davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-08
CONVICT DIES IN PRISON.
Was One of the Men Who Held Up
an OttumWa Resident.

TT. Madison, Jan. ED. Nightin-
gale, one of the men who held I'D Will
liam Boyer, of Ottumwa, together with
Two other men, in a box car on the
burlington road, and compelled them
10 Jump from the train while it was
RUNNING at a high rate of speed, near
tower 80, died yesterday as the re-
suit OF injuries sustained in the peni-
tertiary. Nightingale with two COM
2 anlons was found guilty in the dis
tr1ct court at Abba, of the crime and
was sent to Ft. Madison for term of
seventeen years. He was put to work
IN the polishing shop of the peniten-
tlary. A few days ago while standing
ever an emery wheel revolving at a
high rate of speed, the wheel burst
ffacturing Nightingale's skull. The
prison physician trephined the mans
skull but ne never regained conscious
ness, and died yesterday
Nightingale is believed to be an
alias OF the dead man. Warden Jones
has been making efforts to obtain
knowledge of the dead convict's rel
atlyes but without success. All that
his. companions know of him is that he
came from Kansas City.
Mr.. Boyer resides in Ottumwa and
is pursuing his avocation, that of a
cook, at one of the Ottumwa chop
houses. He has entirely recovered
from his injuries but does not desire
repetition of the terrible events he
passed thru the night he was compelled
TO jump from the train. Mr.. Boyer
was robbed of sum of money by
Nightingale and his companions. The
latter thrust guns into Mr.. Boyer's
race and compelled him to stand with
his face to the side of the car while
they went thru him and his compan.
ions. Near tower 311 the car door
was opened and Mr.. Boyer was told
to jump. 1t happened to be the north
door that was opened to which fact Mr.
Boyer undoubtedly owes his life. Had
u neen the other door he would I'M
doubtedly have been terribly mangled
by alighting on the steel rails of the
double track.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-08
y Bishop Samuel j. Fallows, Re
formed Church of Illinois.


The new century should be charac-
terized, in its earliest periods, by the
passage of uniform and jSst divorce
laws by the several states. whether
congress has the power to pass a con-
stitutional law prescribing the same
conditions for obtaining divorce in all
the states is an open question. Emil
nent authorities do not agree upon the
subject. Commissions of lawyers have
been appointed at different times to
urge uniformity of action by the yari-
Gus state legislatures. Little howev-
er, has thus far been accomplished to-
ward that end in any state.
In all the states, except South Caro-
lima, which has no divorce laws, the
violation of the marriage vow is an abb
solute cause for divorce.
In nearly all the states, physical in
capacity is a cause, SO is wilful deser-
ton. The time of such wilful deser-
tion varies from six months in Ari-
IONA, to two years in ten states, to
three years in eleven states and to
five years in three other states. Ha-
bitual drunkenness is a cause in all
but ten states. imprisonment for
felony" or conviction for felony" is a
cause in all the states and territories
except six.
Cruel, abusive treatment, 7ntolerable
cruelty, extreme cruelty, repeated
cruelty are causes in all the states ex-
cept seven.
Failure to provide by the husband
is a cause, the time varying from six
months in Arizona, to one year in six
states, to two years in Indiana and to
three years in Delaware. No time is
specified in the remainder of the
states.
Fraud and fraudulent contract are
causes in nine states.
Absence without being heard from
is cause, varying from three years in
some of the states to seven in others.
Voluntary separation for five years is
cause in Wisconsin.
Ungovernable temper, outrages, or
excuses and the like, are causes in a
large number of the states.
Insanity ,idiocy ait the time of mar
riage, incurable insanity, are causes in
several states.
In different states, other causes in
clude notorious immortality of the hus-
band before marriage but unknown to
the wife; when the husband is fugi-
tive from justice;f any gross neglect of
duty; inability: OF husband and wife
to live in peace and union; vagrancy
Of the husband, etc.
Previous residence for divorce va
ries from six mon this in six states, to
one year in thilty-si states and terri
tories, and three years in three other
states.
In the state of New York absolute
divorce is granted only for adultery.
The ratio of divorces to marriages
varies from one to six in some of the
states, to an av eIage of one to thir-
teen or fourteen liz other states.
In Cook county, in which Chicago is
situated, the numh OF of default divorce
cases, that is cas- es where only one
side is heard, is nble times that of the
cases where both parties are present
in court. About iiy1e or six minutes is
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-08
PROPHETS OF EVIL.

