davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1905-03-02
Retail Merchants Association.

The, retail me fchantS OF Decatur
County met at the K. P. hall in Leon on
Friday afternoon, February 23rd, and
perfected the organization Of the Deca-
tur County Retail Merchants Associa-
tion. State Organizer Robert A. Green
of East Peru, Iowa, was present and OK
planned the objects and purposes of the
association. Mr.. Green is himself a
practical merchant and is also member
of the legislature from Madison county.
Similar organizations have been per
fected in over fifty counties in the
state. 1t is practical Organization
one whose benefits and plans must COM
mend themselves, not only to every bus
in IS man, but to the public in general
as well. The work that the associa-
tions are doing along the line of educa-
tion and agitation for pure food, the
fight they are vigorously making against
all authorizations of food products, to-
gether with the concerted action against
short-weight and short-count packages,
most certainly meets with the apprecia-
tion and hearty approval of the general
public, who are, in fact, the ones really
benefited. The association is of pure
ly friendly and fraternal nature, one OF
it's objects being to encourage sociabil-
ity, not only between the merchants OF
each town, but as we'll between the
varions towns Of our county, and simply
means the affliliation Of the merchants
of our county for their own general
good and the welfare of the county and
public. 1t stands for protection against
dead beats and unnecessary losses from
bad accounts. The attendance at this
meeting was not as general as it GER
tainly should have been, in view of the
Importance of the work. We hope at
the future meetings there will be much
better attendance, and that great good
may be derived from this thoroughly
practical and legitimate organization
1t is to be expected that every mer-
chant and business man i'm Decatur
county will in very short time be en-
rolled in membership. The following
set of officers were elected for the en-
suing year, and with such able men at
the head of it, we bespeak great sue
cess for the Decatur County Retail
Merchants Association:
President--Harry j. Vogt.
Vice-president-W. L. Severe.
Secretary. A. Caster.
Treasurer-E. B. McClelland.
LOCAL SECRETARIES.
/. N. Jeffries-Davis City. III
j. L. Still-Garden Grove.
Howard White Lamont.
c. r. Meeker-
W. L. Armstrong Grand River.
w. F. Blair--Van Vert.
h. A. Halverson--Weldon.
s. f. Helmick-Leroy.
E. Fl. BaXter-Dekalb.
j. A. Caster-Leon.
A. NJ. Haag -Pleasanton.
N. S. Beavers-Wo Woodland.
A. K. Aten--H High Point.
Wednesday. March Sth, the next
meeting, every business man in the
county is invited and urged to attend
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1905-03-02
SHOULD TEACHERS
State Superintendent Riggs Opposes
Too Frequent Changes in Force
of School Teachers.

State Superintendent Riggs has pre-
pared letter to the school directors Of
the state urging them to retain for the
spring term of the present year the
teachers who have been employed dur
ing the fall and winter terms of the
school year, because permanent tenure
and better salaries are needed in Iowa g
schools.
This is the rule Of the city schools Of
the state, but not the rule in the rural
districts. where most of the teachers
work. Superintendent Riggs says that
it will in his judgment "be distinct
gain to the schools of Iowa when all
schoolboards shall come to consider the
school year as beginning after the long
summer vacation, and closing just before
the next summer vacation, the year
broken possibly at the Christmas time
and in March by short vacations, hut
the unity of the work disturbed as little
as possible.
"The contracts of several thousand
rural teachers have expired or are
about to expire, and in such cases
school boards will be called upon to
elect their successors for the spring
term. cannot urge too strongly that
all teachers who have proven them
selves competent and successful be
elected for the spring term as their own
successors, and that beginning with the
fall term of 1905 all teachers Of known
efficiency be chosen with the distinct
agreement that they are to hold their
positions for the entire year, and not
for one or two terms only.
"The need of this recommendation
vyi11 ho mo wont yuhor 10 rod
that last year only 81 per cent of the
had the same teacher through the en-
for teachers and good salaries for good
teachers is one of the crying needs of
our schools.
mention that fewer teachers are re-
quired than now find employment in
the schools Of the state. Last year
very nearly one-third of our rural
schools had an average daily attendance
of ten or less. Many Of these schools
could be temporarily closed under sec
tion 2774 of the school laws. This
would mean fewer teachers; hence the
possibility of employing the better and
eliminating the poorer ones; better
school advantages for the children,
and financial saving to the Districts =
The state superintendent has adopted
new and important rule this year, is
suing to sub-directors circular calling
their attention to the, statutory provis-
ions governing the annual sub-district
injecting, and urging them to SO notify
the electors that all questions that may
come before the meeting may be legally
presented.
Circulars also have been sent to the
secretaries of school boards. These, as
we'll as those to sub-directors, contain a
summary Of the laws relating to the
annual meetings. The gist of the Sec
tions of the law is given by the super
intendent, and citation made to the sec
tion summarized, so that there may be
no reason why school officers shall not
be thoroughly informed as to theil
I,,finc
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1905-03-02
Uncle Ben ElIars Found Dead.

