USA > Iowa > Washington County > History of Washington County, Iowa from the first white settlements to 1908. Also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county, Vol. I > Part 19
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Mrs. Jane A. Chilcote, widow of Dr. A. W. Chilcote, willed her home property to the city of Washington for perpetual use as a free city library, and it was so occupied in October, 1901. It is so far the sole public benefaction in our history. Her domestic life had been so happy in that home, she wished it to be used henceforth in a public, not a private, way. The property is worth twelve thousand dollars, and the house is quite well adapted to library use ; changes are under consideration to make it still more serviceable.
This library of well selected books on all lines-history, biography, fiction, poetry, science, travel, belle-lettres, youths' miscellany, religion, philosophy, cyclopedias and other reference-has been, now is, and will long continue to be of immense educational value in this city. Books-all things are in books. Any one, every one, can give themselves a liberal education by browsing in good libraries, and amuse and entertain themselves, besides. And the library has been a Providence to the children of those too poor to buy books. No institution in the city or county has done more good, given the many so much pleasure, yielded them more instruction and innocent delight.
There are now seven thousand volumes, and several hundred new books are annually added. The aim is, to keep reasonably well up with the best, the cream, of the issue of books in all the departments. In the reading room are all the leading magazines and other periodicals and journals. And the library is rich in government publications and documents, over three thousand volumes.
The board of trustees comprise: H. A. Burrell, president ; Mrs. Orville Elder, secretary : A. H. Wallace, Marsh W. Bailey, Cordelia Ross, Rev. W. O. Fisher, Mrs. Ida Nicola, Chas. H. Keck, Frank L. Wilson. Mrs. Nicola resigned, and S. W. Livingston was elected her successor.
Study Clubs .- For a generation now, Washington women's lives have been much modified by clubs. Mrs. Judge Dewey, a prominent club woman, assured me that more than thirty years have elapsed since what is believed to have been the first club was formed here. So unobtrusive was the coming of the shy light of the dawn.
In the autumn of 1878 a band of twelve courageous women stepped out from what was then their accorded sphere, and claimed one afternoon out of seven for the pleasure and profit that associated study might bring.
JANE A. CHILCOTE Donor of Jane A. Chilcote Free City Library
JANE A. CHILCOTE FREE CITY LIBRARY
NEW YORK LIBRARY
LENOX ULNDATION
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"History Class" was the name assigned. These women were earnest seek- ers of knowledge, and delved with eager persistence to the very bottom of authentic history, and even peeped some distance into its myths. Such heroic names as Asur-bani-pal, Tigleth Pileser, Shalmaneser, etc., became pet house- hold words in the homes of some of the first families of the village.
Patience and determination work wonders, in this instance quietly laying a strong symmetrical foundation of facts, with its cornerstone properly squared ready for the superstructure sure to follow.
Just at this time the great Chautauqua movement sprang up to meet the Macedonian cry, in America north and south ; in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, Japan, were millions hungering and thirsting for a knowledge that seemed far beyond their reach, now brought to their very doors, and hailed with joy as supplying a want widely realized.
Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle .- The idea of this circle first arose in the mind of its founder, Rev. John H. Vincent, D. D., in his early ministry, starting as a Sunday school-assembly in 1874. During a session in Chautauqua. N. Y., in 1878. the circle was instituted-a course of reading and study covering the principal subjects of a college curriculum, which an individual could pursue alone, if necessary, yet adapted for associated study. It was a four years' course, embracing history. science, literature and Bible study.
The C. L. S. C. of Washington was organized in October, 1882, under the leadership of Rev. C. L. Stafford, the resident Methodist minister, who held the office of president. Prof. D. W. Lewis succeeded him as president. This local C. L. S. C. flourished a number of years ; for some time it was necessary to hire a hall to accommodate the large membership. The history class quickly merged itself into this new educational movement. As to the beneficial results there is no question ; it breathed an atmosphere of culture around many homes, relieved the dull round of woman's never-ending work through worthy themes of thought and conversation, and enabled middle-aged people to supplement the deficiencies, keenly felt, of their early education.
