Iowa
Old Press
Nashua Reporter
Nashua, Chickasaw, Iowa
July 13, 1899
The Mystery is Solved
The sheriff of Chickasaw county arrived here, Thursday evening
bringing with him the solution of the down-the-river mystery, the
owner of the hatpins, curls, etc., that the police found near
McMillen's spring, last week. The woman in the case is Mattie
Boyle, a patient at the hospital for the insane, brought here
from Olin. The day previous to her escapade a young fellow
representing himself to be her brother, presented himself at the
hospital to see here. After a visit with her, he asked permission
to bring her down town, which was granted as is usual in the case
of relatives visiting patients who are harmless. Her brother has
visited her before, and she had made the trip to the city with
him, so no second thought was given the matter until the fair
Mattie and brother failed to return that evening. Diligent
inquiry high and low brought no trace of the pair, until The
Conservative's account of the "Mystery of McMillen's
Spring" led the hospital authorities to the conclusion that
their fair patient was the wearer of Tidball's twenty-five cent
overalls. A couple of days later a telegram was received from the
sheriff at New Hampton, stating that the pair were there under
arrest. As above stated, Mattie was returned to the hospital
Thursday evening. The brother was given fifteen days in the
county jail at New Hampton. The umbrella was borrowed from a
young lady at the hospital. The city marshal has a few locks of
hair and a couple of hat pins for which he has no particular use.
And thus endeth the tale of the "McMillen's Spring
Mystery." --Independence Conservative.
[submitted by C.J.L., Oct. 2003]
-----
Nashua Reporter
Nashua, Chickasaw co. Iowa
July 20, 1899
Obituary.
Edward James Shannon. Another young life has been cut off that
was just in the prime of young manhood, in the death of Edward
James Shannon, eldest son of Ami and Belle Shannon, which
occurred at the family home 71/2 miles west of Nashua, last
Tuesday. Edward J. Shannon was born June 15, 1875, and died July
18, 1899, aged 24 years, 1 month and 3 days. On March 13, last,
he went to Chicago to receive medical treatment, and on March 20
an operation was performed which resulted in the removal of a
sacoma from the left side. Great hopes for his final recovery
were entertained by his relatives and friends, but they were to
be disapointed, for on May 26, he was again confined to his bed,
where he remained until the final summons came. He was very
patient during his illness, always trusting in the Lord. One of
his last remarks was, "Heaven is going to be my home."
He was a young man who had endeared all to him by his upright,
manly life, and his death casts a gloom over his many friends and
acquaintances for he was a general favorite with all. He was a
member of Powersville Camp, Modern Woodmen of America. The
funeral services were conducted by Rev. J.A. Sutton, of Nashua,
assisted by Rev. Chas. Dolan of Charles City, and were held in
the grove back of the house. the Modern Woodmen and Royal
Neighbors attending in a body. A large concourse of frineds
attended to pay their last respects to the dead, over 60 teams
folowing the remains to their last resting place in Oak Hill
cemetery. A father and mother and several brothers and sisters
are left to mourn their loss. The sincere sympathy of a large
number of friends goes out to the bereaved family.
Obituary.
Mrs. Hannah Fisher. Last Friday at the home of her daughter, Mrs.
