Iowa Old Press

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
July 4, 1911

WM. CLAGG IS DEAD
Old Resident Succumbs To Illness of Two Weeks
He Was A Native of Ohio and Lived in Illinois and Was Among the Early
Settlers of Iowa, Locating in Ft. Dodge

W. M. Clagg, one of the well known residents of LeMars, died at his home on
Eagle street shortly after midnight on Saturday following a brief illness.
His death is regretted by the community, which loses a broadminded liberal
citizen, who in a quiet unostentation way has performed many acts of
kindness and charity in his life. During his illness may anxious inquiries
were made as to his condition and fervent hopes expressed for his recovery.
Mr. Clagg by his manner of life exemplified a true conception of the
brotherhood of man. His death is sincerely mourned by a large number of
friends in many varied walks of life.

William Marion Clagg was born October 21, 1838, at Bellefontaine, Ohio,
where he spent his childhood. In 1854, at the age of sixteen, he came with
his parents to Clinton, Illinois, where he made his home for a number of
years. There, together with his father and only brother, he engaged in the
hardware business and learned the tinner’s trade.

May 10, 1860, he was united in marriage with Mary Elizabeth Gideon, also of
Clinton, Illinois. Six children were born to this union, one son, Paul and
one daughter, Francis Marion, dying in infancy. Four children, Mrs. Maye S.
Hull and Earl D. Clagg, of Fort Dodge, Iowa; William E. Clagg, of Sheldon;
and Ben T. Clagg, of LeMars, remain with their mother to mourn the loss of
father and husband.

Wm. M. Clagg enlisted in Company D., One Hundred and Seventh Illinois
Volunteer Infantry in 1862. He helped to enlist and muster in from his own
town the company of which he was a member. Mr. Clagg served as second
lieutenant of Company D. until he was appointed first aide with the rank of
first lieutenant on the staff of General Hobson. In 1864, because of
sickness contracted in the service, he was granted a sick discharge from the
army and spent the next five years in trying to regain his health. In 1869
Mr. Clagg removed with his family to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he resided for
thirteen years, engaging in the hardware and implement business and later in
the hide and fur business, in which later occupation he continued until the
time of his death. Mr. Clagg was one of the pioneer fur dealers of the part
of the country. He made his first visit to LeMars in the winter of 1869
driving overland in a sleigh from Fort Dodge before the railroad was yet
built and buying furs from the settlers.

In 1882 Mr. Clagg and family removed to Sioux City, where they resided for
four years, leaving there because of the failing health of Mrs. Clagg after
the death of their little girl, and removing to Baxter Springs and later to
Fort Scott, Kansas.

In the fall of 1886 Mr. Clagg came to LeMars, the family coming the
following spring in March, 1887. Here Mr. Clagg established the hide, fur,
and wool business, which he, with the aid of his sons, carried on for
twenty-five years and to the time of his death, his youngest son, Ben, being
a partner in the business with him for the past five years.

At the age of nineteen, Mr. Wm. Clagg was converted under the preaching of
Rev. Benjamin Thomas, who became a lifelong friend, and who afterwards
performed the marriage ceremony of Mr. and Mrs. Clagg, and for whom the
named their son, Benjamin Thomas Clagg. At the time of his conversion, Mr.
Clagg became a member of the Baptist church, to which he has continued
faithful throughout his whole life. In his private life he always tried to
do right and through his example more than by what he said he tried to show
his love for Christ. In this he was rejoiced by seeing each of his children
accept the Savior whom he loved and join the church of which he was a
member.

Mr. Clagg joined the Masonic order just before going to the front in 1862
and has been a member in good standing from that time to this, being a
member of Giblem lodge, No. 322, of LeMars, at the time of his death. He was
also a member of Mower Post, G. A. R. of LeMars.

While Mr. Clagg appeared to be a robust man and in good health, he has felt
his health failing for a number of years. He has always wished to continue
in the active management of his business and was seldom willing to stay away
from the office even for sickness. Mr. Clagg suffered lately from light
attacks of heart trouble, but continued going to his office until two weeks
ago Monday evening, when he had a very acute attack, which was the beginning
of his last illness. He has been kind and patient throughout his suffering
and illness with never a word of complaint and with never a thought of
giving up and expecting to the last day of his illness that he would be up
and around within a day or two. Mr. Clagg passed away at ten minutes of one
o’clock Sunday morning, July 2, 1911. Mr. Clagg’s only brother and two of
his sisters have died within the past four years of the same trouble. His
eldest sister died only last Monday evening.

The Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at the First Baptist
Church, the pastor, Rev. J. C. Hoover, officiating, and were attended by a
large throng of people who paid reverent tribute to his memory. The remains
were taken on the evening train to Fort Dodge, where he had many times
expressed his request that he might be buried beside his children. A service
will be held at the home of his son, Earl Clagg, at that place this morning.

WERE QUIETLY MARRIED
Roy Buchter and Bride Steal a March on Their Friends

Roy Buchter, of Westfield, a former known LeMars boy, and Miss Blanche
Milus, of Akron vicinity, came over from the west side of the county on
Thursday and obtained a marriage license at the court house and then
proceeded to the home of Rev. M. O. Lambly, pastor of the First
Congregational church, who performed the ceremony which made them man and
wife. The marriage is a surprise to their many friends, as they were not
aware that the event was to be celebrated so soon. They will make their home
on a farm near Akron.

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-Ferdinand Pech, who has been visiting his relatives here, will leave for
his home at Lisbon, North Dakota, tomorrow.
-Mrs. H. Liesenger returned yesterday from a visit with her sons at
Bonesteel, South Dakota.
-The members of Dewey Camp, W.O.W., paid tribute to the memory of their late
secretary, Dr. E. D. Brower, on Sunday, when they unveiled a monument to his
memory. Dr. Schel, of Omaha, made the principal address and the officers of
the camp performed the ritual work.
-The LeMars ball team defeated the Struble team in a fast game on Sunday
afternoon by a score of 4 to 1. Trafford twirled for the home team.

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
July 11, 1911

A LIVELY CORPSE.

Struble Journal: A report reached us that a bum, more hog than human, and
full of what made Milwaukee famous, created quite a disturbance Sunday at
Craig. The fellow was conveyed on a wheelbarrow to the stock yards by the
Marshal, G. A. Null, and objected by striking Mr. Null in the face. He was
overpowered by the Marshal and put down and out. When the bug juice wore off
he made his departure north of Ireton, where he worked. It was reported he
had died, but the facts are that he is still a lively corpse.

LeMars Sentinel
Friday, July 14, 1911

DEATH OF MRS. BURRILL
Well Known Union Township Resident Dies After Long Illness

Mrs. G.H. Burrill, of Union township, died on Wednesday morning at the
home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tullis, in Merrill.  Mrs. Burrill had
been sick for the past five years and had suffered much.  Several times
she has been at the point of death during her long illness and her life
despaired of.  During the time that she had been in ill health she had
been faithfully and tenderly nursed by her loving husband and children
who had spared no pains nor labor to make her remaining years as happy
and peaceful as possible.  The best of medical aid had been secured to
no avail.  Six weeks ago she was brought to the hospital  in this city
and was given the most skillful treatment, but her already frail body
was fast beginning to sink, and it was finally known that she had but a
short time in which to be upon this earth.  She was then taken to the
home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Tullis, where she might spend
the last few days with those who had reared her from infancy.  Although
the long months had been fraught with pain and suffering, the deceased
had tried to make the lives of those about her as happy as possible and
had always tried to lighten the burdens of those who were taking care of
her.

Mary Burrill was married to G. H. Burrill, in this county, on April 28th
1889.  she had resided in this county since 1882, during which time she
had made many friends by her gentleness and willingness to help others.
Besides her husband she is survived by six children, all of who are
girls.  They are Pearl, Eva, Florence, Fay, Martha and Clara.  Three
sisters and two brothers and her parents are also alive.  Her brothers
and sisters are:  Wm. Tullis, who resides on a claim in South Dakota;
Mrs. John Eberhardt, residing at Wessington Springs; Mrs. Insinger, of
Walnut, Kansas; and Frank Tullis, who resides in Plymouth township.  The
funeral will be held at Merrill this afternoon from the Methodist church
at two o'clock.  Interment will take place in the Merrill cemetery by
the body of a brother, who died last fall from injuries received from
burns.

