The Fort Dodge Messenger: Aug. 22, 1905
Gets a Wife Through an “Ad”
Iowa Man Chooses a Unique Method of Securing a Helpmeet
Webster City, Ia. Aug. 22 — Bert Owen, a young machinist from Valley Junction, has been in Webster City for several days in search of a wife. He advertised in the want ad column of one of the state papers for a helpmeet and a Hamilton county girl answered the advertisement. Owen returned home this morning in a very happy frame of mind and announced to close friends here that the wedding would take place during the week of the state fair.
Just who the fair damsel is is still something of a secret. Owen announced that her home is in Stanhope, but that she is visiting relatives in Webster City, and that she answered his advertisement form this city. Owen refused to disclose her name, but talked freely of his brief but successful romance.
He came to the city several days ago registered at the Wilson hotel and sought out the lady who had answered the advertisement. “She had sent me her photo,” said he at the depot this morning, “and I liked her looks. But say, she’s a whole lot better looking than the picture and I’m just sure we will like each other.”
Owen is quite talkative. Upon his arrival here he visited several stores in the city and sought information from the clerks as to the woman who had answer (sic) his advertisement. He was not at all backward and confided to all that she had answered his matrimonial advertisement and that he had come to the city to look her up. Since she is from Stanhope, south of the city, not many knew her. Owen, however, was not disheartened by this and apparently the investigations he carried on were satisfactory to him for the brief acquaintance of only a few days will culminate at the marriage altar.
The Fort Dodge Messenger: Aug. 2, 1904
Youths of City Turn Aeronauts
Balloon Ascension Every Evening in the Eastern Part of the City
Herman Price Makes Balloon
The Corner of Third Avenue North and Eighteenth Street is the Scene of the Ascension, Which akes (sic) Place Every Evening
The carnival balloon ascensions have made as great an impression on the small boy as does every while west show and attractions of like nature. After every wild west show has been here the small boy turns into a western cowboy or Indian for a month and the favorite play grounds of the youth are turned into a scene of massacre with the cowboy to the rescue. Bows and arrows are made as are also lassoes of every description and until the novelty wears off, the mothers have a hard time to kep (sic) the faces of the youths free from war paint. The same applies every time a circus gives a performance when every youth turns trapeze performer or a contortionist of some kind But to have the youths turn aeronauts is a new experience to the mothers of this city. After previous balloon ascensions small parachutes were in great demand but twelve-year-old Herman Price is the first to have daily balloon ascensions.
Although there is no one who goes up with the balloon or no parachute drop made, other particulars of a balloon ascension are carried out to the smallest detail. First the balloon which is about six feet in height is placed over a hole and this hole is connected with a larger one in which a fire is made. The fire is then started and after the balloon is well filled with smoke, quantities of kerosene or gasoline are thrown on the fire to make it gas and as the boys, if they are lucky in begging a large quantity from their mothers, throw it on unstintingly, the balloon is soon filled.
After Herman decided that the balloon is filled sufficiently, the order to cast off is given and the balloon starts on its journey. The balloon as a rule is sent up several hundred feet and sometimes when the boys in the neighborhood have been successful in getting a large quantity of oil or gasoline the balloon is sent to a height where it is scarcely visible. When the balloon is up a great distance it can be scarcely distinguished from a large balloon especially if it is at dusk when the boys generally send it up.
The balloon is made of a glazed paper which holds the gas and smoke very well. A canvas balloon of this size is too heavy as Herman has found out and so this glazed paper was used in place of it and a very good substitute it has proved. The paper holds the gas and smoke for several minutes which is amply sufficient to send the balloon to a great height and its descent is very slow.
The boys of the east end of town all consider that they own an interest in the balloon as they are generally tghe ones to furnish and gasoline. However, Herman Price, or as he is better known to the boys of this part of town, “High Price,” is the sole owner and inventor of this balloon. He has made several balloons, but all manage to get destroyed before many weeks old as the paper can be easily torn and a little leak in a balloon of this size is disastrous. So one after another has he made until now he is an expert in the business. The balloons have gradually increased in size and his friends predict he will make one soon large enough to sen dup some animal aeronaut.
