Iowa Old Press
Paullina Times
Paullina, O'Brien co. Iowa
November 5, 1896
We are informed just before printing this issue that Mrs.
Dietrich Pauling of Caledonia township died yesterday afternoon.
She is the mother of the Pauling boys of the [?] township, well
known farmers in this vicinity. The lady was considerably
advanced in years. The funeral is to be held at Germantown, on
Saturday.
Miss Laura Avery was called last Saturday to her home at Moville,
Iowa, on account of the serious illness of her brother.
The sad news reached Paullina Tuesday that our townsman, Mr. F.
G. Frothingham, had passed suddenly to the great beyond the same
morning at his old home in Boston, Massachusetts, where he spent
a great portion of his time when not traveling abroad or looking
after his large interests in different parts of the United
States. The unwelcome intelligence was received by his staid
friend, helpmate and companion for years, Mr. Ernest Lustfeld,
who immediately left for Boston, accompanied by his wife. Mr.
Frothingham was been claimed as a resident of Paullina since
1881, at which time he bought real estate property two miles
south of town. Afterwards he built a cottage in town and passed a
portion of the time here. He was a man of wealth, eccentric to a
degree, but possessed of all the finer qualities of heart and
refined tastes. Friends which he numbered by the score were ever
the object of his generous impulses and shared liberally in his
pleasantries. He never neglected a friend nor seldom forgot an
enemy. His beautiful home was often a harbor of his entertainment
loving acquaintances and the death which will deprive them of
many happy hours is deeply deplored. Paullina will miss his
genial presence. We understand that death was caused by heart
failure.
[transcribed by A.N., April 2016]
-----
Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
6 Nov 1896
p 4 col 1
Mr. Brown of Waterman township died very suddenly at his home
Saturday of apoplexy. The remains were laid to rest in the
Peterson cemetery. The mourning family have the sympathy of the
entire community.
p 5 col 1
Invitations are out for the wedding, on Nov. 10th, of Miss Merla
Mead and Gilbert Louthan.
p 5 col 2
Henry Brown who lived in the northeastern part of this township
died Saturday afternoon of apoplexy. He had been unusually well
lately but on Friday was suddenly stricken down. Mr. Brown was a
brother of Mrs. N. L. Chesley. He was about 58 or 60 years old.
The funeral was held at Peterson.
[transcribed by A.N., November 2011]
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Paullina Times
Paullina, O'Brien co. Iowa
November 12, 1896
A daughter at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chris Awe, near town, is
among the reports of recent welcome arrivals, and she will
celebrate Friday, November 6th as an anniversary date.
Cashier Adkins of the Bank of Paullina received notice yesterday
that he had been named with a Boston gentleman as one of the
executors of the F. G. Frothingham estate. The deceased showed
his confidence in the honor and integrity of these gentlemen by
requesting that no sureties be required upon their bonds as
executors. The estate is a very large one and this testimonial to
Mr. Adkins' honesty should be a source of much pride. A kind
provision of Mr. Frothingham's will gives the town of Paullina
$2,000 for building a library and furnishing the same with choice
literature.
The Minister Could Shoot
And the Consequence is that Harry Mewhirter, a Former
Paullina Druggist, Regrets His Hasty Action
The first page of The Times contains this week a brief
report of the shooting of a former citizen of Paullina by a
Methodist minister at Larrabee. The Times adds the
further report of the affair from the Sioux City Journal
of the 11th:
"Rev. E. L. Benedict, the young Methodist minister who on
Monday night shot and perhaps fatally wounded Harry Mewhirter at
Larrabee, arrived in the city last night and is staying with his
father at Morning Side, where he was seen last night by a
reporter.
Mr. Benedict expressed no regret for the deed. He says he acted
entirely in self defense, and was justified in shooting when he
did.
At the insistence of a committee of Methodist ministers he swore
out a search warrant for Mewhirter's drug store at Larrabee,
where liquors were found. Mewhirter pleaded guilty and was fined
$300. On Monday afternoon the minister and the druggist met in a
printing office at Larrabee. The minister extended his hand and
Mewhirter took it, but after holding it a moment in friendly
clasp the druggist dealt Benedict a savage blow on the cheek. The
man of God would have personified the church militant then and
there, but friends separated the combatants.
