Iowa
Old Press
Iowa City Press-Citizen
Iowa City, Johnson co. Iowa
Friday, January 5, 1923
May Francis To Get Post - Injunction Sought By McClenahan
Dissolved
Des Moines, Jan 5 (Associated Press) - The injunction
sought by P.E. McClenahan, incumbent, to prevent Miss May E.
Francis, newly elected state superintendent of public
instruction, from taking office before July 1 was dissolved on an
order by Judge Lester Thompson in district court here today.
Dissolution of the injunction means that Miss Francis is eligible
to take the office at once.
The court held that the claim of McClenahan, retiring
superintendent, that he holds the office until July 1 was not
valid. Judge Thompson stated that Miss Francis was legally
elected and her election certified by the state executive
council.
McClenahan was still in his office today. It was intimated that
he may attempt to continue to hold the office in spite of the
ruling of the district court. "I will have to study all the
developments carefully before I can be prepared to issue a
statement" he said. "But at any rate I will be here the
rest of the day and may not decide whether I shall appeal by
tomorrow. I cannot make any move until I have seen the court's
ruling."
In explaining his order, Judge Thompson stated that McClenahan
now has no case in court and the entire affair is in the same
status as if no legal action had ever been started.
Admits Pushing McNerney
Des Moines, Jan. 5 - Leland Roan, according to Chief of
Detectives Thomas Pettit, has confessed that he gave Peter
McNerny a violent shove during a quarrel Friday night. McNerny
died within a few hours without regaining consciousness.
Will Try to Show Kneeskern Had No Motive
Charles City, Ia., Jan 5 - Proof that Frank Kneeskern,
wealthy cattle buyer had no motive for slaying Mrs. Irene Van
Brocklin, but that Elmer Van Brocklin brother-in-law of the girl,
did have a motive, will be submitted by the defense in the second
trial of Kneeskern at the opening hearing today.
Savage Out of Job
Des Moines, Jan 5 - Arthur C. Savage, state insurance
commissioner has been definitely advised by Governor Kendall he
will not be reappointed to his present position at the expiration
of his term on February 1.
Four Wounded in Fight at Bank
Sioux City, Jan. 5 - One bandit and three officers were
wounded in a fight between bank robbers and a sheriff's posse at
Maurice, Iowa, near Sioux City at 2:30 o'clock this morning. The
bandits who raided the Sioux County bank failed to get any loot.
Two of the robbers were later reported captured at Hawarden,
Iowa, in a telephonic message from Orange City.
When he learned that all telephone and telegraph wires leading
out of Maurice had been cut shortly after midnight, Sheriff
Synhorst accompanied by three others surprised the bandits just
as they fired one charge of dynamite in an attempt to break into
the vault.
As soon as Sheriff Synhorst and his party reached the main street
in Maurice they were challenged by one of the bandits. The
sheriff's party fired at least 100 shots and the bandits returned
the fire hotly. Sheriff Synhorst was struck in the arms and legs
with seventeen shots and his deputy was similarly wounded.
[Transcribed by S.F., January 2017]
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Iowa City Press Citizen
Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa
January 19, 1923
Beecher - Leonard
Miss Agnes L Leonard and Mr. John J Beecher were quietly married
on Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock at St. Bridget's church at Nolan
Settlement. Rev. Raymond J. Beecher, a cousin of the bridegroom
officiated. Miss Elulalia Beecher, a sister of the bridegroom and
Mr. George Leonard, a brother of the bride, were the attendants.
Following the ceremony, a wedding breakfast was served at the
home of the bride's parents, Mr .and Mrs. John Leonard, of Nolan
Settlement. After a six weeks' trip to Denver, Colorado, the
young people will make their home at Elmira, Iowa. The bridegroom
is the son of Mr and Mrs James Beecher, of Iowa City and was
graduated from the Iowa City high school, while his bride is an
alumni of the Sacred Heart Academy of Cedar Rapids.
[transcribed by C.J.L., Nov. 2003]
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Iowa City Press Citizen
Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa
Saturday, January 27, 1923
WAR VET, INSANE, KILLS MOTHER --- SHELL-SHOCKED IOWA
SOLDIER CHOKES VICTIM
Oskaloosa Man, Released From Hospital as Cured, Does Deed in Fit
of Frenzy.
(By Associated Press) OSKALOOSA, Ia., Jan 27- Lester Martin, 28
years old, shell shocked and gassed over seas veteran, went
suddenly insane last night and in a fit of frenzy choked his
mother, Mrs. Virginia Martin, 65 years old, to death in the
public highway in front of his home. The man was found on his
knees by the side of the body praying when officers arrived.
Released as "Cured"
(By United Press) Martin who had been at the Mount Pleasant
hospital for disabled veterans was discharged in 1921 as cured.
The coroner's jury this morning returned a verdict that Mrs.
Martin had met death while he was in a "dangerous
condition". The jury recommended that he be examined. Since
his return from the war, Martin has been living alone here except
for the time he was at Mount Pleasant. Complaints had been made
to police that he was carrying a gun and was threatening people
by saying, "They'd better let me alone." His gun was
recently taken away but although authorities had watched him they
could find no reason to hold him. Yesterday a neighbor called
Mrs. Martin and urged her to see her son. She went over and he
quieted down in the afternoon. Last night several young boys saw
Martin struggling with some one in the snow and they ran for
help.In Rainbow Division. Screams aroused other neighbors who
summoned the police. When the officers arrived Martin was down on
his knees beside the body mumbling prayers. He fell on his knees
when he got into the patrol and again began praying when he
entered his cell. Tracks from the snow from two different doors
of Martin's house led police to believe he had rushed outside and
was followed by his mother who sought to bring him back in.
Martin then turned on her, police think, and choked her to death.
Martin was in the Rainbow division of the 168th infantry. He was
wounded in the Argonne drive and was also gassed and shell
shocked.
WIFE URGES MAN TO TELL MURDER PART
(By United Press) RED OAK, Ia., Jan 27- "John, if you are
guilty fo the murder, tell the officers the truth. If you are
guilty the law should take its course." These were the words
of the youthful Mrs. John T. Stewart, former school teacher and
college graduate, daughter of one of Montgomery county's
wealthiest families, to her husband, accused of the murder of
Albert Girardi, Omaha bootlegger. Tears rolled down her cheeks as
she spoke. Stewart in answer to questioning by state's attorneys
told of how to get ten gallons of booze he and his farm hand,
George Austin, had beaten Girardi to death. When asked if she
realized the full meaning of her words and that it may mean her
husband will be sent to the gallows, Mrs. Stewart answered:
"I'll stick by John to the very end if he is innocent but if
he is guilty the law will take its course." Austin confessed
the crime previously according to officers.
DAVENPORT OFFICER SERIOUSLY WOUNDED BY ALLEGED BANDIT
(By Associated Press) DAVENPORT, Ia., Jan 27- Officer James
Carroll, of the Davenport police department, was shot three times
and seriously wounded by Eugene Saunders, said to be wanted in
Minneapolis on a charge of bank robbery during a gun battle last
night. Saunders is under arrest.
[transcribed by C.J.L., Sept. 2004]