A history of Story county, Iowa: Carefully compiled, from the earliest settlement to the present, March 1, 1887., Part 13

Author: Allen, William G., compiler
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Des Moines : Iowa Print. Co.
Number of Pages: 498


USA > Iowa > Story County > A history of Story county, Iowa: Carefully compiled, from the earliest settlement to the present, March 1, 1887. > Part 13


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VARIOUS TOPICS-TO DESTROY CABBAGE WORMS .- Ice-cold water sprinkled upon cabbage plants infested by the imported cabbage worm is claimed to be sure death to that insect. The water should be sprinkled upon the cabbage during the heat of the day, when the worms will roll off and die. The discovery of this remedy is credited to Mr. Charles H. Irwin, of Painted Post, N. Y., and is communicated to the Rural New Yorker by Prof. C. V. Riley. A very simple remedy if effectual.


Mr. Wm. Smay has, during the past few months, made. many creditable changes and improvements in his store. He carries on an extensive trade with the surrounding country, and meets with the success he so justly merits .- ( July 17, 1885.)


A LITTLE GIRL'S APPEAL TO THE PRESIDENT.


(Trenton Gazette.)


A little girl was engaged, with others, in raising money by small contributions to liquidate the debt of one of the small churches near Trenton, New Jersey, and a prize was to be given to the girl that raised the largest amount. She succeeded well, but learned that one little girl had raised a trifle more than she had, and, after all, she was likely to lose the prize. In thinking over the matter the idea occurred to her to write to Gen. Grant to help her out. President answered the letter and enclosed the sum of $5, and sent her, besides, some excellent advice. The child was as much pleased in receiving a letter from Gen. Grant as she was to get the $5. The letter became an object of great curiosity. Ev- erybody wanted to see it. One gentleman gave $5 for it, and then charged a quarter of a dollar to see it. In this way fifteen or twenty dollars were realized, all of which was paid to the Hamilton Avenue church, for which the little girl was soliciting subscrip- tions. The letter was read in the church on Sunday, and excited no little curiosity.


ROLAND.


This has been a better week for business than last was, but nothing to brag of this week. We have shipped six loads of grain and one of hogs. T. W. Kelly is here buying hogs. He would have shipped two cars Saturday but the heavy rain washed some portions of the railroad track out, so that trains did not get through until late Saturday evening, too late to ship. He shipped Monday.


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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.


Duea & Son also shipped two cars Monday, one of hogs and one of cattle.


A. K. Banks and R. W. Ballard were here Monday of last week and made us pleasant calls. I have promised them the offices they are candidates for, and they must not be disappointed .- ( July 22, 1885.)


The house of James Fry in Nevada township, together with all its contents, was burned last Thursday night about midnight. Mr. Fry did not even save his pocket-book from the fire. The amount of the loss we have not ascertained, but the insurance was only $150 .- (July 22, 1885.)


T. W. Kelly shipped two car-loads of hogs Monday to Chicago .- (Aug. 7, 1885.)


Half fare rates will be given over all roads to the state fair. -(Aug. 7, 1885.)


Col. Scott shipped three head of blooded yearlings to J. P. Conkey, Huron, Dakota, on Monday. He has shipped a considera- ble number to points in this and other states .- (Aug. 7, 1885.)


The first issue of the Monitor, the new Ames paper, reached us last week. It is republican in politics and is edited by E. W. Clark. We extend the hand of fraternal greeting and wish the enterprise the full measure of success its merit may entitle it to. -(Aug. 26, 1885.)


The sum total of premiums offered by the Story County Agricul- tural society this year is nearly $2,000 .- (Aug. 26, 1885.)


Ellsworth & Yantis, patent solicitors, Washington, D. C., report that, August 8th, a patent was issued to E. W. Lockwood, of Ne- vada, for a device for dressing millstones .- (Aug. 26, 1885.)


The verdict in the Lash-Robison slander case was for $1.00. -( Sept. 9, 1885.)


