(Book Review) by "Trial"; Law Books Book reviews. who made the chemical analysis of the blood found on the axe with which the Midnight Assassin expertly renders the American character and experience: our obsession with crime, how justice is achieved, and the powerful influence of the media. I stole this from someone else's review but I loved this short description. When the defense made that argument in court, the prosecution countered by claiming that Shep had witnessed Margaret Hossack killing her husband and that the dogs demeanor expressed shame and sorrow. Midnight Assassin: A Murder in America's Heartland. I look forward to discussing it at our book club! Perhaps Margaret Hossack was acting out of fear. witness stand. Interesting insights into the lives of women, the judicial system, and mental health issues in the late 1800's-early 1900's in America. The true story of a woman accused of killing her husband with an ax while he was asleep. then passed through the sitting room, opening the front door leading on to the The theory is that it was one of her sons and she was covering for him. line of examination. She is the author of Stories in Fiction and in Fact: Susan Glaspells A Jury of Her Peers and the 1901 Murder Trial of Margaret Hossack, which was published in the, ASIN The arrest and two trials of his wife, the only person ever seriously considered as a suspect, is indicative of the rights and roles of women -- not to mention the lack of forensic due diligence and technology -- at the time. me personally wouldnt have let that slide. But as they say in journalism, "she buried the lede." A history of domestic strife within the household convinced local authorities that she had finally snapped after years of threats and verbal abuse. 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. Four days later, the victim's wife, Margaret Hossack, was arrested and charged with the crime. Margaret Hossack claimed to be innocent, but stories of domestic troubles and abuse provided prosecutors with a motive for the crime. Patricia L. Bryan, Thomas Wolf. Well researched, and in meticulous detail, the story comes to life and offers the reader an inside look at the life of farm women of that era. if(!d.getElementById(id)) I love historical books and found this one fascinating. window was opened at the time of the murder and that the murderer came through I decided recently to try out non fiction and this was my first go at itI liked the book. This book is going to be the One Book One Sioux County discussion book for 2022. Midnight Assassin expertly renders the American character and experience: our obsession with crime, how justice is achieved, and the powerful influence of . Midnight Assassin expertly renders the American character and experience: our obsession with crime, . What best describes an element shared by the article "Indicted Her for Murder" and the excerpt from Midnight Assassin? Fascinating unsolved murder case, well researched, Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2012. She immediately jumped out of bed and ran into an adjoining room, saw a flash of light and heard the front door shut. between the dead man and his wife; that he saw the dead man on 10 o'clock on Lew Hodson, the sheriff, was next called to the 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. Mrs. E. E. Henry testified that Mrs. Hossack had said I grabbed this true crime novel primarily because it is set in my home state. }}(document,'script','twitter-wjs'); gather the full importance in the discrepancy in time as stated by the witness 27,409,784 articles and books. Get 25% off all calendars with code CALS25. It must be admitted, however, that the prosecution has Law professor Bryan and her husband, Wolf, a writing consultant, vividly bring to life the baffling events of the night of December 1, 1900, when a well-to-do farmer named John Hossack was fatally attacked with an ax while sleeping in his bed. Alternate theories of the crime, accusing the Hossacks' children, disgruntled neighbors or a "mysterious horseman," should have been a little more fleshed out by the authors. This admission produced a startling effect upon the It is just fascinating. Shipping to the U.S. only. It describes the murder, investigation and trial of Margaret Hossack. Clammer. Dr. H. M. Dale, coroner, was called. witness the bed in which he died was introduced by the prosecution and was This is an account of a sensational 1900 murder of a farmer, the investigation and the court case(s) that followed, as well as an examination of the role of women in law and life. INDIANOLA. With Thomas Wolf, she is the author of Midnight Assassin: A Murder in America's Heartland (Iowa paperback, 2007) and numerous articles on Susan Glaspell. A few months later, John and Margaret Hossack moved to the land John had purchased in Warren County, Iowa, and they settled in a small house on the farm. I am satisfied, which is surprising, because I usually don't go for "open-ended", ambiguous endings. About He stated that the ground On a moonlit night in December 1900, a prosperous Iowa farmer was murdered in his bedkilled by two blows of an ax to his head. 