More than 130 years later, the deaths of two Hamilton County women continue to stand among Iowa’s most disturbing unsolved murder cases.
In the summer of 1896, the small community of Homer was shaken by the sudden deaths of 25-year-old Alta Alice Fisher Paul and her 80-year-old grandmother, Maria Anne Dulin. Both women appeared to be healthy before becoming violently ill only weeks apart, leaving neighbors questioning whether their deaths were the result of natural causes or something far more sinister.
Alta Paul, who had been married for just six months, died unexpectedly on July 3, 1896. Her husband, James “Jim” Paul, buried her the following day before attending Independence Day festivities, where his public appearance with 17-year-old Ella Hartman quickly fueled rumors throughout the community. Many residents believed his behavior was inappropriate for someone who had lost his wife only a day earlier.
Less than a month later, tragedy struck again.
On July 25, Maria Dulin reportedly noticed a bitter taste in her tea while Jim Paul was visiting her home. Soon afterward, she suffered severe convulsions and died two days later. Although officials initially ruled her death to be from natural causes, growing public suspicion prompted authorities to reopen the investigation.
The bodies of both women were exhumed, and laboratory testing conducted by state experts detected strychnine in their stomachs. The findings led to the arrest of James Paul, while his father, Dr. George Paul, was later accused of playing a role in the alleged poisoning after evidence suggested he had provided medication during Maria Dulin’s final illness.
During the murder trial, prosecutors argued Jim Paul had two motives: eliminating his wife so he could marry Ella Hartman and securing control of Maria Dulin’s property and inheritance. Witnesses testified about missing money, suspicious powders, and unusual behavior surrounding both deaths. Defense attorneys countered that Maria Dulin’s medical condition and other medications could explain the evidence.
After deliberating for 14 hours, the jury acquitted James Paul of murder. Because of the not guilty verdict, charges against Dr. George Paul were dismissed. No one else was ever prosecuted for the deaths of Alta Paul or Maria Dulin, leaving the case officially unresolved.
Today, little remains of the once-thriving town of Homer, now considered a ghost town. Alta Paul’s grave is unmarked, while Maria Dulin rests beneath a monument paid for by friends who wished to honor her years of service as a midwife and caregiver. Despite the passage of time, the mysterious poisonings continue to fascinate historians and remain one of Iowa’s enduring cold cases.
Source: Nancy Bowers, Iowa Unsolved Murders: Historic Cases.
