The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 11, 1905

Mayor Draws a Full House

Is Confronted by Three of a Kind and a Pair in Police Court This Morning.

Was Liberal With Justice

Fines Were The Largest That Have Been Assessed in Police Court For Many Months. – Will Have a Most Discouraging Effect on Graft.

Mayor Bennett drew a full house in police court this morning. When the moment arrived for the doling out of justice, there were three of a kind and a pair ranged on the penitential bench before him. It was with no miserly hand he ladled out the big bunches of fines and costs. The freedom with which he piled it on them was certainly discouraging to the bum, the vag, the thief.

Peter Coyne and John Lowery, both of whom were caught while in the act of stealing overalls from in front of one of the local stores, were given a fine of $100 and costs each or thirty days in the county jail. Neither of them having a cent of money they were sent to jail where they will have a chance to dwell on the evils of their ways for a month.

The three remaining in the line were given fifty dollars and costs each and allowed a chance to sweat it out in the county jail, a job that will occupy their vagabond minds for a period of fifteen days. The three vags were Frank Jones, Charles Wright and Luke O’Brien.

The theft of the overalls took place on Monday afternoon. Peter Coyne took the garments from a box in front of one of the stores on South Sixth street and ran with them to a nearby corner where he secreted them in a buggy and made his get-away. It was then Lowery’s turn to play his part in the deal, so getting the bundle from the buggy he made his way through an alley to the rear of one of the lunch counters of the city where his brother is employed, and there hid them in a box.

He was seen to do this by one of the high school boys who reported it to the police and the two arrests followed with the resulting convictions.

Both of the parties to the game plead guilty to the charge entered against them and there was no delay in meting out their punishment. Coyne has been implicated in other petty thieveries about the city, and was arrested a few months ago as one of the parties engaged in the burglary of the Cochran saloon. At that time, however, the evidence against him was not sufficient to hold him to the grand jury and he was released.

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 10, 1905

Disorderly House Raided by Police

Was Closed Saturday Night and Inmates Given Hearing Today.

Fined $50.00 and Costs

Later It Was Decided to Let her Get Out of The City Which She is Glad to Do, Taking Her Daughter With Her.

On Saturday night the supposed fruit stand located on North Eighth street, was closed on the grounds that it was a disorderly house, and the proprietress, Mrs. Lizzie Wilson, along with her alleged daughter, Laura Beech Russell, ordered to apepar (sic) in police court at ten o’clock this morning to answer to the charge.

At the hearing of the woman which was held today, she was held guilty by his honor, and fined $50 and costs, the young girl, fifteen years of age, being of too tender an age to be sent to jail was ordered turned over the the (sic) district court.

The woman, however, plead (sic) that she was penniless, and that if given an opportunity she would leave the city. Seeing nothing to be gained for the good of the town by keeping her here in jail, she was finally released, and will be under police escort until she leaves at four o’clock in the morning for Sibley where she claims to have friends.

Made Bluff of Business.

The woman and her daughter arrived in Fort Dodge on election day and securing the building they have since occupied for the alleged purpose of running a candy kitchen, moved into it at once. In the front part of the building, which is partitioned off from the rear they put in a little fruit, some cigars, soft drinks and a little candy as alleged to keep up appearance, and under the cover of this operated a disorderly house.

It is alleged by the neighbors, two families of whom have moved away from the vicinity on account of the ill fame of the place, that there was always a crowd of young men and boys gathered about the place, that the piano was heard as late as three o’clock in the morning and that there was every evidence that the busines (sic) of the two women of the place was anything but legitimate.

A number of witnesses appeared in the case and testified to the above facts. Testimony was bought out which proved that the woman had been driven out of Spencer, where she had conducted the same sort of business.

The story of Mrs. Wilson herself developed the fact that she had been almost continually on the move, and while she claimed that both she and her daughter were respectable and of the best character, her appearance and especially the appearance and testimony of the girl failed to bear her out in her claim.

The place ahs been under surveillance for some time.

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 10, 1903

Time Honored 7.10 is Superseded

Mayor Northrup Announces Change in Assessment of Fees in Police Court

Marshall’s (sic) Fees Will Be $1.85

Claimed that Former Rate $3.10 was not Authorized by law. Other Fees the Same.

