USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county, Vol. I > Part 37
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The pioneer store was built by J. H. Shugart and used as a hard- ware store. It was blown down by a small cyclone, the only one Shenan- doah ever had, just before it was completed, but was rebuilt at once and has been used upon the same location ever since, the last purchaser, F. G. Dungee, having recently purchased it from I. W. Wolsey.
O. S. Rider & Company moved over from Manti with the frame work of a new building all prepared, and erected it on the corner of Sheridan avenue and Maple street, and there opened a general stock of merchandise. He also moved another building over from Manti and connected the two buildings by a shed, running an implement store in connection.
W. E. Webster & Company built a drug store opposite Rider's. Web- ster and family lived over the store. He afterward became president of a bank here and at Clarinda and died while serving a second term in the legislature.
John McComb moved over from Manti and built a little harness shop. The old building was moved to East Sheridan avenue in 1891 and was enlarged and improved.
Mettleman & Crose (R. B. Crose) erected the building later used by S. Toay for a butter and egg depot, upon the corner where Crose's large brick block now is, and opened up a large general stock of goods in Novem- ber of that year.
S. P. Carpenter also built what was proudly termed "the finest hotel in Page county." It stood upon the site of the Delmonico but was after- wards moved and part of it became the ill fated kitchen of the Lafayette House, burning in the winter of 1891-92.
Thus it will be seen that quite a flourishing town was established here almost immediately and in spite of the efforts of the railroad company to make Riverton the principal town along the line of the road. The best evidence of the rapid growth of Shenandoah will be shown by a reproduc- tion of the first printed matter got out for the town, a descriptive circular issued during the spring of 1871, when the town was about six months old. One side contained an advertisement of farm lands at eight to ten dollars per acre and three hundred lots in Shenandoah. The other side is as follows :
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"The child is born. Its name is Shenandoah. The story of this indi- genous offspring of the prairie forms an era in the future history and romance of one of the loveliest villages of the west. When, on the first day of August. 1870, the first whistle of the first through train of cars from Burlington to Nebraska City announced the event of modern civiliza- tion, it sounded at once the requiem to the repose of six thousand years of nature's wild, ungarnered waste and the reveille to the westward march of civilization and conquest. Responding at once to the call came hither a class of citizens representing the different callings and professions of men, whose industry and enterprise soon enabled them to be successful pioneers of a new colony and founders of a future city.
"Shenandoah was christened on the 6th day of August, 1870, when the first house was finished, since which time it has made rapid and steady progress, till it now contains a resident population of about two hundred inhabitants and some of the largest business houses in southwestern Iowa.
"The town is situated in the western part of Page county, at a point about equi-distant from Clarinda, Sidney, Red Oak and Hamburg, being about twenty miles from each.
"The town has a gentle western slope and occupies a site commanding a fine view of the Nishna valley, which, at this place, is one of rare beauty, as it is seen for miles, bisected by the railroad and winding river, skirted with trees.
"The country adjoining, of which Shenandoah is the commercial center, including the valleys of the Nishna, Tarkio and Walnut creeks, embraces a tract of country that for fertility of soil and agricultural purposes is un- excelled in Iowa.
"This land is fast passing from the hands of speculators, for whom it is worthless, to the more substantial class of farmers, who, tired of their unrequited toil among the swamps and hills of the east, are prepared to try their fortunes on the fertile valleys and undeveloped prairies of the west.
"Shenandoah is represented in the different branches of business by a class of enterprising men, who would be a credit to any place and deserve a passing notice here, as forming one of its most attractive features. One of the most important branches of business in which Shenandoah has the exclusive control of Page county, is the lumber trade. This is conducted by the two firms of Brison & Brother and J. J. Kaster & Company. These yards were established in the early part of August, 1870, both of which are well stocked and doing an extensive business. The hardware establishment of J. H. Shugart & Company was opened on the 10th day of October, 1870, and is the pioneer store of the place. They have a fine two-story ware- house, which is filled with agricultural implements.
"Next we would notice the drug store of W. E. Webster & Company, established on the 16th of October. following. This establishment is well stocked, well conducted and doing a lively business. Associated in this firm are B. M. Webster, who represents the medical profession, with credit to the place and profit to himself. Of the firm of Rider & Company we
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need scarcely speak. Suffice it to say that, including their store and agri- cultural depot, they have altogether the largest stock and most com- plete assortment of dry goods and farming implements offered for sale in Page county. This firm is backed with plenty of capital and accommodating salesmen and is in every way worthy of its extensive patronage.
