46 Years Ago, Carm & Dudley Davidson Married

Sunday would have been the 46th anniversary of Carm and Dudley Davidson, who were married in 1980. Carm posted some details on Facebook.

They had their bachelor and bachelorette party at the Old 169 Club complete with a hog roast the night before the wedding.

On the day of the wedding, after the minister said, “You may kiss the bride,” a huge bolt of lightning followed by a loud clap of thunder shook the walls of the church. They wondered if it was bad luck, but they would be married for 34 years until his passing. In fact, several farmers told them that the next time they had a drought, they needed to get married again; 1980 was the worst drought in the area since 1936.

The late Essie Moyer remade the wedding dress and made the wedding cake.

As a prank, someone snuck limburger cheese on the manifold and a can of stink bait under the driver’s seat. The can was found and removed, but the limburger cheese still smelled the next summer when they ran the air conditioner.

 

Massive Blizzard Hit Bedford in 1904

The December 29th, 1904 Bedford Times-Republican wrote about a massive blizzard that hit the area in 1904.

Although when day broke this morning the mercury in the different thermometers was doing its best to kick a hole in the bottom of the bulb, still even the stinging cold was a welcome change from the howling, wintry blasts of yesterday.

Many of the oldest residents say it was the worst storm that has visited southwestern Iowa within the last half century, others tell of storms which were worse, but all agree that this one was bad enough.  All day long the wind blew a gale, and the air was so filled with snow, as to make moving around out of doors almost impossible. The streets were deserted, even the delivery wagons and drays did not venture out.  To go even a few blocks was a task but few cared to attempt.  The streets in many places were drifted high with snow, while the sidewalks were in the same condition.  To make travel more difficult wherever the snow had blown away the ground or sidewalk was a glare of ice, and to face the storm and keep on one's feet, or walk up or down hill without falling was simply out of the question.

So far as communication by mail was concerned, Bedford was isolated.  The north bound passenger, due here at 12:36 p.m. yesterday, managed to get through here several hours late, but in a cut between Lenox and Creston she succumbed.  A freight butted its way as far as Conway, but a few miles beyond the Snow King overcame her and she gave up the ghost.

The rural patrons got no mail yesterday or today.  Not only would the lives of both the carrier and his horses have been in peril had they attempted to go over the routes yesterday, but the drifting show filed the lanes and roads so as to make them impassable.  The same condition now prevails.  A half mile from town was the farthest point reached by any carrier this morning.  By tomorrow the roads will probably be opened and the rural patrons will again be in touch with the world. 

At noon today a passenger train arrived from the south, and it will be but a short time before the trains will again be running on comparatively regular time.

No fatalities or even serious accidents caused by the storm have as yet been reported, and in this we may consider ourselves as being particularly fortunate for there is no doubt that many a life has been demanded by the Storm Demon before his anger was appeased. 

Somehow, the Bedford Times-Republican went to press on December 29th. The Sheridan Advance, Grant City Star, and Worth County Tribune did not print that day.

 

Tragic Teen Death in Allendale in 1887

From the January 13th, 1887 Grant City Star:

DIED — At the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dewitt Campbell on Sunday, January 2nd, 1887, Miss Jennie M. Campbell, aged 19 years, 1 month, and 10 days, after suffering 50 days from typhoid fever. The funeral services were held at Allendale January 4th, and were conducted by the Rev. B.M. Danford, her pastor, to a large number of sorrowing friends.

Jennie was a noble girl, possessed of a sweet and lovable disposition, and a kind heart; she was loved by all who knew her, and her sudden death when just blooming into a glorious womanhood, will be a heartrending affliction to the loving parents, fond brothers and sisters, and her many true friends.

As we think of the sweet face, and loved form, now hidden from sight until the end of time, our heart goes out in tender sympathy to the bereaved parents, and the lines of the poet...

There is a reaper whose name is Death,

And with his sickle keen

He reaps the bearded grain at a breath,

And the flowers that grow between,

...remind us that none can escape, the young and the beautiful nor the old and inform, and life is very short at best.

The Star sympathizes deeply with the grief-stricken family. The following lines are contributed by a friend of the deceased.

Weep not for Jennie, though she is dead,

Let no bitter tears for the loved one be shed,

For with joy she leaves this world of woe,

To receive a bright crown in Heaven, we know.

 

Weep not for Jennie; her joy is increased,

From all earth’s sorrow, she is now released.

On bright, silvery wings she has soared away,

To praise her dear Lord in one endless day.

 

Weep not for Dennie, oh brothers, kind,

That she the Kingdom first should find,

For, parted now, you’ll meet again

On Jordan’s banks to praise your king.

 

Weep not for Dennie, oh sisters dear,

That her voice on earth no more you’ll hear;

But live for Christ and you will gain

A place with her where Jesus reigns.

 

Letter from Defiance in 1876

The Grant City Star had a correspondent who periodically wrote in from Defiance, now Sheridan. The Star was a devout Republican paper, as was the correspondent. The letter was dated July 3rd and published July 20th:

Three weeks ago, Mr. Editor, you were able to publish several communications from your numerous scribblers at this point, but we see nothing in your late issues from the pens of those distinguished writers. Perhaps the nomination of Hayes and Wheeler (1876 Republican Presidential nominees) has so elated your correspondents here as to cause them to forget, for the time being, their great abilities as writers; hence, the Star has failed to keep its readers posted on the condition of affairs in this, the most important part of our county.

We are enjoying, my dear sirs, the finest of growing weather. Corn is doing finely and is making rapid growth. Farmers predict more than an average yield of this great staple the coming season. Oats promise an abundant yield. Wheat has been badly damaged and a great deal of that portion of our crop will not pay for harvesting.

