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COMMUNITY NEWS ARTICLES

COOK'S POINT CHARACTERS
News Items on Cook's Point
Extracted from Davenport Democrat and Leader

February 9, 1923

LAURA'S HOPE OF WEDDING IN JAIL VANISHES 
Object of Adoration Hustled Off to Prison Without a Last Good-Bye.
    Ambitions of a 17-year-old-girl to marry her 19-year-old dance hall lover, even tho the ceremony had to be performed in the county jail where the would be bridegroom is detained under a 10 year prison sentence for theft were shattered late today when the sheriff's office smuggled William Carnall out of the county jail and on board a train for Anamosa without giving him an opportunity to bid his fair admirer, Laura Kyle, living at Cook's Point, a last fond farewell.
    The girl who first became acquainted with Carnall at a public dance in Owl's hall, Rock Island, five months ago, startled county officials early in the week with a request that she be permitted to marry her shiek, pleading undying devotion and affection. She had visited the county attorney's office daily to renew her request.
    Her mother has consented to the marriage, according to County Attorney John Weir. Carnall's mother, who lives in Boston, has been notified by her son of the girl's request and asked to give her consent.
    Should Carnall's mother consent the county attorney's office will interpose legal objections to the marriage in the event the girl carries her plea to the state board of parole, Mr. Weir announced today.
    Miss Kyle did not learn of Carnall's departure until late this afternoon.

Four Transferred.
    In addition to Carnall, deputy sheriffs late today transferred F.Beck, under a 25 year sentence for the crime of incest, Henry Stewart, under a 20 year sentence for the crime of assault with intent to commit rape, and E.C. Fischer, under a five year sentence on a charge of embezzlement, from the county jail to the state penitentiary at Fort Madison.

April 19, 1923

WOMAN STEALS SILK DRESS; NO USE FOR IT NOW
Unable to Pay $100 Fine, Mrs. Rose Wedeker Is Sent to Jail

    When Mrs. Rose Wedeker, 44, Cook's Point resident, stole a dress from the George W. Wichmann general store, 1842 Rockingham road, Tuesday, she had no idea that the dress was silk, the woman told Police Magistrate Harold Metcalf when she was arraigned for larceny this morning. The Magistrate ruled that the testimony was insufficient to justify her theft and fined her $100 and costs for larceny. Unable to pay the fine, Mrs. Wedeker was sent to jail for 30 days.
    Mrs. Wedeker was taken into custody late yesterday when Miss Ruth Young, clerk at the Wichmann store, engaged her in conversation after she had alighted from a street car. Miss Young states that Mrs. Wedeker was wearing the dress she had stolen and that she had attempted to disguise it with a large plaid bow. Police were notified.
    Testimony of Mr. Wichmann and of Miss Bertha Hoffman, another clerk in the store, showed today that the woman had taken the dress while making other purchases, and that she had previously stolen fruit from the store.
    Shedding copious tears, Mrs. Wedeker declared that she only intended to steal a plain dress and that she was forced to steal because her husband was a "dirty dog."
    A charge of larceny in a building, lodged against Mrs. Wedeker, was reduced to larceny by Magistrate Metcalf, who stated that he would give the woman the maximum penalty - $100 and costs. Assistant County Attorney John McSwiggin was in charge of the prosecution.

August 23, 1923

HUBBY OBJECTS TO "TOUCHING" HE IS ARRESTED
Queen of Cook's Point Makes Consort Walk Home All Alone.

    Because her husband objected when she took $20 out of his trousers pocket, leaving him only 40 cents in changes, Rose Wedeker, uncrowned queen on Cook's Point shanty settlement, obtained his arrest by Officer James Carroll last night.
    The man, William Jones, proved a target for his wife's vitriolic attack when he appeared in police court on a peace disturbance charge this morning.
    "She didn't leave me only 40 cents," Jones explained, in a pathetic voice.
    "You're darn right I didn't!" cried Rose. "You euchred me out of my money and I'm going to get it back! You lay around drinking hooch and entertaining your drunken friends. From now on I'm wearing the pants!"
    Stating that he believes Jones' arrest to have been unjustifiable, Magistrate Metcalf ordered Rose to pay the court costs of $5.35, admonishing Jones to leave the "royal" cabin at once.
    "Well, I'm going to ride home!" the woman announced, after she had laid the fine defiantly on the judge's bench. "He can walk--I hope he likes it!"

