TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE: Some of the language contained in these news articles are not considered to be politically correct by today's standards. They have, however, been transcribed as they appeared in 1953.

  [Section 3, Page 2] Oxen provided the chief means of transportation for the pioneers in the Mason City area.

[Section 3, Page 2] Mason City was only a buffalo path on the prairie in 1853 when the first cabin was built here.

That's the description given by Anson C. Owen, who brought his family to Cerro Gordo County that same year. He settled in a group of trees that became known as Owen's Grove. It was from him that Owen Township was named. His son, Mark Owen, 97, still lives in Mason City. Mrs. Carl [Bess Larinda (Owen)] Grupp is his granddaughter.

NOTE: Anson C. Owen was born January 14, 1810, Tompkins Co., NY, and died February 2, 1892. Anson married in 1840 to Lorinda (Thomas) Owen, was born December 26, 1823, Sullivan NY, and died July 4, 1918, Mason City. They were interred at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery.

Marcus "Mark" Owen was born at Owen's Grove in 1855, and died in 1956 with interment at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. His wife Eva L. was born in 1866 and died in 1932.

Bess Larinda (Owen) Grupp was born in 1892 and died in 1958. Carl Grupp was born in 1892, Germany, and died in 1963. They were interred at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. Carl was a prominent grocer in Mason City and served as Mayor of Mason City 1943-44.

The year, 1853, was a significant one, not only for Mason City, but in world events. It saw Comdr. Mathew C. Perry arriving in Japan "opening" that long shut-off nation to American ships and trade. That year also saw the opening of the World's Fair in the just completed Crystal Palace at New York.

That year has another significance for it marked the start of the Klipto Loose Leaf Company of Mason City at Le Mars, Iowa, under the name of G. H. Ragsdale, the name changing later to Ragsdale and Chassel, then to Ragsdale, Chassel and Ferguson and later to the Le Mars Printing Company.

In 1908 the company business was moved to Mason City and in July, 1923, it was merged with the Klipto Loose Leaf Company of San Francisco, Calif.

It was also a significant year in that it saw the founding of the town of St. Ansgar and the beginning of the Norwegian Lutheran Church in this area. St. Ansgar became the center for this church body in North Central Iowa, where there are now close to 100 congregations.

It was the Rev. Claus L. Clausen, who provided the leadership for this religious center, from which sprang up scores of surrounding Lutheran congregations, including Trinity Church in Mason City.

Typical of families who moved into the uncharted prairie in those days the Owens came by ox team from Rockford, Ill, the community that provided a number of the early settlers.

On time on the long trip the wagon tipped over in a slough at Independence and there they had to camp for the night. No wood was to be found on the treeless prairie and rosin weed was gathered for the fire that cooked the supper and breakfast for the travelers. All that night they were kept awake by prowling wolves threatening destruction of their sheep.

At first the family lived in tents as no time could be taken for building a home. It was necessary to get the land broken and corn and other crops in the ground.

When Mr. Owen returned to Illinois for more supplies, Mrs. Owen sat in the front door with a rifle across her knees to keep the wolves away. The nearest neighbor was 10 miles away.

At their Owen's Grove home south of Mason City, Mr. and Mrs. Owen were host to four families during the Civil War. The husbands had been called to war and as there was little money in the community the more prosperous of the settlers assisted in providing for wives and children.

In 1864 Owen sold his farm in Owen Township and bought a farm a mile and a half north of Mason City in Lime Creek Township, land which later was acquired by the Northwestern States Portland Cement Company.

In 1869 the Owens moved to Mason City, where the lived in a house that stood across the street to the south from the Cerro Gordo Hotel. Mr. Owen became Mason City's first uniformed policeman [town marshal]. He died in 1882 (sic, 1892 on his gravestone).

  [Section 3, Page 2] While the first cabin was being built in Mason City, the Rev. Claus L. Clausen organized the Lutheran Church at neighboring St. Ansgar, which became the center for the rapid growth of that church body among thousands of Norse descent who settled in this area.

[Section 3, Page 2] A new political party was born at Ripon, Wis., March 20, 1854. Leaders of the old Whig party took a new lease on their political life that day and remained (sic, renamed) the organization "the Republican party."

The news of the new party, if it reached the few settlers in Mason City and vicinity weeks later, could have paid scant attention to it. They had ample problems of their own. Besides, most of them were Democrats.

That year saw the outbreak of trouble with a number of Indians who still remained in the vicinity, although their land had been ceded to the white man.

That year also saw the first filing for land in Cerro Gordo County, an event, which took place at Des Moines Sept. 4.

The pioneers, some of whom walked to Des Moines, banded themselves into groups to protect themselves in bidding for the land on which they had built their cabins. Any bids above the minimum of $1.25 an acre by others was frowned upon by the settlers, but also by the land agents.

Although John L. McMillin, builder of the first cabin, and his associates were interested in establishing a town or trading center, families were flocking in eager to get land for farming.

[Section 3, Page 2] The morning of Dec. 1, 1855, gave no indication that it was heralding a day of suffering, disaster and death to be remembered for years and decades afterwards. The sky was blue and cloudless.

By 10 the wind began to rise and by 11:30 the sky was overcast, while the wind increased. Snow started to fall and by 2 p.m. it was coming down fast. By 3 p.m. things were looking serious and an hour later the fury of a great blizzard, the dread of the early settlers, was upon the community.

In many cases people had to tunnel through the snow to get from their homes, to reach their barns, pig pens and hen houses. In many instances livestock was found buried in the snow on the leeward side of straw stacks. Much of the livestock was frozen to death.

But the great loss was in human life. Two residents of Forest City, Alexander Long and his companion, Meyers, perished in that storm in this county. The two had started for Upper Grove, Hancock County, a distance of 27 miles. Searching parties found the overturned sled near Clear Lake. The bodies were found later. The horses were found weeks later many miles to the south, frozen to death.

John Van Aiken, a farmer driving a team of horses with a sled perished in Grant Township. Others suffered a similar fate.

On Dec. 22, 1855, came another storm under similar circumstances. A. J. Abbott and Charles Wicks of Portland Township went with three yoke of oxen to what is now Geneseo Township to get some wood. While they were in the timber a violent storm came up. They headed for home.

The men finally abandoned their cattle and started out on foot, but both perished, Wicks becoming exhausted first after which Abbott plodded on alone, only to be overcome by the storm.

Despite storms and tragedies, 1855 had been an important year for Mason City and Cerro Gordo County. That year saw the first election held here.

Early in the spring of 1855 the territory now comprising Cerro Gordo County was attached to Floyd County as a Township for judicial purposes. A township election was held and in August steps were completed for organization of the county.

[Section 3, Page 10] The first marriage ceremony performed in Mason City was in 1855 when John B. Long, county judge, united Abigail Gardner and William Willson in marriage. Long had been but recently elected to the office.

[Section 3, Page 4] One of the early physicians and druggists in Mason City was Dr. Shorland Harris. His drug store stood on the north 22 feet of the present First National Bank Building.

Born in England [July 22] 1829, Dr. Harris got his medical training in Europe and was in the medical corps during the Crimean War, serving both as physician and linguist as he could speak most of the European languages.

Dr. Harris came to America in 1853 and practiced in New York, Canada and Chicago before coming to Mason City in 1869. In 1872 he was married to Emily Russell. Their son, LeRoy Harris is a present resident of Mason City.

NOTE: Dr. Harris died in 1907. Emily (Russell) Harris was born in 1847, and died in 1933. Their son, LeRoy "Roy" Vivian Harris, was born in 1877, and died in 1978. Roy's wife Edna S. was born in 1889, and died in 1975. They were interred at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City.

[Section 3, Page 4] In 1856 the scattered settlers in Mason City and the surrounding area got their first information that a railroad would some day be built from the Mississippi to this community.

Excitement spread over the prairie when the news came that a survey was being made by the McGregor St. Paul & Missouri Railway. Many enthusiastic settlers purchased stock in the railroad some of them to the extent of losing their farms.

Railroads meant everything to a community, much more in those days than now. From scattered reports the residents here watched the progress of a battle going on in Davenport between the railroads and the river interests, a fight that was to bring to Iowa for an important trial a lawyer named Abraham Lincoln.

A railroad bridge had just been constructed over the river. It had been build so that a large span opened up to let boats through, but this curtsying to another carrier was objectionable to the steamboat men's pride.

On May 6, just 14 days after the crossing of the first train, the steamboat "Effie Afton" rammed into the bridge and destroyed part of it. All the boats on the river set up a joyful hullabaloo of whistles and bells. An enemy had been wounded even though the "Effie Afton" sank to the bottom.

The owners of the "Effie Afton" brought suit against the railroads. The railroads, in search for a man popular with the people, chose Abraham Lincoln to defend their case.

Despite Lincoln's able defense, the jury disagreed and the cast was not settled. Later the courts held that railroads were not an obstruction to progress and could build bridges over streams.

[Section 3, Page 4] Economic troubles developed over the nation in 1857 and came to be felt severely in Mason City. That was the year the county seat was moved for a brief period to Livonia, immediately east of Clear Lake.

In 1857 a constitutional convention was held in Iowa City and a new constitution adopted for that state, which has since remained the basic law. Mason City's representative at this constitutional convention was G. W. Henderson, uncle of Mrs. Willis G. C. Bagley, who was identified with several early enterprises in Mason City.

This was the year also when there took place the most tragic event in the early history of North Iowa, the Spirit lake Indian massacre. Chief Inkpadtah and his band of Sioux attacked the settlers on the bank of the lake, killed the family, which gave them the food they demanded and massacred most of the settlement, continuing on their fiendish spree for six days and killing 40 persons.

Abigail Gardner, then a child of 14, was dragged along as a captive, but lived to reach civilization again.

That year North Iowa became increasingly conscious of the slavery question that was soon to divide the nation. John Brown, who later was to make a foolhardy attack on Harper's Ferry, had established station in Iowa for his "Underground Railroad," which allowed Negro slaves from Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska to escape to the North and freedom.