Uncle Ben Ellars, familiar character
of Terre Haute, was found dead in the
loft of his barn at his home mile north
east of Terre Haute Monday evening,
his death being caused from stroke of
apoplexy. He was about seventy
years of age and everyone in that part
OF the country knew Uncle Ben. He
left the house about four o'clock in the
evening, and not returning at supper
time the family became alarmed and
search was instituted, but it was not
until about ten O'clock that his body
was found in the loft, and he had been
dead for several hours. 1t seems he
had gone up to throw down some hay
for the horses when he was stricken
and had evidently died at once. The
funeral was held Wednesday morning
at 10 o'clock, interment being in the
Terre Haute cemetery.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1905-03-02
Our Honor Roll.

Only few persons have as yet re-
sponded to our request to report the
names of all persons who have taken
THE REPORTER for twenty-five years or
more, but doubtless many more will Mol
low. We desire to secure the name of
every subscriber who has taken the
paper for twenty-five years or more, SO
send in your name. The following
names have been reported:
S. L. Cox, Leon, so years.
/. N. Clark, Leon, SO years.
w. e. Cannon, Ellen, so years.
Jesse Lloyd, Decatur City, Iowa, so
years.
Jonat than Hamilton, Leon, so years.
Nj. L. Hubbard, Leon, 40 years,
G. 7. Chandler, Armour, S. D., 40
years.
G. w. Jenree. Leon, Iowa, 4S years.
Joseph Brown, Grand River, 48 years.
Samuel Farquhar, Leon, Iowa, AZ
years.
Mrs. NJ. A. Sales, st. Joe, Mo-, AZ
years.
Nat Cornett, Decatur, Iowa, Al years
Capt. Thomas Ward, Decatur, Iowa, 46
years.
J. w. Mclaughlin, Decatur, Iowa, 45
y E
Vim. Robinson, Eden township, As
years.
S. W. Hurst. Leon, Iowa, Al years.
E. ]. Sankey, Leon, 40 years.
j. c. F. Givens, Leon, Iowa, 40 years,
John Woodmansee, Leon, Iowa, 40
years.
J.J. Sears, Decatur, Iowa, 80 years.
John Cochran, Leon, 3S years.
To,r,
years.
|. G. w. Hoffman, Leon, 33 years.
Patrick Griffin, Grand River. Iowa, 81
years.
w. P. Axes, Leon, Iowa, 80 years.
W. II. Jenkins, Leon, Iowa, 35 years.
VIM. Ogden, Leon Iowa, 81 years.
w. W. Wood, Leon, 80 years.
Mrs. Phillip Miller, Decatur City, 3(
| years.
VII. Young, Leon, 90 years.
Cass Sales, Leon, % years.
I g. w. Wells, Mitchell, s. D., % years
| Henry Wion, Lamont. n years.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1905-03-02
A Royal Slave.

Mr.. Harry Gordon, in introducing
"a Royal Slave" to the patrons of our
theatre, not only promises but assures
us, that this production is distinct
departure from all others that have
been presented in our city.
"a Royal Slave" was taken from an
occurrence, the scenes being repro
duced from photographs of Old Mexico
around which the play was written.
The characters of "Aguila,' GEL Capt.
tan"-a noted bandit and "Juan
Alvarez" figure in many parts of Mex
lean history. The cast has been care
fully selected, the members; being
Especially engaged for their respective
roles. At Van Werden's opera house,
Thursday, March 2.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1905-03-02
Notice of School Election.

To the qualified electors of the Leon
Independent School District: Notice is
hereby given that the annual school
election will be held at the Fire Engine
House on Monday, March 13, 1905, for
the purpose of electing two directors to
serve three years to succeed 0. Q. Hull
and w. W. Craig, and one treasurer to
serve one year to succeed J. A. Caster.
The polls will open at II o'clock noon,
and close at o'clock pm. same day.
j. w. RowRLL, v. r. MCGINNlS.
Secretary. President.
Baled hay for sale. C. 3. GARDNER.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1905-03-02
The Courthouse.

