The Fort Dodge Messenger: July 5, 1904

The family of Mr. and Mrs. James Kincaid, of this city, was increased on Saturday night by the arrival of a bright baby girl.

Tom Joyce, who has been suffering from an attack of pneumonia, is now regarded as on the road to recovery. His physicians this morning benefited him and it is now thought that he will recover, being so strong and robust no fear is entertained of his not making good progress from now own.

Mr. and Mrs. Dan Pearsons were host and hostes (sic) to a jolly Fourth of July picnic party at their home just north of the city. It was more in the nature of an old-fashioned Fourth of July. The hospitality of the host and hostess made the day one long to be rememberes. The families there were those of D.K. Lincoln, J.P. Dolliver and Geo. R. Pearsons.

Invitations are out for the wedding of Harry Emmett Peterson, of this city to Miss Ella Lorena Hanson, of Lehigh. The event will take place on the 14th of this month at high noon, at the home of the bride’s pahents (sic), in Lehigh. The groom is well known throughout the city, being one of the partners in the newly formed coal firm of Collins & Peterson. The bride is one of Lehigh’s most popular young ladies and is also well known in this city.

(Editor’s note: I placed the two articles side by side in order to show the contrast in information. One article states the child is four, the other that she is two. One refers to Mrs. Smith by her husband’s name, the other by her own name. Mrs. Nelson is referred to as adoptive mother in one article and foster mother in the other – even though she clearly has adopted the girl, as evidenced by her bringing adoption papers to the police.)

The Fort Dodge Messenger: June 29, 1904

Public Recital of Music

Mrs. Smeltzer’s Pupils are Heard by Many Friends.

Recital Took Place at The Baptist Church and Caused Most Favorable Comments From All.

The pupils studying under the direction of Mrs. Smeltzer gave their final public recital last evening. The Baptist church is a delightful place for such an entertainment and the room was filled at an early hour not only by fond parents but outsiders interested in education, children and music.

The program, somewhat formidable in length moved off with great promptness and perfection, that the hour seemed very short.

One might be tempted to comment on this or that pupil, who by personal charm or skill left a particularly favorable impression. Such notice is however, not the object of such a program. It is rather to show the work of the school as a whole. The pupils are of all grades of natural ability, the proportion of genius and talent being no greater than is usual in such a number. The absolute accracy (sic) og (sic) their knowledge of their pieces, the beautiful quality of their tone and the musical phrasing and interpretations are therefore the highest tribute to the excellence of their training. The least showy pupil may record the greatest progress in mental and musical development.

It is pleasant to think how many homes are richer and brighter for this music and how many pupils are learning, almost unconsciously, the difficult lesson of self-control and self-expression.

(Editor’s note: This article is written in such a way to make me think that the pupils were less accomplished than enthusiastic, perhaps. There is no mention of any names of pupils or the works they performed. It makes me think that perhaps there were  few good performances and the writer was trying to live up to the saying, “if you can’t be kind, at least be vague.”)

The Fort Dodge Messenger: June 28, 1905

Want Young Boys Kept Off Streets

Prominent Citizens Advocate Plan to Cure Growing Evil.

Curfew Has Been Proposed

Claimed That Hundreds of Growing Boys and Girls are Going to Ruin in City – Citizens of the City Say That Practice is a Menace to City.

Recent consideration of the conditions that exist within the city of Fort Dodge on summer evenings, by a number of prominent men and women of the city has caused them to express a desire that some remedy be proposed to curtail the appearance of young boys and girls upon the streets and avenues of the city at all times of the night.

It is a well known fact that in Fort Dodge more than in any other city in the state young boys and girls are to be seen walking the streets or loafing in undesireable localities at most unseemly hours.

At anywhere from six in the evening until ten, crowds of boys aged from ten to fifteen or sixteen may be seen loafing in doorways or alleyways, congregated in pool and billiard halls, gathered before a slot machine dropping in their scanty earnings or in some most lamentable cases hanging about the entrances of saloons waiting for unscrupulous persons to carry out liquor to them.

Later on in the night and extending even into the small hours of the morning many of these same lads are to be found still inhabiting the down town places that still remain open. All night cafes and places of the kind are to be seen with their chairs, counters, etc., occupied with loafing youths who should be at home securing the hours of repose so necessary to the proper development of mind and body of the growing boy. Girls who should be at home under a mother’s care are to be seen walking the streets in crowds of three and four, openly giggling, laughing and otherwise acting in a manner which though decidedly improper is but the natural inclination of those of their age.

The fault of course rests with the parents, but it is a recognized, though deplorable fact, that the average parent cannot, or at any rate does not, control the action of the growing boy and girl in this respect. Left to themselves it is but natural that the fascination that the streets at night hold for them should be indulged in o (sic) the fullest extent. As the result, the sober minded thoughtful citizen does not need to be told that hundreds of boys and girls are growing up right within the city of Fort Dodge who will become grafters, deadbeats, ne-er-do-wells and disreputable women.

