davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1915-09-30
THERE HAVE BEEN OTHERS.
The Year 1916 Brought Mild Wealth.
or in January and No Summer
Later in the Season.

There have been all sorts of COM
ments upon the summerless season in
this section of the state, and some
people believe that there is worse
coming. Some folks are always bent
upon taking the joy out of some 9TH
err fellows life. Others remind us
Of the fact, that unusual or abnormal
weather is to be expected now and
then. Thus the New Philadelphia
Tribune-Advocate says:
If weather, like history, repeats it.
self every 100 years, 1915 will be
summerless. The year 1915 follow
ed the Napoleonic wars, which stirred
all Europe and ended in the battle of
Waterloo in 1916, just as the decisive
GUM this summer. The year was
without summer or growing season
and prophets predict next year will
be like the weather of 100 years ago.
In 1916, January was so mild that
fires were used only for cooking.
There were few cool days but none
that were wintry. February also was
unusually wintry March was windy
but not cold. New England farmers
did most of their blowing in this
month. April brought promise of an
early spring, but as the days grew
longer snow storms came and ice and
snow covered the landscape. BY May
the temperature was like mid-Winter.
Buds were frozen off of trees. Ice an
inch thick formed on lakes and ponds.
Leaves dropped off Of trees, leaving
gaunt trunks that looked like bleak
December. Farmers, after replanting
their corn several times, finally gave
up in despair.
June was the coolest month of
roses ever experienced in this lati-
tude. Frost and ice were as common
as buttercups and daisies should have
been. In Vermont the snow fell to
depth of 10 inches and the remainder
Of New England, Ohio and Pennsyl-
Vania We're covered and heavy wraps
were worn. Farmers worked in nit
tens. Women knitted wooden socks.
The climax came June IT, 1916, when
binding snow fell SO deep that en-
tire flocks of sheep were marooned
and persisted.
July came in with frost and snow.
There was ice an inch thick on the
Fourth. August also was treated to
the unreasonable temperature At
Barnet, near London, there was a
snowstorm on August 3Oth.
September, however, saw this sur
prising year resume natural weather
conditions. That month and October
and November were much the same as
the ordinary autumn season. In De-
cember winter set in in approved
fashion and 1917 found things back
in their normal order.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1915-09-30
Will Build Concrete Bridge.

Material is being hauled for new
concrete bridge to be put in on the
Waubonsie Trail at the corner east of
the Charles Rhoades farm. The pres
ent bridge was put in just a few
years ago, but it is in such shape that
il will not go through the winter, as
at the base the cement is crumbling
away very badly.
This is another case of the need of
a competent engineer, as at the time
this bridge was built Decatur county
had no engineer. Those in charge did
the best they knew how, but with a
practical man to oversee it, there
would have been no necessity for hav-
ing to replace it for many years.
We have always been in favor of a
county engineer, and engineer NAL
lette's record will show that he has
saved the county money in that the
bridges he has put in will stand the
test of time and travel.-Lamoni
Chronicle.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1915-09-30
u. S.. MEAT TRUST WHIPPED AT
OWN GAME BY BRITAIN.
When High Prices Were Asked, Eng
land Bought Up Ships and Turn
ed to Australia,

London, Sept. 22.-How the Brit
ish government whipped the Ameri-
can meat packers at their own game
was related to the house of commons
today by Walter Runciman, presi-
dent of the British board of trade.
"We do not allow the American meat
trust to get all it asks for, nor the
ship owners to get all they want, y
he said.
Mr.. Runciman said that when the
British government, needing to ar
range contracts for big meat sup
ply, turned to North America and
Argentina, it found a small body of
American packers in control of the
supply on both continents. The gov
eminent was asked prices it con-
sidered excessive.
Then the government adopted a
nature, requisitioned all
the vessels engaged in carrying beef
between the Americans and England,
and sent them to Australia. There
the Australian government took con-
troll of all the beef and mutton pro-
duced in that country and loaded it
upon the ships at cost price.
Great Britain, Mr.. Runciman
pointed out, thus supplied her own
army and the French army, and had
a considerable surplus, which was
being sold for the benefit of the civil
population. The operations had been
on gigantic scale, and probably in
the course of the next twelve months
beef to the value of $250,OOO,OOO
would be bought, sold and distribut-
ed by the board of trade.
Mr.. Runciman expressed himself
as Satisfied" with the wheat out
look. 1t was anticipated, he con-
tinued, that there would be larger
crops imported by Europe from the
United States, Canada, Australia and
Argentina than for some years past.
He added the French had such conf
dence in the board of trade that they
had placed the whole business OF
supplying French meat requirements
in its hands.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1915-09-30
Union No. 1.

