Iowa Old Press
LeMars Globe-Post
December 1, 1924
KINGSLEY: (By Special Correspondent)
Max Ellis, of Newcastle, Neb., visited here last week.
Miss Dorothy Frericks attended a meeting of school nurses of the state, at
Des Moines, last week.
Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Coomer and Mr. and Mrs. Ross Coomer and son, Teddy Bill,
of Sioux City, ate Thanksgiving dinner here with their daughter, Mrs. James
Bolton.
Loyd Wissler, of Washta, spent Thanksgiving here at the home of his parents,
Mr. and Mrs. Carl Wissler.
Miss Clara Barto, of Moville, spent Thanksgiving here with Miss Clara
Lehman, at the Lehman home.
FIST FIGHT COSTS THEM A GOOD SUM
AKRON MEN SETTLE ARGUMENT IN STREET—OTHER NEWS FROM AKRON
(From the Register-Tribune)
E. J. Bradley returned last Thursday from an extended stay with his
daughter, Mrs. C. C. Coles and family, at Buffalo, Minn. He was assisting
Mr. Coles with some building on his farm there.
Ed Neary returned Monday from Alameda, Sask., Canada, where he had been
looking after his farming interests for the past three months. He reports
considerable snow and cold weather up there.
Although the lively snow flurries of Sunday threatened a change in the
weather, it did not materialize and has remained very pleasant for this time
of year. It is estimated that the corn picking in this vicinity is at least
half completed and the crop is being marketed steadily, the local price paid
being about 93 cents per bushel this week. A snowless and quite pleasant
Thanksgiving day is indicated.
Earl and Emery Beeler engaged in a fistic exhibition in front of Frank
Bonney’s cream station on the evening of November 19. They were both
arrested on a warrant and charged with disturbing the peace, to which they
plead guilty in Mayor Palmer’s court, and each was fined $28.85.
Miss Pearl Washburn, of this city, and Joseph Crouch, of Sioux City, were
united in marriage Wednesday evening at 7:30 o’clock. The marriage was
performed in the Washburn home by Rev. Edwin Brown. The bride is the oldest
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Washburn, of this city. The newly married
couple will make their home in Elk Point.
Ike Hammer came Tuesday from Spirit Lake, Ia., for a visit with his brother,
E. J. and other relatives and friends.
A. J. Claeys was down from Hawarden Tuesday afternoon, visiting relatives
and friends and looking after business matters.
Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Kennedy and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur W. Johnson motored up
from Sioux City Monday evening for a brief visit with relatives.
Mrs. Al Sanow was able to return to her home here from a hospital in
Sheldon, Ia., where she had been for several weeks, following a serious
operation.
Mesdames Charles Allen, Henry Rossbach and Lewis Bly entertained about 20
ladies at an afternoon tea Saturday. The hours were delightfully spent with
needlework and guessing games. At half past 5 o’clock a fine three-course
luncheon was served. Chrysanthemums were used in the house decorations. On
Monday afternoon the same hostesses very pleasantly entertained another
company of ladies at a 1 o’clock luncheon in the Rossbach home.
Mr. and Mrs. A. Weidenfeller and daughters, Josie and Annie, went to
Hawarden last Friday to attend the funeral of their uncle, Henry Roeper, who
died of heart trouble at his home there on Wednesday morning of last week.
At his birthplace in Germany, Mr. Roeper learned the printer’s trade and
when a young man came to this country, being employed for a time on Der
Herold, a German paper at LeMars. He had resided in Hawarden for over 30
years and during the past six years held a clerical position with the
Northwestern Railroad company there. He is survived by his wife, three
daughters and one son.
Mr. and Mrs. D. L. Parker and son, Dale, and his brother, Frank Parker, left
by auto yesterday for southern Kansas, where they expect to reside. The
former had been working for A. Baker during the past year.
William Trautt, who had been visiting his brothers and other relatives here,
returned last Thursday to Butte, Mont., where his sister lives, and expects
to spend the winter there.
REV. S. J. WALLACE TO TRACY, MINN.
SENEY MINISTER TO ASSIST IN WORK OF RAISING SUM OF $1,500,000
(Special Correspondence)
Rev. S. J. Wallace, R. A. Hawkins and Vincent Lancaster motored to Sioux
City on Saturday and spent the day.
Mrs. Martha Mordoff, of LeMars, was a Sunday visitor in the home of Mr. and
Mrs. W. E. Hennrich.
Mr. and Mrs. Elam Chapman, daughter, Miss Fern, sons Orville and Marion, and
Miss Sadie Alderson motored to Sioux City last Saturday for the day,
shopping.
Mr. and Mrs. T. K. Chapman, son Robert, and daughter, Kathleeen, were Sunday
dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Obermire, in LeMars.
Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Hennrich visited on Thursday of last week with his
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hennrich, of Ireton.
John Alderson took a truck load of hogs to Sioux City last Saturday and
brought back a load of seats for the grammar room of our school.
Rev. S. J. Wallace left Sunday noon for Tracy, Minn., to begin work as part
of the committee on the Hamline university campaign. This is the only
Methodist school in the state of Minnesota and they are planning on raising
$1,500,000. Rev. Wallace will go to different cities and towns, expecting
to be gone for three or four weeks. Last Sunday morning, Rev. R. E.
Gornall, from Chicago, who is a returned missionary, preached. A quartet of
young men from Morningside sang and talked in the evening, which all
enjoyed.
Mr. and Mrs. Will Kennitz and daughter, Melba, of south of LeMars, were
calling on Mrs. A. D. Jeffers on Wednesday.
Frank Becker shipped cattle to Sioux City on Monday.
Mrs. A. S. Knowlton, who has been on the sick list the past week, is about
to be out again.
Mrs. M. Myers, of Sioux City, visited her sister, Mrs. W. E. Hennrich, on
Tuesday.
Mr. and Mrs. D. F. McArthur and Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Hinde left Tuesday in the
former’s car for Keokuk, for a short visit.
W. E. Hennrich and Sam Uthe motored to Sioux City last Friday.
Mrs. T. K. Chapman, Misses Nellie, Florence, and Margaret Deegan, Miss Maude
Fitzpatrick and Miss Curtis attended the Kitchen Shower for Miss Frances
Daugherty at the Hugh McDonald home, near Maurice, last Saturday afternoon.
