USA > Iowa > History of western Iowa, its settlement and growth. A comprehensive compilation of progressive events concerning the counties, cities, towns, and villages-biographical sketches of the pioneers and business men, with an authentic history of the state of Iowa > Part 42
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61
D. D. McCallum, attorney at law, was born in Canada in 1847; came to Clayton county, Ia., in 1859. He enlisted Feb. 1st, 1864, in Co. I, 27th la. Vol . ; was afterwards transferred to the Twelfth Ia., and was on duty in Ala. during the reconstruction of that state under President, Johnson's administration . He came to Sibley in the spring of 1872; was admitted to the bar in 1879, and engaged in the practice of the law.
A. W. Mitchell, of the firm of Mitchell & Walton, furniture dealers, was born in N. Y .; removed to Hudson, Wis., in 1855. He enlisted in 1861 in Co. G, 4th Wis. Inft. ; served two years, and was discharged on account of ill health. He moved to Iowa
385
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Falls, Ia., in 1865, and engaged in the furniture business; thence to Steamboat Rock, and in 1872 to Sibley: in 1873 he engaged in his present business .
W. M. Moore, county auditor, was born in Pa. in 1841; en- listed in 1861 in Co. E, Pa. Bucktail regiment; was taken prisoner in June, 1862, and held until Aug. of that year. He was wounded several times, and lost his right arm at Weldon R. R. terminus, in Aug., 1864, from a gun shot. He served through the war, and then returned to Pa. He came to Sibley in 1872, and was elected to his present office in 1873, which he has held ever since.
W. H. Morrison, jeweler, was born in Pa. in 1833; came to la. in 1855, settled in Allamakee county, and engaged in the jewelry business. He enlisted in 1862 in Co. E, 27th Ia. Vol., and served until the close of the war. He came to Osceola county in 1871, and settled four miles north of Sibley; moved into the city in 1881, and engaged in the jewelry business.
Hiram Neill, M . D., is a native of Canada; came with parents to Minn . in 1855, and settled in Hennepin county. He enlisted in 1863 in Co. A. 4th Minn . Vol. Inft. ; served until 1865, and then returned to Minn., and began the study of medicine with Dr. Maddox. of St. Paul. He graduated from the Michigan Univer- sity in 1871, and from the Bellevue Hospital of N. Y . City in 1879. He practiced medicine for a time in Minneapolis, Minn ., and came to Sibley in 1875, where he has a very extensive practice .
W. L. Parker, druggist, is a native of Wis .; removed to Minn. in 1868; located at St. James in 1869, and engaged in the drug business. He removed to Sibley in 1873, and carries a very fine stock of drugs, paints, oils, fancy groceries, etc.
H. W. Phillips, farmer, is a native of N. Y .; came to Delaware county, Ia., in 1858, settled in Osceola county in 1872, and on his present farm on section 32, range 41, in 1879. He was the first man to try to raise sheep in the county, and is largely engaged in the tree and fruit culture.
Capt. D. L. Riley, mayor of Sibley, was born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., in 1837; removed to Wis. in 1854. He enlisted in 1861 in Co. C, 2nd Wis. Cav., under Col. C. C. Washburne. He enlisted as a private, and came out captain of the company at the close of the war. He returned to Wis. and remained there until 1871, when he came to Osceola county and settled near where Sibley is now located. Mr. R. has held several town offices. and has been engaged in the lumber, coal and grain busi- ness since his residence in this place, which business he intends to resume at Spirit Lake in the spring of 1882.
H. K. Rogers, the pioneer merchant of Sibley, was born in O. in 1847; removed in 1870 to Salt Lake City, Utah, and engaged in the mercantile business, and in the autumn of 1871 came to Sibley,
386
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Ia., and built the first building in the town for a store and dwel- ling, on lots eight and nine, Ninth street. He was afterwards burned out there, and moved to his present place of business on Third avenue and Eighth streets. Mr. R. carries a large and com- plete stock of merchandise.
