davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-09
CLAIMS
TO BE IDEAL TOWN

Bellevue, March THE little town
of Charlotte in Clinton county holds
the record Of being one OF the model
towns of the state of Iowa.
There has not been bankruptcy
in Charlotte for years.
No criminal has been confined IN the
town iail for over year
Every house in town is occupied ana
everyone who desires work mas a ]oo.
There have been no fights. fires or
crimes committer in Charlotte for the
past year. 60
There has been no prosecution tor
the illegal sale of liquor since the pro-
hibitory law went into effect.
There are now owned by the cltl-
zens of Charlotte about fifty automo-
bi]es, an average of one to every eight
and one-half inhabitants.
The Charlotte creamery during the
past year has manufactured l5o,ooo
hounds or seventy-flve tons of butter:
The delinquent tax list shows that
every cent Of taxes assessed against
property owners in the town has been
paid
AS a proof of the prosperity OF the
people of Charlotte and vicinity the
bank deposits in the banks amount to
nearly $42S,0O0. an increase OF over
10000 over the year before.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-09
MRS. MONTGOMERY
DIES AT FAIRFIELD

Fairfield. March Mrs. James
P. Montgomery, an old resident of JEFF
ferson county, passed away Monday
evening at her home on East Lowe
street following a several days illness
with the grip. Funeral services were
held this afternoon at o'clock at the
residence, conducted by Rev. w. P.
Keesey of the First Methodist church.
Interment took place in Evergreen
cemetery.
Louisa Peasants Montgomery was
born near Germanville in Jefferson
county, June 2, 1910, and was, at the
time Of her death, almost n years of
age. On May 3, 1869. she was united
in marriage with James Montgomery
at Germanville and the greater part
of their welded life was spent on
farm nearby. About eighteen years
ago the family moved to this city,
where they have since resided. Mr..
Montgomery passed away January TO-,
1911, and two children have aisc ecre
before. Mrs. Montgomery is survived
by the following children: Berdell
Montgomery of Pleasant Plain; Edwin
and the Misses Parela, Myra. Laceja
and Ada, allof this city.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-09
BURLINGTON STREET
CAR RUNS DOWN HILL.

Burlington, March NORTH Hill
street car No 70. in charge of Conduc-
tor Miller and operated by Motorman
Henry Linscott. crashed into West
Hill car No. 81. in charge of Conduc
tor Smith and Motorman Hughes, at
the corner of Fourth and Jefferson
streets. the impact being terrific one.
but fortunately no one was injured IN
the wreck. The North Hill car was
moving up Fourth street and despite
the fact that no stop was being made
the car started to slide backwards
down the hill when it reached point
Just north of st. Paurs Catholic
church between Columbia and Court
streets Motorman Linscott, a veter-
an at his position who had been a
steady man for nearly eighteen years.
did his best to check the speed Of the
backward sliding car and partially
succeeded. The car sped down
Fourth street and made the turn east
on Jefferson. A West Hill car, west
ward bound. was near the corner,
Motorman Hughes junst attempting to
throw the switch when the North Hill
car crashed into it, smashing up the
vestibuIes on each car and causing fire
beneath the one headed for West
Hill. The fire department was sum
moned and put out the blaze without
much difficulty.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-09
SEVENTY-ONE-YEAR-
OLD PRICES ASTOUND

Des Moines, March (. -Seventy-one
wears ago potatoes sold in Iowa for six
teen cents bushel.
vision of those Utopian days may
be obtained by visiting the library Oh
the state historical society at iowa
CITY and scanning the pages OF rare;
little book entitled, "A Glimpse OF
Iowa in 1886
The writer at that time compiled a
list of prevailing prices in Iowa Tor
guidance of prospective settlers.
Good ham and bacon could be pur-
chased at eight cents or less. Twelve
cents a pound for butter was consid.
cred high. Strictly fresh eggs could
be had for ten cents Dozen The
butcher considered himself fortunate
if he averaged six cents a pound lor
fresh meat.
Flour sold for $3.50 a barrel. Loaf
sugar was sixteen cents pound
Brown sugar was quoted at eight 70
ten cents. Java coffee sold FOR nfteen
cents and tea ranged in price from
seyenty-fve cents to sl.25 pound.
Groceries and meats were not put up
in glass jars and highly decorated
packages. neither could they be order
ed by telephone and delivered by auto
mobile, but the quality was usually
AL.
Wages were also much lower Dol
lars were fewer but their buying pow
er was much greater than now. In
1876 skilled workmen in all trades re
ceived from SIPS to 81.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-09
THE ELDON PUBLIC
LIBRARY POPULAR

