There was a murder in the town of David in 1898. The shooting took place at the hotel which was operated by Mary and Henry Meiers. DeForest Fairbanks, a resident of the hotel, was linked romantically with Mary Meiers and had been ordered from the establishment by Henry. On Saturday, December 3, 1898, at approximately 3 p.m., Fairbanks came to the hotel to talk with Mrs. Meiers about remaining in David with him instead of moving to Milwaukee with her family. When she turned him down, Fairbanks became angry, drew a gun and threatened to shoot Henry Meiers. Mrs. Meiers and her two children reportedly screamed and nine year old Eddie ran across the street to Dave McLaughlin's office to call for help. McLaughlin came across the street, reportedly followed by Robbins, Poorte, Smith, McNulty and several others. McLaughlin kicked down the door to enter the building. The first shot fired struck McLaughlin in the left side of the breast, but was deflected by clothing and articles in his shirt pocket. McLaughlin backed out of the hotel, saying, "Boy's. I've been shot, but I'm not dead."
George Robbins, the village blacksmith, came into the hotel next to face Fairbanks. Fairbanks aimed at him, shooting him in the left leg, nine inches about the knee. Reports have Robbins turning from the door, staggering out into the alley, where he died.
Fairbanks was convicted April 3, 1899, following a two week jury trial. He was sentenced to life imprisonment at Fort Madison where he died at the age of 70. His body was cremated and the ashes scattered across the Mississippi River.
Right after the murder, the town's people of David hung a rope over a rafter that extended between the grocery store and the ice house. They had planned to hang Fairbanks immediately; a lynching however was averted, but the rope hung there for many years, until only the tassel remained.
Written by Vivian DuShane
______________________
Source: Decorah Republican Apr. 6, 1899 P 2 C 4
—De Forest Fairbanks was found guilty, at Osage, Tuesday, of the murder of Geo. Robbins, Dec. 3d last, and his punishment fixed at imprisonment for life.
_______________________
Children of George Robbins and Alphretta Sweet:
(1) Lewis Henry Robbins born May 9, 1885 Storm Lake, IA
(2) George Boyde Robbins born October 24, 1890 married Grace Lillian Barnes
(3) Roy F Robbins born October 4, 1891…may be the Roy Robbins who died March 1980 in California (same birth date)
(4) Bertram Edward Robbins born July 28, 1894
(5) LaVerne Everett Robbins born August 21, 1896 ; died October 7, 1983 in River Forest, Cook Co., Illinois; married Ida Kleckner
(6) Maurice Lee Robbins, born February 13, 1899 died September 10, 1976 Storm Lake, IA; married Ruth Marie Schultheis
(2 children:Dorris Maxine Robbins born October 28, 1922, Washington Twp, IA and Pauline Frances Robbins born March 22, 1924 Washington Twp, IA
George Robbins, the village blacksmith, came into the hotel next to face Fairbanks. Fairbanks aimed at him, shooting him in the left leg, nine inches about the knee. Reports have Robbins turning from the door, staggering out into the alley, where he died.
Fairbanks was convicted April 3, 1899, following a two week jury trial. He was sentenced to life imprisonment at Fort Madison where he died at the age of 70. His body was cremated and the ashes scattered across the Mississippi River.
Right after the murder, the town's people of David hung a rope over a rafter that extended between the grocery store and the ice house. They had planned to hang Fairbanks immediately; a lynching however was averted, but the rope hung there for many years, until only the tassel remained.
Written by Vivian DuShane
______________________
Source: Decorah Republican Apr. 6, 1899 P 2 C 4
—De Forest Fairbanks was found guilty, at Osage, Tuesday, of the murder of Geo. Robbins, Dec. 3d last, and his punishment fixed at imprisonment for life.
