Iowa
Old Press
Buffalo Center Tribune
Buffalo Center, Winnebago co. Iowa
March 13, 1919
Merle Brickey
Merle Brickey returned to Buffalo Center Saturday night and is
back in his old place in the First National Bank. Merle enlisted
in the service April 22, 1918, and received his first training at
Fort Myer, Virginia, where he was assigned to the 1st Gas
Regiment. This is a secret organization and at some future time
Merle will give us a description of the duties and purpose of
this unit. He left the Fort for overseas on June 30th and for two
months was engaged in driving autos for the officers and was then
transferred to the line duty. He received a severe shrapnel wound
on the arm and while it has healed it has left the arm somewhat
deformed. He returned to the States Dec. 24th and was sent to
Camp Merritt where he was in a clerical department until mustered
out. After visiting a couple weeks whith his folks at Stilson he
came here to take up his work where he dropped it when his
country called. We are all delighted to have him with us again.
Letter from Jim Pritchard
Oberbieisig, on Rhine, Feb. 18, 1919.
My dear Folks - Just a few lines this evening before retiring. I
have not had any sleep for three days and three nights. They
don't have such a thing as a "sleeping car" on their
trains over here and the trains travel very slow. Now to tell you
of my trip. We received our furlough at 11 o'clock the morning of
February 5th and not knowing we were to receive it only two hours
before train time. I had 800 marks deposited with our Regimental
Bank and I didn't even have time to have them changed for
"francs" A pal of mine, Richard Humiston, had not been
paid so I loaned him 400 marks, or $50, and had about $65 myself.
We left for Coblenz, then to Treves, Germany, then to Luxemberg
city, Luxemberg, then a half day at Metz, then to Nancy, France.
We stayed a day at Nancy, then went to Epinal, Barle-Duc and
Chalons-SurMane, then a day in Paris. From there to Dijon and
down to Nice, visited Monte Carlo, Menton and across the border
to Italy. Nice is a wonderful city and southern France is surely
beautifyl. We traveled along the Mediteranean sea for sevently
miles. the oranges were ripe and it was sure grand weather.
Wouldn't mind living in Nice. Then left for Marseilles and back
to city of Lyon. Stayed there a day and went broke. I wrote a
check for $30 on you at Farmers Trust & Savings Bank with a
Mason City Bank blank check. From Lyon went back to Dijon, the to
Paris, up to Chateau Thierry and Nancy, Metz, Luxemberg, Fier,
Coblenz and home. Was gone just thirteen days and sure had a
grand time. It cost money and everything was awful high priced.
We had to pay our own expenses and will be allowed 60 cents a day
for meals, we get that next pay day. I collected my money from
Richard and have 100 marks loaned to another lad so will have
about 450 francs. I have 420 francs now or $85. We have some
pretty good reports and I guess pretty straight that we leave for
port of embarkation in three weeks. I surely hope so, but do not
know how true it is. Perhaps the papers will state it in a couple
weeks. I took in a few theatres and they cost like furry. We had
balcony seats at Paris and they cost 12 francs each. I met Smith
boy from Titonka, also one of the Menke boys of Menke's Orchestra
of Bancroft, a boy that used to play drums in Leache's Orchestra
by name of Schaffer from Eagle Grove, also Kirk Olson from Cedar
Falls. He was a clothier I met while buying from Theadore H. in
Minneapolis. All were of the 88th Div. and at Nice. Also saw
(nigger) Jack Johnson and wife in the "Casino" at Nice,
or a sort of a Palm Garden. They had arrived that day from
Madrid, Spain. I received several letters from all of you when I
returned. Sorry to hear that Fred is not recovering very fast. My
leg got so lame I could hardly walk the last three days and today
is about all in. But all the boys are bothered with rheumatism
and don't get any care for it. I took a good bath tonight and
feel pretty good but not a good deal of sleep. I don't understand
why you don't receive my letters. I have written very often and
regular. I wrote Guy Hum and received a letter today from him. I
wrote to him on the 12th of December. I heard from Earl Woodcock
and he is getting along fine. Well, I must close, I hope you have
recieved all my letters. Hope to see you in about six weeks. Sam
Ostby, from Forest City, is back in our Regimental Bank. You
remember he was taken sick a year ago. I have not seen him but
the boys say he looks fine. Write often. Love to all.
