GALLUP, Charles Floyd 1888-1948

GALLUP, BORCHERS, WILSON, BILLINGS, KEITH, STEPLETON

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 2/27/2015 at 14:52:32

Charles Floyd Gallup – May 23, 1888 – July 17, 1948

SIX YOUTHS HELD IN DEATH OF IOWAN

Charles City, Ia. – six northeast, Iowa youths were being held n the Floyd County jail at Charles City today in connection with the death of Charles Gallup, Nora Springs, Iowa farmer.

The argument occurred, according to the sheriff, when Gallup left the house to order the youths, parked in a car, out of his driveway. The youths had all been drinking, the sheriff said, and two cases of empty beer bottles were found by authorities, he added. Atherton said the youths told him that Gallup had picked up several stones during the argument

Their arrest and transfer to the jail at Charles city followed an allnight investigation by Atherton, highway patrolman Dana Rima, Charles City, and a Cerro Gordon deputy sheriff. A son of Gallup went out with his father and hurled stones at the fleeing car after his father had been struck, the sheriff said. He identified the car. The vehicle was traced to Thornton by authorities after a filling station operator along the route from Nora Springs reported the vehicle stopped for gasoline at his establishment and that it had a Thornton fire department sign on the rear end. Acting county Coroner A. C. Gauger said Gallup had been struck of the left temple just above the eye.

Floyd County Sheriff B. F. Atherton identified the youths as John Just, Kenny McCemons and Harold Rickens of Sheffield, Iowa; Bob Garlock and Art Ubben of Thornton, and Orin Burns of Hampton, Iowa. He said murder charges would be filed against all.

Gallop, about 65, died in a Mason City hospital last night from a blow on the head.

The sheriff said that Burns and four of the other youths have signed statements admitting that Burns struck the farmer with his fist following an argument at the Gallup farm last night.

The Mount Pleasant News Monday, July 17, 1948
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MURDER COUNT FILED AGAINST SIX IN FLOYD

Charles City, Iowa – Sheriff B. F. Atherton late Monday said he had filed charges of murder against Arthur Ubben 24, and Robert Garlock, 19, both of Thornton; Orin Lee Burns, 25, Hampton; Harold Riekens 31, Kenneth McClemmons 19, and Johnny Just 21, all of Sheffield in connection with the death of Charles Gallup, 60, farmer near Nora Springs, who died shortly after an altercation with the six men Sunday night.

Justice John W. McGeeney said the men waived a preliminary hearing and were bound over to the grand jury with bonds of $5,000 being set for all except Burns, whom he said he would not admit to bail, as he had admitted in a statement to Sheriff Atherton that he was the one who had struck Gallup, but did not see him fall. None of the five had posted bonds early Tuesday.

Funeral services for Gallup were Tuesday afternoon at the Christian Church in Nora Springs, with the pastor, Rev C. W. Hicks, officiating, and burial in Rock Grove Cemetery, south of Nora Springs.

Mr. Gallup was the father of three sons who were killed in the military service during the recent war. Earl was killed in France, Lloyd in Italy and Robert Lynn in Germany.

Surviving are the widow and the following children: Mrs. Justus Borchers and Harold Gallup, Chico, California; Glenn, Dearborn Michigan; Mrs. Roy Wilson, Rockford; Mrs. D. L. Billings, Mrs. George Wilson and Mrs. John Keith, all of Nora Springs; Mrs. Henry Stepleton, Mason City, and Ray, at home.

He is also survived by two brothers, Frank, Nora Springs, and Will,, Chicago, Illinois; two sisters, Mrs. Clarence Mathieson, Estherville, and Mrs. Helen Batdorf, Patton Pennsylvania, a stepfather, Miles Fenn, Rudd, and two half- sisters, Mrs. Earl Johnson, Rudd, and Mrs. Eleanor Steffin, Chicago, Illinois.

Sheriff Atherton said all the men had made written statements except Just, admitting their part in what he termed a beer drinking party Sunday afternoon. According to their statements, Atherton said, the six had started drinking right after dinner and had driven from their homes through Rockwell and on to Rockford. There they bought gas and went on to Nora Springs on highway 18, about 8 p.m. Apparently Gallup came out to investigate and, according to the men’s statements, told them to “clear out”. In an argument which followed, according to their statements Gallup picked up a rock in each hand and there was a scuffle. After Burns had struck Gallup, the men drove away, stopping at Clear Lake before returning home they said. The car, Sheriff Atherton said was traced by Highway Patrolman Victor Rima, through a dent inflicted in the side of the car by a rock thrown by Gallup’s son, LeRoy, 14, and a shield on the license plate reading “Thornton Fire Department”.

Waterloo Daily Courier, Tuesday July 20, 1948