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Scott Co, Iowa Crime Files - 1872 Contributed by Cathy Labath Davenport Democrat Jan 2, 1872 Richard Roe got drunk and it cost him five dollars. He
could have done it for half the money, but the policeman interfered. Richard was
well dressed. James Riley was a drunk and disorderly, and drew on his
banker for the usual fine and costs, and hunted up a quiet place to sober off
in. Tom Gillen started a tramping dry goods house without any
license except his own word that he was a “Chicago Sufferer.” He couldn’t
stand $15 and costs , so went to jail. Jan 5, 1872 Justice court. Heran Lorenz, the young man of 16, who robbed his employer,
Mr. McCullough of merchant tailoring goods, and sold them at ruinous rates about
this city and Rock Island, has been adjudicated into the Reform School. The
peculations amounted to about $300, according to his own admissions. He will
have to wait several years for a vacancy in the said school, unless it is
enlarged. Jan. 6, 1872 Police Court Jan 8, 1872 Justice Court Frank Hand, Charley Hand and Billy Herling are up before
Justice Thorington, on the charge of petit larceny. It seems these young gents
are in the habit of watching their opportunity and stealing light articles left
in halls and on counters in stores where a strict watch is not kept. Two of
these chaps robbed Mrs. Stacey on Fourth street, west of Hoyt’s music store
and the other is supposed to be the one that cleaned little Jimmy Doyle out, of
the means he robbed Mr. Seamans little son of. They have parents in this
community who are no better than they should be; and it is to be hoped these
half grown boys will be dealt with, and the second hand store that is in the
habit of trading with these young scamps. The trial comes of at 4 o’clock this
afternoon. Police Court. Patrick Higgins disturbed the public peace and quiet of
this moral town in general and Patrick Henry in particular, three dollars worth
and costs. Jan 9, 1872 Police Court Two cases before Justice Peters-one, Martin Garvey, for
intoxication, fined $1 and costs, which he paid. J.C. Rawley, for peddling
jewelry, without license, was fined $15 and costs. Jan 11, 1872 Justice’s Court. Willie Webb, a young lad, was up before Justice Thorington,
on the charge of stealing several and sundry things from the store of Chas. E.
Daly. The Justice had compassion on him and sent Willie to the Reform School. Jan 13, 1872 The Courts Justices Court-The trial of the young lads, Frank Hand and
Billy Huerling, for stealing an overcoat from A.W. Vanderveer, W.H. Lundy, of
Rock Island, bought the coat. In progress before Justice Thorington, as we go to
press. Police Court. Mollie Hill, or Mollie Wilson, which you please, a
notorious person of the female persuasion, taken up yesterday for being drunk
and disorderly, was up before Justice Peters. Case is in progress as we go to
press. Jan 14, 1872 A Chawing Business. James Horath and John Wilhelmson got into
a row today. James got drunk, and they had a squabble. Horath got
Wilhelmson’s finger between his teeth, and chawed it unmercifully-so badly
that it is feared he will lose it. Wilhelmson this afternoon swore out a warrant
before Justice Thorington, placed it in the hands of Constable Wunderlich, and
now, perhaps Horath is in limbo. Wilhelmson is a butcher-firm of Wilhemson &
Nargang. Horath was formerly a resident of this city, but now lives in Rock
Island. Police Court. Chas. Bancroft was arrested this morning for vagrancy,
lying about in the streets, without any visible lawful means of support. Justice
Peters fined him $5 and costs, which being unable to pay, he was sent up. Jan. 17, 1872 A man named Thompson was up before
Justice Peters this morning on a charge of intoxication. Fined $2 and costs,
which he paid. Jan 20, 1872 The Courts. John Hove, for vagrancy, was fined
$5 and costs, which not being able to pay, he was committed. Jan 21, 1872 The Courts. Yesterday produced quite a crop of
drunks, and three unfortunates showed themselves before Justice Peters, this
morning. One was Louis Jones, who was fined $4 and costs; Washington Jutt, fined
$3 and costs; and Thomas Jennings $2.80 and costs. They were unable to settle
the bill, and as a consequence were sent up to work it out on the stone pile. Jan 29, 1872 Two cases before Justice Peters.
