Iowa Old Press
Paullina Times
Paullina, O'Brien co. Iowa
March 3, 1898
Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Lemberg were called to Gladbrook, Iowa, to
attend the funeral of Mrs. Lemberg's mother.
Mrs. Montzheimer is enjoying a visit from her mother, Mrs.
Fenton, of Webster City.
Marriage licenses were issued Monday to Chas. F. Bevins and Ella
Horton; P. M. Shirk and Fannie Holmes; Samuel Sommerville and
Eliza Hazelton; Edwin P. Brunes and Ida Struthers.
Miss Sarah Thompson, of Buffalo Center, Iowa, was united in
marriage to George S. Livermore at the above named place on
February 22d. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew
Thompson, who were residents of Paullina some years ago.
Tjossem and Sutherland, the Klondikers who departed Monday, have
been accused of lugging away the Simpson-Elliott gold seine for
use in the Yukon river. This is the same contrivance that Jim
Simpson tested on the large salmon in the Columbia river a few
years ago while seining for floating gold. Simpson, who now
resides at LeMars, will be accused of owning several shares of
stock in the "Paullina-Alaskan Mining, Seining and
Development Expedition," his promise of reward being in the
shape of a supply of fish. The net which once made Simpson famous
will now be put to more profitable use.
John Tjossem and Wells Sutherland bade their families and friends
farewell Monday at noon, drove to Cherokee where they joined a
number of other gold seekers and left over the Illinois Central
railway for the Klondike country. A large number of the boys'
admiring friends gathered about the carriage to say good-bye and
encourage them with hearty good wishes. Will Glazier, who joined
them at St. Paul, departed the same day. What is in store for our
adventurous friends who are about to risk their lives for fortune
is now only a matter of conjecture. Two years, at least, will
pass before their return and whatever may be their financial
gain, they are assured of a rich mine of valuable experience. We
wish them well.
[transcribed by A.N., May 2014]
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Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
March 4, 1898
Marriage licenses were issued Monday to Chas. F.
Bevins and Ella Horton; P. M. Shirk and Fannie Holmes; Sam'l
Somerville and Eliza Hazelton; Edwin P. Bruner and Ida Struthers.
Mr. Merrill returned from Des Moines Monday afternoon. He now
looks like a new man with a new artificial leg.
Odebolt Chronicle: Miss Philomena Ennis, a teacher in
the Holstein school, engaged a substitute for three days and
married P. P. White, the Schaller attorney. The school board held
a meeting and removed her, whereupon she appealed to the county
superintendent. That official reversed the finding of the board
holding that it was illegal because the teacher was not cited to
appear and had no knowledge of the board's contemplated action.
He also held that her absence for such a short period, when she
had notified the principal and engaged a substitute, wasn't
sufficient cause for removal. The board will appeal to the state
superintendent - and get licked.
Garwin Gazette: At a meeting of the school board, last
Saturday evening, the principal was authorized to send home all
scholars that use tobacco in any form. It would be well for
parents to look after their boys as there are hardly any boys in
the town but what chew or smoke. We hope that the board will see
to it that this ruling is strictly complied with, let it strike
whom it may. This has reference to the use of tobacco on or off
the school grounds.
Hurrah for Aldinger
We almost said, "Hurrah for Sutherland!" for Fred
Aldinger is a Sutherland boy. Last week Thursday night he
participated in an oratorical contest at Indianola. Seven other
young men, the brightest and brainiest young fellows that Iowa
colleges can produce were also in the contest. Fred has swept the
board at Drake University some weeks ago as noted in the Courier.
As at Drake, the orations were judged at Indianola on the basis
of thought, composition and delivery. When the judges came in to
report their decision they announced that F. C. Aldinger had won
on all three points.
It is a great honor to win in such a contest, but when the victor
proved to better in thought, composition and delivery than any of
the other seven the honor is trebly great. And now Fred is to
represent Iowa in a contest with the best speakers from six or
seven other states. It seems like a big thing to expect but his
friends are hopeful to see him proved to be the best orator in
the central Mississippi valley.
Fred's oration was entitled, "Webster on the
Constitution." The second place was won by Jesse L. Corley
of Iowa College whose subject was, "The Fifteenth
Century." J. L. Ward of the Upper Iowa University was third
with, "The Grim Chieftain." It is needless to say that
those from Drake University who attended the contest were
hilarious over the result. When they returned to Des Moines a
vast crowd was at the station and a long procession of students
and others marched to the university.
Bruner - Struthers
Wednesday afternoon at the home of David Patrick was solemnized
the marriage of Edwin P. Bruner and Miss Ida Struthers. About
forty guests were present, nearly all of whom were relatives of
the contracting parties. Rev. Green performed the ceremony.
Pearl Bruner is a member of the firm of Fields & Bruner, the
young men who have lately gone into the dray business here. Miss
Struthers has been living in Sioux City. The young people will
immediately go to housekeeping in Z. T. Fields's house in
Litzel's addition, where A. W. Sterling has lived for some time.
Many friends will congratulate the happy couple.
[transcribed by A.N., April 2012]
-----
Paullina Times
Paullina, O'Brien co. Iowa
March 10, 1898
David Fanning was adjudged insane last Saturday and taken to the
state asylum at Independence last Sunday night by Deputy Sheriff
Morgan. He has been ill of late and it is thought that this and
business worries have turned his mind. He is an old settler here,
owning a quarter section of land south of town that he had
entered as government land until within a few years ago. On the
application of his wife, J. L. E. Peck was appointed guardian of
his estate.
Born - To Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Bloodgood, Monday,
March 7, a daughter.
Mrs. H. H. Benner and Mrs. George Moore received an invitation to
the wedding of Miss Nellie Mooers, a sister of the former and
aunt of the latter, which occurred at Moville, Ia., yesterday.
The marriage of Miss Ella Fife to Harry E. Benson, both of Dale
township, was performed by Rev. Andrew Herron on Tuesday, March
8, 1898, at the home of Chris Fife, brother of the bride. The
bride is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Fife, near town, and
the groom is a young man who has been for some time in the employ
of Hector Cowan, Jr. Both are excellent young people and belong
to the class of thrifty citizens who have brought to the front
the name of Dale. A large number of friends and relatives
witnessed the ceremony. Among the latter we learn were present
four generations of the groom's family.
Mrs. John Tjossem will reside with Mr. and Mrs. O. P. Tjossem, in
Dale, while John is in the Klondike country.
[transcribed by A.N., May 2014]
-----
Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
March 11, 1898
Mrs. A. E. Hayes received a telegram Monday to the effect that a
little grandchild had died at Sioux Falls. She left for that
place Tuesday morning.
Frank Bethel, editor of the Paullina Times, has arranged
for a special representative to go to the Klondike and write to
the Times an exact account of just how things are in
that little known golden land. John Tjossem is the young man who
will act as the Times's correspondent. With another
young man he has already started for the far north.
Deputy Sheriff Martin and his deputies who have been on trail at
Wilkes-Barre, Penn., for murder, for shooting and killing
strikers at Lattimer, September 10th, were, on Wednesday, found
not guilty. The jury were unanimous on the first ballot. There
are still seventeen indictments standing against them for murder,
and thirty-eight for feloniously wounding.
A fire broke out in Laurens Tuesday morning about four o'clock
and before it could be subdued ten buildings on the west side of
the main business street were destroyed. The loss aggregates
something over $58,000. Most of the losers had some insurance.
Laurens has what is considered a fine system of water works but
it took four hours to stop the fire and then it seems to have
burned everything in reach.
We hear that Miss Beatrice McKean was married about a month ago
and is now traveling with her husband in Illinois.
Sheldon Mail: It is reported that Rev. Wm. Utley, who
held forth in Sanborn for a time as a Unitarian minister, died
recently in an insane asylum at Washington, D. C.
