Iowa Old Press

Davenport Democrat
Davenport, Scott, Iowa

Wednesday, August 3, 1870:
Police Court:
J. Cue was brought up before Justice Peters to-day charged with abusing a
woman in the lower part of the city. He was fined $4 and costs.

Tuesday, August 9, 1870:
Police Court.
John Lacy, colored, for promiscuoous drinking in many places was fined $1
and costs, and after that $5 and costs for disturbing the public peace. One
other gent was fined $5 and costs for transgressing the hog law.

Thursday, August 11, 1870:
Police Court. Justice Peters has been busy to-day receiving calls. First,
John Gilte, who was found guilty of drunk in the first degree, and on being
fined $1 costs departed to Schnitger's .
John Ryan disturbed the public peace $5 worth and was retired to the invalid
corps in the stone yard.
Trouble, the sufferer for his names sake, is in trouble again today for
resisting an officer, and the case is progressing as we go to press.

Friday, August 12, 1870:
Police Court.
Trouble, after considerable law experience, has been discharged and now
rests undisturbed. One S.D. Howard was fined $15 and costs for peddling
needles and thread without a a license. Learn him to take a joke. Samuel
Williams being very drunk was fined $1 and costs.

August 15, 1870

SUICIDE
A Young Man of 20 Shoots Himself
     We learn the particulars to-day of a sad affair, which transpired last
evening in Pleasant Valley. Hiram Wooden, a young man 20 years of age has
been employed for some time on the farm of Jas. W. Means, Esq., who resides
about seven miles from the city, is the central figure in the tragedy. About
ten days ago he was attacked with bilious fever, not very severely but still
sufficient to confine him to the house. Dr. Peck was called and prescribed
remedies. On Thursday and Saturday of last week Mr. Means took out medicine
for Wooden, and reported to the Dr. that he was getting better fast. He
seemed improving so much that it was thought he would be entirely well by
this week.
     About 12 o'clock last night Mr. Means was awakened by a noise in the
Hiram's room, and on going there knocked and asked him what was the matter.
To which the inmate replied, "nothing," and said he was feeling better than
at any time during his sickness. Mr. Means returned to his room and retired,
falling asleep soon. In about ten minutes his wife awoke him and said she
heard a noise in Hiram's room that sounded like a pistol shot. On going
there, Mr. Means found the unfortunate young man lying on his side, with a
pistol lying on his pillow, and blood streaming from a wound in his temple.
Apparently Wooden had placed the pistol close to his head, and then fired,
the ball lodging in his brain. He died in about ten minutes.
     Coroner Thompson was notified this morning and an inquest was held this
afternoon at Mr. Mean's place.
     The case is a mysterious one. The attendant physician states the
bilious attack was not severe enough to derange the young man, and at the
time the deed was committed he appeared to be in full possession of all his
faculties. Further particulars of the sad affair will be given to-morrow.

MARITAL INFELICITY
Shooting between Father-in-Law and Son-in-Law
     There was an affair with pistols out in Sheridan township last
Saturday. About a year and a half ago, one B.L. Seaman married a daughter of
Gilbert Wicks, all of that township. Both are farmers, living about three
miles apart. The marriage did not prove a happy one, for some reason or
other, and as a matter of course, the young wife's parents took her part.-
Last fall the quarrel became pretty hot, and the young wife took her little
child and went to her father's house to live; a suit for divorce was
commenced, but afterwards the difficulty was patched up in some way, and she
went home again and lived with her husband.
     Things passed along as best they might, and bad enough at the best, as
we are informed, until about a month or so ago, when Mrs. Seaman returned
once more to the parental roof, determined not to live with her husband any
more. He was determined that they should.- There had been some skirmishing
before that time between Mr. Seaman and Mr. Wicks, and blood was at fever
heat between them. There had been threats also, of burning down the house of
Mr. Wicks, and he was very naturally on the lookout.
     Last Saturday Mr. S. went over to his wife's father to have some talk
of arrangement about the matter. While there Mr. Wicks and his brother came
to the house. Some words passed that were not of a peaceable character. Mr.
Seaman turned aside, drew a revolver, and fired several shots at his
father-in-law without any fatal effect-one of the bullets striking him in
the back. Mr. Wicks was also armed, and pulling his pistol, banged away in
turn, but without any damage. Seaman was then captured, after a sharp chase
and tussle, bound with cords, and to-day the parties are in Justice Dowd's
court to have the matter settled.
     This is a rough sketch of the case.- What will come of it remains to be
seen. There is hot blood on both sides, but we presume both parties will
abide the decision of the court. Abner Davison for prosecution; J.T. Lane
for defendant.

