Semi-weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings Co., S.D.) 1894-1898, 1895-04-03
UNSUCCESSFUL KIDNAPPING. "
A Wisconsin Sheriff Attempts to kid
nap" John Armstrong.

n
nap" John armstrong.
People who were at the depot Mon
day morning we're treated to a little
excitement out of the ordinary. The
cause of the turmoil briefly told is as
follows: John Armstrong, the popular
merchant of Volga and well-known
horse owner of Spirit Lake, Kings
bury county, some three years ago
traded quarter section Of land near
CrOokstOn, Mimi, and some secured
paper amounting to 81 400 to j. w.
Cooper, OF Jefferson county, Wis. for
four horses and blooded mare which
Mr.. Armstrong placed on his farm.
The deal was mutually satisfactory
and during the past two years Mr..
Cooper has visited at Mr.. Armstrong;
residence on several demonstrating
been on the most friendly terms with
the latter. During the past year of
course securities have been rather un-
certain and it is presumed that Mr..
Cooper was unable to realize on the
paper he obtained from Armstrong
and thought if he so queezed him little
he might get something out of him.
Be this as it may little more than a
week ago John Shannon, sheriff of
Jefferson county, came to Brookings
with papers from the governor of
Wisconsin asking for requistion
from Governor Sheldon for the body
Of John Armstrong on the charge of
obtaining money under false pretenses.
The requisition was granted. but Mr..
Armstrong secured stay Of proceed
ings until he could get evidence before
Gov. Sheldon which might release
him. Last Saturday the governor
sent withdrawal Of the requisition
papers to the sheriff. In the mean
time Mr.. Armstrong had brought
habeas corpus proceedings before
Judge Andrews and the Judge had also
given his decision that Mr. Armstrong
should go free.
OF course Sheriff Shannon felt
piqued and on Monday he went to
Volga and met Mr.. Armstrong who
was coming home from De Smet.
Just as Mr.. A. was leaving the train
the officer asked him To come to
BroOkings and settle aquarrel between
the attorneys SO that he fthe sheriff.
might 60 home. Mr.. Armstrong sus-
pecting nothing wrong game along
with the sheriff. When the train was
we'll under motion the shfriff sprung
a warrant for Mr.. AS arrest but it
was the same one which the officer
had used when he first made the
arrest and which had befn declared
mo 60" Then it dawnei upon Mr..
Armstrong that he was being kid
mapped and told DR.. Blaf and Geo.
SeXauer, who were on the train,
about it. When the train stopped at
Brookings Mr.. Armstrong started to
get off saying he would lee his at
torneys and the sheriff tAen showed
his hand by resisting, saylTg II guess
you had better come along with me-"
Then came battle beween Mr..
Armstrong and the sheriff. No blows
were struck, but there Tere swear
words several inches deep Ind a reg
ular cathauling time for some mo-
ments and it was (which aid luther
but finally the friends OF Mr.. Arm
strong come to the rescue AID he was
landed on the platform sae from the
would be kidnapper.
The matter did not end hre for a
telegram was sent to Etton and
Deputy Oium captured Shhnon and
brought him back on the frght He
was taken before Justice Brbkc who
adjourned the hearing until Thurs
day to give the prisoner a dance to
secure counsel and get us case
arranged. The prisoner gavebail in
the sum of $500 for his APPEARANCE,
J.B. Messerschmidt going on rs bond,
and Sheriff Shannon depared for
Wisconsin on the evening traii
The sheriff claims, and wit good
cause, perhaps, that no legal Notice
had been received from the goTnor
recalling the requsition. The btice
is said to have been written win a
typewriter and that the goverDrs
signature also appears in typewter
type-no official seal even being IT.