On October the 12th in the year 1890″”seven years before Bram Stoker’s classic, Dracula, arrived (the “vampire” itself has existed in folklore for centuries)””a man named Andrew A. Kauffman wrote a letter to a Mrs. Eberhardt, informing her that he had slain the vampire that had killed the woman’s daughter. The letter reads “I have dispatched the vampir that took your sweet daughters life. Included in this case are the tools used in the final act along with proof of its death. Mildredas life was too innocent to be taken by such a monster; she was dearly loved by me as we were newly betrothed. May she now rest in peace.”

Though it’s obvious now that this man killed some kind of animal””most likely a dog or some kind of wolf””this proof of how different times once were is amazing to see. You can check out the pictures of the vampire killing kit, the letter, and even a photograph of dear Mildred below.