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community with Post Office, stores, blacksmith shop, etc. In 1856, therefore, 30 Catholic citizens petitioned Bishop Lares of Dubuque to send them a priest and the same year the Rev. Father Krackel came from Ottumwa to these people to organize a parish under the patronage of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. Twenty acres of land was donated and preparations were made for building a church the following year. The Rev. Father Tommens was appointed first resident pastor of Baden. A four-room parsonage was also erected. In 1870 Fr. Tommens returned to Europe and Rev. Gehard Luersman became his successor.

In 1876 Father Kern was appointed pastor and as the membership of the parish had increased and the old church became too small, the Rt. Rev. Bishop McMullen visited the parish in 1881 and advised the parishioners to build a new church at Harper, a railroad station about one and one-half miles northeast of Baden. The Rock Island Railroad had built a road between Washington and Sigourney and founded the town of Harper at this place. As a result of the lack of railroad facilities the little town of Baden had gradually been transferred to Harper and so it was deemed advisable to transfer the church likewise.

Accordingly a meeting was held and the project of a new church building to be erected at Harper was considered. As a result in 1883-1884 the present St. Elizabeth's Church at Harper was erected.

The brick residence of Father Feddler was completed in November 1888.

Father John Adam who was ordained into the priesthood June 16, 1901, was the first priest to be ordained from the Harper parish. His first mass was celebrated at St. Elizabeth 's Catholic Church, Harper, Iowa.

Quoting from The Keota Eagle — May 8, 1902. Mrs. C. F. Singmaster donated the communion railing at Harper and Anton Allar the altar which cost around $800 and the railing $300. They were used for the first time Easter Sunday.

August 6, 1903. There is a movement on foot to place new bells of the "chimes" variety in the Catholic Church at Harper. They will buy two new bells tuned to the ones already in use making three all told. The new bells will cost about $600.

April 28, 1904. There is to be special service at the Catholic Church at Harper next Wednesday morning at 9:30 called "The Blessing of the Bells" and to be conducted by Dean F. W. Hottman of Ottumwa. As far as we are informed Harper is the only town in the country possessing a church with chiming bells.

In 1933 the Diamond Jubilee of St. Elizabeth's Parish (1858-1883) and the 50th Anniversary of St. Elizabeth's Church, Harper, was celebrated at Harper.

To St. Elizabeth's at Harper goes the distinction of being the first organized Catholic Parish of Keokuk County.

Many changes have been made over the years. Rev. John W. Schmitz is the present (1973) pastor of St. Elizabeth's Church at Harper.

Some "Harper Happenings" from the old files of The Keota Eagle.

April 28, 1877. Harper is booming. They are putting a new boiler in the mill; old Charley Martin is starting a pop factory at an expense of $1500. Ike Brolliar will teach school.

January 3, 1880. The Harper Minstrels will give an entertainment at Kulp's Hall in Keota, Saturday night, January 3, 1880. This troupe embraces some of the best theatrical talent in the west, and is nightly meeting with unbounded enthusiasm. Their rendition of "Old Black Joe," "Old Uncle Bailey's Return," "The Old Cabin" and other negro comedies never fail to bring down the house. This is a FIRST CLASS ENTERTAINMENT in every respect, and all who fail to attend will miss something good. COME EVERYBODY! Admission, 20¢, children 10¢.

February 28, 1880. The Harper Dramatic Club have postponed their play of "Ten Nights In A Bar Room" until March 4.

March 23, 1880. Two section men while at work west of town found some wild parsnip roots and ate them. One of the men died about an hour after eating. The other man wasn't expected to live.

March 1880. During the month of March Harper shipped 12 cars of hogs, three of cattle, 28 corn, three wheat, five oats, six hay, two horses, one car logs and one car emigrant goods.

July 10, 1880. Harper has a band and a big Fourth of July celebration.

December 3, 1886. The Harper Creamery shipped 4500 lbs. of butter to New York this week. It has shipped 72,000 lbs. since April 1.

June 17, 1887. Our creamery men have a well 150 ft. deep. Oil, that will burn, raises on the water after standing overnight.

September 7, 1888. We are having quite a craze here over baseball. The game occupies every Sunday afternoon and the boys look very "nobby" in their baseball suits. The young ladies of the city have also organized a club.

September 14, 1888. A large fire in Harper last Saturday. Before it could be gotten under control the whole block was in ashes. They telegraphed for help to Keota and Washington. As the freight train was in Keota at the time, about 50 of our citizen s went up on it. The Washington Fire Company arrived soon after by a special train having made the run from Washington to Harper in 25 minutes.

February 22, 1889. Our town councilmen have ordered new sdewalks laid down. We can now circle around the outside, alaman left on the corner, take in the styles and get home all in the same day.

June 14, 1889. New hall in Harper will be finished by July 4th. Come and enjoy the "buck" dance.

October 11, 1889. Harper has a new barber—a Negro. Keota boys are welcome in Harper, but please leave "jug" at

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home.

July 24, 1891. Wm. Papes, Prop., The Keota Eagle. This small but mighty town, Harper, first came to the world's notice in the year of our Lord, 1872. A wheat field on one side and a corn field on the other with a line of railway between them marked the site of the village. It was laid out, named and inside of two years supported a population of over 300 souls. The State Bank of Harper, Iowa, incorporated April 26, 1893. Board — C. F. Singmaster, President; J. H. B. Striegel, Vice President; T. F. McCarty, Cashier; J. C. Wilson; E. G. Wilson; Wm. Ferguson; D. H. Greigg; N. Besser.

