USA > Iowa > O'Brien County > History of O'Brien County, Iowa, from its organization to the present time > Part 26
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After Mr. Green and Mr. Wood, there soon followed Hiram Algyer, who, being a first-class carpenter and builder, well understood that Sanborn was to furnish unlimited labor for mechanics, and consequently he was early on the ground. His dwelling house was the third of that kind of building in point of time, and was soon occupied by himself and family. About the same time L. D. Thomas moved a building on the town site, which belonged to A. G. Willits, which Mr. Thomas used as a carpenter shop, and which constituted the fourth building in Sanborn. This building was occupied by Mr. Thomas until the marriage of Mr. Willits to Miss Cora Thomas, when they settled down to housekeeping in the same building. This was in January, 1878, and during the same month several other buildings were moved from Primghar, in' fact there seemed to be a general exodus from the county seat. About this time the Barnes hotel arrived in Sanborn. Mr. Barnes having kept hotel at Primghar, moved the build- ing and continued the same business at Sanborn.
The first store was opened by S. W. Clark. He did for a while have his stock in the depot, and there satisfied the pub- lic demands for the necessaries of life, until a building, also moved from Primghar, was furnished him. This building was afterward occupied by J. T. Joyce with a grocery stock. About the next building was Paine's store.
In November, 1878, a freight car was placed on the side- track and used as a depot. L. E. Whitman was the first agent,
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HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
who lived in the depot building, as also did W. Dunbar, the first roadmaster at this point.
The first church services were held in the residence of L. C. Green. They consisted of the usual Sunday exercises of the Methodist church. There were not many present, in fact the town had not many to be present, but what were there made themselves devotional in psalm singing, and listening to the sermon by Rev. Ira Brashears.
Several other buildings were moved from Primghar to Sanborn that winter. The building erected by Mr. Pumphrey for the use of the county, was moved and is now a dwelling house. E. M. Brady also moved his building, in which was a hardware store.
It must have been a novel sight, especially to an ex- treme eastern man to have seen the road from the county seat lined with moving build- ings, and the prairie dotted with that which is supposed to be permanent and fixed, but it only illustrates the changes which time brings about.
Frank Teabout was early on the ground in Sanborn. HON. I. S. STRUBLE. He erected several buildings, was a man of much public spirit and business enterprise, and everything had to move that he took hold of. Mr. Teabout died several years ago.
E. M. Brady, one of the earliest settlers, established the first hardware store in town, and is still engaged here in the same business with his brother James. Mr. Brady has been a member of the county board of supervisors, and is at present
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HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
a member of the legislature from this district. He is a man of good business qualities, takes an interest in the town and is of good repute among his neighbors.
The first bank in Sanborn, was started in January, 1879, by I. W. Daggett, who had a bank at Primghar, but who moved the whole business over to Sanborn, building and all. The building was placed on the corner of Second and Main streets, but was afterwards vacated by Mr. Daggett, for other and better quarters, and the building is now occupied by some party as a residence. He afterwards formed a partnership with M. H. Freeman, and these two continued the business until later on, they sold out to Harker & Green, Mr. Daggett is still engaged in trade at Sanborn.
J. R. Pumphrey was an early settler, and in January and February, 1879, he moved eight buildings from Primghar to Sanborn. The winter of 1878-79 was not a severe one, it was favorable to outdoor work, but had it been a winter similiar to '80 and '81, but little could have been accomplished in the removal of buildings.
The first mail route between Sanborn and Primghar was established February 1, 1879. L. C. Green was appointed as mail carrier, and like everything else which Lem undertook, the mail was always on time.
The first butcher shop in Sanborn was opened in February of that same year by Sam Hibbs. He moved his building from the county seat, and what few there were, had an oppor- tunity to buy some beefsteak for their breakfast, and a choice roast for dinner.
Dick Thomas was an early settler in the county, and com- menced life in Sanborn as a hotel clerk.
The first scales in town, by which farmers and all others could test the accuracy of the weight of their commodity, were put in by Mr. Daggett, and he himself balanced the beam, and no doubt justly as between buyer and seller. The depot building at this time was used for church services, and was so used until other accommodations were had.
