USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 22
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"At a last meeting of the council it was ordered that a tower be built on the engine house at the expense of the town. The weighmaster reported that he received in October $44.10 and in November $46.55.
"The postmaster at Astor has resigned, and by spring there will scarcely remain a vestige of that once thriving village-nearly all will have moved to Manilla.
"The new fire bell has come. It weigh 22,090 pounds and will soon be up ready for use. The town as yet has not furnished the bell tower. The bell looks as large as the one owned by the Methodist church. It is a McShane bell from the best factory in the United States. Through the kindness of agent Gable, the freight charges were reduced one half."
1887.
The year 1887 was another year of ups and downs. The Agricultural So- ciety had been leading a precarious existence and Mr. E. Gulick, the secretary, called a meeting for February Ist to consider the future of the society. It was found that the indebtedness was $720, and as no one cared to shoulder the burden any longer it was decided to sell the property to the highest bidder. Nothing was said about re-organization, but it was understood that a stock company would be formed. The Fair Grounds were sold in March for $1,025, this barely covering the amount of indebtedness. The grounds were bought by Mr. A. Hartney who purchased it for an association of citizens, twenty-five of whom subscribed $100 each and organized what was known as an "Agricultural
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LUNEY MILLS. DENISON
FARMERS HOME"
OLD GERMAN HOTEL, DENISON
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
and Improvement of Stock Society." Officers were elected as follows: A. Hartney, president ; C. F. Cassady, secretary ; S. B. Greek, vice-president ; W. A. McHenry, treasurer ; and M. Goldheim, R. Shaw Van, Thos. Pierson, A. D. Wilson, R. Knaul, and J. Fred Meyers, directors. This new association pur- chased additional grounds, erected buildings, and conducted a fair for several years but met with continued adversity until finally the project was abandoned and in 1899 the grounds were sold, the debts of the association paid, and the society gave up the struggle for existence. As we have mentioned elsewhere the society has been revived and has for several years held successful exhibits at Arion. The lack of support and final abandonment of this enterprise was an- other serious mistake for Denison.
In 1887 the three fire companies of Denison effected a general organization with Grant Gilbreath, president; B. Brodersen, secretary ; and A. J. Bond treas- urer. At this meeting considerable dissatisfaction was expressed with the new fire bell, but it was finally accepted. The following is a list of the members of the Denison fire department in good standing April 1, 1887: M. H. Hendricks was chief and R. Shaw Van, assistant. The members were, Pioneer engine company, Fred Berg, Grant Gilbreath, Peter Krauth, A. Moeller, A. C. Wrigley, A. F. Trone, Frank Wright, Bernard Volerston, A. B. Gable, F. O. Ivens, Chas. Kemming, F. W. Sherrard, E. A. Stone, Henry Seeman, Will Shillington, F. WV. Crumblich ; Amphion Hook and Ladder-R. Shaw Van, N. A. Miller, H. Norman, A. J. Bond, Henry Nobles, Joseph Carter, A. C. Weeks, H. J. Cook, D. H. McWilliams, J. T. Haugh, W. J. McAhren, W. H. Jagger, A. H. McAhren, Chas. Morris, T. J Bouldron, Isaac Hird, Wm. Coan, Frank Faul, L. J. Carter, Thos. Clark, Geo. Lyons, C. M. Staley, T. W. Morris, Thos. Lister, W. T. Wright, G. W. Bond, John Baker, Geo. Knight, Eugene Gulick. Rescue Hose Company-B. Brodersen, J. Flack, G. T. Stegeman, F. Heppner, George Cham- berlain, Hans Christiansen, Sigfried Christiansen, Henry Wedemeyer, Wm. Von Dohlen, A. Haupt, A. Aebischer, J. M. Rowland, J. Lehfeldt, F. Claugh, Nels Ewald, H. C. Schluter, Hans Thiesen, Chris Rickerts, Andrew Bowling.
In April 1887, the base ball club was organized with L. P. Mooney, man- ager and Thos. Griffin, captain. The nine was resplendant in new suits, with brown pants, blue stockings, white shirts and white hats. This proved to be one of the most interesting years of Denison's base ball history.
In April 1887, Mrs. W. A. McHenry was elected president of the Woman's Relief Corps of Iowa and Mrs. Georgia Mcclellan, department treasurer. Mrs .. McHenry appointed Mrs. S. W. Plimpton, secretary and Denison became the headquarters of the corps for the year.
This was the year of the building of the Sioux City branch of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railway. The sale of lots at Charter Oak was held on April 27, the sales amounting to more than $4,000.
