Excerpts from The Chronicle
August through October, 1903
THE CHRONICLE, VOL. 17. NO. 17. AUGUST 27, 1903.
It may console the Sac Sun to learn that our witness fees in the Cherry Sisters case do not include mileage, as we were subpoenaed while in Des Moines. But if mileage were included it would be a just claim, for we pay for our transportation in advertising. When we get the fees we shall let the Sun know all about it.
Herman Gromann left Saturday evening for Chicago. He will spend a week there with relatives and will then visit Washington, Philadelphia, New York and Boston before entering Yale college.
THE CHRONICLE, VOL. 17. NO. 18. SEPTEMBER 3, 1903.
The Difference.
Wall Lake Blade: We notice by the Sac Sun that Billy Hamilton is accused of trying to collect his witness fees from Polk county on account of the trouble into which he got the Des Moines Leader over the Cherry sisters. The Sun says: "The whole county will be interested in learning whether Billy gets his fees and whether he puts in a claim for mileage from his home in Odebolt. At that time he traveled on a Pass." This is intended as an excuse for Rev. Abrams working that witness fee graft in this county and it is very thin. It makes Abrams' offence no less if Hamilton is guilty of doing what Abrams did. If one man kills another it does not lessen the crime when another does the same. Hamilton is no preacher, either, and does not try to pass as such, but Abrams does, and we expect something better from a minister than one who does not claim to be living up to the teaching of scripture in all things. It is quite evident that the friends of Abrams are hard up for an excuse when they resort to saying "You did it, too," and it is an admission of guilt besides. The truth is Hamilton paid for that pass in advertising space in his paper, and the witness fees do not include mileage, as he was subpoenaed in Des Moines. He did not carry the subpoena in his pocket to his home in Odebolt and have it served on him there a la Abrams, either.
Schaller Herald: Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Currie returned this morning from Battle Creek, Michigan, where Mr. Currie went to receive treatment. We understand the doctors there would give him no encouragement of permanent recovery.
THE CHRONICLE, VOL. 17. NO. 19. SEPTEMBER 10, 1903.
Mrs. H. L. Leget of this city is perhaps the only woman in Odebolt who has killed a rattlesnake. On Monday she nearly stepped on one within 30 feet of her door step. It was stretched out, enjoying a sun bath. Instead of screaming murder, Mrs. Leget kept an eye on the reptile and asked her daughter to bring a hoe. The rattler showed fight when attacked, but was soon dispatched by the plucky woman. It was about 30 inches long and sported six rattles and a button.
Walter Bennett says he wouldn't take $75 for his gas range if he couldn't get another one, and Charley Larson is just as enthusiastic over the range he installed in his restaurant the other day. John Briggel has ordered a gas range for his restaurant and will have the lights as soon as the plumbers can pipe the building. George G. Smith will buy a gas range, also. The opera house, Dr. I. M. Selby's office, the Selby Drug company's and Larson & Erickson's store rooms have been piped this week and a lot of residences will follow.
Get your dwelling piped for gas and enjoy the brilliant light during the long evenings. If you have never used gasoline gas you have no idea of the comfort its wonderful light will give you. The cost of piping is not much and the pipes will last as long as the house stands. The cost of a 70-candle power light is about a cent an hour--the same rate that Ida Grove people pay for only a 16-candle power electric light. Those who are using this gas will never go back to kerosene.
THE CHRONICLE, VOL. 17. NO. 20. SEPTEMBER 17, 1903.
The Bon Ton restaurant and bakery will be connected with the gas mains in a day or two. Mr. Allen knows a good thing when he sees it.
The school board of Wheeler township has closed the schools in districts No. 1 and 6 and is transporting the pupils to the Odebolt school and paying their tuition.
Martha Ingraham Williams, who died in Wall Lake recently, had been a resident of this county for over 50 years. She was the widow of Joseph Williams and the mother of the late Dr. Williams. She came from Michigan with her husband to Grant City in the spring of 1853.