Paullina Times: John Tjossem and Well Sutherland bade
their families and friends farewell Monday at noon, drove to
Cherokee where they joined a number of other gold seekers and
left over the Illinois Central railway for the Klondike country.
A large number of the boys' admiring friends gathered about the
carriage to say good-bye and encourage them with hearty good
wishes. Will Glazier, who joined them at St. Paul, departed the
same day. What is in store for our adventurous friends who are
about to risk their lives for fortune is now only a matter of
conjecture. Two years, at least, will pass before their return
and whatever may be their financial gain, they are assured of a
rich mine of valuable experience. We wish them well.
Mr. Fleming was adjudged insane and Sunday evening was taken to
the insane hospital at Independence.
[transcribed by A.N., April 2012]
-----
Paullina Times
Paullina, O'Brien co. Iowa
March 17, 1898
Harry Ehlers and wife were called upon to part with their son on
Monday of this week. The child was about two years of age, and
had been sick with measles and lung fever. The funeral was held
yesterday.
Born - To Mr. and Mrs. G. Gustafson, of Dale township, a
daughter.
It is reported that Miss Maude Knudtson and Clyde Vreeland were
married at Milford the past week. Both parties are well known to
all our citizens. - Sioux Rapids Republican [Clyde
Vreeland used to live in Paullina.]
Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Cannon passed through Paullina Saturday
evening bound for Philadelphia, Tennessee. A telegram summoned
them to the bedside of R. N. Cannon, who was last week removed
from a winter resort in North Carolina and taken home. When the
news was spread that Mr. Cannon was dangerously sick, there were
many anxious friends about town who wanted to learn of his
condition. His associates here have been aware of his serious
condition for some time, but the facts were not allowed to reach
his home to cause unnecessary worry among his relatives.
"Bob" Cannon has always been a friend of the town, and
the general concern manifested and the words of sympathy uttered
here are but faint expressions of the sorrow that fills the
hearts of all in the knowledge that their best friend is in so
critical a condition. That he may rally and eventually recover
and again become one of us the wish of all his Paullina
acquaintances.
Sam Roseland received a telegram Tuesday informing him of the
death of his brother at Marshalltown. He left immediately for
that place.
Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Braig were summoned to the bedside of Mr.
Braig's mother at Bellevue, Jackson county, Tuesday of this week.
The lady is advanced in years and is not expected to recover.
Rev. Hatheway departed on Wednesday for Kansas to attend the
wedding of his sister and to take a short respite from pulpit
work. His hard work of the past winter surely entitles him to
this brief rest.
[transcribed by A.N., June 2017]
-----
Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
March 18, 1898
W.O. Stockwell and wife of Peterson were in Sutherland Wednesday
to attend the Stockwell-Williams wedding.
Mrs. Frank Bidwell received a telegram Tuesday, with the sad news
that her mother, Mrs. Mary A. Pritchett, had died at four o'clock
that morning. Mrs. Bidwell left of the 4:52 train for Hinton,
near Sioux City, where her mother had been living with one of her
other children. Mrs. Pritchett was 78 years old and has had some
kind of heart disease for a long time. It is likely this disease
caused her death as she had been as well as usual only a day or
two before.
While visiting at Gilmore City Miss Minnie Hockert had the
pleasure of attending the wedding of Miss Martha Day, a niece of
Mrs. H. A. Sage. The groom was Mr. Lester Haines of Minneapolis.
The ceremony was performed at seven o'clock in the morning as the
young couple left on an early train for Minneapolis. An elegant
breakfast was served after the ceremony. The house was
beautifully decorated with cut flowers. Mrs. Sage was present
from Gladstone.
Tuesday, March 15th, at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and
Mrs. L. D. Cobb, Rev. H. B. Green officiating, occurred the
wedding of Horace M. Chapman and Miss Hattie Cobb. Owing to the
serious illness of Mrs. Cobb's mother, only relatives were
present.
The bride has lived long enough in this vicinity to be well known
and to have a host of friends. The groom is a young man of fine
character and is also well known in this vicinity. We join with
many others in wishing happiness to the newly wedded pair.
A Goodly Windfall
Henry Ploen was down from Pipestone, Minn., from Friday to
Monday. He tells us that his wife's uncle, Johann Rathje, died
July 4, 1897, at Silberstedt, Schleswig-Holstein in Germany,
leaving a fortune of at least 50,000 marks, 35,000 of which is in
cash and the remainder in real estate. This is in addition to a
good sized fortune which was left to Mr. Rathje's wife. The
50,000 marks is to be divided equally among eight heirs of whom
Mrs. Ploen is one. The will provides that if any of the heirs
express dissatisfaction with the division such heir or heirs
shall receive nothing. The will has been probated and Mrs. Ploen
expects soon to receive her share of the 35,000. The executor of
the will has thought it best to rent the farm land for this year
and offer it for sale. The many friends of the Ploens hereabout
will be glad to hear of this good fortune.
Uncle John Fuller of Columbia Falls, Montana, who has been ill so
long died last Friday night. Most of the old settlers of this
part of the county will hear this news with sadness for he was
well known and liked here where he used to live.
Mrs. Parker received the news yesterday that her father, Wm.
Crooks, had died at Springfield, S. D., Wednesday afternoon. Mr.
Crooks was a soldier in the war of the rebellion, being a member
of Co. D of the 28th Wisconsin Infantry. He was about 78 years
old and has been ill for several weeks.
Stockwell - Williams
Wednesday evening, March 16th, at the residence of the bride,
Rev. H. B. Green officiating, William Stock well and Mrs. Sophia
Williams were married. Only relatives and a few immediate friends
were present. Promptly at eight o'clock the wedding party entered
the parlor while Miss Bush played Mendelssohn's Wedding March.
Rev. Green in an impressive manner pronounced the words that
joined for life the contracting parties.
Immediately after the ceremony a bountiful supper was served by
Misses Beam, Bush and Bigelow. Many appropriate presents were
received by the happy couple. These people are both too well
known to need any introduction from us. They will receive many
hearty good wishes for future happiness and prosperity from a
large number of friends and acquaintances.
Married - At the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.W.
Hill, Wednesday, March 16, Mr. Walter Lanning and Miss Matie P.
Hill.
[transcribed by A.N., April 2012]
-----
Paullina Times
Paullina, O'Brien co. Iowa
March 24, 1898
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Grave of Highland township, mourn the loss of
a child one and a half years of age. Death occurred Saturday and
the funeral was held on Monday. Measles followed by lung fever
was the cause.
Born - To Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Rose, March 18, a son; to Mr. and
Mrs. Lewis Larsen, March 20, a daughter; to Mr. and Mrs. A. W.
Augustson, March 11th, a daughter.
The marriage of C. H. Arfman to Miss Florence English, both of
Paullina, was solemnized at Primghar yesterday, Rev. Phoenix
performing the rites. These people are favorably known here. The
groom is employed at the Palace Meat Market. They have begun
housekeeping above the Lustfeld store.
Alice Wilson et al vs. W. J. Marsh was action to have a guardian
appointed for W. J. Marsh on ground that he was incapable of
doing his own business. The fight was really between members of
his family, each of whom wanted a guardian favorable to their
side of the case appointed. The court after a two days hearing
appointed the oldest son, and in giving his opinion took occasion
to reprimand all the children of the defendant for their
heartlessness and unkindness. It appeared that the children had
been more interested in controlling the property of their father
than they had to see that he was supplied with the necessities
and comforts of life and the court thought the whole proceeding
disgraceful.
