Iowa
Old Press
St. Ansgar Enterprise
St. Ansgar, Mitchell County, Iowa
February 9, 1887
Valentines at A. MOE’s.
Interest in the coming spring will soon assert itself.
M. MORRISON and family, of Osage have removed to Winona
Minnesota.
Indications seem to point to a fine February and an early spring.
FEDSON & LUND shipped another load of choice hogs Monday
night.
We are glad to learn that Jeff TOLLEFSON is on the high road to
recovery
The roads are almost in an impassable condition for traveling.
Too slippery.
We regret to learn that Mrs. O.K. __rg is confined to her room
with sickness.
Miles GETTS was home on a short fit with his parents the first of
the week.
Andrew MOE has just recived (sic) another large invoice of goods
principally notions.
Mrs. H. LUBIENS was very sick Monday night, but is again able to
be around.
Next Monday is St. Valentine’s day and the post-master will
have a rush of business.
Our Carpenter friends will please remember the entertainment
Saturday evening.
The January Thaw did not show up, but February promises something
in that line.
C.L. THOMPSEN is filling the back room of the old printing office
building with ice.
Another new time card is expected to go into effect on this line
of road in a few days.
The street commissioner will be elected, not appointed, next
spring. Get there, boys.
Silver certificates of the denomination of $1 and $2 have put in
an appearance.
Mr. LANGLEY says “let’s have a bee keepers association
(sic).” Those are our sentiments also.
L.R. COLE, now representing a lumber and coal firm in Dubuque was
in town Monday.
There are over two hundred and fifty pupils attending school at
St. Ansgar at present.
The present town council met Monday evening and settled up the
business of the old year.
It is reported that a co-operative creamery will be built in
Union township this spring.
The Owen Bartlett Comedy Co., which held forth here last week
gave good satisfaction.
Eric GUNDERSON has a force of men at work getting out stone for
the packing house company.
Charles KRUGER of Charles City, spent Sunday in town, the guest
of Mr. KEATING and family.
Geo. WELLS, principal of the Otranto Schools, favored our office
with a short call Saturday afternoon.
With such sudden changes in the temperature the wonder is that
there are not more people sick.
Mr. & Mrs. D. W. FRITCHER, of Osage came up Saturday to
attend Mr. FRITCHER’s mother’s funeral.
Will. MILLER came home from Milwaukee to attend his mother’s
funeral. He returned again the first of the week.
Horse men will find it to their interest to give us a call when
in need of bills. We will have a new stock of cuts in a few days.
Miss Myrtie FOOTE has gone back to St. Ansgar to resume her study
of photography, says a Beaver Creek correspondent of the
Riceville Recorder.
The St. Ansgar Enterprise thinks that toboggan slides
are very dangerous things. It’s all a mistake, Brother Moe,
they don’t look so when to get close to ‘em. –Riceville
Recorder. Get out! That is just what they told us about
roller skates.
Now in all candor shouldn’t the weather prophets be
suppressed? Their predictions are all guess work. If they are
based on scientific principles, as their authors aver, there
would not be such a diversity of opinion regarding future
weather. Shoot the weather prophet.
There was a partial eclipse of the moon yesterday morning between
3 and 5 o’clock. The shadow of the earth reached nearly half
way to the centre of the lunar disk. We didn’t get up to see
it, but we did see an account in the daily papers that such an
eclipse would occur.
T. TRUMAN, of Decorah, was in town Monday and informed parties
here that a corps of surveyors were setting grade stakes from
Decorah westward on the survey made last fall. While it sounds
good, it is well to remember that railroad reports are good for
one day and train only.
GOLDBERG & FULTON will handle a full line of farm machinery
the coming season. They will soon receive a shipment of seeders,
direct from the manufactory. The boys built u a good trade last
season and by strict attention to business expect to greatly
increase it the coming summer.
One hundred men, more or less, called into our office Monday to
let us know that it was thawing. Some people take a great
interest in bringing in items of news. If there was a death, a
fire, a wedding or any thing of that sort, however, they would
let us dig out the raw particulars ourselves.
Mr. H.J. HALL, of Sabula, this state, arrived in town last
evening on business connected with the pork packing
establishment. Mr. Hall has had eleven years experience in the
business, having been manager of several of the largest houses in
Iowa and Illinois. He is a gentleman who thoroughly understands
his business and we naturally expect to receive some valuable
information from him.
