davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1913-01-21
OLD SETTLER BY NAME
OF J.R. DOTY WANTED
I. v. Kearns Gets Letter Inquiring
About Gentleman who Came
Here in 1866.

j. V. Kearns received a letter
Friday from Fred B. Mason, an
attorney of Lincoln, Nebraska, ask
ing if he could give the address of
a man who resided in this county
many years ago by the name of ].
r. Doty. Upon receiving the letter
Mr.. Kearns called up every family
in the city by the name of Doty, but
failed to find any one who claimed
relationship, or who knew Of him.
Mr.. Kearns has also consulted other
older residents of the city in con-
nection with this Mr.. Doty, but as
vet has been unsuccessful in finding
anything out about him. Mr.. Kearns
would be pleased to hear from any
of our readers should they remem-
Der the gentleman wanted. The let
ter received follows:
Dear Sir: Am trying to locate a
man by the name of ]. R. Doty, who
settled in Hamilton county on sec
tion 2-S8-24 about 1866. i under
stand that you are an early settler,
acquainted with the pioneers of that
township and neighborhood.
would like to inquire if you remem-
Der this man and If you can give
me any information that might as
sist me in locating him, or his
widow, or his heirs. If he is not
living there could you tell where he
went to from your community?
would like to ask also if you remem-
Der whether or not he was soldier
of the civil war? If you cannot give
the information yourself can you re-
fer me to some one who can possibly
do so? believe Mr.. Doty has some
property rights due him and would
like to write him.
Very truly yours,
Fred B. Mason.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1913-01-21
WHAT i COSTS
TO RUN A CITY
Per Capita Tax Practically Doubles
in Six Years-Was $3.13
in 1906 and $6.06
in 1912.
TOTAL Is NOW ssa.4sa.ls.
The Total in 1905 was $l5,o37.5o.
Going up at Very
Lively Pace.
TOTAL Is NOW ss2,4e2.1s.

1t costs the taxpayers something
to run town like Webster City and
the expense seems to be outclassing
the high cost of living, as it has
doubled since 1906, and that, too,
exclusive of paving, sewering, the
erection of the light plant, fire
house, etc. These improvements
were made by securing the money
largely through bond issues and by
special assessments not included in
the general expenses of the city. Ac-
cording to the census of 1906 Web
ster City had q population of 4,797.
The taxes paid for that year and
turned over to the city council in
1906 amounted to $15,037.50, or
$3.13 for each man. woman and
child in the city. According to the
census of 1910 the population of the
city was 5,2O8. The taxes levied
that year and turned over to the
city council in 1911 aggregated
$31,568.09, the per capita tax being
$6.06, nearly double of that in
1906. The amount levied for 1911
and turned into the city treasury in
1912 was $32,492.18. AS there is
only about one taxpayer to each five
of population the average tax paid
by each taxpayer In 1906 was
$15.75. while the average in 1912
was 5000. Here are the figures as
CLEANED from the books in the coun-
ty treasurer's Office from 1906 to
and including 1912:
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1913-01-21

plants are owned by the city and on
Jan. 21st they will vote to bond the
city for s240,000 for municiple
docks. The spirit Of progress seems
Ito be reaching out in every direc-
ton and I believe this will be one of
the best, if not the best city, in this
part of the south. 1t is far ahead
of Charleston and Savannah now.
There is nothing outside of rents
higher than at home and many
things are cheaper, especially fruit.
The best bananas are 10 cents a
dozen. Oranges, the best, one cent
apiece, and other fruit in proportion.
Strawberries are quite plentiful and
were selling this morning at %
cents per quart.
The weather, as rule, has been
all that one could wish. A few
cloudy days and some rain, but the
rains have all been warm ones and
you did not mind them; and then it
is SO sandy you never See any mud.
There has not been frost yet to in
jure the flowers and everything is as
fresh and green as in summer. There
are many things of interest here,
among them being the great ocean
steamships, lumber docks and saw
mills-one of the latter with ca
pacity of 100000 feet of lumber per
day. It seems to us that it would be
difficult to find a better place to
spend the winter than here. We are
feeling fine, eating like pigs, and en-
joying every moment of the time. If
it were not for making my better
weigh too much to send by mail. II
would tell you how much Mrs. B. is
getting to weigh.
We expect to go to Tampa next
month and may have something
more to write later on. We get the
Freeman-Tribune nearly every day
and enjoy it very much.
With kindest regards to ALL
J. G. Billings.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1913-01-21
Letter from ]. G. Billings.

