Charles Hirshfield

HIRSHFIELD

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 6/1/2016 at 07:34:15

14 August 1924 - The Tipton Advertiser

Charles Hirshfield Clubbed To Death
Man Born and Reared in Tipton Murdered At Atkins Last Saturday Night - No Clue To Guilty Party

Charles Hirshfield, aged 66, son of Mrs. Fred Hirshfield of this city, was murdered last Saturday night in the railroad yards at Atkins, Iowa, where he had been working The exact manner in which he met his death may never be known as the authorities have been unable thus far to throw any light on the manner.

Mr. Hirshfield left Tipton about two weeks ago after a visit with his mother and returned to Atkins to his work in the Milwaukee shops. Last Saturday evening he told his bunkmate that he was going to visit some friends, were he remained until about nine o'clock, and then started home. His failure to return led to a search which resulted in the finding of his dead body in a shack standing a short distance back from the railroad right of way. The back of his head had been crushed by some blunt instrument, probably a club. These were about all of the facts surrounding the case which were disclosed at the coroner's inquest which was held. It is believed that robbery was the motive as he had no known enemies.

F. B. Wilson went after the body and brought it to Tipton. The funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the home of his mother.

The Cedar Rapids Republican says:

Authorities today are investigating the murder of Charles Hirshfield, 62, Atkins, Iowa. Saturday night.

His body was found in a workman's shack near the coal shutes at the roundhouse at 7 p.m. yesterday by Charles Siegel, Atkins resident, engineer of the C.M. & St. P. railroad.

Siegel was led to the discovery of Hirshfield's body by the presence of blood on the door step.

Robbery is believed to be the motive as Hirshfield's pockets were turned inside out.

Siegel upon finding the body spread the alarm to workmen. Deputy Sheriff Walter Gasser, Atkins, was the first officer to arrive.

Since the crime, Cedar Rapids and the vicinity of Atkins has been combed for clues. One suspect is reported to have been lodged in jail.

As yet no tangible clue has been uncovered.

Benton County Attorney Hamilton Tobin, Vinton, this noon joined in the investigation.

According to word from Vinton, Hirshfield's head had been battered by a blunt instrument, probably a club. His head bore five ugly wounds.

The man was last seen alive on the streets of Atkins at 9:30 p.m. Saturday. It is believed that he wandered to the shops to see some of the night workers.

Rumors are that the man was carrying $90 on his person. This could not be verified by authorities at Atkins.

Benton County Coroner Hunt conducted an inquest yesterday. The verdict was that Hirshfield came to his death by parties unknown. The jurors were Herman Vogt, J. W. Barnosky, Charles Fulton. Approximately five laborers at the round house testified.

Hirshfield had lived in Atkins for three years and had worked as a laborer at the locomotive repair shops there. He has a mother living at Tipton, where his body was shipped yesterday for burial. He had roomed in the town and boarded at the hotel. He had no enemies.