The Des Moines Daily News published more than two-dozen articles on the Margaret Hossack case from December 3, 1900 through April 19, 1901. It is both a true crime narrative and an exploration of the life available to Margaret Hossack, an Iowa farm wife accused of killing her husband, and so many other women like her: domestic violence, endless chores, and the judgment and mistrust of the community. The community was outraged: How could a woman commit such an act of violence? Newspapers across the country carried the story, and community sentiment was divided over her guilt. Dear fellows, today I am focusing on women's rights and girls' education because they are suffering the most. The prosecution waited at this point for the jury to I recently read her play, Trifles, for an American Literature class and loved the fact the reporter used her own experience covering the murder to write a play with a similar theme. Very interesting theory! 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. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we dont use a simple average. Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group. It describes the murder, investigation and trial of Margaret Hossack. regain consciousness within half an hour. Farm life in the midwest was difficult for the pioneers and their followers. Please see our International FAQ for more information. Several family members and neighbors who saw the dog after the murder thought he was quiet and uncharacteristically listless, fueling speculation that the assailant had drugged the dog with chloroform. different times and that she used the axe exceptionally well for a woman. Then a couple of white women were killed as well. 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. With the facts at hand, I have a good idea who the murderer was. Again, very interesting book, but I thought it called for some more "descriptive, uplifting" writing. Newspapers across the country carried the story, and community sentiment was divided over her guilt. The audience itself is involved in the play in some way. 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. Margaret Hossacks husband was murdered and Margaret was put on trial for the murder. Two years ago I had an occasion to re-read this intense short story. Perhaps Margaret Hossack was acting out of fear. John Hossack was born on May 26, 1841, in Ross Shire, Scotland. Dr. Eli Grimes was the next witness. Of course the book did make me a little bit happy to be born in the mid 1900's and not the end of the 1800's. 4.9 (7 reviews) Term. With an eye to preventing confusion, we have corrected obvious errors in mistakes. The couple raised nine of 10 children, including sons Alexander (Alex) Hossack, Donald Hossack (died in infancy), John C. (Johnnie) Hossack, William D. (Will) Hossack, James (Jimmie) Hossack, and Ivan Hossack, and daughters Anna Jane (Annie) Hossack Henry, Margaret Lucretia (Louie) Hossack Kemp, Catherine (Cassie) Hossack, and Martha May Hossack Coulter. 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. Midnight Assassin: But reports soon surfaced that Hossack had abused and threatened his family, and for years his wife had gone to the neighbors to complain of his behavior."She Prepares to Fight": Though past 50 years of age, she is tall and powerful and looks like she would be dangerous if aroused to a point of hatred.Which excerpt is biased and why? I agree that it was definitely the ax that killed him. Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2006. ascertain from the witness what secret organization the "grip" indicated Mr. . Skip Hollandsworth is a very good, well respected journalist. While I will never know what really happened, like who the real murderer was, I still really enjoyed this book. A long look at a murder that took place in rural Iowa many, many years ago. Read with the free Kindle apps (available on iOS, Android, PC & Mac), Kindle E-readers and on Fire Tablet devices. "Where did you go after this?" Nonetheless, they vividly portray the era's attitudes toward women (indicated by a tolerance of domestic abuse) while crafting a tale that reads like a good novel, complete with clueslike a dog that failed to barkthat feel straight from Perry Mason The tale is given heightened immediacy by the authors' description of how alive the case still is in the minds of local townspeople even a century laterBryan and Wolf were even warned they might be in danger if they got too close to the truth. 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 . While I will never know what really happened, like who the real murderer was, I still really enjoyed this book. And to be honest, I honestly thought I would not wanna read it. She was found guilty at the first trial but does get a re-trial later after spending some time in jail. This is my first true murder story. I definitely want to read this book so I can get a more detailed view myself. evidence of a nature to satisfy that body of the sincerity of their attempt to The juxtaposition of a woman journalist who covered the first trial (who would later use the case as fodder for a short story and a play) with the severely circumscribed life of a farm wife, accused of the murder of her husband, is a nice touch. Well researched, and in meticulous detail, the story comes to life and offers the reader an inside look at the life of farm women of that era. Based on evidence in this book shows . The Truth of Gods word does not hinge on whether we believe it or not. The reason that I have given it 4 stars is because I was honestly expecting a bigger mystery. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. I would like to visit the area of where the Hossack farm is. family. American authors Patricia L. Bryan and Thomas Wolfs non-fiction historical mystery. . Fought my way through but should have stopped earlier on. The actors read or recite lines before an audience with no setting. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Bryan's writing style was easy to read and not boring or dry at all. situation of the bed, he stated the bed footed north and that the foot of the I like that the story was real and included many different people's perspectives. "Historical whodunit devotees who have devoured all the literature on famous real-life mysteries will delight in this stirring and evocative account of an obscure turn-of-the-century Iowa murder. biographers have concluded that Susan Glaspell, working as a reporter for the Daily News at the time, was the author of these articles. Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web. At trial, Margaret was convicted of murder, but later was released on appeal. witness the bed in which he died was introduced by the prosecution and was It was a compelling true drama: an unsolved murder that forced a whole community to deal with issues ranging from domestic abuse to the social roles played by men and women. Midnight assassin A murder in America's heartland . Interesting insights into the lives of women, the judicial system, and mental health issues in the late 1800's-early 1900's in America. Ultimately, neither her innocence nor her guilt was ever proved. Or perhaps the story she told was truethat an intruder broke into the house, killed her husband while she slept soundly beside him, and was still on the loose. Refresh and try again. 1 / 10. that he was the administrator of the Hossack estate; that he had known the These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. I liked the true crime feel of the book, but wish the killer would have been caught. Which best describes a drama written in an experimental style? . very faint and looked as though it had been made by coming in contact with some Wow! Lots of Texas historyLOTS. which had caused the spots. Firsthand accounts describe the victim, John Hossack, as a cruel and unstable man. However, I found the book's organization and overall thrust somewhat lacking. The book is a fascinating look at women's life on farms in rural Iowa during the late 1800s and early 1900s. The prosecution was never more The community was outraged: How could a woman commit such an act of violence? Printer Friendly. impossible for a man, suffering from the injuries sustained by Mr. Hossack, to I wanted to read it, and forget about the bad deed done. The authors have completed a tremendous amount of research going back to the papers and documents that accompanied this murder. But as they say in journalism, "she buried the lede." It is the purpose of the defense to show that this The information about Susan Galispell, a young female reporter who later became a writer and playwright and the influence the trial had in her work is also very interesting. The book introduces us to Susan Glaspell, a young journalist who reported the story for the Des Moines Daily News and fifteen years later transformed the events into the classic one-act play, "Trifles", and the acclaimed short story, "A . . It is about a woman tried for a crime but punished for her character. !function(d,s,id) Try again. Firsthand accounts describe the victim, John Hossack, as a c Hossack; that Mrs. Hossack had told him in various conversations that she and chain of circumstantial evidence thus far offered will be sufficient to J. L. Kemp, a son-in-law of the murdered man, was Midnight Assassin expertly renders the American character and experience: our obsession with crime, how justice is achieved, and the powerful influence of the media. The Truth of Gods word is hung on God and He protects His word and not one jot or tittle will pass away, EVER. John Hossack, a well to-do farmer, was fatally attacked with an ax while he slept. the room his father had repeatedly called for Ma and other members of the Please try again. The juxtaposition of a woman journalist who covered the first trial (who would later use the case as fodder for a short story and a play) with the severely circumscribed life of a farm wife, accused of the murder of her husband, is a nice touch. 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