ODEBOLT OBSERVER, September 1881

[Since the 1881 portion of this newspaper has not been microfilmed, Bonnie Ekse has made it her mission to
 transcribe important items about the people and happenings of 1881 in Odebolt. ]

September 7 ...  September 14 ...  September 21 ...  September 28 *NEW*

 

ODEBOLT OBSERVER
Vol. 2. No. 10. September 7, 1881.

--Come out to-day and vote "for annexation."
--Dell Coy still remains quite sick at his home at Cook Center.
--The Farmers' Bank will be ready for business in a few days.
--Attorneys Helsell, George and Stanfield are attending court at Sac.
--Mrs. Potter, of Boone, sister of Mrs. A. C. Rodocker, is visiting here.
--The father and sister of Mrs. Doctor Groman are visiting her this week.
--Mrs. Foote, mother of Mrs. Rodocker, is quite ill at the latter's residence.
--Mrs. J. A. Rodocker, aunt of A. C., will return to her home in Indiana tomorrow.
--The District court and board of supervisors are in session this week at Sac City.
--Many of our citizens are absent this week attending the state fair at Des Moines.
--Voight & Fairbanks sold their machinery business to E. Schmidt and Chas. Buck.
--The Rev. S. B. Goodenow will preach in the Presbyterian church on next Sabbath morning and evening.
--Found--a porte monie containing valuables. The owner can have it by calling at this office and paying for this local.
--Miss Clara Fisher, who has been visiting at Dr. A. H. Hull's for some time past, returned to her home in Webster City last Friday.
--Rev. W. W. Brown, a former pastor of the M. E. church here, has taken up his residence in Odebolt. He has recently built two residences here, one of which his family occupies.

--Odebolt has a boom and Second street is having a boomer. Business and building on that thoroughfare are making things fairly snap. Go ahead, boys, we of Main like to see you prosper.
--Attention is called to the announcement of H. P. Preston, who will open the Zane building with a complete stock of general merchandise in a few days, and invites to it the attention of the trading public.
--Dr. Slemmons, of Prairie City, has been admitted to a partnership with Dr. A. H. Hull, of this place, in the practice of medicine. Dr. S. and family are now here. The Doctor, as we understand, comes among us highly recommended for professional and personal character.

--The Sac Sun promises next week to publish a statement from the Sac county delegates to the senatorial convention, giving their reasons for bolting the nomination of Logan. It will doubtless be an interesting document and we shall take pleasure in laying it before our readers.
--Messrs. George & Coy have the largest law library excepting Judge Duffie's in this part of the state.--Observer
Wrong, as usual Bro. B.; attorney Koder, of this place, has a library consisting of over 200 volumes.--Wall Lake Journal.
You will have to do better than that, Bro.Young, or your Sac City attorney will be left. The law library of Messrs. George & Coy numbers 259 volumes; two to one you can't beat it. [ODEBOLT OBSERVER]

--All day services will be held at the Fox school house next Sabbath. The programme will be as follows:
PROGRAM OF SERVICES.
9:30 A.M. Prayer meeting conducted by E. Smith.
10 A.M. Preaching services conducted by Rev. R. S. Fysh.
11 A.M. Praise meeting conducted by J. Mummy.
Dinner from 11:30 A.M. to 1 P.M.
1 P.M. S. S. address by Rev. H. T. Martin.
1:30 P.M. Remarks by S. S. Supt. S. B. Smith.
1:45 Closing address by Rev. D. M. Beardsley.
2:15 P.M. Preaching service by Rev. W. W. Browne.
3:30 P.M. Class meeting.
4:15 " Temperance address, G. Jenkins.
4:30 " " " C. Stanfield.
4:45 " " " A. Wells.
5:00 " Closing address, Rev. R. S. Fysh.

Good singing at every service. Basket dinner on the grounds. A cordial welcome to all. Come with us to worship and we will do thee good.

R. S. FYSH, Pastor.

--It rains easy now days.
--Mr. Jesse Helsell's house on Third street is now enclosed.
--The trains on the Maple Valley road are large these days.
--Bro. Cook, of the Wall Lake Journal, was in town Monday.
--An addition of sixty feet is being made to the freight depot at this place.
--Mr. C. S. Stowell has the contract for the carpenter work on the Wright block.
--A. B. Dubbs returned from the east Monday and stacks of clothing are on the way.

--Geo. McKibbin is now absent at the east buying the fall stock of McKibbin Bros.
--Mr. Hess, the barber, is in his old quarters again, one door south of the City Drug Store.
--Mr. J. W. Savage was called to Nebraska the latter part of last week to attend the funeral of his brother.

--Doc. Huson says that since Deacon Flanders has withdrawn, the only man he can hear of in the county opposed to his election for coroner is Dr. Hopkins at Wall Lake.

--Latest advices report the President [Garfield] as having suffered another relapse. His physicians still claim to be hopeful of his recovery, but the country would be more surprised at his recovery now than at his death.

--E. P. Sparks, with his sons, Jno. and Chas. W., of Clinton county, stopped here Monday with the writer, on their way to Sioux City. They were all highly pleased with Odebolt and the country about it, and think it not improbable that they may stick their stakes in this vicinity.

--Mrs. Etta Burnett Bailey is still in Grinnell, where she has been attending a fall course at the normal institute. She has received a teacher's first-class certificate for the coming year, and been promoted to the "A class," which if she does as well next year will entitle her to a State certificate for three years.

