davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-06-23
p. r. o.'s Visit Garden Grove.

In response to an invitation by
Chapter T, of Humeston, and Chapter
AN, of Garden Grove, about thirty
of the members of the Leon Chapter
of the P E. o. society, went to Gar
den Grove Thursday afternoon to
attend reception which was given at
the elegant home of Mrs. c. S.
Stearns. The visitors were met at
the depot by the Humeston and Gar
den Grove ladies and escorted to the
Stearns home, where a delightful
afternoon was spent with a musical
program and readings by Miss Elsie
Zichy. An elegant luncheon was
served, arrangements being made
whereby the evening train due to
leave Garden Grove at 6:22 was held
until o'clock so the visitors could
return home the same evening. The
ladies are loud in their praise of the
hospitality shown them. Those who
attended were: Mesdames H. R.
Layton, E. H. Sharp, o. E. Hull, P.
F. Kopp, Gould Wallace, j. w. Har-
vey, j. j. Evans, V. R. McGinnis, D.
R. Dudley, j. Hoffhines, A. ]. Allen,
F. A. Bowman, w. M. Boutwell,, V.
F. Penniwell, S. A. Gates, Harry
Penniwell, L. P. Van Werden, A. P.
Olsen, G. w. Carmean, w. A. Boone,
w. F. Lindsey, R. A. Sigler and Elma
Morrill,, and Misses Mayme Baker,
Florence Oney, Jess Pryor and Ulu
Boutwell,.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-06-23
Why Comets Disappear.

Halley's great comet has doubled.
the cape of the sun and has COM
menced it's long journey through the
sky. For over thirty-eight years it
will rush through trackless space at
a rate of speed past our comprehen-
sion. 1t will stop at no way stations.
After this long journey it will swing
about in its celestial pathway to-
wards our sun again. Its return will
consume another thirty-eight years,
provided it shall return at all. Should
it have attained sufficient momentum
in its present visit to carry it beyond
the confines of our solar system it
may be seized upon by the attractive
power of another sun, and may never
return to us again. 1t is very prob
able that many of our comets have
left our system forever, and that
many comets from other systems
have come to us. The journey which
this comet is to make is a perilous
one. 1t is attended with many dan
gers. Planets are scattered through
the sky. They are sending out their
attractive forces across the comets
path. They are dangerous highway
men. They may draw the comet into
themselves, or may convert it into a
satellite to revolve around some pri-
mary-Prof. Samuel Phelps Leland
in the Christian Herald.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-06-23
Mrs. Harriet White Lester.

The following obituary notice of
Mrs. Harriet White Lester, of Salem,
Iowa, grandmother of Mrs. E. E.
Bell, of Leon, is taken from the Mt
Pleasant Republican of June 10th:
Harriet White Lester, daughter of
Hosea and Gratia White, born at
Mansfield, Vermont, May II, 1927,
and died at her home at Salem, Iowa
June s, 1910. moved with her parents
to Stanstead, Canada, at three years
OF age, living in that vicinity until 19
years of age, when she came with her
parents to Iowa. making the trip bv
icaaal and steamboat as far as Chi
cago, taking one month to make the
trip. The rest of the journey was
made overland She with her rela-
tlves landed at Ft. Madison July 5.
1916. From there they went to West
Point and located.
She was married to Antrim Lester
october u, 1S4S, and came to Salem
the following December where she
mas since resided. She was the moth
er OF eight children, six of whom are
living: Geo. B., of Salem, Ida l..
Johnson, of Iowa City, Horace G., of
Cashmere, Wash, Albert, of Salem,
Lille L. Johnson, of Greencastle,
Mo-, and Bertha, of Salem. Four
grandchildren, Mrs. E. E. Bell, of
Leon, Iowa, Ralph and Mary Lester.
OF Cashmere. Wash. and Harry L., of
Iowa City; two great grandchildren
Edgar Haskett Bell and Jennie Les
ter Bell. of Leon, Iowa. The two
deceased children are Jennie Lester
Haskett who died July 19, 1903, and
Norval dying in infancy. Mrs. Lester
was a woman of superior intellect
although up in years was ALWAYS
bright in mind and one seldom sees
one at her age taking such an inter
est IN literature, music and in all
educational affairs. She was woman
OF a quiet unassuming disposition
but her gentle influence for good
not only was felt in the home circle
but by host of loving friends. Mrs
Lester has long been citizen OF
Salem, not single person residing
IN the town at the present lived here
"hen she became a resident Her mind
was always bright and up to the yer,
last moment of her life she knew ali
her children. Funeral services were
neld at the Congregational church
saturday afternoon at 2 O'Clock, con.
Quoted by Rev. w. T. Butcher. The
text was the 1st and End verses els,
Psalms. Many and beautiful were the
mowers sent by her friends showins
IN thelr mute way the esteem they
neld Tor her. She is laid to rest By
the side OF her husband in the
Friends cemetery.
| Thus ends a beautiful life ant
earth is better for such as her anG
heaven sweeter for her presence
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-06-23
The LOCAL HAPPENINGS
Some interesting Items of Local
News Gathered on the Run
During the Past Week.
Leon Schools Should be Fully Ac-
credited.

