January - February Wheatland Gazette 1905

 

Bank at Preston has Failed

20 Jan 1905

PRIVATE INSTITUTION OF WHICH GEO. B. FOSTER HAS CLOSED ITS DOORS.

Was considered Safe and Reasons for the Failure Are Unknown---

Depositors are Losers.

Quite a sensation was created at Preston yesterday morning when people discovered a notice upon the doors to the Farmers and Merchants bank, stating that the bank had made an assignment with C. M. Farr of Maquoketa as assignee.

Geo. B. Foster, president of the bank is also president of Le American Plow Company of Madison, Wis., and the failing of the bank which was hitherto thought to be safe was a complete surprise to everyone.

The cashier, Charles Storm has been ill for some months and the management has been conducted by Mrs. Foster and his clerk during that time.  Many rumors are current as to the reason of the failure but nothing tangible has yet been produced.

Of Interest to Rosebud Settlers

22 Jan 1905

Judge Wade and a number of western Congressmen have been trying to secure action of congress whereby the time of settlement of the Rosebud lands might be postponed from Feb. 1^st until April 1^st.  For a time it looked as though such action might be taken, but the land speculators got wind of the measure and have brought enough influence to bear to tie the bill up so that it can not be passed in time to do the settlers any good.  These speculators are planning on a rich harvest from among the claims left vacant by settlers who will not brave the hardships of a Dakota winter in order to hold their land.  Every person who drew land in the Rosebud. (missing rest of story)

The Anniversary of the Bridge

Jan 1905

RAILROAD BRIDGE ACROSS THE RIVER WAS COMMENCED JAN. 15, 1859.

First Train Passed Over it on Jan. 19, 1860-Opposition Met Within Its Construction.

Forty-six years ago on Jan 15 the first pile was driven for the piers of the Clinton bridge.  The history of the bridge is naturally a corollary to that of the railway using it as it was obvious from the outset that the business of the company would be measured by the capacity of the facilities for transferring freight at this point. The original plan of the Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska railroad contained a plan to connect the Iowa and Illinois railroads with a bridge, and the advantages which Clinton offered was very apparent and one of the chief inducements which led to the founding of the town.  It will be remembered that the Galena company owned one bridge charter, granted by Illinois and parties interested in the Albany and Mendota line also owned another.  The former company caused a through survey to be made between the narrows above Lyons and a point below Clinton.  Discussion arose concerning the sites and finally it was decided to place the bridge in a middle point and after much delay the two companies came to an agreement and as stated before the first pile was driven on the fifteen of January, 1859 and the last span was dropped upon its bearings on the fourteenth of December in the same year.  At noon January 19. 1860, the first train passed over the bridge from the Illinois side to Little Rock Island where it was received by a  (part of page missing) 

to locate his body and his disappearance will without a doubt remain a mystery thought the ages.

From that time until this many repairs have been made on the bridge and its worth has been demonstrated in the country and the community a  thousand fold.

A Woman Who Was First

17 Feb 1905

In the Rush for Newly Opened Land She Held the Head of the Line for Hours.

In the development of the south-west women have always taken an active part.  They are as eager to settle in newly opened country as ever, say the New York Sun.

Land has recently been thrown open to settlement in the Rosebud region, or South Dakota, just north of the Nebraska state line, and between the Missouri and the White rivers.  Jennie Conway, of Omaha, was the first person to register for a homestead on the reservation,  She secured the place at the head of the line by standing in a driving rain for several hours, and then when the crowd began to gather b7 clinging to the knob of the door of the First Baptist church of Bonesteel, N. D., in which the official registrations were made.

What are you going to do with the homestead on this Indian reservation, if you get one?” she was asked.

“I’m going to build a house on the place and live on it,” was the answer.  “I’m tired of city life, and I want to get to the country.”  Miss Conway is 25 years old.  She occupied rooms in Bonesteel across from the registering place, and rising ling before breakfast, put on her rubber coat and hat and went over to the Baptist church.  For three hours she stood, while the rain fell in torrents,  Then the sun came out and beat down on the long line which had been formed. 