In the evening, at the post office, where the minister had gone
for his mail, he say Mewhirter and another man again approaching
him in a threatening attitude, and without waiting to be struck
again he fire the shot which may end the young blood's life. It
is hardly considered probable, however, that Mewhirter will die
from the wound. The bullet appears to be buried in the lower part
of the left lung, and the doctors now have more hope of his
recovery than they had at first.
Benedict gave himself up to the sheriff and was taken to
Cherokee. At the county seat yesterday he was held for
examination in bonds of $10,000, which was readily furnished. It
is said that prominent business men of Cherokee county offered to
furnish $100,000 bounds for him if necessary, and that they
sympathy of the people generally is with him. Already he has had
many letters of encouragement and offers of assistance from
Methodist ministers all over the conference district."
The Journal of a former date thus summarized the affair:
"Rev. E. Lawrence Benedict, who shot and probably fatally
wounded Harry Mewhirter at Larrabee, a little town a few miles
north of Cherokee, Monday night, lived in Sioux City for several
years and is known to hundreds of people here, whose sympathy he
has. His father, Rev. D. D. Benedict, lives near St. Aubin's
station, Morning Side, and is the evangelist of the Northwestern
Iowa conference of the Methodist church.
Young Benedict moved to Morning Side with his father and family
about five years ago, and entered what is now known as Morning
Side college. He was graduated from the school in June 1895. His
first work as a minister was at Larrabee, to which charge he was
appointed by the conference of this district of the Methodist
church last fall.
Among those who knew him he was universally liked, being
generous, good natured and never exhibiting a quarrelsome or
malicious spirit. In school he was recognized as an energetic
student, possessing many qualities of sterling worth. He was
prominent in athletics, and was champion broad jumper of
northwestern Iowa. His friends are shocked to hear of the
tragedy, and a number of them who were seen by a reporter
expressed the opinion that he never would have committed such an
act except under the strongest provocation or in self defense.
His father said that he felt his son must have had sufficient
cause for shooting Mewhirter, although he was deeply distressed
over the unfortunate occurrence."
--
Anne Temple departed Saturday for Blairstown, Iowa, where she
will visit a short time with her sister, Mrs. B. F. Paul. Later
the ladies will visit their sister Mae, Mrs. Geo. E. Dunn at
Petersburg, Nebr. Muse Pratt is occupying Anne's position at the
post office during her absence.
Rev. and Mrs. Hathaway drove to Marcus Monday to attend the
funeral of their aunt.
A marriage license was issued Monday to Gilbert W. Louthan and
Myrta M. Mead.
[transcribed by A.N., April 2016]
-----
Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
13 Nov 1896
p 4 col 1
A marriage license was issued Monday to Gilbert W. Louthan and
Myrla M. Mead.
p 4 col 2, 3
Word was received here Tuesday morning of the shooting of Harry
McWhirter at Larrabee by Rev. Mr. Benedict, the Methodist. It
seems that Benedict had filed information against McWhirter for
selling intoxicants in violation of law and the latter was
convicted. This incensed McWhirter and he attacked and severely
injured the minister on last Monday afternoon. Later in the
evening, as Benedict was coming from the post office with his
mail McWhirter again attacked him and attempted to hit him. In
the melee Benedict drew a revolver and shot McWhirter through the
chest. This is the story as it reaches Primghar. Benedict is in
jail in Cherokee and McWhirter is reported out of danger.
Benedict is quite well known here and his friends believed him
innocent of any wrong doing. On the other hand McWhirter has had
a good deal of trouble at the different places he has lived.
p 5 col 2
Just before going to press we learn that a little girl of Mr. and
Mrs. Karakel's was found dead in bed yesterday morning.
Will Frazee and one or two others interested themselves in Geo.
