John Desens Killed by Neighbor

June 13, 2015June 15, 2015 / Gail Grunst Genealogy / 3 Comments

John’s Farm

On a June day in 1907 John Desens was working on his farm in Clark County, Wisconsin near the town of Greenwood, when he noticed that something had eaten his grain. He did not own any cattle and the only cattle nearby belonged to his neighbor Fred Zell. John was walking his horses out to the pasture, when he saw his neighbor, Fred, on the road. John called to Fred and said, “Your cattle have been eating my grain.” Fred asked him, “How can you say my stock is eating your grain?” John replied, “Come and see for yourself, you can see the grain is eaten off.” Fred yelled to John, “You son of a bitch. You come on the road and I will fix you!” John said, “No, I don’t want to fight, I am an old man, and all I ask of you is to keep your stock out of my grain.” John heard the gate open, and the next thing he knew Fred had him by the throat, choking him, and pushed him up against the fence post. John took out his knife and tried to cut himself loose. He cut where ever he could. John fell and Fred fell on top of him. John didn’t want to get his eyes cut so he managed to roll over. John woke up lying in the field and an officer was talking to him. John said to the officer, “Leave me lie here a little longer and I will die. I do not want to go to jail.” The office told him that he wasn’t going to take him to jail, but to a doctor. When the officer found John, he had been cut and bleeding. John stated that his side hurt and asked for some water. The officer got him some water and noticed that John was covered with dried blood and flies. The officer also saw that there was blood oozing from John’s leg and at first thought that John had been shot. He ripped the pant leg and saw that he had a gash on his leg. The officer and some other men got a wagon, filled it with hay, got some blankets from John’s house, and took him into town to the doctor. Later that day the officer got a call to take John to the local hotel. He had taken Fred Zell there earlier that day. There was only one room available so he put John in the same room as Fred. This was in place of a hospital as there was no hospital in the town. Two days later John went by the officer’s house and said he was going to walk home. The next day Saturday the officer and district attorney went out to John’s house. They showed him a knife they had gotten from Mrs. Zell and asked him if that was his knife. John said that it was like his except that he had a piece of wood in it so that he could open it easier and this one had the tip of the blade broke off and a small piece of the blade was bent over. A week later on July 6, 1907 John succumbed to the stab wounds in his chest and died alone in his house.[1]

Fred Zell was seriously injured and it took him months to recover. His hand was almost severed from his arm. Fred did recover, but didn’t regain full use of his hand. Fred died in 1932. A newspaper account said that Fred Zell was resting his arm on the gate talking to John about the cattle when all of a sudden John started cutting Fred’s hand. [2]

When I first ran across this story, I had two newspaper accounts and a mention of it in a book.[3] [4] [5] I didn’t know if John Desens was my great-great grandfather or not. His wife had the same name as my great-great grandmother (already deceased at this time) and his one son (also already deceased at this time) had the same name as a sibling of my great grandfather.[6] I sent for John’s death certificate hoping that the informant would be some relative that I knew, but it did not list an informant.[7] Then last summer I made a trip to Clark County Wisconsin. I asked to see the probate file, but it was no longer kept there. It was now in the state archives. I then asked to see the criminal file for Fred Zell because the paper said most likely he would be charged with John Desens death.[8] I had to pay $5.00 and they would search for it at a later date and send it to me. Then I asked to see land records which I was able to see. The Land records gave a legal description and I was able to locate the farm on a current day map, but it didn’t give me any clues to if this was my ancestor or not. A few weeks later I received the criminal file. There appears to be pages missing, but there are 21 pages of testimony from the officer who found John Desens lying in his yard that day in June. So I only have John’s story through the officer. [9]

Fred Zell’s story is missing. Although, the paper had Zell’s story about how John went after him first.[10] In the end the court did not charge Fred Zell with John Desens death because lack of evidence as to who started the fight.[11] I have some questions and they were not answered in the court documents to my satisfaction. John was 74[12] years old and Fred was 46.[13] It seems to me that Fred would have the advantage being younger and most likely be stronger than John. If John cut first almost severing Fred’s hand, how could Fred have stabbed John? Did Fred have a knife on him to stab John, or did he get John’s knife away from him and use it on John? How did Fred get back to his farm or get help? Why was John left to die? It sounds like he was left lying there in the field for a long time because of the dry blood and flies on him. He was in and out of consciousness. Paper also said Fred Zell was the worse of the two,[14] yet he lived for 25 more years.[15] I think if the investigation was done today that they would be more thorough.

I sent to the state archives for John’s probate file and right on the first page is the evidence that John is my great-great grandfather. It lists my great grandfather Carl Desens at 111 Washington Street, Forest Park, IL as his son.[16] An interesting side note about the probate file. Fred Zell was suing John’s estate for $5000.[17] All of John’s 80 acres were only worth $1200.[18] He did not have much else and had some debts that needed to be paid out of the estate.[19] Fred Zell received $1.00.[20] I find this story very sad. Although I never knew my 2^nd great grandfather, I felt sad that he was left in the field to die. I felt anger at the neighbor for his part in this and the fact that he was younger and probably stronger, and frustration at district attorney for not investigating it better. There are so many unanswered questions.

