Iowa Old Press
Akron Register
April 2, 1908
WESTFIELD:
A number of people from here attended the funeral of William Hunter at
his home south of town, Sunday. Mr. Hunter had been a resident of
Plymouth county since 1867 and was 76 years old at his death.
Will De Wolf moved back to Westfield from Elk Point last week and is
permanently located in the residence formerly occupied by the Burris
family, which he has purchased from Jas. Buckingham. Mr. DeWolf has the
position of section foreman.
E.C.F. Mohr left Tuesday for Wall Lake, Iowa, to attend the funeral of
his grandmother, Mrs. Margaret Koch, who died last Saturday at the
venerable age of 104 years. She was reputed to be the oldest woman in
Iowa. In accordance with her wishes, her six grandsons will act as
pallbearers at her funeral.
Monday evening, March 30, was an eventful time to Westfield, as on that
date occurred the first serous fire the town has ever known, which
resulted in the burning of the Congregational parsonage. By united
effort and great vigilance the church and school house were saved. The
alarm was first given over the phone by Mrs. Briggs, the pastor's wife,
at 8:30, a short time after the switch had been turned at "central" and
as no one immediately responded, she gave the alarm on the street. Rev.
Briggs was upstairs in the house taking a bath. Slipping on his
underclothing, he ran to the church and rang the bell and a crowd soon
gathered. It took some time to locate the flames, which were between
the walls, and when it was found the house could not be saved. All the
household goods that could be reached were carried out. Wild excitement
prevailed and it was forcibly illustrated how necessary it is to have a
leader and order at such times. The only means of getting water was
from nearby wells, ladders long enough to reach the roof could not be
found and even pails were scarce. Finally a hose and pails were secured
and systematic work commenced. Someone phoned to Akron for help, which
came quickly in autos and on a handcar, and these volunteers turned in
with willing hands to help fight the flames. The destroyed parsonage was
built in the spring of 1903, when Rev. Seeley was pastor here. Twelve
hundred dollars' insurance was carried on the building and Rev. Briggs
had $700 insurance on his household goods. Rev. and Mrs. Briggs were
expecting to leave here soon and had been packing their goods. Nearly
all their clothing was destroyed.
ADAVILLE ITEMS: (Special Correspondence)
Everyone is busy seeding.
There is a case of pink-eye in Johnson township.
Ves. Port went to Akron Saturday, returning Sunday.
Miss Mary Brown commences teaching in the Tindall school Monday.
O. R. Gaston and wife, of LeMars, visited her Saturday and Sunday.
L. L. Morehead and family visited Saturday and Sunday with Akron
relatives.
Miss Sadie Hansen, of Merrill, was a visitor at the Louis Hauswald home
Sunday.
Miss Alice Brown visited her friend, Miss Bertha Ott, at Defiance, Iowa,
last week.
Mrs. Fred Richardson, of Sioux City, is visiting her daughter, Mrs.
George Brown and family.
The Adaville school started again Monday, after a two weeks' vacation,
with Miss Celia Murray as teacher.
The surprise party given Mr. Gowan's family last Tuesday evening was a
complete success. All who were present report a nice time.
PLEASANT HILL POINTERS: (Special Correspondence)
Geo. Carlson and Wm. Kiewel were Sioux City visitors Wednesday.
The Pleasant Hill Ladies Aid meets Thursday with Miss Naomi Reemts.
Ed. Larson has bought a sawmill and will soon be prepared to do your
sawing on short notice.
Mrs. Ed. Goodroad and children of Vermillion are visiting her parents,
Mr. and Mrs. Gardner, this week.
Mrs. H. F. Klemme has been visiting the past week with old neighbors and
friends over on Indian Creek.
RICHLAND ROUND-UPS: (Special Correspondence)
Most of our farmers are finishing seeding.
Miss Anna Jacobson visited in Akron Sunday.
Eli Trehune visited Sunday at the Bennett home.
Rev. Mitchell was entertained at E. C. Swoyer's over Sunday.
Will Spauldia and wife are moving into Mrs. Stewart's house this week.
Alva Jeffries, of Akron, spent Sunday here at the home of his parents.
The Ladies Aid Society meets with Mrs. Delia Swoyer Thursday afternoon.
Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Brant visited at the home of their son in Fairview,
S.D., over Sunday.
Mrs. Will Netz and children, of Elk Point, visited last week with her
cousins, Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Bennett.
Mrs. D. M. Dickerson is visiting a few days this week with her family.
She will return to her son's home at Lawton, Iowa, Tuesday.
Fremont Chamberlain is very sick with erysipelas, the result of taking a
cold when recovering from small-pox. His friends wish him speedy
recovery.
"BLACK HAND" AT CHATSWORTH
Chatsworth, Iowa, April 2 - Frank Wakeman, a wealthy grain merchant of
this place, upon opening his place of business Saturday morning found a
note stuck under the latch on the door to the elevator engine room. His
first impression was that it might be a message left by the Milwaukee
operator, but when he opened it found that it was a letter of black hand
nature, demanding that he leave $10,000 in a certain place at the south
end of the railroad yards on Sunday evening at 8:30 o'clock sharp,
return to his home and keep still, or his family and property would be
destroyed.
A letter of this nature was a stunner for a quiet little burg of this
size and it seemed a hard matter to run down the originator. L.R.
Crowell, cashier of the Chatsworth Savings Bank, however proved his
qualifications as a Sherlock Holmes man and compared some checks he had
cashed with the writing contained in the threatening letter. He found a
most striking similarity in the writing of one George Hendrich, a boy 19
years old, who lives with his mother here. Sunday afternoon he was
arrested and other evidence was collected which was damaging to him.
Tuesday the county attorney and sheriff arrive to take the case in hand,
and after a couple of hours work secured an admission of the boy's guilt
and he was bound over to the grand jury and taken to the county jail at
Orange City. This case seems to be the culmination of a series of petty
crimes which have been attempted in this town during the past six months
and there is some evidence the same party has been interested.
LeMars Sentinel
April 3, 1908
SOUTH HUNGERFORD: (Special Correspondence)
Grandma Diediker returned home Thursday.
Grant Musser was in Leeds Saturday on business.
George Ludwig was a Leeds business visitor Saturday.
Dr. Muecker, from LeMars, treated horses for Albert Bornholtz Tuesday.
George Diediker was in Leeds on business Tuesday afternoon.
Albert Bornholtz dehorned cattle for Joseph Janer Wednesday forenoon.
Mrs. Lena Clemmens and little daughter, from Sioux City, were pleasant
callers Thursday the Geo. Deidiker home.
Claud and Henry Junck were in Leeds Tuesday on business concerning the saw
mill, in which the former has an interest.
FREDONIA: (Special Correspondence)
Mrs. A. Van Steenwyk was in Orange City Saturday.
Mrs. and Mrs. S. Heemstra celebrated their thirtieth wedding anniversary
Monday, March 30th.
The young folks of the Van Steenwyk family were entertained at the home of
H. Heemstra and family Sunday evening.
Arnold Herewjnen has returned home after a three weeks' visit with friends
and relatives in and around Orange City.
The farmers are beginning to turn the earth over again around here but are
shut off once in awhile on account of frost and snow.
There will be a party at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. Mohr Friday evening,
April 3rd, for the celebration of Miss Mable Mohr's birthday.
There was a small crowd gathered at the S. Heemstra home last Wednesday
evening and enjoyed a pleasant time until the early morning hours.