--ON DIT.--
...Dr. Boardman's family now occupy their new house
...Mr. Austin has moved to one of the twin cottages on Hardscrabble Hill; Rev. Brown occupying the other
...The plasterers have completed post master Van Deusen's house near the park
...Mr. L. Schmitz has commenced the foundation of a dwelling house on Hardscrabble
...A boy baby at W. S. Cranston's. A girl ditto at H. B. Jordan's
...The new dwelling of Ed. Colvin in Wheeler addition nears completion. The query in that neighborhood is what he is going to do with it
...The family of Mr. Taggert arrived last week and found comfortable quarters temporarily in the Shanks' residence on Maple street. We learn that Mr. T. will build a residence of his own soon

...Considerable sickness is reported, but very few fatal cases have occurred so far
...H. C. Wheeler is at the state fair
....W. V. Sindt has gone east and report says will return with a wife as well as new goods. The goods he will keep in his store and the wife in one of the Sprague cottages on Main street
..."Co." Dennis is what the new Sun man calls him
...The Reporter's watermelons have two l's in them
...Finkbine is visiting (his girl) at Des Moines, and Darlington takes his place in the G. Bay lumber office
...Worden is buying hogs at W. Lake for Gardner

...Frank Butler, for a short time book keeper for F. A. Winchell, left Monday for his home at Glidden
...C. S. Stowell will occupy the dwelling of Frank Stearns on Maple street
...Col. Burnside has had his store room repainted and is receiving new goods
...Hon. W. W. Field left Monday to attend the Wisconsin state fair of which he is Secretary

...It is discovered that it was Con. O'Sullivan who invented the dynamite explosives designed for the crowned heads of Europe. Con. left yesterday for Des Moines, and when standing on the depot platform dressed in his good clothes, might easily have been mistaken for Gov. Gear

...Moody is reviving the color of the Zane store room with tints from his magic brush, preparing it for the reception of the new stock of H. B. Preston
...Wheelock couldn't stay away from "the best town on the road."
...Geo. Parker and John Reynolds--Storm Lake--circus--prairie chickens--yesterday
...George McKibbin is expected home to-day--new fall goods coming.

DIED.

On Sunday, September 4th, Frank Arthur, son of Frank E. and Carrie E. Rowley, aged 11 months and 15 days. Funeral services were held on Monday conducted by Rev. R. S. Fysh.

--John Dement, of Dixon, Illinois, proprietor of the Dixon Bagging Mills, has rented the Flax Mill here and will pay $2.50 cash per ton for good, clean, dry flax straw free from weeds and chaff, if delivered at once. Cut your straw as near the ground as possible, and separate the chaff from the straw in threshing.
     Mr. Henry Daub can be found at all times at the mill ready to buy straw and give any information wanted.

--The prisoner who broke jail at Sac last week had not at last accounts been reclaimed but Thursday Sheriff Waddell gobbled up another fellow, just to keep the number good. Criss says the landlady at hotel de Sac has become used to mixing the hash for her regular number of boarders, and it puts her out when the number is broken in upon.

--In our remarks last week upon the perfidy of the Harrison delegates in the late Republican senatorial convention, we connected the Monona delegates, who manfully stood by their pledges to Mr. Wheeler.

--Carpenters commenced Monday to fit up Ketterer & Co's building on the corner of Second street and the alley for the post office, to which it will be removed as soon as it is completed. This will be about as convenient for the public as where it now is and much more convenient for the officials, as it will give them an abundance of room--a want sadly felt where the office now is. The change will also give Ketterer & Co. room according to their strength.

--We received a pleasant call from county auditor Peck last Saturday, who renewed his subscription to the OBSERVER. We believe Mr. Peck is a farmer--was one, in fact, before he became auditor. He may, therefore, very properly be a member of farmers' home society and attend as many harvest home picnics as he pleases. It's all right. As like as not it will turn out that Lane, Darling and Schaller also in their youth had a look at the world from between the handles of a plow; but Miller--ah! we have a habeas corpus on him there.

--Mr. B. Shemer last week brought us in a fine watermelon--not, he said, to offer in competition for the prize, but as a sample of what he had raised this season. We don't mean the modesty of Mr. S. shall work him an injustice, so we measured, weighed and recorded his offering and if it wins the prize he shall have it all the same. We might here remark that the melon season is getting well advanced and those desiring to compete, should not delay much longer. Besides, the taste of the committee of award is getting keen and sharp again, and now is a good time to assail it, with a good prospect of a favorable award.

--Another Greenbacker has been heard from. A Mr. Benjamin Painter was nominated for county treasurer by the late Greenback convention of Scott county, at which Ben. arose to make a speech, and this is the way he painted things: "The Democratic party are nothing but coupon clippers, and the Republican party are pap suckers, and the government has become the d--dest, most corrupt in the world." He wanted a government that would administer the laws of the ten commandments and the Bible, and no such d--d way of doing things as we have now. There are probably 25 to 50 Greenback voters in Scott county, so Ben's chances of handling the county's fiat may be estimated.

--Messrs. Corey & Robertson have adopted the cash-in-hand plan of selling goods. See their local on 8th page.

_____________

Ida Era: Odebolt has had a good representation in Ida Grove this week. W. A. Helsell, of its legal fraternity, spent Tuesday night here; Messrs. M. B. Lynch and S. Kennedy were upon our streets Wednesday, and Thursday we noticed Chas. Lee rambling about town. They will come to Ida Grove.

S. W. Bond, formerly of this place, but now of Odebolt, was in town Wednesday.

______________

Brother Cook of the Wall Lake Journal, accompanied by a lady friend, was in the city Sunday. Rumor has it that Mr. C. seriously contemplates doubling up; but we hardly think the financial standing of the Journal would warrant such a step.--Vail Observer.

_______________

--Mr. George, a young but rising lawyer of Odebolt, in Sac county, has been prominently mentioned as the democratic candidate for senator for that district.--Ft. Dodge Times.
--The election to decide the question of the extension of the city's limits takes place to-day. The proposed extension will be carried without doubt.
--The Rev. S. N. Vail and wife have gone on a short vacation to the home of Mrs. Vail's parents at Keosauqua, Iowa. Mr. Vail expects to be absent two Sabbaths.
--Mr. Will Jacobie and wife left Monday for Des Moines. They will take in the state fair and Mrs. J. will also replenish her stock of millinery and fancy goods.

