UNIDENTIFEID:August 29,1924 Mackinaw, Illinois John Doe

 On August 29,1924 an unknown man was found on the river bank in Mackinaw, Illinois. It's assumed he was riding the train and fell off landing in the river or on the bank.

SOURCES:

Find a Grave

UNIDENTIFIED: July 14 1950 Braidwood, Illinois John Doe

 On July 14, 1950, the body of a man was found in an abandoned strip mine pit between I-55 (Route 66 at the time) and Route 113 in Braidwood, Illinois. The area was a strip mine and farm. He had been dead around 4 to 5 weeks.

John Doe is a white man pre-50. He's 5'8" to 5'10" and 175 to 180 lbs. He had brown hair that was thinning on top. He had a tattoo on his left arm. 

SOURCES;

NamUs

Unidentified Wiki

Suspicious Death of Birdie Hoffman and Murder of Gertrude Botts

At 7 pm on May 3, 1900, 18-year-old Birdie Hoffman and 16-year-old Charles "Otis" Botts went on a buggy ride in Peoria, Illinois. The two had been dating for the last two years and planned to get married. Birdie's parents tried to convince them that they were too young, but the two didn't care they wanted to marry.

On the ride, he would end up either sexually assaulting her or they had sex. Afterwards, this would upset Birdie greatly and he claimed that she was full of remorse over them doing that. He claimed that she refused to go home and they argued until 4 am. During the argument, she would grab his revolver and shoot herself in the head. 

Police however did not believe that she had killed herself. However, he could not be prosecuted for the crime as no evidence contradicted his statement. 

Five years later on January 6, 1905, a few days before his 21st birthday Otis argued with his wife, 19-year-old Gertrude at the border house they were staying at in Peoria. The two had been constantly arguing ever since they got married the year before. During the argument, He would strike her in the face and then begin to strangle her with a slender hair ribbon killing her.

He would leave the home and go to a saloon in Knoxville and Glendale. When he entered he seemed heavily intoxicated already and caused a disturbance. He was quickly kicked out. So he would catch a car on the way to the courthouse where again he made a disturbance. He was kicked out after traveling two blocks. 

He would then make it to Wall's Saloon on Fayette St. He would hang out there until late that evening. Towards the end of the night, he became more sober. He seemed greatly worried and even told the bartender that he wanted to drown himself in the river. 

 He would spend the night with his friend William Trautman on Nebraska Ave. At 10 am Patrolman Brannon and McEnvoy would go to William's to arrest him. He was still asleep when he arrived, and surprised him when they arrested him. It was found that he had a razor under his pillow. It was suspected he was planning on using it on himself. 

 He would then be arrested the next day for the murder. He would seem indifferent to his wife's death. He stated that it was an Eastern traveler named Albert Baer. His wife was infatuated with the man and the two had spent that night together, so he had to of been the one to kill her. Police did not believe him, especially since he was the last one seen in their room. It also didn't help that he was a suspect in the murder of another woman.

There was no solid evidence, but there was circumstantial so he would be brought to trial in just a couple months. At the trial, he would deny that he knew anything about his wife's murder. The jury would find him guilty and set him to be executed. This angered him and he yelled at the jury in the courtroom.


SOURCES:
Legal Executions in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, and Missouri page 20

The Altamont News May 10, 1900

Mount Carmel Register May 10, 1900

Herald and Review January 8, 1905

Herald and Review January 13, 1905

Marshall County Democrat March 30, 1905

Woodford County Journal April 6, 1905

Strange History: Francis Leavy's handprint

 

On April 18, 1924, at Engine Company #107 a fire department in Chicago it began like any other day. Except on firefighter, Francis Leavy was acting strange that day. He had an air of gloominess around him. He didn't greet his coworkers, smile, or even talk. He just busied himself with cleaning and maintenance around the firehouse. He then admitted to his fellow firefighters that he felt like he was going to die. At the time some of them possibly poked fun at it, because they never thought it could be true.

After 7 p.m. while Leavy was cleaning the windows a call had come in there was a fire at the Curran Hall. Like many of the other firefighters, Leavy left to the fire that was only a few blocks away. Engine #5 and Engine #103 were fighting the fire inside. While firefighters from truck #12 were working the ladders outside.

The four-story building showed some weird anomalies. Some witnesses said that the fires went downstairs like liquid flowing and when it had gotten to the boxes on the stairwell they exploded. Those fighting inside had to take turns running to the windows to breathe fresh air because at the time they had no breathing apparatuses.

