Murder of Sigfred Larson

ZIMMER, PHILLIPS, LARSON

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 3/31/2015 at 23:01:46

Dubuque Times-Journal, November 30, 1906

ZIMMER AND PHILLIPS PLEAD GUILTY TO MURDER

Clinton, Ia., Nov. 30-
Richard Zimmer and William Phillips, charged with the murder of Sigfred Larson, a Clinton painter and indicted by the November grand jury on the charge of murder in the second degree, which plea was accepted. The cases were to be jointly tried in the Clinton district court, the jury having been summoned for this morning. The plea of guilty to the lesser offense, which entails a prison sentence from ten years to life, and which was unexpected, brought an end to the proceedings, and nothing remains but the sentencing of the prisoners.

Zimmer and Phillips killed Larson one Sunday night early in October in front of a North Fourth street saloon, in which the man had quarrelled. After the quarrel the two Clinton teamsters went across the street to their home, got a knife and a razor and fearfully slashed Larson about the head and neck, severing the jugular vein. Larson was a large, strong man, and he lived until nearly every drop of blood had left his body. He died in the hospital, whither he had been hurriedly removed by the police.