Iowa
Old Press
The Register
Elkader, Clayton co. Iowa
Friday morning, September 13, 1895
The Golden Wedding of Hon. Samuel Murdock - A Notable
Occasion
Wednesday evening, Sept. 11th, 1845, at a little ferry
house, kept by the bride's father, about a mile above what is now
North McGregor, occurred the marriage of Samuel Murdock and
Louisa Patch, Rev. Mr. Hill, of Garnavillo, fahter of Dr. Hill of
the Independence Hospital, tied the nuptial knot.
That the event might be properly noted and to do honor to the
contracting parties, over two hundred guests, relatives, friends
and neighbors gathered at the Court House at this place,
Wednesday evening, Sept. 11, 1895. The court room had been
appropriately decorated with golden rod, plants and golden
sheaves of grain amid which on easels appeared the figures
"1845" and "1895". At the appointed hour, as
the organ, presided over by Miss Ella Wilke, swelled forth the
wedding march, the aged bride and groom entered and were escorted
by Hon. J.O. Crosby to embowered seats within the rail, where
also were seated the relatives of the family.
Mr. Crosby in a short address reminded the assembly that the
blushing party before them had fifty years previous been married,
he thought by a justice of the peace, but now thy should be
married bya minister. He spoke of what the fleeting fifty years
had done for our county and country and the part that Mr. and
Mrs. Murdock had taken in making the history of the country,
closing with the request that Rev. Marion Murdock perform the
marriage ceremony.
Miss Murdock performed her part of the ceremony in a facetious
manner pleasing to all, the responses required appearing to be
those demanded by the so-called "new woman" - then of
course the Judge kissed the bride and a season of congratulations
ensued.
Short addresses were made by Revs. Mr. Fisk and Stevens, when Hon
R. Noble being called upon as a graduate made a few remarks
pertinent to the occasion. He spoke of his early acquaintance
with Judge Murdock at Garnavillo fifty-two years ago, of their
early friendship which time has not effaced though differences
had arisen only to be banished by the flow of reason. He claimed
that not a man of those early Garnavillo days was now a resident
of that town, and extolled the rugged honest and energy of those
early citizens of the county, closing with the hope that the
venerable judge might recover from his present physical
disabilities and be with us for years to come.
The venerable bridegroom then arose and in a trembling voice said
if there was ever a time in his life when he had a faltering
tongue, it was at that time. He addressed the company to some
length, closing with touching expressions of the great gratitude
of himself and wife to the bar of the county and state, and to
citizens of Clayton county for their kind acts and the present
demonstration of their respect.
Refreshments were served to the entire company, at tables at
which a number of the ladies of Elkader presided.
We are pleased that the Judge and Mrs. Murdock were permitted to
enjoy the pleasures of this "golden" event, and with
their friends express the wish that they may now enjoy the calm
repose of a well spent life, and that their sunset may be like
that of the going out of a bright summer's day.
Among the guests from abroad were: Hon. Reuben Noble and wife,
McGregor; Hon. J.O. Crosby and wife, Garnavillo; Mrs. E.H.
Williams, Clermont; Mrs. Julia Boardman, Pickwick, Minn.; Mr. and
Mrs. R.P. Russell, Minneapolis; Capt. G.S. Patch, Sigourney,
Iowa; Mrs. Maria Patch and Mrs. Elkins Dresser, Clinton, Iowa;
Edward Patch, Galveston, Tex.; Mrs. George Smart, Guttenberg,
Iowa; J.F. Thompsen and daughter, Eueka, Cal.; Mr. and Mrs. D.D.
W. Carver, Dubuque; Hon. T.D. White, Postville; Mrs. Helen
McGonigle, Mrs. Paul Egbert and Capt. John Tapper, Monona.
Letters of congratulation were received from Judge George G.
Wright, Des Moines; Hon. Wm. B. Allison, Dubuque; Hon. F.D.
Drake, Centerville; Mr. G.L. Tremain, Humbolt; L.E. Fellows,
Lansing; D.B. Hendrick, Waukon and many others.
The presents were numerous and consisted largely in artistic
cards, the work of A.C. Hagensick; accompanied by golden coin,
not the least was one from Rev. Marion with a dollar for each
year of her parents wedded life.
