The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 26, 1905

Biff! Bang! For a Masher

In This Case Masher was Mashed.

Young Woman Insulted by Sidewalk Loafer Found a Stalwart Champion at Hand.

A black eye and a badly swollen mouth was the price paid last evening by a Fort dodge young fellow for making insulting remarks about a young lady who had just passed him as he stood with a companion on a street corner.

The young lady was unaccompanied and unprotected as this fellow thought and as she passed he followed her with his eyes and made a remark concerning the beauty of her form, when Biff! a brawny fist collided with his eye and a second poke in the mouth laid him flat on his back on the pavement.

In the mean time the companion of the fellow who had been attacked made his getaway. The man with the forceful fists stepped out and helped the fallen one up.

“Look here,” he said. I am not a preacher, and that girl is neither my wife, my sweetheart or my sister. She is a woman however and alone on the street, and any man who will not take the part of a woman under those circumstances is no man at all, and must have forgotten that his mother is a member of the sex. A fellow who makes it a business to stand on the corners with others whose minds are as depraved as his own, and make remarks such as you did after that young woman passed is a very poor sort of a cur, and I wonder that the dog marshal has not roped you in before this.

“But remember this young fellow, there are a few men in this world who have respect enough for their mothers and sisters to respect the mothers and sisters of other men, and you are likely to run up against one of these almost any time just as you did tonight.

“You are a coward, a cur, a moral leper, a disgrace to humanity, and you and your like are responsible for three fourths of the depravity of modern civilization. Remember these few remarks of mine, and with this I will bid you a pleasant good night.”

Tags: 1905

The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 24, 1905

Graduating Gifts Begin to Sell

Some Hints for the Purchaser Who is Anxious to Please His Friends.

Books Flowers and Jewelry

A Local Merchant Says That Nine Out of Ten Buy Fans Every Year – Be Original This Year and Get Something Else.

When, in May and June, you see a shopper with even more anxious expression than at other times; when you notice the very young man absently scanning every lace (Editor’s note: “place” perhaps), hazily wondering where he is going to find it, you may readily decide that “it” is a graduation present. And not only does fate will it that they shall come in June when people would rather forget material things in the joy of nature, but there are also weddings galore, which must be remembered, but that is no task compared to the graduating present.

A bride can be given anything, anything that will do in a home, and that affords large possibilities, but the girl of eighteen, who is to be launched into the world, wants either something to wear, use, in her wardrobe, or to read. The boy is even worse and at first thought it seems there is nothing for him. There are practically the same things to give every year, but one of the local jewelers says that people get a fad for one thing to give and the rest lie idle and unsold.

“Now,” he said, “Cuff buttons aren’t selling at all this spring. I don’t know why, but they aren’t. Neither is any kind of ebony goods, for toilet articles. Cut glass never comes in for graduation presents because it contains scarcely any articles appropraite (sic) for anything for a married-person.

“But we always sell lots of stick pins, and this year the craze for gold crosses and beads that has kept up so steadily for several years is still going and we sell any number of them. A good many people are buying watches too, I think that women and girls are wearing them lots more now, since they have begun to make them smaller.

“Then we sell lots of forks, and souvenir spoons. It used to be all spoons but girls are beginning nowadays to get collections of forks and other pieces of silver, just as much as spoons. Pearl handled pens always come in for their share of the trade for graduation presents, too, and for the boys, we sell all sorts of stick pins and fobs. You never sell a watch chain any more for boys.

“Then there are all sorts of lockets and brooches, and shirt waist sets sold, and rings seem to have a run on the signet style, and they are very pretty too. Then there are lots of pins, too.”

Another place frequented almost as much as the jewelry store by those in quest of such presents, is the book store, and a local merchant who deals in this line of goods says: “We count as much on our book trade at graduation time, as we do at Christmas, but we plan on a different class of books almost entirely. At Christmas, we sell lots of fancy books and lighter literature, but at this time everyone looks to the standard works and usually gets something very well made and bound. They seem to think that their gifts should be appropriate to the season and when everything is in gala attire, some light novel is good, but to present to the dignified seniors who are making their debut into the world something from the old and standard authors alone, is safe from the elevated noses of the learned recipients of the gifts.