We have received an inquiry from
a patron asking why the Leon High
School is not on the fully accredited
list as recognized by the Department
of Public instruction of Iowa, in
which the writer says, ''The intelli-
gence of community is measured
by its schools. The Leon citizens
are as intelligent as any other com
munity, but they do not show the in
terest in our public schools that
should be shown. Our teachers should
have the cooperation of every patron
and all children should be in school
this fall in accordance with the law
Our High School should be the con-
Meeting link between our graded
colleges. 1t should be an accredited
school, so that our graduates will not
suffer from inadequate preparation
for entering our state institutions
Now is the time to attend to this
matter before our next school years
work opens. Leon is getting to be
quite booster town, and we should
give our schools boost
We find on investigation that the
Leon High School is on the the par
TALLY accredited list of Iowa High
Schools, and ever since Prof. Voelker
took charge of the schools he has been
working to have the school fully ac-
credited. There are only some small
matters which now stand in the way
of the Leon High School being placed
on the fully accredited list The
course of study as now taught fully
complies with the requirements, and
graduates from the Leon High School
are permitted to enter the colleges on
making up just few points. One
principal reason why Leon is not full
ly accredited is that the rules require
that all teachers in the high school
shall be a graduate of reputable
college or university, and this is the
main reason why Leon is not fully
accredited. This can be done if all
the teachers are holders of first
grade five year state certificate and
give evidence of special preparation
in the subjects which they teach. An
other reason is that the school is
lacking in laboratory apparatus and
there should be special room fitted
up for this purpose. Prof Voelker ex-
poets to have the school work ex-
amined by the state examiner again
this fall and hopes to be able to have
Leon placed on the fully accredited
list. Both Garden Grove and Lamont
High Schools are on the fully accred-
tied list and Leon should be included
by all means.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-06-23
THE BIG CELEBRATION
Leon is Preparing to Show the reo.
pie the Time of Their Lives
On the Fourth of July.

Everybody get ready to come to
Leon to celebrate on the Fourth of
July. The committees are hard at
work making preparations for the
biggest time ever seen in this section
of the state. The finance committee
has raised more money to spend on
the celebration than ever in the his
tory of Leon. You all know what a
good time you had at Leon two years
ago and how well pleased the many
thousands who attended We're at the
close of the days program. Well it
will be even better this year. The
program is not yet ready for publica-
ton, as the committee wants to be
sure that every feature advertised
will be pulled Off Seven bands have
been engaged to furnish the music
for the day. and they will be an at
traction of note. In the morning
there will be monster parade at 10
O'Clock. During the entire day there
will be something going on all the
time. A balloon ascension and par
achute leap, base ball games both
morning and afternoon between Leon
and Davis City. A basket ball game
between the ladies' teams from We'll
don and Grand River There will be
all kinds of games and sports, baby
show, races of all kinds, amusing
contests, with good prizes for all
the winners. The great Whiteley
circus and dog and pony show will
exhibit at Leon giving performances
afternoon and evening, and they have
promised to put on a free Roman
chariot race between teams of Shet-
land ponies on the street during the
day. A special feature will be big
free minstrel show which will be put
on in the evening by the minstrel
company of the Leon Commercial
Club. Arrangements have been made
to hold the evening train for Davis
City. Lamont and Mt. Ayr until 6
o'clock. and the night Charlton train
until 9:45. The committee is also en-
deavoring to have the freight to
Pleasanton and GAINESVILLE held until
late in the evening.
huff sed.' Just make your ar
rangements to bring your whole fam
lily and come to Leon on the Fourth
and we will show you the time of
your life.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-06-23
VOLUME LvI NO. A.
johnny Wise" to the Front Again.