Thos. Price, for intoxication, was fined $4 and costs, which he could not
settle, and was sent up to board it out at the jail. Leo Fisher was up for vagrancy,
and fined $5 and costs, and not being able to settle, he was sent up. Feb . 1, 1872 Police Court. Feb. 5, 1872 It appears that at the time of the
supposed murder, there was a printer by the name of James Olcutt, working in the
Gazette Office in this city. He had with him in his rooms in Wupperman's Block,
a woman who went as his wife. By some she was regarded as a woman of doubtful
virtue. Olcutt had a suspicion that there was something wrong in his domicile,
and on the night of the 5th of October, it is said the deceased was assailed by
Olcutt in his room, or in the hall leading thereto; that a scuffle ensued, and
that Ehrig was pitched backward down the back stairs that he was stunned by the
fall; that he was supposed to be dead; was taken up by the man Olcutt and wife,
and carried across Fifth street, where they broke off some fence palings, and
took the body into the Catholic church lot, and put it into the cistern where it
was found. The falling backwards down stairs is corroborated by the contusion,
which, it will be remembered, was noticible on the back of the victim's head
after taken out. It will also be remembered that the doctors pronounced the body
alive when he got into the cistern, there being water in the lungs, and that
this gave strength to the theory that he fell in; but it is now used to
strengthen the theory that the blow did not kill, but stunned him; and that in
this state he was drowned by Olcutt and wife.
The Courts. Feb. 6, 1872 OLCUTT'S ARREST THE COURTS Feb. 7, 1872 The Courts. State vs. Prage, charged with malicious mischief. Defendant
failed to put in an appearance; default takes and bail forfeited. State vs. Foy, charged with resisting an officer. It
appearing that no arrest had been made, the case was stricken from the docket of
this term. State vs. Ruge: assault with intent to commit great bodily
injury; the defendant having whipped a neighboring woman and her little girl, on
account of the little girl having struck defendant's little boy. Rue being
called in open court, was not in hearing distance, and was defaulted accordingly
and his bond of $200 for appearance declared to be forfeited. State vs. Delaney; charged with murderous assault upon Dr.
Lyon, who came near losing his life at defendant's hands; motion for continuance
on account of illness of his Attrorney, Judge Murphy; also for the further
reason that he expects to prove by high authorities and other evidence that he
himself, was working under a spell of insanity when he so fiendishly stabbed Dr.
Lyon. The motion was sustained, and the trial of the case is put over till the
May term, when we shall see how much there is in the plea of insanity. State vs. Gustave and Anna Priester, charged with keeping
house of ill-fame; motion for continuance overruled. State vs. Rogers; charged with forcibly ejecting one
Schmink from a street car, of which he was driven. It appears from testimony
that the man Schmink with several others were boisterous and unmindful of the
rules of the line; that they were frequently reminded of it by the driver; and
that finally there was a sort of matinee down on the corner of Western Avenue
and Third; the Schmink party would go on further, but he made a fuss about
paying; the driver ordered them out; Schmink was opposed to the order; driver
procured a pebble from the gutter about the same way that David got his pebbles
from the brook, when he went forth to fight Goliath; and in the melee smote
Schmink on his forehead about where Goliath got hit-at all events S. left the
car with an awning over his eyes, as it were, and the car went on. Trial by
jury. Ellis for State; Foster and Hubbell for defendant. State vs. Lyon; for resisting an officer. Defaulted, and
recognizance forfeited. Feb 8, 1872 The Courts Criminal docket well-nigh disposed of this forenoon-a case or two not quite prepared being all that was left. In the case of Rogers, the street car driver, the jury returned a righteous verdict of “not guilty”; and this is to say that when a passenger ceases to be a man and becomes a brute-disregarding all wholesome rules of the company, as well as all general decencies, that the driver may put him out, even though in so doing he uses extraordinary measures. State vs. Messinger; defendant charged with defending himself with a razor from the dangerous assaults of a hag who insisted on becoming a member of his household. It appears that the defendant defended himself too much, and upon plea of guilty was fined $50.00 and costs. State vs. Friday; defendant accused of a threat to chastise a recreant schoolmaster in District No. 2, Rockingham-which schoolmaster