Killed Two Wives to Get Insurance
February 18, 1905
Summary
Police arrest a man for killing two women for life insurance payments.
Transcription
Norfolk, Va. Word has been received here that Charles F. Hiatt, alias C. F. Osborne, has been sentenced to the Oklahoma territorial prison for 20 years for the murder of his wife, Ida, at Stillwater, Okla., five years ago.
Hiatt in 1903 lived here as “C. F. Osborne.” He was a carpenter. His wife was found dead one night with a bullet hole in her left temple. He said that he was lying beside her when he was awakened by a shot. His cries that someone had murdered his wife brought neighbors.
When it was discovered that Mrs. Osborne had been insured for $5,000, and that her husband was striking carpenter without means, the man was arrested.
Hiatt in 1903 lived here as “C. F. Osborne.” He was a carpenter. His wife was found dead one night with a bullet hole in her left temple. He said that he was lying beside her when he was awakened by a shot. His cries that someone had murdered his wife brought neighbors.
When it was discovered that Mrs. Osborne had been insured for $5,000, and that her husband was striking carpenter without means, the man was arrested.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Ryan Shah
Citation
“Killed Two Wives to Get Insurance,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed February 19, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/320.