Iowa Old Press
Davenport Gazette
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
Monday morning, May 1, 1876
IOWA CONDENSED
- J.W. Pierce, miller, at Primrose, has gone into
voluntary bankruptcy. Liabilities, $22,000; assets, $23,000.
- The sole surviving child of Prof. Parker is Miss Hattie, a teacher in the
public schools of Hampton.
- Mr. Manning, an old resident of Jasper county, aged 84 died last week. He was
a soldier of 1812.
- Ella D. Gray, aged 16, daughter of a marble dealer at Des Moines, will
probably die from the effects of an abortion practiced upon her. The seducer's
name is Wm. Dempsey.
- Ausel Briggs, the first Governor of this State, is still alive, but in very
limited circumstances. A proposition has been made to raise a fund to enable him
to go to the Centennial. His present residence is Council Bluffs.
- The following is a singular accident which occurred near Knoxville lately: A
man named Campbell was grubbing with the assistance of a boy named Woodyard, 14
years old, and son of Louis Woodyard, and in grubbing, quite a large sapling the
boy was holding it down while Campbell wielded the grubbing hose. By a mis-lick
the hoe struck the boy upon the knee, cutting through flesh and leaders, and
entirely severing the cap of the knee, leaving the joints exposed. It is feared
the boy is fatally injured.
JAIL DELIVERY
The town of DeWitt was much excited
yesterday morning, by discovery that the pretty strong county jail at that place
had numerous apartments to let which had occupants when the people went to bed
Saturday night. A general jail delivery had taken place. Deputy Sheriff Desmond,
who has charge of the jail, was absent, having gone east with a prisoner.
How the prisoners managed to get out of their cells is
not known exactly; but it is believed that one of them procured a key to the
lock on his door, through the aid of an outside confederate, and that, after
getting into the corridor himself, he released his fellow captives.
The prisoners escaped from the corridor to the outside
world, by lowering themselves into the privy vault at one end of the hall,
digging through that wall, and under the jail foundation and up again to the top
of the earth. How they lived while delving in that awful place is a mystery.
Five prisoners, as hard cases as the DeWitt jail ever
held, got away. And among them were the notorious burglar and thief, Jim Bell,
and the desperado Harrington. Deputy Desmond will be deeply grieved when he
hears of Bell's flight - this being the second escape of Jim from his care. He
was in for robbery and at the time of his first arrest for it he gave Desmond
the slip at a hotel in Clinton. This was nearly two years ago - and in March
last Desmond found him in the Ottumwa jail, and secured him again.
The escape of the prisoners was not discovered till
morning - and then they had nearly five hours the start. Our informant left
DeWitt at 1 o'clock, yesterday afternoon, at which time nothing had been heard
of any of the fugitives from justice.
CAME TO THE SURFACE
The Body of the Missing Claus Staak Rises from the Bottom of the Mississippi-
Suicide Because His Betrothed Married -
What Was Found with the Remains.
Yesterday afternoon a couple of boys who were
playing on a raft at the foot of Ripley street, discovered the body of a man
between a couple of the logs of an outside string. They informed officers
Purcell and Kessler, who brought the body to shore, and then informed Coroner
Grant of the occurrence. It was not long before the body was recognized as that
of Claus Staak, who left his boarding house the night of the 7th of April,
telling his room mate he was going to the back yard, since which time nothing
has been heard of his whereabouts. In his pocket a watch and chain, $11 in bank
bills, a pocket knife and pipe, were found, but nothing to indicate the reason
for his disappearance.
It is believed, however, that Staak committed suicide. For
two weeks previous to his disappearance he was in sorrowful mood, and very much
dejected, over news of the marriage of his betrothed in Germany, he having
intended to return next fall and marry her; so, feeling that he had rather die
than live without her, he threw himself into the river. Although a laborer, he
was pretty well off, having goodly sums of money loaned in the city,.
It was thought at the time he left his boarding house that he
had $500 with him, found in his clothes, which were searched in the presence of
Coroner Grant. The body was placed in a coffin, and an undertaker took charge of
it. The inquest was postponed to 9 o'clock this morning.
DAVENPORT BRIEFS
- Ed. Ryland, an old steamboat clerk, well known on the Upper Mississippi,
died in St. Louis last Friday. He had been an invalid for years.
