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Iowa News from across the
Country
- 1930 -
Appleton Post
Crescent
Appleton, Wisconsin
February 8, 1930
Mid-western Community Prospers as Result of Business Methods - by
Bruce Catton
Elkader, Ia -- The great Iowa corn belt, where the farmers have
been crying for help so long that their voices are all husky, has
one county that cares no more about farm relief than it cares
about the Einstein theory.
This is Clayton co., a rarity among rarities - a strictly
agricultural county in which everybody is prosperous. Prosperous?
Clayton cuonty, as far as per capita wealth is concerned, is said
to be the richest county in the United States. It has 22,000
inhabitants and they are all making money. Its automobiles
average better than one to a family. the citizens have opposed
the McNary-Haugen bill because they don't need relief.
Considering the fact that Clayton county is planked down in the
middle of the region where agriculture has been groaning under a
seven-year depression, this sounds almost unbelievable. but the
fat remains that the farmers of this section have found out how
to make agriculture pay.
Crops are Diversified. C.F. Murphy, a leading attorney, explains
it easily. "In the first place," he says, "we have
a very fine soil here -- a productive clay loam, well watered and
well drained. But our success is primarily due to the fact that
our agriculture is diversified. Our farmers raise all the kinds
of crops that can be raised in the north temperate zone, and they
know how to rotate their crops so as to get the most out of the
land. they raise poultry, swine, beef and dairy cattle and sheep
-- and everyting that is raised here is fed here. The stock feed
is grown right on Clayton county farms." The average Clayton
county farm is about 160 acres in size. A farmer will lay aside a
40-acre patch for pasture land for his stock. Another 40-acre
patch will be devoted to raising hay. A third patch of the same
size will be sowed to small grain - oats, barley, wheat or rye --
and a fourth 40-acre patch will be planted with corn. At the end
of the year the farmer simply moves part way around this square.
the field that was planted to grain lies fallow and serves as a
pasture lot. the field that was pasture lot will be planted with
corn. the former cornfield will be planted with hay. the former
hay field will be sown with grain. So it goes, year after year --
and the soil keeps its productivity undiminished.
Farm Bureau Aids. Clayton county farmers also take full advantage
of the state farm bureau here in Elkader, the county seat. Roy
Combs, county agent, has taught the farmers here the value of
co-operatives, and has helped them to use scientific crop
methods. He has organized a great number of cow-testing
associations. A tester visits each farm once a month, testing
each cow's milk for its butterfat content. He advises the farmer
on the kind of feed that is needed and helps himi to make his
dairy herd as productive as possible. There are 15 co-operative
creameries in the county, and 19 co-operative livestock shipping
associations, which handle 90 percent of the county's livestock
sales -- some 3,500 cars of stock a year. there are co-operative
feed-grinding mills in every town. The result of all this is that
the agricultural depression has bothered this county very little.
Hold Own Mortgages. To begin with, 75 per cent of all mortgages
on Clayton county farms are held within the county. thus, when
the depression came, and the eastern investment houses began to
call their farm paper, Clayton county escaped such a sudden
demand on its resources. Its banks gave extensions, fully
confident that they would get their money. "Our farmers get
a continuous income," says Murphy. "And they're mighty
good business people. A lot of them have regular accounting
systems, just like city business houses. theyre are plenty of
farms here with $50,000 worth of buildings on them. Practically
every family owns an automobile, and lots of them have two or
three, and a truck besides. there hasn't been a bankkruptcy in
Elkader in 30 years, and mighty few anywhere in the county. We've
never had a bank failure -- and we're in the middle of the corn
belt, if you please." Clayton county has only $1,500,000 in
bonded indebtedness -- a bond issue floated not long ago to
provide paved roads, but this bond issue is not costing Clayton
county anything. Each year the county gets a certain sum from the
state highway commission for road construction. This money is
sufficient to pay the interest on the county's bonds and retire
them in 20 years. Incidentally, $500,000 of this bond issue is
held by Clayton county farmers. "The average estate left by
a Clayton county farmer at death is $30,000." says Murphy.
