USA > Iowa > Story County > A history of Story county, Iowa: Carefully compiled, from the earliest settlement to the present, March 1, 1887. > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
On Sunday morning last Mr. Jas. Dillon, of Richland township, had three cows knocked down by lightning, one being killed out- right. Mr. Cyrus Padleford had one cow killed by the same storm. All insured though, Mr. Sugart informs us in the Hawkeye, of Des Moines .- (October 2, 1878.)
TO THE PUBLIC AT LARGE.
The ladies of the W. C. T. U., of Nevada, would call the atten- tion to the Reading Room that has been established in this place, under the auspices of this Union .- (January 2, 1878.)
Gentlemen, we offer you a neat and pleasant room, well warmed and well lighted, with plenty of good reading to while the hours away.
And to them who are verging into manhood, we extend a cordial invitation. Boys we gladly welcome you to our Reading Room, and trust you will there gain much information and knowledge that will be of use to you now and in the coming years.
The following is a partial list of the papers and Magazines to be found at this place for the amusement, entertainment and instruc- tion of those who avail themselves of its benefit :
Harper's Weekly; New York Observer; Pomeroy's Democrat; The Witness; Frank Leslie's Illustrated; Our Union; Daily Inter- Ocean; Christian at Work; The Living Issue; Scribner's Monthly. etc., etc.
MRS. E. B. POTTER, Sec. of W. C. T. U.
JUDGE MCFARLAND AND THE HORSE RACES.
In 1854 or '55 there was an election being held in a hut of some kind, situated near where the old "l'an Yard" was afterwards located-near where the Jones Bechtel house is situated. Well, while voting in full glee was going on, news came to the judges
78
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
and clerks of the election, that in a few minutes a horse race would take place, probably near where the railroad depot now is in Nevada. Well, these said officers of the ballot-box concluded to adjourn to see the races, taking the ballot-box with them. After the races were over they returned to the hut and renewed the vot- ing conflict. But by this adjournment they learned that "one horse did not run as fast as the other."
H. C. French, Esq., of our county, probably the only surviving officer now of that occasion, can tell you more.
About these times, (1855), C. J. McFarland, Judge of the Court then for Story County, is said to have had the happy faculty of impressing men into the service to get the drinks, as he termed it, which was usually as follows: "He would select his man, always a liberal hearted farmer, and have an attorney make a motion for his admission to practice as an attorney of the Courts. The Judge would appoint a committee to examine the applicant. The quali- fications were to furnish the whisky. When that was done the committee would report favorably, and the party would be sworn in as an attorney of the Court. But if he refused, (to furnish whisky,) he would be reprimanded by the Judge for contempt of Court. In this way, Wm. H. James, Samuel Davidson, Eli H. French, Franklin Thompson and S. P. O'Brien, all farmers of medium capacity, were admitted to practice as attorneys of the Court, none of whom ever attempted to practice. During Court the Judge would stealthily, at times, slip down from his seat and make a visit to his whisky bottle which was hidden outside the Court House. Sometimes he would engage, with the outsiders, in a scuffle, or in jumping, while a trial was going on inside. On one occasion, or more than one, he had to be sent for by some of the attorneys who were much excited in their case. The Judge went in and boisterously called out; "What's up? What's wanting ?" After getting things quieted down a little-the Judge and attorneys-he would take, from a side pocket, a flask of whisky and drink, and invite others to drink, after which they would proceed to business.
"In 1856, Judge McFarland, in charging the Grand Jury, in Marion County, Iowa, is reported to have said: 'This Maine Liquor Law, fanatics made it, and some people think it unconstitutional, but that is none of your business. It is your business to indict all persons who sell liquor. There is plenty of liquor sold in this town. If you want to know where it is sold, wait until Court ad- journs and watch the bystanders and see where the Judge goes.'"
