The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 18, 1904

Chicken Thieves Make Raid

C.L. Peterson Suffers the Loss of Many Fowls

Resident in Southeastern Part of the City Loses Large Number of Chickens and Geese.

Chicken thieves made a raid on the chicken coop of C.L. Peterson, living near the Plymouth gypsum mill, on Thursday night, and today Mr. Peterson is mourning the loss of nearly three dozen choice fowls. chickens to the number of thirty or more were taken, while the thieves helped themselves to three fat geese in addition to the big Plymouth Rocks.

The theft was discovered at an early hour this morning, when Mr. Peterson found a glove in the yard near his chicken coop. Blood found near the building in which the fowls were housed led to an investigation and the discovery of the fact that he had been relieved of the greater part of his feathery wealth. The glove is the only clue to the identity of the thief, or thieves. No disturbance was heard Thursday night, although it is evident from the generous spilling of blood about the premises, that at least one chicken was killed.

Mr. Peterson is a foreman employed by the Plymouth Gypsum company, and lives near the mill in the southeastern part of the city.

The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 17, 1904

Willey Takes His Departure

“Nutty” Willey Left Fort Dodge for all Time.

Does So When He is Threatened to Be Named as Candidate for the Cherokee Dry House.

Michael Conlin, Earnest Willey and William Kelso were arraigned in police court this morning on the charge of being drunk. The first two named were fined $1 and costs, while Kelso was taxed $5 and the trimmings. conlin is a track laying foreman and was employed by the Great Western in laying steel for the Omaha extension. He is deaf and for that reason had some difficulty in pleading guilty when arraigned this morning. His fine was suspended providing he would return to work.

Ernest Willey, who is better known as “Nutty” Willey, left the city hall this morning with the firm determination of never showing his face in Fort Dodge again. He made this prmise under threat of being sent to the dry hosue at Cherokee. Willey has been a well known character in Fort Dodge for a number of years  and has been arrested repeatedly for being drunk. He was given an hour to get out of town, together with the information that if he again came within the limits of the city he would be promptly arrested.

(Editor’s note: I’ll try to gather more articles about “Nutty” Willey. I can safely say that he did forget to stay away from Fort Dodge and in fact, returned on March 21, 1904. Also, at this time, the mental health facility in Cherokee apparently had a 1904 version of rehab. That was what Ernest Willey was trying to avoid by promising to leave Fort Dodge forever.)

The Fort Dodge Republican: March 16, 1864

Married:

On Monday, the 16th inst., at the residence of the bride’s father, in this place, by the Rev. S.W. Ingham, Captain Cyrus C. Carpenter, of Gen. Dodge’s Staff, to Miss Susan C. Burkholder, all of Fort Dodge.

The newly married pair will please accept our thanks for the token of good will to the printer which accompanied the foregoing notice. We wish them all the pleasure that a long life of happiness can afford.

(Editor’s note: Cyrus C. Carpenter was Webster County surveyor in 1856. He accompanied the relief expedition to Spirit Lake to aid the settlers after the Spirit Lake Massacre. He was a representative in the Iowa Legislature from 1858 to 1860. During the Civil War, he was on the staff of generals William Rosecrans, Grenville M. Dodge and John A. Logan. He later became governor of Iowa. He died May 29, 1898. There is more information in the Wikipedia article.)

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 12, 1903

Has Discovered His Parentage

Irving B. Bischoff, of Fonda, Claims Interest in Webster County Lands by Inheritance

Says His Real Name is Young

Story of One ot (sic) Most Peculiar Claims Ever Presented in Webster County

As a result of a quarrel with the man whom he had all his  life supposed to be his father, Irving B. Bishoff (sic) of Fonda, who now believes that his real name in (sic) Young, was in the city on Wednesday, investigating what he believes to be a valid claim to certain Webster county lands. Bishoff (sic) claims an interest, by inheritance, in 130 acres of land in Johnson township, now owned by W.F. Rubel.

