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May 1942 - Never in
Elliott's history has her streets been so beautifully decorated by
nature. The iris are magnificent this year. Big, gorgeous and
colorful, the iris were given to the townspeople by Mrs. Lage in
1938. Many auto loads of people came here Sunday to view the sight,
and to visit the Lage iris gardens which are now in breath-taking
beauty. Don't miss seeing them.
1942 - The tennis
courts will be open this week. You must be a member to play, but you
may bring out-of-town guests.
Sept. 3, 1942 -
This is the last issue of the Elliott Graphic. The Red Oak Express
purchased the subscription list. The Elliott Graphic closes a career
of sixty-one years. Joe Kirby, Jr. began his journalistic career in
this office 19 years ago when just a freshman in high school, while
Earl Starr was editor. For the past ten years Joe has owned
the Graphic. Among past editors were Mr. Howard, W. W . Montgomery,
D. B. Abbey, J. M. Van Kirk, and Mr. Muttendam.
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Photo at Left -
Flood waters in Elliott,
looking north past the Dean Schantz house, before the dike
was built. |
From the Griswold
American, July 9, 1958 - The East Nishnabotna River reached
its highest crest on record since the river was straightened
in 1926. Rains in Audubon of over 12 inches on the night of July 2nd
created flash floods known to have caused the death of 19 persons.
In the same addition of the Griswold American, under Elliott News,
Mrs. Orville Laird, reporting: The rampaging Nishnabotna didn't
enter the town of Elliott, thanks to the town people and assistance
from surrounding community. A line call was given Wednesday night
for help and people readily responded bringing sacks for sandbags.
Luckily the Elliott Lumber and Supply Co. had just received a
shipment of sand. The National Guard of Red Oak and local men worked
all night Wednesday with sandbags to make the dike circling the west
part of town to hold back the water. Sandbags were also laid up on
the grade 1/2 mile north of town as far as Lage Garage to keep water
from coming in from the north. At 4:35 the crest was reached and the
water receded. The Elliott Cafe stayed open all night and women
served sandwiches and coffee to the workmen. Friday, Highway No. 48
west of Elliott had to be closed as the river bridge caved in from
pressure of water and debris.
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Photo at right -
July, 1958,
Elliott bridge is falling down |
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From the Griswold
American, Sept. 13, 1972 - On Sunday night, Sept. 11, 1972,
10 inches of rain fell in the Audubon-Exira-Atlantic area and on the
following night an additional 6 inches fell. Highway 48 was closed
west of Elliott. The East Nishnabotna crested at Elliott at
9:00 A.M. Wednesday Sept. 14, 1972. Dikes on west side of
Elliott saved the town from damage. Sand bags were placed and a
ridge of dirt graded up at the county road north of Elliott, which
serves as part of the dike system. Water crested one foot higher
than the flood of 1958. The road had been graded two feet higher
after the 1958 flood and was instrumental in helping save the town
from inundation during the flood. The East Nishnabotna reached the
highest crest in history, and did thousands of dollars damage to
crops, buildings, bridges, fences and roads in this area. The cement
bridge across the Nishnabotna, one mile north of Elliott was washed
out.
Century Farms
In 1976, in honor of the Bi-Centennial, The Iowa Dept. of
Agriculture and the Iowa Farm Bureau gave recognition to farms which
had had continuous ownership by one family over 100 years. Elliott
community had ten farms recognized as Century Farms. At the time of
recognition the owners were: Harold Aiken, Rt. 2 Red Oak (1871);
Maude DeWitt, Elliott (1868); Elsie Gibson, Griswold (1870); Paul
Kneedy, Elliott (1874); Dr. James L. Lantis, Atlantic (1872); Lucile
Oster, Elliott (1875); Grethel Petty, Elliott (1870); Margene Petty,
Elliott (1873); Dean Wallace, Elliott (1866); Tom and Barbara
Wilson, Elliott (1869).
Railroad History
The
first Depot Agent in Elliott was John Danielson. There were two
passenger trains each day from Red Oak to Elliott. One left at 6:
A.M. right after #5 on the main line came in and then came back at
12:30 to make connections with east bound #7 came in and returned to
Red Oak at 5:00 P.M. They often had two passenger cars as traffic
was heavy due to traveling men who went up. There were one or two
freight trains a day depending on the amount of freight to be
hauled. Passenger trains were discontinued about 1959 and the
freight trains still run three times a week. There were any washouts
of the track due to flooding of the Nishnabotna River. Friendly
train men used to slow the train down so fishermen could get off and
get aboard again. |
