USA > Iowa > Buena Vista County > Past and present of Buena Vista County, Iowa > Part 10
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churches are designated. On the lake shore "Elm Park" and "Willow Park" are given, the location being the same now.
On the lake is pictured the "Steamer J. D. Eddy. Ready at All Times for Pleasure Parties." bearing a load of tourists and pleasure seekers.
Newell is also platted, being located on the south side of the railroad track. It is shown as a compact little village, with twelve blocks, and at that time was considered one of the best points for business in the county.
COUNTY SEAT AT STORM LAKE.
With removal of the county seat to Storm Lake in 1878 affairs in the county began to settle down to a steady growth. It was conceded on all hands that the courthouse would remain in the new location as the town grew steadily and became the metropolis of the county in a short time. It possessed a mimber of public spirited men, indeed it may be said that Storm Lake has al- ways had a few men who have had superior talent in public affairs, and who have always been awake to the needs of the town in a material way. The animosities caused by the removal were eradicated with time and peace hovered over the county.
But the old courthouse, a small frame building, was not large enough to accommodate the needs of the county. The offiees were small and dark and the court room was entirely inadequate to the demands made upon it. About 1886 a movement began for the erection of a new and modern courthouse and this was discussed among the people and in the county press for two years. In the early spring of 1888 the board of supervisors asked for plans from architects and several were submitted. Those prepared by J. M. Russell, contemplating a three story building with a handsome cupola, built of pressed brick, and equipped with adequate offices, fire proof vaults, conrt room, jury rooms and consultation rooms, was adopted. The estimated cost of the new building was twenty-five thousand dollars.
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With the adoption of the plans a special election was ordered for May 28. 1888, and as soon as the call was issued a hot campaign began. Storm Lake was of course in favor of the new county capital, but the ontlying towns were bitterly opposed to it. It must be said, however, that there were public spirited men in all parts of the county who wanted a creditable publie building at the county seat and they cooperated with the Storm Lake men in advocating the new building. Numerous meetings, both for and against. were held in various parts of the county for weeks before the election.
The result was uncomfortably close, being seven hundred and thirty-seven for and seven hundred and twenty-five against or a majority of twelve for the courthouse.
As soon as the board of supervisors had authority to proceed they adver- tised for bids and the contract was awarded to 1. M. Russell of Storm Lake. The building was erected and not a word of reproach nor a single hint of graft was ever heard against anyone connected with the building. It is a note- worthy fact. however, that in spite of the economical administration and honest endeavor to carry out their trust every member of the board of supervisors was defeated for nomination or election when he again came before the people. The old rancor had not died ont.
The courthouse was remodeled a few years ago, and now is in good condi- tion. There is no one at this time who is not satisfied with the action of the county in building the county building and never has there been heard a word against the men who built it.
The courthouse was placed in the center of the courthouse square. and. surrounded by magnificent trees, it is a place that the people of the county may well feel proud to call their own.
THE NEWSPAPERS.
It is a most interesting and agreeable task to take a file of newspapers of years past and read them over to see what has been predicted and what has been realized. In reading the newspapers of Buena Vista county, since the Pilot was founded at Storm Lake almost forty years ago, the gradual change in the county may be traced along all lines, the material, the social and the political.
At the beginning the county was new and decidedly raw. The fertility was in the soil, and needed only the hand of the farmer to bring forth rich re- ward. The farmer was needed and the newspapers, in telling of the present and future wealth of the country, were factors in bringing him here. The men who wrote for the press then saw ahead fifty years and predicted what would be. and while their predictions were regarded as preposterous at the time, we have seen the day when they have been realized and more than that. sur- passed. In all the extravagant claims for the northwest we have not yet read where anyone predicted land at one hundred and fifty dollars an aere. yet
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sneh prices have been reached, and men well versed say that even that figure will be exceeded in a few short years.
But if the editor fell short in his prediction as to the land he shot wide of the mark in foretelling of the future greatness of his town. There are good country towns in Buena Vista county today that would have been teeming cities, peers of Chicago or St. Louis, if the fond hopes of the newspapers had been realized. So. by the law of averages, the editor of the years gone by, was right half of the time at least.