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HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
As soon as the government could get around to it, and the people were prepared for it, a postoffice was the order of the day. Ira Brashears was soon appointed postmaster, and the first office was in the bank building of I. W. Daggett.
In March, 1879, the town was still in its infancy. It was only a few months since the railroad reached the townsite, so there was not a very extend- ed growth, or a large dis- play of buildings, but the march of improvement went on, and Sanborn constantly advanced. At this time in March and following, tem- perance lectures were had every Wednesday evening. People in a new town always turn out to anything that comes along, and in this re- spect can set a good exam- ple to older towns. It is often the case that a negro show, or some monkey per- formance will attract an aud- ience, while a sensible or an D. C. ELDREDGE. intellectual entertainment will not draw at all. This is so with larger places, but with Sanborn as it was in March, 1879, all went to whatever was of a public character. The first Sunday in March, at the depot, there were over sixty persons present, and at the temperance meeting, there was a full attendance.
The first warehouse in town was that of Teabout & Valleau, built in February, 1879, in charge of E. R. Wood, and the same month Mr. Teabout commenced the erection of buildings on his ranch, southwest of town and soon had them completed. During the same month a telephone was established between Clark's store and the depot, so that Warren Walker was not the first telephonist in the county.
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HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
On March 8th, 1879, there were shipped twelve carloads of cattle from Sanborn to market. This same month Mat Comes arrived, put up a blacksmith shop, started up in business, and soon after moved his family to town.
At this time Sanborn was still without a school house, but the American people are not long in providing educational fa- cilities; indeed, it is a marked characteristic of the people, first, that the children are properly taught. There being no building at the time owned by the district, a room was rented and used for that term, but that summer, after a tax had been voted, a school house was built, and since then there have been several, until at last the present magnificent structure, which is the pride of the city.
In the spring of 1879 there was commenced the erection of several business and dwelling houses. Primghar having fur- nished its share on the start, it could not be expected to con- tribute further. Lumber was now to be had, and the sound of the axe, hammer and saw was heard on every side. The first lumber yard was started by Teabout & Valleau. In that same month was built the Jenkins House, by Mr. Hillyer, who proposed to contest the patronage with Mr. Barnes. This hotel had several different landlords, and is now run and owned by T. D. White.
In the spring of 1879, Sanborn was somewhat afflicted with scarlet fever, but it did not rage extensively, though several families were severely stricken. Messrs. Green, Patch and Hakeman were at this time extensively engaged in the hog business, and paid out many thousands of dollars. This was then, as now, considered a good point by the farmers, and consequently many were marketed here.
Quite an amusing scene was had in May, when Frank Tea- bout, acting as auctioneer, sold a large amount of truck which had accumulated on his hands. Decorated with his well known white beaver, and at his tongue's end the usual vocab- ulary of "One dollar, do I hear the two?" he made much fun for the boys and made good sales. During this same month,
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HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
also, Mr. Teabout's team ran away, injuring Mrs. Teabout so severely that she never fully recovered.
There was a saloon started in the spring, and the second sa- loon, with a billiard room attachment, was started by Fittsim- · ons on First street. He did not long continue, however, and must have sniffed the coming amendment afar off.
After the completion of the Jenkins House in 1879, Sanborn then had three hotels; the Sanborn House kept by Barnes, the Jenkins House by Jenkins and the Western Hotel kept by Dan Garroll. This same spring Allen Crossan built a dwelling house.
The 4th of July, 1879, was Sanborn's first celebration, and it went off with much enthusiasm. Preparations were made sufficiently in ad- vance, so that a good time was expected and was had. A procession was formed which marched through what streets they had, and all gathered under a bower prepared for the purpose. Allen Crossan, now of the Hartley Herald, read the Declaration of Independence, IION. L. B. RAYMOND. and J. L. E. Peck of Primghar delivered the oration. Dinner then followed, which was relished and appreciated by the hungry crowd, after which they had glass ball and egg shoot- ing, horse racing, and a wheel barrow race, winding up with fireworks in the evening.
