Iowa Old Press


Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
May 6, 1898

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Quite a number of our citizens have visited the scene of the work of the tornado in Baker township.

Justice North has approved Sam Wilson's bond, signed by his father, and the young man is now at liberty.

William Ortman has been out in Baker township this week assisting his brother-in-law, Otto Saupe in cleaning up after the effects of the tornado Saturday. Mr. Saupe's house was totally destroyed, together with his household goods. He had $700 insurance that will materially assist him in replacing the property.

In the district court cases are piling in for the coming term which commences May 23d. Judge Wakefield will hold court and the term will likely last some three or four weeks. Kate Mealman has, in addition to the seduction case against her father instituted bastardy proceedings. John H. Puhrmann wants $5,000 from Henry Hibbing. He claims that Hibbing falsely stated that plaintiff was responsible for the seduction of an unmarried female, and for the alleged slanderous utterance wants a solace in cash.

The tornado through Baker and Carroll townships last Saturday evening was a disastrous affair and killed two children of Henry Leemkull's besides injuring many other persons. The storm came from the southwest and took a northeasterly course. The first damage in the county was at the Henry Grigg's place where the buildings were badly broken up and injured although no one was seriously injured. At Leemkull's the barn was totally demolished and some stock was killed; the house was not in the direct path of the cyclone, but the suction succeeded in turning the house over and over on the ground for fifteen or twenty rods. Mr. Leemkull ran from the house endeavoring to get into the cellar through an out door entrance. As he stepped out of the house it was blown over and he and the children whom he had in his arms were carried with it in a southeasterly direction. In its last tumble the house fell on him and children, crushing and killing them and seriously injuring him. His neighbors succeeded in releasing him by chopping away the building resting on him. The children were aged two years and six months respectively. Two miles northeast of here the storm struck the home of Otto Saupe completely demolishing the house and furniture. Mr. Saupe was in the field at work but his wife and children were carried with the house for several rods, but not injured save a severe shaking up. At Werner Bonderman's near Archer the barn and windmill were blown away and the house seriously injured. A flying timber penetrated Bonderman's leg and seriously injured him. Timbers were driven through the house and into joists as though they were so much paper. A large number of windmills were blown down and in many places barns and other buildings were moved or wrecked.

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Will Merrill has quit his job at Hawarden and has gone to fight for Uncle Sam. We hear that Alex Jenkins formerly of east Waterman has also enlisted.

The Paullina high school will have four graduates this year, Eva Carfield, Clive Adkins, Clara Ihle and Roy McKinney.

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Walter McCulla who has been attending the State University at Iowa City has joined the state militia and is now at Des Moines wit the rest of the boys. His father, L. J., says he is sorry Walter enlisted. It is only natural for a father to feel thus, but Walter would hardly be expected not to show some of the spirit that took his father into the ranks in the 60's and the determination that carried him through the horrors of Andersonville. Walter can be depended on not to sully his father's war record.

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Jas. Parks' mother is very ill. She is unable to recognize anyone, even members of the family. It is doubtful if she recovers.

Mrs. Thos. Sweeney received a telegram Wednesday from Wisconsin stating that her mother was not expected to live. Mrs. Sweeney expected to leave for Wisconsin the same evening.

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A Long Life Closed
Grandma Parks, as she was familiarly known, died Thursday afternoon about two o'clock. The funeral was held from the Christian church at three o'clock Friday, Rev. Green preaching a touching sermon.

Christian Eley was born in Allegheny county, Penn., Jan. 1, 1812 - more than 86 years ago. She was married Jan. 1, 1830, to Jas. Parks. Soon after their marriage they moved to Knox county, Ohio. In 1849 they moved to Green county, Wis., where they lived until 1876, moving then to Montezuma county, Iowa. In 1893 they came to Sutherland to pass their old age with their son James. Except for a year when they were with a daughter in Watertown, S. D., where Mr. Parks died January 14, 1897, they have lived here since. Thirteen children were born to them, three dying in infancy. Harriet, the eldest daughter, died two years ago. Five sons and three daughters survive their parents. Only two of the children, James and William, were present at the bedside of their dying mother. Mrs. Parks joined the Christian church 67 years ago and throughout her long life was a true example of real Christianity. She died peacefully, and has often lately expressed her desire to go when she should be called.
"Blessed are they that die in the Lord."
Mother has gone to her reward.