It was in Springdale, Iowa, in November, 1857, that Brown organized a corps of fighting men on the farm of William Maxson, a Quaker.

The result was that Iowa provided more men for the raid on Harper's Ferry, which took place Oct. 16, 1859, than any other state. Of the 17 men who enlisted in this "forlorn hope" six were Iowa citizens.

It was in Iowa that Brown collected the arms and ammunition which were shipped from West Liberty as "carpenter tools" by John H. Painter to a point near Harper's Ferry. It was an Iowa governor who saved from the gallows Barclay Coopac, the Iowa Quaker lad who escaped from the defeat and made his way home.

Brown and his followers seized a national arsenal at Harper's Ferry, believing that the result would be the immediate rising of slaves. But no such response developed and United States troops under Robert E. Lee, later to become the Confederate general, regained possession of the arsenal and took as prisoners Brown and those of his followers who had not fled.

[Section 3, Page 4] The early settlers almost always traveled on land but there were times when they went by water.

In June, 1858, rainfall came daily for a week with the result that all streams were overflowing their banks.

At that time Elisha Randall, Charles Huntley, who was treasurer and recorder of the county, and County Judge J. S. Church, wanted to go to Waterloo on important legal business.

With few bridges over the streams they decided it was impossible to travel by land. They procured a flat boat made of boards and pitched to prevent leakage. This they launched in the Winnebago River, going from there to the Shell Rock River, then into the Cedar River until they reached Waterloo, safe and partly dry.

The records do not show how the return journey was made.

[Section 3, Page 4] G. W. Henderson, uncle of Mrs. W. G. C. Bagley, who came to Mason city in 1855 from Illinois, is credited with having played a leading role in getting the Milwaukee Railroad built to this community in 1865.

Henderson recalled later that while he was on the last lap of his first journey to Mason city he had a horse race with another driver from Owens Grove. The town then had several small cabins and one frame building, that of I. W. Card on the present site of the First National Bank.

Henderson returned to Illinois the winter of 1856-57 and upon coming back to Mason City the following spring was elected delegate to the state Republican convention at Iowa City, then the capital of the state.

The struggle to get the first railroad built across North Iowa was one that required excellent leadership. Henderson was among those leaders.

[Section 3, Page 6] In the spring of 1859, when Mason City was but six years old and the entire county had a population of only 855, a group of Mason living in the community decided to organize a Masonic Lodge.

The story of the organization and growth of this lodge is ably presented in an 80 page book written by Remley J. Glass.

The group that organized the lodge included the men who laid out the town and who named it after their order. Leadership in the movement was taken by William C. Stanbery, grandfather of Ralph S. Stanbery, who was named worshipful master of the new Benevolence Lodge. Other officers were: J. C. Cowles, senior warden; Calvin Snow, treasurer; R. Hickling, secretary; L. D. McGowan, senior deacon; T. M. Gilbert, junior deacon; and E. Hiege, tyler.

The first meetings were held in the loft over the trading post of John J. McMillin, himself a member of the lodge. Other members included H. G. Parker, father of C. A. Parker, Thomas Parrott, M. Tuttle, M. B. Rosemont and P. R. Wood. Granting of the charter took place June 6, 1860.

Stanbery, the organizer and charter master of the lodge, was born in [Waynesburg] Ohio [June 29] 1824. When he came to Vinton, Iowa, in 1851 he already had a medical degree. In 1858 he and his family moved to Clear Lake and a year later he located in Mason City. In 1859 he was admitted to the practice of law by Judge Samuel Murdock.

He was a leading figure in the community until he died [April 21] 1874 at the age of 49 years. His son, John S. Stanbery, was for many years secretary of the lodge and his grandson, Ralph S. Stanbery, was master of the lodge 70 years after its establishment.

A number of members of the lodge served in the Civil War. On the night of Aug. 24, 1862, the lodge initiated L. R. Warner and C. W. Tobin who were entering the service immediately. When the news of the assassination of President Lincoln came the lodge met as a Lodge of Sorrow to adopt appropriate resolutions.

In the years following the Civil War the lodge met in rented halls in the old Howe building on the present site of Younkers and Lloyd and Tuttle hall and Hoxie building on the Montgomery Ward building site.

Benevolence Lodge and other Masonic bodies organized a Masonic Building Company in 1894 with Judge J. C. Sherwin as president; I. R. Kirk, vice president; Howard Ogden, secretary; and Richard Smith, treasurer, who with J. C. Knudsen, James Rule, H. P. Kirk, O. T. Denison and G. S. Thompson constituted the board of directors.

The Masonic Building Company erected the present temple on 2nd and South Federal on property acquired from Ann Maria Hoxie and husband and John Nancolis for $3,500. On Feb. 26, 1895, the dedication of the temple was conducted by the Grand Lodge of Iowa. The building was erected a at cost of $9,500.

The only meeting of the Grand Lodge of Iowa held in Mason City was in June, 1899, with approximately 1,000 officers and delegates present.

During both the World Wars the lodge experienced a large influx of new members. Emergent communications were held to confer degrees upon men before they left for the service. Dues of men in the service were remitted.

Among members of the lodge who became prominent in the grand lodge is W. A. Westfall, who was elected grand master in 1919. At a meeting of the lodge in 1952 he received his 50 year certificate in recognition of his years in service.

In 1930 Ralph S. Stanbery, grandson of the original master of the lodge, was installed as master of Benevolence. At that time the lodge had completed 70 years of Masonic service. It marked the climax of three generations of Stanberys in the lodge.

When the lodge celebrates its 100th anniversary in 1959, it is likely to have as worshipful master a fourth generation of the Stanbery family, Gilbert K. Bovard. Bovard was installed as junior steward in January. It takes seven years to work up to worshipful master.

[Section 3, Page 6] Mason City had [a] July 4 celebration in 1856, three years after the first cabin was built. A 30-foot pole was raised in Central Park on the spot where the Civil War monument now stands and as the flag was unfurled a shout went up from the group gathered for the celebration.

The actual celebration took place at Trap Grove, in what is now Wildwood.

People came from all directions in lumber wagons, ox teams and some on horseback. Atty. L. W. Card was the speaker of the day. Dr. Huntley read a prayer from the Episcopal Prayer Book and a woman sang "Star Spangled Banner." A picnic dinner was then served.

[Section 3, Page 6] Mason City was without a newspaper in 1860. Datus Coon, who had established the town's first newspaper in 1856, moved on to Hancock County the following year and it wasn't until 1861 that J. H. Ayleworth started the Cerro Gordo Republican.

But despite this lack of a local news medium, Mason Cityans that spring learned of a new means of communication that linked far off California with the East. This was the Pony Express.

At 5 p. m. on April 3, 1860, a spry little horse and his eager rider shot out of St. Joseph, Mo., racing at full gallop toward the West.

At exactly that same moment in Sacramento, Calif. - 1,900 miles away - another horse and rider tore down the road toward the darkening East.

This moment signaled the start of a brief but glamorous episode in the history of American communications, the first pony express service from California to Missouri.

At that time Mason City's communications with the outside world was by horse to the nearest railroad at Cedar Falls and later to Waverly. The story of the new rapid communication to California was a stirring event, even to the remote prairie town.

The Pony Express used 80 riders, 190 stations, 420 fast horses, changed every 10 miles and guarded against Indian raids.

Eleven days after the first rider left on this history making run, dusty packets were delivered to their destination in Sacramento or St. Joseph. Before that it had taken 21 days for "fast" California news to reach the East.

Now California, with all its stirring news of gold mines and development, was just "10 days away."

But even as the Pony Express was linking the East and West until the building of the railroad a decade later, news reports came to Mason City of the growing split between the North and the South.

Later in the year came the nomination of Abraham Lincoln by the Chicago Republican convention and his subsequent election in the fall, with all the momentous events that this portended.

[Section 3, Page 6] The land on which the Elmwood Cemetery is now situated was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Dexter, who came to Mason City at the close of the Civil War. The purchase involved an 80-acre tract. The Dexters also purchased the lot on which the K. of C. building stands at 2nd and S. Federal. The lot extended south to Willow Creek. The consideration was $60.

[Section 3, Page 8] A note written by President Abraham Lincoln in 1861, naming Thomas Drummond, Mason City's first attorney, as lieutenant colonel of the 4th Iowa Cavalry, has recently come into the possession of the state historical society.

Drummond, credited with being the first lawyer to located in Cerro Gordo County, came to Mason City from Vinton in 1855 with Amos B. Miller, with whom he went into partnership in law and real estate.

Records show the first real estate transaction recorded here was the sale of north half of the block facing Federal east of Central Park by John B. Long and Anna Long to Thomas Drummond and Amos B. Miller for $100 on Dec. 13, 1855.

The deed acknowledged before Judge J. S. Church, brother of Mrs. Mary Emsley Adams, prominent business woman and banker in Mason City.

On Dec. 25, 1858, Drummond, having by that time returned to Vinton to make his home, deeded his half of the property to Miller for $800.

Both Miller and Drummond lost their lives in the Civil War. Miller was among a number of Mason Cityans who were casualties at the battle of Pleasant Hill, La.

Drummond had a more dramatic role in the war. Lincoln wrote a note Dec. 14, 1861, approving his appointment as lieutenant colonel of the 4th Iowa Cavalry, a volunteer regiment of the Civil War.

Got School for Blind

Drummond had by then become editor of the Vinton Eagle and had served in the Iowa state Senate, where he pushed through a bill establishing the state school for the blind at Vinton. He was killed at the Battle of Five Forks, Va., April 1, 1865, near the close of the war.

The Lincoln note said:

"Thomas Drummond, Lieut. in the 5th Cavalry, was appointed last April from Civil life and without military education. The Governor of Iowa now wishes to appoint him Lieut. Col, of a Regiment of volunteers. Senator Harlan wishes it done, and if the Sec. of War and Adj. General deem it admissible, consistently with the public service, let it be done. A. Lincoln."

