The Wolf Family Murders

So, I walked into my research on this one thinking that at worse I would have the issues that I often face doing a very, very old crime where dates and stories conflicted from read to read. I thought this case was pretty cut and dry... there was a mass murder, there was a perpetrator... the end. But thankfully for both you and I, I do not just stop at just a few things. I will dig and dig, sometimes to the point that I have to force myself to stop, this is just such a case.

This case happened in 1920 and is still considered to be the worse mass murder incident in North Dakota. It is also alleged that “this is believed to be the fastest administration of justice on record in any state” and I cannot be sure I disagree, at least from a legal sense. Whether justice was actually served is apparently up for debate. A book was released in 2010 called The Murder Family by Vernon Keel. I have checked my local library to see if I could manage to find this book and so far I have not had any luck. Apparently Keel is from the area where this crime took place and has done extensive research on this case. In fact, I read something in which he alleges an alternate suspect in this case but to be fair, without reading the book I have no idea how he came to this conclusion.

On April 24, 1920 a man by the name of John Kraft noticed that the same laundry had been hanging on the line at the Jacob Wolf Farm in Turtle Lake North Dakota for two days. Some reports say that as he headed to the house he heard a noise from the barn and so he went there first. Other reports say that John's wife was with him and they had heard a baby cry inside the home and went there first. Regardless of whether Kraft was alone, or in what order he went around the property what he found does not change.

Jacob Wolf was considered to be a well-known, fairly well-liked it seems and a prosperous farmer in the area. He lived with his wife, Beata (sometimes spelled Beatta) and their six daughters. It appears that not only did he own his farm but he owned another piece of land not far from the farm. In between his farm and the other land was a farm owned by a man named Joseph Meyer and just north of the other piece of land was a farm owned by Henry Layer. It would later be said that Jacob had told another friend a few weeks prior to April 22^nd that a “vengeful neighbor might do him harm” but the friend did not get the name of the neighbor, what the issue had been or even took it seriously.

So now, on April 24^th John Kraft was walking into a horror story. In the barn he would find the bodies of forty-one year old Jacob Wolf, his ten year old daughter Maria (also saw her name as Mary) and eight year old daughter Edna. They had apparently been shot and then covered by dirt and hay. Next he went into the house. It is not clear whether he went into the bedroom first where 8 month old Emma was found in her crib, alive or whether he looked down the cellar door and saw five more bodies. In the cellar was thirty-five year old Beatta, her daughters, thirteen year old Bertha, six year old Lydia and three year old Martha. Sprawled across them was the body of thirteen year old Jacob Hofer, often described as a farmhand. All but Martha, like those in the barn, had been shot. Martha had been killed with a hatchet.

It was said that the baby, Emma, was cold, weak and hungry when she was found. There also apparently was a rumor that she had seemed to be perfectly fine as if someone had been changing her and feeding her but apparently, Vernon Keel, who I mentioned earlier claims that he found no evidence of this. Emma was taken to a neighbor until her aunt, Christina Hofer, her mother's sister came and got her. Emma would be raised by Christina and her husband, Emanuel until about the eighth grade when the couple both began to have failing health. I will get more into her life story in a bit.

The sheriff was notified but because of the magnitude of the crime it was not feasible for him to investigate it alone so the chief of police from Bismarck was contacted. The problem was that the chief, who was apparently bringing in more investigators, could not arrive until the following day. Not only did the scene need to be secure until the others got there, but apparently protocol was that the bodies were not to be moved until the investigation was done. So that night the sheriff, along with three neighbors, all apparently related to Beatta stayed at the farm. One of the men was Emanuel Hofer. Not only was he married to Beatta's sister but Jacob Hofer, the farmhand, was his brothers son. The four men stayed the night keeping watch and as dawn was about to break the three neighbors decided to go to Hofer's farm and get breakfast. They agreed to bring breakfast and coffee back to the sheriff who continued to stand watch.