The story of Bischoff’s discovery of his real parentage is a strange one. For thirty years he has lived quietly in Fonda, believing himself to be the son of the man whom he now considers his step father. A short time ago, a difference of opinion arose between the two men, in the course of which the elder Bischoff announced the fact that the relation between them was not that of father and son. The younger man started to unravel the mystery, with startling results:

He now believes that his grandfather was James S. Young, and that his father was Samuel Young, who died before he was born. After his father’s death, his mother married Bischoff. J.S. Young was the owner of 130 acres of land in Johnson township, described as follows: the north one-half of the south east quarter and the east fifty acres of the south one-half of the south east quarter of section 20, range 89, township 30.

James S. Young left a will in which he bequeathed this property to his wife, Martha Young, during the term of her natural life. Later Martha Young brought suit to have her dower set apart to her, alleging that her son Samuel Young died unmarried and without issue. This was done, and subsequently another suit was brought by one of the heirs to have the land sold and the proceeds divided. In this suit it was alleged again that Samuel Young died unmarried and without issue. Accordingly, the land was sold, and the proceeds divided among the heirs.

In both suits, notice was served on the unknown heirs by publication. Whether this notice will have any effect on the claim of the heir who has thus unexpectedly presented himself, is said to be a matter of doubt, as he has all the time resided within the borders of the state of Iowa, while the notice by publication applies only to those resident outside the state.

Bischoff claims a 2-9 interest in the 130 acres now owned by Mr. Rubel.

Bischoff was in the city on Tuesday going over the records with a view to establishing his claim. He stated while here that he will hereafter go by the name of Young  which he claims to be lawfully his.

The case is one of the most peculiar which has come up for sometime. The fact that the allegations in both previous suits claim that Samuel Young died unmarried and without issue point apparently to a secret marriage on the part of that individual. Bischoff while here, asserted that he would trace the matter to its foundations, and would take all steps to secure possession of what he believes to be his patrimony.

The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 11, 1903

New Bank in Fort Dodge

Ed Breen of Estherville and Tom Breen of This City Interested

Preliminary Plans are Made

Bank Will Occupy Present Palace Barber Shop Quarters – Dennis Coughlan to Be Cashier.

Ed Breen of Estherville, associated with his brother, Tom Breen, of this city, is to open a new bank in Fort Dodge within the next thirty days. The quarters on Central avenue, between Seventh and Eighth street, at present occupied by the Palace barber shop, will serve as headquarters for the new banking business, which will move in as soon as proper furnishings can be secured.

The new bank will have a capital of at least $50,000. Fred and Charles Larrabee will be included among the stockholders, and it is probable that Charles Larrabee will move to this city from his present home in Armstrong.

Dennis Coughlan, as present the teller of the First National bank, has accepted the position of cashier with the new organization.

The bank expects to do the commercial business which savings banks are allowed to do and at once step into a permanent place among the sound financial institutions of Fort Dodge.

Edward Breen is to move his resident from Estherville to Fort Dodge. He is expected to reach the city tonight.

(Editor’s note: I searched through several city directories from 1908 to 1935 at the Webster County Genealogical Society. The 1908 directory is the earliest one they have after 1898. In the 1908 directory, it gives the following information on the Iowa Savings Bank: Address, 715 Central Ave. Organized 1903. Capital $50,000; Surplus $11,000. President: E.J. Breen; Vice President: Charles Larrabee; Cashier: D.J. Coughlin; Assistant Cashier: C.B. Smeltzer.

The bank was still listed in the directories I checked through 1930. In 1931, it is no longer listed, and there is Scott’s Fruit Markets Inc. listed at that address. This is just east of The Messenger building. The building was torn down several years ago and made into a parking lot for Messenger employees. I don’t have any further information on why the bank ceased to exist, but it’s most likely a result of the Great Depression. Before 1930, there were about six banks in Fort Dodge (I didn’t keep track). After 1930, there were two.

