Polly Bartlett

Serial Killer

Polly Bartlett: The Murderess of Slaughterhouse Gulch

Background

Polly Bartlett, also known as "The Murderess of Slaughterhouse Gulch," was a notorious figure in the Wyoming Territory during the 19th century. She is said to have been the first serial killer in Wyoming, before it was even incorporated as a state. Polly and her father, Jim Bartlett, operated a lodge in South Pass City, where they lured wealthy travelers and businessmen, ultimately leading to their demise.

Crimes

Polly Bartlett's modus operandi involved poisoning her victims with arsenic-laced meals and whiskey. Her father, Jim, assisted in burying the bodies on their property. The Bartletts' criminal activities began in Ohio, where they ran a saloon and robbed isolated men. They later moved to Wyoming, where they constructed a lodge to continue their murderous schemes. ...

Confirmed Victims: (3)

Lewis Nichols

The Poisonous Hostess: The Lethal Legacy of Polly Bartlett | by J.R.