Miss Lucile March and Emerson Kennedy, of Sioux City, spent their
Thanksgiving vacation with their mothers, Mrs. Elizabeth March and Mrs.
Jessie Kennedy.
Friends here were sorry to learn of Mike Foreman’s loss of hay, grain and
harness, besides a pony and calf, by fire when the barn burned down. Mr.
Foreman formerly lived here but is now living on the Braugh farm, south of
Maurice.
Rev. S. J. Wallace entertained the Good Samaritan Class of the Sunday school
in the hall last week on Thursday evening. The evening was spent in games of
different kinds, when ice cream and cake were served. On departing the
guests thanked Mr. Wallace for a pleasant evening.
Paul Reeves is staying with his sister, Mrs. Roy Manning, and family, of
O’Leary, and husking corn.
Miss Virla Cook was an overnight visitor of Miss Ina Lancaster on Thursday
evening of last week.
Robert Conner, of Moville, was visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Will
Conner, a few days the past week.
Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Knowlton were dinner guests of Wallace Winslow and
daughter, Miss Josephine, of LeMars, on Thanksgiving day.
The Ladies Aid Society will meet next Wednesday afternoon.
Mr. and Mrs. Holtzapple, of Minneapolis, arrived on Wednesday. Mr.
Holtzapple has charge of the depot as relief man until a new agent is sent
here, as Jack Linchaw is going to Sioux City to work in the railroad shops.
Mr. and Mrs. Will Conner were Thanksgiving day guests of Mrs. Conner’s
brother-in-law and sisters, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Woods, of Leeds.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Becker, daughter, Miss Helen and son, Floyd, and Mrs.
Jessie Kennedy were dinner guests of Mrs. Emma Haviland in LeMars on
Thanksgiving day.
Will Conner, Jr., surprised his friends here on Wednesday afternoon when he
arrived from Dakota with a bride. On the same evening a crowd of about 20
young men serenaded them with discs and tin pans until Mr. Conner introduced
his bride to the company and also presented them with a purse with which to
enjoy an oyster stew.
Mr. and Mrs. August Witt, son, Lester, and Eldrid Morrissey, of LeMars, Mr.
and Mrs. Charles Ewin, daughter, Ethel, and son Vernon, Mrs. Iona Clark and
sons, Franklin and James were Thanksgiving dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. W.
A. Ewin.
Jonathan Alderson, Miss Sadie and John Alderson were Thanksgiving day dinner
guests of Mr. and Mrs. Elam Chapman.
SOUTH LINCOLN: (Special Correspondence)
Mrs. Les Sanders and son arrived home Thursday.
Roy Harrison is assisting Victor Harrison with his corn husking.
Mr. and Mrs. Swanson, of Sioux City, were Thanksgiving dinner guests at the
Paul McNaughton home.
Howard Titus came out from the city to help his father a few days.
Izeta Lite returned to Cherokee Sunday, where she will resume her studies at
Mt. St. Mary academy, after a brief Thanksgiving vacation.
O. C. Brawn was a business caller in this vicinity, Tuesday.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hoffman and daughter, Bernice, were guests on the Will
Krause home at Lawton, Thursday.
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Krause were callers in the August Krause home,
Thursday.
Charlotte Bauvia is a visitor in the Fred Murright home.
Grandma Potter is visiting relatives in this vicinity.
Le Mars Daily Sentinel, Tuesday, December 2, 1924
JURORS HEAR LETTERS READ
Rev. J. Hill Subject to Long Grilling on the Witness Stand
REVEALS DOMESTIC WOE
Hill-Stinton Case Attracting Large Crowd Daily
Reviewing their family life before Mrs. Lillian Stinton entered
it, Bertha Hill, 19 year old, the elder of the two daughters of Rev. and
Mrs. J.E. Hill, was the principal witness called Wednesday in the suit of
Mrs. Hill against Mrs. Stinton for $25,000 damages.
Asked how much work her mother was in the habit of doing around
the house, she replied that Mrs. Hill usually began the day by building the
fire while her father lay in bed. Her mother did most of the washing,
ironing and other housework, she said.
When questioned as to whether her parents got along well, she
replied, "We were happy, we four." She stated her parents seldom disagreed,
but that they sometimes scolded the children about them going out with boys.
"No one ever had a better father or mother than I," was another statement
she made in describing her parents.
On cross examination, however, the girl admitted that her
parents did have some slight disagreements while living together. She held
her ground under the fire of the defense attorney, though, insisting that
whatever quarrels there had been were of little consequence and easily
patched up.
On the resumption of court Friday morning following the
Thanksgiving recess the court room was again crowded to capacity, when
Bertha Hill continued her testimony.
Parents Not to Blame
A letter written by the girl to her father when a suit for
divorce was filed by her mother, was introduced by the defense and the
witness was asked what she meant when she said in the letter that she would
go with her father if the divorce was granted, and that she considered her
father innocent.
The girl, 19 years old, retorted that when she wrote the letter
she did not consider either her father or mother to blame in their
difficulties, but Mrs. Stinton.
The last witness for the prosecution, Dale Tooker, who lives at
Merrill and attends college at Ames, took the stand after Miss Hill. He
declared that he had visited Miss Hill in her home at Merrilll and that so
far as he could observe only the best of family relations were apparent on
his visits there.
The first witness for the defense then was put on the stand.
She was Miss Grace Cory, a nurse in the hospital in Sioux City where Rev.
Hill's mother and Mrs. Stinton's father were at the time that Mrs. Stinton
and the pastor were said to be unduly intimate. Miss Cory said that so far
as she was aware there was nothing wrong in the relations of the woman and
man when they were at the hospital. She said that when Rev. Mr. Hill's
mother died and he took her to Aurelia, Iowa, for burial there, Mrs. Stinton
went with him despite the fact that her own father was critically ill in the
Sioux City hospital.
Another witness called by the defense during the day was Dr.
William Cody, Sioux City physician, who attended the father of Mrs. Stinton
during an illness prior to his death. The doctor declared that Matt
Hammond, the defendant's father, was not considered critically ill at that
time.
