The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 19, 1906

Accident at the Circus Grounds

Seats Fall Upon Miss Ruth Peterson Prior to the Evening Performance.

Bad Accident Barely Averted

Caught in a Rush For the More Popular Places The Young Lady Was Thrown to the Ground The Seats Falling Upon Her.

During the performance of the Sells-Floto circus at Oleson park last evening an accident that might have resulted seriously for many people occurred. It was only averted by the presence of mind of those in the vicinity, all escaping but the one young lady, who, besides a badly sprained ankle, is suffering from many bruises as a result of the accident.

She is Ruth Peterson, the sixteen-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Peterson, residing at 1727 Fourteenth avenue south. It was during the early part of the evening, before the large crowds has assembled. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson and daughter were seeking seats in the west end of the tent near the entrance from the menagerie. As they started up the tier of seats, a general rush was made for the better places, and in the hurry about them a portion of the seats were thrown to the ground, one of the supports thus weakened, slipping out of place.

In the excitement and confusion several people were thrown down from their seats, but all escaping except Miss Peterson, whose right foot was caught beneath the fallen seats and twisted in such a manner as to temporarily dislocate the bones. She was badly bruised by the fall, and for a time suffered much pain.

At the time of the accident the crowd in the tents was small, but yet large enough to cause a general rush to apparently safer quarters. That section of the seats was immediately rearranged and strengthened.

The employes (sic) of the circus came to the assistance of Miss Peterson at once, and after caring for her as best they could, arranged a property chair taken from one of the dessing (sic – should be dressing) tents in a place of advantage, where in spite of the pain suffered, she remained, seeing the circus to the finish.

Before leaving the circus grounds, however, Miss Peterson’s ankle had become twice its normal size, and she was taken to the city, where a surgeon’s aid was secured to care for the dislocation.

The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 17, 1906

Weddings Wednesday

Widick-Brown, Scharfenburg-Powell, Proeschold-Scharfenburg Nuptials, Sister and Brother Participate.

At the home of the bride’s parents Mr. and Mrs. Henry Widick, occurred the wedding of Miss Anna Widick and Mr. Lloyd Brown Wednesday at high noon. About forty guests were present among whom were relatives from several surrounding towns. About forty guests were present among whom were relatives from several surrounding towns. Immediately after the ceremony, which was performed by Rev. Phil Baird, a wedding was served. This afternoon a reception was held at the home of the groom’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. D.H. Brown, of Prospect Hill. The young people will not take a wedding trip, but will go to housekeeping on Prospect Hill. Both participants are well known in the city where they have resided several years.

Double Wedding.

On Wednesday evening at the home which Mr. Henry Scharfenberg has prepared for his bride, a double wedding was performed which joined together as husband and wife, both Miss Bertha Scharfenberg and Mr. Daniel Powell and Miss Clara Proeschold and Mr. Henry Scharfenberg. The services were conducted by Reverend Zuerrer of the German Lutheran church. All four of the young people are to be congratulated.

The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 16, 1906

Observed in a Saloon

A Few Things Seen and Heard in a Hour in a Saloon.

A Messenger reporter stood for half an hour by the clock in a Fort Dodge saloon the other afternoon. The following are a few things observed:

A man came up with a big jar, got it filled for 15 cents and stepped out.

A ragged looking fellow, evidently a hobo, threw down a half dollar, said “Keep it all and set out booze as long as it lasts.”

A Salvation Army girl walked in and in less than two minutes sold a half dozen copies of the War Cry.

Twenty-two sales, by actual count, were run up by the bar tender.

Two boys sold a half dozen empty bottles for 10 cents.

A few farmers were seen, a few business men and men about town, others were regular saloon hangers-on.

During all this time a sordid looking individual stood with hands in pockets looking out the front window with a  vacant stare, evidently a loafer “broke.”

(Editor’s note: This is certainly an interesting method of news-gathering, but one which, I’m afraid, wouldn’t be allowed today.)

The Webster County Gazette: May 14, 1880

Personals

Frank Quinby was in town Tuesday.

Mrs. Duncombe went to Ottumwa, Tuesday.

Warwick Price, of Cleveland, is in the city.

M.D. O’Connell is in Des Moines this week.

D.W. Halstead has been out west all week.

Mrs. Steele, of Omaha, is in town this week.

G.B. Reynolds went to Des Moines Monday.

Mrs. Manly Brown, of Dakota, is in town this week.

James Black has returned from his Colorado trip.

Mrs. Getchell went down to Cedar Falls Wednesday.

Dr. Reed, of Manson, was in the city over Sunday.

Miss Grace Wood left Tuesday for Geneva, Illinois.

Sanders, formerly of the Fort Dodge House is in town.

E.M. Dunning goes east Sunday night to buy buggy horses.

J.H. Deming is in the city. Arrived Wednesday. His wife remains east.

Miss Cornele Sherman has gone to Chicago to obtain treatment for her eyes.

Rev. Coyle went to Cherokee, Thursday to assist in the services of ordination.

Miss May Brown and Mrs. C.F. Demuth are visiting O.M. Hazard and family at Newell.

J.M. Boyer, ensign U.S.N., accompanied by his wife will reach Fort Dodge Saturday, on a visit to their relatives here.