The first graduates were Mrs. Norman Everson, Mrs. Wm. Scofield, Mrs. C. H. Wilson, Rev. C. L. Stafford (the only man thus far), Mrs. Frank Graves, Miss A. E. Buchanan, Mrs. Albert Phelps, Mrs. R. M. Ackley, Mrs. P. P. Ink, now Mrs. Ab. Anderson, and Mrs. A. R. Dewey, and is known as the class of '86.
Post Graduate Reading Class .- In the spring of 1887 this class was organized at Mrs. Norman Everson's, to do more thorough work along
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particular lines, and also to win seals to adorn the much prized C. L. S. C. diplomas. It was composed of the class of '86 and two others. Mrs. H. A. Burrell and Mrs. Dr. A. W. Chilcote; later, women graduates from the classes of '87, '88, '80, '90, etc., became members of this post graduate class. viz., Mrs. A. H. Wallace, Mrs. Dr. Meacham, Mrs. Jackson Roberts, Mrs. Dr. E. R. Jenkins, Mrs. Chas. M. Stinson, Mrs. J. C. W. Coxe. These special seal courses, made out by the parent C. L. S. C. board, were adhered to for a number of years and found to be interesting and profitable. were systematic and kept local circles in touch with Mother Chautauqua. Mean- while, the diplomas were being sprinkled with variously colored seals, the color denoting the particular course finished. Later, however, the read- ing class selected the books for perusal, at present reading and discussing the new Emmanuel movement. One unique feature of the class is that from the start it has had neither officers nor written laws of any kind. Webster's Unabridged, however, always occupies the center of the floor during the meetings. Countless books of recognized high order have been used and discussed, and the end is not yet. The "Old Reading Class," as the members fondly, even caressingly, speak of it. has held weekly meetings for twenty- two years ; every Wednesday afternoon practically, winter and summer, rain or shine, found the faithful ones assembled. Seven have moved away and six have passed beyond, but neither distance nor death can sever the bond that time, association. common pursuits of enlightenment, common topics for con- versation and discussion, have created and sealed.
Present membership: Mrs. Dr. Jenkins, Mrs. J. T. Anderson, Mrs. H. F. Steck, Mrs. Wm. Edgington, Mrs. Mary Simons, Mrs. J. B. Merton, Mrs. Ab. Anderson and Mrs. A. R. Dewey, the two latter the only ones remaining of the original membership.
Nineteenth Century Club .- It was organized by Mrs. H. A. Burrell and Miss Anne Burrell. now Mrs. Dr. M. C. Terry, October 12. 1894, with a membership of fourteen. That number was not exceeded, and was maintained by filling vacancies. It joined the State Federation in 1896, the General Fed- eration in 1902. Chosen color, lavender ; flower, pansy.
From the beginning, each member has been loyal to the club, keeping a live interest in its stated object, the study of chosen historical and literary subjects as well as current events.
Twelve members have removed, and death has taken Elizabeth Winter Wallace, November 25, '07; Jane Ballard Chilcote, March 3, 1901 ; Mary Beard Wilson, March 2. 1903; Bessie Babcock Bovee, January 16, 1907; Martha Jackson Burrell. July 2, 1908.
William E. Chilcote
John A. Henderson
James A. Thompson
E. T. Hebener At death oldest marble cutter in the United States
PIONEER BUSINESS MEN
E NEW YORK C.IC LIBRARY
1- TOR, LENOX LLUEN FOUNDATION
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The officers for 1908-'09 are : President, Mrs. A. R. Dewey ; vice-president, Miss Margaret Doolittle ; secretary and treasurer, Miss Anna M. Henderson ; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Carl Roberts.