Unfortunately for all those who fought the fire inside. Thirty minutes in the fire had damaged the structure of the building too far. First, the roof collapsed and then pushed out the outer walls of the structure causing the whole building to collapse. Those within the building had been hurt or lost their life.

Within thirty minutes all recuse agencies in Chicago were called in. It was difficult to rescue those trapped beneath the building because when the building collapsed it knocked out power lines leaving the search in rescue in the dark.

20 firefighters were injured and 8 firefighters died that night 1 firefighter died 8 days later. One civilian, William Behr, died while trying to help rescue trapped firefighters. Funerals for the fallen occurred on the 21, 22, and 23 where 125 firefighters were officially detailed to honorary escorts for the services. For the first time in history a civilian, William Behr, had 6 firefighters serve as honorary pallbearers.

Truck 12 lost 6 of their firefighters, Engine #5 lost 2, and Engine #107 lost only one and that was Francis Leavy.

The fire itself was found out to be the cause of arson. The reason that the fire spread like liquid flowing was because wood alcohol was spread around the building and lit on fire. The one who started the fire was the owner of the sporting goods and novelties shop that resided on the second floor. They were convicted of arson and murder. It's sad to think all these people were injured, killed, lost their coworkers and friends just because the owners wanted to get $32,000 from the insurance company.

The next day the other firefighters noticed the half-cleaned window that Leavy was working on had a strange stain on it. In the middle of it was a handprint and when they tried cleaning it the handprint would not leave. They scrubbed, scraped with razors, and used different cleaning chemicals, but nothing would work on the window. They even hired people to clean it, but no one could remove the handprint.

It had been suggested to replace the window, but some of them working there didn't want to. They believed that they shouldn't mess with the unknown. It was also left as a reminder or in memory of Leavy and those who lost their lives that night.

On April 18, 1944, exactly 20 years after Leavy and his fellow firefighters lost their life something happened. A paperboy carelessly threw a newspaper and it shattered the window. Thus destroying the mysterious handprint that couldn't be removed.

SOURCES:

Illinois Fire Service Institute

The Paranormal Guide

Paranorms

End of Watch: Deputy Warden Joseph Clark

In 1864 a man called George Chase was in jail on Collins St in Joliet, Illinois for being a horse thief. It was believed that his name was George Chase, but it was not positive. He refused to talk about his loved ones or where he was from. George was about 30 and described as a stout and healthy man with blue eyes and sandy hair. 

On April 4th George would attempt to escape but failed. However, during his attempted escape, he would hit Deputy Warden Joseph Clark with a rock or club. This injury would cause the Deputy Warden to die weeks later. 

The following January he would be sentenced to death. He was to be the first man executed in Joilet. Because he refused to talk about family friends or even where he was from his only visitors were 3 ministers. On July 27, 1866, George was taken from his jail cell at about 2:30. The three ministers would follow him with their Bibles reading from them. 

He would be walked to a large hallway in the county jail. There was a gallows made specifically for George. There were two posts on each side of the hallway with a beam overhead. a noose would hang from the beam and the other went into a hole in the basement. It was tied with three heavy sandbags that were to bring him up. 

Several official witnesses and newspaper reporters watched the execution. George was tied with ropes and looked to have a dead expression as he was seated in a chair. The chair was under the noose. He would be asked if he had any final words and he did. 

“I don’t think I’m guilty,” he said. “I don’t see any proof that I murdered that man. I think I’ve got as good an explanation of that as you have.” Before he was done talking the Sheriff placed a white hood over his head. “I’m not ready for that yet,” he continued. “I’m as innocent a man as any of you. I am as innocent a man as any in the United States. I admit that hanging is justice. But hanging for a thing a man ain’t guilty of and can’t prove I am guilty of is another thing. It ain’t justice.” He then complained about how tight his bindings were. When the hood was completely placed he muttered, “Gentlemen, I am to be slaughtered.”

The noose would be placed around his neck over the hood. The sheriff would signal the deputy in the basement to drop the bags and they were. George would be pulled from his chair and hung 5 feet in the area. There was a little struggle. They would leave him to hang for 20 minutes. 

He was not taken to a funeral home or buried right after his death. Instead, his head was removed so that doctors could look at the brain attempting to see if there were any clues about his criminal behavior. However, there were no "signs of insanity" in his brain. 

