Murder Victim. A Norwegian immigrant, she lived on an island off the shore of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with her sister-in-law, Karen Anne Christensen. On March 6, 1873, Louis Wagner came to shore in hopes of robbing the two ladies and instead hacked them to death with an axe. The force of the blows was so terrible that the handle of the axe broke. Wagner was tried and hanged in Maine on June 25, 1875. The murders were the subject of many books and poems. They include, "The Weight Of Water" by Anita Shreve, "Ballad Of Louis Wagner" by John Parrault, and "A Memorable Murder" by Celia Thaxter. There is also a movie in the works by director Oliver Stone.
Murder Victim. A Norwegian immigrant, she lived on an island off the shore of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with her sister-in-law, Karen Anne Christensen. On March 6, 1873, Louis Wagner came to shore in hopes of robbing the two ladies and instead hacked them to death with an axe. The force of the blows was so terrible that the handle of the axe broke. Wagner was tried and hanged in Maine on June 25, 1875. The murders were the subject of many books and poems. They include, "The Weight Of Water" by Anita Shreve, "Ballad Of Louis Wagner" by John Parrault, and "A Memorable Murder" by Celia Thaxter. There is also a movie in the works by director Oliver Stone.
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See more Christensen or Matea memorials in:
- Harmony Grove Cemetery Christensen or Matea
- Portsmouth Christensen or Matea
- Rockingham County Christensen or Matea
- New Hampshire Christensen or Matea
- USA Christensen or Matea
- Find a Grave Christensen or Matea
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