The story of the Burt Murders only on Austin Ghost Tours
It was a quiet neighborhood in downtown Austin. A collection of Victorian homes just one block from the hustle and bustle of the Avenue – which is how Congress Avenue was known for years. And when July 25, 1896 dawned, it seemed like any other Saturday morning in Austin, Texas during it’s “golden era” of prosperity.
Until the bodies were found. Even before entering, they were met by a foreboding odor and inside, they could hear “the ominous hum of myriad of flies underneath the floor in the basement.” The smell was traced to the cistern and Sheriff White and Justice Johnson were summoned. The mutilated bodies of Annie, a toddler and an infant were recovered, and handed over to Dr. Graves for examination. Oddly enough, this was done at Mr. Miller’s establishment where all their furniture went – because back in those days, shops that provided furnishings also provided the last piece of custom furniture you’ll ever need: your coffin.
https://www.austinchronicle.com/features/2001-01-26/killer-reputation/
Written by Monica Ballard
