Iowa Old Press


Paullina Times
Paullina, O'Brien co. Iowa
August 6, 1896

We learn that a daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Dave Fordyce, now at Alta, on the 20th of this month.

Death of Hugh McNaughton
On Friday, July 24, at the home of his uncle, Mr. Hector Cowan, Sr., occurred the death of Mr. Hugh McNaughton, aged 26 years, 2 months and 17 days. Mr. McNaughton was born in Huron county, Canada, removing with the rest of his family to their present home in 1882, where he spent the remainder of his boyhood. Within the last two years his health gradually failed. Last March he returned home, his friends hoping that a change of climate and home care might arrest the progress of his disease, but in spite of all their efforts he rapidly declined, another victim to the dreaded disease, pulmonary consumption. He endured the weakness and pain of the last few months manfully and cheerfully, and when the end was inevitable he met death with great calmness. His funeral service was conducted by his pastor, Rev. A. Herron, on Sunday after which a large number of relatives and friends accompanied the remains to their last resting place in Union cemetery. All the members of the family were present except a brother, John, who was unable to reach home in time for the service. The bereaved family have the sympathy of the entire community.
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Irvin Cook and family arrived this morning from Kansas on a visit to Mrs. Cook's parents, Mr. and Mrs. M. Holdridge.

Miss Mary Meyer of Chicago, a cousin of Karl and Hartwig Meyer and Mrs. Henry Strampe, arrived Tuesday from Chicago.

Messrs. Robt. and H. C. McNaughton came down from Duluth, Minn., Saturday to attend the funeral of their brother, and remained a few days with their friends in Dale township.

[transcribed by A.N., November 2015]

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Paullina Times
Paullina, O'Brien co. Iowa
August 13, 1896

August Cohrs, an insane patient who has been kept at the county poor farm for some time, was adjudged insane and ordered taken to the state insane asylum last Saturday. Sheriff Carter and Deputy Morgan went with him to Independence.

Granville Items
The bright little three-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. D. [Berg?] died Monday morning. The funeral was held [at Alton?] where the remains were laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery Wednesday. The family have the sympathy of all in their hour of affliction.

Louis Swanson and Miss Kate Lux, both of Paullina, were married yesterday at the residence of the bride's parents in Cherokee county. Mr. Swanson is one of our foremost business men, having been for several years engaged in the boot and shoe business here. For some months past he has been operating the "Model" lunch rooms, a restaurant which seems to prosper under his management. It was here that Louis was smitten by Cupid's charm. The bride, an esteemed young lady, has been an employee at this place for some time. Mr. and Mrs. Swanson being married life amid the brightest of prospects and numerous good wishes.

Lillie, the infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chris Lindemann, expired Sunday morning, aged 7 months and 18 days. This sad death was caused by brain fever which resulted from an attack of measles. The burial took place Monday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock, brief services being held at the home in charge of Rev. Nuoffer of Germantown. The ceremony was delivered in the German language.

Mrs. Silas Crosser of Hartley arrived Monday on a visit to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Jones.

I. N. Mathews of Nevada, Iowa, has been the guest of his daughter, Mrs. J. T. Fitton the past week.

Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Moffit of Baker township left Tuesday for Mechanicsville, Iowa, to enjoy a few week's at Mr. Moffit's old home. They will witness the marriage of Cass' sister while there.

Mamie Slick has acquired the unfortunate habit of walking in her sleep. Tuesday night she sprang out of bed and started for a window. Her sister Grace was wakened and ran after her and catching her by her clothing swung her away from the window just as she was about to spring out. Mamie started toward her parents' room but instead of going through the door cried out, "Gracie, they're after us," turned and clambered over the banister and the next moment fell eight or ten feet onto the stairs below. She struck on her right side bruising her head, face and side badly in a number of places. Mrs. Slick got to the child first and found her unconscious. For a short time she was thought to be dead but she finally regained consciousness. Either from the shock or because of possible internal injuries she has been unable to retain food up to this writing and she has had some fever and suffered much pain. - Sutherland Courier

[transcribed by A.N., November 2015]

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Paullina Times
Paullina, O'Brien co. Iowa
August 20, 1896

Mrs. Henry Safford of Pomroy is visiting with her mother, Mrs. Margarite Stewart.

A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. John Metcalf at Mt. Vernon, Iowa, on Monday, August 17th.

A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Geo Ehlers, south of Paullina, on Tuesday August 18th.

It becomes our painful duty to announce the death of another infant child. This time Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Heggem were yesterday called upon to suffer the loss of their only child, Charlotte, aged 11 months and eighteen days. The little one's suffering was brief, being sick only a few days. The funeral service will be conducted by Rev. Wicker, the Scandinavian minister here, at the home and Lutheran church, beginning at 2:00 o'clock tomorrow afternoon.

The infant child of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Fehn, a mile east of town, died on Thursday of last week, the funeral being held on Friday, Rev. Nuoffer officiating.

County Seat Items
The sad affliction that has fallen on E. C. Boyer is regretted by everyone in Primghar. He is an exceptionally bright young man, but some years ago he had the misfortune to fall from a rapidly moving railway train and received injuries about his head that rendered him unconscious for some time and which have now brought on a temporary aberration of his mind. It is thought that the intense heat and the excitement of a ball game in which he played helped aggravate matters and brought on the present trouble. He has been placed in the hospital at Independence and it is hoped that he will soon be entirely recovered.

