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donations have been given at times. Tray favors have been made for the residents at Maplewood Manor for some special occasions and Christmas caroling has been enjoyed a few years.

In 1971 a member of our club was selected a District Entomology winner. Cheryl Walter won a trip to the National 4-H Congress in Chicago. The current membership is 11 with Melody Northup serving as President. Clothing is the main project of 1973 and promises to be an interesting year.

CAMPFIRE GIRLS

January 29, 1914. The Campfire Girls held their council and initiated a new member. The Campfire Girls is a new group, having been established here early in the summer of 1913.

September 9, 1920. Fifteen of Keota's young misses have organized a Keota camp of Campfire Girls with Mrs. Lola Gilbert as Guardian. The Fire Tatapochon Camp or "can't be pulled apart" camp, is the name of the local post. Dorothy White was appointed President; Mildred Ochs, Sec'y; Marion Morris, Treas. They also appointed program, entertainment, hike and cheer committees.

February 2, 1922. CAMPFIRE GIRLS. The Campfire Girls are going in for a bit of philanthropy and will put a brick fire place in the city park. They expect it to cost from $100 to $150.

March 9, 1922. CAMPFIRE GIRLS. The Campfire girls organization received a letter from National Campfire headquarters stating that the first award in Class C, an honorary medal, has been awarded to the Keota organization on their report for their years work. This is the only award that has come to the state of Iowa, all others have gone to large organizations in the east, except one in Minneapolis and one in Illinois.

November 2, 1922. CAMPFIRE GIRLS. The Community Fireplace, erected and paid for by Campfire Girls under guidance of Mrs. L. Gilbert, was presented to the community last Friday evening in the park. There was a program with singing and short talks. Mayor Gilbert accepted the Fireplace and tables for the community. Lunch was served. The girls are grateful to a number of business firms that donated some materials used.

May 17, 1923. The Campfire Girls of Keota receive honorable mention for the second year. It is the highest honor a chapter of this organization can win.

July 19, 1923. The Campfire Girls have had the City Park wired and it is now lighted every night when the weather is fair. The girls pay the bill.

September 27, 1923. Mrs. Lola Gilbert is working up a junior organization for Campfire Girls. The newer group will be girls 11 to 13.

August 6, 1925. The Campfire girls are going to build a bungalow at Anderson Park on the Des Moines river near Keosauqua. They plan to spend at the most $400. It will be 22 x 28 with screened porch across the front, living room, kitchen, dressing room and large attic. The bungalow was completed and dedicated September 1, 1925. The girls and their Guardian, Mrs. Gilbert, Mr. Gilbert, Rev. and Mrs. Rayhill and some of the parents drove to Keosauqua for the day.

December 31, 1931. The Tetapochin Campfire Girls held their annual reunion at the home of their guardian and friend. Although a number of the girls have joined the ranks of the matrons, the entire group was present for the Christmas party. There was a gift exchange and gifts were presented to Mrs. Gilbert ("Kim") and Mr. Gilbert ("Uncle Edd").

Campfire Girls at the home of Mrs. Lola Gilbert. Standing in back, Ed. Gilbert. Left to Right,
Hazel Irelan, Elizabeth White, Helen Helscher, Mary Leinen. Second row from back,
Mildred Ochs, Harriet Ewing, Eula Chambers, Marjorie Ochs, Third row, Dorothy Morris,
Harriet Morris, Mildred Palmer, Marion Morris, Dorothy White, Thelma Kirkpatrick.
Sitting on floor, Mrs. Gilbert, Ruth Ranous.

Keota's Railroad Park

June 1, 1911. A movement is on foot to park the south side of the Railroad right of way from the alley east of J. S. Martin's residence (now The Powell Funeral Home) on west two or three blocks.