The Fort Dodge Messenger: Dec. 2, 1903
Wants Dealers to Pay $9,000
Mrs. S.E. Smith Files Suits Against Three Firms Selling Intoxicants
Alleges Sold Husband Drink
Report That Defendants are Only Men Who Wouldn’t Make Settlement
Suits for damages aggregating $9,000 (about $221.796 today) have been brought by Mrs. S.E. Smith against three Fort Dodge dealers in intoxicating liquors on the grounds that they sold intoxicating liquors to her husband, S.E. Smith, and thereby lost to her the support which she would have received from him had he not been furnished with opportunity to become intoxicated. The defendants int he suits are Jacob Schmoll, Kiley & McCaffrey and C.S. Corey. Of each individual dealer plaintiff asks $1,500 ($36,966) actual and $1,500 exemplary damages, or a total of $3,000 ($73,932). Petitions for plaintiff have been filed by W.T. Chantland in the office of the county clerk.
The wording of each petition is similar. It is alleged that the defendants for the past year have been selling intoxicating liquors to S.E. Smith, plaintiff’s husband, who is addicted to drink. It is claimed that Smith is a stone mason and when able to work makes from $2.50 to $4.50 ($62 to $111) per day, which however, he does not earn when under the influence of liquor.
It is hinted that the trial of the suits on file will prove unusually interesting. Smith, it is claimed, did not confine his liquor purchases to any particular dispensers of intoxicants and other liquor dealers may be implicated. There is a further report that defendants in the three suits on file are the only persons who refused to make a “settlement” with plaintiff and that others were accused of selling Smith liquor, but that they made a settlement and no action was taken against them.
The Fort Dodge Messenger: July 7, 1906
Ellson Funeral to be Held Monday
Services at Home of Deceased’s Daughter Mrs. H.A. Jahn in the City
Interment Made at Pomeroy
The Eighteen Month’s Old Child of Mr. and Mrs. John White of Kalo Dies – The Funeral Will be Held Some Time Sunday.
The funeral of the late Peter Ellson whose death occurred Friday afternoon at 1:10 o’clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. H.A. Jahn, will be held from the Jahn residence on 1418 1st avenue north, Monday morning at 10:00 o’clock. The body will then be taken to Pomeroy on the noon train where a brief funeral service will be held in the Swedish church of Pomeroy, interment to be made in the Swedish cemetery.
The deceased has resided in the city for some time making his home with his daughter, Mrs. H.A. Jahn, having resided in Pomeroy previously. His death wsa not wholly unexpected as he has been in poor health for some time. Death was due to complications and old age.
The eighteen months’ old child of Mr. and Mrs. White residing at Kalo died this morning after a brief illness from a complication of measles and pneumonia. The funeral will be held Sunday.
The Fort Dodge Messenger: June 5, 1905
Little Baby Passes Away
One of the little six months old twins of Mr. and Mrs. Otto Koke passed away Sunday morning. The funeral of the little child will be held from the house Tuesday afternoon and interment will be in Oakland cemetery. The little child was sick for some time.
The many friends of the parents sympathize deeply with them in their loss.
The Fort Dodge Messenger: June 5, 1905
An Early Settler Passes Away
Mrs. Jane Crosby, One of the Earliest of Fort Dodge Settlers Dies
Over Eighty Years of Age
Mrs. Crosby Leaves Three Children to Mourn Her Loss – Funeral was Held From the Family Home on Second Avenue South This Afternoon
Mrs. Jane J. Crosby, widow of Seth S. Crosby, one of the earliest Fort Dodge settlers passed away at her home on Second Avenue South between Seventh and Eighth streets on Sunday morning at about 10:00. Mrs. Crosby had been ill for some time and her death was not unexpected. It was due to old age and heart failure, she being over eighty years of age.
Mrs. Crosby is well known in this city especially among the early settlers for she has resided here constantly for over two score years. Her husband has been dead several years, but she leaves two sons and a daughter to mourn her loss.
One son, Charles Crosby, was formerly a member of the firm of Crosby & Bechtel who operated the Model restaurant. Another son is D.M. Crosby of Boston, who was called here some time ago by the serious illness of his mother and had been with her constantly. A daughter from Chicago is also here to attend the funeral.
The funeral was held from the house this afternoon at 2:00 and interment was at Oakland cemetery. Rev. Fort of the Methodist church preached the funeral sermon.
Things are a little hectic in the editor’s household lately. The family will be moving soon, but we haven’t found a place yet. However, life goes on.
In lieu of the regular article today, I am posting some photos of my great-grandparents, who lived in Fort Dodge. They are Walter and Augusta Burrell. I can’t identify all of the other people in the photos, but it’s still a good look back at the town and the people who lived there.
