Iowa Old Press

The Free Press
Mount Pleasant, Henry, Iowa
June 5, 1879

Rome.
     Rome has lately been having weddings and weddings, the very latest of which was on last Thursday evening, when Miss Maggie Eicher became Mrs. Dr. Carter; a short time before Miss Clara Brown, and Mr. Charles Jackson united their fates and a few days before that event Mrs. Mary Case married Mr. Frederick Iler of Burlington.
   Rome is just now bewailing the loss of Mr. McElhaney and his pleasant family who have moved to Greenfield in the western part of this state. Their absence is very keenly felt and while they have the very best and kindest wishes of many friends here, for their happiness and prosperity in their new home, we cannot regret their going.
   Several other families have moved away this spring, among them, Peter Moore who went to Trenton and Mr. Milton Lee who moved to Glasgow.
   The house of Geo. Taylor was entered on Saturday night of the same week of the school house robbery, and a sum of money taken. The thieves were not detected.
   Dr. Lash has built a new office.
   J. Beaber has nearly completed a large frame dwelling and David Kinney has another nearly done.
   Mr. Mosier built a new house last fall and J. Kinney is enlarging and otherwise improving his already pleasant home.
   Wm. Scott is preparing to go to Kansas.
   Miss Roxie Genthe has gone to Corning to spend the summer.
   Mrs. Johnson and Miss Lewis, of New Sharon, are in town the guests of their sister, Mrs. Chandler.
   Mrs. Brady, of Ottumwa, is here with Miss Katie Baker.
   Mr. Belknap preached his last sermon for the summer on last Sabbath. His people here are very much attached to him and hope to secure his services for another year.

MARRIED.
     BROWN-DEVOL- At the residence of the officiating clergyman, Rev. W.A. Welsher, June 2nd, 1879, Mr. Sam'l. H. Brown of Ottumwa, and Mrs. Julia V. Devol, of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.
     CORNELIUS-THOMPSON- At the residence of E.C. Lyman near Winfield on May 22nd, 1879, by Rev. J.G. Thompson Mr. James F. Cornelius and Miss Mollie A. Thompson both of Louisa county.

Obituary.
     KETCHUM- may 21st 1879, of consumption, Edward Ketchum, in the 52nd year of his age.
   Mr. Ketchum began suffering about nine months since, with that insidious disease consumption. During the last month of his life he was unable to quit his bed, suffering severely at times. About a month previous to his death, he professed faith in Christ, accepting him as his Savior, uniting with the M.E. church, the Rev. Dr. L.J. Rogers coming to his house and administering the rite of baptism.
   The funeral discourse was delivered by Dr. L.J. Rogers from Psa., 34:6 to a large concourse of friends. The remains were then taken to Pilot grove, Lee county Iowa and interred, followed by a number of friends from this community, and was met by a number of sympathising friends of Pilot grove, who united in paying the last tribute of respect to our deceased friend and neighbor. Deceased leaves a wife and four children t o mourn the loss of a husband and father.

     Willow Bank school, Miss Albert teacher, had a picnic on Wednesday afternoon last week and of course they had a good time. We had received a nice report of the affair but it is unfortunately crowded out.

   The Scotch basin which is sold by Griffith, Burket & Co is something new in the way of stew dishes and superior to anything before offered to the public. The enamel is wrought into iron making a lining surface as smooth as glass and as enduring as iron itself. A kettle bought of them a few months ago and at their request roughly tested is as perfect as when taken from the store. Oatmeal gruel in the morning with frequent scorchings of that tenacious substance-potatoes at noon being left on the stove to dry off sometimes getting so fast that a knife is required to remove them after soaking- in short actual abuse of the kettle to test its merits, it still shows no trace of cracking or breaking the enamel in any way. As the fruit season approaches ladies wishing a stew kettle will do well to look at this basin before purchasing elsewhere.

     Eddie, a little six year old son of W.H. Whitney, while at play last Sunday jumped from a shed about four feet high and broke his leg between the knee and ankle.

     The India Ink portrait of Mr. Ed. Van Cise in Mr. Crane's store was painted by Mrs. Orson Van Cise. Everyone who sees it says it is one of the most life-like pictures they have ever seen. Mrs. Van Cise has rare talent for this kind of work.

     The Alumni of the University will present something new this year. In place of the usual lecture before the association, Mr. W.W. Fink of the class of '70 will give an evening of readings from his own poems.

PERSONAL.
-Mrs. Ida Scoggan, of Burlington, is visiting relatives and friends in this city this week.
-Gus.Walters, one of the college seniors, and one of the first in his class, took a flying trip to Ft. Madison last week to see about getting a position there in the High School.
-Mrs. Robert Lincoln who had been spending a few days with her parents, returned again to her home in Chicago last week.
-O.H. White, the veteran lightning rod salesman Sundayed in town with his family.
-Ed. Inman, one of the assistant teachers in chemistry at college, left the city Thursday for a few days visit in Dodgeville.
Mrs. C.T. Cole, secretary of the Iowa Unitarian Association left to attend a meeting of the same, at Des Moines on Tuesday morning expecting to be absent the remainder of the week.
-D.W. Cauffman returned from a two years absence in California on Tuesday evening. His health greatly improved.
-Rev. Mr. Cory, formerly pastor of the Christian church, is spending a few days with his old friends in this city.
-Mr. Will G. Merritt started west this (Thursday) morning for an extended trip through Kansas and Colorado.