Miss. G.E. Corliss of Creston, Iowa, was summoned and told the
court of a quarrel at the family home between the pastor and his wife on the
night of May 30, 1924, at which time she was a guest of the household. She
also declared that during her visit at the Hill residence, that the
plaintiff, Mrs. Hill, had introduced her (Miss Corliss) to Mrs. Stinton, the
defendant in the present action, with the comment that "Mrs. Stinton was
Mrs. Hill's best friend."
Rev. J.E. Hill took the witness stand Friday afternoon. A tale
of wrangling disagreement and unhappiness was secured from the witness by
attorneys for the defense. During the barrage of questions and answers the
minister elaborated, with much detail, upon the incompatibility between
himself and his spouse. He declared that her extravagance had been the
driving force that had made him seek solace in companionship of others and
that he had been driven to distraction because of the fact that he and his
wife could not get along and because she insisted almost every day that he
was either a "plain fool" or something similar to one.
Letters containing many terms of affection, written in France by
Rev. Mr. Hill to his wife, were read during the hearing of the case. Other
witnesses called testified that on May 30, 1924, Mrs. Hill had considered
Mrs. Stinton as her dearest friend, and had so commented on introducing Mrs.
Stinton.
Married to "Spite"
Upon questioning by the defense attorneys, the unhappy spouse
told his life history including affairs of the heart prior to his marriage
to Mrs. Hill more than 20 years ago. "She (Mrs. Hill) married me to spite
Alice James," declared the Rev. Mr. Hill during the testimony. The Alice
James who was supposed to have been offended by the marriage was a
16-year-old girl with whom the pastor had eloped. The marriage had been
annulled by action of her parents shortly before Hill and his present wife
were married.
The witness stated during his testimony that he "never could
acquire enough money to satisfy the desires of my wife, and I worked at
other things besides serving as a minister, to support my family.
"We have quarreled ever since we were married," declared Rev.
Mr. Hill.
The witness revealed the fact that he and his wife lived at
Curlew, Iowa, for a time just after their marriage. He told of doing manual
labor, such as working on farms and day labor, to provide additional income
to the small amount he received as minister of a Methodist church.
Studied at Morningside
Then the witness said he went to Morningside college at Sioux
City to acquire more education. Meanwhile he worked at odd jobs to defray
expenses. These included washing windows, beating rugs and other forms of
manual labor. During the time Mrs. Hill resided at Cherokee with her
parents.
After discontinuing his academic work at Morningside college the
minister and his wife removed to the vicinity of Aurelia, Iowa, and took up
their residence on a farm owned by Mr. Hill's father. However, according to
his testimony, the plaintiff was unable to maintain a friendly feeling for
the members of the Hill family, designated by the witness as "grandma" and
so they moved from that farm to one owned by Mrs. Hill's father. Farming
was not such a great success here either, the evidence disclosed, and so
after a few months they returned again to his father's farm and again
endured the "grandma" person. At odd times, between farming activities, the
witness stated that he worked in a lumber yard in Aurelia.
Swatevate, (?) Iowa, was the next residence of the couple and in
discussing his experiences in this village the witness said, "I couldn't get
enough money for her." The "her" referred to was Mrs. Hill according to the
witness.
The family then moved to Dolliver, Iowa, and the troubles did
not seem less. On direct question, Rev. Mr. Hill affirmed that his wife
during the course of one family quarrel at Dolliver called him a "damn fool"
and other names.
The family then moved to Salix, where quarrels continued.
Examples of the outbursts of disagreement between the couple were cited
while the witness discussed the family life at Salix.
"One day I wanted to repair a tire and my wife became furious
because I refused to purchase a new tire, instead of fixing the old one,"
the witness continued.
"Did she call you names?" queried the questioning attorney.
"Yes, nearly every day she called me a fool," was the response.
"Why did she call you a fool," continued the attorney.
"I don't know," the pastor answered.
"What effect did it have on you to have these arguments and
quarrels," demanded the counsel.
"I wanted to get away; that is what led me to go to France in
1918," the witness asserted.
A slight variety was injected into the testimony at this point
by defense counsel, who produced a number of letters, which the minister
admitted had been written by him to his wife while he was in France. These
were read, much to the delight of the interested court spectators, and
emphasis was placed on the show of endearment and affection which the
letters indicated on his part for his wife back home.
"Why did you write these endearing letters," the attorney asked
after having read off some of the court exhibits.
"Because I hoped things would be much more compatible and happy
in my home life on my return. I hoped that my wife would change and that we
could be happy together," was the reply.
Wanted Home for Children
Continuing further with questions and answers, the testimony
proceeded as follows:
Question-Then were these endearing terms expressive of your real
feelings toward your wife?
Answer-No, but I wanted to attempt to continue a home for the
sake of the children. If it had not been for the children I never would
have returned.
Query-Then you did not really have much affection for your wife,
while you were abroad?
Answer-No, I did not have much affection for her, but I wanted
the home preserved for the children. The children are what brought me back.
Then the witness and questioner continued to weave a story of an
extravagant wife by mention of bills now past due for clothing that the wife
insisted on purchasing.
Rev. Mr. Hill continued giving testimony on Saturday. The
former pastor denied in his testimony that he had ever eaten lunch with Mrs.
Stinton, but said that he had lunched once in awhile with Mrs. Grace Stinton
and other relatives of the defendant.
The pastor also declared on question as to where he obtained
money to take women out to lunch, that he furnished the funds himself and
that Mrs. Stinton never had provided him with cash. He did admit, however,
that the defendant had gone with him to Aurelia at the time his mother died.
He said this was on invitation of his father, Alva Hill.
Judge Bradley adjourned court at noon Saturday to enable the
jurymen and witnesses in the case to get to their homes for Sunday.
Last Spark Gone
Rev. J.F. Hill occupied the witness stand yesterday and in the
afternoon was subjected to a rigid cross examination by Attorney Molyneux.
At the forenoon session the letters written by Hill, from France, while he
was doing Y.M.C.A. work in France, to his wife were again brought out. Hill
admitted on cross examination that he did not feel all the love and
affection that their tenor breathed, at the time he wrote them.
At the afternoon session the examining attorney questioned Hill
closely as to the extravagance of which Hill alleged his wife was guilty.
The witness denied that he and his wife had ever quarreled over Mrs.
