The Ringgold Record
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
July 29 & August 5, 1880

    The readers of this journal are aware of the existence, in the southwestern part of the county of a new town called into being by the extension into Missouri of the Leon, Mt. Ayr & Southwestern R.R.; quite well aware of it since the 5th of July, which date marks an epoch in the city's chronology, for young as the burg is in years and experience, it has already had a celebration and a big show. Redding, like most results of man's skill or enterprise has a

and although the Redding to to-day and the one with which we have to do, is of recent origin - is in fact scarcely three months old, Ringgold county has never been without its Redding. The local habitation and the name Redding really dates farther back in the annals of the past than does the organization of the county itself.

When the earliest settlers, RUBY'S, DOZE, BAIRD'S, BAUMAN'S, THRIFT'S came into this part of the State, our Co. was a part of Taylor [county], or at least was annexed to it for voting purposes. As those who have been following the sketches of early events which have appeared in the curret volume of the RECORD know up to June '55 there was not a town in the county.

The few people who were here were obliged to haul the necessaries of life, including their mail, from other counties and States. The postoffices most used by the pioneers of Ringgold were St. Joseph and Fairview, Missouri, and Decatur City, Iowa. Weeks and months were spent by families then without hearing from the post.

In June '55 Barton B. DUNNING, the

of the county arrived and erected his store and dwelling log house which as has been mentioned by the RECORD, was the first house in Mt. Ayr which was not establed a post office for some months afterward.

Although Mr. DUNNING brought the mail occasionally for most of the county from Fairview on his return from St. Jo., whence he obtained his goods, Fairview being at that time the nearest point reached by the mail carrier, yet all this time, even since the 5th of May in that year, according to the statement of the first postmaster at the place, Mr. POOR, there was a Redding and not only a Redding but a Redding post-office.

One the 5th of May '55, Mr. Wendell POOR was made post-master of Redding, which was established at his house in Benton township where Mr. Eli SAMM'S now [1880] lives.

Of course the office did not do a very extensive business and was not patronized by all parts of the county, but it was a postoffice all the same, and from that time the Redding postoffice dates.

The first postmaster, Mr. POOR, retained the office until the second year of the [Civil] war, in '62, at which time it was removed to the house of Samuel BAIR in Clinton township where it was anchored until '74 when it took a cruise to the westward, being up in the southern part of Benton, near the locality of the residence of David MALOY.

For the first time Redding took to herself a stock of groceries and dry goods. A Mr. SNODGRASS, the then postmaster, opened out a store in connection with the office. From this time the office passed through the hands of several persons, among them Absalom WELLS of Clinton [township], but moving at no time far from Mr. MALOY'S until '78 when it was moved to what is known just now as Old Redding, about 80 rods northeast of the town in quesiton.

Here Mr. O. B. HUDSON distributed the mail and dealt out groceries,e tc. to quite a large run of customers. Here Redding expanded from a single building to which it had been condued up to that time, to quite a respectable village, and here it would without doubt have been located to-day but for the Railroad which, although it passes near the told town, is yet too far removed from it for the location of a convenient depot.

Soon as the route of the [rail]road had been surveyed and fully determined upon a striking manifestion of

was seen in the readiness with which a new location for a town was pitched upon adn the rapidity with which town lots have been disposed of and buildings erected.

    The site of the new town, in the rich and populous township of Clinton is an exceptionally good one. No town in the county is surrounded by such an extent of

With a slight exception of the west, which exception is an advantage to the town and will be still more of an advantage and attraction to the future city. The eye of the observers, who is supposed to have just partaken of a square meal at ALLEN'S restuararnt, and to be strolling about the campus near the flag pole, roves over miles and miles of prairie of unsurpassed beauty, swelling into the loveliest undulations, and sinking there along some water course of "fork" of a water course, into low lying plains, which reveal just enough of thier tall grasses and heavy, dark hued corn to impress one with a sense of their marvelous fertility.

of a large part of Ringgold county and of the woodlands of northern Missouri can be obtained from this point if the observers has not been so absent minded as to leave his eye-glass in his napkin at the restaurant. Away to the north-east Mt. Ayr appears, a thing of white in a sea of green,- a city set upon a hill, which, so far as the Recorder has seen, cannot be hid. The glass readjusted slows nearer at hand and more nearly on a level with the observer, Delphos, Mr. RUSH'S new town, six miles away, with all its tuture, which, no doubt will bring development and probably some paint to the town, before, but not in view of it.

   But, although the eye comprehends so much that it rests on nothing nicer than what is to be seen near at hand, where the whole county is dotted with farm houses, barns and orchards. The

is already assuming important proportions: a fact easy of explanation when the character of her business men is taken into the account. Without exception these are men of marked energy and business ability, and not a small part of them bring the results of years of experience in the world of traffic to aid them in their business. Redding has

on the trade in all directions within a radius of six or eight miles. By a happy and sooth to say, a far-seeing policy, her merchants have made it to the interest of all in a reasonable distance to trade with them; marking the goods down to a lower price than they can be purchased elsewhere. This wise measure may not hae paid in particular transactions, but certain it is that it has brought trade and attracted custom that it would never have secured else. Another cause for gratulation to those who have the development of the city at heart, and it is certainly no evil omen in its horoscope is the unmistakable fact that

regards the place with a kindly eye, and seem disposed to forward its growth by the outlay of its own capital. Intimations have already been given that it is not at all unlikely that Redding will be made a

