Jackson County Vigilantes

RANKIN, SHARP, JOLES

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 10/21/2011 at 11:28:53

Maquoketa Community Press, July 20, 1954
(Editor’s note: Articles which were omitted from the Jackson Sentinel’s Centennial issue because of lack of space will appear for several weeks.)
Jackson County Vigilantes-
About 1925, when bank robberies were frequent, the Jackson County Vigilantes group was organized. It was sponsored by the Jackson County Bankers Association, in cooperation with the Sheriff’s office and continued for 15 years.
Membership in the organization was never publicized, and few residents realized that there were 30 or 40 Jackson county men under arms at all times and ready to serve in emergencies. William Rankin was the first chief and was succeeded by Dr. Harry L. Sharp, who resigned in 1939. D. A. Joles was the final chief.
Their activities included aiding in the capture of a desperado in Green Island, serving in the Tipton Cattle War, and policing highways when escapees from the Anamosa Reformatory were being sought. In 1939, 28 men reported for duty at Lakehurst when the CIO union threatened to halt the dam repair project.
Many of these occasions kept men out all night, often in severe weather, and put them in serious personal hazard. Equipment included 20 high-powered rifles, 20 Army revolvers, a sub-machine gun, bullet-proof vests and similar items.
“Lack of funds” was given as the reason for discontinuing the organization in early 1940.