Iowa Old Press

THE SIDNEY ARGUS - HERALD
Sidney, Fremont County, Iowa
May 7, 1936

Laura E. Clark
Laura E. Martin was born August 4, 1849 in Athens county, Ohio. She passed away April 30, 1936 at the ripe old age of 86 years 8 months and 26 days. With her widowed mother, one sister and three brothers she came to Iowa by covered wagon in 1855 and located on a farm in Fremont county, just north of Sidney, and there she grew to womanhood. In her early life she united with the Presbyterian church and continued in that relation for many years but in her later years she transferred her membership to the Hillsdale Methodist church of which she was a faithful member the rest of her life. It will be remembered that she suffered a broken hip last November which with complications that later set in resulted in her death. In the year of 1878 she was married to John W. Ruse who passed away in November, 1891.To this union four children were born. David, the odest son, died in January, 1895 at the age of 18 years. The surviving children are Mrs. Walter Hilton and Charles Ruse of Glenwood, and Richard Ruse of Malvern. She also gave a mother's care to a stepdaughter, Celora Ruse, who died in August, 1892. Besides these she leaves 11 grandchildren and one brother, C. W. Martin of Sidney and a nuimber of other relatives. On October 18, 1899, she was united in marriage to Oscar A. Clark. They located on a farm near Randolph where they lived until Mr. Clark's death in July 1916. In January, 1920 she went to make her home with her daughter, Mrs.Hilton, where she has lived contentedly and received the tenderest care a until she entered her long sleep last Thursday morning. Mother Clark was a great lover of home and found her greatest happiness in her association with her loved ones for whom she was always ready to make any sacrifice. Her unselfish nature will always be deeply cherished by those most intimately associated with her. The funeral was held at the Hilton home Saturday at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. T. J. Pettit, her pastor in charge. Burial was made in the Sidney cemetery.

[transcribed by W.F., April 2008]

-----

THE SIDNEY ARGUS - HERALD
Sidney, Fremont co., Iowa
May 14, 1936

-- Mrs. Paul Armstrong is the granddaughter of Mrs. Sarah VanDyke of Shelton, Nebraska.--Randolph News
-- J. W. Dilts is the father of Mrs. Mayme Spaulding of Marble Rock.--Randolph news
-- Mrs. G. M. Hatfield is the mother of Mrs. Gene Kilpatrick and of Mrs. Bruce Church of Omaha.--Randolph News
-- Mrs. Cyntha Penn is the mother of Mrs. T. H. Martin.--Randolph news

Funeral services were held at the home Sunday afternoon for Elijah S. Lucas who died Friday after a long period of failing health. Mr. Lucas was a pioneer in the real sense of the term, having been born in Fremont county and spending practically all his 81 years in this locality. The farm home located between Randolph and Anderson has for many years been outstanding for its spirit of friendliness and hospitality. A wife, two sons, Loren of Anthon, Iowa, and Earl of Omaha, and two daughters, Ida and Mrs. Vern Bolding, both of Randolph, survive, all of whom were privileged to be present at the services and also to visit or help care for him during his last days. There are also two grandchildren and one great grandchild. Rev. Peter Jacobs of Shenandoah, a personal friend of the family, had charge of the services and the body was laid to rest in the Randolph cemetery. A large number of relatives and friends from the surrounding vicinity were in attendance at the services. About six years ago Mr. and Mrs. Lucas celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. (Randolph News)

[transcribed by W.F., June 2007]

