Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1922-02-08
OFFICER DOTSETH
SHOOTS BROTHER
Alfred Dotseth Shot and Killed by
His Brother, Policeman Matt
DOtseth in Alteration at
Steyer's Hall Thurs
day Night.
DEATH RESULTED IN
LESS THAN A HOUR
Shooting Was Brought About Wh.'
Alfred Interferred With His
Brother Who Was Making
An Arrest.

Last Thursday night deplorable
tragedy was enacted at Steyer's
opera house during the progress of
the fremen's5 dance, when Alfred
Dotseth the well known proprietor of
the West End Bakery was shot by
his own brother, Policeman Matt
Dotseth.
The sequel to the shooting was
brought about when Officer Dotseth
placed John Morris under arrest for
intoxication about 11:30. The officer
encountered Morris in the hallway
near the ticket office just outside the
dance hall doors and ordered him to
go home. Morris demurred and
talked back to the officer and he
placed him under arrest and started
down the stairway with him. As we
understand it when nearing the bot
tom of the short flight of stairs
from the dance hall floor, which leads
to the long hall to the street proper,
they became engaged in a scuffle,
when Alfred Dotseth appeared on
the scene, and pulled Office Dotseth
off telling him to let Morris go, and
he would take care of him.
The two brothers then became en-
gagged in a heated argument over the
affair, while crowd was gathering
in the hallway. Officer Dotseth then
drew his revolver, and as we under
stand it held the gun pointing up
ward. Alfred defied and dared him
to shoot, when Officer Dotseth, IN the
excitesnent, evidently Host his head.
lowered the revolver and fired, the
bullet striking Alfred in the left
side below the heart.
He didn't fall from the effects OF
the shot, but great excitement reign
ed as the crowd began to get dense,
and few realized that he was shot.
Henry Haas and Ed Eewis took
hold of Alfred then and assisted him
down the stairs to the street and
started for DR.. ]. d. Hexom's office
in the Citizens Savings Bank build
ing. a block away. On the way to
the doctors Office they met Night
Officer Ira Rima. He stopped them,
enouired what the trouble was, and
on being informed took charge OF
Alfred and assisted him to the doc
tors Office.
When they got along the wesi:
side of the Citizens bank Alfred
collapsed, falling to the walk. de
was then picked up and carried &c
the second floor of the building To
the doctors Office. DR.. Hexom ar
rived Immediately and after making
a hasty examination, declared the
wound fatal. Drs. Jewell and Frit'
chen were also summoned, an am
bulance was procured and the
wopnded man was rushed to the De
corah hospital. The doctors efforts
m save him were of no avail and M
died at 1925. The shot was from
80 calibre revolver. -,
After the shooting Officer Dotseu
went to the Winneshiek hotel ant
telephoned Mayor Conover what nat
happened. then went up to the doc
tors office to see how seriously nj
brother was injured.
While DR.. Hexom was making III
examination in his office Othcer KIM
telephoned for Marshal Tavenef Wh
had lust got home and was prepaf
ing 10 retire. Marshal IaVehe
dressed, got into his car and rushe
over to the doctors office he Ihe
demanded Officer Dotseth's revolVe
and he turned it over to HIM, an
was then taken to his home IN MAJ
shal Tavener's car. When news
the death of Alfred was made kho"
at around 1890, there was muc
excitement prevailing in the crow
that had remained on the streeo
and Officers Rima and Tavener n
turned to officer Dotseth's home, IL
formed him that Alfred had dle'
and ordered him to accompany the
to the Jail. When they drove pa'
through the street Officer Rima al
Dotseth were in the back seat OF u
car and in a crouching position,
the crowd didn't pay any attenti'
TO the car, thinking only the driV'
was in it, and Officer Dotseth W
placed safely in the Jail.
Friday morning Coroner "aii