Tuesday, Aug 16, 1870

Seaman-Wicks Shooting Affray
Cross-Firing in Court
Yesterday's Democrat contained a report of a case before Justice Dowd, in
which Gilbert Wicks appeared as plaintiff, charging ________ Seaman, his
son-in-law with shooting at him with intent to murder. The defendant was
held to bail in $500, to appear at the next term of District Court.
Immediately Mr. Seaman takes the position of plaintiff, and brings suit
against Mr. Wicks upon the same charge. It appears, as stated before, that
after Seaman began firing at Wicks, then Wicks commenced. The case is
pending as we go to press, and the case seems to be one that will figure
pretty largely in the courts for some time to come. We understand that Mr.
Seaman has no thought of so far harmonizing matters as that peace can be
restored in the family, but there is a child in the case of which he is the
father, which among other things will figure prominently as a bone of
contention. How many more suits will grow out of the affair remains to be
seen. It is unfortunate at the least.

The Wooden Suicide.
Coroner Tomson held an inquest over the dead body of Hiram Wooden, who
committed suicide at the residence of J.W. Means, in Pleasant Valley, night
before last. The verdict of the Jury was that the deceased came to his death
by his own hand, while laboring under a temporary aberration of mind.
But very little is known of the deceased, save that his parents were near
Rochester, N.Y. It seems that he left home when sixteen years of age, owing
to some misunderstanding with his parents, since which time he has had no
correspondence with them and seemed to have no desire to renew his filial
intercourse. Last winter he lived in Nebraska, where he had made a purchase
of some land, and returned here in the spring to work for Mr. Means for
wages. His general character was good-was not addicted to bad habits. There
is a wall of mystery hanging over the young man's life, which when drawn
aside, if it ever may be, will shed light upon the extremely painful
circumstances.

Aug 22, 1870

POLICE COURT
     Something more than average attendance of the Monday morning gentry
presented themselves at Justice Peter's today. There were a long string of
them all up for divers [sic-diverse] and sundry offences, and one or two of
an aggravating character.
     John Dorrell conducted himself in a very brutal manner all day
yesterday. He lives on Main street, between 8th and 9th and for the purpose
of amusement he smashed all the furniture in the house, kicked out the
windows, and threw himself around in a very reckless manner. About nine
o'clock in the evening he finished his labor of love, as far as the
furniture went, and then commenced beating his wife. He dragged her out of
doors and pounded her until the cries for assistance aroused the neighbors.
A gentleman went to the rescue, and diverted him from further
demonstrations, and soon after a policeman appeared and took Mr. D. to
jail.- The poor woman was terribly beaten, and one eye so badly injured that
fears are entertained of its restoration. She was pounded black and blue all
over her person, and when the rescuers did come she was unable to move from
the ground where she had fallen.- The brute who thus abused her did not seem
to be intoxicated, and therefore could not make the poor excuse even of
drunkenness for his inhuman proceeding. He was assessed $15 and costs,
amounting to $24.10, which was certainly light enough.
     After him came Bryan Tucker, who was found lying at full length on the
sidewalk in front of Warriner & Baker's, on Brady St. Bryan was recognized
as an old offender and put under $150 bonds.
     L. Powers for exposing the contents of privy-suit withdrawn and costs
paid by prosecuting witness.
     Garrett Dinnis for resisting public officer in discharge of his duties
was fined $10 and sent up.
     Henry Funck for making a disturbance fined $10 and sent up.
     Daniel Donovan, drunk, fined $1 and sent up.
     Garrett Berger, also drunk, was fined $5 and sent up.
     C. O'Donnell, drunk, fined $7 and costs and sent up.
     Samuel Williams, likewise drunk, $1 and costs-sent up.
     One unknown party, strange to say, for being drunk, $1 and costs.
     Marshall Kauffman tells us there was more disturbances, fights and
drunks going on last night than he has known for many months. The night was
full of lamentation and hootings from night owls and brawlers, but they were
finally safely lodged beneath the protecting wing of the law.