Mr. and Mrs. Ferd Hoffman of st.
James, Minnesota, have been visiting
the past week at the home of their
daughter, Mrs. Chas. Payton.
Little Wilma Jones who has been
visiting at the home of her uncle,
Ernest Jones, returned to her home
near Decatur City Monday.
Misses Velva and Juanita Brown of
Lamont spent Saturday night and
Sunday at the home of their aunt,
Mrs, C. r. Percy.
A large crowd attended the sale at
Chas. Payton's Thursday.
E. M. Jones was Decatur caller
Thursday.
On account of the Teachers Insti-
tute held at Leon there was no
school at Baker Thursday and Fri
day.
Lester Wion returned home Thurs
day from Leon where he has been
taking treatment at the Leon hispi-
tai.
Miss Grace Jones and Mrs. o. H.
Stanley were Lamont callers Mon
day.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1915-09-30
GRAND JURY INDICTS. WILLIAMS
FOR MURDER.
Another Bill Found in Case Dismiss
cd Without Prejudice Year Ago.

The Redding murder mystery was
again up for consideration by the
grand jury of the September term of
the district court, and after being in
session for a week the grand jury
made their report Tuesday afternoon
after the Record-News had gone to
press, Two indictments were return
ed. A bill was found against Elmer
Williams, of Redding, charged with
murder. The same evening Williams
came to Mt Ayr, entered plea of
not guilty, and gave bond in the sum
of $4,000 for appearance at the Mo-
vember term of court. BY agreement
the case was set for trial on Novem-
Der II. The other indictment has
not been made public for the reason
that the defendant is outside the
state of Iowa and has not yet been
apprehended.
The Williams murder case has been
up for consideration for more than
two years. John B. Williams disap-
peared mysteriously in March, 1913,
and about two weeks later his body
was found in the pasture on his farm
near Redding. 1t was at first thought
he had committed suicide, but the
people of the community were not
satisfied and an inquest was subse-
qquently held, the body being exhum-
ed and several days being occupied in
the hearing in justice court at Red
ding. A large number of witnesses
were examined by Assistant Attorney
General John Fletcher and County At
torney Charles F. Lewis. A transcript
of the evidence was made and this
was presented to the grand jury at
the April, 1914, term of court and as
a result an Indictment charging first
degree murder was returned against
Elmer Williams, son of John B.
Williams Some evidence which might
tend to show that Williams had been
murdered in Blockton and his body
taken to the pasture where it was
found was subsequently discovered
and as a result the case was dismiss
ed without prejudice in order to per-
nit of investigation by the Taylor
county grand jury. The evidence
said to have been discovered which
would have placed the scene of a
murder in Taylor county was evil
IDENTIFY not sufficient to warrant the
Taylor county grand jury in return
ing an Indictment. The new indict-
ment is based on testimony submitted
to the grand jury at the recent term.
Mr. Williams has employed Fuller 4
Fuller and Spence & Beard as his at
torneys.-Mt. Ayr Record-NeWs.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1915-09-30
Governor Proclaims, Friday, Oct. o,
As Fire Prevention Day.

