A Night in 'Hotel de Pearson'
Two brothers pay the price for a spirited Sunday of drinking in Aberdeen.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Two fishermen named John and Tom Beasley became too hilarious from an overdose of 'tarantala juice' last Sunday, and were taken in tow by Officer Pearson and given lodging overnight at 'hotel de Pearson.' They were introduced to his honor, Police Judge White, on Monday morning, who prescribed a $10 fine and costs to each. Tom paid and was released, but John will saw wood for the city for a few days to work off the debt.
“John will saw wood for the city a few days.”
The practice of 'working off' fines through forced labor for the city reflects the era's approach to municipal debt and public intoxication, a far cry from modern diversion programs.
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