davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
The CIIYS FINANCES.
Annual Financial Statement Shows
it Takes q Lot of Money to
Run the City for a Year.

On page two of this issue will be
found the tabulated financial report
of the City of Leon for the year end
ing April /, 1916. 1t is the first
statement which has been published
Tor several years, although the law
requires it to be published at the
close of each fiscal year. The report
contains some interesting things, and
citizens will do we'll to study it care
fully. The report shows that total
of S16,933.4O was collected in taxes.
OF this sum the largest part, $5,o77.-
3S was for the payment of municipal
bonds. For corporation purposes the
tax was $3,O72.S0, cemetery $279.92,
park $60O.O5, electric light $1,592.-
IS, library $64S.69, sewer fund ST.
30S9S, water works S 1,592.16, sew
,er outlet $377.01, improvements
$1,1t7.OS, road $S39.39, grading
$377.76. The report shows there are
$4,000 worth of city bonds out
standing, but there is on hand in the
bond fund S7,294.SO. There are also
outstanding warrants amounting to
$6,779.55, and city sewer certificates
outstanding in the sum OF $19,6OO.
Study this report carefully and you
can inform yourself just how the
finances of the city stand. The report
also shows that the revenue from the
city waterworks during the year
amounted to $3,176.62.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
Auto Killed a Horse.

Last Saturday afternoon about
three o'clock an auto containing four
men which was enroute from Donnel-
son, Iowa, to Brush, Colorado, struck
a horse few miles east of Leon, and
the animal sustained a broken leg
and other injuries so that it was
necessary to kill it. The auto was
owned by man living at Brush, and
the others were going there with him
to look at some land. On account Of
the mud they were running slowly,
when they met a couple OF boys on
horseback, who were galloping their
horses along at pretty lively rate.
Just as they met the car the horse
ridden by Raymond Mullin, son of
Joe Mullin, who lives a few miles
east of Leon, jumped right in front of
the car. Raymond was thrown clear
over the car and was not injured,
but the car caught the horse and
dragged it a short distance. The car
was only slightly damaged, a broken
lamp and bent tenders constituting
the damage, and the men proceeded
on their journey the following day.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO
Items Taken from the Files of The
Reporter Published a Quarter
of q Century 400.

Mr.. and Mrs. G. M. Ketcham are
rejoicing over the arrival Of son at
their home last Monday morning.
But one marriage license has been
issued the past week, that being to
George McGahuey 80 and Miss Ada
Bryant 16.
A United States post office inspec-
tor has been Investigating an alleged
fraud against the government. 1t is
claimed that John G.. Newton, the
owner of the Des Moines & Gaines
Vile railroad, shipped a large guam
tity of worthless mail to various sta
tions on his line of road, and arrang-
ed with the party to whom they were
addressed to renal them to other
points. The contract for carrying
mails was about to expire and it is
claimed Newton was padding the
mails carried over his railroad in Or
der to secure large sums from the
government for carrying the mails
for period of years.
Billy Ellis went to Des Moines to
take course of treatment at the
Kelley Institute.
A serious mad dog scare is excit-
ing the residents of Lamont and vi
cinity. A shepherd dog belonging to
J. R. Smith went mad and bit num-
ber of dogs. Two children living
west of Lamont and also son of Mr..
Smith were bitten by dogs. All have
been taken to a town near st. Joes to
have a mad stone applied, and many
are anxously awaiting the result.
The graduating exercises of the
Leon High School will be held on
May 9th. There are five graduates
this year, all young ladies, Misses
Nora B. Hamilton, LaNelle Hoffhines,
Ophie Clark, Clella Bashaw and Grace
A. Morrill,.
Mrs. S. A. Gates died at her home
in Leon on May 18th, at the age of
So years, 3 months and 16 days.
Mrs. Will Ledgerwood came down
from Charlton Monday to visit few
days with relatives in this city.
Samuel Bowman ST. is reported to
be seriously i'll at his home near Davis
City.
Billy Mills and wife, of Des Moines,
are here for few days visit with his
parents.
A large crowd attended an AL
lance meeting at Wooaland Satur-
day night, Samuel Mcdaniel being the
speaker.
The second eight wheel engine
ever run over the Charlton branch,
passed through Leon last Saturday,
and attracted considerable attention,
as it is much larger than the ordinary
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
Owen Herald Parsons.

