USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 56
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At 11 o'clock they were all assembled at the courthouse, where the procession was formed by the marshal, Capt. J. M. Miller. It started through Main Street for the pienie grounds on the west side of the river, on River Street, preceded by martial music. The proression was over a mile long, the number of teams being variously estimated from two hundred to two hundred and fifty.
The orator of the day was A. S. Welch, of the Iowa Agricultural College, and his subject was "Education and Farm Work, " and was replete with "sound thought. irresistible logie, felicitous illustrations and valuable counsel," accord- ing to newspaper critics. Musie and recitations and toasts completed the pro- gram.
Among the banners bearing inscriptions, were the following: "Farmers still alive," "We pay as we go," "God and our right," "In God we trust," "Better days are coming," "Equal pay for equal labor." "Justice and equity," "Home manufactures," "Industry, economy, prosperity," "Home markets," and others equally significant.
THE INDEPENDENCE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
The Independence Horticultural Society was organized February 15, 1872, and held regular monthly meetings. President, J. S. Bonek; viee president, D. S. Lee; secretary and treasurer, J. L. Loomis; executive committee, Dr. George Warne, E. B. Older and John Wiley.
The object of the society was the advancement of the science and art of horticulture, floriculture, arboriculture and pomology throughout Buchanan County, by means of stated meetings, for speeches, essays, and discussions, and
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by public exhibitions. Meetings were held once a month and great good was derived therefrom.
Everything pertaining to the interests of this subject and to the advance- ment of the county's welfare was thoroughly discussed and the conclusions arrived at were carefully followed with the most satisfactory results.
In Byron Township, in 1870, there was organized a farmers' club, and this organization was extremely active and progressive. They subseribed a fund and bought some very fine stock for breeding purposes.
THE BUCHANAN COUNTY POULTRY ASSOCIATION
The Buchanan County Poultry Association was organized in Independence in 1886, and the first fair was held in February of that year. From two to four day meetings were held every year. J. M. Parker was one of the enthusiastic organizers and boosters. Meetings were held in King's old opera house, when the meeting convened at Independence. The best one they held was in Decem- ber, 1890. Nearly all the aristocratie birds in this and the adjoining counties, numbering nearly eight hundred fowls, were on exhibition, and some very fine specimens of the mimerous varieties represented. The services of Mr. 1. K. Felch, a professional scorer from Massachusetts, were secured, and one of the provisions of the contract was, that he should judge for no other association in the state. Arrangements had been made with all the railroads to earry passen- gers to the show for one fare for the round trip. The association offered liberal premiums, amounting to $200, in addition to special premiums. Mr. Feleh pronounced it one of the finest collections of fowls he had seen in the West. In order to defray expenses, a 10-cent admission was charged all male visitors, the ladies were honorary guests ; an exhibitor's ticket cost 50 cents. At the first meeting, in 1886, the association cleared $93.25.
This, the first poultry society, was formed from an earnest desire to promote the industry and improve the stock of this, one of the biggest industries of Buchanan County. From carefully collected figures, it was estimated that the product of the county at that early day was 500,000 pounds of poultry, 250,000 dozen eggs which, at the cheap prices of that time, would easily reach $60,000; and this could in a short time be doubled. The prominent promoters of this enterprise were elected to the following offices: Dr. D. W. Howard, president : E. L. Currier, secretary and B. W. Tabor. treasurer. Thirty-nine fanciers exhibited coops.
The association was reorganized November, 1911, with W. J. Campbell of Jesup as president, and J. K. Henderson, secretary, and a membership of seventy-three.
Each year a very successful show has been given at Independence, and the one in November, 1914, has never been surpassed in the county either by the number of birds displayed or in receipts. The present offieers are H. C. Chappell, president, C. J. Friedman, secretary, and O. E. Funnif, super- intendent.
