Iowa
Old Press
THE FREMONT COUNTY HERALD
May 14, 1903
The 10th wedding anniversary of A. M. Gordon and wife was
celebrated at their home in this city Saturday by a large company
of relatives and friends gathering and spending the evening in a
most enjoyable manner.
On Saturday evening at her home in Washington township, Mrs.
Ellizabeth Beck was suddenly stricken by paralysis. It was at the
supper hour and she had just risen from the table to provide
something for a member of the family when a peculiar sensation
was felt in her left wrist and at once extended over the entire
left side. Her son. C. C. Beck, noticed that she acted queerly
and immediately rendered his assistance. She is at this writing
lying in a helpless condition and at her advanced age, her case
is considered extremely precarious.
Frank Liggett returned home from Omaha Saturday with fifty head
of cattle which he purchased for feeding purposes and turned them
into the pasture over night only to find three of them in such
condition the next mroning from clover bloat that death was the
result.
EARLY HISTORY Some Facts Taken From the Fremont County
Archives. A New Way to pay Debts.
About the year 1860, Reed Armstrong, formerly county treasurer,
then a merchant of Sidney, sued John McKinney, an eccentric old
man who many will remember by having known him personally or
having heard of him, as his equal at drollyery was without a
rival and bore the reputation for simplicity. He had an
inimitable voice and expression and an idea to postpone paying
the debt ($6.50) for a time and not caring to fee an attorney to
defend his suit he cudgled his brains to find a way out of his
dilemma. At last he found it.
There is an animal known to naturalists by the high sounding
appelation of Mephitis Mephitica, which then abounded and still
abides in many portions of Fremont county. The animal, although
not large, is very powerful. He is, in some respects, the king of
beasts. When he goes upon the war-path he is terrible. He need
not be seen to be appreciated. His presence will make itself
known to the way faring man as well as to the fool with equal
facility. The glory of his nostrils may not be terrible like
Jobe's war-horse, but the condition of the nostrils of him who is
in his company is frightful. This little animal feeds on
chickens, but a stranger who didn't know this to be a fact, would
never suspect it from the creature's breath, which resembles
anything but a chicken pot-pie.
Well, McKinney sought out and found a "Mephitis" and
when he had found it, killed it and sat up with the corpse until
upon departing you couldn't have distinguished him from a
Mephitis, for you couldn't have gotten near enough to him to
discover the difference and on the face of what returns were
manifest he was a first-class specimen of the animal. When he
reached home, he changed his clothes and laid those he wore when
with the Mephitis carefully away.
On the day of the trial Reed Armstrong was present and so were a
number of his fellow citizens. The magistrate, Esq. Fred Rector,
was upon the bench, very dignified and grave, and prepared to
poise the scales of justice and weigh the case of Armstrong vs.
McKinney and decide the case aright.
Presently an odor resembling a wind from a 400 acre gourd patch
or goat farm permeated the court room. The door opened and in
walked the venerable McKinney clad in his mephitic suit. The
spectators stayed but a moment, and clapping their hands to their
noses fled in great disorder. The room was cleared as if by magic
of all except his honor, the plaintiff and the perfumed
defendant. The latter ambled up to where Armstrong sat, and
actually began caressing his creditor! He wound up by throwing
his arms about Armstrong's neck! This was enough. Armstrong
sprang up and bolted from the room. When he reached the open air
and had made his escape he declared that he wouldn't go back to
the courtroom for twice $6.50.
Being left alone with the odoriferous old John, Esq. Rector asked
if he was ready to defend his suit. John replied that he rather
thought he was. "Where is your attorney?" hurriedly
demanded his honor. "I hain't got none, squire,"
replied old John. "I guess I kin manage the thing meself if
Reed Armstrong will only come back." This was given in
John's most peculiar drawling tone. The magistrate agreed with
defendant, and speedily rendered judgment against Armstrong for
the costs of suit, and gathering up his papers left the room
himself and retired. A short time afterward McKinney was walking
through town, and given the freedom of the city. He had
discharged a debt--if not in dollars at least in scents, and he
seemed quite well pleased with his achievement.
THE FREMONT COUNTY HERALD
May 21, 1903
Imogene News
The funeral of John McGargill was largely attended Friday at the
Catholic church as he was well known and universally respected.