L. Shell, lumber dealer, was born in Wis. in 1838; removed to Worthington, Minn., in 1872; thence to Sibley in the spring of 1873, and engaged in his present business, dealing in all kinds of builders' supplies and grain. He enlisted in Aug., 1862, in Co. K. 23rd Wis. Vol., and on account of wounds received at the battle of Vicksburg, May 22nd, 1863, was discharged in Dec., of the same year.
H. Walters, proprietor of the Pioneer House, was born in N. Y. in 1826; came to Iowa in 1856, and settled in Chickasaw county; removed to Osceola county in 1871, and entered a homestead on section 10, township 79, range 41. He engaged in the hotel business in 1874. it being the first hotel in Sibley. He enlisted in 1863 in the 4th Ia. Cav., and served until the close of the war; was wounded at Memphis, Tenn., by being thrown from his horse while on duty.
C. D. & T. O. Wilbern. dealers in general merchandise, came to Cherokee county, Ia., in 1868 and engaged in farming; removed to Sibley in 1873 and engaged in their present business. They were burned out in November of the same year, started again, and have continned ever since. T. O. enlisted in 1864 in Co. C., 153rd Ill. Vol., and was discharged in 1865.
S. A. Wright, deputy treasurer, was born in N. Y. in 1842. He enlisted in 1862 in Co. C. 112th N. Y. Inft. In 1868 he came to Iowa and engaged in the mercantile business; came to Sibley in 1872, and followed various business pursuits, until 1874, when he was elected county treasurer, which office he held until 1876, when he was succeeded by Mr. Hungerford.
387
HISTORY OF IOWA.
PLYMOUTH COUNTY.
The thriving and fertile county of Plymouth is on the western boundary of the State, in the third tier from the north line. Its average length east and west is about thirty-five miles, and its width north and south twenty-four miles. It contains an area of about 840 square miles, or 537,000 acres. The principal streams are Floyd River, West Fork of Little Sioux River, West Branch of Floyd River, and Broken Kettle, Perry and Willow Creeks. Floyd River, the largest stream, crosses the county diagonally from north- east to southwest. It has many important tributaries, affording fine stock water and drainage to a large portion of the county. It also affords some water-power for mills. The West Fork of Little Sioux River crosses the southeast corner, draining and watering two or three townships. The entire county has a thorough system of natural drainage through small streams which course their way through all parts of it. The streams are clear, and never fail to furnish a supply of living water, as most of them are supplied by springs. There are no swamps or marshes.
The general character of the surface is rolling prairie, with some broken land in the western part of the county. The soil is the productive bluff deposit peculiar to the western part of the state. The valleys along the streams are not excelled in fertility of soil, and are adapted to all kinds of grain and vegetable crops. The uplands are not so well adapted to corn as the valleys, but produce fine crops of wheat and oats. The valleys of Big Sioux and Floyd Rivers present splendid belts of rich farming lands. The county is well adapted to grazing purposes, as there is a never-failing sup- ply of pure, living water for stock, with an abundance of excellent pasturage.
The supply of native timber is quite limited, the principal groves being along the Big Sioux River, and a few small groves on Floyd and the West Fork of Little Sioux. Some of the early settlers have fine groves of planted trees, which will soon attain sufficient growth to furnish fuel for their owners. Some stone has been quarried in this county, but it is of little use as a building material. Some of it is burned into a fair article of lime. Material for brick is obtained in sufficient quantity.
The first settlements by whites in the county were made in the Summer of 1856, and were in the valleys of Big Sioux and Floyd Rivers. The following persons that year located in the valley of Big Sioux River: J. B. Pinckney, David Mills, Isaac T. Martin, Bratton Vidito, J. McGill, John Hipkins, James Dormichy and a
388
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Mr. Guilhams. The settlement on Big Sioux River was com- menced by Martin, Vidito, McGill and Hipkins, the last named having a family. They erected two houses, one for Hipkins and his family, and the other for the young men. In July they laid ont a town, calling it Westfield. This was the first town laid out in the county, and its proprietors regarded it as the future metrop- olis of the Big Sioux Valley.
