Delk Brothers Arrested

DELK, EVANS, FARMER, HINEGARDNER, STEPP

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 12/10/2009 at 22:49:27

Montezuma (IA) Republican; July 21, 1932

DELK BROTHERS
ARE UNDER ARREST
TWO CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED
MURDER SATURDAY.

Carl Hinegardner Stabbed in Back
Nine Times--John Farmer
Also Injured.

Booze played the major part in a fight Saturday night, which resulted in two men being badly injured and three others are in the county jail awaiting action by the August grand jury, on a charge of attempted murder and carrying concealed weapons. The trouble arose north of Searsboro on the Frank Evans farm, shortly after midnight. Sheriff Robert Gregson, assisted by Deputy Date Gregson, Sam Smith, P.F. Gregson and Jim Hicks, made the arrests. Warrants were sworn by Mr. Gregson.

The Delk brothers, who with their parents live on the Patty farm, south of Searsboro, are alledged to have struck John Farmer, who attempted to stop the fight between the Delks and Carl Hinegardner. Hinegardner was stabbed nine times in the back as he lay on the ground. Mr. Farmer went to his rescue and was struck on the head and had some ribs broken. Knuckles were used in the fray, although no guns were found on the three suspects.

Sherman and Sterling Delk, when arraigned before Justice of the Peace Harold Bryan on a charge of attempted murder, waived to the grand jury and their case will be taken up later. They were asked $5,000.00 bond which they could not furnish and are back in jail.

William Delk, the third brother, who was arrested on a charge of carrying concealed weapons, will have his hearing next Monday before Mr. Bryan. He could not give bond, which was set at $5,000.00. He has a black eye, the result of a blow by John Farmer, it is said.

Frank Talbott represented the county in the absence of his brother, Jack, who is ill in a hospital at Mason City.

While the fight was in progress, word was sent Sheriff Gregson, who went to the battle front, accompanied by his deputies. The Delks had departed.

As the officers were leaving for Searsboro, they met a coupe, with Bill and Sterling Delk and the two Stepps from Kellogg. The car was followed and halted and the arrests were made. A. Stepp, the father, was set free, but his boy, Floyd, was brought in company with the Delks to the county jail where he was held until the following morning.

Bob Gregson and Jim Hicks then proceeded on to the Delk home, where Sherman was placed under arrest. He was found in the weeds by the side of the house.

It was at first thought that Hinegardner would not recover, but if no complications set in, he will recover. John Farmer, who attempted to make peace, has a badly bruised head in addition to the broken ribs.