Geo. Laird, occurred the death of Mrs. Hannah Fisher, at the ripe
old age of 89 years. Hannah Foster was born May 10, 1810, at City
Hill, Yates county N.Y., and died July 14, 1899. She was united
in marriage to Ira Fisher, of Barrington, N.Y., in 1837. Three
children came to bless their union, Lydia Ann (Mrs. Geo. Laird),
Clarissa B., who departed this life Sept. 25, 1864, and William
Henry, who died a soldier in the Union Army during the war of the
rebellion. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher lived in Yates and Steuben
counties, N.Y. until 1853 when they moved from Hammondport to
Ionia, Mich. In 1860 they came to Bradford, Ia., where they
continued to reside until the death of Mr. Fisher, June 1, 1880,
at the age of 79 years. Since then, Mrs. Fisher has lived with
her daughter, Mrs. George Laird, of this city, the only child
left to care for ther through all these years of afflicton, and
who now mourns the loss of a mother endeared by many years of
loving association. Mrs. Fisher has been in total darkness since
1881, being entirely blind, and of late years quite deaf and
otherwise afflicted. She professed faith in Christ at an early
age and ever lived consistent with her faith, being amember of
the Congregational church at the time of her death. She was
unusually bright and cheerful for one of her age and afflictions,
and her life has always been a blessing to those around her as
she was always trying to do something for and encourage all who
were in trouble and always made life pleasant for those with whom
she came in contact. the funeral services were held at the home
and were conducted by Rev. Barrett, of the Congregational church.
The remains were laid to their last rest in Greenwood cemetery.
--
On Friday last, a very unfortunate accident occurred on the farm
of Geo. Rulison, near Rossville. Mr. Rulison was mowing and had
stopped to oil the mower. His little boy, age 5, was near the
sickle bar in the uncut grass and was thought to be out of harm's
way, but when the machine started up the little fellow's foot was
caught and mangled badly. When Doctors Bowen and Meyers reached
the place it was found so nearly cut off that an amputation was
made necessary. -- Waukon Republican.
CORRESPONDENCE.
Prosper:
-Born, to Mr. and Mrs. D. Sutter, July 12, a boy
-Miss Katie Fetter is working for David Sutter
-J. Larkins is now hauling milk. He purchased a route of Geo.
Bush
-Misses J. and W. Gobelman attended church at Powersville Sunday.
-Miss Mary Myres, from near Greene, made a call at Mrs. H.A.
Jacobs' Sunday.
-Mrs. W. Simmons and Miss N. Randall made a call at Mrs. W.A.
Weiss' Friday.
-Jas. Crommie was taken to the Charles City hospital to have an
operation performed Sunday.
-Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Lehman from Watertown, Wis. are here on a
two weeks' visit with their son, Mr. E. Lehman and family.
-N. Runyon's barn burned Saturday evening at 8:30. The fire was
caused by the explosion of a lantern which was place behind the
horses. there were three horses in the barn but they were soon
cut loose. A host of men and boys was kept busy carrying water to
save the adjoining buildings. Mr. and Mrs. Runyon were at Nashua
while Walter was left at home to see to the chores. The damage
was about $500. It was mostly covered by insurance.
South Chickasaw:
-J.R. and J.M. Keasling were in Ionia Saturday.
-H.B. Sergent's spent Sunday afternoon with Mr. E.B. Sergent
-Mr. Charles Huffman is building a fine new barn on his farm
south of Ionia.
-Miss Eva Read was a visitor at the home of Mr. and Mrs. N.S.
Smith last Friday.
-The farmers were greatly set back in haying by the heavy rains
last week, but they have begun again.
-Miss Ruth Watson returned home Sunday from a week's visit with
friends and relatives north of Nashua.
Bassett:
-Ira Crooks is visiting at Elmer Potter's
-Irene Sutherland came home from Floyd Sunday.
-Pearl Rouley, of Elma, is visiting relatives in town.
-Mary Choat returned from Postville last Thursday.
-The work on the elevator is going on at a rapid rate.
-Mr. and Mrs. Crooks, of Ionia, are visiting at George Potter's.
-Mrs. C.H. Dillenbeck and Leora returned from Fredericksburg
Thursday.
-John Smith, of Ossian, came up to spend a few days with his old
school chums.
- Miss Myrtle Stivers is the happy owner of a new piano. It is a
beauty and will be much appreciated by its owner.
-Mrs. Channer is very sick. She has been a great sufferer for a
long time and there seems to be no help for her. She has the
sympathy of all.
[submitted by S.F., March 2004]