Plus, where to trick-or-treat.
 
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69º | Rainy | 87% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 5:42 p.m.
 

Local true crime

Austin may have been the first US city to have a serial killer
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The Servant Girl Murders terrorized Austin between December 1884 and December 1885. | Photograph via the Austin History Center and Austin Public Library.
The year was 1885. The University of Texas was just closing its second year of classes, the Texas State Capitol was in the midst of construction, and a man who may have been the United States’ first serial killer was on the loose in Austin.

A man colloquially known as the Servant Girl Annihilator — whose real identity is still unknown — is believed to have murdered seven women and one man Downtown and in East Austin.

The victims were killed at their own residences between December 1884 and December 1885 — the last two murders occurred on Christmas Eve that year.

The first five women murdered were Black women, which may have contributed to mismanagement from city law enforcement and a sense of distance from white residents. Austin resident and writer O. Henry wrote in a letter that year, “Town is fearfully dull, except for the frequent raids of the Servant Girl Annihilators, who make things lively during the dead of night.”

The culprit of these murders was never tracked down, in part due to policing failures and racist treatment toward the murder victims and their partners. About 400 men were rounded up and questioned in relation to the killings, but all suspects were eventually released.

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The serial killer known as the Servant Girl Annihilator primarily targeted Downtown Austin.

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Photograph via the Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.

A quick note — the first serial killer in America is widely considered to be Dr. H. H. Holmes, who is believed to have killed several people in Chicago between 1886 and 1894. However, if the Servant Girl Annihilator is in fact responsible for all of these attacks, it would make Austin the first US city to have a serial killer.

Learn more: Watch a documentary about the Texas Servant Girl Murders on Austin PBS or read “The Midnight Assassin: Panic, Scandal, and the Hunt for America’s First Serial Killer.”
Events
Wednesday, Oct. 25
  • Werewolf Costume Contest with Happy Hearts Dog Rescue | Wednesday, Oct. 25 | 5-9 p.m. | Meanwhile Brewing Co., 3901 Promontory Point Dr., Austin | Free | Enjoy pups in costumes, a pet-friendly market, and dog tarot card readings — RSVP for the costume contest.
  • Pour the Record: Whiskey & Vinyl Reception | Wednesday, Oct. 25 | 6-8 p.m. | Acre 41, 1901 San Antonio St., Ste. 130, Austin | $20 | This unique sensory experience pays homage to Austin by blending sound and taste.
Thursday, Oct. 26
  • Records at Republic Square | Thursday, Oct. 26 | 6-9 p.m. | Republic Square, 422 Guadalupe St., Austin | Free | Join the Downtown Austin Alliance and DJ Kay Cali for some tunes in the park.
Friday, Oct. 27
  • Halloween Hootenanny | Friday, Oct. 27 | 6-8 p.m. | The Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave., Austin | $30 | This kid-friendly Halloween event includes mummy wrapping, a costume parade, a pumpkin drum set, and spooky crafts.
  • Parker McCollum | Friday, Oct. 27 | 7:30 p.m. | The Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $29-$590 | The country singer-songwriter will take the stage here in Austin.
Saturday, Oct. 28
  • Pumpkin Festival | Saturday, Oct. 28-Sunday, Oct. 29 | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | Dr. Pound Historical Farmstead, 419 Founders Park Rd., Dripping Springs | $15 | Grab the family for a day of fall-themed fun with live music, a courtyard marketplace, and seasonal bites.
Sunday, Oct. 29
  • Haunted Mansion Party | Sunday, Oct. 29 | 4-7 p.m. | Commodore Perry Estate, 4100 Red River St., Austin | $15-$35 | Indulge in Halloween festivities, including a scavenger hunt, trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating, and tarot card readings.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Giveaway

Enter to win our Ultimate Thanksgiving giveaway with Modelo

Enter to win our Ultimate Thanksgiving giveaway with Modelo
Presented by an ATXtoday Partner
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There’s nothing better than spending Thanksgiving eating, drinking + watching football with friends and family — which is why we’ve partnered with Modelo to give away the ultimate Thanksgiving prize for you and your friends to kick back and enjoy.

