davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-01-12
L0uvie Sim0ns Speaks of Iro.
quois Theater Fire to Reporter
Representative.
PLAYED in ORCHESTRA
WHILE FIRE RACED
About AlOO Musicians Idle As
Result of Closing of Places
of Amusement.

Louvie Simons. of Chicago, is in the
city visiting his brother, Y. d.
Simons. Mr.. Simons is one of the
twenty-four musicians, composing the
IroQuois orchestra, who played during
the recent fire in which about 600
lives were lost.
Mr.. Simons gave brief account of
the fire TO a representative of the
REPORTER and illustrated his remarks
by means of an interior diagram Of
the theater. ''NO one who were pre-
sent and witnessed the disaster will
be able to erase that horrible picture
left upon the mind,' said Mr.. Simons.
81 was sitting in the second row of
musicians and was one of the first to
see the fire break out. About 3:15
heard sound as if fuse of the spot
light had burned out; then l saw the
muslin fly border catch fire. The man
in charge Of the light tried in vain to
extinguish the flames. The stage at
this time was crowded with tilmy,
brilliant scenery and the spot light
was fo,l)wing the gyrations of an octe
on the stage singing In the Pale
Moonlight accompanied by the
orches ira. The stage hands, as soon
as they saw the fire, struck savagely
with sticks. A few yards of the
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-01-12
WOOD COUNTY Will RECEIVE
$2|,347.e4 SCHOOL PURPOSES



In apportioning the common school
fund income State Supt. G. p. Cary
made the discovery that the race
suicide epidemic has apparently struck
Wisconsin. The apportionment of
state aid to common schools is based
on the number of persons of school
age there are residing in the common
wealth on June 80 of each year. The
school age is from 4 to 20 years. On
June 30 last there were 758, 81 persons
of school age in the state against
752, ,069 on the same date a year ago.
This was an increase for the twelve
months mentioned of only 6,24S,
against an increase of over 1900 for
the preceding twelve months
The total amount of the common
school fund income apportioned was
81, 400, ,6l2.77, against s1,6Sl 1926. 10 last
year. The rate of apportionment for
each person of school age this year is
$1.847 against So 236 last year. The
reason the school age fund income is
less this year than last is principally
because the legislature last winter
reduced the rate of taxation for this
purpose from to 7-10 mill. But in
making this reduction the legislature
provided that, in addition to the sum
raised under the 7-10 mill tax, the
school fund income should receive
5000, 900 annually from the railroad
license fees or taxes. AS previously,
the school fund income also receives
the revenues from certain fines, from
the sale of certain state lands, and
from interest on the common school
trust funds. There will be raised this
year under the 40 of mill law,
ST. ,O27, ,22O. The revenues from interest,
fines, and the sale Of state lands for
the year aggregated Sl73,392.77. These
two sums with the 100000 from the
railroad taxes, make the 81, 400, ,6l2.77
apportiOned.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-01-12
Comparative Statement of the
Amounts for Different Towns
in 1902 and 1908,
AMOUNT RECEIVED BY
THIS CITY DECREASED
Statistics Point to Fact That
Race Suicide Exists in
Wisconsin.

Wood county's apportioned school
fund, including the amount accruing
from the one-mill tax, is S2l, ,347.64 for
1908 as against s25, ,OS5. .6S for 1902
The amounts to be received by the
counties in this vicinity are: Clark,
$40, ,S54. 40; Jackson, S12, 103 Al; Juneau,
$13, 701.07; Marathon: $35.67l.14: Mar
quette, s7,71l.27; Monroe, s1s,6S9. .S6;
Portage, S23, ,O67 %; Shawano, $40, ,157.-
30: Waupaca, S21. 1885,.
The money for meeting these ap-
pOrtiOnmentS will not be available
before the early part of next month
at which time the taxes from the
various counties are paid into the
state treasury.
The 1903 amount apportioned to
each of the several towns and cities
in Wood county, as compared with
1902, is as follows and is reckoned on
the basis of ST. S47 for each person of
school age residing in the districts
which maintained school as required
by law:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-01-12
THANKS CITIZENS FOR Their
OPPOSITION TO FENNER PARDON

