100 years ago
October 28, 1909
Local news
Last week's issue completed the 18th year of the Kalona News. During the past eighteen years the paper has enjoyed a steady growth.
Hesselschwerdt is the busiest man in town. Everybody wants their furnace work done at once.
Just received 100 pounds of new English walnuts. The Kalona House Restaurant.
Cranberries 10 cents a quart at the Kalona House Restaurant.
Some good bargains in buggies and manure spreaders at Miller & Durst's.
John Hampsher will sell his household goods, next Saturday and will then move to Nebraska.
For sale or trade: A good horse for a good cow. Enquire of Miller & Durst.
Jim Capp is building a kitchen on the north of his new dwelling.
Weller Snyder moves this week to the Flexner property, formerly the Payne property on west Barnes street.
O. H. Dunlap is hard at work at carpentering again. Last week he was building a house at Kinross and this week is building a cattle barn for Dan P. Yoder.
Three public sales next Saturday afternoon. O. H. Dunlap has a lumber sale at 2 o'clock. John Hampsher has a sale of household at 3 o'clock and at 2 o'clock John A Yoder will sell the Amos Gingerich farm, 14 miles north of Kalona.
Mrs. John Snyder who has been seriously sick with typhoid fever, for a few weeks past is improving. Her mother, Mrs. Fountain, and her sister, Miss Fountain, have been here caring for her.
A deal was completed Monday, in which D. N. Troyer sells his interest in the firm of Troyer & Fry to his partner, R. S. Fry, who will continue the business along the same lines as before. Mr. Troyer has been in the flour, feed, coal and produce business here for several years.
Joe Simmerman, the horse buyer, has sold his home farm, 180 acres, 2 miles north of West Chester, to Charles Johnson, for $24,500. This is a finely improved farm, and a dandy good stock farm. Simmerman still has a 160 acre farm 4 miles south of Wellman.
Don Whetstine, of the Columbus Junction Safeguard, spent yesterday with his folks in Wellman. It was the fiftieth anniversary of his parents wedding and a lot of their relatives and friends were there to help them celebrate their Golden Wedding.
Frank Friese negotiated the sale of another fine quarter section of South Dakota land, on his last trip, this time to Amos Sleichter.
Adam Probst, the son of Charles Probst, a prominent pioneer of Monroe township, was found dead, on his father's farm, near a well in the pasture Thursday noon. His neck was broken, and it is believed he fell from a horse.
Miss Velma Snider returned Monday morning from a visit of several days at the home of her sister, Mrs. O. L. Rogers in Iowa City. Miss Ella Kepler helped in the Post Office during Miss Velma's absence.
Rev. Moore of the M. E. church has reorganized the Epworth League. Pres., E. V. Day; 1st Vice Pres., Miss Eva Snider; 2nd Vice Pres., Miss Lizzie Tice; 3d Vice Pres., Miss Mary Deweese; 4th Vice Pres., Miss Myrtle Snider; Sect., Miss Edna Allen; Treas., Miss Rena Palmer
Sharon Center
Jacob Troyer's are the happy parents of a son.
Ben Brenneman is building a new machine house.
High School will begin November 8th.
Mr. Hofer of Kalona did some plastering for P. F. Schwimley the first of the week.
Irvin Knepp is having an attack of pleurisy.
Mr. and Mrs. John Hartsock have gone to housekeeping on the Mrs. O. Strickler farm.
Jake Kinsinger is building a new hog house for Jake Christner.
Frank Pierce
Mrs. Agness Fry is having her new addition to her house plastered. Link Creswell is doing the work.
Culen Moomey had the misfortune of breaking one of his fingers last week, trying to stop a gasoline engine.
Otto Zager painted at Erwin Bennell's the first of the week.
Harry Kenuard had a poultry delivery at A. W. Roup's Tuesday morning.
M. T. Yoder thrashed for Ray Patterson Tuesday afternoon.
Mr. Welch of Kalona is tiling for D. W. Bontrager.
