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Tag Archives: Murder
Unsolved: The death of Martha Kistenmacher
The evenings had just begun to get darker sooner due to the end of Daylight Saving Time on October 29, 1978. The darkness and colder weather of autumn had begun to take over, leaving the lighter evenings of summer just … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Clara Schiele, Main Street, Martha Kistenmacher, Murder, Purse Snatching, Unsolved Crimes
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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
The Circle of Life…and Deadly Intent
Recently a colleague used the phrase “going down the rabbit hole” and I laughed about it, thinking that happens a lot with family history research. In honor of October’s designation as Family History Month, here is a recent experience illustrating … Continue reading
Posted in Genealogy, Local History
Tagged Bombings, Lincoln Township, Murder, Mysteries, Schools
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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 Death of Claus Behrens: Whispers of murder
The summer heat was already being felt in the early morning hours of July 17, 1897 when Mr. Claus Behrens reported for work at the Brammer Manufacturing Company on Rockingham Road in west Davenport. Mr. Behrens was known as a … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Christine Behrens, Claus Behrens, Henry Bendt, Hulda Behrens Bendt, Murder, Otto Bendt, Paris Green, Paula Behrens, Poison
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The Mysterious Death of Fritz Ehrig – Part II
Click Here For Part One It was on the morning of October 7, 1869 that the body of Friedrich “Fritz” Ehrig was found in the bottom of the cistern in the churchyard of St. Anthony’s Church in Davenport. Mr. Ehrig … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Cora West, Dr. Rudolph Alberti, Elizabeth Fritzfeldt, Friedrich W. Ehrig, Fritz W. Ehrig, James Alcott, 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
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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