when the opportunity offers, TOWARD
upholding the dignity of the law,
and the administration of Justice,
to which we must all appeal for our
own protection.
1t is as much my duty, as it is yours.
to use what efforts 1 can to prevent
the pardon of Fenner and l thin k
much better of you because you have
made the sacrifice to 90 to Madison
and attend the hearing and register
your protest. seriously contem-
plated doing the same thing myself,
but the press of business and Ghe fact
that it would cost me for expenses
alone more than SIS prevente ted me
from attending.
OF the twelve men that tried that
case, five are dead and seven living.
or these seven, six are still residents
Of Wood county. | should have
drawn up Seperate remonstrance
for them, but as they are scattered IN
different parts OF the county, 1 felt
that it would take more time than /
could afford to give to the matter,
but if | thought there was any pro-
liability that the governor would
pardon him, l would like to file first
the remonstrance of the living men,
bers of that jury. I wish you would
let me knew the impression you got
at the hearing. 1t would not be too
late TO file that remonstrance now, if
there is any necessity for doing it.
drew up a remonstrance similar
to the one that was circulated here
and sent to the postmaster at West
field asking him to deliver it To some
public-Spirited citizen that was ac-
quainted with the facts in connection
with the murder of HeSler. | diG
not know that Hesler had any living
relatives at that place, or l would
have mailed it to them. Did the
postmaster say anything to you about
it, or was there anything done at
that place? l think that more than
500 signatures to the remonStrance
could be secured among the residents.
who lived here at the time OF the
trial. and If YOU think that anything
further than what has been done
would be necessary, or advisable, you
will please let me know.
Yours,
JOHN A. GAYNOR.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-01-12
No One Can Erase Horrible
Picture LeffOn the Mind

of the main entra ICE. We were inter
cepted by two locked doors but these
we soon broke down. When / reached
the street the police and firemen were
already at work carrying out the dead.
81 returned again to the stage by
the same way, thinking that might
save someone, as it was perfectly sa'e
to get out by the basement passage.
/ motioned to a number, but no one
would come toward the stage, which
had then been turned into fiery
furnace. Over half of the musicians
had left their instruments in their
haste to get away.
"One of my best friends, Otto
Helms, a musician, was burned to
death. He was buried the following
Sunday. / had the privilege of being
one of the seventy musicians who
played at his funeral.
ssThere are now about 2, 100 id'e
musicians in Chicago as result of
the closing of the theaters and other
places of amusement.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-01-12
MEETING OF
TELEPHONE CO.
Reports Read Showing the
Healthy Growth Of the
Service.
INCREASE OF 378
PHONES In EIGHT YEARS
Presidents Report in Full.-
Marsh Line to Be
Rebuilt.

The annual meeting of the directors
and stockholders of the Wood County
Telephone company was held last
evening. After the reports of the
officers had been read, the following
directors were elected: George W.
Pauius, H. E. Herrick Theo. w.
Brazeau, Geo. W. Davis and j. E.
DAILY.
The question of rebuilding the
marsh line was left to the board of
directors. They were instructed to
confer with those living along the
line that the work may be done
satisfactorily to all.
The presidents report was as
follows:
TO the Stockholders of the Wood
County Telephone company.
GENTLEMEN: The past year has
proven troublesome one to your
board of directors on account of the
increase cost of material and labor
and not until October l, 1903, did VIC
decide to raise the rentals Is cents
per phone per month. This was
absolutely necessary on account of the
Continued On third page)
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-01-12
INTEREST IN CHURCH WORK
IS INCREASING IN CITY
Three New Church Societies Organized.
improvements in Coneres sational Church.

