davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05
A Pathetic Story OF a Life Convict.

If the correct, complete and connected
life of the late Andrew Thompson. No.
2065, Anamosa, is ever written it will
form one of the romantic and interest
ing chapters in the larger history of the
state of Iowa, for convict though he
was, Andrew Thompson was one whose
life varied to a remarkable degree. He
had served longer than any other con.
vict in an Iowa penitentiary; he made a
good prison record. but being lifer
couldn't get any "good time credit;
he was rich and prosperous, but his
body, like that of pauper's, went to
the dissecting table and not to the hill
side, where be had fondly hoped to rest
at last.
The correct story of Ills crime is now
so old that it is now fresh to the public.
He came from Indiana to Iowa and
settled in Clayton county IN the
beautiful Turkey River valley, where he
owned farm of $50 acres. He had q
wife and family and ought to have been
content with his lot. But he became
entangled with grass.widow named
Maria Hagerty, who lived not far away,
and in rash moment he thought be
could end his troubles brought upon
himself by his own wrong acts by plac.
ing her out of the way. In December,
1869, Thompson induced the widow to
go with him in sled for ride. Her
three children accompanied her--two
boys and young girl. Thompson was
desperate and determined that all
should perish. He either killed them
in the sled or smothered them in some
way, and drove on toward the Missls.
sippi river. The river was frozen over
and he crossed short distance below
Cassville, Wis, where he found an air
hole in the ice. He cast the bodies Of
his victims into this hols under the ice,
then burned the bows of his sled and
the straw and blankets, and returned
home. 1t was an all-night job, but he
was not detected at his nefarious task.
The family was missed from the
neghborhood and great was the wonder,
but not until the bodies were found in
the spring and recovered was 1t known
that a murder had been committed.
Suspicion fastened upon Thompson be-
cause of his known intimacy with Mrs.
Hagerty. Circumstantial evidence &C
cumulated and Thompson was indicted
for murder. His trial was in West
Union, the case having been transferred
from Clayton county on the ground of
prejudice against the defendant. 1t
commenced JuEe 81 and lasted nine
days. Thompson was found guilty and
sentenced to be hanged. He was taken
to Dubuque. Appeal was had and =
defect in the trial found. But there was
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05
MAYDOLE'S HAMMER,
lBenson's Plaster is Pains haaster.j


When Maydole was told that he made "a
pretty good hammer" he said, ''No, don't
make pretty good hammer, make the
best hammer that ever soas made"
Every carpenter who saw Maydole ham.
mer wanted one. It was of the best ma
terial, perfectly balanced, and tho head
never flew off. Hammers were divided into
two classes-1st, Maydole's; Cd, oil the rest.
Plasters are separated by the same line
OF cleavage; LIST, Benson's Porous Plaster |;
I'd, all the rest. When, for rheumatic pain,
a cold, cough, kidney trouble or any
other disease or ailment that may be treated
externally, you ask for a plaster, any hon.
est, reputable druggist viii give you a Ben
sons. He knoaos it is incomrerably the
best, and he assumes that you know it too.
AS the name of Maydole stood for hammers
the name Of Benson stands for plasters-
the "real thing" All the medicinal poten-
cies that are valuable in plaster arc in
Benson's. Capsicum, Strengthening and
Belladonna plasters are out of date.
An army of physicians and druggists and
millions Of the people, have written Of
Benson's Plasters as remedy to betrusted.
Benson's Plasters have ffty-five A;qtest
Gao0rds. Accept no substitute.
For sale by all druggists, or we will pre-
pay postage on any number ordered in the
United States, on receipt Of ESQ. each.
seabury d johnson, Ms. Chemists, Il. I.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05
SHERIFF,s SALE

By virtue OF an execution directed to
rom the clerk OF the District court Of DecsJur
county; Iowa, on q judgment obtained before
:: l.. Parrish. Justice OF the peace of Leon
day Of Maf re ,h 1891 Of
trict court. Of Decatur county. Iowa, on he
10th day OF March. 1891, in favor Of j. b. New
lin assigned to Rebecca Newlin a plaintiffS
and against VIM. and Jane Valentine as de.
fen % for the sum Of $19:8s and costs taxed
at IS ~ and accruing costs, l have levied upon
the 9, owl estate taken the
ton. o-wit: VIM. and Jane Valentin e, = nm
dlv1ded interests in the following desc ribed
g 8 Sc ne SECTION 2oacrss eK ne Sc section
10 aacres,sh sw section 8. 80 acres. NV sw sec
al a IN township n ' g. range 49, Decatur county,
highest bidder for cash in hand on the 3oth
day OF December. A. d. 1901, in front Of the
court house door in Leon, Decatur county,
Iowa. low at the hour of 10 O'Clock a. m. of said
DAY. when and where due attendance will be
given by the undersigned ~
Dated at Leon. Iowa, Nov. 80, 1901.
10 ~ JOHN BURNS,
Sheriff OF said county
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05