Several people well acquainted with the situation and realizing the need of action have stated that some action should in their opinion be taken by the officials of the city and that some means should be devised for protecting the growing men and women of the city from the demoralizing influence that evil habits and improper associations gathered from frequenting the city’s streets at night will surely have upon them.

Some have suggested an ordinance making it a misdemeanor for any boy or girl to be found on the street at night without being able to show an excellent excuse. Others advocate the ringing of a curfew at nine o’clock in the evening, whose sound would call every boy and girl of sixteen or younger to their homes.

The proper installation and enforcement of such a system would in their opinion do much to curtail the growing evil which at the present time menaces the future of the city. The system of course has its disadvantages. An extra policeman or two whose sole duties would be to gather in and send to their homes all violators of the rule would have to be appointed by the city. A bell with a sufficient volume of sound and carying (sic) power to make it heard all over the city would have to be purchased and set up  in a central location and many other arrangements necessary to the proper operation of the plan made. The need is imminent, however, and some plan should it seems be proposed and place (sic) in operation as soon as possible.

The Fort Dodge Messenger: June 27, 1905

Library Receives Many New Books

Books of History, Reference, Fiction and Travel Among Them.

They Are Much in Demand

Library Continually Increases in Patronage and is Constantly Visited by Streams of Booklovers – Popular Novel Appeals to All.

Just as unceasingly as books go out of the public library to be read in the homes of the city, are they coming in from the publishers to satisfy the constant craving for reading matter and especially for new books.

There is such an abundance of new books, that while not classics, are not of the lower class of books, so that they seem especially to fit in for moments of pastime when perhaps the brain is too tired to cope with one of the heavier books in English literature. The modern novel is in a way educating the people, because it is several steps higher than the paper covered book of a few years ago, and is yet within the understanding of all, and even for those who cannot grasp the finer and meritable points, the story appeals to them and becoming accustomed to the better grade of story, they find it harder to return to the old unscrupulous love tales of doubtful authors.

Every day the numbers of people who take books from the library is increasing and if one sits inside for even a short time he will hear many applicants asking how they are to get cards of membership.

If anything, there are more children who delve among the books there than there are grown people, and it is surprising to see the children whom you scarcely believe can read, asking for all sorts of books, and going off in high delight with them, much as they would treasure a new doll or slingshot.

Every time a new list of books is published, the librarian states that it takes scarcely two days for them all to go out and every often several of them are asked for many times, when they have already been given out. A new consignment has just been catalogued and reads as follows:

The Fort Dodge Messenger: June 26, 1906

Historical Society Organized Last Night

Shall Be Called Webster County Historical Society – Meeting July 10th.

Enthusiastic Meeting Held

Committee Appointed to Draw up Constitution and By-laws – it will be Affiliated With the State Historical Society at Des Moines.

A small, though very enthusiastic crowd of people interested in the organization of a local historical society met at the Baldwin studio last evening to discuss the feasibility of the venture. Captain H.M. Pratt acted as temporary president and chairman of the meeting and H.O. Baldwin as secretary. During the evening a motion, which all present were in favor of, towards exploiting the scheme, was passed and an organization was affected.

The early part of the evening was devoted to the discussion of the various plans as suggested by those present, a committee composed of the following members being appointed to draw up a constitution and by-laws:

Mrs. Johnathan P. Dolliver, Mrs. S.C. Carpenter, Rev. R.L. Breed and Captain H.M. Pratt, who was made chairman of the committee.

Arrangements for the next meeting which will also be an open one, on the evening of July 10th, were made. The meeting will again be held at the Baldwin studios, talks, illustrated by steroptican (sic) views preceeding (sic) the enrollment of the charter members of the organization.

The name decided upon for the society is the Webster County Historical Society, and membership to it will not be confined to the city, but will be granted to any resident of the county who is interested and willing to lend his or  her assistance in the interest of the society.

There are at present but eight societies in the state outside of the two state historical socities (sic). They are: Lucas and Decatur counties which were organized in 1901; Linn and Jackson counties organized in 1904; Washington and Poweshick (sic), organized in 1905; and Scott county organized about two months ago.

All these county historical societies are affiliated with the old state historical society, whose head quarters is at Iowa City. The Webster County Historical Society will also affiliate its organization with that of the state society, and will become an auxiliary member, at once, which will entitle it to one vote on all matters before the state board, and all historical publications issued by the state society.

At the close of the next meeting of the historical society five officers will be elected: A president, a vice president, a secretary, a treasurer and a curator.

The Fort Dodge Times: June 25, 1891

Card of Thanks.

We desire to extend out heartfelt thank (sic), to those who lent aid and comfort in our late bereavement, the death of mother and sister and daughter.

Mr. and Mrs. G.C. Kettering
Mrs. Mary Lewis
Mrs. E.M. Holloway

Terrible Storm.

Tuesday night, a terrible storm, 12 inches of water and fierce wind, devastated the country at and west of Cherokee. Forty houses were destroyed at Sutherland, on the Hawarden branch of the Northwestern, but no lives are reported lost. Four persons are reported drowned at Cherokee, and four at Correctionville. Travel on the Ill. Central, west of Cherokee, is still impeded.

