Iowa
Old Press
The Appanoose Times
Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa
Thursday, March 3, 1881
FATAL ACCIDENT
At an early hour on the morning of Feb. 21st, our little village
was startled by the announcement that James Blackburn had fallen
to the bottom of the coal shaft and was instantly killed. Every
one was eager to know how it occured and in less time than it
takes to pen this artical men women and children were hastening
to the scene of the disaster, your correpondent among the number.
Before we reached the shaft the body had been raised and taken to
the residence of deceased in the east part of the "Old town.
We hurried thither and
beheld the mangled remains. They were a terrible ghastly sight to
behold. The back part of the head was crushed to a jelly, the
right arm broken and right hip dislocated. The accident occured
at the Huston coal shaft as follows: Very little work has been
done since the snow blockade as there has been a scarcity of
cars. Mr.
Blackburn went to the shaft to hoist a little coal for the local
trade, and was hoisting the first box and had it nearly to the
top when the decending empty cage caught in some way on one side
of the shaft. Mr. Blackburn took hold of the rope to loosen it,
which he succeded in doing, but as there was some slack in the
rope it went
down with a sudden jerk which took him down with it, head first,
a distance of about 80 feet; the concussion doubtless killed him
instantly.
Mr. Blackburn was born in Linconshire England, Jan. 13th, 1827,
and with his brother Henry emigrated to this country in 1850,
coming directly west to the state of Ohio where he remained one
and a half years, during which time he followed mining; from
there they moved to this state settling at a small place called
Plymouth, on the Des Moines river, since changed to Farmington,
where they remained a few years engaged in mining coal; from
Farmington they moved into this vicinity, Henry settling on the
farm where he now resides and James settling in the vicinity of
Walnut, where, in connection with the Ben Mells he continued coal
mining.
About this time, 1858, he was united in marriage with Miss Martha
Thurber; the result of this union was two boys and two girls; all
are living.
On the breaking out of the late war he enlisted in the service
but was not accepted on account of a crippled arm. Not succeding
in getting into the army, he moved with his family to Illinois
where he remained up to 1874, when he removed to this place. In
1876 he leased the Huston coal works which he has continuously
run up to the present, having always been an earnest hard working
man.
He was formerly a member of the Baptist church but at the time of
his death was not identified with any church.
In his death the community looses a good citizen and an upright
man, and his children a kind indulgent father. His family and
friends have the sincere and heartfelt sympathy of the whole
community in their terrible bereavement.- J. W. JR., Numa, Iowa.
---
-Be sure to attend the ward conventions on Friday evening.
-Eld. Kirkham and wife were here last week, visting friends.
-Best flour in the market, at reduced prices, at Beall's.
-For oysters in any style, hot meals or a lunch go to Strickler
Bros'.
-W. C. Haught, of Johns township, has sold his farm to Mr.
Charles Rose.
-Bob Johnson has resumed work at the old stand. Please call and
see him.
-Come in and see me. I mean to sell you pure drugs, cheap, during
1881. H. A. Russell.
-Some people there be no cry for harmony, but it must come on
their platform all the same.
-For all kinds of fancy groceries or confectionery go to
Strickler Bros'.
-Last Saturday trains on the road east of the Mississippi were
delayed four to five hours by snow.
-Quarterly meeting next Saturday and Sunday at the M. E. church,
Elder Wilson will preach 2 p.m. on Saturday.
-B. Wells will do more hard work in putting up bills and
advertising your sale than any auctioneer in Southern Iowa.
-We never bolted a convention yet and don't intend to now. While
there is a temperance ticket in the field we will stand by it.
-J. F. Crocker, formerly a citizen of this county, now of Lyons,
Rice County, Kan., is visting the family of Benj. Kinion and
other friends.
-Ladies, how can you make a neat appearance without Bortree's
Duplex
Corset? Neatest fitting corset made. Drake & Lane.
-The meetings at the Christian church are still in session and
there is much interest manifest. There have been several
accessions to the church.
-A mammoth stock of beautiful, new styled sets of furniture just
in at Houston's.
-Mr. G. C. Smith and Miss Carrie A. Sparks, both of this county,
were married last Sunday afternoon at the Baptist parsonage, Rev.
A. Robbins afficiating.
-Gen. Drake and family, execept Miss Jennie, returned last week
from New York, Miss Jennie remained in the city where she will
prosecute her studies in painting, under competent instruction.