Jacksonville, Florida, jan a..
1913.-Eds Freeman We
left Chicago on the new all-steel
train which had just been put in
commission between Chicago and
New Orleans, making two hours bet
ter time than ever before. 1t was a
magnificent train and came through
promptly on time.
We came through much better
country between Memphis and New
Orleans than we did four years ago
between Jackson, Tennessee, and
Jacksonville, Florida. The towns
looked very neat and thrifty and the
farms were much better. The live
stock seemed of the better class and
many of the cows were as fine look
Ing Jerseys as we have often seen.
We had expected to stay few
weeks in the Crescent City, but when
we arrived it had been raining for
a week; and as we could not swim
and that was about the only way to
get around, we only stopped one
day and then made bee line for
Jacksonville. We did not see much
of the country between New Orleans
and Pensacola, as we passed through
1t in the night. But from Pensacola
on there was little of interest with
perhaps one exception. We found
that those people down here who are
born in the night and always retain
that dusky shade have all adopted
the idea suggested by my neighbor,
A. P. Woolston--they all finish the
outside of their houses in the same
color. They are all very uniform
in the natural wood color.
We had expected to find beau
tifIl city when we should arrive
here, but we we're not prepared for
as many changes as have taken
place in the last four years. Many
old buildings have been torn out and
beautiful new residences and business
buildings take their places, some Of
them fifteen stories high. Several sky
scrapers are in course OF erection
now and at least half a dozen more
in contemplation in the next few
months.
The city is well paved and all Of
brick, which makes IL very substan-
tial. This is sprinkled and swept
every night, SO when you go out in
the morning you find every thing as
spick and span Rs new baby.
Without doubt 1t is one of the clean
est cities We have ever been in. This
know is saying good deal for a
southern city. but there is such a
large northern element here that
Jacksonville can hardly be classed
with other cities OF the south. The
water works and electric light
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1913-01-21
A Long Siege of Suffering.

Fred Weber, the young man
so severely burned last June at the
city power plant when one of the
water heaters exploded, Is reported
as slowly recovering, though he still
suffers much pain. Ever since the
accident Mr.. Weber has been confin-
ed to his bed at Mercy hospital until
few days ago, when he felt strong
enough to sit up in a chair for a
short time. During the past few
days Mr.. Weber has been able to
take his place in the chair for few
hours each day. AS to when the
young man will be able to leave the
hospital, nothing definite can yet be
said.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1913-01-21

turn to Iowa. She has since resid-
cd with her family at her native vii,
IA &c, at Greencastle and Southern
California.
The fruit Of the marital union
was six sons and three daughters
Niles H. and Harry B. who reside at
fred and Mrs. Margarita Brimmer
whose homes are in California.
Charles Lee who died in promising
young manhood at Orlando, Florida,
and Lucy and Willie that died in in
fancy
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1913-01-21
Death of Early Resident.

Cloverdale. Indiana, Graphic: Mrs.
S. V. Ellen Martin, wife OF Capt. II.
B. Martin. died at the family resi-
dence, Cloverdale, Indiana, Friday
morning. January Bird, 1913, aged
~ years, 10 months and 81 days.
She had been a sufferer for many
weeks from rheumatics.
S. " Ellen Hart was born at Clo-
verdale, Indiana, February 9Th,
1910. Her father and mother, VIM.
l.. and Rebecca Nelson Hart, the lat
ter daughter of Moses Nelson, the
founder of Cloverdale, were early
immigrants from Kentucky Here
the deceased grew into womanhood.
She attended the old Cloverdale
Seminary which sent forth many
students that made a success of life.
October 21st, 1858, the deceased
united in wedlock with her surviv-
ing husband and together they shar-
ed life's pleasures, trials and duties
more than ga years before relentless
death severed them. The newly mar
ried couple departed for Webster
City, Iowa, the then home OF the
bridegroom, Immediately after the
marriage ceremony. After nine
months residence there the wife
was summoned to return to the par.
entail roof by the fatal illness of hei
brother, Niles II. Hart. whose death
left her the only surviving child OF
her parents and prevented her re.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1913-01-21

