USA > Iowa > Story County > A history of Story county, Iowa: Carefully compiled, from the earliest settlement to the present, March 1, 1887. > Part 26
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Business all on the boom. BOH.
The Christmas concert at the M. E. church Sunday night was well attended. The concert was a success, a credit to our town and particularly to our young folks .- (Dec. 27, 1882.)
Dr. Hayes has his hall fixed up in fine shape, "and has tendered the free use of the same to our literary society .- (Dec. 27, 1882.)
Our marshal's name is Charley Stowe, not the man's name printed in the Representative last week .- (Dec. 27, 1882.)
Our saloon man is in trouble. He is charged with selling beer to minors, drunken men, and with other offenses. We hope the time will come when a saloon cannot exist in our town .- (Dec. 27, 1882.
It was necessary for the correspondent to go into our saloon last week on a business errand; and there he saw men playing pool and drinking beer whose families are in need of the common necessi- ties of life. They were engaged in that kind of business, paying the cash for playing and drinking while on the very same day they tried to buy meat and groceries on time .- (Dec. 27, 1882.)
Our saloon is closed and we sincerely hope permanently. Well have such places been called "The devil's satellites."-(Jan. 3, 1883.)
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
The Masons are not going to rent Hayes' hall as misreported, but are going to occupy Dr. Grafton's hall .- (Jan. 3, 1883.)
After January twelfth the literary society will be held in Hayes' hall .-- (Jan. 3, 1883.)
Our young folks are having fine times sleighriding .- (Janu- ary 3, 1883.)
Cambridge seems to be a good market for poultry .- (Janu- ary 3, 1883.)
Boardman Brothers are receiving, killing and packing large num- bers of geese, turkeys and chickens .- (Jan. 3, 1883.)
Owing to the snow we did not get our mails regularly last week. Many of our citizens turned out to shovel snow on the railroad. At present the trains are running regularly .- (Jan. 17, 1883.)
We feel justly proud of our local talent. The house was crowded, and we can say to the credit of the audience that remark- ably good order was observed. On Friday evening next our literary society will meet in the same hall, and we would suggest that our literary give an entertainment similar to the one given Friday night, at no distant period .- (Jan. 17, 1883.)
Some of our firms are packing ice .- (Jan. 17, 1883.)
Since the saloon closed we have not seen a single drunken man on our streets. Let the man who voted for saloons hold up his hand; we should like to see how he looks. We already know his name. It is "Missing Link."-(Jan. 17, 1883.)
Once more the trains on the Milwaukee are running regularly. -(Jan. 31, 1883.)
Boardman Brothers and the proprietor of our City meat market, G. W. Barrows, put up large quantities of ice last week. The ice was about two feet thick and as clear as crystal .- (Jan. 31, 1883.)
No preaching at the M. E. church, Sunday, owing to the absence of the pastor, Rev. Hall .- (Jan. 31, 1883.)
There were three sudden deaths in this vicinity last week-B. A. Oleson, a Mr. Hall, and Miss Longnecker .- (Jan. 31, 1883.)
The supreme court decided the amendment invalid, but it rests with our town council to say whether or not our town shall be cursed with a saloon. We hope our council will grant no license to any one. Let each member of the council think of this, and compare the order we now have on our streets with what we had before the saloon was closed .- (Jan. 31, 1883.)
Our fellow townsman and hotel proprietor, James Green, took unto himself a wife sometime ago. He and his better half dish up first-class grub at the restaurant .- (Jan. 31, 1883.)
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
Rev. Hall will, at no distant period, deliver a lecture on "Popular Amusements."-(Jan. 31, 1883.)
The literary society will hereafter hold its meetings in Dr. Hayes' hall. The society fully appreciate the privilege of holding its meetings there .- (Jan. 31, 1883.)
Thermometers in this vicinity indicated thirty-seven degrees below zero at one time during our recent cold spell .- (Jan. 31, 1883.)