September 20, 1878 .- "During the month of August there were shipped from the station, (Nevada,) sixty cars of grain; seven cars of live stock; nine cars of other goods, and 73,499 lbs. of other freight. Total charges on freight shipped $4,490.61. During the same time there were received thirty-three cars of lumber and six- teen cars and 222,114 lbs. of other freight. Total charges on
79
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
freight received $2,465.61. There were also 949 tickets sold for $827.31."
1878 .- Railroad business at this station, (Nevada,) for the month of September was as follows:
Received .- Lumber, thirty-three cars, charges $940.12; Other freight, twenty-two cars, charges $431.59; Merchandise, 435,055 lbs. charges, $1,028.8. Total-$2,400.51.
Forwarded .- Grain, fifty-nine cars, charges $3,074.93; Stock, . nineteen cars, charges $1,139.98; Other freights, thirteen cars, charges $278.93; Merchandise, 104,585 lbs., charges $547.76; Tickets sold $1,036,79; Total $5,078.37; Total business, $8,478.90.
September 20, 1878 .- "John Nass, aged fifty, a shoemaker, of Story County, was brought before the insane committee Tuesday, who heard the case and pronounced him insane and ordered him conveyed to the Asylum at Independence, whither he was taken by Deputy Sheriff Tyler. He is impressed with the idea that he is doomed to endless punishment, and his mind is hopelessly gone,"
· October 2, 1878 .- "Messrs. Dutton & Son have just had shipped to their bank, to accommodate the business wants of the com- munity, $1,000 legal tender silver dollars. They paid for them $1,000 in currency, besides paying three or four dollars expressage to get them here. Mr. Dutton told us in speaking of this ship- ment, that they paid in about a year over sixty dollars expressage on small change, silver dimes, quarters, halves, dollars, &c., besides paying full face value of the money which they had shipped to this town to accommodate the business wants of this community."
December 20, 1878 .- "Six cars of hogs and cattle were shipped from this station to Chicago last Saturday."
December 20, 1878 .- "W. H. Mead has now a force of twenty men employed in his poultry packing establishment. The poultry is dry picked, entrails drawn, head taken off, then after cooled, packed in barrels and boxes and shipped to Boston. Mr Meads' father is one of the largest commission dealers in that city, and is the owner of a large refrigerator there. He handles all of W. H.'s poultry, and if the market is not good when the consignments arrive, he places them in his refrigerator and holds them until the market advances. Hence W. H. has the inside track."
January 12, 1881 .- "On Thursday evening of last week, a small portion of the friends of Capt. I. L. Smith, made a raid on him in the Clerk's office, for the purpose of a thorough examination of his official bond and properly inaugerating him upon his third term. The meeting was called to order by Supervisor R. W. Ballard, and upon motion of Supervisor Ersland the matter of approving his official bond was opened for discussion. Mr. F. D. Thompson thought his bond should not be approved, for on or about Decem- ber twenty-sixth, after the fire had gone out in his stove, he put
80
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
red tissue paper behind the isinglass intending to defraud the public with the idea that the stove still contained fire and gave forth warmth. Mr. Irwin opposed the approval of his bond because he hung a thermometer up in his office against the chimney where it marked ninety-four degrees, whereas the real temperature was not over sixty degrees. Other charges were made equally grave and damaging to his reputation, especially one by Dr. Farrer, to all of which the Captain plead guilty, but for the purpose of eliciting a favorable verdict from the crowd, took all hands down to Welton's restaurant and set up the oysters, whereupon his bond was pro- nounced good and sufficient for two years to come. The oysters pulled him through."
April 20, 1881 .- " Mr. John Reeve, near Colo, the other day, sold a bunch of steers, 18 in the lot, for $4.60 per 100 lbs., that av- eraged in weight 1,340 lbs. At these figures the cattle netted him the snug little sum of $1,109.52 cents. They were pronounced an extra fine lot of cattle for their age, and brought the top figures of the market."