Governor Clarke has issued proc
lamation designating Friday, Oct. 8,
as Fire Prevention Day. He re-
quests that it be observed in the
schools, in public meetings and in
such other ways as may be deemed
suitable. His proclamation follows:
"The last report of the state fire
marshal shows that in 1914, 1926
fires were reported to his office and
that they involved loss of $685.
9S5, or $16,052 per day. This does
not cover the total number Of fires or
the total loss because some officials
fail to make reports. The same re-
port shows that the damage to dwell
ings in 1914 was $1O6,S19 more than
in 1913 and that thirty-eight more
barns and fifty-seven more stores
were destroyed or damaged than in
1913 and that fifty-five factories were
damaged or destroyed The loss from
defective flues was SS4,157 more in
1914 than in 1913 and from sparks
from flues was $4,000 more. Sixty
fires were caused from defective wiz
ing in 1914 and the loss occasioned
from the careless use, handling and
storage of gasoline $131 ,127.
: II must D0 Sdlu tLIdL d very SISdI
portion of this loss is due to care
lessness or negligence and that it
ought not be so. The people ought
to give careful consideration to these
matters. In order to call their atten-
ton directly l do hereby proclaim
Friday, Oct. 9th, 1915, Fire Preven-
ton Day, and request that it be OBJ
served in the schools, in public
meetings and in such other ways as
may be deemed suitable to the end
that the people may be aroused to the
necessity of examining carefully into
the condition of furnaces, the inspec-
ton of the condition of wiring of
their homes and other buildings, the
condition of flues and roofs, the
storage Of gasoline, the deposits Of
waste and generally to the elimina-
ton of any and all conditions likely
to cause conflagration.
st is reproach that Iowa should
suffer millions of dollars of loss an
nually from fires caused by pure
negligence 1t is inexcusable that
the careful, cautious property owner
should lose his home or other build
ings because of his careless, reckless
neighbor. 1t is matter Of commune
ity interest and it is entirely worth
while that day be set apart to
arouse the people to the necessity of
reducing the danger to the minimum.
The mayors of cities and towns it is
hoped, will inaugurate cleanup and
inspection movements
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1915-09-30
DECREASE IN PENSION ROLL.
10 Per Cent of Veterans on List Died
Last Year.

Washington, Sept. 22.-Death de-
creased the governments civil war
pension roll nearly 10 per cent during
the last fiscal year, according to the
annual report of Commissioner of
Pensions Saltzgaber, made public
here today. A total of 396,370 union
veterans remained on the pay roll
July l, 1926 less than a year ago.
Payments to civil war pensioners dur
ing the year totalled $156,668,T I'll,
compared with $172,417,546 in 1914.
Available records of the pension
office show the total death toll since
the close of the war has been 1876
995. In that period the federal gov
eminent paid to veterans, their wild
ows and children $4,614,643,267.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1915-09-30
Wants Him Educated.

The Shelbine Torchlight prints a
note received by a public school
teacher there: Dear Mis-You rite
me. about whippin Sammy. l hereby
give you my permission to beat him
up any time it is necessary to learn
his lesson. He is just like his father
you have to learn him with club.
Pound nollege into him, I want him
to get it and don't pay no attention
what his father says-Tll handle
him.
A minimum yield of 500 bushels
per acre, maximum yield of 500
bushels per acre, is what the st. Ans
gar onion ranch, near Mason City, is
producing. The onions have been
dug, and the quality as we'll as the
quantity was never better. Altogether
ninety-seven acres of onions were
harvested, and from this acreage
81 900 bushels were dug, equivalent
to 134 carloads. The yield is not
only immense, but the revenue deriv-
ed would astonish even the most rad
ical California boomer. Onions are
readily selling in that locality at a
dollar bushel. This means that
the poorest land yielded an onion
valuation of $500 per acre, while the
best yielded $500 per acre, or in the
st. Ansgar district alone the onion
crop this year was worth $4,000.
Not bushel Of these onions has been
sold at the price now prevailing. They
have been stored away in curing
sheds; and when the owners think the
price is right-better than 5 a bush
ell, some may move. The Gilbertson
company is the largest raiser. They
are now getting ready for 80 acre
field, and others Of that locality are
going into the onion business more
extensively next year. The acreage
will not fall short OF two hundred
next year. AS
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1915-09-30
AUTO BUSINESS in IOWA is
AMAZING.
One-Tenth of All Cars Made Sold in
HaWkeYe State.