“Sometimes I wonder what they do  for books when they have finished college. They they probably present them with Plato, Socrates, and perhaps Dante, in the original.”

“The poor girls get so many fans that if they wanted to they could take their collections to the theater the night of graduation and pass them around thru the entire audience for use during the evening,” said the dry goods man, when interviewed. “Honestly everybody gives fans, nine out of every ten give fans? Of course, there are many things that we might sell that we would not know were to be presents. Nice handkerchiefs, ribbons, dress patterns and gloves. Yes, lots of people buy gloves and they make a very nice present. But they all buy fans? People, beware of fans.”

Tags: 1905, Education, Graduation

The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 16, 1906

Observed in a Saloon

A Few Things Seen and Heard in a Hour in a Saloon.

A Messenger reporter stood for half an hour by the clock in a Fort Dodge saloon the other afternoon. The following are a few things observed:

A man came up with a big jar, got it filled for 15 cents and stepped out.

A ragged looking fellow, evidently a hobo, threw down a half dollar, said “Keep it all and set out booze as long as it lasts.”

A Salvation Army girl walked in and in less than two minutes sold a half dozen copies of the War Cry.

Twenty-two sales, by actual count, were run up by the bar tender.

Two boys sold a half dozen empty bottles for 10 cents.

A few farmers were seen, a few business men and men about town, others were regular saloon hangers-on.

During all this time a sordid looking individual stood with hands in pockets looking out the front window with a  vacant stare, evidently a loafer “broke.”

(Editor’s note: This is certainly an interesting method of news-gathering, but one which, I’m afraid, wouldn’t be allowed today.)

Tags: 1905

The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 15, 1905

Newberry is Fined $25 and Costs

The Case is Carried Up and Will Be Tried in the District Court

A Motion for Dismissal

A Motion for Dismissal, Which Was Made by the Defendant Was Over Ruled and This Resulted in Appeal Court Room Jammed.

W.F. Newberry, in police court was this morning fined $25 and costs on the charge of assaulting an officer. The case was, however, appealed to the district court and the defendant placed under bond to appear at the nest term.

The assault which formed the foundation of the case occurred Saturday morning when the defendant assaulted Charles Braden, dog marshal, while Braden was engaged in catching one of his (Newberry’s) dogs. The trial of the case covered a considerable part of the forenoon and was listened to with great interest by a crowd that packed the city hall to the doors.

There were a number of witnesses examined on both sides of the case and all of them agreed that there was a scuffle between the defendant and the prosecuting witness, stating the fact that the defendant struck the plaintiff from two to three times.

The defense made no denial of the fact that the assault had been made, but took the grounds that the mayor under the existing ordinance, had no right to appoint a dog catcher to catch dogs at this time; the ordinace (sic), according to the defense states that the dog tax is payable on or before June 1, 1905. Under this clause the motion alleges that there could legally be no dog catcher appointed, and that such dog catcher had no official duties to perform under the law until that time – June 1.

The motion also took the stand that under the circumstances the dog catcher had no right to touch the dog; that in consideration of this fact, the dog catcher, in taking the animals was in the position of a thief taking the property that did not belong to him; that the defendant in protecting his property used no more force than was necessary to prevent the dog catcher from taking the dog.

This motion was overruled by his honor, and the sentence pronounced placing the above fine and the costs of the case on the defendant.

The story of the prosecuting witness was to the effect that the dog was out in front of the Duncombe House at the time the trouble occurred. He, the dog catcher, started for the animal, when Newberry warned him: “If you touch that dog, I’ll break every bone in your body?”

In spite of the warning Braden reached for the animal with his snare, and this was what precipitated the trouble. Newberry, according to the testimony at this point ran in and struck the dog catcher three times. Braden also alleges that the defendant tore off his star and took his snare away from him. The dog catcher then telephone to the city hall and the action was begun.

