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Out of The Past, pages 34 - 60

by Clarence S. Hill

(some individual photos may be clicked on for larger views)

THE STOCKYARDS:
Long since gone to join the buffalo and modesty in women, the local stockyards was a sizeable and colorful and - when the wind was right - a pungent business. Always Saturday, frequently Wednesday, were "shipping days" for hogs. Cattle were shipped any day the feeder-shipper chose. On the new elevator-towers site, it was operated in early 1900's by Hill and Slocum (Ed and John) and later, for 19 years, by Hill & (John) Burket. Friday at our house was "hog night". Farmers phone continuously, asking price-bids. Mother never, ever entertained on that night. She was mortified to tears by Dad's vocabulary pricing "stage. boars and wet sows", along with top young hogs. She - was further bedeviled by Dad's mannerisms at the phone. A little man, he strained upward at the too-high crank-phone, placing his right foot on the window sill, he wet the pencil point, wrote down names and numbers, then scratched his bottom with the pencil-point. It was just his private way of doodling. It was work but thrilling to help at the yards. Socially, it was a forerunner of the Sale Barn. Above the din of squealing, overheated hogs in waiting wagons were the shouts of farmers, belching steam trains "spotting" cars at the chute, and as old Sandow one-lunger gasoline engine pumping water all day long to wet and cool the suffering hogs and prepare sanded cars for loading. Above it all, I hear Dad: "Pen these in middle-west lot - and hurry up". Always, it was "hurry up". Often we loaded out at 3 a.m. Sunday in hot weather. Trucks have altered all that and wiped out something fascinating and stable and colorful in the realm of barter and trade in Minturn. Honor was presumed. No weighers had to be "bonded". Often Hill or Burket would say: "Go ahead, weigh 'em yourself, Pete". There were lighter moments. A party (nameless here) brought in a "Big, young shoat", about 200 pounds and obviously underfed. He said to Burket: "You know, Jack, that hog won't be two years old till next month." Maybe he was a "barking hog". They have them in the Ozarks - they eat acorns and bark. One bitter cold day, Fred Crawford arrived at the yards reporting that Charlie McClure had frozen to death. Dad and Burket and all bystanders were deeply moved. They regretted that they all hadn't been kinder to Charlie. Just then Charlie drove past, bundled up in his open buggy, very much alive. Fred had passed him coming into town. His only comment: "Well, Whaddaya know!" All Crawfords were practical jokers. If you dish it out, be prepared to take it. Bill (W.N.) Crawford was elevator manager, deathly afraid of snakes and he let it be known. Ray Cunningham's sons, Glen and Wayne, visited me often, and rode my saddle horses. Both were killed in World War II. They feared nothing, snakes in particular. Glen caught a huge bull snake. I told him to take him up to that kind old man at the elevator who loved snakes. Winding the snake inside his sleeve, holding it behind the head, he rode into the open elevator driveway where Bill teetered back on his chair. Bill, who loved all kids - up until then - rose, kidding the boy who said: "I brought you something". He poked the snake right into Bill's face. Bill roared words not fittin' for any boy to hear, turned, and crashed through the office screen door, without even opening it. Glen, puzzled, reported back: "He didn't seem to want the snake". Maybe this repaid Bill for pestering old Frank Ellis by slipping wads of paper under his light bulbs in the old feed-shed when electricity was first installed. Frank in turn kept the Light Company trouble shooting the place, Bill meanwhile having slipped over and removed the paper. We took a too-short nooning at Frank Shannon's cafe. Mother Shannon, with a German accent, could fry potatoes and big steaks in real butter, with lots of pepper. She kept busy patting hamburgers, then Fritz, the fat old family dog, then more hamburgers. It never seemed to hurt Fritz any. Modern hippies would have fared poorly. She "bounced" all disturbers, and was built for it. Gone are the faces, the food, the sounds and the smells of shipping-days. The "stockyards" on our boots made it complete and authentic.
BOB MOSS
To all small boys, Bob Moss was a hero of the commonplace. In the days when WORK was not a naughty four-letter word, he took a back seat to no one. He chose the hardest and the dirtiest jobs - like stacking straw - and did them well. Jack of all trades, he was ditcher, carpenter, teamster and operator of that great, fascinating contraption, a buzz-saw. He never sawed one stick at a time but grabbed a whole armful. His loud orders to the "off-bear" and to the men for "more wood" could be heard above the whine of the bouncing saw and the putt-putt of the boiling-hot gasoline engine. With little or no "book-learnin", his was a keen, observant mind with a sound philosophy of life. He worked hard, saved his money, seldom banked, but carried a big "roll" from which he would peel off several to loan to the worthy or give to the needy. More than cash, he had compassion. Long before the days of E.S.P. (extra-sensory perception) he could "charm" off warts -some of them from the darndest places! In his last years he hauled gravel and plowed gardens with his team of sorrel shetland ponies, probably deaf, for Bob shouted orders at them continuously. But they understood each other and gave their last ounce of strength when asked to move a load twice their size, or to thereby win a bet, which they invariably did. Bob had a colorful vocabulary including so very many Bible words. My mother tanned me once for repeating what I had heard Bob say when he dropped a hickory log on his foot. As I recall, it was: "Oh, Fiddle Faddle". Bob will be pleased to know that, in the field of unselfish service to the community and to folks in need, Bill and Erma have perpetuated and magnified his own good reputation.