May 12, 1893. The Democrat is the name of Harper's newspaper. D. W. Evans of South English is the editor.

November 18, 1893. The railroad is building an enormous well at Harper, 65 feet deep and eight feet across.

June 7, 1895. To The Keota Eagle from the Washington Democrat. Austin Harper Richardson, editor of The Keota Eagle, was the first child of any race, sex, color, nationality or religion born in Harper, Iowa, a little town on the Sigourney branch which is named in honor of the great publishing house of Harper Bros. Brother Richardson was named Harper in honor of both. When he was but a wee boy his father sent a photograph of the kid to the publishers. In reply he received Harper's Young People for a dozen years at the end of which time they began sending their Magazine Weekly and Bazaar. After all there is something in a name.

August, 1896. Harper now has a telephone office.

November 20, 1896. The Democrat, Harper's newspaper, is again being published. W. E. Dodd, who published "The Press," has put in a new outfit and will commence the publication of another sheet.

December 18, 1896. Harper derives a revenue of $25 a month each from its three saloons and they have built waterworks (of the windmill variety) and will put in steeet lamps soon and otherwise fix up the town. The Harper Democrat has postponed publication indefinitely. J. O'Flaherty is mayor of Harper in 1897. Uncle Joe Charlton, who passed away March 1, 1897, settled in Lafayette Township in 1858 where he farmed the land where Harper now stands. He had been a figure in Keota affairs from its earliest infancy.

March 19, 1897. Jake Weibley, a Harper boy of years ago, has become a bass singer of wonderful promise. He has studied in the Chicago Conservatory of Music and his voice is pronounced to be not alone powerful but round, rich and full as well.

October 22, 1897. We understand that the ladies of our town have organized a "Jolly Club."

November 5, 1897. Well! Well! A well at last and plenty of water at a depth of 209 feet.

November 5, 1897. A number of our young people have organized a society known as "Open Window Club."

November 19, 1897. Our Post Office was moved Monday night into John Allen's store. Keokuk County has turned out a whole lot of gilt edged talent in the artistic way and the little town of Harper has contributed more than its share. Our neighbor just across the way has cause for pride along that line.

November 26, 1897. We understand some trouble is being created by the new location of the "cooler" or city lodging house. It is now located just south of N. Baker's residence. We understand Mrs. Baker is calculating a petition to have it moved.

December 17, 1897. Chas. White, barber at Harper, has one of the finest barber chairs in the country. It is called a Hydraulic chair. By an ingenious arrangement of a cylinder full of oil and a hydraulic pump operated by a foot treadle the chair may be hoisted to any required height with utmost ease and lowered at will. The chair cost $40.00.

December 24, 1897. Harper has a bad fire. Destroyed by the fire was Ludwig Furniture Store, butcher shop, owned by Levi Bower but operated by Joe Kautenberger, hardware store. The account books of both the furniture and hardware firms were burned as were also the old books of N. Kautenburger containing something over $2000 of outstanding accounts. While the loss is a heavy one for all concerned it seems to fall most heavily upon Mr. Ludwig, who carried a very light insurance and who was burned out at the same place about nine years ago. We understand a subscription paper was started in his behalf but he kindly but firmly refused to accept aid in this way.

January 28, 1898. Harper's correspondent names three young men who are going to the gold fields in the spring and says that Harper has a man who can laugh by note. Also that Harper has 10 widows, six widowers, one bachelor, five old maids and lots of young people.

February 11, 1898. The Harper Public School will give n [sic] entertainment Saturday night, February 12. Prof. Bower will be present with his graphophone and will render the musical part of the program. He has special records for this occasion and this alone is well worth the price of admission. Admission, 10 and 15 cents.

September 26, 1901. Harper is becoming a model town under the stern rule of Mayor J. Clarahan. He closed every kind of business on Sunday. Eatables can be bought but no drinkables or smokeables or anything of that sort. All empty beer kegs found in the street are to be destroyed by city marshal and a license of $2 charged for dances. No more Sunday ball games are to be tolerated.

February 6, 1902. Dr. C. O. Grimes of Hayesville will locate here.

May 1, 1902. Burglars invaded Harper Sunday morning by using a hand railroad car. John Kautenberger's store was

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entered and 11 suits of clothes taken; also gloves, hose, etc. It is estimated the loss to be $250. The hand car was found near German Creek, where it was dumped off the track.

May 15, 1902. Postmaster Clarahan received word that two rural delivery routes will be established here July 1. They will be known as Routes One and Two.

July 3, 1902. The rural mail carriers started out July 1st in the mud. Wes Striegel has Route No. 1 but no appointment has been made for Route 2 so Postmaster Clarahan gave the oath of office to Miss Ada Newhouse. The postmaster appointed her because she had taken the examination and passed it. She got through it in 11 minutes and the inspector said the average was 25. Her father accompanied her the first day.