December 7, 1911. Agent Brown received a letter from Railroad Headquarters recently asking if the people of Keota were willing to pay the stupendous amount of $1.00 per year for the lease of the land, and half a dozen men have said they would stand good. This is generous on the part of the Company and we ought to do our part. That isn't alI — a handsome bandstand will be built by J. S. Martin and wife, and that isn't all yet — Mr. and Mrs. Martin will donate all the trees that are needed for the park besides helping with a cash subscription. Mayor Gilbert and the Council is interested as well as many others. Let us all pitch in and help make Keota a delight for travelers who pass through on trains.

Jan. 25, 1912. Mayor Gilbert received the lease for our railroad park yesterday from the officials. All that is necessary now is for the town council to approve it.

April 25, 1912. J. S. Martin broke ground on the new park last week by setting out 25 or 30 elm trees on plot opposite his residence. The work on the band stand will start as soon as he can get the men.

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SINGMASTER BUFFALO, DEER AND
ELK HELPED MAKE KEOTA FAMOUS

The Singmaster buffalo, deer and elk which were one of the famous attractions brought sight-seers to Keota for many years.

The animals were the property of J. O. Singmaster and had the range on a 35-acre field on Maple Grove farm. The buffalo were descendents of a herd which was started in 1902 when Mr. Singmaster's father, C. F. Singrnaster, secured a bull and two cows from the herd in Yellowstone National Park. The animals were placed in a field at Maplehurst, the Singmaster ranch a mile and a half northwest of Keota, and they multiplied rapidly.

In 1912 half of the herd was transferred to the J. O. Singmaster estate. The other half remained at Maplehurst and became the property of C. A. Singmaster who was then the owner of the ranch.

The field in which J. O. Singmaster's herd was confined was near the road and the animals attracted many sightseers from far and near. At one time this herd numbered 50 animals. The field was enclosed by a seven foot fence of No. Nine woven wire.

For a number of year s a herd of elk varying from ten to fifteen head also occupied the field. Deer always were kept with the buffalo. They were hard to keep within bounds and occasionally one escaped and strayed away. In this manner a herd of wild deer became established in the timber along Skunk River, ten miles south of Keota.

The buffalo and deer lived peaceably together, but the buffalo were not to be trusted where man was concerned. No one ever entered the field on foot. Each year a buffalo was killed always in the field with a high powered rifle to furnish meat for the family and friends.

Many years ago a fine specimen from the Singmaster herd of buffalo was mounted and presented to the Iowa State Historical Museum at Des Moines.

In the late 1920s (1926-1928) the Pete Carr Rodeo was held at Maplehurst. The cowboys roped and rode several of the buffalo, which was quite an attraction.

May 11, 1911. Special agent for Des Moines Register and Leader was in Keota and visited the Singmaster ranch.

C. F. Singmaster & Sons are negotiating for sale of buffalo herd to Howard Eaton of Wolf, Wyo., who, if he buys them, will take the herd out of the country. It is one of the largest individual herds in the United States.

A government inspector who visited the ranch a year ago said the government was so desirous of preserving the herd that they have offered the services of a government veterinary in case animals become ill.

Mr. Singmaster bought the original seven animals from Mr. Eaton seven years ago and were valued at $450 each at that time. They now have 23 animals valued at $1000 each.

They are penned in an 80 acre park and live on grass during its season and corn fodder through the winter months.

A herd of 16 elk share the park. The first of this herd was purchased 15 years ago. The Singmasters are also large importers of horses.

March 15, 1934. The Singmaster buffalo which were one of the famous attraction bringing sightseers to Keota for many years were sold by J.O. Singmaster of Maple Villa. A local buyer was the purchaser, trucking them to Cedar Rapids as beef to be butchered and marketed for beef prices. There were 11 head. One was butchered here and sold locally. The buffalo herd was established in 1902 by C.F. Singmaster and at his death was divided between J.O. and C.A. Singmaster. The former kept up his herd and they were visible to sightseers along the Keota-Kinross road north of town. C. A. Singmaster has two of his herd. The original herd was started from a bull and two cows secured from Yellowstone Park. The elk herd never flourished and the last one died several years ago. A herd of deer was also established. The buffalo are gone from our area but an exceptional fine specimen may be seen in Des Moines in the State Historical Museum.

