news.htm

Genealogy Trails logo

Hardin County, Iowa News
Blydenburg
Church Deacon Up For Murder
Eldora, Iowa, Man Accused of Poisoning Wife—Other Murders Hinted at.
Eldora, Iowa, Jan. 22.—But little progress was made by the state today in the prosecution of Eben S. Blydenburg, on trail for the alleged poisoning of his third wife. Witnesses testified to the sale of arsenic and to dissatisfaction expressed by Mrs. Blydenburg prior to her death, in which she determined to leave her husband.
Blydenburg, who was a Sunday school teacher, a deacon in the church and a philanthropist, was arrested in October, and evidence has since developed tending to show that two of his former wives died violent deaths.
Emily Hawkins, Blydenburg’s first wife, died mysteriously at Stony Brook, L. I., five years ago.
(Duluth News Tribune, Duluth, Minnesota, Published January 23, 1904)
Submitted by Cathy Danielson
H. A. Carr
A few days ago Mr. H. A. Carr, of Hardin county, met with a dreadful accident. He was grinding sorghum cane at the time. In order to ride while running the mill, he climbed up among the cogs, to reach an easy seat on the lever. The horse took fright and started off at a run, and Mr. Carr’s foot was caught in the mill and crushed into a pulp.
(Daily Iowa State Register, Published November 08, 1867)
Submitted by Cathy Danielson
Tom Clegg
Iowa Central Wreck
Freight Ditched Near Steamboat Rock—Engineer Fatally Hurt
Special Dispatch to the World Herald.
Mason City, Ia., April 23.—There was a big wreck on the Iowa Central, near Steamboat Rock, at an early hour this morning. An extra freight was coming north, running at a high speed, when the front tracks of the engine gave way, sending the entire train of twenty-five cars into the ditch, and wrecking a number of them badly.
Engineer Tom Clegg was, it is feared fatally injured. His engine was very badly wrecked. Traffic on the road will be interrupted for some time. Passengers are today being transferred.
(Omaha World Herald, Omaha, Nebraska, Published April 26, 1897)
Submitted by Cathy Danielson
S. V. De Lorimer
Iowa Stockman Missing
S. V. Lorimer, of Hardin County, Disappears While In Chicago
Chicago, April 7.—S. V. de Lorimer, a well known stock raiser of Whitten, Ia., disappeared last Tuesday in Chicago. His family and friends fear that he has met with foul play or committed suicide, as he suffered from a nervous disease. He left Whitten about a week ago and came to this city to take a position as traveling solicitor for L. C. Young & Co., in the Exchange building, Tuesday afternoon he appeared in the office of the firm and asked to have a check for $175 cashed. The money was given him, and at the same time he made an appointment for the afternoon with one of the members of the firm. He did not keep the appointment, and it was believed he had returned home.
A few days later J. Olny, of Whitten notified Young & Co. that he had received a letter from De Lorimer, dated Briggs house, April 1, in which the letter asked hime to look after his business affairs, as he was going on a long trip, and also that he was in very low spirits about something he did not mention. He did not stop at the Briggs house, and was not seen there by anyone. He is about 45 years old, weighs 140 pounds, has blue eyes, brown hair, mustache and goatee, and wore a gray suit, brown overcoat and gray cap.
(Sioux City Journal, Sioux City, Iowa, Published April 08, 1896)
Submitted by Cathy Danielson
Eldora & Ackly R. R. Bridge
The Eldora & Ackly R. R. bridge over the Iowa at Steamboat Rock is nearly completed.
(Daily Iowa State Register, Published November 08, 1867)
Submitted by Cathy Danielson
Policeman, Lee S. Fahler
Funeral Held For Policeman Slain At Minot
Remains Shipped to Iowa; Slayer Charged With First Degree Murder
Minot, Jan. 24.—Arvey Erickson, alleged whiskey runner from Chisholm, Minn., who mortally wounded Policeman Lee S. Fahler when the officer attempted to arrest him early Thursday, and who is recovering from the bullet wounds, inflicted by Fahler when the officer shot, after Erickson had fired two bullets into his chest, was arrested on a charge of murder in the first degree late Saturday by Chief of Police McDonald. He was turned over to the custody of Sheriff A. P. Scofield Sunday and a guard has been placed at the door of his room in St. Joseph’s hospital. Erickson was also arrested Saturday by Deputy U. S. Marshal C. R. Wattles on a charge of violating the federal laws. Erickson has retained counsel and his wife, who is here, announces his intention of fighting conviction.