October 21, 1923

Story of Brutal Beating on Lonely Road is Being Uncovered by the Police
    Mysterious circumstances which surround the finding of Jack Black, 55, a fish peddler, in an unconscious condition at the foot of Howell street Friday afternoon, and which resulted in the arrest of Frank Stengel, Rock Island, and of John Walsh, Davenport, both fish dealers, are being cleared up by police bit by bit.
    That Black was brutally beaten into unconsciousness is pointed to by C.R. Fessenden, Cook's Point, who called at the police station Saturday afternoon to tell what he knew about the affair.
    Fessenden identified Stengel as the man he had seen with his foot on Black's stomach and Walsh as the man who had held Black's feet.
    "I've got your money - you're damned right I got you money," Fessenden says he heard Stengel say, as he bent over the unconscious man.
    Whether or not Black was robbed of the greater part of his money is a fact that has not been ascertained by police. When Stengel was arrested he had $21 in his possession. Walsh had $12.44. Mrs. Fessenden, who was near the scene of the "accident" at the time it occurred, states that she saw one of the men giving money to children.
    It was thought at first that Black had sustained a fractured skull, but examination at Mercy hospital showed that no bones had been  broken. He had been hit on the head, however, with terrific force. Cinders from the road were ground into his face.
    Both Stengel and Walsh deny knowing anything about Black's injury. They are being held, however, with the probability that criminal charges will be filed against them.

December 1, 1924

OVERSHOES AND RUBBERS WANTED AT LEND-A-HAND
    Anyone who has discarded children's overshoes and rubbers which have been outgrown are asked to leave them at the Lend-A-Hand club, for the foreign children who come to the classes there on Saturday afternoons.
    Many of the little ones came to the building last Saturday, from Cook's Point, without overshoes or rubbers and with very little sole on their shoes. One mother came from Cook's Point after her three children and she was so thinly clad that the cold had penetrated thru until she was suffering severely. She was furnished with a coat by the club before returning to her home.

April 21, 1925

KYLE HELD ON LIQUOR CHARGE; IS BOUND OVER
Resident of Cook's Point Held to Grand Jury for Having Hooch.
    Curtis Kyle, who lives on Cook's Point, was arraigned in police court this morning on a charge of illegal possession of liquor, waived preliminary hearing and was bound to the grand jury in bond of $300 which was furnished.
    He was arrested Monday afternoon at his home where officers found five half-pints of hooch hidden in a wall cupboard. The hiding place was cleverly arranged according to officers and was built so the liquor supply which it held, could easily be concealed.
    Kyle was not represented by an attorney and entered a plea of not guilty. The liquor taken consisted of about a gallon of hooch which was bottled for sale, according to police.

Friday, April 24, 1925

Three Bound to Grand Jury as Result of Having Liquor;
Jehring Waives Examination

Charles Hawkins of Cook's Point, Waives and is Bound Over in Bond of $300 - Had Hooch Supply Buried in Garden - Julius Jehring, Charged with Driving While Drunk, Arraigned and Waives - Fred Sherwood, of Tipton, Waives on Transporting Charges.

