Iowa Old Press
Sheldon Mail
Sheldon, O'Brien co. Iowa
October 2, 1918
Ralph Van Zwol left Camp Johnson, Florida, for a port of
embarkation.
George H. Klinch, Jr., Robert Merrill, Dick Monk and Wentworth
Martin left last Wednesday morning for Ames to enter the college.
They are now a part of the great military student body.
Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Rodger have received a letter from their son,
Howard, who has recently arrived in England.
Paul McKenna is with Field Hospital Company No. 249 of the 3th
Sanitary Train. He received his overseas equipment and will leave
soon via Japan for Siberia.
Private Albert Gansemer of Ashton, member of Co. E., was cited
for bravery and awarded a medal of honor.
[transcribed by S.F., May 2006]
-----
Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
October 3, 1918
p 1 col 5
Brings Suit Against Sutherland League - Other Cases of
Local Interest to be Tried in Court
William Roeder, of Liberty township, an alien enemy, an
unnaturalized German, has brought suit in the District court
against the Sutherland, Iowa, Home Defense League and
twenty-three of its members asking an injunction restraining them
from interfering with him. He claims he has been importuned to go
to Sutherland and stand trial on charges of using German language
in public, and because he refused, he was assaulted and shot with
a revolver. That he returned the fire with a shot gun and
dispersed the attacking forces but that they are still trying to
coerce him. He has employed Parsons & Mills of Des Moines, as
his attorneys.
Gertrude Musselman Crain and her two brothers have brought suit
to set aside the Angeline McBath will. They are niece and nephew
of Angeline McBath and claim that she was mentally incompetent
and unduly influenced in making her will. The will cut off all
relatives but gave entire estate to Jesse E. Harris, who is not
related. A similar action has been brought to set aside a
conveyance to Jesse E. Harris made by Angeline McBath in her life
time covering her farm in section 36 Grant township.
p 3 col 3
Laurens and vicinity is in the grip of Spanish Influenza. It is a
low estimate to say that 500 people are affected at the present
time. Whole families have it and already two have died from
complications resulting from it. -Laurens Sun
Card of Thanks
To the many kind friends and neighbors who so willingly assisted
us in our great sorrow and for the beautiful flowers, also to the
Brother Masons for the floral emblem, please accept our thanks.
Mrs. Alex Farquhar and family
[transcribed by A.N., April 2012]
-----
Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
October 10, 1918
p 1 col 4
Sailor Boy Loses Life
[transcription note: parts of this article were obscured by
blots, probably from tape, on the original newspaper]
Lyman E. Hill received the very sad news this morning (Thursday)
that his son, Lyman L. Hill, who was in the Navy, had lost his
life. The message was as follows:
Washington, D. C., Oct. 9, 1918
Dear Mr. Hill
Sutherland, Ia.
[...] regrets to advise you that [...] of your son, Lyman L.
Hill, [...] first class, U. S. N. R. F., ap[...] the list of
missing as Herman [...] which vessel was sunk in a [...] on Oct.
4th. Bureau is re[...] compelled to believe he lost [...] have
the sincere sym[...] Bureau in your loss. Any [...] should be
addressed the Bureau [...] Navigation, Navy Dept. Washington, D.
C.
L. C. Palmer
p 1 col 5
Prvt. Frank J. Palmer Dead
The death of Private Frank J. Palmer, one of Sutherland's noble
young men who had answered the call of his country, has struck
the hearts of our citizens with deep sorrow. The news reached
Sutherland Monday telling of his death which occurred at a base
hospital at Ft. Riley Saturday afternoon, the cause being
pneumonia. He had only been in service since August 28, being
sent to Camp Funston where he was first assigned to the 13th Co.
164 Division, Depot Brigade and two weeks ago he had been
transferred to Co. C 30th Machine Gun Battalion, of which he was
a member at the time of his death. He was the only son of Mrs. E.
