The Berch Family - Killing Albert Berch

The colorized portraits of Albert and Lula were framed by daughter Almarian and kept on display in the Hollingsworth home. This framed version was the only exposure the Hollingsworth children had to Albert Berch and a young likeness of “Grandma Reynolds.” (from the Hollingsworth family collection)

1923 Studio portrait of Lula Berch, age 39 (from the Hollingsworth family collection)

1923 Studio portrait of Albert Berch, age 30 (from the Hollingsworth family collection)

The historic Southern Hotel in El Reno, Oklahoma as it appeared in 2011, honeymoon site of Lula and Albert Berch in 1920.

“Yes, this is Almarian” in Lula’s handwriting (from the Hollingsworth family collection)

The Berch family — Albert, Lula and baby Almarian, at the Los Angeles Zoo in 1922 (from the Hollingsworth family collection)

1921 – Marlow, Oklahoma – (left to right): Lula Berch, Albert Berch, J. L. Clark (the “C” superimposed on the “L” is incorrect). Clark was the hotel handy man and personal assistant to the Berch couple, later playing a key role in the murder trials. (from the Hollingsworth family collection)

March 25, 1922 (Marlow, Oklahoma) – Lula and Almarian (from the Hollingsworth family collection)

March 25, 1922 (Marlow, Oklahoma) Lula and Almarian on the sidewalk in front of the Johnson Hotel entrance (from the Hollingsworth family collection)

“Mother and daughter” (Lula and Almarian) with the Johnson Hotel Cafe sign in the background (1922) – (from the Hollingsworth family collection)

Father and daughter — Albert Berch with his infant daughter Almarian in 1922 (from the Hollingsworth family collection)

March 25, 1922 – The only known photograph of Dr. Albert Berch, Senior, with Lula and baby Almarian in front of the Johnson Hotel’s Café sign. There are no identifiable facial features for “Grandpa Berch,” even in the original photo. (from the Hollingsworth family collection)

Father Albert Weldon Berch and his daughter Almarian, taken shortly before his murder (from the Hollingsworth family collection)

Funeral Notice for Albert Weldon Berch. Note that the ruse concerning Albert’s age was perpetuated here (and all the way to his tombstone).

Albert Berch’s death certificate, obtained by daughter Almarian in 1989. Albert’s father, Dr. A. W. Berch, provided the personal information about his son. Note the crossing out of the fictional age & birthdate, replacing this information with the correct dates.