Police Court Business.

New York, 1895

Thomas Kehoe was brought before Justice Hendrickson on a charge of being drunk and disorderly, and sentence was suspended.

Annie J. Bronson, of Ozone Park, who was arrested on Fulton street, Jamaica, on Monday afternoon, was arraigned before Justice Hendrickson on Tuesday on a charge of intoxication and disorderly conduct. She was sent to the county jail for thirty days.

Curtis Degrasse, residing on the Merrick road, Jamaica, who was arrested for stealing a bicycle from Joseph Baylis was arraigned before Justice Hendrickson on Friday and sentenced to the state industrial school at Rochester. An older brother, Foster Degrasse, is in the same institution.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 21, 1895, p. 8.

Politeness of the Mexicans

1895

An Engineer's Experience With It After a Session With Tequila.

"For manifesting a grave and imperturbable courtesy in every circumstance of life give me the Mexican people," said a civil engineer who lived in the southwest. "Here is a case in point. A dozen years ago I was visiting Hermosillo, the capital of Sonora, and falling in with an old engineering comrade one afternoon we drank not a little tequila. Tequila, or mescal, perhaps you know, is a clear white liquor distilled from the century plant and possessing much of the taste and potency of Irish whisky. There was a circus in town, and in the evening Johnson and I went up the street to see it. The performance did not greatly interest us, and we left the show before it was half through and started down the street on our way to the hotel. The tequila we had drunk was still animating us and inspiring a spirit of adventure. As we came opposite the great house of Dr. Monteverde, one of the grandees of Sonora, we saw perched on a stone post at the entrance of the courtyard a white turkey, and here we stopped and fell to guessing at the weight of the bird.

"At last, to settle our difference of opinion, we started in to catch the turkey. It ran into the courtyard, and we followed. Upon the veranda at one side of the courtyard the household were sitting enjoying the evening coolness. At our unceremonious advent they raised not a word of protest, but only laughed as the turkey ran wildly around, with Johnson and me in pursuit. After a long chase we caught the bird, and approaching the group on the veranda tried to inform them that we should like a pair of scales to weigh it with. Neither Johnson nor I had an idea what the Spanish word for scales was, and so we indicated the best we could by signs what we wanted. They showed much interest in the endeavor to catch our meaning, and at last we made ourselves understood.

"Si, senor," said the head of the house, with perfect bonhomie, and calling a servant gave him some directions in Spanish. The servant departed, and presently came back with a pair of scales, which were placed at our disposal. We weighed the turkey, set the bird at liberty, returned the scales with thanks, and declining the courteous invitation of the hospitable hidalgo that we should sit down and have a glass of wine we lifted our hats and went on our way.

"Fancy two strangers invading private premises and going through such a madcap performance anywhere else you have over heard of, and then tell me the Mexicans are not the politest people in the world." — New York Sun.

Heavily Handicapped

1895

A certain old Yankee had been hobnobbing with congenial companions at a favorite little barroom during a blizzard, and the hour was late when he donned his wraps and started for home. His gait was unsteady, and he was scarcely well out of the door before he stumbled and fell on a pile of lumber in such a manner that, with the load of liquor which burdened his powers, he could not get up.

Jonathan Hardbutton — that is his name — succeeded in raising himself to a sitting posture, but could not regain his feet, in spite of every effort. Being at length exhausted, he sat still and waited until he should recover enough strength to extricate himself from his predicament. And while thus waiting his trousers froze stiff and fast to the lumber. Then his trouble increased, but luckily a belated friend passing that way noticed him.

"Say, Jonathan, you old fool," he drawled out, " why don't you git up and go home? What are you sitting there for such a night as this?"

"Well, how be I a-goin to git up," bawled Jonathan, "when all uv the Lord's creation is fruz fast to my pantaloons?" — Utica Observer.