Owen Herald Parsons was born in
High Point township, December 6,
1891, died May 16, 1916, aged "a
years, 5 months and 10 days. He
was converted and united with the
NJ. e. church at High Point in Feb
ruary, 1908. From that time until
his death he has been faithful
christian; ever ready to do any chris
ton work that he was able to do. He
was elected superintendent OF the
Sunday school three years ago and
was faithful in his duties as long as
his health permitted him to attend.
He loved the work and often express
ed his regret at not being able to at
tend Sunday school and church SER
vices. He was young man of clean
habit, industrious and possessed good
judgment. He was always kind in
his association with his friends by
whom he was highly esteemed. He
was one of our model young men and
we all were his friends. Through all
the months of his sickness he bore
his suffering with the true spirit of
christian fortitude. He expressed
himself as desiring very much to live;
but said that if God had work for him
in heaven that he could do better
than to live and serve Him here He
was willing to submit to Gods will
and was not afraid to go. tie leaves
his father, three sisters and three
brothers and many friends to mourn
his death. He will be missed in the
community, the church and especially
in his home for he was very devoted
to his father and to his brothers and
sisters. The family have the SYM
pathy of the entire community. The
funeral was conducted from the M. E.
church at High Point Wednesday,
May II at 2 o'clock. Interment in
the Woodland-Lentz cemetery west
of Woodland where his mothers body
lies. Rev. j. G. Duling, his pastor,
conducted the services.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
HutchinSOn-COder.

Sunday morning at 10 o'clock, at
the pleasant home of the brides par
ents, Miss Irene Hutchinson and
Floyd Coder were united in the
bonds of matrimony. The ceremony
took place in the presence of the i'm
mediate relatives of the bride and
groom Rev. Raoul r. Moser, pas
tor of the Methodist Episcopal
church, was the officiating clergyman.
The ring ceremony was used in pro-
nouncing them man and wife. Fol-
lowing congratulations an elaborate
wedding breakfast was served. ..
The bride was becomingly attired
in beautiful dress of light silk. She
carried brides roses and lilies of
the valley. The groom wore suit
of dark blue.
The bride is a daughter of Mr.. and
Mrs. E. L. Hutchinson. She is a
gifted and accomplished young wom-
an who has endeared herself to many
friends since making her home in
Leon. The groom is the son of MIR.
and Mrs. Frank Coder. He was born
and raised in Leon and highly es-
teemed by all who know him.
Mr.. and Mrs. Coder left on the
noon train for wedding tour of sew
eral days. They will visit St. Joe
and other points in Missouri and
Kansas. They will begin housekeep-
ing in Leon, and will be at home to
their friends after June 1st.
Mr.. and Mrs. Coder have the best
wishes of their many friends in Leon
and vicinity for their future success
and happiness.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
Heman c. Smith.
Former Leon Lady is Candidate for
County Superintendent in
Oklahoma.

Mrs. Edith Mccoy Layton, of Dar-
lington, Oklahoma, is a candidate for
the office of county suerintendent on
the democratic ticket of Canadian
county, and her many friends in this
city and county are hoping that she
may be successful. For several years
Mrs. Layton was employed as teach
er in the Leon public schools, ana
she is a mighty fine lady, and we'll
qualified for the position she is seek
ing. Her father was prominent
worker in the democratic party in
this county for many years, and we
are hoping that later in the campaign
we may be able to inform our read
ers that she has been elected
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
Decatur County May Have Exhibit at
State Fair.

Mr.. A. E. Cotterill is in receipt of
an encouraging letter from Secretary
A. R. Corey of the Iowa State Fair,
in regard to perfecting an organiza-
ton for the purpose of making a suit
able exhibit of agricultural products
raised in Decatur county at the State
Fair this year. Mr.. Cotterill is a
leading spirit in the matter. An eX-
hibit showing what Decatur county
can raise would be a mighty good
thing, and we hope the effort of Mr..
Cotterill will be successful. 1t would
give Decatur county lot of splendid
advertising for the exhibit would be
seen by many thousand people, and
the county exhibits at the State Fair
this year will be made feature.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
Decatur County Improved Stock
! Breeders Association Meeting,
Saturday, June Bird.

