USA > Iowa > Guthrie County > Centennial history of Guthrie county, Iowa > Part 9
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Though ever ready to sympathize with those in trouble,
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HISTORY OF GUTHRIE COUNTY.
yet there is one poor unfortunate here, whose case, while it excites our pity, is nevertheless ridiculous. A German by the name of Kalkofen, left his wife somewhere in Pennsyl- vania, to visit friends, while he came west to look for work; he brought one little boy with him, while she kept one with her. When he was ready to send for her, he found he had forgotten where he left her and the poor fellow has never been able to find her. He came here three or four years ago.
STUART.
The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad was built through the county, or rather at this point on the line be- tween the two counties, Guthrie and Adair, in the latter part of 1868. In 1857, after the road had been surveyed, the project of laying out a town at this point, was suggested by Hon. A: L. McPherson, but the idea was not carried out until September, 1868. In the meantime certain parties had been promised a station one mile west of the present site of Stuart.
In May, 1868, Capt. Chas. Stuart, who was born in Bar- net, Caledonia county, Vermont, but whose home has been, for a number of years in Neponset, Illinois; came to Adair county and commenced breaking prairie. On the 4th day of September, 1868, he bought of D. Tomlinson and others the south } of S. W. ¿ Sec. 33, T. 78, R. 30. Sept. 1st, of D. G. Barkalow, the S. ¿ and N. W. } of S. W. ¿ Sec. 4-77-30, in Adair county. November 6th, of Margaret Bowles, five acres of the N. W. of S. W. 4, 33-78-30, north side. Nov. 9th, of S. W. Hadley, (excepting ten acres,) S. E. of S. E., 32-78-30.
Dec. 24th, 1869, of Foster Griffith, the E. } of N. E. } 5- 77-30.
The town was surveyed and laid out in December, 1868, and January, 1869, by Mr. Stuart. To induce the company to make this a division station, lands and money were do- nated as follows :
.
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Capt. Stuart donated 80 acres of land, much time, and $1,000 in money. A. L. McPherson donated the N. E. } of N. W. ¿ of Sec. 4, T. 77, R. 30; 13} acres of which cost him $75 per acre, owing to said land belonging to heirs, who had not joined in the sale to McPherson, until after he had donated it to the railroad company. He also gave five acres in Sec. 28, T. 78, R. 30, containing a large spring, for water privileges, in case they should fail to find a suffi- cient quantity to supply their shops when built, on grounds already donated.
He also donated $800, $300 of which, however, was to aid in putting in a switch.
George Gray donated $500, and devoted much time and energy to the enterprise, going at one time to a distant part of the State, to try to induce certain land owners here to contribute money or land, one of whom promised him $100, which, however, he failed to pay, so Mr. Gray had that to pay.
Several others donated small amounts, but to the liber- ality, energy and enterprise of these gentlemen, are we mainly indebted, for the foundation of our live town of Stuart.
In 1870 Kenworthy and Maxwell's addition was laid out on the north side, and Royce's addition on the south side. In 1876 Hollingsworth's addition was added.
Mr. Kenworthy also laid out two other additions.
When Stuart was laid out there were four buildings here, all dwellings, situated as follows : The residence of widow Hadley, on Highland street, now occupied by David Tom- linson, and the abode of Mr. Tomlinson on Front street, near the depot, and which is now numbered with the things that were. There were also two houses on Division street, the one now occupied by Mr. Baxter as a residence, and the brown frame north of it. The latter was built and used by S. W. Hadley as a residence, and for a short time the post- office was kept there.
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HISTORY OF GUTHRIE COUNTY.
The first building erected was the little brown frame dwelling, on Division street, nearly opposite the Congrega- tional Church, which was built by Dr. Horton, who taught school north of town and practiced medicine. This was in April, 1869.
The next building was a small, one story frame, 20x40 feet, on the south side, by A. L. McPherson, and used as. a ware-house, grocery store, and post office. This office was established in 1858, at J. W. McPherson's, near Dexter, and called Macksville, but upon the location of Stuart was removed here, through the exertions and influence of A. L. McPherson, who was postmaster. After the location of" the office here, Miss Gussie Haine acted as Mr. McPherson's deputy.
After a time Mr. McPherson sold out to Mr. Tomlinson,. who moved, building and all, to Nassau street, north side, and it is now occupied by C. W. Champion as a saloon. In 1870 Mr. Tomlinson was appointed postmaster, and con- tinued the office in the same building.
