Iowa Old Press

The Renwick Times
Renwick, Humboldt County, Iowa
Friday, January 6, 1899

Death of a Wright Co. Pioneer.
Eagle Grove Times-Gazette: Seventeen years ago Gideon Hutchings came to Eagle Grove and has since made it his home. He became at once an integral part of the town and ever since has been an important factor in it and its development. For eight years he was member of the common council and for four years was mayor of the city. In all these years, whether in the council or out, he was indefatigable in his work for the city and to his untiring energy and persistence may be credited many of the forward strides that Eagle Grove has made.

But it was in the public school system that his chief delight lay. In that work he put his whole heart and to build up the schools and put them on a plane than which there is none higher, was his greatest ambition. The school children learned to call him by the endearing title of "Uncle Gid" and to the end the title remained with him—an earnest of the deep affection he received from them. The flowers at the funeral were the Masonic square and compass, the Pythian pillow, a gate ajar, a pillow inscribed "Children's Friend," a broken wheel and cut flowers. These bore mute testimony to his fidelity to the public schools, each piece being borne by a school girl.

Of late years Mr. Hutchings has been gradually giving way to disease and the advances of age. He bore his trials with the charity that characterized his whole life and, while the impatience of manhood would some times rise, he was for the most part the kind, loving friend that so many honored. The bearers of the funeral were Messrs. Armbruster, Smallpage, Miller, Merrill, Wood and Boylson and as they lowered the tenement of clay into its last resting place there was not one of the vast assemblage who did not feel that he had lost a personal friend.

Life is an inscrutable and fascinating condition: What it bears and what it portends no man can say. Each block of the immense structure has its part to fulfill. "Uncle Gid" had his work, it was a noble one and was done well. Who shall say that this example will not act on this generation and on those yet to come with a vigor and ben*li*ence man cannot compute?

Found Dead and Frozen.
Webster City, Jan. 2—The mysterious disappearance of Mrs. Priscilla Emerson, age 60, widow of the late Levi Emerson, a banker of Stratford, was solved Sunday by the finding of her dead body in her home. She had been dead, it was learned, since a few days before Christmas. The neighbors believed she had gone to Dayton, a neighboring town. Immediately upon the discovery of the body, which was frozen stiff, the coroner was notified and an inquest was at once begun.

Mrs. Emerson was wealthy and considered one of the most careful managers in the county. She had personal supervision of the farms she owned and employed men to run them. The coroner's jury will probably bring in a verdict of death from heart disease, but an autopsy will be held today, to see whether or not poison had been administered. Thursday night before Christmas a nephew from Dayton took Mrs. Emerson two barrels of apples as a Christmas gift. He was at the house last night, and said everything about the place is just as he left it when he returned home. Sums of money were known to have been kept in the house, but how much there is now, or was, has not been ascertained. It is believed the house has been robbed.

A strange fatality seems to have followed the fortunes of the Emersons, Levi Emerson, the husband and father, is said by the Stratford people to have committed suicide by poisoning himself. He died suddenly and no examination was made of his body. Lloyd Emerson, the only son, and a graduate and afterward a teacher in Ames College, went to Colorado Springs for his health, being in the banking business at the time in Rising City, Neb., and while taking a bath burst a blood vessel and death ensued. Miss May Emerson, the only daughter, while handling a razor, accidently cut herself. Blood poisoning followed and caused her death nine months ago. Thus the entire family has been wiped out by fatalities.
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On last Saturday morning Florence, the seven year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. Kayze, was the victim of a very serious accident. The little girl was taking a pan of ashes out to empty it when her apron caught fire from some live coals on the ashes and she was quickly enveloped in flames. Her screams attracted the attention of her mother who had the presence of mind to pick up a piece of carpet and wrap it around the little girl, smothering the flames. A physician was summoned and it was found that her right side had been quite seriously burned. The wounds were dressed and nothing serious is anticipated from the accident.—Eagle Grove Times-Gazette.

