USA > Iowa > Clayton County > History of Clayton County, Iowa : from the earliest historical times down to the present : including a genealogical and biographical record of many representative families, prepared from data obtained from original sources of information, Volume I > Part 45
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EASTERN STAR
Chapter, No. 86, was organized June 12th, 1890. The charter dates September 11th, 1890, and was granted October 29th, 1890. The charter members were Mrs. Gertrude F. Moreland, Ida E. Baird, Mrs. L. J. Inger, Louise M. Blank, Emma Whitmarsh, Harriet Chesley, Martha Keith, P. N. Keith, J. R. McDonald, Mrs. L. E. McDonald, Aran Blake, E. B. McWilliams, Catharine Williams, Augusta Hard- man, Alex. Porter, Mary Porter, Cephas Buttles, Grace R. Butles, Alwilda Wood and J. E. Baird.
The first officers were: Worthy matron, Mrs. E. A. Blake; worthy patron, J. C. Flenniken ; asso. matron, Mrs. L. M. Blank ; secre- tary, John D. Inger; treasurer, Mrs. L. E. McDonald; cond., Ida Baird; asst. cond., Minnie Gaylord; chaplain, Mrs. L. J. Inger ; Adah, Dora Dunning; Ruth, Gertrude F. Moreland; Esther, Jennie Taylor; Martha, Emma Whitmarsh; Electa, Alwilda Wood; warder, Mrs. H. E. Chesley ; sentinel, Aaron Blank.
The deceased members are Elizabeth Blake, LaFayette Chesley, Mary Baird, E. B. Williams, Mrs. L. E. McDonald, Mrs. H. E. Chesley, Alice Howard, Mr. Van Porter, Gilbert Cooley, Minnie Gaylor Martin, Ada M. Cooley, Margarite Fowells, Mrs. A. D. S. Cooley and W. H. Hoover. The membership is 109 and the executive officers of 1916 are worthy master, Gertrude Gilchrist Lawson ; secre- tary, Belle Smith Davis.
The first Masonic lodge of Strawberry Point was organized November 14th, 1857, and E. S. chapter in 1859. The first worthy patron, who at that time did all the work and gave all the degrees, was Nathan Scofield. The meeting place was the hall over the old Scofield store building, a wooden structure that still stands, being now used as a feed store. As the surviving members relate, there was no ritual at that time and the sisters were all required to wear the regalia of the order, which consisted of large white collars and white aprons, both being adorned with pink stars in the corners, and it is said that a room full of ladies so dressed made a very fine appearance when the chap- ter was in session. The organization flourished for a time, but a few
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years later, soon after the election of Squire Thompson as worthy patron, and Mrs. Peter Black as worthy matron, the former soon died and after his death a meeting was never called again.
The charter of the chapter and the minutes of these meetings were sent over to headquarters at Burlington, Iowa, and later were destroyed by a fire in that place, therefore a full list of the members can not be given, but those who are recalled by surviving members are as follows : Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Scofield, Dr. and Mrs. Clark Rawson, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Blake, Mr. and Mrs. Carley, Mr. and Mrs. Christey, Mr. and Mrs. Fremaine, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Scott and Mr. and Mrs. Pat Bigelow. The first worthy patron and Mrs. Peter Blake are still bright and active members of the order and were both present at the last meeting of our present chapter, on June 29th, 1916, which was a memorial to Judge Granger.
P. E. O. SOCIETY
Chapter E. R. was organized on April 28th, 1915. Its first offi- cers were: President, Mrs. Myrtle Eaton; vice-president, Jessie Riddell; recording secretary, Gertrude Coykendall; corresponding secretary, Belle Davis; treasurer, Alwilda Howard; chaplain, Ger- trude Rawson; guard, Carrie Roberts. The charter members were: Mrs. Myrtle Eaton, Jessie Riddell, Gertrude Coykendall, Belle Davis, Alwilda Howard, Gertrude Rawson and Carrie Roberts.
The present officers are the same as they were in the first year of its organization and the membership has had three new members added, Ruth Clark, Kate Newberry and Kathryn Westfall. The meet- ings are held every Wednesday of each month, at the homes of the members.
