USA > Iowa > Warren County > The history of Warren County, Iowa, from its Earliest Settlementto 1908 > Part 28
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The Des Moines Conference Educational Society is an organization in the Conference, which has for its object the stimulating and aiding in Higher educa- tion, but its efforts are chiefly directed in the interest of Simpson College. At the suggestion of this Society, the Board of trustees requests each Pastor in the Conference to take an annual collection for Simpson College to aid in meeting any deficiency that may occur in the current expenses. This collection aggre- gates annually from two to three thousand dollars.
FREE TUITION.
The following plans are offered for the ensuing year, by which worthy young people may be admitted for a longer or a shorter time, tuition free :
1. Each charge in the Des Moines Conference is entitled to one new student per term, tnition free, in any of the regular departments. School of Education (except in the special training schools). Academy, or College. The candidate should bring either a recommendation from the quarterly conference. or. in case of an emergency, from the pastor, certifying that he is worthy and needy. Only the registration fee of $2.50 is required.
2. A scholarship for one year in the college of liberal arts is offered to each accredited high school within the bounds of the Des Moines Conference. The award is to that graduate who secures the highest rank during the last two years of his high school course. Only the registration fees are charged.
SIMPSON COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS,
The following perpetnal scholarships have been issued and are effective : The Mary J. Sandy Scholarship, founded by Mary J. Sandy. Indianola, Iowa. The M. P. Hoffman and Wife Scholarship, founded by M. P. Hoffman and wife. Redding. Iowa. The George Paup Memorial Scholarship, founded by his sons, Wmn. Leslie Paup. George Clark Panp. Horatio H. Panp. and Joe Harrison Panp, Harlan, Iowa. The C. B. and Louise Hollenbeck Scholarship. founded by C. B. and Louise Hollenbeck, Prescott, Iowa.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS :- Faculty and Instructors.
1907-1908.
Charles Eldred Shelton, A. M., EL. D., President. Professor of History and Lecture on Education.
Rev. W. E. Hamilton, A. M., D. D. Professor of Moral and Intellectual Philosophy.
John L. Tilton, A. M. Director of Science Department, and Professor of Geology and Physics.
Joanna Baker, A. M. Professor of Greek Language and Literature.
W. B. Read, A. M. Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy.
Elizabeth C. Bentley, A. M. Professor of English Language and Literature and Dean of Women.
Mary O. Hunting, A. M. Professor of Latin Language and Literature.
Marcia B. Lutz, A. B. Professor of German and French Language and Literature.
Edwin A. Jenner. A. M. Associate Professor of Sciences ; Biology.
E. L. Miller. B. C. S. Principal of School of Business.
Frank E. Barrows. Director of Conservatory of Music and Instructor in Piano Forte and Pipe Organ.
Estella Trueblood. Principal of School of Shorthand and Typewriting, and Secretary of Faculty.
Adin C. Krebs. Director of School of Oratory.
C. J. Holmes, P. II. C. Instructor in Chemistry.
Emory S. West, First Lieutenant U. S. A. Instructor in Military Science and Tactics.
Avery Craven. Director of School of Art.
R. N. Post. Director of Physical Culture.
Some of the foregoing items were furnished by members of the faculty and others were gleaned from Simpson College Bulletin No. 5. 1907-8.
The following is the present Board of Trustees and Officers of Simpson College : Trustees : Presiding Elders, Wm. Stevenson, Atlantic ; E. E. Ilginfritz, Boone ; B. F. Miller. Chariton ; A. E. Griffith, Council Bluffs; W. C. Hohenshelt. Creston ; G. W. L. Brown, Des Moines; E. M. Holmes, Pastor, Indianola ; W. II. Berry. C. R. Benedict. A. H. Collins. W. S. Hooker, J. II. Henderson, F. C. Sigler, E. W. Weeks, J. A. Brown, J. P. Morley. Wm. Buxton, Chas. E. Shelton, Fletcher Brown, Fletcher Homan, G. A. Worth, E. D. Samson, A. Dixon, W. B. Thompson. G. S. Allyn. L. M. Mann. H. E. Hopper, B. F. Clayton, W. M. Dudley, J. K. Elwell, E. A. Rea, Emory Miller, W. E. Hamilton.
