Iowa Old Press
Emmetsburg Democrat; Emmetsburg, Palo Alto Co, Iowa;
Wednesday, July 1, 1885
IOWA CONDENSED
-- The little son of Mr. and Mrs. George M. Fay was drowned near
Osage in a pond near town.
-- J. S. Berg, alias J. O. Brook of Clinton has been sentenced to
five years in the state prison for bigamy, the full limit of the
law.
-- Mrs. Henritta Miller, of Rudbeck, was drowned by falling into
a cistern recently. She was 63 years of age and leaves seven
children
-- Miss Allie Laws, a young lady of Tama City, was drowned while
bathing in Iowa river near that city a few nights ago. She was
about 16 years old, and was at the time of the accident
accompanied by a friend, Mrs. Inman, who was also in the river
bathing. Miss Laws going beyond her depth, was carried down by a
swift current, and could not be rescued. At last accounts her
body had not been found.
-- the notorious Willis A. Spooner, forger and horse thief, who
has defied the officers of Humboldt county for several months,
was shot near Goldfield, Wright county, a few nights ago while
trying to escape from the officers upon whom he had fired. He was
shot through the abdomen at close range and died from his wound.
The people are generally satisfied with the bloody end of the
desperado's life.
-- a few evenings ago a Central Iowa train was ditched near
Richland, east of Oskaloosa. The engine struck some cattle and
went over with nine cars. Engineer Gardner and firemen Patton
were both mortally injured. Firemen Patton died at Richland, and
was buried at Marshalltown with Masonic honors. He leaves a wife
and four children.
-- John Carmack, of Cedar Rapids, while using an adz recently,
fell against it and cut his wrists, from the effects of which he
died.
TOWN SAYINGS
-- T. W. Harrison, of Emmetsburg was made to happy father of a 12
pound boy the other day, and there's not much care now whether he
goes to the legislature this fall or not. -- -- Spencer Reporter.
-- William E. Knapp, of West Bend and brother of J. E. Knapp of
this place, was adjudged insane by the commissioners of insanity
a few days ago. Dr. H. A. Powers started for Independence with
him on Friday morning, where he will be compelled to remain until
such times as he shows improvement.
-- Matt Joyce went to Sanborn last week to visit his nephew, John
Cassidy, who had his arm taken off while coupling cars at Sioux
Falls, a short time ago.
-- Mrs. Heitzman wishes us to state that she has a new process
for ironing, and would be pleased to have anyone wanting work
done in that line to call on her. Her prices are reasonable and
she guarantees good work.
-- it may be opportune to call attention to the fact that there
is now a law in Iowa, prohibiting the sale of toy pistols to
boys. The penalty is fine and imprisonment, but as prohibitory
laws in Iowa are not held in very high esteem just at the present
time, it is doubtful if this will be enforced. -- -- Sioux City
Tribune.
Emmetsburg Democrat; Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa,
Wednesday, July 8, 1885
WEST BEND
-- Dan Kelly's house was struck by lightning Saturday night. The
lightning came down the chimney, tearing the chimney to pieces.
It then passed on a wire from the chimney to the door within a
few inches of Mrs. Kelly's head; Mrs. Kelly was somewhat shocked,
but is recovering from it.
-- Mrs. Orren Sloan died Sunday, July 5. She leaves a large
family and many friends to grieve for her. She was one of the old
settlers and will be sadly missed.
-- Eighteen pounds of sugar at McFarland’s for $1. Oh! For a
thousand tongues to lick.
IOWA CONDENSED
-- John Palmer of Oakland has discovered skeleton remains of
prehistoric animal of immense size in a bank near that town.
-- Dick Smith and John McGraw, two young men from Drakesville,
filled up with Bloomfield booze one night recently, and in the
drunken brawl that ensued carved each other up in the shape that
bids fair to prove fatal to McGraw, who is horribly gashed about
the face and throat.
A few nights ago, David Pitman, living 3 miles north of Polk
City, was found by his mother and brothers lying dead behind a
stable. It is supposed that he was killed by one of the horses,
but in order to remove all doubt an inquest was held. He was 26
years old and unmarried.
-- Rev. C. E. Laughlin, pastor of the Presbyterian Church of
Lenox, Iowa, and his sister, Regina Laughlin, were both drowned
in Platte River, on their way to Platte church to fill an
appointment.
