The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 25, 1904

Thrillling (sic) Accident of Frightened Team

Horses of Oakdale Dairy Cut a Swath on the River Road North of Town

Broken Wagon Tongue Cause

Narrow Escape From Death for Mr. and Mrs. Schoonmaker and Infant.

Mr. and Mrs. O.F. Schoonmaker of Clarion, visiting at the Miller home in this city, and the Miller baby, very narrowly escaped death Sunday morning in a collision with a runaway team on the river road north of the city.

Mr. and Mrs. Miller and Mr. and Mrs. Schoonmaker had planned a picnic dinner in the woods along the river north of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Schoonmaker with the Miller baby were ahead and had reached what is is known as the Narrows road north of the Haviland place, where the road is only wide enough for some distance for a single team, with no room for passing when they were horrified to see a runaway team and wagon approaching. The team was mad with fright and as they were hemmed in on one side by the bluff and on the other by the river bank, there was no way of avoiding the crash and no time to get out of the vehicle. With no decrease in their mad speed the runaway crashed into the rig occupied by the three. Mrs. Schoonmaker and the child were thrown over the dash board among the struggling and fright-crazed animals, two of which had been thrown by the violence of the contact, and were only rescued with difficulty by other picnickers who were on the same road, but fortunate enough to find a way of escape. Mrs. Schoonmaker was unconscious when picked up but miraculously was not seriously hurt, sustaining only a few bruises. The baby, aside from a scratch on its fact (sic – should be face) escaped injury and was picked up badly frightened and crying lustily by the side of the road where it had rolled from under the plunging horses.

The runaway horses, which belonged to the Oakdale dairy, and were bringing a load of milk into the city, were held by the party until claimed by their driver. The rig which had been occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Schoonmaker and  the baby was straightened out, the damage repaired and they returned to the city. All things considered, the accident was a fortunate one, in that the results were no more serious.

Mr. and Mrs. E.C. Wakefield, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Craig and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Dietz, who had also planned a day in the woods were on the same road a little way ahead of Mr. and Mrs. Schoonmaker, but seeing the approaching runaway barely got out of their path at a point where the road widened a trifle, and the team passed them, just grazing the wheels of their vehicle. Hearing the crash of the collision behind them, they rushed to the rescue of their less fortunate followers and succeeded in untangling the wreck.

The runaway of the dairy team was caused by the breaking of the wagon tongue as they were coming down the hill. The driver was unharmed.

Tags: 1904, Craig, Dietz, horse, Miller, Oakdale Dairy, Schoonmaker, Wakefield

The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 23, 1904

Arrested at Depot Here

Gambler Named McManus From Eagle Grove.

Alleged He Shot or Attempted to Shoot an Associate This Morning.

An individual giving his name as McManus arrived this morning from Eagle Grove where he is wanted by the police, via the Chicago Great Western. In accordance of the receipt of a telegram from the chief of police, Chief Welch and Captain Jordan met the train and took McManus into custody, placing him in the city jail where he will await the action of the Eagle Grove police.

McManus is a gambler by profession and yesterday had some hot words with his “pal” who accused him of dishonesty. He denied the charge, but was given until night to make good his mistakes. Somehow he managed to keep from the sight of his friend until this morning when they met and with a borrowed revolver McManus shot at him. Before he could be caught, McManus boarded a Great Western train and unnoticed hoped to escape the vigilance of the police, making good his escape on arriving here. A metal knuckle, a screw driver and several silver dollars was all that could be found on the prisoner besides a revolver one chamber of which was discharged.

Tags: 1904, Jordan, McManus, Welch

The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 5, 1904

Child is Seriously Injured

Three Year-Old Girl Kicked by Horse.

Dorothy Deckert Badly Hurt this Afternoon – Head Cut and Eye Injured.

This afternoon about 3 o’clock while playing near her home Dorothy, the three-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Deckert, was seriously injured by a  horse that was staked out grazing near the house. The child attempted to pass the horse when it turned kicking her on the left side of the forehead.

It is thought that the accident to the left eye will result seriously, but as yet the extent of the injury is not known. The child’s forehead was badly cut, especially near the temple. Directly after the accident the little one was carried into the house and medical aid summoned.

