THE DAY OF HIS EXECUTION

The final day of Doctor H. H. Holmes infamous serial killer during the Chicago Expedition in 1890. He was prominently featured In Erik Larson's "Devil In The White City" and what inspired this.

THE DAY OF HIS EXECUTION 

( THE MUSINGS OF DR. HOLMES)

By R. A. Merritt

I had the devil in me since the day that I came along

I could no more stop killing than the poet inspired to song

I built my murder castle and I killed just who I please

The need to kill others was in me, in me like a disease

I killed maybe three hundred, maybe even more

And I would have killed again and again killing was in store

I did it for the money, insurance and otherwise

I killed and killed and killed the money was but a prize 

A prize I awarded myself as the White City rose to the sky

I enjoyed hearing their terror when they begged me there and cried

Oh how I lured the pretty young women there to my side

I promised to love them they thought they'd be my bride

But the day that they met me they sealed their certain doom

All that awaited them was death, death ah coming soon

My voice it was charming a glib fellow I surely be

Disguising my real intentions the real person that be me

I told them I was a physician the one and only Doctor Holmes

And they followed me like a puppy as they close by came alone

I double crossed my partners no matter what they thought

And killed as many as I could before I was ever caught

They said I was the first one the first one in this vein

The first serial killer truly mad, and insane

But that's not my diagnosis a doctor educated

You see I loved the killing and humanity it was I hated

 

And whether I was caressed by the Devil or God made me this

I am like a plague emerging, emerging from the mist

And who cares if it was the Devil or God who made me as I am

I did what I must my friend I am a killing man

I'm not the only one either I'm not even the first

History is replete with those who like me thus sorely cursed

Who find satisfaction in carnage and what I've callous done

So open the gates of hell Devil here I come

Oh wondrous Devil I certain be your son

Author's Note

This was a very interesting tale. Holmes was a seemingly soulless individual who killed for profit and pleasure. In the end a 600 dollar debt to an famous thief was his undoing for not repaying him for contracting a competent lawyer for his defense. He was doggedly tracked down by a detective utterly disturbed by his crimes and yet at the same time trying to cope with the loss of his wife and children in a house fire. Larson is a terrific writer and I highly recommend him to everyone. Leonardo Caprio has bought the writes to Larson's book and plans to portray the villain in an upcoming movie.