Hannah McLaughlin Desmond (1879 – 1904)

Nyob rau lub ib hlis ntuj 7, 1903, St. Louis Chief of Detectives William Desmond married 24-year-old Hannah McLaughlin in a ceremony he hoped to keep secret. The 46-year-old Desmond always said he would never marry due to the dangers of his job. Txawm li cas los, he was clearly smitten with Hannah McLaughlin.

Nyob rau hauv lub peb hlis ntuj 1897, cov me nyuam. Louis Dispatch tom qab printed the first rumors of an engagement between Desmond and Hannah McLaughlin. Desmond was 40. Hannah was 18. Txawm li cas los, the actual wedding didn’t occur for another 6 xyoo.

Chief Desmond and Hannah were married in a small ceremony at St. Anne Catholic Church, a block from William Desmond’s residence at 4290 Page Avenue. Hannah had been educated in a convent. She had known William Desmond since her childhood. When she grew to adulthood, she would marry Desmond or no one. She wasn’t interested in anyone else.

Mr. thiab Mrs. Desmond honeymooned out west primarily in Southern California. After a month away, they returned to St. Louis in February. Sometime within the next year, Hannah gave birth to the Desmond’s only child, William Desmond, ❏ Jr ❏.

Chief Desmond always worried about the dangers of his job and the possibility that he would leave Hannah a young widow. As the World’s Fair approached in 1904, his worries were likely compounded.

Rau qhov 1904 World's Fair, cov me nyuam. Louis Police Department would basically be divided in two. Chief of Police Mathew Kiely would command the uniformed force and primarily be concerned with policing the city. Chief Desmond and his detectives would primarily be assigned to the World’s Fair. The forces were supplemented with officers from around the country and private officers like the Jefferson Guard at the World’s Fair.

His duties would also lead to long work days away from home. Chief Desmond could not suspect that his young and healthy wife would die before him. Txawm li cas los, in August 1904, Hannah Desmond did suffer serious illness. Sunday, Lub yim hli ntuj 14, 1904, tom 5:50 AM, Hannah Desmond died from an undisclosed illness.

Chief Desmond was grief-stricken by Hannah’s death. His sister moved into the Desmond home at 4290 Nplooj ntawv. She would take over the rearing of William Desmond, ❏ Jr ❏. Desmond would never marry again. No one could replace Hannah.

Hmoov tsis, we don’t have much information about Hannah McLaughlin Desmond. We know she was a Catholic, who married one of the greatest detectives in St. Louis Police keeb kwm. We know Hannah was highly regarded in St. Louis society during her short life. We know she left a young son and died way too young. It’s too bad we don’t know more.

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Qhov chaw: St. Louis Dispatch tom qab, Lub peb hlis ntuj 13, 1897 ib tsab, p. 1, Lub ib hlis ntuj 7, 1903 ib tsab, p. 1 thiab lub yim hli ntuj 15, 1904 ib tsab, p. 6

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