Carroll County IAGenWeb History Journal

     CARROLL, the county seat of Carroll County, is situated within a mile and a half of the geographical center, and hence will never have a competitor for the seat of justice. The railroad company laid out the town in August, 1867, at first calling it "Carroll City," and at the next election the people voted to remove the county seat from Carrollton to this place, by a vote of 88 to 30. The records were removed in May, 1868. The first building was erected by the railroad construction company as a supply house for the men, in 1867. When the field of active work was removed farther west on the line, and the building became useless to the company, it was sold to William Gilley, who rented it to the county for sixteen months at $50 per month. It was here that the county offices and records were kept until the court-house was built. It stood on lot 3, block 22, and was finally burned in the great fire of 1879. The second building was the railroad station, and is a part of the building which is yet in use. The third was on lot 11, block 3, and was used by A. L. Kidder as a store below and residence above. This building also was burned in the 1879 fire. Kidder was the "first white settler;" that is, the first to take up his residence in Carroll; and the only one in 1867. The next spring came George W. Wetherill, who is still a resident. He built the fourth building, and the first respectable business house, on lots 1 and 2, block 21, and here was kept a hardware store until the great fire. The lots are now vacant. Among others who located here the same season were Dr. J. M. Patty (the first physician), J. H. Colclo and family (who kept the first hotel), J. W. Hatton (who opened the first drug store and is still in that business), William Gilley, John K. Deal and J. E. Griffith.

     The last-named gentleman secured signatures to a petition and forwarded the same to Washington for a postoffice. This was granted and A. L. Kidder was the first to hold the office. His successors have been S. M. Moore, John W. King, E. R. Hastings and C. C. Colclo.

     The town grew quite rapidly in 1869, and the census of 1870 credit it with 384 inhabitants. In 1873 there were 563; in 1875, 812; in 1880, 1,385; in 1885, 1,885. There are now over 2,000.

INCORPORATION.

      Carroll had gained sufficient population in the autumn of 1869 to warrant its incorporation. This step was accordingly taken, and the council held its first meeting November 20 of that year. The officers of the town at that time were: Mayor, I. N. Griffith; Recorder, B. B. Terry; Trustees, John W. King, D. Wayne, L. C. Bailey, F. E. Dennett and William N. Boots; Marshal, Thomas Basler; Treasurer, J. E. Griffith; Attorney, O. H. Manning. The officers chosen at the regular election in March, 1870, and each year thereafter have been:

     1870.—Mayor, I. N. Griffith; Recorder, J. B. Rumsey; Councilmen, E. H. Brooks, L. C. Bailey, ___Perrin, F. E. Dennett and D. Wayne; Treasurer, J. Fajans; Marshal, B. W. Crabbs; Street Commissioner, Thomas Basler.

     1871.—Mayor, J. F. Tuttle; Recorder, William Lynch; Councilmen, L. C. Bailey, John K. Deal, J. W. King, I. N. Griffith and George P. Wetherill; Marshal, B. W. Crabbs; Street Commissioner, A. S. Curtis; Treasurer, J. E. Griffith; Assessor, F. A. Warrick.

     1872.—Mayor, J. C. Kelley; Recorder, William Lynch; Councilmen, E. R. Hastings, F. E. Dennett, William Gilley, E. H. Brooks and R. B. Sweet; Marshal, B. W. Crabbs; Street Commissioner, A. S. Curtis; Treasurer, D. Wayne.

     1873.—Mayor, John F. Tuttle; Recorder, William Lynch ; Councilmen, John W. King, William Gilley, L. A. Lewis, John L. Barger and C. L. Bailey; Marshal, B. W. Crabbs; Street Commissioner, William J. Lundy; Treasurer, William 0. Sturgeon.

     1874.—Mayor, D. Wayne; Recorder, William Lynch; Trustees, William H. Price, William Arts, W. L. Culbertson, William Gilley and H. C. Stevens; Marshal, A. D. White; Treasurer, I. A. Callamore; Street Commissioner, William J. Lundy; Assessor, Charles H. Dunham.

