Iowa
Old Press
New Era
Humeston, Wayne co., Iowa
March 7, 1900
THE NEWS IN IOWA
TRAGEDY AT WEIR CITY
John Davis Fatally Shoots William Halloway
BUSSEY, March 2 - A shocking tragedy occurred at Weir City, a
coal mining suburb one mile south of Bussey. A dance was in
progress at the house of a miner named John Davis and several
young men from Bussey proper were in attendance. William
Holloway, son of Dr. J.G. Holloway, got into an altercation with
Davis and was ejected from the house. It is stated that Halloway
started in again with a knife in his hand and that Davis drove
him out with a stick of wood. Davis is said to have then got his
rifle and took up a position to guard the door and when Halloway
again appeared in range Davis fired and Halloway turned and
walked half way around the house and fell, expiring almost
instantly and without uttering a word after he was shot. The ball
passed through his left arm, striking the body near his suspender
buckle and ranging through the body in a slightly downward
course. Sheriff Davis arrested the murderer who readily gave
himself up. Davis is the man who was suspected by many of being
guilty of the murder of Dan McCarthy of Marysville some years
ago, but no proof was ever found against him.
Woman Awarded Damages
GOLDFIELD, March 3 - Mrs. Martha J. Beaver, wife of Jonas Beaver,
formerly of Goldfield, sues the town of Eagle Grove for injuries
sustained from a defective sidewalk. At the last term of court
Mrs. Beaver sued for $8,000 damages and the jury brought in a
verdict of $2,300.
Ex-Sheriff of Dallas County Killed.
ADEL, March 2 - Joe Payne, ex-sheriff of Dallas county, was
killed in Welch, Louisiana, by a train. Mr. Payne went to the
south about three weeks ago intending to make an extended visit
there to cover the remainder of the winter.
Sold Adulterated Milk.
DES MOINES, March 1 - Justice Halloran decided against the
defendant in the case of the state against A.D. Ehle, of Des
Moines. He was charged with selling adulterated milk. A fine of
$25 was imposed. An appeal will be taken.
WEST PROBABLY MURDERED.
Des Moines Criminal Believed to Have Died from Poison.
DES MOINES, March 2 - John West, alias, "Joplin Red,"
who was found dead in bed at the Northwestern hotel did not die a
natural death. This fact has been established by the autopsy just
completed by County Physician Shope. In the report furnished
Coroner Ankeny he states his opinion that West came to his death
from some unknown poison, taken into the stomach voluntarily or
otherwise. It is stated that West's former pals were not averse
to his being made away with, and that they succeeded in
accomplishing what they may have considered necessary to their
own safety. Shortly before his death West returned from Chicago
with between $600 and $700 which it is supposed he got by giving
information of a proposed attempt to rob the Adams Express
Company.
Family Poisoned.
HUDSON, March 1 - Nine members of the household of Robert Wyett,
living five miles southwest of Hudson, are very sick, as the
result of eating canned vegetable oysters. The poison is supposed
to have been wild parsnip, which had accidentally got mixed with
the plant. The dish was eaten for dinner and soon all were taken
violently ill. Neighbors summoned physicians and two doctors and
friends labored with the stricken family all night. All are now
believed to be out of danger.
Suicide of a Little Girl.
FORT MADISON, March 3 - Hazel Rogers, 12 years of age, a bright
and prepossessing child, committed suicide by shooting herself in
the heart. Although little is known regarding the cause, it is
believed she grieved over a childish love affair until death
seemed the only relief.
Said to Be Short $20,000
WATERLOO, March 3 - A.I. Breckenridge, for several years
secretary of the Perpetual Building and Loan association, has
been arrested, charged with embezzlement. His shortage is claimed
to be nearly $20,000. Wine and women are the alleged causes of
his downfall.
Brevities
- An explosion at the farm house of Gustavus Horn, four miles
east of Dunkerton, wrecked his house and injured his two young
children so badly that they will die. The explosion is supposed
to have resulted from a keg of gunpowder stored in the garret.
- Mrs. Martin Renegar, wife of a well known farmer near Clarion,
committed suicide a few days ago by hanging. Mr. Renegar had sold
out, making plans for a move to Minnesota. He came to Clarion and
chartered a car and made other necessary arrangements. When he
arrived home he inquired for his wife and the children said she
was upstairs. He went up and found her dead. She leaves a number
of small children.
[transcribed by C.J.L., March 2007]