Stone, Joseph 1855-1889

STONE

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-volunteer
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:35

Source: Sioux County Herald (6-20-1889)

Born: 1855
Died: 1889

This community was startled about 11 o’clock this forenoon by an announcement that the demise of Joe Stone had occurred at the county jail. At first the rumor was not credited, but an investigation showed that it was only too true. This is peculiarly and case, as the deceased had been suffering for sometime the result of over drinking and his nerves had become so unstrung with in the past few days, that he seemed to have an uncontrollable desire to kill someone, and this seemed to prey upon his mind to such an extent that it upset his reason, and at about 1:50 on Wednesday morning he appeared at the residence of A. Hellinga and demanded that he be given some “B.B.” to quench his awful thirst. He made his request more emphatic by flourishing two good sized revolvers, one in either hand. Mr. Hellinga desired to have no trouble with him, and so acceded to his wish and produced a bottle of this favorite non-alcoholic beverage, which Joe drank with a relish, and then informed Hellinga that he was out gunning and his object was to kill Gerrit Rozenboom, “Rozy”. But Hellinga dissuaded him to change his program and to go bed, which he would not do, but finally left, and at the time of taking his departure he was crying, which goes to show that he was at this time cemented.

Before leaving he requested that he be given a piece of paper, upon which he wrote: June 19th, ‘89--Farewell old friends, Goodbye. Jos.

He went out to the sidewalk in front of the Hellinga residence and attempted to fire off his guns, but it seems as though he had not succeeded in getting them properly loaded as there was no shoot in them. He then started down the street, east, and probably went to the hardware store and reentered in order to procure some cartridges that were adapted to the revolvers which he had. A crash of glass was heard by Mr. Hellinga and upon this evidence is based the belief that he again entered the store. That he succeeded in getting the implements of war properly loaded there is little doubt as there were three pistol shots rang out on the still night and then all was quiet.

In the morning, at about 6 o’clock, it was discovered that the hardware store of De Kraay & Roozeboom had been broken into and an investigation by the proprietors showed that three 32 caliber revolvers were missing, one of which was a double action, rim-fire. A number of cartridges were also missing. The circumstances strongly pointed to Joe Stone as the guilty party and a search was at once instituted for him, but to no avail. It was thought that he must have left town and so Sheriff Betten, Deputy Schaap and Gerrit Mulder started a search of Alton, but no trace of the missing man was found and the party returned about noon. At this time it was poised about town that the supposed fugitive was asleep in the hay loft of the Thomassen barn and was subsequently roused from his slumbers by J. Bonna, and came down from his retreat and had but stepped up on the sidewalk, in front of A. Synhorst’s butcher shop, when he was arrested by Sheriff Betten and was taken to jail, where he was searched but no guns revealed themselves. He was told of the crime of which he was accused, Mr. Stone was greatly surprised, and evidently had no remembrance of his mid-night prowling and could not be convinced that he had committed the burglary. A search was commenced for the missing revolvers and one was found in the hay loft where he had been sleeping and the other was discovered under the Synhorst Butcher Shop. A third revolver was taken from the store but no trace of it has been found. What actuated Joe Stone to break into this hardware store? The people of Orange City answer as in one voice, Strong drink. When this drink was procured is a mystery but he told Mr. Hellinga, at the time he demanded the B.B. that lots of whiskey is being sold in Orange City and this matter should be looked into and let the guilty party escape. Mr. Stone was to have his hearing this morning, but it was postponed until some time next week, but ere this not only this crime, if crime it may be called, but his entire life has been passed on by the Great Judge and a fair and impartial judgment been rendered. D.O. Stone, of the Hawarden Independent, a nephew, and Mrs. D.B. Horton, of Calliope, have been informed of the sad occurrence and will probably arrive this evening, at which time arrangements for his funeral will be completed.

Joseph Stone was born at Belprey, Ohio, in 1854, and so was 35 years of age. Little seems to be known here of his early life, except that a discharge was found on his person, dated at St. Louis Barracks May 17, 1877, which shows that he had served a term in the United States regular army. He came to Orange City about four years ago to accept a position in the county recorder’s office, which position he held until about two months ago, being an expert in the work of that office. For the past two months he had done nothing but endeavor to satisfy the craving which he possessed for strong drink and death is but the natural consequence of such an overtaxing of the system. The immediate cause of his death was paroxysm, and he was very low when Dr. Owens was called, at about 8:30 and the doctor said at that time his early death need occasion no surprise. Joe Stone was a kind and gentle disposition and was well thought of by those with whom he came in contact. He had but one fault and that was strong drink.