Case Number: 1326

Larson, Carrie, murdered on steamer Peerless and body sunk in river, Burlington slip. Louis Thoms, arrested on testimony of Robert Keissig, who said he witnessed the murder. Thoms and Keissig held by Coroner's Jury. Jury disagreed April 8, Thoms sentenced May 16, by Judge Brentano to death by hanging June 13. Respite granted by Governor. Executed Friday, Aug. 8, 1902. Keissig discharged.


Circumstances

Date of Offense January 6, 1902
Date of Death January 6, 1902
Address Burlington slip steamer Peerless
Type of Location Street, or other non-commercial public place/alley
Type of Public Place Other non-commercial public place
Location Description murdered on steamer Peerless & body sunk in river,
Type of Death Homicide
Type of Homicide Intentional murder
Weapon murdered, body sunk in river
Motive murdered on steamer/ body dumped in river
Description Victim's body dumped
Total Number of Victims 1
Location murdered on steamer Peerless & body sunk in river,
Number of Defendants 2

Victim

Name Larson, Carrie
Gender Female
Race White
Ethnicity Other, european

Defendant

Name Thomas, Louis
Gender Male
Ethnicity Other, european
Race White

Police

Allegations of Police Corruption No
Total Number of Defendants Arrested 2

Legal

Date of Coroner's Decision April 8, 1902
Charges Against Defendant No
Trial Judge Brentano
Type of Legal Decision Recorded Coroner, trial
Allegations of Police Corruption No
Date of Sentence May 16, 1901
Length of Sentence Death penalty
Outcome of Trial Guilty of murder
Post Trial Information Death sentence carried out

Florence Kelley in Chicago, 1891-1899

Florence Kelley was the first woman factory inspector in the United States. A resident of Hull House, and a reformer – who refused to be associated with any political party–Florence Kelley lived in Chicago from 1891 until 1899, leading and participating in a variety of projects. Visit our companion site...