July 26, 1902. Harper Carnival. Carnival parade starts at 10:30 a.m., music by glee club, dinner at 12 o'clock. Procession to grounds headed by band at 1 o'clock, selections by glee club, music by band. Speaking at 1:30 followed by cession to grounds headed by band at 1 o'clock, selections by glee club, music by band. Speaking at 1:30 followed by music. Races on Broadway consist of 200-yard spring, 100 yard sprint, wheel barrow race, potato race, ball game, What Cheer vs. Harper at 3:30 at ball park headed by band at 3 o'clock; supper at 6 p.m.; band concert 7 to 8; grand display of fire works at 8 p.m. Grand ball at Baker's Hall in the evening. Merry-go-round and other amusements.

March 26, 1903. J. H. B. Striegel has been in business since there was a town and he says it is the first time he ever knew a farmer to walk five miles to town with a basket of eggs and return the same way carrying a half sack of flour. Traffic with teams is almost entirely suspended.

March 26, 1903. There is quite a boom in brass band stock this week. Six new members have joined and Prof. Kimes secured as instructor. Mr. Kimes has been secured on a basis of $15 for the first week and $20 after that and his entire time belongs to the band. He cleans and repairs organs, teaches vocal, violin and piano music and all he makes in this way goes into the band treasury. The professor thinks he will have the boys in shape for a concert soon — possibly Saturday night. He writes and prints his own music.

April 2, 1903. There are about 78 voters in town.

April 16, 1903. Our band is coming to the front right a long. Sunday they got together and went down to the Catholic Church and played for the services; also a few selections afterwards. The congregation appreciated their efforts to the extent of offering to take up a collection but the boys wouldn't stand for it. They have been practicing in Valerius Bros. drug store while Baker's Hall is being fixed up.

June 18, 1903. Harper band will go to Sigourney for the Fourth. They got $40 — dinner and supper for the day's playing.

May 8, 1902. B. H. White of Harper has an old gun with which his great-grandfather fought for freedom in 1776. The flintlock has been replaced by a G.D. cap variety of lock and a new stock added some years later, but the barrel is the same one that discharged ounce balls of lead into the British 125 years ago.

April 7, 1904. Harper's hotel was closed to the public last week. M. J. Clarahan who owns the building moved the post office to the "bar room." Miss Hogin will move her millinery store into the dining room.

April 14, 1904. Another freight in charge of conduct or Reese was wrecked Sunday evening just west of Levi Bower's farm. It was bowling along at a high rate of speed when a sprung axle caused a car to jump the tracks carrying four other cars and caboose with it and piling on top of each other and tearing up the track. Two cars were loaded with merchandise. Only one man was hurt. Wrecking trains came from Valley Junction and Washington. They worked all night with the aid of a powerful lamp and by 3 o'clock the debris was cleared away and track repaired.

September 1, 1904. Nicholas Besser of Harper is contributing an interesting series of articles to Henry Mohme's Hawkeye Journal at Sigourney descriptive of the journey "From Perl. Germany, to America Sixty Years Ago." He was a boy of 11 but his memory retains many vivid impressions of those pioneer days.

February 9, 1905. A new bank is organized at Harper and will begin business some time in March. Officers are: Paul Peiffer, President; J. P. Besser, Vice President; A. C. Striegel, Cashier. Directors are: Mike Adam, H. N. Shrader, John Kaufman, John Ludwig, Jr., F. M. Fixmer.

The new bank is the Citizens Savings Bank.

March 9, 1905. Peiffer Bros. have sold their lumber yard, real estate, building stock and all to White, Kaufman & Co. of Keota. Joe Kaufman will take charge of the yards.

October 18, 1906. The tile factory is finished and a kiln of the tile will be started today. The kiln will hold 30,000 tile or about that at one time.

August 8, 1907. Etter of the Sigourney Review is getting out a Harper boom edition this week. Etter will do Harper justice.

February 15, 1912. Dr. A. W. McDonough. Physician and Surgeon, office over the meat market on Baden Street, Harper, Ia.

April 3, 1913. The State Bank of Harper has gone out of business, its 20-year charter having expired. It has been re-organized under the name of Farmer's Savings Bank of Harper with capital stock of S15,000. Directors are: U.P. Hartman, Matt Biewen, Sr., Adam Smith, Earl Herr and John Allan.

July 27, 1916. Harper held their carnival June 21, and had a good attendance and a dandy nice day. The Ladies Band from Keota was on hand all day — they took the freight to Harper. Alex Miller of Washington gave a speech and there was a ball game in the afternoon. Every candidate for county office was present. Everyone jollied each other and all had a good deal of fun.

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February 24, 1916. Mrs. Eva Salisbury Barnes' (who lived in Harper some years ago), daughter now sings with Caruso, so she must be climbing to the top of the ladder as an operatic singer. Caruso is considered by many to be the best tenor in the world.

December 7, 1916. Harper Moving Picture Theatre. Admission 5 and 10 cents.

May 20, 1920. The Farmers Savings Bank of Harper was robbed Monday night of $1900 cash and papers of unknown value taken from safety deposit boxes. No clue to identity of robbers has been discovered. The blacksmith shop at Keota was broken into Sunday night and got the tools with which to perform the bank job.

March 17, 1921. BANK CLOSES. The Farmers Savings Bank of Harper closed its doors Friday, March 11, by orders of the board of directors acting with state banking department. Considerable paper upon which the cash could not be readily realized is understood to be the reason of the board's action. J. M. White has been appointed receiver.