Tags: 1904, Deckert

The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 4, 1904

Fortunate End to a Runaway

Team Belonging to Doctor Wilson of Vincent Takes a Lively Spin

Had Broken a Neck Strap

Pole Dropped on Ground – Dr. Wilson, Wife and Baby in Buggy.

About eleven o’clock this morning a light top buggy and pair of horses took a lively spin up South First Avenue as far as Twelfth street where they turned, going north for some distance. The occupants of the buggy were Dr. Wilson, wife and baby who drove in from Vincent this morning and who reside in that town.

While watering the horses at the Eighth street watering trough they became frightened and in lurching about broke a neck strap. This let the pole down and the h0rses became unmanageable and started to run. Turning at First avenue they ran east as far as Twelfth street and then north. When near the Chicago & Great Western depot the horses became separated from the buggy and noting their freedom started with more vigor pulling Dr. Wilson out over the dashboard when he released his hold on the lines and was thrown to the pavement. The horses did not run far, however, before they were stopped.

Little injury was sustained outside of a few bruises, and no damage done to the buggy. One of the horses fell during the runaway and has a deep gash on the breast, which is in no way serious. Mrs. Wilson and the baby escaped with nothing more than a fright and a fast ride.

Tags: 1904

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 30, 1904

Hubby and Furniture Gone

Webster City Man Hopes to Meet Wife in Heaven.

Tells Her to Be “A Good Girl,” But Shows No Inclination to Meet Her on Earth.

Webster City, April 30 –

“Mollie: You’ll never see me again. I’m tired of this kind of a life. Be a good girl. I hope I’ll meet you in heaven. Goodby, Albert.”

The above note and an empty house was what greeted Mrs. A.A. McFarland yesterday when she returned to this city from a visit in Afton. The note was laying on a table but that comprised about all of the furniture in the house. Beyond the information contained in the note there was nothing else to enlighten the woman as to the whereabouts of her husband.

The McFarlands lived on John street which is in the extreme northwest portion of the city. McFarland has been employed on the North western in this vicinity and has made his home in this city with his wife for two or three years. About a week ago Mrs. McFarland went to Afton to visit her relatives and expected to be absent about two weeks. For some reason she shortened her visit and arrived home yesterday.

She was met at the train by one of her neighbors who had learned of the proceedings during her absence. The key of the house was found at Crandall’s grocery store. When the home was unlocked it was a cheerless place. Nearly all of the furniture, including the cooking stove had been sold. A note, which was found on the table explained that the husband had left for other parts and did not expect to return.

Mrs. McFarland took a trip to Homer yesterday in search for her missing husband. He has a sister who resides there but no trace of the man was found. They told her he had left for Missouri.

Tags: 1904, McFarland

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 29, 1904

And Now They Are Both in the Toils

Harry Himmellman and Sam Beisell “Get Even” With Each Other.

Now Both Are Under Arrest

And Must Answer to the Federal Jury on Charge of “Bootlegging.”

As the result of a case of “getting even,” Harry Himmellman of Radcliffe, Iowa,  must answer to the federal grand jury on the charge of selling intoxicating liquor contrary to the revenue laws. Himmellman testified against Sam Beisell of LaPorte, when Beisell was taken before a United States commissioner for alleged “bootlegging,” and in a spirit of revenge Beisell turned around and swore out information against Himmellman, charging him with disposing of intoxicants without first paying Uncle Sam his due and at the same time endeavoring to employ the charge against the other to clear himself. As a result both are being held over to the grand jury on the same charge.

Last October Beisell it is alleged made a practice of selling beer while conducting a restaurant at Radcliffe. He later moved to LaPorte, a small town near Waterloo, and was arrested there some time after his arrival. At his hearing Himmellman, who had been in his employ in the restaurant at Radcliffe, testified against him. When it had been apparently proven that liquor had been sold in his place of business, Beisell in turn attempted to shoulder the blame upon Himmellman, claiming that if the latter sold beer in the restaurant it was without his knowledge. He was bound over to the grand jury.