R. C. Gosnell and wife and Lala Boone spent Sunday at Verge Beeney's.
Amish
Mr. and Mrs. Nordeck are the proud parents of a fine 8-½ lb girl, born Saturday morning.
Corn husking is general in this neighborhood this week.
Rev. Scot is holding revival meetings at Champion Hill this week.
Pilotburg
Mrs. D. P. Brindley is able to be up from her bed. Mr. Brimley is improving slowly
N. J. Eyestone and son Charles took dinner at H. B. Gardner's.
Rev. and Mrs. Carwell took supper at F. E. Rickey's Sunday evening.
Chas. Brown is sawing the log yard at F. E. Rickey's.
Sam Nicola is delivering his oats in one of the Wellman buyers.
75 years ago
October 24, 1934
Local news
Mrs. Roy H. Miller underwent a major operation at the Mercy hospital in Iowa City Wednesday morning.
Mrs. Roscoe Feldman of Ames, Ms. Clyde Skyes of Altoona, and Mr. Ed Hesselschwerdt of Philo, Illinois came Wednesday for a visit at the paternal Wm. Hesselschwerdt home. Billy remains about the same according to late reports. Ed and Emil went on to Newton.
Mrs. Clarence Hochstetler assisted as clerk at the Edmondson dept. Store three days this week.
John Francis O'Loughlin and friend from Ames, Iowa accompanied Miss Dorothy Osborn and Bill Knoke to Kalona Sunday afternoon.
Early Friday afternoon while returning from Cedar Rapids with a two and one-half ton load of feed on his truck, Elmer Marner met with a bad truck crash just north of Kalona on highway No. 1. He had a broken nose and a collarbone and otherwise badly bruised up. The truck was badly damaged.
Isaiah Miller of Kalona is one of the thirteen men to enter the Washington county husking contest which will be held October 27th at the Herman Luers farm eight miles northwest of Washington, farmed by Val Fuhr.
The other eleven entrants in the contest are Elmer, Ralph and Virgil Krantz, Wm. Nicholson, Raymond Rich, and Clarence Shull all of Crawfordsville; Warren Davis and Kermit Jones of Keota, Leroy Lenninger of Brighton, Isaiah Miller of Kalona and Dwight Hoyle of Washington.
W. J. Smiley conducted another one of his numerous horse sales here last Saturday afternoon and some fine prices were paid for some of the teams sold.
It was reported that two different teams sold to local buyers for $220 per team.
Richmond
Mr. and Mrs. John Blakely are the parents of a new daughter born to them Oct. 21.
Mrs. George Schmitt fell Wednesday of last week and cut her head severely. She is reported to be doing well.
A.W. Duwa threshed beans Monday.
Mrs. Mary Eva Durst, widow of Amos Durst, died at 4:45 Oct. 23.
She was born on a farm south of Kalona in the Richmond community June 11, 1868, a daughter of Cyrus Bush and Mary (Walters) Bush. She was reared in the Richmond community, attending the schools there and was married July 4, 1888 to Amos Durst.
Evergreen
On Thursday, October 18th, Anna Miller, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter B. Miller, and Eli Bontrager, son of Mr. and Mrs. Menno Bontrager, of Glen Florda, Wisconsin, were united in marriage. The groom was attested by Harley Miller and John Bontrager, a brother of the groom. The bride was attended by Miss Glick and Miss Gingerich.
The Ephraim Hershberger farm was sold last week to some man in the east.
The Chester Miller family will move near Frytown next year.
Will Plank of Kalona threshed beans with his combine for Alton Bontrager, south of East Union church Monday. The yield was 28 bu. to the acre.
Hochstetler Bros. from Kalona ground corn fodder for Chester Miller Monday evening.
A fine rain again last week, which is a help to pastures. Who said 40 cent cream and eggs before 60 days?
Chester Miller and Vern Moore helped put up bean hay for Willard Gingerich and Chester Miller helped Jesse Gingerich with his turkeys Tuesday.
