USA > Iowa > Webster County > Fort Dodge > History of Fort Dodge and Webster County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 26
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TIIE ASSOCIATED CILARITIES
The Associated Charities of Fort Dodge was organized October 1, 1897, in the old Baptist church which stood on the present site of the Wahkonsa Hotel, on the corner of Tenth street and Central avenue. Rev. Bovell, at that time pastor of the church, presided at the meeting and the officers elected were: Presi- dent, George E. Roberts ; vice president, Rev. Bovell ; treasurer, G. S. Ringland ; secretary, Miss Springer.
The executive committee for the first year consisted of George E. Roberts, P. M. Mitchell, Mrs. Nettie Guild, Charles Craft, Mr. Mater, Mr. Julius and G. S. Ringland.
Immediately after the organization the society secured from the Minneapolis and St. Louis railroad use of a number of vacant lots in South Fort Dodge, that has been known since as the "garden patch," and is parceled out to those who wish to cultivate it under the direction of the Associated Charities. A nominal charge of one dollar is made to pay for the cost of plowing and harrowing the ground. While in some instances good use has been made of the ground, yet it has not generally been by the very poor people, but by the thrifty, industrious class, who are already paying for a little home. As a means of assistance to this class the experiment has been worth while, but as a help to the "destitute," it has not proven the philanthropic remedy for poverty. The supervision of the garden patch has been the work of Webb Vincent, one of the most active mem- bers of the society.
Rev. C. H. Remington, former rector of St. Mark's, was very zealous and interested in the work during his residence here and acted as president for some time. P. M. Mitchell, who succeeded Mr. Roberts as president, was elected in 1901 and Dr. P. C. Baird, then pastor of the Presbyterian church, was elected to the office of president in the year 1904. He served until the year 1906, when
OLESON PARK, FORT DODGE. CONCRETE BRIDGE BUILT IN 1911
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOP, LENOX AND : D N FOUNDATIONS.
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Dr. McCreight was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Dr. Baird and has held the office ever since.
Contributions to the society have been voluntary, but have always been sufficient to meet the demands of the society, whose aim has been to give only temporary relief, leaving "chronic" cases to the county. The Thanksgiving Day offering at the union church service has each year been contributed to the funds of the society. The B. P. O. E. have also contributed to the work, on two occasions giving the proceeds from special entertainments, one of which was the production of Julius Caesar.
When the Visiting Nurse Association was formed in Fort Dodge, Miss Bertha Middlemas, the nurse in charge of the work, proved very valuable in investigating and bringing cases to the attention of the Associated Charities.
With the organization of the Women's Club of Fort Dodge, in 1912, a department of charities was formed and Miss Gladys Welles of New York, was hired as secretary. In December, 1912, the department was combined with the Associated Charities. and officers were elected as follows: A. H. McCreight, president ; Mrs. J. M. Schaupp, vice president ; C. M. Rudesill, secretary ; P. M. Doud, treasurer ; Mrs. O. M. Oleson, chairman of executive committee, and Miss Gladys Welles, general secretary.
WEBSTER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The inception of the Webster County Historical Society was the usual one, that of a small gathering of a few interested ones at the call of one just a little more interested than the rest. The first meeting was held in the studio of Mr. H. O. Baldwin, June 26, 1906. At this meeting arrangements were made for a meeting at a later date for the purpose of organization. This meeting was held July 10, 1906, and at that time a constitution and by-laws were adopted and officers elected. The first officers were: Mrs. Jonathan P. Dolliver, presi- dent ; H. O. Baldwin, vice president ; Mrs. C. B. Hepler, secretary and treasurer, and H. M. Pratt, curator. The board of directors consisted of the president, secretary and curator and two additional members, O. M. Oleson and L. S. Coffin. Since that time the office of president has been filled by C. V. Findlay and Mrs. John F. Duncombe. H. M. Pratt has been curator of the society since its organi- zation. The present officers ( 1912-1913) are: Mrs. John F. Duncombe, presi- dent ; Mrs. C. B. Hepler, vice president ; Guy Ryther, secretary and treasurer, and H. M. Pratt curator; and the additional members of the board of directors being O. M. Oleson and C. V. Findlay. The headquarters of the society are in the basement of the public library.
