USA > Iowa > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 39
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Dr. W. N. Green is also a young man of splendid ability and rare culture : he has succeeded in winning for himself a large practice and is in every sense of the word worthy of the high reputation he has earned.
Dr. J. J. Lewis, the well known physician of Ridgeport, will soon occupy his new building at this place.
The good people of the Methodist Episcopal church here are taking steps for the erection of a large church building to cost upward of $1,500; they are well under way with the enterprise.
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VIEW ON MAIN STREET, STRATFORD
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
The Swedish-Lutheran church, a fine building, stands on the town site.
E. J. Bently, the enterprising lumberman, has sold his large stock of lumber to Charley Wise, who will do a flourishing business in this line. Besides being a young man of wide-awake business tact, Charley has a genial disposition and culture that is attracting scores of friends to him.
There are four grocery houses, three general stores and two hardware stores. We are situated in the center of the great coal-field of Iowa, in the midst of the largest bodies of timber, and command such an area of trade that our town must inevitably become an important place.
In future notes, I shall take you through our business houses-examine the buildings, and acquaint you with our men, etc., etc. If you wish a pleasant surprise, come down to Stratford and don't fail to call on your old friend.
PLUTO.
And the following descriptive write-up of Stratford appeared in the Freeman, January 14, 1885:
THE BUSINESS OF STRATFORD
at the present time is well represented and established. The hotels of the town are the Stratford House and the Central House. The former was built by W. A. Dawson, in 1881. It is a well built, good sized and amply furnished hotel, now operated by its owner, Mr. Dawson, who is a natural landlord. It has recently been refitted and refurnished throughout, and is equal to and far superior to most hotels in western Iowa. It is strictly a commercial house, and no traveling man need shun Stratford because of its hotel accommodations, as they will find an obliging host and hostess, whose every endeavor is to please their guests. Under the new management of this house it has gained a large patronage. It has come to be a retreat for the weary traveler, who feels quite at home at "The Stratford House."
The Central House was removed from Hook's Point, in 1881, and is now operated by William Hook ; and while it is not so large a house as the Stratford House, yet it has the share of patronage which it deserves. It is a cheaper class house and serves well its purpose.
The dry-goods business is in the hands of D. M. Blaine, T. H. Shaffer and A. C. Aaronson. These dealers all carry a well selected variety of goods be- longing to the line including staple and fancy articles.
The grocery trade is at the present represented by George Hook, John Lin- christ, Isaac Hyatt and Neese Bros. These firms do a general grocery business and buy all kinds of country produce, including poultry, butter and eggs.
The drug dealers are Peterson & Company and Robert Norton, both of whom carry full lines of drugs, patent medicines, paints, oils, etc., such as is demanded by the town and surrounding country.
Those engaged in the hardware business are John Peterson and Crary & Rodine. These firms both carry large stocks of both shelf and heavy hardware ; they also deal in farm machinery. One firm sold twenty self-binders last season. These stocks are fully up to any in the county as to quality, price and variety. The long, tedious trips to distant towns for farin supplies and hardware have become a thing of the past to the community surrounding Stratford.
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The meat market is kept by Robert Neese, in a very satisfactory manner to patrons, who find in this market all that they need in the meat line, including game and fish in their season.
The livery business of the town is carried on by William Hook and John Lundell. Each barn furnishes good turn-outs at reasonable prices.
The grain business of Stratford has come to be one of much importance. It is now operated by Carr & Anderson, who have a large elevator near the depot.
Lumber and coal are handled by Gardner, Bachelor & Company.
The dealers in live stock are B. MeCabe and Carr & Anderson, who pay the highest market price for produce, and are doing a thriving business.
The harness business of the place is conducted by George Gelder, who is an experienced workman, and has already worked into a good harness trade.
Blacksmithing, an essential factor in any community, is carried on at Strat- ford by J. Barton and Olof. Rosengreen, both of whom are thorough masters of their trades.
The wagon and carriage business is conducted by Mr. Berggen, who runs a good repair shop, doing excellent work.
The largest plow shop in Hamilton county is at this point, and is operated by a master workman-Olof. Rosengreen-who has all the modern appliances for doing plow work. He is doing an immense business.
Another important enterprise is the cooperage business, carried on by Brackett Bros., of Minneapolis, who employ twenty men and pay out $50 per day in getting out hoop poles and manufacturing cooper stock, ready for ship- ment. Large amounts of cordwood are also being shipped from Stratford.
