davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-07-01
Agency to Miss Marguerite Davidson to

Agency to Miss Marguerite Davidson to
whom was born two children, a son
and a daughter both dying in infancy
When the welfare of our union was
in danger, Brother Dwire volunteered
as many another brave boy did to give
his services to the flag he loved, going
with Co. F, 4th Iowa volunteer caval-
ry He was a charter member OF Win
slow post G. A. r., had served as post
commander and chaplain and at the
time Of his death, was quartermaster.
Brother Dwire was converted in the
spring Of 1872 while Rev. Allender was
pastor at Agency. He united with the
M. E. church and began an active
Christian life which he lived till the
summons came to come home. For
many years he held the Office of stew
ard. also treasurer of the official board.
The church always held large place
in his heart and thoughts. He always
attended divine service when 1t was
possible and it Is good to know that
less than twenty-four hours before he
received his discharge from this earth
ly warfare, he was enjoying fellowship
with his brethren in church service,
also calling upon his neighbors who
were sick and afflicted.
When but boy he learned the trade
of blacksmith, working at it for
many years. He also loved the farm
and made his home in the country un-
til he felt that he ought to take life
more easy. He left the farm and retir-
ed to Agency where he has enjoyed
the love and confidence Of his fellow
townsmen. His departure leaves be-
hind to mourn his loss, his wife. Mrs.
Margaret Dwire, and other relatives,
among whom are Miss Emily Davidson
of the home, a nephew and niece, Mr..
and Mrs. w. H. Wheatley and Miss
Mary Mann of Ottumwa, also c. Milton
Davidson of Kansas City, Mo-, who at
tended the funeral. Contributed.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-07-01

bakery, have closed their place Of bust
ness and returned to Muscatine.
Married, Elmer Bryan, son Of Mrs.
Emma Bryan NesHit, to Miss Lottie
Fanchea Of Oskaloosa, June Is.
M. e. Votaw has returned from an
enjoyable visit in Chicago.
Rev. Fillmore Of Harvey is visiting
the G. c. Dinsmore family and others In
Fremont. He was formerly pastor of
the NJ. e. church here and makes fire.
quent returns to visit the old home.
Mr.. and Mrs. Ray Weber are visit
ing in Oskalosa.
Miss Lcona Priest came down from
Oskaloosa to visit her parents Mr.. and
Mrs. Sam Priest.
Mr.. and Mrs. S. H. Heingman Of Os-
kaloosa are visiting Mrs. j. A. Gum.
Mrs. B. Aldridse and children are
spending vacation with Mr. and Mrs.
White at Ringstead, L.
Walter Springer has returned from
a business trip to Colorado.
The county supervisors were in Cedar
township recently.
w. S. Mowery Of Cedar Rapids is
visiting friends here
Mrs. Ina Allen has returned to Gear
ing. Ia. after visiting friends and rela-
tives here.
Mrs. N. McVey is sick at her home
In Fremont.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-07-01
RICHLAND.

VIM. Hawkins and wife went 10
Fairfield Saturday to visit relatives.
returning home Sunday.
field Thursday.
Alva Wagner and family, accompan-
led by DR.. r. M. Irwin and wife were
visitors near Let's with Mr.. and Mrs.
Westbrook.
Mrs. Carrie Oswald who attended the
holiness camp meeting at Oskaloosa
has returned home.
LinneEs McCracken who is taking
collegiate course in an eastern college
is spending his vacation near Woolson.
Mrs Jake I.emley. an aged lady liy-
in. six miles northwest Of this city
who died Thursday, was brought here
for burial Saturday in Highland ceme-
terry.
Mrs A. F. Bridger entertained COM
pany Of ladies ut a Kensington tea on
Saturday afternoon in honor OF her
daughter Sidmore who has been guest
for q couple Of weeks.
Miss Letha Hutchins the only daugh-
ter Of Mr.. and Mrs Jolic Hutchins OF
this city was married Saturday in Fair
field to Joseph Gasner of Wisconsin.
Mr. and Mrs. Hutctlins and Miss Alex
ander accompanied them and, witnessed
TITO ceremony The contracting parties
are highly esteemed and have many
friends who wish for them happy flu
ture. They will move on farm east OF
town this fall.
Ralph Gerard and wife who came
here a few months ago to conduct
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-07-01
State Regulation of Insurance Rates
and Rating Bureaus