TOWN SAYINGS
-- Miss Kate Cassidy returned from Sioux Falls last Wednesday,
where she had been for two weeks visiting her brother who was
injured while coupling cars.
-- John McNally is enjoying a visit from a sister-in-law from
Osceola county, this state. -- Dr. Davies informs us that a
little girl arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Schirmer, June
19.
-- the St. James Hotel is receiving quite a patronage of late.
Mr. VanGorden has the reputation of being a good landlord.
MARRIED
In Emmetsburg, at the Congregational parsonage by Reverend O. P.
Champlin, July 4, 1885, Oscar A. Noble and Annie Kinnie, both of
Rush Lake township.
In this city, at the Congregational parsonage, by Reverend O. P.
Champlin, July 6, 1885, William E. Benson and Ida May Baker, both
of Livermore, Humboldt County, Iowa.
RUTHVEN
-- William and John McNary returned Thursday from the funeral of
their father.
-- W. H. Innis wishes us to announce that he will be found in the
rear end of M. L. Brown's bank building on the first floor until
such time that his tonsorial parlors are repaired.
-- Little Frank Frost won first money at the race the fourth,
notwithstanding he was the smallest of six riders and had the
outside position starting. We are inclined to believe that Frank
is the best rider in Palo Alto county for his age.
-- Pursuant to call, that greenbackers met at the court house
last Saturday and elected the following named persons as
delegates to the state convention which was held at Des Moines
yesterday, J. C. Baker, John Wilson, JohnHand, John Doran, Elias
F. Jones and P. F. VanGorden.
-- The Celebration which took place here on the 4th, was what
everyone supposed it would be -- a grand success. All seemed to
realize that the 4th comes but once a year, and each seemed bent
on having a good time and they had it. The programme, which was
rather short, was carried out in the best manner possible, all
participating therein rendering their part extremely well.
Following are the names of those who won prizes: at the
wheelbarrow race, Mr. McGuire took first money and Mr. Myers
second, Mr. Conlon won first money and Mr. Klagal second, in the
three-legged. At the free for all foot race, Peter Dorris was a
champion and David Grier second best. At the boy's race, Frank
Keeler captured the first prize and George Fountain second. There
was considerable scrambling over the greased pig, but finally the
porker was brought to bay by Messrs. Conlon and Klagal. At the
horse race, which took place at the fairgrounds, Frank Frost was
awarded the first prize and John Lake second. At the shooting
match, Doc Olshausen was considered the best marksman.
-- We glean from the Algona courier the sad account of the
untimely death last week, of the wife and two children of Prof.
Shippey of that place. That paper says that the professor with
his wife and two children went out on a fishing forage to the
mill pond. They rode a few rides upstream to where a new channel
has recently been formed and where most of the waste water now
escapes from the mill pond. The water falls over a precipice here
of about 12 feet into a channel obstructed with stones, brush and
debris. The boat went to near this fall and was drawn into the
rapid current. Just as the boat went over Mrs.Shippey snatched up
her baby and jumped, while the father and the other child went
over the falls in the boat. All were plunged into the seething
mass below where Mrs. Shippey and the children found watery
graves. Mr. Shippey swam out after making a wild and fruitless
search for all that is dear to him. A farmer passing gave the
alarm and soon a large number gathered and rescued Mr. Shippey
who was overwhelmed with grief and anguish. After a search of
over two hours the body of Mrs. Shippey was found with her baby
clasped in her arms; the body of the little boy was not found
until the next day.
Emmetsburg Democrat; Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa;
Wednesday, July 15, 1885
IOWA CONDENSED
-- Charles Roberts, a Teamster in Des Moines, was dragged to
death by his horses a few evenings ago.
-- Adam Simpson, a farmer living near Webster City, lost to fine
heifers killed by lightning in the storm a week ago.
-- John C. Bonnell, formerly of Burlington, and a veteran of the
19th infantry, has been appointed at adjutant general of the
state of Nebraska
-- The farm residence of Walter Ordway, near Dewitt -- one of the
finest in the country -- was destroyed by fire. The contents were
saved. Loss, $3000; insurance, $1400.
