davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-02-17
YEARS. AGO
Items Taken from the Files of The
Reporter Published . Quarter
of a Century AGO.

Mrs. Louisa A Williams, sister of
Mrs. Greed Bobbitt of this city, died
at her home in Chanute, Kansas, on
Feb. 10th.
e. w. Tiff has purchased Millard
F. Stookey's res 'dence and will move
to town soon.
Aunt Allie Ownby, one of the old
est and best known residents of De-
catur county, died at the home OF
her daughter, Mrs. N. w. ROwell. at
Alton, where she was visiting, last
Tuesday. Her remains were brought
to Decatur City for interment. Aunt
Allie" as everyone knew her, has
lived at Decatur City ever since the
town was first settled, and was a
woman loved and esteemed by all.
Mr.. Henry Cadle, of Bethany,
Mo-, was an over Sunday guest of
Mr.. and Mrs. Fred D. Close.
Major j. l.. Young was in Leon
over Sunday. He has opened law
office at Ottumwa.
Last Saturday was Mrs. T. H.
Schenck's 4Oth birthday ana her
daughter, Miss Maud, worked up a
surprise party for her in honor of the
event. "A large number of friends
were present.
A small residence in the northeast
part of town, occupied by Miss Tai
bott, was destroyed NY fire Monday
morning, who lost most Of her
household goods. The property was
owned by J. E. Allard.
Miss Celia Bashaw gave fancy
dress party to her young friends last
Friday evening.
Misses Lulu and Harriet Young,
assisted by their cousins, Misses Stel-
la and Minnie Thirkell, of Lacon, H.
linois, entertained a party of young
folks at the Young home Tuesday ev-
ening.
Covington Bros. have sold their
store at Decatur City and bought the
stocks of goods at Grand River own
ed by Jas. H. Garrett and at Pleasan-
ton owned by DR.. Macy. Sam will
have charge of the store at Grand
River and Ike will take charge OF the
FleasantOn store.
Mrs. George Atha died at her home
near Blockley SUNDAY.
The infant son of Mr.. and Mrs.
VIM. Priest died last Friday.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-02-17
Editorial Convention Held at Des
~ MOines.

The first annual convention of the
new Iowa State Press Association
was held at Des MOines last Thurs
day, Friday and Saturday, and 1t was
the greatest editorial convention eV-
er held in the west, there being more
than three hudred of the live wire
editors of Iowa in attendance. The
program embraced some of the best
talent in the United States, includ-
ing Arthur Brisbane, editor of the
New York Evening Journal, who
commands a salary of more than
100000 q year, Major E. E.. Critch-
field of the observation-disclosures
Co., of Chicago, A. L. Lasker, presi-
dent of the Lord & Thomas Advertis-
ing Agency, Ding" the Register and
Leaders cartoonist, the best In the
whole country, and other celebrities.
The editors were guests of the Great
er Des Moines Committee at ban
quet at the Chamberlin hotel on
Thursday evening. Every minute of
the three days session was utilized,
and much more time could have been
used had it been. available. The
newspapers of Iowa rank among the
best in the world, and the publishers
are regarded among the leading bus
inessmen of the state. The new
State Press Association, which has
employed G.. L. Caswell, of Denison,
as field secretary, at good salary,
is going to do great things for the
newspaper fraternity of Iowa. We
hope that before long every pub
Usher in the state will be enrolled as
member. The officers who have
served. during the past year, presi-
dent p. S. Junkin of Creston, secre-
jtary O. e. Hull of Leon, and treas
urer E. E. Johnston, of Iowa City,
were all reelected for the coming
wear.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-02-17
..For better Roads. .

There will be a state wide good
roads meeting held at the Coliseum
In Des Moines, on the afternoon OF
Friday, Feb. 18th. Auto Show week,
at one O'Clock, which will be held
under the auspices of the State Wide
Road Association and other contin-
gent good roads interests.
The action taken at this meeting
through its deliberation, will be
basis and guide for the coming legis-
lature, on which to formulate $50
days in the year good roads bill for
Iowa. 3.
This meeting will no doubt be
.well attended and anyone interested
IN good roads matters will be- well
paid for attending this meeting.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-02-17
Court House Elevator Weight Drop
ped.

