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Iowa News
from
Cass County Scrapbook 1890s-1944
Transcribed and submitted by Janet Paulsen, for Iowa Old Press Scrapbook
pages~~Thanks, Janet, for sharing!!
Cass County Related Newspaper Articles
1896
The people of Cumberland and Massena have raised the necessary money and
telephone connections with Atlantic are now assured. The line will take in
Wiota, Cumberland, Massena, Bridgewater, and will eventually be extended to
Fontanelle.
Source: Des Moines Daily News
May 21, 1896
The hardware and grocery store of J. STOODT at Wiota was burglarized and
small wares and cutlery taken to the value of some $35 or $40. The thieves
entered by cutting the glass from a rear window.
Source: The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette.
Thursday, August 27, 1896.
1897
ROLLA B. Taylor and ROY D. TAYLOR, about sixteen years old, were taken to
Council Bluffs Saturday from their homes near Wiota, Iowa and arraigned
before COMMISSIONER STEADMAN of the United States court on the charge of
having broken into the post office building at Wiota.
FRED FLOYD went hunting in the big timber about fifteen miles from
Atlantic and expected to return early in the afternoon. On his failing to
return a party went in search, and after tracking him for several hours,
found a body horribly mutilated and recognized as Floyd's by the bits of
clothing found. Around on the snow a good deal of blood was seen and a gun
barrel also found which was recognized and which gave unmistakable signs of
his having had a bad fight. A short distance away was found a dead sow, with
a broken leg and a shot gun wound in its side. Several hogs have been seen
running in the timber, and it is supposed Floyd wounded one of them and its
cries of pain brought the others and they becoming ferocious attacked him
before he could reach a place of safety, pulling him down and literally
tearing him to pieces bit by bit. He had been working in the neighborhood
only a short time and was single. His relatives are not known.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier
Waterloo, Iowa, January 11, 1897
V. M. LOHMANN, for 21 years a prominent businessman of Wiota, and at one
time quite wealthy, hung himself Saturday morning. Financial troubles are
supposed to have been the cause. He was 65 years of age, and leaves a widow,
and one daughter, MRS. J. W. BROOKS, and a son, FRANK.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier
Waterloo, Iowa
June 7, 1897
1902
DESTRUCTIVE WIOTA FIRE
Seven Principle Buildings Are Totally Destroyed
WIOTA, Dec. 25.-(Special)-Fire originating in Embourne's meat market
yesterday destroyed seven buildings along main street and gave Wiota the
blackest eye it has ever experienced. The following suffered loss:
S. B. HORTON, general store; A. S. RABER, building; EMBOURNE'S meat
market, and other smaller structures. A number were slightly injured
fighting flames.
Source: Des Moines Daily News
December 25, 1902
1905
ROCK ISLAND FLYER WRECKED; TWO ARE DEAD
LATEST R'Y DISASTER OCCURS AT WIOTA, CASS COUNTY.
Rails Wreck Train-Two Persons Killed and Thirteen Injured
Des Moines, Iowa, Feb. 20-The Rock Island flyer, west bound, was wrecked
a mile and a half west of Wiota, at noon today, by the spreading of the
rails. It is reported two were killed and a large number injured.
FURTHER DETAILS
Des Moines, Iowa, Feb. 20-Rock Island flyer, No. 5, west bound, struck a
split rail near Wiota and three coaches were thrown out of the right-of-way.
Two men were killed and a dozen injured. Most of the injured were in the
smoker. One of the killed was from Des Moines and one from Harlan.
THE DEAD.
Des Moines, Iowa, Feb. 20-Two were killed and one seriously injured in
the Rock Island wreck at Wiota.
The Dead.
REV. J. R. JOHNSON, Harlan
HENRY NEHLER, address unknown.
Seriously Injured.
L. E. KENT of northern Illinois.
Source: The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette
February 20, 1905
TWO COACHES IN DITCH AT WIOTA
FURTHER DETAILS OF THE C. R. I. & P. WRECK
Johnson and Mehler Were Instantly Killed-List of the Injured and Their Hurts
Wiota, Iowa, Feb. 21-No. 5 the fast Rock Island train wrecked near here
yesterday, had just left the town and had attained a speed of forty miles an
hour when the accident occurred. Without warning the heavy locomotive began
plowing over the ties, caused by the sudden spreading of the rails, and the
force of the shock hurled the two day coaches from the track, turning the
cars over.
