The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, May 10, 1906 Extract from a letter from MISS HARRIET E. SWEET, formerly of Chariton, published through the courtesy of Hon. Edward A. Temple. "Now about the earthquake. I was lying awake when it occurred. First only the ordinary earthquake which is familiar to all. Then I noticed that the horizontal lines in my room seemed to stand at an angle of about 22 1/2 degrees. I lay watching everything fall and break, hearing the crashing chimneys and waiting for what seemed to be certain destruction to all material life. It was all over in something like seventy seconds, so I am told. Then I arose and went to see what had happened. Everything was upset and covered with plastering. An immense tile from the chimney fell through the sky light just as one of our household was rushing through the hall. It just missed his head, but a piece of glass cut his head quite badly. Aside from this we all escaped injury. Soon a friend from the Mission arrived, telling us that all of that part of the city had taken fire and must go, as the water mains were badly damaged and water could not be had at all places. It was hoped t! hat the fire might be checked before reaching the business district, and in the absence of water, dynamite was used. All day and night we watched the fire come toward us, sleeping at intervals. Those most frightened sat upon the front steps or walked the streets.

The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, April 19, 1906 MRS. W.J. RUSSELL residing near Oakley, was a Leader caller, Tuesday, for the purpose of renewing her allegiance to Lucas County's great weekly. MRS. RUSSELL became reminiscent thru some remark and talked interestingly of the olden times. She is a native of England, coming to this country in 1849 with her parents. She said a frame house to her was formerly as great a wonder as the sod house is to the Iowa people now-a-days and was ten years of age before she beheld one. The buildings of England are of brick and stone and even in her girlhood some of them were of great age. Their ocean voyage from Liverpool to Philadelphia consisted of 28 days, thence across country their route lay until they reached the Ohio River. The balance of the trip was made by steamboat down the Ohio to Cairo and up the Mississippi. The Asiatic plague was raging at the time and on board their boat were fourteen cases of cholera. It seemed an unpropitious introduction to a strange country. In t! hose days ocean voyages had to be made in the old fashioned sailing vessels and modern equipped railroad trains were yet only things in the minds of the dreamers. What interesting stories these older people can relate. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert October 9, 2004 [email protected]

Away down on market Street the wreckers are gradually removing the ruins at a remarkable rate. At this early date, go where you will, and there is not a suggestion of a disagreeable odor. Absolute cleanliness exists everywhere. Praise too great cannot at this time be given to the regular army men. Scoffed and laughed at ordinarily, today everyone feels like baring his head in their honor. Not yet an hour after that terrible earthquake those soldiers came riding by, all equipped for their duty. The faces of many of them were ashen in color, but no matter -- on they must go to take care of the rest of us. Everybody else, man, woman or child, had someone to stop and talk it over with. Not so with them. With the same feelings that we all had they were forced to their duty and no sooner on duty than some children were compelled to shoot to kill, which they did without hesitation. It came to me very clearly then that whatever may be effected in way of peace conferences, w! e still need the regular army to protect us from foes from within. Only in the past few days have these brave lads received relief. Yesterday I noticed a train load of fresh regulars with their horses, and the papers announced help as coming to them from various forts -- Des Moines among others. As to the firemen, fate was entirely against them. first, their brave chief lay buried in the ruins of the earthquake, and could not respond to the call. He has since died of his injuries. It is said that he was second to no chief in the country for ability, and it is believed that had he been able to be on duty, the fire would have been avoided. As it was, the fighting was done almost entirely with dynamite. At one place where water was used the firemen were so weak that I am told it took eight to handle one nozzle. As to the automobiles, they took the place of horses, telegraph and telephone companies. They speed over these tremendous hills night and day, every one at the service of the city. Every chauffeur sworn an officer. Their utility is not to be doubted. Those machines did work that nothing else could have done. The country has done well by us. So well is the crowd handled that money is all that is needed and that has come in plenty. It seems to be that no mistakes have been made." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert October 8, 2004 [email protected]

The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, April 19, 1906 MRS. THOS. R. MOONEY, a former well known resident of Chariton, died at her home in Chicago on Monday, April 9th. Funeral services were held at the family residence, 4225 Union Ave., on Thursday morning at 10:30 o'clock. The MOONEY family resided here for many years and had many friends in Chariton who will learn of her death with sincere sorrow and who will extend heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved children. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert October 9, 2004 [email protected]