meeting of the state board of health.
He will be gone until Thursday ev-
ening.
DR.. G.. T. McCauliff left last
night for Sioux City, where he is at
tending a meeting of the Iowa Clini-
cal & Surgical Society in session
there today. He expects to return
tomorrow.
Arthur Rice, of the Ruegnitz
drug store, is spending Sunday with
relatives in Des Moines.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1913-01-21
#. DODGE AMATEURS
Do GOOD ACTING
Despite the Fact They Were Greeted
by Small Audience at Armory
Opera House.

The graduating class of the Fort
Dodge Business College, who staged
home talent play at the armory
opera house in this city Friday ev-
ening, were greeted by small audi
ence, but in spite of the handicap
of playing to an empty house, the
performance was creditable. The
play is entitled "a Miners Daugh-
ter" it being an old time temper
ance drama in four acts. But few
parts in the piece are of the variety
which allow the players good
chance and these particular charac-
tiers were well taken.
In the leading feminine role Of
dot" Miss Anna Bailey gave good
satisfaction. In the comedy part,
that of Aunt Hapgibah, Miss Mar
guerite Phelps also may properly re-
ceive credit for large share in
pleasing the audience. In the char
acter of Mrs. Clifton, Miss Nell VOL
verton did good work. James Ryan,
as Arthur Floyd, the dyed-in-the-
wool villain, also did well, while
Clarence Brown, in the part Of Roy
al Meadows. came in for his share
of the applause. Miss Nell Mooney,
as Mrs Mason, is also worthy Of
mention. Others in the cast, all Of
whom made the best of their charac-
tiers, were Ludwig Christensen, Ed
ward Klapka, Ralph butcher, Will
lam Field and Miss Gladys Murphy.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1913-01-21
PERSONAL GOSSIP
(From Saturdays Daily. J

r
Mrs. Joe Daily of Jewell Is Wis
iting in the city today.
Mr.. and Mrs. e. H. Hemmen
and son Ronald will spend Sunday
with friends in Woodstock.
Mrs. H. G. Culp and daughter,
Mrs. Frank Freeman, Of Ames, are
guests at the j. w. Lee home in this
city.
DR.. F. E. Whitley was profess
sional visitor in harrisburg yester-
day.
Miss Bertha Clifford returned
home yesterday from a visit with
her sister in Omaha.
Mr.. and Mrs. G. e. Goodman
went to Williams yesterday for a
weeks visit.
Mrs. Theodore Reese of Mime
apolis is guest at the home of her
brother, Louis Frank.
Louis Richardson returned to
his college studies at Ames this
morning.
&C. H. Currie is business call
er in Randall today.
Miss Lois Rath, of Dubuque,
who has been visiting at the home
of her cousin, DR.. F. A. Boysen, left
for Ames this morning.
Mrs. VIM Greenwood went to
Stanhope this morning to visit rela-
tiyes for a few days.
Mrs. W. A. Neel and small
daughter, Miss Dorothy, left this
morning for Randall to visit rela-
tives.
20. ]. Henderson was business
caller in Kamrar today.
Mrs. Douglas Huff of Woodstock
arrived In the city this morning for
a brief visit with relatives.
F. H. Alexander of Kamrar was
a business visitor in the city yester-
day.
Il. A. McMurray spent yesterday
afternoon in Jewell on business.
Mrs. Chas. Lorent of Eagle
Grove arrived in the city last even
ing for short visit at the home Of
her daughter, Mrs. T. B. Kearns.
Mrs. Nels Torp went to Fort
Dodge today to visit her son.
Mrs. G. H. DeMott OF Blairs-
burg arrived in the city today to Wis
1t over Sunday at the Fred M. Tai
colt home.
Mrs. B. F. Read of Blairsburg
is visitor in the city today.
Miss Edna Bates of Williams is
a visitor in the city today.
Mrs. Gus Staebler of Williams
is in the city today on business.
Mrs. Dick Johnson is up from
Williams trading today.
-Chas. Jones, nightwatchman,
received news today that his father
was dangerously i'll at Estherville.
He will leave for his fathers bed
side this evening.
MIR. and Mrs. Roy Hotchkiss
went to Eagle Grove today to spend
Sunday.
Mrs Thayer Of Storm Lake re-
turned to her home today after a
visit between trains at the George S.
Lane home in this city.
Mrs. c. II. Flemming and
daughter. Miss Geravere. went to
Boone today for an over Sunday Wis
it.
DIR. E. E, Richardson leaves
Monday for Des Moines to attend a
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1913-01-21
No Doubt of II.