_______________________
Children of George Robbins and Alphretta Sweet:
(1) Lewis Henry Robbins born May 9, 1885 Storm Lake, IA
(2) George Boyde Robbins born October 24, 1890 married Grace Lillian Barnes
(3) Roy F Robbins born October 4, 1891…may be the Roy Robbins who died March 1980 in California (same birth date)
(4) Bertram Edward Robbins born July 28, 1894
(5) LaVerne Everett Robbins born August 21, 1896 ; died October 7, 1983 in River Forest, Cook Co., Illinois; married Ida Kleckner
(6) Maurice Lee Robbins, born February 13, 1899 died September 10, 1976 Storm Lake, IA; married Ruth Marie Schultheis
(2 children:Dorris Maxine Robbins born October 28, 1922, Washington Twp, IA and Pauline Frances Robbins born March 22, 1924 Washington Twp, IA
There was a murder in the town of David in 1898. The shooting took place at the hotel which was operated by Mary and Henry Meiers. DeForest Fairbanks, a resident of the hotel, was linked romantically with Mary Meiers and had been ordered from the establishment by Henry. On Saturday, December 3, 1898, at approximately 3 p.m., Fairbanks came to the hotel to talk with Mrs. Meiers about remaining in David with him instead of moving to Milwaukee with her family. When she turned him down, Fairbanks became angry, drew a gun and threatened to shoot Henry Meiers. Mrs. Meiers and her two children reportedly screamed and nine year old Eddie ran across the street to Dave McLaughlin's office to call for help. McLaughlin came across the street, reportedly followed by Robbins, Poorte, Smith, McNulty and several others. McLaughlin kicked down the door to enter the building. The first shot fired struck McLaughlin in the left side of the breast, but was deflected by clothing and articles in his shirt pocket. McLaughlin backed out of the hotel, saying, "Boy's. I've been shot, but I'm not dead."
George Robbins, the village blacksmith, came into the hotel next to face Fairbanks. Fairbanks aimed at him, shooting him in the left leg, nine inches about the knee. Reports have Robbins turning from the door, staggering out into the alley, where he died.
Fairbanks was convicted April 3, 1899, following a two week jury trial. He was sentenced to life imprisonment at Fort Madison where he died at the age of 70. His body was cremated and the ashes scattered across the Mississippi River.
Right after the murder, the town's people of David hung a rope over a rafter that extended between the grocery store and the ice house. They had planned to hang Fairbanks immediately; a lynching however was averted, but the rope hung there for many years, until only the tassel remained.
Written by Vivian DuShane
______________________
Source: Decorah Republican Apr. 6, 1899 P 2 C 4
—De Forest Fairbanks was found guilty, at Osage, Tuesday, of the murder of Geo. Robbins, Dec. 3d last, and his punishment fixed at imprisonment for life.
_______________________
Children of George Robbins and Alphretta Sweet:
(1) Lewis Henry Robbins born May 9, 1885 Storm Lake, IA
(2) George Boyde Robbins born October 24, 1890 married Grace Lillian Barnes
(3) Roy F Robbins born October 4, 1891…may be the Roy Robbins who died March 1980 in California (same birth date)
(4) Bertram Edward Robbins born July 28, 1894
(5) LaVerne Everett Robbins born August 21, 1896 ; died October 7, 1983 in River Forest, Cook Co., Illinois; married Ida Kleckner
(6) Maurice Lee Robbins, born February 13, 1899 died September 10, 1976 Storm Lake, IA; married Ruth Marie Schultheis
(2 children:Dorris Maxine Robbins born October 28, 1922, Washington Twp, IA and Pauline Frances Robbins born March 22, 1924 Washington Twp, IA
George Robbins, the village blacksmith, came into the hotel next to face Fairbanks. Fairbanks aimed at him, shooting him in the left leg, nine inches about the knee. Reports have Robbins turning from the door, staggering out into the alley, where he died.
Fairbanks was convicted April 3, 1899, following a two week jury trial. He was sentenced to life imprisonment at Fort Madison where he died at the age of 70. His body was cremated and the ashes scattered across the Mississippi River.
Right after the murder, the town's people of David hung a rope over a rafter that extended between the grocery store and the ice house. They had planned to hang Fairbanks immediately; a lynching however was averted, but the rope hung there for many years, until only the tassel remained.
Written by Vivian DuShane
______________________
Source: Decorah Republican Apr. 6, 1899 P 2 C 4
—De Forest Fairbanks was found guilty, at Osage, Tuesday, of the murder of Geo. Robbins, Dec. 3d last, and his punishment fixed at imprisonment for life.
_______________________
Children of George Robbins and Alphretta Sweet:
(1) Lewis Henry Robbins born May 9, 1885 Storm Lake, IA
(2) George Boyde Robbins born October 24, 1890 married Grace Lillian Barnes
(3) Roy F Robbins born October 4, 1891…may be the Roy Robbins who died March 1980 in California (same birth date)
(4) Bertram Edward Robbins born July 28, 1894
(5) LaVerne Everett Robbins born August 21, 1896 ; died October 7, 1983 in River Forest, Cook Co., Illinois; married Ida Kleckner
(6) Maurice Lee Robbins, born February 13, 1899 died September 10, 1976 Storm Lake, IA; married Ruth Marie Schultheis
(2 children:Dorris Maxine Robbins born October 28, 1922, Washington Twp, IA and Pauline Frances Robbins born March 22, 1924 Washington Twp, IA
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