     1875.—Mayor, E. H. Brooks; Recorder, A. E. Smith; Councilmen, William Arts, George P. Weatherill, I. N. Griffith, J. P. McAllister and J. H. Lowry; Treasurer, J. W. Hatton; Street Commissioner, John Silbaugh; Assessor, John W. King.

     1876.—Mayor, E. H. Brooks; Recorder, A. E. Smith; Councilmen, J. H. Lowry, W. A. More, R. J. Hamilton, Joseph Wieland and W. L. Culbertson; Marshal, B. W. Crabbs; Treasurer, J. W. Hatton; Street Commissioner, John Silbaugh; Assessor, John W. King.

     1877.—Mayor, John F. Tuttle; Recorder, A. E. Smith; Councilmen, R. J. Hamilton, William Arts, W. O. Sturgeon, J. P. McAllister and M. J. Bohnenkamp; Assessor, John W. King; Marshal, J. D. Mathias; Treasurer, J. W. Hatton; Street Commissioner, Samuel Todd.

     1878.—Mayor, William Gilley; Recorder, A. E. Smith; Councilmen, R. J. Hamilton, J. P. McAllister, James Thompson, N. Beiter and D. A. Cudworth; Assessor, John W. King; Treasurer. J. W. Hatton; Marshal and Street Commissioner, Samuel Todd.

     1879.—Mayor, William Gilley; Recorder, A. E. Smith; Councilmen, James Thompson, N. Beiter, J. P. McAllister, D. A. Cudworth, W. J. Bohnenkamp and W. L. Culbertson; Treasurer, J. W. Hatton; Marshal and Street Commissioner, Samuel Todd.

     1880.—Mayor, William Gilley; Recorder, A. E. Smith; Councilmen,W. J. Bohnenkamp, W. L. Culbertson, N. Beiter, J. P. McAllister, James Thompson and L. Anderson (resigned and D. A. Cudworth appointed); Treasurer, J. W. Hatton; Marshal and Street Commissioner, Samuel Todd.

     1881.—Mayor, J. W. Scott; Recorder, A. E. Smith; Councilmen, N. Beiter, L. S. Anderson, J. P. McAllister, James Thompson, W. L. Culbertson and Charles Hamilton; Treasurer, J. W. Hatton; Marshal and Street Commissioner, Samuel Todd.

     1882.—Mayor,Thomas F. Barbee; Recorder, F. A. Suydam; Councilmen, W. L. Culbertson, L. T. Anderson, N. Beiter, Charles Hamilton, James Thompson and John Nye; Treasurer, J. W. Hatton; Marshal, Samuel Todd; Street Commissioner, H. W. Hageman.

     1883.—Mayor, Thomas F. Barbee; Recorder, F. A. Suydam; Councilmen, Charles Hamilton, N. Beiter, James Thompson, W. L. Culbertson and A. Park; Treasurer, O. A. Kentner; Marshal and Street Commissioner, Samuel Todd.

     1884. — Mayor, Thomas F. Barbee; Recorder, F. A. Suydam; Councilmen, W. L. Culbertson, James Thompson, J. L. Wetherill, John P. Cooke, A. Park and George W. Bowen; Treasurer, O. A. Kentner; Marshal, John P. McAllister.

     1885.— Mayor, Thomas F. Barbee; Recorder, F. A. Suydam; Councilmen, James Thompson, A. Park, J. L. Wetherill, W. J. Patterson, John E. Nestle and Ira M. Gilley; Assessor, J. H. Marnette; Marshal, John P. McAllister; Treasurer, O. A. Kentner.

     1886.—Mayor, E. M. Parsons; Recorder, F. A. Suydam ; Councilmen, John L. Wetherill, W. J. Patterson, John E. Nestle, Ira M. Gilley, A. W. Crawford and Joseph M. Drees; Treasurer, O. A. Kentner; Assessor, J. H. Marnette; Marshal and Street Commissioner, John P. McAllister.