-----

SIDNEY ARGUS - HERALD
Sidney, Fremont co., Iowa
May 21, 1936

VISITORS HAVE VIEW OF CCC CAMP LIFE
On Sunday, May 17, the CCC camp held open house and received visitors from the entire county and several small groups from surrounding counties, numbering approximately 150 persons. The visitors were received at camp headquarters by the camp commander, Capt. F.B. Millson, and then conducted in groups, with guides through the entire camp. The route included the HEADQUARTERS of the soil conservation service, where L. E. Kuester, camp superintendent, and his assistants, Messrs. McMillan, Collins, Heidt, Henry and McAdon, explained the various features of the work done by the camp personnel in the field, and gave the visitors some idea of the extent of the various projects. From the SCS headquarters the visitors were conducted through the COMPANY SUPPLY ROOM, then to the GARAGE, WORKSHOP and TOOL ROOM, where Thurman Spears, chief mechanic, explained in detail, the maintenance work done in camp. The guests were then taken through the RECREATION BUILDING, which contains the camp exchange, game room and reading room, and in the latter place were given a very informative and instructive talk by C. W. Mozan, educational adviser, explaining some of the twenty-odd subjects that are being taught in the camp EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM in the CCC camps. The various groups then went to the MESS HALL where they inspected the kitchen and store rooms and where lemonade and home-made doughnuts were served, and congregated there for a time, during which short programs were given by various members of the camp. There was a double quartet, a clarinet solo, and a novelty duet, composed of harmonica and guitar. All of the music was directed by the CAMP MUSIC teacher, Miss Corrie. As the guests were leaving camp they were conducted through the company street and had an opportunity of inspecting the BARRACKS in which the men live. The first sergeant, Archie Stanton, explained in detail the regulations by which the company is governed and pointed out the method in which various items of clothing and equipment are kept by the individual reponsible for them. The visit was the first ever made to a CCC camp by many of the guests and many favorable comments were heard concerning living conditions and quarters of the men and the neatness and cleanliness of the camp in general.

Senior Class of 1936
Agnes ABBOTT, Margaret ANDERSON, Georgia BALLARD, Ruth BARNES, Jack BENJAMIN, Coylamae BIRKBY, Robert C. BIRKBY, Ruth BLAIR, Lowell BLISS, James CARLISLE, John C. CATLIN, Melvina CHANTRY, Dick COOK, Evelyn CORRIE, Jean CRAWFORD, Jean ESTES, Dorothy GARDNER, Vada GOODIN, Marian GORE, William HANING, Russell HATTEN, Stanley HOBBS, Anita INMAN, Leeman JACKSON, Ray JOHNSON, Everett KEARNS, Edna Marie McCLUSKEY, John ORTON, Jess OTTE, Tom OTTE, Doris PICKENS, Verland PIERSON, Mildred POLK, Max PULLMAN, Ethel ROUTSON, Claude SANDERS, Bill SHEPHERD, Irene SHIRLEY, Velma SIMPSON, Janice SNYDER, Lyle TAYLOR, Gerald TRITSCH, Louise VAN NESS, Drucilla WEBSTER, & Fred YOUNG

Obituary
Geneva C. Hoyt, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Nelson Hoyt, was born at Percival November 12, 1871, and death came to her at St. Mary's hospital at Nebraska City Sunday evening at 5:00 o'clock, following an illness of six weeks. She was married November 13, 1895, to Amos A. McElroy at Percival, who survives with two children, Hoyt McElroy of Hamburg, and Mrs. Mildred Landis of Nebraska City. Other surviving relatives are three grandchildren; five sisters -- Mrs. E. G. Keyser of Madelia, Minnesota; Mrs. Wilbur Simons of Hamburg; Mrs. A.H. McDougal and Mrs.H. E. Johnston of Cheyenne, Wyoming; Mrs. Grace Woodhouse of Corydon. Mrs. McElroy attended the Methodist church since girlhood, and at the time of her death as a member of the Nebraska City Methodist church. Ever active in church and community activities, her passing is mourned by all who knew her. Funeral services were held at the home near Percival Tuesday afternoon
with Dr. Fletcher M. Sisson of Nebraska City officiating. Interment was made in the Thurman cemetery.

SCHOOLMATES RELIVE DAYS OF YESTERYEAR
A reunion of former teachers, pupils and friends was held Sunday at McIntyre schoolhouse in Walnut township. Three hundred attended. A basket dinner at noon was followed by a program in the afternoon, consisting of community singing, readings and talks.Rev. Peter Jacobs of Shenandoah was the principal speaker of the afternoon and brought out a number of interesting facts in regard to the history of the school and community. McIntyre schoolhouse was built in 1871. Mrs.Henry Ross, teacher some 48 years ago, and (Mrs. Lizzie Derr Comstock, who taught there 44 years ago, were among the oldtime teachers present. C. J. Hunter of Sidney, I. W. McIntyre, H. J. Ross, Mrs.J. B. Farwell of the immediate locality, and J. N. Reade of Sidney were among the older pupils. Mrs. Stella Daland, county superintendent, gave an interesting account of the activities of the school during her tenure of office. Other former teachers present on this occasion were:
Mrs. J. H. Scott
Mrs. Ellen Oldfield
Mrs. Rena Higgins
Mrs. Cora McIntyre Bryte
Mrs. Jesse McIntyre
Mrs. Hal McMahon
Mrs. Gertrude Miller
Miss Addie Martin
Miss Lydia Tyner
Miss Ardyth Mc Mahon, present teacher.

