Iowa Old Press

THE FREMONT COUNTY HERALD
Sidney, Fremont co., Iowa
December 9, 1920

NEW DREDGE LAUNCHED
The biggest dredge boat ever seen in southwestern Iowa, and which required seven months to construct, is eating its way through Fremont county hauling behind it house boats for the crews and machine shops for the repair work. It was built by Sternberg & Co., who have the contracts to take the kinks out of the meandering stream of the Nishna river in Page and Fremont counties. It is digging its way to the point where it is to begin the Fremont county ditch. It has a distance of ten and a half miles to dig through Fremont county to intersept with the ditch at Riverton. Sternberg & Co. say they will average about a mile a month, taking ten months and a half to complete the job without interference or interruption. The monster boat is 95 feet long and 29 feet wide and is made of six and three inch lumber. It is equipped with engines and dynamos of enormous size, and great power. The combined weight of the engines, dynamos and boat full equipped with the dredge weighs eighty tons. The big dipper at each bite takes out two cubic yards of dirt which is equal to two ordinary wagon loads. It takes from eight to twelve people to provide the day and night shifts: six operate it in the day time and three at night. Sleeping and boarding quarters are provided in separte boathouses that accompany the dredge boat. They are fitted up with all the conveniences that are to be found in a hotel. These people carry with them all sorts of mechanics from sheomaker to a mechanical engineer. They are equipped for most any emergency. It required the most expert engineers, architects and workmen to construct them so they will stand the test they are put to. They were built on the banks of the Nishna river at the north bridge. The river was dammed up and when the water rose to a certain point the monster boat was shoved into the stream and now is working its way digging as it goes to the point of beginning. Sternberg & Co. are building a similar outfit for dredging through Page county at Coburg. It is not as large as this one. It's dipper will only bite one and a half yards at each mouthful.

WILLIAM EATON - AVE CAESAR, MORITURI TE SALUTAM (Caesar, we who are about to die salute thee.)
Thus the gladiators who went into the arena saluted Caesar, and much in the self-same spirit William Eaton, for the past four years, has greeted every new born day. Undaunted and with great courage he wrestled daily with death but as with all mortal flesh, so with him, Friday evening, Decemer 3, 1920 death triumphed. William Eaton was born near Denmark, Lee county, Iowa, October 9, 1849. It was there that he spent the early years of his life. He was one of seven children, and as his mother was left a widow while he was quite young, he early had heavy responsibilities to assume and some quite heavy burdens to bear. Nevertheless, he had the desire and found the time to attend the public schools of his day and generation; and later the Denmark academy, from which he graduated in due time. Later he taught school and then yielded to the lure of the law profession, graduating from law school of the Iowa University, after taking a full course there, in 1874. He was married to Miss Annie E. Grundy of Morrisonville, Illinois, August 4, 1874. To this union three children were born, namely, Edgar, who died in infancy; Elmer E. and Mrs. Lillian Gore, both of whom reside in Sidney, and who with the widowed wife and mother survive to mourn the loss of husband and father. Aside from his wife and children, his death is also mourned by six grandchildren and aged sister, and other relatives more distant. William Eaton came with his wife to Sidney in October, 1874, where he has resided ever since. He at once directed his attention to the practice of law and continued in the same without intermission until the spring of 1917 when failing health made it imperative that he should go to the hospital where he underwent a critical operation from which he never fully recovered. His law business was one of the most extensive in this part of the state; nevertheless, he found time to combine it with the pursuit of farming and the fortunes of politics. In the latter venture he served as district attorney, two terms as county attorney for Fremont county, and two terms as state senator from Page and Fremont counties by the choice of the voters. During the ministry of the Rev. William J. Beck, he joined the Methodist Episcopal church in Sidney in September 1882. For a number of years he was very active in his services to the church, At one time he was the teacher of one of the largest men's bible classes that the Methodist Sunday school ever had. In latter years on account of failing health he was not privileged to attend the services of the church, but no one was more pleased to have his pastor call, or to make him welcome than he. In his death the community as lost a man of pronounced convictions, of quickened ideas and aspiring ideals. His clients have lost a safe and wise couselor; the courts in which he practiced, a practical, discerning, and a free and open minded lawyer. His mind was active with the problems and best interests of his community and nation to the last days of his life. He was especially interested in the success of the oncoming generation, and his sincerest and best wishes remain with all who fellow after him. The funeral services were held from the home in South Sidney, Sunday afternoon, December 5, and were conducted by his pastor, Rev. Raoul H. Moser. Interment was made in the Sidney cemetery.

