Louvring
surname, burials and
1933 'cold case' murder of Nels Louvring
Fayette, Fayette County, Iowa
Page contains (in order):
Nels Louvring time line summary, Louvring burials.
Descendent trees for Louvring, Bailey (wife Amy), Brimmer (Amy's 1st husb Edron).
Notes from paper articles. Maps & pics.

Best Guess Time Line Summary as of Dec2013/bz.

LOUVRING, Nels Pedersen:
...Born: 17 Jun 1882 in Dallerup, Sogen.Co.Denmark
...Died: 29 Jul 1933 in Murdered, upon returning home from work at 11pm, in yard near garage, Lots 7-8, Bk 2, Westfield addition, 315 West Water.St, Fayette, Westfield.Twp, Fay.Co.IA
...Burial: 02 Aug 1933 Grandview Cem, Sec E, Lot 167, Fayette, Westfield.Twp, Fay.Co.IA. Service at M.E. Church.
...Surname analogs: Louvring, Louvering, Lovring, Louring, Lowering.
...Given analogs: Niels, Nels, Nelse, Nelson; Pederson Petersen, Peter.
...1882 after, Mother Inger Marie nee unknown Louvring, died when Nels was young.
...1896 until, Nels, apparently the only child of Inger, remained with father in Denmark.
...1896, Father Peter Nelson, left for America (ended up in WI?),
...1896, Nels, age 14, was left with uncle in Denmark who put him to work as a farm boy and tiling ditches/fields.
...1900 about, Nels ran away to sea as a sailor.
...1901, Danish Gov. found, age 19, inscription Danish Army as all Dane's served.
...1903Jan20, Married Mary Inger Unknown in Skanderup Parish, Southern Denmark. Had a dau. Inger.
...1904 about, Apparently hit abusive Danish Army Officer & deserted to the coast, boarding a ship to England, sailed as sailor to America.
...1904Mar01, Immigrated, wife refused leave or more likely join Nels years later in Iowa, as it appears he deserted Danish Army on English ship to America, after conflict with an officer (Read below a 1930 paper article; 'Militarism Spectre to Nels Louvering, Fayette Man.')
...1905, Spent a year in NY state.
...1905-1906, May have joined father at a Wisconsin timber camp for four months.

...1906-1910 about, Moved to Cedar.Falls/Waterloo area, worked as a tiler. (Likely met Edron Brimmer, also a tiler from the Independence area & his wf. Amy Bailey (who would remarry Nels after a divorce, bz/2013).
...1908Nov, Convinced wife & dau would not join in America, filed for divorce in Bk.Hawk.Co court. Alleged his wife deserted him by refusing to join him in America for four years.
...1910, Moved to Oelwein.IA, continued working as a tiler.
...1910Apr, Granted divorce by Bk.Hawk.Co.IA court.
...1910 Census: Oelwein, Fay.Co.IA. Peterson Nelse Louvring 29/Denmark single tiling work laborer, boarding with Charles L. Smith45NY family.
...1910 Census: Scott.Twp, Fay.Co.IA. Nels P. Louvring 27/Denmark div immigrated 1902, laying tile; enumerated with Geo.Foster29IL farming family.
...1911Oct, Married Amy nee Bailey Brimmer at Minneapolis.MN (or Fay.Co.IA?)
...1911 Moved to Fayette.IA, after marriage, continued work as a tiler. (Amy grew up in Fayette, her family was still living on W. Water St.)
...For some years Nels continued in the tiling work as he became interested in cars and salvage, living with Bailey families on Water.St.
...1915Mar, Soran Louvring family from NY visiting indefinitely in Fayette (?cousin or brother?)
...Bef 1917, started salvaging wrecks on Water.St & selling second hand parts.
...1917Oct, Nels & Amy Louvring bought from Evelyn Thorpe, lots 7&8, bk2, Westfield Addition, on West Water.St (Abt. 200yds E of Klock's Island entrance, N side of Hwy93). Lived at this location until murdered in 1933. Wife Amy continued living here until she died in 1962.
...1918Sep, Draft.Reg: married, bl eyes, br hair, med ht/build, self-employed junk dealer in Fayette.IA.
...1919Feb, Applied for citizenship in Fay.Co.IA.
...1920 Census: West Water St, Fayette, Fay.Co.IA. Louvring: NelseP37 tiler (& auto wrecking/salvage), AmyE35, OrvilleE Bremer17 laborer, IreneL Bremer13.
...1921Apr, Naturalized at West.Union.IA, still tiling & running auto salvage, selling dry cord wood.
....Had become a major tiler around Fayette.Co, but interest in auto salvage was taking precedence.
...1924 bef, Established 'Fayette Auto Wrecking Co.', collected 'hundreds' of junked vehicles & parted out, i.e. relative new business idea, parts/accessories out of the Pooler building (2nd from SW corner Main/Water, still standing 2013/bz) on Main.St, Fayette.IA.
...1924, Louvring & Fobes received permit to put gas pump/tank in front of Pooler building on Main.St.
...1925May, Went to McGregor for a railroad salvage sale. Was selling goods with auto parts.
...1925 June1 to Aug8, Sold $2k of auto parts (paper article). Was selling vast array of used/new parts, tires/tubes, tire chains, accessories, oil/grease, gasoline.
...1926Feb, Requested permit to move gas pump/tank from front of Pooler building to front of his new location one building north (still standing, 2013/bz) on SW corner of Main/Water St's.
...1926, 'Dixie Oil Co' , i.e. Nels Louvring Filling Station was established.
...1928May, Went to railroad salvage t Prairie du Chien.
...1930 Census: W.Water.St, Fayette.IA, Louvring: NelsP47 auto wrecker AmyE45.
...1930Jul, Given permission by town counsel to put in approach off Main.St to his filling station, i.e. Nels' filling station.
...1930Aug, Paper article, 'Militarism Spectre to Nels Louvering,' tells of Nels leaving uncle in Denmark, going to sea as a sailor, being found & inscripted into Danish Army, having conflict/hitting an abusive officer, escaping back to sea, going to England, coming to America, ending up in Iowa as a tiler. Note: this would indicate his wife was not involved with a desertion, more likely Nels just escaped to America, and his wife refused to leave Denmark in the following years, bz/2013.
...1932Dec, John & Paul Doland apparently started and had a 'fistic encounter' in a Fayette cafe, where Nels received a bad head injury, which resulted in the Doland's being charged in early 1933 by the Grand Jury for 'assault with the intent to do great bodily injury,' the case still pending on bond until Nels was murdered.
...1933about, Nels tried to locate a brother said to be in OK; letter returned.
...1933Jul20, 10:30PM Sat, Nels' wife Amy & her dau's family went home on W.Water.St. The entire family had been at the filling station. Sat. nights stores were open and Main.St was busy.
...1933Jul29, 11pm, Sat, Nels left the filling station, alone in his car, and went home. He was leaving the garage, when he was shot through the left side just above waist & exiting right side near shoulder, by .38cal found in garage door area wood. Note: bullet path would indicate perpetrator was kneeling/sitting low and waiting to ambush Nels; more likely a .38 revolver, than an automatic, bz/2013.
..... Nels Staggered from yard, died in pool of blood at the kitchen door, cigar cashbox/keys in/near his hand, with cash/receipts scattered at kitchen, thus no robbery committed.
.....Nels was found by wife Amy & step/dau's family who were upstairs and heard the shot.
.....Fayette police, Fay.Co Sheriff H.C. Nehring called. Investigation started (see paper articles below). 'Posse' of deputies & about 50men formed a dragnet around Fayette searching for suspects. No cars heard by witnesses, so assumed perpetrator left on foot.
.....Levi VanSyckle/Van Sickle, neighbor to east & across road, said he saw two men come out of corn field toward Louvring home, abt 10:30pm, could not I.D. Note: could have been a perpetrator or just someone fishing/walking up from the river area.
.....Levi also heard the shot and stepped outside but did not see anyone leaving the Louvring area (Perpetrator(s) likely left the scene north through the small field to the Volga River bank area, then moved up the river to a car near Klock's Island gravel roads or downriver or east toward Main.St. bz/2013)
...1933Jul30, abt 6pm Sun, Two state agents arrived with bloodhounds. Apparently picked up a trail leading north to the Volga River, then up the river toward Klock's Island and down the river toward Fayette. Nothing concrete reported.
...1933Jul30, Paul.Doland25, under bond for Dec1932 assault of Nels was picked up for questioning but claims an alibi to prove he was not in town, but in Maynard and Oelwein until 3am.
...1933Aug2, Tues, Coroner's inquest started. Witness called: Widow Mrs. Nels (Amy) Louvring, s/law & step/dau Mr/Mrs. Harvey Guyer, step/son & wife Mr/Mrs. Orville Brimmer, neighbors Levi VanSickle & Mrs. John Bailey (mother of Amy Louvering).
...1933Aug3, Wed, Paul.Doland's alibi of visiting friends in Maynard, then going to Oelwein until 3am on Sunday morning apparently checked, and he was released. Paper article: "Suspect Paul.Dolan, of Fayette, says he was at a private home in Oelwein, after he left Maynard, where it was established he was at 10pm on Sat. night. Mr/Mrs. Tom (Thomas) Boleyn, 1005 1st St. SW in Oelwein, told the Waterloo Daily Courier's Oelwein representative that Dolan was at their home starting between 9:30-10pm on Sat. night until between 2:30-3am on Sunday morning. Oelwein being 18miles from Fayette.
...1935Sep, Sumner paper: In the Nels Louvring murder case the lie detector was used on two men who were intensely nervous because they feared that their known enmity toward the murdered man would make trouble for them; but though they shook with fear the lie detector did not register its accusation of falsehood against them.
...1935Oct01, Oelwein paper: Try to Locate an Old Revolver in Nels Louvring murder case.
.....Tom & Kenneth Bolan/Boleyn and Hugh Lockart/Lockard were taken to West.Union for questioning about a gun one of them once had. The story is an old revolver was found at Fayette and came into the possession of Tom Bolan (Thomas.Boleyn), who made an effort to see it, claiming it was the gun that killed (Nels) Levering (Louvring). When quizzed by the Sheriff he said he had thrown the gun away and did not known where it was.
...1935Oct01, Fayette paper: Louvering Murder Being Reopened.
.....A bizarre set of circumstances involving finding a revolver in a deserted cabin in the timber in the Lima area by two Oelwein young men is responsible for reopening the case. The take was circulated that Hugh Lockard and Tom Boleyn had found the gun in a cabin, and that it was the gun that was used to kill Nels Louvering. They told the Sheriff it was Lockard and George Boleyn, that found the fun while hunting mushrooms in the timber near Lima. They though the gun was a .38. The told the gun was rusted considerably and need repairs, and because they were unable to repair it, Tom Boleyn threw it along with other discarded items into the Oelwein city dump about sixe weeks ago.
...1935Oct11, Oelwein paper: Recent developments in the Louvering case are at a standstill.
.....Authorities are searching the city dump for a .38 revolver, reported found by George & Tom Boleyn and Hugh Lockard while hunting mushrooms near Lima last spring.
...1936, O.F. Sewell purchased the Nels Louvring filling station.