Among the older friends and pupils were:
Mrs. Augusta Benson Daland of Lincoln
Mr. and Mrs. Fayette Daland of Lincoln
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Cummings of Shenandoah
Mrs. William Cummings of Shenandoah
W. F. Ferrel of Randolph
J. E. Gee of Shenandoah
Mr. and Mrs. John J. Head of Imogene.
Mr. and Mrs. F. F. Hopkins of Shenandoah
D. Y. Hunter of Sidney
Dr. William Kerr of Randolph
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McMahon of Shenandoah
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Reade of Sidney
Mr. and Mrs. Glen Thomas of Randolph
Mrs. Kathryn Thomas of Shenandoah
Mr. and Mrs. Jess Tilema of Hilda, Missouri
Mrs. Jessie Walser of Shenandoah
----
-- J. T. Barrett, deceased, was the father of Mrs. Charlie Malone of California.--Percival News
-- Mrs. May DeFreece is the sister of Gib Furbush, whose son Rex died Tuesday
-- Mrs. Ross Graham is a sister of Melvin Burr, who is to marry Etta, daughter of Henry Holtgren of Nebraska City.-- Percival News
-- Mrs. Amos McElroy is the mother of Mrs. Clement Landis of Nebraska City. Miss Dorothy McElroy is a cousin of Mrs. Landis.--Percival News
-- Mrs. Carrie Sheldon is the mother of Dr. John Sheldon of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and of March Sheldon.--Percival News

[transcribed by W.F., June 2007, February 2008 & April 2008]

-----

SHENANDOAH GAZETTE
Shenandoah, Fremont Co., Iowa
May 22, 1936

McIntyre School Reunion Revives History of Community From Days of Mud Seminary
Sunday, May 17, was a big day for the McIntyre rural school, northwest of Shenandoah. A picnic dinner at noon, a program, reunion of teachers and scholars, historic information, were the striking features for the day. Several hundred people took advantage of renewing fellowships of other days. Miss Ardyth McMahon, teacher of the school, who continues her work for another year, with the help of others, carried out a most successful program. Twelve former teachers were present:
Mrs. Cora (Hand) Bright of Farragut
Mrs. Lizzie (Doerr) Comstock of Riverton. She taught here 44 years ago.
Mrs.Gertrude (Ross) Graves of Farragut
Mrs. Rena (Thomas) Higgins of Farragut.
Addie Martin of Farragut
Mrs. Flo (McMahon) McIntyre of Farragut
Mrs. Forrest (Thomas) McMahon of Farragut
Ellen Oldfield of Shenandoah
Mrs. Annie B. (Miller) Ross of Farragut: Mrs. Ross taught the school 56 years ago, and was pleased to greet seven of her former pupils at this reunion.
Mrs. Cora (Ross) Scott of Farragut.
Lydia Tyner of Shenandoah

MUD SEMINARY FIRST SCHOOL
The first school in the community was the log school house known as Mud Seminary. The only person in the community who attended this place was Marion (Deacon) High, who on account of illness, was not able to be present.

The next school was known as the Singleton school, built of native cottonwood lumber. It stood just across the road north of the Henry Fisher home, now owned by Mrs. A. J. McIntyre.

The Rising Star school house, better known as the McIntyre school, probably was built some time after Walnut township was organized, Jan. 7, 1871. Frank Allison of Sidney, was the contractor. George McIntyre helped in its construction. W. D. Jenkins, father of Mrs. John Ross, Sr., painted the new school building. He moved into the community in the fall of 1871. But two people at the reunion had attended the Singleton school, Mrs. Augusta Daland of Lincoln, Neb., and James N. Reade, Sidney hotel man.