The work of re-building the Baptist church was pushed rapidly and by March, 1887, the steeple was completed, this part of the building being do- nated by Messrs. Raine, Bouldron and Hird, the contractors. It was in the same month that the Methodist congregation decided to build a new church. Their plans called for the erection of a $6,000 edifice and six of the members sub- Vol. 1-13
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
scribed $4,000 of the amount. The plans were made more ambitious, however, and it was a $10,000 church which was dedicated December 1I, 1887, with an address by Chaplain C. C. McCabe. The building committee was composed of H. C. Laub, L. M. Shaw, J. B. Romans, and R. Hefflefinger. Rev. A. Well- born was the pastor in charge and a large amount of credit belongs to him. At the dedication service it was announced that there was an indebtedness of $4,200, and this amount was raised within thirty minutes.
In 1886 the Germania Verein had taken steps to establish a school where German and English might be taught. Prof. J. E. Harthun of Omaha was em- ployed and by December, 1887, the school had 52 pupils and on account of lack of room no more could be entered. This school, conducted by Prof. Harthun, was a very helpful influence but it was abandoned when Mr. Harthun became editor of the Zeitung.
The chief staple of our market then as now, was the great American hog. Denison had a reputation for high prices and farmers were attracted for twenty miles around. From November 21, to December 17th, 1887, Denison dealers bought 3448 head of hogs, averaging 325 pounds or a total of one million, one hundred twenty thousand, six hundred pounds. The average price was 5 cents a pound and more than $56,000 was paid for hogs at the Denison market during this brief length of time. The Denison paper goes on to figure that these ship- ments filled 57 stock cars and represented 861 wagon loads .. No wonder the town was prosperous.
1888.
The year 1888 opened sadly with the death of that beloved pioneer Andrew D. Molony, a sketch of whose life has been given elsewhere. On January 20th, the McKim hall was dedicated and on January 27th, occurred a business change which while not of great importance in one sense, was notable in another, for the old Carr book store which had become a veritable land mark was sold to Mr. Henry Schluter.
This was a hard winter and in January there came a blizzard in which Mrs. Jurgen Jepsen, of Goodrich township lost her life. Together with his wife and three children, Mr. Jepsen had been visiting at the home of his brother John. Returning home they lost their way. Mr. Jepsen overturned the sled box to afford a protection for his family and went in search of help. He wandered all night through the blizzard and was found badly frozen the next morning. The mother after wrapping up her little ones had started in search of her husband and fell but 50 feet from the sleigh. When found in the morning she was dead. The three children and Mr. Jepsen were saved but were badly frozen.
On Sunday February 12th, the new Baptist church was dedicated, Rev. A. W. Lamar, of Omaha, preaching the dedicatory service. At the time of dedica- tion the new church was without debt, save for $600 and this amount was quickly subscribed.
On February 24th the town was delighted with the announcement that J. P. Miller and Company would erect a brick building on Main street. This building
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
was erected as planned and is now a part of the store occupied by Pfarr, Ge- bert and Hunt.
The branch line of the Milwaukee had been constructed but no arrange- ments had been made for the convenience of passengers wishing to transfer at the crossing with the Northwestern. This matter was taken up by Denison people, with the railroad comission, and the railroad authorities finally com- plied with the demands of the people and established a station which they called Arion.
The spring of 1888 saw the commencement of an industry which has adver- tised Denison more widely than any other institution it has had. It was in May of this year that Mr. W. A. McHenry purchased four thoroughbred Aberdeen Angus cows, adding them to his herd and thus establishing what has become the greatest herd of the breed in America. This herd has taken first and sweep-stake prizes in all the great live stock shows in this country. It has brought many visitors to Denison, and many thousands of dollars of outside capital, beside the employment which it has given continuously to a number of men. It is perhaps an odd juxtaposition, but Denison is probably the best known throughout the length and breadth of the land on account of two things,-that it is the old home of Governor Leslie M. Shaw and the home of the McHenry herd of Aberdeen Angus cattle.
In the spring of 1888, one of the first of the Denison Improvement Associa- tions was formed with J. B. Romans as president. Base ball was all the rage and the line up was Griffin, Kelly, Simmons, S. Seeman, McHenry, Muir, L. Seeman, Broadus, and Kemming. Lute Seeman was the pitcher and he was a whirlwind with Tommy Griffin behind the bat.
