The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 13, 1905

Youth Sportsman Has an Accident

A Short Tragedy With a Happy Ending is Enacted on The Stage of Boydom

Confidence David and Jonathan

Jimmy Pouler and a Friend Start Duck Hunting With a Target Rifle And Experiencing an Absence of Ducks, Jimmy Holds a Bottle.

Two Fort Dodge sportsmen of tender years betook themselves in search of game Saturday afternoon, and managed to round up a big scare and a slight accident.

The hero of the occasion is called “Jimmy,” and is a son of Jacob Pooler of this city. In company with another boy they departed with a target rifle between them, and with their heads crammed with visions of ducks.

After several hours weary tramp, their visions faded and realities grew space and yearning for excitement like true Americans, one of the boys began discussing his ability as a marksman and finally offered to prove his assertions in any way named. Evidently “Jimmy” had fully as much faith in his friend’s ability as he himself claimed, because he stood up with a bottle clasped tightly in his out-stretched hand and awaited the shot which was to decide the question.

It came. It also hit the bottle well in the middle and scattered it in a thousand pieces one of which hit and imbedded itself in the forehead of the hero, who was felled to the ground in an instant, and over whom the trembling marksman bent, thinking he was a murder (sic).

Perhaps it was his tears which brought the lifeless form back to this world for Jimmy opened his eyes to look into the most relieved and thankful face he had ever seen, and he was tenderly supported to his home where a doctor soon appeared and remedied all ills.

Tags: 1905, Pooler

The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 12, 1907

Merton Hook Dead

Victim of the Dynamite Explosion Dies at the City Hospital This Morning.

Merton Hook, the son of Albert H. Hook of Cedar Rapids, who was severely injuried (sic) last Friday by the explosion of three sticks of dynamite on the Newton & Northwestern right-of-way southeast of the city, succumbed to death this morning at 3:30 o’clock at the hospital. Since the accident he has remained in a state of semi-unconsciousness, a piece of steel the size of a silver dollar having been removed from the base of his brain, hurled there by the terrific explosion.

No funeral arrangements have been made as yet, but there is little doubt but that the body will be taken to Cedar Rapids for the funeral and interment.

Tags: 1907, Hook

The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 12, 1907

Quiet School Election

Only 48 Votes Cast Yesterday and E.H. Williams Was of Course Elected

It wasn’t much of a task for the judges and clerks of yesterday’s school election to make the count when the polls closed last evening. Only forty-eight votes were cast, twenty-three at the Salvation Army Barracks, polling place for the 2nd and 3rd wards and twenty-five at Strobel’s shoe shop, polling place for the 1st and 4th wards.

E.H. Williams the only director to be elected was consequently chosen almost unanimously to succeed himself. The votes, with the exception of a few jokers, were all straight.

Tags: 1907, Williams

The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 11, 1904

Should Not Lose Opportunities

Commissioner Harmon of the Commercial Club, on Manufacturing Institutions

Many Are Moving West

City Shows an Unprogressive Spirit in Not Securing Locations

‘Western towns never had a better plum plucking opportunity than the present,” said Commissioner Harmon of the Commercial Club today. “Factories and labor employing institutions all thru the east, harassed by the numerous labor troubles prevailing there, are driven to seek new locations. Many western cities are reaping large benefits from this condition of affairs and are landing factories galore. Fort Dodge has had scores of opportunities to get good things in this line, but she is too slow in closing her deals. While Fort Dodge is dickering for better terms, some other town, willing to pay the bonus asked, steps in and takes the prize. We have lost a number of splendid things in just this way.

“Fort Dodge, with her numerous natural advantages, shipping facilities, etc., works on the principal (sic) that she ought not be required to give any bonus; that her superior advantages should suffice without any cash inducement. it always proves, however, that it is the town that is willing to pay, which lands the institution every time. Fort Dodge should be forced to realize the situation. It should get out and cinch these deals before they are all snapped up by other towns willing to pay the price.

“Fort Dodge as a town is all right, but she is slack in this one matter. When I was in Chicago, the manager of a great bonding firm said: ‘Say, do you know Fort Dodge is the best town on the map of Iowa. Her wealth of gypsum, when fully developed alone is enough to make her the best town in the sate.’ I think the gentleman was right, but a town can’t rely altogether on natural resources. It must get out and hustle for things and be willing to spend a little money or be left behind. I know of one instance where a city no larger than Fort Dodge received a proposition and raised a bonus of $100,000 in forty-eight hours. Fort Dodge is just as wealthy as the place in mind, but such an amount could not possibly be raised here in even a much longer period of time.”

Tags: 1904, Harmon

The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 11, 1904

Burglars Enter Hardware Store

Entrance Forced to Sanders Hardware on Upper Central Avenue

Little of Value is Taken

Burglar Apparently Familiar With Store and Was Evidently a Boy

The burglar again gave evidence of his presence in the community when Thursday night he made a successful entry into the Sanders’ hardware store on Upper Central avenue, although so far as is known, he succeeded in getting away with little of value. The burglary was the third attempt of a similar nature made within the pst few weeks. Besides the hardware store, the saloon of George Benn at Sixth street and First avenue south has been molested twice, once successfully.