Hi All: I want to apologize for all the exclamation marks (!) that show up in the middle of my sentences in the articles that I post. They don't show up when I proof read them before sending -- but cyber space certainly makes me look bad... I think I need to slow down when I'm typing?.. Also, did you receive the article regarding "FROM ONE WHO WAS THERE" - about the San Francisco earthquake. The article did not come back to me. Perhaps it was too long and I need to send it again in two parts. I had earlier sent the "Letter from DAISY BEMISS"... Let me know. Regards, Nancee

The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, April 19, 1906 DR. T.P. STANTON - - - - - Has announced himself a candidate for coroner. This is on the dead. The Stantons have carved a place in the political history of the United States. On a former occasion a Stanton was Secretary of War. Dr. T.P. desires to continue as Secretary of Peace. His career dates back to the day of his birth and Chariton has always been his home. Perhaps no better man than him ever cured a fever or empaneled a jury. He has claims on the people not generally understood. Soon after Lucas County was discovered by Columbus the rudder of the Pinta was broken in the Chariton River not far from the Bailey brick yard and the old man was in despair and almost ready to turn the fleet over to the Digger Indians, but Dr. Stanton reduced the fracture and the old navigator returned to Spain and told of the generosity of the American people. This is the reason that country allowed us to whip it so easily a few years since. But the doctor says the past died a natural death and does not base ! his claim to election on that score. Under the statutes the coroner is vice sheriff of the county and in case of a foreign invasion the importance of his position may be understood He is a republican of the old school, a physician of the regular school and has fair sailing ahead, though the law doesn't prescribe any particular qualifications, other than that of citizenship. He will organize his campaign soon, although he has no opposition, but will keep a brass band in the field and have a torch light procession each Saturday evening simply to show what a campaigner he could be in a hot contest. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert October 8, 2004 [email protected]

The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, April 19, 1906 FRANK P. WRIGHT - - - - - - The subject of this sketch is a native of Iowa and has continued to reside here all his life. He is an example of the old saw that "it is hard to keep a good man down." Once before he made the race for the treasurer's nomination but was defeated. A few years later he was triumphantly elected to the presidency of the Farmer's Institute and served with distinction until relieved. Now he returns to the broken thread with a wire stretcher and will endeavor to mend the breech. Mr. Wright has conducted a dairy farm for a great many years and has enjoyed the cream of life but feels that he can afford to sacrifice himself for a couple or four years for the good of the common country. He is a mighty good citizen in spite of his politics. His farm operations have not been confined to dairying alone and he says the "blue-eyed meshannock" is not a good potato to plant when "Good Friday" is put off until June 1st. It is too slow in its motions for a late start. He lives in Linco! ln Township but says he wouldn't advise the game warden to stock Little Whitebreast with either (?) or gold fish. He doesn't give his reasons but would no doubt personally tell should you desire to know. He is sincere in his race for the treasurer's office and should anybody tell you it is just a scheme for sufficient notoriety to get appointed on the Panama commission you would be justified in impeaching the testimony. It is probable that as soon as Mr. Wright gets his millet sewed he will challenge his competitors to a series of joint debates. The "P" in his name may stand for Peter or maybe Paul -- but his announcement at presend read: "F.P. Wright, "?" He hopes to do away with the interrogation point about June 1. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert October 8, 2004 [email protected]

