Judge Clagett had left the bench and ran the Keokuk newspaper The Constitution Daily.
The paper reported on Friday, May 13, 1864: “An unfortunate affair — yesterday afternoon, Mr. E. Rockefeller, who has just returned from the South got into altercation with his wife in relation to some domestic matters, and finally became very much angered drew a pistol and shot her.
We understand that her wound is of a serious nature and may even prove fatal.”
Edward was arrested the next morning by Constable (and coroner) Robert Worster and charged with Assault With Intent To Do Great Bodily Injury.
Edward was released on a surety bond of $500.
Surety bonds do not require the exchange of money; however, the cosigners are responsible for paying the bond if the defendant fails to appear in court.
The cosigners were, Henry C. Landes (his suttler partner), and a Keokuk shoemaker named Robert B. Harris.
The Daily Constitution: “Mr. Rockefeller , who shot his wife on Thursday had an examination before Squire Leech and was held to bail in the sum of five hundred dollars. We don’t know anything about the merits of this particular case or what amount of provocation Mr. R. may have suffered; but one thing is certain, there is no possible circumstances under which a man can have any excuse whatever for shooting a woman.”
The following day, “We understand that Mr. and Mrs. Rockefeller have had reconciliation and Mrs. R. was removed from the hotel to her home yesterday evening. Mrs. R. is said to be out of danger and doing well.”
The next day, “Dead. – Mrs. Rockefeller who was shot by her husband in this city a few days since, we regret to learn died yesterday evening from the effects of the wound.”
Eunice Rockefeller was 25 years old.
Sometime after she died Dr. David L. McGugin examined her body.
He reported that: “The ball entered from behind and passed forward. I think in the left hip, it was what we call in surgery, a gunshot wound — the ball could not be found — it had evidently passed into the cavity of the abdomen. The wound was of such a character to prove fatal.”
Deputy Marshal H. D. Bartlet filed a complaint charging Edward with murder on Monday, May 16, 1864, little Virginia’s fourth birthday.
No one knows where Eunice was laid to rest.
However, Deputy Marshal H. D. Bartlet helped bury Eunice Rockefeller.
So, she was most likely interned by the City of Keokuk in an unmarked pauper’s grave.
William was ten years old when his mother was buried, Lucy seven, Albert five, and Virginia four.
More next week.
Russ Fry lives in Burlington and writes books and makes documentaries about local history. You will find his books at Burlington by the Book and Amazon.