When Beisell had been disposed of the authorities began to pick up evidence against Himmellman and a few days ago his arrest was decided on. Wednesday Deputy United States Marshal G.F. Gustafson was to go down to Radcliffe to place Himmellman under arrest, but the trip was made unnecessary. While walking along the street Tuesday afternoon thinking of his contemplated trip for the next day Marshall (sic) Gustafson felt a hand on his arm and turning gazed in the face of Himmellman, whose arrest he was to make the next day. The unexpected meeting was something of a surprise, but when Himmellman “braced” the marshal for a dollar the officer nearly lost his feet.

“You want a dollar do you?” he said as soon as he recovered his breath. “I guess you won’t need a dollar for a few days. You’d better come along with me.”

“Well I’ll be d——, I’m telling the truth when I say I’m sorry I met you,” was all Himmellman could say and then he and the marshal marched up to the city jail where the Radcliffe man spent his time until this afternoon when he was given a hearing before Captain W.H. Johnston. He was bound over to the grand jury and being unable to furnish bones was taken to Cedar Rapids where he will remain in jail until his case is disposed of.

Tags: 1904, Beisell, Gustafson, Himmellman

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 27, 1904

Signs of Approaching Summer

Police Make a Raid On a Camp in Duncombe’s Woods on Tuesday Afternoon and Arrest Five.

The police paid a visit to the Duncombe’s woods Tuesday afternoon and although they did not find the first flowers of spring they found what they were looking for – the first hobo camp of the year. In the past the Wearies seem to have been drawn to these woods as if by an irresistible force and despite indications to the contrary now that they have again begun to frequent their favorite abode summer must be near at hand.

The hoboes (sic) were housecleaning, or as near as they ever come to it, when the police made their unceremonious visit. Coats, trousers, shirts, socks and other wearing apparel that had seen a winter’s wear, in some cases probably without a single change, were hung out to “air” on an improvised clothes line stretched from the limbs of nearby trees.

Only two of the knights were “at home.” They were in the act of building a fire and as there was nothing in sight that they could possibly cook, the conclusion was drawn that the rest of the gang was out foraging. This conclusion proved to be true.

The two found at the camp gave their names as Robert Anderson and Alva  Bruney. They were given an hour to get out of town and they took the chance. A second visit was made to the camp a few hours later and the remainder of the party, three in number, were transported to the city bastile. They gave the names of William Gundy, Gus Turner and Erick Johnson. They were arraigned in police court this morning and like their companions given an hour to shake the dust of Fort Dodge from their shoes.

Two drunks completed the line-up in police court this morning. They were Joe Bockert and Arthur Simpson. Both pleaded guilty and were fined $1 and costs.

Tags: 1904, Bockert, Bruney, Gundy, Simpson, Turner

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 27, 1904

Child Dies in Mother’s Arms

Sad Death of Infant of Mrs. Jorgen Soppeland

Mother Had Child Wrapped in Shawl While Attending Sheldon Funeral at Badger.

While enroute to the cemetery Tuesday with the body of the late Oliver Sheldon, a resident of Badger, the four months old baby of Mrs. Jorgen Soppeland died. To protect the child from the severe winds the mother wrapped a covering about it, believing it perfectly protected from exposure. Not until the cemetery was reached was it discovered that the baby was other than well, when in stepping from the cariage (sic) the covering was removed and the baby found dead. The immediate cause of its death was not known until a physician pronounced it due to heart failure.

The little one seemed in perfect health prior to the journery (sic) to the cemetery and was bright and exhibited no signs of disease. The incident is particularly sad and is made even more so under the existing circumstances.

Tags: 1904, Soppeland

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 27, 1904

Receives a New Ambulance

Handsome Vehicle of Last Design, Arrives For That Company – Red Cross Private Ambulance.

One of the newest acquisitions to the Laufersweiler undertaking establishment is an ambulance, snow white in color. It is the output of the Cunningham company, Rochester, New York, manufacturers of fine vehicles, and arrived in the city Monday night. It is fitted with all the latest equipment and is in every respect the finest thing of its kind manufactured. Hardly had the new ambulance been unloaded from the car in which it was shipped when a call was sent for its use, and a five mile trip into the country made with it. It is a Red  Cross ambulance and besides bearing the symbol and words private ambulance, has the name “Laufersweiler” in gold letters near the driver’s seat.

Tags: 1904, Laufersweiler