Eldon, March THE Eldon public
library seems to be becoming more
popular every year. the circulation FOR
1916 having been almost ten thousand
books. Last month over a thousand
books and magazines were loaned.
There are now S27 borrowers, $50 be-
ing from Washington township which
is known all over Iowa as being the
first township improving the library
extension law. Since then the town
ships all over the state are coming In
under that law. 1t gives the residents
of the townships that have allowed
this tax every privilege of the library.
Free books and magazines subject to
the regulations Of the library. The
Eldon public library has signed a con-
tract that the tax money shall be spent
for books and the contract has bes9
lived UP to. That is why the library
IS keeping up with all the new and
best literature of the day. Everybody
is invited to call and see an up-to-date
little library.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-09
OILED ROADS
ARE ASKED FOR
BLADENSBURG PEOPLE ASK COM.
MERCiAL CLUB TO HELP
IMPROVE ROADWAY.

County Supervisor W. B. Morrison
was the guest of the Commercial club
board Of directors Tuesday at the
weekly luncheon and meeting. He
brought to the board request from
the people of Bladensburg and vicin.
ity for assistance in furthering good
roads in the county. The Pleasant
township people would have the Com.
mercial club show the same interest
this year as last in the Improvement
of country highways and made the re-
quest with special reference to oiled
roads in their vicinity.
Last year the Commercial club did
much road oiling both in the city and
on the main travelled country roads for
a distance out of the city. This has
met with the approval of the people
from the rural district and the Blad-
enuburg people had Mr.. Morrison put
the matter up to the directors Of the
club.
The directors decided to encourage
all such road improvement and to
stand behind oiled roads on much the
same conditions as last year. It was
the general consensus Of the direc-
tors opinion that series of applica-
tons of oil on the same roads rather
than the oiling Of new roads each
year would be the most practicable.
The board will, however, take up the
work this year in the same manner as
last, on the condition that the super
visors grade and drain the roads and
apply the oil.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-09
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
WEDDING AT CHURCH

Charlton, March IA quiet we'd
ding was solemnized today, at high
noon. at the Christian church, the con-
tracing parties being Harry Thorn
vail, of Cambridge. and Miss Fannie
Pierson, of Columbia. The ceremony
was performed by Rev. w. j. Gilmore.
the ring service being used. and was
witnessed by the immediate relatives
only. The bride was attired In a plum
colored travelling suit. with hat and
gloves to match. After the ceremony
a luncheon was served at the home
of her sister Mrs. r. Littan. ia
North Seventh street. The happy
couple left in the afternoon for Cam
bridge, where they will reside on
farm, and where their home is In read
mess for housekeeping. The bride Is
a daughter OF Mr., and Mrs. John Pier
son Of Columbia, and for several
years has taught in the schools OF
Marion and Polk counties. She is
capable young woman, possessing
many accomplishments.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-09
ELDON

Mrs. I. T. Flint returned home Mon
day from spending the winter In Chi
cago with her brother. Mr.. Thomas.
John DERRICK and Fred Lutz went
to Ottumwa Tuesday to join the
Switchmen's lodge.
A team belonging to Harry Gilbert
became frightened on Elm street
Tuesday at noon and ran away. but
was stopped on Ninth street before
any damage was done.
The dance given by the G. T. 7. club
Monday night at the Moose hall was
quite well attended. A buffet luncheon
was served at II o'clock by the ladies'
of the club.
Mr.. and Mrs. T. Fl. Armstrong OF
Libertyville motored to Eldon on BUS
mess Tuesday.
Miss Georgia Weist is Ill this week
with the mumps.
The B. V. R. club met with Mrs.
W. T. Brown this afternoon, with
Mrs w. A. Flowers as leader.
Mrs. A. L. Minear and children OF
Muscatine visited at the w. T. Brown
home this week.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-09
FIVE ACTIONS ARE
AGAINST RAILROADS