I visited John’s grave when I was up there last summer, however at the time, I was not sure if he was my ancestor or not. I also did not have all the details of the crime. I would like to go back and visit his grave again and take some flowers. I want him to know that someone cares. That I care!

_____________________________________________________________________________________

[1] Criminal file for Fred Zell, Clerk of the Court, 517 Court Street, Room 405, Neillsville, Wisconsin 54456. Sent by Elizabeth Frost, Deputy Clerk to Abigail Grunst.

[2] Neillsville times(Neillsville, Clark County, Wis) July 11, 1907.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Marshfield Times ( Marshfield, Wood County, Wis) July 17,1907

[5] Hub of Clark County (1853 – 1934)

[6] United Church of Christ East Cemetery Index(formerly the German Immanuel Evangelical & Reformed Church) Warner Township, Clark County, WI, Compiled by Stan and Janet Schwarze.

[7] Death Record of John Desens, Pre -1907 Wisconsin Death Record County Clark, Volume # 01 Page # 438. Filed at the State Historical Archives of Wisconsin, Miroforms room, 816 State Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53706

[8] Marshfield Times ( Marshfield, Wood County, Wis) July 17,1907

[9] Criminal file for Fred Zell, Clerk of the Court, 517 Court Street, Room 405, Neillsville, Wisconsin 54456. Sent by Elizabeth Frost, Deputy Clerk to Abigail Grunst.

[10] Neillsville times(Neillsville, Clark County, Wis) July 11, 1907

[11] Criminal file for Fred Zell, Clerk of the Court, 517 Court Street, Room 405, Neillsville, Wisconsin 54456. Sent by Elizabeth Frost, Deputy Clerk to Abigail Grunst

[12] Death Record of John Desens, Pre -1907 Wisconsin Death Record County Clark, Volume # 01 Page # 438. Filed at the State Historical Archives of Wisconsin, Miroforms room, 816 State Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53706

[13] Obituary of Frederick W. Zell. Greenwood Gleaner (Greenwood, Clark County Wisconsin) August 25, 1932.

[14] Marshfield Times ( Marshfield, Wood County, Wis) July 17,1907

[15] Obituary of Frederick W. Zell. Greenwood Gleaner (Greenwood, Clark County Wisconsin) August 25, 1932.

[16] Probate file for John Desens filed in the McIntyre Library at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 103 Garfield Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701.

[17] Ibid.

[18] Ibid.

[19] Ibid.

[20] Ibid.

Aunt Emma’s Two Lives

April 24, 2013April 28, 2013 / Gail Grunst Genealogy / 4 Comments

Emma age 19

My grandmother had three Aunt’s, Aunt Emma, Aunt Liz, and Aunt Agnes. Each one had an interesting life. I wrote about Aunt Liz in my blog dated 4/13/2013. Today I am writing about Aunt Emma.

Emma Reinhardt was born on June 6, 1885 in Illinois.,[1] [2] Emma was raised in Ottawa, LaSalle, Illinois along with her two brothers and four sisters. Not much is known about Emma’s early life. In 1910 at age 25 she married Dr. Fredrick L. Orsinger[3] who was 33 years her senior.[4] He had been married before and had five children with his first wife who died in 1903.[5]

Fredrick L. Orsinger came to the United States from Germany in 1871. He arrived in Chicago on the same day as the Chicago Fire. He decided not to stay in Chicago at this time and went to LaSalle, Illinois to work in his Uncle’s bakery. He later opened a pharmacy in LaSalle and practiced medicine. He studied medicine and surgery in Zurich, Switzerland and Paris, France. He later spent five years studying medicine at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago, and later had a years experience working at Cook County Hospital. [6] He had quite a colorful life too. I am not going to write about it at this time as I would like to concentrate on Emma’s life. I will write about his life in more detail at another time.

My grandmother had told me that the Reinhardt’s and Orsinger’s were friends. I know there was an Orsinger’s Bakery in Ottawa. I don’t know if they had another one in LaSalle or if the source is wrong about the location of the bakery. However, Emma would have not been born yet when he came to LaSalle County. By the time she was old enough to get married he was living in Chicago. So how they got together is unknown. I’m guessing that they knew each other because the families were friends. I still can’t help but wonder how her family felt about the age difference, and how his children felt as some were older than Emma. My grandmother would say with disgust in her voice, “Aunt Emma married old Doc Orsinger.” They lived in Chicago and he practice medicine in Chicago. Dr. Orsinger died in 1925.[7]

In 1933 Emma married Iber Mataway in Chicago.[8] He was from Iran and changed his name when he was naturalized from Isaac Abraham to Iabry Abraham Mataway.[9] They must have led a quiet life. I can’t find them in many records. He was 12 years her junior.[10] She went from some way older than her to someone quite a bit younger than her.

