The Petersen Case, Arcadia, 1874

PETERSEN, STEVENS

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 10/28/2006 at 17:00:46

I translated the following article from Der Carroll Demokrat, a German-language newspaper published in Carroll, Iowa, between about 1874 and 1920. It was originally published on 20 November 1874. Any information in brackets or notes at the end are my own explanations. It reads as follows:

From Arcadia
Are We Really in the Land of Freedom?

The blessings of the infamous temperance laws reached a climax here in a case which has aroused universal indignation. The details are as follows:

In the last district court, the German tavern-keeper Petersen from here was accused by two low-down informers of having allowed card playing in his saloon. In order to demonstrate the vulgarity of the accusers, it is sufficient to note that they both owed significant debts to the above-named tavern-keeper and probably wanted to free themselves from paying their debts by informing.

Petersen was fined about $50 and $28.45 in costs. Because this sum is hard to come by in these present hard times, he sought to obtain a postponement. In addition, his correct name was not properly set forth in the complaint. Due to this circumstance, he likewise thought that would be able to obtain a continuance, and upon the advice of some friends he refused to make the payment.

Yesterday (Thurdsay) evening, Sheriff Steevens [Stevens] arrived here and ordered Petersen to follow him. Petersen indicated that he was ready and did not display the slightest disobedience. He was brought to the train station, and before he got on board, he was restrained in handcuffs by the sheriff.

This is indeed a shocking occurrence. To chain a respected citizen like a thief or a murderer, on account of such a trifling offense. The entire event will not fail to excite the universal indignation of the German population. We simply cannot understand how the sheriff could allow such a rough act.

It should fall to both informers, however, to suffer the scorn of all honest and right-thinking people, and we recommend especially the scorn of the Germans of Arcadia.