H.H. Holmes, known for his Chicago ‘House of Horrors,’ was executed at Moyamensing Prison this week in Philadelphia history.

As dawn broke on May 7, 1896, a throng of onlookers gathered outside the imposing walls of Moyamensing Prison in Philadelphia, eager to witness the execution of Herman Webster Mudgett, infamously known as H.H. Holmes. He is widely recognized as one of America’s earliest serial killers. The scene was charged with anticipation, as police struggled to maintain order among the crowd, who pressed against the gates despite being unable to see or hear the events unfolding inside.

Holmes’ notoriety stems primarily from his construction of a nefarious hotel in Chicago, dubbed the “Murder Castle,” where he lured and killed numerous victims between 1886 and 1894. However, it was not until he murdered a business associate in Philadelphia that law enforcement began to unravel the true scope of his heinous activities. In his written confession, Holmes claimed to have committed 27 murders, though some historians suggest the number may have exceeded 200.

This infamous “Murder Castle” was located near the site of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, featuring a labyrinthine layout designed for sinister purposes. The building included trapdoors, sliding walls, airtight rooms, and dissection tables, all intended for the macabre tasks Holmes had in mind. He preyed predominantly on young women visiting for the World’s Fair or those he employed, luring them with false promises of love and wealth before subjecting them to his deadly schemes.

After leaving Chicago, Holmes returned to Philadelphia in 1894, fleeing financial obligations related to his Castle. He attempted to orchestrate a fraudulent scheme with a supposed accomplice, Benjamin Pitezel, intending to fake Pitezel’s death to collect a ,000 insurance payout. In a shocking turn, Holmes killed Pitezel in a horrific manner, making the death appear accidental to claim the funds for himself.

The legal consequences of his actions came swiftly, culminating in a trial for Pitezel’s murder, where the jury found him guilty, leading to a death sentence. Following his conviction, Holmes’ shocking confession was published in The Inquirer, detailing his moral failings and claims of degeneracy.

On the day of his execution, Holmes stood on the scaffold, where he briefly maintained his innocence. However, when asked if he was prepared to meet his fate, his calm response—”Yes, goodbye”—marked the end of a dark chapter in American criminal history. The spectacle of his execution served as a grim reminder of the complexities of human behavior and the voyeuristic curiosity surrounding crime.