100 years ago
October 11, 1909
Local news
W. J. Kitzmiller and family moved into their house north of the livery barn, on Monday. They will be a welcome addition to our town.
Jonas Miller with his house moving outfit, and Dan Gingerich with his engine, moved J. W. Cupp's house in from the country last week.
Mrs. Dunlap and family moved into the house vacated by J. W. Carpenter's Monday.
J. L. Shillig is building a new barn at his house in the northwest part of town.
Yost Stutzman sold his farm to Jacob J. Gingerich Sr. last week.
Dr. Kiser has sold his farm to Joseph C. Gingerich of Wright county.
The T. L. Deweese family are moving into their new home, just west of the bridge on Barnes street. They have raised the house, put under a new foundation.
Mike Stumpf has his new residence plastered and the carpenters were putting in the windows and inside wood work last week.
Ira Fry went to Moline Friday night, where he will work in the automobile factory.
Frank Friese located another Washington county farmer, on a nice quarter section of Dakota land. Tom Shebeck, who went along on last week's trip was the purchaser.
J. W. Carpenter and wife, and Cloyd Carpenter and family, left the first of the week for Big Creek, Nebr. Where they will make their future home.
Wanted - A capable tenant that can handle a good sized farm. Enquire at once of Dr. W. C. Miller on the C B. Miller farm.
Miss Nita Edmondson, who is attending the Business College in Burlington, visited at home over Sunday. Miss Ida Snider returned to Burlington with her on Monday, and will also attend the Business College there.
All persons having deposited miscellaneous trash in my rooms or hall ways over the post office are requested to remove the same at once. Mrs. Jennie Wagner.
The Miller & Kitzmiller sale passed off very well, Wednesday of last week. The cattle, including a good many spring calves, averaged $52.50 per head and other things sold very well.
Raymond Hasty met with an unfortunate accident, Sunday afternoon. He, with some other boys, was playing in the timber, when he caught his foot under a root and fell, breaking one of the bones of his leg.
Frank Pierce
Our first snow flurries Oct. 11 seems rather early to have winter begin so soon.
Patterson and Bonham are putting down a deep well for M. T. Yoder with their new well machine.
We understand John Bennell has rented the Arnold Falk farm for the coming year. Chris Yoder is going back to Indiana to live.
Sharon Center
Henry Strickler made his last trip with the huckster wagon last week.
Park Miller closed a very successful term of school at No. 2 last Friday.
Elsie and Gaylord Rupener and Olive Bird of Iowa City, spent Saturday at the George Rupener home.
Last Saturday evening, a goodly number of Bert Griffith's friends surprised him in honor of his birthday. Oysters and cake were served.
Amish
Dr. Miller of California was present at the Miller-Kitzmiller sale looking after his father's interests.
The Aid Society served dinner and lunch at the Miller-Kitzmiller sale and took in $45.
Pilotburg
C. E. Rickey's new house will soon be completed. They will have a beautiful modern home when it is finished.
The sad news of the death of Mrs. Sam Nicola was received here Monday. She was operated on at Iowa City, but the shock of the operation proved too much for her feeble strength.
A crowd of young folks enjoyed a fishing party near Wassonville mill Saturday.
Chas. Squires is helping Eb. Bishop while Frank is sightseeing in the western states.
Vesa Rickey returned to Washington Sunday, with J. Bishop's in their auto.
Richmond
Joe Freund, Anson Small and Ed McIlree made a business trip to Hills.
Kos and Spevacek have finished the work on their store.
Tony Welte and Wm. Kiefer and their wives were entertained at dinner at the Joe Kiefer home Sunday.
John Wingler delivered a nice bunch of hogs at Kalona Monday.
Prairie Flower
Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Phillips attended the funeral of the late B. I. Jones which took place at Washington.
Mrs. Fred Bartholomew and daughter Nellie were Washington callers Saturday.
Mrs. Noacre of Washington spent several days this week at the home of her son Newt.
School Report
Report of the Maple Grove school. Number of boys enrolled: 6. Number of girls enrolled: 18.
