The Fort Dodge Daily Chronicle: Jan. 13, 1915

Thomas Haire Dies at Dubuque Hospital

Former Fort Dodge Business Man No More – Funeral in This City Tomorrow

Thomas Haire, a well known resident of Fort Dodge, died last night in a hospital in Dubuque, where he has been ill for several months. Mr. Haire began to fail in health about two years ago and since that time has steadily been growing weaker until his death occurred yesterday.

He was born in Fort Dodge fifty-two years ago and is the son of a prominent and well known family. He was connected with the Haire clothing company for many years and afterwards with the Haire Drug company. Of late years he was engaged in the insurance business. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Haire, preceded him in death. The brother and sisters living are M.J., John, Will, J.F. and Edward P. Haire, Miss Anna and Miss Josephine Haire and Mrs. J.W. Kinney.

The funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 9:30 o’clock from the Corpus Christi church. Father Saunders will have charge of the services.

The Fort Dodge Messenger: Jan. 10, 1903

They Won in the Box Contest

Misses Hannah Hanson and Jennie Pollock Receive Highest Number of Ballots

Voting Was Lively Today

Miss Hanson Received 212 Votes and Miss Pollock 93. Other Teachers in the Race

Miss Hannah Hanson and Miss Jennie Pollock are the winners in the Messenger box contest for the performance of Charles B. Hanford, in “Much Ado About Nothing,” at the Midland on next Monday evening. Having received the highest number of votes in the contest for the post popular school teacher of Fort Dodge they are each entitled to a box for this performance and have the privilege of inviting five friends to occupy it with them.

The voting was fast and furious this morning. Miss Hanson’s friends rallied to her support, and when the time came to count the ballots at noon, she was found to have 212 of the little paper slips to her credit. Miss Jennie Pollock who was the favorite on Friday, did not do so well today, but came next with 93 votes.

Miss Ella Fin had many friends who exerted themselves in her behalf and she received 74 votes.

The full list of teachers for whom coupons were cast is as follows:

The Fort Dodge Messenger: Dec. 20, 1906

Fort Dodge’s Live Ones: Welch Brothers

Welch Brothers, “Sam and Ed,” are not very old yet, but in proportion to their years they have been the shoe business a long time and have learned about all the points there are to be discovered about the trade.

Sam Welch went to work for C.M. Rudesill as a boy twenty years ago, spending his time out of school hours at the shoe store. He was with Mr. Rudesill about twelve years; then went to Minneapolis, and was with A. Knoblauch for six years. Returning to Fort Dodge he had charge of the shoe departmetn of the Boston store for a short time and then was with the Richardson shoe company of Menominee, Michigan, for one and one-half years as traveling salesman.

Ed Welch has been in the shoe business twelve years – four years with C.F. Wennerstrom, four years with the Larson Dry Goods company and four years with the Green Wheeler shoe company on the road.

The Welch Brothers bought the shoe stock of Edward Rank last September and formed the partnership which promises to be a marked success. the extensive experience of the owners of this establishment gives them every advantage in buying goods and their wide acquaintance in Fort Dodge, this having always been their home, gives them the advantage in selling in large quantities.

They are pushing the “Welch Brothers Brand” of shoes, rather than the make of any particular factory, having faith in their ability to select the best quality of goods in their line – a product they are willing to vouch for with their name.

The Fort Dodge Messenger: Dec. 19, 1906

Letters to Santa

Dear Santa Claus,

I want a sled and a box of candy and some nuts, and a horn, and a drum, and a suit of clothes, a ball,a nd a bat, and a box of cndles (sic), and a Christmas tree, and a pair of leggings, and some storybooks, and a engine and a track, and some oranges and a sword and bring papa and mama something nice Good-bye Santa Claus,

Your friend,

Henry Coughlin

■ ■ ■

Kalo, Ia.
Dec 13th

Dear Old aSnta (sic) Claus,

I take pleasure in writing you a few lines to let you know what I want for Xmas. Please send me a ring and skates and piano and doll cab. bye bye your Truly from Maggie miller,

Kalo, Ia.

■ ■ ■

Dear Santa Claus,

Will you bring me a pair of skates a doll a horn and some candy and nuts washing machine and a wash board and a rocing horse and that is all

Winnie Greenside.

