Iowa Old Press
Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O’Brien co. Iowa
May 16, 1884
The skating rink runs in full blast every afternoon and evening,
and the proprietor does all in his power to make (unreadable) and
skates glide along smoothly for his patrons. Much amusement
is furnished the spectators as they watch the new beginner as he
stumbles (unreadable) and finally comes down—kerplunk—on
the floor. No one has been injured by falling, though
several have been considerably shaken up.
The new skating rink was formally opened last Friday night and a
very good time was had by all. The town people were out in
full force, but those people in the country were too busy with
the planting to spend time to come to the dance. As it was
about forty (unreadable) were sold, enough to pay all expenses
and a little more, Paullina and Hartley were well represented and
fine skaters being present from those towns. Our young
people have had little practice, but many are becoming quite
proficient in the art of operating the rollers, and before long
Sutherland can show as fine skaters as our neighboring town.
The Reager House has been treated to another coat of paint, which
not only improves the appearance of the building, but reflects
much credit on Mr. KAREKAL’S skill as a painter.
The machine men have their self-binders set up and ready for
work. They propose to give the farmers a chance to see how
the different makes operate before harvest time arrives.
Some men can both give and take a joke; others will give but won’t
take. A man of the latter stripe lives in Sutherland, and
got his back up because we, though joking, got too near the
truth.
From the Pioneer we learn that A. G. WILLITS has sold
his interest in the tobacco business at Minneapolis to Mart SHEA,
one of the members of the firm. Mr. WILLITS was in Sanborn
last week greeting his many friends.
Joseph SOHMS, who lives on the ROHMBERG farm, will take cows and
other stock to pasture for the season. He has a good
pasture with plenty of water, and his charges are very moderate.
Business is dull, but no more so than should be expected at this
time of the year. When our merchants get to feeling blue
they should take a ride through the country and look at the
growing crops—bright promise for future good times.
Tom AGER, owner of the row of buildings north of the postoffice
on Main street, has commenced laying his sidewalks. Mr. A.
does much better by the town than many who live here. He
lives in New York and does his business through agents.
A.TOWBERMAN made quite an extended trip the first of the week to
the central and eastern part of the State, looking around for
bargains in furniture. He visited factories at Marshalltown
and Tama City and purchased a large stock of goods which will be
here in a few days. Mr. T. is building up a fine trade in
his line.Several of our citizens are setting out a great many
fruit and shade trees this spring. Possibly the fruit trees
may not prove a success, but if only a small proportion of them
should live they will be worth much more than the time spent in
setting them out in a few years. Trees are not only
ornamental, but when they are grown to a good size they afford
much protection from the wind and sun. Set out trees.
Upton SWINGLEY, of Creston, Illinois, who owns all of section 35,
Highland township, was here the first of the week making
arrangements to break and otherwise improve his farm. He
expects to build a house on his land next autumn, and has already
made arrangements for fencing and breaking up his land. He
also owns considerable land near Storm Lake and went around that
way to take a look at in on his way home. G.W. NICOHLAS is
agent for Mr. SWINGLEY’S land in this vicinity and will
attend to all business pertaining to the same.
PERSONAL MENTION
W.C. GREEN, sheriff of O’Brien county, was in town
Wednesday.
Able THOMPSON is tying up groceries, boots, shoes, Etc., for J.N.
SLICK.
Mr. and Mrs. J.N. BEEDER, of Paullina, visited with friends in
town Wednesday.
Mrs. Thomas SPENCE returned from her visit to Marshall county
Tuesday evening.
D.M. SHELDON went to Peterson last Saturday to take a look at
“that hole in the ground.”
J.L. HICKSON, of Reinbeck, a step-son of C.J. SICH, visited with
friends in town this week.
A.G. STEINER, of Canton, Dakota, visited several days with D.M.
SHELDON during the past week.
David HOCKERT, of Gowrie, is in town visiting with S. GRACEY’S
folks, and looking for a bargain in land.
J. WARNER, one of Paullina’s lumber men, attended the
opening of the skating rink last Friday evening.
A.J. JORDAN, one of C.E. ACHORN’S good-looking clerks
visited with friends in DesMoines during the past week.
Wm. HORTMAN and W.S. HITCHINGS are off to Chicago and other
points looking up machinery for their new elevator.
[transcribed by C.B., May 2005]