Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-05-06
George Nichols, of Nevada, I'm
der Arrest For Assaulting In
ternal Revenue Collector
WILL LIKELY PLEAD GUILTY
Nichols Defense is That He Thought
George stearns Was Grafter-Has
Been in Trouble Several Times Be-
fore, But Managed to Keep Out of
Jail Until Now.
Special to Times-Republican.


Ames, May George Nichols, q
noted character of this city, is now
languishing behind the bars in Des
Moines waiting for the United States
district court to give him a sentence.
The crime Nichols is accused of is
assaulting an internal revenue collec-
tor, George Stearns Nichols, who
runs livery barn here, and has been
in trouble several times before. but up
to the present time had managed to
keep out of Jail. Last Wednesday
evening Stearns, who accompanied the
jobbers' and manufacturers excursion
of Cedar Rapids to this city, went to
the Nichols barn in the evening for
the purpose of collecting the internal
revenue tax and the accompanying
penalty for not having paid the tax
before. Calling Nichols to one side
be quietly told him his business,
whereupon Nichols told him that he
could not work him that way and
commenced to call Stearns abusive
names. He did not tarry long, but re-
turned to the business street. Nichols,
who had been drinking, lost contro.
of his temper and getting in buggy
followed him up. Spying Stearns on
the street he called to him and told
him that he was ready to settle the
difficulty, and dismounting from the
buggy landed the marshal blow will.
his fist, cutting his lip open. Stearns,
who is one-a armed man, retreated to
nearby store. Nichols started after
him. but was stopped by the store
keeper.
Information was filed in Des Moines
yesterday morning against Nichols and
Deputy United States Marshal He'd
rick arrived at noon to take him there
for trial, which will come off some
time next week Nichols at first re-
fused to accompany the city marshal
to depot, but when the shining barrel OF
q 3S-calibre revolver was flashed HI
begged the marshal not to shoot as h.
has had some narrow escapes from,
death before from the hands Of city
authorities He finally submitted,
however. and left with Marshal He'd
rick on the 1874 train for Des Moines.
Nichols has bad record behind
him and it is not improbable that he
may get the full limit of the law for
assaulting government man, which
is from one to ten years. Nichols
claims that he did not know that
Stearns was government agent, bu:
thought him CRATER and that he
was trying to work him for the $25
demanded Without doubt he will
plead guilty to the charge of assault.
Last fall in drunken brawl one Sun
day Nichols hit his brother on the
head with hammer. cracking thu
skull, and at one time it was feared
that he would not recovery but after
several weeks treatment in the hos
pital he got we'll. He has been before
the district court of this county several
time on the charge of illegal selling OF
Intoxicating liquors. Finally per-
manent injunction was served on thu
barn in which he pretended to do a
livery business This winter he was
again charged with selling liquor and
was summoned before the grand jury.
His trial was to have come off last
term of court, but the case was grant
ed a continuance on the plea that his
parents were sick and he was their
sole stay and support.