Your loving son,
Cpl. Jim Pritchard,
Co A, 168th Inf.
Local News Items
-Truels Knudsen went to Mankato Tuesday to put in a bid on some
drainage work.
-Mrs. Addie Crane arrived Saturday night from Des Moines for a
visit in the home of her brother, J.J. Guyer.
-P.T. Jensen went over to Leland last Thursday to look after some
silo business.
-R.R. Krenz returned Monday from Rochester, Minn., where he had
been at the hospital for a couple weeks.
-Ivil Porter came up from Mason City Monday to assist his uncle,
G.W. Porter, on the farm while he is convalescing.
-Dr. F.E. Rugger, who has been so seriously ill, has taken a
change for the better and good reports come from him this
morning.
-Word has been received that Jerry Elman and Joe Higgins arrived
last Friday at Boston, Mass., from service overseas. These two
young men enlisted together and have never been separated.
Hawkeye State News Gathered From All Parts of Iowa
-Because he was seriously ill, he fell asleep at his post,
Private Beresford Davis, Cedar Rapids, was given a sentence of
ten years. He was in the hospital for three months afterward.
Through the efforts of Senator Kenyon, Representative Good and
Judge Advocate General Crowder, justice has won out and his
sentence will be remitted by General Crowder, with an honorable
discharge.
-Four people were killed when a big car in which they were
joy-riding hit the center girder on a bridge over Indian Creek at
Council Bluffs. The dead are Mrs. J.C. Brook, James Allen, Edgar
Hutchins and J.C. Shank. The force of the impact when the car hit
the bridge was so great that the car was thrown seventy-five
feet.
-Two cows owned by farmers near Cherokee have produced nine
calves within a year. All of the calves are alive and thriving.
One of the cows belongs to William Rae and has given birth to
four calves, two pairs of twins. The other belongs to William
Hanstbarger and has given birth to five calves, twins and
triplets.
The Grim Reaper
Wessel Jutting
We are called upon this week to report the death of one of the
enterprising farmers of this community, Wessel Jutting, residing
a short distance northeast of town, which occurred March 10,
after a short illness of influenza and its following
complications.
Wessel Jutting was born in Grundy county, Iowa, near the town of
Ackley, on Oct 1, 1885, and moved with his parents to Kossuth
county in the year of 1893, where he grew to manhood. On Feb. 16,
1911, he was united in marriage to Jessie Albers, a daughter of
Theo. Albers of this city, being one of ten children. To Mr. and
Mrs. Jutting were born one son, Ubbe, 6 years old, and one
daughter, Hermina, 4 years old. Mr. Jutting departed this life at
the age of 34 years, 5 months and 10 days. He lieaves to mourn
his untimely death, his bereaved wife and two children, his
mother, Mrs. U.W. Jutting, and one brother and five sisters. His
father preceded him in death, and one sister, Mrs. Ben B. Bruhns,
died two days previous to his own departure. Mr. Jutting might be
called a product of this neighborhood, in which he was carving
out a successful career as a farmer. As a friend and neighbor he
was ever loyal. He was a kind and loving husband and father and
deeply attached to his home. Truly there is a cause for the many
expressions of deep regret following his untimely passing.
Funeral services were conducted from the home by Rev. J.H. Schoon
assisted by Rev. V.B. Hill. The remains were laid to rest in
Graceland cemetery and were followed there by a long procession
of neighbors and friends.
Hiram Gottfried.
Hiram Gottfried, son of Mrs. H. Perton, died this morning at 6
o'clock at the emergency hospital, of influenza and
complications.
Mrs. Osmund Osland
From the Rake Register - Mrs. Osland died last Tuesday
night. She has been unwell for some time. It was noticed that her
health was failing since two of their boys were drafted into the
army service. Then when the news came of the death of their son,
Ole, it gave her such a shock that she began to fail quite fast.
