davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-17
Electric Light Co. Have Unfortunate
Accident.

Monday evening little after
eleven O'Clock lightning struck the
electric transmission line between
here and Leon at point near the
Bert Stiles farm north west of here.
The street lights went out instantly.
In the morning, linemen were sent
out and located the trouble, finding
two poles shattered and the line
broken in two. This was soon re-
paired and the current turned on
again between one and two o'clock
and 1T was thought that every thing
was all right, but later in the after
noon it was discovered that some
thing was wrong with the system, the
trouble being located in the big trans
former in the east part OF town, it
being found that it was burned out.
Another core was at once telegraph
ed for from St. Louis and will be
here in few days. 1t is unfortu-
nate for the company, coming just
as they are getting their line in op-
Grafton, but was one of the unavoid-
able accidents, every mechanical pre-
caution known, having been taken
against such an accident, it being one
of the freaks of the kind of cleo
tricity that is generated in the heav-
ems.
The past few nights have been
very dark and it has taught the peo-
pie to be the more appreciatlve of.
the lights since they have been turn
ed off ff.-Garden Grove Express.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-17
Nianley-Kyte.

Mr.. Russell Manley, of Leon, and
Miss Helen Kyle were married at the
home of the brides parents in Osce-
ola, Monday evening at o'clock,
the ceremony being performed by
Rev. l.. B.. Carpenter, pastor OF the
Osceola NJ. e. church.
The bride is one of the charming
young ladies of Osceola, and is quite
a musician. She will be warmly well
coined by everyone in Leon.
The groom has resided here for
several months, engaged in teaching
music, and has made himself very
popular since locating here.
Tuesday evening large number OF
the members of the NJ. E. church
went to their new home in this city,
and gave them a shower, at the same
time extending their congratulations
Mr.. and Mrs. Manley will occupy
the Mrs. Hebener property. u
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-17
Methodist Church Notes.

A chorus of young men under the
direction of Prof. Gass sang at Ep-
worth League last Sunday night.
They also gave a special number at
the preaching service. Their sing
ing was enjoyed very much. We hope
they will soon favor us again.
The evening service will commence;
thirty minutes later now. The last
bell for evening preaching will be,
rung at s o'clock.
Don't forget that the last Sunday.
of the month is to be a special one
for, the Sunday school. Sessions are
at q quarter to 10. There, was a fine
attendance last Sabbath. and several
new scholars.
Prayer meeting tonight will be led:
by the pastor. 1880 is the hour. Re.
hearsal of the choir is at $500 to-.
night at the church.
Topic for Epworth League next
Sunday evening at 700 O'Clock is;
Money, the test of Christian Char
acter." Charles Horn leads. All
young people are invited. The pas
tor will preach both at L and .
O'Clock next Sunday as usual. /.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-17
IT LOOKS LIKE PAVING
Owners of Property in Business Sec
tion Petition City C0unCiI to
Order Main Street Paved.

The committee of the Leon Com
mercial Club appointed to secure
signers to the petition asking that
the city council order paving put
down on three or four blocks on
Main street in the business section,
have been meeting with good success
and the petition was to he presented
to the city council at meeting held
last evening.
"a The committee has met with some
surprises in circulating the petition,
several parties whom it was thought
would be opposed to the improve
ment signing the petition without
hesitation. The city council has the
authority to order a street paved
without petition from the property
owners, and they are compelled to
order the paving when petition is
presented signed by the required
owners of the percentage of frontage
required. 1t is to be hoped that
the proposed Improvement, at least
in the business district, can be made
this year, without delay.
There is nothing which will add
to the growth and prosperity of the
city like paving Leon is one of the
few county seats in Iowa which has
no paving. We cannot afford to
stand back and see neighborhood
towns improving and growing while
we stand still. 1t is true that paw
ing, like any other improvement on
property costs money, but it adds to
the value of the property much more
than the cost of the paving. A little
more boosting for Leon will see
substantial improvement. and growth
of our city and corresponding in
crease in real estate values. Let's all
put our shoulder to the wheel and do
our share in the way of making
bigger and better Leon.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-17
Cleanup Day Next Wednesday.