Voter, spare that wreck!
Vote not single boad!
'Tis good enough, reck,
For centuries beyond.
Twas Lyman Foregrave's hand
That placed it on it's lot;
There, voters, let H. stand;
Thy votes shall harm it not.
That rliin old and grave,
Whose glory and renown
Are sung DER land and wave,
And wouldst thou tear it down?
Workman, save thy back!
Touch not brick earth bound!
o, spare that aged shack,
Now tottering to the ground!
When but an idle boy
How many feuds have started;
How many hearts have we'd;
How more than many parted!
My friends were sentenced here;
My taxes here I'd pay;
Forget this briny tear,
And let the old shack stay!
The law courts here I'll tend,
And play the bailiff bold,
Or draw the jurors stipend,
And catch my death O cold!
The lawyer here has shouted;
The perjurer shown his hand;
Here Justice oft was routed
And like u dog was canned!
My purse-strings round thee cling,
Closer'n thy walls, old friend!
Here shall thy shysters sing,
And make thy rafters bend.
Old house! the storm still brave!
And, Microbes, here's your need:
While I've vote to save
You'll have place to breed!
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1905-03-02

One of the largest crowds that have
been seen in Van Vert for many years
was assembled in that town Tuesday,
the attraction being the visit of the
Burlingten's special seed corn train
with Prof. Holden and other corn ex-
perts on board: Four hundred people
came in on the train from the north and
two car loads from the east. The hotels
were put out of business and lunches
were in great demand. The Palace
Hotel served dinner to 153 persons that
day. The High School was dismissed so
as to give the pupils an opportunity to
hear the lectures. Although the special
was an hour late the crowd waited
patiently at the depot and when the
train arrived at 2:20 only a small part
of the people could secure seats in the
lecture cars where Prof. Holden spoke.
While he was speaking in the cars Prof.
Jones, of the State Agricultural College
at Ames, addressed the people on the
depot platform and both of the lectures
were very interesting and instructive.
In order to assist in attracting the
people to Van Vert to hear the lecture
the enterprising business men had ar
ranged a corn contest, giving number
of prizes, and this feature proved a
drawing card and great interest was
taken in the display. The prizes were
awarded as follows:
Best 10 ears Of corn-Sack of flour
given by w. f. Blair, awarded to ]. His
cox. Second best-Hair cut and shave
given by L. r. Pierson, f. R. Moore.
Best ears yellow corn--Axe given
by 0. v. L. Harper, Geo. Pelsor, Second
best Hair cut and shave givenby A. j.
Owens, C.,E. Thompson.
Best ears white corn-Barrel of salt
given by Kimhall Lumber Co, F. ".
Fierce. Second best Rawhide whip
given by G. Barry, T. j. Wolff.
Best ear-Package of poultry food
given by A. L. Belding, Clyde Saylor.
Second best-Pair gloves given by E. j
Blair, J. K. Trixler.
Largest ear-100 lbs. oyster shell
given by j. B. Hampton. Aaron Fry
Second best-A wears subscription to
Van Vert Record, Cyrus Walker.
Best ears mixed corn-20 lbs. meal
given by M. P. CARRIER, f. W. Fierce
Second best-1 lb. butter given by
Humphrey Creamery, P. S. Lamoree.
Best 10 ears sweet corn Pair o1
gloves given by r. e. Blades, M. r
Sanger. Second hest-Anti-rust bucket
given by c. A. Walker, F. W. Fierce.
Best 10 ears pop corn S1.0G worth o.
meat given byJ. w. Jones, Prof. F.. P
Reed. Second best Two horse shoes
set given by Thomas Cavitt, j. W., King
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1905-03-02
School Report.

Report of Tick Ridge School, Dis
trict No. Carbon Grove township.
For term ending Feb. "a. 1905; number
enrolled 16; average daily attendance
113. Pupils neither absent or tardy
Hattie Baker, Myrl Lillard, Maggie
Baker, Dannie Baker.
MRS. l.. DoRRANCE, Teacher.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1905-03-02
MoRTUARY.
Oliver sprlnaer.