1 law the second named method will be
employed and the state insurance COM
missioner given the regulation and
rates.
Those county and state mutual asso-
Citations which do not write mercantile
risks are not affected by the rating
feature of the law, but in all other re-
! spects the law Is applicable to them.
The law prohibits any deviation by
agents from the rates as filed with the
insurance department. Companies are
not required, however, to charge and
collect bureau rates, and comptition Is
not restricted, in that any company Is
allowed to file a variation from their
schedule on fifteen days notice, provid.
ing the same rate shall apply to all
risks Of like kind and hazard, thus pre-
venting the influential property owner
securing concessions in rate or by re-
bates not allowed the general public.
The application Of this law may
cause some friction and misunder.
standing until its conditions are fully
understood. While it will mean re.
duction in the rates on some property,
It will undoubtedly increase the cost to
those who have heretofore benefited
through favoritism and rebates. Put
an equitable division of the concessions
heretofore allowed, and proper credits
for improved construction and fire pro-
lection, will mean reduction in the
general cost of insurance.
No one would return to the outlawed
system of preferential rates for trans
portati0n. No one now regards it iegit.
innate to take rebate or pass or frank.
The old methods of favoritism in trans
portation are outlaWed forever, and
will never again be tolerated by the
public A similar evolution in the re-
laticnship of the state to the insurance
business is now in progress, and bene-
fetal results have already been realiz.
ed in some of the states.
The law will encourage thee orrec-
ton of defects of construction and the
cleaning up of premises, securing to
the owner credit in his rate, thereby
placing premium upon precautionary
methods in connection with the Gus
business. 1t will cause more thorough
inspection OF risks and result In cut
ting down OF the fire waste. Lower
rates for fire insurance can only be
guaranteed by lessening the losses
The motives of the commissioners !
who have recommended this legisla- |
ton in the several states, we're to place |
fire insurance upon an economic basis
the rate would correctly re-
fleet the loss experience, construction
and occupancy hazard. 1t was expect
ed that rates might be equalized as !,
nearly as the degree of hazard will |
permit and all policy-holders treated |
alike.
The new law is such long step to-
ward equitable conditions for both The
and cooperation should assist in its
successful operation
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-07-01
BUSY LOOKING UP !.
LIFE Of CONVICT
STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
is INVESTIGATING HISTORY
OF PRISONER.

Fort Madison, June 30.-The depart
ment Of labor at Washington is inter
ested in the citizenship of one, Max
Seligman, alias Lawrence Rosewald.
who claims to be an American citizen
of German descent. Seligman at the
present time is an inmate in the King
sion pen1tentiary at Kingston, Ont,
and his return to the United States is
being sought by the Canadian officials.
AS preliminary to such return the
United States department OF labor
wishes to be satisfied of his right to
come to the United States and has
written to the Fort Madison prison for
data.
Seligman claimed to the Canadian
officials that he went to Des Moines
In the neighborhood of 1900 or 1901.
where he was arrested, convicted and
sentenced to the Fort Madison prison
on a charge Of false pretenses and
fraud. He says that when released
from the Iowa penitentiary he went
direct to Canada, the date Of his ar
rival there being given as May, 1908.
The records at Fort Madison prison
show that he was discharged on Dec.
%, 1907, after having served five years
for obtaining money under false pre-
lenses, having been sentenced from
Des Moines.
Seligman was an insurance man of
exceptional ability. He was regarded
at the prison as being an Intelligent
man, keen witted and quick
The belief is entertained that if it
could be proved that he was not an
American citizen. the United States
would resist his return to this country.
When entering the Fort Madison pris.
on in 1905 he gave the place of his
birth as San Francisco.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-07-01

