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About The Polk County post. (Independence, Or.) 1918-19?? | View Entire Issue (Dec. 3, 1920)
Or«sroi> pWiorical Society * Auditorium T he P olk county P ost ONE H U N D R E D P E R C E N T IN D E P E N D E N C E INDEPENDENCE, OREGON. DECEMBER 3. 1920. VOLUME m . GEORGE i NUTTY PROBABLE SUICIDE A ¿m a il Evening Reception CORN SH O W | 1 B ■ I n I I I , f (Salem Journal.) His right ann dangling <>\ t r the arm of the old chair in which his body was found lifeless, a .38 calibre rifle leaning between his knees, his head terribly disfigured by the shot which ended his life, George A. Mitty, a i.-rmer, apparently about 38 years of age, was found dead in his home at Eola at Eola about 9:30 o ’clock Thursday night. Suicide is believed by friends and Coroner A. M. Clough to have brought to a clinyix a tragedy about which there is but little known— a tragedy made manifest by Mitty through several weeks of silent brooding and a never-brok en state o f melancholy. No inquest was held. M itty’s life was ended in the same house in which his mother passed away on dune 9, and in which his lather died on August 20. t or several weeks he had been apparently worried about something, Eola ac quaintances o f Mitty told V oroner Clough, and for some time he has been in ill nealth. Mitty was discovered by l.o la residents after Mrs. C. C. ¡Smith, whose home is located near the Mitty resi dence, heard the fatal shot. The bullet, apparently sent by the dead man’s own hand struck him at the left o f his nose, just below his left eye, tearing off the top of his head. No message of any kind was left by the dead man. M itty took to brooding many weeks ago, according to Thomas Holman, an Eola hop grower, who was well acquainted with Mitty. F i nancial reasons are not con sidered as a cause o f the al leged suicide, as Mitty is said to have been fairly prosperous. He had lived at Eola for many years. Y\ hen found Mitty was dressed in his week-day working clothes. He is sur vived by two brothers. GOOD (- True, it wasn’t as big as the corn expositions back in the “ com coun try ” but what there was o f it was just as good. The exhibits were first class considering that in most “ tenderfeet’ every instance made -the selections. One who is “ on to the ropes” knows m that size is not the only essential in carrying away prizes at a corn show. A. C. Moore, chairman o f the committee in charge, is very much pleased at the showing made and predicts that ! p each succeeding corn I q showr will be better than the last one. He has a § » most excellent suggest ion that all kinds of grain and vegetable seeds be added to the show. Barrick Goes; Butler Comes i Dr. L. A. Barrick, w ho has been engaged in the practice o f dentistry iiere for several years, will go East to specialize in Extrac tion. On his return he ex pects to locate in Salem, a partner o f Dr. Springer. Dr. M. J. Butler, who since his graduation has been successfully practising dentistry in Monmouth has taken Dr. B arrick’s office. Dr. Butler needs no intro duction. He is simply com ing home; Besides he has al- waysf been close enough that we could keep our eye on him. f I I I; ii A WEEK OF GOOD PICTURES ■I » Owing to cancellatiqns on the part of the film houses and eleventh hour changes, it is impossi ble to give the titles of all the pictures that are to be shown at this theatre next week. Suffice to say, the usual high standard will be maintain ed and patrons can be assured that they will see a good show on any night. I I THEATRE I N D E P E N D E IN C E i Tallinn • ■> / | Kill Kares A t Slopers The members o f the Kill Kare Klub were most pleas antly entertained by Mr. and Mrs. C. O. Sloper at their attractive Main street home last Friday evening. Seasonable flowers added m f .4, mm a note o f color to the pretty interior and tables were in play for the club’s chosen game, whist. A player piano enlivened the gather ing. To close the evening Mrs. Sloper dispensed a de lightful repast. Civic Club To Monmouth The Civic club will be en tertained at the home o f The needs of a comaiunity are re Mrs. Pember in Monmouth Wednesday, Dec. 8. flected in the needs of the country. on You cannot have a country of slip Those who ha Re cars and shod, poorly governed cities and those who haven’t and can towns, and at the same time have a progressive country any mu -u than go are requested to meet at you can have a community that is | Mrs. O. D. Butlers at 2:15 better than the average of its cit.zens. The Chautauqua is preeminently a sharp and provision will be An interesting af community activity and no pr gram made. is quite complete without a day de ternoon has been arranged voted to self study under the direction of a constructive critic. It is o;.o and it is hoped