The East Texas town of Jefferson is a quant community located not far from Caddo Lake, Big Cypress Bayou, and the Louisiana border. With a population of under 2000, it has become a popular tourist stop. Two historic hotels, The Jefferson Hotel and the Excelsior are said to be haunted. (I’ve stayed in both and never saw a ghost.)
Jefferson was founded around 1841. Between 1845 and 1872 the town reached a population reported to exceed 30,000 people. At that time, it was the sixth largest city in the state. In 1877, Jefferson became the site of the first big-name murder trial in Texas.
On January 19, 1877, a well-dressed man and woman calling themselves “A. Monroe and wife,” got off the train. They registered at the Brooks House in Jefferson. A. Monroe was an alias for Abraham Rothschild, son of a Cincinnati jeweler. Abraham was a traveling salesman for his father’s business. He met Bessie Moore at a brothel in Hot Springs, Arkansas a few years prior.
On the morning of Sunday, January 21, “Monroe” purchased two lunches from Henrique’s Restaurant for a picnic lunch. One of the last persons to see the couple together took note of Bessie’s large diamond rings. The two of them disappeared into the fog while crossing the footbridge over Big Cypress Creek.
Monroe returned to town that afternoon alone. When asked about his wife he stated she was visiting some friends in the country and would meet him on Tuesday morning for their planned departure. That morning the staff of Brooks House found the room empty. “A. Monroe” departed alone by train with the couple’s luggage.
A week of snow and cold followed. After the weather warmed up, a local resident, Sarah King, was in search of firewood when she found the body of a well-dressed woman near an oak tree. The remnants of a picnic lunch were nearby. The coroner ruled the woman died from a gunshot wound to the head. Jefferson residents took up a collection to bury the unidentified body in Oakwood Cemetery.
A week of snow and bad weather followed this, and after it began to warm up, Sarah King, while out looking for firewood, found the body of a well-dressed woman, without jewelry, near a twisted oak. The remnants of a picnic lunch were also found near the tree. The coroner ruled that the woman died due to a gunshot wound in the head. The citizens of Jefferson took up a collection and buried the unidentified body at Oakwood Cemetery.
Authorities issued a warrant for the arrest of A. Monroe on suspicion of murder. After learning “Monroe” left on an eastbound train and that he had previously registered in a Marshall, Texas hotel as A. Rothschild and wife from Cincinnati, Ohio, a new warrant was issued for Abraham Rothschild of Cincinnati. The victim was identified as Bessie Moore.
Back in Cincinnati, Rothschild drank heavily. Convinced someone was following him, he walked into the street and attempted to kill himself. He only succeeded in blinding his right eye. He was arrested while in the hospital. Texas and Marion County officials went to Cincinnati to identify and extradite him. His family put up a fight, but on March 19, extradition was approved.
Because of the Rothchild family’s social status, the case drew interest. Public fascination with the murder was comparable to the more recent trials of O. J. Simpson or the Menendez brothers. Texas governor Richard B. Hubbard stated the murder was “A crime unparalleled in the record of blood.”
The Rothschild family secured a change of venue and in December 1878, the case went to trial in Marshall, Texas. After three weeks, the jury found him guilty of murder, but the case was overturned by appeal.
A second trial began on December 22, 1880, this time in Jefferson. Rothschild didn’t testify in his defense, but his lawyers managed to plant doubts in the minds of jury members. He was acquitted and returned to Cincinnati with his family.
Rumors began to circulate, such as the jury being bribed, and that Bessie was pregnant at the time of her death. These rumors haven’t been proven. In the 1890s a handsome, elderly man wearing a patch over his right eye asked to see the grave of Bessie Moore. Upon visiting, he laid roses on it, knelt in prayer, commented on the goodness of the citizens to provide a decent burial, and gave the caretaker money for the care of the grave. Folklore asserts that this was a repentant Rothschild visiting the grave.
Since 1955, during its annual Pilgrimage Festival, produces a play titled The Diamond Bessie Murder Trial, derived from court transcripts, is performed. The case is still officially unsolved.
