davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-11-14
WILLIAM WALKER LAIR PIONEER
RESIDENT OF oTTUMWA.
BUT THIRTEEN HOUSES
First Saw ottumwa in 1s45-Saw Capt.
Ross Shoot DR.. Wreht-Tells Inter-
estine Stories of Sac and Fox Indi.
ans-Early Hunting Experiences.

A citizen of Wapello county for
nearly three score years, resident
of Ottumwa continuously since the
time when it was village OF but thir-
teen houses, pioneer farmer and a
hunter OF game when the deer were to
be found in herds of a hundred or
more EACH has been in brief the life
and experiences of William Walker
Lair, if not the Oldest then one of the
Oldest living residents of the county
and of the city. 1t is an interesting
story told by this old pioneer Who
lives at 1850 West Second street and
who with the weight OF IA years on
his shoulders is yet a familiar figure
upon the streets OF Ottumwa.
Short Sketch of Life.
William Walker Lair was born in
Greencastle, Ind, January IS, 1880 and
will soon be "A years OF age. His
father was a farmer. In the spring
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-11-14
FOR BETTER MILK
STATE DAIRY COMMISSIONER
WRIGHT MAKES ANNUAL RE-
PORT TO GOVERNOR.
Estimate $4,000 Spent for Inspection
of MiIk-Thirteen Cities to Make a
United Effort for Better Milk-oth-
err Facts.

Not many Ottumwa people are aware
that portion of a sum estimated at
$4,000 for the entire state by State
Dairy Commissioner Wright is regu-
larry spent in this city in the inspect
ing of the milk used by thousands OF
families of this city Thirteen of the
larger cities of the state are planning
TO make n united effort to bring
still further improvement in the quail
ity of milk, used by the people for their
daily consumption
E. b. Hill, l73 East Maple avenue is
the milk inspector for Ottumwa, and
few citizens know how much they are
Indebted to him and his work for the
average good quality of the milk fur
nished them. The position is a re-
sponsible one and the health OF the
general community is largely depend
ent upon his careful and persistent
work.
Ban On Oieomaraarine.
In his recent report to, Governor
Cummins, State Dairy Commissioner
Wright declares that no butter substi-
tute which even approaches yellow
color will be permitted by him TO be
sold in Iowa.
That Iowa is great cattle producing
county is indicated by the figures
contained in the report. In the last
lew years Ine lluIlDeI ol Ctilis iiei7
increased 335,54S head. The total num-
Der of cattle is 1,370,0S2 and their value
| is $32,1S1.179.
lowa's creameries.
The report shows that while the
Iowa creameries are increasing in
value they are decreasing in number.
Many of the small creameries which
We're started few years ago in places
in which there was apparently no de-
mand for them. have gone to the wall.
Today the average value of Iowa
creameries is $3.50. They range in
value from $500 to $4,000. The num-
Der of hand separators increased
among farmers from 904 in 1898 to l.
6S4 in 1908.
The cooperative creameries. of
which there are quite a number in
Iowa, are prospecting reasonably we'll.
The report says that many of them
have been exploited by promoters. but
on the whole they are doing fairly
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-11-14
Real Estate Transfers.

Real estate transfers furnished by
Lowenberg & Co.. real estate agents.
1O7 South Court street.
Il. Blake and wife to Calvin A. Smith
lot II, Blake's second addition, Blakes-
burg. $3.50.
Philip Duffy and wife to Ethel Bur
CESS, part southwest quarter northeast
quarter section 19-72-13. also lot /,
Duffy addition to Ottumwa. $40.
Jones. lot 4, Tullis addition to Ottum-
wa, $500.
C. o. Taylor ct al to Mary L. Wells
lot II, block 2, Fairview addition, OF
tumWa, $500.
Joseph Mcbride and wife to Jesse
T. Dale lot SO, Norton addition to OF
tumwa. 1925.
N. Fender and husband, A, to Sa-
rah O'Day GO. G. d. southeast quarter
section 2-71-12, $22s.OS and other con-
sideration.
Milwaukee Land Company to C. a.
Henry. lot I, block 2, Farson, $1S5.
Milwaukee Land Company to c. A.
Henry. lot 4, block-2, Farson. s54.
L. z. Haydocll to Sallie F. Hay
dock CHS wife) undivided one half
south half northeast quarter part
section l.; part northwest quarter,
southwest quarter, section /: south
east quarter and north half northeast
quarter southeast quarter, section II
all T1-12, 81.
T. i. Jaques and wife to c.. r. /.
& p. Ry. Co. part section 34-71-12,
$500.
.. l.. Shadford and wife to John and
Alice Fulmer. part lot 80, Lincoln park
addition Ottumwa, $500.
L. NJ. Bannister to Yorkshire Land
and Cattle Co.. of Kittery. Maine, part
section, 31-T2-1S Give acres), $1,000.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-11-14

