davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-12-27
IRA PURDY A RESIDENT
OF THIS CITY So YEARS

Fifty eight years is long time i'm a
single human life, in the history of a
city, in any exploitation OF successful
business enterprise. Ira Purdy came
to Grand Rapids from Illinois in 1916,
and has called this city home for
nearly the entire fifty eight years.
Many changes have taken place along
the Wisconsin river in the past fifty
years. These early days called for a
class of pioneers that were adopted to
pioneer life. 1t is pleasure to hear
Mr. Purdy relate his early experience.
! is d proud heritage to posses the
summing up of fifty eight years of
business career in one locality. The
mental and moral strain developed in
the days of hardship and self denial
was tempered with great consideration
with these not So strong. 1t would
be strange if in these days of vigorous
self denial and patient determined
toll there were not many times of
depression and encouragement. Such
times come to all whatever may be
their career. But that strong per-
sonality was built up by obstacles
overcome and conquered. The deter
mined youth of Mr. Purdy was a
prophecy of the well rounded out
successes of serene old age. Youth
contains all of The potentiaIs of mature
life. Habit of thought, word and
conduct perpetuate themselves. When
Mr.. Purdy arrived at Grand Rapids
he was twenty seven years of age. He
is now nearly eighty six. There was
but one store at that time in Grand
Rapids and that was general store
kept by Miner & Warner. Shingles
were the principle mediums of eX-
change and were taken at the store
for camp supplies. The old ford in
the Wisconsin river used at this time
was about half way between the wagon
bridge and the island down the stream.
and was used quite commonly during
the summer season. A strip of land
three miles wide along the Wisconsin
river was all that had been surveyed.
This could be purchased from the
government for Sl.25 per acre. This
was before the government homestead
law went into effect. The first
settlers of Grand Rapids known by
Mr.. Purdy was A. b. Sampson, in
1880, whose in company with several
others came up the Wisconsin river in
large boat carrying several tons of
freight. 1t was propelled by men
with poles pushing it up the stream.
Mr. Purdy was d mill wright by trade
and established the. first mill erected
at Merrill. Nearly all of the supplies
at that time came from Galena. LII.
Mr.. Purdy takes pleasure in talking
over those early days. Again he lives
over in memory the ambitions of his
young strong manhood that found
such remarkable fulflllment in every
year. AS changes came when great
was being hewn out of
the forests and grown out of the
fertile soil by the honest and strong
pioneers. Mr.. Purdy baS seen many,
many changes and while it is pleas
ure for him to relate his experience it
is an equal pleasure to listen to him.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-12-27
No More Suffering.

If you are troubled with indigestion
get buttle of KOdol Dyspepsia Cure
and see how quickly it will cure you
Geo. A. Thomson, of Spencer, Ia.
says: Have had Dyspepsia for twenty
years. My case was almost hopeless
Kodol Dyspepsia Cure was recon-.
mended and l used a few bottles of il
and it is the only thing that has
relieved me. Would not be without
it. Have doctored with Local
physicians and also at Chicago, anc
even went to Norway with hopes OF
getting some relief. but Kodo
Dyspepsia Cure is the only remedy
that has done me any good, and
heartily recommend it. Every person
suffering with Indigestion or. Dys
pepsia should use it," Sold by F. L
Steib & Company. and J. E. Daily.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-12-27
JUNCTION CITY
From Stevens Point Gazette,