She became more or less paralyzed and as time went on she grew
worse until death claimed her. The Osland family came over from
Norway in 1899, having lived in Hjelmeland, Stavanger. They came
right to this vicinity and have lived on their home farm six
miles southwest of here ever since with the exception of the
first year or so. There were ten children born to them, 5 girls
and 5 boys. Two of the boys having gone before her. One died
about five years ago and Ole died last fall in the army hospital.
Mrs. Osland had reached the age of about 57 years. The funeral
will be held next Saturday at the home about 12 o'clock and from
there the remains will go to the Liberty Cemetery west of town.
She was a good woman and mothered a good family. All who know
them extend sincere sympathy to the bereaved family.
Mrs. Elso E. Sapp
The many friends of Mrs. Elso E. Sapp in this city were greived
[sic] to hear of her death, which occurred at her home early
Sunday morning. Mr. Sapp, assistant cashier at the Farmers Trust
& Savings Bank, came down with the influenza and was followed
by his little girl and then his wife. All were apparently getting
along nicely when Mrs. Sapp suddenly took a change for the worse
and pneumonia developed. Although she had the best of medical
skill and the services of a traine dnurse, and making a brave
fight herself, she was unable to stay the hand of death.
Edith Clews Jeffery was born at Dows, Iowa, March 15, 1890 and
died at Buffalo Center, March 9, 1919. She was the daughter of
Rev. and Mrs. J. Jeffery, her father being a Methodist minister.
Her childhood days were spent at Sioux Rapids, the present home
of her parents, where she graduated from high school, later
supplementing her education with a normal course at Teachers
College, Cedar Falls. She came to Buffalo Center in 1912 and for
two years was a successful teacher in the sixth grade of our
schools and then taught one year in the schools at Sisseton, S.D.
It was while teaching in Buffalo Center that she made the
acquaintance of Elso E. Sapp and this ripened into a more
affectionate term and on october 14, 1915, they were united in
marriage at her home in Sioux Rapids. They established their home
here and to this union was born one daughter, Gene, now two years
old. Besides her heart-stricken husband and child she leaves to
mourn her untimely death her paretns, one brother and two
sisters. One sister, Florence, was with her though most of her
sickness, and her parents and sister, Alice arrived shortly after
she passed away. Mrs. Sapp was a woman of lovely character, and
an ideal wife and mother. Memories of her kindly disposition and
spirit will long remain in the hearts of her many friends in this
community.
Brief services were held at the home yesterday morning by Rev.
V.B. Hill and the remains were taken to the old home at Sioux
Rapids for burial. They were accompanied by the husband, two
sisters, Mrs. F.L. Sharon, Mrs. C.R. Garrett and Mrs. Agnes Rule.
Mr. Garrett went as far as Estherville to assist in the train
transfer. Mr. Sapp expects to remain at Sioux Rapids for about
two weeks.
Mrs. Ed Yahnke
Mrs. Malinda Thompson Yahnke was born June 29, 1883, in Caudle
county, Ill., and entered her eternal home Wednesday morning,
March 5, 1919, being 35 years, 8 mos. and 26 days old. She was
one of twelve children, of whom only three remain to mourn her
departure. Her childhood days were spent at Rake, Iowa. On Feb
10, 1900, she was married to Edward Albert Yahnke. They went to
housekeeping on the farm near Rake where they remained two years.
They then moved to Attwater, Minn., and lived there and at
Windom, Minn., for nine years. Eight years ago this spring they
came back to Iowa and located in their present home northeast of
Buffalo Center. Mrs. Yahnke was the mother of six children,
Glenn, Edna, Arthur, Minnie, Wallace and Evelyn. The husband and
six children were all by her bedside to bid her farewell when she
passed away. Besides her husband and children mrs. Yahnke is
survived by her aged mother, Mrs. T.T. Thomas, and two brothers,
Nels and Andrew, all of Story City, and one sister, Mrs. Tillie
Woodrick, of Tappen, N.D. Also many other relatives and friends.
When the influenza epidemic broke out, mrs. Yahnke and four of
the children contracted the disease. In spite of medical skill
and loving care, Mrs. yahnke took pneumonia from which she was
not able to recover and Wednesday morning death claimed her.