The first work of the society was the establishment of the custom of holding an annual Pioneers' day celebration in connection with the Chautauqua assembly. Through the kindness of the Chautauqua management, it has been possible to hold this gathering each year. The first observance of the day was Tuesday, August 7, 1906. The occasion was in the nature of an anniversary of the arrival of the United States troops at Fort Dodge fifty-six years before. In the forenoon a short program of pioneer reminiscences was given at the grounds. This was followed by a picnic dinner. The afternoon program opened with the ceremony of raising the "Stars and Stripes" on the new flag pole, which had been erected
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on the high school grounds for the occasion, and which is still in use, a monument to the work of the Fort Dodge chapter of the D. A. R. This feature of the program was in charge of the D. A. R., assisted by the members of the G. A. R., Company G, I. N. G., and the Fifty-sixth Regiment Band, I. N. G. At the Chautauqua grounds military maneuvers were held by the militia and a concert was given by the regimental band. The address of the afternoon was delivered by Dr. B. F. Shambaugh of the University of Iowa, and Senator Jona- than P. Dolliver acted as presiding officer. At this first meeting a register was kept of all those attending who had been residents of the county forty years or more. This custom has been kept up each year since. The register shows a good attendance at each annual gathering. On account of lack of funds, the society has done little in the way of publication. The energies of the society have been spent principally in keeping up the observance of Pioneers' day. The society is an auxiliary member of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and was represented at the semi-centennial celebration of the adoption of the Iowa constitution held at Iowa City, March, 1907, and also at the meeting of the Mississippi Valley Historical Society, also held at Iowa City, May, 1910.
FORT DODGE COMMERCIAL CLUB
The Fort Dodge Commercial club was organized at a mass meeting held in the court room December 4, 1902. At this meeting about one hundred people were present. The meeting was called to order by Mr. F. T. Clark, who in turn called Mr. A. L. Brown to the chair. Mr. E. H. Williams acted as secretary.
The club as first organized was incorporated as a stock company with a capital stock of $2,000, divided into shares of $5.00 each. The payment for stock was to apply on the membership dues for the first year. The stock sub- scription plan was soon found to be impracticable, and instead memberships were issued with annual dues of $10.00. These annual dues provide the funds for the general expenses of the club. When funds are needed for some particular purpose that requires a considerable amount of money they are raised by special subscriptions.
At the first meeting articles of incorporation and by-laws were presented by Mr. Clark, who had been instrumental in calling the meeting. The final adoption of the articles was deferred until the meeting for permanent organization, which was held January 14, 1903. A committee was also appointed to solicit the sale of stock. At a subsequent meeting this committee reported 104 subscribers.
The following temporary officers were elected to serve until the permanent organization: M. E. Springer, president; W. F. Maher, vice president ; John Abel, treasurer; and E. H. Williams, secretary. The first board of directors consisted of J. B. Butler, W. U. Turpin, L. E. Armstrong, O. M. Oleson, M. J. Haire, F. T. Clark, R. O. Green, E. H. Williams, M. F. Healy, P. M. Mitchell, L. R. Dohs, A. C. Heath, John Abel, V. C. Colbert and E. G. Larson.
The first proposition ever presented to the Commercial club for action was one from the "Vigor-O-Health" Company, who desired to locate in Fort Dodge for the manufacture of their products. The first convention to be entertained by the club was that of the Upper Des Moines Editorial Association, which met in Fort Dodge, February 5, 6, 1903.