■ ■ ■

Dear Santa Claus,

I want a doll cab and a doll a set of dishes and set of tables and chairs and a bag of candy and nuts

good by Santa Clause

Ruth Samuelson,
151 North 5 street

■ ■ ■

Fort Dodge, Ia.
Dec. 14, 1906

Dear Santa Claus,

Pleas bring me a doll a chair a story book a table a coal pail a box of writing paper and hanchief a bottle of ink. Yes and I want a set of gray furs and a sled and my brother glenn wants a horn a gun a drum. Well good by for this time, Dear Old Santa Claus from

Mabel Woodbury

(Editor’s note: There are more letters to be added later.)

The Fort Dodge Messenger: Dec. 15, 1906

Fort Dodge’s Live Ones: Harry Holm

Santa Claus is the original “live one” and perhaps a picture of him should appeal in a Christmas edition but Harry Holm makes a pretty good looking type for Santa Claus,a nd being a local man we prefer to illustrate him in this space. The county warrants that have been passed over the counter by the present auditor of Webster county have made the many recipients feel as grateful as though they were getting attention from Santa Claus. They recognize a relationship between the two personages.

The cartoonist has caught Mr. Holm with some of his favorite interests in plain sight. He is a railroad man by training and persued the occupation with success for many years. Under the former owners of the M & St. L. he was assistant superintendent of the entire railway. In those days if he wanted to put a locomotive under his arm and “heft” it he had the authority to do it.

Future historians will give Mr. Holm the credit that is due him for the securing of the Newton & Northwestern railroad in Fort Dodge at a time when the railroad situation was causing much anxiety to our people. Business men here had spent the hot days of nearly all one summer raising pledges of funds to bring the Crooked Creek railway here, only to find in the end th at their efforts were put forth in response to a hot air proposition. Just at that moment of chagrin and disappointment J.L. Blake, manager of the Newton & Northwestern, began inquiring of his old friend and former comrade in railroad work, Harry Holm, about the feasibility of extending their road to Fort Dodge. The boosting that Mr. Holm did for the new extension was of the thoroughbred variety and it was but a few weeks until the deal had been closed. We hope the Interstate Commerce Commission will unanimously vote Mr. Holm a perpetual pass on the Fort Dodge Des Moines & Southern Railway for his good work.

The subject of Masonry is very near to the fraternal heart of Mr. Holm and he is up on all its higher branches. But for real, absorbing interest during the summer season base ball has all the other interests “lashed to the mast.” Fandom has no greater crank than he, and if by fate it is decided that Riverside Park shall not resound to the rooting of the crowds next summer a silent spectre will haunt the hallowed spot where Boyle’s troops have twice nobly fought for the pennant and landed so high they could peek over at the prize. That ghost-like slender form will belong to County Auditor Holm.

The Fort Dodge Messenger: Dec. 12, 1906

Fort Dodge’s Live Ones: A.D. McQuilkin

As the owner of “The Big Store with little prices,” A.D. McQuilkin is most familiarly known, but there are other names that might serve to designate him. One is the word “Hustler.” Another is  his title of President of the Iowa Retail Furniture Dealers’ Association, which place he has filled with credit since a year ago last June. No one deserves a place among Fort Dodge’s live ones better than Mr. McQuilkin. Where questions of the city’s progress are brought up he is always found in the front rank and willing to carry the banner.

Of course, if the city’s wagon were the real thing, not figurative, Mr. McQuilkin’s shoulder at the wheel would not cause it to fly, for he doesn’t measure up well with the ringside stalwarts. But when it comes to a matter of push, as those who understand know the word, he is right on the firing line with the fellows who are making the wheels of Fort Dodge progress hum. And in this line his efforts are such that when the bunch gets out to boost his place is always reserved for him.

Not satisfied with seeing Fort Dodge grow away from him, Mr. McQuilkin has instead decided to do a little of the leading himself, and just to show what real enterprise is like  he now decides to build and start next door to his present big furniture store another one equally large which will give him the room that he needs to expand his business along progressive ideas. The two will be connected with an overhead passageway.

The friend suggested the other way that when the two stores were running Mr. McQuilkin might have some trouble in adapting his business byword, “The Big Store with little prices,” to the change, “for,” said the friend, “to have it read ‘The two big stores with the too little prices’ wouldn’t sound right” Mr. McQuilkin responded to the jest by saying it “guessed he would have to call it The bigger store with the littler prices.”

Fort Dodge Messenger & Chronicle: Dec. 11, 1920

Helen Johnson Wins Sewing Class Prize

Helen Johnson, 11 years of age, living at 731 South Seventeenth street, was awarded the beautiful $25 doll as the grand prize in the sewing class contest which the Boston Store has been conducting for several weeks. Although the dresses which they were working on today were not quite completed, the judges were forced to make their decision as today marked the last day of the sewing school.