Clerk of the district court p. ~.
Beck thought for a few minutes last
Friday that he had wrecked the court
house. He was just in the act of
pulling up the elevator used to move
the court records from the clerks
office to the court room when the
rope holding the elevator weight,
which weighs about hundred
pounds broke and the heavy weight
fell from the top Of the elevator shaft
to the bottom. It seems that in
building the elevator the wire lath-
ing used had been left too close to
the elevator rope and constant use
had caused the wire to slowly cut
the rope. The weight struck the
concrete ceiling of the mems toilet
room and broke hole through 1T
but the wire reinforcement held and
the weight did not fall through.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-02-17
A REAL SPECIAL.
'"The Christian" Hall Gaines Su.
perb Love Story ut the Idle Hour.

On next Monday, Feb. 21st, the
popular Idle Hour theatre will pre-
sent to their patrons the Vitagraph-
Liebler Feature Film Co.'s stupen-
dous production in 500 scenes with
Hall Gaines superb love story in
eight big reels, THE Christian" In
this production 5000 people were
used.
'"The Christian is the best acting
film ever made. Edith Storey, as
Glory Quayle, lives vivid imper-
sonation OF Viola Aliens greatest
part. Her performance will stand
comparison with the best dramatic
stars. She is splendid, artistic, won
derful. Earle Williams, in portray
ing John StOrm-a type OF man who
is almost religious fanatic, accom-
plishes equally brilliant work as
Miss Storey. 1t is the best of the
many great performances he has
given the screen. In their support
is the finest cast of Vitagraph Stars
ever seen in one picture. Charles
Kent, Harry Northrup, James Lack
aye, Alberta Gallatin, Carlotta de
telice, Edward Kimball, James Nor
rison, j. w. Sambrook, Donald Hall,
Jane Fearnley and many others. 1t
required more than six months to
make the picture, which was staged
under the Vitagraph's ablest direc-
tors.
Popular matinee at 3 o'clock.
First night show at O'Clock, second
night show at o'clock Eight big
reels. Admission 10 and 20 cents.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-02-17
Won Corn Prizes at Ames.

William Lowrance, of Morgan
township, has received notice that
he won lhree places in the single ear
Of the corn contest in the state contest
recently held at the State College at
Ames. That is pretty good Tor De-
catur county, for we have heard
some people say that you could not
raise good corn in Morgan township,
but Mr.. Lowrance has demonstrated
they can compete with any part OF
the state.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-02-17
Library Notes.

Forty-five boys and girls attended
the story hour" last Saturday.
Loretta Sires gave reading and
Mildred Merwin furnished the music,
besides the usual number Of stories.
During the year 1915 we Issued
.2O,824 books.
Two hundred and eighteen std
dents used reference books during
the month Of January. 1916.
Harry Bradfield donated six trays
to the library kitchen last week, I.
Call and zee the new international
Encyclopedias. We have received the
first sixIeen volumes. 5ss:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-02-17
Guy Caufman Returns.

The theatre-goers of Leon are re-
jo.cing in the announcement that
Guy Caufman and his excellent COM
5pany will play a return engagement
at the Leon opera house in the very
near future. Mr.. Caufman played
here last fall soon after the opening
of the opera house in the play "A
Royal Gentleman" and the audience
that night were more than pleased
with the production. The ability and
pleasing personality of Guy and Con-
stance Caufman and also the entire
company will be remembered long af-
ter the theme of the play has been
forgotten.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-02-17
j. II. BOwsher Named as Delegate t.
Republican National Convention.