THE POSTOFFICE
at this point was removed from Hook's Point in the summer of 1881. The first postmaster was H. G. Hicks, who was succeeded in 1882 by R. W. Biggs, the present postmaster. It became a money-order office in 1882. The first order issued was .August 7th to John Triter for $15. The first paid was to Levi O. Lane, August 2d, for $to. There have been 1.740 orders issued from this office up to January 6, 1885.
THE OPERA HOUSE
was built by Johnson & Lindreth, in 1881. It is over two business rooms, and is 44×50 feet, provided with good stage scenery and furniture. This hall has been of much value to the people in and about Stratford. as a place for holding all public entertainments, meetings, etc.
THE CHURCHES
of the town are the Methodist and Lutheran. The former was first organized at Hook's Point, but soon after the railroad was built was changed to Stratford. The society is within the northwest lowa conference and have the finest church edifice in the county, save at Webster City, which is well furnished and cared for by a membership of over forty. Rev. A. D. Hocker is the present pastor in
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
charge. The Lutheran church membership is made up of Scandinavians. This church was formed five years prior to the railroad era, and had a commodious church erected on a five-acre plat secured of Mr. Ten Eyck, through his agent, Huitt Ross. This church has quite a large membership. Services are conducted in the Scandinavian tongue.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
of Stratford are indeed an honor to the town. A large, well arranged frame building was built in 1882, at a cost of $2,200. There are two departments in this school where the best methods of teaching are employed. No better index can appear in any community, as to the thrift, intelligence and morality of a people, than to see a due observance to religious and educational matters. This is quite manifest about Stratford.
THE GRAND ARMY POST
"Daniel Hill Post, No. 373." was mustered in Nov. 14, 1884, with the fol- lowing charter membership: Thos. E. Ross, commander; L. M. Linn, senior vice commander ; J. S. Evans, Jr., vice commander ; E. J. Bently, officer of day ; James Wedding. adjutant; Geo. W. Krouskup, quartermaster; N. T. Wilson, chaplain ; E. A. Erickson, sergeant of guard ; C. C. Austin, quartermaster-sergeant ; James Wiggins, sergeant-major; Henry Snees and P. L. Peterson, privates. This post was named in honor of the first soldier who enlisted from this county. as he was also the first to die. The post now numbers about eighteen, and is in fine condition. They meet the first and third Saturday evenings of each month.
The I. L. of H. Lodge, No. 151, was organized Nov. 13, 1883, by fourteen charter members. They now number twenty-one, and are in a flourishing con- dition. Their times of meeting are the second and fourth Saturday evenings of each month.
THE INCORPORATION
of Stratford dates from September, 1883. The present officers are J. H. John- son, mayor; Geo. F. Tucker, recorder ; L. Emerson, I. Hyatt, Charles Rodine, M. H. Greene, George Gelder and Robert Norton, councilmen; R. W. Biggs, marshall. The incorporation is provided with a "lock-up," but since the pro- hibitory law went into effect, the citizens of the place say it is of no use to them.
The professional men of the town are G. F. Tucker, J. M. Blake and "Judge" Mckinney, attorneys; Drs. Rodgers and Chamberlain, physicians and surgeons. These men are skilled in their chosen professions, and are doing a good business.
"ROSS TOWN"
is that portion of Stratford which was platted by Huitt Ross, and is situated on the south side of the railroad track. This place is for the most part made up of dwelling houses, and has been much improved in the last year or two. Nestled in among a fine clump of trees may be seen the pioneer house of all
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
that location-that built by Mr. Ross-many years ago. The first frame house erected in that part of the county was his, which was built in 1853, or over thirty years ago. It is now used as a granary. His present fine residence is well finished and neatly furnished throughout. After so many long years of toil and hardship it seems indeed befitting that one so deserving as Mr. Ross should be so pleasantly situated. ! Ie has a well improved farm, containing the finest orchard in this county. There are evidences on every hand that Mr. Ross is a genius in many respects-a man of great experience, self-educated, yet thoroughly posted on almost any practical subject.
CHAPTER XIX
HAMILTON COUNTY ATTEMPTS TO GET MORE RAILROADS
Now that the county had two railroads leading to the great markets, the people were not satisfied. They were convinced that railroads built up the country and thereby increased the value of their property, so to create excitement, one needed only to suggest the coming of another railroad.