has since been dismissed by the Board. No one appearing to prosecute, case dismissed. Grand Jury reported true bills against Wm. Harding and Frank Hand for stealing A.W. Vanderveer’s coat and gloves on the 6th of Jan. last; plea of guilty of petit larceny; jail 30 days. Against Willie Schmidt for larceny-stealing some sixty dollars from J.W. Bogarth, at the Ferry House, in Davenport last. Police Court Four cases before Justice Peters today, as follows: Geo. H. Wilson, for being intoxicated, was fined $2.80 and costs, part of which he paid. Jacob Nelson, for vagrancy, was taxed $5 and costs, and being unable to pay, was committed. John Flynn, was arrested for disturbing the public peace of his neighbors, and was fined there for $5 and costs and committed. Feb. 12, 1872 Police Court John Connelley was up on a charge of petit larceny. He had stolen a sack; in fact he seemed to have a peculiar fondness for sacks, he having stolen one or two before. The sack was worth about forty cents, but as this was a repetition of the offense Justice Peters fined him 100 times the value-$40 and costs. He could not pay this, and was sent to jail for thirty days. Feb. 13, 1872 The Courts. Grand jury indict John Harms for assault and intent to commit murder, which is a serious affair, and will cause the man a good deal of trouble. Police Court. One drunk before Justice Peters, Nicholas West, fined $2.80 and costs, sent up, only that and nothing more. Feb. 14, 1872 The Courts. District Court. The Grand Jury return a true bill
against Wm. Burris-a chicken thief-he having plucked C.F. Hanemann’s roosting
pole to the extent of 25 pullets, adjudged to be worth $6.25-and placing Wm. B.
in the category of a petit larcerner. Feb. 15, 1872 The Courts. Wm. Burris, indicted for stealing 25 chickens from Hanneman, owned up to pulling twenty, whereupon he was fined $14 and costs, which makes rather dear chicken meat for William. Feb. 16, 1872 Davenport Percocity. Jimmy Watson, a juvenile Davenporter, and formerly a train boy on the D. & St. P., was brought before a Justice in Maquoketa, the other day, and charged with larceny, he having stolen a pocket book, containing $57 from Mr. DeGear, of that place. After having stolen this, he went to Chicago, but finding business dull there, he returned to this city, and was met by Conductor Axtell, who induced the boy to go to Maquoketa with him. Jimmy offered to disgorge what he had left, about $21 provided nothing was done with him, to which Mr. DeGear assented, and the money was paid over. In the meantime, Mr. Stiles, of the Midland House, had missed a revolver, a small amount of money, and a trunk belonging to one of the servant girls, all of which Jimmy acknowledged to have stolen, but which he said could not be restored, as he had given them to a friend. The boy was bound over for trial at the next term of the District Court, and will undoubtedly take up his residence at the Reform School. Feb. 17, 1872 The Courts. District Court. Sheriff Leonard this morning received by mail a pardon from the Governor of the State-pardoning John Heiser, who was convicted at this term of the court of the crime of forgery. In that he forged the name of J.M. Sellen to an attachment bond. He was sentenced to three months in the penitentiary, but on petition of the legal gentleman in the case, and other influential parties, full pardon was granted and he is not at liberty. Feb. 19, 1872 The Courts. Justice Court. The case of F. Deutschman against
C. Graf, Christ Thus, John Russert, Xavier Ott, and Sebold Wherie for assault
and battery is up before Justice Thorington this afternoon. J.D. Campbell and
J.P. Dosh are attorney for Deutschman and W.H. Foster and James T. Lane for
defense. The trial of McIntosh for forgery is adjourned till Wednesday morning. The witnesses have all arrived and are now waiting further proceedings. Police Court. One drunk before Justice Peters, but as this individual promises to reform we forbear publishing his name. He was fined $2.80 and costs, which he has paid. Feb. 20, 1872 Nich Casey, an unfortunate person
of he masculine persuasion, was up before the justice this morning, on a charge
