USA > Iowa > Butler County > History of Butler County, Iowa: a record of settlement., Volume 1 > Part 11
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THE PARKERSBURG ECLIPSE
One of the brightest and newsiest papers published in the county is the Eclipse, for many years past under the able man- agement of E. E. Schrack. The paper was established August 30, 1872, by C. D. Auyer and S. T. Edwards. It originally was an eight-column folio, all home print; it is now issued in the form of a six-column quarto. In September, 1874, the names of Frank L. Dodge and E. E. Savage appeared as editors and proprietors, and in January, 1877, Frank L. Dodge was in full control and
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presided over the destinies of the Eclipse until 1880, when he admitted into partnership his brother, Fred A. Dodge. The paper was sold to E. E. Schrack and E. A. Wright, in August, 1887, and the publication was continued under the firm name of Schrack & Wright until May, 1888, when the partnership was dissolved, E. A. Wright retiring and E. E. Schrack retaining possession. Mr. Schrack still has control of the Eclipse and has a very compe- tent assistant in his wife, who is a state official of the Woman's Relief Corps.
BUTLER COUNTY PRESS
The Press long has been one of the representative newspapers of northern Iowa and is today under the capable editorial con- trol of George B. Tracey. The paper was founded in August, 1873, by H. C. Hammond, the first issue appearing as a six-column folio with "patent insides." Mr. Hammond remained but a short time in the editorial chair and was succeeded in 1874 by Editor Failing, who was followed by 'Squire Soesbe. In July, 1874, J. R. Wagner and W. W. Riner became the owners and remained in possession until May, 1880, at which time Wagner retired from the firm and was succeeded by George E. De Lavan. This arrange- ment was terminated in July, 1880, by the withdrawal of Mr. Riner from the editorial yoke. Mr. De Lavan was the editor until 1891, when he sold to Charles E. Clonkey. Later Mr. Clonkey leased the plant to Frank Lingenfelder. The lease expired March 31, 1893, and then came the Booton brothers. From 1896 to June 5, 1903, W. L. Booton was sole proprietor. Charles E. Cook was in control from June, 1903, until October, 1903, when the paper was sold to F. N. Eldridge. The latter retired in July, 1904, in favor of F. H. Camp, who was its editor the following seven years. Camp sold to Benjamin Boardman in June, 1911, and that gentle- man sold the plant-the best equipped in Butler county-to the present owner, George B. Tracey, in February, 1914. The same month Mr. Boardman was elected county superintendent of schools to fill a vacancy.
THE ALLISION TRIBUNE
The Allison Tribune was established by the Dodge brothers, Frank L. and Fred A., in December, 1880. At that time Allison
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had been determined on as the county seat, and desiring to be first in the field at this place, a lot was secured by the Dodge boys upon which they erected a "print shop." In May, 1881, the plant was running and on the 16th of June following the first issue of the Tribune was printed. The paper has had many propri- etors. Their names follow : Dodge Brothers, E. E. Schrack, C. S. Linn, E. W. Wright, Amos Ingalls, L. R. Lynn, Mitchell & Mitchell, M. D. Morgan, E. W. Booton, Shepard & Gregory, H. Falken, W. J. Hunt. ·
THE CLARKSVILLE STAR
Going back to the real beginning of the Clarksville Star sev- eral other papers, of which the Star is the outgrowth, must be mentioned. First and foremost comes the Butler County Jeffer- sonian, the second newspaper established in Butler county and of which the Clarksville Star is in a direct line, the only living heir. The Jeffersonian was founded in 1860, by William Had- dock and in about four months thereafter, Martin Bailey was the editor and publisher. He changed the name in 1862 to the Stars and Stripes, and under that patriotic title the paper was ably edited and published until 1865. In the month of August of the last mentioned year, McCormack & Francis purchased the mate- rial and again the name of the paper was discarded. This time it came out as the Butler County Argus and continued to be pub- lished as the Argus six months, when Judge John Palmer pur- chased the property and adopted the fierce and cutting title of The Stiletto for the much named sheet. Judge Palmer sold The Stiletto to his son, William Palmer, in the spring of 1866, who moved the plant and place of publication to Shell Rock. In the following fall the paper was again issued at Clarksville having been con- solidated with the Clarksville Gazette, which had been founded in 1866, by Van E. Butler, who forined a partnership with William Palmer, when the merger was made and the firm name of pub- lishers became Butler & Palmer. Under this management the paper was named the Star of the West and so continued until 1868, when Frank Case became the owner and changed the name to the Clarksville Star, which, happily, for the future historian remains to this day at the top of the newsy little publication's first page. James O. Stewart was in the editorial chair by the year 1872, and each week gave the people of Butler county all the