     Three defendants in cases in which liquor was involved were arraigned in police court this morning and were bound to the grand jury. Charles Hawkins, charged with possession of liquor; Fred Sherwood of Tipton and Julius Jehring, 2022 West Tenth street, alleged to have driven a car while drunk, were the defendants held to the grand jury.
    Jehring was arrested more than two weeks ago and had received three continuances. This morning he appeared in police court and thru his attorney, U.A. Screechfield, waived preliminary examination. Bond, which was fixed at $300, was furnished. Jehring was arrested by Officer Walter Snider, who said he was nearly run down by a car driven without lights. The officer investigated and placed the driver, Jehring, under arrest.
    Charles Hawkins, who lives on Cook's Point, buried his hooch in his garden, according to testimony of Detective Peter Kuehl, who testified in the Hawkins case this morning.
    Detective Kuehl and Officer Witt sent to Hawkins' home and searched the place for liquor. Finding no liquor in the house, they started digging in the garden, and there unearthed three jugs which contained in all about four gallons of hooch which Hawkins declared was his property. The defendant furnished bond of $300.
     Fred Sherwood, who was arrested Thursday afternoon by Officer Walter Schroeder, gave his address as Tipton. He was arraigned this morning on a charge of transporting and having in his possession intoxicating liquor. He was not represented by an attorney but told the court he wished to waive examination and be bound to the grand jury.
    He furnished cash bond of $500 when arrested yesterday afternoon. The bond was allowed to stand.

July 28, 1925

CHARGE AGAINST MELIUS DROPPED; WILL BE REOPENED

    A charge of assault and battery filed against Walter Melius, of Cook's Point, was dropped this morning, but is to be filed again later. E.M. Scheckler, who preferred the charge, is at the University hospital in Iowa City, where he is receiving medical aid and treatment following a fight in which both lower jaw bones were fractured by blows struck by Melius, who claims Scheckler insulted his wife.

September 13, 1925

POLICE SEIZE BEER IN RAID; FIVE ARE HELD
William Jones, Cook's Point, Arrested; Guests are Held

    William Jones, of Cook's Point, is in jail on a charge of keeping a disorderly house and four others who were his guests when Officers Lamont, Cates and Hoyt raided his shack early last night are held as inmates.
    The officers found more than 100 bottles of beer in Jones' shack. This was seized.
    Those booked as inmates of a disorderly house were W.R. Bolan, James Green, Frank Kline and Ed Powers. Powers was released in bond, but the others are in jail.

Sept 17, 1925

MELIUS, HELD AFTER FIGHT, IS DISMISSED
Charge Against Fisherman Who Broke Enemy's Jaw is Set Aside.
    Walter Melius, charged with assault and battery on E.M. Sheckler in information filed by Sheckler, was discharged by Magistrate Metcalf this morning at the conclusion of a hearing in police court.
    Sheckler suffered a fractured jaw in a fight with Melius on July 26. Both men live on Cook's point.
    Melius charged Sheckler circulated slanderous reports concerning his wife and his sister-in-law and that when he went to Schecker's home to remonstrate with him and deny the alleged slanderous stories Sheckler tried to strike him. Melius admitted hitting the complainant who recently returned from the University hospital in Iowa City where he spent 48 days recovering from the effects of Melius' blow.
    The defense introduced testimony to the effect that Scheckler did tell slanderous stories to neighbors who informed Melius.

October 5, 1925

Caught Stealing Coal; Sentenced to Month in Jail
    Jefferson D. Baker, of Cook's Point, was sentenced to 30 days in jail by Magistrate Metcalf this morning when he was found guilty of stealing coal from the C.M. & St. P. yards. Baker, who has been in police court on numerous occasions for petty offenses, was arrested late yesterday afternoon by George Johnson, special railroad officer.
    Baker was wheeling away a two-wheeled cart in which he had loaded about 350 pounds of coal when Johnson caught him.