ANNA SHIRLEY
ANNA was a very special teacher. To call her Miss Shirley spoils the image. Of some forty-four years of teaching, thirty-five of them were on the Minburn staff, previously at Sugar Grove district schools numbers five, nine and others. She served on community for well over two generations. Among the staff, her very seniority aided in pouring oil on troubled waters. Not all should be "Annas" but every staff needs one. She taught so very much that wasn't in "the books". If she had any weakness, it was in the field of discipline. Although she spared the rod, she spoiled very few. But she was long on patience, understanding, sympathy and encouragement. She was accused of passing some who shouldn't have passed. Any exacting pedagogy abjectly surrendered to that sluggish but gentle lad who had, after all, done the best he could. He couldn't master equations or cube-root, but he knew where the wild roses and the blue bells grew along the road and brought them in crumpled handfuls, for Anna's desk. Long later, from across the wide Pacific - a word he never could spell - came a letter marked "Army Hospital": "Deer anna. I ben thinking about you had a close call but am get along o kay. good luck and right to me". And, having written, Anna was somehow glad that the boy had passed, first at Minburn, then at Taejon, and she reflected, as she had done for 40 years, that the wild rose, or the pen, or the sword could be held in the "little brown hands". Her earnings were modest but she gave much. To some - unfortunate, the backward, the unwanted - she was the only understanding mother they ever knew. To many a rustic clod or overly practical lad she gave a spark of appreciation for the classics and for the beautiful in literature and art. How often they "pulled her leg", begging her to skip math class and read a chapter of Mark Twain. She yielded, only to retaliate by making them memorize the things that would sustain and comfort long after equations were forgotten: Thanatopsis, Psalm of Life, and (her favorite) The Bridge Builder. With all the other Annas whom we honor in this fashion, she intuitively sensed that: "He too must cross in the twilight dim. Good friend, I am building this bridge for him".
DR. GROSSMAN
He was the first man I ever saw. Probably your situation, too, if born locally before 1913. His little white office stood just west of the Christian Church, south side of the street. I remember it best by the smells; wierd, exotic, mysterious and of course frightening, coming from endless rows, it seemed, of cylindrical, neckless bottles in disarray on the dusty shelves. D.S. Grossman, "Doctor", was a medium stocky man with a Louis Pasteur-Andrew Carnegie beard and a certain professional dignity fortunately offset by a kindly smile that radiated warmth and confidence and started recovery before his pills took effect. On house-calls, he would pour out onto a clean paper a pile of white powders, carefully split the pile with a table-knife-crosswise, then again, and again thus dividing it into doses, to be each wrapped into a paper-tube - often a piece of newspaper, the ends folded over, each to be dissolved in water later and taken as a dose. Perhaps it was only sugar, but it was effective because Doc had prescribed it. He diagnosed and cured the physical, the mental and moral diseases of this little suburb of Heaven. Like The Great Physician, his was to cure, not to condemn. To the unfortunate girl from down the river whom he doctored and delivered, he sent a bill for 25 cents. Chided about it he replied: "Paying that bill may give her about the only spark of self-respect that is left". On another occasion he chuckled over the close race he had with the marrying minister to arrive in time before the stork landed. He was versatile and could improvise. Charlie Wicks was stricken with a strangulating hernia. Doc quickly strung him up by the heels in an open doorway and operated - successfully. Charlie died recently in his mid-eighties. Doc was a deeply religious man with strictly temperate habits but, lacking better sedatives in those days, might slug an emergency patient with whiskey - and most of them had some of it quite handy. If not, Old Doc Seidler's drug store had some in the back room. Mrs. Grossman - Sue - was a large, ample, dignified sort, always tightly laced up for Sunday, and given to complaining about all and sundry imaginary ills (she outlived the Doctor by some 20 years). Doc always greeted everyone as "Friend So and So". My grandfather W.A. (Bill) Cook asked the Doctor how Sue was feeling. Doc replied: "To be frank, Friend Bill, this morning she is complaining of feeling better". Old Timers will remember "Black Billie", the old gelding who hauled the Doctor through heat, rains, blizzards and the black of night. His call completed, Doc would wrap the lines about the whip-stock, go to sleep, and Billie took him straight home. Doc never wore out or abused his horses. He "pensioned" Billie to a patron who needed a horse and had lots of timber pasture, on condition that he never sell Billie. The party complied. He didn't sell Billie, he traded him to some Gypsies and Billie disappeared into a tragic and dishonorable finis. Doc never, never forgave the man. Doc knew and understood young folk. His example necessitated no "preaching" on his part. Usually one of the many passenger trains came through town after dark. Seldom were the depot lamps lit. Marion Webster and another youth, with two local girls who were taking the late train for teaching jobs, were in the dark waiting room, carrying on hilariously, the girls finally taking a few puffs on the cigars offered. With the distant whistle of the train came a familiar peck, peck, peck on the waiting room floor, which struck terror to the young folk and could mean just one thing - it was Doc Grossman and his cane. He had been over in the corner all the time, taking in the fun. He got on the train never so much as recognizing the friends. Weeks later, he got his 25¢ worth of beef steak at Hagenstein's butcher shop, where Marion waited on him. At the door, Doc turned aorund to say: "Friend Marion, I understand there has been considerable smoking going on among the young people." Doc could never, never retire locally. He moved to Lehighton, Pennsylvania, to make way for young Drs. Hinchliff and Little. The depot platform was crowded with all those who loved him - and many still owed their bills - as the train pulled out for Des Moines. Oscar Basart and his band of boys played or tried to play "God Be With You Till We Meet Again" If boyish tears plugged up the piccolo and the whole thing fell pretty flat, I'm sure that both God and The Doctor would understand.