"There's hardly a one that will be as low as $10,000. there
are no extremely rich people here -- but everybody has
enough."
A Few Statistics. Here are a few statistics on Clayton county's
prosperity:
There are 26 banks in the county, with nearly $14,000,000 in
deposits. Nearly every one of the 3,063 farms in the county is
owned by the man who operates it, tenant farming being almost
non-existant. The value of butter produced in the county in 1926
was $3,467,000. The average monthly income of the farmers as a
group is upwards of $205,000. Two years ago the county's farm
lands were given an assessed value of more than $28,000,000.
So there's Clayton county for you -- a strictly agricultural
community where the average of individual prosperity is higher
than in any other county in the land.
[transcribed by S.F., May 2004]
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Surprise Valley
Record
Cedarville, Modoc co. California
Wednesday, March 19, 1930
FAMILY REUNION AT LONG RANCH IN NEVADA -- A Pleasant Day at the
Long Ranch.
On the ninth of March, a number of relatives and friends
journeyed to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Guy Jones in Nevada and
spent the day feasting and visiting. As it was beautiful and
spring-like, the young people hiked in the nearby hills, the men
played the ancient game of horseshoes and the reader may guess
what the women folks did.
When the tables were laid, it was found there were twenty-eight
to par-take of the delicious meal that was served. The gathering
was a sort of reunion for the Jones family as all those who still
live in Surprise Valley were there. The day was planned in honor
of Miss Arlene Hutchinson, who has been visiting at the home of
her uncle, J. H. Hutchinson since last May. After some snapshots
had been taken in the afternoon, everyone returned to their homes
wishing they might go more often to the Jones Ranch.
Those who were there: Mr. and Mrs. Guy Jones and family, Kesner,
Buna, Richard, Delbert, and Elinor; Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Jones and
two children, Ardith and Kale; Mrs. Olive Hapgood and three
children, Anola, Barbara and Hillard; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Meyers
and daughter, Edna; Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Hutchinson, Harold and
Beatrice; Rileous Jones; Raymond Jones; Miss Josephine Janes and
Miss Lavene Alexander.
Miss Hutchinson left on the train last Sunday, for her home in
New Hampton, Iowa. While here, she made many friends, who join
with her relatives in hoping she may again visit California in
the near future.
[transcribed by B.R., August 2005]
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Ironwood Daily
Globe
Ironwood, Michigan
March 27, 1930
Father Held for Killing Daughters
Newton, Iowa, March 27 (AP) -- County officials today were
seeking a motive that prompted George McKinney to beat his
daughter, Artie Dorie, 25, to death, and then shoot and kill his
other daughter, Gladys, 12, on his farm three miles south-east of
Mitchellville. Puzzled over the motive for the slaying, officials
turned to insanity as the most plausible, McKinney told Sheriff
George C. Kelley that "something had been telling him the
last two years to kill them," After disposing of the girls,
McKinney shot himself in the hand and went to Newton, where he
gave himself up to the sheriff. After dinner yesterday,
McKinney's wife and their son, Lloyd, 22, drove to town to shop.
Loren, 28, another son and Marshall 32, the third son, were also
away from the farm. The confessed killer was in the county jail
today awaiting placement of charges expected some time today.
[transcribed by S.F., July 2006]
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Chronicle Telegram
Elyria, Ohio
March 28, 1930
Orphan Best Orator
Soldier, Iowa -- Gordon Williams, Blencoe, an orphan who has been
in this country less than nine years, was adjudged the best
orator in Monona county at the county declamatory contest.
Doodads vs whatnots
Ames, Ia. (UP) -- those frilly little doo-dads on the surface
which have replaced the what-nots formerly found in the center of
brick ice cream have groven popular and probably will replace the
filled brick, N.E. Fabricius, instructor in dairy industry at
Iowa State college, has discovered. The doodads, Fabricius said,
are more popular with the discerning hostesses and with new
methods of manufacture probably will become cheaper than the
what-nots.