In 1856, A. C. Sheets, James B. Curry, E. S. Hungerford, Cory- don Hall and Joel Phillips located in the valley of the Floyd River. The county was organized October 12th, 1858, by William Van- O'Linda as organizing sheriff. The election was held at the house of John Hipkins, on the Big Sioux River, and at the house of A. C. Sheets, on Floyd River. The following persons were elected county officers: William Van O'Linda, County Judge; Isaac T. Martin, Treasurer and Recorder; A. C. Sheets, Clerk of the Dis- trict Court; David Mills, Sheriff; and A. E. Rea, County Superin- tendent of Schools. The same Fall a township election was held at Westfield, on the Big Sioux, when Isaac T. Martin was elected Township Clerk. There were sixteen votes cast at this election. The county judge held his office on Floyd River, in the middle of the eastern part of the county, while the treasurer and sheriff held theirs in the Big Sioux Valley.
The first place recognized as the county seat was called Mel- bourne, and was more a scattered settlement than a village, in the Floyd Valley. Here the business of the county court was trans- acted, and here the first district court was held by Judge A. W. Hubbard. Here also the first religious meetings were held by the German Methodists, and the first school taught by William Van O'Linda. Westfield, the rival of Melbourne for the honors of the county seat, was abandoned in the Spring of 1860. on account of large selections or entries of land made in that vicinity by half- breed Indians, which greatly retarded the settlement. The entries of land were made with half-breed script.
LE MARS.
Throughout all of Western Iowa the name of "Le Mars" is in- dissolubly connected with the idea of thrift, prosperity and en- terprise. It is a growing little city, a prosperous one, and a pleas- ant one in which to live, as witness the unanimous opinion of all who have had occasion for knowledge in the premises. By a vote of 476 to 111, at a general election of 1872, Le Mars was made the county seat of Plymouth County. Its location is at the junction of the Illinois Central and the Sioux City & St. Paul Railroads, twenty-five miles northeast of Sioux City. The land upon which the city is located, originally belonged to Jerry Ladd, B. F. Bets- worth and Mr. Marion. The location of the town-site was accom- plished in the summer of 1869. The facts in connection with the
389
HISTORY OF IOWA.
selection of a name for the future city, are thus narrated: "Soon after its location the place was visited by John I. Blair and other railroad officers, accompanied by a party of ladies. Upon the lat- ter Mr. Blair conferred the privilege of selecting a name for the prospective city. The initial letters of the Christian names of the ladies were combined so as to form the name Le Mars, and it was agreed that this should be the name of the new town."
The first business firm established in Le Mars was that of Blod- gett & Foster, who were very closely followed by J. W. Young, John Gordon, Orson Bennett and C. H. Bennett. The first news- paper in the county, the Le Mars Sentinel, was started by J. C. Buchanan February 3d, 1871. Le Mars is surrounded by an ex- tensive farming region, and is a shipping point of unusual impor- tance.
The City Council of Le Mars for 1881, was composed of the fol- lowing gentlemen: George E. Pew, Frank Miller, Arthur Brown, P. F. Dalton, John Perkee, A. Aldrich. C. P. Woodward was the Mayor; G. W. Argo, City Solicitor.
All branches of business are largely represented, and in no lo- cality in Western Iowa will there be found greater inducements in the way of pecuniary, domestic or educational attractions than in the growing little city of Le Mars. 4 An unusually creditable showing of LeMars' business and professional interests appears in the addenda of a biographical nature which are hereunto ap- pended.
Among the important industries of Le Mars, may be mentioned the pork packing establishment of Roberts, Frost & Heaphy. The building, which is located in the northeastern part of the city, was erected in the latter part of 1881. It is a frame building, 20x60 feet in dimensions, and has a capacity of disposing of three hun- dred hogs per day. This building was erected at a cost of nearly $4,000. It is fitted up with the most approved apparatus, and is doing a thriving business.