PERRY KELLER
At the turn of the century, Perry Keller operated various establishments including a store and meat market on the east side of the "triangle", about the present Bank site. With the formal schooling, he was nevertheless very outspoken - but I never determined by whom! For him, repartee was not a diversion, it was a major sport. He made our current practitioners, Russ Hawbaker and Mike Webster, look like small potatoes. He invited attack by local pranksters and paid back in gospel measure, although his contact with the gospel was infrequent, as I recall. With John O'Brien, distinguished school teacher and "intellectual", he carried on a running feud, and usually won. He had no gag-mill and needed no ghost-writers. Radio and TV have never seen his equal for freshness and spontaneity. His best ones just can't go into print- even in this day. Like his dream of going to the "out-house" in Heaven, and--too late--spotting Minburn far below. Here's a mild f''rinstance: July 4th celebrations were always colossal events, held in Sherm Voas' or T.M. Hill's timber, with H.O. Clement's merry-go-round and many concession stands. One year, by pre arranged code, no one was to advertise. The previous night, the local Band Boys plastered the woods with signs: "THE BAND BOYS WANT TO SEE YOU". By daylight, the signs had all been altered to read "...AT P.S. KELLER'S STAND".
RUNAWAYS:
Absolutely nothing sparked up an occasion like a first-class runaway. Always, there were good and poor horsemen. The latter poor trainers, poor drivers and usually just plain careless. To see a team come tearing down main street, running wide, spread-eagle fashion, lines flying in the breeze, followed by yapping dogs and yelling boys, was thrilling, bone chilling. No TV western has the thrill of seeing a buxom farm wife clinging to the sides of the seat of a buck-board, screaming "Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" She was less concerned with saving her life than with holding her skirts down to keep her "limbs" from showing. Her great-granddaughter has no such problem. Runaway mules were different. No mule ever ran into an object or hurt himself, they were smarter than horses and than most hired men. Horses, on the other hand, ran into barbed-wire fences, into closed gates and into narrow doorways. They tended to panic under stress, like women-drivers today, who accuse trees of jumping into their pathway and brake pedals of completely disappearing. If men are more "Mulish" than women, so be it. Pungent and colorful were the local livery stables who kept horses and teams for hire, stallions for service, and a retinue of loafers on the bench out front. Those loafers profoundly impressed me as coming early in the day, ready and prepared to do nothing - and doing it all day. Their grandsons play golf?? Old Jap, a black gelding, carried the mail with Bill and gene Clement. He died in our back pasture. John Shelly buried him but his feet stuck out (Jap's of course, not John's). I was sent for a hand-saw and we solved the problem, but I still cringe - Jap was one of my best friends, and those weary old feet had carried messages - good, bad and indifferent - in all weather to all people. Cars took the load off flesh and blood but rural carriers, then and since, have continue that tradition of friendly service over and above the call of duty. Gone, of course, is the joy of reading the postcards as Old Jap trotted slowly from box to box.
W. NOURSE. GENERAL MERCHANDISE
"Pappy" Nourse held forth on the southeast corner of the triangle long before the days of big chain stores like SUPER SHORT-WEIGHT and NATIONAL GYP WAY. Pappy was a short shortie in inches but a tall, tall pillar in the Christian Church. Much grocery business was barter and trade. Country butter, stamped with a daisy and a fern-leaf, and more-or-less fresh eggs were traded for food staples and dry goods - muslin, taffeta overalls, chambray shirts, boots, shoes and tobacco. Ginger snaps and hard Mary Anne cookies kept for months. Their freshness never changed - or mattered. Climax, the Grand Old Chew and two-for-a-nickel cigars shared the south aisle counter-case with wintergreen and peppermint candy. And there was Ted the supposedly fierce bull dog, left in the store overnight, presumably to guard it. Nobody ever tested his guardianship. Pappy kept a kettle of hot water boiling, to clean butter crocks and to wave at Gypsies who seldom got past him into the store to beg or steal. I never saw him wash them, but Pappy's hands were not unclean, for they were kind and generous hands. There was nothing dirty or unclean about Pappy, the man. He comforted the little girl who came in, tearfully, with her broken dolly by reciting the whole poem: "There, there, little girl, don't cry; Your dolly is broken, I know....." How often he, by proxy, "laid his hands upon them and blessed them". But he had another side. The John Slocums lived south of town, had nine children, and before modern plumbing , required a whole fleet of "vessels". Charlie, aged 10, was chosen to hurry to town to buy a replacement for a broken one. Sneaking in the east (back) door, Charlie whispered his wants to Pappy for, standing up front by the ribbon counter were two girls who sat beside Charlie in school. Pappy bellowed out, loud and clear: "So you need a POT, Charlie my boy. And just what size of pot?" Charlie wilted, while the girls tittered. He wrote on a sugar-sack" "Middle-size - and charge it". Handing one to him from the top shelf, Pappy roared: "How's that pot for size, Charlie?" "Ain't - ain't - ain'tchagonna wrap it?" Charles whispered. "Why should I wrap it. It's got a handle, hasn't it?", Pappy countered. Charlie had the last word. He left it and burst out the back door in tears. "He'll be back for it", Pappy said, "Necessity knows no law". I was grown when Pappy closed the store. After a first heart attack, he closed out the items, locked the door, and went home to the "dignity of an honorable finis" - and a kindly one. A second attack took him very soon. His was an unusual funeral, in fact, rather a pleasant one, so as-it-should-be, natural, inevitable, rewarding. No one was really sad for we knew that his MERCHANDISE had indeed been GENERAL: kindness, originality, courtesy, sparkling wit, homely charm, full measure, and a sustaining Christian faith. That day I gained a new concept of Death as coming, like an old friend with extended hand, to guide us through an open, welcome door. The faded bricks with the old sign scarcely legible came down, but his long-term investments in kindness to so many little boys and girls are still bearing compound interest. The minister mentioned "casting bread upon the waters" and "finding it after many days". Maybe Edgar Guest said it better: "Earth holds no glory greater than this; To be the old man whom the children would miss".