She held her place, and when the doors were opened at nine o’clock at the command of Commissioner Richards, of the general land office. Miss Conway was first to enter.  Five minutes later she emerged with certificate No. 1.  She is proud of the distinction and has high hopes of winning a choice homestead when the drawing takes place a the end of the month.

In Oklahoma not long ago no weather conditions precluded women among the “boomers” from retaining their places in the line and securing some of the best allotments, but there was no woman first.

The wage rate for common labor in Iowa in the mid-1840’s was 75 cents to $1 a day.

Rosebud Homesteaders

04? Feb 1905

NO EXTENSION OF TIME FOR THEM.

The large number of Iowa People who filed on land in to Rosebud reservation in South Dakota will be interested in learning they will be given no extension of time in establishing settlement on their claims.  The homestead laws of the country provide that any person taking a claim under the homestead laws of the United States must establish a residence thereon within six months from the date of making entry on the land.  When those who drew chances to file on the Rosebud lands last fall discovered that the six months time would compel them to make settlement on the land during the month of February, and at the very latest in the early part of March, and knowing that it would be practically impossible, owing to weather conditions to do so, petitioned congress and the interior department to extend the time of actual settlement until April 1.  Advice now comes from Washington that the speculators have succeeded in making it impossible to pass the bill in time to do the settler any good,, although there were bright prospects for a time of the passage of the bill. (rest of story torn off)

Poor  coffee is an unwholesome drink to begin the day by drinking, it clouds an otherwise cheerful mind.  See to it, then, that you have Chase & Sanborn’s high grade coffee with its fragrant aroma and perfect color.  
For sale by John E. Mooney, 710 4^th St.

22 Jan 1905: Last evening Night Captain Oster arrested these two for fast driving, the arrest being made at Dolan & Farrell’s livery barn where the young men had hired the horse.  They had been running the poor animal all over the city during the afternoon and when it arrived at the barn it was in a sorry looking condition.  The police were notified and made the arrest.

04 Feb 1905: This morning the local railway offices of the C. B. & Q. and the C. R. I & P. will be under the charge of their new agent, W. C. Smith.  Mr. Smith comes to this city from Rock Island and has had experience in that line of work for the last thirteen years.

Divorce Case

22 Jan 1905

Mrs. Nora McGovern has through her attorney, C. H. George, filed in the district court a suit for divorce from her husband, Andrew McGovern.  As stated in the petition August 1. 1892, was the day the couple were united in the bonds of wedlock, which the plaintiff now desires to have dissolved.  The plaintiff in her petition, alleges that her husband is addicted to the use of intoxicating liquors and that he is now an habitual drunkard, squandering his time and money in drink.  The plaintiff also alleges that he has been guilty of gross abuse and inhuman treatment toward here as to endanger her life; that he has struck, beat and abused her; called her vile names; threatened to kill her and drew a revolver upon  and abused her in many ways too numerous to mention.  These are the reasons why she brings suit for a divorce, and , also asks that she be awarded the custody of their daughter.  Mrs. McGovern also asks tha a temporary injunction be issued restraining and enjoining Mr. McGovern from going upon the premises now occupied by her.

Take Holy Vows

Jan 1905

Four Young Women Take the First Vows at Mt. Alverno day.

Friday a solemn and religious service was transacted at the convent of Mt. Alverno when four young women took the first vows or sisterhood.

The happy recipients of the veil were Sister N, Thaddea, in the world, Miss Rose Cher??; Sister N. Agreita, Miss Ella McDonald; Sister M. Consilo, Miss Mabel  O’??; Sister M. Evangensta, Miss Lena Adoit.  Many more vocations could be found for this noble work or teaching and nursing the sick to which this community devotes it energies, it only could be found accommodation enough to receive the.  Hence the Sisters of St. Francis implore the press in general to assist them to procure means in the near future to rear in institution which would be to the advantage and the honor of the noble acarted? commonwealth of Clinton.

Court Will Review Story of Crimes

Jan or Feb 1905

APPEAL OF W. C. Rogers to go to the supreme court.

