The Webster County Gazette: May 21, 1880

Border Plains

A little son of Jim Wheeler’s has been quite sick with the diptheria (sic), but is now recovering.

A three years old colt, belonging to Davis, fell dead in the harness while plowing corn one day last week.

Silas Goss believes in the “fonetic sistem of spelin.” Sukses Silus to your efforts.

John Tapper, our new school superintendent, was through this part of the county last week attending to the duties of his office; and right here perhaps it would not be out of place to remark that Mr. Tapper is doing a good work in our schools. His gentlemanly manner gains for him the respect and regard of all our teachers, while his enthusiasm for school room work leaves an influence which cannot be otherwise than beneficial.

It was Beightol’s house than burned instead of Brightol, as was made to appear by your type in last weeks paper and Beightol was living in it at the time.

Samuel Suture and wife start for Colorado soon.

While Will Clark and a little son of E.L. Pratt, were planting corn the other day  the team – a pair of colts got away form Will and started off to plant corn on their own hook. For a time Will said he never saw corn planted as fast, but the planter soon began to assume a form that would not warrant it to work in a systematic manner, and planting operations were suspended although the horses went on. When stopped it was found that the planter was completely demoralized. Although the loss at the time was quite serious yet under the circumstances it was fortunate that it was no worse.

It would probably be a pretty good idea for the good people who  hold religious services in the school house, to occasionally clean the same. When Paul wrote “cleanliness is next to Godliness” he ment (sic) the school house floor as much as any thing else.

Several person who were converted at the revival meetings last winter, held at the Blanchard school house, were sprinkled last Sunday.

N.B. Hyatt of Webster City revealed his smiling visage last Sunday to some of this friends in this township.

We were mistaken when we said not long ago that the measles were subsiding in this neighborhood. They are wading right in with the stern vengence (sic) of a lightning rod agent. We almost took ’em the other day.

A young lady of this town s hip boards at home and walks to and from her school nigh and morning a distance of three miles. We call that grit.

The leap year party at Duncombe was a success.

Tags: 1880, Beightol, Brightol, Clark, Davis, Goss, Hyatt, Pratt, Suture, Tapper, Wheeler

Northwest Chronicle: May 14, 1890

May Be The Kingpin

H.A.Morgan Cobbled at Badger Friday Evening – Caught in the Act.

He Admitted the Theft and Returned the Money, but was Held – He is Thought to be at the Head of the Gang –  Interesting Developments.

The coils are tightening and the gang of burglars which has been operating in this vicinity is in a fair way to be broken up. Last Friday about five o’clock, during the temporary absence of Otto Otttoson, his office at Badger was entered by a strange man, who had been hanging around that little town all day. Tom Chantland passed by and saw him at the desk, and suspecting that something was up, stopped to watch  him. He came out at once, and accosting Mr. Chantland, asked him where he could get a team to take him out to a certain Hanson’s place. Mr. Chantland directed him but said he did not know any person of that name.

The man then started off in an opposite direction and Mr. Chantland seeing Ottoson across the street called him over and explained his suspicions. By a hasty examination of the money drawer they discovered the loss of $5 which it had contained and started in pursuit of the thief.

They followed him up the street and finally called to him but he hastily dodged behind a building. The pursuers ran forward but met him at the corner returning. He admitted his guilt but said he had hidden the money when asked to give it up. After a little persuasion he returned with them to the building behind which he had dodged, and produced from a corner five silver dollars.

When asked why he had taken the money he said “What would you do if you were out here without a cent in your pocket.” It was suggested that there were plenty of farmers who needed men and he might have got work. He replied angrily “Do you think I’m such a blank fool as to work on a farm.”

He was then turned over to Constable Myer, who brought him to this city and locked him up Saturday. At nine o’clock he appeared in Judge Hyatt’s court and acknowledging to the name of H.A. Morgan, after hearing the arraignment, decided to waive examination. He said he did not want a lawyer and could not furnish $1,000 bonds. He was accordingly remanded to jail where he will have to remain if the bond is not forthcoming, until the grand jury meets next September.

In the grip left in Furlong’s store on last Sunday morning was a time table on which it was written “Due $20.00 to H.A. Morgan” and as he answered to the discription (sic) of the man who sold Dalby the watch it is believed that he is the ring-leader of the gang. Nothing of interest was found on his person, except a small short punch or “jimmy,” but several people saw him carrying a small black satchel which could not be found when he was arrested.

Another suspicious character was seen in the vicinity, but had no communication with the prisoner after his arrest. It is believed that he was an accomplice, and after the satchel, and he will be apprehended if possible. A thorough search was instituted this morning and the satchel will be found if possible. From the self possessed way in which Morgan waved (sic) examination, it is argued that he has been there before.

Sheriff Adams has put in the whole week hard at work in this matter, and it looks n ow as though things were coming his way. The gang is evidently quite numerous and well organized, but the end is not yet.

Tags: 1890, Adams, Chantland, Dalby, Hyatt, Morgan, Myer, Ottoson