Iowa Old Press
Paullina Times
Paullina, O'Brien co. Iowa
February 6, 1896
G. Van Benthuysen is very ill at his home north of Primghar. He
is suffering from a low grade of fever and Tuesday night was
reported so low that but little hope was entertained for his
recovery.
Last week we failed to mention the cause of the huge pleasant
smile Frank Beck is wearing. It is a bright little girl, born
January 28th.
The marriage of Miss Inger Meltvedt to Ole Medhus occurred at the
residence of the bride's brother, Mr. Chris Meltvedt, on Tuesday
evening, February 4th. Rev. Andrew Herron, pastor of the
Presbyterian church, pronounced the magic words that bound this
worthy couple for life. Only a few of the immediate friends of
the contracting parties witnessed the event. The bride is a
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. K. Meltvedt of this township and is a
sister of Chris and Andrew Meltvedt of Paullina. She has a wide
circle of friends. The groom is also well known, having farmed in
this community for several years. These young people will begin
their married life with the best of prospects and amid the
kindest wishes of their friends.
The following item is taken from a late copy of the Payette
(Idaho) Independent furnished us through the kindness of
J. A. Warner. Mr. Paine will be remembered as a former resident
of Paullina. "Little Ella E. Paine, aged 11 years, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Paine, died Tuesday morning, January 21,
after a lingering illness extending over a period of several
months. The child had dropsy and during her long illness and
great suffering displayed a spirit of patient endurance and
cheerfulness of mind that was most remarkable for one of her
years. Her fortitude must have gone far towards giving that
strength to her parents that enabled them to bear up so long in
the presence of the grim destroyer of the fair form of their
darling that was slowly but surely wasting away."
Undertaker Cowan had charge of the funeral of Mrs. Stramer near
Granville Tuesday. He is receiving numerous calls for his own
services and that of his hearse from neighboring towns of late.
A new baby arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robt. McCauley
last week.
Born - To Mr. C. S. B. Griffin and wife, Saturday, Feb. 1, 1896,
a daughter.
Paying The Penalty
Harry Mewhirter, a Former Druggist of Paullina, Charged
with Serious Crimes at Sioux City - Paying the Forfeitures of
Virtue - Amidst His Griefs His Mother Passes Away at Little Rock
From Tuesday's Journal:
Two weeks ago, a young man and a woman came to the Vendome hotel
and registered as man and wife under the name of Carney. After
they had stayed a day, Mr. Carney went away and the hotel people
soon began to think something was suspicious. They presented a
bill to the woman for the amount due and she said Mr. Mewhirter
would settle it as soon as he returned.
"Who?" asked the landlord.
"Mr. Mewhirter," was the reply.
"But he registered under the name of Carney and represented
that you were his wife."
The young woman saw the game was up, as it were, and did not
attempt any explanation. By a little inquiry, "Scotty"
McIndoe, manager of the Vendome, learned that the young man who
had left his hotel without paying his bill, was Harry D.
Mewhirter, one of the best known young men in Lyon county, and
until recently in the drug business at Little Rock. His people
are also well known in several counties in northwestern Iowa, and
are wealthy and highly respected. Young Mewhirter has a wife and
child, but the woman with him at the Vendome was not his wife.
She was Rose McDermott, formerly a chambermaid in Sioux City
hotels, who first met Mewhirter when he was in Sioux City last
summer undergoing treatment for a serious ailment.
Rose McDermott's Charge
Mr. McIndoe swore out a warrant in Justice Dunkelberg's court for
the arrest of Mewhirter on the charge of trying to defraud him of
his bill, but the case did not come to trial. Mewhirter came to
the city and settled the case.
But his troubles were not to end here. Rose McDermott, the woman
who was with him at the Hotel Vendome, charged him in Justice
Bernard's court, Morning Side, with the crime of seduction. Rose
claims the crime was committed in this city in November.
Mewhirter appeared in the justice court yesterday and wanted to
take a change of venue to Justice Dunkelberg's court, but the
prosecution, which was represented by T. L. Foley, would not
consent to this, and objected to taking the case out of the
township. As the next justice court in Woodbury township is at
Sergeant Bluffs, this also was distasteful to the defense, and it
was finally agreed to continue the case one week. Mewhirter gave
bonds for his appearance.
But the seduction case was not all either. Yesterday afternoon W.
P. Keefe swore out a warrant for Mewhirter's arrest on the charge
of obtaining money by false pretenses. Mr. Keefe alleges that on
January 14 Mewhirter persuaded him to sing his name to a check
for $10, which was cased at the Home Savings bank, and that the
check came back protested.
