Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-09-21
EDITOR SENTENCED
To YEAR IN JAIL
PUBLISHER OF BlACkMAII ING
SHEET RUNS AFOUL OF
IOWA LAWS.
DROST, OF ROCK ISLAND,
IN DAVENPORT JAIL
Under indictment in Iowa for Months
But Forfeited Bail Bond and Elud-
ed Police Until Trapped-Attaoks
On Men Who Prosecuted and SEN
fenced Him Cause Incarceration.

Davenport, Sept. a1.-Dan Drost,
editor of the Rock Island News. was
arrested today in Illinois as a fugi-
tive from justice and was brought to
Davenport to serve jail sentence OF
one year for libel.
Drost was arrested by Sheriff John
Miller, of Rock Island county, I'LL
nois, and Sheriff Henry A. Kuehl, Of
Scott county.
The arrest Of Drost completes one
or the most sensational fights ever
waged In Davenport for the suppress
sion Of crime. 1t is the elimination OF
"a long record OF alleged libelous and
articles which have ap-
peared in the Rock island pubiica-
ton,
Taken by Surprise.
The sentence which the prisoner
now will have to serve is tho result
or two indictments found by the No
vember grand jury Of 1918 as the re-
suit Of activities on the part OF Hem
ry H. Jebens. states attorney of
Scott county. Iowa,
The indictments were directed
against Dan Drost and Harry NJ.
Hamilton,
Hamilton, who Is now in states
prison serving q long term on an
Other charge, was convicted, on the
libel charge and was sentenced to
jail for one year. His sentence was
shortened for two months last De-
cember when he turned states evil
dence against Drost
Attic Hamilton was convicted, the
prosecuting department was after
bigger game. 1t wanted Drost Ham
llton was considered as legal small
fry and the prosecuting department
wanted the man or men higher up"
Jumped a Cash Bond.
The fact of Drost's indictment was
kept secret until such time as he
could be caught unawares on this
side OF the river.
Drost made occasional surreptitious
trips to this side OF the river and 1t
was on one OF these occasions that
he was caught, He gave $1,000 cash
bail for his appearance in court. /
Drost, after sensational trial, was
convicted Of libel on Dec. 1.
Drost was not In court when the
sentence WIS pronounced by Judge
William Theophilus. He Jumped his
bail bond. The $1,000 he lost by this
act went to the county. 4
Efforts of Jebens.
Thru the efforts OF Prosecutor
Jehens. the circulation OF the Rock
Island sheet was stopped for a time
on the streets OF Davenport. Drost
with characteristic venom kept up
vicious articles directed against
Prosecutor Jebens and Judge The
ophilus, Even the illness of Judge
Theophilus did not deter the viper
Gus, editorial touch. All the hatred
and malice at. the command Of the
editorial heads Of tho Rock Island
sheet were directed against the man
who sentenced Drost and against the
prosecutor who had brought about
his incarceration and conviction.
Was Indicted For Libel.
The crime for which Drest was In
dioted was for libeling members of
the family of Andrew J, Curtis. of
Clark street. The names of two young
women had been dragged, into this
attack,
Drost put up hard fight. He do
MED being the editor OF the paper.
and claimed that he was merely the
press wiper. He swore on his trial
tnat he was an ignoramus and that
ne could neither read nor write. He
was, however, found guilty by the
jury which tried him.
Drest was given q year In Jail, the
limit, The court at the time ex-
pressed regret that the law did not
allow greater latitude In the matter
Of the sentsnce.
Jumped IHIs Bail Bond.
Drest was net In court on the day
OF sentence, He was represented by
MIS- attorneys who had promised to
have him in court, When he failed
to appear on tho day OF sentence. the
eeurt pronounced his appearance
bond forfeited, He had six months
In which to appeal but no appeal was
taken,
Prosecutor Henry Jebons was un-
meroifully attacked in subseuuent
issues of Drest's sheet He began at
once to lay ropes to trap Drost into
an arrest,
Attorney Jebens consulted Gov
ernor Harding who assured the
states attorney that tho case was
one for requisition. The application
for a reauisition was signed by the
lewa governor and Attorney Jebens
made a personal visit to the office Of
Governor LoWden, OF Illinois, who
honored the papers and issued a war
rant for the arrest Of Drost.
Sheriff Kuehl was apnointaH tha