- Two colored men named Lew Phillips and Tim Graham, arrested by officer Henry
Martens and Maguire, were up before Justice Kaufmann Saturday for trial for
disturbing the peace. Phillips got $10 fine with costs and Graham twenty-four
days imprisonment at hard labor. Then Phillips was examined on the charge of
resisting an officer, for he and his partner struck the officers and got away
from them, while walking along as childlike and bland as could be - and the
officers had a deal of trouble in recapturing them. And for this Phillips was
held for appearance at the District Court in the sum of $500 - sent to jail in
default.
- James R. Preston, son of the second partner, James Preston, is worthy of just
such promotion in a store in which he has served his apprenticeship, as it were,
and learned that business pretty thoroughly, from the work a new boy has to do
up to the responsible place in the sales-room. And there is no mercantile
business the conduct of which is so much of a science as the same hardware
trade; the young man who masters it has a fortune, almost, in his knowledge. The
many friends of Mr. Preston will be glad to read the announcement of his
promotion.
DIED.
FERGUSON - On Sunday morning, April 30th, 1876, Mrs. Fanny
Ferguson, in the 80th year of her age, mother of Mrs. J.W. Stewart.
Notice of funeral hereafter.
Davenport Gazette
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
Tuesday morning, May 2, 1876
IOWA CONDENSED
- The Keota Eagle has changed hands, G.C. Miller retiring, and
Wells & Miller assuming proprietorship.
- Mrs. Kisselmeier, wife of a saloon keeper in Decorah, committed suicide by
taking strychnine on the 27th ult.
- Capt. W.V. Lucas of Waverly has purchased the Shell Rock News, of which he
will be the editor.
- Antoine Knecht, a horse thief captured in Keokuk on the 28th ult., while being
taken to Nauvoo on a ferry boat, jumped into the river, handcuffed, but was
rescued. He is an old man and perhaps thought it as well to drown himself in the
Mississippi as to spend his days in an Illinois penitentiary.
DAVENPORT BRIEFS
- Yesterday, E. Hadley, Esq., of Grand Rapids, Mich., was admitted to practice
in the District Court.
- John H. Craig has been arrested by U.S. Deputy Marshal Herd for selling liquor
without license, and held to bail in the sum of $300. He says he can prove that
the charge is entirely unfounded.
- The creditors of George Foderburg have taken steps to throw him into
bankruptcy, and at the suit of them Deputy U S Marshall Herd arrived yesterday
from Keokuk and took possession of all the goods in the store, 810 West Third
street and the oils and white lead found secreted in the barn on Harrison
street. The oil and lead was removed to the store. The Marshal paid no attention
to the asserted ownership of Foderberg's relatives. Foderberg is in the Fon du
Lac jail still.
MARRIED.
McCLEERY - LARRIMER - On Monday, May 1st, by Rev. S.S.
Ralston, Dr. Thomas C. McCleery and Miss Emma Larrimer, all of LeClaire.
District Court.
David Stuhr, indicted for rape, was arraigned. He pleaded not
guilty. The petit jury was paneled and the trial of the case was commenced. The
circumstances of the case were stated in this paper at the time of Mr. Stuhr's
arrest. The prosecuting witness is Emma Meyer, "a mother but not a
wife." She alleged that the crime with which defendant is charged was
committed at his tavern, the six mile house, in March, 1875. District Attorney
Ellis conducts the prosecution and W.A. Foster, J. W. Greene, and Clausen &
Heinz are for the defense.
Davenport Gazette
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
Thursday morning, May 4, 1876
IOWA CONDENSED
- A farmer named Budd Phillips, who lives near West Liberty, is
charged with outrage by a Mrs. Corvin and held to bail.
- John Campbell, aged nearly 100, died at the residence of his son in Polk
county Monday.
- Tuesday evening, F.P. Dalrymple, licentiate, was ordained minister by the Iowa
City Presbytery.
- M.G. McMahon, a voluntary missionary, commenced a religious canvass of Keokuk
last March,. He holds no meetings, but goes from house to house.
