Thursday, March 29, 2012

REVEREND GEORGE C. HADDOCK

Chronology:

December 28, 1846 - Iowa becomes the 29th state.

Mid 1850's - Sioux City, Iowa is platted.

1882 - Iowa voted to constitutionally ban alcholic beverages.

Sioux City, who's boom was in full swing, rejected the prohibition. It was believed the sale of alcohol bolstered the city's prosperity. Some residents were openly supportive of prohibition while others were adamantly against it.

Reverend George C. Haddock preached against the liquor trade and testified against violators in open court, outraging anti-prohibitionists.

August 3, 1886 - Reverend was fatally shot near the intersection of 4th and Water Streets in Sioux City.

A grand jury indicted several men for the murder of the good reverend, but only 2 ever stood trial. Saloon owner Fred Munchrath, Jr. was tried ad convicted of manslaughter. Brewer John Arensdorf was tried twice for murder and acquitted. The identity of the actual gunman remains a mystery to this day.





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