davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-10-01
The Church Relations of Presidents,

The New York Post-Dispatch gives
the following facts concerning the men
who have filled the presidential chair
Washington was a member of the Epis-
copal Church. He often avowed his be-
lief in the direct personal interposition
OF God in behalf of the American people
and army.
John Adams was a Congregationalist,
and regularly attended First Church,
Quincy, Mass, called THE Church of
Statesmen" because so many Adanses
h We attended it.
I Jefferson attended the Episcopal
church, and subscribed to it, but never
Openly professed any religion. He is
generally classified as Unitarian, as
his writings strongly indicate sympathy
with that faith. Writing to John Adams
shortly before his death, he said: ''Say
nothing of my religion; it is known to
my God and myself alone
Madison and Monroe were both mem
bers of the Episcopal Church. John
Quincy Adams was a Unitarian.
Andrew Jackson was converted late
in life to the Presbyterian faith, which
was that OF his mother, and died a
ruling elder OF the church.
Van Buren, bore an irrcproachable
character, but none of his biographers
make any mention of his religious faith.
William Henry Harrison was an
Episcopalian, and had strong religious
feelings. He refused to fight duel on
the ground that there were higher OBJ
| legations than human opinions can i'm
pose.'
John Tyler was an Episcopalian.
James x. Polk professed no religion
until he was dying, when he waa bap-
tized bya Methodist clergyman.
Zachary Taylor, old "Rough and
4 Ready" was not "a member of any
4 church. His life was iblameless, and his
| last words We're: 81 am not afraid to die.
am ready. have ,endeavored to do
amy duty.
/ Millard fillmore was a Baptist by
,afiiliation, but notify actual profession
! Franklin Pierce was an Episcopalian
James Buchanan joined the Presby-
terian Church, but until after he
retired from the presidency.
Abraham Lincoln was not a member
Isof any church. His parents were Bap
fists. He himself professed his belief
in divine providence and the power OF
i prayer, in many of his public addresses
| Andrew johnson belonged to ne
,dhurch ,fhut had Methodist leanings.
i Ulysses S. Grant was Methodist
ESQ was Rutherford B. Hayes.
4 James a. Garfield was member OF
1.-THE Campbellite Church, and frequently
a preached in it's pnlpits.
A Chester Arthur was an Episcopalian
a Benjamin Harrison was a Presbyter
s,sian. as; is, Grover Cleveland.
i William Mckinley was Methodist
and man OF strong religious senti
ments.
4 Theodore Roosevelt is a member of the
Dutch Reformed Church, and the frs
president we have had of that faith.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-10-01
The School Law.

Parents will do we'll to remember that
the new compulsory school law requires
that all children Z to IA years OF age
shall attend school for at least three
months, and the intention is to have
them attend all the time. OF course
this does not apply to children whose
mental or physical condition render
their attendance ippracticable or mex
pedient, butsthis fact should be demon
strated to the school board. The inten-
ton OF the law is that every child shall
be in school regularly. and have every
chance to get an education. Temporary
absence from the school may be excused
by the teacher or principal, but only
WheD good cause for the absence is
shown. Parents or guardians allowing
their children or wards to stay out OF
school are to be fined a .sI1m not to ex-
ceed $50. The state has arrayed for
the education of Der children and she
holds all concerned to a strict RESPONSE
bility And just here all parents and
guardians should he CAREFUL and not
allow themselves to become lawbreak-
ers. Let your children have the very
best chance for all education that the
law provides. Some day your children
will bless you for your effort in this
respect. Neglect here is shameful and
may be criminal.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-10-01
New Rural Routes for Leon.

Rural RoEte No. B. running southwest
from Leon, will be inaugurated this
morning with Roe Caster jr. as carrier.
Rnral Route No. which runs northeast
then westshas also been ordered estab-
Elisiled serE ice to be commenced SAN
|AM onday, Nov. 2. The name of the car
krier hassnot yet been announced. but;at
the timeSthe route was examined by the
inspectoronly two applicants took the
examination, e. e. Beck and W. N. Per-
dale, and Sit is presumed that one of
them will receive the appointment.
Route .Na. a, starting from the Leon
postoffice, runs north on the Weldon
road 2 miles to the Gardner corner
north of the old fair grounds, then east
H miles,anorth 1 mile, east 1 niilestto
| the Gittinger farm, north l nSle, west
2 miles Ito the railroad northeast .of
Crowl, then north 2 miles to the old
Johnsonfarm, west 81 miles to school
house No.36 south mile, east Il miles,
south.and-east mile to Flint corner,
Esonth 4 ast.to Spnrgeon corner, west I
mile. south and east 1 miles ITO the
Gardner farm, southeast % miles to the
postotiice. The total length of the
lroute is % miles, area covered 23square
miles, nu,aber of houses on Route 1O3
population served 515.
| The establishment of this route makes
Hour rural routes running out of Leon
(which cover all the territory which can
be covered from the Leon postotlice SC
there is. no Likelihood of any none maltes
being established.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-10-01
BILL RICHARDS GUILTY
"A Jury at indianOEa Finds Him Guilty
of Robbery After Being out but
dteW Minutes.