T.M. (Milt) Hill and wife, Gussie, and children moved from Indiana in Minburn in February, 1903. Milt and an older brother had been operating a tile factory at Barnard, Indiana. Milt had answered an ad in a Brick and Tile magazine in which John McFarland of the Minburn plant advertised for a partner. The following year Harry and Maggie Hill and daughters came from Indiana, and Harry bought McFarland's interest in the factory. The brothers made brick and tile and ran the sawmill 1 1/2 miles west of Minburn for several years. Many farms in this area are still being drained by tile made by the Hill Brothers. In 1908 Harry's health wasn't very good so he sold his half of the business to Milt and began farming. About 1915 or 1916 Milt sold the saw mill, dismantled the tile factory and began full time farming, later moving to Minnesota in 1919. A Mr. Myers and a Mr. Chamberlain had owned the tile factory before John McFarland.
THE MINBURN BAND entertained local residents at band concerts "away back when". Pictured, from left, are back row: Sanford Weddle, Clarence McIuie, Clare Basart, Hiram West, Charles Keller, Jack Boyd, Frank Clement, Ross Boyd, Clem Luellen, Guy Nourse, and Verbal Danner. Front row: Johnnie Smith, Albert Weddle, Johnie Edmondson, Dale Shelley and Don Scott.
BILL WELCH and GENE WELCH were seated in an "up-to-date" car in front of the Welch Blacksmith Shop, when this picture was taken many years ago.
WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN, standing at rear of train, on a whistle stop campaign through Minburn. He was introduced by W. A. Cook, a staunch Democrat, and grandfather of Clarence and Howard Hill.
It was a big event in Minburn when JACK GITZY paid off an election bet by giving L. H. JONES a wheelbarrow ride down main street. McKinley, republican, had defeated Bryan, democrat, for President in 1896. Jones, a merchant whose personality and family left an unforgettable impression on Minburn, was a strong Republican. Gitzy, editor of the Minburn Star, was a Bryan supporter. No one had cash money to risk in betting, but occasionally they bet cigars, labor, or shaving off a beard to back up their convictions.
EARLY SURVEYOR Many Minburn residents will find the name of WESLEY VANDERCOOK, pictured above, on their property abstracts. He was the civil engineer who surveyed the towns of Minburn, Dallas Center, Perry, and Grand Junction in 1869. On his first trip to Iowa, he traveled to Des Moines on a stage coach. Wesley helped to locate the railroad from Des Moines to Council Bluffs, which took 14 months. In all that time they did not see a farm or any town, for that part of Iowa was a vast prairie, swarming with deer, prairie chickens, ducks, geese and other wild game. There were no trees, except near Des Moines. Vandercook then helped survey and build a railroad from Des Moines to Fort Dodge, which crossed the Chicago North-western. At the completion of this, he laid out the towns in this area. In 1870 he went to Springfield, Illinois, where he lived to the age of 96 years. An interesting story about Wesley, who served in the Civil War, was that at one time he was pronounced dead and laid in a coffin overnight. The next morning one of his comrades discovered that Wesley was alive, and rescued him from a premature grave.
HISTORY OF THE PIERCE FARM
The histories of many farms in this area, and their pioneer settlers read like an adventure book. The story of the present Purl Pierce farm is an example of the hardships sorrows and joys suffered by our pioneer ancestors. Thomas and Elizabeth Pierce left Pennsylvania in 1854 with a large caravan of families, with Illinois as their goal. Their eldest son, Charles came on to Iowa in 1865 and made negotiations for the purchase of land in Sugar Grove Township (now Washington Township). A short time later, Thomas and Elizabeth Pierce brought their family to central Iowa. Along the way they missed the fork in the road and proceeded to the Harbour Stage Coach stop near Redfield. Through the efforts of a stage coach driver, the family was re-united in 1866, when the Pierces moved to their new home, the preset Purl Pierce farm. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce observed their 55th wedding anniversary on the farm, living there until his death in 1904. Mrs. Pierce lived with a daughter in Perry until her death in 1911. "Jim" Pierce, the youngest son of Thomas and Elizabeth, spent his boyhood years on this farm. He was married to Myra Campbell in 1894. Their wedding year was marked by a severe drought and crop failure. James and Myra lived in their own house on the farm which he later inherited. Their two children, Isal (Ellis) and Purl were born on this homestead. Jim and Myra moved to a home in Minburn in August, 1929, where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1944. Their son, Purl, continued operating the farm and after the death of his parents, purchased his sister's interest. He was married to Martelle McCarthy in 1925. They have two sons, Gerald (Jerry), and James. Jerry is married to the former Lynore Connally and lives in Urbandale, Iowa. They have four children. James makes his home with his parents and now farms the same homestead negotiated for by the Pierce family in 1865. He is the 4th generation to till the Pierce soil.