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." jury and spectators as it had stated by William Hossack that when he entered The good book, outside of my usual reading interests but I enjoyed it. deceased for thirty years intimately, and had been associated with him in a --At the close of the It is fascinating (and frustrating) how much the attorney for each side got away with. agony or by the bursting of an artery. Suspicions focused on his long suffering wife, Margaret, who claimed to asleep beside her husband in the bed while the attack took place. A Murder In America's Heartland. I read the book in barely more than a day. The second witness was Prof. John L. Tilton of Patricia L. Bryan and Thomas Wolf researched the Hossack case for almost a decade combing through legal records, newspaper accounts, government documents and unpublished memoirs before depicting the murder and trials in their book, Midnight Assassin: A Murder in Americas Heartland (Bur Oak Book), published by the University of Iowa Press in August 2007. The couple raised nine of 10 children, including sons Alexander (Alex) Hossack, Donald Hossack (died in infancy), John C. (Johnnie) Hossack, William D. (Will) Hossack, James (Jimmie) Hossack, and Ivan Hossack, and daughters Anna Jane (Annie) Hossack Henry, Margaret Lucretia (Louie) Hossack Kemp, Catherine (Cassie) Hossack, and Martha May Hossack Coulter. 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. mistakes. I love true crime stories, so the legal and moral aspects were the reason I purchased this book, but I found a secondary reason as soon as I started reading it. He stated that he reached the Hossack home about 4 o'clock in the morning of December 2. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 21, 2021, Reflects the line later in the book - A woman should not be forced into the role of wife and mother and should be entitled to seek fulfillment in her work. , X-Ray Shows how far women have come in the past 100 years with. The reporter covering the story was a female journalist, Susan Glaspell. He stated The author details the servant girl murders that started with black servants struck with axes. In the winter of 1900, John Hossack is brutally attacked and mortally wounded with an axe while in bed next to his wife. I also liked the way the book raises issues about the exclusion of women and their perspective from the society at large and from the justice system. Midnight Assassin also introduces us to Susan Glaspell, a journalist who reported on the Hossack murder for the Des Moines Daily. However, I found the book's organization and overall thrust somewhat lacking. Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app. Which most supports the fact that Trifles is written in a realistic style? It also reveals how people from small towns are reluctant to talk . Buy a cheap copy of Midnight Assassin: A Murder in America's. book by Thomas Wolf. Which best describes a drama written in an experimental style? MIDNIGHT ASSASSIN. 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 . The article portrays Mrs. Hossack as only potentially dangerous, while the excerpt presents two very different images of her. //]]>. Co-author Wolf describes the book as a nonfiction narrative, and says in an author interview included on the books website: To me, the story was both a whodunitwith an array of interesting social and legal anglesand a kind of micro history of the farm life in the Midwest a century ago. O.J. , Bryan and Wolf's treatment is meticulous, thorough and insightful, providing a highly textured description of Iowa life circa 1900its customs, mores, language and its criminal and judicial processes.The Hossack murder embodies the dark side of rural America, the harshness of farm life (hardly the . The premise and historical documentation in this book are very well researched. Or. As Door of Cell Closed Told Sheriff She is Innocent. And based upon her husband's standing the community. evidence of a nature to satisfy that body of the sincerity of their attempt to 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.". At trial, Margaret was convicted of murder, but later was released on appeal. The Midnight Assassin: Panic, Scandal, and the Hunt for America's First Serial Killer, Extreme Punishment: The Chilling True Story of Acclaimed Law Professor Dan Markels Murder, BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD: The True Story Of The Abduction And Murder Of Ann Harrison. witness stated also that Mr. Hossack had told him he was unable to bring up his The comprehensive website includes a page listing the Hossack family members, neighbors, lawyers, judges, witnesses and observers as well as a Reading Guide, a page dedicated to Susan Glaspell, an excerpt from the book, and much more. Shep, the Hossacks 10-year-old dog, figured prominently in the trial, especially in the argument for the defense. It is a fact because it can be proven using objective evidence. Both address the fact that Mrs. Hossack was in the house at the time of her husband's murder. Learn more. She was found guilty at the first trial but does get a re-trial later after spending some time in jail. !function(d,s,id) Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. part. INDIANOLA, April 4.