of disturbing the peace. He was fined $4 and costs, which he paid. Feb. 24, 1872 Two individuals who should know better, were up before Justice Peters today, for leading an immoral and profligate course of life. Their names are Sam Wallace and a woman named Lena Williams. They were discovered in disgraceful circumstances last night. As they were old offenders, the Justice fined Wallace $20 and costs and Lena $5 and costs. Neither could pay and will work it out cracking rock. Feb . 26, 1872 The boy, Frank Hand, 20 years old, who was in jail for stealing an overcoat, some time last month, escaped from the stone yard, a day or two ago, and nothing has been seen or heard of him since. He was convicted of larceny in the Justices’ Court, and sent up to await trial at the District Court. The Grand Jury indicted him of grand larceny, but Hand, pleading guilty, a compromise was made, and instead of being sent to the penitentiary, he went back to jail for thirty days. He had worked out a good portion of his time, and had but sixteen days yet to serve. It was a bad move for him, as, if he is caught now, he will have a harder sentence to work out. Officers have been after him for some time, but it is believed he has crossed the river, and left for other parts. Feb. 27, 1872 Police Court. March 4, 1872 Police Court. March 5, 1872 Police Court March 7, 1872 Police Court. Defaulter. March 9, 1872 Police Court. March 15, 1872 Arrested for Larceny March 19, 1872 Police Court. John Lyons got drunk, and as a natural consequence, was arrested and brought before the justice, who fined him $5 and costs, he being an old offender. He went to jail. John Bickermore was up, charged with being drunk, was fined $2.80 and costs, which he paid. A man named Allison was brought up on a like charge, and fined $2.80 costs, which he was unable to pay, and so was committed. Andy Stewart was found guilty of disturbing the public peace, contrary to law, and against the dignity of the State of Iowa, and was fined $2 and costs, which he will work out at the stone yard. Circuit Court. The Martin-Dobbins case concluded-decision reserved. Case of Peter Arp vs. A. Frank, action for damages, Jury trial. It seems that Frank sold Arp some burning fluid whereby Arp got badly burned on the hands, face, and body. Bells & Block for plaintiff; Martin & Murphy for defendant. March 25, 1872 Police Court. Monday brought its usual crop of drunks and which are as follows: William Johnson for intoxication, was taxed the sum of $2.80 and costs, and act having the necessary funds, went to jail. A man with no name, for the same offense was fined $2 and costs, which he paid. Andrew Anderson, for being drunk, was fined $2 and costs. Paid. Another nameless individual was charged with disturbing the public peace, was hauled up, and fined $2 and costs, part of which he paid. March 27, 1872 Circuit Court Thos. F. Keating vs. C.R.I. & P. Co., action “Malicious mischief.” Plaintiff sets up that on the 26 of July last he bought a ticket at Muscatine for Rock Island over defendant’s road; that his credentials were taken up before reaching Davenport; that ten cents, bridge fare, was demanded, which he refused to pay; that he was put off the train, and for such indignity, assault, and loss of time, he brings suit, claiming damages in the sum of $1,000. Jury trial: Stewart & Armstrong for plff; Cook & Bruning for defendant. Insolence A man named James Mahon, wanted to get across the new bridge last night, and on being refused used insolent and indecent language toward the watchman. Capt. J.A. Miller, who after standing as much as he cared to, arrested him, and he was this morning brought before Justice Peters and fined $5 and costs, and was sent out of the city. March 28, 1872 Circuit Court. The jury in the case of Keating vs. C.R.I. & P. R. Co. brought in a verdict for plaintiff for $8.10. It is easy enough to see that the ten cents is for the bridge ticket alleged to have been improperly taken up by the conductor; but if the eight dollars is to pay plaintiff’s traveling expenses to attend court, and the reasonable charges of his attorneys, then we can’t see it at all. Dejean vs. Richter, Henseler & Co;
action for alleged breach of contract growing out of the purchase of a hard wood
raft. Jury trial; Brown, Campbell & Sully for Plaintiff; Davison & True
for Defendants. Police Court. A man named Mathias Cooper was arrested for being a vagrant. He was brought before Justice Peters, and his trial set for tomorrow. In default of $150 bail he was sent to jail. April 3, 1872 Matthew Andrew was up before Justice Peters, charged with drunkenness. He was fined $2.80 and costs, which he paid. Another man was up for disturbing the peace. And fined $3.00 and costs, which he paid. April 10, 1872 Chas. Pelton was before Justice Peters, charged with assault and battery for which he was fined $1.00 and costs, part of which he paid. Wm. Barnes was found guilty of being drunk, consequently he was fined $2 and costs, and went to jail in default. April 11, 1872 Police Court. April 12, 1872 Police Court. April 13, 1872 Knocked Down and Robbed. April 15, 1872. Stephen Mulloney lives in Moline and hauls highwines. He delivered a load in Rock Island on Saturday and on returning stopped at the St. Louis Exchange, a place infamous. His wife learned the fact that he had stopped there several times before, and following