The head was given to a phrenologist and used for lectures. His headless corpse was buried at the prison cemetery known as Monkey Hill. 

SOURCES:

Legal Executions in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, and Missouri page 3

Will County, Illinois Genealogy 

Murder of Albert Lucia

 On December 24, 1883, 30-year-old Christian Reibling (white) was drinking with another man alcohol diluted with water. That Christmas morning they continued drinking a bottle of gin. At a livery stable in Lyndon, Illinois Christian would argue with 19-year-old Albert Lucia (white). It would result in Christian shooting and killing Albert.

Christian would be arrested. He would state that he could remember drinking the bottle of gin, but nothing after. He regretted what he had done and acknowledged he should not have been drinking with his pistol. If he was sober he would not have killed Albert as he had no reason to.

Christian would go to trial and would be found guilty and set to hang. He was to be the first hanging in Whiteside County.  Christian was accepting of his fate and felt remorseful for the killing. He believed that he would be accepted in heaven even for his crime because he was not in the right mind and had no actual malice towards Albert. 

SOURCES:

Legal Executions Illinois, Indiana, Iowa Kentucky and Missouri pg 9

Genealogy Trails

Freeport Daily Bulletin May 16, 1884

Chicago Tribune May 16, 1844

UNIDENTIFIED: Jo Daviess County, Illinois Jane Doe

 On October 25, 1874, the body of an elderly woman was found beneath the bridge that spans the Big Menominee about four miles south of Dunleith, Illinois. She must have been walking on the bridge at night and was struck and killed by the train that left Dunlieth at 7p.m. Her body had been mangled by the train. It's believed that "Her clothing denoted a person in the humble walks of life". 

She was believed to have been in her mid 60's. Her hair was grey. In her pockets was a string of prayer beads, and around her neck was a scapular.

SOURCES:

Find a Grave

INFANTICIDE: March 18, 1901 Bartonville, Illinois Baby Jane Doe

On March 18, 1901, the body of an infant girl was found in a coal mine in Bartonville, Illinois. There is little information in this case. 

SOURCES: 

Find a Grave

Murder of John Gresham

On February 27, 1871, 43-year-old John Gresham, his 15-year-old son, and 18-year-old Bartholomew Barnes were in Clarksville, Missouri and the three crossed the Mississippi River to get to Illinois. John and his son stayed in a wagon on the boat. When the boat landed John, who was fairly drunk, and his son were asked by Bartholomew if they'd let him ride with them with the promise of being quiet and peaceable.

John accepted, but his son rejected. It was known that the John and Bartholomew did not get along.Earlier that month Bartholomew became very angry with John, reason not stated why, in Plesant Hill, Illinois. He had threatened to whip him, but the constable warned him not to do it and would be arrested if he did not stay quiet. He was fuming and said he would tear John's heart out. Bartholomew claimed that he was threatened by John in 1869, but they were never followed through.

On the wagon Batholomew sat next to John while John's son sat up front driving. It wasn't long before the two in the wagon began arguing. Bartholomew would yell "You damned old son of a bitch." as he jumped up. This caused the board that John was sitting on to tip having him fall out of the wagon on the otherside He would land on his back near a wagon and a fence. Bartholomew would jump out and run back to the wagon to where John was laying and would lean back onto the fence to steady himself. Bartholomew would then began to stomp on John's head and chest with the heel of his boot 8 to 12 times.

This would kill John whose nose, cheekbone and jaw was broken, his head was kicked in more than an inch. His face was left unrecognizable. Two people witnessed the murder, John's teenage son and a Mr. Oyler. Mr. Oyler started running towards the murderer who jumped the fence and ran. Mr. Oyler was able to catch him in a few minutes. When caught he claimed he had nothing to do with it and did not see him even though blood whiskers and hair covered the heel of his boot.

Bartholomew would go to trial in Pike County even though it had happened in Calhoun County after a change of venue was granted. The trial would start on November 27, 1871. His only defense was the threat from 1869 who his brother testified in court. There was no other witnesses to help the defendant. He would be found guilty and set to hang.

Bartholomes's execution was the first and last one to take place in Pike County. On December 29, 1871. His would say"I pray thee to forgive my sins, to save any soul and take me to heaven, repeating the petitions, as we thought, twice or more." At 2:25 the bag and noose were slipped over his head he said "O'Lord save my soul." When he dropped his neck was instantly broken and after 20 minutes he was pronounced dead..

