them of intruders.
- The killer utilized the blunt edge of an axe to commit the murders, leaving the weapon in plain sight.
- Victims were sometimes covered with sheets or blankets before or after the murders, likely to prevent blood spatter.
- The absence of robbery was notable, with valuables left untouched.
In early cases, the killer even attempted arson to destroy evidence but later abandoned this tactic as it attracted unwanted attention.
The Darker Motive
The Jameses delve into the disturbing nature of Mueller's crimes, suggesting a sadistic sexual attraction to pre-pubescent girls that factored into many of the killings. While adults were often ambushed in their sleep, the murders of young girls frequently displayed signs of struggle. Media reports from the time hinted at the killer’s disturbing proclivities, with references to sexual acts occurring at the crime scenes.
A particularly chilling detail from the Villisca crime scene was the presence of a slab of bacon, which the authors suggest may have been used as a masturbation aid, further supporting their theory about Mueller’s dark motivations.
Statistical Significance
Bill James, with his statistical background, highlighted that between 1890 and 1912, there was an average of eight murdered families per year in the U.S. Most of these did not share the characteristics associated with Mueller’s crimes. Furthermore, the peculiar traits of Mueller’s killings ceased abruptly after 1912, leading the authors to speculate that he may have been imprisoned for a minor crime during a lull in the violence.
The Jameses express confidence that Mueller committed 14 family murders, totaling 59 victims, while being less certain about his involvement in another 25 family murders, which could account for an additional 94 victims. If this claim holds true, Mueller might rank among the most prolific serial killers in American history, potentially surpassing even Samuel Little, who was convicted of 60 murders.
A Global Connection
Intriguingly, the authors even propose that Mueller might have been tied to the 1922 Hinterkaifeck murders in Germany, which share eerie similarities with the U.S. cases. Both involved the brutal slaughter of an entire family, the moving of bodies post-murder, and the use of blunt instruments as weapons, all while robbery was not a motive. The authors speculate that Mueller, possibly a German immigrant, may have returned to his homeland following increased attention to the string of family murders across state lines.
Reception
The book received varied reviews. In The New York Journal of Books, Bill McClug praised the story for being "interesting and fascinating" but criticized the writing style as overly casual, doubting the authors could conclusively prove their case after a century. Conversely, Kirkus Reviews lauded the book for its addictive narrative, describing it as "told in workmanlike, journalistic prose" with personal touches that draw readers in.
Professor Harold Schechter, in a blurb for the book's hardcover edition, asserted that the Jameses provided the most plausible explanation to date for the Villisca murders.
Sources
- "The Man from the Train: The Solving of a Century-Old Serial Killer Mystery − Kirkus Review." Kirkus. 2017. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
- Elizabeth Cook (October 15, 2017). "The Man from the Train: New book says serial ax murderer killed Lyerly family." Salisbury [North Carolina] Post. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
- Ben McGrath (July 14, 2003). "The Professor of Baseball." The New Yorker. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
- Nathaniel Rich (June 2, 2011). "Crunch the Numbers; Solve a Famous Murder." New York Times. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
- Bill James, Rachel McCarthy James (2017). The Man from the Train: The Solving of a Century-Old Serial Killer Mystery. NY: Scribner ISBN 978-1-4767-9625-3.
- Thomas McClung (2017). "The Man from the Train: The Solving of a Century-Old Serial Killer Mystery." New York Journal of Books. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
- Elon Green (2017). "The Father-Daughter Duo Who Found the Truth Behind a String of Century-Old Murders." MelMag.com. Archived 2019-01-04.
- For her initial data on Mueller, McCarthy James cites History of the Department of Police Service of Worcester, Mass., from 1674 to 1900, Historical and Biographical (1900) by Herbert M. Sawyer.
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First Known Murder
Paul Mueller is linked to the murder of a family in West Brookfield, Massachusetts.
Pattern of Murders Identified
Bill James begins research into a series of family murders across North America, suspecting a serial killer.
Villisca Axe Murders
A family of six and two guests are brutally murdered in Villisca, Iowa, raising suspicions of a serial killer.
Public Reaction
The book receives mixed reviews, with some praising the research while others question its conclusiveness.
Case Reopened
The publication of the book prompts renewed interest in the unsolved murders attributed to Mueller.
Research Findings
Jameses discover evidence linking over 59 murders to Paul Mueller, suggesting he may have killed over 100.
Mueller's Profile Established
The authors compile a profile of Paul Mueller, detailing his methods and possible motives.
