A “Fiend in Human Form,” Nellie Frayer was a housekeeper for David Maxwell, a widower in rural Minnesota. In February of 1897, Willis Maxwell, the nine-year-old son of David, was found chopped in pieces and partly burned in the debris of a barn fire. Nellie first confessed that she murdered Willis by fastening him in the loft and setting the barn on fire. After being sentenced to life in state prison, she recanted her confession and said David had killed his son; she had only set the barn on fire as an attempt to cover up the crime. David Maxwell was charged and tried for the murder. Nellie subsequently gave birth to their child who was the first known baby born in Stillwater State Prison. Baby Allene was adopted by a minister and his wife. Years later, a half-sister tried to locate the child but was turned away by state officials due to closed adoption records. As a middle-aged adult, the former baby Allene tried to find out about her heritage but was stymied by state officials. This book covers the story as reported in the local newspapers, the criminal trial, Nellie’s time in the prison, the life of baby Allene, and the lives of the other children of David and Nellie.