The next improvement was Chas. Stuart's lumber yard, J. B. Blanchard foreman, who thought he was "roughing it " just a little when he had to walk nearly a mile to get his meals, the nearest boarding place being Mr. Ewers', east of town. The above improvements were all made in April, 1869. About the first of May, the building immediately south of McElroy's saloon. on Division street, was opened as a hotel by a Mr. Millis.
The next hotel was that of Mr. A. L. McPherson, on Nas- sau street, called the Stuart House, and kept by Elliott & Batcheldor. Wm. B. Hussey bought and kept the house for three months, when Mr. McPherson bought it back again. It was kept as a hotel and boarding house two or three years, and now does duty as a private residence, for Mr. McPherson, half a mile east of town. Mr. McPherson also built the first livery stable in Stuart, about the same time. with the hotel, which was built in May, 1869.
In October, 1869, Berner & Toedt erected the building;
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now occupied by Mr. Crocker as a harness shop, and open - ed the first hardware store. In December of the same year J. E. Gharrett put up the building now owned and occupied by Mrs. Compton, and opened the first dry goods house.
In January, 1870, H. P. Shields built the little frame shanty on Nassau street, west of Bunker Brothers livery 'stable, for that seemingly necessary adjunct of every town -a saloon.
Lindley & Porter built and opened the first drug store, in the building now occupied by O. E. Given; this institution has gone the way of all perishable things, and one of the firm has turned "Quaker Preacher," in the north part of the State.
From Nov. to the last of Dec., 1869, Charlie Dean lived on the side track, in boarding cars; he then went to Casey, but returned and opened the Dean House, on the 2d of Feb., '1870, ground for which was broken on the 1st of Jan. This was built by Chas. Stuart, but has since been bought by Mr. Dean. In the summer of 1869 Capt. Stuart built the -main part of the building on Main street, near the depot, known as the Stuart House, and generously offered it, free of rent, to any person who would put in a stock of dry goods. "The building stood vacant-at least the store-room did-for one year, when Bates & Adams accepted the offer. In the mean time Mr. Stuart had built the wing or addition on the north side of this building, and it was opened as a hotel by Mr. Dunham.
The ensuing summer, 1870, H. P. Shields built the two ·story frame building on the northeast corner of Maine and Nassau streets, and moved his saloon into the lower room, while the upper story was used as a hall. This and the old school house was for some time the only place for hold- -ing meetings, lectures, etc.
About the same time Mr. Dunham built the hotel, at pres- ent known as the Carrol House, and the hotel part of the Stuart house was converted into tenements, tailor shop, vetc. A Mr. McClane being our first tailor.
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HISTORY OF GUTHRIE COUNTY.
When Mr. Shields moved into his large building Billy Schlarb opened the first barber shop in the small one.
The same summer the old school house, (which is now converted into a tenement house,) was built, and the first. school taught by a Mr. Foote, a dissipated young man, who, after his term of school expired, lingered around for a time, calling himself a lawyer, though I believe that is as far as the "calling" ever went. Finding he was not ap- preciated by Stuartites, he went to Polk county, where he succeeded in getting some little position, which he managed to leave in disgrace.
In the fall of 1870 Dr. LeRoy erected and occupied as a drug store the two story frame building opposite the Dean House, at present occupied by Pat Ryan as a shoe store, though the doctor still retains the proprietorship of the- building. I believe the only other business house put up this year was a grocery store by J. Taylor. Occasionally, when you looked out in the morning, you would see a dwelling which had sprung up in the night, mushroon like, at least so it seemed, they went up so rapidly. When the writer hereof was shown the foundation of the house at present occupied by Mr. Hubbard, as her probable future abode, she exclaimed, " Oh dear! I don't want to live away out here in the corn-field, with no neighbors but prairie- chickens." Now -the cornfield and chickens have receded very far beyond these limits.
In the fall of 1870 the McPhersons moved their livery barn from Nassau and Tremont to Nassau and Sherman streets, the same now owned by the Bunker Brothers.
In 1871 Mr. Moulton opened the first shoe shop in the office of the old Stuart House, where he remained a short time; he then moved to the little shop built by Mr. Shields for a saloon, and used next by Billy Schlarb as a barber- shop. Billy in the meantime, having moved to his own house on Main street.
Mr. Shields, after a prosperous year or two, sold out to Mr. Gibbs, the present owner, and went to Texas, where he-
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remained three or four years, when he returned to Stuart, just as every one does, who leaves it.
