Iowa
Old Press
Oelwein Daily Register
Oelwein, Fayette co. Iowa
April 13, 1907
West Found Guilty - Given Life Sentence
Elkader, Iowa, April 12 - Edward West, a farm hand residing near
Elkader, Clayton county, was found guilty of murder in the first
degree and sentenced to life imprisonment in the penitentiary at
Anamosa for the killing of John Boland, a farmer, last October.
The murder was the result of a quarrel, West being drunk at the
time of the crime. After committing the deed with an ax, West
carried the body half a mile, threw it into a ditch and covered
it with debris, where a son of the murdered man found it later in
the day. After the murder West went home and washed his clothes
and when questioned by his wife confessed to the crime, but
threatened her with death if she told anyone. West was suspected
however, and after his arrest confessed to the deed.
Fuller to Return to Fayette County
Washington, April 18 - Announcement is made of the resignation of
Assistant Attorney General William Fuller, who has been serving
as attorney for the Spanish treaty claims commission since 1901
and whose home is in West Union, Iowa. Mr. Fuller has sent a
letter to the president, in which he says that he has unduly
neglected his private business and can no longer continue in
service. His resignation will take effect May 31. Mr. Fuller
formerly served as a member of congress from the Fourth Iowa
district. It is intimated that he will return to Iowa in the hope
of becoming a factor in the next congressional election in the
Fourth district.
City News
-Mrs. Frank Lovejoy is on the sick list.
-Miss Alice Bennett is home caring for her mother.
-Francis Hill has moved into his house that he purchased
recently.
-Miss Edith Burgum is quite ill at their home on East Charles
street.
-Conductor Burgum has been at home for several days in
consequence of the illness of his daughter, Miss Edith.
-Word has been received here that Alec McLain will be home from
the west in a few days.
Henry Hanson Died Saturday.
The death of Henry Hanson, son of Frank Hanson, occurred at the
family residence Saturday forenoon at about 10 o'clock. He had
been ill for some weeks from a number of deseases, measles,
pneumonia and typhoid fever, and the end came peacefully. Henry
was a young man of twenty-one years, highly esteemed by his
friends and neighbors, and sincere sympathy is expressed to the
sorrowing parents and relatives. The last services will be held
from the Baptist church Monday afternoon, April 15, at 1 o'clock,
Rev. E.L. True officiating.
[transcribed by S.F., May 2010]
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Elgin Echo
Elgin, Fayette co. Iowa
Thursday, April 18, 1907
The Class
The graduating class of the Elgin High School is composed of six
young people this year, three young gentlemen and three young
ladies. Misses Libbie Hunsberger, Iva Jaquette and Floy Graham.
Messrs Boise Capper, Harry Becker and Leslie Matoon.
It may be that when graduation time comes there will only be five
of the young people who will graduate as Miss Graham expects to
remove to Portand, Oregon, with her parents before that time.
Local Mention
-John Christ JR is here from Hawkeye.
-Mrs. D.H. Hall is visiting at the Mary J. Monnahan home.
-F.M. Smith and Bernice Blow went to Elkader Wednesday on
business.
-Mrs. C.W. Nicklaus was hostess for a small number of friends
Tuesday.
-Mrs. Aureden, of Dubuque, is expected to arrive today for a
visit with her brother, Chas. Becker.
-Tuesday Fred C. Miller bought of John Falb his wood sawing
outfit. Fred has a good engine and saw and would be glad to have
you call on him if you have any wood to saw.
The West Murder Trial
Over at Elkader they had a murder trial wherein one Ed. West was
being tried for the murder of J.L. Boland, on the night of
November 4, 1906, at the home of the latter, in Highland
township, Clayton county, Judge Hobson is the presiding judge and
County Attorney M.X. Geske and D.D. Murphy appeared for the state
and Jas. E. Corlett, assisted by W.W. Davidson and V.T. Price for
the defense.