also some talk of taking the case over
into Wisconsin, inasmuch as the bodies
we're sunk in the river near the Wiscon-
sin shore. At any rate, Thompson pre-.
ferred, rather than have another trial.
to accept imprisonment for life. He
dreaded hanging and escaped it
narrowly.
The case was notable one in the law
annals Of northeast Iowa. The trial
judge was Milo McGlatherty. Charles
7. Granger, late chief justice Of Iowa,
was the district attorney and prosecuted
the case. He was assisted by Judge
Murdoch and John I. A. SLOVENIAN.
The defense was by ex-Congressman
Tom Updegratf, Judge Noble, E. Odell
and l.. L. Ainsworth. Thompson finally
admitted the crime and gave the details.
He was sent to Fort Madison peniten.
tiary late in 1870, about thirty -one
years ago.
Thompson's family continued to live
on his farm and his children grew to
maturity. He had small bank account
which he kept in his own name when he
was at Fort Madison. When the new
penitentiary was opened at Anamosa
sixteen years ago Thompson was remov-
ee to that place. He had $500 in the
bank and he wanted it taken to
Anamosa and placed in. bank there.
Business transactions were usually at.
tended by the clerk Of the prison. The
money went into the bank of Niles &
Waters, on certificate of deposit for $500.
This is the money over which contro-
versy was had which was finally carried
to the supreme court. Clerk Gilbraith
had drawn the money out on his own
Endorsement, in accordance with custom,
and had failed to account for it to the
prisoner. Thompson sued the bank for
the money, claiming that the clerk was
not his agent, and had drawn the
money without his authority. The bank
resisted and in tho lower court won the
case. But Thompson was persistent
and took the case to the supreme court.
At the term just closed his case was
finally disposed ct, and the supreme
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05
Dain Feed Grinder.

Now a surprise. Listen! The
Dain Mfg. Co., of Ottumwa, la.
have given one of their double
gear Dain feed grinders which is
worth $500. Now amt they
nice? They are just as big
hearted with their Dain stackers,
rakes. hay leaders, feed mill (the
worlds beater) corn dump, end
gates, etc., and do not forget
the Dain lawn swing. We buy
them by the 100 at a time.
Bowsher & Biddison.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05

court took his side and reversed Judge
Remley. The supreme court held that
the convict has the same right to his
private property as the free man; that
the bank should no more pay out
money belonging to a convict without
the express order of the convict than it
should deed away land without his sig
nature; that the clerk having no right
to the money the bank will have to pay
again. The rule laid down by the
supreme court was sweeping and final.
! Thompson has won his case.
But less than two weeks before this
happened old Andrew Thompson had
ceased to be pointed out as the oldest
prisoner and wealthiest life convict in
the Iowa penitentiary. He had died at
the ripe age Of seventy-six. He was
fully resigned to his life and had meyer
caused any trouble. In his later years,
SO it is said, he had shown signs of men
tai weakness.
The story does not end here, how
ever, for its most pathetic chapter fol-
! lowed death. The body was claimed by
the medical department of the state
university for the dissecting table, and
there being no protest from the rela-
tives the body was sent to the doctors
Then the will was opened and read. He
had made request in his will that the
body should be sent to his own farm in
Clayton county and be buried there,
and that the expense of such removal
and burial should be paid by tbs estate
before any money should be paid to the
heirs. But the body had not been
claimed and was already in the medical
school.
The property left consisted of $50
acres Of land, some government bonds
and other securities, the whole valued
at about $40, 00O. He was, in fact, one
of the richest prisoners on record. The
recollection of his crime is vivid among
the residents of Clayton and Fayette
counties. The wife survived him, and
the estate was all left to her.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05

wANTED-several persons of character and
good reputation in each state Zone in this
county required to represent and advertise old
established wealthy business house of solid
financial standing. Salary 1880 weekly with
expenses additional, all payable in cash each
Wednesday direct from head Offices Horse
and carriage furnished, when necessary. Re-
ferences. Encloses self-addressed stamped
envelope. Manager, 316 Caxton Building, Chi.
cago. 1l.16t,
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05
One Corn End Gate

sells for $3.50. This end
gate is given by the Odds Wagon
Co., of Fort Wayne, Ind. This
wagon is from the best TIMBER
belt in the world. Don't forget
to look at the Odds hard wood
wagon. Given through our agents
Bowsher e Biddison.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05
Emerson Id inch Steel
Crane blow

