Crime Board - Teuta and Angelina

Beulah Annan was a woman who was tried for murdering her boyfriend, Harry Kalstedt, in the mid 1920s. Beulah was known for her beautiful face and presence, which many say is the reason she was able to escape prosecution. Although Beulah was married, she had an affair with Harry and later divorced from her husband Alfred Annan, seeking a life of lights and luxury.

Beulah Annan

Beulah Annan

Harry Kalstedt

Harry Kalstedt was the lover of Beulah Annan. In the 1920's, Harry was shot in the back by Beulah, the conflict that led to this murder, however, is still in question. According to Beulah, she shot Harry in self-defense, but if this was the case, how could the gunshot come from the back? In another statement, Beulah said she shot him because he threatened to leave her but none of the claims made can be confirmed.

Albert Annan was the second husband of Beulah Annon. After Harry Kalstedt was murdered, Albert was the first person Beulah contacted and although it was confirmed Beulah was having an affair, Albert stood by faithfully during her trial.

Albert Annan

Albert Annan

However, the day after Beulah was acquitted, she filed for a divorce from Albert.

On May 24, 1924, Beulah Annan was found "not guilty" by the jury on account of "self-defense." However, it is still unclear what really happened in the murder of Harry Kalstedt, many believe Beulah used the power of her appearance to persuade the jury that consisted of only men.

Maurine Dallas Watkins

Maurine Watkins was a reporter for the Chicago Tribune who became famous after her stories on both Beulah and Belva. The stories Maurine wrote, although sometimes glamorized, captured the attention of Chicago people. Maurine went on to write a play about Beulah and Belva, along with other "girls of murder city." This play was then adapted into the hit musical "Chicago."

Topic

Belva Gaertner

Belva Gaertner was Walter's mistress, she was accused of shooting him in the head. Belva was even found with blood soaked clothes in her apartment yet she claimed she was too drunk to recall anything.

Walter Law

Walter Law was a married car salesman who was found dead shot in the head in Belva's car, it was alleged that Belva, his mistress, did it in her drunken state.

Belva was known as the stylish one by the media and well liked by them, this helped her receive the not guilty verdict.

"The reporters loved Belva: She was a hoot and treated them as her guest, offering snacks and tea" ( Douglas Perry 54).

Murderess Row, Cook County Jail

Murderess Row was a cell block in the Cook County Jail of Chicago filled with the many female killers of "The Girls of Murder City" including both Belva Gaertner and Beulah Annan.

Chicago in the 1920s was filled with sensationalism and the desire to kill. Specifically, women of this time wanted to live glamorous lives worthy of being read.

1920s Chicago