Murder in Marshall Township
All of the information below was found in the Austin Daily Herald, starting on May 23, 1933.
COUPLE SLAIN IN BED WHILE SON IS FOUND ON ROAD SHOT TWICE.
Ivan Clark Believed To Have Murdered Parents And Then Ended Own Life - Autopsy Planned To Determine Whether Bullet In Heart Fatal - Gun Cocked Lends Mystery Element.
A son and his elderly parents were found dead this morning at their farm southeast of Austin in what authorities said was evidently a double murder and suicide with a .22 rifle.
Stretched out in the middle of a country road, the body of the son, Ivan Clark, thirty-eight years old, was discovered about 8:30 o'clock by Orville Lastine, driver of the Rose Creek school bus.
Murdered while asleep, the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Clark, both nearly seventy years old, were found together in bed in a downstairs room of the farm home. The farm is located about eight miles east and two miles south of Austin. It is about three miles northeast of Rose Creek village.
Cattle Found Unfed
Shortly after the body of the son was discovered, Dr. E. C. Rebman, acting coroner, and Deputy Lon Enochson were called to the scene of the tragedy. They noticed the livestock on the farm apparently had not been fed and was restless. This led them to suspect that the other occupants of the farm were probably either dead or not at home. Searching the farm house, they found the couple, each shot in the head. All evidence indicated they were killed without a struggle. The blankets on the bed were not disturbed. They apparently never awakened from their sleep.
A disagreement and quarrel, was probably the motive for the slaying The family had been members of the Rose Creek community for a long time. Dr. Rebman was well acquainted with them, having been their family physician for twenty years. The son, he said, was a "quiet and rather peculiar person" given on occasions to "violent outbursts of temper."
No Lights Burning
There were no lights burning in the house, indicating the slaying took place at daylight very early this morning. The fact that the parents were evidently sound asleep when they were killed, showed there was no quarrel between the parents and son immediately before the shooting. Deputy Lon Enochson said the son may have carried a grudge from some previous altercation. The father and son were seen by neighbors working in the field yesterday.
The bus driver was taking children to school when he found the son's body lying in the middle of the road, with the face downward. The .22 rifle was under him, against his breast. He had put the barrel of the gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger.
Peculiar Angle To Case
There was one peculiar aspect in the finding of the rifle. A slide-action gun, it was "cocked" ready to be fired again. They only explanation that could be given was that after the son shot himself, he accidentally "cockced" the gun when he fell. The shot entered his brain, making it almost impossible for him to deliberately prepare the gun to be fired again. Before moving to the Rose Creek community, the Clark family lived on a farm on old Highway 40 about six miles south of Austin. They left that farm about ten years ago.
The eighty acre farm they occupied northeast of Rose Creek was regarded as beng some of the best land in the county. The buildings on the farm are in good condition.
The fact that no valuables in the house were disturbed contributed in convincing authorities here that the parents were murdered by their son. A pocketbook with money was lying on a table untouched.
Neighbor Takes Charge
Herman Rolf, a neighbor, was placed in charge of the farm this morning. The only known relative of the family living here is Mrs. Annie Clark, a sister of the slain woman, who has been staying in Austin at 405 N. Fourth street. Officers could not get in touch with the sister as it was said she had left the house to go to work this morning at a new job, and the place of her employment was not known.
A remote possibility that the son did not murder his parents was ? here late this afternoon when the body of the son at the Jordan mortuary was more closely examined. It was found that the son was shot twice, once in the region of the heart and the second time in the brain. An autopsy will be held to determine whether it was possible for him to have inflicted both wounds on himself. While authorities believe that the shot near the heart was probably not fatal, and that he could have fired the second shot into his brain, a close investigation will be made ito remove all doubt.
Doubt Another Involved
The possibility that the parents and son were murdered by a fourth person appears somewhat remote from the evidence secured, declared the deputy.
The mother was shot twice in the brain, once in the heart. The killer fired two shots at the father, one in the heart, the other in the brain.
The deafness of the father, was given as explanation of the apparent fact that neither of the parents were awakened by the shots. The mother is believed to have been shot first.
