USA > Iowa > Wright County > History of Wright County, Iowa, its peoples, industries and institutions > Part 24
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During 1874 the following card, showing the time of the arrival and departure of mails, was running in the Monitor: "Mails from Webster City arrive each Thursday and Saturday, at one p. m. From Fort Dodge, arrive on Wednesday and Friday. From Belmond, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. All mails depart on the next day after their arrival. (Signed) I. Q. Milliken, P. M."
In March, 1879, the land business was evidently brisk, according to an item published in the Monitor that week, which said: "George A. Mckay is certainly doing business, as can be seen from the fact that during the past month $10,000 has passed into the county treasurer's hands through the payment of taxes on non-resident lands. It is questionable whether
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another lowa real estate dealer can show as high a figure in land-tax payments."
Local press items in 1876 show that Clarion only had three stores, one general, one hardware and one grocery. It had one hotel, conducted by J. L. Brooks; a blacksmith shop, a shoe shop, a small bank, one doctor and three lawyers.
CLARION IN 1896.
Twenty years later ( 1896) a "writeup" of the town gave the following dealers and professional men-quite a contrast indeed: Three grocery stores, three general stores, three hardware stores, four hotels, three real estate dealers, two harness shops, three barber shops, three blacksmith shops, four grain and stock dealers, three millinery stores, three agricultural imple- ment dealers, two banks, one shoe store, three dry goods stores, eight doc- tors, five real estate firms, two livery stables, one planing mill, eight car- penters, one dentist, one clothier, two lumber yards, one tailor shop, with six tailors employed, six insurance agents, four stone masons, three brick- layers, two furniture stores, two abstract offices, six lawyers, one laundry, two shoemakers, two wagon shops, two music dealers, five painters, one photograph gallery, two dressmakers, three jewelers, two express agents, two railroads, two newspapers, six churches, one school, with six depart- ments, a Masonic lodge, an Odd Fellows lodge and a population of about one thousand five hundred.
The first large brick-kiln in Clarion was burned in the spring of 1881, when fifty thousand red brick were burned by D. A. Tower.
The Eldridge Poultry House, in December, 1913. in one week dressed forty thousand pounds of poultry, or ten thousand birds. Thirteen men were employed at three and one-half cents per chicken and seven cents for turkeys.
A seventy-five barrel roller flour-mill was erected in 1898.
An opera house with a seating capacity of seven hundred was erected in 1899, by the Western Land Company of Chicago, at a cost of five thou- sand dollars. It was opened in April, 1899, and was burned in August, 1911. The Clarion House was erected in 1881, and is the only real hotel in Clarion at this date. A new one, built and conducted on modern plans, is talked of and is much needed. A creamery was established early in the eighties, and, with many changes, this industry has been operated ever since.
The first street paving in Clarion was done in 1913. A general sewer system is now being constructed-1915.
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PUBLIC LIBRARY, CLARION.
1899
MW A 1899
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SOME BUSINESS HOUSES IN GALT.
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A "rest room" was established in the rear of the city building a few years ago and has been greatly appreciated by those coming in from the country.
.An item appeared in the local paper at Clarion in March, 1875, reading as follows: "A snow drift that is not more than ten feet deep is not much to brag about now-a-days. But we have many now that go five to ten feet better than that in Clarion and the thermometer registers thirty-four degrees below zero, too."
In May, 1875, this appeared: "A Sabbath school was organized in Clarion last Sunday with N. F. Weber as its superintendent; R. K. East- man, assistant superintendent, and W. T. R. Humphrey, secretary and librarian. The school will meet Sundays at 2:30 p. m., and it can be made a means of both pleasure and profit to old and young, if they will only take hold and work."
The fountain was placed in the city park in the summer of 1906, and a drinking fountain was also put in a few feet from the ornamental foun- tain, while on the west side of the courthouse square there was placed a drinking fountain for animals. These were all put in by private sub- scriptions.
CLARION BUSINESS DIRECTORY-1915.