Crumbs Swept Up.
-Bode is about to have a new hardware store.
-An M.B.A. order has been organized at Goldfield recently.
-A new boy at the home of Milo Beach and wife at Goldfield last week.
-Bode has a dramatic club. Last week they played "Til Saters" at Thor.
-The Boyden school, near Bradgate, is closed on account of typhoid fever.
-There is talk of a paper starting at Rowen, a little town over in Wright.
-Counselmen & Co. are lining their corn cribs at Holmes and filling them with oats.
-D. F. Recker, of Minneapolis, has assumed control of J. H. Queal's lumber yard at Corwith. G. W. Dalton resigning.
-A new church will be built by the Christians, at Dakota City, in the near future.
-A steam whistle has been put in at Eagle Grove that will be used as their fire alarm.
-The business houses of Bradgate will be closed each evening at 7:45 while revival services are in progress at the M. E. church there.
-Mrs. D. Johnson, of Bode, recently received news of the death of her mother in Norway. The old lady was ninety five years of age.
-The Webster City canning factory has bought eight hundred thousand cans for next season's pack. It will require eight hundred acres of corn to fill these cans.
-Herman Gaugestad, living at Badger committed suicide last week Tuesday by shooting himself through the head with a rifle. Domestic trouble and drink the cause.
-There is considerable talk of the C. & N.W. Co. enlarging their shops at Eagle Grove this coming summer. We hear a ten acre lot has been purchased on which the company expect to build.
-Miss Leta Matson who has been at Geneseo, Ill., for several months past, returned home Tuesday morning, and attended her sister's wedding at Algona Wednesday. Her home is a few miles north of town.— Bode Bugle.
-John Denison, Jr., late candidate for county attorney, tried his maiden case in the late term of court at Clarion, being attorney for Mrs. T. J. Denison in an action brought against the M.C. & F.D. railway for damage caused by fire started by sparks from a passing engine. His address to the jury was an able one and he won the case.

SCHOOL TEACHER MURDERED
May Thomas Shot and Killed Near Clare, Webster County.
A district school house about two miles from the village of Clare, Webster County, was the scene of a terrible tragedy Wednesday afternoon, whereby a popular young teacher lost her life. May Thomas is her name and her parents reside at Gowrie. Wednesday afternoon a young man went to Clare on the north bound Rock Island passenger train, hired a horse and drove out to the school house where Miss Thomas taught. He entered the building and they conversed for some time, finally walking out together. After going down the road a short distance the man drew a revolver and shot her, killing her almost instantly. He then shot himself. The man was Harry Garvey of Gowrie, with whom she had been keeping company. He died half and hour after he shot himself. It is understood that Miss Thomas had refused to longer receive his attentions.

From the Cross Roads.
-Fred Potter is repairing a well for E. A. Thorpe.
-Charley Simpson went to Eagle Grove last Monday.
-Rhimer Bros., of Hardy, are drilling a well for Marty Baumgartner.
-Jake Elmer is shelling corn this week. Conrad Elmer is doing the work.
-Ed Simpson, of High View, spent New Years with his brother and sister.
-Henry Winter and wife, of Lakefield, Minn., are visiting his brother John and family.
-The infant son of Rev. A. James, of Ocheyedon, was interred in Vernon cemetery last week.
-Mrs. Joe Bray came over from Dows to spend the holidays with her mother, Mrs. Hans Madison.
-Vernon Centre S.S. elected officers for the ensuing year, Jan. 1st, '99, as follows: Supt., C. E. Wicks; Ass't., Mrs. Smith; Sec. and Treas., Mrs. F. W. Beckwith; Teachers, Bible class, Mrs. C. E. Wicks; young peoples class, F. W. Beckwith; primary, Alta Potter.

