davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-07-25
Many Applicants Fail For Ger.
tlflCateS.

At the close of the Leon Summer
School SO persons took the teachers
examination under the new law. Their
examination papers were sent to Des
Moines to the state superintendent by
county superintendent Long, where
they were read and graded. Superin-
tendent Long has received word that
out of the SO who took the examination
in this county, but 3S passed, there be-
ing one first grade, IA second and %
third grade certificates issued. Some
of the others who took the examination
only failed in one or two of the grades
and they will have an opportunity to
take another examination on the
branches in which they failed at the
examination which is now being held
at county superintendent Longs Office,
and no doubt number of them will
succeed in obtaining certificates.
Garvin Manchester, of Davis City, was
the successful applicant who secured
the first grade certificate. While only
about one-third of the applicants
secured certificates in this county, the
percentage will rank we'll with the
other counties in the state. The new
law is going to raise the standard of the
school teachers of Iowa, and it should
be given fair trial before being con-
demned
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-07-25
Garden Grove Old Settlers Reunion
Thursday and Friday August l-2

The management now have all the
attractions booked and it begins to look
as though the meeting would be hum
mer. One of the main features of the
amusement provided will be the
Derando Company of Des Moines who
give three entertainments each day.
The most thrilling is performed by
lady and consists of sliding from high
tower down an incline cable 400 feet
long, suspended by the hair of her head.
Daring in the extreme. Another Of
their acts is on suspended Roman rings,
which is full of interest. The other
and probably the best is the Japanese
tight wire act, consisting of about
twenty different turns, including lay
outs, walk overs, passing, cake walks,
hoop rolling and bicycle riding. There
will be a balloon ascension each day.
King, the high diving dog, will give an
exhibition each day. Some of the other
attractions are the steam riding gallery
and Ferris wheel. The famous Hop
kins Bros. ball team will play both days,
playing the Leon team the first day
and the second day either Leroy or
Davis City, which ever wins the Tues
days game between these two. This
promises the best reunion ball game
yet.
Hon. A. l. Smith, of Mt. Ayr will be
the speaker of the day August End.
The other speaker will either be Hon.
Nate Kendall of Abba or Rev. j. W.
Able, of Clarinda, both are among the
best orators of the state. For music
the Iowa City quartet has been engaged.
They have been giving some entertain
ments in this part of the state and are
very fine. The Garden Grove orchestra
will furnish entertainment on the stand
and the famous Garden Grove band will
do their share toward making the event
full Of pleasure and long to be remem-
bered. Everybody is invited to spend
two days of enjoyment in the beautiful
little town of Garden Grove.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-07-25
DID YOU EVER KNOW THIS MAN.
Ii You Knew Jared Benjamin you
May Help His Widow to Get
Sl7OO Back pension.

Pension Agent j. j. Horrigan, of this
city, has an interesting tale to tell of a
man who is supposed to have lived in
this part of Iowa during the late sixties,
and whose name was Jared S. Benjamin,
but who later went by the name of
Charles Sparks. If any of our readers
know anything of the whereabouts Of
the man between 1866 and 1874, it may
enable his widow, now living at Enid,
Oklahoma, to get a life pension of $500
per month and $1700 back pension.
Benjamin served during the first
years OF the civil war in an Indiana reg
iment, but being discharged in 1854, in
stead OF returning home to his wife, he
deserted her and came west and located
in southern Iowa, somewhere in Wayne,
Clarke, Decatur, Ringgold, or Lucas
counties. His postoffice for time was
Decatur City, but he did not live there.
He re-enlisted in the Goth Iowa, and
served until the close of the war, after
which Time the government can find no
trace of him until 1874, when he turned
up at Tabor under the name of Charles
Sparks. He was married there again to
Miss Lizzie DeFord, and died in 1881,
His first wife is still living, her home
being at Enid, Oklahoma, and she has
applied for pension. If she can estab-
lish the fact that she never was di-
vorced from her husband, she will get
$500 per month and S1700 back pension.
1t is almost certain that he never got q
divorce, but the pension department
would like to know something of Benia-
Minis whereabouts between 1865 and
1874 before determining the case. 1t is
certain that he deserted his wife. bnt
he Still seemed to shave feelin' /" for
her, for he sent her the following valen-
tine card sometime after he came to
Iowa.
"Tis loving thee too we'll.
Art thou not dear unto this heart?
All! search it well and see,
And from my bosom tear the part
That beats not true to thee.
Aye, to this bosom thou art dear,
More dear than words can tell.
And if fault be cherished there,
Tis loving thee too well.'
Such gush of sentiment on the heels
of his sneaking desertion of his wife
looks pathetically ludicrous, and it
would only be just that she should get
her $500 per month and her $17O0 back
pension.
Pension Officer Horrigan has the val
entine card, and deguerreotype of the
wife deserter, taken in his soldier uni
form. If any one in this county, or any
of the adjoining counties named, knows
anything Of Benjamin's life or where
abouts between 1865 and 1874, they
will confer favor on Mr.. Horrigan by
notifying him of the fact.-Chariton
Herald.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-07-25
Railroad Officials in Leon.

