Iowa Old Press

Larchwood Leader
Larchwood, Lyon Co., IA
August 4, 1904

Lester
There was a citizen from one of our neighboring towns came here a few days ago and at one of our popular saloons he purchased a gallon of that which tends to cause an exhilarating feeling to take possession of the person, well he had some other business to transact and left his jug in the doorway of the saloon, so when he arrived home he discovered that his jug contained naught but "Agua Pura", he made haste to call the saloon man to account and received his gallon of spirits in exchange. Names furnished on application.

Ben Clare (SD)
Sunday at noon, a telegram was received at Ben Clare saying that Maurice Gaard had died in the hospital at Sioux Falls at 10 a.m. This announcement of death was a surprise to many, as only his intimate friends knew his real condition. The cause of his death was a diseased condition of the lungs. Mr. Gaard was a native of Norway, having come to America when sixteen years of age, and has been in this country about nineteen years, and has worked for Mrs. H.M. Arneson for nearly eleven years. He has no relatives in this country, but leaves an aged father, two brothers and three sisters in the old country. The funeral services were held in the M.E. Church at Ben Clare Monday afternoon conducted by Rev. John Oakley. The remains were taken to Larchwood for Interment.

Events of the Week


Yesterday, just a little before the noon hour, Harry Kelsey's barn was noticed to be on fire. The fire bell was sounded and a large number went to fight the blaze, which was found to be hay in the hay mow. Through hard manual labor and the good work of the fire engine, the building was saved with but little damage. The building was insured. How the fire started, nobody knows, but it is supposed to be the work of hoboes, as a package containing crackers and cheese were found in the mow after the fire.

Are we going to have our annual Harvest Home Picnic this year?  If so, we had better be getting at it.

I have a fine line of Baby Carts, Carriages and sleeping coaches.  Frank Lawler.

A. Shuman is ahead on the tame hay crop so far, he harvested 41 tons from 10 acres of land.  This was the first hay crop on the land.  Who can beat this record.

An automobile race of the Vandebilt kind is something that will be seen for the first time in this section at the Interstate Live Stock Fair at Sioux City, September 5-10.

Sam Mac and Mr. Johnson of Inwood were sight seeing in town Tuesday afternoon.  Mr. Johnson is a new resident of Inwood, having just recently purchased the drug store there from Mr. Watson.

Mr. Johnson, representing the Children's Home Finding Society of Des Moines was in town Thursday and brought a little boy about ten years of age to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Maust.  The Leader believes this will be a blessing to Mr. and Mrs. Maust, as they have no children, as well as the boy who will have a good home.

The electrical storm of last Thursday night was followed by a much needed rain, which did a vast amount of good.  Some tall oats were lodged, otherwise no serious damage was done.

[transcribed by D.J., December 2006 & January 2007]


Iowa Old Press
Lyon County