THE WAPSIE VALLEY POULTRY SHOW
The Wapsie Valley Poultry Show was organized in Independence in 1887. The first officers elected were: W. H. Miller, president; Charles Blackburn,
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Lamont, vice president ; John MI. Parker, secretary and treasurer; Charles II. Marshall, superintendent. The first meeting was held in King's Ilall and was a financial success. The next five years was not so remunerative, and at the close of the sixth, there was a net deficit of $115. Then a proposition was made to hold the annual meeting at Waterloo, coupled with the bonus, which was accepted. Luck was against the club and bad weather increased the shortage to $175. The club, however, continued the policy of showing the following years at Waterloo, Dubuque, Cedar Rapids and Cedar Falls, in the order named, and the debt was finally all cleared up and with a clean slate it concluded to return to Independence in 1899. The meeting was held in the Phillips Block, on Main Street, and was a decided success as far as a showing of fowls was con- verned, but owing to financial stringeney, the club subsided after a vain attempt. for several years to recuperate, and was supplanted by the Buchanan County organization, which has been in existence periodically, ever since.
TITE FARMERS' ALLIANCE
A meeting of delegates from the various farmers' alliances of Buchanan County, met on Saturday afternoon, the 17th of January, 1891. Five of the seven organizations in the county were represented, and a county alliance was formed, with M. J. Smith as president ; Ed. Gallup, of Fairbank, vice president ; L. B. Flint, of Westburg, secretary ; W. Il. Carrier, of Buffalo, treasurer ; C. H. Vargason, of Ilazleton, conty organizer; J. W. Knight, lecturer; and the executive committee was M. J. Smith, L. B. Flint, J. N. Muncy, J. W. Knight, and F. A. Weatherbee.
A meeting for the purpose of adopting a constitution and by-laws was held the last Saturday in January.
TIIE FARMERS' INSTITUTE
This splendid association began in 1894 and was the outgrowth of numer- ous farmers' clubs, granges, agricultural fairs, etc., and like all these its object was to further and advance the farmers' knowledge and interests, and that it is one of the greatest organizations that Buchanan County has ever had, cannot for a moment be questioned. Every year it improves and elicits greater attention and wider interest, not only among the farmers but the town people, to whose benefit it is perhaps as great an advantage. For a period of years it was customary to hold three sessions of the institute a year, one in December, another in February and another some time in the spring. In 189- the State Legislature passed a law to donate $50 toward defraying the expenses, and with this financial aid an excellent program is assured, the State Agricultural School furnishing the best lecturers that are obtainable, and their services given gratis with only expenses guaranteed by the insti- tute. Every year the institute is visited by these authorities who give expert advice and opinions on all farm topies and often are called upon to act as judges in the various contests which are now a special feature of the insti- tute. In 1906 the custom of holding a winter fair in connection with the institute was inaugurated. Premiums were solicited from the merchants and
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farmers as rewards for best farm products exhibited. A domestic depart- ment for women's exhibits with special prizes for best culinary exhibits, butter, etc., proves a most attractive and interesting feature of the fair. The women in the county take a most conspicuous part in the institute programs, and their papers and discussions prove one of the most attractive parts. A girls' department is another interesting feature. For the first few years the institute was held in the courthouse, later in King's Opera House in the Munson Building and since the high school was built, in that building.
The exhibits are displayed in the gymnasium, and the programs are given in the auditorium.
Often as many as sixty-five premiums are awarded and all of these valu- able prizes. Every year the Buchanan County Farmers' Institute offer a trophy valued at $20 to be won annually by the township showing the best corn exhibit. One of the most interesting things in connection with the insti- tute is the boys' corn judging contest.
BUCHANAN COUNTY VETERAANS' ASSOCIATION
Pursuant to previons notice, the soldiers who served in the Civil war present at the observance of Decoration Day at Independence in 1877, met at the courthouse immediately after the close of the public exercises for the purpose of organizing themselves into a permanent association. The meet- ing was well attended, harmonious and enthusiastie. Capt. W. T. Spencer, of Independence, was chosen president of the association and Lient. H. G. Wolfe, of Jesup, secretary. The committees were appointed to perfeet the organi- zation and it was resolved to have one or more formal reunions each year, and this custom has been observed for thirty-six years regularly or until 1914 when no invitation was received by the association and the meeting was ' deferred until 1915, when any invitation will be accepted. They are always largely attended by the old veterans and the most enthusiastic meetings are enjoyed, sometimes as high as one hundred and fifty soldiers registered. The meetings are held at the different towns in the county and everything is done to make these oeeasions red letter days for the old veterans.