August 22, 1870

 A TRIPLE MURDER
A MOTHER AND TWO CHILDREN DROWNED
MYSTERIOUS CASE

     It is, thankfully, but at long intervals that we have to record
circumstances so appalling as the one which took place in our midst on
Saturday night last, or to relate a deed of blood so surrounded with
apparently unpierceable mystery. On the evening of that day, the generally
quiet and peaceable portion of the city inhabited almost entirely by our
German fellow citizens, in the immediate vicinity of Warren and Second
streets were horrified by the rumor that a German woman who has but recently
taken up her residence in the neighborhood had destroyed the lives of two
and afterwards destroyed herself. On hastening to the spot we found the
report too true, for lying upon the bed in the cold embraces of Death were
the bodies of a little boy and girl, the latter about four years and the
former but two years of age. A visit to the yard discovered still another
horror, for there, in a well of not more than three feet in diameter, some
eighteen feet deep, and containing but a shallow accumulation of water, not
more than two feet, lay the body of the unfortunate mother, whose rash hand
the evidence goes to show had under the pressure of impending poverty,
hurried herself and her innocent children into the presence of God.
     The Deputy Sheriff having been sent for, on his arrival took the
husband of the drowned woman into custody and placed him in the jail to
await the verdict of a Coroner's jury and the result of legal
investigations. The body of the poor demented creature was taken from the
well where it had been drowned in a kneeling position with the face buried
in the water. At the

CORONER'S INQUEST

the following statement by the husband was received before the jury, which
was composed of Messrs. Tiechenor, Charles Eckhardt, and Jacob Grobe. Had
been uptown Saturday evening and returned to his home about 10 P.M., found
the lights out, and supposed his wife and children had gone to bed. He
struck a match and lighted a candle, and saw upon the floor his two children
lying dead. he picked them up and laid them upon the bed. He then passed
into the yard, and saw his wife sitting by the well. He went to her, and she
told him she had drowned the children in a bucket of water in the house, and
intended to drown herself as she had no desire to live, was discouraged and
sick. Koenig says he told his wife to come in the house, but she did not
wish to. He then led her in. Here she repeated what she had said at the
well, and told her husband it would be better if they both were dead, and
proposed they drown themselves in the well; that he consented to the
proposition; that they both went to the well and jumped in, but the depth of
the water was not sufficient to drown him (the well is about three feet and
a half in diameter); that he climbed out and went down the street to notify
a friend. Not knowing what to do, he called on Mr. Jacob Rolfs, tailor,
Second street, near Ripley, told him of the affair, and with Mr. R. returned
to his home, where he remained until taken into custody by Deputy Sheriff
Feid.
     The examinations of further witnesses was postponed till the morning at
9 o'clock.
     At which Trena Lage being sworn said she was the woman who washed and
laid out the three dead bodies, she noticed no marks of violence on or about
the persons of any of the three with the exception of a slight red mark on
one of the little girl's arms.
     Jacob Rohlfs being sworn deposed that the prisoner Koenig was in his
store until 10 o'clock on Saturday night, at which time he went home. About
20 minutes after 11 he was aroused by Koenig, who rapped the door until he
got up. He was wet up to the  waist and said he would tell me something if I
would not say anything until to-morrow. He then recited the occurrence in
similar terms to the statement of the prisoner given above.
     Christopher Peters being sworn testified that "I have known the family
for two months, they were neighbors. Koenig has seemed downhearted for a
week or two. The deceased woman had sore eyes. I never saw him out in the
yard at 12 o'clock on Saturday night some one rapped at the window; opening
the door, I saw tailor Rohlf and Koenig. Rohlfs then told me what had
happened. We went out to the well and saw something in there, and then we
went to the house and found the children lying dead, after which we got the
woman out of the well. Claus Miller and Jacob Herdtman were then sworn. The
evidence of these witnesses, it is thought, will matersally affect the
prisoner.
     The inquest is still in progress as we go to press.

THE PRISONER

     W.L.F. Koenig, is about 35 years of age, stoutly built, of medium
height with decidedly sandy hair and beard. He and his family are natives of
Schleswig Holstein and have only been in this country three and a half
months, the greater portion ow which has been passed in our city. Ignorant
of the language and unfitted by his profession, a schoolmaster, for manual
labor he found it impossible to secure employment, and their bare living had
exhausted the small capital they brought with them from the old country.
They were reduced to such extremity that they had endeavored to part with
some antique and cherished family plate which they had brought along, but
which was only rated as old silver by the jeweler to whom offered, and a
small sum offered for it.- marks of former prosperity in the way of
expensive and good clothing were found in the house, although the furniture
was scanty in quantity, and of the poorest description. The health of the
wife has failed her since her arrival in this city, and some chronic disease
of the eye had nearly destroyed her powers of vision. Of course many
incredible and absurd rumors are floating about the neighborhood, the most
feasible one being that last Saturday night, about 7 o'clock, a man was seen
to go to the river at the foot of Warren street, and a woman go in after and
pull him out. They both left and went toward Second street, which seems to
be corroborated by the statement of Deputy Sheriff Feid, who states on his
arrest the man was so wet that he had to change his entire clothes before
going to the jail.

