Tag Archives: Iowa Unsolved Murders

Miller’s Toll: Murder of John Smith Ross 1869

Murder Victim John Smith Ross 32-year-old Mill Owner 1837-1869 Cause of Death: Gunshot Motive: Robbery Murder Scene and Date Ross’s Mill (later Bone’s Mill) Boone River 6 Miles South of Webster City Hamilton County June 16, 1869 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ By Nancy … Continue reading

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Strictly Strychnine: Murder of John P. Stickles 1876

Murder Victim John P. Stickles Farmer Ca. 1841-1876 Cause of Death: Poison Motive: Love Triangle Murder Scene and Date Stickles Home Near Decorah, Iowa Winneshiek County January 4, 1876 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ By Nancy Bowers Written June 2014 When he arose on … Continue reading

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The White-Spotted Woman: Suspicious Death of Kate Slifer 1903

Victim Kate Poleen Slifer 21 year-old Farm Wife 1882-1903 Cause of Death: Chloroform Motive: Unknown Death Scene and Date Henry and Amanda Slifer Farm Melrose Township Grundy County, Iowa December 19, 1903 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ By Nancy Bowers Written May 2014 Kate … Continue reading

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Corpse in the Pump House: Murder of Mary Gilfillan 1896

Murder Victim Mary E. Gilfillan 30-year-old Waitress Howe Hotel 1866-1896 Cause of Death: Gunshot Motive: Love Triangle Murder Scene and Date Pump House Chicago Burlington Quincy Railway Depot Osceola, Iowa Clarke County December 26, 1896 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ By Nancy Bowers Written … Continue reading

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“Bones In A Haystack”: Murder of Justus Herwig 1903

Murder Victim Justus Herwig 57-year-old Farmer 1846-1903 Cause of Death: Bludgeoned, Burned Motive: Robbery Murder Scene and Date R.D. White Farm Sperry Township 2 miles South of Volga City, Iowa Clayton County October 29, 1903 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ By Nancy Bowers Written … Continue reading

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Horse Medicine: Murder of James Banda 1904

Murder Victim James Banda Occupation Unknown ? – 1904 Cause of Death: Poison Motive: Drinking Party Gone Wrong Murder Scene and Date Duncan, Iowa 4 Miles East of Britt, Iowa Hancock County May 1, 1904 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ By Nancy Bowers Written … Continue reading

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The Money Lender: Murder of Gustav Rechfus 1881

Murder Victim Gustav Rechfus 54-year-old Farmer Money Lender 1826-1881 Cause of Death: Gunshot Motive: Business Quarrel Murder Scene and Date Rechfus Home Pleasant Ridge Community Giard Township 14 Miles Northeast of Elkader Clayton County, Iowa March 31, 1881 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ By … Continue reading

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The Scarred Man: Murder of Arnold Sansgaard 1984

Murder Victim Arnold L. Sansgaard 59-year-old Farmer WWII Veteran 1925-1984 Cause of Death: Stabbed Motive: Robbery Murder Scene and Date Sansgaard Home 1 mile west of Story City, Iowa Boone County July 15, 1984 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ By Nancy Bowers Written July … Continue reading

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Apparition: Murder of Edwin Hughes 1898

Murder Victim Edward D. “Ed” Hughes 34 year-old Plumber Windmill and Pump Salesman Merry-Go-Round Operator 1863-1898 Cause of Death: Poisoned Motive: Love Triangle Murder Scene and Date Marilda and Patrick Hughes Home Oak Street Mason City Cerro Gordo County April … Continue reading

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A Spoonful of Medicine Makes the Poison Go Down: Murder of Sarah Kirker 1897

Murder Victim Sarah Ann “Sally” Kirker 51-year-old Farm Wife 1845-1897 Cause of Death: Poison Motive: Spousal Abuse Murder Scene and Date Kirker Home Lincoln Township Near Guernsey, Iowa Poweshiek County April 1, 1897 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ By Nancy Bowers Written March 2014 … Continue reading

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