USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume I > Part 67
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TO THIRD AND PERRY.
"In the spring of 1861, President Lincoln having been inaugurated, Charles H. Eldridge, having distanced all competitors, who were neither few nor far between, was commissioned to take the office. The city had grown during Mr. Mast's term to a place of 15.000 when Mr. Eldridge went into the office. The war broke out about that time and postal matters became very important. The business of the office swelled rapidly again. Mr. Eldridge remained in charge until April 1, 1864, when his recignation was accepted and Edward Russell, head clerk in the office, was appointed in his stead. Again the office was found to be too small and was removed to its present location (Third and Perry streets), in the fall of 1864.
"President Lincoln was assassinated in 1865 and Andrew Johnson reigned in his stead, and many were the official heads that tumbled into the gutter in those days. On the Ist of December in that year General Add. H. Sanders, the eighth postmaster of Davenport, took Mr. Russell's place. Mr. Russell had really
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
been removed on the 5th of October preceding, but by reason of a sturdy fight carried on by Mr. Price, then in congress, the 'taking off' was delayed until De- cember. Mr. Russell retired in good order to the editorial room of the Gazette, of which paper he had been for some time editor-in-chief, and among quills, ink, paste-pot and scissors, bided his time until he should be able to wring the official neck of his official enemy. General Grant was elected president in 1868, and in May, 1869, the coveted hour came and Mr. Russell assumed control."
Great changes have taken place since Antoine LeClaire and his successor, D. C. Eldridge, brought the Davenport mails over from Stephenson in their hats or coat-tail pockets. Then the first quarter's salary amounted to less than a dol- lar ; probably less than fifty letters were handled. Now they come in daily by the thousand. The position is a lucrative one. Then for several years the post- master was wont to deliver letters to his patrons as he met them on the street ; now he sends forth squads of men in uniform to scatter the heavy mails through- out the city, and the rural delivery wagons go out each morning loaded with let- ters, the daily papers, magazines, and other mailable matter and deposit them at the farmers' doors. But recently the crowd assembled at mail openings, and the people who called at the postoffice during each day numbered in the thou- sands. Now under the free delivery system it has dwindled down to a mere shadow of its former self. Time was when the principal number of letters were mailed at twenty-five cents, prepayment optional. Now you may write four pages and send it for two cents, or order $10,000 worth of goods on a postal card. But a few years ago sending money by mail was extra hazardous ; now by systems of registration and postal orders you may transmit all you are worth in a short time and with perfect safety. Mail coming is no longer anxiously looked for; it is coming all the time, morning, noon and night. We are told that time was when it was a great financial question how to take out a twenty- five cent letter. Money was painfully scarce, and often the postmaster delivered them on credit, taking pay in farm and garden produce, day's work and barter generally.
THE PRESENT POSTOFFICE.
The present postoffice building is located at the corner of Perry and Fourth streets, and is constructed of red sandstone and the architectural design is quite pleasing. At present the basement and first floor are devoted to the handling of mail matter and is the post office proper, while the second story is used by the government for its various offices here. The business of the office has increased to that extent that the building has been found altogether inadequate and not properly arranged to facilitate the receiving and distributing of the mails, and the other uses for which it is required. To obviate this difficulty an appropria- tion was made by congress of $70,000 for the enlargement of the building and as this work goes to press the addition to the main building and the alterations neces- sary to harmonize with the general plan are well under way. The original cost of the post office was $135,000.
Davenport has been a postal point seventy-three years, and has had but thir- teen postmasters in all that time: Antoine LeClaire, D. C. Eldridge, John For-
ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL, DAVENPORT
MERCY HOSPITAL
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
rest, William Van Tuyl, A. F. Mast, C. H. Eldridge, Add. H. Sanders, and Edward Russell; also J. M. DeArmand, who served from 1884 until 1888; Colonel H. Egbert, 1888-92; Fred Lischer, 1892-97 ; George Metzger, 1897-1903; and Cap- tain Lon Bryson, the present incumbent of the office, who was appointed in 1903.
