Iowa
Old Press
Iowa Recorder
Greene, Butler, Iowa
April 28, 1915
Leave Bars for Bier
Marshalltown.- In charge of J.A. Brummett, a guard at the Anamosa
reformatory, "Nate" and Frank Rainsbarger,
"lifers" at the institution, were in this city April 20
en route back to prison from Abbott, Ia., where they had been to
see their dying sister, Mrs. Henry Johns, who died a few days
ago. The prisoner brothers of the woman remained to attend the
funeral. It had been nearly thirty years since the Rainsbargers
had seen this city, where they were tried and convicted of the
murder in 1885 of Frank Rainsbarger's father-in-law, Enoch
Johnson. Strange as it may seem Mrs. Johns died on the thirtieth
anniversary of the sensational death of her husband, who was shot
and killed after having served on the federal grand jury at Fort
Dodge that was investigating counterfeiting. Both of the
Rainsbargers are hopeful of being pardoned. They fell that the
sentiment against them in their old neighborhood in Hardin county
has changed wonderfully in recent years. They found a good
feeling toward them, and believe that they will live to be among
their kinsmen and old friends, and again breathe free air. Nathan
Rainsbarger is now 62 years old and Frank is 56.
[transcribed by C.J.L., May 2007]