The murder of Alonzo Sherman-1863

SHERMAN, HURLBUT, HIRSHFIELD, HERMAN, MOE, COMSITT

Posted By: cheryl Locher moonen (email)
Date: 5/18/2021 at 21:26:33

Weekly North Iowa Times, Wednesday, Sep 23, 1863, McGregor, IA, Page: 2

Horrible Murder:

ALONZO SHERMAN, of Monona, was beaten to death with clubs on Monday night on his way home from McGregor. He had sold a load or two of wheat that day and had the proceeds in his pocket. Starting for home at 7 p.m. and after passing White Springs two footmen requested a ride to Bull’s Head. He told them “In welcome.” In a few minutes a blow on the head from the one behind, and a blow from one alongside of him, rendered him almost senseless. At that time, Charles Herman and H. Hirshfield, of this city, were coming from Elkader on a fast trot and the murderers left their victim. Herman and his friend met Sherman’s team on a run and Sherman hailed them, told them “some villains had killed him!” He got out of his wagon and got in again, asking them to go with him quickly to the Four Mile House, only 100 rods ahead. They conducted him there, put him to bed and drove to town. Dr. Moe was sent out, but the unfortunate man was dead, or nearly so when the physician arrived. Herman saw two men on his way to town, but he thought the best way to drive in and post the officers. Constable Comsitt was aroused but no trace of the two could be discovered. Esq. Hurlbut was sent for as Coroner and a jury empaneled reported that the deceased came to his death by blows with a club on the head producing an incision one and a half inches long on the left eminence of the frontal bone, a slight fracture in the skull and a contused wound on the temporal bone above the right ear-the latter blow being the fatal one.

The money and the effects of the murdered man were untouched – the fiends being frightened from their harvest. Esq. Hurlbut has $85.00 recovered from the body. These two men stayed all night on Sunday at the Four Mile House and carried a club each-these clubs are in possession of Esq. Hurblut, and are recognized by the Landlord of the Four Mile House. Search is being made by fifty men, but no clues have been obtained. A hundred rumors are afloat. The deceased was a most amiable young man and was to be married next week.