Left His Watch Behind

New York, 1895

Frank Verner was arrested at Hempstead early Sunday morning for being drunk and disorderly. Verner was taken before Justice Seaman at Wantagh and sentenced to ten days in the county jail. The prisoner was taken back to the lockup at Hempstead where he told the officer that he had lost his silver watch and some money. Later in the day it was learned that the residence of Surrogate Weller had been entered Saturday night. Nothing had been stolen, but a pair of mittens were found on the table and on the piazza was found a silver watch and chain which Verner afterward identified as his property.


The Bribe Takers Must Stand Trial

Judge Garretson has decided the demurrer interposed by Counselor Weller to the indictments charging Thomas Holcraft and William Goeller, Jr., of Jamaica, with accepting bribes for their votes in the last Democratic county convention. Judge Garretson sustains the indictments and Holcraft and Goeller will have to stand trial. This judgment will make the Standard feel sick.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, Feb. 22, 1895, p. 1.

Note: The Standard was a bitterly despised competitor of The Farmer, often accused of corruption and nastiness.

The Ryders Fall Out

New York, 1895

The Husband Says He Didn't Know He Was Getting Married.

Some testimony was given on Saturday in Justice Taylor's court at Hempstead in the case brought by Isabella Ryder, nee Holmes, against her husband for abandonment. Mrs. Ryder said that she was married last June by Counselor Mansfield Compton and after ten days Ryder deserted her. She presented a ring he gave her several days previous to their separation to make their marriage more binding.

Ryder said that the ring was stolen from him, that it was the property of his mother, and that it was taken from his finger probably while he was under the influence of some drug. He further stated that he was intoxicated when the ceremony was performed and was not aware of the nature of the proceedings. Counselor Compton agreed with Ryder as to his condition at the time of the marriage, but was of the opinion that Ryder knew what he was doing.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, N.Y., Jan. 11, 1895, p. 1.

Another "Jag Farm" Forced to Suspend

1919

Last Booze Patient Leaves Minneapolis Institution.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Lack of patients caused the abandonment of the Willmar "jag farm" and officials declared that from now on it will be devoted solely to treatment of insane patients.

The last inebriate patient — a woman — was discharged a few days ago, Charles J. Swendson of the State Board of Control said. The hospital was opened 10 years ago for treatment of persons afflicted with the liquor and drug habits.

After announcement of the State Supreme Court, upholding the constitutionality of the Minnesota prohibition enforcement act passed at the last legislative session, the police promised a vigorous enforcement.

"We will attempt to arrest all persons making liquor or using it in any way contrary to the State law," said Michael Johannes, chief of the police vice squad.

Green Giraffes, 4-Tailed Elephants, Haunt the Victim of Wood Alcohol

1920

BY DR. BEN L. REITMAN

Wood alcohol is one of the most dangerous poisons known to science. Because it is one of the best known poisons in the world, people are losing their fear of it.

Thousands of persons in the United States probably have drunk it in the last three months. But the main reason that we are having so many cases of wood alcohol poisoning lately is that prohibition has only become a reality in the last thirty days. Previous to that time it was possible to buy a drink almost anywhere for 25, 35 or 50 cents. Today it costs 75 cents or a dollar, a prohibitive price for the poorer workers. They have sought a substitute.

Fatal Dose Is Eight Ounces

They have tried what we call "wood alcohol." The fatal dose of pure wood alcohol is eight ounces. The denatured alcohol which they are purchasing in drug stores, etc., that is, the great part of it, is grain alcohol diluted with 10 per cent of wood alcohol. Thus a man would have to drink a fairly large quantity of this denatured alcohol to obtain a fatal result.

The bum, the hobo, the man who just must have a drink, gets a bottle of denatured alcohol and goes into a saloon. He orders a glass of near beer. When he gets it he pours in an ounce of the alcohol — and gets a kick.

A few doses of this and he begins to get drunk. Then he gradually increases the dose. of alcohol until he is drinking it virtually straight.

Sees Four-tailed Elephants

A man doesn't necessarily have to drink a fatal dose to suffer ill effects. He suffers from strange hallucinations after but a short bout. But the major part of the cases we have heard about recently have been those where drinking the poison has been persisted in for two or three days.

