THE OSSIAN BOARD OF TRADE

Item from the Republican: "The following incident occurred in the grand jury room one day last week, during the examination of a witness who was supposed to know something about the operations of the members of the 'Ossian Board of Trade’.

Foreman—What is your name, age, residence and occupation?

Witness—My name is ----, age---- , residence Ossian, occupation ----.

F.--Do you know the defendants?

W.--I do.

F.--Did you ever play cards there?

W . —I have .

F . --What f or?

W . --Gun wads.

This was too much for honest John Kelley, the foreman, who arising said: ’Gentlemen, has it come to this, that in this day and age of the world, a man cannot have a little harmless recreation like playing cards with gun wads. This seems to be trifling with the grand jury, besides making a bill of costs for the farmers to pay. I want no more of it.'

The speaker sat down only when it was explained to him that each gun wad represented a sum of money, and all were redeemed by the proprietor at the close of the game.

The 'Ossian Board of Trade' is reported to us as being a gambling room and the nightly resort of those who handle the 'pasteboards'. We understand the above is true, in its general features, and that the offense was fully established by several good witnesses, but no indictment was found. We also understand there were a large number of liquor law complaints before the grand jury, in which a considerable number of clear violations were established, but no indictments were found. It was a clear case of 8 to 7 in that court."

Court injunctions were served against J. G. McLaen, Frank Dessel, John Wershing, John McLane and John Groff for selling alcoholic drinks. Complainants were the members of the Winneshiek County Womens Christian Temperance Union.

Editor Garter and editor Bailey exchanged further verbal blasts over the legality of hearings held on liquor sales at the Ossian Commercial Hotel.

Justice Malloy, while appearing at the courthouse in his capacity as Mayor of Ossian, was served with notice of a fine payment due on a liquor charge. He was placed -under arrest, but later released on a writ of habeas corpus.

A letter from a Castalia correspondent appeared in the June 14-, 1887, edition of the Republican: "M. J. Carter came out in the Bee, last week, with an argument in defense of the morals of the people of Ossian. He says,'There is not a business man or firm that fails to meet every obligation promptly.' That may be; but he continues: 'There is less drunkenness and crime committed here by resident people, notwithstanding the open saloon has always flourished, than in any little railroad town coming to our knowledge.' Excusing the poor grammar, we would like to pick out the hyperbole in that statement. Ossian is noted for miles around as a 'whiskey hole.' Men go for a long distance and from every direction to have their regular spree in Ossian. We have heard it said at different times, by many, that they had seen fifteen or twenty men drunk andvanting to fight at one time. Most of the offenses committed here, and all the drunkenness, may be treated to whiskey purchased in Ossian. We would like to see Ossian struck a blow 'above the belt' that would knock out the open saloon. How many people of Ossian want the saloon closed? Does Mr. Carter? Let him take the initial step to close them and see how much aid he will get in Ossian. Here is a practical test; but Carter knows well what result would be and seems to be throwing his influence in the way that will benefit his own pocketbook. He might appreciate the saying of Burns: '0 wad the power the giftie gie us, to see ourselves as others see us.' Ben.