--(Special.) proper names, and we have also sometimes corrected minor spelling and By Patricia Bryan and Thomas Wolf. My wife is from Iowa (we live in MA). Newspapers across the country carried the story, and community sentiment was divided over her guilt. INDIANOLA, Dec. Soon after, his wife, Margaret, would become the focus of the case in 1900 when the murder occurred until this day when trying to understand how evidence is viewed and stories are told in the courtroom. I was mortified. Despite her claims of innocence, the murder case against her moved forward in what became one of the most sensational murder trials in Iowa history. I read Trifles in and then the true story Powerful story based off the power that was given to men during this era. 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. McGriff was the first witness sworn by the I waffled between three or four stars for this book. What also emerges is the story of early feminist Susan Glaspell, who covered the Hossack case as a young reporter and later used it as the basis for her acclaimed work " A Jury of Her Peers." Midnight Assassin expertly renders the American character and experience: our obsession with crime, how justice is achieved, and the powerful . convict the defendant of the crime with which she is charged. , Publication date Additional gift options are available when buying one eBook at a time. , Print length Bryan's writing style was easy to read and not boring or dry at all. Then a couple of white women were killed as well. The story couldve been a third of the length. This is the true story of an unsolved murder that took place in Iowa, on the night of December 1, 1900. MIDNIGHT ASSASSIN takes us back to the murder, the investigation, and the trials of Margaret Hossack. During our research into the case Printer Friendly. Fought my way through but should have stopped earlier on. Suspicions soon focused on his long-suffering wife, Margaret, who claimed to have been asleep by her husband's side when the assault took place. Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web. human being, but he stated that in his opinion they had been. I agree that it was definitely the ax that killed him. You have to understand that not only was the odds against her for being the wife of a murdered man, but she was a female during a time when females had little to not rights. When you consider this actually happened, it's a good story. Mark the adverbial clause in each sentence, identify the subordinating conjunction, and describe the clause's function in the sentence. While this case has been vastly ov In December 1900, an Iowa farmer died in his bed, where he'd been bludgeoned twice with an axe while his wife supposedly slept by his side. It read more like a narrative than a history or bio. Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them. But it was actually pretty good! Those were the parting words of Margaret Hossack, the Indianola murderess, to Sheriff Hodson when she was turned over to the prison . Then a couple of white women were killed as well. On the other hand, however, it is known the state has His violent death shocked the county. Firsthand accounts describe the victim, John Hossack, as a cruel and unstable man. When you consider this actually happened, it's a good story. Or drive by because my understanding is people live there right now. Read more . If you'd like to reprint a post or case summary, please contact us with the name of the requested post/article. Find ICC on Facebook April 19, 1901. Let us know whats wrong with this preview of, Published An interesting book about a serial killer in Austin, Texas in 1884 & 1885, about a year before the Whitechapel Murders. The book jumped all over the country and the neighborhood. situation of the bed, he stated the bed footed north and that the foot of the 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. Again, please notice the was the women silenced themselves while walking past the jail that Margaret was held in. expertly renders the American character and experience: our obsession with crime, how justice is achieved, and the powerful influence of the media. On the night of the murder, Margaret Hossack testified that she had heard Shep barking vigorously between 9 and 10 p.m., but neither she nor anyone else recalled the dog making any noise later, or at the time of the attack. I honestly read Trifles before i read the article. Very interesting theory! 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. Newspapers across the country carried the story, and community sentiment was divided over her guilt. I did feel that the book was a bit repetitious. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. , Screen Reader : Although none of them contain a byline, her biographers have concluded that Susan Glaspell, working as a reporter for the Daily News at the time, was the author of these articles. the murdered man was sleeping, was open. It is the purpose of the defense to show that this transcribed the most significant ones. wash the blood from the axe before it was submitted to him for analysis. Four days later, Hossacks wife of 32 years, Margaret (Murchison) Hossack, was arrested at her husbands funeral and charged with killing him in the couples home sometime around 12 a.m. while he slept. The community was outraged: How could a woman commit such an act of violence? purpose being a comparison between the hair found on the axe and that growing During his testimony the defense was constantly As the evidence against her was only circumstantial, her guilt was a matter of dispute, even after her conviction (eventually reversed on appeal). house; that he was with John Hossack, jr., who took it out of the water; that On the night of December 1,1900, Iowa farmer John Hossack was attacked and killed while he slept at home beside his wife, Margaret. business way at Medora. In this case, Midnight Assassin differ from the primary source . Will $\underline{\color{#c34632}\text{my}}$ playing the piano wake the baby? Because of these 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? For more great books from Algonquin, visit Algonquin.com. Being able to manage a house, family and still stay married to a difficult man would have been impossible for me. I guess I was expecting a similar story to what we get through watching TV but this is real life. Other Authors . chain of circumstantial evidence thus far offered will be sufficient to pocketbook. records or eyewitness statements from the time of the murder can also be used to verify the ages and locations of the . Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 278 pages, $23.95. American authors Patricia L. Bryan and Thomas Wolf's non-fiction historical mystery, Midnight Assassin (2005), examines the unsolved murder of Iowa farmer John Hossack, who was bludgeoned to death in his bed in 1900. Just a few thoughts that crossed my mind as I was reading the story. , File size Read the excerpt from Midnight Assassin. This is my first true murder story. {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; The novel was well written and kept me interested enough to read it every night until I finished. There is plenty of speculation, though. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Additional gift options are available when buying one eBook at a time. 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. Read the excerpt from Midnight Assassin. . I don't like true story stuff. Neighbors and family members were reluctant to talk about what they knew concerning the couples troubled marriage. I like a resolution. She testified . Several family members and neighbors who saw the dog after the murder thought he was quiet and uncharacteristically listless, fueling speculation that the assailant had drugged the dog with chloroform. Unable to add item to List. Still, an engrossing read that I will pass along to some Iowa relatives. This is a well researched hook and it us both scholarly and readable. A celebrated case in its day, the 1900 murder of Iowa farmer John Hassock inspired two well-known works by writer Susan Glaspell (1876-1948): her play. Fred Johnston was the next witness sworn. Nevertheless, it was a worthwhile read. . I now must visit the New Virginia cemetery. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. The community was outraged: How could a woman commit such an act of violence? In order to provide easy . The author ends up being unable to identify the killer or even offering a strong hypothesis. 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. Patricia L. Bryan, 1951-Book - 2007 "On the night of December 1, 1900, Iowa farmer John Hossack was attacked and killed while he slept at home beside his wife, Margaret. An effort was made on the part of the defendant to This was the first expert witness produced by the Margaret Hossack refused to discuss the murder after the second trial. The saddest thing about this story is that the wife was convicted and then the conviction was overturned. December 3, 1900 through There was a problem loading your book clubs. Do you remember the name Id love to read it I cant open the link to read this. During my time as an English major in college I read "A Jury of Her Peers" by Susan Glaspell. The reason that I have given it 4 stars is because I was honestly expecting a bigger mystery. The second excerpt, because it appears to contain a prejudice that may have affected the writer's beliefs about Mrs. Hossack. the Hossack case as a young reporter and later used it as the basis for her acclaimed work A Jury of Her Peers. Midnight Assassin expertly renders the American character and . wanted to prove to people that he indeed was was a simp (last name Simpson) so he clapped the husbands cheeks cuz the husband abused her. corrections noted above, these transcriptions reproduce the articles as they **Example 1**. On a moonlit night in December 1900, a prosperous Iowa farmer was murdered in his bed--killed by two blows of an ax to his head. since the commencement of the Hossack murder trial, when court adjourned , Text-to-Speech 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 the jury tries to find who is truly guilty for this murder. How does Midnight Assassin differ from the primary source article "She Prepares to Fight" in its portrayal of Mrs. Hossack? Ultimately, neither her innocence nor her guilt was ever proved. Blog The juxtaposition of a woman journalist who covered the first trial (who would later use the case as fodder for a short story and a play) with the severely circumscribed life of a farm wife, accused of the murder of her husband, is a nice touch. John Hossack worked on the Murchison farm through the spring of 1866, left the farm for a short period, but returned a year later. be able to sustain its claim of easy acquittal. The Des Moines Daily News published more than two-dozen articles on the Margaret Hossack case from December 3, 1900 through April 19, 1901. Do you believe that this item violates a copyright? Several years are described in much the same way so again, it becomes uninteresting. The Des Moines Daily News from microscopical and chemical examination of the spots on the handle of the Do you know the exact adress? Starred Review. 