FIRES AND FIRE DEPARTMENT.

      All the buildings erected in Carroll for the first ten years were built of pine, and by 1879 the condition of the business portion was such as to invite the destruction which occurred September 25 of that year. Henry Crow, a freight engineer, coming into town on his engine early in the morning, saw the beginning of the fire in Henry Schapman's saloon. If the building had not been locked, and a pailful of water had been handy, the fire could have been extinguished. At that moment a little water would indeed have been worth $5,000 a quart. Before anything could be done, however, the fire had gotten beyond control. During the day the devouring element swept away all the business buildings (blocks 16 and 21), one church and several residences—in all, about thirty-five buildings. The total loss was estimated at $200,000, and there was from $35,000 to $40,000 insurance.

     After this disaster the town authorities established fire limits; that is, forbade any wooden buildings on the two blocks used for business purposes. This explains why Fifth street is now built up solidly with fine brick houses. The most serious fire since that of 1879 was in 1884, when six buildings on Main street, between Fourth and Fifth, were destroyed.

     The yearafter the great fire a chemical engine was bought by the town, and three years later a hand engine. These are now seldom used. In 1884 $11,000 was expended in providing the town with the present protection from conflagration. A reservoir is built in the north part of town, on high land. It is fifty feet from the ground to the bottom of the tank, which is twenty feet high, thirty feet in diameter, and will hold 3,300 barrels of water. The latter is supplied by a wind-mill. Twelve hydrants are distributed through the town, and two hose-carts carry sufficient hose to reach almost any building from some hydrant. The apparatus is kept in a $600 building at the corner of Fifth and Court streets, erected by the city in 1883. J. Thompson is chief of the fire department, which is composed of a hook and ladder company, with sixteen members, William Louther, foreman; No. 1 Hose Company, twenty members, R. D. Backus, foreman; and No. 2 Hose Company, eighteen members, John Lobel, foreman.

BANKS.

      The oldest bank in the county is the Bank of Carroll, which was opened in 1868 by O. H. Manning. He sold in 1876 to W. L. Culbertson, and in 1883 H. W. Macomber and R. E. Coburn were admitted as partners. W. L. Culbertson is President; H. W. Macomber, Vice-President, and R. E. Coburn, Cashier.

     The Carroll County Bank was established in 1870 by W. T. Minchen. Patterson Brothers became proprietors in 1881. A. W. Patterson is President; W. J. Patterson, Vice-President, and Henry Haag, Cashier. Griffith & Deal were in the banking business for several years, but retired from the same.

     The Farmers' Bank was organized in September, 1885, with $20,000 capital. O. A. Kentner (President) and G. W. Wattles (Cashier) became sole proprietors in 1884.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY.

      The only establishments that can properly be called manufactories are the sash, door and blind concern of V. Heinrich and the flouring mill of E. H. Brooks. The latter is a fine one of its kind, and is a credit to Carroll. The business firms of Carroll, in December, 1886, are here arranged alphabetically for ready reference:

