1909: County man in court for whipping daughter

Sept. 5, 1909

HARTINGTON — Perhaps no punishment more severe could be visited upon any ordinary citizen than was the prolonged hand-clapping that was indulged in by a courtroom full of people at the Gray trial Monday.

The applause was for a remark of the State’s Attorney, C.M. Burkett, who was prosecuting E.E. Gray on a charge of assault and battery upon the person of his daughter, Vera.

The court reprimanded the audience and imposed as the sentence of the court a fine of $40 and the costs of the suit.

A punishment more severe had already been administered, though.

The testimony of the witnesses, including the defendant, was that he had repeatedly flogged the girl, 15 years old, with a rawhide riding whip purchased for the purpose.

At the conclusion of the case, Police Justice Ready found the defendant guilty as charged, declaring that the whipping of a child under the circumstance as detailed was “no more than a simple assault.”

He observed the usual form of asking the defendant if he had anything to say why sentence should not be passed upon him.

Gray made a speech in reply, and it was the comment of the State’s Attorney that brought forth the remarkable outburst of cheering.

On account of the large number of witnesses and of the general public interest of the case, the trial was held in the county courtroom.

The county attorney was assisted by W.F Bryant, who was one of the complaining witnesses.

J.C. Robinson appeared for the defense.

The examination of witnesses occupied the entire afternoon.

The guilty man has received the punishment ordered by the court and an additional punishment more severe.

The case for a writ of habeas corpus, removing this girl and her twin sister from the custody of their father, will be heard later in the county court before Judge Dodge. Pending a final hearing, the order of the court places them in homes where the father is forbidden to interfere with them.

Sept. 4, 1919

HARTINGTON — Four broken ribs and innumerable bruises were received last week by Frank Heimes, a farmer living north of Hartington.

The mishap happened when he was caught under his tractor when he threw the machine into reverse because it was getting too close to a fence.

He jumped off pulling the lever and it reversed so suddenly that his foot was caught under the wheel and he was pinned to the ground. Fortunately, the plow beam lifted the wheel and saved him from more injury.

His calls brought assistance and he was taken to his home where it was at thought his injuries were very serious.

He is again able to be about and considers himself lucky to have escaped with a few injuries as he received.

Sept. 4, 1919

HARTINGTON — Miss Ita Bryant, who has acted as librarian at the public library for the past year has tendered her resignation to the Board, because of her departure from the city for the school year.

Miss Bryant has accepted a position as the assistant principal of the schools at Polk and left for that place last week.

Her work at the library has been manifestly successful and her departure will be a disappointment to many who have depended on her judgement in the selection of books and for help in the library’s reference department.

The library board will meet next week at which time the question of securing a librarian will be considered. Sept. 10, 1919

HARTINGTON — Rev. Father Joseph Johnsen, who was recently appointed pastor of the Menominee Catholic Church, went to Omaha last week on his way to Wisconsin where he expected to find relief from a severe attack of his hay fever. While in Omaha, he became so ill that he had to be removed to a hospital for treatment.

Sept. 10, 1919

HARTINGTON — Rev. Handell Collier, former pastor of the Methodist church here, who was transferred to Coleridge when the local churches united, has been assigned by the annual M.E. conference at Lincoln last week, to the pastorate of the Wynot congregation.

Sept. 10, 1919

HARTINGTON — Ludwig Olson, who lives northwest of Hartington, lost the first joint from the thumb of his left hand when it was crushed between the gears in a corn binder. The injury is a very painful one, but Mr. Olson is glad it is no worse.