FASHION NOTES

    "Crepe D'Arabian" is used for evening dresses.
    Fancy silk turbans are bound with gold cord.
    Plain skirts are now more popular for street suits.
    Most all the new designs in silver are in repousse work.
    Necklaces are worn without lockets and close to the throat.
    The Pompadour collarettes are made in Breton lace as well as Duchesse.
    Evening dresses that are made short escape the ground by five or six inches.
    Afghans for baby carriages are made of double zephyr, in the variety Afghan stitch.
    Handsome sashes are painted on the ends, instead of embroidered as formerly.
    Reception dresses of cashmere are trimmed with silk and imported embroideries.
    Pearl passements and pear fringes with silver threads are much used on wedding dresses.
    When diamond or pearl pendants are worn, an invisible gold chain is worn around the throat.
    The large Normandy bow worn on the top of the hair is made of broad ribbon, and consists of loops only.
    Mother-of-pearl buttons in tints of rose, blue and green are much used on street suits of silk and camel hair.
    Kid gloves are worn to the elbow to meet the Martha Washington sleeve, which is generally made of lace or tulle.
    Peculiar pins are now shown which serve a double purpose. They are made to fasten on the corsage, and have a ring at the back to hold the corsage bouquet.
     Since chatelaine watches have been so much worn, almost every imaginable design can be found among them-from the plain, heavy Etruscan to the fancy sporting silver ones.--N.Y. Tribune.

The Free Press
Mount Pleasant, Henry, Iowa
June 12, 1879

     200 dozen ruches just landed at the New York Store. Something beautiful, just out; the prettiest ruche you ever saw for five cents. [Note: ruche n. A ruffle or pleat of lace, muslin, or other fine fabric used for trimming women's garments.]
     If any one wants to see a perfect pattern of a cow they will please call on our neighbor O.H.P. Buchanan and see his grade two year old Jersey heifer. Mr. Buchanan has been eminately [sic] successful in crossing adding to all the good qualities of the Jersey, the size and beauty of the shorthorn.
     On Monday evening about 5 o'clock, John Veach, a man of some 30 years of age, in company with some other footmen, in attempting to board an eastern bound freight train not far from the Bent Caulk crossing, was drawn under the wheels crushing one foot so badly that Drs. Robinson and Elliott had to cut his leg just above the ankle joint. After the operation he was taken to the county house to be cared for.
     Mrs. A. Herrick advertises this week their new grocery and market house No. 37 N Jefferson where it is kept for sale the best quality of coffee, sugar, tea, syrups, canned fruits, meats, fish, etc. all at lowest prices; also her restaurant and bakery now so well and favorably known and where you can get your bread, crackers, confectionary, oranges, cigars, tobacco and fruits of all kinds.
     Some unknown person entered the Red Ribbon House near the depot yesterday and stole a fine suit of clothes belonging to the proprietor, J F. Riggs.
     The extensive wagon shop of Joel Turney at Trenton was burned with a large amount of valuable stock at about eleven o'clock p.m. on Saturday night last. The loss is estimated at $3000, no part of which was insured. Mr. Turney is the veteran wagon maker of Henry Co. Being well known through all this part of the state for the excellency of his work, both as to style and durability. Everybody will be sorry to hear of this misfortune.
     Sylvester Miller, one of Col. Gruesel's draymen was thrown from his wagon on Monday evening, and the hind wheels passed over him bruising him considerably. The accident was caused by the giving way of the ring in the neck-yoke, and letting the wagon on the mules who ran some but did no particular damage.--Miller is able to be out.
     The efforts of the friends of Temperance to stop the illegal sale of intoxicating liquors so far resulted in the arrest and conviction of Martin Brooks in two suits before Justice Leedham- the fine of twenty dollars each and costs. There are three other suits before Justice Whitford.
     Comstock & Swinford have placed an engine in their mill so that when the wind does not blow to suit, the engine will furnish the power and so they can "keep her running all the time."

PERSONAL.
-Miss Florence Mellen, of Keokuk, spent Sunday in town with her sister Mrs. Clark.
-Charles Swan from Mt. Vernon, Ohio, is in the city visiting relatives and friends.
-Mrs. Harriet Wilson, sister of Rev. Milo Hobart, with her husband, from McDonough county, Illinois, are in the city visiting friends.
-Miss Laura Cole M.D. is home again from Burlington and may remain during commencement week.

Resolutions of Condolence.
   DIED- At her home in Marion township on Sunday, May 18th, 1879, Elizabeth R. Skipton, daughter of John Skipton.
     She was about eighteen years of age. Miss Skipton was loved and respected by all who knew her and her death is deeply lamented. In sympathy with the bereaved parents the following resolutions were passed by the Cedar Grove Sunday school of which she was a member.

On the Road

     In my last communication as far west as Lucas county, we then went through Clark county. This county is rather rough; Osceola, the county seat is a nice place, not large but full of business. Union county is good, but Adams and Page beats them all. Page county has the finest lands we ever saw anywhere. Freemont is also very nice, the crops look fine. As we pass along and see the vast fields of corn, wheat and oats, we wonder what will be done with so much grain, every field full of teams and men., I have seen in one field six cultivators running at one time all on one farm. When we struck the Missouri bottom it is not so nice as we expected as it is too sandy; we crossed the river at Nebraska city about one mile up from the ferry.
    The government is rip-rapping the banks; as it was the first time we had seen such work we stopped and went to see how it was done; there was perhaps seventy-five to one hundred men at work; they have a long boat fastened to the bank then a rack made of timbers on the boat at the shore side the cross timber rests on the side or floor; the other side is raised about twelve feet, so it stood on an angle of about forty-five degrees, with iron pins fore feet apart to hold the brush on the rack; the first layer next the shore is of willow brush, the next thing they sew it with wire, then they put the next layer of any kind of brush, but sew it all together with wire until it is about twenty feet deep, then they have long poles the whole length of the boat spliced and wrapped with wire at the spliced end of the pole; for every layer of brush. Next they fasten bags of sand all along above each pole; they then fasten securely these brush to the bank, the willow brush about three feet above the top of the bank, then the iron pin is removed and the boat pushed or towed out, then the brush settles against the bank, the sacks of sand holds it in place and in a short time it is all covered up with sand, the willow commences to grow, and the rip rap is complete.
    This Missouri is a wonderful river, such a turbid stream, this is the finest ferry on the river, but it is wonderful how fast the river does change its channel; the boat crosses every thirty minutes and has to make a new landing on the Nebraska side some times every trip, the rip rap is on the Iowa side and that is the cause of the rapid cutting away of the bank. This will make a better landing on the Nebraska side; the object is to straighten the river and save the banks. The changes are quick and wonderful in this river.