...1936 after, Murder turned into a cold case.
.....Only two motives likely: bz/2013
.......Possible robbery by transient or local but cash/receipt box was in Nels' hand, with contents left scattered in/near kitchen door. Perpetrator apparently was hiding in wait near the garage bushes for Nels to arrive home from work. Wife Amy & dau/husb went home from the station at 10:30PM; Nels about 11PM. Nels was shot leaving the garage. If there had been a struggle after parking the car, Nels would not have retained the cigar money box with contents until reaching the kitchen door, nor would a robber have shot him from an upward angle when the motive was only robbery, unless in a struggle a robber went to his knees.
.......Mad revenge or 'hit' over past conflict &/or business dealings. Without witnesses and/or confessions, proving a case in court apparently would not have been possible.

Amy Etna nee Bailey Brimmer Louvring
...Born, 15 Jan 1884 in, Westfield.Twp, Fay.Co.IA.
...Died, 19 Feb 1962 Home, Lots 7-8, Bk 2, Westfield plat, 315 W. Water.St, Fayette, Westfield.Twp, Fay.Co.IA.
...Burial, Grandview Cem, Sec E, Lot 167, Fayette, Westfield.Twp, Fay.Co.IA.
...Married, 1911Oct to Nels Louvring, in Minneapolis.MN (2nd for both).
...Father: Joseph BAILEY
...Mother: Nancy Belle RICKETS.
...Grew up in Fayette.IA.
...1900 Census: Fayette, Fay.Co.IA. Brimmer: Edson22, AmyE nee Bailey17; adj to parents Joseph & Nancy Bailey & siblings.
...1908 before, Divorced from Ed Brimmer/Bremer.
...1911 Remarried to Nels Louvring.
...1933 After murder of husband Nels Amy remained in their home in Westfield on W.Water.St,
...1958/59, Moved to care of dau, nursing home & Co.Home
...1962, Passed away at the Fay.Co.Home.

Contains webpage links to various Fayette Co. surnames and history projects.
Iowaz Index Page
The photo hosting site contains material regarding history, maps, genealogy of Fayette, Co, Iowa
Iowaz Photo Hosting Site

Page Chronology: 2013Dec 23, Project representing many hours of 'best guess application,' was initially uploaded due to motivation/concentration, plus running out of new material.

...Web page objectives: share data, jump start others, make contacts, use a simple web page format.
...Do not trust any tree/report data as totally valid. Use the data to jump start your own research....the information will the best guess at the time of working on a specific project. Often World Connect or Ancestry trees/data were utilized as a foundation upon which to add material gleamed from obits, articles, histories, biographies, stories, burials, censuses and other data collected.

Louvring
Basic descendent trees of the major surname lines in Fayette Co, Iowa.
Trees were created from online, census, burial info/data and other data so there will be speculations/best guesses.
These trees can be added too or corrected should anyone want to copy/paste/email info.
Do not take any material/dates as absolute fact. Use the data to jump start your own research.

1908Nov24, Waterloo.IA: Wife Deserted Nels Louvering.
...Nels Peterson Louvring instituted suit for divorce from his wife; Inger Mary Louvring, to whom he was married on Jan 20, 1903, at Skanderup, Denmark.
...They lived together until Mar 1, 1908, when the plaintiff alleges his wife deserted him (Actually wife Inger refused to come to America after Nels deserted from the Danish Army due to conflict with an abusive officer and sailed to America in 1904).
...One child, Inger Louvering was born to the couple and she is living with the defendant (mother in Denmark).

1909Apr24, Waterloo.IA: Divorce is Difficult to Get for Neils Louvring.
...Efforts of Neils Louvring to get separation. Wife lives in Denmark. Her parents object to her coming to "wooly" America.
...Blackhawk.Co Courts requires personal service of notice. Consul requires notice from (state) department.
...A divorce case of more than ordinary interest because of the location of the parties is up for decision before the District Court.
...Neils Peterson Louvring of this city (Waterloo/Cedar.Falls) and the defendant Inger Mary Louvring of Skanderup, Denmark, with the accompanying presence of a little child of tender years, now with the mother.
...The case was filed Nov 23, 1908, when the defendant Inger Mary, a non-resident of Iowa, her actual address unknown.
...As procedure the original notice was published in a paper of general circulation Fall of 1908.
...Since, her actual residence is known. The court asked before a divorce order is made, the plaintiff's attorneys have contact with Mary, which they have done by sending the original notice to the consul in Denmark, who refused to honor without also an order from the department at Washington. That procedure is difficult and slow.
...Neils' attorneys have instead taken the prerogative of serving the original notice by registered letter to Mary at her parents address in Denmark, where she has been living since the separation.
...The local court has been appealed to accept the registered letter procedure.
Cause of the Divorce Decree
...Neils & Mary were marriage at Skanderup, Denmark, on Jan 20, 1903.
...They lived together until about Mar 2, 1904, when Neis indicates Mary deserted him without sufficient cause, as he has always treated her with the greatest consideration. There had been no misunderstanding between then since the day they married.
...One child (Inger), has been with the mother since the separation.
...Neils claimed at the time of the separation, in search of fortune and tired of the life he was leading in Denmark, he came to America. He desired his wife and child to accompany him, but they did not come on account of parental objection to her leaving Denmark for the wild and wooly western wonderland, of America, and being separate from her parents.
...Since coming to America Neils has prospered and attempted to remove his wife's parents objection, without hope, so his application for divorce and freedom from the bans has followed.

1910Apr20, Waterloo.IA, Divorce for Neils Petersen Louvring granted after long waiting.
...Suit for divorce in court a year and a half before decree is granted.
...Wife refused to emigrate.
...Matter of Legal Notice of suit was obstacle to quick relief.
...The petition alleged that his wife had deserted Neils, and was filed in Black Hawk county the fall of 1908.
...His wife was a resident of Denmark, and the obstacle of getting notification served was the stumbling block.
...Neils attorneys too the matter up with an American consul but he did not care to take a hand in the matter.
...Eventually a notice of the suit was written out in Danish and sent by registered mail to his wife.
...A receipt came back in due time and the court granted the decree.
...It was stated in the original petition that the couple married in Skanderup, Denmark, Jan 20, 1903 and continued to live together until Mar 1, 1904, when Neils, having an opportunity to better himself came to America, employing his wife to come with him. She refused, it being alleged influenced by her parents and other relatives. She has since continued such refusal, although Neils frequently wrote to her and continually asked her to join him in America.
...Tins continued until Neils convinced his wife would never come to America, and thereupon filed his petition of divorce.

1915Mar18, Fayette.IA, The Soran Louvring family of New York, arrived in Fayette. They expect to remain indefinitely. (Assumed a brother or 1st cousin, but could not find an actual connection, but have linked Soran & Nels into a master FTM file for reference, bz/2013).

