Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-10-04
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plications continue at the present rate
the order will have 500 members by
June /, 1901. In one year from that
time there will be a good prospect of
having the Grand Court of Iowa meet
in Ottumwa and perhaps establish per-
manent quarters here.
The fact that the order has such a
large percentage of miners is because
they have been active in explaining
the benefits and in soliciting members.
If those members who follow other oc-
equations would explain more fully to
their associates the advantages of the
order and tell them that now, while
the charter is open, they can by paying
SO for initiation and so cents per
month dues, receive SIS per week bene-
| fit in case of disability, together with
the services of one of the best physi-
clans free of charge, we would need
more than one hall to hold the meet
! ings. If any railroad man happens to
reaa this, ask S. l.. Graham, w. R. c.,
for copy of the bylaws and consti
tuition, and any other information in
regard to the order which meets in
Forester's hall. corner Of Court and
Main streets, next Monday evening.
| Woodmen of the World.
All members of Hickory Camp No.
81, are especially requested to be pres
ent at the next regular meeting of
the order Monday evening, October 8.
There will be some very important
work come before the members which
must be attended to.
Modern Woodmen of America.
A suit to recover $4,000 on policy
of insurance taken out by James R.
| Kerr, of Council Bluffs, and held by
his alleged widow, has just been de-
cided in favor of the order. The cir
cumstances, however, are extraor-
binary, to say the least and involves,
besides the question as to whether or
not the widow OF a suicide can collect
insurance, the marital relations be-
tween the deceased and the plaintiff
in the case. 81
/ The circumstances are about as fol-
| lows:
In 1880 James R. Kerr married Jes-
i sic Ross in Canada. He lived with
her but eight days, deserving her and
coming to the United States. He 10.
Gated in Sullivan county, Missouri,
and in 1882 married Alice Mars, with
out observing the formality of secur-
ing divorce. Four children were
born to them, three of whom are liy-
ing.
Finally Kerr left the community
and was next heard of in Canada
where he had resumed relations with
his first wife. In short time they
came to the states. and finally to Ma
Mia, Iowa.
j. X. Sterling, a brother-in-law TIC
Kerr, by his Missouri marriage, called
on Kerr for the purpose of inducing
him to do something for the woman
and three chi dren he had left in des
titute circumstances in Missouri. Kerr
sent $25 to them. A couple of weeks
later w. C. Irwin, then prosecuting
!, attorney for Sullivan county, went tt
Manila with requisition for Kerr's
arrest on a charge of bigamy. Kerr
went up stairs to dress and shot him
self.
|. o. o. F.
A home for orphans of Odd fellows
has been projected and the chance.
, of Waterloo and Cedar Falls secur
ing the location of the building wa:
Investigated this week by the grant
} lodge committee. No reports will b;
: made, however, until the committe,
: visits Mason City, Storm Lake and Sat
City, which places have asked for the
home. Jefferson and Indianolf
: previously contested for the
t home but are not in the
race, having been barred at thu
last meeting of the grand lodge. The
$ reports on location will be presented
to the grand lodge October Is, at it:
regular meeting in Keokuk, and de
finite plans will probably be takel
fixing the place were the home vii
, be built.
: p. E. o.
> The P. e. O. meeting that was t,
!, have been held Friday evening witt
u a. T. 60, +.