Those not absent: Stany Vodicka, Joe Nayadley, Edith Marek, Rosie Marek, Edna Simpson, Blanche Marek, Sammy Nayadley, Una Ayers, Matilda Nayadley, Oran Birkey, Earl Hasty, Dorothy Birkey, Marv Vodicka, Lucile Birkey, Eda Hasty, Celesta Hasty, Myrtle Long, Fronnie Nayadley, Emma Nayadley, Irvin Hasty, Katie Nayadley.
Miss Mary E. Dewees, Teacher
County Superintendant, Miller, has awarded diplomas of honor, to quite a list of students of rural schools. Among the number we notice the names of Roscoe Niffenegger, Grace and Ray Marner and Irvin and Edna Ford, of Sharon township.
75 years ago
October 11, 1934
Local news
Mr. and Mrs. Lando Gingerich are the parents of a new son named Richard Dale. The young man was born to them Wednesday, Oct. 3.
Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Slaubaugh of the West Union community are the parents of a new son born to them Oct. 6.
Mrs. Jonas Y. Yoder underwent a surgical operation last Friday at her home.
Mr. and Mrs. Noah Mast have returned from their Colorado trip where they have been on their wedding trip for the past six weeks.
Mrs. Roy H. Miller has been quite ill at her home in their apartment over the Edmondson store. She is reported to be improving at this writing.
Mrs. Showalter, mother of Mrs. Erlis Kinsinger, Mrs. Noah G. Yoder and Clifford Roberts, died Saturday night at the home her of daughter north of Kalona.
Lucille Pearl Beenblossom, daughter of L. O. Beenblossom of north of Washington, was united in marriage to Martin Verne Escher, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Escher of Kalona.
Mr. and Mrs. Alva Kepler were coming west on Highway No. 1 near the Manas Hochstetler farm home last Saturday night when a horse came upon the highway from the south side. The horse was crippled badly having broken its leg and puncturing its side. Mr. Hochstetler was called on the scene. The horse was shot after giving its condition.
Wednesday afternoon while on the highway between Frytown and Sharon Center with his automobile, Frank Gingerich, seemed to lose control of his car through a faulty steering gear, causing his car to turn over.
Walter Speas has moved to the Gid Bender property which was recently vacated by Mrs. A. B. Slagel, who has moved to Iowa City.
The Harley Perron family will move to the John A. Yoder property near the old tile factory.
It is reported that Chris Gingerich northwest of Kalona has sold his farm to Tobe Bontrager for the consideration of $80 per acre.
Miss Veda Rhodes is helping Mrs. Peter Alt with her housework.
Joe Levy was chosen for CCC camp and reported for duty last week.
Mr. Louis Kai and Mr. Fred Meinert of Durant, Iowa were helping C. C. Thiessen to shingle his house.
The Rawleigh Co. has a representative in this territory now. He is W. A. Humphrey. He and his wife live in the Adams property recently vacated by Mr. and Mrs. M. P. Rowe.
Richmond
Mrs. Earl Grady brought her baby home from the Iowa City hospital last week.
Mrs. Van Vodicka was the honoree at a birthday dance last Friday night at the Z.C.B. J. Hall.
Virginia Kern is working at the Roy Kallous home.
Paul Kern and John Lintz are picking chickens at the new produce plant at Kalona.
Farmers in this vicinity have suffered the loss of sheep killed by dogs in the past two weeks. Two of the dogs were followed and both of them killed one night last week.
Bayertown
Lloyd Bayer, John Yoder, Clair Grout and Stanley Hirt attended A Century of Progress at Chicago last week.
Harry Grout and son, Earl, delivered cattle to Chicago Saturday. They are attending the World's Fair while there.
Ivan Maas and Ward Williamson took stock to Chicago Thursday evening. Ward returned Saturday, and Ivan stayed for a longer time.
Hummer
Carl Williams threshed beans for Ray Smalley on Monday.
Kite Knowling has finished sawing his log yard near North Liberty and moved his saw mill to a log yard near Sigourney last week.
Grandpa Butterbaugh's condition remains about the same. He has been bedfast for almost six weeks.
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Benell returned Saturday from a visit to A Century of Progress in Chicago.
Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Snider and family with Mr. and Mrs. Omar Yoder and family of near Sharon picnicked at the Palisades.
Sharon
Oct. 9th - Most of the silo filling is done and a large number of farmers who have silos have a very small acreage left to husk. We are glad to see that the frost delayed as there is some late planted corn.
