FREMONT COUNTY HERALD
Sidney, Fremont Co., Iowa

December 5, 1895

     --"Birthday Surprise".--At the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. M.Kingsolver, in Prairie township, Nov. 26, 1895, about twenty of their friends surprised Mrs. Kingsolver by walking into her residence at 11 o'clock Tluesday morning Nov. 26th. They reminded her that it was her 62nd birthday, and in proof of the fact presented her with several handsome and useful presents.
     The surprise was planned by Mr. Kingsolver, and to say that he is an adept at the business is putting it lightly. John's behavior on ordinary occasions has always been of the best but the surprise being so complete it was not strange to see him playing some of his old pranks of younger days.
    In the dining room the table was laden with good things and which were silent witnesses of the skill of Mrs. S. F.Gordon, Mrs. Howard Kingsolver and Misses Nellie and Sallie Kingsolver, in preparing delicacies for such occasions and to which ample justice was done.
     There were present Mr. and Mrs. Bopp, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Kuhn, Mr.and Mrs. Chas. Magel, Mrs. B. F. Gordon, Miss Alice Gordon, Mrs. James Wilson, Mrs. Clara Pierce, Mrs. John McMullen, C. F.Mitchell and wife, Howard Kingsolver and wife and Mrs. Anna Brown.
     After dinner they repaired to the parlor where the time was spent in music and social chat until a late hour in the afternoon and with good wishes for many more birthday surprises the company departed.

  --Tuesday night while William Stotts and family of Prairie township, were visiting up near Randolph some scoundrels entered his house and proceeded to help themselves to just what they wanted. Mr. Stotts always kept his deeds, receipts and other valuable papers in a small fire-proof box in a bureau drawer. When the family returned they found the box and contents gone, also a piece of side meat, a ham and some apples. Every receipt that Mr. Stotts has received within the last twenty-five years and seven deeds which are of no earthly use ot anyone else, were taken and he offers $25 reward for the return of the papers. There seems to be no clue as to who the thieves were, but if they are ever brought to light, Bill will make it warm for them.

[transcribed by W.F., February 2006]