ROYAL NEIGHBORS
Friendship Camp No. 232, R. N. of A., was organized December 21st, 1895. The first officers were: Oracle, Martha Beavers, vice oracle, Josephine Kinneberg; recorder, Addie Hale; receiver, Kate Helgerman ; chaplain, Eliza Ely; marshal, Florence Potts; asst. mar- shal, Kate Helgermann ; inside sentry, Lucy McDonald; outside sentry, Ruth Lamphere; mgrs., Ida Hughes, Eva Davis and Libby Davis; physician, F. H. Howard; past oracle, Harriet Dunsmore; graces, modesty, Ellen Nace; faith, Libby Davis; endurance, Annie Sargent ; unselfishness, Ida Bowers; courage, Bertha Harrington. The present officers are: Oracle, Ellen Nace; recorder, Ida Scofield.
The present membership is 104 and meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month, in the I. O. O. F. hall. The deceased members are: Louisa Nace, Hattie Bacon, Alice Howard, Edith Gardner, Rose Ball, Minnie Nelson, Elizabeth Pierce, John Davis, Ada Maye Cooly, Clara Matison, Otto Helgermann, Millie Frederick and Anna Goodrich.
STRAWBERRY POINT A. O. U. W.
The Strawberry Point Lodge, A. O. U. W., No. 131, received its charter October 15, 1877. The first officers were: P. M. W., J. H. Barney; J. F. Webb, M. W .; Frank Smith, G. F .; W. E. Little, O .;
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Lyman Sherwood, recorder; Dan. C. Deane, financier ; P. J. Clough, receiver ; M. G. Webb, G .; J. T. Snyder, I .; W. D. Clough, O. W., and these were also the charter members. Last January the charter was surrendered and the members, thirty in number, scattered all over the United States, and it was transferred to Home Lodge, No. 3, of Des Moines.
VOLGA CITY
Volga was one of the livest towns during the twentieth century, although its population remained almost stationary. In 1900, the new Catholic church was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies, but in 1903, the town seems to have been torn by divisive strife for the secre- tary of the school district writes to the Elkader press explaining the finances and asking that all drop the quarrel which "has torn the town asunder." In November, 1903, the Milwaukee railroad began a series of retrenchments which seriously crippled the towns along the Volga branch. The telegraph office was taken out at Volga and the Meder- ville station was closed, Elkport being the only telegraph station on the line. This action was resented by the people and the service was later restored. The importance of Volga as a church center is shown by the fact that the Presbytery of Dubuque met there in April, 1912. The electric light franchise at Volga was given to Oscar Weisner in 1913, and in the following January the handsome new $10,000 opera house was opened. This justly is the pride of Volga city and it is noted as one of the finest opera houses in the state for a city of Volga's size. C. E. Lovett was president and C. S. Adams, secretary of the opera house company. In September of 1914 the cornerstone of the new Methodist church at Volga was laid, Rev. Piper being the ener- getic pastor. This building was dedicated February 1, 1915. It is a handsome frame structure and was built at a cost of $5,000. The progress of the little city was so marked that the county papers com- mented on the great improvements made in 1914-15.
Volga City was laid out in November, 1851, by W. H., Mary J., and A. L. Gould and an addition was made in 1857, by A. C. Wood- ward, one by M. M. Johnson, one in 1867, by Stephen Rush and one in 1877 by Henry White and others. W. H. Gould was the principal proprietor. He moved west in 1864, after selling most of his property to Henry White. The first frame house was built by Solomon Gould in 1851. The first hardware store was erected by George L. Tremain, who soon left. The first blacksmith was James Ambrose who started in 1854. Alvah Bevins bought the saw mill of Gould and erected the grist mill, in 1857. The first physician was J. L. Dunn. The first persons interred in the Volga cemetery were two children of Henry Gifford in 1846. The first school was taught by Nancy Finch, in 1855. The first hotel was kept by S. Harvey. The first livery was started in 1869, by J. F. Jersey. James Hawthorne started the first creamery in 1879. The first postmaster was W. H. Gould in 1851.
