James Boyd, the old blacksmith who was sent to the asylum at Mt. Pleasant last November for drunkenness, came in rather unexpectedly Tuesday night, looking somewhat worse for his experience. The old man in addition to having an uncontrollable desire for liquor was in the habit of beating his wife while drunk, and last fall he assaulted her so seriously that it was deemed best to sentence him for one year. He was taken quite ill while at the asylum last spring but to the surprise of his friends he pulled through, although about 80 years of age.

(From the Eddyville section of The Tuesday Union, Albia, Iowa, September 8, 1903 )

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Died, Monday, October 6, 1903, at 10 AM, at the County Farm near Ottumwa, James Boyd, aged 79 years, 4 months, and 25 days. He was an old settler of this place, having resided here about 48 years, was born May 10th, 1824, near Zanesville, Muskingum, Ohio. On July 3, 1849, he and Sarah H. Sones were married at Zanesville. To them were born three sons, James P. and Francis, who died in childhood, and William J., now of St. Louis. After residing at Zanesville for about six years, Mr. and Mrs. Boyd decided to come West, which they did, locating here in December 1855. Mr. Boyd was a blacksmith, and for years conducted a shop about a block distant from his late home. He had for some time been growing feeble, and had been at the County Farm for some weeks. Death is said to have resulted from old age. His aged wife, now 75 years old and a little granddaughter, Miss Pleassie Boyd of this place, survive him. The body was brought here Tuesday morning and the funeral took place from the residence on South 2nd St. at 2:00 Tuesday afternoon. The services were in charge of Rev. W.T. Howe, Eddyville's M.E Pastor. Burial was made in Highland cemetery.

(From the Albia TUESDAY UNION, Oct 13, 1903 pg7)