The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 15, 1905

Newberry is Fined $25 and Costs

The Case is Carried Up and Will Be Tried in the District Court

A Motion for Dismissal

A Motion for Dismissal, Which Was Made by the Defendant Was Over Ruled and This Resulted in Appeal Court Room Jammed.

W.F. Newberry, in police court was this morning fined $25 and costs on the charge of assaulting an officer. The case was, however, appealed to the district court and the defendant placed under bond to appear at the nest term.

The assault which formed the foundation of the case occurred Saturday morning when the defendant assaulted Charles Braden, dog marshal, while Braden was engaged in catching one of his (Newberry’s) dogs. The trial of the case covered a considerable part of the forenoon and was listened to with great interest by a crowd that packed the city hall to the doors.

There were a number of witnesses examined on both sides of the case and all of them agreed that there was a scuffle between the defendant and the prosecuting witness, stating the fact that the defendant struck the plaintiff from two to three times.

The defense made no denial of the fact that the assault had been made, but took the grounds that the mayor under the existing ordinance, had no right to appoint a dog catcher to catch dogs at this time; the ordinace (sic), according to the defense states that the dog tax is payable on or before June 1, 1905. Under this clause the motion alleges that there could legally be no dog catcher appointed, and that such dog catcher had no official duties to perform under the law until that time – June 1.

The motion also took the stand that under the circumstances the dog catcher had no right to touch the dog; that in consideration of this fact, the dog catcher, in taking the animals was in the position of a thief taking the property that did not belong to him; that the defendant in protecting his property used no more force than was necessary to prevent the dog catcher from taking the dog.

This motion was overruled by his honor, and the sentence pronounced placing the above fine and the costs of the case on the defendant.

The story of the prosecuting witness was to the effect that the dog was out in front of the Duncombe House at the time the trouble occurred. He, the dog catcher, started for the animal, when Newberry warned him: “If you touch that dog, I’ll break every bone in your body?”

In spite of the warning Braden reached for the animal with his snare, and this was what precipitated the trouble. Newberry, according to the testimony at this point ran in and struck the dog catcher three times. Braden also alleges that the defendant tore off his star and took his snare away from him. The dog catcher then telephone to the city hall and the action was begun.

Newberry’s story of the occurrence was about the same in a general way with the exception that he denied hitting Braden, stating that he merely shoved him.

According to other witnesses, the dog “Trixy” had been brought out of the barn to kill some rats that had been caught in the Duncombe house. She had finished the job and was lingering about the place when the dog catcher appeared and attempted to catch her.

During the taking of the testimony the facts of the crippled condition of the dog catcher and the great strength of the defendant were brough (sic) prominently to the front, and Frank Farrell, the attorney for the prosecution in his closing plea, created a mild sensation in the court room by denouncing the defendant as a coward.

(Editor’s note: The original article is here: The Dog Marshal’s Life is Strenuous. I believe there was a hotel called Duncombe House.)

Tags: 1905, Braden, Newberry

The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 14, 1906

Great Western bridge in Fort Dodge

Runs Out on Bridge

Runaway Sunday Morning Ends up in Middle of the Big Great Western Bridge.

A horse belonging to a Lehigh man broke away form its driver Saturday night about ten o’clock and tore at full speed half way across the Great Western railway bridge southeast of the city, finally stopping only when it became stuck in the ties.

It was found utterly exhausted and badly bruised and skinned by a party of boys a few hours later. The problem how to get it back to the ground seemed a serious one, but this was finally accomplished by unhitching it and leading it back. The buggy was not badly damaged and was pulled back by hand.

The accident is a most peculiar one. If a train had happened to come along while the rig was fast in the middle of the bridge a bad accident would have been likely to have occurred. It seems also strange that the animal did not rear and plunge  until it went over the edge of the railing and dropped to the ground nearly a hundred feet below. As it was, however, neither the horse nor the vehicle were badly damaged.

Tags: 1906, Great Western bridge, horse

The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 14, 1906

Planting Time in Earnest

Seed Men Sell Large Quantities – Everyone Has an Early Garden in The Back Yard.

“Planting time is on in earnest,” said a groceryman who handles large quantities of garden seeds. “The sales this year have been the best for three seasons. Two times my stock of seeds has been nearly exhausted and has had to be replenished. Nearly everybody has at least a little back ward (sic) garden where they can spend their spare time and which gives them pride in its appearance. Some peculiar things happen in selling garden seeds. Though nothing as ludicrous at that old story of the man who wanted to plant dried apples ever happened here, yet I can recall a good many occasions where the greenness of the purchaser was pretty apparent. I’ve had them ask if egg plant grew on a tree or a vine, if watermelon planted right away wouldn’t be ready to eat by July 4th, if it was possible to raise prunes in this climate and lots more I can’t think of.”

Tags: 1906, garden

Northwest Chronicle: May 14, 1890

May Be The Kingpin

H.A.Morgan Cobbled at Badger Friday Evening – Caught in the Act.

He Admitted the Theft and Returned the Money, but was Held – He is Thought to be at the Head of the Gang –  Interesting Developments.

