The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-03-24
THE INQUEST.


where the body of the murdered woman
was found, summoned q jury and com
menced the inquest. 1t was apparent to
everyone that murder had been commit
ted and suspicion naturally pointed to
Heilwagon and his son as the guilty parties.
The known domestic troubles existing be-
tween Otto and his wife made it appear
probable that he had motive for killing
her, and on this account he was
suspected as being her slayer. Another
fact which cast suspicion on the husband
of the murdered woman was that a bullet
was found imbedded in the door of the
humble dwelling, while a pistol shot was
heard by passing mail carrier on the
Monday night when Dora was last seen
alive. 1t was ascertained that the bullet
was of size to be used in Otto's revolver,
which, when he was searched. was found
to have had one chamber discharged 1t
was not proved, however, that Otto was
about the premises on that Monday even
ing, and he proved by disinterested wit
nesses who were at work with him on the
railroad extension that he was in Daven-
port on Monday night and early Tuesday
morning He also explained the condition
of his revolver by stating that he had the
revolver with him in Davenport, and had
been out shooting at mark on Sunday
afternoon. The result of this testimony
was that Otto was released from custody.
The evidence against the murdered WON
ans father-in-law was of such character
that he was held, although it was wholly
No motive for the crime
was adduced, as while the elder Heilwagen
took the part of Otto in the
trouble between him and his wife their
zeal was not sufficiently strong to induce
4 l.xa.a - ~ l. II
A great many theories were at once start
ed by different parties acquainted with the
facts TO account for his murder and con-
Meeting the old man with the commission
thereof. 1t was said by some that short
time before tie murder his family had been
losing milk which they placed in the cellar |
far safety. He had openly accused his
daughter in-law of appropriating such
liquid, and had threatened to place poison |
IN it to break up the practice He bought |
the poison, but it was not known that he |
ever used it. The person who held to this |
theory claimed that he was induced to kill |
his sons wife to prevent her from helping |
herself TO the Heilwagon diary.
Another hypothesis was that on Monday
night the old man came home in an intoxi-
Gated condition. While so circumstanced /
ne was very brutal He was told that
Dora had made assertions about Annie, his
laughter, which were neither pleasant for
i parent 10 hear, nor complimentary to
he young lady implicated by the asser-
ions. He had been prevented from visit
ng Dora to demand an explanation, at an
,arly hour in the evening, and consequent
Y made his call at later hour After
hating and laughing for some time, it is
;laimed he demanded an explanation from
Dora which she refused to make. He be-
anne exasperated, and in rage struck her
With fatal effect.
Another superstition is that Heilwagon
,isited DUTa's honse on that Monday night
With no murderous inteRt. He sought to
muse her, and succeeded; as her laughter
vas distinctly heard by the members of the
lder Heilwagon's household He was ex-
tied by liquor and the natural brutal
characteristics of his nature became more
marked and prominent. He made propos-
tons to her which should never have been
made. She refused to comply with his
sishes, and attempted to run away from
i'm. She left the house and he followed
er. He finally overlook her and killed
er on the spot.
None of these theories fully explain the
rime. as there is still a mystery about it
,lfich cannot be accounted for, 1t has
ever been known with what instrument
he crime was committed, as the skull of
be woman had fractures and injuries
Thich could have been inflicted by blunt ,
such as a club, rock or hammer, J,
r by revolver. Her body when found
Fas far advanced in the stages of decompo-I
ition that 1t gave little evidence of how
cath had been produced Subsequently ,
} the burial, the remains wa1e exhumed .
nd post mortem examination conducted I.
his developed the fact that two fractures ,,
xisted on the right OF the head, and no
Their evidence Of personal injury was dis ,
overed
The testimony at the inquest was very ;;
leagre, but it all tended to show that w.
[eilwagon was guilty ofthe crime. At the !
Dnclusion of the Coroner's inquest, w.
[eilwagon was committed to the county
Nil on . Coroner's mittimus.
THE TRIAL i.
The trial of w. Heilwagon was com !
enoed on Monday the 23d of January, !
i'd terminated on the following Saturday.
The prosecution was conducted by Mr..
{. jackson. who was assisted by States
ttorney Parmepter. Messrs @ Mara and
ass had been appointed by the court, to c