More than a century has passed since two Catholic nuns were struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver on an All Souls’ Day evening in Des Moines, leaving behind a mystery that was never solved.
Sister Mary Virginis, 37, born Mary Agnes Austin, and Sister Mary Rosalita, 41, born Agnes McLaughlin, were teachers in the music department at St. Joseph’s Academy, which once stood at 3200 Grand Avenue in Des Moines.
On November 2, 1921, the two Sisters left the Academy around 4 p.m. to run several errands. They visited a dental office, stopped at a music store and browsed a variety store for items connected to an upcoming Academy sale.
Around 6 p.m., the Sisters were making their way back to St. Joseph’s Academy when they reached the intersection of 31st Street and Grand Avenue.
As they attempted to cross the street, a large sedan traveling from 31st Street turned onto Grand Avenue and struck them.
The driver did not remain at the scene.
Passersby rushed to help, carrying the injured Sisters into a nearby home while assistance was summoned. Sister Mary Rosalita died shortly after being struck. Sister Mary Virginis was taken to Mercy Hospital, where she died about two hours later from her injuries.
Their deaths shocked St. Joseph’s Academy and the Des Moines community.
Both women were longtime educators who had dedicated much of their lives to music and teaching. Sister Mary Virginis headed the Academy’s vocal music department, while Sister Mary Rosalita headed its piano department.
Their caskets were placed side by side in the Academy chapel as students, fellow Sisters, alumnae and members of the community came to pay their respects.
Their funeral on November 5 drew an enormous crowd to St. Ambrose Cathedral, followed by a large procession to Woodland/Saint Ambrose Cemetery, where the Sisters were laid to rest.
The investigation soon focused on William H. “Herb” Halpenny, a 48-year-old local auto supply company owner.
According to historical newspaper accounts, some witnesses reportedly linked Halpenny’s automobile to the crash, and investigators examined physical evidence found on his vehicle. Halpenny denied involvement and maintained that he was at his office when the Sisters were struck.
Authorities pursued charges of manslaughter and failure to report an accident, but the case against Halpenny did not move forward.
On December 16, 1921, a grand jury declined to indict him. His defense had gathered statements from dozens of people who maintained that the vehicle involved was a Ford sedan rather than the type of automobile Halpenny drove. Witnesses who reportedly saw the driver also said Halpenny was not the man behind the wheel.
No one else was ever held responsible.
More than 100 years later, the deaths of Sister Mary Virginis and Sister Mary Rosalita remain a haunting chapter in Iowa history — two respected teachers killed while simply walking home on All Souls’ Day, with the identity of the driver who took their lives never conclusively determined.
Source: Information for this report was drawn from research and an article written by Nancy Bowers in January 2011 for Iowa Unsolved Murders: Historic Cases.