- The coroner's jury at Des Moines returned a verdict that Ella D. Gray came to
her death from an attempt at abortion at the hands of Dr. W.H. Hallwell and
others. He was sent to jail protesting his innocence.
THE CRIMINAL DOCKET
The trial of David Stuhr on the charge of rape came to a
sudden ending yesterday forenoon. At the conclusion of the redirect examination,
the Court remarked that after examination of authorities on the subject, he
should have to advise the returning of a verdict of not guilty; admitting the
testimony of prosecuting witness to be true, it didn't show sufficient resolute,
determined opposition on her part to sustain a verdict of guilty, and if the
jury found it, the Court would feel compelled to set it aside.
The girl's testimony was to the effect that on defendant's
first attempt she did resist him to such good purpose that his wife was roused,
and came out of her room; in the second attempt he put his hand over her mouth,
held her down, and there was a long struggle - but no outcry.
The Jury said they would like to retire and were out some
fifteen minutes - and then came back with a verdict of not guilty. Several of
the jurors were opposed to rendering the verdict, and only the court's assertion
that a verdict of guilty would be set aside caused them to assent.
OTHER CASES.
There was arraignment of several indicted parties.
James Burns, indicted for robbery, plead not guilty. Jury was
waived, and there was judgment of guilty of assault.
John Ruymann, indicted for assault with intent to inflict
great bodily injury, plead not guilty. The indictment was based on assault on
Matthew Wittig in November last, in East Davenport. The jury was waived and
Ruymann was adjudged guilty of common assault and sentenced to pay a fine of $25
with costs - $56.45 in all.
Gustav Priester, indicted for assault with intent to kill,
and Henry Dunker, indicted for assault with intent to inflict great bodily
injury, plead not guilty. Jury was waived in each instance, and defendants were
adjudged guilty of assault and each was sentenced to pay a fine of $5 with costs
- about $60 apiece. These were the principals in the bloody fight among
fishermen on the river bank at Rockingham last fall.
The case of Robert W. Pool, indicted for larceny, was called.
Court appointed Hon. John W. Green as counsel for defense. There were ten true
bills against the defendant. Jury was waived and there was trial to court. He
was adjudged guilty on two bills - value of property $50 in one and $100 on the
others. The circumstances of the case are well known in this community.
The trial of the case of the State vs. C.S. Whisler, indicted
for forgery - the alleged offense consisting of altering notes after endorsement
- will be commenced this morning. There are three indictments for this offense
and three for uttering forged paper. District Attorney Ellis conduct the
prosecution alone and Putnam & Rogers and W.A. Foster are counsel for the
defense.
Davenport Gazette
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
Saturday morning, May 13, 1876
IOWA CONDENSED
- Mr. Milo Lathrop, one of the oldest citizens of Benton county, has
disposed of his property there and is about to remove to Page county. He has
been engaged largely as a stock dealer.
- The first business house in Sioux City was established by Milton Tootle, just
twenty years ago. The establishment is still carried on under the management of
Mr. Livington.
- The daughter of Mrs. Nancy Fitzsimmons, of Blackhawk county, aged ten years,
fell a number of feet in the barn and struck the sharp edge of a hard board,
fracturing her nose and front part of her head, causing a fearful wound, from
which exuded a large amount of blood and brain. She is not expected to recover.
- Charles Roeder, a German brewer lately of Savanna, fired the dwelling of his
wife at Maquoketa, with whom he was at varience, actuated by jealousy. Roeder
had done the same thing to the saloon which his wife had been keeping at Sabula
at the time he married her. He is in jail.
- In regard to the postoffice trouble at Olin, the Anamosa Eureka gives an
extended account, from which it appears that the postmaster, Mr. Willis, has not
made a statement of his business to the Department since November last. His
books have not been posted for two months, and the business of the office has
been sadly neglected. The actual amount of his deficit for which he can only
account on the ground that he lost a certificate of deposit, was $583. This
amount has been paid to the Department by his bondsmen, Mr. Miller, giving him a
mortgage on his house to secure them.