-- H. A. Fritz, the absconding railway and express agent at
Lansing, proves to have made a cleanup among his friends and from
the companions whose confidence he enjoyed, of not less than
$3000. He left a wife and two children in destitute
circumstances.
-- James Nolan, about 28 years of age, fell while attempting to
board a moving freight train at Avoca was almost instantly
killed. He was unmarried and had been in Avoca about two months
in the employee of the Seiffert house. His home was in Council
Bluffs, and he was boarding a train to return there when he met
his death.
-- The body of Kristen Jensen, a former employe in the Fleming
mill at McGregor, was found suspended to the limit of a tree near
that town. The coroner decided the case to be one of suicide and
held no inquest.
-- Religious excitement unbalanced the mind of John Stephens of
Keokuk a few days ago, and upon his attempting to murder his
father and mother he was jailed for safety.
-- the widow Weidling, the Muscatine brewer, who is having such
seas of injunction troubles, is reported to be young,
good-looking, with healthy finances and broken English.
-- the coroner's jury in the case of John D. Hayes, the
16-year-old lad found hanging in Union Grove, Harrison county,
was unable to determine the mystery of the lad's death.
-- General Burdette, the new commander of the grand army of the
republic, was a lawyer at Dewitt, Clinton county, prior to the
war.
TOWN SAYINGS
-- Mrs. S. Mesic is enjoying a visit with her sister, Mrs. Fisher
from Wisconsin.
-- Martin Fahey of Pern Ill, was here last week looking after his
interests and Fern Valley township. He is highly pleased with the
country and will probably become a permanent resident of this
county in the fall or perhaps next spring and we acknowledge a
friendly call, and a wherewith to pay for his Democrat.
-- Nick Koch and family left last Thursday for Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, their future home, where we trust they will find a
pleasant abiding place. While we are sorry to have them leave us,
we feel confident in saying their new friends in Milwaukee will
find them to be pleasant neighbors.
-- A. and F. C. Chamberlain, nephews of H. C. Kendal, came up
from Charles City to spend the Fourth in Emmetsburg.
-- we were in error last week in saying that the body of the
little boy of Prof Shippey was found the next day after the
drowning. The body has not been recovered yet and as the dam has
been washed out at the place where the accident occurred, it is
not probable the body will be found for some time.
-- James Fitzgerald has moved his stock of drugs to the building
recently occupied by James Grier as a restaurant. The change of
location will only be temporary however and as for the purpose of
getting Mr. Fitzgerald an opportunity to erect a new building on
the old site. The new building will be 20 x 40 and will be pushed
to completion as rapidly as possible.
-- Whilst A.J. Powers and wife were visiting with relatives in
Mt. Vernon week before last, they received the sad intelligence
by telegram that the mother of Mrs. Powers, who resides near
Buffalo, New York, was in a dying condition. They took the first
train going east, but before arriving at their destination, the
mother was dead. Mrs. Powers will remain in New York most of the
summer; A.J. returned home last Friday evening.
-- the plastering has been finished in the new Catholic Church
and Mass will be celebrated there next Sunday.
-- T. J. Duffy has recently erected an addition to his
slaughterhouse 20 x 32 feet. Mr. Duffy's business is so
increasing that something of this kind became absolutely
necessary.
-- there is no doubt that the drinking of icewater, in its
coldest state is injurious to health. A temperature of 32 degrees
instantly goes to the stomach in which the temperature is 98 1/2
degrees. By the intemperate use of icewater Bright’s disease
and other fatal ailments are produced. Hydrant or well water may
be cooled with small amounts of ice or by mixing with ice water.
But icewater, as it is usually drank in hot weather is dangerous
to health.
-- One of Ruthven's thirsty citizens by the name of John Miller,
came to town last Saturday for the express purpose of “
painting the town red.” He meandered around town from one
soda fountain (?) to another, all day, and managed to get all the
"tangle foot" that he could stand up under. Shortly
before the passenger train on the Milwaukee Road came in from the
east, the thought struck him that he lived out toward
Dakota somewhere and started for the depot. When the train came
in, he climbed on the platform and at once proceeded to sell the
whole train of cars, passengers in all, an auction. The conductor
came forward and Miller's cry of "one, two and a forty, who
is the next lucky man," held him in suspense, for he did not
know whether Miller would allow his train to leave Emmetsburg
that night or not. Finally the train pulled out and Miller could
be heard clear to the river, shouting for another bid. We would
advise Ruthven to send along a guardian that next time that
fellow visits Emmetsburg, or else a bodyguard.
