USA > Iowa > Lucas County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 10
USA > Iowa > Wayne County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 10
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Having in this way become financially embarrassed he seemed to have concluded that he could not, by any legitimate banking business make up such loss, and like too many other men in like circumstances, he seemed to have concluded that the only plan he could adopt, with the hope of success, was to invest large sums of money on the board of trade and in stocks and bonds. At first, perhaps unfortunately for him!, his investments were successful. He realized several thousand dollars profits by investing large sums in the bonds of the Japanese Government, a short time before the great naval battle of Japan with Russia, and the sudden rise in the market value of such bonds, following said Japanese victory, made him many thousands of dollars. This success evidently en- couraged him to make many other large investments in stocks and bonds, which, in the end, resulted in his complete financial ruin, and in the ruin of said bank.
It is simply another illustration of the fact, that such in- vestments amount to gambling, and the chances are nine out of ten, that the party engaging therein, will in the end lose all of the money that he invests, and much more.
THE CHARITON NATIONAL BANK
In 1872 W. C. Penick, H. H. Day, and Elijah Copeland, a partnership, organized a private bank, called the Chariton Bank. After operating it for a few years, it passed into the ownership of Manning & Penick, a partnership composed of
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Edwin Manning, of Keosauqua, Iowa, and W. C. Penick of Chariton. Mr. Manning acted as president, and Mr. Penick as cashier, and afterwards, about the year 1900, it was orga- nized as a national bank, under the name of the "Chariton National Bank," with W. C. Penick as president and H. O. Penick as cashier.
It is now under the management of J. C. Copeland as its president. Mr. Copeland has the confidence of the people, and the bank is doing a large business.
THE LUCAS COUNTY NATIONAL BANK
The Lucas County National Bank was organized about December, 1907, after the failure of the First National Bank of Chariton, by L. Bussell, Elijah Copeland, William Eiken- berry, Samuel McKlveen and others. Having secured the building and valuable bank fixtures and furniture, thereto- fore owned and used by said First National Bank, they, in a short time, secured a reasonable share of the banking business of the county, and their bank is now universally regarded as a conservative, and a well managed organization.
THE STATE SAVINGS BANK
About the year 1900 J. A. Brown, Dr. J. A. McKlveen, S. H. Mallory, and other citizens of Chariton, organized a sav- ings bank, under the statute of the state, called the "State Savings Bank." Its present officers are, J. A. Brown, presi- dent, and R. E. Jackson, cashier. We now have three con- servative and well managed banks in Chariton, each of them possessing the confidence of the public.
WOMEN'S CLUBS
We are led to believe, that comparatively few persons fully appreciate the great advantages to the county, and especially to the women of the country, from the organization and operation of these clubs.
We are informed that there are now about twenty-one of these clubs in our little city of Chariton. The oldest club in the county, and in fact the second oldest in the state, is mod- estly named, "The Women's History Club," and its members
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can talk ancient history as readily as a school girl would repeat the alphabet. They would be recognized as educated women in any circle. For years they have had regular courses of study. They are not only benefited by their own reading and study, but in the club they derive benefit from the reading, study and researches made by their club sisters. We must bear in mind, that the mature woman, would at one session of her Chautauqua, obtain clearer ideas of history, than that gained by the ordinary school girl in her class recitations for months. The benefit to her, gained in her association with her club sisters, and in their discussions of interesting mat- ters of history is simply incalculable.
For instance, take the ordinary school girl of thirty or forty years ago. She did not have the advantages of a col- legiate education. After attending the public school of that day, which was not near as good as the high school of today. she too often settled down to the drudgery of married life, without the time or opportunity of mental improvement. Her time and energies were devoted to her duties as a wife and mother. After years she joined a history club, and a new world was opened to her. She soon became interested in her club work, and surprised at the ease with which she could and did comprehend the history of the world, she also became justly proud of her knowledge of the history of today, and the questions in politics, religion, and life which the people of today are interested in.
