Odebolt Observer, July 27, 1881
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[Since the 1881 portion of this newspaper has not been microfilmed, Bonnie Ekse has made it her mission to
 transcribe important items about the people and happenings of 1881 in Odebolt. ]

Odebolt Observer,Vol. 2, No. 4
Wednesday, July 27, 1881

--Barnum wants to exhibit Guiteau .[This probably refers to Charles Guiteau, who shot President Garfield on July 2, 1881. President Garfield died three months later.]
--Parties have arrived here from Massachusetts intending to open a bank as soon as suitable rooms can be secured.
--A Mr. Frederics, from Carroll county, is here to establish a meat market as soon as he can get a place to open up in.
--Mr. Van Cott, the revivalist, is credited with having once "converted" Guiteau, and was at one time about to marry him.
--Last Wednesday afternoon was the hottest of the season, the mercury standing at 100 ° at 6 P. M.
--The North-west Iowa Annual Conference meets at Algona, Thursday, Sept. 29th, 1881, Bishop J. F. Hurst presiding.
--The Battle Creek Times is enlarged to a 7-column folio--an evidence that it is appreciated by the people and locality it aims to serve.
--An M. E. sociable will be held at the residence of Mr. E. Geist next Friday evening. Rev. J. C. R. Layton will be present. All are cordially invited to attend.
--Will. Finkbine tarried at Carroll last Sunday. Since returning he has been constantly caroling sweet hymns about a "young lady named Anna" and upon kindred subjects.
--The injunction case of Brensinger & Jacobie vs. John Wright has been referred to referees to assess damages and costs. The decision of the referees is not yet made public.
--Chas. Waggoner, the popular clerk at Sampson's, returned Saturday from a visit of several weeks in Pennsylvania. He disappointed his friends by returning without a "better half."
--The North-Western Wool-Growers and Sheep-Breeders' Association will meet at Ida Grove on the 6th day of August next, at 10:30 o'clock A. M. Let all members and those interested in sheep-raising attend, as business of importance will come before the meeting.
WM. D. FORBES, Sec'y.
We notice by this week's OBSERVER that the name of James Ross, Esq., of this place is brought forward as a candidate for senatorial honors from this district, on the Democratic ticket. A good choice, for he is a man his party can depend on at all times and under all circumstances, for he is a Democrat to the back-bone.--Reporter.
--John Heuston, of the firm of A. B. Dubbs & Co., is now rusticating in Canada. It is whispered that when John returns it will not be to tread this "vale of tears" alone; that in fact, life will no longer be a "vale of tears" to him, but an ever bright elysium, with a cottage, vine and fig tree and the other little et ceteras of connubial joy. "So mote it be."
--We were happy to receive a pleasant call on Saturday last from Judge E. R. Duffie. It was our first meeting with His Honor, and from his Statewide fame as a jurist we were surprised to find him so young looking a man. It is easily accounted for, however, by the fact, as we are informed, that in his early youth he imbibed sturdy Democratic principles. There is nothing like them to promote perennial youthfulness in one who follows so successfully the studious and laborious profession of the law.
--The meeting last Saturday in the interest of the District Fair was a very satisfactory one. The number present was quite large and the tone and spirit of the meeting augured the success of the undertaking.
Over $2,400 in subscriptions were reported by the committees, with almost as much more "in sight."
A committee to draft articles of incorporation, consisting of Messrs. W. A. Helsell, W. W. Field and Pierce Coy was appointed, instructed to report to a meeting to be held in this place on next Monday afternoon, at which time an organization of the society and an election of officers will take place.

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The fourth Quarterly meeting of the M. E. church, Odebolt charge, will be held on the 30th and 31st inst. at the Fox School house. Rev. J. C. R. Layton, P. E., will conduct the services. Saturday 30th 1:30 P. M., preaching by the Presiding Elder. Conference meeting afterward. Also preaching at 7:30 P. .M.
Sunday 9:30 A. M., Love feast; 11 A. M., Sermon by Rev. J. C. R. Layton, followed by the Sacrement [sic] of the Lord's Supper. R. S. FYSH, Pastor.

