A Shakopee Cold Case - The Spearman Murders Part 2

Last month we covered the first part of this two-part series on a terrible crime committed in Shakopee over a century ago. The murders of John and Johanna Spearman along with their grandson, George Russell, occurred in December of 1890 near the area of the current 8th Ave and Lewis Street South. That house was demolished in 1905 when Alex Schaefer built his new home. [Shakopee Tribune, March 3, 1905].

This month we will finish up looking at the family members by looking at George Russell and his mother, Anne (who was the daughter of John and Johanna Spearman), and then dive into the what we know about the two men who were named as possible suspects.

Anne Spearman Russell Lynch and George Russell

Anne was the oldest child of the Spearman family. By 1870, she was 21 and had moved out having found work at David Brown’s hotel in Shakopee as a housekeeper [1870 census].  Anne moved to Minneapolis and married Cornelius Russell July 1, 1872 [Star Tribune July 3, 1872 p1]. By the 1875 census, their first child, Annie, was two-years-old. That same year, the family moved out to California. Their first son, Charles, was born in 1876, followed by George in 1878. Cornelius was listed in the Napa County, California 1880 mortality census with a cause of death as paralysis. Following his death, Anne and her children moved back to Minneapolis.

In September 1885, Anne married Robert Lynch. Anne and Robert had two sons together, William and Robert. While they lived in Minneapolis, it appears that Annie (Anne’s daughter from her first marriage), and Charles lived with them for a period of time. Her youngest son George, however, moved out to Shakopee to live with Anne’s parents. We don’t know for certain whether Annie and Charles were living with Anne and Robert when George had moved out to Shakopee (or, in fact, when George moved out to Shakopee). Since the majority of the 1890 Federal Census burned in a fire, we can’t see where everyone is just months before the murders.

Anne’s second husband, Robert Lynch, died in 1895 leaving her with their two sons (Robert and John) and two adult children from her first marriage (Annie, 23, and Charles, 18). By 1900, the federal census listed the family as living at 1211 Washington Street in Minneapolis. If you’re interested in what the house looked like, here is the zillow link https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1211-Washington-St-NE-Minneapolis-MN-55413/1821063_zpid/ and a few pictures from the link (for when it no longer works in the future). Following Anne’s death in 1916, her son William, his wife Bertha and their four children inherited the house. John died from a combination of pneumonia, pleurisy, and Tuberculosis in 1921 and Bertha followed two years later leaving the children orphaned. They were adopted out to different families.

William Spearman

William was the only living son of John and Johanna Spearman at the time of the murders. Like his sister, Anne, not a lot is known about William’s early life. He lived in Chanhassen Township with his family until around 1880 when they moved into Shakopee. William was living in Minneapolis at the time of the murders. He married Cora O’Hara in 1889 but by 1895 she filed for divorce on grounds his poor treatment of her and due to his drinking habit. William then moved in with his older sister, Anne and lived at the Washington Street house. Cora attempted to reconcile the marriage briefly but according to an article, they married in Hudson, WI in 1900. The marriage lasted five days before he became violent again during a period of intoxication and she left him. In 1907, William died at the City Hospital in Minneapolis from delirium tremens (severe symptoms which accompany alcohol withdrawal – his drinking ultimately led to his death).

While his personal issues were perhaps a strike against him, the police found some other things that didn’t look too great for his innocence. William had quit his job the day prior to the murders (for reasons unknown). Additionally, it was pointed out by police that he was initially considered a suspect because John had left the Shakopee property to the grandson, George. William stated that he hadn’t seen or spoken with his father in over a year.  Therefore, they thought there might be motive if William had known this change was made. George would receive the property and the children would split the money. The actual probate record, however, indicate that the property would be divided amongst the siblings.

Joseph Remington

Besides William, Joseph Remington was the main suspect in this investigation. Joseph and William reportedly worked at the same livery together at the time of the murder. Remington stated that he was at the Hosford Livery that evening and then he and William went to the dance at Normanna Hall.

When the Tribune went to interview William he was out of town, instead they were able to talk with Anne. Upon the advice of her friends, Anne hired a psychic from Minneapolis to aid in the investigation. The psychic, Mrs. S.C. Woods, said the perpetrator’s name was Joseph and that he had a badly mutilated finger. He was left-handed, and that the killing was done with a new .38 caliber gun. Joseph Remington was left-handed and lost part of a finger on that hand.