He was a native of Slater township, Perry county, Ohio, having
been born January 8, 1829, and was the second oldest of four
boys. When quite young he came with his father to Iowa and
settled in Jones county. Along in the 70's he came to Fremont
county and lived on a farm some two miles west of town. His
brother James died about six week ago, which leaves Ed the only
brother living as the youngest was lost during the civil war.
John left to mourn his loss a wife and four children. His death
came very unexpectedly as it was thought he was slightly better,
but he passed suddenly away in the presence of his family.
--
William Hayes, brother of Rev. Father Hayes of Imogene, is here
from Ely, Nevada, visiting.
C. J.Fallers of Walnut Creek was visiting his father who lives
near Essex and is very sick.
Jack Parrish of Atlanta, Kansas, is visiting friends on Walnut
Creek this week.
Hamburg News
Mr. Lewis, son-in-law of Mr. Liggett, met with a serious accident
Tuesday. He was engaged in hauling shingles from the depot to Mr.
Liggett's lumber yard and had loaded the wagon very high with the
shingles and had seated himself on the top of the load and when
about half way up Main street, the roads being very rough from
the recent rains, caused the shingles to fall off taking him with
them and several of the bunches falling against and on top of
him. He was immediately picked up and his legs were found to be
broken and his body badly bruised in some places. The broken
bones were immediately set, but he is suffering intensely from
the bruises.
LARSON - FREES Married
At the Tabor Christian church, May 19, 1903, at 5:30 p.m., Peter
Q. Larson and Gertrude M. Frees, both of Tabor, Iowa, Herbert W.
Ciss officiating. Miss Nellie Wilson played the wedding march and
Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Watts led the bride and her attendant down the
aisle, followed by the groom and his attendant, to the altar
where their lives were united. Frank Tyler was groomsman and
Francis Porter bridesmaid. The groom wore the conventional black
and the bride was neatly gowned in slate colored pebble cloth
trimmed in chiffon applique. The church was well filled with
friends who came to witness the marriage. After the ceremony the
invited guests went to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Q. Lason
where a nice supper was served. The contracting parties received
many useful presents. The groom is a son of Q. Larson, a thrifty
blacksmith who has lived in Tabor over ten years, and Miss Frees
came over from Denmark about 18 months ago. After the guests had
retired the groom took his bride to the little home he had
prepared, in Wadhams' addition, where they will be at home to
their many friends.
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATED
F. M. Hume reached the 54th mile stone of his age Monday and in
honor of this event about thirty of his relatives and old time
friends gathered at his home one and one-half miles southwest of
town and spent the day in the most pleasant way. A sumptuous
dinner was prepared by Mrs. Hume to which all the guests did
ample justice. Two presents were given to him, the first a
splendid writing desk; the doners being the Messer's Hiatt and
Crandal. 'The second was a beautiful book entitled "Holland
Wolves" and was presented by Messers Reeves, Otte and
Howard. It was not only a birthday party, but a house warming as
well, as they had just moved into their residence.
EARLY HISTORY. Some Facts Taken From The Fremont County
Archives.
About October 15, 1864, a Mr. Rhodes living in Franklin township,
had a valuable horse stolen. The next day he sent his son,
Thomas, aged about thirty, and married, in search of the animal.
He went in the vicinity of McKisick's Grove to watch the
movements of certain persons of whom he was suspicious, and
remained until in the evening.
Observing two men leaving the grove on horseback, Mr. Rhodes
followed them. He soon overtook and passed them. They said they
stayed at John Cooper's. Rhodes went on to the residence of Giles
Cowles and calling that gentleman up, stated to him the
circumstances and that he believed the men he had left on their
way to Cooper's were the men who had taken his father's horse.
The two men started for Cooper's on horseback. They had gone but
a short distance when they met the very men they were seeking. As
they came up to them the one in front, a fellow named Dick Dunn,
suddenly drew a large cavalry pistol and presented it full in the
face of Cowles with an obscene epithet, ordered him to
"Halt!" or he would have to suffer the consequences,
but on discovering Rhodes, who had dropped a few paces in the
rear of Cowles, the guerrilla exclaimed, "You're the _____ I
am after; you've been following me tonight," pointed his
pistol at Rhodes and fired. Rhodes returned the shot with a
smaller pistol, but the shot was ineffectual and did no damage.
