Polk County in Iowa

Des Moines in Polk County

Isaac Finkelstein

Homicide

Isaac Finkelstein
42 YOA
E. Walnut Street alley
Des Moines
Polk County
August 5, 1902

By Nancy Bowers

At 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 5, 1902, 42-year-old Isaac Finkelstein was murdered in Des Moines on the north side of East Walnut Street near an alley running parallel to East 6th and East 7th streets.

He was bludgeoned with a singletree taken from an old wagon standing at the back of Harry Levich’s furniture store.

The Russian-born Finkelstein — a former Des Moines Police Officer — was a loan broker, Republican Party activist, and well-known citizen in the local Jewish Community.

Courtesy photo Sample Men of Iowa

Murder victim Isaac Finkelstein supported the candidacy of James M. Brenton, a controversial Des Moines Mayor at odds with the Police Department.

He was dismissed from the Des Moines Police Department after working for the campaign of Mayor J.M. Brenton, who was at odds with members of the department.

Many believed Finkelstein’s death was related to his ardent and on-going anti-gambling crusade.

He left behind a widow, Anna, and three children: Rebecca, Ethel, and Israel.

Questions and comments about the unsolved August 5, 1902 murder of Isaac Finkelstein should be sent to Iowa Cold Cases via the Contact form.

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