Iowa Old Press
Sheldon Mail
Sheldon, O'Brien co. Iowa
April 5, 1917
The body of a murdered man was found late Thursday afternoon in a
tool house near the Union depot. There were two bullet holes in
his body.
Mrs. McCandless was elected president of the Travel club; Mrs.
Dean, vice president; Mrs. Klein, recording secretary; Miss Evah
Sprague, corresponding secretary; and Miss Addie Appleton,
treasurer.
[transcribed by S.F., April 2007]
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Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
April 5, 1917
p 1 col 2
A marriage license was issued recently to:
Leon A. Henderson 25
Gladys R. Myers 25
Farm Hand Kills His Employer - Harry Peterson Who Lived
Near Royal Shot and Instantly Killed Last Thursday
Harry Peterson, living about six miles southeast of Royal, was
shot and instantly killed this (Thursday) morning about 6:30 by
Charles Craig, alias Harry Herman, a young fellow who has been
working on the Peterson farm since last fall.
Dr. Jones, followed by all the available cars in Royal, left
immediately for the farm. When they arrived Craig or Herman had
taken the new Ford, which Mr. Peterson recently purchased and
gone east. Art Hjelm, Jake Heng, Zeb Santage, George Bailey and
Chris Johnson in one car and Jim Johnson and Geo. Scott in
another, took the trail after him. The fresh tracks in the soft
road were easy to follow and upon reaching the Air Line, the
stolen car had turned south. The two cars had lost the trail at
the corner where the road traces to Cornell. The Hjelm car took
the Cornell road and the Scott and Johnson car went on to Sioux
Rapids.
Reaching Cornell, the pursuers found no trace of their man and
continued east. The oil man driving from Webb to Cornell, upon
arriving in Cornell and learning of the chase, said he had met
the new Ford just west of the Kendlespire bridge and had warned
the driver that a bad mud hole was just ahead and a farmer
stopped the Hjelm car, giving them the information. A short
distance further on they met the two young me, asked them if they
had met a Ford, one of them answering no. The other replied,
"Yes, this man is driving a new Ford, it's stuck in the mud
up the road." Chris Johnson stepped out of the car, accusing
the fellow who had given the negative reply of shooting Mr.
Peterson. The fellow replied, "Yes, I'm the fellow you want,
I shot him." Chris grabbed him by the throat and the rest,
using a strap supplied by the young fellow who was coming up the
road with him and had been trying to help him out of the mud,
securely tied his hands behind, and loaded him into the car. They
drove on to where the Peterson car was stuck in the mud, got it
out and started back, Jake Heng driving the Peterson car.
Reaching Cornell they met the Johnson car which had returned from
Sioux Rapids, and all three came directly north on the Air Line.
Stops were made at farm houses in efforts to get in touch with
the sheriff. Upon reaching the corner where the road branches off
west to the Peterson farm, a stop was made when it was decided to
wait on the sheriff. The sheriff's car and several others came up
a half hour later. The prisoner was handcuffed and taken to
Spencer. -Royal Banner
p 1 col 4
Loses Arm in Accident
Last Sunday afternoon while Reece Steffy , of Peterson, Ia., and
companions were spending a little time along the Little Sioux,
the gun of the former accidentally slipped and striking the
closed hammer discharged, driving the contents of 5 drams of
powder and 1-1/8 ounce BB shot through his left arm. The impact
was so intense that the bone for a distance of three inches above
and below the elbow joint was reduced to a mass of fragments. The
flesh also received it proportionate destruction, so that
amputation was necessary. Fortunately his companions used a
tourniquet and checked the flow of blood until medical aid
arrived.
[transcribed by A.N., October 2011]
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Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
April 12, 1917
p 1 col 1
Card of Thanks
We wish to thank the neighbors and other friends for their kind
expressions of sympathy, and for their various acts of
thoughtfulness during the illness of our beloved wife and mother,
and at the time of our great sorrow and bereavement because of
her departure.