"In the harness and hide business we have J. H. McComb, established October 24. This establishment is wholly conducted by Benjamin F. Lake, one of nature's noblemen, who has earned for his business a well deserved and extensive trade.
"Mettleman & Crose occupied their fine new store on the 28th of No- vember, which is a perfect model in its way, and conducted by men who will wear, and for fair dealing and sterling merit, cannot be excelled.
"The furniture is represented by Messrs. Cass & Johnson, who are also loing a thriving business. Several years ago they sold their old store in order to build larger.
"S. P. Carpenter built the Shenandoah House.
"The profession of law is honorably represented by W. P. Ferguson, whose successful practice has won public confidence and an extensive pat- ronage. Connected with this is his extensive real estate agency of thousands of acres of the best lands in Page and Fremont counties, also the local agency for the sale of Shenandoah town lots. He is kept constantly engaged in exhibiting these lands to all who are wishing to buy. There are also here doing a good business, a wagon shop by Collins & Son, a blacksmith shop by Monzingo & Gillespie, and shoe shop by J. D. Sprigg.
"While the citizens are rather of a business and enterprising character, still educational and religious institutions are not forgotten. The Masonic fraternity have a prosperous lodge, with a good hall.
"The past success of Shenandoah has been more than its most ardent friends dared to expect, while the future grows bright with promise. To all who are seeking homes for themselves and families, where they can find the best soil in the west and enjoy the blessing of modern civilization, we invite you to stop at Shenandoah and satisfy yourself."
In this connection an extract from a letter to the Shenandoah Reporter, dated January 3, 1876, will give an idea of the changes made in five years. The clipping was furnished by Mrs. O'Day. It says: "As I take up your well-filled sheet, with its neat, clean type, with its columns of business cards and emblazoned advertisements of thrifty business men, displayed upon paper like some of those glorious farms by which you are surrounded, I could hardly realize that all this had transpired in five years. When Mr. O'Day was boarding railroad hands who laid the track and made the way, and interfered with Deacon Ayers' mowing ground, he was the true prophet to remain and see who else would come to that beautiful spot and settle. When Wat. Webster sold that team of his and put the proceeds into a build- ing in the new settlement of Fair Oaks. he knew he would get his money back before long. And Rider, sick as he was, beguiled his treacherous con- sumption by erecting the finest building in the town. If I mistake not six buildings were started before anybody ventured to live in Fair Oaks but
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Dan O'Day. Then the trains day by day deposited materials for a town, and jolly station agent Miller settled all bills due the company in his mova- ble office. No chimneys, only two stove pipes, for a time. The Red Oak temperance man came down and set up the first hardware store. The law- yer came as an index of advanced civilization and erected his seven by nine office and covered it all over with insurance signs. Dan O'Day's well caved in and somebody built a regular well with appropriate curbing. Manti was put upon wheels and carted off over the prairies three miles to swell its habitations. The merchant and his clerk, the shoemaker, the doctor, the justice, in fact everybody left Manti, excepting Mr. Rich, and contributed his quota to the business and population of the new town. Now what a magnificent town you have, with its churches, banks, schoolhouse, stores and offices, money order and postoffice, and last, though very far from being least in importance, your creditable sheet, the Shenandoah Reporter."
From the very organization of the town until the present, Shenandoah has made steady progress in population and wealth except for a short period in 1885, when trade was paralyzed and population turned away by the scourge of smallpox. The details of the development will appear in the historical sketches of the various institutions and business firms to appear farther on.
CITY GOVERNMENT.
The town of Shenandoah had not reached one year or age before an application was made for incorporation, and under the incorporation the first municipal election was held August 22, 1871. The entire number of votes cast was sixty-one. J. H. Shugart, now a resident of Omaha, Ne- braska, was elected mayor. The other officers were: Recorder, W. E. Webster ; treasurer, B. M. Webster; marshal, T. J. Warren ; councilmen, Benjamin Lake, A. J. West, R. B. Crose, J. S. Johnson and S. P. Carpenter.