The subject of making county
exhibit Of agricultural products at
the Iowa State Fair IN August, will
be taken up at the next meeting of
the Decatur County Improved Stock
Breeders Association meeting on
Saturday, June 3rd, at which time an
person selected who will take charge
of the exhibits and look after the
display while at the fair.
One of the rules is that the pro-
ducts shall be collected from forty
farms in the county represented.
Therefore it will be necessary to get
as many farmers as possible to Sc
lect samples of grain and vegetables
in order to make a creditable display.
The following persons are asked to
assist in collecting the exhibits in the
different sections and report at the
meeting what they can get: C. NJ.
Kline, Weldon; E. J. Blair, Van
Vert; VIM. Sipherd, Grand River;
w. H. Campbell, Grand River; NJ. c.
rreestone, Decatur; f. A. CARRIER,
Leon; G.. c. Dye, Woodland; Henry
Perkins, Linevlle; S. P. Rogers,
Pleasanton; VIM. Asbach, Davis City;
w. T. shakespeare, Davis City; c. R.
Piercy, kellerton; NJ. J. Powers, De-
catur; l.. A. Durrel Leon. Any as
sistance from others will be appreci-
ated by the committee, as we wish to
have all of Decatur county represent
ed
The following is the committee on
organizations: Fred Woolley, Garden
Grove; VIM. Crichton, Leon; A. E.
Cotterill, Leon.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
SUES FOR $4,000 DAMAGES.
W. G. Starr. Former Leon Printer
Sues Des NIoines Property Owner.

w. c. Starr, who was for a number
of years employed as foreman of The
Reporter office, moving to Des Molnes
the first of the year, last Saturday
brought suit for 5000 against En-
ma G. Sperry, owner of building at
the southwest corner of Walnut and
West Second streets, in Des Moines,
alleging he was crippled for life
when a radiator weighing thousand
pounds fell on him on the morning
of April 1st, crushing his foot. AT the
time of the accident Mr.. Starr was
passing through a hallway on his way
to work in the office of the National
Printing Company which occupied
the second floor of the building. A
big radiator with broken leg had
been set up against the wall in the
hallway, and as Starr was passing it
fell over and caught him, breaking
the bones of his foot.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
Center Township Democratic Caucus.

At the township caucus held last
Saturday by the democrats of Center
township, the following township
ticket was nominated and will appear
on the primary ballots: trustees, NJ.
F. Springer, Frank Gittinger and
John Chastain; clerk, Ralph Ridge
way; assessor, John Dale; Justices of
the Peace, Walter Snyder and Walter
Smith; constables, Glenn jenkins and
L. E. Bright; committeeman, M. F.
Springer; delegates TO county con-
vention, Aaron Goodman, Thomas
Jackson, L. E. Bright, James Baker,
w. H. Snyder, Floyd Brown, c. w.
Hoffman, Charles Piercy, Joe Hamil-
ton, Leo Hoffman and w. T. Coons.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
Fayette Township Committeeman.

To Whom 1t May Concern, but
Especially to the Democrats of Fay
cite Township:
While grateful for the support re-
ceived at the caucus Saturday last,
when l received the nomination for
committeeman l wish herewith to re-
spectfully decline. This will make
Mr.. Frederick w. Newcomb the
nominee of the caucus as he received
the next largest number of votes. |
am glad to retire in his favor as he
was my choice and received my sup
port at the caucus. l think | was
also the first to ask him to accept the
position.
There is to my knowledge no point
that would be gained by my continu-
ing but what will be gained by his
service in that capacity. He will re-
ceive my unreserved support and l
believe, and hope, the loyal support
of every man who supported me at
the caucus. We Will thus enter the
campaign in harmony and with fair
prospect of success, an end more to
be desired than the honoring Of any
man.
In my long and intimate acquain-
tance with Mr.. Newcomb l have
found him not only an honorable
man, but a constant hard working
democrat He is worthy of your
support, and l am in position to
know that he will be acceptable to
the county, district, state and nation
al committeeman, a very necessary
thing to insure harmony and to en-
able us to contribute our part toward
the victory we hope for
This does not mean that | shall
retire or be less active. Any assist
ance that l can render Mr.. Newcomb
l am at his, command. l am for
Newcomb and for an unbroken or
ganization.
Heman G.. Smith,
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
Observed Mothers Day.

