The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 6, 1903

More Money in Sight for Central Section Men

Announcement Made Public That Company Has Voluntarily Granted Ten Per Cent Raise.

Illinois Central section men are rejoicing in the news that the company voluntarily had advanced the wages of its section men 10 per cent on the entire system, the advance to date from May 1. The raise will effect (sic) all men working on sections from foremtn (sic) to the cheapest laborer. The men had not asked for a raise and that makes the announcement all the more pleasing.

Tags: 1903, Illinois Central

The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 6, 1903

Fire Causes Slight Loss

Barn Owned by L.L. Leighton Burned on Tuesday Evening

Loss Covered by Insurance

Cause of Fire is Not Known – Horse and Carriages Saved from the Building.

The department was called out on a long run Tuesday afternoon about 8 o’clock, the fire being in the barn on the premises of L.L. Leighton on Second avenue north and Sixteenth street. It is not exactly known just how the fire started, as no one discovered it until the whole upper story was ablaze. Forgetting the telephine (sic) in the house one of the boys, who was around home ran several blocks to a fire alarm box and turned in an alarm.

Mrs. Leighton had in the mean time telephoned the department, but in her excitement, forgot to tell where the fire was. This necessitated a stop of several minutes to locate where the call had come from, and by the time the department arrived it was too late to save the barn. The carriages and horses were all gotten out safely.

The loss will be about $235 of which there is about $185 insurance. Two other barns in the vicinity were rather badly scorched, and it was thought for a time that they would go, but the department paid all its attentionto these barns, when they saw that the Leighton barn was lost, and so prevented the loss of the two others.

The fire was first discovered by Willie Leighton when he went to the barn to look after the horse. He was just in time to get the animal out, as in a few more moments it would have been impossible to enter the building.

Tags: 1903, Leighton

The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 5, 1904

Child is Seriously Injured

Three Year-Old Girl Kicked by Horse.

Dorothy Deckert Badly Hurt this Afternoon – Head Cut and Eye Injured.

This afternoon about 3 o’clock while playing near her home Dorothy, the three-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Deckert, was seriously injured by a  horse that was staked out grazing near the house. The child attempted to pass the horse when it turned kicking her on the left side of the forehead.

It is thought that the accident to the left eye will result seriously, but as yet the extent of the injury is not known. The child’s forehead was badly cut, especially near the temple. Directly after the accident the little one was carried into the house and medical aid summoned.

Tags: 1904, Deckert

Crossroads Mall Center Court
217 South 25th Street
Fort Dodge , IA 50501

The Fort Dodge Historic Preservation Commission is sponsoring an event commemorating Historic Preservation Month.  The event is Saturday, May 7, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Center Court of the Crossroads Mall.  There will be a silent auction, sale of collectibles, books and memorabilia.  View historic photos and learn about the history of Fort Dodge.  Any questions please call Kay Baldus 576-5250.

The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 4, 1904

Fortunate End to a Runaway

Team Belonging to Doctor Wilson of Vincent Takes a Lively Spin

Had Broken a Neck Strap

Pole Dropped on Ground – Dr. Wilson, Wife and Baby in Buggy.

About eleven o’clock this morning a light top buggy and pair of horses took a lively spin up South First Avenue as far as Twelfth street where they turned, going north for some distance. The occupants of the buggy were Dr. Wilson, wife and baby who drove in from Vincent this morning and who reside in that town.

While watering the horses at the Eighth street watering trough they became frightened and in lurching about broke a neck strap. This let the pole down and the h0rses became unmanageable and started to run. Turning at First avenue they ran east as far as Twelfth street and then north. When near the Chicago & Great Western depot the horses became separated from the buggy and noting their freedom started with more vigor pulling Dr. Wilson out over the dashboard when he released his hold on the lines and was thrown to the pavement. The horses did not run far, however, before they were stopped.

Little injury was sustained outside of a few bruises, and no damage done to the buggy. One of the horses fell during the runaway and has a deep gash on the breast, which is in no way serious. Mrs. Wilson and the baby escaped with nothing more than a fright and a fast ride.

Tags: 1904

The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 3, 1905

The Applicants Get a Job

Vags in Police Court Get Five Days on the Street.

Were Looking For Work But Were Disappointed in Finding It.