J. Elliot and was a young man that all, who came to know, learned
to like and highly esteem. The body will be brought back to
Sutherland for burial. Upon request of his mother, the obituary
and write up of his life will not be published until next week.
p 1 col 6
Mrs. Guy Bidwell, accompanied by Miss Emma Propp, departed
Wednesday morning for Camp Dodge, being summoned to come because
of the illness of her son, Newell, who was in a base hospital in
a very critical condition, having fallen a victim to the Spanish
Influenza which is prevalent there in the camp.
[transcribed by A.N., April 2012]
-----
Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
October 17, 1918
p 1 col 1
Malady In Camp Claims Two Local Boys - Sutherland Pays
Honor to Two of Her Worthy Soldier Boys Who Die During Week
Sutherland was sorely grieved this past week and all of our
hearts deeply stirred within us, because two of our gallant
soldier boys, Frank Palmer and Newell Bidwell, had been stricken
with disease and laid down their lives while in the service of
their country. On the day of the funeral of each one, all flags
were at half mast, all places of business were closed during the
hours of service and our citizens in general joined the bereaved
in mourning and in paying a tribute of honor to their memory.
Their fate was not to die on the battlefield but theirs is the
honor just as much, as they died in the honorable service to
which their country called them and this will ever be a cherished
consolation to their families and friends.
Frank James Palmer
[obituary is accompanied by photograph of Frank in uniform]
Frank James Palmer, son of William H. and Bessie E. Palmer, was
born in Jefferson County, Illinois, April 30, 1890. His father
passed away at the same place on December 7, 1897, leaving Frank
fatherless at the age of seven years. The very strong mother love
of the mother for her boy was fully reciprocated in the love of
the little boy for his mother and the mutual love and affection
grew stronger and stronger as the years of childhood ripened into
the years of early manhood. In 1904 the mother was married to Mr.
J. E. Elliot, of Sutherland, since which time Frank has made his
home here with them. He followed farming as an occupation and at
every place where he was employed he always gave the best of
satisfaction and was well liked.
He was called into service August 28, 1918 and sent to Camp
Funston, Kas. At first he was assigned to the 13th Co. 164th
Division, Depot Brigade and later transferred to Co. C 30th
Machine Gun Battalion. On Thursday, Oct. 3rd, a message was
received by his mother, stating that Frank was seriously ill,
Friday another message came saying that there was no improvement
in his condition and Monday the wire stated that Frank had died
Saturday at 5:50 p.m., his death being caused from pneumonia. At
the time of his death he was 28 years, 5 months and 5 days old.
Besides Mr. and Mrs. Elliot, he leaves to mourn his departure a
sister, Mrs. W. C. Carpenter of Waukegan, Ill, who was also here
to attend the funeral. The body was shipped back and the funeral
was held here at the Methodist church Friday morning at 10
o'clock, conducted by Rev. R. E. Willis. Interment was made in
Waterman cemetery.
[transcription note: the Sutherland Courier also
published this day, same page, the last letter written home by
Frank, dated September 26th, 1918]
Elwin Newell Bidwell
[a photo of Elwin appears on p 1 of the 24 Oct 1918 Sutherland
Courier]
Elwin Newell Bidwell, the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Guy Bidwell,
was born Oct. 27, 1896 on a farm near Calumet. The family moved
into Calumet when Newell was a lad of ten years. In 1914 he moved
with the family to Sutherland and a year later united with the
Methodist church at this place. He was a young man of industry,
always having some employment through which he had gained a wide
acquaintance and won a large circle of friends.
He was sent with the increment from this county to Camp Dodge on
September 6, 1918, where he was assigned to Co. 58, 15th
Battalion, 163 Depot Brigade. He contracted a cold while in
training and on Saturday, October 5th a telegram from the Re
Cross at Camp Dodge was sent to his parents, stating that Newell
was seriously ill. Another was received Monday and on Wednesday a
call came to the family summoning them to his bedside because of
his dangerous condition. His death from pneumonia occurred at
2:00 o'clock Thursday morning. Newell's age at the time of his
death was 21 years, 11 months and 13 days old, thus after only
thirty-four days in the service was his life called out, but he
had responded willingly and had done all that his country had
asked of him. He is survived by his father and mother, a sister,
Miss Ruth Bidwell, and a little brother, Chester.