The Odebolt Lighting and Heating company has decided to install an 8,000 gallon tank for the storage of gasoline and purchase that fluid by the car load. A pipe line will be laid from the plant to the railroad track and the car emptied by gravity. By purchasing in car lots the company can always have a supply of raw material on hand, regardless of a gasoline famine.
Forty-three of the 58 stores and offices in the business part of town are using gas from the Odebolt Lighting and Heating Company's mains.
Wall Lake Blade: If you see a young lady going about with her shirt waist sleeves turned up to the elbows, don't get scared, she doesn't want to fight. It is the fashion, you know. Some turn up their sleeves when they want to put on style and some when they are going to work. To tell the truth, we can't see but the young ladies have as much right to turn up their sleeves and show their beautiful forearms as young men have to buy pants three inches too long for the purpose of turning up the bottoms of the pants that much. In some of the towns the ladies are wearing men's dress shirts for shirt waists. If that style ever strikes this town--well we have the best of our wife there, ours are too small.
THE CHRONICLE, VOL. 17. NO. 21. SEPTEMBER 24, 1903.
W. P. Adams brought in 2,750 lambs Monday morning from the North Dakota ranch to fatten on his rich clover pastures.
John R. Mattes is superintending repairs on the roof of the First National Bank building. The roof is of tar and gravel, and in order to have the tar hot when applied Mr. Mattes has attached a rubber hose to a gas jet in the building and is heating the sticky stuff on the roof over a little gas stove. If heated on the ground the tar would cool off too much before it could be elevated to the roof.
A 10-1/2 pound boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Libby last Friday morning.
Any person who meddles with or injures the street lamps or drip pots, or injures in any way the property of the Odebolt Lighting and Heating company, will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. A reward will be paid for the detection of offenders.
Dr. Gromann and his daughter Helen went to Lake Okoboji Tuesday, to enjoy a week's outing.
Mr. and Mrs. L. G. Waggoner, formerly of Odebolt, now of Dolliver, Emmet county, are visiting E. H. Barrows and other relatives and friends here.
Obituary.
Two old citizens of Odebolt passed away on Tuesday. George H. Turner died at 2 o'clock in the morning and J. W. Mertz died at 5:30 in the afternoon. Mr. Turner's funeral services were conducted yesterday afternoon in the Presbyterian church by Rev. Alexander Gilmore, who will also officiate this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock in the same church when the services for Mr. Mertz are held.
George H. Turner was born in the Bermuda islands April 26, 1850. When he was 19 years old he came to Cedar county, Iowa, settling near Clarence. February 7, 1878, he married Miss Martha Henderson. In March, 1883, they moved to Wheeler township, this county, residing on their farm until the spring of 1893, when they came to Odebolt.
Nine children were born to them. One died in infancy and four sons and four daughters are left to comfort their mother.
Mr. Turner had been a sufferer from what he supposed was indigestion for years. About six months ago he began to fail rapidly, and several weeks ago he went to Chicago and consulted Dr. Murphy, who informed him that he had cancer of the stomach and had not more than a month or two to live. The end, however, came sooner than the eminent specialist predicted.
Mr. Turner was a prominent member of the Presbyterian church and had many friends in Odebolt and vicinity. His afflicted family have the sympathy of the community.
_______________
J. W. Mertz was born May 10, 1817, in Sparta, New York. His parents moved soon after to Erie county, Pennsylvania, where in 1841 he married Miss Elizabeth Moore. They lived in Erie and Crawford counties for 10 years, Mrs. Mertz dying in March, 1860.
In 1863 Mr. Mertz came to Linn county, Iowa, where in 1875 he married Mrs. Lucy Quinlan, who survives him. In 1875 he purchased a farm in Crawford county, nine miles south of Odebolt, and resided thereon until 1883, when he moved to Odebolt.