Tents are pitched, campfires are held, speeches, songs and stories remi- niseent of soldier days furnish the most entertaining kind of programs.
For the past few years, the ranks of the "old boys in blue" have been thinning out and the average number to register now is about seventy.
E. C. LITTLE POST. G. A. R.
The E. C. Little Post, G. A. R., was organized on the 25th of August, 1882, by the following charter members: James A. Poor, H. W. Holman, J. L. Cramer, V. Cates, J. W. Foreman, William Uren. A. C. Simmons, W. S. King. James McBride, W. T. Spencer, W. H. Thrift, W. E. Parker, J. H. Blakeley, E. L. Currier and H. C. Markham.
H. W. Holman was the first commander and V. Cates vice commander.
As to who the other original officers were we are unable to learn and the records have been lost.
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The meeting place was first in the old Firemen's Hall on the south side of Main Street. and from there they moved to the Ungerer Building, then to the Owls' Hall on Chatham Street, and finally to the Owls' Hall in the Sooner- Bogert Building.
The post has had the honor of having one of the members, Comrade A. G. Beatty, appointed aid-de-camp under Commanders-in-Chief Gardner and Palmer, the present incumbent.
There are at this time but forty members of the post.
The present officers are: A. G. Beatty, commander; W. S. Wallace, Sr., vice commander: George H. Van Eman, Jr., vire commander: W. W. Burgess, officer of the day : Mel L. Griffith, quartermaster; George H. Bagley, chaplain ; J. HI. Mathew, adjutant : Jesse Wroten, sentinel.
Of the charter members but four are living, they being Comrades E. L. Currier, J. W. Foreman, W. E. Parker and J. L. Cramer. Each succeeding year the ranks of this organization grow fewer and more feeble, but with the constancy born of severe trials and long comradeship, these remaining veterans perform the duties and obligations they have assumed to the afflicted members. To join with the G. A. R. in the decoration services excites in our young people more patriotic inspiration than any other exercises in which they indulge.
THIE BEW MADICS
The Bewmadies, an exclusive seeret organization of Independence, was limited in charter members to the number of letters composing the name, was conceived of ambition, nurtured by desire, killed by neglect, and burned by charity, all of which ocenrred in the years 1894 and '95.
. The original members were Dr. M. R. Brierly, C. L. Everett, A. H. Wallaee, W. F. Miller. I. A. Allen, C. A. Durno, C. E. Iliff, II. C. Chappell and MI. A. Smith.
One mitiation occurred, transpired, or happened, as the ease might have been, and Dr. H. H. Thuint was the victim.
They worshiped at the Shrine of an August Father and their official con- ferences were controlled by a G. W. G. and L. H. S. H. A. Allen graced the former office and MI. A. Smith the latter. Their place of consultations was the land of Cockaine in the office of the elerk of the district court, and those attending were compelled to wear the Gyges ring, banish Lares and Penates, proceeding with the occult mysteries of the order.
Those who survived the ordeal of those mysterious meetings look baek upon them with a profound sense of having wandered near the land of perfeet en- lightenment and true wisdom, with the possible exception of the one son of the order who entered by way of initiation.
CHAPTER XXI CONVENTIONS
FRATERNAL-SOCIAL-RELIGIOUS-PROFESSIONAL
The Grand Chapter and Grand Council of Iowa (Masonie), met in Inde- pendence in August, 1860. Among the officers elected were Edward Brewer, D. G. H. l'. of the Grand Chapter and J. B. Thomas, G. C. G. of the Grand Council.
During the same month the Grand Lodge of I. O. G. T. met at Independence. Among the officers elected were Miss S. Ida Shurtliff. G. W. D. M., and Rev. Il. W. Glynn, G. W. C., both of Buchanan County.
On February 6, 1877, the fifth annual session of the Grand Lodge of Iowa, of the A. O. U. W., convened at the Odd Fellows Hall. The grand master and most of the grand officers of the state were present, and a large crowd was in attendance and a very fine meeting was enjoyed. A fine reception was tendered the officers and members at the opera house by the citizens and proved to be a thoroughly successful and enjoyable affair. A fine program composed of music and eloquent speeches was the entertainment for the evening.