The body was brought back and the last sad rites were held on the
lawn in front of his home here in Sutherland Tuesday afternoon at
2:00 o'clock. Rev. Willis was called back from Marathon to
conduct the service. A large number of automobiles accompanied
the procession to the Waterman cemetery where the remains were
interred.
p 1 col 2
Charles Innes Dead
Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Innes were informed by a telegram last
Thursday evening of the death of their son, Charles, which
occurred that morning in a hospital in one of the neighboring
towns to his home in Happy, Texas. He was in the best of health
when here on a visit just two weeks ago and his sudden death came
as a great shock to his many old friends in this place where he
was reared and grew to manhood. His mother and two brothers,
Arthur and Paul, departed from here Friday morning, meeting
another brother, Roy, of Madison, S. Dak., enroute, to attend the
funeral. The Courier will be furnished with an obituary
next week.
p 1 col 3
Dr. Sproule Writes Concerning the "Flu" - Some
Timely Advice From Dr. Sproule in Regard to the Spanish
"Flu" - Preventative Only Cure
We reprint a letter taken from last week's Peterson Patriot,
which was received by Frank Steckmest from Dr. Sproule, in regard
to the plague of influenza now going over the country and we
believe it will be of much interest to our readers.
Base Hospital, Camp A. A.
Humphreys, Va.
October 7, 1918
Dear Frank:
Have not time to write a letter. Have not seen a daily paper for
over a week. We are swamped with the influenza and Pneumonia. Our
equipment of 500 beds has been stretched to cover over 1,200
cases and the death rate is high. Personally I am handling 40 to
60 cases a day, so I know what I am talking about. I saw 22
bodies autopsied, and of these I personally examined first on
their admission to Hospital and later when disease was advanced,
16 of them. The disease is first Influenza, the same as the 1888
epidemic, with patches of Pneumonia at first scattered through
the lungs, and later these patches enlarging till both lungs are
solid Pneumonia. There is no treatment except nursing and
stimulants. But there is a sure cure, and that is Prevention.
When the first case hits Peterson, close schools, churches,
movies, and every public gather. If I had the authority I would
not allow more than four or five to enter the Post Office at
once. Keep out of crowds and play safe. The only was to keep out
of crowds is to have no crowds.
Frank, this may seem extreme or even hysterical. But this
epidemic is more deadly than smallpox, has higher death rates
than diphtheria or Scarlet Fever, and can be prevented but only
by putting up the bars before instead of after.
We are working from 1 a.m. up to 12 midnight. Every fourth day,
we have a 36-hour stretch of work, snatching an hour if we can
get it. Washington has given us all available help, but far from
enough. We lost our Commanding Officer, Col. Doerr, a man and a
Mason, from the disease. One-third of our Captain and Lieutenants
are down with it. In addition to my own ward, "D6" with
52 cases, I have for the next 24 hours supervision of Officers'
Ward (42 cases) and wards D2, D3, D5, and D7, each with an
average of 50 patients.
We eat on the run, sleep when we can, read no papers, write notes
home for the lack of time to write letters, we tag the dead and
immediately sterilize their beds for new cases, we give our rooms
for sick officers and sleep on cots in an open, unfinished dining
room, since Sept. 13th no active medical officer has left the
Camp for anything. And all could have been prevented. That is why
I wrote you as I wrote to Walter Runge.
Regards to all,
"Doc"
p 1 col 4
Death Ends Suffering
Mrs. Fred Propp died at her home here in Sutherland Monday night
at ten o'clock, after a lingering illness of about three months,
the immediate cause being heart failure and dropsy. A son, Emil
Propp, stationed at Camp Forrest, Ga., was notified the next
morning and the funeral arrangements will not be made until an
answer from him is received. The obituary will be published next
week.
p 1 col 5
Tells of Otto Bryant's Death
304th Field Artillery
September 11, 1918
Mr. Joseph J. Bryant
Garden City, Minnesota
My Dear Mr. Bryant:
Long before this letter reaches you, you will have word from the
War Department of the death of your son Otto, but perhaps you
will be glad of some further word from one who served in the same
regiment with him.