Mr. Stoner, the Baker man, was through this neck of the woods Monday.
Sharon
Miss Lucille Winborn has received a scholarship from the Johnson County 4-H club work for a course in Business College.
October 22 Mrs. J. P. Kinsinger passed away in Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. She had undergone two operations recently in the hopes of recovering from her serious illness, but it was learned on Sunday that the end was near. Her husband and six children survive. Earl, Ray, Clifford, Jennie, Marguerite and Gertrude.
Hummer
Oct. 23rd - Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Benell and daughter, Colleen, drove to Richland Friday afternoon and attended the Kalona-Richland football game.
Levi Stutzman is helping G. E. Hartsock re-shingle his house.
Albert Ensminger delivered corn to Albert Zager, Robert Sass and B. A. Casey last week.
Paul Stutzman is moving to the Hummer cemetery, since Albert Johnson has moved to Iowa City.
Frank Pierce
Monday was the date for the Kauffman sale at his place south of Frytown where he sold out his tools and woodworking machinery and furniture.
John Beard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Beard, north of Frytown broke his arm Monday evening while cranking a Model T Ford motor which was used for farm power. Both bones were broken.
Floyd Fry and two of his school friends of Ames spent from Sunday till Monday evening at the H. J. Fry home.
Jonas Y. Yoder delivered a load of turkeys to the Maplecrest Hatchery in Wellman last Saturday.
Bayertown
Mr. and Mrs. P. G. Bayer, Mr. and Mrs. Archie Bailey, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Bailey were guests at the Henry Durst home Sunday evening.
Mr. and Mrs. Meredith Maas and children were Sunday visitors at the Harry Grout's.
Clair Bailey attended A Century of Progress at Chicago last Weekend.
East Union
Mr. and Mrs. Noah Brenneman and daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Chester Miller and son and Mr. and Mrs. John Shetler and sons were Sunday dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Monroe Hochstetler.
Mrs. Frank Miller and Mrs. Will Brenneman assisted Mrs. Peter Brenneman with house work last Tuesday.
Sharon Center
Exactly 987 dinners were served at the Sharon Center annual Oxroast last October 18.
Tables were placed in the gymnasium which accommodated more than a hundred people at one time which gave serve to the public swiftly and carefully. The carnival following the dinner netted approximately $65. It was considered by all committees as a success.
Center High School
The fall festival is over until next year. We had twenty turkeys and still there wasn't enough. It has been estimated that six hundred people were fed. Those that donated turkeys were Joel Slaubaugh, Lewis Swartzendruber, Murrie Miller, Will Miller, Ray Hostetler, Lloyd Yoder, Emerson Rodgers, Harvey Miller, Dan H. Swartzendruber, Emmet Gingerich and Wallace Eash. Those absent for this week are as follows; Monday - Claude Capper; Thursday - Wilbur Miller, Simon Wertz, and Cleo Gascho; Friday - Doris Slaubaugh and Cleo Gascho.
Claude Capper must have turned over a new leaf for he has been to school for four days in succession.
Kalona School
An Ideal Girl
Height, Gladys Maxwell; Arms, Arlene Kern; Legs, Muriel Michel; Feet, Violet Vodicka; Hair, Blanche Nejedley; Eyes, Carol Saforek; Nose, Grace Phillips; Chin, Evelyn Gingerich; Nerve, Mick Grady; Brains, Mildred Phillips; Laugh, Helen Peterseim; Pep, Louise Stillwell; Appetite, Norma Tilden; Personality, Margaret Strabala; Reputation, Marguerite Vodicka; Smile Ruth Brenneman; Dress, Pauline Peterseim.
Grade School Honor Roll
Third and Fourth Grades-Ernestine Knepp, Bobby Snider, Calvin Perrin, Charles Snodgrass, Lorraine Michum, Donald Dayton, and Eugene Hochstetler.
Fifth and Sixth Grades-Doris Marner, Kenneth Gingerich, and Victor Chabal.