Now isn't that rich? A whole
big farmers pillow. Now | know
everybody will bid on this. This
pillow is given through Bowsher
& Biddison by Emerson Mfg. Co.
who build your Standard now
ers; the only people on earth
who can build a mower that will
cut s feet wide side cut with a
pair OF ponies. Don't forget
Emerson and the Standard
Mower.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05
Oak Harness Leather
A Beautiful Robe
Side of Chas. S. Weisse & {

will be donated through
Bowsher & Biddison by Konantz
SaddIery Co., of st. Paul, MINI.
This is a new firm to us but they
are pushing west for trade, and
Hay Clark, their drummer, is a
sumner. Bid on this to $1,000
and you have bargain.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05

great Acme stackers and Mon
arch bull rakes and the Acme
header. Everybody raise up
and repeat the one word Acme
Mower. Given away through
Bowsher & Biddison. Note due
July next. Will be taken with
out interest on this note if re-
sponsible to highest bidder.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05
Will Not Hide NY LIGHT Under a BusAeI.

Will NOT Hide My Light Under Bushel.
Gentlemen:-I will not hide my light under
a-bushel. for want the people to know what
your Gooch's Mexican Syrup has done Tor me-
For four years I have been afiic,ed with
asthma, and could not get anything to do me
any good until got your Gooch's Mexican
syrup. took three bottles and 1t cured me
entirely. 1 give you this hoping it may be
the means OF saving some one from horrib {
and premature death.
Yours under obligations,
REV. Taos. b. WARwICH. scott Town. O
Consumptives try IT,. 1t cures q simple
cough as if by magic, and is the best RENE dy
Tor whooping cough. Price IS cents.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05
Kitchen Force Pump

Bowsher s. Biddison.
Conference.-The will send you
a No. &C kitchen force pump,
which you may sell for any price
you may think your Library
had ought to realize out of it.
MOLINE PUMP Co.
Now this is real nice in these
gentlemen to give so valuable a
present as this, and more than
one will be jealous over who gets
this. /.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05
One pdttee New
Departure CultiVator

valued at Sl8. This cult
vator is the Identical one
that took the blue ribbon
at the Omaha exposition
1t is a beauty. Bid on it
and remember the givers.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05
q bundles Bale Ties

"We are sorter like poor
mice ourselves, but we are will
ing to contribute 4 bundles of
bale ties, freight prepaid" This
is the wording OF w. s.. Laidlaw,
of Kansas City, whose gift is
great as he knows wire is gold
and can't derive a benefit from
hereafter like a line of goods
with a name. You will do Mr..
Laidlaw thanks muchly. Bow
sher & Biddison.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05

would not believe it for it daz-
z'ed our eyes when we seen them.
Chicago Scale Co. is all right
and the ladies will take their
hats off to you on the day of
sale. Bowsher & Biddison.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05

Rduea,s Your Bowels with Casearets.
Candy Cathartic, cure constipation forever.
10c &c. II G. G. foil, druggists refund money.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05
and help the library ladies.
Bowsher & Biddison.

Bob Sled.
Will it snow? Well 1 guess!
because Joel Turney MFG. of
the Charter Oak wagon sent us
an Oscillating bob sled which
you can't buy from any one for
less than $4,000, 90 look out.
Here is a first class bob and
don't let it go for a song is the
wish of BoWsher & Biddison.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05
Brass Scoop and
Barn Scales

given by the Chicago Scale
Co. We were afraid to make it
two pairs at once for fear you
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05

Scoop and Beam Scales.
Chicago Little Detective 26
lbs. brass scoop and beam scales
that sell for 5000. This will
tickle the ladies. They will
want these sure. We buy our
stock and farm scales of the
Chicago Scale Co. This is a nice
present from them. Now bid np
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05
cruelty to children.

Mothers Worm syrup never fails to destroy
and re move worms in children. It Ia cruel
not to administer it to them whenever there
4 a need
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05
$4,000 Rolling Bearing
Acme MOVING Machine.