Died, at his home in lndianola, Iowa,
on Thursday night, Feb. %, 1905, just at
midnight, Oliver Springer, aged 70
years, 8 months and, % days.
The deceased was the only brother Of
Mr.. James G. Springer, OF Bloomington
township, and was one OF the early
settlers Of Decatur county, residing on
one farm from 1864 to 1889 when he re-
tired from active work with compe-
tency and with his wife moved to
Indianola to spend their declining
years. He had been in poor health for
several years, and during the past win
ter had grown weaker day by day, so
that his death was not unexpected.
He was native of New York, being
born in Schenectady county, March 80,
1884, being the third child OF family of
eight children. When only three years
Of age his parents moved to Darke
county, Ohio, and there he grew to
manhood, assisting his father with the
work on the farm and attending school
during the winter. In January, 1856, he
came west and spent q few months in
Decatur county, returning to Ohio in
May and in the following September
brought his fathers family to this
county, making the long journey by
teams, and located on section 1, of
Bloomington township, where he engag-
ed in farming until the Civil war broke
out when he enlisted in July 1852 in the
34th Iowa Infantry and after participat-
ing in engagements at Chickasaw Bayou
md Arkansas Post, his regiment was
detailed to guard prisoners at Camp
Douglass, Chicago, Ill. He was honor
ably discharged from the service at st.
Louis in February, 1858. Previous to
enlisting in the service with the s4th
Iowa he was a member of Col. Edwards
st. Joe. After the. war he returned to
the farm and engaged in farming and
stock raising, being very successful,
and adding to his original purchase un-
til he owned over 400 acres of we'll i'm
proved land. He was member of the
township board that organized Bloom
ington township, including Fayette, in
company with F. NJ. Scott and John
Mercer. He served number of years
as township clerk and justice Of the
peace.
On Sept. IL, 1868, he was married to
Miss Maximilia Johnson, who survives
him. No children were born to them but
they reared from childhood Pearl j..
Henderson, of Indianola, who loved him
as father. Only three members of his
fathers family survive him, two sisters
and one'brother, Mrs. Mary E. Edmond
son, Of indianapolis, Ind, Mrs. Henrietta
Milestone, of Hamburg, Iowa, and James
G. Springer, of this county.
Mr.. Springer was a member Of the G..
A. r. and Masonic order and both he and
his wife were influential members of the
N. q. church during the greater part Of
their lives.
The funeral services were held at
Indianola on Sunday at the Nj. z. church
the Masonic lodge, G. A. r. Post and a
large number of friends being present.
The services were conducted by Revs.
G. W. L. Brown, Porter Symons and w.
S. Hooker, the last named having been
pastor at Decatur City, thirty-five years
ago. lnterment was made in the Indian
ola cemetery, the final rites at the grave
being conducted by the Mason brethren.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1905-03-02

For RENT Ny $50 acre farm miles
southeast of Leon.
25-st JOHN w. keller. ],
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1905-03-02

For Oklahoma real estate write or cal
on G. B. Jordan, Enid, o. T.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1905-03-02
Margaret Ramsey.

The entire community was struck
with gloom when word was sent out
that Margaret Ramsey was dead as she
had been sick only a short time. She
was taken sick on Friday with pneumo-
MIA and died on the following Monday.
She was born in Clayborn county, Tenn,
Nov. "a, 1918, died Feb. 13, 1905, aged SO
years. 2 months and IS days. Margaret
Baker was married to Jas. Ramsey in
fS45. Mr.. and Mrs. Ramsey moved to
Decatur county, Iowa, in April, 1851, and
settled in Long Creek township, where
they have resided ever since. She was
laid to rest in the Wheels cemetery.
At the time of her death the weather
and roads were SO bad that no funeral
services were held but will be in the
near future. There have been from this
union seven children, thirty grand-chil-
dren and thirteen great-grand-childr
OF the children, five are living. They
are 7. B. Ramsey of Van Vert, w. A.
Ramsey, who resides on the old home-
stead; DIR. A. Ramsey, of Middle River;
Mrs. A. j. Edwards of Grand River and
Mrs. JAS. Smith, who lives near the old
homestead. MIR. James Ramsey, the
husband of the decedent, is still living
on the home farm. Mrs. Ramsey united
with the Camden Baptist church in 1855
where she was member at the time of
her death. She was loyal and faithful
christian, and known as woman ex-
ceptionally kind to all and always ready
to help in every good work. The follow
ing lines have been contributed:
Farewell dear mother, sweet thy rest
Weary with years and worn with pain.
Farewell till in that happy land,
We shall behold thy face again.
'Tis ours to miss thee, through years of grief,
For, since you'll have left us, our hearts are sore.
But wei meet in heaven never to be parted more
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1905-03-02
Mary A Mckee.

