The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 17, 1904

Webster City Has Sensation

Heads of the County and City Schools Clash With Dire Results to the Latter

Educators Lose Their Tempers

County Superintendent and City Superintendent are Subjects of Talk

Webster City was treated to a sensation Monday that will be a topic of conversation for at least a day or so. A clash between the two leading educators of Hamilton county occurred in the office of City Superintendent of Schools Ford Monday afternoon and today the partiscians (sic) of the men engaged have something to think about. Beginning at the beginning it is a long story, but in a few words, the unpleasantness directly resulted from the suspension from school of a son of County Superintendent Gerber. The city superintendent did the suspending and it is needless to say that the county and city superintendents were the principal figures in the sensation.

The head of  the city schools, who is also principal of the high school, Monday informed the younger Gerber that his presence at school would not be allowed until further notice. The elder Gerber did not take kindly to the treatment accorded his offspring, and paid a visit to City Superintendent Ford at the latter’s office the same afternoon. The results form the sensation.

The story is told in brief as follows:

When Mr. Ford went to Webster City some time ago his advent apparently was not welcome to everybody in town and at no time since has harmony reigned. In the first place it is alleged he was subjected to an unusually severe examination by the county superintendent. He passed the examination successfully, but the fact that it was unnecessarily severe was not forgotten. It rankled in the breast of the city principal and something different than brotherly love existed between the men since that time.

It is customary when a  pupil is a little late at the Webster City high school to excuse him if possible, for the purpose of maintaining a minimum of tardy marks. Monday Superintendent Ford was ringing bell for the afternoon session as young Ford (sic – should be young Gerber) was approaching the school. In such cases it is said to be customary for the teacher ringing the bell to delay the process until the pupils are in their seats, but on this occasion it is alleged Mr. Ford was not at all reluctant with ringing the bell with all possible speed, presumably with the intent of registering a tardy mark against the boy. When the latter passed the principal into the school building Ford remarked:

“You are tardy sir.”

Acording (sic) to the boy’s story all he said was, “Well, wouldn’t that get you?”

According to the boy’s story all he because of young Ford’s insolence he suspended him from school. (Editor’s note: this is exactly what was printed. Young Ford should be young Gerber.)

The same evening Superintendent Gerber visited Superintendent Ford in the principal’s office in the high school and demanded an explanation of Gerber’s (sic – should be Ford’s) action toward his son, claiming that the suspension was unnecessary and that it was only one of the many incidents in which the high school principal had sought to revenge his feelings toward Gerber by taking out is spite on the latter’s son. One word led to another and what followed is told by Gerber alone. Mr. (Ford) was bereft of his senses from the time of the interview until 3 o’clock this morning. Superintendent Gerber claims that in the heat of the argument he turned and in doing so overturned a piece of statuary from its place. In falling the statuary struck the high school superintendent on the head, rendering him unconscious, from which state he did not recover until early this morning.

The affair has caused a stir in Webster City and its outcome may have one or several endings. Providing the county superintendent’s version of the affair is corect (sic) it may be regarded as an unfortunate circumstance. Otherwise serious results may follow. City Superintendent Ford’s account of the interview is now in order.

The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 16, 1906

A False Arrest Made

So Says “Nutty Willie” who is Charged With Trying to Get a Free Meal

One L. Willie who goes by the well known appellation of “Nutty” in the absence of a know given name was arrested by one of the night patrolmen last night ont he charge of trying to beat a restaurant keeper out of a meal. Willie entered an eating house near the Central depot and ordered a good feed. When he had finished he turned about, said to the man behind the counter “Let’s see who can walk the fasted” and made for the door. He was captured by an officer before he had gone a block and placed in jail. This morning he claimed that a false arrest had been made for he had merely strolled out for a little air and had forgotten to pay his bill.

The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 14, 1904

Horse Thieves are at Work

Farmer Living Near Gowrie Loses a Horse Friday – Scheriff (sic) and Police Notified

Peter Olson, a farmer living between Harcourt and Gowrie, is mourning over the loss of a horse which was stolen from his farm Friday night. The animal is described black with star on forehead, weighs 1,450 pounds, and is four years five months old.

The horse was taken from the Olson farm some time late Friday afternoon or evening. It was through possible that the person or persons in whose possession the animal now is came in the direction of this city. Sheriff Henry Olson was notified this morning and is offering a reward of $50 for the apprehension of the thief or thieves.

