Slifer case

SLIFER

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 9/23/2010 at 16:08:48

SLIFER CASE IS TO COME UP

Grundy County Farmer Accused of Poisoning Wife

Eldora, Feb. 9.— The case of William E. Slifer, the young Grundy county farmer now being held in jail at Grundy Center on the charge of having murdered his wife, will be brought to the attention of the Grundy county grand jury when that body meets at Grundy Center this week. Slifer was living with his wife at the home of his parents, H. E. Slifer, in Melrose township, Grundy county, and one night in December he came down stairs (and informed his folks that he awoke about 11 o'clock that night and found his wife lying by his side cold in death. An examination was made, an inquest hurriedly held the next morning, and it was decided that the young woman had died from the effects of heart failure.

After this decision was made, it is claimed that young Slifer claimed to have discovered a note which purported to be in his wife's handwriting, and claimed to read that she had ended her life to get rid of her troubles. At the same time Slifer is said to have dug up an empty chloroform, bottle which bore the label of a Marshalltown druggist. Investigations were then taken up by Asa Rodd, a brother-in-law of Slifer, and the county attorney of Grundy county, and it became apparent to these two men, that there were evidences of foul play.

Slifer was arrested upon a warrant sworn out by Asa Rodd. At the preliminary hearing it was proven Slifer himself had purchased the drug at Marshalltown on the Saturday that his wife died, and the druggist positively identified Slifer as the young man who signed his wife's name to the poison book and purchased the chloroform. The druggist had carelessly laid the book down and did not notice at the time that the man had signed the name of Mrs. William E. Slifer to the book.

It is expected that Slifer will demand an immediate trial, and that in case an indictment is found the case will occupy the attention of the February term of the court. He is now in jail at Grundy Center, and the rumor is that he has exhibited signs of having lost his reason. Attorneys from Waterloo have been employed to assist the state as well as the defense in the prosecution of this case.

--Waterloo Semi Weekly Courier (Waterloo, Iowa), 09 February 1904