After July 4, when the new law reg
ulating fire insurance rates is effec.
tive. it will be illegal for agents to re-
bate premiums charged, or discrimin.
ate in rates between individual risks
Of same class and hazard.
The law requires insurance compan-
les to apply the rates and schedules
filed with the state insurance depart
ment by rating bureaus which survey
risks, and base same upon construction
and occupancy. Property owners may
secure copy of the survey Of their
buildings by application to rating bu-
reaus, and are thus enabled to remedy
defects in construction, reduce the haz-
ard and know exactly the reduction
that will be allowed in the insurance
rate. In event the rate finally fixed
by the rating bureau Is considered dis
criminatory or unjust, the law provides
for an appeal to the insurance depart
ment Of the state, which Is authorized
to investigate same and fix rate
which Is not discriminatory or unjust,
said action being subject to court ap-
peal by either party interested.
The new statute was recommended
by the national convention of insurance
commissioners, which spent several
years investigating fire insurance con-
ditions throughout the country. Sim
liar laws were enacted in Minnesota,
Missouri, Oklahoma, Michigan, North
Carolina and washington and Kansas
and Kentucky have heretofore regulat
ed fire insurance rates.
The question Of state supervision of
fire insurance rate making Is simplif1ed
by the recent decision of the United
States supreme court in the Kansas
case, holding that "the business Of fire
insurance Is so far affected with pub.
lie interest as to justify legislative reg
ulation Of its rates." This Is one of
the most far reaching decisions Of re-
cent years and marks the era when
rate making. The effect of this deci.
sion clearly Is to place fire insurance
rates upon the same basis as the rates
of the railroads, telephone, gas, cleo
trio light, and other public utility com.
panies.
The problem of an equitable appor-
tionment Of the necessary contribu-
lions Of those who join together in pay
ment of fire losses has long perplexed
the insurance world and vexed the in
surfing public. Public sentiment has
changed from regarding fire insurance
as wager on the part of the owner
that it would burn, to the recognition
of the fact that the fire premiums
merely constitute a common fund for
the payment of losses. From the lat
ter point of view any discrimination in
the common contributions to be made
to such fund is necessarily unjust.
Insurance rates must be made CD
by companies, without regard to occu-
pancy hazard, physical defects or loss
or (2) by rating bureaus
which survey the risks and take INTO
the elements above nam
ed, or 60 by the state. Under the new
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-07-01
v. ?. PRESBYTERIAN
OLDEST IN IOWA.
18TH ANNIVERSARY OF HISTORIC
STRUCTURE CELEBRATED IN
FITTING MANNER.

West Point, June 3o.-What has per-
haps been one of the most pleasant
and historical events in church history
in Iowa came to close Sunday even
ing at the Presbyterian church. 1t
was the close of the three days cele-
hration of the seventh-eighth annlvers-
airy of the church.
This church bears the distinction OF
being the oldest Presbyterian church
in the state of Iowa, having been or.
ganized June "a, 1887. The original
membership of the church were VIM.
Patterson and wife Eleanor, Alexander
II Walker and wife Isabella, Ambrose
stone and wife Catherine, David Walk
ar and wife Nancy, Cyrus Poage and
wife Mary. Of the original members
CYRUS Poage who was a surveyor,
moved to Missouri few years later.
ISABELLA and Nancy Walker died while
members of the church, William Pat
terson and wife moved to Keokuk
where they spent the remainder OF
their lives. David Walker who died In
1879 was the last one OF stne Original
members left at West Point.
The first year of the organlzatlon 20, VI
the church, services were held at the
home of William Patterson IN a log
cabin just south of town where w: n.
De Lashmitt now lives. me nrs'
church building was small orlck
structure 2Ox4O and was built in 1888.
This was the first brick structure built
in Iowa. This building was IN use
until 1850 or 1851, when the MEMBER
ship had grown to 1875. The services
were then held in the old college build
Ing in the park The present build
Ing was erected during the passionate
Of DR.. George Stewart during the years
az 1860 and 1861. J. G. Mitchell who
h atill 4 resident of West Point, built
the church. From this humble begin
Ming with little band of eleven con-
secrated men and women Presbyter'
ianism has spread until today there are
"a. 600 commandments of that faith IN
iowa. Another enjoyable feature OF
the celebration was the presence OF
Mrs. Harry Schroeder Of Washington,
Who Is the granddaughter of Rev Sal
mon Cowles, who was minister OF this
church four different times, having
seryed in all eleven years. HIS hrst
ministry began in the year 1S41.
Another guest was Mrs. M. Stark
v.ather of Keokuk, a lady Of 70 years,
who was the first child baptized In
the church. She Is the daughter OF
william patterson, one Of the founders
Of the church and who was the first
presbyterian elder in this territory.
Mr.. Stewart of Fort Madison, was
.lao present and gave some interesting
historv of the early history OF the
chTrch. Her husband, the late Or.
stewart was the beloved pastor OF the
church for four years beginning In the
war 1860. Altogether West Point will
not soon forget this pleasant occasion.
William Patterson, mentioned in the
.hove article, was the grandfather OF
Mrs w. r. Wilkinson of this city, and
Mrs Margaret Starkweather OF keo-
kuk, Is her aunt. .,...
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-07-01
Mershon, when arrangements for her
to take charge Of the big, untidy kept
home had been made.