The Modelo Oro Ultimate Thanksgiving prize package (valued at $1,000) includes:
  • 10 cases of Modelo Oro
  • Modelo Football Riddell® replica helmet
  • Modelo Oro metal cooler
  • Modelo Oro Nike backpack
  • Modelo Oro Brooks Brothers pullover (size M-XXL available)
  • Modelo denim bib
Enter to win below by Wednesday, Nov. 8 — we’ll draw + announce the winner on Thursday, Nov. 9. Cheers, Austin.
Enter to win
News Notes
Announced
  • SXSW announced its initial keynote speakers and second round of featured speakers. The new names include AMD Chair and CEO Lisa Su, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Oates, and New York Times best-selling author Jennette McCurdy.
Sports
  • Take it from Lil Wayne — “Pickleball is the moment.” The rapper joined the ownership group of local MLP team The Texas Ranchers. Other big name owners include businesswoman Kendra Scott, country star Zach Bryan, and Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons. (Austin-American Statesman)
Civic
Open
  • Austin is now home to two new food and bev spots. Bubble tea cafe Milk + Tea opened a fourth location at 6929 Airport Blvd., while The Austin Motel welcomed a new food cart serving up hot dogs and veggie dogs. (Eater Austin)
Try This
  • The 40th annual Viva La Vida Festival and Parade — a Día de los Muertos celebration — will take place this Saturday, Oct. 28. The free event will begin with a grand procession parade at 12 p.m. on Sixth Street, starting at the Red River Street intersection. View road closures.
Austinite
  • Austin Inno recently released its top 25 inspiring and exciting local entrepreneurs under 25 — including founders working on projects like AI, mountain bike trails, and student debt. View the list. (Austin Inno)
Outdoors
  • Travis County’s burn ban has been lifted as of Tuesday, Oct. 24. If you plan to conduct outdoor burning, remember to contact your local fire department and read state regulations beforehand.
Pets
  • Nom Nom’s pre-portioned meals for dogs are made with whole-food ingredients you actually recognize — like sweet potato, beef, and pork. Get 50% off your first order (plus, free shipping).*
 
Seasonal

Trick-or-treat cheat sheet

No tricks here: Where to fill up the candy bag this Halloween
Two kids in dinosaur costumes trick or treat at the Arboretum.
The Arboretum’s Boo + Brew has activities for adults and kids alike. | Photo by Ben Porter
Want the kids to enjoy trick-or-treating, but not sure if your neighbors will shell out the good stuff? Check out these trick-or-treat events happening around town, starting this weekend.
  • Trunk-or-Treat Bash | Friday, Oct. 27 | 6-8 p.m. | SoCo Village, 3700 Payload Pass | This senior community event will feature treats, face painting, and games.
  • 6th Annual Boo & Brew | Saturday, Oct. 28 | 4-6 p.m. | The Arboretum, 10000 Research Blvd. | Adults can fill up their cups while kids fill up their bags — win, win.
  • Halloween Carnival 2023 | Sunday, Oct. 29 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel St. | Grab goodies from the trunk-or-treat + enjoy a bouncy house and scavenger hunts.
  • House on the Hill: Safe Trick-or-Treat | Tuesday, Oct. 31 | 4-6 p.m. | Pease Park, 1100 Kingsbury St. | Visit the Tudor Cottage and terrace before trick-or-treating in costume.
Planning to stick to your neighborhood? Tell us when you’ll be trick-or-treating so we can share with our readers when to stock the candy bowls and prepare the kiddos.
More treats this way
Asked

What day will you and your family be trick-or-treating?
A. Saturday, Oct. 28
B. Sunday, Oct. 29
C. Tuesday, Oct. 31
D. Other
No tricks, please
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The Wrap
 
Brianna Williams

Today’s edition by:
Brianna
From the editor
Hey, Austin. It’s Brianna, your friendly National Content Editor stepping in while London enjoys some time away. I’m currently working on perfecting my Emily (from “The Corpse Bride”) costume — I’m trying to decide between a wig or blue hairspray (yes, that’s a thing). You still have time to grab a ‘stume at one of these local spots.
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