The Fort Dodge Messenger: Aug. 20, 1903
Sends Wolf Pelt by Mail
Lehigh Man’s Novel Plan to Pay His Taxes
Asks That County Treasurer Apply on His Taxes the Bounty of $4 Allowed for Skins
“Please apply enclosed wolf pelts on my taxes,” reads a communication from Lehigh received at the office of the county treasurer today.
The county auditor has them on his hands which have been transferred to this keeping by the county treasurer. The pelts are those of young wolves, and are worth $2 each, the bounty paid by the county. The name of the Lehigh man who has resorted to this novel manner to pay his taxes is withheld by the recipient of the letter.
The wolf pelts were wrapped in paper and sent by mail. The bounty of $4, however, cannot be applied to the taxes until the pelts are personally sworn to.
(Editor’s note: The wolf pelt bounty would be about $96 today.)
Tags: 1903
The Fort Dodge Messenger: Aug. 20, 1903
Michael Schumack Passes Away
A Well Known Railroad Man Succumbs to Long Illness.
Funeral Will Take Place Tomorrow Morning – Has Been in Employ of the Illinois Central.
Michael M. Schumack, a hostler at the Illinois Central roundhouse died at his home at 429 Tenth avenue south Wednesday afternoon at 1:15 after four weeks illness. Death was due to heart failure, which was aggravated by an attack of scarlet fever.
Deceased leaves a wife and five month’s old child, besides one brother, James, living in this city. At the time of his death he was twenty-six years old. He was born and raised in the eastern part of the state. Since moving to the city a year and a half ago he has been in the employ of the Central where he was popular and well liked by all the men.
Deceased was at one time fireman on the Northwestern, when he was located at Boone. The funeral will take place from Sacred Heart church Friday morning at 10 o’clock. None of the out of town relatives will be able to reach the city in time to attend the funeral.
Tags: 1903, Schumack
The Fort Dodge Messenger: Aug. 20, 1903
Ray Roper Painfully Injured
Sustains a Broken Leg in Runaway at Havelock
Horse Became Frightened and Starts to Run – Mr. Roper Jumps and Catches Foot in Wheel.
Ray Roper, traveling representative for the Fort Dodge Grocery company, met with a serious runaway accident Wednesday afternoon near Havelock, as the result of which he is suffering from a broken leg and other injuries.
Mr. Roper in company with another gentleman was driving near Havelock, when the horse became unmanageable, and started to run away. Mr. Roper was not driving so that he was free to jump which he did, but in lighting he in some way caught his leg in the wheel. At the speed of which the vehicle was moving it was impossible to extricate his limb so that he was dragged some distance during which he sustained a compound fracture of the leg which will necessitate his absence from work for some time. the driver kept his seat and was uninjured.
Mr. Roper is now in Havelock, where he is being nursed by his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Haney Roper, who went to Havelock Wednesday evening. The accident happened at five in the afternoon.
Dr. Saunders, of Fort Dodge, was summoned to Havelock to assist in the care of the patient. A telegram received from him today indicates that the injury is quite serious.
Tags: 1903, Roper, Saunders
The Fort Dodge Messenger: Aug. 20, 1903
Concrete Work is Completed
Laying of Asphalt Paving is Nearing the End.
Expected to Be Finished Within Two Weeks – Job Completed on Contract Time.
The work on the asphalt paving is fast drawing to a close. The concrete work was completed today and William Murdock, who has charge of this work and a gang of nine men, leaves tonight for Waterloo where the company has a contract.
There now remains but seven blocks to receive the asphalt surfacing, so that the entire work will be completed within two weeks. The work is finished down Second avenue north as far as Thirteenth street, and but two blocks are to be covered on Twelfth street.
Altho the weather has not been ideal the job will be completed within contract time. When the work is finished here the plant which has been used here will be taken to Waterloo.
While the paving has cost the property owners considerable, yet a great deal of the money has been left in the city. The company has had from 100 to 125 men on the pay roll which has totaled $2,000 every two weeks and a larger part of this money is left right in Fort Dodge.
Assistant cashier for the company, C.L. Howe will be in the city Friday.
W.R. McLaughlin, district manager for the company is also in the city.
Tags: 1903, Howe, McLaughlin, Murdock
