No Justice for Agnes: The Strange Death of Agnes Polreis and the Sensational South Dakota Murder Trials of Emma Kaufmann

by Wayne Fanebust

For three years, beginning in 1906, the mysterious death of servant girl Agnes Polreis, followed by the trials of Emma Kaufmann, gripped the nation's attention. Lurid reports of abuse and even torture in the heartland appeared with regularity in newspapers from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. "I challenge all the pages of literature to show me so sad a case and so awful a case," roared prosecuting attorney George W. Egan in his closing argument in 1907. After less than six months in the employ of Emma Kaufmann and her husband, a wealthy and influential partner in a brewery business in the region's largest city, sixteen-year-old Agnes Polreis, born in Austria-Hungary, was returned to her parents' farm, dead, her emaciated body showing marks of extreme violence 49 wounds in all, some of them gangrenous. An instance of "diabolical cruelty," editorialized one newspaper. But more repulsive than the manner of Agnes' death were the outrageous antics of the attorneys, the shifting testimony of witnesses, and the sensationalizing newspaper coverage. A poor immigrant girl with faltering English, Agnes was abandoned by physicians and exploited by the legal and newspaper professions. Her death and the subsequent trials caused the downfall of a United States senator, but brought no justice for Agnes Polreis.

Genres: True Crime

288 pages, Paperback

Published July 8, 2020

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting true story that happened in Sioux Falls, SD. It is written by a former lawyer who did much research. I felt there was a lot of repetition but I enjoyed the history.

[Greta · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-researched book about this case. I liked the look into early 20th century Sioux Falls. It does get a little dry at times, and it can be confusing to keep all the characters straight, but that’s often the case in a story like this.

One thing I found most interesting is that the case is about a woman accursed of killing another woman, but their voices are pretty quiet. We mostly hear from men and about the relationships among men in the case. Mary Ross does get some treatment from the author, which I appreciated.

Unsatisfying ending … but that’s not the author’s fault.

I liked the ties to other cases, like Julia O’Grady.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good account of a sad part of SD's history. The story of a 1906 death of a poor servant girl to a wealthy family in Sioux Falls, SD. It does provide a window into that time period, & to someone who is familiar with the area .....it's interesting to see familiar names to today's Sioux Falls area.... Billion, McKennon, Phillips, Miller...to read of their history in the area prior to 1906. I learned a lot of local history that I hadn't known of.....always a positive aspect! The title is totally appropriate.

[Ashley Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wayne Fanebust does a fantastic job outlining the series of events, driven by intricate politics, following the death of Agnes Polreis in Sioux Falls, SD. Especially interesting for those with personal connections to Sioux Falls, I enjoyed learning about the early 1900s legal system and influences of power. Great read, although sometimes a little dry (as legal battles usually are). Would recommend!

[Julie Wilka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Difficult to read due to the details of Anges' death. Very interesting to read about the history of Sioux Falls and famous names that are still prominent in the city today.

[Bailey Terry · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book, but the writing style was VERY dry and unfortunately took the life out of what could have been an interesting story of some local history.

[Renee Ramsdell Brookshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was about a murder in Sioux Falls South Dakota in 1907. It was written from the court proceedings of the trail that were kept as legal documents. What peeked my interest
was the trial took place in my hometown Flandreau South Dakota. My ancestors were farmers and a newspaper owner in 1907. It basically was history lesson on life in the early 1900's when the struggle between the rich and poor, immigrant and establishment played out in court.