The prophets of evil for the present
century are, inquiring if we shall all
wear spectacles soon? Recent exam.
nations of school children in foreign
and home schools show that near
sightedness increases from the lower
to the upper grades. The difference is
SO marked-in some cases from / per
cent in the primary grades to 10 %
per cent in the high schools-that it
seems to indicate conditions in the
surroundings of school children, or in
the methods of study, which ought to
be capable of removal. The facts
bearing on such tendency should be
thoroly investigated by, school boards
at least, especially when new build
ings are in contemplation. &.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-08
IOWA PRESS COMMENT.

Parole System in Iowa.-Governor
Shaw released sixteen convicts in the
Iowa penitentiaries, with the compli-
ments of the gladstone Christmas sea-
son. They are not pardoned,it should
De understood, but merely paroled.
Inc action is taken in pursuance of
the parole law passed by the last gen
eral assembly, and which thus far has
been working most satisfactorily. The
law is modelled on similar statutes of
several other states. Under it the
governor may, in his discretion parole
prisoners. Having signed the parole,
they are released. They pledge them
selves to lead upright lives and when
released they are kept under the sur
VIGILANCE of the state authorities, with
the understanding that if they depart
from the straight and narrow path
they will be forthwith returned, on an
executive order without any court
proceedings whatever, to their cells.
In such event any record for good
time that may have been earned prior
to the release of the convict is forfeit
ed and he must serve the full remain
der of his term.
The system is highly recommended
wherever it has been tried. 1t pro-
vides an incentive to criminals to
make an honest effort to reform. In
actual experience it has been found
that more prisoners who have served
their full terms are returned to the
prison on new sentences than of pris-
oners who are paroled. The paroled
man knows he is being watched, and
that his chance is very poor of escap-
ing detection if he is found in the
wrong.
Governor Shaw, in paroling the
Christmas batch of prisoners, declin-
ed to make their names public, or to
allow the prison officials to make
them known. This is a little discour-
aging to the newspapers, but the gov
ernor is probably right in his view
He says that the paroled prisoner is
under the community's suspicion, just
as the prisoner who has served full
term. He wants to go out and forget
his past record in an effort to become
respected citizen. The general pub
LEGATION OF his release reminds people
of his identity; it introduces him to
the community as a convict; and he
becomes a despised ticket-of-leave
man. So well did the governor guard
against publicity that the release of
sixteen prisoners on Christmas has
but just become known.
Getting BoId--A few months ago a
prominent Chicago lady had to go into
court to prevent cigarette firm from
stamping her portrait on cigarette
boxes. The Tama Free Press gives the
following sample of cheek of tobacco
firm: sThe board of control of the
Epworth league is righteously indig-
nant at the use of that organization's
name on brand of plug. tobacco.
Perhaps no harm is meant by the man
ufacturers of the tobacco, but they
certainly have violated good taste and
have opened the way for still another
violation. There is not a right minded
Methodist in the world whose indigna-
ton would not be aroused by the ap-
pearance of such advertisements as
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-08