Our school which Miss Mortison taught closed Friday, March 27th, and will
begin March 30 with Miss Cynthia Holster, of LeMars, as teacher.
Will Heemstra, of Struble, was visiting his brother, Harry Heemstra, and
family Sunday forenoon. He also visited his parents, Mrs. and Mrs.
Heemstra, in the afternoon.
Mr. and Mrs. H. Mohr and family accompanied by the Misses Ola and Etta Van
Steenwyk, took dinner with Mrs. Mohr's mother, Mrs. Stoll, of Struble,
Sunday last.
EVANSVILLE: (Special Correspondence)
Fred Ditmer, of Ireton, is baling a large quantity of hay for Fred Raber.
J. Peebles and wife attended the funeral of Grandma Bowen at Maurice
Thursday.
Mr. and Mrs. Thos. White, of Ireton, were guests at the W. J. Bushby
residence Sunday.
SENEY: (Special Correspondence)
The S.S. scholars are preparing for an Easter program.
Thos. Hinde and wife entertained company from LeMars Sunday.
Mrs. John Wahinga returned home from a visit with relatives at Hospers.
Detloff Bros. & Co. shipped a car load of cattle to Chicago Saturday night.
Mrs. Will Buss is seriously ill with pneumonia. Dr. Mammen is attending
her.
Miss Mae Kennedy commenced teaching school in Grant township Monday.
Wm. Jackson, Sr., is moving into the residence he recently purchased in
LeMars.
Mr. and Mrs. John Allison, of LeMars, called on Edward Rees and wife Sunday.
A. McArthur and family, of Struble, spent a few days last week with
relatives in town.
Mr. and Mrs. T.K. Chapman, of LeMars, visited their son, Elam and wife last
week.
Miss Mary Adney, of LeMars, was the guest of her friend, Miss Sadie
Alderson, Sunday.
Miss Nettie McCoy, of LeMars, spent last Friday with her friend, Miss
Josephine Winslow.
Mrs. Peter Buisman, of LeMars, was the guest of the Misses Lancaster and
Marie Foster Saturday.
Mrs. John Feller returned home Friday afternoon from Granville, Iowa, where
she visited relatives a few days.
John Klohs, of LeMars, shipped a car load of hogs, which he bought in this
neighborhood, to Sioux City Thursday.
Geo. Hughes has moved into the Arthur Reeves house and is tearing his house down. He expects to build on the lots formerly owned by M. Campbell.
A pleasant surprise party was given Bert Jackson Tuesday evening. Games and music were the entertaining features of the evening. A good time was reported.
The Ladies Aid society met with Mrs. Mattie Cook Thursday. On account of the heavy wind Wednesday the ladies postponed the society until the next day.
Mr. and Mrs. Elam Chapman, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Jackson, Sr., and Mrs. Lyman Britton and grandson, Chester, attended the funeral of Mrs. Jas. Bowen near Struble Thursday.
Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Rees, of LeMars, Mr. and Mrs. Will Rees, Mrs. John Detloff, Thos. Rees and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Rees were entertained at the Edward Rees home in town Sunday.
W. D. Kennedy, of Las Vegas, New Mexico, arrived here the middle of last week to visit relatives for a short time. He will also visit his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Kennedy, near Akron.
E. F. Councilman returned home from Maurice Friday, where he spent a few days with his daughter, Mrs. Peter Van Puersen. He was accompanied by his grandson, James Van Puersen.
Word was received by relatives last week of the marriage of Miss Ruby Reeves and Jas. Thompson, of Gayville, S. D., March 25th. The young couple are well known in this neighborhood. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Reeves, old residents of this town, and the groom formerly lived on a farm northwest of town. We extend congratulations.
The Daughters of Ceres will meet with Mrs. Grant Chapman Thursday, April 9th. They have prepared a program which will be as follows:
Cho, society;
Reading, Rose Jackson;
Rec., Minnie Witt;
Solo, Mrs. Simon Aukema;
Inst. Music, Bessie Reeves;
Reading, Mrs. Sol Perry;
Duet, Lizzie Hawkins and Maggie Lancaster;
Rec., Mrs. Grace Lundgren;
Reading, Mrs. M.G. Mills;
Cho., society.
A cordial invitation is extended to all.
[community name not appearing on the page]
James Day and Alfred Barr and the Misses Alice and Grace McDougall attended a party at the W.R. Null residence, south of Struble, Friday.
Johnnie McDougall has been an invalid the past week. His foot was caught under the wheel of a heavily loaded wagon and some of the bones of foot were broken.
MERRILL: (Special Correspondence)
Mrs. Nick Mertes was a LeMars visitor Thursday.
Elmer Tooker, of LeMars, Sundayed with his parents here.
Harry Christensen, of Lester, Iowa, spent Wednesday with his friend, Nic Anton.
Mr. and Mrs. H. Nigg returned Wednesday from their trip to California.
J. R. Thompson, Sr., returned Tuesday from his month's stay at Wessington Springs, S.D.
Mr. Miller, who has been visiting his daughter, Mrs. Tony Weidenfeller, left Wednesday for Alton.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Muxton [sic-Muxlow] of LeMars came down Tuesday to attend the funeral of Mrs. Manz.
At the city election last Monday the following were elected:
For Mayor, Cias Montangue
For Councilmen, full term, Fred Aldrich and Geo. Pritchard
To fill vacancy, J.F. Berner and H.J. Weinheimer
Assessor, Chas. Hodapp
For Clerk, Harry Byrd
Treasurer, Frank Hoese.
The funeral services of the late Mrs. Henry Manz were held at the M.E. church last Tuesday afternoon. Rev. G.R. Gilbert, of the M.E. church, delivered a very appropriate message and at the same time paying a high tribute to the departed faithful one. The songs that the choir sang were the last songs that she sang. The funeral was largely attended and the flowers were beautiful and many.
HINTON: (Special Correspondence)
Miss Catherine Schneider returned to LeMars Monday.
Mr. and Mrs. F.D. Empey were in Sioux City Wednesday.
Mr. Dempster delivered some hogs to Merrill last Tuesday.
Miss Stella Burnett visited the last of the week with relatives.
Harry Brown left Wednesday for Sioux Falls to visit with relatives.
LeMars Sentinel
April 7, 1908
HINTON: (Special Correspondence)
Mrs. Jacob Berger visited friends and relatives in Sioux City last week.
Mrs. O.W. Crouch and children visited relatives in LeMars the past week.
Isadore Donovan is working for Mr. and Mrs. Brouillette, living near
Westfield.
Miss Sterling's school has a two weeks vacation. She is visiting her
parents at Fonda, Iowa.
Mary Van Dusen and brother, Clancey, visited at her sister's, Mrs. John
Burley, living near Merrill, Sunday.
Mrs. Joe Luksan stayed in Hinton the past week during the illness and death
of her brother, Oscar Stephens.
Don't forget there will be a dance here Easter Monday night given by the
base ball team. Everybody come.
Mrs. Albert Crouch and son, of Hinton, visited with her parents, Mr. and
Mrs. Geo. March, the last of the week.
Miss Sadie Berger visited in Sioux City the first of the week. From there
she went to LeMars, where she is now visiting.
Mr. Baack's barn burned Friday. Several calves also burned. While Mr.
Baack was trying to get the horses out he was quite badly burned. It is
thought the fire was started by his children who were playing near the
barn.
