Fruit Robbers-Col. G. R. West-1876

WEST

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 3/17/2018 at 20:18:34

Dubuque Daily Times, Tuesday, September 19, 1876, Dubuque, Iowa, Page: 8

Fruit robbers are becoming so bold and wanton in their depredations that all decency is thrown aside and it is quite time that the last resort–cold lead was applied. A few nights ago a party composed of several scoundrels visited the place of Col. G. R. West on West’s Hill, and out of twenty bushels of grapes he had ready for market, they carried off all but one bushel. They brought lanterns and baskets and meant business. Mr. West had worked hard all summer bringing his fruit to perfection and to be robbed in this manner just when it is ready to be sold is hard. For weeks past, sometimes a dozen times a day he or his wife have driven out marauding parties who came with sacks to carry off all he had. It is full time this business was stopped. Try a shot gun or rifle and drop these human wolves, who only live to prey on the industry of others, in their tracks. A man who could follow this type of thieving would rob his mother’s coffin of its ornaments, and pilfer the flowers growing on her grave to sell at 5 cents a bunch.