Iowa Old Press
Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
January 2, 1919
p 1 col 1
Primghar Methodist Minister A Suicide - Rev. Douma Takes
Poison Then Hangs Himself - Brooding Over Love Affair Thought to
be the Cause
Special Correspondent- Primghar was much stirred last Friday
morning when the report went out that Rev. Douma, the Methodist
minister at that place had ended his own life. Unfortunately, the
report proved to be true. It is thought that the deceased
committed the fatal deed sometime about six o'clock the previous
evening. He failed to appear at the prayer meeting that night,
but the people where there, believing that he had been called
away unexpectedly on a sick call, held the meeting and went home.
Friday, the minister failed to appear at breakfast and the
janitor phoned to the parsonage, but receiving no answer, went to
the house and knocked for admittance, but again getting no
response he entered the house and made the gruesome discovery.
Rev. Douma was lying dead at the foot of the bed, having, it is
assumed, first drank of wood alcohol and then hung himself with a
small rope.
The janitor gave the alarm at once and the coroner came on the
scene. Rev. J. J. Bushnell was called from Sheldon and Dr.
McBurney, district superintendent, was also communicated with.
Letters of the deceased were examined, so as to find the address
of any near relatives, but the only one that could be found was
that of a brother in Michigan. A letter addressed to that brother
was found on the dead man's desk and one to Dr. McBurney was
found on the bed near the body and it was though that was the
last letter he wrote as it was in a nervous handwriting. This
letter spoke of a last desperate effort to "get on his feet
again, but failing to do so, I cannot stand it any longer"
and then asked forgiveness and for the Lord to have mercy on his
soul.
A short inquest was held by the coroner on Saturday, after the
arrival of Dr. McBurney, but it was clearly a case of suicide and
no one was involved. The sheriff telegraphed to the brother in
Michigan, but up to Sunday evening, no answer had been received
though it is believed the man has been located. Dr. McBurney held
a memorial service Saturday afternoon in the M. E. Church at
Primghar, but the body was held for a few days, pending
instructions from the brother of the deceased.
Rev. Douma has been on the Primghar charge but three months,
having been appointed there by conference which was held at
Estherville, Ia., Sept. 25th. It is thought that brooding over
several affairs, among which is some love affair so far as
indications show, unbalanced the man's mind and caused him to
take his own life. He was a bachelor and lived alone at the
parsonage. Dr. McBurney in his funeral discourse spoke from the
text "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them
that weep." He showed how that the unfortunate man had
finally been conquered by the enemy he had fought all his life
and which it has been his business to preach against. But there
is a difference between Rev. Douma and some who might be inclined
to criticize, and that was that many go down without even a
fight, while he died fighting. He then showed how that we must
ever be on the watch, for Satan goes around seeking to devour
even God's own elect, and that no man is safe unless he is on
guard.
p 1 col 2
Peter and Hans Giese, who were here to attend the funeral of
their cousin, Mrs. Emil Jungjohan, returned to their home at
Ogden, Ia., Wednesday morning.
p 1 col 3
Mrs. Edward Pingel, 1889 - 1918
Mildred E. Nicholson was born Aug 29, 1889 at Schaller, Sac
County, Iowa, and died at her home near Sutherland, Iowa, Dec.
28, 1918, being 29 years, 4 months and 29 days old. She was the
fourth daughter of Thomas and Mary Nicholson. When a small child
her mother died leaving her and the rest of the family to their
father's care, who kept them all together and cared for them
until he died a year later.
She and the rest of the family moved to O'Brien County with her
uncle, James Farquhar, with whom they made their home for several
years.
After she finished the country school she came to Sutherland and
was a graduate in the class of 1909. During her school days in
Sutherland she made her home with Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Plager where
she was loved and esteemed for her sunny and pleasant
disposition. After her graduation she continued still to make her
home with them and accepted a position in the W. A. Plager
Department Store, which position she held until her marriage to
Mr. Edward Pingel, June 5th, 1912 at the W. A. Plager home.
Shortly after her marriage they went to their present home where
they have since resided, and where they were prosperous and
happy, with no thought of sorrow. But the angel of death has
entered this home and taken the young wife and mother. We must
not ask why she has been taken as we are taught to believe it is
all for the best and that some day we will understand. We will
now say farewell to this wife and mother who has laid her burdens
down and let us all live so we will meet her by the side of the
sparkling sea where life is worth the living and parting is
unknown.