May 1, 1930. The Citizens Savings Bank of Harper quit business voluntarily Friday evening, as business done was in sufficient to justify the continuance of the bank and was turned over to banking department for liquidation. A. C. Striegel was cashier; M. Adam, Pres.; Roy White, V. Pres. Directors were Mike Hammes, John Kaufman, John Schmitt, Nick Berg, Frank Peiffer, Mike Adam and Roy White. The bank was capitalized for $15,000 and had $60,000 deposits.

February 23, 1933. Miss Frances Striegel, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Striegel of Harper, pioneer residents of the county, showed promise of a musical career as a girl and was sent to the Chicago Musical College, where for three consecutive years she wore the diamond for proficiency with the piano. Following her work in Chicago she went to Vienna to study for two years with Leschetizky, famous piano teacher. Upon her return to this country she married Judge Thomas Burke. She passed away February 6, 1933.

Rome, Italy, Jan. 25 (C.D.N.). Edith Mason, the Harper, Ia., girl who grew up to be a prima donna, sang the title role in "Madame Butterfly" in the Royal opera here last night with such effect that the hard-boiled Roman audience called her to the curtain 15 times and broke out into applause three times during the performance as well.

Not content with handclapping the audience on several occasions broke out into shouts of "bravo!"

Occupants of the boxes included American Ambassador John W. Garrett and Mrs. Garrett; Counselor of Embassy Alexander C. Kirk, with his father; Senator Guglielmo Marconi, the inventor; officials of the British embassy and many others of the Anglo-American colony in Rome.

Giorgio Polacco, husband of the soprano, beamed with happiness and fussed over his wife in the dressing room after the performance, while friends crowded around to congratulate her.

Date Unknown

HARPER BUSINESS DIRECTORY — 1894

From the Harper, Iowa, Democrat

(D. W. Evans Editor. published every Friday.

$1.50 per year)

MARCH 23, 1894, issue.

Vittetoe & Besser, window shades, paint

Peiffer Bros., dealers in lumber and hdw.

Michael Pauly, general blacksmithing and horse shoer. Established in Harper in 1873.

Nick Kautenberger, agricultural implements.

C. E. Thomas, M.D., physician and surgeon. Office over city drug store.

J.H.B. Striegel, grain dealer

Hogs, $5.00

Steers, $3 - $4

Cows, $2 - $3

Corn per bu., 27¢

Oats, per bu., 24¢

Butter, per lb., 10¢

Eggs, per doz., 8¢

Dr. F. Besser, Veterinary Office in Vittetoe & Besser Drug store, Harper

City Tonsorial Shop, 1st door E. of Vittetoe & Besser's drug store, Milo Baker

Thomas & Valerius, wall paper

Greigg & Co., dry goods and groceries

Striegel & Conrad, farm machinery

E. Besser, men's clothing

Peter Wellenstein, Harper, General Mdse.

Cornelis Verwers, watch maker at Thomas & Valerius.

"Those intending to pay their subscription to "The Democrat" in wood are requested to bring said wood in

at once."

FROM "THE DEMOCRAT", HARPER, IOWA - SEPT. 7, 1894

Clarahan & Whistler, Editors and Proprietors, $1.00 per year.

Vittetoe & Besser, drugs

Nick Kautenberger, agr. implements

Salm & Ott, dealers in harness and saddles, trunks and valises, boots and shoes.

Michael Pauly, blacksmithing

City Barber Shop, billiards and pool in connection, Chas. White, prop.

Peiffer Bros., sewing machines, pumps, etc.

Greigg & Co., dry goods

Dr. F. Besser, veterinary

J.H.B. Striegel, grain dealer

C. E. Thomas, M. D.

Dr. E. W. Gilbert, Vet. Surgeon & Dentist. Office at Hospital, Harper

Thomas & Valerius New Livery & Feed Stable, Harper, Nick Baker, Prop.

Striegel & Conrad, McCormick Harvesting machine.

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Markets:

Hogs, $5.50

Corn per bu., 50¢

Oats, 30¢

Butter, per lb., 15¢

Eggs, per doz., 12¢

"The Catholic School opened Mon. with an enrollment of somewhere near 100 pupils. Sisters Petronilla and Gabrielle the instructors."

**********

Charles A. Trumbauer, M. D., came to Harper to practice August, 1897. Practiced here until January 1902 when he located in Keota.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE
HARPER METHODIST CHURCH

Harper was built on the branch of the C. R. I. & P. railroad. That was in the year 1872 and the following year, 1873, the Harper Methodist Church was organized.

Recalled in the memoirs of the late Miss Amelia Bower, longtime resident of Harper, Iowa, "The church was built by two resident carpenters, Whistler and Farley. In the old days, everybody you might say, turned out to help build the church, for in those days a church was as essential to our well-being as the air we breathe — would it were so now. The men took their log wagons, their horse and ox teams and went out to the woods and hewed out the timbers and hauled them to the two lots in the outskirts of the town, which I believe were donated by John Holzworth, for the site of the new church. A board fence was built around the church and hitching racks on the north and east sides and a "stile" in front with the steps on each side for convenience of those who rode or drove — for these were the days of horse back riding and of buggies, spring wagons and, yes, even of farm wagons.

The fence, hitching racks and stile have long since disappeared, but the old church, despite its many ups and downs, is standing staunch and true as ever, thank God. But sad to say, the number of members has dwindled to almost nothing, since the old congregation has passed on, but the few who are left are still pressing on to the goal. One man told me to be sure to write that Mrs. Salisbury was the "backbone" of the church. Then I think back to those days, when there were many "backbones" in our little church, all those dear old sisters and brothers in the Lord. I hope soon to meet in an unknown "circle in the sky," the Richardsons, the Renfrews, the Salisburys, the Rosencrans, the Whistlers, the Wingets, the Keeleys, the Fishers, etc., etc.