The ladies of the Civic Improve
ment Association, in connection with
the city council, have fixed Wednes-
day, April 23rd, as the annual spring
cleaning up day. The officers of the
Civic Improvement Association are
Mrs. S. Varga, president; Mrs. L. P.
Van .yerden, secretary; Mrs. O. w.
Foxworthy, treasurer. They are 60
ing to make determined effort to
have the city cleaned up in good
shape and every good citizen and
property owner will cooperate with
them Remember that next Wednes-
day is the day, and you are requested
tor make a special effort to clean up
the streets and alleys adjacent to
your property on that day. Let's all
take hold in earnest, and assist the
ladies and the city council in their
.laudable effort to make Leon a spot
less town.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-17
Mysterious Disappearance.

Gilbert Johnson, well known
resident Of Davis City, has myster-
iously disappeared and his family
and friends are greatly worried over
his strange actions. Mr.. Johnson is
about Is years of age, married and
has family of six children. He is
not known to have any financial or
domestic troubles of any kind. Three
weeks ago last Thursday he was in
Leon and sold colt for S65. He
was seen at the depot ready to take
a train to return to his home at
Davis City, but he did not return
home and no one seems to have seen
him since he boarded the train in
this city. His relatives thought per-
haps he had gone to Ohio to visit
relatives, but letters from there say
they know nothing about him. He is
a brother of Geo. ". Johnson, Of
Leon, and he is using every means to
locate him. Should this item be
read by any one who knows of his
whereabouts, they will confer a favor
by addressing Mr.. Johnson or The
Reporter Office.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-17
Pruning and Spraying Special.

The pruning and spraying special
from the extension department of
the state agricultural college at
Ames, which was to be at Leon last
Friday afternoon, was delayed in
getting here FROM Mt. Ayr, and did
not reach Leon until O'Clock, SO
that it was too late to hold the DEM
Sonstration at the orchard. A meet
ing was held at the court house in
the evening, at which quite a few
were present and they heard a most
Interesting discussion by the experts
I'LL charge Of the work. It was nee
essary for the special car to leave
Leon on the early morning train
Saturday morning, but by request
Prof r.. S. Herrick remained over
and gave a practical demonstration
of pruning and trimming, fruit trees
in the Henry Bright orchard at 1873
O'Clock Saturday, and there was a
good attendance Prof. Herrick is
oughly Understands the care Of fruit
trees, and those who witnessed the
pruning and trimlng we're we'll re-
paid for their trouble in attending.
Prof. Herrick highly complimented
Mr.. Bright on his fine orchard and
said it was the best orchard he had
worked in on the entire trip. Mr..
Bright has cared for his orchard and
it is making him money, but he says
the information he received from the
demonstration was worth good
deal of money to him. 1t is probable
that Prof. Herrick will return to
Leon this fall and give demonstra-
ton on how to pick and pack apples.
Iowa can not be beat by any state
in the union in raising fruit if the
people will give their fruit trees the
same care and attention that they
give other crops.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-17
NlOHet.

King Landphair, James Waffle,
Misses Georgia Waffle and Irene Nc
Williams called on Inez Ader Satur-
day night.
School commenced at the Moffet
school house Monday. ill.,. s
Jessie and Georgia Waffle called
on Mrs. Kate Brown Sunday.
King Landphair and Irene McWll-
liams went to Leon Sunday. ,.-
Mr.. and Mrs. S. E. Ader visited
Sunday at r. r. Ader's.
Mr.. and Mrs Clell Hill visited at.
c. J. Hills Sunday. ..-..
Mr.. and Mrs Okley Vaughn visit
ed Saturday night and Sunday at w.,
J. Hills.
Chas. Waffle and son Jim traded
at Pleasanton Saturday. g..
Mr.. and Mrs. John Minor visited
at Ed Stills Sunday. H..
Miss Nita Vandel called on Ross
Brown Sunday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Williams CALI
ed on Mrs Kate Brown Sunday ev-
ening E
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-17
A Special Session of the Court.