Our school will close for weeks
holiday vacation, Friday.
II. G. Grashorn transacted business
in Stevens Point, Monday.
Mrs. A. A. McIntyre was d caller at
the Point last Wednesday.
Mrs. E. Deleree, of Stevens Point,
spent few days with her mother,
Mrs. +. b. Case.
Leonard Voyer. who is attending
school at Grand Rapids, spent Sunday
at his home in this city.
Paul StalhOwitZ, Of Germany is
visiting at the home of his brother,
Andrew, the past two weeks.
Miss Mamie Grummel attended the
play. "Cousin Kate" Saturday even
ing, and while in Stevens Point
visited at the home of Mrs. }. e.
Burns.
Mike NotSki, who has been employ
ing as baggageman, has resigned his
position. He expects to 90 to
Rhinelander to work in d veneer
factory. Alex Skibba is now handling
| baggage.
Mr.. and Mrs. f. Selinski mourn th e
death of their year and a half old
daughter, Margaret. She died Friday
| December 16, and the remains were
| inferred in ST. Michael's cemetery.
| They have the heartfelt sympathy OF
many friends.
A grand ball will be given by St.
| Michael's Court, G.. O. F., at Pilishek
& Wesley's hall. Monday evening,
December 26. Music will be furnished
by the 'big four" of Grand Rapids.
All are cordially invited and a good
time is promised to lovers of. the
dance.
jacob Skibba lost a pocket book
containing a number of valuable
notes and drafts, June 10, and Thurs
day of this week found the same
lying on his warehouse steps, a place
where Mr.. Skibba enters daily. 1t is
supposed that the thief. after. finding
the notes of no value TO himself
thought best to return the same to it!
owner. He was certainly of a gener
Gus disposition.
Mrs. j. Demuth in company will
her mother, Mrs. Wier, spent a few
days with relatives at Hayward, ant
while there met with what Nigh
have proved a serious accident. Whil
driving from the depot the hCrSes go
frightened and ran away, thrown,
the ladies out. Mrs. DemHth was IN
jured about the hip. while her mothe
received several slight injuries, bu
neither was seriously hurt.
The Mayfiower Camp of Roya
Neighbors held a special meeting t
install their officers for the comin
year. Following are the officer
elected:
Oracle-Nettie GrashOrn.
Vice Oracle-Annie ArianS.
Chancelor-Mrs. r O. Case
Recorder-Mrs. J. P. Barber.
Marshal-MrS. Mary PeliShek.
Mrs. Annie Arians was elected t
repreSent-the camp at the state cor
yentiOn.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-12-27
BOUGHT FIVE CARS
Grand Rapids Merchants Buy
Groceries in Wausau.

Probably not mang residents OF
Wausau realize the real magnitude of
the jobbing industries of Wausau, and
few there are who will not be surprised
to know that Grand Rapids, our
enterprising neighbor on the south is
such large customer. or that her
mercantile interests are sufficiently
large to justify her progressive and up
to-date grocers in purchasing groceries
in car lots. Nevertheless such is the
case.
Yesterday representatives of the
following Grand Rapids mercantile
firms were in Wausau, being called
here as witnesses before the circuit
court in case of the State VS.. VOyer,
and while here they purchased an
aggregate of five car loads of groceries
from The August KickbuSh Grocery
Company, viz:
Gross Lyons Co.,
Spafford Cole & Co.
Johnson & Hill Co
R. Rowland & Son.
The representative of The Daily
Record, who picked up this item OF
news expressed surprise at the mag
nitude of the deal, but was told that
it was no uncommon thing for the
Kick busch company to fill an order of
that size, that they frequently shipped
out as many as ten cars of merchan-
disc in Il single day.-WauSau Record.
My what whopper? Just imagine
the above firms buying Five car loads
of groceries, in one order. Just what
promoted this hot air" article we
do not know. but could make a good
guess. The real facts are that the
combined firms named above did
purchase one car load of StOneware
from an agent who was there from
Red Wing, Minnesota, representing
the Red Wing Manufacturers of
Stoneware. Why publish such
whOppers? The truth is good enough
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-12-27
Bequest Of the Late W. W. Cooper to b
Returned.

Lawrence University has consented
to return TO the estate the bequest OF
the Willis w. Cooper of KenOsha, on
request of the widow and the
daughter. In the settlement Of the
estate a shrinkage of from fifty tC
seventy-fve per cent. was found. This
has lead the heirs to feel that the
will does not properly provide tor their
support.
The report circulated that the
University is influenced by the death
of Mr.. Cooper in a theater is without
foundation, as the Trustees had
previously accepted the bequest with
appropriate resolutions of appreciation
and thankfulneSS. 1t was supposed
that the University would receive
about $75, 100000.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-12-27
LOAFING AND CIGARETTE
SMOKING PROHIBITED

There are a certain number CT
young men who make it their busi-
ness to loaf in the post office
lobbieS, smoke cigarettes, and
pound their feet against the wood
work framing the window seats, and
doing many other obnoxious things
that are annoying to the help in the
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-12-27
Notice to Key Holders.