Men Who Have Made Paullina - Pen Sketch of Prominent
Paullina Men Who Have Contributed Materially To The Town's
Wonderful Development - Glimpses Of Our Largest Building
- written by the editor Frank Bethel
A town cannot be built by one person, nor can it be built in a
day, no matter how many take a part in the building. Every town
represents the product of much labor ant time and the energies of
many men acting together for a common purpose. Personal
aggrandizement, and individual advancement do not share the
smallest place in the mind of the public benefactor; broad and
lofty citizenship which does not trample the welfare of
legitimate competition, but instead adds lustre to the town's
business standing is the admirable quality in the make-up of a
successful business man.
There exists an old saying that it takes all kinds of people to
make a world. While this may be true, it is true also that there
are only two kinds in a community, or in a town and they either
make or break a town according to which is in the ascendancy.
Here we find one kind with shoulders to the wheels of progress,
struggling to push the old wagon along over the obstacles thrown
in the road by the other kind. The one kind thrifty and
provident, the love of humanity in their hearts, assist every
worthy project to the extent of their individual capacities.
Private enterprise wins support and encouragement. They like to
see prosperity of others on account of energy and industry is
noted with feelings of pride by this class. Every public
improvement dictated by sound judgment meets their approval. When
a town has reached a stage of permanency this class of men find
that their own success has been achieved by reason of the success
obtained by others; the whole community has grown, the enterprise
and patience of that community has asserted itself and the
strength gathered by a mighty union of business sagacity, keen
foresight and unselfish devotion to principle. Here is a class
that builds up a town.
We cannot dilate upon the other kind. They are, thanks to an all
gracious providence, in the overwhelming minority in the little
city long ago christened the "Gem of the Prairies." But
we have them, just the same. This class is here and is so small
in comparison that four constables and a search warrant would be
required to find them all. This class is composed of a few
carping, improvident critics - sour and selfish scabs on
humanity; they were born tired and never outgrew it; they insist
that the world owed them a living and therefore feed at the
public crib. With this class of people at the head of a town's
business men, the place often dies of rot. In Paullina this class
has a back seat, hence the place has grown in wealth, in
morality.
There used to be a time when the town's most enthusiastic
admirers though there was a "Paullina way" of doing
things - a magical "happen-so" that regulated our
prosperity and built the success of the town. They imagined the
adage-makers were wrong in declaring that there is no royal road
to wealth; but that idea has been abandoned. Paullina is the
product of patient toil and persistent effort participated in by
its business institutions and its individual citizens. The
progressive class is on top; industry has its reward' public
enterprise stands in triumph.
This is no idle boast. Glance at the town's many general
improvements; there's the evidence. Note the various places of
business; let our thoughts run a few years into the past. When
the writer first knew the men who formed the subject of this
sketch they were a long way from prosperity's shining goal. Each
made his start under unfavorable conditions' no special favors
were found. Louie Wollenberg, one of the sterling representatives
of the town's progressive institutions, came here in 1883. He is
the senior member of the firm of Wollenberg & Co. If he came
with any large amount of surplus capital he was careful in
keeping the fact concealed. "Steve" Harris, another of
the town's first citizens and one who does not enjoy newspaper
notoriety, began his O'Brien county career as a plain farmer. Now
he is cashier of the Farmers State Bank, one of the town's
foremost institutions and one that has always represented and
urged the town's advancement upon the basis of the "greatest
good to the greatest number." "Ed" Bachman, junior
member of the firm of L. Wollenberg & Co., came to Paullina
in 1893 after serving faithfully as salesman for Adkins &
Claussen, went to Hawarden for a short time and, recognizing the
numerous advantages Paullina holds as a business center, returned
in January, this year buying a half interest in the Wollenberg
establishment. While he has not accumulated wealth and gained his
business prestige in Paullina, both have been the result of the
same untiring energy and commendable frugality that have been the
winning characteristics in the careers of the other gentlemen.
Here we have two leading firms of our embryo city. These are two
from a list of a hundred others of which in nearly every case
could be related similar successes.
Wollenberg & Co.
That the business career of Wollenberg & Co. has
been a magnificent financial success is so self-evident that it
goes without saying, and it is a remarkable fact that this
success has been achieved upon strictly business principles, and
there has been no element of speculation in the operations by
which they have built their immense business. By their own
business foresight and prudence, by seizing the opportunity when
it presented itself and by attention to the details of business,
their competence and reputation is due, and to no one else
belongs the credit.
A notable factor in the success of this firm has been the
precaution that is always taken in the extension of credit to
customers. The practice so often indulged in of giving unlimited
credit to any and all who ask it is not a practice of the
institution. They are an adherent to the principle of "equal
rights to all and special privileges to none," and when a
prompt paying customer is dealt with he is not required to
contribute for the loss occasions by the person who never pays
his debts, for this kind of customer is not recognized as
belonging to the firm's patronage. True the firm loses a small
percentage of its accounts, but these are rare and are occasions
by failures of honest patrons rather than those who willfully
beat their creditors.
In all the public enterprises which have distinguished the town
of Paullina during the past ten years this firm and its
predecessors have borne their full share. In the upbuilding of
the town they have been foremost, and their pride in its
reputation and faith in its future is as enthusiastic as any of
its citizens, and to one who is acquainted with the public spirit
of the average Paullinaite this would be saying a great deal,
indeed.
L. Wollenberg
[article accompanied by sketch of Mr. Wollenberg]
L. Wollenberg began his business career in Paullina as a clerk in
the store of Adkins Brothers. Their's was the first general store
in town. D. H. Adkins is still in business here and the senior
member of the firm of Adkins & Claussen, M. H. Davis, of the
firm mentioned, now resides at Mitchellville, Iowa. It was not
long until the young man from Illinois saw in the future promise
of that which invariably grows from small beginnings. He was
employed a short time under the management of Bossert &
Schaaf, another of the town's general mercantile firms. Mr.
Bossert still has his home here while acting as traveling
salesman; Mr. Schaaf died several years ago. In September 1885,
Mr. Wollenberg united in partnership with J. W. Bunker, investing
his savings in the general merchandise business. The firm
attended to business in the building now serving as a meat market
for Strampe Bros. Mr. Bunker was postmaster at this time. Being
in need of more room, the firm soon after removed to the Hanson
& Meyer building. Afterwards, we believe, D. H. Adkins became
for a short time a member of the firm under the name of Bunker,
Wollenberg & Adkins. This was soon dissolved and the firm of
Bunker & Wollenberg was continued until August 1891. At this
time Mr. Bunker retired from the firm and the business was
continued by Mr. Wollenberg. Under his shrewd management an
immense business was soon built up and in a short time he found
his quarters inadequate. So in the spring of 1895 preparations
were begun for the erection of Paullina's largest building, known
as the Wollenberg block. The Farmers State Bank stood upon the
corner of the present site, and Mr. Wollenberg purchased the lots
surrounding the Bank. The Farmers State Bank joined in the move
and enlarged their place of business, then a small brick
structure, together completing in appearance one of the most
imposing structures, and in reality one of the most convenient
business establishments in the northwest, a very fair likeness of
which appears on this page. Mr. Wollenberg began occupancy of the
building in the following September.
He is a native of the state of Illinois, his parents being of
German birth, and it is perhaps to inherited qualities that he
owes his ability to make money and save it, for German thrift is
proverbial. He was born at Thornton, Cook county, Illinois,
October 5, 1858, being at the present time less than forty years
of age, and thus young enough to enjoy the fruits of a lengthy
period of successful labor. Too many live laborous lives,
struggling until success crowns their efforts, only to sink into
their graves and leave the accumulation of years to their
descendants to squander or do with it what they will. It is one
thing to accumulate wealth and another thing to keep it. It is
still a more difficult thing to enjoy it. Mr. Wollenberg has
managed to do all three. He has accumulated, he retains and he
enjoys its blessings as it is given to few to enjoy. And it is
not a selfish enjoyment by any means. The wealth placed in his
control is used for the benefit of mankind and his philanthropies
are as numerous and extensive as they are unostentatious.