It was, I think, on August 24th that your boy and several others
from his battery were getting ammunition up to the battery when
the Germans began to shell the edge of the woods where they were
working. A fallen airplane was lying close by and they all ducked
under it to escape the flying shell splinters. They would have
been all right had not a shell made a direct hit on the machine.
Three of the boys lost their lives. Help came immediately but it
was already too late. You will be glad to know that there was no
long agony of suffering. Death came swiftly.
It is a hard thing for a father to lose a son. If your boy has a
mother, it will be even harder for her. And yet it is a wonderful
thing for a man to give his life for his country, and a divine
thing for parents to give their child in a noble cause.
Our hearts go out in sympathy to you all, and yet we hope that
pride and joy will in the end conquer sorrow. In the meantime may
God comfort you and grant you His peace.
Otto was buried beside one of his comrades in a field on the
hillside. I cannot tell you the spot. In due time you will be
notified by the authorities.
Faithfully yours,
James M. Howard,
Chaplain 304th F. A.
p 1 col 6
The family of Alex McGreath has met sore affliction, a son and
daughter dying within two days of each other. Lieut. David
McGreath while home on a furlough was taken ill with influenza
which developed into pneumonia and after a ten days illness
passed away. His sister, Jessie, was taken sick Tuesday and died
on Saturday morning. Interment in each case was made at their
former home at Traer, Iowa.
p 2 col 2
Word has been received that Leo Martin has been very ill at a
camp in California
Theodore Tjossem died at Camp Dodge Saturday morning, the cause
of death being influenza.
p 3 col 2
Mrs. Paul Hagan was summoned to come to Camp Dodge Monday evening
because of her husband being seriously ill with pneumonia there
in a base hospital.
p 3
Death of Little Girl
The death of Aileen Josephine Schmitz, the little daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. John Schmitz, occurred at her home in Hawarden
Wednesday, October 9th, being caused by measles followed by
pneumonia. She was born March 1, 1911, and at the time of her
death was 7 years, 7 months and 8 days old. The body was brought
back to Sutherland last Thursday afternoon for interment in
Waterman cemetery where two other members of the family are
buried. Mr. and Mrs. Schmitz were former residents of Sutherland
and have the sympathy of old friends in their sorrow.
[transcribed by A.N., April 2012]
-----
Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
October 24, 1918
p 1 col 2
Mrs. F. A. Propp, 1862-1918
Rebecca Clarksean was born in Buffalo, N. Y., March 8th, 1862,
and passed at her home here in Sutherland at 9:50 p.m. Monday,
October 14, 1918, after a prolonged sickness of eleven weeks. She
moved with her parents in early childhood to Kewaunee, Wis.,
where she lived until the time of her marriage to Fred A. Propp
which occurred October 25,1883. In 1885 she came with her husband
to O'Brien County, Iowa and resided on a farm near this place
until 8 years ago when they moved into Sutherland.
Besides her husband, she is survived by four children, Edward C.
and Miss Emma M., of Sutherland, Mrs. Elmer Severance, of
Wentworth, S. Dak., and Sergeant Emil F., of Co., C., 214
Engineers, Camp Forrest, GA., also her aged father, four
brothers, one sister and six grandchildren. The home instincts of
the deceased were strong and her affection for her friends and
kindred was tender and abiding. Among us all she ranked always as
a kind neighbor, a devoted mother and a true friend, and in her
quiet way bravely met all of life's stern requirements.