He had nine children by his first marriage. Mrs. J. B. Carter, Alice and J. Bradley Mertz preceded their father to the grave. The survivors are Julius F. Mertz of this city; Mrs. John Getty of Mitchell, South Dakota; Mrs. W. H. Mitts of Odebolt; Mrs. William Heilman of Marion; Mrs. T. B. Stratford of Enid, Oklahoma, and Fred M. Mertz of Corry, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Mertz enjoyed rugged health until about 18 months ago, since which time he gradually failed. His death had been expected at any time for four months past. His disposition was cheerful and he had a pleasant word for all. He was a frequent and welcome visitor at THE CHRONICLE office. He was a kind husband and father and a good citizen; and he will be missed by a wide circle of friends.
THE CHRONICLE. VOL. 17. NO. 22. OCTOBER 1, 1903.
Miss Mabel E. Turner of this city, daughter of the late George H. Turner, and Mr. John T. Hill of Ephrata, Washington, were married in Sioux City last Saturday. The couple met last fall in Ephrata, where the bride was teaching school. The date of their marriage had been fixed and Mr. Hill was on his way to Odebolt when Mr. Turner died. The latter, knowing death was near, requested that no postponement be made, and the marriage occurred four days after his demise. Mr. and Mrs. Hill are now staying with the bride's mother, but will return to Ephrata soon and go to housekeeping October 10. Mr. Hill is the railroad agent at that place and is a fine young man. His bride is an excellent young woman, and her many friends wish the pair happiness and prosperity.
THE CHRONICLE. VOL. 17. NO. 23. OCTOBER 8, 1903.
Missionsmötet i Missionskyrkan här städen börjar i morgon kväll (Fredag)
och fortsätter öfver Lördagen och Söndagen. Alla välkomna.
[Rough translation from Swedish: Mission meetings at the Mission church in this
town will begin tomorrow (Friday) and continue over Saturday and Sunday. All are
welcome.]
At the republican caucus of Richland township last Saturday Emett Starner was nominated for trustee and John Buist for justice of the peace to fill vacancy.
Hugh M. Cory, one of the earliest settlers of this county, has leased his farm near Sac City for a term of years and will move next month to Fairhaven, Washington.
A. C. Petersmeyer's home is now lighted with gas. The photograph gallery, the steam laundry and the residences of E. P. Hartman and W. W. Field will be piped within the next week, making 64 consumers.
Five hundred head of steers, fed at the Brookmont farm under the direction of the Agricultural College experiment station, were shipped from Odebolt on Tuesday evening, consigned to Clay Robinson & Co., Chicago. They filled 25 cars and each car bore three canvas labels, one stating that the cattle were the property of A. E. Cook, another that the cattle were fed under the direction of the experiment station and the third bore the name of the consignee.
The infant of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Carroll of Auburn fell into a tub of water one day last week and when rescued life was apparently extinct. But after 15 minutes of vigorous rubbing and shaking by some sensible women who were at hand the little one's breath returned, to the joy of the almost frantic mother.
Odebolt consumers of gas, exclusive of street lamps, burned 101,000 feet during the month of September. By the end of this week there will be 64 consumers and a number will be added before winter sets in.
L. Fetton has succeeded O. J. Bedard as ranchman on the Field farm, now owned by W. P. Adams.
Cost of Gas in Dwellings
The meter reports of the gas company for the month of September demonstrate that the cost of lighting an ordinary dwelling will range from $20 to $30 per year, depending upon the size of the family and the number of rooms lighted at one time.
September is an average month; that is, the number of hours light is necessary is about an average for the year. Consequently the expense of lighting a dwelling during September, multiplied by 12, will give the yearly cost.
Light in the kitchen and dining room while supper is being prepared and eaten, the table cleared away the dishes washed, is necessary at this time of the year, but not when the days are longer. After supper, when there is no "company," the members of the household generally sit in one room until bedtime, and one light only need be used. When the inmates go to their bedrooms the quantity consumed there is hardly worth considering.