The Free Press
Mount Pleasant, Henry, Iowa
June 19, 1879

OUR PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL
Thursday Evening Exercises
13th Class Graduated by Prof. Cozier

     The graduating exercises of the Public High School were held at Union Hall, June 12th, being the thirteenth class which has graduated under Prof. Cozier. The class this year was small, consisting of nine members only, tow of which were unable to perform, one, Miss Mary McCray, on account of sickness, and the other, Chas. Hungerford, having accepted a position on the railroad. The performances taken as a whole were good, some very good, for such young students quite remarkable.
    Miss Nettie Risser the first speaker, had a very fine performance. Her delivery was graceful and self possessed, her elocution was good, the thought, very fine. Her subject, "Our Heritage."
    Ada Bartlett took for her subject, "The Dead Living." She mentioned in a very short address a great many historical personages. The thought discussed was that man's deeds live after him. Miss Ada spoke out clear and strong and was heard by all.
    Miss Bella Patterson's subject was, "Do thy Work." Her delivery was mild, but the thought was good. Her argument was that a little well done is better than a great deal poorly done.- Miss Bella will better succeed as a writer than a speaker.
    Miss Sue Chronister on the subject, "If we only knew," did ver ywell.- She spoke in a very earnest and convincing manner. The sentiment she expressed was of the highest order, but was lot to the greater part of those in the back of the house, owing to the weakness of her voice.
    Miss Lizzie Trossel, took for her theme a subject which is common to all of us, "Tramps." Her management of her topic was very interesting, showing an intelligent charity for the faults and weaknesses of mankind and sympathy for his failures. Her delivery was good, her enunciation being clear and distinct, and her gestures graceful and appropriate.
    Miss Kate Ritner's subject was "The Man with the Lantern." It was of the imaginative order, and a pleasant, well-written effort. Her delivery was dignified, but her voice was hardly sufficient to fill the room.
     The last speaker, Miss Viola Hunter, chose for her subject, "Fortune's Fields." Her elocution was above the average. Her views of life were happily expressed and her manner animated. This was a short and sensible performance.
    After the conferring of diplomas by Miss Porter, Prof. Cozier closed the exercises with a short speech in which he said that during his thirteen years as Principal of the public schools in this city he had graduated one hundred and sixty-eight students, averaging fourteen a year. During all his experience as teacher he had never been stopped in the streets by angry parents, had never been censured or had any trouble with the Board of Directors and to his knowledge had not an enemy in town. He advised all the scholars to continue in school just the same as if he was going to remain.- He closed by returning his grateful thanks to his hosts of friends for past kindness and present appreciation.

CENTRAL BUILDING
    Regular yearly promotions of pupils in the several school grades.

From 11th to 12th grade.
Lizzie Dungan, Anna Hargrave, Minnie Wayman, Minnie Warwick, Hettie Griffith, Minnie Lee, Cora McCoy, Ella McLaughlin, Emma McFarland, Ida Willey, Josie Gassner, Jessie F. Palmer, Effie Perry.

From 10th to 11th grade.
Affie Paul, Belle Degarmo, Fannie Hunter, Lila Troughton, Olive Cauffman, Edward Reitz.

From 9th to 10th grade.
Susan Mosely, Anna Curtner, Mary Baines, Mamie Bartlett, Mary Yocum, Jessie Palmer, Ida Twinting, John Farrar, Ada Kronheimer, Meta Johnson, Lillie Dugdale, Venia Tracy, Nettie Hampton, Harry Bereman, Mary Howard, Albert Timmerman, Kate Penn, Jessie Hughes.

From 8th to 9th grade.
Lulu Woods, John Fish, Jerry Murley, Siddie Payne, Frank McClelland, Franc Talley, Ella Sweet, Rosa Weible, George Stough, Oscar Scott, Lizzie Crawford, Nannie Nickle, Hattie Allen, Mary Stearns, Alma Clarke, Lucy Hormell, Judson Washburn, Joseph Foley, Angelia Washburn, Elmer Faulkner, May McClure, Charles Booth, Susie Campbell, Agnes Mason, Harry Hungerford.

From 7th to 8th grade
Clara Rider, Hilie Butler, Ida Schliep, Flora Washburn, Birdie Lyon, Sarah St Clair, Henry Timmerman, Anna Saunders, Katrine Todd, Sallie Boyles, Stanley Allen, Mollie Rukgaber, Wesley Brewer, Grant Allen, Willie Butler, May Harbin, Carl Hopping, Maude Mathers, Myra Satterthwait, Doc Stearns, Hortense Lovell, Effie Arnold, Leigh Woolson, Julia Carrigan.

From 6th to 7th grade.
Mary Tracy, Emma Kramer, Lucinda Miller, Vinton Yocum, Lizzie Davis, Belle Fuller, Grant Cobb, Minnie Fish, Lamotte Clymer, Ella Rugg, Ida Powell, Fred Clarke, Mary Fagan, Teresa Jones, Lulu Satterthwait, Phil Greusel, Mattie McClure, Alice Kellar, Charles Baines, Platt Potter, Myrtle Millspaugh, Charles Howard, Bridget Casey, Carrie Nickle, Stella Albert, George Palmer, Emma Schliep, Clayton Sherman, John Lehew, Mollie Colby, Frank Worthington, Anna Crane, Edith Baugh, Ida Robinson, Anna Dugdale, Walter Bartlett, Minnie Ogden, James Higgins, Kate Corkhill, Mary Jones, Harry Whiting, Anna Corbett, Anna Gimble, Harry Snyder, Alice Comstock.