Stinton, but admitted that Mrs. Hill said at one time that he was making a
fool of himself over the woman. He said the last spark of his affection for
his wife had been snuffed out. He denied having attempted to get his wife
put out of Merrill, when asked if that was not a fact. He told how his wife
had run him in debt at stores in Sioux City and Merrill, and when asked if
the goods purchased for the household were not shared by him, said he did
not get his share.
Judge Bradley yesterday excused all the jurors not occupied on
the Hill-Stinton case. The trial will probably not be concluded before
Friday.
SENEY: (Special Correspondence)
W. E. Hennrich and Sam Uthe were Sioux City visitors, Friday.
Mrs. A. S. Knowlton was on the sick list a few days last week.
Paul Reeves is at his sister’s, Mrs. Manning, of O’Leary husking corn.
Robert Connor, of Moville, was visiting his parents a few days the past
week.
Jake Berkenpas and Frank Becker had hogs on the Sioux City market Tuesday.
Mrs. Martha Mordoff, of LeMars, spent Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W.
E. Hennrich.
Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Knowlton were Thanksgiving guests at the Wallace Winslow
home in LeMars.
Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Hennrich motored to Ireton Thursday evening to see Mr.
Hennrich’s parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Will Connor were guests at Mrs. Connor’s sister, Mr. and Mrs.
Paul Wood, of Leeds.
Miss Lucile March and Emerson Kennedy, of Sioux City, spent the Thanksgiving
weekend at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Will Kemnitz and daughter, Melba, of south of LeMars, were
callers on Mrs. A. Jeffers Wednesday.
Mr. and Mrs. D. F. McArthur and Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Hinde motored to Keokuk,
Iowa, last Tuesday to spend a few days.
John Alderson took a truck load of hogs to Sioux City Saturday and brought
back a load of seats for the schoolhouse.
Jonathan Alderson, daughter Miss Sadie and son John, were dinner guests at
the home of Mr. and Mrs. Elam Chapman Thanksgiving day.
S. J. Wallace, R.A. Hawkins and Vincent Lancaster motored to Sioux City, Mr.
Hawkins and Mr. Lancaster having hogs on the market.
Mr. and Mrs. T. K. Chapman, son Robert and daughter, Kathleen, were dinner
guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Obermire in LeMars last Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Becker, daughter Helen, son Floyd, and Mrs. Jessie
Kennedy were dinner guests at the home of Mrs. Oscar Haviland in LeMars
Thanksgiving.
Mr. and Mrs. Holtzapfel, of Minneapolis, are staying here for a short time
as Mr. Holtzapfel is relief man at the depot. Jack Lenihan has gone to Sioux
City to work in the railroad shops.
Mrs. T. K. Chapman, Misses Nellie, Florence and Margaret Deegan, Miss Maude
Fitzpatirck and Miss Curtis attended a kitchen shower for Miss Frances
Daugherty at the Hugh McDonald home Saturday near Maurice.
Mr. and Mrs. Gus Witt, son and grandson, of LeMars, Mr. and Mrs. Charley
Ewin and daughter, Ethel, son Vernon, Mrs. Iona Clark and sons, Franklin and
James, were Thanksgiving guests at the Will Ewin home Thursday. [FAMILY
NOTE: The son and grandson of Mr. & Mrs. Gus Witt were: Son, Lester Witt and
grandson, Eldred Morrissey.]
Rev. S. J. Wallace entertained the Samaritan Class of the Sunday School at a
party at the hall Thursday evening. Games were played and later ice cream
and cake were served. On departure the young people thanked Mr. Wallace for
a pleasant evening.
Will Connor, Jr., surprised his friends here by bringing a bride from South
Dakota when he came home Wednesday. Later in the evening about twenty young
men serenaded them with disc blades and tin pans until Mr. Connor introduced
his bride and gave the boys a purse with which they enjoyed an oyster stew.
Rev. S. J. Wallace left Sunday noon for Tracy, Minn., to begin work as part
of the committee on the Hamlin university campaign. This is the only
Methodist school in the state of Minnesota and they are planning on raising
a million and a half dollars. Rev. Wallace will go to different cities and
towns expecting to be gone three or four weeks. Last Sunday morning Rev. R.
E. Gornall, from Chicago, who is a returned missionary, preached and in the
evening a quartet of young men from Morningside had charge of the services.
ALTON: (From the Democrat)
Born, to Mr. and Mrs. John Konz, of Alton, Friday, November 21, a son.
Miss Anna Weiland, of LeMars, spent Monday and Tuesday here with her sister,
Mrs. G. Hoeven, and attended the musical comedy Monday evening.
Miss Elizabeth Grimm, of Georgetown, Wis., is visiting in Alton with her
cousin, Mrs. Earnest Kokenge. From here she will go to St. Cloud for a visit
with relatives.
Gilbert Van Meeveron, oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Van Meeveren, was married
to Miss Tena Ziderweg, of Sheldon, the ceremony being performed by Rev. John
Engelman at the parsonage at Orange City Wednesday, November 26, at 10 a.m.
The B. J. Hyink home at Hawarden has recently been released from scarlet
fever quarantine. Bernard and Virginia, who were at LeMars with their aunt,
Mrs. E. H. Carey, during Arthur’s illness have returned home.
Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Carey, of LeMars, and Mrs. Jeanette Teeslink, of
Hawarden, were here to spend Thanksgiving with their mother, Mrs. Anna
Hyink. The Will Hyink and Andrew Van Nimwegen families were also dinner
guests the same day.
Le Mars Daily Sentinel: Friday, December 5, 1924
DAMAGE SUIT NEARING END
Evidence in Hill-Stinton Trial Completed and Attorneys Present Arguments
STORIES TOLD CONFLICT
Case Will Probably Go To Jury This Morning
Testimony in the Hill-Stinton damage suit, on trial in the
district court the past nine days, was brought to a conclusion Wednesday
afternoon and arguments by attorneys in the case were begun.
At the session of court Tuesday morning Rev. J.F. Hill continued
his testimony. He denied that he ever had embraced or kissed Mrs. Stinton
and declared that he had never patted her on the knee. He told the jury
that he had never been alone with Mrs. Stinton. Asked if he loved the
defendant, he replied that he did not but that he highly esteemed her.
