Iowa News In Brief - July 4, 1912

DES MOINES - James Kidd yesterday afternoon proved himself a hero when he twice jumped into the Des Moines river near Riverview avenue and saved the life of Harry Dollen, 19 years old, who was trying to kill himself. Dr. E. H. Sayler, city physician, called to attend Dollen after he was taken from the river the second time, said Kidd was to be given full credit for saving the life of the youth. Dollen was under the influence of cocaine.

IOWA CITY - Elizabeth Maitland, of Washington, Ia., was not murdered, according to the finding of Prof. E. W. Rockwood, held at the chemistry department in the university. Professor Rockwood found no trace of poison in the girl's stomach nor in the candy given to her by Blaine Asher of Chicago. Death is now attributed to rupture of the mesenteric artery leading to the large intestine, of which only three similar cases are known in medical history.

MARSHALLTOWN - While engaged in a quarrel over a trivial matter Michael Mikleson, of Sioux Rapids, Ia., shot five times at Henry Sapp, and the latter will die. Three of the balls took effect, one in the wrist, one in the arm just below the elbow, and the other in the right shoulder. Blood poisoning has already developed, and there are slight chances of Sapp's recovery. Mikleson was taken to Storm Lake and placed in jail.

DES MOINES - Mrs. Marion A. Fisher, of this city, was granted a divorce from her husband here even though she did hug and kiss the hired man in her husband's presence. He testified as to her osculatory exercises with the hired man and she admitted this, but said she was doing it to help him get religion and save his soul. Judge McHenry decided that they would be happier apart and granted the decree as prayed for by Mrs. Fisher.

IOWA CITY - The police of Iowa City have evidence that "Frank O'Brien," as he was known here, who was one of the three to drown in the Iowa river about six weeks ago, was in reality Bert Orton, a wanderer of extraordinary criminal habits. Orton is said to have been in jail in every town of any size in the state, but his offenses were always petty ones, it is said.

--Correctionville News, Correctionville, Iowa, July 4, 1912, page 2.