font porch; that the reflection of the light seen on the wall by Mrs. Hossack Or perhaps the story she told was truethat an intruder broke into the house, killed her husband while she slept soundly beside him, and was still on the loose. And to be honest, I honestly thought I would not wanna read it. The author ends up being unable to identify the killer or even offering a strong hypothesis. Hossack was asked. I am also interested in genealogy and my ancestors came to Iowa the same time as the Hossacks and they lived less than 45 miles apart. There is the play by Susan Glaspell Trifles and the book A Jury of her Peers also by Susan Glaspell. I don't like true story stuff. I read this book several times. "a grip.". The lifestyle of the women was beyond difficult. Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations. Refresh and try again. The information about Susan Galispell, a young female reporter who later became a writer and playwright and the influence the trial had in her work is also very interesting. witness stand. I would love to read it. sheriff; that the sheriff had given him two vials, each of which contained The author pieced together a time life of events using a lot of newspaper articles and interviews. : eliminate all doubt of the defendant's guilt from the minds of the jurors. It was a very interesting read - but at times I felt it got a little long with all of the details. During our research into the case The book is a fascinating look at women's life on farms in rural Iowa during the late 1800s and early 1900s. The book introduces us to Susan Glaspell, a young journalist who reported the story for the Des Moines Daily News and fifteen years later transformed the events into the classic one-act play, Trifles, and the acclaimed short story, A Jury of Her Peers., The book is described as a vivid portrait of life in rural America at the turn-of-the century and a chilling step-by-step account of the crime and its aftermath.. It's a true story about a murder in Iowa in the 1890's. Later these same events were used as the basis for her classic short story, "A Jury of Her Peers," and the famous play Trifles. Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app. To be honest, I only finished reading this book because I wanted to take part in an in-person book discussion. Stay to Tea . prosecution alleges Mr. Hossack was murdered and which the defense has insisted The first thing you need to know if you decide to read this book, is that it is a true crime story in which the murderer is never caught. room, and on the undervest of the garment worn by Mrs. Hossack; that he noticed : then passed through the sitting room, opening the front door leading on to the On Thanksgiving Day 1900, the Hossacks hosted a party at their farm for more than twenty people. Nonetheless, they vividly portray the era's attitudes toward women (indicated by a tolerance of domestic abuse) while crafting a tale that reads like a good novel, complete with clueslike a dog that failed to barkthat feel straight from Perry Mason The tale is given heightened immediacy by the authors' description of how alive the case still is in the minds of local townspeople even a century laterBryan and Wolf were even warned they might be in danger if they got too close to the truth. I read Trifles in and then the true story Powerful story based off the power that was given to men during this era. I do appreciate all the struggles Margret went through. since the commencement of the Hossack murder trial, when court adjourned situation of the bed, he stated the bed footed north and that the foot of the On the night of December 1, 1900, Iowa farmer John Hossack was attacked and killed while he slept at home beside his wife, Margaret. Prof. Grimes states that in his opinion the axe was evidence of a nature to satisfy that body of the sincerity of their attempt to Dear fellows, today I am focusing on women's rights and girls' education because they are suffering the most. A long look at a murder that took place in rural Iowa many, many years ago. On the other hand, however, it is known the state has Newspapers across the country carried the story, and community sentiment was divided over her guilt. It is a bit tedious and reads like research which it contains. Either someone is guilty or they are not. Visit the cemetery today. raising objections, which were constantly overruled by the court. His wife, Margaret, quickly became suspect number one, but she denied the murder and her initial conviction by a jury of local men was overturned by the Iowa Supreme Court. Shop now >>. Several years are described in much the same way so again, it becomes uninteresting. I am satisfied, which is surprising, because I usually don't go for "open-ended", ambiguous endings. And based upon her husband's standing the community. But it was actually pretty good! As the book tells about the murder of John Hossack in rural Indianola, Iowa in December of 1900, the book also includes the countless hours of Margaret Hossack trials where . : different times and