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MRS. EDNA SINGMASTER, CENTENARIAN

A "happy birthday" card from President Richard Nixon delights Mrs. Edna Singmaster, a resident of the Kahl Home, Davenport.

He gave me another with five diamonds in it but I had to give it up after he died." Her gentle lines, peaches and cream complexioned face belies her 100 years. There are many memories but through the century the years begin to fuse. It's difficult to pinpoint when certain things occurred. And this is unimportant to the woman who lives as much in the present as she does the happy past. Edna Singmaster likens her story to that of Cinderella. "I was brought up a poor girl but a happy one. My husband was the best man in the world. I waited until I was 27 years old before we married. And oh what a wonderful life we had!" That good life revolved around their business of importing draft horses from Europe. "Our son never had a birthday in this country until he was 12 years old. We traveled by steamship to France, England, Scotland and occasionally to Germany." The horses were brought back to their home in Keota, Iowa, where they stabled an average of 300 in seven barns. "I loved horses from the time I was a little girl. And I always wanted to play the piano but mother said that wouldn't be possible unless we could strap a piano to the horse's back. Later I learned dressmaking and had a shop in Keota for several years. "My husband and I had the world champion Percheron and I had a team of identical chestnut sorrels that I really loved. Then, one day my husband came home with a brand new Pierce Arrow and I cried. Why, I didn't want to hold onto a wooden wheel and it meant I had to give up my team." The centenarian couldn't recall the first president for whom she voted. "My father was a Democrat and my husband a Republican so I had to be pretty diplomatic during any talks about politics. I do remember that I wanted to vote for Franklin Roosevelt in the worst way." She arrived at the Kahl Home three days before the new building opened six years ago. It was one of her many friends there who notified President Nixon of her upcoming birthday. After her husband's death, Mrs. Singmaster worked as a housemother at the Annie Wittenmyer Home for a number of years. This she counts as another facet of her good life.

July 25, 1969 Today is Mrs. Edna Singmaster's 100th birthday anniversary. She was the first one to arrive in the chapel for 7 a.m. Mass as she is every morning at the Kahl Home. Earlier in the week Mrs. Singmaster talked about the fact that certainly she has no secret for her longevity. Brown eyes sparkled beneath her neatly coiffed, white hair. Slender hands fingered an antique gold bracelet as she spoke. "This was the first birthday present from my husband.

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THE KEOTA INTERURBAN RAILWAY STORY

In August 1906 everything was favorable for a trolley line through Keota. Several businessmen wrote the promoters and the answer was that they would like to open up negotiations with the people. Many meetings were held, surveys made, committees appointed to canvass Keota people, and propositions made. This trolley line was to extend from Iowa City to Ottumwa. Coming from Wellman, the line was to go through the James Nelson farm, a part of Thomas Singmaster's, enter Keota at the north end of Green Street via Arthur Stewart's fields, go straight through town from north to south on Green Street, angle southwest at the park through George Klett's farm and Lawrence Bohrofen's farm, and cross the highway near Paul Peiffer's place. Observations with their instruments were made and stakes driven on the entire line. The Keota people were asked to subscribe thousands of dollars in stock and furnish right of way for five miles in each direction from town and donate sufficient ground for barns, etc. Unfavorable actions taken at this time killed the interurban as far as Keota was concerned.

Interurban Day at Keota.

Interurban Boosters at Keota - 1910.