In the spring of 1881 it was reported that the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad had decided to build a line from Plymouth, a point near Mason City, to Council Bluffs, and that it would cross the Illinois Central Railroad within twenty miles of Webster City. Committees were appointed and attempts were made to attract this road to Hamilton county, but the attempt was unavailing. In the fall of 1881, however, the Crooked Creek Railroad proposed to extend its line to Webster City if the people would secure the right of way, grade the same, and secure depot grounds. The railway company's part of the enterprise was to iron the track and operate the road. It was estimated that the voting of a five per cent tax by the townships crossed by the road would raise the funds necessary. The question of voting a tax, however, could not be submitted while the tax levy voted for the benefit of the Toledo & Northwestern Railway stood. Since the Northwestern Railway did not intend to accept the tax on account of the provision of the law requiring the issue of railroad stock by the building company to the contributing taxpayers, that company was prevailed upon to release the levy in the spring of 1882.
The following May, notice of a special election of the voters of Boone town- ship for the purpose of voting a five per cent tax to aid in the construction of the Webster City & Southwestern Railway was published. The Webster City & Southwestern Railway Company was to build the Crooked Creek extension. W. C. Willson was president of this company. The fact that he was urging the tax was enough to guarantee the opposition of the "down town" faction and the contention was immediately made that the people were asked to pay too much for a "stub" coal road. Boone township at that time included considerable farm territory east of Webster City and the farmers in this territory generally opposed the tax. The election resulted in a defeat of the tax by a vote of 401 to 260.
About a year later-in October, 1883-the tax proposition was again sub- mitted in Boone township, this time a three per cent tax being asked for, and it carried by a vote of 326 for, to 310 against. As a three per cent tax from Boone township alone was not considered sufficient by the company, nothing was done.
In February, 1886, the proposition was again submitted to the voters of Boone township. This time a five per cent tax was asked for. The tax again carried by a vote of 308 for and 228 against.
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
The frequent votes taken upon the Crooked Creek Railroad proposition attracted some outside attention and the Fort Dodge Messenger, in March, made the following caustic comments :
"The annual five per cent tax has been voted by Webster City for the con- struction of the Crooked Creek Railroad to that place. The Argus says when that line is built the death knell will be sounded over the Mason City & Fort Dodge project. Most existing roads will doubtless have died of old age before that time arrives, however, so there is no use worrying over the prophesy. The forms, petitions and other preliminary documents for voting aid to the Crooked Creek road are said to be kept standing from year to year over in the village east of us, and when there is a positive stagnation of business a vote is ordered to keep people from dying of inaction. People over there are so used to this program that they count upon it just the same as they do on frost in the fall and a two-for-a-cent circus every summer. Rural communities are easily diverted and satisfied."
A few months after voting aid to the Crooked Creek, an engineering corps of the St. Louis, Des Moines and Northern Railroad made a preliminary survey through Hamilton county. The proposed line entered the county near Stratford. bore a little cast of north, crossed the Boone river near Bell's Mill, passed through the west part of Webster City and left the county near the northeast corner of Cass township. The railroad company offered to bring the road to Webster City and establish a division for $40,000.00, $25,000 to be subscribed for stock of the company and $15,000 to be given as a cash bonus. As a 5 per cent tax had just been voted to the Chicago Central Railroad, no tax could be voted to the St. Louis, Des Moines and Northern Railroad and a public meeting at Webster City was called to devise means to meet the proposition of the railroad company. The meet- ing was well attended by representatives of both up town and down town factions, and for an hour or two perfect harmony seemed to prevail in Webster City. It was decided to secure a relinquishment of two per cent of the tax voted to the Chicago Central Railroad which would raise about $15,000 and to raise $10,000 by taxation. A private subscription was started and Willson, Funk and Estes each subscribed $1,000 and about $6,000 was subscribed at the meeting. And during the brief period of good feeling "Walt" Willson became so generous that he publicly advocated locating the depot in the east part of town: In the mean- time the question of voting aid was taken up in other parts of the county. A special election was to be held in Marion township June 17 and in Webster town- ship July 5th.