RUTHVEN
-- Mrs. M. Higley is visiting her daughter, Mrs. Guilford.
-- Mrs. Taylor is the owner of a new and beautiful road cart.
-- Will Guilford captured a young make Sunday while out walking.
Being unable to start a circus, will want to know what to do with
it.
-- what is the matter with the band, we have not heard it lately.
DIED
Wednesday, July 8, 1885, of heart disease, Mrs. Fahey, aged 49
years.
Emmetsburg Democrat; Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa;
Wednesday, July 22, 1885
IOWA CONDENSED
-- J. O. Rushek, aged 19, was drowned in Cedar river at Cedar
Rapids, while bathing.
-- Oskaloosa, with a population of 6028, has 314 colored people.
-- a Mrs. May Flanning, an Irish woman about 40 years of age, and
accompanied by a two-year-old child, was arrested and taken to
the poor farm in Marshall county a few days ago. The woman had no
home or friends, and was, together with the child, sleeping in
the woods at night. She claims to have formerly lived near
Clinton.
-- Gus Haffner, of Donelson, Iowa, was suffocated in an elevator
shoot. The boy was playing in a bin containing 400 bushels of
shelled corn. The elevator men were loading cars from that bin,
and all at once the chute became clogged. The first known of the
boy's death was when the cause of the chute clogging was
ascertained to be his dead body.
-- Thomas O'Brien was found with his skull fractured and
senseless in Davenport on the morning of the 15th. The doctors
say his wound is fatal. O'Brien is a young lawyer 26 years of
age, and of great promise. He stumped the district last fall for
the Democratic ticket, and was himself elected Justice of the
peace. It is learned that O'Brien was drinking late the night
before and taken to his room at midnight. There is no doubt that
in raising the window he pitched out falling more than 20 feet.
-- Peter Christensen, a Dane, in the employ of the Rock Island,
was drowned while bathing in the West Betna river. He was unable
to swim, and from the appearance of the river bank, had evidently
entered the water where it was about 12 feet deep near the shore.
A strong current was running at the place and had borne him a few
feet and under the branches of a fallen tree. He was unmarried
about 27 years old.
-- Delos Donnance was found dead in his bed at LeClaire. He has
been a pilot on the upper Mississippi for more than 30 years.
-- Fred Wendt, a well-known river man, was drowned by falling
from a flatboat near Eagle Point. The body was recovered.
TOWN SAYINGS
-- an addition to J. H. Cummings family in Highland township is
the latest. A fine boy of usual proportions.
-- James Fitzgerald is raffling off his three resident lots in
block 17, near Emmetsburg high school. The lots are worth at
least $100 each, and by paying one dollar for a raffle ticket,
you will have a chance at the prize. Let everyone buy a ticket.
-- John M. Mulroney, of Fort Dodge and brother of J.T., W.K., and
P. Mulroney, of Nevada township, was in the city a few days last
week, renewing old acquaintances. When this county was first
organized, Mr. Mulroney was county treasurer for a number of
years.
-- Will Chiquet, who is acting as traveling agent for A. Rank
& Co., of Fort Dodge for a number of years, made a pleasant
call on last Friday. He has recently engaged in business for
himself in that city with a man by the name of Willging. Will is
a good boy and has a number of friends in Emmetsburg who desire
to see him prosper.
-- Mrs. Margaret Pratt, of Morris Illinois, is visiting with her
sister, Mrs. Martin Coonan of this place.
-- it is said that prairie chickens are more plentiful this
season than for years before. Sportsmen anticipate a great
harvest.
-- J. L. Ormsby has moved the old Methodist church on one of his
resident lots in the north part of town and is converting it into
a dwelling.
-- James Gown, formerly clerk for Thomas McLaughlin and John
Scott, of Emmett county, have opened up a dry goods and grocery
store in the building formerly occupied by W. S. Frost as a meat
market.