CHURCHVILLE: (Special Correspondence)
Frank Kuehn is the owner of a fine new buggy.
Most of the farmers in this vicinity are through seeding.
Adam Schmidt, of LeMars, is working for Jake Brandstetter at present.
August Keranitz was transacting business, near Hinton one day last week.
Otto and Minnie Behnke, from near Hinton, were Churchville visitors Sunday.
The young people of the Emanuel church are practicing for an Easter program.
Christ Schultz did some wood sawing for himself and Gust Danne last week one
day.
Herman Kortemier, who spent the winter in South Dakota is back in
Churchville again.
Will Vanderhaar and Ben Brandstetter visited with friends in Sioux City over
Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. Gust Danne and son, Arnold, visited with relatives in LeMars
Sunday last.
Mr. L. Danne, from LeMars, called at the home of Mrs. and Mrs. Will Kemnitz
one day recently.
Mr. and Mrs. Will Schuemaker and family, of LeMars, were visiting with Mr.
and Mrs. Will Beckman Sunday last.
SENEY: (Special Correspondence)
Mrs. Perry Albro is suffering from a severe attack of pneumonia.
Mrs. Hodgson, of LeMars, was a caller at the Jonathan Alderson home Sunday.
W. D. Kennedy visited his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Kennedy, near Akron
last week.
The Sunday School will give an Easter program in the church Sunday evening,
April 19th.
L. L. Jones and Chas. O'Neil, operator and agent at LeMars, were callers in
town Friday.
The Woman's Foreign Missionary society will meet with Mrs. Z. Rayburn
Wednesday afternoon.
Allie Hawkins and wife attended the dedication services at the Presbyterian
church in LeMars Sunday.
Azora Stowell and Edna King, of LeMars, visited the center school Monday
which is taught by Helen Stowell.
M. G. Mills, who was taken to the hospital in LeMars recently, underwent an
operation and is getting along nicely.
Mrs. W. H. Kennedy returned to her home near Akron Saturday morning after
visiting relatives a few days last week.
Mrs. Harry Britton of Spencer, Iowa, arrived here Tuesday to take care of
her mother, Mrs. Albro, who is quite sick.
Master James Van Peursen returned to his home in Maurice Saturday, after
spending a week with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Councilman.
Arthur Ewin and Henry Johnson started across country for northern Minnesota
Monday. They took a drove of horses with them to sell or trade as best
suited.
Mrs. W. C. Warner arrived here from Henderson, Minn., Tuesday to visit at
the parental home. Mr. Warner has been accepted operator at Mountain Lake,
Minn., and expects to move soon.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank March and Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Kennedy, of Akron, were over
Sunday guests at the home of the former's mother, Mrs. E. March. Mr. and
Mrs. March and Mr. Kennedy returned home Monday and Mrs. Kennedy will visit
relatives here for a few days.
Perry Albro was the victim of a bad accident last Saturday while assisting
Clifford Bray in unloading a car of lumber for the Seney Lumber company.
His team became frightened at an automobile. He reached for the lines and
in some way his foot caught, tearing the ligaments loose in the ankle. Dr.
Mammen was called to attend his injury.
STRUBLE: (Special Correspondence)
Thomas Kyle returned from his Illinois trip Sunday night and will be ready
for the season's work around Struble.
W. A. Wakefield, residing north of town, is still suffering from old
ailments with which he has wrestled all winter.
Mike Hogen, of Hull, is here to see his brother-in-law, C. W. Estlack, who
is ill. Mr. Hogen is a prosperous Sioux county farmer.
Miss Agnes Nailen spent Sunday with her friend, Miss Carrie Durband. She is
teaching the John Keough school in Reading township.
Will and Gerd Ludwigs and their families, from Chatsworth, spent last Sunday
with their parents in Grant township, Mr. and Mrs. Ludwigs.
A man from Colorado who is the owner of the livery barn spent several days
looking up his interests and left for his home Tuesday morning.
Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Sayer were calling on the W.C. McDonald home north of
town. Mr. McDonald is having a tussle with rheumatism and its
complications.
Fowler Seaman, the genial claim agent for the Great Northern R.R. Co., was
adjusting business here on Monday and visited his brother, our banker, P.A.
Seaman.
Anton Durband is fixing up the family lot in the cemetery by putting a
concrete wall around it. That is a permanent improvement and would be well
if all lots were so fixed as then there would never raise any question as to
boundary lines.
C. W. Estlack is lying very ill at his home in the east part of town. He is
suffering from complications of the effects of a severe attack of pneumonia
and his condition at this time is very discouraging for recovery.
MILLNERVILLE: (Special Correspondence)
J. Cassen was on the sick list the past week.
Miss Gladys Fry is spending her vacation at home.
Mrs. A. Fry visited relatives near Merrill the past week.
Will Knapp departed for his western home Tuesday morning.
The dance at the hall was not very well attended Saturday night.
Mrs. J. Mansfield and little niece were Westfield callers Monday.
T. B. Cassen and family visited in the city from Friday till Sunday.
Erma Bowder visited in the neighborhood Saturday evening and Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. Crow took in the party at the Knapp home Monday evening.
D. A. Leonard and J. Lawrence were business visitors at Akron Monday.
Akron Register
April 9, 1908
CHATSWORTH CHAT: (Special Correspondence)
Al. Hamilton shipped two cars of stock from this station last Saturday.
Miss Learey, of Hawarden, visited her friend, Bernice Farnham, over
Sunday.
The Ladies Aid society meets at the home of Mrs. D. K. Bennett this
afternoon.
Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Palm went to Akron Sunday afternoon for a short
visit, returning in the evening.
Reese Harris went to Sioux City Monday to attend a stock sale and
purchased a very fine critter, which he brought home Tuesday evening.
The opera house is nearing completion. The flooring will be put in this
week and the first of next week a first-class lighting plant will be
installed, which will put it in readiness for public purposes.
Chas. Patrick loaded his implements and bachelor house keeping goods at
Hawarden, last Monday, and started on the journey to Woonsocket, S.D.,
near where he bought a farm last fall, which he will make his future
home.
Frank Wakeman was called to Orange City, Monday, to be present at the
convening of the grand jury, before whom Geo. Hendricks was summoned and
was indicted for the "black hand" work he did here last week.
PLEASANT HILL POINTERS: (Special Correspondence)
Charles Reemts was a business visitor at Elk Point Monday.
Misses Julia and Esther Swanson are home for a few weeks visit.
The repair work at the church has been completed. It is pronounced a
fine job.
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Carlson visited Sunday at the home of their grand
daughter, Mrs. Henry Numsen, near Alcester.
Geo. Carlson, Sever Abraham, Geo. Hamilton and Albert Hanson are proud
possessors of new Edison phonograph outfits.
Quite a few ladies from this neighborhood attended the Ladies Aid
meeting at the Ole Christenson home Monday afternoon.
UNION CREEK NEWS: (Special Correspondence)
There will be regular services at the Lutheran church next Sunday.
Miss Esther Peterson, of Akron, is visiting her sister, Mrs. Emil Olson,
this week.
Mrs. Ytternes, of Beresford, visited with her daughter, Mrs. Hilder
Johnson, the past week.
Mr. and Mrs. August Ericson, of Millnerville, Iowa, were visitors at J.
Hultgren's last Monday.
Albert Johnson has been on the sick list the past week, but is better
and able to be out again.
