Warher, Mrs. - Killed By Her Children - 1872

WARHER

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 4/28/2016 at 20:50:57

Dubuque Herald, July 2, 1872

KILLED BY HER CHILDREN

Ft. Madison, Ia. – Jul 1, 1872
The mother of seven children was murdered by her two sons, aged 12 and 16, at their home in West Point, Iowa, today. Mrs. Warher had parted from her husband, Dr. Warher, some time ago. On learning of his absence from home she took opportunity of visiting her children. On Saturday afternoon she expressed a desire to return home where she was working at a reform school, her sons prevailed upon her to remain until Sunday morning, promising then to take her home. She stayed, and at 5 o’clock Sunday morning the boys murdered her, stabbing her in the back, breast and throat. After killing her they dragged the body to the barn and covered it with hay. The youngest son then started on horseback for Fort Madison to telegraph to his father who was at Keokuk, to come home, that one of the children was very sick. He returned home, then the boys reported the killing of their mother, and stated it was self-defense. They gave themselves up and are now in safe keeping.