Letters which the minister wrote to his wife while he was in
France doing Y.M.C.A. work during the war were again introduced. The
letters contain many terms of endearment and copious extracts were quoted by
the attorneys for the prosecution such as "you sure have been a good wife to
me," "I love you better than life and my dear girls, how I would like to hug
them." "I can hardly wait for the time to rejoin you and hug you and the
girls," "My love to you and the girls-I mean our girls," "I am homesick to
see you," "hope we are never separated again," "You do not know what it has
cost me in anxiety for you and the girls."
In cross examination the minister declared the sentiments
expressed in the letters were not lies but merely exaggerations.
Mrs. Coville, who resides at Aurelia, was summoned by the
defense and took the stand as the next witness in the case upon the
completion of testimony given by her pastor brother. The witness testified
she, and not Mrs. Stinton, as is claimed by the plaintiff, was the woman who
was receiving the affectionate caresses from Rev. Mr. Hill, as the brother
and sister sat in parked automobile, which was discovered by the plaintiff
and her relatives.
Pastor Consoler Her
The witness, who was called immediately after her brother had
completed testifying for the defense, stated that her brother was consoling
her because she was feeling depressed as a result of the fatal illness of
their mother.
The contention of the prosecution in the case is that on one
occasion, Rev. Mr. Hill was caressing Mrs. Stinton in an affectionate manner
as the two sat in an automobile and that Mrs. Hill and some of her relatives
discovered the couple as they drove alongside the parked car in another
automobile.
Alvah Hill, the father of the Mrs. Coville (sic Corelle) and
Rev. Mr. Hill, was the next witness summoned. He was sworn and took the
stand after which attorneys attempted to question him, but made little
headway because the witness had difficulty in hearing the questions.
Mrs. Stinton Testifies
Mrs. Stinton stated that she did not know the Hill family,
except as casual speaking acquaintances until she came to Merrill, after the
death of her husband, to reside with her parents.
She admitted on question that she had used the garage, which was
owned by the Hill family, as a place to store her automobile, but stated
that the reason that this was done was because it was the closest and most
convenient for her. She pointed out that the garage was about two and a
half blocks from her residence, while the nearest available storage place
was some four blocks away. She testified that on many occasions Mrs. Hill
had become provoked at the Rev. Mr. Hill because he had soiled his clothing
while making some incidental repairs and adjustments on the automobile.
After the death of her mother, Mrs. Stinton stated she became an
intimate friend of the plaintiff.
Then a series of questions and answers between attorney and
witness:
Question-What was the state of your feelings toward Rev. Mr.
Hill?
Answer-Well, he was a good speaker. He was our pastor and he
was good to my father.
Question-Did you feel any love for Rev. Mr. Hill?
Answer-I did not.
The witness declared that she had never walked alone with the
pastor except on one occasion. This occasion she stated, was on one
afternoon when Mr. Hill had asked her if she (Mrs. Stinton) would accompany
him to a meeting of the Ladies' Aid society, because Mrs. Hill planned to go
to the meeting place earlier than the time the meeting was to start.
Mrs. Stinton testified that Rev. Mr. Hill had never patted her
hand.
Did Not Love Pastor
The defendant testified that on June 8, 1924, Mrs. Hill
telephoned her and asked her to come to the Hill residence, because she had
something important to tell her.
She stated that Mrs. Hill told her when she arrived at the
house, that they (meaning Rev. and Mrs. Hill) had had trouble and decided to
split up, and that Rev. Hill wanted her (Mrs. Hill) to take the furniture.
Mrs. Hill then asked Mrs. Stinton if she knew that Rev. Hill had been
married previously. Then the witness continued a narration of the details
of the conference and stated that Rev. Mr. Hill, who also was present at the
conference, as was a daughter, Ruby, declared his wife had been using the
fact (meaning the previous marriage) of the pastor as a club over him. Mrs.
Stinton declared that Rev. Mr. Hill and Ruby Hill as well as herself and the
plaintiff, were in the room together during the entire discussion of the
family troubles.
Did Not Blame Mrs. Stinton
When asked as to what she said when informed by Mrs. Hill that
the couple was planning to separate, the witness stated that she warned them
that they should not be too hasty as it was a terrible thing to have a
family broken up in that manner. After she had returned to her own home,
following the conference with the Hill family, Mrs. Stinton declared that
the pastor called her on the telephone and asked that she (Mrs. Stinton)
keep the information she had just acquired to herself.
When queried as to what the witness did upon learning that Mrs.
Hill had named her as a co-respondent in a divorce action, Mrs. Stinton
stated that she met Mrs. Hill on the street shortly after the petition was
filed and asked her if it were true that Mrs. Hill had named her (Mrs.
Stinton) in the action.
"Mrs. Hill declared that she did not blame me for the trouble,"
the witness declared and that on her request Mrs. Hill agreed to have a news
item published in the paper clearing Mrs. Stinton of any connection in the
case. The witness added that Mrs. Hill had never done this, however.
Did Not Hug Pastor
Question-Did you ever accompany Rev. Mr. Hill to or from the
hospital in his car?
Answer-I did not.
Question-Did you take a ride with the pastor on a Saturday
evening?
Answer-No sir.
Q-Did Rev. Mr. Hill ever hug you?
A-He did not.
Q-Did he ever make love to you?
A-No sir, he did not.
Q-Have you ever said anything to induce Rev. Mr. Hill to leave
his wife?
A-I never did.
The witness admitted on question that she had taken two or three
meals in company with the pastor in a restaurant during the time of her
father's illness.
Question-Did you ever vigorously hug or kiss Rev. Mr. Hill?
Answer-I did not.
Q-Did you ever sit with him in an automobile parked in a dark
and secluded spot?
A-I did not.
Testimony of a contradictory nature was offered in court
Wednesday as witness after witness took the stand.
On the request of Mrs. Lillian Stinton herself, who was
undergoing cross examination, court was adjourned at 10 o'clock in order to
permit the defendant to get and produce a certain letter in court. When
court reconvened, however, the letter was not produced.