The Lincoln writing was on the back of a letter of recommendation in Drummond's behalf, signed by A. B. Miller, registrar of the Iowa state land office; J. W. Jones, state treasurer; and J. W. Cattell, auditor of state.

NOTE: The plaque located in the lobby of the Old Main at the Iowa School for the Blind, Vinton IA, in honor of Capt. Thomas Drummond states:

"CAPTAIN THOMAS DRUMMOND
Fifth Cavalry U.S. Army
Born in Brooks Co. Virginia, May 9, 1832
Edited the Vinton Eagle 1857-60
Member Iowa House of Representatives 1858
State Senator 1860
He secured the establishment of this College
Wounded at the Battle of Five Forks
April 1, 1865
And Died the Following Day."

Capt. Drummond's body was returned to Wheeling, West Virginia [the first capital of that state], and he laid in state at the Senate Chamber. He was buried next to his mother at The Methodist Cemetery, Saint Clairsville OH. The Drummond Post No. 203 at St. Clairsville was named in his honor.

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GROWTH of MAIL SHOWS PROGRESS of MASON CITY

[Section 3, Page 6] The growth of the Mason City postoffice from a set of boxes the size of a window sash to which the mail, a few letters in a saddle bag, was brought overland, to its present structure with its variety of departments, large number of employes (sic) and tons of mail rolling in from all directions is one of scores of developments that tell the story of Mason City's growth.

In the days before the coming of the first railroad in 1869 the late B. M. Waughtal, veteran mail carrier, once recalled, contained only 73 boxes. The case of letters was but a set of pigeon holes from which the man vested with the postmastership drew out the letters and handed them to customers across a little counter. The nearest railroad station was Calmar, to which point the westward moving Milwaukee had been built.

Waughtal came to Mason City when 8 years old with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. B. Waughtal, from Excelsus, Wis. His father's blacksmith tools were shipped to Calmar and the young Waughtal remembered going with his father to get them.

Waughtal recalled that land was cheap in those days. The south half of what is now the B and O addition was offered for $5 an acre.

NOTE: Bashford M. Waughtal was born in 1858, and died in 1934. Samuel Baugh Waughtal was born January 5, 1834, Smithfield, Illinois, and died in Mason City September 25, 1897. Samuel's wife, Sarah Ann (Couey) Waughtal, was born January 10, 1839, Randoph, Iowa, and died in Mason City February 1, 1914. They were interred at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City.

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WOLVES and DEER HERE in EARLY DAYS

[Section 3, Page 6] "The Iowa blizzards in the early history were something to be remembered. They would last three and four days, coming with such terrific winds one wouldn't dare venture out from the house to the barn without a rope attached from one to the other to follow."

This was the description written by Stephen Parker, one of the pioneer settlers who came to Mason City with his parents, Mrs. and Mrs. Levi Parker, from Lake County, Ill., in 1859, driving over the prairie in a wagon drawn by oxen. The family located on a farm five miles north of Mason City. Farming was done with ox teams and grain harvested with scythe and cradle.

"The country was full of prairie wolves and deer," he wrote. "I captured 21 wolves one winter. Rattlesnakes were one of the pests of the country. Indians were frequent callers, always begging for bread or meat.

"We had to haul our produce to Austin and Charles City."

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1862: PRIEST SETTLES LABOR RIOT

[Section 3, Page 6] How a priest in the Mississippi River town of McGregor, Iowa, armed with a whip and without the aid of police or the military, settled a labor riot to the satisfaction of both labor and management is a story published in the Annals of Iowa, Iowa State Historical Society publication.

This event was one of a number of dramatic scenes that were a part of the struggle to build a railroad from McGregor westward to Mason City and beyond.

The story deals with the hectic days of the last 50's when Mason City already was dreaming and hoping a railroad would be built from the east. When the railroad had been constructed across Wisconsin to Prairie du Chein, a group of Iowa citizens with a promoter complex risked and lost their money and the money of others in a desperate attempt to push the railroad up through the Mississippi River hills into North Iowa.

New Company Formed

After several failures, in the summer of 1861, a new company known as the Northern Iowa Railroad Company was organized and John Thompson, president, set up an office in McGregor. Considerable capital had been subscribed and contracts had been let for the first 20 miles.

"Work progressed rapidly through the summer," the article recalls, "and contractors promised a locomotive would be in Monona (nearest Iowa town to McGregor) in January, 1862.

"But a contractor fled with the funds which should have been paid the gangs of immigrant labor, who were encamped in a valley beside the right of way, a few miles west of McGregor. After several days of idleness, the laborers, fearful that no pay was coming, mobbed the company stores, and carried away groceries, dry goods, bedding, etc."

Then they started down the river road, where they suspected Thompson could be found at McGregor. He was in McGregor at the time trying to negotiate a loan at a bank to tide over the emergency. The railroad company office was over the bank. The mob gathered outside the building, threatening with waving picks, pitchforks, and rocks they carried to break in. Cries of "lynch him" were heard.

Citizens Alarmed

McGregor citizens were thoroughly alarmed, and a messenger was sent riding at a gallop to beg the help of Father Nagle, priest of the McGregor Catholic Church. He was a forceful character, handsome, more than 6 feet tall, and of commanding presence. The rider found him at the bedside of a sick parishioner, several miles out of town.

Seizing an ox goad, the priest mounted his horse and raced to McGregor. Down the street through the mob he made his way, lashing right and left with the whip and shouting, "Go home, Mike. Go home, Pat."

The mob was cowed, and ready to listen to the priest when he reasoned with them.

After the rioters had been quieted, Thompson stepped out onto the balcony above the bank, and promised immediate payment of wages. The bank had furnished the money on his personal note. The mob disbanded. One or two of the leaders, who feared maybe the law might decide they had gone too far, enlisted in the Civil War.

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BUILT BRICK PLANT

 

 [Section 3, Page 6] Charles Leroy Smith came to Mason City in 1900 and became prominent in organizing the American Brick and Tile Company here. Plant No. 1 was built immediately after Smith's arrival and plant No. 7 was added in 1907. Later the plants became a part of the Mason City Brick and Tile Company.

 

 

 

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1863: LINCOLN CALL FOR MEN MET IN COUNTY

[Section 3, Page 10] "We must either choose for ourselves or Uncle Sam will choose for us," wrote the editor of the Republican here in the issue of Nov. 28, 1863, after receiving word of President Lincoln's call for more men in the armed forces.

Cerro Gordo County's quota was 15 and that of Worth County, 10. A Mason City attorney, J. S. Church, was chosen as the recruiting officer for the two counties.

"If the number is made up before Jan. 4 we escape the draft," continued the editor. "We hope there is yet patriotism enough to supply this small demand."

Pays Bounty

"The government bounty is $302, of which $60, in addition to the monthly pay, will be paid before leaving the general rendezvous, the balance to be paid in $40 installments on regular days."

The editor pointed out the enlistment period is for three years, but that if the war is over before all installments are paid, the remainder will be paid by the government.

Cerro Gordo County, however, was always ahead of its quota and never had to submit to a draft. In addition to inducements made by the government the board of supervisors provided pay for the soldier's family.

Lincoln Also Spoke

Nowhere in his paper, in this or other issues of that time, did the Republican editor have any new about Lincoln's Gettysburg address, delivered Nov. 19, 1863. Most newspapers over the country devoted most of their space to the two hour talk at Gettysburg by Edward Everett, stating that the President spoke a few words.

Few people anywhere seem to have paid much attention to Lincoln's immortal address. Recognition of its greatness was to come later. As far as is known Mason Cityans did not have an opportunity to read it in their own paper. Most of the national news in those days came part way by rail and remainder by horses from Chicago.

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1864: Pioneers Build "Little Brown Church"

[Section 3, Page 10] One of the heart warming stories of pioneer days, a story that spread across the land to the accompaniment of the song which came with it, was the building of the Little Brown Church at Bradford, near Nashua, in 1864.

The story had its origin in 1857 when William Pitt, a young man from Wisconsin, visited the New England settlement at Bradford. The beauty of the valley, the feeling of religious repose of the scene caused him to carry back to Wisconsin an idea that grew into a song about a dream church in this favorite spot.

Meanwhile, back in the village of Bradford, another young man, the Rev. J. K. Nutting, had the same dream, that of building a church in the same tree-shadowed grove where Pitt had envisioned it.

Donated Lot

Pastor Nutting had difficulty getting funds. The Civil War brought hardships. It became necessary for a cut in his salary and some parishioners were afraid he would leave.

"I will stay on one condition," the young minister said, "and that is that we start building a church immediately."

The young men had gone to war, but those left in the village fell to work. One donated the lot, the same grove that had inspired William Pitt. Another man gave logs, a third sawed them into lumber. A "bee" quarried the stone which Leander Smith, a Yankee stone mason, fitted into a foundation.

A friend of Pastor Nutting sent him a collection of money from his Sunday School in Pittsfield, Mass., and with this the young minister was able to buy the finishing lumber and have it hauled from McGregor.

At last the church was built. The pews were not in, but it was possible to hold services there. William Pitt with his song written, but still unsung to the world, was practicing medicine in the nearby village of Fredericksburg. He was also teaching music and in his class was the Bradford minister. Pitts promised to sing his song, "The Little Brown Church in the Vale," in the very spot that had inspired it.

From Long Distances

People came from long distances to this opening service. The congregation was seated on the rude slabs that served as benches. Then William Pitt rose in his hands the manuscript of the song that was to be known all over the world. In his clear, strong voice, he sang:

"There's a church in the valley by the wildwood,
No lovelier spot in the dale.
No spot is so dear to my childhood,
As the little brown church in the vale."

Now, nearly 90 years later, the little brown church still stands, dignified and simple in its leafy grove. The song, too, still lives for its wholesome beauty of woods and music. The church was dedicated in December, 1864, and a few months later the song was published to spread over the world.

