Cold Blooded Murder

RIGGS

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 2/20/2009 at 00:37:16

Jackson Sentinel, March 17, 1887.

COLD BLOODED MURDER

John H. Riggs Shot Dead by John McKenzie Near Eureka

The Prisoner in Jail

On last Saturday morning John McKenzie of Washington township came voluntarily to town and stated he had shot John H. Riggs, a neighbor of his and requested the attendance of medical assistance for him at the same time he surrendered himself to the authorities and voluntarily confessed the deed.

It seems that McKenzie had rented and raised a crop of corn on a portion of land owned by Riggs and that they were neighbors. Mr. Riggs refused to allow the cattle of McKenzie to run in the field after the 1st of March, claiming that his right to use the pasturage expired on that date. In pursuance of this Riggs refused to allow the parties in charge of the McKenzie cattle to turn in on the morning of the fatal occurrence. On their return home they reported this to McKenzie, who saddled a horse and went down to Riggs’ place. No one was with them and the nearest person to the scene of the shooting was Mr. W. H. Dicks, who is a tenant of Riggs’ and who was out of sight and distance some thirty rods engaged at work. He was attracted by the firing of a revolver and started towards the point from which the sound emanated. He saw McKenzie riding away and upon his arrival found Riggs lying on the ground covered with blood. Upon raising him up, Riggs was able to recognize him and stated that McKenzie had shot him. After this he remained in an unconscious stupor until 1 o’clock in the evening when he died. The ball had entered Riggs’ eye and through the base of the brain fracturing the rear portion of the skull, but not passing entirely through, being lodged in the bone structure of the skull.

It seems after the shooting McKenzie returned to his home and stated that he had trouble with Riggs and shot him, requesting that they send a team and sled to haul him to his house at the same time started himself for Corning. After surrender to the authorities here he was arraigned before Squire Bixby who adjourned the hearing of the case until Wednesday afternoon and admitted the prisoner to bail in the sum of $5,000 for his appearance which was given and McKenzie returned home. Later on in the evening intelligence of the death of Riggs was received and the prisoner rearrested and lodged in jail without bond, charged with the crime of murder. The prisoner appeared to be cool and collected in talking about the matter and seemed to have no realization of the seriousness of the offense alleged against him, claiming that he had shot Riggs in defense of his own person, against whom Riggs was advancing with a club, which he described as the size of a broomstick.

Careful inquiry fails to develop any hard feelings existing between the parties previous to their differences over the stock field and the entire occurrence was so sudden and unwitnessed it is difficult to get at the exact facts only so far as may be related by the prisoner, as no one heard or saw the altercation and shooting. McKenzie is a married man and son-in-law of Harrison Powell one of the oldest and most respected citizens of Washington township. During the administration of Amos Thomas he was acting Deputy Sheriff of Adams county. His antecedents are not well known only that at one time he was employed on the Mississippi River as a boatsman and dark hints are suggested of his former life. Of this no one seems to know certainly. His intemperate habits have been a source of annoyance to his family and friends. Although on the day of the shooting he was said to have been perfectly sober. He is about 48 years of age and well built, with small eyes, florid complexion and his face badly scarred from burns or scald received at some time. We should judge he is of Scotch or Irish nationality and a man of evident learning and no small degree of shrewdness and intelligence.

The prisoner is confined in a cell in the county jail, and is apparently making the best of the situation. On Monday he telegraphed Thomas L. Maxwell to come down from Creston and act as executor of his estate. He says he has no money to fool away on lawyers and intends to take the sentence of the court, whether of hanging or “going to the pen” and not waste his property among lawyers. He also wrote a note to Mr. Gilmore at Brooks informing him that the boys would haul to him the hogs, that owing to his situation he was unable to attend in person to the delivery of the hogs, but if he did not pay the highest price that he would come back after he was hung and haunt him.

It is reported the people of north Adams county in the neighborhood of the murder are intensely excited over the matter. It was reported that an effort would be made last Monday night to organize a mob and hang the prisoner. Nothing of the kind occurred, if even thought of. The law will be allowed to take its course and Sheriff Burgan will exert every effort to prevent any such disgraceful proceeding.

The murdered man was a native of New York and has resided in Iowa fifty years, coming with his parents when seven years of age and settled in Clinton County, Iowa, near Maquoketa. He removed to this county first about 13 years ago and stayed about four years returning to his old home and finally removing here about two years ago. He was a quiet and docile man, not quarrelsome in his disposition, but has been through much trouble of late by reason of an unfortunate marriage. He obtained a divorce from this woman at a late term of court in this county, and has lately made his home with Mr. Dicks on his farm in Washington township. His body was found in the road and at the time he had his leather mittens on his hands and nothing more dangerous than his pocket book and a bunch of keys. No club or other weapon was near him and everything indicates that he was in no condition for either defense or offense, but he went to the gate leading into his field at the advice of his lawyer, to warn the parties in charge of the cattle not to use his field any more.

An inquest was held on the body last Monday under charge of Squire Roberts of Washington township. A verdict was arrived at finding that his death was caused by a gun shot wound in the hands of John McKenzie and that he be held for murder. County attorney Brown attended the inquest and used every effort to obtain the needed evidence. We understand that the relatives of Mr. Riggs will employ special counsel to assist in the prosecution.-Adams County Free Press, March 10, 1887.

Capt, Charles Riggs of Woodbury, his brother Ashley of Minnesota, and Clint of Nebraska, all brothers of the late John H. Riggs of Adams County, Iowa, who was murdered a few days ago, are in our city and were in attendance at their brother’s funeral last Friday.-Reporter.

John Riggs Gravestone
 

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