The discovery of the Sander’s (sic) robbery was made this morning when the store was opened for the day. Little disturbance was left to indicate the presence of an intruder, but his means of entrance was clearly apparent. He entered the building by cutting out one of the small windows in the back and then raising the sash. Between the front and rear of the store is a door which is kept locked at night. To pass thru the burglar cut a heart shaped hole int he panel thru which he evidently inserted his hand and opened the lock on the other side. From the size of the hole it is believed that the burglar was either a boy or a man with an unusually small hand.

So far as know this morning, nothing had been taken, the only evidence that the place had been disturbed, being the roller top desk, which is usually left open, but which this morning was found to be closed. A knife and a cigar holder, which the burglar had left behind him, were found and are the only clues to his identity.

The police as yet have been unable to apprehend the persons who robbed the cash drawer at the Benn saloon two weeks ago. A second attempt was made to enter the saloon a few nights ago. Two men were discovered by a policeman while they were working in the rear of the building. They took to their heels and were pursued by the officer, who shot twice and hit one of the men. Both, however, succeeded in making their escape.

Tags: 1904, Benn, Sanders

The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 10, 1905

Fort Dodge as an Art Center

What is Being Accomplished by the Constant Efforts of Fort Dodge Artists

An Interesting Sketch Club

Anyone is Privileged to Join and Much Interest is Being Awakened Among Lovers of the Fascinating Art – Meets Thursday Afternoons

A sketching club has been organized which meets Thursday afternoons after school in Recital Hal (sic). The class has been sketching for several weeks and a great deal of interest is being awakened and about twelve gather every week to take advantage of this excellent opportunity to develop talent.

Different members of the club pose each time, or furnish some one who will and fifteen minute sketches are made. By timing the sketches, there is a certain amount of ambition aroused to see who can accomplish the most in the allotted time.

Among those who sketch are Miss Lizzie Newberry, one of Fort Dodge’s best known artists,; and Carl Hepler, who studied recently at the art Institute in Chicago. Mr. Hepler as well as Miss Newberry is able to suggest a great many points to the amateurs who sketch, and much good is being derived from the classes.

Anyone who wishes is privileged to join the class, and as there is no stated instruction, there is no charge to the ambitious beginner, although they can not but be helped by the regular practice, and association with those interested.

Another art class which is accomplishing much good in Fort Dodge is that instructed by Miss Florence Young at the Mosaic club, one evening a week for the benefit of those who cannot study at other times. This class has been sketching all winter and is accomplishing much.

Miss Young is also elevating Fort Dodge art by teaching china painting and Miss Edna Richardson has a very large class in this line of work.

At Recital hall Miss Carrie Newberry and Miss Lizzie Newberry also have a very interesting class in china painting, and the hall itself is an artistic place to visit, with its many pretty pictures on the walls and the quantities of beautiful china which helps to adorn this attractively arranged hall.

The smell of the plants and oils is very attractive to one who has the craving for art, and this  Bohemian den is worthy of many visits from Fort Dodge people who are interested.

With these professional instructors quietly and constantly at work and the instruction which is developing the school children together with the many able artists who work in their homes, the artistic developments of Fort Dodge should surely not suffer.

Tags: 1905, Hepler, Newberry, Richardson, Young

The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 9, 1903

Unions Boycott Lehigh Stores

Deadlock is On as Result of Establishment of Cash System by Lehigh Merchants

Buy All Goods Elsewhere

Unions are Purchasing Goods by Carload. May Establish Co-Operative Store

A deadlock is on at Lehigh between the merchants and the laborers and the outlook is a very serious one for the store keepers of the city.

The trouble all arose over the establishment of the cash system on February 15. The merchants of Lehigh held a meeting some weeks ago and decided to adopt the cash system, putting themselves under bonds to stick to the cash basis.

The miners, brick makers, and other laborers took exceptions to this move and immediately made arrangements for trading elsewhere, going to Dayton, Burnside, Homer and Fort Dodge for all their goods, while the business men and clerks of the town were left with nothing whatever to do.

the labor unions of the city got together immediately after February 15, and ordered a car of flour, while each individual family sent to Chicago m ail order houses, cutting out entirely the home trade. The laborer unions have even invited the farmers tributary to Lehigh to join with them and take advantage of the wholesale prices they get in their car load lots of flour, potatoes, feed, etc., and many of them have done so, thus still farther hurting the trade of the merchants. The business men still hold to their agreement, but all or nearly all of them are willing to sell out. N.H. Tyson, who has always been a leader in a business way in Lehigh, has sold his general store and will move to Fort Dodge, according to report.

It is understood that as soon as a building can be obtained, the labor unions will start a co-operative store, and claim that they will effectually put a stop to other business enterprises in the town.

