1974: Rural Eldridge grain theft loss reaches $20K

Dec. 25, 1974: Grain thieves made off with $20,000 worth of soybeans from the Wes Rock farm in rural Eldridge. The FBI was analyzing two wagonloads of beans that had been detained in Clinton and Jones counties to see if Rock’s beans were included in those loads. Rock had been holding those beans, which represented 25 percent of his total crop for the year, in storage, hoping to get a higher price. If the beans could not be recovered, insurance would cover the loss, though Rock said he did not know the exact amount his insurance company would pay out.