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STEEL NAILS EXAMPLE OF SPRINT OF PROGRESS

[Section 3, Page 15] The breath-taking sprint of progress was just gathering momentum Nov. 22, 1864, according to the Mason City Express for that date:

"The New York Sun says a revolution is now in progress in the nail trade, which although it is working slowly, will entirely do away with the old iron nails, replacing them with steel. It is one of the out-growths of the Bessemer process for converting iron into steel."

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G.A.R. POST NAMED AFTER HIM

[Section 3, Page 11] One of the mementos left by the Grand Army of the Republic here is a large portrait of C. H. Huntley, reproduced at left. Huntley was one of a group of Cerro Gordo County boys who left with Company B of the 32nd Infantry to fight in the Civil War in 1862. He was named adjutant of the regiment and was among several Mason Cityans killed in the historic battle of Pleasant Hill, La., April 9, 1864, in which the 32nd was cut off from the remainder of the command.

Huntley left a young widow, Ella, daughter of Elisha Randall, who built Mason City's first saw mill. Because Huntley was the highest ranking soldier of those who died in the war, Mason City post of the G.A.R. was named the C. H. Huntley post.

NOTE: The C. H. Huntley Post No.42 G.A.R. monument is located in Central Park, Mason City.

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1865: THEY MARCH WITH GEN. SHERMAN TO THE SEA

[Section 3, Page 11] Several from Cerro Gordo County went with Gen. Sherman on his famous march to the sea, among them Capt. H. I. Smith.

The records show that 17 Iowa regiments were with the general on this expedition and members of another, the 5th Iowa, were released from a war prison at Columbia, S. C., by Sherman's army.

It was one of these prisoners, Maj. S. H. M. [Samuel Hawkins Marshall] Byers, who, upon hearing about Sherman,wrote the words of the poem, "Sherman's March to the Sea."

Later, when Lt. Tower of Ottumwa, was exchanged for a southern prisoner and allowed to go free, he carried away with him in a wooden leg, replacing one he lost in battle, letters and secret papers as well as a copy of the song, "Sherman's March to the Sea."

Marched to Sea

Meanwhile Sherman and his men had marched to the sea and presented Savannah, Ga., as a Christmas present to the North. From Savannah Sherman's victorious army marched northward through the Carolinas to meet Gen. Ulysses S. Grant who was pressing southward to Richmond.

On Thursday, Feb. 16, 1865, Sherman's men went into camp on the west bank of the Congaree River directly opposite Columbia, the capital of South Carolina.

Mason City's Edith Rule and W. J. Peterson, who heads the Iowa State Historical Society, in their book, "True Tales of Iowa," tell the story of the rivalry between two Iowa regiments in a race to place their flags over that city when it surrendered.

A Great Honor

The following morning the city was to surrender to Col. George Stone and this regiment, the 30th Iowa. But Maj. H. C. McArthur of the 13th Iowa heard Gen. Sherman say it would be a great honor to the men who first entered the city and unfurl the Stars and Stripes on the historic old state house.

Maj. McArthur and other officers got permission from the regimental commander, Gen. William Belknap, to attempt the feat for the honor of the 13th. Eighteen men and three officers reached the other side of the river in a leaky boat, fearful at all times they would meet a burst of fire from the Confederates.

The Iowa men crept into the town, took a horse and buggy by force, dumping the driver and his goods into the road, and the officers with the color bearer drove to the capitol. Just two blocks from the state house was a squad of Confederate cavalry, who fired upon them. Then, thinking the main body of the Union Army was coming, they turned and fled.

Had Two Capitols

The Iowans found Columbia had two capitols, an old one and new structure, yet unfinished. They planted the flag on both. At that very house Col. Stone of the 30th was receiving the surrender of the city from the mayor. Soon the flag of the 30th went up on the flag poles. The men who put them there swore they never saw the colors of the 13th. Weeks later, when in camp at Cheraw, S. C., the boys of Stone's regiment gave back the 13th's flag.

The prisoners at Columbia were released, among them Maj. Byers who heard Sherman's troops marching into town, singing his song, "And Sherman Marched Down to the Sea."

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SHERMAN'S MARCH TO THE SEA

Our camp-fires shone bright on the mountain
That frowned on the river below,
As we stood by our guns in the morning,
And eagerly watched for the foe;
When a rider came out of the darkness
That hung over mountain and tree,
And shouted, 'Boys, up and be ready!
For Sherman will march to the sea!'

Then cheer upon cheer for bold Sherman
Went up from each valley and glen,
And the bugles re-echoed the music
That came from the lips of the men;
For we knew that the stars in our banner
More bright in their splendor would be,
And that blessings from Northland would greet us,
When Sherman marched down to the sea.

Then forward, boys! forward to battle!
We marched on our wearisome way,
We stormed the wild hills of Resaca —
God bless those who fell on that day!
Then Kenesaw, dark in its glory,
Frowned down on the flag of the free;
But the East and the West bore our standard
And Sherman marched down to the sea.

Still onward we pressed, till our banners
Swept out from Atlanta's grim walls,
And the blood of the patriot dampened
The soil where the traitor-flag falls;
We paused not to weep for the fallen,
Who slept by each river and tree,
Yet we twined them a wreath of the laurel,
As Sherman marched down to the sea.

Oh, proud was our army that morning,
That stood where the pine darkly towers,
When Sherman said, 'Boys, you are weary,
But to-day fair Savannah is ours!'
Then sang we the song of our chieftain,
That echoed o'er river and lea,
And the stars in our banner shone brighter
When Sherman marched down to the sea.

~ Samuel Hawkins Marshall Byers

NOTE: Samuel Hawkins Marshall "Marsh" Byers also wrote the poem "The Song of Iowa."

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1866: THEY PIONEERED IN DISTRICT FAIR

[Section 3, Page 12] The idea of a North Iowa Fair that would serve an area of several counties had its origin back in 1866 when the Cerro Gordo County Agricultural and Mechanical Society held its sixth annual fair in Mason City. Several other North Iowa counties were invited to have entries in the Cerro Gordo County exposition.

Although organized in the fall of 1859, the fair had been small events during the Civil War years. But the exposition on Sept. 21 and 22, 1866, with the war over, the boys back home taking part in the building of the community, was a true reflection of the enterprise of the people. The first railroad was still three years in the future, however, and all transportation and communication was by oxen and horses.

The Cerro Gordo County Republican, giving ample space to the project, announced 32 committees were to have charge of the various departments of the fair.

Committees Named

Among the committees were those on blacksmithing, wheelwright work, cooper work, cutlery, peat, boots and shoes, plowing, cabinet and joiner work, ambrotype [a positive image placed on glass] and photographic pictures and grove timber. The only cattle mentioned were Durham and there were French and Spanish Merino sheep.

"An invitation is extended to Hancock, Winnebago and Worth counties to join in the fair," said The Republican. "Said counties will be allowed to compete with Cerro Gordo County for premiums and no additional entrance fee will be required of any person desiring to exhibit any article at the fair from said counties.

"It is the intention of the officers to have one of the grandest exhibitions of stock, grain, mechanism, etc., ever exhibited in Northern Iowa and they confidently expect that various communities will be prompt in the discharge of their duties and report as early as possible on the second day of the fair to the secretary the names of all persons entitled to premiums."

194 Exhibits

The total number of exhibits was 194 and $211.50 was paid out in premiums.

Among the exhibitors were:

Fred Waughtal		five head of cabbages
Mark Dexter		two-horse wagon
Millard Randall		100 pounds of flour
Isaac Trevitt		two-year-old Durham bull
Henry Keerl		five lambs
Mrs. John K. McMillin		bed quilt
Mrs. Theron Palmeter		coverlet
C. W. Tenney		buggy mare
R. O. Sirrine		span driving mares
George Vermilya		three-year-old grade heifer
Mrs. T. G. Emsley		butter and embroidered slippers
William Felt		two pigs
Alonzo Wilson		peck of apples
G. B. Rockwell		sheep
Dr. Card		span of roadsters
Elihy Brown		best mare
Lorenzo Reed		best acre of grove timber
Mason City Factory		best cheese
A. Garner		best orchard
Thomas Tenney		two gallons sorghum
Mrs. Eliza Brentner		best equestrianship

The association received $45 from the state auditor as state aid. Thomas Perrett, Rock Falls, was president and T. G. Emsley, Mason City, secretary.

Showed Cattle

For some reason Floyd county was not asked to join the fair but Dr. D. M. Bemus came from that county with 34 heads of cattle which were of such excellence that the association held under obligation for him for his help and voted to give him $10.

J. V. Mumford, J. S. Church and T. Palmeter were appointed a committee to solicit donations to purchase fair grounds.

The board adopted resolutions declaring that the raising of grain in this section of Iowa except for what was needed for home consumption fell short of renumerating the farmer for his labor and recommended the raising of more sheep and building a woolen mill to manufacture yarn and cloth. It also called a meeting to organize a Wool Growers Association.

The fuel question was evidently an important one for prizes were offered for peat and Mumford and Emsley exhibited a peat machine and some samples of compressed peat.

Indicative of the urge to fund new outlets for agricultural products William Kling was given first prize for an acre of broom corn and on manufactured brooms. That industry, however, did not [arrive?].

On Ogden Farm

There is nothing to determine where the early fairs were held but in 1872 it was announced that after much difficulty in obtaining grounds, the fair would be held one mile south of Mason City on the farm of Dr. J. G. Ogden. Suitable arrangements were made to accommodate stock and a temporary building was erected to shelter such articles as needed protection from sun and storm.

George Henderson, who had served as president of the old society, called a meeting in the courthouse March 30, 1872, to reorganize the association. At this meeting a committee made up of George R. Miller, Alonzo Wilson and B. F. Gibbs was named to set up the organization on the basis for selling shares at $10 each. In the old society the memberships were $1 each.

Articles of incorporation were adopted April 13 of that year and the following officers elected: George R. Miller, president; Charles W. Tenney, vice president; Thomas G. Emsley, secretary; Henry Martin, secretary [treasurer?].