Kruse's affairs the first of the week and raised sufficient funds
to settle up Kruse's accounts and move his household goods to
Spencer. George is again quite ill with a return of his old
trouble.
p 5 col 3
A Happy Marriage
Tuesday evening, Nov. 10th, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dwight
Mead, about ten miles north of Sutherland, occurred the wedding
of Miss Myrla M. Mead, and Gilbert W. Louthan of Ames. Rev.
Stoddard of Primghar officiating. Oscar Bidwell was groomsman and
Miss Grace Mead bridesmaid.
Among the guests present were Mr. and Mrs. McNary of Primghar,
Dr. Louthan and family, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Hardin, Mr. and Mrs.
Samuel Duff, Mr. and Mrs. Waggoner, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Bradrick,
Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Halliday, Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Mead and
family, Geo. and Sidney Bradrick, Geo. and Isom Hardin and Ina
Hardin. Numerous presents were made by the guests, and a very
pleasant evening was spent despite the cold weather and drifting
snow.
The happy young couple left for Ames Wednesday evening where they
will immediately begin housekeeping. Mr. Louthan is an assistant
instructor in the Dairy Department of the State Agricultural
College and the prospects for happiness and prosperity of the
young people seem assured. Many friends of both bride and groom
will extend hearty congratulations.
Shooting at Larrabee
For some time the temperance people of Larrabee have suspected
that Harry McWhirter, a druggist there, was selling liquors
contrary to law. The report is that recently his drug store was
searched, liquors were found and he was arrested and fined $300.
At any rate Rev. E. L. Benedict the Methodist minister of that
place seems to have been concerned in the prosecution and Monday
he and McWhirter met in the office of the Larrabee Review.
Benedict held out his hand to McWhirter but the latter struck
him. Editor Harris prevented further trouble at the time but it
seems Benedict expected another assault for her says citizens of
the town urged him to arm himself and that two of them got a
revolver for him. About eight o'clock in the evening while going
for his mail he was attacked by McWhirter and a fellow named
Burke. Benedict promptly fired his revolver at McWhirter, the
bullet striking him in the left breast and wounding him badly.
Burke ran. Benedict asked that an officer be sent for. The
sheriff came up from Cherokee and took the minister to jail.
Wednesday Benedict was admitted to bail in the sum of $10,000 and
went to his father's home in Sioux City. Reports are somewhat
conflicting as to McWhirter's condition, but it seems the bullet
is in his left lung at present, and his condition is serious to
say the least.
A number of Sutherland people know McWhirter or know of him and
they say little that is good of his character. Benedict is a
young man who graduated last year from Morningside College at
Sioux City and has the reputation of being upright and
gentlemanly in every respect. He is athletic though slender, but
probably would hardly be a match physically for McWhirter who
probably weighs 180 pounds and has been a foot racer of some
note. There have been many surmises as to probable threats made
by McWhirter but we have given all we have learned definitely.
Benedict says he acted in self defense and feels perfectly
justified in his action.
[transcribed by A.N., November 2011]
-----
Paullina Times
Paullina, O'Brien co. Iowa
November 19, 1896
The Rev. Benedict who is one of the principals in the Larrabee
shooting affair is said to be a son of the Evangelist Benedict
who four years ago labeled a certain portion of our town,
"Hell's Half-Acre." The supposition has always
prevailed that while here upon his mission of saving souls this
exhorter failed in drawing as large attendance to his meeting as
he thought was deserved, and this certain portion of the town's
people who are adverse to being the blunt of public abuse failed
to lend their ears to the evangelist's extravagant talk at random
and as a result the name given still jocularly clings to that
part of the town which the inhabitants know to be as God-loving,
virtuous and moral as any place in the world. It is perhaps
superfluous to ad, however, that there are some people in
Paullina who have very little use for evangelists, although they
are not at all prejudiced against the son of an evangelist who
has the courage to take care of himself, and, although a minister
of the gospel, fully appreciates his ability to guard his life
against the attacks of ruffianism.