Capt. Stuart's Elevator, of which we will speak hereafter, was built in the fall of 1870. We will not attempt to follow the rapid construction of building and consequent frequent changes, but will notice the more important ones, and give a synopsis of the business houses and firms as they now are.
We will begin with the old railroad shops, which were completed and machinery put in, in Dec., 1869, J. G. Crockett of Boston, the present very able and efficient fore- man, assuming control. They then employed from fifteen to twenty hands. The buildings were constructed of wood, and Stuart and all the surrounding country were in a quan- dary as to their permanent location here, and many per- sons sagely shook their heads and refused to " tarry " with us, because, said they, " You'll see; these shops will be re- moved as soon as the Company get a good ready." The old lady knew the cow would eat the grindstone.
In 1874 the present permanent and substantial brick shops were built, and in Jan., 1875, Mr. Crockett, with his corps of workmen moved in.
The dimensions of the machine shop are 100x150 feet. Blacksmith and boiler shop 60x100 feet.
The round house contains at present sixteen stalls; when completed will contain thirty-eight; until then the old build- ing, what there is left of it, part of it having been moved to Des Moines, will be used. The number of workmen under Mr. Crockett's supervision is, seventy machinists and help- ers; twenty-six engineers and twenty-seven firemen. In 1870 the number of engines run out daily, was from three to five; it now requires sixteen or seventeen. The amount of money paid out monthly to the above named employees, is from $12,000 to $15,000.
- The present amiable and pleasant clerk in the office of the shops is Mr. Chas. Morris, who edited the Locomotive
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during 1873. Mr. Morris was born in Bureau county, Ill., came to Iowa in 1868, and to Stuart in 1872.
The only casualty worthy of note occurring in the shops was that of 1871, wherein Mr. Potter had both legs broken by the falling of a drive-wheel, which had been brought in for repairs. The rail shop, under the supervision of the road master, runs four forges, and employs six or eight men; will employ twelve.
Mr. Crockett was born at Dover, N. H. Has been in the employ of the railroad company at this place since 1869. Previous to this time he was employed as foreman in the shops at Chicago.
We have a very good depot building, built in July, 1869, presided over by Mr. A. Smart, who has been agent here for four years, but has been in the employ of the railroad company for eleven years. Mr. Smart was born and edu- cated in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he also learned rail- roading, Civil Engineering, etc. While we are looking at Mr. Smart-he is handsome to look at-here come our friends Isaac and Jane, from the east. Isaac owns a farm out a few miles, but says if he is suited with Stuart and its people he will stop with us, so we will show them over town, and introduce our people to them.
First, we will go to the Dean House, the only one of our pioneer hotels remaining unchanged, except for the better. Mr. Dean has made a great many improvements since buy- ing the house, the last being the erection of a sample room on the west of the hotel. Mr. Dean was born in Monkton, Vermont, and was for several years a railroad man, but finally found his "forte " in hotel keeping. It is easy to see this house has a head; some one to manage and con- trol it. You find every body and every thing, each in his or its place. He has accommodations for forty guests, be- sides his regular boarders, but we will take numbers 9 and 12, as associations make them dear to us. Now lay aside your wraps, take a good wash, and go down to dinner.
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We all enjoyed our dinner hugely, and leaving our "traps" in care of Bowlby, Mr. Dean's accommodating clerk, we went over to the Carrol House, to see what they were doing over there. We found Mr. and Mrs. Wright at home, on Main street, nearly opposite the Dean House, and glad to see us. Every thing seemed to be in good order, and we learned that Mr. Wright can accommodate thirty guests be- sides a large number of boarders; also that he is a native of Ohio, and has been in the Carrol House since April, 1875.
The streets being very muddy, and Jane being very tired, begged me to interview the livery men next, and hire a car- riage in which to continue our investigations. We first went to Bunker Brothers, whom we found in the old McPherson barn on Nassau street. They commenced busi- ness in 1873, sold out in 1874, and re-commenced again in December, 1875. They keep fourteen horses and plenty of nice vehicles to accommodate all who may call, but being better acquainted with Pat., we went to Egan & Lahman's, on Main street, and hired one of their nice new carriages. They keep twenty horses, and the best "rigs" between Des Moines and Council Bluffs. Lahman is a native of Penn., and Pat of Ireland. The latter came to Guthrie in 1872, and commenced business as stable boy for P. Roberts, at Panora. By honesty, industry, and good behavior he is now the joint proprietor of one of the best livery stables in the country.
