davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1903-08-25
I'D RETTER ROADS AND BETTER
SCHOOLS.
cleveland County Teacher "Talks Out
in Meeting"
If The Progressive Farmer:

III ACCIAA6"
GATOR of The Progressive Farmer:
With an apology for neglecting~my
correspondence by reason of my be-
mo very busy on the farm, l shall
Contribute an article of a rather mis-
~oo11aneous character.
In the first place, attention will
10 called to that unfailing topic-fOr
,,onnr and old-the weather. May
was marked by unusual lack of
roo;sture, which was broken by a
frosbet of disastrous effects early in
lime, Since that time this immedi-
.to locality has been very dry until
orite recently. At Shelby a fine rain
fell on last Friday, and this extended
over p radius of some six miles. We
noonIe eight miles from Shelby nave
had two reviving showers, but the
ground is not wet exceeding a depth
of two inches.
Early corn is cut off, gardens have
suffered, wheat was not a half crop,
fruit is generally a short crop, and
cotton small. but very we'll fruited,
considering size and weather condi-
tions.
THE TEACHERS INSTITUTE
Last week | attended the Teachers
Institute at Shelby, which can be
styled a success as Institutes go. 1t
was under the charge of home talent,
and the work and enthusiasm were of
a very creditabIe order. The attend
ance of teachers was excellent, 1855
being enrolled, and the promptness
and p~unctuaIity were a manifest i'm
provement on heretofore. Let it be
here stated that the work of Prof.
{. L. Coon in the last institute was
largely responsible for this state of
affairs. Heretofore, about One-third
attended promptly and continually,
and the rest did pretty much as they
pleased.
As Is known to all who know me,
l favor Institutes, normals, and all
other agencies to inspire and equip
the teaching profession, for in this
State, God knows the best rural
teachers in zeal and equipment are
bad enough. But a meagre four
months, at starvation salaries, does
not appeal to teachers as an induce
ment' and it requires a spirit of self
sacrifice Just a little lower than the
angels to meet the conditions.
4 four months term, at the meagre
salaries paid in this county, does
not leave much after board is paid to
even buy decent clothes; not to CON
slider the attendance on teachers as
SelhoIIes, normals, Institutes, the pur-
chase OF educational journals, stand
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1903-08-25

book knowledge, no teacher IS thor
oughly furnished unto all good works.
Unfortunately, however, if a teach
er a Gopher" he is called a marvel
of erudition. Anybody, or nearly
anybody at least, a master arithme-
tic so that he can "work' the ex-
amples. Some of the most plodding
m~ediocres [ ever saw could work
problems, and many of them did not
have sufficient command of language
to explain the solution in an intellf-
gent style.
Don't understand me as inveighing
against this very important study,
but it certainly has, in this section,
been "run into the ground" at the
expense of language, history, and, in
fact, everything else. Arithmetic
was taught in the institute work
to which [ have just referred, but
language and history had a singular
ly gifted and enthusiastic defender.
CONSOLIDATION OF DISTRICTS
NEEDED.
One thing hal retards our on
ward march on educational lines in
Cleveland County, is too many dis
tricts. Our officials are clever men,
all right at heart, but have not learn
ed to say "no" often enough and plain
enough.
We have 420 square miles, with "a
white and % colored districts, max
ing 107 in all. Two public school
houses are within less than a mile
of each other, and both for the white
race. Numbers of school-houses are
in one and one-half miles of each
other, and many of them very dilapi-
dated structures. For this, the Board
of Education is partly responsible,
but not altogether. Patrons and com
mitteemen often misrepresent facts
to the Board, and fail to cooperate.
Teachers could do much on this line,
but generally are more interested in
getting schools than in improving
conditions. A mistaken idea pre-
walls, that eve get four months
school anyway" and we'll have it to
read "every man his own school
house."
I have heard unblushing misrepre-
sensations within the last two years
to get new districts; where the new
site was to be in one and a half miles
of two established districts, and in
less than two of as many more. A
ditch that a ten year old boy could
Jump was described as a raging tor
rent, and other just as extravagant
statements we're made by men who
posed as deacons and stewards.
One township, No. II, has voted a
tax. Before we have good schools we
must all do that. More money, bet
ter houses, fewer schools and better
teachers are what must solve the
problem.
GETTING BETTER ROADS
I can't leave this article till [ shy
a few stones at our execrable high
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1903-08-25

