davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07
DECATUR WANTS LIGHT
Special Election to be Held Nov. I3
to Vote on Granting Fran
Chise for Electric LIGHTS.

Decatur City made step Monday
night in the right direction looking
toward the improvement of their
good little town. At the regular
meeting of the town council a propo-
sition was submitted to them by the
Leon Electric Co. offering to extend
their lines from Leon to Decatur City
and furnish that town with electric
lights and power if franchise was
granted to them for this purpose. We
understand that the council and
practically all of the citizens of De-
catur City are strongly in favor of
granting the franchise. A special
election has been called to be held
on Nov. 18th to vote on the question
of granting the franchise, official
publication of which, together with
the town ordinance regulating the
same is made in this issue. Leon
now has the best electric light and
power system of any city of its size
in the state and Decatur City has an
opportunity to share the same splen-
did service. There should not be a
voter in the town who votes against
granting the franchise. It is an op-
portunity which they could not 9TH
erwise secure, and electric lights
would be a great thing for the town.
enabling them to light their streets
at nominal cost and giving the pri-
vate citizens the privilege of enjoy
ing the luxury of electric lights If
they SO desire.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07
Clarice Celestis Franklin.

Clarice Celestis Franklin, daugh-
ter of Squire and Minerva Franklin,
was born in Davis City, Iowa, Sept.
Is, 1889, died at the home of her
mother in Davis City. Sept. 27, 1909,
aged 20 years and IL days.
Clarice had lived all her life in
Davis City with the exception of
three years which she spent in Min.
neapolis and Chicago with her sister,
in the hope that more northern
climate would benefit her health,
which had always been poor She
came home year ago and was not
considered in serious condition un-
til a few weeks before her death.
ALI that loving hands could do was OF
no avail, the grim monster of death
claiming her for his own. While
she never talked to her friends about
death, as early as last June she wrote
explicit directions in regard to her
funeral, telling where and how she
wished to be buried, but the letter
was not found until after the funeral,
and strange as it may seem, with one
single exception every wish had been
carried out. She is survived by a
widowed mother, three brothers and
two sisters, and many other relatives
and dear friends who mourn over
her death.
Funeral services were held at the
home, conducted by Rev. o. F. How
ard, pastor of the Davis City M. e.
church, interment being in the Davis
City cemetery.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07
Carl d. Bright.

Carl D. Bright, son of Leander and
Emma Bright, number of years ago
well known residents of this city,
was born in Washington county,
Kansas, April Z, 1874, and died at
Des Moines, Iowa, Oct. 1, 1909, aged
Is years, months and "a days.
The deceased was brought by his
parents to Leon when he was but a
child, and he resided in this city un-
It'll the death of his widowed mother
in 1885, his father having died three
years before. After the death of
his mother he was given home with
relatives until he was old enough to
do for himself. He chose railroading
as an occupation and his death was
the result of injuries which he re-
ceived by being struck by a train
in Des Moines on last Thursday. He
was taken to Mercy hospital and
given every attention, but died from
his injuries the following day.
| He is survived by two sisters and
one brother, one sister, Mrs. Carrie
Kenyon, of Downs, Kas., being noti-
fed of his injury, fastened to Des
Moines. accompanied by his little son,
and took charge of his body. The
| other sister, Mrs. c. r. Clemens,
lives at Waldo, Kas., and his brother,
Harry L. Bright resides at Cheyenne,
Wyoming, being a member Of the
police force of that city. Virgil,
another brother, died a few years
ago.
His remains were brought to this
city on Monday evening and taken
to the home of his uncle, Henry
Bright, the funeral being held from
the home on Tuesday afternoon at
3 O'Clock, conducted by Rev. ]. L.
Boyd, who preached from the text
There is but Step Between Me
and Death Interment was in the
Leon cemetery.
| The deceased was a boy of good
impulses, kind and generous, and OF
rugged manhood, and was conscious
after being injured. He had many
friends who with the sorrowing rela-
tives will grieve over his untimely
death,
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07
George E. Taber Kills Himself.

George E. Taber, for many years
the manager of the Humphrey Pro-
duce plant at Humeston, who was
well known by many Leon people,
killed himself on Tuesday of last
week at the home of his sister in
New Bedford, Mass, by shooting him
self through the head with a revolv-
er.
A few months ago Mr.. Taber's
mind gave way, the result of over
work, for he was tireless worker
and had not taken vacation in over
twenty years. When his health
failed Mr.. Humphrey sent him to the
home of his sister in the east hoping
that the change and rest would re-
store his health, but he did not i'm
prove and became very despondent.
His relatives were keeping close
watch on him but he secretly got
a revolver and took his life while in
the bath room. He was about 40
years of age and leaves a wife and
several children.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07
New Jewelry Firm.