From Townships

The articles provided the board should be made up of one from each township. The board members were: Mason, T. N. Miller; Lake, T. Palmeter; Falls, Thomas Perrett; Lime Creek, C. E. Crane; Clear Lake, E. Nichols; Lincoln, H. J. Willis; Owen, J. G. Bailey; Geneseo, George V. Rockwell; Portland, A. S. Felt; Grant, Joseph Cook; Dougherty, Daniel Dougherty.

In 1873 the fair was located on the grounds purchased on 12th N. W., where it remained until a new revival of the fair established the grounds at their present location in 1907 under the leadership of W. L. Patton.

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OWNED FIRST FURNITURE STORE

[Section 3, Page 12] Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Harding came to Mason City from Ohio in 1860. Harding, familiarly known as "Squire," was a cabinet maker and opened Mason City's first furniture store in 1862. "Many nights when I was a boy I held a lamp in father's shop while he made coffins," recalled the son, James H. Harding, who for many years was a painter for the Milwaukee Railroad. Mrs. W. S. Harding taught school in the old stone school house, which stood on the site of the new First Methodist Church.

James Harding, who died at 85 years of age in 1843 (sic, 1943), had a remarkable memory for the early Mason City scene. It was he who prepared the drawing of Mason City in Civil War day son page two of "The Mason City Story" section of this issue of the Globe-Gazette

James Harding, although only 7 years old at the time, had a vivid recollection of the John Henry Raid in Mason City in the spring of 1865. The group, made up mostly of southern sympathizers, molested the citizens and committed acts of thievery.

When the posse was formed to go after the offenders, his father had to tie the barrel of his rifle to the stock with a white rag to hold the thing together.

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1867: START ELMWOOD CEMETERY

[Section 3, Page 12] Elmwood Cemetery had its genesis as the Mason City Cemetery Association on May 11, 1867, when the group voted to buy five acres from John Dexter southwest of the city. As time went on additional tracts were acquired.

The first officers of the association, which was incorporated the year it was organized, were I. W. Card, president; J. V. Mumford, vice president; R. Hickling, secretary, and George Vermilya, treasurer.

Had Civic Pride

In order to create some civic pride in keeping up the appearance of the cemetery in those days, the pioneer Cerro Gordo Republican ran this notice:

"Fellow citizens, come out in the name of humanity and common decency and let not the place where we inter our dead be a wilderness and a stigma upon the town. Let it rather be an ornament and a place wherein we shall not be ashamed to show a friend the last resting place of those that were once dear to us."

That exhortation seemed to ring down through the decades. Elmwood Cemetery has been kept in fitting tribute to its dead.

Started Kirk Studio

The year, 1867, had another significance in Mason City history. That was the year H. P. Kirk started the Kirk photograph studio in Mason City. Mason City is indebted to Kirk, a veteran of the Civil War, for many excellent photograph he took, many of which still exist to help tell the story of the pioneers.

During Kirk's career as a photographer, many changes took place in his work. He started business making the old tintypes. This was succeeded by the wet plate process, then came albumin printing out paper. He had to sensitize his own wet plates and printing out paper.

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1868: PRESIDENT JOHNSON ESCAPES IMPEACHMENT

[Section 3, Page 12] The story of the impeachment proceeding against President Andrew Johnson was followed with close interest by Mason Cityans as it unfolded week by week in the weekly Republican throughout the spring of 1868.

The Republican editor devoted a column each week to the story, apparently getting his information from the Chicago Republican.

The latter part of May came the news that Johnson had escaped being impeached by one vote. The Senate voted by 35 to 19 for impeachment after a lengthy trial. A two-thirds vote was necessary for impeachment.

Johnson was charged by the more radical senators with violating the tenure of office act when he removed Edwin M. Stanton, secretary of war, and put Gen. U. S. Grant in his place. The majority sentiment in the Senate was that Johnson should have Senate approval for such action. After Johnson's acquittal Stanton resigned.

The Republican devoted much space to the details of the testimony presented at the hearing.

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MAIL CAME OVERLAND

[Section 3, Page 12] In old times, before the building of the Iowa Central Railroad, there used to be an overland mail route from Mason City to Lin Grove, afterward called Rockwell. In 1864 H. B. Morrison, who settled in the township that year, got a postoffice established and himself appointed postmaster.

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HENS FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS

[Section 3, Page 12] Early day editors of Mason City - of which there were many - were accustomed to accepting poultry in lieu of subscriptions for their paper.

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1869: BROWN PILOTED FIRST TRAIN TO TOWN

[Section 3, Page 12] One of the important dates in Mason City's first 100 years is 1869. That was the year the own voted to become an incorporated village and the date on which the first bank was organized.

Most important of all it was in 1869 that Seneca F. Brown piloted the first train into Mason City.

Being a locomotive engineer in those days took resourcefulness and stamina, particularly in the winter when trains battled giant snow drifts with light, primitive equipment.

Brown was the great grandson of Oliver Brown, a minute man in the Revolutionary War, a drummer boy who in the heat of the battle threw away his drum and picked up a musket. One of the prized possessions of the Mason Cityan was an iron melting pot used by his great grandfather to melt the leaden bullets.

Brown, who was born in Lancaster, Mass., in 1847, started supporting himself at 8 years. After the experience of fireman on a steamer between Buffalo and Chicago, he got a job as fireman on the Milwaukee running west of McGregor.

Went to Rescue

As an example of what engineers had to contend with in those days, Brown, who was the father of Mrs. Jay Decker of Mason City, once told of how he went to the rescue of a marooned train in December, 1871.

"It was in along the last of December in 1871 that the most terrible storm of the winter broke and blocked the line badly between Mason City and Algona," he said. "In this storm an eastbound passenger train was caught in a drift about one and a half miles west of Garner. Supt. G. W. Sanborn of this division organized an expedition to go to their relief. As the two towns between here and Algona were but way-stations, we carried our own commissary department.

"We left there Sunday at 6 a. m., little thinking that we would be out a week - for we did not get back to Mason City until 2 the next Sunday afternoon. Our snow fighting outfit consisted of an old-fashioned 'double-winded' snow plow, attached to the end of a box car, backed by three engines, a baggage car and coach."

Picked Up Crew

"The local station agent, F. Alexander, acted as commissary on the trip, the baggage car being the commissary department. We stared out with 20 men, picked up section crews as we went along and called out every man available. Meanwhile the passengers of the imprisoned train had been taken to the neighboring farm houses and cared for.

"We began bucking snow when we were but 10 yards from the depot and it was a bitter fight all the way to Garner, where the imprisoned train was finally dug out and its engine pressed into service. We then started out with four engines to open up the line to Algona.

"Before leaving Garner the storm closed up the line behind us as bad as it was before. We made our way to Algona, turned our engines around and started to plow our way back.

Snow Plow Jumps Track

"We were moving along slowly but steadily when we came to a flat stretch of country between Wesley and Britt. All of a sudden, with no warning, the snow plow tired of following the rails and jumped the track. When this occurred, the engine following was ditched on the opposite side of the track and engine No 2 came up between and stretched itself cross-wise on the rails.

"By means of ropes and cables we were able to clear engine No. 2 off the track and proceeded on our way minus a snow plow and two engines. This left us handicapped as we now only had two light engines, and an engine pilot for a snow plow. We were now beginning to run short of fuel and we began to utilize the fence posts and anything we could find that would make fire and melted snow for boiler water.

"By this time we had about sixty men in our crew and a great deal was accomplished by the use of hand shovels.

"My memory fails me on the distance made per day but I do remember that we reached Garner on the following Saturday morning - almost a week from the time we started. Our supplies were exhausted and the whole crew ditto, with the superintendent making frantic appeals to the department at Milwaukee for assistance.

"But succor came at last for a snow plow and two engines met us near the place where Ventura is now and the line was then clear through to Mason City. We arrived at 2 Sunday."

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1870: FIRST CITY GOVERNMENT ORGANIZED

[Section 3, Page 13] Mason City's municipal government dates from 1870. From that date to this the records of the decisions of the city fathers is shown in a whole shelf full of minute books at the city hall.

That year had other reasons for being significant. It brought Mason City's second railroad, the Central Railway of Iowa, making Mason City, even at that early stage, a railroad center.

Mason First Mayor

In January, 1870, the first city fathers took office with Darius B. Mason as mayor and E. R. Lloyd, Elisha Randall, George Vermilya, A. B. Tuttle and W. Wallen, as trustees. Mason had come to Iowa in 1858, settling first in Butler and later in Floyd County before coming to Mason City.

It was evident that the village government drew men who were leaders in the community.

In the regular election the next spring A. B. Tuttle was elected mayor and the following trustees: A. J. Benton, Randall, J. H. Valentine, Henry Keerl, and H. G. Parker. A year later W. W. Knapp succeeded to mayorship with E. R. Lloyd, George Henderson, Parker, E. J. Pratt and Vermilya.

Elected each year up to the time the village became a city of the second class were the following:

1872 - 1873: W. W. Knapp, mayor; trustees, E. R. Lloyd, E. D. Doud, E. J. Pratt, W. C. Sheppard, J. M. Dougan, W. C. Sheppard resigned April 8, 1872, and F. M. Goodykoontz was appointed to fill in his place.

1873 - 1874: B. F. Hartshorn, mayor; trustees, E. G. Frink, George L. Herrick, Benjamin Randall, J. B. Dakin, A. J. Miller.

1874 - 1875: B. F. Hartshorn, mayor; trustees, J. B. Dakin, E. J. Pratt, Benjamin Randall, G. S. Herrick, A. J. Miller.

Dakin Re-Elected

1875 - 1876: J. B. Dakin, mayor; trustees, E. R. Lloyd, George L. Herrick, J. H. Valentine, O. T. Denison, John Pratt.

1876 - 1877: J. B. Dakin, mayor; trustees, J. H. Valentine, L. F. Cadwell, Henry Keerl, L. S. Hazen, O. T. Denison.