Mayor Northrup has instituted a change in the manner of assessing police court fines, which went into effect at the session of court held on Thursday afternoon. As a result, the time honored sum of $7.10, which for years has been set over against the name of the man fined for the offense of drunkenness, has been consigned to oblivion, and $5.85 will take its place.

Mayor Northrup looked up the matter of police court fines when he entered upon the duties of his office, and states that he found nothing in the law to make the marshal’s fee amount to $3.10, the sum at which it has been placed almost ever since Fort Dodge has had a police court. He says that the marshal’s fee legally amounts to but $1.85. Substituting this amount for the $3.10 formerly paid the marshal the amount $5.85 becomes the fine will hereafter fall to the lot of the plain drunk.

The fees for the ordinary fine of $1 and costs will be assessed as follows:

In addition to these customary fees, the following may be assessed when necessary:

Mayor Northrup announced this morning that his police court will be carried on under this system of fees during this term of office.

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 8, 1906

Horse Stolen on Central Avenue

Charles Woodbury, Living Near Cemetery, Loses a Valuable Animal Today

Taken by Unknown Parties

Horse Had Been Left Tied Just West of Right Place Store. Police at Work

A horse and buggy belonging to Charles Woodbury, living near the cemetery, unexpectedly disappeared at about noon today. the horse had been hitched on Sixth street, just east of the right place store, and was taken from that place by some unknown person, and has not been seen since.

Mr. Woodbury’s son saw the horse being driven around, but thought that his father had given some one permission to use it. He saw the buggy stop at the curbing and take in another man, after which it was driven away and he has not seen it since.

The horse was a dark brown animal, fastened to a well worn buggy without a top. The matter was reported to the police and Marshal Ed Welch spent considerable time this afternoon looking for the missing property, but up to the time of going to press had found no trace of it.

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 7, 1903

New Police Begin Duties

Marshal Ed Welch and His Men Sworn in Monday Night

Enter on Their New Duties

Marshal Welch already has some of the Beats Assigned and is Organizing the Force.

Police Marshal Ed Welch, Deputy Marshal Frank Connelly and the new police officers of the city of Fort Dodge took their oath of office and entered upon the performance of their duties on Monday night.

Marshal Welch this morning announced the beats for the new officers, so far as they have as yet been arranged. Marshal Welch and Deputy Marshal Frank Connelly will be on duty in the day time, as is customary, and Patrolman Merton Jordan has also been assigned for day duty. The day men will be on duty from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Officer J.M. Mericle will take the beat at the Illinois Central depot which was held by Myron Tuller on the old force. Peter Ditmer will have his old beat, covering the Great Western depot and yards and the eastern business district. Adolph Rossing will succeed Peter Steiner of the old force. His duty will be to look after the gas lights, and to cover the business district in the neighborhood of the square. All the night men will go on duty at 6 o’clock in the evening and off at 6 in the morning.

This leave two beats to be arranged. August Andrews is as yet not assigned any regular run, and the man whom Mayor Northrup will appoint to succeed William McNally, whose appointment was not approved by the city council on Monday evening, must also be provided for. Marshal Welch expects to have his force organized in a short time.

The vigilance of the new police resulted in the apprehension of two culprits on Monday night. Dan Daly was picked up paralyzed drunk, and was given a secure lodgement in the city jail. He was released this morning on his promise to get out of town. He gave his home as Ackley. John Doe, from Clare, this time, paid $7.10 in expiation of his offense in getting drunk and was discharged.

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 5, 1904

Fatality May Follow Demand for $1,000

Wealthy Lumberman Threatened Unless He Puts Money in Hay Stacker.

Package Placed in Stacker

And When it is Taken Out by Young Farmer He is Perhaps Fatally Shot.

Graettinger, April 5 – Henry Deeter, a farmer living one mile southeast of this place, was probably fatally shot Sunday by Conrad Wigman, who is also a resident of this community. The circumstances leading up to the terrible tragedy are as follows:

J.A. Spies, a wealthy lumber dealer and the owner of several farms, received a threatening letter a few days ago in which he was asked by the unknown writer to place $1,000 in the “freight box” of a hay stacker that during the winter had been left in a meadow just easst of the Des Moines river and about a mile from town. The writer threatened Mr. Spies with great violence unless his demands were met not later than the morning of April 2.