Prairie Dale
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hostetler, June and Junior, spent Sunday with friends at Wayland.
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Hershberger and Doris visited at the Raymond Miller home Sunday.
Jacob Boller spent the week end at Truro, Iowa with his brother, John Boller.
Brush
Mr. and Mrs. Isaiah Litwiller were Sunday dinner guests at the Roy Rensberger home.
Wallace Gascho and Lester Yoder helped John Hershberger cut corn Saturday.
Chris Troyer and his mother were business callers in Muscatine Monday.
Amish
Albert Hershberger, who has been visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Hershberger of Kalona, was visiting relatives and friends in this community last week. Mr. Hershberger is with the Dupont Cellophane Co. at Buffalo, New York.
Pilotburg
Mrs. John Snyder went to her home in Chicago where they will move to a new home, leaving the children here with her mother, Mrs. James Chalupa until they are settled.
Mr. James Chalupa is slowing improving.
Fred and Banks Mouser are expecting a visit from their brother, Will's, wife and daughter of California soon.
Prairie Flower
John Rittenhouse has installed electric lights in his home.
Mrs. Harry Rittenhouse left Saturday morning for a visit at Omaha, Nebraska.
Bryan Swift and L. J. Miller have been helping N. J. Benson cut corn.
Chas. Bear has been putting up bean hay.
Sharon High School
The Junior class of the Sharon High school will present its class play "Look Out Lizzie', October 5th and 6th in the Sharon High School Auditorium.
The play takes place in the sitting room of the Long farm house near Centerville, Indiana and is built around the ethics of Hazel only child of a backwoods, Indiana farmer wanting to be somebody.
Silas Long, an old farmer, Glenn Snider
Sarah, his wife, Edna Gingerich
Hazel, their daughter, Alverta Shaffer
Lizzie Blanks, hire girl, Helen Eakes
Hank Blinks, hired man, Dale Ressler
Minie Hall, neighborhood gossip, Gleanna Roberts
Richard Biltmore, a stranger, Glenn Stutsman
Dave Hinkle, an old miser, Everett Plecker
Sam Berry, a neighbor, Lloyd Plecker
Between acts, Donald Snider, Everett Winborn, Glenn Yoder, Ralph Troyer and Robert Dolan will furnish music for entertainment.
Between acts the same Sharon boys entertained the crowd with some music. We hope that we will hear this group again. Thank you, Donald Snider, Ralph Troyer, Everette Winborn, Robert Dolan and Glenn Yoder.
Tuesday afternoon the Home Economics Club enacted the Brown family breakfast. The Brown family was made up of the following:
Ida Meer, Father
Pearle Hughes, Mother
Ila Eakes, John
Eunice Niffenegger, Nancy
Ferne Plecker, Ben
Veva Shaffer, Ned
Daisy Grout, Lily
Ada Meer, Rose
Center High School
Editor in Chief - Vera Fry
Asst. Editors - Marguerite Graper and Howard Yoder
The students that were absent are as follows: Monday, Claude Capper, Virgil Grout; Tuesday, Claude Capper Wednesday, Eldon Swartzendruber, Claude Capper.
The sack of apples that Shirley and Lois Erb brought to treat the girls on the way home from school certainly tasted good to the boys as long as they lasted.
Miss Wilma Rauch and Miss Catherine Smith will act as the judges of the exhibits in the Women's Division. These young ladies are members of the senior class in home economics at the State University of Iowa. Mr. Carl Holden of Williamsburg will again act as judge of the farm produce.
5th and 6th grade news
Last Friday our room had a student council meeting. Virginia Hasty made a motion that our room should have a fire prevention program. The motion was carried. Richard Miller made a motion that we should make fire prevention posters. The motion was carried. The people elected are as follows:
Housekeeper - Treva Hesselschwerdt
Librarian - Alva Bender
Bat carrier - Harold Peterseim
Program Committee - Pauline Moomey, Paul Gingerich
The sixth grade have planned to make a poster in Hygiene class. The poster will be divided into three parts. One is for Carbohydrates, another proteins, and another for fat. There will be pictures to show the different kinds of food.
50 years ago
October 15, 1959
New to the world
A daughter was born Oct. 4 at Washington to Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Sexton.
An eight pound, eight ounce son was born at Washington Oct. 13 to Mr. and Mrs. Evan Watkinson.