His early life had in it nothing of the remarkable. His parents
were people of moderate circumstances, and he was not endowed
with many advantages when he commenced the battle of lie, other
than those natural to himself - sound health, a bright intellect
and a determination to succeed. He did not have an opportunity to
attend the common schools of his native city, so when he became a
young man alone in the world, he saw the need of education to
enable him to better fight life's battles. He is said to have
experienced considerable opposition from relatives in his desire
to receive such education, but he finally overcame this and
passed a very successful school career at the great normal and
business college at Valparaiso, Indiana. While the writer was
attending the same school a few years later he took the pains to
inquire into Mr. Wollenberg's school life, and from information
which is always at hand in that institution of learning we found
that he was far ahead of the average student in performing the
work placed in his hands. He was there the same young man of
unbounded activity and concentrated energy that he has shown
himself to be in business.
Personally Mr. Wollenberg is a man of conservative bearing yet
socially pleasant and agreeable. In his long intercourse with men
he has learned the art of being agreeable while under heavy
pressure of business cares. He has held the office of town
councilman two terms and will be returned to that office at the
election to be held this spring. He was married in 1888 to Miss
Belle West. They have a model home in a pleasant residence part
of town. Besides his equity in business here he is interested in
a general store at Germantown, Iowa, six miles west from this
place, under the firm name of Wollenberg & Beermann, his
partner in this business is postmaster of the village. Albert
Gruenhage acts as deputy postmaster and also attends to the
patronage of the store which has grown to goodly proportions.
Edward Bachman
[article accompanied by sketch of Mr. Bachman]
The junior partner of this firm, is a young man who has won his
way in the world by strict economy coupled with industrious
methods and hard work. His home was at Fulda, Minnesota, prior to
his removal to this place. He assists in the general management
of the store and has supervision of the advertising which has
aided materially in making new friends for the place. He is 24
years of age, unmarried and numbers his friends by the score.
There is much in store for him.
He was born in Austria in the year 1874, coming to America with
his parents in 1881 and settling near Mountain Lake, Minnesota.
He received a liberal education during his residence of eight
years at Mountain Lake. Two years of this time was passed in the
large mercantile establishment of David Ewert. This was his first
work in the commercial world and was began when but thirteen
years of age. His ability was at once recognized and he was
placed in charge of the hardware firm of Ewert, Goertz & Co.
which responsible position he occupied for a year. He afterward
moved to Fulda, Minnesota, and did excellent service for four
years in the employ of Hyslop Bros. He then came to Paullina, as
stated above.
--
Nothing contributes so much to the reputation and success of a
mercantile establishment as the manner in which it is conducted.
In the absence of either member of this firm the business
proceeds in the regular way. Two competent salesmen are always on
duty, paying strict attention to the wants of the large trade.
One of these is
Lewis Larsen
[article accompanied by sketch of Mr. Larsen]
who came to Paullina from Ruthven, Iowa, in 1889 and has been in
the employ of Mr. Wollenberg and his assistants ever since. He is
a young man of exceptionally sober habits, and is always
attentive to business. He has supervision of the books of the
firm. In planning the construction of the building he shared a
large part of the work to which he seemed especially adapted. His
careful labors have contributed in a large measure to the success
of the establishment. He is married and owns a pretty residence.
Sometime in the near future he will no doubt be the owner of a
business of his own, having already laid aside enough for a rainy
day which is invested in real estate.
Earl Thompson
[article accompanied by sketch of Mr. Thompson]
is another of the establishment's valued employees. He is a son
of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Thompson of this place. Being always ready
and willing to go where duty calls, and having at heart the
welfare of his employer he has become a permanent fixture of this
mammoth concern. He is yet young, is saving his money and is
destined to become one of our future property owners.
The "Wollenberg Block"
More properly might we cal this the Wollenberg-State
Bank Block, but custom has christened the structure and it is
commonly known as the "Wollenberg Block," or the
"Big Brick Block." Being located in the heart of our
little city and upon and facing the two principal thoroughfares,
the structure affords an imposing and impressive view. The south
front of fifty feet faces Broadway street, and the west front of
one hundred feet is looking out upon the principal street of the
town - Main. Of this portion of the building the State Bank
occupies a space of 22x50 feet front on the southwest corner, the
fifty feet front facing west. Brick walls divide the two
apartments, and twelve feet is taken off the north end of the
Bank for rental purposes, now being occupied by Watts &
McCracken, barbers. A four-foot stairway leading to the second
story of the Bank property is located next to this room and at
the extreme north end of that portion of the building belonging
to the Bank.
The leaves for Wollenberg & Co. an inside store space of
96x27 on the east side and additional space of 50x22 on the west.
This latter space contains in the northwest corner a flour
storage room 10x22 feet, and convenient storage quarters for
other goods in a room 10x32 feet. The balance of the floor space
of these rooms belongs to the store room proper, making OVER
4,000 FEET OF FLOOR SPACE not including the flour room. The walls
are of brick from the famous kilns at Sargeants Bluff, Iowa, and
are better for being an Iowa product. The entire frontage is
built of pressed brick of a light-red color; the style is wholly
modern and the architecture is plain in style but substantial in
structure. The artist has conveyed a more complete and
considerably less tiresome description of the exterior than words
can give, and we leave the reader here to see and admire this
immense monument to the industry and push of Paullina business
men. In thickness the outside brick walls measure fourteen
inches, having an air space of four inches. The whole structure
stands securely upon a solid foundation of stone which average
three feet on surface and are twelve inches in thickness. The
walls gradually diminish in thickness from the foundation to the
upper walls.
A convenient and not altogether the least necessary part of this
place is THE IMMENSE BASEMENT which takes up the same floor space
as the store proper. The foundation forms the side walls of the
basement, and the floor is of Portland cement and is carefully
protected from flooding during the wet seasons by a system of
drainage. A room in the basement 27x40 feet is used for rental
purposes. The balance of this portion of the building, except
that taken up by the large furnace, is used entirely for storage
purposes. Farm produce is often placed here in large quantities
and fruit and vegetables are stored in large profusion in the
winter, the place being frost proof and therefore safe from
damage by cold. This place is always filled with the best that
the markets afford, be it produce from the farm or groceries from
the hands of the eastern jobbers.
Competent judges have properly credited the Wollenberg place as
being, in points of SIZE, APPERANCE AND EQUIPMENT, far ahead of
any similar institution in the Northwest. We have spoken of the
size; and a very good idea may be gained of the appearance by a
glance at the interior view printed on this page. This view was
made by an artist who was employed for this special occasion and
that he did well no one will doubt when the details of such an
undertaking are at once imagined. The thousands of little
articles upon those miles of shelves; and the many hundreds of
fixture and appliances for display of goods are brought out wit a
delicate touch that only an artist can know.
In planning the construction and location of the shelving and
counters the utmost care was taken in arranging for convenience
as well as display. The goods in each department are within easy
access. The counters and shelves as well as the balance of the
wood work are of hard pine finished in hard oil. The danger of
shrinking is therefore reduced to a minimum, and the pleasing
effect to the eye still retained. The shelving is all fitted with
turned spindles between the shelves, thus making a great saving
of space. The entire store contains a total of 2734 square feet
of shelving surface. If these shelves were one foot in width and
placed in line they would easily reach the distance of more than
half a mile. The counters are all of convenient height for work
and are furnished with easy seats in both dry goods and shoe
departments. The counters throughout the store measure one
hundred forty lineal feet. They are of two widths - two and
one-half and three feet respectively. The counters and shelves
were also arranged and placed with a proper regard for
cleanliness, and there is little or no opportunity for the
accumulation of dirt or the harboring of rats, mice or vermin.
