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Dark Coal Mine Murders Stir Rock Island Mystery
A 1881 Rock Island case centers on William Hellwagen charged with killing Dorothea Hellwagen in an abandoned coal mine home. Detective Stratten builds a circumstantial case from family quarrels and a later claimed confession. The trial ends with a guilty verdict and execution, followed by eight years later a son’s suicide confessing details of the crime.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rock Island
Mississippi
William Hellwagen
J. Otte Heilwagen
William Frels
Heilwagen
Hefwagen
Stratten
Hellwagens
Snally
Davenport
Terianta
Lad
William Heilwagen
Hellwagen
Rock Island- Davenport
Heilwagern
Dorothea Hellwagen
Beee Setei Yee
Cution
Iil
Arthur A. Smith
Judge Smith
Clerk
Cap Hellwagen
J. Otto Hellwagen
Quincy
Daybresk
Namber
Buit
Galt