Episode 586: The Murder of Bessie Darling

The early 20th century was a defining period for Bessie Darling, who overcame personal and economic challenges to establish a business that would navigate the tumultuous years of war and depression.

Early Life

Born Bessie Warren on August 4th, 1885, in Baltimore, Maryland, Bessie was the eldest child of John and Fanny Warren. The Warrens, of German descent, were a lower-middle-class family. John Warren owned their house free and clear and operated a successful grocery business, setting the family's financial conditions above the average for the time. As the oldest of four children, Bessie played a significant role in her household, helping with domestic duties and caring for her siblings. Bessie’s education extended through the eighth grade, which was typical for girls in late 19th-century Baltimore.

Marriage and Initial Setbacks

In 1902, Bessie married Charles "Howard" Darling, a man whose family owned a successful commercial bakery. However, their fortune took a downturn when the bakery faced a decline due to mismanagement in 1907, which led to Howard working as a clerk and a fall in the family's social status. This financial strain contributed to the breakdown of their marriage, resulting in a divorce in 1917.

Securing Independence

Before their divorce, around 1914, Bessie took up a job as a secretary for a prominent Baltimore conductor, Joseph Posh, to support her family. This job not only provided her with financial stability but also with social connections within the Baltimore music scene. Bessie’s work relationship with Posh lasted until his death in 1926 and laid the groundwork for her next business venture – running a summer boarding house.

Entrepreneurial Venture

With financial backing from an acquaintance, referred to as "that guy Posh," Bessie acquired and renamed Mount Lent to Valley ...

The relationship between Bessie and George Schultz is marked by its passion as well as its violent discord, culminating in a breakup that stoked George's anger and jealousy.

In 1929, Bessie met George Schultz, a former Baltimore health department inspector, while he was staying at the Valley View Manor.

George Schultz, a former health department inspector, became a guest at Valley View Manor in the summer of 1929. It was there that he met Bessie, and the two began a near four-year romantic relationship. However, this relationship was marred by incidents of George's abusive and unstable behavior. His penchant for heavy drinking often led to public scenes and even physical assault, with one such incident occurring in plain view at the post office. Even with multiple witnesses to similar situations of abuse, George would deny the romantic nature of their involvement, claiming he knew Mrs. Darling merely as a neighbor with no grounds for jealousy.

In 1933, Bessie broke off her relationship with George, angering him and leading him to threaten her.

Despite George's denials, it was clear that he became irrationally jealous and angry after Bessie decided to end their relationship. His ...

The tragic event that unfolded at Valley View Manor on Halloween in 1933 resulted in the death of Bessie Darling and led to a lengthy judicial process for her assailant, George Schultz.

On Halloween morning 1933, George traveled from Baltimore to the Valley View Manor and confronted Bessie, forcing his way into her bedroom.

George Schultz, taking a pistol from within his jacket, ominously hinted at the possibility of violence while traveling from Baltimore to Valley View Manor. Upon arrival, George demanded to see Bessie and pushed past the maid, Maisie Willard, gaining entry into the house. Despite finding Bessie's bedroom door locked, George forced his way in and shot Bessie. The maid, as well as train conductor Ervin Ence, offered testimonies that indicated a premeditated act. Ence recalled George showing his health department badge and gun and suggesting there would be a "shooting match" that day. Ultimately, George broke down the bedroom door, entered, and immediately shot Bessie in the chest, severing an artery and leading to her instantaneous death.

George shot and killed Bessie, claiming it was in self-defense, though the evidence contradicted this.

While George Schultz claimed self-defense, arguing that Bessie had threatened him with her own pistol, evidence suggested otherwise. Autopsy findings indicated Bessie had been lying down when shot, and her safety was still engaged on her gun, found away from her hand. George's previous admission of jealousy and changing his story to claim self-defense weakened his position. His initial statement conceded to the act out of jealousy, but he later claimed to have acted in self-defense when allegedly threatened by Bessie. George also shot himself post-event, further discrediting his version of the events.

George was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 18 years in prison.

George Schultz faced a court trial where prosecutor Walter Sin argued that the murder had been premeditated, citing previous threats made by George against Bessie. The defense, however, attempted to argue that it was a crime of passion or self-defense. Eventually, the jury did not believe George's self-defense claim, and he was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 18 years in prison. Despite an emotional protest ...