Three New Church Societies Organized.
Improvements in Congregational Church.
1t is encouraging to note that the
religious growth IN the community
keeps up with the commercial growth
Three new church organizations
that have been formed the past year
and the old church organizations have
increased in membership and interest.
1t should be the aim OF all men and
women to- ally themselves with some
church society.
The Congregational church build
ing on the west side has recently been
undergoing several improvements.
A large addition to the lecture room,
new kitchen and basement have
been added. The contract for
the furnace was given the Gen.
tralia Hardware company, the car
penter work was done under con-
tractor w. NJ. Martins supervision
and the inside decoration by VIM.
Suhr. The painting, papering and
vanishing makes the interior Of the
church very attractive, and the fur
mace adds greatly to the comfort.
Besides these improvements, tie
choir has been enlarged and renewed
interest manifested in this depart.
ment under the leadership and super.
vision of T. A. Taylor. The congreg.
alton is growing larger, the capacity
| of the church building being often
| taxed to its utmost.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-01-12
GAME LOST BY
SCORE OF TO q
Plainfield Basketball Team De.
feated High School Five
Friday.
REFEREE GIVES HIS
TEAM NINE "GIFTS"
Large Number Of Spectators
Witnessed the Game--Music
by Orches stra.

The second basketball game, this
season, was played in the high school
gymnasium Friday evening between
the Lincoln high school team and a
team from Plaintield. The score
resulted in favor Of the visiting team,
it being 81 to %. The game was
closely contested and the difference in
the score does by no means represent
the relative merits of the teams.
The score would have been much
closer, and probably would have
resulted in favor of the local team, had
it not been for new rule which came
into effect this year. The rule says:
"If a player, while trying for goal. is
fouled by an opponent the referee shall
award one point to the team whose
player was fouled and if the player
succeeds in making a goal it shall
count The rule is a good one. but
the referee was unreasonable in the
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-01-12
WAS IN IROQUOIS THEATER
WHEN FIRE BROKE OUT

Earl Wood, son of c. Fl. Wood, re-
turned Saturday from Chicago where
he has been attending business
college during the past two months.
He was compelled to give up his
studies on account of the stationary
engineers. strike, there being no way
at present to heat the college build
ing. He was in the upper gallery of
the Iroquois theater when the fire
broke out on the afternoon of Dec. 80.
He hurried from the theater as soon
as the first alarm of fire was given and
thus saved his life.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-01-12

border fell upon the stage. This
was the first warning to the audience.
For a second there was hush. The
singers halted in their lines and we
ceased to play.
can attempt was made to confine
the fire to the stage by lowering the
asbestos drop curtas.'. hnt it.could not
be brought down more than two
thirds of the distance.
'Then l heard a murmur of fear
run through the audience. There
were cries from few, followed by the
breaking, rumbling sound of the first
step toward the fight Of panic. Then
Eddie Foy, the comedian Of the COM
pany, appeared. He shouted: Keep
quist' Go out ia order!' Don't get
excited' Start the overture!' Play
anything. For Gods sake, play, play,
play, and keep on playing Our
leader, Gillea, raised his wand and v e
began again to play "In the Pale
Moonlight;" the octet continued their
singing. We could look up slantingly
and see that the 800 sets of scenery
were ablaze. Finely the heat became
too intense and we had to stop play
ing.
II shall never forget the scene that
met my eyes when / turned arounduto
leave by one OF the orchestra entrances.
Men and women fought like mad dogs
for the exists; men struck women
in their attempt to get out, and boys
jumped from the upper galleries upon
those in the parquet. 1t was in tie
balconies that the battle for life was
the hardest. AS the flaming circle
crept higher, cl oxing the audience
with black mass e, of smoke, many
were literally too paralyzed for move
ment.
s'In company with three Other
musicians l took the passage way
leading under the theater to the foyer
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-01-12
George NJ. Hesler, Son OF
Murdered Man, Sends a
Letter.
ANXIOUSLY WAITING
GOVERNORS DECISION
Judge Gaynor's Reply--Five
Hundred Signers Could be
Secured.

