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Koehn, Fred H. died 1905

KOEHN, MCSPIRNE, BAKER, BABER

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 7/30/2015 at 07:49:09

Waterloo Daily Reporter, Tue., 6 Nov. 1905.

Elkader Nov. 6 - Word has been received here that Fred H. Koehn, the 28 year old son of Wm. Koehn, living near Elkader, and brother of W. H. Koehn residing here, had been murdered at Demopolis, Alabama, October 31, by a negro from whom he sought to collect an account.

Full details have not yet been received. A telegram from J. D. Gloves, a justice of the peace at Demopolis, brought the first news of the tragedy. Later a letter was received from a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at that place, telling more of the details of the young man's death.

Since going from here nearly a year ago the young man has been employed by a book firm at Atlanta, Georgia, soliciting orders for books and later delivering and collecting for them. He had previously made a sale to a negro living on a farm near Demopolis, and on this trip was endeavoring to collect the account. He and the negro had words about the settlement, when the latter fired a revolver at Koehn. The bullet took effect in the leg below the knee, and it is thought the young man then attempted to escape, as the next shot entered his back on the left side, passing through his heart. The murderer had not been captured so far as heard here.

Arrangements have been made by the Odd Fellows order of Elkader to have the Odd Fellows of Demopolis send the body here for burial. Aside from the father and brother here, the young man has a brother Charles, telegraph operator at Freeport, Ill., and a sister, Mrs. Wm. McSpirne, also living at Freeport.

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Elkader Argus, Wed., 08 Nov. 1905. Elkport and vicinity column.

The remains of Fred H. Koehn, who was murdered by a negro at Demopolis, Ala., were received here Saturday morning. It seems he was shot down while attempting to collect a small amount due the book firm he represented. At last accounts the murderer had not been apprehended. The funeral was held Sunday p.m. at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Koehn, and despite very inclement weather was largely attended, showing the esteem in which the deceased was held here. Rev. Leonhardt, of Elkader, officiated. Interment in the Musfeldt cemetery. The sympathy of all our people is extended to the bereaved family.

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Elkader Argus, Wed., 15 Nov. 1905.

The Demopolis Times under date of Nov. 9th, has the following to say regarding the Koehn murder.

"Wm. Baker (surname reported in other newspapers as Baber), the negro who so foully murdered Mr. Fred H. Koehn near Forkland last week, was caught Tuesday night and received his preliminary trial yesterday before justice Henry Koch, in Forkland. He was bound over to the circuit court and a special term will probably be called at which he will surely be sentenced to be hung as there was never a clearer case of cold blooded murder, and it reflects credit on the law abiding citizens that they restrained themselves sufficiently to let the law take its course."

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Elkader Register, Thur., 10 May 1906. Local News column.

Last week Wm. H. Koehn received a letter from Sheriff E. C. Meredith, Eutaw, Ala., dated April 28th, which says "Yours in regard to Willie Baker, the negro murderer of Fred Koehn, received today. Baker plead guilty to murder and was sentenced to the penitentiary for life. He is now serving his sentence in the coal mines at Flat Top."

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