There were two applicants to report at the recruiting station for the street gang this morning, and both of them were successful in securing a job. In fact, his honor insisted in employing them when they would have demurred. They were looking for work all right when they struck the town but didn’t want to find it, and when the mayor thrust it at them there were much cast down.

The two fellows in question hailed from Minneapolis. They had shipped from there to Denver to work at railway construction but their hearts failed them at the sight of a shovel and they started back, landing here Tuesday.

Tuesday afternoon they came into the east end of the city and began to look about for a way to supply the inner man. They approached a lady and asked for something to eat, offering to spade up her garden as pay for the favor. They got their supper and started to work, but he task proved too arduous, and they kidnapped each other.

As soon as they were missed from the garden spot, the lady telephoned to the police and the patrol soon located them.

This morning in police court they attempted to show that the charge of vagrancy was not good in their case but his honor failed to see it that way and gave them each fine and costs to the amount of $14.85 which means five days on the streets. They were at once put to work with the other two. There is now a force of four street cleaners at work under the eye of the special police officer.

Tags: 1905

The Democrat: May 3, 1862

Lamentable Casualty

With regret we announce the death of Mrs. Julia F. Sherman, wife of S.M. Sherman Esq., – our present Postmaster – Mrs. Tirzah V. Sherman, and infant daughter Kate M., wife and daughter of C.A. Sherman, who were unfotunately (sic) drowned in crossing the Boon River on the 24th of April on their return home after an abscence (sic) of some months visiting their relations in the East.

When the sad fate of these ladies was announced, universal sorrow prevailed throghout (sic) our whole community. The deceased ranked among our oldest and most respected citizens. ‘Tis painful to think of the lamentable occurrence. With fond hopes of soon meeting their relatives and friends, who were waiting to receive them when they could say “we are almost home,” the lamentable occurrence took place that caused their death. The bodies were all recovered and brought to this place.

On Saturday the 26th inst. they were accompanied to the grave by a very large number of friends and relations – business was suspended in a great measure throughout the day, every one appeared to sorrow and realize the truth “That in the midst of life we are in death.” We most sincerely sympathize with the relations of the deceased.

Tags: 1862

The Evening Messenger: May 2, 1899

Short Messages

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Bergess Hurley, a girl.

■ ■ ■

George Walters is closing his sale of Wennerstrum bankrupt stock this week.

■ ■ ■

C.M. Rudesill is unable to be at his place of business on account of sickness.

■ ■ ■

C.W. Newton has taken a position with the Chronicle as book-keeper and canvasser.

■ ■ ■

Lost – A pair of steel-bowed spectacles, on Central avenue. Finder please leave at this office.

■ ■ ■

R.V. Brown has purchased the John Collins property on Fifth avenue south, just east of the C.W. Gardner residence. The property will be rented.

■ ■ ■

A chance has been made in the management of the Salvation Army. Capt. Trusty has been transfererd (sic) to Huron S.D., and his place here has been taken by Capt. Tallman.

■ ■ ■

Do you want help? Have you lost anything? Have you property for sale house for rent or any of the numerous “wants” and “losts”? If you have any of these you will find The Messenger want column just the place to get direct returns. It is one of the most interesting columns in the paper and is located on first page where it is read with interest every evening.

■ ■ ■

The drawing for the quilt to be raffled by Mrs. J.A. Dodge will take place at the house Friday.

■ ■ ■

Five teachers took the examinations with County Superintendent Findlay Friday and Saturday.

■ ■ ■

Mrs. and Mrs. Henry Corey have closed up their house for the present and will spend the next month in Lehigh.

■ ■ ■

The funeral of Mrs. M.G. Sperry occurred today from her home in Otho, the body being buried in Otho Cemetery.

■ ■ ■

The death of Mrs. J.R. Clark occurred Monday at her home in Kalo. Deceased was 49 years of age. She was buried at 11 o’clock this morning in the Otho cemetery.

■ ■ ■

Sioux City Tribune: A horseless carriage has been ordered for private use by a Fort Dodge business man. There is an air about that town that is good for other things besides pneumatic tires.

■ ■ ■

The tags which will be place on all dogs by the city as a token of respectability have arrived and will be on demand after today. All dogs must wear these tags or they will be shot by the city marshal.

■ ■ ■

At the council meeting last evening Charles Peterson was awarded the contract for putting in the storm sewer on First avenue south. Bids were received from John Riley and Frank McCann, but Mr. Peterson’s bid was considerably cheaper than any of the others and he was awarded the contract.

