http://www.cooganresearchgroup.com/crg/index.htm

15 May 2014

COOGAN story

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appearing in "Fort Smith Times Record" [AR] (27 NOV 1914):

TURKEY-FREE-FOR-ALL FIGHT SENDS FIVE PERSONS
BEFORE MAYOR FOR JUDICATION OF TROUBLE ORIGINATING
OVER CLOGGED SINK AT HOTEL

[this article was summarized by Fort Smith History web site]

A Thanksgiving day brawl and an explosion inspired by Christmas
highlighted the holiday season in Fort Smith in 1914.

The incident injured the following:

Robert Goodman: "Nick on head; head swathed in bandages; knife
   stab in left hand; more bandages; scratch - says it was caused
   by knife in left arm."
M. S. Pilgren: "Discolored eye and scratched face."
Papa Coogan:  "Nick on forehead and bumps on head."

All were charged with "D&D" [drunk and disorderly].

Pilgren ran the Central Hotel at the corner of North Tenth and B
streets and the Coogans lived there.  The free-for-all began when
Coogan discovered a sink in the hallway was stopped up and 
suggested that the Pilgrens had thrown garbage into the drain.
Pilgren resented it and apparently insulted Mrs. Coogan.  Boards,
scantlings and a shovel were the weapons that figured into the
subsequent fight.

Accusations flew between the two families in court as to who was
the real aggressor, but plenty of invective and profanity was 
traded by both sides in the melee as well.

"Mrs. Pilgren called me enough names to build a road to the depot,"
Papa Coogan said.  Mrs. Pilgren said Coogan was the only one
cussing.

Goodman was standing in a doorway watching the fight and was 
somehow drawn into it.  Coogan charged him with coming to Pilgren's
aid.

Later in court, Goodman testified that he found a straw among the
obstructions in the sink drain.

"I guess it was the straw that broke the camel's back," said Mayor 
Read, who presided over the police court that heard the case.

[NOTE - there is no record of how he ruled...]

http://www.fortsmithhistory.com

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