him she saw the team standing at the door, and told Marshal Mitsch to get it for her. She drove up town, and the Marshal searched the premises for the rascal, but could not find him. Mulloney made his escape from the house, followed the wagon to the court house, when he got in and commenced abusing his wife, and kicking her out of the wagon. Marshal Mitsch with two or three officers, followed the wretch and arrested him. Mrs. Mulloney was sadly wounded. In all probability the miserable den where Mulloney went into will be shut up, and Rock Island will be fire of its foul presence. We have some such iniquitous hell holes in our city which we wish could be crushed never to come to life again. Midnight Plunderers. On Saturday night the house of Mr. A. Burdick, near Fifteenth and Perry, was entered by burglars, and a sack and a half of flour as well as about $20 worth of clothing were stolen. Mr. Dittoe, living near by, found a piece of rope in his yard next morning, and surmises that it was their intention to hang hi. An article of clothing was also found near Judge Linderman’s. Nothing is known as to who perpetrated the theft. Police Court. Two State offences before Justice Peters today. One was a gambling case. Wm. Turner and John Thompson were arrested for playing cards for money, in the Farmer’s saloon on Second near Filmore. They were each fined $1 and costs, which was paid. John Lee was brought up on a charge of assault and battery, prefered by his wife, whom he had struck in the head in a very brutal manner. He was fined $10 and costs, which he paid. April 16, 1872 Police Court. Pat Moloy was brought up for being drunk, and was fined $2 and costs, which he paid. A man named Blessington was up on a like charge, and was fined $2 and costs, and went to jail in default. Two Italian boys, named Pepin
Warren and Frank Bein, were up for disturbing the peace, and fined $3.00 each
and costs, which they paid, as follows: $4 in one dollar bills, 5 fifty cent
pieces, 50 five cent pieces, and the balance in 10 and 15 cent pieces. They were
still one dollar short, and they took out 100 coppers and offered them, when the
Justice told them to keep them and go in peace. They are two orphan boys; one
left Italy about a year ago, and the other has been here for four years. The
oldest, Bein, is quite intelligent, and can speak English fluently. They have
been all over this country getting a living as strolling players. They attempted
to play in a saloon contrary to the wishes of the proprietor and were arrested
as disturbers of the peace. They seemed glad to get off so easily. April 20, 1872 Police Court April 22, 1872 A nameless individual was brought up for being drunk, and fined $2 and costs, which he paid. For being an habitual drunkard, James Kelly was brought before Justice Peters, and placed under bonds of $150 in default of which he went to jail. He was found in a very dilapidated condition in the second story of Hill’s block, over Hewitt’s store. April 25, 1872 John Lee, the man who amused himself beating his wife, a week or two ago, was brought up before Justice Thorington a day or two ago and was discharged on his promising to leave the State. This promise, it seems, he did not fulfill. Last night about twelve, he went to the residence of his brother-in-law, on the bluff, and asked for something to eat, which he received. He then went to the house where his wife now resides and commenced making a terrible row. He was rearrested on the old warrant, and taken to jail, since when he has been or assumed to be, crazy and has been under lock and key. Fast Driving. Two Buffalo coal miners, named Charles Sellers, and John Rees, were arrested last evening for fast driving. They were in a wagon driving with great speed toward town, and run into the wagon of a man named Henry Ruge, damaging his rig $40 worth. Ruge got out a warrant, and they were brought before Justice Peters this morning. They pleaded guilty, and were each fined $5 and costs. They agreeing to settle with Ruge, he did not prosecute them. Sellers paid, and Rees, was given seven days in which to pay. They have evidently learned a lesson which they will not forget very soon. April 30, 1872 A case of the rights of bar-keepers was up before Justice Peters this afternoon. A man named Knocke had been a constant frequenter of the saloon of Louis Lorenzen, who did not particularly like him, as he was too forward. The other night he came in and called for something to drink, but the bar-keeper who claims to have been asleep, did not heed him. Knocke then commenced acting in an ungentlemanly manner, and Mr. Lorenzen put him out. Knocke immediately claimed $65 worth of damaged character and rights, and the case is being heard.
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