From 5th to 6th grade.
Franc Pitcher, Willie Lehew, Carrie Slater, Winnie Sweet, Richard Monroe, Omar Risser, Clinton Coddington, Anna Casey, Willie Brewer, Fred Heinbaugh, Delia Gibbs, Louisa Mason, Nettie Brewer, Charles Robinson, Willie Halt, Josie Boyles, Grace Bennett ,John Deal, Anna Deal, Ida Drummond, Ortie Nickle, Hammie Payne, Charles Randall, Paul Woolson, Kate Carrigan, Frank Schliep, Maggie Gregg, Louisa Heitmeier, Hattie Allen, Katie Iseman, Bridget Hurley.

Continued in grade on trial.
Mabel Arnold, Bert Crane, Willie Kronheimer, Clara McFarland, Bertha Rukgaber, George Farrar, Gertrude Pittenger, Fannie Snyder, Kate Simmons, David Nickle.

From 4th to 5th grade.
Tressie Harter, Frank Fuller, Edith Milhone, Mary Miller, Ida Van Hon, Minnie Chambers, Wesley Potter, Willie Magdefrau, Cora Brewer, Charles Boyles, Freeman Havinghorst, Eddie Woods, Josie Heinbaugh, Pearl Smith, Jessie Brenholtz, Merritt Morehouse, Etna Ames, Fannie Van Dorn, Ollie Bayles, Charles Heitmeier, Jessie Griffith, Ollie Connell, James Gillis, James Maitland, Renis Heltzer, Ella Fagan, Katie Clarke, Anna Steele, Ada Boyles, George Lytle, Charles Schliep, Grace Roberts, Willie Payne, Samuel Bartlette, Ollie Dugdale, Katie Johnson, Nina Kramer, Otto Johnson, Charles Farley, Mary Monroe, Lulu Stubbs, John Gregg, Eddie Dillon, Anna Langston, Maude Bernard, Thomas Dillon, Frank Fehse, Fannie Allen, Ernest Magdefrau, Hattie Lytle, Bert Steele.

From 3rd to 4th grade.
Stella Sutton, Clara Deal, Cappie Higgins, Joseph Tracy, Lollie Crane, Lew Bartlett, Hattie Allen, Isabel Berry, Belle Bennett, Frank Cavinee, Maggie Dillon, Georgia Johnson, Stephen Alexander, Tad Brooks, Jessie Hunter, Willie Heinbaugh, Charles Baugh, Frank Hinds, Maurice Kehoe, Claude Crippen, Jonathan Miller, Willie Van Hon, Emma Goe, George Carpenter, Lulu Bartlett, Walter Ballard, Kate Milbier, Mary Brooks, Luella Maynard, Fred Rukgaber, Frank Washburn, Calthia Johnson, Ida Clark, Ida Brooks, Connie Carrigan, Maggie Rourke, Ella Burnaugh, Jettie Ford, Earnest Bennett, Gertie Monroe, Willie Clay, Eloise Roper, Lida Schultz, Martha Nickle, Robert Martin, Callie Miller.

From 2nd to 3rd grade.
Mayr McLeran, Harry Smith, Clara Bird, Lizzie Buck, Hattie Troughton, Lewis Kronheimer, Grace Battis, Lillie Shubert, Caddie Fuller, Willie Cavinee, Maria Anderson, Henry Schrader, Mary Williams, Sallie Thomas, Ralph Woolson, Willie Reed, Walter Brenholtz, Charles Boyles, Lulu Anderson, Rolla Reynolds, Charles Crusen, Fred Davis, Laura Anderson, Charles Cornelius.

From 1st to 2nd grade.
Fred Crane, Ray Brattain, Helen Sedgwick, Laura Slater, Myra Boyles, Washington Page, Willie Mathers, Harry Hewitt, Mortie Porter, Robert Hunter, Joseph Beers, Luther Lamb, Mabel Martin, Frank Crane, Charles Burton, Charles McClellan, Fannie Cauffman, May Stearns, Lewis Washington, Sam Washington, Willie Ackerman, Fred Kellar, Mattie Slater, Charles Snider, Fannie Boyles, Ella Carrigan, Ola Fenton, Julia Schrader, Samuel McDonald, Anna Heitmeier, Harry Irwin, Frank Marsh, Jack Davis, Charles Anderson.

On the Road.
For the FREE PRESS.

