USA > Iowa > Dickinson County > History of Dickinson County, Iowa, together with an account of the Spirit Lake massacre, and the Indian troubles on the northwestern frontier > Part 33
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TEMPLAR PARK.
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CIVIC SOCIETIES
This committee, after examining the several points offered. reported in favor of the place that was afterward selected ard which is now known as "Templar Park." This consists of a wooded promontory of about twenty acres situated on the south .. west shore of Spirit Lake and but a short distance from the Burlington depot on the isthmus. This traet was purchased of Mr. A. Kingman by the people of Spirit Lake and the Burling- ten, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railway and donated to the com- mander for the purpose heretofore indicated. It was conveyed by deed to Right Entinent Sir James Martin, Grand Com- mander: W. A. MeGrue, Very Eminent Deputy Grand Com- mander: S. J. Bennett, Eminent Generalissimo, and A. R. Dewey, Eminent Grand Captain General, and their successors in office as trustees of the Right Eminent Grand Commandery Knights Templar of the state of Iowa. The work of improve- ment commenced in the summer of 1885 and has been gradu- ally carried forward to the present time.
Minnie Waukon Lodge, No. 274, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized March 5, 1874. The officers elected for the first term were as follows: A. A. Mosher, Noble Grand : L. E. Holcomb, Vice-Grand ; William Helms, Treasurer ; N. J. Woodin, Permanent Secretary, and R. D. Owen, Recording Secretary. This lodge has had a somewhat checkered existence. I portion of the time it has been on the high waves of pro- perity, and at other times the interest has fallen to a low ebb. The present membership is forty-one. The Past Grands are: 1. 1. Moshor, L. E. Holcomb, J. A. Smith, S. E. Evans, George Hilbert, Orson Rice, C. C. Perrin, D. L. Riley, C. A. Arnold. E. F. Hill, William M. Smith, J. S. Everett and Clarence lit .. The present officers are: N. G., J. E. Russell; V. G., W. F. Beerman : Secretary, J. /W. Chestnut : Treasurer, A. Hurd : Conductor, Chas, Linder, and Warden, O. Bjornsen. The Re- bekah degree was organized September 5, 1876. At the present
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time the lodge is in first-class condition and prospering finely.
The Patrons of Husbandry were but are not. When first organized they manifested a great degree of zeal and enthusi- asm. But it soon died out and the organization itself went a glimmering years ago. The Spirit Lake Grange, Patrons of Hus- bandry, was organized March 17, 1874, with officers as follows: W. B. Brown, Master; S. E. Evans, Overseer ; C. E. Abbott, Lecturer ; Isaac Ames, Steward; H. C. Owen, Assistant Stew- ard; William Helms, Chaplain ; George Hilbert, Secretary ; James Cousins, Treasurer, and James Evans, Gatekeeper. Mrs. James Helms, Ceres ; Mrs. W. B. Brown, Flora ; Mrs. William Helms, Pomona, and Mrs. Thomas Pegdon, Lady Assistant Steward. The average membership was abont sixty. The or- ganization was maintained with a great deal of enthusiasm for about five years when the interest began to flag and by 1886 the organization was numbered with the things that were but are not.
A lodge of Good Templars was another of the early day insti- . tutions of Spirit Lake. Statistics are not at hand for much of an outline of it. Among its more prominent promoters were G. S. Needham, A. W. Osborne, J. L. Coppoe, C. H. Ayers and others of the principal citizens of the town. In 1876 J. A.Smith of the Beacon wrote of it as follows :
"A lodge of Good Templars has been in existence at Spirit Lake for several years past with intermittent snecess, sometimes flourishing and then gradually losing ground. At present the tide of its fortune is at such a low ebb that it can scarcely be reckoned among the living institutions of the county."
These four comprise the civic societies of the pioneer days. Those of later date are the Grand Army of the Republic, the Knights of Pythias, Ancient Order of United Workmen. the Modern Woodmen of America and the American Yeoman.