     C. W. Adams, butter and eggs; Anderson & Co., drugs; L. T. Anderson, harness; Arts & Manneman, general store; Becker Brothers, barbers; Nic. Beiter, meat market; Boardman Brothers, poultry; J. A. Bohner, photographer; Breese & Schatman, music hall; E. H. Brooks, flouring mill; Barney Brown, saloon; E. R. Burke, Burke House; C. C. Colclo, postoffice; Mrs. H. J. Colclo, Carroll House; W. L. Culbertson & Co., Bank of Carroll; Jacob Datcwitz, wagon shop; J. C. Delaney, National House; Demokrat Printing Association; B. H. Drees, saloon; Dunsmore & Co., restaurant; W. E. Falken, saloon; Fred. Franzwa, saloon; J. J. Fuerth, wholesale liquor; Grace & Hamilton, meat market; Hugh Gray, marble works; Green Bay Lumber Co., lumber; J. W. Hatton, drugs; V. Heinrich, sash, doors and blinds; H. C. Hoeft, clothing; W. L. Hoff, photographer; Hutchinson & Co., grocer; John James, blacksmith; Mrs. M. Jenkins, Iowa House; D. Joyce, lumber; Kentner -Wattles, Farmers' Bank; Ludwig Brothers, general store; William Lynch, Lynch House; Lyons & Elliott, grocery; Maclean & Hungerford, publishers Herald; Cyrus Marks, general store; H. J. Marnette, gunsmith; McLagen & Merchant, grocery; McPherrin Packing Co., eggs; C. R. Meldon, millinery; S. E. Micam, clothing; Micka & Co., dry goods; J. W. Miles, marble works; M. Miller, publisher Sentinel; J. E. Nestle, restaurant and bakery; Charles Neu, wholesale liquor; D. P. Nichols, Singer sewing-machines; George Niggermeyer, harness; M. L. Niswonger, dry goods; John Nockles, clothing; Frank O'Brien, City Hotel; Mrs. M. Olson, laundry; Andrew Park, livery; D. H. Park, agricultural implements; E. M. Parsons, grain; Patterson Brothers, Carroll County Bank; Paxton Sisters, dressmakers; Peet & Gillette, hardware; L. A. Pohlmann, bowling alley and billiard hall; William Richard, blacksmith; A. S. Roberts, jeweler; George Rusch, general store; W. H. Scott, saloon; F. Shadel, barber; Moses Simons, clothing; I. Smutney, furniture; Staak & Armbs, meat market; Stewart & Schroeder, laundry; Sturgis & Co., drugs; William Teal, restaurant; Thompson & Griffith, grocery; Miss Ellen Todd, millinery; William Trowbridge, hardware; Vorhes & Junod, grain; Sebastian Walz, shoemaker; Theo. Wegner, saloon; Wetherill & Gnam, hardware; C. S. Whitman, livery; Whitney & Co., wholesale fruit; J. J. Wieland, wholesale liquor; Wilcox & Schroeder, laundry; Zembleman & Piper, grocery.

SCHOOLS.

      The first school building at Carroll was erected in 1868. It was 40 x 40 feet in size, two stories in height, and contained four rooms. It was used until 1880, and then torn down. In that year the north side building was constructed. It is of brick, two stories in height, and contains six rooms. In 1883 the south side building was erected. It is also two stories in height, but has but two rooms. The two buildings have cost about $15,000, exclusive of lots. The north building is heated by steam; the south one by furnace. The debt of the district is $14,500; annual expenditures about $6,500. Nine and a half months school are taught. The course of study now in use was adopted in 1884 through the influence of Professor H. E. Hammond. Beginning with 1873, the principals have been: A. E. Swisher, 1873-'74; Joseph Bookwalter, 1874–'78; J. M. Paul, 1878–'82; D. K. Bond, 1882–'83; L. Derby, 1883–'84; H. E. Hammond, 1884–'87. For the year 1886–'87, the directors are: N. Beiter, E. M. Betzer, John K. Deal, C. S. Whitman, A. E. Smith and H. E. Russell. Officers: N. Beiter, President; L. A. Pohlmann, Secretary; W. L. Culbertson, Treasurer. Instructors: High school, H. E. Hammond; higher grammar, Jennie Colclo; lower grammar, Mrs. C. M. Ford; intermediate, Flora Colclo; second primary, Cora Reynolds; first primary, Jennie Niswonger; south intermediate, Nettie Morrisey; south primary, Mabel Staak.

CHURCHES.