The DRY GOODS DEPARTMENT is located on the east side of the main
store room and extends from the south end of the room a distance
of fifty one feet. Five shelves thirty-two inches in width reach
the full length of the department. Beneath the base shelf are
located convenient drawers and tipping bins which are used for
the coarser goods, surplus supplies, articles not necessary to
display. This department is given the most particular attention
and is one of the most complete in size and up-to-date-ness in
the northwest.
CLOTHING DEPARTMENT. A large portion of the east side of the
store is also taken up with the clothing line. This extends the
balance of the length of the side and joins the dry goods
department. The north end of the store and a space of twenty feed
on the west side is also occupied with clothing, making a total
of fifty feet of four shelves from thirty-two to thirty-six
inches wide. Beneath the base shelf two more shelves extend the
full length of the department and are used principally for
storing of overalls and jackets. An extensive business is also
carried on in this portion of the store. To find exactly what is
wanted is an easy matter for the customer in search of a cheap
suit or a high priced garment. Men's and boys garments are
selected with especial care as to size and style, so that anyone
is enabled to find just the needed thing. Competition in this
line has always been invited by the firm and they taken pride in
the fact that they are never out-classed.
GROCERY DEPARTMENT. In this particular line is where the firm
excels. Twenty-eight feet of space in the north end of the
building is devoted entirely to this line and its accompaniments
such as tobacco, soaps, etc. Even the critic would be at sea in
this space which seems almost burdened with the loads of culinary
necessities that fill the large roomy shelves which are fourteen
to eighteen inches in width, five of them extending full length.
Below these shelves and also beneath the counter are located the
finest of dust-proof tipping bins which are always convenient and
remarkably easy to handle. The prices on this line of goods have
much to do with the large sales. The quality is always the best,
and when a customer once becomes thoroughly acquainted with the
kind of goods put upon the market he seldom finds grounds for
making a change. By selling such large quantities this firm is
enabled to keep the stock ever fresh. Opposite to this department
and upon the south walls of the room is located the
CROCKERY AND GLASSWARE department. The shelving in this portion
extends a distance of sixteen feet. These shelves vary in width
in order to better display the goods. The base shelf is three
feet wide, above this are three shelves twenty-six inches wide,
and still farther and reaching the ceiling are five more fourteen
inches wide. This line is always complete and is stocked with the
very latest patterns and designs, so that the same goods may be
obtained here at as low prices as they can be bought in the
cities. This department is supplied with a bicycle ladder, which
also is used in the department given to
BOOTS AND SHOES, HATS AND CAPS. Situated on the west part of the
main room are these important lines. The shelves extend forty-two
feet. Above a thirty-six inch base shelf are located the narrower
shelves reaching to the ceiling and ranging in width from
twenty-six inches down to fourteen inches in width. Here again
are used to great advantage the tipping bins sliding and drawers,
used mostly for rubber footwear and the coarser kinds of boots
and shoes. This line must be inspected by a prospective purchaser
to be fully appreciated. Most people are skeptical as regards
footwear, and often go so far as to demand a No. 7 shoe that will
fit a No. 9 foot; and it is said that Wollenberg & Co. are
able to do even this difficult kind of thing. There is no end to
their accomplishments and in these lines of goods they will do
almost any unheard-of thing to please their patrons.
A large wall show case is located at the south end of this
department. The cashier's and bookkeepers' desk is located at the
angle of the crockery and shoe departments, being in direct line
with the counters, and affording an easy view of the entire
store. This desk is protected by a heavy screen surrounding the
two sides. The woodwork is built and finished the same as the
balance of the furniture.
The two fronts are always kept in attractive shape, the windows
being deep and roomy.
THE SECOND FLOOR
Having given as briefly as possible an idea of the basement and
first floor, it remains for us to give mention of the second
story of this structure. There are in all eight office rooms, all
fronting Main street. These are occupied by the following
parties: Dr. E. Dudley, two rooms; Miss Belle Rossing,
dressmaker, two rooms; Dr. Maytum, dentist, two rooms; Hobson
& Crow, attorneys, two rooms. The east side of the same story
was built expressly for lodge purposes and has been leased to the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. They have furnished the rooms
in excellent taste, and the different secret orders of the town
have also the use of the apartment for meetings. The main room is
24x60 feet, with a reception room, 18x24 feet, two large ante
rooms, hallway and four closets. The walls and floor are deadened
from sound, and the whole place is calculated to fit the
requirements for which it was made. All rooms are easily reached
by means of a central hallway, the entrance being from the west
side.
The contract for this monstrous building was let to the Northern
Building Co. of Sioux City. The work was under the supervision of
J. Nason, one of the firm's trusted and experienced
superintendents of building. The entire work of building the
structure consumed about four month's time and was done with the
utmost care and nicety of workmanship. The total cost of the
building, including the cement pavement that surrounds the same,
cost over twelve thousand dollars.
FARMERS STATE BANK
This institution was organized in 1886. Prior to this
time for about a year Hakeman & Harris operated the State
Bank's predecessor as a private institution with good success.
This firm at the time did considerable real estate business and a
good deal of attention was given to insurance and kindred lines
of commercial transactions.
From the time the first deposit was made there has been that
public confidence in the bank so essential to business success.
During the financial depression of '96 and '97 the utmost safety
was felt by those who entrusted their savings to the safe keeping
of the bank. Being under the rigid surveillance of the state
auditor and being operated according to the laws of the state no
doubt had something to do with creating and maintaining such a
feeling of security among the extensive patronage of the bank,
but to the business sagacity and profound honesty and integrity
of its officials has been due the greater portion of the
institution's success. It has paid up capital of $25,000 and the
total deposits at time of the last public statement was $49,
624.23. All the present investments are at present in reliable
and profit-giving properties. Besides the general banking
business carried on, considerable attention is given to the
negotiating of real estate loans, writing of insurance, payment
of taxes, notary and clerical work, sale of steamship tickets,
etc. The present officers are: A. P. Jacobs, president; Stephen
Harris, cashier; G. W. Harris, assistant and Miss Bertha Rerick,
clerk. The present board of directors is composed of S. Harris,
A. P. Jacobs, C. Meltvedt, A. A. Hibbard and G. W. Harris.
A large fire-proof vault and burglar-proof safe form an important
part to the completeness of the interior arrangements. The
deposits are insured against the forcible attack of burglars and
the building has lately been provided with a system of burglar
alarms and electric gongs that are placed in other buildings to
provide against any intrusion by evil-disposed parties.
A. P. Jacobs
[article accompanied by sketch of Mr. Jacobs]
The public is wont to refer to banks as the business barometers
of a community, which comparison is no doubt a proper one; but
the officers of a bank stand in the same relation to the bank as
an institution as the bank must stand toward the community. A
business either stands or falls according to the individual
standing of its promoters for it is to them that the public looks
for assurances of honesty and cautiousness in management. The
ideal head of this banks' officers is A. P. Jacobs. He has held
this position for four years. He is one of the heaviest
stockholders of the concern. Very little of his time is consumed
in the affairs connected with the management as he is occupied
with an extensive hardware and farm implement business with which
he has been connected since 1886. He is a self-educated man and
has learned well the lesson of self-reliance. In his dealings
with men he never fails to impress them with his sincerity and
general regard for their rights as well as his own privileges.
His judgment is never hasty and never rash. Among his associates
upon the city council and the school board his opinions and
arguments are always in the right direction and are given the
most careful consideration. The writer has always believed that
he would have proven a desirable member of the county board of
supervisors, and we hope at some future time the people will see
fit to elevate him to that position.