After driving through town and its suburbs, my friends were so well pleased with the location, the surround- ings, the business air and enterprise of our citizens, that they begged me to drive them to our real estate dealers, that they might purchase a home. I advised them to buy a lot and build to suit themselves, and of course they took my advice; so we went to the office of Tait & Failor, the new firm from Newton, who were polite, gentleman- ly and sensible (and flattering ourselves that we were entitled, in a small degree, to the latter adjective), we
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at once purchased a handsome residence lot, and as Isaac is no monopolist, he had the deed made out in his wife's name. Carrying out his anti-monopoly principles, Isaac bought for himself a lot of A. C. Baxter, whose office is with Mr. Haden, one door east of the post office. Mr. Baxter is also a Justice of the Peace.
My friend said, if he could get what he thought he ought to have for his farm, he would sell it. I've told you he was against monopoly; now this has nothing to do with pol- ities; it is business, and of course he didn't want any- body to monopolize his farm, unless, well, unless it paid him to have it so. However, he left description, etc., with Bunker Brothers, whose office is down by their livery barn. They are successors, in the real estate business, to C. S. Fogg, who sold to them in March, 1875.
Envy forms no part of my composition, but I did feel a little "bad" to see my friends getting all the good bargains, so we went and bought a lot for myself, of Wm. B. Hussey, who came to Stuart in October, 1869, and occupies an office over Exchange Bank.
WVe found Mr. Roberts another real estate dealer, in Dr. Crandall's office, and of him we rented a house to live in while ours were building.
By this time our purses were exhausted, and we went to Exchange Bank to have them replenished. We found Messrs. W. B. Conger and A. H. Savage ready to wait upon us, and through politeness of Mr. Savage, was shown over the building, which we found to be a substantial brick, two stories high, the upper story of which is fitted up for offices. The lower story is finished in neat style. with all the conveniences for doing an extensive business; a fire and burglar proof vault and safe, decidedly the best in the county. The vault is built with walls two feet thick, arched ceiling, floor of solid masonry and heavy iron doors. The safe is a Diebold & Keinzle. As there are five doors, three combination and two key locks, between day light and the money in the safe, we advise burglars to let it alone. 8
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HISTORY OF GUTHRIE COUNTY.
This bank was established in December, 1871, by J. T. Hubbard, who sold out to Mr. Savage, in 1874. In 1875 Mr. Conger was admitted as a partner. Exercising our mother Eve's curiosity, we discovered that Mr. Savage is a native of Jasper, New York, and Mr. Conger, of Gales- burg, Illinois.
Having filled our purses, we went next to the lumber yards and bought material for our houses. We first went to the office of Gray & Blanchard, successors to Chas. Stuart, who established the business in 1869, and sold out to the present firm in May, 1875. The average amount of lumber sold, by this house, is 30,000 feet per month, at about $7,500, or nearly $100.000 per year. The office occu- pied and owned by Messrs. Gray & Blanchard, was built by Capt. Stuart, in 1871. These gentlemen both came here from Illinois,-Mr. Blanchard in 1869, and Mr. Gray. for permanent residence, in 1874, though he had done business here previous to that time.
As it was our plan to patronize every business house, ex- cept the saloons, we went to the lumber yard on the north side of the track, which we found presided over by Wmn. Gray, of the firm of Gray & Stephenson, in their office on Front street, between Tremont and Division. This firm came here from Davenport, in 1874, and sold, last year, three and a half millions feet of lumber.
Being live yankees, and wishing to drive business, we hired all the drays and transfer wagons, and sent our lum- ber and building material to the desired places. First, we loaded Mr. Mills' big transfer wagon with the heavy timbers; then came Elliot, Lawton, Tomlinson, Ed. Douglas, our one colored man, and finally we loaded Billy Warren's lightning express with the finer articles, as we knew he would be careful and prompt. We knew this from obser- vation, and from the fact that he was a few years ago, the successful proprietor of the stage line from here to Green- field, and afterward of a livery stable.