- The State Register of the 11th gives the following account of a horrible and
frightful accident which occurred on the 10th, near Des Moines, on the farm
owned by David Munro:
"A domestic on the place by the name of Miss Lumley, a
woman about 25 years of age, was engaged in making soft soap in the yard and a
huge fire was blazing under the kettle. The wind was blowing and carelessly the
woman got too close to the fire. Her dress caught fire and soon her clothes were
all ablaze. She screamed but there was no assistance with in a quarter of a
mile, and before aid arrived the clothes upon the woman were burnt entirely. Her
body was burned to a crisp from her neck to her feet. She was carried into the
house and Dr. Ward was called, and dressed the body, but he says it is scarcely
possible she can live."
One-Armed Bill and his Career.
The desperado, Patrick Hand, who was murdered by pounding and
hanging, in his place of confinement, an engine house, at Lyons, last Tuesday
morning, was well known in this city as "one-armed Bill." He was tried
here in the spring of 1871 for larceny and sentenced to eighteen months
imprisonment in the penitentiary. He, with a partner, stole a trunk from a
hotel. He called himself William Smith here - hence his professional title.
Twice since his release from prisoner he has been in the Davenport jail. He was
an ugly customer to handle, and was never arrested without difficulty. The
police were loth [sic] to strike him, as it seemed cowardly to hit a man who had
but one hand ,but he would fight them like a tiger. He was arrested here in
April for disturbing the peace, and sentenced to imprisonment in the jail for
ten days. He was released on the 27th ult. He was employed in painting the
interior of the jail during his confinement, as he was a painter by trade, and
he told the sheriff he was glad to get out as he was afraid he would lose a job
that had been promised him in Clinton county. His was an awful death, but no
more awful than his treatment of the man whom he robbed and nearly killed the
day before he was hung. His last act of brutality caused his own death.
END OF THE MURDER TRIAL.
"Arrest her immediately - the evidence establishes her
guilt," were the words of a note from the Grand Jury to Sheriff Leonard at
the time of the indictment of Elizabeth C. Harvey for the murder of Mrs. Bruce
during the February term of the District Court. The Grand Jury believed all that
Staufenbeil told them - and so that same night Mrs. H. was taken to jail.
The trial of Mrs. Harvey was concluded yesterday and the end
thereof was joy to the defendant. The State, it will be remembered, rested
Thursday evening. Yesterday morning Messrs. Herman Block, B. L. Peters, George
E. Gould, W.H. Gabbert, Justice Kaufmann and Chief Martens testified that
Staufenbiel's moral character, and his reputation for truth and veracity, were
very bad.
Mrs. Cordelia Powell, aged 77 years, mother of Mrs. Harvey,
testified that on the Wednesday night before the body was discovered, at the
bequest of the deceased, she went over to the corner of Grove and Locust
streets, bought ten cents worth of beer for Mrs. Bruce, to whom she gave it.
Mrs. Bruce gave witness and defendant each a glass of it, poured a glass for
herself and drank it. Mrs. Bruce said she felt better and would retire. Witness
and Mrs. Harvey then went to their own part of the house. They saw nothing more
of deceased until her body was found, as testified to by other witnesses. The
door between their apartments and the room of deceased was always kept fastened
and never used. Witness said Mrs. Bruce told them that she was going to Buffalo
in the morning, and that she would go down town before breakfast which was a
common thing for her to do. Mrs. Bruce said she would be gone two or three days.
No odor was discovered about the house until Saturday noon, and that alarmed
them. They went to the neighbors, to have some one come and break open the
house. Witness said that the note first due Mr. Bruce was paid in his lifetime,
and the second in May, 1875; that witness' pension, $8 per month, and money
received from the east, was used to make up the mount of the note. Witness was
cross-examined thoroughly by the District Attorney upon every point relating to
their intimacy with and dealings with the deceased, and nothing was elicited
that was not entirely consistent with the claim of the innocence of the
defendant.
At the conclusion of this testimony, the District Attorney,
believing that he could not support Stauffenbeil as a witness, informed the jury
that he did not think the evidence in the case sufficient to sustain the
indictment, and recommended them to return a verdict of not guilty, without
retiring from the court room, which they accordingly did.
This brought the calendar up to the case of Edward Collamer,
indicted for assault with intent to commit rape; but as the little girl who is
to testify as the prosecuting witness is just recovering from scarlet fever, the
jury was discharged till Monday morning at 10 o'clock.
