Description

On November 18, 1935, the body of an unidentified young man was found near Bear Creek outside Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa. The victim was estimated to be 18–20 years old, of slight build, and possibly foreign-born. He was wearing multiple layers of clothing and carrying a harmonica. Several witnesses came forward, but the information appears to contradict itself. Witnesses reported seeing him earlier that day with two unidentified adult men, advised he was known to have been seeking work to fund travel back to Portland, Oregon, and that he had $25 on him.