Geo A. Coe, the we'll known
jeweler who has been in business in
this city for number of years, has
sold his jewelry store to McCorkle &
Allen, of Knoxville, Iowa, who took
possession October 1st. The busi-
ness will be in charge of Mr.. R.O.
Allen, who has been in Leon for q
couple of weeks. He was engaged
in the jewelry business at Knoxville
for six years and comes highly recon-
mended as a first-class workman,
and very desirable citizen. He will
continue the business at the same To-
cation. We welcome Mr.. Allen to
Leon and trust that he will find the
business here both pleasant and
profitable. Mr.. Coe has done fine
business but for some time has de-
sired to go west on account of his
health and will probably locate in
Wyoming. Both he and his wife
have many friends in this city who
will be sorry to have them leave.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07
Mrs. o. A. Olsen.

Malinda Danielson was born in
Vollem, Norway, Jan. IA, 1888, died
at the home of her son, A. P. Olsen,
in Leon, Iowa, Oct. 1, 1909, at the
age of II years, 8 months and II
days, her death following an illness
of four weeks with bilious fever.
In 1S49 she came with her parents
to America and settled in LaSalle
county, ILL.,, where she grew to wom-
anhood, and lived for many years in
the family of General w. H. L. Wal
lace, at Ottawa. She enjoyed the
distinction of seeing the first train
arrive which ever ran into ottawa
She was united in marriage to o. A..
Olsen in Illinois in the year 1860,
and they made their home in that
state until 1889, when they came to
Lamont, where she continued to
make her home until her death, be-
ing in Leon visiting at the home of
her son when she was taken with her
last illness. To their union were
born three sons, two of whom are
living, Austin Olsen, of Lamont, and
A. r. Olsen. of Leon, one son, Thos.
e. Olsen, having died at Lamont on
Sept. s, 1906. Her life's companion
passed away on April 9Th of this
year. She is also survived by three
sisters and one brother, the brother
and one sister living in Illinois, one
sister in northern Iowa, and the
other one in Los Angeles, California.
One sister, Mrs. Sophia Hettletwaite,
Iof Kempton, ILL.,, was present at her
funeral.
Mrs. Olsen was a kind and af-
fectionate mother, a loving wife and
helpmate, and lady highly esteem
ed by large circle of friends who
mourn her demise.
Her remains were taken to Lamont
on the early train Monday, accom-
panied by number of friends from
this city. Funeral services were
held from the family home in La
moni the same morning at 10 O'Clock
conducted by Elders VIM. Anderson,
H. A. Stebbins and Heman Smith,
interment being in Rose Hill ceme-
terry by the side of ner husband.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07
THE LOCAL HAPPENINGS
Interesting Items of Local Interest
Picked Up by The Reporter
During the Present Week.
Hotel Leon to Open.

Leon will soon have another first
class hotel, arrangements being COM
pleted Monday by which George
Cooper, the we'll known landlord OF
the Cooper House at Davis City, is
to take charge of Hotel Leon. The
front OF the building has been re-
modelled, and the entire building will
be thoroughly remodeled ana painted
and papered from top to bottom, a
large force of men being at work on
it at this time. New furniture will
also be purchased and no expense
will be spared in fixing the house up
SO that it viii be one of the best
hotels in southern Iowa. Mr.. Cooper
is we'll and favorably known among
the travelling public, and has built
up fine business at Davis CITY, but
concluded that he wanted to live in
bigger city, SO decided to come to
Leon. The new hotel will be open
for business about the first of No
vember, as it will take that long to
complete the extensive repairs being
made
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07
Walker Family Reunion.

The venerable DR.. B. Y. Walker, of
Van Vert, will be ninety years of age
on the 30th day Of this month, and
he was the victim of a very agree
able surprise last Friday, when all
his living children, dropped in to
give him an advance birthday party,
as it was found that some of them
could not be present on his birthday.
Those who were present were w. c.
Walker and wife, of St. Joe, Mo-, w.
H. Walker, of Brock, Neb., MRS.
Malinda Downey, of Indianola, Iowa,
and Cyrus and C. A. Walker, of Van
Vert. A bountiful dinner was pre-
pared and it was the first time in
thirty-two years that all of DR..
Walkers children were seated at the
same table. During the afternoon
his sons and daughters had group
picture taken of which he was the
center. But few men reach the goal
of four score years and ten, and
DR.. Walker was the recipient of many
congratulations from his friends,
who confidently expect to see him
celebrate his Tooth birthday ten
years hence.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07
Glad to Get Back.