This is the present up to
this date of townships heard
from. This inspires us that this
firm must have score of child
rem that they expect to run
down on us some summer and
they are trying to build this. Ii
brarv for themselves. Now in
fact we blush to receive such a
valuable think of it $4,000 ma
chine and it's got to bring it.
This mower IS made by the Acme
Harvester Co. who make the
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05

oak harness leather is dona ted
as he wants you farmers to see
what kind of stuff it is. Thanks
to you gentlemen. Bring out
your wife and have her read our
books.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05
Good Heavy Plush Robe

given by c. j. Baker, of Kan
sas City, who will put you up an
awning and will furnish you
your tents for camping wagons,
bows and sheets through Bow
sher &, Biddison.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05
Kitchen Force Pump

worth 5000 which was Civ
en- by Dempster Mfg. Co., of Des
Moines, who are fine fellows and
have fine lines. They make the
famous Gamble Long Stroke
Mill. Take this pump home
with you. It is a beauty. Given
through Bowsher & Biddison.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05
L AVN Mower.

LUWH HIVWOIs
16 inch high wheel presented
bv Herschel & Co., of Peoria
who we buv our lawn mowers of;
so get this one and help your
library and thanks to Herschel
& Co.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05
One Goat Plush Lined
Fur Robe

which was given by Porter
Bros: & Hackworth, OF Ottum-
wa, Iowa. Bowsher & Biddison
were their largest customer last
year. This will be nice for any
one. Bid high, it is worth $40.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05

There off in lowng n Bwsh
b.
arie: all
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05
Lawn Swing.

| dandy all steel canopy 2
seated lawn swing. Well this is
sweet present and if it is as
good as their Dandy Wind
Mill is you can ask no more.
Now this will make nice Christ
mas present. Say a word OF
thanks to the Challenge Wind
Mill Co. Girls have your TELLER
buy this swing. b. & B.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-05-07
SkON'HE(1AN.
4 Fine String OF Horses.

Several wei known horse dealers in
this vicinity have stated that no one man
IN Maine VIII have "A better or faster
string Of horses on the turf, this yelr
Than John q. i!aines of SkOwnesan NJ:
f.ainos naturally thinks so himself and
after having brought his horses through
the winter in the finest condition possible.
j. now working them out ana getting
them into shape for the first races Of the
season. y part of this string is as 10
lows:
Blanche r., h. m. six years old. stands
BIZ hands high and weighs 1850. Sired
by Also. dam. Blanche Jefferson. dam III
Mahlon 2lSl4 She has mark Of 22li,
Nickerson. br. x. five years old, stand ;
l5.2 hands high and weighs 1920 After
four weeks handling she made a mark OF
aa6 she was sired by Nelson's Wilkes.
dam by DR.. Franklin and is a fun brother
to Baby Wilkes. Mr. Haines refused an
offer Of SEQ for this horse made by
III. Nelson. Ashmont, six years old br. &
stands l5i2 hands high. weighs a65 pounds
and has mark of 2.34li. quarter in Is
seconds, sired by Wilkes.
Tom Nolan, Oh. PAGER, seven years old
stands 1913 hands high and weighs lu1l
Has n mark OF 2.294. Sired by Gilly.
Jim s.. bay gelding. by Parker 2i94. He
is seven. years Old. stands l5n hand,
high and weighs 96J pounds. lie has a
mark Of 232h.
Mr.. Haiif.s also has green horse. sire
by All So. out of Maggie Middleton SIX
years old. standing l5.3 hands high and
weighing 1863 lbs. that has been mile
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-05-07

from the contingent fund for the pIop
er observance Of Old Home Week. ms
being passed provided the citizens "p-
propri3te an equal sum. The aiuei'.'e'
laid this on the table for one "eeh'
The reports OF the several heads vi
departments OF the city were take" up
All were accepted with the eNcep,.o"
Of the streot commissioner ana tna'
was referred back to him for iul 'hci
information.
An invitation from Heath foA'' We
r.. to participate In the observance vi
Memorial day was accepted and Alder
man Russell was appointed commit
tee to provide the carriagtG
The petition asking for a sewer "
Central street from the )uhc''"H vi
Brunswick street to Maple s''ee''
which was laid on the table al the 'aS'
meeting. was again laid on the 'a"ic
for one month.
owing to some point Of law arising
the election OF n city liquor aeeh' "a'
clso laid on the table for one "''"'
There are several candidates Tor 'he
position.
The following communication from
the Citizens League Of this 'it! "aS
read and was laid on the table iof one
month:
To the Honorable Mayor ana hoaro vi
Aldermen of the City of Cara hcf'
Conference.-The Citizens League 81
Gardiner now include a large huihb'F
Of our best citizens who are deeply n
terestcd in the welfare OF the Fity.
They are convinced that an honest en-
fercement of the laws against the IL
legal sale Of Intoxicating liquors IS
che of the most difficult tasks OF We
city government But they b"heNe lhat
this Is entirely possible ana 'hat u
would relieve much Of the ehnarrass-
ment of city affairs and would ada
greatly to the moral and Industrial tone
OF our city. Therefore. they Wlsh mere
| by to express their approval OF
| faithful and fearless enforcement Oh
| the laws against the liquor nui sances
| in our midst and the league pledges It's
hearty support of the officials IN the
| matter.
| Done by order of the league ~
| me-. ting held April 1S 1901.
A. r. RI%GpID.
Secretary.
| Gardiner. Ne. May >. 1901.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-05-07

