Leon Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa Thursday, January 1, 1903 "Popular Young Lady and Winner of the Leon Reporter's Piano Contest by a Large Majority." The most successful and most popular of the many voting contests held by The Reporter closed at six o'clock last Thursday evening and was won by MISS OLLIE ROBERTS, the popular saleslady at the store of Graham, Darrah & Hansell Co. All day Christmas the friends of the two leading candidates, MISS ROBERTS and MISS MARVIN brought in votes for their favorites by the thousands, and under the conditions of the contest it was impossible to even guess who was the winner until the judges had finished the official count. As quick as the clock struck six o'clock the ballot box was sealed and the key which had been deposited two weeks before with the Farmers & Traders State Bank, was delivered by the judges by Mr. T.S. Arnold. The judges selected to count the ballots were I.N. Beard, J.A. Caster and O.C. Clark and they were all on hand ready to commence work. A representative of each of the candidates was also present to watch the count, while outside The Reporter office was congregated a large crowd who braved the cold weather for more than four hours eagerly waiting to learn the result. There were 343,287 votes cast in the contest and the count was not completed until half past ten, when it was found that MISS ROBERTS had won by a plurality of 34,411 votes. The following is the complete vote cast: MISS OLLIE ROBERTS ...... 155,258 MISS MAE MARVIN ...... 120,847 MISS NORA GILREATH ...... 25,175 MISS DORA FARNES ....... 17,752 Other candidates, who had withdrawn ...... 24,257 _______ Total ...... 343,287 The last two weeks the contest raged furiously, the friends of the two leading candidates bending every energy to win for their favorite. Up to the last two days MISS MARVIN evidently had a good lead, but in the final hours many thousand votes were cast for MISS ROBERTS which pushed her ahead. Both of the candidates were most estimable young ladies and we are sorry that both could not win the piano, but as is the case in all contests one had to lose. MISS MARVIN made a remarkable race, being practically alone in the work done, as her votes were nearly all secured through her individual efforts. MISS ROBERTS was fortunate in having friends who rendered her material assistance. The contest has resulted in placing a large number of new subscribers on The Reporter's list, and we desire to thank the many friends who aided us in making the contest a success. ~~~~~~~~~~ CARD OF THANKS To Editor of Leon Reporter. Dear Sir: As it is quite impossible for me to thank my many friends in person for their kindness and noble manner in which they so generously assisted me in the late piano contest, I wish through the medium of your valued paper to ask one and all to accept my heartfelt thanks. I need not say that at any future time, provided I can return the favor, it will be a pleasure to so comply. As regards the piano it is a splendid instrument and far more than met my expectations. But permit me to say that the piano is only second consideration to me compared with the kindness of friends who so bountifully bestowed their support, which will never be forgotten or erased from my memory, and words cannot express my gratitude. I have, Mr. Editor, to thank you, as well as your employees, for the impartial and gentlemanly treatment I received at all times as I had occasion to do business at your office. I am, very respectfully, OLLIE ROBERTS. Copied by Nancee (McMurtrey) Seifert February 21, 2003 *Note: There is a newspaper picture of MISS ROBERTS with the article.

Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa Thursday, January 7, l904 Twenty-one years ago there engaged in business in Leon a new firm of grocers, doing business under the firm name of CLARK & MCCLELLAND. They started in a small way, but from the first did a fine business, and in a few years built a fine brick block at the northwest corner of the square where for a number of years their business kept on increasing until they had the largest business in Leon. Finally on account of his health, E.B. MCCLELLAND retired and the firm was changed to W.P. CLARK & CO. MR. O.C. CLARK becoming a member. It has since remained thus and the firm has always had a fine trade. About Oct. l3, MR. W.P. CLARK, the senior member disappeared, starting for Atchison, Kas., and has never been heard of since reaching St. Joe. On the first of the year the business was formally transferred to the new firm of CLARK & MCCLELLAND, MR. MCCLELLAND again acquiring an interest, MRS. W.P. CLARK and O.C. CLARK retaining their interest. We welcome the firm of CLARK & MCCLELLAND and the business will now take on renewed energy, the members leaving nothing undone to merit the patronage of the buying public. MR. MCCLELLAND is one of the best buyers in the State and the store will carry a complete line of groceries, and as before will always save their customers money. A cordial invitation is extended to their old customers to continue their patronage and they will be accorded the same generous treatment as in the past. Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert

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