no one will thing to listen to criticisms that offer miss the opportunity to go. no remedy— most any one can tear j Any information regarding Mrs. DeSelm Seeks Divorce down— but it is quite a differeu mat ter to consult with a keen ob orve. the trip will he answered by who has traveled much, and carefully l Mrs. J. E. Hubbard, chair A divorce case, sensation studied many communities. man o f arrangements. al in spots, was tried in Just as a doctor's knowledge is tha Judge B elt’s court today. result of study and observation, so are State Librarian Here W. H. Nation's lectures the rt Us of Ethel M. DeSelm is attempt many conferences with community of ing to dissolve the matri fleers in every part of the United Miss Cornelia Marvin, monial bonds that bind her States. was here Mr. Nation will lecture on the fourth ¡state librarian, to W ill C. DeSelm o f Inde night, constructively crit; s : g and Wednesday and called the pendence. B. F. Swope look-! counseling audi. uces u, on c mmunity local board together in the ed after the interests o f the problems. 1 interest of the proposed later. The court reserved1 county library system. Buys Farm In Douglas judgment. W. H. NATION COMING EVENTS CAST THEIR SHADOWS BEFORE Mail is coming to this town for Mrs. G. C. Smith WE VE OFTEN WONDERED WHY ALL THE GIRLS WANTED TO TEACH IN SALEM George Hugg is superin tendent of the Salem schools. W alter Plant Surprised iiiin iin iiH iin iin iin iin iin iin iin iiM iin iin iiu iin iu iiM iin iiH iM iiiH u a iii To Talk About This Town B O X STARTLING NEWS! The daily papera tell the world that stockiugs are com ing down. The first episode of “ Ruth of the Rockies” was very pleasing and satisfactory. To those who like the thrill of continual suspense, hair breadth escapes and acute situations, this' serial especially appeals. On Monday and Tuesday n ights (Dec. 6-7) the second episode is shown. It is entitled “ The Inner Circle” , the scene of action now being in Dusty Bend, Arizona. The conflict of wits in this episode revolve around the “ mysterious trunk” — the “ Inner Circle” to regain it and Bab (Ruth Roland) to keep it- Then, the “ Unknown” drops in and he has such a “ persuading” nature that Bab consents to marry him. Pretty early in the story (it gener ally comes in the last episode) but that’s what happened just the same. The fan who doesn’t see “ Ruth of the Rockies” is missing a whirl wind. County Ioofs Get Together Representatives from the Odd Fellow lodges of Polk county met in Dallas Satur day, Nov. 27, and organized a visiting association by electing H. K. Sickafoose of Monmouth chairman and J. E. Richter of Dallas secre tary. The object of this associa tion is to inculcate the spirit o f fraternity by visiting the different lodges of the coun ty at stated times during the winter at the call of the chairman and secretary. * B T H E P IL E W alter Plant, the effici ent book keeper at the Ace garage, received the sur prise of his life Thursday night when the Ace boys and a number of other friends gathered at the Plant home to indulge in a few hours good cheer. W alt proved a good “ shock ab sorber” and soon regained his equilibrium, and he and his estimable wife made splendid hosts. ¡Some of the guests were “ make up” artists and pre pared the crowd for black face stunts. A “ smoker” was very pleasing. There were many rounds of fast and furious boxing. A bountiful luncheon had been provided and the en tire evening was immense ly enjoyed. Berrys Given Farewell A coterie of neighborhood friends and a few others gathered at the Berry home on Monmouth street Friday evening to give them a ‘ sur prise” farewell party. The self invited guests went provided with ample lunch and entertainment to make up a jolly evening. Mr. and Mrs. Berry dur ing their stay o f several months made many warm friends who deeply regret their going away. H ow ever, we are happy to have them in a neighboring city. They left this week for Dal las and for the present will reside at the Gail hotel. Autowins Play Mr and Mrs. A. L. Thom as were , delightful hosts to the Autowins Friday night. Additional guests were ask ed to make up five tables of auction 500, the game being most enthusiastically in dulged in. The rooms were cheerful and gay with chrisanthe- mums and potted plants and the hostess assisted by Mrs. Fletcher served a delectable luncheon. Society was enlivened a bit by the smart evening re ception and card party last W ednesday over which Mr. and Mrs . K. C. Eldridge most graciously presided, complimenting their son, Neville, iuid his bride who were here from Medford. Receiving with Mr. and W ar on Wolves M is. Eldridge and the honor Ace On Cash Basis guests were Mr. and Mrs. (Benton County Courier.) Owls Hoot A t Hubbards Wolves are carrying Merritt Schoonover and