The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 3, 1903

Short Messages

Mr. and Mrs. W. Kopp are the proud parents of a baby girl.

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L.S. Braunstein made a business trip to Duncombe Wednesday.

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Arthur Lungren is confined to his home by an attack of la grippe.

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Miss Florence Parsons is clerking in the Gates Dry Goods store for a short time.

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Miss Margaret Mahoney is on the sick list today and not able to be at work.

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Fire Marshal J.W. Lowrey is recuperating from his recent illness in Colfax.

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Miss Harriet Major has left Fort Dodge for Decatur, Illinois, where she will make her future home.

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Mrs. John Steinbrink has returned to her home in Manson after undergoing a successful operation at the city hospital.

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John Hein of Chicago, is making a few day’s visit in this city.

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Mrs. C.D. Case entertained Wednesday evening in honor of her brother, Walter Anderson, who is visiting in this city.

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Mr. Early’s Methodist Sunday school class will hold a handkerchief bazaar in the east window of the Early Music house during the next ten days.

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P.A. Carson who has been at the city hospital during the past two weeks because of appendicitis has recovered. Mr. Carson’s home is on Round Prairie Hill.

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Dr. T.E. Devereaux left today for the Black Hills where he has interest in a mine. During his absence, his brother, Dr. C.H. Devereaux of Humboldt will attend to his office.

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Green B. Morse the famous race man with eighteen of his horses and seventeen men passed thru the city Tuesday night enroute from San Francisco (to) Gravesend, New York.

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Mrs. C.D. Case entertained Wednesday evening in honor of her brother, Walter Anderson who is visiting in this city. Miss Cromwell of Kansas City has gone to Humboldt for a visit at the Dr. McCreight home.

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The new carpet cleaning wheel at the Sherman laundry has been put up and is in operation. This system of cleaning is an innovation in the city, and it is promised that it will far exceed the old broom stick method.

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Wednesday at 3 o’clock, Henry Hale and Miss Katie Harbach, both of Kalo were married at the home of Emory Smith in this city. Only relatives were present at the ceremony which was performed by Rev. McIntire of the Christian Church.

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Three drunks were docketed at the police court this morning. All plead guilty and were given the usual $7.10. None of the prisoners having the wherewithal and this being their first offense they were dismissed. Their names were: John Seburg, Henry Adams and Frank Myers.

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The first of the three classes at the German Lutheran school received examinations this morning, which if passed, will signify the completion of work in the German school. The second class will receive its examination on Friday morning. Those of the highest class who have completed their required work will be confirmed on Easter Sunday.

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A good sized delegation of Webster County people came up to attend the performance of “The Chaperons,” at the Midland on Wednesday evening. Among the party were the following:

George C. Tucker, city editor of the Freeman-Tribune, and wife.

Tags: 1903, Adams, Arthur, Braunstein, Carson, Case, Colladay, Devereaux, Hale, Hamaker, Harbach, Hein, Kopp, Lets, Lowrey, Lungren, Mahone, Major, Markin, Medbury, Morse, Myers, Parsons, Seburg, Steinbrink, Welch, White, Wickware

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 2, 1903

Drawings for New Parochial School

Plans Show a School Building Complete in Every Particular for Purpose for Which It is Intended

Plans and drawings for the new parochial school to be erected this spring by the people of Sacred Heart parish, in this city, have been completed by Architect J.H. Albright, and show a building, which in convenience and adaptability for school uses will be exceeded by no school building in the city.

The plans by Architect Albright show a structure of pressed brick with slate roof, and base of cut stone extending five feet above ground. The building will be 76 by 67 feet in dimensions, and will include two stories and a basement, all of which will be utilized for school purposes.

In the basement will be separate play rooms for the boys and girls, toilet rooms and heating rooms.

The second and third floors will each contain three large school rooms, 23 by 32 feet in dimensions, thus giving the scholars adequate accommodations for from 250 to 300 pupils. A teacher’s room will be at the landing of each of the two stair cases.

The building will be heated by the fan system of ventilation, which has already proved so satisfactory in the Arey school in this city.