Le Mars is also supplied with two large flouring mills. The mill owned by Burns, Treat & Co., was erected in the spring of 1876, is 36x80 feet in dimensions, three and a half stories high, with a basement. It was fitted up with good machinery, had a run of eight buhrs, and a capacity of one hundred barrels of flour per day. This building was remodeled in 1881, and refitted with the most modern improvements, having all the latest patterns of purifiers and smut-machines. It now has a run of six buhrs and ten rollers. with a capacity of two hundred barrels of flour per day. This mill ranks with the great Minneapolis flouring mills in regard to qual- ity of patent and fancy flour, graham flour, and all kinds of feed, and their flour may be found in New York, Boston and Chicago.
The City Mills, operated by Gelilen Bros .. were erected in 1870, by Peter Gehlen, at a cost of $50,000. This mill is a fine frame building, 50x100 feet, with four run of buhrs, and has a capacity
390
HISTORY OF IOWA.
of fifty barrels per day. It has all the modern improvements, and is turning out a first-class quality of flour. One hundred and fifty thousand bushels of wheat are handled by this mill each year.
CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES.
Congregational Society .- This Society was organized in 1870, under the supervision of M. R. Amsden and John Blodgett. The first minister was Rev. R. M. Sawyer, who was succeeded by Rev. D. D. Frost, and he by Rev. A. E. Arnold, the present pastor. The Society built a church in 1873, which is 24 by 60 feet in di- mensions and cost $2,500. The Deacons at the present writing are, J. H. Springer, A. W. Gilbert and John Blodgett.
First German Evangelical Church .- Organized in 1878 by Rev. J. Heinsuieller, who officiated as the first pastor. Following him, was Rev. V. Griese. The following named persons participated in the organization: George Brendtstaedter, A. Kehrberg, Mr. Schaef- fer, Mr. Mueller. This society held services in the Court House previous to the building of the church, which was erected in 1881. It is a frame building, 20 by 40 feet, will seat from 300 to 400 people, and cost $1,800. The church was dedicated December 25th, 1873. The members of this society now number about twenty- five. It has in connection a Sabbath School numbering thirty pu- pils, with J. G. Koenig as Superintendent. The present Trustees are, L. S. Staebler, G. M. Smith, Jacob Merryman, Albert Kehr- berg, J. G. Koenig. Rev. F. Loehle is the present pastor.
German Methodist Episcopal Society .- Organized in October, 1873, by Rev. E. W. Henke, who was the first pastor. The suc- ceeding pastors were: Revs. John Hank, S. Koener, C. Stellner, A. Biebichaiser, T. H. Wellimeyer, the latter being the present pastor. They have a large Sunday School in connection with the church, Prof. Wernli acting as Superintendent. The church building was formerly used as a public school building, was pur- chased by this society in 1875, and fitted for church purposes, the basement being used as a parsonage. In 1880 the building was enlarged, and is now 24 by 52 feet in dimensions. The total cost of this building was $2,450. The present Trustees are: Prof. J. Wernli, A. Trader, D. W. Held, H. Kluckbohn, F. Remer. The church membership is about 110 persons, and there is a large attendance upon the Sabbath School.
Parish of . Grace Episcopal Society .- The first steps towards forming this Parish, were taken in the year 1872. A Mission was then constituted by Bishop Lee, then Bishop of Iowa. In 1873 Rev. R. Trewartha accepted a call to the Mission. In the following year the Mission was incorporated into the Diocese as a Parish. Some success was at first met with, and a small building was pur- chased and used as a church. After a time, however, Mr. Tre- wartha left, and the Parish fell out of the Diocesan records. In 1881. Rev. H. P. Marriett-Dodington, M. A., of Trinity Col-
391
HISTORY OF IOWA.
lege, Cambridge, England. came to Le Mars and set himself dili- gently to work to revive the church. By this time the town had largely increased. A large influx of Episcopalians had arrived from England. Services were first held at the house of Messrs. Close, Benson & Co., and were afterwards transferred to the Van Sickel Hall. A sufficient sum was raised to warrant the com- mencement of the building of a large church on the south side of town, at the cost of about $4,000. About June, 1881, Mr. Dod- ington returned to England, having first reconstituted the Parish. He was succeeded by the Rev. H. N. Cunningham, M. A., of Brasenose College, Buford, England. Under his direction the funds required for the church were raised, and the church was begun and finished. The society hope shortly to build a good parsonage close to the church, on one of the handsomest sites in the town. The Rector, Rev. H. N. Cunningham, who took clas- sical honors at Buford, is founding a school, principally for boarders; terms, $30 to $50 per month. It is hoped that a per- manent endowment may be raised in course of time, and that an assistant clergyman may be provided. When the weather is favorable, monthly services are held in Quorn and Portlandville, and an opening is sought in other towns in the neighborhood.