Who Is the greatest woman in all
history? One hundred and fifty
school teachers recently answered
the question, and with enthusiasm
and unanimity the judges awarded
the prize to the one who made this
reply: "The wife of a man of mod
crate means who does her own cook
ing, washing. ironing, sewing,
brings up family of boys and girls
to be useful members of society and
has time for intellectual improve
ment."
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1913-01-21
Business Men Talking Of Using the
Mails Instead Of Hiring
individuals for the
Work.
SOME SAY IT IS MUCH CHEAPER
Possibilities of the New System Be
ing Discussed all Over the
Country.

the past bitterly opposed the par
GELS post are coming to believe that,
after all, it is going to be good
thing for the retailer. In some
towns they are talking of using the
mails for delivery purposes and some
Webster City merchants are consid-
ering the ACCESSIBILITY of such de-
parture. In speaking of this feature
of the uses of the parcels post the
Fort Dodge Messenger says:
Business men of Fort Dodge are
seriously considering letting the
postman do the work instead of pay
ing the small errand boy to do 1t.
at" in this case is delivery of pack
ages to Fort Dodge customers who
append to their purchasing CONVEX
sation the request please deliver"
From a series of interviews gained
today it is quite evident that for the
majority of merchants the Parcel
Post is going to be good thing
when it is working with all the
wheels oiled smoothly. Some of these
wheels, the merchants as we'll as the
post Office employees aver, are to be
sought in the brain of the genus
homo. Some merchants are making
use of the post in the delivery of
packages out of town even now. But
the most interesting announcement
culled so far is that they are SER
iously thinking of using it right
here at home.
You have to pay a messenger
boy at least ten cents trip to de-
liver packages for you,' argued Ma
jor S. B. Philpot this morning, "and
you can deliver the same packages
through Parcel Post for prices from
four cents up, according to their
weight. A lot of the merchants are
contemplating adopting Parcel Post
delivery as result"
Of course, delivery under these
circumstances would not be as
prompt as it might be if boy were
dispatched with the package There
are people of argumentative nature.
however, who sit up and take notice
when this point is made. They say
they can floor anyone on the afir-
native side of that proposition
without the slightest trouble. Boys
will be boys" is the promise upon
which they intend to base their win
ming argument.
How long will postmen be post
menu is the echoing query that
comes from the direction of the post
Office. when the newly formed plan
of the retailers is announced.
But setting aside possibilities and
coming back to realities, the merch-
ants already are using the parcel
post with success for their delivery
of packages in the country and in
their other mali order business.
Some retailers such as the hard
ware men and the furniture men,
declare they have not much use for
the post in their business, because
the wares they sell for the most part
are too heavy. The drygoods merch
ant, however, will use it to a great
extent. Others use it considerably.
The druggists say 1t is a great boon
for them in delivery of medicines.
Miliiners say they will use the par
eel post.
The whole new system is in such
an experimental stage, however.
that merchants have no enthusiastic
word of support nor any very decid-
ed arguments against the plan as
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1913-01-21
Death of Soren Hanson.

Ellsworth News: Soren Hanson,
who for several weeks has been all
ing with what seemed to be ner-
vous break down, died at his home
southeast of town Wednesday after
noon at about four O'Clock.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1913-01-21
ALFRED HiLES BERGEN, LEON
MARX, HANS DRESSED .NO
CARL MACHLIN.

The coming OF the Bergen Marx
Company TO deliver musical pro-
gram of instrument and voice on the
Methodist lecture course will inter
est all lovers of good music The
company Is composed of artists OF
first grade and render nothing but
the best in music.
This splendid company appears al
the Methodist church next Wednes.
day evening and should have pack.
ed house.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1913-01-21
House for Sale.