The sensational trial of Bill Richards.
OF Creston, former we'll Known deputy
US. marshal charged with participant
ing in the robbery of the Sullivan home
at Hamilton, Iowa, Oh the night of Jan
,, in which Frank Baird, one of the rob
bers was captured after being shot in
the face by MIR. Sullivan with shot
gun, was finished at Jrdianola, to which
place itwas taken on a charge of venue
from Marion county, on Tuesday
morning when the jury after being
out twenty minutes, returned ver-
dict of guilty.
Judge Applcgate set Thursday morning
for sentence and it was reported yester-
day that Richards had skipped out. He
left lndianola shortly after dinner in
company with his brother, saying they
were going to Des Moines to secure a
bond, but many think he will not return
for sentence.
Shortly after the robbery, evidence
tending to connect Richards with the
crime was secured, and all at once he
dropped out of sight and fled to Mexico
returning and giving himself up few
months later after Baird, the wounded
robbcn had been convicted and senterc-
| ed to eighteen years in the peniten.
tiary. At the time of his trial Baird re
fused to divulge the names Of his part
ners in the crime, but after going to Ft
| Madison he made a complete confession
telling how the robbery was planned by
Richards, and he was the main witness
1 for.the state at the Richards trial. His
confession was strongly corroborateG
by 'other evidence, and the genera
Eopinion before the case went to The
i.jury was that Richards would be foumt
guilty. His attorneys have announced
that the case will be appealed to the
]supfeme court, and an effort will bt
]made to have Richards released ol
Iiboii6s pending the appeal
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-10-01
BOWERS FOR SENATOR
A ponalar Business Man of Creston
is Named as the Democratic
Candidate for Senator.

All the democratic senatorial conven-
tion held st CrestGn Tuesday, S. A..
Bowers, q popular business man of Cres-
ton. was neminatedaor state senator to
oppose Mmrion r. Esookey, the republi-
can candidate.
The convention was presided over by
p. G. Witsoer, of GNeston, w. III. Robh,
editor of the Cres5on Daily American
acting, us secretam.
All three counties in the district
Were represented by enthusiastic dele
gates Mho feel tkat there is more than
"a fighting chanee to defeat Mr.. Stookey.
On motion of V.A3. McGinnis, of Leon,
Mr.. S. "A. Bowers was nominated by ac-
clamation.
The.pominee is a prosperous and ex-
ceediugly popular business man of the
city OF Creston, being engaged in the
iewelry business. He is about 80 years
of age and has always been an earnest
democrat Tive years ago he was the
democratic candidate for county treas
rlrcrSof Union county, but he was run
ningaagainst % second term candidate
and was dcfeatcd, although he ran ahead
of his ticket. He is a man of unusual
ability and She democrats OF Union
county are more than pleased at his
nomination and will assist him in put
ting mp strong fight to be elected.
The senatorial committee for tho
district was neorganZed as follows:
<GhairmanN. w. Hoffman, of Leon.
Secretary w. HI. Robb, of Creston
Treasurer Jackson McNierney, oi
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-10-01
A Word to the Boys.

Young man, did you ever put your
arms around your dear old mother who
has loved you and cared for you and tell
her that you love her and arc grateful
for the tears she has shed and the pray
ers she has offered for you? She may
think that you love her without you
showing her that you do, but it
costs you but little effort to tell
her and your words may bring more
Joy and sunshine to her heart than you
ever dreamed of. Some young men will
pay two dollars for livery rig to ride
three hours with a seventy-five cent
girl and tell her all the nice things they
can think of that are true and more that
are not true, and don't spend five cents
or five minutes in year to show their
old mother that they care anything for
her.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-10-01
The Pace That Kills.