Leon, with nearly every other city
of the United States, paid homage to
mothers Sunday-Mother's Day, last
Sunday, and many wore carnations
in honor of mother, white for the
dead and red for the living.
"Mother's Day. was originated by
the late Miss Anna Jarvis of Phila-
delphia, in 1907. Miss Jarvis had in
vited a friend to spend the second
Sunday in May with her, to commem-
crate the date of her mothers birth
day.
On this date Miss Jarvis announc-
ed her plan for a national observance
of "Mother's Day The next year
Miss Jarvis propaganda had pro-
gressed so far that Philadelphia cele-
brated the day in church and home,
although Miss Jarvis, when the day
arrived, was too i'll to participate In
the celebration.
She had written thousands of let
ters to prominent men, ministers,
educators and business men. She had
said little about it, however, and her
friends who did not realize the extent
of her work were surprised at the
wide observance of the first Mothers
Day.
For Miss Jarvis had prevailed on
Senator Burkett of Nebraska to in
troduce a resolution suggesting that
the second Sunday in May be Great
ed a holiday in honor of mothers,
and although other senators derlded
Senator Burkett when he spoke on
the subject, the wires carried the
news and many newspapers editorial
ly praised the plan.
Since then governors of many
states have issued proclamations ask
ing their citizens to observe the day,
and it has become national day OF
praise to mother.
The white carnation was chosen as
the flower for Mothers Day, Miss
Jarvis said, because it grows in every
part of the country and can readily
be procured in early May.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
Rescinded Fire Limit Ordinance in
Regard to Depot.

At the regular meeting of the city
council held last Thursday evening
the council voted to rescind that
part of the fire limit ordinance apply
ing to a freight depot, which requir-
ed that such building be fire proof
structure. 1t is reported that the
railroad company will now go ahead
and erect new freight depot just
northwest of the passenger station,
and that work will be commenced on
it in the near future There has been
nothing but box car for freight
depot in this city for several years,
ever since the old freight depot was
DESTROYED by fire.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
Two Suffrage Questions.

We have heard a couple of ques-
tions in regard to the suffrage ques-
ton discussed the past few days and
we have looked up the matter and are
prepared to answer them. The first.
does it require two-thirds vote or q
majority vote to carry the PROPOSE
ton. The answer is that a majority
of the votes is all that is required.
The second was whether in case sui
frage carried the ladies would vote
at the general election this fall, anC
the answer is they will be entitled to
vote if the suffrage amendment car
ries at the primary election in June.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
Over -Four Inches of Rain.

We had over four inches of rain
the last three days of last week, to
be exact according to the government
gauge kept by Mayor Norris Gardner,
4.21 inches: From Friday evening at
6 O'Clock until Saturday evening at 6
o'clock, rainfall of 397 inches was
recorded for the twenty-four hours.
That is pretty heavy rain, and will
do world of good for pastures and
the hay crop, but it is little hard
on some of the early planted corn,
especially on the low lands
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
X. of =. Convention at COry(lon Next
Monday.

The annual Knights of Pythias
convention of the 10Th district, COM
posed of the counties of Appanoose,
Clarke, Decatur, Lucas and Wayne,
will be held at Corydon on next Mon
day, May 22nd. The Leon X. of IS
are arranging to attend the conven-
tion in large numbers, going over by
autos, arrangements having been
made so there will be cars sufficient
for all who desire to go. The cars
will leave Leon promptly at 1 o'clock,
returning after the convention is over
that evening. Arrangements are be-
ing made by the Corydon Knights Of
Pythias for fine time.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
Blanche Sweet in "StOlen Goods. "

The special Paramount feature
production of "Stolen Goods with
Blanche Sweet in the leading role,
will be the attraction at the Idle
Hour theatre on Friday evening, May
18th. The play is a perturbation of
Margaret Turnbull's emotional drama
of justice and romance, and Blanche
Sweet is supported by an unusually
strong cast, including House Peters,
popular actor. 1t is thrilling
drama with many exciting climaxes.
Matinee at 3 o'clock, first night show
at 7:15, Prices 10 and Is cents.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
Took Poison Tablets by Mistake.

Mrs. Henry Wilson had narrow
escape from death Tuesday night.
She had been suffering from very
severe headache, and after retiring
for the night got up and took what
she supposed were two headache
tablets, but by mistake she took a
couple of bichloride of mercury tab
lets, which are very poisonous. The
mistake was discovered shortly and
a physician was called and at the
time The Reporter went to press she
was getting along as we'll as could be
hoped for, although all danger from
the poison will not pass for several
days.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
Democratic Caucus in Court Room
Tonight.