Volga City was incorporated in 1896 with the following officers: Mayor, J. D. Welch, clerk, O. R. Brooks ; councilmen, John Burnes, E. W. White, C. Massey, W. F. Mungren, A. C. Keeling and N. Phillips. It is now a beautiful town of 500 inhabitants. The present
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city officers are: Mayor, Otto Germar; clerk, Fred Susie; council- men, J. J. Burns, E. C. Becker, V. F. Blake, F. I. Phillips, Fred Rinkert. The city has electric lights furnished by A. Wiesner, the plant being located on the Volga river at the old White mill site. On August 21st, 1916, a bond issue of $14,000 was voted for water works purposes. There is a stone school building of four rooms in charge of Superin- tendent Walker Merriman. One of the main institutions of the town is the Farmers' Co-operative Creamery. This was established in 1893 and now has 200 patrons. Adam Olinger is president and L. J. Tenney is secretary. The Volga City News is a live local paper and one of the youngest in the county, having been established in 1915 by K. J. Konzen, the present editor. All lines of business are well represented, the streets are wide with many handsome shade trees and lined with pretty homes. Robert W. Duff is the postmaster. There are three churches, Presbyterian, Methodist and Catholic, and three fraternal organizations.
The Fresbyterian Church of Volga was organized in about the year of 1884. The exact date cannot be obtained as the records were burned a few years later. It was a union of two branches of the church. In the early fifties a number of Scotchmen came to Highland township from Pittburgh, Pa., and they established what is known as the United Presbyterian Church. Later, another Presbyterian con- gregation was formed, known as the American branch. This con- gregation held meetings in the old Union Church which is now known as Perkins' Blacksmith Shop. During the ministry of Rev. Campbell the branches united and became a part of the Dubuque Presbytery. The present church edifice was erected in 1900 during the ministry of Rev. McClusky. The value of the church property including manse is $9,000 ; membership, 128. Officers; Pastor, Rev. Richard Roberts ; elders, William Robert, Thomas Duff, William P. White, Fred Keeling, Morris Blake; deacons, John Roberts, William Smith, Albert Duff, Elmer Sorg. The Sunday school has a membership of 128 and Mrs. Morris Blake is superintendent. There is a live Christian Endeavor Society and an energetic Ladies' Aid Society of which Mrs. F. Pruess is president. This is the only Presbyterian church in Clayton county.
ROYAL NEIGHBORS OF AMERICA
White Rose Camp No. 5513 was organized March 29, 1908, with 14 charter members. First officers were: Oracle, Mrs. Germar ; Recorder, Grace Rinkert; Receiver, Jessie Meyers; Chancellor, Mrs. Thoday. Blanch White is the present Oracle and Martha Duff, Recorder. The membership is 42 and meetings are held on the second and last Tuesdays of each month at the opera house.
BROTHERHOOD OF AMERICAN YEOMAN
Volge Lodge No. 304 was instituted June 23, 1899, with 29 mem- bers. The first Foreman was C. S. Adam, and the Correspondent, Joy O. Bradley. There have been six deaths since its organization, and at present the membership is 22.
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M. E. CHURCH OF VOLGA CITY, IOWA.
The first Methodist sermon in Volga was preached by Rev. Brier in 1849, and the first class was formed in the fall of the same year by Rev. Kelley, who followed Mr. Brier, consisting of seven members. The Elkader circuit or mission was organized in 1851, which included Volga. Rev. J. G. Whitford, a pioneer preacher of Volga, was the first pastor, assisted by Rev. Sydney Woods. The first Board of Trus- tees consisted of J. E. Smith, F. F. Goodwin, W. W. Goodwin, John Welch, Samuel Fitch, William Harvey and J. G. Whitford, of whom J. E. Smith, of Long Beach, Cal., is the only survivor. In 1864 a lot was purchased and a church built, consisting of one room and after- wards a vestibule and tower and bell were added. The first cost of the church was $1,588.65. It was dedicated January 21, 1866. The first Sunday school was organized by Rev. Ferris in 1874. Mr. F. F. Good- win, superintendent ; Anna Libby, organist.