Book Published
Bill James and Rachel McCarthy James publish 'The Man from the Train', identifying Paul Mueller as a serial killer.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, a series of murders across North America were attributed to a previously overlooked serial killer named Paul Mueller, who is believed to have killed at least 59 people, with estimates possibly exceeding 100. This case was brought to light in the 2017 true crime book "The Man from the Train" by Bill James and Rachel McCarthy James, which connects these crimes to the infamous Villisca axe murders of June 9, 1912. The case remains largely unsolved, with the identity of the killer only recently proposed through historical research.
In "The Man from the Train," Bill and Rachel McCarthy James propose that a previously overlooked serial killer named Paul Mueller was responsible for a significant number of murders across North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s, claiming he killed at least 59 people, potentially over 100. They suggest that many of these crimes, previously attributed to another suspect known as Billy the Axeman, are part of a broader pattern of violence linked to Mueller. Their investigation began with the infamous Villisca axe murders, leading them to uncover numerous similar crimes through historical newspaper research.
The Man from the Train
Overview
The Man from the Train is a gripping 2017 true crime book authored by Bill James and his daughter, Rachel McCarthy James. This narrative dives deep into a chilling mystery, revealing the identity of a long-overlooked serial killer who roamed North America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Quick Facts
- Authors: Bill James, Rachel McCarthy James
- Language: English
- Subject: True Crime
- Publisher: Scribner
- Publication Date: September 19, 2017
- ISBN: 978-1-4767-9625-3 (hardcover)
The Killer Unveiled
At the heart of this tale lies the disturbing figure of Paul Mueller, a name that had slipped through the cracks of history. According to the Jameses, Mueller was responsible for the deaths of at least 59 individuals, with estimates suggesting the number could exceed 100. While some of these heinous acts were initially attributed to a notorious figure known as Billy the Axeman, the authors argue that Mueller’s spree stretched far beyond what was previously understood.
The Research Journey
Bill James, primarily known for his groundbreaking work in baseball analytics, ventured into the realm of true crime with his previous publication, Popular Crime: Reflections on the Celebration of Violence (2012). His investigation into the infamous Villisca axe murders—where an entire family and their guests were brutally killed in Villisca, Iowa, on June 9, 1912—sparked a broader inquiry. James was drawn to the possibility of a serial killer, given the calculated nature of the Villisca murders.
To unravel this mystery, he enlisted the help of his daughter, Rachel McCarthy James, who initially joined as a research assistant but eventually contributed significantly to the book, claiming about ten percent of its content and earning co-author credit.
Unearthing Dark History
Through meticulous research in newspaper archives, the Jameses uncovered a series of family annihilations that spanned from 1898 to 1912, occurring in locations such as Nova Scotia, Oregon, Kansas, and Florida. Many of these gruesome events had garnered significant media attention but faded into obscurity over time, except for the Villisca case.
Interestingly, Mueller’s name was only linked to one contemporary crime: the 1897 murder of a family in West Brookfield, Massachusetts, where he had worked as a farmhand. The case led to a yearlong manhunt, but ultimately, Mueller slipped through the cracks.
Rachel McCarthy James revealed that they dug up approximately 500 words of information regarding Mueller's life—his physical description, background, and skills. Notably, Mueller was about 35 years old at the time of the West Brookfield murder, claimed to be a German military veteran, and was known as a proficient carpenter with limited English skills. His most distinguishing feature? Unusually small, widely spaced teeth.
The Jameses theorize that Mueller was likely an itinerant lumberjack, given his woodworking expertise, the use of an axe in the murders, and the fact that many of the crimes occurred near logging areas.
A Pattern of Terror
The Jameses point to a crucial oversight in law enforcement during this era: local police often assumed a local connection in murders, failing to consider the possibility of a traveling serial killer. This misjudgment led to the potential oversight of a man like Mueller, who was never identified as a serial offender. The investigative methods of the time were rudimentary at best—fingerprinting and blood typing were virtually unknown, and crime scenes were often compromised by onlookers.
Their research indicates that at least eight individuals were wrongly convicted for crimes committed by Mueller, with four executed and one later exonerated. In a grim twist, seven people were lynched, predominantly African Americans, while another ten were arrested and subsequently released due to insufficient evidence.
Similarities Across Murders
The authors identified around thirty similarities across the murders they attributed to Mueller. These include:
- The crime scenes were typically within walking distance of railroad junctions, suggesting Mueller could evade capture by hopping freight trains (hence the book’s title).
- Whole families were slaughtered late at night in small towns with minimal police presence.
- Victims often lived in homes with barns, providing the killer a place to hide and observe.
- Families typically had no dogs to alert them of intruders.