REV. J. B. JOHNSON, pastor of the Christian church at Harlan, was in the
forward end of the smoker, and was hit by a fire extinguisher from the wall
of the coach and his head crushed.
At the time of the accident HENRY MEHLER of Des Moines, a well known
traveling man, was talking to another traveling man across the aisle. When
the shock came Mehler was precipitated head first through the car window and
death was caused by a car toppling over on him, crushing his skull.
The Injured:
GEORGE WEST, Goneseo, Ill., cuts on left arm.
J. J. BROWN, Harper, Kan., ankle hurt.
W. E. SMOCK, Atlantic, Iowa, arm bruised.
ALBERT BRADY, Sullivan, Ind. ankle hurt.
GEORGE LEVENTURE, San Francisco, Cal., head cut and legs bruises.
L. E. KENT, Morris, Ill., scalp wound and serious internal injuries.
L. J. COURTNEY, Des Moines, dining car conductor, hip hurt.
G. L. TODD, Davenport, cook, back and head hurt.
JOHN REDMOND, Davenport, cook, head and back hurt.
HENRY HUGHES, Davenport, cook, head and back hurt.
W. P. CUROEEN, Des Moines, collar bone broken and back hurt.
AL. COLB, Des Moines, scalp wound.
Source: The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette
February 21, 1905
1910
NEW SECRETARY ELECTED
W. J. Pellet Resigns His Position as Fair Secretary
At a special meeting of the fair association held yesterday WALTER
PELLETT who was re-elected as Secretary of the association a short time ago,
handed in his resignation. MR. CARL HOFFMAN was elected to fill the vacancy.
Mr. Hoffman is an especially competent clerical man and the association is
fortunate in securing his services as it is understood that the chief pay a
secretary receives is a job of good hand work.
TWO MONTH IN THE WEST
J. D. Goff and Wife Leave Last Night
COUNCILMAN J. D. GOFF, wife and little girl left last evening for
several western points. They will stop for sometime in Denver. Later they
will go to Glenwood Springs and from there to Grand Junction. They expect to
spend at least two months in the west providing the climate suits them. The
trip will be one of pleasure although Mr. Goff stated that there are a
number of business prospects that he proposed to look up before his return.
Source: Daily Telegraph
Atlantic, Iowa
January 18, 1910
PATRICK GAFFNEY and wife of Neola are spending a few days here visiting
with former neighbors and with their many friends.
MRS. IDA LANCE of Atlantic spent a few days here visiting with MRS. S.
M. GEORGE.
MISSES MARY and GERTRUE MAILANDER of Atlantic spent Tuesday at the A. G.
BALLENISIEFER home near here.
MISS MARY NIMM spent the past two weeks visiting her friend, MRS. J. F.
ROBINSON.
The IDA KINLEY COMPANY will give an entertainment at the M. E. church on
Friday eve which all are requested to attend.
Miss ESTHER BUTLER and sister of Atlantic spent Tuesday here with
friends.
Source: Atlantic Evening News
Thursday, January 20, 1910
1911
Wiota Banker Beats Embezzlement Case
Atlantic, Ia., Dec. 11.-(UP)-ED BLAKESLEY, former Wiota banker, was a
free man today, a jury having returned a verdict of not guilty after four
hour deliberation. Blakesley was charged with embezzlement while president
of the Wiota Savings bank, which closed its doors several months ago.
GUESTS AT HOTEL ROUTED BY FIRE
MANY NARROW ESCAPES LAST NIGHT AT WIOTA.
John McCabe, a Waiter, Seriously Cut by Falling Glass.
Wiota, Ia., Nov. 29-Many guests of the Wiota hotel had narrow escapes
from death early this morning when the building burned to the ground. A
number lost their baggage. JOHN MCCABE, a waiter, was cut seriously by
falling glass. The origin of the fire is not known.
The hotel was owned and operated by JOHN BOWERS, who estimates his loss
at $5,000, with insurance at $3,000. The building was erected 34 years ago
by FRANK H. WHITNEY of Atlantic.
