Mary Syeboldt

Case record: Mary Syeboldt

Mary Syeboldt was a wife and mother who poisoned her four children with strychnine and then committed suicide.

People

• Mary Syeboldt — mother; administered strychnine to her children; committed suicide.
• Caspar Syeboldt — baker; wife’s husband; arrived home after working all night.
• Matilda Syeboldt — child of Mary Syeboldt; 12 years old; laid out as for burial; was “just breathing” when Caspar arrived.
• Anton Syeboldt — child of Mary Syeboldt; 7 years old; laid out as for burial; described as “stone dead.”
• Annie Syeboldt — child of Mary Syeboldt; 2 years and six months old; laid out as for burial; described as “stone dead.”
• Agnes Syeboldt — child of Mary Syeboldt; 3 1/2 months old; laid out as for burial; described as “stone dead.”
• Caspar Seyboldt — the husband is also written as “Casper Seyboldt” in the narrative.

Background

At Chicago, last Saturday morning, Mary Syeboldt, aged thirty-five years, wife of Caspar Syeboldt, a baker, murdered her four children and then committed suicide.

The offence

Poisoning and deaths

At the time Caspar Syeboldt arrived home, the four children were laid out as for burial. They were described as dressed in white trimmed with blue ribbon, with flowers.

• Matilda Syeboldt, aged twelve, was “just breathing.”
• Anton Syeboldt, aged seven, was described as “stone dead.”
• Annie Syeboldt, aged two years and six months, was described as “stone dead.”
• Agnes Syeboldt, aged less than four months, was described as “stone dead.”

The narrative states that Mrs. Syeboldt managed to tell that she gave the poison to her children first, laid them out, and then prepared herself for death, taking the remnant of a large dose of strychnine. She died in great agony shortly after 7 o’clock, and was laid out beside her children.

Method

• Strychnine was administered to the children by their mother, Mary Syeboldt.

Investigation

After Caspar hurried to summon a physician, the physician “could do nothing for the dying girl,” referring to Matilda.

Letters written by Matilda were described as showing that the poisoning was arranged by Matilda and the mother. An extract from Matilda’s letter is provided verbatim.

“I will tell you the story of our trouble.. My mother was always sick, you know, and thought of dying often, and thought how, if she were dead, we would be treated, and so thought it best for us all to die at once, and bought something to kill us. The baby first, Annie second, Tony third and I after, and then my mother. We did not suffer much and now we are all out of trouble.”

Arrest

No arrest is described.

Trial

No trial is described.

Sentencing

No sentencing is described.

Outcome

Mary Syeboldt poisoned her four children with strychnine and then committed suicide at the same time and place.

Timeline

• Saturday, 5 o’clock in the morning — Caspar Syeboldt arrived home after working all night.
• Saturday, shortly after 7 o’clock — Mary Syeboldt died in great agony after taking strychnine.

Other details

Mary Syeboldt was dressed in a new chemise trimmed with lace and blue ribbons, purchased “especially for the awful occasion.” When Caspar arrived, she said:

“Come in, Casper: come in,” she said, waveing her hand, “and see our little children. They are all dead, gone to heaven, Casper. See how pretty they are. Every one has got nice flowers for the angels.”

Mrs. Syeboldt followed Caspar into the bedroom and said:

“Yes, I sent them all to heaven because God wanted them.”

The narrative places the incident in connection with 401 S. Clark St. and 22d St. Station.

The excerpted report is identified as: The Standard (Albert Lea, Minnesota) Jun 22, 1882.

Quotations

• Mary Syeboldt, wife of Caspar Syeboldt, said:
• Mary Syeboldt said:
• Matilda Syeboldt’s letters were quoted in an extract: