Jefferson County, Iowa The Fairfield Weekly Ledger

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Fairfield Ledger
Fairfield, Jefferson County, Iowa
August 17, 1871
Transcribed by Sherry Bash

MOORE--On Saturday evening, August 5, at 8½ o’clock, of cholera infantum, little Harry, only child of R. H. MOORE, editor of the Safeguard, and Sarah Alida MOORE, at the age of 11 months and 22 days.
  His mamma took "Harry" visiting relatives at Red Oak, Iowa, and on their return he was violently attacked at Fairfield, whence a telegram was sent to his papa, who at once hastened to meet his dear ones.  On Wednesday evening of last week they brought the sick child to their home at Columbus City, and, in spite of physician and nurse, and solicitude of anxious parents, at the date above named he breathed his last.  How sad the household when the only child is gone, his little prattles hushed, and the recollections of the past come up afresh to touch the heart!  But we must bid thee farewell, Harry, till the resurrection morn.        J. HAYNES.

Five Persons Killed by "Damps" in a Well.
  Special correspondent telegraphs the following to the Register :
  EDDYVILLE, Aug. 12.--I have just returned from the coal bank of Mr. W. M. BRIGGS, where I had the horror to behold, just taken from a shaft, the lifeless corpses of five persons, who, a few hours ago, were blooming in health.  Their names are Wm. G. BRIGGS, Esq., George BRIGGS, Mahlon BRIGGS, Anne BRIGGS and Ed. GREER.  A younger son of Wm. G. BRIGGS had gone down in the shaft to dip water and put in a tub for watering stock, when he was affected by the damps.  Mahlon followed to get him out, and succeeded in getting him into the tub, when he was overcome.  Anna, Wm. G. and George BRIGGS and Ed. GREER, then went down in succession and were overcome.  William G., would probably have been our Mahaska county representative.

Gimson Weed.--This weed is rapidly gaining ground in Iowa.  The botanical name is stramonium, and it is a disgusting and poisonous plant that should not be permitted to exist.  Every man who has it growing on his land should make it his duty to eradicate it before its seeds ripen.  The seeds are deadly poison.  Children playing where this weed grows are very apt to eat some of the small seeds, and as sure as they do parents may expect to have funeral expenses to pay within a few days thereafter.  On the 13th inst., at Rock Island, two little boys names JOHNSON ate some of the seeds of the Gimson weed, and both of them were dead within fourteen hours.  Now is the time to eradicate this poisonous pest, before the seeds ripen in this locality.

  A machine has now been perfected which may be applied to cooling the air of theatres, halls, and all public or private dwellings.  One of these machines will either produce 200 pounds of ice per hour, or will furnish in the same space of time 30,000 cubic feet of air, cooled to a temperature of 33 degrees Fahrenheit.  It is probable that in a few years we will turn on from the same registers the cool air in summer and hot air in winter.  The application of such an apparatus to the pipes of a heater would be extremely simple, and furnish just what we want when the heater is off duty.
[Ed. note: At the bottom corner of this column is penned "AIR CONDITIONING".]

Sunday Reading.
PLEASANT PLAIN, IOWA
        8th mo. 6th, 1871.
EDITORS LEDGER:
  Feeling a great interest in the cause of Sabbath Schools, and wishing to do all in our power to advance such a noble work, we have concluded to send you a short account of the workings of Hawkeye Union Sabbath School, held in the afternoon at No. 8 School-house, two miles south of Pleasant Plain.  It was first organized three years ago last spring, and was continued only through the warmer season until last winter.  It has gradually increased in size and interest until it has at present an average attendance of fifty-nine; a Teacher’s Meeting and a Post Office, through which the papers are distributed; also tracts, books, and letters which are written by any one so disposed, to any member of the school, to the teachers and officers, or to the school in general;--the Post Mistress first examining them to know that nothing but what may pertain to their spiritual good is written.  We wish to invite through the columns of your paper, any person who feels interested in us, and so disposed, to assist us by writing whatever they may find in their hearts for us.  Remember the Maccedonian cry, "Come over and help us:" and if you can not come, send. [Column continues, but is cut off at this point.]

   IOWA COLLEGE.
  Fall Term begins Wednesday, Sept. 6, in the College Course, Classical or Scientific, (four years each), the Ladies' Course, the Academy Course, and the Normal and English Department.  Tuition, $5.00--$8.00 per term.  Board with rooms, $3.50--$4.00 per week--without $2.00--$3.00.  Soldiers free.
  For Catalogues send to Treasurer, or
      GEORGE F. MAGOUN, President.

CAMPAIGN LEDGER!
Only 50 Cts. For Four Months.

Thirteen newspapers have ceased to exist in Iowa during the past two months.

Maple trees in Davenport are dying; sparrows will be imported to destroy the insects infesting them.

