davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28
CAUSES OF IOWA FIRES

After collating and Analysing the
details of very large percentage of
all fires in Iowa. the Actuarial Bureau
of the National Board of Fire Under
writer's has ascertained the causes of
these fires, for the year 1915, with
their relative losses to have been as
follows:
Strictly Preventable Causes
Defective chimneys and fiues, $272,-
673 or GA per cent.
Fireworks, firecrackers, etc, $4,212
or OIL per cent.
Gas, natural and artificial, 32,6O5
or 0.S per cent.
Hot ashes and Goals, $13,767 or O.3
per cent.
Ignition of hot grease, oil, tar, wax,
asphalt ETC., $1,615 or 90 per cent.
Hot or molten metal, $7O4 or 90 per
cent. t..
Matches, $5S,37S or 1.3 per cent.
Open fires, $3.50 or OIL per cent.
Open lights, S19,526 or O.5 per cent.
Petroleum and it's products, $72,1S1
or 1t per cent.
Rubbish, and litter, $39,746 or 90
per cent.
Smoking (cigars. cigarettes, pipes,
etc., $220,172 or SO per cent.
Steam and hot water pipes, S42,331
or 10 per cent.
Stoves, furnaces, boilers and their
ppies, $345,352 or SO per cent.
Total, $1,123,94S or 26.5 per cent.
Partly Preventabe Causes
Electricity, $343,750 or 81 per cent
Explosions, s45, OO2 or 1.3 per cent.
Exposure, $5O2,619 or 11.9 per cent
ncendiarism, s52 ,009 or IL per cent.
Lightning, $3SO,7S1 or rs per cent.
| Miscellaneous, cause known but not
classified, $1S2,734 or 4.3 per cent.
Sparks-from fires, $112,255 or '2.7
per cent.
Sparks-from machinery, $25,729 or
0.6 per cent.
Spontaneous combustion, $309,307
or 7.3 per cent.
Total, S1,915,1S6 or ASP per cent.
Unknown Causes (probably largely
preventable), $1,204,041 or 2S.4 per
/ cent.
Iowa makes an interesting compar
ison with the neighboring states OF
Minnesota and Wisconsin in the yari
Gus causes cited.
Strictly PreventabIe Causes
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28
ADMIRAL FLETCHER

Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher, U.
S. N, whose boyhood was spent in
Oskaloosa and who is considered as
ar Oskaloosa product is the subject
of an interesting article in the first
issue of The Iowa Magazine, published
by the Greater Iowa Association of
Davenport. Under the head of Sue
ccssful Men of Whom Iowa is Proud
the following brief sketch of the
great naval leader is printed.
During those anxious days year
o. more ago, when there seemed some
probability of this country going to
war with Mexico, magnificent fleet
of American battleships and cruisers
was patroling the eastern coast of
Mexico, ready at a flash of the wire
less TO blockade all the ports OF our
neighboring republic. The rear admir-
Iowan, Frank Friday Fletcher, born in
Oskaloosa in November, 1855. Admiral
Fletcher is now member of the gem
eral naval board and with his delight
full family, including Mrs. Fletcher
who was a Washington. ID. c., girl,
and two daughters, lives at the nation
al capital
Friday Fletcher as he is known
among his inmates is more than an adj
miral; he Is lawyer and has conduct
ed important diplomatic negotiations;
he is scientist and has been COM
mended for his work in sanitation.
But. unless we should be forced into
gar within the next few years, Admir-
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28

