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From: "Cathy Joynt Labath" <>
Subject: [IAHENRY] !! Free Press; Henry Co, IA; May 22, 1879
Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2003 11:42:12 -0600


The Free Press
Mount Pleasant, Henry, Iowa
May 22, 1879

John Gustafison a swede who arrived in Mt. Pleasant about two weeks ago and
found work in the stone quarry below town. On Monday just before noon, as he was
on the dump track a blast was fired about 75 feet from him. A rock from the
blast hit this man upon the arm knocking him off the track and precipitating him
a distance of 12 feet upon the rocks below. He fell striking on his shoulder and
the side of his head, bruising his head and breaking his collar bone. He bled
profusely from his ear. He did not come to himself till seven hours after the
fall. To-day, Tuesday, the physicians think there is a chance for his recovery
unless there is some severe internal injury. Mr. Gustafison has no relatives in
this country, but he has found friends among his own countrymen here, and all
that kindness and careful nursing can to to restore him again to health will be
faithfully done.

On Sunday the youngest child of J. Keller, fell into a new cistern. The
cistern was the usual depth and had between two and three feet of water. One of
the older children was drawing water with a rope and bucket and the child in
trying to assist fell in. The alarm was given when the child began to fall. Mr.
Keller has been suffering for some time with inflammatory rheumatism and was in
his easy chair when the cry came. He went from his chair and let himself into
the cistern and rescued the child passing it to its mother so quick that the
little fellow did not strangle at all. Some men passing came to the rescue and
lifted Mr. Keller out by his arms. His left arm has been so badly crippled that
he could not raise his hand to his head. This lifting out was rather a serious
affair for Mr. Keller. The pain for three hours afterwards was intense. When
that ceased he felt no inconvenience for his hurried cold bath and now considers
it rather of a benefit. Still he does not feel inclined to recommend pitching
children into a cistern and jumping in after them as a sure and rapid cure
especially if they have to be lifted out by their lame arms.

The meeting at Red Ribbon Hall on Sunday last will be remembered as one of
the best of the many good ones held there.- Mrs. Washington is a workman that no
one surely has any reason to be ashamed of, but brewers certainly have good
reason to be afraid of her. The Woman's Christian Temperance Union, of the First
Congressional District are fortunate in the selection of Mrs. Washington as
their missionary-and we don't see how they can possibly allow her to resign
unless it is to give her a wider field. Not only is she an effective advocate of
that organization but she is also an able and efficient advocate of temperance
in all its phases. We were not aware before that e had so efficient a corps of
workers in our state. No wonder the brewers feel alarmed and they must do
something more than issue tracts, and if there are ten such women in the state
as she is they are certainly in a bad box. As a ready effective speaker Mrs.
Washington will make her mark wherever she goes. She not only has a full and
complete understanding of her subject but she has also an attractive and winning
way of presenting it, not only eloquently but ladylike. Her manner of speaking
is rapid and earnest; her whole aim is to put her facts and statements plainly
and forcibly before her audience, and in doing that she is very successful. One
other good trait she has, is in stopping when she has had her say. We hope this
is not the last time she will be heard in Mt. Pleasant.

Miss Fagan, a sister of Mr. Wm. Fagan, living near the Catholic church,
accidentally poisoned herself on Tuesday by taking an overdose of laudanum.
Feeling unwell she resorted to a dose of laudanum. Drs. Pitcher and Marsh were
called and administered the proper remedies and at the present writing there is
a fair prospect of her recovery.

Isaac Stout, a lad of 15 years who has been working for Col. Todd at the
Harlan House, was riding his pony on Sunday afternoon. The pony was one of those
independent kind that when he has a mind not to be rode, has a way of persuading
his rider to get off. On Sunday his method was so violent that he threw his
rider and rolled over him, injuring him so severely that he was unconscious for
nearly one whole day. He is now in a fair way to recover.

The following names have been added to the Floral Committee for Decoration
Day: Mrs. Umstot, Mrs. Ehle, Mrs. Smith Saunders, Mrs. Wm. Hill, Mrs. Allie
Saunders, Mrs. Emma Hall, Mrs. Emma Griffith, and the Misses May Snyder, Mary
Howard, Maggie Rouse, Jessie Rand, Eva Eicher, Sue Davis, Sophia Timmerman, Emma
Newbold, Anna Hill, Katie Martin, Lillie Cooper, May Hare, Julia Woodward,
Hattie Walker, Miss Greusel, Anna Davis, Mary Teter. These ladies are requested
to meet at the Red Ribbon dining hall next Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock and
to come armed with the womanly weapons of the work basket.

Cathy Joynt Labath
Iowa Old Press
http://www.IowaOldPress.com/




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