--There will be a Union Gospel Temperance Meeting in the Presbyterian church on Sabbath evening Sept. 18th, conducted by the Rev. Mr. Boyer, of Ida Grove.
--The sidewalk ordered to be built along the south side of Third street east of Main, progresses slowly--a good deal more slowly than the residents on the hill desire.
--The Delmonico hotel has been leased by A. L. McCracken & Co., and will be opened next Monday. Its name will be changed to Tremont and it will be first class in all its appointments.
--O. P. Sprague has recently purchased and is now putting in repair the dwelling house formerly occupied by Mr. Austin. It is a very sightly place, the location presenting one of the most extended views of town and surrounding country to be had hereabout.

--The front of the new ware house as well as the hardware store of J. H. Ketterer & Co. has been repainted by Moody. E. A., like his namesake of evangelical fame, is a revivalist. One revives our faith and the other our colors. We can't pretend to say whose work is the most durable.

--There is every present indication that the coming Republican county convention, which meets at Sac City on the 10th inst., will be the scene of considerable strife. The candidates for superintendent all remain in the field, and each one seems confident he can "scoop" the others. Every candidate is doing or has done his level best to lay in with the delegates, and is anxiously waiting the time for marshalling them together. One of the candidates for sheriff (Henderson) is understood to have dropped out of the race for the nomination leaving it now between Flack, Willson, and Batie. In this part of the county Willson seems to be in the lead, but what the convention will show, the best informed do not attempt to predict. If the county convention follows the fashion of other Republican conventions of this year, it will sell somebody out and they, to get even, will get up independent candidates. This has been the case in both senatorial and representative conventions and the results promise to be highly satisfactory to the belligerents as well as to the Democracy.

________________

For County Surveyor.

Mr. John H. Hoebing informs us we were wrong in announcing him as a Democratic candidate for county surveyor. He is an independent candidate for that position and voters of all parties in Levey and Viola townships have promised him their support. Mr. H. is thoroughly competent for the position, having been a surveyor in Dubuque and Delaware counties where he formerly resided. Six years ago he came to Sac county and settled in Viola township, where he has since held several offices of trust. He taught school six years while he lived in Delaware county and three winter terms since then in this and Carroll counties. He is well qualified for the office and abundantly able to discharge its duties.

 

ODEBOLT OBSERVER
Vol. 2. No. 11. September 14, 1881.

--G. H. Parker will go east next week for wagon stock.
--Hon. W. W. Field returned from Wisconsin Saturday.
--Mr. J. W. Fraley has recovered from his recent illness.
--Are you going to the county fair? It commences to-day and closes next Friday.
--G. W. Adams, of Wall Lake, is learning the tinner's trade at G. W. Sutton's.
--Most of those who visited the State fair last week returned Saturday, and all spoke of it as fully up to that of former years.

--Some of Con's friends are mistaken in supposing we intended any disrespect to him by comparing him when "dressed up" to His Excellency Governor Gear.
--Rev. S. B. Goodenough, of Battle Creek, occupied the pulpit of the Presbyterian church last Sabbath morning and evening.
--Most anybody can run a caucus, but it isn't every round-bellied, bald-headed delegate that can ride a hay rack gracefully, in a John Gilpin race to catch a train. For particulars see small bills or ask any of the western delegates.

A Sac City Man's Soliloquy.

The arrogance of those western chaps!--
We must contrive to knock it.
The next we know they'll have our courts,
Our counselors and docket;
And then, by George! they'll try to put
Our court house in their pocket!

--John Dement, of Dixon, Illinois, proprietor of the Dixon Bagging Mills, has rented the Flax Mill here and will pay $2.50 cash per ton for good, clean, dry flax straw free from weeds and chaff, if delivered at once. Cut your straw as near the ground as possible, and separate the chaff from the straw in threshing. Mr. Henry Daub can be found at all times at the mill ready to buy straw and give any information wanted.

--Attention is called to the card of the Farmers' Bank, a new Odebolt institution, in this paper. Messrs. Thompson and Taggart, who have been here several weeks, are pleasant and courteous gentlemen and will no doubt make the Farmers' Bank one of the popular and prosperous institutions of Odebolt. We wish them every success, and commend them to farmers and business men having business to do in their line.

--Last Thursday, as two teams were plowing in the field of Dr. Crosby at Cook Center, the rear team, driven by a son of the Doctor, aged about 12 years, became frightened and ran upon a hired man who was driving the forward team, breaking two of his ribs and bruising him severely. The sulky plow drawn by the runaway team was broken and one of the horses badly cut by it. The man's injuries though severe are not thought to be fatal.

--We have not space this week to call especial attention to the advertisements which appear in this number, as we would like to do. It is only necessary perhaps, to ask that our readers look them all over carefully and note the special inducements which each offers. Sometimes readers do not like to read advertisements--at least they say they do not--and yet the reading of an advertisement has often saved the reader, in the purchase of a single article, ten times the price of the paper. Sensible, wide-awake people always read the advertisements in their home papers nowadays, and make money by doing it.

--Our young friend, H. B. Preston, opens his new store in Odebolt this week. He has been in business here for several years, and is considered one of the very best young business men in this county. He has hosts of friends here and no enemies and is liked by everybody. The people of Sac will find he will do to tie to every time.--Grinnell Herald.

MARRIED.--At the Rev. J. M. Sturtevant's, on Sunday, Sept. 4th, 1881, Mr. Herbert B. Preston to Miss Ada M. Jones. This worthy young couple are well known to all our citizens and their many friends join in wishing them a long and prosperous life. Their home will be at Odebolt, Sac county, where Mr. Preston, as heretofore stated, has engaged in the mercantile business.--Grinnell Herald.

Mrs. H. B. Preston joined her husband here last Monday, and they will make Odebolt their future home. THE OBSERVER offers congratulations and wishes the young couple abundant happiness and prosperity.

Our Double Edition.

We this week print a double edition of the OBSERVER and send it free to many in this county who are not regular subscribers. If any into whose hands it thus comes should wish to subscribe for it, we shall be glad to send it to them regularly, and they may pretty much suit themselves as to time of payment. Every resident of the county should take one or more county papers, if they would keep up with the times and know what is going on about them. If you are not already a subscriber and would like to become one, please notify us and the paper will be sent regularly.

