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
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(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.
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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
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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.
. .