Gardiner relatives ana friends az
Franklin Muzzy Were grie"cd, y"Ster-
day. to Learn Of his death. which &C
CURED. Sunday evening. at the home
of his daughter Mrs Geo. tniackc
III Auburn, after an Illness ~ ;"H"faI
months. from cancerous condition ~
the stomach.
Mr. Muzzy was born in Gardiner. -
Years ago. and although his youth was
passed in his native city. where n
learned the machiHist's trade. ~"
greater portion ~ Its iifr was passed
IN Massachusetts. Soon after gong 10
the latter stat. he became connected
with the BOSTON tire department. as a
member If which, b. served for 70
years, beIng retired several years ago.
having reached the age which BRINGS
the expiration Of the term Of service
His Wife died in 1899. and since that
tiIae he had made his home with his
daughter lie had lived i'm Auburn for
about two years.
Personally. he was man whom
everyone liked. Qutet and unassuming
in manner. he was al the same tim"
genial, and always agreeable 10 those
around him. He was in the habit Of
spending his summers with his broth
r-in-law. the late ]. II. Richardson.
both 1T Pleasant pond ana Capitol Is
land and many are they especially Al
tn. Halter place. who will long miss
the sunrv smile and pls aS1nt word
with which he was wont 20 greet the III.
Funeral services will be held at his
late residence. 249 Turner street. Au-
burn. ut 10 o'clock this morning. and
tho remains will be brought To Garii
ntr for burial.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-05-07
CONDENSED DISPATCHES.

The torpedo beat Lawrence had another
speed trial in Massachusetts bay. Mon
day, and attained a maximum OF y knots
ana a fraction.
Louis Cyr. champion heavyweight litter
Of the United States and Canada and Ger
many. at Lowell. Mass, Monday night.
defeated Otto Ronaldo and Herman
Schmidt. champion of Germany.
Lizzie Halliday of Monticello murder
ess now in Mattewan ASYLUM, Pough-
keepsie. \. ". for life. has employed
lawyer to prosecute a claim for widow
pension, her husband, whom she killed,
having been a soldier.
The Riksdag committee at Stockholm
which has been considering the ministe-
rial army proposals. has reported in favor
of increasing The expenditures by 22.5N.VS
kroner. making 4 total Of 49,Vo.V10 kroner.
The naval estimates are increased TO II
0vtGI kroner.
Charles y. Wrishiington. 81 years old,
superintendent Of the Ludlow Mfg. Co:
No. mill at Ludlow, and Foster W. TAFT
aged y. chief electrical engineer for inc
company. were drowned in the Chicopee
river. Monday. while attempting TO Shoot
the rapids at Indian Leap rock Their
canoe capsizcd and they We're carrled
away Ivy the undertow. The bodies nave
not been recovered.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-05-07
CITY GOVERN XEST.
Road 10 the Taynior Quan.es- trpen.e Of Road
10 the HaiioxeII Quanies.

There was = short SECESSION 81 the city
governing nj. last evening. &. T.. Tayn-
tor was present and offered to build 2
suitahl" road from his guIrr.'s ~ Inc
city IL thc city would exempt him from
taxation for 4 period of fivr years. ~
ter making thia proposition Mr.. Tayn-
tor retired and ii was voted after a
short dcblt" To- ACCEPT the proposition.
and MIR Dudley ana ar CurIirr were
appointed ~ confer v5th MT. Tayutur
regarding the contract.
Thrr.. n as some Discussion regarding
the payment II the Hal!oWcll Granite
co. s6,0- yearly for keeping their road
in repair. and It was voted 1" appoint
committee with power tn aot To ree
II some arrangement could not be mad"
whereby some reduction could not b
made from tn" present cost. M"rsrg.
curIicr, Iudley and til" mayor We
appointed on this committee. Al
journcl.