THE FUNERAL

     of the victims and the poor woman who, it is supposed, killed them,
took place from their residence yesterday afternoon. They were buried in
City Cemetery at the expense of the county, a sad ending to the search for
labor, life and competence in a new hemisphere.



Aug 23, 1870

The Koenig Tragedy.
Continuation of the Investigation.

     The additional testimony in the3 case of Koenig, the unhappy husband
and father, whose family were found dead in so mysterious a manner, taken
after we went to press last evening, was as follows:
Mrs. Christina Peters sworn: - I know the family of Koenig; I visited her
sometimes; Mrs. Koenig said to me once that she would like to go back to the
old country: I was in there Saturday afternoon about 4 o'clock and asked her
for her hatchet; she was laying in the bed; Mrs. Koenig told me I could have
it if I could find it; I then asked her where her husband was ; she said he
was at Rolfs'; about seven o'clock in the evening of the same say I saw a
feather bed of hers in the yard; I took it into the house; Mrs. Koenig was
in the bed sleeping; I woke her up: I told her that I had brought her bed
in: she asked me if it was raining; I told her no; the little boy was laying
by his mother; the little girl was laying on the bed in the back room; there
was no light in the room; she never said she was tired of living; her
husband was low spirited and she would try and cheer him up; I saw her in
the yard about a month ago, but not since. [signed.] Christina Peters.

Catharine Bleik Sworn. - I have lived in the house next to Koenig 14 days;
Saturday night sometime in the middle of the night, I was out in the yard; I
heard a noise at the well, but did not go to see what it was; I have heard
nearly every night some one in Koenig's walking, but Saturday night I heard
nothing. [Signed] Catharine Bleik.

Clause Miller Sworn - I live in the same house with the Koenig family. I did
not know them. I helped get the woman out of the well. The water in the well
was not clean; it was a little riled and muddy. I think it is impossible for
two persons to fall into the well without injury to themselves. The woman
lay with her face in the water. There was room enough in the well for a
person as long as Mr. Koenig to lay down with the body that was there. [
Signed] Claus Miller.

Jacob Heidtmann, Sworn - I know nothing more than what has been said. Jacob
Heidtmann.

John Eggers Sworn - I know Mrs. Koenig. Her husband I have known since they
came to Davenport. John Koenig was at my place Saturday evening about two
hours. He acted as though he wanted something of me, but did not like to ask
for it. He did not talk like he did before when he had been at my place.
About ¼ before 9 o'clock we got on the street car and went up to Mr. Senter'
s house. [Signed] John Eggers.

Henry Wessel Sworn- I am a doctor; I attended Mrs. Koenig; I saw her last
Saturday morning ; I have been attending her several weeks; her eyes were
better; I had told her that they would never get well; she was in good humor
all of the time; she could see enough to move around in the day-time, but
not in the night; I think that she had not strength enough to hold the
four-year old child in the water bucket until she drowned. [Signed] H.
Wessel

At 6 o'clock the examination of witnesses terminated. The coroner inspected
in company with the jury the well and its surroundings, and then adjourned
until 9 o'clock A.M. to-day.