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 1, 1914

Special Officer to Assist Sheriff Southeast of City

Residents Near Factories Complain of Awful Orgies

Matter Taken in Hand

Because of many calls from the east end of the city to the sheriff’s office a deputy sheriff will be appointed who is a resident in that section, and who will be on the ground to look after disturbances out there. Trouble occurs practically every pay day in that locality.

Tuesday night there was the usual call but on an officer’s arrival on the scene, the party of rioters had been warned and had made their getaway. There were evidences of a  hilarious time in the large number of emptied containers of liquid refreshments. These periodical parties are held at the fair grounds and are of a nature that keeps the residents of that section awake far into the night.

A wagon load of beer, some women of the underworld and a big bunch of laborers compose these gatherings in the report. The night is made hideous. It appears that they are generally warned that complaint has been made. Although several trips have been made to haul in such parties they have disappeared in each instance before the arrival of officers.

With an officer present in that section, it is believed the orgies may be stopped. The officer will locate the crowds before they are really opened up on the evening’s entertainment, and will summon necessary help and round up the bunch before they are warned.

There are certain women, it is said, who do not operate in the city proper, but lie low and go out after laborers are paid off at factories. It is the plan to put a crimp in the whole business which has become a very serious source of annoyance to the residents in the southeast portion of the city.

The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 28, 1903

Left On The Prairie in His Stocking Feet

What Happened to the Man Who Tried a Game of Bluff on a Gilmore City Merchant.

Gilmore City, March 28. – A high handed game of bluff was worked on Charley Neel on Thursday evening of last week, by a fellow who is working for his board, for a prominent farmer west of town. He represented himself as being the owner of a farm a short distance out, and was very much in need of a pair of rubber boots, but did not have the money with him to pay for them.

He put up a great talk, at the same time putting on a pair of boots which just suited him, but he thought he wouldn’t take them today, but he would wait till Saturday when he would be in with some butter and eggs. A lady customer coming in at this time, he changed his mind, and while Mr. Neel was waiting on her the fellow walked out, carrying his old shoes in his hand, saying that he would throw them in his buggy and then come back.

Mr. Neel was suspicious that all was not right, and went out to investigate, and discovered his man sauntering along towards the north, and followed him until the fellow turned west, at Hunter’s corner, and increased his speed. Then Mr. Neel put Marshal Stebbins on his trail and the fellow was overtaken on the bottom west of town. He refused to come back within the incorporation without a warrant, but was finally induced to give up the boots, and he was left on the prairie in his sock feet. Instead of being a prosperous farmer, the fellow hasn’t a dollar.

The Messenger: March 27, 1907

Passed Bogus Check

S.R. Crego Arrested by Manager Duncombe House This Afternoon – The Monday not Found.

Man giving his name as S.R. Crego and residence as Cresco was arrested this afternoon by the polnce (sic)on complaint of the manager of the Duncombe House where he was stopping on the charge that he had obtained $50 ($1.155 today) under false pretenses. Crego is not an entire stranger to the manager and when he presented a sight draft on the Cresco bank and asked him to endorse it, it was done. Shortly after he learned that he had attempted to get a check cashed at the Fessler clothing store for $15 ($346) in payment for a hat and this raised a suspicion in the mind of the landlord who at once took steps to learn the validity of the draft cashed only to find that he had been duped.

He lost no time in looking up his man and at once had him taken into custody. He had acquired something of a load of “wealthy water” in the meantime and when arrested at the city hall had in his possession besides several bottles of dope and poison, a partially filled bottle of common booze. Although officer Grant made a careful search he failed to find the fifty. He did find, however, pinned to his vest, a private detective star, although the prisoner was unable to give any reasonable explanation as to how he came in possession or by what authority he was wearing it. He was placed in the city bastile (sic) until his brain cleared sufficiently to enable him to give some explanation of his actions.

The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 20, 1907

Calhoun County Boot-leggers

One of Them is Convicted in Court and Fined Five Hundred

Stern Warning to Violators

Had Been Running Joint at Town of Jolley – Better Class of Citizens Caused Prosecution to be Made Against Him.

Rockwell City, March 20 – (Special to The Messenger) – When County attorney F.F. Hunter secured the conviction of Martin Johnson in the district court today, and Judge Powers imposed a fine of $500 ($11,547 today) and costs, they sounded a note of warning to the violators of the liquor laws, and won the admiration of all law abiding people of Calhoun County.