Twentieth Century Reading Circle .- It was organized in 1899 with these charter members: Mesdames Elizabeth Anderson, Martha Dawson, R. P. Lewis, R. T. McCall, Susan McClelland, L. D. Robinson, Josie Smith, Win- field Smouse, W. A. Wilson, J. H. Stewart, Harry Shrader, Walker Skinner, M. Morehouse, J. Titus, Dr. Burroughs and Misses Mary Johnston, Belle Smith, Mide Lewis and Fronia Lamphere.
Fortnightly Club .- On November 28, 1896, Mrs. H. Scofield, Miss Cora Scofield, Mrs. J. C. W. Coxe, Mrs. D. H. Ballard, Mrs. E. R. Jenkins and Miss Ada Jenkins formed a woman's study club, to be unlimited in number and meet once in two weeks. On January 16, 1907, a year's course of study was entered upon by the club numbering twenty members : Mesdames D. H. Ballard, B. F. Brown, J. C. W. Coxe, C. B. Daugherty, G. H. Eiskamp, J. A. Harwood, Aaron Hise, W. N. Hood, Emma C. Ink, E. R. Jenkins, Chas. H. Keck, James R. Logue, J. Albert Phelps, Hiram- Scofield, Frank L. Wilson, and Misses Ada Jenkins, Cora Scofield, Anna Springer, Katherine Stichter.
On October 1, 1908, the plan of beginning the year's course with the club, . instead of the calendar, year was adopted and has since been followed.
The club now has one hundred and thirty-five members, with departments and leaders as follows: President, Mrs. Lorle Cook ; vice-president, Mrs. Carolyn Elder ; recording secretary, Mrs. Nettie Mclaughlin ; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Hallie Hull ; treasurer, Mrs. Florence Patterson ; department of literature, leader, afternoon section, Mrs. Ida Nicola ; evening section, Miss Ethel Nichols; Bible study, Mrs. Harriet Wilson ; current events, Miss Laura B. Noyes : music, Miss Myrta Jeffrey ; household economics, Mrs. Etta McCall ; child study, Mrs. Bessie Mclaughlin.
The following ladies have been president : Mesdames Coxe, D. H. Ballard, Hiram Scofield, Frank L. Wilson. W. C. Allen, B. W. Nicola, W. R. Jeffrey, Elizabeth G. Beamer, Mrs. Minnie Keck, Mrs. Lorle Cook and Misses Cor- delia Ross and Myrta Jeffrey.
March 9, 1897, the club was admitted to the State Federation, January 18, 1906, into the General Federation.
In addition to the literary and social features the club has been active in the betterment of the city, as by furnishing fine pictures and casts to the schools, assisting in the work of recataloging, by card system, the Jane A. Chilcote library. For the latter work it gave about one hundred and fifty dol- lars, and the services of several members. Two fine art loan exhibits were given, and the proceeds, about one hundred and fifty dollars, expended for
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pictures to be given the schools. Two chrysanthemum sales have been held, the proceeds used to aid in beautifying the parks.
The club is constituted like the two great English universities, each a cluster of colleges, as this is an array of independent sections, or departments, of literature, Bible study, current events, music, household economics, child study. These are severally officered, and each runs its own affairs, but all come together to celebrate their anniversary on November 6, in various ways. Liter- ature has afternoon and evening sections, and this year both "do" Tennyson, the Brownings, Dickens. The Bible course seems to be elaborate, and the meetings are held at Mrs. Hattie Wilson's, the leader's home, while the other sections are peripatetic. The current events class traversed topics from Dan to Beersheba. Household economics deal with the satisfactions of the inner man-pies, pastry, cake, puddings, sauces, etc., an endless parade.
Sunshine Club .- About 1905, it was formed by these girls, ranging from nine to fourteen years of age-Lydia Eicher, Ruth Wilson, Dorothy Wickham, Elizabeth Bell, Margaret Godfrey. Out of their pin, caramel, chocolate and soda fizz money, they have sent from fifty to seventy-five dollars to help sup- port the orphan asylum in Des Moines. At their meets they have devotional exercises, read the Bible, sing hymns and psalms, say the Lord's prayer, then play.