Very few things have proved as popular among the little girls as this sewing class which they have been enjoying for several weeks. The attendance has averaged over 300 each Saturday and on several occasions has been close to 500. During the few Saturdays they have made a complete outfit for their dolls, bloomers, skirts, and a dress.

The prize was awarded for the best doll’s outfit in the whole class, basing the award on the merits of the sewing. The little girl winning the prize was placed up on front of the class and awarded the prize, the youngsters showing their sportsmanship by clapping loudly, when she received the prize.

The Fort Dodge Messenger: Dec. 10, 1906

Fort Dodge’s Live Ones: Mack Hurlbut

No more appropriate classification of Mack Hurlbut, who is shown in the above sketch, could be made than to place him among Fort Dodge’s live ones. Mack is a live wire at all times and stands with the men who make Fort Dodge a town that has to be handled with rubber gloves.

Every man has a few characteristics that make him different from his fellows; without them humankind would be as a flock of sheep, “black or white” would be our only distinguishing point. Mack, in the making, was given enough of these points and characteristics to make him a distinctly original and individual person. In short they are, first of all brains, pluck, aggressiveness, true business instinct, executive ability,  unlimited energy and an attractive personality.

The numerous years that Mack has spent in Fort Dodge, during the biggest and best jewelry stores which time he has build up one of the in Iowa, have demonstrated these points to every resident of the city. For the benefit of those who haven’t sized up, through mere observation we will go into detail a little.

One needs only to enter Mack’s store on Central Avenue to see the result of his brains. Its arrangement, perfect to detail, proclaim them on every hand. As to his pluck – it is a byword with all who know him. Ask the burglars who broke his window and rifled it last year, and whom he doggedly pursued with wily schemes and hounded with detectives, about his pluck. His aggressive spirit shows in every business move for continual push is, and always has been, his policy. For true business instinct and executive ability he have only to look back and recall a vision of a long-legged and thin, raw boned boy sitting on a stool learning to repair watches, then note his present condition, to see the exercise of these two abilities. Unlimited energy tells its tale in his own watchword “sleepless and restless.”

(Editor’s note: I type these as they are in the original. The sentence in italics in the third paragraph should read The numerous years that Mack has spent in Fort Dodge, during which time he has build up one of the the biggest and best jewelry stores in Iowa, have demonstrated these points to every resident of the city.)

The Fort Dodge Messenger: Dec. 9, 1903

Blanden Scores a Success as Hamlet

Fort Dodge Man is Praised for Work Before the Footlights.

He Plays the Title Role

Lon Blanden, Son of Colonel L. Blanden, and a Native of This City.

Every little while, a new Fort Dodge man comes out into the lime light of fame. The latest son of Fort Dodge to attain noticeable mention is Lon Blanden. Mr. Blanden is the nephew of Col. L. Blanden, and the brother of the well known poet, Charles Blanden, who is also a son of Fort Dodge, though for years he has been a successful business man of Chicago.

Lon Blanden was a resident of Fort Dodge in his young manhood. He had a magnificent voice and was prominent in musical circles. His ability as an actor, both on the state and in real life, was often remarked by his friends and when he went on the stage some years ago it was felt that he would surely gain an enviable reputation. The hopes of his friends have been longer delayed than was expected, but the opportune time has come for Mr. Blanden to leave light comedy and melodrama and take upon himself some more notable parts. He is especially suited in his face, manner and gifts for tragedy, and the announcement that he is starring in Hamlet is not a surprise to his acquaintances here. The following is from the Providence Journal:

“It was a distinctly creditable presentation in which the feature was the strong and powerful playing of Mr. Lon Blanden, as the Prince of Denmakr. Mr. Blanden is a player of the legitimate school who follows in his characterization of the great Dane, the advice of Hamlet to the players and who gave a scholarly and remarkably able exposition of this great character study. His playing would attract attention in a more pretentious production; coming as it does in a week’s work of a summer stock company, playing at popular prices, it is the more unusual. His enunciation was clear and usually distinct; he gave the soliloquies with dramatic force and his whole conception of the role was apparent as the result of years of study of the most interesting of Shakespeare’s characters. It was a worthy effort, that stands out from the work of the other members of the company, although his support was uniformly good and in several respects especially so.” – The Providence Journal