      A Congregational Society was formed in 1871, and incorporated in 1872. During that year and 1873 a church was built at a cost of $2,300. A $250 organ bad been promised to the first society that should build, and was thus secured by the Congregationalists. Rev. J. W. Pickett was the organizer and first pastor. Revs. Porter, Palmer and others afterward preached. Services were held most of the time for six years, and the organization then disbanded in March, 1878.

     Presbyterian Church.—Rev. George R. Carroll organized the Presbyterian church at this place August 28, 1870, with five members—L. McCurdy and wife, W. II. Tibbils and wife, and Mrs. Kelsey. A brick church was built in 1875, which was destroyed by the memorable fire of 1879. The present church was built on the same site in 1880 at a cost of $4,500. It is 30 x 55 feet in size, and will seat 350. Among time early pastors of this church were Revs. J. M. Phillips, W. W. Thorp, J. S. Denning and W. A. Ward. Rev. T. S. Bailey was here four years, resigning to accept the position of Synodical Missionary of the State. Rev. E. B. Linn came in April, 1883, and is the present pastor. The elders of the church are: George Maze, H. C. Baird, A. J. Baird and J. E. Griffith; Trustees, A. W. Patterson, N. F. Sturgis, Fred Hutchinson, R. D. Backus and D. G. Martin. The Sunday-school has about 100 pupils, in charge of N. F. Backus.

     Methodist Episcopal Church.—The Methodist church was built in 1873 at a cost of $3,500. The pastors, with years of service, have been: Rev. Vail, 1874–'75; Rev. J. C. Echles, 1875–'78; Rev. Chambers, 1878–'79; Rev. A. J. Smith, 1879–'80; Rev. Samuel Jones, 1880–'83; Rev. E. M. Holmes, 1883– '85; Rev. James Lisle, 1885–'86; Rev. W. M. Welch, 1886–'87. The membership of the church is not far from fifty. The officers are: Trustees, H. W. Macomber, J. Thompson, William Oldham, J. Offenbach and F. M. Howard; Stewards, F. R. Peck, William Oldham, J. Offenbach, Mrs. Flora Hoff and Mrs. Ida Chappell; Recording Steward, F. M. Howard. The Sunday-school has an average attendance of sixty-five. F. M. Howard is superintendent.

     St. Joseph's Catholic Church.—Twelve years ago there were thirty families belonging to the Catholic church in Carroll and vicinity. Father Pape, came to this place in 1874, and built a frame church, 24x36, in the southwest part of town. He remained four years, and in 1876 built the present church. It is 64x40 feet in size, will seat 300, and cost $5,000. The membership rapidly grew, and at one time there were 300 families in attendance. The church was overcrowded, and so in 1885 was built a large brick church, as described below, for those desiring a German parish. The Germans comprised by far the greater number, so that, nearly all of them withdrawing, the number of families now belonging to St. Joseph's is but about fifty. Father Urbany was in charge from 1878 to 1884, and since the latter date Father P. J. O'Connor has resided here. Under his ministrations the church is prosperous and harmonious. The two-story building south of the church has a parochial school in the lower story, while the upper story forms a hall, which has various uses. In it are held debates, musical gatherings for practice of church and other music, and social meetings, while the Ladies' Sodality and Men's Sodality, each with some fifty members, meet here regularly. The school has had during the autumn (1886) fifty-six pupils, taught by the Franciscan Sisters of the Perpetual Adoration. These reside in a convent on the adjoining block south. Three of them are attached to St. Joseph's parish—one teaching the parochial school, one performing the duties of organist and also teaching music, and the third acting as sacristan. The convent is a three-story brick, and cost $6,000. The church, with the school to the south and the priests' residence on the north, occupy half a block and are worth not less than $10,000. The parish also has a ten-acre cemetery nearly adjoining the city cemetery.