Dunklebarger & Son shipped seven car-loads of hogs Monday. Or. Duklebarger and Otis Briggs went in with them .- ( Sep- tember 9, 1885.)


Boardman Bros. shipped a thousand dozen of eggs to Portland, Oregon, Saturday .- Sept. 16, 1885.)


W. H. Porter has been appointed postmaster at Sheldahl, to succeed Col. S. W. Snider, offensive partisan .- ( Sept. 16, 1885.)


On Friday last J. B. Grinnell was appointed postmaster at Gil- bert, in this county .- (Sept. 11, 1885 )


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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.


The corner stone of the M. E. church at Collins will be laid on Saturday, one week from to-morrow, and the edifice will be pushed forward to completion as fast as possible .- (Sept. 11, 1885.)


STILL DYING .- Hogs continue to die near Center Grove from a disease resembling cholera. Quite a number of farmers have lost nearly their all, while others have them die off by the score. Whether the disease will spread remains to be seen, but efforts are making to hold it to the locality .- ( Sept. 25, 1882.)


M'CALLSBURG SCRAPS.


M. L. Gates, living two miles northeast of the place lost his resi- dence by fire on Saturday last. The fire caught from a defective flue and occurred when all were at home. All attempts to stay the progress of the flames were in vain and it was destroyed with most of the contents. The loss is estimated at $900. The neighbors circulated a paper and raised a sum of money to assist him in rebuilding at once.


Roland had a corner on eggs last week and got more than they wanted. The market price is twelve cents per dozen and they paid nineteen cents, and there was money in it for some one! Don't ask them who !- ( Sept. 25, 1885.)


ONTARIO HASH.


F. M. Coffelt is having a big trade, and as he is one of the 2d Iowa boys, all will be glad to hear of it. He expects to attend the reunion at Marshall the last of the month. He took in 300 dozen eggs last week.


Considerable oats are coming in and twenty cents per bushel is paid .- (Sept. 25, 1885.)


The hog cholera is getting to be a serious matter in Story County. Dunklebarger & Son have lost at least one-fourth of their number, and we understand that like fatality has occurred in yards in the southern part of the county. Farmers should make use of approved remedies to allay the ravages of the disease and to make all possible effort to keep their hogs in a healthy condition. It is the only way to prevent serious loss to individuals and the com- munity .- ( Sept. 30, 1885.)


Sowers & Evenson ship two cars of hogs to-day. This part of the county is healthy and all is tranquil .- ( Roland, Oct. 7, 1885.)


Col. John Scott, of Nevada, Story County, Iowa, was in the city Sunday. The colonel has occupied many positions of responsi- bility; a colonel in the war, a senator twenty-six years ago, a lieu- tenant-governor eighteen years ago, Grand Master of Masons in Iowa, president of the State Agricultural society. He has been


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nominated for the state senate this year in the Boone and Story district .- (Keokuk Constitution, Oct. 27, 1885.)


Business has been pretty fair for the last few days; considerable stock is being shipped, also grain and flax seed. J. Duea & Son shipped a car-load of hogs to-day. Sowers and Evenson will ship two car-loads to-morrow, and thus the wheels of commerce keep moving .- (Roland, Oct. 20, 1885.) JOSEPHUS.


Wm. Moran shipped a car of horses to New York City Tuesday. He expects to make that business a regular occupation .- (Oct. 16, 1885.)


A. M. Norris has sold his large farm southwest of Colo to Ben- jamin Berry .- ( Oct. 28, 1885.)


Nine cars of apples, potatoes, and other kinds of merchandise were received at the Nevada station between Saturday night and Monday morning. Mr. Ingalls and the city draymen have been. busy since .- (Nov. 11, 1885.)


Dunklebarger & Son and T. W. Kelly shipped each a car-load of hogs yesterday .- (Nov. 18, 1885.)


Herman Knapp shipped a couple of cars of brood sows to his. father who is now in Louisiana. They were choice ones and were selected especially for their excellence .- (Nov. 20, 1885.)


