The Fort Dodge Messenger: Feb. 3, 1903

Big Bridge Now 2-3 Done

1,720 Feet are Now Standing of 2,582 to be Built

Preparing to Cross River

First Piling Was Sunk on Monday – S.C. Stickney Pleased With the Bridge.

Just two-thirds of the new Great Western bridge across the Des Moines river has been completed. The length of the bridge when finished will be 2,582 feet, of which 1,720 feet are now up. All that now remains is to carry the bridge across the river and u p the comparatively short approach to the summit of the bluff standing opposite, and all will be done.

Work was commenced on Monday  at driving the piling, which will bear the false work of the span while the bridge is being carried across the river.

General Manager S.C. Stickney visited the bridge during his recent visit here, and expressed himself as highly pleased with the progress which had been made.

The other bride work, which is being done on the old Mason City & Fort Dodge line north of this city, is progressing satisfactorily. The bridge at Lime creek, north of Mason City, has been completed with the exception of a little riveting. The work has been transferred to the Boone river bridge, which is being moved. Engineer Harvey stated this morning that the iron will be put in on this bridge on Wednesday.

Preparations are being made to begin work on the lower yards in this city.

Tags: 1903, Harvey, Stickney

The Fort Dodge Messenger: Feb. 2, 1903

Marriage Ends Sensational Suit

S.J. Anderson and Mrs. Sophia Olson Decide to Kiss and Make Up

Ends Breach of Promise Case

Marriage Ceremony Was Performed at 11 O’clock on Saturday Night. Last Chapter

Sven J. Anderson and Mrs. Sophia Olson were united in the bonds of matrimony on Saturday night, in the neighborhood of 11 o’clock. The ceremony was performed by Rev. G.W. Pratt, of the Methodist church at the home of the bride, 215 Second avenue south.

The mere statement that she who was Mrs. Sophia Olson is now Mrs. S.J. Anderson does not convey the full significance of the action. It means also that the oil has been poured upon the troubled waters of litigation, that suits and counter suits are now things of the past; in a word that one of ht emost sensational breach of promise cases ever tried in Webster county, has practically been disposed of.

They who are not Mr. and Mrs. S.J. Anderson have been much in the public eye for the past week or so. Last week their case was submitted to the supreme court in Des Moines, Anderson praying for a reversal of the judgment. Last Saturday, the couple showed up again at the capital city. They wanted to get married, and they went to Chief Justice Bishop, of the supreme court, and told him so, adding that the head of the court was the chosen one to make them man and wife.

Chief Justice Bishop balked at the responsibility. The Des Moines Register and Leader tells what happened as follows:

“Judge Bishop refused to perform the ceremony, his principal reason being that Mr. Anderson and Mrs. Olson wanted to file with the court as a part of the marriage Freemon a statement and stipulation regarding the suit now pending which would probably have the effect of cutting Senator Thomas D. Healy and M.F. Healy, attorneys for Mrs. Olson, out of their fees.

“Mr. Anderson, who is aged 53, and Mrs. Olson, who is 34, first made their appearance at the office of the county clerk where they secured a marriage license. Then they betook themselves to the supreme court and hunted up the chief justice. Judge Bishop advised them to confer with an attorney, and said in view of the importance of the damage suit that was on he thought it ws improper for him to unite them in marriage.”

Disappointed in their hope of being married by so exalted a personage as a chief justice, Anderson and his bride to be, returned to Fort Dodge on Saturday evening. County Clerk Colby had left his office, but was corralled and brought back and issued a license empowering the two to enter into the state of matrimony which they did without delay.

The marriage return, made out in proper form and testifying to the fact that S.J. Anderson and Sophia Olson were married on January 31, is now on file at the office of the county clerk.

Mrs. Sophia Olson sued Anderson for breach of promise and got a judgement of $10,000 ($239,495 today) a year ago last summer. Anderson’s farm was attached for the judgment, and Mrs. Anderson bought it on sheriff’s sale. Only a few weeks ago, a new development appeared in the case when Healy & Healy, who were the attorneys for Mrs. Olson, now Mrs. Anderson, brought suit to recover the attorney’s fees alleged due them thru their petition.

The bringing of the appeal before the supreme court, and the marriage on Saturday night, practically closed the episode.

T.D. Healy, one of the attorneys for the erstwhile Mrs. Olson, stated this morning that the marriage would in n o way effect the collection of the attorneys’ fees.

Tags: 1903, Anderson, Bishop, Colby, Healy, Olson, Pratt

The Fort Dodge Messenger: Feb. 1, 1906

Automobile Garage in Fort Dodge

Cadillac Machines Will Be Sold – Autos Rented and Repaired.

H.B. Grove Has The Agency

Leases Garmoe Building on North 6th Street, Formerly Rented by M.Q. Daley – Will Open The New Concern March 1st.

H.B. Groves has leased the Garmoe building on North Sixth street, formerly rented by M.Q. Daley, and will open an automobile garage about March first. He has the exclusive agency for the Cadillac Motorcar company, of Detroit, Michigan, whose machines he will sell. This agency extends over eleven counties of Iowa, through which he will probably station sub agents.

Mr. Groves has resided in Fort Dodge for less than a year, having lived in Sioux City previous to his removal here. During that time he has won a great many friends who will be pleased to learn of his location here. He is the owner of a $1,000 Cadillac which he had drive across country on several trips. Besides handling the machines for sale, he will rent and repair machines and expects to carry a fine line of accessories. A thoroughly experienced machinist will arrive about the middle of February.

The sport of automobiling has not progressed very rapidly in Fort Dodge. Machines have not found much favor with the residents who seem to prefer their horses. The advent of an automobile enthusiast with a good line of machines means the formation of a club which will eventually join the ranks of the other sporting clubs in the city.

Tags: 1906, Daley, Garmoe, Grove

The Fort Dodge Messenger: Feb. 1, 1906

Plymouth Will Not Close Out

Clothing Company Has Been Re-organized with V.N. Bloomgren as Manager.

Fort Dodge people will be rejoiced to hear that the Plymouth Clothing house, for years one of the strongest business houses of its kind in the city, will not go out of business, pursuant to announcement made a few months ago, but has been re-organized and will remain among the business firms of Fort Dodge.

By the re-organization of the company which will operate it which was effected yesterday Mr. V.N. Bloomgren who for the past two years has assisted Mr. Amrstrong, the owner in the management of the store, will assume the full control and management. Mr. Armstrong will not withdraw his interests entirely but will continue as a part owner in the business, and will devote such time to the business as his other interests permit. The store will still be known as the “Plymouth Clothing House” and its policy along all general lines will be the same as formerly.

The remainder of the present stock will be closed out as far as possible and full new lines of goods installed.

Tags: 1906, Armstrong, Bloomgren