USA > Iowa > Pocahontas County > The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 52
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Many others received amounts very it. Determined to do a safe rather nearly as large. The money realized than a large business, so that neither from the dairy interest is not only he nor his patrons should suffer by put into immediate circulation at sudden reverses, he has studiously home but is distributed over the avoided engaging in any local rival- whole year and thus affords the pat- ries and maintained his business rons of the creamery a constant in- month after month and year after come, one that is not dependent on year, on the principles of economy, special crops or the grain market.
justice and honor; and by so doing has
During the year 1898 the shipments developed the dairy and poultry in- of this firm from Fonda were forty dustries in this community to such an car loads, an average of one car load a extent that they have become of lead- week for most of the time. When it ing importance to the people of a is known that the value of a single large section of country.
car load is often $1,500 the aggregate THE NORTHERN TELEPHONE COMPANY, of the business done in a single year is
In January 1899, a few public spirit- perceived. During that winter the ed men in Fonda formed an associa- amount paid for live turkeys alone tion for precuniary profit and the pro- delivered at their office in one week motion of the public welfare, and was $3,000, The business done in they have already accomplished a eggs has also at times been im- work that has made Fonda the center mense, larger than that of any firm of another important business inter- in the neighboring counties The est that embraces Pocahontas and the prices paid for eggs and live poultry neighboring counties. This associa- have attracted shipments to this place tion consists of Geo. Sanborn, A. L. from many points within a radius of Roberts, A. S. Wood, R. F. Beswick, fifty miles and two places in South M. G. Coleman, Lee S. Straight, John Dakota.
When R. F. Beswick came as a stranger from Manchester to Fonda, in 1889, by persons occupying positions Northern Telephone Company.
Forbes, Thos. L. Kennedy and Geo. H. Fitch, all of Fonda, Iowa, who became a corporate body April 3, 1899, as the
of great honor in this state, he was The objects of this corporation are commended to the confidence of the to obtain telephone exchange fran- people of this community as a man chises, to build, purchase, acquire and whose word was as good as his bond, operate telephone exchanges and lines honest and honorable in all his deal- in lowa.
Ings, and one who by close applica-
About July 1, 1886, the Iowa and
.
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CEDAR TOWNSHIP.
Minnesota Telephone Company estab- nication to the public, the poles, wires lished the first telephone connection and fixtures necessary to supply to the between Newell, Fonda, Pomeroy, citizens thereof communication by Manson, Rockwell City and Pocahon- telephone or other electric signals. tas with a central office at Pomeroy; And in consideration of this franchise on November 20, 1897, the Jeffer- the telephone company grants to the son Telephone Company established town of Fonda, the free use of its an office at the Anderson Drug Com- poles for the purpose of fire alarm pany's store, Fonda and located three connections and the free use of local instruments; and in 1899 the two phones in such places as the Central Telephone Company extended Town Council may designate.
a line from Fonda to Rusk and Poca- This company was organized by the hontas. It remained, however for the election of Geo. Sanborn. President; Northern Telephone Company to pop- ularize the use of the telephone as a great public convenience in the offices
A. S. Wood, Vice President; M. G. Coleman, Secretary; and R. F. Bes- wick, Treasurer. Before the close of and homes of the people in Fonda and the year 1899 the force of workmen in several of the towns in this section. employed by this company had loca-
The invention of the telephone is of ted ninety-five instruments in Fonda recent date and its great value to the and extended their lines to Varina, commercial world is suggested by the Laurens, Lilly, Rusk, Newell, Sulphur rapidity with which it has come into Springs, Storm Lake, Alta and. Nema- popular use. In 1861 Philip Reis, of ha. Germany, found that variations in
At Storm Lake the automa- an electric current, caused by a vibra- tic exchange and instruments con - ting membrane, could be reproduced, nected with it, that were not entirely and in this way transmitted musical satisfactory, have been replaced by a sounds and even words, but his ap- more serviceable switch board and 125 paratus was very imperfect. At the local instruments. Other towns that Centennial in 1876 A. Graham Bell have since been reached are Rolfe, first presented at a public exposition, Gilmore City, Havelock, Plover, Palm- a practical telephone in which the vi- er, Pocahontas and Rockwell City.
brations were received and communi- It is the aim and purpose of this cated by means of an iron diaphragm in company to reach every point of inter= thefield of a magnet. Later Thomas A. est in each township of this county, Edison produced a vibratory current connect them with each other and by means of an induction coil and a with the towns in the neighbor= block of carbon; and Blake, a platinum ing counties, either by means of their transmitter. In 1892 a long distance own lines or those of other indepen= telephone was erected between Chica- dent companies.
go and the principal cities of the east.
