Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 August 1901 — A Disgraceful Affair. [ARTICLE]

A Disgraceful Affair.

After the Lady Macabees’ lodge had closed in due form Tuesday night, Mrs. Geerge Hopkins and Airs. William Frey got into an altercation in the lodge room over something one is alleged to have said about the other, and Airs. Hopkins is alleged to have assaulted her sister Alacabee with an umbrella and possibly with her fists. Air. Hopkins was sitting at the foot of the stairs leading to the lodge room, waiting for his wife to escort her home. Hearing the rumpus he went to the door and knocked for admittance, but was not heard in the uproar. He then kicked on the door and finally got it open. The women were separated and went home. Wednesday morning Air. Frey had Airs. Hopkins arrested for assault and battery upon his wife. She was arraigned before Esq. Troxell, plead guilty and was fined $1 and costs, §IO.BO altogether, which was paid. Frey then had Air. Hopkins arrested for provoking an assault from Airs Frey, she alleging that he broke into the lodge room, to take his wife’s part, called her a liar and was about to strike her when Airs. Hoffman, one of the Lady Alacabees present, steeped in between them and told him not to strike a woman. Air. Hopkins denied all this and said he merely went in as a peacemaker and about all he said was that such actions were disgraceful and that the women should desist and go home. He stood trial, the evidence as to his part in the affray being conflicting, but the court found him guilty and fined him the regulation §1 and costs, remitting same during good behavior. The whole affair is deplorable, to say the least, and will, do doubt, result in the thorough disrupting of the lodge.