Hub City Times

Top Menu

  • Contact Us
  • E-Editions
  • Subscribe

Main Menu

  • Home
  • News
    • Around the County
    • Arts & Ent
    • Education
    • Government
    • Local
    • Police / Sheriff Calls
  • Covid 19
  • Opinion
  • Sports
    • Sports News
    • High School Sports Scores
    • Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
  • Coming Events
  • Business
  • Obits
  • Classifieds
  • Military Photos
  • Contact Us
  • E-Editions
  • Subscribe

logo

Hub City Times

  • Home
  • News
    • Around the County
    • Arts & Ent
    • Education
    • Government
    • Local
    • Police / Sheriff Calls
  • Covid 19
  • Opinion
  • Sports
    • Sports News
    • High School Sports Scores
    • Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
  • Coming Events
  • Business
  • Obits
  • Classifieds
  • Military Photos
History
Home›History›Marshfield, May 1903: Bitter relationship turns deadly

Marshfield, May 1903: Bitter relationship turns deadly

By Hub City Times
May 31, 2015
853
0
Share:

The lethal marriage of Matt and Frances Grossbier


Leonhardt

Leonhardt

By Kris Leonhardt

Featured Columnist

As Judge William Hirth prepared to make his way to the Marshfield opera house that Tuesday afternoon in 1903, his thoughts led him back to the day he married a young couple just five years prior. Frances had been in a previous marriage to a gentleman that worked with the railroad. Both born in Eaton in Manitowoc County and coming from German heritage, they seemed a most likely pair. However, during the months leading up to that moment, the couple appeared more and more like two individuals that were toxic in each other’s company.

After their marriage in 1898, Matt and Frances Grossbier took up residence in Marshfield and settled in a home to begin raising a family. As the couple began their first years together, jealousy and violence began to trickle into the relationship, and tempers began to flare.

By April of 1903, the two had had enough of the rocky marriage and separated. Living on North Central Avenue at the time, it was decided that Frances would stay at their home while Matt would take up boarding elsewhere.

On an early Monday afternoon that May, shots rang out in the Sixth Ward. The sound of a woman screaming drew passersby to the Grossbier home, where Matt Grossbier lay dead. The bullet from a 32-caliber revolver, which Frances kept for protection, had passed through the top side of his heart, causing him to immediately succumb. The weapon had been fired at close range, and a folding knife had been found close by.

In the 24 hours since tragedy, it had been Judge Hirth’s duty as Wood County Justice of the Peace to assemble a coroner’s jury. As Frances and many witnesses of the relationship and aftermath were questioned, the two days that led up to the shooting came into focus.

That previous Sunday, Mr. Grossbier had showed up to a community picnic in the company of another woman. In response Mrs. Grossbier became enraged, went to Mr. Grossbier’s place of residence, and destroyed some valuable property. In retaliation Mr. Grossbier forced open the rear entrance of Mrs. Grossbier’s home in an effort to surprise her, and surprise her he did.

At the opera house, Judge Hirth — along with Wisconsin District Attorney Brazeau and Judge E.C. Pors — would lead a preliminary inquiry with Brazeau representing the State and Pors representing Mrs. Grossbier.

After several hours of deliberation, it was determined in a majority verdict that Frances had acted in self-defense, and she was released from custody.

Frances later remarried.

TagsFeaturedFrances GrossbierhistoryJudge William Hirthkris leonhardtmarshfield historyMatt Grossbiershooting
Previous Article

UW-Madison Marching Band entertains at fairgrounds

Next Article

Scary new experiences

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • EducationHistory

    Marshfield, September 1887

    September 4, 2014
    By Hub City Times
  • Elks Exalted Ruler Adam Severt MAPS President Karen Rau volunteer Bridget Boehning donation
    Local

    Elks present MAPS with significant donation

    November 10, 2015
    By Hub City Times
  • Marshfield High School graduates Taylor Varsho, left, and Caitlin Michaelis faced each other twice this season as members of the University of Sioux Falls and University of Minnesota-Crookston women's basketball teams in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
    Sports

    Where are they now: Local athletes making mark on college level

    March 28, 2016
    By Hub City Times
  • Marshfield Police Department
    Local

    Weekly Police Blotter: Nov. 29 – Dec. 5, 2017

    December 5, 2017
    By Hub City Times
  • The Marshfield wrestling team celebrates its title at the WIAA Division 1 regional on Saturday at Merrill High School. The Tigers move on to the team sectional on Tuesday against Hudson at Stevens Point.
    Sports

    Marshfield wrestling rolls to WIAA Division 1 regional title, moves on to team sectional

    February 12, 2017
    By Hub City Times
  • MCPL events
    Health

    Stress relief techniques for caregivers at MCPL Spencer Branch

    May 15, 2018
    By Hub City Times

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

About Us


Hub City Times is published by Multi Media Channels LLC, N2919 County Road QQ Waupaca, WI 54981.

Timeline

  • February 25, 2021

    Marshfield man arrested on drug charges

  • February 24, 2021

    Marshfield aldermen schedule hearings regarding mayor complaint

  • February 23, 2021

    New arrest in Schauer death

  • February 22, 2021

    Hastreiter Industries: Working better together

  • February 21, 2021

    Barrett to mark 100 years on March 1

Find us on Facebook

Copyright © 2020 Multi Media Channels, All Rights Reserved. Designed by MMC Team Awesome
×