The Auguste Delagrange Case

By Crusader1307

Many ''Followers'' of The Macabre debate the validity of The Case of Auguste Delagrange. Perhaps, due to the almost complete lack of evidence - save a rather bizarre ''offering'' on E-Bay, much of this Story is unproven (none the less unlikely, as you will see). Our Tale is set in New Orleans, Louisiana (US).....the year is 1905. A ''strange Man'' named Auguste Delagrange was known to ''haunt'' the more ''seedier sides'' of The Quarter in and around Rue Bourbon (Street). By some accounts, He was a ''Tall, gaunt Man'' - One who appeared to NEVER seek sunlight. He dressed in Black always. In the bars and ''Houses of Ill Repute'', he made ''friends'' with the many Prostitutes, Pimps and Gamblers (perhaps for good reason). But after the Summer of 1905-06, may  of His ''friends'' would be found murdered in their homes. But not just murdered, butchered. Chopped up, Police found that absolutely NO BLOOD could be found, either on the remains or anywhere in the crime scene. Every ''part'' it seems, as ''drained of blood and fluids''. Police began to stake out Delagrange (given as being in the company of most of the Victims when They were ''alive''). But The Police couldn't surveil him during the daylight hours.....They could not ''find Him''.

The Case drew the attention of a rather ''radical'' Catholic Priest. Radical, in that He was friends with a local ''Houngon'' (Voodoo) Priest. The two determined that Delagrange was a ''demonic Entity'', possibly a Vampire. After many years of ''sleuthing'', the two located the ''whereabouts'' of Delagrane. Found ''sleeping in a coffin'', they staked Him thru His ''Evil Heart'' (even removing it when The Vampire's body ''crumbled away'' - leaving only the ''foul organ still impaled on the Oak Stake''). This was in 1912. Now to the matter of ''Police Evidence'' - there is none. Of the many floods and hurricanes that plague The ''Delta States'', any record was lost (supposedly). But it was not until the mid-2000s that a rather strange item was offered up on of all places.....E-Bay.

The ''anonymous'' Seller stated He (or She) was selling a ''wooden case'' which contained a preserved ''Human Heart''. The organ had a large hole in it. It was accompanied by a long  dried, blood-stained wooden stake. But of even more oddness....was a long ''explanation'' of The Delagrange Case, supposedly penned by our two ''Supernatural Crime Fighters'' in 1912. The box appeared to be of the correct age, but as for The Heart? It is unclear just ''how'' it was preserved - but it IS Human. And incidentally? It was purchased by an ''unknown Buyer''. ''Believe What You Will........''