Iowa
Old Press
Sioux City Sunday Journal
Sioux City, Woodbury co. Iowa
September 8, 1929
Section D, p 1, col 8
Pioneer Church and Saloon in LeMars is being Razed
LeMars, Ia- Special: "Old timers" in LeMars are growing
sentimental over the dismantling of the Beaufils building, one of
the first in LeMars, which was erected in 1870 when LeMars was
nothing more than a few shacks on the prairie and a more or less
mythical plat on file at the old county seat in Melbourne.
"The building first was occupied by Roe Amsden, who
supplemented his business with hardy pioneers by occasional
Indian trading. The upper story was known as Amsden's hall and
here, by the light of smoky oil lanterns, early settlers danced
square dances, hoe-downs and Virginia reels to the accompaniment
of squeaking fiddles and the howling blizzards.
"In the early days, religious services also were held in
Amsden's hall. Bishop Sumner Lee, first Episcopal bishop in Iowa,
helped services there. Mrs. B.C. Woolley, president of the
Plymouth County Abstract Company, underwent the rites of
christening on the bishops visitation. Her father, the late D. W.
Clarke, operated an implement and hardware store in one of the
few building that formed the primitive prairie village.
"But before long Amsden's hall fell from grace and became a
saloon, which was conducted by Pat Gainor, famous Missouri and
Mississippi river pilot and friend of Mark Twain. The place was
patronized by land seekers and members of the early English
Colony established by Cap Moreton. Pat Gainor dispensed a well
known brand of "Old Crow" which he had come to know and
respect on the Missouri river steamers, and his sample room
always was liberally patronized by the habitues of such famous
old resorts as the English "House of Lords,"
"House of Commons," "The Continental," and
"Windsor Castle."
"In the days when LeMars had a famous race track and polo
team, congestion was so bad that visitors paid $5 for the
privilege of sleeping on the bar from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. Pioneers
relate many a tale of wassail and song in the old building."
[transcribed by L.Z., October 2013]