USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county > Part 40
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46
The Eighth congressional district is composed of eleven counties and the receipts of the office at Shenandoah for the past several years have been largely in excess of any other city in the district. In the fiscal year of 1909 the business increased over one-third that of the preceding year, and as a con- sequence, the postmaster's salary was raised one hundred dollars. This is saying not a little when one considers that such important towns as Cres- ton, with its ten thousand population, Red Oak, with a greater population than Shenandoah, and Clarinda, the county seat, are in the district.
The first rural delivery routes in southwestern Iowa were established from the Shenandoah office, March 15, 1900, with G. M. Castle, carrier, No. I, and N. H. Ingals, as carrier No. 2. Mr. Ingals is probably the oldest carrier in the state. His salary was four hundred dollars a year. The second year the salary was raised to five hundred dollars. Mr. Castle resigned and Mr. Ingals was changed to No. 1, H. F. Newcomb being made carrier No. 2. Newcomb was followed by C. C. Leonard and he by S. L. Hall, who still holds routes Nos. 3 and 4. Routes Nos. 3 and 4 were established in August, 1901, with Isaac Greer and F. E. Woodworth as carriers, and No. 5 was started in August. 1905, with W. G. Ruby as car- rier. The salary continued two years at five hundred dollars and two years at six hundred dollars, and in 1905 was raised to seven hundred and twenty dollars.
Free delivery of mail in the city of Shenandoah was established in December, 1901. J. W. Bower and Roselle M. Davis were the first car- riers. After two weeks' trial it was found that two carriers could not do the work and J. Crawford was made carrier No. 3. September 1, 1905, the fourth carrier was allowed the office and Roy Owen was appointed to the position.
THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY, SHENANDOAH.
The Carnegie Library building was formally opened August 1, 1905. The ceremony of dedication took place at the Opera House in the evening.
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Rev. C. I. Shatto delivered the invocation and a quartet, consisting of the Misses Pace and Bothe and Messrs. Hitte and Dalin, opened the proceed- ings. C. N. Marvin, president of the board of trustees, occupied the chair and officially presented the library to the city. Below is given a part of Mr. Marvin's address, from which the reader will be able to gather some features connected with the history of the library :
"The length of program will not permit of an extended history of the library movement in this city. The older residents will remember that several unsuccessful attempts were made in the years past to establish a public library in Shenandoah. On one occasion a proposition of this kind was submitted to a vote of the people and was defeated by a large majority. This defeat was not due to a lack of appreciation of the benefits of a public library, but to the belief that the small sum to be secured by taxa- tion would not properly equip and maintain a creditable institution. The desire for a good library was general among our people, but no feasible plan for securing it was proposed until Mrs. Nichols and a few other hardy spirits suggested that we might secure the help needed from Andrew Carnegie, the philanthropist. With Thomas H. Read to think of the plan, meant to act upon it immediately. While others wondered and waited he wrote to the great library builder and set forth the needs and advantages of Shenandoah in such glowing terms that Mr. Carnegie was at once interested and wrote to Mr. Read saying, that if the city would raise one thousand dollars per year to maintain the library he would contribute ten thousand dollars for the erection of a suitable building. The generous offer was at once accepted and ratified by a vote of the people. Citizens subscribed money for the purchase of a building site and for books and other equipment, it being the policy of Mr. Carnegie to donate money for buildings only. The mayor appointed a board of trustees. The council levied the tax. The site was purchased on one of the most conspicuous corners in Shenandoah. The building has been constructed along lines similar to most of the Carnegie public libraries in the United States. Nearly two thousand books have been purchased or contributed as well as numerous newspapers and periodicals. A competent librarian has been employed and she has spent the summer in a special school for instruction in library work. The books have been catalogued and all the preparatory work for the opening of the library done under the direction of Miss Mabel Caldwell Willard, a lady experienced in such work and of rare judgment in the relative value of books. At one o'clock tomorrow afternoon the reading rooms will be open to the public and at two o'clock those who wish them may secure books to take to their homes. The regular hours will be from one to six and from seven to nine of each day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and July 4th. The reading rooms will be open every Sunday afternoon from two till half-past five. Books will be free to all citizens of Shenandoah and vicinity. under certain restrictions to prevent loss or mis- use. The same regulations as to responsibility for the books will apply to rich and poor, no discriminations or favoritism being shown to any person or persons whomsoever.
