Abate the Nuisance - 1883

BOWER

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 5/17/2016 at 10:20:14

The Dubuque Herald – Jan. 3, 1883

Abate the Nuisance
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Complaints have been made to Herald reporters in relation to the non-enforcement of an ordinance providing for the punishment of parties who interfere with teams and vehicles in the streets, and for the punishment of boys who coast on the sidewalks. This ordinance is shamefully violated on Sumner Avenue every day. It is one of the great thoroughfare for farmers residing in the southern part of the county, and mostly of them leaving the city load their teams almost as heavy as when coming in. It is frequently the case that a gang of hoodlums that frequent that locality hitch their hand sleighs to the passing team and insist upon being hauled up the hill that they may coast down. Several farmers have objected to thus increase the burden of their team and remonstrated with the gamin, but the rascal have turned upon said farmer and have pelted them with rocks and chunks of ice, in some instances causing the horses to run away. Last Tuesday Miss Sophia Bower was struck upon the head by a missile thrown at her by one of these hoodlums, cutting a deep gash, from which she is not likely to recover. She resides in Mosaleum Township, and has been confined to her bed ever since, a suit against the city may grow out of the unfortunate affair.

Would it not be well for the city marshal to place a policeman on that street and arrest all who disregard the ordinance? The way things are running their now it is not safe for farmers to navigate that thoroughfare. Something should be done at once to stop the nuisance.