davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-04-01
He Made Good.

Just after the election last fall we
made mention of the fact that Homer
McGinnis, a nephew of j. M. Chastain,
of this city, had been elected as demo-
cratic member of the Indiana legisla-
ture, as number of years ago he spent
several months in this city. From In
diana papers we CLEAN that Mr.. McGin-
mis- has made good in the session of the
legislature which has just adjourned.
He is reported to have made more
speeches on the floer of the house than
any other member, and he also intro
duced a large number Of bills and had
the satisfaction of seeing quite a num-
ber of them enacted into laws. Mr..
McGinnis was nominated in what was
supposed to be hopelessly republican
district, but he made a vigorous and
aggressive campaign, one of his strong
est claims for election icing his stand
in regard to the publication of the
streams Of the state, and he has the sat
isfaction of seeing his bill in regard to
this matter become a law and is
being praised by the people along the
rivers whose waters have been contain
mated by refuse from manufacturing
enterprises. Mr.. McGinnis is engaged
in the practice of law in his native
town of Martinsville, where he is one
of the most prominent citizens.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-04-01
HE Will BE PARDONfD
Legislative Pardon Committee Has
Recommended the Pardon of
Charles WO0ddrd.

AS The Reporter goes to press We'd
nesday afternoon it looks as if Charles
Woodland, who is serving life sentence
at Ft. Madison, would be free man
within few days. Mr.. Woodland filed
his application for an absolute pardon,
not parole, by action of the legislature
and on Tuesday the joint committee of
the senate and house reported. recon-
mending that he be pardoned. The
matter was taken up the same day by
the lower house and passed without a
dissenting vote, and will probably come
up in the senate today.
Mr.. Woodard was convicted at the
January term of 1905 of the Decatur
county district court, the jury fixing
his sentence at imprisonment in the
penitentiary for life and since that time
he has been model prisoner. 1t was
claimed that he was guilty of giving
poison to his wife who died year be-
fore, but the evidence was circumstan-
tial and he always insisted that he was
absolutely innocent. Since his convic-
tinn his attorneys, V. r. McGinnis, G..
W. Hoffman and M. l.. Temple have never
ceased working to establish the fact
that he was an innocent man. and when
the hearing was held before the pardon
committee they made a very strong
case in his favor. Every member of the
jury who convicted him except one
who had left the country signed the
petition asking that his pardon be
granted, as did nearly a thousand good
citizens of the county.
Although there were a large number
of applications for pardons the commit
tee refused to recommend favorably on
any of them except in the Woodland
case, and they evidently are convinced
that he should be pardoned, as there
was not a dissenting vote in the COM
,uiftoo
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-04-01
LIGHT PLANT IS SOLD
The Leon Electric Light Plant is
Purchased by Omaha Parties.
improvements to be Made.

For several weeks a deal has been on
for the sale of the Leon Electric, Heat
4 Power Co. and the details were
closed up on Monday, when the plant
was sold to j. F. Smith and Sam G.
Johnson, of Omaha, who will conduct
the business under the name of the
Leon Electric Light Co. The formal
transfer of the property will take place
today, the new ownership dating from
April 1st. Mr.. Smith has been in Leon
since last Saturday attending to the
details Of the transaction, and looking
for couple of houses, as both gentle
men will move to this city with their
families at once and take personal
charge of the business. They are both
electricians and licensed engineers, Mr..
Smith for number of years having
been connected with the Omaha electric
light system and the Omaha street rail-
way. The new proprietors carefully in
vestigated the plant and the future
prospects of Leon, having been here
about month ago to look over the field.
They will make some needed improve
ments in the plant at once, installing a
new engine and there is good pros
pect that day service will be installed
in Leon within a short time. The new
proprietors are progressive men and
say they will give Leon whatever SER
vice they require and it is expected
that they will be able to greatly in
crease the amount of electric current
which is used in this city. 1t may be
that by next winter they will also in
stall steam heating plant to heat the
business portion of the city. We be-
lieve that within short time after a
day current was installed that there
would be big increase in the business.
The Reporter is ready to use electricity
for it's presses and other machinery, and
many others here would do the same.
On behalf of the citizens of Leon we ex-
tend a cordial welcome to Messrs
Smith and Johnson and their families,
and trust they may never regret having
invested their money in the Leon cleo
trio light plant.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-04-01
VanderpooI-Snook.

