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Newspaper
Decorah Republican
Location
Decorah, Iowa, United States of America
Date
May 09, 1918
Page
5
An Iowa tale notes Little Bo Peep abandons sheep and shifts to hogs, saying she will raise sausage and bacon. Neighbors lament lost wool and spring lambs while dogs rove for the new enterprise, and Bo Peep declares neighbors can hang with their dogs.
Residents recall a brilliant March aurora that disrupts the Associated Press leased wire from St. Paul to Spokane. Wire experts debate whether the Aurora Borealis is a pest or a blessing as earth currents spike voltage, sometimes doubling normal readings, prompting chiefs to reduce voltage while the current supplies most of the load.
J H Meyer escaped serious injury when his Ford roadster collided with a touring car driven by Wm Hosting on the Fort Atkinson road outside Calmar. Meyer was thrown over the windshield onto a bank, suffering only scratches. The Ford suffered smashed fenders running board a wheel and bent axle while the Buick had a bent axle and minor damage.
A near riot broke up at New Hampton as special deputies aided the sheriff to disperse several hundred people who coated the residence of banker A. H. Schaffer with yellow paint last Wednesday. The uproar stemmed from Schaffer allegedly procuring deferred classification for his son in law Joe Miller, married last fall. Schaffer, wealthy and president of the Second National Bank of New Hampton, also has other banking interests and is brother to W. D. Schaffer, a candidate for Congress from the fourth district.
Harold Singleton a 19 year old adopted son of Mr and Mrs Link Singleton of Algona is jailed on multiple charges tied to a years long spree of crimes ending in horse deaths. The case follows the deaths of several horses including those owned by H McNutt. In a separate incident Fred Miller escaped injury when his oil truck was hit by a train near Castalia road. he jumped clear before impact. Algona school board ends German classes as students burn books in protest and display Kaiser and Hindenburg effigies.
August Wille, German-American Ackley resident for 27 years, served three and a half years in Kaiser Wilhelm's regiment and guarded the crown prince. He emigrated in 1891 after earning 18 dollars a year as a soldier, later praising the United States for steady meals and steady wages while urging his sons to choose their own path in service.
May 6 1918 reports show John Schroeder and Frank Boeckman conducting business in Ossian and Dubuque. Numerous locals and visitors named including Leslie Worley Ridgeway Miss Gida Christianson Miss Beatrice Sand Decorah and Harold Gilbert Monona. Social visits, church events, a marriage Miss Mary Becker to Alphonse Schissel Fort Atkinson, local accidents and burial of C J Webster noted.
The piece advises diets tailored to age and occupation, warns weak stomachs must eat slowly and chew thoroughly, and to keep bowels regular. When constipated or lethargic after meals, Chamberlain's Tablets are recommended to strengthen the stomach and move the bowels, sold by R. A. Engbertson.
Jay Chapman of West Union describes adopting a thirteen year old French boy found cold and hungry. The boy asks to stay, officers approve, and Chapman plans to bring him to the United States. The boy, now claiming to be his son, will receive clothes and care, with a warm bath and dental care provided.
Chronicle notes several historic late snow events in Iowa and nearby regions. April 25, 1910 brought a late winter blast after weeks of warm weather, killing fruit crops. May 11, 1878 blanketed the state including the southwest and was followed by frost. corn was just emerging. A May 20, 1802 storm is also cited among the late snow records.
May 6 1918 Miss Alida Johnstone on sick list. Helen Owens Cresco visited. Lawrence Becker with grandparents Ossian. Anna Swehla Lucy Huber Spillville called. John Hastings in Camp Dodge on furlough. Calmar high school took auto picnic to Lawyter. Mr Mrs J H Meyer host visit from Edgewood Iowa. Adolph Wangsness from Albert Lea came for days. May 10 Wheatman Owens to Jefferson Barracks Mo for training. Calmar streets oil coated by Decorah machine. Fred Campbell family arriving from Owatonna and Minneapolis. E F Stoddard Decorah becomes American Co-operative store manager. Walter Yager returns Iowa City preparing to go to Pittsburgh ordnance work. Royal Neighbors autos trip to Pratt Nicholson home. hospitality praised.
A crowded Looking Glass Prairie column lists visits and calls across Decorah Mabel and Clay Hill. Geo Young Vera Koppen Mamie Golberg Alfred Young and families frequent Decorah shop visits and Sunday visits. various locals like Ray Smalley John Kinyon and Mrs Geo Young appear in calls and stays over the period.
Sheriff Fred E B Marsh and Des Moines detectives seek to uncover how 10000 dollars vanished from the Commercial Savings Bank of Mason City. The theft occurred in broad daylight on Saturday between opening and closing hours, with clerks present, and was found missing when a Saturday night check was made.
A man claiming to be one of twelve German deserters sought Liberty bonds at Cresco with sign language. Chief Fred A. Sporle spoke German to verify his tale after others failed. Also in Cresco, game wardens Bucknell and Willis jailed four youths for seining in the Turkey River. Justice Barker fined each $10 plus costs. Public sentiment backs strict game law enforcement.
Friday night social at the hall and a Wednesday party dance mark local social life. Visits include Merle Wheeler in Cresco, Chas Curtis in Decorah, and family with Dr. Kessel in Cresco. Several attending funerals, illnesses, and travel notes accompany a week of fair summer weather and community gatherings involving the Grange and local homes.
Reports from Conover list residents traveling to Calmar Spillville and Decorah for errands visits and dental work. A newborn was noted for James Humpal as mother and child rest well. A county supervisor warned a Conover yard dumping family about trash and roaming cows.
A long list of social calls and visits in Decorah and North Madison areas is recorded. Residents named include Ralph Haga, John and Albert Fulsaas, Mrs. Lloyd Larson, Mrs. Anna Holstad, G. G. Hovden, Ole Kvale, Katherine Thompson, Norma Kjose, Celia Simonson, Helge Skadeland, Ella, Halvor Skadeland, Inga Myran, and many others. A funeral at Orlean s is noted and coal mine timbering commented end.
Olaf Jergensen aged 18 was arrested by federal authorities in Cedar Rapids on a blackmail charge. He confessed to Marshal Healy after sending a letter to farmer Delbert Horsely demanding money in a designated envelope under threat to destroy his house and barn. A decoy letter with blank paper was placed at the spot and the arrest followed when Jorgensen retrieved it. He offered no explanation for the act.
A brief in the Moston Evening Transcript quotes Father McNally condemning O Leary with a scolding line about drunkenness. O Leary responds apologetically insisting he spent all the money, claiming the fault lies elsewhere.
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