The instruments used by this com=
At the regular annual municipal pany are the best manufactured and election, held in Fonda, March 27, give universal satisfaction. On all 1899, a telephone exchange franchise the toll lines a metallic circuit is used was granted this company for a period and no expense is spared in the effort of twenty-five years. Under this fran- to secure the best of materials and chise the telephone company was ac- service in every department of their corded the right to erect, maintain work. and operate upon such streets, al- At their annual meeting, held on the first Monday in May, 1900, the di- leys and public highways of Fonda, as may be necessary to furnish commu- rectors chosen for the ensuing year
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PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.
were: A. S. Roberts, John Forbes, L.
The grasshoppers in Kansas, re-in- S. Straight, Geo. Sanborn and A. S. forced by a horde of buffalo gnats that Wood, who organized by the election attacked the cattle, were making sad of A. L. Roberts, president; L. S. havoc of every green thing in Kansas. Straight, vice president; M. G. Cole- They had penetrated to the heart man, secretary, and R. F. Beswick, of Kansas City and though millions of them had been destroyed by means of trenches they were moving northward like a vast army. treasurer. Lee S. Straight was ap- pointed manager and superintendent of construction and the original capi- tal stock of $10,000,divided into shares of $50 each, was increased to $20,000.
THE NORTHWESTERN HAWKEYE.
The advertisements indicate that the following persons were doing business at Fonda at this time:
A copy of the Northwestern Hawk- Remtsma & Swingle, lumber and eye was recently handed us by Thos. coal; Wm. Snell, cheese factory; E. Slater, of Cedar township.
This Mullen, proprietor of Fonda Hotel; seems to be the only copy of that pa- E. J. Griffin and T. J. Curtis are con- per that has been preserved and it is tractors and builders; Joseph Malli- therefore an interesting relic. It is son has a collecting agency and sells dated Fonda, Iowa, Thursday, May farm machinery; Wm. Marshall and 27, 1875, and is No. 11 of the third C. E. Brown are real estate agents; volume, which indicates that this Hughes & Son(S. & G. E. )and John W paper was established about March 20, Gray are general merchants and Dr. 1873. It was published by J. D. White C. F. Wilson is a veterinary surgeon. & Son and it was the official paper of At this date the town lots in this this county for the year 1875. It was county were assessed as follows: In' designed to be a local republican pa- Lombard, a new town platted on the per devoted to the interests of Poca- SW} Sec. 32 Laurens (now Marshall) hontas county and the benefit of its township, $1 each; in (old) Rolfe and inhabitants.
Pocahontas $2.50 to $10; and in Fonda
The particular item of interest that (still listed as Marvin), $30 to $75.
led to the preservation of this copy is the account it contains of the mar-
HISTORIC INCIDENTS.
Fonda is charmingly located in a riage of Thomas Slater and Mrs. Mary section of country that is rich in good McFadden on May 26, 1875, when the farming lands which are cultivated by senior editor of the paper, who was a a class of thrifty farmers who are local preacher of the M. E. church, at rapidly accumulating money and mak- his own home in Fonda, "started ing improvements in the way of com- these two young people on the journey fortable homes. It is the oldest and of life together with the express wish largest town in the county and has that peace and prosperity may be now a population of 1200 enterprising their portion."
inhabitants. Among its special ad- vantages are its fine churches, schools, water, healthful climate and highly productive soil all around it,
Of the other items of interest in this old paper we note the following: excellent facilities for trade, good A Sunday School was organized at the Osburn schoolhouse, two miles east of Fonda, May 23, 1875, by the election
In 1876 Cedar township for the first of O. F. Wilson, Supt .; Mrs. David time took the lead in the county by Spielman, Asst. Supt .; George Gar- casting the largest republican vote lock, Sec .; Mrs. B. F. Osburn, Lib .; which was 70 for Hayes and 34 for B. F. Osburn, Treas. and Mrs. E. Gar- Tilden. lock, chorister.