There is a peculiar psychology in the effects of the poison. The victim sees four-tailed elephants and green giraffes and all the other different animals so long associated with delirium tremens. And then there is a peculiar half-blindness. The victim looks at you, but he can see only half of you — the other half, say the upper half, simply dissolves into space.

Regulations for sale? It would be a hard matter. Wood and denatured alcohol now is a commercial commodity widely used in industries the nation over. The people are able to buy it in department stores, in drug stores, in paint stores, and stories have been told of chauffeurs getting it out of the radiators of their automobiles.

A man might be able to drink a small dose of wood alcohol daily for some considerable time — but he shouldn't forget that it will get him in the end — and its after effects don't wear off easily and sometimes are incurable.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Jan. 3, 1920, p. 1.


Lightning Plays Queer Prank

1920

MARIETTA, Pa., Jan. 1. — During a heavy electrical storm a bolt of lightning struck the residence of Charles Spanger and knocked out a beam in the middle of his garret without tearing a hole in the roof. The outside was considerably damaged. Fire ensued, but the downpour of rain extinguished it.

Women

Nebraska, 1901

They Drink Not Wisely But Too Well and Are Haled Into Police Court

This morning the police judge was busy trying a bevy of prostitutes taken up in a raid on the lowlands the middle of last December. The trouble all came from a little drunk indulged in by Bell Naden. The 17th of last month she went on a tear and at the same time went calling on her neighbors, which is against the rules. She was in a boisterous condition and the police were notified. They went to Dora Brown's house and found a great rough house. Everybody in the place was about as drunk as they could be, and, from the sounds that penetrated through the walls of the house, were having the biggest kind of a time.

Incidentally they arrested Mattie Head, Bell Naden, Mary Glasco, Hattie Thurbie, Geneva Newberry and Ruth Collins. This morning they appeared in police court for the last time on the charge and received their due.

Mattie Head will wait a few days before paying her fine. Bell Naden drew ten days in the county jail, Mary Glasco was discharged because she was sick, and, Hattie Therbie pleaded guilty and will be sentenced later. Geneva Newberry paid $5 and costs. Ruth Collins did the same.

Dora Brown was also present and raised a great disturbance. Her attorney took occasion to roast the police and did it to a finish. He said that his client was a special mark for the few men who control the destiny of the lowlands. Across the street from Dora Brown's house was another brothel which was much worse but had not been raided. He wanted to know about it.

Miss Dora Brown drew $10 and costs, notwithstanding. This she paid in part, after expressing her opinions to the court. She complained that she was the special mark for police prosecution, that they were running her business and spent their time eavesdropping at her windows. She was a poor innocent prostitute, no worse than the others, but suffered for their crimes.

—Lincoln Evening News, Lincoln, NE, Jan. 7, 1901, p. 6.

Home for Drunkards' Wives Is Closed

Kansas, 1910

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The home founded by Carrie Nation, the Kansas "joint smasher," in this city as a refuge for drunkards' wives, will probably be closed and the property returned to Mrs. Nation. The reason is, there are not enough wives of drunkards in the largest city of Kansas to warrant the continued operation of a refuge for them. Mrs. Nation has requested of the Associated Charities, the organization which is managing the home, that the property be deeded back to her.

The home has accommodations for 40 women but there are no drunkards' wives in it now. The Associated Charities is using it as a home for unfortunate and homeless women. About fifteen women now occupy the home.

Peter W. Goebel, president of the board of directors of the Associated Charities, admits that the home is a failure as far as being a place for the housing of drunkards' wives.

"That is the 'distressing' condition that exists," Mr. Goebel said. "There is no use in denying it. We cannot find drunkards' wives to live there.

"Mrs. Nation has asked that we return the home to her. The members of the board of directors differ as to whether or not this should be done. She has agreed to pay us for what repairs and improvements have been made at the home and at present the association needs the money that would be thus received for other branches of work. At our next meeting we will finally determine what stand to take concerning holding or releasing the property."