In addition, by 1925, Ed Breen was no longer listed as president – that title went to Charles Larrabee. There were two vice presidents: Daniel Rhodes and C.B. Smeltzer. D.J. Coughlan was listed as Cashier and W.L. Hamilton and F.L. Shraon (sic) were assistant cashiers.)

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 Fort Dodge Messenger: March 9, 1904

Afflicted Persons Allowed Freedom

Smallpox Case at Merchants Hotel Leads to Discovery of Startling Facts.

Family Suffers From Disease

But Until Tuesday Not Reported – Meanwhile Guests Come and Go.

If the statement made by the health authorities is true a number of cases of smallpox have existed in the city for several weeks and until Tuesday no effort has been made to report the disease to the proper officers, nor was there quarantine established, the afflicted premises being accessible to many persons during the time the sickness existed.

Tuesday a case of smallpox was reported at the Merchant’s hotel between Seventh and Eighth streets on First avenue north. The place was quarantined and now it is said that an investigation had led to the discovery that the disease has existing in the hotel for some time. M. L. Sperry, the proprietor, his wife and several of the children have had the disease, according to the report, and the children have been attending school.

It is also claimed that a teacher in the school attended by the children has been a sufferer from the disease. The malady has existed in a light form and as the several members of the family have suffered from it they have been kept in their rooms, but no medical attendance has been engaged.

A few days ago, Harry Kettering, a man of all work who has been employed at the hotel for his board, who was taken sick and showed symptoms of the disease. He was sent to a physician by the proprietor and returned to the hotel saying that the doctor pronounced him to be suffering from smallpox. His case continued to grow worse and he was again sent to the physician. the latter reports that his visit Tuesday was the first and then it only took him a short time to discover that he was afflicted with smallpox.

The health authorities were immediately notified by the physician and the hotel placed under quarantine. This morning City Physician C.H. Churchill visited the hotel and was told by the proprietor that himself and family had suffered what seemed to be the same disease but that they recovered and medical attention was not necessary.

There were a number of quests at the hotel Tuesday and those who did not leave will probably have to remain in quarantine until released by the proper authorities. The particular danger that has existed has been the coming and going of guests at the hotel while the disease has been prevalent.

Kettering is now kept in a room at the hotel. This morning a man named Dean applied for the privilege of removing the patient to his home, where he said he would care for him. Kettering, it seems, had been at the Dean home since he has been suffering from smallpox and even if he is not removed there the house will probably be quarantined.

Providing is it learned where inmates of the hotel have been during the past week or so, several more quarantines may be established.

(Editor’s note: An update on this story is located here: West Fort Dodge Protests.)

The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 9, 1903

Crawled into Furnace in Search of Warmth

None but a Webster City Man Could Think of Such a Unique Performance as This.

Webster City, March 9 – A fellow by the name of Murphy, an employe (sic) at the new Mercy Hospital building recently crawled into the hospital furnace to get warm while drunk and narrowly escaped serious injuries.

Murphy had been working thru the day with the regular hospital gang. At the close of the day’s work he filled up with liquor and instead of returning to his boarding place, went back to the hospital building. The furnace had been fired  up during the day but had been allowed to go down at night. The room and become chilly and Murphy was cold. Looking about in a drunken stupor for a warm place he came to the furnace. He opened the door of the fire box and crawled in. The fire had died down and Murphy lay on the smouldering (sic) ashes some time before he was badly enough burned to realize that his position was dangerous. He succeeded in making his exit and was found next morning by his companions when they went to work. He was lying in a corner covered from head to foot with ashes and his clothing partly burned off him. The whole of one side of his body is quite badly burned but the fellow sustained no serious injuries.

(Editor’s note: I think the drophead about only a Webster City man could think of something like this is indicative of a rivalry between Fort Dodge and Webster City. No current disrespect is intended.)