(transcribed by Pat O'Dell: genpat@netins.net)

Copyright © 2003 by Pat O'Dell: This data may be used for your own family research; it may not be copied in any form or used for any other purpose (commercial or otherwise).

Mrs Robert B. Blades, accompanied by her daughter Bessie, departed Friday for a two weeks' visit to her childhood home in Mount Sterling, Brown county, Ill. This is Mrs Blades' first trip back home in twenty-two long years, and she surely is entitled to this brief vacation, for if there is a harder working woman in Hamburg or Fremont county -- well, we're from old Missouri on this -- and we sincerely hope she enjoys the two weeks outing. The Brown county fair is being held there this week, and she expects to meet many old friends and schoolmates at the fair. As this is the principal event of the year in Brown county, everybody attends, and Mrs B. will go "to see and be seen." She tried to induce "Bob" to take a short vacation and accompany her; but it seems Bob is just a little bit "leery" of getting outside the boundaries of old Fremont county, probably afraid of getting lost in the big city of Keokuk enroute, so he very wisely decided to remain on the five acre truck patch and have his inning when the circus hits town. The writer wishes Mrs Blades and Bessie a pleasant outing and safe return.

During "Ma's" absence the Hotel de Blades will be in charge of Miss Inez Sayre of Madison, and it is a safe prediction that the bunch of boarders will be fed to the limit, as the skill of Inez in the culinary line is county wide and not excelled by many, so "Ma" can surely rest easy on that score, and with Bess enjoy herself to her heart's content.

A man, a stranger about 35 years of age, was run over and killed last Thursday night by the Council Bluffs-Kansas City Burlington pasenger train No 26, between McPaul and Bartlett. The body was brought to the undertaking rooms of C.R. Paul of Thurman, and awaits identification, which it is hoped may be brought about through the postal department, a receipt for a money order having been found among his effects, which also included two $1 bills.

The man had laid down by the side of the railroad track and had fallen asleep. He was lying very close to the track, and when the noise of the train awakened him he half raised up and turning over rolled upon the track directly in front of the train.

On Friday morning occurred the death of W.A. Lamb, at his home between Hamburg and Sidney, following a sickness of some five or six weeks. The deceased was born in Hopeville, Iowa, and had reached the age of 48 years. The greater part of his life was spent in Fremont and Page counties.

He leaves a wife and six children. The funeral services were held at the home Sunday, and the remains were taken to Shenandoah for burial.

Announcements have been received by Hamburg friends of the marriage of Morris I. Evenger to Miss Mae Jackson, at the home of the bride's mother in Wood River, Neb on Wednesday of this week.

The bride is not known here, but needless to say Morris used the same good judgment in the selection of a wife as he has exercised in other matters. The groom is the son of Mr and Mrs Sylvester Evinger, formerly of this place, and a brother of Will. For several years he has been a member of the faculty at Ames, being connected with the engineering department. He is a young man Hamburg is justly proud to claim and best wishes are extended by all.

Mrs Robt B. Blades and daughter Bessie, who have been visiting in Illinois for about two weeks, dropped into town Sunday morning quietly and without anyone being aware of their coming. Mrs Blades reports a fine time, and it will probably be a month of Sundays before she gets through talking of "her trip back home." She visited many friends and relatives in Brown and Morgan counties, meeting many of her old school mates, who did not recognize in Mrs B. the trim, handsome woman of twenty-two years ago, and it surely is a long time when one pauses a moment to consider it. Anyhow, she had a fine time all around, and particularly at the Brown county fair, which she attended daily while it was in progress, seeing everything that was "seeable," and it is not at all recorded that Bessie made the round with her eyes closed. A visit to the big Keokuk dam was one of the main features of the trip.

Bessie and "Ma" arrived tired out but happy, and after it's all over, Mrs B. candidly admits "there's no place like home," and that she's happy to get back to "Rob," the family and the truck patch. She was accorded a hearty welcome by the bunch of boarders, and as for "Rob"--well, inwardly he is chuckling with satisfaction, but we're willing to wager a jitney he won't even admit it. But then--just wait till the circus gets here.