-DR. E. Y. Munsell, eye and ear specialist, writes us that he has
been unable to fill his appointment here the first of this month
on account of serious sickness in his family. He will give notice
through the papers of his next visit.
-Our readers will regret to learn of the death, on last Thursday
evening, of little Nannie E., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. A.
Pennington. The funeral was attended on Friday afternoon at 3:30
o'clock. The services conducted by Rev. Teter.
-The largest stock of Furniture ever received in the city, just
in at J. W. Houston's.
-Many of our readers will be pleased to learn of the marriage, on
Wednesday of last week, at the residence of MR. F. M. Veach, in
this city, by Rev. Wm. Thatcher, of Mr. James Brown and Miss
Lotta M. Veach, formerly of this place, now of Numa. The TIMES
offers congratulations.
-In a copy of the Girard (Kan.,) PRESS we see a notice of the
silver wedding of Dr. and Mrs. Scott, of that city. Mrs. Scott is
a sister of Mrs. J. B. Maring of this city, and the notice states
that Mr. and Mrs. Maring were present on this occasion. The list
of presents is large, and would indicate the high esteem in which
these people are held by the citizens of that city.
-A new band has been organized in this city under the leadership
of Mr. Geo. Whitsell. They have just received some new
instruments that are very fine. They are known as the Helicon
Horn. The tuba is of
mammoth proportions, having a 20 inch bell. They are fitting
themselves to furnish some excellant music the coming summer and
under George's training we expect they will be able to do so.
CAMDEN NOTES
The Davis House, the largest hotel in Camden, is now complete.
E. A. Grist and Benjamen Ratliff are on the sick list this week.
A. C. Stone is building a new dwelling on his farm three miles
north-east of town.
S. S. Cole is getting material on the ground for a new barn.
Miss Luella McAdams finished a successful term of school at the
school house in District No. 1, last Friday.
There is some building now being done at the proposed new station
at Felkner's, one mile west from Brazil.
[transcribed by P.E., July 2006]
-----
The Appanoose Times
Centerville, Appanoose County, Iowa
Thursday, March 17, 1881
If ever a woman is entitled to a pension it is Mrs. Elizabeth
Upright, of Rockland, Iowa, and every mother in the world will be
glad to know that Congress has passed an act giving her $30 a
month the remainder of her life. Mrs. Upright furnished eleven
sons to the Union army, and ten of them were in the service at
the same time. When one of them fell by a rebel bullet, the
eleventh-the baby- stepped to the front to take his place.-Courier.
Camden Notes.
The Wabash, St.L. & P. passenger train was snow bound at this
point for one week; it was rich on our hotels.
R.B. Anderson has received the lumber for a barn.
Mrs. Nancy Wade has also received lumber for a dwelling two miles
north of town.
J.L. Moore closed his school at the Day school house, Dist., No.
4, last Saturday.
Miss Emma Corbly who has been visiting friends in this vicinity
for the past seven months, left on Friday of last week for her
home near Appleton City, Mo.
Mr. Moore had a class of five boys, from ten to fourteen years of
age, who have finished Ray's Arithmetic, Third Book, Oscar M.
Cole being the youngest, aged ten; three cheers for the boys.
Two of Dr. Wales' boys have been very sick for the last week.
Aaron Cross will build a dwelling in town as soon as the weather
permits him to.
Mr. John Hudson, who has been living near Peoria, Ill., has
returned to his old home. Mr. H. will farm the Bartlett place.
---
Mr. C.H. Austin, editor of the Lineville Tribune and
P.M. [Post Master] of that thriving little burg, was in our city
last week and gave the Times a friendly call.
The Union Central Life Ins. Co., and its plans of Life Rate, and
Endownment Policies, are worthy the examination of every man and
woman who have the future welfare of their families at heart. Mr.
R. Lanning Hutchins, Special Agent, is now stopping at the
Continental Hotel. Reference, H.H. Wright.
Cincinnati Corruscations.
Ed. Times: The singing class is all the rage at present,
and from indications there may be reasonably expected great
improvement in the music culture. The class will wind up on March
24th with a concert, for the benefit of the class.
Mrs. Albert Mitchell has been spending a week with a sick sister
at Princeton, Mo.