FURTHER EXAMINATION OF KOENIG.
     Coroner Tomson and the jury appeared at the jail as agreed upon at
adjournment last evening for a further and final examination of the father
of the murdered children.
     The prisoner was brought into the jail office by Deputy Sheriff Feid.
Nothing in his manner indicated great grief, nor yet its opposite. He was
comfortably dressed, and appeared in all things comfortable and contented
with things as he found them.
     Being seated, Coroner Tomson inquired now that he had time to reflect
upon the matter by himself for some time, if he had anything farther to
communicate to the jury.
     Through the interpreter, Mr. Chas. Eckhard, the prisoner replied that
he had nothing further to offer.
     As questioned by the Coroner, the prisoner responded as follows:
     My wife was not in the habit of walking out in the back yard alone;
since her eyes got bad we would walk out together for the last time about a
week ago; we usually walked in he evening-after supper-not after dark;
sometimes we sat upon the yard steps in the evening; did not walk in the
night time; might have done so, but not long; we walked but two or three
times a week; never walked with her to the well; she went to the well for
water until her eyes got bad; then I brought it; brought one bucket from the
well and one from the river for her eyes. Don't know how much water there
was in the house on Saturday when I left to go out.; know there was some
there.
     Went out about 7 o'clock; wife and children were in the front room; can
't say if they were abed or not; think the oldest child was up; if my wife
was up the little child was up with her; if she was abed the child was abed
also; I took the silver ware to Rolf's about 3 P.M. returning between 5 and
6 o'clock; had supper; no one in the house that afternoon but ourselves; we
slept in the front room; the oldest child slept on a bed on chairs-not in
the back room; I did not know that Mrs. Peters was in during the afternoon
of last Saturday; did not lock the back door when I went out; think my wife
could see well enough to go to the well.
     When I got home at night I found my wife sitting alone by the well; I
asked her how she could make up her mind to do such an awful thing as to
kill her children; she told me we were very poor; that we had nothing to
live on; it was not the first time she had talked about it; we had talked
over our condition before, and had agreed to join the Amana Society; had
talked it over last Saturday, and agreed that day upon joining that society;
the silver ware I took to Rolf's was most from my father; part of it we
bought together; it was her mind to sell it.
     I don't remember the first thing I said when I came home and found my
wife at the well; I was down-hearted; carried her into the house; I went to
work to restore the children to life; my wife, the while declaring she would
drown herself, and ran away several times, but I brought her back. As I came
in that night I found the children dead; one in the back room upon the
floor, the other in the front room its head in the bucket. I thought it must
have been my wife who killed them. She was always kind to them yet I thought
nobody else could have killed them. I could not see my wife at the well from
the back door. Lighted a candle and went into the yard, and saw her at the
well; do not remember having heard any noise. The oldest child was in the
back room; the youngest in the front room in the bucket; I notice only one
bucket; do not know as the oldest was wet. From the fact that I found the
youngest one in the bucket I concluded the elder one must be drowned also. I
did'nt pick them up or try to bring them to until I had been out and found
my wife and brought her in. I struck a light when I first came in, saw the
children as stated; went to find my wife. Don't know how long I was in the
house before I went out to find my wife; brought her into front room right
away; she said "let us go and drown ourselves"; I told her we must go to
work to restore the children; she said she would go and drown herself; Don't
know how long I at the children; my wife kept trying all the while to get
out. When I found that I could not restore the children to life, we agreed
to go and drown together in the well. We went out at the back door together,
hand in hand, and got over the curb; can't say which got over first; the
bucket was up; did not take the crank off; we took hold of each other's
hands, and together jumped into the well. (This well is 18 feet deep by 2 ½
in diameter with 18 inches of water - REP) The fall did not stun me; knew
where I was when we struck the bottom, and immediately tried to drown
myself. My wife laid down in the water; I laid down too; don't know how
long; stooped forward while standing on my feet, and put my head in the
water. It did not hurt me; felt strange; do not know how I got out; don't
know why I took my head out of the water; thought we laid down in the water;
don't remember feeling my wife in my way; there was room enough. Then I
though I would et out again and go into the house and shoot myself. Had a
single barrel gun and powder, and shot in the house. When I got out of the
well I went into the house and looked at the children, and took hold of
their hands, and then though I could not shoot myself. Then I went back to
Rolfs. When I first saw my children and knew my wife had killed them I
thought I will do nothing but drown myself; when I saw them again after I
got out of the well, I was too weak to reach up and take down my gun; that
it was best to see Rolf before I kill myself; told him all about the
children dead and my wife drowned herself and that I was willing to shoot
myself. Rolfs kept me from it. I took his word not to say anything about it
till next morning; and made up my mind to shoot myself before morning.
Thought he couldn't stop me anyhow. After that couldn't get a chance to kill
myself.
     I got out of the well by climbing up the wall; the chain was not down
in the well, don't know why I pulled my boots off when I came out of the
well. I wore a cap when I went to Rolfs with the silver; don't know what
became of it; don't know what I had on my head the second time I went there,
or what I had on when I jumped into the well. Before I came out of the well
I took hold of my wife, found she was dead, then I climbed out.
     Examination closed- adjourned; jury retired for consultation.

THE VERDICT
     The jury have returned a verdict, this afternoon, in which they find
the prisoner guilty of being accessory to the death of his wife. He is
therefore held in suitable bonds to stand trial upon a very grave charge.
Public opinion is of course divided upon the question. There is pretty
general opinion that he is a very guilty man; many contend likewise, that
nothing has yet been brought out in testimony that would convict him of
serious infraction of law and order. It is a terrible tragedy anyway-the
like of which may we never hear again.