Fredric Seeman, of Sioux City, spent vacation week at the home of his
aunt, Mrs. H. Manning. He returned home last Saturday.
Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Johnson and children, of Akron, and Miss Amelia
Michaelson spent last Sunday at the John Sellberg home.
Quite a number of our young people attended church at Big Springs last
Sunday. Rev. C. H. Nelson being at Nathaniel, there were no services.
The Young People's Society of the Lutheran church has ordered a nice
assortment of fruit trees and shrubs to be planted on the ground
surrounding the parsonage. This will be in time add materially in
beautifying the place.
ADAVILLE ITEMS: (Special Correspondence)
A number of the school children have the pink eye.
Mrs. Agnes Tindall and daughter, Mrs. H. A. Johnson, spent last week in
LeMars.
The Johnson township board met at the Clerk's office on Monday to
transact business.
L. L. Morehead and family and Ves. Port spent Sunday at the Ned Herman
home in Liberty township.
Mrs. Will Butcher and children, of Akron, visited her daughter, Mrs.
Herb. Sargent, a few days last week.
Mrs. Lelia Claney and children, of Leeds, and her mother, Mrs. Miller,
of Merrill, visited friends here last week.
Mrs. Ollie King returned home on Sunday from Morrison, Ill., where she
was called by the death of her father, Mr. Heaton.
Miss Alice Brown returned home on Tuesday after a two weeks visit at
Defiance and Harlan, Iowa. She was accompanied home by Miss Bertha Ott,
of Defiance.
Those having the Akron Telephone line put in this week are, Mrs. Agnes
Tindall, Herb. Sargent, George Robertson, Andrew Anderson, Jack Tindall,
Wilbur Morehead and Ed. Lias.
INDIAN CREEK ITEMS: (Special Correspondence)
Gert Renkin Sundayed at the Helmuth Schwiesow home.
Nick Willer shipped two cars of cattle last week from Ireton.
The seeding of grain is nearly completed in this vicinity and Tuesday's
rain give it sufficient moisture to start growth.
Mrs. Beinen, who has been sick for along period at the home of her
daughter, Mrs. Louis Mather, is still very poorly. Her recovery is very
doubtful.
School district No. 7, taught by Miss Mae Montagne, will have a vacation
next week, which will be greatly enjoyed by both teacher and pupils.
While Henry Fromme, the Mammen creamery man, was taking on cream at Wm.
Barinsky's, his team became frightened and started a lively runaway.
However they became entangled in some trees in the yard, and were
stopped before much damage resulted. Some of the cream onboard was
churned up.
RICHLAND ROUND-UPS: (Special Correspondence)
Regular church services next Sunday morning and evening. Special music.
All invited.
Mr. and Mrs. Bert Wallace and daughter, of Elk Point, were guests of
relatives here Sunday.
Miss Mary Fate returned home Sunday after a few days visit with her
sister, Mrs. Hiram Holmes.
Eli Trebune left Monday for North Dakota, where he has a claim. We wish
this worthy young man success.
The Ladies Aid held an enjoyable meeting at the home of Mrs. Della
Swoyer last Thursday afternoon. A delicious lunch was served.
LeMars Sentinel
April 17, 1908
POTOSIA: (Special Correspondence)
?. E. Burkett, of LeMars, was a visitor here the last of the week.
Sadie Berger has returned home after a two weeks stay in LeMars.
Mrs. Grannell, of Sioux City, visited the Paul Rossberg home Sunday.
Miss Mamie Kane, of Adaville, visited with Mrs. Bashor the first of the
week.
Miss Anna Strader and friend, of Ruble, visited with Lenace Crouch Saturday.
Mrs. Joe Luksan's parents, from east of Hinton, visited with her a few days
last week.
Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Hauff and son, of Merrill, visited the O. W. Crouch home
Sunday.
Mrs. Wm. Reynolds carried the mail route four this past week as Will has a
vacation of fifteen days.
Robert Crouch, of LeMars, and Mrs. ??uk Crouch, of Santa Ana, Cal., were
visiting Saturday and Sunday with relatives here. [the second name in this
news bit is partially blurred]
Word was received of the birth of a ???? [the word is completely blurred
out] to Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Zellers, living in Sioux City. Mrs. Baker, mother
of Mrs. Zeller, is with her.
Mrs. Fred Tapken left Saturday for Colorado, where she is going to join her
husband, who has a claim there. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Rossberg, went as
far as Omaha with her, where they will visit relatives.
LINCOLN: (Special Correspondence)
Mrs. and Mrs. Perrod's new house is nearing completion.
Fritz Mucecke has made preparations to build a large new barn.
Jas. Carel sold and delivered several loads of porkers to LeMars on
Wednesday.
A class of fifteen were confirmed at the German Lutheran church Sunday
morning.
Miss Tracy Hieke, of Merrill, is here visiting with her sister, Mrs. Vall
Sitzman.
Mrs. Gustave Matwig is confined to her home with rheumatism for the last
week.
Bernard Wilkey was out from LeMars to his farm now occupied by Mr. Higday.
Dr. Beimer, of Merrill, was called to the home of Mrs. Gustave Matwig on
Friday last.
Henry Heimgartner has left for the summer vacation for a trip to Idaho to
visit relatives.
Mrs. John Landtine, Sr., who some time ago stepped on a needle, is getting
along nicely.
Miss Calra Beck was in LeMars visiting with her sister, Mrs. Herman ??ust,
Monday and Tuesday.
Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Konkle and Mrs. and Mrs. A. J. Stitzman took an automobile
trip to Kingsley to visit relatives on Saturday and Sunday.
SENEY: (Special Correspondence)
Miss Mary Adney, of LeMars, spent Saturday and Sunday with her friend, Sadie
Alderson.
The Women's Home Missionary society met with Mrs. M. G. Mills Wednesday
afternoon.
Mrs. Richard Hawkins, who is under the doctor's care in the LeMars hospital,
is a little better at this writing.
Ira Lancaster returned home Saturday from an extended visit with relatives
near Argyle and other places in Wisconsin.
Anthony Daugherty has bought the house recently owned by W. D. Kennedy, and
moved into it the first of the week.
Miss Mae Kennedy, who is teaching in Grant township, spent Saturday and
Sunday with her parents, Mrs. and Mrs. Miles Kennedy.
Marie Foster and Maggie Lancaster visited their brothers, James and Chris
Lancaster and families near Maurice, the latter part of last week.
M. G. Mills, who underwent an operation in the hospital in LeMars, a short
time ago returned home the middle of the week. His health is very poor.
Jackson Hawkins shipped a car load of sheep to Sioux City, Monday night.
This is the first car of sheep that has been shipped from this station for
some time. He accompanied the shipment, returning home Tuesday evening.
Grandma Boyce, who is living with Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hawkins, had the
misfortune to fall one day last week and broke her leg. Dr. Fettes is her
attending physician. A trained nurse from Sioux City is taking care of her.
Wm. Lancaster assisted by Thos. Rees, John Lancaster, Will Caster, and
Edward Rees moved a small kitchen down from Henry Heide's farm in Fredonia
township Saturday. The building will be joined to Mr. Heide's house in
town.
Mrs. Nathanial McArthur, who makes her home with her son, Duncan McArthur,
arrived here Monday evening after an extended visit with her daughter, Mrs.
Bert Dickinson, in Sabula, Iowa. Since her absence she also visited
relatives near Paola, Kan.