poses would be made a special study
there is no question but that in few
years a type of horse would be evolved
that would meet in every way the
strenuous requirements OF army scr
vice.
The Typical Horse.
The typical army horse should have
the endurance of the Indian pony, the
intelligence and spirit OF the roadster,
the bone and muscle of the light draft
horse and the hardy constitution Of
the mule. To combine and produce
these qualities in one animal is not an
impossible thing and the seemingly i'm
possible results obtained by intelligent
breeders working with a definite end
in view is abundant proof that all is
required is intelligence and perse-
verance for sufficient length Of time
to evolve perfectly satisfactory type
of horse for the army.
No Better Climate.
There is certainly no better section
for the establishment of such a farm
than in the central part of the state of
Iowa. The native horses of the state
are of q hardy and healthy breed and
the climate is such that it produces
the stamina and strength that is abso-
lutely required for good all around
horse for any service. If the perfect
army horse can be produced by the
breeder Iowa certainly can do her
share in furnishing climate that will
make the task an easier one.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-11-14
The Nickel Plate Road.

Will sell tickets within distances of
one hundred and fifty miles, Novem-
Der 25, and rs at the rate of fare and
third for the round trip, account.
Thanksgiving day. Return limit, No
yember 80. 1908.
Three through trains daily to Ft.
Wayne. Cleveland, Erie, Buffalo. New
York, Boston. and New England points
carrying vestibuled sleeping cars. No
excess fare charged on any train on
Nickel Plate road. Meals served in
Nickel Plate dining cars on American
Club plan ranging in price from S5c
TO 81, also Ia carte. Chicago City
Ticket Offices, III Adams street and
Auditorium Annex. Phone Central
POST. Depot La Sale and Van Buren,
streets on the Elevated Loop.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-11-14
IOWA EDITORS HOLD BIG
MEETING AT ALBA

X. q. Welsell, Corning Free Ffess.
E. M. Bailey and wife, Britt Tribune.
c. A. Lisle, Clarinda Herald.
j. G. Mccormick, Clarinda Herald.
H. e. Deater. Shenandoah Post
C. o. Hoober, Ottumwa Courier.
,Ino. Sterling. Corydon Democrat.
John Scott, Lamont Chronicle.
S. M. Green and wife, Charlton Her.
aid.
o. L. Hull and wife, Leon Reporter.
l.. S. Robinson and wife, GlenwOOd
Opinion.
G. o. and ]. w. Wayne Griswold.
Jno. r. Sipes, Eddyville correspond
emit Ottumwa Courier.
Geo. A. Matlock. Hedrick Herald.
G. M. Junkin. Fairfield Ledger.
e. Fl. Rockwell and wife, Farming
ton.
A. G. Roberts. Bonaparte.
G. M. Workman. Henderson Echo.
w. j. Clark, and wife, Red Oak Sun.
l. l. McCahen and wife, Bedford.
A. P. Standby and wife. Bedford.
Jno. ]. Clark and wife, Bedford.
p. S. Junkin, Corning.
r. W. Bruce and wife. Leon Journal.
j. Knox Hall and wife, Alton Star
e. G. Jones, Tacoma Ledger.
S. S. Sherman, Bussey Banner.
H. C. Dunbar, American Type Foun-
dry.
S. A. Brewster and wife, Ottumwa
Democrat.
A. r. Barnes and wife Moravia Re-
porter.
NJ L. Curtis. Knoxville Journal.
Miss Floy McCready, Oskaloosa
Herald
I. B. Haviland, Barnhart Bros, and
Spindler.
c. L. LaCompte and wife, Corydon
Times-Republican.
w. d. Davis, Eldon Review.
l. ID. Ball, Mystic Letter
w. A. Wallace and wife, Villisca
Letter.
Howard Tedford and wife Ringgold
Record
Henry Silver, 0sceola Democrat
w. Fl. Dewey and wife, Charlton
Democrat.
c. W. Bellvilie and wife, Knoxville
Express.
c. X. Needham, Sigourney News.
Y. G. Reininger, Shenandoah Senti-
mel.
Ed M. Smith. Winterset Madison
ian.
|. E. Downing, Fort Dodge Messen.
ger.
Emory "A. English, Valley junction
Express.
J. w. Rowley, Seosauqua Repu5li-
can.
F. L. Clutches, Osceola Sentinel.
j. L. Long, Russell Union.
r. L. Lupton, Washington.
Will H. Davidson, Burlington Hawk
Eye.
c. O. Hall, Conway.
J. A. Rominger, Bloomfield News.
p. e. Beeson. Fairfield.
G. S. Sliirvin and wife, Creston Ad.
vertiser
G. S. Handlay and wife, Shenandoah
Missionary World
III. A. Geithman and wife. Conway
Record
f. H. Smith and wife, Lamont Saints
Herald.
IT. j. Baker, Malvern Leader.
w. F. Hill. Glenwood Tribune
G. l. Miller and wife. Red Oak Elk.
press.
]. X. Houston. Centeryille Citizen.
]. E. McNIullen. Lovilia Tribune.
A. Brown, and wife, Hastings Rec
ord.
B. c. Hullinger and wife, Villisca Re
view.
l.. c. Benson. Seymour Press.
A. w. Maxwell, Seymour Leader.
7. w. killion. Moulton Sun.
A. R. Miller, Washington.
H. e. Perkins, Kellerton
| G. w. Cowden, Grinnell
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-11-14
REMouNT STATION.
Breeding Farm and Training Station
May be Established at Des Moines.

