John Hoolulu Siemsen

Serial Killer

John Ho'olulu Siemsen and the San Francisco Gas-Pipe Murders

Background

John Ho'olulu Siemsen was a Hawaiian-born murderer and robber who became one of the principal figures in the San Francisco gas-pipe murders of 1906. He was born in Hawaii, reportedly in November 1885, although some official records gave an earlier birth year. Siemsen eventually traveled to California and became involved with Louis V. Dabner, who served as his partner during a short but exceptionally violent series of robberies, assaults, and killings. The crimes occurred only months after the devastating San Francisco earthquake and fires of April 1906. Large portions of the city had been destroyed, many residents had been displaced, and law-enforcement resources were strained. Siemsen and Dabner took advantage of this unsettled environment by targeting small businesses where proprietors often worked alone. Their preferred method was to approach victims under the appearance of being ordinary customers and then attack them suddenly with heavy metal objects. The pair became known as the "gas-pipe thugs," "gas-pipe murderers," or "Gas-Pipe Gang" because a length of iron gas pipe was used during several attacks. Their objective was robbery, but they repeatedly struck victims in the head with enough force to kill or permanently disable them. At least three men were murdered, while several other victims survived serious assaults.

The Beginning of the Crime Series

One of the earliest attacks attributed to Siemsen and Dabner occurred on July 10, 1906. The victim, identified in historical accounts as Dr. Leland, was assaulted during a robbery but survived. Details about the incident are limited, although it was later included among the violent offenses connected to the pair. The attacks soon became fatal. Siemsen and Dabner selected businesses where they could isolate the owner, pretend to examine merchandise, and wait until there were no witnesses nearby. After gaining the victim's attention, one man could distract or restrain him while the other delivered crushing blows. Money, watches, and other valuables were then taken from the premises. ...

Confirmed Victims: (3)

Johannes Pfitzner , Date of Death: August 20, 1906

Survivors:

Dr. Leland , Date of Attack: July 10, 1906

A. Sasaki , Date of Attack: October 3, 1906

Henry Behrend , Date of Attack: November 3, 1906

John Ho'olulu Siemsen (1885-1908) - Memorials - Find a Grave