[transcribed by S.F., July 2005]
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Chillicothe
Constitution Tribune
Chillicothe, Missouri
April 3, 1930
FORMER RESIDENT DEAD
Mrs. Eliza Ott received a letter from Mrs. Nellie Crawford
announcing the death of her mother, Mrs. Shaw, mother of William
Shaw, now an inmate of State hospital No. 2 at St. Joseph, and of
Fred and Clarence Shaw of Omaha, Neb. Her death occurred at the
home of another daughter, Mrs. Alice Williams, Dyersville,
Ia., on March 17. Mrs. Shaw was a former resident of this city.
[transcribed by C.J.L., Sept. 2003]
-----
New York Times
New York, New York
April 18, 1930
Engagements.
Webber-Horton. Mr. and Mrs. Roy A. Horton of Elmhurst, L.I.,
formerly of Hamburg and Buffalo, N.Y., announce the engagement of
their daughter, Miss Della Margaret Horton, to Mr. Aaron Ferrell
Webber of Iowa City, Iowa. Miss Horton will graduate at Hunter
College in June. Mr. Webber is a graduate of Parsons College,
Iowa, and the Biblical Seminary in New York City.
[transcribed by S.F., April 2007]
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Surprise Valley
Record
Cedarville, Modoc co. California
Wednesday, May 14, 1930
DIED
Ransom H. Stanley, aged 68 years, 10 months and 28 days passed
away at his home in Cedarville, Cal., Wednesday, May 7th, 1930,
at 11 p. m. after a long illness. He was taken ill in March 1928
and though he somewhat recovered his strength, he was not again
able to take an active part in public activities, in which he had
been so deeply interested and had devoted so much of his time and
talent. He bore his affliction with patience and fortitude and
was willing to submit to the will of his Maker.
He learned the printers’ trade early in life and at times
had charge of different papers in Northern California and in 1892
established the Surprise Valley Record, which he
published continuously for 38 years, without any change in
management and of which he was owner at the time of his death.
He was born in Pleasant Plain, Iowa, in 1861 and crossed the
plains with his parents when he was five years old. He grew to
manhood in Lake County, Cal., and later came to Big Valley, where
he resided for a time before coming to this valley. He was a
member of the Blue Lodge, Royal Arch and Eastern Star of Masonry
and the Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows Lodges. He was the
oldest Past master of Surprise Valley Lodge, No. 235, F. & A.
M. at the time of his death. He has also been a member of the M.
E. Church since 1907.
His funeral was conducted Friday afternoon from the M. E. Church
under the auspices of the Masonic Order; Rev. Virgil A. Vinyard,
assisted at the Church and the Masonic Order gave their
ritualistic service at the grave. He leaves his wife and three
children, Leon R. Stanley, of Arbuckle, Cal., Mrs. Faye Ballard,
of Alturas, Cal., and Heath Stanley, of Cedarville, Cal., also
one sister, Mrs. Emma Russell, of Sacramento, Cal.; one uncle, A.
N. Stanley, of Lakeview, Oregon, and several distant relatives,
among whom are Frank Stanley, of this place.
The Record family wish to express its heartfelt thanks
to the friends and neighbors, of Alturas and this Valley; to the
Fraternal Orders, to Rev. Virgil A. Vinyard and the Choir and to
everyone who assisted us in any way
during our recent bereavement; Also, we feel deeply grateful for
the beautiful floral offerings. (1:3) (Ransom Heenan Stanley is
his full name)
[transcribed by B.R., August 2005]
-----
New York Times
New York, New York
August 12, 1930
Other Weddings.
McCarthy-Hartwell. Special to the New York Times. Newtown, Conn.,
Aug. 11 -- The wedding of Miss Margaret Hartwell, daughter of
Mrs. Catherine Hartwell of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Joseph Lynn
McCarthy, son of Judge and Mrs. P.H. McCarthy of this town, took
place in the San Xavier Mission in Tucson, Ariz., today. Miss
Hartwell was educated inthe schools of Council Bluffs and Mason
City College, Mason City, Iowa. Mr. McCarthy was graduated from
Newtown High School and attended the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology and Citadel College of Technology, Charleston, S.C.,
where he received his B.S. degree. He also holds an M.A. degree
from the University of Indiana. Following his graduation, Mr.