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CIVIC SOCIETIES
Winget Post, No. 226 of the Grand Army of the Republic, was organized under a charter bearing date November 24. 1883. The first list of officers was as follows: Commander, :. C. Perrin ; Senior Vice-Commander, D. L. Riley : Junior Vice- Commander, E. L. Brownell; Chaplain, IT. Wood; Quarter- master, Isaac Tucker ; Officer of the Guard, S. B. Miller : Quar- termaster Sergeant, Peter Flemming; Surgeon, E. L. Brow- nell; Adjutant, J. O. Stewart. Subsequent commanders have been : D. L. Riley, E. V. Davis, George Baxter, S. B. Miller, J. W. Klein, Peter Flemming, H. H. Campbell and E. L. Brow- nell. The present officers are : Commander, E. V. Davis; Senior Vice-Commander, H. H. Campbell ; Junior Vice-Commander, Newton Farmer; Post Surgeon, A. Kingman; Chaplain, J. W. Klein, and Quartermaster, H. H. Green. The membership is now about twenty. As the old veterans are mustered out there are none to fill their places.
Summit Lodge, No. 86, Knights of Pythias, was organized at Spirit Lake October 18, 1882, and received its charter the twenty-sixth of the same month. There were sixteen charter members. The first officers were : G. P. Hopkins, P. C .; W. A. Siddall, C. C .; W. B. Brown, V .- C .; D. L. Riley, Prelate ; E. F. Newell, K. of R. and S .; F. E. Hopkins, M. of A .; C. S. Fletcher, M. of E. ; William Hayward, M. of F. ; S. P. Fisher, I. G .; J. F. Olmstead, O. G. The C. C.'s (Chancellor, Com- manders) since that time have been D. L. Riley, E. L. Brow- nell, E. F. Merrill, E. C. Renken, J. G. Waite, E. G. Blackert, C. F. Clark, M. W. Reason, G. P. Hopkins, Jos. A. Smith, C. C. Perrin, J. A. Swailes, H. VanSteenburg, H. F. Requart, V. A. Arnold, S. A. Peters, H. H. Buck, HI. E. White, J. E. Mitchell, L. A. Hemenway, R. S. Gruhlke and W. B. Slattery. The present membership is about thirty-two. It was at one time much larger, but many have moved away and their places have not been filled. The present officers are: W. B. Slattery,
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C. C .; M. G. McClintock, V .- C .; L. A. Hemenway, K. of R. and S .; V. A. Arnold, Prelate.
The Ancient Order of United Workmen organized a lodge in Spirit Lake August 1, 1893, when the following officers were elected and installed : P. M. W., C. B. Fountain ; M. W., George S. Tuttle ; Foreman, R. F. Gruhlke; Overseer, James P. Miller: Recorder, C. W. Price; Financier, Wilbur Evarts ; Reediver, S. B. Miller : Guide, B. W. Blanchard; J. W., O. Sterner ; O. W., A. Hartley ; Trustees, A Hartley, T. H. Price and E. Kephart; Medical Examiners, Doctors Fountain and Brownell. The lodge is known as Spirit Lake Lodge, No. 254. The Master Workmen since that time have been George S. Tuttle, R. F. Gruhlke, George F. Arp, A. E. Arp, A. M. Owen, A. F. Merrill, J. P. Miller and C. IT. Price. The present officers are : R. F. Gruhlke, P. M. W. : T. Price, M. W. : John Hafer, Treasurer: B. L. Francis, Overseer; A. F. Mer- rill, Financier; A. E. Arp, Recorder; W. A. Price, Receiver ; C. A. Lynn, Guide; W. Taylor. J. W. ; Walter Peck, O. W.