The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, April 19, 1906 This distinguished citizen was born amid the vine clad hills of Adams County. About 1785 his ancestors settled on an island in the Nodaway River not far from where the town of Corning clings on a south slope, kissed by a summer's sun and protected from the winter's storm. But this poetic description has nothing to do with Mr. Darrah's career save it formed his environs in his earlier manhood where he learned the mercantile business as clerk. Ten years ago he ventured forth into the great world, came to Chariton and went into business on his own account. But his business career is not the theme of this sketch. It is political. A year ago this spring he was elevated to the town council so suddenly that it reminded one of a trip up Pike's Peak. At the special election in the fall he was elected to represent Lucas County in the legislature. This was liken to a balloon ascension from his former high altitude. But he takes his honors with becoming modesty and realizes he ! is but a servant of the people. Formerly several competitors expressed themselves willing to assume his duties but now everybody has decided to let him serve without an arm being reached out to rescue him. Usually the less said about a legislator the better it is for the legislator but he has nothing to conceal. He kept out of the way of the giant octopus, which is an awful brute that inhabits legislative halls, and has dragged many a bright mind to ruin. He says it behooves a law maker to "beware of the octopus," and these adventures form more thrilling narratives than experiences with pirates among the South Sea Islands. Of course the octopus can't catch democrats but 'most any kind of a republican has to watch out. The octopus frequently swallows them without salt or seasoning of any kind. And all these dangers have to be undergone for one's country! Perhaps this is the reason Mr. Darrah has no opposition. "We are oft beset by dangers On the land and on the sea Encompassed round by strangers Wherever we may chance to be Pitfalls here and maelstroms there The octopus in hiding everywhere -- Deliver me." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert October 8, 2004 [email protected]

The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, April 19, 1906 ALBERT F. MILLER - - - - - - First opened his eyes on the scenes of this world in Wisconsin, near La Crosse. He didn't like the looks of the country at the time and concluded he would emigrate as soon as he got of migration age. Tradition doesn't tell us how he got here but maybe like the balance of the Norsma race he crossed over on the ice. At least he exhibits a racial trait of wanting to slide into things. In his early days he used to play "keeps" with Brick Pomroy but that has nothing to do with the present race for the treasurer's office. He hails from Benton Township at the present time but looks for a thaw later. In that event he will reign over the time lock in the county treasurer's office. He has long desired to have this secret combination divulged to him. Once before he held his ear to the wicket but received it not and was written down in Fox's Book of Martyrs. He doesn't pose as a martyr, however, but is a republican, having got a transfer card from Wisconsin in his youth. He is! a farmer and believes in selecting seed corn with care and planting three grains in a hill. But three grains in the hill for a sure political crop is too many. When it comes to this he favors using the drill. Mr. Miller is about 45 years of age and has been township assessor of Benton Township continuously for several years and knows the people's worth, a favor which he hopes they will return. He believes that the King road drag to the country is what a street car line is to the city and rides in one regularly in place of the family carriage with wheels on it. Besides there are no desires to get loose of dry times. He never roped a broncho or dined with Booker Washington but these sins of omission should not be held against him as bars to repentance and political elevation. Other good things might be said about him but we don't want to overdraw the appropriation. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert October 8, 2004 [email protected]

The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, April 19, 1906 GEO. F. CARPENTER - - - - - - Knows a good thing when he is in possession of it and has declared his willingness to traffic in marriage licenses and keep tab on court calendars and judicial decrees for two more years after next January to come. As county clerk he has given general satisfaction and his sacrifice of private time is so generously and courteously donated that the dear people feel no reluctance in asking him to remain "subject to the November election." Thus he spans the time without clash of arms or shibboleth of hostility -- not as a noble warrior but merely as a bridge Carpenter. In this connection, it is proper to remark, there are others who would gladly forego the heroism of war for his peaceful pursuit and assurance of a civilian's reward. In youth Geo. F. Carpenter grew to manhood's estate in Chariton. He received the rudiments of a good education in the city schools and after years of cultivation these rudiments ripened into knowledge. This city was then the center of civilizat! ion, commerce and learning. To the south and east was a vast wilderness given up to rank grass through which the buffalo and bull snakes roamed -- and savage men. Young Carpenter saw the needs of growing civilization, equipped a splendid army and to the music of fife and drum marched forth into the state of Benton and laid claim to the land. He met the war chief, Gehominy and his band of fifty, the usual painted warriors, armed with pikes and lances, and made them take to the gopher hills. He planted old glory on Salem Heights, took possession of the country in the name of Ulysses Grant, hired himself to a farmer for $10 per month and made the country what it is. Many years later he returned to Chariton and as building material was high the citizens decided that it would be much cheaper to honor him with the clerk's office than to erect a marble shaft having a martial figure with a drawn sabre on top. Thus a sword has been shaped into pen points and others fallow the ! soil where he earned a competency during his younger days. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert October 8, 2004 [email protected]