At the conference of the republi-
cans of the eighth district held at
Creston on Tuesday, Mr.. J. R. Bow
sher OF Leon, was named as a dele
gate to the republican national con.
vention, the other delegate being H
E. Tomlinson, of New Market, with
Earl Ferguson of Shenandoah, and
Dan Turner of Corning, as alternates
Capt. J. d. Brown of Leon, was unan.
imously selected as chairman of the
conference. Others who attended
from Decatur county were DR.. B. y
Eiker, J. r. Bowsher and NJ. S. Jones
of Leon, and J. F. Gill of Garden
Grove.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-02-17
A New Brethren Church.

The pastor of the local Brethren
church, G.. T. Ronk, was called to
Putnam county, Missouri, last week
to organize new Brethren church,
as result of the great revival con-
Quoted by F. G. Coleman and w. e..
Kemp. The community is a fine one
and the people substantial home
builders. There is a great change in
the community. The work was sound
and thorough and the results will be
lasting. 3.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-02-17
Married Fifty Years or More.


moni, married July S, 1857.
Mr.. and Mrs. John Bryant, Grand
River, married in England in 1864.
River, married May l, 1855.
Mr.. and Mrs. L. L. Bedier, Grand
River, married Jan. 3, 1868.
Pleasanton, married July 2, 1853.
Mr.. and Mrs. B. F. Brown, Van
Vert, married July 4, 1859.
Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Bowsher.
Leon, married Feb. IA, 1860.
Mr.. and Mrs. D. B. Bright, Deca-
tur, married July 25, 1865.
Mr.. and Mrs. William Cash, Deca-
tur, married July 27, 1867.
Mr.. and Mrs. D. Clark, High Point.
married April IA, 1857.
Mr.. and Mrs. z. Clark, High Point.
married Jan. 1, 1863.
Mr.. and Mrs. J.. O. Cherry, Leroy.
married July 1, 1865.
Mr.. and. Mrs. C.. X. Cherringt0n.
Decatur, married, July 20, 1866.
Mr.. and Mrs. Austin Draper, Grand
River, married Sept. 10, 1854.
Mr.. and Mrs. S. H. Elliott, Leon.
married July 4, 1860.
Mr.. and Mrs. c. w. Fuqua, Grand
River, married August 16, 1857.
Mr.. and Mrs. T. A. Fullerton.
Grand River, married July 6, 1863.
Mr.. and Mrs. w. H. Frost, Leon,
married Jan. 6, 1861.
Mr.. and Mrs. VIM. Frazier, Davis
City, married December 81, 1861.
Mr.. and Mrs. w. r. Green, Grand
River, married in 1866.
Mr.. and Mrs. w. e. Cannon, Leon,
married April 26, 1849.
Mr.. and Mrs. Kim Hickman, Leon,
married Feb. %, 1862.
Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph Hamilton.
Leon, married Sept. %. 1858.
Capt. and Mrs. "A. A. jerks, Leon,
married July 8, 1854.
Mr.. and Mrs. w. H. Jenkins, Leon,
married Feb. z, 1861.
Mr.. and Mrs. J. H. Johnston,
Woodland, married Oct. 20, 1865.
Mr.. and Mrs. ]. N. Madden, Leon.
married March 27, 1859.
Mr.. and Mrs. NJ. v. McCleary, High
Point, married Dec. 81, 1868.
Rev. and Mrs. Geo. E. Mitchell,
Weldon, married April z, 1864.
Mr.. and Mrs. C. A. Massey, Wood
land, married Dec. %, 1868.
Mr.. and Mrs. VIM. Mcintosh, Davis
City, married Oct. 29, 1865.
Mr.. and Mrs. B. A. Norman, Davis
City, married August H., 1853.
Mr.. and Mrs. VIM. Overholtzer.
Grand River. married Sept. 6, 1866.
Mr.. and Mrs. J.. M. Pickering,
Leon, married may II, 1863.
Mr.. and Mrs. John j. Poush, Davis
City, married May %, 1861.
Mr.. and Mrs. Royal Richardson.
Pleasanton, married April %, 1S48.
Mr.. and Mrs. John Sellers, Deca-
tur, married December IL, 1864.
Mr.. and Mrs. J. r. Smith, Lamont.
married Nov. 3, 1864.
Mr.. and Mrs. George Smith, Van
Vert, married May 3, 1865.
Mr.. and Mrs. Jesse Still, Woodland,
married Oct. 6, 1859.
Mr.. and Mrs. Isaac Toney, Davis
City, married May, 1856.
Mr.. and ..Irs. VIM. VanNostrand.
Leon, married April 9, 1864.
Mr.. and Mrs. John Woodmansee,
Leon. married March 13, 1864.
Mr.. and Mrs. VIM. Wadley, Lamo-
nj, married June 26, 1864.
Mr.. and Mrs. o. Whitaker, Van
Vert, married Feb. IA, 1856.
Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Wells, Davis
City, married over SO years, but date
of marriage not given.
Mr.. and Mrs. Geo. w. Weld, Lamo-.
nj, married January z, 1858.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-02-17
IN The DISTRICT COURT
James Damn Convicted of Incest,
Is Sentenced to twenty-five
Years In the Penitcntiary.