In June the town was greatly excited over the work of two confidence men who succeeded in getting $1500 from Mr. S. Eastman. Quick work on the part of Sheriff Mooney resulted in the capture of the swindlers at Des Moines. They were brought to Denison and the money was returned to their victim.
The 4th of July celebration was marked by a serious accident in which four young boys, Frank Slater, Eddie Robinault, Chas. Blakely, and Arthur and Bert Miller were badly burned. 'The great feature of the program was a Sham Bat- tle between the members of the Militarische Bruederschaft and the members of the G. A. R. The old cannon was brought into requisition in charge of Capt. Partridge. After the Sham Battle, some boys were allowed to carry the re- maining powder uptown. They carried this in an open basket and it contained about sixteen pounds of powder. After going some distance a lighted fire- cracker fell into the basket. Frank Slater tried to take it out, but too late, an explosion followed and the five boys were badly burned. We are glad to report that all of them recovered.
In the fall of this year, we note the founding of the Catholic Parochial School at the instigation of Rev. Father M. J. Farrelly. This was the year when Hon. J. P. Dolliver was first nominated for congress and his joint debates with his opponent, Capt. Yeoman, was an enlivening feature of the campaign. It was in October of this year that the old overland mail route between Denison and Charter Oak was finally abandoned.
,
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
Denison had now grown to such proportions that the need of an electric light plant was felt and this project was first discussed in the newspapers of Decem- ber, 1888. The close of the year saw the announcement that the Lutheran con- gregation would erect a new church at a probable cost of $3,500.
1890.
January 1, 1890, witnessed the establishment of the Bank of Denison, the third of our city banks. This month also saw the commencement of the Creamery Movement. A company was formed for this purpose, the first stockholders be- ing J. B. Romans and Company, E. S. Plimpton, Henry Jobe, Heury A. Cook, W. H. Woolston, J. P. Miller and Company, C. Green, L. Cornwell, Scriver and Company, Shaw and Kuehnle, Chas. K. Meyers, W. H. Laub, J. G. Wygant, E. Gulick, D. L. Boynton, C. Sievers, C. P. and S. S. Stocking and Thos. E. Pier- son. The building was erected by April 30th, and during the fore part of May the machinery arrived and was installed with S. E. Messer as butter maker. This institution was not as successful as its founders had hoped. It passed through a series of managements and mis-managements until the plant was finally sold to the Fairmont Creamery Company, since which time it has done a great volume of business and is now the largest single industry in Denison. Thus while the orig- inal stockholders lost the most of that which they invested, the town as a whole has been vastly benefited and no one can say but that the investment, viewed from this standpoint, was a good one.
In March the city voted favorably upon the proposition to bond the city for $13,500 for the erection of a new school building. This building is what is now known as the North Brick School. It was erected at a cost of $11,332 by Wm. Raine, contractor ; L. J. Carter was the architect. This building was dedicated on New Year's day 1891.
In February there was a destructive fire at Vail, the buildings occupied by A. L. Strong, Tempest Bros., J. S. Nesbit and J. E. Edgar, being destroyed. The fire was at night and for some reason the fire engine would not work. The loss above the insurance was about $12,000.
As a good index of the business of the various towns of the county, we in- clude some statistics relative to the postal service. Every postmaster was re- quired to keep accurate account of the mail originating at his office for the week ending May 12th. Denison sent out 592 pounds during the week, the postage on which amounted to $68.49. The business of the various offices in the county for the three months ending December 31, 1889, is given as follows:
Stamps Canceled
+ Vail
$ 322.60
Box Rent $ 65.85
Charter Oak
274.24
51.60
Manilla
272.94
37.80
Dow City
195.45
15.35
West Side
158.23
34.70
Total
$1123.46
$205.30
Denison
$1184.59
$160.40
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
Minor Offices.
Aspinwall
$ 46.05
$ 13.75
Kenwood
37.89
. . . .
Deloit
35.17
7.50
Kiron
34.56
4.00
Astor
26.57
... .
Bell
22.93
1.95
Morgan
14.86
.. .
Lydia
5.92
....
Total
$223.95
$ 27.20
In July, 1890, the largest Soldiers' Reunion the town has ever known was suc- cessfully held. The veterans gathered from a number of the surrounding coun- ties and the entire city united to do them honor. The reunion lasted several days and was one of the best ever held in western Iowa.
Vail again attracted the attention of the county when Anthony Monaghan and his wife were killed when the fast train crashed into their wagon.
In August came the glad tidings that Mrs. W. A. McHenry had been elected National President of the Women's Relief Corps, the largest women's society in the world. Mrs. McHenry appointed Mrs. S. W. Plimpton as National Secre- tary.