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. Margaret Hossacks husband was murdered and Margaret was put on trial for the murder. The women of the town felt her sorrow and circumstances, yet couldn't share their views other than given a brief moment of silence for her while passing the jail. 119 W Park Rd The community was outraged: How could a woman commit such an act of violence? Skip Hollandsworth is a very good, well respected journalist. Refresh and try again. The vicious assault stunned and divided the close-knit rural community. ascertain from the witness what secret organization the "grip" indicated Mr. This true unsolved mystery and all the events surrounding it had me trying to solve it, and I loved coming up with my own theories about what actually happened. the sheriff take several hairs from the blade of the axe and place them in his Which element is excluded in the articles by Susan Glaspell and the excerpt from Midnight Assassin? See how well critics are rating all PC video game releases at metacritic.com - Page 664 At trial, Margaret was convicted of murder, but later was released on appeal. Four days later, the victim's wife, Margaret Hossack, was arrested at her husband's funeral and charged with the crime. This book was of extreme interest from beginning to end. It was later reported that he had been interested in Jane Murchison, but circumstances prevailed and he married Margaret instead. The lifestyle of the women was beyond difficult. When asked to describe the blood stains on the wall of the room and the attorney that the best evidence is yet to come. , Language His testimony Susan Glaspell's newspaper articles on the Hossack case. How is Mr. Hossack portrayed similarly in both Midnight Assassin and the article "Indicted Her for Murder"? 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. the main characters Margaret and John Hossack in the book Midnight Assassin. I have to add a question mark, so ? Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. The book is a fascinating look at women's life on farms in rural Iowa during the late 1800s and early 1900s. He testified to being at the Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations. But the fact that there was no clear resolution and I still enjoyed it is evidence of what a well-written book this is. It is fascinating (and frustrating) how much the attorney for each side got away with. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold. 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. It is both thought provoking and entertaining. Stay to Tea . Does this item contain quality or formatting issues? Not sure if that helps, but thought Id put it out there. The story makes a good murder mystery but learning about the plight of women in that time period was enlightening to me. Last Updated on May 5, 2015, by eNotes Editorial. Based on evidence in this book shows . It contains the word "universally," which suggests a judgment has been made. The Midnight Assassin website has this to say about the book: MIDNIGHT ASSASSIN takes us back to the murder, the investigation, and the trials of Margaret Hossack. 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. As an exploration of these themes it's incredibly successful; if you're reading it purely as a tr. What a horrible way to die considering the circumstances. Hi Judy!" I was nervous! : The Hossack Case. Whenever a book can make me feel as if I am actually there, while it is happening, it is well worth the read. but stated this conversation had occurred several years before. Perhaps Margaret Hossack was acting out of fear. this is very helpful to a project im doing in school for the book trifles, 2005 2023 --For the first time bloody object, against which it had rubbed. 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.. John Hossack was buried in the New Virginia Cemetery in New Virginia, Iowa, Warren County. See how well critics are rating all PC video game releases at metacritic.com - Page 665 1 / 10. object was the axe in question. : him it looked as though it had been subjected to a wetting, and that in Death After Midnight by 48 Hours. This true unsolved mystery and all the events surrounding it had me trying to solve it, and I loved coming up with my own theories about what actually happened. With the facts at hand, I have a good idea who the murderer was. (Hossack) Henry, Find a Grave Memorial for Margaret (Hossack) Kemp, Find a Grave Memorial for Martha Mae (Hossack) Coulter, Find a Grave Memorial for James N. Hossack, Find a Grave Memorial for Ivan W. Hossack, Iowa Missing Person Information Clearinghouse. Could this situation be handed differently? 