davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-06
CARTER, HABlTUAl
CRIMINAL, TWICE
INPRISON BEFORE
Slayer OF Peter Jelvek Serred iva
Terms in State PeniteRtiary
at saltwater, MINI.
is PARoLED THE LAST TINE
First on Charge OF Grand Larceuy
Then for Rebbery-Said to Hare
Married in Dubuque.

The story of viii Carriers life. the
Negro who has been sentenced 70
hang for the murder of Peter Jelyek,
is a sordid one.
His record shows that he has been
a habitual criminal and prison bars
are nothing new to him. Carter was
born In 1882 and is now So years Of
age. His birthplace is not known.
He saws he has no close relatives iiy-
ing. Carter first came to attention OF
police authorities in Minnesota In
1903. At the age of y ne was ar
rested. tried, convicted and sentenced
to serve four years on charge Of
grand larceny at St. Paul. Mimi He !.
was first taken TO the state REFORM
atory at St. Cloud. Mimi, but was re-
moved from there in 1905 and placed
in the state penitentiary al Stillwa-
ter, Mimi Having served his sen
tence he was released in 1907. Al
this time Carter was known as John
! Williams.
/ On March u. 1913, VIII Carter
alias John Williams, was sentenced
/ TO serve al IHuSAtl 4AAiiatD ErAbcnte,
with a maximum Of is years, on
/ charge of robbery at Minneapolis.
MINI. He was again taken to the
state penitentiary at Saltwater. where
he remained until he was paroled on
! June Is Of this year.
Comes to Davenport.
From Minnesota he went to Du-
buque. Iowa, where he remained bat
a short time working in hotel. He
came to Davenport in July and lived
there up until the time OF his arrest.
In Davenport he was employed by the
Miller Hotel company, working both
at the Davenport and Blackhawk hO-
tells as potter.
Shortly after Carriers arrest, Ne
gress appeared at the police station
here. She told the authorities that
she was the wife Of VIII Carter and
that she married him in June in Du-
buque. She asked that she be given
Carriers personal belongings, but hei
request was denied. She made no at
tempt to see Carter at the jail ant
has since apparently left the city
Carter also confessed to q numbel
of proving jobs in this. vicinity.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-06
Cumming Case Continues.

The Dunnlng insanity inquest Is
still being heard in Judge William T.
Church's court here The complain
ants attorneys examined five witnesses
yesterday and had started on the sixth
when Judge Church called halt in the
proceedings at 5 O'clock. Or. A. B.
Childs of Keithsburg was on the stand
yesterday and was recalled this
morning to finish his testimony.
Miss Wilma Childs of Eeithsburg, a
niece Of Mrs. Dunning, who was on the
stand Tuesday when court was dis
missed, was called by Attorney Will
son yesterday morning. She related
the family history Of Mrs. Cumming
and also told OF her actions both be-
fore and after she was adiudged in
sane. She was unable to give any tes-
timony since she has been restored.
! Mrs. Betty Childs Gilrain Of Keiths-
burg, a niece Of Mrs, Dunning, was
| then called and examined by the COM
| plainants. Practically the same evil
dence was given by her as by former
| witnesses with the addition of the trip
to Davenport to see Mrs. Dunning
when she Mrs. Dunning) was there
with her brother, W. A. Willis, and
Miss Alice Kerr. Mrs. Gilrain testi-
fed that Mrs. Dunning appeared dis
tracted while in Davenport and did
not seem to ne able to carry on con-
versation as formerly. She also told oil
a scene" which occurred in the Hote1
Rlaekhawk in Davenport between W
A. Willis and the party she was in
Her husband was the principal per
former on their side. He, John, Gil
rain, was then called to the stand ant
testified to being ordered out OF tbs
room in the Hotel Biackhowk by w. A
w'''''~ -'s~o''eh the agency of the man
ager Of the hotel A ho. battle of word:
Iensued, which was described by Gil
rain. In the cross examination b,
spoke Of daring W. A. Willis acros.
| the river. Attorney Watson then asket
i If Willis was afraid to go and he an
swered. Yes But he explained tina
he was not afraid of Gilrain person
i ally. In Redirect examination Attor
ney Hartzelle took up thes point AM
i brought the story of a fight in Keiths
burg between w. A. Willis sons an,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-06