Rev. G. M. Hall delivered a lecture on "Popular Amusements" at the M. E. church Thursday evening. Owing to the bad roads the audience was small. The lecture was splendid, and those who did venture out in the rain and slush to hear it, were well paid. Mr. Hall will lecture on kindred subjects Tuesday and Thursday evenings. We hope he will be favored with large audiences. The discussion of these subjects is particularly interesting to the people of Cambridge and vicinity just now .- (Feb. 21, 1883.)
Some of the young folks of Cambridge spent a very pleasant evening at Robert Richardson's one evening last week .- (Feb- ruary 21, 1883.)
Rev. Hall delivered his third lecture at the M. E. church Tues- day night; subject, " Gleanings from the false and true." The lecture was interesting, but the crowd small. We are sorry to know that negro minstrels and juvenile singers draw larger crowds than a good lecturer. Persons who heard the entire course of lec- tures feel benefited by them, and are satisfied with Mr. Hall's views, but those persons who heard only one or two lectures did not get a correct idea of Mr. Hall's position on some points .- (March 7, 1883.)
Our town council did a commendable thing at their last meeting; passed an ordinance that the mayor and council should receive no compensation for past or future services. This is a donation to our town of about $350 to $400. The laborer is worthy of his hire. -(March 7, 1883.)
We understand that our literary society will adjourn sine die Friday evening. We think this is altogether wrong. There are many school teachers who could not attend our literary society pre- vious to the closing of their schools, but now their schools are out they would gladly attend. There is no good reason why the liter- ary should not continue for at least three months if not all sum- mer .- (March 7, 1883.)
The town council mean business. When they order a sidewalk it is built .- (March 28, 1883.)
An effort is being made to procure funds to build a house in which to hold council meetings and for other public purposes. Levi Nellis has donated a lot upon which the building is to be put. About $125 have been subscribed with which to buy lumber. This is a move in the right direction .- (March 28, 1883.)
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
The spring term of our school will commence next Monday. Whitney and Hanson will be retained as teachers .- (March 28, 1883.)
An effort is being made to form a lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Twenty-three applications have been sent in and "still there are more to follow." An effort will be made to secure Hayes' hall if a charter is granted .- (March 28, 1883.)
The Masonic fraternity will soon have a lodge here .- (March 28, 1883.)
The dwelling of Cora Larson was burned last week. Her young- est child was entirely consumed in the flames. Mrs. Larson is a widow and lives west of the west Norwegian church. A subscrip- tion paper is being circulated for her benefit .- (March 28, 1883.)
Harry Maxwell and Clara Gillett were married last week. Your reporter had some of the wedding cake and it was excellent. They were married in Keokuk county. They have the best wishes of all .- (March 28, 1883.)
Maurice Mason is building a dwelling house in the southwest part of town .- (March 28, 1883.)
Our farmers report nearly all their apple trees killed .- (March 28, 1883.)
A tax of ten mills on the dollar was voted at the school election for the purpose of building an addition to our school-house -(March 28, 1883.)
C. H. Stowe has been reappointed marshal by our new council. -(March 28, 1883.)
The Reporter is to be enlarged soon .- (March 28, 1883.)
There were three deaths in the vicinity of Cambridge last week, Dick Macey's child, Mr. Ferguson's and Ole G. Vigen. The latter was a section hand on the railroad. Saturday morning, it will be remembered, was very dark and foggy. The section men were at work two miles west of town. They did not see nor hear the approaching freight train until it was nearly upon them. The other men jumped in time, but Vigen delayed too long and the train struck him. One arm and one leg were broken and several ribs fractured. He also received other injuries. He was taken to the house of James Russell where he died in the afternoon of Sat- urday .- (May 2, 1883.)
We learn that Bro. Dolph, editor of the Reporter went to Rhodes Sunday evening to deliver a temperance lecture .- (May 2, 1883.)
