Iowa Old Press

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
February 8, 1938

MRS. SUMNER KNOX ATTACKS RELIEF OFFICER
Harry Cannon Is Victim Of Blows and Tongue Lashing By Irate Woman
WOMAN CREATES A SCENE
Interrupts Conference With Board and Workers

A delegation of WPA workers met with the Board of Supervisors Monday and
held a session that recalled the farm holiday days. There were over 100 in
the group and Sumner Knox as heretofore was spokesman, this time supported
by Mrs. Knox, who took an active part in the discussions and furnished most
of the excitement.

The delegation renewed its request for an increase in the hourly WPA wage in
Plymouth County and were informed this wage rate was fixed at Washington and
the board had nothing to do with it. The petitioners then asked that the
county and city increased their wage rates for common labor on the theory
that this would automatically increase the WPA rate. Letters were read from
the state director of relief and others which indicated the wage rate was
fixed at Washington and the board advised the petitioners that if they would
get assurance from Washington or Des Moines that the WPA payments could be
increased by raising wages to county employees, they would consider the
matter. Mayor Hoorneman, who participated in the conference, gave the same
assurance as to the city of LeMars.

Mr. Knox, who with Mrs. Knox, did most of the talking, kept referring to his
personal grievances with the board and welfare office from whose pay rolls
he was dropped a few weeks ago. When Mr. Knox accused the board of having
him fired, Harry Cannon, local representative of the state welfare office,
told Mr. Knox that he (Cannon) fired Knox because he refused to follow
instructions and was not to be trusted. This aroused Mrs. Knox, whose
militancy has got her into trouble before, and she not only gave Mr. Cannon
a tongue lashing, but walked across the room and slapped him several
times—one blow in the face loosening the crown of a tooth. Mr. Knox joined
in the abuse but did not strike Mr. Cannon, who remained seated and made no
reply, warding off the blows best he could. Other members of the delegation
interfered and got Mrs. Knox back to her chair so the police and deputy
sheriff who were called found everything quiet and peaceful when they
arrived.

The WPA workers are seeking more pay because they need the money to maintain
a fair standard of living and many of them expressed regret their requests
had to become involved in the personal grievances of their spokesman toward
the supervisors and welfare office.

Plymouth County Early Resident Taken by Death
D. D. Redmon was Member of Pioneer Family in America Township

“Doug” Redmon, 71, member of one of the pioneer families of Plymouth county
and widely known farmer, died unexpectedly Monday morning at the residence
of his brother-in-law, Archie Tucker, in Washington townlate[sic]. Mr.
Redmon passed away in his sleep.
Delbert Douglas Redmon lived here from infancy and was known to hundreds by
the name of “Doug” Redmon. He was a son of Neville Redmon, one of the first
settlers in America township. The Redmon school house built on the
homestead is historic in the annals of Plymouth county.

Born in Fillmore county, Minnesota, November 14, 1866, D. D. Redmon came
with his parents to LeMars in 1868 and lived here since. He followed the
occupation of farming all his life. Member of a large family he was
preceded in death by four brothers, all well known here in their lifetime,
Alfred, Lafe L. James G., and Will N. Redmon, and a sister, Mrs. Henry
Liesenger[sic]. He is survived by his sisters, Mrs. Harriett Demaray and
Mrs. A. Tucker of LeMars, Mrs. Bertha Fowler of Marcus and Mrs. Etta
Coskins[sic] of Syracuse, N.Y.

Mr. Redmon was a member of the LeMars lodge of the Odd Fellows for 40 years.
Mr. Redmon was well liked in a large circle of acquaintance and was
possessed of a friendly and neighborly disposition. He was a hard worker
and industrious citizen and esteemed by all who knew him.

The funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Mauer chapel in
LeMars and interment made in the city cemetery.