H. o. Petty and family who left
their farm in Woodland township
about two weeks ago to make their
permanent home in Hickory county,
Mo-, came back the first of the week
without unloading their car of house
hold goods and are negotiating to
get possession of their fine farm
again over in Woodland which had
been leased to Nick Belvel Mr..
Petty had visited Hickory county a
time or two and on his last visit had
bought a farm of 800 acres, but
when he and his wife got there it
didn't look as good to them as they
had anticipated. Both were seized
with homesickness in it's most acute
form and it did not take long to
decide upon returning to old Deca-
tur county, where both were born
and raised. Mr.. Petty will sell the
Hickory county farm and if he
should again be tempted to leave
this section he will buy return trip
tickets and have his car billed for
the round trip.-Lineville Tribune.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07
A POPULAR STORE.
Nero. Co. Drawing
Trade for Many Miles to Their
Store.

The Bradley-Wasson Nero. Co, the
big store of Decatur county, have
revolutioniZeo the mercantile busi-
ness in this city. The manager, Mr.
H. J. Bradley, has transformed the
entire interior of this big double
store SO that it is regular city
store and their trade has increased
so that they have had to increase
their force of clerks in order to wait
on the trade satisfactorily, and that
is what they are going to do, no
matter how many extra clerks it re-
quires. Since buying out the Biggs
stock they have sola nearly all of the
original stock and the store is now
jammed with new and up-to-date
goods in every department and they
are making such prices that are mov-
ing them rapidly. They are bring
ing a class of goods to their store
which were never handled in this
city before and the buying public
appreciate them. On Thursday, Fri
day and Saturday of next week they
will have great cloak and suit sale
on, having the representatives of
two of the biggest manufacturers,
with their entire line in addition to
the many suits and cloaks carried in
their regular stock. One of Iowa's
leading orchestras has been secured
to furnish music for all three days
and they cordially invite every citi-
zen in Decatur county, the ladies
especially, to visit their store during
this great sale. Every department
in this big store is arranged so that
goods can be shown easily and quick
ly and customers are finding that it
is pleasure to trade at the Bradley
WassOn Nero. Co.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07
Merrill--Hughes.

Mr.. L. D. Merrill and Miss Annie
Hughes were quietly married at the
M. E. parsonage in this city on last
Wednesday evening at o'clock, the
ceremony being performed by Rev.
j. L. Boyd. They were accompanied
by Mr.. and Mrs. c. II. Merrill and
misses Ruth Hughes and Edith
Mathers
The groom is popular and enter
prising farmer of Center township,
and has leased the Brice McDonough
farm for the coming year. The bride
is well known and accomplished
young lady. They will go to house
keeping al once on the McDonough
farm and great many friends ex-
tend congratulations and wish them
an abundance of happiness and
prOSperity
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07
Willie Bradley on the Missouri Uni,
versity Foot Ball Team.

Willie Bradley, son of P. F. Brad
ley, of this city, who has been attend
ing school at Chillicothe, Mo-, for
the past two years, has entered as a
student at the Missouri State Uni
versity at Columbia, and has been
given a place on the University foot
ball eleven.
The Chillicothe Constitution last
week had the following notice of his
work:
Willie Bradley, of this city, who
is attending the State University, was
given try-out at left half with the
Tigers Friday afternoon in a game
with the Monmouth, ILL.,, eleven. He
made a good showing on the team
and from present indications he will
have permanent berth with the
squad this season.
A Columbia dispatch says:
Bradley, who was overlooked on
the freshmen squad last year, was
put in at halfback and made great
gains on the opposing team. He is
quick on his feet and is the swiftest
man on the squad. Hackney played
a good game at half for the Tigers.
Hackney made gains of twenty,
nine and ten yards. He lost his
breath and was replaced by Bradley.
Bradley made fifteen yards. Small
gains brought the ball near the goal
when Bradley carried it over. Bluck
kicked goal.''
In speaking of practice foot ball
game at Columbia between the Mis-
souri, Tigers and the Scrubs, the
Columbia Tribune has the following
to say of Willie Bradley, Chilli
cothe young man, who is attending
the University:
Shannon Douglass, track veteran,
was at halfback on the scrubs, bal
anced by Bradley. They showed up
well, and are liable to carry the ball
against some of Missouri's old-time
rivals this fall, especially Bradley,
who has weight, speed and fight
If any one man may be said to have
| displayed any especial foot ball form
yesterday afternoon, Bradley was the
man."
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07
Mrs. John Keller Dead.