It may be true that she is not permitted to vote, but John has awakened to the fact that in some manner, or for some reason that he does not fully comprehend, he is voting, espe- cially on all moral questions, just as Margaret would have him vote. The real fact is that, by knowledge and information which she has acquired from her club, she has quietly passed from an ignorant school girl, to the position of an educated woman, a companion and valuable adviser for her husband in relation to many important questions, and her unselfish advice has been of great value to him. But, perhaps, the greatest benefit or advantage incident to her club life, is found in her preparation to advise and direct her children, her sons and daughters. By and in the review of the topics of the day. she necessarily becomes familiar with the present day questions and problems, and no such unselfish adviser of her sons and daughters can be found. In fact, her influence on
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her husband and her family, and the community in which she lives becomes a power for good.
The history of the Federation of Women's Clubs is inter- esting. In March, 1868, the Press Club of New York was offering to Charles Dickens a complimentary dinner. JJennie June, at that time a well-known author and newspaper writer, requested a ticket. A churlishly worded refusal to admit her. because she was a woman, as well as to admit other women of some literary ability, brought into existence the first woman's club, the Sorosis. Alice Cary was its first president. Phoebe Cary, Kate Field of the Tribune, and Jennie June of the World, were among the first members. Many were the argu- ments against the advisability of women belonging to clubs : most of them based on the neglected children and disorderly home, so the conflict of opinion among the public so wore upon the nerves of the first president that she resigned at the end of a week.
It was to celebrate the 21st anniversary of its founding that a call was made by Sorosis, in a convention of clubs through- out the United States, to be held in New York, March 1, 1889. Sixty-one of a possible seventy-five clubs sent delegates, and a year later, a ratification convention for the constitution of the general federation of women's clubs was held in New York, and the first list of national officers was elected: Mrs. Charlotte Emmerson Brown, Mrs. May Wright Sewall, Jennie June, Mrs. May B. Tempel, and Mrs. Phoebe A. Hearst. The membership is made up of woman's clubs, state federations, territorial federations and kindred organizations. No organization is admitted which requires any sectarian or political test of membership, nor is a secret society. None of its members may be affiliated with any organization which requires any violation of national or state laws.
The first national convention was held in 1892. Chicago. St. Louis, Philadelphia, Louisville; Denver, Milwaukee, Los Angeles, St. Paul, Boston and Cincinnati having in turn served as hostesses.
Besides the work done directly through state committees. the federation has its national department of art, civics, civil service, reform, conversation, education, household economics, industrial and social conditions, legislation. literature, library extension, music and public health.
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It has a bureau of information which between two bien- nials sent out 2.200 letters. more than 6.000 packages, books and material. Clubs apply to the bureau for study outlines, and are provided from a collection of 400 outlines on differ- ent subjects sent to the bureau through the generosity of the individual clubs and club women editors and publishers.
The chairmen of the citizens' committee. when welcoming the delegates. in 1910. at Cincinnati said. "When we invited you to hold your meeting in Cincinnati. we men knew as much about a biennial as we did about . Halley's comet.' and cared less. and probably the women in general knew but little more. Yet of all large organizations its influence can be and is most potently felt. There are fifty state federations. 6.000 clubs. 470.000 active members, 500.000 affiliated members, women of personality. wit. skill and wealth, who are united from diverse social environments. creeds. enthusiasm and prejudices. in the general body of definite aims. No wonder the pure food bill passed. after the pressure they brought to bear. It is their "unity in diversity" (the federation motto). the remarkable team work that must redound to the credit of their impetuous womanhood. The wonderful growth and remarkable strength of federated clubs give them vast powers and when they unite upon a demand for legislation. grave senators must sit up and look around. They are daily increasing in political power and the time is perhaps not far distant when every reasonable demand made by them must be obeyed. Nothing will check their growing power, unless it be in making some unreason- able demand."
