The Fort Dodge Messenger: Dec. 21, 1904

Sole Dray Line in the City

A.M. White Merges All Such Business of the City Into One Large Concern.

Many Horses and Men Employed

Has Just Bought Leamon Transfer Line and Possesses Forty Teams, and Wagons, and Has Large Corps of Assistants.

A.M. White, who recently purchased the entire business of the Baker Transfer Company, has just completed a transaction by which he also becomes owner of the Leamon Transfer line.

Mr. White, who has always been the leading transfer line owner in the city, now has every business of the kind in the city, in his possession and will conduct all of the dray business which the city has. This combined with the entire freight service of the town will give him an unusually heavy business.

With about forty teams and wagons it is not probable that Mr. White will be unable to handle his large business with the aid of a large corps of under workmen.

Mr. White has fine office quarters, and Miss Spayde, who has been doing the entire office work and collecting, will remain in the office and Miss E (there is a letter missing between these two: E a) Colwell will be employed as collector.

Mr. White’s many friends will wish him all success in his new undertaking.

Tags: 1904, Baker, Colwell, Leamon, Spayde, White

The Fort Dodge Messenger: Dec. 12, 1904

Christmas Shopping Already Started

Saturday Was a Good Day With the Merchants in Fort Dodge.

Stores Crowded All Day

Purchases This Year Will Be More Along Sensable (sic) Lines Than Usual. Along Sensible Lines Will Visit Clothing, Dry Goods and Shoe Store

The Christmas shoppers are already at their work of selecting the “things” for the Christmas gifts. On Saturday there were large crowds of farmers in this city, and all of the stores were fairly well crowded the greater part of the day. In the evening the town people came in and filled the aisles left vacant by the rural trade, so that Saturday was probably one of the busiest days that has been seen in city for some months, and in consequence the faces of the merchants have brightened to a considerable extent.

There is now a prospect that the holiday trade will be very fair. While it will not be record breaking, there is enough of prosperity in the city and surrounding country to bring it up to the usual standard. Money seems to be much more free than it was expected a few weeks ago.

The farmers, in particular, are opening up wonderfully. many of the things that were really needed in the way of wearing apparel are being bought. The long deferred purchases that were put off from time to time on account of the bad crops, are being made at the present time, and many a fine top coat or cloak has replaced the time worn garment that has seen service much longer than it would have under ordinary conditions.

“Yes,” said one merchant, “I really believe there will be a first rate Christmas trade this year, but in my mind the purchases will be more along the sensible lines. The times have been too close for the past three years to encourage the people in spending their hard earned money for the fancy things and hew-gaws that are usually purchased for the Christmas gift.

“This year, I believe, there will be a good trade on the articles of dress and other useful things that are always acceptable to the sensibly inclined. Of course, there will be much of the usually light elegant but entirely useless stuff sold and the run on toys I think will be very good. Of course, the toys are the only thing for children, and they will always have them. What I mean is to convey the idea that there will be more of the really serviceable things sold this season than is usually the case. Christmas shoppers will not this year ignore the drygoods, clothing and shoe stores of the city.

Tags: 1904, Christmas

The Fort Dodge Messenger: Dec. 10, 1904

“Nuttie” Willie Gets Promotion

Aspires To Something Higher Than Police Court and is Held to Grand Jury.

Threatened to Burn Property

Willie Got Huffed at Fred Hecht of Moorland and Made Threat to Burn House and Barn – Pleads Guilty to Charge.

“Nuttie” Willie is a bad, bad man, and is now occupying a cell in the county jail under $250 (about $6,000 today) bonds to wait the action of the grand jury.  It all arises form threats made by Willie against Fred Hecht, whose property he said he intended to burn.

The information was sworn out by Hecht on Thursday, and the police had Willie behind the bars in a very short space of time.

“Nutty” Willie, whose real name is Ernest Willie, has been a familiar character in police circles of this city for the past three years, and has turned up for an interview with his honor every two or three weeks with the greatest regularity. He has, however, been generally a very inoffensive person at all times before, and this is the first time he has aspired to anything higher in the line of justice than was obtainable from the city mayor.

The threat to burn the property of Hecht is merely the result of an imaginary wrong.

Tags: 1904, Hecht, Willie

The Fort Dodge Messenger: Dec. 3, 1904

Eggs are Worth 28C Per Dozen

Take a Sudden and Surprising Jump, Going Up Several Cents

Cold Weather is Responsible

Hens Will Not Lay When Cold Weather Comes Unless Well House and Well Cared For – No Relief Until February.

Twenty-eight cents per dozen for eggs (in today’s prices, about $6.71). That is the price that is asked today, and the end it not yet. They are, according to the present indications, likely to go to thirty-five cents ($8.38) before the week is out and their steady advance from now on until Christmas is to be expected.

The hens have the situation in their own hands. They got a corner on the supply early in the seaon (sic) and as there is no opposition there is nothing to be done to relieve the situation till the spring laying season comes on and her maternal ambitions overcome her desire to be contrary.