SOURCES:

Legal Executions in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky and Missouri Pg 4

99 Nooses pg 119

Geneology Trails (Calhoun County, Illinois)

Geneology News (Pike County Illinois)

Nashville Journal April 27, 1871

Chicago Tribune December 12, 1871

Alton Telegraph December 15, 1871

Chicago Tribune December 30, 1871

December 30, 1903, Iroquois Theater Fire 1 Unidentified

 

Image created by Charles N. Landon and published by the Tacoma Times

On December 30, 1903, the play Mr. Blue Beard was playing at the Iroquois Theater in Chicago Illinois. During the second act, the curtain was caught on fire possibly by an electrical short circuit. This made several of the theatergoers go into a panic. Some were calmed by the fact of an actor trying to keep them calm. But the theater was burning down around them so many tried to escape.

The fire extinguishers that the theater had were meant to be thrown at fires on the ground and were useless against this fire as it rose. Three exits were forced open but unluckily lead to unfinished fire escapes. Some of the doors opening caused the fire to increase. Many people were trampled, crushed and asphyxiated in the fire.

Even though the theater claimed before the fire that it was "absolutely fireproof" it was not. It had been noted by several people including the fire department captain, and the editor of Fireproof Magazine that it was not.  In fact, it was hazardous as the theater did not follow the rules. The fire warden was warned, but because they knew the owner would ignore it. Unfortunately, the carelessness of the owners caused 602 people to die.

One of the victims was never identified.

The victim was a white woman around 50-year-old. Her face was still recognizable when she died. She is buried in Montrose Cemetary in Chicago.

SOURCES:
Unidentified Wiki
Wikipedia
Find a Grave

UNIDENTIFIED: September 5, 1922 Kearney, Missouri John Doe

On September 5, 1922, a man had robbed a post office in Kearney Missouri. He had been shot by the city marshall Frank Milbourn. his identity is unknown and he had broken into several buildings in town. 

He was a white male and was around 20-years-old. His hat had an Iowa town mark and a picture of a woman and child photographed in Clinton, Illinois. 

SOURCES:

Unidentified Wikipedia

Find a Grave

Missouri Digital Heritage: Missouri Death Certificates, 1910-1970

Murder of Herbert and Kate Rapson

 

By 1905 59-year-old William Rapson was frequently arguing with his son 25-year-old Herbert and Herbert's wife 28-year-old Kate. They would fight over the farm of H.N. Nottingham where they were tenants. In early January William agreed to leave the farm. Accounting of the farm started and fights still ensued and they nearly threw fists. Kate would get involved siding with her husband. They all lived in Joilet, Illinois together.

The morning of January 7, 1905, started out normally as the two would take care of the farm together. William and Herbert would go to the barn and feed the cattle and horses. Herbert would climb the hayloft and pitched hay down to the animals.

While Herbert was doing this William brought out a shotgun he had hidden the night before. While Herbert was coming down the ladder William would shoot his son once his head was visible. His death was sudden as the buckshot entered the base of the head and without even a groan Herbert fell to the pavement dead.

William would hide the gun behind the barn door and go to the home and ask Kate for help. She and her mother-in-law did not hear the gunshot. He told her that one of the cows was sick and he and Herbert needed her help with it. So unknowning of her fate she came into the barn first spotted Herbert on the ground.

She would run to her husband as William grabbed the gun. She initially thought he had been hurt, but she noticed that he had been shot she screamed and looked at William horrified. He pointed the gun at her and he was between her and the only exit. He told her "I'm going to kill you". She tried to run the other way away from him. 

The chase ended when they were at the far corner of the stable. There was no way out. She  tried to cover her face to protect herself. He held the gun a few inches from her head an fired. After he killed her he walked out of the barn not bothering either body. He would make his 

He would walk straight to a neighbors home, Lewis Grouger, and tell him "My son and his wife are in trouble." He gave no further explanation and Lewis and William rushed to the barn. Lewis was disturbed by the sight of the murders and rushed to another neighbor for help. Inside the home William's wife had no idea of his crime.

William would reload his gun and take off his boot. He placed the muzzle in his mouth and used his toes to shoot the gun. This did not kill him. When Lewis returned he would find William and William would tell him "I killed them both. I raised the boy and I loved him. Him and his wife were mean to me. They wanted to throw me out to beg."