Judge John A. Gaynor has received
letter from Geo. M. Hestler, son of
John L. Hesler, who was murdered
by Marvin M. Fenner Jan. 10, 1893.
AS the majority Of the citizens are
interested in the Fenner pardon case,
the REPORTER was given permission
by Judge Gaynor to publish Mr..
Hesler's letter and the reply.
Geo. M. Hestler's Letter.
GRAND MARSH, WIS.,, Jan. 7, 1904.
Mr.. JNO. A. GAYNOR,
Grand Rapids, Wis.
Dear Sir: / herewith take the
liberty to write you to extend thanks
for the interest you have taken in the
"Fenner Pardon Case" and also for
so kindly sending in that petition.
We were at Madison to the hearing.
We are anxiously waiting for the
governors decision,
Yours very truly,
GEO. M. HEsLER.
Judge Gaynor's Reply.
GRAND RAPIDS, WIS, Jan. 9, 1904.
G.. NJ. HEsLER,
Grand Marsh, Wis.
Dear Sir: 1t is now almost twenty
years since | was called as witness
to identify the hand writing in the
letter published in the Evening
Wisconsin over the name of James
Brown Every one connected with
that trial, and who are familiar with
the facts, and who are still living at
this place, are opposed to granting
Fenner pardon.
Good public policy requires that he
should not be pardoned, and while l
live on earth intend to do something,
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-01-12
FALLING TREE
KILLS MAN
Second Accident in Four Days
at B. F. MCMil1ans
Camp.
TREE KICKED BACK"
AND PINNED VICTIM
Taken to Marshfield..Died Be.
fore He Reached
Hospital.

The killing of Anton Schjonnemann
Friday morning at B. It. Mcmillan &
Brothers camp in the town of Eau
Plain, near the village Of Mcmillan,
was the second death at the Mcmillan
camps in four days.
SchjOnnemann was engaged with
the crew at that camp in telling trees.
One had been chopped off and in fall
ing struck another tree. The butt
"kicked back", striking Schjonne-
mann in the back and pinnlng him
against another tree. He was re-
leased and taken to Marshfeld He
was conscious all the time, AMI
there were apparently no broken bones
and no marks on the body. When
Marshfeld was reached he was still
conscious but died before he could be
removed from the train to the hospi-
tai.
The deceased was about twenty
years of age. His home was at Unity
and ne is survived by his parents and
two brothers.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-01-12

way he often enforced it. Nine
points were awarded to Plaintield
under this rule and each one gave
them chance for free throw. Had
they succeeded in making these nine
goals it would have made difference
of eighteen points in the final score.
The Grand Rapids boys played a
fine game and are to be complmented
on the progress they have made in SO
short time. If they continue to
improve as rapidly as they have in the
past good team is sure to be the
result All of our boys did their very
best to win. Two, however, should
receive special menlion-Frank
Nimtz and Capt. Loeffelbein. Frank
Nimtz, at forward, did excellent work.
He was good at passing and made
some difficult goals from the field.
His goal-throwing was clever, very
few chances being missed. Charlie
Loeffelbein played grand game at
guard. He not only helped our boys
in passing but broke up many Of
Plaintield's plays.
The local lineup was as follows:
Center-Nawick, Lamberton.
Right forward-Eberhardt.
Left forward-Nimtz.
Light guard-Loeffelbein, Capt.
Left Little, Mcdonald.
During the evening music was fur
nished by the high school orchestra.
The music was very good and added
greatly to the evenings enjoyment.
1t is hoped that the management will
continue this feature at future games.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-01-12
Selections Were Appreciated.

Louvic Simons, of Chicago, who is
visiting his brother 10 this city, and
was member of the orchestra at the
IroquOiS theatre At the time of the
recent fire, rendered several violin
solos at the Congregational church
Sabbath morning and evening which
was greatly appreciated by the
audience.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-01-12
YEARS CUT WILL
BE ABOUT $4,000, 900

The Grand Rapids Lumber company
xpect to open their saw mill tomor-
low or Thursday. They will start
with thirty-fiye men. The head
sawyer is E. Cleveland and the head
saw tiler is Richard Harvey. The
years cut will be in the neighborhood
of 1900, 900 feet.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-01-12
In Honor Of Her Birthday.

