Iowa Files: State v. Novak; Murder & Arson in Walford

February, 1897. The general store in Walford Iowa burns down, and in the ashes is found a body presumed to be that of Frank Novak, part owner of the store who was known to sleep there to thwart burglars. But was it?

Hear about this story of murder, insurance fraud and one of the earliest cases that tested the legitimacy of circumstantial evidence. Presenter Kate Levasseur will take us from tiny Walford to the Yukon, and back to Fort Madison in this true tale.\

This joint library-Historical Society event is free and open to the public thanks to the support of West Des Moines Historical Society Members, EMC Insurance Foundation, the West Des Moines Library Friends Foundation and the Iowa Arts Council.

All Iowa Files programs will be live streamed on the West Des Moines Historical Society’s YouTube channel and all videos will be closed captioned.