Mrs. Nation wishes the home returned to her so that it may be sold and the proceeds of its sale used in the construction of a home for boys which she is building in Oklahoma.

In 1902 she bought the property, which was the homestead of C. N. Simpson, one of the pioneers of Kansas.

Mrs. Nation secured most of the $4,000, which she originally paid for the property, from the sale of the small souvenir "Carrie A. Nation hatchets" which she and her friends sold for 25 cents.

After Mrs. Nation had given the home, all the churches of the city and many fraternal orders subscribed money to pay for its furnishing. The grounds about the home, an acre in extent, are well shaded and the building itself is a spacious structure of brick.

—Oelwein Daily Register, Oelwein, Iowa, Sept. 27, 1910, p. 2.

Ether — Latest Vice in France

1910

Paris. — Compared to the new vice which has broken out in France, that of taking ether, drinking absinthe and injecting morphine are virtues. This most modern vice has already assumed abnormal proportions, probably because the sale of ether is free.

Consumers of ether begin by breathing its vapor. Soon this pleasing effect wears off, then they drink it, The consumption of ether is not confined to any special class of society. It is asserted that 40 per cent of the poorer classes who go to the dispensary of the prefect of police are ether fiends.

Physicians say that a pint and three-quarters is as much as anyone can safely take in a day. However, druggists say that they have customers who use about four times that amount.


Drink Scourge in France

What the French call "alcoholisme" has grown to be a dreadful scourge, and a direful portent for the future of the people. In some parts of France the very medical men must be consulted early in the day if they are to be found sober. — Church Quarterly Review.


"Thank God" for Faults!

Thank God we do not live with saints! We live with people full of faults, and it is excellent, for the faults of others serve us either by imposing a salutary constraint or by the lesson that they give. — Paris Figaro.

Laughing Gas Jags College Students

Feb. 1920

University Men Have Lively Scientific Experiment

LOS ANGELES, Cal. -- Scores of Occidental College men students took advantage of the opportunity of becoming intoxicated under jurisdiction of the faculty, and they apparently enjoyed it thoroughly.

"Laughing gas" caused the intoxication of at least half of the men students. Dr. Elbert E. Chandler, head of the department of chemistry at the college, administered the gas as a demonstration to the students to show how it affects them.

Athlete Becomes Bird

"Bobby" Hadden, captain of the basketball team, was the first. The gas transformed him into a bird, and he flew all over the campus. When he came from under the influence of the gas he was several blocks away chatting with a street light.

Louis McKellar, another student, upon taking the gas, began to call for a "seven" or "eleven."

Frank Carpenter played leapfrog and tried to climb several trees.

Andrew Grube ably fought and conquered an imaginary Jack Dempsey.

He Runs a Mile

Roscoe Alcock ran a mile race.

Bill Burns danced a jig.

"Andy" Dunlap just laughed.

"Buzz" Walker and "Bill" Work scared the girls.

Irye Townsend hunted for goldfish in the drinking fountain.

False Teeth Missed After "Tonic" Spree

Feb. 1920

"Must Have Swallowed 'Em," Loser Tells Jailer

EAST POINT, Georgia — Tom Williams, a pencil peddler, who imbibed too freely of hair tonic and landed in the police barracks, reports to the turnkey that he is short a set of false teeth and that during his uncertain wanderings he must have swallowed them.

A diligent search of the station house and surrounding territory failed to reveal the missing molars, and it was finally decided to take Tom over to the Grady Hospital, where an X-ray picture might be taken, to find out whether the liquor he drank was strong enough to pull the teeth on down with it.

Tom was somewhat skeptical about the X-ray, but anxiety as to the whereabouts of the teeth finally led him to consent to the experiment, which will be made when his nerves have become more settled.


Dime Chick Gets Prize

CROOKSTON, Minnesota — Several weeks ago Arthur Kirsch of Crookston bought a tiny chicken at a local five and ten cent store for a dime. Recently he entered the chicken at the Pennington County poultry show. It was adjudged to be a full-blooded white Leghorn and carried off a blue ribbon with a score of 92 points.

