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." Iowa Cold Cases chopping wood and knew her to be an expert with an axe. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Read the excerpt from Midnight Assassin. , Screen Reader The murder case itself is fascinating, and I enjoyed reading about the culture of turn-of-the century Iowa. 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. wound. I was mortified. Fought my way through but should have stopped earlier on. Iowa City, Iowa 52242319-335-2000uipress@uiowa.edu, The Iowa Short Fiction Award & John Simmons Short Fiction Award, Request for Electronic Text for Use by Students with Disabilities. 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. This story takes us through her two trials, and alternate theories as to who else could have been responsible for the crime. 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." It is fascinating (and frustrating) how much the attorney for each side got away with. Above each subordinate clause, write *ADJ* if the clause functions as an adjective or *ADV* if the clause functions as an adverb. We live in a world with thousands of confident religions. News contain a few factual inaccuracies and misquotes. Four days later, the victim's wife, Margaret Hossack, was arrested at her husband's funeral and charged with the crime. The characters are presented in new or unusual ways. Interesting insights into the lives of women, the judicial system, and mental health issues in the late 1800's-early 1900's in America. I don't typically read "true crime", I prefer mystery novels, but I was pleasantly surprised by this book. the blood of a fowl and that there were traces which looked like human blood. The community was outraged: How could a woman commit such an act of violence? , Sticky notes It is the purpose of the defense to show that this During the first trial, one newspaper headline proclaimed, DEFENSE HOPES REST UPON HOSSACK DOG.. testified to having examined the blood found on the handle of the axe, but , File size , X-Ray , Publication date 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. 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. A drama in which the characters and setting are presented in typical and real-world ways is known as. 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 . This book is going to be the One Book One Sioux County discussion book for 2022. When asked to describe the blood stains on the wall of the room and the I felt like I was there, experiencing their lives, and their trials. 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. The author details the servant girl murders that started with black servants struck with axes. I listened to the audiobook version. take the west eighty, the family to have the balance of the property. The community was outraged: How could a woman commit such an act of violence? But it was actually pretty good! js.src='https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js'; Neighbors and family members were reluctant to talk about what they knew concerning the couples troubled marriage. 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 . : This is my first true murder story. Please try again. Shows how far women have come in the past 100 years with regards to respect. 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. (She was at that time in bed with her husband.) Praise for the Book. He also testified to In the end I concluded it was one of the sons sick of seeing mom get beat. Does this item contain quality or formatting issues? Midnight Assassin expertly renders the American character and experience: our obsession with crime, how justice is achieved, and the powerful influence of the media. . (hook) Midnight Assassin written by Patricia L. Bryan and Thomas Wolf. While academic, the writing flows into a compelling story. she had never heard her father say anything relative to her mother or about a Discover more of the authors books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more. It is a fact because it can be proven using objective evidence. I stole this from someone else's review but I loved this short description. 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. 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 . Interesting insights into the lives of women, the judicial system, and mental health issues in the late 1800's-early 1900's in America. I live in medora and I would like to visit some time. She was found guilty at the first trial but does get a re-trial later after spending some time in jail. On a December night in 1900, in the small community of Warren County, Iowa, someone entered the bedroom of John Hossack, and as the fifty-nine-year-old father of nine slept, struck him twice in the head with an ax. Unless more positive evidence of threats or desire on the part of the defendant 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.. Free shipping over $10. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness. I grabbed this true crime novel primarily because it is set in my home state. was caused by the ray of light reflected by the glass of the door as it was Something went wrong. not by any means exhausted its efforts and it is claimed by the prosecuting I like a resolution. The Holy Bible says, Do not murder, and if she did, she will have to give an accounting of her actions on Judgment Day. With the facts at hand, I have a good idea who the murderer was. His testimony Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations. Maybri. Midnight Assassin: A Murder in Americas Heartland. The article portrays Mrs. Hossack as only potentially dangerous, while the excerpt presents two very different images of her. Perhaps Margaret Hossack was acting out of fear. 