USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 44
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The first official report of the library was made in 1876, reporting 713 volumes, an income of $1,000 and a circulation of 12,000. The number of books loaned in 1880 was 10,278 and the number of new applications for cards was 169. In 1886 it reported 2,518 volumes, income $958, and in 1895 4,000 volumes, with a cirenlation of 14,484 and an income of $950. The Dewey Decimal System, which is the one now used, is considered the best of the several different systems and the one used in all the principal libraries in the country. It was introduced into the Independence Library in 1907. It is combined with what is known as the open-shelf system, where the patron has free access to all the book shelves.
The 1913 amial report, ending December 31st, gave the number of volumes in the library, at the close of the year, 5,660. of which 161 books had been pur- chased and twenty-one donated during that year. This is the number of acces- sion books. The total number of volumes in the library, including bound docu- ments, encyclopedias, dictionaries, biographical and historical reference books, and all those which are not loaned, are 14,530. One hundred and ninety of these were added that year. (In the year 1914, up till October, 176 have been added to the number of volumes.) The total eirculation during the year 1913 was 12,297 books. Largest daily circulation, 112; smallest, 10, and an average of 40 books. Strange to say, the largest gain in circulation was made in the sociological class. The percentage of children's books circulated was 22 per cent and 66 of adult fiction. One hundred and seventy-six books and magazines were bound last year. The Independence Library has a fine, roomy, pleasant reading room with a section devoted to juvenile needs and enjoyments.
The current literature is represented by seven newspapers and fifty-three periodicals and these include the very best published. The librarian informs us that the Independence Library is partienlarly well stocked with this kind of literature. One hundred and eighty-six borrowers' cards were issued in the year 1913, six cards are held by country patrons and the total number of patrons' cards is 1,560.
The tax levy amounts to $1,294.76 and the total expenditures to $1,298.22, of which $187.45 was expended on books, $87 on periodicals and $130.30 on building. For fines $42.17 was collected.
The library is open to the public about three hundred and fifty-eight days in the year and thirty-three hours a week, in the afternoons and evenings.
The library is in possession of some very fine books, only a few of which we can mention, among them James Tissot's "Life of Jesus Christ," in three vol- umes; "Character Sketches of Romance, Fiction and the Drama;" "Photo- graphic History of the Civil War;" "Stoddard's Lectures;" several different sets of encyclopedias ; some fine reference books; many full sets of standard literature, beautifully bound and illustrated, and many of the late popular books. One valuable possession is a copy of the first paper, the Civilian, ever published
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in Buchanan County, which was framed and presented to the library by Mr. L. W. Goen.
Another fine addition to the reference library was "Poole's Index" from the year 1815 to 1899, and the "Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature," in two bound volumes, from the year 1900 to 1905, and from 1905 to 1909; also a subscription to the Reader's Guide Magazine, a monthly magazine, $16 per anmum, with references to the latest current literature. The Independence Pub- lic Library is an institution of which we can feel justly proud and with the deep interest which the citizens of Independence manifest in literary and educational matters, it will, with the requirements of the times, grow and expand, both in number of volumes and circulation, as it has done in the past.
A geological and mineralogical department was started in connection with the public library in 1874, and the general public were requested to contribute specimens of fossils, shells, ores, and curiosities, and a very fine collection was soon exhibited.
The vicinity of Independence is richer in fossils of the Devonian period than any other locality in the state, and some rich and rare specimens of this kind were in the library (cabinet) exhibit.
To secure the location of the hospital here, a public subseription was circulated among the citizens of Independence for the purchasing of the 320 aeres required by the Legislature. Six thousand four hundred and seventy dollars was collected and several hundred were yet nncollected, which amount, after buying the land, left a surplus of about four hundred dollars. No disposition was made of this and it was subsequently donated to the library fund.