There was a special session of the
district court held in Leon Monday
afternoon, with Judge Maxwell pre-
siding, the session being held to make
disposition of several juvenile court
cases.
The court, made an order that Eva
Sparks, of Garden Grove, be sent
to the Benedict Home at Ft. Dodge,
and she was taken there on Tuesday
by Mrs. F. L. LOrey.
There was also a hearing held in
the case of the six children OF Col.
Henry Sipes, it being charged that
they were neglected. After hearing
the evidence and the protest of the
mother against having her children
taken from her the court ordered
that four of the children, Dizzy,
Charles, Luella and Maud, be placed
with the American Home Finding
place them in good homes, and they
were taken to Ottumwa the same ev-
ening The court allowed the moth
er to keep her youngest daughter,
three years of age, and also dimissed
the cast against Augustus, the eldest
son, who was allowed to remain with
his mother to assist her in her sup
port.
A hearing was also had in the case
of Col. Henry Sipes, an information
being filed charging him with being
an inebriate and he was sentenced
to three years at Knoxville, sentence
being suspended so long as he re-
Trains from the use of llquor.
Before adjourning court memoir
ial hour was spent in memory of the
late Judge J. w. Harvey, the men,
bers of the bar and Judge Maxwell
making short remarks testifying to
their esteem for the memory of their
fellow barrister, and copy of the
resolutions of respect adopted by the
bar was ordered spread on the per-
manent records of the court.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-17
DAVIS CITY CONTEST
Fifth Annual County High School
DeCIamatOry Contest at Davis
City on Friday Evening.

The Fifth Annual Contest OF the
Decatur County High School Declam-
atory Association will be held at the
opera house and M. E. church In
Davis City on Friday evening of this
week. The purpose of the assocla-
ton is to foster and encourage pub
lie speaking in the county high
schools. Six gold medals will be
awarded, three first and three for
second place, in the three classes,
oratorical, humorous and dramatic.
There are eleven contestants in the
contest this year, the following being
the program:
Piano Duet-American Girls March
Una McClaran and Leah Teale
ORATORICAL CLASS.
How the Declaration was Signed
Edmund Blair, Van Vert.
The New South" .........
Paul Jordan, Garden Grove.
Piano Solo. .Clella McClaran
HUMOROUS CLASS.
"a Case of Fits. ..........
Robert Beardsley, Leon.
"Millie Leaves the Church. ......
Blanche Monroe, Garden Grove.
The Ruggles' Preparation for
Christmas Dinner"
Dorcas Manchester, Davis City
:An Afternoon in a Hotel. .......
Gladys Teale, Lamont.
TlduO Duet. 49,. =. - -
Celia McClaran-Edna Dutton
DRAMATIC CLASS.
1.-The Arena Scene. .............-
Coral Binning, Grand River.
1.-The Lost Word. -.
Clara Thompson, Weldon.
THE Honor of the Woods
Jessie Caldow, Decatur.
1.-The Going of The White Swan. -.
Robert Rauch, Lamont.
"A Love Story of Old Madrid'
LYDIA Stephens, Leon.
Voval Solo $3.50. helen Wajles
Judges decision and awarding OF
medals. ...
The judges are Rev. R. Burton
Sheppard, Humeston; Rev. l.. B. Car
penter, Osceola; Miss Vesta Gala
mar, Osceola. Ir 4,
After paying the necessary ex-
penses, any surplus will be divided
among the competing schools.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-17
Miss Georgia Post Ala,1ied.

Judge and Mrs. A. NJ. Post have
issued cards announcing the we'd
ding of their daughter, Miss Georgia
Sang Post to DR.. Claude R. G. For
roster, at the Church of the Angels
in Los Angeles, California, oE April
5th. The bride is we'll known in this
city. having visited here on numer-
Gus occasions at the home of her
aunt, Mrs. H. r. Layton. The groom
is practicing physician of Chicago,
and the happy couple will be at
home at 1886 north Shore Drive,
Chicago, Ill.,, after May 18th. The
many friends of the bride in this
city extend congratulations and we'll
wishes. +.. -
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-17
Decatur County Improved Live Stock
Breeders Association.