Watson Kennedy returned to his home in Las Vegas, N.M., Friday, after a
short visit with relatives. He was accompanied by Mrs. Jonathan Alderson
and his little daughter, Gladys, who has been taken care of by Mr. J.
Alderson and family the past eighteen months. Mrs. Alderson will spend a
couple of weeks with her daughter, Mrs. W.D. Kennedy, whose health is very
much improved since going to that place.
STRUBLE: (Special Correspondence)
Rickef Gerdes marketed wheat here on Tuesday.
Sam Bellsfield is moving building for Fritz Baack.
There is quite a good deal of building done this year.
Gerd Harms is entertaining the painters at present.
C. W. Estlick, who is on the sick list, is still very ill.
Roy Watts is enjoying a visit from his father of LeMars.
Mrs. Gus. Horrling was calling here from LeMars Monday.
George Popkin is building a big barn for Olfert Hartmann.
Alfred Baar sold his Edison phonograph to parties in Struble.
Christ Rickert delivered hogs in Struble the first of the week.
Roy, the son of George Moir, is very ill with a relapse of pneumonia.
The latest is an established horse market at the Struble livery barn.
John Deegan sold a number of draft horses to Schneider Bros., of Hinton.
Miss Grace Woods spent Sunday at the Misses Anna and Alice Keough home.
Will Wise is back from Colorado, where he has been looking over the country.
Miss V. Kuborn is spending the week with her brother, James, near Maurice.
Eilert Dirks is at work on Benj. Borcher's big barn, eleven miles west of
town.
Fritz Lenth bought the old restaurant stand of William Nickelsen for $1200.
Chas. Riffle arrived here Tuesday from Sioux City to move a barn for Frank
Becker.
Mrs. J. A. Sayer and her niece, Grace Woods, were county seat shoppers on
Tuesday.
Mrs. Anton Durband is in LaFayette county, Wisconsin, called there by
illness of relatives.
Leo Keough is home from Des Moines, where he has been attending school this
past winter.
Good Friday was observed by the Catholic and Lutheran churches by
appropriate services.
Henry Ludwigs was superintending some building on his farm in Portland
township the last of the week.
All are cordially invited to attend the Easter exercises to be given by the
Sunday school scholars Sunday at 8 o'clock.
Henry Thielen, the LeMars contractor and builder, is building a new house
for Ricklef Gerdes, six miles west of town.
Leo Gannan spent Sunday with his parents south of LeMars. He is farming the
Misses Alice and Anna Keough farm this year.
Mrs. Hans Haugen will leave for Beresford, S. Dak., Saturday, to spend a few
days with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Murray.
PERSONALS.
E. R. Mitchell, who has lived in LeMars and attended Western College for the
past three years, leaves next week for Correctionville, where he will enter
upon the pastorate of two Evangelical churches.
Miss Kate Saeger, employed at the A. C. Colledge home, was seriously hurt by
a fall on a defective sidewalk near the railroad crossing on Main street
Tuesday night. Her knee cap was fractured.
M. Peters, who formerly was engaged in the furniture and undertaking
business in this city, and who now lives on a farm near Remsen, is the proud
father of twin boys who arrived at his home on Saturday.
A supper will be served in the Sartori building Saturday evening, April
25th, to which every one is invited. The supper will be under the direction
of the members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Ladies Aid Society of the First Methodist Episcopal church meet on
Tuesday afternoon with Mrs. J. W. Brown. The hostess will be assisted by
Mrs. John Bogen, Mrs. A. C. Demaray and Miss Lillie Lobdell.
The eight-year-old son of George Moir, living northeast of town, was
operated upon Wednesday to relieve a gathering of pus in the pleural cavity,
which resulted from pneumonia. He is progressing favorably.
Rev. O. F. Guettel writes friends in LeMars that he is nicely settled at
Brooks, Oregon, where he has been appointed to the charge of an Evangelical
church. Brooks is located about nine miles from Salem, the capital of
Oregon.
Miss Mabel Eastman was hostess to the members of the Bow Knot Club at her
home on South Main street yesterday afternoon and a delightful social time
was enjoyed. Dainty refreshments were served during the afternoon.
Henry Claerbout, who recently came to LeMars from Hull to make his home
here, has purchased a residence from E. A. Dalton on Fremont street. The
house is a new one and well fitted up. The purchase price was $3,300. Mr.
Claerbout will build an addition to the house at once.
Frank Gleason was in Lincoln a few days ago and made an arrangement for the
LeMars Implement company to handle the famous Shinn lightning rod. This rod
is constructed on the latest scientific principle and has been used with
success in many localities. On the second page we print an advertisement
which will tell you more about the rod.
Geo. Thaden will leave next Monday for Kirksville, Mo., where he will try a
course of osteopathic treatment. Mr. Thaden has been unable to walk for a
long time, but has strong hopes that he will ultimately recover the use of
his lower limbs. Mr. Thaden is agent for several newspapers and his sister,
Miss Amanda Thaden, will look after his business while he is absent.
John Huber, an employee at the Plymouth Roller Mill, had the misfortune to
break his leg on Wednesday afternoon. He was engaged in a friendly scouffle
with another employee and both men while wrestling fell to the ground and
Huber broke one of his legs above the ankle and will be laid up for several
weeks in consequence.
W. A. Keats, the Merrill liveryman, with his son, Will, was in LeMars
yesterday. They were on their way to Pierre, S.D., where Mr. Keats will
take up his residence on a claim for several months. His claim is next to
that of John Wilters, of this place, who went to Pierre, S.D. Mr. Keats and
Mr. Wilters were neighbors on adjoining farms in Grant township eighteen or
twenty years ago. Will Keats goes up to file on a piece of land and will
take up his residence there later.
Albert Lang (sic Albert Long) of Neptune, who has been working in Sioux City
all winter, was brought to LeMars on Tuesday. He has been in a hospital in
Sioux City for several weeks, suffering from an abscess in his side and
other complications and is a very sick man. He was taken to the Dubuque
House and underwent an operation performed by Dr. G. H. Mammen and Dr. P.
Schwind. He withstood the operation well and is a little better.
An alarm of fire was turned in on Wednesday evening about eight o’clock.
The fire company had a long run to the south part of town, it being reported
that the G. A. C. Clarke residence was on fire. The fire proved to be a
small bonfire out on a stubble field on the Rounds place some blocks away
from the Clarke residence. Somebody had seen a blaze and without waiting to
investigate turned in an alarm causing needless expense and worry.
LeMars Sentinel
April 24, 1908
SENEY: (Special Correspondence)
Wm. Falk and Harry Reintz shipped hogs to Sioux City Tuesday night.
Dr. Robert Smylie will hold quarterly services in the church Sunday.
Wm. Lancaster is putting a concrete foundation under Henry Hiede's house.
Chris Lancaster, living near Maurice, called on his parents Wednesday.
Rebecca Hughes, of LeMars, visited relatives in town the first of the week.
Wallace Winslow and W. Freeman, of LeMars, were callers in town Monday.
Al McArthur, of Struble, is reshingling a barn for his brother, D.F.
McArthur.
Arthur Reeves has had all the buildings on his farm repainted. His son
Clarence did the work.
The Easter program given in the church Sunday evening was largely attended
and well rendered.
Jas. Lancaster and family, of Maurice, spent Sunday with the former's
parents and sisters in town.