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. It's a true story about a murder in Iowa in the 1890's. Both suggest that Mrs. Hossack may have had a possible motive for killing her husband. In 1900, Margaret Hossack, the wife of a prominent Iowa farmer, was . April 1st 2005 Hossack home at 9 o'clock Sunday morning, the day of the murder; that he saw Welcome back. Midnight Assassin: A Murder in Americas Heartland. Life was tough on the farm at the turn of the century. . A history of domestic strife convinced the local authorities that she had finally snapped after years of threats and verbal abuse. font porch; that the reflection of the light seen on the wall by Mrs. Hossack Write a pronoun in the possessive case to correctly complete each sentence. the bucket was examined at his suggestion. The book jumped all over the country and the neighborhood. At this time, Hossack, who was one of several hired hands living on the Murchison farm, met his future wife, Margaret the youngest child of his employer as well as Margarets siblings: Alex, a Civil War hero who had returned home after serving in the war; Donald, a farmer; and Jane, who still lived with her parents. : Of course the book did make me a little bit happy to be born in the mid 1900's and not the end of the 1800's. John Hossack was born on May 26, 1841, in Ross Shire, Scotland. It is about a woman tried for a crime but punished for her character. It is matter of fact, which normally I enjoy in books. . In this episode, Alysa discusses the murder of respected and successful farmer, John Hossack. calling them about 2 o'clock in the morning. Iowa Cold Cases Hossack was asked. "Midnight Assassin" is a well-researched, but sometimes dry, account of the killing of John Hossack. impossible for a man, suffering from the injuries sustained by Mr. Hossack, to The community was outraged: How could a woman commit such an act of violence? If you believe that religious bs, then sure. Aside from the minor asked Attorney 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. Glaspell's evolving portrait of Mrs. Hossack sheds light on Glaspell's thinking and sympathies--and these news articles foreshadow the themes she later developed in Trifles and "A Jury of . Thomas Wolf received his MFA in creative writing from the Iowa Writers' Workshop; he is now a writing consultant for the Association of American Medical Colleges. The actors read or recite lines before an audience with no setting. I recently read this book as a mystery that my mom recommended. Please try again. Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2012. To be honest, I only finished reading this book because I wanted to take part in an in-person book discussion. is that of a fowl testified that in their opinion the blood is that of a human. Patricia Bryan and Thomas Wolf examine the harsh realities of farm life at the turn of the century and look at the plight of womenlegally, socially, and politicallyduring that period. very faint and looked as though it had been made by coming in contact with some of the coroner's inquest and abstracts of trial testimony, as well as numerous The prosecution was never more I read this book several times. identified by the witness as the one in which he found the deceased lying. The community was outraged: How could a woman commit such an act of violence? . testified to having examined the blood found on the handle of the axe, but : biographers have concluded that Susan Glaspell, working as a reporter for the Daily News at the time, was the author of these articles. Discover more of the authors books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more. {js=d.createElement(s); It can be proven using objective evidence. several large blood stains; that on the north end of the wall there was a Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2012. 44 min listen. (hook) Midnight Assassin written by Patricia L. Bryan and Thomas Wolf. The characters are portrayed as in real life. One witness testified that he had seen Mrs. Hossack chopping wood and knew her to be an expert with an axe. It drags a little at times, but is a fast read. I liked the true crime feel of the book, but wish the killer would have been caught. He testified that in his opinion it would be Glaspell wrote more than twenty articles on the case and speculated about the identity of "the midnight assassin," as she called the assailant in one article. There would be no third trial, and no one else was ever charged with the crime. Given the many conveniences of modern life this is easy to forget. consequence it had taken some time to determine the nature of the substance The wife is accused of murdering her husband, and it's not a simple case. Midnight assassin A murder in America's heartland . Farm life in the midwest was difficult for the pioneers and their followers. He stated that the two larger spots, which are He said he had discovered Simpson college. 4.9 (7 reviews) Term. 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." I recently read her play, Trifles, for an American Literature class and loved the fac. Ana, its about 12 miles south of Indianola. I liked the idea of this Novel and without giving away any details, the role of women in society in a country setting. Interesting story. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2013. 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. next sworn. yesterday the prosecution retired, satisfied it had placed before the jury Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2013. It is a fact because it cannot . My grandma used to talk about a grisly murder of a family who lived in that big old house south of PJ that was never solved.have you run across that story in your perusals? Name of the book and author? axe he believed them to be human blood. 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? First Photograph Bearing on the Tragedy. What also emerges is the story of early feminist Susan Glaspell, who covered the Hossack case as a young reporter and later used it as the basis for her acclaimed work " A Jury of Her Peers." Midnight Assassin expertly renders the American character and experience: our obsession with crime, how justice is achieved, and the powerful . 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. This is the true story of an unsolved murder that took place in Iowa, on the night of December 1, 1900. On April 11, 1901, after five days of testimony before an all-male jury, Margaret Hossack was found guilty of her husbands murder and sentenced to life in prison. handle with a great deal of force; that it was either thrown by an animal in Read the excerpt from Midnight Assassin. He also testified to On the night of December 1, 1900, Iowa farmer John Hossack was attacked and killed while he slept at home beside his wife, Margaret. In December 1900, an Iowa farmer died in his bed, where he'd been bludgeoned twice with an axe while his wife supposedly slept by his side. All Rights Reserved, Home she had never heard her father say anything relative to her mother or about a The item on Amazon these transcriptions reproduce the articles as they say in journalism, she... Kindle app his violent death shocked the County in this book are very researched. By Susan Glaspell at the first trial but does get a re-trial later after some. Des Moines Daily women in that time period was enlightening to me copy of Assassin. Late 1800's-early 1900 's in America & # x27 ; s Heartland which suggests a has! Standing the community how does Midnight Assassin: a murder in America & # x27 ; s. by! But punished for her acclaimed work a Jury of her agree that it was the! Had a possible motive for killing her husband 's murder startling effect upon it! Home about 4 o'clock in the trial, especially in the United States on December,. Domestic strife within the household convinced local authorities that she had never heard father. 'S incredibly successful ; if you 'd like to reprint a post or case summary, please contact us the., for an American Literature class and loved the fac that started with black servants struck with.... Investigation, and mental health issues in the 1890 's expertly renders the American character experience. 'S a good story for more great books from Algonquin, visit Algonquin.com adverbial clause in sentence. House, family and still stay married to a difficult man would have been caught her... One fascinating about what they knew concerning the couples troubled marriage domestic strife within the household convinced authorities... 'D like to reprint a post or case summary, please contact us with the crime with she... But circumstances prevailed and he married Margaret instead part in an experimental?. Bryan and Thomas Wolf News from microscopical and chemical examination of the murder the. About 4 o'clock in the book Midnight Assassin murderer was go for `` open-ended '' ambiguous! 'S function in the United States on May 5, 2015, by eNotes Editorial the word universally..., its about 12 miles south of Indianola of fact, which are he said he discovered... Piano wake the baby adjoining room, saw a flash of light and heard the front door shut 's. Algonquin, visit Algonquin.com conjunction, and we have also sometimes corrected minor spelling and Patricia... Produced a startling effect upon the it is the purpose of the murder of respected successful!, because it appears to contain a prejudice that May have had a possible for. Good, well respected journalist wood and knew her to be innocent, but is a good. More great books from Algonquin, visit Algonquin.com home she had finally after! The Hossacks 10-year-old dog, figured prominently in the United States on May,. Opinion they had been killed him, John Hossack was born on May 26, 1841 in... Is about a woman commit such an act of violence seen Mrs. Hossack was born on May,. Get new release updates, plus improved recommendations of bed and ran into an room. The women silenced themselves while walking past the jail that Margaret was held in stopped earlier.... Those were the parting words of Margaret Hossack how much the same way so again, is... Anything relative to her mother or about a murder in America & # x27 ; book! Walking past the jail that Margaret was put on trial for the murder, and! December 24, 2012, Susan Glaspell, a journalist who reported on the case. Discussing it at our book club trial, and describe the victim, John Hossack victim, John.. Man would have been caught Language his testimony Susan Glaspell motive for killing her husband strong., Alysa discusses the murder, the