The newspapers of the early days were well edited from a literary point of view. They did not contain much news because there was not much news to chronicle. But what was lacking in that department was more than made up in a discussion, learned and long, of every abstract proposition. under the snn. Religion, the arts, the ailments to which the reader was heir to, politics, economies, any line of human endeavor-it mattered not-the editor took a fling at it and settled it to his own satisfaction. If the reader failed to agree he was as free to take his pen in hand and send back a hot reply, to which the editor would invariably retort, and the fight was on, sometimes raging for weeks at a time. At times the language was not strictly parliamentary. but no matter; if it was sizzling and exposed the other man to ignominy or ridi- «ule, all the better and the readers enjoyed the fight as well as the combatants.
But if editor and reader gloried in a war of words, how joyfully did two rival editors enter the fray. The files of the newspapers published in the county during the eighties and nineties are replete with biekering and strife from week to week. It is a source of wonder in this day that the readers tolerated it, but they seem to have enjoyed it as much as the editors, and the keener the thrust the more enjoyment did all concerned get out of it.
With this brief word of explanation a short account of the rise and fall of the various newspapers of the county will be attempted. The first news- paper published in Buena Vista conuity was the Storm Lake Pilot, the first issue of which is dated October 26, 1870. In 1869 A. H. Willits appeared before the board of supervisors and asked what inducement would be extended to him if he established a newspaper in the county. He was assured of all the official and other printing of the county, but no money bonus, which Mr. Willits wanted, was promised. He did nothing. and until The Pilot was started there was no newspaper here. nor conld one have lived on the meager patronage at the hands of the board.
Vestal and Young were the publishers of the Pilot, and the launching of the first copy was an event of importance. The leading men of the town were present at the birth of the paper, and the first copy taken from the press was duly certified by a committee and put up for sale at publie auction a short time later. It was bought by L. J. Barton for one hundred and six dollars. after spirited bidding by the business men of the town. Col. Vestal, the edi- tor, was a versatile writer and a splendid newspaper man. Ilis partner was in charge of the mechanical department, and the paper was neat and sprightly in appearance. It soon took a leading place in northwest Iowa journalism and from its first issue was a strong exponent of republicanism. Mr. Young sold out to E. I. Sutfin in 1881 and the firm of Vestal & Sutfin conducted the
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paper for some years. A. C. Newton then acquired the paper and continued it until 1896 when it passed into the hands of A. C. Smith, and in August of that year it was consolidated with the Tribune.
The Storm Lake Tribune was started on its way in 1877 by Jerome Rose, familiarly known by the newspaper boys as "Posy." He presided over its destinies until 1881 when it was sold to P. D. MeAndrew, who in 1883 in turn sold it to Sntfin & Perkins, and they to L. H. Henry. In 1896 Mr. Henry sold his paper to Thomas Walpole and the same year The Tribune and The Pilot were consolidated under the name of The Pilot-Tribune, with Walpole & Smith as publishers. This firm conducted the paper until 1904 when Mr. Walpole acquired full control. In 1906 C. H. J. Mitchell bought an interest in the paper, having been connected with it as local editor for two years, and the firm of Walpole & Mitchell are the publishers at this time. The Pilot- Tribune has, since its consolidation, been the leading newspaper of the county.
The Storm Lake Sentinel, first saw the light of day on May 18. 1877, with Charles II. Fullerton as editor and publisher. It was independent in poli- ties, and from reading its files it is apparent that its principal joy in life was to prod The Pilot. It had a short life and succumbed after a little more than a year.
The Buena Vista Vidette was launched as a demoeratie newspaper in 1885 by C. Everett Lee. During the campaign of 1884 L. E. Lange moved a news- paper plant to Storm Lake and caused The Sun to cast its democratie rays on the benighted county for a few weeks, but after the election had passed the demand for the paper was not promising and Mr. Lange moved the ma- terial to Laurens, where he established the Laurens Snn. The following year the democrats of the county, always a militant force, wanted an organ and Mr. Lee provided it in The Vidette. He continued at its head for three years, when he sold to HI. W. Corey. who soon disposed of the plant to Freeman . Brown, a democratie merchant of Storm Lake. Mr. Brown owned the paper until 1897. and during his editorial charge the paper preached straight de- mocracy in season and out. After the memorable campaign of 1896 Mr. Brown was not in full sympathy with the attitude of his party on monetary question and the following year he sold to A. A. Smith and F. A. Moore. Mr. Moore remained but a few weeks when he sold to his partner, who at once pro- ceeded to improve the paper and extend its circulation. The plant was renewed and the circulation extended until the paper led the others in the number of readers. It was a county paper. and democratic to the core. In 1904 Mr. Smith sold to Miss Elizabeth Sohm who owns the paper now. S. E. Barnard is editor and publisher. Miss Sohm having assumed the more congenial duty of presiding over a home in Michigan. The paper is now independent in politics, with democratic leaning, although Mr. Barnard is a republican.