The town council met Monday evening and settled up the business
of the municipal year, which will close in a few weeks. Judges
and clerks of the fourth-coming (sic) election were appointed.
The annual report of the Mayor and Treasurer will be published
next week or the one following and our tax payers will have an
opportunity to learn how the money goes, likewise where it comes
from.
Monday was about as disagreeable a day as we have had for several
months. A fall of rain which continued throughout the day made
the snow disappear rapidly. Monday night the mercury fell about
30 degrees and Tuesday morning the walks and highways were so
slippery that walking was very bad on account of the bare ice
which was everywhere to be found. The thoughtful property owner
who remembered to sprinkle his walk did a kindness to the
pedestrian. A number, however, were made a sprawling example of
the force of gravity. The weather has come off cold again and
another thaw will not put in an appearance for a few days at
least.
We wish through the medium of the Enterprise, to return
our thanks to all those who assisted us during the illness of our
son. Mr. & Mrs. G.A. DUTCHER
We desire to express our sincere and heartfelt thanks to our many
friends for their kindness and assistance in our late affliction
and bereavement C.C. MOLLER and Family.
Death’s Doings
Died: in St. Ansgar, February 3 1887 Doretha
MOLLER, wife of C. C. Moller, aged 56 yrs, 5 months and 14 day.
Deceased was born in Osterade Herzugthum Holstein, Germany. She
was married to her surviving husband on May 5, 1855, and the same
year removed to this country, locating in Watertown, Wisconsin,
where they resided but a few months when they settled in
Columbus, Wisconsin. In 1866 she removed with her family to
Newburg, since which time they have continued their residence in
this county; the later years in St. Ansgar. Mrs. Moller was the
mother of 9 children, all of whom are still living. She was an
earnest Christian, a member of the German Lutheran Church and a
lady who was highly respected by all who knew her. For several
years her health has been rather broken down. The funeral
services were held Saturday at the church of which she was a
faithful member, Rev. E WEIGNER officiating. Her remains were
laid away in the German cemetery south of town.
Died: At the residence of his parents in Rock
Township, February 4, 1887, Nels P. BORSHEIM, aged about 28
years.
The subject of this sketch was a young man highly respected by
all his acquaintances. Of his early history we are unable at this
writing to learn anything. Four years ago this coming spring he
associated himself with R. HELRITZ in the drug and grocery
business at this place, and the partnership continued for about
one year, when he disposed of his interest to his partner, Mr.
Helfritz. When the creamery association was organized Mr.
Borshiem was the heaviest stock holder and was for some time
President of the Board of Directors. Since leaving St. Ansgar he
has been stopping at different places and prior to his fatal
sickness was in the employ of Cornish & Co., Osage. He was a
young man of good habits, honest, industrious, of a cheerful
disposition, and a person who made friends wherever he went. He
was taken sick during the early part of January, with typhoid
fever, and although at times his condition was critical, no fears
were entertained but what he would recover. The funeral services
were held at the Norwegian Lutheran Church yesterday afternoon
and were largely attended. By his death his parents lose a
dutiful son, and the community in which he resided an honorable
and respected citizen.
Died: In St. Ansgar, February 5, 1887, Esther
(Webster) FRITCHER, aged 72 years, 8 months, and 21 days.
Esther Webster FRITCHER was born in Sharon, Montgomery Co., N. Y.
May 15th 1814. She was married to John Fritcher in the village of
Canajoharie, N.Y. in 1830 and resided there till they removed to
Athens, PA, in 1846. In 1858 they came to St. Ansgar, IA. In 1869
her husband died and was buried in this village; since when she
has been residing with her son, Edwin. She was the mother of five
children; four sons and one daughter. Two of her sons Peter and
D. W. Fritcher reside at Osage. Edwin and her daughter, Mrs. C.
K. Martin reside at St. Ansgar. One son died in infancy. Then
young she united with the Presbyterian Church and remained a
consistent Christian all her life. She never united with any
church since coming to Iowa, there being no church of her faith
here. For more than forty years she has suffered with
inflammatory rheumatism. This disease crippled and deformed he so
she has been unable to perform any labor for more than 30 years.
