Mills County, Iowa

Silver City Community History
1879 - 1979

EARLY DAYS IN SILVER CITY

The educational advantages of the town seem to be fully abreast of the demands. A large two story frame building furnishes accommodations for the something more than 100 pupils in attendance, while the instructors, Prof. Vincent and Miss Phelps, appear to give entire satisfactions. In looking after the spiritual wants of the people the Methodist and Baptist societies are doing a good work. They each have a comfortable house of worship nicely located, and we understand the various services are well attended.

The foregoing facts were picked up “before dinner” in a short walk about town under the guidance of our old friend Dr. Christy, to whom we are indebted for many courtesies.

Returning to Mr. and Mrs. Christy’s comfortable home we were soon engaged in the very pleasant duty of refreshing the inner man from the bountiful board of nicely prepared delicacies spread for the occasion. Although friend Christy was a little tardy in launching his boat upon the blissful sea of matrimony, he is nevertheless to be heartily congratulated upon the success that crowned his efforts after he once mustered upon courage to weigh anchor and set sail. Dinner over, we sailed forth to “do” the business portion of the city, the Doctor still filling the responsible position of guide. We first drew rein at the livery and feed stable of S.G. Sidener, where we found good teams and good rigs awaiting the publics order.

Here we met Lee Jones, who we were informed is the premier of the establishment. Mr. Jones is thinking of going east during the winter for three or four blooded horses. Continuing we next come to W. G. Moore & Co.’s store. In the drug department we find Mr. Moore in with a fine line of goods on display. The grocery department is presided over by George Hawley, whose acquaintance we were pleased to make. In the second story of the building Dr. R. A. Moore, the only physician in, regular practice, has his office. We did not meet the Doctor, but understand he has a good practice. Passing on a few paces and we were in the general merchandise store of E. P. Chapman & Co., where we find shelves and tables filled with a very good stock. Dr. Chapman impresses us as a very pleasant, genial gentleman. “Next” is Jim All’s barber shop where with brush and razor the male members of the town are “spruced up.” Turning west at All’s from Main to 2nd Street, we find B. S. Weidner’s harness shop where the wants of horsemen are looked after. Then comes Cady & Bosworth’s carpenter shop, where good straight workmen do good straight work, which is also true of Jones & Simpson’s blacksmith shop next door.

Crossing to the north side of 2nd street we were introduced to M. E. Huffaker’s carpenter shop. Mr. Huffaker is a fine workman and does a large share of the work in his line. Returning to Main Street the next place of interest is Mrs. Maddocks’ nice display of millinery goods, and then comes J. J. Taylor’s general stock of merchandise. Mr. Taylor was absent when we called and we did not have the pleasure of making his acquaintance. Just up the street Mrs. Brookhouser runs a popular boarding house.

Crossing over to “other side of the street” the Doctor points out L. W. Russell & Co.’s buildings — the first occupied with a stock of implements, wagons, etc.; the next a heavy stock of groceries, hardware and stoves, and the third a full and complete line of dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes. The firm carries goods and enjoys an extensive trade. Here we met Mayor Pysing whose dignified men holds the town in check. He is also an indispensable assistant in Russell & Co.’s store, and during his spare minutes writes “items” for Mills County Journal.

In the second story over the hardware store the secret societies of the place have fixed up a very nice lodge room. Accompanied by Mr. W. B. Oaks we (the Doctor and writer) ascended the stairway and were soon surrounded by the mysterious emblems of the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders. The room is of good size and while not gorgeous is very tastily and appropriately embellished and surpasses in beauty the meeting places of these orders in many larger towns.

At the rear of the room Mr. Oaks swung back a door that appeared to open into a closet and we stood trembling in mortal fear that the cadaverous goat that is reported to inhabit such places would rush out and unceremoniously devour us, but were much relieved when we found it a very convenient passage way into Pullman’s Hall. This is a decided convenience for holding banquets in connection with their public entertainments. Pleasant as the surroundings are we cannot prolong our visit here and step out and down. Attracted by the strains of sweet music we knocked and are admitted to the home of Prof. and Mrs. Kuhn, where we are favored with a very nicely rendered piece of piano music by one of the interesting daughters of this family.