Our public schools are now in session, and as far as heard from, are being satisfactorily taught. The bad consequences of the workings of the school system under the new constitution are, however, being “scented from afar,” and a great deal of grumbling and complaining is being made against it. We must war relentlessly against this offspring of democracy until it is so changed that the youth of our state can enjoy every facility for a good common school education.

Business in the town of Defiance remains good. This is a busy season for Messrs. Crinklaw & Co., who are still doing a good business in their line of trade. We expect to see this firm become one of the permanent institutions of our county — that they will erect buildings at this point and otherwise aid in improving our neighborhood.

The finishing work on the Odd Fellows and Masons’ Hall is about completed. It will be a respectable room and of great advantage to the different orders here.

Our merchants keep up heavy stocks of goods and are having a large trade.

Dr. Skinner is erecting an important addition to his building and is also largely increasing his stock of drugs.

Our blacksmiths and other mechanics find plenty to do.

We have not yet seen a single democrat who says he will take down the St. Louis prescription. The dose is too markedly a fraud on western ideas and interests for any sensible democrat to swallow at present. But we fear they wear the same old harness and we believe that time and persuasion will make the matter right, so that like the editors of the Times, they can embrace the “party nominee,” no matter whether it be Wall Street Sam or Rebel Jeff — party, not the man.

Jacob Bohart Sr. has returned from a visit to friends and relatives in Andrew and Platte counties.

Joseph Engalls and Edith Cooper were untiled by Rev. Mills in the holy bonds of wedlock on the 2nd.

Yours truly for Hayes and Wheeler.

 

 

Sights and Sounds of Worth County for June 1st, 1876

From the June 1st, 1876 Grant City Star:

Mrs. W.S. Austin has the thanks of the editors of the Star for a beautiful bouquet of lowers. She always has the finest collection of flowers in her garden of any other town.

***

Attributed to the Albany Freeman: “On the night of May 2nd, a disturbance of the public peace is reported to have occurred near Denver at Mr. Wooten’s house. Complaint was made against certain parties, in which trial was brought before Esquires Jones and Carver of Howard Township, at which time the accused parties took a change of venue before Judge Hinkey of Albany. On Monday, May 23rd, the case was called for investigation, the evidence was heard, and the case was dismissed — evidence not sufficient to sustain the case.

***

We have been authorized by several leading members of the Methodist Church of this place, among whom we may mention the minister and one or two members of the building committee, to say, that if there has been any agreement to postpone the building of a church house this summer, they are not aware of it; the first intimation of the kind being a notice to that effect in a contemporary sheet. The members with whom we conversed seem to think that the church will not be built until a sufficiency be raised, so that the building may be clear from debt, and they seem to think that there is not much doubt but that the funds will be raised. About $950 is now subscribed. They have a parsonage worth $500 or more, with a prospect of receiving some funds from the church extension fund. Taking the whole matter into consideration, the prospects for a new church building look bright at this time.

***

The grove meeting at the Blue school house south of the town some five or six miles was attended on Sunday last by a number of Grant City people.

***

A vigorous and industrious application of the paint and whitewash brush would not injure the complexion of our town.

***

Mr. Briggs of Maryville shipped from Worth County yesterday 236 head of fine steers, for which he left about $12,000 of Uncle Sam’s circulating medium.

***

Married by Rev. Hollingsworth, at the residence of the bride’s father, Mr. John C. Richardson to Miss Anna Robinson. All of Worth County.

***

We were pleased to receive a call yesterday from one of our readers in Union Township — Mr. J.C. Castor. He informs us that everything is prosperous in his neighborhood.

***

There are several nuisances in the city that will endanger the health of the town if not attended to. Heaps of decaying manure around the stables that drain their filth and poison into some of the public wells. An ordinance upon this subject would have a beneficial effect.

 

1876 Necktie Festival for the Grant City Cornet Band

From the June 1st, 1876 Grant City Star:

The citizens of Grant City met at the M.B. Chapel Tuesday evening, May 30th, 1876 to make arrangements for holding a necktie festival for the benefit of the Grant City Cornet Band, when on motion, Hon. R.T. Sloan was elected chairman and Mrs. C.A. Colburn secretary. The chairman stated the object of the meeting and, on motion, the following committees were appointed:

Committee on securing house — A.W. Kelso.

Committee on arranging table — Mrs. Latour, Mrs. P.B. France, Mrs. M.F. Smith, Mrs. Hicks, and Mrs. Colburn.

Committee on music — Mrs. Kelso, Mrs. Hicks, Mrs. Harrison.

Committee on sights and decorations — Miss Alice Robinson, Miss Annie Harrison, Miss Aletha Miller, Mr. George Bulfinch, and Mr. Charles Craig.

Committee on cleaning and preparing Courtyard — Mr. J.W. Watson, Mr. J.C. Dawson, W.II. Campbell, A.W. Kelso, E.S. Garver, and R.T. Sloan.

Committee on printing — B.F. Meyers and Homer Danford.

Committee to procure provisions — Mrs. Eli Smith, Mrs. J.B. Dawson, Mrs. F.P. Houser, Mrs. Saltman, Mrs. J.C. Dye, and Mrs. E.S. Garver.

On motion, it was ordered that the festival be held at the Courthouse on Tuesday evening, June 6th, 1876 and the price of the supper be 50 cents per couple.

On motion, all the committees were requested to meet at the Courthouse on next Friday at 3:00 pm.

On motion, all the people of the town and surrounding country were invited to attend that we may have a pleasant social time.

The committee of arrangements earnestly requests every lady, either married or single, to make a necktie of the same material as the dress they wear on that occasion; the neckties to be drawn by the gentlemen.

On motion, the meeting adjourned.

—R.T. Sloan, Chairman

—C.A. Colburn, Secretary.