On Sunday last John Mitchell, a young man living near Elwell, while attempting to board a freight train fell and was run over by the cars. His right leg and left foot were terribly mangled; he
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
also received several other injuries. Drs. Robinson and Aplin were called and amputated the thigh at the middle third. His condition was such that it was not deemed advisable to amputate the foot at that time. Dr. Robinson remained with him during the night; and notwithstanding all was done for him that could be done, he died Monday morning at six o'clock. Let this sad acci- dent be a warning to all against boarding moving trains. The young man who only last Sabbath was full of life and vigor is now no more. Verily, "Experience teaches a dear school." -(May 2, 1883.)
Judging from the number of fruit trees delivered here on Mon- day, the farmers are not disheartened by their losses last winter. The smaller fruits can be had in one and two years from the time of planting and in great abundance, too. One word to persons putting out apple trees: do not put them too close together. -(May 2, 1883.)
ELWELL.
Elwell is having quite a little boom in the building line. One good additional dwelling, one elevator and a depot station house and freight room, are in process of construction and will soon be completed. The depot building proper is twenty-four by thirty feet on the ground and two stories high. It has the same dimensions as the depots at Cambridge and Maxwell. The freight room adjoining is also twenty-four by thirty, but only a story and a half in height. The depot buildings are being constructed by the peo- ple of Elwell and vicinity at an expense of about $1,500, and when completed will be made over to the Milwaukee as a free gift. Elwell is not very old nor very large, but it has several pleasant dwellings, a blacksmith shop, a wagon and carpenter shop com- bined, an agricultural implement establishment, a lumber yard and a general merchandise store. The town is developing into quite a trading point. It has an elevated position and when the weather is favorable can look down on several of its county neighbors, to- wit: Nevada, Iowa Center, Peoria and Huxley. Cambridge and Maxwell are below the general level of the landscape and cannot be seen.
One of the fine farm residences near Elwell is that of Robert Richardson, formerly a resident of Nevada.
Elwell is located in a good section of country, and as one of the outlying hamlets and railroad stations of the county has a hopeful future .- (Sept. 26, 1883.)
DECORATION DAY AT CAMBRIDGE.
At a recent meeting of the citizens the following officers and committees were appointed:
President of the Day-A. S. Aplin.
Chief Marshal-Charles C. Cook.
Chaplin-Rev. Conrad.
1
263
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
Executive Committee-J. M. Brown, A. P. King, George Lentz, S. Trout, J. E. Jones, Henry Ozmunson, and A. W. Southwick.
Finance Committee-J. E. Jones, Henry Ozmunson, and A. W. Southwick.
Committee on Instrumental Music-A. P. King.
Committee on Vocal Music-M. C. Jones.
Floral Committee-Mrs. A. W. Bartlett, Mrs. J. E. Jones, Mrs. William Dodge, Mrs. G. C. Cronk, Mrs. Caroline Clauson, Mrs. Henry Fatland, Mrs. J. S. Nelson, and the Misses Sylvia Bossoutt, Kate Cook, Sarah Gillett, Bell Chamberlain, Amanda Livingston, Ada Maxwell, Sarah Wilson, Mary Breezley, Eva Benser, Effie Snider and Miss L. A. Illingsworth.
Orator of the Day-John R. Hays.
The committees are requested to meet at the A. O. U. W. hall at eight P. M., May nineteenth, to make further arrangements for the occasion.
By order of the Executive Committee.
(May 13, 1884.)
J. M. BROWN, Chairman.
Died of blood poison, Saturday, September fifth, in the sixty- ninth year of his age, J. C. Kinsell, Mayor of Cambridge. Mr. Kinsell was one of the old residents of Cambridge. He was known as a man of radical opinions on nearly all subjects. He was buried Sunday in the Cambridge cemetery .- (Sept. 9, 1885.)