A telegram was received Tuesday
evening with the sad news of the
death Of Mrs. John Keeler at the
home of Mr.. Keeler's daughter, Mrs.
0. A. Bassett, at Valley Center,
Kas. Mr.. and Mrs. Keeler left here a
couple of months ago to visit his
sons at SAT- Lake City. and returned
to Valley Center week ago last Fri
day. Mrs. Keeler was suffering from
asthma and was also subject to heart
trouble. Her remains will be brought
to Leon for interment, but at the
time The Reporter went to press no
arrangements had been made for the
funeral
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07
Black Diphtheria.

We understand there is quite an
epidemic of that dread disease, black
d1phtheria in the neighborhood
about ten miles southeast of Pleas
anton, several deaths having occurr-
ed. Lofts, the five year old daugh-
ter OF Mr.. and Mrs. Sam Hagan, OF
near Boothtown, died with the dis
ease last Saturday, contracted while
on visit with relatives in the Mis-
souri, neighborhood where the disease
Is raging. There is also a case re-
ported at Pleasanton.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07
Visiting in Illinois.

ooy Wy, Ill, september III, w.
Dear Editor and readers, Leon, Ia.,
and vicinity: l will with the great
est OF pleasure try to write you all
few words. Well, as you will see
when you read this that / am now in
the sunny south and sure enjoying
life, have seen some very fine sights
since l left Leon Sunday afternoon
for Des Moines in company with
papa and my uncle of this place, who
was visiting out there and in order
to see President Taft Monday at Des
Moines.
We left Leon Sunday afternoon
going by way of Charlton changing
cars for Abba, changing there for
Des Moines, reached there 9:15,
Sunday night. Several people from
Leon were there; crowd from Abba
went. Cars were crowded so not
half could find seats, and at several
stations had to turn large crowds
down on account of the train being
loaded SO heavy; as it could only
run fifteen miles an hour. l have
seen large crowds but l believe 1
saw more people Monday than 1 ever
had the pleasure of seeing before.
Monday morning about 6:40 Pres
ident Taft left Union station for Gov.
Cummins' residence followed by sew
eral thousand soldiers which was a
fine sight. From Gov. Cummins' to
[Capltol street where President Taft
gave a fine address, which was ap-
preciated by all those who had the
pleasure of hearing him., before his
address five thousand five hundred
soldiers marched along Capitol
street to the fair grounds.
From Capitol street President Taft
was then taken to the North Western
depot from which he left at 11:45,
for Omaha.
Monday afternoon we went out
to the fair grounds to see the U. s.
tournament which was certainly the
finest sight l ever seen; spent the
afternoon seeing the soldiers in their
drills of several different kinds all of
which was surely fine. can not
begin to describe how grand it was
only those who saw it can remember
all. Came back down town about
$3.50; and about nine o'clock to in
terest the large crowd (Which was
certainly large one) all fire depart
ments had run east through Wal
nut street which was surely en-
joyed by all.
On Tuesday left Des Moines for
Leon; on Wednesday Uncle and !
left Leon for Bay City (this place.
changed cars at Humeston, from
there to Alexandria on to Hannibal,
left there for St. Louis, from there
to Mounds, ILL.,, where we visited rel
atives few hours; from there to
Cairo on to Paducah, KY, then ul
the river on the steamer Ohio fol
here.
Reached here Friday evening
GAS, was sure tired but certainly
enjoyed my trip fine, am now visit.
ing relatives here; found all well and
enjoying life.
Well, one thing Ill. and KY. has
Iowa bested on is their good corr
crops here, all along our trip dowr
in Ill. we saw fine corn; that is more
than Iowa can say or what I have
seen along my trip.
Weather is fine here only a little
cool and was all along our way.
Well, / expect you readers are
tired of reading this long before now
so had better close
| Hoping you Iowa people are en-
joying good times and health 1 ash
to remain. Respectfully,
Grace Garner.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07