Academy Societies .- There are two, Aurora and Magnet. The rivalry is keen, and they strive to hold the honors even.
Chautauqua .- This is one of the jolliest things yet invented. For ten days each year in August, we hark back to nature, and tent, in a grove, do house- work at an amusing disadvantage, learn the virtue of a garbage barrel, dis- pense with private bath, grab a cushion or two and a rocking chair and rush to a big tent and start a fan in a crush of sweating humanity, and listen to things grave or gay, to music, to jokes with chin whiskers more or less gray.
For six years now, this festival ; Sam Jones, Gov. Taylor, Billy Sunday have tickled us ; Charley Brown, Prof. Wilcox and other Bible and historical students have edified us, and a great variety of entertainment has been given Several notable characters have appeared. On the whole, no more generous programs have been served to our people since the great days of the lecture or lyceum which offered such men as Emerson, Phillips, Curtis, Douglas, King, Chapin, Gough, Beecher. And for this source of profitable pleasure, Washington is most largely indebted to the good offices of Alex. R. Miller, editor of the Democrat. There is a temptation to introduce yellow features, and flaunt the sensational, as two or three vast attractions are not always available, to make great financial days.
us.
Edwin Cadwallader
R. T Wilson
H. F. Steck
J. Albert Williams
PIONEER BUSINESS MEN
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION
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Newspapers .- But of all educational agencies, the papers lead in wide- spreading influence. They are thick as leaves in Vallombrosa, and treat every conceivable subject. All the other professions combined, preacher, lawyer, doctor, teacher, do not exert so great an influence as the press, in the aggre- gate. You cannot pick up a sheet that has not at least one good item in it. The editors have been called the Fourth Estate, and truly. No matter how weak a sister many an individual editor may be, the mass of them are as in- finite and irresistible as a school of fishes. And yet, probably no other pro- fession has so many mortalities as the press. The grave-stones of Washington county newspapers whiten the night of the past and yield a ghastly effect.
The Argus was the first paper in the county, started in Washington in '54 ; Lewis F. Waldin, publisher ; J. F. Rice, editor. It made a hard live of it for two years and "went democratic," its politics being that kind. It was two dollars a year, cash, or its equivalent in pumpkins, whetstones, etc. It took all of its namesake's one hundred eyes to see any income. Its motto was funny-"Devoted to the Interests of the Country." That was cutting out a lot of work. Its last croak in the throat was, "The Press will fill out copies due." A. R. Wickersham bought and turned it. into the Press.
But the Press was not launched in 1856 just to fill over-paid subscriptions to a paper that had more eyes than a butterfly. It came to become the pa- triarch of all the county papers. A. R. Wickersham owned it and ran it ten years, with the aid of Thad. Stanton and A. S. Bailey. The two former are no more, but Sim. Bailey has still the cheerful habit of being alive and kicking on a Shenandoah paper, setting nonpareil type without glasses at the age of seventy-six or more. He was a capital writer, a thoughtful and gentle soul.
Howard A. Burrell bought the paper in 1866 and staid by it thirty-seven years, selling it in 1903 to Ralph L. Livingston who, in a short time, sold a half interest to Charles K. Needham, of the Sigourney News and three or four more weeklies in Iowa, and is now sole proprietor. He put in a linotype and made the whole equipment of the office practically new. There is not a better newspaper plant in the state, and he is a capital business man. Livings- ton is a Cincinnatus on Col. Palmer's farm, and now that Burrell has quit lying and is striving to lead an honest life, his health is at par.
E. B. Bolens started "The Washington Democrat" November 22, 1860. After many ups and downs of fortune, including sundry temporary suspen- sions, filling the intervals with able-bodied swearing, he took the plant to Wisconsin. I have the impression that he died, and has been an angel for sev- eral years.
