Iowa Old Press
Sheldon Mail
Sheldon, O'Brien co. Iowa
January 8, 1885
Mrs. J. Renken hired a four horse team and bob-sled of Frisbee
Bros. last Saturday and treated her lady friends to a sleigh
ride.
Progressive Euchre is fast becoming the popular game in the
social circles of most of the towns throughout this portion of
Iowa. In these dull times we need some thing progressive.
[transcribed by S.F., Feb 2011]
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Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O’Brien co. Iowa
January 23, 1885
Bert HICKS made a flying visit to (unreadable) Rapids last
Tuesday.
The Northwestern Dairymen’s Association will be held at
Algona next month.
Wednesday morning was about the worst of the season. The
mercury registered at 30 below.
E. HILL, the station agent, has been suffering with a severe cold
but at last reports was on the mend.
The town council met last Tuesday morning, allowed a few bills
and adjourned without transacting any important business.
There is considerable grumbling about the town marshal. The
same man grumbled before the present marshal was appointed.
The Sutherland G.A.R. officers have been invited to go to
Peterson tomorrow night to install officers of the post lately
organized at that place.
A.M. CILLEY has been “laid on the shelf” several days
this week with an attack of his old enemy—rheumatism.
We understand he is improving rapidly and is able to be around.
J.F. EATHERTON, of Liberty township, who has been visiting with
friends in Story county for the last two months, returned home
Tuesday evening. He reports having had a very pleasant
visit.
At the time of going to press (Thursday afternoon) the prospect
was very favorable for another blizzard. We are getting
used to them now, so let’em come. The only drawback is
that QUEAL & Co. and PORTER & WIEH will be
‘stuck’ for a bigger coal bill.
Political matters are not being discussed very much at
present. Every man in town who can speak aloud can strike
an argument any time by simply expressing his opinion on the
whisky fight. Probably no one thing will so quickly divide
the people of a town as the question of prohibition.
John JENER and Miss Mary ROGERS were married at Primghar last
Friday by W.J. LORSHBOUGH, justice of the peace. John is
one of the proprietors of G.K. SCHULTZ & Co.’s popular
temperance billiard hall and his friends are numerous. All
join in wishing himself and wife a long and happy married life.
Several men have been mentioned as probable candidates for Mayor
at the coming municipal election, but as yet we have heard of no
one being anxious for the office. It may be there is just
“heaps” of honor in it, but it’s awful poor pay,
unless one chooses to take his pay in “cussings.”
Two men, brothers, named RAINSBARGER, were arrested at Eldora
last Friday on the charge of murdering Enoch JOHNSON last
November. At the time of JOHNSON’S death he was under
bonds for his appearance in the (unable to read the rest of the
article).
The postoffice fight hasn’t died out after all. There
are new candidates in the field, and they’ve written to
“Jerry” and asked him to exert his influence in their
behalf. We are not informed whether he consented or not,
but Mr. O’Brien appears contented and has an idea that he
has the inside track.
On the strength of the above, which appeared in last week’s Courier,
E.H. FARNSWORTH, Sutherland’s postmaster, came into our
office and without giving us time to wish him “good
morning,” addressed us substantially as follows:
“G—d d—m you, if you fellows’ want the
postoffice so bad why don’t you come and get it, and not
keep “dinging away” about it in your paper every
week!”
We were taken so completely by surprise by the uncalled for and
abusive remarks of the irate P.M. that we did not know what to
say in reply. Our first impulse was to tell him to take a
trip to the infernal regions—and we followed that impulse to
a letter. The rest of his remarks were to the effect that
the ‘Courier’ had been working against him by
advocating a change of postmasters, and that it was high time for
us to desist. We denied the allegation and informed Mr. F.
that we were running the Courier, and should use our own
judgment in the selection of matter for publication; if this did
not suit him he could get out of the office. He thought he
should act his own pleasure a far as leaving the office was
concerned. That was satisfactory to us, provided it was his
“pleasure” to leave at once. As he still refused
to go, we collared him and put him out by force. He trotted
homeward and has not bothered us since, and we are not anxious to
have him around, as it is our endeavor to associate with
gentlemen only.
The Courier has been under our management for over a
year, and we defy any man, woman or child to find a single
article published during that time which any fair-minded person
can construe so as to reflect discredit on Mr. FARNSWORTH, either
as a citizen or post-master. Since the late struggle for
the post-office began, the “Courier’ has said many
words in his favor, but not one syllable against him. This
statement can be proven by referring to back numbers of the
paper. The real cause of the trouble is the fact that Mr.
FARNSWORTH has come to the sensible conclusion that he, as well
as the rest of the Republican postmasters, will be invited to
“step down and out” when the Democrets (sic) get in
power. He feels sore, and has a right to; but he should
have sense enough to keep his mouth shut and not let everybody
know how hard it is for him to bear.
Joe HARKER, of Aurelia was in town Wednesday.
Boarders Wanted.
I can accommodate a few day boarders. Terms
reasonable. Call and see me at the new restaurant.
G.G. COOK.
To Our Creditors.
All persons knowing themselves indebted to the firm of A.
TOWBERMAN & Son will please pay up promptly so as to enable
us to start in business again at an eary (sic) day. A.
TOWBERMAN & Son.
For Sale.
Having decided to go into another line of business we now offer
our store building and stock for sale. Call on or address
– HORSTMAN Bros., Sutherland, Iowa.
Pay Your Debts.
Parties knowing themselves indebted to us will please settle
before January 1st, 1885, or their accounts will be put in a
justices hands for collection. We desire to straighten up
our accounts as soon as possible as we are going out of
business. HORSTMAN Bros.
Notice!!
Having disposed of our interest in the lumber business at this
place, we must insist upon having our accounts settled at
once. Parties owning us will do well to remember
this. Our creditors will please present their bills for
payment, and those owning us will be presented with theirs for
the same purpose. SIEH Brothers.
[transcribed by C.B., June 2005]