All former patrons of the Centralia
post Office who have paid for their
keys will please present. them and
receive the 20 cents which they paiG
for the key. Please present them tC
r. A. Mcdonald, formerly post
master in the Centralia office and
now employed in the Grand Rapids
office. This is requested on post
office - inspector Fraser's order.
Please attend to this promptly, so
that a full settlement of the key
deposit fund can be made with the
department.
Yours respectfully,
If A. l.. FONTAINE.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-12-27
VOLUME Al, NUMBER 1O3
office and which are strictly forbidden

office and which are strictly forbidden.
We take this method of serving
notice upon these young men that the
first one caught in repeating any one
accordingly. We have already given
three of these young men personal
notifications and we do not feel that
it is our duty to give any one any
further notice. "a word to the wise
is sufficient" Yours Respectfully
A. L. FONTAINE. p. NJ.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-12-27
Mothers Be Careful

of the health of your children. Look
out for Coughs, Colds, Group and
WhOoping Cough. Stop them in time
One Minute Cough Cure is the best
remedy. Harmless and pleasant.
Sold 10y F. L Steib and J. E. DAILY.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-12-27

Miss Amelia Armstrong, of Necedah
was the guest of her sister, Mrs. e.
c. Waterman over Christmas.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-12-27

Walter Wood has been spending his
vacation at home in bed with tonsilitis
ever since bis arrival from Racine.
Albert Sweeny who is in the employ
of the Nash Lumber company at
Shanagolden arrived home Saturday
on account of the serious illness of his
father and mother.
Evening star., 1904-03-22
IMPORTANT DISTRICT MATTERS.
Telephone Bill and Bill Relating to Mu-
nicipal Building to Be Considered.

The District appropriation bill has prac-
ticaly been concluded so far as the action
of the subcommittee of the appropriations
committee is concerned. 1t is expected this
afternoon that before the day is over a
meeting of the full committee will be called
for tomorrow morning, when action on the
bill can be taken, so that it may be re-
ported to the Senate.
The two most important of the para
graphs of that bill that are in dispute relate
to the regulation of the price of telephones
in the District and to the question of hav.
ing the Police Court and registers of deeds
and of wills quartered in the new municipal
building. to be built on Pennsylvania ave-
Eue between 1872 and 14the streets 1t was
Dell wed this afternoon that the action OF
the full committee tomorrow will result in
a disagreement to the House provision pla c.
ing the Police Court and the registers OF
Wits and of deeds in the municipal build
ing. and also to the House provision fol
lowering of telephone rates
rms paragraph in relation to the District
building. II is thought, while it will be a
subject for contention on the part of the
House confereeS in order to retain it in the
biil Will unquestionably finally be thrown
out The paragraph providing for lower
be the subject of a lively debate in the
Senate 1t will also be debated in the COM
mittee tomorrow morning If the full COM
mittee meets then. and some doubt is eX-
pressed if majority of the committee can
be secured to agree with the subcommit-
tee for disagreement to that House pro-
vision.
Evening star., 1904-03-22
PRAISED ROOSEVELT.
Missouri Republican State Convention
at Kansas City To-day.

KANSAS CITY, Mo-. March 22.-The re-
publican state convention to select four
delegates-at-large to the national convention
met In Convention Hall today. The state
nomination convention will be held at st.
Joseph on July "a
There probably will be ten names pre-
sented to the convention for delegates.
among them being D. Nj. Houser, Emil
Pretorious. T. F. Parker, Albert Day Of
ST. Louis. c. w. Pierce of Maryville, d. z.
B. Clements Of Macon and c. w. Clarke Of
Kansas City.
Before the gathering convened Thomas j.
Atkins. chairman OF the state central COM
mittee said:
''Fhe convention will ind0rse President
Roosevelt his policy and his entire admin
istration, and the delegates will be in
structed to use every means in their power
to secure Roosevelts nomination.
There also was a strong sentiment favor
able to indorsing Cyrus p. Walbridge. ex-
mayor of st. Louis. for Vice President.
Chairman Atkins. in calling the conven-
ton to order. declared that Theodore
Roosevelt should be nominated for Presi-
dent. He also urged the convention to in
dorse c. r. Walbrfdge Of st. Louis for Vice
President. Both suggestions were roundly
cheered.
Benjamin F. Russell OF SteeIeville. the
temporary chairman, In addressing the con-
vention. praised In high terms the admin
istration of President Roosevelt, and urged
the convention to urge his nomination
unanimously. and to indorse Cyrus z. Wal
bridge for Vice President With Presi-
Evening star., 1904-03-22
BEFORE THE GRAND JURY.
Case Of Duffy, Alias o'Brien, Alleged
Paroled Insane Patient.