The old saying "You can't keep a
good man down" might be changed
to you can't keep a bad man in
especially when you speak about
Johnny Wise" the wise guy After
being out of the limelight for several
weeks the redoubtable Johnny forged
to the front again last week when he
made his escape from the county Jail
at Savannah, where he had been TAX
en- few weeks previous on account
OF the unsanitary condition of the
Buchanan county Jail, so it was re-
ported at the time of his removal
According to the reports, Wise
and another occupant of the Jail, hid
in the corridor of the Jail and by a
ruse convinced the sheriff they were
in their cells. The two sawed a bar
from the corridor window and
squeezed through ten inch opening
early last Friday morning and made
their escape. No clew has been re-
ceived to date as to there where
abOuts.
Johnny Wise's" history is pretty
well known to the people in this Sec
tion on account of his escape here
during the winter His real name is
Raymond B. Hartman, and his faith
er is we'll known insurance man of
Des Moines, Iowa.-Albany Ledger.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-06-23
Glass Reception.

Wednesday evening Prof. and Mrs.
A. G. Voelker entertained the classes
of 1908-09-10 at a lawn party at
their home in north Leon. The lawn
was brilliantly lighted with electric
bulbs and Japanese lanterns, the
bright new moon and fine weather
adding to the pleasure of an outdoor
party. The young people spent the
evening in athletic games and con-
tests, together with stories and
memories of Auld Lang Sang. After
refreshments were served there was
a general call for mass meeting to
organize permanent alumni asso-
citation. Mr.. Voelker was called on
to preside. After various discussions
of details the following officers were
elected:
President-Miss Georgia Stewart,
class of 'OS.
Vice President-Miss Wynne Cash,
class of '09.
secretary-victor Ogilvie, class
of 10.
Committees were appointed to
draw up constitution and to decide
on another outing at which the con-
stitution and bylaws could be finally
adopted. The young people departed
at late hour, all declaring they had
splendid good time and rejoicing
that henceforth they would be sure
OF an annual reunion.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-06-23
Former Slave Makes Visit.

William Rhea, an old colored man,
came down from Leon, Iowa, for a
visit last week. He was formerly a
slave of Sebird Rhea and wife of the
Goshen vicinity. Mr.. Rhea bought the
colored man in Georgia when he was
twelve years old, and brought him
to Mercer county where he lived until
freed. He has been resident of
Leon, Iowa, for many years. He
owns property there and is able to
do quite a good deal of light work.
He was Is years old last Christ
mas. Some of the young people, Sun
day, asked him how old he was. He
said, six bits last Christmas" They
did not know what he meant.
He did not find many people he
knew, but many of their descendants.
He said: II would not take fifty dol
lars for the pleasure / got Sunday .
He visited the graves of Master
and "Missus" Rhea and seemed Sc
pleased to have the opportunity.
There was large crowd out to
decorate the graves of loved ones a,
Goshen, Sunday, and all seemed tc
enjoy the day fne.-Princeton Post
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-06-23
Votes VS.. Resolutions.

In it's general assembly at Atlantic
FCity few days ago the great Pres
Lbyterian church adopted the follow
ing clear-cut, clean and commend
able resolution relative to the liquor
traffic: "The Presbyterian church
must ever be the open, active and
persistent enemy of the liquor traffic
in all its forms. We declare any form
tof license under any name or guise
as permission and not destruction,
and therefore unchristian. We SOL
emnly admonish our people to keep
themselves socially, financially and
politically, separate and apart from
the liquor traffic, and to touch not
the unclean thing, to the end that
this traffic may, by organic law be
expelled from our land and our peo-
pie be saved from its despoiling in
fiuence. The Methodist and other
churches have at different times done
the same, but have never tried to
carry out these resolutions at the
elections, the place to register your
kick on this great national sin. You
notice the words politically and or
|ganic. Notwithstanding from a
certain organization. Can you har-
monte this resolution and the atti-
tude of the old whiskey republican
party on the liquor traffic BY your
votes you have made the liquor traf-
fic our national sin. You can likewise
remove it. Righteousness exalteth
the nation but sin is a reproach to
any people. If you believe the Bible
and such resolutions you will not
vote whiskey ticket with the brew
er and distiller, for hell and the
devil, when you can vote for home,
prosperity and heaven. If there is
any virtue or praise in politics come
over to Macedonia and help u.s. We
will call convention at Leon to
nominate a prohibition ticket. Our
brethren are in the field waiting. l
invite all who are interested to write
or phone me and we will call the
convention at your pleasure.
R. w. Boeger, Garden Grove, Ia.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-06-23
THE LEON WATERWORKS
City Adyertises for Bids for Drill
ing Deep Well, and for C0nstruC-
tiOn of the Sewer System.

