davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-08-08
Books Are Under Ban.

A few weeks ago man named A.
H. Kent, who owns a farm north
west OF Decatur, which he rents and
has been following the business OF
selling books, was arrested by
authority from the Council of De-
fense. Kent was selling Pastor Rus
sell books, and had made about a
dozen sales of these books to parties
in Leon. At the time of his arrest
sheriff Fulton seized about fifty
books which were found in Kent's S
room at the Park Hotel. The fellow
was kept in Jail few days and then
released on instructions from feder-
al authorities. Last Friday a Unit
ed States. secret service man was
here, and went to Decatur, where
Kent was interviewed. The officer
told him that since May 18th there
was a ban on all the books publish
ed by Pastor Russell, and he was
given a good talking to, and agreed
that he would not make any more
sales. His stock of books are still
in charge of the authorities. If any
further attempt is made in Decatur
county by any person to sell Pastor
Russell books of any kind, the mat
ter should be reported to o. e.
Hull, chairman of the Decatur
County Council of Defense.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-08-08
Took Ford Car.

Last Wednesday, circus day, John
Barrett, of south of Leon. brought
his family to, Leon in their new
Ford car and left the car on the
square while they attended the cir
Gus in the afternoon. After the
circus was over they came down
town and placed some packages in
the car and then went to the Rexall
store for some ice cream: When
hsy as Se aaf waa g sdss sSSa tssa shs %
ton was notified and he phoned to
all the surrounding towns and hal
officers watching for the car, and
shortly after six o'clock word was
received that the car had been found
by Marion Fuller at Van Vert, and
the driver, Clifford Merwin, we'll
known young man of Leon, was
held. Sheriff Fulton drove to Van
Vert and brought Merwin and the
car. to Leon, Merwin being placed in
Thursday he was bound over to the
grand jury and in default of bond
remained in Jail until Tuesday even
ing when Judge Fuller came to
Leon and Merwin entered plea Of
guilty to the charge of taking an
auto without the owners consent,
being sentenced to six months in
the county JAIL but the sentence was
suspended by agreement. IL MerWin
enlists in the navy, and in company
with sheriff Fulton he went to Des
the navy. Merwin claimed he had
no intention of stealing the car, but
took it to take a young lady to her
home near Van Vert, and was 60
ing to return the car to Leon as
soon as he could get back with it.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-08-08
John Officer Cowl.

John Officer Cowl was born in At
ton, Iowa, October 20, 1890. His
parents were Mr.. and Mrs. w. P.
towl, prominent residents Of tt: that at
four children, ali most tenderly low
ed by the devoted parents who were
taken from their little ones when
John was at the tender age of 5
years. The little boy was offered a
home by his fathers sister, Mrs. D.
o. Miller, of Wellsville, Ohio, who
reared him in the IN most ha careful and
on him the love of a true parent.
She and her son and daughter to-
day mourn their loss as deeply as Of
a child born in their own household.
From them the boy imbibed the
graces of true christian character
and noble citizenship which prepar-
ye yea, nam and lit for the he nobIest death that
of his life in the very beauty of
young manhood that his country
might live Thus in both life and
in death our young friend has full
filled a beautiful destiny. He has
set the highest example to the youth
of the land. Some two and half
years before his enlistment, he came
to Leon to visit his sister, Mrs. F.
S. Stewart and she persuaded him to
remain with her for a while. He
engaged in business with his broth
er-in-law and became leader in the
social circles of the younger people,
among whom he was beloved and
honored and became a great favor
ite. But it was perhaps in the place
where he grew up that he was most
highly regarded. AS one who knew
him best has written of him: 81
have seen John under all conditions
and he never failed to show the
metal that was in him." AS an ex-
ample of this it is remembered
here that when it was seen our
country was likely to be forced in
to the war he said: eff war comes
will go. l have no one dependent
upon me-" This was said with the
maturity of thought born of. sense
of duty. Like every other young
man who loves life and enjoys all
that it means to the young, he wish
ed. to live, to love and be loved. But
the voice of duty spoke louder to
him than that of his own inclina-
tions. That voice was needed when
he enlisted in the marines, where as
he said he could "see real service.
on June 81, 1917. No American
will ever need be told what service
the marines rendered when at their
immortal stand at the Marnes they
checked the invaders and many of
them, like our dear young friend,
made the supreme sacrifice
John has passed from mortal
sight but his golden star will shine
forever in memories made richer BY
his short life among men.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-08-08
Coming Attractions at the Idle Hour
and New Theatres.