The building will be located on the present site of the school, and there will be two entrances, one west, on Thirteenth street, and one on Third avenue south. The floors of both main entrances will be tiled, adn both will open into spacious vestibules, from which stairways will lead, one to the first floor of the building.

A corridor will run thru the center of the two main floors, upon which the school rooms will open, thus giving ready communication from one to the other. Each school room will have its own cloak room.

Everything about the building will be modern. The floors will be of maple wood and the school rooms will be equipped with slate black boards. The plumbing will be modern thruout.

Viewed from the exterior, the building will also be pleasing. It will be equipped with a bell tower and will present an imposing frontge. Specifications are to be made out at once, and the contract will be let as soon as possible.

Tags: 1903, Sacred Heart School

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 2, 1903

Juel Johnson in Sad Plight

Miner, Paralyzed by Accident, Cannot Live Much Longer

He was Injured in January.

Since That Time Has Lain, Perfectly Helpless, on Cot in City Hospital.

Juel Johnson, the miner who last January had one of the processes of his spinal column crushed in a mine accident at the Pleasant Valley mine, is still alive, but there is little hope for his recovery at Thrombosis or the clotting of a vein has set in and it will be impossible for him to survive. If it had not been for this Mr. Johnson might have lived several years.

Mr. Johnson’s injury was an unusually serious one. While he was at work on the mine a large mass of coal fell on him and knocked him down. Johnson was picked up helpless, and on examination it was found that one of the processes of the spinal column had been crushed and that the ragged edges of the bone almost severed the spinal cord, thereby affecting the nervous system and causing complete paralysis.

Mr. Johnson is a prominent member of the Miner’s Union which has been looking after him. He is at the city  hospital, where he is being given every comfort.

Other articles:

Is Paralyzed From Waist Down

His Case is a Peculiar One

Tags: 1903

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 1, 1903

In Memoriam

August Lindahl, whose death occurred Tuesday at his home in West Fort Dodge was one of the best known and highly respected citizens of the community in which he lived. For twenty-three years he has made his home in this city, and during this time he has made his mark as a man of industry and worth. His death is generally regretted.

August Lindahl was born in Sweden on March 26, 1853. He came to the United States to live thirty-two years ago, and settled first in Illinois, where he followed the pursuit of forming. Twenty-three years ago he decided to come farther west, and traveling by wagon, as last reached Fort Dodge and settled on the west side of the river.

During two terms of two years each, Mr. Lindahl was a member of the city council, elected on the republican ticket, and in this manner was identified with the city’s management. His services in this capacity proved his ability and devotion to the city’s interests.

For the past two years, Mr. Lindahl has been a sewer contractor, but of late had not been active in his business on account of his sickness with diabetes, the disease which finally caused his death. It is a sad coincidence that four years ago Adolph, Mr. Lindahl’s only son, died from the same disease. Mr. Lindahl leaves one daughter, Amanda.

Deceased was a member of the West Fort Dodge fire department, whose members feel deeply the loss of one of their number.

Shortly before his death Mr. Lindahl made a will whose contents have not as yet been public.

The funeral will be held from the West Side Methodist Episcopal church at 2 o’clock on Thursday afternoon.

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The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 2, 1903

West Fort Dodge Business Houses Closed

Honor Shown to Late August Lindahl Whose Funeral Was Held This Afternoon.

Business in West Fort Dodge was practically at a standstill this afternoon on account of the funeral services of the late August Lindahl, which were held from the Riverside M. E. church at 2 o’clock this afternoon. The merchants of West Fort Dodge without exception, closed their places of business during the time in which the funeral was in progress.

The services were conducted by Rev. C.J. Messenger, pastor of the church, and were in every way suitable to the sad occasion. Interment was made in the cemetery in West Fort Dodge.

The West Fort Dodge fire department of which Mr. Lindahl was a member, attended the funeral in a body.

Tags: 1903, diabetes, Lindahl

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 1, 1903

Rockwell City’s Baptism of Fire

Columbia Hotel and Illinois Central Depot Destroyed by Fire Today

Guests Roused From Sleep

Many are Forced to Leap From Buildings of Blazing Hotel. Loss is Heavy

Rockwell City, Ia. April 1 – Thirty guests were forced to flee in their night clothing from the burning Columbia hotel in this city at early hour this morning. Many were compelled to jump from the widows (sic) of their rooms, but at the hotel was a two story structure none were injured.