A. N. Willsie, superintendent of Mis-
souri, lines, and Walter Hurst, superin-
tendent Of bridges and buildings, of St.
Joe, were in Leon Tuesday evening,
coming to inspect the Leon depot and
arrange for some improvements to be
made. Upon learning of the officials
presence in Leon the Commercial Club
got busy and called special meeting,
at which the railroad officials were pres
ent and general conference in regard
to the proposed improvements and
other conditions were held. The Com
mercial Club asked that instead of re-
pairing the old depot that a modern
new depot be built, but Mr.. Willsie
could give no encouragement on this
subject, as he said such matters we're
for the board of directors, and it was
not their policy to build new depots at
stations on branch lines. He thought
however that there should be an ad-
dition built to the waiting room, and
also to the freight room and more plat
form provided for unloading freight,
and those improvements will probably
be made in the near future, and the
depot painted and fixed up SO as to be
presentable. The question of improved
service was also discussed and a strong
showing made why the Van Vert and
Des Moines passenger train should be
extended either to Leon or Lamont, and
he promised to do what he could in this
matter, although it should properly
come before the Iowa line officials, but
said there seemed to him no reason why
it could not be done. The question Of
the company building cement or brick
walk from the foot of Main street to
the depot was discussed and Mr.. Willsie
said this would be arranged for, as we'll
as for electric lights at the depot.
While here Mr.. Willsie expressed his
qualification of the improvements being
made in our city, and especially spoke
of the active interest taken in the Com
mercial Club.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-07-25
The Railroad Question.
GARDEN GROVE, Ia, July Is, 19O'

GARDEN GROVE, la, July 18, 1907.
EDITOR REPoRTER:-For some time
past The Reporter has been unusually
filled with intelligent letters from some
OF the old time citizens of Decatur
county who have not forgotten the past
days when they too were ''in the swim"
in Iowa.
In the last issue of The Reporter
appeared timely letter from my old
friend, Frank Warner, in regard to the
amalgamation of the white and colored
races in the United States. Frank and
lswere political chums in the old Green
back party, and although often called
idiots and crazy looms" for advocating
the Greenback doctrine, we still survive,
and notice that both the old parties
have adopted many or nearly all the
propositions we advocated, even down
to the Initiative and referendum
clause. We still think it all right.
Another letter appearing in The Re-
porter last week was from my son, W.
s., in regard to tho Hepburn bill, the
provisions of which is an eyesore to
nearly all railroad companies, but is,
and will be, a great boon to all who
have to travel by railroad. 1t will be
square deal to every one who is
interested.
During June and July got vacation
from the farm and did little travelling
myself and got an inside view of some
of the workings Of the railroads. had
ticket from Garden Grove to Chicago
1850 miles), for which paid three cents
amile. Then from Chicago to Joliet t4O
miles,, three cents mile. From Joliet
to Chicago ONE AND A HALE cents mile.
The reason why l did not have to paw
the regular rate was: Many of the people
who travel that route daily. buy COM
mutation monthly tickets, which cost
them 60 cents ride, and they are
always willing to let any one who has
not got ticket to ride on their ticket.
You pay them go cents for the ride
instead Of $1.O6 for a ticket at the R. r.
office. This is always the rule among
old acquaintances. From Chicago to
| Minneapolis via the Great Western r.
r. (43O miles) paid two cents a mile,
plus $500 for a sleeper. From Mime
apolis to Des Moines $3.50 miles) q cents
mile. From Des Moines to Leroy 80
miles) 2 cents mile.
The railroad magnates claim that at 2
cents mile it will ruin every railroad
in the country, but the same cry was
made in 1874 when what was known as
the "Granger Railroad Law" was passed,
reducing the fare from cents mile
to cents mile. But they all seem to
have prospered reasonably we'll.
Yours respectfully,
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-07-25
The Chautauqua but TWO Weeks
Away.

