Iowa Old Press
The Graphic
Postville, Allamakee co. Iowa
Thur., June 1, 1893
A Serious Fracas - A Family Quarrel Near Rossville Almost
Ends in the Murder of one of the Participants
Last Saturday morning, one and one half miles south of
Rossville, during the progress of a quarrel between John Thomas,
his son Andrew and son-in-law named Smith, the latter named was
shot three times and had his head and face terribly gashed by a
knife. The most serious wound of all is a slash across the
throat, which had it been but a trifle deeper would have caused
his death. As it was part of his windpipe was severed. Two of the
shots went through his arm and the other into his body near the
shoulder.
The affray occurred at Smith's house and was precipitated by his
wife causing his arrest the day before for confiscating $150 of
her money. Smith was in charge of an officer at Rossville Friday
night, but during the night he got away and went down home to fix
up matters with his wife as he claims. Entrance to his domicile
was contested by his wife's father and brother, who had been
summoned from Volney when the trouble was had the day before. A
fracas ensued with results as above stated. Neighbors found Smith
several hours afterward in an unconscious condition, but careful
nursing and medical attention soon revived him and it is now
thought that he will recover.
Both Thomas and his son drove to Waukon about noon, gave
themselves up and are now in jail. Mrs. Smith was arrested but is
now out on bail. Conflicting stories are told by both parties.
The Thomas trio claim self defense and give a harrowing account
of the desperate attempts of Smith to annihilate them. On the
other hand their victim firmly insists that the Thomases tried to
take his life; even when he was wounded and helpless they
continued their assault despite his entreaties to spare his life.
The sympathy of the community is said to be very much in favor of
Smith. He is a new comer to that region, having returned from the
west last winter in company with the Thomas woman, who is known
throughout these parts as Josephine. She has been divorced
several times and bears a very unsavory reputation. The senior
Thomas is a well known character and a hard one at that. As a
copperhead, anarchist, greenback agitator, boot-legger, and such,
he has been a blooming success, besides being forever at war with
his neighbors over about Volney where he has resided many years.
The boy Andrew, aged about 22, admits firing the shots at Smith
and using the knife.
[transcribed by R.R.J., March 2015]
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The Graphic
Postville, Allamakee co. Iowa
Thur., June 15, 1893
Mrs. Smith, the woman in the recent fracas at Rossville, was
released from custody last week by Judge Hatch before whom
evidence was submitted by her lawyers, Stillwell and Stewart. The
victim of the assault, Smith, is now an inmate of the county
jail, having been arrested on a warrant sworn out by the younger
Thomas. Smith is almost fully recovered from his wounds.
[transcribed by R.R.J., March 2015]
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Postville Review
Postville, Allamakee, Iowa
June 17, 1893
Married. At the residence of the bride's parents
in Franklin twp. by E. SWENSON, J.P., Mr. O.M. GRINDER of Buffalo
Center and Miss Sarah SWENSON of Franklin.
[transcribed by S. F., August 2003]
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The Graphic
Postville, Allamakee co. Iowa
Thur., June 22, 1893
The preliminary examination of Jno. Thomas, Andrew Thomas and
William Smith was commenced before Justice Stilwell last Thursday
and last until Monday evening. It resulted in Andrew Thomas being
bound in $750 bonds and John Thomas in $500 bonds until the
September term of court and William Smith being declared a free
man.
[transcribed by R.R.J., March 2015]
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Postville Review
Postville, Allamakee Co. Iowa
June 24, 1893
VanVELZER & MORSE sell three lbs. of good steak for 25 cents.
Arthur SMITH now occupies the position of milk weigher at the
Farmer's Creamery.
Mrs. M.O. TAYLOR and daughter have gone to join Mr. TAYLOR at
Chicago Heights.
Arthur CLARK, son of F.M. CLARK, of Lime Springs, has been
visiting at Mrs. T.M. MILLER's.
Mrs. TODD and two daughters, from Waukon, came over on Wednesday
to attend the wedding.
Mr. and Mrs. E. DOUGLASS have moved up from the Yellow River farm
and are now citizens of Postville.
Boyd H. HAND and Paul WEST from the state college at Ames, are
spending their vacation at the manse.
Mrs. O.C. HINMAN and Mrs. G.W. PEARSON, of Hardin, attended the
conference here a day or two this week.
Mrs. STONE has gone to West Union to visit her daughter and
family before taking her eastern trip. She expects to be absent
at least six months.
Hugh SHEPHERD has retired from the harness shop and he and his
family expect to go to Nebraska soon for a summer outing, mixing
business with pleasure.
Mr. Albert MORTON, Mrs. F.W. ROBERTS' father and Mrs. Helen J.