MEMBERS OF THE FORT DODGE COMMERCIAL CLUB AT "NOONDAY LUNCHEON," 1912
(
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
At the time the Commercial Club was organized the matter of creating a department of commerce as a part of the national administration was being talked of, and the newly organized club passed a resolution favoring the same. Yet at the same time club members, in addressing the meetings of the club, opposed the extension of rural free delivery and the establishment of a parcel post. The early records also show the appointment of a committee, whose duty was to endeavor to secure passes from the railroads for the various committees of the club which might from time to time be appointed to investigate factory proposi- tions. It was at a meeting held February 26, 1903, that C. J. Crawford first presented a proposition for the erection of a much needed hotel, and which finally resulted in the building of the "Crawford," after many delays.
Since its organization the Commercial Club has entertained many propositions. Some have been good. Many have been bad. Some, that at first sight proved promising, failed. Yet in the total the club has had much to their credit. The securing of some of the best factories in the city has been due to their work. They have successfully entertained many conventions and have given Fort Dodge its reputation as an ideal convention city. It was largely due to Commercial Club efforts that the "Wahkonsa" hotel was built; and the electrolier system of lights on Central avenue is due to the work of a committee from the club.
At first the club had no regular meeting place, the meetings being generally held in the court room. The commissioner, however, had an office in the East Mason block and here the board of directors usually met. Later the club rented a hall in the Doud block; and January 1, 1912, they moved to the West Mason block, where in connection with the A. O. U. W. lodge they rent the entire third floor.
The by-laws provide for the hiring of a commissioner whose duty it is to take charge of the active work of the club. This office was first held by F. L. Harmon, and later by S. T. Meservey. The office was then combined with that of secretary and J. E. Downing was elected to the office.
In November, 1911, the club established the custom of having a business men's luncheon every Wednesday noon. At this luncheon there is usually a short program of addresses upon timely subjects. The annual meeting of the club is held the second Wednesday in January of each year, the regular meeting of the board of directors occurs the first Wednesday of each month.
The officers of the society, consisting of a president, vice president, secre- tary and treasurer are usually chosen from the board of fifteen directors. The work of the club is carried on by committees. The chairman of each committee is a member of the board of directors and the remaining members are selected from the membership at large.
The objects of the association as set forth in the articles of incorporation are as follows: "To secure cooperation from all classes of people in the com- munity, representing commercial, mechanical, banking, real estate and profes- sional interests, not to supersede or antagonize any existing business organiza- tions, but by consulting and with united efforts to work for the common good of all in matters touching the general welfare of the city of Fort Dodge; to secure the location of manufacturing and other business enterprises in the city ; to promote commercial progress and increase trade and industries; to acquire and disseminate commercial and economical information : to increase
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acquaintance and harmony among the business and professional men of the city, using such means as may be best calculated to protect the interests and rights of citizens, looking chiefly towards the commercial development of the city and surrounding territory.
The principal officers of the association since its organization are as follows : 1904. L. R. Dohs, president ; E. H. Williams, secretary ; John Abel, treasurer. 1905. J. B. Butler, president; J. E. Downing, secretary; E. G. Larson, treasurer.
1906. J. B. Butler, president; J. E. Downing, secretary; E. G. Larson, treasurer.
1907. D. M. Woodward, president; E. F. Gates, secretary; E. G. Larson,
treasurer.
1908. W. V. Mulroney, president; H. M. Pratt, secretary, C. E. Larson,
treasurer.
1909. A. D. McQuilken, president; H. M. Pratt, secretary ; C. E. Larson, treasurer. 1910. A. D. McQuilkin, president; H. M. Pratt, secretary; C. D. Case, treasurer.
19II. J. R. Mulroney, president; H. M. Pratt, secretary; C. D. Case, treasurer.