A. H. Reimers and family
p 1 col 3
Obituary
Mrs. A. H. Reimers was born July 6, 1867, and died April 3, 1917,
aged 49 years, 8 months and 28 days. Her last illness was but a
few days duration, resulting in her death, the cause being an
acute attack of appendicitis.
The deceased was numbered among the early settlers, having been a
resident of O'Brien county since 1884. She was marred at Primghar
Dec. 8, 1886 to A. H. Reimers and to this union 13 children were
born, 11 of whom are left with the husband and father to mourn
her loss. The funeral was held at the home of the family, 1-1/4
miles southwest of Calumet, on Friday afternoon, April 6, 1917,
conducted by Rev. Rixmann, pastor of the Calumet German church;
interment was made in Liberty twp. cemetery.
p 8 col 4
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Siemers and two children, from Pipestone,
Minn., came down last Thursday evening to attend the funeral of
Mrs. Siemer's mother, Mrs. H. Reimers, returning to their home
Sunday morning.
[transcribed by A.N., October 2011]
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Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
April 19, 1917
p1 col 2
Cooper - Chapin
The Cooper-Chapin nuptial event, the announcement of which
appeared in the Sioux City Journal last night, comes as
a great surprise and will be of much interest to Courier
readers this week. The groom was born and raised in this
community and has a wide circle of friends in this the old home
place who wish him a world of joy and happiness. The following
account is taken from the Journal.
Miss Irene Adel Chapin, a Morningside college student, and Delmar
Claire Cooper, of Sutherland, were married yesterday afternoon at
2:30 o'clock at the home of Mrs. W J. Little, 2030 Olive street.
Rev. Herbert a Keck, pastor of Grace Methodist Episcopal church,
officiated. Among those present were Mrs. Roy Gingrich, of
Springfield, S. D., mother of the bride; Mrs. H. E. Cooper, of
Sutherland, mother of the bridegroom; Mrs. T. J. Steele, Mr. and
Mrs. N. E. Crocker and W. E. Stevenson. Mr. Cooper was graduated
from Morningside college with the class of 1916. Mrs. Cooper was
a member of the junior class at the college. After a short
wedding trip the young couple will make their home at Agency
City, Ia., where Mr. Cooper is principal of the high school.
Watson-Martin
On Wednesday evening, April 18, at eight o'clock occurred the
marriage of Miss Kate Rose Martin to Mr. William A. Watson of
Ghost Pine Creek, Alberta, Canada.
The ceremony was performed by Rev. Willis in the hospitable home
of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alex Martin of this city. A
bountiful wedding dinner was afterward served to the twenty-eight
guests all of whom were immediate relatives or friends of the
bride.
Mr. Watson is engaged in farming in Alberta, Canada, where his
people reside. The young people left for their new home Thursday
morning. The congratulations and best wishes of their many
friends follow them. They will be at home at Ghost Pine Creek,
Alberta, Canada, after April 25, 1917.
p1 col 3
A Linen Shower
A linen shower was given at the home of Miss Julia Sweeny last
Saturday afternoon in honor of Miss Rose Martin, a popular bride
of the week. Mesdames Lawrence, Charles, Albert and Jasper Martin
were hostesses. The rooms were decorated with red hearts and
cupids. It was a happy occasion and was enjoyed by about twenty
of Miss Martin's young lady friends. The bride-to-be was the
recipient of many beautiful as well as useful pieces of linen.
p 1 col 5
Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Hughes returned home last Wednesday evening
from Parker, S. Dak., where they had been to attend the funeral
of the latter's sister, Mrs. Sarah Davis. They were accompanied
home by Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Long, of Williamsburg, who visited
here until Saturday.
p 8
Made to Salute Flag - Michael Schuh, A Royal Resident,
Tries to Saw Down Flag Staff
Because he had insulted the American flag, and the American
people, Michael Schuh, a German blacksmith living at Royal, was
arrested by the town authorities, placed in jail, tried,
convicted, given a fine of $25 and costs and made to salute Old
Glory, on Monday night and Tuesday afternoon of this week.