Not long after the men left the sheriff heard a car come up the road and stopped at the farmhouse. It is likely the sheriff was waiting to see what the man in the car was going to do before he exposed himself. The man got out and started looking through the windows of the house. That is when the sheriff made himself known. Initial indications in my research made it sound as if the sheriff did not know who the man was but that sees odd to me as the town was small and you would think he would have known everyone. The other reason I find this odd is because after getting the mans name, Henry Layer, when the other men returned later he asked if they had driven past Layer's farm on the way home. The theory became that Layer would have recognized Hofer's car and believing he, along with the others had left the scene it was safe for him to go there.

At any rate according to the sheriff over the next close to two hours he and Layer spoke but Layer never removed a hand from one of his pockets. Later it was said that Layer “kept pointing out obvious things to the sheriff.” After the other men returned and the sheriff had eaten the sheriff had taken Emanuel Hofer off to the side and confirmed his suspicion that he had driven by the Layer farm earlier that morning. Later Layer suggested that they go look for eggs in the barn, which considering the situation was described as “absurd” but the men decided to see where this went. One of the men went into the barn with Layer and while the man was in fact looking for eggs Layer suddenly yelled out that he had found some shotgun shells in some hay. Sure enough there were shotgun shells there but what the sheriff noticed most was that they were found in an area that had already been searched and that suddenly Layer's hand was no longer hidden in his pocket.

The Wolf Family family was laid to rest on April 28^th. There are pictures of their tombstones laying side by side, along with the one belonging to Jacob Hofer. Some reports say that Jacob's funeral was separate. A large stone was place that translated from German says “The Murdered Family.” In a row in front is an individual tombstone for each of the Wolf family members. Jacob Hofer is buried beside them. One of the reports I found said that at the funeral Henry Layer allegedly insisted each casket lid was raised so he could see their faces. I cannot say for certain this is true or whether it was done. It was also said that while Layer was at the funeral there were investigators at his farm searching and talking to his family.

A murder weapon was found near the farm in a slough but my research says that “tracing was unsuccessful” and “not even the manufacturer had a record of it.” The community of course was up in arms. They wanted to know who had committed this crime and they wanted it solved quickly. Rewards were offered and apparently two different men were arrested but I never found any names. It was only said that they were “false” arrests and the men were released. There was another incident where community members detained a young boy until investigators could arrive to which he too was released. At this point the state attorney apparently insisted there was to be no more arrests until there was absolute clear evidence. But, the eyes were still on Layer.

It was learned, or at the very least rumored, that Henry Layer and Jacob Wolf had at least one incident happen between them, although it could have been two. It was said that “livestock” belonging to Layer had trespassed on Wolf's land. I can only assume that this was the piece of land that he owned outside of his farm that was next to Layer's farm. This apparently did not go over well with one or both of them. Whether it was at this time, or possibly another time, it seems that one of Layers cows had been bitten by the Wolf's dog. Investigators came to believe that Layer was the neighbor that Wolf had spoken about to the friend prior to the murders.

Layer would be arrested. Now, a lot of the information says that arrest occurred on May 11^th, but a newspaper article I found said the 13^th. While I would normally believe the newspaper account as it occurred in that time period, I question that here. I found a calendar from May of 1920 and the 11^th is on a Tuesday. Knowing this and knowing things other articles stated, using days of the weeks, I do believe the 11^th is the correct date. To be fair, aside from rumor and suspicion, and despite the state attorney insisting on no arrests without evidence, I do not know what they had. A lot was made about the fact that he had gone to the farm early the morning after the crime had been discovered and his behavior then and some behaviors after. It appears that even Henry's wife, Lydia, had claimed he had been home all day on the day investigators believe the murders occur and she had detailed their activities. As I mentioned earlier the alleged murder weapon had been found but they could not link it to anyone. I saw a newspaper article that stated “blood soaked overalls concealed close to the five victims”(the ones in the cellar) were found but I cannot say anything more about them. Blood typing was available at that time, as well as the ability to take fingerprints but I found nothing that said the evidence against Henry Layer that caused his arrest.

