1899

 DRAGGED BY A COW
Mrs. Mary Krueger Meets With Misfortune in a Singular Manner

            Mrs. Mary Krueger, who resides at Lawrence Avenue and Spring Street, met with an accident yesterday evening which may result seriously, owing to her advanced age of 70 years.  Mrs. Krueger was leading a cow from a pasture in the vicinity of her home, and the rope with which she was leading it became entangled about her feet and she was thrown to the ground.  The fall of Mrs. Krueger frightened the animal, and it ran for some distance, dragging her.  Persons who saw the accident ran to her assistance, and she was removed to her home and physicians summoned.  On examination it was found that her right leg had been broken at the knee and she was otherwise bruised and scratched.  Mrs. Krueger was removed to the Springfield hospital, where the fracture was reduced.
Illinois State Register - December 1, 1899

MAY KILL SPARROWS
Beginning Yesterday a Bounty Will be Paid for Them

            The law which provides a bounty of two cents a head for sparrows went into effect yesterday, and from now until Jan. 1 the small boy and his rifle will be much in evidence.  It has been often estimated which does most harm, the sparrow or the boy.  There must be some damage done by the little bird, for the all-wise legislator would not agree to pass a law giving two cents for the head of a sparrow if such was not the case.  But some people think that with doctor bills paid for the lad who accidentally shoots himself while gunning for the bird, the windows he breaks and the danger other persons are put to, the damage done by the bird is not so great as that done by the boy.

            Anyway, beginning yesterday, the lad may shoot the bird.  All that is necessary for him to do is to take the heads of his sparrows to Town Clerk Richard Hickman.  This gentleman issues a certificate, after swearing the boy to an affidavit, issues a warrant on the county treasurer, who pays out the money.  Many a small boy earned enough money to buy him a new overcoat or suit of clothes last year, and no doubt he will do so again this year, for the birds seem to be as plentiful as ever, notwithstanding several thousand heads were turned into the town clerk last year.
Illinois State Register - December 2, 1899

FOUND IN SNOW
Lill Galloway Has Narrow Escape from Freezing

            Lill Galloway, a decidedly unlady-like and worldly woman of wild ways, was found by the police last night at a late hour, reclining in the gutter near the corner of Second and Jefferson Streets.  “Lill” was saturated with liquor of which she had imbibed so freely she could no longer control her muscles and she toppled over in the snow, where she remained in an insensible state until tossed into the patrol wagon by the police.  She was thrust into a dungeon at the police station where there are existing conditions which prove a success in counteracting the effects of “booze.”  Immoral Lill would undoubtedly have frozen to death had in not been for the timely arrival of the officers.
Illinois State Register - December 15, 1899

WOODS’ DRUNKEN FREAK
Drives Horse on C. & A. Bridge Over Capitol Avenue
Approaching Fast Freight Train Is Stopped Just in Time to Avoid Wreck – Driver Arrested – The Horse Is Ruined

            Last evening at 6:30 o’clock, while intoxicated, a man giving his name as William Thompson drove a horse on the Chicago & Alton bridge at Third Street and Capitol Avenue.  The animal fell between the ties and it was some time before he could be released by the large force of men who were soon at work.  Thompson jumped from the buggy at once and ran, but was captured shortly afterwards by Officer Hesse, at Fourth and Washington Streets, and take police station, where he gave bond for his appearance.

            Yesterday afternoon about 4 o’clock Thompson went to the livery barn conducted by Charles Gehlman, on North Seventh Street, and rented a horse and buggy.  Here he gave his name as Woods, which no doubt is his right name.  He was given a good horse, and in about two hours the message was received at the stable that the horse had been driven on the bridge and had fallen between the ties.  One of the employees of the barn went at once to where the horse was fastened in the bridge, and, assisted by several police officers, succeeded in releasing the animal after two hours’ hard work.

            Large boards were secured and as one of the horse’s legs was taken from between the ties it was placed beneath his feet.  After all four feet had been released in this manner the animal was thrown and his feet tied and he was pulled to the other side.  The horse is a valuable animal and received a number of severe cuts.  The leaders of his legs were strained and it is probable that the horse is ruined.

            Thompson, or Woods, as his name may be, after securing the horse, it is said, drove to several saloons about the city and drank heavily.  It is thought that he was much under the influence of liquor and, not knowing the city, drove down the track.

            The horse walked on the ties until he reached the center of the bridge, when he lost his footing and fell.  As soon as the driver realized where he was and what he had done, he jumped from the buggy and ran away.  One of the men employed in the barn and Officer Hesse began to search for Woods and he was finally located.

            When taken to the station he could not tell how or why he had driven the horse over the bridge.  The case against Woods will be vigorously prosecuted by Mr. Gehlman.  A north-bound freight train on the road was delayed for some time until the animal could be freed.  It is a fast coal train which usually goes through Springfield very fast, and had it not been stopped, the engine no doubt would have been derailed and thrown from the bridge into the street twelve feet below.
Illinois State Register - December 25, 1899