Says He Is Persecuted
Mewhirter was seen by a reporter for the Journal last night, and
said he was being persecuted. He was vigorous in his denunciation
of Rose McDermott and Keefe. He admitted that he was with the
woman at the Vendome hotel, but says he was not in Sioux City in
November. He says he became acquainted with the girl through Dick
Hubbell, and if it were not for its criminal nature would regard
the charge against him as a joke. As to the check, he said he
thought he could get home in time to protect it. His business in
Sioux City was to trade a stock of merchandise at Sibley for some
other valuable consideration, and as he was having business
dealings with Keefe he alleges that there could be no false
pretense in his obtaining money in that quarter.
Rose McDermott alleges, in her seduction case, that Mewhirter
promised to marry her, and that she did not know he was a married
man until after the exposure at the Vendome hotel.
From Wednesday's Journal:
Troubles multiply with Harry D. Mewhirter. After having been
arrested three times he went before Justice Bernard and presented
an affidavit which showed that his mother was suffering with
nervous prostration, caused by worrying over his troubles, and
that she was dangerously ill. He asked to be allowed to go to
her. His prayer was denied.
At noon yesterday his mother died at the family home at Little
Rock. In the afternoon his brother, L. E. Mewhirter, of Little
Rock, arrived in the city and conveyed to the brother the sad
intelligence of their mother's death. The brother took immediate
steps to secure Harry's release. They went before Justice
Dunkelberg, and the court, after being told the circumstances,
fixed a low bond and allowed the man to go. The two brothers
proceeded to the Mondamin hotel and were waiting to take the
train for their home, where the one dearest on earth to them lay
dead, when W. P. Keefe, who is proceeding against the young man,
swore out another warrant for his arrest, and he was taken in
custody the fourth time. He was arraigned before Justice
Dunkleberg and an appearance bond was furnished, with the
Mondamin Hotel company as surety.
Mrs. Esther Mewhirter, mother of the young man who is being
arrested about every time he turns around, was 53 years of age.
She is survived by her husband, Robert Mewhirter, one of the
wealthy and substantial citizens of Lyon county. The two sons
were the only children. When the two boys were seen last night by
a reporter for the Journal they were suffering much mental
anguish. Harry's eyes were reddened from weeping and he was
deeply affected. He could hardly realize that his mother was dead
and that he did not see her before she passed away was a matter
of the keenest regret to him. The funeral services of Mrs.
Mewhirter will be held this afternoon at 3 o'clock in Little
Rock.
[transcribed by A.N., April 2015]
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Paullina Times
Paullina, O'Brien co. Iowa
February 13, 1896
Married, at the Catholic church last Wednesday
at 9 a.m., Rev. Anler officiating, Math Perlot to Miss Lizzie
Hupert [Hubert?]. The bride and groom are two of our most highly
esteemed and respected young people, having lived in this
vicinity from their childhood. Their unblemished high moral
characters are too well known to need comment. They start on
their journey through life together with the brightest of
prospects. Their hundreds of friends unite with us in wishing
that their wedded life may be one continuous ray of sunshine. A
grand reception was held at the home of the bride's parents, Mr.
and Mrs. Mike Hubert, in the afternoon and evening. Many
beautiful and costly presents were received.
Mrs. Montzheimer is enjoying a visit from her sister, Miss Hattie
Fenton, of Webster City.
Our town has been sadly stricken with the hand of death the past
week as no less than four deaths have occurred within five days
in town or in immediate vicinity. Mr. VanBenthysen, living north
of town, Mrs. Buckley, Johnnie Marsh and Hugh Carmichael, all are
numbered with the dead. The two latter are boys about then years
old, and their trouble was croup, and the others died of lung
fever. In view of the great amount of sickness and the necessary
absence of so many pupils, the school board closed the schools
Tuesday and work will not be resumed until next Monday. All three
doctors have more than they can do and are very busy.
A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. [?] Cowan of Dale township last
[?]day.
Death
Maud Straw, aged 18, was found dead in the home of L.
Winters, her brother-in-law, on Saturday morning at Sheldon. The
family was out in the country and the girl had been dead three
days when found. There are suspicions of foul play as she had
been at the home of a neighbor named Groff on Wednesday morning,
and had agreed to go back again in the afternoon, but did not do
so. She attended school as usual, but was excused at 11:30, as
she said she expected company and wanted to go home and get
dinner. It is not known who she expected or whether anyone was at
the house at noon, as no one remembers having seen her from the
time she left the school until her body was found Saturday
morning. Not being able to arrive at a conclusion as to the cause
of her death, the coroner and jury have asked that an autopsy be
held, and adjourned until later. It was rumored here Tuesday that
the coroner's jury have evidence which fastens the crime upon a
young man of Sheldon and that invitations had been issued for a
"necktie party". The young lady is spoken of by those
who knew here intimately as a very fine girl. She was a student
in the city high schools and would have graduated next June.