"BARB" GLYDE, his wife Alice and daughter May, all dressed up for a Sunday drive, in October 1911.
ANDERSON BROTHERS - SCENIC THEATRE
In the summer of 1912, Ray and Oscar Anderson established a partnership, to be known as the Anderson Bros., to provide the residents of Minburn with a Motion Picture Theatre. The SCENIC THEATRE was located in the west room of the Foltz Building, and with Minburn having no electricity, gas was used in the projection machine. the first show held on December 21, 1912, was entitled "The Irony of Fate", followed on January 2, 1913, with "The Holy City", and "To Err is Human". Finding gas unsatisfactory for good pictures, they purchased a Cushman generating plant which furnished lights and also current for the projecting machine. Mason Faber and Lillian Blumberg were the cashiers. Admission for adults was 10¢, children 5¢. Many of Minburn's talented musicians accompanied the pictures, namely: Laura Boyd, Elsie Sundby, Hazel Nourse, Nelle Osborn, Linnie Nourse on the piano, Russell (Jack) Boyd, clarinet, Verbyl (Cat) Danner, drums, and Archie Nourse at the Xylophone. A stage was built and a roll curtain installed and, many fine show troups entertained Minburn's residents. In 1914 the entrance and steps were remodeled, and the old Sign removed. In 1915 the Brothers sold the Theatre to John Marriott of Minnesota, and dissolved the partnership. Ray engaged in the cement and building trade, while Oscar, following his marriage to Alma Hagenstein, continued in the theatre business, purchasing the MAJESTIC THEATRE at Perry from W.J. Petty. This was located in the I.O.O.F. Building, now occupied by Sidles Company. After operating the theatre for a short time, they dismantled it and moved same to Latimer, Iowa, in Franklin County. Early in 1918, before entering service in World War I, they closed the theatre, dismantled same and shipped it to Madrid, Iowa, where they established a partnership with J.W. Coleman, and operated the Theatre in the Airie Hotel Building. They later sold to Gomer Evans of Madrid, and moved to Perry, ending their career in the Theatre business. Both brothers live in Perry, and are now retired.
BEN AND KATHIE (MORTIMER) DUGAN were married March 15, 1899, and lived practically all their married life in Minburn. A son, Dr. Lester Dugan lives in Minburn, and a daughter, Alice Robison is from Dallas Center. "Aunt Katie", a friend to all the children in her neighborhood, kept them well supplied with home-made cookies.
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARIES were quite an occasion back in the early days. The group pictured above were celebrating the 50th anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Newt Brown, seated at center front. The old Brown home in the picture is the present Bromley Wooldridge home.
MR. AND MRS. T.B. THOMPSON*, center front, are pictured with their either sons and daughters. They are, back row left to right: Oscar*, Bertha Price of Jefferson, Ebb*, Alf* (father of Verle Thompson of Minburn), Seated: Art* (father of Glenn Thompson, Minburn), Lillian Belden of Perry (mother of Henry Belden and Hildreth Basart, Minburn), Della Thompson, of Perry, Sarah Payton (mother of Lloyd Payton, Minburn). *deceased
VIRGIL UNTIED
Virgil Untied, 33, was fatally wounded by three armed bandits on July 23, 1931. Untied, Night Marshal in Minburn, was shot down in the street without warning, as he approached a grocery store which the thieves were ransacking at 3:15 a.m. He suffered five wounds from shotgun slugs. The bandits robbed four stores in Minburn, and held off several armed citizens. The shooting took place in front of the depot, as Untied started across the tracks to the store which was being robbed. His brother, Jap Untied, and William Hagenstein had accompanied him and were stationed at each side of the depot when the shooting occurred. The robbers fled in a car, headed toward Des Moines, and were never apprehended.
The late DR. JAMES HINCHLIFF and MRS. HINCHLIFF (ETHEL) are pictured in their Minburn home. They were married in 1905, the year Dr. Hinchliff started his 35-year medical career here. He retired in 1940 because of illness, and passed away in January, 1944. Mrs. Hinchliff, 88, is still living in Minburn, where she has the distinction of being the oldest woman resident. John of Des Moines, Iowa, and Dorothy Harper, also of Des Moines, are the son and daughter of the Hinchliffs. There are also 4 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
A REBEKAH LODGE Meeting in Adel. Back row, left to right: George Pritchard, Anna Pritchard, Nettie Snyder, Will Snyder, Lillian Wicks, Lizzie Craig, Ciddie West, Jerry Osborne, Melinda Reed, Joe West, Martha Gottschalk. Second row: Henry Geissinger, Cora Geissinger, Ellie Osborne, Nelle Harris, Effie Mitchell Dixon, Bertha Wallace Harris, Lizzie Bever, First row: Oscar Bever, Del Wicks, Dolly Scott, Bert Reed, Sam Harris.