The east and west side ladies aid
societies of the NJ. E. church, the
w. G.. T. U. and the Nj. w. K. club
gave Mrs. F. F. Kellogg surprise
plrty Saturday evening in honor of
her eightieth birthday. A general
good time was had. Refreshments were
served. A beautiful clock was then
presented to Mrs. kellogg.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-01-12
SEVEN STITCHES NECES-
SARY TO CLOSE WOUND

Roe Huntington, while coasting
down the hill back of the First ward
school, during the noon hour yesterday,
ran into an obstruction. His left leg
was cut open on the fleshy part. 1t
required seven stitches to close the
wound.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-01-12
WORLDS FAIR COMMISSIONER
VISITED CITY YESTERDAY

Z. J. Cunningham, of Chippewa
Falls, member OF the Worlds Fair
Commission for the state of WiscOE-
sin, was here Monday on business
connected with his office. Mr.. Cum
ningham had not been here for twenty
years and he hardly knew the place,
as he remembered it. He was favor
ably impressed with the city and had
many compliments to offer. His old
time friends here were glad to see
him and renew their acquaintance.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-01-12
Will Undergo an Operation.

Chas. E. Oberley departed yesterday
for Oshkosh to be present while his
wife is undergoing an operation.
Mrs. Oberley is at st. Mary's hospital
and it is expected that the operation
will be performed by Dr. Oviate
today.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-01-12

Miss Bessie Silber returned to
Necedah yesterday where she will
visit her brother and sister for another
week before her departure to her home
in Milwaukee. While in the city she
was the guest at the home of Mr.. and
Mrs. Chas. Gouger.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-01-12
Omen For Business.

DR.. T.. a. Smith returned yeSter-
day from Madison where he attended
to some business matters for a few
days. His dental 4parlors will be open
for business from now on.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-01-12

f. L. Steib, accompanied Miss Rosa
McCamley to Oshkosh Friday where
she will undergo an operation at ST..
Mary's hospital
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-01-12
Sold Wood Interest.

John Steib recently sold his wood
interest in the F. MacKinnon Manu-
featuring company to Ernest Kellner,
of the west side, who will have full
charge of all the wood of that plant.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-01-12

Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Closuit, of Green
Bay, are in the city the guests of
relatives for week.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-01-12

Emile Cady left for Delafield
Saturday where he is attending ST.
Johns Military acadamy.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-01-12

F. 3. Seymour, superintendent OF
the Green Bay & Western railroad,
was registered at the Witter Friday.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-01-12

Oscar Oftelie and A. M. Stondall,
the land dealers of Pittsville, were in
the city yesterday on business.
The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-06-30

Editor Independent: This part of
Michigan is naturally populistic, but
also great admirers of Bryan. Should
the Bryan element win out at st. Louis
our people will stay by it; but il not,
then you will see stampede in
Michigan.
Now, where will they go? To Roose-
welt? No. The peoples party? Yes,
If an organization is perfected, and
properly managed. And If this oppor-
tunity is not offered, then they will
go to the socialists.
Since the day | voted for Peter
Cooper until this year | have spent
my time and money freely for the
peoples cause, doing my duty as my
conscience directed and my surround
ings permitted.
was at that memorable gathering
at Omaha and took an active part In
it's deliberations. | am today inspired
by the same truths, actually still
stronger motives, with preponder-
ance of evidence that we were at that
time right.
should personally like to be at
Springfield and see those principles
enunciated again as in the Omaha plat
form. Truth once, SO forever Bryan
knows they are right, but he is DEM
Ocrat
The Omaha platform was democratic.
pure and simple; but it was also called
populistic; and, hence, Bryan could
not assent, but would educate the
democratic party to populism. The
masses took Bryan at his word and
now await the decision at st. Louis.
shall await with patience the out
come of the Springfield and st. Louis
conventions, but hope the Springfield
meeting will not wait for the st. Louis
meet. but go ahead and nominate a
man. true and tried, like Tom Watson
or his equal, and | pledge you my as
sistance. l.. e. LOCKWOOD.
Coldwater, Mich.