Iowa News in Brief From Des Moines 1903
Notes from the capital report Iowa fairs dates August 19 to 26 and state opposition to cancelation rumors. Governors discuss banking law bankruptcy repeal, teacher certification reforms, and education board exams. Rail commission omits railroad accidents in biennial report, cites overworked workers as core railway evil. Ends with a Peru weather quip and a Canada joke exchange.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Des Moines
John Simpson
State Fair Association
Chicago
American Fair Association
Iowa
Minnesota
Nebraska
Kansas
Ilinois
Wisconsin
St. Louis
R. S. Johnson
Columbus Junction
Manatry
C. AM. Hull
McDonnell
State Railroad Commission
Cummins
E. A. Dawson
Waverly
Supreme Court
Payta
Peru
Canada
North America
United States
Suicide of a Colfax Banker Shocks Iowa Town
George D. Wood, cashier of the Bank of Colfax and investor in several Iowa banks, shot himself after a period of ill health and mounting business pressures. He spoke with close friends about his burdens, then fired a revolver in his bathroom, dying instantly. Banks linked to his holdings faced strain as Baxter Savings Bank, where Wood held stock, suspended operations. Polk County tax actions and a forthcoming bankruptcy petition for H. G. Stauffer & Co. added to the financial tremors surrounding Colfax and Des Moines.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Colfax
George D. Wood
Bank of Colfax
R. A. Penquite
John Maine
Maine
Chicago
Caluty
Mr. Wood
George Wood
Alex. Wood
Baxter Bank
Colfax Bank
Wood
Baxter
Baxter Concern
Bankers’ Encyclopedia
Bank of Ira
Geo. D. Wood
Chas. S. Weston
City Bank of
Mitchellville
Geo. PD
Des Moines
H. G. Stauffer & Co
H. G. Stauffer
W. H. Bates
Polk County Funds Safely Secured After 10000 Withdrawal
In Maine on December 5 Polk County reported 10000 in general funds and 25000 in court house deposits at Wood's bank Colfax. A $10000 withdrawal was made recently but deposits remain secured by bonds and under the custody of former Treasurer Al Layman whose bond adds protection. A recent check for 10000 of the general fund was drawn by Layman.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Layman
Waterloo
Mullan
Polk County
Polk
State Agricultural School
State Normal
State University
Carroll
Des Moines
George D. Wood
Wood
al Layman
Murrow
Colfax
Jashier Gill
Court House
Maine
Fire destroys Muscatine car barn and tracks
The Citizens' Railway and Light company car barn burned in Muscatine on December 4. Twenty-seven street cars were destroyed, totaling about 50,000 dollars in losses, all insured. Six cars remain for service. The fire threatened nearby lumber yards, with minor damage to Hunting Manufacturing yards and Rock Island facilities.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Muscatine
Citizens’ Railway and Light Company
Colfax Bank Cattle Paper Leads to Probe
In Newton on December 8 Sheriff Hook uncovered 125000 in noncancelled mortgages granted to the Bank of Colfax by cattle dealer J B Ross of Jasper county. Much of the paper may be paid but likely not. The shortage feared when the receiver reports prompts fears for bondholders and Jasper county deposits. Investigation continues.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Colfax
Newton
Sheriff Hook
Bank of Colfax
J. B. Ross
Jasper County
Roberts
Cape Breton Coal & Iron Co forms in Des Moines holdings in Cape Breton
A new Cape Breton Coal & Iron company with $3,000,000 capital has emerged in Des Moines led by president N. E. Coffin and officers Oren Ruffcorn secretary H. J. Deards and treasurer H. H Reynolds. The firm owns about forty square miles of coal and iron lands in Cape Breton Nova Scotia and plans immediate development. Stock sales are active with favorable terms and strong conservative backers anticipate a bright future.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
Cape Breton
Des Moines
Cape Breton Coal & Iron Company
N. E. Coffin
Oren Ruffcorn
H. J. Deards
H. H Reynolds
Crocker Building
Nova Scotia
Canada
State Board of Agriculture Treasurer Reports 1903
G D Ellyson, treasurer, submits the 1903 report showing expenditures of 943,351.60 with receipts balancing. Largest disbursement item is 41,577.46 for expense warrants and 23,810.98 for premiums. Outside gate receipts totaled 34,406.00.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
G. D. Ellyson
State Board of Agriculture
Carmean Embezzlement Case Sees Two-Year Fort Madison Sentence
In Marshalltown Judge Burnham denied a new trial request for N A Carmean charged with embezzlement and sentenced him to two years at hard labor in Fort Madison. An appeal to the supreme court will follow. In Muscatine a fire killed Mrs Emaline Jamteon, 65, at her residence in Morning Sun.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
RH Weewe Es Se Carmean
Marshalltown
Burnham
N. A. Carmean
Fort Madison
Supreme Court
Muscatine
Emaline Jamteon
United States Ships Deploy Near Darien Amid Colombia Rumors
Rumors swirl of 3000 Colombian troops departing Cartagena to invade the Isthmus. The cruiser Atlanta is off the Indian coast and the Dixie will land marines at Empire station near Colón. Officials caution against overstatement as authorities stay alert while Bolivar commissioners return with the latest on Cartagena and Panama.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Colon