The HAGENSTEIN Family, perfect "stairsteps" are from left: Adolph*, Bill*, Alma Anderson, Perry; Lena Myers, California; Fred, Minburn; Leo, Aiken, Minnesota. *deceased
The family of WILLIAM & ELIZA LUELLEN, in 1896, left to right: Mary Elizabeth Luellen, Cephus Dodd Luellen, Ruth Dodd Luellen Rogers, William Wallace Luellen, and Clarinda Luellen Porterfield.	TOM & NORA WEDDLE moved to Minburn in 1912. They raised a family of nine children, all of whom settled in central Iowa to establish their own homes. Four daughters live at Minburn, as do 3 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Their family includes: Maude Thompson, Lola Kimrey, Nana Royer, and Vera Royer, all of Minburn. Rex, Des Moines; Flora Wolfe, Perry; and Honor Morgan of Dallas Center. Verdo and Marie Scott are deceased. Tom passed away in 1944 and Nora died in September, 1959.
Pictured above is the MINBURN HIGH SCHOOL Team of 1915. The players are, from left in the front row: Verle Carris, Don Scott and Paul Goldsberry. Back row: Alfred Weddle, Mac Shirley, Lovell Burket, and LaVerne Brenton. The picture was taken on the stage of the old theatre building.
Many Minburn residents remember the horror of the TRAIN WRECK here in September 1917. The fireman jumped from the engine, ran to a house close by and died in the yard. The Engineer was buried in the wreckage.
This was a meeting of the METHODIST LADIES AID SOCIETY on the lawn of the old Ed Hill home. Included in the group are: Mrs. George Miller, Mrs. John Shirley, Mary Slocum Guernsey, Luie Scott, Mrs. John Slocum, Katie Dugan, Mrs. Newt Brown, Mrs. C.W. Anderson, Jennie Hill, Gladys Slocum Shirley, Lizzie Luellen, Mrs. Varley (minister's wife), Mrs. Ed Hill, Pearl Fox, Mrs. L.P. Smith, Mrs. Ben Nelson. Tjhe two ladies at the left were unidentified.
MINBURN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT of many years ago. "Tinner" Smith at top, Bert Schnoover on ladder. Others, left to right: John Fultz, Oscar Basart, Gene Welch, Albert Hagenstein, Ward Belden, Than Weddle.
The "DANA CHEESE MAN" brought drums of cheese to Minburn back in 1912, when this picture was taken.
THE BAND BOOSTER GIRLS, left to right: *Gladys Slaughter Bever, Lena Scott West, Pearl Roush Bever, *Hazel Nourse Luellen, *Clara McQuie, Flossie Gottschalk Kime, *Lynette Gribben, Eva West Chandler, Marcia Luellen Carris, Ilo Scott Smith, Bertha Thompson Price, Gladys Luellen Draegert, *Helen West McGrean, *Linnie Nourse Brenaman, Not present when picture was taken: Jennie Sundby Untied, Inez Parcel, Mae Burkholder. *deceased
BOOSTER CLUB
The Booster Club was started by a group of girls who entered a float in the parade at the Fourth of July celebration in Minburn in 1908. They received first prize of $10 by popular vote. Because there was no place in Minburn to hold celebrations..such affairs were held in the timber..the girls felt the need of a city park. With the $10 prize money, they started a Park Fund. The Booster Club was organized in 1909. In order to raise money, they sponsored ice cream socials, band fairs, lyceum programs, chatauqua, dinners, calico carnival, and various other projects. When the fund reached $500 they had a chance to purchase the Rogers homestead for $1,000. In order to do this, the club had to be incorporated. This was done in 1917 by George and Harry Dugan, former Minburn residents who donated their services. The Park is known as the Minburn Park. The Booster girls cared for the park for several years, until it became too much of a burden for so few, and they they deeded it to the town. The following is a Rally Song used by the Booster Girls:
"We are boosters, don't you see... And we want you to agree, Just to help boost Minburn to the top; It's the best town on the map; We know you'll all agree to that... Won't you help us be a booster now, and boost? Be a booster now, and boost... That's our motto, don't forget; Help to boost old Minburn right along; For we want our town to be The best town you will see; Don't be knocking...be a Booster now...and boost!
FOURTH OF JULY
The Fourth of July was a great time for Minburn - with festivities centered at the picnic grounds in the timber one-half mile west of town. The Minburn Cornet Bank reserved its noisiest music for the great day, and weeks of preparation went into plans for the program and stunts. No celebration was complete without the reading of the Declaration of Independence by Lew Gill. Then of course there was always a speaker, who thrilled the elders with his oratorical rendition of Independence Day - much to the unhappiness of the younger set who must sit still and be quiet! The annual parade was resplendent with red, white and blue bunting - and pretty girls! Speaking of parades, one year Dallas Center put on a parade in which pretty girls rode on decorated floats, each representing one of the states. Leading them all was the Goddess of Liberty. But they ran out of pretty girls, so came to Minburn for the Goddess. Then there was always the greased pig - to be caught by some lucky boy for a prize. An attempt to climb a greased pole was the crazy performance of the "rag-muffins". They were all on horseback - dressed in the craziest, raggedest clothes they could find. Men in calico mother-hubbards and yellow sun-bonnets rode past the speakers stand, down to the dance floor. There they all dismounted and put on a dance. Such a hullabaloo - scaring some of the onlookers nearly to death! Then the wild men rode off into the woods to remove their rags and masks. Later at the Fair ground there were sack races and fireworks and plenty of ice cream. Thus ended a big day.