- The killer utilized the blunt edge of an axe to commit the murders, leaving the weapon in plain sight.
- Victims were sometimes covered with sheets or blankets before or after the murders, likely to prevent blood spatter.
- The absence of robbery was notable, with valuables left untouched.
In early cases, the killer even attempted arson to destroy evidence but later abandoned this tactic as it attracted unwanted attention.
The Darker Motive
The Jameses delve into the disturbing nature of Mueller's crimes, suggesting a sadistic sexual attraction to pre-pubescent girls that factored into many of the killings. While adults were often ambushed in their sleep, the murders of young girls frequently displayed signs of struggle. Media reports from the time hinted at the killer’s disturbing proclivities, with references to sexual acts occurring at the crime scenes.
A particularly chilling detail from the Villisca crime scene was the presence of a slab of bacon, which the authors suggest may have been used as a masturbation aid, further supporting their theory about Mueller’s dark motivations.
Statistical Significance
Bill James, with his statistical background, highlighted that between 1890 and 1912, there was an average of eight murdered families per year in the U.S. Most of these did not share the characteristics associated with Mueller’s crimes. Furthermore, the peculiar traits of Mueller’s killings ceased abruptly after 1912, leading the authors to speculate that he may have been imprisoned for a minor crime during a lull in the violence.
The Jameses express confidence that Mueller committed 14 family murders, totaling 59 victims, while being less certain about his involvement in another 25 family murders, which could account for an additional 94 victims. If this claim holds true, Mueller might rank among the most prolific serial killers in American history, potentially surpassing even Samuel Little, who was convicted of 60 murders.
A Global Connection
Intriguingly, the authors even propose that Mueller might have been tied to the 1922 Hinterkaifeck murders in Germany, which share eerie similarities with the U.S. cases. Both involved the brutal slaughter of an entire family, the moving of bodies post-murder, and the use of blunt instruments as weapons, all while robbery was not a motive. The authors speculate that Mueller, possibly a German immigrant, may have returned to his homeland following increased attention to the string of family murders across state lines.
Reception
The book received varied reviews. In The New York Journal of Books, Bill McClug praised the story for being "interesting and fascinating" but criticized the writing style as overly casual, doubting the authors could conclusively prove their case after a century. Conversely, Kirkus Reviews lauded the book for its addictive narrative, describing it as "told in workmanlike, journalistic prose" with personal touches that draw readers in.
Professor Harold Schechter, in a blurb for the book's hardcover edition, asserted that the Jameses provided the most plausible explanation to date for the Villisca murders.
Sources
- "The Man from the Train: The Solving of a Century-Old Serial Killer Mystery − Kirkus Review." Kirkus. 2017. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
- Elizabeth Cook (October 15, 2017). "The Man from the Train: New book says serial ax murderer killed Lyerly family." Salisbury [North Carolina] Post. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
- Ben McGrath (July 14, 2003). "The Professor of Baseball." The New Yorker. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
- Nathaniel Rich (June 2, 2011). "Crunch the Numbers; Solve a Famous Murder." New York Times. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
- Bill James, Rachel McCarthy James (2017). The Man from the Train: The Solving of a Century-Old Serial Killer Mystery. NY: Scribner ISBN 978-1-4767-9625-3.
- Thomas McClung (2017). "The Man from the Train: The Solving of a Century-Old Serial Killer Mystery." New York Journal of Books. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
- Elon Green (2017). "The Father-Daughter Duo Who Found the Truth Behind a String of Century-Old Murders." MelMag.com. Archived 2019-01-04.
- For her initial data on Mueller, McCarthy James cites History of the Department of Police Service of Worcester, Mass., from 1674 to 1900, Historical and Biographical (1900) by Herbert M. Sawyer.
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 Known Murder
Paul Mueller is linked to the murder of a family in West Brookfield, Massachusetts.
Pattern of Murders Identified
Bill James begins research into a series of family murders across North America, suspecting a serial killer.
Villisca Axe Murders
A family of six and two guests are brutally murdered in Villisca, Iowa, raising suspicions of a serial killer.
Public Reaction
The book receives mixed reviews, with some praising the research while others question its conclusiveness.
Case Reopened
The publication of the book prompts renewed interest in the unsolved murders attributed to Mueller.
Research Findings
Jameses discover evidence linking over 59 murders to Paul Mueller, suggesting he may have killed over 100.
Mueller's Profile Established
The authors compile a profile of Paul Mueller, detailing his methods and possible motives.
Book Published
Bill James and Rachel McCarthy James publish 'The Man from the Train', identifying Paul Mueller as a serial killer.