One of the most shocking and brutal
murders ever perpetrated in Clayton County took place
at the county poor farm, July 4, 1879, in which John
Simons, a pauper, deliberately shot and killed
Charles Schultz, another inmate of the poor-house.
The history of the case is as follows:
In former times John Simons, the murderer, was a
roustabout on a Mississippi steamboat. He is said to
have been a rough, surly, ill-natured man, but
nothing remarkable was ever noticed in the man
outside of his peculiar disposition. On one of his
trips up and down the river, while working at the
capstan, something about the machinery gave way, and
a piece of wood struck him on the head, seriously
injuring him. He was put off at McGregor to die, but
in time recovered, and having no friends or money he
was sent to the poor-house, where he remained until
the murder.
The steward, Mr. Hall, never regarded him as
dangerous, consequently Simons was allowed to have
the use of an old shot-gun, of which he was for many
years the owner. He had become quite an expert
hunter, frequently shooting considerable small game,
such as squirrels, rabbits, pigeons, etc., in the
woods adjoining the poor-farm. He seemed to take
great pleasure in hunting, and the steward was
disposed to humor him in this way.
Simons was also quite industrious in the garden, if
allowed to have his own way; as Mr. Hall said,
"He would chase a weed all over a two-acre
lot."
Simons' victim, Charles Schultz, was a German,
thirty-one years of age. Two years ago he was sent to
the poor-house on account of inability to care for
himself by reason of heart disease. Simons and
Schultz were quartered together, but owing to the
incompatibility of their dispositions they did not
get along well together. It seeems that Simons was an
inveterate lover of the weed, and despite the
remonstrances of Schultz, would persist in smoking,
to the intense disgust and annoyance of that person.
The latter made complaint, but it was useless.
Finally, when he though he had been persecuted
enough, he took a basswood stick used as a support to
the window, and struck Simons several times over the
head.
This was the subject of a trial before Justice Ryan,
but the matter was adjusted by the steward and the
justice. Simons, however, did not feel content to
settle his grievance in that way. He wanted blood,
and nothing short of the death of his opponent would
appease him. After that time he made frequent threats
to take Schultz's life, but little attention was paid
to him, as no one knew the terrible and fiendish
motives which actuated him.
On the morning of the Fourth of July, this fend
culminated. Mr. Hall, the steward, had been attending
to duties around the place early in the morning
before breakfast, and was returning from the barn,
when Mrs. Hall said, "Do you know that John has
shot Charlie?" It seems that Simons had been
firing his gun several times during the morning. Mr.
Hall heard the report of the gun but thought that
Simons was patriotic and was merely celebrating. When
the terrible reality was disclosed he was shocked
beyond measure, but took in the situation at once.
Being a clear-headed, brave man, his first move was
to secure the murderer. Going up to Simons, who still
held the gun, which meantime he had reloaded, he
said, "John, do you know you have killed
Charley?" Simons said, "Oh yes! I kill him
dead, sure." Mr. Hall said, "John, you must
give me that gun," at the same time advancing
and taking hold of the weapon; but John was not
disposed to give it up, and said, "I guess I
keep the gun." He wrenched it away from Mr. Hall
and started off through the woods, and there being no
available assistance he escaped for the time.
It seems that Simons took his victim completely by
surprise, not giving him a moment's warning. Watching
his opportunity he located himself on the porch
commanding a view of the place where the paupers came
to wash. As soon as Schultz made his appearance he
fired at him from a distance of only about six feet,
with the fatal result described. Schultz expired
instantly.
Simons was a German, claiming to be fifty-six years
old, of medium size, and with nothing remarkable in
his appearance.
Immediately after Simons left the premises, Mr. Hall
dispatched messengers to some of his neighbors for
assistance, also to Sheriff Benton and to P.C. Young,
Esq., Justice of the Peace. Sheriff Benton
immediately summoned assistance and started in
pursuit of Simons, following the suggestion of Mr.
Hall, who thought Simons would be found at or near
Peter Miller's, on the Wagner road. This idea proved
to be correct. Simons had ... [several words cut off
of the copy] ... assuming from his appearance that
all was not right, had induced him to leave his gun.
Simons then left Miller's, and was found on the road
leading to Elkader. He permitted himself to be taken
without resistance, and at 8:30 A.M., two hours and a
half after the murder, he was lodged in jail.
Simons was brought for trial Sept. 16, 1879, and
plead guilty to the charge of murder in the second
degree. He was sentenced for twenty years to the
Anamosa Penitentiary. He is now serving this
sentence.
(additional information can be found in Charles Schultz's obituary and on
the Document Board - both links open new
pages)