ening and Judge Evans ana court re-
porter Wright returned to their
homes at ,Corydon that evening.
On Wednesday the court overruled
the motion for new trial filed by
the attorneys for James Dunn, the
Weldon man who was convicted the
previous week of the crime of incest,
and Judge Evans sentenced him to
an indeterminate sentence OF 20
years in the penitentiary at Ft. Madi"
son, fixing his appeal bond at $2,3Oo.
The court also made an order that
the court reporter make transcript
Of the evidence in the case at the ex-
pense of the county to enable the de-
fendant to appeal the case to the
Supreme Court. 1t was thought that
Dunn would be able to give bonds
pending the appeal to the Supreme
Court, but he was unable to do so
and was taken to Ft. Madison Mon
day morning to commence serving
his sentence.
One of the indictments returned
by the grand jury at this term OF
court was one against Frank Flora
of Davis City, who was indicted for
perjury as the result OF testimony
which. he gave IN case being lnves-
ti0ated by the grand jury. He has
given bonds in the sum of $500 TOR
appearance at the March term OF
court.
The following cases have been dis
posed of since our report last week:
LAW AND EQUITY
Isaac Joseph VS.. Isaac Toney. De-
fendant's demurrer to plaintiffs pc
titiOn to be made and briefs fur
nished and decided in vacation.
Guarantee Mutual Hail Assn. vs.
James H. Alldrege. Judgment In
favor of defendant.
r. 2. Mitchell VS.. T. w. Hall. Mo-
ton of defendant to strike second
count of plaintiffs petition sustained.
Decatur State Savings Bank VS.. W..
>. and S. J. Brannaman. Tried to
court, to be decided in vacation.
C. G.. Biddison VS.. Leon Ice co. ct
al. Settled and dismissed.
George Brideson VS.. John }. Law
less and wife. Temporary injunction
issued restraining defendants from
,disposing of personal property until
rent of a farm is paid.
PROBATE
Estate of w. J. Thompson. Final
report approved, administrator dis
charged.
Estate Of NJ A. Lille. Final report
approved, administrator discharged
Estate of Alexander H. Smith. Re
port of sale and deed to E. L. Kelley,
trustee for use and benefit of L. u. >.
church, approved.
Guardianship of Henry Stanley.
Annual report approved.
Estate Of J.7W. Keeler. Report OF
sale and deed to D. P. Leahy approv-
ed.
Guardianship of Melvin Mcconnell.
Final report approved, guardian dis-
charged.
Estate of James T. Tharp. Ad-.
ministrator authorized to expend not
to exceed $55 for monument. Final
report approved, administrator dis
charged.
Estate of Henry G. Axes. Final re-
port approved. Hester Axes appoint
ed trustee without bond to collect
balance due from c. L. and S. i.
Axes.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-02-17
For Sale.

