Iowa Old Press

Humeston New Era
Humeston, Wayne, Iowa
May 26, 1920

IOWA NEWS

- When James O. White and his wife, Alma White, jumped their bonds at Fort Madison and fled the state, Iowa was better off by $600. They were held on bootlegging charges.

- Charged with robbing Miss Viola Ballhorn-after she died- of approximately $300 worth of clothing, Howard Jerold Harris, 25 years old, a
ladies' tailor, was placed under arrest by the Davenport police and was bound over to the grand jury under a $1,000 bond on a charge of grand larceny.

- Claude Rector and William Hill farm hands in Pleasant township, were arrested on information sworn out by a farmer living in the same
township near Atlantic charging that the pair had stolen two quarts of whisky. They pleaded guilty and were assessed a fine of $25 each which they paid. The whisky was purchased eight years ago, and was of prime stock, hence the farmers indignation at losing it.

- E.P. Gaddes near Griswold was found guilty of brutal treatment of his son, Russell, 12 years old, in Justice court. A fine of $100 was imposed upon him, the fine being suspended on his good behavior in the future.

- Although the Mt. Pleasant school board has raised teacher's salaries this year the teachers are neglecting to sign contracts. They seek higher pay. Mrs. Mary Swaney, for years principal of the high school goes to Chili to teach under the direction of the Methodist church.

- Raymond Fifield, 2, son of Mr .and Mrs. Clarence Fifield, Des Moines, caught his head in the clothes line swing in the backyard of his home and was hanged to death. His body was found by Mrs. Charles Farrell, neighbor, soon after the tragedy. Raymond was playing with his brother, Herbert, aged 5, when he tripped in the swing. He died instantly it is thought. The mother was in the house. Funeral services were held from the home. Burial was in Glendale Cemetery.

[transcribed by C.J.L. May 2007]

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