A sketch of Joseph Remington as it appeared in the Minneapolis Journal July 26, 1891.

On February 11th, 1891 Joseph arrived in Fargo after having stated he was in Minneapolis the previous few months (which would have put him there during the Spearman murders). He confessed to murdering James T. Flett, a wheat station agent, by shooting him at close range in the back of the head and then taking off with a large amount of money and stealing his watch. He attempted to claim insanity for the murder, but it didn’t work and he was sentenced to time in the North Dakota penitentiary.

After police had ruled out William, they questioned him about Joseph. Despite working at the Hosford’s Livery with Remington, Spearman insists he wasn’t very close to him although admitted knowing him. Spearman told the Minneapolis Journal that he suspected Remington was tied to the Shakopee murder.

“That suspicion was formed when I heard his name connected with the murder at Arthur. At the time my father and mother were killed I think Remington was loafing. I saw him once or twice a week and he could easily have gone to Shakopee and come back without my missing him. I do not remember that I ever talked to him a great deal about my parents. Yet it is possible I may have said something to him about them having money in the house. Remington and I were not intimate. I knew him only fairly well. He came to me most of the time of his own accord and wanted me to try to get him work. I should not have mentioned my suspicions if they hadn’t occurred to other people as well as to me. “ [Minneapolis Journal Feb 26, 1891 p7].

Remington found himself behind bars for a crime committed just weeks after that of the Spearman murders. A crime that newspapers pointed out had many similarities. At that time, elevator agents often had a lot of cash on them, which Remington knew. Remington followed elevator agent James Flett at Arthur, ND and found his target. In February 1891, Remington hid in the hayloft, shot Flett in the back of the head and took off with approximately $350.

1900 Federal Census - Joseph Remington at the ND Prison

1910 Federal Census - Joseph Remington (first line) North Dakota Penitentiary.

In 1912, Remington was expected to be released on parole, as he apparently had a stellar record while in prison. The local newspapers reported that Scott County attorney Southworth had been studying the clues and was as they tied Remington to the Shakopee case so he could bring Remington back to Shakopee when he stepped out of the North Dakota prison. [Minneapolis Journal April 6, 1912]. Looking for a few months following this report in the Shakopee newspapers, no further mention of Remington or the case being brought up again could be found.

If you want to learn more about the case, you can always stop by SCHS and look through the files or the microfilm. There are a number of different “research rabbit holes” and different aspects not directly related to the case that can be found in the archives as well.

While Remington wasn’t a great guy, and although he was connected to William Spearman, he was never officially charged with the murders of John, Johanna, and George. As far as I could find, the case was never solved.

-Lindsay Marshall, Executive Director

A Shakopee Cold Case - The Spearman Murders Part 1

In 1890, just before Christmas, a triple murder struck the town of Shakopee. On December 17th, 1890, Fred Ahlswede and one of the Griffen sons (James would have been about 13 and Patrick would have been 10), went to do a wellness check on the Spearman family. George Russell, 12-years-old, had missed two Sundays serving at St. Mary’s Church, and had not been in school since December 3rd – he only had missed one-half day of school the previous term. George lived with his grandparents, John and Johanna Spearman, who also had not been seen for several days.

When Fred and the Griffen boy arrived at the Spearman house, roughly at the current area of 8th Ave. between Lewis and Sommerville Streets, they found a nearly famished cow in the barn and five hens dead from starvation. They then moved to the house where Fred peered through an east window and found what appeared to be the deceased body of Mr. Spearman in a chair near the fireplace. Sheriff Weiland was summoned and coroner Alois Hirscher came in from Minneapolis.

Sheriff Weiland entered the home and found Mrs. Spearman upstairs, also deceased, in the southeast corner of the sitting room. Also upstairs in a bedroom, was where they found the grandson, George, deceased. A search of the house revealed a certificate of deposit on the First National Bank of Minneapolis for $2,500 in a pencil box in the bureau drawer and one for Shakopee for $100.

