The “Axeman” of New Orleans Claimed His Last Victim. From May 1918 to October 1919, New Orleans Lived Through the Terrifying Reign of America’s “Jack the Ripper.” October 27, 1919.

On this day in history, October 27, 1919, the “Axeman” of New Orleans claimed his last victim. From May 1918 to October 1919, New Orleans lived through the terrifying reign of America’s “Jack the Ripper.” The city was held hostage by an unknown assailant. He would break into people’s homes at night and use their axes to slaughter them. Most of his victims were Italians which caused people to consider that the attacks were ethnically motivated.