roads mean one horse and one wagon
moving over a good road what it re-
quires of from one to three horses
and a wagon over a bad road. Good
roads bring about a better school and
church interest, better mail facilities
and a more general diffusion of
knowledge.
The main objection to good roads
is the principle of taxation. Some
people are like the country jay who
killed the showman's snake. The
Snowman demonstrated that the snake
cost him $1,000. "Don't keer if he
cost $4,000" said the rural rooster,
II kills 'em Wherever I finds 'em."
Some people just know they are
"agin" taxation; no matter how bene-
fcent in it's provisions.
They had rather keep and feed
three horses to draw a cord of wood
OF a ton of guano over a bad road
than draw the same load over a good
road with one horse.
They had rather travel three miles
an hour over a bad road than eight
miles in the same time over a good
road.
They had rather either keep their
"chaps" at home "becaze the roads is
too burned muddy" or else create a
new "deestrict" and shorten the
school term.
KEEP UP THE AGITATION.
The people of Cleveland County
are as good meaning as anybody, but
don't know enough. Under present
conditions they never will know
enough. This is not meant for all
of them, for some are very public
spirited. Others would change their
views if they understood conditions.
These things will get right, but not
till subjects are agitated and explain
ed. While nothing but a school teach
er, I speak for one who means to
keep yelling till something happens.
[ am a Democrat and a Methodist,
but if the local talent of my church
or party are in the wrong, I'll kick
over the dashboard till things get
better.
Every time I am heard from it will
be the voice of one crying in the
wilderness for better schools, longer
terms, better school-houses and for
better roads to be built and worked
by taxation and convict labor.
CORN CRACKER.
Cleveland Co., n. @.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1903-08-25

[ can't leave this article till [ shy
a few stones at our execrable high
ways. Township No. 2, of this coun-
ty, voted the tax, employs convicts
and will have good roads. No. Z,
No. 8, No. 5, No. 10 and No. II, gave
the b~enefcent enterprise a black eye
to the tune of at least three to one.
No. 6, containing, Shelby, failed to
vote it, but it lost by a scratch. Good
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-10-08
Siuourney.

Sigourney. Oct. 6--Gnvcrnor A. g. Cum
minis addressed II packed audience in the
opera house last night. 1t was the occa-
sion of much enthusiasm. not only on ac-
count of the governors splendid personal
ity and pleasing address but because of
the facts that one of his associates on the
state ticket is a local product. Hon. John
f. Riggs received IL glowing enconum from
the gifted voice of Governor CumminS and
he referred rs well in his pleasant. able
way. TO his pleasure in having Henry +.
Wagner candidate for the legislature.
People had gathered in from all quarters
of the county. Among the Iedrick contin-
gent We're Senator Brooks and Hon. John
Morrison and W. ii. Young. The north
part of the county was represented in
Henry Wilson and George Murphy. of Kes-
wick. and others The governor held his
audience for two hours and half in wrapt
lattention to his address. The Lancaster
band furnished music for the occasion.
Court is progressing rapidly and many
eases have been tried. Yesterday in the
appeal case of the City of What Cheer VS..
Ed. Bolton the jury brought in n verdict
of mot guilty This case was in the ma
ture of an action for disturbing the peace
on an occasion of a play in the opera
house at What Cheer. Today the case of
the Town of SigOurney VS.. Warren Wilson
| is being tried and ii is expected that the
Nise VI Nv. Io"h " siS"uihes 70 WIN
| Howard will he reached.
| a new Nenire was hastily summoned yes
terday to supplement the petit Jury, MS
follows: Frank Halstead. Lafayette town
| ship: George Meirs. Jr.. Benton township;
A. K. Utterback, Lancaster township: Chas.
| Brolliar, Lancaster township: Jas. Tress-
| lar, Warren township: w. G. PAUL, Adams
| township; Henry Darby. Jackson township;
| w II. Stevens. Benton township: VIM
Cooper. Benton township. Henry Abrams,
| Benton township
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-10-08

by j. w. Norris, who later became a
resident of Ottumwa and editor and
owner of the Courier. Concerning
the directory and the reprint from II
one of the Chicago dailies has the
following:
This is the general directory and
business advertiser of the city of Chi
cago for the year 1914, with histori.
cal sketch and statistics extending
from 1887 to 1874, by j. w. Norris. 1t
was published by Ellis & Fergus,
printers, Saloon building. 1t was re-
published by t. F. Bohan An affidavit
on the back of the page sets forth that
every page except the title page is an
exact reproduction Of the original vol
ume.
THE present Chicago directory is
one of the largest volumes of it's kind
in the world, if not the largest; con
sequently the little thin book of 1914
looks decidedly odd by contrast. The
general reader will doubtless gel
nothing but amusement out of it's pre-
face, it's lists of names, and its adver
tisements, but those whose associa
tions run back to the old days viii
see a sentimental side to the little
volume. Those who were actually
here in 1874, are now few, indeed, but
the descendants of the early settlers
are many, and to them the book viii
be of great interest.
ITO the general reader also the
book should be valuable, in that il
gives a clear idea of the conditions
then existing in Chicago"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-10-08
Abba.