The coils are tightening and the gang of burglars which has been operating in this vicinity is in a fair way to be broken up. Last Friday about five o’clock, during the temporary absence of Otto Otttoson, his office at Badger was entered by a strange man, who had been hanging around that little town all day. Tom Chantland passed by and saw him at the desk, and suspecting that something was up, stopped to watch  him. He came out at once, and accosting Mr. Chantland, asked him where he could get a team to take him out to a certain Hanson’s place. Mr. Chantland directed him but said he did not know any person of that name.

The man then started off in an opposite direction and Mr. Chantland seeing Ottoson across the street called him over and explained his suspicions. By a hasty examination of the money drawer they discovered the loss of $5 which it had contained and started in pursuit of the thief.

They followed him up the street and finally called to him but he hastily dodged behind a building. The pursuers ran forward but met him at the corner returning. He admitted his guilt but said he had hidden the money when asked to give it up. After a little persuasion he returned with them to the building behind which he had dodged, and produced from a corner five silver dollars.

When asked why he had taken the money he said “What would you do if you were out here without a cent in your pocket.” It was suggested that there were plenty of farmers who needed men and he might have got work. He replied angrily “Do you think I’m such a blank fool as to work on a farm.”

He was then turned over to Constable Myer, who brought him to this city and locked him up Saturday. At nine o’clock he appeared in Judge Hyatt’s court and acknowledging to the name of H.A. Morgan, after hearing the arraignment, decided to waive examination. He said he did not want a lawyer and could not furnish $1,000 bonds. He was accordingly remanded to jail where he will have to remain if the bond is not forthcoming, until the grand jury meets next September.

In the grip left in Furlong’s store on last Sunday morning was a time table on which it was written “Due $20.00 to H.A. Morgan” and as he answered to the discription (sic) of the man who sold Dalby the watch it is believed that he is the ring-leader of the gang. Nothing of interest was found on his person, except a small short punch or “jimmy,” but several people saw him carrying a small black satchel which could not be found when he was arrested.

Another suspicious character was seen in the vicinity, but had no communication with the prisoner after his arrest. It is believed that he was an accomplice, and after the satchel, and he will be apprehended if possible. A thorough search was instituted this morning and the satchel will be found if possible. From the self possessed way in which Morgan waved (sic) examination, it is argued that he has been there before.

Sheriff Adams has put in the whole week hard at work in this matter, and it looks n ow as though things were coming his way. The gang is evidently quite numerous and well organized, but the end is not yet.

Tags: 1890, Adams, Chantland, Dalby, Hyatt, Morgan, Myer, Ottoson

Northwest Chronicle: May 14, 1890

Got a Pair

Sheriff Adams Nails the Check Forgers and Has Them Under Arrest at Atlantic City.

Sheriff Adams has just added another to the long list of notches that he has to his credit for the capture of thieves, criminals, etc. Two months ago a stranger came to this city and perpetrated a number of successful forgeries and attempted to secure the cash for a check on the First National, to which the name of P. Butler was forged, and shortly after this he perpetrated a series of small forgeries on several merchants about the city, using the name s of L.E. Chapin and Fred Frost on the checks.

At the time he was successful in making his escape, but from the day after the forgeries Sheriff Adams has been endeavoring to place the man under arrest, and had had him located at Marshalltown, Boone, Des Moines and Carroll, and then again at Atlantic, and here he lost track of the man, who was masquerading under the name of Burke, but he furnished the sheriff of Cass county with a description of the man, and the result was that Monday he received a telegram from Atlantic stating that the man had been arrested there, and although they had tried the forged check racket in Atlantic, Sheriff Adams had been successful in getting his warrant served first, and they would be held for him.

Sheriff Adams departed for Atlantic Monday evening and will return with the man Burke and a confederate who was arrested with him, for identity by their victims here. Sheriff Adams has no doubt but that the identity will be complete and satisfactory that that the check forgers who have robbed northwestern Iowa of hundreds of dollars, will be given a long sentence and an opportunity to repent.

Tags: 1890, Adams, Burke, Butler, Chapin, Frost

Northwest Chronicle: May 14, 1890

Chicken Pot-Pie

Two Unknown Thieves Will Fare Well at Wm. Shaeffer’s Expense – They Snag the Contents of His Hen House.

Wm. Schaeffer who lives on Richard street counts thirty chickens less in his coop now than roosted there last week. About one o’clock Friday morning Mr. Schaeffer was awakened by the violent barking of his watch dog and hastily attiring himself he stepped into the yard.

His eyes rested upon two men who were making rapid tracks from his hennery. He and the dog at once pursued them, but the thieves shortly eluded them and Mr. Schaeffer returned home, picking up a half a dozen dead chickens on the way. Each was bleeding about the head and an investigation showed that the thieves had employed a cunning scheme to affect the robbery. They approached the roost and seizing a chicken by the neck would drive the blade of a penknife through the head. The dead chicken was then tossed into this bag.