1877 - 1878: R. Wilber, mayor; trustees, E. Hoxie, J. M. Dougan, W. B. Stilson, John Lee, James V. Parker. James V. Parker removed from the city and July 2, 1877, J. M. Hudson was elected to fill the vacancy.

1878 - 1879: John D. Glass, mayor; trustees, E. R. Lloyd, Henry Keerl, George L. Herrick, B. P. Kirk, D. M. Tiffany.

1879 - 1880: W. V. Lucas, mayor; trustees, Henry Keerl, James Rule, W. W. Knapp, Edward Griffin, George L. Herrick, Edward Warbasse.

1880 - 1881: John Cliggitt, mayor; trustees, O. T. Denison, John Lee, G. L. Herrick, Henry Keerl, James Rule, E. Griffin.

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FLOUR MILL BUILT IN 1870

[Section 3, Page 13] Rock Glen, residential beauty spot at present, was the site of one of the city's early industries, the flour mill built by H[orace]. G. Parker in 1870.

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GLIB-TONGUED SALESMAN MET SUCCESS IN 1870

[Section 3, Page 15] A versatile salesman-auctioneer was meeting success on the streets of Mason City in 1870 when this article appeared in the Express:

"The oratory of H. Thompson, lightning auctioneer, was heard on our streets last Saturday afternoon while he entertained a large crowd and disposed of jack knives, scissors, horses, harness and wagon. He sells anything he attempts to."

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1871: TOM McNIDER BUILT BRIDGES FOR NEW RAILROAD INTO MASON CITY

[Section 3, Page 13] A hot August sun riding high in the heavens was beating down on the North Iowa prairies. Here and there a field of wheat in the shock broke the monotony of the waving prairie grass and patches of hazel brush.

On a primitive road winding its way through the country, routed in such a way as to miss the occasional slough, a slow moving caravan of lumber wagons wormed its way toward Mason City, then in 1871, a town of 1,100 population. Perched high on one of these wagons, surrounded by a jumble of scrapers and other equipment used by a railroad contractor, was a barefoot lad of 11 years. He was tired and dirty for he had ridden in this fashion from Eldora.

"This Is the Place"

The leader halted his horses at Central Park and the other drivers drew alongside.

"This is the place, boys," he said as he instructed everyone to tie up their horses.

The speaker was Tom McNider, railroad contractor, who had the contract for construction of bridges for the Central Railway of Iowa (later to become a part of the M. and St. L. system). The 11 year old boy was his son, Charles H. McNider, father of Gen. Hanford MacNider.

McNider had the contract for the railroad bridges between Eldora and the Minnesota state line. A combination of circumstances made it a losing proposition to the extent that when the project was completed McNider had contributed all he had to the venture.

It was this condition of the family fortunes that caused the son to leave school and begin working. He was employed for a time at a grain elevator operated by W. W. Cameron and at the age of 15 years began his career with the bank that later became the First National, getting a salary of $8 a month.

Purchased Home

The first home of the McNiders was one rented at Pennsylvania and 2nd southeast. Later he purchased a home on N. Federal and 3rd, across the street south from the Hotel Hanford.

At the time the McNiders arrived in Mason City, Federal Avenue was a scraggly row of buildings on either side, mostly one story, with three or four stone buildings looming higher.

In the block in which the First National Bank stands there were three small buildings. The postoffice stood on the present site of the bank with Silas Card holding the office of postmaster.

The Allen House, regarded as one of the finest hostelries in North Iowa, was already up on the north corner of the park.

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PRAIRIE CHICKEN, QUAIL PLENTIFUL

[Section 3, Page 13] Prairie chicken and quail were plentiful in the early days.

"We used to trap and ship them to Chicago receiving $7 per dozen for them," wrote George Wescott, who came to Mason City in 1865." These prices were before railroads were built but after the railroads came prices fell.

Wescott recalled that his father bought a 120 acre farm 2 1/2 miles from the lake for $1,200.

"The next year," he added, "we hauled wheat to Waverly and it took three days to make the trip. We sold wheat for $2.50, oats for $1.25 and corn in the ear for "$1.25."

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DONATED LIVONIA SITE

[Section 3, Page 13] James Dickirson donated the ground for the courthouse when "Livonia" was awarded the county seat. Construction had started on the buildings when Mason City was once more awarded the distinction of having the courthouse and county jail.

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MUMFORD BUILDING

[Section 3, Page 13] The three-story Mumford building, described in A. R. Sale's diary, was erected as a hotel by J. V. Mumford in 1871 on the corner now occupied by Younkers at First and S. Federal. The building operated originally as the National Hotel. It was later sold to John West, railroad contractor, and in 1919 it was purchased by George Penson. Both the corner and the adjoining building were torn down in 1938 for erection of the present structure.

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SENSATIONAL HAPPENINGS PUT IN DIARY

[Section 3, Page 13] The erection of the old Mumford-West-Penson building at the corner of First and S. Federal, present [1953] site of Younkers, created wide attention back in 1871. That at least is the notation A. R. Sale, pioneer resident, made in his diary back in those days.

Sale's diary brings out, among other things, that Mason City had its bad fires, its big parties, weddings, cold weather, its fistic altercations and other events in the days when the railroads were first coming into town. His diary shows considerable building was going on as part of the boom brought by the railroads. Sale at that time was a 16 year old boy.

Besides the Mumford-West-Penson building, the Allen House [later known as the Dyer House], north of the park on Federal, Lloyd and Tuttle hall (present site of Montgomery Ward and Company building) and other structures were going up.

Excerpts From Diary

Here are some excerpts from the Sale diary:

June 3, 1871 - Mumford putting up his second floor joists. His little girl fell from these joists to the basement floor, 30 feet, but was able to run about again the next day.

Aug. 21, 1871 - Dr. Allen putting in doors and windows in his hotel building.

Aug. 23, 1871 - Mlle Rosa turned a summersalt (sic) over 10 horses at Robbins circus.

Aug. 25, 1871 - Wagon loads of prairie chickens being hauled into town. Twenty-five cents a pair.

Aug. 30, 1871 - New spire on Congregational Church completed. Four brick layers at work on second story of our building (Lloyd-Tuttle block).

Sept. 2, 1871 - Mumford's front bricked up today.

Sept. 2, 1871 - (Sunday) Big force of men on bridge over Willow Creek for new Iowa Central Railway.

Sept. 8, 1871 - Commence track laying on I.C.R.R.

Sept. 10, 1871 - Iowa Central track laid to Calumus Creek.

Sept. 13, 1871 - Putting on joists of our building (L-T).

Oct. 7, 1871 - Iowa Central track laid to Northwood. Mumford finishes his store front. Wheat $1 a bushel.

Chicago Burning

Oct. 9, 1871 - Chicago burning up. 100,000 people homeless, $500,000,000 loss.

Oct. 16, 1871 - Went hunting in Trap Grove (Forest Park) to celebrate. 1 rabbit, 1 gray squirrel.

Oct. 23, 1871 - All the town out to fight a prairie fire near Hoteling's farm.

Nov. 5, 1871 - Ed Bogardus married in Methodist Church.

Nov. 8, 1871 - Big dance and dinner at Allen House opening.

Nov. 12, 1871 - Putting roof on our building (L-T).

Nov. 28, 1871 - Twenty-four degrees below this morning.

Nov. 13, 1871 - Mumford blasting for city fire well.

Dec. 21, 1871 - Pork 4 1/2 cents, wheat 94 cents, corn 25 cents, potatoes 25 cents.

Dec. 23, 1871 - I gave the first alarm on our new city fire bell at Mumford's corner. Cobb's hotel roof on fire from chimney (hotel site where Penney's store is [1953]).

Dec. 29, 1871 - No trains, mail or freight for one week. Snow and cold. Thirty degrees below.

Water Gave Out

Jan. 16, 1872 - Big fire 2 a. m. King's grocery, Connell's harness shop and Dutch saloon burned down. Water gave out. Threw snow on fire. Two kegs of beer and box of crackers for firemen.

Jan. 16, 1872 - Doc Allen, president of the school board, kicked principal of high school down stairs from Mann's hall. Baker swore out a warrant and Allen paid fine of $7.50.

Jan. 17, 1872 - City council fixed saloon licenses at $200 per annum.

Jan. 22, 1872 - John Cliggitt takes Baker's place in the high school.

Feb. 5, 1871 - Santill's Constellation plays Uncle Tom's Cabin in our hall (L-T).

Feb. 8, 1871 - Mumford has the new city fire well blasted down to 16 feet.

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PARK HOTEL

 

 [Section 3, Page 15] The first large hotel built in Mason City was the Allen House, erected in 1871 by Dr. William Allen, on First and N. Federal across from Central Park. At the time this picture was taken in 1899, it was known as the Park Hotel. It is now the Adams block.

 

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1872: TOWN'S BIGGEST FIRE - SCHOOL HEAD KICKED DOWNSTAIRS

[Section 3, Page 13] Tuesday, Jan. 16, 1872, was a red letter day in Mason City's history.

On that day the little community was convulsed and shocked when a leading physician of the town, Dr. William W. Allen, who was president of the school board, kicked the principal of the schools downstairs. The doctor was arrested and fined $7.50 for assault and battery. On Jan. 19 a public meeting was held and both sides of the controversy given a hearing.

Cliggitt in Charge

On Jan. 22, John Cliggitt, scholarly Mason City attorney, was placed at the head of the schools.

In later years the ousted principal became a federal judge in a western state.

But Tuesday, Jan. 16, 1872, was important for another big event. A fire that broke out at 2 a. m. destroyed three business houses on the east side of Federal, opposite the present Palace Theater site. Destroyed were King's Grocery, Connell's harness shop and Bormeis saloon. The hook and ladder company, made up of volunteers, performed all the heroic feats possible, but were reduced to the humiliation of throwing snow on the fire before the flames reached the roofs. Water from nearby wells was exhausted early in the proceedings.