April 20, 1881 .- " RAILROAD .- Nevada proposes to have a Nar- row Gauge Wabash plug as well as all the other towns along the Northwestern, and consequently held a railroad meeting last Wednesday evening to take the subject under consideration. After giving railroad matters generally a pretty thorough discussion, a general railroad committee was appointed, consisting of Messrs. T. C. McCall, Jas. Hawthorn, J. F. Gillespie, J. R. Hays, and W. K. Boardman."
May 13, 1881 .- "Mr. D. F. Shope, of Iowa Center, shipped two car loads of cattle of his own raising last Tuesday. They were a fine lot of cattle."
July 1, 1881 .- " Mr. A. M. Norris shipped several cars of cattle from Colo during the past few days, some of which are claimed to be ahead of any shipped this season from that locality. He is shipping largely and appears to be making a good thing, which we trust is the case. The amount of stock shipped by him each year is large, and by thus raising, buying and shipping, he is doing a good thing for himself and neighbors.
July 1, 1881 .- " The railroad tax in Nevada Township carried with a round majority. The vote stood 222 for and 66 against."
May, 1882 .- " Robert Hannum has at last concluded to remove his flouring mill to Odebolt, in fact he has already commenced taking down the machinery and shipping it there. We hope his new location will prove as profitable as he anticipates it will be."
" FRIENDSHIP .- In the forenoon of life a man has an idea that it would take a mighty big church to hold his friends, if they
81
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
should all be drawn to the same sanctuary at the same time. But ere the dentist put in his second set of teeth he has about come to the conclusion that one of the short pews near the stove would not be crowded if they should all sit down to warm their feet."
October 27, 1880 .- A serious accident occurred in Lincoln Town- ship last week, resulting in the death of a young man by the name of Young. A railroad meeting had been held at the Wickham school house, and in going home several parties on horseback engaged in racing, the horse that Mr. Young was riding throwing and injuring him so that he died in a few days afterwards."
KILLED BY THE CARS.
Mr. George Wingert, a brother of Mr. A. F. Wingert, of Milford Township, was killed instantly by the cars at Glidden, about two weeks ago. He was a brakeman on Conductor W. M. Gallup's train, and was in the act of coupling cars, when his head was caught by a projecting piece of timber on one of the cars and crushed. He fell on the track and three cars passed over his body. His remains were brought to this place and taken in charge by his brother who conveyed them to Franklin Grove, Ill., for burial. He had only been on the train for a short time, but was considered a good and trusty employe, as he had a considerable experience years before in railroading in Illinois .- Sept. 21, 1881.
FARMERS PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION.
Pursuant to call published, quite a number of the farmers of Story County met at the Court House on last Saturday and organ- ized a Protective Association. The object is to aid the State Asso- ciation in fighting the barbed wire monopoly, and other matters of like interest.
C. P. McCord was elected President, A. M. Norris, Vice Presi- dent, Col. John Scott, Secretary, and E. F. Farington, Treasurer -Sept. 21, 1881.
There will be a meeting at the Fair grounds on the last day of the fair at 11 o'clock.
December 28, 1881 .- " Work on the C. M. & St. P. railroad is crowding along very fast, the rails are laid to Indian Creek, and the surfacers are only a few miles behind finishing the track. Freight- ing to a limited extent will commence in a few days."
December 28, 1881 .- " We had a case of mysterious shooting near the county line last week, Mr. L. Rhinesmidt was preparing to retire about 9 P. M. when some unknown person fired a shot through the window, the ball taking effect in the breast, shattering a rib and glanced around the body and was cut out of his back. The doctors consider it a dangerous wound. No clue to the as- sassin."
6
82
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
AUNT DINAH'S HYMN.
[ Augusta Chronicle.]
De sinner see de mote in de Christian eye, He can't see the beam in he own ; He had better go home and keep he house clean, An' let God's chillen alone .: I'm gwine home to glory, Gwine to de shinin' town, Gwine to tell my story, An' wear the golden crown.