LAST VERDICT FOR
DEATH IN Staying
MANY YEARS AGO

The last hanging In Rock Island
county occurred in March, 1882,
when William Heilwagon OF Hampton
township was executed for the muir
der of his sons wife.
This incident is still fresh In the
minds of many of the older residents.
In the 35 years that have elapsed
since Heilwagon met his death on the
gallows, the state has in a number OF
cases asked the de1h penalty, but 1t
WAS never granted BY a jury
It will be recalled that Heilwagoh
was charged with the murder OF his
sons wife on their farm between the
villages of Watertown and Hampton
in the autumn of 1881. He was ar
rested and tried at the term of the cir
cult court held the following January
/! in 1882. Judge A. A. Smith presided
at. the trial Levi F. Harson being
clerk of the court. r. E. Parmenter
was the states attorney al that time
I and J. Frank Ankrum was the sher-
if.
The trial lasted for a week, during
which time the court was compelled to
adjourn to the room of the city eoun-
Gil on account OF the partial burning
Of the county Jail, which shut on
steam heat from the court room.
William Jackson, now senior men,
Der of the Rock Island County Bar
association. assisted in the prosecu-
ton of the case Hon. Patrick O'Mara
and Joseph L. Haas, now master-in-
ehancery, ably defended the accused
man.
At conclusion of the trial. He'll
wagon was found guilty and was sen
fenced to be hanged The scafTole
was erected on the north side of tbs
jail yard. and Heilwagon was executed
on the afternoon Of March "a, 1888
This Was the first private execution II
Rock Island county.
. Heilwagon's son, the husband of tht
murdered woman, committed suicide
afterwards in Adams county, Ill. Al
the father was convicted purely OF
circumstantial evidence. the sons sui
eide led many to believe he nigh
| have been the guilty party. In fac
the sons suicide created such pro
:, found impression here that many PEG
? pie openly declared that an innocen
Q man had been hanged.
4 Goaded on by the many rumor
afioat States Attorney parmenter con
~ Quoted an exhaustive investigation o
0 the case. Every possible clue was ru
r down but the prosecutor failed t
a verify any Of the stories that the so
4 might have been the guilty party.
y Those who witnessed the last hang
S ing in the county included J. M. Mont
: gomery, Thomas Johnston. John "
It Boyfes. Charles B. Knox, H.sP. HUI
: ". S. Sweeney, H. c. cieaveiand. j. T
/ c. Field, Eugene Klein. L. B. Thomai
IS ". H. Sanderson. R. Hill, Rev. Irwin
e A. Searles. DR.. G. G.. Craig, DR.. Thon
as Gait. E. E. Parmenter, states al
ltoTney, L. J. Harson, circuit clerk, ,an
r. W. Donaldson. county clerk.
: The murder of Dorothy Henwago
was committed Sept 5, 1881. Deaf
= Iresulted from wounds inflicted abor
!, the head with hammer
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-06
NEW BOSTON SOLDIER
INJURED IN SERVICE

Corporal Gus Pardue of New Bos-
ton, Ill. is the first Mercer county
man to be injured while in service OF
the American army in France.
His name is contained among the
list of injured which General Perish
ing has forwarded to Washington. He
was injured on Nov. Is, while in ac.
ton. His father Is ". r. Pardue OF
New Boston.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-06
REDUCE LIVESTOCK RATES

Washington, Dec. REDUCTION I'M
livestock rates from Missouri points
to East st. Louis and National Stock
Yards, ILL.,, was ordered today by the
interstate commerce commission. The
new rates will be substantially the
same az intrastate rates applying in
Missouri, In order to prevent diserim-
ination in favor OF st. Louis Yards.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-06
ATTENTION, sIBONE& BAY CAMP
No n 6

VI
Election of officers Thursday even
ing, Dec. 6. A good attendance is
desired. By order
GEORGE P. GARRISON,
Commander.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-06
JUROR HEARS OF
PASSING OF KIN
AS TRIAL CLOSES

One Of the sidellghts of the famous
Carter murder trial. one that brought
with it much sorrow, came to the at
tention of the court last evening,
when 1t was announced that J. w. ELL
ingsworth, 1902 Fourteenth street, Mo-
line, brother Of one of the jurors,
Frank Ellingsworth. had passed away,
Although Mr.. Ellingsworth breathed
his last at $50 in the afternoon, his
brother was not told of his death until
after the verdict had been read, after
8 o'clock.
As Mr.. Ellingsworth was dangerously
i'll at the time his brother was ac-
cepted as a juryman, and had been
aiiing for months, the latter had pre-
pared himself for the shock. The In
cident, however, added to the dra-
matte touch attending the winding III
Of the trial and all present were deep
/ ly affected.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-06
ALEDO AT A GLANCE
Daily Doings in Mercer County's Busy Capital

