Murders Young Bride And Commits Suicide

DOLMAGE

Posted By: Marilyn Norris Holmes (email)
Date: 6/5/2009 at 13:42:40

Grinnell (IA) Herald; Jan. 01, 1924

MURDERS YOUNG BRIDE AND COMMITS SUICIDE
Adam Dolmage, Victor Merchant, the Prey of Jealousy.

VICTOR, IA., Dec. 31--(Special)
--Crazed with jealousy and his mind said to have been laboring under a hallucination, Adam Dolmage, 69-year-old merchant, and wealthy land owner, killed his beautiful bride, almost 40 years his junior and then turn the shotgun on himself and committed suicide, Friday night.

The wife's body was found wedged between the bathtub and the wall, cold and stark, apparently having been there for hours after death. It is believed the slaying took place in the bathroom where she is thought to have taken refuge from the attacks of her mad husband. The husband's corpse was found in the basement, torn by the charge from the weapon.

Two letters, one to a son Frank, and the other to a daughter Flora, were found in the house and turned over to the coroner, Ray Fessler, who made public a part of the contents.

One charged the bride with infidelity, as having sought the company of younger men and taken trips with them. Dolmage mentioned no names.

The other directed the son Frank to manage the affairs of the estate until the will has been probated, and advised him to go to a Davenport attorney if money is needed.

That the murder was premeditated is indicated by the fact that Dolmage held a conference with his bankers Friday afternoon, before the deaths, and wrote a card to his son shortly afterward.

The first hint of the crime became known late Saturday afternoon when the son received the postal card directing him to rush to his father's home. The son obeyed and finding the house cold, started a search. He first found the stepmother's body in the bathroom, then discovered the father's corpse in the basement. He notified Coroner Fessler.

The couple were married last Sept. 20, and it is believed that Dolmage met his bride somewhere in Nebraska, but her home town is not known here.

The couple has been something of a mystery here, as they kept to themselves much of the time after the wedding. Neighbors vindicated her of being unfaithful, however, declaring that if she had sought the company of other men it was unknown to them.

Dolmage leaves nine children by a former wife. Neighbors say they all left the house upon the arrival of the stepmother, they being opposed to the second marriage. Dolmage was very wealthy.

He owned a large and beautiful home at Evanston, Ill., in addition to a large farm near there. He owned considerable real estate in Victor and Iowa counties.
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Adam Dolmage married Florence Harwood 20 Sep 1923 in San Diego, CA