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44 Responses
Interesting. It’s a shame they never found her killer. It also makes you wonder if that was really Rothschild at the grave. Whether or not he was guilty, it sure sounds like it.
I’d put money on Rothschild, but who knows? It does make an interesting mystery.
I’d say Rothschild is guilty. A shame money and social influence can distort the justice system so easily 🙂
Sadly, that happens all too often. Even today.
Yup!
If it was the scene of a picnic, it does sound like a lovers’ location, and it makes Rothschild look guilty! Then again, if he witnessed her murder and fled, it might explain why later he thought someone was following him. Too bad they didn’t have modern forensics back then.
That’s a good point, Priscilla. Now you have me thinking.
Some amazing twists here. I’d bet it was him at the grave after the fact. No access to modern techniques and a lot of unsolved murders happened.
Modern science and technology have certainly made it easier to solve crimes.
Fascinating, Joan. I’m with you — seems like Rothschild murdered her, but who knows? 🙄
Yep, he could have been innocent, but why act so suspicious if he didn’t?
An interesting case. I can see how he would appear guilty. And I would bet that was him at the grave.
I agree with you on all counts, Jeanne.
Thank you for sharing this most interesting information. Rothchild may be guilty but only he knows for sure. It appears that he was.
Someone knew the truth. That’s for sure. Thanks, Karen.
He sure seems guilty to me. Can’t believe he didn’t even try to hide the body. Kind of makes you wonder.
I know, right? Priscilla’s comment has me thinking about a different angle. It’s an interesting case for sure.
What a fasciating mystery! I’m guessing Rothschild was the murderer as well. Would it have been common during that time period for someone to bring a gun to a picnic?
I’d bet money on him. I think a lot of folks carried guns in those days, so probably wasn’t uncommon. We have warm days here during the winter months, but I still can’t imagine going on a picnic in January!
I wasn’t sure whether it was common for people to carry a gun to a picnic with their spouse.
Now, I understand what you meant. I wouldn’t think it would be common unless he planned something or was in fear of someone.
Yes, that’s was I was asking!
Forgive me. It’s Monday, after all. 🙂
🙂
Sometimes the entitled think they’re beyond touchable. Seems he was in the end, though the authorities tried. What a tragic story.
It is a tragic story. I hate when people use wealth and privilege to manipulate the justice system.
Sounds like his family’s money got him off. His trying to kill himself speaks loudly to his guilt.
Sure sounds like guilt, doesn’t it? Thanks, Denise.
Great story, Joan. Priscilla has a point. I would wonder why he wouldn’t go to the police if he witnessed a murder. It may be because he may have known the killer and maybe was in trouble with some wise guys. Or simply, He killed her.
Lots of things to ponder for sure, John.
Yes there are.
Fascinating story, Joan. So many questions left unanswered.
That’s true, Nancy. And at this late date, no one will ever know for sure.
What a fun post today, Joan. I’ve actually attended the play and loved it. My mom was fascinated with the mystery and went to see the play multiple times. I think Rothschild murdered Bessie. Maybe she was pregnant with his child and that complicated his life. At any rate, the murder remains unsolved. Thank you for sharing!
That’s cool, Jan. I’d like to see the play sometime. We love Jefferson. It’s such a neat little town to visit.
Just enough information to make the case confusing. Did he feel guilty because he killed her or because he ran away after someone else did? Someone might have wanted her diamond rings. A fun post!
A big mystery for sure, Judi!
😊
It seems like an open and shut case, doesn’t it? She’s found near the picnic site and he’s on the run. It’s weird that he wasn’t convicted.
Guess it was because of his family’s money. He sure seemed guilty.
Maybe not such a mystery, Joan. The wealthy can get away with a lot of mischief, including murder. True a hundred years ago and true today. Thanks for the fun!
Sure sounds like he did, Diana.
It’s amazing what money can do. However, money can’t buy everything. There will be some type of retribution, but we will never know.
I agree. If he killed her, he will have to pay for his crime.