CITE TEACHERS
Mrs. Morton Graves gave a history of the school. Mrs. Augusta Daland mentioned, among the teachers who taught in the Singleton school where she attended, the following: Walter Mason, Rosetta Cox, Henry Singleton, Etta Radikin, Edgar Farlow. Teachers of the McIntyre school whom she remembered, were:
J. A. Beghtol
Susie Butts
A.F. Daland
E. J. Farlow
Mrs. Levi Gammon
Elizabeth Gilchrist
Effie Grey
Addie Martin
E.N.Milligan
Joseph Rockefiled
Lida Singleton
Eva Swain
Anna Wilson
P. H. Wilson
Not one of the teachers had ever taught in a log school house. Dr. William Kerr of Randolph, had the distinction of having taught in a sod school house in Nebraska.

WALNUT TOWNSHIP ORGANIZED 1871
Rev. Peter Jacobs, in his address, brought out the fact that Walnut township, according to the Fremont county history of 1881, was not organized until Jan. 7, 1871. Previous to that time, it was a part of Monroe township, said to have been organized in February 1855. The Chambers cemetery, now known as the Singleton cemetery, probably was set apart for a general burial ground by Ezekial Chambers, when his wife died May 31, 1857. It is said that her services were held in the Mud Seminary log school house. How much earlier this first school of the community had been built, no one seems to know.

McINTYRE FAMILY CAME 1870
The McIntyre family came to Fremont county in the fall of 1870, from Dane county, Wisconsin. Oliver E. McIntyre, and his son-in-law, Peter Benson, had come in advance to purchase land. His daughter, Mrs. Norton Inman, and her family had already located in this section. The McIntyres who came at the time, besides the father and mother, were George McIntyre and family, Lydia (Mrs. Peter Benson) and family, Arthur J. McIntyre, Ollie McIntyre and Will T. McIntyre. Of the immediate Oliver E. McIntyre family, but one is living, Will T. McIntyre, who, with his wife enjoyed the occasion immensely. Will was a lad of ten at the time the family located. They came from Wisconsin in covered wagons.

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS SPEAK
Mrs. Stella Daland county superintendent of Fremont county, gave a short talk. Mrs. Peter Jacobs, former county superintendent, also was present. As the roll call of teachers, prepared in story form by Mrs. Harvey Scott, was read, each teacher was seated. Some of the program features were the welcome by Billy Henning; reading by Hope Henning and Catherine Harbin; solos by Glee Palm and Patsy Thomas. These school reunions are reviving much interest in the early history of the schools and of the community.

[transcribed by W.F., April 2008]

-----

SIDNEY ARGUS - HERALD
Sidney, Fremont co., Iowa
May 28, 1936

FREMONT AS SHE WAS SOME 80 YEARS AGO
-- E. C. Worcester, the writer of this article, is the last living member of one of Iowa's oldest pioneer families and he feels prompted to put on record a few interesting items and incidents in this connection.

"The writer was born in a log house in the southwest part of Fremont county 67years ago. My parents first set up housekeeping in Sidney in 1854 in a little log house that still stands at the northeast corner of the courthouse square, now occupied by Dr. Humphrey. Of course, the house is now encased with weatherboarding, but the deep door and sills and jambs tell the tale of a log house within its walls.

"My father, David Worcester, was among the earliest of Iowa settlers,having come into the state in 1836 - 1837 in the employ of a French trader, who traded among the Indians. He came from Massachusetts, from the old seaport of Salem, which in the days of Captain Kidd was one of the sailing ports of that notorious freebooter. As an apprenticed clerk in a grocery store when a boy, he listened to the proverbial tales from the old salts of the sailing vessels, and from travelers and adventurers in the great midwest just then opening up. He chose the latter as his field of adventure, resulting in his settling in Fremont county.

"While in the employ of the French trader, they were located on the Des Moines river, and in the camp or village of the famous Chief Blackhawk. This was just after the Blackhawk war and just previous to the old chief's death. Keokuk, the civil chief, was also in the village. The old chief usually occupied a seat in front of his lodge in the early morning, enjoying the sunshine, and would greet passersby with his friendly "How" as they passed. This was about a year before Blackhawk's death which occurred in 1838. Blackhawk was the war chief of the tribe while Keokuk was the civil chief.

