Nettie Flake Higgins was murdered by her husband, Robert Higgins, aged 26. At first the police accepted the explanation that it was an accident common in those days: he had been cleaning his gun and it went off, killing her. He was in the clear until Nettie's brother, who had not been on speaking terms with his sister, stepped forward with two letters written by Nettie's then 14 year old daughter, Julia Flake. In them, Julia promised her uncle $7,000 from her inheritance if he would kill her mother, and be quick about it. Julia had a pressing problem: like her mother, she, too, was pregnant by Higgins.
Apparently Nettie Higgins had become aware of the illicit relationship between her daughter and husband, but did not know her daughter was pregnant. Confronted with the letters, Julia quickly collapsed and confessed (on her 15th birthday), throwing all the blame on that devil, Robert Higgins, who had 'tempted' her. Higgins also confessed (although he later recanted), saying it was all Julia's idea, and that she had been standing behind him when he fired the fatal shot killing her mother. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Julia was charged, but never tried; she was sent to a reformatory briefly. In 1920, she was living with her uncle and his family. Nothing more is known about her, Higgins, or their love child.
Apparently Nettie Higgins had become aware of the illicit relationship between her daughter and husband, but did not know her daughter was pregnant. Confronted with the letters, Julia quickly collapsed and confessed (on her 15th birthday), throwing all the blame on that devil, Robert Higgins, who had 'tempted' her. Higgins also confessed (although he later recanted), saying it was all Julia's idea, and that she had been standing behind him when he fired the fatal shot killing her mother. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Julia was charged, but never tried; she was sent to a reformatory briefly. In 1920, she was living with her uncle and his family. Nothing more is known about her, Higgins, or their love child.
Nettie Flake Higgins was murdered by her husband, Robert Higgins, aged 26. At first the police accepted the explanation that it was an accident common in those days: he had been cleaning his gun and it went off, killing her. He was in the clear until Nettie's brother, who had not been on speaking terms with his sister, stepped forward with two letters written by Nettie's then 14 year old daughter, Julia Flake. In them, Julia promised her uncle $7,000 from her inheritance if he would kill her mother, and be quick about it. Julia had a pressing problem: like her mother, she, too, was pregnant by Higgins.
Apparently Nettie Higgins had become aware of the illicit relationship between her daughter and husband, but did not know her daughter was pregnant. Confronted with the letters, Julia quickly collapsed and confessed (on her 15th birthday), throwing all the blame on that devil, Robert Higgins, who had 'tempted' her. Higgins also confessed (although he later recanted), saying it was all Julia's idea, and that she had been standing behind him when he fired the fatal shot killing her mother. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Julia was charged, but never tried; she was sent to a reformatory briefly. In 1920, she was living with her uncle and his family. Nothing more is known about her, Higgins, or their love child.
Apparently Nettie Higgins had become aware of the illicit relationship between her daughter and husband, but did not know her daughter was pregnant. Confronted with the letters, Julia quickly collapsed and confessed (on her 15th birthday), throwing all the blame on that devil, Robert Higgins, who had 'tempted' her. Higgins also confessed (although he later recanted), saying it was all Julia's idea, and that she had been standing behind him when he fired the fatal shot killing her mother. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Julia was charged, but never tried; she was sent to a reformatory briefly. In 1920, she was living with her uncle and his family. Nothing more is known about her, Higgins, or their love child.
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