venture serial, .The Bulls Eye"
will be shown at the Idle Hour The
atre both this. afternoon and this
first night show at O'Clock. Ad-
mission 6 and II cents which in
cludes the war tax.
The attraction tomorrow and Sat-
urday at the New Theatre will be
VIM. S. Hart in "The Square Deal
best S pctures Is ese and I'd it 'iS IS attract gsa
ing immense crowds everywhere. It
n WHICH Bg gcHdna B + HaTe MeStera exces .e
THE Square Deal Man" is a great
picture. 1t is so good that. it will
satHrday, }irda boA1 August t. 9th and 10th 10th.
Admission will be 9 cents and one
cent war tax for children under,
twelve and 13 cents and cents war
n Ths o1 attraction "a Saturday at I'll. the
Hard Rock Breed" featuring Mar.
gerry Wilson and an all star Triangle
cast This, the Triangle company
informs us, is one of the best west
ern pictures that they have released
this year for exhibition. 1t is
picture filed with thrills and daring
interest throughout. This is great
Saturday attraction and it will
please all patrons of the popular
Idle Hour. One of those also be
Triangle comedies will also be
shown. Matinee at 8 o'clock and
first night show at o'clock. Mat
inee admission will be 6 and II
cents which include the war tax and
the night admission will be and Is
cents which also includes the war
tax. -
A return showing Of the wonder
Beast of Berlin has been arranged
for August 10Th and Goth. Make
your arrangements now SO that you
will be able to attend.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-08-08
1850 Bushels of Wheat Threslled on
j. f. Crees' Farms.

The threshing on the J: F. Crees
farms near Grand River has been
finished, his two sons and two ten
ants threshing $3.50 bushels of fall
wheat which went in at the elevator
straight without any dock or shrink,
the average being a little over %
bushels per acre. They also thresh-
ed $500 bushels of oats raised on
the farms which overweighed on the
scales from three to six bushels per
load.
Mr.. Crees tells how he put in his
fall wheat as follows: Il plow as
early as possible, in July or August
if l can, then when time to sow l
disc and harrow the ground as level
as I can get it, then put a good
heavy roller ahead of the drill. pack
ing the ground good and run the
drill deep enough to cover the wheat
good, but don't roll after drilling.
l tried little experiment with fall
wheat, sowing about two acres on
February 23rd, and it was the best
wheat we had. The seed was the
same that we sowed in the fall, and
the February sowing, had larger
ripen as early by few days"
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-08-08
Sixteen Soldiers Went to Jefferson
Barracks Yesterday.

Sixteen more Decatur county
young men reported yesterday morn.
ing to the local registration board
under the first August call and left
on the afternoon train for Jefferson
Barracks, Mo. No other call for
August has as yet been made. but it
is expected that several additional
calls will be made during hte month.
The following is list of the boys
who went yesterday:
VIM. James Smith, Bloomington.
James VIM. Ackerley, Grand Riv-
er.
Frank Caster, Center.
John Charles Musselman, Leon.
Reatus William Bruner, Burrell.
John Vincent O'Boyle, Vale.
James Barry, Woodland.
James T. Toney, Fayette.
Jesse Royce Fuller, Weldon.
Mont Lovett Clampitt, Pleasan-
ton.
Ralph William Gamble, Garden
Grove.
Charles Abel Edwards, Grand
River.
Pearl M. Wells, Leroy.
Earl Smith, Grand River.
Henry A. Butler, Eden.
Paul Milton Bassell, -Fayette.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-08-08
Held Short Session of Court.

Judge H. A. Fuller, accompanied
dren, motored to Leon Tuesday even,
ing and held short session OF
court. The case of State VS.. Cliff
ord Merwin was disposed of, an in
formation being filed charging him
with larceny in taking John Barrett S
auto last Wednesday evening, and he
entered plea of guilty to the
charge, the sentence of the court be-
ing that he be confined in the county
jail for a period of six months, but
upon payment of the costs, and his
enlistment in the navy, that the jail
sentence be suspended. Merwin
was paroled to sheriff John A. Full
ton, who took him to. Des Moines
yesterday to have him enlist in the
The following other cases were
disposed of:
Law and Equity. :.
T. B. Nicholson VS.. Mark Tapscott
ct al. Guardians deed and report
of sale to Fred Leighty approved.
Probate.
Estate of c. r. Goble. Annual
report of administrator approved.
Guardianship of John w. Gard
ner. On application G. C. Sears ap-
pointed temporary guardian Of q,
John w. Gardner incompetent with
bond of $1,000 and hearing on ap--
for sale of real estate fixed
for August 18th.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-08-08
Sunday Was a scorcher.