De sinner find fault wid he knows not what, Can't put nuttin' better in de place ; Better go er seekin' on de solitary path, An' git aboard de old ship o' Grace, For de lightnin' it am flashin', The thunder loud do roll, De mitey wave am dashin', Oh, sinner, save your soul !
De sinners stumble on in er great big crowd, Er gropin' wid de halt an' de blind, Dey makes a heap of noise to keep their spirits up, But they're lackin' of de Christian mind. Don't turn to Satan callin', But tuk de helpin' hand, 'Twill s'port you in your toilin' 'Long wid the chosen band.
Dey had better keep time to de music of de just. An' jine in de singin' wid de band, An' try mitey hard to be among de fust Dat am pushin' for de promised land, Whar de holy lamp am burnin'. Whar de saints in glory stand, To meet de soul returnin' Home to de happy land.
For de gospel's train am comin' on fast, Sinner, git er ticket while you kin ; It's crowded wid de saints, an' will push on past If you don't hurry up an' git in. I'm gwine home to glory, To Canaan's happy land, I'm gwine to tell my story, An' wid de blessed stand.
83
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
DE LOR OB DE LORD.
[ Independent.] In dis wo'ful worl' can't I do as I please ? Guess not brudder, guess not. Can't I set right down an' take my ease, Wid all I can beg an' borrer and seize, My head on my han's, my han's on my knees ? Guess not, brudder, guess not.
Won't some rich 'lation take pity on me ? "Guess not, brudder, guess not. Can't I 'proach de roost whar de fat hens be, An' do it so sly dat nobody 'll see, An' den git off wid no dog after me ? Guess not, brudder, guess not.
Don' you tink dat de lazy man git froo de gate? Guess not, brudder, guess not. Ef he don't hurry up will he be too late ? An' den won't he hev in anodder state A second perbation, an' come out at lass Jes' as good as though he had trabbled fass ? Guess not, brudder, guess not.
Ef I don't want de debbil to scratch on my grave, Go on, brudder, go on, An' holler, " Cum up here, you old jack-a-knave, I've waited an' waited for you, honey dear ; Git up outer dar, an' cum along here : Go on, brudder, go on.
" I'se got a little corner close by de fire- Ef you ain't warm enuff you can hitch up nigher." Go on, brudder, go on. An' I say, "Misser Debbil, I ain't your son ; You is werry kin' to dig, but you've dug de wrong one.
" I truss in de Lord, an' he is lookin' for me ; Good-by, Misser Debbil"-do you s'pose dat he Will erpologize, and let me go free ? Jess so, brudder, jess so. An' from dat narrer escape can I fly Up to Jerusalem in de sky ? Jess so, brudder, jess so.
Well, den I guess I won't do as I please, An' I won't res' my han's too much on my knees ; As nigh as I possible can, I'll do right ; So I won't be afraid ob de Lord's daylight. Jess so, brudder, jess so.
84
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
FIRST BIG FIRE AT NEVADA.
The fire started in the second story of V. A. Ballou's building on west side of Linn street soon after midnight on the second day of December, 1880. The building where the fire started was occupied at the time by R. G. Nelson as a drug store ; the upper room by Dr. Sheldon, dentist. The fire burnt north to Alderman's hardware building, and south and west to the Opera Hall building. How the fire originated is not surely known, but it had a start. The total loss was estimated, or supposed to be about $50,000. There was some insurance. The wind was not blowing much at the time, consequently the buildings on the east side of Linn street were saved. The losses were as follows :
D. S. Snyder, shop, $75.
James Hawthorn, building, $125.
Boyd & Child, meat market, $1,500.
Funson & Cook, law office, $150.
J. C. Miller, jewelry and residence, $1,000 ; insured for $700.
Jas. Hawthorn, building, $3,000 ; insured for $1,500.
Tobey & Edwards, goods ; insured for $5,000. Stevens & Bro., butter and eggs, $75.
S. F. Balliet, law office, $200.
J. L. Dana, law office, $150.
Zwilling Bros., dry goods and building, $10,000; insured for $4,000.
