Muscatine County, Iowa Genealogy Trails
Newspaper Data

Ammerman & Riddle A Horrible Tragedy Muscatine, Ia., Aug. 11. There was a horrible tragedy near Rochester, Cedar County, Saturday evening. Charles Ammerman, of Muscatine, and W. Riddle, of Rochester, a brother-in-law, left Muscatine Saturday noon with their wives and a young child of each for Rochester. The party was in the same wagon and got into a family quarrel. Ammerman finally put Riddle and wife and child out and told them they could walk to Rochester. He afterwards relented and took in the wife and child. On passing Riddle the latter ordered him to stop, and upon their refusing fired at them with a double barreled shot gun. Ammerman was instantly killed, and the second shot shattered Mrs. Ammerman’s arm. The team then ran away and Riddle’s child was run over and had its arm broken. Riddle was arrested the same night and jailed at Tipton. There is strong talk of lynching. All parties are connected with old and respectable families in Muscatine and Cedarcounties. [Bismark Weekly Tribune, Published August 15, 1884, submitted by Cathy Danielson] Carl Brady Charred Body in an Abandoned Cellar Muscatine, Ia., Aug. 7. The charred body of Carl Brady, an old fisherman, was found today in an abandoned cellar on an island in the Mississippi River. Josephine Collett and William Nagle, who were living in Brady’s houseboat, were arrested, and Nagle declared that the woman killed Brady. Miss Collett and Nagle are paroled State prisoners, having been sentenced from Fairfield, Ia., for horse stealing. Brady was reputed to have much money on his person, distrusting banks. An attempt had been made to burn Brady’s body. It is believed that the man was killed about June 1. [Reading Eagle, Published Monday, August 7, 1905, submitted by Cathy Danielson] Divorce Carter, Edward R. of Wilton, Iowa vs. Mrs. Clark, his 3rd wife. This is a divorce case in Muscatine Co., Iowa. (Rock Island Daily Argus, Thursday 22 February 1877, submitted by K. Torp) HENRY JOHNSON ARRESTED Henry Johnson, proprietor of the Palace candy and book store on Hotel street, was arrested shortly after 1 o'clock yesterday by Captain Scott, Marshal Hitchcock and Captain Kamae being present. The crime charged against Johnson is that of having committed forgery at Muscatine, Iowa. Sheriff Wyllie of that place arrived by the Australia with extradition papers for the arrest of Johnson on the charge named, which was executed without delay. It was believed the accused would make strenuous resistance against arrest, owing to the supposed magnitude of the crime, but such was not the case. When questioned at police headquarters Johnson admitted he was the party wanted, and would return to the States without contesting the case. From a reliable source it was learned that Johnson was for several years, and up to about a year and a half ago, treasurer of Muscatine County, Iowa, being held in high esteem as a public servant. In his official position Johnson was custodian of immense sums of money. At one time he saw an opportunity to make a fortune by investment of considerable funds. With the supposed consent of one of his bondsmen the treasurer used some $80,000 of money belonging to the county, hoping, as many good men had before and since, to realize profitably thereby and make full restitution. The venture failed and with it was lost the good name of both official and bondsman. Seeing no other alternative, Johnson fled west into Kansas, thence to California and Hawaii. He is said to have carried away none of the money taken from Muscatine County, and landed at San Francisco with but fifty cents in his pocket. Through the sale of his household effects by Mrs. Johnson, $700 being realized, the supposed defaulter was able to reach Honolulu on $200 forwarded by his faithful wife. The remainder is easily told. After being in the islands but a short time, Johnson secured a position on an afternoon paper as collector and solicitor. Strict attention to business soon brought its reward, and the more lucrative work of bookkeeping in the newspaper office was secured. In the meantime Johnson had associated himself in the stationery business as partner of a blind man named Scharf, afterward succeeding to the sole ownership and purchasing later the Palace candy store, both being now conducted by him. Mrs. Johnson arrived here a few months ago and, from the exemplary manner in which her husband had conducted himself since coming to Honolulu, was well received in social and religious circles. The supposed defaulter was known here as Henry Johnson, having dropped William from the name he bore while residing in Iowa. He rendered active support to the Government during the late insurrection as a member of the Citizens Guard, besides taking a prominent part in religious work. Johnson is said to have embezzled over $30,000. He claims the amount to be much less, and that his bondsmen have liquidated the shortage. Political reasons are assigned as the cause for his arrest. A party from Iowa was recently in Honolulu and conversed with Johnson, who, he claims, betrayed his whereabouts for a slight reward. Sheriff Wyllie and his prisoner will leave by the Australia Monday. Mrs. Johnson and son will remain and, assisted by C. H. Ramsey, carry on the business acquired by the husband and father. The arrest was the talk of the town yesterday and created more comment than has been heard in Honolulu for some time. (Hawaiian Gazette, Honolulu, Hawaii, June 25, 1895) Submitted by Karen Seeman