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Previous Page 111 Next The Gleisner and Holder novelty shop in Ossian was declared unique in the U. S. The proprietors repair all wood work on buggies, wagons, plows, etc.; they make sauerkraut, run a shooting gallery, and pack a first class bottle of horseradish; they keep a doll rack, file saws, dress chickens, run a spindle wheel, sell tools, wheelbarrows and gooseberries; buy and sell shot guns, air guns, and son-of-a-guns; also keep vinegar, repair umbrellas, clocks, sewing machines and clothes wringers; make handles for axes, hammers, picks and coffee grinders; sharpen scissors, shears, cleavers, knives, meat saws and buck saws. They have now started raising canaries for sale. A basketball team was organized this year with the following players: C. F. Limbeck, Archie Bernatz, Robert Brown, George Wiltgen, Edward Wirsching, Cornell Riveland and Matt Heinen. This group is know as the Ossian Redmen, reportedly because of their brilliant red uniforms. The 1908-1909 Redmen, with the addition of George Mills, Leo Wiltgen and Lester Ean, are referred to as,"Ossian's Famous Basketball Team—the Champions of Northeastern Iowa." BUSINESS CHANGES
The list of taxpayers in Military twp. this year shows Mrs. Knud Larson with the largest assessment of $195.75. R. W. Anderson paid $168.43, the highest tax in Ossian. Once again, several residents were assessed only 50¢ each. The public school was closed for a week in February while the premises were fumigated. This precaution was taken to prevent the further spread of scarlet fever, a disease that reached epidemic proportions this winter. A heated controversy arose at the Democratic county convention. A delegation of township Democrats, headed by A. C. Heck, was seated under a protest voiced by other Ossian party members. Mr. Heck was named chairman of the convention, and selected as a delegate to the state convention. A group of dissenters, headed by M. J. Carter, and including Judge John DeCou, Jos. Weitgenant and Fred Figge, challenged the legality of the Winneshiek delegation at the state meeting. A compromise was reached, with both delegations being seated—but Carter's group without voice. Junior editor Schmitz ran against incumbent mayor Weitgenant in the municipal election. Weitgenant was returned to office by a narrow margin. Elmer Anderson retained his office as clerk, Blanchaine remained treasurer and J. E. Boyle was elected assessor. Abe Oxley and H. J. Etteldorf won council seats. The assessor's report for this year listed personal property valued at $269,717, based on: 93 horses, 7 stallions, 7 mules, 34 dogs, 109 cattle, 2 bulls, 76 swine, 45 vehicles and 39 pianos. There were monies and credits totaling $185,963 and merchandise inventories of $69,550. The school board purchased two canvas chute fire escapes to be stored on the second floor of the schoolhouse. There were eight applications for teaching positions. H. O. DeGraff was hired as principal at $75 a month, Miss Anna McGary as intermediate teacher at $45, Mrs. Mae Livingston, primary for $35 and John Wirshing, janitor at $35. The board decided to install a steam heating system with the contract tendered to Jos. Becker for $1338. The residents of Ossian were asked to vote on a referendum for building, maintaining, and operating a waterworks system. The proposition was rejected by a | ||||||||||||||
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