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CARNEGIE LIBRARY, SHENANDOAH
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SHENANDOAH ARMORY
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And now a few words as to the building itself. It has cost slightly more than expected, slightly more than ten thousand dollars. It contains a few minor defects that will be remedied in time but on the whole it has been well and economically constructed. Some criticisms have been made upon the size and appearance of the building but we doubt whether the critics have fully investigated the cost of such a building or compared it with other library buildings. More attention was given in the construction to the interior arrangements and conveniences than to the exterior ap- pearance. It was built for permanency and it stands in material and workmanship the best building of its cost in Shenandoah. Barring acci- dents from fire or cyclone, it will stand as firm and strong one hundred years hence as today. Each portion of the work was done on contract taken in open competition and at prices that permitted of slight profit if any. For no other structure in Shenandoah was there so much work done free of charge. It has been largely a labor of love on the part of all con- cerned in the construction of the building or its equipment. Contractors and furnishers of supplies have vied with each other to do their part at actual cost or less. The members of the board of trustees have performed their work without one cent of compensation. Thousands of dollars would not recompense the president and secretary for the time freely and cheer- fully given to the library during the past two years. Money could not hire Miss Willard to perform the arduous labor she has lovingly performed during the past three months. Many of the ladies of Shenandoah have assisted Miss Willard with no thought of pay. The newspapers have devoted hundreds of dollars worth of advertising to the library without one cent of charge. All classes of citizens from the richest to the poorest have contributed books, many of them that could hardly be spared from their own small libraries.
THE SUPERIOR COURT OF SHENANDOAH.
Under the provisions of the law passed by the legislature of the state, a superior court was established at Shenandoah in the fall of 1906. W. P. Ferguson was elected judge of this court, and is still the incumbent of that office. The jurisdiction of the superior court is coextensixe with the district court, save and except in capital crimes and probate matters.
ROSE H11.1. CEMETERY OF SHENANDOAH.
This burial place is pleasantly located in the east part of town on a commanding eminence overlooking the city and surrounding country. The view of the Nishna valley to the northeast, with Essex in the distance. is one of surpassing beauty. The original owners were R. A. Crippen and J. N. Denison and the ground was platted May 29. 1872. About 1876 the cemetery was taken over by D. S. Lake and William Noble, and A. S. Lake acted as secretary for the purchasers. In 1880 D. S. Lake sold his half interest to his brother, A. S. Lake, and the latter came into the pos-
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session of Noble's interest before the end of the same year and is the present owner. From time to time efforts have been made by the city authorities to acquire possession of the cemetery grounds but up to the present time nothing has been accomplished in that direction.
SHENANDOAH FAIR ASSOCIATION.
On the 29th of December, 1879, the Shenandoah Fair Association was duly organized and incorporated for pecuniary benefit. with a capital stock of thirty-five hundred dollars, in seventy shares at fifty dollars each. Prior to this the District Fair Association had been formed, with Ira L. Bailey, president, and F. W. Chase, secretary. In the course of three years the association was swamped beneath a load of debt and then the Shenandoah Fair Association was organized, with G. J. Ross, William Griffith, L. B. Day, A. J. Chantry, John X. Griffith, R. B. Crose and G. A. Quimby as directors. They elected Day, president, Crose, secretary, John X. Griffith, treasurer, and G. A. Quimby, superintendent.
In 1885 the Shenandoah Fair Association No. 2 was organized and capitalized at six thousand dollars in sixty shares of one hundred dollars each, all of which were subscribed and paid for at par. This association had for its officers G. W. Perkins, president ; D. P. Wilson, vice president ; H. Dunfee, general manager ; Dall Risely, secretary ; John Ross, treasurer.
