Iowa
Old Press
Iowa Recorder
Greene, Butler co., Iowa
May 22, 1907
Iowa State News
Phones Her Friends.
"I am Mrs. George Betts and I am about to drink carbolic
acid and leave this world forever," was the startling
message which went over the telephone wires in every direction
from the comfortable Betts farm home, six miles from Guthrie
Center. Family after family was called up to hear the melancholy
announcement. Friends and acquaintances would be peremptorily cut
off when they started to plead with the woman to change her mind.
When the neighbors arrived Mrs. Betts had taken the final dose.
The husband hurried home from town and brought doctors with him,
but his wife was past help and died within a few hours. It is
believed the woman was despondent over her health.
Serves Three Years of Sentence
William Jones, a colored man, serving an 18-year sentence for
murder in the second degree, was released from the Anamosa
penitentiary on suspension of sentence. He was sent up from
Dubuque county in December, 1904. He was working for a circus
company and got into a controversy with another colored employe
and struck him with a tent stake, causing his death.
Receives Painful Injuries
A most painful accident happened to the 19-year-old son of Henry
Isentroger of Dumont, whereby he is to lose the sight of one of
his eyes. He was assisting in clearing rock from the farm, when a
crowbar which he was using slipped and struck him on the side of
his face just back of the eye with such force as to knock the
organ from the socket.
Dies on Rubbish Heap
Winfield McKim, aged 68, a painter who spent his winters in the
county poor house, was found dead in a barn at Charlotte after
leaving the institution for the summer. Death was due to
suffocation, the old man falling among a heap of rubbish on the
floor of the barn, face downward and expiring.
Wealthy Farmer Hangs Himself
Iso Ryks, a wealthy farmer, living near Parkersburg, hanged
himself in the barn on his farm. When he left the house he told
his family he was going to fix some fences. His failure to return
caused an investigation to be made and he was found. No cause is
assigned for the deed.
Boasts of Health and Dies.
"I am 65, but sound as a dollar and good for at least
85." With the sound of his own voice still lingering in his
ears, James Hadfield, a pioneer of Polk county, testifying in a
civil action in Des Moines, gave a sudden gasp, slipped forward
on his chair and dropped to the floor dead. Heart disease was the
cause of his death. Apparently Hadfield was in the best of
health. He was in the act of answering the usual question as to
age put to a witness when he jocularly boasted of the future. The
death created consternation in the court room.
Assaulter Gets Long Term
Lem Whimpey was sentenced in the District Court to thirty years
in the penitentiary for assault on a young girl in Des Moines.
Convict Mice of Old Theft
After being under a cloud for more than four years, H. Wooley,
night telegraph operator and station agent in Osceola, has been
vindicated of the theft of $100 from the railroad company. Mice
have proven the culprits. The tearing up of the old station
revealed the true story. Buried under a post and forming part of
a nest was the money, all in bills, badly chewed. Wooley, who was
discharged, will be reinstated.
Page Loses Job; Runs Away
Senator E.P. McManus of Lee county is searching for Clifton
Gathens of Des Moines, the little lad who disappeared nearly two
months ago and who has been missing ever since. The Senator says
the boy left home early in March, after he had been discharged as
a page in the Senate following a case of earache. He had put
another boy in his place, but when the sergeant at-arms heard of
the change he gave the boy his dismissal. The discharge broke his
heart and he left home. Mr. McManus says he is a bright lad,
delicate and refined in appearance and that he was a great friend
to the boy. The legislator says he will keep up the hunt until he
finds him and is willing to pay a reward for his return to his
parents, who live at 34? Thirty first street, Des Moines.
- Relying on a dream, August Aase came to Des Moines and found
his sister, who mysteriously disappeared seven months ago. Her
parents live in Norway, Europe.
- Gladys Van Gilder, the 8-year-old daughter of Charles Van
Gilder, was burned to death at her home north of Highland Park,
Des Moines. The little girl was with a farm hand, burning corn
stalks. Her dress caught fire and before the flames could be
extinguished she died in agony. The father was badly injured
while trying to save the child's life.
[transcribed by C.J.L., May 2007]