The parents and the son were in Austin consulting an attorney on a legal matter Saturday. The father and son were last seen working together on the farm Sunday.
AUTOPSY PROVES ONLY ONE WOUND IN BODY OF SON
Shot Fired Through Heart In Suicide, Is Officers' Verdict
FUNERAL SET THURSDAY
Slain Couple Had Good Reputation In Community
An autopsy today convinced authorities that Ivan Clark was the murderer of his parents and helped to remove the possibility that the family may have been slain by a fourth person.
Coroner B. J. Cronwell, who returned to the city last night performed the autopsy this morning. He found that only one shot was fired into the son's body, and that one through the heart.
Sheriff Ira Syck and John Burns, operator of bureau of criminal apprehension, both stated that the results of the autopsy convinced them that the son murdered his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Clark, and then took his own life.
Funeral To Be Thursday
Funeral services for the three persons will be held at the Jordan Mortuary here Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock.
Until the autopsy today, it was believed the son had been shot twice, in the heart and in the brain. This raised the question of whether he could have inflicted both wounds himself, and offered the remote possibility that a fourth person murdered the family.
The autopsy this morning cleared this element of mystery when it was definitely shown that the son had not been shot in the brain. The only bullet fired into his body was one that penetrated a rib on the left side of his body, passed through the center of the heart and embedded in a muscle near the right shoulder blade. The bullet slanted as it passed from the left to the right side of his body.
Fired Only One Shot
The fact that the son bled profusely from the mouth, and the position of the rifle, was what first led authorities to erroneously believe that he took his life by placing the barrel of the gun in his mouth, firing a shot into his brain. The autopsy disproved this, showing only the one shot was fired and into his heart.
When the body of the son was found, the rifle was discovered to be "cocked," ready to be fired again. Officers said it was possible that the son either accidentally cocked the rifle as he slumped to the ground, or that immediately after he fired the shot, he cocked the rifle intending to use a second bullet to end his life if it was needed.
The general opinion of people acquainted with the Clark family was that the son was inclined to be "peculiar" and that he had a violent temper at times. His parents had a reputation of being thrifty and hard workers.
No Valuables Disturbed
Officers here said the fact that no valuables in the house were disturbed, and that no evidence could be found to indicate a fourth person was at the farm, substantiated the belief the son was the slayer of his parents.
The tragedy was revealed yesterday morning when Orville Lastine, driver of the Rose Creek school bus, found the body of the son lying in the road in front of the farm house about eight miles east and two miles south of Austin. His parents were found dead in bed, murdered while they were sleeping.
Officers will go to the farm this afternoon to continue their investigation. The sheriff said the question of holding an inquest has not yet been decided.
BAUDLER ORDERS INQUEST IN CASE
Jury To Be Assembled To Hear Evidence In Clark Deaths
An inquest will be held over the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Clark and their son, Ivan, believed to be victims of a double murder and suicide, it was stated by County Attorney Otto Baudler today.
Mr. Baudler said the jury for the inquest would be assembled late today, and that an adjournment would very likely be taken in order to give time for a detailed investigation of the tragedy.
Meanwhile, preparations were being made for a triple funeral that will be held for the three members of the family. Services will be conducted at the Jordan Mortuary here at 3:30 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Rev. D. R Martin will officiate. Burial will be at the Woodbury Cemetery near Lyle.
Arrangements for the funeral are being made by Mr. and Mrs. Folsam of Powell, S. D. Mrs. Folsom is a sister of Mr. Clark.
Shot through the heart, the son was found Monday morning lying in the road in front of his farm home about eight miles east and two miles south of Austin. His .22 rifle that had been taken from its case in the farm house was found lying under him. The parents were found dead in bed.
UNABLE TO FIND EVIDENCE TO GIVE VERDICT IN CASE
Question Left Open Whether A Fourth Party Involved
SEVERAL ARE QUIZZED
Several Questioned By Baudler At Coroner's Inquest
A coroner's jury failed to clear away the mystery surrounding the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Clark and their son, Ivan, and concluded its deliberations with an indefinite verdict today.
The jurors did not find sufficient evidence to conclude that Ivan killed his parents, nor did they exonerate him. They also left open the question as to whether or not the family was slain by a fourth person. The jurors stated that Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Clark met their death in bed by a "party or parties unknown" to the jurors. Their decision was similarly indefinite as to the death of the son.