The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, April 29, 1906 MRS. DAISY BEMISS, daughter of MRS. LYNN CRALL of this city, and who with her husband, C.H. BEMISS, has been residing in San Francisco, writes to her mother that she and MR. BEMISS are safe, but they have been unable to find NINA BRANHAM, daughter of MR. and MRS. W.H. BRANHAM of Russell, although they know she is alive. We take the following extracts from the letter which was received by MRS. CRALL yesterday: Presidio, San Francisco, Calif. April 21, 1906 Dear Mamma: -- I expect you are simply wild wondering how we are. We are alive and that's about all. I sent you a message last night by a man going across to Oakland, for we can get no wire from here. Nobody knows what the people have suffered here and are going through now. First the terrible earthquake came and shook nearly half of the buildings in the city to the ground. I will never forget it to my dying day. The whole city was in a panic and our hotel rocked so we had to hold ourselves in bed to keep from being thrown out and killed. Then the town caught on fire and the whole city is burned to the ground and the people are homeless. We are living in little tents and sleeping on the ground, and eating what the outside cities are sending us. We lost everything, of course, our hotel, trunks and all were burned to the ground and we are homeless and without clothes. God only knows how we will ever get out. CLAVE is so sick. There was over one thousand people kille! d and burned to death, and we are mighty lucky that I got CLAVE out and saved our lives. We had to walk about seven miles out here to the soldiers' barracks to be taken care of. We cannot find NINA but know she is alive. We have hunted but cannot find her. The city is still burning but they don't think it will reach here. If it does we will have to go on boats and stay on the ocean. Take care of yourself and dear old Grandma, don't worry and pray that we will be saved. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert October 8, 2004 [email protected]

The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, April 19, 1906 SMITH FURGISON died at his home near Norwood, last Saturday, the funeral occurring on the Sunday following. The fatal disease was paralysis and he had been an intense sufferer since January. MR. FURGISON was about 57 years of age and had been a resident of Otter Creek for perhaps 35 years. Thus another good citizen has been called from the activities of life. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert October 6, 2004 [email protected]

The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, April 19, 1906 MRS. SARAH ANN LANE departed this life at her home in Cleveland, Iowa, on Saturday evening, April 14, 1906, at 5:30 o'clock, at the age of 69 years. Death came suddenly and was a great shock to her family and friends. She had been in ill health for some time, suffering with Bright's disease which it is thought caused apoplexy of the brain. She retired on Friday evening in her usual health and a few hours later her husband found that she was in a serious condition and was speechless. Her children were immediately summoned to her bedside and on Saturday evening she passed away. The remains were brought to Chariton on No. 10 on Monday morning and at 10:30 o'clock funeral services, conducted by Rev. M.S. Clark, were held at the Baptist Church after which the body was placed in the vault in the Chariton Cemetery. As soon as the roads are in good condition the remains will be taken to Wayne County and interred in the cemetery near Sharon Church. Deceased was born in Franklin County, Ohio, on Feb. 14, 1837. She was married there about 52 years ago to JAS. A. LANE who survives her. They were the parents of twelve children, ten of whom are living and all but one daughter were present at the last sad rites. About half of her life was spent in northern Wayne County, this State, but a few years ago the family moved to Cleveland. She had been a member of the Baptist church for many years and had lived a faithful, Christian life. She was devoted to her family and friends and was beloved by all who knew her. Those who mourn her death have the deepest sympathy of the community. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert October 6, 2004 [email protected]

The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, April 19, 1906 MRS. JOSEPH MCBRIDE died at her home in Whitebreast Township on Wednesday night, April 11, 1906, at the age of 42 years, 7 months and 22 days. She had been in failing health for some time but was seriously ill for only five weeks with enlargement of the liver. Funeral services conducted by Rev. F.B. Palmer, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of this city, were held at her late home on Friday afternoon at one o'clock after which interment took place in Grimes Cemetery. REGINA MAUK, daughter of MR. and MRS. H.L. MAUK, was born in Whitebreast Township, this county, on August 20, 1863, and that vicinity has always been her home. On December 12, 1901, she was united in marriage to JOS. MCBRIDE, who survives her. She is also survived by her parents and by five brothers, CHARLES and GUS of Whitebreast Township; LAFAYETTE of Oakley; GRANT of Tabor; ANTHONY of Nebraska; and two sisters, MRS. ELIZABETH CLOUSE of Chariton and MRS. LAURA PRESTON of Kansas. Deceased possessed a kind and pleasant disposition and her highest happiness came in rendering assistance to others. Her many lovable traits won for her the high regard of all with whom she came in contact and her death is mourned by a host of warm friends who will extend heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved husband, parents, brothers and sisters. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert October 6, 2004 [email protected]

