Welcome to... |
|
Jackson County, Iowa News ArticlesMichael Cavanah Michael Cavanah, a farmer living in Jackson County, has sued the Chicago, Dubuque and Minnesota railroad Company for $5000 damages sustained by the overflow of his land and forcing himself and his family to flee for safety, because of the company’s not constructing proper culverts for drainage. Sioux City Journal, June 15, 1873, Taken from the Des Moines Register, 12th Charles E. Rich, Jr. Commits Suicide A sensation was occasioned in this city Tuesday morning when J. E. Pangborn, the sexton of Mt. Hope cemetery, reported that he had found the body of a well-dressed man lying dead upon the graves of the Chas. Rich family. It attracted many to the cemetery and the man was quickly identified as Chas. E. Rich, Jr., who was born and reared in Maquoketa but left here about 25 or more years ago. His head was pierced with a bullet from a 38 caliber revolver which entered the forehead above the right eye and came out of the back of the skull. It must have caused instant death. His Derby hat laid beside him and he still held the revolver-grasped in his right hand tucked under his overcoat and over his breast. The body was after a few hours removed by order of the Coroner. Dr. J. O . Ristine, to R. F. Hayes undertaking parlors where an inquest was held Tuesday evening before a coroner’s jury. Herbert Pangborn, sexton of Mt. Hope cemetery, testified that when he went to work at 8 a.m. he found the body lying across the head of Chas. Rich’s grave and partly on Thos. Wright’s lot. Saw one hand was black with powder and hole in forehead and later observed revolver in his hand under overcoat. G. J. Nairn went to the cemetery on request of sexton and testified he saw deceased lying on grave with revolver grasped in hand, hold in head and hand burned. J. A. Wherry testified that deceased came to Decker House at 6 p.m. Monday and registered as Chas. E. Rich, Grand Forks, N. D., paid $2.00 for day’s board, and had no baggage. He remained at hotel over night and had no breakfast Earl Palmer, clerk at Decker House, testified that deceased stayed all night at hotel. Had him ring Foster to his room where latter remained about half hour. Rich left hotel 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, and had no breakfast. Bottle found in room. Thos J. Hays, station agent, testified that deceased is Chas. E. Rich. saw him last (Monday) evening about 7:45, came into office and asked if I knew who he was. Did not at first know him but in talking with him he made himself known as Chas. E. Rich. Had no baggage, seemed happy and glad to be in old town again. Walked up town with him and spent an hour or so visiting with him. Jas. W. Buchanan, who resided to the old Rich homestead on the bill, testified that he saw deceased Tuesday morning about 7 o’clock a.m. in front of his house; was viewing the place. Had come from the south, crossed the street and sat down. As Mr. Buchanan started for Goodenow’s to get milk, man walked southward toward cemetery and entered it; shortly afterward heard a shot. West to cemetery and saw same man lying dead upon grave of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Rich and was lying on his left side blood running out from above right eye, hand was powder burned. I own what is known as the Chas. Rich house. On the person of deceased was found three letters addressed to Chas. E. Rich, Grand Forks, N. D., a purse containing $3.92. In change $10 in currency, three handkerchiefs, bunch of keys, two combs, memoranda book, two checks for $25.00 each, signed Geo. F. Rich; receipt for lodge dues for $5.00, key to combination lock, card Y. M. C. A., knife, pair gloves, three lead pencils, gold watch and chain, revolver and 13 cartridges, tobacco and cigars, ring on finger. ..................... The Verdict. State of Iowa, Jackson county, ss: At an inquisition held at Maquoketa in said county on the 11th day of May, 1909, before Jas. O. Ristine, coroner of said Jackson county, Iowa, upon the body of Chas. E. Rich, there lying dead, by the jurors whose names are hereunto subscribed the said jurors upon their oath do say: We do find that said deceased came to his death by a shot from a pistol fired by his own hands. In testimony whereof, the said jurors have hereunto set their hands this 11th day of may. 1909. W. C. GREGORY, A Letter to Sexton. After the above action had been taken Tuesday evening’s mall brought to the sexton of Mt. Hope cemetery, the following letter; Briggs House, Chicago. “Mr. Pangborn: You will find my body on the lot of Chas. Rich in Mt. Hope cemetery. Upon finding please notify Geo. F. Rich, Grand Forks, N. D., and dig grave on our lot. Order coffin and put body in, awaiting further instructions from him. He