Iowa is the standing wonder of
the automobile business, for one car
out of every ten made last year was
sold there-50,0OO cars!',.
This is the statement of James H.
Collins, magazine writer of such
rank that he secured its publication
in the issue for Sept II of the Sat
urday Evening Post. It occurs in the
course of an exhaustive magazine ar
ticle on the automobile business.
I A year ago it was generally known
among auto men that one big auto
marketed one-tenth of
it's output in Iowa. This was thought
to be wonderful. Mr.. Collins state
ment, however, will prove surprising
even to IOWans.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1915-09-30
Gainesville Mine Will Not Close.

THE News is glad to note the steady
production and shipment or coal by
the Grand River Coal ca the corpor-
alton which recently bought the prop
erty at trustees sale. Nearly every
day including Sundays train OF coal
is shipped out to the trade in this and
other. states. Notwithstanding the
fact that Iowa has large number OF
mines within her borders very large
part of the production of the mine
here goes to that state in many
places displacing coal production in
that state, says the Gainesville News.
(, Immediately after the new corpora
ton took possession Of the mine and
began operations change was made
lin their method of production and
this gave rise to reports that the COM
. pany would in all probability close
down indefinitely after all the coal
near the shaft had been taken out
and the report was SO persistently
circulated that many of our people
began to fear that such calamity as
the Indefinite closing of the mine
might result.
One day last week the News put
the question to the local management
continuous operations were never so
bright as now. We were informed
that enough orders were now on file
to insure steady work during the win
ter and perhaps until late spring, and
that the local management had no in
tention of suspending operations.
We are sure our readers of Gaines
vile and vicinity will be glad to hear
this and know that there is no dan
ger of the mine closing down but that
1T will go right on producing the best
coal to be had anywhere in this sec
ton of the United States. They have
been working every day for several
weeks and are hosting from 500 to-
500 tons per day. The management
tells US they expect to keep this lick
up and get stronger as time goes on.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1915-09-30

When a woman has a legitimate
excuse for doing thing she often
fnrgets to do it.
The Alaska citizen., 1915-12-20

the other was not forthcoming ,h doors of the city jail would open wide and swallow him up until such time as the case would come up for hearing.
 The city council was in session at the time. and the matter was called to their attention by one of the members It is reported that they were unit in proclaiming that the prisoner should be released upon 7is own rocN~ nizancc to appear for trial at such ;me as the magistrate might set for the hearing. This sug- gestion was spurned by Justice Buckley. but one of the councilmen would be acceptable provided the prisoner went out and got the bond properly drawr up by an attorney. This proc cdur, was finally ohviateC by another of the councilmen giving his personal check as surety for the prisoners appearance In court It tie time set for trial.
 Why should a man who has a standing in the community be com ,clled to submit to these indignities :: The raas n for exacting bond in any ca.ar is for the purpose of as surfing t'ie appearance of the one hargcd. and bond Is seldom re
 
 tnown and is considered a man of his word
 The standing of MT. Cloes is second to none in the community. His word is as good as his bond any time and if the counciimen-the men who made MT. Buckley, thought enough of Mi Cloes' honor tn ad- wise his release, 1t is hardly likely that he could not afford to take a chance.
 Mr Cloes does not wear white collar constantly, although he has been seen with one on. That may nave had something to do with the decision of .Lr. Buckley. and then again it may have been the infin- nnce and advice from other sources But it was absolutely wrong. from l point of justice, and 1t Is to be hoped that the next honorable man who has the misfortune to appear before the municipal magistrate will be treated with more considera- ticn.
The Alaska citizen., 1915-12-20

in the meantime; the News Miner will have chance to spout fo. Wickersham. and there may be other favorite sons in the ring; someone will win and the balance of them will lose
 But that little scrap will be among ourselves and will not injure the future of the camp, provided the proper selection is made. and the people can be depended upon for that.
 In the meantime let the word be passed around that 1t would be more to the liking of the people of Fair banks if Marshal Erwin would carry on his political intrigues in his home town and not interfere in the work of those who are the choice of the people. And it would be well, also. to notify the newspaper asses of the town to cut out all newspaper controversy such as has been in dulged in for the past week wherein the town is the only one injured. It may be necessary to use a good hick ory club to hammer this advice into some nutmeg craniums. but it can be done if gone about rightly.
The Alaska citizen., 1915-12-20
COMMUNICATION.
iditor Alaska Citizen:

