Spencer, Pauline (1857-1945)

SPENCER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 12/3/2016 at 21:20:18

The Indianola Tribune newspaper, Indianola, Iowa, Thursday, November 26, 1941, p.6

Miss Pauline “Cappy” Spencer is 84 and Remembers Stage Coach Days
Prole, Nov. 24 – Several friends of Miss Pauline Spencer, known to her intimates as Cappy Spencer, called at her little home on Tuesday, Nov. 14, to honor her on her 84th birthday. A pleasant afternoon was spent reminiscing on the thrilling days of Miss Spencer’s youth when the state coach, drawn by six horses, came driving over the prairie carrying the first mail to Prole from old Ft. Des Moines. The L. S. Spencer home was known as the Spencer Inn, the only one in town. Here, too, was located the U. S. post office. Mr. Spencer was Prole’s first postmaster so the Spencer family is connected closely with the early history of the town. In this stately old mansion, the largest house around the country side in those days, Cappy was born and reared to womanhood The house was located at the north edge of town. After the death of her father this farm was sold by the heirs and Cappy moved to her present home one-fourth mile south of the old homestead. She has lived there alone continuously ever since and is the oldest native born person resident of Prole. She is a great lover of home and has only been absent from it three or four nights since she bought it. Her hobby is good literature. She is well-read and can converse on all the current topics of the day. She is a faithful attendant and supporter of the Linn Grove Methodist church.[Her gravestone in Linn Grove Cemetery, Warren County, Iowa lists her name as Palona A. Spencer 1857-1945.]