Officers : B. F. Clayton, president ; J. II. Henderson, secretary (Mr. Hender- son has filled this office continuously since August. 1868) ; Miss Estella Trueblood, treasurer.
PROHIBITION LEAGUE.
There is one other organization in Simpson College that deserves mention. This is the Prohibition Society. Its place of meeting is Oratory HIall, and the
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
time is every other Tuesday evening from 7 to 8. It was organized in 1892 and now has twenty members. The object of this society is to foster prohibition sentiment and to keep the subject before the students. The members of this society believe that prohibition is the only safe and sure way to control the rum traffic and to prevent the spread of the evils of intemperance. Present officers : Hawley Tuttle. president : Henry Husted. vice president ; Ethel Cloud, secretary ; Christian Soelberg, treasurer; Grace Beam and Winnie Hickson, Program Com- mittee.
C. L. S. C.
The first Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, organized in Indianola was in 1878, and consisted of the following ladies : Mesdames A. R. Worth. G. W. Seevers. Lucy Jay, E. B. Morrison, M. D. Collins, F. W. Vinson, C. M. Grumbling and Misses E. MeDowell, Lizzie Clark, Jennie Clark. Emma Cooke and Elizabeth S. Cooke. President. Mrs. Seevers; secretary. Mrs. Morrison. Mrs. Worth completed the course in reading in four years and went to Chat- tauqua. New York. and received her diploma from the hand of Dr. Vincent. (now Bishop Vincent) the originator of the Chantauqua movement. Many Circles have since been organized in the town and a goodly number of members have received diplomas. The last Circle organized was that of 1899, and con- sisted of three members, two of whom, Mrs. C. M. White and Mrs. E. B. Hurford. completed the required reading in four years and received their diplomas.
CHAUTAUQUA ASSOCIATION.
The Indianola Chautanqua Association is the youngest educational Institu- tion in Warren county, and seems to supply an almost universal demand for high class entertainment. But few towns in the State support and enjoy a Chautauqua the equal of the Indianola Chautauqua in Warren county, Iowa.
Organized in the summer of 1905, during the six years of its existence, the association has paid out approximately eighteen thousand dollars, out of which twelve thousand dollars has been paid for talent and six thousand dollars for all other expenses.
The programs have been held each year in a large anditorium tent with a seating capacity of approximately three thousand people, located in the ball-park on Simpson College campus. One-half of the net proceeds have been paid to Simpson College and during the six years, this fund has amounted to more than fifteen hundred dollars.
The Indianola Chautauqua is closely affiliated with the educational interests of Indianola and Warren county. Tn 1902. S. M. Iloladay. an ahummus of Simpson College. class 1899, who was then county Superintendent of Schools for Warren county, organized the Warren County Summer School, a six weeks' session, to which was invited all teachers of the county and those expecting to teach or enter college. In connection with the summer school, a series of twelve free lectures were offered to the teachers and publie, including such well known publie speakers as Professor W. V. O'Shea of the University of Wisconsin, who
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
was then President of the National Association for child study, Leon H. Vincent of Back Bay, Boston, Professor Adrian M. Newens, President Charles E. Shelton and others. These lectures were so well received by the teachers that Superin- tendent Holaday planned and carried out in 1903, the first session of the Indian- ola Chautauqua, which was held during the last ten days of the summer school. In this movement for a Summer Assembly, the first person spoken to by Mr. Holaday was Colonel B. F. Clayton, then Mayor of Indianola, who was enthus- iastie over the idea and was found ready to lend his moral and financial support. The next man to become really in earnest over the proposition was the enterpris- ing south side druggist, J. W. Slocum, a graduate of Simpson College Normal ยท School, and one of the most enterprising young business men of Indianola. Several other citizens had the matter placed before them, who refused to push the Chantauqua, and had grave doubts of its success. During the first year, F. P. Henderson, an alnus of Simpson College, class '99, and son of Judge John H. Henderson, was a fourth member of the organization. Since the first year, the entire responsibility of success and the financial obligation has been carried by S. M. Holaday, Colonel B. F. Clayton and J. W. Slocmn.