McCarthy taught at the university before going to Tucson, where
he was, for a time, a member of the faculty of the University of
Arizona. He has since become associated with the Desert
Sanatorium.
[transcribed by S.F., August 2012]
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Oakland Tribune
Oakland, California
September 7, 1930
Oakland Marriage Licenses Issued:
Lechner, Carl P., 30, Alameda & Dohrer, Erma, 24, Elkader, Ia
Died.
HUGY - In Berkeley, September 6, 1930, Jennie E. Hugy, beloved
mother of Mrs. Ruth H. Starratt and grandmother of Weston
Starratt. A native of Iowa. Friends are invited to attend the
funeral services Monday, September 8, 1930, at 8 o'clock p.m. at
Truman's residence chapel, Telegraph Avenue and Thirtieth street,
Oakland.
Iowa Man Has Ancient Auto
One of the most interesting collections of privately owned
automobiles in this country is that in the possession of C.H.
Young, a resident of Clinton, Iowa, who is at present engaged in
touring California highways. While spending his vacation on the
Pacific Coast, Young informed officials of Earle C. Anthony,
Inc., California Packard distributor, that in his garage at home
are six Packards. The oldest, a 1907 touring, has traveled
slightly more than 165,000 miles; another of 1915 vintage has
70,000 miles to its credit, while the speedometer of his 1917
twin six limousine reads better than 63,000 miles. Young's latest
purchase, a new Standard Eight sedan, is being used on his
present trip and this youngest of his Packard family will have
many miles to its credit before the tour is at an end. All of
Young's cars are maintained in good running condition.
[transcribed by S.F., April 2006]
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New York Times
New York, New York
September 15, 1930
Other Weddings.
Haugen-Methfessel. Miss Helen E. Methfessel, daughter of Mrs. C.
Albert Methfessel of Waverly, Iowa, and the late Mr. Methfessel,
was married to Edmond H. Haugen, son of Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Haugen
of Brookings, S.D., on Saturday afternoon at the home of her
uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Louis A. Stirn, in Grymes Hill, S.I.
The cemermony was performed by the Rev. Frederic Sutter. After a
wedding trip the couple will live in Detroit.
[transcribed by S.F., August 2012]
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New York Times
New York, New York
November 12, 1930
Other weddings.
De Kieweit-Hejinian. Special to the New York Times.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Nov. 11 -- Dr. and Mrs. A.G. Hejinian of
Anamosa today announcd the marriage of their daughter, Luccea
Marian, to Professor Cornelis Willem de Kieweit of Rotterdam,
Holland, now Associate Professor of History at the State
University of Iowa in Iowa City. The ceremony took place
yesterday at the home of the bride's parents. The bride is a
graduate of Mount Holyoke College and Chicago and Iowa
Universities and has been an instructor in a home-making school
in Detroit for the last two years. The bridegroom, who spent his
youth in South Africa, is a graduate of the University of
Johannesburg and received his Ph. D. degree last year.
[transcribed by S.F., June 2009]
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Ironwood Daily
Globe
Ironwood, Michigan
November 20, 1930
40,000 See Iowa Lad Win Corn-Husking Title
Forty thousand people gathered in a field near Norton, Kan., to
see Fred Stanck win his fourth corn-husking championship in
competition with huskers from seven leading corn-producing
states. This picture shows the contest, with some of the
spectators using a haystack for a grandstand in the background;
inset is Stanek, who comes from Webster county, Iowa, and who
husked 30 bushels of corn, net, in 80 minutes.
[transcribed by S.F., July 2006]
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New York Times
New York, New York
November 28, 1930
Other Weddings.
Cooke-Fridgen. The marriage of Miss Catherine Fridgen, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Nicolas Fridgen of Oelwein, Iowa, to Frank Cooke
of this city, took place yesterday morning in the Chapel of St.
Anthony of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. The ceremony was
performed by the Rev. Samuel Grega. The bride's only attendant
was Miss Vega Smith of New York. Dr. Carl Park Burch of
Westfield, N.J., was best man. After their wedding trip the
couple will live in New York.
[transcribed by S.F., June 2009]