In 1880, ten years after the town
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was founded, the population of Fonda first time they voted in Fonda and, was 168. In 1885 it was 433, in 1890, casting 18 ballots for the proposition 625 and in 1895, 942. to bond the town for the erection of a
The first wedding in Fonda was the new schoolhouse and ten against it, marriage of Marion D. Skinner and their vote gave a majority of four for Clara Hawkins July 25,1873 at the hotel the bond proposition that otherwise kept by her father where the Toy by reason of a slight misunderstand- bank now stands and Rev. R. J. ing, would have been lost by four Griffin was the officiating clergyman. votes.
The first sidewalk in Fonda was
The first Sunday school in the laid in May 1876 and it extended from Thompson school district was organ- the depot to Ibson's blacksmith shop ized in 1876, by Harvey W. Hay and on the northwest corner of Main and Charles E. Whitney. In 1885 and '86, Second streets.
it was reorganized and John Cartlidge
In 1888 Main street was established and Wm. H. Henderson were elected and opened south of the 1. C. R. R. successively superintendents. In 1897 and in 1892 it was extended from the it was reorganized by the election of Catholic church to the north line of William M. Cathcart superintendent the section. and he has maintained it until the present time.
On Oct. 15, 1883 a fire destroyed some of the best business blocks on the east side of Main street including
TORNADO OF 1882.
On Saturday June 17, 1882, the citi- the Ellis hotel, Times building, Guy- zens of Fonda, had a magnificent view ett store buildings, then owned by J. of one of those whirlwinds, or funnel N. McKee & Co., and others represent- shaped clouds called a tornado or cy- ing a loss of $33,000, but in a short clone. It formed near the western time the former wooden structures line of Cedar Township, at the close were replaced by splendid brick build- of a sultry day, and moving eastward ings that have been an ornament to completely destroyed
the town and a credit to her enter house and other buildings on the prising citizens.
the vacant homestead of J. P. Robinson on n sw ≥
On Aug. 25, 1891 another fire des- section 20. The houses and furniture troyed the drug store of J. B. Bollard, of Harry and Adelbert Bailey and of the clothing store of Malloy & Red- Renselaer Wright on the same sec-". den, the new brick building of F. M. tion were also destroyed. At the Conroy and a number of smaller ones home of Joseph Kennedy, on section on the west side of Main street that 21, the house was carried from its involved a loss of $17,000. These also foundation and the barn destroyed. have been replaced with larger and It passed thence north eastward to the more substantial buildings.
home of Louis Fuchs, on section 12,
On June 15, 1897, a curfew ordin- where its appetite was satisfied by the ance was adopted for the purpose of almost total destruction of his house, keeping the children under seventeen barn, stable and granary, and the years of age from the streets, alleys snapping of the trees in the grove, and public grounds of the city after some of which were one foot thick, as certain hours of the night. This if they were pipestems.
ordinance has been enforced since its adoption and with excellent results.
The only one injured was Adelbert Bailey, who was struck on the foot by
On March 6, 1900, twenty-six women a piece of flying timber. At the home cast their ballots at the school elec- of R. Wright the building occupied tion held in Fonda. This was the had been provided with only a tempo-
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PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.
rary floor, and on this the family was west is from 100 to 200 rods in width. left unhurt when the building was This depression is lowest at the carried away. north west corner of the island where
The destructive part of this, the it is widest. At this place it was second tornado to visit this county, never known to become dry until the was about five miles in length, all latter part of 1894. During recent within Cedar township. As the years the entire depression around the whirling, seething cloud passed over island, embracing nearly three hun- the open prairie north of Fonda and dred acres of land, has been covered less than a mile from it, all who dared with an unusually luxuriant growth venture out beheld a sight so sublime of native grasses, beautiful to the eye and awe inspiring as never to be for- but of no real value to the owners, gotten. Virgil had in mind such a either for hay or pasture, by reason of scene when he wrote:
Aeolus hurled his spear against the mountainous surface,
And the wild howling winds rush forth pell mell at the orifice,- The east wind, the north wind and stormy northwest together
Scour over the earth and inaugurate dreadful bad weather.