Scarcely anything was saved from the burning building, the startled guests being barely given sufficient time to make their own escape. One traveling man for Younker Brothers of Des Moines lost samples valued at $800.

The fire started from the explosion of a kerosene lamp, shortly before five o’clock this morning, and before the fire department could arrive the flames were beyond control. The building was burned to the ground.

The hotel was owned by Dr. J.M. Cooper. The loss, which will amount to $5,000,  is total, the insurance policy having expired three days ago, and not having been renewed.

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Rockwell City, April 1. – The Illinois Central depot at this place burned this afternoon. The flames started while Agent E.E. Empie and his assistants were all away from the depot, and the source of the fire is a mystery for this reason. The whole structure, including the baggage and express rooms and their contents, burned to the ground.

The fire department had a hard fight to save some barns near by, but were successful in this endeavor, altho they could not save the depot building itself.

(Editor’s note: According to this website, 1903 dollars adjusted to 2009 dollars [the latest year offered on the site]  would mean the salesman’s $800 samples would be worth around $19,000 today. The $5,000 hotel would be approximately $118,000 today.)

Tags: 1903, Columbia Hotel, Cooper, Empie, Illinois Central, Younker Brothers

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 1, 1903

Engine Stopped Just in Time

Misses Carrie Johnson and Inger Larson in Serious Peril

Horse Fell in Crossing Track

Alertness of Engineer of Approaching Freight Train and Flag Men Avert Accident.

With the horse they were driving fallen and floundering on the track, Misses Carrie Johnson and Inger Larson sat helpless in their buggy, watching an Illinois Central freight train bearing own (sic – should be down) upon them, on Tuesday. The alertness of the engineer in charge of the train, and the flagman on duty at the crossing, saved them from what seemed for a time to be a deadly peril.

As soon as the man at the throttle saw the predicament of the two ladies he reversed his engine. The emergency brakes were set, and the train was stopped before it reached the buggy with its helpless inmates.

The carriage was slightly damaged but nothing else resulted from what might have been a terrible accident.

Tags: 1903, Illinois Central, Johnson, Larson

The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 31, 1903

Dread Smallpox Appears Near Vincent

John Simon and Family, Five in All, Have Been Closely Quarantined.

Vincent, March 31 – Vincent people are greatly agitated over the breaking out of two genuine small pox cases at the John Simon Home one half mile south and three miles east of that place.

Mr. and Mrs. Simon and son Joseph and daughter Edith and Stora have all broken out with the malady. The place has been quarantined, but many of the neighbors and some Vincent people are said to have visited at the Simon place before it was discovered that the Simons were stricken with the dreaded disease. As practically all Vincent people have been vaccinated many cases of the genuine smallpox cannot break out.

Tags: 1903, Simon, smallpox

The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 31, 1903

Is There Firebug in Harcourt?

Events of Past Few Days Cause Strong Suspicion

Three Fires in Same Place.

Harcourt Citizens Kept Busy Fighting Fire in Haggin Drug Store – A Period of Excitement.

Harcourt, March 31 – Harcourt has this week had a narrow escape from a disastrous fire which has awakened much excitement among the citizens of this town. Last Wednesday morning about 7 o’clock the fire was discovered at the drug store. With the aid of as many citizens as could be mustered and the appliances which the town possesses the fire was quickly subdued without any damage to property.

About 10 o’clock the same day the cry was again raised, “Fire at the drug store,” and by the time sufficient aid arrived the whole building, including the restaurant building now occupied by L. Haggin and family for living room was filled with a dense smoke. About fifty men arrived at the scene, some of them fighting the fire and the rest removing the furniture from the rooms. The most valuable portion of the drug stock was also removed.

though the whole building seemed on fire, yet the citizens by heroic exertions again saved it and the fire was supposed to be out but the next morning at 3 o’clock the fire alarm was again called and the fire again put out.

