NEWS: Blakesburg Excelsior, July 1927 Extractions from the Blakesburg Excelsior Wapello County, IA, Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Martha Richards maseattle@copper.net November 2003 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ________________________________________________________ NOTE: For more information on Wapello County, Iowa Please visit the Wapello County, IAGenWeb page at http://iagenweb.org/wapello/ ________________________________________________________ Extractions from the Blakesburg Excelsior Wapello County, IA, Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Martha Richards maseattle@copper.net Microfilm from State Historical Society of Iowa Blakesburg (Wapello Co, IA) Excelsior Newspaper, Jan 1, 1925 (missing issues Aug 6, 13;) Oct 8, 1925- Dec 25, 1930 Thursday, August 11, 1927 --William STOCKER and wife and Ralph FREDRICKSON made a flying visit to Des Moines Sunday. Thursday, August 18, 1927 --Mrs. Amos ROBINSON of Des Moines spent one day last week with her mother, Mrs. STOCKER, who is very ill. Sim STOCKER and family were called to the bedside of his mother who is dangerously ill at the home of her son, south of town, last Monday. (see obituary of Grandma {Druzilla Scott} STOCKER 25 Aug 1927.) Thursday, August 25, 1927 School Starts Monday Next Monday school will start. After a long vacation the pupils and the teachers will get down to brass tacks and start another nine months school term. The Board of Directors have had the school building painted and re-decorated inside and out and the building presents a very inviting appearance. The following is a list of the teachers: Superintendent—E. W. FARNSWORTH Principal—Mrs. Marjorie FRITZ Music—Margaret SPEARS High School—Ruth ANDERSON High School—Helen BROWN Sixth, Seventh and Eighth grades—Alta RATCLIFFE Third, Fourth and Fifth grades—Angeline BERRY Primary—Dott LYNCH Miners Assaulted Labor troubles in Iowa's coal mines broke out near Mystic last Thursday. Four miners working in the Garfield mine were attacked by (a) group of men who demanded that they promise to quit work under a penalty of death. Two of the workers. Hiram MULIN, aged 52, and Wm. TAYLOR, aged 41, were seriously injured and were taken to the hospital. The injured miners were working under the $5 a day wage scale, in opposition to the wishes of the miners' union, which has suspended work while demanding pay on a $7.50 a day scale. Rents Big Farm Walter SMITH, who resides southeast of Blakesburg , was caller at the office Saturday and informed us he would leave the following day for Des Moines, where he would probably buy a complete tractor outfit for a big farm he has rented near Colfax, Iowa. He expects to put out two hundred acres in fall wheat. He will have 520 acres left to plant other crops, there being 720 acres in the farm. A Surprise Party On August 11th, Beatrice LEONARD was seventeen years of age and her mother planned and carried out a surprise party at her home, ten miles south of Ottumwa. The evening was spent playing games and musical numbers. Ice cream and cake were served to those present and a very delightful time was had. Program An ice cream social will be the main event after the program is rendered by pupils of Chas. HOWARD at Pleasant Home tonight. The following is the program: Piano Solo—Four Leaf Clover—Willis MOFFIT Piano Solo—Rob Roy March—Angeline HERTEEN Piano Solo—Old Black Joe—Neva WALKER Violin Solo—Derniere Pensee De Weber—Vaughn and Mansel PROCTOR Piano Solo—Gathering Wild Flowers—Blossom COPELAND Piano Solo—Over the Top March—Pearl ROSE Piano Duet—Jolly Jingles—Mary Agnes McDOWELL and Marjorie SWASICK Piano Solo—The Dreamer Meditation—Marie WALKER Vocal Solo—Ruth BRIGHT Piano Solo—When you and I were Young, Maggie—Variations—Erma STEELE Piano Solo—Midnight—Myrtis PROCTOR Violin Solo—Remember Me—Melvin WEIDMAN Piano Solo—Hungarian Concert Polka—May PROCTOR Piano Solo—Grande Valse Caprice—Marjorie GLOSSER Piano Solo—Evening Chimes—Hilda WORRELL Violin Solo—Medley of Sacred Songs—Mildred SHANK Piano Solo—Music Among the Pines—Zella GARRISON Ben THAYER writes Los Angeles, Cal., Aug. 16, 1927 Dear Fred:--Yours of the 11th just received and glad to hear from you. Might sorry to hear that Mrs. RAYMOND is not well and wish I was there to help you. Don't quit! Keep your chin up, old boy, and I am not kidding about wishing I was there—I'd give my right arm right now to see you and everybody else and take a good ride on "Pete" , Bill SHEA's saddle horse. Had a nice visit with "Bill" SCHOECH a short time ago. The battleships, Oklahoma and Nevada came here from the Atlantic Coast with the "middies" from Annapolis. I'm might proud of "Bill". He's a fine, clean cut young fellow and if the opportunity ever presents, I'm sure he'll distinguish himself , and his people and old Blakesburg. There were never any finer people than the SCHOECH's, as everybody knows. I never knew one of them who wasn't a real citizen. You know, Fred, one can't appreciate the real worth of the farmers and country people until he has been away and lived in the artificial environment of a large city. Just tell 'em to keep up the old fight and they'll win. The law of compensation will attend to that, for life is like (a) game of cards, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. I can't explain why, but experience and observation have convinced me beyond the shadow of a doubt, of realities. I spent last week-end with Hattie at Long Beach and had a fine time. I was feeling rather badly with a cold when I went down, but after three applications of hot biscuits, taken internally, and