According to paragraphs that appear
from time to time in the papers, some
times backed up by more or less elabor-
ate statistics. heart disease and naraly-
sis are increasingly prevalent and fatal
lt.ls MOTTO be wondered at. This is a
strenuous age, so strenuous that men
are hurried along with it's rapid current
-at.so terrific a speed and with such con-
stant application to work that body and
mind are. taxed beyond their powers OF
endurance. Our grandfatheas, nay,
even our fathers, knew nothing of the
stress of life as We feel it, who are en-
gagged in it's dire struggle Joday. No
wonder that often the rupture of an en-
gorged blaad vessel in the brain or the
failure of a ..sorely taxed valve in the
heart suddenly puts stop to it all, and
the man who thought that business
ought to beattended to, no matter at
how great q cost OF hurry and wear and
tear, finds some day that business has
to go on without him, There are physi-
calsins as well as spiritual sins. and
many men. ruin their bodies who would
not dream of doing damage to their
souls. The plea of necessity is not a
valid one.,either, for no man is colppell-
ed to sin on against either his body or his
soul. And yet, as we said just now, in
this strenuous age, it is no wonder that
heart disease and paralysis arc ON the
increase. Men rush-and drop. Other
men rush past them a little farther
and drop in their turn. 1t would be
better to slacken the pace and hold out
longer. We should get more done and
do it better.-Christlan Guardian.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-10-01
Cut This cut.

The cardlof thanks is past due Ii has
not been proper for q long time, but
some silly people still insist in putting
a card OF thanks in newspaper Oh the
slightest preyocation. Here are some
cards ,that>show how silly such things
are;
I'VE herby extend our thanks to those
whe aided out doctor when our little
Bonnie lost his, leg. We can pay the
doctor moneT,.but only thanks can pay
the loss of dear Bennie's Leg
"lMant to, thank the dear woma0 who
helped me in the death of my beloved
husband. Hewas dear soul and ] ap-
preciate theirhelp SO much"
we desireoto thank our friends who
STOOD by us during the death of our dear
daughter; who cried when we cried and
who went With us to the cemetery
Their kindly tender of soup, pie and
cake while the family was busy by her
bedside will be always cherished"
''I wish to extend my thanks to those
who assisted me in the death of my
wife. Their generous aid was appreci
ated more than / can express. They
will be always remembered and should
| wed again each will get an invitation
Thanks shauld be extended in person
or by private note. The homely stereo,
typed "Card of Thanks" in public print
is obsolete and Of rotsyery good form, to
Say the least.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-10-01
Three Billions paid in Pensions.

The annual report Of Commissioner of
Pensions Waae places the total number
of pensions HOW on the rolls at 996,545,
Of which 723,956 are soldiers and 267,-
1S9 are widows and dependents.
Mr. Ware announces that it is not
probable, that the pension roll Will again
cross the million line, the hiGh-water
mark having been reached a year ago.
Five of the pensioners are on the roll on
account of the War of the Revolution,
1,116 on account of the war of 1872,
1874 on account of the Indian wars and
1854 an. account of the Mexican War.
The average annual value Of each
pension is now S133. The total annual
value OF the Spanish War pension roll
has reached Sl,7G5,310.
Commissioner Ware makes. the follow
ing recommendations:
Laws forfeiting the pension or right
to pension of any man convicted in
court OF any infamous crime; prohibit
ing the giving Of pensions to women who
marry soldiers after the soldiers, become
old pensioners; different method of
examining applications for pension. Mr..
Ware stamping the present system as
uncertain, expensive, unsatisfactory
and generatiMe of an enormous amount
of political friction.
Mr. Ware says the bueeau has gained
on the current work 100000 cases dur
ing the last two years.
The actual total of disbursements in
pensions on account of the revolution
AIRY war, war OF 1872, Indian wars,
Mexican war. civil war and the wsr
with Spain has been S3,03S, 800.
1t is estimated that S1G,eD00O0 was
paid in pensions fos disabilities and
deaths due to military and naval SER
vice in the wars of1Si2 and with Mexi-
co, and during the time OF peace prior
to the war OF the rebellion, making the
payments of pensions to soldiers and
sailors of the war of the rebellion
and the regular military and navy esti-
mate since the close of said war of the
rebellion, and their widows, children
and dependent relatives, amount to
S2,8G2, ,240,400.
The cost of the pension system per
capita for 1903 is given as S1.73 to
which figure it has shrunk from 1924
the rate in 1898. In ten years, he says
the burden will cease to be noted.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-10-01
The New Fast Mail.