AYRSHIRE NOTES
-- Mr. C. Kaley, formerly of Clay county, is now lying
dangerously ill at the home of his brother near town. Dr. Baldwin
who attends him, pronounces him incurable, being in the last
stage of consumption.
-- George H. Pendlebury is well stocked with all kinds of farm
machinery.
Emmetsburg Democrat; Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa;
Wednesday, July 29, 1885
IOWA CONDENSED
-- Adam Myers, of Tipton, committed suicide by shooting himself.
-- Jackson, the old orderly sergeant of Company C. 30th Iowa
infantry, was killed near Burlington a few days ago by being
thrown from a lead of ties he was hauling.
-- during an altercation at Burlington over who should pay for a
glass of beer, James Riley drew a revolver and shot Warren Phedy.
The latter died in half an hour. Riley was arrested.
-- Philo Ferris, a farmer living 7 miles south of Waterloo,
committed suicide by blowing out his brains with a revolver. As
there was no known motive, it is supposed the man was temporarily
insane.
-- James Smith, of Waverly, employed as brakeman on the Illinois
Central railroad, had his legs so badly crushed while engaged in
switching cars at the Waverly yards, that amputation was deemed
necessary. The leg was taken off a little below the knee, but the
injuries the patient had suffered were so severe that his system
failed to rally, and he died in twenty minutes after the
operation.
-- Eight members of the family of James Van Doran, of Keokuk,
suffered severely from canned beef poisoning. The canned beef was
put up by one of the most prominent Chicago firms. There were ten
members of the Van Doran family and every one eating the meat was
attacked ten hours afterward with violent purging followed by
vomiting and then a high fever. A chemist claims that the meat
had undergone a chemical change after canning, and was very
poisonous. The eight persons eating it are thought to be out of
danger.
-- Jesse Goodrich, of Webster City, who had been missing for more
than a month, committed suicide at Eaton Falls, Michigan, by
hanging himself. His body was brought back to Webster City. It is
supposed his mind had been impaired by an injury he received
about his spine sometime last fall, when he fell from a
scaffolding.
-- Peter Meyer, a German who thought 80 years of toil and trouble
sufficient for one man, went into the barn belonging to his son,
at Pleasant Valley, Scott county, and quietly hanged himself a
few days ago.
-- W. J. Leinheser, a farmer living near Ottumwa, fell from a
ladder while nailing a mosquito bar to a second story window, and
was instantly killed.
-- William, aged 18, son of James Bridges, of Mediapolis, was
drowned in Iowa river while bathing.
-- Mrs. Sally Brooks, a pensioner of the war of 1812, aged 92,
died at Walker, Linn county
AN IOWA TRAGEDY
A Horrible Murder and Suicide in Hardin County
George Johnson Cuts the Throat of His Sister-In-Law And Then His
Own.
Buckeye Township, Hardin county, is all agog with excitement in
consequence of a unique and horrible tragedy enacted at a
farmhouse four miles from Eldora. The victim was Miss Grace Rand,
a beautiful girl of 19 years, who was a member of the family of
George Johnson, a farmer. His wife was her sister. The ladies
customarily occupied one bed in the second story of the house,
while Johnson and the hired man slept together downstairs. That
night the family retired as usual, Mrs. Johnson with her sister
and the two men in a room on the first floor. Mrs. Rand fell
asleep quickly and just as Mrs. Johnson had nearly lost
consciousness, she was aroused by someone approaching the bed. It
was her husband. He leaned over the bed, kissed her
affectionately and bade her goodnight and left the room.
Immediately after her husband had gone Mrs. Johnson’s
attention was attracted by the strange movements of her sister.
Putting her hand on the girl's face she was terror-stricken to
fill blood gushing from her throat.
A moment later the girl, writing in the agony of death, rolled
from the bed to the floor. Mrs. Johnson struck a light and
discovered the girl lying dead, her throat cut from ear to ear.