"The territory along the Des Moines river was a most beautiful country, and father bought a hundred acres about where the city of Des Moines now stands. He soon traded this for a horse and saddle and, following a western urge, pushed his way west and south to the little trading post of St. Joseph where he secured work driving a freight wagon. This work brought him up into Iowa and across the country to Kanesville, now Council Bluffs, with a load of cured meats and other provisions. There were no towns then between St. Joe and Kanesville.
"Coming from the state of Massachusetts, which was then pushing into the milling and manufacturing industries, the subject of our story turned his attention to such industries. The western prairies were producing wool in abundance, with no wool carder near to prepare it for market. After locating in Sidney, father built a wool carder and operated it a few rods east of where now stands the courthouse. The power for his wool carding plant was furnished by a primitive tread power. A blind horse was used for the purppose, although sometimes others were used. Father secured a large dun colored horse named "Mike" to furnish power for his plant. He was as tall as a man, and endowed with unusual "horse sense." The faithful oxen and horses of the pioneers were almost a part of the family, and Mike was no exception.

"Father had taught school and was now, in connection with his business as wool carder, a pioneer preacher and circuit rider. Faithful old Mike was sometimes the means of conveyance to preaching points. Deer were so numerous that as they sprang from the path into the tall grass, spirited horses sometimes were frightened and threw their riders. Old Mike's eyes were closed to such trifles. Father and mother often rode Mike " double" but mother said her difficulty was mounting, as the horse was to tall. "Turned out to graze in the tall bluestem grass that grew about Sidney, Mike, though blind, could always make his way back home, except under one condition. When a fog fell, or slipped up from the river, his sense of direction was completely lost. But he did not lose his good horse sense. He would stand still and send out the s. o. s. call of danger--a loud whinney--and would keep it up till someone came to his rescue.

"My parents later moved down on Spring creek near where the village of Knox is now located. There father built a little grist mill. It stood a few rods north of where now stands the Knox church. For lack of sufficient water at times the mill ground very slowly. When water was to be had the mill sometimes ran night and day to meet the demand. It was patronized by settlers over quite a territory, and by Indians as well.

"John McKinney, an early settler and who had a reputation over the county as a well digger, gave Uncle Davy's mill a lasting reputation for efficiency. After watching the mill operate he reported that "Uncle Dave Worcester has a mighty spunky little mill down on Spring creek. It cracks one grain of corn and then jumps right onto another one." This saying of McKinney's was given with his characteristic drawl which added sparkle to the bit of humor.

"After moving to the valley father, with a company of settlers. laid out a road from the mouth of the valley to Sidney, which is the route in most part followed by the present graveled highway. A turn northeast at the first rise took the road around by a lone tree where later was built the Lone Tree school house. The hill near the school house became known as the Lone Tree hill. The hill was always a stumbling block to traffic in early days. Heavy loaded wagons had to double team up the hill, and " rough lock" in coming down. On its steepest yellow clay pitch there usually could be found pieces of broken harness, double-trees, log chains, etc. It was the best route, though that could be found except by much grading, which later was done by a new survey, and which is the present gravel road.

"The litttle log grist mill on the creek passed later into the hands of John Hume, whose son, Oliver Hume, now lives just west of Knox on the base line road. He informed us recently that some of the logs of the old mill are on the premises where he lives. It is our fixed purpose and plan that one of these days we will put a handsaw in the car and call on Mr. Hume for the purpose of obtaining a section of one of the logs. If he is at home we are certain to get it; if he is not--well, it will be just too bad.

"Later the mill was disposed of and my parents moved a little father out on the bottoms where this writer was born. From this point an extensive view of the broad Missouri river bottoms was possible. To the westward was a slough or canebreak where the grass was higher than a man's head on horseback. To this canebreak the Indians would come for an annual hunt for deer. The air, crisp and clear, permitted a clear view from the door of every movement of the mounted hunters. Indians on their ponies would first circle in long lines about the section of tall grass. A small column of smoke would arise showing that the dry slough grass had been set on fire. The fire would spread and black smoke roll up in great columns, while the deer driven from their shelter would scatter in every direction. The Indians wheeled and circled, drove their ponies at full speed, as they chased and killed the deer by various means. The whole scene was a grand panorama, plain and clear, serving to break !the monotony of frontier life.