A very pretty wedding occurred at
noon Wednesday, March 24th, at the
home of Mr.. and Mrs. d. E. Shook when
their youngest daughter Miss Jessie,
was united in marriage to Mr.. Ernest
Vanderpool. The wedding march was
played by Miss Vera Mckee, the brides
neice, Rev. r. r. Yelland performing
the ceremony in the presence of few
immediate friends and relatives, after
which all were invited to the dining
room where an elegant wedding dinner
was served. The bride was neatly
attired in brown silk while the groom
wore the conventional black. Both the
bride and groom were born and raised
in Decatur county and are excellent
young people. They were presented
with many useful presents besides the
congratulations and best wishes of thei,
many friends.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-04-01
Death of Mrs. Geo. J. Reiser.

Almena Ravson was born in Airing
ton, Fayette county, Iowa, September
1, 1886, and died at her home four miles
east of Leon, March 25, 1909. aged %
years, 6 months and "a days. She was
united in marriage to George J. Reiser
at Arlington, Iowa, December 25, 1907,
and shortly after their marriage they
came to Decatur county, and one year
ago moved to their farm near Leon. The
deceased was converted and united with
the Methodist church in 1905. The
death of one so young is cause for deep
est sorrow. Another home is broken
up because the wife and mother is not.
That she trusted in God is the only
source of comfort. He cares for His
own. She was accompanied into the
spirit world by her first born. She is
survived by her husband, father, mother,
two brothers and two sisters. Her
mother, Mrs. Mary Rawson, Of Arling-
ton, Iowa, and sister, Mrs. John Newton,
of Davis City, Iowa, were present at the
funeral. Her two brothers, Orange and
James Rawson, reached Leon on Satur-
day, the day after the funeral. The
funeral was held from the Methodist
church Friday; interment in the Leon
cemetery.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-04-01
Golden Wedding.

Mr.. and Mrs. J. N. MAIDEN, who live
near Crown celebrated the 5Oth ami
versary of their marriage last Satur-
day, March q. They were married in
Macon county, ILL.,, and lived there for
thirty-eight years. The last twelve
years they have resided in Decatur
comfy. Mrs. Miranda Hester, of Smith
Center, Kas., a sister of Mrs. Madden
was present at the celebration. Forty
or more friends and neighbors spent
the day at the home enjoying the boun.
tiful wedding FEAST and good fellow
ship of the day. Many hearty congrat-
ulations and wishes for continued life
and blessings were extended to this
excellent couple. Mrs. W. H. Painter,
of Decatur, is the only child living
There are seven grandchildren, children
Of Mr.. and Mrs. Painter. A pleasing
feature Of the days program was the
rendering of some sacred selections on
the graphaphone and brief religious
service before the guests dispersed.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-04-01
Sllas Martin.

Silas Martin was born in Owenburg,
Ind, in 1870. While quite young his
family moved to Iowa, where he lived
most of his life in Decatur county, near
Grand River. He was married. in 1867
to Elsie ]. Corbett near Van Vert. In
1877 moved to Kansas where the balance
of his life was spent, except for five
years in Colorado. Died of heart failure
at Dunavant, Kas., March IL, 1909, was
well and hearty to within few min
utes of death. He enlisted in Co. D.
4th Iowa Inf, at beginning of the Civil
war and served till it's close. At the
battle of Chattanooga he received a
gun shot wound in the face the ragged
scar of which was life long pride to
his children and grandchildren.
A widow is left and the four children,
Mrs. Eta Leatherman and Frank and
Harry Martin, of Dunavant, Kas., and
Mrs. Emma Cook, of Lamar, Colo. A
loving husband. father and friend,
quiet and uuassumiDg, but full of quaint
jolity, he will be sadly missed by all
who knew him. His life was full of
kind words and good deeds, that en-
deared him to all about him.
MRS. i. T., CORBETr
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-04-01
6. F. Rinehart to Lecture.

G. F. Rinehart, of Des Moines, has
been secured to deliver his great lee
ture, "The Price of Liberty" at the
opera house on Friday evening, April
9th. MIR. Rinehart married one of our
Leon girls number of years ago, Miss
Sue Young, eldest daughter of Major
and Mrs. J. L. Young, and this fact will
add local interest to his lecture. He
is one of the most entertaining, logical,
forceful and eloquent speakers in the
country, and since he retired from the
editorial chair Of the Des Moines Tri-
bune has been occupying the lecture
platform with great success. Mr.. Rine-
hart should have large audience in
this city, and we can personally guaran-
tee that not single person who hears
MIN will go home dissatisfied. Reserved
seats are on sale at Van Werden's.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-04-01
Kansas Letter.
STOCKTON, KAs., March 20, 1909.

