W. H. SMITH/W.C. SMITH -- Renter on Weston Farm

SMITH, WESTON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 6/9/2007 at 22:08:27

The Renwick Times
Humboldt County, Iowa
Friday, January 3, 1896

W. H. Smith, who has been the renter on Mr. Weston's farm over in Wright county has removed from the county and it is commonly talked that he will not return to these parts. He left many good sized bill unpaid, here and at Mikesville, in all amounting to several hundred dollars. He disposed of all his crop etc., and had no excuse for not paying his debts. It is believed that he has gone to look for a new location in New Mexico. The merchants at Mikesville, C. W. Olden, Martin Christianson and others of Renwick are in the hole for good sized sums, if our informant is correct. We hope it may turn out that Smith is not an absconder, but it looks bad.

The Renwick Times
Renwick, Humboldt County, Iowa
Friday, January 10, 1896

W. C. SMITH RETURNS
He Went to a Family Reunion.
Last week, from various sources, we learned that W. C. Smith and family, renters on the Weston farm over in the edge of Wright county, had gone away and that his neighbors believed not to return on account of too many debts.

We made an item to this effect as we aim to give up-to-date news. It now turns out that Smith and family return last week from attending a family reunion in Illinois and that they had no evil design in going away. The surmise on the part of neighbors was not well grounded. Because he owes lots of debts it was no sign a family reunion could not be attended—when all of the expenses were paid!

Mr. and Mrs. Smith naturally feel much hurt over the false report, and severely condemn the persons who first set the story afloat. We assure them the Times had no intent, aside from chronicling a current news item. We cheerfully make the above explanation, unsolicited by the family.

In giving neighborhood news-gossip, too great care and prudence can not be exercised in that innocent people may not be placed in the wrong light.

As to Smiths financial matters, we will refrain from saying anything at this time—He and the men he owes for that part of the story! We said last week that Smith had gone away—we now tell why he went and that he is home. That's all now!