During the past two weeks the weather has been extremely cold, and the thermometer has gone as low as twenty-eight degrees below zero. And at hardly a time has it been warm enough to make a show of melting. Everything is frozen that is freezable, and ice ought to be cheap the coming season. A good January and February ought to be forthcoming, followed by a favorable spring. All are hoping for such .- (Dec. 26, 1884.)


SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTION.


To the Sunday School Workers of Story County: The annual convention of the Story County Sunday School association will be- held at Maxwell, June 2d and 3d. It is expected that each school in the county will send two delegates; but all that are interested in the work are cordially invited to be present. Come one, come all, and make this one of the grandest Sunday school years in the history of the county. All schools that have not reported to the county secretary will please do so at once. Ample accommoda- tions will be provided for all who may attend the convention. Programs will be out in a few days. GEO. H. SPENCER, (May 13, 1885.) County Sec'y.


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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.


DEDICATORY EXERCISES.


As already announced, the dedication of the New Lutheran church of this place will take place next Sabbath, July 26.


The following is a partial program for the day:


Sunday school, 9:45-10:45 A. M.


Preaching, 11-12 A. M.


Dedicatory sermon, 3-4 P. M.


Combined service of praise and song and children's service, 8 P. M. Addresses by Mr. J. A. Spielman of Fairfield, C. W. Bingham, Esq., of Cedar Rapids, and other visiting brethren. This program is subject to such change as shall be thought necessary. There may possibly be a separate children's service from 4 to 5 P. M. and a more general exercise in the evening. Notice of any changes will be given at the Sunday morning service.


A cordial invitation is extended to all. Those coming from the country should be prepared to remain for the afternoon service.


(July 22, 1885.) J. A. ZIEGLER, Pastor.


E. W. Gifford recovered his stolen watch yesterday. It was found done up in a napkin under a sidewalk at Ames near where the tools used in burglarizing Thomas Bros. store were found. N. G. Cook, the photographer, was the finder, and he identified the watch by the published numbers .- (July 22, 1884.)


E. W. Gifford's house was burglarized Thursday night and his gold watch stolen. The number of the watch was 371,009 and of the case 61,3375. The house of M. P. Warrick was entered the same night; but Mrs. Warrick waked up and the burglars left. -( July 22, 1885.)


SOLDIERS' REUNION.


The sixth annual reunion of Story County soldiers and sailors took place at Maxwell last Thursday and Friday. The weather was superb, the grove good enough, and the attendance exception- ally large, being variously estimated at 2,000, 2,500, and 3,000. The forenoon of the first day was occupied in reaching the grounds from the various parts of the county, pitching tents and getting settled in camp. The several posts of the county were well repre- sented, and it was evident at the start that the veterans were to have a grand good time in meeting old acquaintances and reviving old war memories. The afternoon and evening of Thurs- day, aside from camp duties and sports and general visiting, was filled in with speaking at the stand, Messrs. Fenn and Hoggat being the most conspicuous of the talkers. The election of officers of the regiment for the next year took place Friday evening and esulted as follows: Colonel, John Scott; lieutenant colonel, I. L. mith; major, C. E. Haverly; quartermaster, Jay A. King; sur- eon, Dr. Geo., Stitzell; chaplain, Rev. Moulton; drum-major, Geo. Pitsor; fife-major, Alba Hall. Nevada was selected as the place


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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.


of meeting for the reunion of 1886. . Thursday night the veterans slept quietly and soundly in camp, when not otherwise occupied. Friday morning Ben Brenneman's " love feast" took place, and was a highly-enjoyed feature of the reunion. Among those who spoke their little impromtu pieces and cracked pleasant camp-fire jokes were Scott, Underwood, Smith, Gossard and Shearer. About 11 o'clock the soldiers and people gathered at the stand to listen to the opening of the formal exercises of the day. Music in good quantity and quality was furnished by the bands, and prayer was offered by Chaplain John Doty; after which and more music, Col. Jesse Wood introduced Mayor Goodman, who welcomed the old soldiers and the people generally to Maxwell and to the reunion of 1885 .- (Aug. 9, 1885.)


