On this date in 1908, Bert Morris of Fargo maybe should have just stayed in bed.

It seems Mr. Morris didn’t like the price that pawnbroker Matt Seigel was willing to give him for the sheep-lined coat he brought in. Morris therefore began beating up Seigel and was quickly placed under arrest, charged with assault and battery. Morris was fined $25 and twelve days in jail.

Just after Morris’ hearing, a man rushed into police headquarters and complained his sheep-lined coat was stolen, and began to give the police a perfect description of the coat that Morris tried to pawn.

Morris was again placed before the judge and convicted of petty larceny. Convicted again, Morris was fined another $50 and forty-two days in the county jail.

Some days it just doesn’t pay to get out of bed.The Fargo Forum and Daily Republican, Wednesday, October 14, 1908. pg. 12.

by Dave Seifert

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