will pay what burial expenses are incurred. The case is one of suicide and no one is responsible for it but myself. CHAS. E. RICH.” The above letter shows that the death of Chas. Rich was a premeditated, self-planned suicide. He told T. J. Hayes that he had been to Chicago on a business trip and concluded that on his way back to Grand Forks he would stop here for a couple days’ visit and to see the old home. He further made Mr. Hayes promise he would go out driving with him Tuesday morning and see the city. While Mr. Hayes was waiting he heard of the suicide. Mr. Rich had grown quiet stout, was a good talker, and had the air of a thrifty business man. He was the third son of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Rich and was born in Maquoketa in 1861. Educated in the schools of Maquoketa he learned telegraphy in young manhood and became one of the most proficient of operators, and was placed in charge of important offices at an early age. He left Maquoketa in the eighties and was for a long time in the Western Union offices at the board of trade in Chicago. He was twice married, death separating him from his wives. Two accomplished daughters survive him, one of whom is the star in a successful dramatic company. He also leaves a sister, Mrs. Hattie Harrington, and brother George of Grand Forks, and a brother Burt in Chicago. Mrs. B. A. Spencer and E. D. Rich of Maquoketa are cousins. The near relatives were apprised of the death by wire and arrived here last evening. The funeral will take place at 10:30 a.m. this Thursday, May 13th. Jackson Sentinel, May 13, 1909 The Hon. Phillip Bradley, of Andrew, Jackson County, Iowa, now in the lower house of the Assembly, has the longest record as a public man of any man in the Legislature. He began his career as a Legislator for Iowa, May 5, 1845. Jackson Sentinel, Maquoketa, Jackson County, Iowa, January 31, 1878 ANSEL BRIGGS MEMORIAL DEDICATED Andrew, Iowa, Sept. 23, 1909 The town of Andrew, the peace of which has never been disturbed by the whistle of a locomotive, and where the monument erected to the memory of Ansel Briggs, the first governor of the state, was unveiled Wednesday, is a place of 300 inhabitants, quaint and interesting, but it played a large part in the early history of eastern, Iowa. Governor Carroll was the chief figure present. Five thousand persons thronged the cemetery, the largest crowd probably gathered at Andrew. Second in importance from the standpoint of state interest was the presence of Ex-Governor Larrabee, who addressed the audience twenty minutes. A memorial address reviewing the struggles and accomplishments of the life of Ansel Briggs delivered by W. G. Gregory, curator of the Jackson County Historical Society, Maquoketa. He revealed the efforts made to get appropriations through the legislature which finally culminated in securing one thousand dollars at the last session through the labors of Representative Ellis of Jackson County. This with three hundred dollars added by the society sufficed to move the body of the former governor from Omaha to Andrew and defrayed the expenses of erecting a monument. As the band played patriotic airs and salutes were fired by the Maquoketa militia, Mrs. Nannie Briggs Robertson, granddaughter of the departed governor drew away the flag that veiled the monument. Governor Carroll then introduced and delivered the dedicatory address. After reviewing the school system inaugurated by Briggs he declared no official act of his own was he more heartily in on than in signing the bill for an appropriation for money for the Briggs monument. He wondered how such a memorial was possible at the price paid. He referred to wonderful growth in population, transportation facilities, educationally and commercially of the state since 1846 and declared Briggs laid the foundation for such growth. He urged the development in Iowa history through instruction of a hall of fame such as is placed in Washington and declared he would be glad to sign another bill of equal import to the Briggs appropriation measure. Ansel Briggs was governor from 1846 to 1850. He was born in Vermont, but during his youth removed with his parents to Ohio and in that state became interested in the institution of stage lines and removing in 1836 to Jackson County, Iowa, followed the same vocation, holding numerous contracts for carrying United States mails in this section of the new territory. He was elected to the House of Representatives in the Territory in 1842, and on the admission of Iowa to the sisterhood of states was nominated to the governorship, the election being held in October. He took his seat Dec. 3 Governor Briggs continued his residence in Andrew until 1870, when he removed to Council Bluffs. In 1881, while