Iowa Old Press

Bayard News
Bayard, Guthrie co. Iowa
Friday, April 3, 1885

Fire at Guthrie Centre
A fire at Guthrie Centre Thursday morning destroyed the Central Hotel, Porter's drug store and barn, Davidson's livery stable, Dale house, Dr. Porters dwelling, Holsman's dwelling and barn, and Hanson's lumber office, sheds and part of lumber yard. At last account, 5 o'clock p.m., it was still burning east, toward the principal business district. The fire originated at the outside of Porter's Drug store and it is thought to be incendiary. A heavy wind was blowing, and hardly anyting was saved from any of the buildings. - Stuart Locomotive. [transcription note: a later article said the fire was at Guthrie Centre "last week".]

Etta Allen Obituary
Mrs. Etta Allen, wife of W.G.M. Allen, who departed this life at her father-in-laws in this place, March 27th, 1885. She was born in Greene county, Penn., February 14th, 1863, and married to her bereaved husband in Carroll county, April 5th, 1883. Soon after her marriage she was converted in this place. About 15 months ago she moved to Nebraska with her husband and settled in Brown county, where they commenced to open up a new home with a bright prospect before them of living together a long and happy life; but alas! how soon their prospects were blighted. Two months ago they parted, she to come home to be taken sick and die, and he to stay and receive the sad news by wire to come and look upon the remains of one that was so dear to him.

Her death was caused by child bed fever. Through her sickness everyting was don by friends and skillful physicians; but, alas, the fatal moment came, and she died. The funeral services were conducted by the writer of this sketch in the M.E. church in Bayard, in the presence of a large concourse of people, and then her remains were conveyed to Carroll county and buried close by where she left two years ago a happy bride.

She was loved by all that knew her; she was a devoted christian; in her affliction she was never heard to murmur or complain and God seemed to lead her very gently and joyously up the mountain side. New visions of hope and beauty constantly broke upon her as she gained the summit and stood [several illegible words] moved in whispered utterances, the last intelligible words were, "tell William I would like to see him once more, tell him to do what he pleases with the babe, and to meet me in Heaven for I see the angels coming," and in a moment more she was safe in the arms of Jesus.

She leaves a husband, and a little babe only a few days old, with many relatives who will miss her sadly; but she is not dead but sleepeth. The husband stays with his parents in this place a few days and will then return to his home in Nebraska where he expects to remain. He has the sympathy and prayers of all the people.
A.J. Barton

Local News Briefs
Ham Kautzman was a Bayard visitor last Tuesday.

J.D. Armstrong was in Coon Rapids last Monday.

There has been an Indian and a white man here for several days hunting. The Indian was of the Cherokee nation. The Indian hunter has left with 25 or 30 musk rats.

W.R. Reeves was visiting friends in Perry a few days last week.

R.W. Peck contemplates moving to Coon Rapids in a few weeks, where he will instruct the boys how to handle a musket.

W.H. Molds was a caller at our office last Saturday. Mr. M. is a No. 1 man and a good farmer and his home will receive the News weekly.

Al Ocheltree and Lon Harden were out hunting last Saturday, they was gone about all day, and returned with one duck and two muskrats.

Mayor Stevenson has been wrestling with something like ague for the past few days, but no so bad but what he could attend to business.

John Duffey has returned from Wisconsin where he has been for the past few weeks. He was called there by the illness of his mother, we are glad to say that he reports her in an improved condition.

Since our last issue we have added to our subscription list the following names: Cone Bros., John Ryan, W.H. Molds, Jas. Corrigan, G.W. Harden, W.H. Corrigan, Lee Griffith, Thomas Sammons, C. Dobson, Mike Howe, Dan Howe, Dave Smith - of Bayard. F.M. Hopkins', F.C. Galbreath, W.L. Miller, G.I. Maris, Ed Shaw - of Guthrie Centre.

W.H. Story and J.B. Davis have left for Nebraska where they will build two dwellings for Mr. A.N. Hawley, who moved there a few weeks ago. T.F. Story and J.D. Story are also going to Nebraska to break prairie for Mr. H.

Highland News
School begins in No. 4 next Monday, J.H. Newlin teacher.

John McCord has a housekeeper. We knew he wouldn't bach very long.

Mr. Hickman lost a haystack by fire last Monday.

George Law, of Audubon, was visiting his cousin, John McCord, last Monday.

The Burrhus Bros. were shelling corn in Coon Rapids the first of the week.

From Willow and Bayard
John Stevenson was a visitor on Sunday.

John Duffey was called by telegram back to his old home in Rock county, Wisconsin, his mother being dangerously ill.

Uncle Johnny Adamson is on the sick list, also Nellie, the little daughter of Dennis Martin.

Joseph Mauzy died of consumption at his residence in this township on the 7th ult. He leaves a wife and three children to mourn his loss, besides a large circle of acquaintances.

At the recent municipal election Tom Stvenson was chosen Mayor, G.H. Kirkham recorder, and Messrs Sargent and Blakeslee councilmen.

[transcribed by S.F., March 2016]


Iowa Old Press
Guthrie County