The mayors elected for each succeeding year are as follows : 1872, J. H. Shugart : 1873, G. W. Gunnison : 1874, A. S. Lake; 1875, E. L. Arthur ; 1876, W. C. Martin ; 1877, J. C. Cheshire ; 1878, J. H. Shugart ; 1879, W. C. Matthews; 1880, S. S. Wilcox; 1881, Robert Inghram. During the year he resigned and W. P. Ferguson was elected to fill the vacancy. 1882, H. S. Holcomb ; 1883, J. W. Ladd : 1884-1890, J. B. Carter ; 1891-93, H. S. Nichols. May 3d Nichols resigned and the vacancy was filled by the election of C. M. Conway for the unexpired term. From this time on until the spring of 1903 Mr. Conway held the office and was then succeeded by George F. Cotrill. Mr. Cotrill held the office for two years, when C. M. Conway was again elected and remained the incumbent until the spring of 1909, when he failed of reelection and was succeeded by O. H. Frink.
THE CLERK'S RECORDS.
In the early days of Shenandoah the town council had little business to transact aside from ordering down sidewalks. The records of the
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early meetings of the august "city fathers" are highly amusing and we trust that the members who still reside here will pardon us for a few ex- tracts and explanations. As the years passed by and the town increased in population, moral, legal, economic questions began to assume a greater importance and the records became more voluminous and of more his- torica! value. During one dark period in 1885 the council was confronted with questions of almost vital importance, but they rose to the occasion, and carried the little city through the terrible smallpox scourge with honor. As a rule the city has been well and economically governed and it has suf- fered less from bad government and wasteful expenditures than fall to the lot of most young and ambitious cities. Mistakes have occurred, it is true, but they have mostly been upon the side of conservatism and economy, mistakes that can be rectified more easily than the mistakes of radicalism. J. B. Carter's seven years of continuous service as mayor and John Ment- zer's long service as recorder and clerk are the most noteworthy features regarding the officials. The actual work of the council will best appear in the following synopsis of the work each year as shown by the records, with a few ludicrous events thrown in.
The first meeting was held in the office of J. H. Shugart, September 15, 1871, all being present except Johnson. The first business was the adoption of the rules of order of the town council of Clarinda. They then proceeded to adopt a series of eight ordinances, including one on hogs, one on dogs and one on stove pipes. Numerous meetings were held during that fall but the clerk generally recorded "There being no quorum pres- ent the council adjourned." At a meeting December 1Ith the council ordered that twenty-five dollars be remitted to J. Connor, "to keep pigeon-hole table, under billiard license, for the ensuing year." At the same meeting W. P. Ferguson was appointed city attorney and a sidewalk was ordered along the south side of Sheridan avenue, from Crose's store to the depot. The next meeting with quorum was February 7, 1872. The only business done was to read a bill from Nicholson & Gaff for printing, but as it wasn't sworn to, they refused to pay it and adjourned, and thus began the struggles of the poor printers in Shenandoah. At the next meeting they fared better, the bill was paid and the council adjourned. The clerk failed to state the amount of the bill. From that time on the council business was mainly concerning sidewalks until December 4th, when a saloon license was fixed at five hundred dollars. February 5, 1873, the town paid J. P. Cleaver for breaking a plow. The next item of interest in the records appears June 9, 1873, when J. Swain, then a member of the council, moved that a boy be hired at twenty dollars per month to keep live-stock beyond the limits of the corporation. A barrel of salt was also purchased and a salt lick established for the stock thus excluded. The next meeting is recorded by the mayor, none present but J. Swain and Mayor G. W. Gun- nison. The next record reads as follows :
"June 23, 1873. Council met. Roll call. All absent but mayor. Adjourned to June 30th. G. W. Gunnison, mayor."
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June 30, 1873. The period of saloon and billiard licenses was fixed at not less than one year.
August 6, J. Mc (supposed to be McCabe) was allowed five dollars for legal services. Mentzer Brothers also allowed three dollars and sixty- five cents for the salt lick. The following was also unanimously passed :
"Whereas for some time past a wild, untamed and vicious Texas, In- dian or Southern steer has been roaming our streets, attacking men, women and children whenever met and wherever, the marshal, Major Morris, has assumed the responsibility at request of several citizens and of mem- bers of the council, of empounding said steer, resolved that the council of Shenandoah do officially endorse the action of the marshal in this mat- ter and instruct him to sell this steer for the highest possible price, pay expenses, and place balance of money in hands of treasurer subject to order of the unknown owner of said steer. Resolved the council of Shen- andoah stand between the marshal and all damages that may occur to him for his action in this matter."
August 19. Hay limits for stacking were established and dog tax re- pealed. James McCabe appointed city attorney.
October I. Billiard table and bowling alley license raised from fifty to five hundred dollars.
January 28, 1874. Wells twenty-five feet deep and ten feet across ordered dug at intersections of Wheat and Corn streets with Sheridan avenue. Reduced to six feet in diameter at next meeting.
February 18. "Moved by G. W. Covertson that A. B. West be allowed twenty-five dollars for services as recorder. Carried amid thunders of applause."
February 20. The following resolution was unanimously adopted : "Whereas a certain article appeared in the Shenandoah Reporter of February 20, concerning this body in appointing town officers; said article claiming that this body selects dead beats and rioters to fill places of trust and insulting and shamefully abusing this body and other officers, there- fore be it resolved that we as a body disapprove the sentiment of the article referred to and further, we as a body believe all good citizens heartily unite with us in denouncing this article of the Reporter and earn- estly advise the editor to 'go west, young man, go west.'"
April 6, 1874. Two assistant marshals were elected, M. A. Palmer be- ing marshal and J. C. Brown and A. C. Russell assistants.
May 5. Dog tax restored and everybody ordered to provide his dog with a collar upon which the initials of the owner were inscribed. Cala- boose ordered built, eight by sixteen feet and eight feet high, and A. J. Welty appointed to superintend the same.
July 17. Nine special Fourth of July policemen paid.
October 12. Saloon license raised to one thousand dollars per annum
March 2, 1875. New officers recorded. Average majority for high license ticket sixty-nine.
April 23. Shooting gallery license adopted. Boys excluded.
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June 3. Councilmen Hutton, Pace and Crose appointed a committee on "cost of hook and ladder, force pump and other fire apparatus."
June 9. Petition of boys for a territory "convenient to the center of trade in which to explode firecrackers" was rejected.
January 28, 1876. Special meeting to "take steps" to secure fire ap- paratus.
March 13. A long list of bills cut down.
March 14. Moved to invite a reporter of the Shenandoah Reporter to attend the meetings of the council and report the same. It is presumed that he did so, not having complied with the previous request to "go west young man."
April 5. Mayor instructed to call a mass meeting and organize a hook and ladder company.
January 5, 1877. Stove ordered in the calaboose. Fire company limited to twenty-five members.
July II. Recorder ordered to correspond with a view to purchasing four Babcock fire extinguishers.
September I. City purchased one-half interest in a Wauchope grader, for three hundred and fifty dollars, Grant township taking the other half.
December 5. Cattle and horses prohibited from running at large in the city.
January 7, 1878. C. S. Keenan employed to prosecute John Hanlon for "selling intoxicating liquors contrary to law."
February 6. Petition to let stock run at large, tabled.
March 25. Application of James Countryman for a saloon license granted by full vote of the council.
April 3. Billiard table license granted to James Countryman.
May I. Saloon and billiard license transferred to Countryman & Wise.
October 2. Petition against the granting of saloon licenses laid on the table.
October 12. Argus, Shugart and Gaff appointed a committee to con- sult Judge Hewitt regarding the abrogation of the saloon license. Hewitt stated that the license was good for one year.
December 4. Twenty-five dollars appropriated to fix up Hook and Ladder building for meetings of council and fire company.
January 15, 1879. Saloon and billiard license transferred to James Countryman.
March 10. Regular meeting night changed to first Tuesday in each month. Compensation of members fixed at fifty cents each night with fine of fifty cents for absence, no member to speak twice on same subject without permission of mayor.
April 1. Dog tax fixed at one dollar for small dogs and two dollars for large ones.
April 1. Application of James Countryman to renew saloon license laid on the table. Saloon license fixed at ten thousand dollars per annum.
May 6. W. C. Matthews granted exclusive right to sprinkle the streets for five years "on condition that he give perfect satisfaction to the citizens."