The first load of grain brought into Sanborn in that year, 1879, was a load of flax on the 19th day of August, and was bought by C. H. Clark.
The first child born in Sanborn was in August of that year,
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HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
to R. Hazeldine and wife; the little one should have been donated a town lot. It was a girl, and its parents moved away the same year.
During that year, 1879, the hotels and all other stopping places were crowded, and Sanborn was continually rushed with new comers. In October, 1879, H. A. Sage opened a butcher shop, and the first issue of the Pioneer in Sanborn was on November 7th. In November, the John Richardson building was moved from Primghar onto the main street, and the same month Geo. Valleau arrived in Sanborn, and has been a citizen of the town ever since. Robt. Tifft was the first drayman, his brother Frank driving for awhile at first. Mr. Tifft remained in the same business uutil recently.
The latter part of November, 1879, Dr. Charles Smith opened a drug store. He died several years ago. In 1879, the Methodist church was dedicated with J. H. Drake as pastor. The following winter there was not much building, as the weather was very severe but the following spring there was much activity and improvement. David Algyer taught the Sanborn school that winter, was quite popular as a teacher, and David being of a musical turn of mind, and a good singer, he also taught a class in music. In 1879, Geo. Casley came to Sanborn, and in a quiet and unassuming, but industrious way, has continued his barber shop and is still running it.
In the latter part of March, 1879, Sanborn contained 100 inhabitants, and in May following it had doubled to 200. Im- provements continued that summer, and the social condition of the town was pleasant and agreeable. A base ball club was organized. E. R. Wood sold a tier of building lots off of his farm north of town. J. C. Drake became salesman in the store of Teabout & Valleau. John Manly opened up a cobbler shop. The bridge north of town across the Floyd was com- pleted. J, L. Green and Geo. Hakeman bought a large amount of stock. The Sanborn house was built this summer by Clark & Hillier and Postmaster Brashers put up a build- ing for the postoffice.
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HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
In 1879, Sanborn along with Sheldon was an aspirant for the county seat. The year 1879 closed with a wonderful showing of improvement, in both business houses and residences. Some few changes had occurred and the town was full of strangers looking for locations. The town had doubled in population since a period of six months previously. A Methodist church the first church building in town was completed. The round house was ready for occupancy, business was good, and there
THE WORST OF ALL EXPERIENCES IN A NEW COUNTRY.
was an air of contentment prevailing all over. Cal. Broad- street, the able attorney now of Sioux City, came in the fall of 1879, and himself and Harley Day, with Harris & Welister of Primghar organized a real estate agency. The first death in Sanborn occurred in January, 1880, being the youngest child Minnie, of W. W. Barnes.
T. D. White made his advent into the city in 1879. He lived on a farm in Floyd township, but exchanged rural life for a mercantile pursuit, and went into the coal and grain bus-
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HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
iness. In January, 1880, the round house was completed, and business from that time on constantly increased. Harry Sher- man soon had a saloon, and called it the "House of Lords." C. H. Perry opened a drug store, and Harley Day opened a law and insurance office.
In April, 1880, W. C. Green built a residence, in which he still resides, but has since improved and enlarged it with much taste. That same year Mart Shea built a house, and in April Mr. Chas. Vogt landed in Sanborn, and opened a shoe shop. That year the Jenkins house became the "City Hotel " and for awhile was run by Mrs. Preston, who is remembered by all who were here at that time. She was a very strong- minded woman, and everybody had to toe the mark. Some boarder got into a dispute with her upon the question, as to whether his meal ticket had been punched or not. Mrs. Pres- ton was on the negative, and the boarder on the affirmative. The debate was brief. He hurled a chair at his opponent, a very unparliamentary proceeding, but she dodged the chair successfully, and then presented to her adversary the muzzle of a six shooter, upon which he retreated in good order, and the controversy ended.