HUTCHINS.-R. o. Hutchins aged
So years, 8 months and 8 days, died al
the home of his daughter, Mrs. Jennie
Hamilton, of near Delta, Tuesday
Dec. &C., 1916, after an illness of nine
months. He was the father of Dick
Hutchins of this city.
The deceased was born in Bethel
Vermont, and lived in the east until
the outbreak of the Civil war. He
enlisted his services with the Union
and served throughout the conflict as
an expert gunsmith. 1t was through
the sufferings. experienced in the war
that his rugged health was broken.
At the close of the war he came
west, and became farmer. After
number of years as tiller of the
sell, he retired, coming to Oskaloosa.
Mr.Hutchins purchased the old Black
stone property on Second avenue west
and made that his home until his re,
cent illness forced him to make his
residence with his daughter, Mrs
Hamilton, of near Delta.
The late Mr.. Hutchins leaves one
sen, c. d. Hutchins, of Oskaloosa, and
three daughters, Mrs. Jennie Hamil-
ton of Delta, Mrs. Grace Miller and
Mrs. Zella Maritz of South Dakota
His wife was Miss Mercy Jane Brad
ley. ,
Funeral from Union Chapel, east OF
Tioga, at two o'clock Thursday after
noon, Interment in Taylor GENE
terry.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28
AMONG THE LODGES
ITEMS OF INTEREST. FROM vARl-
Gus HAUNTs OF THE GOAT.

Victory Homestead members met in
regular meeting last evening, and
took up their regular business session.
They are making plans and prepare
lions for their public installation of
officers which will be held ON the even
ing of January 9, 1917. Elaborate ar
rangements are being made for this
public meeting, and Clough's orches-
ira has been engaged to play for the
dance which will follow the installa.
ton.
One interesting matter which came
up for attention during the business
session of last evening was the pres
entation of the bill for the insurance
upon the lodge. This policy was made
out just the week before the big fire
in the Beadle building just across the
street, and in which the X. of r
ledge lost their paraphenlia.e The
Homesteaders hold their meeting al
the present time in the old X. of P
hall in Exchange Block, and the fact
that their insurance policy was made
out just one week before they lost
their hall seems coincidence.
- - -
Yeomen members enjoyed quite an
interesting meeting last evening, al
though the attendance was not sc
large as usual. They also held a meet
ing on last Friday evening and at the
two meetings they initiated four can
dates and balloted upon six applica
tions for membership. The officer:
and members of the lodge have come
to no definite decision as yet abou
where they will hold their regular
meetings in the months to come Will
their hall is being rebuilt. But thel
next regular meeting will be held II
the Trades Assembly Hall as it wa;
last evening, on January 9, at which
time the installation of officers will
take place, in the presence of a su
preme officer from Des Moines. Fol
lowing the adjournment last evenin!
they danced and had social time.
| - - -
Zabud Council No. 2, Royal and Sc
lett Masons held their election of OF
officers for the coming year during
the regular business session Mon
day evening. The following officer
were chosen:
]. M-George Bamford.
d. M.-Fred Bernick.
| p. c. He'd Bowen.
Treasurer-F E. Smith.
Recorded-G. N. Beechler:
Following the election, came regr
lar lodge work and several candidate
were taken into the order. The instaI
lation of officers will come in the jar
uary meeting.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28
.CITYS NEW RECORD
NOT A CASE OF INTOXICATIoN
DURING CHRISTMAS TIME.

Oskaloosa has established a new
record. Not a case of intoxication
,among the residents of the city during
the Christmas festivities. This in
clWdes Saturday evening, the last
shopping date before Christmas, Sun,
day and Christmas eve, all day Christ
mas and Tuesday the day following
Christmas. So far as the records OF
the holiday season can be traced back
the city has no parallel of this record
IA couple of suspects were taken up
on other charges but not case OF
drunkenness from among the people
of the town. This is regarded by old
timers as something out of the ordin'
AIRY.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28
DANGEROUS CROSSINGS.

There were 81 persons killed on the
Iowa highways al railway grade
crossings in one year, nd many per.
sons were injured. The Iowa High.
way Commission is striving to elimi-
nate these dangerous conditions,
with the help of railway companies
and local officials, but as there are
S,676 such crossings on the country
roads of the state and many more in
the cities and towns, the task is a
serious one. Strange to say, some
of the worst accidents have occurred
on crossings not considered particu-
Early dangerous, which indicates that
with the rapidly increasing use Of
the highways the grade crossings on
main roads must be eliminated. OBJ
structed views in approaching the
track and steep approaches to it are
the most common sources of danger.
Many crossings now dangerous be-
cause the view of them is INSTRUCTED
by brush, trees, or buildings can be
greatly improved by the removal Of
these distractions. Leveling the
banks on either side of crossing is
method often employed to reduce
the danger where the road and rail
way are in deep cuts. Grades above
6 per cent at crossings are very dan
gerous for two reasons; an inexperi-
enced driver may stall his engine on
the track while attempting to shift
gears. and vehicles approaching the
at the same time from oppo-
lite directions may collide on account
" their burst OF speed to surmount
ne crossing quickly Another dan
,erons type OF crossing Is that where
he highway crosses the railway at
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28