THE THIRD REUNION.


The reunion of the 3d Iowa regiment is now taking place in Nevada, and the citizens are glad to welcome the surviving vet- erans. The streets and business houses are decked with flags, and the homes of the people are open. The headquarters have been established by Col. Crossley at the office of Smith & Son, where twenty-seven names were registered at nine o'clock this morning. A hundred or more of the three hundred survivors are expected. Tents have been put up in the park, and there a camp-fire will be held this evening. The announcement of the reception to-morrow evening will be seen elsewhere. Meanwhile the veterans will renew old associations and fight their battles over again. A cordial wel- come and hopes for many more reunions are extended to them. -(Aug. 19, 1885.)


The State Board of Equalization have been in session recently and Auditor McCarthy received Monday a letter from Gov. Sher- man under date of August 1st, in which he says: " Your valuation was reduced ten per cent, leaving the average at $8.05 per acre, instead of $8.94 as reported." This makes a difference of $1,236.82 on state revenue and county school, being thus much a saving to our taxpayers. This reduction is on all realty in the county, both town property and lands. At the time of the meeting of the State commission, Auditor McCarthy was present and explained the matter in such shape that they gave Story County the benefit. It is still higher than some of the counties in the state. The auditor did good work in this instance and we give him due credit for it. -(Aug. 7, 1885.)


NEW POSTMASTER. "


On Tuesday morning Nevada was treated to a new postmaster, E. D. Fenn in place of T. J. Ross. The office was removed into the building belonging to Mrs. Patton on the corner of Linn and Sixth street, and has commodious and comfortable quarters. Miss Fegtly will remain in the office, thus assisting the new official in making matters in the best of shape from the start. That the"


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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.


incoming official will give good satisfaction is only to be. expected as he is genial and obliging.


The postoffice was established in Nevada in November, 1853, with T. E. Alderman as postmaster, who held the office two years. He was succeeded by Austin Prouty. As near as we can learn the following are the officials following up to the present time: W. E. Aldridge, Jas. Hawthorn, W. G. Allen, J. S. Blick, Otis Briggs, E. D. Fenn, L. Irwin, John Beatty and T. J. Ross, now followed by E. D. Fenn.


The first postoffice was located on the corner of the lot occupied by Mr. Lant Lockwood as a residence sonth west of the court house. The first mail carrier was J. P. Robinson, uncle of J. P. Robinson, of Grant township, who carried it weekly from Des Moines. The receipts for the first quarter were a trifle over $1, of which amount Mr. Alderman received the large sum of seventy-five cents for his- services, and the government forty per cent of the gross receipts. This is quite a marked contrast with the present receipts. Of course at that time there was no boxes, no conveniences and little mail. The salary of the postmaster now is about $1,300 per year. Comments are unnecessary .- (Sept. 4, 1885.)


A very interesting and profitable Sunday school convention was held at the Evangelical church in Story City, Sunday morning and afternoon. The topics discussed concerned-the object of the Sunday school and how well it is fulfilling its mission, the qualifi- cations of a successful teacher, the extent to which temperance should be taught in the Sunday school, and how to teach the lesson. T. B. Howland, the district president, and Rev. B. H. Neible, O. B. Ingalls and S. R. Corneliussen assisted very much in the meeting. A township organization was effected with S. R. Corneliussen as president and C. Nelson as secretary. The chil- dren's exercise was very nice. The collection was $4.30 .- (Sep- tember 2, 1885.)


BACKWOOD'S JUSTICE .- AN OLD SETTLER'S ACCOUNT OF AN ILLINOIS COURT SCENE IN 1832.


" Jim Baxter, take the witness stand and state whether or not you know the cow said to have been stolen by the defendant. If you do, state her age and value; in a word tell all you know about her."


