A trip to buy lumber in eastern Iowa ended in tragedy for 42-year-old carpenter William Martin, whose body was later recovered from the Mississippi River in what investigators believed was a violent homicide.
Martin, an Irish-born carpenter living in the Jackson County community of Miles, traveled by train to Clinton on September 26, 1885, to purchase lumber and supplies for construction projects he was working on back home. According to historical accounts, Martin had already built several homes in Miles and was in the process of completing a shop on Main Street.
After purchasing materials in Clinton, Martin reportedly carried the supplies toward the train depot and placed the receipt inside his coat. Before he could board his train home, it departed the station. He left his box of supplies at the depot planning to retrieve it later, then disappeared into the city during the evening hours.
He was never seen alive again.
Nearly six weeks later, Martin’s badly decomposed body was discovered in the Mississippi River beneath a bridge in Clinton. Authorities identified him through personal belongings and the lumber receipt still found in his clothing.
Investigators noted a serious head wound, believing he had been struck with a blunt object before being thrown into the river.
While Martin’s wallet had been emptied, several valuables remained untouched, including a watch, a gold piece, and a large amount of cash hidden in an inner pocket. The unusual circumstances led to speculation at the time about whether his death could have been suicide, though investigators and family members strongly disagreed with that theory.
Relatives said Martin had shown no signs of wanting to harm himself and pointed to the fact that he had been actively purchasing building supplies for ongoing work projects.
Martin’s remains were returned to Miles in October 1885, where he was buried in the local cemetery. Due to the condition of the body and concerns surrounding his mother’s health, no formal funeral service was held.
He was survived by his wife, Sarah, five children, and his parents.
Historical newspapers described Martin as a quiet and hardworking man who had emigrated from County Antrim, Ireland, and crossed the Atlantic multiple times before settling in Iowa.
More than a century later, the killing remains unsolved, leaving behind one of eastern Iowa’s lingering historical mysteries.
