(Arnolds Park)– A historic marker stolen in the early 1970’s from the Abbie Gardner Sharp cabin in Arnolds Park has been recovered.
The marker, a bronze plaque, was first placed at the cabin in 1928 by the Daughters of the American Revolution…or D-A-R. Dickinson County Sheriff Greg Baloun tells KUOO news he was contacted by a D-A-R member on August 7th who reported seeing the plaque on e-bay…an internet auction site. Baloun and several other D-A-R members e-mailed the person who was trying to sell the plaque…telling them it was stolen. Baloun issued a reply explaining the background…but the plaque remained up for sale. Following that, Baloun says they obtained a search warrant. It was executed by Tama county authorities on a residence in Chelsea…where a Gordon Jensen lives…the man who was trying to sell it. Authorities found the plaque and confiscated it.
Baloun says so far, they are not accusing Jensen of stealing the plaque. No charges have been filed. Baloun says Jensen apparently purchased the plaque at an estate sale.
A Dickinson county sheriff’s deputy went to Chelsea today to retrieve the plaque and interview some people.