On the 4th of August, 1887, for the purpose of securing certain bene- fits to accrue from the State District Fair Associations, the Shenandoah Fair Association No. 2 was again reorganized and became known as the Shenandoah District Fair Association. This ran until 1894, when the affairs of the association again reverted to the Shenandoah Fair Associa- tion No. 2. In October, 1907, the association was again reorganized and incorporated with a capital stock of twelve thousand dollars and at present the association is known as Shenandoah Fair Association No. 3. Its grounds are pleasantly located near the junction of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and Wabash Railroads, about a half mile north of the business heart of the city and are beautifully adorned with trees that make excellent shade. The half mile track is kept in first class condition and is one of the best in the state. It has a large amphitheater, floral hall, many box stalls for horses and cattle and sufficient sheds for cattle, sheep and hogs.
On these grounds are also held the yearly Chautauqua of Shenandoah. In 1907 and 1908 the Shenandoah fairs were most gratifyingly successful to the promoters and officers of the association. The officers for 1908 are: Charles Aldrich, president ; Dave Wingert, vice president ; A. W. Goldberg, secretary ; A. W. Murphy, treasurer. Directors: Dave Wingert, George Jay, C. N. Marvin, Isaac White, Charles Aldrich, H. H. Hatcher, R. E. Anderson, O. T. Rankin and A. W. Goldberg.
SHENANDOAH SEED HOUSES.
Shenandoah has some of the largest seed houses in the United States, which bring to the city a vast amount of business. J. B. Armstrong is
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considered the father of the seed business in this section. His specialty is seed corn and wheat. Others came later into the business and today have the whole United States for a territory. in which to distribute their products. Henry Field is the founder of the Henry Field Seed Company, which last year did a business of approximately two hundred thousand dollars. July 1, 1907, the Henry Field Seed Company was organized by S. F. Field, Jesse Field, H. E. Eaton, A. L. F. Thompson, Ben G. Russell, E. S. Welch, D. S. Lake, G. C. Mitchell, W. D. Jamieson and Charles Simp- son. The officers of the concern are: Henry Field, president and general manager ; and Charles Simpson, vice president. In December, 1907, the present new plant was occupied. The main building is fire proof, con- structed of brick, steel and concrete. It is three stories with basement, and in dimensions sixty by one hundred feet, with an annex sixty by one hun- dred feet. This concern employs about one hundred people and is capitalized at seventy-five thousand dollars. A good idea is gathered of the existence of the business of this mail order house when it is stated that it paid out for the fiscal year ending April Ist, 1909, twelve thousand, two hundred and eighty-seven dollars in postage.
Another seed company in Shenandoah is the Ratekin Seed Company, which does a large and important business throughout the whole country.
THE SHENANDOAH CHAUTAUQUA.
The Shenandoah Chautauqua Association was organized in November, 1906. It is an incorporation and its aims and purposes are to employ talent to entertain and interest the public in science, religion, philosophy, litera- ture, music and art.
The first members of the association constituted approximately one hundred residents, men and women, who pledged themselves to protect the association from any loss in the management of the assembly, which was to be held for a term of days during the year 1907. The first officers and directors were:
President, Rev. Charies J. English ; vice president, Rev. Charles S. Han- ley : secretary, Earl Sheets ; directors, H. E. Deater, Elbert A. Read, Den- ver I. Wilson and Rev. J. M. Ross. O. H. Frink was appointed treasurer by this board of directors.
The movement for a Chautauqua had the hearty cooperation and support of the citizens of Shenandoah and the surrounding country from the very beginning and it was recognized as an enterprise that deserved to prosper. Arrangements were made whereby the grounds of the Fair Association should be used for the yearly meetings of the assembly and the grounds were beautified and the buildings remodeled and everything modernized so that Chautauqua patrons should have the best conveniences. These Chau- tauqua grounds are situated within the city limits of Shenandoah and are under the direct care of the city government and subject to its police regu- lations. The plat of ground is a green sward lying under the canopy of im- mense trees which have been set out systematically and offer the most
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delightful shade and protection. City water is on the ground in abundance, also electric lights. It is the city's entertainment ground, easy to approach and pleasant in all its appointments.
The first assembly was held in 1907 from June 27 to July 4, Dr. George R. Stuart having the honor of making the first address. He created such a favorable impression that his recall for the 1908 assembly was a necessity. Among the other notable speakers at this first assembly was Hon. Jacob R. Riis, who made a trip from New York city to deliver the Fourth of July address and returned directly afterward, filling no other date in the west.