CORRESPONDENCE
Elkport and Vicinity
Mike Zapf is beautifying his residence place with a new
fence.
Peter Dietrich and wife visited with Elkader friends Friday.
John Bahr and wife, of Elkader, visited with Elkport friends
Sunday.
George Taft, of Garber, Ok., has been visiting with friends here
the past week.
The bridge over the Turkey River is completed, for which our
people are very thankful.
Mr. Carpenter, father of George Carpenter, arrived here from
Philadelphia, Saturday morning. He intends to make this his
future home.
The Judge of the District Court has appointed the following
named, J.C. Beck, George Kriebs, C. Schnepf, Michael Costigan and
Frank Zapf, as commissioners to conduct the election and make
other necessary arrangements for the incorporation of the town of
Elkport. Everybody that is in favor of the improvement of our
town ought to vote for incorporation.
As John Musfelt and wife were coming to church Sunday, their
horse got scared coming down Becker's hill and ran away, throwing
both out and seriously injuring Mrs. Musfelt. John was somewhat
bruised but not badly hurt. Dr. Kriebs was cakked and did all
that medical aid could to alleviate her suffering. Mrs. Musfelt
is somewhat easier and will probably recover. The buggy was a
total wreck. We are sorry to hear of Mrs. Musfelt's misfortune.
Volga Views
Miss Linda Chapman, commenced teaching in the Bailey
district, Monday.
Mr Wm. Ewing's are rejoicing ove the arrival of a little girl at
their home.
Messrs. Ed. White and Louis Cronsaz, took a trip to West Union
and back Monday.
Miss Jones, of McGregor, is to teach in the Crain school house.
School begins Oct. 12th.
Louie Goodwin has returned home after a two weeks visit at
Oelwein and West Union.
Miss Hattie Goodwin is in Highland for a few days with her
sisters Mesdames Doty and Yearous.
Mr. J.E. Smith returned from Maxwell, Tuesday, where he has been
to attend the funeral of his grandson.
The sad news comes to us from Maxwell, Ia., of the death of Mr.
and Mrs. Charles Piper's youngest child. Their friends of Volga
extend to them heartfelt sympathy.
Ernest Pardee has relinquished the idea of attending school this
winter, and will teach in the Voshel district.
The M.E. social at Grandpa Crains, Tuesday eve, was largely
attended and was a success, socially and financially.
Mrs. Charles Bennington has returned from Elkader where she has
been in attendance at the sickbed of her mother, Mrs. Branch.
We understand that Father Whitford and wife will move into town
and occupy the house vacated by Mr. Lampier. All extend a hearty
welcome to them.
Mr. George Humbert occupies Mr. Lamphier's blacksmith shop and
will carry on the business. George is a good workman and we
bespeak for him a large patronage.
Mr. Myron Lamphier has sold his town property and intends trying
farming. He moves on Jim Robbin's farm in Highland and Jim goes
back on his father's farm, which he expects to carry on.
Miss Minnie Phillips met with an accident while driving to Mr.
Crain's Tuesday evening to attend the sociable. When about
crossing the bridge over Pine Creek, her horse became frightened,
reared and began to run, breaking the thills, thus loosing
himself from the carriage. Minnie sprag out, still holding the
lines, leaving he mother and Grandmother Evarts in the carriage.
Minnie soon succeeded in quieting the horse with no further
damage than a few scratches on the horse, from a barbed wire
fence which he ran into.
Strawberry Point
Sickness in the famiy of Al Geno.
Pearl Steinhillber is among the sick.
Abbie Munger, of Elkader, was in town last Monday.
Susie Scolfield left Monday to attend school at Fort Dodge.
Wm. Whitmarsh is visiting the varous fairs with his fast stock.
Eva Peters left last week for Sinsinawa collage, where she will
attend school.
Fred and Amelia Young went to Dubuque last Saturday for a short
visit.
Claude Eaton, accompanied by Dr. Solls, of Lamont, spend Sunday
last at the Eaton hoe.
Minnie Young and Minnie Steinhilber departed for Nebraska last
Monday, the former to be absent about a month; the latter, a
week.
Two of our ball-boys, George Young and Paul Einwalter, helped the
Manchester boys in the ball games during the Manchester fair.
Carrie Klugsley has goe to Northfield, Minn. to attend school.