We have to remember that interrogations were done very differently in 1920 than they are now. Investigators are still allowed to lie to you throughout an interrogation but even then the lies are looked at closely. Investigators are not allowed to physically harm a person or “beat” a confession out of them now days, but they could back in 1920. We have heard of modern cases where super long interrogations that end in a confession or went on with out food, water and other accommodations have harmed a case. Again, that was not the case in 1920. Basically investigators were allowed to say and do whatever they wanted. One of the biggest things though that is much different today is if someone is being interviewed and they ask for an attorney the interrogation is to be stopped immediately until an attorney can be found to represent the person. That being said, while I cannot tell you that Henry Layer actually asked for an attorney throughout his interrogation, even if he had he did not have to be honored as it is today. My research stated that Layer was arrested and brought into the station and interrogated immediately. It was said that for hours, upon hours he maintained his innocence.

While the interrogation was going on something else happened that was commonplace back then and taboo today.... a newspaper reporter was allowed to sit in during the interrogation. This was much the era of “yellow journalism” which I have discussed often within my blogs. Reporters and writers for the newspapers were more like amateur detectives. I have heard story after story about reporters being allowed to walk crime scene with detectives on their first runs as things were being first discovered. I have heard stories of scenes not being secured and reporters going in and trampling on things and allegedly finding evidence. While I will not say that every newspaper or news group in today's world could be considered legitimate, most of the ones at the time of this crime were more like tabloids. It was all about the drama; it was often about making things up so that newspaper got the readers and scooped the other competition.

After hours of what was described as “rigorous questioning” and maintaining his innocence it was said that the reporter in the room suggested to the investigator that pictures of the bodies, as well as baby Emma, were shown to Layer and see what happened. This was done and it was said not long later Layer confessed. However, this is only part of what allegedly made him confess to the murders.

During the interrogation Layer had been told that there was a mob outside the jail waiting to come in and lynch him at the nearest tree. I know there have been questions as to whether the mob actually existed but I was unable to determine whether it had been confirmed or not. Layer was told basically that everyone knew he was guilty so he may as well admit to it and that prison was the safest place for him at that time. He was also told that once he was sentenced to prison he could file for a change of plea and get a jury trial. The following is what Layer said in his confession....

Layer claimed that he walked to the Wolf farm and into the house and demanded that he be paid for the injury done to his cow by the Wolf's dog. Jacob Wolf ordered him to leave and when he did not do so Wolf allegedly grabbed and loaded his shotgun. Layer claimed that they struggled over the gun and that it “accidentally discharged” twice. He said one shot killed Beatta and the other killed Jacob Hofer. He then claimed that Jacob Wolf fled the house, while Layer got in the drawer and got more ammo. He then followed Wolf into the yard and shot him. At that point Maria and Edna began screaming and went running towards the barn and he followed them where he shot and killed both of them. He then went back in the house where he shot and killed Bertha and Lydia and then hit three year old Martha with a hatchet. He was quoted as saying “The reason I did not kill the baby was I believe, because I did not go into the room which the baby lay.”

His later comment indicated to others, or was thought to mean that had he known baby Emma was in the other room he would have killed her too. Some investigators would say that they did not believe Layer had gone to the Wolf farm to commit murder but it is unclear exactly what they thought.

It was said that Layer made his confession at about 12:30 am on Wednesday and by later that day he was in front of a judge pleading guilty to the murders. It was said that the judge discouraged this plea and pointed out that he had the right to an attorney. But, it was said that Layer insisted and the judge felt he had no choice. At that point likely less than or just near twenty-four hours after he was arrested, Henry Layer was give a sentence of life in prison “at hard labor.” “And, exactly forty-eight hours after his arrest he entered the state prison.”