The present abrupt raise in the price of eggs is due to the sudden arrival of cold weather which invariably puts a stop to the supply of eggs. Hens must be warmly cared for or they will not produce eggs in winter. A sudden change from warm to cold weather invariably shuts off the production at once, and it is some days until the hens recover enough of their usual cheerfulness to being laying again.

Added to this fact there are comparatively old biddies in the country, and last spring’s pullets will not begin operations until February. The old hens brought such and excellent price int he local markets all spring and summer that nearly allof the farmers of this section sold out their poultry close. There are a great number of young fowls in the country, but they do not help at the present time.

(Editor’s note: The inflation calculator I use puts the price of 28 cents in 1904 at $6.71 in 2010 prices and 35 cents in 1904 at $8.38 in 2010. I recently bought a dozen and a half egg package for $2.98 and was not happy with that price. I should have been counting my blessings.)

Tags: 1904

The Fort Dodge Messenger: Nov. 11, 1904

John Haire Sr. Passes On Beyond

Was One of The Best Known of Old Settlers of the County.

Pneumonia Caused His Death

Was Eighty-Six Years of Age When The Summons Came – Funeral Will Occur From Corpus Christi at 11:00 O’clock Saturday Morning.

The going out of the life of Mr. John Haire, Sr., takes from Fort Dodge one of the oldest settlers, successful business men and worthiest citizens.

Death occurred Thursday afternoon between four and five o’clock after a two weeks’ illness with pneumonia.

His death comes after eighty-six years of useful life, in all of which he has been respected and admired. Although he was seriously ill but two weeks he has been slowly failing for several months.

The funeral services will be held from Corpus Christi church Saturday morning at eleven o’clock, when high mass will be said by Rev. Father Lenihan. The pallbearers will be Edward Sherman, C.W. Maher, Dr.  Evans, Owen Conway, Peter REilly, Michael Healy, J.M. Mulroney (and) A.L. Furlong.

born in Ireland in 1818 he spent his boyhood and young manhood there, coming to America when about thirty years of age. Aside form leading a good and noble life, which has been a quiet, simple one in this country, his early years in Ireland are filled with experiences and circumstances which make it doubly interesting.

Coming to America at (indecipherable word) age he made a success in business, raised a large family, held positions of influence and goes form this life, leaving  his wife and children all in comfortable circumstances.

His first residence in America was Cincinnati, Ohio, where he engaged in the dry goods business, staying there until 1855.

His arrival in Fort Dodge the following year brought one of the truest hearts and best of citizens of which Fort Dodge can boast and since that time he has lived here to make all with whom he same (sic) in contact happy; and to live such a life that when his golden anniversary was celebrated in 1901, he was entirely worthy of the tribute which was paid to him and  his wife, Mary M. Carr, whom he married in Cincinnati.

This tribute appeared in the column of the Messenger at the time of his wedding and is so true in every point and we reprint it page eight of this issue of the Messenger.

A Few Expressions.

Below are given a few expressions from the older citizens of Fort Dodge, all of whom have known Mr. John Haire for many years:

Michael Healy: “It has been a source of great pleasure for me to have been acquainted with John Haire for 36 years. My friendship and respect for him always grew, and never diminished. His genial manner, represented to my mind, in the person of John Haire, the perfect type of the Irish gentleman, as well as the enlightened American citizen.”

R.W. Crawford: “When I came to Fort Dodge, in the spring of 1868, John Haire was the leading merchant. I soon made his acquaintance and found in him a good friend. He always bore the same cordial greeting. His personality gave dignity to his presence. Few persons have attained so wide an acquaintance and universal friendship. I rejoiced to see him in the very advanced years of his life, so well, so happy and in the fullest enjoyment of all his endowments.”

R.M. Wright: “Mr. Haire was one of the most kindly and courteous old gentlemen that I ever met. He had that which should accompany old age, love, honor, obedience, troops of friends. To such kindly natures old age is a crown of glory. By reason of the lives of such men the world is made better.”

Tags: 1904, Carr, Crawford, Haire, Healy, Wright

The Fort Dodge Messenger: Nov. 8, 1904

Fort Dodge Boy on the Missouri

Charles Dunsmore, Who is in the Navy Returns to His Duties.

Has Been in Navy Three Years

Has Visited in Many Countries Since He Enlisted – Spent Summer in The Mediteranean (sic) Sea and Will Spend Winter in West Indies.

Charles Dunsmore, the Fort Dodge boy on the battleship Missouri, who has been visiting at his home in this city for the past ten days, left for Boston Saturday night where the ship is located. Dunsmore has been in the navy for three years and likes the life. He was on the Missouri last summer when the awful accident occurred in in (sic) which several of the gunners in one of the thirteen inch turrets were killed.

Since his visit to his home in this city last May, he has been with this ship in every country in southern Europe bordering on the sea. He spent some time in Greece and also visited the cities of Austria, Italy, Spain, Portugal and France. He secured a few days lay off while in each of these countries, and with companions visited interesting cities.

This winter Dunsmore expects the squadron will be located in the West Indies. They have spent each winter there since he joined and he understands that orders to spend this winter there have been given. The Missouri belongs to the battleship squadron of the North Atlantic fleet. In this same squadron is the Kentucky, on which ship Robert Wolverton of this city is an electrician.