Youthful Essayists on the Evils of Drink

1907

In the Hull elementary schools a prize was offered for the best essay on the evils of drink, and nearly 12,000 pupils competed. Extracts from their compositions were given by Dr. Eccles in a lecture before the Society For the Study of Inebriety. He quoted the following gems:

"Today many people are in jail for committing suicide while under the influence of drink."

"Alcohol has an effect upon a medical man's conclusions."

"Doctors say that fatal diseases are the worst."

"Doctors say that the increased death rate shortens lives."

"Some people think that the abuse of drink is right; some take it as a medicine." — London Tit-Bits.


What Is the English Throne?

The English throne — what is it? Is it the stone chair of Westminster abbey? That is only occupied once by each king or queen, and that only at the coronation ceremony. Is it the chair of state in the house of lords or the reception chair at Buckingham palace or the sumptuous gilt thing which the king uses at Windsor when he receives the foreign envoys? It is an interesting question, which some people would like to have answered. Most everybody, however, has come to the conclusion that in the majority of countries the throne is merely a symbol, and the expressions "he has succeeded to the throne" and "speeches from the throne" are only metaphors.

Happy the Newsboy Drunk, Like A Jungle Lion

Olean, New York, 1922

GETS PLENTY OF LIQUOR AT $.25 A SHOT

However, two nips are two too many for "Happy" North Union street "sing song boy"

If there are any among the many "hootch hounds" of Olean who crave for action, and are of the opinion that the city is lacking in this "virtue," they of the doubt, may lay aside their worries and find plenty of the above mentioned action, and all for the sum of 50 cents. At least that's the opinion of "Happy" Calkins, a vendor of newspapers and a familiar figure on Union and State streets.

Happy told Judge Keating when arraigned in police court this morning on a charge of intoxication that he had obtained sufficient action in the Ross block in North Union street to last him for an indefinite period. "I only had two drinks of whiskey at 25 cents a drink," Happy stated, "and within 15 minutes after drinking it I felt like a jungle lion full of lust for battle, and believe me Judge, Jack Dempsey couldn't have knocked me out."

Pleading forgiveness for the offense, Happy, a very penitent prisoner, was permitted his freedom with a 60-day suspended sentence hanging over his head.

The next time he gets in jail it means a trip to Little Valley, Judge Keating warned the newsboy.

—Olean Evening Herald, Olean, NY, May 11, 1922, p. 4.

A Pair of Hobos – Interfering with Switchman, Found Guilty

Ohio, 1894

A Pair of Hobos

On Trial for Interfering with a Switchman in the Lake Shore Yards

Two men named James Johnson and Thomas McLaughlin were on trial in the Common Pleas court nearly the whole of Thursday on an indictment charging them with interfering with a switchman in the manipulation of switches and signals.

Johnson is a middle aged man who hails from Buffalo and says he is employed in erecting telegraph poles. He also claims to be something of a pugilist, and his looks support his claim. McLaughlin is a younger fellow of 21, who says he is a waiter on board lake steamers, is an innocent looking fellow whose own statements that he has been arrested for vagrancy and drunkenness would astonish any ordinary person not accustomed to criminal court scenes.

The evidence showed that on the night of September 13 a young man named Kimball, who is employed as night switchman in the Lake Shore yards, went to turn the switches and also the target signals which are used to let the trains of the Lake Erie & Western Railroad company enter the Lake Shore depot, when he was confronted by the prisoners who told him they were running things. There were three other hobos in company with the accused. The switchman knocked down one of the men with his lamp and brushed the other aside, thus being enabled to make the switches. There was some delay, however, and a west bound train was detained temporarily. The men were arrested late at night, one while asleep on the target platform and the other while in a drunken sleep in a lot adjoining the railroad right of way.

Mr. W. W. Bowen assisted Prosecutor Mackey for the State and Judge Colver defended the accused. The case went to the jury at 5:30 and an hour later a verdict of guilty was returned.