But it is hard to kill a 'possum. On August 14, '78, Joe Biles, a printer, bricklayer, and fine fellow, revived "The Washington Democrat." Charley
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Chrisman had in Riverside a "Times" paper bought of Geo. Trumbo, or Gumbo, and wanted some one to help him let go. Joe bought the plant, moved it to Washington, took in Capt. J. J. Kellogg as partner, but in May, '79, they sold to Kell & McCracken, of Des Moines, and wags changed the "K" in Kell to an "H." In September they sold to Waters & Hood. Lobana Waters was a merry youth, and it took all the gravity of Deacon Wm. N. Hood to anchor this aeroplane. Both are dead, alas !
Geo. G. Rodman bought Waters' interest in the "Democrat" and acted as editor, with Hood, several years, and won the post office from Cleveland. George sold his half interest to A. R Miller, and he took over the whole thing after the terrible death of Mr. Hood, and is still its master. He gives it in- dividual flavor like horse-radish, and makes a lively, racy, readable paper, with a slap dash spirit that many at home and abroad like. The paragraph is his forte, and he makes a rattling paper that is appreciated at home and else- where, tho' sometimes criticised for a censorious tone and an occasional dash of uncharitable spirit.
And aside from the paper, he is an useful man for a town, in the lines of running Chautauquas and lecture courses, farmers' institutes and the like, and bringing to belated knowledge and honors heroes like Timothy Brown, the Revolutionary soldier buried in this county many years ago, getting a legislative appropriation to secure a characteristic Continental bronze bust of the patriot and a pedestal for it to rest on. All these are meritorious offices, and the public has appreciated his public spirited services in such ways.
John Wiseman was a briefless lawyer, but a lovely singer. He Andv- Johnsonized, hankered for Wickersham's post-office, and to get it started a barrel-organ, "The Washington Gazette," December 24, '68, as a Christmas gift. He kept on till '77, with his alleged "independent" paper, but it felt like a sliver in a finger. He sold to "The Gazette Printing Co.," and Rev. Alex. Story edited it. Eventually it fell into the hands of D. H. Logan, and S. Wake Neal bought in, but they sold to Livingston of the "Press" and Elder of the "Journal," both the weekly "Gazette" and the "Morning Herald" that Hugh McCleery started, and re-named it "Morning Gazette."
It must have been in the early 'zos that A. S. and S. P. Bailey pub- lished "The Record," a semi-agricultural paper, but it suspended before 1877 when A. S. B. moved to Brighton.
Way back in 1857. Washington college pupils put out a paper named "The Bower of Literature." "Bower" is good, also "literature."
Daily journalism began in Washington February 15, 1893. While work- ing on the "Gazette," Wm. V. McCausland had long contemplated starting a daily, but lacked money. He later had a job office in the Temple and men-
CHARLES EVANS
WILLIAM WILSON, JR
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
AS"OR. LENOX
DATION .
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tioned his project to Harry Keister, and on the above date they launched "The Hustler," and Mac staid in eighteen months, selling his interest through Harry to Wm. Fitzwilliams and Narris ("Nate") Black, February 15, '94. They ran it a year under the name of "Washington Printing Co.," and re-named the paper "Evening Journal." G. Logan Payne bought the plant February 15, '95, and developed a remarkable talent for soliciting patronage of all sorts. His daily manna was eagerly devoured, and the evening chit-chat was as relishable as the fresh-plucked things from a garden.
On May 15, 1900, Orville Elder bought the office, and has made the purely local paper a phenomenal success. No daily paper in any Iowa town the size of Washington has had anything like "The Journal's" vogue, re- munerative patronage and circulation, the latter having increased from eight hundred in 1900, to two thousand, and nearly all of it local. It is non- partisan and has great advantage in that, making no antagonisms. Elder is a wise editor, winning more by instinctively knowing what to leave out, and absolutely ruling it out. It is what is put in a paper, that is apt to give offense -never what is left out. The paper is clean, enterprising ; strives to be accu- rate and fair ; is newsy, timely, and it is timeliness, freshness, early morning dewiness that give charm to news as well as to flowers, fruits and vegetables. The object of the management has been to make it a sort of a public utility, a household necessity. There is an investment of about fifteen thousand dol- lars in the plant, and twelve people are employed in the business, reportorial and mechanical management of the publication.
