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Tag Archives: Crime
Unsolved: The Death of Clara Schiele
As the sun rose on the morning of August 3, 1978, local Davenport newspapers predicated an exceptionally mild day in the 70s. A break from the normal blistering heat of an Iowa summer. Many people probably felt it was a … Continue reading
A Trusted Friend: The murder of Rose Gendler
22-year-old Rose Gendler left her part-time job at M. L. Parker Co. in downtown Davenport a little after 9:00 p.m. on December 21, 1932. She had worked a full day in the toy department and still had to catch the … Continue reading
Helen Van Dale: A woman of the criminal underworld Part II
Please read Part I of Helen’s story here. Bold lettered headlines covered the front page of local newspapers on the morning of August 1, 1922 in Davenport, Iowa and Rock Island, Illinois. William “Bill” Gable, owner of a soft drink … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Crime, Dimples Lee, Eula Elizabeth Lee, Eula Wonders, Helen Van Dale, Irvin Wonders, John Looney, Lawrence Pedigo, Prohibition, Tom Cox, William Gable
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Helen Van Dale: A woman of the criminal underworld Part I
Most individuals living in the Quad Cities are familiar with the name John Looney. From his home base across the Mississippi River in Rock Island, Illinois, Looney created an illegal empire that included gambling, prostitution, protection money, and illegal alcohol … Continue reading
The Death of Claus Behrens: Whispers of Murder Part II
Please see Part I for the beginning of this story. After the Coroner’s Inquest declared Claus Behrens had died due to poisoning his wife, Christine Behrens, and their daughter’s new father-in-law Henry Bendt remained in jail. Both Christine and Henry … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Christine Behrens, Claus Behrens, Crime, Henry Bendt, Murder
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The Mysterious Death of Fritz Ehrig – Part I
The morning of Thursday, October 7, 1869 probably seemed like a typical fall day to Patrick Higgins, Sexton of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Davenport. The church was (and still is) located on the corner of 4th and Main Streets. … Continue reading
Henry Bastian: A serial murderer among us – Part II
Part I of this story may be found here. Henry Bastian’s suicide did not stem the flow of gossip about Frederick Kuschmann’s death in Rock Island and Davenport. In fact, according to newspaper reports, people began to wonder about several young … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Carrie Bastian, Crime, Eva Bastian, Frederick Kuschmann, Fritz Kreinsen, Henry Bastian, John Lauderbach
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Henry Bastian: A serial murderer among us – Part I
When 21-year-old Frederick Kuschmann was found dead on the evening of February 29, 1896, in Black Hawk Township near Milan, Illinois, it appeared to have been a tragic accident. His body was found along a local roadside by his employer, Henry … Continue reading
The Death of Colonel George Davenport
When most people think of the Fourth of July, they tend to think of freedom, fireworks, and food. Readers of early Davenport history probably think of the same things, but with one addition—murder. On July 4 of 1845, several men … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Colonel George Davenport, Crime, Fourth of July, Murder, Rock Island Arsenal, Skeleton
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