December 20, 1925

Strike Wife, Runs as Police Come; Returns to House, Drops Dead
    August Mohring, 61, a resident of Cook's Point, died suddenly at 9:25 last night under strange circumstances after he had engaged in an altercation with his wife a few minutes before his death, which was due to heart trouble.
    Mrs. Mohring told police and Coroner Cantwell that she and her husband quarreled Saturday morning. Last night she came home, but when she prepared to eat supper she said her husband refused to allow her to eat. An argument followed. Mohring struck his wife, she said.
    "I'll not stand for this any longer," she told him as one of their children ran to a neighbor's home to call the police.
    Mohring ran from the house. Officers Lamont and Schlueter came a few minutes later and searched for the man in a a tangle of underbrush and weeds near the Mohring home. He could not be found, so the officers left.
    After they departed, Mohring returned, knocked on the door and begged to be allowed to come in. The door was opened. He staggered into the room, his face drawn and white, his hands over his heart.
    "Get me a salt bag," he ordered as he made his way to a room in the rear. Then he toppled over on the floor and died.
    Police were called for the ambulance, but the man was dead when the officers arrived. Coroner Cantwell was called and after a brief investigation decided an inquest was not necessary.
    Mohring had been in ill health for several months and was under the care of a physician for some time last summer. One of the strange things about the case and one that would indicate that the man had a premonition of what was to happen was related to a police officer. Mohring called all the children together about 6 o'clock last night and talked with them and a chance remark, at least it was taken to be a chance remark by the older children, indicated that the man had a belief that he was not to live long.
    An old house boat is the home in which the Mohrings have lived for eight years. The husband and father was not able to work so his daughter has been supporting the family.
    The widow, Mrs. Margaret Mohring, and six children survive. They are Florence, George, Richard, Lillian, Effie and Mabel Blanche. The oldest is 17 and the baby is 7 months old. The body was removed to Nissen & Hartwig mortuary and funeral arrangements will be made later.

March 3, 1926

Raid at Cook's Point
    Following the arrest of Lau, Federal Prohibition Agents Muhs and Cronkhite, accompanied by Sheriff Frank Martin and State Agent George Atkins raided the home of Charles Boatman at Cook's Point, west of the city.
    Boatman was arrested and lodged in the county jail following the discovery of a gallon of moonshine whisky hidden in his home.

Pleads Guilty
    After waiving preliminary hearing in Justice of the Peace M.I. Petersen's court in Bettendorf, Boatman was taken into district court where he pleaded guilty to the state charge and was sentenced to three months in the county jail by Judge W.R. Maines. A $300 cash fine imposed along with the jail sentence was suspended by the court.

May 10, 1926

MANY TRIED ON MINOR CHARGES; SEVERAL JAILED
Police Pick Up Large Group of Minor Offenders During Week-End.

    More than a score of persons were arraigned in police court this morning on charges ranging from drunkenness and vagrancy to disturbing the peace and violating traffic and speed laws. Several of those who appeared today were sent to jail.
    Jim Crowell, aged  resident of Cook's point, was sent to jail for 15 days after testimony of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Bass was heard. Crowell,  according to their statements, became intoxicated, quarrelsome and abusive yesterday.
    Mose Patton and "Cap" Ross, both colored, arrested while intoxicated, were given two day jail sentences and a like penalty was imposed on Bert Patch, charged with intoxication.
    Mrs. Albert Wagner and Miss Emma Faulkner, who live at 225 1/2 Perry street were sent to jail for five days each when found guilty of vagrancy. Their conduct, an officer testified, has caused many complaints. John Fisher, of Chicago, and William Ferguson of Petersburg, Ill., were each given five days in jail on being found guilty of vagrancy.
    Ralph Smith, arrested on numerous occasions for intoxication and vagrancy and who was recently given a 10-day suspended sentence, was in court again today and sent to jail for being drunk. Ed Orth and Orn Loving, both charged with drunkenness, went to jail and Henry Whipke and William Anderson paid small fines. William Beck, charged with intoxication, was ordered to pay a trial fee of $3.
    Louis Shore, charged with operating an automobile without license plates, paid $3 and Leon Perry, who drove past a traffic signal, forfeited bond of $10 when he failed to appear.
    Everett Christiansen was fined $1 and costs for speeding, and Cecil Longshore and Charles Bonkidis, charged with failure to stop on traffic signal, were fined.

