Iowa
Old Press
Postville Review
Postville, Allamakee co. Iowa
Wednesday, May 3, 1876
GREAT EXCITEMENT IN FRANKVILLE !
Sudden Death of Mrs. Kneeskern -- Fowl Play Suspected ! -- An
Inquest Held !!
Special Correspondence of the Review
There has been much excitement in the vicinity of Frankville
[Winneshiek co.] during the past few days, caused by the sudden
death of Mrs. KNEESKERN, wife of Aaron KNEESKERN, now living at
Moneek. The circumstances connected with her death caused a
suspicion of foul play on the part of some one, and consequently
the friends of the deceased after giving the matter a careful
investigation, as far as possible, caused the coroner to summon a
jury, and endeavor to elicit the true facts in the case. She was
taken ill on the evening of April 27th, about 7 o'clock, and died
at 2 o'clock next morning; she has enjoyed very good health,
except a little headache at times, and being so severely attacked
without a moment's warning, naturally caused a grave suspicion of
foul play.
She was taken with convulsions, which was the first appearance of
any sickness, and these continued with but little cessation until
death ensued at 2 o'clock a.m., a phisician (sic) was called, by
suggestion of a neighbor, about half past ten o'clock, but at his
arrival it was impossible to give remedies as she was speechless,
insensible, and could not swallow. It was the opinion of the
physician (Dr. ROGERS) that death was caused by a combination of
narcotic poisons. This with other circumstances connected with
her previous life of worse than misery, caused by the presence of
a second woman in the family taking her place as wife No 2 or
rather No 1, for it seems was prefered (sic) to the real wife,
caused the coroner to be summoned, and a post mortum (sic)
examination to be held. It has been generally known for years
that the family did not live in harmony, and that Mrs. KNEESKERN,
the real wife, has several times been seen with black eyes, and
with a mark on her throat, which she herself said was caused by
being choked by Mrs. WALKER, wife No 2. That butcher knives have
been drawn on Mrs. K., and that the husband has chased her with a
boot into the fields. Mrs. K. has several times stated by the
abuse arisin; (sic) from the presence of this woman in the
family, and yet the citizens of Frankville and vicinity have
allowed the performances to go on unmolested for some 10 or 12
years; oh! shame! shame!, can it be possible that people living
in a free and enlightened country, would allow such damnable work
and influence to pass before the eyes of their children
unmolested that (?) unrebuked? It is time it was stopped. Are we
to have a second Brigham Young in old Winneshiek county? Will we
allow a woman to be abused for years and finally undoubtedly
murdered? If justice is due, deal it out, deal not loosely with
such a matter as we have before us. Mrs. WALKER has several times
went away for a short time, but KNEESKERN would each time go
after and bring her back, to again be his wife, and thus destroy
the peace and comfort of Mrs. KNEESKERN. Before any action was
taken, KNEESKERN seemed very anxious that something should be
done to find out the cause of death, but when the coroner and
physieian (sic) arrived, then there was a great change in his
conduct, he showed madness, and even made some threats toward
some of the friends of the deceased.
The investigation began Saturday at 3 p.m., and continued until
Sunday at 2 p.m. Nothing was proved sufficient to warrant any
arrest of any ore. (sic) The KNEESKERN family are a well trained
people and thoroughly understood how to swear so as to screen the
father and that woman WALKER. Judging from their testimony, the
family was one of the most pleasant that possibly could be
imagined; but for miles in all directions it is positively known
to the contrary, and also known that Mrs. KNEESKERN has dwelt
there in mesery (sic), it being nothing but Pandemonium or a hell
upon earth for her.
Mrs. WALKER since the death, has stated that she was in the
family while Mrs. K. was alive, and now she did not think it
right to leave and she was not going to do so. The post mortum
(sic) by Dr's ROGERS of Frankville, and COLEMAN of Decorah,
developed the facts that not a single organ in the whole body
showed any signs of disease whatever; on the contrary lungs,
heart, liver, brain and all were in a healthy condition; the
stomach was put in a jar, sealed up and placed in the hands of
the coroner without being investigated, that will develop the
cause of death without a shadow of a doubt. It was the sidcussion
(sic) of the physicians and jury that the deceased came to her
death by a combination of narcotic poisons, administered by hands
unknown.
The coroner delivered the body up to the friends at 11 o'clock
Sunday, and the funeral took place immediately after. Much
excitement prevails, and tar and feathers is mentioned, but we
hope better judgment will prevail and a wise course be taken.
--
The funeral of Mrs. NOBLE took place at the Methodist Church,
Rev. SMITH preaching the sermon. A large congregation of friends
attended upon the last sad rites.
We have learned that Mrs. SCHOOLMAKER, the woman who cut her
throat the 15th of last month is recovering as fast as possible.
She is now able to be
around the house; she is quite insane at times, and will probably
be taken to the asylum as soon as possible.
[transcribed by M.D., November 2004 & January 2005]
-----
Postville Review
Postville, Allamakee co. Iowa
May 7, 1876
J. A. Pechia, who recently sold his farm near Myron, has moved to
Worth county, six miles from Northwood, the county seat of Worth,
where he has bought another farm of 100 acres. He made us by
handing in a V to apply on back and advance subscriptions and
goes to his new home bearing no ill will toward anybody, and with
the hopeful pages of the Review to tell him of the kind
neighbors he leaves behind. His object in changing localities is
to gain health.
[transcribed by M.D., August 2004]
-----
Postville Review
Postville, Allamakee Co., Iowa
May 10, 1876
T.F. JOHNSON and T. STILES Esq., have gone east on a visit of
several weeks duration. We believe they do not intend to take in
the centennial.
