On This Date in Minnesota History: June 9

June 9, 1917 – Mike Moore, the first to be tried of the five men indicted for the murder of Alice McQuillan Dunn on April 26, was found guilty this afternoon. The jury was out 45 minutes, reaching their verdict on the first ballot (they spent the rest of the time talking about the case). Judge Hanft then imposed a life sentence in state prison.

Chief Characters in the Dunn Murder Case*

Throughout his trial, Moore, accused of being the go-between for Frank Dunn, estranged husband of the victim, and Joe Redenaugh and Frank McCool, the two men involved in the shooting of Mrs. Dunn, put on a crazy act, claiming he was Jesse James and requesting an all-female jury, which was not legal in Minnesota at the time.

When his sentence was announced, Moore screamed, shouted and cursed the jury, Judge Hanft and crowds of spectators. Using vile and obscene language, he stormed and raged until detectives and deputy sheriffs struggling with him, finally overpowered and handcuffed him.

Locked to Deputy Sheriff Court Herbert, Moore was rushed out of the courtroom and to a waiting car, which hurried him to jail.


The St. Paul Daily News; “ Moore May Know Fate Before Night. Dunn Murder Evidence All in—Lawyers Argue Case. Defendant On The Stand. Admits Paying Redenbaugh $2,900 and Other Charges.”; June 9, 1917; pp. 1 & 2.

The St. Paul Daily News; “Moore Is Found Guilty; Curses Judge And Jury. ‘Fixer’ Sentenced to Life Imprisonment After Wildest Scene Ever Staged in Ramsey County Court. Dunn To Be Tried Next On Wife Murder Charge. Jurors Return Verdict in 45 Minutes Against ‘Go-Between’ in Slaying of Mrs. Dunn.”; June 10, 1917; pp. 1 & 5.

*The St. Paul Daily News; June 29, 1917; p. 1.

Murder of Alice McQuillan Dunn; see April 26, 2015 blog

St. Paul Police Chief John O’Connor tells reporters he expects to arrest a man he thinks was paid a large sum to murder Alice McQuillan Dunn.; see April 27,2015 blog

Elks are willing to pay the expenses of detectives; believe Dunn innocent; see April28, 2015 blog

Two St. Paul detectives are in Mont. interviewing people who knew Mrs. Dunn when she worked there; see April 29, 2015 blog

Two Montana men claim Dunn paid them to kill his wife; see May 1, 2015 blog

Dunn and Connery murders linked; see May 4, 2015 blog

Chauffeur identified photos of Joe Redenbaugh and Frank McCool as the two men he drove out of St. Paul to Chaska the night following Mrs. Dunn’s murder; see May 8, 2015 blog

Frank McCool attacks a jailer when caught trying to escape Omaha jail; see May10, 2015 blog

Eddie Hamilton (aka Joe Redenbaugh) arrested in San Francisco; see May 11, 2015blog

Eddie Hamilton admits to being Joe Redenbaugh; see May 12, 2015 blog

Joe Redenbaugh confesses to murdering Alice McQuillan Dunn and Minneapolis Patrolman George Connery, and implicates Frank McCool in both crimes; see May15, 2015 blog

Suspected arson attempt on Frank Dunn’s house; see May 17, 2015 blog

Redenbaugh and wife arrive in St. Paul for trial; see May 21, 2015 blog

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