After tedious wait the city coun-
Gil is now taking steps to push the
new waterworks system and sewer
age plant to an early completion.
Some weeks ago it was thought that
an adequate supply of water had
been located in shallow wells in the
northwest part of the city, and while
an abundance of water was found,
when it was analyZed it was found
to be utterly useless for household
use on account of the large amount
of animal matter which the analysis
showed it contained, so the commit
tee and town council were up against
it, and the only thing left was to
either construct reservoir or seek
deep we'll water. There has been
much opposition to using reservoir
among our citizens, so the council
has decided to advertise for bids for
sinking a deep we'll, the notice ap-
pearing elsewhere in this issue. The
council some weeks ago purchased
the lots from w. H. Hazlet on which
is located the deep we'll which is
known as the Biggs we'll, which was
drilled to a depth of SO3 feet. In
drilling the we'll two big flows of
water were found, one at depth of
between three and four hundred feet,
in sand and gravel and the other in
st. Louis limestone at depth of
between six and seven hundred feet.
1t is proposed to either drill this we'll
larger or else drill new hole. The
water from the we'll is said to have
stood the test of analysis.
The past week the waterworks
committee purchased the big engine,
pumps, shafting and other machinery
which were not included in the pur-
chase of the building and ground,
from Mr.. Hazlet, buying the entire
outfit for $500. This was done and
approved by the city council, al
though at the meeting two members,
Morris Gardner and S. Varga, were
not present. The committee states
that they expect to use part of the
machinery and sell the balance.
Now that a definite plan has been
decided upon it is hoped that the
work will be pushed as fast as possi-
BILE. The people are getting anxious
that the waterworks be installed and
much time has already been lost.
The committee in charge of the
work have lots of work and trouble
ahead of them. Many people do not
think there is sufficient water in the
Biggs well to supply the town or that
1t is the kind of water we want. But
we must be patient, the council has
a serious proposition before them and
must make good or they will receive
everlasting condemnation. We don t
envy them their job.
Notice is also published in this is
she of The Renorter for bids for tho
construction of a sewer disposal
plant and the laying of a system of
sewers. The contract for drilling the
deep well and for the construction of
the sewer plant will be let on July
18th, the city council reserving the
right to reject any and all bids.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-06-23
Some Ice Cream.

Last Saturday was a banner day
for the two Leon ice cream factories
and it crowded them to supply the
demand. P. B. Walker shipped to
out of town customers 205 gallons
and the Clarinda Poultry, Butter &
Egg Co. shipped $50 gallons, total
of 355 gallons of ice cream. When
it was sold out by the dish it made a
good many thousand dishes of ice
cream. The ice cream business done
by the Leon factories is getting to be
big industry. This week Mr..
Walker is doubling his capacity, put
ting on both day and night force
in order to meet the increased de-
mand which the hot weather has Gre
ated.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-06-23
Base Ball.

The Leon team suffered defeat in
two games the past week, owing to
the absence of pitcher Wright who
went to his home in Illinois to visit a
few days, but will be back today
noon. At Osceola last Friday Leon
was defeated by Osceola by score of
z to 8. 'Kidder" Johnson was in
the box for Leon, and there were
several other substitutes on the team.
The home team was also defeated at
Davis City Sunday by the Davis City
team, the score being a to 8. AS
Leon had no one to pitch for them
King of Davis City went in the box
for Leon and Butcher for Davis City.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-06-23
Has Read The Reporter for II Years

Uncle John j. Sears, one of The
Reporters banner subscribers, was a
pleasant visitor at the Office Monday,
when he renewed for his Reporter
another year. He has been regu-
lar subscriber of The Reporter since
1866, which was the year the present
editor was born. Uncle John is one of
the pioneer settlers of Decatur coun-
ty, having lived in Decatur and JEFF
ferson counties all his life with the
exception of four years. While in
Leon Monday he INDUCED in an un-
a barber, the second time it was cut
a barber, the escond time it was cut
by barber during his entire life.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-06-23
Another 10 Inch Vein of Coal at
GAINESVILLE.

