This timeline is a work in progress. It is the initial first step in the process to create an article on what is known on the notorious Amelia Berg over the course of her time in Stevens Point, expounding on Wendell Nelson's previous work. We found Amelia's story so sensational that we could not help but share our progress with you. Mrs. Berg has already proven to be an interesting character of Stevens Point's past, but honestly, the story is just getting started. Please enjoy this next selection of our timeline on the life and literal trials of Madame Extraordinaire, Amelia Berg.
1901 Arrested AGAIN!
1901-02 Directory, Ole Berg, Saloon 126 Clark, Res 115 S First, also listed under saloons
May 17, 1901 Amelia Berg arrested again for keeping a disorderly house on First Street, complaint made by M Cassidy, owner of the hotel across the street, specific dates April 23 and 25. Berg said she’d needed to call to Chicago for a lawyer, bond set at $200. Case will be “prosecuted under the city ordinances and the penalty for the offense is a fine not less than $50 nor more than $100, or imprisonment not less than thirty nor more than ninety days.”
May 1901 Guilty! CD McFarland for the defense. Fined, but she appealed and was bonded in the sum of $250 to appear at her next court date, Andrew Geodal and Ole Berg were her sureties
June 7 1901, Arson at Mrs Hannah Booth’s property, saloon, house, barn, bowling alley, multiple out buildings, “both sides of Church street burn at McDill. Miss Daisy Clark mentioned as occupant of house.
June 18 1901 M Cassidy, owner of hotel across the street, protests Ole Berg’s license
June 19, 1901, write up mentions concealed passage to brothel from saloon and previous conviction, “The place kept by Mrs. Berg has long been a stench…ought not to be permitted longer to brazenly defy the moral sentiment of the community.”
July 1901 official protest published in Stevens Point Daily Journal by Cassidy
July 2 1901 License denied! Map used in court to show connection of establishments, in a twist JH Brennan represented M Cassidy. Brennan identifies Mrs Berg as sole owner and proprietor and that she and Ole Berg occupy the property. McFarland argued that no one could prove that any other females were in the Berg house and that Cassidy wanted the Berg property so he could build a new stable for his hotel.
Nov 13 1901 SPJ City of Stevens Point vs Amelia Berg, appeal from May
Nov 21 1901 Asphyxiation reported at notorious resort of Berg, apparently one of the girls tried to kill herself and her lover with gas poisoning. On Nov 27 when she was brought to court, she denied the attempted murder instead saying that it was an accident that the gas jet was left open. She was allowed to go home to return the next day, but instead skipped town.
Nov 22 1901 previous Amelia Berg case continued, bond of $500 set, this was the appeal from May, “she was not able to secure the attendance of important witnesses”
Dec 9, 1901 Police raid on South First Street again, Ameila Berg, Cora Edwards, Gladys Russell and Daisy Clark arrested. $100 each bail
1902 On the Move!
Jan 20 1902 reported that Amelia Berg raided on Bliss avenue, “last Saturday night,” two other inmates, pleaded not guilty
Jan 21 1902 Berg found guilty, 237 Bliss ave, Anne Christianson and Gladys (Lillian?) Russell, $50 bond
Fall 1902 Amelia moved to Church Street on the south side
Sanborn Map circa 1904
1903 State Charges! The gig is up!
1903-1904 Directory Lists “Ole Berg, saloon 126 Clark, res same; Mrs Ole Berg, res w.s. Church in. limits.” This is the only time she was mentioned in the directories.
July 9 1903 Amelia Berg arrested, disorderly house, Daisy Clark, Lillian Russell and Dolly Miller, Church Street, house of ill fame, $100 bond, Charges dropped for Berg then she was arrested again before leaving the room, charged with State offense, neighbors annoyed with her since she “became a resident of that part of the city sometime last fall (fall 1902)” A patron of Berg’s knocked on Alderman Dwinell’s door, he kicked the stranger off his porch, four other men were with him, got physical with them and they ran away.
July 29/30 1903 Change of venue for hearings, Wood County, bail set at $1000 initially, sixth time A Berg has been prosecuted for the same charge, first time for a state violation, objections to the form of the bond and the sureties, defendant in custody of the sheriff.
Oct 1903 A Berg accused of drugging and kidnapping 16 year St Pt girl, Bessie Eggleston, Dolly Miller mentioned, house in woods mentioned, back roads chase. This is mentioned in the Grand Rapids, Appleton, and Oshkosh newspapers, but NOT the Stevens Point papers. Have found no other documentation on this yet. Portage County legal records mention an underage girl who worked for Amelia and was sent to an institution for girls in Milwaukee. It is unknown if this was the same girl or another at this time.
Watch for the final part of our abridged timeline on the ever sensational life of the industrious notorious Mrs. Amelia Berg
Historic Stevens Point 