Calhoun County in Iowa
*Please Note: The cases listed below are within Calhoun County but may fall under a city police department’s jurisdiction. They are included here for cross-reference purposes. More specific information may be found on each victim’s individual page.
Josiah M. Pratt
Homicide
Josiah M. Pratt
44 YOA
Yetter, IA
Calhoun County
June 24, 1905
Forty-four-year-old Josiah Pratt, who farmed south of Yetter in Elm Grove Township of Calhoun County, died on June 24, 1905 after suffering weeks of severe stomach pains. His wife Jennie and the hired hand William Spurgeon “Will” Persing were tried for murder by arsenic. After one hung jury, charges were not refiled.
Valerie Peterson
Homicide:
Elna Maria “Valerie” Peterson
8 YOA
Manson, IA
Calhoun County
May 6, 1971
On May 6, 1971, eight-year-old Valerie Peterson was killed by a hit-and-run driver at 4 p.m. while riding her bicycle along the road at the Manson Lutheran Church.
If you have any information about this case please contact the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s Cold Case Unit at (515) 725-6010, or send e-mail to: coldcaseunit@dps.state.ia.us.
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