making his home with his son in Omaha, he passed away. (Waterloo Reporter, Waterloo, Iowa, September 23, 1909) THE KEIL MURDER! The Preliminary Examination Large Crowd at Bellevue - All Saloons Closed - The Mob Makes a Demonstration - Prisoner is Removed to Anamosa Friday will long be remembered in Bellevue as the day when a few words from a resolute leader would have caused the death of some of its citizens and probably resulted in the lynching of Chris Eckerlebe for the diabolical murder of Mina Keil. Fortunately, that leader was not in the crowd and the law was allowed to take its course without incident, save for one exception. Never in the history of Jackson County, the state, was a more foul murder committed and while it was at first shrouded in mystery, the officers are now in the possession of evidence which apparently weaves a hempen noose about the neck of Chris Eckerlebe, evidence which can scarcely be successfully controverted by his attorneys. The motive for the commission of so dastardly a crime is now the great mystery, although the victim's contempt for the prisoner, her failure to requite his love, and the development of an insane jealousy which culminated in her slaughter, constitute the generally accepted one. The town of Bellevue was crowded Friday, the country people having abandoned their pursuits for the day to hear the evidence which would be offered at the preliminary examination of the accused. Many came from Sabula, LaMotte, Dubuque, Preston and there were present at least forty from this city. All the saloons were closed early in the day, by order of Mayor Bittner, and a posse of about twenty-five special deputies was sworn in as a safeguard against any violence and as a result of these precautions the crowd was held well in hand. Sheriff Mitchell took the prisoner in from Andrew early in the day, and from the time he arrived until he left in the evening Eckerlebe never left Justice Campbell's office. The hearing was held before Justice J. C. Campbell, the state being represented by County Attorney Keck and D. A. Wynkoop and Longville and McCarthy of Dubuque looking after the prisoner's interests. The defense demanded the exclusion of all but those interested in the case and the members of the press, much to the disgust of the crowd, and at 1 o'clock the examination of the witnesses began. The first two witnesses were the little brothers of Eckerlebe by whom it was shown that he possessed a self-cocking nickel plated revolver and that he had left home on the morning of the Fourth at 9 o'clock with the avowed intention of going to Bellevue to attend the dance at Harmony Park. Sophia Keil, mother of Mina, told of the relative position of the Eckerlebe homes, of a mysterious man seen dodging in the trees near her house, of Eckerlebe striking at her daughter for refusing to dance with him at Hamarand's in May, of Mina finding the poison on the gate, of Mina's complaint that Eckerlebe had insulted her, etc. Henry Keil, brother of the deceased, told of her failure to come to the party at Guenther's and the dance at Hoff's on the afternoon of the Fourth, of the search for her on the 5th, the finding of the body, of the finding of the flint rock (identified the stone) and the removal of the body. Wm. Hennegar, deputy sheriff told of finding the several parts of the revolver, box of cartridges and the box of salve (which proves to be rat poison) in accordance with the directions furnished by a certain communication received. (Identified revolver) At 5:30 o'clock the case was adjourned to Wednesday and the prisoner was hustled back to Andrew. The prisoner sat smiling all the afternoon, save when a mob of three or four hundred insisted on gaining an entrance to the court room about 3 o'clock. Somebody yelled "Hang him!" and but for the presence of the deputies and a nervy address by Justice Campbell, the trick would have been attempted, undoubtedly. He merely looked out of the window and resumed his seat with a smile. When the pistol was produced for identification by Hennegar, Eckerlebe flinched and his attornies turned pale. The communication alluded to by the last witness is but one of several written by the tramp Murphy, who carved a fellow tramp with a razor at Bellevue early in the Spring. He is also an inmate of the steel cage in the Andrew jail and pumped the whole story out of Eckerlebe. He would write what he learned on pieces of common wrapping paper and smuggle it to the jailer wrapped up in a dirty "sheet," etc. and there is enough of it to show that the murder of Catherine Ging, Pearl Bryan and the Sa Francisco girls were refined affairs in comparison. It was the intention of the people who live in the vicinity of the scene of the murder to take Eckerlebe Friday to that