A FORBIDDEN STORY OF A BEDRIDDEN LADY AND 2 NURSES ALL WITH SAME NAME STILL KEEP THE GUESTS OF HOTEL EMMA AWAKE

 

Many old hotels tend to have an eerie kind of feeling associated with them. Even after several renovations, these strange vibes won’t leave the place. While most of the people are scared of staying in such places some are eager enough to pay a higher amount for staying. Hotel Emma is not the type of place you’ve seen in American Horror Story: Hotel but guests have reportedly felt the presence of someone other than humans at midnight.

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It took not one, not two but three Emmas and an unbelievably odd chain of events for the hotel to be christened Emma.

Hotel Emma

According to the company’s official website, Hotel Emma is “a delectably unique 146-room hotel with seven top-floor suites, a handsome bar, and club room, an excellent restaurant, a purveyor of fine foods, and public spaces reminiscent of fine old hotels in far-flung locales.” Well, the huge hotel people see today started back in the early 18th century as a brewhouse. Yes, you read it correct!

Back In the 19th Century

This story took place in the historic Alamo country, in the bustling Pearl District of San Antonio, Texas. Decades before the USA faced the Prohibition (1920–33), this district witnessed one of the 19th century’s most weird cases. The case of Otto Koehler, a story of love and betrayal, wealth and destruction, conspiracy and manipulation. 

Berlin To Texas

In 1884, Otto Koehler observed the fortune present in the American brewing industry during those days. He knew nothing of this industry but he was ready to take the risk. This one step brought him all the way to Missouri, Texas from Berlin, Germany. So far, he didn’t know what the new lands had to offer but he started with the first option he got to survive. Unaware that soon his name will be etched in the history of Texas.

Otto Koehler

Otto Koehler settled in St. Louis, Missouri and started to look for options to flourish in America. After several months of interviews and research Otto finally got an offer to join the Lone Star Brewery as a Manager. The company was one of the first large mechanized breweries in the state. This proved to be his first step towards the ladder of success and wealth.

Emma Bentzen

Financially, Otto’s life was a struggle and romantically, it was much worse until he met the woman he loved and who loved him deeply. Her name was Emma Bentzen, a German native who trusted Otto with her life. When he offered her to start a new life with him in America, she agreed right away and came to the new country with her man. Sadly,  this couple wouldn’t withstand the test of time. 

Moving On

German couple moved to Texas in 1884 to look for better-earning options for themselves. And from there on, he learned everything about the brewing industry. As a result, enormous doors of opportunities opened in front of him. A couple of avenues gave him a better offer but he worked at Lone Star until he was an expert.

Stuck By His Side

While Otto was busy making contacts and learn every bits and piece of the business, Emma made sure she stood by his side through thick and thin. Just like she cleared the test, Otto would never be able to do the same for his wife. She was nothing but the first woman named Emma to have an impact on his life. Yes, there were two more to arrive soon before the destruction took place.

Pearl Brewing Company

Otto chose to work as the president of the Pearl Brewing Company, San Antonio, Texas. He moved to the new city immediately and started working. His vision was to take Pearl and his own career to new heights. Pearl soon evolved as one of the greatest breweries in the country. Soon Otto too was going to emerge as one of the richest men in the country.

Most Awaited Moment

Alongside the Pearl Brewery, Otto too was becoming a known personality in the elite club. When it came to the brewing business his skills and expertise were incomparable. His interest in the industry and his strong will to earn more brought him not only riches but also fame. And soon he was about to climb the highest step of success…

Mr. President

The brewing industry needed a leader just like him and that’s when he was given the greatest designation there was in the business. Otto Koehler, an immigrant was elected as the President of the Brewing Association. And with this new achievement added to his profile, Otto was known by every person associated with the brewing business.

Wealthiest Man

By this point of time, Otto was living the best days of his life. He was one of the richest men in the Southwest United States. He was now a respectful figure and a wealthy man with an abundance of wealth. But the shadows of the dark plot twist were still far from covering his limelight. Now that the first phase of this story, ie, success and wealth was already in the picture, the second phase of tragedy struck.

Nothing Last Forever

Emma not only supported her husband by giving all her love to him but also by helping him in his professional life. She too had a keen interest in the industry and always came up with great ideas to earn better profits than ever before. Obviously, the credit of it all went to the man and none got to know the real one behind all those strategies. Before anything could even start to change, one devastating incident turned everything into a different direction.

The Horrible Accident

In 1910, while she was on her way home, Emma met with a serious car accident. After extended operations and several broken bones, Mrs. Koehler was kept under observation for over half a year. With no improvement and almost no hopes of improvement, Emma returned home with her husband only to find herself bedridden for the rest of her life. She lost her ability to do everything by herself.

A Fulltime Nurse

Emma was in need of a full-time caretaker. Obviously, her husband wasn’t capable of providing her the much-needed care, hence, he started to look for a nurse with good background and generous attitude. The search for the right nurse took him back to his native country; Germany. That’s where he met another Emma. 

