Kinnie / Kinney, Michael died 1876

KINNIE, KINNEY, HENRY

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 1/17/2020 at 15:36:46

Source: Decorah Republican July 17, 1902 Page 4 Col 4

Murder in Clayton County.
Postville Review—As we go to press we learn that a farm hand by the name of William Henry, a few miles from McGregor, deliberately killed his employer, Michael Kinnie, by beating his brains out with a wrench last Saturday. Henry was arrested at Monona on Sunday and lodged in jail at Elkader.

Note: although the date this was printed in the Decorah paper is given as 7/17/1902, the murder actually took place in 1876 (read below and also follow the link given)

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Added by S. Ferrall 1/17/2020:

~North Iowa Times, July 13, 1876:

Murder Near McGregor
A shocking murder occurred in Giard township on Saturday evening inst. The particulars as we learn them are as follows:

Michael Kinnie, a farmer residing in Giard township came to the city on Saturday accompanied by his hired man, named Wm. Henry. After transacting the business which brought them to the city, returned home, to all appearances on friendly terms.

After arriving home Henry proceeded to do up the chores around the barn, while Kinnie went into the house. Mrs. Kinnie hearing Henry cursing and swearing, evidently out of humor with the horses which he was taking care of, approached the barn and was received with threats of her life, and finally driven away. She returned to the house and told her husband of the rough treatment she had received from Henry.

Kinnie started out to the barn and was met by Henry with a wagon wrench in his hand - Henry immediately attacked Kinnie, pounding him on the head with the wrench, causing the brains to ooze out.

Mrs. Kinnie, finding she could be of no service to her husband, took her child with her and started for the neighbors to secure help. Before assistance came Kinnie had breathed his last and the murderer had fled.

The news of the murder spread like wild-fire, and very soon the officers of the law and citizens and neighbors were on the trail. On Sunday afternoon he was captured in Monona, and immediately taken to Elkader where he is confined in safety from further harm.

The funeral of Kinnie took place on Monday afternoon attended by a large concourse of friends and neighbors. The family in their sudden affliction have the sympathy of the community.

No cause is known to exist for Henry's murder of Kinnie. Some are disposed to lay it to a freak of insanity, as he has been generally considered to be somewhat foolish and absent minded. At all events he has committed a horrible deed, and one for which he should be made to suffer the full penalty of the law.

Capt. Benton and his deputies, with the officers at Giard made a gallant race after the fugitive from justice. Striking his trail, Sunday noon, they were not long in overhauling him at Monona. Credit is due to the Captain and his aids for the energy and zeal displayed.

Note: as per WPA records, burial is in St. Mary's cemetery, McGregor. Surname spelled Kinney in the WPA and in an accounting of the murder in the 1882 History of Clayton county … link below

Killing of Michael Kinney
 

Clayton Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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