Mrs. Yahnke was confirmed in the Lutheran church when she was a
girl. After moving to Buffalo Center she united with the
Methodist church, of which she has ever been an active member and
from its ranks she will be sorely missed. She was ever a kind and
helpful neighbor, being especially good in times of sickness or
trouble as her many neighbors testify. Whilst she will be greatly
missed from church and neighborhood it will be in the home where
her loss will be sorely felt. The husband and children are doubly
bereaved and the sympathy of the entire community goes out to
them in their great sorrow. To them and the aged mother and all
other sorrowing friends we extend our sincerest sympathy and may
the Christ who alone can comfort be their help and stay.
Short funeral services were held at the home Friday noon,
conducrted by Rev. M.J. McCabe. Many beautiful flowers adorned
the casket, the gift of relatives and friends. After the service
her body was taken to Graceland cemetery and laid away in its
last resting place. those present at the funeral from a distance
were: Mr. and Mrs. Nels Thompson, of Story City, Iowa; Henry
Yahnke, of Garden City, Minn., Henry and Ed. Palmby, of Eagle
Bend, Minn.; Albert Yahnke, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ell, Mrs. Ralph
Elder, all of Klemme, Iowa.
"It was not far that she had to go,
For she followed the heavenward path below;
And well she knew the Celestial Guide,
For day by day he was by her side,
Till the Gate of Morning opened wide
For the pilgrim hasting to nightless day,
And up the portal she took her way.
Her radiant smile, like the afterglow
Which follows the sunset here below,
Still beckons the hearts that loved her so,
To follow on, till we also "know."
Mrs. Ben B. Bruhns
The death of Mrs. Ben B. Bruhns, who was well known in this
community, occurred at her home south of Buffalo Center on March
8, 1919, following a brief illness of influenza and pneumonia.
Hillie Jutting was the daughter of Mrs. U.W. Jutting, one of the
highly respected and old residents of this section. She was born
near Ackley, Iowa, Dec. 1, 1892, and came to Kossuth county with
her parents in 1893 and has grown to young womanhood on the
family homestead. She was united in marriage with Ben B. Bruhns
Feb. 13, 1913, and to this union was born one son, now about four
years old. She departed from this world last Saturday morning at
the age of 26 years, 3 months and 8 days. She leaves to mourn her
early loss her bereaved husband, one son, mother, five sisters
and one brother. Her oldest brother, Wessels Jutting, followed
her to the Great Beyond early Monday morning and the mother is
assured of the sympathy of all in her double affliction. Mrs.
Bruhns united early in life with the German Reformed church and
remained a faithful member all her life. Relatives and many
friends are conscious of an unusual loss in the passing of this
loved one. She has gone beyond the touch of their hands but still
lives in blessed and hallowed memory.
The funeral services were conducted from her home on Monday
afternoon when a short address was given by her pastor, Rev. J.H.
Schoon. Interment was in Graceland cemetery.
Mrs. Avert Wessels.
Mrs. Evert [sic] Wessels was born Nov. 18, 1891, at Figgelworf,
Eastfriesland, Germany, and died at her home south of Buffalo
Center March 7, 1919, at the age of 27 years, 3 months and 19
days, after a short illness brought on by an attack of influenza.
She came to this country in childhood and has resided in this
vicinity the past fourteen years. She was the daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Peter Burma, her father having passed away a short time ago.
She was married to Avert Wessels in 1913. She was the mother of
three children and these with the husband, mother, one brother,
Jasper Burma, and one sister, Mrs. Peter DeGrout, survive to
mourn her loss. She was a good wife, a faithful mother and has
gone out to meet the rewards for those who have done their part
as best they could while in this life. She was a member of the
German Reformed church and was a true member and filled with the
faith of a devoted christian. The funeral was held at the home
Monday morning, Rev. J.H. Schoon presiding and interment was in
Graceland cemetery.
Mrs. J.C. Koppen.