How the fire started in a mystery and considerable talk of incendiarism is beaing (sic) heard, altho no cause or reason can be assigned for such a supposition. The building, a double one, two stories high, is owned by W.J. Struthers and J.E. Swanburg, Mr. Haggin, the druggist leasing the building. The furniture and drug stock are badly damaged from the effect of fighting the fire.

Had the building burned down, there is no doubt that the meat market owned by A.A. Peterson and the Wilson Brothers store would have shared the same fate as they adjoin it.

Tags: 1903, Haggin, Peterson, Swanburg

The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 31, 1903

Rockwell Young Man Elopes With School Girl

Young People Take Their Romance in Their Own Hands and Leave Town Together.

Rockwell, Iowa, March 31 – Rockwell is experiencing a decided sensation in the elopement of two of her young people: Miss Zell Smith and Guy Davis. Miss Smith is an unusually prepossessing young lady not quite 18 years of age, and has been attending the public school here this winter and rooming in the second floor of the Mallory block. she is an only daughter of Mr. and Mrs Isaiah Smith, well-to-do people living six miles northeast of Rockwell and who, it seems objected to the attentions of young Davis.

The  young couple boarded the 8:20 train north Wednesday evening and nothing has been seen or heard of them since. The continued absence of Miss Smith from school aroused suspicion and yesterday noon friends broke into her room and discovered a note addressed to her parents telling them of the step she was about to take and begging forgiveness for the sorrow and heartache she would cause them.

The young lady’s father was immediately notified, but he is completely at sea as to her whereabouts. Mr. Davis is a son of respected parents living in the country a short distance from town.

Professor Mahannah is grieved at the occurrence, as Miss Smith was one of the brightest pupils in the whole school. People generally regard the affair as unfortunate and regret that the young people had not acted with less rashness.

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The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 3, 1903

Takes Runaway Couple Home

Stern Father Locates Daughter, a 17-year-old Bride of Six Days

Ran Away From School to Wed

Isaih F. Smith, of Rockwell, Says he will See What Virtue There is in the Law

Marshalltown, April 3 – The curtain was drawn in this city Wednesday afternoon on a little domestic tragedy, which had its beginning a week ago when Ivan Guy Davis, a 19-year old boy living near Rockwell, eloped with pretty Lola Zelle Smith, aged 17, a student in the Rockwell high school, from which she was to graduate next June. The couple was married at St. Anthony, Friday, March 27, by Mayor Samuel Meekins.

Isiah F. Smith, a well-to-do farmer living six miles northeast of Rockwell, in Bath township, who is about to retire from the farm and move to Mason City to reside is the father of the bride.

Miss Smith was in school at Rockwell and on Wednesday, March 25, obtained an excuse from the principal on the grounds of  illness. The illness was caused from the bacilli of love, a fresh culture of which had found fertile ground in the heart of her affections. Ivan Guy Davis, aged 19, son of S.R. Davis, formerly a farmer living three miles north of Zearing, but now living near Rockwell.

The young people didn’t ask either Papa and Mamma Smith, or Papa and Mamma Davis, but took French leave, going to Mason City. At that place they boarded the fast night train of the Iowa Central, No. 6 coming to this city. On Friday they obtained a license at the office of Clerk of Courts Knisely, Ralph Le Fever of St. Anthony, minor son of A.D. LeFever, a farmer living about midway between St. Anthony and Zearing, acting as sponsor and searing to the affidavit in which the legal ages of the young people was the most important.

The happy pair, congratulating themselves on their capability of outwitting the old folds, took the Story Branch train in the evening for St. Anthony, where Mayor Meekins was induced to tie the nuptial knot.

At the Rockwell end of the line the scene was not so happy. Mr. Smith was about two days late, but when he found that his daughter had left school he was pretty sure what had happened. He also found that young Davis was not at home and at once began the search. He came to this city and consulted the marriage record and a few little notations under the “D’s” told him all he wanted to know.

He went to Zearing Wednesday morning, with the idea of tearing the bride from her young husband. Davis refused to be torn and accompanied his wife and her father to Rockwell Wednesday evening.

Tags: 1903, Davis, elope, LeFever, Mahannah, Marshalltown, St. Anthony, Story City, Zearing