Mrs. G.W. Tibbetts left Saturday for a visit to friends at
Denmark.
P.S. Davis and wife and Ash Davis and wife, of Franklin township,
N.A. Robertson and wife of Promise City and M.A. and Miss S.E.
Adamson, of Numa, all spent Sunday with our people and attended
church.
On the theory that it is better late than never we were glad to
get the Times of the 3d inst. on the same day that the
issue of the 10th was delivered. The readers of the Journal
had the same cause to be thankful.
The mechanical tools of the late J.A. Chambers, wagonmaker, are
to be sold next Saturday by Supervisor Wolf. The county holds a
bill of sale on the same for part remuneration in being at the
expense of keeping said Chambers for several months preceeding
his death.
The regular quarterly meeting of the Congregational Church will
take place March 26th and 27th.
At the town election held last Monday there was a great interest
manifested and a full vote polled. G.J. Thomas was elected Mayor;
R.E. Chandlee, Recorder; W.W. May, J.H. Glasser and W.L. Leseney,
Trustees; J.A. Corder, Treasurer.
J.A. David has traded his house and lots in town to A. Root for
his farm south of town. The town property valued at $1000, and
the farm of 180 acres at $2000.
The school election today is in progress as we write; the issue
seems to be fair wages and good schools against low wages and
consequent poor schools; the voting in favor of M.N. Beer seems
to indicate the choice of the former.
The advent of spring is being heralded by those tiny and welcome
messengers, the blue bird and the lark. It is to be hoped that
they have made no mistake, as March is nearly half gone by.
Josiah Gilbert, sr., has sold his farm west of town to A.M.
Streepy and the Harris boys, 157 acres for $2000.
LOCAL MATTERS.
OVER 1000. The attention of everybody is called to the fact that
the Appanoose Times now has a circulation of more than
1000 copies weekly in Appanoose County and is unexcelled as an
advertising medium.
-Will Moore is home from Iowa City college.
-A ten-year-old son of Jas. C. Barrows sustained a severe injury
while out with some other boys hunting rabbits last week. They
were hastily climbing a fence and one of the larger boys knocked
him backward off the fence, and he fell on a snag about one half
inch in diameter and three inches long, which was forced nearly
its full length into the fleshy part of the thigh. He was unable
to get up until helped by those who were with him, and in raising
the snag was broken off and remained in the wound. He was
assisted home and cared for and is getting along very well,
though the wound was very severe and painful.
-Ask for White Rose Flour. Drake & Lane.
-Blue birds and robbins arrived last Sunday.
-The schools have closed for a two weeks vacation.
-Pres. G.T. Carpenter will preach at the Christian church on next
Sunday.
-Frederick Conrad and family have returned from Kansas and expect
to make their home here hereafter.
-The Presbyterian folks have been cleaning up and renovating
their church lately with good effect.
-Mrs. A. Mckee, who has been quite ill for some weeks past, is
now convalescent and hopes soon to be well again.
-Mr. C.A. Stanton started on last Monday evening for Chicago,
where he has gone to purchase a large invoice of spring goods.
-Don't fail to call on Hurst, the jeweler. Fine line of new
goods. Elegant line of clocks. You ought to see his goods, if you
don't wan't to buy.
-Our old friend Dick Stewart has accepted a position as foreman
in the Journal office. We are glad to have Dick take up his abode
in Centerville again.
--
[Editor attended inaugural ceremony of President James A.
Garfield]
A Centervillian Abroad.
Ed. Times:--After a short stop at Chicago, and the
Buckeye Works of Akron, Ohio, I went to Pittsburg to visit my
friends. I went through a few iron rolling mills and other places
of interest. Also went up to the top of Mount Washington, across
the river from Pittsburg, on the inclined R.R. which has a grade
of 45 degrees; in fact, it looks as though it were nearly
perpendicular. I arrived in Washington Wednesday and found our
Centerville friend, Tommy Morris, who had very kindly secured for
me a room, or I would have been under the necessity of camping
out. The city was filled with strangers and flags were flying
from houses and arches everywhere. I expected to find Gov.
Walden, Riley Guernsy and Gen. Baker, who were to be in
Washington, but I have not seen them yet, (have not been to the
police headquarters.)
Thursday dawned cloudy and forbidding and by night the snow was
two inches deep and rain had begun to fall. The morning of
Friday, the 4th, was very cold and the wind blew a perfect gale.