1.-THE average time spent in hearing
each case.
Three thousand courts, according to
the government statistics, are granting
divorces in the United States.
In 1890 these courts dissolved the
marriage relation in $4,000 cases.
From 1867 to 1885 they granted 328,716
divorces. The number of children af-
fected by these proceedings, accord
ing to the records, was 267,739. Null
ltitudes of other children were not in
Guided in this number.
| The laws should be uniform thru
out the country, as have stated. AS
q churchman / might insist on one
cause only for divorce-marital infidel-
| ity. But marriage is civil contract
as well as a religious ceremony. The
state has the right to prescribe other
causes. But they ought to be of a
grave and serious character.
Christians must aim to prevent reck-
less marriages. They must help de-
wise stricter methods of legal admins
tration. They must strive to end the
ANOMALY Of a mans having wife in
one state who is not his wife in an
other, where he may reside.
| -
A National Divorce Law Would End
Bigamy.
By Judge David McAdam, of the New
York Supreme Court.
You ask me what reforms should the
new century bring in the matter of
the divorce law-should we not have
a uniform and just national divorce
law? After considering all points, /
ind that the question merits an en-
phatic affirmative. The present condi-
ton of affairs with reference to di-
vorce is deplorable. We have now
forty-five states, all of which Except
/ ing South Carolina, in which divorces
are not granted) have legislated diff
ferently upon this branch of the law
OF domestic relations. The legislation
would not be so injurious in its conse-
quences if the divorces authorized
were confined to cases where both
parties to the marriage actually re-
sided within the state where the pro-
ceedings were instituted, SO that actu-
al service of process might be made
within the jurisdiction of the state
court Such decree, process having
been personally served on the defend
ant within the state, is valid every
where.
A uniform and just national divorce
law would work real reform. To
enable congress to pass such a law it
would be necessary to amend the fed
eral constitution SO as to grant to the
national government power to- legis-
late with reference to divorce. In con-
fornnity with the method of amend
ment which has heretofore been fol-
lowed, congress might itself, by two
in. nd
propose amendments, which proposed
amendments would become law upon
their ratification by the legislatures of
three-fonrths of the states. The diff
lficulty of the task involved in procur-
ling the consent of three-fourths of the
states to their deprivation of jurisdic-
1 ton in this important part of the law
of domestic relations is, however, dis.
couraging to the average reformer.
The marriage law should also be a
national instead of an exclusive state
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-08

kidnapping. Three bills have been in
troduced in one house to provide prop
er penalties for the crime.-Sioux City
Tribune.
The teachers in the Chicago schools
are demanding better salaries and do
not expires themselves very mildly on
the question of an increase. AS to
the merits of the demand the Herald
knows nothing; but the probability is
that the pay of the teachers compared
with services requiring equal attain
ments and of as laborious character
the advance asked is not too much.
As rule teachers are not overpaid.
The discrimination against women in
the matter of salaries is unfair and
should be abolished. Dubuque Her
aid.
Secretary James Wilson, of the ag-
1icultural department of the govern
ment warns all farmers against the
Belgian hare. Shoot them on the
spot. If we are not careful and
prompt the Australian pest will be re-
Deated iE our country. Let every
American citizen be on guard-Ring-
gold Record.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-08

a 81
for score of years. He was the
author of Atlantis" and such auth
orship is his best and most enduring
bid for fame. While his theory in re-
gard to the authorship of the plays at
tributed TO Shakespeare gained little
acceptance, and his cryptogrammic
cipher attracted more scorn than SYM
pathy, yet his insistence upon the Ba-
CONAN theory of authorship, of itself
induced study, not only of Shakes
peare'sf works, but of his life, and in
this regard was of advantage.
If there was of the Chameleon in
Mr.. Donnelly',s nature, there was also
of the conscientious citizen, the warm
friend, the delightful companion, and
the attractive writer. Peace to his
ashes. and to his family sympathy and
coincidence.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-08

The Montezuma Republican suggests
that there is good timber in Ottum-
wa for the next superintendent of
public instruction, and names A. w.
Stuart, principal of the Ottumwa high
school, recently chosen president of
the State Teachers aa-ociation as
the man.
The Courier heartily seconds the
following nomination made by the Re-
publican:
The State Teachers association
honored itself at Des Moines last
week by the selection of Prof. Stuart,
of Ottumwa, for president. He is one
of the best city superintendent in
Iowa and is an excellent man any
way yon take him. Good material
here for State Superintendent of Pub
lie Instruction.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-08

The receipts of the Ottumwa post
office not only show that prosperity is
keeping up, but that it is steadily in
creasing in volume. The total re-
ceipts for December, 1900, were
$4,S59.90, being an increase of
S523.91, over December, 1899, and an
increase of $1,1e6.71 over December,
1898. The receipts for the year end
ing April /, 1900, were $43,191.66.
AT the present rate of increase they
will reach $4S,O00 for the year ending
April /, 1901.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-08
California Excursions.