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Kemp are the parents of a daughter born at the Washington hospital Oct. 9.
Local news
Laura Niffenegger and Larry Brenneman children of Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Niffenegger and Mr. and Mrs. Elwyn Brenneman underwent tonsil and adenoid surgery at the Mercy hospital on October 8.
Mrs. Arminda Brenneman, 90, died October 11, 1959 at the Pleasantview Home.
William H. Blum, 63, farmer living southwest of Kalona died at Mercy hospital October 10.
Mrs. Melvin Saforek of Ontario, California arrived by plane Wednesday having been called to Kalona by the critical illness of her mother, Mrs. I. J. Kelley.
Keith White of Keota and Kay Maxwell were honored at a miscellaneous, post-nuptial shower. Hostesses for the evening were Mrs. O. G. Harmison, Mrs. Harry Showman, Mrs. Velma Way, Mrs. H. A. Hofer, Marie Jackson and Mrs. Gerald Teets.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Malichky Sr. gathered at the Malichky home Wednesday evening in observance of their forty-fifth wedding anniversary.
Mr. and Mrs. George E. Fry and Connie have moved from the Dr. Lowell Peck home in the east part of Kalona to the Ropp apartments.
Lydia Mae Hochstedler, Kalona and Mary Mast of Topeka, Indiana left for Dallas, Texas last week. Ellen Miller of LaJunta, Colorado, formerly of Kalona, met them at Dallas.
The Brownie Scouts Troop met Tuesday, October 13 in the United Church basement with 17 former members and 10 new members.
The following officers were elected. President, Julie Hartzler; Vice President, Virginia Beckman; Secretary, Treasurer, Susan Kinsinger; Reporter, Elizabeth Allensworth.
The Deer Creek Ramblers held their regular October meeting at the Community Building Monday evening.
Offices for the coming year are as follows: President, Verlin Swartzendruber; Vice President, Keith Marner; Secretary Treasurer, Mary Ellen Miller; Reporter, Gerald Yoder; Historian, Jim Bare; Leader, Raymond Venzke; Associate leader, John Dale Yoder.
A. J. Haberman and Ferd Skola were in Chicago last week to attend the last game of the World Series between the Sox and the Dodgers. (Dodgers won, 9-3, winning game 4 to clinch the series 4 games to 2)
Richmond
Mrs. Rudy Whitmire and Betty and Paul Welte visited on Sunday at the Stanley Vodicka home in Grace Hill. Stanley returned to his home last week after being hospitalized.
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Kallaus, Louise and Gary attended the Iowa-Michigan State game at Iowa City Saturday and were guests for a chili supper at the Everett Hershberger home in Iowa City.
Katie, Anna, Enos Bender and Salinda Yoder and Alvin Yoder returned to their home Monday after attending the wedding of a cousin in Hutchinson, Kansas.
Bayertown
We were sorry to learn of the sudden death of our friend and neighbor, Harrison Frank at his home near Iowa City, Saturday morning; he lived formerly in this vicinity.
Billy Nancy and Vicki Grout spent Monday afternoon with Duane Miller.
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Johnson of Chicago, Illinois and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Niles of Monroe, Wisconsin were overnight guests at the Paul Bailey home Thursday night.
Kalona School Notes
October 17th, the Goshen Hawks will march in the parade at the Washington Band Day. the Mid-Prairie Marching Gold Hawks is composed of students from the bands of Kalona, Wellman, and West Chester.
First Grade
October 5 was our red letter day this week. Cecil Borntrager celebrated his seventh birthday.
Multi-Grade
All those who wish to may take their turn reading to the room during the Milk and Story Hour. Galen Miller, Sandra Wagamon, Judith Yoder, Jim Yoder, Virginia Schrock, Judy Schlabaugh, and Myron Ropp have taken their turns already.
Dean Hershberger's mother visited our class this week.
We decided that we should have a room club instead of a science club. Our officers are: President, Bill Stagner, Vice-President, Linda Yoder, Secretary, Julie Hartzler. We have a library committee and an inspection committee to keep our room neat.
Fifth Grade
Mary Muller's mother came to visit school this week.
Jan Skola won in our Physical Education races. We also played dodge ball.
