53. HE HAD IT COMING...or did he? - The Women of "Chicago": Beulah Annan & Belva Gaertner

HE HAD IT COMING...or did he? This week, we take a look at the true stories that inspired the musical, Chicago. First, Rachel tells the story of Beulah Annan, the inspiration for Roxie Hart. Beulah was born in a small town but had dreams of someday moving to the big city. After her first marriage, Beulah connected with Al Annan. They married and moved to Chicago. Everything would change for Beulah on April 3rd, 1924 when Beulah was arrested for the murder of her lover, Harry Kalstedt. Was it murder? Was it self-defense? Did they both reach for the gun?? Next, Nathalie covers the case of Belva Gaertner who inspired the character Velma Kelly. Belva was accused of shooting and killing her lover, Walter Law. He was found in the front seat of Belva's car with a bottle of gin and a gun lying next to him. Belva was found at her apartment covered in blood. She claimed to not remember what happened that night. It would be up to an all male jury to decide her fate. Rachel's Sources https://deadlywomen.fandom.com/wiki/Beulah_Annan https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-ent-maurine-watkins-death-chicago-0811-20190808-brawaoyqvfgpfcllukd4z7riym-story.html https://www.csmonitor.com/Books/chapter-and-verse/2010/0903/Murderesses-Row-guns-gams-and-glamour-in-1920s-Chicago