Mershon, when arrangements for her
to take charge of the big, untidy kept
home had been made.
"No, have not" Diana assured her
frankly. my brother =" she glanced
over at Jack, who was trying his best
not to stare at the new recruit, re-
quires real home. He had bad fall
from his horse some time ago and it
has left him not perfectly strong. We
business women seem unable to be in
two places at once, and l must attend
to the work here - it is my duty, you
know, since I am capable of helping
the country. If you can transform the
four walls of this house into real
home for my brother and me believe
you will be doing as great good for
the country as any business woman
could do"
~ feel sure I can do that" Della
agreed shyly but with look of con-
fidence in her earnest eyes:
A month later Jack and Diana Mer-
shon found themselves lingering over
breakfast and leaving the headquar-
tiers of the war service corps half
hour earlier than had been their wont.
Home was no longer a misnomer as
applied to their reconstructed house
hold. Without an apparent hitch In
the domestic machinery, Jack and d.
ana shifted the heavy yoke of respon-
sibility and went about their daily
tasks free and reinvigorated. The SER
wants, too, seemed willing to do their
share and to become living part of
the household instead of automatons.
Gradually the four walls Of the Mer.
shon house became home indeed, and
Della was directly responsible for the
metamorphosis. She had been given
the opportunity to exercise her one tai
ent and she had succeeded even be-
yond her expectation.
She was happy too, and more than
consoled for all that had happened.
Even with George Craven, she told
herself, she could never have been so
happy as she was now with Diana Mer.
shon and her brother Jack.
How shall we ever do without herr"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-07-01

Governor Clark has appointed Rev
G. s. Cooper a delegate to the temper
ence convention to be held In Des
Moines in July.
Orvil Harsh was arrested for speed
Ing through Agency and was hned ten
dollars and costs. He refused to pay
and taken to the county jail to work 1t
out.
besides the regular delegates attend
ING the Epworth league convention at
Abba last week the following were
there: Mr.. and Mrs. James Connolly
and son William, the Misses Gale Jones,
RUBY Mccoy and Edith Jones.
Mrs. Chas. Avery attended the Sun
day school convention in Des Moines
last week.
Mr.. and Mrs. w. H. Halter spent
Sunday in Oskaloosa:,
Chef Reynolds and Ross Lannlng
were In Burlington Sunday.
Miss Diller Reynolds who is a nurse
in the hospital at Monmouth, H., is
here visiting her parents Mr.. and Mrs.
w. r. Reynolds.
Mrs. Al Warren has returned from
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-07-01