THE TABOR LIBRARY
One of the most valuable possessions that ever found lodging in Independence was the Tabor Library, consisting of some ten thousand volumes of the rarest and most valuable works, owned and collected by JJudge S. J. W. Tabor, who spent years of the most discriminate skill and care in collecting this valuable library. He was a man of the most extensive reading and wide knowledge and was a connoisseur of all things pertaining to literature. He read at least seven lan- guages, and a large proportion of his library was books written in foreign lan- guages. After his death the library was unfortunately divided and sold. In November, 1886, 6,000 volumes were sent to New York to be sold. The library was offered for sale to the Iowa State Library, and this rare opportunity of obtaining such a splendid acquisition should have and would have been taken advantage of had the state not been financially embarrassed.
Then Mrs. Stephen Tabor broke up her home in Independence and donated some very rare volumes, mostly translations from the foreign languages, to the public library.
Mrs. John Barnett and Mrs. Nathan Evers, daughters of Judge Tabor, have large libraries of choice and rare volimes saved from this valuable collection.
THE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL
The Industrial School of Independence was started by the Woman's Christian Temperance Union in 1889. The officers of the union at that time were: Presi-
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dent, Mrs. E. M. Grimwood; secretary, Mrs. Ephraim Leach; treasurer, Mrs. W. G. Donnan, and Mrs. Narcissus T. Bemis was elected superintendent of the school.
Previous to the ereetion of the Munson Building, the meetings were first held in Superintendent Parker's office at the courthouse, then at the old high school, now the grammar grade school, and for several terms in the back room " of Miss DeClaire's millinery store.
After the completion of the building in 1893, the school occupied the first floor and basement. The meetings were held on Saturday afternoon, from 1:30 until 4:00, during the months from November until April.
In 1895, the work becoming too arduous and expensive for one society to carry on alone, the W. C. T. U. associated themselves with the Woman's Relief Society to share the burdens and responsibilities of the growing enterprise, the work and expense to be shared equally by the two societies, and each pledged to furnish one-half the number of teachers required for all the departments.
At first the school comprised only sewing classes, but in 1903 a manual training course for boys and domestie science department were also added. The work of the manual training department was entirely supported by the W. C. T. U. Fourteen sewing classes, three domestic science and the manual training class were maintained for several years, but when mannal training was introduced into the public schools the latter department was dropped. Often this school had an enrollment of over one hundred pupils. The year 1905 was an average one and during that term there were eighty-four girls and twenty-nine boys enrolled. The total number of articles made by the girls that year was 119, by the boys 54. The amount expended to support the girls' sewing department averaged about $50; girls' cooking classes, $15, and the boys' manual train- ing, $20.
Girls ranging in age from five to fifteen years were admitted to the sewing classes. The beginners were taught to make a quilt block or hem a towel, while the older pupils who had previously attended the school were allowed to make any of their wearing apparel which they chose to make, selecting the materials and styles from those furnished by the school. These garments were given to the pupil when completed. Some years it has been the custom for the scholars to make Christmas gifts for their parents. The domestie seience proved very popular with the girls. Three classes received instruction during the term and four lessons were given to each class. The girls were taught to eook and serve simple, wholesome food. The table was spread and the juvenile cooks sat down and enjoyed the fruits of their labor, then the dishes were washed and the kitchen and pantry put into order, cleanliness and neatness being one of the principal things taught. These elasses were under the supervision of competent and experienced women who were thoroughly eonversant with the culinary art.
The manual training department was under the direction of two competent carpenters and the boys learned to build practical and useful things, making wash benches, book shelves, tables, meat boards, stools and sleds. When this braneh of the school was first established they made all of the tables used for the sewing classes, but the equipment was too meagre to do any very elaborate work.
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The expenses of the school were not heavy and the means to carry on the work was nearly all solieited. A small sum to the cutter and fitter and to the janitor were the only expenses for labor as the teachers for the different classes gave their time and labor gratuitously, with the exception of those who were employed to do substitute work for some one of the regular teachers.
