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From: "Cathy Joynt Labath" <>
Subject: [IASCOTT] !! Davenport Democrat; Scott Co, IA; May 1870 "Crime Files"
Date: Mon, 16 Sep 2002 19:15:24 -0500


Davenport Democrat
Davenport, Scott, Iowa

May 12, 1870

Schmidt vs. Lahensdorf. Action growing out of a dispute as to boundary
line between the lands of the parties- the plaintiff claiming that defendant
had his line over on plaintiffs land, thus depriving him of some seven or
eight acres. Trial by Court: judgment for plaintiff: exceptions taken.
Davison & True for plff, H. R & E Claussen for defense.
On motion of J.H. Murphy a committee was appointed to examine Dennis
Donovan, a candidate for admission to the bar.
Case of Christine Fejirvary vs. Wm Renwick called action for slander-
it being charged that defendant at a particular time gave currency to
certain false and malicious statements derogatory to plaintiff's good name
and fame, for which she claims damages in the sum of $20,000, trail by Jury
Geo E. Hubbell and Abner Davison for plaintiff; Grant & Smith and Jas. T.
Lane for defense.
After arguing several motions relative to answer the plaintiff's
petition a jury was empanneled as follows: Lucas Ruhe, J.W. Drummond, John
McNeely, John M. Steen, J.G. Condit, D.C. Kelly, H.Z. Higley, Adolph Brenke,
S.H. Baker, J.H. Houghton, D.H. Stevens, J.H. Page.

The case which had been several days before Justices Peters and Dowd
came to a close yesterday afternoon. Inasmuch as no mention has been made of
the particulars, we herewith present a statement of the facts in the case as
presented by the preliminary examination and subsequent trials.
On the night of the 5th instant, a young woman, employed in the saloon
under Metropolitan Hall, was walking up street accompanied by a man. These
two officer Rohm arrested, and straightaway took them to jail, where he
turned them over to the turnkey with instructions to keep them all night.
They of course did no wish to remain.- Word as sent to Wm. Humphrey, and
attache of the saloon, and he made his appearance, asking what amount was
necessary for bail. Rohm told him $100, and that to be paid with his own
hands. This he refused to do, but said he would leave it with the turnkey.
In the meantime the girl gave Rohm $10 and the parties were discharged. Some
of the witnesses swear that Rohm was intoxicated at the time. The party then
left the jail.- Humphrey was followed by Rohm, who presented a pistol and
said, "I arrest you." H. jumped out of the way, then struck Rohm and threw
his pistol into the street. On the next day Humphrey filed an information
against Rohm for assault with intent to kill, and R. filing the same charge
against him. Rohm was found guilty of an assault,and Justice Peters ordered
and information to be filed before Justice Dowd, and the trial accordingly
took place there.- Humphrey was found guilty of resisting an officer, and
held to bail for the sum of $300. Rohm made his appearance at Justice Dowd's
Court, and did not wait for the trial to come on, but went away contrary to
the order of the court and for the contempt of which he was fined $3 and
costs. He gave notice of an appeal.
This morning three cases of the State against Rohm, two for false
imprisonment, and one for extortion, came up for hearing. The defendant
waived an examination in each of the cases, and was held to bail in the sum
of $150 on each charge.
The grand jury have presented an indictment against Spence and Humphry for
the crime of nuisance, and the court has held them to bail to answer at the
November term, in the sum of $300 each.

May 14, 1870

Fejervary Trial
At about ten o'clock Judge Richman received a communication from the
Jury stating that they had been unable to agree upon a verdict, and seeing
no possibility of arriving at one, asked leave to be discharged from further
consideration of the case.
...It appears the Jury disagreed from the start. Upon taking a vote
immediately after returning from the Court room at six o'clock last evening,
the sense of the body was seven for finding in favor of the defendant, and
five for finding in favor of the plaintiff. All through the night, and up to
noon to-day, the same conviction prevailed, neither side yielding a hair-
nor was there any probability that either would do so.
Thus for the present term, ends this much talked of trial. Steps will
be taken however, by the prosecution, to prepare for a new trial, which will
probably come up for hearing at the November term of Court.


Cathy Joynt Labath
Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project
http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/index.htm


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