I wish I could remember who donated the bell and the little cottage organ which has been replaced by a piano. I know that Harper Bros. (for whom the town was named) made some donations to the town and the church.

Our furniture dealer, John Ludwig, an old Catholic gentleman, donated a table which is a curio now with its movable top and receptacle beneath. In these late years Rev. Banghart donated a picture of the "Lord's Supper" which we prize very highly, and also a reading stand from the Rev. Pike.

"We have been most fortunate in having ministers from the Bethel Church during the last 13 years who have done much work for the Lord instead of for money, and in that we have such true Christian neighbors as our Catholic friends have been to us. For were it not for that we would have had to close our doors long ago. But the Lord will provide as long as we put our trust in Him and we hope to carry on until He calls, and may we heed that call. We need not go to war or fight and shed blood to be obedient to that call, but live like Jesus did when He was here on earth."

Signed — Amelia Bower
Written in 1939

Note:

Southeast Iowa M. E. Conference finally joined with the Keota Methodist Church. Harper was to be a mission church for the Keota minister and William Smith was the last pastor to fill the Harper pulpit. He and the southeast conference warned the people, that if the parish attendance didn't build, they would close the church in six weeks. In six weeks it was closed and the church was put up for sale. Marilyn and Henry Williams bought the church and land and tore the church down in 1958 and built a home on the lot.

The pews and pulpit and piano all came to the Methodist Church for their use in Keota.

By Mrs. Cora Mattison, Keota, Iowa

Harper Methodist Church

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HARPER WOMAN'S CLUB

The Harper Woman's Club was organized in the fall of 1941 with a membership of 22 enthusiastic women. We organized too late to become eligible for the Federated Woman's Club's Blue Book for that year, so our membership as a Federated Club begins in 1942. Mrs. Vivian Seibel of Sigourney was the County Chairman who took us in tow.

This group of women were as follows: Mrs.Anna E. Adam Wenker; Mrs. Keith Benz; Mrs. Bruce Bowers; Mrs. John Clarahan; Mrs. Frank Conkity; Mrs. Vernon Fleming; Mrs. Wm. Gilbert; Mrs. Clifford Ludwig; Mrs. Alvin Mattison; Mrs. Orville Miller; Mrs. Martin Oldaker; Mrs. Helen Peiffer; Mrs. I. H. Peiffer; Mrs. George Rettler; Mrs. Art Schulke; Mrs. A. J. Smith; Mrs. Virgil Smith; Mrs. Henry Taintor; Mrs. George White; Mrs. M. M. Whitson and Mrs. Priscilla White.

Our first slate of officers was: Mrs. Keith Benz, President; Mrs. Frank Conkity, Vice President; Mrs. Art Schulke, Recording Secretary; Mrs. John Clarahan, Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. Alvin Mattison, Treasurer. The Standing Committees were: Year Book, Program, Sunshine, Ways & Means, Towel (Commission for the Blind), War & Defense, and Library.

Our flower was and still is the rose; colors are red, white, and blue; and the motto, "Be of Service to the End."

We have tried to carry out our motto by doing as many things as possible for the good of our community, such as: a shower for a foreign bride; a shower for a D.P. family that came to our community; showers for daughters of our club members; extending a helping hand in time of sorrow; helping with Silver and Golden Wedding anniversaries; taking part in Civic Affairs: sponsoring the Traveling Library for the first two years of our organization; donations to local Charities; sending cookies, gifts, and fruits to the Keokuk County Custodial Home; flowers to the Keokuk County Hospital; cookies for Veteran's Hospitals; cookies and candy to Service Men and Shut-ins. We erected a new flag pole at St. Elizabeth's Parochial School, Harper. For the past five years we have addressed the envelopes for the Easter Seal Campaign for all of Keokuk County and we also collect for the Cancer Drive in our community. One of our members is Planning Chairman for weekly help at Maplewood Manor Rest Home at Keota, Iowa. We take part in activities connected with entertainment for the inmates.

We have continued to carry on Special Federated Club Projects throughout the years, such as: Indian Affairs: Penny Art Fund; Scholarship & Loan; Care; Club Woman Magazine; Radio Free Europe; International Scholarships; Commission for the Blind and do the best we can to carry out any projects that the Federation asks for.

There is a County Convention each year. Towns take their turns alphabetically. Harper sponsored the Convention in the Club Year 1960-1961. Our turn will be coming up again soon. Mrs. Frank Conkity, Harper, was the County Chairman in 1964-1966 and Mrs. Wm. Besser Jr., Harper, was the County Secretary for the same period.

Our largest enrollment was 45 members in 1964-1965 and our smallest 18 in the early 1950's. At the present time we have 31, five of whom are Charter Members.

We have sponsored Flower Shows and Hobby Shows and have had a Kidnap Breakfast or two which puts a bit of life into the party. We also celebrated our Twentieth Anniversary in 1962.

