Linn County Community News
A BIT OF A ROW An Iowa Town Celebrates the Fourth with a Free Fight.
Four Men Fatally and Twenty-Five Slightly Wounded. Chicago, July 6 - A special from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, says: Reliable information from Tray Mills, a small village in the county, gives details of a terrible fight during the celebration last Saturday. The course of the fight, in which over 300 persons engaged, was bad blood engendered several years ago in voting a tax for railroad. The row began by the marshal of the day striking a man for insulting a woman, and the blow was the signal for a free fight, lasting for two hours, in which every conceivable weapon was used. The result was four men probably fatally wounded and the serious injury of twenty-five others. [The Quincy Daily Whig; Published July 6, 1880; Page 5 - Transcribed by Debbie Gibson]
A large crowd A large crowd attended the celebration at Walker. [Source: The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette; Friday, July 8, 1904; Submitted by Karen Hammer]
A Tour of Iowa What Was Seen by Cedar Rapids People on a Journey Joseph Cherry, who for many years has been on of the most prosperous and best known farmers of Spring Grove township, in company with his wife, has just completed a most interesting journey. They fitted out a spring wagon with an oil cloth cover, equipped it with all possible conveniences, and on the 12th of June set out from their home for a trip through the northern and western portions of the state. They went north through Buchanan and Bremer counties, and from there passed on to Wright, after which they visited Kosmith and other northwestern counties, stopping for a time at Lake Okoboil. They then journeyed westward and south going into Cherokee, Ida, Sac, Diatrison (Dickinson?), Pottawattamie, and then east to Des Moines where they visited the state fair. On their return they came through Jasper, Poweshiek, and Iowa counties. Mr. and Mrs. Cherry were prepared for "camping out", which they did except when stopping with relatives or old time Linn county friends who are quite numerous in northwestern Iowa. Mr. Cherry was a welcome visitor at the Gasette office Saturday evening and to a reporter talked concerning their interesting trip. He says that he never enjoyed three months better in his life, and Mr. Cherry has seen a good deal of the world, being a native of England, where he has visited at various times since coming to this country. He says that he found but little open land during his tour through this state. The largest amount was in Kossuth county. There is an open tract of land among the hills of Osceola county. Here and there is a vacant quarter section, but in his circle around through the state he traveled almost the entire distance in fenced lanes or where the cultivated land reached down to the road of every side. "Land", said Mr. Cherry , is worth considerably more in many parts of western Iowa than it is in Linn county. This may seem strange, but when we come to consider the manner in which the country is nettled the difference is explained. When a farmer in Illinois or the east wishes to settle in Iowa he invariably goes to the western or northwestern portions, expecting to find better opportunities there than in the eastern part of the state. The result is the demand for land has become very strong and prices have advanced in proportion. The cheapest good farm lands in any of the counties ranged from $30-$35 per acre. In Sac and Ida counties many of the farms sell for $50-$75 per acre. Prices range from $40-$75 in Cherokee, Ida and Sac and in fact all through the western and northwestern part of the state. Land in Poweshiek county, even where it is very hilly sells readily at from $40-$75 per acre. The principle crop said Mr. Cherry all through the northwest is corn. In Ida, Sac, and Cherokee counties, the farmers still hold a large proportion of last year's crop and they have an enormous crop almost ready to harvest. The fact is the farmers of northwester Iowa will have to change their methods of farming or quit business. Corn raising doesn't pay and hogs are scarce, cholera having carried away many of them during the past year. Cattle are fed only in limited numbers. "How about the creamery business asked the reporter". "The farmers out west have never been in the habit of milking cows and they seem adverse going into the dairy business. A fine creamery was built in Pottawatamie county, but has had to close down as the farmers would not sell their milk. They do not seem to appreciate the advantages of dairying. I do not know whether they would sell their milk. I do not know whether they could make it profitable or not, but as I said, they will have to do something. Many of the farmers live on rented land and cannot sell their grain for enough to pay their rent. Many of them pay $3 per acre cash rent, which is too high, considering the price of products. Rents will have to come down or the farmers charge so as to make their work more productive." In answer to who owns these rented lands, Mr. Cherry said retired farmers who now live in the towns. The men who were early settlers in the northwest have certainly been prosperous. Referring to politics, Mr. Cherry said that he heard it discussed everywhere he went. The farmers talked at end, the people in towns gather in excited groups and talk of silver and gold. He says that so far as his observations went he is led to conclude that in western Iowa there are more gold democrats than there are silver republicans. In Omaha he found the people greatly excited over the the currency question. Men would begin discussion on the streets, great crowds would gather and would stand and listen until the police would come along and order them to disperse. In Omaha the working men seen to be for silver. Mr. Cherry says that he still regards Linn as one of the best counties of the state and thinks the people here are in better condition than in most places he visited. [The Sioux City Journal, 10/2/1896 - submitted by Brenda Duckworth]