DIED.
SUMMERS.--At the residence of her husband in Blackhawk township, Jefferson county, Iowa, August 11th, 1871, Mrs. Eleanor SUMMERS, wife of Mr. Perry SUMMERS, aged 53 years, 8 months and 2 days.
  Mrs. SUMMERS was born in Butler county, Ohio, Dec. 9th, 1817.  She was early brought under the influence of the Gospel and was the subject of deep impressions as to the importance of a personal religion and the necessity of having an interest in the Lord Jesus Christ.  While yet in youth she united herself to the Methodist Church, thus making an open profession to the world of her attachment to Christ and his cause.  With this Church she lived a consistent and useful christian until she left that State and came to Iowa some twelve or fourteen years ago.  Here she found a Christian home with the Congregational Church of Blackhawk, and was one of seven that organized that little Church. In the bosom of that Church she has continued to walk in the ways of righteousness and exert a good religious influence in her family and neighborhood.  She has had a great deal of sickness and some heavy trials,  having given one son to the country in the late war.  Her last sickness was very protracted, lasting for many months, but through all her trouble and sickness she found help in God, and in christian patience and meekness she meekly bore it all without a murmur, and until it pleased the Almighty to take her home and relieve her from all her sickness and suffering here.  She leaves a husband and three children to mourn her loss, as well as a large circle of christian and other friends.  We are happy to say that she died as she had lived, an humble lowly follower of Christ, and that our loss is her gain.

  TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION.
  The next meeting of the teachers of Jefferson county will convene in the Court House on Saturday, August 26th, commencing at 10 o’clock A.M.  the programme has been submitted for publication.
  1.  Are our courses of study and methods of teaching sufficiently practicable.  W. H. McCRACKEN and H. N. WEST.
  2.  Ought the subject of manners receive the attention of teachers.  Miss Susie JOHSON and Miss Lizzie BOND.
  3.  Essay--Woman as a teacher.  Miss H. D. FAWCETT.
  4.  Is a bad book more pernicious than a bad companion?  J. K. PIERCE and J. KNIGHT.
  5.  Essay by Miss Anna FARMER.
    SUSIE JOHNSON,
    H. N. WEST,
    G. N. THOMAS,
       Committee.
 The teachers of the county will observe that the time is changed for the next meeting from the 19th to the 26th.  A large attendance is predicted.  A large number of teachers have requested the change in time in order that those in remote parts of the county may learn of the meeting in time and arrange their business so as to be present.
      J. N. EDWARDS, Supt.

  Improvements.--The spirit of improvement is still progressing.  Wm. LOUDEN has added a 12x16 kitchen to his house, and is now engaged in the erection of a ware-room for his machinery that is 40x50 feet in size.  We like to record such improvements.
  Our young friend J. E. ROTH, commenced on Tuesday morning to tear down the old GOODRICH frame tin shop on the north side, preparatory to erecting a two story brick building 22x50 feet.
  J. W. QUILLEN has just erected a frame house, I½ stories in height and 20x28 feet in size, containing five rooms, with cellar and basement.
  Harry PATRICK has commenced the erection of a kitchen 14x14 feet.
  Guy BEATTY is erecting a house in the northeast part of town.  In size it is 20x28, 1½ stories high, and contains five rooms.

  Elevator Burned.--The large grain Elevator near the B. & M. Depot at this place was burned to the ground on Sunday morning (illegible - last?) together with a considerable amount of grain.  The fire was first discovered about 3 o’clock, and before assistance could be called the building was wrapped in flames.  The Elevator belonged to Mr. L. D. WILSON, and was used by JORDAN Bros.  It was 40x60 feet, and three stories high, with a basement.  Mr. WILSON estimated the building at $12,000, on which he had an insurance of $8,000 in the Underwriters’ Insurance Company.--He has been here for a week or two repairing the building, and would have finished the repairs in about three days with four men.  How the fire originated can only be surmised.  Mr. WILSON and Mr. A. R. JORDAN were in the Elevator until 11 o’clock the night preceding, looking over the repairs, but cannot account for the fire.
  JORDAN Bros. Loss is about $7,000, on which they had an insurance of $5,000 in the "Republic."  The insurance was on the grain, which will cover the loss.  The principal loss is on wool, sacks, and machinery, on which they have no insurance.  Their actual loss will be, as we have stated, about $2,000.  On account of repairs they had but a small amount of grain or seeds, having been shipping for several days.  The greatest loss to them will be what they will sustain by having no place to store grain.  They have been heavy buyers, and their loss will be felt also by the farmers of Jefferson county.  Now is the time above all others when they needed the Elevator, and its loss will be severely felt by them.  The new elevator of TEMPLETON & HASTINGS will not be able to do all the business of buying grain and seeds, for Fairfield is about the best shipping point on the B & M. R. R.
  Since the foregoing was put in type JORDAN Bros. have commenced the erection of a ware-room 30x75, for the purpose of handling grain.  They are still in the market for all grain, seeds and wool they can purchase.  The ware-room is on the opposite side of the street from the burned Elevator.

New Saloon.--Our old friend, Mike HOGAN, one of the best and most whole-souled Irishmen in the country, has opened a beer and eating saloon in the rear room of BONFIELD’s basement.  To the hungry we say, go and eat.

[Ed. note: Corner of column damaged and crumbled away due to fire.]
 (Missing) of October, A. D. 1871,

... A.M. of said day , offer at Public Sale ... County Treasurer at the Court-house in the City ... the Lands and Town Lots hereinafter enu-... described for the unpaid taxes with interest and ... -reon for the year 1870, and for all delinquent tax ... years then unpaid.  And do herby further and spe- ... -ify, that in compliance with Chapter 40, Act of 13th ... Assembly, will offer to the highest bidder therefor all ...ty as above mentioned which have heretofore been adver-... and offered at public sale and passed for want of bidders ... two or more years.     L. P. VANCE,
                                      Treasurer of said County.

Ed. note: The original material the below tax lists were transcribed from indicated the clippings were from newspapers dated August 17th, 24th, and 31st. There was no indication which list(s) appeared on which date(s).