MERCY HOSPITAL.
Mercy hospital was opened December 8, 1868, under an agreement between the Sisters of Mercy and the county, whereby the county obligated itself to fur- nish the hospital $2,000 for five years, without interest, this money to be used toward fitting up a building then owned by the Sisters. . Ten insane paupers then devolved upon the incipient institution for its care, and a general hospital ward was prepared for other patients. Since that time the hospital has grown until today it has a main building devoted to its uses probably larger than any other in the state conducted under semi-private auspices. St. John's asylum, a monument to Bishop McMullen, who was one of the chief supporters of the in- situation in its infancy, is four stories in height and can easily shelter over 200 patients. Here most of Scott county's insane are taken care of, the expense of which is borne by the public. The main hospital building is four stories in height and is 60 by 150 feet.
ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL.
St. Luke's hospital was established in 1894 and occupies a commanding posi- tion on the corner of Main and Eighth streets. It was founded through the efforts of Davenport physicians and officials of the Episcopal diocese, and was first established in the old Newcomb home. It has since been enlarged and faces on Eighth street. It has prospered in every way and is now one of the impor- tant institutions of the city.
THE CLARISSA C. COOK HOME FOR THE FRIENDLESS.
This institution is located on the corner of Pine and Bowditch streets and was established under the will of Mrs. Clarissa C. Cook, of Davenport, who died in February, 1879. In her will Mrs. Cook left $50,000 for the purpose of found- ing a home for the friendless where destitute and indigent women might find a safe refuge. Under the will Mrs. Cook gave the above sum of money to John F. Dillon, Edward E. Cook, Daniel B. Shelley and Ira Cook as trustees of the fund, and providing that they reside in the city of Davenport and county of Scott, and become incorporated under the laws of the state of Iowa, the object and purpose of said corporation being to provide a home for destitute and indigent females under the name and style of Clarissa C. Cook Home for the Friendless. With this sum of money was also bequeathed fifteen acres of land lying on the outskirts of the city, which was devised for the same purpose and upon which the home was directed to be built. Under another provision of the will $65,000 more were added to the resources of the proposed home. The provisions of the bequest were carried out to the letter by the trustees, who had accepted the trust
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
imposed. On June 14, 1880, the trustees and Mrs. Agnes French, Miss Harriet Rogers, Mrs. Mary E. Wing and Mrs. Clara B. Bills, selected by the trustees, formed a corporation as directed. These with F. H. Griggs as treasurer and ex-officio manager, formed the board of managers. The first officers were Mrs. Mary E. Wing, president; Miss Harriet Rogers, vice president; D. B. Shelley, secretary and F. H. Griggs, treasurer.
THE N. FEJERVARY HOME FOR AGED AND HOMELESS MEN.
In 1892 this retreat for aged and homeless men was opened for the worthy who might seek its protection. It was the gift of Nicholas Fejervary, a Hunga- rian by birth, who had been connected with the Cook Home as trustee for a num- ber of years. Mr. Fejervary was a man of large wealth and was imbued with the spirit of the liberal giver. The home is located in the northeast part of the city on Grand avenue.
THE INDUSTRIAL HOME.
It was October 1, 1892, that the commodious and well located home of the Ladies' Industrial Relief society was opened, although the society had been in existence for six years previously. The building of this attractive two-story brick building was made possible by the liberality of Davenport citizens, notably the philanthropic Nicholas Kuhnen whose bequest formed a large part of the fund. The Ladies' Industrial Relief society was the successor of similar organ- izations maintained in the spirit of relief to the deserving poor, enabling them to help themselves through the help extended. The first organization of the sort was the Ladies' Benevolent society of 1849. During the war of the Rebellion this work was done under the name of the Soldiers' Relief association whose work was also local. In 1869 the Ladies' Christian association formed the next link in the chain. It was an auxiliary to the work of the Young Men's Christian association. This was succeeded by the present organization. While the names have been different the spirit and work of the societies have been the same, not only the relief afforded by gifts but a training in thrift and an influence to self- support. To name those who have given years of thought and work to this line of sisterly helpfulness would be to fill pages of this book with names of hun- dreds of the finest women that Davenport has boasted for sixty years. In this home of the Ladies' Industrial Relief the poor woman can do her washing with appliances, soap, hot water, everything necessary, free of cost. Here her chil- dren will be cared for out of school hours, and those too young to go to school, all day, while she goes out to work. Here relief in the way of clothing is con- stantly ready. The sending out of hundreds of Christmas dinners collected by the children of the city schools is an annual feature. Until sewing was intro- duced into the public schools a sewing school was maintained during the winter where girls were taught to make their own clothing, retaining the garments they fabricated.