Mr. Joachim Kruse of Caledonia township, the aged father of John
and Louis Kruse, died on Monday of last week at the age of 76
years, 2 months and 26 days. Mr. Kruse had been an invalid for a
year or more, his old age interfering somewhat with recovery from
his illness which was not at first considered dangerous. The
funeral sermon was conducted in the German language at the
Germantown church on Tuesday of this week by the pastor, Rev.
Horn, and the body laid to rest according to the customs of the
German Lutheran Society.
Many are the congratulations received by Paullina people upon the
receipt of their recent magnificent gift of a library and
building due to the generosity of its former esteemed citizen,
Mr. Fred G. Frothingham, who died in Boston on November 3rd.
Has Business at Home
Now that Bro. Harris of the Larrabee Review has
come face to face with a rare opportunity - the chance of a
lifetime - his breathless silence is something heartrending. The
benedict-Mewhirter shooting scrape last week at his own home did
not furnish him with as much material for his usual display of
virtuous indignation as the fact that Jehue had moved from
Cherokee to Paullina, or that "Hod" Richardson had been
beaten out of $40 by Larrabee stock buyers. After reading
Harris's account of the shooting of Mewhirter by Benedict it
requires an elastic intellect to comprehend whether Mewhirter
shot Benedict or Burke shot Mewhirter and Benedict fled to
Sheriff Wheeler. We give below a part of the Review's history of
events leading up to the trouble, the result of which was given
in The Times last week:
"Like half the human woes, the trouble began with rum. An
animosity was engendered between Druggist Mewhirter and the
ministers of the town when, about three weeks ago, the
Ministerial Association warned the druggist against the illegal
sale of intoxicating liquors. This wind had apparently blown
itself out and all was again amicable on the surface until last
week, when coals were again thrown on the dying embers by a
search of Mewhirter Co.'s drug store by Sheriff Wheeler with a
search warrant sworn out by E. L. Benedict. Witnesses were
subpoenaed before the grand jury and Mr. Mewhirter subsequently
indicted. We are reliably informed that Mr. Benedict was urged to
push the indictment by a lady of the town who was personally
interested.
On Monday afternoon Mr. Mewhirter came into the Review
office, and after discussing some advertising matters, saying
he'd have to drop his advertising and cut down expenses because
of his troubles lately, and with a little further conversation
went out. Shortly after Harry went out, Mr. Benedict came in with
some copy. He went into our writing room to draw a check for some
job work. He had just finished and stepped to the door of the
room to make some remark when Mr. Mewhirter again returned. The
two gentlemen recognized each other and advanced to shake hands.
We were occupied at the time and if anything was said between
them it was not in such a tone as to attract our notice. There
was a slight shuffle at which we glanced up and saw Mr. Benedict
falling. Mr. Mewhirter followed up falling on top of him back of
the stove. We got them to stop and Mr. Mewhirter immediately went
before Mayor Ballou, plead guilty and was fined $5 and costs,
amounting all told to $9.30."
--
Mr. and Mrs. E. Lustfeld returned home Monday evening. After
attending the funeral of Mr. Frothingham at Boston, Mr. Lustfeld
visited with relatives and friends at Chicago and Story City,
Iowa. He arrived in Boston on the evening before the funeral,
which was attended only by near relatives and immediate friends,
according to the request of deceased. Two brothers, two sisters,
a cousin who is the present governor of Massachusetts, and Mr.
Lustfeld, were about the only mourners, although numerous
requests for permission to attend the last rites were made and
refused. Mr. Frothingham's family connections are socially of
high degree, and are of extreme wealth and potent influence. His
own wealth is placed away into the thousands, but there are few
persons who have even a meagre idea as to his probable wealth.
[transcribed by A.N., April 2016]
-----
Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
20 Nov 1896
p 5 col 2
Clint Hakeman's five-year-old boy was running about the kitchen
last Friday evening when his head struck a frying pan which
someone was carrying. The frying pan was full of melted grease
which was emptied right into his face, burning him frightfully.
His eyesight does not seem to be injured, but other parts of his
face will probably be considerably disfigured.