40 acres of land 31s miles from
Garden Grove, " mile from school.
IS acres in meadow and cultivation,
5 acres timber, small house, barn and.
good we'll. Will. take automobile,
horses, cattle, cash or, will carry some
back on farm.
e. o. Alexander.
Leon, Iowa.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-02-17
Notice.

On and after this date the rental
prices upon folding chairs will be 40
cents per dozen, tables Is cents
each, less than dozen lots in chairs
will be charged for as one dozen.
This price applies to: either delivered
or undelivered.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-02-17
AnnOuncenlents.

The Republican County Central
Committee are requested to announce
through the Leon Reporter the fol-
lowing names as candidates for the
nomination for the various county
Offices, subject to the will of the re-
publican voters as expressed at the
June primary.
Representative
GRANT MALLORY
Burrell Township
G. c.. DYE
Woodland Township
Auditor
BERT s. BAKER
Richland Township
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-02-17
POLITICAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
For Sheriff.

will be candidate for the NOM
ination for sheriff on the democratic
ticket, subject to the will of the
voters at the June primary election.
John A. Fulton.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-02-17

Treasurer
ELBA SHEWMAKER
Grand River township
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-02-17
Marriage Licenses.

Chester Pullen, Lamont .sz.$... .xS
Roea Gray, Lamont q. -
Fred 4. Young, Decatur :. q I
Cora Alice Hardinger, Davis City 30
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-02-17
County Attorney
WILL J. SPRINGER
Leon, 3rd Ward
Supervisor Term Beginning 1917.
J. HI. HILL
Decatur Township

Supervisor Term Beginning 1913
T. ]. SMITH
Fayette Township
p. C.. MORGAN
Center Township
B. L. EIKER, Chairman
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-02-17

For Sale Good oak fence posts ut
the Keeler farm south Of Leon, 10
cents each. See VIII. Shields.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-02-17
Recorder

Recorder
J. G. DUFFIELD
Garden Grove Township
MRS. ORA GARDNER
Leon, End Ward
M. r. SANGER
Long Greek Township
HARL WILLIAMSON
Eden Township
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-02-17

Meet ne at Cherrlngton's. .
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-02-17
Coroner

DIR. III. r. LAYTON
Leon, 1st Ward
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-02-17

GLEN THOMPSON
Center Township
r. w. CRAIG
Leon, End Ward
H. r. PERKINS
Morgan Township
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-08-09

JIMMY : WILDE. the British fiyweight champion, is "a remarkably clever lad The lad weighs only about 100 pounds. butt despite this he has been meeting boxers weighing anywhere from 115 to 125 pounds in nearly all his matches. and some of them high class boys. It Is seldom that he has not given away from ten to fourteen pounds. If some of the boxers in this country were asked to give away so much weight they would die of heart failure. Eugene Corri. the well known referee on the other side of the water, has been thinking seriously of making a trip to New York and bringing Wilde with him, but nothing definite has been decided on 1t as yet. Wilde won the fiyweight championship of England some time ago and also the Lonsdale belt. Recently he defeated Joe Sy- mopds and also Ted Keller, Sid Smith and defeated Young Rosner. the New York boy. who was sent over to engage him in a championship contest. Very little is known about Rosner, except that he has been boxing around New York for some time against some of the best hyweights in the east It is roo pad that Wilde is not over here at this time so that he could be match ed with Johnny Ertle for the fiyweight championship at 112 pounds, or the bantamweight championship at 116 pounds,
 According to A. E. Cleveland, the ex- pert boxing authority of Birmingham. England. Wilde must be another Ike Weir indeed. He writes the following: At the Hoxton Baths James Wilde of Tyierstown. the fiyweight champion of England, gained his third victory over Sid Smith. the first holder of the Lons- dale belt. now in Wilde's possession. Smith was beaten in three rounds, and. although he was allowed to make a ra1AAs C rA1o1 aAaas aix. naunds for
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-08-09
Pacer William
 May Break Record