The hired man came in answer to her screams and instantly started
to alarm the neighbors. When the nearest arrived Johnson, too,
was found lying near the door, with a broad gash in his throat,
and the bloody razor lying beside him. As the coroner's inquiries
have only just begun, no theory has been brought to light in
opposition to the main one generally held, namely that Johnson,
who violently opposed her approaching marriage to a young man of
the neighborhood, loved his sister-in-law, and in a fit of insane
jealousy murdered her and took his own life. A dispatch to the
State Register says: the principal actor in this bloody tragedy
was George Johnson, a married man 27 years of age, and the
innocent victim, whose life was sacrificed by him, was his
sister-in-law, a beautiful young lady of nineteen. Johnson with
his wife and children lived on a rented farm, and to all
appearances were happy and contented. With them was living a Miss
Grace Rand, a sister of Mrs. Johnson, and who is known in that
neighborhood as a cultured and accomplished young lady. The two
ladies retired for the night in the second story of the house at
about 10.
Johnson was occupying a bedroom downstairs with the young man
employed by him on the farm. About half an hour after the two men
had retired Johnson proceeded to the chamber where his wife and
her sister were sleeping, and leaning over the bed he kissed her
and bade her goodnight and immediately hurried downstairs. The
actions of her sister after the departure of her husband caused
Mrs. Johnson to turn her attention toward her, when she was
horrified to discover that girl's throat had been cut from ear to
ear and her life blood was taken away. In the agonies of her
death she rolled from the bed and lay upon the floor in her night
clothes in blood. Mrs. Johnson called for the hired man, telling
him that something had happened and to arouse the neighbors. The
latter started out and gave the alarm, but it was some time
before anybody could be induced to go to the house, through some
vague fears that danger lurked around the place. Several men
finally appeared on the scene. The hired man, in the meantime,
hastened to Alden for medical assistance. When the party entered
the house they heard a gurgling sound nearby but paid no
attention to it. There lay the young lady upon the floor, by the
bedside, with her throat cut from ear to ear. Search was made for
Johnson, and he was found near the door, sitting on the
embankment of the house, with his knees drawn up to his chin and
arms across his breast.
He was alive, but across his throat was a terrible gash which,
however, failed to sever the jugular vein. On the screen door
were the imprints of bloody hands, where he had attempted to
enter the house after cutting his own throat which he failed to
do from exhaustion. Several feet away was a large pool of blood
where he had evidently attempted his destruction, and some
distance further in the weeds was found the bloody razor which
had accomplished such terrible work. Doubtless at the moment
Johnson was kissing his wife he drew the razor across the throat
of her sister who lay sleeping, all unconscious of the terrible
fate awaiting her. Johnson died at 730 next morning, without
making any statement. ‘Squire Whited, of Alden, impaneled a
jury, but up to the latest account had not rendered a verdict.
George A. Johnson had the reputation of being an honest,
straightforward man; had been a church member for many years and
had the respect of all who knew him. No cause can be assigned for
the deed. It is known by many of his acquaintances that he held
his sister-in-law in the greatest esteem and violently opposed
her marriage with the young man of her choice which was to take
place before long. Some think he was implicated with the young
lady and killed her in an insane fit of jealousy. Perhaps
additional facts will be brought forth by the investigation.
DIED
In Ayrshire Iowa on Tuesday, July 21, Mr. Benjamin Kahley, aged
22 years.
TOWN SAYINGS
-- Dr. J. W. Powers, of Independence, and brother of H. A. Powers
of this place, arrived in Emmetsburg last Thursday evening. The
doctor is looking up a location with a view of practicing
medicine.
-- Little Mabel Seely has been suffering quite severely with
diphtheria for some time past, but under the skillful treatment
of Dr. Powers, is recovering. We are informed that there are a
few other cases in town.
-- Cucumbers show their appearance in our markets which reminds
us of a good way to serve the luscious fruit. Get nice green ones
the greater the better, pare them wash clean and cut in slices
seasoning well with pepper and salt. Place all in a glass dish
covering them with vinegar and put away in a cool place until
next morning at which time you should take them to the window,
and gently throw the whole business out of the grass.
-- James Heffley while in bathing at the river a few days ago,
severely cut his foot on a sharp clamshell with which he came in
contact. His limb is badly swollen, caused by the poison from the
shell.
-- Henry Treolar, who was sentenced by Judge Duffie on May 15,
1883, for two years and six months in the penitentiary at Anamosa
for seduction has lately been discharged. Henry is a butcher by
trade, and in all probability will again return to Emmetsburg
where he will reengage in the butcher trade.
[transcribed by C.J.L., September, 2007]