Marriage licenses have been issued to Dick Anen and Rika Steenblock; J. H. Kummerfeldt and Anna Ahrens.

[transcribed by A.N., October 2018]

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Paullina Times
Paullina, O'Brien co. Iowa
August 27, 1896

A marriage license was issued to Nelson O. Scott and Bertha Grebow.

Bit of History
The O'Brien County Leader contained a very interesting historical review of county school institutes last week, from which we take the liberty of extracting the following list of county superintendents with dates of their terms of office, which many older settlers will recall with interest:
"H. K. Waterman was elected February 6, 1860, and held until January [?] 1861. On that date by virtue of election, John J. Jenkins assumed the duties but resigned June 1, 1862, when Geo. Hoffman was appointed and filled out the term. Moses Lewis was elected in fall of 1862 and took the office January 1, 1863, and being re-elected two years after held until January 1, 1868. Major C. W. Inman followed from that date and until January 1, 1870, but who resigned twenty-five days after, and Stephen Harris, appointed January 25, 1870, filled out the term. L. E. Head was elected in the fall of 1871 and the office January 1, 1872, and died in September of that year, and O. A. Sutton was appointed November 11, 1872. Jesse A. Smith was appointed September, 1873, and elected that fall for the succeeding term and held until January 1876. On this date A. B. Chrysler succeeded him by virtue of election and held until January 1, 1878. Mr. Harley Day was elected in the fall of 1877 and held two terms and until Jan. 1, 1882. He was succeeded by David Algyer, he being elected three terms in succession, holding the office for the longest period of any superintendent thus far. Chas. H. Crawford was elected and filled one term commencing Jan. 1, 1888. Miss Isabella Cowan, the first lady superintendent was elected in the fall of 1889, holding the office one term, being succeeded by Miss Ella Seckerson, the present incumbent, now serving her third term.

The first Normal Institute was called in 1873 to be held at Sheldon, but on account of a storm it was adjourned. The eight following institutes were each held at Primghar, the first five being conducted by Prof. E. Baker, of Oskaloosa, and was assisted in 1876 by Prof. Goldthwait, the attendance being 38 in 1874; 45 in 1875; 57 in 1876; 51 in 1877; 49 in 1878. In 1879-1880-1881, by Prof. J. [Wernli?; Wernll?], of LeMars, and the attendance was 48 in 1879; 36 in 1880; and 47 in 1881. In 1882 it was held in Sanborn, with 104 teachers enrolled, conducted by Prof. E. Baker, assisted by Prof. W. S. Wilson and M. S. Brainard. In 1883, also in Sanborn, 108 in attendance, conducted by Prof. Baker, assisted by Prof. W. S. Wilson and C. F. Gates. In 1884 held at Primghar, attendance 125, conducted by Superintendent Algyer, assisted by W. S. Wilson, Miss Jennie Rudolph, Isabella Cowan, Miss Carrie Van Horn and Stephen Harris. In 1885 Held at Primghar, 120 in attendance, conducted by Prof. E. R. Eldridge, assisted by W. S. Wilson, Jennie Rudolph and Isabella Cowan. The 1886 Institute was held at Sanborn 114 in attendance, conducted by Superintendent Algyer with same assistants as in 1885.

In 1887 the teachers of the county met in Sheldon, 120 in attendance, Prof. W. S. Wilson and Prof. Arey of Ft. Dodge, principal instructors. The Institute of 1888-90 of which Superintendent Crawford was director, was held in Primghar, attendance 123, instructors J. P. Hendricks, Profs. Wilson, Simpson, Russel and Miss Harriet Hickox, of Omaha. In 1890 the Institute met in Primghar, Isabella Cowan, director, assisted by Prof. Wright, of Cedar Falls, Profs. Wilson, Simpson, Holly and LeBean, enrollment 132.

Above we give a complete report of every teachers' institute that has been held since the organization of the county up to the time the present superintendent, Miss Ella Seckerson was elected to that position, whose record needs no comments form our pen, suffice it that from every quarter come the highest compliments for our present county superintendent. Never more than now has the educational outlook in our county been more favorable than now, they are a credit to our county, the work being thorough throughout. Never in the past has the county been more fortunate in having one in the position of county superintendent, who was more capable and energetic in the work.

At the institute now in session, 180 teachers are enrolled, and they are young men and young women of ability and character; they have no peers in the world."

A son is reported at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Kluender of Caledonia township. Henry tells us the youngster has pronounced Populist symptoms and is for free coinage.

One of Ed Hilker's little boys owes his escape from severe injury and perhaps certain death to good fortune. During the crowded condition of the streets after the ball game Friday the little fellow was run over by a team driven by Charley Hodgdon on Main street. The driver did not see the boy until the team had passed entirely over the youngster. Through a miracle the boy came out of the accident without an injury.

L. Wollenberg left yesterday for Mattison, Illinois, to attend the funeral of his brother.

[transcribed by A.N., October 2018]

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