Newberry’s story of the occurrence was about the same in a general way with the exception that he denied hitting Braden, stating that he merely shoved him.

According to other witnesses, the dog “Trixy” had been brought out of the barn to kill some rats that had been caught in the Duncombe house. She had finished the job and was lingering about the place when the dog catcher appeared and attempted to catch her.

During the taking of the testimony the facts of the crippled condition of the dog catcher and the great strength of the defendant were brough (sic) prominently to the front, and Frank Farrell, the attorney for the prosecution in his closing plea, created a mild sensation in the court room by denouncing the defendant as a coward.

(Editor’s note: The original article is here: The Dog Marshal’s Life is Strenuous. I believe there was a hotel called Duncombe House.)

Tags: 1905, Braden, Newberry

The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 13, 1905

The Dog Marshal’s Life is Strenuous

Is Assaulted and Battered by Dog Owner and Loses Snare, Star and Dignity

W.F. Newberry Up in Court

Alleges That Newberry Attacked Him While He was Engaged in His Official Duties, Struck Him Twice, Took His Star and Snare Away

Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. So thinks the dog catcher, who this morning filed information against W.F. Newberry, charging him with assault and interference with an official in the discharge of his duties. The case came up in police court this morning, but on the petition of the attorney for the defense, it was continued till Monday morning at 9 o’clock.

According to the allegations of the plaintiff who came into the police station this morning bruised, badgeless and minus his snare, the case is this:

On Friday he succeeded in capturing seven or eight dogs, which he had placed in the dog pound to await their redemption. Two dogs belonging to W.F. Newberry were among the number. This morning when the dog marshal went to look after his charges he found a board kicked off the pound and all of the animals gone. He at once went down to the vicinity of the Newberry stables and got after after the two escaped animals belonging there. He had succeeded in capturing one of them and was in the act of taking him to the pound when according to his allegations, Newberry ran up behind him and swung around, hitting him twice in the face. Newberry then tore off the official star and threw it away, and taking the marshal’s snare away from him, kicked him in the fear, with the admonition to make himself scarce about that place, said admonition being coached in no very choice language. The official dignity of the officer was badly shattered and his feelings hurt as well as his physical man somewhat bruised in the encounter.

After the continuance of the case, the dog marshal was redecorated and is out again and after them. The business of dog catcher is strenuous in Fort Dodge, but the present incumbent of the position is a stayer and means to hang out until every live dog in the city wears a breast pin of the proper brand. He however has much sympathy with Emperor Nicholas.

(Editor’s note: The disposition of the trial is here: Newberry is Fined $25 and Costs.)

Tags: 1905, Newberry

The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 12, 1905

An Elderly Lady Dies Suddenly

Coroner McCreight Called to Gowrie This Morning to Look The Affair Up.

Death Was Due to Old Age

Neighbors Not Seeing Her About the Place Became Anxious and Broke The Door Open, and Found Her Dead In Her Bed.

Coroner McCreight of this city was called to Gowrie this morning to look up the death of Mrs. Johanna C. Danielson. He left here this noon but on arrival at Gowrie discovered that death seemed to be due to natural causes and so did not hold an inquest.

Mrs. Danielson is an elderly lady and has been living alone for some time. Her health has been poor for some time and death was not unexpected, although her health had not been poorer in the last few days than previously.

Thursday she was seen out riding by her friends. This morning however she was not seen by any of them and no signs of life were seen about the place and at last they decided to break the door down.

On entering they found her in her bed dead. There were no signs of a violent death and nothing was disarranged about the room. This lead to the belief that she had died from natural causes and that her death had been a peaceful one.

She could not have suffered much and had evidently passed away while sleeping. She leaves several children, one of whom is a resident of Gowrie, while others reside in Minnesota. She has also relatives in Fort Dodge.

Further particulars could not be learned, and nothing about the funeral arrangements is known here.

Tags: 1905, Danielson, McCreight

The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 11, 1905

Badger

Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Houge were pleasantly surprised by a number of friends last Thursday afternoon in honor of the fifteenth anniversary of their wedding day.