WVe sent Isaac up to see the lumber properly delivered,
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and while we awaited his return, we engaged our builders. We (Jane and I) each wanted to let her contract to Dixon & Corry, whom we found busy as bees, drafting plans for houses, etc., in their office on the north side of Nassau street, between Division and Tremont. They employ five or six hands during the winter, but when the building season opens they will employ from twenty to thirty. Mr. Dixon came to Stuart in 1870, and had been engaged in the furni- ture business until last January, when he sold out to his partner, Mr. Eustace. Mr. Corry has been here since 1874. Mr. Corry learned architecture in Belfast, Ireland. They told us they could build two or three houses and have them finished about as soon as one alone, but as our plan was to patronize all the business houses, they directed us to the Centennial Carpenter Shop on Nassau, between Division and Gaines streets. Mr. Caldwell, of the firm of Wright & Caldwell, came to Guthrie in 1869; to Stuart in 1874. Mr. Wright in 1875. They employ seven or eight hands.
Morrison Brothers, on Front street, near Main, came to Stuart in 1870. Employ eight or ten hands.
Being so fortunate as to find men enough to undertake our several buildings at once, we concluded to go home-to Dean's-and rest till morning. After breakfast next morn- ing, we went down to the "house" (you know Mr. Dean has built them a nice little residence south of the hotel) to read the Register with Mrs. Dean and canvass the situation at Washington. While we were in the midst of an enjoy- able gossip, our friend Isaac came bustling in. " Well," said he, "just like women's way of doing business-to set a lot of carpenters to work without nails, &c .; they are all on the ground ready to lay the foundations." "Very well, Sir Isaac; order up the carriage and we'll go and see if we can redeem ourselves." We drove to the pioneer hardware and stove store of Berner & Toedt, in their new brick build- ing on Nassau street, and found every thing we wanted, nails, locks, door-knobs, &c. In 1869 Mr. Berner and Mr. Fred. Toedt opened the first hardware store in Stuart, in the
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building at present occupied by Mr. Crocker as a harness shop. In 1873 they built the brick they now occupy; which is 24x70 feet; two stories high. In 1875 Mr. Fred. Toedt sold out to his brother Henry, so the firm name remains the same. Fred. went to Vinton where he is engaged in the same business as here.
H. B. Seydell, hardware and stove dealer, we found next door to Ryan's dry goods house, in the frame building which was moved over from Morrisburg in 1873, having done duty there as a dry goods store, under the proprietorship of a Mr. Wright, an old settler of that place. Mr. Seydell came here from Iowa City in 1874. We found a nice stock of goods, and a proprietor who remembers the little cour- tesies which help one on their weary way. As we were out we concluded it would be as well to get ready for house- keeping, so we went first in search of carpets-we always put down our carpets first thing-and found a good assort- ment at J. P. McQnistion's. We found, too, a nice stock of goods and notions, everything neat and orderly ; an accom- modating clerk, who happens to be the proprietor, and who has evidently been in the business a long time, though he has been here only since December, 1875. His store is in the new brick block on the north side of Nassau street, two doors west of Division, is 22x55 feet, and well filled. Mr. M. is a native of Pennsylvania.
For our prints and cotton-for quilts and comforts-we went to M. Ryan's. Geo. McCann & Co .- Mr. Ryan being the company-opened this house in 1871. In 1872 uncle George retired, and the business has since been conducted by Mr. Ryan alone, who is doing a business of from $25,000 to $30,000 yearly, including the grocery department. Mike came to America from "ould Ireland " in 1867.
Being still in need of curtains, mats, and various toilet articles, we went to Bates & Adams', where we found, in addition to dry goods and groceries, a nice line of fancy goods. This house was established in 1871, in the old Stu- art house, where it remained two years, when it was removed
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to the building now occupied by Mr. Seydell. In 1874 they built the substantial brick which they now occupy. The building is 44x70 feet, and divided into two apartments, in one of which is kept the groceries and queensware, in the other the dry goods and notions; a nice arrangement.
They are now erecting a second story 44x70 feet, and 16 feet high, to be used for a public hall.
On the opposite side of the street, two doors east of the post-office, we found the new house-dry goods and grocer- ies-of Mr. Wineman, who came here in October, 1875, from Scott county, this State. The building this gentleman occu- pies is the one built by Mr. Veile after the fire of 1872, and used as a grocery store. Mr. Veile is still a resident of Stuart, though he is out of business.
Further down the street on the same side, we found Mrs. Compton, in the building erected by Mr. Gharrett, in 1869. This house was opened in 1872; has been closed for several months, but was opened a short time ago by Mrs. Compton, who will demonstrate woman's ability to do business of this kind. The stock consists of dry goods, groceries and queensware.
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