In the year 1887 the church had increased in membership so that it was decided to have preaching every Sunday and support a minister, so the church withdrew from the Elkader charge. A parsonage was purchased and afterwards sold and a new one built on the lot next to the church. The congregation increased and outgrew the old church and in 1914, under the pastorate of Rev. Piper, a new church was started and dedicated January 31, 1915. The value of the church was $12,000. It consists of an Epworth League room, main auditorium, vestibule and basement under the whole. There are three large win- dows, one in memory of Rev. J. G. Whitford, the money being given by those whom he had married in the years gone by, money coming from California, Texas, Minnesota, Idaho and many other states where his memory is dear to those who knew him. The Epworth League and Ladies' Aid each placed the other two windows.
There is a large Sunday school with an average attendance of 106; Mr. A. Boleyn, superintendent. The Ladies' Aid numbers some sixty members. At present Rev. Neilson is pastor. The board consists of A. Boleyn, president ; C. E. Lovett, E. Clark, Mrs. Lucy Goodwin, Mrs. Clara White, Mrs. Maggie Boleyn, Mrs. Ambrose, W. J. Susie, Delos Crain, Mrs. Ethel Crain, S. Whitford, J. Jellings, Ruth Smith, H. Humphrey, H. Jennings, George Linder and A. Perkins. The member- ship of the church is 170. Mrs. Mary Adams' was the first funeral held in the old church. The first funeral held in the new church was that of Mrs. Thomas Smith on Christmas day, 1915.
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CHAPTER XV
BANKS AND BANKING WITH BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS OF CLAYTON COUNTY.
T HE first constitution of the State of Iowa absolutely prohibited banks of any kind. This constitution was not ratified by Congress, however, and was never in effect. The early experiences of the settlers with banks were unfortunate. In too many instances banks in- vited confidence only to betray. Under President Jackson, the old National Bank System was abandoned and in its place there sprang up a large number of state and private banks which issued currency based on fictitious asset and which soon fell below par. Again, interest rates in the new country were very high and difficult to pay. The majority of transactions among the pioneers were those of barter and trade and the farmer found little difficulty in raising enough to feed his family and to provide for his simple wants. When it came to rais- ing cash, however, it was a difficult matter and the man who became involved in debt was often unable to pay out. This engendered the feelings which resulted in this prohibition of all banks.
However, as the country became more settled, business increased and men became more forehanded the necessity for banks became apparent and they grew as a natural outcome of business conditions. The first bank in Clayton County was that of Lee and Kinnaird at McGregor, although there were others who had doubtless done a quasi banking business. This bank was established in the early fifties during the palmy days when McGregor was a grain market rivaled in the west only by Chicago and St. Louis. It assisted in financing the first efforts to build the McGregor and Western Railway and was of great benefit to the thriving community. The so-called wildcat currency made banking an extra hazardous business and when the panic of 1857 came this bank, in common with all others, was hard hit. It weathered the storm, however, for the time being, but the effects of the panic were too severe for it and it succumbed in 1861. While this was a great blow to McGregor's business interests there was not a question raised as to the personal integrity of the bankers and the feeling was only one of regret that they had been forced to the wall. In the meantime a state bank, a branch of the Bank of Iowa, had been organized at McGregor and in 1863 this bank incorporated under the National Bank Law and is thus entitled to be called the oldest bank in the county. The history of Clayton County banking is remarkable. This one failure of Lee and Kinnaird is the only bank failure the
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county has known. During all the financial storms which have afflicted the country, the banks of Clayton County have stood unmoved and unquestioned. Iowa has the largest number of automobiles per capita of any state in the union and Clayton County has the largest number of automobiles per capita of any county in Iowa. Exact statistics are not at hand, but it is probable that Clayton County has the largest number of banks per capita of any county in the United States. There is an average of one bank to each voting precinct, or one to about every one thousand inhabitants. Among the distinguished men who have been connected with the banks of Clayton County are two governors of the State, Governor Samuel Merrill and Governor William Lar- rabee. The Larrabee interests were represented at Elkader, McGregor and other towns of the county. At present the banks of the county are housed in handsome and substantial buildings, have large deposits and command the full confidence of the people. The stock is held by a large number of people and Clayton County is able to finance any legitimate enterprise within its borders.