1915Sep29, OelweinIA, Mr/Mrs A. E. (Amy) Louvering of Fayette spend Sat with friends in Oelwein.

1915Oct14, Arlington.IA. Mr/Mrs Nels Louvering of Fayette spend Wed at the Bigelow house in Arlington

1917Oct11, Oelwein.IA, Land Transfer: Evelyn Thorpe to Nels Louvring, lots 7 & 8, block 2, Westfield village/addition to Fayette.IA.
Notes: bz/2013
...Lots 7 & 8, Bk2, Westfield, would be the location of the Louvering home from 1917 to 1933, when Nels was murdered.
...He would continue to work as a tiler.
...His interest in auto's increased and be began buying wrecked cars and salvaging out parts, opening a parts and accessory store in the Pooler Building on Main.St.
...In 1924, he put a gas pump in front of the Pooler Building.
...In 1926, Nels moved one building north to the SW corner of Main/Water, and was granted permission to move his gas pump to the front of that building.
...This corner filling station is where Nels left for home 3/4mi west on Water.St, just before 11pm, Sat, 1933July29, and was shot/murdered near his garage in Westfield village.
...In 1930, he was granted permission to put in an approach off Main.St to his filling station. After his death, the station would be sold, and continue as a filling station until remodeled as a Dry Cleaning business in the 1940's.

1919Feb09, Oelwein.IA, Applications for citizenship include, Nels Peter Louvring of Fayette, came from Denmark in 1882 (Error, b.1882, came 1904).

1919May01, Fayette.IA paper, Nelson Lovering came from Fayette to the Hawkeye area, to start a big ditching contract for Herman Pleggenkuhle, and will employ three men.

1919Nov20, Arlington.IA paper, Neson Lovering of Fayette called on Frank Ross in Arlington, between trains.

1921Apr14, Oelwein.IA, Twenty are naturalized at West.Union.IA. Nels Peterson Lovering, Denmark, came 1904, lives at Fayette.IA.

1921Apr21, Oelwein.IA, Fred E. Finch, Fred Hoyt and Nels Louvering of Fayette were in West.Union. Finch & Hoyt were witnesses for Nels, who was a candidate for naturalization. Mr. Finch stated Nels, who is a tiler, had no doubt during his residence in Fayette county laid enough tile to go entirely around the county.

1921Dec22, Fayette.IA paper, For Sale, dry cord wood, Nels Lovering, Phone: Blue 148.

1924May15, Fayette.IA paper, Nels Lovering and Mr. Fobes received from the city council a permit to put a gasoline pump and tank in front of the Pooler building on Main.St.(2nd S from SW corner of Main/Water)

1924Nov06, Oelwein.IA. Tax List: Fayette incorporation, Nels Louvring, Westfield Lots 7-8, bk2, $8.18.

1925May7, Fayette.IA, H.W. Gray & Nels Louvering went to McGregor to attend the railroad sale of uncalled for goods.

1925Aug13, Fayette.IA. Thousands of dollars in Just One Little Idea.
...May Prosperous businesses have been make out of an idea. Here in Fayette is one.
...When Nels Louvring established the 'Fayette Auto Wrecking Co.', he took the idea that second-hand autos were a drag on the market and being sold only as junk, but there was a ready sale for used parts for repairs.
...The prosperous manner in which he has developed this idea, based on automotive conditions, , can be judged when it is stated that his business from June 1st to Aug 8th totaled $2000 made up of small items. Note: Nels likely started out at his Westfield lots, and then opened a parts store in the Pooler Building on Main.St, followed by putting in a gas pump in front of the building. He would move one building north, which would then become Nel's filling station or Dixie Oil Co.

1925Aug, Fayette.IA. Ad: Fayette Auto Wrecking Co, Nels Louvring, Proprietor; Way pay More? ...When anything breaks on your automobile, no matter what make of car or how old it is, come and see me first. I have hundreds of wrecked automobiles that I have taken parts from and am sure you will find what you are in want of, as good as new, and sold at half price. See me first.
...Tires and Tubes, New and Old.
...A satisfied customer is our best advertisement. We have saved many dollars by having a slightly used part for their auto. It pays to look around. We also handle Red Crown Gasoline, Polarine Oils and Greases.
...We have made a purchase of a large assortment of sizes of Galvanized Tubs that we are selling at bargain prices. All new.
...Used auto parts, half price. We do not care what auto you drive. If you break down, we have the parts, new or old....rings and pinion gears, springs, rims, radiators, transmission gears, axles, shafts, ball bearing, generators, starters, magnetos, coils, horns, pumps, lenses, timkins, fenders, luggage carriers.

1925Oct, Fayette.IA. Ad: Fayette Auto Wrecking Co, Nels Louvring, Prob.
...Do not wait until you damage your car or somebody's car by not being able to stop. Do your tire chains fit? Have you put on cord tires instead of fabrics? If so, get correct size at once. We have all sizes of chains for auto or truck.
...We have 'Kelly-Springfield' and 'Simmons Hardware' Tires and Tubes. None better. All guaranteed. See me first for price. We can save you money.

1926Feb18, Fayette.IA. City Council Meeting: Mr. Nels Louvring was present and asked for the permit to move his gasoline pump and tank from in front of the Pooler building to in front of the building he now occupies (1 building north, SW corner of Main/Water).

1927Sep29, Fayette.IA. Nels Louvering had experience of Hwy No 11 (150 to West.Union) with robbers.
...Started on pleasure drive north out of Fayette.
...Noticed to a 1920/1921 Buick at side of road just past Walt Turner's. Someone in car waved.
...Nels continued until the Odell farm, turned around, started back toward Fayette.
...Car still at turner place, he slowed down to see what the trouble was.
...The car drove across the road with the evident intention of heading him off.
...Nels speeded by, the car followed.
...Nels kept speeding up to abt. 65mph, with the car doing the same.
...At Nading place near town, the car following stopped.
...Nels came into town and waited 20min for the pursuers to show up; they did not.

1928May10, Fayette.IA. Nels Louvring went to Prairie du Chien to attend the annual railroad sale of unclaimed goods.

1928Sep06, Sumner.IA. District Court at West Union: Nels Louvring vs Go White, suit on account of $35.08. Nels Louvring vs. F.S. Bronn, suit on note for $125.00.

1930Apr10, Arlington.IA. Court Cases in West.Union: Iowa Building & Supply vs Nels Louvring.

1930Jul10, Fayette.IA. City Council Meeting: Nels Louvering asked for a permit to put in an approach for a filling station at the corner of Main & Water St's. Permit granted, but the streets and sidewalks committee shall be allowed to make any restrictions that they may see fit, and that there are to be no obstructions on the sidewalk.

1930Aug, Des Moines Register, reprinted Fayette paper, Militarism Spectre To Nels Louvering, Fayette Man
...At Fayette.IA, Nels Louvering does not often come in contact with the military as he would have it.
...Nels was born in a village on the Danish peninsula, the only child when his mother died when he was young.
...Nels was 14 when his father sailed for America (1896), leaving Nels with an uncle.
...The uncle put Nels to work digging tile ditches.
...Soon Nels ran way and went to sea on a sailing ship (abt 1898).
...In 1901, the Danish government found Nels. He was forced into the army as all of Europe was training its men to kill.
...Nels Louvering leaned to wheel and turn, to snap his rifle sling, to drill smartly to the barking orders of a spurred and sabered officer.
...Nels was fitted into Europe's mould that stamped on every young man's mine, 'Do as you are ordered."
...Nels relates, "Our captain was a find fellow. I did not mind his orders, but he was taken sick. His place was taken by an under officer, schooled to cruelty and steeped in military discipline.
...One day Nels did not snap into his drill as the officer wished. "Out of the line, you ....... cried the officer. I will teach you to drill." Before the company, the officer put Nels through the maneuver time on time, drilled him till he was wet with sweat and staggering.
..."I will teach you swine not to stumble about in my company," the officer cursed, and spat in Nels' face.
...Nels, the conscript, broke his mould, his fist smashed into the officer's face, felling him. Nels stood over him, shaking with rage that soon became trembling fear as he realized he had struck an officer.
...Nels says, "Americans cannot understand how I gained my freedom. They cannot appreciate the bond of necessity which bound the common people together against the ruling classes. That night one of the guards came to my cell. he handed me a rope and ordered me to gag and tie him. I did so and he said, 'When you have finished with me, go down the corridor. The man guarding the outer door will have his back turned. Hit him as hard as you can. When he falls get away and far as you can by daylight. Your escape will not be noted till then.'"
...Nels said, "I didn't want to strike him, but the guard insisted. 'You must. He must have an alibi.'"
...Nels gagged the guard and slipped down the corridor. The guard by the door had his back turned. The conscript struck him down and fled into the night.
...Nels hid at daylight, still in uniform. At night he skulked thru the darkness toward the coast, finding raw potatoes and a few vegetables for food.
...On the 4th night, the smell of the sea came to him. he found some clothes in a deserted cabin and went quickly to the coast where he shipped aboard a vessel sailing for England.
...The wind and wave swept the worry from his mind. He was gone from Denmark and free of the military.
...Within a day of sailing, however, the ships Captain came down to the fo'castle and said, "We have been ordered to stand by while being searched for deserters. If any of you Danes are deserters, you better tell me. I cannot do anything for you after we are boarded."
...Worry and fear descended on Nels again. The military was reaching out after him, out across the sea. he was not free of the army, after all.
...The captain may be lying, he thought, but if they are after me I will be caught when the boat docks in England anyway.
...So Nels stepped up, "I am a deserter." Three other of the crew followed.
...The captain put each of them in a herring barrel and headed them up. The searcher never found them.
...When the boat docked the four Danes slipped over the side and lost themselves in England's teaming millions.
...Nels decided to come out to America and join his father in Wisconsin. The others decided to come with him. Perhaps in America they could forget the military, could feel free of the uniformed shadow that followed them, as America was free, they heard. Americans did not have to prepare to kill.
...So they shipped out of England aboard a vessel for New York.
...As they came nearer to America, Nels' thoughts fled before him. He would to inland. He knew how to dig tile ditches. he would work at that and bury himself where the military would never think to find him.
...Nels stood at the rail while the ship docked at Castle Garde, NY, where most of the immigrant ships docked then. He noticed an American and Danish officer standing on the dock.
...Nels decided to jump and run for it. he climbed to the rail and leaped out for the dock. He barely clutched the dock edge, but as he starred slipping towards the water someone pulled him up. The others followed him.
...The Danish Officer met them, "I cannot arrest you now. You are on American soil. I must have authority from Washington. I shall expect that authority by wire this afternoon." Then taking them aside he said, 'I will tell you were to get your first naturalization papers."
...Nels said it seemed that if we had out papers he could not arrest us. We got our papers as quickly as possible. When the officer came back, each showed his papers and the officer went away, which left Nels with his only pleasant memory of the army.
...Nels went west (1904) and buried himself where men did not have to serve in the army, where the next war was not a certainty.
...Nels found an occupation in tiling (around Cedar Falls, Independence, Oelwein), ending up in Fayette.IA. Then auto's caught his interest and he started a parts and accessories business. It has paid him well.
....He does not easily forget the spectre of a continent schooled in war's slaughter or a system that moulds young men for killing.