Everybody knew that Sunday was
a scorcher, but it was worse when
they found out that the government
thermometer registered 1902 that
forty years. On July %, 1911, the
mercury registered 1O9 degrees.
The terrific heat and the hot wind
has done an immense damage to the
corn crop, many farmers telling us
that the corn crop will be cut at
least SO per cent on account of the
hot wind. Southern Iowa was the
hottest place in the United States
hotter than at Phoenix, Arizona
which always holds the record as the
hottest place in the United States.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-08-08
Attempted to Cut His Throat.

so,d't The - many any friends end; s Of Mr.; T; H:
evening when they learned he had
attempted to cut his throat at his
home in this city. Mr. Schenck has
been dangerously sick for several
weeks, and his sickness had evident
ly temporarily affected his mind.
His wife and others have been with
him constantly for several weeks,
and Friday evening Mr.. Schenck
asked his wife to give him knife
to, pare his finger nails. She COM
piled with his request and he was
thus engaged when she stepped from
the room for minute and was hor-
rifed upon her return to see cash
in Mr.. Schenck's neck from which
the blood was streaming. He re-
marked that he guessed that knife
was too dull to do good job.
Physicians were summoned and it
was found that on account of the
dullnesS of the knife he had not been
able to reach the juglar vein, but
several stitches were taken in dress
ing the wound. Mr.. Schenck's con-
dition from sickness continues crit
ical, but the wound in his neck is
healing nicely.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-08-08
A Real Play House.

Jennie Lester and Edgar Bell are
the envy of all the children in Leon
oyer oyer the fact that that they have thn th real
lawn at the home of their parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. E. E. Bell. The house
is substantially built, with cover,
ed front porch, glass door, and q
corner china closet. Windows
which open are fitted with lace
curtains, rug is on the floor, and
completes the equipment. The house
was built by their grandfather, John
Bell, who although we'll along in
years has not forgotten how to
handle carpenter tools, and as q
finishing touch the house is painted
in artistic colors inside and out.
The children will sure get great
deal of enjoyment from it.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-08-08
Recovered viii Warren's Ford.

The new Ford touring car of Will
Warren which was stolen from in
front of the Brethren church in this
city on Sunday evening, June End,
was recovered in Des Moines Mon
day, after it had been given up as
lost. The car was found in the
possession of Fay Marshall, former
Leon boy, now living in Des Moines,
who claims he purchased it from a
soldier, Clifford Merwin bringing
the soldier to him in Des Moines.
He claims to have paid $50 down on
the car and the soldier was to re-
turn later with note made out for
the balance, but he has not seen
him since. Sheriff Fulton and Mr..
Warren went to Des Moines Monday
and secured the car. The car had
been changed considerably. the en-
gine numbers having been cut OF, !,
the wind shield and other parts
changed, and the car bore set Of
Iowa license numbers which it is
learned were stolen from car at
the Herring Motor Co.'s plant in Des
Moines
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-08-08
TWENTY-FIVE YEARS Ago
items Taken from the Files of The
Reporter Published Quarter
Of Century Ago.

