Harrison County, Iowa News Articles Brief Mentions Nathan Johnson became a settler on section 36, in 1856. He came from Indiana. He died on the same place he settled in about 1879. He was a member of the Board of Supervisors several terms. John Johnson, of Indiana (son of Nathan), came with Henry Hushaw in 1855. He settled on section 36, but subsequently removed to Nebraska. (History of Harrison Co., Iowa, 1891) Submitted by Cathy Danielson M. F. Layton Strange Ravings And Suicide Pittsburg, Penn., Jan. 26—A man giving the name of M. F. Layton, of Modale, Harrison County, Iowa, shot himself through the right lung last night while en route to Pittsburg from St. Louis on the fast line of the Panhandle Railroad. During the trip the passengers say that Layton acted like an insane man and frequently exclaimed: “Don’t arrest me. I am innocent. Oh, It was a horrible death, but I could not help it. Their eyes are on me, I cannot get away!” These and other remarks led the passengers to believe that he might be the murderer of the Boedecker family, who were found slaughtered in a farm-house near St. Louis last Wednesday. Layton is still living, but the physicians say his wound will prove fatal. [New York Times, Published January 27, 1884] Submitted by Cathy Danielson Postmaster S. L. Winter Creditors Left In The Lurch. An Iowa Postmaster Speculates, Loses, and Disappears. Des Moines, Iowa, Nov. 18—Postmaster S. L. Winter of Woodbine, Harrison County, has absconded. He left home a week ago and has not since been heard from. An investigation of his affairs shows that he has been speculating on the Chicago Board of Trade and losing heavily. It is not known whether the Government funds have been tampered with. It is estimated that Chicago firms will lose between $6,000 and $12,000 by Winter’s defalcation. Winter is supposed to be in Omaha. Yesterday morning his bondsmen took charge of the Post Office, placing W. J. Callender in Winter’s place. So far as can be learned, his accounts at the Post Office are all correct, and it is thought that the Chicago grain companies will be the only losers. Winter was Grand Chief Patriot of the Grand Encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has been highly respected and has been a candidate for County Treasurer twice, the last time being defeated by only twelve votes. A quit claim deed for his property in Woodbine, given by him to his wife on Dec. 16, 1890, was filed for record on Saturday last. How much he owes is not known. He paid off $2,000 on his debts before leaving. [New York Times, Published November 19, 1891] Submitted by Cathy Danielson Tired of Prohibition A Sample of Its Cost To One County in Iowa Logan, Iowa, Sept. 16—This city was the scene of a great demonstration yesterday, which is an illustration of how prohibition prohibits in Iowa. A delegation of eighty-three persons arrived from Dunlap on a train. They had been subpoenaed in five injunction cases. Each witness held five subpoenas. They reached Logan headed by a brass band, and, with the Stars and Stripes at the head of the column, marched to the Court House. Here the band serenaded the County Attorney, who is endeavoring to secure the injunctions. The band played “The Rogue’s March” and “Johnnie Get Your Gun.” One witness on the stand testified, when asked to describe a certain saloon, that “it was the building where the County Attorney had treated the boys before the election.” The costs in these five cases will be enormous. The constables’ fees are over $120. There were 415 subpoenas in all. These make, at $1.25 a day, $518.75. These cases will last several days. Then there is the mileage to be paid also. The people will have to foot the bills. Harrison County is getting tired of prohibition, and will give Boise a tremendous majority. [New York Times, Published September 17, 1891] Submitted by Cathy Danielson Copyright © Genealogy Trails All data on this website is Copyright by Genealogy Trails with full rights reserved for original submitters.