Officer Is Buried
Funeral Services for Officer Fahler who died Friday morning, were held at the Rowan Undertaking parlors Sunday, Dr. C. L. Clifford of the Vincent M. E. church officiating.
Policemen Reed, Kane, Hall, Darby, Marlton, Darby and Bakemen were pallbearers. Members of the police and fire departments, as well as city officials and a large number of friends of Officer Fahler attended the services and accompanied the remains to Great Northern railway train No. 2 on which they were taken to Eldora, Iowa, for burial.
Mrs. Fahler and eight year old son, Myron, accompanied the remains as died Officer Fahler’s mother and two sisters who were summoned to Minot when doctors stated that no hope could be held for Fahler’s recovery.
(Grand Forks Herald, Grand Forks, North Dakota, Published January 25, 1921)
Submitted by Cathy Danielson
Henry Shafer
Man Is Near Death 9 Times
Henry Shaver of Eldora, Iowa, Has More Lives Than Proverbial Cat
Eldora, Iowa, Nov. 28.—Henry Shafer, of Eldora, is a Cass county, Mich., native who has indeed had a strange career since he left Cassopolis years ago and came with his parents to Iowa. The following accidents in which he has been the central figure show conclusively that he may well be entitled to the name of “The Human Wonder,” “The Modern Non-Conductor” and other cognomens which his friends have showered upon him.
Rescued from drowning in Iowa river at an early age.
Struck three times by lightning and picked up for dead each time.
Maimed, crushed and bruised by a fall of slate in a coal mine.
Crushed under 5,400 pounds of clay, escaping with two legs broken.
Blown twenty-five feet by the premature discharge of a cannon, losing an arm, eye and three fingers.
Fell from a cliff twenty-five feet headforemost.
This modern Ajax and death defier was born in 1852 at Cassopolis, in Cass county, Mich., and has been a hard working individual all of his life. Has had a large family to support and, despite his many infirmities and crippled condition works harder, longer and steadier than any laboring man in central Iowa.
His first lightning shock came in a harvest field. Following closely upon this Shafer’s worst experience and accident occurred July 4, 1883, during the celebration in the public park in Eldora. A sham battle was in progress and Henry was acting as the gun swabber. The big cannon was prematurely discharged and Shafer went 25 feet in the air. The ramrod in its flight carried with it Shafer’s arm, and the powder burned out one eye and the sight of the other was partially destroyed. He regained its sight, but his back and side were injured.
Lightning struck him in the legs a year ago and this time his son picked him up and carried him home, thinking he was dead. He regained consciousness next morning, but had lost his voice, which came to him again in time to ask for supper.
Last fall Shafer decided to visit the St. Louis fair. The day before he was hauling heavy rocks for building material from the Smith stone quarry, when he slipped and fell down a 25 foot cliff. Workmen expected to find his bleeding remains on the rocks below. Instead, they found Shafer conscious and bemoaning the fact that he could not go to the fair. They took him home, he used copious draughts of a favorite liniment, went to the fair next day and enjoyed the exposition as well as did any of the many thousands of visitors to the great show.
Shafer’s last call by electricity came last month. He was resting on the grass in his yard, after a heavy rain, and lightning came out of a clear sky and felled him to the ground. His wife thought he was dead. He was black in the face, could not speak and was stiff and rigid. Taken in the house he soon regained consciousness, complained of his head hurting him for two days, and then was all right.
(Duluth News Tribune, Duluth, Minnesota, Published November 29, 1905)
Submitted by Cathy Danielson
Weather—Tornado
There was a tornado in Hardin Co., Iowa, the 3rd. The towns of New Providence and Quebec are in ruins. Seven lives were lost in the county. Loss of property estimated at $100,000.
(Wisconsin Chief, Published June 13, 1860)
Submitted by Cathy Danielson

Copyright © Genealogy Trails
All data on this website is Copyright by Genealogy Trails with full rights reserved for original submitters.



