Iowa News from across the
Country
- 1910 -
Los Angeles Herald
Los Angeles, California
February 14, 1910
Riverside, Feb. 13 - The Iowa Association of Riverside county was
organized last night with the following officers: D.B. Mason,
president; N.A. Jacobs, secretary; C.E. Penington, treasurer. A
big picnic was decided on for September, when Iowans from
surrounding cities and counties will be invited to participate in
a day's festivities at Fairmount park.
[transcribed by S.F., March 2016]
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Los Angeles Herald
Los Angeles, California
February 23, 1910
Iowans Gather in Big Reunion - 35 Thousand in Eastlake Love Feast
An ear of golden colored corn emblazoned on a field of white,
around which peeked rays of a Southern California sun and a hog
couchant, the state badge of the Iowa Society of Southern
California, presented a sight that warmed the hearts of 35,000
Iowans, former and present residents, yesterday when they met in
annual reunion at Eastlake park to commemorate the natal
anniversary of Washington.
In many ways the picnic bore resemblance to a state fair at Des
Moines. In others it gave the appearance of the political love
feasts which have obtained prominence at Illinois state fairs
given at Springfield. Politicians from the "peanut"
type up to the large, brainy, wholesouled man who is in politics
for his country's good where everywhere in view. Elbowing them
were circulaters of nominating petitions. Both were met with
hearty "Howdoyoudos," and equally cordial handclasps.
Iowa, justly proud of its corn and hog products, is not the less
proud of its politicians, clean of scandal, and its pretty women.
Rivaling the attention given the "homespun" speeches,
uttered by men who eulogized Iowa, were the ninety and nine
county reunions. Space for the individual county reunions was
marked off in the large open playground south of the
conservatories. Here the Iowans found friends, relatives and
acquaintances, exchanged greetings and messages from the home
state and indulged in reminiscences. Back of the speakers' stand,
built in a grove of eucalyptus growth, came a rumble of snare
drums, the shrill notes of the fife, the groaning of the
overburdened swings and the roaring music of the merry-go-round.
The bitter cold and storms which have passed across Iowa since
November formed the general topic. Coming at the heels of this
was the often uttered "I am mighty glad I'm here and not
back east this winter."
Los Angeles, the home of perpetual summer, and one of the few
places where picnics and reunions may be held the year through,
is scheduled to receive advertising of unlimited wealth from the
Iowa picnic of yesterday. Among those who will scatter the praise
of Southern California as a mid-winter picnic ground will be
hundreds of tourist Iowans who were there. They will write or
convey in person that they met there such former Iowans as Judge
Curtis D. Wilbur, Major John A. Donnell, formerly district
attorney of Los Angeles county and one-time state's attorney of
seven counties in Iowa. They will tell of how they met Calvin
Hartwell, coroner of Los Angeles county; Josiah Utterbach of
Pasadena, formerly a bander at Sigourney, Ia.; Will Beatty, who
conducted a photographer's shop in the same city; Frank D.
McDowell, formerly mayor of Clinton, Ia., who is a double to the
late President Cleveland; J.F. Clements, a Clinton retired chair
manufacturer; Edward Hopkins, assessor of Los Angeles county; Don
Orril, who is holder of the second place in the Yuma land
allotment line; Mayor George Alexander of Los Angeles; former
State Senator W.W. Dodge; Attorney John Beardsley; Rev. C.A.
Stilson; T.F. Cooke and others as prominent.
Mingling with these were Attorney John Lafferty of Oskaloosa; E.
Laffer, a Sigourney banker; Simon Shoecraft, a Clinton fuel
dealer' B.D. Howes, a jeweler from Clinton; Iowa State Senator
D.O. Harrison of Humboldt.
The picnic was a half-day affair and was organized into a reunion
after the lunch. Stephen Townsend, the retiring president, was
chairman. He introduced in succession Dr. R.S. Walker, Rev. Matt
Hughes, former Congressman Daniel Kerr, S.W. Dodge, D.O.
Harrison, Dr. Levi D. Johnson and Mayor Alexander as the
speakers.