" Mr. Lawyer, ask one question and speak louder. I'm thick o'hearin'."


"Well, if you know the cow, state how old she is."


"I owned her thirteen years ago."


" Answer my question, how old is she?"


" Don't know; was so old I put hickory withes on her horns for the wrinkles to run out on."


" What is she worth?"


"She gives right smart of milk every day."


"I didn't ask how much milk she gave; state her value."


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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.


" Age ain't nothin'. I don't know the price of beef cattle."


"Is she worth fifteen dollars? Also state how much right smart is."


"She gives a pint in the mornin' and a half in the evenin'."


" Is she quiet? Does she ever kick the pail over?"


"I accept the amendment. She kicks and spills every day one- half the milk."


" Jim Baxter, you are an expert-a smart Alex; is a pint and a half your estimate of right smart?"


" Yaas, that's the law in Indiana and in old Kaintuck, whar I was born."


The Court turns to the clerk and states: "Mr. Clerk, whereas Indiana and Kaintuck, being older states, heretofore let it be recorded as a ruling that henceforth a pint and a half of whisky, rum, and all life-invigorating beverages, including milk, shall be known and acknowledged as " right smart" in this, the First judi- cial district of the commonwealth of Illinois. Call the next witness."


The bar rises in a body and informs his Honor that the hour appointed for the horse race has arrived.


" Thanks, gentlemen of the bar, Mr. Sheriff adjourn court, sine die till half-past eight to-morrow morning."-(Detroit Free Press.)


W. H. Gallup has arrived and we are again favored with banking privileges. An enterprise of this kind is one of the necessities of the village.


Mr. Schoonover, principal of the Madrid school, delivered his lecture, " The Great Rebellion," to an interested audience Satur- day evening.


J. H. B. Kerr died at his home Monday morning after a linger- ing illness from cancer of the face. The funeral was held Tues- day afternoon at 10 o'clock, from the M. E. church, Rev. Thomp- son officiating. Mr. Kerr was an old resident of the county, and a highly respected citizen .- (Cambridge, Nov. 25, 1885.)


Parley Sheldon took charge of the Ames postoffice on Monday last and is now handling the mail bags, letters and papers .- (No- vember 25, 1885.)


J. B. Green has taken possession of the postoffice at Cam bridge and the democrats tally one more in Story County .- (Novem- ber 25, 1885.)


Burt Hix took possession of the Zearing postoffice a week or so ago, superceding J. C. Burkhart, offensive partisan. There are some democrats in Lincoln township, but the powers that be thought it necessary to import a postmaster .- (Nov. 25, 1885.)


A. M. Norris has purchased a number of lots in State Center, at a valuation of $10,000. Good for him, though we should much have preferred his purchasing in this town .- (Nov. 27, 1885.)


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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.


According to the forthcoming census report of Iowa, that state has twenty-five centenarians. Thirteen 'are 101 years old; three 102 years; one 103; two 104; one 105; one 106; one 107; one 112; and one, Jacob Heike, of Grundy, who is 121 years of age. There are thirty-five persons whose ages range from ninety-five to ninety- nine years .- (Nov. 27, 1885.).


FRIENDSHIP.


There is but one kind of true friendship and that is a genuine attachment for the person befriended. There are many pretended friends-the world is full of them-we all have such-they flock around us like Sunday school scholars do at a Christmas entertain- ment, or like the rough-feathered vulture about a carcass; yet. they are no more our friends than the average Sunday school scholar is an admirer of his lesson, or the vulture of the animal before it has died and passed into decay. One man feigns to be. your friend because he thinks you have money or social standing, or political influence, and by associating with you he hopes to gratify some selfish end, but for the real personal pronoun You, he cares nothing. Then we have the literary friend who wants to be "solid" with you because of his chance to borrow a dozen new books your fine library contains; or he may wish to have frequent. access to your collection of rare specimens or to behold your collec- tion of works of art. These are not our real friends, they are mere hangers-on. They simply come under the head of admirers of our personal effects and as a common rule care but little for us. But very few of us can measure or weigh friendship until the testing day comes. When adversity takes from us our property; when our books and collection and works of art, and all that money has bought for us are swept away by fire or flood and we move from Best street to a rented cottage on Poor Alley, and when we work with our hands for the bread we eat, we can tell then and not until then just who our true friends have been all along the meanderings. of life's journey.