—The Sandusky Register, Sandusky, Ohio, Dec. 21, 1894, p. 5.

2-Year-Old Child Declared Intoxicated, Also Parents

1909

Baby Drunk; Also Parents

CHICAGO — The 2-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Doyle was declared to be intoxicated when taken to the City Relief Hospital by the police. Doyle and his wife were arrested at Clark and Lake streets, Chicago. The woman, intoxicated, had fallen asleep on the sidewalk and her husband was on the curbing in the same condition, the child was clinging to his neck. The parents were locked up at the Harrison street station, and after the child was cared for at the hospital it was placed in the care of the police matron. Doyle gave his age as 26, but could not tell where he lived.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Oct. 9, 1909, p. 1.


Drinks Iodine for Cider

LOS ANGELES, Cal., Oct. 7 — The filing of a death notice disclosed a peculiar case of accidental poisoning. Mrs. Katherine F. Lynch of New York, a guest at a hotel, went to the pantry of her apartment last Sunday to take a drink of cider and in the darkness drank iodine. She died 24 hours later.


Had 4 Wives; 35 Children

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — A. Milton Musser, 70 years old, assistant historian of the Mormon Church and one of the early pioneers of Utah, died, following an operation for intestinal trouble. He had four wives and was the father of thirty-five children.

Drink-Crazed He Used Hatchet To Demolish Home; Police Got Him

Cedar Rapids, IA, 1920

If a high-powered explosive shell had entered the apartment of John Edgington at Second avenue and eighth street, today it could not have done more damage than Edgington did himself while apparently laboring under the impression that he was Carrie Nation. Seizing a hatchet, Edgington broke up anything and everything he could lay his hands on. With one blow he completely demolished a china closet; he chopped holes in a dresser, broke a big mirror in his room, smashed dishes and created general havoc.

Armed with the axe as he was and almost crazed from the effects of protracted drinking, he also threw a considerable scare into his wife and persons living in the neighborhood. When Policeman Mikota and Butler arrived at the rooming house Edgington was still engaged in his work of destruction, but accompanied the police quietly enough to the police station. There he again became violent and repeatedly dashed his head against the door of his cell. His cries could be heard all over the building and his actions were so wild that another man who was in the cell with him begged to be taken out and placed in another cell.

Edgington is said to have been drinking steadily since July 4 last. His condition would not permit of his arraignment in police court this morning but he will, it is expected, appear before Judge Clark tomorrow.

–The Evening Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA, Aug. 13, 1920, p. 3.

Philip, Macedonian King, Drunk or Sober

1915

Philip, the Macedonian king, while drowsy with wine was trying a case and the prisoner after sentence was pronounced, exclaimed, "I appeal." "And to whom do you appeal?" inquired the astonished monarch. "I appeal from Philip drunk to Philip sober," replied the prisoner, and the king granted the request and at a rehearing gave the prisoner his liberty.

The people drowsy with the wine of discord ofttimes pronounce a verdict on public questions which they reverse in their more calm and deliberate moments. The next best thing to making no mistakes is to correct them.


His Ambition.

"While I have been cordially detested during the most of my life, with or without ample justification," stated J. Fuller Gloom. "I intend to at least not be a nuisance after death. To that end I have consistently refrained from making epigrams, manufacturing maxims and uttering sonorous sentences, to be repeated to helpless children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me."— Judge.

Court Sentences Drunks, Post-Graduate Work for One

Fort Wayne, Indiana, 1908

BILL HICKS WAS DRUNK WHEN HE TOOK THE TWO RAZORS

Judge Read the Riot Act to Old Timer — The City Court.

"I got nothin' to say only I wouldn't a-done it if I hadn't been drunk," was the only excuse Bill Hicks had to offer Judge Skelton in the city court this morning where he was arraigned for stealing Ben F. McAtee's barber tools after the owner had taken a "stand off" for a hair cut.

"Trouble with you, Bill, you are always drunk," said the judge, "and that's no excuse. I'll just give you five and costs and sixty days for this and when you get out you want to be pretty careful or you'll go back and serve that four months' suspended sentence I've got pickled for you."