Cartagena
Isthmus
Port Limon
Costa Rica
Panama
United States
Atlanta
Dixe
Empire Station
Culebra
United States Watchful
Washington
Gulf of Darien
Colombia
Department of Bolivar
New York
Dr. Herran
General Reyes
Panaman
Messrs
Jiminez and
Blanco
Outrages on Natives Reported by Casement Tour
London reports British consul Roger Casement has confirmed severe abuses in the Congo rubber zones. His six month investigation found slavery and barbarism under the rubber regime, with a warning that intervention may be overdue. Casement’s team traveled over a thousand miles documenting conditions. Details are withheld pending the foreign office briefing.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
Roger Casement
Congo
Africa
Casement
Abir
Lulonga
Foreign Office
Commission
Panama recognition by Russia and world reaction
United States Ambassador McCormick is notified of Russia recognizing the republic of Panama. The czar’s decree follows his succession, while Copenhagen suggests King Christian recognize Panama. The Supreme Court delays ruling on Northern Securities. miners face a ten percent wage cut effective December 16 in Meyersdale. A neighborhood joke ends with a house without a For Sale sign.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Panama
St. Petersburg
United States
McCormick
Russia
Republic of Panama
Skerniewitch
Copenhagen
Christian
Minera
Meyersdale
Somerset, Continental, and Merchants Coal Companies
Flag Hauled Down at Alexandretta Consulate
United States Consul Davis withdrew from Alexandretta after a confrontation with Turkish police during the arrest of Armenian American citizen Attarian. Davis lowered the flag, severed relations, and left the consulate in charge of the vice consul as Turkish authorities claim self defense and confiscated money found on Attarian. The incident prompted US legation urgency and calls for full reparations from Constantinople.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Constantinople
Bec
United States
Alexandretta
Turkey
Davis
Beirut
Whch
Channes Attarian
Attarian
Aleppo
Attaran
Cavasses
Darbekir
Leishman
Porte
President nominates General Leonard Wood for major general
Washington December 8 the president sent to the senate the nomination of General Leonard Wood for major general and 607 other officers linked to his promotion. he also transmitted about twenty five civil appointees who failed of confirmation including Dr Crum for collector of the port of Charleston. Commissions date back to original appointments and are treated as recess appointments. In Hastings eleven miners' wives attacked federal officers tearing down shanties at Victor Fuel company property in the Italian quarter. Marie Vanelli struck Marshal Hightower with a butcher knife tool. Waybright was beaten.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Senate
Leonard Wood
Hastings
Colo
Dee
Milt Hightower
George Waybright
Victor Fuel Company
Marie Vanelli
Hightower
Waybright
Seresiad Aad
Kentt - Sayeed
Des Moines Cruiser Excels In Trial Run Off Cape Ann
Boston Dec 7 The new cruiser Des Moines exceeded her 16.5 knot contract during a Cape Ann trial averaging 16.633 knots. The test highlighted steady handling and strong engine performance, with 16.49 knots on the northerly leg and 16.77 on the return. The sister ship Cleveland watched as Des Moines crewed on deck and maneuvered through helm tests before returning to Boston.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Boston
Cape Ann
Des Moines
Cleveland
Plot alleged to assassinate Panama commander in chief
Panama government says a letter reveals a supposed plot by a Colombian battalion to urge a Panama garrison revolt against General Huertas. Four conspirators, including a colonel Ferol, were seized in Panama and sent to Port Limon Costa Rica. They claim false charges by personal enemies and seek return to the isthmus.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Panama
Colon
Huertas
Republic of Panama
Port Limon
Costa Rica
Colombia
Ferol
Isthmus
Ship Subsidy Compromise Halts Measure In Fifty-eighth Congress
Washington reports a compromise between supporters and opponents of the proposed ship subsidy bill. No effort to pass it during the Fifty-eighth Congress. A nonpartisan presidentially appointed commission will investigate all aspects of the subsidy issue and report to the Fifty-ninth Congress, while also studying aids to extend foreign markets for American products and changes in markets over the past decade. City of Butler faces typhoid fever outbreak as 1,600 cases and twenty-eight deaths tally amid overworked doctors and mounting strain.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Butler
James Grossman
Minter
Harris
McAdoo
Also Mentioned on This Page
Chariton Democrat
C. W. Mullan
Auditor of State
Millard Cox
Banking Department
General Mullan
Remley
J. P. Dolliver
Barrett
State Teachers’ Association
State Board of Educational Examiners
Superintendent of Public Instruction
State Educational Board of Examiners
State University of Iowa
Uicide
Corporation
United States Supreme Court
State of Minneola
Northern Securities Company
Louisville Courier-Journal
Channel Attaran
Consul Davis
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