The Blonde Tigress: Eleanor Jarman

Tea Time Crimes

Eleanor Jarman was nicknamed ‘The Blonde Tigress’ after a robbery-gone-wrong in 1933. She had a string of successful robberies, until the very last one devolved into murder. The papers paint her as vicious and deadly, but is that a fair portrayal of a woman trying to survive as a single mother during the Great Depression? Listen along and decide for yourself: is Eleanor a vicious murderer, a misunderstood mother, or somewhere in between?

Tea of the Day: Aveda Comforting Tea

Theme Music by Brad Frank

For a full list of sources, go to https://tea-time-crimes.simplecast.com/episodes

Sources:

• “In Search of the Blonde Tigress: The Untold Story of Eleanor Jarman,” by Silvia Pettem, Published by Lyons Press 2023.
• “Community Saddened Over Fate Of George Dale Who Goes To Electric Chair October 13.” The Democrat-News, Thu, Sep 07, 1933 ·Page 5, https://www.newspapers.com/image/687243032/
• “Blonde Chicago Gunwoman Is Blamed Again.” Burlington Daily News, Sat, Aug 05, 1933, Page 1, https://www.newspapers.com/image/657277072/
• “Seize Member of Murder Gang: Mother of 2 Sought.” Chicago Tribune, Sun, Aug 06, 1933 ·Page 2, https://www.newspapers.com/image/355093952/
• “Victims Identify ‘Tiger Woman’ In Score Of Crimes.” Chicago Tribune, Fri, Aug 11, 1933, Page 16, https://www.newspapers.com/image/355096481/
• “Blonde Tigress Is Identified By 37 Victims in All.” Chicago Tribune, Sat, Aug 12, 1933, Page 3, https://www.newspapers.com/image/355096775/
• “State Closes Case Against ‘Blonde Tigress’ and Aids.” Chicago Tribune, Wed, Aug 30, 1933, Page 2, https://www.newspapers.com/image/355107118/
• “Three Killers Find Death in Electric Chair.” The La Crosse Tribune, Fri, Apr 20, 1934, Page 1, https://www.newspapers.com/image/511016188/
• “‘Blonde Tigress,’ Serving 199 Years for Murder, Flees Prison.” The Associated Press, The Baltimore Sun, Fri, Aug 09, 1940, Page 6, https://www.newspapers.com/image/374092083/
• “Hunt for ‘Blonde Tigress’ Who Fled Reformatory Fails.” St. Joseph News-Press, Fri, Aug 09, 1940, Page 11, https://www.newspapers.com/image/559010456/
• “Grandson of 1940 escapee reveals name she used.” By Kate Thompson, The Sioux City Journal, Sun, Dec 11, 1994 ·Page 18, https://www.newspapers.com/image/335807547/
• “Active in Law at 80: Wants 10 More Yrs.” By Robert Enstad, Chicago Tribune, Sun, Jan 03, 1965 ·Page 97, https://www.newspapers.com/image/
• “The Blonde Tigress.” By Patricia Leeds, Chicago Tribune, Sun, Sep 16, 1951, Page 103 (7), https://www.newspapers.com/image/371724127/
• “The Blonde Tigress,” By Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, Sun, Aug 13, 2023, Page 1-14, https://www.newspapers.com/image/993395920/