On Sunday afternoon John Steward, of southeast Nevada town- ship had his house burned. A portion of the contents only were saved. The loss is about $1,200, and the insurance $600 .- (Decem- ber 18, 1885.)


The annual reunion of the family of J. H. Keigley will occur at his residence in this place on Friday, and all are expected. Of course the best of time will be had .- (Dec. 18, 1885.)


The number of cars of stock and grain shipped from Nevada during the year 1885 were as follows: Of stock, 150 cars; of grain, 197 cars. For the first six months of 1886 there were of grain sixteen; cars of stock for same time were seventy.


Wm. Clark & Co. shipped a car of horses and mules Saturday


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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.


morning to Minneapolis, and one also of horses Wednesday morn- ing .- (Ames, Aug. 6, 1886.)


On Tuesday morning Mr. Wm. Clark shipped to Minneapolis his twelfth car of horses since February last. A few of the animals became frightened and took a go-as-you-please frolic, but they were impounded before traveling a great distance .- (Ames, Sept. 2, 1886.)


Dunklebarger & Son ship to-day five cars of as fine cattle as ever went from the county .- (Nevada, Dec. 8, 1886.)


Mr. Wm. Fultz, living south of town, sold to Dunklebarger & Son on Saturday last forty-five head of hogs, averaging 322} pounds, for which he received $484. Mr. Fultz is one of our most thrifty farmers, and is an enterprising, go-a-head gentle- man .- (Nevada, Dec. 10, 1886.)


At a regular meeting Monday evening of Jason D. Furguson Post, No. 31, G. A. R., the following officers were elected: J. F. Gillespie, Com .; Jas. Dillon, S. V. Com .; J. W. Kinney, J. V. Com .; G. W. Barnes, Q. M .; A. D. Pattee, Officer of Day; D. V. Thrift, Officer of Guard; W. I. Stevens, Chaplain; M. Daugherty, Surgeon; F. D. Thompson, Jas. Dillon, delegates to Grand Encampment; F. Elliott, C. W. Wood, alternates .- (Nevada, Dec. 9, 1885.)


On Tuesday Geo. Gilmore, of Milford township, sold sixty-three hogs that weighed 25,620 pounds at $3.40 per hundred, and which netted him the snug sum of $871.10. They were delivered at Ames, from which place they were shipped. Mr. Gilmore is one of the good farmers in the county and keeps only the best of stock. One thing will strike one familiar with hogs as still better that they were all of one breed, Chester White, and of nearly uniform size. The average weight of them will be seen was over 400 pounds. Mr. Gilmore has more of the kind on hand and is up to just such things .- (Dec. 18, 1885.)


When passing, I called to see my old and highly esteemed friend, D. R. Brown, who has been a great sufferer for years from a linger- ing disease. He seems to endure his sufferings with remarkable patience. He may even yet outlive the writer hereof. Allow me to say he is one of Story County's honest men. Mr. Brown lives in the southeast corner of Grant township. I passed several farms in good culture before reaching Mr. Jesse Barker's. Mr. B. has one of the largest apple and cherry orchards in Story County. Has about 750 apple and 200 cherry trees in fair bearing condition. Has also peach and chestnut trees. Around this orchard, and inter- mingling it, is a magnificent and nicely arranged grove of maples. This grove covers nearly or quite twenty acres of ground. Has a large commodious dwelling, nicely surrounded and protected by ยท the grove .- (Dec. 10, 1885.)




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