0IOCkTON, MAS, March ~, l9O3.
EDITOR REPoRTEK-I thought while |
was sending the money for the pay for
this paper this year | would write a
few lines and tell you how we are get
ting along. must tell you with my
deepest regret that we are all sick and
have been for the last ten days, but are
better at present. | haven't got strong
yet from my sick spell last fall and all
winter, SO it did not take the lagrippe
very long to get me down. So think
the rest took it from me. ] am board
ing the school teacher and she took
down too. The hired man took down
aed his folks came after him and took
him home, so that made one less. | tell
you we had a time getting things to eat
and the chores done. could not get a
girl any where to come and help wait
on us, but we are getting along as we'll
as could be expected and Orr has gone
after load Of hay but he had not ought
to be out. have my incubator set, it
will hatch the 25th of this month.
have four hens setting besides. There
has been SO much sickness around here
this winter and great many deaths.
Intend to go into the chicken business
pretty heavy this summer, want to see
Just how many | can raise. Hogs are
good price now $6.10 hundred, wheat
$l:05 per bushel, eggs 13 cents per
dozen, butter Is cents per pound. l
hope we wont have any more snow this
spring for every time it SHOWS there is
sickness all around us. cannot think
Of any more to write just at present for
il is time for the mail man and it makes
me nervousness and forgetful. so will
close hoping this will find all of you
Decatur county people feeling in the
best of health, remain as ever,
MRS. ORR STONE.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-04-01
Unique Theatre.

Van Werden & Vanostrand, the two
"Vans", owners of the opera house, will
open Unique Theatre or moving
picture theatre at the opera house on
Friday evening of this week, giving two
complete performances each evening at
the popular price of 10 cents. The
regular theatre season closed on We'd
nesday evening of this week and feeling
that Leon desires some place of amuse-
ment along this line is the reason for
the new enterprise. A contract has
been made for the very best film SER
vice, the best of order will be main
tanned and the Unique will be a place
of amusement where any man will take
pride in taking his entire family.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-04-01
A SENSATIONAL SALE.
BradIey-Jenkins Mercantile Co will
Throw the Biggs & Co. Stock
on the Market Regard
less of Price.
A sensation has been created by tn,

sensation has been created by the
announcement by the Bradley Jenkins
Mercantile Co., who last week pur-
chased the big stock of dry goods,
clothing and shoes owned by g. Biggs
4 CO., that the entire stock will be Of
fered at a big sacrifice sale which opens
on Sat urday morning of this week at 8
o'clock. The store has been closed
since last Wednesday, taking stock and
marking down the goods for this sacri
flee sale and an army of clerks have
been employed so that there will be no
delay by customers being waited upon.
When the doors are open on Saturday
morning at 8 o'clock sharp the first tf-
teen ladies getting in at the door will
be given a beautiful ten yard dress pat
tern absolutely free. The goods will
not be calico but something a great
deal better. Tremendous cuts have
been made on prices and everything in
the big stock goes at from 25 to IS
cents or the dollar. Nothing will be
kept back in this sale and over $4,000
worth of new spring goods just opened
up will be included in the stock. Just
think of it. You can buy anything in
this big stock which invoices $25, 1000 at
sacrifice prices. You can save many
dollars by making purchases at this
sale, and you will want the goods when
you see the prices which are marked on
them. There was never such an oppor-
tunity offered to the people of Decatur
county and there probably will never
be another sale such as this. No goods
will be sold until the sale opens at 8
o'clock sharp Saturday morning and
then everything is wide open and first
come first choice. Don't delay in getting
to the store when the big sale opens.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-04-01
st. Patrick.