Walter Clark, of Sioux City, arrived here Monday afternoon to do the
carpenter work on Geo. Hughes' house.
Perry Albro, who was injured a few weeks ago is getting along nicely. Kind
neighbors assisted in putting in his grain.
Mrs. Grant Chapman and children spent Sunday with her mother and sisters,
Mrs. E. and Lucille March, and Mrs. W.E. Kennedy.
Mrs. W. C. Warner returned to her new home in Mt. Lake, Minn., after
spending a week with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. M. M. Kennedy.
Ira Lancaster had the misfortune to lose his suit case and gun case and
contents last week, which he left in the M.A. Moore Lumber Co's. office in
LeMars when he returned from his visit in Wisconsin a short time ago. He
received a phone call late in the evening Wednesday of last week from LeMars
stating that someone had broken into the lumber office and stolen his cases,
also some articles of hardware. The guilty fellow was in town Wednesday
morning and sold the hardware articles to Geo. Hughes and tried to sell the
gun. He ate breakfast at the home of the victim's uncle, Wm. Lancaster,
then left on the early train the same morning for Sheldon, where Ira found
his clothes in the pawn shop and his gun at a blacksmith shop Friday morning
when he went up there. The fellow had disposed of the things in Sheldon and
had stolen a traveling man's case and boarded the train for Sioux Falls, S.
D. The officers of that place were notified to look out for the fellow.
Ira got his things again but found that he had lost a number of articles of
clothing and also some gifts which were sent by Wisconsin relatives. He
returned home Friday evening and told his experience.
[the community name not shown]
Fred Jensen returned to his home Monday from Sioux City, where he has been
visiting friends and looking after his farm interests.
John Billings, of LeMars was visiting a few days with the families of his
sons-in-law, Allen and Emmet Semple, and his son, George.
Mrs. Sayles, who has been staying with her daughter, Mrs. H. F. Hansen, has
been very poorly the past week, but her many friends hope she will be well
soon.
EVANSVILLE: (Special Correspondence)
G. W. Bushby was at Orange City on business Saturday.
Levi Bushby departed Saturday for Chicago with a car of hogs.
Byron and Art Peebels, of Ireton, were calling on friends in this locality
Monday.
The Misses Eva and Daisy Day, of Ireton, visited at the C. S. Bushby
residence Sunday.
Mrs. John Ricklets, who has been ill for some time, is able to be around the
house again.
Most of the small grain in this locality is up and looking fine and farmers
are plowing for corn.
A jolly crowd of young people enjoyed a party at the home of Mr. and Mrs.
Fred Earl Saturday evening.
Theodore Pereboom and wife visited with Mrs. Pereboom's parents, Mr. and
Mrs. Fred Nanninga, Sunday.
David Hammond shipped a car of fat cattle to Sioux City Monday. Mr. Hammond
accompanied the shipment.
Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Edwards and Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Nanninga attended the
Easter services at Struble Sunday evening.
James Day expects to leave this week for North Yakima, Washington, where he
will probably spend the summer with his brother, J. W. Day, who has resided
there for some time.
The Evansville ball team played the James team northwest of Ireton on
Sunday. The Evansville team was victorious. The boys have all gotten new
base ball suits and they present a formidable appearance on the diamond.
The herd of Shetland ponies on the Maple Grove stock farm was increased the
past week by the arrival of a little colt, the tiny atom of horse flesh is
about as large as an ordinary shepherd dog.
Sam Bellesfield, of Rock Valley, is moving a set of buildings for Fred Baack
this week, the buildings are being moved from the D. Borchers place, which
Mr. Baack recently purchased, to Mr. Baack's own place, they have already
move a hog house and the next building to be moved is a large barn.
CRATHORNE: (Special Correspondence)
Miss Tena Morrison is on the sick list.
Pete Cronin is working for Walter Cole this spring.
Sam Deidiker is assisting Roy Stephens with his farm work at present.
[this community name is not visible]
Sam Harvey went to Minneapolis with a car of horses Saturday evening in
company with Mr. Stowell, of LeMars.
Albert and Herman Werth with their families. of Stanton, spent Sunday
afternoon with Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Kohl.
Miss Etta McCrill, of LeMars, has a large class of music pupils in this
vicinity and spends Tuesday and Wednesday here.
B.F. Dragoo was at Frank Connor's recently to get his boy to go home. The
boy was fifteen years old and ran away from home.
Mrs. James Goudie returned home Monday from LeMars, where she had been a
week, helping care for her husband, who is sick at the home of his father on
Washington street.
Miss Carrie Boa, whose romance was commented on in Tuesday's Sentinel, is
well known by many people here. Her father, Robert Boa, now of Ponca,
Okla., owns two farms of a quarter section each in Union township, and
visits here once a year usually.
Ten children were baptized by Rev. F. D. Haner in the Presbyterian church
Sunday morning, one child in the families of Thomas Eyers, Will Gosting, Wm.
Frye, David Goudie, Conrad Kohl and Ernest Eyers, and two in Hugh Maxwell's
and Carl Mc Gruder's families. A solo by Mrs. Charles Eyres and an Easter
song by Mina and Myrtle Dotzauer were well rendered, with Mrs. David Goudie
accompanist.
LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
LeMars, Plymouth Co, Iowa
Friday, April 28, 1908
TWISTERS DO GREAT DAMAGE. Westfield and Broken Kettle Suffer from Tornadoes.
CYCLONES START NEAR SIOUX RIVER.
Storm Sweeps over Southwestern Portion of Plymouth County and Wrecks Number
of Homes and Buildings-Several People Have Miraculous Escapes.
Westfield, Iowa, April 23. Two cyclones which started near here today did considerable
damage to property and endangered the lives of many people. Both were seen by
many people and both occurred at almost the same time. The first storm began
about one mile east of McCook, SD, and traveled up the Big Sioux Valley. It
was first seen about 4:10 o'clock, and lifted and settled many times during
its course. It struck the farm of C.W. CAMPBELL, about a mile south of this
place. A large barn was completely destroyed. A remarkable circumstance occurred
in connection with the razing of the building. Four horses were tied in the
stalls, and when the storm struck the barn and demolished it, the horses were
left unharmed although the harnesses were removed from their backs as cleanly
as if the hired man had performed the task. Although the farm buildings of Mr.
CAMPBELL were destroyed, the house was not injured except for a few shingles,
which were blown from one end of the roof. Six people were in the building.
A schoolhouse a short distance from here was close to the path of the storm.
The sixteen pupils were just dismissed, but none were hurt. The storm traveled
northeast from here, but did no other damage.
The second tornado followed Broken Kettle creek to Milnerville. At that place
it completely destroyed the blacksmith shop of Lon FURSEE. East of that place
the farm residence of John LAWRENCE also was destroyed. The storm traveled toward
LeMars, but spend itself without further damage. Dick PULLEN, who lives at Milnerville
told some interesting facts in record to the damage which was done there by
the storm last week. The wind carried Mr. PULLEN's house about forty feet, taking
it from over the heads of fifteen or twenty people who had congregated in the
cellar. The damage amounted to about $1,000. The barn was blown to pieces, but
not one of the horses was injured. There was no insurance. A house which was
occupied by Dot CLIFFTON and which was owned by George MILNER was blown to pieces,
as were three corncribs. The damage was estimated at $600. The John LAWRENCE
residence was turned completely around. His barn and sheds were blown down.
