Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1896-02-25
THE NEWS IN IOWA

for recent grave robberies, have sued
the Register for $4,000.
Gov. Drake has issued proclamation
calling for special election to fill the
vacancy caused by the death of Repre-
sentative McClelland, of Linn county.
The Tri-City Packing Company, at a
meeting at Davenport few days ago,
decided to rebuild. The plant was
destroyed by recent fire at which the
loss was S125, 900.
George NJ Van Leuven, 6f Lime
Springs, the pension agent whom
President Cleveland pardoned from the
penitentiary at Anamosa, is much
improved in health and is able to be
around the house. He was suffering
from nervousness.
A vein of coal six feet thick was
discovered 100 feet below the earth's
surface at Cornelia, half way between
Belmond and Clarion. The substance
is harder than the ordinary soft coal.
Farmers there are somewhat excited
over the prospects.
Al Bull and a man named Morrello
are under arrest at Sheldon for the
murder of Maud Strawn, who was
found dead there few days ago. 1t
is said they were seen at the Winterset
home the day she is supposed to have
died Bui gained her confidence and
the two attempted her ruin by admin
istering drug.
John Coffin, an old veteran, aged
about GO, suicided at Humboldt. He
took a large dose of morphine, but
timely aid put him out of danger; but
somehow he got hold of more during
the night, taking in all thirty grains.
He had been very respondent at times
for several weeks and declared that
life had no place for him.
An unknown man deliberately
walked into the pasture of George
James, a wealthy farmer living west
of Eagle Grove, and tying a rope
around the horns of one of James
cows, led the animal to town, where
he sold her to Chris Hayer, Mr.. James
partner in the stock business, for SIS.
Hayer gave the fellow check for the
amount, which he got cashed at an
East Side bank and then skipped.
Frank Williams, the real estate
dealer of Charles City, who disappeared
several weeks ago from his home, has
been found. He was first seen about
forty miles east of his home, wandering
aimlessly about through the country,
and was recognized by an old friend,
who tried to induce him to get in the
buggy with him, but he would not.
csficers and relatives were at once
notified and he was secured. Williams
seems of sound mind, but can give no
account of himself during this time.
The defense for Van Tassell on trial
at New Hampton for wife murder,
gained an important point. Judge
Fellows ruled that all the evidence that
the prisoner testified to before the
inquest and the preliminary examina-
tion could not be introduced, as the
prisoner was under duress at the time
and did not know his rights. This
testimony would have been of meal
culable value to the state, as in that
testimony he made statements which
would be an easy matter for the state
to disprove.
Mayor L. A. Hughes and Aldermen
May, Missen, Oates, Lundgren, Rowe
and Thompson were before Judge
Wolfe in district court at Clinton,
charged with contempt. Some time
ago a street in the city was, by order
of the council, changed to such an
extent as to result in damage to the
abutting property. The property
holders petitioned the council, but
obtained no redress. They then asked
and obtained an order of restraint
from the court. This being ignored,
or practically so, by the council, the
officials were brought before the judge,
and he, after hearing the matter, took
it under advisement, reserving his
decision.
Maud Straw was found dead in the
home of l.. Winters, her brother-in-
law, at Sheldon. The family was out
in the country and the girl had been
dead three days when found. Maud
had been at Art Croft home and had
agreed to go back in the afternoon,
but did not do so. She attended school
as usual, but was excused at 1l:30, as
she said she expected company and
wanted to go home and get dinner. IL
is not known who she expected or
whether anyone was at the house at
noon, as no one remembers having
seen her from the time she left school
until her body was found. She was in
excellent spirits and apparently in the
best of health. The whole affair is
shrouded in mystery. Maud was about
Is years old. She was a student in the
city high schools and would have
graduated next June.
Jesse Jones, a young man aged 20,
went to the home of w. j. Martin,
county coroner, at Centerville, and
asked to see Miss Lea Martin, with |
whom he had been keeping company.
She went into the parlor, and was
Immediately shot down by Jones.