    We arrived in this place the 23rd of May and made the trip in fourteen days, laid by two days, sixteen days from starting, muddied our first wheel in Republic County, Kansas. The bill for repairs from Winfield to Kerwin on three buggies was eighty cents. The expense of the whole trip for three of us and six horses thirty-two dollars, and the horses stabled every night and slept in houses every night but one. From Smith Center to Cedarville the country is very broken but the soil is good,- Cedarville is a very small place on the Cedar bottom, Cedar river is as large or nearly so as Big Creek. The contract is let and work being done on the Central branch of the U.P.R.R. from Cawker City to Kirwin, the cars are expected in here by the first of Sept. This place has a population of 350 to 400 inhabitants and a very large amount of business is transacted here; the U.S. land office is located here which makes it a good business point. Those that take homesteads all have to come here and make out their papers: some days since we have been here the entire place has been filled with teams, men on horseback and on foot. At the land offices they form in a row and take their turn like going to mill, from nine to four the rush goes on.
    There are three hardware stove and tin shops; one of them is as fine an establishment as we ever saw east or west. There is no article that you may ask for but can be had; and what astonishes us is the prices are so low. A number eight cook stove furnished complete for thirteen or fourteen dollars; all kinds of dry goods as cheap as at home. Five or six large dry good houses, three large bakerys, seven or eight black smith shops, six or seven hotels and bills very low. The Commercial kept by Robert Kelley formerly of Morning Sun, Louisa county Iowa, is the best in the place at present, a large fine stone house on Main street, and in a central point and Bob knows how to cater to his guests to suit them. There is some six livery and feed stables running from three to twelve teams and buggies each and all have plenty to do.- Frank Kelley, formerly of Scott is running a good barn and as a good custom, it is called the Iowa Livery and ???? Stable. Frank ????? bought him a nice residence just opposite his barn and moves in soon.
    It beats the world for land agents and land offices. They get up a row among the lawyers. The charge for getting out the papers was fixed at one dollar, some put it down to fifty cents, and now some of them are making out the papers for nothing; it is all the better for the homesteads.
    The biggest thing in this place is the billiard hall and beer saloon, only one in the place and a constant stream of customers from early morn until late at night and such a crowd of men in all stages of drunkeness, yet we have been here eight days and seen no fights and but one quarrel and that in the land office between two limbs of the law. There is but one beer saloon licenses and they have so far failed to get another as it takes a two-thirds majority and the ladies have vote. There is no other saloon within twenty-five miles, so you see it is a paying business.
    We were sorry that we did not come sooner, at least in time for the earthquake; but strange as it may appear some of the people here are opposed to earthquakes and object to the country on that small pretext.
    The funniest accident I heard of was Miss Lizzie Kelley, formerly of Winfield. Just as she started to go down stairs on the outside of the building the shake commenced. She started down and the ground caught her at the bottom. A lady ran around the corner and asked where the team ran to. Lizzie replied towards the Kirwin House. She had it that a team had ran away and struck the house as it passed the corner. Another man living in a ten by twelve board house, run out with a revolver in hand to shot the boys as he thought some one was playing a trick and trying to upset his house.- Well, it gave this place a pretty good shake, it makes things lively in the tin and hardware stores.
    We have met several Henry county men. Mr. Baldwin and family, of Scott township, have settled seventy miles west of this on a claim.- John Renshaw and Wilt Bashford at the same place, were in town last week for supplies. Met John McKenzie of Scott, he has a nice claim five miles from town. Met Mr. Eaks, formerly of Scott, he has a good claim in an adjoining county. John Monteer is here and a great many names I have forgotten. We have frequently heard men says they were coming to western Kansas to raise stock. It is the hardest place to raise stock I ever saw.- As the land is all taken for 50 to 75 miles west of this yet, and no fences, where will a man raise stock? They tie everything, horses, cows, calves, pigs, turkeys and chickens; all have their picket ropes. We have seen no woman yet that is tied, but we did see a boy tied to a stake for some mean act.
    Nicodemus, a small town in Graham county, is 35 miles southwest.- It is settled by the colored people, there is eight to nine hundred settled. Two land agents, colored, have good farms and doing well; no whites in the town. Some are well educated, have organs, play and sing well, and are about as prosperous as their white neighbors. Good by.  
    ON THE ROAD.

LOCAL MATTERS

- Mrs. Lucy W. Byrkit, the first lady graduate of the Wesleyan University attended the commencement exercises.
- Hugh O'Hare was the author of the poetry on our first page last week, entitled "In Memoriam."
- S.S. Daniels, Esq. has secured for Mt. Pleasant an eastern mail, which will reach us daily on No. 5 at 7:30 P.M. We not can have our Chicago papers the same day they are printed.
-No changes have been made in the college faculty for next year except that one member has been added. Mr. J.H. Peck, to take charge of the Academic department.
- Last Saturday Mrs. McGuigan while working in her yard had the misfortune to fall- spraining one wrist and one ankle and bruising her face and severely jarring her. She is not able to walk any.
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    Prof. Marquam will organize new classes next Monday evening at his college, east side of the park. This will afford a rare opportunity for our young people to obtain a thorough course in book-keeping and penmanship during the summer. A class for juveniles will also be formed.
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    The FREE PRESS receives this week an invitation to the marriages of Miss Ida Jackman, a former resident of this city to Bruno Eyferth, at the home of the parents of the bride Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Jackman, now residents of Louisville, Neb. on Thursday, June 26th, 1879.
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    Persons wishing to take lessons in singing and voice culture of Mr. S.L. Fish during the summer are requested to give him notice at once. Word may be left at Mr. Crane's book store, or at Mr. Fish's residence. Adult pupils receive singing at the rate of fifty cents per lesson.
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     The friends of Sunday Schools and temperance will hold a reunion and musical sociable at the residence of Lot Abraham, Saturday evening, June 21. A good time is expected and all are invited. Ice cream will be sold for the benefit of the Bellevue Sunday School. Subject of Conversation. How shall we celebrate the Fourth?
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    From the Winfield Advertiser we glean the following:
    - This town will honor the nation's birthday by an old time celebration, the committee of arrangements have secured the services of H. Clay Dean, who will deliver an oration. They have also engaged the services of the Crawfordsville band for the occasion. A representation of the negro exodus from Mississippi will be given by the Zgdesxyshurhe at 4:30 p.m. A grand display of fireworks in the evening.
    - J.N. Malone has returned from his Kansas trip, and does not give a very glowing account of that State as there is much trouble to get water, having to dig one hundred and fifty feet and then do not always get it. He brought back some of the products of the soil, such as cactus, sage brush, horned toads and such like. He says farmers have to quit work very early to draw enough water for their stock by bed time. He is satisfied to stay in Iowa.
    - J.C. Gambell had his best horse killed by lightning a few days since.
    - We have a saloon in our town and we see it frequented by persons who spend their time and money, that had better have been applied to some better purpose.

MARRIED.
    ESHELMAN-NORTHROP- On Wednesday evening June 18th, by Rev. D.S. Tappan, Mr. C.B. Eshelman and Miss Florence S. Northrop.

