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

The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 25, 1912

Fort Dodge Man Invents Air Craft

C.C. Merrill Has Completed Model for New Monoplane – Has Applied for Patent on Invention

Monoplane invented by C.C. Merrill, of Fort Dodge. This alley is between 11th and 12th streets, north of Central Avenue. Current location is behind Daniel Pharmacy. Photo courtesy of Webster County Historical Society.

C.C. Merrill, a well known farmer, living south of the city, is the inventor of an airship, which he is confident will be a success. He has completed a working model, which he has on display at the Black & Kirkpatrick garage, on Central avenue. The machine is a monoplane, and has several new features never used before on a craft of this character.

One of the principal features is the use of four propellers, two placed on either side of the frame, one pair at the front of the machine and the other at the rear. By the use of four propellers, instead of two as commonly used, Mr. Merrill claims that his machine will be able to make a much quicker ascension and that the descent can be made in a perpendicular line instead of the gliding style as now practiced by all aviators.

Another distinctive feature in the new model is the arrangement of all weight in such a manner as to entirely eliminate the possibility of the craft overturning. This is accomplished by hanging all weight well below the plane in the manner of a gigantic parachute.

Mr. Merrill was formerly associated with H.B. Weld, one of the best known air craft men in the country and president of the recent aviation meet held in Chicago. While in .Chicago, Mr. Merrill conceived the idea of making a monoplane, and this winter during his spare time has constructed a model of what he believes will be one of the most practicable machines ever built.

Monoplane invented by C.C. Merrill, of Fort Dodge. Photo courtesy of Webster County Historical Society.

Photos and article courtesy Webster County Historical Society

Tags: 1912, monoplane

The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 25, 1905

Name Has Been Decided Upon

Local Baseball Team in the Iowa League to be Called The Gypsumites.

Voting Contest a Success

Over Thirty Names Were Sent In and Although Many Excellent Names Were Submitted, Choice of All Was The Gypsumites.

The base ball team name contest which has been going on now for two weeks has at last been closed, and it has been decided to call the local team the Gypsumites. Investigation shows that nearly all of the board of directors favored this name, although they themselves did not cast any votes.

The reason that the Gypsumites was selected by nearly all was that this name cannot be copied by any other team, as there is scarcely a place in the whole country which would have any right to this name. Fort Dodge has become justly celebrated because of its great gypsum industries and in consequence, this name seems to apply to a fort Dodge team very well.

There were several other names submitted which would have made excellent names, but this name seemed to apply to Fort Dodge better than any of the others. Cardiffs also seemed to be an excellent name, and many favored this, but the majority favored Gypsumites, and so this name will be the one by which the local team will be known throughout the state.

L.A. Thorson certainly deserves the credit for the winning name, for he submitted both the Gypsumites and the Cardiffs. The Gypsumites was submitted by one other person also, but the latter did not sign any name. Mr. Thorson submitted both of the names upon which the contest developed and deserves the credit for so doing.

Tags: 1905, Gypsumites

The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 24, 1903

Police Interrupted His Circus Performance

Badly Intoxicated Character Raised a Disturbance on a Fort Dodge Front Porch

At about nine o’clock Monday evening the police were called to a residence on South Seventh street, about Fourth avenue, where it was reported a crazy man was disporting himself.

The man created a sensation by his actions. he went up on the porch and danced a regular clog dance, after which he laid upon his back and kicked the side of the house. The lady who was alone in the house with her little boy, was very much alarmed.

When the police arrived they found it to be a bad case of intoxication. The man was lodged in the city jail, and this morning in police court gave his name as Joe Woods and his residence at Irwin, Iowa. He said he was on his way to Algona, and after paying the usual fine and his city hotel bill, he was advised by the court to shake the dust of Fort Dodge from his feet and take the first train to his destination.

The other business of the court was two drunks who gave their names as O’Connell and Seabald. Seabald had just come from Minnesota to visit his folks here and thought he would celebrate and thereby have something to remember Fort Dodge by. After paying their fines the men were allowed to go.

Tags: 1903, alcohol, Woods

The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 24, 1903

$15,000 Fire at Gilmore City

Four Business Houses are Burned to the Ground on Monday Night

Volunteers Put Out Flames

Fire Was Fanned by High Winds and Was Controlled Only After Prolonged Fight

Gilmore City, March 24 – Four business buildings were destroyed and loss aggregating $15,000 was caused by fire at his place on Monday evening. In the face of a blinding snow storm, the volunteer fire department of the city pluckily fought the flames, which at first leaped with resistless force from one building to another, and finally, after an all night’s battle, brought the fire under control.