[transcribed by A.N., April 2012]

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Paullina Times
Paullina, O'Brien co. Iowa
May 12, 1898

We understand a daughter recently arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Barber, at their new home at Grand Junction, Colorado.

Tuesday's dispatches announced another accident on the Klondike route which resulted in the death of about twenty. It was caused by a breaking away of the path and carrying down into the river that number of people. The Paullina party was far north of the scene of the accident, however, and there is very little anxiety for them now.

Married - Mr. James Daniels, of Primghar, and Miss Mate Redden, of Dubuque, were united in the holy bonds of matrimony, at Sanborn, last Wednesday morning. Miss Redden has been the guest of Miss Anna McDermott, of this place, for some time past. The bride and groom will at once take up their residence at Primghar. The Eagle wishes them all the success of life. - Sheldon Eagle

Erick Laquart, cousin of the Meltvedt boys, arrived from Norway this week to make his home in this country.

Called [part of paper missing] - The death of [missing], wife of Elmer C[ulp] and daughter of Mr. [missing] Latham, occurred at her [missing] Saturday, May 7, 1898, of spinal meningitis.
Miss Eldora Latham was born in Boone county, Iowa, January 21, 1879. She moved with her parents to O'Brien county and the age of eleven years. She was united in marriage with Elmer C. Culp, February 5th, 1890.

She was converted in childhood and united with the U. P. church at that time. It is surely true that "God moved in a mysterious way his wonders to perform." A young and promising life has surrendered; a devoted wife and mother has gone; a beloved daughter and sister has passed beyond and while the earthly home is left, oh! so lonely, we know that our Master has said "let not your hearts be troubled" also "I go to prepare a place for you."

Mrs. Culp was an estimable woman; the mother of four children. These children, together with the sorrowing husband are left to mourn her death, and well they may for what is more priceless in the home than "mother?" Who will care for the children now? This one question is enough to win for them and the lonely husband, the sympathy of the community, did they not already have it. We do not know what more to say than that in life deceased was a model wife and mother, in death an angel. She possessed a calm, cheerful disposition, always looking on the bright side of things. Her face always carried a pleasant expression and it is a sweet memory for the bereaved ones to carry with them, the fact that the departed one had always given a pleasant look, a kind word, to those who were sad or afflicted. With her husband she had labored faithfully to accumulate a competence for the afternoon of life. Upon him the loss of a loving wife and dutiful companion, falls heavily.

The services were held at the M. E. church on May 9th, 1898, and were in charge of Rev. Hatheway of Paullina, and were delivered with a solemn impressiveness that fell like the soft descending dew of the evening upon the bowed heads and bereaved hearts of those who had gathered to look upon the calm features of the departed for the last time in this life, but buoyed up by the knowledge divine, that the separation was only for a time and not for eternity.

Besides a husband and four children, she leaves father, mother, seven sisters, one brother and a host of friends to mourn her loss. Those from abroad were Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Young and Miss Bell Latham of Boone, Iowa. The remains were interred in the Union cemetery. A large concourse of friends gathered to show their respect for the departed.

In conclusion, let us say that death has invaded a home and removed the wife and mother and left a vacuum so conspicuous, so painful, so irreparable, that there is but one possible hope for the soul, and that is the hope beyond the grave. In bidding goodbye to this loved one, we could lay her away with the Savior's words struggling for utterance.

"She is not dead but sleepeth,
Farewell wife; farewell mother,
Peaceful be thy silent rest,
Slumber sweetly; God knew best
When to call thee home to rest.

Farewell daughter; farewell sister,
We have said our last farewell
Till we meet beyond the river
Happy there with thee to dwell
."

[transcribed by A.N., June 2014]

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Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
May 13, 1898

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Kate Mealman has filed her petition in the $5,000 damage suit against her father. Like the petition in the bastardy suit it is not sworn to.

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Died - At Pukwana, S. D., May 4, 1894 [sic - should be 1898], Warren Scott, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. M. C. Porter. Scott was born at Alma, Iowa, Jan. 22, 1882. He was taken sick a month ago with spinal meningitis and was a little better until Wednesday, the 27th of April, when he was taken severely sick. He lingered until 4:30 the 4th of May, when he died. Pukwana (S. D.) Press

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An unusual and peculiar accident happened at the funeral of Mrs. Parks last Friday afternoon. The grave had been dug close beside that of Mr. Parks who was buried in January 1897. As the bearers on one side of the coffin stepped on the ground between the new and the old grave the soil gave way and the three men were precipitated into the newly made grave and it was with difficulty that they kept the coffin from tumbling in also.

