West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
CIVIC ORGANIZATION, 42 YEARS OLD

And so it was, that following the appearance of George Washington Carver, (negro) here in 1896, when he spoke before a special gathering on plants and the Godliness of the world, an organization for improving the things about us was organized, later named the Floriculture Society.

On January 16, 1896, at a meeting in the town hall, plans were laid, and on January 25, they met again and organized, with 33 charter members. At the next meeting they decided on the name.

Membership was unlimited, and they declared they were " glad to have those join who are interested in civic improvement and the beautufying of our homes and the moral uplift of the community." In 1903, the wild rose was chosen as an emblem and the colors of pink and lavender.

The first flower show was held August 11, 1896, in the town hall, and each member sold a plant. Proceeds were $50. The second flower show was held in the McElravy rink. In March, 1897, they gave $80. to the library, realized at a 5 o'clock supper. Same year in May, they made another donation of $65. Also gave $5.00 to the Johnstown, Pa., flood sufferers, and $5.00 to a school destroyed in San Francisco.

For many years the cemetery was a project of continuous improvement, to which they contributed their time, talent, and efforts, as well as inspiring many others to join them, and accepted donations.

The cemetery fence was replaced with a new one; new settees were placed about the ground, and gold leaf was placed over the gate, all done at the cost of $1,258.72. Then came the work of grading and lowering the monuments which made the total improvements cost $2,745.24.

Henry Mosher, Ellis Smith and Eli Elliott were appointed as a committee to superintend the building of the new fence, their work was donated.

Mrs. Aaron Smith, in the early part of this century gave $400 toward the cemetery work.

The first improvement attempted in the town was in 1903, when the society planned the setting of thirteen trees on the east road to the cemetery. The next improvement was at the Rock Island depot, all done by the women. The ground was leveled, seeded, walks placed, and the town donated $40.00 to erect a water fountain. A dozen shade trees were planted. Lettering in rock: " West Liberty " was the last work there.

Recently a bronze tablet was purchased and placed on the cemetery chapel reading, " This chapel made possible by a gift, from Israel Gaskill, erected in 1926." Mr. Gaskill was an early pioneer.

Now a memorial to the late Mrs. M. A. Ditmars is being considered, as she was an active and influential member, attaining the age of 92 years, at which time she entertained at a birthday party, the club.

The 33 charter members were the Mesdames, M. B. Weaver, S. Satterthwait, E. H. Dillingham, Miss Lesta Mountain, Peter Polders, James Potter, G. W. Stober, Elizabeth Jones, Cora Schooley, A. R. Moore, L. R. Nichols, J. A. Evans, B. F. Fenstermaker, L. E. Pike, H. L. Whitacre, J. L. Hollingsworth, Mary A. Evans, M. Tomlinson, Dora L. Ball, Mary A. Richards, Lucy Worstell, Orie W. Ball, Kate M. Brooke, Mary B. McClun, E. Barnes, H. Barnrs, Dora Wagner, Susie Gibson, E, H. Barclay, C. W. Norton, Ida Eves, & Jont Maxson.

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