Dunn and his companion then galloped away down the road followed
by shots fromCowles' pistol. Rhodes was taken to the house of
Orin Cowles a short distance away, and cared for as well as
possible. His wound in the breast was not thought to be serious
at first, but it proved fatal in a few days.
Dunn was captured at Marysville, Mo., shortly afterwards, brought
to Hamburg, tried by court martial, sentenced to be shot, which
was carried out in a few hours. On his trail Dunn admitted that
he shot Rhodes, but denied that he had stolen the horse. As the
villian ought to die so died Dick Dunn, the murderer, land
pirate, and outlaw.
There is no mistaking the fact that the Madison township company
did effective work in keeping out raiders, jayhawkers, and
bushwhackers from Fremont county. The guerrillas of Missouri and
the thieves of Nebraska and Kansas, while coveting the fine
horses and the money and other property of the citizens, did not
care to pay the price they would be compelled to pay to get them
and so gave the county a wide berth. There was very unpleasant
conditions of affairs in different parts of the county at
different times during the rebellion by reason of hot-tempered
and impassionate discussion of politics. With some extreme
republicans every democrat was a copperhead--a sympathizer,
aider, and abetter of the south. With some democrats every
republican was a person wishing to destroy civil liberty,
overthrow constitutional government and enforce republican
measures at the point of the bayonet.
Bad blood was engendered and a little of that fluid shed at
different times in fistic engagements. The people were all right
if they had realized it, but those were war times and everybody
was excited. Happily all of those things passed away with the
dawning of peace and scarcely thought of soon after the close of
the great conflict between the north and the south.
THE FREMONT COUNTY HERALD
May 28, 1903
MORTUARY REPORT.
- At his home in Sidney, Sunday, May 24, 1903, at 1:30 p.m., of
old age and partial paralysis, Alson Denison aged 90 years 3
months and 21 days. He was a native of New York, having been born
at Floyd, Oneida county, February 3, 1813. His education was
limited to the public schools of that place, but being of a
studious turn of mind he advanced himself by selfculture. On
September 20, 1836, he was united in marrige to Jane C. Goodno, a
lady of nearly his own age, the date of her birth being December
13, 1813. Eight children were born to these parents: three boys
and five girls; five of whom are still living and were all
present at the demise of their father. Their names and residence
are as follows: U. A., of Washington, D. C.; Samuel S.,
Lexington, Oklahoma; Mrs. Louise Judkins, Grinnell, Iowa; Mrs.
Jessie Kelley, Maywood, Illinois; Mrs. Emily Maurer, Sidney,
Iowa. The family moved from New York to Cambridge, IIlinois, in
November 1853, and in 1878 they moved to Iowa, locating on a farm
some eight miles from Villisca. After a ten years residence on
this farm they moved to Villsca where they resided until coming
to Sidney in 1898, where they have since resided with Mr. and
Mrs. Maurer. The lapse of ninety years has wrought many of the
greatest changes of civilization and to think of ones life
reaching back over a period of American history when James
Madison was president and the war of 1812 was at it height and
the result of which was held in dubiety. Politically he was for
many years a pronounced Republican but it is not known who he
cast his first presidential vote for in the memorable campaign of
1836 when Martin Van Buren was elected over his three
competitors, William H. Harison, Hugh L. White and Daniel
Webster.
He was from early manhood a member of the Presbyterian church and
lived a most devoted life attending services regularly. The
funeral sermon was preached at the house at 2 o'clock Monday by
Rev. Dickinson pastor of the Presbyterian church at this place.
At the close of the sermon interment was made in the Sidney
cemetery.
- E. Riggle died at his home in Walnut township Sunday evening at
about 7 o'clock from that dread disease, consumption, of which he
had been a sufferer for many years. He had reached the age of
about three score years and ten. Mr. Riggle might properly be
called a pioneer of Fremont county as he resided in Thurman some
thirty five years and about five years ago he moved to Walnut
township, where he lived on the farm of his brother-in-law W. F.