Luni Items.
-Jay Plumley started to school, at Renwick, Monday.
-There was a good attendance at church last Sunday to hear Rev. Braithwaite.
-Bert Luttle, of Algona, visited his cousin, Everett Plumley, over Sunday.
-Chris Nelson came home from Chicago Saturday, where he had been with stock.
-Alf Arthur, who is well know in this section, had his leg broke, last week, at Webster City.
-John Fox has come back from Wisconsin, and is staying with his brother Andy at present.
-John Palmer is working up the interest of the Wright Co. Monitor, in this part of the county.
-N. M. Loobey, John Engstrom, Charles Long, Milo Plumley, all went to Clarion to mill, this week.
-Last report says that little Howard Packard, who had his leg broke is getting along finely. We are glad to hear it for it has been a hard one on the little fellow.

Humboldt.
-Tuesdays thaw hurt the sleighing.
-Jay Barrett from N.D. has been visiting his parents in Dakota City this week.
-The Government gauge said it was 22 below zero Saturday morning that was the coldest.
-Miss Ella French has returned to her school work at Hampton after a week's visit at her home.
-This week we saw one house in western Humboldt quarantined by the notice "diphtheria" posted at the door.
-Many of the old acquaintances, friends and neighbors of Mrs. Lottie Brooks Pope, were made sad to learn of her sudden death in Des Moines. The remains were brought here for interment. Mrs. Pope had many warm friends and admirers in Humboldt, and all shed the sympathizing tear.

Obituary.
Lottie E. Brooks Pope was born in Boone county, Ill., in 1860, and died in Des Moines, Io., Dec. 29th 1898. In 1894 she became the wife of E. A. Pope of this place. Two children were born to them, both of which died in infancy. The last one preceeded its mother only a few days. Mrs. Pope was a woman beloved by all who knew her, and her circle of acquaintances was large, she having been a successful teacher in the schools of Humboldt county, for a number of years. Her last term of school, she taught the Primary department of Renwick School, a position in which she gave excellent satisfaction. The Humboldt Independent says of her as a teacher; "For many years a teacher in the public schools of Humboldt county, she will be remembered by her pupils, as one of the successful ones in that work. The same might be said of her as a music and Sunday School teacher. Particularly fond of children, she had a wonderful way with them. They would obey her because they loved her." Always thoughtful and considerate of others, forgetful of self, she lived a life of self-sacrifice, and in the end gave her life for the little one which she had fondly hoped would bless and comfort her. To the bereaved husband and parents, our hearts go out in sympathy. But surely there is room for hope that if we live such a life as she lived, we shall meet her again in that home where trouble and pain never come.