PERSONAL.
- Mrs. Teesdale and her daughter Mrs. Okell are visiting friends in Des Moines.
- Mrs. M.E. Quick accompanied by her daughter Mrs. Mollie Grupe are visiting friends in our city.
- W.H. Taylor, the county clerk of Davis county, Iowa, and brother-in-law of G.A. Talley, Esq., has been visiting friends in the city this week.
- We noticed the following members from abroad, of the Alumni Association of the I.W.U, in our city during commencement:
Dr. McDonald, Ottumwa; Rev. E. Winans, Eldora; Mr. and Mrs. A.M. Antrobus, Burlington; Rev. and Mrs. Byrkit, Burlington; J.C. Mitchell, ?????; W.W. Fink, Des Moines; Justus Gregg, Pueblo, Col.; Jessie Thomas, Burlington; T.Y. Lynch, Fairfield; Hattie Willets, New Boston; Leslie Rhodes, Kossuth; Kate Ranck, Dallas, Ill; Mrs. Amanda Stewart, Chariton; Mrs.Mary Huston, Burlington; Mrs. Franc Elliott, Lincoln, Neb.; Lida Stephens; George Jeffrey, Quincy; John Wheeler, Burlington; Ancil Briggs, Knoxville; Ed. Robinson, Ottumwa; Lizzie Davidson, Winfield; Rev. S.S. Martin, Ottumwa; Rev. Luttle,  Morning Sun; Mrs. Ella Dinwiddle, Washington, D.C.; Frank Gregg, Burlington; D.C. Collins, Knoxville; Rev. J.C.Corley, Columbus Junction; A.K. Lind, Knoxville; Virginia Craig.
- The following members of the Board of Trustees and visitors, from elsewhere, were here at commencement:
Dr. W.F. Coles, Grinnell; Dr. McDonald, Ottumwa; Rev. J.B. Blakeny, Burlington; Rev. E.L. Briggs, Grinnell; Rev. B. Mark, Oskaloosa; Rev. D.C. Smith, Oskaloosa; Dr. G.N. Power, Marengo; Rev. I.P. Teter, Ottumwa; Geo Hare, Esq; Ottumwa; A.M. Antrobus, Esq, Burlington; Rev. J.G. Barton, Knoxville; Rev. F.W. Evans, Newton; Rev. C.B. Clark, Burlington; Rev. J.W. Wright, Pulaski; Rev. A. Kershaw, West Point; Rev. J.M. Mann, Williamsburg.

MURDER!!!

Another Man Killed Near Marshall.
Wm. Riley Shot While Plowing Corn in his Field.
    MARSHALL, June, 16th, 1879.

    The people of our community are again startled and saddened by another murder, right in our midst in open broad light, between dinner and supper time. Wm. Riley who owns a farm of about 200 acres in the northwest corner of Jefferson township went out with his team after dinner to plow in a field southwest of his house. Close to where he was at work there was a thicket of trees and under brush where the person appears to have laid an ambush awaiting for his intended victim to come up toward him. He allowed him to make the turn at the head of the furrow, and had proceeded about 12 to 15 feet, when from his hiding place he sent the hellish bullet into the poor man's head. He must have dropped dead without a struggle. His team appears to have gone on a short distance further, when the lines became tangled they appear to have stopped and remained standing until towards evening when Mr. Riley not having been seen by his friends for some time, search being made, he was found lying dead in the furrow. An inquest was held by Squire Cook of Marshall, and at first it was supposed that one of his horses had kicked him and caused his death; but after a close examination by Dr. A.H. hull of Marshall that night and a post mortem the next day a rifle ball was taken out of his head, showing that he had not come to his death as at first supposed from injuries.
    Statements made by persons living between Marshall and the murdered man's farm, resulted in the arrest of Harlan McCune, who at present is in the county jail awaiting a preliminary examination tomorrow, Tuesday. As the case thus stands it would not be in good taste to say that the general public in the neighborhood are fully determined to leave nothing undone to have the guilty parties brought to justice. They feel that the public welfare demands, as less than three years ago, we had a man most foully murdered and with abundant testimony of the prisoners guilt, he was turned loose on the community to kill someone else if he had the inclination.
    All we wish or ask is a strict, close and thorough investigation of this most brutal murder. Neither time nor money ought to be spared in this matter as it sometimes happens that the guilty escape through the negligence and carelessness of those in charge of such matters.
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    In addition to the above particulars from our correspondent, we can say that the evidence against McCune as the murderer is reported to be about as follows: The murdered man, Riley, had had some wheat stolen from his crib. He had, as he believed, good reason to suspect McCune of committing the theft. Noticing him a day or two before going to mill with some wheat, he taking a specimen of the wheat from his crib followed McCune to Coppock's Mills and there had the miller compare McCune's wheat with the sample he brought. The miller decided that the sample and McCune's wheat evidently came from the same crib. Riley and McCune here had some altercation, and as they parted McCune was heard to remark, "You will hear from me again."- Further than this the ball extracted from the head of the victim, it has been ascertained, was a rifle ball of exactly the same weight, etc., as another ball moulded for and found with a rifle that had been left with McCune's brother for repair, and the prisoner, Harlan McCune, was seen with this rifle going to the farm of the murdered man and coming from the farm, but he did not have it on his return home. And this rifle, which at first could not be found, has since been discovered where it had been secreted. Further, this man McCune does not bear a very good name, and though the evidence is thus circumstantial it yet seems to be conclusive and looks at this writing, as though there was little chance of his acquittal. It was, it seems, a cool, premeditated, deliberate murder, and if this man is guilty as it now seems, he will no doubt be punished to the full extent of the law. Messrs. L.G. and L.A. Palmer of this city, have been detained for the defence and Messrs. Amblers for the prosecution. The preliminary examination commences at Marshall on Tuesday this week, and will not probably be concluded in time for further particulars in this paper.