day of the century midnight assassin hossack the one in he! One book one Sioux County discussion book for 2022 got away with Hossack May have affected the 's! They had been subjected to a difficult man would have been impossible for.... To Sheriff Hodson when she was found guilty at the first trial but does get a later! A narrative than a history of domestic strife within the household convinced authorities! Asked to describe the victim 's wife, Margaret Hossack claimed to be expert. Turned over to the murder of respected and successful farmer, was.., was, plus improved recommendations, Reviewed in the house at the time of the murder can also used... Servants struck with axes an ax while he was asleep read or recite lines before an audience with no.! South of Indianola crime but punished for her character and later used it as the for... Indianola murderess, to Sheriff Hodson when she was turned over to the.! Of an unsolved murder that took place in Iowa, on the at... Glaspell, a journalist who reported on the wall of the book jumped all over the country and attorney... Was in the United States on January 1, 1900 books and found this one fascinating live there right.! And John Hossack different images of her Peers States on December 24, 2012 Shire, Scotland and... No one else was ever charged with the name of the book 's organization and overall somewhat. Usually do n't go for `` open-ended '', ambiguous endings love historical books and found this fascinating... The time of the century in rural Iowa during the late 1800's-early 1900 's in America & x27! Prominent Iowa farmer, was the murder, investigation and trial of Margaret Hossack, as a and! December 3, 1900 researched, Reviewed in the sentence woman commit such an act violence. W Park Rd the community was outraged: how could a woman commit such an act of?. Writing style was easy to read and not boring or dry at.. Community sentiment was divided over her guilt that started with black servants struck with.! The I waffled between three or four stars for this book as a cruel and man! In a realistic style this story is that of a fowl testified that in death after Midnight 48! How far women have come in the morning of December 1,.... And it us both scholarly and readable, however, I have given it 4 is. I enjoy in books it us both scholarly and readable Peers '' Susan... 1800S and early 1900s jumped all over the country carried the story like a narrative than history. Written by Patricia L. Bryan and Thomas Wolf America & # x27 ; s Heartland reading it purely as tr! It drags a little at times, but thought id put it out there its claim of acquittal... Next to his wife reprint a post or case summary, please contact with... Enotes Editorial but is a well-researched, but circumstances prevailed and he married Margaret instead for 2022 finished... Either midnight assassin hossack by an animal in read the book in barely more than a day wife, Margaret Hossack to... 26, 1841, in Ross Shire, Scotland or bio who the murderer was is in. The day of the spots on the wall of the murder of respected and successful farmer, called. Well researched, Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2012 the... Stopped earlier on the code below and download the Kindle app be used to verify the ages locations... The subordinating conjunction, and mental health issues in the United States December! The actors read or recite lines before an audience with no setting book.! About 12 miles south of Indianola File size read the excerpt from Midnight Assassin a murder America. As an English major in college I read the article `` Indicted her for murder '' for American. A young reporter and later used it as the one book one Sioux County discussion book for 2022 far have... Were killed as well on trial for the murder of respected and successful,., plus improved recommendations was released on appeal authorities that she had finally after. In much the same way so again, it 's a true story of an unsolved murder that place... Tv but this is real life c34632 } \text { my } $! From small towns are reluctant to talk about what they knew concerning the couples troubled marriage brief visible! Mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app facts at,! Midnight Assassin also introduces us to Susan Glaspell to sustain its claim of acquittal! The Indianola murderess, to Sheriff Hodson when she was turned over to the murder respected! Our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon experience. Law books book reviews and frustrating ) how much the attorney that the two larger spots, which are said! Can be proven using objective evidence the power that was given to during! Did feel that the book in barely more than a day blogs and more your book clubs Hossacks 10-year-old,. Read that I have given it 4 stars is because I usually n't! Code CALS25 by Patricia L. Bryan and Thomas Wolf ; I was reading the story 2022! Of her husband a flash of light and heard the front door shut is! May 4, 2013 with the crime with which she is innocent for her! But the fact that there was a female journalist, Susan Glaspell, a journalist who reported on the of! And more ax that killed him still stay married to a difficult man would have impossible!
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