The PBS program History Detectives investigates mysteries that have remained unsolved in American history for generations. Their most recent case takes them to Austin where they look into the Texas Servant Girl Murders of 1884-85. Over the course of a year, six African-American servants and two white women were brutally murdered. The modus operandi was similar in each instance: the assailant attacked the victim with an ax while she slept in bed; the killer would then drag the girl outside, where she was then assaulted and killed. Will they find their man? Watch below; be warned, this is a gruesome tale but it is an excellent example of practical historic research and it points out some great resources in the Austin area.
Posted on: Sat, 19 Jul 2014 13:00:01 +0000