The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 17, 1905
John Doe and Richard Roe
Two Men Famous in Police Court come Up and Get All There is in Stock
Were a Very Jolly Pair
In Spite of the Fact That Their conditions and Surroundings Were Not The Brightest They Were Joyous And Showed Themselves Optomists.
John Doe and Richard Roe both arrived in the city at one and the same time a couple of days ago and since then have been having one of the best times of their lives. As a result of force of habit, however, these bad, bad men steered directly for one of the jag factories and had their measures taken for the two biggest jags that ever came out of the shop in this city. for two days them wore them quietly and had all kinds of sport, being successful in steering clear of blue coats and brass buttons and seeing the town on both the right and wrong sides in a most thorough manner.
Finally however, the inevitable happened, and the two naughty men fell into the hands of the cops and went down on the little report book with a big “drunk and disorderly” after each of their names. The arrest of the two took place last evening and in spite of the fact that they were dressed faultlessly, were consigned to the city bastile like any ordinary drunk.
This morning in police court, in spite of the discolored taste that must have lingered in their mouths and the wheels that still turned and buzzed in their heads, they were in a very jocular mood and took the whole matter as a great joke. It was such a funny thing that they, of all people in the world should be hauled up before the police and fined. It was really too ridiculous for anything, and they coulnd’t get over laughing about it.
John was given a fine of five plunks and costs but Richard got off a little easier being assigned the usual one and trimmings. They came to Fort Dodge for a good time and they certainly had it, but had to pay the price.
This is the first case that has been up in police court for more than two weeks.
The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 14, 1904
Money Goes a Long Way
Lesson in Economy Recited in Police Court.
Charles Rheinhart Has Seventy-five Cents, Which he Makes go an Unusually Long Way.
A lesson in economy was received in police court this morning, which if possible to put into practice on a larger scale would deserve strict observance. Charles Rheinhart came to town Saturday afternoon with seventy-five cents in his pocket. He spend fifty cents for chickens and with the remainder purchased a lunch, a half pint of whiskey and enough beer to make him fall asleep in the Illinois Central depot, and incidentally led to his arrest. he insisted that he had not had enough beer to be drunk, only sleepy. He was taken to jail, however, and wehn arraigned this morning was sent back in default of payment on a fine of $1 and costs.
A second prisoner, who gave his name at Vermont Dobson, was arraigned on the charge of intoxication and vagrancy. He pleaded guilty to the last named charge and was fined $1 and costs, which was suspended on his promise to get out of town. Dobson, when arrested, was asleep in the factory of the Iowa Paint company.
The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 12, 1907
Police News
One lone unfortuunate (sic) who gave his name as Orin Carter was before the mayor this morning in police court.
Drunk and disorderly was the charge hurled against him. he entered a plea of guilty ard (sic) was given three days at hard labor.
■ ■ ■
The officers have received word to be on the lookout for a consignment of stolen furs. On the night of February 28th the warehouse of C.A. Lind of Marathon (sic), Iowa, was broken into and $600 worth of valuable skunk, mink and weasel furs were stolen. A reward of $100 is offered for the capture of the thief and the return of the proparty (sic).
■ ■ ■
Former Police Officer Peter Dittmer was a caller at the station renewing old acquaintances and chatting with the men one day last week. Peter, the veteran member of the force for six years, retired because of a desire to take some ease during the remaining years of his life. He cheerfully says he is doing nothing except to take a life of ease and finds the occupation a pleasant one at that.
The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 10, 1904
Mayor Northrup Makes Arrest
Rescues a Poor Jag From a Curious Throng
Diplomacy Induces Prisoner to Accompany Him to Jail Where He is Locked Up.
Mayor Northrup exercised his authority to make an arrest this morning when he took into custody an individual who was laboring under the disadvantages of an overdose of the jag producting (sic) fluid. His prisoner was unable to appear in police court and his condition was such that he was not feeling well enough to register when given quarters in the city hall.
While aboard a street car on his way down town this morning, the mayor saw a crowd standing near a prostrate figure lying on the sidewalk on Central aveneu (sic) near Tenth street. Leaving the car, he made an investigation and found the curious crowd to be inspecting a simple drunk who had failed to retain his equilibrium while endeavoring to make his way west on Central avenue. After getting him upon his feet, the man with the jag was inclined to be balky, but was finally induced to walk down the street, where he was turned over to a policeman and placed in jail.
The Messenger: March 8, 1906
Vagrants Beware!
The Mayor Prepares for the Spring Migration of the Tramp Class
As the time when tramps begin to wander around among the fields and in the towns is fast approaching, and the usual spring incoming of the ragged, “neverwork” class may be expected to strike Fort Dodge at any time, Mayor Bennett had prepared himself and will be in a position to make the stay of hoboes (sic) in Fort Dodge an interesting one.
The paths of such, as strike the city will not be lined with roses – Oh! no! It will be “back to the high grass,” or else away to the stone pile or the city streets; the hammer and the shovel for thirty days. The mayor’s policy with “vags” worked so well last spring that the formula has been preserved and as fast as the “Willies” drop into Fort Dodge they will be added to the street commissioner’s force.
The street graft for police court prisoners has not been worked hard during the winter but unless Fort Dodge is given a wide berth by those qualified the ranks of the street forces will grow to surprising dimensions from now on.
(Editor’s note: In this time frame, the mayor – an elected official, possibly with no legal experience or training outside of being mayor, presided over police court – equivalent of Magistrate Court today – and handed down sentences. One sentence favored by Mayor Sidney Bennett for hobos was cleaning the city streets. The term “Willies” is short for “Weary Willies,” a slang term for tramps, hobos or vagrants.)
