Kostka, John – Died 1897

KOSTKA

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:43

Iowa Plain Dealer May 14, 1897, FP, C5

Mr. John Kostka, living in Sumner township two miles south of Protivin was found dead in his bed last Wednesday morning at 5 o’clock. Coroner Gibson was sent for and upon going to the residence found these facts: On April 29th or 30th, Mr. Kostka went to Protivin where some trouble between him and a son by his first wife, who was a blacksmith, arose. The son attacked his father, bruising him badly and breaking a rib. Mr. Kostka was taken home Saturday morning and suffered until his death, last Wednesday. The Coroner’s jury found that his death was caused by the injuries received at the hands of his son, consequently the grand jury will probably have some work to do in the case.—Decorah Public Opinion.

Some weeks ago we copied an article from the Decorah Public Opinion concerning the death of a man named Kostka, near Protivin, in Winneshiek county, resulting from injuries inflicted by a son living at Protivin. The Winneshiek authorities notified County Attorney Wilbraham, who, we understand has communicated the Winneshiek authorities that, if any crime has been committed, in all probabilities it was within their borders instead of in this county. The testimony of reputable witnesses from Protivin and vicinity, go to show very conclusively that when the old gentleman left Protivin a day or two after the day he was alleged to have received the beating, he was in good health and showed the marks of no injuries, while the coroner found eleven ribs broken and bad bruises on the forehead and elsewhere. Furthermore, our informants state that the son has assisted in the support of his father who had left him but wanted to return, and that the son told him that he could not now keep him, but used no violence whatever.

Source: Decorah Republican May 13, 1897 P 4 C 1

Is it Murder?
Coroner Gibson was called to Sumner township last Wednesday morning to hold an inquest upon the remains of John Kostka, the old man who was found dead in bed at five o’clock that morning. The investigation revealed the fact that Mr. Kostka had visited a son at Protovin on April 29th or 30th and they had some trouble. The son, who is a blacksmith, it is said beat his father and threw him upon a pile of scrap iron, inflicting injuries which resulted in death. Such was the verdict of the jury. If the grand jury takes this matter in hand the younger Kostka may find that heating his father will leave a blight upon his name that will never be removed.