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Men’s group decries ‘disgusting’ Evelyn Dick merchandise line based on infamous Hamilton killer
Katrina Clarke | August 21, 2014 | Last Updated: Aug 21 7:46 PM ET
More from Katrina Clarke | @KatrinaAClarke
Hamilton Library ArchivesIn 1946, a court sentenced Evelyn Dick to be hanged. Shortly after, her lawyer appealed the verdict and won, acquitting Dick of the charges, though suspicions remained that her father, an alcoholic, was involved in the crime, with her playing a supporting role. In 1947, she was a free woman — briefly.
An infamous 1940s Hamilton killer is getting celebrity treatment in a new line of products, leading a men’s group to call the project “disgusting.”
Hamilton artist Chris Farias is designing a line of postcards, tote bags, T-shirts and shot glasses as part of a capsule collection dedicated to Evelyn Dick, who was linked to the dismemberment of her husband and convicted in the death of her infant son.
Sayings on pieces in the not-yet-finalized collection will include, “Love you to pieces,” and “The fastest way to a man’s heart is through his torso.”
“As an artist, you find your muses in the strangest places,” Mr. Farais said.
Chris FariasCards from the Evelyn Dick collection by Chris Farias.
A local gift shop owner asked him to create the line because of customer demand for Evelyn Dick-related items.
Ms. Dick’s story is the stuff of legend in Hamilton.
“It’s probably one of the most bizarre murder cases we’ve ever had in Hamilton,” said Margaret Houghton, an archivist with the Hamilton Public Library. “It had everything. It had violence, it had murder, it had sex.”
One of the most bizarre murder cases we’ve ever had
The tale dates back to 1946, when children playing on Hamilton Mountain stumbled across a human torso belonging to John Dick, Ms. Dick’s husband.
A sensational trial followed, in which she admitted to sleeping with 150 men, including the judge’s son. The story garnered international media attention.
Hamilton Library Archives Children playing on Hamilton Mountain stumbled across a human torso belonging to John Dick in 1946.
Ms. Houghton describes Ms. Dick as a notorious party girl with the air of a femme fatale, “for Hamilton anyways.” She had dark hair, dressed impeccably and wore furs to court.
In 1946, a court sentenced Ms. Dick to be hanged. Shortly after, her lawyer appealed the verdict and won, acquitting Ms. Dick of the charges, though suspicions remained that her father, an alcoholic, was involved in the crime, with her playing a supporting role. In 1947, she was a free woman — briefly.
Police soon discovered a baby encased in concrete in a suitcase in her home. Mrs. Dick was eventually found guilty of manslaughter in the death of her apparent missing son, Peter David White.
“People are obsessed with it,” Ms. Houghton said. “If you say ‘the torso murder’ to someone in Hamilton, they’ll know exactly what you’re talking about. All the older people all have some kind of Evelyn story, ‘My grandmother’s neighbour babysat her’ or whatever.”
Evelyn Dick’s story has been the focus of two books, a play, a documentary, a movie and an opera, she said.