That same evening heavy storms prevailed in several portions of this
and other states, the most destructive and it had a fine growth of oak, hack- one passing through Grinnell, where a large number of buildings were des- troyed and many lives lost.
SUNK GROVE.
acres, principally on the ne } of sec- tion 7 and covered with a fine grove of timber that previous to the arrival of the I. C. railway was the only supply of fuel and building material in this section, was the first place of interest and attracted near it the first settlers in Cedar township, in 1868.
FONDA IN 1900.
The leading business interests at Fonda and those now representing them may be briefly summarized as follows:
ATTORNEYS: Z. C. Bradshaw since '94; F. Hamilton Bond, since '95; J. D. Wurtzbaugh, since '98; Edward Fair- burn since '99, Wm. H. Healy since'85.
At this early date there were many trees growing around its outer edge that during most of the year stood in water to the depth of one or more feet. The appearance of large oak trees BANKS: The Pocahontas County standing in the water, gave the im- Bank was established by Geo. Fair- pression that the ground where they burn, its present proprietor, in 1870; stood had sunk after they began to the first brick building was erected in grow, and for this reason it was called "Sunk Grove. "
'81 and in '85 it was enlarged. It is the oldest bank in the county. A. S.
In the spring of the year the island Wood is cashier, C. A. Alexander is surrounded by a lake, that on the and Edward H. Fairburn, assistants. south and east sides of it is from 30 to The Farmers' Loan & Trust Co. was 50 rods wide, and on the north and established in 1886 by James F.
the marshy condition of the ground. The outlet for this lake or marsh is eastward to the Cedar, and when it is drained several hundreds of acres of the richest and most productive land in the county will be redeemed.
This grove was the only one of nat- ural timber in the west half of . this county. The water around it protect- ed the timber from the prairie fires berry, basswood, cottonwood, and other trees of which the last large ones were removed in 1870. The island is now owned and occupied by J. M. by young timber, is located on its highest point.
Sunk Grove. an island of eighty Borders, whose cozy cottage, surround-
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CEDAR TOWNSHIP.
Toy, of Storm Lake. L. A. Rothe is 85, Fred Spielman, since '£4, Mrs, M. cashier, Chas. Harrold assistant.
Doyle, since '91, Jackson Howe, man-
BARBERS: Geo. G. Craft since 1887; ager; Claude Simpson and Marion also an auctioneer and proprietor of a Young. dog and pony show since 1891. Mauls-
DRUGGISTS: C. C. Patty since 1894; by Bros., (I. W. and M. S.) since 1894. Anderson (Elijah) Drug Co., since 18- Mitchell & Elliott successors of W. A. 96; and H. A. Daubenberger, success- Elliott.
BOOK-KEEPERS: Walter S. Adams, block in 1899.
FURNITURE DEALERS: R. Wright &
since 1895, Charles A. Alexander, since 1891; Melvin Royer and Ray E. Wilde. Co. successors of Geo. Fairburn, in his
BLACKSMITHS:Garrett R.Reniff,since brick block in '87. (2) Albert R. September 1, 1885 when his shop was Maulsby since '99 .
GENERAL MERCHANTS: J. P. Robin-
built. He was a partner with J. W. Spitzbarth 1886-88, and purchased an son since 1886, now in TIMES building. additional shop in 1896 of Arthur J. D. Carpenter since '93 in McKee Hamilton and placed it in care of A. block built in '84; and in hardware '83- W. Jones, one of his workmen since 89 as a member of the firm of Car- 1895. Edward Ibson, since 1896 and penter & Russell, Roy, his son, a part- as a partner with his brother, Peter ner in 1900. John Forbes since G. Ibson, since 1873. Ackley Bros. '94, successor of Borman & Sargent in successors to Fagan Bros. in 1900. Hughes building. The Thornton
BRICK AND TILE WORKS: Straight (Frank G.) Mercantile Co, in '98 suc- Bros. (Lee S. and Guy H.) cessors to Crahan & Linnan. J. W. BUTTER MANUFACTURER: Fonda Rock since '98, and in his own brick Creamery Company, R. F. Beswick, block in '99. Tolen Bros., John and proprietor since 1889.