She leaves to mourn her loss, a loving husband and two small
children, Edith and Dennis, Mrs. Adolph Pingel, Miss Emma Pingel,
Mr. and Mrs. Will Pingel, the latter her loving girl friend and
schoolmate, formerly Miss Alta Jenner, John, Henry and Lew
Pingel, also four sisters and one brother, Mrs. Cyrus VanCleve of
Sundance, Wyo., Mrs. J. A. Snook and Mrs. Freeman Snook of
Jeffers, Minn., Mrs. Carl Tillinghast of Peterson, Ia., Mrs.
Walter E. Nicholson, an aunt in Chicago, Mr. and Mrs. James
Farquhar, uncle and aunt, and Mrs. Alex Farquhar, also a number
of cousins and a wide circle of friends who mourn her sudden
death.
The funeral service was held at the home on Monday afternoon at
2:00 o'clock, Rev. Whitlock, M. E. pastor delivering a brief
message. Interment was made in Waterman cemetery.- Contributed
Card of Thanks
We wish in this manner to express our thanks to the kind
neighbors and friends for their help and assistance sharing our
recent illness and at the death of our beloved wife and mother
and for the magnificent floral offerings, especially to Mr. and
Mrs. Ed Ahrens, also to Mr. and Mrs. McFarland for their splendid
duets at the funeral.
Ed Pingel and Family
p 1 col 4
Marriage licenses were issued to the following:
Louis Loesch 33
Clara M. Youngers 27
Mr. Glenn Dummett 19
Gladys Naomi Vrooman 18
John Sietstra 30
Tena Hockstra 27
Andrew Plantinga of Sheldon, a citizen of Netherlands, has made
application for citizenship papers.
p 3 col 3
The infant daughter, Lois Lucille, born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Hayes, was permitted to live but four days, passing away Saturday
Dec. 28th. A short funeral service was conducted at the home by
E. L. Frost, pastor of the Church of Christ, Sunday morning at
10:30 o'clock. Interment was made in Waterman cemetery.
Card of Thanks
We desire to express our heartfelt appreciation and thanks to the
many kind neighbors and friends for their assistance and sympathy
during the illness and at the death of our beloved wife, mother,
daughter and sister, also for the floral offerings.
Emil Jungjohan and Children
Mr. and Mrs. John Dau and family
Primghar Democrat: Mayor Locke was called upon to
perform a wedding ceremony on Wednesday of this week. The
contracting parties were Harry Peters, son of Mr. and Mrs. Claus
Peters, and Dora Riedemann, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred
Riedemann, all of Calumet. They returned the same day.
Mrs. Emil Jungjohan, 1878 - 1918
Died at her home four miles north of Sutherland, Mrs. Emil
Jungjohan, at 1:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon, Dec. 26th.
She was the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Dau, and was
born in Tama County, Iowa, on June 1, 1878, being at the time of
her death 40 years, 6 months and 26 days old. In 1894 she moved
with her parents to O'Brien county. She was married on February
22, 1898 to Emil Jungjohan. Three children were born to bless
their union, Emilie, their only daughter, dying in infancy.
Besides her husband, she leaves to mourn her departure, two sons,
Johnnie, aged 14 and Clarence, aged 9, her father and mother,
five brothers, Will, Hans, Frank, George, and Emil Dau, and three
sisters, Mrs. Mehrens, Mrs. Kate Wohlert and Mrs. Elsie Hortsman.
The deceased has been in very poor health for about eight months
but bore her suffering with patience until the end. However, to
her the struggle and burden bearing of earth are now ended, and
we trust that like one who awakes from a troubled dream, she has
awakened to see life's endless morning break. Her home instincts
were strong for she was a devoted wife and mother.
The Rev. Wm. E. Whitlock was in charge of the funeral which was
held at the home Sunday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock. The body was
laid to rest in Waterman cemetery.
p 3 col 4
Maple Grove - The sad intelligence has just come
of the death of Mrs. Millie Pingel, as this was her birth-place,
and her early childhood days were spent on the farm of her uncle,
Jas. Farquhar.
[transcribed by A.N., November 2011]
-----
Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
January 9, 1919
p 1 col 2
Mrs. J. C. Harris, 1885 - 1919
Mrs. Maude Josaphine McCormack Harris passed away very
unexpectedly at her home in Sutherland Friday night, Jan. 4,
1919, as a result of an attack of influenza. Her death came as a
great shock to relatives and friends as she had been ill only
three days.
