Tag: September 1912

Sneaky Suspect’s Hearing Turns into a Lockdown
It was a tense day in the 47th district courtroom in Amarillo, Texas, as the preliminary hearing for J. Beal Sneed got underway on September 27, 1912. Sneed, accused of the brutal murder of Al G. Boyce Jr. on September 14, was in for a surprise. The courtroom was transformed into a fortress, with women…

Taft’s Firing Line: President Steps in to Prevent Border Bloodshed
In a daring move, President William Howard Taft intervened in the escalating tensions between Mexican federal troops and rebels near Agua Prieta, just across the Arizona border. With the threat of a full-blown battle looming, Taft issued a stern warning to both sides via the war department: ‘no firing across the line.’ It remains to…

Holiday Heists and Schoolhouse Scams: A Glimpse into Laredo’s Underbelly
As the sun sets over Laredo, Texas, a sense of unease settles over the community. With the public schools back in session, a new wave of petty thievery has washed over the city. On the morning of September 13, 1912, school bells rang out across the city, signaling the start of a new term. But…

Arsonist Mayor Walks Free: Cass Lake’s Dumas Faces Music, Gets Slap on the Wrist
September 11, 1912, marked a day of reckoning for Delbert F. Dumas, the former mayor of Cass Lake, Minnesota. Dumas, accused of attempted arson in the third degree, faced the music in Bemidji’s courthouse. Despite mounting evidence, the prosecution seemed hesitant to pursue the case, with C.C. Hanpt, a federal official, stating that charges would…