In view of the fact that Icons Chau-
tauqua is SO near at hand, make this
statement of the conditions upon which
the Redpath Bureau comes in to your
city: A guarantee of 1000 tickets to
be sold in advance, money to be col
lected and deposited in the banks, city
to furnish grounds and one policeman
additional. Your business men very
generously subscribed for tickets in
blocks ranging from 25 down to 5 until
the sum of 800 was reached. They are
responsible for these tickets and your
citizens should purchase tickets of
these men who make the Chautauqua
possible and not wait until the opening
day and get them of the Bureau, thus
work hardship upon those who stand
behind the movement. The Bureau is
acting in good faith and has given three
celebrities, viz: Hills, Gov. Hoch and
Father Then additional. This gives
fifteen numbers for $1.50-1O cents
each. have kept in touch with the
program and elsewhere it has given
fine satisfaction. Stand by these men
who stand for the good of Leon.
- s.sis A. B. WHITMER. 1.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-07-25
South Dakota Letter.
Mitchell. S. d. July 90

Mitchell, S. D., July 20, 1907.
EDITOR REPoRTER:-How is old Deca-
tur Co? South Dakota is all right, crops
looking fine considering the amount of
rain, as we have had an abundance.
Will enclose an account of the cyclone
that visited our little city the evening
of July Is. We live on the opposite
side of the city and were not molested,
but stood on our porch and watched the
awful clouds but never imagined it was
SO close, as you will see by the account,
debris and grass etc. were falling over
the city all next day. And, we'll we
don't think he came with the storm
but fine 81 lb. boy came to board with
Mr.. and Mrs. James P. Mullin July 14th
at 10 o'clock. We are getting along
nicely, my name used to be Edna
Bowerman. Yours Sincerely,
MRS. j. P. MULL1N.
I'VE failed to receive the cyclone
clipping. EDITOR
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-07-25

NoT1cE-The Pleasanton Index sus-
pended publication with it's issue Of
last week, and arrangements have been
made by the publisher DR.. j. B. Bennett
for all unexpired subscriptions to be
filled out by The Leon Reporter, SO that
none who have paid for the paper will
lose anything by the suspension. If
any of the parties are dissatisfied with
this arrangements if they will write to
DR.. Bennett and also notify this paper
the money they have paid him viii be
refunded. II you have been receiving
the Pleasanton Index, you will in the
future receive The Leon Reporter, and
If you do not wish to become sub.
scriber to The Reporter please notify
us and your name will be taken from
the list, otherwise you will be enrolled
as regular subscriber
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-07-25
In Memory OF shriners' Day.

1t is something ofthe shriners that wish to you to
say,
away.
How we gladly welcomed all of them to our great
golden state,
And kindly, gently grasped their hands lust before
their awful fate.
And when they we're about to turn to wife and
children dear
Hark! hark! the news of sudden death, that no one
knew was near,
And then the awful news was sent back east DER
lightning wires,
dimmed with tears.
Then cold in death, sadly sent their mangled
bodies back,
Some of them their friends knew not because they
were burned so black.
It's all DER now, and they laid beneath the
eastern sod.
Will some one kindly tell me, it the hand of
God?
Bakersfield, CAL J.F Cook.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-07-25
Tried to Extort Money.

G. G. Cunningham, rather notorious
character of this city is in jail charged
with attempt to extort money, having
been arrested Saturday evening on an
information filed by G. M. Keller, the
well known real estate agent of this
city. Cunningham came into the lime
light on account of the trouble which
he had with his wife, some weeks ago
he was ordered to leave town as va
grant, but was permitted to remain up
on his promise to go to work. Some
weeks ago Cunningham and his wife
separated, and Thursday morning as Mr..
Keller went into water closet in the
rear Of his business block on the east
side of the square, he was followed by
Cunningham, who was armed with a
dangerous looking knife, and demanded
that he pay him $500 for causing the
trouble between Cunningham and his
wife. Mr.. Keller used his persuasive
arguments to get away from the fellow,
telling him he had never ever spoken to
his wife in his life, and finally after
some talk Cunningham allowed linn to
go, but insisted that he would have to
make settlement with him. The next
day Cunningham met Keller on the
street and handed him an unsigned
letter, in which it was stated
that another man had made settlement
with Cunninnham and advising Keller
to settle with him. Knowing it was
plain case of attempting to hold him up,
Mr.. Keller consulted the county attor-
ney and filed an information before
Mayor Harvey against Cunningham, and
he was arrested and put in Jail. His
preliminary hearing is set for o'clock
Wednesday afternoon, 1t is serious
crime to attempt to extort money, and
il convicted Cunningham may have to
serve al term Of years in the penitentiary.
Orders for upholstering must come in
this week. ..ssss
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-07-25
! Llcensesto Wed.