The grand jury will tomorrow consider
the case of william Duffy. alias ]. o Brien'
the paroled patient from the Government
Hospital for the Insane. who recently VS.
tied the War Department and shot two
clerks employed there.
The calling of the case to the attention
of the grand jury by the United States at
torney for the District of Columbia is In
keeping with the program outlined by The
Star. The expectation Of the prosecuting
officials Is that the grand jury will report
an Indictment against the prisoner.
When that shall have been done. If at all.
1t viii be in order, under the provisions OF
the District code, to have a jury prior to
the trial on the criminal charge. hear tes-
timony and determine the mental condf-
ton of the accused. In the event he is de-
cIslred to be OF unsound mind. the case will
then be certified to the Secretary of the In
terror for the purpose Of having DUFFY re-
turned to the Government Hospital for the
Insane.
Another plan would be to place Duffy on
trial on the criminal charge. and should It
develop from the testimony that he Is OF
unsound mind, a verdict of mot guilty. by
reason of insanity" could be rendered The
result would be the commitment OF the de-
fendant to the insane asylum mentioned.
Evening star., 1904-03-22
SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES.
District to Make Its Purchases by Con-
tract

Beginning with July 1 next, all articles
that will be needed by the District govern
ment in the ensuing fiscal year. excepting
those which can be otherwise more ad-
vantaSeously purchased at intervals, will
be supplied to the District under annual
contracts between the Commissioners and
the dealers. By this system, it is believed,
the plan of buying supplies for the munich
pality in open market, which has been in
vogue for many years, will be practically
done away with.
Commissioner West stated this afternoon
that he is now engaged in preparing an
entire rev schedule of supplies needed by
the various departments and branches of
the District government during the next
fiscal year. This schedule will include
practically all the articles needed by the
District for that period, and the articles
listed in this annual schadule " i'll be fur
nished under a system of yearly contracts
The members of the committee appointed
to prepare the schedule of things needed by
the District for the twelve months follow
Ing July 1 recently reported that they ha 4
supplies needed by the District government
have been purchased in open market and
not under contract.
Since last spring, when this condition OF
affairs became known to Commissioners
West the Commissioners have invited bids
for all articles as needed. Under that sys-
tenn when supplies were needed at various
times 1t was found necessary to ask for
proposals on each separate occasion. The
plan evidently has not been entirely salts
factory. as Ii necessitated a great deal of
clerical work and in many cases the prices
obtained were not considered as satisfac-
tory might have been obtained under a
contract extending throughout the year.
All articles needed by the District under
the system of an annual schedule will be
contracted for by the year, but may be pur-
chased they may be needed at intervals
curing the twelve months.
Such articles as fish, vegetables, meats
etc.. which may be bought more advanta-
geously in open market or by contract made
at specific seasons will not be included in
tie annual schedule. but only in the case
OF this class of supplies will there be any
exceptions made to the new rule.
Evening star., 1904-03-22
FINANCE AND TRADE
Market Opens Weak, but
Shows Buoyancy.
SOME NET GAINS
STRONG BUYING MOVEMENT IN
UNION PACIFIC LIFTS LIST.
st. Paul Goes Above 146-Bull Trad
ers Push Up the Grain
Carriers.

NEW YORK, March 22.-The tone of the
opening stock market today was hesitating
and irregular. United States Steel pre-
ferred opened down quarter on the sale
of 1,1C0 shares, and then fluctuated uncer-
tainly. St Paul opened up q on the trans
fer of a hundred shares and then lost 1t
on offerings of upward of thousand
shares. Changes generally were small.
The market became heavy I'm tone. prices
running off slightly in sympathy with the
pressure against st. Paul, Missouri Pacific.
Pennsylvania and United States Steel pre-
ferred. Supporting orders checked the de-
clines. and there were full recoveries in a
number of leaders. st. Paul, Pennsylvania,
Union Pacific, Amalgamated. Sugar and
night. The market did not hold well on the
rise. Material changes were made in some
of the less-known stocks. Great Northern
advanced AZ, Consolidated Gas IL, and
Union Pacific preferred and Detroit South
ern l. On the other hand Colorado and
Southern declined /. Aliis Chalmers 11a. the
preferred 8, Westinghouse Electric IA and
Pere Marquette 2h.
Missouri Pacific had lost point and
prices were at the lowest when a very
heavy buying movement in Union Pacific
rallied the whole market. That stock rose
ga over last night, and st. Paul, Southern
Pacific and Pennsylvania a point or more.
Fractional advances obtained elsewhere.
Bonds were steady at noon.
Heavy selling orders appeared in Union
Pacific when 1t reached 791A. and 1t relapsed
sharply dragging the market down with it,.
The bull movement in the grain carriers
was resumed, however. and Union Pacific
bounded up to S0h, a rise of AS, and St.
Paul crossed 146. Northern Securities
moved up 3a on the curb Other advances
included a point in Missouri Pacific. Atchi-
son, Reading and Baltimore and Ohio and
Ia in Southern Pacific. Brooklyn Union
Gas jumped 5 on one transaction. Union
Pacific reacted IA. and Pennsylvania and
st Paul point. L. S. Steel preferred and
Amalgamated only got fraction over last
night
The heavy absorption of Union Pacific
was resumed. Purchases of 1000, 1000,
5000 and 1900 shares were made frequent
ly The price touched So, and the preferred
stock 81. Southern Pacific's rise reached
21s. st. Paul and Omaha dropped 10, and
American Express and Atlantic Coast Line
gained and 21s respectively. The general
list did not get higher than before except
one or two stocks which added a slight
fraction
Evening star., 1904-03-22
Taggart Supports Parker.
THE EIGHT-HoUR BILL.
Hearings This Morning by Senate and
House Committees.