Hardin County, Iowa News Blydenburg Church Deacon Up For Murder Eldora, Iowa, Man Accused of Poisoning Wife—Other Murders Hinted at. Eldora, Iowa, Jan. 22.—But little progress was made by the state today in the prosecution of Eben S. Blydenburg, on trail for the alleged poisoning of his third wife. Witnesses testified to the sale of arsenic and to dissatisfaction expressed by Mrs. Blydenburg prior to her death, in which she determined to leave her husband. Blydenburg, who was a Sunday school teacher, a deacon in the church and a philanthropist, was arrested in October, and evidence has since developed tending to show that two of his former wives died violent deaths. Emily Hawkins, Blydenburg’s first wife, died mysteriously at Stony Brook, L. I., five years ago. (Duluth News Tribune, Duluth, Minnesota, Published January 23, 1904) Submitted by Cathy Danielson H. A. Carr A few days ago Mr. H. A. Carr, of Hardin county, met with a dreadful accident. He was grinding sorghum cane at the time. In order to ride while running the mill, he climbed up among the cogs, to reach an easy seat on the lever. The horse took fright and started off at a run, and Mr. Carr’s foot was caught in the mill and crushed into a pulp. (Daily Iowa State Register, Published November 08, 1867) Submitted by Cathy Danielson Tom Clegg Iowa Central Wreck Freight Ditched Near Steamboat Rock—Engineer Fatally Hurt Special Dispatch to the World Herald. Mason City, Ia., April 23.—There was a big wreck on the Iowa Central, near Steamboat Rock, at an early hour this morning. An extra freight was coming north, running at a high speed, when the front tracks of the engine gave way, sending the entire train of twenty-five cars into the ditch, and wrecking a number of them badly. Engineer Tom Clegg was, it is feared fatally injured. His engine was very badly wrecked. Traffic on the road will be interrupted for some time. Passengers are today being transferred. (Omaha World Herald, Omaha, Nebraska, Published April 26, 1897) Submitted by Cathy Danielson S. V. De Lorimer Iowa Stockman Missing S. V. Lorimer, of Hardin County, Disappears While In Chicago Chicago, April 7.—S. V. de Lorimer, a well known stock raiser of Whitten, Ia., disappeared last Tuesday in Chicago. His family and friends fear that he has met with foul play or committed suicide, as he suffered from a nervous disease. He left Whitten about a week ago and came to this city to take a position as traveling solicitor for L. C. Young & Co., in the Exchange building, Tuesday afternoon he appeared in the office of the firm and asked to have a check for $175 cashed. The money was given him, and at the same time he made an appointment for the afternoon with one of the members of the firm. He did not keep the appointment, and it was believed he had returned home. A few days later J. Olny, of Whitten notified Young & Co. that he had received a letter from De Lorimer, dated Briggs house, April 1, in which the letter asked hime to look after his business affairs, as he was going on a long trip, and also that he was in very low spirits about something he did not mention. He did not stop at the Briggs house, and was not seen there by anyone. He is about 45 years old, weighs 140 pounds, has blue eyes, brown hair, mustache and goatee, and wore a gray suit, brown overcoat and gray cap. (Sioux City Journal, Sioux City, Iowa, Published April 08, 1896) Submitted by Cathy Danielson Eldora & Ackly R. R. Bridge The Eldora & Ackly R. R. bridge over the Iowa at Steamboat Rock is nearly completed. (Daily Iowa State Register, Published November 08, 1867) Submitted by Cathy Danielson Policeman, Lee S. Fahler Funeral Held For Policeman Slain At Minot Remains Shipped to Iowa; Slayer Charged With First Degree Murder Minot, Jan. 24.