The Professor is a thoroughly trained musician and a successful teacher of vocal and all kinds of instrumental music and with his wife and large family of girls constitute a remarkable musical company. Next to Prof. Kuhn’s is Howard Crawford’s Meat Market where the “meativerous” are supplied with steaks, roasts and boils. Passing on we are led into Silver City Bank where Cashier W. B. Oaks has full sway. The stockholders of this institution include a number of the most wealthy and “solid” men of the community.

At the post office we found Postmaster Christy with his coat off and sleeves rolled up busily waiting on the many calls for mail. “Coll” as everyone calls him, has his office quite conveniently arranged. On one side of the room are the mail boxes while on the opposite side of the room he supplies the wants of the public in the lines of school books, stationery, confections, cigars, tobacco, etc. While there the mails arrived and Mr. Christy and his assistant, Willie Weidner, dropped everything else and turned their attention to “slinging” the letters and papers, which they accomplish in a .very few minutes. Back of the post office is Huffaker and Christy’s real estate and insurance office. This room is also occupied by Squire L. W. Huffaker as a Justice’s Office; the Mayor, town council, and township officers are found here too, when in official session. The Tremont comes next and under the management of the Howser Brothers is doing well. A restaurant is run in connection with the hotel. Spencer & Rogers blacksmith shop is doing work and lots of it, as they are both splendid workmen.

C. G. Greenwood operates the lumber yard and his stock is equal to the demand. He has a fine trade. The elevators are run by Greenwood & Mains, who also handle coal and McGregor Bros., the latter under the superintendency of Ed Morse. Large quantities of corn are annually shipped from this station, a great many cattle and hogs are also sent out from here by the sev­eral stock buyers and firms. Frazier & Benton, Taylor & Allison, Fall & Spencer, W. C. Swarts, and George Rew represent the stock dealers. G. A. Beam is the gentle­manly agent at the Wabash with Charlie Rommel in charge of the water tank. Christy & Dalton, we believe are arranging to handle coal. We must not close this review of Silver City and her business interests without mentioning Thomas Virtue, conductor of the dray line, who is always at his post rain or shine, hot or cold. With this we will leave Silver City friends for the present, but hope to have the pleasure of meeting them again in the not too distant future.

Clipping from Christy's Scrapbook We were the second family that moved to Silver City before the town was laid out in lots. We kept a restaurant and boarding house. I have many dear friends still living here, several that boarded with me three years, but will just mention a few that were with me that long:

Dr. R. A. Moore, George Pullman, C. A. Rommel and Ed Morse. They all called me mother, in fact they were like my children to me and I still look back to those days with great pleasure. The town was in its infancy, all had plenty to do and got along very nicely. There were many more who boarded with me that I remember with love who have moved from there, some to the blessed home above, which is the best home of all if one is prepared, for we all have loved ones up there. I, for one, have loved ones there, four of whom are buried at the Silver City cemetery, two darling daughters (both young ladies), a baby and husband, so you see great sorrow visited my home as well as a little pleasure. I am thankful that God gave me grace and courage to overcome all for His dear sake, and with His grace and the help of my good boarders and dear Silver City friends, I can say God bless them all as I feel he has blessed me in giving me a kind husband and a home in my old days.

I will close with best wishes to all dear ones at Silver City. Emily Huegal - NOTE: Emily Huegal was formerly Mrs. Brookhouser who had many dear friends in Silver City. She moved to Friend, Nebraska and later married there a Mr. Huegal, who had the means to make her last days easier and seemingly happy.

REFERENCE: A letter published in the Silver City Times, date not given as this is taken from a clipping in a scrap book belonging to Mrs. R. A. Flanagan. The scrapbook was made by Mrs. E. F. Landon.

~submitted by Roseanna Zehner & Darlene Jacoby