Mrs Blades was accompanied by Mrs Alec Hopson, daughter Fae and little son Paul of West Point, Ill., who will visit friends and relatives in Hamburg, Watson and vicinity. Mrs Hopson is a niece of Mr Blades.

On last Saturday morning Bernerd Swift received injuries in a ----(can't read) which resulted in his death the following Monday in a hospital in Omaha.

Bernard was assisting in putting up the hay crop on the farm of his uncle, Condie Burkhiser, using a team of mules hitched to a rake. The team took fright at some object and ran away. Bernard fell into the rake and was dragged over the meadow for almost an hour. When recovered it was found that a leg was broken in two places, badly crushed, his head was cut considerable and suffering from internal injuries. Both arms and a leg had been pierced through by the teeth of the rake and his clothing was worn to shreds.

He was hurried to Omaha, L.J. Hilger and Chas O'Brien, two uncles, going with him. Every effort possible was made to save the boy, but with no avail. The body was taken to Shenandoah Tuesday and the funeral services will be held this morning. He leaves a mother, Mrs Tillie Swift, and seven brothers and sisters.

About noon Monday the news reached town that Chas Maupin and Tom Hickman had been killed by a bolt of lightning during the storm that had just passed over the country.

In company with Maupin's two sons they had been stacking oats, and as the work was about completed, the boys went to the house while the men completed topping out the stack. As the men did not show up in due time they were sent for, but not found. Another trip was made and the men were found dead about 100 yards from the stacks. It is presumed that the bolt struck the pitch fork which Charley must have been carrying over his shoulder. The back of his head was injured and the trail of the lightning could be traced by a streak accross the breast and down the legs. The body of Hickman showed no signs of the lightning, death being cause by the shock.

Tom Hickman was a man of some 40 years and came here from Tennessee three or four years ago. He leaves a wife and five children. The funeral services were held at Grange Hall Tuesday, conducted by Rev Midsette.

Charles Maupin was born in Atchison county, May 27, 1870, and had reached the age of 45 years, 2 months and 19 days. In February, 1891 he was married to Nora Knierim. Five children came to the home, one dying in infancy. The living are Elmer, John, Hazel, and Ralph. He also leaves a wife, father and two brother, Emmett and Jacob, four half brothers and two half sisters. The funeral services were held at Linden Wednesday afternoon, conducted by the Rev. M.F. Brower.

In the untimely death of Chas Maupin the community has suffered a distinct loss. Whether in the home, among his neighbors or friends Charley was held in the highest esteem. His kindness and consideration for others are trails which won for him the love and admiration of all.

Mr and Mrs Chas Blunk arrived Saturday from Excelsior Springs, Mo., with their five year old daughter Orphia, who died from leakage of the heart, an affliction from which she suffered for some two years. The funeral services were conducted by Rev B.H. Coonradt at the Christian church Sunday.

Ham Blunk of Boise, Idaho, a brother of Mrs Blunk and Mr and Mrs Henry Frakes of Gardner, Kansas, also came with the party. Mrs Blunk is a daughter of George Lackenby and wife.

On last Thursday morning occurred the death of Mrs Nancy Jane McMillen, at the home of her daughter, Mrs W.D. Fletcher. She had reached the advanced age of 92 years, 1 month and 13 days. She was born in Ireland, coming to this country at the age of 16. She lived for a time in the east and then moved to eastern Iowa, and for the past fifty years had made her home about Hamburg. Mrs McMillen knew well the hardships of the early pioneer, and in later years enjoyed telling of the experiences on the plains of Iowa.

Her husband, James McMillen, passed away some five years ago. She leaves seven children: Mrs Martha Clift and Mrs Ed Burkhimer of Shenandoah; George McMillen of Shelby, Neb., Mrs Flora Shuey, Mrs Sarah Douglas, Sam McMillen and Mrs Nan Fletcher of this place. The funeral services were held at Mt Olive Sunday morning, conducted by Rev Douglas of Farragut.