The entire community and especially the college has been placed under last- ing obligations to these gentlemen, for the excellent manner in which the Chautauqua has been managed. Besides advertising the college and the town in a good way, it has added to the revenue of the college more than $1,500, without the college sharing one dollar in expense or risk-and to the people it has brought during each summer, a great array of entertaiment in the form of choice humor, science, religion and music.
During the past six years there have appeared on the Indianola Chautauqua platform many of the shining lights-some of whom have already passed to their reward-among these might be mentioned Sam. P. Jones, Colonel II. W. J. Ham, and Bishop MeCabe. Other prominent attractions were W. J. Bryan, Booker T. Washington, Wm. J. Dawson of London, Newell Dwight Hillis, Frank W. Gunsaulus, John Merritt Driver, Colonel Geo. W. Bain, Colonel G. A. Gearhart, Governor Buchtel of Colorado, Robert Stewart MacArthur, Dr. A. A. Willets, Hon. Don J. Beauchamp, Rev. W. A. Sunday, commonly known as "Billy" Sunday, the Base-ball Evangelist; D. W. Robertson, the greatest moving picture man in the U. S. ; and numerous other speakers, entertainers and musicians.
That the Chautauqua has come to stay seems an assured fact. It is fast supplanting the cheap show, the fake street fair, and in their stead it has brought something not only highly entertaining and pleasing, but also educational and religious as well. Almost every man, woman and child in the entire community has attended all or somesmall part of each session. So long as the same high class entertainments are offered at so low a price, just so long will the Indianola Chautauqua continue to prosper and receive the splendid financial and moral support which it has received during the past six years.
The Chautauqua departments, such as Bible, S. S. Work, C. L. S. C., Chorus, Athletics, Science and History, have not been carried forward as they have in many such institutions. The principal reason for this seeming indifference to the usefulness and high quality of the department work comes from the fact that
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
we have no camping ground for the accommodation of the public, and no permna- nent buildings. The Chautanqna should add, as fast as possible and practical, the various Chantauqua departments. Campers give all time to the Chautauqua, and are thns ready for all department work, while business men and busy house- wives can attend no more than two programs daily.
The time will come when some philanthropie person will come forward and donate all or a large part of the funds necessary to buy grounds and build a suitable anditorium-and build for himself a lasting monument in the hearts of a grateful people. It is the highest ambition of the present management that some day the Chautauqua will have a permanent home, where it may flourish and grow even beyond the high ideals of the promoters.
S. M. HOLADAY.
WATERWORKS.
In the summer of 1905, Morgan & Company contracted with the city to put in a waterworks plant for $40,000. The tests of the plant were made on Decem- ber, 26, 27 and 28, 1905. Morgan & Company turned over the plant to the city. An injunction suit followed which resulted in Morgan retaining the plant. It was found that the city could not issue $40,000 bonds. Later Morgan & Company sold the plant to an Indianola company composed of J. M. Ilarlan, J. F. Samson, T. D. Swan. William Buxton, Jr., and J. L. Browne. This company was called the Public Water Power and Heating Company. In December. 1906, this com- pany sold the plant to A. C. Landon of Clinton, Missouri, who later on sold the plant to the city of Indianola, in consideration of $15,000. The Publie Water Power and Heating Company obtained its water supply from South river, where the plant is erected abont two miles southwest of Indianola, by building a dam across the channel. After some years the channel became obstructed. and freshets and overflows caused the cutting of a new channel commonly known as the Ruble "cut off." The main river current finally found its way through the new channel or Ruble "ent off." During this time the company then owning the water plant sought to dam the Ruble "eut off." and to that end in the summer of 1906. instituted condemnation proceeding (as provided by statute.) to appropriate a certain portion of the land of J. I. Ruble, bordering on the river. as a suitable place to locate the dam. September 4th, 1906. Mr. Ruble filed his petition in court seeking to set aside said condemnation proceedings as illegal and void. and alleging that the water company was not clothed with the right of eminent do- main, and was powerless to thus subject the land of Ruble, and appropriate it for the purpose intended. The case was hotly contested. and it was not until the 5th day of March, 1907, that the court entered a ruling sustaining the contention of the Public Water Power and Heating Company. However, it was not long before a freshet came and carried away the dam, thus settling the whole case for the time being. A new dam was afterward constructed at a different point, thus throwing the current of the water back into the original channel. The difficulty all along has been with the quality of the water. It is valuable to suppress fires and sprinkle the streets, but is not considered good water. The following item is in the annual report of the city clerk for April 1st. 1908 :
IIISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
277
WATER FUND.