DR.. B. A. Chiids.. He testified that w.
A. Willis chased him into his store
and threatened to kill him.
Before Gilrain was called to the
stand, two old neighbors and friends Of
Mrs. Dunning were called to the stand.
They were Mrs. Myra Wycoff and Mrs.
Fannie Stebbinger, both of Keiths-
burg, and both testified that they had
known Mrs. Dunning for many years.
Prior to getting married and moving
to Bedford, Iowa, they said Mrs. Dun
ming had strong mind and was a
leader in conversation, but after her
return they said she would hardly talk
and appeared queer. They never saw
her walking alone on the streets, but
neither testified that they had seen heI
since March Is, 1917, when she was
! restored to sound mind.
| DR., A. B. Childs of Keithsburg, 6
nephew of Mrs. Dunning. was ther
called to the stand and related more
fully Mrs. Dunning's condition on hei
return from Iowa on the first trip. HI
was in the midst of this explanation
| when court adjourned. He was re
called the first thing this morning.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-06
Schrader Goes in Bank.

Clarence Schrader started work In
the First National bank yesterday as
bookkeeper. Mr.. Schrader has at.
tended William and Vashti business
college, and is well qualified for the
position. He will succeed Miss Gladys
Mckee, who will leave in short time
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-06
Marriage Licenses.
Personal Mention.

Mrs. ]. NJ. Scott went to Viola We'd
nesday to visit with her parents, MIR.
and Mrs. James Yerkey.
Attorney D. A. Hebel was In Mon
mouth Wednesday on legal business.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-06

All the news all the time-Ths
Argus.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-06
COLDS CAUSE HEADACHE AND
ERIppE

LAXATIVE BRoM0 QUININE re-
moves the cause. There is only one
"Bromo Quinine" E. W. GROVES
signature in on box. soc.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-06

him under arrest. In the search that
followed a gun, fasblight and five car
tridges were taken from him. In the
gun was found six cartridges, none OF
which had been discharged. "
Carter Confesses.
! When confronted with the facts the
police already had in hand, Carter con.
ffessed to the shooting to Detective
| Thomas Cox the day Of the murder
Later he signed q written confession
from a stenographic report taken il
the states attorneys Office.
! Coroner John G. Miller issued a war
rant on which Carter was held fol
murder. C. B. Kaufman and r. V
Western of Davenport were made at
| torneys Of record when he was served
with the indictment in circuit court
Mr.. Western and E. c. Willis, both II
the Office Of Kaufman, conducted tn
defense of Carter.
| The chain Of evidence wound abou
Carter was so strong that the Negr,
could have been charged with tn
murder without the confessions h
made. The usual course was followe
and members of the Jury were not al
lowed TO be separated from the tim
they were accepted as such until tn
verdict was reached. The conduct G
the jurors was closely watched b
Judge F.. d. Ramsay, who presided, s
, that there would be no prejudice o
, either side OF the case. States Attor
: ney Floyd E. Thompson and Assistar
States Attorney e. l.. Eagle conducte
the prosecution.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-06
Asking New Trial,

Immediately after the verdict was
read at O'Clock last night the coun-
sci for the defense filed motion for a
new trial. The arguments will be
heard the early part of next week.
probably by Tuesday. With this IN
view it is hardly possible that the SEN
tence will be imposed until Tuesday or
at later date.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-06
Repudiates Confession.

When Carter took the stand in his
own behalf he repudiated both ,confes-
sions he had made. He denied shoot
ing Jelvek, denied even firing a gun.
denied he knew any Of the circum-
stances surrounding the death Of Jel-
vek and in fact denied everything he
had previously said.
He told hazy story of being out on
two prowling jobs in the vicinity OF
| Sixteenth street and Second avenue
| early IN the morning of Nov. 4 with
a Negro named julius Wellons, bar.
/ Der shop porter of Moline. He in.
I sisted in his story that after leaving
4 Wellons at O'Clock he walked east or
Third avenue past the police station Il
Twentieth street, thence to the Will
liams restaurant. He denied he wa:
anywhere near the Eberhart apart
ments.
! Wellons, however. told a differen
story Of meeting Carter on an cas-
bound Fourth avenue car at midnigh
and of Carter going with him to hi
room where Carter displayed a gun
and flashlight, Wellons said Carte
left him at 1880.
Although he. took close interest Il
everything that was said Carter wa
apparently unmoved by the testimon
offered. Even the story Of tn
killing OF Jelvek. as related b
Bangstod failed to affect Carte
outwardly and his face remained as
mask throughout, passionless. Whe
questioned on the stand he chose hi
words carefully and made an excellen
witness for himself. He even receive
the reading of the verdict with tn
!. same calm
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-01-23
FUNERALS

