Enoch J. Fargo
Encyclopedia
Enoch James Fargo was an American inventor and businessman.
He was born in Lake Mills, Wisconsin
, the son of Enoch B. Fargo and Morella Churchill.
On October 27, 1891 he was granted a patent for a device described as a "Butter Worker," a device designed to simplify the process of churning butter. In 1913, he created, developed and marketed the first residential central vacuum system, which he dubbed "The Challenge" vacuum cleaner. Early literature stated that "vacuum pump and reservoir are installed in the basement. Pipes throughout the house provide access to the vacuum."
Fargo was a prominent citizen of the small community, but he is best known for the legend that he allegedly shot and killed his young wife, Addie Hoyt (1872–1901). Enoch and Addie Hoyt were married in 1896, and five years later, he'd supposedly fallen in love with Addie's younger cousin, Martha Hoyt (1873–1964). Addie became sick with diphtheria. The legend says that On June 19, 1901, as Addie lay sleeping in her bed, Enoch shot her in the head. According to Ghostly Encounters: True Stories of America's Haunted Inns and Hotels, the family physician was summoned (Dr. William H. Oatway) who allegedly agreed to falsify the death certificate. Because of her death from "diphtheria
" Addie was buried the following morning. Seven months after Addie died, Fargo married Martha.
According to legend, 40 years after Addie's death, Oatway made a deathbed confession that young Addie had been shot by her husband, Enoch, and that Oatway had falsified the death certificate under pressure from Enoch Fargo.
The Fargo Mansion was saved from the wrecking ball in the late 1970s, and is now a fully restored bed and breakfast in Lake Mills.
He was born in Lake Mills, Wisconsin
Lake Mills, Wisconsin
Lake Mills is a city in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,843 at the 2000 census. The city is located partially within the Town of Lake Mills.-Geography:Lake Mills is located at ....
, the son of Enoch B. Fargo and Morella Churchill.
On October 27, 1891 he was granted a patent for a device described as a "Butter Worker," a device designed to simplify the process of churning butter. In 1913, he created, developed and marketed the first residential central vacuum system, which he dubbed "The Challenge" vacuum cleaner. Early literature stated that "vacuum pump and reservoir are installed in the basement. Pipes throughout the house provide access to the vacuum."
Fargo was a prominent citizen of the small community, but he is best known for the legend that he allegedly shot and killed his young wife, Addie Hoyt (1872–1901). Enoch and Addie Hoyt were married in 1896, and five years later, he'd supposedly fallen in love with Addie's younger cousin, Martha Hoyt (1873–1964). Addie became sick with diphtheria. The legend says that On June 19, 1901, as Addie lay sleeping in her bed, Enoch shot her in the head. According to Ghostly Encounters: True Stories of America's Haunted Inns and Hotels, the family physician was summoned (Dr. William H. Oatway) who allegedly agreed to falsify the death certificate. Because of her death from "diphtheria
Diphtheria
Diphtheria is an upper respiratory tract illness caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a facultative anaerobic, Gram-positive bacterium. It is characterized by sore throat, low fever, and an adherent membrane on the tonsils, pharynx, and/or nasal cavity...
" Addie was buried the following morning. Seven months after Addie died, Fargo married Martha.
According to legend, 40 years after Addie's death, Oatway made a deathbed confession that young Addie had been shot by her husband, Enoch, and that Oatway had falsified the death certificate under pressure from Enoch Fargo.
The Fargo Mansion was saved from the wrecking ball in the late 1970s, and is now a fully restored bed and breakfast in Lake Mills.