Spirit Lake Camp, No 4479, Modern Moodmen of America, was organized at Spirit Lake January 21, 1897. at which time the first set of officers were elected and installed by State Deputy Adelshein acting as installing officer. The following is a list of officers: Venerable Counsel, Charles I. Reigard; Worthy Advisor, A. D. Gray; Banker, H. E. St. Clair: Local Clerk. 1. Il. Jemerson ; Escort, D. C. Wells; Physician, J. B. Stair ; Watchman, R. S. Miller; Sentry, E. Kephart ; Managers, D. V. Guthrie. W. F. Beerman and H. H. Buck. Venerable Coun- suls since that time have been: 1898, D. C. Wells; 1899. (. L. Knowles; 1900, C. Linder: 1901, A. D. Gray. The present officers are: Vice-Counsel, A. D. Gray ; Worthy Advisor, C. L. Knowles; Banker, L. D. Goodrich ; Local Clerk, W. F. Dex- heimer; Escort, Charles Linder; Physician, A. E. Rector : Watchman, J. E. Raymond; Sentry, J. M. Hardman. * The
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OTHER SOCIETIES
present membership is one hundred and sixteen. The organi- zation has prospered from the start and much interest,and en- thusiasm has been manifested.
Spirit Lake Homestead, Brotherhood of American Yeomen, No. 273, was organized October 18, 1899, with the following officers duly elected and installed : W. T. Davidson, Foreman ; A. F. Merrill, Correspondent ; H. E. St. Clair, Overseer; Henry Arthur, Master of Ceremonies; James Crowell, Watchman ; Frank Ellston, Guard; Hattie Farnham, Rebecca; Mrs. Clara Jones, Rowena; and C. P. Soper, Physician. At the time of founding the Homestead was composed of sixty-two members, and is now in a flourishing condition. The position of Fore- man has been held by W. T. Davidson, Charles I. Reigard, H. E. St. Clair and C. H. Wylder, in the order named. Of course this order being new not much has occurred in its history worthy of special mention. Like all other fraternal insurance com- panies its success will depend on the tenacity with which the individual members cling to the organization.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
THE EARLY CHURCHES-M. E. PASTORS-BAPTISTS -FIRST CHURCH BUILDING IN THE COUNTY-REV. J. L. COPPOC-SUBSEQUENT PASTORS-CONGRE- - GATIONALISTS-REV. J. R. UPTON- PRESBY- TERIANS, THEIR PASTORS AND CHURCH-EPIS- COPALIANS-LUTHERANS-THE CATHOLICS-THE EVERGREEN SABBATH SCHOOL-SPIRIT LAKE MUS- ICAL ASSOCIATION-THE PIONEER CORNET BAND -THE PIONEER GIRLS' CLUB-THE SPIRIT LAKE CHAUTAUQUA.
M
ANY of the more prominent institutions of the town date from the early seventies. The schools, churches and civic societies all had their origin about that time. The organization and early work of the Methodists has been noticed at some length, and the names of the pastors given up to 1876. That year during the ministry of Rev. J. E. Cohenour they erected their first church building. This was the second church building in the county. Previous to that time they had held their services in the courthouse. The church was dedi- cated September 1, 1878, Rev. I. N. Pardee officiating. The different Methodist preachers located here from that time to the present are: P. H. Eighmy, W. H. Drake, Bennett Mitchell, F. J. McCaffree, G. W. L. Brown, W. T. Cole, H. B. Green, Joel A. Smith, F. Saunderson, F. E. Day, W. D. Phifer, W. T. MacDonald, W. M. Todd and E. E. Lymer.
In 1892 the church building was thoroughly renovated and a spacious addition erected. This church has ever been aggressive and strong and has from the first enjoyed a good degree of growth and prosperity. Wide awake Sabbath schools have been
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THE CHURCHES
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M. E. CHURCH -SPIRIT LAKE.
maintained from the start, and all of the up-to-date accessories for effectnal church work are liberally and enthusiastically supported.
The Baptists first organized a church in this county in the winter of 1872 and 1873 under the ministry of Rev. W. A. Dorward, and built a substantial church building in the summer of 1874, which by the way, was the first church building erected in the county. This church was dedicated July 26, 1874. Roy. officiating. Mr. Dorward was succeeded in his min- istry by Rev. J. L. Coppoc, who remained here several years. It may be interesting to some to know that Mr. Coppoe land two brothers who were with John Brown's men in the historic raid on Harper's Ferry. One of the brothers was captured, tried for treason and executed for his share in that wild schente. while the younger ( Barelay) escaped and made his way back to Iowa and afterward to Canada.