On the evening of April 1 Mr. Spies placed a worthless packages in the weight box and arranged to have Conrad Wigman, the son of one of his tenants, and a deputy sheriff concealed in the top of a stack of hay which stood near the hay stacker. A careful watch during Friday night developed nothing of the author of the letter and at daylight the deputy sheriff, thinking further vigilance was unnecessary, proposed that he and Wigman return to town. Young Wigman thought differently and allowed the deputy to return to town alone.

A short time afterward, probably about 6 o’clock a.m., Henry Deeter approached the stacker from the direction of his home, carrying a shotgun and seemed to be hunting ducks and other game. Upon arriving at the stacker he went to the weight box and picked up the package Mr. Spies had placed there.

Young Wigman arose from his hiding place on the stack and demanded that Deeter lay down his gun. Deeter seemed much surprised at Wigman’s presence and before a satisfactory explanation was made by either both being well known to each other, Wigman fired a heavy charge of B.B. shot into Deeter’s body, which was facing the stack on which Wigman stood. The charge took effect on the right side and arm. Deeter fell and lay in a fainting condition for a short time during which Wigman came down from the stack and stood near him. when Deeter had partially recovered from the shock, Wigman compelled him to pick up the package and walk to town with it, the distance being fully a mile. When the true condition of the wounded man was learned he was given medical attendance and later taken to his home, where he lies with the chances of recovery somewhat against him,.

Mr. Deeter has always enjoyed an excellent reputation as a law-abiding citizen and his neighbors are certain that his explanation of the affair is the truty. In fact public opinion seems to be strongly in his favor. He says the hay stacker was his own property, and that he went to the weight box to get a wrench to take the stacker apart that he might take it to his home.

He saw the package and naturally being surprised at finding it there, was examining it when accosted by Wigman. He denies any knowledge of the letter received by Spies and the fact that he carried a gun is nothing peculiar, as he has always done so during the hunting season and while at the weight box did not in any way threaten Wigman with it.

Conrad Wigman is an intelligent young man from a good family, and it not of a vicious disposition. He undoubtedly was somewhat excited and being deeply impressed with the importance of capturing his man did not realize that he could be mistaken in the matter and acted rashly. Wigman was placed under bonds for his future appearance.

(Editor’s note: I will investigate further to see what followed – whether Henry Deeter lived or died, whether Conrad Wigman was charged, and if anything further was discovered about the threatening letter. Any more information will be added to this post.)

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 5, 1905

Mayor Bennett’s First Court

His Honor Balances Scales of Justice.

First Drunk of Administration Gets Let Off Easy and Goes Away Rejoicing.

Major S.J. Bennett held his first police court this morning when he handed out a bunch of justice to a new offender, giving him the usual $1 and costs. Later, however, when the man made the statement that he was in a hurry to catch a train out of the city, his honor relented and let him off with a lecture.

The first plain one of the present administration, Thomas Oleson, of Vincent, was in the city making preparations for the removal of his family from there here. He forgot his mission, however, and surrounded a most mighty jag which landed him in jail, as jags have a tendency to do in this city.

That was yesterday afternoon and this morning in police court Oleson was extremely repentant and made the statement that he had never been arrested before and that this would be the last time he would let it occur. He had no money, but if his honor would let him off, he would get it and come in with it as soon as he got back with his family.

Mayor Bennett made the remark that if Oleson followed up his habit of drinking he would not be a very valuable acquisition to the town, and with that let him go. He was thankful to make his escape and made a run for the train that would take him to Vincent.

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The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 6, 1905

Oleson Missed His Train

Thomas Oleson, of Vincent, Was Up Wednesday Morning in Court Again.

He Missed His Train Out

Tried to Dissolve That Dark Brown Taste and Falls in the Pit – Brass Buttons Have an Affinity for Him and He Leaves His Watch.

Thomas Oleson, of Vincent, the man who was up on police court Wednesday morning for the first time in his life and who only waited an opportunity to get out of town so that he could move his family to Fort Dodge, evidently missed his train, for he was up on court again this morning, and this time, instead of being let off with the mayor’s blessing, he was compelled to leave his watch, which he valued at $25 with the city as security for his fine of $5.00 and costs, amounting to $9.85.