Seventh and Eighth Grades-Lydia Miller, Marvin Gingerich, Donald Hesselschwerdt, Fannie Miller, and Richard Snodgrass.
7th and 8th Grade Notes
On Oct. 19 we had our second program meeting. The numbers on the program were as follows:
Song by School, America; Book Report, Eldon Miller; Jokes, Donald Hesselschwerdt; Vocal Solo, Dayle Teets; Story, Junior Randall; Charades, Virginia Bush and Ruth Thatcher; Original Extravaganza, Lydia Miller; Duet, Virginia Peterseim and Norma Erickson; Riddles, Audrey Boone; Piano solo, Richard Snodgrass; Charades, Harry Levy and John Bender; Song by School, Loves Old Sweet Song.
50 years ago
October 29, 1959
Local news
Mr. and Mrs. Norman Bontrager of 610 Birch Street, Denver, Colorado are the parents of a son born October 22 weighing 7 pounds and 1 ounce. He was named Garren Lee.
Mr. and Mrs. John Spenner are the parents of a 9 pound 7 ounce son born Monday, October 26.
Last week, C. E. Hershberger received announcement of the birth of twin sons, October 15 to Mr. and Mrs. Joel Reeves of Barstow, California. The boys were named John Stanley and Joel Stuart.
Mrs. Loren Spicher, who observed her birthday October 28, was honored at a surprise birthday dinner at the Captain's Table.
The wedding of Richard Brenneman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clark Brenneman, Wellman and Dorothy Mast, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Mast, Burr Oak, Michigan was solemnized October 24.
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Mast were pleasantly surprised in honor of their first wedding anniversary October 21.
Jacob Arthur, son of Daniel and Salina Marner Slaubaugh, was born October 20, 1903 at Parnell, Iowa and died October 22, 1959 at the age of 56 years.
Dave B. Hochstetler sold his property south of the depot to John Miller of Wellman.
Mr. and Mrs. Ward Ehrenfelt have sold their home east of the Methodist church to Maynard Reber. Possession will be given November 1 at which time the Ehrenfelts will live in the house on their acreage near the river until their home in the north part of Kalona is completed.
The Misses Helen Miller and Dorothy Gingerich were in Marengo last Wednesday, where Miss Miller was the speaker at the Career Day.
Cub Scouts receiving advancement awards are: Bear Badge, Bill Stagner, Randy Miller and Jan Skola; Lion Badge, Bill Henss; one gold and one silver arrow point Bill Niffenegger, Bill Stagner and Randy Miller
Robert R. Smith, radioman seaman apprentice, USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl D. Smith of Route 1, Kalona is serving with Tactical Air Control Squadron 11 in San Diego.
Excavation of the new Farmers Savings Bank Building began October 8, 1959 and keen interest has been shown in the digging of the basement.
Richmond
The Happy Hour Club met at the home of Mrs. Wino Strabala on October 21 for an all day quilting.
Very little corn is been put in cribs, due to the cool and damp weather. The late and wet spring weather also adds to a later maturity. High winds the past weeks have broken down a lot of corn.
Mrs. Richard Shalla and Mrs. Dave McCall attended a 4-H school of instruction at the Methodist church basement.
Mr. and Mrs. Ardell Pieper and Mr. and Mrs. Ward Ehrenfelt attended the Field Trials at Camp Dodge Saturday. Jim Pieper's dog won 2nd prize and also the Ehrenfelt dog won 2nd.
Prairie Dale
Mr. and Mrs. Duane E. Yoder and family, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel D. Miller and family, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Schrock and family helped Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Miller celebrate their wedding anniversary, Oct. 26.
Sunday dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Paris Miller were Mr. and Mrs. John Hershberger and Delwyn, Mr. and Mrs. Owen Miller and Debra and Mr. and Mrs. Enos Miller and Karen.
Pilotburg
Mrs. Albert Batterson is in the Mercy Hospital for physical therapy for injuries received in a car accident.
