~ No one is disappointed or feeling badly over the “hard times” getting easier and over the many indications of returning prosperity except the Republican editors and politicians who by their croaking’s have done all they could to prolong a panic which was manufactured for political purposes in the first place

~ Congressman – Hepburn was the only Iowa Congressman who voted for the Bland  ---gnlorage bill when it passed the House. All the more honor to him. Congressman Hayes, the only Democrat in congress from Iowa, voted with the Eastern Democrats and the bulk of the Republicans against it. That isn’t what he was sent there for.

~ The A. P. A. (American Protective Association), a secret organization having for its foundation the purpose of punishing people for exercising the freedom of religious faith guaranteed by the constitution of this country, is working with the Republican party in politics and many of the recent Republican victories in the city elections over the country are attributed to its energetic efforts.

~ At the city elections in Iowa last week the Republicans got rather more than their share of victories. The Republicans carried Sioux City, Clinton, Ottumwa, and Iowa City, and through a fight among the Democrats elected a mayor in Burlington for the first time since 1886. The Democrats won in Cedar Rapids, Muscatine, Oskaloosa and Creston. At Council Bluffs the Republicans selected mayor by 87 and the Democrats elected alderman at large by 20. Each party elected candidates at Council Bluffs. 

~ Every word of the following from the editorial in the St. Louis Republic fits in snugly and significantly. Hays the Republican, “All the West and South are after are Democrats on Democratic tickets and Democratic principals in Democratic legislation. The history of Eastern leadership does not reassure us. Therefore, we are determined to have a Western president on a Democratic platform. Then we shall know that the issues are clear and that a victory will bring sure results.”

~ DEATH OF GEO. W. NORRIS.

   Geo. W. Norris, who for 16 years had been a respected and esteemed resident of Red Oak and vicinity, died at his home just south of town last Saturday morning. Death came suddenly and painlessly. The day was his 73^rd birthday anniversary, and he had been out making preparations to pass a part of the day with friends. Coming into his house, he lay down for a rest, and in a few moments his spirit had passed to the better world.  Mr. Norris was born in Perry, Wyoming County, N.Y., March 10, 1821. For 58 years he lived upon one farm near there. In the spring of 1878 he moved his family to Red Oak and since that time had lived here. Early in life he united with the Presbyterian church at Perry, N.Y., and bringing his letter with him here he became connected with the Red Oak Presbyterian church very soon after his arrival. He took a great interest in church work, in the cause of education and in all duties of good citizenship. His circle of friends was a large one. The funeral services were held at the home on Monday  morning at 10:00 o’clock and there was a large attendance. Rev. J. D. Graham, of the United Presbyterian church, conducted the services. The singing was by the Presbyterian choir. Mr. Norris leaves a wife and five children, all of whom were present at the funeral, excepting Clayton, whose home is in California.

~ Any physician failing to report any case of contagious disease in his practice will be dealt with to the full extent of the law, and the punishment provided by law will be promptly meted out to any one violating the quarantine in such cases.

    By order of the board of health.

~ A FINE DRAMA    

    Miss Mabel Katon, who with a strong company, is booked for the opera house next Monday evening in the thrilling society drama “La Belle Russa,” goes from here to Omaha to play an engagement at the New Boyd theater. She plays in all the large cities, and Red Oak’s good fortune in getting such a high class metropolitan company comes from the company happening to have an open date between an engagement at Burlington and the one at Omaha. While the company is an extra good one, prices are not relaxed, remaining at 50 and 65 cents.      

~ DIED at the AGE OF 89      

   Mrs. Peter Hagland, mother of Mrs. John Mainburg, died at her home near  --- last Wednesday at the advanced age of 89. She came from Sweden in 1865 and came to Iowa in 1871. The funeral services were presented at the home place on Thursday by Rev. Mr. Fridin and burial was made at Fremont Cemetery. It was  intended to hold the services at the Fremont church, but Mr. Haglund’s health would not permit him to go from home.  Mr. and Mrs. Mainburg were notified of her illness, which was sudden, but they arrived there too late to see her alive.

~ The 2 year old son of Rev. A. R. Griffith, OF Shenandoah, drank part of a bottle of iodine one day lately, but  the prompt use of starch as an antidote prevented any serious results.

~ Sam Purcell, of Hastings, who refused to pay 50 cents per head charges on some of his cattle a neighbor lock up, has been sustained in the refusal by a jury in district court.

~ The Red Oak Investment Co., is making six per cent farm loans, interest payable annually, with options to borrower to pay$100.00 as the multiple thereof at date of any interest payment. No insurance required.

~ The graduating class of the Osceola high school, 19 in number, were taken to Des Moines by Hupe Beard one day last week and put in the day visiting the legislature and admiring the state capital building.

~ Chas. Shick, of Shenandoah, and Mr. Liston, living near Imogene, have secured a patent on a cornplanter that plants two rows from a single box. They have received a large number of letters from firms who desire to buy the right to manufacture the planter.

~ Nine seeders loaded in two days at the Lane Implement Co.’s. This is more than the cheap insurance man has sold in two years.  We don’t carry seeders long enough to have them insured, but this is not the reason we can sell them cheaper than our competitors. It is the quality and quantity that gets there.

~ A. Gerhardt and his son, living in Fremont county, had a time of it one day last week in trying to cross the Missouri river to Nebraska City on the ice with two loads of wood. The son’s wagon broke through and he saved himself by jumping. The father came to the aid of the team and was drawn down, but in coming up managed to grasp the edge of the ice and crawl out. The team and wagon were lost.

~ A warm winter and a number of new miners coming in lust fall has played havoc with the coal mining business at Carbon, Adams county. Coal has been selling as low as a $1 a ton at the mines. There was little demand for it even at that price. The mines are eight miles from a railroad and no attempt to do a shipping business was made. Most of the mines there have suspended operations for the present. It is reported that one nice day lately there were 64 men at one time playing marbles on the streets of Carbon.

~ Miss Mary Henderson, teacher in the grammar department of the Greenfield schools, had occasion to whip Bruce Young, an unruly pupil, who is the son of the president of the school board. She made the boy take off his coat and switched him in earnest. The punishment left some marks on the boys back, and the father made complaint in a justice’s court and had the teacher arraigned for bail. She pleaded guilty rather than contest the case and was fined $3. C--lsen’s of the town then chipped in contributions and paid the fine and costs.

~ See “Barbara Frietchie” in “Temple of Fame”

~ You want to see Hinchman’s wall paper before you buy. The best selections in town, and cheaper than ever.