At present there is an evening class in cooking to which are admitted young married women and younger girls upon whom have devolved the mother's duties
FEJERVARY HOME FOR OLD MEN
...
BISHOP DAVIS' RESIDENCE. KIRKWOOD BOULEVARD AND BRADY STREET
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
in the household. An employment branch to supply housekeepers with helpers has grown into great popularity and is steadily diminishing the number of applications for aid.
In the years of its life this society has done a vast amount of good; all honor to those generous people who have given to it so freely of their means, their time and their sympathies.
THE PEOPLE'S UNION MISSION.
In 1895 Rev. Edward D. Lee, or as Davenport people seem to prefer to call him Ned Lee, came to this city and opened a mission at 207 West Second street. The name which sticks to a man usually indicates his character and Ned Lee is like his name, plain, unostentatious, useful. His work in rented rooms attracted attention and support and April 24, 1903, a two-story building, 313 East Second street, was opened. Here are all facilities for mission work, an auditorium for meetings and entertainments, a large upper room for gymnasium, Sunday school, sewing school, suppers, a smaller upper room for the kindergarten and a meet- ing place for the Mothers' Mutual Benefit association. Here are held great sup- pers and dinners for the poorer people of the city. From here start summer picnics and outings. Here relief in clothing, lodgings and meals is dispensed. The Mis- sion is generously maintained by the citizens and for its welfare they work shoulder to shoulder, people of all shades of religious belief and those of none. The Mission deserves well of generous people and its claims are cheerfully rec- ognized. An endowment fund is growing slowly through bequests.
ST. VINCENT'S ORPHANS' HOME.
The above is a Catholic strong arm of help, support and training for orphan children of this diocese, and is conducted under the auspices of the Sisters of Humility of Mary. The home is located on North Gaines street and just within the city limits, upon a large and valuable tract of land.
FRATERNAL ORDERS AND OTHER SOCIETIES OF DAVENPORT.
Owing to the difficulty of collecting the data of the various fraternities and societies of Davenport, and the large number of them that are in the city, no attempt has been made to write an extended chapter for this work. However, a list of them is given below :
MASONIC (these bodies all meet in the Masonic temple) : Davenport Chap- ter, No. 16, R. A. M .; Davenport Chapter, No. 178, O. E. S .; Davenport Lodge, No. 37; Fraternal Lodge, No. 221 ; Mohassan Grotto; Kaaba Temple; St. Simon of Cyrene Commandery, No. 9, K. T .; Trinity Lodge, No. 208.
ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE: Adoniram Lodge of Perfection; St. John's Chapter of Rose Croix, No. 4; Coeur De Leon Council of Kadosh Zarepath Consistory ; Masonic Board of Relief.
ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS, Division No. I.
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKMEN: Evening Star Lodge, No. 231; Germania Lodge, No. 5; Lessing Lodge, No. 74; Teutonia Lodge, No. 294.
DRUIDS : Teutonia Grove, No. 9. (This is a German organization.)
FRATERNAL AID ASSOCIATION : Davenport Council, No. 703.
FRATERNAL BANKERS' RESERVES, No. 96.
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES : Davenport Aerie, No. 235.
HARUGARI : Herman Lodge, No. 489; Treue Brueder Lodge, No. 663; Treue Schwester Lodge, No. 130.
HEBREW : Davenport Lodge, No. 174.