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Mr. Coppoc was succeeded in 1881 by Rev. W. H. Whitelaw, who remained one year, and was in turn succeeded by Rev. B. H. Brastead, who remained in charge of the work until 1887 or 1888, when he was succeeded by Rev. W. H. Dorward, a son of W. A. Dorward, who organized the church nearly fifteen years before. Rev. Charles Andrews suc- ceeded Dorward and remained two years, when he was succeeded by Rev. - Broadbridge, who stayed one year. For three or four years now the church building was occu- . pied by "The Church of God," which was originally an off- shoot of the German Lutherans. Their first pastor was Rev. Guenter, who was succeeded by Rev. J. W. Ault. In 1900 the Baptists again occupied their church, Rev. William Megan offi- ciating. In February, 1901, he was succeeded by Rev. J. G. Eaton. During the summer of 1901 repairs and improvements were made to the amount of $1,500. A prosperous Sabbath school has been maintained much of the time and the church has enjoyed a good degree of prosperity.
The early work of Rev. J. R. Upton for the Congregational Church has been noticed at some length. He remained in the work here and at Lakeville something over twelve years. The Congregationalists never had a church building at Spirit Lake, but most of the time held their services at the courthouse. After Mr. Upton left, which was about 1883 or 1884, most of the mem- bers of his church went to the Presbyterians, and the Congre- gational organization was discontinued.
The Presbyterian Church is of later date than those hereto- fore mentioned, their first organization having been effected December 14, 1881, through the efforts of Rev. A. K. Baird, Superintendent of Home Missions for Iowa. The first board of trustees was W. H. Bailey, Thomas Cousins and D. R. Chis- holm; first elder, Moses Thompson. The first pastor, G. N. Luccok served during the balance of 1881 and 1882. After
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THE CHURCHES
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - SPIRIT LAKE.
him were Rev. J. R. Rosser, 1883; Rev. J. H. Carpenter, 1884 to 1888; Rev. A. M. West, 1888 to 1890; Rev. C. E. Freeman. 1891 to 1895; Rev. H. J. Frothingham, 1895 to 1899; Rev. W. H. P. McDonald, February to November, 1900. Rev. Bert A. Rayson began labor January 6, 1901, and is the first installed pastor of the church, all others having been stated supplies. For the first five years the services were for the most part held in Beacon Hall. During the winter of 1885 and 1886 the pre- liminary steps were taken for the erection of a church build- ing. Work on the foundation was commenced in the spring, and on the twenty-sixth of July the cornerstone was laid with simple and appropriate ceremonies. Work above the founda- tion commenced September second. The building, though not wholly completed was first occupied for the morning service December 12, 1886. It was dedicated July 24, 1887, Rev. D. W. Fahs, of Des Moines, delivered the dedicatory sermon. Rev. T. S. Bailey, State Superintendent of Missions, followed with a presentation of the financial condition and needs of the church.
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December 8, 1886, a society was organized under the name of the "Guild of the Good Shepherd." The charter members were Mrs. D. F. Van Steenburg, Mrs. LeRoy Davis, Mrs. W. W. Stowe, Mrs. J. W. Cory, Mrs. Henry Thompson, Mrs. Wil- liam Vreeland and Mrs. G. P. Hopkins. The first rector was Rev. - Walker. Previous to the building of the chapel, ser- vices were held in the old Beacon Hall or the Baptist Church, and later in an abandoned store. The contract for building a chapel was let in July, 1894, to LeRoy Davis. On August 7, 1894, the cornerstone was laid with appropriate ceremonies by the Venerable Irving McElroy, of Waverly, acting as the rep- resentative of Bishop Perry, who was in Europe at the time. The total cost of the building and lot was about $2,850. The building committee were John Cravens, W. W. Stowe, William Hayward and A. (W. Osborn. The chapel was completed and opened for divine service entirely free from debt October 25, 1894, Rev. T. F. Bowen officiating. June 30, 1895, the chapel was consecrated, Bishop Perry presiding.