The subject of the above brief sketch was born in Johnson county,
this state, in 1853, and is nearly forty-five years of age. He
moved to Cedar county, near Tipton, in 1864. In 1875 he left
Cedar county and explored the western states for a year,
returning to Iowa the following year - in the spring 1876. He
bought a quarter section of O'Brien county land two and one-half
miles southeast of Primghar, on section 4, Highland township,
living there until 1886, when he came to Paullina. In 1879 he was
married to Miss Hanna Johnson and they have a happy family of
three children, the oldest of whom is now attending school at
Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
He operated the hardware store in company with his
brother-in-law, W. W. Johnson, for a while and then purchased the
business, which he held down alone for a year. His brother, N. E.
Jacobs, now at Tipton, bought an interest in the business at this
time and the firm name continued as Jacobs Bros. for six years,
when the store again passed into his hands.
Stephen Harris
[article accompanied by sketch of Mr. Harris]
The cashier, Mr. Harris, is a native of the New England states,
having been born in the state of Maine in 1842. He moved with his
parents to Massachusetts in 1845 and passed his boyhood days in
Boston. When the civil war began he was one [of] the first to
enlist in the navy in '62. Later he joined a New York regiment of
cavalry and gave two years of this service to his country. Soon
after the war he found his way to Iowa and in 1869 made homestead
entry on a farm in Grant township. Farming proved at variance
with his tastes and in 1874 he moved to Primghar. His educational
qualifications led him into congenial pursuits and he was elected
county superintendent. Afterward he held the office of county
treasurer and also deputy treasurer for one term. He moved to
Paullina in 1882 and experimented with the restaurant business
for a time. Soon afterward he entered the real estate business
which was then thriving, forming a partnership with his
father-in-law, I. L. Rerick, under the name of Rerick &
Harris. This firm thrived in 1883. In 1885 Hakeman & Harris
launched the little private bank that has grown and prospered,
keeping pace with the growth and development of the town, until
it is recognized as one of the substantial properties of the
northwest.
Mr. Harris is painstaking in the clerical and executive burden
that he has borne for a long time, and still gives his entire
time and attention to the direction of the bank's affairs. He
holds the office of town recorder and also is clerk of the town
school board, and is indeed a busy man. He always extends an open
hand to the needy and is liberal toward the charitable
institutions of the town and community. He has a happy family to
which he is much attached and enjoys life with all the comforts
of a well-earned competence.
Geo. W. Harris
[article accompanied by sketch of Mr. George Harris and
sketch of Bertha Rerick, bookkeeper]
Geo. W. Harris, the assistant, and son of Stephen Harris, is a
valuable acquisition to the bank's enterprise. He is a young man
of extraordinary business foresight and intellectual attainments.
At present he has charge of the bank property known as the
general merchandise business of Harris & Co. The firm does an
extensive business and the responsibility of buying and keeping
of the accounts rests heavily upon him. Being a young man, active
in mind and body and trained for such work by natural instinct,
he makes a model manager. His earnings are being well invested
and his is one of the stock holders and directors of the bank.
The future looks promising for this young man.
ON THE WAY TO THE LAND OF GOLD
Our Correspondent Enjoys His Trip to Seattle - The
Journey Briefly Sketched - Seattle And Its Crop Of Liars - Off
For Dyea
Letter No. 1 - Times Correspondence
Seattle, Washington, March 6, 1898.
Dear Friends: Since leaving Paullina your correspondent abroad
has experienced a great many changes in climate and scenery. As
you perhaps know, I'm in the company of a "pardner,"
Wells Sutherland, of Paullina. Will Glazier is also with us and
has been considered a "pardner" so far, although he may
not continue to be such during our visit to the cold north.
Speaking of "pardners," a fellow told me the other day
that no one should venture to set out for Alaska without a
"pardner." He said he didn't mean partner - that word
sounds too smart and business-like. That word doesn't carry with
it any degree of sentiment. "But," continued the follow
who said he had dug more gold than "any livin' feller,"
what a man wants is a "pardner." From what the old
miner said I have pictured the "pardner" as one who has
passed through a succession of dangers and hardships with you.
Congeniality and implicit confidence are at the bas of
"pardnership," and for better or worse the two men must
stand as one under all circumstances, doubling each other's joys
and dividing sorrows and failures. It is abundantly certain now
that I have a "pardner" and am glad that I have been so
fortunate as to have one who will do his share of the
skirmishing. If Glazier's heart does not fail him, I will have
two "pardners" until we reach the gold regions.
But, to proceed, we have had all kinds of fun - almost a
continual round of laughter - since leaving home until reaching
here and when we heard "all out for Seattle" everything
was in a bustle; everybody was in a rush; carrying bundles,
sleeping bags, rifles, blankets, fur coats and everything
imaginable, things useful, and some things that I do not think
the people will have the least use for, and will be sold or
thrown away.
But to give you an account of our trip west. Arriving at Cherokee
on the 28th, we found everything was O. K. and we boarded the
cars there at 8:20 in the evening. Nothing of any consequence
happened from there to Fort Dodge, where we changed cares to the
M. & St. L. R. R. after waiting two hours and a half. It then
being very late we all made up the best beds we could out of
grips and overcoats and went to sleep. Nearly all were awake by
the time we reached Albert Lea, Minnesota. There we saw the first
Klondikers. Old men, young men, fat men and slim. It was quite
amusing to see them. Great big six shooters buckled to their
waists, with hunting knives a foot long stuck in the sheaths.
They had outfitted some place in the east, and every time some
one would come in they would pull out their six shooters and
exhibit them to the wonder of the "tenderfoot." My
impression is that they will probably turn back before they get
much farther and will show the "white feather" if some
one should happen to show them the way to use one of those guns.
We arrived at St. Paul about 8:30 in the morning, and waiting
there till 1:30, we took the Northern Pacific for the west. Here
we joined Glazier who came over another route and a more tickled
duck you never saw. He felt just like hugging us. I notice he has
tamed down some since. Everything in St. Paul was
"Klondike." You could not turn a corner unless some one
would accost you and want to show you some fine outfitting place.
From St. Paul we had a special train and would stop only at
"electric light" towns. Fifteen cars and double header!
And we spun along the road at a lively rate. The country from St.
Paul west is rather hilly and in places covered with timber.
Sawmills were in sight at intervals and lumber piles as big as
brick blocks could be seen. We saw small patches of corn and
Wells said that they must raise lots of popcorn in this country.
We were getting along pretty well in the western part of
Minnesota when the sun went down and it was getting dark. Then we
had our first meal on the train and a royal one it was. After
supper we went to sleep and did not get up till we were quite a
distance in Dakota. Towards noon we commenced to see the small
knolls, or small hills; they look like grain stacks and are in
all shapes some with a cap on the very top; others are long and
irregular. One peculiar feature is that they set out on the open
prairie, nothing around them, and rising above the level ground
to different heights. No houses are in sight - only the brown
prairie. Here and there, the grass is burned, while the bleached
bones of skeletons of some prairie wanderer glisten in the sun.
Winding around hills in small valleys following alkali streams,
the water as yellow as clay, we would occasionally pass some
rancher's home. Small, low log houses with a door in the end and
a few small windows; and then a corral and these are all that are
in sight. What a desolate dreary looking habitation it seems to
be! Twenty, thirty and forty miles from each other these men make
their homes.
Gradually these hills change to different shapes, rising higher
and higher, the sides becoming perpendicular the tops appearing
to be a level surface. One in particular attracted my attention
more than any other. We could see it off about a distance of five
or six miles; it appeared like some old fort. It was almost
square, the sides rising perpendicularly about a hundred feet
above the level prairie surrounding it.