     Church of Sts. Peter and Paul.—As above stated, the want became apparent for an exclusively German parish, and beginning in September, 1885, William Arts and others built a church and parsonage of brick, on a scale very creditable to the members of the parish. The church is on the block just south of that occupied by the convent, and cost $23,000. It is 125x56 feet, and has a spire 125 feet high. Its capacity is 1,000, but is taxed every Sunday. Services have been held since May 1, 1886, when Father Fendrich came to reside here. The church is not yet dedicated, because not yet out of debt, but the financial obligations are all in favor of the church's own members. It is proposed to build in 1887 a two-story school building, at a cost of between $4,000 and $5,000. At present the parochial school is in two divisions, one meeting in the sacristy, and the other in a room at the convent. Connected with the church are ladies' and men's societies, organized for benevolent purposes, and also the support of the church.

     The Baptist Church was organized in 1878, with nine members. Rev. E. B. Porter was the first pastor, remaining but a few months, as also did his successor, Rev. Edwin Hatfield. Rev. J. E. Sanders came next, and filled the pulpit for two years. Rev. T. S. Bovell was here an equal length of time. Rev. Brown was then employed for a short time. Rev. J. S. Norvell was here for six months during 1886, and in December of the same year Rev. T. N. Hazen began his labors at Carroll. The membership of the church is now forty-five. Deacons, Alexander Dunphy, J. J. Nichols and G. N. Doud; Trustees, J. J. Nichols, H. S. Fisher and Alexander Dunphy. H. S. Fisher is clerk, and also superintendent of the Sunday-school, the attendance at which is about fifty.

     The Evangelical Association was organized in 1882, with about twenty-five members, the same number as at present, and soon after a church and parsonage were built, at an expenditure of $2,000. The first pastor, Rev. H. Hiebenthal, remained three years; the second, Rev. F. A. Fraser, one year. Rev. William Schmalle is the present minister. F. Kasdorf is superintendent of the Sunday-school, which some twenty-five pupils regularly attend.

     The German Lutheran Church has been organized four years, but has as yet no house of worship. The society now uses the south side school-house, where Rev. C. H. Fred. Hermann, of Arcadia, preaches twice a month. Rev. J. H. Meinecke was the first pastor. The membership of the church is about fifty. Charles Brown and August Boehme are the directors.

     The Protestant Episcopal Church of Carroll dates only from 1884, though a Sunday-school was formed as early as 1882. There were at first six members, and the number is now ten. In the summer of 1886 a church was completed, at the corner of Ninth and Adams streets, at a cost of $1,500. The bishop is to dedicate the edifice on the 9th of January, 1887. Rev. Peter Fox, the first rector of the church, began his duties here in September, 1886.

SOCIETIES.

      Signet Lodge, No. 264, A. F. & A. M., was organized at Carroll, July 27, 1869, and chartered June 6, 1870. It has now eighty members, and meets the third Wednesday of each month. The officers in 1886 are: Frank M. Howard, Worshipful Master; James Thompson, Senior Warden; Craton C. Colclo, Junior Warden; Louis T. Anderson, Treasurer; Harry H. Nolin, Secretary. Carroll Lodge, No. 274, I. 0. 0. F., was organized in 1868. It has now forty-five members, and meets every Tuesday evening. Sanford Hart is the Noble Grand; Barney Brown, Vice-Grand; H. E. Hammond, Secretary, and R. E. Coburn, Treasurer. The Masons and Odd Fellows together own a $6,000 two-story brick building on the north side of Fifth street, using the upper story as a hall, and renting out the lower story for a dry goods and grocery store.

     Carroll Lodge, No. 198, A. O. U. W., was organized in July, 1879, with twenty-nine members. It has now a membership of but nine. Its regular time of meeting is Friday night. The officers at this writing are: James Thompson, Master Workman; C. L. Bailey, Recorder; James Thompson, Financier; John Nockels, Receiver; N. Beiter, Inside Warden; H. S. Fisher, Outside Warden.

     Collegium, No. 76, V. A. S., was organized in 1881, with fourteen members, which number is now increased to twenty. Its regular time of meeting is the first Monday evening of each month. J. N. Powers is Rector; H. S. Fisher, Scribe; George R. Cloud, Vice-Rector; H. T. Myers, Treasurer and Medical Examiner.