The Free Press
Mount Pleasant, Henry, Iowa
June 26, 1879

SWEDESBURG.
    Again please permit a few lines from Swedesburg. There has been some improvements going on here and time has also marked some changes in our midst.
    Mr. White has built an addition to his house that adds greatly to the comfort and convenience of his family; also dug a well and put in a new chain pump that brings up the water with great freedom.
    Mr. Newbrauch has added beauty and comfort to his already comfortable and beautiful home by changing partitions and adding a little more to it.
    Dr. Porter, by scraping and ditching, had greatly improved the appearance of his lots.
    Oscar Froid has sold out his shoe shop and gone to Colorado.
    Charlie Henderson bought him out and now does duty in the shop, competent and willing to give satisfaction in his line, with prices to suit the times.
    Our district school closed to-day, Miss Draper, teacher.
    Charley Johnson and wife were called a few weeks since to mourn the loss by death of a dear, bright little son in his fourth year; he died of croup. To the sorrowing parents and disconsolate little brother our hearts go out in warmest sympathy, for we well know the path they are treading.
    Chas. Bergh has been on the sick list for several weeks, suffering with a sever attack of inflamatory rheumatism. He was considerably afflicted for ten days before he was taken down. When prostrated he was almost helpless and his symptoms very bad. Medical aid was called and the remedies faithfully given and the advice carefully followed for twelve days; the patient was better and worse by turns several times, until becoming discouraged, he then abandoned the remedies and was without medical treatment for more than a week, better and worse by turns. His condition at length became more deplorable, hands and feet swollen to a fearful extent and almost useless, also suffering constant pain. At this juncture we were induced by reliable persons (who gave him a recommendation) to go to Dr. Himmel, of Winfield for medical advice and treatment. Commenced treatment from him June 1 and each day since has witnessed an improvement, without one return of the bad symptoms until now he seems on the sure road to health, and will in all probability be attending to his usual business in a few days. I mention this because there has been some reports circulated and some uncharitable things said, and deem it but just to make a truthful statement of facts. Thinking as we now do we most cordially recommend Dr. Himmel to those who are suffering from rheumatism. To the dear friends and neighbors who have brought the light of their presence to the sick room and the comfort of their warm hearts of sympathy to the tired and suffering; to those who have brought presents of milk and fruit and other delicacies so needful; and to the Odd Fellow brotherhood who have faithfully and promptly filled their post at the bedside as long as necessary; and to all who by any means have helped to lighten our burdens in this trying time, we return our warmest thanks.

LOCAL MATTERS
     Mr. John Caviness was married to Mrs. Mary Templin this Wednesday afternoon. Ceremony was by Rev. J.T. Simmons.
    At the recent meeting of the Board of Trustees of the I.W.U., the duties of the chair of natural sciences were temporarily assigned to the Prof of Mathematics.
    H.C. Moore, esq., has been working his patent road maker on the Burlington road east of town this week, and it improves the road so much that we wish all the roads could be worked by it.
    Mrs. Herrick, at her restaurant and bakery, keeps ice cream, now, as well as a splendid stock of candies, nuts, and everything nice for the youth.
    Mrs. Coye dressmaker over Smith & Hagan's Drug Store on the west side of the park is doing first class work at third rate prices to introduce herself and attract attention to her business.
    Anderson, in the Brazelton House block is one of the men who will take the same pains to serve his customers in trifling matters as in those of graver importance. If ladies wish any portion of their sewing machines renewed they will find him the man to deal with.
    The Drs. Marsh, on Wednesday, amputated the right leg, four inches above the knee, of Wm. Hale, son of John Hale, of Canaan township. They were ably assisted by Dr. Mehler, of New London. The operation was necessitated by a fall some five years ago, in which the knee was injured, inducing synovitis. The diseased action has continued since, resulting in extensive destruction of the bony structure. Some 12 ounces of puss was found within the capsular inclosure of the knee. The patient bore the operation splendidly, and is doing well.
     Mrs. Charles Gillis is agent for Adams & Westlake's Non Explosive oil stove, and after an experience of several years with it says that although a "summer friend" it will do to "tie to."
    Union services in the park next Sunday evening at 6 o'clock. Sermon by Rev. D. S. Tappan. Should the weather be unsuitable for an outdoor meeting the Presbyterian church will be occupied.
    August Hettich on east side of the square has a fresh supply of crackers, cakes, candies, nuts, lemons, oranges, canned fruits. A lunch table with hot coffee served at any time. He keeps the very best of dried beef, which he sells slices or by the piece.
    This office tenders a unanimous vote of thanks to Capt. J.T. Drummond for a delicious treat of ice cream on Tuesday last. He not only furnished the cream but brought the dishes to eat it with. Mr. Drummond tells us that he is milking several cows this season and has adopted this plan of getting rid of his surplus milk. He has one of the celebrated White Mountain freezers and is now furnishing his neighbors with a splendid article of cream and at cheaper rates than they can buy it elsewhere.

Personal.
-William H. Throop, of Hamilton, N.Y., brother of D.D.W.C. Throop, of this city, is visiting his friends and relatives here.
-James H. Throop, of Norwich, N.Y., is visiting at the home of his father, D.D.W.C. Throop after an absence of nearly six years.
-Joel G. Van Cise left for New York on Tuesday last week. His wife and family remain behind and he is soon to make this place his home.
-Miss Phoebe Elliott left her home in this city on Tuesday, intending to make the tour of Europe.
-H.C. Saunders left on Monday evening for a visit to Lincoln, Nebraska, accompanied by his daughter, Annie.
-Mrs. Lucy M. Campbell, wife of Milt. N. Campbell, started for Leadville, Col., on Monday evening, intending to make that city her home.
-C.F. Pitcher, the champion "stoaker" on the railroad line from Rock Island to St. Louis, is spending a few days with his family in this city.