Miss Susan Evanson came home from Highland Park for a few days vacation.

Word reaches us of the marriage of Carl Houge at Edgeley, N. Dakota, to a young lady of that place. The community extends congratulations.

Ellen Chantland entertained the Y.L. Aid Society last Saturday.

Mr. and Mrs. N.O. Nelson of Humboldt came down to attend the surprise on Mr. and Mrs. C.J. Houge.

Mrs. Myrtle and children left for their new home in Minn., last Saturday night. We wish them success in their new home.

Mrs. Oscar Olson is enjoying a visit from her friend Georgina Lund of Thor.

There will be a dance at Badger hall on May 17.

Henry Erickson now sports a brand new buggy.

Thor and Badger crossed bats last Sunday. It resulted that they had to have it abandoned on account of the rain.

Mrs. Myhre and children left for their future home in Nyfolden, Minnesota last week.

Mary Kelley resumed her duties again after a few days the forepart of last week, to attend the wedding of her sister Anna Kelley to Mike Flattery. Anna Kelley has been one of our most efficient teachers in this district, so we wish her success in her matrimonial venture.

(Editor’s note: Mrs. Myrtle and Mrs. Myhre are no doubt the same person, but I’m not sure which spelling is correct. It’s not the first time I have seen a news item repeated in this fashion.)

Tags: 1905, Chantland, Erickson, Evanson, Flattery, Houge, Kelley, Lund, Myhre, Myrtle, Nelson, Olson

The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 3, 1905

The Applicants Get a Job

Vags in Police Court Get Five Days on the Street.

Were Looking For Work But Were Disappointed in Finding It.

There were two applicants to report at the recruiting station for the street gang this morning, and both of them were successful in securing a job. In fact, his honor insisted in employing them when they would have demurred. They were looking for work all right when they struck the town but didn’t want to find it, and when the mayor thrust it at them there were much cast down.

The two fellows in question hailed from Minneapolis. They had shipped from there to Denver to work at railway construction but their hearts failed them at the sight of a shovel and they started back, landing here Tuesday.

Tuesday afternoon they came into the east end of the city and began to look about for a way to supply the inner man. They approached a lady and asked for something to eat, offering to spade up her garden as pay for the favor. They got their supper and started to work, but he task proved too arduous, and they kidnapped each other.

As soon as they were missed from the garden spot, the lady telephoned to the police and the patrol soon located them.

This morning in police court they attempted to show that the charge of vagrancy was not good in their case but his honor failed to see it that way and gave them each fine and costs to the amount of $14.85 which means five days on the streets. They were at once put to work with the other two. There is now a force of four street cleaners at work under the eye of the special police officer.

Tags: 1905

The Fort Dodge Messenger: May 1, 1905

This illustration provided courtesy of Directory of American Tool and Machinery Patents website.

For All Trades

Webster City Company Will Build Ingenious Tool.

Webster City, May 1 – Articles of incorporation for a new manufacturing company in this city have been signed. The organization is to be known as the National Hatchet company and will manufacture a patent tool which can be put to many uses. The officers of the organization are:

E.E. Valentine, Webster City, president; W.A. Norton, Marshalltown, vice president; G.A. Smith, Laurel, secretary; H.R. Dodge, Webster City, treasurer; J.R. Morris, Jewell, Kan., manager.

The company is capitalized at $50,000. The tool they will manufacture can be used as a hatchet, hammer, wire cutter, leather punch, nail puller, screw driver and has detachable jaws upon it. With a change of jaws the tool adds the following to its many uses: A hoof trimmer, pruning knife, bailing applier, stock marker, pipe wrench and some others.

(Editor’s note: I found a website with an illustration of the tool. It is posted with permission of the Directory of American Tool and Machinery Patents and Stan Schulz, DATAMP “Wrench steward”  & editor, Missouri Valley Wrench Club newsletter. You can visit this page for more information. )

Tags: 1905, Dodge, Morris, Norton, Smith, Valentine