residence property of Mrs. H. j.
Close, the price being $1,000.
II. q. Stanton, who has been run
has been languishing in jail since
ed by deputy sheriff Sanger on a
warrant charging him with the
crime of bigamy Last December
Stanton married Miss Eva Beck, Of
Burrell township, and it is claimed
he had wife living at Bethany,
Mo-, from whom he had never been
a warrant issued for his arrest.
His second wife has commenced an
action in the district court praying
that her marriage to Stanton be an
nulled on the ground that at the
time it was entered into Stanton had
another wife. Wife No. one yester-
wife No. two with adultery and she
was placed under arrest, and held
under bonds to. appear at a prelim-
mary examintion before Justice
Bullock next Wednesday.
Sells Bros. circus exhibited in
Leon last FRIDAY to the greatest cir
Gus crowd ever seen in Leon.
before 9 o'clock a notice was posted
on tn door of the Farmers & Trad
ers Bank, announcing that on ac-
count of being unable to collect out
standing notes, the bank had as
signed to T.. S. Arnold, with whom
all business should be transacted.
In few minutes the startling news
collected around the entrance to the
bank, and for time great excite
ment prevailed, until it was made
known what the assts and liabilities
were, for no one had dreamed that
the bank was pushed. The assets
scheduled in the assignment are
given at $471,7S0 22,o and the liza
sl1ss surpius at Of $55 lffslns The fa
ure is great misfortune to the
community, involving as it does the
banks at Garden Grove and Davis
City, and affects business in all
branches, although it is thought
that with proper management everv
one will receive all that is due them.
Bank, but all demands were prompt
ly met, and when the depositors
found they could get their money a
great many of them went away with
out drawing it.
Misses Emma and Nora Hamilton
returned Monday from st. Johns,
Wash where they had been visiting
DR.. ri. r. Layton is representing
Hesperia Lodge No. 33, X. of P. at
the X. of P. grand lodge at Musca-
The following marriage licenses
were issued the past week:
Clarence Brenizer 20 to Lue
Evans 19.
Abraham M. Hammond "a to
Effie McKern %.
! E. w. Tiff, of Blythedale, Mo-,
was in this vicinity the past week
visiting his old friends and looking
after his property.
Miss Leila Osborn returned Thurs
day from visit with friends at
Council Bluffs.
Mrs VIM. V. Waller died at her
home in Palmer, Neb., July 31st.
her remains were brought to her
home at Decatur for interment.
Mrs. Waller was 40 years old, and
is survived by her husband, a son
and daughter.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-08-08
Chautauqua Commences Next Mon.
day..

The Leon Chautauqua opens a
seven day session at Leon next Mon
day, and we have the Midland Sys-
tenn which gave such excellent sat
isfaction last year. This year they
are presenting a specially good pro-
gram for each day, and everybody
who can should plan to attend ev-
cry session during the entire seven
days. President Wilson strongly en-
dorses the holding Of Chautauquas
this year, regarding them as an ed
ucation to the people, and in ar
ranging the program the Midland
System has given special attention
cts before the opening day and en-
joy the excellent attractions. Leon
will have as good a Chautauqua as
any city in southern Iowa, and re-
ports from cities where they have
appeared are that the Midland Chau-
tduuua il giving the best of salts
fc .scn this year. 80.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-08-08
Leon Boys Meet on Board Ship.

DR.. J. w. Rowell last Saturday re-
ceived a letter from his son Edgar,
who was one of our first boys to en-
list in the navy after war broke out,
and who was recently transferred at
his own request for overseas duty.
in which he says he was greatly sur
prised to run across James HOFFMAN,
son of Mr.. and Mrs. c. w. Hoffman,
of Leon, who is also in the navy, and
was recently sent east from the
Great Lakes Naval Training Station.
where he has been for the past year.
Jim is member of the ships crew
on which Edgar sailed. and the two.
old Leon pals had a great time vfs-
iting, as they had not seen each oth-
er for many months
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-08-08
Draft Ages to be 1s to 45 years,

The first step in the enlarged war
program was taken at Washington
Monday with the introduction of a
approved a1ip cW do by t Secretary y A' Baker and
other officials, extending the draft
ages from 21 to 81 years to 18 to
As years, and it is expected that
prompt action will be taken by con-
gress and the bill passed. It is pro-
posed to have the bill passed at
of 1S and As years who have not al
ready registered under the old law,
can be registered during the first
week in September 1t is reported
from Washington that it was expect
ed the bill would be passed essen
tally as introduced, as much care
fpl f' study t!'1y has been done in preparing
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-08-08
Another Decatur County Boy Wound
cd in France.

