LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA

Pg 19

RURAL FREE DELIVERY

Transcribed by Beverly Gerdts, submitted June 10, 2017

       Louisa county has the distinction of being the birth place of Rural Free delivery. The first route in the United States was established at Morning Sun in 1895. The agitation for rural free delivery was started during president Cleveland's administration. Boot legs, cigar boxes, shoe boxes, milk cans and such were tacked on fence posts or trees. In 1900, order was issued for mail boxes to be put up. It was at this time the first mail routes were started out of Columbus Junction, with Jim Snyder in charge of route 4, east. W. H. Letts was postmaster, and McKinley was president. Mr. Snyder was one of the first mail carriers to drive a car on his route. In 1908, he purchased a Reo car, and like many new car owners in those days, he had some very interesting experiences. He was very accommodating and carried the mail so many years, he will be remembered by many.

        In May, 1926, the depot burned, and as the post office was located in the depot, the mail here was discontinued, and a route through Fredonia was established, and has continued to this date.

        After Mr. Snyder retired, route 4, was combined with route 1, and delivery was made by Jay Robertson. After Mr. Robertson' death, Mr. Melvin Dicks took over the route and continues to serve.