Mr. and Mrs. James Jones and baby boy Jamey jay, of Grand Mound, Iowa visited at Wayne Stranskys Sunday.
Wayne Turnipseed and family of Gary, Indiana, visited Friday at the home of his sister, Mrs. Richard Scott.
Kubs Win Homecoming, 12-6
The Kub's scoring hero, Jim Yoder, made Kalona's homecoming game a success by sparking two touchdowns in a 12-6 decision over Keota last Friday night. Yoder who saw little action in last weeks game with Solon racked up a total of 130 yards during this game.
Outstanding defense alertness on the part of Harold Stout and Tim Grady prevented the Eagles from scoring by intercepting two of the three Keota passes.
While sincere Kub football fans were concerned with the outcome of the game others awaited the moment when Miss Jeanette Miller was crowned 1959 Homecoming Queen. Her attendants were Miss Kathleen Meyer and Miss Sally Skola.
Grade School Notes
First Grade
October 23 we celebrated Connie Hartzler's birthday.
Second Grade
Mary Mast planted some Indian Corn in a tin can, and now it is about ten inches high.
Third Grade
A big field pumpkin found its way into our room with the help of our good friend, Mr. Jirsa. It will make a dandy jack-o-lantern.
Multi-Grade
Recent readers during the Milk and Story Hour have been Mary Ann Gingerich, Jim Garrett, Grace Brenneman, Orpha Bender, Wendell Miller, and Dennis Miller.
Sixth Grade
In a physical education this week, we had a softball tournament. Rayner Burrows team led by four points on Friday.
Seventh Grade
Classman of the week: Beverly Kay Hess.
Born - November 23, 1946
Car - Chevrolet
Color - Blue
Food - Hamburger and French Fries.
Female Singer - Connie Francis
Male Singer - Pat Boone
Song - Fools Hall of Fame
TV Program - Pat Boone
Movie - Bernadine
Eighth Grade
The eighth grade officers are: President, Kirk Bailey; Vice-President, Gregory Brenneman; Secretary-Treasurer, Beverly Yoder; Student Council, Ricky Fry.
We also interviewed our president, Kirk. Some of his favorites are:
Food - Steak
Car - Oldsmobile
Subject - Math
Sport - Football
TV Program - Gunsmoke
Movie - Long, Long, Trailer
Male Signer - Ricky Nelson
Female Singer - Patti Page
Song - Three Bells
Ambition - Doctor
25 years ago
October 25, 1984
Jessica Kay Gugel, born October 16 to Dave and Julie Gugel of Wellman, has a brother Shaun, 2 ½ year old.
Mr. and Mrs. Glen Ray Miller are parents of a son, Wayne Lamar, weighing 7 lbs. 11 oz. born October 19.
Paul and Mary Jo Long are parents of a daughter, Amanda Suzanne, born October 20. Grandparents are Quinten and Dolores Miller of Kalona. Daniel and Edie Kemp are parents of a 6 lb. 4 oz. daughter, Heidi Jo, born October 20.
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth J. Duwa are the parents of an 8 lb. 1 ½ oz. son, Mitchel Wayne, born October 23. He was welcomed home by a sister Heather.
Local news
Mrs. Lamont Kelley was honored at a birthday dinner at the Amanas Sunday. Sharing the occasion were Mr. Kelley, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Capper and Linda Zuber of Williamsburg.
Mrs. Blanche Steele of Rock Island, Illinois, visited in the Alma Michel home Sunday and attended the memorial service for her sister, Irene Alt, at the Grout church.
Tim Grady and two friends from Cedar Rapids will compete in the New York City marathon, October 28. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Hilton Grady of Kalona.
Doris Eash of Wellman, Ruby Bontrager, Mrs. M. J. Miller and Eunice Stagner enjoyed a cruise on the Mississippi Belle Wednesday. Mrs. Donald Huntsberger of Wellman announces the engagement and approaching marriage of her daughter, Susan Marie Huntsberger of Ames, to Craig Lynn Schweinfurth of Ames, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Schweinfurth of Kalona. Miss Huntsberger and her fianc attend Iowa Sate University.