Among the banks of the county are the following, in the order of their establishment :
First National Bank of McGregor-Was chartered under the Na- tional Bank Act, December 19, 1863, capital $100,000. Incorporators were: Samuel Merrill, afterwards Governor of Iowa; Porter M. Potter, Henry B. Carter, J. H. Merrill, Oley Hulverson, H. E. Newell, W. I. Gilchrist, E. V. Carter and J. L. Dearborn. The first officers were: Samuel Merrill, president; Oley Hulverson, cashier; directors, E. V. Carter, Oley Hulverson and J. L. Dearborn.
In 1868 the Merrill interests were bought by J. K. Graves of Dubuque, Iowa, and a little later taken over by William Larrabee, later Governor of Iowa, and his brother, Frank Larrabee, who con- tinued control until after the Governor's death in 1912, when the pres- ent owners absorbed all the Larrabee interests.
The present capital is $50,000. Surplus $12,500. Officers: W. F. Daubenberger, president; C. J. Weiser, first vice president; Henry Reeves, second vice president, and F. S. Richards, cashier. Deposits : 1863, $85,000; 1870, $140,000; 1880, $150,000; 1890, $180,000; 1900, $185,000; 1910, $270,000; 1916, $420,000.
First National Bank of Elkader-Incorporated April 18, 1871, chartered May 11, 1871, capital $50,000. Incorporators were H. B. Carter, S. T. Woodward, Ann M. Larrabee, William Larrabee, R. A. Richardson, Harriet H. Carter, Esther A. Woodward, J. A. Hysham, Isaac Havens, Caroline C. Crosby, John Linton, Frank Larrabee, George Hertrich, Mary J. Granger, Milo P. Clark, A. D. Cook, F. H. Carter, Timothy Davis, Sarah M. Larrabee and H. S. Granger. The first officers were H. B. Carter, president ; R. A. Richardson, vice presi- dent ; F. H. Carter, cashier. Succeeding presidents were William Lar- rabee and R. E. Price, and succeeding cashiers, E. V. Carter, Henry Meyer and A. J. Carpenter.
Deposits : 1872, $29,500; 1880, $53,000; 1890, $73,000; 1900, $123,000; 1910, $408,000; 1916, $553,000. The capital is $50,000, surplus $25,000, undivided profits $26,000. The bank has paid 340 per cent in dividends.
Strawberry Point State Bank-The first bank established in Straw-
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berry Point was a private bank by George W. Lovell and Captain Car- penter, bankers of Monticello, Iowa, in 1872. In 1873 Mr. Carpenter sold his interest in the business and the name of the bank was changed to Lovell & Corbett's Bank. The bank continued under this name until 1883, when it was organized as a corporate bank under the laws of the State of Iowa. The organization was perfected June 22, 1883. The incorporators were: G. W. Lovell, T. F. Corbett, F. R. Buckley, J. C. Westfall, H. N. Wood, Walker Pollard, J. C. Barnes, Parke Buckley, Frank J. Newberry, David F. Merritt, Ozias Clark, L. L. Noble, L. R. Noble, D. H. Taylor, Wiltse Brothers, W. R. Morley and B. W. Newberry. The name as designated in the articles of incor- poration was Strawberry Point Bank. Afterwards, on July. 30, 1898, to conform to a recently enacted statute, the word State was inserted and the name became Strawberry Point State Bank, which is its present name. The duration fixed in the articles of incorporation was twenty years. June, 1903, the incorporation was renewed for another twenty years.
The first board of directors was composed of seven members as follows: J. C. Barnes, F. R. Buckley, T. F. Corbett, G. W. Lovell, B. W. Newberry, Walker Pollard and J. C. Westfall; the first officers were G. W. Lovell, president; B. W. Newberry, vice president ; L. F. Carrier, cashier. G. W. Lovell continued as president for 12 years ; J. C. Westfall succeeded him as president and remained so until the latter's death, which occurred March 24, 1900. B. W. Newberry held the office of vice president until the death of Mr. Westfall and was then elected as president and continued as such officer for seven years, being succeeded by Chas. Roberts, who served as president until Janu- ary, 1912. At this time L. W. Preston was elected and served for two years, when the incumbent, J. C. Flenniken, was elected. The position of vice president has been filled by B. W. Newberry, L. F. Carrier, T. Dunning, W. F. Reinecke and George F. Wheeler.