Mr. and Mrs. Earl Zwick, of Cherokee, when placed on the stand
declared that Mrs. Coville, (sic Corelle) of Aurelia, who is Rev. Hill's
sister, was not in Sioux City at the time that it was said she was and when
she was said by other witnesses to have taken the consolation ride with the
pastor. They were not prepared, however, to say who the woman was that was
seen riding with the minister. Four other witnesses, also from Cherokee,
declared that Mrs. Coville (sic Corelle) was in Sioux City and that they had
taken her there. Another Mrs. Zwick, mother of Mrs. Coville, (sic Corelle)
then testified that it was Mrs. Stinton who was riding with Rev. Mr. Hill on
the day he was seen to hug and kiss some woman.
Rev. Mr. Hill took the stand again during the morning session
and declared that Mrs. Clara Smith, of Merrill, once stated that she was
glad that the minister's daughter, Bertha, was attending Morningside college
in Sioux City as she was thus required to be away from the baleful influence
of her home life. It had been testified previously that Mrs. Smith said "no
such thing."
Closing Arguments
At the conclusion of hearing testimony Wednesday afternoon,
arguments by council followed. Attorney Molyneux for the prosecution made
the first argument to the jury and concluded his plea at the time of
adjourning court a few minutes after five o'clock. F.M. Roseberry spoke for
three hours on Thursday morning for the defense and Attorney C.D. Roseberry
commenced his argument at the afternoon session of the court. T.M. Zink
makes the closing argument for the prosecution. The judge will deliver his
instructions to the jury today when the case will be given to the jury.
Le Mars Daily Sentinel: Tuesday, December 9, 1924
WIDOW WINS HEART SUIT
Jury Returns Verdict for Mrs. Lillian Stinton in Sensational Case
DELIBERATION IS BRIEF
Judge Bradley Winds Up Business for the Term
After three hours deliberation, Friday, the jury in the case of
Mrs. Hill, wife of J.E. Hill, former pastor at Merrill, against Mrs. Lillian
Stinton, returned a verdict in favor of Mrs. Stinton. It is stated
unofficially that the jury took only two ballots in arriving at a decision.
The case was given to the jury about a quarter to twelve Friday morning,
after Attorney T.M. Zink had made the closing argument and Judge Bradley had
given his instructions. The jurors reported a few minutes before three
o'clock with their verdict.
Mrs. Hill sued Mrs. Stinton for $25,000 damages for alienating
the affections of her husband, Rev. J.E. Hill. The case occupied ten days
in trial and attracted large crowds to the court room daily during its
progress.
Residents of Merrill, where the parties in the suit live, and
many of whom were witnesses, formed a good share of the crowds which
gathered daily. By the action of the jury Mrs. Hill must pay the costs,
which promise to be large, as about fifty witnesses were summoned in the
case.
Rev. Mr. Hill took the stand several times as a witness for Mrs.
Stinton, and aided materially in tearing down Mrs. Hill's case. The Hills'
two daughters testified for their mother. The gist of the pastor's
testimony was that the home life of his family had been very unsatisfactory
and that he and his wife had quarreled frequently.
The prosecution attempted to prove that Mrs. Stinton
deliberately set out to win Mrs. Hill's husband from her, and testimony was
given to the effect that the pastor and the defendant were seen to hug and
kiss each other while riding in an automobile on the streets of Sioux City.
Term is Ended
Following the conclusion of the Hill-Stinton case, Judge Bradley
took up a number of other matters and then adjourned court until January 3.
BRIEF ILLNESS PROVES FATAL
George Hinde, Life Long Resident, Succumbs to Attack of Pneumonia
SICK ONLY A FEW DAYS
Following a few days illness George Hinde, a well known farmer of Seney
vicinity, died at his home in Elgin township Saturday morning from
pleuro-pneumonia. His death came with startling rapidity--as a week prior to
his demise he was in LeMars, apparently in his usual good health.
George Walters Hinde lived all his life in this community.
Parents Early Settlers.
He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hinde, who in their lifetime were early
settlers near Seney. George was born on a farm five miles northeast of Seney
on September 12, 1884, and was 40 years, 2 months and 24 days old. He grew
to manhood on the farm assisting in the work and attending the country
schools. He was united in marriage with Miss Bessie Mae Butler of LeMars,
August 20, 1913, and they farmed southwest of Struble for several years.
Five years ago they bought a farm a mile and a half east of Seney which has
been their home since.
He leaves to mourn his loss, his wife, four brothers and two sisters, who
are: John R. Hinde, Seney; Ralph H. Hinde, of Struble; Thomas W. Hinde, of
Forestburg, S. D.; Edward (sic--Edwin) J., of Haxtun, Colo.; Mrs. R. A.
Eldredge, of Rock Valley, and Mrs. D. F. McArthur, of Elgin township. One
brother, Richard Hinde, preceded him in death.
Geo. Hinde was a good citizen and neighbor and was well known and liked in a
large circle of acquaintances. He was a devoted husband, son and brother,
and his sudden death is a great blow to his relatives and friends.
The funeral will be held this afternoon at the Methodist church, Seney, at 2
o'clock, prevailing storm and state of the roads permitting but may be held
later dependent on weather conditions.
Rev. A. Z. McGogney will conduct the services and the interment will be made
in the LeMars cemetery.
HUNTERS RETURN
PARTY OF FOUR OBTAIN LIMIT IN GAME OF FROZEN NORTHLAND
Interesting stories of moose and deer hunting are being told by the group of
hunters who returned Saturday night from a three and a half weeks trip into
the northern part of Canada. Members of the party were James Nicholson,
Clark Bolser, Dr. J.M. Fettes, of LeMars, and Otto Gruenfeldt, of Remsen.
The hunters secured the limit, which is a deer and moose or two of one kind
for each man. They are having a moose and two deer shipped by express to
LeMars.
The party of hunters drove to Winnipeg and then boarded the train, which
went as far as LePat, a small germinal used almost solely by hunting
expeditions. From there they traveled 88 miles to the Hudson Bay Junction,
where they spent most of their time while hunting traveling there with dogs
and sledges and on foot. The thermometer reached down to 18 below while
they were there, but natives of the north consider it almost as warm as
springtime in Iowa.
_____
Mrs. J. A. Campbell was hostess of the Bide-a-Wee club Thursday afternoon.
Five hundred occupied the afternoon followed by a delectable luncheon. Mrs.
Carson Herron, Mrs. Louis Dirks and Miss Margaret Dornbusch were
complimented with the members.
