Iowa
Old Press
The Bedford Free Press
Bedford, Taylor Co. Iowa
December 13, 1900
A Number of Orphans Given Homes
Last Thursday a sad yet interesting picture presented itself at
the opera house. Twelve little orphans were there under the
guardianship of a kind hearted man named B.W. Tice,
Superintendent of the Children's Home in New York City. He had
started out from that metropolis with a car load of homeless,
parentless children, seeking homes for them among those who are
kind-hearted and noble and generous. He reached Bedford with only
twelve - nine boys and three girls, ranging in age from 8 to 16
years old. The opera house was pretty well filled with interested
citizens. The following is a list of the children who found homes
in Bedford and vicinity, their ages and those who adopted them:
John Hazetin, 12 years old, F.H. Denton
Wm. Hoffmeister, 13 years old, H.U. Greenlee
Andrew Anderson, 13 years old, P.E. Lacy.
Eddie Cooley, 7 years old, David R. Freece.
Wm. Kelly, 14 years old, Edward Holmes
Myrtle Rennie, 10 years old, G.R. Baldwin
Hellen G. Rennie, 8 years old, C.H. Bailie
Wm. Hartz, 16 years old, I.J. Hays
Catherine Collins, 8 years old, J.W. Combs
Henry Diede, 12 years old, Wm. A. Polton
This week Mr. Tice, gave the high school a very interesting and
instructive talk on his work among the poor people in New York.
Across the River
Several weeks ago Shelby Daugherty moved to Bedford from New
Market and concluded to make this city his home. He was destined
to enjoy his residence here only a short time, however, having
crossed over the river into the mysterious beyond on Friday,
December 7, at 10:30 p.m. He was about 60 years of age at the
time of his death. The remains were taken to Old Memory cemetery
one mile west of New Market. The funeral services were conducted
by Rev. D.W. Griffith.
Old Lovers Are United.
Last Wednesday a little incident occurred right in the heart of
the city of Bedford that few gave much attention to, and yet it
was the culmination of a romance that began away back in the
forties, the scene being in a little town in New Jersey. Josiah
Litteer was a timid, reserved, diffident youth in the thirties,
but he enjoyed casting "sheep's eyes" at a little
maiden whose home was near his own. But dame fortune willed that
Cupid's smiles were not to be successful - not just then. Josiah
married another girl, while his little sweetheart was captured by
another lad. the former came west with his wife and raised a
family. His old sweetheart stayed in the old home and did
likewise. In the course of human events the companion of each was
laid in the silent tomb, and each one settled down to a life of
loneliness and sadness alone, becoming reconciled to such a
situation as much as possible. Forty odd years have passed since
these old lovers had gazed upon the young and handsome features
of each other, but it seems simultaneously Cupid's darts did
their work in the hearts of these old lovers. They corresponded,
with the result that last week the girl of bygone days, in
response to an earnest yet loving plea from her old-time lover,
arrived in Bedford for the purpose of becoming the blushing bride
of the idol of her childish love. When application was made to
the clerk of courts for a marriage license, it was not necessary
that either should make affidavit that they were of legal
marriageable age nor to have the written or oral consent of their
parents or guardians to their untion. Armed with the necessary
permit, they repaired to the home of the prospective groom's
brother, Jack Litteer, and there, in the presence of a few
witnesses, Josiah Litteer and Mrs. Jane Kitchen were made husband
and wife by a few words spoken by Rev. D.W. Griffith, pastor of
the Baptist church here. Mr. Litteer is 77 years old, while the
zephyrs of 68 summers have kissed the cheeks of the bride, who
still retains considerable of the beauty and richness of her
youth, her hair being coal black and her eyes bright and
lustrious. thus at last had childhood's happy dreams been fully
realized. Everybody in Taylor county knows Josiah Litteer. For
many years he has been a fixture here. for a long time he has
been in the employ of the "Q" railroad. Mr. Litteer and
bride have gone to Oklahoma, where they will spend the winter. In
the spring they will return to Bedford, where they will make
their future home.
Among the Secret Societies
The secret societies of Bedford are all in a flourishing
condition. Some have elected officers and the names have already
been published, some have elected officers, and the list follows
below while there are a few that will elect later. Attention is
called to the following societies that have held an election, and
not hitherto been reported:
Odd Fellows - E.T. Brice, N.G.; A. Wagner, V.G.; I. Kersey, R.S.;
J.H. Brown, F.S.; E.E. Cass, treasurer.
Rebekahs - Mrs. M.C. Connett, N.G.; Mrs. Ed Cass, V.G.; Mame
Fitch, R.S.; Mrs. J.H. Baker, F.S.; Mrs. G.N. Hadley, treasurer.
Masons - E.L. Beall, N.M.; M.B. Dunning, S.W.; C.A. Orth, J.W.;
F.B. Webb, secretary; Frank Dunning, treasurer.
Rathbone Sisters - Mrs. J.W. Langdon, P.C.; Mrs. H.M. Long, M.E.
C.; Mrs. Harry Rhoads, E.S.; Mrs. Reid Widner, E.J.; Mrs. H.P.
Long, M.T.; Mrs. H. Crum, M. of R. and C.; Mrs. Chas. Stephens,
M. of F.; Cora Gray, P. of T.; Mrs. G.M. Bradley, G. of T.; Mrs.
N.S. Sawyer, installing officer; Mrs. Frank Sturtevant, organist;
Mrs. G.F. Moody, Mrs. Chas. Nelson, Mrs. H. Daugherty, trustees.
G.A.R. - F.M. Beall, P.I.; T.R. Jones, S.V.C.; John White,
J.V.C.; H.D. Bundy, Chap.; Peter Lacy, Surg.; W.H. Fitch, O.D.;
I.W. Scherich, Q.M.; C.W. Vandel, S.G.; H.H. Cook, Guard; E.R.
Fowler, Trustee; W.H. Fitch, Delegate to Department Encampment.
E.K. Dickerson, Alternate to Department Encampment.
[transcribed by S.F., October 2009]