LeMars Sentinel, LeMars, (Plymouth), Iowa, Friday, February 11,
1938, Page 1, Column 7:

John Donahoe Ends His Life In City Jail
Officer Making Early Rounds Discovers Lifeless Body Of Hapless Man
Chokes Self With Tie
Was Popular Veterinarian For Forty Years

John S. Donahoe, 67, well known resident of Plymouth county for many
years, used his necktie to strangle himself to death in the city jail
sometime Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.

Dr. Donahoe was arrested early Tuesday evening and held in the city jail
on a charge of intoxication.

He lifeless body was discovered by Officer Fay Terpenning about 4:30
Wednesday morning. The unfortunate man had wrapped the tie around his neck
and fastened an end to one of the bars of the cell, while half reclining on
a cot. Donahoe was seen by the officer shortly after 1 o'clock and was
sleeping. Four transients afforded sleeping room in the jail, told officers
they had heard no disturbance during the night. Coroner S. H. Luken was
called to take charge. Officials said there was no need of an inquest as it
was a plain case of suicide.

Donahoe had been drinking heavily of late and was, it is reported,
worried over financial difficulties.

Shock to Many

The news of his tragic death came as a shock as Donahoe was widely known
and liked. He was of a liberal and generous disposition and had friends all
over Plymouth and adjoining counties.

John Stephen Donahoe was born at Galena, Ill., December 27, 1870. With
his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Donahoe, he came to Cherokee county, and
later to Remsen and LeMars. Mr. Donahoe, when a youth, was employed with A.
Y. Weir, who conducted, among other ventures, a racing stable and entered
horses at the principal tracks in a number of states.

Mr. Donahoe followed the occupation of veterinarian for many years and
his services were in demand among a large number of farmers. He was a lover
of horses and dogs and had a natural aptitude in discerning their qualities
and their requirements.

Mr. Donahoe is survived by his wife, who was before her marriage
Margaret Elizabeth Kern. They were married in Sioux City, July 3, 1908. He
also leaves a son, Jack, a daughter, Undine, a sister, Mrs. Anna McEvoy of
Des Moines, and a brother, Edward Donahoe of Oakland, Cal.

Funeral This Afternoon

The funeral will be held this Friday afternoon at the Luken Funeral Home
at 2 o'clock. Rev. Ralph H. Hunger will officiate at the service and
interment will be made in the city cemetery. The pallbearers will be John
Brangwin, G. W. Cunningham, Harry Draper, Harry Fitzpatrick, R. M. Latham,
P. Swain.

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
February 18, 1938

INJURIES FAIL TO HALT TIME FOR WEDDING
Young Couple Are Badly Hurt In Automobile Crash On Bridal Morning
MARRIED IN HOSPITAL
Jos. Arens and Gertrude Nolan Pledge Marital Vows

Injuries suffered in an accident late Monday night near Struble failed to
halt the scheduled wedding Tuesday of Miss Gertrude Nolan, 21, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Nolan of Craig, and Joe Arens, 30, of Alton.

The wedding took place Tuesday at the DeBey hospital in Orange City. The
ceremony was originally scheduled to take place at 8 o’clock in St. Mary’s
church in Alton.

The ceremony was performed by Rev. A. M. Schemmel with Margaret Nolan, a
sister of the bride, as bridesmaid and Al Arens, a brother of the
bridegroom, as bestman.

The couple were injured about 1 o’clock Tuesday morning when they were
driving east of Struble. They report their car was sideswiped by a passing
truck and overturned and that the truck driver never stopped. The injured
pair were brought to the Sacred Heart Hospital by Harvey Buss and Albert and
Richard Hawkins, who went to their rescue after Miss Nolan walked nearly a
mile to the farm house to obtain help.

ARE BADLY INJURED

Mr. Arens suffered a broken leg below the knee and an injury to his eye,
which may result in the loss of the sight. His bride suffered a dislocated
shoulder and four of her front teeth were knocked out.

After receiving attention at the Sacred Heart Hospital they were conveyed to
the DeBey hospital in Orange City, to be nursed by a sister of the
bridegroom.

~Transcriber Note: For another news article about this accident and
marriage see the Sioux County Iowa Old Press news item: Alton Democrat, 18 Feb 1938