A VALUABLE RELIC

August 30, 1889. There is in Keota a valuable chair, the property of Miss Sarah Buckley. It is made of walnut wood, has a broad seat and a straight high back with much carving. Near the center of the back are the letters J. B. for John Buckley, great-grandfather of Miss Buckley, who brought it over from England. Below the letters are the figures 1686 which shows age of chair, and it has been in the family all these years. Miss Buckley's grandfather lived on the Delaware not far from Philadelphia in the days of the Revolution. It was from his house that G. Washington started with his barefoot men on that march across the Delaware amid the ice and snow. In this same chair did G. Washington, Wm. Penn and other celebrated men sit. These facts were given the writer (Wm. Papes, editor of Eagle) by Miss Buckley.

October 17, 1890. Among the Keokuk Co. exhibit at the Ottumwa Coal Palace was a chair 204 years old—property of Miss S. M. Buckley of Keota, Iowa. It was handed down by John Buckley who lived in England and the chair was brought to this country by his son. It has supported the divine forms of Washington, Franklin and the two Adams and a number of other "colonial fellows." Two days later President Harrison was seated in the same chair and said in doing so gave him more pleasure than any ot her thing he had done at the Palace. The chair is a solid piece of furniture.

September 26, 1901. Aunt Sade Buckley's antiquated chair was sent to Sigourney and is on exhibition at the old settlers meeting. The chair bears the date 1686 and the initials I. B. The latter means J.B. as they made a J then as we make an I now. The following famous men have sat in the chair—Wm. Penn, George Washington, Andrew Jackson, J. Q. Adams, and Benj. Harrison, who occupied the chair at the Ottumwa Coal Palace in 1890.

January 20, 1910. Sade Buckley is dead. Miss Riordan of Spokane, Washington, sent half page write up of her and her famous G. Washington chair. Many Keota people remember Miss Buckley and her famous chair made in England in 1686.

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WAR HISTORY

August 14, 1873. A number of citizens met at Kulp's Hall and organized a Military Company. Charles Hinman, J. J. Thompson and Jesse Ashby were appointed recruiting officers.

March 11, 1882. From Hon. H. N. Newton's Sketch of Lafayette Township. At the beginning of the Civil War there were over 200 inhabitants in Lafayette Township. Of these, 21 enlisted in the Army and seven of them were either killed in battle or died of disease while in the service. The names are: Ed. Carris, Wm. Fulton, Isaac Smith, J.D. North, Nicholas Reed, Alonzo Hinman and Thos. Vincent. Five of these seven resided in what is now School District No. 7. (Note: District No. 7 adjoined Keota on the south)

G.A.R.

The Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) was a patriotic organization consisting of veterans of the Civil War founded during the winter of 1865-66. The G.A.R. admitted any member of the United States Army, Navy or Marine Corps, who had served between April 12, 1861, and April 9, 1865, and had been honorably discharged. The organization was founded for the commemoration of dead comrades. In 1868 the G.A.R. instituted Memorial Day. Auxiliary orders of the GAR. are the Woman's Relief Corps (W .R.C.) the Ladies of the G.A.R. and the Sons and Daughters of Union Veterans.

Keota G.A.R. Post

The Ed Carris G.A.R. Post No. 333 was organized here in 1884 and was chartered by the State headquarters at Water1oo on May 17, 1884. It continued active until the early 1920's and the State Office had it listed as ceasing to function as of January 1, 1929. Their last record of the local post showed I. LeRoy Pulver as Commander and J.A. Embree, Adjutant, in 1928. Mr. Pulver had headed the post since 1918 and Mr. Embree had been Adjutant since 1923. The last known meeting was the election of Mr. Embree as adjutant in 1923. Mr. Pulver died in June 1928 and Mr. Embree in June 1937. He was the last survivor of the Keota GAR.

It is a rule that the Charter and records be delivered to the State organization when a local post ceases to exist. That was not done here and the State Department was attempting to accomplish a task that had been neglected for 16 years. Members of the Legion Post here which had the G.A.R. flag were interviewed but no records and members of the W.R.C. whose meeting place was that of the G.A.R. were also interviewed here in August of 1945. Charter members of the local post were the following:

May 24, 1884. On May 17, 1884, Officer Riggin of Wellman was in town and completed the organization of the Grand Army of Keota post. Twenty-five charter members were secured. It will probably be known as Ed Carris post.