The Storm Lake Enterprise was started in 1897 by Bethards & MeAnulty but lasted but a short time when it was absorbed by the other papers at Storm Lake. It was launched to represent a faction in the republican party but never cut much figure.
The first paper at Sioux Rapids was The Echo, founded in 1875 by D. C. and W. R. Thomas, to represent the interests of the town and the north part
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of the county. It was continued until 1877 when in a lachrymose editorial the paper gave as a reason for dying that the people of the town did not ap- preciate it sufficiently to give it proper patronage. In 1881 W. S. Westcott commenced the publication of The Press, continuing as editor for two years. Hle sold to Aeres, Helms & Blackmar, who in turn sold to "Bob" Helms. J. W. Deupree succeeded Mr. Helms and when Mr. Denpree was elected to the office of county clerk the paper came into the hands of C. C. Colwell. B. W. Talcott, foreman on The Storm Lake Pilot, bought the paper on March 3. 1891, and edited it until 1897, when it was sold to a corporation of business men and consolidated with the Republican.
The Republican was started in 1896 by J. M. Hoskins and published by him for eight years, when he sold to C. C. Colwell. Mr. Colwell owned it for two years, and in 1900 it was consolidated with The Press under the name of the Republican-Press. J. E. Durkee and Mr. Colwell conducted the paper for the corporation which owned it until 1907, when it was sold and the name of the company changed to The Ryder-Sherman Printing Co. It is now issned by C. E. Ryder and G. M. Sherman. It is republican in polities and has been allied with the progressive wing of the party.
The Alta Advertiser was founded in the spring of 1876 by C.T. Steover and was first issued once a month to advertise the town and Mr. Steever's many business enterprises. It soon received sufficient patronage to enable the publisher to print it weekly, and through the vigorous and trenchant style of Mr. Steever achieved some importance in county matters. It was independent in politics, with a democratic leaning, Mr. Steever being a democrat. In 1883 Mr. Steever sold the plant to Maggs Brothers, who published it for a few months when A. C. Smith was added to the firm, the style of the company being Maggs, Smith & Maggs. Maggs & Smith succeeded the former proprietors, one of the brothers retiring. A few months later Thomas Walpole bought ont Mr. Maggs' interest and the firm became Walpole & Smith until the junior member was elected county recorder when Mr. Walpole owned the paper alone nntil 1888. Then E. E. Walpole joined his brother in the business and the firm was Walpole Bros. E. E. Walpole sold out in 1901 to C. H. Wegersley and Thos. Walpole sold out to the same person two years later. In 1898 the firm became Wegersley Brothers, J. H. Wegerslev acquiring an interest, and remained thus until 1905 when C. A. VanBuskirk bought out the interest of C. Il. Wegersley, and the paper is published by Wegerslev & VanBuskirk at this time. The best work that was ever done on the paper was when Thos. Walpole devoted his talent to editing the sheet, and a perusal of the files during the years when Mr. Walpole conducted it is a rare treat, as he was well informed on every subject, and a newspaper man of ability and learning. The paper has always been straight republican since Mr. Steover left it, and of late has been progressive in principle.
The first newspaper at Newell was The Times, founded in 1872 by Col. John T. Long, a democrat of the fighting kind. Col. Long was a speaker of note and he and Col. Vestal of the Storm Lake Pilot met in newspaper discussions week after week, and when that means of controversy waxed tame they would mount the platform and meet in joint debate on political questions at various
Photo by Covers
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LAKE SHORE, NEAR CHAUTAUQUA PARK.