For several years Colonel Lake solicited funds for the school, and that, with generous donations of goods, lumber and boxes, and edibles for the domestic science department was their only means of support.
Every year a quilt made from the blocks pieced by the younger scholars of the school was sent to the orphans' home at Des Moines and in this way the children were taught to be generous and thoughtful.
Mrs. A. L. Pahner, who was president of the W. C. T. U. almost since its organization, was also superintendent of the industrial school for many years, and her able leadership and unselfish, beautiful life was a constant inspiration to her co-workers, and she has been succeeded in this capacity by noble, self- sacrificing women who have conscientiously followed her example.
The officers of the industrial school were the president of the board of directors, which consisted of five members of the W. C. T. U. and five members of the Woman's Relief Society, and a secretary and two assistant secretaries and a superintendent of the domestic science department.
About the year 1908 the W. C. T. U. withdrew their support from the school and the Relief Society has since that time carried on the sewing classes. The rooms which they occupied are now in the possession of the high school manual training and printing offire and arrangements have been made to conduct the school in the high school domestic science rooms, should there be need of such a school being continued.
One gift worthy of mention presented to the school was a beautiful silk quilt pieced by Mrs. Dan Walker for which the ladies of the Woman's Relief Society realized a goodly sum by selling tickets on it. An occasion of unusual interest which the school for many years enjoyed was the public reception on the Saturday afternoon before its close, when samples of the work in all depart- ments were shown to a large and appreciative number of visitors. It has been the custom of late years to make the last day of school an occasion of jollification. The Relief Society furnished a fine banquet and the children a pleasing literary and musical program and various games. During the term musicians of Inde- pendence generously afforded a short musical program on each school day.
THE MUNSON BUILDING
We are glad to speak a word of appreciation and call to memory the name of Perry Munson, a publie benefactor of Independence, who died November 30, 1893. By the terms of his will he bequeathed $15,000 for the purpose of erecting a building in Independence, lowa, to be used for an industrial training school, and by the Free Public Library of Independence. But desiring to have the building commenced during his life, he paid over to three trustees appointed by himself the sum bequeathed for the purpose mentioned, and the basement of the building was completed prior to his decease. Colonel Lake, of Independence, gave the ground valued at $1,000 for the location of the building in the business
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center of the city, and convenient for the purpose of such building. The build- ing is 40 by 80 feet with high basement, two stories and a high attic, all furnished for occupation. The second story is occupied by the Free Public Library of Independence and the first floor by the high school manual training and printing office. The foundation is constructed of large boulders, locally known as prairie granite, the superstructure of pressed brick, and the building is an ornament to the city.
Mr. Munson provided in his will that after his decease the trustees named by him, with others to be chosen by them, should be incorporated under the laws of the State of Iowa for the purpose named in his bequest. Such incorporation was duly perfected. The provision making this bequest concludes as follows: "It being my wish and desire to have this school founded on the most liberal principles as to use, for the benefit of persons educated therein, so as to assist them in becoming useful men and women." Such a public-spirited and benefi- cent act should receive the grateful recognition and appreciation of all our citizens and some special tribute to the benefactor's memory would be not only gracious and laudable, but an inspiration to the young, not for the glory of the departed, for his life and deeds were his monument, but in justice to a living gratitude.
THE Y. M. C. A.
The Y. M. C. A. was established in Independence in May, 1895. Dr. G. H. Hill was elected president of the association.
The association had well equipped rooms in the Munson Library Building; which included a large gymnasium and assembly room and secretary's office and reception room on the first floor. In the basement were located the bathrooms, toilets, etc. Some days as high as eighty baths were taken in the Y. M. C. A. bathrooms.
Mr. Schofield was the first secretary.