German Lutheran Society .- Organized in July, 1881, Rev. F. Bunger being the first and present pastor. The church building was erected in the same year, is 24x40 feet in dimensions, and cost $800. The membership is from thirty to forty persons. H. Dethlow and John Deuschle are the Trustees.
Methodist Episcopal Society .- Organized in 1870, by Rev. J. T. Walker. The church edifice was ereeted in 1972, by R. W. Thum- burey.
St. Joseph's Catholic Parish .- Organized in 1872, by Messrs. Peter Gehlen, C. D. Hoffman and B. F. Manahan. The pulpit of this church was at first supplied by clergymen from Sioux City. Father Meis was the first stationed pastor, and was appointed in 1875. He is still in charge of the Parish. The membership in- cludes about 300 families, about one-fourth of whom are English. The church edifice was erected in 1872. The main building was 10x35 feet in dimensions. In 1876, the building was remodeled and enlarged to 90x35 feet, with a wing 40x30 feet. The building is three stories in hight. The wing is used as a residence for the Sisters of Charity, of whom there are six, and for school purposes. A Parochial school was organized in connection with this Parish in 1878, with about fifty pupils, under the tutorship of Rev. Father Meis. In May, 1879, the Sisters of Charity took charge of this school, and it now has an attendance of 150 pupils. A rectory was built in 1879, which is 26x34 feet in dimensions. These build- ings were erected at a total expense of $7,000. There are nineteen acres of land belonging to this Parish, eleven acres on which the buildings are located, and which are within the corporate limits
392
HISTORY OF IOWA.
of Le Mars; and eight acres, set apart for a cemetery, lying east of the former, and adjacent to the city limits. These grounds are en- closed by good fences, are beautifully located, and set out in ever- greens, with other trees and shrubbery. They are tastefully laid out and pleasantly situated. The cemetery grounds were procured from Peter Gehlen for a consideration of $75; the church grounds, from the Cedar Rapids Railroad Company for a consideration of $90. Rev. Father Meis, the present Rector, also has charge of Prairie Creek, Hosper's and East Orange societies.
The Public Schools .- Le Mars has a fine three-story brick school building. Ten rooms are occupied by as many teachers, and there is an average regular attendance of 350 pupils. The school enum- eration shows 771 pupils in the district. The High School pre- pares its pupils for the Freshman year in the best colleges of the East, and requires as many years for completion as the course of the State Normal School at Cedar Falls. Three years of German and an equal amount of Latin are thoroughly taught. The classes in mathematics are taken as far as Trigonometry. The usual quota of sciences, and a more than common literary discipline are among the advantages of the course here. Mr. A. N. Fellows, the Principal, is a graduate of the State University at Iowa City, and was previously connected with the schools of Morning Sun and Knoxville, in this State.
The first school of the independent district was organized in 1874. the first school house having been built in 1870. The pres- ent High School building was erected in 1876, is 58x62 feet in dimensions, with three stories and a basement. The first corps of teachers was: W. H. Stone, Principal; Ella H. Earl, Mary Gallagher, Etta M. Stebbens. The first Board of Education con- sisted of: A. W. Bennett, A. H. Lawrence, L. Greer, E. H. Bets- worth, T. H. Tracy, M. B. Fritz; John Herron, Treasurer; F. W. Guernsey, Secretary. The present Board of Education is as fol- lows: P. F. Dalton, President; C. P. Woodard, W. H. Dent, J. Long, C. D. Hoffman, George Pew.
The following are the names of the present teachers: A. N. Fellows, Principal; Mary Lynn. Hannah Gallagher, Carrie Byrne, Bertha Alline, Emma Wernli, Jennie Buchanan, Susie Sawyer. Mrs. F. W. Guernsey, Nellie Sweetland.