Funeral of Christina Hanft
Wednesday at from the G. O.
Lynn company's chapel.
Funeral of Mrs. Phoebe A.
Howe Wednesday at from Buck
ley-King chapel.
Funeral of Mrs. Annie A. Carr
Tuesday at 2 from Buckley-King
company.
Funeral of James Donnelly
Thursday at 10 from Buckley.
King company's chapel.
Funeral of Rev. w. H. w
Rees was held Tuesday afternoon
from the Epworth, Methodist
church. Bishop Hughes of Port
land officiating.
Funeral of Abraham Geary
Wednesday at 1880 from the
Buckley-King company's, Rev
McGinnis officiating.
Funeral of Mrs. Esther G.
Pratt at 1880 from residence, 1902
North ] street, Rev. Milligan of.
ficiating. -
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-01-23
BRYAN WOULD
LEAVE EUROPE
TO SETTLE 1T

MADISON, Wis, Jan. ga
wonderfully eloquent appeal to the
nations at war;" is the phrase used
by William Jennings Bryan, COM
menting today on President Will
sons speech to the senate.
Insofar as it suggests the
terms of agreement it is entirely
sound and reflects what l believe
to be an almost unanimous senti-
ment," said Bryan.
But | dissent entirely from the
proposition that this nation should
join in the enforcement of peace
In Europe. If the nations will
agree to peace on the terms sug-
gested by the president they will
not need our assistance in forcing
it."
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-01-23
DEATHS

Alfred Jacobs, age II, died
Monday night at a local hospital.
One sister and two brothers sur
vive him. Funeral Wednesday at
l p. m. from the G. G. Mellinger
company's.
Joe Birgeo, age 80, died Mon
day night at a local hospital. He
was a section foreman for years
at Hartford. Body removed to
G. c. Mellinger company's.
Mrs. AIDA Houston, age 80,
died Monday night at a local hos
pital. A husband, three sisters
and two brothers survive her.
Funeral Thursday at 3 from the
G. @. Mellinger company's.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-01-23
ID. S. WOULD
LOSE CANAL
is O PI N 10 N

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23.-The
literal working out of the presi-
dents suggestions regarding a
direct outlet to the great high
ways of the seas" for all nations
would mean complete neutraliza-
tion of the Panama, Suez and
Kiel canals, as we'll as neutraliza-
tion of Gibraltar and the Darda-
nelles is the Interpretation by
British, German and neutral off
Gals here today.
This Interpretation mentioned
constitutes a symposium of ex-
pressions of opinion by belligerent
and neutral officials as to just
what the president meant when
he declared mo nation need be
shut away from free access to
the open paths of the worlds
commerce" in his address to the
senate yesterday.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-01-23
JORDAN SAYS
PEACE'S NEAR
Omitted Press Leased Wire.)

SAN FRANCISCO. Jan. 20
peace is coming; everything is
moving that way, and the presi-
dents speech will do much to
help" said David Starr Jordan
at Palo Alto today.
THE president has made a
very eloquent and very remark
able statement of the case. 1t Is
epoch alsing and historical
speech. There will be a violent
cutlery against it from those who
are interested in the war, but the
great bulk of the people in Eu-
rope as we'll as America will be
sympathetic with the president
Benz Ide Wheeler, president
of the University of California.
declared the speech is noble
and inspiring statement of
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-01-23
Outlaw League
In California?

Nthtcu bFssS bebscu "1rest
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. %. =
Formation of an outlaw baseball
league to compete with the Pa
cific Coast league in the latter's
territory, was suggested today by
Cliff Blankenship, former Salt
Lake manager, as a result of the
sensational charges made by Ed
ward Maier, former Vernon own
er.
Blankenship declared that
should Maier desire to invest in
such a proposition, in order to
fight the P. c. L., he would find
encouragement in Stockton, Fres-
no, San Joes and Sacramento and
probably in other San Joaquin
valley cities.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-01-23

Today's news about skirts will
be welcomed with Joy by most
women.
Skirts have lost much of their
flare. The spring models ire iust
full enough to suit the average
figure and they are longer, and
therefore much more graceful
than the winter styles.
The sports skirt pictured today
is of cotton corduroy The double
hem and belt are decidedly smart.
The animation of two differ
tune, in this case in the blouse
and skirt, is an arrangement
which will be neither unusual nor
extreme this spring.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-01-23
RAISE $l25O
IN FIRST DAY

