Mrs Mike Hodapp,
whose home ws near Paullina, died at the Cherokee state hospital last
Tuesday, where she had been several weeks. The deceased came to Aurelia
thirteen years ago, afterwarads going to O'Brien county. She leaves her
husband and seven children. (Source: Cherokee Democrat
Semi-Weekly, Tues., 13 Mar 1903, pg. 4)
One Man's Downfall - Old Time Engineer Dies at Cherokee HospitalJames
Moriarity of Sioux City, an old-time Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul
engineer, died at the Cherokee State Hospital on Wednesday, where he
has been the past few weeks. Speaking of his death the Sioux City
Journal says:"
Mr. Moriarity was unmarried and but little is known
of his family. Superintendent Voldeng said he spoke once of a sister in
South Dakota.
James Moriarity ten years ago was one of the most
widely known locomotive engineers in the U. S. He attained
prominence by the stand he took in a strike of the Brotherhood of
Locomotives Union. He refused to leave his engine and was the only man
to stay by the company. In those days he was tall and erect, very
particular as to his dress and really was a handsome man. About five
years ago, dissipation began to undermine his powerful constitution and
then he became a victim of muscular rheumatism. In a short time his
shoulders began to droop, his back took on a hump, his gait was slouchy
and his clothes were ragged. He went from bad to worse. About two
months ago the Journal learned he was sleeping on a bunk in the Barber
Asphalt company's office on the city dump. His face was covered with a
long, shaggy beard and his condition was filthy. (Source: The
Cherokee Democrat, Fri., 15 May 1903, pg. 1)
To Get Him Out - Court to Decide as to Insane Patient's Condition.There
seems to be a difference of opinion between the officials at the
Cherokee State Hospital and the friends of Jonathan Pennington as to
the latters present state of mind. Ayway, legal proceedings have been
resorted to in an effort to get Mr. Pennington out of the asylum.
Attorney Wm. Mulvaney has mde application for a writ of habeas
corpus and the question will be argued today before Judge Oliver, who
is holding court at LeMars. (Source: Cherokee Democrat, Thurs., 25 Feb
1904, pg. 1)
Inebriate Ward Escapee ReturnedWm. Moburg of Gowrie, who escaped from the
inebriate ward of the Cherokee state hospital about a year ago, was
brought back on Friday. He had been here but a short time when he
escaped and after returning home was good to his family for several
months but fell from grace and got into the old rute.
(Source: The
Cherokee Democrat, Mon., 7 Nov 1904, pg. 4)Insane Over Religion - Sioux County Wife Murderer is Brought to State HospitalWm.
Van der Wilt, the Sioux county farmer who last week killed his wife by
beating her with a chair, was abjudged insane and was brought to the
Cherokee state hospital on Friday.
Further details of the shocking
tragedy have been learned. After dinner Van der Wilt took down the
bible to read it - a Holland custom. He complained of his religious
condition and need of conversion. His wife said, "I would not worry
about it." he yelled, "You would not, would you?" threw the book at his
wife, started for her with a chair and st ruck her with it as she was
leaving the room. He then beat her head into an unrecognizable mass.
After killing his wife the man jumped upon a horse and escaped,but was
caught by neighbors two miles from his home.
Word was sent to the
county officials at Orange City an Deputy Sheriff Walraven arrested the
man and took him to the county seat.
Van der Wilt is rational at
times, and today said that he had been hypnotized. He said he wanted to
be taken to the Cherokee hospital for insane.
The murdered woman
left five children. There is plenty of property to provide for them.
(Source: The Cherokee Democrat, Mon., 6 Mar 1905, pg. 1)Shay Gets "Shot" - Released from "jag" Ward - He became a Nuisance.John
Henry Shay of Sioux City was releasled on parole from the inebriate
ward of the Cherokee state hospital on Thursday, and to celebrate the
event he at once proceeded to acquire his regular "jag". By Saturday
night he had become such a nuisance that Sheriff Hogan rounded him up
and placed him in the county jail. He was "wild and woolly" and it was
feared he might commit some crime. At a drug store he demanded alcohol,
and when refused it he grabbed the druggist by the fact. He had taken
several boys by the throat and threatened to annihilate them.
Sheriff
Hogan has notified the Sioux City authorities an dif they dood not take
any action he wll be disposed of in some other way.
(Source: The
Cherokee Democrat, Mon., 6 Mar 1905, pg. 1)
Geo. Sellers Dead -
Pioneer Resident Passed Away Last Monday Night - Death Occurred at
State Hospital Where He Has Been Cared for several YearsGeorge
Sellers, who has been a resident of Cherokee county since 1870, died at
the Cherokee state hospital on Monday night. His health has been poor
for the past ten years or so, and a few years ago he became an inmate
of the state insititution, where a private nurse and attendant was
provided for him.
After his death, the remains were taken to the
home of Mrs. Fred Sellers, widow of his deceased son. The funeral
services will be held at the Baptist church this afternoon.
Following is a link to a
biographical sketch
of the deceased, taken from the history of Cherokee county, published
in 1889.
(Source: The Cherokee Democrat, Thurs. 21 Sep 1905, pg. 1)
Add article from Cherokee Democrat , Mon., 23, Jul 1906, pg 1 for Supt Wilhite who lured a madman.