Mrs. Henry Kingsley and Paul, left on Monday for their home in
Washington, D.C. They spent the summer with the Newberry family
here.
Mrs. Frank Maine returned to Grant City, Mo., last Thursday.
Bertha Hines accompanied her home and will spend a few weeks with
the family.
Mr. Snowden, who has occupied the Congregational pulpit during
the summer, left last Monday for Harvard University. All wish for
him a successful year.
Edith Nace and Dosia Andrews are spending this week in the
trimming rooms at Cedar Rapids. When they return, they will be
prepared to give us the latest styles in the millinery line.
Since Alex Blake's connection with the Blake Hotel has been
severed, he has secured possession of the old Blank building,
recently occupied by Mr. Schoeppe as a feed store, and will run a
boarding house or something of that kind.
Mr. [Jerome] Leffingwell, living west of town, died Thursday,
Sept. 5th. He had been several years a sufferer with the dreaded
disease, consumption. He leaves a wife and several children, who
will mourn his loss. The funeral was under the auspices of the
Woodmen, on Saturday. Rev. Hestwood preached the sermon.
Littleport
J.J. Liddy took in the Fair at Monticello the past week.
Ed Sey went to Chicago Tuesday to take a look at the city.
Mrs F.T. Pilkington starts today for a visit with friends at
Wamego, Kan.
Geo. Gould's wife and family are expected home from Dakota this
week.
J.J. Liddy and Mrs. Sullivan visited with friends in Dubuque, the
past week.
H.L. Gifford is now running his sorgum works full blast.
R. Beatty, H.L. Gifford and T.F. Scannell took in the fair at
West Union last week.
Enderes & Hughes have gone near Strawberry Point to build a
large barn for Brose Hughes.
J.H. Cline umpired the ball game Sunday and it is said to have
been full of comedy, errors and sand.
Dr. Barber has bought out Dr. Greenawait and will resume practice
here. We understand Dr. G. intends locating at Guttenberg.
Guttenberg
M.A Creglow and wife went to Waukon last Monday.
Bert Favor, the photographer of Garnavillo was in town Tuesday
evening.
The Excelsior factory started up again last Monday. This factory
makes a No. 1 excelsior.
Mrs. Eppens is having a new cornice put on her hotel building. Ed
Shaffelder has charge of the work.
Chas. Niemeyer is having a tailor shop built adjoing the buildng
of J.H. Heitman's on Front street.
G.H. Niemeyer is having his store building, whichhe rented to
Eckart & Horsch, treated to a coat of paint. Hubert Kappen
and John Pink are doing the work.
The work on Tom Cassutt's house is progressing. The lathers are
through with the second story and are at work on the first floor.
Kit Adams, of McGregor, and Dick Palmer, of Elkader, are driving
the lath nails. Austin Cleveland is also at work on the building
ornamenting the cornice, etc., with paint.
Last Friday morning Mrs. Patch, her son Ed. and daughter, Iza
Patch, arrived for a visit with G.H. Smart and family. Mrs. Patch
is Mrs. Smart's oldest sister, and resides with her daughter,
Mrs. Dresser, at Clinton, Wis. They left on Monday, accompanied
by Mrs. Smart for Garnavillo and from thence to Elkader to visit
relatives and friends, as well as to attend the golden wedding of
Judge Murdock.
Giard
Miss Eola Quigley was a caller in town Saturday.
Miss Avis Foley, of Monona, was visiting in town Thursday.
Mr. M. McGonigle, of Elkader, Sundayed with the Farley Bros.
Mrs. G. Wessel and children, of Dubuque, are visiting with Mrs.
J. Hartwich.
Dr. C.E. Nichols is having an addition built to his store; this
is a first class improvement.
M.A. Crawford returned Monday after a several weeks visit with
relatives at Fort Dodge.
Mrs. Krusa and Mrs. Schroeder of Monona, were visiting with mrs.
G. Wickershim one day the past week.
Wm. Bernhard and Miss Caroline Wittor were duly installed in the
bonds of matrimony at the bride's residence in Sherrill Mt.
Thursday Sept. 5th. The groom is a highly esteemed young man of
this community. May a life of peace and happiness be theirs.
[transcribed by S.F., March 2018]