The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 1, 1905

Broom Factory Flourishes Here

Manufacturing of the Housewife’s Weapon of Defense Against Dirt.

Process of Making Described

Starting in a Small Way The Business is Constantly Growing – Output of 125 Dozen Brooms Per Week at The Present Time.

One of the most flourishing small manufacturing concerns of the city is the Fort Dodge Broom Company, located at 425 Central avenue. The factory is owned and managed by the Brennan Brothers, formerly of Waterloo. They came here in the spring of 1903 and started their plant on April 5 of that year, induced by a grant of six months’ free rent. The business is in a flourishing condition their trade being about four times as great as it was when they first started. Four men are now employed in making brooms and turn out over one hundred and twenty-five dozen per week. These are sent to the outside trade for the most part.

This indispensable weapon of the housewife against dirt is made from broom corn grown in Oklahoma and shipped here for a consideration of from fifty to one hundred dollars a ton, according to the grade. The raw materials is packed in large bales and is a mass of tangled whisks. To straighten these out and knock off the seed is the first step, one of four, in the making of a broom.

The next one is that of sorting the different lengths which is done by a boy at a long table. After he sorts them into four piles of different lengths he ties each pile into a bundle and  passes it to the men at the tying machines. Here the broom is made up, step by step.

First a handle is taken and run through a hold in the center of a revolving wheel where it is securely clamped. Then, taking a bunch of whisks from the pile, he bonds the bases and places them against the handle. They by foot power, he fastens it in place by a wire.

Again he selects a bunch of whisks and goes through the same process, although laying them end to end with the first bunch. Gradually the outer portion of the broom is reached, suing finer grades of material. Then the whole is secured at the base by a piece of cloth fastened by wire and a tin guard railed with staples.

After these steps the unfinished article reaches the stitching machine. This machine is run by a gasoline engine and has a capacity of forty dozen brooms per day. A single broom is securely clamped into position and shoved between the needles. These pass through the broom and catch the cord at the other side with the eyes, drawing it through the broom. This action is repeated until that row of stitches is finished. The broom is completed by being stitched in four rows and by having the label pasted on the handle.

This process is similarly used in the manufacturing of all the five different grades of articles made here. The only difference is in the class of material employed. These articles are sent all over the state and as they bear the label with the name Fort Dodge printed thereon, form quite an advertisement for the city.

Tags: 1905, Brennan, broom factory

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 30, 1906

Why Streets Are Dirty

Pointers For The Ones Who Object to Conditions.

Habits That Leave Trail of Dirt in Every Street and Alley – Everything Goes Into the Gutter.

Objection is frequently found to the condition of the streets and aleys (sic) in Fort Dodge as regards cleanliness and appearance. Chief Tullar has worked a vigorous campaign in this behalf during the present spring, a few fines have been assessed and the conditions are now fairly good. To those who find material for objection to the appearance of Fort Dodge’s streets the following list of a few causes for the same may be of interest:

Are You One of These?

The porter or janitor who sweeps refuse intot he street.

The teamster who drives through the streets with dirt sifting through cracks in his wagon or falling from the running gear where it was left after dumping.

The smoker who throws cigar or cigarette stubs, cigarette boxes, tobacco sacks or burned matches to the pavement.

The man who mows his lawn and throws the grass into the street or alley.

The woman who is neat and tidy at home, but who drops theater programs, candy boxes and equally offensive things on the street.

The man who reads a letter, tears it up and throws the pieces on the pavement.

The fruit vendor who throws tissue paper wrappers, banana stems and refuse into the gutter in front of his stand.

The ice cream merchant who places freezers on the curb and lets briny water run into the gutter, leaving a sediment of salt.

The conduit digger who never pretends to clean the street after tearing up the pavement.

The store clerk who does his sweeping out after the streets have been cleaned.

The man who repairs buildings and throws the refuse into the street.

The drivers of meat wagons who litter the streets with brown paper.

The man who gathers garbage from residences and restaurants and scatters it about.

The bill boards which are constantly discarding large slabs of old posters.

Tags: 1906

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 30, 1904

Hubby and Furniture Gone

Webster City Man Hopes to Meet Wife in Heaven.

Tells Her to Be “A Good Girl,” But Shows No Inclination to Meet Her on Earth.

Webster City, April 30 –

“Mollie: You’ll never see me again. I’m tired of this kind of a life. Be a good girl. I hope I’ll meet you in heaven. Goodby, Albert.”

The above note and an empty house was what greeted Mrs. A.A. McFarland yesterday when she returned to this city from a visit in Afton. The note was laying on a table but that comprised about all of the furniture in the house. Beyond the information contained in the note there was nothing else to enlighten the woman as to the whereabouts of her husband.

