Jesse Harding Pomeroy: The Boston Boy Fiend
Early Life and Troubled Beginnings
Jesse Harding Pomeroy was born in 1859 in Charlestown, Massachusetts. From an early age, he displayed disturbing tendencies of violence and cruelty, particularly toward other children. By the age of 11, he had begun torturing young boys in the Boston area, often luring them into isolated areas where he would beat and mutilate them.
The First Wave of Attacks (1871-1872)
Between 1871 and 1872, Pomeroy targeted multiple young boys, brutally attacking them with knives and other sharp objects. Many of his victims survived but were left scarred both physically and mentally. His known victims during this period included:
- William Paine - Attacked in 1871 in Chelsea, Massachusetts.
- Robert Gould - Mutilated in 1871 in South Boston.
- Tracy Hayden - Attacked in 1872 and left severely wounded.
After multiple complaints, Jesse was arrested in 1872 and sent to the Westborough House of Reformation. Despite being sentenced to stay until he was 18, he was released early in 1874 due to his young age and supposed rehabilitation.
Escalation to Murder (1874)
Upon his release, Pomeroy quickly escalated his violence to murder. His first known victim was a young girl:
- Katie Curran (Age 10) - Disappeared on March 18, 1874. Her body was later discovered in the basement of Pomeroy’s mother's dress shop, hidden under a pile of ashes.
Shortly after, another brutal killing followed:
- Horace Millen (Age 4) - Found brutally murdered on April 22, 1874. His body was discovered in a marsh in South Boston, displaying multiple stab wounds, slashes, and signs of extreme torture.
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