John West, also known by the alias “Joplin Red,” was a well-known safecracker, burglar, and silk thief who operated across Iowa and surrounding states in the late 1800s. His exact age remains unknown. West built a long criminal career under multiple names and identities, including Jud West, Jud Curry, and M. Michel. He was widely recognized within criminal circles and law enforcement records for his skill in safe blowing and his repeated incarcerations in penitentiaries in Illinois and Missouri.
West was found dead on the morning of February 24, 1900, in Room 54 of the Northwestern Hotel in Des Moines, Iowa. His body was discovered by his mistress. At the time of his death, he was staying in Des Moines’ downtown district, an area known for its association with gambling, prostitution, and illegal activity. His death marked the end of a lengthy criminal career that had made him a familiar figure in Midwestern law enforcement files.
Throughout his criminal life, West was rarely known to work alone. He was associated with a small gang that included Jim Dimmitt, known as “Shady Saunders” and “Whiskey,” Dimmitt’s brother Elza, who used aliases such as “Yellow” and “Moon Eye,” and an associate named Denver Shine. Together, they committed burglaries across Iowa and Illinois, targeting high-end clothing stores and silk merchants in cities including Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Marion, and Marshalltown. West himself was considered the group’s specialist in safecracking.
West’s criminal history included multiple arrests and prison sentences. In 1898, he was sentenced to two years at the Anamosa Penitentiary after being caught attempting to smuggle burglary tools and explosives to an incarcerated associate. His activities and reputation made him a frequent subject of newspaper reporting at the time, often described as both skilled and dangerous.
At the time of his death, questions immediately arose about the circumstances. West was found with no money or valuables, despite reports that he had recently been carrying several hundred dollars and a gold watch intended for his mistress. W.A. “Bill” Richards, a Deputy U.S. Marshal from Ottumwa who was reportedly acquainted with West, suspected poisoning. An autopsy conducted by Polk County physician Dr. Edwin B. Shope confirmed that West had died from an unknown poison, though officials could not determine whether it had been self-administered or administered by another person. The coroner officially ruled the death inconclusive.
Accounts from individuals who saw West shortly before his death added further confusion. Some claimed he had visited a local residence where he appeared intoxicated and unwell, reportedly speaking about a previous injury sustained during a burglary escape in Indiana. According to these accounts, West had fallen and struck his head, and a doctor had later warned him he could die suddenly from complications. These statements led some to believe his death may have been related to prior injuries rather than foul play.
Despite this, rumors circulated that West may have been killed by former associates. It was alleged that he had acted as an informant against members of his own gang, a betrayal considered unforgivable in criminal circles. Some reports suggested he had recently provided information about a planned robbery, possibly placing him in danger. However, no conclusive evidence ever confirmed this theory.
West also had connections to Deputy U.S. Marshal Bill Richards, whose relationship with known criminals later raised suspicion. Richards himself was eventually forced to resign after allegations of misconduct and possession of burglary tools. In later years, he was convicted of robbery and sentenced to prison, further complicating the historical record surrounding West’s life and death.
John “Joplin Red” West died without confirmed family or a known burial site. With no clear identity beyond his criminal aliases, his background remains largely a mystery. Even in death, he left behind conflicting stories of poisoning, natural illness, betrayal, and criminal retribution, making his case one of the more uncertain and debated episodes in Iowa’s historical crime record.
Information in this story is credited to author Nancy Bowers and Iowa Unsolved Murders: Historic Cases.
