The Murder of Anna Wiese
Green Mountain, Iowa

EVENING TIMES REPUBLICAN

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1983

HEADLINES

Seeking Some Sign of the Personality and Whereabouts of Miss Anna Wiese's Murder

POST MORTEM REVEALS NOTHING

Developments in the Wiese Murder Mystery -

Isenhart Not Brought Here -

A Love Letter

A very careful post mortem examination of the body of murdered Anna Wiese, which was exhumed yesterday afternoon for that purpose, failed to cast any additional light on the "deep damnation of her taking off," or any further case as to a possible murderer. The chief reason for this examination was a prevalent rumor that the girl had been in a delicate condition and it was possible that her betrayer had been interested for this reason in getting her out of the way. But the examination conclusively demonstrated that the rumor was utterly without foundation, as the friends of the girl already felt assured from their knowledge of her character. Careful inspection of the injuries also revealed nothing new, and the officers were left as much in the dark as ever. Sheriff Pence, Coroner David, Dr. W. S. Devine and a small party of newspaper men and others, conducted and attended the post mortem.

It had been expected that Isenhart (this seems to be the way he spells his name) would be brought to this city last night by Special Deputy Sheriff J. H. Glass, who was sent to Rolfe in quest of him. But a telegram yesterday afternoon from Mayor W. D. McEwen, of that place, said he would not come, but they would hold him till they should hear from Sheriff Pence. Glass had no warrant for his arrest. A later dispatch in explanation stated that Isenhart was willing enough to come but for fear of possible violence from an excited and unreasoning mob. A letter from the mayor written yesterday gives further details and the affidavits already mentioned arrived by mail this morning.

Mike J. Keenan and H. Barnes, the latter Marshall of the town of Rolfe, make affidavit in due and legal form that Albert Isenhart arrived at that place last Wednesday. Robert Struthers, of Pocahontas county, Iowa, state that they know Albert Isenhart; that he came to their house on Thursday of last week, worked there pressing hay on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, August 24, 25 and 26; remained there Saturday night, going to bed about 9 o'clock in the evening, was there for, breakfast Sunday morning, and remained all day Sunday; that the picture the deputy sheriff (Glass) had was undoubtedly that of this man. Affiants disclaim any interest in the case other than the furtherance of justice. Due acknowledgment was had before a notary, and Mayor W. D. McEwen, of Rolfe, certifies as to the deponents' reliability.

Ex-county Attorney Dade, of Pocahontas county, sends a more detailed affidavit as to Isenhart's whereabouts from the time he arrived on Wednesday, until his arrest yesterday morning, which serves to cooborate the alibi. Mayor McEwen's letter says that a dozen witnesses can be produced who saw Isenhart Saturday morning. Nevertheless he is being held for further orders and Sheriff Pence desires him brought hither anyhow. There is no fear of violence entertained and Marshall Waters was sent to Rolfe for the man this morning. The Rolfe people say they will do all in their power to aid in the capture of Miss Wiese's murderer, but they feel absolutely sure Isenhart can not be the man. He will be brought hither chiefly to relieve all doubt in the minds of neighbors and friends of the murdered girl.

The sheriff has in his possession a long letter dated at West Bend Sunday, the 27th, and written by Isenhart to Miss Wiese. In it he tells something about his affairs, mentioning the sale of some personal property at a good figure and winding up with an earnest declaration of love for her in which there are no hints of violence or wrath, though he begs her not to laugh at his avowal. It is a pathetic letter, not one that could have been written by a heartless murderer.

Sheriff Role, of Franklin county; Boylan, of Hardin, and Foster, of Tama, were in the city this morning in consultation with Sheriff Pence and a number of citizens from the vicinity of the murder. There is no great excitement, but intense interest is felt in the case and there is great eagerness for any clue that is possible. The slough beside the road where the girl was found was to be moved today, it is said, and then searched again.

Just after dinner today Sheriff Pence and the three visiting officers above mentioned started for the scene of the murder to go over the ground thoroughly again in the hope of finding something new. All sorts of stories are being circulated on the streets, in reply to which it may be well to state that the officers are just as much in the dark now as they were yesterday and no particular person is now suspected.