Source: Waterloo Evening Courier
Wednesday, November 29, 1911
1914
40 YEARS AGO
27 August 1914
MR. and MRS. AUGUST BALLENSIEFER held a housewarming in their new home
near Wiota recently, with over 125 neighbors present, including MR. and MRS.
ERNEST BURKE and MR. and MRS. JOE MORGAN of Anita.
Source: Anita Tribune
August 1954
1917
Cyanide Found In Tobacco At Wiota in 1917
"Quite a few inveterate tobacco chewers in and around Wiota have taken
the pledge, so far as chewing tobacco goes, since.the discovery of a
quantity of cyanide in a plug of tobacco purchased at a store here (Wiota)."
These are the opening lines in a news story in the Nov. 30, 1917, issue
of The News-Telegraph which was brought to the N-T office this week by MRS.
LLOYD CARTER of Wiota.
The story goes on to relate that PETER MAILANDER, farmer living near
Wiota, discovered the substance in a plug of tobacco which he purchased from
his brother, J. R. MAILANDER, at his general store in Wiota. An analysis of
the substance showed it was cyanide.
The story continues: "J. R. Mailander, who sold the tobacco, is as much
at sea over the matter.as anyone. An examination by Mr. Mailander of other
and of the same brand failed to disclose the appearance of any foreign
substance."
Another story in the 1917 newspaper tells of the arrival in France of
the American Rainbow Division, including the Iowa Regiment.
Source: Atlantic News-Telegraph
March 27, 1976
1918
LETTERS
Dear Jane and Junior Editors,
This is the first time I have written. I enjoy reading the Jan and
Junior page. I am 9 years old. I go to school every day. My teacher's name
is MISS WATERS. I have three sisters and one brother. Will you please send
me eight Jane and Junior buttons? Hoping to see my letter in print, from a
new friend. FRANCIS MAILANDER, Route 3, Wiota, Iowa
Source: Des Moines Daily News
May 11, 1918
Casey and Wiota Parishes Contribute Almost Eleven Thousand Dollars to
College Fund
The collection for the College which was taken up at Casey and Wiota on
June 2 amounted to $10, 870, of which ----was in cash or securities. This
amount exceeds anything received during the present campaign for funds. It
was due to skillful presentation of the needs of the diocesan enlarged by
Father Mc Allister who solicited the contributions and arranged for their
immediate payment.
Following is a list of the contributors:
A. M. BALLENSIEVER $1000, W. WATERS $1000, JOSEPH MCMAHON $500 MARTIN
MCMAHON $500, M. METZ $500, JOSEP -----$500, N. RICHTER $300, WM.
BALLENSIEVER $300, ERNEST BURKE $300, MR. and MRS. WATERS $300, JOHN WATERS
$300, A. F. RHODE $250, P. LUDWIG $200, FRANK WATERS $200, JOHN ROGAN $125,
J. P. METZ $100, P. W. LAVENBERG $100, J. SHEA $100, F. CRULLY, $100, M.
BRUNER $100, F. MC NARY $100, M. TOMEY $100, ED KELLY $100, W. HUGHES
$100, T. HANLEY $100, JOHN TIN-- $100, LEONARD TIATL $100, PAULINE CROLLY
$100, -----CROLLY $100, T. EHRMANN $100, F. HARKENBACH Jr. $100, P. BREHENY
$100, JENNIE WATERS $100, M. NIENS $100, WM. NIMM $100, JOHN MCGOVERN $100,
PHIL KEENAN $100, WM KEENEN $100, JOHN CASHMAN $100, REV. D. MC ALLISTER
$100, TOM WATERS $100. F, HARKENBACH, Sr. $100, JOS. MAILANDER $100, FRANK
MAILANDER $100, SAM LAWLER $100, P. MURPHY $100, ------- BROS. $100, JOE
WATERS $100, JOHN BICHEL $100, MRS. MILLIE GRIFFIN $50, M. DONOHUE $50,
LOUIS WALSH $50, T. F. CONNER $50, WM. RICHTER $50, GEORGE -----$50, MRS.
ROBINSON $50, CHAS. M. CONNELL $50, Mrs. J. MORGAN $50, MRS. HARDY $50, W.