The General Federation Theme for 1972-1974 is "Respect, Reverence, and Responsibility" which is very appropriate at this time. We should put our shoulder to the wheel and try to re-establish these three R's in our own hearts and then put forth all our efforts to extend this to all segments of society from youth to Senior Citizens. If our Club Members can carry out their part in trying to carry out this theme, they will truly be carrying out our own theme, which is, "Let Us Shine." By accepting responsibility in what is asked of them and cooperating in every way, then and then only, will their light truly shine.

Our local officers for 1972-1974 are: President, Mrs. Robert White; Vice President, Mrs. Victor Holzworth; Secretary, Mrs. John Clarahan; Treasurer, Mrs. Bruce Bowers. Our Standing Committees are: Year Book; Program; Sunshine; Legislative; Members to Help Bereaved Families; Ways and Means; Membership; Sales Rep. for Commission for the Blind; Literature and Library: Religious; Health; Conservation; Federation News; Subscription and Scholarship and Loan and Contest Chairman.

We feel our efforts are well worthwhile and trust we will have many more years of progress.

Mrs. Frank (Rose) Conkity
Historian

HARPER PACE SETTERS 4-H CLUB

In October 1965, a group of girls from St. Elizabeth's Parochial School at Harper decided they would like to organize a 4-H Club. In checking how to go about organizing, they discovered they would need an Organizational Leader. They appointed a committee to go about this. They succeeded in getting Mrs. Rose Conkity of Harper to help them out.

They held a meeting with Mr. David Pace of the Keokuk County Extension Office and Mrs. Conkity on October 23, 1965, at which time they completed their organization, selected the name "Pace Setters," after Mr. David Pace, and elected their first slate of officers. They were as follows: President, Catherine Altenhofen; Vice President, Donna White; Secretary and Treasurer, Kathleen Gretter; Historian, Karen Peiffer; Reporter, Cheryl White.

They succeeded in interesting fourteen (14) girls. They were now ready for their first real meeting. They still needed a Project Leader and a Junior Leader, if possible. They succeeded in getting Mrs. Virgil Smith for the Project Leader and Barbara Gretter, a Senior member of another Club and also a member of the County Council, to be the

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Junior Leader.

The first meeting was held in December 1965 with 14 girls and three interested Mothers.

The club did very well through l966. Meetings were held regularly and the girls took a great interest in it. Food and Nutrition were the subjects carried that year. A blue award was won in the National Poster Contest, received their 4-H Club Charter from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which gave them the right to use the 4-H name, and were recognized as Standard 4-H Club. The Certificate of Recognition was received from the Iowa State University of Science and Technology and County Agricultural Extension Council. The Club took part in all activities connected with 4-H.

In 1967 two new Project Leaders were added, Mrs. Robert White and Mrs. William Besser Jr., who were a great help to the Club. Clothing was the project this year; also Shade Trees suitable for Iowa. The girls became very interested in this and many are still carrying on with the tree project, as well as the Entomology Program.

In 1968, a change was made in the Organizational Leader. Mrs. Conkity went back to teaching and Mrs. William Besser Jr. became the new Leader for organization, and Mrs. Paul Jaeger a Project Leader. The girls participated in the County Tree-planting Project at What Cheer in 1968. Many of the girls have taken part in camping at Madrid and also at Lake Darling.

In 1969, Kathleen Gretter was chosen to take the National Citizenship short course in Washington, D.C., and the club took an interesting trip to Muscatine.

Highlights in 1970 was a trip to Iowa City, a God and Country Award won by Sarah Linder and a Blue Ribbon State Fair winner, Becky Besser having two entries in Forestry and Entomology. Becky was a winner at State again in 1971 with a Home Improvement entry and in 1972 in Forestry, all receiving Blue Ribbons.

The club toured Cedar Rapids in 1971 and Kalona in 1972.

Through the years since 1965 the girls have always entertained their mothers for Mother's Day, have gone Christmas caroling and took a gift of candy and cookies to the elderly and shut-ins, as well as making tray favors for the occupants at the County Home.

The main project for 1973 will be clothing and other projects such as Veterinary Science, Dog, Home Improvement, Pony, Gardening, Forestry, Entomology, Food and Nutrition and Photography.

NATURAL GAS
PIPELINE COMPANY OF AMERICA

Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America started in its early days as the Continental Construction Company. The years of 1929 and 1930 found the right-of-way men from Continental Construction buying land from the landowners so a 24-inch pipeline could pump natural gas from the Texas Panhandle to Chicago, Illinois. After much hard work and many difficulties the first natural gas was pumped October 16, 1931, through the 900 miles of pipeline with a system capacity of 175 million cubic feet of gas a day. Because of many expansion programs in the last 42 years NGPL can deliver more gas in one hour today than it could in 24 hours that first year. Today there are over 8,300 miles of pipeline network and a capacity to pump 5,172 million cubic feet of gas a day.

Compressor Station 109, located one-half mile south of Harper, has 50 employees in the seven departments with an annual payroll of over $500,000. With the using of more natural gas for homes and industry over the years NGPL added a 26-inch and a 36-inch pipeline along side the first 24-inch line. Two bigger engines were added to boost the horsepower of the original ten engines from 6,650 horsepower to 27,800 horsepower in 1973. Station 109 now pumps 1,650 million cubic feet of gas a day.

1966 and 1967 saw the selling of the 15 cottages at the station site 109, that were used as homes for employees and their families. The cottages were sold to employees or the public to be moved to a new location, many of which are in the Harper and Keota area.