The damage was about $1000. Damage to the extent of $1000 was done to the house,
barn and smaller buildings of Leonard LAWRENCE. The MULLHORN house was taken
from its foundation, the smaller buildings in the vicinity also gave way before
the storm.
A destructive cyclone passed through the southwest corner of Plymouth county
Thursday afternoon, doing considerable damage to barns and out-buildings and
slight damage to dwelling houses, but luckily no lives were lost. The storm
seemed to travel from southwest to northeast.
In Hancock township, George KNAPP's barn was completely demolished, while other
buildings within a few feet were not damaged. The damage to Mr. KNAPP's property
is between $300 and $400. Mr. RIPKY's barns and outbuildings were demolished
and his house badly shaken. His loss is between $1,200 and $1,300. B.M. DICKERSON's
barn was shattered to kindling and scattered broadcast over the prairie, and
his home was lightly damaged. The family narrowly escaped death. Mr. DICKERSON
was caught in the twister while on his way to bring the children home from school
and saved himself by stretching flat on the ground in the lee of a hill and
holding to a sapling. The damage to his property was about $300. A new frame
house, belonging to W.A. COMSTOCK, was twisted and shattered beyond repair.
Mr. and Mrs. COMSTOCK had left the house about five minutes before the storm
struck it. A cluster of large elm and box elder trees, measuring three feet
and numbering about twenty-five, were uprooted and piled in one pile on the
COMSTOCK place. Damage to buildings about $300. A teacher, Miss Florence FLURRY,
who teaches at the Center School, on seeing the twister, showed remarkable self
control and bravery by going on with her duties and telling the little ones
it was only a whirlwind while the tornado was passing within 20 rods of the
school.
Just over in Lyon County, at the northwest corner of Sioux, Thursday afternoon
a tornado did considerable damage to farm property and probably fatally injured
one person. The total loss is estimated at about $50,000. The heaviest lost
was suffered by Henry HANSON and the injured person was Miss Mary HANSON, who
was at the home of Ben CRAFT. The storm first struck the farm of D. DAHNSON,
where all buildings except the house were destroyed. Many head of hogs and cattle
were killed. DAHNSON's place is about five miles west of Inwood. The farm buildings
of Claude DeGAUL were lifted from their foundations and carried about a quarter
mile into a grove. At the farm of Ben CRAFT two miles west of Inwood, several
buildings were destroyed and the house was damaged. Miss HANSON was hurt by
flying timbers which struck her, breaking several ribs and hurting her internally.
Henry FRY, a rural mail carrier out of Inwood, took the twister and FRYE was
carried high into the air. He hung onto his mail bag, however and lit unhurt,
continuing his journey as soon as the storm abated. The farm of John SMARTMO
is near that of CRAFT and several outbuildings were destroyed. A school house
nearby, where school had been dismissed only a half hour before, was demolished.
The farm buildings of Henry HANSON were the finest in the neighborhood. Mr.
HANSON, who is president of the First National Bank of Inwood, valued those
which were destroyed at about $6,000. The two sons of Mr. HANSON were in the
barn when the storm came up and passed from it into a shed nearby just as the
wind struck. The barn was completely destroyed but the shed escaped and the
boys were unhurt.
A bad windstorm passed over the vicinity of Hawarden and did considerable damage
to small outbuildings and windmills at the farm of Will METCALF. The Chas. FRENCH
buildings were wrecked and twisted.
-----
Miss Kate NEUMANN, of Red Lodge, Montana, accompanied by her
little nephew,Newman HAUSWALD, is visiting relatives in LeMars and Merrill.
She willremain several weeks.
John REDELFS, a young man, residing eight miles west of town,
was the vicitim of a very painful and serious accident yesterday morning. He
was kicked in the face by a horse, the right cheek bone being crushed and his
nose broken. The horse had broken loose from its stall and REDELFS was behind
the animal driving it back when it lashed out at him. Dr. MAMMEN was called
to attend to his injuries. He will recover, but will bear scars from the accident.
C.W. SYDENSTRICKER, of Kansas City, arrived in LeMars Saturday
on a visit to his mother, Mrs. N.J. SYDENSTRICKER and other relatives in this
vicinity.
Merrill Record....[another article about the fierce storm]
CYCLONE AT MILLNERVILLE
Happened April 23, 1908
A most destructive cyclone visited Millnerville and vicinity last Thursday
afternoon. The day was a peculiar one, high winds, swiftly moving black
clouds, gusts of rain accompanied by vivid lightning and much thunder.
Along in the afternoon at about 4:20 almost threatening and ominous looking
clouds came up from the southwest. The people sought shelter and watched
it. The cloud lowered and lifted several times and finally it touched the
ground at Millnerville taking the two-story blacksmith shop belonging to Lon
Fursee completely demolishing it.
Dick Pullen's house was moved from its foundation about 40 ft. About
fifteen people were in the cellar and were unhurt. The Pullen barn was
blown to pieces.
The Geo. Milner house, occupied by Doc. Clifton, was demolished and Doc was
slightly hurt.
The house occupied by John Lawrence was moved from its foundation. The
barns and other out buildings are completely destroyed.
The house and barn of Leonard Lawrence were also damaged to the extent of
about $1000.
The George Knapp barn and out buildings in Hancock township were also
damaged to the extent of about $350.
The L. Mulhern house and barn were shattered causing a partial loss.
The nearly completed new house belonging to W. A. Comstock was a total loss.
A cluster of elm trees near his house were torn out of the ground and
scattered. Only a few are left standing.
B.M. Dickerson's barn was shattered to kindling and scattered broad cast
over the prairie, and his house was lightly damaged. The family narrowly
escaped death. Mr. Dickerson was caught in the twister while on the way to
bring the children home from school and saved himself by stretching flat on
the ground in the lee of a hill and holding to a sapling. The damage to his
property is about $300.
A teacher, Miss Florence Flurry, who teaches at the Center school, on seeing
the twister showed remarkable self control and bravery by going on with her
duties and telling the little ones that it was only a whirlwind while the
tornado was passing within twenty rods of the school.
Le Mars Globe-Post, April 29, 1908
CYCLONES BIG DAMAGE
Many Plymouth County Buildings Wrecked
FORTUNATELY NO LIVES WERE LOST
Many Narrow Escapes by Persons in Track of Storm-Coolness of Teacher Saves
Pupils From Panic
One of the most destructive cyclones that has visited this locality in a
great many years, visited the southwestern part of Plymouth county on
Thursday at about four o'clock, spreading terror to the township visited,
and causing a property loss of several thousands dollars in the aggregate,
and which will fall heavily upon many whose property was destroyed. The
cyclone came from the southwest and was probably the same storm which caused
such a destruction to property in Nebraska and which was accompanied by the
loss of three or four lives.
The storm had its origin in Nebraska apparently and one portion going up
the Big Sioux valley in Dakota and the other crossing to the Iowa side. One
storm is reported to have entered South Dakota at about the same time that
it came to Iowa. Both storms travelled in a north east direction and
wherever they dropped down to earth the buildings and trees were crushed
like egg shells and when they were close to the earth everything was wiped
out. The Dakota storm was much more destructive in property loss for it did
not cease in its destruction and death dealing until a hundred miles had
been traveled. Six or seven lives were taken and a few were injured.
At the C.W. Campbell place, about a mile south of Westfield, the big barn
was torn to splinters, but the horses were left standing in their stalls but
were stripped of their harness. The house escaped.