that she used the axe exceptionally well for a woman. As Glaspell struggled to understand and describe Margaret Hossack, her accounts alternated between those that portrayed Margaret Hossack as maternal and frailanxious to see her family; tired and worn by the course of eventsand those that depicted her as lacking in the typical emotional and feminine traitsnot hysterical, but emotionless and dry . The saddest thing about this story is that the wife was convicted and then the conviction was overturned. Thoughtful exploration of a turn-of-the-century murder case in Iowa which was the basis for Susan Glaspell's classic "A Jury of Her Peers." Please see our International FAQ for more information. A history of domestic strife within the household convinced local authorities that she had finally snapped after years of threats and verbal abuse. Interesting insights into the lives of women, the judicial system, and mental health issues in the late 1800's-early 1900's in America. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Read the excerpt from Midnight Assassin. . Learn more. Clammer. In this episode, Alysa discusses the murder of respected and successful farmer, John Hossack. She wasn't about to give up her kid. However, I found the book's organization and overall thrust somewhat lacking. : There is definitely the presence of somebody watching over this area. punctuation errors. Above each subordinate clause, write *ADJ* if the clause functions as an adjective or *ADV* if the clause functions as an adverb. {js=d.createElement(s); The wife is accused of murdering her husband, and it's not a simple case. She testified However, the writing itself was lackluster -- more of reporting than storytelling. This story made me feel like I was reading a "case study" of the event versus a book published for the general public. One year later, she was released on bail to await a . The community was outraged: How could a woman commit such an act of violence? , Screen Reader I really think the authors went into way to much details when it came to the trial and what the lawyers did to try to win over the jury. Susan Glaspell. Again, very interesting book, but I thought it called for some more "descriptive, uplifting" writing. Additional gift options are available when buying one eBook at a time. It really did provide insight into the case and helped my students and I have really productive conversations about domestic violence and the legal system. deceased for thirty years intimately, and had been associated with him in a I love historical books and found this one fascinating. This is the true story of an unsolved murder that took place in Iowa, on the night of December 1, 1900. at the Hossack home, and had effected a reconciliation between Mr. and Mrs. witness stated also that Mr. Hossack had told him he was unable to bring up his Iowa Cold Cases It is a fact because it cannot . This is a well researched hook and it us both scholarly and readable. bloody object, against which it had rubbed. mistakes. Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2012. In 1900, Margaret Hossack, the wife of a prominent Iowa farmer, was arrested for bludgeoning her husband to death with an ax while their children slept upstairs. MRS. HOSSACK'S PARTING PLEA. Especially interesting due to the familiarity of Indianola. Midnight Assassin: A Murder in Americas Heartland. Patricia L. Bryan, Thomas Wolf. INDIANOLA. Then a couple of white women were killed as well. The book introduces us to Susan Glaspell, a young journalist who reported the story for the Des Moines Daily News and fifteen years later transformed the events into the classic one-act play, "Trifles", and the acclaimed short story, "A . These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Based on evidence in this book shows . It will be interesting to hear what the authors have to say in November when they travel to NW Iowa to speak about the book. wound. The book introduces us to Susan Glaspell, a young journalist who reported the story for the, and, fifteen years later, transformed the events into the acclaimed short story, "A Jury of Her Peers.". "Historical whodunit devotees who have devoured all the literature on famous real-life mysteries will delight in this stirring and evocative account of an obscure turn-of-the-century Iowa murder.". Discuss your answers with your group. American authors Patricia L. Bryan and Thomas Wolfs non-fiction historical mystery. In the winter of 1900, John Hossack is brutally attacked and mortally wounded with an axe while in bed next to his wife. sided with them; that when he wanted them to learn the short catechism, she would the main characters Margaret and John Hossack in the book Midnight Assassin. Case Summaries This is an interesting story of an unsolved murder that took place in Dec. 1900. On April 11, 1901, after five days of testimony before an all-male jury, Margaret Hossack was found guilty of his murder and . On April 11, 1901, after ve days of testimony before an all-male jury, Margaret Hossack was found guilty of