Teacher and schoolmates speak of her in terms of high praise, and
as one of the brightest and most studious scholars in the school.
[transcribed by A.N., September 2015]
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Paullina Times
Paullina, O'Brien co. Iowa
February 20, 1896
Sheriff Carter was at Sheldon first of the week attending the
Bull and Morrow examination. On account of the condition of the
jail at Sheldon the prisoners have been confined in the county
jail at Primghar.
Among those who have been granted passports to connubial bliss
the past week since last reported are Aug. Pauling and Matilda
Boldenow; B. B. Ferris and G. E. Bigelow; Wm. H. Hendrich and
Mary Harken; Hector Mehrens and Annie Daw.
Nellie and Marie Corbett, nieces of the Rev. P. Corbett who died
at Sanborn a year and a half ago, have brought suit in district
court to set aside his will. By the terms of the will one half
the estate was to be devoted to "conversion of Chinese
children" and the large portion of the remainder of the
estate was to be devoted to the payment for masses for his soul
in purgatory. The heirs were willing to pay the money for the
masses for his soul but they draw the line at the Chinese
children and want the will declared void for uncertainty. Suit
will be heard at March term of court.
In the preliminary examination of A. A. Bull and Wm. Morrow,
charged with the death of Maud Straw, of Sheldon, Morrow has been
discharged and Bull's examination is progressing. Two bottles of
poison were found at Bull's house. The post-mortem examination
last week was not exhaustive and was confined to the stomach and
ended with the physicians discovering poison and the perforation
of the stomach. All reports last week were to the effect that
Maud excused herself from school Wednesday forenoon but Miss
Jones, teacher of the high school, testified that Maud excused
herself Monday forenoon and the records show her absent after
Thursday, though she was seen in Sheldon on Wednesday and found
dead on Saturday. The general opinion is that Bull will be held
to the grand jury. - Register.
Among those who attended the Pauling-Boldenow wedding at
Germantown Sunday were: Mr. and Mrs. P. H. Krohnke, Elma Krohnke,
Josie Wiltgen, Mrs. N. C. Martin, Lawrence Egan and Theo.
Wiltgen.
Geo. Cellenious and Miss Theresa List were married at Primghar on
the 11th inst. It was a surprise to their many friends who unite
in wishing this highly esteemed couple life long prosperity and
happiness. Both bride and groom are too well and favorably known
to need any eulogy on our part.
John Remackle and Miss Josephine Block were married at the
Catholic church here Monday morning at 9 o'clock, Rev. Anler
officiating. Both bride and groom are among our highly respected
young people and start out in life together with bright prospects
and the best wishes of their many friends.
Miss Alice Reager took Monday evening's hack for Sutherland to
stay a short time with her sister, Mrs. Ed. Cliff, who is quite
sick
The marriage of Peter Jurgensen to Miss Mary Eggers took place at
the home of the bride's father, Fred Eggers, in Liberty township
on last Friday, February 14th.
A little daughter came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. W.
Hakes at Willow Lakes, S. D., on the 13th of this month. The
reporter was apprised of this item by the peculiar maneuvers of
Grandpa Hakes this week. He has grown many years older and
several sizes larger since the happy event.
The Baker family has gone to Primghar, the household goods being
taken hence by Mr. Partridge Tuesday. These people are in poor
circumstances and we have heard the wish expressed that the
Primghar people be liberal in giving Mrs. Baker sufficient work
to gain support for her children and the husband who has a
decided antipathy against all manual labor.
The death of Mrs. Mary Papke, wife of Joachin Papke, occurred at
her home in Metcalf's addition last Sunday morning at an early
hour. Deceased was 56 years of age. She was born in Germany and
emigrated to America in 1881. The funeral was held on Tuesday,
the ceremony being in charge of Rev. Horn of Germantown. The
remains were laid in their last resting place in Union cemetery.
Six children, with her husband, are the only near relatives. Four
of these live in this vicinity. They are Mrs. Chris, Holk, Mrs.
Fred Graesing and Herman and Charlie Papke. The other two, Mrs.