Ferrel. He was engaged in the harness business at Thurman and
built up an extensive trade through honesty and fair dealing and
was widely known and highly respected. He was one of the founders
of the Christian church at that place and for many years held the
office of deacon. The funeral was preached at that church Tuesday
afternoon at 1 o'clock after which the remains were intered in
the Thurman cemetery. He leaves to mourn his loss a wife, two
sons and one daughter.
- At his home six miles west of Sidney May 24, 1903, Geo. D.
Lockett, aged 71 years 2 months and 11 days. The subject of this
sketch was born in Clinton county, Ohio, on March 13, 1836. He
was united in marriage to Mary E. Nelson on April 6, 1861. Seven
children were born to these parents, only three of whom still
remain. These are Jeremiah, who lives near the home place; Lizzie
Miller, who also lives in the same vicinity and Mrs. Cora Foster
who has been residing with her parents. Mr. Lockett had been for
years a resident of Fremont county and had also spent a few years
in Oklahoma. Since his return from that state about six years ago
he had occupied the residence which was the scene of his death.
Here he was known among his neighbors as an energtic,
hard-working man and a quiet and law-abiding citizen and one who
enjoyed the respect of these neighbors and those who best knew
him. He was a member of the Christian church, holding his local
connection with a church inOklahoma; not being within easy reach
of a church here he allowed his membership to remain there. His
death was somewhat sudden although he was apprised that his time
was short; and in conversation with a neighbor a day or two
before his death he remarked that the most important
consideration was to be ready for the event whenever the event
might arrive. Funeral services were held at the house on Monday
last at 11 a.m., conducted by Rev. Geo. O. Hicks and interment
was made in the cemetery at Lacy Grove.
Farragut News
- Jim Cliff and wife of Shenadoah spent Sunday with Mrs. Cliff's
parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Long.
- Grandpa Lincicum came in Saturday evening from the Soldier's
Home in Kansas to visit with his son and family.
- There was a family reunion held at the home of Wm. Barton
Sunday, all of their children being present before their
departure for California.
- There was a family reunion held at the home of Frank Trullinger
Sunday. Those present were Mrs. Anna Hultware and children of
Shenandoah; J. W. Kelsey and family of Shenandoah;D. H. Kelsey,
wife and daughter of Shenandoah; Mrs. Susie Moyer and children of
Shenandoah. They had a very enjoyable time as the entire Kelsey
family were all present, and they all voted Frank and his wife
royal entertainers.
Riverton News
- Mrs. Allie Estes of Astoria, Oregon, visited the family of Dr.
Hatton last week.
- Monday afternoon we had the hardest rain of the year. The
rivers had been high and overflowing, but his rain brought them
higher than ever. The Rankin & Cowden dike broke near
Belcher's Lake, and the water is clear up to the railroad tracks.
Anderson News
The town was turned into a lake Tuesday afternoon. The caves are
all filled with water. The water ran through the hardware store
doing considerable damage.
Mail Service Demoralized. The mail service has been badly
demoralized in Sidney the past week. The storm of last week upset
the service badly and it was just about righted again when the
Tuesday rain made it worse than ever. Harry Jenkins, who drives
the Riverton hack, started home Tuesday afternoon, but got no
further than John Samuel's farm, where he staid all night. He
left his team there and on Wednesday morning took his mail and
was rowed across the Nishna to Riverton. Rural carrier,
Hendrickson was caught on the east side of the river and stayed
all night at Wm. Jarman's, but Art Johnson brought him across the
river Wednesday in a boat. Lon McClusky, the Thurman hack driver,
had to go out of his way and got home about nine o'clock. In
another place you will see what a time Jim Yowell had. Riverton
and Hamburg mails failed to reach here yesterday, and prospects
are that the Riverton hack will not get here this week. But the
Tabor hack comes in as regular as clock work.
CAUGHT IN THE CURRENT. Rural Mail Carrier James Yowell Comes
Near Drowning.
Last Tuesday afternoon during the progress of the big rain storm,
Rural Mail Carrier Yowell, while on his return trip from Sidney
to Hamburg, came near drowning. He was on the bluff road near the
old Wilbarger farm, and the water was three or four feet deep and
running across the road, when a floating log struck his buggy
upsetting the rig and throwing Mr. Yowell out in the current. He
luckily caught hold of a log and was able to get out. The mules
he was driving got loose from the buggy and got out of the water.
