This General Assembly also adopted resolutions instructing and requesting the Iowa Senators and Representatives in Congress to use their influence to procure additional mail facilities as follows: "From Fort Des Moines via Nevada, Minerva Grove, Henry Grove, and Eldora, to Cedar Falls, in two-horse coaches, once a week." " From Newton via Nevada and Smithville to Homer, the county seat of Webster County, in two-horse coaches, once a week." " From Cedar Rapids via Vinton, Toledo, Marshall, Marietta, Nevada, and Boonsboro, to Jefferson, in two-horse coaches, semi-weekly." These acts and resolutions were approved by the governor in January, 1855. Accordingly, at an early day, mail routes were established between Des Moines and Eldora, between Newton and Homer, between Marietta and Boonsboro, all of which crossed Story County. Sheffield Post-office was established near Smithville. in Howard Township, of which Samuel Bates was the postmaster ; and an office was established at Fairview of which F. W. Rhoads was the first postmaster. This office was named Story City, which finally became the name of the town. An office was also established at Cambridge, of which Jairus Chandler was the first postmaster. For a time this office supplied mail to an office in Ballard Grove, but there was no regular carrier. The service fell to the neighbors, and was performed according to convenience. There was also a post-office at an early date on the west side of Indian Creek, about a mile north of Maxwell. It was named Goshen, and the postmaster was the elder Jeremiah Cory.
The first mail from Eldora arrived on the evening of October 8, 1858. It came in a hack drawn by two horses. On this route there was an office established at the residence of W. M. Kelley, Section 26 of Richland township, of which Mr. Kelley was the postmaster. The office was named Johnson's Grove.
It is said that the people of no other nation have the capacity of Americans for adapting themselves to circumstances. The western American, especially, having sundered old ties, while forming new ones, unconsciously appropriates the better peculiarities of his new associates, and lops off some of his own that may well be spared. In this way he becomes a more rugged citizen, and runs on a broader gauge. His environment has an influence on him socially. He yields to necessity, and learns to lend as well as borrow. His table and that of his neighbor are much alike, of necessity, and he accepts and extends courtesies without thought of hospitality. This freedom was so common among the pioneers that liberality was scarcely rated as a virtue. Still, self-interest may have had something to do with extending civilities to strangers. It was an object to have them locate here, and the intention was to make matters agreeable. Politeness grows on that it feeds. Frank courtesy became" a habit with the western pioneer, who was not by nature or education a bear or a boor, and he thus learned to let the light of his countenance be seen by his associates. This western freedom has had the sneers of dudes who affect superiority to such emotions as are generous and manly, but its indulgence has had much influence in forming the character of western men whom the world delights to honor.
It was therefore but a matter of course that in every thing which concerned the public each one should have equal voice. If one were in distress all would give sympathy and aid, without special demand. Invitations to many social gatherings were not more formal than to the raising of the log cabin, where all were expected to lend a hand ,if within hail. Aside from thoughts and manners that came out of