stimulated some of the local authori
ties to take up similar work independ
emily so that definite permanent i'm.
provement of the milk supply of a
number of cities has resulted. The
cooperative work on the control OF
the shipment of decomposed eggs de
scribed in the report of last year has
been extended to cover much Of the
territory in which shipments origi
nate so that eggs are now candled
before shipment far more than for
merly and the spoiled eggs destroyed
or fed to poultry and stock. At the
same time information given to loca
officials has helped them to curb 10
cal traffic in eggs rejected in cand
ling
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28

of POS farmers reporting to lowe
State College on the use and value
of the tractor on their farms, 1872 o,
SO. AS per cent reported the tractor as
a paying proposition; 81 or 1892 pei
cent reported the tractor as a non
paying proposition, while 10 or
per cent gave no answer to the ques
ton. The average life of a tractor
as estimated by owners of paying
tractors is III years, while as re
ported by owners of non-paying trac
tors it is So years.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28
CLUBS And SOCIETY
HAPPY OCCASIONS AMONG TOWN
AND COUNTRY FOLK.

The children, grandchildren and q
few friends, as is their custom, gath
cred at the home OF H. W. Clayworth
No. 203 H avenue east, to spend
Christmas. Dinner was served at six
o'clock to twenty-five guests. A
Christmas tree and music helped pass
very pleasant evening. Mr.. and
Mrs. Wellington Clayworth of Center
vile were out of town guests.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28
SOME DEALS IN DIRT
RECORD IN RECENT REAL ESTATE
DEALS IN MAHASkA COUNTY.
Warranty Deeds.


Rebecca A. Shaw to Columbus
Shaw, husband, lot 2 in NV SW Sec
33-75-16-Cons. $1.00.
Maud Owens and husband, Edward
to John H. Phillips, part of |. S. OF
SWA of SWA Sec. % and SEA OF
SEA Sec. 22-75-16-Cons. 1907.
Lucinda Coffin (widow) to John
Coffin, art of |. S. of SEA of NWA
Sec. 1S-75-15--Cons. $1.00.
Myra Vernon Watts (widow) to
Mary E. Haber, lot block Tough
ridge G. Cassiday's add, oskaloosa :
Cons. $1,550.00.
L. A. Wilson (unmarried) to Walter
Canaday, land in Sec. S-74-17- Cons.
s1.OO ste.
Clyde Il. Brenton and Alice G. to
Walter Canaday land in Sec. S-74-16-
Cons. $1.00.
Trustee Deeds.
]. w. Countermine ct al trustees to
Henry Storm, lots 3-B of lots 2-3 Of ].
s. NE SW Sec. 14-74-14-Cons. $125.
Warranty Deeds.
Geo. H. Nichols to M. Vivian Nichols
wife, lot IS of Smiths S ID of lots 10.
IL, IL, 10, OF s of SW SW Sec. 49,
1915, Cons $1.00.
John A. Darland and wife Jennie,
to William r. Warwick, und. int. in
is int in lots 6, Z, blk. IL, Wells
Second Add. Barnes City. Cons. $1.0O.
Elizabeth Haney deceased by heirs
to w. III. Shaw, pit. of of Sc NV
Sec. 1856, Cons. $125.
Quit Claim Deeds.
w. II. Shaw, Wild. to John H..
Haney, pit. Of s OF Sc NV Sec, 49,
6E.16, Cons. $1.00.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28