Washington. March For the
March term Of court there are Ave
cases filed against the railroads.
Mrs. Anna Harp VS.. the Milwaukee
road for $4,000 damages as the result
of the death of her husband August
10, 1916. when he was struck by
train and killed.
Administrator of Guy E. Manatt vs..
the Rock Island for $4,000 damages
for injuries received in a wreck of
NATL train in Missouri January 20,
1916. Manatt was mail clerk on the
wrecked train.
Mrs. Minnie Tollenaar vs. the Rock
Island for $4,000 for the death of her
husband January 25. 1917. when he
and companion were killed by being
struck by tasty moving train.
Bert Pierce vs. the Milwaukee for
over $3.50 for loss caused in delay Of
shipment Of stock.
Joe Link vs. the Burlington road for
s192 alleged loss on shipment of stock
caused by delay.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-09
Epening Story
MU M PS.
BY Susan e. cIagett.
copyright. 1917, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.


81 cannotunderstand your reasoning.
II am not a child to follow blindly
where you would lead. There must be
some better argument than any you've
made yet before I give up purpose
that means so much to me-.
But Helen"
The girl flashed around upon him.
her eyes flashing; yet she spoke quiet
~.
1T is useless, Dick. I have looked
forward to such trip since | was a
child of twelve | never imagined 1t a
possibility and consider myself for
tunate to be included among the
guests of the the Neris. know that 1t
will be costly trip. but | can think
of no better way of putting the money
to use. or course | could invest 1t and
go on longing for the fleshpots, but so
far, life has been rather bitter ex-
perience anu would like to have this
year of travel to make up for 1t.
IF it weren't for the people you are
going with" he said absently looking
at her with full appreciation of her
personality. "They are not your sort,
100 newly NuiS,oi'
well. my wealth is newly acquired,
too" she retorted, yet doubt II you
would apply that ugly word to me. My
ten shares Of Bethlehem have given
me no fortune. but they have added
materially to an unexpected and
pleasant prospect My original invest
ment is safe. You have seen to that.
am only going to use the profit"
Dicks eyes twinkled, but he replied
gravely. '"The money Is, as you well
know, my last thought. What troubles
me 1t that in your new character Of an
independent woman you are slipping
away from me-
She faced him open eyed, then turn
ed abruptly toward the window. 1t was
some minutes before she remarked ir-
relevantly:
81 have not told you. Dick. that I
L" she hesitated Then the words
came with a rush.
"I have promised Perry Olcott to
marry him when | return
Richard Grahame's face whitened
and he laughed tritie unsteadily, but
the reply to this announcement was
the unexpected one.
II think not. Helen. l Will prevent
that"
How" she asked curiously. To her
surprise she felt no resentment at this
arbitrary statement OF his intention !;
she merely felt curiosity as to his
methods
He ignored the question. apparently
giving his mind for the moment to
something else.
ut seems to be the hour for conf
ldences." he said at last. II have little
one of my own to make. l hope it will
please you. have accepted Mrs. War:
burtons invitation. She was good
enough to leave it open for a few
DAYS and / have found that | can get
away
"A queer decision when you con
slider your attitude of mind toward the
newly rich" she replied. an edge OF
sarcasm in her voice. y presume you
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-09
COSTS
FELT AT UNIVERSITY