The inquest was conducted by Coroner B. J. Cronwell. County Attorney Otto Baudler questioned the witnesses.
An investigation that has been continued by authorities since May 23, the day on which the Clark family was found dead, brought a number of witnesses in the stand in the courtroom yesterday afternoon and this morning.
Disagreement Is Studied
There was considerable testimony given in connection with a disagreement that had allegedly developed between a neighbor and members of the Clark family, but as the testimony ws not given in a judicial court, it is not being published.
The first witness to take the stand was Orville Lastine, driver of the Rose Creek school bus. He told of finding the body of Ivan Clark lying in the road in front of the Clark farm home while he was driving eleven children to school. He said he knew Ivan for three years and had found him a "peaceful person."
Dr. E. C. Rebman, who went to the scene of the tragedy as acting coroner, was called next. He described the finding of Ivan's body with the .22 rifle under him. He said the rifle was "cocked" and the "trigger was pulled back."
Conversation Recalled
"I said to Deputy Enochson "I bet he's killed the father and mother," declared Dr. Rebman. The doctor said Enochsen went into the house, came out and said: "You're right. They're dead."
The doctor declared that in the bedroom where the parents were found there was no evidence of a struggle. He said that from a cursory examination he first thought that Ivan had been shot in the mouth but that the autopsy later disproved this.
The witness, who had been a doctor for the Clark family over a long period of years, was questioned about the family's habits. He said he always considered Ivan as being "queer."
Only A "Disagreement"
He said he saw the boy "have words with his parents" but it was not "of a violent nature" and was "more a disagreement."
"Was there anger exhibited?" the county attorney asked.
"Just a flare," he replied.
"Did the mother express any fear over Ivan?" he was next asked.
"Excepting, she had said she did not want to do anything to make Ivan mad." the doctor declared. He added that she did not explain this statement further.
Deputy Enochson was put on the stand, He had accompanied the doctor to the scene of the tragedy.
No Marks Of Beating
"Did you see marks to show that any of the three members of the family had been beaten?" he was asked.
"No," he replied. "There were some bruises on the side of Ivan's face, but it was the side on which he had fallen on the ground and we took them to be injuries from the fall."
There was nothing disturbed in the bedroom where the parents were found, he said. He described finding a pocketbook with a dollar in it, and also legal papers in a drawer that apparently had not been disturbed.
The deputy said he also found the rifle cocked with the trigger pulled back. He described the gun as a Stevens .22 caliber rifle operated with slide-arm action. To load it, you have to pull towards you and then slide it back, he explained.
The deputy described the powder marks around the hole that the bullet made in Ivan's shirt. The shirt was exhibited to the jurors. Enochson told how he fired shots with the .22 rifle from various distances into the shirt in an effort to find out how close the gun was when it sent the bullet into Ivan's heart. He said that when the rifle was fired at a distance of over six inches from the shirt there were no traces of powder marks.
Powder Marks Examined
He said the powder marks of the bullet that killed Ivan closely resembled those made in the tests when the rifle was fired with the barrel up against the shirt.
Ed Schnorenberg, Windom township farmer, said he had always considered Ivan as being "conservative and hard-working." "I never saw anything to indicate he wasn't normal," he added.
Herman Baudler, game warden, took the stand to testify in connection with the disagreement between a neighbor and the Clarks.
Tom Scott said he was "pretty well acquainted with the Clarks and saw Ivan a couple of weeks before his death." He declared he "saw nothing different in Ivan at that time."
Carl Qualey, town board member, Minnie Bell Varco, Alfred Overlie, and Bernard Regan, all of whom live in the vicinity of Rose Creek, were also among those who testified in connection with the disagreement, between the neighbor and the Clark Family.
Majerus Takes Stand
Jacob Majerus, mail carrier, who said he "knew the Clarks for thirty years," took the stand.
"I never saw Ivan angry. I didn't consider him off in mentality. He never talked much unless you were alone with him," he said in answer to the county attorney's questions.
