Iowa Old Press
Alton Democrat
March 3, 1888
MURDER!
The Coroner’s Jury Says That Mrs. Lester
Was Murdered By a Person or Persons To Them Unknown.
THE VERDICT A GENUINE SURPRISE.
On the morning of February 13th, Mrs. Mary Lester, wife of Wm. Lester, residing in Welcome township, this county, was found dead, lying on the floor of her home. The lady enjoyed ordinary health, at the time and the fact that quarrels had taken place between her and her husband and between her parents and husband led Mr. Hunt, father of the deceased woman, to wire Coroner Quigley. The doctor came, examined the corpse and decided that she had died of heart disease. It seems she had fallen on the kitchen floor between two chairs and every indication pointed to her dropping dead, while doing her daily work. She was buried but Mr. Hunt and family were not satisfied and so last Thursday Dr. Quigley was again sent for, the corpse was exhumed and Dr. Quigley, assisted by other physicians, made a post-mortem examination. Thursday, Friday and Saturday were spent in collecting witnesses and on Monday the Coroner’s Inquisition was opened at Orange City. Many witnesses were examined and the evidence was not submitted to the jury until Thursday, when to the surprise of those who were watching the case, the following verdict was found:
State of Iowa,
Sioux County,
At an inquisition holden at Orange City, Iowa, on the first day of March, A.D., 1888, before W. A. Quigley, M.D., Coroner of said county, upon the body of Mrs. Mary Lester, there lying dead, by the jurors whose names are hereto subscribed, the said jurors upon their oaths do say that the said Mrs. Lester died at her home in Welcome township, Sioux county, Iowa, on the 13th day of February, 1888, between nine and fifteen minutes after nine, on the morning of the above date, from dislocation of the neck, feloniously at the hands of a person, or person unknown to us.
In testimony whereof, the said jurors have hereunto set their hands the day and year aforesaid.
John P. Sheldon,
Charles M. Hollister
Robert S. Taylor.
Attest:
W. A. Quigley, Coroner of Sioux county, Iowa.
This leaves the case open for investigation by the grand jury. The effect of the verdict is that they will probably indict William Lester for the murder of his wife. THE DEMOCRAT has no opinion to express and it advises its readers and the people of the county to refrain from expressing any. Let the law take its course and let the clear light of a searching investigation shine upon this mysterious case. If murder has been done, let justice be dealt the guilty one, and if not, let no one assist in clouding the name of an innocent man.