--Bertrand S. Smith is now a full-fledged American citizen. He is Welsh by birth, but his family is now living in London to which place he is soon leaving to visit. His father Albert is a retired minister; has a mother, sister and brother living.
--Abe Webster is now living in Cleveland, Ohio.

[transcribed by W.F., December 2010]

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THE FREMONT COUNTY HERALD
Sidney, Fremont co., Iowa
December 16, 1920

Farragut News

Mr. S. B. Kimberlin, one of the early settlers , died early Thursday morning Decemer 9, at his home three miles west of town where he had lived for many years. Mr. Kimberlin had been in failing health for a number of years and was entirely helpless for the past few years. He served in the Civil War. The pall bearers were veterans of the World war and were Messrs. Alfred Hammers, W. S. Beardsley, Otway Cutler, Art Coy, James Dickey and Lawrence Clark. The music was furnished by Mesdames A. D. Coleman, R. T. Jones and Messrs. George Carter and C. C Campbell. One of the selections, "Brighten the Corner Where You Are" was a choice of the deceased. Rev. H. D. Herr, pastor of the Congregational church preached the funeral sermon on Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home. The deceased was a spiritualist and was very strong in his belief. He was kind, thoughtful husband, father and neighbor. Mr. Kimberlin is surviv ed by his wife and three sons, Denny, Cecil and Myron. Interment was made in the Farragut cemetery.

--Owen Coy of California, son of the late Mr. Charles Coy, is secretary of the State Historical Society of California.
--Mrs. A. J. Eaton of Villisca is a sister of E. H. Lauders of Farragut.
--Mrs. Loren Coy is a sister of Miss Mildred Reid.

DAVID ALEXANDER RUPP
The community was very much surprised and shocked Sunday to learn that D. A. Rupp had committed suicide by shooting himself with a 32 calibre revolver at the home of his daughter, Mrs. W. C. Magel, where himself and wife were temporarily making their home. Mr Rupp has been almost blind for several years and lately his hearing was impaired and these two afflictions, with a number of others he was forced to endure evidently caused him to lose his mind. The sorrowing wife and children have the sympathy of the whole community. David Alexander Rupp was born September 29, 1840 in a log cabin near West Zanesville, Ohio, and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Will Magel, south of Sidney, December 12, 1920. He was the seventh child of a family of twelve children, seven boys and five girls, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood except one boy who died in infancy. In 1854, when fourteen years of age, he came with his parents to Muscatine,Iowa, where he grew to manhood. He with his two brothers enlisted at the first call for ninety day men to put down the rebellion but was rejected for cause. At the age of 19, he left the farm to attend high school in Muscatine. Later he served for a time as secretary in Judge Carsheadden's office. Still later he taught school, and then for two years was grain merchant in Mammouth (sic), Illinois. It was while at this place that he married Miss Lileah J. Farrington. Seven children were born to this union, all of whom except Mrs. Della Lindsay, who died about nineteen years ago live to join the mother in her sorrow and bereavement. The children are Eldo C. Rupp of Spirit Lake, Iowa; Harry A. of Bridgeport, Connecticut; Mrs. Edna Simons of Mound City, Missouri; Mrs. Josephine Williams of Independence, Kansas; Robert of Council Bluffs and Mrs. Elsie Magel of Sidney. Mr. Rupp came to Fremont county, Iowa in 1894, making his home in and near Sidney ever since that time.At the age of fifteen Mr. Rupp joined the United Brethren church in Muscatine, Iowa. Soon after coming to Fremont county, Iowa, he joined the Methodist church of Sidney by letter. The last few years he was in failing health. On account of the practical loss of his eye sight and his hardness of hearing he found the burder of life heavier than the average man is called upon to bear. The funeral services were held from the Methodist church in Sidney, Tuesday afternoon, December 14, Rev.R. R.Moser officiating at the same. The burial took place in the Sidney cemetery.

ODD FELLOW'S JOLLIFICATION
Tuesday evening the members of the local Frontier Lodge No. 93 of the Oddfellows enjoyed their annual roll call with short speeches some of which were excellent. About forty or fifty of the members were present and letters were read from absent members who could not for various reasons be present. A big feed was enjoyed and later the rugs were rolled back with Sam Carter and Frank Hiatt limbering up their fiddles. What follows beggars description. Some of the older bucks there showed the younger ones a thing or two when it came to putting on an old fashioned stag dance. Rheumatism and all earthly ills that the male flesh is heir to were forgetten and the evening passed in a round of merriment. All in all, it was a never-to-be-forgotten evening.