Thus far this organization has been conducted with re- markable skill and ability. especially in view of the fact that in the beginning women were comparatively ignorant of the political or legislative powers of our government. but the wis- dom they have exercised in proceeding on conservative lines. has thus far protected them from the charge of acting hastily and without due consideration in bringing about the reforms which they have espoused. Their history has thus far called the attention of the country to many women who have ex- 'hibited the learning and ability to fill civic positions of almost any kind in the affairs of our government, with honor to themselves and credit to the country.
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THE D. A. R.
There is another woman's club that deserves special men- tion, and that is the D. A. R., or the Daughters of the Amer- ican Revolution. While this is a national organization, yet it has a local chapter at Chariton, that certainly deserves credit for their enthusiastic and patriotic work. This chapter has a membershop of about forty. Its present officers are Mrs. Lillian Howard, regent; Miss Lola Steel, vice regent: Mrs. Dora Custer, registrar; Mrs. L. R. Gibbon, secretary and treasurer.
Mrs. Sarah M. Stuart, its former regent, was active in building up the chapter at Chariton, and in attending the state conferences at Des Moines. She is the author of the oath of allegiance which has been introduced in many of the public schools of Iowa.
The national organization built and owned what is called the Continental Hall, at Washington, D. C. It is located on 17th street, near the Carnegie Hall of Pan American union. It is the largest and most costly building ever erected by women. and the financial management thereof has been con- ducted with remarkable skill and ability. This was done under the supervision of the president general. Mrs. Mathen T. Scott.
The continental congress of this society convenes in this hall annually. The congress is composed of all the officers of the organization. The Chariton chapter has members who reside outside of the county. among whom is Mrs. Horace Towner. She was the delegate from this chapter to congress in 1912. and she is also a member of the International Peace Committee.
The national society was incorporated in 1895. under the administration of Grover Cleveland. The act of incorpora- tion was signed by Grover Cleveland. Thomas B. Reed. speaker of the House of Representatives. and A. E. Stephen- son, president of the senate.
THE CHARITON FIRE COMPANY
We have a volunteer fire company of which every citizen is proud. It was organized about the year 1875. and it has fought every fire that has occurred in Chariton since its orga-
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nization, without reward or the hope thereof, except the sat- isfaction which its members may have in the protection of the property of their neighbors and friends.
This company is made up of young men, volunteers, of Chariton, who promptly respond to every call of the fire bell. They have never demanded or received any compensation for their services. The company is regularly organized, having a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, a fire marshal and other minor officers.
The firemen's banquets, dances and other entertainments. are the best attended functions in the city, and they frequently realize several hundred dollars at such entertainments.
The city has provided an excellent fire engine and a com- plete hook and ladder outfit for their use. For a while the city undertook to furnish them with horses, but for the last ten years they have adopted a different plan. It is generally understood that the city will pay a sum of $5.00 or $10.00 for the first team that reaches their engine and hook and ladder wagon when a fire call is made. This plan is found to work entirely satisfactory, and saves the city the large expense of keeping an expensive team of horses continually.
The city owns its city hall, and the lot on which it is built. About twenty-five years ago it purchased a lot, and built a comfortable city hall thereon, having room for the transac- tion of all city business in the second story, and ample room for its fire engine and hook and ladder outfit below, but soon after the first house was completed it was destroyed by fire. and then the present building was built, which is very much like the first one.
