Myra Schmidt, around 22 years old, was killed in her isolated cabin in February 1919. Later that year, a jury convicted John “Whiskey Jack” Gaslow of her murder.
on Alaska history by local historian David Reamer. Have a question about Anchorage or Alaska history or an idea for a future article? Go to the form at the bottom of this story.
Schmidt, also known as Molly Brown and Molly Smith, was last seen alive in the early morning of Feb. 8, 1919. Locals saw her leave a Japanese restaurant on her way back to the isolated cabin that was her home and workplace. That was Saturday. She was around 22 and had only been in Juneau for about six weeks. Like most prostitutes in Alaska then, she was her own boss, without pimp or enforcer. And she was successful.
As noted by several Alaska newspapers, Schmidt was one of several Alaska “women of the underworld” murder victims in recent years. There had been Rose Selberg in 1918 McCarthy and a woman in Douglas just a few months earlier. Over six months later, William Dempsey killed Marie Lavor in Anchorage and tossed her body down a well.
At Skagway, the Estebeth was quarantined due to the influenza pandemic. Before the passengers could be cleared to disembark, officials there arrested Gaslow. He initially refused to let them search the suitcase, which was later identified as belonging to Schmidt. The case’s contents included a mink cape, mink hand muff, silk garters, silk panties, two pairs of women’s shoes, a bra and several other feminine articles, 77 of them in all.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
On this day in 1919On this day in 1919, a white mob began assaulting random Black Americans after a white woman was allegedly attacked in Washington, D.C.
Read more »
On this day in 1919On this day in 1919, a melee between Black and white Chicago citizens began after a Black youth mistakenly swam into white-claimed territory and drowned.
Read more »
Stolen bronze statues returned to Cerritos nearly a decade after they were stolenDeputies said that the statues resurfaced after a suspect tried to sell them back to the original artist.
Read more »
Tim Walz, Accused of Stolen Valor, Voted ‘Yea’ on the Stolen Valor ActSource of breaking news and analysis, insightful commentary and original reporting, curated and written specifically for the new generation of independent and conservative thinkers.
Read more »
2 found dead in Santee home, Sheriff investigatingMyra Wu is a digital content producer for ABC 10News.
Read more »
Parking fines are about to get more expensive in Juneau’s downtown garagesStarting on Aug. 28, the current $25 ticket for a first parking offense will bump up to $35.
Read more »