The tragic news items tell the story and features the Hoffman surname. Research was done by volunteer, Doris Snow Hoffman.

1885-1916

Buried Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Adaville, IA - Plymouth County

 

Yester Year Stories, Backed with Today's Research

H*O*F*F*M*A*N

The Akron Register Tribune

Thursday, October 12, 1916

Akron, Iowa

Fred P. Hoffman, a former resident of Adaville and Westfield vicinities, met a tragic death near Missoula, Montana. While the exact circumstances are not known here, he was shot in the cheek by a bullet from a revolver on Wednesday of last week and lived until Friday morning, October 6, 1916.

Deceased was born in Plymouth County, Iowa, May 6, 1885, and was a son of Ed Hoffman, now deceased, a pioneer of this county and a former resident of Akron. Fred had been working on a ranch near Missoula.

His brothers, Ed, Chas., Frank and Bert are residents of the west part of this county.

The remains arrived in Akron Wednesday and the funeral was conducted by Rev. Varce at the U. B. church at Adaville this afternoon. Interment was made there in Pleasant Valley Cemetery.

[~newspaper accounts of what happened.....]

Anaconda Standard

Friday, October 6, 1916

Anaconda, Montana

HOFFMAN IS STILL ALIVE WOMAN PROBABLY MARRIED

Missoula, Oct. 5—Fred Huffman, who was shot last night by Bessie Smith while being brought from Carlton into Missoula in Sheriff Whitaker’s automobile following his arrest on complaint of the Smith woman that he had threatened her life, was still alive tonight, and the chances of his recovery are considered even.

Later developments in the case have brought out the fact that the woman, instead of being wronged by Huffman, as she declared, is in fact a married woman; that she may have a husband in a state prison somewhere; that she may have three children who are supposed to be in an orphan asylum somewhere, and that her home may be in Detroit.

Miss or Mrs. Smith yesterday gave the following explanation of her associations with Huffman and what led up to the shooting: “He lied to me about himself; he said he was interested in a farm and in a thrashing outfit. I gave him nearly all the money I have made. He said he wanted it for repairs to machinery and new investments. He blew it in, mostly for booze, I found out. I thought he was all right and I trusted him. It is terrible. I have been worried constantly for a month now. I suppose I’ll go to the pen. I don’t care what happens. If Hoffman lives he will cause trouble for others besides me. Oh, how I sympathize with that Miss Colby who shot the man in Thompson Falls.”

Anaconda Standard

Saturday, October 7, 1916

Anaconda, Montana

HOFFMAN SHOT BY WOMAN IS DEAD FROM THE WOUND

Missoula, Oct. 6—Fred Hoffmann, who was shot by Bessie Smith Wednesday night while being brought to Missoula in Sheriff Whitaker's auto, died this morning from the wound inflicted in his head. It was thought last night he had an even chance for recovery, but severe hemorrhages internally weakened his resistance and hastened the end.

Further information regarding the woman who fired the shot reveals the fact that her real name is Mrs. Leigh and that she came to Missoula from Deer Lodge. She stated today, however, that she had been divorced, but would not tell where nor give any further information regarding her past life. She wishes to keep knowledge of her present predicament from reaching members of her family.

Hoffman made no statement before his death regarding the causes which lead up to the tragedy. The inquest was conducted tonight. No recommendations were made.

Anaconda Standard

Wednesday, December 14, 1916

Anaconda, Montana

TRIAL OF BESSIE LEIGH FOR MURDER OF HOFFMAN

JURY IS SECURED AND TAKING OF TESTIMONY WILL BEGIN THIS MORNING

Missoula, Dec. 13.—Selection of a jury to hear the case occupied all the first day of the trial of Mrs. Bessie Leigh for the murder of Fred Hoffman on Oct. 4 last.

Before noon the panel of venire men called for this term of the district court had been exhausted. A special venire, called for 3:30, barely endured the rigid process of elimination.

The introduction of evidence will begin at tomorrow morning’s session. The principal witness for the state will be Sheriff Whitaker and Deputy Sheriff Jack Rice, in whose custody Mrs. Leigh and Hoffman were at the time of the shooting.

Mrs. Leigh shot her sweetheart, Fred Hoffman, on Oct. 4, while he and she were riding in the sheriff’s automobile to the jail, after she had sworn out a warrant on a seduction charge. Hoffman was a former resident of Westfield, Iowa, and Mrs. Leigh was born and reared at Cadmus, Mich.

Helena Independent

Sunday, December 17, 1916

Helena, Montana

MRS. LEIGH FOUND GUILTY OF KILLING FRED HOFFMAN

Missoula, Dec. 16 –Mrs. Bessie Leigh, who killed Fred Hoffman, here on Oct. 4, was found guilty tonight of manslaughter.

Sentence will be passed by Judge A. L. Duncan next Tuesday. Mrs. Leigh shot Hoffman while both were in the custody of the sheriff and on their way to Missoula, where Hoffman was to be tried for charges of seduction brought by the woman, who represented herself as unmarried.

Later Mrs. Leigh, confessed that she had a husband in the state penitentiary at Deer Lodge and three children in St. Joseph’s orphan’s home in Helena.

Her plea was that she was under the influence of drugs, taken in an attempt at suicide, when she shot Hoffman.

Anaconda Standard

Tuesday, December 19, 1916

Anaconda, Montana

MRS. LEIGH GOES TO PEN ON EIGHT-YEAR SENTENCE

HAD HOPED FOR ACQUITTAL SYMPATHIZING WOMEN TO WORK FOR PARDON

Missoula, Dec. 19—Mrs. Bessie Leigh, who was convicted last week of manslaughter in connection with the killing of Fred Hoffman n Oct. 4, last, was today sentenced by Justice Duncan to serve from eight to nine years in the state prison at Deer Lodge.

Mrs. Leigh, in her cell today, said she had entertained hopes of going free, but she realized her sentence was not as heavy as it might have been. She had planned to rejoin her father at Cadmus, Mich., if she were freed by the jury. As it is she will begin serving her sentence at once, Sheriff Whitaker leaving with the prisoner this afternoon for Deer Lodge.

It is understood sympathizing women will soon start a campaign with the object of securing the pardon of the prisoner.

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