John Heller Died 1936

HELLER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 4/9/2008 at 00:56:22

The Ute Independent
Ute, Monona County, Iowa
16 October 1936

Onawa Business Man Mutilated By Train
Mystery Surrounds The Tragic Passing Out of John Heller

Whether John Heller had been murdered and left on the railroad tracks, or that he had deliberately placed himself there with suicidal intent, were much debatable questions after the finding of his mutilated body Tuesday afternoon about three miles south of Onawa. His car was also found parked by the roadside near the scene of the tragedy, and his revolver was found on the railroad tracks. The gun showed no evidence of having been fired recently.

Mr. Heller was 55 years of age, and was an electric appliance dealer at Onawa. He was clerk of the district court from 1920 to 1928. He was also a former state agent.

John Heller was well known and well liked over the entire county and all are grieved and shocked at his untimely demise. He is survived by his wife and one daughter.

In earlier life John was a baseball player of keen ability. Just recently this writer visited with John in his office at Onawa and reviewed those ball games of long ago. John was catcher for the Blencoe team when it met the Ute Indians in two notable games, one of which went eighteen innings and the other fourteen.