James Blake and Melvin Kinds
had been drinking Saturday evening
and got into fight at the rear of
Cores livery barn, Blake striking
Kinds on the head with bottle and
cut severe cash. Both were ar
rested and taken before Mayor Gates
who fined Blake $4,000 and costs
and allowed Kinds to go to have his
head dressed, and he has not yet
returned. These Saturday night
brawls are getting to be something
fierce.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07

With lots of small fruit and a
good orchard, plenty of water and
other good improvements on a small
farm only 37a miles from Leon, for
sale at bargain. This farm is we'll
seeded and will make model home
place. also have three pieces of
city property for sale. They are all
small but are good homes and will
all make very profitable invest
ments. Harry ]. Vogt, at Exchange
Bank.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07
YOunker--Hall.

Mr.. Fred Younker and Miss Sadie
Hall, both of near Pleasanton, were
married in the ladies' rest room at
the court house in this city last
Thursday afternoon, the ceremony
being performed by Justice C. w.
Beck, in the presence of a few
friends Of the contracting parties.
Mr.. and Mrs. Younker will make
their home on a farm near Pleasan-
ton and their many friends extend
hearty CONGRATULATIONS,
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07

An extra freight train came near
destroying the old depot in this city
last Saturday, which would have
fastened the erection of the new
depot which the railroad company
has promised. The extra which went
north about 3 o'clock was going at a
lively rate and sparks from the en-
gine set fire to the shingles on the
roof of the depot. Operator John
Frye heroically climbed to the roof
and with single bucket of water
extinguished the flames which
threatened to destroy our excuse for
depot.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07
Will Open Picture Show.

Mr.. ]. D. Lewis. of Ogden, Iowa,
was in Leon last week and COM
pleted arrangements for the leasing
OF the hall in the Biggs block for an
electric theatre, which he will open
In this city probably next week. He
is an experienced operator and prom
ises to give this city an up-to-date
electric theatre.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07
J. B. Kelley Dead.

Mr.. j. B. Kelley, one of the Oldest
residents Of Decatur county, died at
his home in Van Vert Monday even
ing after lingering illness. He
would have been 81 years of age on
the 21st day of this month. Mr..
Kelley was the father of Mrs. j. P.
Hamilton, of this city. His funeral
will be held at Van Vert on Thurs
day afternoon at O'Clock.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07
Pleasant Valley Baptist Church.

Meeting at II a. M, Saturday,
October 9Th. Sermon Lords day.
October 10th, at II a. m. Mrs. Arm
strong will conduct the seryicas.
Evening song service at 1880 .ud
preaching at 8. Jas. A. Armstrong.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07
Grand River Baptist Church.

Mr.. and Mrs. Armstrong will con-
duct gospel meeting next Lords day
at p. m. Everybody welcome. Come
to the great gospel feast.
Temperance lecture by Rev. JAS.
A. Armstrong, Saturday evening,
October 9Th at 8 o'clock
Jas, A, Armstrong.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07

Boys! Girls! Columbia Bicycle
free! Greatest offer out. Get your
friends to subscribe to our magazine
and we will make you present of a
$4,000 Columbia bicycle-the best
made. Ask for particulars, free
outfit, and circular telling "How to
Start" Address "The Bicycle Man"
29-31 East 22d Street, New York
CITY, NJ Y
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07
Methodist Notes.

Subject of next Sunday morning
sermon: The Honor of Service"
Evening subject: "The Night Visi-
tor" The second in the series of
services at the usual hours.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07
Marriage Licenses.

L. D. Merrill, Leon.
Annie Hughes, Weldon.
Geo. R. Butcher, Decatur.
Lizzie Miller, Decatur.
Roy ". Davis, Garden Grove. :.
Mabel M. Ross. Garden Grove. =.
Fred Younker. Pleasanton. -.
Sadie Hall, Pleasanton
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07

Porter Moore, lessee of Mrs.
Pickett's farm, " miles northeast
of town, found an old Spanish silver
dollar in the field on that place last
week. 1t bears the date of 1909,
just 100 years since it was coined,
and the portrait of king Ferdinand.
1t would be interesting to know it's
history and how long it has been
resting in the soil where it was
found. d.-Lineville Tribune.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-10-07

Every lady and girl within 80
miles of Leon should take advantage
of the great cloak and suit sale at
Bradley-Wasson Nero. Co., Oct. IA,
15 and 16