Art Larson, a neighbor said Ivan sometimes worked for him and he always thought the Clark family got along good." He said the day before they were found dead, he saw the father and son working in the field together.
Herman Rolf, another neighbor, declared, "I thought the family got along fine. If there were any decisions to be made, Ivan would ask Pa and Pa would ask Ivan."
Coroner Cronwell testified as to the findings in the autopsy.
Questioned by a juror, he said there were no wounds found on the son's mouth.
He said that the bullet punctured Ivan's heart in such a way that he believed it would "break-up all functions of circulation."
Questioned As To Fatality
The county attorney questioned him as to whether or not a bullet through the heart is always fata.
The doctor said it was always considered as being fatal but that there is some variation in the length of life after the heart is punctured.
The county attorney asked him whether he believed Ivan's wound was such as to be immediately fatal.
The doctor said that inasmuch as the bullet that pierced Ivan's heart had punctured both the pulmonary and arterial circulations he supposed that death would be almost instant.
"Do you think he could have cocked the gun?" the county attorney asked.
"I wouldn't expect him to," the coroner said.
Fired From Slant
On questioning, the doctor said the wound was of such a nature that the bullet must have come from a gun held at a slant. He admitted that the shot could not have been fired from a rifle held in the natural position at the shoulder by another person.
Sheriff Ira Syck testified that the bullet found in Ivan's body was the same kind of bullet fired by the .22 rifle belonging to Ivan. He said the bullets were a variety sold by Montgomery-Ward Company and were marked "M-W." He said the empty shells found in the bedroom of the dead parents, were the same as the bullets found in a box in the farm house. The box of bullets found in the farm house were presumably for Ivan's rifle.
The sheriff also introduced as evidence the jacket worn by Ivan when he was shot. While the jacket covered the shirt, there was no bullet hole in it. The rifle that shot Ivan had apparently been pushed against the shirt inside the jacket.
The sheriff also testified that the rifling marks on the bullet found in Ivan's body resembled those of bullets that were later fired in a test with Ivan's rifle.
Carl Samingson, local gunsmith, said he had also inspected under a magnifying glass the bullet found in the body and others fired from the gun, and he found a marked similarity in the rifling.
COUPLE SLAIN IN BED WHILE SON IS FOUND ON ROAD SHOT TWICE.
Ivan Clark Believed To Have Murdered Parents And Then Ended Own Life - Autopsy Planned To Determine Whether Bullet In Heart Fatal - Gun Cocked Lends Mystery Element.
A son and his elderly parents were found dead this morning at their farm southeast of Austin in what authorities said was evidently a double murder and suicide with a .22 rifle.
Stretched out in the middle of a country road, the body of the son, Ivan Clark, thirty-eight years old, was discovered about 8:30 o'clock by Orville Lastine, driver of the Rose Creek school bus.
Murdered while asleep, the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Clark, both nearly seventy years old, were found together in bed in a downstairs room of the farm home. The farm is located about eight miles east and two miles south of Austin. It is about three miles northeast of Rose Creek village.
Cattle Found Unfed
Shortly after the body of the son was discovered, Dr. E. C. Rebman, acting coroner, and Deputy Lon Enochson were called to the scene of the tragedy. They noticed the livestock on the farm apparently had not been fed and was restless. This led them to suspect that the other occupants of the farm were probably either dead or not at home. Searching the farm house, they found the couple, each shot in the head. All evidence indicated they were killed without a struggle. The blankets on the bed were not disturbed. They apparently never awakened from their sleep.
A disagreement and quarrel, was probably the motive for the slaying The family had been members of the Rose Creek community for a long time. Dr. Rebman was well acquainted with them, having been their family physician for twenty years. The son, he said, was a "quiet and rather peculiar person" given on occasions to "violent outbursts of temper."
No Lights Burning
There were no lights burning in the house, indicating the slaying took place at daylight very early this morning. The fact that the parents were evidently sound asleep when they were killed, showed there was no quarrel between the parents and son immediately before the shooting. Deputy Lon Enochson said the son may have carried a grudge from some previous altercation. The father and son were seen by neighbors working in the field yesterday.
The bus driver was taking children to school when he found the son's body lying in the middle of the road, with the face downward. The .22 rifle was under him, against his breast. He had put the barrel of the gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger.
