50 years ago

The new Bremer County Law Enforcement Center dealt with a second fire since its grand opening in August, Sheriff Bill Westendorf reported on the front page of the Sept. 23, 1973, issue of the Bremer County Independent.

A prisoner from Minnesota, held on charges of breaking and entering involving St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, was suspected of purposely starting a mattress on fire in his cell.

The man was treated for smoke inhalation at the hospital and returned to the jail. Damage was estimated at $60.

The sports section in this issue reported that Waverly native Doug Benschoter was instrumental in gaining the Iowa Hawkeyes’ only touchdown against Syracuse the previous weekend after he recovered a fumble.

“Benschoter saw his first extensive college action Saturday after star

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