She was born on a farm on Waterman township, O'Brien County,
Iowa, on April 20th, 1885, being at the time of her death 33
years, 8 months and 4 days old. Early in life she was united with
the Methodist church and a little more than a year ago
transferred her membership to the Church of Christ in Sutherland.
On February 6, 1918 she was married to Calvin Harris.
The deceased leaves to mourn her loss besides her husband, her
father, C. F. McCormack, four sisters, Mrs. Mary Martin, Mrs.
Lucy Roper, Miss Grace McCormack, all of Sutherland, and Mrs.
Rhod Hanson of Dixon, S. Dak., and four brothers, Charles and Dan
McCormack at home, Francis N. McCormack of Libertyville, Ill, and
Roswell S. McCormack, now in the U. S. Navy.
Mrs. Harris was the kind of a woman whose life, however, brief,
leaves marks of esteem and tribute which can never be effaced.
Her death in early womanhood, at the very time when life means
most, is one of those mysteries which eternity alone can solve.
Taken from a home of happiness and the love of a worthy husband,
words of sympathy seem barren for nothing within mortal power can
bridge the gap which is left by the swift, cold call of death.
However, to all relatives, the writer can only state that they
have the sincere sympathy of everyone in their bereavement.
The funeral services were held from the home Monday afternoon at
2:00 o'clock, E. L. Frost, pastor of the church of Christ,
officiating. Interment was made in Waterman cemetery.
p 1 col 3
A marriage license was issued to:
Louis Loesch 33
Clara M. Youngers 27
p 1 col 5
Another Flu Victim Claimed
Franz Thiessen died suddenly at his home in the east outskirt of
Sutherland Monday afternoon. His death was caused from an attack
of pneumonia following the "flu" after being sick but
just a few days. Arrangements have been made to hold the funeral
Thursday afternoon. The obituary will be published next week.
p 3 col 2
Messrs. J. B. Hughes and Silas Steele went to Larrabee Wednesday
afternoon and were pall bearers at the funeral services for M. A.
Stanford. Mr. Stanford was one of the pioneers of that locality,
having been a resident of Cherokee county for nearly a half
century.
p 4 col 4
Joe Goodman, for many years a resident of Primghar, died Monday
afternoon of pneumonia. He has been sick about a week. He leaves
a wife, brother and two sisters.
[transcribed by A.N., November 2011]
-----
Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
January 16, 1919
p 1
Influenza Claims Two Near Calumet - Death of Charles
Bandholz and Mrs. Harry Mugge Both Occurred Last Saturday
Charles Bandholz, 1888 - 1919
Charles Bandholz was born in Scott County, Iowa on Sept. 28th,
1888, and at the age of 67 years he moved with his parents to
O'Brien county.
Here he grew to manhood and attended school in Sutherland, later
taking two terms in the Spencer Business College. In 1912 he was
united in marriage to Dora Menke.
To this union two children were born. He was a devoted husband
and father, and to his friends was the soul of fellowship. He was
taken ill Jan. 3rd, 1919, gradually growing weaker and passed
away Saturday, Jan. 11th, at 4:00 a.m. at the age 36 [sic] years,
3 months and 14 days. His death was caused from pneumonia,
following an attack of influenza.
The near relatives who mourn his departure are his wife and two
children, Clarence and Bernice, his father and mother, M. and
Mrs. Gus Bandholz, and sister, Miss Lillian Bandholz, all of
Sutherland.
The funeral service was held at the home, 3 miles west of
Sutherland, on Monday afternoon at 1:00 p.m., conducted by Rev.
F. Lonsdale of Calumet. There was a large crowd of sympathizers
present. Interment was made in Waterman Cemetery.
Mrs. Harry Mugge, 1892 - 1919
Frances Katheryn Mugge was born September 27, 1892, in Baker
township, O'Brien County, Iowa. While still young she moved with
her parents to Liberty township and lived the rest of her life in
this community. She departed this life on January 11th, 1919, at
her home near Paullina, at the age of 26 years, 3 months and 15
days.
On January 5th, 1915 she was united in marriage to Harry Mugge.
To this union were born three children, Clarence, Gladys and
Delbert, all of whom, with the husband, are left to mourn her
departure. She also leaves to mourn her death, her parents, Mr.
and Mrs. John Shimmer, and brother, Roy Shimmer, all of Calumet,
Iowa.
The funeral service was held at the home Tuesday and was
conducted by Rev. F. Lonsdale of Calumet. Interment was made in
the Liberty Township cemetery.
p 1 col 4
Mrs. Peter Muhs, living near Hartley, died at the Ward Hospital
in Primghar Saturday night, as a result of an operation.