RECEIPTS.
By Balance on Hand April 1st, 1907
$ 70.50
By Taxes From Treasurer 2,070.54
By Cash From Sale of Water
196.20
By Unpaid Warrants
2,169.79
$4,507.03
DISBURSEMENTS.
To Hydrant Rental
$1,197.39
To Fuel
748.49
To Hauling Fuel
157.28
To Salaries
520.00
To Labor
801.05
To Sundries
8.38
To Freight and Drayage
9.38
To Supplies
385.41
To Insurance
37.65
To Telephone and Tolls
13.65
To Old Warrants Paid
594.90
To Treasurer's Commission
23.02
$4,496.60
Balance Cash on Hand April 1st, 1908
10.43
$4,507.03
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Members of the fire companies are the people's friends. They respond promptly to the call of distress, whether it comes from the poor man's cottage or the rich man's mansion. The firemen are ready to expose themselves to any and all kinds of danger in order to save human life and property. No class of men so deserve the sympathy and encouragement of all the community as the members of the fire company. The city of Indianola has a volunteer fire company, com- posed of twenty-eight courageous men. The city owns about three thousand dollars' worth of fire appliances, including wagons, carts, hose, hooks, ladders and so forth. At this time the city council has under consideration the subject of making provision for the reasonable compensation of these self-sacrificing men, who compose the fire company. Two propositions are before the council : one, to make an annual allowance for the fire company, and the other to allow the members so much for each fire call. The following report of the city clerk shows the condition of the fire fund :
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
RECEIPTS.
By Balance on Hand April 1st. 1907 $ 64.00
By Taxes From Treasurer 781.08
By Unpaid Warrants 2.00
$847.08
DISBURSEMENTS.
To Salaries $ 31.00
To Supplies 36.20
To Labor 43.40
To Hauling Hose Carts to Fire 26.00
To Treasurer's Commission 1.34
$137.94
Balance Cash on Hand April 1st, 1908
709.14
$847.08
No city can afford to be parsimonious in dealing with its fire company.
WARREN COUNTY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.
Early in the history of the county an effort was made to organize a County Medical Society. The first organization was composed of the following members : C. W. Davis, M. A. Dashiell, J. D. MeCleary, C. B. bake, A. J. Applegate. J. I. Wakefield and S. P. MeClure, which was effected in 1860. The officers elected were C. W. Davis, president ; M. A. Dashiell, vice-president ; J. D. MeCleary, secretary ; C. B. Lake, treasurer. It was not until April 24th, 1869, that meetings were held regularly. The present members are: M. L. Hooper. Regular. College of Physicians and Surgeons, Keokuk, Iowa ; William E. Sperow. Regular, Uni- versity of Maryland, Baltimore ; Richmond M. Fee, Regular, Certificate Issued by State Board of Examiners; E. Roy Limbocker. Drake University College of Medicine. (deceased a few days ago;) John D. MeCleary. Regular. College of Physicians and Surgeons. Keokuk ; Harkles C. Carless. Regular, Iowa College of Physicians and Surgeons, M. D. : Lyman Hall Regular. Drake University Medical School ; Oliver P. Judkins, Regular, College of Physicians and Surgeons. Keokuk : Geo. E. Hatfield, Regular, State Board of Medical Examiners: W. M. Park. Regular, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Keokuk: Edward L. Baker, Regu- lar, Louisville, (Ky.) Medical College; Franklin C. HuH, Regular, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Keokuk; E. Porterfield, Bellevue Hospital, Medical College, New York City ; W. II. Merritt, Pleasantville.
