Emmetsburg Democrat Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa 17 Feb 1915 The School Contests The school contests brought many from a distance, despite the bad weather. They were good. The winners are as follows: SPELLING CONTEST GIRLS 1st. Hanna CODY, Freedom township, gold watch. 2nd. Margaret JACKMAN, Walnut township, $2.50 in cash. BOYS 1st. Merril WARDELL, Vernon township, gold watch. 2nd. Peter HANSEN, Highland township, $2.50 in cash. PENMANSHIP GIRLS 1st. Ethel WOOD, Nevada township, $1.00 in cash. 2nd. Lena DRANEZ, Cylinder, 50 cts. in cash. BOYS 1st. Theodore CODY, Freedom township, $1.00 in cash. 2nd. William McCONNELL, Walnut township, 50 cents in cash. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Surprised Mr. and Mrs. John O'Brien One evening the first of the week about sixty-five of the friends and neighbors of Mr. and Mrs. John O'BRIEN of Great Oak township dropped in on them and gave them a most delightful surprise in the form of a farewell party before their departure for their new home in Emmetsburg. They have lived in their present neighborhood for about thirty years. The evening was spent in card playing and dancing. In the old time steps Marshall BRENNAN of Emmetsburg proved him the star of the evening. The music was furnished by Messrs. Frank HAND and James HAMILTON. Peter DAILY and M.F. BRENNAN won the penants in the card game with Wm. WALSH and Peter O'BRIEN as close competitors. Later in the evening Peter O'BRIEN and M.F. BRENNAN contested for honors in the jig dancing, the former winning by a slight margin. All who were present report that, despite the stormy night, one of the best times of the season was enjoyed. Mr. and Mrs. O'BRIEN are pronounced very hospitable entertainers. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ John ADAMS Badly Burned. We regret to learn that John ADAMS, brother of Mrs. John GALLEGER, of this place, was badly burned on his ranch in southwestern North Dakota a few days ago. A gasoline engine had frozen up and he was thawing it out when a gasoline tank which he held in one of his hands exploded. Some one who was close to him threw him into a water tank and saved his life. Parts of his body are, however, badly burned. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ County Attorney COON of Estherville Assaulted. Just as we go to press we learn that County Attorney COON was attacked by Howard STONE and was severely injured. The flesh was torn loose from the nasal bone and his face was considerably bruised. 000525 Cathy Joynt Labath Palo Alto Co, Iowa USGenWeb Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~iapaloal/paloalto.htm