A message was received Saturday
evening by the local registration
board from Washington, announcing &
that Ray Welcher Of Decatur county
France. His father Is Grant Welch-
er, the Davis City drayman. The
young soldier while registering in
Decatur county, was not sent from
this county, having secured a trans
fer to another board at that place
where he was working at the time,
which is unknown to the local board
here II e Who OF are hopfns ~ he % may ! rscov- .
er from his injuries.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-08-08

dier fighting overseas, John O..
Cowl. has made the supreme sac
ritice, his life, in defense OF the
honor and freedom OF his country,
and one of Icons finest young me- men
nesday @ evening the terrible news
was received by his sister, Mrs. F.
S Stewart. a message from Wash
ington announcing his death that
day from fracture of the leg. and
hemorrhage. Two weeks before
Mrs. Stewart received letter from
her brother, dated June 21st; saving ing
was now in base hospital Is, pass
ing up his injury by simply saving
his leg was doing fine, and they had
not received any later news from
him until the announcement OF his
death came recevas Gstsrday letter daed
July 14th, in which he tells, of his
injury, and it is supposed it become
necessary to amputate his limb, and
he died from hemorrhage during
the operation.
The war regulations are such
that interment will be made IN
France until after the war IS oyer.
SiH1'be viii be held in honor Of Mr. Cowl
at the M. E. church in Leon on Sun
dav morning, August 18th, at II
O'Clock.
The announcement of his death
came as a great shock to everyone
in Leon, for John was one. of our
most popular young men Wlnon Who MADE Ia,a e
was declared he quickly made up
his mind that it was his duty to vol
unteer, and he tried to enlist in the
marines at Des Moines and Omaha,
being rejected at both places on &C
count of physical disabilities, but
succeeded in being accepted at Kan
sas City and just one year. to the
day, June. 21st he wrote his sister
first telling of his being wounded
He is survived by three sisters and
one brother, Mrs. F. s. Stewart OF
Leon, with whom he had made his
home for several years before or vol yol-
Clark, Of Ogden, Utah, Mrs; Mabel
Epps. of Omaha, Neb., and William
r Cowl, of Council Bluffs.
The following is his last letter to
his sister, Mrs. Stewart, received by
her yesterday morning:
Sunday Morning, July IA. 1918.
Dear Sis: Just had my leg dress
ed and ate good breakfast and am
feeling fine. This is a very large
hospital and has all the modern
methods and instruments SO no need
to worry about me not getting the
best of care. The nurses are fne,
too, always getting things for us.
Last night we had big feed of COM
bipation salad; have had strawber-
ries several times and oranges and
lemons every day. My leg is broken
between the knee and hip about
half way; have it tied up in the air
so of course, will be on my back for
some time. l have learned to knit,
not very rapid as yet; find it sort of
interesting; read lots OF magazines
and books; have great many little
things to do to pass away the time.
It is awful hard to write lying on
ones back. but I guess you are ia
miliar with my scratching to- make
it out. l am lucky enough to have
the $25 you sent and it will sure
come in good as there are many lit
tie things one can send out and get.
Hope Jack Is well and hearty Of
ten think of you all. One has SO
much time to think of everything
that ever hapDeneo. Certainly have
: lot of pleasant memories Of Leon.
Been some time since received
nAail. OF course, being in the hos
81 f-5s
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-08-08
Has Worked for Burlington System
Forty Years.

Station agent C. M. Ketcham
rounded out forty years of active
service with the Burlington railroad
last Wednesday night, having com
menced work learning. telegraphy in
this city August 1 1915, when A. N.
Fraser was agent. and has been in
tinuousiy ever since, and has been
stationed at Leon for thirty-fve
years as operator and agent, having
been agent for more than twenty
five years. Mr.. Ketcham Is one Of
the veterans in the employ of the
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-08-08
Don't Ask for FREQ Papers.

Under the new government roGu
lations the publishers Of newspapers
are prohibited from giving any freo
copies of the paper away. If yo1
you must call prepared to pay Ave.
cents for it. This IS the govern
ment's orders, and we must abide BY
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-08-08
Good War News.

The good news from France IL
that the allies are still keeping the
Huns on the run, and they certain
ing to them, being driven back.
many miles each day, as well az loo-
ing thousands of men, hundreds a.
big guns and much ammunition aAa
supplies. When those Yanks get NJ.
ter them the Huns don't know who0
to stop running. and our boys 1ros
sure after them in great shape
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-08-08
will Receive War Tax.

The director of the Junior Chau-
tauqua will be at the F. 8. Stewart
store Saturday afternoon and Mon
day morning to receive the war tax
on all chautauqua tickets, and at
noon. Have your ticket stamped Ms
early rs possible, and so avoid the
rush.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-08-08

pital will delay it some. You better
address your next letters to Base
Is as l will be here quite while
and it may be that l won't get back
to my company when l am better.
Give my best to the Rowell's. Hope
you are receiving the Stars and
John o. Cowl,
Base Hospital Is, U. S. M. c.,
American E. F.