■ ■ ■

Joe Cuppett who for the past seven or eight years has been doing the transfer business for the Fort Dodge Grocery house has sold his outfit to Dwight Lemon who will in the future operate this department of business for the grocery house. Mr. Cuppett has not yet decided upon what he will do in the future.

■ ■ ■

Des Moines Leader: It now seems that the Fort Dodge Cyrano de Bergerac club is composed entirely of male membership. The girls’ association club is called the “Cinderella.” The Leader having been called down by the Post for saying that the young women poked their noses into other people’s affairs will now recant and make correction that they have simple put their foot in it – the slipper, of course.

■ ■ ■

The soda fountains of the city are being charged, cleaned and put in readiness for the spring and summer demand for cooling drinks that will soon be with us. The work of preparing the fountains and charging them is a task of considerable magnitude and the merchants have been engaged in the work for some time. The sizzling soda water and the refreshing ice cream soda will soon be on tap.

George Gillman the obliging clerk of Campbell and Tower’s drug store spent Sunday with Webster City friends.

■ ■ ■

The past week has witnessed considerable damage in the vicinity from the high winds. Among those who have been sufferers is Henry Hayler whose windows were blown in and his carpets and other interior furnishings considerably damaged by the rain. Another sufferer is Isaac Bird of Elkhorn who had several of his outbuildings injured. The roofs were torn from the barn, corn crib and buggy shed and some other damage done. Hans P. Greggerson, a farmer living near the poor farm, reports that a barn on his place was lifted from the foundation and completely turned around.

■ ■ ■

A good representation of the Y.M.C.A. wheelman met at the association rooms Monday evening and perfected an organization. The members seemed to be enthusiastic and the prospect for an active membership is good. The following officers were elected: president, Dr. A.H. McCreight; captain, Irving Gates; secretary and treasurer, Almond Cochran. A committee of three consisting of R.H. Green, M.D. Hillegas and E.M. VanPatten was appointed to draw up a written constitution. A meeting will be held next Monday evening when this constitution will be presented for acceptance or rejection.

■ ■ ■

L.S. Coffin has been invited to be the guest of the Biennial International convention which meets in New Orleans, La., May 8. The delegates of the north and Canada have a special train of Pullmans over the Illinois Central from Chicago and he is to meet them there and to be honored as their guest on the train and at the convention. This is a very large convention. There will be from 500 to 1,000 delegates besides several hundred visiting brothers of the order. He left this morning for Des Moines and from there will go on to Chicago. A large number will visit the home for disabled trainmen at Highland Park while in Chicago. Mr. Coffin goes into Chicago ahead of time to make ready for the visitors.

■ ■ ■

Go to Phillips and Lockyer for hose, hose reals (sic), and lawn sprinklers.

Tags: 1899, Bird, Cochran, Coffin, Gardner, Gates, Gillman, Green, Greggerson, Hayler, Hillegas, Hurley, McCann, McCreight, Newton, Riley, Rudesill, Salvation Army, Sperry, Tallman, Trusty, VanPatten, Walters

The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 1, 1905

This illustration provided courtesy of Directory of American Tool and Machinery Patents website.

For All Trades

Webster City Company Will Build Ingenious Tool.

Webster City, May 1 – Articles of incorporation for a new manufacturing company in this city have been signed. The organization is to be known as the National Hatchet company and will manufacture a patent tool which can be put to many uses. The officers of the organization are:

E.E. Valentine, Webster City, president; W.A. Norton, Marshalltown, vice president; G.A. Smith, Laurel, secretary; H.R. Dodge, Webster City, treasurer; J.R. Morris, Jewell, Kan., manager.

The company is capitalized at $50,000. The tool they will manufacture can be used as a hatchet, hammer, wire cutter, leather punch, nail puller, screw driver and has detachable jaws upon it. With a change of jaws the tool adds the following to its many uses: A hoof trimmer, pruning knife, bailing applier, stock marker, pipe wrench and some others.

(Editor’s note: I found a website with an illustration of the tool. It is posted with permission of the Directory of American Tool and Machinery Patents and Stan Schulz, DATAMP “Wrench steward”  & editor, Missouri Valley Wrench Club newsletter. You can visit this page for more information. )

Tags: 1905, Dodge, Morris, Norton, Smith, Valentine