It was now well towards evening and we were spinning along
through the northern part of the bad lands of North Dakota. The
small view I send you will give a very good idea of this famous
country. Anyone who has ever seen the ragged lands of this
section will readily recognize the resemblance brought out in the
scene given herewith. Reaching Mandan those of us who had watches
set them back one hour. From here west the country became more
hilly and they fast approached the shape and appearance of
mountains. It was a nice moonlight evening and Wells and I were
sitting looking out the window and far off to the west of us we
could see what appeared to be along black line of clouds the top
fringed with white. We sat a long time watching it but it did not
seem to come any nearer. After an hour or so we could see a faint
streak of white lower down and it seemed as if we were in a
narrow valley; there seemed to be an immense snow drift right
ahead of us. I asked the conductor what they were and he told me
they were the Rockies, and that they were thirty-five miles away.
We determined to stay awake and see them but soon fell asleep and
did not wake till we arrived at Glendive, Montana. Here they
changed the train crew and we were soon traveling westward again.
By this time the crowd of Klondikers had become very well
acquainted and they were singing and laughing and a general
jollification was "on tap."
We had now passed through a range of mountains but the country
was still very rough. Stopping at a water tank the passengers
crowded out of the cars and up the steep embankments to get a
look at the country. A few of the travelers who loved flowers
gathered hand-fulls of blooming cactus along the right of way. I
know the "bloomin" things were never sent "back
home" when they were found to be full of slivers. Glazier
had them all picked out of his hands two days afterward.
Following the Missouri river the bluffs were again rising higher.
On one side of the railroad the bluffs rose hundreds of feet
while on some prominent point Indian graves could be seen and
beside them a pole stuck in the ground, with what I supposed was
some trinket hanging to it. We saw small herds of cattle
scattered along the side hills and valleys feeding on small
patches of dry grass but they seemed to be in good condition.
Here and there we could see coal shafts where the mining was
carried on and in places could see veins two to six feet thick
stick right out on the side of the bluffs.
There is practically no vegetation, only the short bunch grass
and cactus.
From Miles City west we could see an occasional pine tree and in
the valleys cottonwood and willows cling close to the water's
edge and cattle and ponies become more numerous.
Fort Keogh, two miles west of Miles City, was soon reached and we
could see a few soldiers lounging around and one or two canons
were visible, but everything was neat and clean. Indians were
putting in an appearance now and we could see them in squads or
filing down some side hill trail. As we were moving west, timber
was the next thing of importance. Saw mills were a regular thing
now, and we were following the side of Hell Gate river. Steep,
precipitous bluffs were on one hand and on the other a swiftly
flowing river. Winding around mountains, sharp curves, over
bridges, trestles, one 126 feet high and another 225. Large rafts
of logs were frequently seen. One cannot imagine the amount of
timber there is. We no doubt saw only a small portion of it.
Idaho was soon reached.
Here the mountains became more rugged and we could see the
forests, and vegetation became more scraggy and smaller and
finally snow put in an appearance high above the clouds.
Lake Hope is a most beautiful body of water, about 20 miles long,
lying in a narrow valley the mountains rising around it. Small
excursion boats were plying its waters and the weather was nice
and warm. The lake reminded us very much of Mille Lacs lake, in
Minnesota, and which we passed shortly after leaving St. Paul.
From Here we following the river again on a downward slope, and
from here to Spokane Falls is the most picturesque scenery of the
route. It was still the same mountainous timbered region, streams
running down the slopes over rocks and bowlders [sic] sometimes
hiding themselves in crevices to re-appear again further down the
mountain. We were now continually winding, sometimes going
directly north then coming back around some mountain, and we
could frequently see the road just traversed, only it was
somewhat higher.
Spokane is a beautiful city and seemed to be the busiest one
since we left St. Paul. The country here is a very wide valley,
and farm houses become more numerous. It was now getting dark and
we could not see far, so we "pulled in" for the night.
When morning came we were still on our way north, only 30 miles
between us and Seattle. The country here is level and swampy with
the same forests, only the trees were larger.
Reaching Seattle, everything was in a hub-bub. Gathering up
bundles, grips, sacks and everything one could imagine. Some were
leading strings of dogs. One would start to bark and the others
would join in on the chorus; hackmen were shouting; children
crying; women jabbering, and it was a relief to hear the
brakeman's shrill voice as it called, "Sea-at-tell."
On the train with us was a carload of dogs bound for Klondike.
Everything is Klondike here. Advertisements extolling the
thousands of things are on every hand. Living is not expensive;
fifteen to thirty-five cents is the general run of prices for a
meal while lodging can be had for from twenty-five to fifty
cents.
March 9 - After living in Seattle a week I confess to less
knowledge of what is in store for the future than I had before
leaving Paullina. You cannot believe anything you hear and less
than half you see. If every liar here reaches Klondike they will
"swamp" the whole world with gold stories!
Seattle is, in the language of the street gamin, a "dead
tuff" place. Gambling and drinking are, of course, the
favorite amusements, but your correspondent has not mingled with
the "amoosement" class and has nothing startling to
relate in this line. Now and then someone is shot; then a
"floater" is picked up in the harbor where he has been
thrown to cover up the traces of murder. "Tuffness" is
popular in Seattle.
About forty steamers are now plying regularly between this port
and southwestern Alaska. There are a few others which make
irregular trips, but all are loaded to their fullest capacity.
The bulk of the Klondike travel is from this point which is 800
miles nearer than San Francisco.
We are quartered at the same place occupied by the famous
Starbuck party from Cherokee.
Next to getting a letter from home, or finding sea worthy
steamers for our transportation, the most important items to a
Klondiker is buying an outfit. The smallest outfit with which it
would be safe to start would consist of about sixty pounds of
clothing, costing $65; groceries, 800 lbs., $60; camp outfit and
hardware, about 175 lbs., $26; arms and ammunition, 25 lbs., $25;
and a 2-lb. medicine chest, $4; total 1964 lbs., costing $175.
The fare from the Sound cities to Ft. Wrangel is $25; first class
and freight $8 per ton. To Dyea, Skaguay or Haines Mission, $40
first class and $9 per ton for freight. Second class fare is $13
and $25 respectively, to the above points. The price of packing
over the trails varies from thirty-five to seventy-five cents per
pound, according to the condition of the trails; and boats at the
lakes cost last year from $100 to $400. Prices for provisions,
such as groceries, and things we will need, cost a trifle more
here than at Paullina.
Off For Dyea
Seattle, March 15 - We sail tomorrow on the steamer, Australia.
The boat is entirely safe, something that cannot be said of
others that we have seen, and it will not be loaded so heavily,
so that we will feel perfectly safe in going out upon the sea
which is generally rough at this season. I shall endeavor to
write my next letter at Dyea, where begins the perilous part of
the journey. In the meantime, I remain,
Yours with determination,
John Tjossem
[transcribed by A.N., June 2014]
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Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
March 25, 1898
Judge Wakefield granted final naturalization papers to
the following:
Hans C. Anderson
Otto Peters
Gust Meyer
William Wiese
Wm. J. Cashen
Chas. Anderson
Thos. Hall
Thos. Wroot
John Williams
Alice Wilson et. al. vs. W. J. Marsh was action to have a
guardian appointed for W. J. Marsh on ground that he was
incapable of doing his own business. The fight was really between
members of his family, each of whom wanted a guardian favorable
to their side of the case appointed. The court after a two days'
hearing appointed the oldest son, and in giving his opinions took
occasion to reprimand all of the children of the defendant for
their heartlessness and unkindness. It appeared that the children
had been more interested in controlling the property of their
father than they had to see that he was supplied with the
necessities and comfort of life, and the court thought the whole
proceeding disgraceful.
We hear that Mrs. Rhoads is dangerously ill again, the operation
which was performed some time ago for cancer not having
eradicated the dread disease.