Teachers Institute.

Persons who have rooms to let to teachers during Institute, or, who will take teachers to board, will confer a favor by notifying me, stating the number than can be accomodated (sic), terms and place of residence.

Institute begins July 6 and continues two weeks.

John Carr
Co. Supt.

Notice

For Saturday only of each week.

I have arranged to give instructions to country scholars on the piano, guitar, banjo or Mandolin, lessons to be given on corner of George and Fourth streets. Terms, five dollars in advance for 12 lessons.

Will L. Webber

Gowrie

News

I.W. Moore and wife of Callender, attended the concert here last Friday evening.

DeWitt Youker’s school house in the Ellis district, south west of town, closed last Friday.

Grandpa Evans, southwest of town who has been ill for several weeks is still failing.

Miss Mae Lynd was quite sick during the latter part of last week, but is reported better now.

Mrs. Wiseman, of Des Moines, a sister of Mrs. A.M. Felts, visited with the Felts and Preston families last Friday and Saturday.

E.W. Sorber and wife and little Nellie went to Correctionville Tuesday to attend the annual reunion of the North Western Veteran Association, being held at that place this week.

Rev. Lyman Evans, of San Barnardino (sic), Cal., a brother of J.M. on his way home from the Presbyterian convention recently held at Detroit, Mich., visited the Evans family here last week.

Mr. Mortimer and wife and others from Callender attended quarterly meeting here last week.

Mrs. Northam, of Black Hills, Dak. a sister of Mrs. W.H. Goodenough, is visiting here this year.

D.M. Clark is going to raise his house facing the south on Market street, up even with the sidewalk. This will improve the appearance of the property very much.

The Fort Dodge Messenger: June 25, 1904

Prospect Hill “Wild Man” Taken

David Francis, Former Insane Patient at Poor Farm is Man.

Captured Near Oleson Park

Disappears Four Weeks Ago. Lives On Refuse Left by Picnic Parties in Oleson Park – Officers Jordan and Mericle Capture Him.

The alleged wild man who has been the subject of no little uneasiness on the part of residents of Prospect Hill for a week or more, had been captured and now occupies a cell in the county jail, where he will probably remain until committed to the asylum.

The “wild man” is David Francis, a demented man, who until four weeks ago lived in the eastern part of the city. Previous to that time he was an inmate of the county poor farm. Francis is insane, but except for him (sic) decidedly wild appearance, is not up to the standard of real wild men.

Captured Friday Night

The capture was made Friday evening by Deputy Marshal Jordan and Policeman Mericle. For several days past reports had been brought the police about the “wild man” making his apeparance (sic) and since then a search had been in progress to locate him. Friday afternoon the police were notified that he had made his appearance near the Fifteenth street viaduct where he frightened two little girls. Police were sent to the vicinity and later a search was taken up near Oleson park. It was in the ravine west of the park that Officer Mericle came upon the “wild man” and no desperate struggle ensued. Francis was taken in charge by the officer, who with Deputy Marshal Jordan brought him to the city and placed him in the county jail. When captured Francis presented many appearances of being a wild man. His long shaggy beard, ragged garments and unkempt features gave him an appearance that had he been met unexpectedly might shake the nerves of a person who could not be accused of being timid.

Had Been Inmate of Poor Farm

Francis was an inmate of the poor farm until last winter, when he was taken in charge by his sister, who lives in the east part of the city. Four weeks ago he disappeared and all efforts to find him were vain. A few days after his disappearance he was seen on the M & St. L. tracks near the Ryan property, but after that he disappeared until a week ago when he made his appearance on Round Prairie. For some time past he had been living on the refuse left at Oleson Park by picnic parties. When brought into town his shoes were tied on his feet by white ribbons, probably picked up at the park.

(Editor’s note: The original post can be found here.)

The Fort Dodge Messenger: June 23, 1904

He Runs on Schedule Time

Residentes (sic) of Prospect Hill Terrorized by “Wild Man.”

Strange Individual Making His Appearance Every Afternoon and Leaves in Evening.

The residents of Prospect Hill are being terrorized every afternoon by the apeparance (sic) of a “wild man,” as he is termed. The wild man is evidently a person of very regular habits. He runs on schedule time. Each day for the past wek (sic) he has arrived in the same neighborhood on Prospect Hill at the same hour of the day, about 3:30 p.m., and departs at a given time later in the evening, after frightening the women and children of the neighborhood helf out of their wits by his freakish actions.

The man always appears from the direction of the woods near Oleson park, and and after his usual stay in the neighborhood he has haunted, departs for the unknown whence he came. All attempts on the part of the male residents of Prospect Hill to engage him in conversation and find out the reason for his strange behavior, and why he should haunt this particular neighborhood at a certain time each day, have thus far proven fruitless.

The women and children of the neighborhood have been worked up to a high state of nervous excitement by this man of regular habits, and it is understood some action is to be taken in the near future to capture him and find out the wherefore of his maneuvers.

(Editor’s note: There’s a follow-up article here.)