--A school picnic will be had at Dr. Stevens' grove, in Levey township, next Friday, by the three schools of Misses Olsen, Rogers and Nichols.

--The vote in this city last week on annexing additional territory to our town limits, carried by about three to one. About 100 votes only were polled.

--There will be a gospel temperance meeting at the Presbyterian church next Sabbath evening. Rev. Mr. Boyer, of Ida Grove, will be present and address the meeting. All are invited.

--A western delegate to the Sac convention was wondering whether the court house could not be sold to Geo. M. Parker, of that city, for a creamery, and thus overcome the principal objection to the removal of the county seat to Odebolt. Since the convention, these western chaps put on a heap of style, and there seems to be no limit to their ambition.

--We are glad to learn that the businesses of our new merchants opens very satisfactorily. They each report a better trade than they expected--quite a boom in fact--while the older merchants find little or no decline in their trade. This is to be accounted for by the fact that the business of our merchants is increasing and that Odebolt is extending the limits of her trade in all directions.

--County historians concur in the statement that there was, at a remote period, an organization known as the Sac City Ring; and there seemed to be an opinion quite prevalent of late, that the institution was still extant and flourished secretly at the county hub. Since the late convention, however, there appears no ground for a belief in the existence of such an organization at the present time. Its decadence, if indeed it every really existed, was doubtless owing to the large increase of the Democratic vote in the county and to the increasing political and commercial importance of its western moiety.

--In this number will be found the advertisements on extra pages of some of our most prominent business houses. They speak for themselves, and we believe they tell the truth. The advertisers in the OBSERVER, both those who advertise in a large or in a small way, are all men of pure and unadulterated truth--there isn't a blow-hard amongst them--and we will wager the price of the advertisement that there is not a single one that will not perform all that we promises. If you want anything in their several lines go and see them. They will treat you well and do you good.

--It seemed to us that in the Republican county convention very little interest was felt in the nomination of a candidate for School Superintendent. The contention seemed rather anxious to get rid of the business in the easiest way, and even the candidates themselves except perhaps Mr. Darling himself, did not appear to particularly care for the honor. The race is now between Messrs. Darling and H. T. Martin, the latter an independent candidate and a man whom his friends think peculiarly fitted for the position. THE OBSERVER's opinion concerning Mr. Martin's ability and fitness has been already fully expressed and we see no reason to change it. He will make a strong canvass and a good superintendent if elected.

The Republican County Convention.

The work of the County convention was well done if it was not overdone. It is claimed that for several years the interests of the western part of the county have been persistently ignored or its rights grudgingly conceded by the eastern portion; that the efforts of those of the western half to secure any thing like a fair proportion of the officers of the county, have heretofore been defeated under one pretext or another, until it became plain that if the western portion were ever to assume that just and equal station to which nature and nature's God entitle them, they were to arise in their might and throw off the yoke of bondage to the eastern powers. The Sac City portion may be likened to the old man, and the western to the boy. The boy, rapidly overcoming his greenness and fast growing into manhood, finds the continued requirements of the old gent irksome and at length insists upon the treatment due to his years and services and the recognition that he is now out of swaddling clothes and that he be allowed to share in the counsels, emoluments and responsibilities of self-government. The old man, jealous of his power, does not yield the point willingly or gracefully. The youngster must earn what he gets; he must expect little from the old man's generosity, and just as little from his sense of justice.

The struggle was bound to come, sooner or later, and it came in the Republican county convention of last Saturday. The boy tackled the old man and floored him, and while he was down ran off with all the available nominations.

It is doubtful if this was wise; but youth is hot-headed. It is even probable, now that the excitement of the contest has subsided, that the western delegates themselves feel that they have gone too far and jeopardized the success of the very candidates for whose nomination they labored so strenuously. The aforesaid old gent though tripped by the youngster this time, stands tolerably stout upon his pins, and if he does not on election day administer a rebuke to the inconsiderate rashness of the western youth, there is no human nature in politics.

As to the two men--Willson for sheriff, and Pierce Coy for supervisor--whose nomination the western delegates succeeded in securing, they are well enough--as good men, perhaps, as could have been chosen from that party. If both are elected there is but one of them (the supervisor) that can be of any possible benefit to this part of the county. Mr. Willson, as sheriff, would become what many westerners seem so much to dislike--a Sac Cityite with headquarters at the hub. Indeed, the election of Mr. Willson would be an actual detriment to Odebolt, if not to himself, by taking away from it a good citizen, a first-class mechanic, and making of him a first or second-class sheriff, as the case may be. To say that the western portion of the county gains anything for itself by such a procedure as this, is nonsense.

Mr. Coy, as supervisor, would undoubtedly have it in his power to benefit this portion of the county, and it is this officer that the people of the western portion have for years demanded. But with it has come the nomination of Mr. Willson for sheriff. If the western half of the county can carry both, it is well, but we for the people will have occasion to question the prudence of their delegates in the convention whose zeal for their locality outran their discretion.

As a resident of the western portion of the county and taking a pride in its development, we have no objection to our Republican friends gobbling on to all the offices and emoluments they can get. But is it wise to jeopardize the election of a county supervisor which we do want, for the sake of the election of a sheriff in which, (except for the personal regard his fellow citizens may feel for the candidate) we can have but a general interest?

As before stated, the work of the convention, so far as our section is concerned, was well done, if it has not been overdone.

Democratic County Convention.

The Democratic County Convention will meet at the Court House at Sac City on Saturday September 24th, 1881, at 2 o'clock P. M. to put in nomination candidates to be voted for at the coming election, and to transact such other business as may come properly before it.

L. S. BAILEY.
Ch'n Con Con.

--Dr. Boardman took Carroll City on the fly yesterday.
--W. T. Brown, the jeweler, is out again and attending to business though not yet himself again.
--B. V. Davis and wife and daughter, of Freeport, Ill., cousins of O. B. Francisco, are visiting with the family of the latter.
--An interesting report of the Harvest Home picnic, held last week in Delaware township, has been received, but is crowded over to next week.
--McKeever's wonderful horse, Setter, is in training for the first district fair at Odebolt, and Mc says he will get him down to 2:10 7/8 if not lower. He drives the horse with waxed ends, and uses an awl instead of a whip for a persuader.
--"Westward the star of empire takes its way." This is pungently realized by our Sac neighbors since the Republican county convention. But they need not be unnecessarily alarmed. The county buildings will not be removed for a year or two yet.

