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Mary Gravener Chesser

Birth	:	1870 Illinois, USA
Death	:	23 Oct 1904 Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Ottumwa Cemetery, Ottumwa, Wapello County, USA
Coordinate	:	41.0346985, -92.4049988
Plot	:	64-3
Description	:	MYSTERIOUS MURDER. An Ottumwa Woman Meets Death by an Unknown Assassin Saturday Night. Ottumwa, Ia., Oct. 23.-With blood spurting from a ghastly wound in her throat Mary Chesser, the most notorious resident of Smoky Row, Ottumwa's sin spot, staggered from her doorway at midnight last night and with a faint cry, "My God, I'm cut," fell dead in the arms stretched out to catch her tottering form. Called to the doorway by some mysterious stranger, she left the crowd of visitors at her famous resort and stepped to her porch. Not a sound of a scuffle or loud words came to the ears... Read More	MYSTERIOUS MURDER. An Ottumwa Woman Meets Death by an Unknown Assassin Saturday Night. Ottumwa, Ia., Oct. 23.-With blood spurting from a ghastly wound in her throat Mary Chesser, the most notorious resident of Smoky Row, Ottumwa's sin spot, staggered from her doorway at midnight last night and with a faint cry, "My God, I'm cut," fell dead in the arms stretched out to catch her tottering form. Called to the doorway by some mysterious stranger, she left the crowd of visitors at her famous resort and stepped to her porch. Not a sound of a scuffle or loud words came to the ears of the rioters, A murmur, a sharp cry and the appearance of the dying woman's face in the doorway told the story to those within the room. The scene was one of turmoil and the men within rushed out and grappled with the murderer. They piled on him like a pack of wolves until his loud voice called them off. "Stand back," he said, "The first one of you that touches me will be shot." STRANGER GUARDS HIMSELF. The men fell away and the stranger guarding himself with a gun backed off the street upon which the row faces. Since then every effort has been made to discover the murderer. Every dive in the city has been scoured. Every outgoing train and the railroad yards have been searched by the police department and by the friends of the notorious woman. His identity still remains a mystery and not the slightest clue exists to give the police a basis for their operations. As the woman fell back into the room where the inmates of her home and their visitors were making merry they were thunderstruck. The men, rushing out, had a set-to with the murderer, while the girls tried to resuscitate the dying woman. Their efforts were futile, the woman dying almost before they could lay her on her cot. GAPING WOUND IN THROAT. The gaping wound in her throat told the story. Her neck was laid open from the center to the right ear, and the cut was fully four inches deep. The large arteries in the neck were severed, and death was but the matter of a few minutes. The woman, while notorious, and the pioneer of the famous Smoky Row, had no enemies, as far as known. The police are at end to account for the affair. Her husband, Dave Chesser, is now at Fort Madison, serving a four-year term for theft. The woman's maiden name was Mary Gravener, and she has one sister living in Ottumwa. She was about thirty five years old, and has lived in this city for several years. Since the murder was committed the police have been inquiring into the facts at the time the affair took place. The report tonight was that the woman and some stranger had an altercation some time earlier in the evening, and then some harsh words were used. It is thought he might have returned, and, while intoxicated, murdered the woman in revenge. The man, if such is the case, has probably disappeared, and is now far from Ottumwa. (From the Albia Union, October 25, 1904)

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Mary Gravener Chesser's memorial?
Mary Gravener Chesser's memorial is located at: Ottumwa Cemetery, Ottumwa, Wapello County, USA.
When did Mary Gravener Chesser death?
Mary Gravener Chesser death on 23 Oct 1904 in Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Mary Gravener Chesser's memorial?
Latitude: 41.0346985
Longitude: -92.4049988

Family Members:

Spouse

David Samuel Chesser

(1872 - 1928)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Ottumwa Cemetery
Ottumwa, Wapello County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0346985, -92.4049988

2. Ottumwa Jewish Cemetery
Ottumwa, Wapello County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0362000, -92.4009000

3. Calvary Cemetery
Ottumwa, Wapello County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0261002, -92.3897018

4. Mount Olivet Cemetery
Wapello County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0471992, -92.3902969

5. Wapello County Care Facility Cemetery
Ottumwa, Wapello County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0274420, -92.3728750

6. Dahlonega Cemetery
Ottumwa, Wapello County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0540000, -92.3700000

7. Memorial Lawn Cemetery
Ottumwa, Wapello County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0699997, -92.4068985

8. Kitterman Cemetery
Wapello County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0412000, -92.3430000

9. Shaul Cemetery
Ottumwa, Wapello County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9953003, -92.4492035

10. Garrison Rock Cemetery
Ottumwa, Wapello County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0670000, -92.3440000

11. Round Point Cemetery
Agency, Wapello County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0190000, -92.3270000

12. Harris Cemetery
Chillicothe, Wapello County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0694574, -92.4779650

13. Nasby Corner Cemetery
Ottumwa, Wapello County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0833477, -92.3418505

14. McIntire Cemetery
Ottumwa, Wapello County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9646988, -92.4005966

15. Burns Cemetery
Chillicothe, Wapello County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0708008, -92.4867020

16. McCormick Cemetery
Highland Center, Wapello County, USA
Coordinate: 41.1094017, -92.3649979

17. Agency Cemetery
Agency, Wapello County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9916800, -92.3074000

18. Wilkenson Farm Cemetery
Ottumwa, Wapello County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9527862, -92.4418455

19. Chief Wapello Memorial Park
Agency, Wapello County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9918000, -92.2926000

20. Bowen Cemetery
Chillicothe, Wapello County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0416718, -92.5335147

21. Zion Cemetery
Ottumwa, Wapello County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9448000, -92.4615000

22. Comstock Cemetery
Wapello County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0932070, -92.5118100

23. Dexter Farm Cemetery
Ottumwa, Wapello County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9333425, -92.4168449

24. Brooks Cemetery
Wapello County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0038986, -92.5346985