1912. J. R. Mulroney, president; H. M. Pratt, secretary; C. D. Case, treasurer.
CHAPTER XVIII
THE SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE AND EXPEDITION
INKPADUTAH TAKES REVENGE-THE MASSACRE AT THE LAKES-CAPTIVES RETURN THE SPIRIT LAKE MONUMENT-NEWS OF MASSACRE REACHES FORT DODGE- RELIEF EXPEDITION ORGANIZED-JOHN F. DUNCOMBE'S STORY OF THE EXPEDITION -DEATH OF CAPTAIN JOHNSON AND WILLIAM BURKIIOLDER-RETURN TO FORT DODGE.
During the spring of 1856, adventurous emigrants in search of claims and preemptions had reached northern Iowa. Settlements at Okoboji and Spirit Lakes embraced about fifty persons. The most of these settlers reached the lakes in the months of July and August, having little time to erect their cabins and prepare hay for their few cattle before winter set in. The winter of 1856-57 was one of unusual and persistent severity. Frequent storms covered the prairies with a depth of snow that made travel very difficult and completely cut off communication between the scattered settlements for weeks and months.
Most of the Indians had by this time removed from northwestern Iowa, but parties frequently returned to hunt and fish at their favorite resorts of former years. Inkpadutah, who often came with his band, had professed friendship for the whites in these isolated settlements, but those familiar with the Indian character were fearful lest he some day would take revenge upon them for the massacre of his family by Lott.
In February, 1857, Inkpadutah and his band appeared on the Little Sioux river in the northeastern corner of Woodbury county. They came ostensibly to hunt, but in reality they came to plunder. As they passed up the Little Sioux to the lake district they robbed and maltreated the settlers. The arms, ammunition, provisions and cattle were taken from them, leaving the settlers destitute and defenseless. As the snow was very deep and communication with other settle- ments impossible, they were compelled to submit to the many outrages the Sioux perpetrated.
The Indians reached the lakes in the early days of March and finally on the eighth day of that month began the outrages, which resulted in the deaths of more than one-half of the people at this settlement.
On the southeast side of the lake, near what is now known as Pillsbury Point, lived the Rowland Gardner and Harvey Luce families ; on the east was the cabin occupied by Dr. I. H. Herriott, Bertell Snyder, William and Carl Granger ; also on the east side were the cabins of James H. Mattocks. Joel Howe, Alvin Noble and Joseph M. Thatcher. Six miles to the northeast, on the west shore of Spirit lake, William Marble and wife resided.
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While the Gardner family were at breakfast their cabin door was opened and in stalked fourteen Sioux, led by Inkpadutah. The Indians professed friendship, until they had eaten all of the available food, and until resisted by Luce, when attempting to take the guns and ammunition belonging to their hosts. At this point, Dr. Herriott and Carl Snyder entered and the savages withdrew. Mr. Gardner believing the entire settlement in danger urged the young men to assemble all the neighbors at his house in order to defend themselves. The young men, however, thought there was no danger and soon repaired to their own cabins.
After prowling about during the forenoon, the Indians approached the Mat- tocks' cabin, taking Gardner's cattle and shooting them on the way. The entire Mattocks' family was murdered; and in spite of a brave attempt on the part of Gardner to defend his family, he and they, with the exception of one daughter, were killed. This fourteen-year-old daughter, Abbie, was taken prisoner. In defending the Mattocks' family, Dr. Herriott and Carl Snyder lost their lives. Luce and Clark, who had started to warn the settlers, were overtaken and scalped. That night, with truly savage orgies, the Indians celebrated the slaughter of over twenty men, women and children.
On the morning of the ninth, they continued the massacre, taking as victims the Howe, Thatcher and Noble families with the exception of Mrs. Noble and Mrs. Thatcher, who were taken to the Indian camp as prisoners.
Later on, William Marble was treacherously shot and his wife taken captive. Before leaving Marble's Grove, the Indians peeled bark from a large tree and on the white surface pictured the record of their cruel deeds.
Not a person in this whole colony was spared, when Inkpadutah took vengeance upon the innocent for the massacre of his relatives by Lott and his stepson.
