LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
November 1, 1892

Court Notes.

In the case of Hakes vs. Ewin and Capt. J. S. Lothrop, the taking of
evidence closed last Thursday evening. Struble Bros. & Hart were attorneys
for plaintiff, and Argo, McDuffie & Reichman, of LeMars, and Capt. J. S.
Lathrop, of Sioux City, appeared for defendant. The attorneys occupied the
time from Thursday evening until 4 o’clock Friday evening with their pleas
to the jury. Evidence and pleadings took up over six days of the time of the
court. The case on both sides was well presented and at 4 o’clock p.m.,
Friday, Judge Gaynor read instructions to the jury. This occupied an hour as
the case was very complicated.

The case is one in which it appears that Emerson Hakes fitted out a ranch in
Colorado on which Mr. Ewin lived, for the purpose of stock raising. Mr. Ewin
after some time thought it advisable to move from Colorado to Plymouth
County and claimed to have notified his employer of the fact. He sold some
of the stock and brought some with him, as he claimed under the contract to
have a right to do.

On arriving in Plymouth county he mortgaged the property of Captain J. S.
Lothrop who assigned the cattle mortgage to the First National Bank of
LeMars as security for money borrowed for his own use. Hakes sued to recover
the value of the property taken by Ewin from Colorado. Ewin admitted part of
the claim but set up a large counter claim. The jury brought in a verdict of
$600 against the joint defendants.

GOOD BYE TO THE MINISTER.

One of the most pleasant events that has come to our knowledge for some time
occurred at the home of Mr. and Mrs. P. S. Ausman, at Potosia, Monday
evening, October 24, when the friends of Rev. J. L. Hayden met and gave him
a very pleasant surprise.

The people on the Pleasant Valley circuit learned last week with deep
regret, that, by the action of the annual conference Mr. Hayden’s field of
labor for the next year is to be at Carrollton, Carroll county, Iowa.
Thought they have been on the work but one year, Mr. and Mrs. Hayden have
endeared themselves to the people and will be followed to their new home
with true love and best wishes.

The people of Perry Creek charge, wishing to show their appreciation of the
labor of their pastor among them, and express in a substantial way their
love for him and his esteemed wife, met as above and presented him with a
beautiful $20 secretary. The presentation was made by Mr. Ausman and
touchingly responded to by Mr. Hayden (as soon as he could get over the
effects of the surprise) who made an earnest exhortation to all to prepare
for the better world.

It was a matter of the deepest regret that Mrs. Hayden was not present to
enjoy the evening with her husband, but she was not forgotten, as there was
more money donated than was needed for the secretary, the balance was sent
to her.

After partaking of a bountiful supper furnished by the ladies present, the
company dispersed feeling that they had thus very fittingly and happily
closed the conference year.

A SHOCKING DEATH
Ground Under the Wheels—Hank Woolworth Tries to Pass Under a Car and is Killed.

S. H. Woolworth came to a horrible death yesterday at 3 p.m., by being mangled under a freight train which was switching at the Sixth street crossing.

It appears that the freight train No. 17 of the Omaha line was standing on the track at the Sixth street crossing, preparatory to running in on the Illinois Central side track just south of the Union depot. One man had already passed under a car and Mr. Woolworth, or “Hank” as he is familiarly known, came along and attempted to follow.  As he got under the car, the signal was given to back up. It is supposed by a bystander who saw the attempt, that he became frightened at his situation, as he acted wildly. He finally clung to a brake beam and was dragged along the south rail of the track.  One arm was found ground off from the body on the first switch frog. His vital organs and his bowels were scattered along the track. The body appeared to have dropped on the rail at a point near the intersection of the St. Paul track with the Central and was cut in two.

The train men on learning that someone was under the wheels, gave a signal to the engineer and the train, which was equipped with air brakes, was brought to such a sudden halt that one of the draw heads of a car was drawn out.

The pieces of the body were gathered up and covered and the sheriff and coroner sent for.

Mr. Woolworth leaves a wife and a large family of children in poor circumstances. He was a harnessmaker by trade, but had recently been working in the country, and had but just come to town. At this writing the coroner’s jury consisting of A. B. Steiner, Gus Haerling and Jacob Merriman is still in session at the Globe office.