Through all her intense sufferings she has always been
patient—never complaining but always cheerful, kind and
considerate. She was a faithful and devoted wife and mother and
her memory is fondly cherished by her children, her grandchildren
and her great grandchildren. Her last illness was brief, lasting
less than twenty four hours. She had been slightly indisposed for
a few days, but had so far recovered that she was intending to
visit one of her grand-daughters this week. But Friday morning
without and premonitory signs her mental faculties suddenly began
to fail and within two hours she was unconscious and remained so
to the last. She died at about 9 o’clock Saturday morning,
Feb. 5th 1887, aged 72 years, 8 months and 20 days and was
interred by the side of her husband in this village Feb. 7th,
1887.
In Memory of Harry DUTCHER
“There is no flock, however watched tended,
But one dead lamb is there;
There is no fireside, howsoe’er defended,
But has one vacant chair.
“In that great cloister’ stillness and seclusion
By guardian angels led,
Safe from temptation, safe from sins’ pollution
He lives whom we call dead.
[transcribed by M.W., January 2012]
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St. Ansgar Enterprise
St. Ansgar, Mitchell Co., Iowa
February 16, 1887
Ed HANSEN has been slightly under the weather the past week.
The well drillers appear to be chock full of business this
winter.
F.A. ROZIENE, of Charles City, is expected home from Europe this
week.
The revival meetings closed Sunday night after being in progress
two weeks.
We would like to see some good firm engage in manufacturing brick
in this town.
Just THOMPSON has been visiting relatives over near Lake Mills
the past week.
There is a better demand for wood this winter than we have seen
for many years.
See election proclamation in another column. Who shall be our
next mayor?
Remember the entertainment in the Spring Valley school house
Saturday evening.
Oluf HANSEN returned home from Dakota last week, for a short
visit with his folks.
T. M. TOLLEFSON and C. HANSEN attended the Farmer’ Institute
at Osage last week.
We just learn that there is some talk of establishing another
creamery in this place.
Passenger traffic is said to be exceptionally light on this line
of railroad at present.
Municipal election two weeks from next Monday. School election
one week later.
H. M. ALEXANDER was quite sick yesterday afternoon but is
considerable better today.
G. H. LUBIENS, of Carpenter was in town yesterday and favored our
office with a short call.
The price of creamery butter has fallen three cents in the
eastern market during the past week.
There will be a grand ball at the City Hall Tuesday evening,
February 22nd. Birthington’s wash day.
The Northwood Index is beginning to wonder if that town will have
another railroad next summer.
A corps of railroad surveyors has been camping two miles north of
Decorah for about six weeks.
We are happy to say that, as far as we are aware, there is very
little sickness in town at present.
Now is the time for farmers to clean their seed grain and get up
a big pile of wood for use next summer.
We learn that the officers have found a clew (sic) which may lead
to the apprehension of the parties who stole the clover seed at
Carpenter.
J. LANG of Osage, bought two car loads of steers at this place
yesterday. The prevailing price paid was about three cents per
pound.
C. H. SHERMAN has taken a contract to put up one hundred and
fifty tons of ice for the packing company. He commenced work this
morning.
James KEATING informs us that he shipped a car load of wheat to a
milling firm at Minneapolis to-day. This is the first car of
wheat ever shipped north from this station.
Lee MOSS, of Osage, has been appointed mail agent on the
Minnesota & Northwestern between Dubuque and Hayfield, Minn.
We congratulate Mr. MOSS on his appointment.
There will be an exhibition, consisting of dialogues,
recitations, etc., at the Spring Valley school house, Saturday
evening, February 19. Admission 10 cents. All are cordially
invited to attend.
There will be a conference of Norwegian Lutheran ministers at
this place commencing two weeks from tomorrow and continuing
three days. We learn that there is likely to be a very large
attendance.
The price of hogs continues to advance and the price of wheat to
decline. The farmers of Mitchell county have no reason to
complain so long as the principal product of their farms is
bringing a good price.
Julius KOCH was confined to his room with a sore throat
yesterday. We don’t see how Julius finds time to be sick.
But then sickness is something which a person can not at all
times guard against.
If there is anyone in this town who wants to save ice for next
summer’s use had better be hustling around lively. The
present crop of ice is not going to remain with us very long.