For more than 30 years Mr. L. F. Carrier occupied a position in the bank as cashier, assistant cashier, vice president and director. He is now living in retirement at the age of ninety years, one of Straw- berry Point's most worthy citizens. The present cashier, William F. Reinecke, and the assistant cashier, R. C. Barnes, have had the active management of the bank since 1910. The bank is one of the largest financial institutions of the county and was the third incorporated bank organized in the county. The bank stock is largely in the hands of local residents, only 95 shares out of the 500 being held by non-resi- dents. The present board of directors are J. R. Alderson, R. C. Barnes, J. P. Dunsmore, J. C. Flenniken, Fred Pebler, L. W. Preston, William F. Reinecke, Hy. Sheldon, G. F. Wheeler. The present officers are J. C. Flenniken, president ; G. F. Wheeler, vice president ; William F. Reinecke, cashier; R. C. Barnes, assistant cashier. The deposits are $409.000, capital $50,000, and surplus $29,000.
The bank built a stone building in 1873, which has been its quar- ters ever since, no changes having been made except to provide addi- tional vault and storage room. Plans have been drawn for extensive improvements, doubling the size of its quarters and putting in such modern equipment and fixtures as will make it the finest and most
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convenient bank in the county. The charter of this bank has been twice extended, in 1891 and 1911.
Elkader State Bank-Incorporated August 2, 1892, and com- menced business October 1, 1892. Capital $50,000. Incorporators, D. D. Murphy, H. C. Bishop, F. J. Uriell, Ole Johnson, Sr., August Borman, H. G. McGahren, F. D. Bayless, H. H. Hagensick and Christ Beer. First officers, H. H. Hagensick, president; D. D. Murphy, vice president ; H. S. McGahren, cashier. Deposits : 1900, $200,000; . 1910, $475,000 ; 1916, $575,000. The bank was re-incorporated in 1912 and J. F. Becker is the present cashier, the other officers being the same as at the time of incorporation. In 1900 a three-story brick building was erected by the bank, in which are located its offices, storerooms, and the Masonic Hall. In 1915-16 the bank offices were doubled in size and entirely refinished and provided with fixtures of East Indian mahogany, with safety deposit boxes, fine vaults, private rooms for customers and directors and a handsome lobby.
Monona State Bank-Incorporated May 2, 1892, capital $25,000. Incorporators, A. M. Davis, W. C. McNeil, John Killen, F. W. Rob- erts, Frank Hupfer and G. L. Gilbert. First officers, A. M. Davis, president ; John Killen, vice president; F. M. Orr, cashier. Deposits, 1900, $81,700; 1910, $216,000; 1916, $396,000. Present capital $40,- 000, surplus $10,000. F. M. Orr is now president, Melvin Davis vice president, and H. T. Orr, cashier. Its charter was renewed in 1912 and in 1914 a fine new bank building was erected on the corner of Page and Center streets, at a cost of $23,000.
Guttenberg State Bank-Incorporated May 1, 1900, capital $25,- 000. Incorporators, J. P. Eckart, Henry Eckart, Sr., John Wolter, Thomas S. Ives, Henry Brandt and James E. Corlett. First officers, Thomas Ives, president ; John Wolter, vice president, J. P. Eckart, cashier, and Henry Eckart, John Wolter, Thomas S. Ives, Henry Brandt and J. E. Corlett, directors. Deposits: 1910, $334,393.85; 1916, $399,470.40. Present officers: Henry Eckart, Sr., president; T. S. Ives, vice president ; J. P. Eckart, cashier ; O. B. Eckart, assis- tant cashier. Immediately after organizing the bank erected a modern building. It is a two-story structure of pressed brick, has steam heat, waterworks, electric lights and is modern in all respects.
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