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local news of importance until the month of June, 1882, when he sold his interests in the Star to L. O. Hull. The last named ran the paper several years and had for his successors Ed Madigan and Will Morrison, who sold the property to W. L. and E. W. Booton in 1893. Madigan recovered possession within the year. He was the publisher until 1909. In November of the year just mentioned, John M. Ramsey, the present proprietor and editor, who had been foreman of the office twenty years, bought the paper and changed it from a six-column quarto to a seven-column quarto.
THE SHELL ROCK NEWS
The paper with the above name in this caption, was estab- lished in August, 1872, by J. H. Boomer & Co., and made its first appearance on the twenty-third day of the month. The founders within four weeks' time sold out to F. M. Barnard & Co., who continued the publication until March 5, 1873. That year the partnership dissolved and Silas White and Frank Hall, under the firm name of White & Hall, took possession. Hall retired in August, 1874, and alone White continued as editor and proprietor until Jan. 5, 1875, when he sold a half interest to O. B. Courtright. The partnership firm of White & Courtright sold out to Dr. E. A. Kittel Feb. 19, 1875, and in a short time Haz- let & Thorp were the proprietors. They changed the name to the Shell Rock News, published the paper until Nov. 2, 1876, and then turned it over to George E. Farrar. The new owner, Mr. Farrar, was editor and manager of the News until the 6th of September, 1877, when he disposed of his interests therein to E. E. Savage. The next known proprietor of the News was J. P. Reed, who came into possession at sheriff's sale in Septem- ber, 1878. Mr. Reed retained control a number of years and then came G. A. McIntyre, who moved the plant into a handsome new two-story brick home. Mr. McIntyre, who is one of the older mem- bers of the Butler county bar and present mayor of Shell Rock, ably edited and managed the News until 1900 when, in the month of December of that year F. L. Witt became the owner and editor, having associated with him his son, C. E. Witt, who assumed com- plete management of the office in 1906; in February, 1910, he ac- quired possession of the plant by purchase.
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THE IOWA RECORDER
The Recorder is issued in the interests of the democracy and its owners. It is the only partisan paper in the county with demo- cratic leanings and was established by John Passage and Amos Ingalls, at Greene, Aug. 12, 1884. In 1887 a change took place in the ownership. That year Mr. Passage retired and Mr. Ingalls remained in sole possession and editorship. The concern was reorganized in 1904, and formed into a corporation, taking the name and title of the Recorder Printing Company. Mr. Ingalls retained an interest in the property, and by the change J. Knox Hall became manager and editor, retaining the place one year. Then came Fred Flack, who remained about four months and three or four others succeeded him. But, in 1908, Mr. Ingalls returned and forming a partnership with A. B. Mahnke, the Recorder has prospered and increased its clientele and influence with the passing of the years, by united efforts and a firm deter- mination to win in a field occupied only by itself.
APLINGTON NEWS
The Aplington News is a six-column quarto, four pages home print and has a good circulation throughout the county. The paper was founded in 1891, by one Keenan, who sold to J. M. George. Mr. George held down the editorial chair about three years and then gave way to F. M. Coggshall. About the year 1897, O. A. and Dick Voogd bought the paper and since 1901 O. A. Voogd has been sole proprietor and editor. The News is well edited and printed in a workmanlike manner. When first issued it was a seven-column folio; since 1909 it has been a six-column quarto, patent inside.