The Decatur County Improved
Stock Breeders Association held
their annual meeting at Leon,
March lst. Owing to bad weather
the attendance was not large. The
same officers We're elected for an
other year except J. V. Arney, hav-
ing moved to Des Moines, resigned
as member of association. l.. A.
Durreii was elected to take Mr..
Arneys place on executive commit
tee. VIM. Lester Leady, of Garden
Grove, told in a very interesting way
how he grew over 80 bushels of
Early Champion oats per acre free
from smut. 1t is surprising why
farmers will go on sowing smutty
oats when it can be avoided at so
small cost. The pleasure of having
clean straw stack to work on is
saying nothing about extra yield.
The subject for the next meeting
will be alfalfa growing. There will
be premiums given for best samples
of alfalfa not less than four inches
in diameter, $1.U0 for first, rs cents
for second, so cents for third, 25
cents for fourth, each one making
an exhibit, tell how the alfalfa was
grown, Wueluel luOCuldlSA u lAOI,
when sown, whether with a nurse
crop or without and any items on
alfalfa growing Several local men
that are growing alfalfa have con-
sented to give their experience with
this new crop. The growing of alf-
AHA may not fit in with regular
crop rotation. We believe it has a
place on every corn belt farm, from
the fact that it helps to balance the
rotation when feeding corn. Hogs
have made the cheapest gains on
corn and alfalfa pasture in so far
as the various forage crops have
been tested to GATE.
The Farmers and Traders State
Bank, will duplicate the prizes of
the association, 81 for first; IS cents
for second; SO cents for third; 25
cents for fourth.
The Exchange National Bank, Of
.I.eon, will give S for first, rs cents
for second, SO cents tor third, 25
cents for fourth.
We want everybody to boost for
alfalfa day Saturday, June Z, and
see what we can learn about grow
ing alfalfa.
q Cot+or;1l Coo
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-17

The Leon papers are boosting for
Leon and the Commercial Club has
taken up the question of paving. II is
true that paving works hardships on
many property owners, but it is the
only way to get in the progression
band wagon and the county seats OF
Iowa are nearly all in this class.
Try it on your square and principal
streets and the next year will see
more paving go in. tits a contagious
affair. Centerville is enjoying her
miles OF paving and there are very
few III fanysproperty owners here who
would 20 back to the time OF pave
lesa streets Centerville Citizen.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-17
Auto Owners Will be Prosecuted.

County attorney Sharp has receiv-
ed from the secretary OF state list
of auto and motorcycle owners in
Decatur county who had state Ii
censes last year, but have failed to
renew them this year, there being
40 autos and l8 motorcycle owners
who have not paid the state license,
and the county attorney is notified
to proceed against all parties who
have not complied with the law. Sec
ton 16 of Chapter ~ provides that
parties who fail to take out state
licenses each year are subject to a
fine of not to exceed $50. The coun-.
ty attorney does not want to prose-
cute any one if it can be avoided, !,
but will be compelled to unless the
delinquents secure their licenses at
once. ,;., III
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-17
The Leon Cemetery Association.

In view of the fact that we now
have an organization know as the
Leon Cemetery Association lncor-
porated under the laws of the State
of Iowa, thereby establishing body
that will be perpetual and one that
is legalized to accept funds, bequeSts,
devises, gifts, etc. from those who
may desire to make such, and, by
this means secure a fund which will
enable us not only to give personal
attention to every lot in the Leon
cemetery, but to improve, beautlfy
and add thereto, we write you this
letter knowing that you have lot
and a personal interest therein and
will want to have a membership with
us. ,
Anyone may become member ny
paying a membership fee of 81 and
their annual dues thereafter of 81
payable on or before May 1st, of
each year.
And to those who desire to make
gifts during their life time, or a
devise or bequest in their Will of
either personal or real estate, this
association will act as trustee there
for and use the same as directed.
We earnestly solicit your cooper
alton in this work and trust you will
become a member of our association
and help us with this matter in what
ever way you feel justified. Let us
hear from you at once, and obllge
Yours truly,
Eva Rhea, Secretary.
Fill out the coupon hereto attach
ed and enclose it with $1.OO and
send direct to secretary and then be-
come a member of the Leon Gene
terry Association.
COUPON.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-17
The Dayton Flood.

The first moving pictures of the
Dayton, Ohio, flood will be shown at
the Idle Hour theatre this (Thurs-
day. afternoon and night The Day
ton food was one of the most de-
structive in the history of the nation.
Millions of dollars of property was
destroyed, many drowned and thous-
ands rendered homeless. 4 special
matinee will be given in order that
those who cannot be out at night will
have an opportunity to see this great
feature. The matinee will start
promptly at o'clock this afternoon.
Three shows will be given this ev-
ening at the usual hours. Usual
prices of admission.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-17
Grocery Changes Hands Again.

The VanNostrand grocery which
was purchased by Roy McAllister, of
Weldon, has again changed hands,
being sold last Thursday by Mr..
McAllister to S. Levinson, of Des
Moines, the sale being negotiated
by R. w. Braden, who also sold the
stock to Mr.. McAlister. Some Des
Moines property was taken on the
deal, MIR. Levinson paying the bal
ance in cash, and he is now in pos
session of the store and is advertis-
ing special low prices in this issue
of The Reporter. He expects to close
the stock out and will make cut
prices in order to move it quick.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-17
Fairview.