Miss Stella Burnett, a fifteen-year-old niece of Mrs. F. L.
Bidwell, accompanied her aunt and Delbert Bidwell home from Mrs.
Pritchett's funeral.
Passed to the Hereafter
Mrs. Margaret Francis died Wednesday forenoon about eleven
o'clock, at the home of L. D. Cobb south of town. Our readers
will remember that she came home with her daughter, Mrs. Cobb,
some weeks ago from Minnesota. She was then very ill and feeble.
Dropsy, complicated with pneumonia was the immediate cause of her
death.
She was born in Meiggs county, Ohio, Oct. 26, 1835, and moved to
Wisconsin about 1848. She was married to Albert Francis February
15, 1854. She was the mother of two children, Chas. A. Francis
and Mrs. Cobb. She was an aunt of C. W., J. C., and Walter Briggs
and Ms. G. W. Waterhouse and Mrs. H. L. Chesley. The funeral was
held yesterday morning at ten o'clock at the Highland church.
Rev. Green preached the funeral sermon. J.C. Briggs accompanied
the remains to Wisconsin, leaving Hartley on the afternoon train.
Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Armstrong were called to Marshall county Monday
by the death of Mr. Armstrong's brother.
Warren Armstrong has re-enlisted in the same company he belonged
to before, and expects to join his regiment in May.
Mr. Greve's child that was so ill last week with lung fever, died
Saturday. The little one was about fourteen months old. The
funeral was held Monday.
The wedding of Walter Laning and Miss Matie Hill last week was
attended by about 50 invited guests who were entertained in the
hospitable fashion characteristic of R. W. Hill's home. The young
couple received a goodly number of useful and valuable presents
and have the earnest good wishes of a large circle of friends.
Obituary
Mrs. Mary A. Pritchett, Mrs. F. L. Bidwell's mother, who died in
Perry township, Plymouth county, March 15th, was born in Morgan
county, Kentucky, July 31, 1821. She married J. W. Pritchett
March 28, 1839. This union was blessed with nine children, five
boys and four girls. Two sons and one daughter preceded her to
the spirit world; three sons and three daughters and their father
survive her. Two sons and one daughter live in Wisconsin and were
unable to attend the funeral. Mr. and Mrs. Pritchett moved from
Kentucky to Wisconsin about 1841 and settled in Grant county
where they lived until fourteen years ago when they came to
Liberty township and lived with Mr. and Mrs. Bidwell until last
November when they went to stay for awhile with their son in
Plymouth county. They were planning to return soon to Mr.
Bidwell's. Mrs. Pritchett died of heart disease, her final
illness lasting but a few hours. This brief record of her life
tells little of the real woman, but her kindred and friends know
that of her it might well have been said:
She lived her life of usefulness,
Of burdens born her share,
But ever strove with cheerfulness
To lighten others' care.
Sam Wilson has started for the Klondike, it is reported.
[transcribed by A.N., April 2012]
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Paullina Times
Paullina, O'Brien co. Iowa
March 31, 1898
Teachers who reside in Paullina have been employed as follows:
Winters school, Fannie Hatheway; Taylor school, Mable Boyd; Culp
school, Jennie Winn; Ihle school, Sue Hanson; McComb school,
Gertie Hanson; Scott school in Dale township, Kate Hanson.
At 2:30 o'clock this afternoon the wedding of Miss Agnes
McNaughton, of Dale township, to Mr. Chas. Gray, of Primghar, was
solemnized at the home of Hector Cowan, Sr., in Dale township.
Rev. Herron had charge of the ceremony. We are personally
acquainted only with the bride. She is one of those handsome and
refined Scotch ladies whom it is always a pleasure to know. The
groom is in the flour and feed business at Primghar.
Mrs. Osborne of Sutherland, wife of the fireman who was killed
recently in the Hubbard wreck, received from the C. & N. W.
railway company $4,800 in cash last week, including funeral
expenses, etc.
The death of Mrs. Mary Wight, six miles south of Paullina
occurred this morning at 2 o'clock, aged 64 years. Deceased was
the wife of Jerry Wight. The funeral will be held on Saturday at
10 o'clock. She leaves a family of grown up children.
The clerk issued a marriage license to Harvey Dolling and Olive
Martin.
Miss Gertie Warner and Guy Waddell were married at Sanborn
Sunday.
J. E. Stott was called to Mason City Sunday to attend the funeral
of his brother-in-law.
The sheriff has received word from the missing Sam Wilson of
Grant township, who eloped with his sister-in-law, Miss Mealman,
last week. They were seen to take the C. M. & St. Paul train
at Everly and go to Mason City where they left for parts unknown.
The authorities at Mason City have been notified. Wilson left a
wife and two children.
Answered the Summons - R. N. Cannon Passes Away at His
Old Tennessee Home
At Philadelphia, near Knoxville, East Tennessee, at
10:00 o'clock on Monday evening, March 28th, Robt. N. Cannon of
this place expired after an illness of about two years. The
funeral was held yesterday and burial took place at the family
burying ground.
No news could have caused the profound sorrow, no information
could have appalled and crushed the hearts of our citizens, as
did the telegram which on Tuesday morning announced the death of
our friend. We say our friend, for he was a friend to all. His
cheerful, genial, generous nature had endeared him to all, his
extreme loyalty to his town and his love for the principles of
right and justice; the depth of his reason and the warmth of his
heart were the endearing elements of a simple yet perfect life.
Friends loved him for his faithfulness, his cheer, his unselfish
solicitude, his integrity and his fraternal fellowship. It seems
hard to recall our friend's departure from Paullina in July,
1896. He had been complaining of lung trouble for some time and
decided to try western climate in the hope of relief. From the
time he went away he gradually failed and nothing gave him hope.
In the latter part of the winter he went to North Carolina to
escape the spring season at Hot Spring, S. D. Only a short time
was left for him and he was taken to his old home in Tennessee,
where only a few short months since his father had left this
earth, and it was not till then that his friends realized the
near approach to the end. Consumption of the lungs - that bitter
foe - had calmly brought face to face with death one whose
courage never faltered and whose heart still throbbed with all
the sympathy and all the kindness of healthy manhood.
"Bob" Cannon never wronged an enemy nor deceived a
friend. What grander tribute! It is said that Mr. Cannon was
fully informed of his dangerous condition. He asked the doctors
to tell him the truth, and he as thankful when informed that he
had no chances of recovery. His state of mind was one of complete
happiness and his left went on quietly and evenly.
Many expressions of sympathy and manifestations of grief have
been sent to the relatives during the week, and some have been
sent from abroad through friends here. The extended acquaintance
of deceased extended through the northwest and his social and
business standing here and elsewhere made the affair a subject of
general conversation and universal regret. He was a member of
Masonic order here and had reached the Knight Templar degree. The
officers of the local lodge have been in receipt of many
evidences of the sorrow with which the news of the death of their
brother was received by the lodges of the surrounding towns where
deceased was well acquainted.
Deceased was born at Philadelphia, Louden county, East Tennessee,
December 25, 1855. Died March 28, 1898. Came to O'Brien county
about the year 1880 or 1881. He had charge of Paullina Bros.
ranches for a year or two. Shortly afterward removed to Tomah,
Wisconsin, where he remained some time in business. We believe he
also made a visit to Montana about this time. Returning here, he
united in the grain and livestock business with Metcalf &
Cannon. He has been identified with this firm ever since,
although not giving his personal attention to the business since
July, 1896. He is also interested in the firm of Cannon Bros.
& Haase at Granville. The Hotel Paullina here is also the
property of R. N. and C. C. Cannon. He leaves a mother, two
brothers and two sisters as the nearest surviving relatives.
[transcribed by A.N., June 2017]