The summer school of 1880, was taught by Mrs. Wm. Baldwin, who still resides in the county, and was one of its best teachers. The months of April and May, 1880, were very busy ones, as improvements of all kinds were constantly going on. The town at this time had about five hundred in- habitants, and the number was increased by the daily arrival of those who had heard of this rising city.
Claudius Tifft started a paint shop, L. W. Barr erected a neat little cottage, and Frank Teabout laid out an addition on the south. M. D. Comes built a dwelling house, John Doyle a store, Lane & Longshore a bank building, the Pioneer build- ing was put up, a residence by James O'Neal and also one by Samuel Hibbs. Work was commenced on the stock yards, and H. A. Sage built himself a residence. Sanborn has always been noted for its gala days, and on March 28, 1880, there
O'BRIEN COUNTY FARM SCENE.
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HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
was quite a blow-out. A foot race between Charley Adams and Gus Satterlee for $12.50, was won by the former after a sharp contest. Pigeon shooting was quite a feature of the day's amusement, and the honors, as well as the spoils, were carried off by William Woodman, a popular locomotive engi- neer. The day's amusements concluded with a dance in Pio- neer hall, music furnished by Messrs. Woodman & Kelley of Spencer, Charles H. Perry, Frank Eastwood and H. Lever- age of Sanborn.
George Davids was one of the early business men of San- born, in the Sanborn State Bank, with Morton Wilbur as as- sistant cashier. He sold out in 1886 to Ellis Bros., and Mr. Wilbur then became cashier, and still is. P. Velie is an early settler of the town, and is one of its prominent business men; also, William Roberts opened a hardware store in Sanborn among the first of its merchants, and is still there in mercan- tile business.
The fore part of 1880 started out with many improvements. Conductor Frank Brainard built himself a residence, and sev- eral other residences soon followed. At the beginning of sum- mer, in 1880, Sanborn had a population of 400, and its first circus in July that year called together an enthusiastic and jub- ilant crowd. In September of that year, J. L. Green and William Harker opened a bank. Mr. Harker died in 1895. He was a noble, manly fellow, kind of heart and a paragon of personal integrity. He was laid away in the Sanborn ceme- tery, amid the sorrowful tears of his townspeople, and his loss to the community was great.
" His life was gentle; and the elements So mix'd in him, that Nature might stand up, And say to all the world, " This was a man!"
His widow still resides in Sanborn, is president of the bank now, and is probably the only woman president of a bank in the State of Iowa. Mrs. Harker is a very lady-like woman, and is much respected. The bank now is in charge of J. H. Daly, who as a banker is very competent and painstaking, and he has the confidence of his fellow citizens.
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HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
In February, 1880, Sanborn made a move for incorporation. Upon petition being presented, the court appointed Mart Shea, L. C. Green, S. W. Clark, A. G. Willits, and Cal. Broadstreet as commissioners, to call an election for voting upon incorporation, for and against. The election was held March 13, 1880, and resulted in forty votes for, and twenty- four against. After the election, April 3, following, was named as the time for the election of officers, which election resulted in the following as given in 1880 which were the first muni- cipal officers of the town. In this connection also we give the names of all officers up to the present time.
1880.
Mayor E. M. Brady
Recorder Chas. H. Perry
Councilmen Mart Shea, S. W. Clark,
L. C. Green, H. Algyer, W. F. Jones, Cal. Broadstreet Marshal and Street Commissioner T. D. White
Treasurer Frank Patch
I88I.
Mayor A. J. Devine
Recorder A. G. Willits
Councilmen Mart Shea, H. Algyer,
S. W. Clark, Cal. Broadstreet, L. C. Green, W. F. Jones Marshal and Commissioner Mart Shea
Assessor C. H. Perry
Treasurer Frank Patch
1882.
Mayor Harley Day
Recorder
A. G. Willits
Councilmen E. M. Brady, John Douglass,
L. C. Green, H. Algyer, Cal. Broadstreet, Wm. Harker Marshal and Street Commissioner T. D. White
Assessor A. G. Willits
Treasurer Frank Patch
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HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
1883.
Mayor F. Teabout
Recorder A. J. Devine
Councilmen L. C. Green, P. Velie, Wm.