Tuesday, August 25, 1870:The Koenig Tragedy.
In Police Court yesterday, Mr. Koenig had a preliminary examination; nothing
new elicited. Quire Peters held the accused in the sum of one thousand
dollars to appear at the next term of District Court. Bail to that amount
was promptly furnished. J.B. Leake for prosecution; Ernst Claussen for
defense. It is thought that hereditary insanity on the part of Mrs. Koenig's
family is susceptible of being clearly proven.

Police Court.
Fair but frail Lizzie Anderson, with a bad reputation and a gold watch, was
ushered into the presence of Magistrate Peters, to-day, charged with keeping
a house of questionable repute at the corner of Gaines and Third Street. The
law and the testimony were against the accused, and she was fined $20 and
costs. The gold watch and chain was pledged for the amount.

Hattie Hall, and inmate of the aforesaid baguio was required to hand over
$10 and costs, which she did reluctantly.

A young man of this city who gave his name a John Slider, but that is not
his name, was captured in the same den and paid over $10 and costs for his
crime.The magistrate ordered the chief of police to dry up and renovate the
establishment, and to see that it be no more contaminated by the unclean
party.

John Slumm went and outflanked too much whisky straight, wherefore he came
to grief and was interviewed in open court on the strength of the City
Ordinances. One dollar and costs for John.

Monday, August 29, 1870:
Police Court.
There was the usual jubilee at Justice Peters office this morning. The first
victim was John Geiser, who had been out on a spree, which caused him to be
taxed one dollar and costs-$5.55. For another offence he came down $6 and
costs-$12.15-making in all $17.70 for John, which he paid into the treasury,
and went into training for another drunk.

Ed Billick- State case. Ed stole H. Bremer's skiff, for which eccentricity
he was assessed $36 and costs-$42.00, and being short that amount at his
banker's concluded to go and break rock for Sheriff Schnitger at $1.50 per
day-twenty eight days.

H. Bremers went after his skiff with angry heart, words of startling
profanity, and a double-barrel shot gun. He threatened Billick's life in the
most enthusiastic spirit, and for this quiet Sabbath day sport, was fined
and paid three dollars costs.

A Douglas did beat, assault, macerate and whip into a thousand minute
fragments one Count de Barofsky, in the most chivalrous style; for which
pugilistic effort he purchased tickets to the amount of three dollars and
costs-$10.95 in jail and is still on the war path.

August 30, 1870:
Police Court.
Crime-carnival was abroad in full fury at the "beer jerkers' Hall known as
the St. Louis in Metropolitan basement last night. Cursing, fighting and
plug-uglyism reigned rampant among patrons and proprietors. This morning the
revellers were in the police office to settle the score. Bill Howell, Jim
Gartland and John Smith were found guilty of disturbing the public peace and
fined each four dollars and costs.

Bill Howell prosecuted C.F. Spence, the proprietor of the "St. Louis," but
reconsidered, withdrew, paid costs and quit.
H.H. Foot and Jas. Smith were fined for fighting with Howell and Gartland.

Suits have been brought against Spence, the proprietor-one for keeping a
house of assignation and prostitution, and another for keeping a disorderly
den, in prosecution of which a large number of citizens have been summoned.
The trial has been set for Thursday morning at 9 o'clock. The people are
waking up to their duty in this matter, and are determined to know if these
hideous immoralities can be continually practiced with impurity in their
midst. Bet it be fully and thoroughly tested; the city is becoming rotten
with these rascalities; now let me see if there is any remedy for it.

J. Parsons was fined one dollar and costs for getting drunk ; jailed and
inside the bars made night hideous with howling ; some little correction
rather soothed him down, and another fine and costs for such misconduct will
make a further drain of his bank deposits.

August 31, 1870:
Police Court.
There was nothing before the Police Magistrate to-day, as police magistrate;
but as Justice of the Peace the following cases were in hand:
The state prosecuted one man Cogan for assaulting J.C. Patten and taking
from his person one shirt stud and one pair sleeve buttons, all valued at
$20.; for which sleight of hand work the defendant was held to bail in the
sum of $150, which he readily furnished on the spot.

The State went for Thos. Gartland, on information of his wife, for violent,
drunken and disorderly conduct. The prosecuting witness failing to appear,
the case was dropped-defendant paying costs.

Submitted by: #000525