The growth of Charter Oak was evidenced by the establishment of the First National Bank by H. N. Moore and Company.
Among the accidents of the year was the death of Benjamin Wilder of Dow City, who was killed by a fall from a scaffolding, and a fire at Vail in which a livery stable containing 15 horses was destroyed.
The year 1890 closed with disquieting rumors as to the solvency of the firm of Dow and Graves, a firm which had been the predominating influence in the western part of the county.
Among the business men of Denison at the close of 1890 were the following : The three banks, C. Stoecks, DeWolf and Flack, J. P. Miller and Company, M. J. Cosman, general merchants ; M. Goldheim and Company, and A. H. McAhren, clothiers : McAhren and Cassady, J. F. Burk and R. Knaul, drugs ; A. J. Bond, and O. M. Campbell, jewelry ; A. F. Marshall and Company, books ; W. H. Wool- ston, C. J. Salomon, furniture ; J. G. Wygant, hardware ; J. B. Romans and Bros., B. D. Stevers, implements ; F. O. Ivens, tinner ; A. F. Trone, photographer ; O. J. Piper and Franz Heppner, shoes; Mrs. E. L. Crippen, millinery ; A. Hartney, hotel ; C. Seiler, E. R. Allan, restaurants ; Abiescher Bros. and Emmons and Mc- Cord, meats ; Stone and Temple, Scriver and Company, The Green Bay Lumber Company, lumber ; Shaw and Kuehnle, T. J. Garrison, D. L. Boynton, M. O'Con- nor, Tabor and Tabor and P. E. C. Lally, lawyers ; T. W. Garber, dentist ; Nich- olson Bros., produce; Strohmeier Harness Company; C. Sievers, harness; E. Gulick, real estate : Naeve and Walker, abstracts; S. W. Broadus, barber ; W. H. Laub, F. J. Young, livery ; C. Christiansen, Thos. Bateman, blacksmiths ; M. J. Cochran, wagon maker ; L. J. Carter, planing mill ; J. H. and F. M. Clough, J. A. Van Winkle, Rain and Bouldron, carpenters ; C. H. Trask, Geo. Servoss, masons ;
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
George E. Taylor, Jacob Krauth, and H. H. Martins, painters ; Luney Bros. and Company, R. Hefflefinger and Company, flouring mills; A. D. Wilkinson, Wm. Iseminger, C. H. Bolles, physicians ; J. I. Gibson, veterinarian ; John James, house mover : H. J. Cook, drayman ; S. W. Seymour, auctioneer ; M. A. Harding, black- smith; H. Kruckenberg, shoes; Murphey and Wright, proprietors depot store ; R. R. Montgomery, justice of the peace. This is not a complete business direc- tory, but it gives a very general idea of the business men of the town twenty-one years ago.
1891.
In April, 1891, a new postoffice called Hohenzollern was established in Mor- gan township, and in June the town site of Arion was sold at auction, the sales amounting to $3,500.
The county was visited by a severe wind and rain storm. At Vail on the evening of July Ist the home of Patrick Mulheron, three miles northeast of Vail, was destroyed by a cyclone and Mrs. Mulheron was severely injured. The wind, rain and hail extended over several counties but the cyclone, which was not more than a few rods wide, struck the ground at about the Sac county line, practically north of Vail. On the farm of Mr. Clement were seen the usual wonderful re- sults. Heavy wagon tires were taken smoothly from the wheels and then twisted. Pieces of ice as large as a man's head were found and these easily pierced through roofs of shingles and inch boards. Cows were killed by one blow of a piece of this ice. Crops were destroyed and there was considerable property loss. At Charter Oak there were no mails for a week on account of the floods and the Charter Oak Times was printed on wrapping paper.
In the politics of the county the Farmers Alliance Movement had taken strong hold and there were many meetings and conventions throughout the rural pre- cincts.
In July a sensation was furnished by the escape of George Morgan and Jo- seph Meyer, two men who were awaiting trial at the county jail. They were soon re-captured, but the entire county was stirred up and engaged in their pur- suit.
September witnessed the building by Mr. J. P. Miller of the frame store building on the southeast corner of Main and Broadway.
The town suffered an epidemic of typhoid fever, two victims being Harry Wilson and Lillie Wilson, two of the most popular and promising young people of our city. They were children of Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Wilson, and their death, one occurring November 2nd, and the other November 4th, cast gloom upon the city.