As I stated in the beginning, on the surface this case seems pretty open and shut. Things like Wikipedia and Murderpedia do not go too much further than to say Henry Layer was the murderer.... pleaded guilty... got a life sentence and then died following an operation for appendicitis in 1925, just five years after his sentence. There is mention of Vernon Keel's book but not a lot of details in those places. It took quite a bit more digging to get more information.

It appears that immediately after entering the prison system Henry Layer began saying that his confession was given under duress and not true. This is when the allegations were made that the investigators had told him he was safer in prison and should file for a change of plea. He did apparently get an attorney, as the judge had suggested and they did file for a change of plea in November of 1920. The filing talked about the long interrogation efforts where the investigators allegedly intimidated him. There were also allegations that the officers involved had also beaten Layer to get the confession. I found a notation that said “their motion is strengthened when some new evidence is discovered on the Wolf family farm only days before the motion is filed.” I never found what that new evidence entailed. The judge, the same one who had tried to talk him out of pleading guilty and advised he should get an attorney, also denied his change of plea.

There have been many theories as to what exactly happened more than one hundred years ago. One is that it was Henry's wife, Lydia who committed the murders and that he took the rap for her. I have only heard this theory, not how this conclusion was made however. In February of 1921, long after Henry had pleaded guilty a newspaper reported that the AG of North Dakota was making trips to Turtle Creek and that more arrests were coming. Then very quietly the investigation ended the following month. In December of 1930 all of the AG files were destroyed in a fire and it does not seem that anything survived or was seen before that. It has been said that the issue involving the cow and the dog had occurred several months prior to the murders and there are many who believe this had been settled and was not a motive any longer. They claim that the two neighbors no longer had an issue with each other. It does not appear that any other neighbors were suspected or possibly even investigated despite the fact that Jacob Wolf had made a statement about a neighbor to a friend.

The only survivor, Emma, as I mentioned earlier went to live with her aunt and uncle, Christina and Emanuel Hofer. This is where things get a bit confusing. On Findagrave.com under Christine there is a narrative as to what occurred in relation to Emma. It had me on a quest but then I became even more confused. It was said that Christine and her husband had to fight to adopt Emma because the “appointed guardian of the Wolf estate wanted her raised in an institution until she could inherit the land.” I went on to find a newspaper article that said exact this at the time. The Hofer's had even gone to the Governor to help them. They did win custody of Emma but it was said that when she was in the second grade “someone claimed her aunt and uncle were unfit parents” and they had to fight again. Once again they were able to keep Emma. Where the confusion comes in at is that I was never able to find out who this “guardian of the Wolf estate” was, or at least not who these articles referred to. I found another article though that said two weeks after the murders an auction was held on the farm where livestock and household goods were sold. According to that article Emanual Hofer was the administer of the estate. I suppose “administer” and “guardian” could be different people but it still left me a bit confused.

Emma lived with the Hofer's until the early 1930's when their health declined. Emanual died in 1932 and Christina passed away in 1934. Emma was in the eighth grade and was sent to live with a couple named Emil and Vera Haas. They became her legal guardians. They owned the town store and according to Emma she was to work in the store for her room and board. She was forever known as “The Wolf Girl” and she struggled with that. Emma married a man named Clarence Hanson and they had three children. Once married the Wolf farm was being used again. That was around 1949. It is said as of 2020 the land “sits” quiet again, although apparently still owned by descendants.

Henry Layers family did not have things much better. After his confession his wife Lydia sent five of their six children to an orphanage in Minnesota. She kept her one year old son and sent four sons and her daughter, Blanche, to the orphanage. Two years later six year old Berthold Layer was killed when he was “run over by a farm wagon.” Sometime after 1925 when Henry died in prison Lydia remarried and Blanche, along with two of her brothers returned to North Dakota. Blanche was said to have stated that life back in Turtle Creek was difficult due to her family's connection to the crime. I should point out that I found something that called Blanche Henry's adopted daughter but I found nothing for certain to know the situation.

