Iowa Old Press

Southern Iowa American
Centerville, Appanoose co. Iowa
Monday, April 6, 1925

Death Takes Aged Resident
This community is saddened today because of the sudden death of one of it's aged residents, Mrs. Benjamin Wells. Death came about 11 o'clock Saturday night, following an illness of only one hour's length, although she had been in failing health for some time. However, her condition was not thought to be serious, and her death came as a shock to all.

Mrs. E. Beamer was born nera Clinton, Ohio, May 26, 1842 and passed away April 4, 1925. She was married to Benjamin Wells, March 20, 1858. Nine children were born to this union, five dying in infancey, four of whom survive. They are Mrs. Isaac Gaughenlaugh, Rube A. Wells, William H. Wells and Phillip E. Wells, all of this city. Besides these immediate relatives a large circle of friends unite in mourning her death.

At the age of fourteen years she united with the Methodist church, of which faith she held to all through life. The deceased was one of the eldest residents of this city, being at the time of her death 82 yeares, 11 months and 22 days of age.

Funeral services were held at the M.E. church this afternoon at 2:00 o'clock conducted by Rev. E.J. Shook. Burial was made in the Oakland cemetery beside herhusband, who preceded her to the Great Beyond some thirteen years ago.

Wm. Caldwell Barn Burns
About 10:00 o'clock this morning fire destroyed the large barn of Wm. Caldwell, living between Cincinnati and Exline. All the contents of the barn were burned with the exception of the auto, which Mr. Caldwell was successful in getting out. The cause of the fire was unknown, stated L.A. Felkner, who hlds insurance on the barn.

Ira Curl Meets With a Peculiar Accident
Saturday evenig about 4:15 Ira Curl, living south of town, met with a rather peculiar accident which might easily have proved fatal, when he lost control of his car while on his way to this city. The Ford ran into a ditch, turned over twice and lit on its side, with hardly a scratch suffered by Mr. Curl. He had a load of millet seed in the car and was on his way to town. He does not seem to know just how the accident occurred. Mr. Curl is an aged man to drive a car, and it is thot by some that he in driving at a rapid rate, lost control of the car.

Horses, Grain, Etc. Lost in Burning Barn
The barn belonging to L.B. Monroe, living one-half mile north of Exline was destroyed by fire about 11:00 o'clock last night. The origin of the fire was unknown. Five horses, one hog and all the contents of the barn including harness, hay, grain, etc., were burned. The brother of Mr. Monroe living just across the road lost his barn with fire about a year ago. The loss to Mr. Monroe is heavy as he carried little insurance.

John Chambers' Home Burned
About 11:30 Sunday morning the fire department made its third run in a period of twenty-four hours. This time it made its way to the John Chambers home at 504 W. Jackson. Mr. and Mrs. chambers had just left their home to spend the day with her parents near Moulten. Smoke was noticed coming from the house by neighbors who turned in the alarm. Before the department arrived the flames had gained considerable headway. Furniture was removed from the house as quickly as possible. Mr. and Mrs. chambers were notified of the fire but did not arrive on the scene until after the blaze was put out. Clothes and some furniture were lost in the flames. The fire started in the wardrobe, but the origin is unknown. The property is owned by George Duckworth. The damage was covered by insurance. Mr. Chambers also carried insurance on his furniture. Mr. Duckworth will soon repair. Mr. and Mrs. Chambers [are] storing their furniture until repairs are made.

Marriage License
Tom Wheeler, 22, Centerville, Iowa and Margaret Nobile, 17, Centerville.

Grand Jury Indicts Nine
The grand jury of the April term found nine indictments out of the large number of cases which came up for its hearing. A great many cases were ignored. Those indicted were as follows:
State of Iowa vs John Rosetta. Indictment for liquor nuisance.
State of Iowa vs Tony Buttel. Indictment for liquor nuisance.
State of Iowa vs Pete Paskvan. Indictment for liquor nuisance.
State of Iowa vs Andrew Erlich. Indictment for liquor nuisance.
State of Iowa vs Gus Goffan. Indictment for operating motor vehicle while intoxicated.
State of Iowa vs Cyrus Downing and Fred Pulleus. Indictment for assault with intent to rob.
State of Iowa vs Tony Sebben. Indictment for liquor nuisance.
State of Iowa vs Virne Henry. Indictment for malicious injury to property.
State of Iowa vs Fred Merdie. Indictment for liquor nuisance.
State of Iowa vs Bob Smaniatto, indictment for liquor nuisance.
State of Iowa vs Fred Murdis, indictment for liquor nuisance.