House of Nels Nelson with one and
"a half lots at Kamrar. for sale. In.
quire of E. Telkamp or at bank. b
Telkamp. owner. It'll
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1913-01-21

Farm for sale or rent near Wall
Jake. containing 23a acres. For par
ticulars inquire OF Will Oakland.
Dlairsburg, Iowa. tiff
The Ordway new era., 1913-12-19
Big Subscriptions Subscriptions


Most Of the mer-
chants of Ordway have
joined the New Era in
this contest and are Of
fering valuable prizes
IN connection with it.
Read their advertise
rnents and get coupons.
The Washington times., 1913-09-23
ARGUMENTS HEARD
ON BLIND SCHOOLS
Commissioners Conduct Hear
ing on Question of Educa-
ton of SightIess Children.

Arguments on the proposition to pro-
vide for the instruction Of the blind in
the public. schools OF the District were
heard by the Commissioners at a hear
ing given today to the National library
for the Blind and the District Of Co
lunobia Association Of Workers for the
Blind. INDECENT blind children Of the
District are now sent to the Maryland
Institute for the Blind.
While lauding the work Of this in
stitution, Miss Ella Lorraine Dorsey, Of
the National Library for the Blind,
urged that the system OF instruction
be extended to the public schools OF
the District. The system. she declared.
has met with success in the public
schools Of Chicago. Cincinnati. Mil
waukee, New York. Newark, Jersey
City, and in cities in England.
Miss Dorreys arguments were sec
onded by Miss Eta Jocelyn Giffin. d.
rector Of the National Library for the
Blind.
F. g. Hufty, president of the District
Of Columbia Association of Workers for
the Blind. himself blind, opposed the
plan on the ground that the public
schools are not equipped for the train
ing OF the el8htleSe. Bllnd cnllQren, he
said, should be sent to institutions
equipped with special facilities for
teaching them vocations by means Of
which they will earn their living.
Mr.. Hufty read to the Commissioners
by means Of the raised system of print
ing a list Of graduates Of the Mary
land Institute for the Blind who have
made successes in. later life as in
structors of music. plano tuners, and
similar forms OF vocation. r. W.
Swami. secretary of the association
also blind. spoke in favor Of providing
for the education of the blind in insti-
tutions specially equipped.
Similar reasons for opposing the ex-
tension of the system for the educa-
ton Of the blind to the public schools
We're given by a subcommittee of the
school committee Of the Chamber of
Commerce, consisting Of William T.
Galliher, Albert Schulteis. and Myroa
r. Jones
The Washington times., 1913-09-23
UNTERMYER FIRM
FOR CURRENCY BILL
Questioned by Senator Reed
on Extension Of vreeIand
Plan, But in Vain.

Opponents to the Administration cur
rency bill professed to see m Senator
Reeds questioning of Attorney Sam
uel Untermyer before the Banking
Committee today evidence that he IA
vored extension Of the Vreeland cur
rency act rather than enactment Of the
owen-Glass bill. Reed sought vainly
to get Untermyer's approval of such a
plan.
The Missouri Senator cited figures to
sustain his claim that the margin of
safety in the case of a bank securing
currency direct from the Government
was 2T per cent, against only IS per
cent, through the proposed regional re-
serve banks. Untermyter declared the
assumption absurd"
A delegation of Minnesota bankers
was heard this afternoon.
'One bill proposed that a bank shall
borrow only to the amount Of IS per
cent Of its capital" said Reed. 'The
other, which you advocate, would allow
it to borrow regardless Of its capital"
But" interrupted Senator Nelson.
of currency the country can absorb"
That is right" agreed Untermeyer.
''The amount Of bank capital in the
country Is no criterion of the amount
Of contracting and expanding currencJ
needs Of the country
Reed and Untermeyer engaged in a
sharp exchange Of repartee in which.
to Reeds suggestion that II think
some OF your opinions are unsound, or
rather extreme. Untermeyer answered
quickly:
''Of course. reciprocate that view
Well" said Reed, ''As your testi-
mony is likely to have some weight
with Congresa I wanted to state my
questions to you and get direct answers
Now, you seem to be keeping UP your
end Of the argument pretty WE'LL
II don't feel that way" retorted
Untermeyer smoothly. You know tha
q witness is always at a disadvantage "
The New York lawyer will returi,
next week.