Harker, Cal. Broadstreet, John Douglass, E. M. Brady Marshal and Street Commissioner R. M. Boyd
Assessor A. G. Willits
Treasurer .J. L. Green
1884.
Mayor D. R. Phelps P. C. Miller Recorder
Councilmen
Peter Velie, H. Roden, L.
C. Green, S. J. Stokes, Cal. Broadstreet, W. A. Wasson Marshal and Street Commissioner R. M. Boyd
Assessor Geo. H. Peck
Treasurer -J. L. Green
City Attorney W. D. Boies
1885.
Mayor A. McNaughton
Recorder E. R. Wood
Councilmen P. Velie, L. C. Green,
Ira Pool, Cal. Broadstreet, W. A. Wasson, S. J. Stokes Marshal and Street Commissioner D. Palen
Assessor
J. A. Stocum
Treasurer .J. L. Green
City Attorney W. D. Boies
1886.
Mayor W. D. Boies
Recorder E. R. Wood
Councilmen H. E. Correll, J. E. Drake, Ira
Pool, W. A. Wasson, C. E. Coleman, and S. J. Stokes Marshal and Street Commissioner D. Palen
Assessor J. A. Stocum
Treasurer J. L. Green
O'BRIEN COUNTY CATTLE, ALONG THE CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE AND ST. PAUL RAILROAD. 4
30
466
HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
1887.
Mayor
W. H. Noyes
Recorder H. D. Chapin
Councilmen
G. O. Wheeler, H. E. Correll,
C. E. Coleman, Wm. Harker, I. N. Drake, Ira Poole Marshal and Street Commissioner D, Palen
Assessor Geo. M. Rising
Treasurer J. L. Green
City Attorney W. D. Boies
1888.
Mayor
N. L. F. Peck
Recorder H. D. Chapin
Councilmen
G. O. Wheeler, H. E, Correll,
C. E. Coleman, Wm. Harker, I. N. Drake, D. Moody Marshal and Street Commissioner D. Palen
Assessor Geo. M. Rising
Treasurer J. L. Green
1889.
Mayor J. E. Drake
Recorder
H. D. Chapin
Councilmen
H. E. Correll, D. Moody, Wm.
Harker, J. O. Payne, A. M. Davison, G. O. Wheeler Marshal and Street Commissioner S. R. Charlton
Assessor G. M. Rising
Treasurer D. W. Wood
1890.
Mayor
J. E. Drake
Recorder
H. D. Chapin
Councilmen
A. M. Davison, Wm. Harker,
D. Moody, H. E. Correll, J. O. Payne, G. O. Wheeler Marshal and Street Commissioner C. De Witt
Assessor G. M. Rising
Treasurer D. M. Wood
1891.
Mayor D. R. Phelps
Recorder J. W. Roberts
CUTTING GRAIN, ALONG THE CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE AND ST. PAUL RAILROAD,
468
HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
Councilmen .J. F. Kerberg, D. Moody, C. L. Van
Alstine, G. O. Wheeler, Robert Hamilton, H. E. Correll Marshal and Street Commissioner R. M. Boyd
Assessor G. M. Rising
Treasurer D. W. Wood
City Attorney J. A. Stocum
IS92.
Mayor W. C. Green
Recorder J. W. Roberts
Councilmen -J. F. Kerberg, D. Palen, R. Hamilton, P. McGratb, C. L. Van Alstine, G. O. Wheeler
Street Commissioner and Marshal
R. M. Boyd
Assessor
G. M. Rising
Treasurer Wm. Harker
City Attorney C. A. Babcock
1893.
Mayor W. F. Francis
Recorder E. D. Phelps
Councilmen
E. M. Brady, F. R. Fields, P. McGrath,
C. L. Van Alstine, J. F. Kerberg, Geo. Peck Marshal and Street Commissioner D. Palen
Assessor Geo. Coleman
Treasurer Wm. Harker
City Attorney
J. A. Wilcox
1894.