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December 19, 1895

"COWDEN -- BATCHELDOR".
     One of the grandest events that has ever been in our town as on the occasion of the marriage of Miss Addie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. D. Batcheldor, to Franz E. Cowden, Wednesday evening, at 7 o'clock.
     The guests numbered nearly one hundred and promptly at the hour mentioned, the folding doors were thrown open and the many guests quietly awaited the appearance of the groom and bride who soon came in, with Rev. A. A. Walburn of Essex, in advance followed by James Batcheldor, a brother of the bride, as best man and Miss Ola Shoemaker a best lady and they were followed by the bride and groom, all marching to a beautiful wedding march played by Miss Rilla Shoemaker in her excellent style.
    After the two couples had taken a position on the north side of the spacious parlor, Rev. Walburn proceeded with a beautiful ceremony, fitting the notable occasion. After the ceremony Rev. Preston offered a few words of prayer that were very appropriate. The newly married couple were then introduced by Rev. Walburn to the crowded rooms and many were the congratulations showered upon them. The bride was dressed in cream silk trimmed in white beaded jets, which was truly beautiful. The groom was dressed in conventional black.
    The time soon came when the guests were invited into the dining room, where two tables were loaded with the best of the land, and Mr. and Mrs. Batcheldor, with their assistants, proceeded to seat them and supply their wants in a manner royal to any occasion of like character. No tongue nor pen can tell of the grandeur the hour afforded the many guests who so cheerfully enjoyed the passing moments, and were completely enwrapped in the wave of exstacy that fell upon all present.
     Below we give a list of the presents and the names of the donors:
NEW HOME SEWING MACHINE IN MAHOGANY CASE: Dr. S. C. Hatton and wife, W. R. Meek
and wife, J. H. Moore and wife, A. C. Preston and wife, Joe Samuels and wife, O. B. Scoles, E. Smith and wife, A.A. Walburn and wife, A.T. Wheeler and wife.
ELEGANT ONYX STAND: Myrtle Clothier of Humeston, Cora Beam, Lillie Garnsey, Mamie and Carrie Hough, Nellie Moore, Grace and Kate Roberts, Misses Rilla and Ola Shoemaker, Lena and Julia Simons, Eunice Williams, Cinda Wynn.
SILVER CREAM SPOON: William Jarman and wife.
GOLD LINED AND SILVER PLATED SALT CELLARS: Mattie Jarman
SILVER BUTTER DISH: B. W. Magel and Mattie Jarman.
SET OF SILVER SPOONS: W. R. Cowles and wife
JAPANESE CRQCKER JAR: A. A. Walburn and wife of Essex.
SET OF SILVER SPOONS: John Samuels and wife
TABLE CLOTH: Lydia Cowles
SET OF SILVER SPOONS, SET OF SILVER KNIVES AND FORKS AND BUTTER KNIFE: D. Rankin, W. T. Rankin and T. O.Wilson, of Tarkio, Mo.
SILVER TEA SET: Charles Cowden
FANCY GOLD LAID BREAD PLATE: Laban Yordy and daughter, Inez.
EGYPTIAN DECORATED LAMP: Albert and Gene Smith and Frank Shoemaker.
SILVER GRAVEY SPOON: J. H. Wilson and L. Z. Emmart.
SET OF SILVER FRUIT KNIVES: W. C. Mann of Thurmann, and Emma Hill of Sidney
GOLD BROSSED PARLOR LAMP: F. A. Furman, R. L. Knapp, L. A. Williams, J. F. Lewis, Walter Moore, Morris Smith, Phin Townsend, J. R. Cowger and wife, C. R. Kidd and L. A. Williams
BERRY DISH: Isabel Smith
BOOK: "Our Wedding Bells".--Ed. Cook, of Sidney.
MARBLE CLOCK, gold plated: Burt Kidd and wife, E. Kidd and wife.
WHITE BED SPREAD: Jennie Smith
SILVER CAKE STAND AND SILVER CARD RECEIVER: Cole sisters, Beatrice, Neb .
FINE PARLOR LAMP: J. C. Roberts and wife and Dr. E. F. Cowger and wife.
CELLULOID COLLAR BOX: Charles Gore
CENTER TABLE: Thomas Thomson and wife, T. A. Gowdy and wife, L. Morgan and wife, Robert Thomson and wife.
SWINGING ROCKING CHAIR: James Batcheldor
BED SPREAD: Lizzie Smith
ROCKING CHAIR: Chester Smith and wife, Sherman Smith and wife, H. C. Byars.
    GUESTS PRESENT: Mr and Mrs. H. C. Byars, Dr. E. F. Cowger, James Cowger, Mrs. Lydia Cowles, W. R. Cowles, Thomas Gowdy, Dr. S. C. Hatton, William Jarman, Burt Kidd, Earn Kidd, I. R. Kidd, George Meek, Joe Morgan, Link Morgan, Rev. Preston, J. C. Roberts, Joe Samuels, John Samuels, O. E. Scoles, C. C. Smith, E. Smith, Sherman Smith, Robert Thomson, Thomas Thomson, A. T. Wheeler, Laban Yordy, Misses Maude Brewer, Jessie Buttercase, Nan Cowger, Lillie Garnsey, Mattie Jarman, Nettie Jarman, Carrie Hough, Mamie Hough, Alice Preston, Grace Roberts, Kate Roberts, Ola Shoemaker, Rilla Shoemaker, Julie Simons, Lena Simons, Eunice Williams, Cinda Wynn, Ina Yordy,  Messrs.: Robert Buttercase, Earn Cowger, Freeman Furman, Charley Gore, Charley Kidd, R. L. Knapp, J. F. Lewis, Bert Magel, Walter Moore, Frank Shoemaker, Albert Smith, Gene Smith, Morris Smith, Phin Townsend, Gus Williams, L. A. Williams. Non-resident Guests: Charles Cowden of Tarkio, Mo.; Emma Hill of Sidney; W. C.Mann of Thurman; Rev.
and Mrs. A. A. Walbaum of Essex.
    Near ten o'clock the newly married couple were driven in a closed carriage to Hamburg where they took the midnight train for Missouri, where his relatives reside and will remain with them a week or ten days and then return to make their home with the pople here. Thus have the young people lost from their number two of their leading members, but the event has given to the married people a couple which we cheerfully receive and will assist in word and action to have them cherish the new associations thrown around them as they journey along the rugged as well as the pleasant walks of life.
    Mr. Cowden is one of the foremost and most energetic young farmers, having charge of and an interest in the large Rankin Ranch just south of town, and a young man whose habits and deportment would introduce him into the highest walks of life, and is a respected citizen among all our people.
    His bride was born and grew into womanhood in this county and is a young lady of polished attainments, a graduate of our high school, taught school several terms with unbroken success and one of the leading members in the young people's societies.
    We wish the young couple all the pleasure and happiness that would adore their pledged lives and that their interests may be mutual on all occasions and under all circumstances.

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