GREENWOOD, Miss TETHERLY's mother, came from Florida last week
for a visit here.
Revs. LOCKWOOD, PARKER and BERRY made pleasant calls at this
office during the convention. Brethern of the cloth are always
welcome at these headquarters.
I have a few choice short-horn bulls for sale. Dams good milkers,
and a visit to my farm will convince you that I have daisy
short-horn cattle. W.C. McNEIL.
Henry BEELER, missionary of the Am. S.S. Union for Clayton Co.,
organized a S.S. at the Pixler school house, June 18th. Mrs. Wm.
WATERS, supt; Mrs. Bert MARSTON, ass't.
Walt BUTLER seems to be pleased with all the mugwump
appointments. It would seem to us that it must be at best a grim
satisfaction to him. But he is in a position where he must take
the medicine and say he likes it.
Ed. SHEEHY and Will DURNO returned from Chicago on Tuesday. M.F.
MURPHY and wife, who had been in Chicago four weeks returned with
them and remained over one day. They started for their home at
Grand Forks on Wednesday.
The Methodist district conference just closed here.
We have purchased the old postoffice building and fitted it up
for a first-class meat market. VanVELZER & MORSE.
The following passengers took the parlor chair car on the
Burlington for Chicago on Monday and Tuesday afternoon:
W.S. WEBSTER, wife and daughter
Geo. REDHEAD and wife
Geo. W. HARRIS
Mrs. GORHAM and son
Mrs. HOYT
R.N. DOUGLASS and all his family, her mother
Mrs. HAMILTON
Mrs. CH.H. BLANCHAINE of Ossian, took the Milwaukee.
--
E.F. MEDARY was called to Waukon on Tuesday morning by the very
precarious condition of his father, who is at the point of death.
The Democrat of Wednesday has the following: "The
precarious condition of T.C. MEDARY as we go to press is such as
to cause his family and freinds the greatest alarm, and unless a
miraculous change takes place we fear he can remain with us but a
very short time." Later: The sad intelligence has been
received that Mr. MEDARY died at 8:00 o'clock on Wednesday
evening. In his death we have lost a friend of about 30 years.
The funeral services will be held on Sunday afternoon at 3:00
under the auspices of the Masonic fraternity, assisted by all the
other organizations of which he was a member, including the
G.A.R. [note: extracted from a more lengthly article]
MARRIED.
At the home of the bride's parents, in Postville, June 21st,
1893, Mr. George B. TODD and Miss Clara B. SHEDD, Rev. LaRoy S.
HAND, officiating. A large company of friends was present to
witness the nuptials, after which a bounteous supper was provided
for the guests. The happy pair, followed by many good wishes,
have gone to housekeeping in the house recently occupied by Mr.
TAYLOR. Many costly and beautiful presents were left with the
bride. The Review extends congratulations and wishes them
bon voyage.
DEATH.
Smith McCLOUD, an old man well known about here and down in
Wagner township, died at the residence of Jerome ROUNDS this
week. He was buried yesterday.
[transcribed by S. F., August 2003]
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The Volksblatt
Postville, Allamakee co. Iowa
June 29, 1893
- Henry Honn has a visit from the stork this week.
- Walter Chriss is making Postville his home again.
- Dr. Topliff of Decorah visited old friends here yesterday.
- Harvey and Bessie Roberts have returned home for the summer
vacation.
- A reunion of the Kerr families was held at the Chas. Kerr home
last Sunday.
- Mr. and Mrs. John O. Meyer and Mrs. M. Meyer were visitors at
Ridgeway this week.
- Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Thoma, Mrs. H. Poesch and Mrs. Baltz were
Waukon visitors Tuesday.
- Geo. Wagner and Frank Hangartner were at Brown's Valley, Minn.,
where they intend to buy land.
- J.W. Ward is wearing a broad smile these days, caused by the
arrival of another girl at their home.
- W.S. Webster, Mrs. H.S. Luhman, and Mrs. E. Courson returned
Tuesday from the World's Fair in Chicago.
- Mrs. Petri of Adair county, who has been here on a visit to her
brother, Chas. Wegner, returned to her home Monday.
- M. McKinley took a carload of cattle to Chicago, returning
yesterday with a check for $1,023, the amount received for them.
- Thieves entered the home of Christ Poesch last Sunday and took
eatables, clothing, two watch chains, necklaces and other
jewelry.
- Postville will celebrate the Fourth of July in a big way next
Tuesday. Prof. Frank F. Meriam is speaker of the day, James Hoy
will read the
Declaration of Independence and the band from Elgin will furnish
the music.
[transcribed by S. F., Dec. 2004]