his murder and sentenced to life in prison. He testified that in his opinion it would be of the coroner's inquest and abstracts of trial testimony, as well as numerous Bryan's writing style was easy to read and not boring or dry at all. It is both thought provoking and entertaining. Follow ICC on Twitter, GONE COLD: EXPLORING IOWAS UNSOLVED MURDERS, Midnight Assassin: A Murder in Americas Heartland (Bur Oak Book), Find a Grave Memorial for Margaret (Murchison) Hossack, Find a Grave Memorial for Alexander Hossack, Find a Grave Memorial for Catharine Hossack, Find a Grave Memorial for Anna J. several large blood stains; that on the north end of the wall there was a The book introduces us to Susan Glaspell, a young journalist who reported the story for the Des Moines Daily News and fifteen years later transformed the events into the classic one-act play, "Trifles", and the acclaimed short story, "A . It is about a woman tried for a crime but punished for her character. I had never heard of this unsolved murder that took place in Warren County Iowa. Lew Hodson, the sheriff, was next called to the Bryan's writing style was easy to read and not boring or dry at all. Right around midnight on a moonlit night between Saturday, Dec. 1, 1900 and Sunday, Dec. 2, prosperous Warren County, Iowa farmer John Hossack was murdered in his bed by two blows of an ax to his head. testified to having examined the blood found on the handle of the axe, but The author details the servant girl murders that started with black servants struck with axes. I wish this particular story had been written more colorfully. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold. It was a compelling true drama: an unsolved murder that forced a whole community to deal with issues ranging from domestic abuse to the social roles played by men and women. The Des Moines Daily News published more than two-dozen articles on the Margaret Hossack case from December 3, 1900 through April 19, 1901. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness. The community was outraged: How could a woman commit such an act of violence? Midnight Assassin: But reports soon surfaced that Hossack had abused and threatened his family, and for years his wife had gone to the neighbors to complain of his behavior."She Prepares to Fight": Though past 50 years of age, she is tall and powerful and looks like she would be dangerous if aroused to a point of hatred.Which excerpt is biased and why? gather the full importance in the discrepancy in time as stated by the witness the murdered man was sleeping, was open. next sworn. In 1900, Margaret Hossack, the wife of a prominent Iowa farmer, was arrested for bludgeoning her husband to death with an ax while their children slept upstairs. Wow! : Steve, the book Midnight Assassin states that Margaret (Murchison) Hossack was a native of Ross Shire, Scotland, born Nov. 19, 1843, and that at the age of five, she traveled with her family to North America. js.id=id; The prosecution waited at this point for the jury to }}(document,'script','twitter-wjs'); Suspicions focused on his long suffering wife, Margaret, who claimed to asleep beside her husband in the bed while the attack took place. Read the excerpt from Midnight Assassin. However, the last couple of chapters drone on about a play that was written about the killing and trial. Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them. We haven't changed the text to correct these The articles are designed to entertain the reader with a horrific story about a murder trial, while Midnight Assassin attempts to persuade the reader that the articles are inaccurate. The narrator doesnt say pecan or Seguin right. Witness said that during the past year he knew of no difficulties The characters are portrayed as in real life. In the end I concluded it was one of the sons sick of seeing mom get beat. examined. This is an interesting study looking back on a horrendous murder and its subsequent trial of the wife and mother of the family. I look forward to hearing the authors. December 3, 1900 through Patricia Bryan is a professor of law at the University of North Carolina. It contains the opinion of a person who saw A Man's World. The prosecution seemed satisfied with the admission and changed their John Hossack, a well to-do farmer, was fatally attacked with an ax while he slept. Dr. H. M. Dale, coroner, was called. The actors read or recite lines before an audience with no setting. hairs. As Glaspell struggled to understand and describe Margaret Hossack, her accounts alternated between those that portrayed Margaret Hossack as maternal and frailanxious to see her family; tired and worn by the course of eventsand those that depicted her as lacking in the typical emotional and feminine traitsnot hysterical, but emotionless and dry-eyed; not weak, but determined and willful; not soft-featured, but square-jawed and hard. is that of a fowl testified that in their opinion the blood is that of a human. This was the first expert witness produced by the , Sticky notes There would be no third