The chilling story of Ed Gein has once again captivated audiences with Netflix’s ‘Monster: The Ed Gein Story.’ A particularly intriguing aspect of this true-crime series is the portrayal of Gein’s supposed relationship with Adeline Watkins. But who was Adeline Watkins, and what was the nature of her connection to the infamous serial killer? This article delves into the true story of Adeline Watkins and Ed Gein, separating fact from fiction as depicted in the Netflix series.
The series explores the interactions between Gein, his romantic partners, friends, and family. This offers an insightful perspective into his psyche. ‘Monster: The Ed Gein Story’ presents Gein’s relationship with his neighbor, Adeline Watkins, positioning it as a central element of the narrative. This article aims to clarify the true nature of their relationship, examining historical reports and retractions to provide a comprehensive understanding.
We will explore the initial reports claiming a long-term romance, Watkins’s subsequent retraction, and the lasting impact of these conflicting narratives. By analyzing primary sources and media coverage, this article aims to provide a clear and factual account of Adeline Watkins’s role in the Ed Gein story.
A 1957 Report Claimed Adeline Watkins Was in a Long-Term Relationship With Ed Gein
In 1957, the Minneapolis Tribune published an interview with Adeline Watkins. This was later republished in the Wisconsin State Journal. In it, Watkins stated she dated Gein for over 20 years. She described him as “good and kind and sweet”. Watkins also felt she was “taking advantage of him” when he gave in to activities that she wanted to pursue.
Watkins shared that she and Gein regularly discussed books. However, they rarely read the same ones. “Eddie liked books about lions and tigers and Africa and India,” she told the paper. They also frequented movies and taverns. Watkins liked beer, while Gein preferred a milkshake.
She also claimed that the couple regularly discussed murders in the news. “Eddie told how the murderer did wrong, what mistakes he had made. I thought it was interesting,” Watkins said.
“Eddie told how the murderer did wrong, what mistakes he had made. I thought it was interesting,” – Adeline Watkins
This initial report painted a picture of a deep, enduring relationship. This suggested that Watkins was intimately familiar with Gein’s thoughts and habits.
The Newspaper Stated That Ed Gein Proposed to Adeline Watkins During Their Courtship
Watkins told the reporter that their last date was in 1955. This was two years before the interview. “That night he proposed to me,” she said before clarifying, “Not in so many words, but I knew what he meant.”
Watkins continued, “I turned him down, but not because there was anything wrong with him. It was something wrong with me. I guess I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to live up to what he expected of me.” Even after his crimes came to light, Watkins said, “I loved him and I still do.” Watkins’s mother also played into her story, recalling Gein as a “sweet, polite man” who always had her daughter back home by her 10 p.m. curfew.
These details further solidified the image of a significant romantic connection. This implied a level of commitment and affection that defied Gein’s dark persona.
Soon After the Report Was Published, Adeline Watkins Declared the Story an “Exaggerated” Rendition of the Truth
Approximately two weeks after the Wisconsin State Journal story was published, Watkins retracted her claims about a 20-year romance with Gein. In an article in the Stevens Point Journal, Watkins called the story about their relationship “exaggerated…blown up out of proportion to its importance and containing untrue statements.”
She clarified that, while they had known one another for 20 years, their romantic relationship lasted less than a year. “Actually, Miss Watkins declared, Gein had called on her for only seven months, and then only intermittently,” the report in the Stevens Point Journal stated. “She said Gein during this short period stopped at the Watkins home on some afternoons or evenings and that the couple had attended shows at the Plainfield Theater ‘a few times.’” Further, Watkins also refuted the claims that she and her mother thought of Gein as “sweet.”
This retraction significantly altered the narrative, casting doubt on the initial portrayal of a long-term romance. Watkins’s denial raised questions about the accuracy of the 1957 report and the extent of their relationship.
Adeline Watkins Maintained Her Distance From Ed Gein After His Criminal Activity Was Exposed
In the new report, Watkins said she had never entered Gein’s home, where severed body parts from his victims and a shrine to his mother, Augusta Gein, were housed. While she called him “quiet and polite,” Watkins claimed she and Gein were not close.
Gein himself also never spoke publicly about Watkins.
This final statement underscored Watkins’s desire to distance herself from Gein. It emphasized the limited nature of their acquaintance and refuted any claims of a deep, personal connection.
Conclusion
The relationship between Ed Gein and Adeline Watkins remains shrouded in mystery. Initial reports suggested a two-decade-long romance, complete with a marriage proposal and heartfelt affection. However, Watkins later retracted these claims, painting a picture of a brief, unremarkable acquaintance.
The Netflix series ‘Monster: The Ed Gein Story’ adds another layer to this complex narrative. By portraying Watkins as a significant figure in Gein’s life, the series invites viewers to question the true nature of their connection. Was she a long-term confidante, as initially reported, or a mere acquaintance seeking to distance herself from a notorious killer?
Ultimately, the true story of Adeline Watkins and Ed Gein may never be fully known. Conflicting reports and personal retractions have obscured the details, leaving us with a fragmented and incomplete picture. What remains clear, however, is the enduring fascination with the Ed Gein story and the many lives it touched, both directly and indirectly.
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