''The New Fast Nlail,' with It's start
ling effects, it's absorbing story and a
thoroughly competent cast will shortly
be seen here at opera house on Thurs
day Oct. l. The popularity of this
interesting drama has preceded it
which will no doubt be in evidence by
the large attendance that will witness
the performance when it appears here.
The story is familiar to all but never
thescss 1T is just as fascinating as ever
and this interest is sustained from the
first act to the final. The story is one
OF love and intrigue, with the hero sub
jected TO almost utter degradation
through the Vaccinations Of the rutlian,
and although the latter holds the upper
hand almost to the last curtain, Justice
is finally fastened on to the criminal
while the lovers are once more happily
united The real strength of the drama
and some Of the mechanical devices are
indeed wonderful and ingcnius in con-
struction.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-10-01
SOLDIERS MEET AGAIN
The Old Veterans of the. Mexican
War Hold their Annual Reunion
in this City last Saturday.

The Decatur County Mexican Veter-
ans Association he'd their annual re-
union at the Woodmansee House last
Saturday. a few years ago there We're
quite a number of these brave old com
rades who attended the annual reunion
held in this city, but the grim reaper
Death is rapidly reducing their number
and this year but five gathered at the
reunion, just half the number that at
tended last year. The association has
suffered a severe loss the past year in
the death Of Capt. +. III. Alexander, who
had been elected as president for life,
and who always made a special effort to
make the annual reunion a success.
After partakirg OF sumptuous dinner
which landlord Stated and his good
wife had prepared in honor of the oc-
casion, the members went into a bust
ness session, at which the folio y pg
oiliccis were clectcd:
| President Capt. Garrett Gibson.
Vice-Pres;dent Amos Ladd
| Secretary Capt. Thomas Ward.
Capt. Thomas Ward was appointed as
a committee to prepare suitable reso-
lutions on the death of their beloved
president, Capt. Il. II. Alexander, and
( the fol lowing was adopted:
WHEREAS, Ii has pleased the Supreme Command,
er of the ury yerse to remove by the hand of dentl
| from Our midSt wei he owed c2rrade Cap, Ell
| III. AleXande", therefore he it
1 RESOLVED, That in the death of comlade Alex
| antier the country has ost brave Cefepder the
| state valuable citizen this association an efficient
icer, and the family k.no father and aIecto lats
! husband
| RESOLVED, That we tender the family of the
deceased our heartfelt sympathy, trusting they vii
look to Him who has said blessed are they that
mourn, for they shall be comforted."
RESOLVED That copy OF tnese resolut 'ons h:
copy to the Leoa papers tU publication
After the adoption of the resolutions
the association adjourned to meet il
September, 1904, it having been decided
at previous meeting to keep the asso
citation intact so long as single Nom
Der survived.
The members in attendance this yea
were:
Capt. Garrett Gibson, Leon, N year
old, Mo. Mounted Vols; Captain Co.
9Th Kas. Cav.
Capt. Thomas Ward, Decatur 70 year
old, Co. /, 4th Ohio; Captain Co. /, 34tl
Iowa Cav.
J. G. Crider, High Point, rs years old
Co. G. 9th Regulars U. S. Inf.
Henry Rex, Leon, 81 years old. Cox
Ind. Penn.
Amos Ladd, Grand River, Is yeas 81.
Co. q, u Ind. Cav.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-10-01
A Good Old Baptist Brother.

Mr.. S. l.. Cox, of Burrell township, is
one Of Tic best known and conscientious
workers in the Baptist church in Deca-s
| tur cornty, and recently some of his
friends got after him to furnish short
sketch OF his life for publication. He
prepared the following which Will he
read with considerable interest By his
| many f.,onds:
| Stephen l.. Cox, of Bulrell township,
| Decatur county, Iowa, was born in jack
son county, Indiana, July II, 1881. He
joined the Method st church in October,
1852. He came to Iowa in 1851. On the
7th day of April, 1888, he was married
Mary Bailey, and 10 their union were
born eight children. Mrs. Cox died
Oct. 23rd, 1875 and he was married the
second time on March Z, 1876. to.
Mahala Butts, and to them were born
nine children. Five of his first children
and three of his last have died happy in
Christ, as all but one died in infancy,
and the other one gave herself to Christ
and was buried with him in Baptism
He was ordained as q deacon in the
Bethel Baptist church in 1854, and was
licensed TO preach in June 1888 He
also served the church as clerk for ,S
.5ears most of the time. He was not an
Office seeking man though he served
as road supervisor for q years and as
sub-difector of the school for Il years.
Drring the existance of the Grange he
served as mast ,r for six years, and, as
Representative in the state Grange two
years. He was an Odd Fellow for 81
1 years. Mr.. Cox is rather a specGliar
man, as he never drank even a of
tea or coffee, used tobacco or gamhied
4 Elm his fife. He neveRSswore an oath or
had fight or quarrel and now he feels
like the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy
in the Second Epistle, 4th chapter, and
9th and 7th verses, and you have his
mind as he wrote this biography him
self. And last but not least he has TAX
en- THE REPORTER continuously since it
was first established as the old Leon
Pioneer i'm 1874
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-10-01
ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE
Dekdlb.

