Louis and Jacob Keer
Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 24 February 1904, page 5
COAL OIL-The wife of Jacob Keer, a shoemaker residing at 629 York Street, Newport, undertook to kindle a fire with headlight oil in a hot blast stove, at her home, Tuesday night, when the flames flashed up and severely burned her about the face and arms. Her injuries are not of a serious nature.
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Kentucky Post, Monday, 29 August 1904, page 5
REUNION-It was a joyful reunion that took place at the Grand Central Depot in Cincinnati Monday morning between Jacob Keer, the shoemaker of 629 York st. Newport and his old father, Louis, whom he had not seen for 14 years. It was the climax to one of those little stories in real life that are stranger than any fiction. Jacob Keer lived in Russia, and when he was 15 years of age decided to leave such a barbarous country and come to America.
After many difficulties he arrived in this county and tried several occupations. He married an American girl and finally drifted to Newport, where he became a shoemaker. But Jacob was worried because he knew his father was not here. He knew he did not like the Russian army where he was serving as a private, but saw no hope of their ever being together. Last year his brother came to America but was accidently killed in New York.
In the meantime the father had tried to escape, but was caught and put under heavy guard. In the face of almost insuperable difficulties, the Russian escaped again, and this time got safely away. Almost frozen and nearly starved to death he boarded a vessel for America. (Note: Immigration records show Louis leaving Liverpool England and arriving in New York May 1904.)
He was trying vainly to located his son, Jacob, when he was nabbed by the emigrant authorities on the charge of being a deserter. Louis was taken to Ellis Island and confined. Here he gave up all hope and submitted dully to the inevitable. But his son, Jacob away off in Newport, heard about his plight and pleaded with County Judge Hissem, Commonwealth Attorney Burkam, Sheriff Dan Riedel and Deputy Sheriff Charles Davis for help. As detailed in the Post, they each sent telegrams vouching for Jacob's standing in the community and asking that his father be released. By a remarkable coincidence Deputy Davis was a warm friend of one of the Emigrant Inspectors at Ellis Island, who set things moving there.
The result was that Jacob Keer stood on the Grand Central Depot at 3 pm Monday morning awaiting a train from the East. When a black bearded man with a foreign look stepped off a train and looked helplessly around, Keer could hardly contain his joy. "Do you know me?" he said stepping up to the man. The man shook his head undecidedly and muttered something in Russian. Keer broke into a smile and then the stranger thought he was making fun of him and move away.
"And you don't know me? shouted Keer. "Why my name's Keer, jacob Keer. "My son!" grasped the older man and in a moment the two were in one another's arms and tears were streaming down theold Russian's cheeks. There was no happier man in Newport Monday morning than Jacob Keer.
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Kentucky Post, Thursday, 1 September 1904, page 5
REFUGEE-Louis Keer, the Russian refugee, who, after great difficulties, arrived in Newport Monday where he joined his son, Jacob Keer, the York st. shoemaker, applied to County Judge Hissem Wednesday afternoon for naturalization papers, but was refused, as he had not been in the country long enough. Keer was detained at Ellis Island, New York and was only allowed to come to Newport on the earnest solicitation of the county officials here.
It was mainly through the telegram sent by Deputy Sheriff Charles Davis that Keer's release was brought about. Davis was a personal friend of Emigrant Inspector William Weihe at the island. The following letter received Wednesday by Davis from Weihe will go to prove that Keer, like Rip Van Winkle, "was a lucky man. Your telegram of the 26th in regard to the alien, Louis Keer, was received last Friday afternoon. In reply, will state that the United States Marine Hospital Surgeon certified that the alien was a very sick man and unable to make his own living, therefore, you will realize the seriousness of the case."
The alien's brother, residing here in New York, appeared for him immediately on his arrival, but was unable to have him released on account of the doctor's certificate. "The alien is now permitted to go to his son at Newport, which I presume, you know by this time. I have taken the statement of your telegram to mean that you fully knew that the alien's son in Newport is able and willing to provide for his father so that he will not at any time become a public charge while in this country, for which I take your word."
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Kentucky Post, Thursday, 19 October 1905, page 5
SCENE-The alimony suit of Kate Kerr and the divorce suit of Jacob Keer, a Newport couple, is on trial in the Campbell County Court. The wife first sued for $3 a week alimony, which was answered by her husband praying for a divorce on statuary grounds. The spectacle of a husband and wife testifying in court against each other was presented in todays proceedings. Both principals are Russian Jews and it was with difficulty that Judgey Berry and Deputy Davis restrained the couple from violating the rules of the court.
One scene caused a temporary sensation. Keen was on the stand, testifying to the alleged shortcomings of his wife. She stood the ordeal as long as she could but finally lost control of her feelings. Jumping to her feet she advanced toward the witness and shaking her finger in his face said: "That's a lie." Judge Berry and Deputy Davis rapped for order and Mrs. Keer's attorney, Mr. Kendrick, prevailed on her to restrain herself which she did with an effort.
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Kentucky Post, Friday, 20 October 1905, page 7
DIVORCE-The hearing of the alimony suit of Kate Keer against Jacob Keer and the latter's suit for divorce, was finished yesterday and taken under advisement by Judge Berry.
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Kentucky Post, Tuesday, 9 April 1907, page 5
BREACH-Harry Siegel is the plaintiff in a suit filed yesterday in the Campbell Circuit Court against Jake Keer and Joseph Hubb to restrain them from operating a shoe repair business at 607 York st. Newport. Siegel alleges the defendant, Keer sold his business at 621 York st. to Joseph Tiger, who in turn sold it to the plaintiff, on the stipulations being that Keer was not to start another shop within two squares of 621 York st. The plaintiff further alleges that the co-defendant, Hubb, is employed by Keer and is pretending to own the business.