John Murrey of Alameda, Cal., in a letter to C. F. McCormack, in
which he refers to the removal of the remains of Mrs. Sage, says:
"Please thank the old neighbors who were so kind to take up
the remains of my aunt and place them beside the old gentleman,
as he would feel very grateful if he know they were to do it, and
any expense they were to please pay it to them, and if I should
come back there I will try to show my appreciation of their
generous act."
[transcribed by A.N., November 2011]
-----
Paullina Times
Paullina, O'Brien co. Iowa
November 26, 1896
The marriage of Miss Sophie Brockman off Caledonia township to
Mr. Henry Otto of Cherokee county was celebrated at the German
Evangelical church in Germantown last Sabbath. The bride is one
of Caledonia's bright and winsome young ladies and the groom is a
farmer who lives near Aurelia, where the contracting parties will
make their future home.
The Granville paper of the 20th says: "Frank Fisch
discharged a revolver Tuesday, the ball striking a window pane in
J. J. Ingram's house. Mrs. Ingram stood looking out of the window
at the time and the ball struck her in the breast, but it had
spent its force, so no wound was inflicted. Papers were made out
Thursday before Justice Goeppel and Frank Fisch was arrested.
Unless settlement is made, the trial will be held Saturday. Too
much care cannot be taken about the use of fire arms, especially
when loaded.
Misses Emma and Reka Kruse of Chicago returned home Tuesday,
accompanied by their mother, Mrs. Joachim Kruse of Caledonia
township.
December 3d is the date announced for the marriage of Rev. E. L.
Benedict of Larrabee and Miss Blanche Dean of Primghar.
The School Board has employed Miss Berta Mitchell to take the
place in the public schools made vacant by the resignation of
Miss Blanche Dean.
Rumor has it the opera house company has rented the building to a
local firm to be used as an agricultural warehouse. The opera
house has long been a losing investment to the owners and they
are only taking the quickest and best means to get interest out
of their property.
Mrs. Janet Long, well known in Primghar, has brought suit in the
Circuit Court in Chicago praying for a mandamus to compel the
state Board of Health to issue her a certificate to practice
medicine and surgery. She is a graduate of the Illinois Medical
College and Summer School of Medicine and the state board has
refused to recognize the instution [sic].
Nothing But Censure - That is What the Newspapers Offer
to Harry Mewhirter - Comment Upon the Larrabee Shooting Affair
Primghar Bell:
Rev. E. L. Benedict, the Larrabee minister, who, in self defense,
shot Harry Mewhirter at Larrabee last week, of which we made
mention, was the guest of friends here over Sunday, going to
Sioux City Monday morning, via Sheldon. He will remain there
several days and then to go Larrabee, where he will have a
preliminary hearing before Justice Alexander, tomorrow, Friday.
Rev. Benedict promised a Bell reporter an interview; but
through a misunderstanding none was obtained. From friends,
however, we obtained the following facts as being his side of the
story:
It seems that ever since Mewhirter went to Larrabee he has been
the cause of much trouble, and numerous quarrels; he has sold
liquor without a permit, so it is claimed. He applied for a
permit at the August term of court, but on account of a
remonstrance gotten up by the ministerial association it was not
granted. He tried again at the October term; but for the same
reason did not obtain one. Not long since Rev. Benedict, who
belongs to the association, swore out a search warrant, and as a
result Mewhirter was indicted by the grand jury for running a
nuisance and the illegal selling of liquors. The druggist and the
minister had not been on very good terms for some time; and this
seemed to be the last straw needed; so that when Mewhirter saw
Rev. Benedict enter the Review office he followed. The minister
had one hand in his overcoat pocket, and as the druggist came in
he held out the other to shake hands. Mewhirter took it and held
it and with his other hand struck the minister in the neck,
knocking him backwards over a coal box. He fell on the floor back
of the stove with the druggist on top of him still hitting at
him. Editor Harris separated them and ordered Mewhirter out of
the office. By this time the indignant minister was on his feet
and told Harris not to mind, that he could take care of himself
now. Mewhirter then went to the mayor and wanted to be fined, so
as to save a public trial.
