Murder of Marshal Smith (1901)

SMITH, SKRABLE, SHAW

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 6/5/2010 at 16:33:37

The Brooklyn Chronicle (Brooklyn, Poweshiek Co. Iowa) Dec. 20, 1901

THE TAMA HERALD talks out in meeting about the murder of Marshal Smith at Celsea, in a way that will meet the approval of a large majority of people: For the apprehension of the murderers of R.P. Smith, watchman and night marshal of the town of Chelsea, who was killed while protecting John Skrable's bank from robbery, Governor Shaw, on behalf of the state, has offered a reward of $250. The town of Chelsea offers $200 more and an additional $400 is offered by citizens of Chelsea and surrounding country. In view of the facts that the dead man was killed while protecting the bank it is incumbent on John Skrable and those who are interested with him in the bank, to show their appreciation of his courage and devotion to duty by doing everything in their power to bring his murderers to justice. That bank alone should offer a reward of at least $1000 for the arrest and conviction of any one of the robbers and murderers. It should do more--it should provide for the widow and orphan who have lost their support and protection on its account. We are waiting with some impatience, as are the people of Tama county in general, to see just what Mr. Skrable, one of the richest men in the county, considers it to be his duty to do in view of the circumstances. There is one thing that is reasonably certain: If banks expect peace officers to give up their lives to defend their treasure they must not be niggardly and split dollars over the bodies of the victims.