Iowa
Old Press
Iowa City Press Citizen
Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa
January 19, 1923
Beecher - Leonard
Miss Agnes L Leonard and Mr. John J Beecher were quietly married
on Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock at St. Bridget's church at Nolan
Settlement. Rev. Raymond J. Beecher, a cousin of the bridegroom
officiated. Miss Elulalia Beecher, a sister of the bridegroom and
Mr. George Leonard, a brother of the bride, were the attendants.
Following the ceremony, a wedding breakfast was served at the
home of the bride's parents, Mr .and Mrs. John Leonard, of Nolan
Settlement. After a six weeks' trip to Denver, Colorado, the
young people will make their home at Elmira, Iowa. The bridegroom
is the son of Mr and Mrs James Beecher, of Iowa City and was
graduated from the Iowa City high school, while his bride is an
alumni of the Sacred Heart Academy of Cedar Rapids.
[transcribed by C.J.L., Nov. 2003]
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Iowa City Press Citizen
Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa
Saturday, January 27, 1923
WAR VET, INSANE, KILLS MOTHER --- SHELL-SHOCKED IOWA
SOLDIER CHOKES VICTIM
Oskaloosa Man, Released From Hospital as Cured, Does Deed in Fit
of Frenzy.
(By Associated Press) OSKALOOSA, Ia., Jan 27- Lester Martin, 28
years old, shell shocked and gassed over seas veteran, went
suddenly insane last night and in a fit of frenzy choked his
mother, Mrs. Virginia Martin, 65 years old, to death in the
public highway in front of his home. The man was found on his
knees by the side of the body praying when officers arrived.
Released as "Cured"
(By United Press) Martin who had been at the Mount Pleasant
hospital for disabled veterans was discharged in 1921 as cured.
The coroner's jury this morning returned a verdict that Mrs.
Martin had met death while he was in a "dangerous
condition". The jury recommended that he be examined. Since
his return from the war, Martin has been living alone here except
for the time he was at Mount Pleasant. Complaints had been made
to police that he was carrying a gun and was threatening people
by saying, "They'd better let me alone." His gun was
recently taken away but although authorities had watched him they
could find no reason to hold him. Yesterday a neighbor called
Mrs. Martin and urged her to see her son. She went over and he
quieted down in the afternoon. Last night several young boys saw
Martin struggling with some one in the snow and they ran for
help.In Rainbow Division. Screams aroused other neighbors who
summoned the police. When the officers arrived Martin was down on
his knees beside the body mumbling prayers. He fell on his knees
when he got into the patrol and again began praying when he
entered his cell. Tracks from the snow from two different doors
of Martin's house led police to believe he had rushed outside and
was followed by his mother who sought to bring him back in.
Martin then turned on her, police think, and choked her to death.
Martin was in the Rainbow division of the 168th infantry. He was
wounded in the Argonne drive and was also gassed and shell
shocked.
WIFE URGES MAN TO TELL MURDER PART
(By United Press) RED OAK, Ia., Jan 27- "John, if you are
guilty fo the murder, tell the officers the truth. If you are
guilty the law should take its course." These were the words
of the youthful Mrs. John T. Stewart, former school teacher and
college graduate, daughter of one of Montgomery county's
wealthiest families, to her husband, accused of the murder of
Albert Girardi, Omaha bootlegger. Tears rolled down her cheeks as
she spoke. Stewart in answer to questioning by state's attorneys
told of how to get ten gallons of booze he and his farm hand,
George Austin, had beaten Girardi to death. When asked if she
realized the full meaning of her words and that it may mean her
husband will be sent to the gallows, Mrs. Stewart answered:
"I'll stick by John to the very end if he is innocent but if
he is guilty the law will take its course." Austin confessed
the crime previously according to officers.
DAVENPORT OFFICER SERIOUSLY WOUNDED BY ALLEGED BANDIT
(By Associated Press) DAVENPORT, Ia., Jan 27- Officer James
Carroll, of the Davenport police department, was shot three times
and seriously wounded by Eugene Saunders, said to be wanted in
Minneapolis on a charge of bank robbery during a gun battle last
night. Saunders is under arrest.
[transcribed by C.J.L., Sept. 2004]