Initial reports noted that whomever murdered this family was likely known to at least Mr. Spearman. Neighbors and friends told the Shakopee papers, “Whoever killed the Spearmans was in the home and there as a friend. When Mr. Spearman lived on his farm in Carver Co., he would not even let his threshing crew sleep in his house.” As such, a theory emerged that Mr. Spearman may have heard a knock at the door and let that person in. He felt comfortable enough to relax near the fireplace. Based on the powder marks found on Mr. Spearman, the coroner determined he was shot at close range by a .38 caliber. Some mending work remained on a table in the sitting room, leaving one theory to be that Mrs. Spearman was working up there when the intruder killed Mr. Spearman. A bullet was also found in the upper part of the door frame to the parlor room, likely being meant for Mrs. Spearman.  A bullet grazed Mrs. Spearman’s ear before another ultimately took her life. Finally, it was surmised the suspect needed to ensure no witnesses remained and turned to the bedroom where George was hiding. The final two bullets were found there.

Reports later emerged that C.G. Bowdish, editor of the Shakopee Tribune, heard a gunshot around midnight while returning to his hotel near the bridge downtown from the Wilder house about a block from the Spearman house. He then heard a team/rig going over the bridge at a rapid pace.

Who were the Spearmans

John and Johanna were Irish immigrants who were married in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1846. By the July 1860 census, the Spearmans were in Chanhassen Township farming. They lived on 92 acres right on the western shores of Lake Riley. The census also listed Anne (a 10-year-old daughter), John (8-year-old son), Ellen (5-year-old daughter), Bridget (2-year-old daughter), and 9-month-old twins Mary and Catherine. Ellen was the first child listed as born in Minnesota. The Spearmans were still living on their Chanhassen farm 10 years later. According to that 1870 census, Anne had moved away (although we will talk about her in a moment), and Jennie (born 1864) and William (born 1868).

1880 Plat Map, Chanhassen Township. Spearman property section 24, outlined in blue.

John Spearman Jr. died in 1874 from consumption (tuberculosis). He was 22-years-old. During the 1870 decade, two more children, Peter (1871) and John (1874) are listed with the family. Unfortunately, while they were both on the 1875 census, both were deceased by 1880. A few other names appear in the 1870 and 1875 censuses, however it is unclear whether they were children who were born and did not live long, children whose names were middle names, nieces/nephews, etc. The 1875 census, for example, does not ask for the relationship between people in the household.

The family was still living in Chanhassen in 1875 but had moved into Shakopee by the 1880 census and were living at the house nearby Lewis and Spencer Streets and 8th Avenue. Granted, the area looked quite different at this point in time so the exact spot along the block varies from description to description (and the layout of lots in the block as far as legal descriptions go also basically flipped 180-degrees).

Interestingly, they appear in both the Chanhassen Township and the Shakopee City 1880 census, so perhaps they had moved in June of 1880 just as the census was being taken. That census lists John and Johanna, along with twin daughters Catherine and Mary (both working as servants), along with Anna, William, and Margareth (Maggie). This left eight Spearman children at the time of the murders. All but one of the Spearman children lived in Minneapolis, most were married. One daughter, Maggie, was employed as a domestic for the Charles Brooks family and the remaining son, William, was living in Minneapolis - possibly living with his oldest sister Anne. Anne is the mother of George – the Spearman’s grandson. William soon emerged as one of the prime suspects in the case.

1880 Shakopee Census

1880 Chanhassen Census - note the difference in ages, occupations, and names but clearly the same family.

We will continue with the suspects in part 2.

-Lindsay Marshall, Executive Director

As I Remember: Memories of Growing Up in Prior Lake

The following is from "As I Remember Scott County," a collection of oral histories from Scott County's senior residents in the 1980s. George Farrell, of Prior Lake, shared some memories of growing up in Prior Lake and Scott County. 

My family lived on a farm in Scott County in Spring Lake Township. I've lived here all my life. 

In 1925 a tornado hit our farm, destroying the barn and only the house was not blown down. The neighbors helped to get the cattle out of the barn. I was pinned down under the debris and had three ribs broken. My brother, Jack, liften the timbers so I could crawl out. The whole thing lasted from three to five minutes. Shortly after we moved into Prior Lake. 

