The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 26, 1903

Will Open a Broom Factory

Fort Dodge Commercial Club Completes Arrangements With a Promising New Industry

Will Open Here on April 1

Factory is to be Operated by Brennan Bros., One of Whom Comes From Waterloo

Fort Dodge is to have a new factory by April 1. A Waterloo man haas decided that Fort Dodge is a better place to live, and as a result Brennan Brothers propose to come to this city to establish a broom factory.

One of the brothers makes his home in Waterloo. The other lives at some place near that city. The factory which they propose to put in will employ four or five men from the start, and it is expected that it will be gradually increased, as the out put for Fort Dodge brooms expands.

Brennan Brothers will probably secure one of the Laufersweiler buildings on First Avenue south, across from Sherman’s laundry, as the point in which they will begin their business operations.

The Commercial club, as a meeting held on Wednesday evening, talked over the broom factory proposition, and decided that it was a worthy enterprise, and should be extended the hand of fellowship by Fort Dodge industries.

The factory comes to Fort Dodge without a bonus of any kind. Its projectors are simply content to get into a bustling town and take their chances of the success which they are sure will come their way.

(Editor’s note: It’s interesting to see an article about a new business, and that the Commercial Club encouraged new businesses, much like the Fort Dodge Area Chamber of Commerce and the Development Corporation of Fort Dodge and Webster County do today. It’s also interesting that the newspaper noted that there were no financial incentives offered by the city, but the company just wanted to locate the broom factory here.)

Tags: 1903, Brennan, broom factory

The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 26, 1906

Violate the Postal Laws

Estherville Firm Sends Dynamite Through the Mails.

Estherville, Iowa, March 26 – (Special to the Messenger) A story has been circulated in this vicinity that several violations of the postal laws have taken place in that sticks of dynamite have been sent as fourth class mail matter.

The matter became known Saturday when a farmer residing near Grettinger (sic) Iowa telephoned to this city, and told a firm here to send him another stick of dynamite by mail. It was then discovered that this firm packs the dynamite in small boxes, and marks the box “files” or some other form of hardware of similar from (sic – should be form) and weight.

the dynamite is then shipped to the person who wishes it. This man has been drilling a well, and the sand point broke off at the bottom. he used one stick of dynamite and it failed to explode. He received this stick by mail and it was when he was ordering the second stick that the matter was discovered.

This is a very dangerous practice and is strictly forbidden in the government postal regulations. Dynamite often explodes from concussion, and a stick packed like this one was might easily be struck in such a manner as to cause it to explode. The mail is handled on trains which to not stop at the different stations, and it seems a miracle that the dangerous explosive could have been thrown about in a sack, as this was, with out being fired off.

Some of the mail clerks have heard of the matter, and it is understood that for personal protection, they will take the matter up with the proper authorities, and see that the firm that shipped this explosive in this magger is held for it.

An examination of the postal laws shows that no set fine or term of imprisonment is set for the offense, but that the general practice for an offense of this kind is to give five years imprisonment or a fine of $5,000.000 or both.

Tags: 1906, dynamite

The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 26, 1906

Death of Pioneer Veteran G.A.R. Man

J.M. Fibbs Died at his Home Here Sunday Morning at Four O’Clock

Soldier Through Civil War

Early Iowa Pioneer; Resident of Fort Dodge the Past Seven Years; And a Successful Business Man – A Loss to City.

J.M. Fibbs, a veteran of the civil war and long time resident of Iowa, died at the family residence here Sunday morning, March 25th, at 4 o’clock. His death was from a variety of causes, largely the result of afflictions growing out of the hardships he endured while a soldier in the Union army during the entire period of the war of the Rebellion.

Some months ago he sought relief through an operation, but never regained his wonted health, and has been gradually losing in strength throughout the winter. His death came as a relief from protracted suffering.

Mr. Fibbs was born in Pennsylvania in 1836, and spent his earlier years in Maryland and New York. In the last named state he was married, and later moved to Iowa, settling at Ida Grove where he become (sic) a miller and flour merchant, which business he followed successfully till when by reason of failing health, last fall, he was compelled to give up active business pursuits.

With his family, Mr. Fibbs has been a resident of Fort Dodge the past seven years, where he has established an extended acquaintance and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of a large number of friends in business and church circles.

From the age of 18 years to the time of his death, Mr. Fibbs was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church; and with his family, has been most faithful and efficient in his work and relations with that denomination. His death will be sincerely mourned, and his presence greatly missed, by his associates in the church and his friends everywhere.

His services in the war entitle him to a place upon the soldier’s roll of immortal honor, his death being a reminder and evidence of the fast thinning ranks of the vanishing hosts of the survivors of the civil war. As private and officer he fought in the First Regiment of the Maryland Cavalry the whole period of the Rebellion.

Mr. Fibbs’ wife, and four daughters, Mrs. Nettie Fibbs Zorn, of Cody, Wy.; Mrs. C.F. Basore and Mrs. W.C. Ross, of Ida Grove; and Miss Grace M. Fibbs, of Fort Dodge, survive him; all but Mrs. Basore being present at the time of his death. The stricken family are assured of the sincere sympathy of a large circle of friends here, in expensions (sic) of which sympathy  The Messenger desires to join.

The interment will be at Ida Grove. a brief funeral service will be held at the family residence here Tuesday morning at 9 o’clock.

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The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 27, 1906

Funeral of J.M. Fibbs

Brief Service at the Residence – Body is Then Shipped to Ida Grove.

The funeral of J.M. Fibbs who died Sunday morning at his home on 4th avenue south after a long illness with a complication of diseases was held this morning at the Fibbs residence. The service was in charge of Rev. Geo. C. Fort of the First M.E. church, and was very brief. The body was shipped to Ida Grove, where interment will be made.

Tags: 1906, Civil War veteran, death, Fibbs, funeral