Among the early settlers were a number of German Luther- ans, who as early as 1869 and 1870 located to the northwest of the town of Spirit Lake, in Spirit Lake and Diamond Lake townships, and true to their ancient traditions they brought their strenuous and positive ideas of christianity with them, and among their first acts they made provision for maintain- ing religious worship in their own language and according to the tenets of their own faith. Prominent among these early workers were P. Bergman, C. Britch, (. Horn, Peter Vick, Henry Bibow, and a few others. The first meeting was held at the cabin of P. Bergman in 1871, the services being conducted by Rev. T. Mertens, a pioneer preacher who was. sent out to visit the frontier settlements to hunt out his native country- men and minister to their spiritual necessities, and provide for the maintenance of religious worship among them according
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THE CHURCHES
to their established beliefs. This practice of holding services at the homes of the settlers at stated periods was kept up for sev- eral years. Mr. Mertens was succeeded by Rev. E. H. Scheitz, of Algona. After the building of the Swailes Schoolhouse the meetings were principally held there. In 1878 Rev. C. W. Waas was stationed here and placed in charge of the work. He at once set himself at work to secure a permanent place of worship of their own, and in 1879 they built in Spirit Lake their first church building, which was a plain and unpretentious structure, and was planned to serve the threefold purpose of church, parsonage and schoolroom. It is a well known char- acteristic of the Lutherans that they believe religious instruc- tion should be an essential part of every child's early training, and therefore they made provision accordingly. It was not in- tended that the instruction given should be in lieu of the public schools, but in addition thereto that each child might have the training deemed necessary as a proper preparation for confir- mation and church membership, and it was in this sense that the school was established. Mr. Waas continued in the work until 1881. Following him were E. W. Mensing, 1881 to 1883, and John Becker, 1883 to 1884. In 1884 a change was made and the charge enlarged to embrace Spirit Lake, Esther- ville and Jackson, and was placed in charge of Rev. A. Gop- pelt, who divided his time among the three places and remained on the work for over ten years. Through his efforts a new and commodious church building was erected in 1895, and other improvements made. He was succeeded by A. Enselert, who remained until 1900. This society has never been numerically strong, but their members have ever been loyal to their church and zealous in its support.
While the Catholic element has never been as numerous in this town as in some others, they have from the first been liberal and loyal supporters of their church. Unlike most towns in
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northwestern Iowa, the early Catholics were not of Irish ex- traction but French and Canadian. They were reinforced later on by some Irish. In 1873 the Rev. J. J. Smith, of Em- metsburg, held the first Catholic services in the county at the house of Oliver Sarazine. He continued to hold services here twice a year at least and sometimes oftener until 1881 when Rev. M. K. Norton was stationed here as resident priest and held services here once in three weeks.
In the spring of 1882 Father Norton and Oliver Sarazine collected money to build a Catholic church. The amount col- lected was $1,500 and the church was erected the following fall. Father Norton was the only resident priest that ever lived in Spirit Lake and he remained here until 1887 when he was succeeded by Rev. L. Carroll, of Spencer. His successors were Rev. P. Macaully, Rev. P. A. R. Tierney and Rev. L. Kirby, in the order named, all of whom resided in Spencer and gave every third Sunday to Spirit Lake. This arrangement lasted until 1898, when the church here was placed in charge of Rev. M. R. Daley, of Estherville. He died on November 10, 1900, and was succeeded by his brother, Rev. J. R. Daley, who is pastor at the present time. The church is a frame building and is located in the north part of town on a' site donated by B. B. Van Steenburg, who though an Episcopalian himself, was ready to assist all worthy enterprises. There are about fifteen families in the parish and the church is free from debt.