The hearings on the eight-hour BILL be-
fore the Senate committee on education and
labor, were resumed today. r. M. Aber-
crombie of st. Joseph. Mo-. government
contractor in cut stone; Harold Lomas of
Ampere, N. j., who manufactures motors
and dynamos for the government, and F..
B. Gordon of Columbus Ga, cotton man.
ufacturer, spoke in opposition to the bill.
The House committee on labor today
heard John H. Beck of st. Paul, represent
ing the st. Paul Jobbers and Manufac-
turers' Association, in opposition to the
eight-hour bill. He argued that should
any bill be passed regulating hours or
labor, 1t should be elastic in its character.
so as to permit men to work nine hours a
day, which in his section was an average
day, and also. in emergencies, to work ten
or eleven hours. If they were willing to do
so, and this. he said. should be matter
Of contract between employer and en-
plOye.
Evening star., 1904-03-22
dent Roosevelt and Warbridge heading our
ticket" declared he, lit would be eiected.
Cheered for Roosevelt.


ticket" declared he, 1T would be elected
Cheered for Roosevelt.
AS when Chairman Atkins had mentioned
the name of Roosevelt. the convention now
again cheered Justify for the chief Nexecu-
tive, keeping up the applause for two min
utes. Continuing, Mr.. Russell said the re-
publicans would seek to eliminate not only
boodlers but boodlng from the state. and
said that the party would stand for nome
rule and fair elections.
Mayor James A. Reed. the democratic
candidate for governor, in welcoming the
delegates to Kansas City, replied to thrusts
made at the democratic state administra-
ton because Of boodling disclosures. There
were he said two sides to every question,
and those charged with boodling should be
given chance to prove their innocence
before being branded. There were he
added republican as well as democratic
boodlers.
Atkins Not Candidate.
Thomas J. Akins, whom President Roose-
Welt recently appointed to a federal posi-
ton in St Louis, In a brief speech an
nounced that he would not be a candidate
for reelection as chairman of the state
central committee. as he considered 1t in
consistent to hold botn positions.
Richard C. Kerens of st. Louis, following,
then sprung a surprise upon the convention
BY announcing at the conclusion OF pa
triotic speech that he would not be can
didate for reelection as national commit
teeman from Missouri. He would, he said.
continue to devote his time in working for
the interests of the party. but he did not
care longer for the position.
The usual committees were appointed and
recess till afternoon was taken.
Evening star., 1904-03-22

tf 1t was safe to say it. said that no one
could tell without referring to each and
every case"
Prior to that time" asserted Mr.. Bart
lett. "a statement had been made public In
which IL had been stated that there were
one hundred cases of that character.
II could not say that any such statement
had been made public replied Mr.. Waters
Il had not at that time seen the Bristow
report.
Mr.. Waters added that he thought that
was the only object in preparing the list
He told of taking the uncompleted report
Ia the Arlington Hotel at about $50 pm
about January 80, to submit II to Post
master General Payne. Mr.. Payne was not
there and he left ii in a sealed envelope.
When the whole list was completed he had
given the remainder to Mr.. Whiting, Mr..
Payne's private secretary. and had not seen
il since.
Mr.. Wynne stated that 1t was transmitted
to Chairman Overstreet through the Post
master Generals office.
The hearing adjourned at 1870 O'Clock
and the committee went into executive ses-
sion