Casten, Romelda 1915-1929

CASTEN, SCHLEE

Posted By: Ken Johnson (email)
Date: 6/14/2003 at 20:05:53

Thursday, 28 Nov. 1929, Postville Herald, p1, c5:

Romelda Casten Passes Suddenly at Locust
_______

The sympathy of all is with Mr. and Mrs. Walter Casten of Locust, near Decorah, in the sad and sudden loss of their only child, Miss Romelda, aged fourteen years, who was suddenly summoned last Saturday forenoon during the absence of her parents from home.

Mr. and Mrs. Casten are farmers near Locust, but had recently rented their farm and were to move into Decorah to give their daughter the advantage of the better schooling afforded there. In fact, most of their goods had already been moved to the new home in that city. On Saturday morning last Mr. and Mrs. Casten left home, Mrs. Casten stopping at the new home in Decorah, while Walter came on to Postville to visit his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Casten, and to attend to some business matters, Miss Romelda remaining at the old farm home alone.

As Walter and his wife left home Romelda was mixing the batter for a cake she was to bake and was requested to let the cattle out of the barn, and the parents went on their way.

Returning home at a little after four o’clock, Mrs. Casten made the remark that it was strange Romelda did not come out to meet them as was her usual custom. Mr. Casten went on to the barn and found the cattle still in their stalls, while Mrs. Casten went into the home, called to her daughter but received no reply. Hastening to the kitchen she found Romelda lying on the floor cold in death, the kitchen fire out and the frosting for the cake all mixed in a bowl. The probabilities being that the daughter had been stricken with death shortly after their leaving.

The body was brought to the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Casten in this city on Monday afternoon, and on Wednesday afternoon at one o’clock the funeral was held from St. Paul’s Lutheran church in this city, a pastor from the Locust vicinity conducting the service. Interment was made in Postville cemetery.

_____ _____ _____

Added by Reid R. Johnson, March 1, 2014:

The jury brought in a verdict of "not guilty" in the case of Walter Casten who was tried in the Winneshiek county court for the murder of his daughter, Romelda. Mrs. Casten will go on trial on the same charge later.

~Elgin Echo, Thursday, June 12, 1930

--- ---

The jury in the trial of Mrs. Adelia Casten, charged with the murder of her 14 year old daughter, Romelda, returned a verdict of "not guilty" at 8:05 last night.

The case went to the jury shortly after five o'clock yesterday afternoon when the arguments of the defense and state had been completed and the instructions of the court read to the jury by Judge H.E. Taylor.

Walter Casten, who was indicted jointly with his wife, Adelia Casten, for the murder of their daughter was [illegible] of the crime at the term of court which convened May 19, 1930.

Romelda was found dead at the family home north of Decorah on the afternoon of Saturday, Nov. 23, 1929. Following an autopsy the verdict of the doctors was that death ensued frm hemorrhage of the brain. The girl's stomach was removed by the doctors before burial and sent to Iowa City for examination. The report of the Iowa City doctors disclosed that the stomach contained a large amount of strychnine. Pending their trials the Castens were at liberty on bail in the sum of $20,000 each.

After two hard fought trials the death of Romelda is still a mystery. She may have taken the poison accidently; she may have committed suicide; or she may have been murdered. Who knows? -- from the Ossian Bee

~Elgin Echo, Thursday, October 2, 1930
~Romelda's photo was with this article

--- ---

Decorah, Jan 8 - A check for $5,000 from the New England Mutual Life Insurance company was issued to Mr. and Mrs. Walter Casten and was sent to them yesterday by M.D Whitney, Decorah, with whom they had taken out on their 13 year old daughter, Romelda, who was found dead under suspicious circumstances on Nov. 23, 1929. Chemists at Iowa City found a large quantity of strychnine in her stomach, and both Adelia and Walter Casten were tried for the murder of their child. Both were acquitted of the charge. Mr. and Mrs. Casten are living with relatives at Postville.

~Mason City Globe Gazette, January 8, 1931

---
Reid's notes:
The second article sums up a sad and sensational event, and year-long subsequent trials of Walter and Adelia Casten for the murder of their daughter, Romelda, in Winn. Co. The parents would later move to Postville and they had many relatives in Allamakee Co. Walter was the son of John Casten (1861-1954) and Adelia was a daughter of William Schlee (1857-1928).

Walter and Adelia were tried separately, and the trials kept northeast Iowa a-buzz for a full year. Researchers wanting more info. should look in the Mason City Globe-Gazette newspapers during the trial periods of her parents. That paper had daily coverage. Both Walter & Adelia's obits are also posted on this Obituary Board.

Allamakee Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen