"Smith and Meth-son": Iowa Police Share Photos of Seized Weapon

Police in Meskwaki Nation have shared an arrest report and a sort of Public Service Announcement you should be aware of.

"We want to inform you of a public safety and law enforcement matter that came to our attention today," the department wrote on Facebook. "The possessor of this firearm was a felon prohibited from possessing firearms and was previously convicted for possessing firearms."

The department shared photos of a pieced-together makeshift firearm with a wooden handle, two barrels, and of course, a flashlight.

Meskwaki Nation Police Department - Iowa

"Although our officers have dubbed this creation the “Smith and Meth-Son,” this is no laughing matter," the Meskwaki Nation Police Department wrote.

Meskwaki Nation Police Department - Iowa

The firearm had springs rigged to a "trigger" that would allow the gun to be cocked but not fire until the user decided.

Meskwaki Nation Police Department - Iowa

It only holds two shots, fired by a springloaded punch, so be sure you hit whatever threat you're trying to take care of.

"The Meskwaki Nation Police Department not only serves the proud Meskwaki Community, but also a casino and highway that brings visitors from all over and offers opportunities for very interesting encounters," the department wrote, making me personally feel as though this gun was confiscated at a casino.

In all honesty, whoever designed this thing is some kind of a genius. I mean, look at this thing in action, thanks to the Meskwaki Nation Police Department sharing video.

Oh, and assumingly for decoration, a quarter was attached to the back of the hammer, giving it that uniquely American feel.

Meskwaki Nation Police Department - Iowa

Check out the full post from the department, where they also explain they're looking for an officer to join the team.

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Iowa's Island City

There is something unique about every town, but there is really something special about Sabula, IA. Known as "Iowa's Island City," Sabula is the only town in the state of Iowa that is entirely on an island. While not a lot of people have been to, or live in Sabula, it is a quaint little town nestled right on the Mississippi River.

Before we show you around "Iowa's Island City," let me give you the history of Sabula. Sabula was established in 1835, according History of Jackson County, Iowa, Volume 1 by James Whitcomb Ellis. Isaac Dorman and a man named Hinkley crossed the river from the Illinois side on a log and decided to settle on what is now Sabula. An Ohio couple, James and Margaret Woods would settle on Sabula about a year later in April of 1836. Their son, Dr. E. A. Woods would purchase Hinkley's interest in the claim. Charles Swan and W. H. Brown would soon purchase Dorman's interest. The three men, Woods, Swan and Brown later had the land plotted in 1837.

The idea behind plotting the land was because there was no town between Lyons (north Clinton) and Bellevue. The plot of the new town was recorded in Dubuque as this area was part of Dubuque county at the time, according History of Jackson County, Iowa, Volume 1 by James Whitcomb Ellis.

According to Island City Harbor's website, Sabula went through a few names before landing on the official town name. In 1837, Sabula was first called Carrollport. Residents of the town didn't like the name because there was a man's name who was Carroll who had a bad reputation. The town changed its name to Charleston, after early settler Charles Swan. The only issue was that there was already a town called Charleston in Iowa which caused much confusion.

In 1846 the settler’s decided to find a name. Island City Harbor's website says that because of it’s sandy soil, William Hubble suggested the town be called "Sabulum" which is Latin for sand. A party was being held around the time the town name was being discussed, when a woman, supposed to be Miss Harriet Hudson, suggested the town be called Sabula as it was easier to pronounce and sounded more elegant, according History of Jackson County, Iowa, Volume 1 by James Whitcomb Ellis.

Sabula did not actually become an island until 1939. According to Wikipedia, in the 1930's, the Army Corps of Engineers constructed the lock and dam system. In 1939, Lock and Dam No. 13 between Clinton, IA and Fulton, IL was built which caused the bottomlands west of the town permanently flooded. With the Mississippi River east of the town, this created the "Island City." A levee was built around Sabula in 1957 for protection, according to Island City Harbor's website. This also allowed for the south sand pit to be turned into a boat harbor.

I would like to thank my mom Beth, her fiancé Matt, my brother Nolan and my wife Ellie for accompanying me to Sabula. We always have a blast on our trips and this one was no exception.

It's now time to introduce you to Sabula, Iowa, Iowa's Island City.

Source: “Smith and Meth-son”: Iowa Police Share Photos of Seized Homemade Gun

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