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From: "Cathy Joynt Labath" <>
Subject: [IASCOTT] !! Davenport Democrat; Scott Co, IA; Aug 1870 "Crime Files"
Date: Tue, 19 Nov 2002 17:40:32 -0600


Davenport Democrat
Davenport, Scott, Iowa


Tuesday, August 25, 1870:The Koenig Tragedy.
In Police Court yesterday, Mr. Koenig had a preliminary examination; nothing
new elicited. Quire Peters held the accused in the sum of one thousand
dollars to appear at the next term of District Court. Bail to that amount
was promptly furnished. J.B. Leake for prosecution; Ernst Claussen for
defense. It is thought that hereditary insanity on the part of Mrs. Koenig's
family is susceptible of being clearly proven.

Police Court.
Fair but frail Lizzie Anderson, with a bad reputation and a gold watch, was
ushered into the presence of Magistrate Peters, to-day, charged with keeping
a house of questionable repute at the corner of Gaines and Third Street. The
law and the testimony were against the accused, and she was fined $20 and
costs. The gold watch and chain was pledged for the amount.

Hattie Hall, and inmate of the aforesaid baguio was required to hand over
$10 and costs, which she did reluctantly.

A young man of this city who gave his name a John Slider, but that is not
his name, was captured in the same den and paid over $10 and costs for his
crime.The magistrate ordered the chief of police to dry up and renovate the
establishment, and to see that it be no more contaminated by the unclean
party.

John Slumm went and outflanked too much whisky straight, wherefore he came
to grief and was interviewed in open court on the strength of the City
Ordinances. One dollar and costs for John.

Monday, August 29, 1870:
Police Court.
There was the usual jubilee at Justice Peters office this morning. The first
victim was John Geiser, who had been out on a spree, which caused him to be
taxed one dollar and costs-$5.55. For another offence he came down $6 and
costs-$12.15-making in all $17.70 for John, which he paid into the treasury,
and went into training for another drunk.

Ed Billick- State case. Ed stole H. Bremer's skiff, for which eccentricity
he was assessed $36 and costs-$42.00, and being short that amount at his
banker's concluded to go and break rock for Sheriff Schnitger at $1.50 per
day-twenty eight days.

H. Bremers went after his skiff with angry heart, words of startling
profanity, and a double-barrel shot gun. He threatened Billick's life in the
most enthusiastic spirit, and for this quiet Sabbath day sport, was fined
and paid three dollars costs.

A Douglas did beat, assault, macerate and whip into a thousand minute
fragments one Count de Barofsky, in the most chivalrous style; for which
pugilistic effort he purchased tickets to the amount of three dollars and
costs-$10.95 in jail and is still on the war path.

August 30, 1870:
Police Court.
Crime-carnival was abroad in full fury at the "beer jerkers' Hall known as
the St. Louis in Metropolitan basement last night. Cursing, fighting and
plug-uglyism reigned rampant among patrons and proprietors. This morning the
revellers were in the police office to settle the score. Bill Howell, Jim
Gartland and John Smith were found guilty of disturbing the public peace and
fined each four dollars and costs.

Bill Howell prosecuted C.F. Spence, the proprietor of the "St. Louis," but
reconsidered, withdrew, paid costs and quit.
H.H. Foot and Jas. Smith were fined for fighting with Howell and Gartland.

Suits have been brought against Spence, the proprietor-one for keeping a
house of assignation and prostitution, and another for keeping a disorderly
den, in prosecution of which a large number of citizens have been summoned.
The trial has been set for Thursday morning at 9 o'clock. The people are
waking up to their duty in this matter, and are determined to know if these
hideous immoralities can be continually practiced with impurity in their
midst. Bet it be fully and thoroughly tested; the city is becoming rotten
with these rascalities; now let me see if there is any remedy for it.

J. Parsons was fined one dollar and costs for getting drunk ; jailed and
inside the bars made night hideous with howling ; some little correction
rather soothed him down, and another fine and costs for such misconduct will
make a further drain of his bank deposits.

August 31, 1870:
Police Court.
There was nothing before the Police Magistrate to-day, as police magistrate;
but as Justice of the Peace the following cases were in hand:
The state prosecuted one man Cogan for assaulting J.C. Patten and taking
from his person one shirt stud and one pair sleeve buttons, all valued at
$20.; for which sleight of hand work the defendant was held to bail in the
sum of $150, which he readily furnished on the spot.

The State went for Thos. Gartland, on information of his wife, for violent,
drunken and disorderly conduct. The prosecuting witness failing to appear,
the case was dropped-defendant paying costs.

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

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