_____
Tom Abbot, Joseph Kass, Anton Hilger, Henry Kass, and Nick Thoma drove to
Sioux City Sunday to attend the large K. of C. initiation. A number of
other LeMars people attended the work, going on the train and in their cars.
Le Mars Daily Sentinel: Friday, December 12, 1924
CLAIMS HUSBAND DESERTED FAMILY
MRS. J.E. HILL STARTS SUIT FOR MAINTENANCE OF HERSELF AND DAUGHTERS
Mrs. Anna Hill filed suit in the district court Wednesday
against J.E. Hill, asking that he be compelled to assist in the maintenance
of herself and two daughters. In her petition she states that she and Hill
were married August 24, 1903, and that on June 8, of this year, he abandoned
her and her two daughters, Bertha, aged 19, and Ruby, aged 16, and has
refused to provide for or support them. She further states that she has no
means of providing for herself and asks that the defendant be ordered to
support her, and pay the costs of the action and that the court give her and
the children equitable relief.
The parties in the case just filed figured in the sensational
Hill-Stinton alienation suit tried in court last week.
LeMars Sentinel, December 26, 1924:
IOWA PIONEER PASSES AWAY
G. W. Burrill Lived in State For More Than Seventy Years
FAMILY WERE PIONEERS
Was Farmer in Johnson Township in the Early Eighties
George W. Burrill, one of the early settlers of Plymouth county,
died at his home, 321 Sixth Street SW, Tuesday evening at the great age
of 89 years. Death was due to old age. Mr. Burrill had been crippled
in his lower limbs for many years, but otherwise enjoyed good health.
Last week he suffered an illness which developed symptoms of pneumonia
and finally broke down the rugged health which he enjoyed during a long
life.
He was devotedly attended to and waited upon during the past twelve
years by his daughter, Miss Emma Burrill, following the death of his
wife in 1913.
George W. Burrill was born in Rochester, New York, January 17,
1836, his parents emigrating to Canada from England in 1832 and in 1835
coming to America, settling in Rochester.
Among First Settlers
The elder Burrill came to Iowa in 1846 and secured wild land in
Dubuque county remaining there until 1884 when he came to Plymouth
county and bought a farm in Liberty township, dying in 1892, at an
advanced age.
George W. Burrill grew up on the home farm on which he worked hard
as a boy. He attended country school and when he attained man's estate
he engaged in farming on his own account. In 1882 he came to Plymouth
county and bought a quarter section farm in Johnson township, which land
he improved and there carried on general farming for twenty years when
he retired and came to LeMars to make his home.
George Burrill was united in marriage in 1856 to Martha Austin, a
native of County Doun (sic--Down), Ireland, from which place she came to
the United States in 1849. Her death occurred in February 1913.
To Mr. and Mrs. Burrill were born eleven children. Three sons and
two daughters preceded their father in death.
The children who mourn their father's death are: Mrs. Mary Urie, of
Pocatello, Idaho; Geo. H. Burrill, of Fort Morgan, Colo.; Mrs. Sadie
Brown, Woonsocket, S. D.; W. W. Burrill, of Akron; Mrs. Agnes Hinde,
Forrestburg (sic--Forestburg), S. D.; Miss Emma Burrill, of LeMars.
There are living thirty grandchildren and twenty-six great
grandchildren.
Mr. Burrill was well known to all the older settlers in this county
and was highly respected in the community. Although forced to live the
life of a recluse in later days, he kept in touch with affairs and
always gladly welcomed friends and visitors to his home and took a
wholesome interest in the community and its doings.
The funeral will be held from the family residence at 1:00 o'clock
Friday afternoon, Rev. Hills officiating.
LeMars Sentinel
30 Dec 1924
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP:
Mrs. J.W. French, of Peterson, responded immediately upon receiving the
announcement of the arrival of a babe at the home of Mr. and Mrs. E.L.
Morrison and arrived in Ireton the first of the week to be with her
daughter for a few days and get acquainted with her new granddaughter.
A Christmas wedding uniting two of the popular young people of this
community took place at the parsonage of the German Lutheran church last
Tuesday morning when Luella Dittmer and Edwin Heldbrink were united in
marriage by Rev. J.E. Rich Schmidt, pastor of the church. Elmer Franks
and Helma Heldbrink attended the couple at the marriage altar.
The members of Washington township farm bureau are arranging to hold a
wolf hunt which will cover the township. The hunt is expected to take
place in the early part of next month and it is hoped to interest all
the sportsmen in the community in the chase. Wolves have become
entirely too numerous and reports of damage to live stock are frequently
received.
MAURICE: (From the Times)
Edith Van Peursem was on the sick list last week.
The H. Mensink family are recovering from the grip.
The Geo. Lang home has been released from the quarantine for scarlet
fever.
Mrs. Sam Jager had the misfortune to slip on the ice and sprain her
ankle last week.
Mr. and Mrs. John Smit are the proud parents of a baby boy born Sunday,
December 21.
A baby boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Schlesser at the Sioux Falls
hospital Thursday.
Miss Emma Mueller arrived Saturday evening from Wagner, S.D., for a
month's visit with her parents.
Oliver Mieras, who is principal o the Hemmingson, Minn., consolidated
school, arrived Tuesday to spend the holidays.
Misses Sidonia Siege and Wilma Mueller arrived Friday evening from
Mankato, Minn., to spend the holidays with their parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Sam Jager and Mr. and Mrs. Ale Jager went to Hawarden
Wednesday to visit at the Hyne Jager home and to help celebrate their
thirtieth wedding anniversary.
The local declamatory contest was held at the high school auditorium
Thursday evening with the following results: Winners of dramatic,
Myrtle Vande Brake, Mildred Mieras and Marie Stollingwerf; of the
humorous class, Elizabeth VanHorsen, Mattie Peelen and Loreen Mieras;
oratorical Richard DeJong, Mark Lavelle and Chris DenOuden.
ALTON: (From the Democrat)
John Sauer, of North Yakima, Wash., spent Thursday and Friday here at
the home of his sister, Mrs. Helena Heusing.
Mrs. Wm. Hawkins and daughter, Wilma, of LeMars, visited with Mrs. J. B.
Branskamp Saturday enroute to Deadwood, S.D., to spend the holidays.