The Indians went northward to Springfield, Minnesota, where they again com- mitted depredations, and allowed only a few to escape their butchery.
The four young women, who had been taken captive, were taken westward by the Indians ; were subjected to innumerable cruelties ; were compelled to cut wood and assist in camp drudgery. Mrs. Thatcher, after six weeks of terrible suffer- ing, was cruelly forced to swim back and forth across the Big Sioux river until she was exhausted and drowned.
When news of the massacre at the lakes and of the capture of the four young women reached the Indian agency on Yellow Medicine river, the agent, Charles E. Flandreau, with S. R. Riggs and Dr. Thomas Williamson, a missionary, began to devise plans for the rescue of the captives. They finally succeeded in pur- chasing Mrs. Marble for one thousand dollars. She did everything in her power to effect the rescue of her two surviving companions. The Minnesota legislature appropriated ten thousand dollars to be used by the governor to secure the release of the two captives. Before Inkpadutah's camp was reached, however, Mrs. Noble had been beaten to death. Miss Gardner was purchased and delivered to Governor Medary, who paid the reward of twelve hundred dollars for her deliverance.
In commemoration of this event the twenty-fifth general assembly of Iowa enacted a law for the erection of a suitable monument at Spirit lake on the grounds where these scenes took place. Governor Jackson appointed as commissioners. Hon. C. C. Carpenter. Hon. John F. Duncombe, Hon. R. A. Smith, Mrs. Abbie Gardner Sharpe and Hon. Charles Aldrich. The location selected for the monu-
ST. PAUL'S GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH, FORT DODGE Dedicated in 1886
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
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ment is very close to the site upon which the Gardner cabin was located. The monument itself is composed of Minnesota granite, is 55 feet in height and rests upon a base, 14X14 feet. The following appears on the bronze tablets :
NORTH TABLET
Iowa Coat of Arms
WEST TABLET
Roster of the Relief Expedition, Fort Dodge, March 24, 1857 Major William Williams commanding
Company A-C. B. Richards, captain : F. A. Stratton, first lieutenant ; L. K. Wright, sergeant ; Solon Mason, corporal.
Privates-W. E. Burkholder, C. C. Carpenter, Julius Conrad, - Chatterton, J. W. Dawson, John Farney, Andrew Hood. William McCauley, E. Mahan, W. F. Porter : L. B. Ridgeway, R. A. Smith, O. S. Spencer, Silas Vancleave, G. W. Brizee, L. D. Crawford, Henry Carse, Wm. Defore, Wm. Ford, John Gales, Angus McBane, Michael Maher. W. P. Pollock, B. F. Parmenter, Winton Smith, G. P. Smith. C. Stebbins, R. U. Wheelock, D. Westerfield.
Company B-J. F. Duncombe, captain ; James Linn, first lieutenant ; S. C. Stevens, second lieutenant ; \V. N. Koons, sergeant ; Thomas Calagan, corporal.
Privates-Jesse Addington, Hiram Benjamin, Orlando Bice, A. E. Crouse, Michael Cavanaugh, John Heffley, A. Burch, D. H. Baker, Richard Carter, R. F. Carter, Jere Evans, O. C. Howe, D. F. Howell, Jonas Murray, G. F. McClure, Michael McCarty, Robert McCormick, Daniel Okeson, J. M. Thatcher, John White. Washington Williams, A. S. Johnson, Daniel Morrissey, A. H. Malcames. J. N. McFarland, John O'Laughlin, Guernsey Smith, W. Searles, W. B. Wilson, Reuben Whetstone.
Company C-J. C. Johnson, captain; J. N. Maxwell, first lieutenant ; F. B. Mason, second lieutenant : H. Hoover, sergeant ; A. N. Hathaway, corporal.