The discovery of oil east of Keota in 1963 was thought to be the first oil in this area of Iowa. NGPL was drilling an underground storage exploratory well on the farm of William Flynn two miles east of Keota when they hit oil. The initial testing indicated a production rate of five to ten barrels of oil a day which wasn't enough to support a profitable operation.

Throughout Iowa and Illinois, Natural Gas Pipeline has storage locations that pumps natural gas underground. Two miles east of Keota is Compressor Station 205. This station employs two men and has a horsepower of 4,000. The natural gas is stored in the ground until the peak of the heating or cooling season, then it is withdrawn for use. Station 205 has five billion cubic feet of gas in storage and can withdraw about 40 million cubic feet a day.

Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America contributes to the growth and interest of this community through the large amount of taxes it pays. The taxes paid in Keokuk County are $226,506.00 a year and in Washington County the taxes are $160,201.00. NGPL also works on the community level in political leaders, to help make the community a better place to live.

N.G.P.L. Natural Gas Pipeline Co. of America Station #9, Harper, Iowa.

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1952--1953
Station #9, National Gas Pipeline Company of America, Harper,
Iowa. When cottages were still located at the station.

HARPER PUBLIC SCHOOL

The community of Harper had a public school of the Keokuk County school system. It accommodated pupils from first through eighth grade.

There must have been a school in operation as early as 1873, as records show that Harper School, known as District No. 9, had a school board of which J. F. Richardson was Secretary. In 1874, Levi Whistler was President, J. F. Richardson the secretary, and Peter Hartman, treasurer of the school board. In 1872, the county superintendent was Thos. J. Hasty; in 1873, John Rogers and from 1873 to 1877 Henry D. Todd was county superintendent. In 1880, W. L. Van Horn and India Todd were the teachers of Harper District No. 9. In 1895, Effie Akey, and 1899, C. O. Ruggles taught in the school.

The public school property consisted of several lots as recorded in the Keokuk County Recorder's Office. Lots 3, 4, and 5 of Block 5 of Harper were purchased from J. P. Yerger and wife to Independent District of Harper No. 9, dated April 28, 1874, and recorded January 4, 1876. Then March 6, 1896, another lot, lot 6, block 5, was added. This was purchased from Daisy Rhodes, recorded December 4, 1905.

Harper Public School, Harper, Iowa.

It has been noted that in 1963 the Harper Public School had an enrollment of 22 pupils.

The school was closed when re-districting of the school districts took place and District No. 9 became a part of the Keota Community School System. Some of the last teachers to teach in the Harper School were Mrs. John Clarahan, Mrs. Frank Conkity, Mrs. Cloyce Crooks, Mrs. Wm. Marie and Mrs. Irvin Bombei.

ST. ELIZABETH SCHOOL

Father Kern who was the pastor when the present St. Elizabeth Church at Harper was erected, realized the importance of a Catholic school. He personally conducted classes and finally complying with the wishes of the people he recalled the Sisters from St. Rose Convent at LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and they took charge of the school. The building was a frame structure in which classes were conducted in two rooms.

In 1896 the Rev. H. Grothe was appointed pastor at St. Elizabeth's. He took great interest in the school and in 1900 erected a beautiful two-story brick building with four spacious class rooms.

After Fr. Grothe was transferred the parish once more was blessed with a priest whose interest was placed in the school in the person of Rev. B. Luedtke. He realized the needs of the day—that of a higher education. St. Elizabeth High School was established in a four-room addition in 1917 and at the time was the only Catholic high school in Keokuk County. Fr. Grothe was succeeded by Rev. Fr. Sendbuehler, a priest with no less zeal for the school.

In 1923, upon the request of Fr. Sendbuehler, the state inspector visited the school and in 1924 upon the recommendation of the County Superintendent, Mr. H.S. McVicker and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Mr. H. Gemmil, the school was fully accredited. At that time it was the only Catholic parish of its size to possess a fully accredited high school.

St. Elizabeth School, Harper, Iowa. Built in 1900.

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In 1927, due to crowded conditions in the school, Marquette Hall was built to serve as gymnasium and a place for social activities of the parish and school. It also housed a cafeteria.

The second addition to the original parish school was built by Conner Bros. Construction Company of Sigourney and dedicated April 27, 1959. A spacious and well equipped library is centrally located in the building.

In 1969 when many Catholic schools were being closed due to expenses and lack of nuns to teach in the school, St. Elizabeth parish in Harper and St. Mary's in Keota combined in an eight grade consolidated system. A Home and School Association was also formed at this time.

St. Elizabeth High School, Harper, Iowa. Dedicated April 27, 1959.

MARQUETTE HALL

In 1927 the pastor, Rev. F. S. Schaeffers, took charge and during his administration Marquette Hall, a brick building, was built containing high school apartments, a dining room, a kitchen and a large hall with stage. The hall which answers the purpose of a gymnasium is used for entertainments and other social gatherings, such as card parties, etc.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
Windthorst Council No. 1457
Harper, Iowa

Windthorst council was instituted January 9, 1910.

A special train of three cars came from Rock Island, Davenport, Muscatine, Dubuque and Washington bringing the degree team and other members. C. P. Hammes and Raymond Streigel are the only living members of this council and still belonging to this council.

Ambrose Adam was a charter member of this council, also charter member of West Point, Iowa, and charter member of O'Keene, Oklahoma, and is living.

At present time we have 229 members and have since 1910 had 112 deaths.