NEW HARTFORD REVIEW
The first issue of the New Hartford Review appeared June 22, 1896. The editor and owner was E. W. Booton, who brought the plant from Monroe. In the latter part of 1901, the paper was sold to Hamilton Brothers, of Waterloo. The new firm was in possession about six months when the property was purchased by J. W. Hartinger. Six months later E. W. Booton assumed con- trol and remained in editorial charge until September, 1906.
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Frank Kaley purchased the Review in the last mentioned year and has now practically a new plant, which turns out a nicely printed and carefully edited newspaper.
THE DUMONT JOURNAL
As far as data indicate, the Vidette was the first paper pub- lished at Dumont. After a short and precarious existence it col- lapsed in the year 1905, and in 1907, H. Z. Babcock founded the Journal. He issued a five-column quarto, patent inside. The next owner of the Journal was G. A. Griswold, who changed the size of the paper to a six-column quarto, four pages home print. Succeeding owners were: Frank Gates and L. O. Brewer. The latter took possession May 15, 1910.
BUTLER COUNTY TIMES
The Times is published at Bristow and was established as the ₱ Enterprise, the plant of which was brought from Readlyn, Bremer county, in 1903, by E. F. Ready. As the Enterprise the paper was issued for a time and its name was changed to the Butler County Times. In course of time S. L. Sherman had the paper, but unable to pay for it, he relinquished all control in favor of Mrs. E. F. Ready, who, in June, 1906, sold the property to the present owner, J. B. Williams. Mr. Williams is receiving gratifying patronage.
PAPERS THAT HAVE BEEN AND ARE NOT
The first newspaper published in Butler county, was the But- ler Transcript, established at Clarksville in 1858 by Palmer & James, the senior member of the firm, Judge John Palmer, being a man of affairs and a practicing attorney the while. The innovation was most too soon to be properly supported by the few settlers in the community and this necessitated the suspension of the publication, in 1860, and removal of the material to Win- terset, the capital city of Madison county. The Parkersburg Times was a venture into the local newspaper world, by W. L. Palmer in 1870, which had "rough sledding" from the start. Its downfall was inevitable, but this calamity (?) did not occur until several venturesome aspirants for the immortal shoes of Horace Greeley tried their hand at editorial work and collapsed. In
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1871, C. G. Bundy took over the property, and early in 1872, gave up in despair of success at Parkersburg. He moved the plant to Maudville, a name given the Iowa Central Stock Farm, and before the expiration of the year 1873, the sheet faded from sight, never more to be seen of man. The New Hartford Bugle was only heard during part of the year 1873 and the Butler County Standard, established by J. B. Adams in 1876, at Greene, lived precariously about four years and was then moved to Rockford, Iowa. Bris- tow had a paper in 1878, known as the Bristow Dial. A Mr. Mor- gan was the founder. He sold to J. O. Stewart. In 1880 the plant was taken to Sumner, in Bremer county.
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CHAPTER XIII
EDUCATIONAL
In matters of education, Butler county ranks as one of the most progressive counties of the state. The school laws of Iowa have undergone so many changes that it would be impossible here to go into details regarding the various forms of government and organization which have characterized the educational history of Butler and the other counties of the state. Originally the schools of the county were organized upon the township district basis. The electors of each township met in annual meeting in March of each year to determine the amount of tax levy for school pur- poses, elect the members of the school board and transact such other business as might properly come before them. The district townships were divided into sub-districts of such number and size as seemed best to serve the interests of the people. A more or less detailed account of these district township organizations is given in connection with the separate history of the townships.
FORMS OF ORGANIZATION
Later provision was made by the State Legislature for the organization of rural independent districts. It was left to the discretion of the electors as to which of the forms of organization for the rural schools they should adopt.