At the end of the first year 150 senior members and 72 juniors were enrolled, and during the winter large and enthusiastic gymnasium classes were maintained. After about a year's residence in the Munson Building, the classes had become so large that more room was needed, so in partnership with Company E of the Iowa National Guards, the association rented King Opera House for their headquarters, where they remained until the fall of 1898. The military com- pany was organized in conjunction with the Y. M. C. A. and paid $200, the amount allowed by the state for armory purposes, toward the rent. Numerous secretaries have managed the organization at Independence, and all were more or less successful.
The secretary reported that the work done in 1897 was a wonderful advance- ment over the previous years. At the Sunday meetings there was an average attendance of 54, 65 daily visits, 20,280 in one year, and 6,686 baths annually.
On Thursday evening, September 8, 1898, the Y. M. C. A. opened up their commodious and inviting rooms in the Sherwood Building on the north side of Main Street, next the bridge (where the Band Box Millinery is now located). The building was intended for a store, but had not been occupied as such for some time, and was in a run-down state; the second floor was formerly Vol. 1-23
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occupied by a bowling alley and saloon and the change seemed magieal after, these rooms had been converted into a handsome parlor and reading room, with comfortable and artistic appointments and attractive furniture. The first floor, which was previously a musty, dirty wareroom, had been converted into an office : in the rear of this was a space for indoor games and in baek of this the bathrooms, 17 by 27 feet, fitted up with porcelain tubs, shower baths and lockers. The gymnasium was a room 35 by 27 feet and the full two stories high. The parlor and reading room was 63 by 37 feet, and here all the comforts and con- veniences of a home parlor could be found. The reading room was amply sup- plied with the daily and weekly newspapers and all the best periodicals and the rooms were open to the publie all day and evening at seasonable hours.
A reception was held in the new rooms, and although no special effort had been made to make this an unusual event. over two hundred guests were present. A short program was given and an interesting talk by J. L. Scofield, secretary of the Waterloo Y. M. C. A. The Independence Y. M. C. A. had at that time a membership of 135.
The association had gone to considerable expense in fitting up these rooms, but the money made on an excursion to Dubuque, August 5th, of which they were the promoters, covered all the expense. Three hundred and sixty people from Independence and one hundred from Jesup filled the nine special coaches which left Independence, and before they reached Dubuque six coaches had to be added. The hospital band accompanied the excursionists and discoursed their splendid music generously. Various amusements had been arranged for enter- tainment of the crowd, amongst other things a baseball game between the hos- pital team and Dubuque, and as a remuneration for their efforts the Y. M. C. A. boys cleared $350.
A ladies' auxiliary of the Y. M. C. A. was organized and assisted in every way the men's organization. They gave receptions every month. These Y. M. C. A. rooms were the scene of many fine entertainments. A very novel and inter- esting one was the photographie loan exhibit which was given by the Congre- gational church, under the efficient management of Mrs. Caroline Morse, who was the projector of the scheme, assisted by Messrs. Stephen Tabor and D. S. Jones. The exhibit lasted three days, thirty-eight persons contributed and a total of 2,012 views were exhibited. The arrangement of the pictures was both artistic and unique. The fine display, the delight of the visitors, and the receipts all testified that the affair was a decided success.
The Y. M. C. A. was a strong factor for good in this community for a time, but when some of its best financial supporters, like Doctor Hill, A. L. Palmer, and others, moved away from Independence, the enthusiasm gradually died down and finally subsided, and the rooms became a loafing place for boys, and it was deemed wise to suspend further operations.
For many years it was the life and inspiration of the athletie, social and literary interests of the town and was actively concerned in all public enterprises. Its membership included a large per cent of the prominent church, business and young men about the city. It had a fine glee club, which generously responded to every possible publie request ; baseball, football and basketball teams, which were never weary in contesting for championships. In 1904 Secretary Calkins took the Y. M. C. A. basketball team on a trip to points in lowa and Illinois,
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had a series of five games and were victorious in two. Its social entertainments with fine literary and musical programs contributed by its members and the best home talent (and often imported sojourners in the city were induced to take part) were always highly enjoyable, and last but not least, was the splendid lecture course which the Y. M. C. A. inaugurated and which still continues as one of the greatest institutions for entertainment and enjoyment that the citizens of Inde- pendenee have and is left as a granite monument to the Y. M. C. A. of Independence.