The McFarlands lived on John street which is in the extreme northwest portion of the city. McFarland has been employed on the North western in this vicinity and has made his home in this city with his wife for two or three years. About a week ago Mrs. McFarland went to Afton to visit her relatives and expected to be absent about two weeks. For some reason she shortened her visit and arrived home yesterday.

She was met at the train by one of her neighbors who had learned of the proceedings during her absence. The key of the house was found at Crandall’s grocery store. When the home was unlocked it was a cheerless place. Nearly all of the furniture, including the cooking stove had been sold. A note, which was found on the table explained that the husband had left for other parts and did not expect to return.

Mrs. McFarland took a trip to Homer yesterday in search for her missing husband. He has a sister who resides there but no trace of the man was found. They told her he had left for Missouri.

Tags: 1904, McFarland

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 29, 1904

And Now They Are Both in the Toils

Harry Himmellman and Sam Beisell “Get Even” With Each Other.

Now Both Are Under Arrest

And Must Answer to the Federal Jury on Charge of “Bootlegging.”

As the result of a case of “getting even,” Harry Himmellman of Radcliffe, Iowa,  must answer to the federal grand jury on the charge of selling intoxicating liquor contrary to the revenue laws. Himmellman testified against Sam Beisell of LaPorte, when Beisell was taken before a United States commissioner for alleged “bootlegging,” and in a spirit of revenge Beisell turned around and swore out information against Himmellman, charging him with disposing of intoxicants without first paying Uncle Sam his due and at the same time endeavoring to employ the charge against the other to clear himself. As a result both are being held over to the grand jury on the same charge.

Last October Beisell it is alleged made a practice of selling beer while conducting a restaurant at Radcliffe. He later moved to LaPorte, a small town near Waterloo, and was arrested there some time after his arrival. At his hearing Himmellman, who had been in his employ in the restaurant at Radcliffe, testified against him. When it had been apparently proven that liquor had been sold in his place of business, Beisell in turn attempted to shoulder the blame upon Himmellman, claiming that if the latter sold beer in the restaurant it was without his knowledge. He was bound over to the grand jury.

When Beisell had been disposed of the authorities began to pick up evidence against Himmellman and a few days ago his arrest was decided on. Wednesday Deputy United States Marshal G.F. Gustafson was to go down to Radcliffe to place Himmellman under arrest, but the trip was made unnecessary. While walking along the street Tuesday afternoon thinking of his contemplated trip for the next day Marshall (sic) Gustafson felt a hand on his arm and turning gazed in the face of Himmellman, whose arrest he was to make the next day. The unexpected meeting was something of a surprise, but when Himmellman “braced” the marshal for a dollar the officer nearly lost his feet.

“You want a dollar do you?” he said as soon as he recovered his breath. “I guess you won’t need a dollar for a few days. You’d better come along with me.”

“Well I’ll be d——, I’m telling the truth when I say I’m sorry I met you,” was all Himmellman could say and then he and the marshal marched up to the city jail where the Radcliffe man spent his time until this afternoon when he was given a hearing before Captain W.H. Johnston. He was bound over to the grand jury and being unable to furnish bones was taken to Cedar Rapids where he will remain in jail until his case is disposed of.

Tags: 1904, Beisell, Gustafson, Himmellman

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 28, 1905

Five Story Office Building Proposed

Thomas Snell, Millionaire, Would Do That for the Town.

Has Had the Plans Prepared

Fire Proof Structure at Corner of 8th Street and Central Avenue Wold Be built as an Office Building – Wants Half Room Rented.

Plans are out for a large five story office building that will be erected on the southeast corner of the intersection of Eighth street and Central avenue, opposite the Oleson Drug Company.

The building, if the proper arrangements can be made, will be put up by Thomas Snell.

Mr. Snell has always had large interests in Fort Dodge, and has taken this manner of expressing his regard for the town.

The plans call for a structure fireproof in every particular. The dimensions are 65 by 140 feet, and the estimated cost will be from $150,000 to $175,000. The plans are arranged with a court which may be used as a light shaft if at any time later it is decided to extend the building on east the full 120 of the Snell lot that faces on Central avenue.

The building will of course front on Central avenue and will extend clear back to the alley next to the Crescent restaurant. It will be the most modern in every way, and will be by far the finest building in the city. The first story will be furnished for store rooms, and the four upper floors will be fitted for office use exclusively. There will be 100 rooms on these floors. The building will be supplied with double passenger elevators, and there will not be one of the details of the up-to-date office building left out of the structure.

The plans are now in the hands of Frank Farrell who has been for many years the local agent of Mr. Snell, and he will at once make an attempt to comply with the conditions that must be met before the work of erection is started.

The only thing that is needed for the assurance of the building to Fort Dodge is the renting of two of the four upper floors, and Mr. Farrell hopes to be able to do this without any great amount of trouble.

(Editor’s note: In 2010 dollars, the building would cost between $3,592,422 and $4,191,159.)