Expenditures for education in the
United States in 1914, partly estimat
ed, totaled close to $500, 100000. Al
estimate, making due allowances fol
the intervening two years and fol
items necessarily omitted, would cas-
lily bring the nations current educa
tional expenditure to a billion dol
lars. Public elementary schools cosi
in 1915 approximately 100000;
public high schools $70,0OO,00O; pri
vate elementary schools, $52,000,O0O
private secondary SCHOOLS, $4,000,
600; universities, colleges and profes
sional schools, s1O0,OO0,O00; norma
schools, s15,000,000.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28

Sixteen of Iowa's ninety-nine
counties gave pluralities for Presi
dent Wilson in the recent election
These were Cherokee, Davis, Decatur
Dubuque, Fremont, Harrison, Jasper
Johnson Mahaska, Marion, Monona
Palo Alto, Polk, Pottawattamie, Shell,
by and Woodbury., some of which or.
dinarily are counted upon to return
large republican majorities.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28
LARGEST in History.

"The largest Christmas business we
have done since we started in business
in Oskaloosa," was the announcement
OF one of oskaloosa's leading business
men. Similar statements have been
made by most of the business men of
the city at the close of the holiday
buying season. Practically every mer-
chant in Oskaloosa has done larger
business during the past fortnight or
month, than during any like period in
tho history of the town
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28

What is probably the RECORD
price for baby beef on an Iowa mai
ket was paid recently to four CerrO
Gordo county boys for their calves
which we're entered in the baby bee
feeding contest. The calves, which
were all well finished, brought $40
sI9, SITS and $3.50 a hundred
weight. They were bought by loca,
butchers for the Christmas beef
market.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28
All Relics Wanted

0. H. Vance, who is chairman of
the Relics Booth Department Of the
" NJ. c. A. Hobby Show association
has written to all collectors and per.
sons having relics in their possession,
asking that they display the relics in
the Y. M. c. A. Hobby Show New
Years Day. The Hobby Show relic
exhibit should be the. largest ever as
sembled in Oskaloosa. r .''7'S H
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28

Speakers of national reputation
will speak at the meeting of the Clay
Workers institute to be held January
Is at Iowa State College under the
auspices of the ceramic engineering
department at Iowa State College.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28

Looking down the loaded barrel
of deficit every year, the News has
come to the conclusion that the peo-
pie of Sigourney do not appreciate the
efforts of an association to provide a
lecture course for the town.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28

AS a commentary on how times
and opinions change Kansas is build
ing monument to Carrie Nation and
her smashing Ratchet. 1t laughted
and swore at her few years ago. The
governor of the state contributed the
first 500 to the fund.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28

1t now appears that as far back
as 1894 Charleston, S. c., had a golf
club. so after ALL" says the Mar
shalltown Times-Republican base
ball and two-old-cat has nothing on
the ancient and royal game in
America"
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28

The Grinnell Register dominates
Hon. Charles Rawson for governor in
four years. "He can have it with
hands down if he will only say the
word and it is our guess that he will
say the word" adds the Register.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28

We have found no better Christ,
mas philosophy than that handed out
by the colored doorman in the Palmer
House at Chicago. He said, Il try
to be as good to everybody every day
in the year as | am at Christmas.
And indeed, why shouldn't all of US
do that?
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28
stRTRs, DEATHS, MARRIAGES

JOHNSTON. - William Johnston
died at the County Home on Deem
Der 26, 1916, at II o'clock m. No
relatives were left and the body was
shipped to the Iowa City Medical
College at Iowa City for disposal
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28

These figures teach their own les
sons. The only way to make Iowa
really safe is to secure the intelligent
and interested cooperation of the
public. Individual carelessness is the
greatest fire hazard.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28

Out of 33O,179 school children ex'
amined in the city of New York il
1914, 194,2O7, or 5S.S per cent, suffer
ed from defective teeth. This ex
ceeded the sum total of all the other
defects noted by nearly $4,000. De
fective teeth impair general health
and impede school progress.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28

"A correspondent in the Pella
Chronicle tells of man who shipped
car load of hogs to market and says
several of the neighbors went in with
him to fill up the car.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28

1t has been found that a few
thorough applications of crudes pc.
troleum to the interior of poultry
houses will destroy completely the
common red mite infesting chickens.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28