Dunsmore is an apprentice and holds as a position, the title of second gunner, on one of the eight inch guns of this ship. He says he is glad he enlisted, and thinks the experience he will get will do him good. He says that although he would not like to take up the navy as a life vocation, he still thinks that five or less years of it will help many.

One sees lots of the world while in the navy. Since Dusnmore joined he  has visited the countries of southern Europe and northern Africa and South America and the West Indies. He thinks that he will be able to get an assignment next summer to a ship that will sail in the waters of northern Europe. In this way he will be able to see Great Britain, Germany, Russia,  northern France, and the Scandinavia (sic) countries.

He said while here that he may try later to get an assignment to a ship on the Pacific squadron. This would enabe (sic) him to see the Philippines, Asia and probably other islands in the south sea. He does not want to do this until he has seen northern Europe, as when one is detailed to the Pacific squadron he is not able to return here until the time  of his enlistment is out. He says that there are many thing (sic) about the life in the navy that are reverse, as is the case in every kind of life.

Tags: 1904, Dunsmore

The Fort Dodge Messenger: Nov. 4, 1904

F.R. Ingersoll is Dismissed

Grand Jury Found Evidence Against Him Insufficient to Justify a Bill Being Brought.

After going over the evidence in the cage thoroughly, the grand jury returned no bill against F.R. Ingersoll the former agent of the Great Western railroad company in this city, who was charged with default to the extent of $700. Ingersoll’s case has been brought up before the district court for the last two terms, and he has been under bonds for several months. The case was to have come up at a former session, but for some reason was carried over to this term with the result that he is now a free man and may go where he will without bonds.

Mr. Ingersoll was for several years the trusted agent of the company here, and when he was released by another man (and) was placed under arest, (sic) the surprise was general. The arrest was made on an alleged shortage on the amount stated above. His friends will be much pleased to hear that the evidence against him was not strong enough to hold him

Tags: 1904, Ingersoll

The Fort Dodge Messenger: Sept. 13, 1904

Wonderful Vitality of a Cow

Dragged by Locomotive and Rolled Down Embankment.

Found Standing in Creek by Owner Next Morning and is Driven Home – Rib Through Lungs.

A cow belonging to A.J. Hilton of this city, passed through an experience on Sunday night that would seem incredible when the fact is taken into consideration that she still lives and will probably recover. The bovine in question was pastured in a small enclosure bordering on the M. & St.L. tracks on Soldier Creek, a little way from the cemetery. On Sunday night she evidently got through the fence into the railroad right of way, where she was caught by the midnight passenger train going north. It is supposed that in some manner the animal got caught in the pilot of the locomotive and was dragged alonside (sic) for some distance.

Rolled Down Embankment.

She was finally wrenched loose by the motion of the train and went rolling down a steep embankment through a barbed wire fence into old Soldier Creek. In the morning when found by her owner, she was standing up in the creek and although badly scratched up was able to walk home. A veterinary was sent for and u pon examination it was found that a rib had been broken and had penetrated one lung of the animal. The veterinary did what he could for her and she seemed to be getting along all right with some chance of recovery. The side of the grade, where the cow had pounded along over the ties, was badly torn up, showing how far she had been dragged, and the wonder is great that any animal could have stood that amount of grief and have lived and been able to walk after it.

Tags: 1904, Hilton

The Fort Dodge Messenger: Sept. 12, 1904

A Boys Orchestra Attracts Attention

Four Boys, Youngest Nine Years, Eldest Fourteen Years of Age Play Here.

Are Youthful Professionals

Youngest Lad With Long Flaxen Curls is Center of all Eyes – The Boys Support Their Father And Themselves by their Musical Ability.

Four young boys whose ages range from nine to fourteen yars (sic) attracted much mention on the streets last week. They made up an orchestra composed of two violins, a cello and a clarinet. The youngest had long flaxen curls and looked several years younger than he is. The lads have been playing in the large cities of the United States for three  years. Their father accompanies them, but does not appear upon the streets with them. It was because of their youth and their exceptional musical abilities that the boys attracted attention.

All wore knee pants and each appears younger than his years. They are an independent set of boys and pay little, if any atention (sic), to their father, except to consult him upon matters of business. Asked as to where his father was, the flaxen haired youngster replied, “At the hotel, I s’pose.”

The boys reside in Nebraska. Their father’s name is Hullenberg. From both their parents the boys inherit musical ability. The elder of them has had advantages in a musical academy but all four of them are excellent players. Of course the youngest lad attracts the most attention. He plays the cello and as he stands up beside it lacks half a foot of coming up to the top of it. With his beautiful hair tumbling about his shoulders he is the center of all eyes while playing on the sreets (sic). He is a pretty boy and plays easily and with no seeming effort. While in Des Moines recently this orchestra received favorable mention for their street playing. Seldom do the boys play for dances. It keeps them out too late, said the elder of them. Last night, however, they broke the rule by playing for an informal dance at the Maccabee hall. The boys have played in most of the larger towns in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and the middle states. They are on the road practically all the year and support their father who goes with them and takes life easy.

Tags: 1904, Hullenberg