HIGHLAND NOBLES : Castle, No. 92.
HOME GUARDS OF THE WORLD: Davenport Lodge, No. I.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS: Davenport Lodge, No. 7; Canton Davenport, No. 40; Scott Zedoka Lodge of Rebecca, No. 281; Scott Lodge, No. 37 (German) ; Herman Encampment, No. 82 (German) ; State Encampment, No. 3; Prosperity Lodge, No. 704.
IOWA WORKMEN OF IOWA: Lessing Lodge, No. 74.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS: Coeur De Leon Lodge, No. 80; Columbian Lodge, No. 333; Davenport Lodge, No. 50; Damon Lodge, No. 10; Garfield Company, No. 2; Uniformed Rank; Pythian Sisters, Phoenix Temple, No. 21.
KNIGHTS AND LADIES OF GOLDEN PRECEPT: Davenport Lodge, No. 44; Ladies' Working Society.
KNIGHTS AND LADIES OF HONOR: Eureka Lodge, No. 751 (German).
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: Loras Council, No. 532.
KNIGHTS OF FATHER MATTHEW : St. Mary's Council, No. 80.
ROYAL NEIGHBORS: Alberta Camp, No. 505; Cedar Branch Camp, No. 122; Forrest Camp, No. 2149; Golden Rod Social Club.
MODERN BROTHERHOOD OF AMERICA: Davenport Lodge, No. 219; Lafayette Lodge, No. 102I.
MYSTIC TOILERS: Davenport Council, No. 70.
ORDER OF SONS OF HERMAN: Davenport Lodge, No. 1; Eintracht Lodge, No. 3.
SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN VETERANS of 1848-9-50.
UNITED SPANISH WAR VETERANS.
ROYAL RESERVES SOCIETY : Davenport Lodge, No. 8; Royal Aid, No. I.
SUPREME COURT OF HONOR : Supernal Court, No. 359.
TRIBE OF BEN HUR: Frank L. Snyder Tribe, No. 71; Terza Society, No. I. UNION VETERANS UNION.
UNITED TRAVELERS, NO. 310.
WOODMEN OF THE WORLD: Carnival Camp, No. I, of Iowa; Carnival Grove Camp, No. 12; Fidelity Camp, No. 347; Riverside Camp, No. 150; Olive Branch, No. 86.
WOMEN'S ORDER OF CATHOLIC FORESTERS: Sacred Heart Court, No. 315.
AMERICAN PATRIOTS, Council No. 42; Council No. 42 ; Council No. 44, Ladies' Working Society.
BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS, Davenport Lodge, No. 238.
FRATERNAL UNION OF AMERICA, Davenport Lodge, No. 428.
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC, August Wentz Post, No. 1; General Geddes Circle, No. 24 (Ladies) Woman's Relief Corps, No. 34.
IMPROVED ORDER OF RED MEN, Multnomah Tribe, No. 134; Tecumseh Tribe, No. 32.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF FORESTERS, Catholic Order of Foresters, No. 1350; Tri- City Court, No. 1609.
KNIGHTS AND LADIES OF SECURITY.
KNIGHTS OF THE MACCABEES, Davenport Hive, No. 8; Hennepin Hive, No. 7; Hennepin Tent, No. 73; Success Hive, No. 720.
LEGION OF HONOR.
LOYAL ORDER OF MOOSE, Davenport Lodge, No. 28.
ORDER OF OWLS, Nest No. 52.
MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA, Cedar Camp, No. 27; Mapledale Camp, No. 393
MYSTIC WORKERS OF THE WORLD.
ROYAL ARCANUM, Windom Council, No. 80.
COLORED FRATERNAL ORDERS.
MASONIC: Hiram Lodge, No. 19; Naomi Chapter, No. 23, O. E. S., St. Mary's Court, No. II.
ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS: Eureka Lodge, No. 3899; Morning Glory Lodge, Household of Ruth, No. 1016.
OTHER SOCIETIES.