Emma, The Nurse

According to Otto, the best suitable nurse for his wife was another native of Germany, Emma Dumpke, also known by her nickname Emmi. She had a couple of years of experience in full-time nursing. At least she looked like the right choice at that time. 

Young, Dumb And Broke

Emma, the nurse was an attractive woman in her early twenties. She moved all the way from Germany to America as the rich man Otto offered a good amount of money in return for her work. She badly needed the money. At last, her actions soon made her a dumb name in the history of Texas. 

Painstakingly Beautiful

So, this nurse was there to look after Mrs, Koehler but Otto could neither ignore her beauty nor control his emotions. The heavy load of loneliness was too much for the man to take. The nurse too gave him the signs of approval instead of resisting This led their story towards the third phase, ie, betrayal.

Adulterous Relationship

It was just a matter of months as their minimal exchanges turned into a full-fledged adulterous relationship. It gave Emmi exactly what she needed, security and much higher income with a lavish lifestyle. On the other hand, Otto had one more surprise for the young lady. 

No More Secrets

Otto who was in the mid-50s took Emma, the nurse to huge parties and started to admit his relationship with his bedridden wife’s nurse publicly. Although this worried the young nurse about her reputation, she never revealed her views in front of Otto. At this time, Emma felt the need of sharing the thoughts with someone and that’s where another girl walked in the scene.

A Call For Help

Now that Emmi was officially Otto’s mistress her distress made it hard for her to breathe, she called a friend of hers. Yes, this was how the third Emma entered their lives. Back in Germany, Emma Hedda Burgemeister and Emmi were coworkers. Talking to made Emmi realize how badly she needed someone to listen to her. So, Emmi came up with a bright idea.

An Offer To Join

Emma Hedda Burgemeister who used to go by her middle name, Hedda was offered to join Emmi in America. Hedda was in her 30s and older than Emmi. Therefore, she had much more work experience. Otto hired her as a second nurse for his wife. And she too started to live in the Koehler mansion.

Middle Age Charm

Just like Emmi, Hedda too was described as a beauty by the world. For Otto, two sounded better than one and Hedda didn’t seem to have any issue with his intentions. As compared to Emmi, Hedda’s income was much lesser and it was clear that Emmi was Otto’s favorite. Otto was growing possessive about the two women in his life.

A Cottage

Otto purchased a brand new cottage for the two ladies right in the heart of the city. He took them out for shopping and dinners. At times, he took them to the casino to test his luck. Spending money on them made the old man happy. They were not working as nurses anymore but were still getting paid.

Pocket Money

Otto gave Emmi $125 as pocket money while Hedda received a sum of $50 each month. As he wasn’t looking after his ill wife anymore, all his money was being spent on the other two Emmas in his life. Unfortunately, what looked like a happy lustful story till now was going to convert into a conspiracy.

Growing Suspicion

Otto was informed of Emmi’s affair many times but he didn’t have any proofs. Just in case, Emmi runs away, Otto transferred the cottage to Hedda’s name. Sadly, this trick wasn’t going to stop Emmi from eloping.

Eloped

In 1913, Otto’s suspicions proved to be correct, Emmi was in love with Mr. Doschle, an American. It was too late by the time Otto even got a whiff of it. Emmi had gone far beyond his reach. She eloped with Mr. Doschle to St. Louis and married him.

Betrayed

Emmi’s action affected otto deeply. Otto suspected Hedda knew of this from the very beginning but due to the lack of proofs, he didn’t blame her for it. Otto’s desperation now made him spend all his money on Hedda. He increased her allowance to $125 and even took her to Germany for vacations.

Proposal Of Marriage

In an attempt to get over with Emmi’s betrayal, Otto decided to propose Hedda for marriage. Hedda always declared her love for Otto but knowing that his first wife is still alive and bedridden, she declined his offer of marrying him.

Always A Mistress

Hedda was ready to be Otto’s mistress throughout her life but marrying him would have been a violation of her own ethics. At any cost, she didn’t want to become the reason for Otto to abandon his first wife when she needed him the most.

“I would not leave Mrs. Koehler behind, sick and helpless as she was. I just gave myself away, because I loved him,” said Hedda.

Egoistic Man

Otto was an egoistic man who wasn’t going to take this rejection casually. He was planning to take his revenge by taking other women out. Hedda hired a private detective to check on Otto and was told that he was going out with another woman. Otto was ignoring Hedda who was completely relied on him for the luxurious lifestyle.

Hedda’s Fear

The fear of Otto abandoning her wasn’t allowing Hedda to live in peace. She knew it very well that without his financial support she’ll lose all the amenities she became used of. She contacted Otto and asked him to meet her once. Otto declined the offer at first but agreed after some consideration.

Red Light District

Otto was finally ready to meet her but he wouldn’t show up at her cottage. Instead, he told Hedda to meet him in the red light area of San Antonio. Well, that wasn’t all Otto asked for. He had a whole trap set for Hedda.

The Trap

Otto asked Hedda to bring “all of her papers.” Anything and everything that were proofs of her existence were required. Be it love letters or bank receipts or ids. Hedda understood that Otto’s intentions weren’t right. Also, the private investigator she hired warned her about Otto.