Miss Fay Goin died of heart trouble last Saturday. She has been
employed in the offices of Dr. Avery and Avery.
Albert George, a former resident of Sutherland, living now at
Boone, accompanied the body of an infant daughter back here last
Monday for burial in the family lot in Waterman cemetery. A brief
service was conducted at the J. E. Sheaffer home by Rev. Frost.
p 1 col 6
Sweeney - Barnett
At the home of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Sweeney, on Tuesday, Jan. 14,
1919, at one o'clock, occurred the marriage of their daughter,
Mabel Alosylia, to Mr. Ray E. Barnett of Brookings, South Dakota.
Preceding the ceremony, Miss Anna Donovan of Cherokee sang,
"I Love You." To the strains of the Wedding March from
Lohengrin, the bridal couple entered unattended and took their
place before Rev. Wendl of the Sacred Heart church, who performed
the marriage ceremony. The bride's dress was of white satin and
georgette and she carried a beautiful bridal bouquet of pink
rosebuds tied with long streamers. The groom was attired in the
conventional black. There were present about thirty-five guests,
including relatives and a few intimate friends. After the
ceremony a dainty luncheon was served.
Both young people are graduates of the Sutherland High School.
The bride also graduated from the Minnesota State Normal at
Mankato and taught two very successful years, one at Winnebago,
Minn., and last year in the city schools in Indianapolis,
Indiana. The groom attended Ames College for a year but moved to
Brookings in March 1917, where he has since engaged in farming
and is also a very successful auctioneer.
The qualities that have made for both such a large circle of
friends are also qualities that give promise of happiness and
prosperity in their married life, and that there may come to them
the highest and best joys life can bring, is the sincere wish of
their large circle of admiring friends in this community.
Mr. and Mrs. Barnett will spend a short honeymoon in Chicago,
after which they will be at home on the grooms' farm north of
Brookings, S. Dak.
Franz Thiessen, 1890 - 1919
Franz Herman Thiessen was born at Marne, Holstein, Germany on
March 11th, 1890.
Since March 1914, the month and year of his arrival in the United
States, he resided in O'Brien County. October 20, 1915, he was
married to Miss Anne Jalas and since then until his death has
lived on the farm near Sutherland. The cause of his death which
occurred at 1:30 p.m. January 7th, 1919 was pneumonia following
an attack of influenza.
Those who were nearest to him and mourn his sudden departure are
Anna his wife, and two small children, Otto and Ernest. He also
leaves a mother, two brothers and six sisters in Germany.
A brief funeral service was held at the home Thursday afternoon
at 2:00 o'clock, Rev. W. E. Whitlock officiating. Burial was made
in Waterman cemetery.
p 5 col 3
Mr. and Mrs. Walt McCroskey and daughters, Miss Bernice and Mrs.
Harvey Butler, attended the funeral of John Hayes at Archer last
week.
p 8 col 3
Mrs. Emma Griffin has sued her husband, Frank Griffin, for a
divorce on grounds of cruel and inhumane treatment. Griffin has
been a ditcher and they have been married about a year. She
alleges that he is a gambler and bootlegger and asks that upon
divorce she be permitted to resume her maiden name of Edna King.
[transcribed by A.N., November 2011]
-----
Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
January 23, 1919
p 1 col 2
Obituary
Melissa Delilah Rigby was born near Zaneville, Ohio, January 7,
1839, and died at the State Hospital in Cherokee of peritonitis,
January 16, 1919, being 80 years and 10 days old.
She came with her parents to Cedar county when ten years of age
and where she resided until her marriage to S. S. Todd, in
Joliet, Illinois, November 16th, 1870.
She leaves to mourn her loss, her husband, Samuel S. Todd, and
two daughters, Mrs. Thos. Lister of Anamosa, Iowa, and Mrs. Ray
R. Crum of Melville, Montana, one daughter having preceded her in
death in infancy. She joined the Methodist church in early
childhood and was all her life a devoted Christian.
The remains were brought to Sutherland last Friday and laid to
rest in the beautiful Waterman cemetery. - Contributed
p 1 col 4
Harkness - Crooks
Walter Crooks and Miss Cora Harkness slipped away quietly and
were married last Saturday evening, January 18th, at 7:00 o'clock
at the home of the former's uncle, Frank Hintz, in Primghar, Rev.
Hopkinson officiating.