1931May05, Oelwein.IA paper, Nels Lovering of Fayette was distributing bills in the Oelwein vicinity Monday.

1932Jul13, Fayette.IA, Mrs. Harvey (nee Brimmer) Guyer who recently underwent an operation for appendicitis at the home of her parents, Mr/Mrs Nils Luvering, is now getting along nicely. Mrs. Hazel O'Brien of Donnan, the nurse in charge is expedt to return to her home Sat.

1933July30Sun, Waterloo.IA, Fayette Merchant Nels Louvring Slain.
...Posse Spread Cordon About Town for Killer,
...Wife Finds Body Slumped Over Doorstep.
...Nels Louvering, 55, victim of gunman, money box clutched in hand.
...Chest pierced by one bullet; car in driveway.
...Sheriff believes murder was done in yard; neighbor says he heard shot.
...Deputy sheriffs and posse men formed a cordon about Fayette early Sunday morning in a determined hunt for a gun wielder who killed Nels Louvering, 55, filling station proprietor, somewhere between his place of business and home, late Sat. Night.
...Mrs. Louvering found her husband's dead body slumped just inside the (back kitchen) door
...Hearing no sound after the door closed, she went downstairs to investigate.
...Nels was shot once thru the chest with a rifle or revolver of unknown calibre.
...The exact location of the wound and nature of the bullet awaited investigation by Fayette.Co Coroner Dr. W.E. Walsh of Hawkeye.
...Fayette police at once notified Sheriff H.J. Nehring of the crime.
...Sheriff spreads dragnet for the killer.
...The Sheriff and deputies enlisted a posse of about 50 local men and at once spread a dragnet for the killer or killers.
...Whether or not robbery was the motive for the crime remained doubtful in the mind of the Sheriff.
...Louvering was known to have a distrust of banks and to carry large sums of money about.
...When his body was found Nels was clutching tightly in his hands, a cigar box which he used for carrying money, while its contents of bills and coins were scattered over the kitchen floor.
...Officers advanced the theory that he had resisted a holdup, and that the gunman, after firing, had become frightened by his deed and fled without obtaining the money.
...Neighbor Levi Van Sickle, whose home is just across (W.Water.St), in a diagonal direction from Lourvering's, reported hearing one shot about 11pm. It was about 11:30 when the body was found by Mrs. Louvering.
...Nels had closed his filling station, located downtown Fayette (SW corner of Main/Water), about 11pm on Sat night and started home in his car, taking the night's receipts/cash with him.
...Several business men reported seeing him driving home, apparently alone at the time.
...No one living near heard the sound of any other auto than Louvering's leading to the theory that the killer had escaped on foot.
...Nels car was left standing in the yard, about halfway between the road and his garage, with the motor stopped.
...Belief was general that the crime must have been committed in the yard, as it was not believed that a man as badly wounded as Louvering could possibly have driven a car any distance, stopped it and reached the house.
...The Louvering home is located in the western part of Fayette, the section known as Westfield, where the town was originally laid out. The home is a quarter mile (actually 3/4mi directly west) from filling station.
...The filling station was run by Nels in connection with a junk (salvage) yard and second hand parts establishment.
...The Sheriff attempted to immediately located bloodhounds, but none were available at the time.
...Nels had lived in Fayette for the past 20yrs, and before that resided at Cedar Falls and Oelwein, where he worked as a tiler. He was a native of Denmark, and had been in the U.S. for 30yrs.
...Surviving are his wife Amy (nee Bailey Brimmer), and two stepchildren, Mrs. Irene Guyer (Harvey) of Fayette and Orville Brimmer of Oelwein.
...This marked the second gun murder in Fayette.Co this year. On Jan4, Ashley Downing, 78, a Westgate recluse, was killed with a shotgun in his farm home. His slayer was never apprehended.

1933Jul31Mon, Waterloo paper, Fayette Murder Remains Puzzle; Suspect Jailed
...Louvering inquest called by Coroner.
...Theory of revenge because of fight last winter is discounted.
...Paul Dolan, 20, offers alibi for Sat. night; was in Oelwein.
...State/county authorities on Monday were continuing their investigation into the murder Sat night (1933Jul29) of Nels Louvering, 55y, filling station operator, with no direct clues.
...Their suspect a youth held under the faint possibility there might be a connection between a fight last winter and the killing.
...The suspect, Paul Dolan, abt.20, of Fayette, says he was at a private home in Oelwein after he left Maynard, where it has been established he was at 10pm on Sat night.
...Mr. & Mrs. Tom Boleyn, 1005 First St. SW, Oelwein, told the Waterloo Daily Courier's Oelwein news representative on Monday noon that Dolan was at their home from a period between 9:30pm and 10:00pm on Sat night until between 2:30 and 3:00am., Sunday. Oelwein is 18 miles from Fayette.
...Paul Dolan and his father John Dolan, have been under bonds to appear in the District Court on charge of assault with intent to do great bodily injury, filed by Nels Louvering after the three engaged in a fight in a Fayette cafe some months ago (Dec1932). Officers reasoned revenge might have induced (Paul) Dolan to shoot his accuser.
...Sheriff H.J. Nehring and state agent A.A. Robertson (former Fayette.Co. Sheriff) are expected to release Dolan after checking his alibi for Sat. night.
...It is currently believed that Dolan is not of the temperament to lie in wait to murder, as did the killer on Sat. night. Those who know him say he has a quick and violent temper but is not the cold brooding type.
...Officers have discounted the robbery theory, due to the fact Nels was not molested in an attempt to take the case.
...It has been proved by the finding of a 38 cal bullet in the garage door that he was shot near the garage and ran to the house, collapsing over the kitchen doorway, halfway into the room.
...The money from the cigar box still in his hand was found spilled over the kitchen floor, with apparently none missing. He had $365 in the box, about half of which was cash.
...The empty shell from which the shot had been fired was found near the garage. It is believed to have come from an automatic weapon. (Note: Assuming a shell case was found that certainly would likely rule out a .38 revolver. Reloading a derringer style and dropping the case could be a possibility but also unlikely. Not many autos were available at this time. A few 1900pat. .38 ACP automatics on the browning frame were available, as were more numerous 9mm German Luger's brought back from WWI. The 9mm is the same bullet diameter as the .38cal. bz/2013)
...The bullet passed thru Nels' chest before imbedding in the wood.
...An inquest was scheduled for Monday afternoon by Coroner Dr. Walsh of Hawkeye.
...Sheriff Nehring arrest Bill Alley of Fayette on Monday, when in investigating, he found a (whiskey) still at Alley's home.
...The posse guarding the Louvering property from intruders since the murder was withdrawn on Monday morning.
...State agents brought a pack of bloodhounds with them early Sunday morning (abt 8hr after the murder), which picked up a trail at the rear of the Louvering home and followed it about 1 1/2 miles along the Volga River, to a point along the river bank, where they apparently lost the scent. The dogs were taken back to Des Moines on Monday.