[top of next column..not certain of the community name]
A cow barn on the I.C. Edmonds farm tenanted by Joe Hamilton was
destroyed by fire Monday afternoon, causing considerable excitement in
town. The fire ignited while Mr. Hamilton was in the act of thawing out
pipes with a gasoline blower. Hay in the barn caught on fire and the
flames spread rapidly. The firemen had some difficulty in getting to
the scene of the fire, having to depend upon a local truck to convey the
fire equipment the distance of one mile. The use of a chemical engine
saved a large adjoining barn. The property destroyed was covered by
insurance.
KINGSLEY: (From the News-Times)
A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Earl Southwick Monday, December 23.
H. H. Wingert arrived home Tuesday from a visit with relatives in
Illinois. He also had a load of hogs on the Chicago market last week.
Mr. and Mrs. G. G. Salyers, of Lincoln, Neb., who have been visiting
here for the past two weeks at the home of Mrs. Salyer's mother, Mrs. J.
H. Peterson, and with other relatives and friends left Thursday of last
week for the south where they will spend the winter at various points.
A fire was narrowly averted on Monday evening at the Lake & Pattison
store when a box containing sawdust in which grapes had been packed,
caught fire in the basement of the store. Mr. Pattison, who was in the
store at the time, smelled smoke and went to the basement to
investigate. The sawdust had caught fire and there was quite a blaze
started. He immediately smothered it with sugar sacks that were handy.
Word was received here this week of the death of Mr. and Mrs. Lee
Johnson, at their home at Olathe, Kansas, Monday, December 15. Mr.
Johnson passed away at 7 o'clock a.m. after an illness of two weeks of
flu, and the shock of the death was the result of the death of Mrs.
Johnson at 5 o'clock on the same day. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were pioneer
residents of this place and will be remembered by many of the old
residents of Kingsley and vicinity. [Note from transcriber & family
member, this date of death should be December 16, 1924, per the funeral
home record.]
REMSEN; (From the Bell Enterprise)
Ross Harnack and John Harnack, Jr., drove to Salix, Iowa, last Thursday
on business. While there they visited the big poultry farm and
purchased a number of fancy birds for breeding purposes.
Mrs. Barney Bornhorst was able to return home last Thursday after having
been confined in the Sacred Heart hospital, LeMars, for two weeks
following an operation. Mrs. Bornhorst is much improved.
Mr. and Mrs. Otto Petersen, of Lake Benton, Minn., arrived in Remsen
last week by auto and are here to spend the holiday season in the home
of Mrs. Petersen's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sanny, in Meadow
township.
[top of the next column...community name is not visible]
Prof. Lenz, principal of our school, left Friday afternoon for
Burlington, Iowa, where he will spend his vacation with his parents.
Miss Bidwell is spending her vacation at the home of her parents in
Sioux City, and Miss Swift at her home in Hawarden.
The ninth grade pupils of the Chatworth school gave a play at the opera
house Thursday evening under the direction of Prof. Lenz, which was
highly enjoyed by a large crowd, in spite of the severe cold weather.
Preceding the play, the entire school gave a Christmas program, with a
tree for the little folks. The patrons of the school appreciate the
work of the faculty for this entertainment.
_______________
The official markers of the Custer Battlefield Highway reached Des
Moines the southeastern terminus, the other day, headed by W.D. Fisher,
secretary of the organization. Des Moines boosters of the great highway
to the northwest procured a band and a large delegation gave the trail
blazers courteous guidance into the city of certainties. The Custer
Battlefield Highway is now marked practically all the way to Glazier
National Park, away up on the northwest Canadian border. It cost
$27,000 to provide the markers and place them in position. Each marker
is placed upon its own post so that there is no contact with any other
system marking. The highway goes north from Des Moines through Ames to
Webster City and thence a northwestern direction through Fort Dodge,
Storm Lake, LeMars and onto Sioux Falls, crossing the Big Sioux near
Canton, S.D.
DRIVER INJURED
Carl Bock Suffers Bruises, Cut and Concussion of the Ear Drum
Carl Bock, living in Sioux county, was badly injured Wednesday evening
while driving into Struble with a load of pop corn. The sleigh which he
was driving, tipped over on the railroad tracks as he was entering the
town. Bock was thrown from the wagon seat and struck his head and
shoulder on a railroad iron. He was brought to the LeMars Clinic by B.
Woodall and then conveyed to a hospital. At first it was thought that
his skull was fractured by examination showed the skull intact. He was
badly cut and bruised and suffered an injury to the ear drum. He is
progressing favorably at present.
AKRON GIRL IS MARRIED
Elk Point Leader Courier: Lawrence Phillips, of this vicinity, and Miss
Ella May Cox, of Akron, Iowa, were married at the Methodist parsonage in
this city by Rev. W. C. Strong last Friday. On Sunday about thirty
persons partook of a sumptuous dinner at the Phillips home in honor of
the newly married couple. Their many friends wish them a long and
prosperous life.
GOOD HOGS FROM REMSEN
Sioux City Live Stock Record: Among the patrons of the market who had
hogs good enough to bring $10.10 on the early round Wednesday were
George Roedish and Nick Groten, of Remsen. Mr. Roedish offered
sixty-four head, averaging 248 pounds and Mr. Groten had sixty-three
head, averaging 200 pounds.
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
On petition by a large delegation of the young people of the city, the
mayor and street committee of the city council has granted them the
right to use of the hill in the following district for coasting,
commencing at the intersection of Fourth Avenue and fourth Street S.E.,
formerly Second and Franklin street, being at the northwest corner of
Franklin street school, thence north to Plymouth street (formerly Sixth
street), First, Second, And Third Streets S.E., will be closed for
traffic from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. during the time the children are allowed
to use the above named streets. The public is requested to help us let
young America have a good time and while it may inconvenience some in
crossing these streets just remember we were all young once. - Wallace
Winslow, Mayor.
Miss Anna Wolthausen, of Plymouth Abstract Company, left last week for
Barrington, Ill., to spend the holidays with relatives.
Frank Kleitsch, of Omaha, Neb., came up to visit his brother-in-law and
sister, Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Ellenbecker during the holidays. Mr.
Kleitsch is employed on the Omaha Bee office. He acquired the art
preservative in the newspaper offices of LeMars and made good.