Privates-Thos. Anderson, T. B. Bonewright, W. L. Church, H. E. Dalley, John Gates, James Hickley, M. W. Howland, W. K. Laughlin, F. R. Moody, J. C. Pemberton, Michael Sweeney, A. K. Tullis, G. R. Bissell, surgeon; James Brainard, Sherman Cassady, Patrick Conlan, John Erie, Josiah Griffith, H. C. Hillock, E. D. Kellogg, A. S. Leonard, John Nowland, Alonzo Richardson, Patrick Stafford. N. V. Lucas, C. Sherman, com'sy.
EAST TABLET
The pioneer settlers named below were massacred by Sioux Indians, March 8-13, 1857. The barbarous work was commenced near this spot, and continued to a point north of Spirit Lake.
Robert Clark, Rowland Gardner, Francis M. Gardner, Rowland Gardner, Jr., Carl Granger, Joseph Harshman, Isaac H. Herriott, Joel Howe, Millie Howe, Jonathan Howe, Sardis Howe, Alfred Howe. Jacob Howe, Philetus Howe, Harvey Luce, Mary M. Luce, Albert Luce, Amanda Luce, William Wood, William Marble, James H. Mattock, Mary M. Mattock, Alice Mattock, Daniel
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Mattock. Agnes Mattock, Jacob M. Mattock, Jackson A. Mattock, Robert Mat- thieson. Lydia Noble, Alvin Noble, John Noble, Enoch Ryan, Bertel E. Snyder, Joshua Stewart, wife and two children, Elizabeth Thatcher, Dora Thatcher, George Wood.
MEMORANDA
Mrs. Margaret Ann Marble, Mrs. Lydia Noble, Mrs. Elizabeth Thatcher and Miss Abbie Gardner were carried into captivity. Mrs. Marble was rescued, May 21. and Miss Gardner, June 27, 1857, through the efforts of Governor Sam Medary and Hon. Charles E. Flandrau, of Minnesota. Mrs. Noble and Mrs. Thatcher were murdered by the Indians.
Captain J. C. Johnson, of Webster City, and Wm. E. Burkholder, of Fort Dodge, were frozen to death on the return march in Palo Alto county, April 4, 1857.
Persons who fled from the attack on Springfield, Minnesota, and were rescued by the relief expedition: John Bradshaw, David Carver, Mrs. S. J. Church and two children, Eliza Gardner, Geo. Granger, Mrs. Harshman and children, Mr. Harshman (son of the preceding) and wife, Morris Markman, Mrs. William Nelson and child, Jared Palmer, A. B. Shiegley, J. B. Skinner and wife, Mr. Smith and wife, Dr. G. B. N. Strong, wife and two children, John Stewart, Drusilla Swanger, J. B. Thomas, wife and five children.
THE SPIRIT LAKE EXPEDITION
The news of the destruction of the settlements around Spirit Lake was brought to Fort Dodge by O. C. Howe, R. U. Wheelock and B. F. Parmenter. who had taken claims in the neighborhood of Spirit Lake. They had started early in March to visit their claim, and reached the Thatcher cabin on the 15th. Unable to arouse anyone in the cabin, they opened the door and beheld the dead bodies of Noble and Ryan. Upon approaching the cabin of Mr. Howe, they found the mutilated bodies of seven women and children. Realizing that this was the work of the Indians, they hastened back to Fort Dodge to carry the news, and to secure aid. They reached the city on Saturday night, March 21, 1857. The next day a public meeting was called in the "old brick" school- house and the following day two companies were organized to go to the relief of the settlements. These two companies were company A, commanded by Captain C. B. Richards and Company B, commanded by Captain John F. Dun- combe. They were joined by another company from Webster City, known as Company C. and commanded by Captain J. C. Johnson. These three com- panies were formed into a battalion and Major William Williams assumed the command. At the time, Major Williams had a commission from Governor Grimes, authorizing him, in case of Indian depredations to organize sufficient military force to protect the settlers.
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