It was alleged that Johnson had been running a joint in the town of Jolley for some time and had been selling intoxicants freely and without fear or favor until he had become a menace to society in that locality. Fights and street brawls were a common occurrence, and it was charged that Johnson was responsible for the lawlessness that prevailed. The city marshal was unable to cope with the element that caused the disturbances, consequently things around Johnson’s place of “business” ran with a high hand. The better class of Jolley’s citizens became disgusted and the matter was brought to the attention of the grand jury which was in session here last week. An indictment was returned against Johnson, which he ignored. It is alleged that he continued in his nefarious business until court convened yesterday, when he was arraigned to answer to the charges that had been preferred against against (sic) him. He was found guilty of running a “joint” contrary to law, and when the jury returned a verdict Judge Powers immediately imposed a fine of $500 and costs, or an equivalent jail sentence. It was suggested to the Judge that he reduce the fine to $300 and Johnson would pay it rather than spend the summer in jail, but his Honor refused to entertain such a proposition and said: “No sir. I will not reduce it one cent. If I do anything I will increase it. These “bootleggers” are a menace to a community and their business must stop.”

With these burning words the accused was permitted to retire from the court room to decide what course he would pursue. With a long jail sentence staring him in the face he decided to pay his fine, which he did. It is said that he stated before leaving for his home that he is done selling liquor contrary to law and hereafter expect (sic) to live a respectable life.

It is understood that there are still a few more places in the county on which the “search-light” will be turned when the grand jury meets again and the county attorney has given assurances that any and all violators of the law will be prosecuted with all the vigor and energy that he commands.

The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 19, 1904

Is Arrested For Bootlegging

Thomas Hughes of Forest City Gets Into Trouble.

Government Officers Arrest Him on That Charge – Must Go Before Federal Grand Jury.

Thomas Hughes was arrested by Deputy United States Marshal G.F. Gustafson at Forest City Friday, and brought to Fort Dodge the same night. He was taken to Clarion today where he was given a hearing before Commissioner Rogers on the charge of selling intoxicating liquors in violation of the revenue law. He was bound over to the federal grand jury under $200 bonds ($4,790 today). As he was unable to furnish bonds Hughes will be taken to Sioux City tomorrow.

The prisoner is charged with selling liquor in Forest City, where he makes his home. He is an unmarried man, his parents being respectable farmers living near Forest City.

While there was no feature of interest in Hughes’ arrest, the federal officers not infrequently meet with unusual situations. Some time ago Deputy Marshal Gustafson arrested a man on the charge of selling intoxicating liquors. His prisoner emphatically denied the charge.

“I will tell you just how it was,” he said. “We often played cards and usually had whiskey in the house. This day I was going down town to meet some friends to play, and put a bottle of whisky (sic) in my pocket. I didn’t sell the whisky, although I met a friend and when I got down to the depot the whisky was gone and I found a dollar in my pocket.”

He was held to the grand jury.

The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 11, 1904

Burglars Enter Hardware Store

Entrance Forced to Sanders Hardware on Upper Central Avenue

Little of Value is Taken

Burglar Apparently Familiar With Store and Was Evidently a Boy

The burglar again gave evidence of his presence in the community when Thursday night he made a successful entry into the Sanders’ hardware store on Upper Central avenue, although so far as is known, he succeeded in getting away with little of value. The burglary was the third attempt of a similar nature made within the pst few weeks. Besides the hardware store, the saloon of George Benn at Sixth street and First avenue south has been molested twice, once successfully.

The discovery of the Sander’s (sic) robbery was made this morning when the store was opened for the day. Little disturbance was left to indicate the presence of an intruder, but his means of entrance was clearly apparent. He entered the building by cutting out one of the small windows in the back and then raising the sash. Between the front and rear of the store is a door which is kept locked at night. To pass thru the burglar cut a heart shaped hole int he panel thru which he evidently inserted his hand and opened the lock on the other side. From the size of the hole it is believed that the burglar was either a boy or a man with an unusually small hand.

So far as know this morning, nothing had been taken, the only evidence that the place had been disturbed, being the roller top desk, which is usually left open, but which this morning was found to be closed. A knife and a cigar holder, which the burglar had left behind him, were found and are the only clues to his identity.

The police as yet have been unable to apprehend the persons who robbed the cash drawer at the Benn saloon two weeks ago. A second attempt was made to enter the saloon a few nights ago. Two men were discovered by a policeman while they were working in the rear of the building. They took to their heels and were pursued by the officer, who shot twice and hit one of the men. Both, however, succeeded in making their escape.