Iowa Old Press
Alton Democrat
August 1, 1896
A LE MARS MAN DROWNED.
A LeMars correspondent says that Elmer Smith was drowned in the Sioux river
near Westfield, about 6 o’clock Tuesday night. A party from LeMars, composed
of Gus Pech, Fred Miller, John Weidenfeller, Frank Walters, Paul Peterson,
and Harry Kassel from LeMars, drove over to the Sioux river Tuesday on a
fishing expedition, and Smith accompanied them. The party arrived at their
camping place about 4 o’clock, and as soon as the camp was pitched they
started to seining in the river. Smith carried one end of the sein and got
into the stream beyond his depth, where the current was swift. He was
carried off his feet and went under. Those with him could do nothing to
assist him. The search for the body was kept up with assistance from Akron
and Westfield, until about 11 o’clock Wednesday, when the body was found
near where he went down. Deceased is a young man about 27 years old and has
made his home in LeMars for some time past. He was supposed to be a single
man, but on opening his valise today at the hotel where he stops an
insurance policy was found, made payable to his wife, Dora Muffit Smith, who
is supposed to live some place in Nebraska.
Hawarden Independent
August 13, 1896
HAWARDEN AND VICINITY.
L. F. Osterday has been on the sick list this week, the result of internal
injuries received by a fall last winter, but is now growing better.
A social dance was given at the North side opera house last Friday evening
and regardless of the excessive heat many were there and enjoyed themselves
until late.
The marshal has ordered a “clean up.” Nash & Lynn responded in a way and
manner fully described in the northwest corner of this page.
T. E. Granger has secured a passenger run and now makes trips between this
city and Tama on trains Nos. 5 and 6. His many friends will be pleased to
note his advancement.
Elegant cabinet photographs $2 per doz. at Brown & Silver’s for the next ten
days. This includes babies, family groups any size. All work is guaranteed
to suit you or no pay. Come while this cut lasts.
Arrangements have been completed for a social dance to be given at
Brunskill’s opera house tomorrow evening. Signor Toce, the Sioux City
harpist, has been engaged to furnish the music and a good time is
anticipated.
J. L. Rankin has purchased the H. Olerich residence property and will move
in as soon as vacated by Mr. Olerich, who will move to Lake City, Iowa,
where he has secured charge of the city schools for the coming year.
V. C. Bunting, assistant cashier of the state bank of Rock Valley, was in
town Tuesday making the acquaintance of our people. He is a candidate for
the republican nomination for county auditor, and to say the least, his
prospects of success are quite flattering.
Rev. W. S. Bell, of Helena, Mont., stopped in the city Tuesday evening to
renew old acquaintances. Rev. Bell was Hawarden’s first minister and used
the baggage room of the Northwestern Depot in which to conduct services.
Rev. Bell finds many changes in our city during his absence.
Dr. Wm. Washburn, an eye and ear specialist from Des Moines, will be at the
Depot Hotel on Wednesday, Aug. 19, where any one desiring to consult him may
find him.
Rev. C. D. Gearhart arrived this morning for a visit with relatives and
friends. Mr. Gearhart has recently returned from Wyoming and in a couple of
weeks will depart for Pierce, Neb., where he has received a pastorate call.
Geo. Schaetzel and wife, of Beresford, passed through today on their return
from an extended visit to the National park and other western points. Mr.
Schaetzel is engaged in the banking business and is a free silver man and
says everything is going for Bryan in the country he has visited.
The attendance at the Gospel meetings under the tent, with the exception of
Sunday evening, has not been very large. The evangelist’s wife arrived last
week and will assist at the meetings. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are both good
speakers and these meetings are deserving of a better attendance.
Our people are being entertained this week by the vocal and instrumental
music of a medicine company which arrived Tuesday and holds two daily
sessions upon the streets. This company differs from others, in that they
sell no medicine on the street, but the “doctor” gets in his talk just the
same.
Dr. J. Perrin Johnson, the oculist of Sioux City, may be consulted at the
Brewer annex Thursday and Friday, Aug. 13 and 14. All persons having
diseased eyes or defective sight should not fail to improve this opportunity
to consult an expert specialist. The Doctor addressed the Institute this
afternoon.
A number of republicans met at Brunskill’s opera house Saturday evening and
organized a McKinley Club. The club chose as officers, Henry Hilton,
President; F. J. Pratt, Secretary; and G. E. Ward, Treasurer. They will meet
again a week from next Saturday, at which time they promise us a campaign
orator from abroad.
T. M. Bancroft, for many months a sufferer from cancer, died Thursday
afternoon at his residence on the North side. He leaves a wife and several
children to mourn his loss. Owing to the sickness of the wife of the
deceased, the services were held at the residence and made brief after which
the remains were taken in charge by the G. A. R. Post and conveyed to their
final resting place followed by a number of friends.