D. C. O'Brien on Saturday received a telegram telling him that he had been appointed a guard at the Anamosa penitentiary. Tuesday evening he received another telegram ordering him to report at once. He left Wednesday noon. We don't now who another one of Warden Hunter's guards may be, but we do know that there is not one of them who will attend to the duties of his office more strictly and faithfully than Dennis O'Brien. Dennis has lived in Sutherland so long that he will be sadly missed here, but his friends will be glad to know that he has secured this position and will hope that it will prove satisfactory and paying.

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Married - At the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nick Litzel, Wednesday evening, May 11th, occurred the wedding of Wm. Ewing of Spencer and Miss Josie Litzel of Sutherland, Rev. Green officiating. Only a few of their relatives were present. The groom is a carpenter and is a cousin of Mrs. Truman. The bride is well known here and needs no praise from the Courier. The couple will live at Spencer.

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Gets Fourth Place
Thursday evening of last week at Beloit, Wisconsin, was held the Inter-State Oratorical Contest, with ten states represented. Kansas, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Colorado, Missouri, Ohio, Nebraska, Illinois and Minnesota were the states contesting. Iowa was represented by Fred Aldinger of Sutherland. The judges awarded him the fourth place. Wm. Gorsuch of Knox College at Galesburg, Illinois, was first, J. A. Barnett of Ohio was second, Thos. W. Nadal of Indiana third. But for the adoption of a complex and unfair method of determining the relative ranks of contestants Aldinger would have had third place.

The ranks assigned by the six judges, to the four leading contestants were as follows:
Gorsuch 7, 3-1/2, 5, 6, 1, 1, Total 23-1/2
Barnett 5, 7, 8, 2, 2, 3, Total 27
Nadal 1, 9-1/2, 1, 4, 9, 4, Total 28-1/2
Aldinger 4, 7, 4, 5, 6, 2, Total 28
It will be seen that Aldinger's rank was better than Nadal's but the method adopted by the judges was this: Gorsuch's rankings were all dropped out and the others were re-ranked. This left Barnett, Aldinger and Nadal in the same order as before. Then Barnett was dropped and the remainder again re-ranked. This time the relative positions changed and Aldinger fell behind Nadal. We do not understand that there was any intentional unfairness, but a little study of the method will show that it is likely to change the rankings of a lot of contestants very materially.

There were three judges on thought and composition and three on delivery. Two of the former are men of worldwide fame, John Clarke Ridpath, the historian, and Prof. Brander Mathews, the famous rhetorician. Of the latter the most noted was President Henry W. Rogers of North-Western University.

We had hoped to record Fred Aldinger as winner of the first prize, but it is a great honor to be fourth in such a contest, and the only thing his friends have to regret is that the Association adopted such a bungling and unfair method of getting at the ranking of the contestants. The figures given above show that Fred was only a little behind the first man. The sum of ranks of those below him were as follows: 30-1/2, 33, 34, 36-1/2, 40, and 48-1/2.

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Mrs. Tom Sweeney took the evening train for Wisconsin last Wednesday. Tom received a letter the first of the week stating that her mother was expected to die at any time.

Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Young of Boone, Iowa, were here to attend the funeral of Mrs. Culp.

Died - At her home near Paullina on last Saturday afternoon, Mrs. Eldora Culp, wife of Elmer Culp. Deceased had only been sick a few days. She leaves a husband and four children to mourn her loss. Funeral services were held on Monday at the M. E. church, conducted by Rev. Hatheway. The remains were laid to rest in the Union cemetery.

[transcribed by A.N., April 2012]

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Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
May 20, 1898

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O. C. Starrett, a prominent merchant of Sheldon, died May 6th. He was about thirty-six years old and was a leader in church and public affairs as well as in business.

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Yesterday's Paullina Times says that Will Bethel has enlisted in the marine service at Chicago.

Sam Boots yesterday began selling in town a War Atlas. We understand he is meeting with good success.

Wednesday's Sioux City Journal gave a list of the members of the two militia companies from that city who failed to pass the physical examination. In the list from Co. H is the name Smith. This is very likely Chas. A. Smith, well known to Sutherland people. We learned last week that he had joined his company at Des Moines.

The graduating class of our High School this year consists of three members, Misses Myrtle Louthan and Jennie Hitchings and Ralph Roberts. Three brighter and finer young people are seldom to be found. The school and the town should be proud of them. The graduating exercises will be held at the opera house on the evening of June 10th.