Albin PESHAK will leave next week for Ames, this State, where he
will atted (sic) the State Agricultural College. Mr. PESHAK is a
young man of more than average intelligence and we expect some
day to see him away up on the ladder of fame.
The time is now coming when farmers will be harassed almost to
death by venders of patent churns, washing machines, patent
fences, potato diggers, hay forks, lightning rod men, a vast army
as it were, who are trying to live by their wits.
Ed WELCH came down from the northern country Saturday to see the
folks. Before returning to the frontier he will visit relatives
and friends in the southern part of the State. Mr. WELCH has been
in the employ of the Manitoba railroad company the past year.
J. I. BRORBY upon leaving his store Saturday evening placed the
key in the lock, but neglected to even turn it. J. I. was in
somewhat of a flutter Sunday afternoon when he found his store
locked, but the key gone. After a short search, however, it was
found.
See here, Mr. Farmer, if you don’t think there is any money
in poultry, just take a back seat, keep cool, and let your wife
and children try their luck. Don’t be stingy and mean about
it, either, but furnish them a reasonable sum to embark in the
business, and see if their returns don’t count up larger
than yours from investments of the same amount in cattle, hogs or
sheep.
Our people are already beginning to make preparations for next
summer’s improvements. There will be a large amount of
building in St. Ansgar next season and mechanics will be crowded
with work, just as they have been for the past three years.
Farmer’s Creamery: A meeting will be held at St. Ansgar High
School Building, Saturday, February 19, 1887, at 1 o’clock
p. m. for the purpose of considering the necessity of
establishing a Farmers’ Mutual Creamery. At the earnest
request of Many Citizens.
There has been a dog fight almost every day the past week. Al
DODGE has an old worn out bull dog, which has long since outlived
his usefulness, that takes delight in frightening country dogs.
Unless Al keeps his ferocious canine securely chained up, some
farmer will give him a dose some of these fine days that will
cause him to turn his toes upward.
A number of our fellow citizens took us to task for saying in our
last issue that there were two hundred and fifty scholars
attending school in this town. Our figures were, nevertheless
correct, or nearly so. There is an enrollment in our public
schools of 165, at the German school about 40, and at the High
School something like 50. Do you see?
The camp of the Till engineering party was removed Monday to
Madison township. It is located in the vicinity of the Norwegian
Church, on Section 8. This is in the valley of Walnut Creek.
It begins to look as though we are soon to have a new map of this
county—something, by the way, of which we are in great need.
E. L. SAWYER, of Osage, has taken the matter in hand and in case
he meets with good success in securing signatures will soon be at
work. He proposes to get up a sectional map printed in colors, on
the scale of two inches to the section. The price of the map,
hell mounted, will be $3.00. Mr. SAWYER will be in St. Ansgar
some day this week and will explain matters more fully.
The storm of last Sunday came the nearest to being a blizzard of
any we have had this winter, and it wasn’t much of a
blizzard either. The wind blew from the south all day and managed
to keep what little snow we have in lively circulation. During
the day mercury at no time fell below 20 degrees above zero. The
blockade was not a very formidable one, and the railroad was
opened without much trouble. Monday it thawed all day and snow
banks grew beautifully less. Oh, this is a regular old fashioned
winter. It is the kind of a winter that a poor man rejoices to
see and the rich man glories in.
The packing house company is not idle these days by any means.
They have a crew of men at work now on an ice house and unless we
have a general break up, it will soon be filled. A stone quarry
has been opened near the Deer Creek bridge and a number of men
are busy getting out stone, while others with teams are drawing
them into town. Work on the packing house will commence as soon
as the frost is out of the ground, and will be pushed forward as
rapidly as possible. The board of directors last Wednesday
evening engaged Mr. H. J. HALL, of Sabula, this State, as general
superintendent of the packing house. Mr. HALL will probably
remove to St. Ansgar with his family sometime in July. It has
been decided to erect a building 40x60 feet, with a basement of
the same size.
James KEATING assumed the role of a confidence man the other day,
and made Geo. TOLLEFSON his unsuspecting victim. Jim in some way
got on to a fine little snap game with cards and after learning
it—as he supposed—marched manfully up to the warehouse
and in the presence of several friends whom he had invited in
proceeded to fleece his victim. He explained the nature of the
game, offered his opponent the customary odds, put up his
wager—and lost. James has a limited knowledge of the
relative value of a pair of euchre hands which he will impart to
anyone free, gratis, for nothing.