One of the early day institutions of the town of Spirit Lake which is still remembered with much pleasure by those who participated in it is the Evergreen Sabbath School. While the several churches were conducted along denominational lines even in the early days, the Evergreen Sabbath School was a cosmopolitan affair and strictly nonsectarian. All met on a com- mon platform and labored for a common object. G. S. Need-
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EVERGREEN SABBATH SCHOOL
ham was the first superintendent and he was assisted by an able and enthusiastic corps of teachers and subordinates. Subse- quent to Mr. Needham's time, the superintendents were A. M. Johnson, C. H. Ayers and J. A. Doughty, in the order named. For several years there was no other Sabbath school in town. Its name and fame spread to adjacent neighborhoods. Stran- gers staying in town over Sunday visited the Evergreen Sabbath School. So common was the practice that at one time a visitors' class was organized and Rev. J. L. Coppoc, pastor of the Baptist Church, was selected to conduct it. The school was highly sue- cessful from the start and continued in existence several years until, as the churches multiplied and grew stronger, each one conceived it to be an imperative duty to organize and maintain a Sabbath school of their own, and this interesting and highly sue- cessful effort of the early times was allowed to die out to make room for several denominational schools that grew up in its stead.
Another of the institutions of this same period was the Spirit Lake Musical Association. During the winter of 1875 and 1876 the Leslie Concert Troupe made a tour of the towns of northwestern Iowa organizing musical associations and giv- ing concerts. The struck Spirit Lake December eighth. The Beacon of the ninth has the following notice :
"MUSICAL.
"The Leslie Musical Troupe which has visited several towns in northwestern Iowa lately will give a concert at the Baptist Church tomorrow night. It is their intention to organize a Musical Association and from the interest usually evinced in matters of this kind by our people we think a large class will be raised. There can be no question as to their ability, as they have given satisfaction wherever they have been."
The company gave their closing concert Tuesday evening, December twenty-first. The Musical Association was organized the evening before, of which the Beacon gives the following account :
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MUSICAL ASSOCIATION.
"An organization was formed last Monday night in town under the above name with the following officers: President, S. L. Pillsbury; Vice-President, C. H. Ayers; Secretary, J. A. Ellis ; Treasurer, Miss Dena Barkman. About forty names were attached to the articles of organization and a lively in- terest seems to be taken in the matter. The object of the association is to keep up a musical interest in the community and to furnish an opportunity for advancement in the art by continued practice and mutual instruction. Meetings will be appointed once a week and strict rules will be adopted to insure the attendance of the members."
Well, the class was organized and the next issue of the paper has the following :
"Spirit Lake is chuck full of musie this week. Everybody reads music, talks music, sings music, in season and out of season. In fact, there's music in the air and it permeates every nook and corner of our little city. Young men and maidens court the muse, hoping to increase their accomplish -. ments. Middle-aged persons whose early education in this direction was neglected are now trying to make up for lost time, and old men whose entire musical collection for years past has consisted of a medley composed of "Old Hundred," "Yankee Doodle," "Ortonville" and "Erin Go Bragh," are put- ting in their best licks learning to sing the new fangled tunes. The town is full of sharps and flats, some produced by art, but more the work of nature. Selah."
The above extract gives something of an idea of the enthusi- asm worked up. It is not at all overdrawn.
The foregoing incidents may seem decidedly commonplace, and indeed they would be hardly worth the telling were it not for the fact that they mark the first awakening of the spirit of improvement and musical development which has in more recent times been so marked a characteristic of our people. It is an acknowledged fact that the Spirit Lake Chautauqua annu- ally puts before the public one of the choicest, if not the choicest, program, literary and musical, of any organization
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PIONEER CORNET BAND
of its kind in the West. Now, if the demand did not exist they could not do it. Where did this demand originate ? It didn't come by chance. It had to be created, cultivated and fostered. What connection there may be between the early efforts and the development of the later days, we don't know, but the fact remains true all the same that there is no other town in Iowa in proportion to its population that annually invests anywhere near as much in musical entertainments as Spirit Lake.
The Spirit Lake Cornet Band is of later date. The follow- ing from the Beacon of November 17, 1878, gives the details, however, of its organization :
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