William would be sent to the hospital and would survive. William would plea guilty. Against what Kate's family wanted William would get life in prison. Because of his injuries from his attempted suicide and his old age even with the minimum of 14 years for both would mean he would die behind prison.

SOURCES:

Find a Grave Herbert

Find a Grave Kate

Chicago Tribune January 8, 1905

Matoon Morning Star January 8, 1905

The Worthington Advance January 13, 1905

The Tamaroa Times January 18, 1905

The Joliet Evening Herald-News March 2, 1905

The Joilet Evening Herald-News March 27, 1905

The Champaign Daily News March 28, 1905

The Joilet Evening Herald News March 30, 1905

The Joilet Evening Herald News April 1, 1905

Murder of Albert Lucia

On December 25, 1883, 32-year-old Christian Reibling was drinking early for the holiday in Lyndon, Illinois. Already drunk he went to the general store of C.W. Parkhurst looking to buy more alcohol. He got mad when he was told that the store did not sell liquor anymore. This angered him and at the same time, 19-year-old Albert Lucia came into the store.

For some reason, his anger was focused on Albert. He would then threaten Albert with his pocket pistol and tell him to leave the store. Albert being the meek and harmless type of youth left the store and went to a livery stable owned by Constable G.R. Cady. It was probably to seek some protection.

Christian not knowing that the boy went to the livery stable went there also. He would then see Albert laying on a pile of blankets and would get angry again. He would threaten him and told him to leave. 

Albert would state he did not have to get out unless Mr. Cady said so. Mr. Cady would stay silent and not request the boy to leave. Christian would then get his gun out and point it at Albert as he stood between him and the door. Telling him he had to leave. 

An effort was done in trying to take the gun away, but a shot was fired and hit Albert in the leg. It would shatter the bone. Albert would not die automatically, but his wound would cause infection and Albert would die on Jan. 5, 1884. 

He would admit that he did not remember the murder. That he had been drinking diluted alcohol the day before and a bottle of gin with a friend the day of. He stated that if he was in his right mind he would have not hurt the boy. At trial, he claimed that a smallpox sore he had in his head had helped cause him to murder the boy also. He said he regretted his actions that day. He would be found guilty and set to hang on May 16, 1884, in Morrison, Illinois.

Christian's last night was spent will no incident. He went to bed a little later. He was awake by the time the jailer came to his cell at 7 a.m. and stated that he slept very well that night. He was a little nervous and his stomach was upset. He didn't want the eggs and ham that was for breakfast, because he had no appetite. He did want coffee though of which he drank profusely. He would pray continuously that morning mostly in German. 

He would then see Reverend T.E.V. Sweet and Reverend Edward Breen. Prayers were offered to him and he would pray and talk as he walked around. The Sherrif's daughter at one point offered an orange to him to which he ate, and he smoked two cigars. 

At his request, the Sherrif and three members of the church choir would sing to him some religious songs. During the midst of this, he began to cry and he went back to his cell to conceal that he was crying while listening to them sing. 

He said the crying wasn't because of regret, but because of the religious ecstasy, he had drifted away from. He felt that he had been forgiven for his sins. He was accepting of his fate but admitted that it was hard to face the gallows. 

Around 150 people from the surrounding area came to see Christian hang. People were dressed in their Sunday best. Few who came were admitted into the enclosure, none of which were women. Though many women also came to watch the execution. 

His last words were; "Well," he said smiling sadly and bowing to the crowd." I am sorry for what was done and don't have unkind feelings toward anybody, and hope they have none against me. I believe I will be saved, for Christ died for our sakes. I believe it just as firmly as I live. I hope I shall go to a better place and I believe I will be saved by Him." He would hesitatingly look at the sheriff and smiled. "And I want to thank the Sheriff Mr. Beach for his kindness. He had always treated me as a gentleman." He then looked at the deputy sheriff. "Mr. Cole has also been kind to me so has Mrs. Beach. Well, that's all I have to say, gentlemen."

Mr. Sweet would recite a prayer for Christian, when he finished the prayer he was hung at 2:06. He went straight down and struggled for an instant. He would be dead by 2:15 his neck was broken. The on-seers who were permitted to watch were civil, but those outsides tried to make their way in or were climbing trees so they could watch. None of the people there were relatives of his.