A couple of traveling men have been taking orders for groceries
from the farmers of this township during the past week. From what
we are able to learn they did not meet with very ready sales.
Most of the people of this township read the ENTERPRISE, which
makes it a point to keep them posted on the latest swindles of
the day, and they have naturally formed the opinion that the man
who deals with every solicitor who tramps through the country is
treading on dangerous grounds. We know nothing whatever about the
parties who are canvassing this township for the sale of
groceries. They may be doing an honorable business and then again
they may not. It is always best, however to keep on the safe
side. Patronize the men who patronize you. Buy your groceries of
your home dealers. If by chance you should receive a poor article
of goods from them you know where to find them. It is different
with the class who are here to-day and possibly in another State
to-morrow.
Election Proclamation.
Notice is hereby given to the qualified electors of the
Incorporated Village of St. Ansgar, Iowa, that the annual
municipal election will be held on Monday, March 7, 1887 at the
Council Room, in said Village, for the purpose of electing the
following officers, to-wit:
Mayor, Recorder, Assessor, Two Councilmen, Street Commissioner.
Polls will be open from 9 o’clock, a. m., to 12
o’clock, m., and from 1 o’clock to 6 o’clock, p.
m.
Martin MOE, Recorder
Henry LUBIENS, Mayor
[transcribed by M.W., January 2012]
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St. Ansgar Enterprise
St. Ansgar, Mitchell Co, Iowa
February 23, 1887
The anniversary ball last evening was quite generally attended.
The frost now clinging to the trees makes things look dreary and
dingy.
We learn that Miss Hattie KAY was married at Waverly a few days
ago.
Ed. WELCH is visiting relatives in the southern part of the State
at present.
Julius KOCH’s youngest son is suffering from a severe attack
of rheumatic fever.
J. F. KOCH is just receiving his spring stock of lumber, and a
big stock it is , too.
Lewis INTORF was precipitated into the Cedar river the other day
while getting out ice.
E. L. SAWYER was in town Thursday soliciting subscriptions for
his new county map.
Julius KOCH was laid up the greater part of last week with an
aggravated case of quinsy. [Transcriber notation: Quinsy is a
tonsillitis-caused abscess usually involving strep. His son also
has rheumatic fever, also caused by strep.]
The slippery condition of the sidewalks made it mighty unpleasant
for the pedestrian Saturday.
Oscar ANDERSON is busy getting out door and window frames for Mr.
THOMPSON’s new building.
Jeff. TOLLEFSON has recovered sufficiently from his protracted
illness to be able to be out and around.
Sunday was a fine day; everyone who possessed a good turn-out
were enjoying the good sleighing.
We learn that Will WOOD has disposed of his interest in the
jewelry business to his partner, Mr. HELFRITZ.
The packing company has their ice house ready and one hundred and
fifty tons of ice stored away therein.
Mr. CASTLE and his sister, Mrs. GRAY, of Nora Springs were
visiting in town with their sister, Mrs. FRANKLIN Friday.
Telegraph wires were badly damaged by the weather Thursday, and
communication by that agency was cut off nearly all day.
Deputy Sheriff McGHAN passed through town Saturday evening on his
way home from a little pilgrimage up into the northern part of
the county.
Mrs. J. W. McCULLA has been confined to her bed with sickness
during the past week or ten days, but is said to be gaining
strength again now, although slowly.
Ole SHUTLE, of Rock Creek, was in town yesterday and favored our
office with a short call. Ole likes St. Ansgar and we should not
be surprised in the least if he made this his home before many
years.
The pupils of the Grammar department of the public schools
celebrated Washington’s birthday yesterday afternoon with
appropriate readings and recitations. The Intermediate department
were guests and furnished the music for the occasion.
Just THOMPSON returned home yesterday afternoon from Lake Mills,
where he had been sojourning a couple weeks. He reports the
people of that town greatly interested in railroad matters, being
on the line of road surveyed through this country last fall.
Don’t get excited!
The Mitchell County Press came out under a new
management last week. T. M. ATHERTON has retired from the
business, although still a part owner of the office. Frank
ATHERTON and Geo. McKINLEY will in the future preside over the
destinies of the Press. We wish them success.