Twenty-eight different members have held the position of Grand Knight. We have had three families of father and son as Past Grand Knight and two families of brothers as Past Grand Knight. One family of three brothers and one family of two brothers have also held the position. John Striegel was the first Grand Knight and held this position for nine consecutive years. C. P. Hammes held this office for many years at different times.

August 1958 the old K of C building was torn down and replaced with a new larger hall. On the second floor is a large dance floor and offices. On the lower floor is a large meeting room, kitchen and recreation room. This was made possible by donations from our members and many outsiders. This building is rented out for many activities.

For many years this council held the honor as having the largest membership for the population of its town in the state of Iowa. The members are from Keswick, What Cheer, Sigourney, Richland, Keota and Harper.

FOURTH DEGREE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
Father Grothe Assembly
Harper, Iowa.

In January 1944, A. A. Peiffer and C. P. Hammes of Windthorst Council 1457 started to sign up candidates for the Fourth Degree of which there were 11 Fourth Degree members of Windthorst Council.

St. Elizabeth Church
Note: hitchracks and wooden sidewalk.

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A glimpse into the past...

HARPER'S TELEPHONE STORY

Harper's first switchboard was located at the rear of Allan's General Store. The second manager of the Harper exchange was Roy White, having purchased the original board from the late John Allan. Roy White, assisted by his wife, operated the switchboard from 1906 to 1915.

Mr. and Mrs. John Crooks purchased the switchboard from Mr. White and he and his wife operated it for 45 years.

It was the sole responsibility of Mrs. Crooks to operate the board during the daytime as her husband was a rural mail carrier until his route was eliminated and then he was an employee of the local lumber yard by day. He replaced his wife and was on duty in his wife's place at the telephone center at night.

After the retirement of the Crooks', Richard Clarahan of Harper began work at the switchboard. The board was moved to the Clarahan home from the office building owned by Mr. and Mrs. John Crooks in downtown Harper.

Since 1967 The General Telephone Company of the Midwest is in charge.

At that time there were eight more members who had been claimed by death. They signed 24 candidates, took them to Ottumwa on February 13, 1944, where they had an exemplification. At this time the Fourth Degree belonged to the Cosgrove Assembly of Iowa City, Iowa.

On May 20, 1946, one of our Fourth Degree members went to Waterloo to the state convention. He asked for a General Assembly of our own. In the spring of 1947 our charter was received. In 1950 the Fourth Degree Knights of Washington, Iowa, Council 2008 was added to our assembly. As of today we have 91 paid-up members; also have members from East Pleasant Plain.

By — E. N. Peiffer

August 29, 1968. Harper has parallel parking.

MARRIAGES STAY PUT AT HARPER, IOWA

MAY 18, 1944

Living in Harper, Iowa, a Keokuk County town of 210 population, are nine couples who have been married from 50 to 60 years or more.

Father J.J. Schoenfelder, pastor of St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church, invited the press to meet them at the parish house. They all came dressed in their best and sat quietly in the living and dining room as Father introduced them. They were:

Honnas Smith 88, and wife Mary 82, who have been married 63 years, have five children, 33 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren, all living. Seven grandchildren are in the service.

Henry Striegel 87, and wife Mary 82, have been married 64 years, have eight children, 41 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren, all living. Two children are dead and nine grandchildren are in service.

John Peiffer 82, and wife Anna 77, married 57 years, who have 11 children, 40 grandchildren, four great grandchildren, all living. Two children and four grandchildren are in service.

Mike Peiffer 78, and wife Barbara 71, married 51 years, have eight children and 28 grandchildren living. Four children have died and two grandchildren are in service.

Matt Weber 80, and wife Lena 80, married 52 years, have six children and 20 grandchildren all living. Two are in the service.

Mike Adam 81, and wife Mary 78, married 57 years with six children, 23 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren, all living. A son and four grandchildren are in service.

August Klein 75, and wife Minnie 72, married 52 years, have six children and nine grandchildren all living. One grandchild is in service.

Joseph Clarahan 72, and wife Yetta, married 50 years, have six children, 32 grandchildren and three great grandchildren, all living. Three children are dead and one grandchild is in service.

Mike Sondag 73, and wife Mary 74, married 50 years, have three children, 16 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, all living. One child is dead and one grandson is in service.

Father Schoenfelder also invited two other women whose husbands had lived some years after their golden anniversaries. They were:

Mrs. Joseph Haupert 84, whose husband died in 1936. Married 56 years, she has six children, four grandchildren and one great grandchild living. One child is dead.

Mrs. Peter Adam 72, whose husband died in 1942. Married 52 years, she has seven children, 40 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Five grandchildren are in service.

All but five of the 20 were born in Keokuk County. Weber, Smith and Mrs. Haupert were born in Germany but came to Keokuk County as children with their parents. Mrs. Adam was born in Muscatine County. All are of German descent except Clarahan, who is Irish.

As couples answered questions about their long lives, the women declared their husbands looked hearty because they had married good cooks and husbands agreed that eating three square meals a day was very necessary, with plenty of hard work, exercise and sleep.

All except John Peiffer and wife lived on farms. John Peiffer operated a hardware store in Harper for 58 years. All are still active, raise their own vegetables and chickens, some a pig or two and some a cow.

The combined couples have 83 children, 286 grandchildren and 80 great grandchildren living. Of these, 36 grandchildren and three children are in the country's armed forces.

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