SOURCES:

Legal Executions in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, and Missouri pg 9

Quad-City Times May 16, 1884

Chicago Time May 16, 1884

Chicago Tribune May 17, 1884

MISSING: Amelia Jo "Molly" Zelko

 

On September 25, 1957 47-year-old Amelia Jo Zelko who also went by Molly left her Newspaper's office on Cass St. in Joliet Illinois just before 11:30. A bartender claimed she stopped in for a drink and used the payphone on her way home. She then parked in front of her second-floored apartment on 413 Buell Ave.

Someone claimed to have seen some men bury a woman near where Zelko lived. Zelko's shoes were found and her friends stated that it meant she was in danger. She would kick off her shoes and run if she felt in danger. Police thought there may have been a ransom, but no note arrived.

Amelia was a newspaperwoman for the weekly paper in Joilet. She would blast mobsters, political corruption on the front page. She was also a big advocator against gambling. It's unknown if her work at the newspaper was the reason for her disappearance, but she did male a few enemies doing so.

She was reported legally dead in 1964.

Amelia was a white female and 47 years old at the time. She was 5'4" and 5'6" and around 120 lbs. She has dark brown hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a hat and a diamond ring and a bracelet they were worth $5,000 at the time.

SOURCES:
NamUs
Doe Network

Murder of Eliza McNulta

By 1873 34-year-old Henry McNulta and his wife 36-year-old Eliza lived in Chillicothe, Illinois. In 1871 Henry started to go to Peoria at night to get drunk. When he would return home would beat Eliza in a drunken rage. It became so frequent that neighbors only slightly acknowledged it was happening, and paid no attention.

There were several times that Henry had half-beat Eliza to death. Every time he was arrested for his cruelty towards her she would go and beg for his release at the court. He would be released and the two would return back to their home. Early September was the last time Eliza plead for Henry's release.

On the night of September 21, once again Henry would go out to Peoria to drink. He would return and neighbors would hear the last beating Eliza would get. In the morning Henry would go for a physician as his wife was dead. He would claim various stories about what had happened to Eliza. One was that when he came home that night he found that his wife had fallen out of bed and was struggling to get back in the bed. Another was that he left his wife the night before sick in bed and she was dead when he returned.

Autopsy showed that two of her ribs were broken and her spleen had bursted causing her death. There were boot marks left on her body as she had been kicked and stomped on. Henry would deny beating his wifeand claimed he did not beat her in a way that would have killed her. People were not suprised that Henry had finally beat Eliza to death.

Henry would go to trial for the murder. It would take 7 hours for the jury to find him guilty. On December 13th he would be sentenced to be hanged by the neck. They trield to obtain a new trial, but failed. It was said Henry was hopeful for a change in his sentence up until he was on the gallows.

On Feb 7, 1873 Henry would be hanged. During his last speech was bitter as he claimed innocence. He blamed everyone involved with the execution. He claimed that his cousel wanted him convicted,Dr. Morley, and Judge Puterbaugh. He claimed that the Judge had decieved him and his friends. That the Judge had stayed and got drunk in Peoria and went to Sprinfield to drink with Govoner Beveridge. The speech made people solidify their thought that he was guilty of the murder. At 1:22 p.m. was hanged and was cut down close to 2 p.m. 

SOURCES:

Peoria Historian

Legal Executions in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, and Missouri page 4

The San Francisco Examiner September 25, 1872

New York Daily Herald Feburary 8, 1873

Chicago Weekly Post Feburary 13, 1873

Murder of Hazel Weinstein

On July 7, 1914, a salesman named 27-year-old Roswell Smith would lure 4-year-old Hazel Weinstein into an alley near her home in Chicago, Illinois. Roswell would then sexually assault the young girl. During the assault, he either strangled or suffocated the girl. Panicked he went to a nearby house and knocked on the door holding the girl who was faintly breathing. He would tell them that he found the girl in the alley this way. She would die a short time later.

A witness would come forward stating that a man that looked like Roswell was with the girl a short time before her death. Roswell would confess that he had a flash the Tuesday night before the attack and he became obsessed with the idea. They would then try to claim that his seizures caused him to attack and kill the girl. He was also considered mentally "defective" and eccentric, but harmless. He would still be found guilty and sentenced to hang.

On Feb. 13, 1915, Roswell would be executed. His last words before executions were; "I will raise my eyes unto the hills, whence cometh my help."