I’ve had a hard time finding them on any census records. I do know they lived on a farm in Wisconsin. I also know they lived in an apartment in Chicago, Illinois. My mother loved Aunt Emma and she would stay with her sometimes in Chicago and on the farm in Wisconsin when she was young. I believe they lived in Chicago, then moved to the farm in Wisconsin, and then moved back to Chicago.

I have a letter that Emma wrote to her sister Liz. I will try to transcribe it as written with mistakes and all.

Sat Mch. 1 – 1947

Dear Eliz,

Just a few lines, as we are trying to get ready to go to Saxon to shop. We got your package yesterday. Everything was swell. And thanks so much. So what do I owe you for groceries. The shirts will come in handy this summer at laying time. Even good enough to go to town in as you don’t have to dress up so much around here. Gosh, I’ve been rushing around, the oil man came first thing this morning, I was just about out of bed. Iber was milking, then I had to look after him. By the time he filled all the tanks and checked them, Iber came in for breakfast, and now I just got thru with the dishes, milk pails, and strainers. Iber has been hauling hay everyday. He got 4 or 5 tons of hay very cheap, but has to haul it himself. It keeps a person busy, but it isn’t bad. Well, I don’t know if you can say March came in like a loin or not. It was quite warm this morning, but now it has turned a little cooler and is snowing that fine snow. So I hope it doesn’t get too bad until we get back at least. Well, I was so surprised at that article of Fred Orsinger. It was funny, I opened the box and I thought it was just some paper you stuck in for a filler. Then a couple of hours later, I was straightening everything up, so I looked again and was looking at the man with the alligator. And, I said to myself that man reminds me of Doc. He combs his hair just like he did. So I threw it in with the rest of the papers. When Iber came in he happened to see it, and asked me what he was doing with an alligator. I said oh I don’t know let me see. Well, when I read it, I started to laugh. No wonder he minded me of Doc. That was so funny. He is quite a big shot. Gosh he is getting old. I figured he would be about 70.

I suppose you received my last letter. I too wish poor Tim could at least be able to go into the other room. I may be down sometime in the middle of April if nothing happens. Then he had better get up or I’ll pull him out of bed. I hope Mrs. Fox is home by morn, poor soul. I suppose she feels quite alone since he is gone. Is she going to stay there in the apartment. Have you heard yet from Mark. Iber says to tell Tim to keep his chin up.

I do wish Iber could make a trip to Chicago. Well, we’ll see how things turn up. He needs a change. I feel guilty when I go all the time. I guess Clara is going to stay in her apt. for a while. Well, if I have forgotten anything I’ll write it next time. I must get ready. Iber is almost thru shaving.

Love to you both and God Bless you as ever. Emma & Iber

The Fred Orsinger she mentions in the letter is the son of her late husband. I am posting the original letter here.

I remember visiting Aunt Emma a couple of times in her apartment in Chicago. She made a doll bed for me out of a wooden cigar box. I wish I had a picture of it. She painted it white and it had a headboard. The legs were cloths pins (the old fashioned wood ones) cut down so only the top curved part was used for the legs. She made a little mattress and pillows. She made a blanket and crocheted a bedspread for it. I loved it and had it for a long time. I found instructions for making one on the Internet, and also found pictures, but none that looked as good as mine. Mostly what I remember of Aunt Emma was a very nice old lady and the doll bed.

I think the first half of her life was probably more eventful than the last half. Being married to “Old Doc Orsinger” must have been very eventful from some of the things I have read about him. Like I said, that is for another time. The second half of her life being married to Iber, her life was quiet. Reading the letter, her life was just about the ordinary every day things like the weather, washing dishes, milk pails and strainers. The exciting time was going to town. I wish I knew more about her life. As far as I know, she never had any children to carry on her legacy. I hope I helped a little to carry on her legacy today.

Aunt Emma, my mom, Aunt Liz 1943

Emma died on August 18, 1956, and Iber died in 1974.

[1] Emma Reinhart’s birth date June 6 came from Helen Kaiser’s (her niece) date book.

[2] 1900 United State Census entry for Emma Reinhardt. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration 1900 T623 1854 rolls. Ancestry.com 1900 United States Federal Census. [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry Operations, Inc.,2004.

[3] Joseph Seymour Curry, Chicago: its history and its builders, a century of marvelous growth, volume 4 (Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1912), Pgs. 624 – 628. Digitized by Google.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Find-a-grave website at www.findagrave.com

[8]Ancestry.com. Cook County, Illinois Marriage Index, 1920 – 1960 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008.

[9] Naturalization Record for Iabry Abraham Mataway name chanced at naturalization from Isaac Abraham. Ancestry.com. US Naturalization Record Indexes, 1791 – 1992 (Indexed in World Archive Project) [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry Operations, Inc., 2010. Original data: Selected U.S. Naturalization Records. WashingtonD.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.

[10] Ibid.