It appears that after leaving the presence of the mayor on Wednesday morning, he had gone directly to the nearest jag plant where he  hoped to be able to wash the discolored taste from his mouth and reduce the size of his head. This he succeeded in doing with the first good “straight.” Seeing the excellent effect one drink had on his general good feeling, he immediately came to the conclusion that if a small dose was good a large one would be still better, and hit himself below the belt with a few more.

It was only a few minutes till he forgot there ever was a train to Vincent and went in for one of the best times the town had in stock. He got it all right, but one of the brass buttons came along and took his measure for a place in the city jail, where he was landed to sober up.

This morning he was as repentant as before, but his honor was not to be influenced and took his watch for security.

“What was your business in Vincent?” asked Mayor Bennett.

“I kept a saloon, your honor,” was the answer.

“I don’t doubt it in the least,” was the rejoiner (sic) of his honor. “You have been doing your best to keep the saloons of Fort Dodge since you came here.”

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 4, 1903

Two Women Engage in Single Combat

Desperate Struggle for Supremacy Interrupted by Arrival of Police in Court This Morning.

The sight of two women engaged in a fierce struggle mingled with cursing and hair pulling, was the panorama offered passerby near the Duncombe house at about 10 o’clock Friday night.

The participants in this fracas were Miss Edith Quegg and Mrs. Sadie O’Hara, who, Miss Quegg claimed in Police court this morning had become entangled in this dispute because Mrs. O’Hara had falsely claimed that Miss Quegg was paying attentions to Mrs. O’Hara’s husband.

The two women were arrested and continued to swear and wrangle after being taken to the city jail. Upon paymen (sic) of $20 Mrs. O’Hara was released on promise of appearing in Police Court this morning but she did not appear. Miss Quegg, accompanied by her mother, defended herself in court this morning, saying that neither were intoxicated and that Mrs. O’Hara was the cause of all the trouble.

Mayor Bennett fined her $10 and costs. Mrs. Quegg left a gold watch as security for her daughter’s fine.
This was the only case in police court this morning.

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 2, 1906

A $200 Horse is Stolen

Boldest Theft of Year Right in Heart of City Saturday Afternoon.

Owner Offers $50 Reward

Thief Took Horse, Buggy and all From Where it was Tied near Chapin’s Lumber Yard – Burgfried Bros. Were Owners.

The boldest theft of the year to occur in Fort Dodge took place Saturday afternoon when a two hundred dollar blooded horse belonging to Burgfried Brothers was stolen from its hitching place on the north side of Chapin’s lumber yard.

The theft occurred between two and five o’clock, as the animal was tied at the place as the animal was tied at the place mentioned at two and was gone when the owners returned at five.

The animal is a bay, sixteen adn one-half hands high, weight about 1,300 pounds. It has a small white star in the face also a white mark on the lower point of the left shoulder. The vehicle was a red wheeled road wagon, containing a light harness, horse blanket and robe.

The owners are incensed over the theft and without delay the matter was placed in the hands of Sheriff Oleson. A reward of fifty dollars has been offered by Burgfried Brothers for the capture of the thief and the return of the stolen property.

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The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 3, 1906

Sold Stolen Horse for $40

Horse Stolen From Burgfried Bros. Sold by Thief to Teamster.

Sheriff Olson (sic) has recovered the horse stolen from Brugfied (sic) Bros. Saturday afternoon from the place where it was tied north of Chapin’s lumber yeard (sic).

The animal was sold for forty dollars to one A.H. Linda a teamster living on the flat and was later recovered from this man. Mr. Linda states that a young man approached him on the street stating that he had a horse to sell. He announced his willingness to look at the animal and was led to a side street where it was tied. The seller offered to dispose of it for forty dollars and seeing that the horse was a bargain at that price Linda at once closed the deal and the next day paid over his money, not thinking but that the man was its owner.

He took the horse home and on Monday hitched it up and started on his work with it. A liveryman recognized it and informed the sheriff. Linda was greatly surprised to hear of the manner in which he had been buncoed and at once gave up the horse. He has placed a description of the young man who sold the stolen animal to him in the hands of the officers who have instituted a search for him. It is supposed, however, that he at once made good his escape from the city. He is said to be a Fort Dodge young man, residing in “Bobtown.”