William M. Desmond

DESMOND, KOETTER

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 5/23/2021 at 17:43:29

29 March 1915 - The Clinton Advertiser page 1

EX-SHERIFF DESMOND IS SUMMONED
Former Clinton County Official Dies Today at Seattle, Washington
WAS TWICE U.S. MARSHAL
Deceased for Many Years Was Prominent Figure in Political and Official Circles
William M. Desmond, twice sheriff of Clinton county and twice United States marshal in the northern Iowa district, is dead at his home in Seattle, aged 65 years.

Mr. Desmond's death following a few days' illness of pneumonia, occurred this morning, shortly after midnight. His daughter, Mrs. Henry Koetter, received a message informing her of her father's death today. She leaves tonight to Seattle.

William Michael Desmond was for many years one of the strongest men in the Democratic party in Iowa, and was widely known throughout the state.

He was born in Boston, and when two years of age was brought by his parents to DeWitt, Iowa, where he spent his boyhood. When a young man he was elected constable and town marshal of DeWitt. In January, 1876, he was appointed deputy sheriff by Sheriff E. M. Purcell, serving until 1882, when he qualified for sheriff, having been elected to that office the fall previous.

Mr. Desmond served as sheriff until August, 1885, when he was appointed United States marshal for northern Iowa by President Grover Cleveland.

There was a warm contest for the appointment in that year, and Mr. Desmond was summoned to Washington by his friend, Congressman Jerry Murphy of the Second Iowa district, and introduced to President Cleveland.

"This is Iowa's greatest peace officer," said the congressman in presenting the Clinton man to the president.

"And he looks the part," was the response of Mr. Cleveland. Desmond was immediately given the appointment, and his friends say he won it on his personality.

Mr. Desmond served as marshal until October, 1889, when he was again elected sheriff of this county, qualifying in 1890, and serving his term which terminated in 1884. In 1895 he was again appointed United States marshal under President Cleveland, remaining in that office until 1899.

Six years ago the Desmond family removed to Seattle, where the deceased was heavily interested in real estate. Since then he had made his home in the western city.

Surviving him are his wife, four daughters, Mrs. Koetter of Clinton, and Misses Charlotte, Ethel and Marcella Desmond, and two sons, William and Grover, all living in Seattle.

Intelligence of Mr. Desmond's death was received with deep regret by his hundreds of warm friends in Clinton.

"His was one of the strongest personalities in Iowa," an admirer of the former Clinton officer said today. "He was as true to his friends as the needle to the pole--and, to use one of his own expressions, 'as straight as the barrel of a gun.' His official record was absolutely clean, and he had the utmost confidence of the entire public.

"Desmond was a Democrat of the old Cleveland school, and a leader of the 'old guard.' He was strongly opposed to the socialistic tendencies of the present day.

"His devotion to duty and to his friends was remarkable. No night was too dark--no storm too great, to keep him from the discharge of his duty or from going out to help a friend. There are few men of the straightforward, noble type which 'Bill' Desmond represented."

The news of Mr. Desmond's death in Seattle today was discussed by hundreds of his old-time friends about the city today, and many stories were told concerning his exploits as a public peace officer.

One of the most interesting related to the manner in which Desmond "cleaned up the town" back in the lawless days of the early '80's. It was in the year 1882, when the notorious "Fan" Burns gang of safe-blowers and bank robbers made their home here. It seems there was a tacit understanding between these robbers and city officials, by which they were allowed to remain in the city so long as they kept their "hands off" Clinton, and did not molest any one in this region. But one day three of the fellows went on a tear and forgot their obligations so far as to rob a Chinese laundry, which was located on Fifth avenue east of Second street. Desmond, who was then serving as sheriff, heard of the robbery and went gunning for the crooks. He rounded up the whole gang, and before 24 hours had passed had them all in the county jail. The fellows who looted the laundry were sent to the penitentiary, and the others were fired out of town, never to return.

This and many other stories of the old days was related today all illustrating the fearlessness and impartiality of Sheriff Desmond, who never shirked his duty, or forgot a friend. his political career was discussed, his strength of character and shrewdness which made him a dominating figure in the councils of his party in the Second congressional district. And many a tribute was paid to the memory of the man whom Congressman Jerry Murphy characterized as "Iowa's greatest peace office."