Tags: 1905, Farrell, Snell

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 28, 1905

Drink Habit Was Too Strong

Luke O’Brien Has Gotten in The Toils Again.

He is One of the Regular Customers At the Mayor’s Court – Can’t Break Off.

In spite of his terrible oath to get out of the city, Luke O’Brien, alias Happy Hooligan, has again fallen into the toils, and was put to work this morning cleaning up around the fire house. He was out of sight all day Thursday, and it was supposed that he had really departed, but this morning this bug juice receptacle was found in his usual state of coma and given his time honored place in the jail. He will have another ten days on the streets.

There is the same quality about this Happy Hooligan that is so very noticeable in the caricature character originated by F. Opper. His personality will draw a row of brass buttons to him by irresistible force for more than six blocks and he has become so used to the “come with me,” that he runs to meet the officer when he sees him approaching.

Luke O’Brien is certainly one of the strongest living temperance lectures that ever existed. Once a strong man with at least a fair amount of intellect, he is now a tottering wreck both physically and mentally and there is positively no show for him but a lonely death – possibly in a cell at night – and a grave in the potters field.

When he left the city hall Thursday morning he had every intention of getting out of Fort Dodge for good and all. He went down the steps and out onto the street full of this determination, but he was so shattered that he positively had to have just one drink to straigten (sic) him up so he could get started. The one drink was not enough, and he soon had forgotten everything in his burning thirst. He kept drinking all day and this morning woke to find his resolution unfulfilled and himself in the same old place behind the bars of the city jail.

The case of Luke O’Brien is certainly a most pitiable one.

Tags: 1905, O'Brien

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 27, 1904

Signs of Approaching Summer

Police Make a Raid On a Camp in Duncombe’s Woods on Tuesday Afternoon and Arrest Five.

The police paid a visit to the Duncombe’s woods Tuesday afternoon and although they did not find the first flowers of spring they found what they were looking for – the first hobo camp of the year. In the past the Wearies seem to have been drawn to these woods as if by an irresistible force and despite indications to the contrary now that they have again begun to frequent their favorite abode summer must be near at hand.

The hoboes (sic) were housecleaning, or as near as they ever come to it, when the police made their unceremonious visit. Coats, trousers, shirts, socks and other wearing apparel that had seen a winter’s wear, in some cases probably without a single change, were hung out to “air” on an improvised clothes line stretched from the limbs of nearby trees.

Only two of the knights were “at home.” They were in the act of building a fire and as there was nothing in sight that they could possibly cook, the conclusion was drawn that the rest of the gang was out foraging. This conclusion proved to be true.

The two found at the camp gave their names as Robert Anderson and Alva  Bruney. They were given an hour to get out of town and they took the chance. A second visit was made to the camp a few hours later and the remainder of the party, three in number, were transported to the city bastile. They gave the names of William Gundy, Gus Turner and Erick Johnson. They were arraigned in police court this morning and like their companions given an hour to shake the dust of Fort Dodge from their shoes.

Two drunks completed the line-up in police court this morning. They were Joe Bockert and Arthur Simpson. Both pleaded guilty and were fined $1 and costs.

Tags: 1904, Bockert, Bruney, Gundy, Simpson, Turner

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 27, 1904

Child Dies in Mother’s Arms

Sad Death of Infant of Mrs. Jorgen Soppeland

Mother Had Child Wrapped in Shawl While Attending Sheldon Funeral at Badger.

While enroute to the cemetery Tuesday with the body of the late Oliver Sheldon, a resident of Badger, the four months old baby of Mrs. Jorgen Soppeland died. To protect the child from the severe winds the mother wrapped a covering about it, believing it perfectly protected from exposure. Not until the cemetery was reached was it discovered that the baby was other than well, when in stepping from the cariage (sic) the covering was removed and the baby found dead. The immediate cause of its death was not known until a physician pronounced it due to heart failure.

The little one seemed in perfect health prior to the journery (sic) to the cemetery and was bright and exhibited no signs of disease. The incident is particularly sad and is made even more so under the existing circumstances.

Tags: 1904, Soppeland

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 27, 1904

Receives a New Ambulance

Handsome Vehicle of Last Design, Arrives For That Company – Red Cross Private Ambulance.

One of the newest acquisitions to the Laufersweiler undertaking establishment is an ambulance, snow white in color. It is the output of the Cunningham company, Rochester, New York, manufacturers of fine vehicles, and arrived in the city Monday night. It is fitted with all the latest equipment and is in every respect the finest thing of its kind manufactured. Hardly had the new ambulance been unloaded from the car in which it was shipped when a call was sent for its use, and a five mile trip into the country made with it. It is a Red  Cross ambulance and besides bearing the symbol and words private ambulance, has the name “Laufersweiler” in gold letters near the driver’s seat.

Tags: 1904, Laufersweiler