     Division No. 1, A. O. H., was formed at Carroll March 17, 1886, with twenty members, and now has seven more. It meets the first Sunday of each month, at the Catholic school-house. James O'Herron is County Delegate; P. M. Guthrie, President; Charles Hamilton, Vice-President; Thomas Rohan, Recording Secretary; John Bowler, Treasurer; Rev. P. J. O'Connor, Chaplain.

     Jeff. C. Davis Post, No. 44, G. A. R., was mustered the 23d day of June, 1881, by Comrade A. Cully, Mustering Officer for the Department of Iowa, Grand Army of the Republic. Officers at the time of muster: John B. Cooke, Commander; F. M. Mead, Senior Vice-Commander; D. A. Cudworth, Junior Vice-Commander; W. L. Culbertson, Quartermaster; J. W. Hatton, Surgeon; T. S. Bailey, Chaplain; J. H. Lowrey, Officer of the Day; L. Putzel, Officer of the Guard; William Lynch, Jr., Adjutant; M. D. Daily, Quartermaster-Sergeant; William H. H. Ranger, Sergeant-Major. Commanders elected and served from time of organization to the present time are as follows: Comrades D. A. Cudworth, C. L. Bailey, W. L. Culbertson, August Staak and William Louther. Officers for 1887: William Louther, Commander; Sam Todd, Senior Vice-Commander; John Supplee, Junior Vice-Commander; Hud. Stewart, Surgeon; Ben. Woodward, Chaplain; E. A. Cudworth, Quartermaster; John Ray, Officer of the Day; Peter Young, Officer of the Guard. There have been three deaths in the post since its organization, calling away three active comrades, Dr. J. M. Patty, J. E. Jones and A. R. Beall. The post meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month from the first of October to the first of April of each year, and on the second Thursday of each month the remainder of the year.

     A. R. Beall Camp, No. 82, S. of V., was organized May 22, 1886, with twenty-two members. There are now twenty-five, and meetings are held the first and third Fridays of each month. The present officers are: H. H. Nolen, Colonel; William Schmidt, First Lieutenant; John Schmidt, Second Lieutenant; P. B. Brown, Chaplain; Charles Bassarear, Orderly Sergeant; John Messersmith, S. G.; Frank Sprague, Corporal of the Guard; William Staak, C. G.; Willis Getty, P. G.; George Lynch, C. B.

     Local Assembly No. 6,554, K. of L., was formed April 19, 1886, with thirty-three members. There are now not far from one hundred members, and meetings are held every Monday evening. The officers are: H. Parker, Master Workman; H. Ranger, W. F.; B. Hart, V. S.; Eli Brown, W. I.; Richard Conway, U. K.; J. R. Roberts, Recording Secretary; C. W. Adams, Financial Secretary; S. E. Micam, Treasurer.

     Company E, First Regiment, was organized March 24, 1884, and George R. Cloud was its first Captain. The present officers are: Captain, George R. Cloud; First Lieutenant, Ira M. Gilley; Second Lieutenant, R. E. Coburn. The company has now just fifty members. It meets every week for drill, and once each year attends an encampment of the brigade.

     Other Organizations.—Among other attractions the Schutzen-verein shooting club have fifteen acres enclosed and a fine park started in the southwest part of town, where regular meetings are held once a month. Another feature is a commodious dancing hall and refreshment room. It numbers a membership at present of about fifty.

     The German Verein, a literary, dramatic and singing society, having a choice library and departments for each branch of amusement or instruction, is another thing worthy of particular mention. It is increasing in membership rapidly.

     The German cornet band, with silver instruments—one of the finest bands in the State—also the band stand in the public square, erected at a cost to the citizens here of $275, must not be overlooked. Connected with the churches are also several benevolent and religious societies.