Deutscher Krieger Verein; Davenport Rummelpott Club; Germania Sick Relief Association; German Beneficial Union; East Davenport Sick Relief So- ciety ; Einigkeits Club; Harmony Sick Relief Society ; Ladies' Industrial Relief Society ; Knights of Thor (Skandinavian) ; Teutonia Sick Relief Society; North- west Davenport Relief Society; Davenport Lodge, No. I, O. D. H. S .; Claus Groth Gilde; Benevolent Association of the Paid Fire Department of Daven- port; Arbeiter Kranken Und Sterbekasse; Black Hawk Sick Relief Society; Danish Sister Lodge, No. 3; Columbia Sick Relief Society.
BABIES' FRIENDLY SOCIETY, Davenport Knights' and Ladies' Sick Relief So- ciety, Industrial Home Association.
LABOR ORGANIZATIONS.
Davenport Trades & Labor Assembly; Davenport Association of Stationary Engineers, No. 7; International Association of Machinists, Tri-City Lodge, No. 388; Iron Molders Union of North America, No. 118; Electrical Workers Local, No. 109; International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes, Tri-City Local, No. 85; Journeymen Plasterers Union, No. 28; Journeymen Tailors Un- ion, No. 300; Lathers Union, No. 146; National Horseshoers Protective Associa- tion of Davenport, Iowa, No. 40; Journeymen Barbers International Union of America, No. 116; Sheet Metal Workers Union, No. 299; Painters & Decorators'
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
Union, No. 199; Stonemasons Union; Plumbers Local, No. 387; Tri-City Labor Congress ; Teamsters' Union, No. 563; Retail Clerks Association; Tri-City Brick- layers International Union of Illinois and Iowa, No. 7; United Brotherhood of Leather Workers in Horse Goods Branch, No. II; Tri-City Typographical Union, No. 107; Women's Union Label League Local, No. 205; Tri-City Musi- cal Society Local, No. 67, A. F. of M .; Association of Master Plumbers,
AMALGAMATED ASSOCIATION OF STREET RAILWAY EMPLOYEES OF AMERICA, NO. 312 ; Amalgamated Glass Workers, International Association of America, No. 27; Bakers' Union, Local No. 36; Bakers' Union ; Beer Bottlers and General Laborers, No. 365 ; Boilermakers' Union ; Brewers' Union, No. 98; Brotherhood of Boiler- makers' Helpers, Division No. 214; Brotherhood of Railway Carmen, Davenport Lodge, No. 273; Butchers' Union; Carpenters' Union, No. 1664; Carpenters' Union, No. 1272; Carpenters' and Joiners' Union of America, No. 554; Cigar- makers' Union, No. 172; Coopers' Union, No. 130; Grocery Clerks' Union ; Inter- national Association of Machinists ; Women's Trades Union Council.
CLUBS, DEBATING SOCIETIES, AND OTHERS.
Cumberland Gun Club; Danish Brotherhood Society; Davenport Commer- cial Club; Davenport Academy of Sciences; Davenport Visiting Nurses' Asso- ciation; Davenport Shooting Association; Davenport Cremation Society ; Daven- port Maennerchor; Davenport Turngemeinde; East Davenport Turner Society ; Freie Brueder Gemeinde; Excelsior Rifle Club; Germania Chor A. O. U. W. of Iowa; Germania Kranken Unterstuetzungs Club; Hibernia Hall Association ; Irrawadi Canoe Club; Gesang Verein Vorwaerts; Grocers Retail Protective As- sociation; Ideal Club; Iowa & Illinois District Medical Association; Ladies' Auxiliary of the Davenport Turner Society ; Lend-a-Hand Club; Ladies' Har- monie Society ; Master Butchers Association; Master Builders Association; Mas- ter Horseshoers Association; Masonic Temple Association; National Associa- tion of Letter Carriers, Branch No. 506; Northwest Davenport Turner Society ; Peerless Club; Robert Burns Club; Platt Deutcher Unnerhohlungs Club; Scott County Humane Society ; Women's Catholic Mutual Protective Society; St. Ambrose Literary & Debating Society; Scott County Medical Society; Teutonia Singing Society ; Thalia Verein; The Old Veteran Kampfgenossen of 1870-71; Travelers Protective Association; United Commercial Travelers; Triangle Clini- cal Club; Turner Singing Section; Tri-City Musical Society, Local No. 67; Veteran Volunteer Firemen's Association; West Davenport Gesselichkeits Club; The Vorwaerts Singing Society; Women's Christian Temperance Union; West Davenport Maenerchor.
ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION OF ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL; Association of Master Plumbers ; Davenport Boat Club; Davenport Dairymen's Protective Association ; Fairmount Cemetery Association ; Germania Frauenbund; Harugari Frauenbund; Home Builders' Loan and Savings Association of Davenport ; Mercy Hospital Med- ical Board; Roman Catholic Mutual Protective Society; Scott County Soldiers' Monument Association ; Skat Club; Socialist Party, German Branch ; Outing Club ; United National Association of Post Office Clerks.
MASONIC TEMPLE, DAVENPORT
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
WOMEN OF DAVENPORT AND THEIR CLUBS.
Sunday, November 25, 1905, the Daily Times issued a souvenir number of its paper, in which a large part of the history of Davenport was given its readers, together with many illustrations that added to the attractiveness of the pub- lisher's most laudable undertaking, which was uniquely named "Watch the Tri- Cities Grow." In this well and carefully prepared issue of the Times a list of clubs organized and controlled by the women of Davenport was published and the same list is here reproduced :
DAVENPORT D. A. R.
In the matter of prestige and numbers the local chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution take the lead of women's organizations of the three cities. The Davenport society, known as the Hannah Caldwell chapter, was named for Hannah Ogden Caldwell, one of the two women martyrs to British bullets during the revolution and of whom the late Mrs. Mary Louise Duncan Putnam, of Davenport, a charter member of the national society of the D. A. R., was a lineal descendant. The Davenport chapter was organized in 1896 and is composed of many of the city's representative women. Mrs. Maria Purdy Peck of Davenport, one of its charter members, served for two years as state regent for Iowa of the D. A. R. and refused to consider the office of vice president gen- eral when her name was brought up before the national conference. Meetings are held once each month at the homes of the members from October to June inclusive. The early history of our country is studied faithfully and the chapter works continually for the preservation and promotion of the general spirit of patriotism.
IOWA SOCIETY OF COLONIAL DAMES.
The origin of the Iowa Society of Colonial Dames belongs to Davenport for it was here on April 18, 1896, that a coterie of prominent women eligible to the order met at the call of Mrs. William S. Perry, the wife of Bishop Perry, and organized the Iowa Dames. The first meeting. when the society was formally launched, was held with Mrs. Perry at the Episcopal residence on Eleventh and Brady streets and it was attended by about fifteen or sixteen prominent women of the city. Mrs. Perry was chosen first president of the new organiza- tion. On July 1. 1896, the society was incorporated. Today there are about seventy members of the Colonial Dames scattered all over the state. Eligibility to the society is only by direct lineal descent from some person of high official rank (above captain) in the colonial army or of the government prior to 1776. This limits the membership of the national society to a comparatively small num- ber in which the Iowa branch makes a good showing. Miss Alice French of Davenport, known in the world of letters as Octave Thanet, was president of the Iowa order for several years. The Colonial Dames of Iowa meet about three or four times a year, the annual session being held in May. Its chief work has been promoting the study of state history by the offer each year of a fifty dollar prize for the best essays on Iowa historical events. These essay contests which are open to pupils of the high schools and some of the colleges are each year en-
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
tered into with spirit and have proved themselves incentives to the young people for much historical study and research. The Iowa society has also contributed much in the way of funds to the philanthropic work of the national order, among which was the fitting up of a hospital ship during the Spanish American war. The work of general preservation of historical spots of the country is also a fea- ture of its work. By special permission from the Illinois society several Rock Island women are members of the Iowa society of Colonial Dames.
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