Since this was written, Mr. Elder has ordered a web-perfecting press and a linotype-a ten thousand dollar to fifteen thousand dollar improvement.
Brighton had a worse murrain among papers. Robert H. Moore started the first paper, "The Pioneer," in the '6os, and in 1871 Hatton & Snyder ran "The Register" eighteen months. Then Astronomy set in and the village had celestial sheets. In March, '73. a joint stock company launched "The Western Star." Col. L. B. Fleak, the great character of the town, and Ed. Deeds edited it for a year, when the Colonel bought it and called it "The Brighton Star." In January, '77. he sold it to A. S. Bailey who made it shine two years with rare brilliancy, for he was an admirable writer. It shot down the sky into darkness in '79. In January, '78, Fleak & Son created "The Brighton Sun," which blazed till April, '79, when C. C. Heacock turned it into "The Greenback World," that finally lapsed into "The Enterprise," in 1882. Heacock has run out all the other papers there, and no man in this county has shown more editorial genius than he. He has developed that in- tangible thing called "style" in thinking and writing, a very rare but a charm- ing and unique property, and he has the "art of saying things" plus. In-
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dividuality stamps every squib he writes. He is not a "mush of concession," and he is working out of certain foibles that rather handicapped him in his editorial apprentice and amateur years.
In 1880, Laban Fleak conducted "The Reporter" a while, but it reported itself out into limbo, as did Kellogg's detective paper in Washington.
Geo. H. Frasher ran "The News" in Brighton, followed by Rev. J. Dolph and his son Herman, but the year cannot be stated. In '77, Geo. A. Matlock tackled it, and made the "News" newsy, but it, too, went to the bone- yard. Hic jacet. That's right-"here lies"-did they always "lie," writing marriage notices, obituaries and puffs about candidates and in campaigns ? No, indeed, but they were educational forces, all of them, carp and criticize as one may, and they did more good to their communities than the latter ever (lid to them.
Wellman has had two papers, one now dead. Albert A. Townsend started "The Reporter" December 21, '85, and in August, '89, Wm. Reed and W. F. Reinert issued "The Advance," and Coffey now keeps it up to Billy Reed's high standard. It is one of the most prosperous of the country weeklies. Its peculiarity is its loyalty to Wellman business men, rejecting advertisements from competing places.
Reed's father, Geo. L., let loose "The Keota Eagle" in 1875. and his boy got his first taste for types there. Richardson Bros. keep the bird in fine trim. It is neatly made up and printed and well edited.
Riverside had "The News," run by S. C. Bruce, but it has utterly evapo- rated from my eye and memory and from the records.
"The Leader" was started, was it not? by Dennis Flynn in 1883. He drifted to Oklahoma, and became delegate to congress. He is rich ; Ellery Foster and John Cherry say he is a smart campaign speaker. Altogether, he seems to have soared higher than any other Washington county editor. Char- ley Beverley followed him, then Mr. McIlree, but now Wm. J. Kueneman is putting it thro' its best paces.
Crawfordsville's best things came in her old age-a railroad and "The Imprint" paper started and run by Frank Wolf in 1894, and now, after a suspension, conducted by O. L. McCleery.
"The Ainsworth Clipper" was founded in 1883 by John H. Pearson, and he still makes it a very welcome weekly visitor. He is called "Old Clip," but there was never anything real "old" about John except his cob and clay pipes. For many years they were extremely aged, fully ripe, yet fierce, and pulling on them industriously made him as lantern-jawed as Don Quixote, and as generally "lean" as Dante said his poem made him in the composing of it. However, John has lately sworn off, and virtue is fattening him. I am
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