--So many changes of location have recently occurred in town, that one is in some doubt where to find somebody. In this state of uncertainty we know the public will thank us for directing it to the new and cosy quarters occupied as the land, loan, abstract and law office of Zane and Helsell. The next door north of McKibbin's is the new bank, but Z. & H. are not in there; you keep on 'round the corner on First street; open the first door right ahead of you; don't stop to knock nor make any clatter; climb right over the fence that separates the sanctum sanctorum from the noise and confusion of the outer world, and you will be in the presence of as good-looking, wise, honest, and reliable a brace of attorneys as are to be found in Sac or any other county. And now that we have shown you the way and introduced you, Mr. Public, you can yourself tell them what you want.

______________

--A special meeting of the Iowa Legion of Honor will be held at Masonic Hall Friday evening Sept. 16th. Business of importance is to be transacted and all brothers are requested to be present.

C. E. George, Pres.
C. W. Sutton, Sec'y.

_______________

--C. H. Myrick left for Chicago Monday, to work at his trade, that of a mason.

The circulating library of A. Stoops & Co., at the City Drug Store, is the place to get the latest and most interesting reading. History, poetry, travels, etc. in great abundance. Also agents for the great American Book Exchange that is issuing standard works cheaper than ever before published.

 

ODEBOLT OBSERVER 
Vol. 2. No. 12. September 21, 1881

[The columns of the first page of this issue were bordered in black.]

DEAD.

The Long Agony at Last Ended.
The President Passes from Suffering at 10:35 Monday Night.

After a Struggle of Two Months, Two Weeks, Three Days,
He Crosses the River of Death to Perpetual Peace.

Church Bells Clamerous [sic] with the Calamity Throughout the Land.
The Newspapers of the Country Vieing [sic] in tributes to the Dead President.

ELBERON, Sept. 19.--The President died at 10:35. From what can be ascertained his death was from shear exhaustion. It is supposed by the surgeons that his death was occasioned by a clot of blood forming in the heart. Bliss was the first one notified of the President's expression of pain, and upon entering the room at once saw that the end was near. The members of the family were immediately summoned to the bedside. All arrived and perfect quiet prevailed.

MRS. GARFIELD
bore the ordeal with great fortitude and exhibited unprecedented courage. She gave way to no paroxysms of grief and after death became evident, she quietly withdrew to her own room. There she sat a heart-stricken widow, full of grief, but with too much courage to exhibit it to those about her. She was laboring under a terrible strain and despite her efforts tears flowed from her eyes and her lips became drawn by her noble attempt to bear her burden.

MISS MOLLIE
was greatly affected and bursts of tears flowed from the child's eyes, notwithstanding her efforts to follow her mother's example. The death scene was one never to be forgotten. Perfect quiet prevailed and there was not a murmur heard while the President was sinking. After death had been pronounced, the body was properly arranged by Doctor Boynton.

Telegrams were immediately sent to the President's mother in Ohio, and the sons Harry and James at William's College, also to vice-president Arthur and other prominent men. Mr. Morris, the undertaker of the village, will have charge of the remains. Eugene Britton, coroner of Monmouth county, will hold an inquest.

ANOTHER ACCOUNT.

NEW YORK, Sept. 19.--From the Tribune's Long Branch dispatch: One of those present thus describes the death scene: There were present when the President awoke only Colonels Swain and Rockwell, but all the attendents [sic] were immediately summoned. Mrs. Garfield, Bliss, Hamilton and Secretary Brown reached the room within a few moments. Mrs. Garfield sat on the bedside holding the hand of her dying husband. Hamilton stood on the opposite side and others grouped about the President, who was unconscious even before the first of those summoned reached the chamber.

No other persons were in the room. Mrs. Col. Rockwell with her daughter and Miss Mollie sat upon the lounge in the hall. The servants were outside the door looking in. The President was breathing heavily and at increasing intervals. The physicians whispered to each other two or three times, but aside from this not a word was spoken. Two or three sighs and some suppressed sobbing was heard from the group of negroes in the door, but all the rest were silent. The heavy breathing continued about fifteen minutes and then ceased. Consciousness did not return.

DEATH WAS ABSOLUTELY PAINLESS.

Mrs. Garfield, when all was over, went to her room. Hamilton then smoothed the features of the dead, altered and straightened his limbs. Mrs. Garfield returned about half an hour later and sat silent upon the bedside, the tears running in floods over her cheeks, but her whole demeanor manifested her heroic spirit and self control in the supreme hour of her grief.

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ARTHUR INFORMED OF THE DEATH AND ADVISED TO TAKE THE OATH.

LONG BRANCH, Sept. 20, 12:25 A. M.--McVeagh has just sent the following to Vice President Arthur: "It becomes our painful duty to inform you of the death of President Garfield and to advise you to take the oath as President of the United States without delay. If it concurs with your judgment, we will be very glad if you will come here on the earliest train to-morrow morning."
(Signed)
WM. WINDOM, Sec'y of Treas.
W. H. HUNT, Sec'y of Navy.
THOMAS L. JAMES, P. M. Gen.
WAYNE MACVEAGH, Att'y Gen.
S. J. KIRKWOOD, Sec'y Interior.

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--The sad intelligence of the President's [Garfield's] death, though that event was foreshadowed by previous telegrams, caused profound sensation in our city. Yesterday flags were displayed draped in mourning from various business houses and private residences. A nation is in mourning. Let us hope, as severe as this blow is, that it conceals some blessing to our country, which is thus a second time called to mourn its chief magistrate, stricken down by the hand of an assassin.

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Change of Time.

The time of the arrival and departure of mails at Odebolt has been changed. On and after Monday last and until further notice the mail from the east will arrive here at 4:05 p. m. and go east at 10 a. m.