—Arvey Erickson, alleged whiskey runner from Chisholm, Minn., who mortally wounded Policeman Lee S. Fahler when the officer attempted to arrest him early Thursday, and who is recovering from the bullet wounds, inflicted by Fahler when the officer shot, after Erickson had fired two bullets into his chest, was arrested on a charge of murder in the first degree late Saturday by Chief of Police McDonald. He was turned over to the custody of Sheriff A. P. Scofield Sunday and a guard has been placed at the door of his room in St. Joseph’s hospital. Erickson was also arrested Saturday by Deputy U. S. Marshal C. R. Wattles on a charge of violating the federal laws. Erickson has retained counsel and his wife, who is here, announces his intention of fighting conviction. Officer Is Buried Funeral Services for Officer Fahler who died Friday morning, were held at the Rowan Undertaking parlors Sunday, Dr. C. L. Clifford of the Vincent M. E. church officiating. Policemen Reed, Kane, Hall, Darby, Marlton, Darby and Bakemen were pallbearers. Members of the police and fire departments, as well as city officials and a large number of friends of Officer Fahler attended the services and accompanied the remains to Great Northern railway train No. 2 on which they were taken to Eldora, Iowa, for burial. Mrs. Fahler and eight year old son, Myron, accompanied the remains as died Officer Fahler’s mother and two sisters who were summoned to Minot when doctors stated that no hope could be held for Fahler’s recovery. (Grand Forks Herald, Grand Forks, North Dakota, Published January 25, 1921) Submitted by Cathy Danielson Henry Shafer Man Is Near Death 9 Times Henry Shaver of Eldora, Iowa, Has More Lives Than Proverbial Cat Eldora, Iowa, Nov. 28.—Henry Shafer, of Eldora, is a Cass county, Mich., native who has indeed had a strange career since he left Cassopolis years ago and came with his parents to Iowa. The following accidents in which he has been the central figure show conclusively that he may well be entitled to the name of “The Human Wonder,” “The Modern Non-Conductor” and other cognomens which his friends have showered upon him. Rescued from drowning in Iowa river at an early age. Struck three times by lightning and picked up for dead each time. Maimed, crushed and bruised by a fall of slate in a coal mine. Crushed under 5,400 pounds of clay, escaping with two legs broken. Blown twenty-five feet by the premature discharge of a cannon, losing an arm, eye and three fingers. Fell from a cliff twenty-five feet headforemost. This modern Ajax and death defier was born in 1852 at Cassopolis, in Cass county, Mich., and has been a hard working individual all of his life. Has had a large family to support and, despite his many infirmities and crippled condition works harder, longer and steadier than any laboring man in central Iowa. His first lightning shock came in a harvest field. Following closely upon this Shafer’s worst experience and accident occurred July 4, 1883, during the celebration in the public park in Eldora. A sham battle was in progress and Henry was acting as the gun swabber. The big cannon was prematurely discharged and Shafer went 25 feet in the air. The ramrod in its flight carried with it Shafer’s arm, and the powder burned out one eye and the sight of the other was partially destroyed. He regained its sight, but his back and side were injured. Lightning struck him in the legs a year ago and this time his son picked him up and carried him home, thinking he was dead. He regained consciousness next morning, but had lost his voice, which came to him again in time to ask for supper. Last fall Shafer decided to visit the St. Louis fair. The day before he was hauling heavy rocks for building material from the Smith stone quarry, when he slipped and fell down a 25 foot cliff. Workmen expected to find his bleeding remains on the rocks below. Instead, they found Shafer conscious and bemoaning the fact that he could not go to the fair. They took him home, he used copious draughts of a favorite liniment, went to the fair next day and enjoyed the exposition as well as did any of the many thousands of visitors to the great show. Shafer’s last call by electricity came last month. He was resting on the grass in his yard, after a heavy rain, and lightning came out of a clear sky and felled him to the ground. His wife thought he was dead. He was black in the face, could not speak and was stiff and rigid. Taken in the house he soon regained consciousness, complained of his head hurting him for two days, and then was all right. (Duluth News Tribune, Duluth, Minnesota, Published November 29, 1905) Submitted by Cathy Danielson Weather—Tornado There was a tornado in Hardin Co., Iowa, the 3rd. The towns of New Providence and Quebec are in ruins. Seven lives were lost in the county. Loss of property estimated at $100,000. (Wisconsin Chief, Published June 13, 1860) Submitted by Cathy Danielson Copyright © Genealogy Trails All data on this website is Copyright by Genealogy Trails with full rights reserved for original submitters.