In Marion township the tax was defeated by 3 majority. A correspondent from Stratford described the election as follows :
The railroad tax was defeated by only 3 votes. Marion was never so agitated. Every voter was out and every voter argued from "morn til dewie eve." It was a literary feast. Think of it! 237 orators and no listeners! It must not be sup- posed that because Marion declined to vote the tax that the people lack public spirit or are unfriendly to this line of proposed road. The result was due to va- rious causes-Hard times, condition of crops, dread of further debt, all con- tributed to the cause. It may truthfully be summed up by saying the time was inopportune.
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Before time for the Webster township election arrived the railroad company withdrew its election proposition and proposed another route through Hamilton county.
Continued assurances were given to Webster City, however, that if the stock subscriptions and bonus asked for were raised, the road would come. So at an informal meeting held January 26, 1887, it was decided to ask the city council to submit to a vote the question of the city appropriating $15,000 to buy right of way and depot grounds. A petition was circulated and a majority of the free holders signed it and pursuant thereto an election was ordered for March 7th. Already about $11,500 had been subscribed and with the $15,000 proposed to be given by the city, there was only about $3,500 to raise, and the coming of the railroad now seemed assured.
In the meantime suits had been started enjoining the collection of the tax voted to the Webster City and Southwestern Railway Company.
At a railroad meeting held in February these suits were discussed and the following resolutions were passed :
Whereas, the St. Louis, Des Moines and Northern Railroad Company have made a proposition to build their road into Webster City and establish a division with machine and repair shops, upon condition that sufficient grounds can be secured at a reasonable price, and the sum of $30,000 be donated for the purchase of such grounds and for the establishment of such division and shops in Webster City ; and as the town of Webster City has voted a tax to the Webster City and Southwestern Railroad, the collection of which is now pending, also, a suit to determine the legality of such tax; and believing by a compromise a portion of such tax can and ought to be diverted to aid in securing the St. Louis, Des Moines and Northern Railroad;
Therefore, we citizens and tax payers, are in favor of a compromise by a with- drawał and settlement of said suit, on condition that said Webster City and South- western Railroad Company will turn over the sum of $8,000 from the tax now voted them to the St. Louis, Des Moines & Northern Railroad; and as united action is necessary, we are in favor of circulating a paper for the signatures of our citizens who are in favor of such settlement, and are willing to relinquish their right to stock of said Webster City & Southwestern Railroad.
The persons in charge of the suits would not dismiss and at once the cry was raised that the "up and down town fight" was at the bottom of it all, and that the tax contests were ruining our prospects to secure the new road. A long news- paper controversy between W. C. Willson and D. D. Chase on one side and W. J. Covil on the other followed.
Before the date of the city election to vote aid to the railroad company the company withdrew its proposition and in April, word was received that all work on the road had stopped on account of failure to procure funds. And so an- other railroad prospect died, not because of the "up and down town fight," but because of its own weak constitution.
The tax voted to the Webster City and Southwestern Railroad Company was sustained by Judge Weaver in the district court and on appeal was also sustained by the supreme court.
The line from Lehigh to Webster City was completed in 1887.
Surveyors for the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Southwestern Railway arrived
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
in January, 1889. They were following the line of the "Gibson survey" made in 1886 for the St. Louis, Des Moines and Northern Railroad. The proposed line was to extend from St. Paul to Kansas City and pass through Clarion, Webster City and Boone and there were new dreams of railroad importance, but they were only dreams for the road never materialized.
In November, 1892, there was talk of an extension of the Des Moines North- ern and Western Railroad from Boone to Webster City and a meeting was held at which committees were appointed to encourage the enterprise, but nothing developed.
In the spring of 1893 it was reported that the Wenona and Southwestern Rail- way contemplated a line from Osage to Webster City and again public spirited citizens held a meeting and appointed committees. Later a call was issued asking that the counties of Floyd, Mitchell, Hamilton and Franklin select delegates to meet at Hampton to consider means to forward the enterprise. The delegates accordingly met in March and received a communication from the railroad com- pany asking "large and liberal aid." A proposition was made to Webster City, which proposed that if a tax of five per cent was voted to aid the road, the line would be built to that city and both passenger and freight divisions established there.
Accordingly an election was called for June 29th. As the voting of a five per cent tax meant an investment of about $50,000 by the people of Webster City, it did not meet with the enthusiastic reception the promoters of the enterprise expected, and at the election the tax was defeated by a vote of 298 for to 358 against.