Was born in Virginia April IA, 1914,
and died at the home of her daughter,
Mrs. NJ. J. Miller, Feb. IA, 1905, aged 80
years and 10 months. At the age of 8
years the deceased came with her par
ents, Quinton and Mary A. Balm, one
brother and sister to Muskingun1
county, Ohio. At the age of Is years
she was united in marriage to John Nc
kee, of Virginia. To this union was
born ten children, girls and boys, OF
which four of them together with 81
grand children and so great grand chill,
dfen, are left to mourn her loss.
Weep not that her tolls are over,
Weep not that her race is run,
God grant we may rest as calmly,
When our work. like hers, is done.
Till then we yield with gladness,
Our mother to Him to keep,
And rejoice in the sweet assurance,
@He giveth his loved ones Sleep"
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-05-03
To Prevent Browns Re-
ceivership Proceedings
For the Equitable, by Three
Heavy Stockholders.
Frick Committee Denies Having Asked Pres.
Alexander 10 Resign.

New York. May 2.-Petitions were
filed III HE Unite! states i,c.it court
in this city. toi;.E. by three lh;iadcl-
r!ia i'oIicyhCldcls of the Equitable
Life Assurance Society for permission
to intervene in tn" suit brought by j.
Wilcox Brown asking that y receiver.
be appointed for tEl Equitable Society
and Cor an accounting to the society
10y III" directors and officers. The men
WHO ASK thc ri2ht u intervene are Dr.
Edward r.. Montgomery, Phiiadrlpiii.,,
with p3lIrirS amounting TO $1J2..00;
Mr.. 7. .tShhy Blythe, Philadelphia.
viii! .'oiicie:5 amounting 10 $:S.oO0. an
Mi. Howard Is. .Arrisr!i, Philadelphia,
who's" policy amounts to $1,000.
Lawyers BATH" and Marshall. today,
Issued Il statement giving notice of tn"
petitions To intervene AND say that they
have S;ate,: To puiicyliolccfs Of the
Equitable Society that they were i'll ac-
cord with the statement of Mr.. Frick,
that the Equitable Society is solvent.
Concerning the report that President
Alexander had been requested tn re-
sign, Mr.. Alexander said. through his
secretary, the Prick committee had
n.vcr made any such suggestion to MI
Alexander and he hats 10 intention
whatever of rrSi2ninS.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-05-03
At BATES COLLEGE.
Thirty Men to Represent College at the
Orono Meet.

Lewiston. Me-. May 2.-(SpcciaD.--
Through the efforts of Mgr. Paine and
capt Allan especial interest is being
shown in track work this spring at
Fates. A subscription has been taken
W among the students to be expended
fer a coach and the services of Mr..
Rowe of Bowdoin '04 have been Sc
cured Mr.. Rowe was captain OF the
Rowdoin track team last year ana
thoroughly understands track athletics.
A large squad of men have been out
at work on the track daily and the men
are making a fairly good showing.
Preliminaries We're run off Saturday III
the races in order to give the men the
experience Of running together and To
give to coach some idea of what the
men can do. It is expected that about
80 men will. be taken to the meet when
is held May 18th at Orono.
Notice has been given that the names
cf all those who wish to compete for
the tennis team to play in the inter-
collegiate tournament which is held
May Is. al Lewiston must hand in their
names at once. The trials will be
played off. May II. aEd the team Sc
lectej from the best men.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-05-03
DUKE OF cONNAUGHT
Docs Not Fancy N'ng Alphonso TOR
Sor. in Law.

London. May 2.-The prospect of hav-
ing Il king for son-in-iaw does not
seem 10 please the duke of Connaugn!'
whose daughter. the Princess Margaret
Victoria. has been selected TO be Inc
future consort OF King Alfonso OF SPAN
according to court rumors.
The duke Of Connaughi is iona
fath ana some of tn" pranks accrchlt-
nd to tie youthful king are not alto
Scthcr to his liking. The Spanish kings
advisors on the other hand are anxious
tn see The king married. They believe
that if he were married it would nave
A great influence toward causing ~"
young ruler to settle down." The
chances OF assassination too, would pA
materially diminished if there should %
an heir to tho Spanish aIronc.
Ii is prob,4 BILE that powerful lni'h-
rnces may he brought to r. upon me
duke Of ConnauCht to overcome ms op-
jec:i0ns 1t is believed that King ID
ward favorS tho match. I;um"r mas "
that the English sovereign especially
desires an alliance between his fanny
ard the rciCning house in Spa,h' az
such marriage would check the a'no-
tons Of Kaiser William, who has souEh'
on several occasions 20 foster an am
ance between King Alfonso ana soihe
OF the young German ErinccsseS.