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May 16. Contract made to erect a city building for two hundred and fifty dollars.
February 3, 1880. City Hall insured for two hundred and thirty dollars.
February 6. Fire limits adopted, including both sides of Sheridan avenue from the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad to the junction of Clarinda avenue.
April 6. A city pound ordered built.
February 1, 1881. Dog tax repealed.
May 3. License on R. B. Crose's hall fixed at twenty-five dollars per year.
May 5. Appropriation of one hundred and fifty dollars made for "dis- tressed citizens of Hamburg." Park purchased of D. S. Priest.
December 9. Proposition of Farragut citizens for a "right of way" for the Shenandoah & Lincoln Railroad discussed at great length.
February 7, 1882. Park in Priest's addition leased for "gardening purposes."
February 9. Revised ordinances ordered.
April 30. First smallpox scare. Schools and churches closed for two weeks.
June 13. Hitching chain ordered removed from Sheridan avenue.
August 15. Lot purchased for city hall and the hall moved to same.
December 8. Petition of W. P. Ferguson and others received signed by one hundred and thirty-eight resident free holders presented asking for an appropriation of two thousand two hundred and fifty dollars for the 'purchase of land for the location of the Humeston & Shenandoah machine shops and donation of the same. Election ordered for December 19.
December 22. Ballots of special election canvassed, one hundred and fifty-six for the donation and three against.
January 2, 1883. Street around the cemetery to be made a public highway.
February 144. A. Bowman appointed a committee to dispose of the town hall "as he thought best."
April 6. Shed ordered built to store fire apparatus. Citizens requested to observe April 19 as arbor day and set out trees.
April 13. Committee appointed to consult an attorney regarding bond- ing the town for a town building and fire engine.
April 17. Badham property ( where city hall is now located) purchased for twelve hundred dollars.
May 1. Committee appointed to negotiate the sale of ten thousand or fifteen thousand dollar bonds to run ten years at six per cent interest but payable at discretion after five years. Also to ascertain cost of a building twenty-five by one hundred feet, two stories high, lower fourteen feet and upper twelve feet.
May 15. Committee appointed to visit places where fire engines were used. also to get plans and specifications for city hall.
May 26. Fire engine purchased of St. Joseph for fifteen hundred dol- lars : also five hundred feet of two and a half inch White Anchor hose.
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July 23. Telephone Exchange franchise granted.
July 28. Architect Maxon of Council Bluffs employed to draw plans for city building.
August 7. Old town hall sold to A. M. Wilson.
August 20. Contract for city building awarded to H. S. Stephenson for seven thousand one hundred and twenty-six dollars. Crose and Morse appointed to go to Atlantic and consult Mr. Whitney regarding a proposed new railroad.
August 22. Proposition of H. S. Stephenson to put foundation of city building seven feet deep for additional two hundred and seventy dollars accepted, and to use natural instead of manufactured stone for forty dollars and seventy cents additional accepted.
September 4. Bonds sold for thirteen thousand seven hundred dollars. A lot of accounts against the city sold to merchants. A long standing controversy with Grant township trustees regarding a road grader settled.
September 24. Hose cart and eight hundred feet of hose purchased.
November 6. Shutters in rear of city building ordered "put on in a workmanlike manner."
December 15. Fire engine tried and approved. W. M. Smith elected engineer at fifty dollars per month.
December 21. Well fifteen feet in diameter and twenty feet deep or- dered at junction of Sheridan avenue and Blossom street.
January 2, 1884. Triangle ordered for fire alarm in city building. C. V. Mount elected fire marshal.
February 12. Settled with Mrs. Oppenheimer for two hundred and sixty dollars for injuries received by a fall upon the icy sidewalk.
February 22. Fire hats provided for the company.
June 3. Lanterns, rubber coats and spray nozzle purchased for fire company.
January 6, 1885. Office of marshal abolished.
February 4. I. B. McGogy employed as night watch and engineer.
May 21. Quarantine ordered of houses where smallpox prevailed. Public schools ordered closed, also to dispense with church services and public meetings.
May 28. Guards appointed for houses where smallpox is found, nurses employed for those needing, and a man to carry supplies to quarantined houses. Salary of health officer fixed at thirty dollars per day during smallpox.
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