Davenport Gazette
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
Monday morning, May 15, 1876
IOWA CONDENSED
- Hon. John A. Parvin has been re-elected President of the Iowa Reform School
Board.
- Joseph Terwilliger, of Cass County, was recently kicked in the right temple by
a mule and instantly killed.
- The Good Templars' Lodge at Avoca, has given up the ghost. There does not
remain, perhaps, enough objects for it to operate upon.
- While at Marshalltown, Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, on her way to a lecturing
engagement further north, reported a wonderful revulsion of public sentiment in
favor of woman suffrage in Iowa since she was here before.
- John McIntire, of Wentworth township, is one of the most extensive farmers in
Mitchell county. He owns 2054 acres, 1025 of which will be in crops this year,
in addition to a large number of acres seeded to tame grass. This season he
intends to break 400 acres.
District Court
The Grand Jury entered Court at 10 o'clock Saturday forenoon,
and reported indictments as follows:
Louis Phillips for resisting an officer. He was arrested on
the morning of the 27th of April, with another colored man, and on the way to
the jail gave his presiding officer a clip across the head, and put for liberty.
But he was caught, and, being a dangerous customer, a true bill was found
against him.
Charles Baldwin for robbery. He is the party who knocked Wm.
Lambert down at Hermann's saloon the night of the 20th of April, and robbed him
of $40.
C.P. Preston and Lewis Lewis for stealing from the person.
These parties, it will be remembered, are charged with entering a dress-making
establishment on Harrison street, the 20th of April, and snatching a pocketbook
containing $100.45 from Nellie M. Blanchard.
James Breen for assault with intent to commit rape. He is the
party who is supposed to have entered the house of a widow woman on Fifth
street, near LeClaire, the night of 24th of February, and committing the crime
charged in the indictment. A hat recognized as his was found on the floor, and a
bottle of chloroform on a table.
Davenport Gazette
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
Tuesday morning, May 16, 1876
IOWA CONDENSED
- General Joseph Ankeney is lying seriously ill at Des Moines.
His recovery is despaired of.
- Julius Rahl, a young German of Clinton, shot himself Friday. He is thought to
have been laboring under a temporary fit of insanity, caused by a concussion of
the brain sustained by a recent injury.
- John H. Dalzell, who has been a highly respected citizen of Morning Sun,
Louisa County, for twenty-five years, committed suicide one day last week. A few
weeks ago he failed in business and has ever since displayed symptoms of
insanity.
- Mr. Dobbins, resident of the vicinity of Caloma, Marion county, met with a
fatal accident Wednesday of last week in Knoxville. As he came in with a load of
wheat, his team (mules) took fright at a wheelbarrow crossing the street,
throwing him out of the wagon, which passed over his body, breaking several
ribs, one or more of which punctured the plura and entered the lungs. The
unfortunate man died Saturday night.
- The wife of Andy Killian, of Boonsboro, has just blessed her liege with
triplets. Aggregate weight 22 pounds. The first enquiry of Mr. K when informed
of the agreeable fact, was, "Did any get away!" The editor of the News
invites the happy father to call at that office and be congratulated and receive
gratis a year's subscription to that valuable and comforting journal, on the
ground that a man who does so much towards increasing the population of the
State deserves to be encouraged.
Court Proceedings.
The District Court commenced the week's work at 2 o'clock
yesterday afternoon.
Jas. Breen indicted for assault with intent to commit rape.
Lewis, Lewis and C.F.Preston and Chas. Baldwin, indicted for robbery, and Louis
Phillips, indicted for resisting an officer, were arraigned, and all plead not
guilty. Hon. J.W. Green was appointed counsel for Lewis and Preston.
The case of Daniel Collamer, indicted for assault with intent
to commit rape, was called in the afternoon, and a jury was empanneled. The
little girl, Maggie Madden, aged 10 years, the alleged victim of the assault,
gave her testimony, substantially the same as given before Justice Viele in
February last. She pointed out the defendant as the man who met her on Third
street and asked her to go with him; she then detailed, in her artless manner,
the occurrances in the barn to which defendant led her.
Davenport Briefs.
- A patent for cultivators has been issued to J.L. McCulloch, of this city.