T.H. Wright discovers that the Sioux City end of his division needs a great deal of attention of late. There is calico on the track. (Editor’s note: I’m guessing they are implying that he is seeing a woman in Sioux City. Anyone else have an explanation?)

Mrs. David Davis and Miss Nettie left Wednesday morning for Boston. They spend the summer in the east, most of it at Martha’s Vineyard.

George Smith is bossing his train on the Des Moines road after a week’s visit in Keokuk. George is the fellow who has run on his line 13 years and never rode a mile on any other road in the state.

J.M. Berry surprised everybody by walking in Tuesday afternoon, just a day or so behind a letter that promised his return about the 1st of June. Mr. Berry is looking very hearty, and feeling strong.

Mr. D.M. Diggs, general agent of the C.R.I. & P. refrigerator line, was in the city on Saturday, in the interest of that company, the cars of which are running in connection with the D.M. & Ft. D.R.R. to this city.

Rev. R.F. Coyle pastor of the Presbyterian church at Fort Dodge, preached Sabbath morning and evening at Joyce’s hall. He is an admirable speaker, earnest, enthusiastic and eloquent. His language is forcible, and he states his propositions uncompromisingly. One cannot fail to see that he believes thoroughly what he says, and his sermons have that force which only intense individual conviction of truth can give. Mr. Coyle appears to be still a young man and has a brilliant career before him. -Carroll Herald.

The Webster County Gazette: May 14, 1880

Strawberry Festival

The Presbyterian ladies brought the first strawberries to town, and served them in the name and in behalf of the new temple. The attendance was good, the strawberries were delicious and the musical part of the entertainment was not less so. But the dishes were too large and the berries cost too much to make the speculation a very profitable one.  The berries cost the ladies 38 cents per quart. The receipts were about $80 and the net proceeds will be $20 or $25. The music was very enjoyable and the programme reads as follows:

The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 12, 1905

An Elderly Lady Dies Suddenly

Coroner McCreight Called to Gowrie This Morning to Look The Affair Up.

Death Was Due to Old Age

Neighbors Not Seeing Her About the Place Became Anxious and Broke The Door Open, and Found Her Dead In Her Bed.

Coroner McCreight of this city was called to Gowrie this morning to look up the death of Mrs. Johanna C. Danielson. He left here this noon but on arrival at Gowrie discovered that death seemed to be due to natural causes and so did not hold an inquest.

Mrs. Danielson is an elderly lady and has been living alone for some time. Her health has been poor for some time and death was not unexpected, although her health had not been poorer in the last few days than previously.

Thursday she was seen out riding by her friends. This morning however she was not seen by any of them and no signs of life were seen about the place and at last they decided to break the door down.

On entering they found her in her bed dead. There were no signs of a violent death and nothing was disarranged about the room. This lead to the belief that she had died from natural causes and that her death had been a peaceful one.

She could not have suffered much and had evidently passed away while sleeping. She leaves several children, one of whom is a resident of Gowrie, while others reside in Minnesota. She has also relatives in Fort Dodge.

Further particulars could not be learned, and nothing about the funeral arrangements is known here.

The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 11, 1905

Badger

Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Houge were pleasantly surprised by a number of friends last Thursday afternoon in honor of the fifteenth anniversary of their wedding day.

Miss Susan Evanson came home from Highland Park for a few days vacation.

Word reaches us of the marriage of Carl Houge at Edgeley, N. Dakota, to a young lady of that place. The community extends congratulations.

Ellen Chantland entertained the Y.L. Aid Society last Saturday.

Mr. and Mrs. N.O. Nelson of Humboldt came down to attend the surprise on Mr. and Mrs. C.J. Houge.

Mrs. Myrtle and children left for their new home in Minn., last Saturday night. We wish them success in their new home.

Mrs. Oscar Olson is enjoying a visit from her friend Georgina Lund of Thor.

There will be a dance at Badger hall on May 17.

Henry Erickson now sports a brand new buggy.

Thor and Badger crossed bats last Sunday. It resulted that they had to have it abandoned on account of the rain.

Mrs. Myhre and children left for their future home in Nyfolden, Minnesota last week.

Mary Kelley resumed her duties again after a few days the forepart of last week, to attend the wedding of her sister Anna Kelley to Mike Flattery. Anna Kelley has been one of our most efficient teachers in this district, so we wish her success in her matrimonial venture.

(Editor’s note: Mrs. Myrtle and Mrs. Myhre are no doubt the same person, but I’m not sure which spelling is correct. It’s not the first time I have seen a news item repeated in this fashion.)

The Webster County Gazette: May 10, 1878

Bible Society

We would call the attention of all friends of the bible in this county, that the Rev. A. Pilbeam has been employed by the Webster County Bible Society to canvas the county for the purpose of distributing the bible and for soliciting subscriptions in aid of this society. We ask for Mr. Pilbeam a kind recption (sic) and a hearty response to his solicitations. No collections will be taken in the Churches this year for the cause, the society having adopted this plan in place of the annual church collections. Each donator will please give the name of the church he wishes his contribution credited.

Wolsey Welles, President.
Theo. Hawley, Vice President.
E.H. Rich, Secretary.

The Webster County Gazette: May 10, 1878

Married.

Farrell-Smith – At the residence of M.D. O’Connell, Saturday evening May 4th, 1878, Rev. Wm. C. Mills officiating, Frank Farrell, and Ida M. Smith, both of this city. No cards.