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.)
Tags: 1906, Bennett, hobos, police court
The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 7, 1906
Move Started for Modern Hospital
Subscription List is to be Circulated Through the City
Knights of Columbus in Move
Physicians Agitate the Project – Planned to Have Sisters in Charge – Board of Trustees to Care for Funds to be Selected
A move has recently been started by a crowd of Fort Dodge physicians which is backed by the Knights of Columbus and the people of the city in general, by which it is hoped to push through to a final end the much talked project of a modern hospital for the city.
A subscription list has already been formed which it is planned to circulate through the entire city for the purpose of raising funds, and the work will probably be started at once. A committee headed by Mayor Bennett and consisting of other prominent men of the city is being formed for the purpose of receiving the proceeds, which are to be expended on the recommendations of the committee, the Fort Dodge doctors and the Knights of Columbus. In case the hospital is built it is planned to place it in charge of the Sisters of Mercy.
Fort Dodge has long needed a large modern hospital, and in view of the size of the city and the excellent reputation of Fort Dodge’s medical men through the state it is fast becoming a crying need. The present move will no doubt meet with the approval and encouragement of the entire city. The cost and size of the hospital will depend on the success that is met in soliciting subscriptions for the purpose.
Tags: 1906, Bennett, Knights of Columbus, Sisters of Mercy