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--Mr. C. W. Sutton started east last Monday morning to buy goods.
--F. A. Winchell has been absent several days to Chicago.
--Jas. Ross left yesterday for Chicago with several cars of hogs.
--Geo Beiber is building a house on Walnut street, between 4th and 5th sts.
--C. B. Pinkham, general agent of McCormick & Co., was in town yesterday.
--The mother of Mrs. A. C. Rodocker who has been ill for several weeks is recovering.
--Mrs. Jas. Ross and daughter left Monday for a visit with relatives in Story county.
--We are glad to learn that Mr. D. R. Darlington is recovering from an attack of typhoid fever.
--Rev. Fysh's subject for Sabbath A. M. next will be "Lanterns wanted;" Sabbath P. M., "Save the young man."

--Five tons of tin plate, in one invoice, were received the other day by Ketterer & Co. of this place. It will all be used by them.
--W. H. Dubs is building a new residence on the hill near that of Dr. Boardman. It is to be of one story, 14x18 and 14x24 feet.
--Miss Helen Saxton has returned to our city after visiting her parents in De Witt, and commences her school in Wheeler township this week.
--Supervisor Rinehart has bought one of those celebrated Diamond ranges of Ketterer & C. You bet one of those county dads knows a good thing when he sees it.

--We are glad to learn that Mr. Chas. Waters and several other members of his family who have been going through a siege of typhoid fever, are all on the road to recovery.
--Pop into the drug store of Burleigh & Summerwill and see how cosily Ed. Matthews, the jeweler, is fixed in his new quarters. He has added largely to his stock since his removal and put in a fine new combination safe.
--Considering the late unfavorable weather, work on the Wright block progresses rapidly. The walls are now above the first story and two or three weeks of good weather will see the building ready for the roof. Ketterer & Co. will put that on, and are all ready with a corps of hands to do the job up in a hurry.

--The new brick building of Mr. Schmitz is nearly ready to receive the roof, and the front is so far along that some idea can be formed of its appearance when finished. It is pronounced a beauty. The upper front room will be ocupied [sic] by the OBSERVER and it expects to be nicely fixed when settled in its new quarters. Mr. S. expects to have the building completed on or before Nov. 1st.

MARRIED.--At Davenport, on the 15th inst., W. V. Sindt, of Odebolt, and Miss Ella Berg of the former place. Mr. and Mrs. Sindt arrived here on Monday and went to housekeeping in one of the Sprague cottages on Main street. W. V. now walks a little more erect and with a more manly stride, but otherwise he is the same genial fellow as when a bachelor. The OBVSERVER wishes the young couple a long and happy married life.

A Poor Farm.

At a session of the Board of Supervisors, held on the 6th inst., a resolution was passed by them to pay the sum of $2,290 for the s-west of Sec. 11, TWP. 88, N. R. 36, west 5th P. M., for a county poor farm, subject to the approval of a majority of the voters of the county at the October election. The matter may be straight as a string so far as the Supervisors are concerned, but there are several things about it that do not look well. The official proceedings of the Board in which this very important matter was acted upon have not yet been published, although it is now three weeks since such action was taken. The first and only notice given to the public thus far is in the proclamation of the auditor, published in only one paper in the county, in which it appears obscurely as an advertisement. This, it seems to us, is not such publicity as should be given so important a proposition. If we are correctly informed--and our information comes from one of the first men of the county--the price proposed to be paid for the tract described is exorbitant. The land mentioned lies in sight of the Court House and was sold, four or five years ago, for delinquent taxes. The taxes had been delinquent for several years and amounted to some $700. At the tax sale the land was bid off by a representative of the Sac County Bank for less than $100, and it is from the bank the Supervisors propose now to buy it for the county and pay for it the sum of $2,290.

In the first place does the county need a poor farm? The best answer to the question is that in the year 1879 the entire disbursement of county funds in aid of paupers was less than $80, and last year it was but $96.

If an expression of the voters upon the question of a poor farm was desired, why not submit the simple question as section 1372 provides, and if decided affirmatively, then let the supervisors buy and locate the farm wherever it could be done to the best interests of the county at large?--or, in other words, why incumber the question to be decided at the polls with a particular tract of land at a specified price?

This bundling of two or three questions together which should be separate matters of consideration, and giving such slight publicity to the whole matter, might lead some to conclude that our county fathers whom all admit are honest men, have been imposed upon. Voters will see that a very light affirmative vote (if the matter is kept in the dark,) will carry the proposition, as voters generally would not understand the question.

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Tobacco in Politics.

We have had religion in politics, woman in politics, and now we are threatened with tobacco in politics. A writer at Wall Lake, in speaking of the candidates for County Superintendent says of Mr. Martin, the independent candidate, that "he does not smoke or chew tobacco," inferring that the other candidate, Mr. Darling, does chew and smoke. It isn't much of a point, anyway. Neither of the candidates are so good-looking as to bewilder the young school marms who may apply to them for certificates. Unless it should become one of the "regulations," of State Superintendent VonCoelln that County Superintendents must salute the young lady with a kiss when she passes a successful examination, we don't see why a moderate use of the weed is objectionable. But as new regulations are constantly made, and this is liable to be the next one, it would not be a bad idea--and it certainly would be in the interest of propriety and cleanliness--that the next county Superintendent is neither a chewer of smoker of the weed; in which event the independent candidate ought to have decidedly the inside track in the race.

___________________

Mr. T. J. Newbury, of Wall Lake, and Rev. H. T. Martin of this place, ride about the country together canvassing--the one for school furniture and the other for school superintendent. It is not remarkable [sic] strange that they should lessen their expenses by traveling together, but some folks, who always see a mountain in a mole hill, think they see in this a small Senegambian in the wood pile. The Rev. gentleman's friends think it will injure his character to ride with Newbury, and Newbury's friends think Martin is getting an unfair leverage on the party by riding around with a Republican. Some folks never can be Happy!