C. A. Hinman—Commander

H. C. Haney—TV Commander

John Brier—Surgeon

John Casford—Officer of the Guard

Wm. Johnson—SV Commander

M. Meyer—Officer of the Day

M. A. Crawford—Quartermaster

September 18, 1886. Irvin Camp. Sons of Veterans was organized. There are twelve charter members. Officers are: S. S. Sherman, Captain; E. A. Kreger, First Lieutenant; Chas. Hinman, Second Lieutenant; G. H. Ward, Chairman of Council; G. A. Conklin and A. L. Fry, second and third members. Meeting nights will be first and third Saturdays of each month. Camp is named in honor of Major Irvin, a soldier who enlisted from this county and lost his life in the rebellion.

May 2, 1890. Several neighbors met and surprised Mr. A. Pardun in honor of his release from Andersonville Prison 25 years ago. Mr. Pardun was taken prisoner at Macon, Georgia, July 29, 1864, and was put in prison August 2 and was there until April 28, 1865.

The commander of th e Keota G.A.R. Post in 1897 was A. Moody.

April 29, 1898. KEOTA'S "AWKWARD SQUAD"—George Greenwood circulated a paper for the organization of a home guard, so that in case of another call for men Keota will stand prepared to send her quota to the front. The boys will be drilled along regulation lines. History will redound to the fame and glory of Keota's awkward squad.

We, the undersigned citizens of the United States and State of Iowa, between ages of eighteen and forty-five years, hereby organize ourselves into a company for the purpose of military drill and practice and pledge ourselves to enlist as soldiers in the present Spanish-American war when needed or called.

Forty eight men signed the pledge.

June 5, 1902. The thing that impresses one more deeply with each recurring Memorial Day is the decimating ranks of the G.A.R. A little thinner, a little grayer, with a lower stoop, a more halting step, but still marching bravely on.

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October 10, 1907. OLD SOLDIERS REUNION— Company A, 25th Iowa Infantry reunion, was entertained by comrade John M. Wright—Oct. 8. Captain D. A. Boyer of Washington is president and W. A. Shannon of Washington is secretary. Oldest man in Company is Uncle Jimmy Stewart of Ainsworth who is 90 and R. Bennett, the youngest, is 60. There were stories and a bounteous dinner and supper served by the female members of Wright family. Early G. A. R. Gathering in Keota	G.A.R. Ed Carris Post #303, Keota, Iowa. May 30, 1894. Back row, left to right, Chriss Gantz, Adam Smith, I. L. Pulver, J. F. Graham, John Ralston, John McNurlen, Wm. Nelson, Anthony Moody, Jabez Hitchcock, Wm. Kreger, Bennie Grove, Finley M. Smock, Adam Towe, unknown, John Wright. Middle row, left to right, Martin Bishop, Wm. Chesney, George Divelbiss, Wm. Vincent, Seth Carris, Wm. Carris, James R. Fitch, Andrew McCampbell, unknown. Front row, left to right, Fulton Campbell, Walter Downing, Samuel Fry, Wm. Mitchell, David Wilson, Jerome Wilcox, George DeYoe, Merritt Russell, Tom Pay, Samuel Calhoun. October 24, 1912. Commander J. F. Graham of the G.A.R. Post showed us some Confederate paper money - face value about $180, which the war department sent to the post here as a present. The government has a large quantity of these bills on hand since 1867 and is getting rid of it in this manner. May 25, 1922. G.A. R. The local post of G.A.R. has eight members now to pay homage to their deceased comrades on Decoration Day. They are: J. M. Wilcox, I. L. Pulver, Wm. Nelson, Adam Smith, J. M. Embree, Mike Meyer, Adam Rowe, Seth Carris. THE WOMEN'S RELIEF CORPS February 28, 1885. A Ladies Relief Society has been organized in Keota, its object to help our own poor people. November 13, 1890. The Women's Relief Corps is an auxiliary to th e G.A.R. All ladies 16 years and upward are eligible. Objects of the society are to assist the G.A.R. and to perpetuate the memory of the fallen dead, to instill lessons of patriotism and love for our country among the children and communities in which we live. Mrs. K. Passig of Sigourney has been authorized to institute a corps at this place November 15, at 2 o'clock in the upper room of the Singmaster block. April 2, 1903. The Ladies Relief Society has disbanded and turned its funds over to the W.R.C. The Relief Society did a noble work and we are sorry to see it go but its mantle falls on worthy shoulders. The Women's Relief Corps is anxious and eager to take up the work thus laid down by the sister organization. Anyone knowing of sickness or distress unrelieved should inform the president.
Memorial Day 1907 W. R. C. ladies and old soldiers.
Memorial Day Parade Some of the Boys in Blue car r ied rifles, some umbrellas, some canes. Every year they marched to the cemetery until the last man stood alone.