A remount station for training
horses for use in the United States
army and possibly government
breeding farm for the purposes Of
raising horses especially adapted to
the army needs established contigu-
GUS to the army post at Des Moines
is one of the probabilities for the
near future. A Washington dispatch
states that such a station is being con-
sidered and that Congressman Hull is
working to secure the location OF the
station and the farm in his district.
Should Be Established At Once.
1t is stated that Lieut. Gen. Young
has had the need for the remount sta
lions brought to his attention by
Quartermaster General Humphrey,
who believes that the stations should
be established at once. AT the pres
ent time most of the animals used in
the United States army are bought at
the markets in Omaha, Kansas City,
ST. Louis and Chicago They are
sent direct to the army posts without
any special training or examination
as to the fitness for any special part
of the army work.
Thoroughly Prepared for Their Work.
With the establishment of the re-
mount post the horses as soon as pur-
chased would be sent to the station
where they would be put through a
special training and thoroughly pre-
pared and tested for the work to which
they would be assigned This train
ing work could be by this method put
into the hands of men specially skill
ed in the training of horses and much
better results could be secured than
under the present method After the
training work was completed the ami
mails could be sent to the various
posts where they are needed. 1t is
claimed that the remount station
would not only result in equipping the
army with a far superior lot of horses
but that it would prevent the utter
ruin by improper methods of training
OF many otherwise good horses.
Breeding Farms An Advance.
The establishment OF breeding farms
would be another great step Id ad-
vance in equipping the United States
army with the best horses for the pur.
pose. The United States already has
the reputation of having the best
mounts of any army in the world. With
| the establishment of the farms where
1.-The breeding OF horses for army pur-
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-11-14
TO REPRODUCE FORT.
Des Moines Park Board contemplstes
Preserving Historic Site.

Des Moines Nov. 7.-co-operation
on the part of.the park board Will be
extended to the Daughters of the
American Revolution 10 preserve the
historic site of the old Fort Des
Moines and plans are now being dis
cusssd along that line. The board
owns the land at the jupction of the
Raccoon and Des Moines rivers, which
was park of the first fort and among
the plans suggested is a production ia
miniature of the old fort and a repro
duction of one of the double log cabin
full size.
The land now used by the street car
tracks 10 get to the bridge to cross
the Raccoon is part of the land own
ed by the park board and it extends
on up both rivers.
1t is the Intention OF the D. \. r. to
erect n granite monument and upon
one face reproduce the survey of the
old fort
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-11-14