Article Second of the constitution sets forth the design of this association as follows: "The objects of this society shall be the advancement of medical knowledge and the elevation of the profession and of personal character." There are a large number of physicians in the county who do not belong to this society. some of whom reside in Indianola, as follows :
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
Craig Worth, Regular, Medical Department of the University of Missouri ; Horace C. MeCleary, Regular, Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois; L. H. Surber, Regular. College of Physicians and Surgeons, Keokuk, Iowa ; Rose Butter- field, Regular, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Keokuk, Iowa.
Ilomeopathy has been represented in Indianola since 1902 by J. H. Alden, Medical Department State University of Iowa.
Osteopathy has been represented in Indianola since 1898, by J. E. and Diey D. Owen, of the American School of Osteopathy, Kirksville, Missouri.
DENTISTRY.
Among the arts and sciences in which America leads the world, is dentistry. Frank Marshall White, in an article on Marvels of Modern Dentistry, in the June Cosmopolitan, says that for the last twenty years the leading dentists of almost every capital in the world have been Americans ; that this country abonnds in schools of dentistry that are not equaled in London, Paris or Berlin, and that their students come in part not only from all parts of Europe, but from all over the world. Mr. White's article describes the recent advances made in dentistry in this country, dwelling on the improved crown and bridge work, the wonderful corrections of oral malformation, the use of the X-ray in dentistry, and the most recent improvements in filling cavities. This last is especially interesting, as many sufferers will be overjoyed to learn that they can now have a gold filling adjusted to a cavity while they are walking around town and attending to their business.
In order to accomplish this marvel, the dentist takes an impression of the cavity in wax, makes a mold from the wax and pours melted gold into the mold. When the patient calls again the gold filling is cemented in the cavity in a moment and without pain.
Dentistry cannot be too highly appreciated. It is said that no man is any younger than his arteries, and it might be said with equal truth, that no man's health is any better than his teeth. Poor teeth mean poor digestion ; poor diges- tion means poor nutrition, and poor nutrition leaves the whole body a prey to disease and decay .- Chicago Reeord Herald.
The following named dentists are practicing in Indianola : L. D. Carpenter, Dental Department of the University of the State of Iowa; C. L. Hunsieker, Dental Department of the University of the State of Iowa; William Story, Dental Department of the University of the State of Iowa; R. E. Seroggs, Dental De- partment of the University of the State of Iowa; L. A. Mullican, Dental Department Northwestern University.
INDIANOLA POST OFFICE.
On August the 4th, 1849, this office was established and kept three miles east of Indianola, nntil a building conld be secured for it. The following postmasters have filled this offiee: Paris P. Henderson, August the 4th, 1849; Zebulum Hockett, 19th of March, 1850; Paris P. Henderson, 27th of October, 1851; Rich- ard Grantham, 14th of December, 1853; Paris P. Henderson, 7th of March, 1854;
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
John II. Monahan. 26th of December. 1854; Thomas J. Atkeson, 19th of De- comber, 1856; Luther B. Brisco, 22nd of July. 1855; JJ. H. Knox, 19th of March, 1861; Gorham A. Worth, 20th of September, 1862; John N. Andrew, 13th of February. 1868; JJ. II. Knox, 13th of March, 1875; T. D. Noble. 10th of April, 1879; W. W. Worth, 1883; Suel J. Spalding, 1887; T. T. Anderson, 1891; J. II. Watson. 1895; Evan B. Dowell, 1899, the present incumbent. The fifteen men who have filled this office have been faithful and efficient servants of the people. There has never been a breath of suspicion as to the competeney or honesty of any one of them, but each of them has enjoyed the esteem of the patrons of the office. Sometimes there has been active candidating for the office; even at the present there are several worthy aspirants. The office is now paying a salary of about $2,200 per annum.
RURAL MAIL.
Rural free delivery of the mail has added much to the desirability of farm life. Although it has been in operation but a few years, it has passed the ex- perimental stage. Further, it furnishes employment to a goodly number of men and a few women. It brings the daily paper within twenty-four hours to very. very many farm homes. The first rural routes from Indianola numbers one, two and three, were established in October, 1900. and extend respectively, twenty- nine, twenty-nine and twenty-eight miles, reaching one hundred and twenty, one hundred and sixteen and one hundred and ten homes, serving a population of six hundred, five hundred and eighty, and five hundred and fifty people. On May the 1st, 1901. ronte four was established. On October the 1st. 1903, routes num- ber five and six were established, changing the others somewhat. No county in the state is better supplied with mail facilities. The government has never done anything in all the past that has so delighted the farmers as establishing the rural free delivery. It has given new life to farm interests. The market reports are enjoyed by farmers beyond anything of which the townspeople can conceive. and the farmers' wives and daughters enjoy the enrrent news with as much zest as the ladies of the city.