The men who have served the association as president since its organi- zation up to the present time (April, 1909), are: Rev. Dr. J. W. Ross, Thomas W. Keenan and A. W. Murphy, the last named being president at this writing. Those who have served on the board of directors in addition to the first board are H. E. Wheeler, Rev. W. J. Turner, W. E. Irwin and A. C. Simons. Fred Schneider has also served as treasurer.
The second annual assembly was held June 25 to July 4, 1908, and was largely attended by local residents but on account of the weather many of the patrons could not be present. Among the strong lecturers at this second assembly were Captain R. P. Hobson and W. E. Hoch, along with a splendid list of high class entertainers.
The program for the 1909 assembly is altogether better than for either of the preceding years and everything promises a successful future for the association. The plan of the stockholders being guarantors is still in force, the citizens being sufficiently interested to respond heartily to the support of the movement.
SHENANDOAH WATER WORKS.
During the fall and winter of 1891-92 a succession of disastrous fires brought the gravity of helplessness of the city before the people frequently and the demand for water became unanimous.
Shortly after the election of the council for the year 1892, the mem- bers began to agitate the question with a definite object in view. About three months were consumed in securing advice of competent persons, with a view to avoiding mistakes. Some of the most experienced men in the country were interviewed and much valuable information secured. In August, 1892, prospecting began for water, with a desire to secure that which was pure, as well as in sufficient quantities for all emergen- cies. This prospecting continued at intervals all that fall and not until the early winter was a location finally decided upon, on lots 81 and 82 at the west end of Lowell avenue. The greatest difficulty was to find coarse sand, the sand in most places being too fine for the best results in securing water.
In September of the same year a special election was held to decide whether the city should issue bonds to the amount of twenty thousand dollars, for the purpose of putting in waterworks. There was practically no opposition, the vote standing about two hundred and fifty for the
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proposition and twenty-eight against. The bonds were sold to E. H. Rawlins & Son, of Boston, for nineteen thousand, nine hundred and ten dollars cash, the puchasers furnishing the bonds, making the sale prac- tically at par. The bonds bore interest at five per cent, or one thousand dollars a year.
Mr. Wiley, president of the Omaha Electric Light Company, was in- vited to come here and look the ground over, which he did, and upon his recommendation W. H. Howell was selected to survey the city and lay out the system of water mains. The survey included all of the city likely to need water for many years, though the funds available would not permit the putting in of mains except upon a few streets the first year.
The first test of the waterworks was when the breeding stable of J. L. Haynes and Milt Young took fire on the morning of July 21, 1893.
SHENANDOAH FIRE DEPARTMENT.
In 1906 the city government of Shenandoah established a paid fire de- partment with C. E. Thomas as chief. There are twenty-one members of the fire company,- all uniformed. There are two hose companies, a hose wagon, fine team of horses, well trained, over two thousand feet of hose, fire extinguishers and other paraphernalia. C. E. Thomas, chief ; Dave Ripley, assistant; Ray Oviatt, foreman ; Frank Sanman, secretary ; Ed. Ray, treasurer ; Billy Hughes, Floyd Edward, William Davie, Elza Beach, Charles DePuy, Robert Lindsay, W. E. Fletcher, Dan O'Day, Ed. White, George Cunningham, George Middaugh, Harry Davis, Arthur Tutt, C. I .. Selsgrove, E. S. LeBarron and Clarence Mathewson, driver.
The members of this company are all enthusiastic, prompt and efficient. They can fight fire with success, give them half a chance, but the pay is small for their hard and dangerous work.
SHENANDOAH TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES.