Miss Isabel Hastings returned
Friday after a two months visit
with relatives at williamsburg.
Cedar Rapids, Davenport and VIM
ona, Illinois.
Archie Foltz met with quite a
painful accident Friday, by falling
upon a rusty nail and it striking in
the knee. 1t was very painful but
he is getting along as nicely as could
be expected.
There have been new seats in
stalled in the school house at Fair
view which makes great improve
ment. ..
Miss Pearl Machlan is visiting her
sister, Mrs. Gillham Gardner, near
Van Vert. .1,a
Epworth League will be reorganiz->
ed here next Sunday evening. You
are requested to be present,
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-17
Leon Opera House, Thursday Even
ing, April Gath.

Mt. Ayr-The entertainment given
in the Methodist church Saturday
evening by the Simpson College Glee
Club was attended by large and
,appreciative audience, whose hearty
applause was evidence of it's appre-
citation of the program rendered.
They are all excellent singers and
show that their training in voice
culture has been under a competent
instructor They will be warmly
greeted whenever they see proper to
return to Mt. Ayr in the future. At
Leon opera house, Thursday. even
ing, april Gath. Tickets 25 and Csc.
School children 15c.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-17

Clint Strong, an old Decatur coun-
ty boy, who went to Clinton, OKLA
homa, some years ago, where he
made a fortune in railroad opera
tions, building a, railroad of which
he is president, was recently granted
a franchise to build and operate a
street railway in the town Of Cush-
ing, Oklahoma, extending as an in
terurban to the big oil fields in that
vicinity. 1t is big undertaking and
Mr.. Strong has a number of capital
lists associated with him in the en-
terprise. His many friends in Deca-
tur county will be pleased to hear of
his success. ..... @
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-17
Poland View.

Those who spent Sunday with
;Vadie Carlton, Maud McCarl and
son, Lloyd, Everett Woodland, Pearl
South and son Raymond and Letha
Pray, Florence South, of DeKalb, 3
Willie Warrick and family spent
Sunday with her brother, George
Poland
Charley South and Dick McCarl
called on Will Branaman Sunday.
John West and family spent Sun
day at Albert Brammer's.
Those who spent Sunday at Char
ley South's were Eli Carlton and
wife, Dick Pray and family, Dick
McCarl and family and A. p. w Wood-
ard. WI
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-17
Received First Installment of State
Auto Tax.

County treasurer w. C. Cozad on
Saturday received a draft for $3,-
1880 as the first installment of De-
catur county's share of the state
auto tax. Last year Che first install
ment amounted to $2,33S.67, the in
crease this year being $1,146.93,
which will be quite an addition to
the amount to be expended on perma-
nent road improvement And this
money should all be expended this
spring so that the people may have
the benefit of the improved roads.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-17
Settled in Full.

i have this day received draft
from Pease & Pease, of Leon, local
agents of the Farmers Insurance
Co., of Cedar Rapids, for $4,000, the
full amount OF the policy carried
in this company on my house and
contents which were destroyed by
fire a few weeks ago. cannot
speak too highly of this company and
their local agents for the prompt
and satisfactory manner in which
they settled my loss in full, without
any .quibbling or cutting. 1t will
certainly pay any property owner to
carry his insurance in this company
for they act on the square with the
policy holder in case of loss,
D. F. LONG.
Leon. Iowa. April Is. 1913.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-17
Prof. Howell Returns to Davis City
@#s Schools.

Prof. J. NJ. Howell, who has been
superintendent of the Weldon schools
the past two years, has decided to
return to his old home at Davis City,
and has been elected as superintend-
ent of the Davis City schools for the
coming year. He has had charge of.
the Davis City schools almost con-
tinuously for more than quarter of
a century and the patrons and pupils
are delighted to have him again in
charge of their schools.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-17
GAINESVILLE Burglars Taken to St. Joe.

The three GAINESVILLE burglars who
were arrested in this city and held
for several days while requisition
was, being secured to take them to
Bethany, Mo-, had to be transferred
by the sheriff of Harrison county,
Mo-, to the Jail at St. Joe for safe
keeping. They made two attempts
to escape from Jail which were near
ly successful and the sheriff was
afraid that if they remained in the
Bethany Jail they would tear up ev-
erything in it, SO he took them to
St. Joe for safe keeping.