Abba, Oct. 6.--Great preparations
ing tonight at Kings opera house The
Hiteman band will furnish the music
for the occasion
A game OF indoor baseball will be
played at the armory Wednesday even
Ing when the Company A, team will
play local team comprised of the fol
lowing persons: Clever brothers
Frank Morse, Mike Rogan, H. Brown
G. Lookabaugh, R. Creswell, Fred
Lambert and " Gass.
Sam K. Smith, who has been visit
ing his sister at Milton is home again
Miss Fern Hamilton left this morn
ing for College Springs. where she
will attend college this season.
The remains of Ben. p Graysor
were inferred yesterday in Oak View
cemetery yesterday. Mr.. Grayson died
Saturday evening from asthma and
dropsy He had been sufferer fol
the past year.
Frank Rowley of Clinton was tran
sacting business in town yesterday.
j. M. Wykoff OF Centerville was an
Abba visitor yesterday.
]. e. McDavill of Fairfield, was tran
sacting business in Abba this morn
ing
r. G. Galloway of Mexico. Mo. is
transacting business in town today.
Thomas Schultz and A. M. Colgson
of Des Moines We're Abba visitors
yesterday.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-10-08
RicI1land.

Richand. Oct. 6.-Enoch Cox and wife
went to 0skaloosa Saturday to remain
over Sunday. the guest of their son Ralph.
Mrs. c. w. Dunbar was an over Sunday
visitor in Brighton.
Miss Emeine Peterson returned to Fair.
field Saturday
Chas. Davis was the guest of his brother
Gene and family in this city last week.
Miss Kate Collett went to Nugent Satur-
day.
The Messrs. and Mesdames Warren Ste
wart. of Keota, and George McCarty. of
Delta. were the guests of T. f. McCarty
AMI family Sunday.
l.. b. Rossiter, of Sigourney. was a bust
ness visitor in this city last week.
Born to Mr.. and Mrs. Clarence Nevill, a
Daughter, Saturday, October 3. 1903.
,loc Eicher and family spent Sunday with
relatives in this city.
I. NJ. Walker arrived home from Newton
Saturday.
Neal Smith spent Sunday at the parental
hone in Sigourney
Gene Davis is very sick with typhoid fe-
Yer.
b. NJ scheid was an over Sunday visitor
i'll thiS city.
Ralph Waters went TO Coppock Saturday.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-10-08
Foster.

Foster. Oct. 6.-Born to Mr.. and Mrs.
John Dotson. September 30 a daughter.
Joseph Elsdcn. of Buxton. has secured
work here in the Phillips mines and will
move his family here next week.
David Anderson was in Ottumwa at the
Brethren conference at Centeville last
week.
C. A. Mormyer, democratic candidate for
county treasurer. was here Sunday shaking
hands with everybody.
Ed Mahaffy. the band master. has re-
signed his position with the Phillips fuel
company and will move to Hilton.
Misses Annie and Hilda Anderson of Hill
ton were visiting their cousin, Miss Annie
Erickson. last Sunday.
Born, to Mr.. and Mrs. Chas. Pabst re-
Gently. q son.
DR.. j. r. Cross. assisted by DR. Esch-
bach. of Abba. performed very successful
operation on the 6-year-old son. of Ira
Hustled for white-swelling last Sunday.
r. G.. Davis moved his family out to the
Sheppard mines last week. Mr.. Davis is
the stable boss there.
Thos G. Davis viii move his family to
0ttumwa as soon as he can secure a home.
Mr.. Davis is working in the mines there.
Will Harper moved his family out to the
Sheppard mines last week. and there will
be several other families move as soon as
the houses are ready
Mr.. and Mrs. George IIuNfOrd were over
to Ilynes Saturday looking at II farm with
u view of buying the same.
Born. Friday. October ., TO Mr.. and Mrs
Walter Pilkngton, Il girl. Mrs. Pilkington
is very low at thistime. hut her many
friends hope for her speedy recovery.
Henry Gephart secured work in tie mines
near Keb and moved his family there last
week.
Marshall Darby. young man living just
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-10-08
Irish Bend.