The affair occasioned much talk and Mewhirter is said to have
made threats to "do up" the preacher; so that gentleman
went to his friends and asked their advice, and they obtained a
revolver for him, and told him to use it if again attacked. That
evening at about 8 o'clock as Mr. Benedict was going to the post
office he met Dick Gray near the post office, and thinking it was
Mewhirter he turned out a little; but seeing who it was he went
on; but the former having seen Mewhirter and a rough named Rollin
Burk talking together near the post office turned to watch the
preacher pass them. Just as Benedict got even with them he saw
the two make a rush for him. The minister saw them coming and
drawing his revolver shot the druggist just in time to keep him
from striking him, as he was so close that the discharge of the
weapon burned his clothes. On hearing the shot Burk took to his
heels and ran. Rev. Benedict went across the street and gave
himself up and asked that the sheriff be sent for. On the arrival
of that officer from Cherokee Benedict was taken there and lodged
in jail until morning, by his request. In the morning his bail
was fixed at $10,000, and his friends promptly signed it. It is
said that farmers came for many miles to get a chance to go bail
for him, and that a $100,000 bond could have easily been raised.
The above are the facts as near as we can obtain them.
Rev. Benedict feels that his action was fully justifiable though
he regrets the necessity of it, as do his many friends here and
elsewhere, though they are all of the belief that he will be
discharged by the grand jury. Last reports from Mewhirter are to
the effect that he is up and around and will soon recover.
Larrabee Review:
While the Review man knows as well as anyone that Harry Mewhirter
has his faults, yet we do not believe it square at all to kick
him and lie about him simply because he is down, as some jim crow
correspondents have been dong to the daily papers. Whatever his
character may be, he has made it himself, and like us all, must
abide by it. But many of the reports about his reputation are
false. We know personally that his mother was an invalid for
years and in fact had already passed away when the report of
Harry's Sioux City troubles reached Little Rock. That Sioux City
deal had foundation but was chiefly a blackmailing scheme. If the
Larrabee drugstore had been the scene of frequent drunken brawls,
we never heard of it until we saw the account in a paper
published in central Iowa. Then that fairy tale about his
greyhaired father, with tears coursing down his pallid cheeks,
praying by the bedside of his wayward son, causes one's innermost
soul to give a horse laugh. That's all stuff. Tell the truth or
keep quiet. We are neither abetting Mewhirter or Benedict, but we
do believe each of them should be treated fairly. They both have
trouble enough on their hands, and its contemptibly little to
take advantage of it.
[transcribed by A.N., April 2016]
-----
Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
27 Nov 1896
p 4 col 1
December 3rd is the date announced for the marriage of Rev. E. G.
Benedict of Larrabee and Miss Blanche Dean of Primghar.
p 4 col 2
Mrs. Janet Long, well known in Primghar, has brought suit in the
Circuit Court in Chicago praying for a mandamus to compel the
State Board of Health to issue her a certificate to practice
medicine and surgery. She is a graduate of the Illinois Medical
College and Summer School of Medicine and the state board has
refused to recognize the institution.
Clerk Armstrong has just compiled his annual report to the State
Board of Health showing the marriages, births and deaths reported
in the county the past year. The totals are: 228 births, 118
marriages and 50 deaths. The reports as to the deaths and the
births are manifestly incorrect, but the physicians are quite
careless in the matter. There is a law providing a fine for this
neglect, but it seems to be a dead letter.
p 5 col 2
Lee Maynard and Miss Nettie Cilley of Peterson were married
yesterday afternoon and will settle down in Sutherland.
p 5 col 6
Ocheyedan Press - A very pleasant social event occurred
at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Page Osborne on Wednesday evening,
Nov. 18th, 1896, in the marriage of their son, Albert J. Osborne
and Miss Edna L. Simar. These young people are well and favorably
known in our vicinity, and they carry with them the best wishes
of many friends as they launch their craft on the matrimonial
sea. Only the near relatives were present. At the close of the
exercises the friends partook of a splendid supper.
[transcribed by A.N., November 2011]