Mr. The Ace Garage an G. A. Peterson of Suver, away so much stock in the and' Mrs. Jv. C. Eldridge, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Hub formerly a resident of Ben nounces that beginning Kings Valley country that .1 r., house guests from Port bard were delightful hosts ton county, hits just return Dec. 10, its business goes on the farmers living in that land. to the Owls Monday even ed from Douglas county a strictly cash basis. In part have formed an organi Mrs. Eldridge chose chry ing. Four tables o f whist santhemums and potted were played and Mrs. Hub where he purchased 164 other words, pay cash and zation and will hunt wolves and pay bounties for all o f plants for her decorations. bard topped off the evening acres o f improved land ! pay less. equipped with modern i the “ wild dogs” killed. Art vases and jardineres of with one ofc her delicious i Young Girl Dies buildings and in the beauti feathery “ mums” inter-! luncheons which are always j Big Smoker Dec. 15 ful Looking Glass Valley 9 mingled with lacy ferns j thoroughly enjoyed. Clara Flemimr. a ere 15. miles from Roseburg. He artistically placed about the daughter of — Chamberlin The athletic committee o f expects to make his home -of Independence died in a handsomely furnished home Town Yes; Country No i Co. K. is preparing for a big there after one more year Salem hospital Saturdav. made an effective back smoker on Dec. 15. Origin- ground for the smartly | While the proposal to in Polk county. He says Funeral and burial at Yam | ally it was planned to hold hill Mondav. levy a ten mill tax for road the scenery in Douglas gowned assemblage. the same on Dec. 8, but as During the reception h ou r1 purposes was adopted in county is great. The roads I t ’s a Girl _ 'the armory would not be friends extended congratu Independence, it hit the beat Polk county, roads in A* 7Vo poiyid girl was rea<ly by that time, a post lations to Neville and were rocks north and south of every way, and land is bom to Mr. and Mrs. Ken ponement to the 15th. was most happy to meet his town and was defeated in changing hands as though neth Williams o f Airlie ! necessary. good times were assured. Wednesdav. both places. (Continued on last page) REMINISCENCES OF FIRST MAIL CARRIER (Portland Journal.) Arch Parker, present postmaster of Monmoutli, was the first rural mail car rier to serve out of Inde pendence. He has a recor.l of approximately 100,160 miles, made with a horsa and buggy. He began to serve on July 1, 1903, and for a period of ten years and eight months, except Sun days and holidays, he aver aged 30 miles per day. The route was 25 miles in length and Parker resided in Monmouth, 2 ^ mile« from Independence, and drove the round trip daily. In those days he didn’t havo an automobile nor good roads to spin along over. He used a single horse and buggy, or rather a rebuilt buggy, especially designed to protect the driver and the mail from the winter storms Thirty miles per day with a horse and buggy is a dif ferent »proposition from 3 ) miles in an automobile. I t required two horses, taking turn about, to stand the work, and even then some wouiu. play out in a year or two. Two horses Parke.* owned, “ ¡Seneca” and “ N ed ” were used every other day from 1910 to 191 , and covered approximately 18,000 miles each during that time. This first route was some what of an experiment in Polk county,' and some of the people didn’t take very kindly to the new order of things. They were accus tomed to driving into town on ¡Saturday or Monday , and this free rural service broke into the habit of years. On the first trip there were only 30 boxes out to receive mail, when thera should have been 85. B y January 1 the number had increased to 45. About this time an inspec tor went along on the trip. A fter looking over the routo he remarked, “ Parker, you have one of the largest and one of the smallest routes in Oregon. Large, because it comprises service for 10 square miles, and small, b e cause only 45 families are willing to receive mail by carrier.” He decided to continue the route for another six months, and at the end of that time there were 63 boxes. The daily papers de livered the first six month: averaged 12 and on the set ond half of the year increas ed to 22. By this time he collected and delivered 3800 pieces of mail each month. Parker continued to serve as rural carrier until Marci 31, 1914, and on April 1 h« assumed the duties of post master at Monmouth and is acting in that capacity to day. Orthellow Bagley Passes Orthellow Bagiev, who was bom in Erie countv. New York, nearlv 91 vears ago. died Saturdav. He was the father of J. Bagiev ot Suver. Funeral service.* held Mondav at the Presby terian church.. Dr. H. C. Dunsmore officiating. Inter ment at Odd Fellows’ ceme tery. . .