The subjoined is a list of the principal business factors of Clarion in the month of July, 1915: Abstracts, Austin & Son, Humphrey & Humph- rey ; attorneys, Birdsall & Birdsall, C. F. Peterson, J. A. Rogers, A. R. Ladd, 1 .. M. Archerd, Nagle & Nagle, J. M. Berry, and G. B. Hill; automobile garages, J. T. Jensen, C. L. Speight and Burr Nagle; banks, First National, Bank of Clarion, Clarion Savings Bank : bakeries, three now in operation ; barber shops, Moses C. Lester, Steawart & Monniville, W. E. Eldredge, Turk & Company; blacksmith shops, Simmons Brothers, Temple & Com- pany ; clothing ( exclusive ). Crowe & Sons, J. L. Lunblad, Hugo Rohrbach ; cigar store. "Ziegers"; cement works, White Brothers, Schumaker & Humphrey; creamery, Clarion Co-operative Company; china and jewelry, L. L. Kirkpatrick; dentists, T. T. Roosevelt, F. S. Thomas, H. B. McLain ; drug stores, Hamilton & Son, Hartsock & Barr, Linebarger & Faber, Mor- gan & Wilson ; dray lines, C. L. Summers, A. J. Jackman, Homer Sellers, E. W. Eddy, W. F. Shreves, George Coats, C. A. Conklin; elevators, Farmers Elevator Company, Gordon Garver; furniture, Jesse Smith, Ed T. Smutney; feed store, G. H. Lee ( feed and groceries and seeds), John- son, of roller mill; groceries, Tillinghast & Company, Townsend & Gardner,
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A "rest room" was established in the rear of the city building a few years ago and has been greatly appreciated by those coming in from the country.
An item appeared in the local paper at Clarion in March, 1875, reading as follows: "A snow drift that is not more than ten feet deep is not much to brag about now-a-days. But we have many now that go five to ten feet better than that in Clarion and the thermometer registers thirty-four degrees below zero, too."
In May, 1875, this appeared: "A Sabbath school was organized in Clarion last Sunday with N. F. Weber as its superintendent; R. K. East- man, assistant superintendent, and W. T. R. Humphrey, secretary and librarian. The school will meet Sundays at 2:30 p. m., and it can be made a means of both pleasure and profit to old and young, if they will only take hold and work."
The fountain was placed in the city park in the summer of 1906, and a drinking fountain was also put in a few feet from the ornamental foun- tain, while on the west side of the courthouse square there was placed a drinking fountain for animals. These were all put in by private sub- scriptions.
CLARION BUSINESS DIRECTORY-1915.
The subjoined is a list of the principal business factors of Clarion in the month of July, 1915: Abstracts, Austin & Son, Ilumphrey & Humph- rey ; attorneys, Birdsall & Birdsall, C. F. Peterson, J. A. Rogers, .\. R. Ladd, L. M. Archerd, Nagle & Nagle, J. M. Berry, and G. B. Hill; automobile garages, J. T. Jensen, C. L. Speight and Burr Nagle; banks, First National, Bank of Clarion, Clarion Savings Bank: bakeries, three now in operation ; barber shops, Moses (. Lester, Steawart & Monniville, W. E. Eldredge, Turk & Company; blacksmith shops, Simmons Brothers, Temple & Com- pany; clothing ( exclusive ), Crowe & Sons, J. L. Lunblad, Hugo Rohrbach ; cigar store. "Ziegers"; cement works, White Brothers, Schumaker & Humphrey; creamery, Clarion Co-operative Company; china and jewelry, I. L. Kirkpatrick ; dentists, T. T. Roosevelt, F. S. Thomas, H. B. McLain ; drug stores, Hamilton & Son, Hartsock & Barr, Linebarger & Faber, Mor- gan & Wilson: dray lines, C. L. Summers, A. J. Jackman, Homer Sellers, E. W. Eddy. W. F. Shreves, George Coats, C. A. Conklin; elevators, Farmers Elevator Company, Gordon Garver; furniture, Jesse Smith, Ed T. Smutney; feed store, G. H. Lee ( feed and groceries and seeds), John- son, of roller mill; groceries, Tillinghast & Company, Townsend & Gardner,
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Roosevelt Brothers; general stores, Stark Brothers, McCoy & Nagle, J. H. Ramsay; hardware, Shupe Brothers, Lockwood & Stewart, Staples Broth- ers; harness, A. A. Taft, E. B. Roblin; hotels, Clarion House; implements, C. L. Speight, J. T. Jensen; jewelry, J. D. Moseley, J. W. Morely, 1 .. L. Kirkpatrick; lumber, Farmers Elevator Company, Keve Lumber Com- pany, Ahmann-Bock Company; livery, Baker & Baker; moving pictures, one place, well patronized; meat markets, Duer & Son, S. B. Ferguson ; mills, Clarion Roller Mills, Johnson, proprietor ; millinery, Mrs. M. C. Les- ter, Mills Sisters, Littleton Sisters; newspapers, Monitor and Clipper; nov- elty store, F. P. Wilson; photographer, G. D. Cook ; produce. Clarion Pro- duce Company; restaurants, The "Whiteside." "Husted's," Corbin's "Foxy Cafe:" shoe stores, Harry Stanbury ; physicians, Dr. J. H. Sams, Dr. E. D. Tompkins, Dr. E. E. Best, Dr. Q. D. Bernard ; veterinary, Dr. C. G. Will- iams, Dr. Cline: tailors, McDonald ( The City Tailor ).