Last week there was considerable
discussion in Leon as to when St. Pat
rick was born and much diversity of
opinion was expressed.
From confessions of Saint Patrick it
seems that "Patricius" was born in the
year 372, of Christian parents, at Ban
navem, off Tabernia, a Roman provincial
village of Britain. Until he was 1G years
old he led the life Of farmers son.
When 16 years old he was captured
by pirates and sold into slavery in Ire
land. For some years he attended a
swine herd on the mountains in county
Antrim. Once he escaped but was re-
captured. His second escape was sue
cessful and he made his way home. He
had learned the Irish language during
his captivity and vision induced him
to become missionary in Ireland. In
432 he received his apostolic bene-
diction from Pope.
He went to ireland and found that his
principal enemies were the Druid
priests. The people were superstitious,
,as.s had great reverence for the Druid
oak and stone circles. st. Patrick per-
formed an endless number of miracles
in Ireland and legend is told of how
he converted one of the Irish kings. In
trying to illustrate the Trinity he
picked up shamrock and converted
the king. Since that time the sham
rock has been national emblem of the
Irish.
There is some doubt as to his death,
but it is generally thought that he died
in the year Of 484 and that he was
buried at Downpatrick and that the re-
mains of St. Columbia and st. Bridget
we're laid beside him.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-04-01
WHAT COURT IS DOING
Only One Jury Case Tried Yet. The
OrfieId Will Case Begins Today.
Will be a Great Legal Battle.

District court is still in session and
will not adjourn in all probability until
the middle of next week. Owing to the
settlement of number of cases and
others not being set for trial court adj
lourned on Saturday afterno IN until
Tuesda y. The grand jury is still in
session but will probably complete their
work and adjourn sume time today
Only one jury case has been tried SO
far, that being the case of Geo. P. Camp
bell VS.. Ernest Prang, the plaintilf suing
for about 5000 which he claimed as
commission for negotiating the sale Of
the farm owned by defendant. NJ. +.
Stookey and V. r. McGinnis appea red
for the plaintiff and Geo. W. Baker and
&c. w. Hoffman for the defendant. Two
days were occupied in the trial and the
Jary returned verdict in favor of the
defendant. There will probably be but
one other jury case tried at this term
OF court, that being the contest over
the will of the late Perry Orfeld, and
1T will be commenced before jury this
evening. A special venire of fifteen
extra Jurymen has been drawn for this
case. There are number of heirs who
are seeking to break the will and it
promises to be a hard fought legal bat
tie and will take several days to try.
The following cases have been dis
posed OF since our report last week:
CRIMINAL.
State VS.. G. P. Reed, motion of county
attorney to retaX costs sustained.
State VS.. John Davenport, indicted
for seduction, dismissed on motion of
county attorney, settlement having
been made with prosecuting witness.
PROBATE.
Estate of Nicholas Hiatt, on hearing
claim OF John B. Herring not allowed.
Estate of Peter B. Vail, claim of Chris
tina Vail allowed in sum 81 1000. w. Al.
Walker, V. R. McGinnis, C. w. Hoffman
and S. II. Amos each allowed attorney
fees of $500.
Estate of W. D. Moore, final report ap-
proved, administrator discharged.
Estate of jeffrey Binning, administra-
tor authorized to make deed to ]. f.
Hines.
Estate of G. W. Baker, will probated,
Mrs. Susan Baker appointed executor.
Estate of ]. d. Young, will probated,
W. H. Young appointed executor.
Estate of Edgar and Lulu Middleton,
e. W. Baker appointed guardian ad
litem. sale ordered.
Estate of Lydia A. Moffett, final re-
port approved, guardian discharged.
Estate of W. M. Fuqua, administrator
allowed SS4 as extra compensation in
securing property of estate.
LAW AND EQUITY.
Richards Roberts Co. VS.. J. L. Still,
on hearing plaintiff given judgment for
amount Of sworn account.
Alma Edwards ct al VS.. Frank Jones
ct al, report Of sale and deeds to Paul
Jones and P. H. O'Grady approved.
j. NJ. Deemer VS.. DR.. M. Camp, on
hearing plaintiff has judgment for the
return of the $50 note.
Mary e. Lane VS.. Albert Lane ct all,
final report approved, referee dis
charged.
Davenport VS.. Davenport, final report
Of referee approved.
John [. Mitchell ct al, VS.. William
Mitchell ct al, decree of partition
granted.
H. ]. Close VS.. r. A. Bryson, Judgment
on note
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-04-01
Notice.

LEON, Iowa, March Is, 1909.
The city of Leon will receive sealed
bids up to one o'clock p. m. Tuesday,
April 6, 1909. on
zoo bbls. or more good Portland ce-
ment,
100 tons or more good river sand,
100 tons or more gravel.
Samples to be submitted with each
bid.
Also one or more car loads assorted
sized sewer tile.
Material to be delivered f. o. b. cars
Leon, Iowa.
The city reserves the right to reject
any or all bids.
30-3t Sc. MITCHELL, City Clerk.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-04-01
Methodist Notes.