Lehigh has always been a credit town since its establishment, and the sudden adoption of the cash system came as a shock that upset the business tranquility of the town and brought on the crisis which now threatens. It has been the custom for the merchants to carry the people from the fifteenth of one month to the next. It is understood, also, that the state organization of the united Miner Workers of American have $750,000, a part of which they will invest in establishing a wholesale house at Des Moines for the distribution of supplies to the members of the labor unions at actual cost. The outcome of the present difficulty at Lehigh will be awaited with much interest, as the situation is considered a serious one. More orders are bening (sic) sent out for car load lots of flour, feed, potatoes, etc., every day or two, and neither side will give an inch.

There was an unusually large crowd of Lehigh people came to Fort Dodge on Saturday to trade as a result of the business situation there. The Great Western morning train brought about one hundred and fifty passengers.

Tags: 1903, Tyson

The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 8, 1907

Webster County Pioneer Dead

M.V. Alger Succumbs to Death in a Very Unexpected Manner

Resulted From a Carbuncle

Suffered Only Two Weeks With It When Death Came Last Night at 12;30 O’clock – Funeral Will Occur Sunday Afternoon From the Home.

M.V. Alger one of the older and better known of pioneer settlers of the state and county died at his home on the Northeast outskirts of the city last night at 12:30 o’clock, death resulting, in a most unexpected manner, from a carbuncle on the back of the neck, with which he had suffered two weeks. Death came in the presence of his family, and before the attending physician could be summoned. It is believed that in some inexplicable way the brain was penetrated, which caused death. The funeral will occur from the family residence on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock, interment to be made in Oakland cemetery.

Martin Van Buren Alger was 63 years of age, having been born in Lewis county, New York state in the year of 1840. Much of his early life was spent in New York. He came to Iowa and settled in Humboldt county in 1865. In December 1871 he was married to his wife Miss Johanna McLean in Fort Dodge, though his residence in Webster County was not permanent until 1873 when he removed to Fort Dodge.

He was a veteran of the Civil War,  having been a ship carpenter and enlisted in the government transport department,  having seen active service during that time.

Tags: 1907, Alger, McLean

The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 8, 1907

Put Dynamite in Oven of Cook Stove

It Exploded and Three Men are Injured – One Will Probably Die.

Occurred at a Grading Camp

Camp Was Located Four Miles South of City – The Injured Men, Albert L. Hook, Merton Hook and Floyd Wicher Are in City Hospital.

(Editor’s note: There is somewhat graphic description of one person’s injury in the section with the subheading Injured by Flying Pieces.)

As the result of putting three sticks of forty per cent dynamite into the oven of a cook stove to thaw out, this morning, and then forgetting them, two men and a boy, all three employed on the Newton & Northwestern right of way southeast of the city, lie badly injured at the city hospital.  They are Albert L. Hook and son Merton and son-in-law, Floyd Wicher.

The accident occurred this morning about 8:00 o’clock. The cook had been up some time and had breakfast prepared when a member of the party placed the three sticks of dynamite in the oven to thaw out. Shortly after, when seated about the breakfast table, the dynamite exploded, all knowledge of hit having passed from the minds of the occupants of the tent.

Great Destruction.

As the explosion occurred the stove was blown to atoms. Small pieces flew in all directions. The tent had practically vanished for nothing but a few small pieces of it remain near the spot where it once stood. The table, dishes, beds and other furniture of the abode were demolished by the concussion, fire starting in several places from small pieces of bedding scattered about.

Injured by Flying Pieces.

There were seven people in the tent when the explosion occurred. The cook had been standing over the stove, but, just prior to it, had walked out of doors on some errand. As the concussion came a small piece of the iron of the stove struck Merton Hook on the back of the head, laying it open until some of the brains oozed out. Other pieces struck his father, causing several fractures about the lower limbs and Wicher, whose right leg was broken in two places, one below and one above the ankle.

For a time the other members of the party were thrown into a stupor from the noise and shock. As they regained control of their minds, they began to care for the injured. A farmer, attracted by the explosion, which was heard several miles away, telephoned to Kalo, summoning Dr. C.J. Musser.

Doctors on Scene.

Dr. Musser arrived on the spot about half an hour after the accident, and later Dr. Bowen, of this city, who also had been called for. Together they performed an operation upon the head of the boy, removing a piece of metal larger than a silver dollar from the gash it had torn in the skull of the youth.

Following this the remaining victims were attended, and everything to make and keep them easy and as free from suffering as possible, was done.

Brought Here in Ambulance.

An ambulance was then sent for, and it left the city shortly before noone (sic), returning from the scene of the accident, with the victims, at about 2:30 o’clock.

Further operations were performed on the arrival at the city hospital, and up to a late hour this afternoon the young boy was still alive though in a very precarious condition.

The party was at work changing the channel of a small creek from the right of way of the Newton & Northwestern. Considerable dynamite was used int he work, and keeping it as they had to in a tent, it became damp and froze during the night.

A.L. Hook, who of the three is the least injured, hails from Cedar Rapids and was sub-contracting under Murray Brothers of Cedar Rapids who have the contract for the right of way. In the party there were the two sons a son-in-law and a daughter.

Tags: 1907, Bowen, Hook, Musser, Wicher