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
Clarion has been an incorporated town since October 15. 1881. the proposition for incorporation carrying by a vote of fifty-nine to forty-two. The following have served as its mayors: Z. Morgan, 1881-83; L. P. Davis, 1883-85; W. T. R. Humphrey, 1885-87; Thomas Garth, 1887-88; A. R. Ladd, 1888-91; B. P. Birdsall, 1891-93, resigned when elected as district judge; J. A. Rogers, a part of 1893-94; E. M. Callender, 1894-95; J. A. Rogers, 1895-97; E. B. White, 1897-1902; P. 11. Goslin, 1902-00; M. A. Mickelson, 1906-11; P. 11. Goslin, 1911-14; J. A. Rogers, 1914.
The 1915 city officers are as follow: Mayor, J. A. Rogers; clerk, F. W. Walker; treasurer, H. J. Barr; health officer, Dr. E. D. Tompkins; street commissioner, C. M. Bunn; marshal, J. L. Fackler ; assessor. D. W. Stewart, and the following city council: A. E. Weber and E. B. White, members-at-large; first ward, D. 1. Nagle; second ward, j. 1 .. Lundblad; third ward, Herman Turk; fourth ward, 11. A. Duer.
The city in 1914 let contracts for the putting in of seven and one-half miles of sewer, for which the people are to pay, within the term of seven years, the sum of about forty-three thousand dollars. This improvement includes a disposal plant, and the remainder is divided into four districts, the lot owners bearing the expense of all improvements connected with their lots.
At present the city has an indebtedness of only about four thousand five hundred dollars, which is for payment on the water plant.
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It may be stated, in this connection that this city, unfortunately, was laid out by none the best of surveyors and engineers, for there is only one platting or addition which is correctly surveyed, and this makes present- day improvements a difficult task ; in fact many of the early-day errors can never be corrected. The original plat was surveyed into blocks and lots without a single alley running through them. Other plattings were not surveyed in parallel lines with the former plattings, hence are unsightly today. The present council is doing all in its power to remedy the irregu- larities in grades and street lines. Under Civil Engineer Curry, of Web- ster City, the council has expended almost eight hundred dollars in making the necessary grade and street surveys, which will stand as a monument for all time to those business-like men.
THE WATERWORKS PLANT.
In 1873 Clarion was almost destitute of water, even for drinking pur- poses, although it might have been found a few feet below the surface at almost any point in and around the village. This is inferred from the following from the pen of one of the Monitor editors, either "Deacon" Hathaway or Frank Gates, both of whom were wielding the pen on that paper in those pioneer days:
"Clarion has got a town pump that belongs to the county, but private citizens paid for it. This pump ean discount any pump in the entire north- western country and we have got money that says so. When we want a pail of water we go out after dark to get it. We go over to the pump, put our pail under the spont, and then we walk around the court house to make sure no one is within hearing distance. Then we go back and take our coat off : also our vest, and hang them on the fence. After we spit on our hands and turn the pail around with the other side. toward the pump, we com- mence operations. We again spit on our hands and take hold of the handle. For about three minutes we work that handle lively and just as we get to the point of repeating religious poetry we raise water into the pump. That encourages us to work harder and we manage to get a big stream out of a crack in the edge of the wooden pump and it squirts into our boots. We then stop and poke paper into the crack and do it all over again. This time it spurts out on the opposite side of the pump, and we get it up as high as the spont. So we take the pail around and place it under the edge of the second crack. Just as we get a good stream going the paper flies out of both cracks and our boots are baptized inside and out. By this time it is
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bed time and we go to bed and send the 'devil' of the office over after a pail of water in the early morning."
In 1874, the same writer expresses his ideas of a needed stock well for the village of Clarion. "The scarcity of water in town has induced parties owning stock, etc., to act upon our advice and dig a well in a slough east of town. We hope all parties owning stock will make use of this well and leave the wells within two hundred yards of the court house, as reservoirs for drinking and cooking purposes."
In 1887, in June, a contract was let for a five-hundred-barrel cistern at the northwest corner of the public square, in the center of the street, for fire protection. It was stoned up and cemented over and cost the town one hundred and eighty-five dollars. The same year, in August, a hand fire-engine was purchased and a volunteer fire company organized.