The first railroad built to Shenandoah was constructed by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company and it preceded the town and also it might be said caused the founding of the present city of Shenandoah, bringing the lumber for the first house in August, 1870. The first agent was one Miller, who had his office in a box car while an office was being built. Since the road has been in active operation, giving the citizens of Shenandoah and the surrounding country ample facilities for ingress and egress. This road extends from Council Bluffs to Pattonsburg, Missouri, and is operated in connection with the Wabash. Through trains run reg- ular from Council Bluffs to St. Louis. Shenandoah is the largest town and does the largest business of any town on the road except Maryville. In 1883 the Humeston & Shenandoah Railroad was built, extending from Shenandoah to Humeston in Wayne county, a distance of one hundred and thirteen miles. The headquarters of the road was located at Clarinda, where the general officers of the road resided but the shops and round
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house were built here and the trainmen made their headquarters in Shenan- doah. The property of the company at Shenandoah consisted of twenty- five acres of ground, machine shops, round house, blacksmith shop, office, store room and depot. The depot burned down about 1889 and has been replaced by a more modern building. Some years since the car shops were discontinued and the offices have been removed from Clarinda.
EXPRESS COMPANIES.
Three express companies have officers in Shenandoah, the Adams, American and Pacific. The business of these offices is quite heavy, much of the merchandise transported by them being from the seed houses and the great nursuries located here.
THE SHENANDOAH ARTIFICIAL ICE, POWER, HEAT & LIGHT COMPANY.
Articles of incorporation were secured for the Shenandoah Artificial Ice Company, January 3, 1903, by George Bogart. Edward Birkhimer, J. J. Dunuegan, William Priestman, W. A. Hand, August Samuelson and Walter P. Crose. These formed a board of directory and elected for their president George Bogart and W. A. Hand, secretary. This com- pany built an artificial ice plant on Thomas avenue near the Burlington tracks and continued in business until the buildings burned to the ground on the 16th of April, 1904.
On the 11th of August, 1904, the company was reorganized and took the name and title of The Shenandoah Artificial Ice, Power, Heat & Light Company, with authorized capital of one hundred thousand dollars. Its first president was J. J. Dunnegan; treasurer, George Bogart ; and sec- retary Walter P. Crose. It received from the city of Shenandoah a twenty- five year franchise for light and heat, March 10, 1904, and on October 1. 1904, this concern purchased the property of the Shenandoah Electric Light & Power Company, which was merged into the present company In December, 1906, the company moved into its new plant on the corner of Thomas avenue and Maple street. This is one of the finest power houses in the whole state of Iowa, is built of pressed vitrified brick and stone and is one hundred by iorty feet. It is equipped with one four hundred horse power Corliss engine, direct-connected to a two hundred K. W. alternating two-phase, twenty-two hundred volt generator ; two hundred horse power tandem compound Ideal engine, direct-connected to one hundred K. W. gen- erator, same type as the other There are two, two hundred and fifty horse power water tube boilers. From the steam heating plant the mains supply heat for the business portion of the city.
The electric transmission lines extend to all parts of the city, also to Es- sex, six miles on the north and to Farragut, six miles on the south. In Shenandoah there are five hundred patrons, Essex, one hundred and fifty, and Farragut, sixty. The present officers of the company are: John A. Masters, president and general manager ; Edward Birkhimer, vice president ; George Bogart, treasurer ; R. M. Pritchard, secretary.
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AN IMPORTANT INDUSTRY.
In 1900 James J. Doty began the manufacture of Economy Stock Powders, under the name of The Economy Hog and Cattle Powder Com- pany. He at first made the business a private one, having a small room. He used a diminutive hand grinder as a mixer. His capital was limited to less than six hundred dollars. The product at this time was placed upon the market by Mr. Doty and one salesman.
The articles manufactured by Mr. Doty gradually grew in favor and the demand increased to such proportions that it was necessary to greatly in- crease the output and place new men in the field.
Early in 1907 the company was incorporated, with a capital stock of forty thousand dollars. From this time on The Economy Hog and Cattle Powder became in great demand. For its headquarters the company is now located in a new factory fitted up with modern machinery run by electricity. The factory has a capacity of fifty thousand pounds per day and employs an army of salesmen, numbering upwards of two hundred.
The officers of this company take pride in the fact that they are now the largest manufacturers of stock powders in the world. The most of their business is done in the corn-producing states of Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, South Dakota, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Indiana. The products of this concern are strictly medicinal, being a condi- tioner, blood purifier and worm expeller. The company also manufacturers a very high grade of stock dip.
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