The crowd on the streets was estimated all the way from 100,000
to 150,000. I was lucky enough to secure a seat erected around
the large statue at the west gate of the Capitol grounds and
right at the end of and facing Pennsylvania Avenue. The view was
magnificent-20,000 soldiers in all the varied colored uniforms
and with all the equipments of war is a sight worth seeing.
When the carriages containing Garfield, Hayes, Thurman, Bayard,
Arthur and Pendleton came in sight, such a shout went up out of
100,000 throats as made the heavens ring. The procession required
two hours and ten minutes to pass a given point. Among the fifty
bands present was the C. B. & Q. band of Clarinda, Iowa, who
came through in a special car tendered them by the C.B. & Q.
road. The crowd waited patiently till the procession came around
the north side of the Capitol, as the inaugural ceremonies were
being preformed on the east steps, and headed for the White
House, and then 100,000 people went wildly crazy.
At night I attended the President's reception held in the new
National Museum. I don't know enough big words by which this
reception could be described. But it was like fairy land, as
nearly as I can remember, for some time has elapsed since I was a
fairy. About 5000 people were present. President Garfield arrived
at 9 o'clock and was escorted to his position in the west wing. A
throng of people pressed up to him to shake his hand and for an
hour they kept it up when, suddenly he changed over to the south
wing of the building.
Promptly at 11 o'clock he and his party asked to be excused and
then the dancing began. The orchestra of 160 pieces in the
gallery gave a blast and away went the dancers. A big fellow with
an eye glass, side whiskers and a swallow tail coat, grabbed a
very pretty woman who wore a handsome gown, too short at top and
too long at bottom, and the way they got over that floor was a
wonder. This seemed a signal for more grabbing to be done and a
good deal of promiscuous hugging. Not knowing how soon I might be
grabbed and not having an eye glass, swallow tailed coat, or side
whiskers, I felt it my duty to keep out of the center of the
floor. I noticed that ladies weighing about 135 to 160 lbs.
require less clothing to keep warm than those who weigh from 90
to 120 lbs.
About 2 o'clock in the morning I thought I would like some
supper, so a gentleman kindly gave me an ice cream ticket after I
handed him a dollar and I went into the supper room where the
tables were in the same shape as the dining tables at a fair
after dinner. Every body seemed to be eating out of all dishes in
common. I asked a gentleman of color for a plate of ice cream. He
handed me a wooden plate about the size of a small dinner plate.
Not seeing him anymore I gently dropped the wooden plate in my
pocket to remember him by.
During the evening I took many notes in short hand; in this way I
had free access to the house and only had to say "Times
correspondent" to pass any where. I had a great deal of
attention paid me by the people, for instance, when I stepped out
of the building to go to my lodging place, there were a large
number of carriages waiting for me, and 13 men tried to put me in
39 cabs at one time. I thanked them and felt happy enough to take
the street car line and leave my carriage for some of the ladies.
To-day I will visit the Smithsonian Institute and the White House
and Monday or Tuesday start for New York. Yours, H. B. WILLIAMS.
[transcribed by P.E., August 2006]
-----
The Appanoose Times
Centerville, Appanoose County, Iowa
Thursday, March 31, 1881
FOUL PLAY.
An Infant Murdered and Shipped to a Centerville Man.
A Clew to the Perpetrators of the foul Deed.
This community was again thoroughly shook up last week by the
news that a child had been shipped to Mr. J. A. Pierson by
express from Camden. A TIMES reporter repaired to the Court
House, where an inquest was being held and learned there and
elsewhere the following facts: It appears that on last Wednesday
a man and woman drove up to the express office in Camden and the
woman gave a package to the agent saying the directions were on
it and the charges would be paid at the destination. They gave no
names and no one seems to have known them or to have taken any
notice of them.
The agent delivered the package to the messenger on the train,
Mr. F. M. Saunders, who brought it to Centerville, as it was
directed to Mr. J. A. Pierson at this place. Mr. Pierson
happening into the office on Wednesday, took the package, paid
the charges and went over to his office. The address was written
on a small piece of folded note paper and Mr. Pierson, on
unfolding it, found a request written on the inside that he take
the contents of the box and bury in the north side of the
cemetery. This somewhat startled him but he proceeded to open the
package, which proved to be a past-board box about 10 x 14 inches
and five or six inches deep; taking off the cover he was horror
stricken to find the remains of a newly born female babe, wrapped
in an old skirt.