Religious services will be held next Sabbath Masonic Hall as follows: Rev. Fysh will preach morning and evening, at 2 P. M. preaching by Rev. McCulloch.

The Harvest Home Picnic

ED. OBSERVER.--We attended the Harvest Home Picnic, held last Saturday, Sept. 30th, at Scott's grove in Delaware township, and we enjoyed it too, though we could not, as a matter of course, enter into the spirit of such a "rustic occasion" as heartily as our farmer friends.

The morning was threatening, but by 8 o'clock the clouds began to break away and "old Sol," true to nature's laws, shone forth in all his glory of light and warmth, and made the day all that could be desired. Upon nearing the scene of the day's festivities, teams were soon coming in on every road, each bearing its full share of humanity and choice edibles to add to the interest of the occasion. It is safe to say that not less than one thousand persons were on the ground all of whom seemed to be in the best of humor, and determined to get all the enjoyment possible out of the day. The Sac City Band discoursed music in their usual good style and the glee club lost nothing of their reputation of last year for good singing.

Mr. Smylie, as orator of the day, in his lecture on the "evils to be guarded against in the reign of the common people" gave just what his friends would expect of him, a concise, clear and clean-cut analysis of the subject.

The toasts were well and ably responded to, after which the election of officers for the ensuing year took place, resulting as follows:

President, W. W. Shaw; vice-president, R. J. Marks; treasurer, James Jackson; secretary, C.
E. Lane. Directors--S. E. Gordon; Douglas; Isaac Odell, Delaware; Geo D. Reeder, Eden; F. W. Hatch, Eureka; P. Coy, Cook; N. Prentice, Boyer Valley, Phil. Schaller, Jackson; James Darling, Cedar; Theo. Mann, Coon Valley, A. E. Forsythe, Wall Lake; H. Reinhart, Clinton; U. B. Umbarger, Richland; H. C. Wheeler, Wheeler; F. W. Weed, Levey; W. H. Ballard, Viola; Wm. Hawks, Sec.

It is probable that next year the picnic will be held nearer the center of the county when we hope to see a general "turn-out" of all classes from all parts of our beautiful county.

Hotel For Sale.

I offer for sale the property of Second street known as the Odebolt House. The hotel is now rented until January next, and is doing a good business. The house is nearly new, conveniently arranged, and located on one of the best business streets of the town. Price low and terms of payment easy. For further particulars enquire of

J. C. BROWN,
44m3 Odebolt, Iowa

 

Odebolt Observer
Vol. 2. No. 13. September 28, 1881.

--The M. E. Conference meets tomorrow at Algona.
--The Sac County Fair was postponed to Thursday and Friday, Oct. 6 and 7, next.
--Lyman Mills is building a nice residence on Hardscrabble hill, 16x24 and 16x24 feet.
--Hanson, Mattes & Co. will remove their stock of merchandise to the Wright block, on or about October 15th next.
--Nice store is Burleigh & Summerwill's; nice men to trade with; nice jewelry store in s-west corner; nice cigar is the "sour-mash."
--There will be Advent preaching in Masonic Hall next Sunday morning and evening. M. E. Sabbath school after morning service.
--The post-office has been removed to the room prepared for it on Second street, much to the advantage of the officials and the public.
--S. W. Bond has sold his restaurant to E. M. Rorabaugh who took possession Monday. Mr. Bond will run the Briggs restaurant at Ida Grove.
--In the absence of Mayor Ross, the Council issued a request that the business houses in the city be closed and business suspended from 1 to 3 o'clock P. M., on Monday last, in respect to the memory of the late President.
--Superintendent Darling attended the examination at the district schools in this place, on Thursday and Friday of last week. We understand the work was highly satisfactory and reflected credit upon both scholars and teachers.
--In a few days it will be time to get fruit and forest trees, small fruits, etc. The Odebolt nursery is the place to find them. It is accorded by all authorities that nursery stock should be taken from the nursery in the fall and buried over winter.
--Hiram Gates, a prominent business man of Clinton county, gave us a call Friday evening. This is his first visit to this locality, and he, as every one does who sees it, expressed himself delighted with Odebolt and the country about it.
--"Uncle Billy," one of the celebrities of Vail, was in town last Saturday. He was in Odebolt when the first building was being built here. He says he then predicted Odebolt would be a thriving town, and thinks his claim to prophetic vision is abundantly verified already. And so it is.
--Another train robbery took place on the 13th inst. on the Iron Mountain & Southern railway, near the station of Kensett, Arkansas, Three beardless boys board the train and with cocked revolvers rob the passengers of $8,000 and the express car of $15,000, and get away with the money.
--Eureka, Cook and Boyer Valley townships rejected the proposition to vote a 5 per cent. tax in aid of the proposed Wabash narrow-guage [sic] railroad. It is doubtful if any of our northern townships will now vote aid to it though at one time it was thought they all would do so. More reflection seems to have decided them in opposing any narrow guage [sic] project.
--Last Friday evening the young friends of Miss Edith Sutton gave her a surprise party at the residence of her father. The fun was genuine if the surprise was not, and it is said the roof of the house was several times lifted by the racket the youngsters made. It was part of the surprise to have everything good to eat, and we have no doubt it was a real surprise to somebody to see how much they did eat. But they had a jolly good time, anyhow.
[There followed several paragraphs of the editor's answers to the other Odebolt newspaper, the Reporter, about Sac County politics. We have transcribed neither those paragraphs nor other bantering about county elections.]
--The names of twenty-three new subscribers in this county have been added to our list since our last issue, besides the names of several whose papers are to be sent abroad. Every week new names are added to our list, and every week witnesses an increase in the OBSERVER'S family of readers. This is encouraging, and we shall endeavor to give them the very best local paper of which our ability and facilities will admit. Arrangements have been made for able and regular correspondence from the county seat and other local points. Whether the OBSERVER shall have, or already has "the largest circulation in the county," we don't know, but we shall do our best to make the paper deserve it.
--We learn that T. J. Newberry, late a Republican aspirant for county school superintendent, has leased the office of the Wall Lake Journal, and will next week enter into possession of the fixtures and all and singular the appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining, to have and to hold forever, etc., etc., etc. The readers of that paper have not of late been treated to berries of any kind in their literary pastry. Under the new arrangement, we suppose, Newberry tarts will be always on the table. So let it be.