Bill had nothing to say. The razors were recovered and the owner got them back, while Bill was marched to his cell preparatory to seventy-five days in jail.

Just Some Drunks.

William McGuire, from up north, got all tangled up about the trolley cars yesterday and when the Toledo and Chicago was tied up he kept asking questions and sandwiching drinks between his visits to the ticket window. Finally he got along to a point where he wanted to run the road and about that time Patrolman Elliott landed him. He drew $1 and costs.

Frank Trunnell was the name of a much-befogged individual picked up near Huntertown yesterday by Deputy Sheriff Hughes. He didn't seem to know just where he was "at" and he got eleven days to straighten him out.

William Timmons, who has been for several days taking a course of treatment at Sheriff Grice's delirium tremens cure, was fined $5 and costs so as to give him a chance to take post graduate course. He had been on a big spree and was seeing things.

—The Fort Wayne Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana, October 3, 1908, page 2.

Young Man Dies of Exposure, Farmer Turned Him Out of the House

Stout, Iowa, 1903

FOUND DEAD IN BUGGY SHED

Unknown Man Turned Out of Farmer's Home at Stout Dies of Exposure.

Dike, March 3. — A case of alleged inhuman treatment resulting in the death of a young man and subsequent developments have aroused considerable indignation at Stout, a village seven miles north of here, near where the affair took place.

A young man whose identity is not known appeared in that vicinity and secured employment as a farm hand on the farm of Claus De Vrise. Friday night the farm hand and De Vrise's son went to the town of Stout and the farm hand became intoxicated. It is not known whether the son had been drinking, but the two had some misunderstanding and when they arrived home, it is stated, De Vrise turned the hired man out of the house, he now claims, because of his intoxicated condition.

The young man was attired only in his overalls, shirt and a thin pair of socks. The young man was drunk and wandered to a buggy shed, where he fell asleep in a pool of water. The next morning De Vrise noticed the man lying in the shed and sent to Stout for the constable to arrest him. When the constable arrived, however, the man was dead.

De Vrise by this time had evidently become alarmed and a hurried consultation was held. No official inquest was held, and after the conference the body was carried to town, placed in a binder crate and taken to the depot, where they asked Agent Walker which would be the cheapest way to ship the corpse to Iowa City, by freight or express.

The agent refused to ship the body until he had a physician's certificate as to the cause of death and the body was properly boxed for shipment. It is said that this was done and that the remains have been sent to Des Moines, presumably to a medical college.

Nothing can be learned as to the young man's identity. The case has excited a great deal of talk. The treatment he was accorded by De Vrise and the haste exhibited in trying to get his remains out of the way has aroused the indignation of many and it is probable an investigation will be set on foot.

—Davenport Daily Republican, Davenport, Iowa, March 4, 1903, page 2.


It May Be Manslaughter.

Stout, March 7. — Claude De Vrise, a farmer of this community is likely to have to answer to the charge of manslaughter. De Vrise employed an unknown man as a farm hand. The hand went to town and became intoxicated and when he came home was turned from the house by his employer. In his drunken condition he lay down in his buggy shed in the cold and died. He was found by his employer who placed the body in a binder box and shipped it to Des Moines supposedly to a medical college. The neighbors have asked the coroner to investigate.

—Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, Dubuque, Iowa, March 7, 1903, page 5.


Inhuman Treatment of a Young Man at Stout.

From the New Hartford Review we glean the following ghastly details of a strange case near the new town of Stout, in the southern part of Butler county. The Review says:

Excitement has been running riot in the little town of Stout since Friday night, over the alleged inhuman treatment of a young man, which resulted in his death. At the hour of going to press the Review is unable to say what the final outcome of the affair will be.

A few days ago a young man, whose identity is not known, appeared in that vicinity and secured employment...

[From there the article repeats the details above, with DeVries' name having this more likely spelling.]

—The Iowa Recorder, Greene, Iowa, March 1, 1903, page 1.