Iowa Old Press
The Alton Democrat, October 7, 1905
WAYSIDE GLEANINGS.
Miss Jennie Root of Hinton died in Pasadena, California, last week of consumption.
The Alton Democrat, October 14, 1905
WAYSIDE GLEANINGS.
Will A. Duus—a prominent LeMars young man—died suddenly this week after a few days illness with spinal meningitis.
Ireton Weekly Ledger
Oct. 20, 1905
MURDER IN A HACK
Man Kills Daughter-In-Law and Ends Own Life at Sioux City
E.H. Darrow, aged 60, of Lead, S.D., formerly of Sioux Falls, a promoter for
the Hidden Spanish Mining Company, of Lead, at 4:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon
shot and instantly killed the wife of his son, W.E. Darrow, of Belle
Fourche, S.D., a woman of 24, and then put a bullet through his own brain,
dying in a few minutes.
The tragedy took place at Sioux City, Ia., in a hack which had been engaged
by Darrow to carry him and his daughter-in-law from the Arcade Hotel, Fourth
and Jones Streets, where they had been staying, to the Chicago and
Northwestern passenger station.
The murder was committed as the hack was spinning along in Third Street,
between Jones and Jackson Streets.
Back of this frightful tragedy, so quickly enacted, there grins a family
skeleton awful in its hideousness.
Darrow had been traveling and living with his son's wife, representing her
to be his own wife.
JEALOUSY WAS THE CAUSE---DARROW FEARED HE WOULD LOSE THE WOMAN---INQUEST
OVER THE BODIES DEVELOPED LITTLE NEW INFORMATION
Jealousy and fear that a younger suitor might woo the affections that he had
illicitly enjoyed in all probability were at the bottom of the double
tragedy at Sioux City Sunday in which E.H. Darrow, of Lead, S.D., killed
Mrs. W.E. Darrow, his daughter-in-law, in a hack and then took his own life.
Few new facts of importance were developed Monday, although Coroner Robbins
in the afternoon held an inquest over the bodies. In interviews earlier in
the day, however, relatives and friends of the victims threw some light on
the mystery which had surrounded the shocking death of the 60-year-old lover
and his 24-year-old paramour.
The corner's jury brought in the simple verdict that Darrow had murdered the
wife of his son, and afterwards committed suicide. The testimony was
conclusive.
With the tears starting from his big blue eyes George E. Darrow, son of the
murderer, testified as to the identity of the couple. He said: "They were in
Omaha one week ago today and had dinner with me. We had a pleasant evening
and I never had any idea anything was wrong. I haven't been home for ten
years and was in utter ignorance of the conditions. I imagined father and my
brother's wife were just taking a little trip together."
Walter A. Dick, of Sioux Falls, son-in-law of E.H. Darrow, arrived in Sioux
City Monday to take charge of his remains.
"We will take the body of the old gentleman back to Sioux Falls for burial,"
said he.
"How about the woman?"
"I don't care a d___ what becomes of her."
The body of Darrow was sent to Sioux Falls Monday night.
Mr. Dick told some inside history of his father-in-law when questioned in
regard to his past.
"Lillian Nellie Morrison was a teacher at a school near the Darrow farm half
a dozen years ago," he said. "She boarded at the Darrow home and this
finally culminated in her marriage with William Darrow. The old gentleman
became smitten with her and this was the cause of a separation between
Darrow and his wife. Mrs. Darrow has made her home with my family for
several years."
[L.Z. Transcriber Note: definition "hack" = a horse or a coach for hire; a
taxicab]
[L. Z. Transcriber Note: date of these deaths was Sunday, Oct. 15, 1905]