Home > United States of America > Iowa > Keokuk County > Sigourney > Pennington Cemetery > Chesla C. Sherlock

Chesla C. Sherlock

Birth	:	24 May 1895 Keswick, Keokuk County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	30 Jun 1938 Virgil, Cortland County, New York, USA
Burial	:	Pennington Cemetery, Sigourney, Keokuk County, USA
Coordinate	:	41.2769012, -92.2050018
Description	:	Chesla C. Sherlock Shoots Wife and Self at Home on Virgil-Dryden Road, Virgil Had Been Dead 24 Hours When Discovered by Martin J. Moe, Proprietor of Grocery Cart Who Telephones Sheriff's Office Chesla C. Sherlock, 43, nationally famous author, writer and magazine editor, and his wife, Mrs. Kathleen Mullen Sherlock, 35, were found shot to death early last evening at their home on the Virigl-Dryden road in the town of Virgil. Coroner Claude E. Chapin, who investigated the double killing, found that they had been dead nearly 24 hours before they were discovered. It is believed that both died at about 8:30 Thursday night. The coroner announced the... Read More	Chesla C. Sherlock Shoots Wife and Self at Home on Virgil-Dryden Road, Virgil Had Been Dead 24 Hours When Discovered by Martin J. Moe, Proprietor of Grocery Cart Who Telephones Sheriff's Office Chesla C. Sherlock, 43, nationally famous author, writer and magazine editor, and his wife, Mrs. Kathleen Mullen Sherlock, 35, were found shot to death early last evening at their home on the Virigl-Dryden road in the town of Virgil. Coroner Claude E. Chapin, who investigated the double killing, found that they had been dead nearly 24 hours before they were discovered. It is believed that both died at about 8:30 Thursday night. The coroner announced the two deaths were the result of a murder-suicide with Sherlock first shooting his wife and 16 minutes later himself. Neighbors reported hearing shots Thursday night, the first one at about 8:25 and the second at 8:35. Martin J. Moe, proprietor of the Rolling Grocery Store, selling groceries in rural sections of the county, visited the Sherlock home on the old Lynn Gee farm to deliver some groceries when he found Sherlock dead in the backyard some 15 feet from the back steps. His head was practically shot off. Moe hurried to the kitchen door of the house and listened inside a few moments. Hearing no sounds, he hurried to the Charles Dickinson farm next door and telephoned the sheriff's office in this city without knowing that Mrs. Sherlock was dead inside the house. Undersheriff Clifford Barnes, Deputy Rolland Braman and Coroner Chapin were the first authorities to reach the scene, followed shortly by Sheriff Mervin Fowler and District Attorney Louis H. Folmer. It was then that Mrs. Sherlock was found on the floor in the living room, the left side of her head pierced by the discharge of a shotgun. Sherlock was found doubled up "face down" on the ground with a 12 gauge shotgun underneath. Authorities learned that the Sherlocks had been quarrelling off an on. Neighbors stated that they lived exclusively to themselves and very seldom had anything to do with other residents of that locality. Sheriff Fowler notified Sherlock's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace E. Sherlock of Marshalltown, Ia., and also his daughter, Mrs. C.P. Williams, jr., of 4742 Pine Street, Philadelphia, Pa. Little or nothing is known of Mrs. Sherlock here. Coroner Chapin ordered the bodies of the victims removed to the Earle W. Wright funeral home in this city. It was learned that the Sherlocks lived at the Alva Hoose farm after their house burned shortly after arriving here. A new home replaced the destroyed one. Mrs. Sherlock was last seen Thursday night at about 7 when she came to the Alva Hoose farm where Mrs. Hoose bandaged a badly cut hand for her. She said she had cut it while opening a can of corned beef, which the authorities found on the kitchen table. Mrs. Hoose and her son Robert heard the two shots, but paid no attention as they said Sherlock frequently had shot woodchucks. About two years ago while in the publishing business in Ohio, Sherlock suffered financial reverses and came east. He had told of having lost some $20,000. Here he continued his writing, worked a small garden, kept chickens and geese. Mrs. Sherlock's mother had been staying with them until a few days ago when she returned to New York City, authorities learned. The sheriff communicated with Sherlocks's son-in-law, C.P. Williams of Philadelphia, early this morning and learned that the father in Iowa had received word and that he was going to wire instructions today from Des Moines. A brother of Mrs. Sherlock Eugene Mullen of Philadelphia, was being notified today through the Philadelphia police. The name of the mother was not known by local authorities. It is believed that Sherlock's first wife is still living out west. He married again only a few years ago. Chesla C. Sherlock was born in Keswick, Ia., May 24, 1896. He graduated from West Des Moines High School in 1913 and received L.L. B. degree from Drake University in 1916. He was married to Lucille Peck, May 26, 1917 and four children were born to them, Marilee Altha, Ellen Lorraine, Susan and Judith. -Cortland Standard, 2 Jul 1938

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Chesla C. Sherlock's memorial?
Chesla C. Sherlock's memorial is located at: Pennington Cemetery, Sigourney, Keokuk County, USA.
When did Chesla C. Sherlock death?
Chesla C. Sherlock death on 30 Jun 1938 in Virgil, Cortland County, New York, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Chesla C. Sherlock's memorial?
Latitude: 41.2769012
Longitude: -92.2050018

Family Members:

Parent

Wallace Elva Sherlock

(1873 - 1958)

Melva May Long Sherlock

(1873 - 1936)

Spouse

Siblings

(unknow - unknow)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Pennington Cemetery
Sigourney, Keokuk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2769012, -92.2050018

2. Conner Cemetery
Sigourney, Keokuk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3050003, -92.2380981

3. Trueblood Cemetery
Sigourney, Keokuk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2583462, -92.1501798

4. Van Orsdall Cemetery
Ollie, Keokuk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2355995, -92.1564026

5. Doggett Cemetery
Keokuk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2799988, -92.1306000

6. Skinner Cemetery
Martinsburg, Keokuk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2139024, -92.2085143

7. County Home Cemetery
Sigourney, Keokuk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3380013, -92.1770020

8. Pleasant Grove Cemetery
Sigourney, Keokuk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3405991, -92.2200012

9. Sigourney East Cemetery
Sigourney, Keokuk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3418999, -92.1992035

10. Harris Gravesite
Lancaster, Keokuk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2420030, -92.1182100

11. Garabaldi Cemetery
Sigourney, Keokuk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3027800, -92.1111100

12. Stoermer Cemetery
Keokuk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3333449, -92.1335126

13. Bethel Cemetery
Delta, Keokuk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2794000, -92.3107000

14. Jones Cemetery
Keokuk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.1984190, -92.2238730

15. Mount Zion Cemetery
Martinsburg, Keokuk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.1988983, -92.2275009

16. Sunny Ridge Cemetery
Sigourney, Keokuk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3367004, -92.1311035

17. Clary Cemetery
Sigourney, Keokuk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3589080, -92.2000090

18. Brater Cemetery
Lancaster, Keokuk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2543000, -92.0928000

19. Kensler Cemetery
Delta, Keokuk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2994003, -92.3246994

20. Walton Cemetery
Sigourney, Keokuk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3583445, -92.1335126

21. Rock Creek Cemetery
Ollie, Keokuk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.1880989, -92.1393967

22. Rayburn Cemetery
Hedrick, Keokuk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.1988983, -92.2956009

23. Ollie Cemetery
Ollie, Keokuk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.1988983, -92.1082993

24. Old Bethel Cemetery
Keokuk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3333452, -92.0835114