WAYNE.
    At my last writing we were wishing for rain. Well, it has come, profusely spiced with wind, thunder, lightning, and wind again. The first was on the 13th of May, a cloud came up from the southwest and the air was filled with dust, which made it rather scary. But it didn't do any harm until it reached John Hooper's barn which was built new last fall. It is 36x62 feet standing north and south. In the south end gable, he had left a hay window which was still open, and the wind entered there and took off three squares of the roof from the east side.
    A few days later the wind unroofed a blacksmith shop in Swedesburg.
    On the evening of June 4th, during a severe storm of thunder and lightning, a pole and straw stable on the place known as the Hampton Moorhead farm, was struck by lightning, instantly killing a valuable mule belonging to Alexander Anderson, and badly demoralizing its mate. There were five horses in the same stable. The straw immediately took fire, but the horses and living mule, and all their harnesses were saved, and by the aid of neighbors, a portion of the stable was also saved.
    On Tuesday night of this week, another storm came up from the southwest and after scattering a few rail fences it made another charge on Mr. Hooper's barn, moving it about one foot on its foundation. But this time it found the hay window closed; but nothing daunted, it found its way under the sill and tore up the stable floor, which was made of two-inch plank, and threw them up in piles, and then went off for the roof and entirely carried off that portion of it which was above the perline plate. Mr. Hooper, by the help of his neighbors, has placed it back on its foundation, and now proposes to anchor down the southwest corner.
    From there the storm crossed the creek and bore down on a barn belonging to a Mr. Chrissinger, and another on the old Robert Maxwell place.
    A little four year old boy of Henry Nichols, fell from a gate a few days since, and broke his thigh, and his little sister- a girl of ten or twelve years-carried him home, a distance of half a mile, and in due time Dr. Porter set the bone, and during all that time he never made a whimper. How is that for grit?
    Mr. Charles Berg, of Swedesburg, and Mrs. C.A. Smith, of Wayne, have both been great sufferers for the past few weeks with rheumatism, but glad to say they are both recovering.
    Miss Mary Beall has about entirely recovered from the effects of her pistol wound. Now, just a word, Mary: The next time you point your weapon " toward that other fellow."
     June 13, 1879.

    At a meeting of Mt. Pleasant lodge No. 8 and Xenium Lodge No. 207 A F & A M held Thursday evening June 12th, the following officers were installed:
MT. PLEASANT LODGE NO. 8
    J.W. Satterthwait W M.
    T J Van Hon S W.
    W T Johnson J W.
    A Roads Treas.
    J T Woods Sec'y.
    W I Babb S D.
    E E Sayles J D.
    W K Hobart S S.
    D L Morse J S.
    W F Willey Chaplain.
    T Schreiner Tyler.

XENIUM LODGE No. 207.
    Jno. McLellan, W M.
    C B Gillis S W.
    J H Keller J W.
    B L Cozier Treas.
    S N Thompson, Sec'y.
    T Mount S D.
    H L Timmerman J D.
    O V Stough S S.
    A J Young J S.
    T Schreiner, Tyler.

White Ribbon Club.
    The report of the White Ribbon club, at the close of the first quarter of this present year, shows the following incomes and outlays for the quarter ending June 7, 1879:
    Income from all sources................................$173 71
    Expenses of quarter follows:
    Rent for Reading rooms................................    37 59
    Papers and Periodicals for R R.....................    31 43
    Librarian's services (3 2/3 months)...............     55 00
    Wood........................................................        5 30
    Gas...........................................................         4 80
    Ribbon......................................................       12 84
    Mrs. Wittenmyer's lecture..........................       12 50
    Sundries....................................................            50
        Total Expenses......................................   $159 87
    Amount in treasury June 7.........................        12 74
    The other reports, as well as the Treasurer's show the club to be in vigorous working condition.
    The ward committees have done a large amount of visiting ,and considerable relief has been afforded the destitute.
    The club hopes to do much larger work during the coming quarter.

Centennial Building.
Regular yearly promotion of pupils in the several school grades.

Third grade to fourth.
    Estella Satterthwait, Libbie Singer, John Ekberg, Tommie Lindley, Frank Houseman, Willie, White, Eugene Jones, James Watson, Frank Pyle, Willie Drummond, Birdie Talbot, John Rugg, Charlie Houseman, John Stearnes, Sophia Timmerman, Stella Sherman, Charlie Rouse, Lewis Whitney, Nannie Craig, Henry Whitney, Belmont Goan, Charlie Henne, Pearl Maley, Willie Mehl, Ernest Mehl.

Fourth grade to fifth.
    Bertha Straub, Anna Singer, Charley Lyon, Eddie Chaill, Frank Drummond, Mattie Andrews, Lulu Porter, Charlie Devol, Henry Leedham, Clara DeLaubenfels, Fred Hoover, Bennie Hehew, Alvah Lindley, Zack McDowell, Mattie Lorig, Nettie Pittenger, Bertie Osgood, Johnson Davidson, Jennie Rugg, Willie Jericho, Annie Parker.

From second to third grade.
    Lucy Allabach, Willie Sisson, Johnnie Wiegand, Phama Watson, Bert Wilson, Ida Thomas, Fred Van Allen, Dewitt Pitcher, Hattie Craig, Anna Jericho, Birdie Pewters, Walter Nickel, Anna Watson, Cora White, Corrie Gardner, Mabel Bigelow, Dollie Sissen, Ellsworth Shane, Sadie Lewis, Charlie Gamage, May Williams, Gertie Conner, May Pyle, Rose Gardner, Gertie McCracken, John Cobb, Robert Kirkpatrick.

From First to Second Grade.
    Lulu Ballard, Fred McCoy, Sophia Chaill, Ella Chaill, Fred Holcomb, Fitch Waterman, Orren Drummond, Orra Drummond, Wesley Minshall, Willie Minshall, Grant Williams, Alvin Horsey, Dora Lavenburg, Jessie Peters, Lizzie Wiegand, Rosa Andrews, Stella McCoy.

Star Pupils for 4th Quarter.
    Star pupils are those who have been neither absent or tardy.
    Orren Drummond, Charlie Gamage, Willis Gamage, Alvin Horsey, Walter Nickell, Tommy Nickell, Dewitt Pitcher, Grant Williams, Gertie McCracken, Dollie Sisson, Phama Watson, May Williams, Pearl Williams.