Palm Sunday will be observed. The
subject of the Sunday morning sermon
will be "The Needy Jesus" Sunday
evening subject Judas Iscariot; His
Deed and Destiny" All other Sabbath
services as usual. Prayer meeting on
Thursday evening, and choir practice
on Friday evening.
TAKE NoTIcE-Begining with Sunday,
April the 4th all evening services will
begin one half hour later than through
the winter months. Watch the papers
for announcement of revival meetings.
Any one willing to loan palms for next
Sunday please notify the pastor,
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-04-01
"The Shepherd Kinq "

Mr.. Wright Lorimer in William A.
Brady's massive production Of "The
Shepherd King which will be the at
traction at Fosters opera house, Des
Noines, commecing week of March %,
matinees Wednesday and Saturday, is
sure to appeal strongly to the church
going element by it's high moral influ-
enee and biblical references, added to
which is an intensely dramatic story
through which runs delicate vein of
a beautiful love romance. It's costum-
ing, its ornate and gorgeous scenic
pageants and tableaux and it's original
magniticence is also an alluring factor
to the patron OF the theatre. "The
Shepherd King enjoys the distinction
OF having unsolicited testimonials from
ministers of every denomination and
has been made the subject of play dis
cussions by some of the most eminent
divines. This much from it's church as
pect. Theatrically it is one of the
most genuine and convincing produc.
tions that has been offered for score
OF years. It's power to bring together
the classes, masses, creeds and sects is
without limitation, and the influence
that it bears upon them is extremely
gratifying to those who are interested
in this particular line of work.
Mr.. Wright Lorimer, who will be seen
with this production, created the role
of David at the Knickerboeker Theatre
in New York City four years ago, at
which time it enjoyed long successful
run. His portrayal of David has estab-
lished him in the public esteem as an
actor of picturesque presence Poetic
temperament, dramatic gifts and excep-
tional grace. In conversation Mr.. Lori
mer is exceptionally impressive, because
his range of interest is wide and his
manner Of presenting them has incon-
scientiously conveyed of his dramatic
trim. One marvels at the breadth and
depth of his knowledge of things at
large and particularly of history and
fiction when one considers how the ex-
action of his professional duty and sin
cerity of the work to which he is
devoted. Mr.. Lorimers tremendous
success in 1bsen's "Wild Duck" in New
York last spring and his beautiful
character portrayal in the problem
play, "The Quicksands,' show this
artists extreme versatility.
Over 125 persons are used in "The
Shepherd King"
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-04-01
Will Give Band Concerts.

The X. P. band has contracted with
the businessmen of Leon to give an
open air concert each Saturday evening
during the summer, commencing on Sat
urday, April 24th. The band under the
direction of Prof. A. B. Tansey is max
ing rapid strides. They have invested
in swell new uniforms which will be re-
eeived probably the coming week.
These open air concerts have always
proven very popular in Leon and this
summer the boys will furnish an abun-
dance of splendid music.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-04-01
Nathan Craiao Dead.

Mr.. Nathan Craigo, one of the pioneer
citizens of this city, died at his home
in north Leon Tuesday morning about 8
o'clock, having been taken sick just
week before his death. The funeral
will be held from the home this WED
nesday) afternoon. A fitting obituary
will be published next week.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-04-01

Mr.. and Mrs. S. K. Carmean went to
Kansas City last Wednesday morning
and on Thursday Mr.lCarmean was op-
Grated upon in a hospital at that place.
He has been in worry poor health for
some time, and it is hoped by his many
friends that the operation will benefit
his health. Mrs. Carmean was called
home Monday by the serious illness of
her father, Nathan Craixo.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-04-01
a Change In phone Manaqement

At the meeting of the stockholders of
the Decatur County Mutual Telephone
Co. held in this city last Saturday there
was change made in the management,
manager W. II. Hazlet resigning and the
stockholders decided to place the man
agement of the lines under the executive
committee which is composed of Ben
Chastain, A. L. Sears and G. M. Axes.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-04-01
Presbyterian Notes.

Services at the Presbyterian church
next Sunday morning and evening. Com
munion service at close of morning hour,
Rev. G. D. Gurley officiating. Junior
Endeavor at 2:30; Senior Endeavor at
9:30 p. m. Sunday school at 9:45 a. m.