J. NIMM $50, P. ROWLAND $50, JOLENE WARD $50,
Source: The Western World
Des Moines, Iowa
June 13, 1918
1919
WIOTA PIONEER DEAD
WIOTA, Ia., March 8----AUGUST J. BALLENSIEFER, 61, for 30 years a
resident of this county, is dead. He had been ill a year of kidney troubles.
He leaves a wife and six children, Mr. Ballensiefer was a farmer.
Source: Des Moines Daily News
1919-3-08
1943
SMITH TRIAL ON LASCIVIOUS ACTS OFFENSE MONDAY
Seven criminal actions are slated for hearing in district court here
next Monday, with the case of the State of Iowa against L. J. SMITH, former
route man for a tin company here, the first to be tried. Smith is charged
with lascivious acts with a child. The second action to be heard will be
that of MARGARET BILLINGS against VIRGIL NELSON, a suit to establish the
paternity of a child.
The rest of the law assignment made by JUDGE HAROLD E. DAVIDSON follows:
State of Iowa vs. E. L. ANDERSON; State of Iowa vs. I. J. ANDERSON;
State of Iowa vs. LESTER M. BENSON; State of Iowa vs. HOWARD PARROTT; State
of Iowa vs. RUBY JEAN PEARCE; State of Iowa vs. ERNEST ELDON HERRING;
HANCOX, Executor, vs. COCKSHOOT; ESBECK vs. PERRIN; JENSEN vs. Metropolitan
Ins. Co., State Highway Commission and Cass County; WILLIAM vs. MORRISON.
BRUNER STATION AT WIOTA BURNS
Wiota, Ia.-MRS. MILT BRUNER suffered burns on one arm at noon today when
a gasoline explosion destroyed the Bruner oil station and family living
quarters in the rear of the building. Mrs. Bruner received treatment at the
office of an Atlantic physician for quite severe burns on one arm and shock.
Her hair was also singed by flames.
The fire started when gasoline exploded while Mr. Bruner was filing the
tank on a gasoline range. The flames soon swept through the building,
destroying it and all the contents, including the family household goods,
and the gasoline pumps. The flames were battled with chemicals and by a
bucket brigade, but could not be brought under control.
The building was insured, but the Bruners had no insurance on their
house goods and clothing. The station was located on U. S. 6 at the east
edge of Wiota.
Source: Atlantic News-Telegraph
Wednesday, September 29, 1943
Family Gathering at Wiota
MR. and MRS. HARRY BARNHOLDT entertained at a family gathering Sunday
for their son, PHILLIP, who is on leave from Camp Phillips, Kan. Those
attending were the families of MIKE WOODALL, Dexter; GERALD SHEUMAKER,
Anita; OTTO HARTKOPF, FLOYD KEASEY, CLAUDE GRAHAM and CECIL SHEUMAKER of
Atlantic, J. I. Taylor, MERVIN TAYLOR and CLARENCE EILTS, of Wiota. Pvt.
Barnholdt leaves Sunday for camp.
Club Dinners at Adair
MR. and MRS. HARRY D. BYERS entertained at a 7 o'clock dinner-bridge
party Monday evening. Guests included the Supper club. MRS. MIKE FARRELL and
RAY HAWTHORNE were high score winners. MR. and MRS. CLATYON ROBERTS and MR.
and MRS. JOHN DRISCOLL were also guests.
MR. and MRS. KARL CORRELL were hosts to the H and W club Monday evening.
Other guests were MR. and MRS. J FITZGERALD, DR. and MRS. M. ANDERSON were
high score winners at bridge. A cooperative 7 o'clock dinner was served.
Announce Engagement
MR. and MRS. ELMER A. SMITH of Lewis, announce the engagement and
approaching marriage of their daughter, MARY ANN, to GLENN NELSON, son of
MR. and MRS. ARTHUR NELSON of Atlantic. The coming event was announced to
thirty friends Tuesday evening. The wedding will take place Nov. 6th.
MASSENA NEWS
Massena-PFC. VIRGIL PENTON is a guest of his parents, MR. and MRS. PEARL
PENTON. He is on a 15 day furlough from Camp Robinson, Ark.
MR. and MRS. EARL BABBITT were guests at the golden wedding party for
MR. and MRS. WALKER HOMAN at Carl, Sept, 26.