Out of three dozen hens Mr. Schaeffer had six live ones and the half dozen dead ones left by the thieves. The success in this case will doubtless spur the perpetrators to further effort and the public is advised to look after its heneries (sic).

Tags: 1890, Schaeffer

Northwest Chronicle: May 14, 1890

Permanent Fair Grounds

Few Enterprising Citizens Subscribe to Buy The Property.

It Will be Held in Trust Until the Agricultural Society is Able to Buy It. Webster County Will Have its Annual Fair, Right Along.

The fair grounds are as good as bought for the future use of the Webster County Agricultural Society. Several of our leading business men, who have no use for the word fail, got together as soon as it became apparent that the effort to get the general public to purchase the property would not work, and each subscribed a sufficient sum to make the total amount asked for the property.

The property is to be held in trust, one of the gentlemen who donated acting as trustee for the rest, until the Webster agricultural Society is able to buy the same. This deal makes it a settled thing that the Agricultural society will continue to be at  home to the people of this and adjoining counties on the “round prairie.” This fact should please everybody in the county.

It is now positive that we will  have yearly fairs, which means the getting together of the people of this community once a year to exchange greetings, to demonstrate the ability of many among us, which at the same times hows the work of the rich producing soil of Webster county, and the industry and frugality of her inhabitants.

The Chronicle has watched with anxious eyes the different steps taken toward the purchase of this property, and is delighted to know that the dark cloud which hovered over our heads for so long a time had a silver lining.

Tags: 1890, fairgrounds

The Webster County Gazette: May 14, 1880

Personals

Frank Quinby was in town Tuesday.

Mrs. Duncombe went to Ottumwa, Tuesday.

Warwick Price, of Cleveland, is in the city.

M.D. O’Connell is in Des Moines this week.

D.W. Halstead has been out west all week.

Mrs. Steele, of Omaha, is in town this week.

G.B. Reynolds went to Des Moines Monday.

Mrs. Manly Brown, of Dakota, is in town this week.

James Black has returned from his Colorado trip.

Mrs. Getchell went down to Cedar Falls Wednesday.

Dr. Reed, of Manson, was in the city over Sunday.

Miss Grace Wood left Tuesday for Geneva, Illinois.

Sanders, formerly of the Fort Dodge House is in town.

E.M. Dunning goes east Sunday night to buy buggy horses.

J.H. Deming is in the city. Arrived Wednesday. His wife remains east.

Miss Cornele Sherman has gone to Chicago to obtain treatment for her eyes.

Rev. Coyle went to Cherokee, Thursday to assist in the services of ordination.

Miss May Brown and Mrs. C.F. Demuth are visiting O.M. Hazard and family at Newell.

J.M. Boyer, ensign U.S.N., accompanied by his wife will reach Fort Dodge Saturday, on a visit to their relatives here.

T.H. Wright discovers that the Sioux City end of his division needs a great deal of attention of late. There is calico on the track. (Editor’s note: I’m guessing they are implying that he is seeing a woman in Sioux City. Anyone else have an explanation?)

Mrs. David Davis and Miss Nettie left Wednesday morning for Boston. They spend the summer in the east, most of it at Martha’s Vineyard.

George Smith is bossing his train on the Des Moines road after a week’s visit in Keokuk. George is the fellow who has run on his line 13 years and never rode a mile on any other road in the state.

J.M. Berry surprised everybody by walking in Tuesday afternoon, just a day or so behind a letter that promised his return about the 1st of June. Mr. Berry is looking very hearty, and feeling strong.

Mr. D.M. Diggs, general agent of the C.R.I. & P. refrigerator line, was in the city on Saturday, in the interest of that company, the cars of which are running in connection with the D.M. & Ft. D.R.R. to this city.

Rev. R.F. Coyle pastor of the Presbyterian church at Fort Dodge, preached Sabbath morning and evening at Joyce’s hall. He is an admirable speaker, earnest, enthusiastic and eloquent. His language is forcible, and he states his propositions uncompromisingly. One cannot fail to see that he believes thoroughly what he says, and his sermons have that force which only intense individual conviction of truth can give. Mr. Coyle appears to be still a young man and has a brilliant career before him. -Carroll Herald.

Tags: 1880, Berry, Black, Brown, Coyle, Davis, Deming, Demuth, Diggs, Duncombe, Dunning, Getchell, Halstead, Hazard, Nettie, O'Connell, Price, Quinby, Reed, Reynolds, Rover, Sanders, Sherman, Smith, Steele, Wood, Wright

The Webster County Gazette: May 14, 1880

Strawberry Festival

The Presbyterian ladies brought the first strawberries to town, and served them in the name and in behalf of the new temple. The attendance was good, the strawberries were delicious and the musical part of the entertainment was not less so. But the dishes were too large and the berries cost too much to make the speculation a very profitable one.  The berries cost the ladies 38 cents per quart. The receipts were about $80 and the net proceeds will be $20 or $25. The music was very enjoyable and the programme reads as follows:

Tags: 1880, Barnes, Berry, Blanden, Davies, Johnston, Kirkup, Pauline, Rudesill, Waldrop