The buggy was completely demolished. Mr. Yowell had a lock pouch
with mail in it, a tie sack and also his rural carrier's sack
containing mail for distribution. The carrier's sack and the tie
sack were lost but the tie sack was found (sic). It was a very
lucky escape for Mr. Yowell. This was certainly as hard a rain as
the oldest settler remembers, for the reason that it kept it up
longer.
ROLL OF HONOR, 1903
Following are the names of the soldiers who are buried in the
Sidney cemetery, with their rank and arm of service, together
with the members of the Christian Commission.
A.R. Anderson, Major, 4th Iowa Infantry
J. T. Aspinwall, Private, Co. B, 18th Michigan Infantry
John Bacus, Private, Co. D, 3rd Iowa Cavalry
Isaac Baylor, War of 1812+
A. C. Bonwell, Private, Co. A, 4th Iowa Cavalry
James D. Carr, Sergeant, Co. __?__, 1st Nebraska Infantry
W. H. Carter, Private, Co. C, 44th New York Infantry
William Comstock, Private, Co. K, 43rd Indiana Infantry
Hugh Copeland, War of 1812
Stephen Cromwell, Private, Co. C, U. S. Dragoons
W. N. Dodson, Private, Co. K, 21st Missouri Infantry
T. B. Dunn, Sergeant, Co. A, 4th Iowa Cavalry
L. D. Frederickson, Private, Co. B, 2nd Iowa Cavalry
H. F. Gagnebin, Private, Co. L, 7th Missouri Cavalry
J. S. Galloway, Private, Co. B, 83rd Illinois Infantry
G. W. Gedney, Private, Co. E, 29th Iowa Infantry
H. T. Hann, Private, Co. G, 7th Iowa Infantry
J. J. Harris, Private, Co. A, 4th Iowa Cavalry
Charles Havens, Private, Co. E, 29th Iowa Infantry
Thomas Hawkins, Private, Co. E, 29th Iowa Infantry
W. G. Hurst, Private, Co. D, 1st Nebraska Infantry
W. H. Irwin, Private, Co. F, 15th Iowa Infantry
Thomas Jobe, Private, Co. E, 29th Iowa Infantry
M. D. Johnson, Sergeant, Co. K, 24th Iowa Infantry
Daniel Lybe, Private, Co. E, 101st Pennsylvania Infantry
Josiah Mann, ?, ?, ? (a native of Ohio).
R. W. Marvin, Captain, Co. A, 8th Iowa Cavalry
Marcus Martin, Private, Co. A, 23rd Missouri Infantry
J.L. Mitchell, Captain, Co. E, 29th Iowa Infantry
Oswold Moore, Private, Co. A, 121st Ohio Vol. Infantry
John O'Neal, Private, Co. A, 47th Iowa Infantry
John Palmer, Private, Co. H, 2nd Nebraska Infantry
Daniel Perry, Private,Co. E., 29th Iowa Infantry
Daniel Pickens, Private, Co. E, 30th Iowa Infantry
L. W. Pierce, Sergeant, Co. A, 4th Iowa Cavalry
B.F. Rector, Major, 4th Iowa Cavalry
George J. Reed, Private, Co. G, 14th Indiana Infantry
W. L. Rodarwell, Private, Co. D, 1st Missouri Infantry
John C. Rogers, Private, Co. B, 147th Illinois Infantry
James W. Shaw, Private, Co. K, 12th Ohio Vol. Infantry
A. L. Stitt, Private, Co. L (?), 3rd Indiana Cavalry
Rev. T. C. Townsend, War of 1812
Felix Van Eaton, Private, Co. F, 1st Nebraska Infantry
Mero Webster, Private, Co. E, 29th Iowa Infantry
T. J. Weidner, Private, Co. H. 94th Illinois Infantry
Rev. H. H. White, Member Christian Commission
Mrs. W. G. White, Member Christian Commission
Samuel Williams, Private, Civil War U. S. Army
[all submitted by W.F., Aug. & Sept. 2003]