Wilkinson and John Papke, reside at Hammond, Indiana.
The wedding of Mr. Aug. Pauling and Miss Matilda Boldenow was
solemnized at the German church at Germantown last Sunday. Rev.
Horn conducted the ceremonies. The many guests, numbering some
forty-five families, then accompanied the groom and bride to the
groom's home where the reception and feast was enjoyed. The
Northwestern Band and orchestra of Sheldon, furnished desirable
music which added greatly to the pleasure of the occasion. Mr.
and Mrs. Pauling are very industrious and esteemed young people.
They have a wide circle of friends throughout the neighborhood
who wish them a successful and happy matrimonial life.
The Times goes to press just in time to be able to
announce the marriage of Miss Ella E. Shea of this place to Mr.
O. B. Lane of Havelock. The ceremony was performed at the M. E.
parsonage at two o'clock this afternoon. Miss Shea is a well
known lady of Paullina and is universally respected for her kind
disposition and her influence in religious and society events
where a great deal of hard "rustling" is always
required. Mr. Lane is a prominent citizen of Havelock. They leave
this evening for their home.
Harry Mewhirter's preliminary trail resulted in his being bound
over in the sum of $1,500 for his appearance before the next
Woodbury county grand jury.
A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. August Kamrath of this township on
the 18th of this month.
John Gardner, a brother of Mrs. N. H. Farnham, was here the fore
part of the week. John formerly lived here.
Married
Johnson - Ericksen - At the home of the bride's parents
in Liberty township, Cherokee county, Iowa, on Tuesday, February
18, 1896, Edwin Johnson of O'Brien county to Miss Annie M.
Erickson, Rev. G. Peterson officiating.
The bride was considered the most beautiful of ladies in the
township where beauty abounds and Edwin is one of Dale's best
young men. E. Erickson acted as groomsman while Miss Bertha
Hanson acted in the capacity of bride's maid. The guests were a
few near relatives and friends. After the ceremony and a
refreshing dinner the newly married couple started for Buena
Vista county where they will visit a short time with old friends.
They will return and go to housekeeping at the home of the groom
on his half section farm five miles north of Paullina. The editor
of The Times joins the many relatives and friends of the young
couple in wishing them bon voyage across the matrimonial sea, and
trust that peace, plenty and prosperity may attend them when they
are old. They were the recipients of numerous and valuable
presents.
[transcribed by A.N., September 2015]
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Paullina Times
Paullina, O'Brien co. Iowa
February 27, 1896
Supervisor Warnke was here Monday accompanied by his future
son-in-law to get a marriage license. He says farmers in his
vicinity are only waiting for rain before commencing spring work.
Marriage licenses have been issued as follows: Louie Andresen and
Mina Warnke; Aug. F. Telcamp and Vernie I. Hoffa; O. B. Lane and
Ella E. Shea.
Miss Laura Avery visited her aunt, Mrs. H. H. Benner, last
Sunday.
The young people were quite surprised last week to hear of the
marriage of Lou Brown.
Mrs. Anderson and Miss Faust, sisters of Thomas Faust, called on
him Saturday.
A. A. Lane of Cherokee, brother-in-law of Vern Love is visiting
the latter a few days.
Born - On February 22d to Mr. and Mrs. B. Bryngleson, of Dale, a
daughter.
In The Times notice of the death of Mrs. Mary Papke last
week, an error was made in the statement that Mrs. Fred Graesing
was a daughter of the deceased. Mr. Graesing is a son of the
deceased.
Charles Luckey, one of the North-Western railway company's
conductors, well known on this branch, has fallen heir to a
$10,000 fortune through the death of an uncle at Syracuse, New
York. Events prove this gentleman "lucky" in fact as
well as in name.
In the murder case at Sheldon Justice Conant bound A. A. Bull
over to the grand jury and his attorneys made application for a
write of habeas corpus. The hearing was had before Judge Ladd at
Sheldon and the writ was denied but the Judge ordered that Bull
be released on giving his own bond to appear before the grand
jury. Later another case was commenced against Bull on the ground
of newly discovered evidence but the same has been dismissed.
This leaves the matter now for the grand jury to decide.
Born - To Mr. and Mrs. Frank Traver, Tuesday, February 25, a
daughter.
John Papke and Mrs. Joe Wilkerson of Hammond, Indiana, attended
the funeral of their mother, Mrs. Papke last week.
Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Sprague are attending the funeral of Mrs.
Green of Clay county today. Deceased was Mrs. Sprague's mother
and had been ill about eight months.
[transcribed by A.N., October 2015]