FRED ARCHER DIES SUDDENLY
After an illness of two days, Fred Archer, well known farmer of Monroe township, died at the Hand hospital, Sunday morning at 2 o'clock. Mr. Archer was taken ill at this home about six miles north of Shenandoah, Friday. At first his condition was not regarded as serious, but when he became much worse Saturday, he was removed to the Hand hospital, where he passed away Sunday morning. Uremic poisoning was thought to have caused his death. Mr. Archer was born in Henderson county, Illinois, June 30, 1857. In 1876 he moved with his parents to Iowa, and settled in Fremont county. Later he moved to his present residence in Monroe township. Besides his wife, there is left to mourn his departure three sons, Fred of Bassett, Nebraska, John of Ewing, Nebraska and Leo of Kearney, Nebraska. Four daughters, Mrs. Frank Saner of Imogene, Sister Stanislous of Des Moines, Mrs.John Gilmore of Shenandoah and Martha at home. Two sons, Ralph and Robert at home. Five sisters, Mrs. J. Rockyfield of Los Angeles, Calif., Mrs. Scott Jackson of Fort Collins, Colorado; Mrs. W. E. Miller of Brownsville, Texas; Mrs. John Lingo of Essex and Mrs. E. C. LeBarron of Shenandoah. The funeral services were held at 9:30 o'clock Tuesday morning from the Saint Mary's church, conducted by Father Toher of Dunlap, Iowa. Interment in Rose Hill cemetery in Shenandoah.

[transcribed by W.F., December 2010]

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THE FREMONT COUNTY HERALD
Sidney, Fremont Co., Iowa
December 30, 1920

FOUND DEAD IN DOORYARD
Mrs. Dick Study who resides in Green Hollow about three miles north of Thurman died Thursday afternoon, December 23, from heart trouble. She was in apparent good health and had been visiting and talking with the members of the family and doing her regular work. She went outside the house to hang out some washing and did not return. The family, alarmed at her continued absence, went to look for her and found her lying dead in the yard. Her husband, who was a veteran of the Civil War, has been dead about fifteen years. She is survived by six sons, five of whom saw service overseas during the late World War. She was laid to rest on Christmas day in the Thurman cemetery.

J. M. Darby of Northboro, Iowa, uncle of D. D. Darby, says his nephew, at present employed by the railroad company at the Union Pacific Transfer of Council Bluffs, is in bad physical condition afflicted with a kind of palsy.

AULD LANG SYNE
Sunday a crowd of Sidney folks journeyed to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Bogan in Hamburg to participate in a surprise on Mrs. Lavina Wilson and son Les R. Wilson, who are visiting at the Bogan home. Mrs. Wilson is now living in Mound City, Missouri, while Les is Texas sales manager for the Kansas City Refrigerator company with headquarters in Dallas. Mrs. Wilson is a sister of William Simons of this place and they formerly lived here. Les left here 20 years and this was his first visit to Fremont county since leaving. Those enjoying the occasion were:
Mr. and Mrs. James Bogan and son James, Jr.
Mrs. Roy Bullock and son William of Council Bluffs
Mr. and Mrs. E. A.Engelke of Sidney
Edith Engelke of Sidney
Erma Engelke of Sidney
Wanda Engleke of Sidney
Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Jorgenson and daughter Alberta
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Otte and twin boys Thomas and Jesse of Sidney.
Lowell Otte of Sidney
Mr. and Mrs. William Simons of Sidney
Mrs. Ross Taylor and son Ralph Taylor of Mound City, Missouri
Mrs. Harold Thiessen and sons Jack and Ralph of Hamburg
Helen Waterman of Sidney
Nina Waterman of Sidney
Stanley Waterman of Sidney
Mrs. Lavina Wilson
Mr. and Mrs Les R. Wilson of Dallas, Texas
Mr. and Mrs. Alex Wright of Sidney

Bartlett News

Mrs. Ellen Study died at her home in Green Hollow a few miles east of of her on December 23. She was stricken with paralysis while hanging out her washing and only lived a few hours. She was 58 years of age and was the mother of seven children, five of whom served in the World War. They were Bud, Bayne, Marion, Elza and Willis Study, all of whom lived to return to their mother. The other children are John and Mrs. Frank Kephart, all of whom live close. The funeral was held at the King church on Saturday, December 25, conducted by Rev. George Surface and burial was made in the Thurman cemetery. The stricken family have the heartfelt sympathy of their many friends.