KIMREY CEMETERY
Kimrey Cemetery is as old as any cemetery in Dallas County. The origin of this little cemetery is the same as occasional others which are found scattered across our land. A family was traveling westward in search of a place to call home and they found it necessary to stop because of illness - and the short sad story is told. "Several of their children died of typhoid". Mr. John Kimrey gave a piece of ground from his homestead so that the family could bury their children. Their graves have long since become lost as there was no stone available for headstones. This little cemetery of a little over two acres has headstones dating from 1850 onwards. It is located on a beautiful high knoll two miles southwest of Minburn overlooking the Raccoon River. A small headstone with the name of "Jennie" is in memory of Jennie Mitchell, infant daughter of Jacob Mitchell, who died in 1872. This small stone could well be in remembrance of the many children who died in infancy and whose graves are not marked with a stone. The ancient pine tree has nearly swallowed this small headstone.
LILLIAN WICKS, 84, has the distinction of having spent the most years, of any living resident, at Minburn. She was the youngest of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Voas, and the only one still living. "Cree" has lived all of her life near the site where she was born.	The DEPOT pictured above burned on April 21, 1914. Old timers recall that Norris Voas, son of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Norris Voas, was born while the depot was burning.
This picture, taken in 1887, is of a group of early PIONEERS living in the area of the present John Ross farm, known as the "Myers Community". When a school district was established, it became the "Mayflower District". Included are members of the Myers and West families, and possibly some of the Voas family.
Minburn folks were sport-minded even back in 1912, when this BASEBALL TEAM slugged their way to many victories. They are, left to right, front row: (unknown, from Dallas Center), Clem Luellen, Frank Mitchell, Clarence McQuie, Floyd Pierce, Lee Bryant. Back row: Vic Roush, Ed Thomas, Ariet Stout, Sam Wilson, Lenny Mitchell, Harry Brenaman, Bobby Thompson.
This picture of the C.W.B.M.  MISSIONARY SOCIETY was taken in 1915, in front of the home of Mrs. M.A. Clements (Picture taken by Bernice Clark Weddle). They are left to right, back row: Jane Edmundson, Sarah West, Mrs. Oscar Bever, Gladys  Bever and baby, Mrs. Newt Black, Mavis Clement, Martha Murphy, Maud Nourse, Nettie Morton, Mrs. Osborn, Emma Clark; sitting: Avis Clement, Opal Bever Dougherty holding Louise black, Blanche Busby, Ada Clement holding her daughter Marie (Scott), Lizzie Warford and son, Marie Davies and Gail Clark, Hesper Clement, Olive Clement. Bottom row: Merrill Clement, Dean Morton, Elery Clement.
A CENTURY OF BUSINESS IN MINBURN
During the past 100 years, many business establishments have come and gone, in and around Minburn. Of the present businessmen, Harold Hunter has been in business here the longest, having started Hunter Oil Company in 1941. Hawbaker Hardware has been established since 1937 but the present owner, Russell Hawbaker, succeeded his father in the business. Going back to the beginning, some of the first business concerns include the following. D.F. Rogers and Wallace Luellen started the first lumber yard in 1870. The first store building was erected east of the railroad tracks by F.H. Baker, who also had the first house in Minburn. Several store buildings were built west of the Co-op store site, and all were later moved across the railroad tracks. Frank Ullery owned and operated a hardware store. In 1870, Minburn's first saloon was run by Charlie Pierce on the west side. Later, Dick Ross and Pete Cushman and his wife started saloons, also. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers and some friends started the first Public Library in Minburn in 1873. The first drug store was run by A.C. Nims. James Lyon, Frank McGraw and Frank Edmundson were the first blacksmiths. Minburn's pioneer physician was E.R. Aiken. According to reports, he had no medical school training, but had studied doctor books with some older doctors. Iowa had no medical laws then. Pat Flynn was the official shoe and harness maker. Charles and William Minnis sold hardware, coming here about 1880. John Esbine N. Welch was a blacksmith of some renown. Andrew Peterson did draying from about 1870. Dr. Hinton came to Minburn while Dr. Grossman was here, but stayed only a year or so. His office was opposite the L.H. Jones Store. J. Kelly Olds was a merchant during the 1880's.
This picture of JOHN SHELLY (standing) barber shop was taken in 1900. The man waiting for a hair cut is Bill Kimrey.
Does this picture bring back fond memories? The circular BANDSTAND to the right was built around the old town pump. The wreckage in the background was all that remained after the fire of 1909, of the buildings south of the Masonic Hall - the present site of the grocery store and bank.
The south side of MAIN STREET in Minburn many years ago.
MINBURN, in 1879
(The following information was derived from a History of Dallas County published in 1879) In 1879, Minburn School consisted of 2 frame buildings of one room each. There were 83 pupils, and the two teachers were S.H. Lauder, principal, receiving $42.50 per month, and Sophie Burnett, assistant at a salary of $30.00 per month. Businesses: 2 General Stores, John Warford, and A.J. Knowles; 2 Hardware Stores, G.F. Brayton & Bro., and Jesse Filbron; Drugs, Wm. Seidler; Physician, E.R. Aiken; Restaurants, Joll Cushman and Wm. Mitchell' Blacksmiths, Frank Edmundson, V.W. Beeson, Brown & Gosselin; Livery stable, John Oakland; Hotels, Frank Knowles and John W. Gillian; Grain Buyer, M.W. Gribben; Saloon, M.M. Maurer; Cornet Band conducted by Wm. Osborne. Population: 300. Shipped out of Minburn in 1878: Corn-110,000 bu., Oats-25,000 bu., Wheat-4,000 bu., Hogs-7,500, Horses-18, Butter and eggs-35,000 lbs. Storm Saw Mill - owned by Osborne Bros: capacity of 3000 to 6000 ft. Also a planing mill and lumber yard in connection, and owners were contractors and builders.