Every Wednesday night thru Pull.
man Tourist Sleeping Car leaves OF.
tumwa via the Milwaukee and runs
thru to Los Angeles, California with
out change. Route lies via Kansas
City and Santa Fe route. This is the
route par excellence for winter travel,
lying below the snow belt and is eigh.
teen hours shorter than any other line.
The excursion parties are personally
conducted insuring passengers every
attention and comfort. For reserya.
ton of space, rates or other informa.
lion, call on OF address A. J. Packard,
agent.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-08
MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE ~ cE E5zE REW

COPYRIGHT 1900, THE CHRISTIAN HERALD

concern. At present man may mar
ry in each Of the forty-five states. and
If allowed to return to the state where
he first married, he cannot be punish.
ed there for the bigamies. To reach
him he must be indicted In another
state, and then extradited by the gov
ernor of that state, SO that he may be
tried there. And bigamous cohabita-
ton within the United States could be
made criminal offense, cognizant by
the federal authorities, so as to punish
a party who, having committed biga-
my in Canada or any other foreign
country, lives in this country with the
spurious wife. AS result Of such ma
tional legislation there would be few
bigamists in the country, and many
here now might find good cause to mi
crate to other climes.
A Conservative View Of Uniform Dk
vorce Laws.
By Frederick r. Coudert.
Several weighty arguments might
be presented in favor of congression-
al legislation upon the subject Of
uniform divorce law in all states. It
certainly is unfortunate that divorce
regularly obtained in one state from
competent court should fail of it's eff
feet in another, and that man or
woman should be husband or wife in Y
New York and single man or woman
in Dakota OF Nebraska. This, at least,
is one of the troubles that might be
removed by national legislation.
But is there not much to be said on
the other side? l may frankly say, at
the risk OF impairing any regard that
your readers may have for my opinion,
that the way to deal with divorce saws
would be to abrogate them In toto.-
The interests of society at large are
paramount Our sympathies are not
always judicious advisers; the relief
given to individuals is often a curse
upon society
While the national law would thus
remedy one great inconvenience at
least, we should inquire in advance of
acting what kind of law we are likely
to secure from congress. The state of ]
New York has upon this subject been
very conservative, and has only grant
ed divorces in extreme cases. Most
of our citizens of New York would be
of the opinion that il the national law
which many desire is still farther to
relax the marriage tie, it were best
",
rather than to fly into the arms Of UNI
known evils. Surely it would not be y
an advantage to citizens of New York
to have the legislation of these states
made the law here. 1t would save ex-
pense in individual cases, no doubt,
as it would be easier to employ an at
|torney in this city, and less expensive,
than to resort to professional service
IA thousand or two thousand miles
away. Possibly many are only deter
red from breaking up their present
home by the expense. Why reduce
the cose of matrimonial separation
far below the present tariff of dis
|bursements? On the whole, in the ig-
norance of what law we might get
from congress, assuming that it would
be inferior to our own, am inclined
to think that, unsatisfactory as the
condition Of things now is, it is safer
to keep it out OF national legislation.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-08
IOWA AT WASHINGTON.
Matters Concerning iowans at the Ma.
tional Capital.

Watters concerning ioWans at the Ma.
tional Capital.
Washington, Jan. 5.--Andrew G.
Lasson has been commissioned
postmaster at Adaville.
The postoffice at Locust, Winnie
shiek county, has been re-established.
With George Rukey as postmaster.
A postoffice has been established
at Clair, Butler county, with Rev r..
Simmons as postmaster.
Harry Fallen as been appointed a
substitute letter carrier at Creston.
Iowa Pensions.
Original-John Swane, Glenwood.
$12; Abram j. Tracy, Newton, s12.
Original widows-Rose A. Kendall,
Marysville, So; Cleopatra Levan.
Guthrie Center, SIS; Mary q. More
head, Perry, IS; Lydia Inman, Des
Moines, So.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-08
IN RECEIVERS HANDS.
Big WOODEN Mill Fails Because of Re-
fusaI of Contracts,

Philadelphia, Pa.,Jan. 4.-The Ding,
ley Woclen Mills company, an exten.
sive manufacturing concern, has gone
into the hands of a receiver. The af-
fairs of the company are involved
with those of George Campbell, who
failed recently. The receiver says
the failure of both concerns is due to
the fact that government inspectors
refused to accept the blankets made
by Campbell.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-08
AGAINST CIGARETTES.
Michisan's New Governor Not in Fa
vor of "Coffin Nails,