Another vein of coal was uncover
ed in the main shaft last Saturday.
The log showed 9 inches in thickness
but when the drillers went into it,
the vein showed it to be much larger,
and averaged about 19 inches. The
coal is somewhat better than the first
vein and the quality seems improved
as the deeper veins are found.
The main shaft is now down 345
feet and the boys in the air shaft are
close on the heels of the boys in the
main shaft. In the main shaft they
are so deep that the top men can not
hear the orders of the shift bosses by
following as formerly and a steam
pipe has been run to the mouth of
the shaft and a whistle attached
operated by the shift boss which is
at the bottom of the shaft Gains
vile News.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-06-23
New Coal and Feed Firm.

E. Housh has purchased the office
and sheds formerly used by the HUI
bacher lumber yards and has leased
the ground which they occupy on
the lots owned by Uriah Mitten for
term of five years, and will at once
open new coal yard and feed busi-
ness under the name of the Leon Coal
Co., with G. C. Little as manager.
Mr.. Housh is now in Chicago buy
ing new scales and other fixtures
needed in the business. They will
handle all kinds of coal and feed and
will be ready to take orders within a
few days.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-06-23
IOWA WOMAN CELEBRATES ONE
HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY.
Nancy Harsh Celebrates Century of
Life at Home of Son.

Creston, Ia, June 16.-Tuesday,
June IA, at the home of ex-senator
j. B. Harsh, his mother, Mrs. Nancy
Harsh, rounded out full century of
years. She arrived here last week
from Hopkins, Mo-, where for
number of years past she has made
her home with her daughter, Mrs.
Mary Donlin. A large circle of
relatives have arrived here from var
ious states, ranging in age from 1
months to the 100 years of the great
grandmother, to assist fittingly in
four living children, sixteen living
grandchildren, most of whom will be
here. The day was observed with
a family dinner, served in big tent
on the lawn of her sons home, and
at 3 o'clock a reception was held,
when large number of guests called
on the interesting old lady. The
children are Phillip, of Eugene. Ore,
Mrs. Mary Donlin, of Hopkins, Mo-,
ex-senator j. B. Harsh, of this city,
and A. F. Harsh, of Lowell, Neb., who
is also large rancher and stockman
of that place.
Grandma Harsh has been famil-
lar figure here for about thirty-five
years, having come to Iowa fifty
years ago. and for time lived on a
farm near Spaulding, later coming
to this place, where she kept house"
by herself near her sons home. She
is truly a remarkable woman, for al
though having completed 100 years
of life, she looks not a day older than
many women of rs. Her mental fac
ulties are clear as ever and her gen.
eral health good.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-06-23
6 % z @
Uncle Bob is Great Grandfather

Uncle Bob Bowsher, the youngest
old man in the state of Iowa, is STEP
ping pretty high on account of the
fact that he is now a great grand
father. An eight pound son was
born to Mr.. and Mrs. E. G. Eubanks,
of 2414 Spruce Avenue, Kansas City,
on June 15th, and he has been named
James Robert in honor of his grand
father and great grandfather. Mrs.
Eubanks was formerly Miss Cecil
Bowsher, daughter of ]. R. Bowsher,
Of this city, and Jim is just a little
stuck up too over the fact that he
has caught up with his father and
is now grandfather too.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-06-23
Miss Mabel Waters Married.

Miss Mabel Waters, daughter of
Mr.. and Mrs. G.. G. Waters, of near
Van Vert, who has been attending
the Nurses Training School at Iowa
City, graduating with the class of
this year, was married at Iowa City
on Tuesday of last week to DIR. S..
Daniel Simons, of Ida Grove, who
graduated in medicine this year at
the State University. The bride is
one of Decatur county's most popu-
lar young ladies and large circle of
friends extend congratulations.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-06-23
Congressional Contest Finally De-
cided.

A telegram from Washington, D.
c., states that the congressional con-
test of former representative w. P.
Hepburn, republican, against repre-
sentative w. D. Jameson, democrat,
involving the representation of the
Eighth Iowa district, was last We'd
nesday settled by the house commit
tee in favor of Jameson. That is
waiting a long time to settle mat
ter which the voters of the district
settled at the election nearly two
years ago. There never was any
grounds for Hepburn contesting
Jamieson's election, except that he
was allowed to draw $4,000 from
the treasury for his expense in max
ing the contest.