Downing, Ashley 1855 - 1933 (Murdered)

DOWNING, CAMPBELL, QUINN

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 2/27/2014 at 18:09:29

Compiled from articles appearing in the Waterloo Daily Courier, Thur., 5 Jan. 1933 and the Sumner Gazette, Thur., 12 Jan. 1933.

So far all investigation of the murder of Ashley Downing, prominent farmer living south of Westgate, whose lifeless body was found on the floor of his kitchen Wednesday afternoon, January 4, has resulted in absolutely nothing, according to information from Sheriff H. J. Nehring at West Union the first of the week.

Several people who saw Mr. Downing that day and those who found him after his untimely, have been questioned by the sheriff and coroner of Fayette County to tell what they know. Although there have been several rumors of officers taking parties into custody, such is not the case. Officers have questioned neighbors and acquaintances solely for the purpose of trying to pick up a clue.

From the information obtained by officers, Downing was found about 4:15 o'clock Wednesday afternoon by parties who had gone to the Downing place to obtain some poultry. Not wishing to leave without talking to him, they finally went to the house and receiving no response to their knock, they pushed the kitchen door open and found Downing lying face downward, the back of his head shot away. Later investigation revealed that he had apparently been dead two to 2 1/2 hours when found. That he had been shot at close range is evident from the powder burns on the collar of his shirt and the strap of his overalls. The wallet was missing from his clothing when officers made an investigation.

Many believed that Downing was wealthy and therefore kept large sums of money about his house. However intimate acquaintances have doubted this in recent years since robbers threatened him several months ago, taking money which he had in his wallet. People of this vicinity acquainted with Downing claimed that he kept very little money about the place.

Downing's property in the vicinity of Westgate included: the 240 acre homestead where he was killed and where he has resided 55 years; 240 acres a mile south of the home farm; 120 acres one-mile West of Westgate; 120 acres of timber nearby; 90 head of cattle on the home place; two business buildings in Westgate, two residences in Oelwein and one in Hazelton. He also owned a farm in South Dakota, operated by one son, and a farm in Minnesota, on which two other sons live. His estate is valued at $150,000.

Mr. Downing was born June 25, 1855, at Palatine, Cook County, Illinois. His parents were Macy Downing of Canada and Richard Downing of Launceston, England. He came to Fayette County with his parents while in his teens. He married at Maynard, June 13, 1878, Ella Jane Campbell.

Mr. Downing's wife left him about six years ago, since which time he has lived alone. His wife died at Tillamook, Oregon, December 16, 1931, at the age of 81 years.

Survivors are the sons and a daughter: Roy, South Dakota; Ralph and Arthur, Parkers Prairie, Minnesota; Mrs. Ethel Quinn, Tillamook, Oregon.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon in Oelwein, Rev. L. H. Hauter of the Presbyterian church officiating. Interment was made in the Woodlawn Cemetery.

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Submitter's note: Several persons were later questioned in the murder case, and prior robbery case. I can find no further information that a murderer or a robbery suspect was ever charged or convicted of either crime.

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