SOURCES:
Homicide in Chicago
Last Words of Executed
Horror History
The Rock Island Argus July 8, 1914
The Day Book  July 8, 1914
Chicago Tribune July 9, 1914
The Daily Chronicle July 29, 1914
Chicago Tribune November 13, 1914
Carbondale Free Press November 16, 1914

Murder of Annie Geyer

In Belleville, Illinois 20-year-old Philip Mathews and 21-year-old Annie Geyer grew up together and would eventually become a couple. Annie's family seemed to have become upper class while Philip's stayed middle class. Philip seemed to have "become one of the boys" as Annie's lady friends would term it. He seemed to have spent his time at billiard halls, barrooms, and sporting resorts. The two were engaged, but Annie wasn't happy in the relationship. 

In early 1882 Annie had broken off the engagement and returned the ring to him. She would then move on from Philip. Around May it was reported that Annie was to marry another. This would displease Philip. He would on more than one occasion tell her she would marry him or nobody.  Philip was planning to kill her. 

On May 28, 1882, Philip and his friends to a stroll in a grove in the suburbs in Belleville. He would encounter Annie and several of her friends who were teachers or scholars at the Sunday School. The ladies went there to see the condition of the groves and see if it was good enough for a picnic the next day. 

Philip would then come up to Annie. The two would talk, but Annie seemed scared and wanted to avoid him. Those around did not see anything to be alarmed of from how he was acting, but Annie knew different. The two would walk a few feet from the group. 

Philip would ask her if it was true she was getting married. Annie would answer and it would anger him. He would suddenly pull a revolver out of his pocket and would shoot Annie with it. Philip would run as soon as he shot and Annie would scream take two steps and die. He would soon turn himself into the police station. 

Philip would be protected from a lynching mob, but his fate would be the same. He would be convicted of the murder and set to hang on Jan. 12, 1883. His last words were "I wish you all goodbye."

SOURCES:

Legal Executions in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, and Missouri pg 8

The Inter Ocean Jan 13 1883

The Daily Review Jan 14, 1883

Nashville Banner Jan 11, 1883

INFANTICIDE: The Durbin Baby Murder

Emily Dunn and Charles Durbin lived in Vandalia, Illinois. The two were not married and the couple would mess around and this resulted in Emily getting pregnant. Charles would then send Emily away to Decatur, Illinois to have the baby. He would tell her that she would have to get rid of it once it was born. He would only marry her if the baby was gone.

Emily would stay in Decatur and give birth to a chubby red-headed baby girl in August of 1884. While in Decatur and after the birth of her daughter Emily was living with Mr. and Mrs. Shiveley. Emily loved her child and it was noticeable to people around her, but Charles wanted the baby gone. So wanting to be with the man she loved she tried several times to give her child away. 

By March 7, 1885, 27-year-old Charles was done with 21-year-old Emily still having the baby. In news reports, it seems he called the baby it. He was mad that the baby was still there. He told Emily "I'll be damned if I don't find a place for it." her before leaving The Shiveley's home. He would return after nightfall and state he found a home. The three would leave the home together.

They would walk to the railroad tracks and would get closer to an area without visible homes. From what Emily stated was that Charles and she walked to a point and he took the baby with him. He stated that the family lived not much further and he'd take her there. Emily was unwilling, but let him take her daughter. He was gone for 20 minutes before returning.

She was crying by the time he came back. He told her crying wouldn't help anything and they wouldn't be bothered again. What they didn't know is a man named Boyd Shannon saw them from a distance, but he thought that the couple was another neighbor. 

In the time he was gone he threw his baby girl into the river and let her drown. It's unknown if Emily knew that Charles threw their daughter into the water or if she was an unwilling party to the murder. It's believed that he did this on his own. 

The two would go to the Humpty Dumpy Theater and then to the Shiveley home stating that Charles gave the baby to a man with the last name Smith. That their daughter was going home with him to California. They handed the baby over at the train depot. Now that their daughter was gone on March 16th the two then got married.

The body of the 7-month-old would soon be found. 

Emily wouldn't be prosecuted for the murder as she believed that he was giving their daughter away and not murdering her. It would be said that Emily would regret giving the prosecution her letters and for her testimony against Charles. She was still devoted to him and loved him though he killed their child. 

At the trial, they claimed that the baby had to of died after the 7th due to decomposition. They also claimed everything was circumstantial and he could have given the baby away and the "Smith" man murdered the child. He was found guilty at trial and was sentenced 21 years in the penitentiary. Many thought that for the crime he would have hung and was surprised with his sentencing. 