1933Jul31, Oelwein.IA, Nells Louvring, Fayette Business Man Murdered 11pm,Sat,Jul29,1933.
...Nels Louvring, 52, owner of Dixie Oil Station & Fayette Auto Wrecking Co, was shot & killed 11:15PM at his home, 4 blocks W of Main.St, in Fayette, by unknown assassin.
...Was returning home from the station, had driven car part way into garage, was walking towards house 15-20ft away.
...Shot from behind by a .38, bullet entering left side, emerging at right shoulder, embedding in garage wall.
...He apparently stopped a moment outside garage so authorities believe he saw the assailant or suspected someone present.
...Nels staggered to the kitchen door and collapsed.
...His car keys & cigar cash box was on the ground near the garage, with contents of bills & currency scattered about on the ground.
...His wife Amy, dau Irene & husb Harvey Guyer were upstairs, hearing a shot, they rushed down to find Nels lying in a pool of blood at the kitchen door.
...His s/dau Irene, the first to reach, asked who shot him, but he was only able to clinch his hands and mumble a few unintelligible words before succumbing.
...Lee VanSyckle, a neighbor a block east, saw 2 men abt. 10:30pm, walk towards the Louvring house (through the corn fields to the north) but was not able to give a description.
...Lee heard the shot, stepped outside, but did not notice anyone leaving the Louvring garage or yard area.
...Sheriff Nehring was called & after an initial investigation, minutes after the murder called Park A. Findley of the IA.St.Dept of Investigation.
...Findley assigned St.Agents A..A. Robertson, former Fay.Co.IA Sheriff & W.H. Zelinsky to work the case, assisted by Deputy Sheriff C.C. Riley of Polk.Co.IA, who came to the scene with 3 bloodhounds on Sunday morning.
...The dogs led from the scene northward to the Volga River just in back of the Lourving home, then followed a trail both ways along the south side of the river, then back towards town, ending at the Lourving garage (on the SW corner of Main/Water St's), which indicated that the murderer had been on foot following the crime (or before/after).
...A posse of Fayette citizens organized immediately to patrol the borders of town, river bottoms and outlying roads for the rest of the night. The only suspect arrested at the time satisfied officers he had no part in the shooting.
...The area of the Louvring home was roped off to keep officers and area free of the gathering crowd and to prevent clues from being destroyed.
...Sunday, the day after the murder, Paul Doland 20y, a neighbor of Louvring was arrested for questioning, and was still being held Monday, but without charges. Doland's arrest resulted from a fight with Louvring, where Nels was badly beaten in a local cafe on 1932Dec08. Paul Doland and father John were charged with assault & battery with intent to commit great bodily injury by the Fay.Co.IA Grand Jury.
...As of Monday, investigators were still in Fayette, but no additional clues had been discovered or arrests made.

1933Aug01, Waterllo.IA paper, Mystery Clouds Fayette Killing of Nels Louvering.
...Officers switch to belief murder one to hid identity of holdup man.
...The investigation has continued for three days with little to show from the unremitting work of county officers and state agents.
...Louvering, found dying near the door into his kitchen from the rear yard, had been shot in the chest, presumably by someone that had lain in wait in the shrubbery until he alighted from his auto near the garage.
...Footprints and auto keys were on the ground and other indications of a struggle lead officers to believe what was intended merely for robbery became murder when Louvering recognized his assailant.
...None of the $400 carried by Nels and spilled from a cigar box on the kitchen floor when he fell, was missing.
...The funeral was conducted at the M.E. church Tuesday afternoon.
...An autopsy was performed on the body Monday night by Coroner Edwin Walsh, to make a matter of record the manner of Nels' death for use in prosecuting the killer when caught.
...Paul Dolan, who with his father John Dolan is under justice court transcript to the grand jury as result of a fight between them and Louvering several weeks ago, is still in custocy, apparently by his own consent.
...It is the opinion here that officers are holding Dolan in custody to screen their investigation of someone else.
...Bill Alley, was charged with liquor nuisance when officers investigating the murder found a still at his place, also has been shown to have possessed a .38 cal automatic, but he has given officers names of two Westgate men with whom he and others were swimming Sat. night. The Westgate men, on questioning support his alibi.
...The Volga River was dragged Tues in hope of locating the murderer's gun.
...Louvering came to Fayette about 20yrs ago from Oelwein and before that lived in Cedar Falls. He came from Denmark about 30yrs ago.
...Survivors are: Widow Amy, s/dau & husb Mrs. Harvey Guyer, s/son Orville Brimmer.
...Mrs. Guyer, who found the body of her step/father returned that Sat night from a vacation trip. It was because of her dau's arrival that Mrs. Louvering was not with her husband Sat evening, as she always road home from the station with him.

1933Aug02, Waterloo.IA paper, Fayette Murder Clues Continue to Elude Probe.
...John Dolan fought with Louvering some months ago and Louvering caused charges of assault to do great bodily injury to be placed against both John and Paul Dolan, who are under bond from justice court for grand jury action.
...This previous trouble and the fact Paul Dolan was absent from home Sat. night caused him to be held. He claims to have been in Oelwein at a private dance. His claim is supported by statements is supported by several who were at the party, but officers do not regard that alibi as airtight.
...Revenge, the first motive to be considered by officers, still has its place in their theories. Besides Dolan, it is said there are others who had had trouble with Louvering.
...Officers have been fold a man was sent to the penitentiary nearly 20yrs ago for a 20yr term because of Louvering's testimony. They have not yet proved that story adn do not have the supposed prisoner's name or other facts. If this story is true, it might be that the convict is at liberty and had sought out his former enemy.
...Dolan has not been booked at all, the time under which he might legally be held without that formality has expired. His friends say he is remaining in jail voluntarily knowing he is innocent. No effort to engage counsel for him has been made.
...A large congregation attended the funeral, to include family, friends and many drawn by curiosity.
...Efforts to locate a brother, supposed to be in Oklahoma, have failed as yet. It is said that Louvering learned his brother's whereabouts only recently and that a letter he sent to the address given him had been returned unclaimed.

1933Aug03, Oelwein.IA, Murder of Nels Louvering At Fayette.IA
...Fayette residents were stirred Sunday morning to learn Nels Louvering was murdered Sat. evening (2013Jul29, about 11:30pm at the back door of his home.
...Family members found Nels at the back door of his home, following a shot heard by a number in the vicinity.
...Nels was shot once, the bullet entering the body on the left side, a little above the waist, exiting the right side near the shoulder.
...There was a bullet hole in the garage door that indicates the killer was on the ground, near where Nels passed by going from the garage to the house after parking his car.
...Nels' wife Amy; her dau Irene& husb. Harvey Guyer & their son Charles Guyer visiting from the western part of Iowa were and upstairs at the time.
...The entire family has been at the filling station (Nel's Dixie Oil Co, SE corner Main/Water) in the evening until they left about 10:30pm for the Louvring home in Westfield, the western section of Fayette.
...Nels left the filling station alone for home, about 11:30pm. He left the car about half way in the garage with the motor off.
...A shot was heard by the family. when Nels did not appear they went to look and found Nels crumbled at the back/kitchen door.
...Dr. F.L. Baker was called, as was coroner Dr. W.E. Walsh, and Sheriff H.J. Nehring.
...A.A. Robertson (former Fay.Co.IA Sheriff, working at the State level in 1933) arrived 6am Sunday morning to work the case.
...Nels, 55y, was born in Denmark.
...His mother died when he was young.
...Father brought Nels14y to America, left with an uncle, who put him to work tiling wetland.
...Shortly Nels ran way and went to Sea
...Conscripted into the Danish Army, age 19, in 1901.
...Came back to America (1904) and on to Wisconsin to join his father.
...Thought to have been in America abt. 30yrs, and near this vicinity abt.20yrs, having worked at Cedar Falls & Oelwein (as a tiler), before coming to Fayette.
...After coming to Fayette he married Mrs. Amy Bailey Brimmer, which survives Nels, as do three step-children, Orville Brimmer of Oelwein, Mrs. Irene Guyer of Fayette and Mrs. Iva Solomon of Indiana.
...For a time Nels followed his occupation of tiling wetland, then became interested in cars.
...For a time he bought used cars and operated the sale of used parts.
...Later Nels added a filling station to his occupation and a store at the SW corner of Main and Water Streets.
...No robbery was committed in connection with the shooting, as the money box with the days receipts (cash) were in his hand and scattered on the floor (kitchen) when the body was found.
...No funeral arrangements have been made at this time.

1933Aug03, In County Jail, Arlington paper.
...Paul Doland is in the County Jail, held as a possible suspect in connection with the murder of Nels Louvring, a service station proprietor of Fayette.
...Doland and Louvring had trouble during the winter months (Dec1932), which resulted in Doland being held to the Grand Jury on a charge of assault with the intent to do great bodily injury.
...Nels received a bad injury to his head at that time as a result of a fistic encounter.
...There is no definite information who the killer might be.
...Two State Agents are assisting the Sheriff in making every effort to capture the murderer.