The wells at the depot are being repaired or rather enlarged, and when the work is completed, Cambridge will have an inexhaustible supply of water .- (Sept. 9, 1885.)
J. B. Green is our new postmaster. While Mr. Green is a first- class man he will do well if he gives as good satisfaction as did A. W. Southwick. There was not a single complaint against Mr. S. from any citizen in town or vicinity .- (Nov. 11, 1885.)
. The Sunday-school concert at the M. E. church Sunday evening was a very interesting affair, and well patronized .-- (Nov. 11, 1885.)
Last Sunday was A. P. King's forty-ninth birth-day. His chil- dren to fitly celebrate the event presented him with a fine gold watch chain, and the members of the Masonic fraternity with a fine Masonic pin and charm .- (Nov. 11, 1885.)
There is a good deal of "tangle-foot" being drank in town now- a-days, and the drug store and billiard saloons are blamed for sell- ing it; but the truth of the matter is that it is brought here from Des Moines and other places by men who peddle it out .- (Novem- ber 11, 1885.)
Hogs are still dying with cholera in town and vicinity. Uncle Jerry Malloy's fine Chester Whites are dying; and the loss falls heavily on him as he can ill afford to lose them .- (Nov. 11, 1885.)
A Sabbath school convention will be held at Cambridge, Decem- ber 20, 1885. A cordial invitation is extended to all who wish to attend. Exercises to commence at 10 A. M., and continue all day.
W. H. GRAFTON, Township President.
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
The river is booming. Many of our citizens, particularly the young folks, indulge in boat riding. Saturday evening two of our most esteemed young ladies, Amanda Livingston and Mary Breezley, came very near being drowned, particularly Miss Livingston, who was in the water about twenty-five minutes. She was saved from a terrible death by the gallant efforts of Geo. Maxwell. Assistants did what they could, but to Mr. Maxwell the credit is due of saving her life. The cause of the accident was the upsetting of a boat. Less than a year ago one of the bright boys in Cambridge, Millard Bullard, was drowned. That sad event with the narrow escape of Saturday evening should be a lasting lesson. But Sunday many boys went boat riding. The boats here are small and ill shaped and not safe, and more than two persons should never go into them. One word to the young ladies: When gentlemen ask you to go boat-riding, respectfully decline. No matter how good a swimmer or oarsman, decline to go. The currents are treacherous, the boats unsafe. Again we say, don't go with any one under any circum- stances, that is, if you value your life. We would like to say to the boys something that would be of benefit to them, but boys are usu- ally so very smart that they think they know just when and how a thing should be done .- (Cambridge Reporter, April 21, 1886.)
The fire on the river bottom southeast of Cambridge last Sunday, destroyed about ten tons of hay belonging to A. Warner and about thirty tons belonging to Mr. Adams. On the same night O. L. Lar- son's barn and contents were burned. Seven good horses, four sets of harness, 2,000 bushels of oats, 100 bushels of wheat, one corn- planter, several corn plows and other farming utensils were entirely destroyed. Besides the above, three large ricks of hay were con- sumed. Mr. Larson was very badly burned, but not fatally, in at- tempting to get the horses out of the burning barn. No insurance except $200. The entire loss will be about $2,500. Mr. Larson, although suffering severely, keeps up courage remarkably well. He is one of our most prominent Norwegian citizens, a good financier, honest and industrious. This is a great loss to him, but with his energy and ability he will soon be all O. K. again. The origin of the fire is not known and there are no suspicions of incendiarism. -(Cambridge Reporter, Nov. 3, 1886.)
Union Township is a township of pretty fair land, although it has its wet lands mostly following down on the east or northeast side of the river. South and west of Cambridge, and southwesterly the land generally is good. Section one of this township is one of the most beautiful, naturally, sections in Story County. Section two is pretty fair.
It has several creeks running through parts of the township besides Skunk River. Skunk runs entirely through the township from the northeast quarter of section six to a point near on the east of the south quarter section corner of section 34.
