A Woman Murdered Near Dubuque

SULLIVAN, KENNEDY

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 4/23/2010 at 08:14:39

Bellevue Herald, Bellevue, Iowa, May 3, 1887

A Woman Murdered Near Dubuque

Mrs. Barney Kennedy, wife of a dairy man living about three miles from Dubuque, was found dead in a field about a mile from her home, Tuesday afternoon. Marks of violence were upon the head and body and her clothing was torn to shreds, clearly indicating that it was a case of murder and that the woman had made a desperate struggle for her life. Mrs. Kennedy had driven the dairy wagon to Dubuque Saturday and on her return in the evening had some words with her husband and left the house. She went to a grocery store in the vicinity and did not leave until eleven o’clock that night, and was slightly intoxicated. She visited the same grocery at one o’clock Sunday afternoon, and about four o’clock was seen running in an exited manner down the road where her body was found. People living in the vicinity of the spot where she was afterward found murdered heard loud screams for help. Mr. Kennedy claims not to have seen his wife after she had left his house Saturday evening. The coroner proposes to make a thorough investigation of the matter and the inquest will not be concluded before Thursday. Mrs. Kennedy was about thirty-five years old, and leaves five children. She was the daughter of Mr. Timothy Sullivan, of Dubuque, and was married to Mr. Kennedy when she was about fifteen or sixteen years of age. Both the husband and wife are said to have been drinking quite heavily of late, and she has often left the house and remained with friends in Dubuque for several days at a time, and it is said for that reason the husband did not make a more vigorous search for her, although he made inquiries for her in Dubuque.