So, this brings us to the point where I pull things together and state my opinion, when I have one, and of course I do. Emma's son has been recorded as saying that while he, and presumably his family passed through time, do believe that Henry Layer was involved in the murders but they do not believe he committed the crimes alone. I saw nothing in which he stated where suspicions lie. He has also made a comment that while research indicated that Jacob Wolf was a well liked man, that he had been told from family that he was “not an easy man to get along with.” This actually makes me wonder if he was as “well-liked” as it was initially stated. I have to agree with Emma's son at least to the point that it does not seem possible that one person could have committed these murders alone. I think we first have to look at Henry's confession.

According to Henry's initial confession he stated that Beatta Wolf and Jacob Hofer were both killed when the gun “accidentally” went off, not once, but twice, while he and Jacob Wolf were struggling for the gun. Not only is it unlikely that a gun would “accidentally” discharge twice, but in both instances were close enough to people to kill them. I understand, and have seen pictures, of the home and know that the home was not very big but it still seems very improbable to have happened that way. I could understand where maybe three year old Martha could not have gotten away or understood enough to hide while Henry was allegedly outside killing Jacob, Maria and Edna. But Bertha was still inside and thirteen years old. Six year old Lydia was also inside. Some could argue that maybe Bertha thought she should stay to protect her three sisters but that doesn't explain why she did not sent even six year old Lydia to get help, obviously going in the direction opposite of Henry. The only way I see that one person could have done this is if Henry's story is true about Jacob Wolf running across the yard and shooting him, is that he does not then go to the barn leaving the three young girls, plus baby Emma in the house, but shoots Jacob from the door, kills the girls in the house and then went to find the two girls that had fled to the barn. Even then it still seems unlikely that this could have been done by one person.

I, of course, cannot say that Henry's confession was coerced but I absolutely believe it was possible. It was said that after hours upon hours of denying involvement he confessed after seeing the pictures of the victims and being told a mob was outside ready to lynch him. People do not just go in front of judges within hours of making an alleged confession, plead guilty and the judge sentence them and within forty-eight hours of his arrest is sitting in a prison cell serving a life sentence. I think all of this give credence to Henry's argument later that he was told by investigators that the safest place for him was prison until things died down. I am severely surprised however that the attorney he got after his sentence actually filed for a change of plea. I am going to guess though that it was not that simple. A change of plea is not uncommon, but not after someone has already been sentenced. I suspect that it was more likely something closer to having the conviction overturned and what we see as appeals in modern times.

There was a lot of nationality talk. The victims in this case, but also the Layer family were German/Russian immigrants. There was apparently a large population of German/Russian immigrants in the area. It was said that this crime hurt the immigrant community but this leaves me a bit pondering to me. It would seem to me that while yes, other immigrants in the community would have been hurt by this and upset that one of their own were responsible but considering the large population I do not see it being the big deal that was made out, unless the references were against the authorities. I keep thinking back to the Lindbergh kidnapping case. Part of the outrage in that case that took place twelve years after this one, in 1932, was the nationality of Richard Hauptmann who was a German immigrant. But the victims in that case not only were famous, or at least Charles Lindbergh was, and wealthy, but they were American born. I am just uncertain whether it had as much to do with the Wolf case as has been made out. At the very least it was not explained adequately.

I like cases that have trials; I like cases that have appeals that I can read. That is where the information gets out whether it is to the press or to the court. This is obviously not such a case. I cannot tell you whether investigators got the right man because other than hunches, theories and quite possibly a false confession I have no idea what evidence was used to come to this conclusion. Was Jacob Wolf referring to Henry Layer as the neighbor he had issues with or was there someone else? It's unlikely anyone will ever know for sure. That being said I think those websites that do not give the full story or speak of inconsistent things are doing a disservice. As I said, this is not as cut and dry or black and white as it appears on the surface.