Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-04-26
IOWA NAN BEATS
N|F['S BRAINS OUT
William Koobs, of Grundy
Center, Murders Wife With
Hammer Today
HEN ATTEMPTS SUICIDE
TIL e N
crazed With III Health and Morphine
He Makes Terrible Assault on His
{ Wife at Early Hour-ls Now Raw
ing Maniac-Neighhprs Prevent Sui
eide.
Special to Times-Republican.

Grundy Center, April ga terrible
crime was committed here this morn
ing. William Koobs, who has been in
the tailor business here for twenty
years, arose from his bed this 1nornir g
and quietly going down stairs seized
a hammer and beat out his wife's
brains. A neighbor heard the screams
of the woman and hastened to the resi-
cue. He was, however, unable to clio
anything with the crazed man and mot
until help was secured did the mu--
derer desist Then he attempted 10
kill himself, but was overpowered ard
carried to bed where it took the corr
lbined strength Of three men to control
him. 1t is believed that Koobs was in
sane from i'll health and the effects OF
morphine, having been known to take
large doses of the drug.
Details Of Crime.
i The tragedy occurred shortly be-
fore o'clock this morning and while
the children of the family were still
asleep. Koobs has been in the tailor
business here for many years. OF late
he has been in ill health and is
known to have become addicted to the
use of morphine. Recently he has
been acting somewhat queerly and
(not long ago suffered with a stroke Of
PARALYSIS. He has a family of ten
children ranging in age from "a years
blown to the youngest a mere babe.
He is about so years of age and has
been fairly prosperous until the last
few years when it appears he was liz
tie more than able to take care of his
large family. With failing health ma
ters began to look darker and then
Koobs began to take morphine to drive
away care and pain.
1t is said he has had several bad
spells at home lately, but the family
said little about them and it was not
thought Koobs was dangerous or that
his mind was greatly affected.
Shortly before 6 o'clock this morn
ing one Of the neighbors heard screams
emanating from the Koobs residence
and running over found Koobs appar-
emily raying mad and beating his wife
with a hammer. The neighbor at
tempted to stop the mans murderous
work. but Koobs struck at him Wildly
and he was unable to do anything to
stop the crazed man. BY this time
the children had been awakened by
the commotion and the screams of their
mother and came hurrying to the
room. Help was speedily summoned
and Koobs overpowered, but not until
he had attempted to kill himself, by
butting his head against the door
posts.
Mrs. Koobs presented a horrible
sight. Her skull had been battered
almost to pulp and the brain was
oozing from the gaping wounds.
Physicians were hurriedly summoned
and altho she was still alive there ap-
peared to be not the least possible
chance for her to live. She was UNI
conscious and at this writing it is not
thought she will regain consciousness.
In the meantime Koobs had been
seized and taken to a bed, where 1t
required three men to bind and hold
him.
1t is probable he will be taken before
the insane commissioners and If found
insane will be sent to the asylum at
once. This afternoon Koobs is raw
ing maniac. 1t has been necessary to
strap him to his bed to prevent him
doing violence to himself and others.
News of the terrible affair spread
over the city rapidly and large
crowd of morbidly curious gathered at
the Koobs home. The assault was one
OF the most brutal that was ever COM
mitted here, and it is the only topic
of conversation here today. The coro-
ner will hold am inquest, and Koobs
will be arrested. Much sympathy is
felt for the large family of children.