"Home Sweet Home," sang by W.L. Jones of Pasadena,
carried memories and hearts back to Iowa.
Former Senator Dodge, who came from Burlington, Ia., said:
"The call of civic duty and state pride demand of each of
us, as former Iowans, to give our loyal support to ever measure,
plan and means that has for its ultimate end the moral,
intellectual and material advancement of this great commonwealth
of California."
Former Congressman Daniel Kerr spoke in remembrance of the late
Hon. Delos Arnold, honorary president of the society. Dr. L.D.
Johnson spoke in a similar vein of the late Dr. C.J. Cooke. Mayor
Alexander gave utterance to the declaration that "Iowans are
the best citizens everywhere except in Los Angeles, where all are
equal."
The officers for the ensuing year will be: Honorary president,
Stephen H. Taft of Sawtelle; president, Dr. Edward Henderson;
vice president, P.S. Rishell; secretary, C.H. Parsons and F.H.
Nichols, treasurer.
[note: A photo of J.J. Stedman, C.H. Parsons, Stephen Townsend,
F.H. Nichols & Dr. R.S. Walker was published with this
article, it can be viewed at the Iowa History Project http://iagenweb.org/history/newspapers/23Feb1910.htm; transcribed by S.F., July 2014]
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Oxnard Courier
Oxnard, California
February 25, 1910
Mrs. M.E. Turrill, Mr. N.P. Stilsen and Mr. J.C. Hartman and son,
Elmer, were among those who went from Camarillo to attend the
annual Iowa picnic at Eastlake Park in Los Angeles February 22.
[transcribed by S.F., February 2007]
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Winona Daily
Republican
Winona, Minnesota
July 18, 1910
The death of Mrs. E.A. Greer occured at the Winona Hospital last
evening. The funeral services will be held next Tuesday at 1:30
o'clock at 215 West King street. The interment will be made at
Waukon, Iowa.
[transcribed by S.F., November 2005]
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Summit County
Journal
Breckenridge, Summit co. Colorado
September 10, 1910
-Mrs. Miles Moe, of Sioux Rapids, Iowa, is a guest of Mary E.
Swisher.
-Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Swisher departed on Thursday for their home in
Mendota, Ill. Enroute, they will stop at York, Neb. for a short
visit with relatives.
-Mrs. Libbie Barrett, of Sioux Rapids, Iowa, is the guest of Mrs.
Mary E. Swisher, being an old time freind, they have not met
before in twenty years.
-Little Lois Isaac, grand daughter of Mrs. Cotton, of Clinton,
Iowa, whose fourth birthday occured on Thursday, Sept. Ith, was
kindly remembered in numerous ways by her many friends.
[transcribed by S.F., May 2006]
----
Los Angeles Herald
Los Angeles, California
September 15, 1910
Man From East On Visit to Sister Passes Away
Jacob Miller, a retired farmer of Dubuque, Ia., who arrived in
Los Angeles last Saturday to visit his sister, Mrs. E.L. Cooke of
654 Plymouth street, died suddenly yesterday morning at the home
of Mrs. Cooke, death being caused by heart failure. Mr. Miller
was a native of Switzerland and was 68 years old. He served
during the Civil War in company C of the twenty-first Iowa
regiment. He was accompanied to Los Angeles by his wife. The body
is at the undertaking parlors of Connell company and will be
taken to Dubuque for burial. Mrs. Miller will be accompanied by
her nephew and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Cooke, the party
to leave Friday morning.
[transcribed by S.F., March 2016]
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Evening News
Ada, Oklahoma
October 11, 1910
New Manager for M. O. & G.
News was received this morning at the local M.O. & G freight
office that effective at once I.H. Luke was appointed general
manager of the M.O. & G. with headquarters in Muskogee. The
circular received here
was signed by William Keneflck, president and W.P. Dewar
vice-president. This is a new office which was recently created
on the M.O. & G. and many rumors have been afloat about
Denison of men who it was said wuold be appointed to the position
-- in fact a Denison man, it was first said, would be the man.
I.H. Luke has been superintendent of the second and third
division of the Denver and Rio Grande, with offices at Pueblo,
Colo. He was born July 8, 1861 *, on a farm in Tama county, Iowa.