CARPET WEAVER: Alphonso O.
Brown since 1887.
CITY ENGINEER: G. C. Weber.
CIGAR MANUFACTURER: Frank L. '93. Elevator first built by N. B. Post in 1890. They also deal in live stock,
CONTRACTORS AND BUILDERS: A. J. buggies and implements. (2) Warren Sauter, James Thompson, Charles Grain Co. D. V. Righdenour, manager Nichols, J, E. Brown, H. W. Bailey since 1895. (3) Frank J. Turner, suc- cessor to Rolfe Bros. since 1897, Calvin Brackney.
CLERKS; Geo. Bush, since 1887; J. elevator built in 1894 by N. B. Post.
B. Sargent, since 1892; Eli P. Griffith, HARDWARE AND HARNESS DEALERS: since 1895; Vernon Harris, since 1893; A. L. Roberts & F. L. Kenning, suc- Lucius Langworthy, Jos. M. Thorpe cessors of Fred Haffele in 1893, erected present brick block in 1899, Wm. D. and George Fastle.
CLOTHING: Woodhouse & Blizzard Carroll harness maker. Fitch Bros. since '95, in Eaton block (built in '98) (Geo. H. and Fred W.) successors of since '99, H. A. Blizzard, manager. J. H. Potter & Son in McKee block in
CHOPHOUSES; F. O. and S. H. Van- 1893.
Hoosier, since 1898; and J. W. Sargent. HOTELS: Curley (Ewing) House, DRESS MAKERS: Mrs. Mark Haven, built in 1885, by Mrs. R. F. Hull, C. A. Lily and Rose Steiner, Mrs. Marion Ladd & J. E. Odiet, managers since Young, Sara Morton, Hannah Olkjer, 1898; Washington house, built by Ina Gilson, Dollie and Mamie Wykoff. G. W. Sargent in 1892, Robert B. Rob- DRAYMEN: Wm. B. Neal, since 18- bins, manager, since 1899. Fonda ho-
James.
GRAIN DEALERS: Kennedy Bros. (Thomas, John and Alexander) since '97 and as Redfield & Kennedy, since
Covey, since 1877.
or of J. B. Bollard, in the Bott brick
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PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.
tel, Thomas Murphy proprietor since erected in 1884. The Fonda Review, 1893. Central house, Mrs. Engelbert W. S. Clark editor, since May 1, 1900. Keeler, proprietor and manager since 1893.
PAINTERS. Wallace Haven, H. E. Sargent, A. W. Sargent, Albert and IMPLEMENTS: Mullen, Mayo & Co. Everett L. Gilson, P. R. Chamber- successors in 1899 of Turner (Frank) & lin and Howard Lockie.
Charles Mayo; and Kennedy Bros.
INSURANCE: M. G. Coleman, since 1892, also '77-78; city recorder and secretary of Northern Telephone Co., Capt. Joseph Mallison since 1875. Wm H. Healy Esq., Ed. R. Ellis, L. A. Rothe and Z. C. Bradshaw.
JANITOR OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS: John Dooley since 1889.
LUMBER DEALERS: J. & W. C. Shull, successors of Geo. Fairburn in 1887, J. J. McCartan, manager. (2) Wood- ford & Wheeler successors of N. B. Post in 1890, since which date Wm. Wilde has been the manager. (3) Lee & Jameson who in '95 became the suc- cessors of Henry Dorton, the present manager.
LIVERYMEN. A. J. Hamilton, in '94 successor of A. E. Sargent who erected buildings in 1893; Frank Mul- Hughes (Emmet and Geo. E.) since 1898; Jordan & Linnan (John E. and
len, since 1898; and John Mackey in 1900, successor to Geo. P. Selzer at the C. F.) since 1899; and Bradshaw & Kay barn. Chingren (Rev. Z. C. and E. J.)in 1900.