The first real waterworks system of Clarion was begun in 1905, when a contract was let to a Des Moines firm, for $6,780. This included a one- hundred-foot tower, holding sixty-thousand gallons of water. The work was to be completed by October 1, 1905, but the workmanship was not good and the city did not accept the plant until after some litigation and after it had been made over according to specifications.
ELECTRIC LIGHTING.
A contract was let in May, 1892, to construct a system of electric lighting in Clarion. Bonds were floated to the amount of six thousand three hundred dollars and sold to a Chicago firm of brokers. Lights were first turned on December 1, 1892. This answered the purpose for a few years, but with the progress of the times and the growth of the city, another systemi had to be installed. The light from this new plant was first turned on for public use on August 1, 1904. In April, 1910, the lighting plant was sold to M. E. Mozingo for eight thousand five hundred dollars, and he added three thousand dollars worth of new machinery. This plant was destroyed by fire from an unknown cause in August, 1911; the same fire burning the Clarion opera house, after which Mr. Monzingo took in a partner, by which change the firm became known as Mozingo & Mack, who built the present plant-the fine brick building near the water tower, equipped with adequate machinery.
HIGH SCHOOL, CLARION.
ST. JOHN'S SCHOOL, CLARION.
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DISASTROUS FIRES.
At one o'clock on the morning of October 31, 1882, a twelve thousand dollar fire visited Clarion, destroying the store of Minon & Butterfield, the two-story business house of 1. F. Woodman, J. M. Overbaugh's furniture store and contents, Doctor Gannon's office, S. H. Brown's two-story frame dry goods store, the residence of W. H. H. Miller, J. D. Smith's residence, a boot and shoe store, etc., making a total loss of twelve thousand dollars, only partly covered by insurance.
The second big fire that visited the town was in March, 1803. This latter blaze was supposed to have been the work of incendiaries, who sought to rob the stores of goods. In this fire there were fifteen buildings burned. the loss being only half covered by insurance.
October 10, 1899, occurred the great fire in which twenty thousand dollars worth of property was destroyed. This fire also was of incendiary origin. The loss fell heavily on the following persons and firms: Sandy Johnson, stock and fixtures, $3,900; M. Shane, $1,000; McCoy & Nagle, stock and fixtures, $10,000; M. F. Laughlin, building, $1,200; F. C. Hart- shorn, buikling, $600; an implement stock, $800; Anna Chapman, building, $2,000; Schaefer Sisters, outfitters, $450; Young Brothers, $550. The usual amount of insurance was collected on these losses. The city had no suitable fire protection at that time.
To enlighten the reader regarding the fear of fires felt by the early settlers, the subjoined paragraph from the Monitor of 1875, will make it plain what pioneers in Clarion had to contend with : "The fire-break around the willows on the north and west of town has been a good friend to the willows and the town, but it is now getting up to grass and weeds and unless 'backed' again it will hardly keep out fire the year. Let us all con- tribute our mite and have a good job done, then we can sleep nights in peace when frost comes."
Later in the year just referred to there was a sweeping prairie fire which burned off over forty thousand acres of prairie in the neighborhood of Clarion.
FRATERNAL SOCIETIES.
The elements of fraternity are well represented in Clarion, even out- stripping many older cities. These live and thrive and promote the feeling of benevolence, give practical proof of charity and inculcate the divine idea
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of fellow feeling and brotherly love. As far back as 1899. there were the following lodges and societies: Masonic, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Red Men, Modern Woodmen, Fraternal Brotherhood of the World, Mod- ern Brothers of America, Ancient Order of United Workmen, Grand Army of the Republic, Legion of Honor, Clarion Literary Club, Chautauqua Circles, Young Men's Christian Association, and minor societies. These societies will all be treated more or less in detail in the chapter devoted to the lodges of the county.
THE CEMETERIES OF CLARION.
Nothing speaks more clearly for the intelligence and civilized spirit of a community than its care for the departed dead. This is the line of demarcation between savage and civilized life. The well-kept burying places of any town or city constitute a true index to the character of its living citizens. The churches and fraternal societies of this country have been potent agencies toward keeping alive this sentiment. The pioneer band in Clarion looked well to this matter and those now on the stage of action are keeping good the establishment of proper cemeteries.
The first "city of the dead" for Clarion was in the southeast part of town, in what is King's addition today. It was not many years before it was seen that a mistake was made in platting a cemetery so near to the business and residence portion of the place, and a change was made. Per- haps the other extreme was gone to in the matter of locating the present cemetery-a mile and a half from the court house. Yet the location selected is in many ways ideal, and is well cared for at this date.