Of 1S45 the family came to Iowa and
on April 20 settled on tract OF land
on what is known as Blue Point, north
west of the present location of Ottum-
wa. At this time Iowa was still ter
ritory.
First Glimpse of Indians.
After a few months life northwest
of the city the family decided to hunt
up better location and the father be-
ing dead, young Lair was sent to take
up claim southwest of Ottumwa in
the name of his mother 1t happened
upon the day that he started to look
up the location that a great band of
the Sax and Fox Indians who had been
up north We're returning down the riv-
er to the reservation at Agency
Floating in Canoes.
| When Lair came to the river the
vanguard of the Indians was just pass
ing the bend where the Market street
bridge now stands. The Indians
| were floating leisurely down the
stream in canoes of every imaginable
| description from hewn logs and SIM
| pie bark canoes TO elaborate and fam
! tastically constructed boats made
from hides and bark. Among the num-
/ Der there were also many that had
been built by white men.
| These canoes carried one two, three
and sometimes five and six stalwart
| Indians each The boats hoated down
by twos and threes and the Indians
were proud of the spectacle they were
producing Some of them were bright
and jovial and shouted back and forth
to one another. others floated along,
| grim, silent and impressive.
| For three hours young Lair stood on
| the bank with the big crowd that had
gathered to watch the passage of the
| Indians and waited for an opportunity
| to get across the river The canoes
| fioated SO close together that it was
impossible for the ferry to run aud
! during the entire time that the In
| dams We're floating arond the bend
4 not one white man made an attempt
| to get on the other side of the river
/ Ford's Ferry.
The only means of crossing the riv.
er in those days was by what was call
ed a chain ferry, run by John Ford
who is still living and who with his
wife resides at 629 West Main street
The river was much wider then than
now but the course has changed great
ly and the ferry house which was
then located on the South Side of the
river at the end of the bridge has
since been cut off by the stream and
torn down. A long chain stretched
from the ferry house and was made
fast on this side of the river about
where the north end OF the bridge is
i located. This chain wound around .
capstan on the ferry boat and men fur
nished the power to revolve the cap
stan and the motive and propelling
! power.
When the passage of the Indians
was ended young Lair got across ant
succeeded in locating good claim up
on which he later filed in the name Of
his mother. The land upon which
the claim was made is now owned by
Squire Martz. Upon this Lair and his
mother lived and farmed for twelve
years.
y OttumWa in 1s45,
Il In 1916 Lair first saw ottumwa
| There was at that time thirteet
houses in the village. On the north
east corner OF Main and Marke
streets, where the Ennis Building nov
stands there was a saloon run by
famous old pioneer, Peter Barnett
Seth Richards Of Keosauaua,a wealth,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-11-14
FAST AIRsHlIP.

zebaudy Brothers Achieve Great Tri-
umph in France.
PARIS, Nov. l2.--One Of the greatest
friunphs of dirigible. sls-1,Aniug was
achieved today by dyed that bfkn-l ID.
arc wbosa ai,ste. to the killing
ftis4-" siFs smile house, and when
sled had caused loss of 100000.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-11-14
KILLS SELF ON ARISING.
Roger Davidson of Near Hillsboro
Fires Bullet Into Heart.

Salem. Nov. 12.-Brooding over his
continued illness, which was slowly
undermining his constitution, Roger
Davidson prosperous farmer. living
two miles west OF Hillsboro. arose at
5 o'clock yesterday morning and Sc
curing revolver, fired bullet into
his heart while sitting on the edge of
his bed, dying instantly. His wife,
hearing the report, ran to his side and
caught him just as he was falling. He
died instantly Mr.. Davidson had been
in poor health for some time. He was
about forty-eight years OF age and a
respected citizen of that place. A pub
lie sale was to have been held at his
farm yesterday, preparatory to leay-
ing.
Well Known in Henry County.
Mr.. Davidson was a son of J. r.
Davidson of Hillsboro, recently de-
ceased who was sheriff of this county
for four years. some time back and
was well known here. He married
some years ago a sister of Butler Blu
chanan of North Platte, Neb., the lat
ter being the son-in-law of the late
Governor Newbold. Mr. Davidson was
in Hillsboro Tuesday and was quite
busy getting ready for his sale of per-
sonal property which was to have
been held Wednesday in order that he
might arrange his affairs SO as to go
to Nebraska to benefit his health, and
it is thought that he became worried
| over his health which was not robust
and so took his life He leaves wife
and little child only a few months
old. His family life was pleasant,
but it is said he was worried over his
health and was afraid he was failing
physically He had many friends in
this county and in Van Buren,. who
regret his basty action and deeply
sympathize With his family. The fu
neral arrangements have not as yei
been decided upon.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-11-14