Saved Buildings

Recalling the incident many years later, A. R. Sale stated, "Fire Marshal Mumford with the aid of a northwest wind saved his own building on the north and in gratitude to the assembled citizens who so valiantly assisted by throwing snowballs at the flames, as soon as the fire demons would permit, rolled out two barrels of beer from the saloon and four cheeses from the grocery basement and the assembled multitude made merry on the spoils.

"Following this banquet Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 and some select friends repaired to Col. Mumford's rooms where a feast of fried oysters and oyster stew as served up accompanied by various liquids all salvaged from the flames."

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ST. CHARLES HOTEL

[Section 3, Page 15] Among the buildings to go up in the boom that followed the coming of the first railroads to Mason City was the St. Charles Hotel, erected in 1872 at Second and N. Federal. The vacant lot in the foreground is the present site of Damon's, Inc. The picture was taken from the top of the Dyer House, the hotel built on the corner north of Central Park by Dr. W. W. Allen. The old hotel was moved from the lot in 1900 by Mike Featherstone, who purchased the building from Mrs. Emily Harris, who erected the present store building on the corner. The hotel was divided in two and the main part moved to 601 Third N. E. and the other part made into a residence near the M and St. L. station.

When Mrs. Harris erected the business block on the corner, friends advised against going so far north. They told her she would always be out of the business section of the city.

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LONG HELD FIRST COURT

[Section 3, Page 13] The records do not give an account of the first term of the county court, but, as known, it convened with Judge J. B. Long on the bench and Henry Martin, clerk. As no business presented itself the court adjourned. The judge's minute book A is the earliest record of court proceedings.

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1873: PANIC SWEEPS NATION, CURBS BOOM

[Section 3, Page 14] It was on Sept. 19, 1873, a day that went down in history as "Black Friday," that the great banking house of Jay Cooke and Company announced its "ominous" suspension.

The news was a shock to the nation and the next day there was panic throughout the land. Mason Cityans weren't too concerned with the news at first, but soon prices of grain started dropping until it became evident a period of hardships lay ahead.

Most of the buildings between the Adams Block, north of Central Park on Federal, to the Elks Building were put up during the 1870-71 boom as the owner of the lots gave alternate lots away to anyone who would put up a two story building and give him free use of the party walls for other buildings.

This development proved premature and a number of business failures resulted. But despite failures, new business establishments were started. Mason City business men were confident of the future.

Just as the depression was getting under way in 1873, Thomas G. Emsley and Mrs. Emsley started the City Bank. Another banking institution, the Cerro Gordo Bank, started in 1869 by W. H. Lytle, continued in operation and is now the First National Bank.

NOTE: Thomas Goodwillie Emsley, the son of W. W. and Beatrice H. (Donaldson) Emsley, was born December 23, 1843, Carroll Co. OH, and died June 7, 1885 in Nebraska. Thomas served in the Civil War with the Union Army. He married Mary Ann Church December 19, 1865. Mary Ann (Church) Emsley, the daughter of James Emery and Julie Cody Bailey Church was born October 8, 1839, Springboro, Pennsylvania, and died in Mason city, March 21, 1931. Their daughter, Mable Emily (Emsley) Gale was born in 1868, and died July 27, 1904. Mable was the wife of Absalom H. Gale, born in 1868, and died in 1923. Cecil Emsley Gale, son of Mable and Absalom, was born in 1895, and died in 1933. They were interred at Elmswood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City.

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MASON CITY IN 1874

[Section 3, Page 14]

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FIRST IMPLEMENT BUSINESS

[Section 3, Page 14] This was the beginning of Mason City's present giant implement distributing business. The picture shows the "agricultural warehouse" of Bush and Sons, which stood on the present [1953] site of the 200 North Federal Building on 2nd and N. Federal. The picture shows John Bush, proprietor, with Cliff Robertson and little R. F. Bush, grandson. Bush came to Mason City in 1870 from White Water, Wis.

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JIM RULE CHOPPED

[Section 3, Page 14] One of the stories that has been carried down from pioneer days concerns the time when James Rule, father of A. L. Rule, was going with Jennie Gale, sister of A. H. Gale. Rule, who later became [a] banker and a powerful political figure in the community, was at that time working for Gale's father as a mason.

At the time he was courting Jennie, Jim Rule got into the habit of staying late in the cold winter nights of 1871. Wood was the only fuel in those days and the extra hours took extra wood at the Gale household.

As young Gale had to chop the wood he took the matter up with his sister who gave him no satisfaction. In desperation the lad took the matter up with Jim and told him that if he was going to stay up late with his sister he would have to chop his own wood. Jim cheerfully consented.

NOTE: James Rule, Jr. was born June 11, 1847, and died November 28, 1907. Jennie A. (Gale) Rule was born April 4, 1853, and died January 3, 1916. Jennie served as secretary for the Home Board. James and Jennie were interred at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City.

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1874: CENTRAL SCHOOL BUILDING DEDICATED

[Section 3, Page 14] The big event in Mason City in 1874 was the dedication of the new stone central school, which stood on the present site of the school administration building.

Dedication of the building that most citizens felt was too large for the town, took place Oct. 9, 1874, with J. C. Gilchrist, Mason City's first superintendent of schools, giving the address.

Completion of the building came after serious delay caused by the fact that the contractor walked off the job.

Among the national events that attracted attention at this time involved the question of whether the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, celebrated clergyman, committed adultery with the wife of a parishioner, Theodore Tilton. Throughout August, 1874, papers ran columns on the charges and the clergyman's defense.

The following spring Beecher was the defendant in a lawsuit brought against him by Tilton. The jury was unable to agree on a verdict, standing 9 to 3 for the minister. The minister and the congregation announced they considered that an acquittal.

Mason City at that time had two newspapers, the Republican and the Express, the latter having been started in 1870 after the coming of the railroads promised extensive growth of the community.

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1875: FARMERS BIND GRAIN BY HAND

[Section 3, Page 14] There were no combines or other labor saving devices when farmers started growing wheat and oats here in the early days. The reaper, McCormick's invention, was still in use, a big improvement over the implement of the ages, the cradle, but still a far cry from the self binder and the combines that came later.

Even with the use of the reaper, binding of the gran for handling was done by hand. News items of that day reveal that accidents were as likely to happen then as with the faster, more modern machinery of today.

On Aug. 3, 1875, John Burge, living on a farm near Mason City, came near losing his life by carelessly getting in front of the sickle of his reaper, the newspapers here reported that week.

Machine Clogged

The machine had clogged up with heavy grain and Burge went in front of the the sickle to cut loose some straw that had wound around the bar and grain wheel. His situation was not unlike that of the corn picker accidents of a later date.

The reaper was in gear for cutting, having a span of mules and a span of horses hitched to it. While Burge was lying in front of the sickle, one of the mules lay down and Burge yelled sharply, "get up."

The mule did get up and the team did the same, starting into a trot, dragging Burge in front of the rapidly vibrating sickle, which cut some deep gashes in his hip. Others in the field succeeded in stopping the team.

Strikes in Coal Fields

On the national scene great strikes, marked with violence and bitterness, struck the coal fields of Pennsylvania after mine owners reduced wages 20 per cent as over-production cut prices.

In Chicago that June a national temperance convention was to go on record asking congress to "adopt ratification by the several states of the union a constitutional amendment which shall make traffic in alcoholic beverages illegal throughout the national domain."

The nation was proudly preparing to observe the centennial of its independence with a world fair in Philadelphia.

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JOHN WEST ACTIVE IN EARLY LIFE OF CITY

[Section 3, Page 14] One of the prominent business men of the pioneer period was John West, a native of New York who came to Portland Township in 1855. That same year he built a saw mill at Nora Springs. He then lived on a farm for a time and later moved to Mason City. In 1862 he enlisted in the 32nd Iowa Volunteer Infantry [Co. B 1862 - 1865] and was kept principally on guard duty.

NOTE: John West born December 3, 1825, and died September 29, 1901. His wife, Mary Matilda (Allen) West, was born July 30, 1826, and died November 8, 1923. they were interred at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 1876: CITY OBSERVES 100th INDEPENDENCE DAY

[Section 3, Page 15] The Spirit of '76 took possession of Mason City 77 years ago. The city staged a celebration that was remembered for years afterwards. There wasn't any queen, nor any parade of bands and floats.

visitors coming from surrounding farms and communities didn't find themselves in any heavy automobile traffic and they didn't scan the skies for airplanes.

It was on July 4, 1876, when the town joined with the nation to observe the 100th anniversary of its independence. The majority of visitors that came to Mason City to help the town's population of 1,200 celebrate the event were farmers with their families.

Rode in Wagon

They came mostly in wagons. Not one farmer in 50 had a buggy in 1876. Families were large and it took a wagon to hold them and the dinner basket and horse feed. They looked rather gay as they started out with spring seats for the older folks and a board with cleats to hold it in place for the children.

The Northwood Band provided music for the day. Other surrounding communities helped with the day's program. S. P. Leland of Charles City, the stories have it, was the orator of the day. John Cliggitt read the Declaration of Independence. H. G. Parker as the historian.

A procession was formed in the morning and marched to a grove near Parker's Mill in Rock Glen, where a stand had been erected and the president of the day, C. M. Gaylord, welcomed the guests.

After an hour of oratory came dinner. In the afternoon those who liked ball games could see one, while those who preferred to dance enjoyed the bowery dance in progress all afternoon.

The crowd thinned out at "chore time" and an early account of the celebration states rain broke up the fireworks planned for the evening.

Other News Events

News events in 1876 include some interesting happenings. During the night of July 30, a thief stole one of Henry Keerl's horses and left for parts unknown. A reward of $125 was offered and Sheriff Schell started in hot pursuit, but the thief evidently became frightened and abandoned the horse about six miles south of Forest City.

During a thunderstorm on Aug. 29, Frank Thompson's stable was struck by lightning and set on fire. Three horses and a colt were burned to death, while two horses broke loose and escaped.