"We had hard winters in those days. One of earliest recollections in the connection was this exciting incident: We were awakened in the early wintry morn by the dogs barking, growling, running this way and that around the house. Then we heard father shouting, and taking a timid peek from the window, saw a pack of wolves being driven from the poultry house. They were speeding away over the deep sleet covered snow.

"The old grist mill on Spring creek was the first building in what afterwards was a thriving little village. In the early '70s a little co-operative store was organized and put in charge of William Leffler, a young man who had been a cripple from childhood. The village blacksmith also took up his line of work for the benefit of the community. The place was known as "Lickskilltet".

"A little postoffice was later established and the town renamed for the first postmaster, James Knox, who owned the place known in Fremont county history as "the Knox Big Spring." During the great rush in the '70's in Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska, the little village was the favorite camping ground for the great trains of covered wagons struggling across the long trail. We have seen as many as 25 covered wagons fall into line as the camp broke and the hopeful homeseekers proceeded under the call to "go west, young man, go west."

"Breaking of these camps was always interesting. There was the greasing of wagons, harnessing of fresh young horses, dogs barking, children scampering about in glad anticipation of what was coming next. Among the first cartoons--which might be called the "comic strip" perhaps--was on yellow paper pasted on the lid of the wooden box of "Frazier's axle grease" depicting the sad plight of the man who did not use the famous lubricant. The empty discarded grease boxes were later picked up eagerly by neighborhood boys; the cartoon furnished the boys their first study in expression.

"Just fifty years ago on the 12th day of April the village of Knox was almost completely demolished by a tornado. The postoffice and store combined had just been moved into a small new building, boxed up with pine boards and still unpainted. The building was crushed like an eggshell, and the new pine boards split into kindling wood. A portly traveling salesman was caught in the crushed building, but escaped injury by crouching down beside a full barrel of sugar. The tornado lasted only a few minutes, and as it passed the portly salesman came up through the debris much like a jack-in-the-box. And it rained silver during the storm. A Mr. Boldra, who lived at the point of the bluffs, and whose house was crushed by the storm, had ten or twelve dollars in small coin. This saving was taken from the crushed house and showered down along the side of the valley as the storm moved to the northeast. The storm was of short duration, and as the sun broke from behind the dark clouds there was a sprinkling of rain, hail--and silver. The writer picked up some of this money and returned it to the owner. The Lone Tree school house was carried away with not so much as kindling wood left.

"One of the thrilling springtime sights of the early days on the Missouri bottom was the coming of the sandhill cranes. These sand colored birds when standing erect were almost if not quite as tall as a man. They were usually easily approached. To see a hundred or so of these huge birds break into a swift run as they took off was a sight the writer shall never forget. An airplane taking off is a very good imitation.
"About the time that our family had located on the Missouri river bottom two young men and their wives, coming from England, also found a location a few miles west, or a little south and east of the present Percival community. They were industrious and took up work in digging drainage ditches, at 50 cents a day. The work was hard, but they stuck to it, lived a simple life, and laid the foundation for a comfortable fortune, for both became counted among the wealthy farmers of the rich bottom lands.

"One of the relished articles of diet of the pioneers was supper of mush and milk. This dish was served at supper time. It was made of corn meal, slowly stirred and cooked in boiling water, and served with milk, cream, and sometimes with a goodly lump of golden butter slowly melting on top. The dish looked good, tasted good, and was good for the pioneers.

"The two young Englishmen learned of the new dish. At first they relished it very much, and not having learned as to what particular meal it was adapted, made and served it three times a day. When asked how they relished the new dish of mush and milk, they said they were rather tiring of it. They were then informed that it was customary to serve it at suppertime only. The dish served three times a day seemed not to have furnished them the proper vitamins for the particular work of digging drainage ditches through Missouri bottom gumbo.".-- E. C. Worcester

[transcribed by W.F., June 2007]


Iowa Old Press
Fremont County