Impressive funeral services were conducted by Rev. R. E. Willis
of Marathon, at the home last Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock
after which her remains were tenderly conveyed to Waterman
Cemetery where she now rests in peace. Relatives from a distance
present at the funeral were: Wm. and Elmer Clarksean and Mr. and
Mrs. Elmer Severance of Wentworth, S. Dak., August Clarksean,
Mrs. Heiter and August Kuehl, of Kewaunee, Wis., and Charles
Propp of Clinton, Minn.
p 3 col 3
Mrs. Gwen Weal went to Primghar Monday to assist in taking care
of her nephew, Irwyn Thomas, who is reported to be critically ill
with the influenza.
[transcribed by A.N., April 2012]
-----
Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
October 31, 1918
p 1 col 2
Charles G. Innes
It is with a feeling of unusual sadness that we note the death of
one of our most prominent and influential citizens. In the
passing of Charles G. Innes, Swisher County loses one of her most
prosperous and progressive young farmers and stockmen, our town
an honorable, upright man of business, the Masonic Lodge a worthy
brother, the O. E. S. a loyal Star, the community at large a
friend. After a few days suffering with la grippe and pneumonia
upon the advice of physicians he was removed to an Amarillo
sanitarium, where all that medical skill and loving hands could
do to nurse him back to health was done, but in vain.
On Thursday, October 10th, at the midday hour, he passed on to
that bourne from whence no traveller e'er returns. It was as the
going down of the sun in the brightness of the noonday. Friday
morning his remains were brought to his home five miles east of
Happy, to await the arrival of his mother and bothers from
Sutherland, Iowa.
Very impressive funeral services were held at the home Sunday
afternoon under the auspices of the Masonic Lodge of his place,
assisted by members of the Amarillo, Canyon and Tulia Orders, the
address being delivered by District Deputy George Stapleton, of
Amarillo. The pall-bearers were Messrs. W. T. Townsend, J. H.
Stephenson, W.J. Wooten, C.R. Strong, Hugh Holland and Ben James.
The floral offerings were many and beautiful. After the service
the body was tenderly laid to rest in the Happy cemetery. To the
devoted and heart-broken wife, aged parents, brothers and
sisters, we would say, "We weep with you for your sorrow is
ours."
Mr. Innes leaves to mourn his death, his wife, mother and father,
Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Innes, of Sutherland, Iowa; three sisters,
Mrs. C. L. Nott, of Sutherland, Iowa, Mrs. R. Russell, of Happy,
Texas, and Mrs. W. Mortensen, of Alta, Iowa; and four brothers,
Mrs. A. A. Innes and Mr. Paul Innes of Sutherland, Iowa, Mrs. Roy
Innes, of Madison, South Dakota, and Mr. John Innes, of Lyndal,
South Dakota.
It is ever hard for the finite mind to understand why the Grim
Messenger should enter our homes and call our loved ones at any
age in life, but it seems doubly hard to understand why one
should be called in the prime of young manhood, when the future
seems to promise all that life holds dear, and whose sky seems
all aglow with red and gold, yet we never doubt the infinite
wisdom of God, for we know, He doeth all things well, and 'tis
for us to know -
"Not now but in the coming years,
It may be in the better land.
We'll read the meaning of our tears
And there, sometime, we'll understand
We'll know why clouds instead of sun
Were over many a cherished plan
Why song has ceased when scarce begun,
'Tis there, sometime, we'll understand.
God knows the way, he holds the key
He guides with unerring hand.
Sometimes with tearless eyes, we'll see
Yes there, up there, we'll understand.
- A Friend
Happy, Texas, Oct. 14, 1918
The Tulia (Texas) Herald
Obituary
C. R. Cobb was born at Woodstock, Vermont, December 8, 1859, and
died at the State Hospital in Cherokee, October 26, 1918, his age
at that time being 58 years, 10 months and 16 days. The early
part of his life was spent on the home farm near Woodstock. When
twenty-three years of age he came to Ames, Iowa, and worked for
two years in the nursery business with an uncle. From there he
went to Phelps county, Nebraska, and took up a homestead and
farmed for several years. Later he moved to Stapleton, Nebraska,
and was engaged in the occupation of raising horses, which he
followed until his health failed one year ago.