Peculiar Angle To Case
There was one peculiar aspect in the finding of the rifle. A slide-action gun, it was "cocked" ready to be fired again. They only explanation that could be given was that after the son shot himself, he accidentally "cockced" the gun when he fell. The shot entered his brain, making it almost impossible for him to deliberately prepare the gun to be fired again. Before moving to the Rose Creek community, the Clark family lived on a farm on old Highway 40 about six miles south of Austin. They left that farm about ten years ago.
The eighty acre farm they occupied northeast of Rose Creek was regarded as beng some of the best land in the county. The buildings on the farm are in good condition.
The fact that no valuables in the house were disturbed contributed in convincing authorities here that the parents were murdered by their son. A pocketbook with money was lying on a table untouched.
Neighbor Takes Charge
Herman Rolf, a neighbor, was placed in charge of the farm this morning. The only known relative of the family living here is Mrs. Annie Clark, a sister of the slain woman, who has been staying in Austin at 405 N. Fourth street. Officers could not get in touch with the sister as it was said she had left the house to go to work this morning at a new job, and the place of her employment was not known.
A remote possibility that the son did not murder his parents was ? here late this afternoon when the body of the son at the Jordan mortuary was more closely examined. It was found that the son was shot twice, once in the region of the heart and the second time in the brain. An autopsy will be held to determine whether it was possible for him to have inflicted both wounds on himself. While authorities believe that the shot near the heart was probably not fatal, and that he could have fired the second shot into his brain, a close investigation will be made ito remove all doubt.
Doubt Another Involved
The possibility that the parents and son were murdered by a fourth person appears somewhat remote from the evidence secured, declared the deputy.
The mother was shot twice in the brain, once in the heart. The killer fired two shots at the father, one in the heart, the other in the brain.
The deafness of the father, was given as explanation of the apparent fact that neither of the parents were awakened by the shots. The mother is believed to have been shot first.
The parents and the son were in Austin consulting an attorney on a legal matter Saturday. The father and son were last seen working together on the farm Sunday.
AUTOPSY PROVES ONLY ONE WOUND IN BODY OF SON
Shot Fired Through Heart In Suicide, Is Officers' Verdict
FUNERAL SET THURSDAY
Slain Couple Had Good Reputation In Community
An autopsy today convinced authorities that Ivan Clark was the murderer of his parents and helped to remove the possibility that the family may have been slain by a fourth person.
Coroner B. J. Cronwell, who returned to the city last night performed the autopsy this morning. He found that only one shot was fired into the son's body, and that one through the heart.
Sheriff Ira Syck and John Burns, operator of bureau of criminal apprehension, both stated that the results of the autopsy convinced them that the son murdered his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Clark, and then took his own life.
Funeral To Be Thursday
Funeral services for the three persons will be held at the Jordan Mortuary here Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock.
Until the autopsy today, it was believed the son had been shot twice, in the heart and in the brain. This raised the question of whether he could have inflicted both wounds himself, and offered the remote possibility that a fourth person murdered the family.
The autopsy this morning cleared this element of mystery when it was definitely shown that the son had not been shot in the brain. The only bullet fired into his body was one that penetrated a rib on the left side of his body, passed through the center of the heart and embedded in a muscle near the right shoulder blade. The bullet slanted as it passed from the left to the right side of his body.
Fired Only One Shot
The fact that the son bled profusely from the mouth, and the position of the rifle, was what first led authorities to erroneously believe that he took his life by placing the barrel of the gun in his mouth, firing a shot into his brain. The autopsy disproved this, showing only the one shot was fired and into his heart.
When the body of the son was found, the rifle was discovered to be "cocked," ready to be fired again. Officers said it was possible that the son either accidentally cocked the rifle as he slumped to the ground, or that immediately after he fired the shot, he cocked the rifle intending to use a second bullet to end his life if it was needed.
The general opinion of people acquainted with the Clark family was that the son was inclined to be "peculiar" and that he had a violent temper at times. His parents had a reputation of being thrifty and hard workers.
