Ishpeming was once considered something of a wild West town, akin to the national reputation of Hurley, Wisconsin, just over the border from Ironwood.

“Ishpeming’s fame as a hold-up city has gone far and wide, and a few more crimes of the nature of those committed here recently will place the city on a par with Chicago.

“The many hold-ups perpetrated here within the past few weeks are furnishing topics of conversation for the knights of the grip in all parts of the upper peninsula.

“A crowd of drummers were sitting in the lobby of the Nelson House yesterday, when one of the number sprung the latest hold-up story. ‘I tell you, boys,’ said he, ‘Ishpeming is getting to be a tough town. There was a time when there was no excitement here, but the hold-ups and robberies of the past month will give the city a reputation on a par with that held by Hurley.’

“The crimes committed here are talked of all over the peninsula. I heard two young fellows discussing them on the train this morning. One of the boys had considerable money on his person and was debating whether or not he would stop off and Marquette and remit to his company. The fellow was actually afraid to come here, fearing that he would be held up and relieved of his cash.

“I talked with him and tried to persuade him that there was no danger, but he was thoroughly scared after reading of the latest affair and absolutely refused to come here until he got rid of his cash. He left the train at Marquette, saying that when he remitted to his house, he would come to Ishpeming, but until then he would pass the town up.”

“Another of the crowd told a story of a woman that was on her way to visit friends in this city, and who, hearing of the robberies, returned to her home without stopping here. Numerous other instances were told, all of which show conclusively that the hold-up robberies are smirching the city’s fair name.” (Mining Journal, August 10, 1901)

“Knights of the grip” and “drummers” were both terms for traveling salesmen.

The chain of hold-ups started in the middle of July.

“One of the boldest and most daring robberies that ever occurred in this city was committed on Saturday evening, when John Hill, a Cleveland Avenue saloon keeper was relieved of his cash in his place of business by a lone highwayman. Leo Gadouas has been arrested, charged with the crime, but he stoutly maintains his innocence, stating that he can prove an alibi.

“The robbery occurred about 11 o’clock Saturday night, at a time when there were many people on the streets. The robber entered the saloon and looked around as if in search of someone. He then sat down and called for a drink of whisky.

“Hill and his bartender were the only persons besides the robber in the place, and as closing time had come they were counting up their cash. Without any warning the man stepped to the bar, flashed two revolvers into the men’s faces, calling upon them to throw up their hands and step from behind the counter.

“They obeyed the command and then the man helped himself to the contents of the till, which amounted to over $50. The robber then put one of the guns in his pocket and, still keeping the other pointed at Hill and the bartender, backed out through the side door.

“An alarm was immediately given and the police started to look for the man, an accurate description of whom was furnished by Hill. In less than a half hour, Officer Prin picked up Gadouas on suspicion and after an interview with Marshal Farm, placed the man under arrest charged with the crime.

“Hill is positive that he is the man and Gadouas’ appearance tallies with the description given by him and the bartender of the man who did the trick. No money or revolvers were found on his person and this leads the police to think that if Gadouas is the man, he had an accomplice.

“Gadouas will have a hearing before Judge Kennedy this morning.” (Mining Journal, August 15, 1901)

Gadouas was never charged with the crime, having provided enough of an alibi to secure his release.

“Hold-up robberies are becoming a common occurrence in Ishpeming. The third of a series of this class of crimes was perpetrated here Monday night at 11 o’clock, when Edward Dobbs, bartender at the Nelson House, was forced at the point of a revolver, to allow a lone stranger to help himself to the contents of the till. Fortunately, the day’s receipts were not large and the robber only secured a few cents over $24 (equivalent to $919.20 today). In all details, the crime is similar to others of the kind committed here during the past month.

“Shortly after 11 o’clock a man climbed the side steps to the Nelson House and entered the barroom. Dobbs was sitting on the piazza smoking a cigar, and when the man walked into the saloon he arose to wait on him. He had just got behind the bar when the man ordered him to throw up his hands and be quick about it.

“The man then proceeded to help himself to what money there was in the cash register, and when he had emptied that receptacle he quietly and quickly made his exit.” (Mining Journal, August 7, 1901)

“It is the same old story — ‘another hold-up.’ This time the crime was committed on the street and instead of the lone robber, there were two, the man with the gun and an accomplice, who searched the victim. The method was the same as in the other cases, a cool demand for money, accompanied with a threat to shoot if resistance was offered. The man approached is Harry Campbell, a barber in the employ of Heard & Johnson, whose shop is located on Cleveland Avenue.” (Mining Journal, August 8, 1901)

“Another robbery which was perpetrated about a week ago came to light yesterday, although it was not reported to the police. One of the most prominent citizens of the city was held up about 11 o’clock one night last week when on his way home. A revolver was flashed in his face and he was ordered to throw up his hands and turn over his cash. He complied with the demand, the crooks securing $3 in silver. The man does not wish his name given in connection with the affair on account of his wife, who is in a delicate condition.” (Mining Journal, August 8, 1901)

“It is probably that several additional police officers will be added to the present force. The general opinion is that the city is not adequately policed. Ishpeming is stretched out over so much territory that the whole city cannot be thoroughly covered by the number of men now doing police duty. Not only are the citizens in favor of increasing the force, but some of its aldermen are already advocating its enlargement.

“The recurring commission of grave crimes lately and the frequency of petty offenses has set the city fathers to thinking.

“An alderman, speaking to a Mining Journal reporter yesterday said: ‘I do not know why it is that so many crimes have been committed in this city within the past few weeks. And another thing that puzzles me is why the culprits almost always escape. I am well satisfied that our marshal and his assistants are doing their utmost, and that they perform their duties as well as possible, but something is wrong, and I am anxious to find out what it is.

“‘Our police force is not as large as that of other cities of equal size in the Upper Peninsula, and the fault may lie in its numerical weakness. If this is the case, I am in favor of increasing it at once, for the people of this city are paying for police protection and should have it.’

“It is probable that this question will be brought up at the next regular meeting of the common council.” (Mining Journal, July 30, 1901)

It is unknown whether the perpetrators of the crime spree were ever caught.