NEWSPAPERS
The following eloquent notice of newspapers will bear
. republication :
"The newspaper has risen in this busy age to a position second to no other interests. It is the best and most valuable of libraries. Its cheapness is one strong point in its favor. It finds entrance into homes, no matter how moderate, and goes, as a rule, where books rarely do. It comes daily and weekly. It is read and loaned. Caught up and read for a moment, giving knowledge to the reader; a single item frequently giv- ing what pages of book matter would have to be waded
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through to learn. The newspapers, with the present facilities for almost instantly learning what is happening in every por- tion of the habitable globe, is the reflection of the hour equally as much as of the past ages. By it the north and the south, the east and the west, are brought together. We know of the crashing of the ice and the curling heat of the sun; of the massing of the snow and the rushing of great waters; we are with the great explorer seeking for the north pole; travel through the jungles of Africa ; have a bird's eye view of great battles; sail over every sea; dive with the whale into the fabulous depths; are present in the parliament of nations; listen to the last words of a dying potentate, and take by the hand his successor.
" A wonderfully concise, most skillfully painted. panorama of the affairs of the world is the newspaper; a map of its busy life ; a faithful reproduction of all its lights and shadows, and at the most nominal cost ; at the merest bagatelle to books, even in these days of exceptional cheapness. Week after week the paper comes, filled with new, rare, interesting and instruc- tive literature. It is a history of nations in fifty-two volumes ; an ever continued encyclopedia of trade, science, biography, agriculture and the arts ; it is the "boiling down, of all books," in so minute a form that the mind can grasp at a single glance and be saved the trouble of wading through ponderous volumes of uninteresting detail, to the great saving of time. It is in fact the grandest of all circulating libraries at only a penny fee: the throwing open to the public of all the costly and exclusive archives of the world. The newspaper of today is a perfect omnium gatherum. Nothing escapes its notice. Every event of importance is instantly photographed upon its pages. The whispers breathed in every clime are caught and fixed. It is a marvel of intelligence; the stereotype of every mind. We look back in wonder at the days when it was not. and human intelligence shudders to think of the bar- barism and ignorance and superstition that would follow the blotting out of this the sun of the solar system .
"Much is said of the power of the press, of the privileges of the press, the prerogatives of the press, and the perfection of the press, through a long catalogue of virtues. To earn these positions the press has duties to perform. One is to give the news and comment intelligently thereon. Second to be truthful and unprejudiced, for newspapers have ceased to be private
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enterprises merely. The power they have attained makes them amenable to the same laws as railroads and telegraphs. When the newspaper steps outside of its general functions, and for personal spite or greediness attacks the character, life or serv- ices of any citizen, or assaults any interest of the community, it should be held to strict accountability by law, as well as by an enlightened public sentiment. Third, to suggest that, which if followed out, will make news. For instance, thoughts con- cerning the development of business possibilities; the starting of factories, the building of railroads, the beautifying of the town, the improving of schools, the bettering of public man- ners, and if need be. of morals also; the relief of the poor, as well as the scores of other questions in all the ramification of events, political, industrial, commercial, social, religious and moral."
Notwithstanding the many good ideas set forth in the fore- going article, yet the writer has made the very common mis- take of imagining that he knows just exactly how a paper should be conducted. A great many people are entirely will- ing to advise editors just how to conduct their papers, free of charge, and a great many people imagine that the chief object in conducting a paper is to publish anything and everything which anyone may desire to have published, free of charge. They seem to think that an editor is delighted to be given the opportunity to publish notices and articles on any subject without thinking of making any charge therefor. They help to fill up his paper, and cost him nothing except a small sum for labor and material to set up and print the same. If the writer were going to try to advise newspaper men as to the best way for them to conduct their papers, he would say to them, publish a price list for all kinds of work that he may be called upon to perform, on the first page of his paper, and thereby correct the general impression that his position re- quires him to work for nothing and furnish without charge all materials needed.
THE LITTLE GIANT
The first paper ever published in Lucas county was called The Little Giant, in honor of the illustrious democratic senator from the state of Illinois, Stephen A. Douglas. As a debater, Stephen A. Douglas had few equals, and perhaps no superior.