Personals
-Mrs. C.D. Smith of Porto Rica is visiting her sister Mrs. E. Dustin. She will return the last of this week to visit other sisters in this city.
-C.E. Bridal, who has been serously ill at his home the past week is improving.
-Fred and Perry Dudley of his city motored to Ottumwa Sunday where they visited with relatives.
-Mr. and Mrs. Frank Putman of this city visited with friends near Mendota, Mo., Sunday afternoon.
-Mrs. Cecil Jack, of Corydon, visited in this city yesterday at the parental T.J. Bailey home.
-Doyle Glick returned to Booneville, Mo., today after visiting over Sunday in this city with is parents Mr. and Mrs. Frank Glick.
-Cliff Tipton of Marshalltown spent Sunday in this city with his brother, Roy Tipton.
-Little Miss June Belle Shaw started back to school today after being absent three weeks due to illness.
-Miss Catherine Clemens was removed to her home today from the Protestant hospital where she underwent an operation recently.

N.E. PLEASANT
News of the sudden death of John Trent came as a shock to friends and neighbors in this community. Only a short illness preceded his death. The community expends its sympathy to Mrs. Trent and the children in this sad hour of their life. A great many of the neighbors of this vicinity attended Mr. Trent's funeral held at Cincinnati Wednesday afternoon. Rev. Butler conducted the service. Eagle school was dismissed that all might attend the service. The school children honored the father of their schoolmate, Lulu Trent, by sending some beautiful flowers.

Mrs. Clem Hughes and Miss Irene Sparks accompanied Mrs. Jim Douglas and daughters to Cincinnati on Wednesday to attend the funeral of Mr. Trent.

Mr. and Mrs. Fletch Hughes were Sunday dinner guests at the Mrs. Lyde Messersmith home.

On last Sunday Mr. and Mrs. Clem Hughes entertained at dinner Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Price and baby, Mr. and Mrs. Duncan Price and Mr. and Mrs. Claude Steepy and daughter.

County Treasurer Clyde Erskine and wife and daughters were Sunday dinner guests at the parental home in this vicinity. In the afternoon John and his father attended the lecture given by John Hammond in Centerville.

Paul Erskine was helping Charles Porter disc oats ground on Monday.

Ruth Hughes visited with her grandmother, Mrs. Jesse Hughes, Wednesday.

The Porter girls called on their sister, Mrs. H.L. Ross, Tuesday afternoon. Other callers were Mr. and Mrs. George Ross, H.L. had just recently sold his fine large team of horses.

On Thursday J.M. Erskine was hauling coal from the Prospect mine on the Daniels farm.

Don Alexander spent last Sunday afternoon with Paul Erskine.

Mrs. Will Hockman attended Mrs. Snyder's funeral in Centerville Wednesday.

CINCINNATI
Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hamm of Indiana and Mr. and Mrs. George Hamm spent Sunday with Mrs. Leo Cooper of Mystic.

Mr. and Mrs. Homer Corder spent Saturday afternoon in Centerville.

Mr. and Mrs. Ira Harris, Mr. and Mrs. Pearl Helton of Seymour and Mr. and Mrs. Abe Rowland of Unionville, Missouri, visited at the William Harris residence, Saturday night and Sunday.

Mr. and Mrs. Sammy Mehrhoff and son Jack Hargis visited with Mrs. Cressie Mehrhoff Sr. Sunday.

A nurse from Iowa City brought Chester, the little son of Mr. and Mrs. Will Harris, home Friday, when [sic] he will be for six weeks.

Mr. and Mrs. Lew Argo and Mr. and Mrs. George Steepy spent Suday at the Dean Argo residence.

Oscar Davidson, engineer of the Armstrong mine here, met with some bad luck Sunday morning while fixing a pump. In some manner he got his fingers caught in the cogs of the pump, cutting one of his fingers off at the first joint. The Davidson family resided in this city until a few weeks ago, when they moved to a farm near Unionville, Mo.

GRIFFINSVILLE
-Mrs. Elvin Fenton was assisting Mrs. Ed Hawk with her spring papering in [illegible].
-The C.E. Teater family spent Sunday at the Cynthis Dykes home.
-Mr. and Mrs. Karl Tracy visited Sunday with Mrs. Tracy's parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Herr.
-Mrs. Glen McNair and son, Lyle, spend Sunday at the parental J.M. Robertson home.
-Tedd Teater is the new handy-man at the W.A. Herr repair shop now.
-Fred Lowry helped the Butler family move to Greene City, Mo., Wednesday.

IOWA NEWS ITEMS
Waterloo, Ia., April 6 - Ruth Stapela, 3, was almost completely recovered here today after being thought dead by drowning yesterday afternoon. The girl was found lying face down in about a foot of water, in a shallow pond in the rear of her home. There was no sign of life and those who found her considered her dead. Firemen with a lungmotor were called however, and after some time the girl gave evidence of respiration.

[transcribed by S.F., June 2016]

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