'1illSI NldHhs- SlllLtA
 The people are heartily sick of the newspaper controversy about the railroad knocking. They are th } real knockers themselves, but the people have the remedy in their own hands.
 Messages have been received here which prove that there are various agents in Washington very alert to prevent the railway work being started from here next summer Our steamboat companies are represented there. Let the public pick out winch me Erwin represents. Another one of them which has "combine" among our local small grocers haa it's chief representative there. But the people here-the consumers like to he cheated, and they tolerate 1t.
 We have suffered long and deeply for years owing to the mismanage ment of our roads and bridges, and yet neither of our daily newspapers had word to say in condemnation of Richardson or Wickersham, Praise God Rawbone Roy now praises Stubs"
 PROSPECTOR
The Alaska citizen., 1915-12-20
Phone 262 Phone
A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.
EVERY BODY SATISFIED.

The action of the Commercial club in regard to the new Tolovana trail i5 very commendable. It has dawned upoa all of the members that a surface trail is an absolute necessity. and they have gone on re cord as willing 10 assist the people of the new camp as far as possible.
 The mere fact that the people of Fairbanks have already donated 5000 toward the building of trail does not dampen the ardor of the members of the club as they figure that it will be utilized as a summer trail and will thus give us short and quick route after navigation opens.
 Just as soon as Mir Ross returns with his caterpillar and reports the amount of money necessary to reim- purse him for his outlay the com mittee appointed will get busy and solicit the funds necessary thus cut ting in with the residents of Brooks and sharing the expenses.
 If this new trail proves feasible and has the result of reducing the freight rates to the new camp. there will be a better feeling existing tween the people of both communities the general public will be satis fled because the development of the new camp will be made possible, and those who have been unalterably in favor of the Happy route from the start will have their opinions vindicated and be in position to -'y. T told you SO whi h will do them some good and won't hurt anybody else.
 Now that everything is lovely and everybody is satisfied let all unite in making Fairbanks the greatest city in Alaska
The Alaska citizen., 1915-12-20
SERVANT GREATER THAN MAS
 TER.

The Citizen took occasion last week to show wherein the municipal magistrate was in error for lining a reputable citizen an excessive sum because he personally undertook to chastise a maligner of character. From the compliments paid us dur ing the past week we are emboldened to again touch upon another phase of the question.
 When the reputable citizen in question appeared before the magis- trate in charge of the arresting oficer, he was notified that he would have to put up bond for his appearance in court next morn ing. but in the absence of a bonds man he would be released upon q cash ball of $100. If either one or
The Alaska citizen., 1915-12-20
PSALMS UP TO DATE.

The earth is the Lords, and the fullness thereof" as given in the Psalms of Holy Writ is subject to change the same as most everything else these days, and the present day writings are to the effect that The earth is the lnarshal's and everything is at his disposal"
 This latter fact was exemplified recently over in the Totatlanika coun- try.
 That country being sparsely Set tied it has fallen to the lot of the residents and freighters to estab fish places along the trail in which to house man and beast, and this they have done to the best of their ability, and all places so erected are at the disposal of all travellers with out cost.
 Deputy Marshal John Wood had some papers to serve over there within the past couple of months, and used a team of dogs as his means of conveyance. Being over taken by night he was compelled to put up at one of these places erect ed by the people of the country and made himself as comfortable as cir cumstances would permit
 Another freighter, Nelson by name, also made the same place for his nights rest, and arrived some time after the deputy marshal. When he attempted to put his tired team in the barn after an extremely hard days drive, he found that the deputy marshal had his dogs occupying the place, and what is more to the point, Mir Nelson was denied the right to put his tired team under cover for fear that they might step upon the dogs and thus injure them.
 The freight team was of necessi- ty forced to spend the night in the open. exposed to the cold. while the dogs of the marshals office o. cupied the entire space of the barn built for horses.
 Just what right the deputy mar shal had to refuse the stock of Mr Nelson the shelter to which they were entitled Is more than MT. Nelson can explain. The build ings were erected for the use of travellers on the trail, and not for the exclusive use of the marshal's 8 office. The greatest surprise to Mir Nelson, however, was the fact that he himself was allowed the privilege of occupying the same building with the deputy.