--Phillip Forney of near Thurman is the father of Mrs. Lucy Stanley.
--Viola, daughter of R. Rickabaugh, had a birthday on Dec. 24.
--J. M. Darby of Northboro, Iowa, uncle of D. D. Darby, says his nephew, at present employed by the railroad company at the Union Pacific Transfer of Council Bluffs, is in bad physical condition afflicted with a kind of palsy.

PASSING OF A PIONEER
After a sudden illness, Michael Dempsey, Sr., passed away at his home in Imogene, Thursday evening, December 23, at 9 o'clock at the age of 79 years 2 months and 18 days. Mr. Dempsey took sick on Wednesday but on Thursday morning it was thought that his condition was improved, and his sudden death was a shock to his many friends. Michael Dempsey was born in Ireland, October 5, 1841, and at the age of six years he came to this country with his parents where they settled near Peoria, Illinois. About 30 years ago he moved to a farm south of Sidney where he resided until moving to a farm near Imogene several years ago. He has been retired from active farm work for a number of years and has been living at his home in Imogene surrounded by his family and friends. He was married to Miss Kathrine Driscoll fifty-five years ago and to this union were born nine children, eight of whom are still living. His wife preceded him to that bourne from whence no traveler ever returns, September 11 of the present year. Eight of the children mourn the loss of their father, six daughters and two sons: Mrs Anna Otte of Omaha; Mrs. Con Ryan and Mrs. B. L. Ryan of Imogene; Katie and Mary at home and Mrs. W.A. Leahy of Imogene; Peter S. Dempsey of Omaha and John of Imogene. Besides these are left to mourn thirty grandchildren and eight great grandchildren and one brother, Charles Dempsey of Grand Island,Illnois.

Many of the older residents of this section will remember Mr. Dempsey when he was a resident of this community, living south of town. He was known as a man of sterling intergrity, who lived a serene, wholesome life and whose word was as good as his bond. He was one of those many of whom are now passing to the great beyond, who helped to build this state into the great commonwealth it is today. The younger generations owe men such as these a debt that cannot be repaid except through like services rendered to the coming generations. Funeral services were held from the Catholic church in Imogene at 10 o'clock Sunday morning, conducted by Father Hayes assisted by Father Kane of Omaha. Interment was made in Mount Calvary cemetery in Imogene.

Farragut News
Guy Wilcoxson received word of the death of his mother, Mrs. George Burrows, which occurred on Christmas day at her home in Creston. She had been in poor health for some time and confined to her bed since August. The remains were brought to Farragut Monday and funeral services were held at the Christian church. The burial was made in the Farragut ceemtery. She was 67 years old on June 12, 1920. There are left to mourn her husband, two sons, Guy Wilcoxson of this place, Leroy of Creston, Mrs. Blanche Douty near Norwich, Mrs. Grover Thompson of Mason City, Iowa and Mrs. Minerva Swan of California, and several grandchildren, besides several sisters. Mrs.Jed Burrows of this place is also a sister. Mr. and Mrs. Burrows had lived at this place many years before moving to Creston several years ago. They have many friends here who sympathize with the grief stricken family.

Mr. and Mrs. Ike Scott were greatly surprised Christmas morning when the children gathered at their home to spend the day with them. They brought with them all the good things it takes to make a sumptuous Christmas dinner. Mrs.Scott has been quite poorly for several weeks and was delighted to have her chidlren and their families with them on this occasion. They were also remembered with many gifts. Those present were Mr. and Mrs. V. J. Scott of Villisca, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Scott and sons, Burton and Robert of College Springs, Mrs. and Mrs. Scott and son Orville and Mr.and Mrs. Ray Cox and son, Jonivan and daughter Yohn.

[transcribed by W.F., April 2008 & December 2010]

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Tabor Beacon
Tabor, Fremont Co. Iowa
December 30, 1920

Obituary.
Mrs. [Margaret] Ellen STUDY died at her home Thursday evening December 23,at 9:00. She had done her washing and was hanging up clothers when seized with apoplexy. Funeral services were held Saturday at 1:30 P.M. at the Kings Church house and were conducted by Elder George SURFACE. Interment was made in the Thurman Cemetery. She was the mother of eight children, J, Mrs. Lizzie KIMSEY, Mrs. Alta KEPHART, Bud, Marion, Bane, Willis and Ezra, all living here near their mother. Her husband has been dead about twenty Years. She leaves her father John KEARNS [Kearn], and several brothers, and sisters to mourn her.

[Note: The text in brackets was added by the submitter. Transcribed by W.F. August 2003]


Iowa
Fremont County