the DAVIS correspondence. Had Jack
Mershon possessed half of the robust
supply of health with which his hand
some sister was endowed, he would
have been in the continental trenches
with his comrades.
There is a girl after your own
heart, Jack" laughed Diana. Diana
Mershon was an avowed suffragette,
successful organizer, and she coula
make a telling speech before multi
tude of people, but knew she would be
a failure as home maker.
Jack smiled a tribe wistfully and
n;cked nm the dainty little letter.
Hon. Secretary, Dear Madam, ne
read, II am one OF the OLD fasnloheo'
ultra-femintne type of girls. IS tnere
anything you could suggest my oolnS
to help the government war service
I can do absolutely nothing except
keep house, since have been per1ectiy
trained for that purpose. l came "
London expecting to be married ana al
nv training has been toward that emo.
MY engagement, however, mas peen
broken and now l am free to occupy
nv time in business, If there Is any
openine for one so stupidity brought up
az T have been. My position 10 such
that domestic service is precluded IS
there a chance of any kind for me 70
do even a small portion Of good IN THIS
striving world? Please do help me-
if YOU can. would be glad to keep
house for some OF you fortunate Wo
men who are out in the busy worio'
that 7 can do. Very sincerely, Della
Thorne. t..,
Diana Mershon wondered, as her
brother read this letter, II the tnoush.
It had inspired in her own mlna woulu
be suggested to him also. Wnen he
looked up she knew that 1t mad
"Bully ideal" he exclaimed, as II VI
ana had already voiced her decision.
eve both need an intelligent person
70 take our household in charge, don't
we, Di"
She smiled bit wistfully as she
gazed at her brother.
"Poor old Jack, know | have made
rather a mess Of homemak1ng. De-
liza Thorne car make an orderly nome
tor us she will be doing her part IN the
Woman's Emergency Corps. | want q
real home as much as you, but don't
seem to know just how to manage u:
"You can do everything else so Well
III" he said fondly. Here you are
about to help another poor soul VINO IS
Wondering about in the world. by
love. you're a brick" Jack Mershon
never quite knew whether 1t was ad'
miration for his sister or relief IN TIE
prospect of having an old fashioned
woman in his household that drew
forth his enthusiasm on this occasion.
He cared not particle whether De-
la Thorne's nose was aquiline or Gre
clan. or whether her hair was sunset
gold or dusky black 80 long as she was
nossessed Of no business acumen or
ability for stump speaking. All ne
wanted was woman who could attend
70 the household affairs as his mother
had done and make home place ne
longed to get back to in the evening
and hated to leave in the morning.
When Della arrived at the head guar
ters Of the corps in answer to Diana
Mershon's letter, she felt strangely
elated. She had hungered SO long to
he Of some service to some one that
she entered Miss Mershon's office with
q smile on her lips and song In her
heart.
Il feel that you are doing this almost
out of charity" Della said to Miss
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-07-01


For the first time in her life Della
wished she had been trained in some
kind Of business. All the women in
England seemed to be capable OF doing
some work IN the great war crisis and
all the Americans living in London
were doing their utmost to help, YET
Della Thorne could do nothing.
Even before the government war ser
vice had been started she had longed
to offer her services in some capacity
for women who could fill the positions
left vacant by those who had gone to
the front. Every business house in the
country was sadly depleted. Work OF
every description was waiting for
those capable of using their intelli
gence.
To say that Della Thorne scorned
her own uselessness in the time Of ire
mendous sacrifice and glorious endea
vor on the part of the women of her
country was putting her case mildly
Twenty thousand women have re-
gistered themselves as capable of help
ing in some capacity or another, and
can't even use typewriter intelligent.
ly or figure sufficiently well to sell rib.
bons behind counter" Della thrust
this appalling fact before her own men.
tai outlook a hundred times day. She
worked herself into fervor of resent
ment. against the system of develop
ment. or lack of development, that sur.
rounded the idle rich. For Della was
one of the idle rich.
A letter which reached the honor.
able secretary of the Women's Elmer.
gency Corps was the outcome of De-
las frantic desire to do something and
to become a part of the great strug.
Cling nation.
The honorable secretary, Miss Diana
Mershon, tossed the letter to her broth.
er, who sat working laboriously over
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-07-01

Diana said to Jack one day while they
were still at the Office. What will be-
come Of us when she leaves u.s."
There was look Of positive terror
in her eyes and her voice was decided.
ly unsteady.
Jack smiled placidly. Dear old Dr.
he said tenderly, "she will never leave
us I have already provided against
such frightful possibility. She has
promised to marry me-"