Iowa
Old Press
Anamosa Eureka
Anamosa, Jones co. Iowa
Thursday, March 25, 1869
A Citizen of Jones county Meets Death Under Peculiar
Circumstances
Mr. James McGrain of Washington township, Jones County,
died on the 18th under rather peculiar circumstances. From the
evidence taken before Coroner Williston, of Anamosa, we learn
that the wife of the deceased testified that she met her husband
on the evening of the 11th, a short distance from his residence,
and upon seeing herhe exclaimed, "I am killed." She
accompanied him home, assisted him out of the wagon and into the
house and then he related to her his sad experience of the day
previous.
He had been to Dubuque on business and on his way home when a few
miles out, he met a man with a horse team who refused to give him
the road. Indignant at this, McGrain struck the horse across the
blinds, when the driver jumped out of his wagon and hit the
deceased upon the head, inflicting a severe wound, and after
beating him to his satisfaction, dragged him among some bushes
where he was shortly after found by two men living in the
neighborhood. McGrain soon after continued his journey, but
fearing assassination, as his life had been threatened, stopped
over night with a Mr. McCabe, and continued his journey home upon
the following morning.
The body was examined by Dr. Francis, and was found to be badly
cut and bruised about the head, neck, sides and back. The jury
returned a verdict that the deceased had received injuries, but
whether sufficient to cause death, they could not say. The two
men who rescued McGrain, and whose testimony would have been
sufficient to convict the perpetrator of the outrage were not
present during the inquest. - Dubuque Times
Agricultural Meeting
A meeting of the Agricultural Society of Jones County
was held at the office of Robert Dott, in Anamosa, March 19th,
1869. The meeting was called to order by C.T. Lamson. Directors
present - W.M. Starr, of Castle Grove, and Isaac Hay, of Jackson.
There not being a sufficient number of officers present to form a
quorum, the following members were appinted pro tem, to
wit: A. Sanford, J.C. Dietz, L. Osborn, F.S Dumont and A. Noble.
[a lengthy account of business was presented - not transcribed]
-We learn that S.W. Rathbun, editor of the Register, has
received the appointment of postmaster at Marion. It is an
appointment worthily bestowed
-A handsome sponge cushioned arm chair was the other day,
presented to Frank A. Farley, conductor on the D.S.W.R. the gift
bore the names, on parchment, of a goodly number of the business
men of Anamosa, some of Langworthy and Viola, together with those
of the employees on the train, and was an expression of regard
and good-will which they entertain towards Mr. Farley. May the
chair and its owner never be "smashed up." - Eureka,
March 12.
Married.
-At Epworth, March 20th, by Dr. Alx. McKran, J.P. , Mr. Jenkins
Phelps, of Farley and Miss Hester Kimdall, of Epworth, all of
Dubuque Co. Iowa.
-By Eld. N.B. Homan, March 21st, at the residence of A.
Richardson, in Bradford City, Mr. Chas. G. Magill and Miss
Catharine Hall.
Died.
On the 17th of Feb., Mrs. C.M. Curtiss, aged 31 years,
wife of B.W. Curtiss, of Madison Tp. Her Christian character was
a testimony of faith and reliance upon God. As a mother and a
member of society she possessed those qualities which make home
beautiful and the social circle engaging. while gradually wasting
away under the influence of that terrible disease consumption,
her communion with Christ was blessed; and when the summons came
that called her away, peacefully and quietly as one goes to
sleep, she left the world.
Cease for one so blest to mourn;
Heed while we may the kindly warning given;
Strive earnestly to reach at last the bourne;
Be faithful and thou shalt find the lost in Heaven.
Infectious
Some ten days ago a case of small pox occurred in town
and the patient was removed to a shanty outside. His clothes,
with a pair of blue jean overalls, were hung out on the bushes
for ventilation. The other night some unconsciounable thief stole
them. When he breaks out with the small pox, it will "break
out" who stole the overalls, and patient No. 2 will be sent
to keep No. 1 company. Nobody, the thief excepted, need be
alarmed, for the only case that has occurred hereabouts is ten
days old and on the mend.
Paper Houses
Paper houses are the rage in Des Moines now. Rev. W.W.
King is at present living in one built last fall that he says is
warmer than any frame house he ever wintered in. It is made of
building paper, manufactured for that purpose, and covered with
mineral paint. Mr. K says the expense is less than one-half that
of a frame.
Dubuque Items
-Yesterday's Times brings intelligence of the
death of Wm. Westphal, of the firm of Westphal & Hinds,
well-known Hardware dealers. His death was sudden and unexpected
after two weeks' illness. His age was 43.
-Smallpox prevails in Dubuque. The authorities have provided a
separate building for patients.
-New Organ - On last Sabbath the large new organ of the
Congregational Church, Dubuque, Rev. L. Whiting, Pastor, was
opened for the first time for the service to which it is
dedicated. This instrument is the largest of the kind west of the
Mississippi north of St. Louis. It cost $4,000 and is powerful
and rich in tone, and a credit to the Church and city.
Davenport and St. Paul Railroad.
The Directors of the Davenport and St. Paul Railroad
Company held a meeting at the Company's office in this city the
day before yesterday, and did not finish their business till late
in the evening. President Holmes presided, and Vice President
Barnes, of Strawberry Point, W.H. Finley, of Hopkinton, F.R.
Doolittle, of Delhi, Richard Boone, of Delaware Center, H.S.
Brunson, of Fayette, J.P. Webster, of Waukoma, and J.L. Daivs, of
this city, were present. Three of the Directors were absent. - Davenport
Gazette
[a lengthy account of business was next printed - not
transcribed]
[transcribed by S.F., November 2014]