The bride is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Harkness and is a
young lady possessed with many good qualities which will make her
an excellent helpmate to her husband. The groom is a son of Mr.
and Mrs. H. O. Crooks. He is the kind of a young man whose
qualifications make for success in life. They are a worthy young
couple and have a most of friends who wish them an abundance of
joy and happiness. They will make their home for the present on
the farm with the groom's parents.
p 1 col 6
Marriage licenses were issued to the following:
Herman Erkes 29
Katherine Sinnema 20
Lee[?] E. Marshall 36
Maude E. Clarke 29
Adolph Goetch 32
Millie Kruse 21
George F. Jurgensen 23
Caroline M. Holtgrewe 18
Ray Edwin Barnett 24
Mabel Aloysia Sweeney 25
William C. Knaber[?] 26
Marguerite Leemkull 18
Walter E. Crooks 20
Cora Harkness 19
William Woudstra of Archer, a citizen of Netherlands, and Alex
Hjimar Johnson of Paullina, a citizen of Sweden have made
application for citizenship with the United States.
p 3 col 2
Word was received during the weekend that Stewart Greene,
brother-in-law of Robert Woodworth, died from an attack of
influenza and pneumonia on Saturday, after several days' illness.
p 5 col 2
Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Chesley and Ned Chesley of Sioux Falls arrived
Saturday at Mrs. Edna Chesley's home, being summoned on account
of the critical condition of their brother, Guy.
Rev. and Mrs. E. L. Frost and son, Woodrow, departed last Friday
evening for Cantril, Iowa, being called there because of the
death of a brother-in-law. A letter from Rev. Frost to the Courier
Wednesday, states that because of the critical condition of Mrs.
Frost's sister, also, they will not be able to return home until
some time next week.
[transcribed by A.N., November 2011]
-----
Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
January 30, 1919
p 1 col 2
Thomas Merrick, 1843 - 1919
Thomas Merrick was born in Okla. July 5th, 1843 and passed away
in Sutherland, Iowa, January 24, 1919, at the age of 75 years, 6
months and 19 days.
He is gone! Another name is stricken from the ever lessening roll
of our old settlers. Few of us will live as long or perhaps as
well. Because of his long associations with this community and
its people, he will be greatly missed. Yet in such a death there
is no cause for grief. His life work was done, and well done. He
had passed his golden wedding and other eventful days and now
having been left alone, bereft of his life's companion, and
wearied with life's duties and cares, weary of suffering and
waiting, he lay down to rest.
In 1861 he offered his service to his county, which he served
faithfully until his honorable discharge. In 1864 he was united
in marriage to Margaret Kavanaugh and that same year, moved to
Iowa. In 1869 they homesteaded in Clay county 7 miles northeast
of Sutherland, where they continued to reside until the death of
his wife, which occurred May 3, 1918.
Funeral services were held at Sacred Heart Catholic church,
Monday morning at 11:00 o'clock, in charge of Rev. M. C. Wendl.
Interment was made in Waterman cemetery.
p 1 col 3
Donovan - Sweeney
A wedding of much interest to Sutherland people took place at
7:00 o'clock Wednesday morning, at the Immaculate Conception
church in Cherokee, when Frank Sweeney of this place and Miss
Anna Donovan of Cherokee were united in marriage, Rev. Father
Desmond officiating.
The bride is the daughter of T. Donovan, Sr., of Cherokee and is
a popular young woman, having a host of friends at that place.
The groom is a son of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Sweeney of this place,
well and favorably known in the community. He is a prosperous
farmer and worthy young man.
The happy couple left on a honeymoon to Chicago, Milwaukee and
points in the east and upon their return will be at home on the
groom's father's farm, known as the M. Sweeney old homestead, 5
miles east of Sutherland. The Courier joins Sutherland friends in
extending hearty congratulations. Those from Sutherland in
attendance at the wedding were Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Sweeney and Mr.
and Mrs. H. B. Donovan.
p 2 col 3
Martin Plog, son of Mr. and Mrs. Plog, of Alta, is reported to
have died in a hospital in France, his death being due to
pneumonia, with which he was stricken after the armistice was
signed.
p 5 col 3
Word has just been received by relatives here of the death of
Mrs. D. W. Young of Sparta, Mich., on January 18th, 1919, after
an illness of a few days. She was in her ninetieth year. Mr. and
Mrs. D. W. Young will be remembered by pioneer residents of
Cherokee and O'Brien counties. They homesteaded the farm now
occupied by Ben McCulla about the year 1874 or 1875.
[transcribed by A.N., November 2011]