Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 April 1906 — “TEN DOLLARS AND COSTS,” [ARTICLE]

“TEN DOLLARS AND COSTS,”

firs. Brown Donahue Found Quilty of Keeping House of 111 Fame. The case against Sarah A. Brown, charged in a grand jury indictment with keeping a house of ill fame in Rensselaer, occupied all of Thursday in the circuit court, and was the first jury trial of the term. The case went to the jury about 7:30 o’clock p. m., and after a short time a verdict of guilty and a fine of $lO and costs was returned. It is understood that the first ballot taken gtood 10 for conviction to 2 for acquittal. The plea made that they—defendant and her husband—were about to leave town, and for this reason should be acquitted and allowed to depart, no doubt had its effect, otherwise the fine would have been much greater. The costs, however, outside of attorney fees which are reported to have been $lO0 —are $100.53 more. It may be that some of the witnesses will refuse to accept fees for fear it may be tainted money, but the SIOO cash bond put up was left with the clerk to settle the costs, and they can get their money by calling at the clerk’s office. Prosecuting Attorney Graves, Deputy Prosecutor Leopold and Geo. E, Hershman conducted the prosecution, while the defendant was represented by E. P. Honan, of this city, and a Lafayette attorney by the name of Collins, whose methods of cross-questioning the State’s witnesses did not make a very favorable impression with those who heard him, and at one time during the proceedings of the trial, brought forth a severe reprimand from the court. There were thirty-three witnesses summoned by the prosecution and defense, and the State’s witnesses, consisting of neighbors of that part of the town, all testified that the woman and her house have a very bad reputation, while some swore to specific instances of vulgarity and other disgraceful conduct. The defendant testified that she had been acquainted with W. B. Donahue, the Lisbon, North Dakota real estate dealer of unenviable reputation here, who has made his headquarters while here for the past couple of years at her house, and that she became engaged to marry him last July; that January 4, last, they were married in Chicago, and a marriage certificate was submitted to prove such marriage. Donahue’s testimony supported this part of the evidenoe, he swearing that they became engaged last July, and on cross-examination testified that his wife in Dakota had died last June. Therefore, accepting bis own testimony and that of his present wife, he had made her place his headquarters for a long time, while he already had a wife living in Dakota, from whom he had not separated, and no doubt “paid court” to the present Mrs. Donahue during this time, as they both Bwore they beoame engaged in July, the month following the decease of his Dakota wife. This woman’s house has long been an eye-sore to Rensselaer, and especially to the respectable people of that part of the city, who have been annoyed by numerous drunken fights, drunken rowdies going there at all hours of the day and night, many of whom have made inquiries of respeotable people of the neighborhood, as to just where the Brown house was located, and two drunken vagabonds from Brook, one of whom was chased out of that town by a delegation with horsewhips, only a few months ago, found their way into the home of A. J. Brenner, on Division street, and declaring that they were in the Brown house, persisted in remaining until officers were called to rid Mr. Brenner of their presence. It is strange that the place has been tolerated as long as it has, and if Donahue and his wife will only make good their threat to remove to North Dakota, where he olaims to own a farm, and where they both stated at the trial they intended to move as soon as possible, there will be no regrets from the respectable people of Rensselaer. Our selection of high-grade slippers in patent leather, gun metal vici kid and white canvas, made in button, sailor and Gibson ties, have no comparison.

ROWLES & PARKER.