AS. Biddle and Wife, of st. Lo,,is.
are visiting with the latter's parents
Mr.. and Mrr Hauenstein of Grand
River.
Harve Dekalb bought several head of
cattle at the sale of Brenneman & Wei
don last Wednesday.
Mrs. w. Sissle, of Ke''erton, is visit
ing relatives and friends in this yicin-
ity.
Tom Wilson bought Port Woodard's s
calves last VIC eE
Mrs. T. Munyon and family visited
Saturday night and Sunday with her
mother, Mrs. j. Young.
Jack Young and Tom Munyon, who de-
parted for Nebraska couple of weeks
ago in search of location have not
been heard from.
Mrs. J. A. Brammer, who has been an
invalid for several years, died Friday
and was buried Sunday.
dim Gibbons and wife, from near Pal
estine, came Sunday for visit with her
sister, Mrs. H. Young.
Bessie Young is doing housework for
Mrs. Joe Edwards.
Ed. Lindsey is very sick with typhoid
fever.
Lucy Miller assisted Mrs. J. H. Miller
in cooking for threshers Monday.
r. A. Greenland has bought the Harry
Weldon farm joining Frank Miller.
Anna Green is helping Mrs. J. Weldon
with her household duties.
Ike West and family visited relatives
near GRAND River Sunday.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-10-01
Weather Crop Bulletin
FOR WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER IS, 'O;j.
Des Moines, Iowa.

ISo -hOlHcS, iowa.
This has been an ideal week for ripen-
ilg the belatcd crops, and advance
ment OF usual fall work. The temper
ature was about normal, with drying
Winds and more than the usual amount
OF sunshine. The week closed with
light rains, followed by moderate frost
on the morning Of the 9th, which eaus-
ell no material damage to any fid
crops. Reports Indicate that corn bind.
ers are at work in all districts, and 81
considerable acreage will be put into.
shock to save the valuable fodder
Except in limited areas which suffered
most heavily from storms and floods
reports from the fields are more cheer
ful III tone, giving assurance of better
returns fnom the harvest than was pos
slblc during the first half Of the month
About three-fourths OF the corn area OF
the state is now beyond danger of in
jury by frost, and considerable part of
the balance is rapidly nearing maturity.
While 1T is certain the total output or
the crop will be much below the returns
OF 1902, yet it is likely to possess great
er commercial and feeding value. Ey-
cellent progress is being made in plow-
ing, fall seeding and harvesting the
minor crops.
The potato crop as whole will be
much below the average. Apples and
grapes are better than earlier reports
Indicated
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-10-01
NEW COURT CASES.

Joseph A. Brown VS. Julia Eopwood at
al. Suit is brought to quiet title to the
southwest !, northwest ], northwest !,
southwest ! and northeast ! of south
west !, sectionl, township 81, range %,
Decatur coUntT, Iowa. S. Narga attor-
ney for plaintiff.
Catharine Heidenrick trustee VS..
Edward Brown ct al. Sgtit is brought to
foreclose mortgage of 81, 400 on the
south halfsof the southwest quarter of
section 1, and the west half of the north
west quarter of the northwest quarter
of section ~, except one acre in the
northwest corner of the southeast
quarter Of the southwest quarter of
section 1,Sownship ], i67, range "a west,
Decatur. .camty, Iowa. Heine q Fisher
attorneys for plaintiff.
Among the indictments returned by
the last grand juicy was one against
Otto Wood and Downey Criswell, who
are accused of burglarizing the depot at
Weldon. Sheriff Martin placed the
parties alnder arrest, Wood being rele:,s-
led on $500 bonds.and Creswell is in jail
being unable to secure bonds.
The last grand jury returned an i1a-
dictment against Mayor w. G. Hamilton,
of Davis City charging him with ASSAULT
with intent to commit great bodily
injuries, the recult of his assault on p
E. Shirley, of Davis City. Hamiiton
gave 'oond in the sum of $500.
Amos Bell, of Grand River, was
among the big'patch who were indicted
by the last grand jury, being charged
with assault with intent to commit
great bodily-2niury on Chet Wells al
Grand River. He was released on SiTR(
| bnrr,JS