There is a belt of timber all along the river through the town- ship, but is most generally soft timber.
265
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
This river flows through sections 6, 5, 19, 16, 21, 27 and 34, touching sections four and 22.
Ballard's branch enters the township a very short distance south of the northwest corner of section 19, passing through the north part of section 19, touching section 18, and crossing through the south half of section 17, cuts off the southwest corner of section 16, and empties into Skunk River in section 21, just above Cam- bridge.
There is a stream running through the southeast quarter of sec- tion 19 and the northwest quarter of section 20, passing into Bal- lard branch in the southeast quarter of section 17, just north or northwesterly from the Cambridge cemetery.
There are two small creeks passing through Centre Grove and. empty into the Skunk flats.
There is yet another stream running from section 31 through sections 32 and 33 and crosses the county line east of the southeast corner of section 33.
See index for "Groves" and "Cemeteries."
Cambridge was laid out November, 1856, and incorporated December, 1881, and recorded April, 1882. It was laid out in the interior center of section 21, but the streets are not north and south nor east and west.
The Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railway runs through its southern part. This road was engaged in shipping stock and other freighting in 1881, and passenger trains run in the forepart . of 1882.
Cambridge is a place of considerable business. It is situated on nice table-lands above high water at all times, and immediately on the west bank of Skunk River. For its business men see "Direct- ory" in the index. See index for " Mills."
The Cambridge Herald is a weekly newspaper published by Charles D. Parks. The Herald makes a fair appearance in both type and paper.
Elwell is a town on the C., M. & St. Paul railway, situated on the southeast quarter of section 25; surveyed in 1882; plat filed for record December 28, 1886. It is nicely situated, and has some nice prairie near it, farms, rather. It has a post-office, express office, and, of course, a ticket office. It is, on a straight line, about three miles from Cambridge. The immortal Skunk (Chicaqua) rolls between it and Cambridge. Smith Paine is its postmaster, and M. L. Smith the Station Agent for Elwell. It has a steam-power ele- vator. A variety store at Elwell, kept by Robert Richardson & R. Paine, is doing considerable business, I believe.
Some of the early settlers of Union Township were as follows: W. H. Grafton, M. D., Josiah Chandler, J. C. Sladden, Mr. Harris, O. Chamberlin, Thomas Lowe, John Warren, John Grosclose, B. Netterfield, Kenly Dobyns, Amos Kelley, Daniel Finch, Robert Richardson, John Richardson, Wm. H. Jones, L. Nellis, Mr. Rubar,
266
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
Sylvester Chandler, Wm. Breezley, Joseph Seal, J. P. Ball, J. Lee, M. D. Livingston, C. Knight, J. W. Batterson, Mr. Doty, W. B. Womack, P. H. Ream, E. F. Scott, Wm. Allen, F. Lindsey, Hugh McKee, Ole Neerness, Mr. Crawford, Jairus Chandler, J. C. Kinsell.
Jairus Chandler built the water-power saw-mill on the west side of Skunk River and near where the bridge is, but north of it a short distance, in 1853. The steam flouring mill, which was a good one, was built by J. Chandler and Dr. W. H. Grafton about 1854. It stands a short distance southwest of the bridge at Cambridge.
The following engage some in shipping stock and grain: R. R. Paine, Robert Richardson, J. C. Lee, Moses Seal, Wm. Williams, Johnson & Co., J. Johnson of Huxley, Mr. Freed of Sheldahl Crossing, Oley Nelson, shipper of grain at Sheldahl. It appears that Lockwood & Co., of Nevada, shipped the first car-load of stock at Cambridge that was shipped on the cars about the nineteenth of January, 1882.