Irish Bend. Oct. Cd. Il. Shafer and fam
lily spent Sunday at n. /. Luce's.
Sam Shafer visited recently at the home
of Mr.. and Mrs Sam Ramsey.
T.. T. Hill and wife. of Bloomfield, visited
last week ut the Frazec home.
Miss Idcla Shafer visited the Misses
Hester and Nellie Luce.
Mrs. r. f. Miller and son Jake. of
Bloomfield, were called here by the illness
of Mrs. FraZec.
L. H. Workman purchased a fine lot of
Angus cattle from John Craig recently.
Israel Strait was in Chequest on bust
ness Monday
Mrs. PIowman is visiting at the home of
her daughter. Mrs Sarah Strait.
Roscoe Strait. who 1T attending high
school at Keosauqua, spent Sunday at the
parental home.
l.. p Plowman and daughter. Miss Yer
ME. passed through here Sunday. cnroute
to Keosauqua. where his daughter is at
tending school.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-10-08
Illinois Central R. R.
OF INTEREST TO
STOCKHOLDERS,
Free Transportation to Attend the
Annual Meeting at Chicago.

Public notice is hereby given that the
regular annual meeting Of the stockholders
of the Illinois Central Railroad Company
will be held ut its offices in Chicago, ILL
nois. on Wednesday, October 81, 1908, at
II o'clock noon.
To permit personal attendance at said
meeting there will be issued to each hold
err of one or more shares Of the capital
stock of the Illinois Central Railroad Com.
pnny as registered on the books of the
company at the close of business on Tues
day, September 20. 1905, who is of fun
age, ticket enabling him, or her, to tray-
ell free over the Company's Lines from the
station on the Illinois Central Railroad
nearest to his or her registered address
to Chicago and return, such ticket to be
good for the journey to Chicago only dur
ing fhe four days Immediately preceding,
and the day of the meeting, and for the
return journey from Chicago only on the
medately following, when properly coun-
tersigned and stamped during business
hours--that is to say, between 9:UJ a. IN.
and ) p. MIN the Office of the assistant
Secretary, Mr.. w. G. Brnen, In Chicago.
Such ticket may be obtained by any hold
er Of stock registered as above, on april.
cation, in writing to the President of the
Company in Chicago. Each application
must state the full name and address of
the stakeholder, exactly as given in his
or her certificate OF stock, togefhA. -. 49,
the number and date of such certificate.
No more than one person will be carried
free in respect to any one holding of
stock as registered on the books of the
Company. A. g. lHACKSTAFF,
Secretary.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-10-08
HARRISON BROWN IN JAIL.
Mascot of Company G., Arrested fo
Larceny-Murray Pleads Guilty.

Mascot of Company G., Arrested for
Larceny-Murray Pleads Guilty.
From Tuesdays Daily
Harrison Brown, the mascot of Com
pany G, spent the night in jail. Harri-
son was arrested last evening on an
information filed by Mrs. George Blu
trous, charging him with larceny. Mr..
Butrous, with her husband, conducts
fruit stand at 436 East Main street.
She claims that Harrison stole poe
ket book containing $40 yesterday
from show case in her store. Har-
ison at first stoutly denied his guilt
but this morning in the sweat box he
said he took it. but gave it back to
the woman. He says Mrs. Butrous
searched him and asked him if he had
any more pocket books. Mrs Blu
trous, however, cannot speak word
of English and she found it necessary
to call in and interpreter when she fill
ed the information. Harrison will be
given hearing tonight at 1880
o'clock
William Murray, who was arrested
Sunday night by Night Captain Gala
CHER on the charge of conducting a
discrderly house was arraigned this
morning on the charge OF intoxication.
He pleaded not guilty and will be tried
this evening at 1880 O'Clock.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-10-08
Ashgrove.

Ashgrove. Oct. 6-Thc lecture given at
the hall Wednesday night was well attend
ed.
David Huff and family. of Pulaski. were
recent visitors al this place.
Rev. Tedford, of Pella. preached ut the
Baptist church Saturday night and Sun
Etlay.
Will Reynolds and wife spent Sunday at
the Hannah home.
There will be meeting at this place next
Sunday night.
Barton Fleming ana family have returned
to their home after visit with relatives
at this place
Ralph selman spent Sunday with his pa,
rents ut this place.
G. e. Roberts and family spent Sunday
at the Il. Hunter nome.
Orren Cassll and family spent Sunday
at ]. r. Days.
Quite a crowd from this place attended
church at Hopewell Sunday night
Misses We've Sclnan and Mae Roberts
We're over Sunday visitors at the e. Hun
ter home.
Fenton Cassell and family spent Sunday
at Bunch.
Wesley Peoples. of Blalesburg. was seen
on the streets one day last week.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-10-08
Charlton.

