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Newspaper
Decorah Republican
Location
Decorah, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Dec 28, 1916
Page
6
John Finn returned from Des Moines after attending a Polled Hereford cattle sale where one hundred head sold. He purchased four cows two and three years old to be shipped Monday, joining his registered bull and twenty five to thirty hornless young stock. The herd’s expansion is viewed as beneficial to local farming and reduces horn-related concerns.
Decorah audiences enjoy high quality theater with productions rivaling those in major cities. The piece The Chattel starring E. H. Sothern drew modest local attendance, yet mirrored the metropolitan presentation with prices from 10 to 15 cents versus 25 cents to 1.50 elsewhere.
The Decorah sewer system has operated for ten days with sewage directed to the septic tank. Tests after filtration show water like clear, odorless liquid. A rumor of a defective septic tank is unfounded. workers from Mexico will stay through winter.
John Protheroe suffered a ten foot fall from a ladder while removing snow from a skylight in the Tracy grocery store building. He hit his neck and back, loosened ligaments, jarred teeth, but no bones were broken. He was placed to bed and a doctor summoned. rest is reported as reasonably comfortable.
A brief note recounts Louis Jasper, an 18th century resident of southern Virginia, as one of the earliest bearded freaks. His beard measured about nine and a half feet, with a thick, heavy growth. His mustache could be stretched between the fingers and arms extended, with the ends extending over a foot beyond the fingertips.
The article notes that by 1400 card playing advanced in Germany and cites municipal bans in Burgher records of the fifteenth century. In 1452 a Franciscan friar preached against gaming in Nuremberg, prompting a public burning of many playing cards and other devilish devices.
Justice H F Barthell presided over two ceremonies in December 1916. On December 21 John Henry Werner of Bluffton wed Frances Jennetta Bulmer of Decorah. On December 26 Oscar Magen married Musa Maud Morris, also of Decorah.
County news from December 26 1916 notes Mrs L E Evans on the sick list and many local visits. Decorah Mabel and ElKader residents visited friends, while Christmas gatherings and church events mark the holiday period. A long list of guests and local happenings includes students teachers and Christmas programs.
Local residents share Christmas plans visits and travel notes across Decorah Ossian Lawler Postville Waukon and surrounding towns. Mentions include Frank Peck Chris Waters Harold Spaun Lydia Padden Ruby Nash and others visiting relatives or traveling to Des Moines Cedar Falls Ames and Toledo. Community groups note church and club activities and a Christmas giving program with leaders Cynthia DeWitt and Harry Harvey.
Community diary entries record visits and movements among residents including Wensel Lansing Emma Miller Laura Lomen Halvor Sersland Ben Eimers and families, Christmas activities, farm chores, travel to Ossian Chicago Des Moines Decorah and Austin, a funeral, and school term end. Several names appear with weekend gatherings and illnesses mentioned.
A long list of residents and visitors with moves, visits, and vacations. George Tuber on sick list. Will Fisher traveled to Calmar. school closed for a week. Ed Novak visited Cresco. Charles Goite from Calmar. James Kalee home from hospital. James Chekal to Chicago to visit relatives. Mrs. Herold of Walnut Grove visiting. Chas Tupy spending vacation with parents. Frank Swehla and sisters visited Calmar. Mrs. Sherman Becker visiting family. Jiraks shopping in town. Koblishka relatives in Dubuque and Prairie du Chien. Uher visiting Calmar. Mrs. Wilson visiting Mason City. Lizzie Williams visiting Decorah. Robt Klimesh Jr. home from Prairie du Chien. Valdez college students home for vacation. Blazek from Jamestown visiting Benda home. Hron, Mikesh families on vacation. School closed for a week. Mikesh family returns. dance at Fisher's hall Jan 8 1917 with six-piece orchestra and oyster supper. invitation extended.
An advert promotes Chamberlain's Tablets as effective for constipation. The product is described as pleasant to take and mild in effect, offered for sale by R A Engbertson.
A Decorah caller recounts holidays with Joe Klimesh family in Decorah and near Conover relatives visiting Protivin and Postville. A Conover group staged a municipal Christmas tree, band, talks, and candy distribution, with officers elected for the jolly bachelors club. Snow, dances, and local visits wrap up the festive note.
Roy Levi and Jacob Shervin visited homes Sunday while Ole Severson was reported very low. Arthur Ellingson called on Fred Tvers on and Gilbert Anderson stayed with his brother Theodore. Fred and Elvin Iverson stopped by Nels Lee and A. J. Foss. Locals attended Springwater church services and Decorah Christmas Day. Roy Otto Albert Levi and Gilbert Anderson spent Sunday at the Tverson home. Young folks enjoyed a Christmas tree and greetings from the Republican and readers.
Locust residents report cord wood hauling to Decorah and frequent visits between families. Henry Gjettley, Walter Ruffridge, Roy Barth, and others transact business in Decorah and nearby towns. Miss Luella Stoskopf and Miss Elsie Dehning are among those visiting relatives. Christmas shopping and holiday gatherings noted with several local households visiting Decorah and Daubney homes.
Kendallville notes a two week school vacation and a stream of visitors including S. J. Moore from Decorah, Rev Farree's family, Linus Curtis visiting the Moore home, and ax Daskam home for holidays. Local church services occurred despite snow and residents prepare for Christmas with travel to Cresco and Riceville.
Castalia residents and visitors exchanged holiday greetings as numerous locals and guests arrived from Dubuque Ames Waterloo Cedar Falls Lynne Minn Coun ceiled Bluffs Alma to spend Christmas. Notable moves included Stillwell leasing homes, Witt buying a meat market, and churches hosting well attended Christmas programs with decorated trees.
H W Neverman underwent an at home appendectomy last week. He faced a critical period but is now reported to be improving.
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