I am looking for any information I can find on an unsolved (I believe) murder in Withee from 1947. The victim is my wife's great aunt, and we just discovered the below article about her. Any information that you have would be much appreciated. You can email me at rickanthonyolson@mac.com

Thank you.

Obit: Kaskin, Gertrude (Murder-1947)
Poster: Janet Rogolski
Email:
1075828239 PREVIOUS> NEXT>Thorp Area History Museum LINKURL>http://www.usgennet.org/usa/wi/county/clark/c...

KASKIN CASE TO BE REOPENED

An 18-month-old unsolved death will be reopened at Neillsville July 19, according to Deputy Coroner E. H. Snyder.

The death is that of Mrs. Gertrude Kaskin, 32 year old teacher of Withee who died January, 27, 1947, as a result of cyanide poison.

Investigation of this death has cost Clark County upwards of $1,000. Included in it were an autopsy, special investigator, sodium amitol and lie detector tests for two people.

The purpose for reopening the case, Mr. Snyder said, is to gather the results of the investigation and the testimony connected with the case so that the complete investigation will be a matter of record.

Mrs. Kaskin was found dead in her bed at her home, 4 1/2 miles northwest of Withee. Beside the bed was a partially empty box of chocolates. At the time she was found. Mrs. William Kaskin, her 76-year-old mother-in-law said the dead lady was attired only in black panties, according to Dr. J. H. Frank, County coroner, who conducted the original examination.

When authorities arrived, however, Mrs. Kaskin was dressed in a nightgown. There was no indication that the young woman had been convulsed nor that there was any struggle in the bedroom.

The authorities questioned the elder Mrs. Kakin and Eddie Kolar, 17, who made his home there and also worked in the Blue Moon plant in Owen.

The dead woman’s husband was away on a trip at the time of her death. He was questioned later, and both Myron and his mother submitted voluntarily to sodium amitol and lie detector tests.

No trace of cyanide was ever found either in the house, or on the premise. Authorities checked far and wide through the area in an effort to trace some sale of the lethal poison, but to no avail.

Mrs. Kaskin that at the Pineland school for eight years, and was teaching there at the time of her death. Previous to that she had taught at the Riplinger and Sterling schools.

Source: The Stark Family Scrapbook.