Old newspapers are chock full of odd little reports. And so, for today, I am going to share a handful of these reports from 1917.
1. Stocking Up
Let’s start off with a man who raised a few suspicions after buying up a bunch of booze:
“Thomas Calow, arrested as ‘vagrant,’ had $145 and six quart bottles of whisky. Afraid Belvidere would go dry. Freed.” [Source]
2. Insane Boss Move
Being arrested for booze is nothing compared to this next story.
So, let’s take a quick look at a place once known as Dunning. More formally known as the Cook County Insane Asylum, Dunning was a place most people feared. The threat of being sent to Dunning was always on people’s minds.
Here is one person who managed to escape the asylum:
“Jasper Glary escaped from Dunning. Caught in federal building as he was looking for job as government spy. Sent back.” [Source]
3. Deadly Beer Bottle
The saloons of the past were almost as terrifying as the insane asylums. For instance:
“Joseph Szazecewski, baker…, dead. Hit by beer bottle in saloon fight. Assailant unknown.” [Source]
4. Soap in the Biscuits
Of course, sometimes in-laws were the scariest of all as we see in this case for divorce:
“Mrs. Clarence Tohler said husband was cruel and mother-in-law put dirty soap in her biscuits.” [Source]
5. Stole His Pants
Marital bliss has always been something of a myth, at least in my opinion. Of course, there are plenty of news reports to back up my beliefs. For instance:
“Lawrence Cooney, policeman, was going to move away from wife. She took his pants and kept him in; then went to court.” [Source]
6. Man Arrested for Saying Mean Things About George Washington
And finally, of all the stupid arrests I’ve read about in the old newspapers, this one nearly tops them all.
According to one report:
“While the nation is today celebrating Washington’s Birthday, Paul Haffer, a young Socialist, lies in jail for ‘defaming’ the memory of the first president.
“Haffer publicly asserted that Washington had been intemperate, swore like a trooper, and was a slave owner.
“A six month prison sentence was the outcome.” [Source]