Mid-Prairie News
Mid-Prairie faculty members attended the twentieth annual ITAG conference in Des Moines last week. M-P representatives were Renee Jesness, Linda Heminger, Linda Huber, Louise Frakes, Chris Soldat and Ray Schrepfer, director of the M-P STP.
Cheaper By the Dozen will be performed November 10. Cast members are Rob McCain, Lisa Nicholls, Heather Gaston, Martin Augustine, Doug Dickel, Anthony Krabill, Pat Woodburn, Tony Dunbar, Amy Jirsa, Kris Swantz, Pam Jirsa, Meg Peterseim, Doug Moberly, Larry TeBockhorst, Karla Logan and Mike Swartzendruber.
Although most of the cast consists of the Gilbreth family, there are a few non-relatives. Meg Peterseim, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. E. (Short and Jan) Peterseim plays Mrs. Fitzgerald, the Gilbreth family housekeeper. Doug Moberly, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert (Dorothea) Moberly, is Dr. Burton, the family physician.
Karla Logan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dale (Darlene) Logan, will be Miss Brill, the spinster schoolteacher.
Larry, one of Anne Gilbreth's admirers will be played by Mike Swartzendruber, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul (Martha) Swartzendruber.
IMS Soccer
IMS's opponent was Scattergood. IMS came out fired up the second half and began to control the game with good passing and a lot of hustle. The final score was 8-1. On offense IMS was led by Jeff Gingerich with 3 goals, Bryan Kinneer with 2 and Tim Miller, Kenton Bohn and Lance Miller with 1 goal each. The defense was lead by Darin Hochstetler with 8 interceptions. Tim Miller, Jeff Boller and Steve Dachtler had seven interceptions each.
Flint Ridge
By Bill Jr.
I found some notes which my Uncle Art Yoder (now deceased) gave me eight or ten years ago which he said I should put in this column some time. The following names of Baseball players and positions they played as told to me by my late Uncle Art.
South Liberty was a small town - 1/14 miles west of Hills, and this was the year 1895.
South Liberty Baseball Team - pitcher Silas Ford, catcher Serve Gringer, Ford and Gringer would trade off a lot but Ford was a stronger pitcher, 1st base Joe Grial, 2nd base Linus Hirt, 3rd base Philip Mickel, short stop Leo Hirt, Ed Grial, a Frantz and Schnieder were the fields and Ed Grial was a utility player and could play any position.
Sharon Center Baseball Team - 1895 - 1st base Jack Roberts, 2nd base Fred Meer, 3rd base Jake Stutsman, short stop Wm Burkey, pitcher, Hiram Burkey, catcher Berry Gramley who was the best catcher in the country, right field Art Ressler, center field Johnny Weeber, left field Ira Burkey.
Joe Grial hauled mail, smoked and rolled his own dukes and Johnny Weeber was known to be the best wood splitter in the country, also a Katie Wiebil was listed in these notes and she may have been a Teacher at Willow Grove as it has been a long time since I took these notes.
We thought the ol ball players at Hills and Sharon Center would enjoy this as many are the same last names of ball players today in that area.
The last ten days have been rather wet as we dumped five inches plus out of our rain gauge. Some folks don't agree on the amounts of rain, but that is what I dumped out.
Paul and Marie Snyder, Don and Ruth Yoder were recent guests of Ralph and Martha Schlabaugh and enjoyed a good time.
We enjoyed coffee and ice cream across the table from the Ray Franks and the Lloyd Meyers, all of Bayertown, and we enjoyed a very pleasant visit.
I never knew that Lloyd grew up out in the Hastings, Nebraska, area. We were talking about the ol Bayertown Baseball diamond and the days when you used to throw corn against the bangboards.
Next week we plan to have a clipping of what it was like to be a hog in 1923 which was sent to us from Southern Iowa.