Iowa City, March 1.-THE costs of
foodstuffs for Currier hall, the girls
dormitory of the University of Iowa,
have almost doubled since 1913. Sew
eral of the most important of the sta
pie items have more than doubled.
There is not single food in which
there has not ben a decided increase.
The university buys much of its ma
terial at wholesale prices, but these
have advanced SO tremendously that
they are now higher than retail prices
were from two to four years ago. In
1913 onions were bought for the dorm
itory for IA cents. Now they are 1919
cents. Navy beans have advanced
from 1926 in 1918 to $3.50 in 1917. But
ter has risen from 81 cents to 40, cab
bage from ~ cents to 10, chocolate
from 81 cents pound to So, cheese
from q cents to 20, eggs from %
cents in 1914 to As, -four in 1913, $40
barrel to 1926, macaroni from
cents pound to 81. potatoes from 70
cents bushel to $2.65, dried prunes
from cents a pound to 1917, sauer
kraut from 1925 to So, tomatoes from
$40 to $3.50 Fbushel and vinegar
from IA cents gallon to 20.
The rise in price OF meats mas not
been SO great as in the groceries, yet
in every instance it is marked. The
price of lamb legs with an increase
from 1919 cents to "a is the greatest,
the rise in most Of the meats being
about one-third of it's 1914 price.
The increased cost of help has kept
pace with the rise in the prices OF
foodstuffs. The dormitory was main
tanned at cost of $4,707.S8 In 1913
while this year 1t will cost about
$1,000. Currier hall accommodates
17S girls.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-09
PRISONERS WORK
ON ROADS is CHEAP

Palmyra, Mo-. March I. PRISONERS
worked roads in Marion county in 1916
for fifty-nine cents day.
County Highway Engineer Ely has
filed a report in county. court showing
that prisoners from Palmyra jail
worked 1900 days last year on the
highways of Marion county and cut
down many hills, graded up roads and
did a vast amount of hard labor. The
total cost OF transporting the prison
ers to the roads. the pay Of guards and
teams and the expense of feeding them
while employed amounted to fifty-nine
cents day. In estimating the work at
1900 days the work of each prisoner
was counted as day, consequently
when ten prisoners were employed for
FIVE days they were credited with fifty
days work.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-09
MONEY IS SAVED,
ON STATE DOCUMENTS

Des Moines, March when the re-
port of the state document depart
ment was issued the first of the year
it was estimated that the showing
be net saving to the state of from
100000 to $4,000 for the first two
years of the new novel system intro
duced into Iowa for handling the pub
LEGATION business of the state. Since
the first of the year many of the larg'
er reports have been completed and
the cost computed and this shows
that the first estimates were far too
low. The saving in actual cash has
been much larger than at first suppos-
ed The completed report has only this
week been sent out to the Libraries
and the people of the state, including
the full list of all publications by the
state which are in stock.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-09
FLOOR DUST BURNS.

Coin. March While the carpent-
ers were putting in the new floors at
the w. L. Amman home using their
new electric polisher they stopped
work for the noon hour. Lewis offered
to take the pouch which contains the
dust and empty it. Taking it into the
kitchen he opened the range and in an
instant the bag was blown to atoms.
burning bottle Lewis and his wife. The
formers face and hands were burned
so badly a physician was required to
dress them. Mrs. AMMAN received some
severe burns on one hand and arm.
The dust the bag contained covered
everything in the room and caused ex-
ira housekeeping.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-09

ter to concrete form in order that def
mite plans may be made to put the col
|iseum proposition before the people of
this city.
The union depot committee reports
satisfactory progress and is expecting
soon to have further conference
with higher railroad officials, at which
some definite move will be made look
ing toward new union depot for Of
tumwa.
have been circulated in regard to the
Commercial club the officers Of the or.
ganization wish to emphasize the fact
that the aims of the Commercial club
can be briefly sized up in the state
ment that it works entirely to the end
of making Ottumwa better place in
which to live.
Practically all of it's activities take
the form of community philanthropies
and are not commercial in the strict
sense of the word. The organization
tries to induce new industries to come
to Ottumwa and to develop those which
already here. 1t endeavors to pro-
mote all municipal projects which are
are for the benefit Of the community.
such as better streets, development of
parks, better schools, improved library
facilities, better sanitary conditions
and all other movements which may
make this community more deslr-
able place of residence.
It's active members give their time
to the furtherance of these projects
without any remuneration whatever
and at considerable personal sacri-
fee to themselves.
The Ottumwa Commercial club does
not concern itself in any way with the
individual business of its members or
others. 1t has nothing whatever to
do with the fixing of prices or tabulat-
ing and disseminating credit informa-
ton. 1t has absolutely nothing to do
with any retail or wholesale business
in this city. The club works as disin-
terestedly for those who are not its
members as it does for it's members
and the officers only ask in return that
they be given the moral support and
cooperation of all the people of OF
tumwa.
The members of the board Of direc.
tors meet each week at noon, pay for
their lunch and work for the cOmmun.
ity on committees. Thus in addition
to their regular dues they pay S25 a
year more than members of the asso.
citation who are not on the board.
These men are doing good work TO;
their community at an extra expense
to themselves.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-09
WANT NEW SCHOOL.