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IHISTORY OF BUENA VISTA COUNTY
places in the county, where the amenities of life were sometimes forgotten in the joy of battle. But the Times was short lived. Newell did not support the paper as the editor thought it should be and he discontinued it and left the connty. Three years later Will HI. White founded the Mirror and it has con- tinned to reflect the town until this day. Mr. White sold to J. C. Blair who edited the paper until about 1893 when H. C. Gordon and J. P. Lawton bought the property. Mr. Lawton was an old school teacher and Mr. Gordon a prac- tieal printer. They published it until 1902 when Mr. Lawton sold out to his partner and H. C. Gordon has edited the paper since. Mr. Gordon is a fluent writer and a good all-round newspaper man, and the paper has been a success. It has always been republican in politics, and in the late factional difficulty in Iowa has been aligned with the old wing of the party.
The Marathon Republie was founded in 1890 by II. E. Willey and pub- lished by him for several months. He sold it to A. B. Eastman who was an energetie worker, but he soon was succeeded by a Wandering Tourist by the name of Bughee, who let the paper die on his hands. IIe left the office in disorder with the forms rusted on the bed of the press, and the holders of the mortgage were compelled to find a new man. They found a "man" in the person of a fourteen-year-old boy, who with S. C. Bradford to write the copy got ont a creditable paper for several months until Ilenry Stevens, an exper- ienced man, bought the plant. Stevens sold out to T. J. and W. F. Wayne and they in a short time sold to E . E. Bladine. the youth, who a few years before had, with the assistance of Mr. Bradford, published the paper. Mr. Bladine took the paper in 1895 when it was badly run down, and soon had everything running smoothly. New equipment supplanted the old and worn out machinery, and the paper was established on a firm and paying basis. On Sep- tember 13. 1903, the plant was burned to the ground, but it was soon replaced and the paper issued better and brighter than ever before. The Republic has always been republican in polities and the present editor has been rewarded by appointment as postmaster of his town for three successive terms.
The Albert City Pioneer was first issued by G. S. Turrill in 1899, shortly after the new town was laid out, when the railroad was built through. HIis mother conducted the paper for almost a year when it was soll to C. L. Marmon, an attorney, who practiced the law and edited the paper for two years. li. soll out to C. H. Reese and L. E. Bladine of the Marathon Republie bought the paper from Reese. In 1903 when Mr. Bladine's Marathon property burned two papers were issued from the Pioneer office until a new plant was installed at Marathon. In November, 1903. the paper was sold to C. V. Nelson and for two years was issued by Mr. Nelson. In 1905 a stock company of Albert City business men bought the plant and Roy Romig was put in charge. The property is now owned by C. L. Ross who has been editor for the past two years. The paper is republican in politics.
The Linn Grove Independent was founded in 1891 and soon after was bought by William Lewis, who continued as editor and publisher until 1902 when it was sold to local business men. Il. E. Nelson was editor for a year, and after he left the paper passed through several hands, until it was finally acquired by George Evans, a young man who has been conducting it for
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two years. During its life it has been an active worker for the welfare of its town. It is republican in politics and is enjoying good patronage from the people in the community in which it is issued.
FARMERS INSTITUTE AND SHORT COURSE.
The Beuna Vista County Farmers Institute was organized at Storm Lake on March 11. 1893, by a number of progressive farmers who desired to meet for three or four days during the dull winter months to diseuss and advance more progressive methods of farming. Prior to that time institutes had been held at Storm Lake and Alta, but no permanent organization had been perfected and no definite plan of action had been agreed upon and adopted. At the old institutes papers were prepared and read by local talent, and discussion, at times spirited and earnest, resulted. In addition to the local speakers promi- nent men from over the state were invited to deliver addresses and well known authorities on farm matters responded and added interest to the sessions. Thus, James Wilson, now Secretary of Agriculture, and Henry Wallace, editor of a well known farm journal, were here for addresses that were full of infor- mation, and occasionally members of the instructional staff from the Agricul- tural school at Ames were present. The governor of the state was also here to deliver a lecture on economie problems. The evenings were given over to literary and entertaining features and home talent theatrical performances.
But in time the discussion failed to interest as it should. and the leaders in the movement embraced an opportunity offered by the state to organize The Buena Vista County Farmers Institute and Short Course Association, which was duly incorporated. This added practical demonstration to the lectures and talks. A corn show was added. A judging contest followed, in which the boys and young men from the farm, were taught to pass on stock and grains. The idea grew rapidly in favor and now the fifty members that associated them- selves as an institute have expanded into the largest and most progressive Short Course Association in the state.
Every winter hundreds of dollars are expended in prizes distributed among the men and women and boys and girls from the farm for excellence in grain raising and in proficiency in judging stock. It is not enough to judge the best animal : the eritie must be able to tell readily why it is the best. Thus. in bringing ont the points of superiority the young men and boys are enabled to know what will increase the value of their products and in that way enhance their earning capacity and material welfare. In his introduction the secretary last winter said: "The purpose of this organization is to promote the interests of agriculture, domestic science and stock raising. and to educate the citizens of the vicinity in the best and most approved methods of conducting such busi- ness." This is truly a laudable ambition and with the assistance of the earnest men and women who have enlisted their efforts in this work. and the trained teachers from the agricultural schools who are sent here. the object aimed at will certainly be reached.
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The officers who served in 1909 to make the session of that year a success were as follows: president, P. F. Kinne; vice president, William Huxtable; secretary, S. R. Haines ; assistant secretary, W. C. Edson ; treasurer, P. C. Toy. Directors, Mrs. A. E. Brunson, Mrs. A. G. Hoch. Mrs. A. S. Caulkins, H. W. Krause, W. C. Skiff, A. M. Foster, D. G. LaGrange, John Jones, Mrs. Henry Meinhard, G. M. Allee. C. E. Cameron and P. Morrissey.
At the annual meeting for the 1910 Short Course officers were elected as follows: President. D. M. Johnston; vice president, William Huxtable; seere- tary, Henry Meinhard; assistant secretary, W. C. Edson ; treasurer, P. C. Toy. Directors: G. E. Bernard. W. C. Skiff, D. G. LaGrange, H. W. Kranse, Mrs. A. G. Iloch, Mrs. A. E. Brunson, all of Storm Lake; C. F. Kiister of Hayes, D. F. Shannon of Washington, P. Morrissey of Nokomis, Charles MeCurdy of Maple Valley, E. P. Wright of Providence, S. B. Crouch of Grant. C. B. Hazard of Poland, G. M. Allee of Newell, William Leighton of Lee. C. W. MeLaughlin of Scott, MI. L. Soeth of Lincoln. C. J. Jimmerson of Elk, Charles Anderson of Barnes.
By thus distributing the directors it is the intention of the officers to interest the entire county and make the winter course do what the agricultural fair does in the summer.
RURAL MAIL DELIVERY.
Up to the year 1900 there were no rural free delivery routes in the county, the country districts being supplied by the town and country postoffices of which there were several. From Alta the mail was taken at stated intervals to Blaine, Hanover, Elkton and West Scott; from Storm Lake to Peach and Plum and from Newell to Crozier and Racine.
But with the adoption of the rural delivery system by the postoffice de- partment a movement was inaugurated to get the benefit of this popular branch of the service for Buena Vista county and in May of that year four routes were started from Storm Lake and three from Alta. Shortly after that other routes were established from Newell, Marathon. Sioux Rapids and Linn Grove.
But the county was not covered as a whole and in January. 1905, J. F. Elston, a postoffice inspector, was sent here to devise a county delivery that would supply all of the residents. He went over the ground with care and on the 1st day of June, 1905, the following system was inaugurated and is in operation at this time: From Storm Lake, six routes; from Alta, five routes ; from Newell, three routes; from Marathon, three routes; from Albert City, three routes: from Sioux Rapids, two routes; from Linn Grove, two and from Rembrandt, one. In addition to this parts of the county are served from Peterson in Clay county, Aurelia in Cherokee, Schaller in Sac and Fonda in Pocahontas, so that the delivery is as complete as it is possible, under the present system, to make it.
The former country postoffices have been discontinued and the railroad towns supply a daily, instead of a semi-weekly delivery. It has proved a popular thing in the farming communities and has increased enormously the mail delivery.
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HISTORY OF BUENA VISTA COUNTY
POLITICAL PARTIES.
When Buena Vista county was organized the democracy was strongly entrenched in almost every northern state. The republican party had come into power but two years before, and was still ignorant of its strength. not as an organization, but as a principle. Iowa was in the hands of the democrats, and if our handful of settlers, who were here before 1860. took any interest in state or national polities it is not on record.
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