.. G. Jenkins, Laccna 90
Villa Anderson, Newbern 25
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-07-25
Methodist Notes.

The fourth quarterly meeting will be
held next Sunday and Monday. Sunday
at II a. m. the pastor will preach, fol-
lowing the sermon the sacramental SER
vice will be administered by DR.. w. G.
Martin, Of Indianola. DR.. will preach
also at 5 p. m. DR.. B. r. Miller, the
Presiding Elder, will preside il the
quarterly conference to be held Monday
at 5 pm. All cordially invited. q;
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-07-25
Basket Dinner and Meeting.

At Holden school house, in Hamilton
township, Sunday, July Is, 1907. Every;
body invited. Bring dinner and stay:
all day. Rev. Luella Moore will have
charge OF the preaching services. Good;
singing. a. u. s;sssssssssss s:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-07-25

Chautauqua will soon be here. Have
you secured your Chautanqua
season tickets. II not better call at
The Reporter office at once and get
them. The season tickets for the entire
session cost but ST 80.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-07-25

Orders for upholstering must come in
this week. -
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1907-07-22
O. a. a. HEALS N
AaDe -. -. OLD SORES

old outlet impurities
which the blood and long this vital fluid remains IN
this the will heal The application
thus
growing health of
There which the blood contaminated
spell Of sickness breeds disease IN the SYSTEM
the failure the elimnatve members to the refuse and waste matter
the body medicines diseases all
blood with morbid matter and germs which later man
with inherited blood faint
afflicted The dormant
middle reached and
the natural begin weaker the tissues weak point
break the constant
drainage of the blood removed the
will continue by eating into the flesh fostering
dischang slowly undermining the constitution S. s. heals old
sores by going down to the bottom of the trouble driving out the
building When s.
the cause the blood becomes rich and healthy the sore begins to heal new
flesh formed and the place cured Do depend external
applications which do reach the blood but begin the S. and
Ulcers
and medical advice free SPECIFIC Co., ATLANTA GA
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1907-07-22

tion had luck with them. With one
gone McAlee5e hit an easy one 10 My
lett who threw over Dauberts head
and into the bleachers, McAleese taxi
ing second Breen hit a long high
one out 10 Fate IN left Hughey
loafed along on the ball and then in
the last dash failed to reach IT, Nc
Alecse scoring and Breen going all
of the way TO third, The signal for a
squeeze play was then given and
Fox instead of delivery to ball threw
to Flood, catching Breen OFF Flood
in his haste TO nail Breen at the
plate mufed the throw and Breen
counted Thomas and McClintock
were easily disposed Of
Starr led off in the sixth with 8
single and Blount sacrificed McAleese
hit to Flood who ran down Starr. As
INIcAleese started to steal second
Bren STEPPED across the plate, blocking
Smiths throw. List for wonder saw
II and called Breen out.
The Champs got another In the
seventh After Thomas had famed
lMcClintock walked and Bannor
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1907-07-22