Schuh, who is a married man about 55 years old, has been quite
pronounced in his pro-German views, and it is said has, on
various, occasions, made derogatory and insulting remarks about
the American flag and the American nation. When the United States
declared a state of war existing between this county and Germany,
loyal citizens of Royal erected a flag staff on a town lot there,
which is located adjoining Mr. Schuh's blacksmith shop. The staff
was made of wood, about 4x4 inches, with an extension on the top.
Monday night Schuh was seen to go out to the staff with a saw and
while in the act of sawing the staff down, he was taken in
custody and placed in jail. County Attorney Wilson Cornwall was
summoned to prosecute the case for the city, and a charge of
"mufilating, defiling and defying the American flag"
was lodged against the prisoner. Schuh at first denied
everything, but in the face of several witnesses who testified
against him, he finally pled guilty, and was given a fine of $25
and costs, and made to salute the flag.
Case Tried Before Mayor
The case was tried before Mayor H. L. Bone, of Royal Tuesday
afternoon and attracted a large crowd and created much talk all
over Clay county. It is the first incident of the kind that has
happened in the county since the declaration of war, and it is to
be hoped it will be the last. The Iowa laws are quite rigid in
respect to abuse of the flag, and while everybody has a right to
his opinion only a fool will wantonly commit an act of treason or
cause a public disturbance which can neither do himself nor any
one else any good. -Spencer News-Herald
[transcribed by A.N., October 2011]
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Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
April 26, 1917
p 1 col 1
Fire Consumes Ewoldt Home - Blaze Sunday Morning Destroys
Pioneer Landmark; Occupants Have Narrow Escape - Save Nothing
Spontaneous combustion, the result of rain beating in from an
open cellar window upon a recently deposited coal supply, early
Sunday morning culminated in a fire which converted the J. H.
Ewoldt home in the Northwest part of town into a roaring furnace
of flame, leaving only the smoking foundation as a mark of its
complete destruction. Not since the two elevators burned has
Sutherland witnessed such a fire.
Land Mark of Pioneer Progress
This home was a landmark of Sutherland' signs of progress in
pioneer days, having been built by D. M. Sheldon 36 years ago. It
was the first two story dwelling in the town and for many years
its hospitable residents threw open its doors to public social
gatherings of all kinds. The unfortunate occupants at the time of
the fire have lived in the house for eight years past since
retiring from their farm close to town.
Fire Gains Big Headway
Starting in the dead of night the fire had gained such headway at
3:00 a.m. when Miss Hattie was awakened by smoke in her room in
the southwest corner of the second story that each of the
registers she passed belched fire at her as she made her way to
arouse the family. First calling Adolph, she rushed down stairs
to meet her mother coming from her room and each told the other
of fire in the basement. Hattie rushed back to her room for a
robe and then called T. B. Bark and George Townsend, the former
going to aid Adolph in his effort to stem the flames in the
basement and the latter running to the fire hall to give the
alarm - all efforts to arouse the night telephone operator being
vain.
Is Nearly Overcome
Mrs. Ewoldt in her excitement seized the water pail and started
into the cellar where a bank of flames and smoke halted her and
caused great difficulty of breathing. Calling out "Where am
I?" she heard Mr. Ewoldt, who had rushed from bed to the
outside, call from the kitchen doorway, "Come this
way!" whence she was directed by the currents of fresh air
through the doorway and narrowly escaped fatal consequences.
Strive to Conquer Fire
Adolph and Mr. Bark, bucket in hand, fought desperately against
the ever increasing flames till they should receive the aid of
the fire company who arrived on the scene shortly after the bell
gave its warning. The only means brought by the volunteers,
however, was the Chemical Engine - the water main system
extending only to the Methodist Church corner. Hopes of control
of the fire were strong for a few minutes and the fire company
formed a large bucket brigade, working with a frenzied zeal.