The death of Mrs. J.C. Koppen, wife of our well known station
agent, was reported yesterday morning and added more grief to an
already saddened community. Mrs. Koppen came down with influenza
and other complications followed, but she made a brave fight and
although at times all hopes for her recovery were abandoned a
change for the better would come and with it new hopes. But she
finally passed peacefully away and another home is cast into
bereavement. We are unable to publish her obituary this week.
Mrs. Herman Boelts
Word was received here Wednesday morning of the death of Mrs.
Herman Boelts which occurred at her home eight miles south of
Buffalo Center. We understand she has been sick for quite a while
but we have no further particulars at this time.
Mrs. H. Schneiderman
Lambertina Schniederman was born December 1, 1882, at Steamboat
Rock, Hardin county, Iowa, and died at Buffalo Center, Iowa March
6, 1919, aged 36 years, 3 months and 5 days. Her death was caused
by pneumonia after a brief illness. On April 2, 1902 she was
married to Henry Schneiderman at Titonka, Iowa. For ten years
they lived in Grundy county and for the last six years on their
farm near Buffalo Center. She leaves to mourn her loss, a
husband, Henry Schneiderman, a daughter, Francis, and a son
Delbert Thomas. Three sisters and two brothers also survive her
whose names follow: Mrs. Henry Edybean, Philadelphia; Mrs. Geo.
Griece, Germania; Mr. M.H. Thomas, Waterloo; Mr. M.J. Thomas,
Cedar Falls, and Mrs. harry Fitz, Iowa Falls. On her death bed
she witnessed her faith in the way of life through her Saviour
and died firm in the hope of immortal life. In her passing a
husband is left to mourn a faithful wife, the children a fond and
devoted mother and a host of neighbors and acquaintances a true
and helpful friend. The sympathy of all goes out to the stricken
ones left behind, cheered only by the cherished memory of a life
well lived and consoled by the thought she is now beyond the
realm of tears and darkness and dwells forever in the land of
light and joy. Brief funeral services were held Friday conducted
by Rev. V.B. Hill, and interment was made in Graceland cemetery.
Mrs. George Myer.
Hattie Alvira Putman was born Nov. 16, 1866, near Sabula, Iowa.
She was the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C.B. Putman. She had
three brothers, one of whom died about a year ago. Her parents
are also both dead. Her girlhood days were spent near Hampton in
Franklin county. She was married to George Myer, of Hampton, on
Sept 2, 1896. soon after their marriage they came to Buffalo
Center where they have since made their home. She was the mother
of three daughters, marie, Merle, and Marvel who live to mourn
her departure. The loss to the girls is doubly hard at this time,
since they were called upon to mourn their father's death, he
being taken Feb 6th, not quite five weeks before his wife.
A little over a week ago Mrs. Myer and two of the girls were
victims of influenza. Mrs. Myer has never been very strong and
when pneumonia set in she was not able to withstand the disease,
and so passed away tuesday, March 11, 1919, being 52 years, 3
months and 25 days old. Besides her three daughters, Mrs. Myer is
survived by two brothers, Mr. C.C. Putman of Hampton, and Mr.
H.P. Putman, of Sioux City. they were both present at the funeral
as was also a sister-in-law, Mrs. C.C. Putman, of Hampton and a
brother-in-law Mr. Will Myer, of Iowa Falls.
Mrs. Myer was ever a kind neighbor and a loving wife and mother.
Even during her illness she was very solicitious for the two
girls who were sick, as wll as much concerned for the one who was
well that she might not get sick. Our sincere sympathy goes out
to these daughters so sorely bereaved. today we may not
understand, why it must be so, some day we will know.
"Jesus while our hearts are bleeding
O'er the spoils that death has won,
We would at this solemn meeting,
Calmly say: Thy will be done.
Though today we're filled with mourning,
Mercy still is on the throne
With thy smiles of love returning,
We can sing 'Thy will be done.'"
Owing to the epidemic in the town it was impossible to have a
public funeral. Brief services will be held at the home this
afternoon at 2 o'clock conducted by Rev. M.J. McCabe assisted by
Rev. George Popenheimer, of Corwith, and Mrs. Myer will be laid
to rest by the side of her husband.
[transcribed by S.F., November 2009]