Category Archives: Murders

On This Day

OCTOBER The body of 37-year-old Newton baker Otto H. Samp — who was visiting Des Moines with friends — was found “slashed into ribbons” in the backyard of a house at 618 E. 2nd Street in Des Moines on October … Continue reading →

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The Neighbors: Murder of Hulda Emma Fischer 1975 Written by David Jindrich

Murder Victim Hulda Emma Fischer 84-year-old Widow 1890-1975 Cause of Death: Stabbed   Murder Scene and Date 418 North 5th Street Maquoketa, Iowa Jackson County February 25, 1975 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ By David Jindrich Written February 2014 Hulda Emma Fischer and her … Continue reading →

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Dark Byway: Murder of Marshal Joseph Kashmetter (Kaeshmetter, Kashmitter) 1911

Murder Victim Joseph “Joe” Kashmetter (Kaeshmetter, Kashmitter) 53-year-old Town Marshal, City of Alton Father of 10 Cause of Death: Gunshot Motive: Avoiding Arrest 1858-1911 Murder Scene and Date Shot 2:00 a.m. March 25, 1911 Behind the Hoxmeier Store End of … Continue reading →

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Two Coffins: Death of Mary and Murder of Eli T. Coffin 1873

Victim Mary Rosette Coffin 43-year-old Farm Wife 1830-1873 Cause of Death: Hypothermia, Starvation Motive: Family Neglect and Abuse Victim Eli T. Coffin 43-year-old Farmer 1829-1873 Cause of Death: Gunshot, Hanged Motive: Vigilantism Death Scenes and Dates Coffin Home Turkey Grove … Continue reading →

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Stealing Away: Murder of John Ford 1880

Murder Victim John Ford 42-year-old Bachelor Farmer 1838-1880 Cause of Death: Gunshot Motive: Concealing Criminal Activity Murder Scene and Date Ford Farm Washington Township Buena Vista County Shot October 11, 1880 Died October 13, 1880 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ By Nancy Bowers Written … Continue reading →

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Acting Oddly: Murder of Daniel Kelleher 1904

Murder Victim Daniel Kelleher 28-year-old Railroad Worker Burlington Northern Railroad 1876-1904 Cause of Death: Beaten Motive: Robbery Murder Scene and Date Assaulted at Unknown Location Died at Mercy Hospital Des Moines, Iowa Polk County November 30, 1904 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ By Nancy … Continue reading →

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The Dead Suspect: Murder of Traci Ann Evenson 1997

Murder Victim Traci Ann Evenson 22-year-old Kirkwood Community College Student Telemarketer Deli Worker 1975-1997 Causes of Death: Beaten and Suffocated Motive: Rage Murder Scene and Date 438 1/2 Ninth Avenue SW Cedar Rapids, Iowa Linn County June 21, 1997 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ … Continue reading →

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Death In the Rail Yard: Murder of Bill Dayton 1894

Murder Victim Bill “Billy” Dayton Age and Occupation Unknown Cause of Death: Gunshot Motive: Unknown Murder Scene and Date Train Yard Boone, Iowa Boone County August 22, 1894 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ By Nancy Bowers Written January 2014 During the third week of … Continue reading →

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The Clue In The Dress Pattern: Murder of Fred Quade 1897

Murder Victim Friedrich Wilhelm “Fred” Quade 47-year-old Farmer 1849-1897 Cause of Death: Gunshot Motive: Family Quarrel Murder Scene and Date Quade Farm Greenfield Township Near Knierim and Manson, Iowa Calhoun County September 29, 1897 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ By Nancy Bowers Written October … Continue reading →

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Coldblooded Desperado: Murder of Officer George W. Wilson 1907

Murder Victim George W. Wilson 50-year-old Detective Council Bluffs Police Department 1857-1907 Cause of Death: Gunshot Motive Avoiding Arrest Murder Scene and Date Elliott Street Council Bluffs, Iowa Pottawattamie County End of Watch: Monday, July 29, 1907 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ By Nancy … Continue reading →

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