Educated in the common school. He entered railway service in 1867
*--- Denison Herald.
[*transcribers note: the dates were typed as they appeared in the paper. -transcribed by S.F., June 2004]
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Bismarck Daily
Tribune
Bismarck, North Dakota
November 6, 1910
Rev. Matthew Wing
The funeral services over the remains of the late Matthew Wing,
who died Thursday afternoon at the home of his daughter, Mrs.
Andrew Miller, of this city, of penumonia [sic], occurred
Saturday afternoon at half past one o'clock at the Miller
residence. The services were conducted by Rev. Geo. B. Newcomb of
the Baptist church. The funeral was a private one and the body
was taken to Linton on the afternoon train, where a public
funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at two o'clock. Matthew
Wing was born at Brockton Canada, Nov. 4, 1845. He was married on
August 30, 1873, to Ella M. Cacy, at Tipton Grove, Ia. Five
children were born to this union, Ezra P., Ava May, Leo. L.,
Elsie Olive, and Calvin C., the last two of whom died early in
infancy. The mother of these children died a number of years ago,
and about twelve years ago Mr. Wing married Amelia Murdock, at
Elkader, Ia. At the age of twenty-five Matthew Wing entered the
ministry. He was engaged in Active ministerial work for over
forty years, most of which time was spent in Iowa, with the
exception of five years when he preached in Minneapolis. He was
an indefatigable worker, and a conscientious pastor and held the
esteem and respect of all who knew him. Five years ago Rev. Wing
took up a homestead near Linton where he continued to reside
until the time of his death. He was taken ill with penumonia
[sic] a week ago and last Sunday was brought to the Capital City
where he was taken to the home of his daughter. He received the
best of medical treatment but was unable to withstand the
onslaughts of the disease and passed away Thursday afternoon at
about four o'clock. The deceased is survived by his wife, Amelia,
two sons, Ezra P. and Leo L., and one daughter, Mrs. Andrew
Miller of this city.
[transcribed by S.F., Oct. 2004]
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Winona Daily
Republican
Winona, Minnesota
December 15, 1910
-Big Claims are Filed - It is Sought to Collect $14,907.99 from
the Acme Packet Company for Damages Sustained by Burning of J.S.
- A Limitation of Liability is Sought - Owners of the Destroyed
Steamer Invoke a Law Which Has Never Been Applied to the Upper
Mississippi Before-
An echo of the disaster of June 25 last near Bad Axe, below La
Crosse on the Mississippi river, in the burning of the excursion
steamer J.S., came to light here today, in the filing of claims
with United States Court Commissioner H.M. Lamberton, against the
Acme Packet company, the owners of the steamer, for damages
something in excess of $14,000, some claims also for services
bringing the total up to $14,907.99. These claims were filed in
connection with a suit and motion proceeding begun by the Acme
Packet company in the United States court here to have their
liability under the burning of the steamer J.S. limited to the
value of the hull of the steamer and its contents, exempting the
Acme Packet company as a corporation altogether from any claims
for damages. In this proceeding the Acme Packet company invoke a
law passed in 1851 applicable originally only to the high seas
but later amended to reach inland navigable streams. It is said
this law has never before been invoked in litigation on the Upper
Mississippi river. By this law the liability of the stockholders
of a company for acts of its agents and employes is exempted. The
claimants, it is understood, will maintain that inasmuch as John
Streckfus, the president and manager of the Acme Packet company,
was on the steamer at the time of the accident and had personal
direction of the same the company should not be exempted. This
matter will all be threshed out in detail at the May term of the
United States court in this city unless by agreement it should
come up before that time.
The Claims Made.
The hearing today was merely an incident to the main action, the
filing of claims against the Acme Packet company because of the
burning of the steamer J.S. This hearing was had at 11 o'clock in
the office of United States Court Commissioner H.M. Lamberton on
Center street, and aside from interested attorneys no others were
present. As beofre noted the total amount of these claims is
$14,907. These are itemized as follows:
-Anthony Plein, administrator of the estate of John Plein, burned
to death in the hold of the steamer J.S. at the time of the
disaster, $5,000, the limit of liability allowed by law.