As soon as he could collect his scattered senses he reported the
fact to the proper authorities and the Coroner was called, a jury
summoned and an inquest held. The verdict of the jury was in
accordance with the following: The child had been born alive and
had been killed by the use of some acid or concentrated lye,
which had been poured into its mouth and on one side of the face
and body. The sight was well calculated to sicken the beholder,
and the perpetrators richly deserve to be brought to justice. Why
it should have been sent to Mr. Pierson is a mystery. After
committing such a crime, it would seem that the person or persons
who did it would seek to cover it up, but, on the contrary, they
send it into town and make it a public matter. The public await
further developments with much interest.
LATER.—Suspicion rests upon a family in the west part of the
county and it is very probable that the mother of the child has
been found, but in the absence of proof we withhold names, not
wishing to give publicity to the family in such a case only on
positive knowledge. Nothing can be done to develop the case
unless some one will push the matter and file an information, a
thing that no one has yet consented to do. Our laws are weak and
at fault in cases of this kind, it seems, and no one feels like
taking the responsibility of paying the costs that must
necessarily accrue in prosecuting the investigation. The sheriff
is unwilling to be at any further personal expense in the matter,
but expresses a willingness to serve any and all papers in the
case.
---
-Robert Henderson, while running an empty coal car on the tramway
that leads to the chutes, at the Talbot mine, sustained a severe
fall and shock last Monday morning. The car jumped the track and
fell some fifteen feet taking Mr. Henderson with it. Fortunately
Mr. H. fell in a small washout in an embankment, or the car,
which feel across him would have killed him instantly. Dr. Udell
was summoned at once and did all that could be done to make him
comfortable. No bones were broken, and unless there are internal
injuries he will soon be all right.
-Hemerlee Williams played quite a joke on the old folks at home
last week. The report had been circulated that he was married
while east, and when he returned he introduced a handsome young
lady to his parents. Of course the old folks were not to he
fooled all night, but the joke was well played while it lasted.
The young lady was Miss May Hurst who was returning from Moulton
and came in on the `bus at the same time Hemerlee did and helped
him out with his joke.
-Geo. Porter says that the boys of this place must desist from
shooting in the woods near his house, in the north part of town,
or they will be prosecuted. He don't like to have a shower of
shot fall around him every time he steps out of doors.
-We are pained to learn of the death, last week, of Mr. Wm.
Gladfelder, of Douglas township. Mr. Gladfelder was an old and
well respected citizen of this county.
-Work is progressing finely on the new Creamery building and the
farmers can begin making ready, for the regular visits, of the
man who will take the cream and pay as much for it as if it were
made into butter.
-Alex Mitchell suffered a painful accident last week. His horse
stumbled and fell with him throwing him so violently to the
ground as to fracture one of the bones of the right leg above the
ankle and dislocate the ankle joint. Dr. Reynolds rendered the
necessary surgical aid.
-Mr. Vollmer has opened a meat market on the west side in his
store room. He also intends keeping a nice line of fancy
groceries.
-Mr. and Mrs. T. L. Frisby lost a little babe last Sabbath. It
was buried on Monday in the Centerville cemetery. We extend our
sympathies.
-Mr. R. Bird and family returned last Saturday from a visit to
friends in the east.
-Fred Conrad has a dwelling under way in Thatcher's addition.
-R. H. Hoffman has bought a lot in Eells' addition and will soon
build a house thereon.
-T. G. Manson and Wm. Payton have both built neat little
dwellings in the north part of town.
-The Presbyterians have purchased lots in Eell's addition on
which to build a parsonage.
-R. McLaughlin an old resident of this county, died Feb., 25th,
at his home in Vermilion township, and was buried last Saturday,
in the Centerville cemetery. Mr. M. was born in Carlyle county,
Penn., in the year 1800; removed to this county in 1869 where he
has since lived. He was the father of ten children, four of whom
live in this county. He was generally known in this community and
was a highly respected citizen.
-Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Dewey have the fullest sympathy of this
entire community in the loss, on Tuesday last, of their bright
little boy Bertie, aged 7 years and 9 months; the funeral was
attended on Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock.
[transcribed by P.E., November 2006]