SENSATION AT FARLEY 1871

RANDALL, DIRTH, FOX, WIGGINS, MILLER, LAMBERT, GOODALE

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 11/5/2015 at 14:38:38

SENSATION AT FARLEY
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Farley is becoming notorious for sensations, while other towns are prosy enough with uninteresting every day occurrences, the people of Farley are enjoying the very spice of life and pottage of sensation. But a few weeks ago we recorded the sudden and mysterious decease of Dr. Randall of that place, and since then there have been other occurrences of interest, though of minor importance. The last and most absorbing incident which we have to record from there, is that of a would-be suicide, on Wednesday last, the circumstances of which are substantially as follows:

There resides in Farley are young man named George Dirth, son-in-law to one of the most respected citizens - Mr. Joseph Fox - who became weary of a life of sobriety, and resolved on a change - Bacolius took him for his own, he stepped in “the flowing bowl” late and early, and in his some of his early sprees forgot many of those graceful characteristics which made a man manly, and as a means of diversion – harmless to be sure – abused his young wife. Mr. Fox, the father in law watched the drift of events, and finally lost patience, and insisted that Dirth leave his house and forever cease abusing his daughter.

To Mr. Dirth this was severe- he could not bear to be deprived of his favorite amusement. He was terribly agitated, and resolved on a rash act. He immediately proceeded to one of the drug stores where he purchased a quantity of arsenic; from thence he proceeded to another drug store, of which Dr. Wiggins is the proprietor, and consulted the doctor as to the easiest and best method of administering the poison. Dr. Wiggins advised him to give up the poison and not to make a d- fool of himself – as he was a big enough fool naturally. He next proceeded to Miller’s eating house, where he prepared the dose in the presence of a number of spectators, who were in the saloon, "I bid farewell to all", saying he was ending his miserable existence with arsenic. The boys did not believe in his sincerity, and insisted on being treated all a round before allowing him to “shuffle off the mortal coil.” The mixture was swallowed, after which he indulged in the usual amount of twisting, griping and rolling on the floor; but the would – be destroyers hand did not carry destruction this time. Dr. Lambert was summoned to the dying scene, and pronounced it a fraud and humbug. There was a “nigger in the woodpile.” The druggist had played a ruse on him, the supposes arsenic was nothing but chalk.

The young gentlemen who was endeavoring to be deceased, was compelled to give up and – and came out of his spasm in safety, but looked a little confused and sullen at the his ill success at his poisoning scheme.

The excitement had barely cooled off before Dirth was taken in custody by officer Goodale on charge of threatening violence to his father-in-law, and was put on board the night passenger train for Dubuque, where his ease will receive attention.

The post office at Farley had been entered and robbed the evening previous and suspensions were aroused that young Dirth was connected with the thief. Accordingly a warrant was issued and the premises of Mr. Fox, at which he lived, searched, but no clue to the robbery articles obtained.

The Herald, Dubuque, Saturday, October 28, 1871