-Elizabeth D. Joseph, De Soto, for fractured rib and internal
injuries as well as numerous external bruises caused by a fall
down the stairway between decks on the steamer, $5,000.
-Anna Peterson, Lansing, Iowa, for broken ankle, $1,000.
-May Coldwell, De Soto, Wis., for sprained ankle, medical
treatment, etc. $1,000
-Bertha Kaeppler, La Crosse, for sprained ankle and other
personal injuries, $1,000, and $124 additional to this for burned
clothing and loss of watch and provisions.
-Minerva F. Myers, Lansing, Ia., for crushing of lower limb,
$1,000.
-Van Sant Navigation Company, for services rendered by steamers
North Star and Harriet in towing and removing passengers from the
burning steamer, $200.
-L.L. Wittbecker, Lansing, Iowa, manager and leader of the Cadet
band, for loss of cash and music and uniforms and damage to
instruments, $388.90.
-C.E. Stephens of Vernon county, Wis., for medical services
rendered to four victims of the disaster, $50.
-H.E. Moen, Lansing, Iowa, for loss of baggage, $28.80.
-Adolph Mathias, Lansing, Iowa, for loss of goods and
merchandise, $15.
-Mrs. V. Krieger, Lansing, Iowa, for loss of goods and
merchandise, $15.22.
-Flossie McMillan, Lansing, Ia., for loss of goods and
merchandise, $15.80.
-Mrs. Henry Wagner, Lansing, Iowa, for loss of goods and
merchandise, $12.51
-William Vanderbile, Lansing, Iowa, for loss of goods and
merchandise, $39.
-Matt Bechtel, Lansing, Iowa, for loss of goods and
merchandise,$7.75.
-John Peterson, Lansing, Iowa, for loss of goods and merchandise,
$12.00.
Plein Case Statements.
The six principal claimants for loss of damages in connection
with the presentation of their claims today filed brief answers
objecting to the application of the Acme Packet company for
limitation of its liability, in the claim made by Anthony Plein,
administrator of the estate of John Plein, burned to death in the
hold of the J.S., the objections to limitation of liability are
set forth at considerable length. It is maintained that John
Plein was without reasonable cause or justification placed in the
hold of the steamer J.S. and kept confined there and that he was
suffocated and burned without any fault or negligence on his
part. (The document does not refer to the claim made that Plein
had been placed under arrest in the hold for drunkenness.) It is
further set forth that the electric wiring on the steamer J.S.
was poor and dangerous, that necessary appliances were not
provided for fighting and extinguishing fire on the J.S. and that
such appliances as were provided were in poor condition; that the
fire broke out because of negligent construction of the fire box
under the boiler of the steamer J.S in not providing a
noncombustible cover for the same; that large quantities of
intoxicating liquor were wrongfully, knowingly and illegally sold
and distributed to passengers of the boat and among the officers,
agents, employes and members of the crew. It is further set forth
that Plein was a single man forty-one years of age and that his
father, Christopher Plein of Waukon, Iowa, is his heir-at-law,
and that his earning capacity was from $35 to $40 a month. A jury
trial for the damage claim is asked.
The attorneys for the Acme Packet company in the proceeding are
Lane & Waterman of Davenport, Iowa, and Brown, Abbott &
Somsen of Winona. The attorneys for most of the claimants are
J.P. Conway of Lansing, Iowa, D.J. Murphy of Waukon, Iowa, and
Tawney, Smith & Tawney of Winona. George H. Gordon of La
Crosse is attorney for the claimant Kaeppler.
[transcribed by S.F., November 2005]
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New York Times
New York, New York
December 27, 1910
Rich Cincinnati Widow Weds.
Chicago, Dec. 26. -- Ben Davidson, a leading merchant of Iowa,
to-day married Mrs. Blanche Hart, a prominent and wealthy widow
of Cincinnati, in this city. They first met at a summer resort in
the White Mountains, New Hampshire, last August. They will live
in Sioux City, Iowa.
[transcribed by S.F.,
January 2008]