CHARLES TANNER. or Doc" as he
 is more familiarly known on the harness turf. who for more than dec- ade has been trainer. of the horses of c. K. G. Billings. who specializes in champions, promises to be more in the limelight the coming season than he has been at any time since the retire. ment of the champion trotter Uhlan a few seasons back.
 Life at the extensive breeding farm of Currs Neck, on the James river in Virginia. had no particular attractions for Tanner but when MT. Billings pur- chased the young champion pacer Will liam early last summer which meant that there was more active work for a trainer, Doc was again on the job, and he has others besides the champion which will be given their final prepara- tion at the North Randall track for the 1916 season.
 Of course none of them will be raced for the money, that having been a rule of the Billings stable from the begin ming. The watch will be the only op- pOueuL, put IL IS SOul6IlIlleS d uOTo AOT. midable antagonist than one of flesh and blood.
 The mark which William will be pointed for will be the record of his old enemy, Directum l., which set the unpaced mark at 1:56% at Syracuse last fall, the fastest mile ever negotia- ted by a harness horse "in the open i. e., without a pacemaker in front to break the wind.
 Dan Patch took a record of 1:55A with runner in front, but the turf au- thorities legislated against such per- formances, and the best mile ever paced by Dan in the open was 1858. There are many good judges who believe that William has a good chance of surpass- ing even the 1:55A of Dan Patch, pointing to the fact that he is just ap- preaching his prime. being but six years old, while Dan Patch was con- siderably older when he gave his great est exhibition.
 William has now been campaigned three seasons, two in fast company. He first appeared as a three-year-old in 1913, when he won several races. in practically all of which he outclassed his fields and took record of 2:05, the worlds record for colt of the age.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-08-09
OLD TIME BALL PLAYERS
 COULD STAND MORE

A N idea which had been gradually
 forming was brought to a head recently when Cliff Blankenship re- marked that the average player doesn't seem to be built from the same fiber as the athlete of several years ago.
 We have been impressed by the lack of durability of the average modern baseball athlete. It remained for Partnerships remarks to confirm us in the opinion. |.
 The records are all Uttered up with players of promise who flickered or faded after season or two and then dropped from sight. Men with good records have gone to the coast from the majors, only to flivver Men with good records in the Coast league have f1ivvered in the majors. The average life of ball player is not as long as it used to be.
 As a rule the old timers were on the job day in and day out, and nothing much short of a busted leg would put them out of the game. When will baseball produce another Radbourne; who pitched seventy-four gara es in one season? Never, we opine. For one thing, the average pitcher, while he might be capable of more work than he does, isn't going to jeopardize his arm to that extent. At the close of the sea- son Radbourne couldn't lift his arm high enough to comb his own hair.
 The players of today are wiser and also less intrepid. Many of them take advantage of large player limits, and others are coddled overmuch by the club trainers. Some of them find that they can get out of the game on the slightest complaint and are not slow to avail themselves of the opportunity.
 Only in professional sports is this lessening of durability to be seen. In the amateur ranks records are being reduced yearly, all of which goes to prove exclusively that the race is not deteriorating athletically.
 No. there is no general deterioration. The average man of today is better de- veloped than the average man of twenty years ago, largely because he knows more Of the laws of health and the value of systematic exercise. ! Unquestionably some baseball players are as game as formerly, some take ad- vantage of the system" while still others are the unconscious victims of IL. w 70 ICCdl OIle CluD Wn1Cn carried eleven pitchers and yet used but four of them. Something generally was the matter with the other seven or they had been idle so long that the man. ager was afraid to start them.
 Blankenship recalls that when he was with Seattle the club carried only thtr- teen or fourteen players, usually one extra catcher and three pitchers. That was in 1903 and 1904.
 '1n those days the Coast league had an eight months season, and the grind was no joke for a club with only thir- teen or fourteen men, said Blanken- ship. "Still, we generally managed to make a good showing. The players thought nothing of a minor injury and stuck in the game as long as they were able to stand. and, what's more, they played good ball. Once we left Seattle