The house of Dick Pullen of Millnerville was lifted up and carried about
forty feet. About twenty persons had sought safety in the Pullen cellar.
The Pullen barn was torn to pieces but none of the horses were injured. His
loss is about $1,000.
A house which was occupied by Dot Clifton and owned by George Millner,
was blown to pieces, as were three corncribs. The damage was estimated at
$600.
The John Lawrence residence was turned completely around. His barn and
sheds were blown down. The damage was about $1,000.
The Mullhorn house was taken from its foundation, and smaller buildings
in the vicinity also gave way before the storm.
At Millnerville it completely destroyed the Lou Fursee blacksmith shop.
About two miles northeast of that place was the last trace of the
destructive storm.
The storm in Plymouth was short in comparison to the Dakota storm but the
loss of property was proportionally as great.
Some saw the approach of the appalling storm and watched it with fear and
trebling until it was upon them, but many had no knowledge of its presence
until it was upon them. Those who saw it within its path sought what
shelter they could find to escape from its consuming maws. The storm struck
this county in Hancock and Sioux townships and shingles were stripped from
hundreds of buildings on both sides of the main part of the path of the
storm.
It was currently reported in Le Mars that W.F. McAuliff, who has a farm
in Westfield township sustained a heavy loss, but a telephone communication
brought the reply that he like hundreds of others had escaped with no
greater loss than a lot of shingles.
The storm went in a northeast direction in Hancock township. George
Knapp's barn was completely demolished while other buildings within a few
feet were not damaged. The damage to Mr. Knapp's property is between $300
and $400.
Mr. Ripky's barns and outbuildings were demolished and his house badly
shaken. His loss is between $1,200 and $1,300.
B. M. Dickerson's barn was shattered to kindling and scattered broadcast
over the prairie, and his house was slightly damaged. The family narrowly
escaped death. Mr. Dickerson was caught in the twister while on the way to
bring his children home from school and saved himself by stretching flat on
the ground in the lee of a hill and holding to a sapling. The damage to his
property was about $300.
A new frame house belonging to W. A. Comstock, was twisted and shattered
beyond repair. Mr. and Mrs. Comstock had left the house about five minutes
before the storm struck it.
A cluster of large elm and box elder trees, measuring three feet and
numbering about twenty-five, were uprooted and piled on one pile on the
[unreadable].
A teacher, Miss Florence Flournoy, who teaches at the Center school, on
seeing the twister showed remarkable self control and bravery by going on
with her duties and telling the little ones that is was only a whirlwind
while the tornado was passing within twenty rods of the school.
TRIED TO TAKE LIFE
Gave Unrequited Love as His Reason for Rash Attempt
Rae Lobdell, son of R. M. Lobdell, living on Eagle street in Le Mars
tried to take his life on Saturday shortly after noon by taking poison.
After taking the poison he started out of the house and fell in the yard
where he was seen by some one passing by.
He was writhing in the throes of pain and it was with the greatest
difficulty that he could be taken into the house, but with combined aid of
others called to assist he was taken to the house. He told his father when
asked what he had done, that he had taken strychnine.
Dr. Mammen and Dr. Fettes was summoned at once and hastening to the home
administered antidotes to over come the poison. Dr. Mammen said that the
young man had taken poison of some kind, but that he did not think he had
taken strychnine.
Lobdell was out of danger in a few hours and on Monday did not show but
little evidence that he had tried to take his own life.
It is currently rumored that Lobdel's girl with whom he had been keeping
company for some time had transferred her affections to another and is given
as the reason for attempting to transfer his life to another state. The
name of the lady could not be learned, but she is not a resident of Le Mars.
It is said that he told his father that it was useless to lift him back into
this world for if it was done he would make a success of the next attempt.
Young Lobdell is about 25 years old and is generally thought to be pretty
level headed and not inclined to rashness. He was in the United States navy
for some time and generally spoken of as being a well balanced young man.
Members of the family say that he was poisoned by paint.
OLD ITEM STAFF ENTERTAINS NEW
The old High School Item staff entertained the staff of '09 by giving a
picnic at Cleveland park on Tuesday. A nice picnic supper was served at six
o'clock. The hours after supper were passed with games. The following is
the new Item Staff: Editor in chief, Maud Cole; business manager, Clyde
Eastman; assistant business manager, Carl Marcue; literary editors, Anna
Lamberty, Otella Backenburg; athletic editor, Edwin Buehler; exchange
editors, Beth Giezen, Lee Harker; squibs, Mitchell Briggs; local editors,
Roy Pritchard, Blanche Harker, Beth Wilson, Ada Richards; artist, Hazel
Alexander; alumni, Florence Roseberry.
BADLY KICKED BY HORSE
John Redeifs, living eight miles west of Le Mars on the Wendt farm, was
the victim of a frightful injury at an early hour on Monday morning. He had
gone to the barn to care for the horses when one of the horses kicked him in
the face.
The hoofs struck him squarely in the face, breaking his nose, cutting the
lips, cutting both cheeks and breaking one cheek bone. Dr. G. H. Mammen
attended him and found him in a critical condition. He is in such a
condition that his life is in the balance and his death and his death may
ensue even now.
HAS NEW PROPRIETOR
Famous LeMars Hostlery in New Hands On Friday
OLD EMPLOYEES WILL BE RETAINED
Mr. and Mrs. Hodgman Managed Hotel for Twenty Years-Is One of the Best Known
in the West
The Union Hotel that has added to the fame of Le Mars more than any
institution which she possesses will be conducted by a new proprietor this
week. E. A. Smith, the new proprietor, with Mrs. Smith and their three
children arrived in Le Mars on Thursday from Alexandria, Minnesota, and have
been spending their time in acquainting themselves with the details of the
business.
Mr. Smith, the new proprietor, is thoroughly familiar with the hotel
business, having spent about ten years as clerk in the leading hotels of
Minnesota. He is well equipped to retain friends for his hotel for he is a
traveling man and has a most excellent understanding of the requirements of
a first class hotel and the traveling public [unreadable word] that the
future "Union" has retained all of its good qualities and that is the only
quality that it passed for the twenty years under the management of Mr. and
Mrs. B. F. Hodgman.
All of the employees at the hotel have been retained, including John
Vandergrift as the head cook, which gives assurance that the superior menu
which has added so much to the success of the Union as any other feature
will be maintained under Mr. Smith's management.
B. F. Hodgman, who was the guiding star at this hotel for twenty years,
will remain with the new proprietor for a short time. Mr. and Mrs. Hodgman
go to the Pacific coast early in the summer and will spend their time for
several months in leisure and will return to Le mars later in the fall to
make their home.
AN ELOPEMENT
Young Farmer and Neighbor's Wife Said to Have Left for Parts Unknown
Akron Register Tribune - The German neighborhood northeast of here was given
a big sentation (sic sensation) the latter part of last week by the reported
elopement of Henry Dirkson and the wife of his neighbor, Sebastian Leuschen.
The couple are said to have taken a northbound train last Friday for parts
unknown. Suspicion had previously been aroused, but such a denouncement was
entirely unlooked for. Dirkson is said to have recently received $800 for a
burned barn and is said to have taken this insurance money to finance the
sensational venture.
Dirkson is the father of three children and Mrs. Leuschen is the mother of a
like number. Mrs. Leuschen and Dirkson's wife are sisters.
The abandoned husband and wife have as yet been unable to learn the
whereabouts of the missing couple.