Sixth Grade
During opening exercises, Mary Anna Hershberger read the poem "Things that Get Lost,"; Jon Yoder showed us his collection of football and baseball cards; Stephen Mishler read the poem "Old Mother Ocean" Rayner Burrows read the poem "The Flag" and David Maxwell showed us a car made from a customizing kit.
25 years ago
October 8, 1984
New arrivals
Mr. and Mrs. Neal Eash are parents of a son, Aaron Michael, born September 19. He is welcomed by a brother, Dustin. Grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Henry Mullet of Kalona and Mr. and Mrs. Elon Eash of Ohio.
Dennis and Laura Harms of State Center, formerly of Wellman, are the parents of an 8 lb. 2 ½ oz. daughter, Shanna Leigh, born September 19. She was welcomed home by a brother Brandon, 2 ½.
Ben and Debbie Yoder are parents of a son, Samuel John, born September 25, weighin8 lbs. 2 oz.
Mr. and Mrs. Paul T. Miller are parents of a daughter born October 3 at Washington Hospital.
Ross and Tracy Nisly of Hutchinson, Kansas, are parents of a 6 lb. 7 oz. son, Jordan Ross, born October 4. Local grandparents are William and Edith Nisly.
Mr. and Mrs. John Dale Helmuth are parents of a son born October 7 at Mercy Hospital.
Local news
A group of Gingerich cousins met in the community room of the Kalona Valley Apartments for a housewarming and grocery shower for Elsie Gingerich, who recently moved into Apt. B-1.
Recent guests in the Truman and Velma Gingerich home were Elton and Frieda Nussbaum and Frieda's parents, Clayton and Orpha Stauffer to celebrate the 70th birthdays of Orpha and Velma.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Miller of Riverside entertained at a birthday supper for Leo Yoder of Archbold, Ohio.
Rodney and Beth Swantz of Wellman have begun a one-year term of Voluntary Service in Orrville, Ohio, with Mennonite Board of Missions.
The son of Lorena and Charles Swantz of Kalona, Rodney is a 1980 graduate of Iowa Mennonite School. Beth is the daughter of Mary and Wilbur Litwiller of Wellman and is a 1981 graduate of IMS.
Richmond
Funeral services for Pauline J Hershberger, 51, formerly of Richmond, will be held Thursday at Fort Madison.
Born January 9, 1933, in Richmond, she was a daughter of Roy and Maude Welte Kallaus and graduated from Kalona High School in 1950.
M-P
A key role in "Cheaper By the Dozen," to be performed at Mid-Prairie High School will be enacted by Martin Augustine, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed (Gwen) Augustine and a junior at the school.
Doug Dickel, son of Mr. and Mrs. Don (Barbara) Dickel of Kalona, who will play another of the Gilbreth sons.
Tony Dunbar, son of Dallas Dunbar and Janet Borsdorf, will play Fred in the play and Dan Gilbreth will be portrayed by Tony Krabill, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe (Betty) Krabill of Wellman.
Pat Woodburn will play Bill Gilbreth. He is the son of Bill Woodburn and Lana Reid.
Flint Ridge
By Bill Jr.
Bill and Carol Yoder told us that they have a letter at their place near Snake Hollow which they opened by mistake from Colorado which really belongs to us and that they will give it to us just as soon as they get done reading it.
We get a lot of letters and contacts through the mail by writing this column, most of which are very, very interesting and nice to get. But! once in a while somebody tells us all they use this column for is to start fire in the fireplace.
We received a very nice colorful post card from Dublin, Ireland, last week which was sent to us by our ol buddy Maurice O'Rourke of Iowa City and formerly from the Hinkel Town and the Little Creek areas. Maurice and his son, Kevin, took a bus tour. Maurice said he and Kevin found the county and town where their Great-grandparents and grandparents were born and lived before they came to Iowa. They also said that they are buried in a little ol country cemetery up north of Kinross near Little Creek near Hinkle Town.
I remember when I was a lad that I used to work as a cowboy up between Holbrook and Pittsburg and when the Irish called hogs they would go aweeeeee and the Amish would go whoooeeee which sure was a nice sound in the early morning and rather amusing to me. I am talking about the good ol days when you slopped hogs with a bucket and barrel when the hogs would come running in out of the back forty after hearing the famous calls.