Mr. Frank P. Motie's light bill for the entire month of September, gas being burned every evening during the month, was $2.45. Mr. Motie has a good sized house and there are ten members in the family.
Dr. Oursler has not completed piping his house, but he used a gas range and one light during the entire month. His bill was $3.15.
The Catholic parsonage bill for lighting and cooking during the month was $3.85.
Walter Bennett used a gas range (he has no other cook stove) and one light during the last 26 days of September. His bill was $2.63.
These figures show that no householder need be deterred from using gas by the cost. It saves time and annoyance. There is no cleaning and filling of lamps, which take up so much of the housekeeper's time when kerosene is used; no trimming and replacing of wicks, no dirty work, no odor of oil, no smoking of the ceiling. It is also proven conclusively that a gas range is cheaper to operate than a gasoline stove. Had Mr. Bennett used his stove the entire month instead of 26 days his bill would have been $3.03, for it averaged 10 cents per day--and, bear in mind, the cost of his kitchen gas light is included in this. A gasoline stove in an ordinary family will consume five gallons of gasoline per week, costing 90 cents--or nearly $4 for a 30-day month. Moreover, the gas range is safer, quicker and cleaner. It makes no dirt, smoke or odor. Gas gives an intense heat which can be turned on or shut off in a moment. No time is wasted in generating gas. For cooking, baking, broiling, roasting and all kinds of domestic use, it is not approached by any other fuel. Ask your neighbors who are using gas ranges and they will confirm these statements. Remember that the gas company furnishes ranges at actual wholesale cost; a good one will cost you only fifteen or sixteen dollars.
If you want to enjoy solid comfort, use gas for illuminating and cooking. Pipe your house before the ground freezes.
_____________
Uncle Charley Aldrich, curator of the state historical collection, celebrated his 75th anniversary the other day. May he live to see many more anniversaries. The people of Iowa owe him much for his self-sacrificing labors. Hampered by many difficulties, he has collected with rare judgment a vast quantity of matter pertaining to the history of the state and saved for future generations information that otherwise would not be preserved. The state historical building with its treasures is the most interesting thing in Des Moines. We like to go there and talk with its presiding genius, whose countenance is a benediction and whose mind is stored with historical knowledge. [A note from B. Ekse: Nearly one hundred one years after Billy Hamilton wrote this accolade to Charley Aldrich, I felt like a time traveler as I read it. I was transcribing Hamilton's words from microfilm at the historical library in today's successor to Aldrich's state historical building! It's still the most interesting thing in Des Moines. http://www.iowahistory.org/museum/index.html ]
THE CHRONICLE. VOL. 17. NO. 24. OCTOBER 15, 1903.
We hear that William W. Welch is preparing to open a restaurant in Mrs. Kennedy's building, corner of Main and Third streets.
We hear that after November 1 the general stores and most of the other business houses of Odebolt will close at 6:30 P.M., with the exception of Wednesday and Saturday evenings.
John H. Smith plowed up a stone hatchet on his farm in Wheeler township last week. The implement was smoothly finished and perfect in workmanship and probably cost its Indian manufacturer many hours of labor.
The members of the Ingleside and Women's Literary clubs have made arrangements for a course of entertainments the coming winter, as follows: November 17, Columbian Male Quartette; January 6, Mozart Symphony Club; January 16, Father Vaughan, the great dramatic orator; March 18, the Royal Entertainers. We are assured that the list is made up of first-class talent and that no better entertainments were ever given in Odebolt. Season tickets are sold at $1.50; tickets for one entertainment, 50 cents. No seats can be reserved until October 31, when the plat will be found at DeLay's drug store. Further particulars will be given later.
W. F. Ream has put down a cement walk in front of his residence property on Lincoln Avenue and has built a barn 16x20.
transcribed by B. Ekse from microfilm
The Chronicle, March through July, 1903
[Home ] [ History Index]