I remember a new bank was built in 1908, located on the corner known now as Dakota and Main Street. In 1910 or there about, there was a large crew of men repairing the road bed in town. The men lived in box cars along the side. One night one of the workers was killed and robbed He had carried his money in a money belt. The two men who robbed and killed him were caught. That caused quite a bit of excitement in town.

On Easter morning in 1921, St. Michael’s Church burned down. Someone forgot to put out the candles and that caused the fire. We had two chemical fire trucks; they were pulled by four men. Each truck held 11 pails of water which were mixed with a chemical to extinguish the fire. They had to stop to reload. There was a large faucet on the end of the hose and someone had shut it off, so when It was reloaded there was no pressure. IN the excitement, one fireman cut off the nozzle, and that was it, no pressure to help put out the fire. Men began carrying things out of the church, but piled them against the side of the building so all burned. We started right away to rebuild a church, the same one that is now being used. The first plan was to have the church 50 feet long, then it was changed to 40 feet. The original cost of 50 feet was $50,000, by going to 40 feet it reduced the cost to $40,000. Six men put in 31 days of labor, hauling bricks and gravel. Their time and labor was all donated. Mr. Simpkins donated the ground. My dad was the first man buried at the new church, and the second to be buried in the Catholic Cemetery.

To end this on a more happy thought, I’d like to tell about an old fellow here who was fishing and the game warden came along and asked how the fishing was today? The old man said, “Fine, fine I caught my limit this morning and I’ve got it again this afternoon.” The warden said, “I’ll have to take you in. Do you know who I am?” The old man said, “No, who are you?” “I’m the game warden,” he said. “Well,” he replied, “Do you know who I am?” “No, who are you?” “Well,” he replied, “’I’m the biggest dang liar in Scott County.”

As I Remember: Tricks, not Treats!

The following is from "As I Remember Scott County," a collection of oral histories from Scott County's senior residents in the 1980s. Leo Michael of Jordan remembers getting up to trouble with his friends in the 1910s.

In school days of long ago, one Halloween Day came around when the boys were aching for some excitement and decided to go out for the evening and celebrate as best we could. After school we practiced football until dark, and then Halloween took over. We walked down to the brewery and there we saw a wagon near an open well. We removed the top of the well and dismantled the wagon into small sections and dropped them into the well. Then we replaced the cover of the well and left for other fun and excitement.

Couples in a wagon, c. 1900

Soon we came upon an outhouse…sitting there so quietly in the darkness. Just as four of us boys gave a good push to tip it over, we heard a voice saying, “Take it easy there boys!” Hearing that, we very gently set it back. As we walked away I said, “Guess it is the wrong time…we will inconvenience a lot of people doing this at this time.” So we walked back into town; some of us went to the Halloween dance, and others went home.

As I Remember: My Experiences Travelling with a Band

The following is from "As I Remember Scott County," a collection of oral histories from Scott County's senior residents in the 1980s. Mayme Dvorak Borak, of New Prague, shared some unique experiences below in "My Experiences Traveling With a Band."

I was a freshman in high school in 1919 when I was asked to play the piano with a seven piece band by the name of Borak and Boudin, the best modern and old time band around New Prague. We would rehearse at the Frank Borak house once a week. Then we were hired two or three times a week to play for wedding dances, K. C. dances, and Fireman's dances, as far away as the Iowa border. 

It really wasn't much fun to travel 64-years ago in summer or winter. The roads were narrow and when it rained it was muddy because there was no gravel or blacktop at that time. In winter we would travel with horses and a sleigh which had hay in it for us to sit on to keep warm. Many times, if it was stormy, the horses went into the ditch and tipped over the sled and all the instruments were scattered on the field. It took us many hours to get home. I would sleep maybe two to three hours and then go to school. 

In 1926 we got uniforms and I believe I was the first woman to wear slacks. We had tan slacks and blue corduroy jackets. 

At some dance halls they had very poor pianos. St. Patrick had a small piano and I had to chew hum to paste the black key on in order to play it. Then at St. Thomas, they had an organ, which I had to pump with my feet all night to keep up with the band. I played with different bands for over 20 years and enjoyed every bit of it. Most of the orchestras now use an accordion instead of a piano because it is easier for them to tune up with.