However, it soon appeared to be a losing fight for the fire
spread rapidly over a large territory, whereas the field of the
engine and water buckets was all too limited. Flames soon
enveloped the entire first floor and it was but a matter of but a
few moments till the great house was but a sheet of flame.
Save Nothing: Lose Relics
Burning rapidly and surely the hungry flames and smoke forbid all
entrance to the house and in the short time of forty-five minutes
the entire frame structure and all its contents were reduced to
ashes. Clothing, furniture, rugs, utensils, and precious
belongings rapidly disappeared. In a lifetime many relics and
mementos are gathered together and their loss is such that
nothing can restore them. A great family Bible, a precious
heirloom of Mrs. Ewoldt's ancestors, handed down from generation
to generation for over two hundred years was the most precious
relic lost. it was a huge German Bible with cumbersome pages,
yellowed with age, and bound with large wooden covers. In
addition to this an old Meerschaum pipe of great length and age
was lost. All the fine table linen, hand embroidered work photos,
family records, souvenirs, and curios of a lifetime collection
are a loss which are greatly felt by all the family, and can
never be replaced.
To Rebuild at Once
Already plans are being laid for the construction of a new and
modern Bungalow to cost about $5000.00 to take the place of the
destroyed house. It is doubtful whether there is a finer building
spot in Sutherland and this new structure will stand as a
monument to the progress of Sutherland on the site of her first
large home. For the present the family are living with Miss Cora
at her Dining Rooms on Second Street where she has been serving
meals to the school teachers.
p 1 col 2
The will of Marguerite Fairley was admitted to
probate, as was also the will of Thos. McBath. J. L. E. Peck was
appointed executor of the latter estate. The wills of Henry J.
Menke, John Cowan, Jr., and Sarah A. Randall were admitted to
probate, and the Calumet State Bank, Geo. Raw, and W. E. Clagg
were appointed executors respectively.
p 1 col 4
Lose First Born
Sometimes in the April-kissed springtime, the little flower we
welcome as the snowdrop, droops and dies, but its delicate face
has inspired us to hope, and perfumed our life with thoughts of
purity. It was even so with the "first born", a baby
boy - the tiny blossom of humanity that came to the home of Mr.
and Mrs. Paul Briggs on Sunday morning of this week.
The hearts of the fond parents which had been filled with joy
only a few days ago were completely crushed, when the little life
was called back to the Maker who gave it this morning. Everything
that loving care and medical skill could do was done, but the
fight was too great for the little one to make. A brief service
was held this afternoon at 3:00 at the grave. The sympathy of the
entire community goes out to these young parents in this, their
sore bereavement.
Des Moines Couple Wed Here
The marriage of Jennie H. Sargent to W. S. Pickler, both of Des
Moines, was solemnized in Sutherland at the home of the bride's
cousin, E. A. McFarland, at 7:00 o'clock on Tuesday evening of
this week, the bridal couple remaining here for a visit until
Thursday.
p 1 col 5
Make Trial Flight
A trial flight of the airplane, which Messrs. Price and Mather
have rebuilt in Sutherland during the winter months, was held
Tuesday afternoon but owing to faulty adjustments, was of short
duration. A forced landing was made at Frank Jenner's place, two
miles north of Sutherland, in a field of soft plowed ground and
the machine suffered slight damage. It is nearly repaired
already, however, and the boys expect to have it in the air again
within the next two to three days. The plane handles much better
than last year, according to Mr. Mather, and has demonstrated its
strength. The boys will give a public flight within the next few
weeks, before staring out for their exhibition season.
[transcriber's note - both Carl Mather and Walter Price went on
to join the armed forces and became aviators in World War 1, and
both died in airplane accidents]
Card of Thanks
We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to the many friends
whose kindness and sympathy was shown so tenderly and so
generously in our great bereavement.
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Briggs.
[transcribed by A.N., October 2011]