Mayor W. J. Francis
Recorder F. B. Owens
Councilmen E. M. Brady, F. R. Fields,
P. McGrath, Geo. Valleau, C, Jackson, J. F. Martini Street Commissioner and Marshal D. Palen
Assessor
Geo. Coleman
Treasurer Wm. Harker
1895.
Mayor W. J. Francis
Recorder F. B. Owens
Councilmen Geo. Valleau, W. W. Johnson,
A. D. Nelson, G. O. Wheeler, E. M. Brady, C. Jackson
.
FARM NEAR HARTLEY,
ON THE CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE AND ST. PAUL RAILROAD.
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HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
Marshal and Street Commissioner D. Palen
Assessor Geo. Coleman
City Attorney C. A. Babcock
1896.
Mayor G. O. Wheeler
Recorder F. B. Owens
Assessor M. R. Boyd
Councilmen
Geo. Hakeman, C. Jackson
P. McGrath, Geo. Valleau, A. D. Nelson, M. Wilbur Marshal and Street Commissioner .C. J. McDonald
Treasurer
J. H. Daly
1897.
Mayor W. J. Francis
Recorder H. D. Chapin
Councilmen P. Velie, D. O. Watson,
A. D. Nelson, Geo. Hakeman, P. McGrath, M. Wilbur Marshal and Street Commissioner H. M. Shirk
Assessor
M. R. Boyd
Treasurer J. H. Daly
In 1881, some others who went into business were: C. J. Everhard, furniture store; R. Elliott, tailor shop; Broadstreet & Boies, lawyers; E. F. Bacon & Son, general store; J. E. Drake, jewelry; Walter J. Hovey, lawyer; M. Gans, saloon; A. J. Fitzgerald, clothing store; Parker & Goethel, meat mar- eet; Miss Gerlack, millinery; G. W. Platt, general store; B. H. Brashears, harness shop; H. P. Bunce, doctor; Geo. A. Powell, furniture; S. W. Creed, bakery; H. S. Wiser, dry goods; John Selig, restaurant; Dunnel Bros., livery; G. W. Davis, blacksmith; Eastwood & Harvey, paint shop; Oshkosh Lumber Co., in charge of G. D. Williams. The changes that come over the business interests of a town in the course of years, are plainly seen in some of the foregoing, compared with the business houses of to-day. Some of these mentioned have gone to their final homes, while others of them are in other parts of the country.
Warren Walker moved from Sanborn to Primghar in 1880·
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HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
Upon his removal to Sanborn from Primghar, he was a part- ner with Mr. Willits in the Pioneer, and carried on a land and law business, until 1895,when he removed to Des Moines. Mr. Walker is spoken of elsewhere in the general history as an early settler.
In 1884, Sanborn indulged in the roller skate craze along with the rest of other towns. The rink was talked about for weeks, and was finally opened on the evening of March 19th. There were over two hundred spectators and one hundred and fifty skaters. The Sanborn string band, under the lead- ership of Prof. J. E. Drake, assisted by Prof. Marcussen and Milt H. Allen, furnished the music in the fore part of the even- ing, and the Sheldon cornet band the rest of the time. In 1884, Geo. B. Davids, Warren Walker, David Palen and Cal Broadstreet laid out a race course east of town. In 1884, Sanborn had a grand 4th of July celebration. The bad weather somewhat dampened the ardor of the crowd, and the exercises were had under difficulties. There was a street parade, participated in by the Grand Army boys of Sheldon and Sanborn; an imposing representation of the galaxy of states, with Miss Belle Reber as the Goddess of Liberty. Judge C. H. Lewis delivered the oration. Tommy Lane with his fast trotter won the horse race against Fred Harmon; Ed Parkhurst won in the shooting contest; Charley Adams won the foot race, and Steve Jordan caught the greased pig. Everybody was sober, and a magnificent display of fireworks ended the performances. Along in 1884, with Sanborn's other social attractions, they had a baby show. Mrs. Perry's took the prize as the largest, Mrs. Cory's as the smallest, and Mrs. E. M. Brady's as the prettiest.
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