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LIBRARY.
In the Organic Act of the Iowa territory, is a section appropriating ont of any money in the treasury of the United States. $5.000. to purchase a library to be kept at the seat of government. When Governor Robert Encas, of Ohio. was appointed governor of lowa territory, on his way to lowa to take charge of his new office. he stopped at Cincinnati to purchase a library. Iowa has from that time to the present been noted for its libraries. Hs people are a reading people and in point of general intelligence. Warren stands in the front rank of Iowa counties. Early in its history the subject of a public library was agitated in Indianola. Although the beginning was small and unpromising. yet the advocates of a public library persisted until they now have a comfortable building and a well selected lot of books. In 1879. a small association was formed, consisting of seventeen members, who have paid five dollars each for the purchase of one
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
hundred books. One of the members, Mrs. W. HI. Schooley, took charge of the books. During the following year, a room was fitted up for a reading room, and Miss Addie Hayden was appointed librarian. Slowly but regularly from time to time, more books were purchased. After struggling along for two years, they were obliged to close for want of funds. W. H. Schooley, Ed. R. McKee and Professor C. M. Grumbling were the trustees. In 1883, the books were moved to the recorder's office for safe keeping. February 14th, 1884, the stockholders voted to donate the library to the city, provided : a tax was voted for its support. After some time the young people of Indianola formed an "Enterprise Club, " for the benefit of the public library, working with great energy and in various ways. to secure money for the purchase of books and the maintenance of the library. In 1884, a library tax of one mill was carried by a good majority. This gave new life to the library, and its friends began to talk about the Indianola public library, and secured two large handsome rooms located in the central part of the city, neatly furnished by the "Enterprise Club," and city council. They started in these new rooms with five hundred and seventy-five books on hand, the old asso- ciation turning all their books over to the city. A. P. VanTassel was chosen librarian. Dr. J. D. MeCleary, Dr. Erwin and O. K. Butler were the trustees. September 10th, 1884, Miss Hannah Babb, the present incumbent, was chosen librarian. The aunual report for 1886, shows nine hundred and forty-three books in the library. They steadily increased until ten years later there were two thousand, nine hundred and twenty-nine books in the library. The library was again moved into a commodious room over the Indianola Bank, February 1, 1894. In July, 1894, the city library passed from under the control of the city council to a board of nine trustees, appointed by the mayor. In 1896, the tax levy was increased from one to one and one-half mills. April 18th, 1899, a free circulating library was opened. It became necessary for Miss Babb to have an assistant, so on January 8th, 1900, Miss Maude Fenner was given that posi- tion. Largely through the instrumentality of Mayor W. II. Schooley, Mr. Carnegie was induced to give $10,000 for the erection of a free public library building in Indianola, on condition that the city would agree to maintain a free public library at a cost of not less than $1,000 a year. The conditions were com- plied with by a unanimous vote of the council, January 26th, 1903. February 9, 1903, the levy for its maintenance was increased to two mills, and a levy of three mills voted for purchasing a site. The present site was secured at a cost of $3,550. The contract for the new building was let September 8th, 1903. and the building dedicated May 31, 1904. Subsequently, Mr. Carnegie made an ad- ditional gift of $2,000 on condition that the city would give $1,200 per annum for the maintenance of the library. This condition was met, and Mr. Carnegie's gift received. The number of volumes in the library now is five thousand and fifty-seven ; this does not include twelve or thirteen hundred government docu- ments. Miss Hannah Babb continues as librarian, and has for her assistant Miss Alice M. Dearth, The trustees are as follows: John Mayers. J. H. Whitney, George T. Perley, J. M. Anderson, J. L. Tilton, O. E. Smith. II. H. McNeil, C. L. Price and J. W. Haneox.
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