Charlton, Oct 6-Mrs Geo Ken.
needy OF Belinda received word yester-
day that brother of hers was seri.
ously sick at AIontrose, South Dakota
z. G. Wood left this morning for
Thomas, Oklahoma, on business trip.
III pleased with the country he may de-
eide to locate there
Miss Hannah Anderson of Lucas Wis
tied in the city Monday with Mrs.
Anna Swanson
Mr.. and Mrs. Andrew Johnson of Be
if1aa~aTe the proud parents of a
daughter, born Sunday.
Mr.. and Mrs Joseph Hickum of Cam
bria were in the city yesterday on
business.
Rev. g. A. Swanburg returned to his
home in Woodruff, H., last night.
Laurence Miller, who is attending
school at Indianola, is spending a few
days at home.
l. N. Curtis left this morning for
Bucllin, Kansas, on business trip.
Mrs. p. Pierce returned last evening
from a visit with Ottumwa friends.
Albert Jenkins of Russell, demo-.
cratic candidate for representative
was in the city yesterday looking af.
ter mis- political affairs.
Bert Murray has closed out his store
business on the East Side and will be
a candidate for the office of county
clerk before the republican primary
Miss Laura Olson of Stanton, who
has been spending a few days with
friends here left this morning for a
: visit in Ottumwa
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-10-08

/ For comfort, good service and low
rates, patronize the Nickel Plate road.
Good road-bed, splendidly equipped
trains and first class dining car ser.
vice, meals being served on American
Club Plan, ranging in. price from 35c
to $100; also service la carte. Three
through trains daily, in each direction.
Rates always the lowest. No excess
fare on any train on that line. Chicago
City Ticket Office. Ill Adams, street.
Depot, La Sale street station, corner
Van Buren, and La Sale streets, on
the Elevated Loop.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-10-08
AGED WOMAN DIES
MRS. CATHERINE MYERS FUNER.
Al ON FOURTH ANNIVERSARY
HUSBANDS DEATH.
She Was an Old Resident of Davis
County, Having Lived There More
Than Forty Years-FuneraI Services
Held at Bloomfield Yesterday.

Bloomfield, Oct. 6-(Special)- Fun
eral services over the remains of the
late Mrs Catherine Myers were held
at the home of her daughter, Mrs
John Twigg. at 2:30 O'Clock yesterday
afternoon, conducted by Rev. d. A.
NIckiaer. pastor of the Christian
church. Mrs. Myers died at the home
of her daughter, Mrs j. L. Thompson,
in Trenton, Mo- Saturday morning,
Oct 3, aged "a years, 6 months and
IL days. Death was the result of a
gradual failing of the vital powers in,
cident to old age. The deceased was
born near Cleveland O., March 6, 1919
She was united in marriage to Fred
Myers in 1888. About the year 1852
they removed to Iowa, settling in Lee
county, but soon removing to Appa-
moose county, where they resided for
0 short time, when they came to Davis
county, where they lived for more than
forty years, Mr.. Myers departing this
life Oct. 5, 1899 just four years prior
to the day of Mrs. Myers funeral.
Fourteen children were born to Mr.
ard Mrs. Myers, seven of whom are
living. They are Mrs. Sarah Mckee
han, who resides in Lee county; Mrs.
Cinaeyilla Thompson, Trenton, Mo-;
William M ts1s, Braggs Station. L T.;
Mrs. J. W. Corrick, MarshaEltown;
James G. Myers, Trenton. Mo; Mrs.
Gertrude Twigg, Bloomfield; Albert
i. Myers, Trenton Mo. The funeral
services We're touching and impressive.
Music was furnished by the quartet
composed of U. S. Miller, Charles
Black, Mrs. w. G. Caldwell and Miss
Joy Fryberger. The interment took
place in the l. o. o. F. cemetery
Other Bloomfield News.
A. L. Miller, an extensive land own
: er of Marion township. was looking af-
ter business affairs Monday in this
city.
Miss Katie Saddler returned Satur-
day from st. Louis, where she had
been for a week to fill vacancy in
telegraph Office caused by the tempo
rary absence OF the regular employee.
Jacob Gingrich of Morton, ILL.,, is
visiting his sons, William and John
Gingrich, at Stiles
Fred Zigler OF Marion township, de-
parted Monday evening for Virginia,
looking after his farming interests
I'm that state.