THE DISTRICT TOWNSHIP
The two systems are markedly different and each possesses its advantages and disadvantages. Under the district township organization all of the sub-districts are a part of the whole and the business affairs of the entire district are managed by one board of directors made up of a sub-director elected from each district. No one sub-district may levy a tax for any purpose,
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either that of building a schoolhouse or increasing the compensa- tion of its teachers, without the consent of the whole township. In some instances this form has operated to prevent progressive rural communities from doing for their school what they wish. However, in a business way, it is possible through the township organ- ization to manage affairs much more expeditiously and economic- ally than is possible under the independent district organization. The trend of the times educationally appears to be toward this form of organization. In the last session of the Legislature, a bill making the township the sole unit of rural school organization was defeated by a small majority. It is not improbable that some such action will eventually become a statutory provision in this state.
THE RURAL INDEPENDENT DISTRICT
In the independent district organization, each district man- ages its own affairs through a board of three directors who are chosen at the annual election in March. Each independent dis- trict is a corporate body, with the same powers within its limits as are exercised by the board of directors of the district township. At present five of the sixteen townships of Butler county are organized on the independent district basis. These are Fremont, Butler, Shell Rock, Ripley and West Point.
The remaining eleven civil townships are organized as town- ship school districts. The boundaries of the school districts do not in every instance coincide with those of the civil township. The school township of Jackson, for example, has attached to it portions of Butler and Jefferson townships for school purposes.
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TOWN INDEPENDENT DISTRICTS
In addition to these two forms of rural school districts there exist in the county also ten town or village independent districts. This form of district may be organized under the law upon the written petition of any ten voters of a city, town or village of over one hundred residents, provided a majority of the electors resid- ing within the boundaries of the district vote in favor of the proposition. It is not necessary that the village be actually incor- porated under the laws of the states in order to secure the benefits of this form of organization. Township and county lines need not
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be considered in forming such districts. The school affairs of these districts are in the hands of a board of five directors.
RECENT LEGISLATION
An attempt was made by the last Legislature to abolish the office of treasurer of all school corporations and place the handling of school funds with the county treasurer. This attempt was unsuccessful. However, it was provided by law that the school treasurer must serve without compensation and that all monies belonging to school districts coming into his hands must be de- posited in an approved bank and draw interest. This enactment of the Legislature has proved somewhat unpopular and it is prob- able that it will be still further amended in the coming Legisla- ture. The proposal to place the handling of all the school funds of all the districts, both town and rural, in the hands of the county treasurer, while it has met with considerable opposition so far, would seem a very reasonable one. There is little question but that some such solution of the present unsatisfactory and unbusi- nesslike methods of handling these funds will eventually be made.
Iowa has for a number of years had a compulsory school law upon its statute books. By the terms of this law the attendance of all children between the ages of seven and sixteen years is required for a minimum of twenty-four consecutive weeks in each school year. Children between the ages of fourteen and six- teen who are regularly employed may be excused from compul- sory school attendance. The enforcement of this law is provided for by penalties, to be attached on the failure of school directors to enforce it, and by fines for each offense to be assessed against the parent or guardian of the child whose non-attendance is charged.
The purchase of library books by the rural districts is also made compulsory; not less than five cents for each person of school age in the district being required to be appropriated each year by each district for the purchase of library books.
Another school law of general application and widespread influence is that of a recent Legislature, providing for free high school tuition for pupils of the rural districts. By the terms of this law, the pupils who have passed the eighth grade exam- inations, under the direction of the county superintendent, and have received a certificate of proficiency in the common branches,
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may be admitted to any approved high school in the state that will receive them, and have their tuition paid by the districts of their residence. While this law has resulted in some instances to a certain extent in a sort of double taxation, there is little or no question but that its results are wholly good. Sooner or later it is to be hoped that provision for high school education may be made by the rural districts themselves and that the boys and girls of the farmers of Butler and the other counties of Iowa may not have to leave their homes in order to secure an education that is their right and their desire.