Mary, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. H. BENSON, met with a
painful accident last Monday while playing in the barn, which
will confine her to her bed for some time. How the accident
occurred we have not been able to learn, only that her leg was
broken about midway between the knee and hip.
During the Teachers’ Institute last summer, the teachers of
the county organized a Library Association. A membership fee of
$1.00 was charged with which fund books have been purchased. Four
assistant librarians have been appointed and the books
distributed. Mr. W. T. LANGLEY is librarian for this portion of
the country. We have been informed that he has received the books
and members may draw them at any time by calling at his place.
Any one may become a member by paying the membership fee.
It seems that a certain class of people are having a mighty
hankering after clover seed this winter. Henry GETTS had a
quantity of this valuable seed in his granary at the time the
warehouse was robbed in Carpenter, and feeling rather insecure
removed it into a part of his dwelling house. One morning last
week upon going to his stable he discovered that his granary had
been broken into during the night. An investigation proved that
nothing had been stolen, which led to the conclusion that the
prowling thieves had been in quest of more clover seed but
didn’t find it.
M. H. ALEXANDER, who illness we mentioned last week, is still
lying in a very precarious condition. We have not been able to
learn the exact nature of the malady from which he is suffering.
Mr. ALEXANDER’s many friends pray for his speedy recovery.
M. F. McGLENN, the veteran miller, was in town the first of the
week. We learn that he has thrown up his lease of the Union mill,
in Worth county, for the reason that the Shell Rock River, on
which it is located, is frozen to the bottom in many places and
as a result there is no water with which to turn the machinery of
the mill. We are not informed what Mr. McGLENN’s future
intentions are.
The Carpenter dramatic troupe will appear at the City Hall next
Saturday evening and will present the drama “Hans
VonSmash”. The evening’s entertainment will conclude
with the laughable farce “The Persecuted Dutchman”.
This drama was rendered at Carpenter a short time ago to a good
audience and is very highly spoken of by those who were fortunate
enough to be present. A prominent feature of the entertainment
Saturday night will be the singing of a number of popular songs
by a male quartette. Turn out and give our Carpenter neighbors a
good house. Admission, 25 cents. Children, 15 cents.
Otranto Station Items
-Parties from Rudd are baleing hay from this place. They intend
to get several hundred tons from here.
-Mr. F. R. WILDER is putting in a crib in the mill-pond and
making safe for the breaking up of this heavy ice.
-Mrs. Lewis WEST has been visiting in town the past week.
-Robert FLETCHER’s child is slowly recovering from a severe
fit of sickness.
-The ladies of the Uneversalist (sic) Society are preparing for a
good old time New England supper, which is to be held one week
from next Thursday evening March 5th at the church. Everybody
come and bring your friends for they are going to have a grand
good time.
Real Estate Transfers:
Henry ANDERSON to N. H. LUND – lots 3 4 and 5 bk. 21, and 3
and 4 bk. 98 and 1 2 7 and 8 bk. 67, St. Ansgar, $1000
Ella L. MOE to Carrie J. WONG – lot 1 bk. 93, St. Ansgar,
$10 - Quit Claim Deed
C. H. SHERMAN to Sarah M. CAVETT – lot 10 bk. 81 St. Ansgar,
$10.
Treasurer Mitchell County to Sarah M. CAVETT – lot 3 bk. 81
St. Ansgar - Treasurer’s Deed
John GILLES to John HARTOGH – und ½ s ½ ne 35 98 15 $250
John HARTOGH to John GILLES – und ½ n ½ ne 35 98 15 $880
Treasurer Mitchell County to Charles SWENEY – s1/2 n3/8 s1/2
lot 2 nw 31 100 16 $6.19 - Treasurer’s Deed
Jemmia WINSOR to Nick KIRST – 1-5 a se 25 99 15 $75
Hattie L. BURDICK to Almedia L. BLANCHAR –lot 2 bk. 230
Osage, $235
Elizabeth C. HERRING to Edward COOPER –lot 3 bk. 8
Riceville, $65.
Austin BAILEY to Flora PEAVY –3 11ft. 21/2 and 2 11 ft. 31/2
lot 5 bk. 6 Bailey $35.
[transcribed by M.W., January 2012]