In November a special election was ordered to grant a franchise to establish an electric light plant. This proposition carried by a vote of 193 for to 9 against. The franchise was given to M. Goldheim, L. M. Shaw and Theo. Walker, who were to transfer their right to the company when formed. The Denison paper says that Friday, November 20, 1892, should be considered an important day for Denison as it was the day when this franchise was granted and seemed to be a time when there was a great awakening of citizens to the duty of doing some- thing for the town.
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
1892.
The paper of June 6, 1892, discloses the fact that the Denison creamery was not in a flourishing way and a meeting of stockholders was held and it was an- nounced that the operating expense of the company for two years had exceeded its income by $1,000. The creamery was rented to Mr. C. D. Miller, and it was still held that the creamery was a great help to the town and to the farmers sur- rounding.
This was the year of the great Russian famine and Crawford county took an active part in the relief of the sufferers. Mr. P. E. C. Lally was the chairman of the relief committee and through his efforts and those of committeemen through- out the county a total of $618.37 was donated. This included three cars of corn which were shipped direct, to be transported in the relief ship sent by America.
On February 16th occurred the disastrous fire in which the McHenry eleva- tor was burned to the ground. In the same week it was recorded that the Deni- son creamery was rented for three years to Donahue and Ehren, with Mr. Trainer as manager.
At the city election Mr. G. L. Wright was elected mayor and C. M. Staley, recorder. The newly elected members of the council were John Seeman, Geo. Menagh and Henry Noble.
It was in March, 1892, that the project of establishing a Normal school was first broached. Governor L. M. Shaw was the moving factor and in twenty-four hours $16,000 was raised for the project. This was followed by continued agi- tation and in a short time the money was raised. The steps relative to this great undertaking have been outlined in another place.
On the evening of May 7th a fatal accident occurred at Dow City, when the overland limited dashed into a buggy containing May Bell and Jay Bell. Miss Bell was instantly killed, while her brother was thrown some thirty feet with no bones broken. They were the children of Mr. Robert Bell, one of the oldest and well known pioneers of the county.
At Denison a movement was started to replace the old water tank which stood in the rear of the Germania Hall by a modern stand pipe. This was finally ac- complished after the usual delays and discussions which seem to be inevitable with all public improvements.
One of the most delightful events of 1892 was the musical convention led by Dr. H. R. Palmer. This attracted many people from all over the county and was one of the most successful events that Denison has ever known.
July 19th is a date to be remembered in our business circles for on that day occurred the sudden and tragic death of Meyer Goldheim, who for a number of years had been our most enterprising merchant. He had sold his interests in Denison, removing to Chicago, but had returned to this city to conduct a a mid-summer sale for the reduction of stock. The day was one of the hottest of the year and Mr. Goldheim worked hard. In the evening he announced that this would be the last article of merchandise which he would ever sell in Denison. This sale effected, he closed his store, and went to the Fargo house. Suffering severely from the heat he partook of cooling drinks and within fifteen minutes after entering his room at the hotel he was dead. The
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
remains were sent to his old home at Baltimore for interment and the business houses of Denison were closed in order that his friends might accompany the remains to the train which bore his body to its final resting place. Mr. Gold- heim was a genial whole-souled man, of abounding energy and enterprise. He gave Denison a new insight into the progressive business methods and did much to modernize the business of the town. His store was known throughout this and adjoining counties and he did much to make Denison a trading center.
In August the county was again electrified by the news that four prisoners had escaped from the county jail. They dug their way through the brick wall, but in less than twenty minutes three of them were recaptured by a posse and Mr. John Pump was the hero to capture the fourth man. It is amusing to note that on the day following their capture, one of the quartette made his escape through the same hole and was not re-captured.
The prosperity of Denison is shown by the following item of the Denison Review of September 7th: "Never has Denison seemed to be enjoying such an era of prosperity as at the present time. Improvements and new buildings are to be seen on every side. All workingmen have employment. The past year has been a remarkable one for the number of carloads of goods received. The new normal school buildings on the hill to the east are beginning to show up. Soon a fine steel stand pipe will rise on the ground at the north of town and the ungainly tank near Germania Hall be taken down. Lots are being inquired after. Denison is really enjoying a boom."
Among the new firms we note that of Sine Brothers, clothiers, and George R. Neil, photographer. We also note that John F. Pfarr, now one of the prom- inent merchants, arrived in September 1892, to clerk in the grocery department of J. P. Miller and Co.'s store.
It was in this month that the First National Bank put forth the first issue of currency bearing its name. It was in this year that W. A. Stewart started a short lived Populist paper in Denison.
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