No Valuables Disturbed
Officers here said the fact that no valuables in the house were disturbed, and that no evidence could be found to indicate a fourth person was at the farm, substantiated the belief the son was the slayer of his parents.
The tragedy was revealed yesterday morning when Orville Lastine, driver of the Rose Creek school bus, found the body of the son lying in the road in front of the farm house about eight miles east and two miles south of Austin. His parents were found dead in bed, murdered while they were sleeping.
Officers will go to the farm this afternoon to continue their investigation. The sheriff said the question of holding an inquest has not yet been decided.
BAUDLER ORDERS INQUEST IN CASE
Jury To Be Assembled To Hear Evidence In Clark Deaths
An inquest will be held over the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Clark and their son, Ivan, believed to be victims of a double murder and suicide, it was stated by County Attorney Otto Baudler today.
Mr. Baudler said the jury for the inquest would be assembled late today, and that an adjournment would very likely be taken in order to give time for a detailed investigation of the tragedy.
Meanwhile, preparations were being made for a triple funeral that will be held for the three members of the family. Services will be conducted at the Jordan Mortuary here at 3:30 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Rev. D. R Martin will officiate. Burial will be at the Woodbury Cemetery near Lyle.
Arrangements for the funeral are being made by Mr. and Mrs. Folsam of Powell, S. D. Mrs. Folsom is a sister of Mr. Clark.
Shot through the heart, the son was found Monday morning lying in the road in front of his farm home about eight miles east and two miles south of Austin. His .22 rifle that had been taken from its case in the farm house was found lying under him. The parents were found dead in bed.
UNABLE TO FIND EVIDENCE TO GIVE VERDICT IN CASE
Question Left Open Whether A Fourth Party Involved
SEVERAL ARE QUIZZED
Several Questioned By Baudler At Coroner's Inquest
A coroner's jury failed to clear away the mystery surrounding the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Clark and their son, Ivan, and concluded its deliberations with an indefinite verdict today.
The jurors did not find sufficient evidence to conclude that Ivan killed his parents, nor did they exonerate him. They also left open the question as to whether or not the family was slain by a fourth person. The jurors stated that Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Clark met their death in bed by a "party or parties unknown" to the jurors. Their decision was similarly indefinite as to the death of the son.
The inquest was conducted by Coroner B. J. Cronwell. County Attorney Otto Baudler questioned the witnesses.
An investigation that has been continued by authorities since May 23, the day on which the Clark family was found dead, brought a number of witnesses in the stand in the courtroom yesterday afternoon and this morning.
Disagreement Is Studied
There was considerable testimony given in connection with a disagreement that had allegedly developed between a neighbor and members of the Clark family, but as the testimony ws not given in a judicial court, it is not being published.
The first witness to take the stand was Orville Lastine, driver of the Rose Creek school bus. He told of finding the body of Ivan Clark lying in the road in front of the Clark farm home while he was driving eleven children to school. He said he knew Ivan for three years and had found him a "peaceful person."
Dr. E. C. Rebman, who went to the scene of the tragedy as acting coroner, was called next. He described the finding of Ivan's body with the .22 rifle under him. He said the rifle was "cocked" and the "trigger was pulled back."
Conversation Recalled
"I said to Deputy Enochson "I bet he's killed the father and mother," declared Dr. Rebman. The doctor said Enochsen went into the house, came out and said: "You're right. They're dead."
The doctor declared that in the bedroom where the parents were found there was no evidence of a struggle. He said that from a cursory examination he first thought that Ivan had been shot in the mouth but that the autopsy later disproved this.
The witness, who had been a doctor for the Clark family over a long period of years, was questioned about the family's habits. He said he always considered Ivan as being "queer."
Only A "Disagreement"
He said he saw the boy "have words with his parents" but it was not "of a violent nature" and was "more a disagreement."
"Was there anger exhibited?" the county attorney asked.
"Just a flare," he replied.
"Did the mother express any fear over Ivan?" he was next asked.
"Excepting, she had said she did not want to do anything to make Ivan mad." the doctor declared. He added that she did not explain this statement further.
Deputy Enochson was put on the stand, He had accompanied the doctor to the scene of the tragedy.
No Marks Of Beating
"Did you see marks to show that any of the three members of the family had been beaten?" he was asked.