H. PAGIN, M.D., will visit Postville May 4,5 & 6, rooms at
the Commercial Hotel, where he will treat all chronic diseases.
Consultation fee.
[the first part of this article was cut off my copy]
...Pastors and Superintendents' prayer meeting. Led by J.W.
MILLER, Waukon. Bible reading, Mrs. B.S. BRAINARD, Fayette Co.
Conscecation hour led by Rev. J.L. PAINE, Postville. Rev. J.M.
WEDGWOOD, president, D.W. REED, secretary.
We are under obligations to G.W.HANKS for a goodly supply of the
celebrated Peerless potatoes, for seed. They are as large as good
sized cabbage heads and "as good as they are
beautiful".
Cash on Review subscriptions this week:
E.H. DUNNING, Joseph KOEVENIG, I.A. COLE & C.I. BISHOP.
School roll of honor (100 being perfect)
E. PARKS,J. MOTT, M. REED, G. HIGBEY, B. WILSON, C. DARLING, W.
SAWYER, S. DEMPSEY, W. HUDSON, E. WELLS & M. CLARK
-100,100,100
F. CALLBREATH, 95,100,100
S. SPOO, 80,100,100
W. DARLING, 100,95,99
J. HUMPHREY, 85,100,100
P. McLELLAN, 75,100,100
E. CLARK, 100,97,99
C. MOTT, 100,95,98
L. LULL, 95,100,95
E. COURSIN, 90,100,100
J. ROLL, 95,95,98
A. LOUGHLIN, 95,100,99
S. SANDERS, 100,100,95
A. HUMPHREY, 95,100,100
F. HAINES, 80,100,100
L. MOTT, 90,100,98
Trial Jurors drawn for the June Term of District Court,
commencing June 19th, A.D. 1876:
Center twp. -- S. McNAMIRE
Franklin twp.-- Robert CRAWFORD, Seldon CANDEE & C.J.F.
NEWELL
Iowa twp. -- Jacob NEWELL
Lansing twp. -- W.H. BURFORD, T.P. GRANT, E. HALE & Peter
WUEST.
Ludlow twp. -- Daniel ETTLE [may be Little]
Makee twp. -- A. BARNARD, W.P. BURDICK, R.G. PRATT & James
RAYCE.
Paint Creek twp. -- Hans SMEBY, Tim McGINNE, James McDONOLD, Ole
R. GREFSTAD & Holver ELLEFSEN Jr.
Post twp. -- John DAVIS.
Union Prairie twp. -- James BAXTER & Martin DALY.
Waterloo twp. -- William DUFFY.
Grand Jurors for A.D. 1876:
Fairview twp. -- George BOARDMAN
French Creek twp. -- Patrick McCONLEY
Hanover twp. -- Patrick BNYRE [may be Bryre]
Jefferson twp. -- N.E. BRACE
Lafayette twp. -- Niel McCAFFNEY, John DAWNS & Daniel MURPHY
Lansing twp. -- R. ANGELL & George TOLMER
Linton twp. -- A.J. CAMPBELL
Makee twp. -- A.J. HENSEY
Post twp. -- James TAYLOR & James BARNETT
Union Prairie twp. -- James GRIFFIN
Waterloo twp. -- Axel P. DILLE.
[transcribed by S.F., August 2003]
-----
Postville Review
Postville, Allamakee co. IA
May 17, 1876
Married. - At the residence of Mrs. WERNER in
this city, May 7th, by Rev. J. L. PAINE, Mr. Geo. C. WERNER to
Miss Sarah A. STRAACK.
Died. - Russell A. FINNEY, father of S. B.
FINNEY, died on Sunday evening, after a prolonged illness, aged
65 years.
-- C. F. RATHMAN is building a large addition to his house.
-- Jack PHILLIPS has filled up the city barber shop in apple pie
order, with paint and paper, and is prepared to give you a
centennial hair cut and shampoo that will do your heart good.
Ladies and children's hair cutting a specialty.
-- The Waukon Standard may now be said to be a religious
paper as it gives nearly all its space to the publication of
sermons and lectures. It might be filled with a great deal worse
matter, however.
Returned to the Asylum
It is with deep feelings of sorrow that we announce the return of
our brother, M. V. BURDICK, to the Independence Asylum, last
week. His temporary discharge and return home had the same effect
that we expected and told the Superintendent it would have, and
made him worse instead of better. We hope he will this time be
kept in the Institute long enough to demonstrate whether or not
his malady is curable.
IOWA ITEMS
A snake twelve feet long was killed on Iowa street, Dubuque,
between 3d and 4th recently. It ought to be stuffed if stuff
enough can be found to fill
it.
[transcribed by M.D., January 2005]
-----
Postville Review
Postville, Allamakee co. IA
May 24, 1876
--Dr. BROWS reports a case of mahgnant (sic) scarlet fever in the
family of H. S. HUMPHREY of the Commercial Hotel. The patient is
recovering. This is the first case in town, though there have
been several cases a few miles out. It is to be hoped that
Postville may be spared a vistahon (sic) from this scourge, which
has ravaged many of our neighboring towns.
-- Miss Jennie CANFIELD, sustained a severe fracture of the
collar bone on Monday evening by falling from a swing. Dr. BROWN
put it in shape. This is a dangerous amusement and one results in
many accidents.
[transcribed by M.D., January 2005]
-----
Postville Review
Postville, Allamakee co. IA
May 31, 1876
It is a young female that calls Attorney Stowe "pa"
these days, or will when she gets large enough.
A telegram yesterday announced the sad intelligence of the death
of Mr. ROBERTS, father of the ROBERTS brothers of this place.
Hall and Frank left on the afternoon train for New Hampshire.
[transcribed by M.D., January 2005]