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Mrs. Ellen McFarlane, and the case will receive immediate care.

December 17, 1903. W.R.C.'s is experiencing a "boom." They have taken in their 50th member.

January 7, 1904. The G.A.R.'s and W.R.C.'s hold a joint installation of officers. The ladies served a big dinner at the Post Hall and all had a good time.

March 17, 1904. The W.R.C. has outgrown its present quarters and they have asked J. S. Stoutner who owns the building to remove the partition wall separating the lodge room from offices occupied by Dr. Palmer, and the ladies will now have more room.

May 25, 1905. W.R.C. tendered a reception for Mrs. Florence McCelland of Chicago, ex department inspector for Illinois. The lady is a sister of Mrs. W. B. Singmaster of Dublin.

June 27, 1907. Mrs. A. B. Singmaster has received the appointment of national aid of the W.R.C. Corps on the staff of the national commander. This is a great honor, and it has been conferred upon a lady who is worthy of the position.

WOMEN RELIEF CORPS
NUMBER 221 OF KEOTA, IOWA

The Women Relief Corps of Keota, Iowa, was organized December 10, 1890. The Charter was presented the local Corps by the Department of Iowa on that date and is still in use.

The names that are written on the Charter are:

Although all of these names have disappeared from the community other loyal women have carried on the work of the Corps continuously until the present time with the present membership numbering 60.

Twenty-five year pins are presented with a bar for each additional five years of continuous membership. The Corps is happy to have presented fifty years of recognition to Mrs. Della Leinen, Mrs. Minnie Stewart of Washington, Mrs. Maude Sanders, Mrs. Winnie Statler and Mrs. Lillie Schillig. Other local women have belonged over 45 years.

The Corps meets regularly the fourth Friday of the month at the Fraternal building.

MEXICAN BORDER TROUBLE

June 29, 1916. The National Guards were ordered to mobilize in Des Moines. This section of the state sent its quota of boys to help conquer Mexico—if that has to be done. We had one member, E. G. Warrington, and before they left Saturday morning had several more. Samuel Dings, Keith Nevitt, Paul Fitzgerald and Clifford Gammon had enlisted and were somewhere in the car that morning with Co. K of Washington. The ladies' band and martial band was at the depot to see the boys off.

January 18, 1917. They gave the soldier boys of Co. K a great welcome and turkey banquet at Washington. They are in the National Guard and had been stationed along the Mexican border.

March 29, 1917. The first Iowa regiment of the National Guard was ordered mobilized for duty Monday on short notice. The Keota members of Co. K — Warrington, Fitzgerald and Gammon — were ordered to Washington. Their destination is a secret.

The band was at the depot to see the boys off.
Left to right, J. Wilcox, H. Banks, C. Sturgeon, Adam Smith (with flag),
Frank Sturgeon, Roy Pulver, Clark Pulver, Amos Schreckengast.
Harold Teets, a member of this band, was also on his way to the Mexican border.
June 1916.