Augusta died in 1949 and Walter died in 1954, so the photos are mostly 1940s.
The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 19, 1904
Webster City Educators’ Fight
Has Now Assumed a Serious Aspect – The Critical Condition of Mr. Ford
Principal Tells His Story
Which is in Every Way Against the Action of Co. Superintendent Gerber
Webster City, May 19 – Principal Ford of the high school, whose unfortunate encounter with County Superintendent Gerber in the office of the high school Monday evening has been a sensational topic of conversation, has made a statement regarding the encounter, which is corroborated by Mr. McNown, who was a witness to the alleged assault on the high school principal. His version of the affair is as follows:
Ralph Gerber was late to school and as he passed the superintendent, Mr. Ford, said that he was late. Young Gerber was half way up the stairs at that time and he came down again and asked him what he said. Mr. Ford repeated that he was late, whereupon the young man said- it was pretty small business , or words to that effect.The superintendent thereupon suspended Gerber for three days for impudence. The young man returned with his father and the elder Gerber immediately started quarreling in the superintendent’s office. Mr. Ford told him to leave his office but Gerber refused.
The city superintendent said that in that case he would himself leave and turned to go when Mr. Gerber struck him in the back of the neck. At this instant C.W. McNown entered the room. He had been engaged in the laboratory across the hall and both doors were open. He hurried across to the office. When he entered, Mr. Ford had been struck and was reeling around in a dazed manner.
Mr. McNown took hold of Mr. Gerber and turning him around, told him that he had better leave the office. Just then Mr. Ford reached for a statuette, concerning which there has been much talk, and tried to throw it at the county superintendent, but was too weak and sank down. At this time Mr. McNown was between the two men. Mr. Gerber did not touch the statuette. Mr. Ford did not reach for it until after he had been struck. Mr. Ford did not follow him into the h all. He was dazed and sank down in his own office.
Mr. Ford says that it is his intention to push the matter of the assault to the fullest extent.
It was hoped yesterday that Prof. Ford had passed the danger point, as he seemed to be much improved during the day and the last evening was able to converse with friends. However, during last night his fever arose to 103 with pulse at 136. Drs. Hall and Whitley were called at 3 o’clock this morning. There is slight change for the better this afternoon, the patient’s condition being considered as critical. A nurse was summoned from Fort Dodge this afternoon to assist in the case. Prof. Ford’s condition is cause for general regret and sorrow thruout the community, and everybody will sincerely hope that he may soon be on th (sic) road to recovery.
The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 15, 1906
Double Wedding
Miss Clara Proeschold and Mr. Henry Scharfenberg and Miss Berth Scharfenberg and Mr. D. Powell
A double wedding will take place on Wednesday of this week when Miss Bertha Scharfenberg and Mr. Daniel Powell and Mr. Henry Scharfenberg and Miss Clara Proeschold will be married. The young people have been very reticent about the affair and have given no clue as to the time of day or the place. It is thought that the wedding ceremoies (sic) will be performed at the home of the latter couple on Round Prairie.
Both young ladies are well known in Fort Dodge, where they have resided several years. The grooms are both very popular here. Mr. Powell, lately of Ohio, is a canvassing photographer. He and his bride will start on a trip immediately after the ceremony. Mr. Scharfenberg is employed at the Fort Dodge Planing mill, where he has a splendid position.
The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 13, 1904
She Saw The Best Part of It
Webster City Girl Starts Out to See the World
Sees Fort Dodge, But Must See the Balance of the World at a Later Date
Thursday afternoon, in response to a letter from the chief of police of Webster City, Chief Welsh succeeded in finding a young woman nineteen years old who was wanted in Webster City by her widowed mother residing in that place. The young girl, whose name is Bessie Rowe, left her home suddenly and unexpectedly Wednesday and thinking to see the world decided to begin her career of sight-seeing in this city, and came here thinking it would be the last place she would be sought owing to its nearness to her home.
A brief search only was made for her, and shortly before train time she was found at the Tremont House. She had a small sum of money on her person, and a debit for a larger one on the books of the hotel, which was satisisfactorily (sic) arranged for by Chief Welch, who succeeded in getting her release. Hurrying to the train, a ticket was purchased for Webster City, and the young woman’s tour of observation being cut short, she was sent unceremoniously home. The police of that place were notified by telephone so it is probable that Miss Rowe succeeded in reaching her home with safety.