PAST BUSINESSES
It is difficult to recall all of the business establishments of past years. Here are some which old timers remember: Shannon's Cafe, Butler's Garage, Steve Gottschalk's Store, Otis Hays Harness & Shoe Repair Shop, Danner's Store, Nourses Store, Mattie Bryant's Millinery, Gilbert Clark Plumbing & Heating, and Reves Produce. Also oil stations operated by Ben Charlet, Art Denman, George Danner, Glen Schott, and Ralph West. Beauty operators have included Doris Bender Elenor Mickelson, Gerdena Steward, Fraulein Hays, Mary Ann Warren, Garnita Wooldridge, and Thelma Miller. Dr. Little practiced medicine in Minburn for many years, but no definite information has been made available. Another old time favorite was "peg leg" Howard, who repaired shoes. The Raney Motor Co. was operated 12 years by Lewis and Gertrude Raney, and was sold to Darrell Daugherty in Sept., 1960. When he left Minburn, the building was converted into a a shop for school use, but is still referred to as the "Raney Building" "Lew" was quite a favorite around town, and was very community-minded. They moved to Spencer from Minburn, and Mrs. Raney passed away in 1969. More recent businesses have been Smiley Insurance Co., Miller Plumbing & Heating, Central Service operated by Harold Smith, Gables Coffee Shop, operated by Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Brokaw, and a sewing shop operated by Mrs. Verle Thompson.
This was the east side of MAIN STREET - date unknown.
This is the old CO - OPEATIVE STORE which later became the E.J. Rowe Store, on the site of the present D-X Station.
This picture of HAGERSTEIN'S MEAT MARKET was taken about 1909. Left to right: Adolf Hagenstein (killed in France), John Rector, Albert Hagenstein.
COMMUNITY-MINDED CITIZENS PAST AND PRESENT
No history of Minburn would be complete without mentioning several persons who have contributed much to their community. Of course there are many others, too, but these few are representative of the fine people who have helped make Minburn a good place in which to live.   MR. AND MRS. E.L. MEEK   Professor Meek was School Superintendent for several years and Mrs. Meek taught. She also served as Postmaster 12 years. Their home site was given to the town of Minburn and for years was known as Meek Park. This is the present location of the skating rink, which is a fitting tribute to this fine couple who loved all young people.   A.H. NELSON served as depot agent in Minburn 40 years, 1909 to 1949, when he passed away. Mrs. Nelson, 95, lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her daughter, Iris Good. She is a remarkable, person, and at the age of 85 made a trip to Alaska alone. As of June, 1969, she was reported in good health.   "AUNT LUIE" SCOTT was a fine example of the old saying, "you are never any older than you feel". Each year on her birthday, friends and relatives dropped in to congratulate her and share her birthday cake. She passed away in September, 1963, at the age of 96.   GRANDMA MARIE CLEMENT, passed away in February, 1956, at the age of 99. She often assisted Dr. Grossman in the early days. JOHN BURKET, a pioneer of Minburn, died August 21, 1961, at the age of 90. He was a livestock buying partner of Ed Hill for 18 years in the early days of Minburn. RAY GRIBBEN, born in Minburn in 1885, served in many capacities in this community. He passed away in June, 1966 at the age of 81. EVERETT AND ALMA SHAW owned and operated the Shaw Grocery for 38 years.. In 1937, Shaw and Howard Hill started the Minburn Cold Storage Locker, the first in Dallas County, which the former operated in connection with the store until 1965, when he sold the business. Through outstanding service, the Shaw's established a name for their store, and won the confidence and patronage of their community. Everett was always on hand to help with any community project. He often made the store available when groceries were needed for serving at the food stand, even when the necessity arose after the store was closed. Such folks as these are what keep a small town progressing. They continue to live in Minburn, where they have many friends. E. HOWARD HILL  A native son of Minburn, Howard Hill has brought much recognition to his home town through holding various important positions. Howard and the late Mrs. Hill (Lorraine) were active members of the Minburn United Methodist Church, and devoted much time to various worthy organizations. Remaining humble throughout his successful agricultural career. Howard's main pride and joy have been his family and home. MABEL (Mrs. Clarence) HILL is one who can always be depended upon to help carry the burdens of her neighbors. She is vitally interested in everyone, and always ready to lend a helping hand in time of sickness or need. The only reward she needs is the satisfaction of helping a fellow human being. Mrs. Kyle (MARY) REED has often been referred to as "an angel in disguise" by the many grateful people she has helped. Whether a friend or a stranger, anyone needing help in sickness or adversity, is "adopted" by Mary as her personal problem. Her good deeds are quietly performed, and her devout faith has inspired many in times of need and sorrow. MRS. PEARL FOX  Mrs. Fox served the Minburn Library in some capacity for about 19 years. She retired in January, 1963, and was presented a Citizenship and Community Service Citation by the Minburn Woman's Club. She was honored at Open House, with 90 local persons signing the guest book. Mrs. Fox passed away June 12, 1969. Carolene Hays was Librarian for several years, and Martha Dugan is currently serving in that capacity. Mrs. Dugan is interested in all community projects, and lends a willing hand when needed. She is particularly interested in the youth of our community.