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In Memoriam.

The funeral services in memory of President Garfield were held at the Presbyterian church in this place last Sabbath morning, as previously announced. The church was tastefully draped for the occasion. The Masonic fraternity attended in a body in full regalia, escorted by the band playing an impressive dirge. The attendance at the church was far too large for its capacity to seat, and the congregation outside was almost as large as that within. Rev. Fysh, of the M. E. church, preached an appropriate and impressive discourse to which all listened with deep attention. Rev. Jesse Helsell, of the same church, Rev. McCulloch, of the Advent and Rev. Vail of the Presbyterian churches participated in the services. [Rev. Fysh's very lengthy sermon was printed in the OBSERVER but was not transcribed for the web pages.]

____________________

Personals.

We are glad to hear that Mr. Dell Coy, who for several weeks has been ill at his residence at Cook Center, is rapidly convalescing and it is thought will next week be out again attending to business.

C. Hass, of Bryant, Clinton county, has been here a week or ten days disposing of a lot of work horses and mules.

Rev. S. N. Vail returned home last Saturday. Mrs. V. will return next week.

Rev. R. S. Fysh left Monday for Sac City and will attend Conference at Algona before he returns.

W. W. Stivers, formerly with F. W. Sutton, has returned from his visit to Green county.

Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Winchell returned yesterday from a visit of several weeks in Chicago.

_______________________

The News.

A brief outline of the latest news is to the following effect:

President Arthur has called an executive session of the Senate, to assemble on the 10th of October. It is said the senate will organize by electing a Democratic presiding officer. The members of the Cabinet have all tendered their resignations. It is thought secretaries Lincoln and Windom will be requested to remain as will also postmaster-general James. Secretary Blain wishes to be relieved, as do also secretary Hunt and attorney-general McVeagh. As after the admission of the new members the Senate will be equally divided between Democrats and Republicans, each will be equally represented upon the committees. A short and peaceful session is predicted.

______________________

--A report reaches us of a terrible dynamite explosion which occurred last night about 6 o'clock at Council Bluffs. The dynamite was in a car and the explosion demolished forty freight cars loaded with merchandise, the C. R. I. & P. round house in which were ten engines, and several buildings in the vicinity. People within a radius of 100 rods of the explosion were thrown off their feet. Further particulars of the disaster will be awaited with anxiety.
--We are glad to learn that our townsman, A. C. Rodocker, has given up the notion of leaving this place, but will run his business for all there is in it and remain what he has been--one of Odebolt's leading men. See ad. next week.
--The members of the Democratic county Central Committee met immediately after the county convention and elected as its officers, F. R. Bennett, of Richland, Chairman, and J. Koder, of Jackson, Secretary.

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MARRIED--At Welton, Clinton county, Ia., Friday, Sept. 23, 1881, W. F. Corey, of Odebolt, and Miss Hattie Councilman, of the former place.

Mr. and Mrs. Corey arrived home on Saturday morning last. The OBSERVER joins with the many friends of the young couple in wishing them life-long happiness.

____________________

DIED--near Wall Lake, Howard J. son of Mr. and Mrs. Steele, aged 9 months. Cholera infantum was the cause of death. Services were held at the house by Rev. R. S. Fysh. The interment was made south of Wall Lake in the cemetery.

_____________________

OFFICE OF SUPT. OF SCHOOLS,
Story County, Iowa.
NEVADA, Iowa, Sept. 22, 1881.

To J. L. Brown, Odebolt, Iowa:

DEAR SIR:--In reply to your letter of inquiry I would say, that I have been acquainted with Mr. H. T. Martin for a number of years. It affords me pleasure to cordially recommend him as a thoroughly reliable gentleman, a man of strict integrity and a devoted Christian. As an educator he is proficient in scholastic attainments, is an earnest, zealous worker and has given excellent satisfactions as a teacher in the schools of this county. Yours, etc.,
L. B. BAUGHMAN, Co. Sup't.

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[There follows a lengthy exchange about the proposed Sac County poor farm which we have not transcribed: First a letter from Judge Eugene Criss in answer to the OBSERVER'S article in the September 21 issue, then the OBSERVER'S response to Judge Criss' letter.]

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Democratic County Mass Meeting.

The Democrats of Sac county assembled in Mass convention, pursuant to call in the Court House at Sac City at 2 o'clock P. M. on Saturday, Sept. 24, 1881.

The convention was called to order by I. S. Bailey of Cook township, who was chosen chairman and F. R. Bennett, of Richland t'p., appointed Secretary.

On motion, the chair appointed a committee on resolutions as follows: Chas. E. George, J. Koder and F. R. Bennett.

On motion all Democrats present were admitted as delegates from their respective townships.

The committee on resolutions, by its chairman, reported the following preamble and resolutions which were adopted and the committee discharged. [Resolutions were not transcribed].

On motion a County Central Committee was appointed, consisting of one from each township, as follows:

Richland, F. R. Bennett; Cook, I. S. Bailey; Levey, H. B. Jordan; Boyer Valley, N. Prentice; Jackson, J. Koder; Wheeler, C. Shea; Sac, Wm. Impson; Eureka, A. B. Holmes; Viola, J. H. Hoebing; Clinton, Wm. Menold; Eden, _____ _______; Douglas, Sol. Heller; Delaware, _________ _________; Cedar, Thos. McGuire.

On motion, convention adjourned.

I. S. BAILEY, Ch'n.

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Mrs. F. L. Stanfield and babe, who have been on the sick list for the past week, becoming somewhat worse Sunday night, a telegram was sent to Mrs. W. W. Stanfield, at Odebolt, who arrived here Monday, in company with her son Charles. At present writing the signs are more favorable for the recovery of the sick ones.---Mapleton Press.

 

[Transcribed from the original volume by B. Ekse.]

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