The Winterset Madison
Madison County, Iowa
June 24, 1875


Quincy D. Whitman, charged with the murder of Joseph Grabill, at Creston, and who was confined in the Winterset jail for some time, had his trial in the District Court at Afton last week and the jury found a verdict of "Guilty of murder in the 2nd degree." The facts of the killing were substantially admitted and a plea of emotional insanity was set up by the defense. Given (the attorney) moved for a new trial on the grounds that the jury was playing cards and drinking whiskey in their room. The motion was granted. Whitman then plead guilty of manslaughter and the plea was accepted.

E. B. Rutherford of Scott Township, aged 69 years, died Thursday evening of last week.

William Acheson, John Acheson, and Vic Starr were arraigned before the Mayor's Court on Tuesday, on information filed by John Garlinger, for selling malt liquor to Ed Stinson, a minor and plead not guilty. A hearing was set for Wednesday at 1 o'clock.

Lewis Smith and Edward Davis, for concealing more whisky and beer than they were able to get away with, were taken before His Honor, the Mayor on Monday and plead guilty and contributed to the exchequer of the city. Smith paid $10.00 and costs and Davis paid $5.00 and costs.

On last Saturday morning, a young man in the employ of George Thompson, living 8 miles northeast of Afton, went to the field to plow and about 8 o'clock, mounted one of the horses, leaving the other one hooked to the plow and departed for parts unknown. He passed through Winterset on Saturday evening and stopped for the night at James Rhodes, 3 miles this side of St. Charles. Mr. Thompson started in pursuit and stayed Saturday night at Mr. Moser's, only 3 miles from the thief. Mr. Thompson passed through this city, having got on the track and it is thought he will overtake the young man inside of two days.