Of course, this village probably would never have sprung into existence, had it not been for the construction of the C. B. & Q. branch line from Red Oak to Griswold, connecting with a branch of the Rock Island to Atlantic. ^*1  Trains on this branch commenced running to this point about the first of Jan., 1880. By fall there were 30 business places and 300 people living in Elliott, with an urgent demand for houses.

     "On Friday the 19th day of December, 1879, we determined to take a trip up the great Nishnabotna Valley. ^*2    

      Ten years ago our county was a wild, undulating plain, dotted with a homestead here and there. Now over the entire country are the homes of thousands who have left the eastern states in search of more generous payment of untiring labor.

      A ride of 12 miles brought us to Elliott, situated on the northern Red Oak branch of the C.B.& Q.  There are already 50 buildings erected  and in the course of erection in Elliott, and the little town had about it the stir of a city. There are already 15,000 bushels of corn cribbed in Elliott. It is bound, in my estimation to make one of the largest grain stations in the state. There are several stores in operation, and five store buildings now in the course of erection. Lots are worth from $50 to $150 each. We forget to mention that there are already two saloons in Elliott." ^*2

     An Incorporation meeting has been called for Monday night, Sept. 6, 1880 at the Elliott School House to take into consideration the propriety of Incorporating the town of Elliott. ^*1

     The town was incorporated on may 25, 1882.      

CITY GOVERNMENT

     Elliott has always had a Mayor-City Council form of government. Throughout the years many of the same problems emerge. Early ordinances called for restraining livestock and fowls from running at large, for gambling to cease, and an 1888 Ordinance was fast driving, to be enforced by the marshall.

     In 1899 the marshall was paid $12.50 a month; in 1910, $10.00. Also, in 1910 the town marshall was asked to furnish gasoline for a street lamp on the corner of main street. In 1907 they paid the lamplighter $2.00 for two months work.

    Explicit instructions were given for the construction of wooden sidewalks in 1899; and for cement sidewalks in 1913, the same to be completed within  each year.

    Nov. 9, 1914 - Be it resolved, that at said election (water works) a seperate ballot box shall be provided for women, and a seperate canvass shall be made of their vote. Upon tallying the total votes, the proposition carried. It carried by women's vote (64 yes, 1 no, 1 spoiled) and carried by men's vote (88yes, 16 no and 2 spoiled.)

    City officials in 1979 are: mayor - Lyle Norris, Clerk - Bob Morgan, Treas. -Dorothy Morgan, City Council - Dorothy Braden, Elmer Helm, Raymond Laird, David Reynolds, and J. W. Sifford.

^*1.  Elliott Enterprise - Newspaper - Sept. 4, 1880. 

^*2.  Red Oak Express Newspaper - Dec. 24, 1879 ("A trip up the River")