Lansing, Mich, Jan. Ain his in
augural message to the legislature yes
terday afternoon Governor Bliss en-
phallcally placed the seal of his dis
approval upon the cigarette habit and
recommended the enactment. of law
to suppress the manufacture and use
of the offensive articles, Later he es-
pressed himself at length in telling
why he deemed radical legislation to
be necessary.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-08
FOUND ON INSIDE PAGES.
Subjects on Which Iowa Editors Talk
"a Thair Do "

Subjects on Which Iowa Editors Talk
to Their Readers.
A Massachusetts man claims to
have brought flies back to life by US
ing salt. A man guilty of bringing
flies back to life isn't worthy of pub
lie confidence.-Keokuk Gate City.
Cape Town seems to be in the state
RI mind which prevailed in pioneer
Des Moines, when Quantrell's men
were nightly expected to appear at
Coon river bridGe.-Des Moines Lead
ed
If you want to express it in the
Roman way this is it-MCMI.-Des
Moines Register.
Governor Shaw made a New Years
gift OF liberty to sixteen convicts in
the Iowa penitentiaries. He did not
pardon but paroled them, and because
ct his desire that they shall have a
fair chance to earn an honorable live
lihood and not be Disseminated
against because of their records, he
has concealed their names and has en-
same. In some respects Governor
Shaw is very good executive-al-
most as good as if he were demo-
crat.-Dubuque Telegraph (democra-
tic.)
In Washington on New Years day
they made hero and heroine of the
Chinese minister, WI and Mrs. WI, at
the presidents reception The minis
ter was reluctant to present himself,
but the Americans showed him and
his wife what Christian hospitality is.
In China ministers were killed and
hesieged, but in America they are
treated with the most distinguished
courtesy. The treatment that was
given the celestial minister and his
wife will further tend to show the
Chinese that American friendship is
a most generous and desirable thing.
Cedar Rapids Republican.
The Nebraska legislature is arrang.
ing to lock the door against any more
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-08
STEAMER SINKS.
Drifted Too Near Reef and Was
Wrecked--Nessel Total Loss.

Wrecked-vessel Total Loss.
San Francisco, Jan. 5.-The steam
er Laqua, which left this city yester-
day for San Diego with cargo of
general merchandise, was wrecked
last night on Duxbury reef, just out
side the Golden Gate. All on board
with the single exception of Chief
Engineer Burrill, who was washed
ashore on an overturned boat after
being in the water for two hours, are
believed to have persisted. Details
arc meager but it is known there
were thirty or forty persons on board
the vessel. AT what hour the disast-
er occurred is not known. 1t is prob
able that the vessel drifted too near
the reef in the haze that overspread
the water and was thrown on the
rocks by swell. She is a total loss.
1t is possible some of the life boats
may have landed passengers at point
where it is not possible to commune
cate with the city quickly, or that
tugs which have gone to the scene of
the disaster may have arrived in
time to pick some survivors, if any,
up.
Situation Not Bad.
!" San Francisco, Jan. 5.-The Laquar
lies upright on the reef, and the men
are seen on deck. Seventeen people
were on the vessel when she left here,
two passengers and a crew of fifteen.
Only one life was lost, sailor being
killed while attempting to land a
small boat. Two men were landed,
safely last night. leaving but fourteen
people now on board. They made no
attempt to get ashore but will wait
for the arrival of the life saving crew
from San Francisco.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-08
Rock island EXCURSIONS.

Home seekers excursion sale LIST
and Bird Tuesday of each month, good
for 81 days at one fare plus $500 to
points north, west, south, southwest
and northwest. For full information
call on or address w. s. Parker, ticket
agent. Union depot
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-08
Burlington Route Excursions to Call.
fornia.

When going to California, remember
that the interesting route is by the
way of Denver and Salt Lake, past the
most magnificent mountain scenery in
the void. The Burlington runs spec
tally conducted excursion parties in
Pullman tourist sleeping cars thru to
San Francisco and Los Ang les twice
week, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Do not fail to write or call on the I'm.
dersigned for full particulars.
w. s. Parker,
Ticket Agent Union Depot.