a bean poultice on the inside, I was cured. Long Beach is largely populated by Iowan's and it is said that Iowa is the only state in the Union who has her capitol (L.B.) two thousand miles from her State line. Tell Doris and Mrs. RAYMOND that the old devil (that's me) is thinking of them and sending thoughts of health. Tell Jack TORRENCE to send me the History of Monroe County. When I make my pile, Fred, I'm coming back and buy one of those little Iowa farms, rig up a batch, get a good saddle horse and dog and live like a King. With every good wish and kindest regards, From your first devil, Ben H. THAYER Room 864, El Rey Hotel Thursday August 25, 1927 DEATH’S DOINGS M. D. SIMPSON Death came suddenly to M. D. SIMPSON last Thursday while he was alone in his home north of Midland, says the Mail of that place. He had worked in the field with a team all the forenoon and had eaten a hearty midday meal. Then he went out on a saddle horse to get a fresh horse for his team. He had some difficulty in cutting the mare he wanted away from the bunch she was with on the range, and when he got home with her he was somewhat agitated and complained of pain, intense at times, in the region of his heart. So he remained in the house all afternoon. At 4 o’clock he wanted to call up a neighbor to drive up the milk cows, but Mrs. SIMPSON said she could bring them home afoot. At his request she lighted a burner on the oil stove to heat water for him to use in shaving, but changed his mind and his grand daughter turned out the stove. She then went out doors for a moment and as she returned he had fell forward face down on the floor. She heard one groan from him and ran to call Mrs. SIMPSON. He was dead when his wife reached his side. The funeral was held Sunday at the Methodist church in Ottumwa, conducted by Rev. C. M. WEIRAUCH. The Masons had charge of the interment. A line of cars more than two miles long followed the body to the cemetery where it was placed beside the graves of his two grandsons, the children of Friday E. SIMPSON. Grandma STOCKER One by one the old pioneers are passing to the great beyond. We are called upon this time to chronicle the death of Druzilla SCOTT STOCKER, who died at her home southwest of Blakesburg, Tuesday, August 16, 1927, at the ripe age of 83 years, nine months and eleven days. Grandma STOCKER was a native of Iowa, born November 5, 1843. She was united in marriage to Hiram STOCKER August 29, 1865, her husband preceeding her in death almost three years ago. To this union were born nine children, four having preceeded her in death. The children who survive are Marion and Sim of Blakesburg, Mrs. Rebecca THARP of Bloomfield, Mrs. Bertha PAXTON of Moravia and Mrs. Naom ROBINSON of Moulton. She also leaves 27 grand children and 17 great grand children. Mrs. STOCKER was a kind and devoted mother, a good neighbor and was always trying to help others. She was an influential member of the United Brethern church and lived up to the teachings of that denomination. Grandma STOCKER often visited in Blakesburg and was well known to our citizens. She had many friends and was loved by all of them. The funeral was preached by Rev. Parm DONAHOO at her home last Thursday afternoon and the body buried by the side of her husband in the Sales cemetery. Thus ends the earthly career of one who had done much toward making Iowa a better state in which to live. Dain S. RALSTON Dain S. RALSTON, residing east of Blakesburg in the RussellChapel (sic) neighborhood, died at the Ottumwa hopital (sic) Tuesday, August 16, 1927, aged 56 years old. Dain was stricken with appendicitis and operated on and was thought to be getting along nicely when a cancer developed, which caused his death. He was a prominent farmer and a good citizen in every way. He is survived by two brothers, M. M. of Montgomery, Alabama, and Robert of Eureka, Kansas, and a sister, Mrs. Edward BERGH of Long Beach, Cal. Funeral service was held at the Russell Chapel church at 2:30 o’clock, conducted by J. W. McKEE, pastor of the Ottumwa Davis Street Christian church. Interment was made in the Ralston cemetery. Dain was a patient sufferer and tried hard to get well. His friends throughout this community were interested in him and often called to see him while he was confined in the hospital. John ANDERSON Death called John ANDERSON, who has spent the past year in Denver, Colorado, Wednesday, August 17, 1927, aged 83 years. John ANDERSON had resided in and near Blakesburg for years and was recognized as one of our old landmarks. Since the death of his wife a few years ago he has made his home with his children. He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Alfa BURTON of Denver, Colorado, and Mrs. Ernest THOMPSON of this city and a son who also resides in Denver. John ANDERSON was a native of Indiana and bore the distinction of having a personal acquaintance with the late President Abraham LINCOLN. All through life John ANDERSON had been a hard-working man and was always ready to meet his obligations. The body was brought to Ottumwa Sunday and burial took place in the Brook’s cemetery. Rev. BOWMAN preached the funeral at the cemetery Sunday morning to a large assembly of old-time friends and the relatives. Peace unto him! Joe KRAFKA Joseph KRAFKA, well known in Blakesburg, was struck by an automobile in Ottumwa last Friday evening and died a few minutes after. “Uncle Joe” as he was known to most of us, was a cabinet maker and a might fine old gentlemen. He often visited in Blakesburg, the guest of his relatives. He was the father of Henry KRAFKA, who was formerly in business here.