C. H. Balliet, law office, $150.
J. R. McDonald, law office, $150.
Dr. Schooler, office, $50.
Tupper Bros., meat market, $1,000.
Otis Briggs, building, $800.
M. C. Allen, law office, $200.
V. A. Ballou, building, $1,000.
R. G. Nelson, drug store, $3,000 ; insured for $2,000.
A. C. Sheldon, dentist, $1,000.
Tuffree & Co., daguerrean, $450 ; insured for $200.
Carhart & Statler, building, $1,000.
Carhart Bros., groceries, $2,500 ; insured for $500.
Hall of Masons and Odd Fellows, $1,000.
C. W. Welton, hotel, $3,000 ; insured for $500.
Joe Davis, barber, $150.
McCall & Thompson, office.
D. J. Vinge.
Wm. Hansell, jeweler, $300.
M. M. Ross, building.
Mayo & Van Horn, saloon, $100.
Alderman & Son, shed, etc., $200.
Z. Shugart, office fixtures, $100.
This entire row made vacant by the fire (except McC. & T.'s cor- ner and west about to the Opera block) is now built up with superb brick buildings, now the best brick row in the county. The cost
85
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
of these blocks and others in Nevada can be found on a subse- quent page.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS-ACTION OF (1881).
On motion it was ordered that the Nevada Representative and Ames Intelligencer be and is hereby declared to be the official papers of Story County for the ensuing year.
On motion it was ordered that J. G. Weatherby be and is hereby allowed the sum of $150, said amount to be paid from the poor fund, and to apply on his contract for completion of the county infirmary.
The Auditor was, on motion, anthorized to approve the bond of the Steward of the county farm, and also official bonds that may be brought in hereafter.
Salaries for the various officers for the year 1881, were on motion fixed as follow:
County Treasurer.
$1,500.00
Deputy Treasurer.
550.00
Auditor. ..
1,200.00
Deputy Auditor.
550.00
Sheriff's fees and
Clerk .. . . 200.00
1,300.00
Deputy Clerk .
100.00
County Superintendent, per diem and
200.00
Recorder, the fees provided by law.
FARMER'S PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION.
At a meeting of the farmers of Story County held at the Court House in Nevada, September 17, 1881, it was agreed to organize a Farmer's Protective Association subject to the constitution and by- laws of the State Association of Iowa. C. P. McCord was chosen Chairman and A. M. Norris Secretary .- (September 23,1881.)
The following names were enrolled as members of said associa- tion:
· Col. John Scott, Nevada.
C. P. McCord, Iowa Center.
S. I. Shearer, Collins Center.
Oliver Stevenson, Nevada.
A. M. Norris, Colo.
A. Hale, Collins Center.
E. F. Farrington, Collins Center.
B. R. Shinkles, Collins Center.
R. J. Barber, Nevada.
Stephen Turkington, Nevada.
O. G. Ashford, Nevada.
A. S. McCord, Iowa Center.
J. W. McCord, Iowa Center.
John Cook, Nevada.
Sol Young, Nevada.
E. W. Shearer, Edenville.
86
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
On motion proceeded to election of officers, resulting as follows: C. P. McCord, President ; Col. John Scott, Secretary ; A. M. Norris, Vice President and E. F. Farrington, Treasurer for the year ending June first, 1882, or until their successors are elected and qualified. Adjourned to meet at Fair Ground, Thursday of the fair at 11 A. M. C. P. McCORD, Chairman.
A. M. NORRIS, Secretary.
RE-UNION OF THE THIRTY-SECOND IOWA.
