Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-17

day night, has just been made known.
| It bears every evidence of desperate
attempt to steal the 13.year-old son of
Mrs. Anna Fredericks, widow living
with her father just north Of the pot
terry. The attempt was made at an
early hour in the evening and the lad
was only saved by his lusty shouts for
help before the kidnapers could lay
hands on him and make way with
him. He had been to cave near the
river bank north of the city and was
coming home with neighbor boy who
carried lantern. Both lads were fire.
quenters of the resort where they
passed some of their spare time. They
were walking along without a thought
of any danger, when suddenly two
men sprang out from a place of con-
cealment and attempted to catch hold
of Walter Fredericks. His companion
Harry Fletcher, took the lead in
mad race toward their home, Walter
in the meantime giving vent to pierre
ling yells as the men gained on them.
/ The persistent screams of the boy
caused a number of neighbors to run
to their assistance when the would-be
kidnapers disappeared. No definite
description could be given by the boys
but one of them thinks one of the men
was negro. The only reason why an
attempt at kidnapping should be made
upon the boy, is that his grandfather
with whom he lives, is we'll to do. Both
lads claim that few nights previous
while they were alone in the house,
some one was heard prowling about
and attempted to enter at one of the
doors which was locked. The affair
has been kept quiet in hopes of Sc
touring some one of the conspirators.
Des Moines.
February 9Th and 9Th are the dates
set by Bishop Morrison of the Episco-
pal diocese of Iowa for the annual re-
treat of the clergy of the state, which
will be held in Des Moines this year.
The purpose of the retreat is to as
semble the clergy together for the
purpose of consultation and the be-
ginning of self-abnegation in order to
set the example of sacrifice for their
the Lenten season. The retreat will
be presided over by Bishop William
McLaren of the diocese of Chicago.
Shell Rock.
Bremen county has the distinction
of having two county recorders, both
occupying the same room, both doing
the work of spreading instruments up
on the records, and each dividing the
fees received equally between them.
Mr.. Babcock thinks his term has been
extended by the Titus amendment,
and Mr.. Schwake claims the Office
since January Z. To avoid litigation
| in the case the contending parties
have entered into an agreement by
which each shall continue as acting
recorder until the supreme court de-
cides the Washington county case. In
all cases where the signature of the
recorder is required both parties sign
their names to the same instrument.
oskaloosa.
The B. & w. Ry. Co. has been pre-
pairing some surprises for the people
lof Oskaloosa during the past few
weeks. 1t has secured section of
Hand in this county and has force of
men employed prospecting it for coal.
The land is all in Spring Creek town
ship and comprises SGT acres. Chas..
leighton, recently returned from the
Klondike, closed up the leases for the
company. He has started prospect
ing crew to work. If coal is found in
quantities to justify the B. & w. will
open up one of the biggest coal mines
in Iowa. The company has optioned
forty acres of land for town site. If
coal is not found in sufficient quanti-
| ties to justify, the road will be extend
ed north and west from here into the
Boone valley coal mining district. In
any event the narrow guage track be-
tween here and Burlington will be re-
placed by standard gauge road.
Sioux City.
An important change was made yes
lterdaye in the largest wholesale gro
Gerry establishment in the northwest
Tolerton & Stetson Co. The senior
partner, O. o. Tolerton, has bought
out all of the stock in the hands of
H. L. Spencer and G. N. Spencer, of
Oskaloosa, and T. H. Green, OF Sioux
City, the transaction amounting to sew
/ eral hundred thousand dollars. The
transfer will take place January 90.
when complete reorganization of the
company will be effected. Mr.. Toler-
I ton stated that he would take into the
company several of the travelling men
who have been with him for ten years
or more. The capital stock of the
company will be increased and the
business enlarged. Instead of thirty
five statesmen, the company will put
out fifty.
Manning.
/ Some twenty-five or more years ago
there lived with his parents up in the
country, ten miles northwest of Man
ming, near the old Five Mile House inn
Pat Grove, aged 10 or IL years. This
/ is the same Pat Crowe-now man
who is accused of being at the head of
the gang which abducted the 15-year-
lold son of Edward Cudahy
FAMOUS CASE BEGUN.
One Of the Most Notable of Murder
Cases on Trial.