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He was a candidate for the democratic nomination for presi- dent in 1860, but he made the mistake of introducing into the senate of the United States a bill which reopened the slavery question. This was a bill to organize the territories of Nebraska and Kansas, abrogating what was known as the Missouri Compromise of 1850, and in its place asserting what he named "Squatter Sovereignty." The measure known as the Compromise Measure of 1850 contained the following pro- vision : "That all the territory lying north of a defined line, running east and west along the northern boundary of the State of Missouri, should forever remain free-in which invol- untary servitude should never exist." While the people of the northern states were opposed to human slavery in any form, yet as Mr. Lincoln defined their position, they recognized the fact that under the Constitution of the United States slavery legally existed in certain states, and the government had no power or authority to abolish it in such states, but the position of Mr. Lincoln was, that the general Government had the power and legal right to prevent the spread of that system into other states or territories. He claimed that this was the policy of the founders of the United States. That while the Government could not abolish slavery in the states wherein it existed, vet it could and should, by proper legislation, prevent the admission of any more slave states, and it was the general understanding of the northern people that this doctrine was finally settled by said Compromise Measure of 1850. Mr. Douglas, by an amendment to said bill, thus announced his doctrine of squatter sovereignty, which he thought would secure for himself the solid vote of the South for the presi- dency. He claimed "that the Compromise Measure of 1850 was void and inoperative for the reason that it was inconsist- ent with the principles of slavery in the states and territories as recognized in and by that same measure," and declaring it to be "the true intent and meaning of this measure not to legislate slavery into any state or territory, nor to exclude it therefrom, but to leave the people thereof perfectly free to form and regulate their domestic institutions in their own way, subject only to the Constitution of the United States."
This measure was plausible on its face, but it was not popu- lar in either section, North of South. The abolitionists, and by this time the great majority of the northern people bitterly condemned this measure as unnecessarily reopening the
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slavery question and making it possible for the admission of more slave states. The South opposed this bill on principle. Jefferson Davis, then a senator from the State of Mississippi, thus stated the claims of the South. He said in substance, that slaves were recognized as property by the Constitution of the United States and the supreme court of the United States, and hence the slave holder had the same right to take and hold his slaves as property in any territory as the northern farmer had to take and hold his horses and cattle in such territory. That it became and was the duty of the general Government to protect the slave owner in his slave property the same as it would protect the owner of horses and cattle therein. This doctrine of squatters sovereignty seemed plaus- ible, and in the hands of such a skilled legislator as was Ste- phen A. Douglas, it can readily be seen how he could and did convince a large faction of his party that he was in the right, and the debate over this question ended in the Civil war. Mr. Lincoln exposed the fallacy of this doctrine by calling attention to the legal difference between slave property and other forms of property. Slavery could not exist under the common law, nor under the law of nature; it could not exist in the absence of local or statutory law creating and protecting it. Prior to what was called the "Dred Scott Decision," no court of any country had ever held that men could be held as slaves in any state or territory where there was no law creat- ing or protecting it. Freedom is the natural condition. Slavery in human beings has no foundation except in statutory law.
The Little Giant was short lived. Its proprietor, George M. Binckly, abandoned its publication and started another paper here which he called "The Chariton Mail." This paper was also short lived. A. C. Cameron and W. T. Wade after- wards became interested in this paper, but for some reason unknown at this time, the Giant and the Mail were both aban- doned. John Edwards and F. M. Fairbrother then founded
THE CHARITON PATRIOT
in 1857. This was the first republican paper published in Lucas county. It has been a consistent political paper ever since. In the year 1898 Mr. S. M. Green, proprietor of a Chariton paper known as the Herald, purchased the Chariton Patriot and combined the two. issuing what is called the Her-
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ald-Patriot. The following is a list of the men who have acted as editor of the Patriot at different times: John Edwards, Val Mendell, Chas. Austin, Eugene Fawcett, J. W. Ragsdale, Geo. H. Ragsdale, E. B. Woodward, T. M. Stuart, Moses Fol- som, Elija Lewis, and S. M. Green, and the present editor and proprietor is N. D. Junkin.
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