Iowa Old Press

Palo Alto Reporter
Palo Alto County, Iowa
Friday, May 11, 1894

Shocked by Lightning
     James Brennan, who resides about six miles southwest of town, had a very close call by death from lightning, last Friday evening. The barn door had been left open and the rain storm coming up he went out to shut it. He was gone quite awhile and his wife becoming uneasy at his absence went to the barn to see what had become of him.
     She found him lying beside the barn door just recovering consciousness. He had received a sufficient stroke to render him insensible for some few minutes. His arm was considerably affected by the stroke but otherwise he is all right. It was a close call and one that he wound not care to have repeated.

-Last Friday being the 15th anniversary of Miss Vesta Hinkley's birth, she gave a party to her young friends. It was a very pleasant occasion, and everything done that was possible by her loving parents to render the day a happy one to her. The decorations were very beautiful and tastily arranged, and the refreshments delicious, rendering the occasion a memorable one. As a memento of the day she was presented by her friends, with a beautiful souvenir spoon.

COURT DOINGS.
     The proceedings thus far during the term of court have been of interest only to the immediate parties concerned. Only three or four jury cases have thus far been disposed of, and these having not been sufficient importance to attract much attention.
     The first jury case was that of P.M. Leek vs. E.B. Fox.It grew out of an attachment on some corn in the field. The plaintiff claimed that the defendant had husked some of it contrary to the attachment. The defendant set up the claim that he had received permission to husk part of it. Dan Kelly appeared for the defense and T.F. McCue for the plaintiff. The verdict was given in favor of the plaintiff.
     The case of McConnell vs. Colver, Brown & Wilson was quite lengthy. It was brought to recover on three promissory notes. The defense claimed that the notes were forged. The case was fought to the end by the attorneys on each side. The verdict was given in favor of plaintiff.

PERSONAL MENTION.
     Peter Black who has been suffering for time little time from rheumatism is able to be about again.
     Mrs. O'Meara has gone to her old home at Lansing, Iowa, to spend a short time in visiting friends in that vicinity.
     Dr. E.F. Sayers, of Algona, made a professional visit here last week. The doctor is one of the most successful veterinarians in the state.
     Mr. James Doyle of Rock Rapids, but formerly a resident of this city, is at present visiting his brother, Edward, of this city. He has sold his business in Rock Rapids and will remain a short time here.
     Mrs. Watson who went to Colfax Springs a short time ago for her health, has been confined to her bed the greater share of the time since her arrival there. The last report contained the welcome news that she was slowly improving. Her friends trust that the improvement will be permanent.

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-H. Shadbolt and brother left the latter part of the week, for Gordon, Neb., with two carloads of stock cattle.
-Mr. E.S. Briggs has fallen in with the improvement procession and is building a new barn.
-Mr. Thomas Higgins is refitting the rooms over the meat market. With the coming of spring comes an era of improvement.
-Have you seen the fine display of gentleman's straw hats in Kaufman Bro's window. It is a nice one and reflects credit on that firm's efficient manager and clerks.
-Cards are out for the marriage of Miss Myrtie Walker and George Hoyt. The happy event is to take place next Wednesday evening.
-John Paulson has added much to the looks of the interior of his harness shop by the addition of a new display rack. It makes a much more convenient way of displaying his goods.
-Mr. and Mrs. E.P. Bragg are rejoicing over the advent into the home circle of a little baby girl. It is not so little either, for it weighs 13 1/2 pounds. The REPORTER extends congratulations.
-D.P. Roberts sold his farm near Graettinger the latter part of last week to a man from Chicago who owns an adjoining tract. He received twenty five dollars per acre for it. Palo Alto dirt still commands money.
-Dr. Jackson's advanced class in German will close this week and his beginners' class next week. Excellent progress has been made by the members, and much pleasure taken in the study by both classes.
-J.S. Atkinson has been appointed receiver, at the solicitation of the creditors of Wm. Stafford, of Mallard. He went to Mallard Tuesday and took charge of affairs for the creditors. We are sorry to learn of Mr. Stafford's financial distress, but in these times some of the very best business men are being hard pushed.
-David Baker has been making a substantial improvement in the way of a new cistern and necessary fixtures. It cost in the neighborhood of a hundred dollars but money spent in substantial improvements is never thrown away.
-At the regular meeting of the I.O.G.T. last Tuesday evening the following officers were installed for the coming quarter:
Ralph Duncan, C.T.; Louis Starr, V.T.; Rena Sorenson, Chap; Harry Darland, P.C.r.; Dinah Blair, Sec.; Curtis Armstrong, Asst. Sec.; Annie Blair, F. Sec.; W.L. Fitkin, Treas.; Freeman Starr, Marshal; Arthur Baker, Guard; Clarence Darland, Sent.
-There will be a church sociable at Thomas O'Connor's on Thursday, May 17. Everyone invited to attend. Lunch supper, 10 cents.
-James Gowans has removed to the residence lately occupied by T.H. Taylor. We have not learned who is to occupy the house which he vacated.
-The McEnroe family of Algona are in luck. We notice by the last week's Courier that an uncle had died, recently, in India, leaving his fortune of $15,000,000 to them. We congratulate them and only hope that the amount has not been stretched. Such things don't always pan out as reported.
-W.E.G. Saunders met with a mishap, Monday, that has caused him to go with a limp ever since. He alighted from the buggy to fix the check rein of one of his horses and had just put his foot on the step to get in again when the horses started to run. He was caught between the wheel and his leg hurt quite severely, but not seriously. He hung to the team so that they did not get away.

Notice of the Appointment of Executor.
     Notice is hereby given that the undersigned has been duly appointed and qualified as executor of the estate of Paul Peterson, late of Palo Alto county, deceased. All persons indebted to said estate are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned, and those having claims against said estate will file them with the clerk of the district court, as provided by law, duly authenticated for allowance.
          EDDY PETERSON, Executor of said Estate.
Dated April 30, 1894.

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