SOURCES:

Decatur Daily Republican March 28, 1885

Herald and Review April 8, 1885 

The Herald-Dispatch June 20, 1885
St. Louis Glove-Democrat October 28, 1885

St. Louis Globe November 4, 1885

St. Louis Dispatch November 5, 1885

Chicago Tribune November 5, 1885

St. Louis Globe-Democrat November 5, 1885 

The Pantagraph November 6, 1885
The Herald-Dispatch November 7, 1885

Murder of Elizabeth A. Darwin

On July 13, 1865, Gabriel J. Forsee had slit the throat of 36-year-old Elizabeth Darwin at her home in Monroe County, Illinois. She had previously testified against him in court and on the night of the killing, she may have rejected his sexual advances. In response he killed her. The knife he used was described as "for the value of one dollar".

Gabriel did not realize that a little girl who occupied the same apartment as Elizabeth would have seen him. She woke up to voices and with the aid of a light she was able to see Gabriel. She testified against him in court and in September he was found guilty and had gotten the death penalty. After his conviction, his wife and kids didn't contact him.

On June 2, 1866, he was hung between the courthouse and jail in Waterloo.

SOURCES:
The Woodstock Sentinel June 7, 1866
Darwintern
The Combined History of Randolph, Monroe, and Perry Counties Illinois page 158
Legal Executions in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, and Missouri page 3

Murder of Louisa McAdams

In 1867 When Louisa Long was 17 she married Jesse McAdams. The two lived in Bond County, Illinois. nearby neighbors were also family of them. Near Louisa's sister and brother-in-law, John Arm. John's sister Hannah would marry John Moore. John Moore was born in New York but raised near St. Louis.

On the day of Monday, July 5, 1869, 22-year-old John Moore went to look at his wheat. He then would arrive at the home 18-year-old Louisa, who was sitting on her porch when.  Her husband Jesse was not home at the time. He got her into the home by asking her questions about some books and a bureau. He would then try to attack her.

He wrapped his arms around her and tried to sexually assault her. She resisted him and then he threw her onto the floor. He then let her go. He begged her not to tell anyone of what he attempted to do to her and even offered her money. She stated that she would tell.

He then left her home and went to his. He sent his wife away and started packing up. He planned to leave, but after thinking of his wife and child he realized he didn't want to. The idea of leaving them was more than he could bear.

He then returned to the McAdams home. Louisa saw John and began to flee in fear. She tried to flee to her sister, Hannah's home by running across the field. The whole time John begged her not to tell and she still refused. She did not make it to her sister's home and John had caught her. He struck her and began to stab her and finished her off by slitting her throat.

After the murder, John pulled some shocks of wheat apart. He would then claim to hear a scream and went towards it. John claimed he had seen her from the fence and he jumped over it check on her. His story seemed implausible as you wouldn't have been able to see her body from the fence. He alerted others working the fields and alarmed his wife of the murder.

The following night John and his wife Hannah and four other people would stay the night at the McAdams home.

John seemed to not sleep well and at 3 a.m. he left the home. When Hiram McAdams asked him if he was leaving he told them no. This was a lie. One of the men watch and followed John M., but lost sight of him. They believed that he was heading to the Goodson place, so they waited for him there. It took John 15 minutes to get there.

He was wet to the boot tops and had gone to destroy the evidence of the footprints at the scene. On Tuesday around 8 to 9 a.m. John's boots were found under the dining table unhidden. There was evidence of blood on them. His pants were also unhidden and they were found with blood on them also. John's excuse for this, it happened when he helped move Louisa's body. Police then asked to see his pocket knife. John took it out of his pocket but instinctively used both hands to hand it over. This was to help prevent the officers from seeing his shaking hands.

John was then arrested for the crime and confessed to the murder. He was then taken to trial and convicted guilty with the death penalty. John Moore was hanged on October 22, 1969, in Greenville.

His last letter to his wife dated the same day he was executed read as the following
.
SOURCES:
Civil War Days and Those Surnames
Legal Executions in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, and Missouri page 4
The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer July 14, 1869
Wisconsin State Journal July 15, 1869
Chicago Tribune July 15, 1869
Decatur Weekly Republican November 11, 1869
New York Times October 26, 1869
Chicago Tribune October 27, 1869