The democrats of Leon will meet
in the court room tonight (Thurs-
day. at 1880, to name 22 delegates
to the county convention and to
nominate two candidates for the Of
fices of justice of the peace and two
for constables.
The Importance of this last caucus
before the primary, June 5, demands
that every Leon democrat who has
the good of his party at heart should
be on hand at 1880 sharp.
F. A. Bowman,
Frank Gardner,
J. w. Hurst, Com.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
Band Concert Was Given Tuesday
Evening.

The X. of P. band concert could
not be given last Saturday evening
on account of the rain, so it was Civ
en- on Tuesday evening of this week,
and a large crowd was out to hear
the splendid music. A feature Of the
psfogram was vocal solo by G. B.
Simpson, and chorus composed of
Forest Hagan. Frank Farquhar and
Dewey Long, and the boys had to re-
spond to a hearty encore. kemem-
ber that whenever the weather will
not permit of the band concert being
given on Saturday evening it will be
given on the following Tuesday even
ing
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
We'n Have to Write 1t In.

On account of the nomination pa
pers filed from Adams and Taylor
counties for M. H. Wilson of Seymour
for presidential elector from the 8th
district, being short one name each,
of the required number, under the
law it will be impossible to place his
name on the June primary ballot. Ar
rangements, have been made in the
different counties in the district to
have the voters to write M. H. Will.
son In the blank space left for that
purposes sa
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
See Mary Page Today.

The ninth episode of the thrilling
serial, THE Strange Case OF Mary
Page" will be shown at the Idle
Hour theatre at the regular 3 o'clock
5 cent matinee, and three shows in
the evening Some astounding de-
velopments appear in this episode.
Langdon is convinced that Mary is
guiltless. Daniels, the theatrical
manager, Dan Page, even Langdon
himself have been under suspicion.
The Accusing Eye rest upon one OF
the characters. Which one? Start
ling twists in the story furnish thrills
and throbs plenty. Don't miss the
"Accusing Eve"
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
Well Pleased With Settlements.

We have recently received settle
ments on insurance policies written
for us by Pease 4 Pease, of Leon,
covering losses by lightning and
wind, and desire to state that our
losses have been fully and satisfac-
torily settled through them, and we
are we'll pleased with the manner in
which they adjusted our losses.
C. M. Axes,
Rolla Chastain.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
Lost Il Fine stallion.

S. w. Barry, who lives few miles
east Of Leon, has had seven of his
horses sick with influenza, but all are
recovered except the fine Shire stall
lion, Eastwood Field Marshal, which
died. Mr. Barry purchased the stall
lion only a few months ago and his
death is a heavy loss to him, as he
was one of the best sallions in south
ern Iowa, and the sire of many fine
colts owned by Decatur county farm
erS.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
Decoration Day Program for Decatur
Iowa, May 30, 1916.

Meet at G. A. r. hall at 1 O'Clock
and form in line as follows:
w. r. c., Colors, Color Guard
band, G. A. R., children and citizens
march to cemetery and form about
the unknown grave.
The exercises will be as follows:
Return to NJ. E. church in same
order as marched to cemetery.
Music.
Invocation.
Reading Of orders by the adjutant
Music.
Reading Of Lincoln's Gettysburg
address.
Music, America.
Benediction.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
Thornton Has Applied for Pardon.

Andrew Thornton, of Morgan town
prisonment few years ago on his
plea of guilty to making criminal
assault on an aged lady of this coun-
ty, has made application to the state
board of parole for a pardon. The
board will take action on his case
together with number of others at
their meeting which will be held dur
ing the week beginning May 22nd,
and will report their findings to
Governor Clarke for his approval.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
Base Ball Sunday Afternoon.

The first game of the season for
the reorganized Leon city base ball
team will be played on the grounds
south of Leon Sunday afternoon,
when Osceola comes for the opening
game. A new grandstand has been
built, and the grounds are in good
shape. Everybody come out and see
a good game. ...
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-18
Against Woman Suffrage.

Miss Lucy Price will speak in Leon
Friday evening, May 26, in the court
ROOM She will tell why the women
of Iowa, with Mrs. Simon Casady of
Des Moines as a leader, have organ
lied against Woman Suffrage.
Miss Price is Vassar College
woman and Chautauqua lecturer.