Members of the Noted Burrier-Rogers Gang Will Fight Conviction of Murder.

The history of the gang of criminals generally known as the one under the leadership of George Burrier of Clinton, will again be thrown open to the public when W. C. Rogers, alias “Omaha Kid,” will be given a hearing before the supreme court of Iowa in appeal from the district court of Potawattamie county.  He was sentenced there for murder for a term of twenty-five years at Fort Madison.  Notice of appeal has been filed and the transcripts, costing Pottawattomie county over $350, are now being prepared.

The rehearing will be fraught with more than ordinary interest, as Rogers is promising to let loose a lot of inside information in order to prove himself innocent of the murder of Bert Forney, A Council Bluffs saloonkeeper, who wa shot and killed by two bandits, who entered his saloon and held up the place at the point of guns.  Rogers was arrested the next day and was convicted on circumstantial evidence.

Rogers is admitted to be the nerviest member of the famous gang.  His nerve and not his cunning won for him a place in the ban which numbered Burrier Dolan and other in its membership.  Rogers was the go-between, so the evidence introduced shows, and he figured in many crimes around Council Bluffs and Omaha.  He has served four years at Fort Madison on other charges.

Part of Omaha Gang.

(rest of page torn off)

The Grand Jury

10 Jan 1905

Was Chosen at the Court House Yesterday-John McBrath-Foreman

The grand jury for the January term of the district court was organized at the court house yesterday.  The jury elected John McGrath of Elk River township, foreman, and Chas. Walls of Clinton, was appointed clerk.  The grand jury as selected this morning consists of the following seven member of the twelve reported:

John Crawley, Welton
L. M. Aikman, Spring Valley
M. H. Curtis, Spring Rock
G. W. Ashton, Lyons
John McGrath, Elk  River, foreman
Peter Shollenberger, Bloomfield
E. J. Gohlman, Berlin

After the jury had been organized Judge Barker read the usual instructions.

Damage Suit Filed

31 Jan 1905

Patrick Kane has filed a suit against the State Electric railway asking damages for injuries received while boarding a State Electric street car.

In his petition the plaintiff states that on or about September 3, 1904, he was at the corner of Sixthe and Randolph streets in Lyons, and while getting on a car of the State Electric Railway company the car was started without ringing of the bell or other due notice having been given.  He states through his attorneys that he was thrown against a car seat and sustained injuries as follows: Two ribs broken, sinews, muscles and cords of his right side and right hip strained and hurt and also the back of his neck injured.  He asks $2,000 damages.

Plaintiff states that he is 62 years of age, a stone mason by trade and at the time of his injury was earning $4.00 per day.  He claims the value of time lost as being $416, expenditure for liniment and medicines about $10 and expense for medical attendance about $100.

Burrier Lands on Murphy

04 Jan 1905

EXCHANE FISTCUFFS AT LIBRARY OF THE PRISON---OUT COME OF HARD FEELINGS.

Burrier is Sent to the Stone Quarrie and Murphy to the Hospital

Word has been received in this city that Burrier and Murphy have had a serious fight in the penitentiary resulting in the former being set to work on the stone pile and the latter to the hospital.

It seems as though some hard feelings existed between the men and last Monday when they were both in the library of the prison Murphy made the remark to Burrier that he would like to punch his face.  After a few words they came together and had to be separated by the guards.  The affair is regretted, very much as both men had been allowed minor liberties on account of their good behavior.

Will Graduate into High School

19 Jan 1905

FORTY-TWO GRADUATE FROM THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL INTO THE HIGH SCHOOL.

Supentendent Bostwick Delivers Address to the School Tomorrow Afternoon.

day afternoon forty-two scholars will graduate from the Grammar school into the high school.  During the afternoon they will be addressed by Supt. Bostwick, after which they will be presented with their diplomas.

Forty-two out of fifty-five passed their examinations and entered the freshmen year.  Their work has been of an exceptionally high quality and has won commendation from each of their teachers. Following is the names of those who are expected to graduate tomorrow: