Cigar Dealer Flogged by Angry Woman

1901

Cigar Dealer and Alleged Gambling House Keeper Publicly Horsewhipped At St. Joseph

St Joseph, Mich., Jan. 31. — The public horsewhipping of an alleged gambling-house keeper by an angry wife furnished no end of excitement at Buchanan yesterday, and placed that village well up in the rank with Kansas towns that have felt the rigorous moralizing efforts of Mrs. Nation.

The victim of the chastisement was "Skette" Rough, keeper of what purports to be a candy and cigar store, but which wives who have felt a shortening of their allowances on their husband's pay days say houses a voracious "kitty."

The Michigan disciple of strenuous reform methods is Mrs. J. Voorhees, and she had at her back half the feminine part of the population of the village. Not the least of Rough's torment were the gibes and jeers of these women, all of whom seemed to think they had a score to settle and a duty to perform, and put as much feeling in their tongue lashings as did Mrs. Voorhees in hers with the thong.

In addition several hundred spectators crowded about and howled with delight as the infuriated woman belabored the back of the cigar dealer. Twice he attempted to break away, but did not succeed until the woman had broken her whip in several places over his body.

—Davenport Daily Republican, Davenport, IA, Feb. 1, 1901, p. 3.