More than one-tenth of the re-
quired amount was raised by 20
teams out of 81 in the first days
canvas Tuesday for subscriptions
to aid the Associated Charities.
The 20 teams of workers re-
ported $3.50 in cash and SUBJ
scriptions. Reports will be made
daily at the Commercial club
luncheon hour.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-01-23
lDivorce Habit"

After inquiring In a fatheJy
\ Y IL she wasn't afraid she was
q ting the divorce habit, Judge
yesterday Tuesday granted a d.
vorce by default to Nina Hart
from Ernest A. Hart, on the
ground of non-support. The Judge
brought out the fact that Mrs.
Hart had been divorced from a
former husband, which led to his
question.
Hazel Moe. who was divorced
from Harry r. Moe, in 914. at
which time the custody of their
child was given to the father. is
asking In Judge yesterdays tourt
Tuesday, to have the child given
to her.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-01-23
DEUTSCHLAND" rs
ONLY COAL BARGE

'thied t'fess LenseU Npc.D
NEW LONDON, Conn, Jan. %.
"A big coal barge which liked
the outer harbor better than the
icy shores of the Thames, re-
sumed it's real identity at dawn
today. When it anchored last
night rumors of the arrival of
the Deutschland, or even larger
submarine, were flying thick
around the city.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-01-23
FRENCH TAKE
CRITICAL VIEW

PARIS, Jan. 23.-The French
press is frankly critical today Of
President Wilson's address to the
American senate.
All editorials agree in the gen.
eral belief that his message is not
without merit, but adjudge it Uto-
plan because 1t is to be applied
to Germany and Pan-Germanism.
In well-informed circles IL was
regarded as most surprising that
Wilson still does not recognize
the criminal from the victim"
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-01-23
VOTE rs TIE BUT
REPUBLICAN WINS

tpnHed Press Leased Wfre.l
OLYMPIA. Jan. 23.-Althouxh
the recount showed ]. ]. Cameron
lDem.) and w. G. Duncan (Rep)
tied for representative of Lincoln
county. the republican house new
ertheless accepted the recon-
mendation of the committee to
permit Cameron to retain HIS seat.
Duncan accepted the decision.
The committees recommends
ton was based on the proposition
that Cameron has already reeeiv-
ed his certificate of election and
has served two weeks I'm the
house.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-01-23
TAKE 100 PRISONERS

Omitted Press Leased Wire :.
BERLIN, via Sayville wireless,
Jan. 23.-Capture of 100 prison.
ers in an ensa cement against
Russo-Rumanian forces between
the Slanic and Putna valleys and
pushing back of the enemy forces,
was announced in today's official
statement.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-01-23

Because of the prices the owner
or the townsite of keystone.
thriving village In Logan county,
Kansas. placed on town lots, the
residents of the village and off,
GERS of the railway decided to
move the town. A new townsite
two miles northwest OF the pres
emit village was quietly bought,
and the city began its move over
land
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-01-23
WOMAN FIGHTS TO
MAKE MINISTER'S
"BONE DRY" ALSO

VUhiteu Press Leased Wire.)
OLYMPIA, Jan. 23.-Mrs.
Ina p. Williams, member of the
house of representatives from
Yakima and chairman of the
house committee on public NOR
ais, is today the acknowledged
leader of the fight to include
ministers under the provisions of
the bone dry" law.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-01-23

CUTS MELON

N'"''N" ''NS f8e"NSU NTHcsJ
NEW YORK. Jan. 23.-Direo-
tors of the Bethlehem Steel cor
poration this afternoon cut a com
mon stock dividend melon of no.
100000.
They authorized at the same
time a $4,000 stock issue to be
offered to stockholders at par.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-01-23
LEGAL NOTICES

LOCAL Improvement District No.
406.-Notice is hereby given that
in pursuance of Ordinance No. 1861
of the City of Tacoma, a roll has
been placed in my hands for the
collection of the Sth annual INSTALL
ment of the assessment levied for
improving South 10th Street and
South 18th Street from the present
pavement on Tacoma Avenue to the
line of the proposed pavement on
South &c" Street.
Said Improvement shall consist I'm
grading said portion of said streets
to the established grade, with road
ways forty (40) feet in width and
laying down on said roadways a
pavement of sandstone blocks on a
concrete base, with brick cutters,
concrete and granite curbs. and all
necessary storm water drainage.
Also in extending all walks to
curbs, tearing up and relaying amp
walks or pavement to make same
conform to lines and grades of new
Improvement. nv"
Said installment may be paid on
or before February 9th, 1917. bnt
IL not paid on or before said date
ADDED interest, penalty and costs
with attach.
JAMES C. DRAKE.
Ian a-1e.oe 81, CITY treasurer.