Source: Atlantic News-Telegraph
Thursday, September 30, 1943
MRS. FRANCES THOMAS and children have moved from the Denney property on
West Main Street to the upstairs apartment in the home of MR. and MRS. H. U.
SHANNON.
MR. and MRS. ELMER JENSEN are the parents of an 8-pound girl baby born
to them at their home northwest of here Saturday afternoon. She was named
DARLENE MARIE.
A 9-pound bay baby, who was born to MR. and MRS. CLIFFORD MAAS at their
home southwest of Anita last Tuesday evening passed away Thursday afternoon
and was buried in the Massena cemetery. He was named EARL RICHARD.
Source: Anita Tribune
Thursday October 7, 1943
1944
FIVE INJURED IN CRASH OF SCHOOL BUSES AND TRUCK
Dense fog which blanketed this section of Iowa until after mid morning
resulted in two accidents involving trucks and in the mishap at Wiota there
were two school buses involved, causing injury to five students of the Wiota
Consolidated school. The Watson Brothers company of Omaha was involved in
both accidents, being owner of a truck figuring in an accident southwest of
Atlantic on U. S. 6, while the tractor involved in the mishap at Wiota was a
contract hauler for the Watson Company, although owned by EUGENE KELLY of
Omaha.
Kelly's tractor, traveling west on U. S. 6, had just rounded the curve
at the east outskirts of Wiota, when it crashed into the rear of the school
bus operated by MILT BRUNER and before Kelly could put up flares, another
school bus driven by JIM JORDAN plowed into the rear of the tractor. The
students who were injured were all occupants of the bus driven by Jordan
and, but for the fact that the Bruner bus had a steel body, the accident
probably would have been more serious.
Mr. Bruner had stopped the bus he was driving and because of the fog,
Kelly failed to see it in time to avert crashing into the rear of the
vehicle. The bus driven by Jordan was of wood construction, accounting for
the number of injuries suffered by its occupants. The front of the Jordan
bus and the rear of the machine driven by Bruner were badly damaged and
damage to the front end of Kelly's 1940 Dodge tractor was estimated at $200.
Injuries suffered by students in the bus operated by Jordan were minor.
BONNIE SMITH, daughter of OTIS SMITH, suffered neck injuries; DEAN HARRIS
son of ERNEST HARRIS, suffered a bruise on his head when thrown into the
wind shield; PHYLLIS SANDHORST, daughter of HAROLD SANDHORST, received a
finger injury; BILLY ARMSTRONG, son of DEAN ARMSTRONG, suffered bruises on
one leg, and the glasses worn by DAVID LOWE, son of GERALD LOWE, were broken
when the bus crashed into the tractor. The accident happened about 8:15.
Kelly was fined $5 and costs in justice court here on charge of not
having lights on the rear of the tractor.
The 1941 panel truck owned by NORMAN QUINN of Lewis and driven by FRANK
I. REYNOLDS, also of Lewis, was badly damaged when it crashed into the
WATSON BROTHERS 1941 Ford International truck on U. S. 6 half a mile north
of the Turkey Creek bridge southwest of Atlantic, about 8 o'clock. LLOYD
DENNIS of Omaha, driver of the Watson truck, had stopped because of a flat
tire and was in the cab while awaiting delivery of another tire from Omaha.
Reynolds, traveling north on U. S. 6 failed to see the truck and crashed
into the rear end of the vehicle. The Watson truck was not damaged, but
damage to the left front end of the panel job was estimated at $200.
Source: Atlantic News-Telegraph
February 2, 1944
Front page
SUES SCHOOL DISTRICT for DAMAGES to TRUCK
ATLANTIC-EUGENE L. KELLY of Omaha has filed suit in district court here
against the Wiota consolidated school and MILT BRUNER, school bus driver,
charging that the Wiotan was negligent in leaving his bus parked on the
paved portion of the highway and not maintaining a proper outlook for
persons lawfully using the highway. The plaintiff asks judgment in the
amount of $498.62 for damages to his truck which crashed into the Wiota
school bus at the east outskirts of Wiota on U.S. highway 61 last Feb. 2.
The crash occurred while there was a heavy fog about 8:30 in the morning.
Source: Council Bluffs Nonpareil
Council Bluffs, Iowa
June 28, 1944