Iowa
Old Press
Page County Democrat
Clarinda, Page co., Iowa
October 20, 1904
Chas. Middaugh has been killed by Fin Whitnah who stabbed him
with a knife was the report circulated in the city late Saturday
night and early Sunday morning. It seems that a crowd of wayward
young men were drinking in the evening and a fist fight occurred
in the city between the two men over an old grievance. They were
parted for fear of arrest, and Fin and Charley decided to go
outside the city limits and settle the affair. Their companions.
Ford Miller, 'Doc' Hoskins. Wm. Damewood, Cal McGinnis of this
city and Jas. Woodward northwest of here, were to accompany them
to see the affair through.
A livery team was hired and they went out between 12 and 1
o'clock near the cemetery where they were to prepare for the
struggle in the highway. It seems to have been agreed that each
should be searched for weapons and while some of them were going
through Charley's pockets offensive language was being used and
Charley struck Fin a heavy blow with his fist, when the latter,
supposed to have had his knife in his hand at the time, struck a
desperate overhand blow at Charley, the knife entering the side
of the neck severing the jugglar vein aud passing downward under
the collar or chest bone and penetrating a lung. Charley
staggered a short distance and fell to the ground and expired in
about five minutes.
It is said there was a gash at the back of his neck and his vest
cut in front, and Fin has a gash in the upper part of his limb,
but none knows how it happened as it was done so quick. Some of
the boys remained while others went for a docter, and Fin gave
himself up to the officers and was lodged in jail. Charleys's
parents and relatives were at once notified of the affair. The
coroner was called but did not reach there to have the body
removed until five o'clock Sunday morning.
What an awful condition it is. One young man's life gone out;
another languishing in jail to reflect over his awful deed; five
others left to brood over the horrible deed to which they were
eye witnesses, during the remainder of their lives and which they
might have prevented had their heads been clear of the vile
stuff. It is a sad terrible affair and shows what whiskey
drinking is liable to lead to when indulged in. It should be a
lesson to others given to gulching down the infamous stuff to
gratify a morbid taste in the hope of having a "good
time."
Fin is about 28 years old and the son of Mrs. Joseph Whitnah, in
north Clarinda, whose head is bowed in deepest grief over her
wayward son who might have been a useful man and her joy and
comfort. Charley was about 24 years old and the son of Mr. and
Mrs. John Middaugh, north of the city, whose hearts are broken at
the tragic death of their only child. He also leaves a wife and
two children to mourn his untimely taking off.
The funeral took place at the home at two o'clock Monday,
conducted by Rev Fisher, in the presence of a very large number
of relatives and sympathizing friends and his remains laid to
rest in the city cemetery near where his life blood ebbed away.
Mr. and Mrs. John Middaugh and the many relatives of their son
Charley desire to tender their sincere thanks to the friends who
rendered aid and sympathy following his tragic death.
[transcribed by L.Z., June 2017]