Iowa's weekly newspapers of a century or more ago did an estimable job of informing their readers about the latest scandals, local and otherwise, relying on news services and exchange subscriptions for reports of statewide, national and world interest.
So when Oscar, the 24-year-old only son of Buren R. Sherman (left) --- Iowa's 12th governor --- was caught in flagrante delicto with a young lady in Waterloo during June of 1890 the headline in The Chariton Herald read, "An Iowa Sensation" with the subhead, "A Son of Ex-Gov. Sherman Brings Disgrace to the Name."
Gov. Sherman (1836-1904) served 1882-1886 and he had the distinction of being the first to occupy offices in the new Iowa Capitol building. His home was in Vinton, but after leaving Des Moines, he moved to Waterloo where from 1887 until 1891 he headed an insurance company before moving back to Benton County. His only son, Oscar, was a company employee.
Here's how The Herald reported upon the scandal:
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Waterloo is in the throes of a great sensation, of which young Oscar Sherman, son of ex-Governor Buren R. Sherman, is the hero and a Miss Griffin is the heroine. Both were employed in the office of the insurance company of which the ex-governor is president, and have been going together for some time, it being understood that they were engaged.
Miiss Griffin boarded at the house of Mr. Cutler, a relative. Wednesday night last, Sherman and Miss Griffin went to an entertainment, returning about 10 o'clock. As was often the case, he walked upstairs with her to her room, as Mr. Cutler supposed, to chat with her a few moments.
About midnight, however, not having heard the young man leave the house, Mr. Cutler went to the door of the young lady's room and rapped. He got no answer, and then proceeded to break in the door. He found a condition of affairs which led him to turn both the young lady and Sherman into the street.
Sherman and Miss Griffin went directly to the St. Paul and Kansas City depot and boarded the first train. Their destination is unknown.
Ex-Governor Sherman, when informed of his son's escapade, fell in a dead faint and is prostrated.
Both Oscar and Miss Griffin moved in the best society in Waterloo and were social favorites. The young lady is remarkable for her beauty and had heretofore borne a spotless reputation.
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Illinois marriage records show that Oscar Sherman and Caroline E. Griffin were married in Chicago on June 4, so The Cedar Rapids Gazette was able to report soon thereafter that, "Oscar Sherman, the principal of the great scandal now occupying general attention, has returned home with Miss Griffin as his bride. They were married in Chicago and are living with his father, Ex-Gov. Sherman."
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Caroline and Oscar went on to have two children, Josephine, born during 1892, and Buren R., born during 1893, but they had divorced by 1900. By that time, Oscar was living in St. Louis where, on the 4th of May 1902, he married Salomey "Loma" May Ludlam.
Oscar's health was beginning to fail by this time as tuberculosis began to take its toll. By 1905, when their daughter, Norma, was born, they were living in Arizona, where he died three years later. The Arizona Republic, his employer, published the following report in its edition of Feb. 22, 1908:
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Oscar E. Sherman, a well known Phoenix newspaperman, passed away at his residence, 1019 South First Avenue, late Thursday night. He had been in his usual health, though not able to work for some time, but on the day previous he was stricken with a hemorrhage and died shortly afterwards.
Mr. Sherman was the son of a former governor of Iowa, B.R. Sherman, and his relatives still reside in that state. He leaves here a wife and one daughter two years of age. They have the sympathy of the community in this sad hour of irreparable loss. The funeral will probably take place Sunday.
The deceased came here about three years ago and was soon engaged locally in newspaper work. His early experience had been gained on various big dailies in St. Louis, among them the Star and Republic. He afterwards was on one of the Chicago dailies. Here his health failed and he came to Arizona, hoping to benefit his condition. He seemed to improve and was soon able to resume his editorial duties.
Those who knew him regarded him as a most capable and discerning newspaperman, a hard conscientious worker, and a loyal friend, one commaning the respect and confidence of those who knew him.
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Some two months after his death, Loma and Norma Sherman accompanied Oscar's remains home to Vinton, where they were interred next to those of the former governor in Evergreen Cemetery.
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