Lorain Times-Herald Front Page – May 31, 1923

It’s the last day of May, and ninety-three years ago today, Lorain was just coming off a very quiet Memorial Day 1923.

Under the heading QUIET OBSERVANCE OF MEMORIAL DAY, a short article noted, “Outside of a strong wind blowing off Lake Erie and scores of automobiles filling Lorain’s main thoroughfares, Memorial Day here yesterday was one of the most quiet in years.

“No public demonstrations of any kind were in evidence. Members of the American Legion, Veterans of the Foreign Wars and Sons of the Veterans Auxiliary decorated the graves of soldiers at both cemeteries in the morning.

“Memorial Day yesterday was the first time in many years that there was no parade or public demonstrations of any kind here.”

Elsewhere on the front page, the big news was that the circus was in town. “Kids, big and small, were having their inning today by reason of the fact the Hagenbeck Wallace circus is in town with all its old time lure and pristine glory.

“The circus, enroute to the west coast, came into Lorain over the Nickel Plate early this morning from Ashtabula, where it played yesterday.

“The circus grounds are at Washington-av and 14th-st on the spacious show lot known as Municipal field.

“Shortly before noon today the big street parade rolled through 14-st to Broadway, north on Broadway to Erie, west on Erie to Washington and back to the show grounds.

“The big feature of the circus this year is the English Hunt scene, which is heralded as the prettiest animated picture ever presented under canvas.

“There are lots of funny clowns, good aerialists, trained animals, pretty girls and every requirement of the big-time circus.”

Finally, of particular interest to me is the article entitled, POSSE SHOOTS DOWN DESPERADO WHO TERRORIZED TOWN FOR WEEKS. From North Bay, Ontario came the report that Leo Rogers, a “21 year old desperado” had been shot dead by a posse. He had been on the run after escaping from the courthouse, (where he was being tried) and murdering, in turn, a Provincial constable and a city policeman when they each tried to arrest him. North Bay had been terrorized for two weeks while Rogers was being tracked. 

The reason I was so interested is because I spent a lot of time in North Bay over the years, visiting the spouse’s grandmother and other family. They were still talking about Leo Rogers in the early 2000s, and able to point out the house where he lived.