A happy woman, whatever the re-
ligious seruples she may profess, can
not keep the angels from dancing in
her eyes.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-11-14

After every election the manufac-
turers of nickel cigars have chance
to accumulate stock.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-11-14
r. H. WARDEN FIFTY YEARS AGO
DESCRIBES VILLAGE AS 1T
WAS.
RAILROAD WAS ASSURED
Eight Dry Goods Stores, TWO Drug
Stores, One Clothing Store, One Gro
Gerry Store and One Printing Office.

An article in the Courier published
fifty years ago upon the topic Our Viii
lage, Its Present Condition and Future
Prospects, and written by R. H. War
den, then owner and editor of the Cour-
Ter, will be OF interest to the citizen of
today 1t was written Just after the
burlington railroad became an assul-
ed fact for the little town and when
the people We're especially jubilant ov-
er the prospects OF the future The
brilliant future pictured for what was
then the village OF Ottlmwa has be-
come an actual fact anu the Ottumwan
OF today will find interest in reading
the account as it appeared from the
pen of the pioneer editor:
I'VE scarcely ever Cast our eye upon
the editorial columns of the various
papers of our state but that we see
what are commonly called 'Puifs' of the
respective towns in which they are To-
Gated and notices o. at least half a
dozen railroads thai might he built
through them il the means could only
be secured to do il with We like TOO,
to boast of the prospects of our viii
lage, though we never could see the
utility of building paper railroads or
paper towns. Whenever any real adj
vancement or Improvement is suscepti-
bic to the eye we gladly note it as a
matter of news to all who desire to
settle in our town and our vel! wishers
abroad
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-11-14
ottumWa in 1s45.
In 1sA5 Lair first saw {

In 1S45 Lair first saw Ottumwa.
There was at that time thirteenI
houses in the village. On the north
east corner OF Main and Market
streets, where the Ennis Building now
stands there was saloon run by al
famous old pioneer, Peter Barnett.
Seth Richards Of Keosauaua,a wealthy
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-11-14
The Morning Session.

This mornings session began
promptly at O'Clock. After the greet
ings to the visiting editors the assem-
blage listened to an interesting paper
by U. G. Reininger, of the Shenandoah
Sentinel, On Bookkeeping in Print
Shop" The discussion was led by G.
W. Cowden of the Grinnell Herald and
J. ]. Clark of the Bedford Times-Re
publican. Both Tie paper and the
ideas expressed during the discussion
showed careful study and preparation
on the subject.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-11-14


of mechanics of all kinds, such as car
penters, bricklayers, stone masons,
plasterers etc. who are doing thriv-
ing business. An excellent chain fer
~ is kept running constantly imme-
diately opposite the town by our enter
prising fellow citizen, T.. Sinnamon,
who will have splendid four horse
ferry done and running in time for the
next spring emigration to California
and Oregon.
"Ottumwa is situated 102 miles from
the mouth of the DeS Moines and 104
below the fork. Immediately at the
head of the rapids, has a splendid
country around it and railroad not
laid out merely on paper, but actual
ly surveyed and located from here to
the Mississippi at Burlington, where
il connects with the Peoria and Bur
lington road which will be completed
by the first OF May next
Railroad Assured.
"In the neighborhood of 5000 900
has already been subscribed to build
our railroad and the most extensive
capitalists III the east guarantee the
subscription of the balance Of the
stock TO build it to go TO Ottumwa
and large number of hands are to
commence work on it this winter. A
route for railroad has also been sur;
veyed for railroad fropntich hacf SUI
the mouth of the Plaosa TO Tracy
II ana IL Is ,ne Is the Tracy cut liei
t r,,, lanotb i, Liaae part OF the not
IN charge OIL Snpt. hen
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-05-21

True, Mr. Hartman has had his ap-
pendix removed. but it would take
more than Il surgical operation to sep
arate hlTl from the railroad properties
he con. rols.