trial, and no one else was ever charged with the crime. I recently read her play, Trifles, for an American Literature class and loved the fac. To Catch a Genius by 48 Hours. Court adjourned at 12 o'clock and reconvened at 1:30. In midnight assassin, patricia bryan and thomas wolf write, "hossack and his wife, margaret, had nine children, including five, ranging in age from thirteen to twenty-six, who were in the house at the time of the assault." . SHELDONOne Book, One Sioux County will host "An Evening with Patricia Bryan and Thomas Wolf: Authors of Midnight Assassin" at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, at Northwest Iowa Community College, Building A, Sheldon. He said that when the axe was shown to It is matter of fact, which normally I enjoy in books. me personally wouldnt have let that slide. Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2021. confident of securing a conviction. Does this item contain inappropriate content? The second witness was Prof. John L. Tilton of cross-examination of Deputy Sheriff Kimer in the Hossack murder trial today he Midnight Assassin also introduces us to Susan Glaspell, a journalist who reported on the Hossack murder for the Des Moines Daily. Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group. "Prominent Farmer Robbed and Killed" December 3, 1900, "Sheriff After Mrs. Hossack" December 5, 1900, "The Hossack Murder Case" December 7, 1900, "Goes to the Grand Jury" December 8, 1900, "It Is Still Unsettled" December 10, 1900, "Now Before Grand Jury" December 11, 1900, "Mrs. Hossack May Yet Be Proven Innocent" December 12, 1900, "Mrs. Hossack May Come Here" January 14, 1901, "Indicted Her for Murder" January 17, 1901, "Hossack Trial on in Earnest" April 2, 1901, "Hossack Begged Wife to Aid Him" April 3, 1901, "Experts Say It Is Human Blood" April 4, 1901, "Looks Bad for Mrs. Hossack" April 5, 1901, "Allege Haines Was Murderer" April 9, 1901, "Mrs. Hossack's Fearful Ordeal" April 10, 1901, "Mrs. Hossack a Murderess" April 11, 1901, "Mrs. Hossack's Parting Plea" April 19, 1901. While I will never know what really happened, like who the real murderer was, I still really enjoyed this book. I have also read the story trifles and it claims that a rope was used not an axe. During his testimony the defense was constantly but stated this conversation had occurred several years before. she had never heard her father say anything relative to her mother or about a In what some considered an added insult to injury, Margaret Hossack dubbed the Lizzie Borden of Iowa was buried in the family plot next to the husband she allegedly murdered. Ive been to the Hossack murder sight and also to his grave. The true story of a woman accused of killing her husband with an ax while he was asleep. 27,409,784 articles and books. finding Mrs. Hossack's undervest in a bucket of bloody water, just west of the A history of domestic strife convinced the local authorities that she had finally snapped after years of threats and verbal abuse. He stated that The reason that I have given it 4 stars is because I was honestly expecting a bigger mystery. Margaret Hossacks husband was murdered and Margaret was put on trial for the murder. Firsthand accounts describe the victim, John Hossack, as a cruel and unstable man. The community was outraged: How could a woman commit such an act of violence? This is my first true murder story. According to the Cult of True Womanhood, a popular phrase during those years, a true woman possessed four cardinal virtues: piety, purity, submissiveness, and domesticity.. This book is going to be the One Book One Sioux County discussion book for 2022. He took a leadership role in his church, ran for political office, and served as a trustee of the county. He also It is the story of a woman who suffered through years of an abusive relationship, brutally hard labor, social isolation, and a complete lack of womens rights as we know them now. medical experts, Dr. Grimes of Des Moines and Professor Tilton of Indianola, The authors' descriptions and stories of their lives and the everyday living of the farmers of the area were amazing. Hi Judy!" object was the axe in question. Firsthand accounts describe the victim, John Hossack, as a cruel and unstable man. The author laid out all the facts for the readers to make their own judgments, and didn't force her own interpretations on me, which I appreciated. The setting and characters are presented in unusual ways. Because of these It is both a true crime narrative and an exploration of the life available to Margaret Hossack, an Iowa farm wife accused of killing her husband, and so many other women like her: domestic violence, endless chores, and the judgment and mistrust of the community. And based upon her husband's standing the community. The . In 1900, Margaret Hossack, the wife of a prominent Iowa farmer, was arrested for bludgeoning her husband to death with an ax while their children slept upstairs. He stated that the two larger spots, which are Shows how far women have come in the past 100 years with. //