MARBLE AND GRANITE WORKS: L. A. Raymond, since 1898.
MASONS AND PLASTERERS. Jacob Spielman, E. O. Ellis, Wm. E. Wykoff and Frank Ceperly.
STREET SPRINKLER; Ed O'Donnell. SHOEMAKERS. Hart Roberts, since
Wm. W. Rathbun since 1886.
TAILORS: Swen J. Swenson since '92 and Al Ehline since '89, both em-
MILKMAN: Seth F. Tucker since ploying from two to four tailors. 1888.
TELEPHONE OPERATOR. Louise
MILLINERS: Mrs. Charles Sayres Spelling.
TRAVELING SALESMEN: Geo. Riley
since 1891; Mrs. D.J. Barkalow, since 1899; Miss Katie Kearns, Mrs. E. Kay. and F. M. Conroy.
WAGON MAKER: Abram F. DeGraff Mrs. C. R. Whitney, Anna Zerwas and since 1891.
MUSIC TEACHERS: Minnie Haffele, Olive Myers.
PASTORS OF THE CHURCHES: Meth- odist (built 1880) Rev. J. J. Gardner since 1897, Catholic (1884) Rev. J. F. Brennan since 1895; Presbyterian (18- 87) Rev. R. E. Flickinger since 1886; Christian (1900) Rev. W. S. Lemmon. PHOTOGRAPHER: M. J. Silvers, suc- cessor of B. K. Hawkins, in 1898.
POST MASTER: Capt. Joseph Mal- lison.
PHYSICIANS: D. W. Edgar,since '81; C. R. Whitney, since '94; T. J. Dower, and D. J. Barkalow since '99; and M. G. Simpson, veterinary since '97.
RAILWAY AGENTS:R. M. Harrison I. C .; E. E. Nance, and R. Wright, C. M. & S. P.
REAL ESTATE. Mallison & Ellis (Joseph and Ed R.) since 1894; Kay &
RESTAURANTS; J. R. Johnson since 1897; E. J. Maulsby; and Joseph Hud- son.
MEAT MARKETS: W. J. Redfield at 1883 making fine shoes a specialty;
the "Palace," since 1898; Henry Travis, successor of Wendell Bros. in 1900.
WELL DRILLERS: W. H. Osterman, NEWSPAPERS: The Fonda Times, since 1894; Elmer and William Evans. called Pocahontas Times, until June PERSONAL SKETCHES. 14, 1894, Geo. Sanborn editor and Of the residents of Cedar township proprietor since 1879, brick building there seems a special propriety that
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CEDAR TOWNSHIP.
the sketches of the following persons prefers to do a safe rather than a large be included in this chapter. business. All his business transac-
Beard Edward L., who had charge tions are kept on a cash basis. By of the Fonda creamery 1887 to '89, is a careful observance of these principles native of Indiana (b. 1848), came to he was enabled to continue with a Winnesheik county, Iowa, in 1853, small margin of profit during the hard and married there Mary S. Adams, years preceding 1896, and to enlarge in 1878. During their residence in his business considerably in 1897. He Fonda, he rendered efficient service as has been an active and an influential an elder of the Presbyterian church. member of the city council since 1893. After his return to Decorah, he con- Unselfish, conservative and farseeing, tinued in the creamery business with he is regarded as "one of the best the Beard Bros., until 1896, when he workers for the town that ever occu- became proprietor of the creamery at pied a chair on the council." His Coster, Butler Co., and in 1898 also of wife died July 25, 1897, leaving two the Colfax and Star creameries in children, Robbie and Bessie.
Grundy Co. His estimable wife after three years of poor health died in 1891 leaving three children, Gertrude, Bes- sie and William Edward.
Beswick Robert Frederick, manager and principal proprietor of the inter- ests represented by the Fonda Cream- ery Co., was born in the city of York, England, September 11, 1854. After pursuing an elementary course of study in the public schools of Leeds, he spent two years, in an academy, and one year as a teacher, in one of the government schools.
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