1933Aug03, FayetteIA paper, Freed in Fayette Killing, Paul Doland, 25,
...Claim of having been away at time of shooting checked.
...Was held for questioning in the slaying of Nels Louvring, 52, filling station operator, on Sat night, 1933Jul29.
...Doland was released Wed after authorities checked his alibi that he had been in Oelwein & Maynard at the time of the shooting, which had been verified.
...Doland is under bond pending grand jury action on a charge of assault with intent to do great bodily injury filed against him last spring in connection with the fight with Louvring.
...Louvring received a bad injury to his head as a result of a fistic encounter.
...Note: by 1936, Paul/John Doland had taken a lie detector test, which did not register against them.

1933Aug03, Elgin.IA paper, Service Station owner Shot.
...Nels Louvering, Fayette service station owner was shot in the chest and killed Sat. night at 11pm at his home.
...He returned from the station for the night when he was shot from ambush.
...It is supposed his assailant had hidden behind some bushed and shot him as he walked along the garage.
...Nels was able to reach the kitchen door, about 15ft away, before he died.
...He still held onto a cigar box with the day's cash receipts when he fell at the kitchen door.
...Sheriff H.J. Nehring and State Agents Robertson and Zelensky have been working the case for so far no very definite clues have been uncovered.
...One young man, Paul Doland of Fayette is being held but has not been charged. Doland claims an alibi and says he has witnesses to prove he was in Oelwein and Maynard until 3am Sunday morning.
...Des Moines bloodhounds were brought to the scene but they failed to trail the killer.

1933Aug03, Oelwein.IA paper, Mrs. Nels Louvering Visits Oelwein.
...Mr. Amy (Nels) Louvering was in Oelwein today (Thur) and talked freely about the tragedy that occurred (5 days ago, when her husband Nels was murdered).
...She says here late husband had no enemies that she knew of except the Dolans who is under arrest just now for investigation. He seems to have an alibi which if proven shows he could not have been the guilty party. It is also said by those who know him that he is not of the makeup to lie in wait and shot a man from ambush.
...So the tragedy is still a mystery.
...Mrs. Louvering says there are foot prints near the scene of the shooting that have been well preserved and she hopes they will have something to do with identifying the burder.
...She says her husband was always active fro the welfare of his community and was constantly working for the town, taking special delight in providing entertainment for the youth of Fayette. Mrs. Louvering was buried yesterday in Fayette.

1933Aug03, Sumner.IA paper, Officers Unable to Solve Murder.
...Deep mystery surrounds the murder of Nels Louvering, 55, which occurred about 11:35pm, Sat. night near his home in Fayette.
...Nels had just closed his filling station and driven his car into his home garage when he was killed.
...The bullet, found later, entered his back and came out through his chest.
...Motive of robbery has been eliminated because Louvering's receipts were found scattered about the kitchen near where he fell.
...Paul Dolan of Fayette, who is said to have a serious altercation with Louvering some time ago si in custody by his own consent. It is the opinion that officers are holding Dolan to screen their investigation of someone else.
...A posse of 50 men was formed Sun. morning and two state agents joined Fayette county officers in the hunt.
...In connection with the investigation Dolan claims he was at the Tom Boleyn home in Oelwein from 9:30pm Sat until 2:30am Sun.
...The bullet found in the garage door established the shot was fired near that point/location. Louvering managed to reach the kitchen door, falling as he entered the door. The contents of the cigar box, the day's receipts from the filling station, were scattered over the kitchen floor and amounted to abut $365.
...The state agents arrived with bloodhounds Sun morning. The hounds picked up a trail at the rear of Louvering's home and followed it about 1 1/2 miles along the river where the scent was lost.
...The cordon of officers thrown around the Louvering home Sun. morning was withdrawn Monday.

1933Aug09, Oelwein.IA. Nels Louvring Obit:
...Funeral services for Nels Louvring were held Tues afternoon, Aug 1, at the M.E. Church in Fayette.
...Born Dallerup, Sogen.Co.Denmark on Jun 17, 1882.
...Son of Peter Nelson & Inger Marie Louvring.
...Mother passed when young.
...Later widowed father came to America.
...Nels (age14) left in with uncle who trained him as a farm boy and in tiling work.
...Later he spend one year in the navy and two years in the Danish Army before coming to join his father in 1900 (There are errors in this statement; review the Des.Moines.Reg notes regarding Nels experience with Army. He deserted to America in 1904.)
...Nels spent a year in NY state, then (about 1905), then about 4 months in a Wisconsin timber camp (apparently joined his father).
...Nels came from WI to Waterloo/Cedar.Falls.IA (about 1906), where he engaged in the tiling business.
...By 1910 Nels moved to Oelwein to carry on the same tiling work.
...Nels married Mrs. Amy Bailey Whiting (Amy divorced Edron Brimmer 1907-1908, if if Amy was a Whiting, Amy may have been remarried after divorce from Edron Brimmer? bz/2013), Oct 1911 at Minneapolis, and they came to Fayette (where she grew up) to make their home until present.
...For some years he continued in the tiling work and then became interested in cars. He started selling second hand parts. Later he added the filling station business and garage work, for a period of years had carried business on Main.St.
...Burial was make in Grandview Cem. There was a large attendance at the church and at the cemetery.

1933Aug10, Sumner.IA, Coroner Opens Probe Over Murder of Nels Louvering
...Murder of Nels Louvering, 55, filling station proprietor at Fayette, who was found slumped across the thresh hold of his kitchen Sat. night, July 29th, is as far from solution as when the murdered man was found.
...Coroner's inquest was started Tues. morning by Coroner W.E. Walsh of Hawkeye.
...Among those called to testify were Mrs. Nels (Amy) Lovering, widow of the man who was shot to death.
...Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Guyer, his wife's son/law and daughter, of Fayette.
...Mr. & Mrs. Orville Brimmer, stepson and step-dau/law of the dead man, visiting from Oelwein.
...Len/Lea Van Sicklae/VanSickle and Mrs. John Bailey, neighbors.
...Ever since the news of the murder gained wide circulation thee has been a maze of stories, theories and conjectures all flying thick and fast.
...Robbery is accepted more generally as the motive for the deed.
...It is thought the unknown killer attempted to obtain the day's receipts/cash and when Louvering resisted, fired the fatal shot, but fled before obtaining his purpose.

1933Aug17, Waterloo.IA, Louvering Probe Still in Session
...The Coroner's Inquiry into the murder of Nels Lourvering, Fayette filling station operator remains in session after more than a week of investigation.
...Louvering was shot as he was putting his auto in the garage at home the night of July 29, falling dead after entering the rear door of his home.
...One suspect was held several days, then released.