The Brighton Enterprise con
tends there is no inducement to &C
south where a man can pillow all win
ter when he can raise more crop In
Iowa, and give the pillow rest dur
ing the winter months.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28

small angle. Observations of the
travel at such CROSSINGS show that
few motorists look back as they
should Just before reaching the cross.
ing 49, -
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28

THE Winters frost must rend the
burr OF the nut before the fruit is
seen; so adversely tempers the hui
man heart, to discover its real worth.
-Balzac.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28

The longest stretch over which
commercial wireless messages have
ever been sent extends from Hawaii
IN Tokyo, a distance of 1856 miles.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28

Cut fence posts now and peel and
have them thoroughly seasoned be-
fore setting, advises Ames experts.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28

The Newton Record tells OF
'perilous trip in Ford just as II
there were any other kind.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28

Cheer upi" urges the Keota
Eagle, "the admission price to the
picture shows has not been raised.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28

1t is Alex. Miller's observation
that a man who Is always changing
jobs never succeeds.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28

Here's wishing you a Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28

Remember the poor in your
Christmas giving.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28
AMONG LOCAL MINES
NEWS FROM VARIOUS QUARTERS
OF BLACK DIAMOND FIELD.
Official Vote of U. M. w. A.

Below is the result of the votes cast
for each candidate at the election
held december 18th, 1916, for the diff
ferent offices of District No. Is.
The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28

Neglected colds often forerun
pneumonia.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-04-02

sphere. We would not want them. when porting
over mathematics or Latin, to stop and exclaim.
''Oh. that horrid picture!"
t'ut can we succeed in shielding them from
similar spectacles II they go about any: Must
they be taken to and from school in limousihes
with curtains drawn? Is II educaon's chief
concern to sprinkle their minds with rosewater1
Never permit the boys and girls then to visit
the famous art galleries. every one Of which has
heart aches done in heavy hues. Leave out from
the literature course Victor Hugo's LES Mser.
ables' and Charles Dckenss Death Of Little
Nell' and Tennyson's "Enoch Arden and from
music The Dead March from Saul" and what
ever melodies the masters have given keys to
unlock the souls tenderest sympathies
Third. the scene is Observation-Disclosures prod
uct of Clean conservative art. without hint OF
the salacious. without an ugly unchaste line.
Body, intellect and spirit would he safe with
that canvas twelve months in the year. Go over
it bit by bit and discover if you can one feature
worthy impulse. Few churches would decline to
exhibit il within their walls
Hear some arguments in favor of rising
youth seeing what Doman has put here,
They ought to know this world as IL is. Igno
rance is the thing school is built to get rid Of
The fact of poverty and wealth in proximity Is
one of the most serious elements OF disable
knowledge The painting represents this In
nonpartisan way 1t has prejudice, no nos
trum-ony asserts truth and lets truth speak
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-04-02

Studies in political economy, civics. the rights
OF capital and labor, taxation-all the big gov
ornamental and sociological problems with which
men and women bound to have more and
more to deal-are eptomized on that canvas.
These youth require tho sense of n mission in
life. The time to begin to cultivate It Is now
Such painting furnishes the data for conscience
to work with. To grow a head-full. conscience
empty group OF young men and women would
be as poor job school could be guilty Of
For heavens sake. instill definite ideas of re-
sponsibihty. Make them understand they are
here for something worth while. The tongue
cannot say it strongly enough. Call In the brush
to help! Increasingly coming to regard
art as form Of service. The thing that merely
entertains falls short. II must plead or spur
WOO or challenge, toward better goal
The power OF the canvas consists in this that
1t speaks winsomey. Enthusiastically, succnctly
and everlastingly. Memory will carry 1t after
the eyes turn to other sights. Once a picture is
hung up within the mind no might on earth can
turn that picture to the wall. It talks by day
and night. Its voice sings through the chambers
OF the soul. Consecrate this voice to duty The
essence OF duty on the human side is to do right
by those seven on Dollman's bench Even the
Lord VIII say Inasmuch we did it not unto
the least Of these we did it not unto Me-
our public schools shut off from the
wholesome volume Of religious training they had
In the days when Websters Dictionary of 1923
drew principally for its definitions from the