place and hang him. Failing in this, some thirty or more assembled at the county jail about one o'clock Saturday morning, but again they lacked a leader and Jailer Tubbs retained his prisoner. That day, however, he received reliable information that the jail would be visited by a determined mob Saturday night, so he brought the prisoner to town in the afternoon and Deputy Sheriff Gurius and Fred Fischer conveyed him to the Anamosa Penitentiary that evening. Should he be taken back to Bellevue tomorrow trouble should surely ensue. It is believed now that he will waive further examination. Eckerlebe told Murphy that he intended to commit suicide after killing the girl, but he hammered her head with the revolver until it was utterly destroyed for shooting purposes the more is the pity. He is a conundrum. When the girl's body was found he helped load it into the wagon and drove the team that drew it home., her feet lying between his. At the trial he was the calmest person in the room. He has either a wonderful nerve or else a total lack of realization of the terrible crime of which he is accused. Much sympathy is felt for the prisoner's father and the dead girl's mother. Both broke down and wepy piteously in the courtroom. The father is an honest, hardworking, respected farmer, who says that his boy has ever been an industrious, dutiful son and he feels it is his duty to defend him; that if he is guilty he should be punished. The poor old man is almost heart broken. Later-This morning's mail brought to County Attorney Keck notice from Eckerlebe's attorneys that they had concluded to waive further examination of evidence and that one of them will appear in Justice Campbell's court tomorrow morning to enter a formal waiver. Therefore the prisoner will not be seen again in Bellevue before his trial occurs, and in all probability he will never be seen there again. Maquoketa Excelsior, Maquoketa, Iowa, July 21, 1896 Lawyer Arrested in Maquoketa A correspondent of the Clinton Herald, writing from Delmar says: Again we have to record a failure in Delmar-this time a law firm. A young man by the name of Thomas came here and hung out his shingle at the Riggs House. His business not being very flourishing, he would take a drink occasionally. But too many drinks got the better of him and he neglected his business, got entirely discouraged and concluded to pull up stakes and go further west. He went to Parker’s Hardware Store, bought a $4.50 revolver, loaded up with shot and whiskey, and procured a ticket as far west as Maquoketa, where he concluded to stop overnight and rest. Maquoketa being something of a “hub”, a number of bus drivers and hotel runners were about the depot waiting for the train to come in, and as soon as our legal chap alighted from the cars, these bummers of course went for him, some taking hold of his satchel, some his arms, and all trying to have him come to his or their respective hotels. He being somewhat under the influence of Delmar “incorporation,” thought they were trying to rob him, so he brought out his $4.50 shooter and blazed away, hit or miss. The way these bummers scattered was a sight. He held the field for a few minutes, when the marshal took him in charge and locked him in the calaboose over night. We heard since that his mother is a widow in Pennsylvania, and very wealthy, and sent her boy out here to keep from drinking. Selecting Delmar as the proper place, she told him to drive his peg here, but “alas, poor York,” it was a miss. Thomas was arrested here, and taken before the police justice, who bound him over to appear next day, in the sum of $100. He deposited that sum, and upon conviction was fined $5 and costs. This with attorney fees, and other etceteras, nearly used up his stamps, and he left town a sadder, wiser, and poorer man. If Delmar has any more pilgrims of that kind they had better give Maquoketa a wide birth. It costs strangers big money to raise Ned in this neck o’ the woods. Jackson Sentinel, Maquoketa, Jackson County, Iowa, February 24, 1876 MURDER CHARGE - Clayton Clark Clayton Clark Being Held In County Jail Francis Clayton Clark, 43, was being held Thursday morning on a second degree murder charge following the death of his father, Richard D. Clark, 68, of Maquoketa. A coroner’s jury composed of Herman Stange and John Blessing of Maquoketa and Henry Wiedner, Bellevue, heard testimony in the case Thursday morning, but failed to release their verdict. Testimony at the inquest revealed that the elder Poole, the son Clayton, another son Ray, and two grandsons, Wayne 16 and Donald 14, sons of Ray went to the Verdun Poole home Sunday at the insistence of Richard Clark to get a plow said to belong to him and to collect for 76 days labor at $6 per day, which the