"No," he replied. "There were some bruises on the side of Ivan's face, but it was the side on which he had fallen on the ground and we took them to be injuries from the fall."
There was nothing disturbed in the bedroom where the parents were found, he said. He described finding a pocketbook with a dollar in it, and also legal papers in a drawer that apparently had not been disturbed.
The deputy said he also found the rifle cocked with the trigger pulled back. He described the gun as a Stevens .22 caliber rifle operated with slide-arm action. To load it, you have to pull towards you and then slide it back, he explained.
The deputy described the powder marks around the hole that the bullet made in Ivan's shirt. The shirt was exhibited to the jurors. Enochson told how he fired shots with the .22 rifle from various distances into the shirt in an effort to find out how close the gun was when it sent the bullet into Ivan's heart. He said that when the rifle was fired at a distance of over six inches from the shirt there were no traces of powder marks.
Powder Marks Examined
He said the powder marks of the bullet that killed Ivan closely resembled those made in the tests when the rifle was fired with the barrel up against the shirt.
Ed Schnorenberg, Windom township farmer, said he had always considered Ivan as being "conservative and hard-working." "I never saw anything to indicate he wasn't normal," he added.
Herman Baudler, game warden, took the stand to testify in connection with the disagreement between a neighbor and the Clarks.
Tom Scott said he was "pretty well acquainted with the Clarks and saw Ivan a couple of weeks before his death." He declared he "saw nothing different in Ivan at that time."
Carl Qualey, town board member, Minnie Bell Varco, Alfred Overlie, and Bernard Regan, all of whom live in the vicinity of Rose Creek, were also among those who testified in connection with the disagreement, between the neighbor and the Clark Family.
Majerus Takes Stand
Jacob Majerus, mail carrier, who said he "knew the Clarks for thirty years," took the stand.
"I never saw Ivan angry. I didn't consider him off in mentality. He never talked much unless you were alone with him," he said in answer to the county attorney's questions.
Art Larson, a neighbor said Ivan sometimes worked for him and he always thought the Clark family got along good." He said the day before they were found dead, he saw the father and son working in the field together.
Herman Rolf, another neighbor, declared, "I thought the family got along fine. If there were any decisions to be made, Ivan would ask Pa and Pa would ask Ivan."
Coroner Cronwell testified as to the findings in the autopsy.
Questioned by a juror, he said there were no wounds found on the son's mouth.
He said that the bullet punctured Ivan's heart in such a way that he believed it would "break-up all functions of circulation."
Questioned As To Fatality
The county attorney questioned him as to whether or not a bullet through the heart is always fata.
The doctor said it was always considered as being fatal but that there is some variation in the length of life after the heart is punctured.
The county attorney asked him whether he believed Ivan's wound was such as to be immediately fatal.
The doctor said that inasmuch as the bullet that pierced Ivan's heart had punctured both the pulmonary and arterial circulations he supposed that death would be almost instant.
"Do you think he could have cocked the gun?" the county attorney asked.
"I wouldn't expect him to," the coroner said.
Fired From Slant
On questioning, the doctor said the wound was of such a nature that the bullet must have come from a gun held at a slant. He admitted that the shot could not have been fired from a rifle held in the natural position at the shoulder by another person.
Sheriff Ira Syck testified that the bullet found in Ivan's body was the same kind of bullet fired by the .22 rifle belonging to Ivan. He said the bullets were a variety sold by Montgomery-Ward Company and were marked "M-W." He said the empty shells found in the bedroom of the dead parents, were the same as the bullets found in a box in the farm house. The box of bullets found in the farm house were presumably for Ivan's rifle.
The sheriff also introduced as evidence the jacket worn by Ivan when he was shot. While the jacket covered the shirt, there was no bullet hole in it. The rifle that shot Ivan had apparently been pushed against the shirt inside the jacket.
The sheriff also testified that the rifling marks on the bullet found in Ivan's body resembled those of bullets that were later fired in a test with Ivan's rifle.
Carl Samingson, local gunsmith, said he had also inspected under a magnifying glass the bullet found in the body and others fired from the gun, and he found a marked similarity in the rifling.