Summary by Nancy.Bowers, 2012, of Nels Louvring, Fayette.IA, cold case murder (Sat 11pm 1933Jul31, Westfield village plat),
http://www.iowaunsolvedmurders.com/the-murders/butter-and-egg-day-murder-of-nels-louvring-1933/
...In 1933, Saturday evenings in Fayette, Iowa, were the biggest day of the week when many local farmers came to town, to the delight of local merchants like 51-year-old Danish immigrant Nels Louvring, who owned a service station on the SW corner of Main & Water St’s, in combination with an auto junk yard and used parts business.
...On the last weekend in July of 1933, Nels and his wife Amy were entertaining Amy’s daughter by a first marriage Irene Brimmer Guyer, and her husband Harvey and son Charles.
...The Guyer family and Amy Louvring spent most of Saturday night at Nels’s filling station, visiting and watching the crowds on Main Street. The family left about 10:30pm for the Louvring residence at 315 Water.St.
...About 11:00 p.m., downtown activity had subsided and Nels Louvring put his cash receipts in a cigar box, closed up the filling station and started for home.
...Several other business owners closing up about that time saw Louvring driving west; he was alone.
...Not long afterwards, Amy Louvring heard Nels’s car stop in the driveway and heard the back door slam. Then there was no other sound.
...When wife Amy went to investigate, she found Nels collapsed over the threshold of the kitchen door. He still clutched his cigar box, but paper money and coins — $365 in total — were scattered over the floor.
...Louvring’s car, as usual, was parked in the garage.
...Amy Louvring and the Guyers quickly called Fayette County Sheriff Henry J. Nehring.
...Nehring summoned to the scene local physician Dr. F.L. Baker and Fayette County Coroner Dr. W.E. Walsh.
...Dr. Walsh ruled that Nels Louvring died of a gunshot wound to the chest.
...A single bullet entered the body on the left side a little above the waist and exited on the right side near the shoulder.
...Levi Van Sickle, who lived across the street, told Sheriff Nehring he heard one gunshot about 11:00.
...Sheriff Nehring quickly gathered a posse of 50 men to form what he termed a “drag net” to pull in possible suspects.
...No one, including Amy Louvring and the Guyers, heard any car but Nels’s, so it was assumed the shooter fled on foot.
...Sheriff Nehring was certain that the trail of the shooter could be picked up by bloodhounds. After several thwarted attempts to obtain them from nearby jurisdictions, Nehring called the Iowa Bureau of Criminal Investigation, which dispatched bloodhounds and state agents, including former Fayette County Sheriff A.A. Robertson, to Fayette.
...Agent Robertson arrived at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, 7hrs after the shooting, and worked the crime scene all day.
...The dogs picked up a scent behind (north, toward the Volga River) the Louvring home and followed it for a mile-and-a-half along the nearby Volga River before the trail went cold.
...The posse was called in on Monday when no suspects were found.
...Although the killer of Nels Louvring was not located, the Sheriff found an illegal still at the home of local resident Bill Alley, who was arrested.
...Fayette citizens gossiped incessantly about the murder.
...Sumner Gazette: “Ever since the news of the murder gained wide circulation there has been a maze of stories, theories and conjectures all flying thick and fast.”
...Some speculations were based on widespread knowledge that Louvring had a deep distrust of banks and often carried large amounts of money. That would make the motive robbery, although a botched one, as none of his money was missing.
...Although initial theories were that Louvring was accosted between his business and his home and shot during an unsuccessful robbery, he was too badly wounded to drive a car a-quarter-of-a mile, park it in the garage, and walk into the house before dying.
...Sheriff Nehring believed Louvring was ambushed as he got out of his vehicle, a view borne out when a shell (case) was found on the garage floor. And then a .38 caliber bullet from an automatic weapon was discovered in the wooden door, where it lodged after passing through Louvring’s body.
...The location of the bullet and the path it took through the victim’s body indicated Louvring was shot by someone crouching near the garage in wait for him.
...There were also rumors that the shooting was personal. During the previous winter, John Dolan (Doland) and his 20-year-old son Paul Dolan (Doland) had started a fist fight with Nels Louvring at a local café. In April of 1933, a grand jury indicted the Dolans (Doland's) on a charge of assaulting Louvring with intent to do great bodily harm.
...Suspicion particularly fell on Paul Dolan and the idea that he sought revenge or wanted to silence Louvring, who would be the principal witness at trial.
...Paul Dolan, however, established that he was visiting friends in Maynard and then went to Oelwein, where witnesses put him until 3:00 a.m. on Sunday, long after Louvring’s shooting.
...Waterloo Courier: of Paul Dolan, “Those who know him say he has a quick and violent temper but is not the cold brooding type and not of the temperament to lie in wait to murder as did the killer.”
...Ultimately, there were no answers. The person who shot Nels Louvring — whether in a botched robbery or a successful settling of a score — has never been brought to justice.
....Fayette County citizens were unsettled not only by the Louvring murder, but also because it was the second one of the year.
...On January 4, 1933, 77-year-old wealthy farmer Ashley Downing was found murdered in his home in Fayette County’s Fremont Township. Both men had been shot during what might have been robberies.
...Local residents wanted answers and to feel secure in their own homes. They pushed hard on Sheriff Henry J. Nehring and other authorities to solve both homicides.
...However, no one was charged and convicted in either the Downing or the Louvring murders. Click here to read about the unsolved murder of Ashley Downing.
...Nels Petersen Louvring was born in Denmark on June 17, 1882 (see the burials & tree on this page for more genealogy info).
...When Nels was a small child, his mother died. In 1896, when he was 14, his father brought him to America and left him with an uncle. Over the next few years, he learned the tiling business, an important skill necessary to drain Iowa wetlands for agricultural production.
...One obituary said he then “went to sea” and at the age of 19 was taken into the Danish army. After that, he returned to America and joined his father in Wisconsin and became an American citizen in 1904.
...Louvring lived in Cedar Falls and Oelwein before settling in Fayette County. In the 1910 census, he lived in Jefferson Township and boarded at the Charles and Katherine Smith home while working as a tiler.
...Not long after that, Nels moved to Fayette where he met and married widow (divorcee) Amy Etna Bailey Brimmer (Amy's first husb. Edson Brimmer was also tiling so likely the connection between Nels & Amy resulted from the tiling work of Edson & Nels, bz/2013).
...Amy & Nels had no children of their own, but Nels regarded Amy’s three as his own (Iva Mary, Orville E, Irene L.).
...Nels became interested in cars, which led to a business of buying used cars and selling parts. When he registered for the WWI draft, he was designated a self-employed “junk dealer.”
...He added the filling station later, but listed his primary occupation in the U.S. Census 1930 as “automobile wrecker.”
...Funeral services for Nels P. Louvring were held on August 2 at the Fayette Methodist Episcopal Church and were officiated by Rev. Virgil Welch of the Upper Iowa University faculty and by Dr. Cluley C. Hall of Maynard. He was buried in Grandview Cemetery in Fayette County.
...Louvring was survived by his wife Amy and his stepchildren Irene Brimmer Guyer and Orville Brimmer, as well as grandchildren.

1935Sep28, Sumner.IA.
...In the Nels Louvring murder case the lie detector was used on two Fayette men who were intensely nervous because they feared that their known enmity toward the murdered man would make trouble for them; but though they shook with fear the lie detector did not register its accusation of falsehood against them.

1935Oct01, Oelwein.IA, Try to Locate an Old Revolver
...Three men taken to West Union for investigation by the Sheriff.
...Considerable excitement has been created about Oelwein with the rumor that the murder of Nels Levering that occurred in Fayette some two years ago had been located in Oelwein.
...Investigation shows that three men, Tom & Kenneth Bolan (Boleyn) and a Mr. Lockhart (Hugh Lockard) has been taken to West Union for investigation about a gun one of the had once had. They will probably be released today and return home.
...The story is that an old revolver was found at Fayette and came into the possession of Tom Bolan (Thomas Boleyn). Tom Boleyn made an effort to sell it, claiming it was the gun that killed (Nels) Levering (Louvring).
...When the sheriff quizzed him (Tom Bolan), he said he had thrown the gun away and did not know where it was.
...A search was made for the gun, but with no results. Then these men were taken to West Union for further investigation in an effort to locate the gun, as it was though the gun might lead to the perpetrator of the murder.

1935Oct04, Oelwein.IA, Louvering Murder Being Reopened,
...Authorities looking for murderer from new clues recently secured.
...Following out story in these columns a few days ago, we noted that further activity is being developed in the effort to locate the murderer of Nels L. Leuvering that occurred at Fayette (11pm, Sat, 1933Jul29) a few years ago.
...A story is sent out from Fayette in their press as follows:
...Investigation into the murder of Nels Louvering, Fayette filling station proprietor, which as remained a mystery since he was shot in the backyard of his home here, two years ago, has been reopened, it was revealed here Thurs.
...A bizarre set of circumstances involving the finding of a revolver in a deserted cabin in the timber east of here (Lima area) by two Oelwein young men is responsible for reopening of the case officials said.
...The tale was circulated here recently that Hugh Lockard and Tom Boleyn had found the gun in the cabin and that the story was being told it was the gun that was used to kill Nels Louvering.
...The story reached the ears of Sherriff H.J. Nehring, and after a vain effort to locate the gun, he picked up Lockard and Boleyn, and took them to West Union for questioning.
...They told the Sheriff it was Lockard and a third member of the Boleyn family, George, that found the gun while hunting mushrooms in the timber near Lima, five miles east of Fayette, last spring.
...They were unable to positively identify the calibre of the gun but thought it was a .38.
...The gun used in the shooting of Nels was described from the bullet as a .38 special by ballistic experts. (Note: if the ballistic experts positively identified the cal as .38 special, that means a revolver was used and not an automatic pistol. bz/2013)
...They told Nehring the gun was rusted considerably and needed some repairs, and because they were unable to repair it that Tom Boleyn threw it along with some other discarded articles into the Oelwein city dump about six weeks ago.
...The men were released and the Sheriff said a search would be made of the dump in an effort to locate the weapon.
...There was nothing tangible in the questioning to connect the revolver with the Louvering murder, but if found it would be taken with the murder bullet to an expert for comparison.
...The Sheriff also disclosed he had picked up another revolver for investigation, a regular .38 different from a .38 special, and would be checked with the bullet by ballistics men. HE would not say where he obtained the gun which shows plainly by the difference in rust marking that it has lain for some time with one side protected and the other exposed to moisture.

1935Oct11, Oelwein.IA, Oelwein Dump may hold answer to murder mystery of Nels Louvring
...Recent developments in the Louvering murder case area at a standstill.
...Authorities are searching the Oelwein city dump for a .38 revolver responsible for interest in the new angle of the unsolved shooting mystery in Fayette in 1933.
...They are searching in the dump for a gun found by George and Tom Boleyn and Hugh Lockard while hunting mushrooms near Lima last spring (1934).
...The mystery placed on the subsequent disposal of the gun by the stories told by George & Tom Boleyn and Hugh Lockard upon their being questions by Sheriff H.J. Nehring is the cause for the determination to find the gun.
...If and when it is dug out of the dump it will be sent with the bullet that caused the death of Nels Louvering to ballistic experts who will determine whether the fatal bullet was fired form the .38 being sought.
...In the event that it was, the case will start from that point. Both the gun and bullet will be in the hands of authorities and at leas a partial sequence of ownership and possession known.