The Y. M. C. A. still owns the building which it formerly occupied and which is rented to mercantile businesses.
THE CIVIC IMPROVEMENT LEAGUE
At a meeting of representatives of the various club organizations of the city, held Thursday, March 30, 1905, for the purpose of discussing the question of improvement of our city, the sentiment was unanimous in favor of organizing such a league of both men and women. It was decided to extend the invitation to Prof. Thomas H. MeBride, of the State University at Iowa City, to visit our city and deliver his famous lecture on the subject, "City Beautiful." His lecture was illustrated with stereopticon views and proved to be one of the finest things of its kind every heard here. At the conclusion of his remarks, the report of the committees on constitution and nomination, which were appointed by the preliminary organization, were presented and adopted. The following officers were elected: President, C. W. Stites; vice president, Mrs. P. G. Freeman ; secretary, Mrs. G. W. Rogers; treasurer, Mrs. H. E. Palmer; and the board of managers consisted of two representatives from each ward or sometimes a ward president.
Soliciting committees were appointed for each ward whose duties were to ask every resident to become a member, the fee to be 50 eents, and each member pledged himself to keep his own premises in good order. Any person might become a sustaining member by paying $5 annually to the treasurer and keeping the yard of such person in good order. The work of revising city ordinances was one of the practical interests of the society.
It was voted to join the national association, the fee for each local lodge being $2 annually.
At the second meeting the vice president reported a list of twenty sustaining members who had already joined, besides many others who had signified their intention of doing so.
It was decided to offer two prizes, one for the most artistic grounds and one for the best kept lawn in the city ; also a prize of $4 was given to the high school student who wrote the best article on the subject, "How Best to Improve Our City," $2 to be paid in cash and the student would be enrolled as a member of the Park and Forestry Association and receive the Forestry Magazine for two years. The contest elosed May 27th and the produetions were criticised by three competent judges and the result announced at the Gedney on commencement night.
Excellent work has been accomplished by this society. The river banks have been cleaned of all debris and back of the South Main Street stores, on the east
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side, what had formerly been a dumping ground for all those stores was filled in with dirt, grass seed planted, a bowlder wall built all along the river bank to prevent its washing out. This place is named Allen's Park. The city parks were cleaned, flower beds planted in numerous places about town and waste spots cleaned and made attractive with flowers and vines. Prizes were given for the best flower and vegetable beds to individuals and schools. One worker for this cause, who deserves partienlar mention, is Miss Mary Iekel, who took one of the most unsightly looking places in the city and made of it a veritable bower of beauty. This place had been called the old Bell Tower Park, but was rechristened Mary's Park, after the one who so diligently worked for its im- provement.
The society gave suppers and two flower shows and a tag day, all of which were unqualified successes and reaped a rich harvest. Tag day alone brought in $150. Much money has been expended by this society and much good has resulted, and if no other benefit than that the whole community were inspired with the "City Beautiful" idea, it was well worth every effort of those who have expended much time and labor for the publie welfare. Mrs. Freeman, Dr. Caroline Brooks Woodruff, Mr. R. G. Swan, Miss Frenella Barnhart have served as presidents. Mr. A. G. Beatty is the present incumbent. The last meet- ing was held at the high school in May, 1914, at which Mr. Beatty was elected president and Professor Dukes, secretary.
THE COUNTY HOME
The trustees of the several townships are by law empowered to furnish all necessary relief for the poor within their jurisdiction at the expense of the county. Application for assistance is made, and if the ease proves to be a worthy one, the trustees or supervisors of the poor satisfy their wants. No family, except in rare cases and for short periods, as in case of sickness, ever requires or receives its entire support from the county. In winter the common need is fuel and at all seasons it may be Food, house rent, clothing or medical attention.
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