AN IOWA SHERIFF'S NERVE Linn County's Official Collects a Penal Fine by Auctioning off Red Liquor. The Performance Likely to Cause a Lively Legal match in the Prohibition State Dan R Kinley, a sheriff of Linn county, has by virtue of a criminal execution on a judgement against George Spaulding, a saloon keeper here, for $300 for a violation of the law offered for sale at auction, a stock of liquors taken from Spaulding to satisfy said execution. This judgement against Spaulding was obtained about three months ago, and up to about a month ago he had paid $100 of it. When he left the city and attempted to ship his stock of liquors which were seized by the sheriff when in transit to the depot. This is the first instance known where the officers have offered liquors for sale in a prohibition state to satisfy a judgement, and a test case will probably follow. [Morning World-Herald, 1/20/1891 - submitted by Brenda Duckworth]
Attorney Berkabile Attorney Berkabile, who delivered the Fourth of July oration at this place, was the guest of Hon. H. J. Neitert during the day. [Source: The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette; Friday, July 8, 1904; Submitted by Karen Hammer]
Mrs. Joe Butler Mrs. Joe Butler left Tuesday evening for Elkton, South Dakota, for an extended visit at the home of her father, David Fox. [Source: The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette; Friday, July 8, 1904; Submitted by Karen Hammer]
Mr. and Mrs. L. N. Carsner Mr. and Mrs. L. N. Carsner are the parents of a little daughter, born July 2. [Source: The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette; Friday, July 8, 1904; Submitted by Karen Hammer]
Cotton Raising in Iowa The Linn County (Iowa) Register says that Mr. Knaman, of Monroe township, in that county has left a sample of superior cotton, raised by him the past season. Mr. Holmas, the editor of the Register, who, though a sound Republican, is a Southerner by birth, has been for many years engaged in commercial pursuits, and is unquestionably competent to spread understandingly of the quality of Iowa cotton. [Jan 19, 1861- Milwaukee Daily Sentinel - submitted by Brenda Duckworth]
Deaths: Rice & Connors The other night about 12 o'clock, a stock train on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern was thrown from the track near Northwood, Worth county, Iowa. Morrill Rice, engineer, and Michael Connors, brakeman, both of Cedar Rapids, were instantly killed. The fireman was badly scalded. Twenty-eight head of cattle, belonging to the Pioneer Cattle Company, of Montana, were killed. [The Columbus journal, Columbus, Neb., November 04, 1885, submitted by KT=fofg]
Fourth Celebrated The Fourth was celebrated in various ways along this route, some going to Lafayette, some to Independence, some to Waterloo, some to Chain Lake and some to the meeting at the No. 1 church, held by Rev. Ambrose of Cedar Rapids. A goodly number from Cedar Rapids were present at the meeting. [Source: The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette; Friday, July 8, 1904; Submitted by Karen Hammer
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hepker Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hepker, Mr. and Mrs. Allen Hepker and little daughter returned Saturday from a trip to Nebraska. [Source: The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette; Friday, July 8, 1904; Submitted by Karen Hammer
HIGH PRICED STAG Iowa Man Sells Meat Hog at Highest Price on Chicago market Probably the highest priced meat hog ever sold on the open market was sold by EH Hill of Linn County, Iowa on the Chicago market one day last week. The hog was a stag, weighed 120 pounds and sold at $9.80 bringing at that price $62.72. According to market rules the beast was docked 80 pounds, but even at that left the seller a handsome sum. A few years ago stags were appraised $ cwt. below barrows in addition to the dockage, but such keen rivalry has developed among sausage makers for this grade of pork lately that packers are rarely able to buy a stag. Lard is worth big money and stags are liberal yielders of this. One effect of such prices is to drain the country not only of old but young boars, stagging them being a general practice. [Fort Worth Star - Telegram, 3/27/1910 - - submitted by Brenda Duckworth]
Miss Anna Hopkins Miss Anna Hopkins returned Saturday from a two weeks' visit with friends at Cedar Falls. [Source: The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette; Friday, July 8, 1904; Submitted by Karen Hammer]
Charles Hutchinson Charles Hutchinson was a Cedar Rapids visitor Wednesday. [Source: The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette; Friday, July 8, 1904; Submitted by Karen Hammer]
The ladies of the M. O. J. H. club The ladies of the M. O. J. H. club postponed their picnic Wednesday on account of the inclement weather. [Source: The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette; Friday, July 8, 1904; Submitted by Karen Hammer]
Lardlord Crew Lardlord Crew and wife are entertaining their daughter, Miss Olive Crew, of Minneapolis. [Source: The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette; Friday, July 8, 1904; Submitted by Karen Hammer]
Lighting Kills Horse Robins, Iowa, July 8 - Lightning struck and killed a valuable horse of James Vannote in the recent storm that passed over this section. [Source: The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette; Friday, July 8, 1904; Submitted by Karen Hammer