A Powerful Man

Hedda was well aware of Otto’s power and the only person who could save her from all this was the one who called Hedda in the first place. Hedda came up with a plan to end all the fear once and for all. Right, she called Emmi to help her. She begged her to meet Otto once and convince him to let Hedda go.

All At One Place

The truth was that Otto never lost hopes of Emmi’s return and Hedda was aware of this. Emmi had to agree to her friend’s request and while she was on her way from St. Louis. As soon as Emmi arrived, Hedda asked her to meet Otto in Pearl Brewery and convince him to visit them in the cottage.

Otto’s Surprise

Otto was surprised to see Emmi there and as Hedda expected, he couldn’t reject Emmi’s offer of meeting the ladies at their old place, ie, the cottage. Otto arrived in his carriage at 532 Hunstock Street on November 12, 1914, before 5 pm.

Sinister Things About To Happen

At first, he met Emmi who insisted that he should talk to Hedda who was lying down in her bedroom. Wrapping up the discussion with Hedda so that he could spend the whole night with Emmi seemed like a wise suggestion to Otto. Whatever happened after this, is a huge point of discussion till date but the result was outrageous.

Gunshots

At 5 past 5 o’clock, Mrs. Neil Campbell, a neighbor heard loud noises. This was the sound of gunshots. As Mrs. Campbell ran outside, she noticed Emmi crying for help in the front yard. Mrs. Campbell rushed inside and called the police. 

Cottage Surrounded

By the time a police team reached on the spot, the main door of the cottage was surrounded by a huge crowd. As the team made their way inside the room, the sight was disturbing enough. Nobody could say what had really happened inside that house but there are several theories about it.

Otto Dead

Emmi was missing from the spot and Otto was found dead. He died when three gunshots broke his neck. Police discovered a .25 caliber revolver, a .32 caliber automatic, and an open knife at the crime scene. Hedda had deep cuts on her wrists and she was lying unconscious.

Hedda Admitted

Police took Hedda to the hospital as she had severe bruises on her neck which were to be treated immediately. Hedda too disappeared from the hospital after she was charged with Otto’s murder. State Senator Carlos Bee was her lawyer who suggested that Hedda returned to Germany to work as a nurse for wounded soldiers of the war.

Far In The New York City

Hedda never left for Germany, in fact, she was living in New York City. It took her more than three years to build up the courage to stand in the court and speak for herself. In 1917, she was eventually ready to face the court and the rest of the world. Well, she had huge support to return to Texas.

Former Governor’s Support

Hedda received the assistance from the former governor of Texas, T.M. Campbell, to stand in the trial. The prosecution assumed it will be easy to put Hedda behind the bars as they had a full-proof case. Although that’s not how the result was going to be.

Evidence Faded Away

Florence Rabe, the only person who could’ve testified that Hedda had planned to kill Otto disappeared on the first day of the trial. Apparently, she found it better to take off than to fight against a lady who was getting the support of an ex-governor. Although police did catch her and brought her for the trial she never admitted anything she promised to do in the past. 

A Banker’s Claim

A banker named, J.H. Frost claimed that Hedda tried to cash in $10,000 letters of credit which belonged to Otto. As expected, Hedda never agreed to the charge. Also, she had several of her own stories to tell from time to time.

Different Stories

The first time she accepted that she shot Otto “to protect the honor of my friend”(Emma Dumpke-Doschel). Later on, she changed it to, “he was like a wild bull. I thought he was going after my friend.” Once she said Otto tried to choke her to death. Once she said he tried to kill her with the pistol.

Guns Belonged To Hedda

At last, it was revealed that both the guns belonged to Hedda. As per her, after killing Otto she tried to cut shoot her but she was confused: “I didn’t know if I had a bullet in my brain.” And then she tried to cut her own wrists.

Not Guilty

The all-male jury said Hedda was not found guilty of murder. She was freed from any jail term. And all the jury members congratulated her. A year after the whole incident, Hedda went to New Orleans with J.W. Turley, one of the jury members and married him. A few years later, the couple moved in the same little cottage that was gifted to Hedda and Emmi by Otto.

If you find all this strange then what happened to Mrs. Koehler will blow your mind.

Emma Woke Up

The first Emma who was bedridden for decades finally woke up after her husband’s death. Not only she miraculously stood from the bed but also took charge of the Pearl Brewing Company. By the time Hedda returned to stand the trial, Emma Koehler was able to turn her late husband’s dream into reality. Pearl Brewing Company was the biggest brewery in Texas. And this is not all!

Took Control

During the prohibition years, when all other breweries were shut down Emma Koehler kept Pearl Brewing running. The company started to produce soft drinks and food products. At the time when women weren’t allowed to vote, Emma was brewing beers.

Special Drink

It was after the Volstead Act was revoked, that the company grew faster than ever before. Hotel Emma still offers a drink named after the owner’s three ladies: “The Three Emmas.” This drink is served with a warning: “one is great, and three will kill ya.”