latter alleged was due him. Wayne testified that an argument developed between his grandfather and Poole, with name calling on the part of Poole, who insisted he was unable to pay the bill at that time. He said his grandfather prepared to leave and that Clayton pushed him against a wall and said: “Six dollars a day is too much for an old age pensioner to charge.” Shortly after that Clayton struck his father above the left eye and knocked him through a door and onto a sidewalk where he is said to have struck the back of his head. Testimony further revealed that cold water was used to wash off the face of the injured man who was bleeding from the nose and eye. The affair happened about 1:00 p.m., and as near as could be determined it was after 7:00 p.m. before a physician and ambulance were summoned. He was removed to a Clinton hospital where he died. Ray testified that his brother said after striking the father “He always sleeps off a drunk and that’s what he is doing now.” Clayton testified he thought he was 43 years old and that eight or nine years ago he spent three months at Independence state hospital because “he got riled up” and thought that was the best thing to do. He also testified that all four had been drinking and that he had “Five real small drinks of whiskey” while his father apparently had more. Wayne testified that he and his younger brother had only one drink of liquor while the older men drank more. Ray and his two sons testified that they were at the scene when the father was struck, Ray reporting that he attempted to step between the two men and stop the trouble. Both Clayton and Poole are reported to have told that Ray and the two sons were not in the house when the blow was struck. Testimony tended to substantiate the fact that Clayton was quick-tempered and had been in trouble in the past because of his temper. Death was due to a fractured skull it was reported. The deceased is survived by three sons, Joseph, a patient at Knoxville Veterans Hospital, Ray and Clayton, and two daughters, Mrs. Bertha Smith of Clinton and Mrs. Myrtle Caven of Miles. Funeral service will be held Friday at 10:00 a.m. at Buchner chapel with burial in Streets Cemetery. (Jackson Sentinel, Maquoketa, Jackson County, Iowa, April 19, 1946) SPIRITUALIST SOCIETY The Spiritualist Society of Maquoketa met in its room last Thursday night, and by an almost unanimous vote changed its name. It now goes by the name of the “Church of the New Era.” In this change it does not go back on spiritualism, nor is it any less a spiritual society now than it was before. One of the reasons given for making the change was that there are many progressive people who would like to associate with them who were not fully convinced of spiritualism. They thought it not just the thing to hold on to a name that would exclude these honest people. Again it was urged that all organizations, the object of which is to discuss theological and spiritual problems are known as churches, that the word church would enable people to at once class them as a religious body. A committee was chosen to draw up the necessary papers and procure an act of incorporation-Record. (Jackson Sentinel, Maquoketa, Iowa, May 15, 1884) Rev. S. F. Millikan After twelve years continual service as pastor of the Congregational church in Maquoketa, Rev. S. F. Millikan tenders his resignation to take effect in March. Rev. Millikan has received calls from Rochester, Minnesota, and Springfield, Missouri. The latter place he thinks most favorably of as its collegiate institutions will afford desired educational advantages for his children. During his pastorship in Maquoketa he has been instrumental in increasing the membership and influence of the Congregational society and has seen the old church edifice replaced by a handsome new structure. His leave taking will be regretted by many warm friends. (Note: Rev. Millikan’s son Robert was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1923) Jackson Sentinel, Maquoketa, Iowa, December 12, 1885. Stabbing Affray Saturday night last after the young men left the Otter Creek church fair, two sons of Mrs. Ruben Wagoner aged 16 and 18 years, got into an alteration with Jimmy Stokesbury a young man of about 21 years and the latter received knife stabs in both right and left sides which prostrated him. Passers by assisted him home and Dr. D. N. Loose was called Sunday. The doctor found the wound in the left side had penetrated the pleural cavity, making it dangerous. Sheriff McCaffrey and County Attorney Kelsey went to Otter Creek, investigated the case and the two Wagoner boys were arrested and taken to Andrew to be held to appear before the grand jury in February. (Jackson Sentinel, January 15, 1891) |
Copyright © Genealogy Trails |