Stock raisers, farmers, and others of the township of energy and attention to business: Thomas Hemstock, Jesse Barker, Wm. Storm, Chas. Barker, E. Frank Scott, Anfen Anfensen, P. H. Ream, E. Cogshall, John Ware, Robert Richardson, J. Chaplin, Hugh McKee, John Jory, John Grosclose, J. C. Grosclose, Geo. Proctor, Ole Neerness, J. O. Johnson, Weir Weeks, Jonas and Rasmus Lewis, J. C. Lee, Wm. Wilson, H. R. Detwiler, M. D. Illingsworth, Morris Mason, J. S. Kies, John Sesker, Oliver Chamberlin, W. H. Jones, S. J. Severson, John Severson, Fred. Heleman, Thomas Larson, A. E. Larson, Oliver Hill, J. P. Wilson, B. O. Fatland, J. A. McKee, John Fatland, L. T. Wing.
The school houses are not in regular order-two miles apart. The river will not admit it. Cambridge has a very good brick school-house, two stories high. It is for high or graded schools, and they are having good schools. A good principal has much to do in giving reputation to a school.
SKUNK FLATS AND SKUNK VALLEY.
Union and Grant Townships share more of the Skunk flats than any other township in the county. I am now inclined to believe when the drift-wood is taken from the channel of the river, and when the flat lands along it are well tiled, where it will admit of it, that the Skunk valley will be among the most beautiful and pro- ductive lands we have. I believe the improvements will be such in the next twenty years that this opinion will prove correct. Wash- ington township shares liberally of Skunk flats and of the Squaw Creek flats.
Cambridge has had eight postmasters, including the present one, James B. Green, as follows:
1. Jairus Chandler.
5. J. D. Breezley.
2. Samuel Bossout.
6. G. D. South wick.
3. Oliver Chamberlin.
7. A. W. Southwick.
4. A. M. Gillett.
8. James B. Green.
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HISTORY STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
Cambridge has also had eight mayors, viz:
1. F. M. Livingston. 5. D. D. Hayes.
2. Mont. G. Rodearmel. 6. C. Bidwell.
3. D. D. Hayes. 7. John C. Kinsell.
4. John B. Breezley. 8. O. M. Johnson, present one.
Cambridge has two mills, one creamery, two elevators, two water tanks, two livery stables, and two church buildings. One is a new church, one year old, and is called the Norwegian Church. It is a nice though plain building. The Methodist Episcopal church building is a fair building, not quite so fancy as the Norwegian church. There are about fifty-eight members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Cambridge and twenty at Center Grove. Of the civics the following will indicate their membership: I. O. O. F., 30; G. A. R., 41; Masonic, 42; A. O. U. W., 18; W. R. C., 32; I. O. G. T., 38.
The number of cars of stock and of grain shipped from Cam- bridge during the last four or six months could not be ascertained, as the station agent refused to give the item for the public. Why is this?
For the business men see " Directory" in index.
The creamery that was to be is a settled fact, as Richardson & Paine are preparing to conduct the business to the satisfaction of the farmers who may favor them .- (Elwell, March, 1887.)
FIRE AT ELWELL.
Friday afternoon, about two o'clock, smoke was discovered pour- ing out of the house owned and occupied by Nate Pace, at Elwell. The villagers were soon at the scene and with the assistance of a number of persons who happened to be in the immediate vicinity, it was thought the flames were put out; in this they must have been mistaken, as about half-past four Mrs. Pace had occasion to go up stairs, and on opening a door was driven back by the dense smoke, and in a few minutes the whole building was in flames, and it burned to the ground. The household effects on the first floor were saved, while those on the second, consisting of beds, bedding and clothing were burned. The building was valued at $600 and insured in the State, of Des Moines, for $400. The value of burned household goods foots up in the neighborhood of $200 and were insured with the above company for $100.
Mr. Pace was away from home at the time of the fire and was sent for and arrived just in time to see it fall in. It is probable that the house will not be rebuilt as Mr. Pace was in town Saturday trying to find a house in which to live, we did not learn for certain but think his efforts were unsuccessful .- (Cambridge Herald, May, 1886.)
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