A Peace Officers' Convention was held in Independence in July, 1880, and an organization formed. It was attended by sheriff's, marshals and constables from Illinois and lowa. The principal business transacted by the convention was the perfecting of a permanent organization whereby the work of peace officers might be done with more celerity and certainty by being reduced to a cooperative system.
On the 19th and 20th of December, 1895, the Twenty-seventh Iowa Volun- teer Infantry Regiment for the second time held its reunion at Independence. Extensive preparations were made to give the visitors a royal welcome; the dwellings and business houses were gaily decorated with the national emblem, and the resident members of the regiment put forth every effort to have this a successful and enjoyable occasion. Headquarters were located at the Munson Building. The opening meeting was held at the Gedney Opera House. Mayor Iloward opened the program with an address of welcome. The principal address was given by Judge C. T. Granger, of the lowa Supreme Court. Short talks were made by Hon. W. G. Donnan, Colonel Lake, Captain Holman, James A. Poor, H. C. Hemenway and W. N. Boynton, several letters from absent members were read and the programs were interspersed with musie and Rev. William Hunter gave two recitations. The important matter of having the honored dead of the regiment recognized on the Soldiers' Monument then being erected by the state was discussed and a motion prevailed to adopt the same, Vol. 1-29
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resolutions being adopted by the Thirty-second Iowa Regiment. with referenee to the matter, and presented at the next Legislature for aetion. Eighty- seven members of the Twenty-seventh Iowa were present and thirty-one of other regiments participated in the reunion. They were gathered from all over the state.
A reunion of Company H, formerly of this city, was held at Captain Thrift's quarters at the state encampment, in August, 1896. Captain Thrift, inspector of small arms practice, was formerly captain of this company, which was in existence in the '70s. About half of the members were present. Ile had been instrumental in making it one of the crack teams in the state. The reunion was devoted to social converse and relation of Company II's history.
From the 15th to the 22d of August, 1896, eleven companies of the First Regiment were encamped at Camp Jordan, situated just west of Rush Park race course, on the site of the old half-mile track. Nearly two hundred white tents (property of the state) furnished shelter and comfort to about five hundred of the Iowa National Guard.
Such an encampment cost the State of lowa at that time about eight thou- sand dollars, a large part of which was expended among the merchants and people of the town, not to mention the pocket money disbursed by the individual soldiers on their own account, and Independence was indeed fortunate to secure it, especially when it is considered that Company E, the Independence company. had been in existence only about two months.
All of the regimental officers, the Fourth and First Regiment Bands and several United States Army officers were present and the families of some of the regiment officers.
The usual military program was carried out in full, with Governor's Day, a review of all the troops and a sham battle. Captain Allen was signally hon- ored on this occasion by being placed in charge of a battalion. Camp Jordan being so accessible to town, crowds of people invested the camp grounds at all hours.
Company E, although of such recent organization, ranked third in the com- petition rifle practice.
Camp Jordan was named in honor of Lieut. George C. Jordan, First Lieu- tenant of the Independence Guards, Company E, Fifth Regiment Iowa Volun- teers, which company was raised at Independence and mustered into service at Burlington, July 15, 1861, under the command of Capt. D. S. Lee, and did heroic service in 1862 in Pope's Brigade, then investing Missouri. The siege. fatigue and exposure, acting upon a constitution already enfeebled by disease, prostrated this well beloved Jordan.
The annual meeting of the Upper lowa Conference of the M. E. Church met at Independence. October 7. 1896, for a five days' session. This was the first time this organization had met here for twenty-seven years. Several noted persons were in attendance.
The conference sessions were held in the auditorium of the Methodist Church and included the usual business and some very fine addresses. Among the prominent speakers were Bishop Fitzgerald and Doctor Mason, the colored orator. Over fifty young men submitted to theological examinations conducted by the conference.
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The Northeastern lowa Teachers' Association met in Independence, October 19th to 21st, inclusive, in 1899. This brought together a large body of edu- cators of various grades of service from the country school up to men of national reputation and an excellent and interesting meeting was held. This was the sixth annual meeting of the association and there are four such associations in the state, but the Northeastern is acknowledged to be the best. Many prominent speakers were present and gave famous lectures, among them, Dr. Jenkin Lloyd Jones, of Chicago; Hon. Henry Sabin, dean of lowa educators; Congressman Robert G. Cousins : Prof. II. HI. Seerly, president of Iowa State Normal; Prof. R. C. Barrett, state superintendent : Prof. S. Y. Gillum, of Milwaukee; and several other prominent professors.