The jury as selected was H.F. Bonker, Monona; George Borrett,
Volga; Chas. Bleitz, Giard; H.W. Fritz, Garnavillo; Wiley Franks,
Jefferson; John Heilman, Mendon. 2nd, R. Haberichter, Giard; Aug.
Lenth, Monona; Freed Meese, Lodomillo; F.A. Schmitt, Giard; Wm.
Waterman, Elk; and W.H. Whitmarsh, Cass.
Fred Boland, son of the murdered man was first placed upon the
stand. Told of coming home on the morning of November 5th and
finding Ed. West standing in door with blood on mustache. Saw
things disarranged in the house and asking where his father was,
West said he had gone away. West said he had been quarreling but
not with father, but with a tramp that had come there; went all
over house and barn and could not find Boland. Saw West throw
water on the ground to wash off blood. Went to neighbors looking
for father. Searched over premises and found blood spots on
floor. Searched yard and found tracks and blood showing something
had been dragged toward the east and then southwest toward
cornfield; afterwards found bloody hammer near this trail; trail
led into timber where blood marks on leaves showed body had been
carried instead of dragged into cornfield. Searched through
cornfield from 12:30 until after 4:00 o'clock before place where
body was concealed was found. A number of neighbors assisted in
search; was not there when body was taken out and did not see the
body of father again.
Frank Meisner of Highland twp., aged 45, said in part: remembered
night of Nov. 4th. Had attention attracted that night by barking
of dog; went outside after some time; heard voices; stood on
porch. Home is about 90 or 95 rods from Boland's; heard West's
voice coming from that direction exclaiming "Jesus Christ,
I'll finish you." repeated twice and then "I'll finish
you." Heard another voice in the nature of a grumbling or
groan as if the possessor were getting hurt. Could not
distinguish words, spent some time looking through cornfield; Tom
West called to us saying that he had found the grave; went there;
I dug into the grave, dug in with my hands; found corpse; pulled
it out; knew it to be John Boland by coat and hands; was four or
five inches of dirt over body; got team and took corpse to the
house. Was at West's house in February of the year before heard
Ed. West threaten to kill some of the Bolands; accused them of
trying to get his father's farm. At another time West came to my
house in December, 1905, to borrow a rifle to shoot Fred Boland
and Tom West. The same night he said he couldn't rest until he
had some or all of the Boland's killed."
Dr. McGrath took the stand and swore to the nature of the wounds
on head and face, said they had been made with blunt instrument,
hammer could have inflicted same and that anyone of the several
would have caused instant death.
Clem Boland, C.M. Boland, and Fred Orr, all, in a manner
substantiated the testimony of the first two witnesses.
Roy Webb, clerk of courts, was put on stand to identify a certain
statement made by defendent. Defense objected to further
examination of witness on ground that statement was obtained
through threats and intimidations by sheriff. After explaining
matters and arguing the point of law the objection to
introduction of statement was over ruled. Cross examination -
West said at the time of making statement that "If you say
the man found dead on Boland's place was John Boland, then it
must have been Boland that I killed." Defendent seemed to be
very little interested in what was going on at the time. Part of
what is contained in statement seemed to be given and accepted by
defendant as true because he had been told so.
Martin Dittmer, Sheriff of Clayton County, introduced clothes,
jacket and shoes in evidence; got clothes from home of Ed. West;
blood stains on them at the time; condition of clothes now the
same.
After Mr. Murphy had read statement to jury and the court had
taken a fifteen minute recess the state closed. It was agreed
between cousel that defendant was at Hurley's from 1:00 to 7:00
p.m. and that there wa a husking bee there and that he had beer
there that afternoon. The defense introduced no further evidence
and the attorneys immediately began their arguments.
The jury returned a verdict of murder in the first degree and
gave West a sentence of life imprisonment in the penitentiary at
hard labor.
[Transcribers note: the murder trial article was typed exactly as written in the original article. Transcribed by S.F., May 2010]