In which even the future of the town is assured and the facts go to prove that some such idea is entertained by the company. Some of the most valuable property in the vicinity of the station as well as over 200 acres of unimproved land in and about the present corporation limits, has been purchased by it, and an extensive reservoir is now in process of contruction for the use of the road. The basin is located on land bought by the company of Mr. PUGSLEY, and the lower wall or dam is 14 feet in height by 100 in length. The reservoir will cover over six acres, and when filled will contain a depth of water ranging from four feet on the upper to twelve feet at the lower side. of the

it is not necessary that we say a great deal, a number of them have been known to most of the readers of the RECORD for years, having engaged in business in Mt. Ayr till the spirit of traffic called them away in making the acquaintance of the city, we found it agreed precisely with our idea of the eternal fitness of things to begin with restaurant, and as the results were altogether satisfactory, we begin there in the enumeration of the business firms of the tow. It is owned by

and would be a credit to many an older and larger place. The substantials of life and the delicacies of the season are placed before the hungry man, be merchant, showeler or pencil pusher, in abundant quantities, and all that courteous treatment at the hands of the host, and the most assidious service at the hands of the pretty waiters can do towards making the guest feel at home is done.

Among the stores, that of

is among the largest and best. Mr. BAKER was for several years engaged with D. C. KINSELL & Co., of this [Mount Ayr] city. It is useless to enlarge to the public upon his well known ability as a salesman, and his untarnished reputation as a business man. His partner, John B. LEWIS, has been known in Mt. Ayr, where he was engaged in the carpentering business since 1878. They keep a general stock of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, etc., and have a large and steadily increasing trade. Nothing could be said in praise of the firm just mentioned that cannot be said with equal properiety of Messrs.

who are among the leading as they are the oldest merchants of the place. This firm opened the first stock of goods in the new town, and the advantage secured by arriving early in the shape of custom has been retained and increased by fair dealing, obliging attendance upon the wants of patrons and strict attention to business. The store building is 22x40 feet in size, and is well filled within; a fine stock of general goods, including dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, hats, caps, glassware, queensware [a type of light white earthenware with a brilliant glaze; named in honor of Queen Charlotte by Josiah Wedgewood], confectionery, etc. The firm carries a $5,000 stock. Both the proprietors are old soldiers, and deserve their large patronage.

At present the only tip top grocery is that of

who opened out in their present quarters on the first of June. Mr. ELLINGTON was for years a member of one of the leading firms of Mt. Ayr, and was burned out in 1879. A first class stock of standard and fancy groceries is kept on hand, and sold at the lowest living prices. Mr. E's partner, Mr. GRAYSON, is a young man of culture and ability, well known all over Decatur county, where he has grown up.

has been the merchant of old Redding since '78, but has his new building in the new town about completed and will move into it in a few days with his large and well assorted stock of groceries, dry goods, boots and shoes, glass, queen and wooden ware. Mr. H., as would be expected, has a large share of the trade. He sells every thing he keeps, except the pet 'coon, at the lowest possible prices, and enjoys an enviable reputation.

Redding has reason to be proud of having among its business men such ones as Messrs.

This firm owns the largest stock of goods in Davis City, where they have been engaged in the mercantile business for a considerable length of time. The Redding store, which is a branch of the Davis City one, is in charge of Mr. KESHLEAR, of whom none but the most flattering things are said by those who have had occasion to come in contact. On the shelves are to be seen a bright, fresh stock of staple groceries, dry goods, queensware, glassware, canned goods, notions, etc. The stock foots up $4,000, and has but lately been opened out and has already built up a strong trade, which is sure to grow.

The medical profession is well represented by

has lately opened a drug store, where prescriptions are carefully filled from the purest materials. BURNS is a regular practicing physician and is likely to do well.

   No town can do without hotels so long as men work and people get hungry, and Redding is well supplied with them.

Among them is the

by COUCH & BAIRD, which is one of the oldest and best in the town, and has a steady trade.

by A. S. DIXON, has a nice name, and a splendid reputation, given it by those who have taken refreshments therein.

is one of the best blacksmiths that ever drove a horse nail. He came in from Grant City, Mo., where he has been driving his trade for some time. He does all work in the best of style, and promptly.

   The wagon-maker and wood-workman is

who has a good custom because he warrants all his work and never disappoints his patrons. He carries on a general job and repair shop, and is able to take orders for new work.

   Redding has two saloons, that of

on Avenue street, which is all that could be desired in a saloon, and that of

opposite, which is said to be conducted on business principles, by gentlemen of acknowledged respectability.

   After conversation with the leading men of the town and country surrounding it, we were well assured that the damaging rumors concerning the town, which were put in circulation by occurrences at the celebration on the 5th were much distorted and exagerated by repeated handling, and from personal observation and on the best of authority, we are able to say that the troubles, such as they were, were occasioned by an influx of strangers, drawn thither by the show no less than by the celebration; many of whom had no character to be sullied, and whose loose habits and reckless disposition could not but lead them into fights and rows, for which the good townsfolk have had the credit.

Grant City Times
Grant City, Worth County, Missouri
1880

Mt. Ayr is afraid that Redding will build up and lead that town. Parties in Mt. Ayr, like Grant City and Albany, are putting the price of lots too high and buyers go where they can do the best. That hurts any town.

Submission by Friends of Old Redding

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, July of 2011