A shocking murder in rural Wapello County remains one of Iowa’s historic unsolved cases.
On April 3, 1877, 28-year-old farmer Thomas Tolbert was found dead in his bed at his farm located along the Southwestern Road, about two miles west of Eldon. Tolbert, who lived alone on the property after his tenants had recently moved away, had suffered a fatal skull fracture after being bludgeoned.
According to historical accounts, investigators believed robbery was the motive behind the killing. However, reports at the time suggested Tolbert was not known to keep large amounts of money on hand, leaving questions about what, if anything, was taken from the residence.
The murder drew significant attention across the region. The Postville Review described the case as “a mysterious murder,” reflecting the uncertainty surrounding the crime and the lack of an identified suspect.
Nearly 150 years later, the death of Thomas Tolbert remains unsolved, standing as one of Iowa’s enduring historical mysteries.
Source: “Dead In Bed: Murder of Thomas Tolbert 1877” by Nancy Bowers, Iowa Unsolved Murders: Historic Cases.