He spent the past winter at Excelsior Springs, Missouri, trying
to regain his health but all efforts proved futile. The first of
last May he came to Sutherland to make his home with his brother,
B. L. Cobb and family. He was a charter member of Gandy Masonic
Lodge, A. F. and A. M., raised in 1902 and remained a member
until his death.
Besides his brother, H. L. Cobb, of this place, the deceased is
survived by two sisters, Mrs. M. J. Lewis and Mrs. P. C. Kendall,
both of Woodstock, Vermont. The remains were brought to
Sutherland and the funeral services were conducted at the B. L.
Cobb home Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, by Rev. E. L. Frost,
pastor of the Church of Christ. Interment was made in Waterman
Cemetery.
p 1 col 4
Rev. Wendl and his mother were called to Carroll last week
because of the death of their sister and daughter. They returned
home Wednesday evening.
p 1 col 5
Miss Elmina Louthan Weds
The news of the marriage of Miss Elmina Louthan, daughter of Mrs.
Flora Louthan of this place, which occurred at the home of her
sister, Mrs. R. H. Carr, at Lafayette, Ind., Tuesday, Oct. 22nd,
has reached our office and will be read with much interest by our
readers this week. The bride was born and grew to young womanhood
in Sutherland and is one of our most excellent young ladies, who
is highly respected and admired by a great host of friends
because of her culture and attainments. The Courier extends
congratulations. The following account is taken from the
Lafayette (Ind.) Courier.
A beautiful fall wedding was solemnized at the home of Dr. and
Mrs. R. H. Carr in West Lafayette yesterday at high noon when
Miss Elmina Charlotte Louthan became the wife of Lieut. Maurice
Craig Taylor. The ceremony was read by Rev. Albert C. Dudley
before an altar of autumn foliage and flowers. The following
program of wedding music was given by Dr. and Mrs. G. H. Graves
and Miss Margaret Briggs: "Three Legends", Dvorak;
violin minuet, Beethoven; "Bridal Song," Jensen;
"Prelude and Romance", Foues; violin,
"Souvenir", Serenade, First Peer Gynt Suite, Grieg. A
luncheon was served following the ceremony, after which Lieut.
Taylor and his bride left for Columbus, Ohio, where the
bridegroom will be in special government work for two weeks after
which time they will leave for residence in Baltimore, Md.
Lieutenant and Mrs. Taylor are both Purdue graduates, and the
lieutenant is a member of the Agathon club and the Alpha Zeta and
Sigma Xi honorary fraternities. Guests from out of town who were
here to attend the wedding were the bridegroom's parents, Mr. and
Mrs. Lewis Taylor of Howe, Mrs. Charles Cambull of Wellington,
Kas., R. L. Chase, of Wolcottville, and C. A. Hoffer of Decatur,
Ind.
p 1 col 6
The will of W. C. Metcalf as probated gives his estate to his
widow and heirs in exactly the same proportion as provided by
statute. Bonnie C. Metcalf, his widow, and J. T. Metcalf, his
brother, have been appointed executors.
The will of George Moorehead has been filed for probate and will
be heard on December 9th.
Lelah Cooper secured a divorce from her husband, Henry Cooper, on
grounds of cruel and inhuman treatment.
Inez A. short has sued her husband, Peter shot, for a divorce
alleging cruel and inhuman treatment and desertion.
p 3 col 3
Last week the sad news of the death of another Peterson soldier
came in the shape of a telegram to Walter Dean informing him that
his son, Robert Emerson, had died on October 13th of
broncho-pneumonia after a short illness. Robert enlisted last
summer in the navy and at the time of his death was acting as
fireman on the U.S.S. Illinois. The body has been
shipped to Peterson for burial. -Peterson Patriot
p 4
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hilker was darkened Sunday by the
cloud of death. Word was received that day saying that their son,
Edward William had died the last of September in a hospital at
Winchester, England, and had been buried in the cemetery at that
place. -Paullina Times
[transcribed by A.N., April 2012]