- Mr. Ludwig Bruning left for Avoca last evening with his family. He will resume
the practice of law in that thriving town.
- Guess it is pretty certain that Nellie M. Blanchard, the state prosecuting
witness in the case of the State vs Lewis Lewis and C.F. Preston, has skipped
out. She left for the east last Thursday.
Davenport Gazette
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
Wednesday morning, May 17, 1876
COURT PROCEEDINGS
The trial of Daniel Collamer was finished at half past ten
yesterday forenoon, and was submitted to the jury without argument. There was
not sufficient evidence to substantiate the charge of assault with intent to
commit rape, and so the jury returned a verdict of common assault, though they
were out a good while before making up their minds to frame so mild a verdict.
The prisoner desired immediate sentence and Judge Hayes gave
him the full penalty for the misdemeanor of which he was convicted - thirty days
jail at hard labor. Collamer has been indicted for perjury, but the case has
been continued until next term.
Charles Baldwin, indicted for robbery - knocking Wm. Lambert
down and robbing him of $40 was brought in and plead guilty to stealing from the
person, which plea was accepted by District Attorney Ellis.
The case of the State vs. James Breen, indicted for assault
with intent to commit rape, was set for trial to-morrow forenoon.
It is probable that the case of Louis Phillips, indicted for
resisting an officer, will not come to trial - the defendant desiring to plead
guilty.
The Court adjourned till 9 o'clock to-morrow morning.
Davenport Briefs.
- Col. Egbert has bought the C.C. Alvord place, mansion and 82 acres, on the
Pleasant Valley road, paying $6,000 for it.
- Here are the prices of fresh vegetables in this city: New potatoes 90 cents
per peck; lettuce 30 cents per pound; radishes 5 cents per bunch; cucumbers 15
cents each; onions 5 cents per bunch; asparagus 3 pounds for 25 cents; rhubarb 3
bunches for a dime; new cabbage 20 to 25 cents per head; green peas $1 per peck;
string beans 20 cents per quart. The potatoes, cucumbers, peas, cabbage, string
beans and lettuce are from the South - the other vegetables are home raised.
- A sudden death of an old resident occurred last evening. Monday evening, Mr.
Joseph Adams, who lives at 1,453 West Second street, was attacked in the left
leg by paralysis and during the night his limbs and body were stricken. His
brain was also affected and he lingered in an unconscious state until half-past
8 o'clock last evening, when he died from cerebral apoplexy. Mr. Adams had lived
in Davenport thirty years, known all the time as an industrious, honest man. He
leaves a wife and five children - all his sons and daughters having attained
their majority.
MARRIED.
COBB-SAILOR - At the residence of Mr. C.A. Mitchell, 403
Fifteenth street, Thursday, May 16th, 1876, by Rev. J.G. Merrill, Mr. Dans Cobb,
of Muscatine, and Miss Lou Sailor, of this city.
TAYLOR - LORTON - In this city Tuesday evening, May 16th,
1876, at the residence of the bride's parents, corner of Sixth and Rock Island
streets, by the Rev. T.J. Bauder, of Muscatine, Mr. B.F. Taylor and Miss Ida M.
Lorton, daughter of Mr. W. Lorton, both of this city.
DIED.
CARLIN - At 8:30 Tuesday morning, May 16th, 1876, of
pulmonary disease, John Carlin, aged 25 years, 4 months and 7 days.
Funeral this morning at nine o'clock from the family
residence on 11th and Rock Island streets. Friends invited.
FINGER - At her residence, No. 112 West Fifth
street, at half-past 11 A.M. Tuesday, May 16, 1876, Johanna Elemore Finger, of
inflammation of the bowels, aged 82 years, 5 months and 5 days.
The funeral services will be held at St. Kunigundi's church,
corner of Sixty and Marquette streets, at 8:30 A.M. on Thursday. Friends and
acquaintances respectfully invited to attend.
McGONIGAL - At Clinton, Iowa, May 13th, 1876, of hemorage of the lungs, Franklin McGonigal, aged 20 years, son of Mrs. Mary E. Hoffman of this city.
ADAMS - In this city, Tuesday, May 16th,
1876, at half past 8 o'clock P.M., of cerebral apoplexy, Joseph Adams, in the
67th year of his age.