June 27, 1926

POLICE HUNTING HOOCH PEDDLER; 
STUFF POISONOUS

     Police are hunting for the peddler who sold poisonous hooch to three men whose lives were endangered by drinking the home brewed liquor. Officers believe the poison liquor is coming from a distiller on Cook's point.
    James Meiers, found Saturday morning lying in an unconscious state in the City cemetery, had been drinking poisonous liquor. He was taken to Mercy hospital. Lawrence Berrigan, who was found lying in Washington park Friday, suffered from acute alcohol poisoning and his condition was serious. He refused to make known the source from which he obtained the liquor.
     Police were informed today that Jess Van Ausdall, 511 Harris street, was partially paralyzed from effects of liquor supposedly obtained at Cook's point.

July 25, 1926

JAIL SENTENCES IN POLICE COURT
    John Schesser, charged with being intoxicated, and Albert Boatman of Rockingham, charged with disturbing the peace, were given jail sentences of 15 and 30 days respectively by Police Magistrate John McSwiggin Saturday morning. Boatman's sentence was suspended. Elmer Eggers was also given a 15 day suspended sentence as a drunk.
    Frank Winfield, arrested on a charge of illegal possession of liquor in a raid by deputy sheriffs on Cook's Point, were held to the grand jury on $300 bonds.

September 23, 1926

FALL INTO QUARRY CAUSES DEATH OF MAN
G. Schluenz Meets Accidental Death by Drowning While Fishing.

    Gustav Schluenz, about 60 years old, 1321 West Third street, whose body was found in an old water-filled quarry just east of Schmidt's road near the C.R.I. & P. tracks this morning, is believed to have fallen into the water and accidentally drowned. His body was found by E.P. Hoffman, Hamilton O., who notified railroad men who in turn notified police and called Coroner J.D. Cantwell.
    After making a brief investigation, the coroner found facts which indicate that Schluenz fell into the old quarry where he had been fishing.
     He was at the home of C.H. Hawkins, Cook's point, about 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon. He was carrying a fishing rod and a can of bait and set off in the direction of the quarry where he fished frequently and near which it had been his custom to gather wild flowers which he plaited into wreaths and sold in the west end.
     The body was found near the water's edge with the feet close to the bank. Nearby was found a cluster of flowers which had evidently been dropped by Schluenz who is believed to have lost his balance as he stood near the water and to have pitched into the pool face downward.
     The coroner will not hold an inquest. The body was removed to the Horrigan funeral parlors pending funeral arrangements.
    Mr. Schluenz has resided in Davenport the greater part of his life. He had operated a small repair shop in the western part of the city. He is survived by his widow, two sons, Edward H and Fred C, both of this city and a daughter, Mrs. J.L. Ritzenphaler, residing here.
     

November 8, 1926

JUDGE HEARS MINOR CASES; SOME JAILED
Petty Offenders Arrested Over Week-End Have Hearings Today

    A number of minor offenders were arraigned before Magistrate John J. McSwiggin in police court today when some of the defendants were ordered to jail.
    Elmer Neumann and Herbert Peters, who were hunting in the vicinity of the Independent Baking Co. Sunday afternoon, were given today suspended jail sentences and ordered to pay costs when they pleaded guilty to discharging firearms with the city limits. They were arrested after Peace Officer William Schwinden chased them several blocks and finally fired several shots before they halted.
    Frank Detweiler, Cook's point, in whose home officers found 23 gallons of moonshine whisky, was granted a continuance to Wednesday morning. He is charged with illegal possession of intoxicating liquor.
    Edwin ("Mickey") Powers was sentenced to 20 days in jail on a charge of drunkenness and suspended sentences were given out in cases of Thomas Malome, Tom Edwards and George Young. R. O'Hara, John Hockett and John Privia were fined $1 and costs each and Harry Ehlers, Thomas Stark and M.S. McKay forfeited bonds of $10 each posted when they were arrested for intoxication.

November 9, 1926

CHICAGO MEN WITH HOT CAR JAILED
    William L. Krase and Peter Gordon, arrested on Cook's point Monday, were sentenced to five days in the county jail on charges of vagrancy while police look up a Ford car which they believe is hot. There are no numbers on the motor and the stores the men tell do not sound good to police.
    Both men claim Chicago Heights as their home. They were arrested in a shack on Cook's point and were without funds.