NJ the Mate and saved the game. The
crowd went wild.
with two out in the fifteenth burk
walked REYNOLDS and on Dauberts err
ror he went to second. Breymaier
smashed one past Flood at third ana
REYNOLDS started for the plate. The
ball looked safe until Mylett with a
great spring nailed 1t In his meat
hand and threw Breymaier out at
| first.
In the opening frame. Mylett was
safe at first on Delehanty's error and
went to second on Quinn's sacrifice.
Neither Farrell nor Dlthridge could
solve Buckholz's delivery and the
side was retired.
In the second Tate was passed and
sacrificed but was marooned at sec
ond Burk led off in the third with
! "A double and Mylett walked. Quinn
hunted, but BurS was nailed at third.
Farrell and Dithridge skied out
with the score one to nothing
against them the Lime Burners tied
it mp in the last half of the ninth.
Flood singled and stole second and
Burk brought him in with a pretty
drive to center, saving his club from
defeat for the time being.
Burk singled again in the twelfth
and was sacrificed but when Biery
nabbed Quinn's liner. Burk was
doubled. Then for four frames Buck
lholz, aided by perfect support had
the bug on the locals and they were
not dangerous. With one out in the
seventeenth. Smith walked and Burb
was out on fly to Tibbitts. The
hit and run game was tried and as
lMylett smashed one on line toward,
the right field fence Smith had turned
second. Tibbitts went back TO tn,
fence, and with one hand on tn,
fence raised himself up seemingl,
about six feet off the ground spearin,
the drive in his gloved hand and say
ing the game for his club Had h,
dropped the ball or had he been I'm
able to reach It, Smith would hay,
counted before 1t again reached tn
diamond.
Tibbitts' catch was wonderful on
"nu WIN NOT De duplicated for man,
day. AS he came in he wa
Obliged TO take off his cap severa
times In answer TO the thunderou
applause
Tate singled In the nineteenth an
was sacrificed Then Flood soaked ON
on the nose toward center field bu
; l'buckholz made quick stab an
knocked the drive down. thrown
: Flood out at first. Tate advancing
third Smith popped out to Kine
! The score:
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1907-07-22
CHAMPS WIN
THE OPENER
Lime Burners Defeated by 8
to 1 Score.
WOBBLES WERE COSTLY
Fox Out Pitches Little Sam
my Smith.
Umpire List Plays an Important
Part In Assisting Youngstown to
Defeat the Locals.

Loose playing by the locals gave
Youngstown yesterdays game by a
score of and /, although Fox out
pitched Sammy Smith aud the Lime
Burners out hit the Champs.
Gloomy Gus" one of the real star
pill pushers on Drumm's squad
worked in great style and never once
did the Champs get more than one
safe hit in an inning. The solemn
lad had his splitter and his curve ball
working fine and kept the visitors
guessing all of the time. Three of
Youngstown hits were of the Texas
league variety and should have been
halded by the Lime Burners.
with two out in the opening round
NIylett's error let McAleese get on.
Fox kept trouble away by tanning
Breen. McClntock singled with one
down in the next ard Bannon hit a
hard one at Flood who whipped the
sphere around the horn" for a dou-
BILE.
In the fourth, the visiting aggrega-
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1907-07-22

catch Flood, but Breen dropped the
ball and both were safe. Fox fol-
lowed with a pretty single to right
field and Flood started for home.
Ostdiek caught the heave back of the
plate and from the press stand, 1t
looked as though Flood was safe but
List called him out. In about a
second he was surrounded by play
ers. Fox thinking time had been
called off walked off second and was
caught by starr, ending the inning
while Smith died at third. Had
Flood been given the decision to
which he was entitled, the locals
would have had players on second
and third, one run in and only one
out
with two down in the seventh.
Daubert and Flood singled, but Smith
could not make the connection. My
lett started the rally in the eighth by
doubling into right field. Quinn went
out on a fly to McAleese and Farrell
singled. bringing in Mylett with tho
Lime Burners only tally. The score:
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1907-07-22

game. Smink was showered With
cush,ons clubs and bricks, but was
saved from injuries by directors OF the
local club and the players.
In the first ave innings Mansfield
had men on bases, but Burk was a real
tight wad and would not allow a
lsafe one at critical times. Mylctt
and Daubert both pulled off sensation
al catches that kept the visitors from
becoming too dangerous. In the ninth,
with two down, Burk walked Drake
and Tibbits followed with a double to
the left field fence. The relay from
Quinn to Tate TO Flood was slow and
the Marion captain juggled the ball
until II was too late to catch Drake at
the plate.
In the next three innings the visit
ors went out in order, Burk being
master of the situation and worked
like a clock In the thirteenth how
ever, Marion got out of the tightest
hole imaginable by the prettiest piece
of baseball ever seen on the local
lot. Dithridge let Delehanty's easy
grounder get through him and Rey-
nolds beat out his attempted sacrifice.
Breymaer bunted to Burk who threw
to third too late to get Delehanty and
the sacks were fun with no one out.
McVey's warriors tried TO squeeze,
but Burk Helded Buckholzs bunt and
threw Delehunty out at the plate
Biery then smashed out long drive
to left which Tate gathered in and
with a perfect peg nailed Reynolds