Was Abraham Lincoln ever a bartender? Your Call the Courier questions answered

Q: What information can you provide on Monte Tharp, the original drummer for The Downbeats and a member of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Iowa Hall of Fame?

A: Monte Tharp was convicted of murder in the second degree for the fatal stabbing of Lawrence Salter in Evansdale in 1965. That conviction was overturned and Tharp then pleaded to manslaughter, went to prison and was eventually paroled. A 1973 death notice in The Courier reported Tharp died by suicide in his parent’s home in Waterloo. 

Q: What is going in the old IHOP at Crossroads?

A: A Chase bank branch.

Q: Where can you get free tax preparations this year?

A: The IRS offers two tax filing assistance programs for certain groups of people. The Volunteer Tax Assistance helps people who make $69,000 or less, are disabled or speak limited English. To find a location, call (800) 906-9887. The Tax Counseling for the Elderly program assists people who are at least 60 years old. Those locations can be found by calling (888) 227-7669.

Q: Is Katie Easter still with KWWL? If not, who’s replacing her?

A: Katie posted on her Facebook page in February that she is stepping away from news but will be staying in the area. It is unknown who will replace her.

Q: What was the name of the bar that Abraham Lincoln owned?

A: We could not find anything about Abraham Lincoln ever owning a bar. However, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum says he co-owned a small general store in New Salem, Illinois, that sold liquor, which required a tavern license.

Q: Gas at the Kwik Stars in town went up 37 cents overnight, and I’m just wondering how does that work? After reports that prices may rise due to the situation in Iran, the smoke from the bombing hasn’t even cleared yet, and they’re already jacking up the prices on the gas that’s been here since who knows when. How does that work?

A: Although the gas we are buying now has been in the U.S. since before the war in Iran, prices are climbing because future oil shipments are stalled. CBS News reported the U.S. is losing around 20 million barrels of oil supply a day from shipments that would go through the Strait of Hormuz – a passage from the Persian Gulf to the ocean.

Q: In the city of Waterloo, when does the yard waste start up again this spring?

A: The yard waste facility opens April 1. The week of April 6 is when curbside yard waste collectioin will begin.

Q: I have a squirrel that made a hole in my siding and is now living in my attic. Who could I call to get him out without killing him?

A: In Waterloo, you can rent a live trap for $25 for five days from the city’s animal control department. If you don’t live in Waterloo, consider calling your city to see if it has similar methods. Animal control might be able to recommend non-lethal methods or pest control businesses for removing your unwanted friend. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources also has a list of businesses that deal with unwanted wildlife at iowadnr.gov/programs-services/wildlife-landowner-assistance/nuisance-wildlife-control.

Call (319) 291-1550 to leave a voicemail or email newsroom@wcfcourier.com with your question.