LABORER HURT WHEN HE JUMPS OFF MOTOR CAR
Thought Car Was Falling to Pieces - Badly Cut on Head

    Thinking the railroad motor car on which he was riding was about to fall to pieces, Mike Humana, Mexican section hand, jumped off  the car on the C.D. & M. interurban tracks yesterday afternoon and was badly cut about the head on striking ground. He is now at Mercy hospital in a serious condition but is expected to recover. He is about 30 years old.
    The accident happened at 4:20 p.m. and at Petersen's crossing, two miles west of the city. Humana and three other laborers were riding on the motor car. A bar fell out of the machinery and Humana became excited and jumped off. The other men remained on the car and were uninjured. Humana lives at Cook's Point. He is under the care of Dr. P.A. Bendixen.

November 10, 1926

DETWEILER HELD TO GRAND JURY ON HOOCH CHARGE
    Frank Detweiler in whose home on Cook's point police officers found 23 gallons of moonshine liquor appeared in police court today and waived preliminary hearing. He was bound to the grand jury in bond of $1,000 which was furnished.
    The booze was found hidden under the floor of the kitchen in his home Saturday night by Police Officers Otto Kuehl and Herbert Cates.

January 28, 1927

Henry Rea, Age 82, Civil War Vet, Is Discovered Dead
    Henry Rea, age 82, a Civil war veteran and for over 20 years a resident of Davenport, was found dead this morning in his home near Cook's Point. A neighbor who called at the old soldier's home, made the discovery.
    Coroner J.D. Cantwell was called and after an examination said that death was caused by bronchial asthma combined with the fact that advanced years had weakened Mr. Rea's heart. No autopsy will be held.
    Mr. Rea who has followed the carpentry trade in the score of years he has lived here has no immediate survivors and neighbors had never heard him speak of relatives in this vicinity. It is recalled that Mr. Rea recently remarked he would celebrate his 83rd birthday on March 23 if he lived.
    The body was removed to the Runge mortuary pending funeral arrangements.

June 29, 1927

CHARGES NEIGHBOR CURSED CHILDREN; HAS HIM ARRESTED
    Charging that Gus Krebs, Cook's Point, swore at her children and then called her vile names, Mrs. Ella Bullis, a neighbor, caused Krebs to be arrested Tuesday night on a charge of disturbing the peace. Krebs denied that he used improper language in addressing the children and said he did not call Mrs. Bullis the names which she testified he applied to her.
    Because Mrs. Bullis had neglected to bring her witnesses with her, the case was continued for one week.

September 28, 1927

HEIDT BOUND OVER; CHARGE HE TOOK MONEY
Accuser Declares He Snatched Purse and Ran Away with It.

    Charles Heidt, who lives on Cook's point, was today ordered held to the grand jury under bond of $1,000 following arraignment in police court on a charge of larceny from person. Carl Haagen, who accused Heidt, testified he was walking near Heidt's home on South Howell street Saturday evening when Heidt asked him for a quarter. Haagen took out his purse, gave Heidt the sum for which he asked and then before he could return the purse to his pocket, Heidt grabbed it and ran, Haagen said.
     Heidt denied any connection with the case, said he did not see Haagen until late Saturday night and asserted he had no reason for stealing his accuser's purse.
    However, there was some variance in certain details of the testimony so Heidt was ordered held to the grand jury.

May 11, 1928

COOK'S POINT RESIDENT DIES OF ALCOHOLISM
    Lou Rohan, 55, a houseboat inhabitant in the boat harbor near Credit Island dam, died suddenly at 8 o'clock this morning in a shack occupied by Henry Brugmann on South Howell street. Coroner J. D. Cantwell and police were called to investigate. The coroner pronounced the cause of death due to alcoholism.
    Rohan had spent the last two days before his death in Brugmann's shanty and had been drinking heavily. He awoke this morning and later returned to the bed where he died without regaining consciousness.
    He was a fisherman and clammer. Surviving are a sister, Mrs. Clara Miller of Montpelier, Ia.
    The body was removed to the M.V.  Boies mortuary pending funeral arrangements.