What was known as the Clarion Cemetery Association was organized in April, 1873, the articles of association being recorded the ioth of that month and year, by George A. Mckay, county recorder. According to the by-laws of this association anyone who desired to purchase one or more lots could be a member of the association. Its officers were to be a presi- dent, secretary, treasurer and two trustees, the officers to be elected annually, meetings for such purpose to be held the first Saturday in May, each year. The first members were: R. K. Eastman, W. F. Gibbs, L. P. Davis, F. Q. Lee, A. W. White, J. D. Oakley, N. F. Weber, W. W. Gates, E. E. Gould, George A. McKay. The first president was R. K. Eastman ; secretary, F. O. Lee. It was this society that purchased the land for the first cemetery, present King's addition to Clarion.
After several years, as the town grew, it was discovered that it
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was a mistake to locate the burying ground so near the place, and it was then that what is now known as Evergreen cemetery, about one and one- half miles to the east of the town, was located. The Clarion Evergreen Ceme- tery Association was formed and articles of association were recorded on April 4. 1887. These articles provided that there should be a president, secretary, treasurer and three additional trustees. The record shows the first officers were: Mrs. Susan Stone, president; Mrs. Edna Smith, secre- tary; the other trustees named being Lois Brewster, Mary Harwood and Kate Lockwood. These grounds are situated in section 5 of township 91, range 24. The grounds were enclosed and have always been kept in good condition. Fine monuments mark the resting place of many a departed pioneer, the contents of the first burying ground in Clarion having been removed, for the most part, to this silent city of the dead.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The first record of the interest taken in library work, is found in the Monitor in 1878, when this paragraph appears: "There are now seventy public libraries in lowa, and Wright county has eight, containing a con- paratively small number of volumes, yet this county is spending two thou- sand dollars a year on its libraries and we believe it is money well expended." These libraries were mostly, if not all, school-district libraries. Clarion had a small circulating library for a number of years, but it was of little magni- tude or real value. The system was wrong and the interest lagged.
In February, 1907, the city voted through its council, to accept the generous offer of Morgan Everts, then of California, but for many years counted one of the pioneers of Webster City, Hamilton county, Iowa, to raise a fund of five thousand dollars, after which said Everts would donate the city ten thousand dollars more toward erecting and maintaining a public library to be known as the "Morgan Everts Library." The city voted on this question on March 2, 1907, and the measure carried. The present hand- some library structure on North Main street was erected by F. F. McManus at the contract price of nine thousand nine hundred and twenty- one dollars, exclusive of heating plant, etc. It is of the same style of archi- tecture as is noted in many Carnegie libraries in this country. It has a large basement story, in which the heating plant and store rooms are situ- ated, as well as a spacious auditorium, for holding any public meetings desired by the people. A high flag-staff is set on the beautiful greensward in front of the building, designed to hold "Old Glory" as it floats to the
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breeze; this was the gift of Captain Terrell. Mr. Everts had been long in the real estate business and had accumulated a good fortune, a part of which was made by dealing in Wright county lands, at an early day, and he naturally felt friendly towards the county and its people. It is to be regretted that he passed away before this monument to his memory was completed. His estimable widow, however, was permitted to be present at the dedication, but has since passed from earth's shining circle. The portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Everts adorn the walls of the building. The library now contains four thousand and eighty-five volumes, exclusive of many government reports. The annual tax collected for the purpose, as per agreement with the donor, is cominually adding to the fund for the books.
This public library was thrown open to the public in April, 1908. The first officers of the association were as follow: C. M. Nagle, president; W. T. R. Humphrey, secretary; E. A. Alexander, .A. E. Weber, Frank Walker, M. A. Mickleson, Mrs. B. P. Birdsall, Mrs. C. F. Peterson, Mrs. George Young, trustees. The same officers still hold over, except that J. H. Ramsay is secretary, and W. 1 .. Scott is trustee, in place of Mrs. C. F. Peterson.
The association has had but two librarians-Mrs. G. T. Eldridge, from April, 1908, to January, 1913, when the present librarian, Mrs. Irving E. Nagle, was elected.
THE CLARION POSTOFFICE.
Clarion was established as a postoffice point in Wright county, on December 18, 1867. The following have served as postmasters: Oliver K. Eastman, appointed on December 18, 1867; R. K. Eastman, March 8, 1870; C. M. Farrar, March 7, 1871 ; Ivory Q. Milliken, November 15, 1872; William M. Gates, May 18, 1877; James C. Harwood, January 19, 1881; G. W. Middlecoff, September 16, 1885; S. W. Summers, September 12, 1887; Walter Elder, March 7, 1894; James C. Harwood, March 22, 1898; Robert P. Osier, July 14, 1903; Peter H. Goslin, February 13, 1915.
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