Boesen, Henry abt 1847-1890

BOESEN

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 11/25/2011 at 11:02:35

From the Alton Democrat of April 19, 1890 page 5
COLD BLOODED MURDER.
Willie Boesen Deliberately Kills His Father.
His Step-mother and Big Brother are the instigators.
Henry Boesen resided upon the farm owned by Fred Keep, four miles south of Beloit and in the northwestern part of Sioux county. With him resided his second wife, Willie, a twelve year old son, a little daughter named Mary, about eleven years of. age, a son named John, about 22 years of age and a hired man named Smith.h
Henry Boesen was about 43 years of age while his wife was considerably older, and it was a habit of theirs to quarrel violently. Mr. Boesen was a German, and made his children walk pretty straight and upon several occasions chastised them severely for disobedience. On Sunday, April 13thvhe and his
little son Willie and the little daughter Mary, went over to Thomas Rood’s a farmer residing about half a mile distant and remained the entire afternoon visiting. -About half past six in the evening, Willie and his little sister returned home accompanied part of the way by a little daughter of Mr. Rood's, who left them soon to hunt her father's cows. Willie went into the house while the little girl went out to the barn on some errand. Mrs Boesen, as soon as Willie arrived asked him where the old man was. The boy replied that he was still at Rood's but would . come home pretty soon.
Mrs. Boesen then handed Willie an old army musket, which had been loaded for this purpose, by the older son, John, and told him to run along and meet his father, and shoot him, that now was a good time, and that he wouldn't get whipped any more if he killed him, and then he could have the mules. Willie took the gun and hurried back toward the home of Mr. Rood. Mr. Rood's little girl, who had gone part of the way with Willie and his sister on their way home, saw him returning with the gun and was surprised. So she stood still and watched. Pretty soon Mr. Boesen came along with his hands in his pockets and his head bent as if studying deeply. He did not notice his son until the boy was within twelve or fifteen feet distant. Then he stopped and asked Willie some questions, possibly what he
had the gun out for, and Mr. Rood's little daughter heard the word "rabbit" mentioned by the boy in his reply, as he pointed behind his father. Mr. Boesen turned his head to look in the direction pointed out by the boy, and in an instant a huge charge of buck shot went crashing through his brain. His little son had raised the gun and fired the awful shot as soon as he had his head turned. Mr. Rood's little girl
fled home in horror, the little murderer gazed an instant at the corpse of his father, and then, throwing the gun down, fled homeward to the guilty woman and brother, who had persuaded him to commit this awful deed.
The family at once went to the scene of the murder and wept loudly and hypocritically. An inquest composed of neighbors was quickly held and they returned a verdict of suicide and preparations were made for the funeral, when Fred Keep happened to come over from Canton, SD, and made some inquiries. He noticed the dead man still had his hands in his pockets, just as he had died, that the shot was from behind and Mr. Rood said he had no gun with him while there, and finally Mr. Rood’s little girl told him she had seen Willie shoot his father. Sheriff Betten was telegraphed for and worked Wednesday all day in ferreting out the details of the crime. and at last secured Willie's confession that his stepmother, and brother had been coaxing him for months to kill his father. His little sister Mary substantiated his statement.
Mrs. Boesen stimulates a good deal of grief, John the oldest is stoical and does not appear frightened, the hired man Smith may not be implicated very much but looks worried somewhat, and Willie does not appear to realize in the least the awful crime he has committed. He is not a very bright boy, is small for his age and has not received any education to speak of. His little sister is much brighter, but the look of wonder in her eyes, shows that she too, does not realize the crime that has been committed. The grand jury will indict the entire family, but they will not be tried until the next term of court.
(No earlier info could be found on this family, Anna was evidently his second wife. She was 55 yrs when this happened her husband was about 43. John and Willie were half brothers. Anna, John and Willie were sentenced to time in prison at Anamosa. However, found these records - 1895 census Anna was 60 born Germany living in Anamosa Jones county IA. John age 31 born Germany was living in Sioux Center and Willie 18 born WI was also living in Sioux Center. According to the Ireton Weekly of Dec 15, 1905, Mrs. Boesen was pardoned Nov 30, 1895, John was pardoned Aug 28, 1900.)