Talk of a new railroad was not renewed again until in March, 1897. Mr. D. B. Hurd, a real estate dealer from Des Moines, at that time proposed to secure an extension of the Great Western Railway from Hampton to Webster City. Public meetings were held and B. C. Mason and W. N. Merrill were appointed as a com- mittee to look after the interests of Webster City. They went to Minneapolis and interviewed President Stickney of the Great Western road, and on their return reported that the coming of the road was assured. To aid the road it was proposed that the people of the city vote a 11/2 per cent special tax and at an election called for the purpose the tax carried by a vote of 749 for and 124 against. The financial depression of 1897, however, involved the Great Western in such a man- ner that the extension was not made.
CHAPTER XX
THE ROSENCRANS PARK
A HEALTH RESORT-TILE FIRST PARK OPENING-TIIE SECOND PARK OPEN DAY- JUDGE DOANE'S ADDRESS-TIIE END OF THE PARK.
In 1884 the discovery of a number of strong flowing wells along Boone river at Webster City developed visions of another enterprise that should make Web- ster City famous and its people wealthy. The water from these wells was charged with mineral qualities, and a chemical analysis showed these to be of such pro- portions as to give the water a medicinal value. It was now evident to our enthu- siasts that Webster City was destined to be a great health resort, and the follow- ing announcement appeared in the Freeman of July 9, 1884:
To Health Seekers-Webster City's Mineral Spring!
And overflowing wells present opportunities for health-seekers unsurpassed by few localities in the west. The "Big Mineral Spring" is situated within three minutes' walk of the postoffice, and its waters are perfectly pure and pleasant to the taste. Flowing up through a four-inch pipe at the rate of a barrel a minute, ample opportunity is afforded all who may come to "drink freely" of these waters that are commending themselves to the invalid and health-seeker. The analysis as made by Prof. Pope, of the Iowa State Agricultural College, shows in com- bination, iron, soda, magnesia, potash, and sulphur, with other medical properties in less degree ; and are being tested by hundreds daily with decided benefit in case' of rheumatism, kidney, bowel and stomach diseases, etc. The spring is fitted up for the convenience of visitors equal to any of the springs of the country, and is in close proximity to the flowing wells which are believed also to possess nearly or quite the same properties.
The facilities for reaching Webster City are scarcely excelled in the state- the town having direct railroad connection with Chicago, Sioux City, Des Moines, Council Bluffs, St. Paul and all the northwestern country. The hotel accommoda- tions are first class with good board at from $4 to $6 per week; and at board- ing houses entertainment can be furnished at from $3 to $4 per week. Web- ster City is pleasantly situated, with natural scenery, drives, churches, schools and other attractions to the visitor.
The proprietors of the spring are desirous of fitting up a sanitarium, and special inducements will be given to any competent and reliable physician who will take an interest in the enterprise.
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For particulars address P. O. box 42, Webster City, Iowa.
While no reliable physician appeared with money enough to spare to push the health resort project, many people in Webster City drank the flowing waters, be- lieved in them and were consequently benefited.
TIIE FIRST PARK OPENING
The flowing wells were located on a strip of river bottom on the east side of Boone river just south of Dubuque street, belonging to S. B. Rosencrans. Rosen- crans was one of the earliest settlers and had always been prominent in business and politics. He was an enthusiast and dreamer. He had dreamed out the health resort project, but as it failed to materialize, his imagination now turned to an- other project. It was the creating of a beautiful public park about the now fa- mous flowing wells. During all of the spring of 1885 he worked at this project with feverish activity, doing most of the work with his own hands. Ile built walks, edged with whitewashed stones, planted flowers, built sparkling fountains, put numerous seats in shady nooks, and by the last of May the park was a bower of beauty. It was then announced that on June 4, 1885, would occur the first grand park opening, when the park was to be thrown open to the public. The event was liberally advertised and people came from all parts of the county and the park was thronged with people all intent on a good time. Of all the happy faces that thronged the park none so beamed with joy and pleasure as that of Rosencrans, the host and philanthropist. He shook hands with everybody, ran hither and thither with feverish energy, pointing out and explaining what he had done and relating his pet schemes for the future. Every one paid homage to Rosencrans. In the evening the band serenaded him at his residence and he was called on for a 'speech and when he arose to speak, the cheers that greeted hint brought tears of joy to his eyes.
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