LeMars Sentinel
Dated July 28, 1881
We regret to learn that Mr. John Hopkinson will soon leave Sibley. He is to go to West Fork, about twenty miles from LeMars, to take charge of a two thousand acre stock farm, owned by Wm. B. Close, on which there are 2000 sheep and 1000 head of cattle. Mr. Hopkinson is a very energetic, pleasant gentleman, and one who has had a great deal of experience in stock raising. Sibley Gazette
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The Portlandville Record is a new journalistic adventure, and put in an appearance last Thursday. It flies the name of Frank T. Sheppard, brother of the Rock Rapid's Review editor, who himself a few years ago tried the experiment of running a paper in Portlandville. The Record is a six column folio bright, newsy, and well equipped with home advertising patronage. We extend to our confrere a hearty welcome and we cannot see why he, like all country editors, should not get rich and fat and sassy.
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Mello Dikema, the gentleman by agent with Geo. E. Richardson, of LeMars, land agent, was in town Monday, in company with John Hospers. Mr. Dikema tells us he intends locating from 50 to 100 families in township 96, south of Rock Valley , early next Spring. Eighteen thousand acres of land have already been spoken for and more will be secured. Mr. D. expects to leave shortly for the old country, in company with John Hospers, or after the return of his brother from the old country. Mr. Dikema speaks several languages fluently and it did us good to talk the German language, since we talk nothing but the Holland tongue. – O.C. Herald
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AFTER NINE YEARS – On Monday morning of last week, a “still small voice,” trilled forth, effusive sweetness on willing ears, and the plastic form of the “finest boy in America ,” as seen by the expectant eyes of Scott Welliver and his wife, was dandied by them in turns. For nearly nine long years had the married couple lived childless and lo on that bright July morning, whatever expressed or unexpressed hopes had welled up in their hearts, or been uttered by their tongues, were more than realized by their cherub boy, whose advent gladdened their home. Scott is clerk of the Courts, but the only case docketed that day was in the family register, and Mrs. W. is of the opinion it was the most important one he ever recorded –a judgment in which Scott is in no wise disposed to question. We trust the gift of the gods of Patience and Perseverance, may bring a nine fold blessing to the home of the parents.
OBITUARY
The late lamented Mr. John Reeves, whose decease you mentioned last week, the senior of the Reeves Bros. of Elgin township, who died suddenly at Seney, July 19, 1881 , was born in the county of Kent , England , in 1821. He immigrated with his family to America in 1853, and settled in Kane county, Ills. In the fall of '68 he moved to this county of which he has since been a resident. He leaves a wife, four sons and one daughter, the wife of Mr. John Trigg, of Elgin township, to lament his loss. The deceased was a man of quiet and unassuming character, a truly pious Christian, and as he himself simply said, was prepared to meet his Savior.
He was held in the highest esteem by those who knew him, and was much beloved by many. J.T.
SENEY, June 21, 1881
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Card of Thanks
Caroline Reeves and family, return their thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Jackson and others for their kindness in their bereavement. John Trigg, Mrs. M. Trigg
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Mr. J.S. Clarkson, editor of the Des Moines Register, has been on a trip into Northwestern Iowa . He writes:
“The crops of northern Iowa are far ahead of those of the southern and central part of the state this year. Wheat there is in fine condition, oats simply tremendous in promise, and corn excellent. The writer of this has in the past week traveled through the most of the counties in Northwestern Iowa , and the crops that he saw everywhere were of the richest promise. That portion of the state did not get the two latest snows of the spring, and has not had so much rain in the summer. It clearly beats the state now in promise, and no doubt will do so in the crops. And no Iowa man who has never seen the northwestern portion of the state should pass a month without seeing it, and when he shall have seen it his State pride will be largely increased. It is a noble empire in itself, and a fairer land no man ever looked upon.”
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During the past week there has been a very severe cutting down on the passenger rates of the grand trunk railroad lines to the west, and freight rates have largely shared in the reduction. From Chicago to New York rail freights have been as low as from 12 to 16 cents per 100 pounds, and rates from the other chief centers in the west have been correspondingly low. The rates by the lakes and canal from Chicago to this point are 8 to 8 ½ cents on wheat per bushel of 60 pounds, and a shade less on corn per 56 pounds. It will, therefore, be seen, that just now competition between the railroads has lowered rail rates as low as those by water, or even lower. Ocean freights on grain closed here on Friday at 4 ½ d. per quintal by steam to Liverpool ; 5 ½ d. for Glasgow .
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ANGELS AT MARSHALLTOWN – Report comes from Marshalltown that four citizens of that place saw some angels hovering over that town the other day. The statement that they only “hovered” gives an appearance of truth to the story, for no well-informed angel would care to alight in that town. Boone Standard