Plymouth Lodge No. 332, I. O. G. T .- Instituted in June, 1880. Charter members: William Weruli, William Wynet, Mrs. William Wynet, Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Garner, T. H. Dodson, J. G. Koenig, J. H. March, H. Thompson, George Smith, John Jones, Fannie Van Sickel, William Boyd, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel S. Wil- liams, Thomas Griffin, Annie Wallace, Mrs. William Wernli, George Claypool. First officers: William Wernli, W. C. T .; Annie Wallace, W. V. T .; Thomas Griffin, C .; J. C. Jones, R. S .; Mrs. William Wynet, F. S .; J. G. Koenig, Treasurer; L. M. Garner, W. M .; C. C. Leidy, I. G .; T. H. Dodson, O. G. Present
393
HISTORY OF IOWA
officers: T. H. Dodson, W. C. T .; Mary Carmine, W. V. T .; J. H. March, R. S .; Liza Morris, F. S .: Ernest Gauss, Treasurer; W. H. Briggs, C .; C. Thompson, M .; Mary Norris, I. G .; William Nipper, O. G. This Lodge now has fifty-six members in good standing. Meetings are held Friday evening of each week in Odd Fellows' Hall. New members are being continuously added.
Le Mars Lodge No. 255, I. O. O. F .- Instituted March 26th, 1873, by G. M. C. G. Kretchmer. Charter members: A. Black, S. S. Ambrose, J. C. Morris, J. W. Earl. W. W. Spalding. J. F. Fairfax, Charles Blind, R. M. Click, H. C. Curtis, R. M. Thorn- burg, J. C. Buchanan, S. V. Burg. First officers: J. W. Earl. N. G .; R. W. Click, V. G .; H. C. Curtis, R. S .; W. W. Spalding, P. S .; T. M. Porter, Treasurer. Present officers: J. S. Dunscomb, N. G .; H. B. Perry, V. G .; E. J. Panley, Treasurer; J. F. Fairfax, R. S .; George Stanley, C. This Lodge now has a membership of seventy-six, and meets every Wednesday evening in its room over the Plymouth County Bank.
Juno Lodge No. 390, I. O. O. F .- This is a German Lodge, the work being done in that language. It was instituted February 20th, 1879, by D. D. G. M. T. J. Kinkaid, of Sioux City. Charter members: Gustave Haerling, John P. Nith. M. Krudwig, Charles Striegel, Charles Zink, J. C. Buchanan, John Kleeman. August Forner, George Hodam, Charles Reichert, A. B. Steiner. First officers: A. B. Steiner, N. G .; Matthew Krudwig, V. G .: J. P. Nith, Secretary; Gus Haerling, Treasurer. Present officers: C. G. Nobis, N. G .; Aug. Ihle, V. G .; Gustave Haerling, Score- tary; J. D. Szetnick, Treasurer. Meetings are held every Thursday evening at Odd Fellows' Hall. The Lodge is regularly incorporated under the laws of the State of Iowa, and has at the present writing, twenty-six active members.
Giblem Lodge No. 322, A. F. d. A. M. - Instituted December 26th, 1872. Charter members: William Rymers, D. W . Clark, S. Reeves, E. W . Burdick, W. S. Welliver, J. H. Mor E. H. Shaw, W. H. Wood, T. K. Bowman, David Gibbs, G. W . W. Hon, I. Struble, H. W. VanSickel, C. R. Smith, James C n N. Redmon. First officers: David Gibbs. W. M. ; D. W. ; k. S. W. ; William Rymers, J. W. ; W. S. Welliver, Secre H. Shaw, Treasurer. Present officers: W. S. Welliver, ' .M .; C. Adamson, S. W . ; N. L. Greer, J. W. ; N . Redmon, S, George Powers, Treasurer. The Lodge has a membership it sixty, and is in a flourishing condition . Meetings are = Tuesday evening in each month on or before the full i Masonic Hall, in Flint's Block, Main street .
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.