Newton. March THE proposition
to issue bonds to build Junior high
school here at cost of $4,000 will
he settled at the polls March IL.
The campaign has been lively and
the vote promises to be heavy.
The proposed building has twelve
class rooms and in the basement is a
gymnasium. 54x7S feet in size, with
a gallery seating 400. Shower baths
are also provided.
In addition to the class rooms and
gym there Will be an auditorium with
gallery. the total seating capacity be-
ing So.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-09
-
THE QUAIL LAW.

There is now bill before the Iowa
legislature to prohibit the shooting OF
quail in Iowa for the next five years.
Ostensibly the enactment of such law
is asked for in the belief that 1t Will
increase the quail supply.
Such law as that is not needed in
Iowa About twenty-five years ago
there was three years closed season
on quail in Iowa. When the closed
season went into effect there were
quite number of the birds in this part
Of the state. They did not seem to in
crease very much in the first two
years that shooting was prohibited
and late in the winter OF the third
year there came a big sleer and snow
which laid on the ground for SUM-
cient length of time to cause most OF
the quail in southern Iowa to starve,
so that at the end of the three years
closed season there were not as many
quail in the state as there were at the
beginning Of the closed season. A
sleet that stays on the ground for any
length of time works a great hardship
on the quail. The quail has to be able
to get to the ground to get gravel or
little hard particles TO digest its food.
It is not so much the lack of food that
destroys the quail as it is the lack OF
the necessities to digest that food.
1t is not the hunter who buys his
game license and goes hunting once
week during the open season who de-
stroys the quail. He kills few to be
sure, but on the other hand he will
insly contributes both money and time
for their protection and seldom shoots
them out of season. It is the sleet
storm and pot hunter and trapper that
puts the quail out of business. Some
Of the papers state that this law should
be enacted for the purpose of keeping
the pot hunter from killing the quail.
He is just exactly the fellow that the
law will not prohibit from killing
the quail He does not pay any atten-
ton to the law anyway and to make
closed season for five years will keep
the legitimate hunter out Of the field
and leave the whole proposition open
for the pot hunter who will be quick to
recognize the monopoly that the law
will give him. The business man who
takes an occasional day off to go hunt
ing in the open season is the party
that the pot hunter lodges right
along.
The fox and the crow eat the quail
eggs and destroy the young. The blue
Jay is also nest robber. They are,
in the plan of Providence, natural en-
emies of the quail.
The Iowa game law as it stands to-
day regarding the native birds is hard
to improve upon. In some states the
dove has been placed in the list OF
game birds and furnishes, considerable
food 1t would be more practicable to
make an open season on doves during
the month of September than II would
to make closed season ON quail the
year around.
If the legislature wants to give the
pot hunter and trapper monopoly
on the quail crop it can effectively do
so by making five year closed sea
son such as is now advocated by some
of the newspapers and some. OF the
members of the legislature.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-09
rnE COMMERCIAL CLUB.

with the beginning OF March the
Othumwa Commercial club has outlin-
edy in some measure its plans for its
~ brk for the coming year.
Is tgThe organization of the farm bureau
Mas been completed and this depart
Y Abent is now going ahead under its
az wn steam.
saat The next matter for spring is the
hnual spring clean up campaign
which this year has been correlated
with an effort to raise the classified
MON of Ottumwa with the insurance
Rating bureau which would result in
general lowering of insurance rates
lin this city.
The committee on the coliseum has
Aeen busily engaged in collecting data
snd will soon start to reduce this mat
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-09
To VOTE ON MANAGER.

Webster City, March On March
% Webster City will elect new
council. Much interest attaches to the
election for Webster City is one of
very few cities in Iowa operating I'M
der the manager plan of government.
There will probably be two tickets in
the field. one representing the pres.
ent incumbents and one the opposi,
ton. 1t is the claim of the opponents
of the present council that they have
not. in fact. given the city the manag.
err plan, but rather the commission
form of government.