The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1911-11-24

OF his term, when the city was scan
daliZed by the expose of the corrup-
ton of the police force, which was
started by sensational articles appear
ing in McClure's magazine, entitled:
The Shame of Minneapolis, which at
tracted attention all over the country
and occasioned grand jury investiga-
ton. AS result several indictments
were returned against police officials
and Mayor Ames. Is
Mayor Ames rendered his resigna-
ton, which was not accepted, to the
city council, and left the city, his
whereabouts being unknown for several
months. In the meantime, d. Percy
Jones, president of the council, was
made acting mayor. DR.. Ames was re-
turned and brought to trial upon the
charge of having received funds col
lected by his agents from gamblers
and disorderly houses. The first trial
resulted in disagreement of the jury
and the second in a conviction. An
appeal was taken, however, which was
granted, and third trial and fourth
trial resulted in disagreements, after
which the county attorneys Office de-
clared that further prosecution would
be useless, owing to the improbability
that IL men could be found in Henne-
pin county who would agree upon a
verdict that would put DR.. Ames be-
hind prison bars.
Was Always Popular.
This shows the remarkable personal
popularity of the man, for his brother,
who had been superintendent of police,
and two detectives, were convicted
upon the same charge of collecting
and receiving money for police protec-
ton and sent to the penitentiary. This
popularity had for its foundation DR..
Ames' reputation for benevolence to
the poor. While mayor he continued
his practice as physician and sur
geon and rarely charged for either ad-
vice or attendance. His office was
crowded daily with the sick and af-
f1icted, for whom he wrote prescrip-
was at its greatest height during his
administration, of 1886. The city was
wide open. Gambling was almost a
recognized industry, money was easy,
and speculation in real estate was
rife. Thousands of strangers were ar
irving and passing through the city.
DR.. Ames was the popular idol. He
uniformed his police in military style
and altogether conducted himself as
king of the city. He even released
prisoners at the request of political
friends.
Evidently, when he was again elect
ed mayor in 1900 he was unable to
appreciate the changed conditions. He
allowed gambling to run without con-
troll and his police force openly col
lected revenues. 1t was the sudden
awakening of the public conscience
through publicity that brought about
the political downfall of the man so
popular that at one time he was seri-
ously considered as candidate for
the Democratic nomination as vice
president of the United States.
His career was very picturesque and
even when out of Office, with the news
papers of the city against him, he kept
himself in the public eye by the pub
LEGATION of a paper known as the News
Letter, in which he lampooned his
enemies, political and personal, with
much vigor. Of late years he had con-
Quoted his practice of medicine
quietly.
He was twice married, in 1862 to
Miss Sarah Strout, daughter of Cap
tain Strout of Minneapolis. There were
three children, Effie F. Ames, the wife
of DR.. w. E. Rockford, who survives
him, and two sons, Charley c. and
Frank E., both dead. His two broth
ers are living.
DIR. Ames was very prominent in
fraternal organizations of the city. He
served as worshipful master of Henne-
pin lodge, No. A, A. F. and A. M; high
priest of st. Johns chapter, No. 9,
eminent commander of Zion command
cry No. 2, Knights Templar; grand
chancellor of the grand commandery
of the Knights of Pythias of Mime
sofa; chancellor commander of Mime
apolis lodge No. 1. Knights of Pythias;
supreme representative of the supreme
lodge of the world and was the first
exalted ruler of Minneapolis lodge No.
A, B. P. o. e. He also was member
of George Morgan post, G. A. R.