Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-10
TEST JIM CROW LAW.
Colored Woman Sues a Railroad
Company for 10000.
WAS MADE TO RIDE SECOND CLASS

Had "First Glass" Ticket But 1t Was
MOI Recognized in Virginia
Threshars Organize in Waterloo
Eddyville Manufacturing Institute.
Cedar Rapids.
I A case that will test the validity of
the famous Jim Grow" law was FLED
in the district court with Mrs. Mamie
Searcey, a colored lady of this city,
as the plaintiff and the Chicago &
Northwestern railroad company as de-
PENDANT.
Mrs. Searcey sues the defendant for
the sum OF $4,000, which amount she
claims represents the damage done to
her by insult, injury to her feelings
ana a serious shock to her nervous
system" as we'll as breach of con-
tract and misrepresentation on the
part of the company
During the very early part of De-
cember last Mrs. Searcey desired to
/ return to her old home at Clover, Vir-
ginia, as she was quite aged and in
poor health, the latter which she
thought would be benefited by the
change of climate and scenery.
Upon reaching an unknown point in
Virginia the plaintiff was accosted by
those in charge of the train and COM
PEELED by commands, threats and force
to leave the car in which she was en-
titled to a seat and was seated, to go
forward to an inferior class of car,
which suffered her 10 ridicule and in
! suit to such an extent as to make her
ILL.,
| The case will be watched with a
great deal or interest, and the outcome
/ anxiously awaited.
: Leon.
4 Laura Evans, a young woman IS
years of age, took carbolic acid at her
home here. She was discovered in an
unconscious condition. A physician
+ was summoned who finally succeeded
in restoring her to life. 1t is said the
young woman's mind became unbal-
anced as a result of smoking cigaret-
ties. She was formerly an inmate of
the girls reform school at Mitchell
vile.
/ Mt. Ayr.
A movement is being pushed in
Ringgold county to construct an cleo
trio railroad line across the county
from this place to Diagonal. Mr.. Ayr
is the county seat and is on one
branch of the Burlington, which does
not connect it with any other leading
towns of the county. An electric line
to Diagonal would give close connec-
tons with the main line of the Bur
lington and also the Great Western.
1t is also contemplated that the com
pany shall maintain an electric light
! plant here. a,E,
Waterloo. f51
Another union has been added to
those already formed in Waterloo by
the organization of lodge of the
Threshermens Protective Union,
which was effected last night. The
union is secret order with ritual,
grips and passwords and the other ac-
cessories that commonly pertain to
such associations. Its purpose is to
promote friendly relations between
competing threshermen and combin-
ing them for effort in securing ligisla-
ton favorable to their interests and
also to prevent rate cutting in the
prices charged for their services to
the farmers.
| Carson.
The telephone line from this place
! to Oakland seems to have gone glim-
mering. The fellow who was at the
head of the whole scheme has been
missing for several days and numer-
GUS creditors would like to know
| where the money is to come from.
| 1t is probale that some other person
| with money will take the matter up
and carry it hru to completion. There
is not the slightest doubt that it will
be paying investment from the very
start.
Eddyville.
A move is being made by some
of our most prominent business men
to organize company for the purpose
of manufacturing the W. H. Gray
corn binder. A meeting of those in
terested will be held next week and
it is expected that a foundation will
be laid at this meeting for perma-
nent factory. Mr.. Gray, the inyen-
tor, has spent several years in per-
fecting this machine and it is pro-
nounced by experts to be the most
perfect machine of its kind yet made.
| "A factory LOT It's manufacture means
much for Eddyville and should re-
ceive the unanimous support of all
our citizens.
Des Moines.
The capitol improvement commits
sion which was engaged inspecting the
state house this morning, has de-
termined to recommend in the report
it will file that not less than 100000
be expended on the interior Of the
building.
The commission consists of Peter
A. Dey, of Iowa City; Prof, G. A. Cum
ming, of Des Moines, and H. S. JOSS
elyn, of Cedar Rapids This is the
first meeting that has been held but
there will another one at an early
date. The commission IS empow-
cred to look after needed improve
ments on both the interior and ex-
terror of the state house and histori-
cal building. Changes will be recon-
mended in the elevator service, and
heating and lighting plants, etc.
GrinneIl.
At the annual meeting of the Con-