The re-union of the 32d Iowa Infantry, Col. Scott's old regi- ment, at Iowa Falls, about two weeks ago, was an extremely enjoy- able affair to the survivors of that veteran regiment, and one that will long be remembered. Of the thousand that the regiment was supposed to have contained when the boys first put on the blue, one hundred and forty was all that could be got together sixteen years after the close of the war. From this county were Col. Scott, T. C. McCall, Geo. Child and A. O. Hall, and all united in giving great credit to those who managed the arrangement and received the veterans as they arrived from different parts of the State. One hundred and forty soldiers requiring one hundred and forty long and hearty hand shakes for each one, a co-temporary estimates, was equal to about 6,000,000 shakes, and the Story County representatives rub their shoulders and say they think the shakes are not over estimated. The feature of the re-union was a neat and patriotic address by Miss Clara M. Byam, of Hopkinton, daughter of Surgeon Byam, of the Regiment. She was afterwards unanimously chosen the daughter of the Regiment .- (September 14, 1881.)
RE-UNION.
Remember, all the soldiers of Story County, of whatever regi- ment they may have been members, or from whatever State enlisted, will meet in a re-union at Ames, on Friday and Saturday next. All Mexican soldiers as well as those of the Rebellion are also invited, and we presume if there are any of the war of 1812 in the county, they are especially invited .- (September 14, 1881.)
FIRE IN AMES.
This afternoon, just as we were going to press, the news was tel- ephoned from Ames that the drug store of Ed. Barstow was on fire and the fire beyond control. As that was in the central part of town the fire company was called out and started for their assist- ance. But before a train could be procured, better news came down and our fire boys returned. The drug store was wholly consumed, the hardware store next to it was partly destroyed and then the fire was extinguished. It must have taken excellent organ- ization and hard work. We have not learned the amount of the . losses .- (January 25, 1882.)
1
87
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
FIRE.
Nevada's second scorching.
Another block in ashes.
Eleven buildings in the business part of town wiped out.
Loss $15,000 to $20,000.
Insurance $5,500 to $6,000.
This morning, a little before three o'clock, the alarm of fire was sounded, and the people were speedily on hand to save what they could, and witness another conflagation. The fire was first dis- covered by Mr. Goldsberry and family, who were living up stairs in the building adjoining the express office. Mr. Goldsberry woke up through the effects of smoke, and finding his feet getting unusually warm, to discover that the whole corner of the building he was in and the drug store building adjoining, were all ablaze. His son, Carl Goldsberry, saw the fire about the same time and commenced giving the alarm. The fire was so far advanced that the family only had time to save themselves, without even getting sufficient clothes together to dress. In their milliner and dress-making shop below, one show case was carried out and that was all that was saved. Their total loss was not less than $2,500 with only $700 insurance.
The drug store stock owned by Mr. Nelson was wholly lost, but was insured to the extent of $2,000. Total loss about $2,500.
The two buildings were owned by Mr. S. J. Mills and valued by him at $3,500. Insured for $1,000.
The next building north was McCall & Thompson's office, worth perhaps $500, and we believe was not insured. The law books and furniture were got out.
Next north was Mr. D. F. Whipple's grocery. The stock was got out, all but the safe, but Mr. Whipple estimates his loss on building and stock at $4,500, with $2,500 insurance.
The furniture building next was owned by Mr. M. L. Borgen and valued at $1,500. No insurance. The stock of furniture was owned by D. D. Briggs, but all in the lower part and in the front room in the upper part was got out, though a good deal damaged in moving. Loss and damage estimated at $1,000. Insured at $1,000.
Mr. Highland's shoe shop, loss estimated at $100.
Mr. C. Leonard's saloon next. Building owned by Otis Briggs, valued at $1,000, no insurance. Everything moved out.
Next, Mrs. Coggshall milliner and dress-making shop. Goods all moved out. Building owned by Otis Briggs, vallued at $300.
Next building owned by Otis Briggs, valued at $200, and occu- pied by D. D. Briggs with furniture. No insurance on building.
Carhart Bro., came next but succeeded in removing all their stock of groceries. Building owned by Otis Briggs and valued at $800.
Dress-making shop of Mrs. M. A. Green next, stock all removed. Building owned by Otis Briggs, valued at $400.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.