Following are the buildings destroyed, with losses:

Cobb, general store, loss $7,000, partly covered by insurance.

C.M. Warn, hardware and general merchandise, loss between $5,000 and $6,000, insured.

George Burns, grocery store, stock saved but badly damaged, building partly burned, loss about $1,000.

Emery Ebersole, Independent Telephone Exchange, loss about $700, no insurance.

The fire started in the rear of the Warn store building at about 8:15. By the time the alarm could be given and the department summoned, the building was in a blaze and beyond saving. The flames sped quickly to the other doomed structures.

It is suspected that the fire was set by careless boys, who were seen in the rear of the Warn building a few moments before the flames started. Who the boys were, has not yet been learned.

Telephone service with Gilmore was for a time cut off this morning, on account of the burning of the excahnge but the line was repaire by 11 o’clock this morning.

Tags: 1903, Burns, Ebersole, Warn

The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 24, 1903

West Bend is Badly Scorched

Saloon and Billiard Hall are Burned in Fierce Early Morning Blaze

One Family’s Narrow Escape

Aroused From sleep to Flee for Their Lives. They Saved Nothing.

West Bend, March 24 – The Link saloon and the Delano billiard hall in this place were burned to the ground early this morning. The fire started in the saloon at 2:30 o’clock from some unknown cause, and the flames, fanned by the strong wind which was blowing spread to the billiard hall which stood next door.

The West Bend fire department by hard work succeeded in saving the real estate office of J.J. Watson which however was badly damaged, as was an elevator which stood close by.

A family named Douglas, who lived over the saloon, were roused from their sleep by the cry of fire, and were forced to flee into the stormy night. They were able to save nothing of their personal effects, but are being kindly looked after by the neighbors.

The loss on the  buildings destroyed is not definitely known. Mr. Delano was carrying $200 insurance.

Tags: 1903

The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 24, 1905

“Weary Willies” are in Bloom

Police Plucked a Most Beautiful Bouquet of Them Thursday Night.

Twelve Sleep in the City Jail

Were a Variegated Lot From The Ordinary Sweet William to the Hybird (sic) Ragged Tatters – All Chased Out of Town Today.

The city jail housed twelve sleepers last night. This marks the beginning of the hobo season in this section, and from this time on these men who are ever hunting work and afraid they will find it will be swarming over the north country sleeping wherever they can and begging their meals wherever they are able to find a tender hearted woman who will give them a “hand-out.”

For the past two years, there have been more hoboes (sic) in the country than at any time since Coxie’s army started on its march to Washington more than ten years ago and the season is starting out this year as tho there is still to be a great plenty of this class of people floating about.

Last fall the vast army of restless work hunters moved south with the ducks, and this spring they have appeared and are in full bloom alongside of the first delicate little easter flowers that have sprung into life the past day or two.

The gang that landed in the city on Thursday were from everywhere in general and bound for nowhere in particular. They were a variegated lot, running from the fairly well dressed gentleman “Willie” to the worst Raggedy Tags who would put Happy Hooligan on the shelft (sic) for all time to come. They were turned out this morning with instructions from the police to get out of the city with all possible haste, or they would be thrown in again on the charge of vagrancy and put to work shoveling mud on the streets. While of them were “looking for work,” they were not after that sort of a job, and made a hotfoot for the city limits with all possible haste.

This class of people believe in economizing sole leather, even through they get it out of the ash barrel, and even so early, the railroad men who run into Fort Dodge are reporting many on the move. There is scarce a freight train of any length that pulls in or out of the city, especially during the night, but carries with it from one to a half dozen of these fellows stowed away in an empty box car or on the bumpers. It is next to impossible for the railway men to keep them off, and there is scarcely ever a wreck but what there are one or two “unknown men” caught in the crush and killed.

Fort Dodge is not considered a good town by the hobo element, and is shunned by them as a general thing on account of the fact that they are almost invariably brought up in police court and threatened with being put to work on the street. This policy has been in force for several years, and as a class they have learned the attitude the town maintains toward them. The man who approaches the back door in Fort Dodge and asks for a handout is extremely hardy, and generally ends with a sojourn in the city jail or a few day’s work on the streets.

Tags: 1905