On July 13 the small daughter of R. H. Lown of Clear Lake was fatally burned while attempting to light a fire with kerosene. She didn't think there was fire in the stove, so poured the oil out of the can and the can exploded, enveloping the girl in flames. Her 14-year-old sister tried to smother the flames, when her own clothes caught fire and she was serverely burned.

Custer Massacred

The big news item on the national scene that year was [the] massacre of Gen. George Armstrong Custer and 276 of his men on the Little Big Horn in Montana on June 25.

That event marked the end of the bloody trail of the Sioux from the time they went westward from Iowa in the '50s. After [the] Little Big Horn battle the Indians were scattered and never again became a threat to the white man.

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DEACON BROWN

 

 [Section 3, Page 15] Deacon J. G. Brown was named the first superintendent of the Sunday School of the First Baptist Church at the organization in the old courthouse May 18, 1870. Sunday School sessions were held in downtown halls until the first church was built in 1876.

 

 

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1877: SHEPHARD ABSTRACT COMPANY STARTED

[Section 3, Page 14] Henry H. Shepard, father of Hugh H. Shepard, started the Shepard Abstract Company in Mason city April 26, 1877, having purchased the business from O. T. Denison. By that time he had erected the building (shown in the foreground of the picture at left) on the present [1953] site of the Osco drug store. The picture was taken from the Dyer House on the corner looking east and slightly north.

Henry Shepard came to Mason City in 1870, became Cerro Gordo County Auditor in 1876 and held that office until Jan. 1, 1888. The following June, because of failing health, he turned over the abstract company to his daughter, Ella F. Shepard, and later the business was taken over by Hugh H. Shepard, who had by then been graduated from the law school of the State University of Iowa.

The Shepard Abstract Company is the oldest business in Mason City operating under the same name.

NOTE: Henry Harrison Shepard was born September 24, 1840, and died September 13, 1893. Hugh H. Shepard was born in 1876, and died in 1970. They were interred at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City.

Hugh was a charter member of the Iowa and American Land Title Association and the inventor and developer of Grant of Possession, a legal procedure used in connection with farm mortgages. He also served at one time as the international president of the Jefferson Highway Association and was a leader in bringing highways to northern Iowa. He was a member of the Mason City Rotary Club.

Ella F. (Shepard) Hitchcock was born March 28, 1870, and died November 18, 1947. She was interred at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City.

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1877: BAYONETS STOP PLAGUE of TRAMPS

[Section 3, Page 15] The year 1877 was made memorable by what became known as the "tramp plague."

A group of 60 or 70 tramps had moved into the town of Ackley, where they had taken possession of a freight train. With the tramps aboard, the railroad had abandoned the train, with the result that the tramps stayed and were fed by the citizens of the community.

The tramps defied all Hardin County law authorities, as well as railroad officials. Finally the United States marshal was sent for. The tramps even ignored him and boarded a train bound for Mason City.

A telegram from the Central Iowa agent at Ackley warned Mason Cityans of what was coming, stating the men would arrive about 11 p. m.

Met by Bayonets

When the train arrived a military company under the command of Capt. Dexter, with muskets and bayonets, and a posse of well armed, resolute men under Marshal John L. McMillin, were at the station.

"In the glare of a dozen lanterns the astonished tramps found themselves, as the train stopped, surrounded on all sides by bright gleaming naked bayonets, in the hands of men who had no words, to bandy with them," said the Mason City Express, describing the scene.

"Only the prompt command to climb down from the train, march to the other side of the depot and go into some box cars fitted up to receive them. They obeyed, most of them promptly, though some of them tried to escape up town by crawling under the car, but a bayonet punched into the leg of one gave the rest to understand the boys meant business. They were soon housed for the night in the box cars and put under guard.

"The following day they were provided a 'cracker and cheese' meal, divided into two squads and escorted some four or five miles up the Central and Austin branch of the M. and St. Paul Railway, toward Minnesota, to which state they all wanted to go.

"This was the toughest gang we have seen yet. They under the leadership of two big saucy Negroes."

Hayes Elected

The big news, nationally, in 1877 was the question: Whom did we elect President the previous November?

The big headlines were that Rutherford B. Hayes, the Republican nominee had been elected by one vote majority in the electoral college over S. T. Tilden, the Democratic nominee. Tilden received the largest popular vote. Both parties charged fraud.

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1878: BRIDGE WASHED OUT - TRAIN PLUNGES INTO CREEK

[Section 3, Page 15] Mason City has had storms and floods over the past century, but few that exceeded in violence that of June 1, 1878. A three and a half inch rain fell in two hours and wind and flood damage was suffered in all parts of the county. Near Rockwell a freight train tumbled into a creek because a bridge had been washed out.

"Willow Creek spread out like the Father of Waters," said The Cerro Gordo Republican, describing the event. "Much damage was done by washouts. Whitman's blacksmith shop slipped from its foundations and glided down stream gracefully with tools, materials and all.

"At Parker's mill the water had cut around and carried away the embankment, thus forming a chute of great depth through the ground west of the mill (now Rock Glen). Through this chasm went a stream, whirling the blacksmith shop and contents against a tree, where the force of the torrent crushed it like an egg shell and stranded it. Hammers, anvils and chisels were packed up in the vicinity and some fully a half mile away."

Cut Off Escape

"The rise of the water was so sudden that it cut off all escape from the mill. Thus Mr. Parker and Bumgarden had to remain in the mill till early the next day, while the angry waters beat around the mill. But its walls proudly resisted the assaults of the flood and came out without damage. But the dam and embankment were badly used up. Inside the mill some loss was sustained among the stock of flour and grain on the first floor.

"But no doubt the most severe loss was that of W. O. Barnard at his lime kiln. The flood swept around his office and undermined it until it fell, a mass of stone. The Watson bridge, west of town, came riding down majestically as a queen and lodged near Parker's mill. The corner of his lime kiln was caved in."

Tornado Strikes

In the southwest part of the county the storm struck in the form of a tornado, demolishing farm homes, according to the Republican. The bridge and dam at Rockford went out. At the Thomas Featherspiel home the storm destroyed the building, threw the 4 year old daughter 30 rods into a wheat field, causing her death, while other members of the family suffered bruises and other severe injuries.

This is the Republican's description of the train wreck brought about by the storm:

"The northbound freight train on the Central of Iowa, near Rockwell, came thundering along after dark and when the light from the headlight showed the engineer the yawning gulf below, he reversed his engine and he and his fireman jumped in time to save their lives, but the engine, tender and seven cars went crashing into the chasm and buried themselves in the dark deep stream."

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THREE GENERATIONS OF PHYSICIANS

[Section 3, Page 15] Pictured above are three generations of physicians who have practiced here over a 75 year period, Smith came here in 1878. Born in Chautauqua, N. Y., he studied under Dr. H. H. Gladden at Panama, N. Y., and later received medical degrees at Ann Arbor and the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia.

Dr. William J. Egloff came to Mason City with his parents when he was 8 years of age. Upon completing high school here he was persuaded by Dr. Smith to enter medical school. He entered the Chicago Medical College, now art of Northwestern University, and was graduated in 1887. During 1886-7 he was in the dispensary of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad in Chicago, returning to Mason City to become associated with Dr. Smith.

In 1889 Dr. Egloff and Harriet E. Smith, daughter of Dr. Smith, were married. Dr. Egloff was elected to a number of important posts in his profession.

Dr. Egloff's son and Dr. Smith's grandson, Dr. William Chauncey Egloff, now practicing in Mason City, is the third of three generations of physicians. Dr. Egloff received his M.D. from Rush Medical College, Chicago, and was junior associate in medicine at the Harvard Medical School for 1928 to 1932.

NOTE: Dr. Chauncey Harmon Smith was born March 26, 1837, and died February 25, 1909. His wife, Martha Janet (Allen) Smith, was born December 12, 1838, and died January 24, 1904.

Dr. William J. Egloff was born January 25, 1865, Cedar Falls, Iowa, and died September 8, 1930. Harriet Estelle (Smith) Egloff was born July 26, 1868, and died July 2, 1938.

Dr. William Chauncey Egloff was born March 16, 1901. He served during World War II as Chief of Cardiovascular Services, 19th General Hospital in the European Theater. Dr. Egloff died May 19, 1958. In 1939, Dr. and Margaret Egloff built the famed Egloff house with Earle Richard Cone, brother-in-law of Dr. Egloff, as the architect. Margaret Carson (Bruce) Egloff was born December 12, 1906, and died March 20, 1996.

They were all interred at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City.

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BOGARDUS AMONG EARLY CONTRACTORS

[Section 3, Page 15] E[dward]. R. Bogardus, father of Mrs. Willis G. C. Bagley, arrived in Cerro Gordo in October, 1859, with his uncle, George Vermilya, who settled on a farm south of Rock Falls. They had traveled several days by wagon from McGregor, following a faint trail and dodging swamps and thickets.

Bogardus at that time was 9 years of age. He and his mother had come from Cook County, Ill. where his father had died in 1851.

After making his home with the Vermilya family for several years, Bogardus in 1868 started farming. He later became a clerk in a lumber yard and gradually became identified with the contracting and building business, erecting a number of buildings in Mason City [Cherry/Rattay House, Decker House, Klipton Building, Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church, etc.]. In 1883 he entered the lumber business.

In 1871 he was married to Miss Mary Randall, daughter of Elisha Randall.

NOTE: E. R. was born October 22, 1850, and died May 22, 1927. Mary (Randall) Bogardus was born May 9, 1855, and died January 8, 1912. E. R.'s mother, Maria E. Bogardus, was born February 14, 1820, and died January 18, 1882. They were interred at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City.

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Unless otherwise noted, photographs courtesy of The Globe-Gazette.
Some of the photographs did not scan well. In such a case the photograph
has been substituted with a clearer copy if available.

Transcriptions and Notes by Sharon R. Becker, November of 2014
Information obtained in notes from cemetery transcriptions, obituaries,
biographies & other Globe-Gazette articles