The Fort Dodge Messenger: Dec. 21, 1905

Misfortune Follows “Nutty Willey”

Has Finger Cut Off by Being Caught in Jail Door This Morning

“Nutty Willie” who gained increased fame in police circles yesterday by being arrested for stealing a Christmas tree, and getting a sentence of thirty days ont he charge of vagrancy, seems to be a child of misfortune.

His latest trouble has been to get the forefinger of his right hand cut off by being caught in the jail door. When Officer Dittmer entered the jail this morning to bring the prisoners their breakfast, he found Willey executing a double shuffle with variations for the remainder of the bunch. Willey took a sudden fascination for the policeman, and when he went to leave, tried to follow him. He caught hold of the door, and the officer not noticing what had happened slammed it shut, only to open it again, when a howl of pain came form the inside.

It was found that Willey had stuck his fingers in the crevice of the doorway and that one of them had been cut nearly off, when the heavy door swung shut. The injured member will have to be amputated.

Tags: 1905, Dittmer, Willey