Public Notice
To Whom It May Concern: I have this day given my son, Louis P. Anderson, his time, the same as though he were of legal age, and will not hereafter claim any of his earnings nor be responsible for any of his debt.
George Anderson

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Will Merrill was rejected by Uncle Sam's examiners on account of a broken toe. He is now again firing on the North-Western railroad. His mother is rejoicing, not because he was lucky enough to have a broken toe but because he could not go to war.

O'Brien Co. Woman Suffrage Conference
A county Woman Suffrage Conference will beheld in Sanborn on May 31, and June 1, 1898, to consider methods of work best suited to hasten the establishment of woman suffrage in Iowa. The legislature, although petitioned by 50,000 citizens of the State, has refused the submission of the question to a popular vote. It is necessary that the friends of the movement unite in a vigorous protest and demonstrate their convictions and strength of purpose.

We do not forget that four states - Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and Idaho - have already granted full suffrage to women and that their most prominent and intelligent citizens having had an opportunity to observe its operation, unite in the testimony that it has provided beneficial to men, women, and state. They declare that under its influence women have become more intelligent and self-reliant; good men have been encouraged by the moral support of women, and have striven to secure the purification of politics with fresh courage and determination, while the state has gained a new dignity by the introduction of this moral force.

With eternal principles of right and justice as the basis of the claim, and with the assurance that in the operation woman suffrage compares most favorably with man suffrage, there can be no question of the final outcome of the movement. We invite every friend of the cause within our county to unite with us in this Conference. Good speakers will be in attendance. Come.
Mrs. W. C. Green, Co. Vice Pres.
Frankie Towberman, Cor. Sec.

[transcribed by A.N., April 2012]

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Paullina Times
Paullina, O'Brien co. Iowa
May 26, 1898

Mrs. John Mangle was shot and killed by her husband at Cherokee Sunday. The facts surrounding the case were not made plain, but it is though that it was an intentional shooting as the husband immediately disappeared. Investigation is being made by the authorities.

The three-year-old babe of Mr. and Mrs. Gust Anderson of Baker township died on Wednesday morning of last week, and was buried in the Union burying ground Saturday afternoon. The funeral service was conducted by the Swedish minister and was held at the Swedish Lutheran church here.

Married

Gruenhagen - Fegebank - At the Germantown church Sunday, May 22, 1898, Rev. J. Horn officiating, Miss Clara Gruenhagen to Mr. Henry Fegebank, both of Caledonia township. The groom is a well known young man of the township and the bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Gruenhagen. At the home of the latter in the afternoon the festivities of the occasion were enjoyed by a large number of friends, during the afternoon, the Germantown band add much enthusiasm by their good music. The couple will reside in the neighborhood.

Bock - Curran - At the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. Bock, in Paullina, Iowa, Saturday evening, May 21, 1898, Rev. Herron performing the marriage rites, Miss Lulu Bock to Robert Curran, both of Paullina. Mr. Curran is our newly appointed marshal and night watch, and is known in Paullina as a bright and industrious fellow whose future must be brightened as a result of this alliance with so worthy a companion.

[transcribed by A.N., June 2014]

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Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
May 27, 1898

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Mrs. Nicholson of Willow Creek is visiting her daughter, Mrs. C. W. Severance, southwest of town.

Mrs. H. E. Kaiser who has been ill with typhoid-malaria died Thursday. The funeral will be held tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon at two o'clock from the Methodist church in town.

H. L. Smith went to Sioux City Monday and brought back with him his little granddaughter Sadie Vradenburg, and on Wednesday went to take her to Wisconsin where she will live for a time with an aunt.

Mrs. Jurgen Dithmer living at the south edge of town was stricken with paralysis on Tuesday of last week and died Friday morning. The funeral held Sunday from the Christian church. Rev. Hell [sic- see article 3 Jun, p. 5, should be Rall] of the German church at Calumet officiating. A large number of friends attended the funeral.

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On last Saturday evening occurred the marriage of Miss Lulu Bock to Mr. Robert Curran. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Herron at the home of the bride's parents. Only a few invited friends were present. The young couple went to housekeeping at once, occupying rooms in Mrs. Minnie Ralf's house.

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Several of our people were witnesses before the grand jury in the Sam Wilson case.

Rusk Mealman and Robt. Miller of Marshall county, brother and brother-in-law of Wm. Mealman arrived here Monday evening for a visit with friends.

[transcribed by A.N., April 2012]

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