The ladies' band was at the depot also to see the boys off.

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There were heavy hearts in this crowd gathered at the Rock Island
station on June 24, 1916 to see sons, brothers, husbands off to
face the dreaded uncertainties of war.

April 6, 1917. A quartet of soldiers was here and went to Talleyrand neighborhood to see about a report that a man was flying a German flag.

May 3, 1917. War horses wanted in Keota Saturday, May 5—five to nine years old—no grays. Any useful sort of horse weighing 1150 and up wanted. If you have any horse you can spare bring them in Saturday.

May 24, 1917. The law requires every man who passed his 21st birthday and not reached his 31st to register June 5. There are no exceptions. Exemptions for health or other reasons will come later. Ninety-six registered in E. Lafayette—only 33 had clean bill of health and 63 were married.

June 14, 1917. KEOTA'S HOME GUARD.—In response to a call by Mayor McNurlen, the young men of our community met at the Masonic Hall last evening to discuss and organize the home guard. The mayor drew up a resolution to be signed by those expecting to join, offering services to Uncle Sam if necessary. Officers will be appointed by mayor in a few days and he has arranged with Roy Menefee to act as drill master. Sixty-seven men signed the resolution last night. The ages for enrollment are for men between ages of 18 and 45.

$1000 a year—and incomes of married men receiving more than $2000 a year. There are many more taxes. The money is needed for the war efforts.

February 28, 1918. Rev. C. F. Hoffman has been appointed by Mayor McNurlen to look after placing stars on the service flag.

May 9, 1918. East Lafayette has purchased a total of $139,750.00 worth of third Liberty Bonds. District of Keota gave three times its quota.

NOVEMBER 11, 1918. ARMISTICE DAY.
WORLD WAR I ENDS.

November 14, 1918. Keota celebrated Monday afternoon, November 11. A parade formed at 2:30 at the school house under the direction of Supt. McKee. It was about a mile long and made up of every conceivable kind of float, the martial band and the Old Keota band, resurrected for the occasion. Floats were mostly trucks or cars that were decorated and the parade traveled up and down Broadway and two or three side streets. E. E. Bower and A. C. MeNurlen made some speeches—most business firms closed their doors.

November 14, 1918. Keota adds a Gold Star—Harry Sheets of Dutch Creek died of pneumonia in France, October 12, 1918. He was the son of Mrs. Caroline Sheets. He was sent to France in August. He was 24 years old.

May 19, 1921. WAR POPPIES. Five million poppies, replicas of the red flowers "that blow in Flanders fields," have arrived in America to be worn by Americans on Memorial Day in commemoration of the fallen heroes of the late war. Most of these flowers were made by French war orphans. The proceeds of the poppy sale will go for relief work among French children in war torn areas. The Flanders poppy has been selected as the memorial flower because it has been said by many to represent "the soul of the dead." It was immortalized in verse by John McCrae.

April 23, 1925. The American Legion, the Knights of Columbus of Harper and the Keota Chamber of Commerce have each bought a marker to represent Lafayette Twp. boys killed in the World War. They will be placed along Jefferson highway north and south and No. 7 east and west. Each township in the state is asked to buy markers for its own boys. Price is $10 and includes erection and maintenance. The K of P's also bought one.

April 21, 1932. Keota's last Civil War veteran, William M. Nelson, son of Matthew and Mary Dawson Nelson, was born in Washington County, March 23, 1843, and died April 13, 1932, age 89. At 19, second year of the Civil War, he enlisted in Company A of the 25th Iowa Infantry and served three years. On April 9, 1868, he was married to Isabelle Vincent. Three daughters were born to this union: Mrs. Jennie Gardenier, Mrs. Frank Pringle and Mrs. Daisy Carris. Burial was in Keota Cemetery.

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