UNION:  (Special Correspondence)

Mrs. Kipp and little daughter, of Remsen, accompanied Mr. Kipp on his
trip with meat in an automobile Friday.

Mrs. Peter Steele and Miss Margaret Steele were guests of Mr. and Mrs.
Geo. Steele from Friday evening until Sunday.

No services will be held in the Presbyterian church Sunday, July 16th,
as many members wish to attend LeMars Chautauqua.

The ladies of Mt. Hope M.E. Church will hold their aid meeting Thursday
afternoon, July 20th, at the home of Mrs. Elmer Warner.

The Presbyterian Missionary society will meet with Mrs. Chas. Eyres
Wednesday, July 19th, at 2:30 p.m.  Subject for study is “The Field, the
Future,” and year reviewed.  Leaders, Mrs. Harry Hoyt and Mrs. Inglett.
Mrs. Hayden will preside.

Will McCartney and Mary Edwards stole a march on their relatives and
friends and were married in LeMars Saturday, July 8th, by Rev. C.G.
Butler.  Congratulations are extended.  The young couple are living on
the Begg homestead, where the groom is farming in partnership with Ed
Bauerly.

Mrs. George Burrill, who has been an invalid several years died at the
home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Tullis, in Merrill, Wednesday
morning, July 12th.  Her husband and daughter, Eva, were with her at the
time.  Mrs. Burrill had been a patient sufferer.  She leaves her husband
and six daughters, besides her parents and other relatives and friends
to mourn her early death, being in her thirty-eighth year.  The funeral
will be held on Friday afternoon at two o'clock in Merrill, where the
remains will be laid to rest.

STRUBLE:  (Special Correspondence)

The automobile hospital seems to be crowded these days.

The Lutheran church at Craig will be dedicated soon.

The fine rain that fell Sunday morning had an exhilarating effect on all
of us.

David Hammond is hauling sand for the foundation of a new corn crib and
cistern.

Misses Nora Buckley and Katie Lynch and sister, of Maurice, were taking
in the ball game here Sunday.

School election on the 18th for the purpose of issuing $1500 bonds to
build an additional room and employ another teacher.

Fred Becker, of LeMars, has been looking after the bank here the last of
the week.  The cashier, John Garding, has gone to Minnesota.

Charley Brandt, who is holding a good position in a garage at
Vermillion, South Dakota, is renewing old friendships here this week.

SENEY:

Mr. and Mrs. Will Connor, of Kingsley, and Mr. and Mrs. Krudwig, of
Leeds, who attended the funeral of their father, Anthony Daugherty,
returned to their homes Monday.

A pleasant surprise was tendered Mr. and Mrs. T.K. Chapman, of LeMars,
Tuesday, when their son, Elam and Grant, and families, of Seney, went to
their home to help celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.  The
surprise was made more complete by the presence of their son, Fred and
wife and grandson, Kelsie and wife, from Aurora, Iowa.  There were
presented with beautiful gifts from their children as a reminder of the
day.

NEIGHBORING COUNTIES

The owner of Iowa soil these days is one of the most favored mortals.
Recently H. H. Andersen, of Davenport, refused point blank $160 an acre
for a full section which he owns in Ida County.  He bought the land in
1881 for $2,560 and in turning down the offer of in the neighborhood of
$96,000 said the land looked better to him than the money.  He has a
long head.  The same land will be worth $250 an acre one of these days
and it won't be so very many years either.

F.W. Walden, of Spearfish, South Dakota, is the new editor of the Iowa
Ledger.  Mr. Walden is a practical printer and has had considerable
newspaper experience.  Raymond Johnson will assist him as local
reporter.

A shocking tragedy occurred in Ida Grove last Saturday night when
Charles Westfall pulled a 22-calibre revolver and shot his wife dead in
her tracks and then turned the gun on himself and duplicated the
performance.  Westfall had been drinking, was in a quarrelsome mood and
when the little foster child of the couple pulled up a tomato plant by
mistake his vicious instincts obtained the mastery and pulling a gun he
executed the feat to end his and his wife's life.  He also fired several
shots at the little girl, but missed her.