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Nine fine-haired young men from Ida,
Arrived in a band-wagon Friday.
They batted the ball
In a style to beat all,
And said, "Do you catch on the ide-a"

--Auperle has recovered from the belly ache--Will. Arthur did it.
--Dr. Boardman left for Nevada Monday in answer to a telegram informing him of the serious illness of his infant son.
--Last Saturday the Ida Base Ball Club came down and played a match game with the Odebolt nine which resulted in favor of the Idas. The score was 18 to 12.
--Lawyer Helsell's suburban residence in Wheeler's addition is now enclosed. It is a fine location--when you get to it--and far enough west to "grow up with the country."
--John C. Wise, of Mankato, Minn., in a private letter to a friend here says that the Snyder blackberry has stood the winters there very successfully and is a great producer. The Snyder is for sale at the Odebolt Nursery.
--Kate Shelley, the girl who risked her life to save the lives of those on the train at the late washout of the railroad track on the Northwestern, is to be presented with a substantial testimonial of her noble and courageous conduct. Right!
--Judge Criss, of Sac, declines being a candidate for re-election to the office of County Supervisor. The Judge has, we believe, made a very good officer and retired to private life with the respect and confidence of the public in an eminent degree.
--Bro. Kroesen, of the Battle Creek Times, called Monday. He has lately enlarged his paper in order to keep step with the improvement of his town, and we are glad to know that his enterprise in that direction is meeting with appreciation from its readers.
--The lectures of Dr. Gannon and Prof. Browne, which were continued through last week, were well attended and heartily enjoyed by our citizens. The lectures of both these gentlemen are moral and instructive and well worth attending by adults of both sexes.
--Mr. James Falconer, living 7 miles north of town, had his hand badly lacerated last Friday by its being caught in the machinery of a self-binding harvester. Doctor Hull was called, who dressed the wound, and at last accounts Mr. F. was doing as well as could be expected.
--A surprise party of ten or twelve couples dropped in upon the family of L. Olney last Wednesday night, and had a splendid time. It is said they danced till broad day light and went home tired in the morning. Mr. and Mrs. Olney are pronounced the best of hosts.
--On account of the largely increasing practice of Messrs. George & Coy, they have been compelled to add the room directly over their office to their present suite of rooms, this making three rooms they now occupy. The new addition is very finely furnished and tastily arranged.
--In another column will be found the card of S. W. Bond, who has succeeded H. T. Martin in the grocery and restaurant business on Main street. Mr. B. is a new man in the business circles of Odebolt, but he comes among us with the credentials of an honorable and upright man, and as such should receive a share of patronage.
--The funeral sermon of Miss Ada Douglass, of Cook Center, who died last Sabbath at 11:30 A. M., was preached by the Rev. S. N. Vail, on Monday afternoon at 1 o'clock, in the Presbyterian church of Odebolt. Miss Ada was 29 years of age and a very promising young lady. The mourning friends have the heartfelt sympathy of all persons in the community.
--The cutting of wheat is actively progressing and we learn that it is turning out generally much better than was anticipated, the weather for the past ten days having been very favorable to the maturing of that crop. Flax is doing well and many fields present a sea of waving purple. Corn riots in rank rantankerousness [sic], while the grass every-yields a healthy swarth [sic].
--A busier set of men than the agricultural dealers it would be hard to find. Each dealer has a small army of assistants and every morning he marshals them at his headquarters, where being armed with a horse and buggy and instructions, he dispatches them to their separate fields of labor. All the livery stables are run so dry that the fellow who promised to take his girl out riding is distracted. The town is as full of machine "experts" as of dogs; but the experts don't bark all night, and they go out of town occasionally. A good Odebolt dog never leaves town.
FOR SENATOR.--We very cordially second the nomination suggested by our correspondent last week, of Mr. Jas. Ross, of this place, as Democratic candidate for State senator in this district. Mr. Ross has been a life long Democrat, and is one from principle. He has been a resident of the State for many years, has filled various public positions of trust and responsibility, and always with singal [sic] ability and fidelity. He is a man who, in victory or defeat, at home or abroad wherever known, commands alike the respect of political friends and foes. The Democrats of this senatorial district cannot find a better standard-bearer than James Ross.