LOCALS.
-Mr. Hart's mother visited here last week.
-Clarence Foley is visiting friends in Kelley this week.
-A. N. Starr lost a valuable horse last Tuesday, by death.
-Christ Nelson's 3 carload of live stock brought him $3,000.
-Mrs. R. R. Smith went to Eagle Grove Wednesday afternoon.
-Mrs. A. B. Richardson has been sick with the grippe this week.
-Little Wanda Jager has been quite sick this wee with bronchitis.
-Miss Bertha Vick has accepted a position as cook at Hotel Renwick.
-Burt Olden and wife are visiting Mrs. Olden's parents at Rock Rapids.
-Some of Wes Brink's friends gave him a surprise party last Tuesday evening.
-Mrs. W. H. Fisher has been suffering from an attack of bronchitis this week.
-P. Luchsinger gave a reception to his friends Tuesday. Oysters were served.
-Frank Hills two nephews from Lu Verne came down to visit him Wednesday.
-Mr. and Mrs. Grandon have been having quite a severe time with the grippe.
-Mesdames Southwick and Fulton visited Mrs. Brown of Goldfield, Thursday of this week.
-Our new stock buyer D. H. Gaughen shipped his first carload of hogs to Chicago Wednesday.
-Otto Fahrion and sister Tilla, returned Wednesday from a few days visit at Hubbard, Iowa.
-Henry Miller has secured a job in a livery barn at Eagle Grove. He began work there last Saturday.
-Walter Thomas, of Hotel Renwick, spent New Years visiting his parents and acquaintances at Wesley.
-Mrs. Will, of Fayette, Iowa, arrived Tuesday to visit her daughter, Miss Will, of the grammar department of our Public Schools.
-W. T. Drennen sold the remainder of the sheep which he brought from Montana to W. H. Foley. We do not know whether Will intends to engage in the sheep business or not.
-Miss Alexander, primary teacher in our schools, has been unable to teach this week, owing to an attack of grippe. Miss Maud Marsh had charge of the Primary department in her absence.
-Lem Pope has been down with the grippe this week.
-S. B. Hefty had two cashmere goats shipped him by express this week.
-Mrs. Stanley of Webster City, is visiting her brother H. B. Cole this week.
-Mrs. Geo. Stoddard is on the sick list suffering from an attack of the grippe.
-J. B. McKinstry's store at Rowen, was destroyed by fire last Friday night.
-Mrs. A. S. Cunningham and daughter Lillian, were Eagle Grove callers Tuesday.
-Mrs. H. B. Merrill left last Friday for a short visit to her old home in Missouri.
-Mrs. Vic Bergendahl and two boys went to Clarion last Saturday, to spend a week visiting friends.
-A social dance is reported to have been held at the farm house of Julius DeLosh Wednesday night.
-The Luni young people had a dance at Emory Sanford's place Wednesday night. A fine time is reported.
-We learn that Mr. Tom Brown and wife of Denver, are the happy parents of a fine boy, borne December 28th.
-Frank and Charles Persons returned to their studies at Cornell College after spending the holidays at home. Frank started Monday and Charley Tuesday.

-This week the Sioux Rapids Republican changes hands, James M. Hoskins retiring and Charles Colwell assuming control. May the new management be blest with success.

-Mr. Can Packard and wife, of Radcliffe, arrived Wednesday for a visit to their parents and friends in this vicinity. Mr. Packard is having a vacation and will visit Chicago and other points before returning to his duties at Radcliffe.

-W. H. Montgomery is quite unwell this winter. He has been suffering for some time and has gone to Eldora for treatment. The entire country will join in wishing him a speedy recovery. He is one of the first, if not the first resident of Wright county and one of the most respected as well.

-Few men in this country have as much cause for rejoicing as Ed Polmater. To be made a grandpa twice within a week is more good fortune than the average man can stand, but we have hopes that Ed will survive the ordeal and still condescend to associate with the rest of us, after a time at least.

-Frank Hill, our genial barber, started last Monday to visit his brother George at Bode. In crossing the Northwestern R'y his sleigh was tipped over and he was thrown out. His face was quite badly cut but otherwise he was not injured. It does seem that Frank is old enough to know how to drive across a railroad track without tipping over. The next time he goes anywhere Hank Pierce will have to go along to drive.

This week W. T. Drennen and wife leave for their new home in Montana. It is with great regret that the people of Renwick part with Mr. Drennen and his wife. He was one of the oldest citizens of the town and the first merchant. He sold to Mr. Rile Benedict the first bill of goods sold in Renwick. In company with A. B. Richardson and Cyrus Smith he started the TIMES, they doing the editorial work and sending the copy to the Freeman office at Webster City to be printed. The files of those first papers are still in this office and make interesting reading for those who were living here at that time. Mr. Drennen was also the 2nd postmaster of the town, a position he held during Harrisons Administration. He also served on the County Board of Supervisors and was president of the Board during one term. No man from the east part of Humboldt Co. is better or more favorably known through the county than he. He has always been foremost in public enterprises that were plainly for the interest of all and was ever ready to give his best efforts and his money if need be, to build up the community in which he lived. It is hard to part with such men for it is hard to supply their place. The TIMES wishes Mr. Drennen and his wife the best that this world has in store for them in material prosperity, and that they may find their new surroundings as pleasant and agreeable as those they leave behind.

[transcribed by P.E., March 2007]

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