Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-26
KE0sAUQUA RELIC
EXHIBIT A SUCCESS
WOMEN OF CITY HAVE INTEREST
ING DISPlAY-OLDEST AR
TlCLE BIBLE OF 1880.

! Keosauqua. March PA very in
teresting and educational exhibit o
relics at the Woman's building II
KeosauQua attracted an appreciativ'
company of observers Friday and Sat
urday. The articles on display Were
namely the utensils. furniture, clothing
and handiwork OF seventy-five or ONT
Hundred years ago, with a goodly col
lection Of more modern curios. 1t was
a very fine collection which would dc
credit to larger place.
The oldest article on exhibition was
IAN English bible printed in 1880, loan
ed by J. R. Sherman. 1t was without
{ binding and showed its great age
plainly. The long and interchange OF
of u and V and popularity of spelling
all attested that it was 2s4 years old
| The next in age among the books was
a beautiful copy in leather binding OF
| Barrow, d. D." printed in 1922. The
book is a quarto, the binding and paper
| most exquisite and in perfect condition
and the printing itself a work Of art.
This book was loaned by Rev. G. F..
Perkins, as was also a fine volume OF
the Spectator. printed in 1747. A re-
markable book loaned by Geo. ". Smith
was THE Scholars Arithmetic bound
in boards and printed in 1919. Spaces
are left for the working out Of prob
lens on each page by the student, and
the work in this particular copy was SO
beautifully done that at first glance 1t
was thought to be printed instead Of
pen and ink work Another beautiful
piece of penmanship was a surveyors
book, made by Chappell Fl. Bonner in
1903, loaned by Mrs. Mary Brown.
The oldest article Of household use
was a copper tea kettle owned by Mrs.
julia Minnich and brought by her an
cestors to this country from Germany
225 years ago. It had no seams. and
had been we'll preserved, the handle
only being replaced. A Dutch oven
griddles with legs for use in fireplace
broiler, huge copper coffee pot all used
about IS years ago attracted much at
tention The light Of other days was
represented by brass candle sticks,
candle molds with home made candles,
tin lantern with perforated sides. snuff
fers, and grease lamps, one of pottery
and one Of tin. There was a good col
lection Of tea pots. plates, cups and
other dishes varying in age from so to
100 years and even older A number of
beautiful woven coverlets, one dating
back to 1900, were greatly admired.
They were hung on the wall and used
for portieres to good advantage. The
one in most perfect condition was made
in 1888 and was loaned by Mrs. Alice
Elder.
A large spinning wheel, reel, cards.
winding blades. flax hactle and bunch
Of flax gave promise Of an exhibition
of the art Of spinning.
A collection Of ancient f1nery includ-
ed brown silk dress 10 years old made
with full skirt, worn over enormous
hoops. The dress was made entirely by
hand with beautiful stitching. 1t was
loaned ny Mrs. F. A. Pearson. With it
was worn a leghorn poke bonnet 60
years old. and fan of goose feathers
and small parasol said to be over
100 years old completed the costume
which was shown on a dress form, as
the dress was too frail to stand much
wear.
One section of the wall was devoted
to picture gallery" where many peo-
pie were surprised to see portraits of
themselves in childhood or youth,
which had been obtained surreptitiously
by the committee. The mayor Of the
town, c. l. Manning, the city marshal
Francis Johnston. John W. Rowley Of
capital extension fame, and host Of
others We're on display.
There was quite collection of
weapons and war relics, the most
unique of which was a scalping knife
loaned by Mrs. Jennie Brooks, which
according to its former owner the Ind
ian Little Feather" had killed ''sev-
eral pale-face squaws A tlint . LOCK
pistol, age unknown. but brought from
England 100 years ago by the ances-
tors Of W. H. Saunderson, was very in
terestins. The flint was still in the
lock. and brought forth sparks.
The huge iron key that locked the
door of the first Jail IN Van Buren,
county was loaned by Mr.. Houdesheldt
Side by side with 1t was displayed one
of the shackles worn by the murdered
Hougman's Hollow in 1S4S. This was
loaned by c. K. Miller.
A flag made by pioneer ladies at
Stringtown and used first on July 4.
1852 at celebration at Troy was an
relic Of patriotism loaned
by Mrs Charles Robinson. The field
contained twelve blue stars, and blue
eagle floting a. red pennant A three
inch piece Of iavendar ribbon from the
wreath sent by the Gear OF Russia to
President Mckinley's funeral, and a
picture of Lincoln formed by the shad-
ing Of letters in the decl ton OF in
written by pen were very
The armor-like shell of an
made into basket, the tail
forming the handle. led many people to
study natural history as to the nature
Of this strange animal.
Another rare and attractive exhibit
was q Russian tea machine or sam
ovar of copper. loaned by Mrs. j.
Shames. A spoon and pair Of sugar
tongs made in the reign Of Charles |
II were loaned by Mrs. Sarah Walker. |
A Columbus clock loaned by Mrs. John
Martin clicked merrily upon the wall. |
At least ewo pioneer families We're
large contributors to the exhibit. B. S. |
Ream's father and mother. came to !
Iowa In 1889 aud their household wares |
have been we'll preserved and were an
important part of the display. Joseph !
sent good collection OF
his father VIM. Schreckengost's well /
kept antiquities. Among them was a |
piece Of calico about a year square, Of !
large figure and gay colors. 100 years
Of age and in perfect condition
The exhibit was in charge of a COM |
mttee Of Methodist ladies', with Mrs. |
w NJ Walker as chairman Mrs. |