Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1912-01-16
HOLD MID
NIGHT REvELS
Cherokee is Shaken to Center by
Disclosures of Vicious Habits
Among Persons I'm
der Age.
DRUNKENNESS VERY COMMON.
Girls and Boys Mixed in Escapades
in Which Drinking is Carried
to Point Passing Belief.
DRUNKENNESS VERY COMMON.

of this place, eliminating in a Lit
tie Egypt" dance on the stage Of the
opera house, following perform
ance of "Uncle Toms Cabin" has
resulted in the indictment of seven
young men, the commitment of one
girl to the state reformatory and the
placing of a number Of boys and
girls under probation.
The investigation carried on by
County Attorney Walter McCulla has
scandalized this community. 1t was
found that number OF the high
school boys and other young men
about town had been bringing liquor
into the town and staging some high
life parties on the steps of the
court house, in a vacant house and
In the opera house.
The story of the jamboree of three
young men and three girls in the
opera house is told here. It is said
that all were intoxicated and that
a 16-year-old high school girl held
the center OF the stage with racy
dance. The county attorney was
unable to gather sufficient informa-
ton to verify this party, outside Of
the fact that all six participants
were intoxicated.
Another party OF five young men
and the same number of y young
women is said to have been "put on.
In a vacant house, from which all
went away under the influence OF
liquor. The skating rink and the
court house steps were also favorite
scenes for the orgies. 1T is said.
The arrests made thus far have
been those OF Miss Olive Minor. who
has been placed in the state reform
school; Roy Wadsley, the 20-year-
old son OF a wealthy retired farmer.
Of Cherokee; Frank. Edwards, a 20.
year-old boy whose father is at the
head OF the Cherokee Bottling
works; Henry Cooper, a resident of
Cherokee, and c. J. Snyder, who is
the owner of a drug store at Cleg-
horn, Ia.
A third boy. who is 16 years old,
pleaded guilty to the charge Of sell
ling liquor to minor girls. The
youths mother is i'll at the present
time and his name would not be
disclosed. Wadsley and Edwards
were charged with selling liquor to
minor girls. The other two youths,
against whom are indictments for
selling liquor to minor girls, will
probably be taken into custody to-
day, says Mr.. McCulla. Snyder and
Cooper were charged with maintain
ing nuisance, the former, it is al
legged, having sold liquor at his drug
store in Cleghorn, and the latter at
his residence in Cherokee.
Three other young girls. no one
Of whom is over 10 years, and one
of whom has already spent some
time In the state reformatory, are
now on probation and will be COM
mitted to that institution on their
next offense, according to county Of
f1cials. One Of the three is still in
attendance at the high school. No
information has been filed against
the three girls as yet.
The investigation has also disclos-
ed conditions that have moved the
city council of Cherokee to re-estab-
lish the $3.50 o'clock curfew. Some
circumstances have been filed
against the ringing by people resid-
ing near the local fire house on ac-
count of the noise.
1t is said the employees OF the OPP
era house have been using their keys
to return to that building late at
night and put on jamborees. The
special instance partially disclosed
by the investigation of the county
attorney, revealed some thrilling
ldCIS. ouc VI thc 5h 10 III Zig pdi ~
was about 81 years old, but the 9TH
er two were Is and 16 years Of age.
The employee of the house is about
26 years old, but the other two boys
are IS and 20 years, respectively.
The party followed a performance of
.'Uncle Toms Cabin and the drink
ing is said to have consisted mostly
OF beer. All six were intoxicated
and the youngest girl is said to have
staged such a dance as was never
before seen in Cherokee.
Special instances OF drinking on
the court house steps and In the
skating rink were also disclosed. The