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Personal.

Recorder Flack was in town yesterday, shaking hands with his many friends.
The two Misses Winchell who have been visiting with the family of their brother, F. A. Winchell, returned to their home in Chicago Monday. The sister of Mrs. Winchell returns home in a few weeks, when Mrs. W. will go with her on a visit.
Mrs. Van Deusen returned last Wednesday from a visit of several weeks in Massachusetts.
S. H. Bowman is in the pineries looking after his lumber supply.
Mr. Frank Helsell, of Sioux Rapids, is in town.
Miss Lulu Horan, of Odebolt is in West Side on a visit. --West Side Dispatch.
Mrs. Livingston left Monday for a visit with relatives in Canada.
Mr. Jos. Frankleberger of Pa., is visiting at I. Arthur's, 4 miles north of town.
J. F. Beveridge and lady, of Battle Creek, visited Odebolt last Sunday.

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Cans for the Canines.

What the OBSERVER recently had occasion to say about dogs, appears to be the experience of very many Odebolt people besides the writer. The general complaint is that we let the dogs down too easily; that we didn't half express the vexation, annoyance, disgust and indignation that every day and every night are created by the horde of worthless, lazy, lousy, mangy, flea-inhabited and hydrophobia-breeding curs that lay about the streets all day and make night hideous with their barking. A fellow-sufferer on Main street, who has lost much sleep and all of his patience, details his grievance in language too emphatic to be put into type, and yet he says he has not done the subject justice--no language can.
We wish we had some crumbs of comfort for a barked-to-death community--some sleep-invoking potion which would tide it over the dog-days. But, alas! we have none. The canine case is worse than at first supposed, for it now transpires that we have no municipal edict against the indiscriminate importation and breeding of dogs. They even enjoy rights as free commoners denied to useful and harmless domestic animals. It is given as the opinion of our city council that it cannot legally enforce a tax upon them or abate them as a nuisance. All other nuisances are abatable by the city authorities except the dog nuisance. Municipal relief, then, is out of the question, and the community must look elsewhere for means to protect its health, peace and safety.
In this emergency we suggest tin cans. The town is full of boys, tin cans and dogs. It is said that a tin can tied to a dog's tail will instantly cause him to emigrate to other scenes and pastures new. Boys can no doubt be hired by the marshal who understand annexing the canine and the can, and who will perhaps take the contract to clear the town of the nuisance that now defies municipal authority and control.
If this plan, and other good ones fail, and worthless curs are allowed to increase and multiply until they become rabid and hydrophobia ensues, perhaps the community will arise in their might and smite the slobbering canines from the town.
Will our Main street friend sleep better now?

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--As an evidence of its metropolitan tendencies, Odebolt has hatched out its peripatetic boot-black. The youthful cry, "Shine-yer-boots-sur!" brings visions of the city's greatness yet to be.

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ADMINISTRATOR'S NOTICE
Notice is hereby given to all persons interested that on the 6th day of June 1881 the undersigned was appointed by the Circuit court of Sac county, Iowa, administrator of the estate of Hans Martens, deceased. All persons indebted to said estate are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned, and those having claims against the same will present them legally authenticated to the said court for allowance.
Dated this 8th day of June 1881.
HENRY ANDRESEN,
Administrator.

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Attorney Helsell, of Odebolt, was in town last week, engaged on the act of abstracts now being prepared by Zane & Helsell. These books excel in neatness, and we have no doubt they are perfectly reliable, as Mr. Zane has been very careful and pains-taking in writing them.--Sac City cor. Wall Lake Journal.

(Typed from the original - has not been microfilmed) -  by B. Ekse.)

 

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