1936Apr09, Oelwein.IA, Lovering Murder, New Clue,
...Eddie Meyers, , alias 'Ed' and other names, was arrested at Parson.KS, with an associate.
...They were taken to St.Paul.MN, for questioning regarding to freight car robberies.
...In the past couple of years, some information from 'the underworld net' of men gathered/caught by the RR detectives referred to a man being killed for the purpose of robbery at Fayette.IA, on 1933Jun29. Although the Louvring murder was Jul29, authentic reference to the Louvring case indicated actual knowledge of the murder by someone in transient criminal circles.
...Information was sent to Fayette.Co.IA. Sheriff H.J. Nehring & Co. Attorney Edgar A. Traeger went to interview them.
...Meyers admitted operating in Iowa in 1933, but claimed he could remember if he was at Fayette or not, and said that he never killed a man.
...Nothing further could be done with Meyers, as the RR had not disposed of their case.

1936Jun13, Oelwein.IA paper, O.F. Sewell has purchased the Louvring filling station at Fayette, and will take possession in the near future.

1938Oct11, Oelwein.IA paper, Mr/Mrs Charles Solomon & two sons of Hammond.IN came for a visit with her mother in Fayette, Mrs. Amy (Nels) Louvering, and sister/husb Mr/Mrs Harvey Guyer, plus relatives (Brimmer brother) in Oelwein

1941Nov06, Fayette.IA paper, Albert Bailey arrived home from Hines.IL, where he was a patient in the Vet's Hosp for over two months. He is somewhat improved. Mr/Mrs Charles Solomon of near Chicago drove back with him and are visiting with her mother Amy (sis. of Albert) and sister in the Louvering-Buyer home (in Westfield), and with relatives in Oelwein (brother).

1945Nov08, Fayette.IA paper, Four generations were present at a gathering at the home of Mrs. Amy Louvering. Her dau & s/law, Mr/Mrs Charles Solomon, their dau, Mrs. Margie Sestrich and her dau. Margie Jean, all of Hammond.IN. Also a grandson, Charles Solomon, just out of the Navy.

1946Apr13, Oelwein.IA paper, S/Sgt. Harry Solomon of Hammond was a visitor in Oelwein, and not is visiting Mrs. Amy Louvering (grandmother) in Fayette.

1947Apr03, Fayette.IA paper, Charles Guyer of Waterloo visited his grandmother Mrs. Amy Louvering.

1951Aug16, Fayette.IA paper, Mrs. Amy Lovering and g/dau Maxin returned from Waterloo.

1959Sep23, Oelwein.IA paper, Mrs. Amy Louvering from Fayette, has been cared for recently in Waterloo, is now at the Johnson nursing home in Fayette for an indefinite time.

1960Sep27, Oelwein.IA paper, Fayette, Mrs. Amy Lovering who has been cared for in the Johnson Nursing Home for some time is nowat the Fayette County Hospital (Fayette County Home, sec 6, Westfield.Twp).

1961Jul06, For sale, Two bedroom home, barn, on west Water.St, Call Attorney John.Hofmeyer, guardian of Amy Louvering. (Amy is in the County Home at this time).

1962Feb20, Oelwein.IA paper, Rites for Mrs. Amy Louvering, 78, of Fayette, will be 2pm, Thus, at Belles Wright Funeral Home in Fayette, with burial at Grandview.Cem. She died at Fayette County Home on Monday, Feb 19, 1962. She is survived by two dau's, Mrs. John McCabe of Waterloo and Mrs. Geo. Willis of Highland.IN, one brother Albert Bailey of Fayette, 8 g/ch, 17 gg/ch. She was a life long resident and housewife in Fayette.

1962Mar02, Fayette.IA paper, Out of town people attending the funeral of Mrs. Amy Louvering were: Mrs. Russell Seftreide and Mrs. Goerge Wells of Hammond.IN; Mr/Mrs John McCabe, Charles Guyer, Mr/Mrs Jim Confin of Waterloo; Mrs. Durette Bremer/Brimmer and Mrs. Donald Draft of Oelwein; Mr/Mrs Doyle Nefzger of West.Union.

1962Mar18, Fayette.IA. Obit: Amy nee Bailey Brimmer Louvring, 78.
...Any Etna Louvring, 78, passed away Monday, Feb 19, 1962, 12noon.
...Born Jan 15, 1884 in Fayette.Co.IA.
...Dau of Joseph and Nancy Belle Bailey.
...Grew up in Fayette and went to school there.
...Married Edison/Edson Brimmer who passes away 27yrs ago (error, divorced, Edson remarried, hand numerous children, lived in Independence.IA. Edson was a tiler and likely either worked with Nels Louvring, which would be the connection to Amy Bailey, bz/2013).
...Amy married Nels Louvring in 1909 (error, Oct 1911), who died Jul 29, 1933.
...She is survived by two dau's, eight grandchildren, 17 grand children, one brother Albert Bailey of Fayette.IA.
...She was preceded in death by parents, two sisters and two brother.
...Burial in Grandview beside her husband Nels.

Fayette.IA as it looked when the
Nels Louvring Filling Station, 'Dixie Oil Company,'
was operating on the SW corner of Main/Water.

SW corner of Water/Main
1926, Nels Louvring's Dixie Oil Company (filling station).
1933, Nels Louvring murdered after work (in Westfield village plat).
1936, O.F. Sewell's Service Station & Plymouth Garage.
1940, Farm Service Filling Station, Sewell's operated.
1945, Lyons' Cleaners.
1947, D & W Midwest Cleaners, M.E. Deaton & Lester Wilder.
1949, University Cleaners, Harry & Marion Skipton (from Clarion.IA)
1960, University Cleaners, Lyle & Lillian Robb (from Des.Moines)

Do not trust as totally valid any tree/report data. Often World Connect or Ancestry trees/data were utilized as a foundation upon which to add material gleamed from obits, articles, histories, biographies, stories, burials, censuses and other data collected. My primary interest is generally the pioneer history and includes linking village and neighborhood surnames together for several of the early generations. Family connections, locations and other data may have to be speculated in order to continue a complex series of inter-related projects. My web pages are primarily personal study projects for note keeping, but can also jump start others. I have a huge number of projects started and rarely return to edit/update material unless interest is rekindled. Any web pages online are usually linked off the 'Index Page.' Numerous projects are not put on web pages but are in draft form or in the form of photo albums on the 'Photo Hosting Site.' I may have material for research use in storage, plus will/can upload other people's material if appropriate.

Louvring	Amy Etna	Bailey	Louvring Nels Pedersen 1882/Dallerup, Sogen.Co.Denmark-murdered1933, shot in yard Lots 7-8, Bk 2, Westfield add, Fayette.IA, 2nd husb abt1911; 1st husb 1899, Edson Willard Brimmer 1877/WI-1935/Independence.IA, div abt 1908.	Jan 15, 1884	Feb 19, 1962	Grandview	Fayette	Sec E, Lot 167. Dau of Joseph Bailey 1838/IL-1909/Fayette.IA & Nancy Bell Rickets 1849/IL-1920/Fayette.IA. Ch with Edson Brimmer: Iva Mae1899, Orvile Eugene1901, IreneL1907. Ch with Nels Louvring: none. Remained in Westfield village plat home after husb. was murdered. Siblings: Minnie Agnes1868, JohnM1875, George1877, Matie1882, Albert1887.
Louvring	Nels Pedersen	Louvring	Bailey Amy Etan 1884/Westfield.Twp-1962/Fayette.IA, 2nd wf m.Oct1911; 1st wf m.Jan1903, Inger Mary Unknown, ?/Denmark-?/Denmark, div.Apr1910.	17 Jun 1882	29 Jul 1933	Grandview	Fayette	Sec E, Lot 167. Murdered (cold case). Need parents. Immigrated 1904. Went to sea 1901; 1902 found/inducted by Denmark Army; 1903 married in Denmark, had dau; 1904 conflict with officer, deserted army back to sea & to America. Wife Inger would not join in America; 1910, Nels granted divorce in Bk.Hawk.Co.IA; bef 1911 tiler at Cedar.Falls & Oelwein; 1911 remarried Amy nee Bailey who had divorced a tiler from Independence, Edson Brimmer; Nels & Edron/Amy likely met due to tile work; aft 1911 Louvring's lifed on Water.St in Fayette.IA; 1917 Nels & Amy bought Lots 7-8, Bk 2, Westfield add. Ch with Inger Mary: dau Inger (wf & dau never came to America). No children with 2nd wf Amy, but raised her three Brimmer children in Fayette. Worked tiling wetland through early 1920's; eventually opened auto salvage before 1920 & aft Dixie Oil Co filling station on SW corner Main/Water St's in Fayette. Shot/killed upon arriving home from work, 11pm/Sat/1933JUl29. Lived just east of Klock's Island, north side of road, Lots 7 & 8, Bk 2 of Westfield village plat.