Fully a thousand teachers were in the city. At this meeting, J. L. Buechele, superintendent of the Independence schools, was elected secretary. Probably never at one time was a more distinguished and scholarly body of prominent men ever collected in our city. Almost every school in the state was repre- sented and the addresses were the paramount of educational and literary attainment.
Much of the credit for this exceptionally fine meeting was due to County Superintendent E. C. Lillie.
On November 14, 1899, the Austin Flint Medical Society met in Inde- pendence. This is an organization which was founded in 1879 or '80 and is one of the strongest in the Northwest. It covers all of northeastern lowa and its members number many of the prominent men in medical science. Three meetings are held each year.
This being an unfavorable season for physicians to leave their practice, the attendance was small. Doctor Hill and Doctor Moody formed the local com- mittee on arrangements and received grateful commendation from their guests for the entertainment afforded. The day proved too short to carry out the program of interesting events.
The morning session was held in the Gedney parlor. Dr. A. R. Bracket, of Charles City, presided. Addresses of welcome were given by Mayor Miller on behalf of the city and G. B. Thompson on behalf of the Buchanan County Medieal Society.
The program consisted of a visit to the hospital in the afternoon, where a continuation of the morning's discussions took place and an excellent pathological exhibit, under the supervision of Doctor Moody. proved an interesting feature. The evening program comprised a concert by the hospital orchestra, followed by a dance. Thirty-one doctors were in attendance, some of them being accom- panied by their wives.
In May, 1902, the Baptist. Young People of Northeastern Iowa held a three days' "rally" in Independence. Nearly one hundred delegates were present and an excellent program carried out. Many prominent speakers were in attendance and delivered fine lectures, among them Rev. William L. Fergu- son, a returned missionary from India. There were representatives from all over the state and a splendid and enthusiastic meeting was enjoyed.
The first meeting of the Federated Women's Clubs of the Third Distriet of Iowa, met at Independence, November 20, 1902. This was a big occasion in clubdom. Delegates from all the towns in the district, and representing most
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of the active clubs, were present, and gave interesting reports of their develop- ment and achievements. Many notable women were present and excellent papers given. One of the fine things on the program was a paper on "Libraries," given by Miss Harriet A. Wood, librarian of the State University.
Miss Marie Thompson, of Independence, as distriet chairman, had charge of this very successful meeting.
Again in November, 1907. the district meeting met at Independence. Mrs. Nash, president of the State Federation, was present. Miss Hancock, of Du- buque, was chairman of the meeting. A large representative body of women were present, among them some very notable ones. An excellent program throughout was enjoyed, and some especially fine features were included, among them an address by Professor Shambaugh, of the State University.
The Woodmen of the World met in Independence for a three days' eonven- tion, in August, 1903. For three days the keys of the city were given to their keeping and a full purse was presented them for their expenditure, publie streets were converted into a drilling and playground and the policemen's spy glass was removed and they were given free vent to their inclinations.
All sorts of contests were features of their program. About three hundred men, besides their wives and children were guests of the oceasion. The conven- tion was properly confined to the lodges of central lowa, although teams from other sections were present to compete in the contest opened to the world.
Street exhibitions of the work in sword drilling were given by the different competing teams. The Rowley Cornet Band furnished music for the entire program.
The largest delegation to come from a distance was from the Seymour Camp, Omaha, which was represented by fifty-four members. Woodlawn Camp at Sioux City, sent forty-two members and Hawkeye Camp, Waterloo, 102 delegates.
The local vamp, Hazlewood. had sixty members enrolled at that time. Pro- grams of music and speeches were given at the East Side Park on Wednesday morning. Mayor Sutkamp gave the address of welcome, which was responded to by F. L. Eikelburg, of Waterloo.
Degree work was conducted at the armory, Wednesday evening, and Thurs. day morning occurred the regular business meeting of the convention, at which M. A. Dougherty, of Independence, was elected president.
Liberal money prizes were offered for all of the contests. The drilling contest on Thursday afternoon closed a very pleasant and entertaining program.
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