Marble in Iowa Brown Stone Discovered in Linn County-Depth Unknown A discovery has just been made in Linn County that will be of great interest to geologists and which may be of untold benefit to the surrounding country. This is nothing more nor less than a deposit of marble known to cover at least five acres. The depth of the quarry has not been ascertained. The marble is a peculiar brown when finished and takes a deeper polish and makes a finer surface than any other variety of stone on exhibition or in use in this city. [Morning World Herald - 4/8/1897 - submitted by Brenda Duckworth]
Miss Salome Millam Miss Salome Millam of Waterloo is the guest of Miss Adelaide Voorhees. [Source: The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette; Friday, July 8, 1904; Submitted by Karen Hammer]
Misses Gertrude Neitert Misses Gertrude Neitert, Maud Wilde, Laura Bross and Ada Golden are attending the Normal at Independence this week. [Source: The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette; Friday, July 8, 1904; Submitted by Karen Hammer]
Rev. J. C. Orth Rev. J. C. Orth of Preston, Minn., formerly pastor of the Presbyterian church at this place, will occupy the pulpit next Sunday both morning and evening. [Source: The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette; Friday, July 8, 1904; Submitted by Karen Hammer]
People Keep Their Homes Proper Patents Issued to Linn County Seat Platters About 50 years ago the supervisors of Linn County, Iowa, appointed a commission to locate a county seat, buy 160 acres of land and plat it. The site of what is now the central part of Marion was bought, platted and sold, the county giving warranty deeds. A few months ago it was discovered that the land had never been patented to the county. The matter was hushed up, while steps were taken to right the situation, but it became public and caused a small panic. Not a title in the central part of the city was good. Today the federal land office here received word that the general land office at Washington had succeeded in securing the papers necessary to correct the matter and the patent to the county has just been issued in proper form. [Sunday World Herald - 1/26/1896 - submitted by Brenda Duckworth]
Petrolus Mamois Laborer Shot To Death Petrolus Mamois Believed To Have Been Slain By Nephew Cedar Rapids, Iowa-August 10, 1909--The police are searching for Frank Gight, accused of murdering his uncle, Petrolus Mamois, and robbing the body of $100. The men were section hands and were seen walking out of town, shooting at telephone poles. Mamois' body was found with three bullet holes through the abdomen, his pockets turned inside out and his money missing. [Source: Jackson Sentinel, Maquoketa, Iowa, Published August 12, 1909; submitted by Ken Wright]
Miss Olive Ross Miss Olive Ross of Hopkinton is spending the week in town. [Source: The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette; Friday, July 8, 1904; Submitted by Karen Hammer]
J. J. Russell J. J. Russell, who has been manager for the Walker Lumber company at this place, and for many years proprietor of the same place, has purchased a lumber yard at West Branch. Mr. and Mrs. Russell will move to West Branch in the near future. While we regret the loss of these estimable young people, who have not only been prominent in business but in social circles as well, West Branch is to be congratulated on the change. [Source: The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette; Friday, July 8, 1904; Submitted by Karen Hammer]
Miss Hazel Smith Miss Hazel Smith, who is employed in Marion, is spending the week with Walker friends. [Source: The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette; Friday, July 8, 1904; Submitted by Karen Hammer]
Sunday school convention The delegates to the state Sunday school convention are jubilant over the awarding of the banner again the third year to Linn county. [Source: The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette; Friday, July 8, 1904; Submitted by Karen Hammer
Visiting Friends & Family Mr. and Mrs. Charles Greeler, Alvin Lavene, Hattie Forman, Emil Winkelman and Junior Moeller have returned from Iowa, where they have been visiting friends and relatives. Their trip took them first to Marion, Ia., where they visited Mr. and Mrs. Lee Neunshwander, who lived in the town of York about 19 years ago. At Dysart they visited with Mr. and Mrs. Henry Moeller, who are also old residents of the town of York. At Chelsea they visited Clifford and Joseph Vaverka. From Chelsea they stopped at Dickeyville, where they viewed the beautiful shrines, and Alvin Laverne also visited an old schoolmate, John Rolss, who was recently discharged from the army. The group also called on Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stiens of Dysart. Mrs. Stiens is the former Erna Rolss, who at one time lived near Neillsville. [Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 22 Nov. 1945; transcribed by Marla Zwakman]
Miss Emma Waterman Miss Emma Waterman, who has been the guest of her sister, Mrs. O. C. Swartz, left for home near Mitchell, South Dakota, Thursday. [Source: The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette; Friday, July 8, 1904; Submitted by Karen Hammer]
Ed. Weik Ed. Weik of Reinbeck, Iowa, is the guest of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. Weik. [Source: The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette; Friday, July 8, 1904; Submitted by Karen Hammer]
Mrs. C. M. Wilson Mrs. C. M. Wilson was called to Robins Wednesday by the death of her nephew, Will Jones, who resided near that place. [Source: The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette; Friday, July 8, 1904; Submitted by Karen Hammer]
C. H. Winner C. H. Winner of Perry, Iowa, arrived here last Friday, returning home Wednesday accompanied by his wife and two children, who had been visiting at the home of T. A. Jeffrey. [Source: The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette; Friday, July 8, 1904; Submitted by Karen Hammer]
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