The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, April 12, 1906 MARRIAGE LICENSES: JOHN G. MITCHELL, 22 to BESSIE MUNDELL, 16. ARTHUR KELLER, 22 to CORA MCMAINS, 22. FRANK A. SHAFFER, 27 to MAE HUNTLEY, 27. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert October 6, 2004 [email protected]

The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, April 12, 1906 On Monday evening the residence of ISAAC DOWNARD on East Armory Avenue was completely destroyed by fire. The structure was a story and a half frame building, valued at about $850. and was only insured for $350. The contents of the lower story were saved but everything upstairs was destroyed. It is not known exactly how the fire originated; it may have caught from a defective flue, or a lamp which had been left burning upstairs may have exploded. When the fire was discovered the flames were bursting through the roof. The fire department arrived on the scene but the members were powerless to render any assistance as there was no water supply that could be reached with the hose. And still there are people who insist that we do not need water works. The people who live in the outskirts of the city are compelled to pay taxes just as high as if they lived within a few blocks of the square and they should have fire protection. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert October 6, 2004 [email protected]

The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, April 5, 1906 MR. ALVA GROVIER of near Russell and MISS LOTTIE GARRETT of Delta, Iowa, were united in marriage in this city on Tuesday afternoon at three o'clock at the office of Justice E.H. Storie, who performed the ceremony. They left in the evening for a visit with relatives in Albia. They expect to reside on a farm near Russell. The Leader joins their friends in extending congratulations and best wishes on this happy occasion. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert October 6, 2004 [email protected]

The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, April 5, 1906 MARRIAGE LICENSES: W.F. MITHEN, 21 to HILDA LARSON, 19. ALVA GROVIER, 21 to LOTTIE GARRETT, 21. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert October 6, 2004 [email protected]

The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, April 5, 1906 DIED: -- At the home of her daughter, MRS. S. WESTFALL, in Lucas on Tuesday, March 27, at 7:15 p.m., MATILDA AUMICK, better known as "Grandma", aged 80 years, 1 month and 25 days. MATILDA HALL was born in Scranton, Penn., February 2, 1826. Her childhood days were spent in that city. Early in life her parents moved to Tunkahannock, Penn., and on March 17, 1843 she was married to SIDNEY T. AUMICK. Eight years later the family moved to Stark County, Ill., and in 1875 to Lucas, where she resided until death called her to meet her husband who passed away some twenty years ago. Five children were born to them -- two sons and three daughters, one of the latter, HESTER, dying in infancy. The others, ELIZABETH WESTFALL, of this place, JENNIE BROWN of Moran, Kan., HENDERSON AUMICK of Albia and EUGENE AUMICK of Fayetteville, Ark., together with a brother, two sisters, eleven grandchildren and six great grandchildren are left to mourn her loss. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert October 6, 2004 [email protected]

The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, April 5, 1906 T.D. WALLACE, one of the pioneer residents of this county, died suddenly at his home in Carlisle on last Friday night. The remains were brought to his old home in Ottercreek Township and funeral services were held at the Norwood Church on Monday forenoon at eleven o'clock, conducted by Rev. Fry of Carlisle. He is survived by his wife and six children, G.N. and O.A. of Norwood; THEO. of Lacona; WILL of Clarinda; JAMES of Oklahoma; MRS. LIZZIE ACKORS of Carlisle and MRS. IRA OFFICER of near Leon. One son, CHAS., died some time ago. We have been unable to secure any definite information but MR. WALLACE came to this county at an early day and resided in Ottercreek Township until a few years ago when he moved to Carlisle. He was a man of strict integrity, and was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him. The news of his death will be received by his innumerable friends with heartfelt sorrow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert October 5, 2004 [email protected]