THE SCHOOL FUND COMMISSIONER
At the time of the organization of the county the laws of the state provided for the administration of the school funds by an officer known as the school fund commissioner. As the title indicates, this officer had jurisdiction only over the school funds. He had no authority or connection with the administration of the schools, either in matters of discipline or instruction. These school funds were derived in addition to the sums raised by the tax levy in the various school districts from the sale of school lands (for which purpose section 16 of each township was set aside by the state) and from all estates escheating to the state as a result of the lack of heirs. The school fund commissioner had authority to loan the funds under his control to private par- ties, on good security, at a reasonable rate of interest. As a mat- ter of fact, the records show that in an early day most of the money that was borrowed on farm mortgages came from these funds.
James Griffith, of Coldwater township, was the first school fund commissioner in Butler county. He was elected in the fall of 1854. His administration of the funds was eminently con- servative and efficient. The first mortgage loan recorded on the books of the county was made by him. This indenture was made on the 8th of January, 1855, between Robert T. Crowell and Lucretia Crowell, his wife, and James Griffith, school fund com- missioner. In consideration of $298.14, a mortgage on the south- east quarter of the northeast quarter, and the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 18, 92-15, was given as the security for the loan. This mortgage was released on the 22nd day of April, 1857.
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On the same day and date a similar indenture records the mortgage of the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 36, and the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 25, in township 93, range 16, for a loan of $300, made by James Griffith to William and Susan Gough. The interest rate named in these instruments is ten per cent per annum.
James Griffith was succeeded as school fund commissioner by John H. Morton in 1856. Before the expiration of Mr. Mor- ton's term, the duties connected with this office were by law placed in the hands of the county judge, and the office of school fund commissioner abolished. Under this law the county court had supervision of the school funds and so continued until the adoption of the system of county government by a board of super- visors in whose hands the disposition and management of the school funds have remained to the present time.
THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT
The funds set aside for the maintenance of normal institutes for the instruction of teachers were later placed under the super- vision of the county superintendent of schools. This office of county superintendent of schools was created by an act of the Legislature in 1858. D. W. Mason was the first incumbent of this office, elected in the spring of 1858. A complete list of the county superintendents is given at the close of this chapter.
Butler county has been peculiarly fortunate in the character of the men and women who have so ably filled this office, a number of them having, subsequent to their occupation of this office, filled positions of responsibility and importance elsewhere.
Ida F. Leydig, who was elected to this office in the election of 1900, was the first woman to be elected to this office by the voters of Butler county.
From the creation of the office until 1914, the election of county superintendents was made in the same manner as the other offices were filled. Nominations for the office were made by the political parties in conventions or later by the primary system. In some places this resulted in making the office of county superintend- ent a mere political plaything, and at times unworthy and incom- petent persons were, as a result of the exigencies of politics, chosen to this position. This, however, was never true in Butler county. Although in form a political office, practically it was non-partisan.
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The Thirty-fifth General Assembly changed entirely the man- ner of choice of the county superintendent, providing for the election of this officer by a convention consisting of the presidents of the district townships and town independent districts, and one representative of each township divided into rural independent districts. This law went into effect July 1, 1913. The first regu- lar meeting of this convention was provided for April, 1915. However, the resignation of Irving H. Hart, in February, 1914, led to the calling of this convention in special session, at which time the present incumbent of the office, Mr. Benjamin Board- man, was chosen.
NORMAL INSTITUTES
Normal institutes, to be held annually by the county super- intendents of each county in Iowa, were provided for by act of the General Assembly in 1873. The object of these institutes was at first in part to provide an opportunity for review in the branches required for examination for certificates, and in part to present to the teachers of the county such improved methods of teaching and opportunities for self-improvement as would serve to make them more efficient teachers. The expenses inci- dent to holding these institutes were to be provided from what was known as the institute fund, consisting of an appropriation of $50 from the state, the $1.00 examination fee paid by each candidate for a teacher's certificate, and the enrollment fee of $1.00 paid by each member of the institute. This fund was under the exclusive control of the county superintendent, subject to the supervision of the state superintendent of public instruction.
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