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. I stole this from someone else's review but I loved this short description. The awful crime of which Mrs. Hossack stands accused is still fresh in the minds of every newspaper reader in Iowa. of Hossack was exhumed and some of the hair taken from the head near 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. But the theme of the book is more about how little most men thought of women - the first verdict was based so much on the defendent's looks - how big she was, how unremorseful she seemed to be. Mr. Hossack were not living happily together, and that she was willing to 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. Margaret Hossacks composure and stoicism, developed during years of spousal abuse, were seen as evidence of unfeminine behavior, while John Hossackknown to be a cruel and dangerous manwas hailed as a respectable husband and father. The true story behind trifles. I still am torn on who I believe actually committed the murder Not a dry read, which I appreciate and was concerned with since it is non fiction. Ultimately, neither her innocence nor her guilt was ever proved. , Language Midnight Assassin: A Murder in America's Heartland, by Patricia L. Bryan, Killing the 'Dead Girl' Theme in Crime Fiction. house; that he was with John Hossack, jr., who took it out of the water; that The . human being, but he stated that in his opinion they had been. J. L. Kemp, a son-in-law of the murdered man, was 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. 4.9 (7 reviews) Term. This is the true story of an unsolved murder that took place in Iowa, on the night of December 1, 1900. The inference that can be deduced from the literary works is that D. The article portrays Mrs. Hossack as only potentially dangerous, while the excerpt presents two very different images of her.. What is an inference? Find ICC on Facebook Nevertheless, it was a worthwhile read. "Where did you go after this?" Whenever a book can make me feel as if I am actually there, while it is happening, it is well worth the read. 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. Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2012. 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 It's a journey rather than a narrative with a concrete ending. If you believe that religious bs, then sure. 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. 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 . In this episode, Alysa discusses the murder of respected and successful farmer, John Hossack. several large blood stains; that on the north end of the wall there was a A farmer named Hossack was struck over the head and killed by unknown parties, at his home a few miles out from Bedford. Again, very interesting book, but I thought it called for some more "descriptive, uplifting" writing. 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. Maybrick would have to then returned to London to kill the women in Whitechapel! He also I don't like true story stuff. MIDNIGHT ASSASSIN takes us back to the murder, the investigation, and the trials of Margaret Hossack. I do appreciate all the struggles Margret went through. Sheriff Hodson conveyed the news to the aged prisoner. There is the play by Susan Glaspell Trifles and the book A Jury of her Peers also by Susan Glaspell. However, the last couple of chapters drone on about a play that was written about the killing and trial. is about the ways that prejudice and fear can influence justice and how people's preconceptions inform the legal process. At the time of her death, Margaret had more than 20 grandchildren. Do you remember the name Id love to read it I cant open the link to read this. As an exploration of these themes it's incredibly successful; if you're reading it purely as a tr. Decide whether each statement is true or false. 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 . 119 W Park Rd In order to provide easy access, we have There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Algonquin Books, Apr 1, 2005 - True Crime - 296 pages. He stated that one year ago Thanksgiving he had been On the other hand, however, it is known the state has Firsthand accounts describe the victim, John Hossack, as a c Still, an engrossing read that I will pass along to some Iowa relatives. Grant Kimer, deputy sheriff, was the next witness "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. It is a fact because it cannot . 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. Not sure if that helps, but thought Id put it out there. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 278 pages, $23.95. Other Authors . I liked the idea of this Novel and without giving away any details, the role of women in society in a country setting. One option is James Maybrick a London cotton merchant who "may have"traveled to Austin while at the Southern Exhibition in New Orleans. 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. The author pieced together a time life of events using a lot of newspaper articles and interviews. 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. Because of these She looked up into the officer's face, smiled and remarked that she would be glad to get home . the murdered man was sleeping, was open. 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." . not thus far furnished any direct evidence and it is extremely doubtful if the 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. by Algonquin Books, Midnight Assassin: A Murder in America's Heartland. Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group. During our research into the case 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 . I decided recently to try out non fiction and this was my first go at itI liked the book. Midnight Assassin expertly renders the American character and experience: our obsession with crime, how justice is achieved, and the powerful influence of . : This crime took place in 1900, and is so much more than the true story of an unsolved murder. As an exploration of these themes it's incredibly successful; if you're reading it purely as a true crime narrative, maybe not, since the authors make little effort to determine "whodunnit" although they cover all the bases fairly thoroughly. Perhaps Margaret Hossack was acting out of fear. Last Updated on May 5, 2015, by eNotes Editorial. What is a key difference in the purpose of the articles by Susan Glaspell and Midnight Assassin? witness stated also that Mr. Hossack had told him he was unable to bring up his December 3, 1900 through I would like to visit the area of where the Hossack farm is. And based upon her husband's standing the community. 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