Fiftieth Anniversary Program
Last updated 02 October 2024
This document is the program for the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Washington Public Library held in 1928. It was transcibed by J. L. Breen 
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FIFTIETH
ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM
of the founding of
The Washington Public Library
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In the
JANE A. CHILCOTE BUILDING
WASHINGTON, IOWA
1877-1928
FOREWARD (J. B. E.)
The fiftieth anniversary of any event is worthy of mention and the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of a library is especially noteworthy particularly so, when some of the original
workers are still living. Men and women who have been instrumental in helping build, not only the library but the town itself. Washington Co. Home
The Washington public library was started under great difficulties, and had it not been for such men as Howard A. Burrell, George G. Rodman, J. A. Thompson and several others,
who had the project very much at heart, the library idea would have died in the beginning.
This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the library and appropriate exercised were held in the afternoon and evening October 11th, 1928. The exercises
were held in the home given to the city for library purposed by Jane A. Chilcote in 1902. So well adapted was the building for library purposes that during the twenty-four
years very few changes have been made. It is interesting to note also, that during the fifty years only six librarians have had charge, the present one, Miss Eva G. Denny,
a daughter of one of the early workers has held the post for the past twenty two years.
There are more than 13,000 volumes on the shelves and 100 of the best current magazines may be found on the racks. Valuable books of reference have been donated and in recent
years a custom has been established by the P. E. O. society, of presenting a book to the library in memory of each sister who dies. This is done by many families as well,
and has increased the number of expensive desirable books.
Two of the assistant librarians of fifty years ago, Mrs. Etha Henderson Steck (Mrs. Frank) and George G. Rodman who live in Washington planned to appear on the program at the
celebration, and Mr. Rodman’s paper which is reproduced contains many interesting historical facts. It portrays some forgotten stories of the early days and of the struggles
to found a library.
The present members of the board of trustees: Dr. W. W. Bowers, president, Josephine B. Elder, (Mrs. J.O.) vice president, Bessie H. McLaughlin (Mrs. C. W.) secretary,
Harriet W. Wilson (Mrs. F. L.), Helen Wilson, Carl Hedges and J. H. Peet, members.
The library was a busy place yesterday, the celebration in honor of its fiftieth birthday being attended by many friends and patrons. All the morning in the school children came
accompanied by their teachers, over four hundred visiting during the morning hours.
The library was in gala attire. Friends had furnished flowers and the place seemed filled with lovely blossoms. From W. S. Green’s gardens came beautiful dahlias, and there were
flowers everywhere. The library has recently been redecorated, new tables and chairs have been added and it is very attractive, the number of readers constantly increasing.
Miss Eva Denny, librarian, and her assistant, Miss Gertrude Kendall, escorted the different groups of children through the building. It was a surprise that there were some six hundred
books in the attic, placed there because of lack of space. It was an interested lot of boys and girls who heard of the Iowa room, the bound magazine room and learned how easily these
books may be used for reference. Miss Denny carefully explained everything and the guests appreciated her efforts.
Down stairs the pictures were explained, and credit given to member of the Fortnightly club for the pictures and the clock. Through the courtesy of the Scott Furniture Company,
the guests were permitted to enjoy a concert on the Victrola during the early hours of the afternoon. Miss Denny was assisted in receiving by members of the board and the
Fortnightly club.
Mr. Rodman Speaks
Dr. Bowers, who was to preside was unable to come until a later hour and in his absence, J. H. Peet, a member of the library board spoke briefly and introduced the speakers for
the afternoon. George G. Rodman, one of the men who worked untiringly to have a library established in Washington in the early seventies, and who was instrumental in helping make
it a success, spoke first. Mr. Rodman’s talk was followed with the closest attention, as he graphically described condition in Washington in that early day and of the first library
established. He spoke feeling of H. A. Burrell and his efforts, saying Mr. Burrell donated a room over the Press office for a library. His paper was splendid and will be published
in the Journal at an early date. The first librarian was James Thompson, a brother-in-law of Mrs. Etha Steck, and it was with regret that the quests at the library learned that
Mrs. Steck was out of town and would be unable to take part on the program.
Mrs. Helen Burrell Keck read an interesting paper on "As My Father Said," saying that her father was a man of few words, but she told that the library in memory of friends of the efforts
to help make it a success. Her personal recollections of her father, interested all with anecdotes concerning him where all greatly enjoyed. It is hoped that her paper may be published
soon.
Mayor Applegate, Presides
In the evening Mayor Applegate presided over the gathering doing it in a happy, dignified manner. There was an interested group present and ever number on the program was followed
with the closest attention. It was an informal evening. Sup’t. Peet talked of the relationship between the public schools and the library and hearer realized more than ever before
how closely the two must be allied. Col. C. J. Wilson talked on “The Passing Years.” His talk was thoroughly enjoyed, as he told of the changes the year have brought. Lawrence Wilson
whose father was the first secretary of the library board, told of his early training and said he thought he has always been one of the most constant users of the library in Washington,
owing to his early training. S. W. Livingston, who was to have been on the program, phoned he could not be present because of car trouble enroute home.
Letters and greeting were rad from Mrs. Lucy Wilson Errett, and Miss Julia Robinson, secretary of the state library commission. An interesting letter was read from Mrs. Frank H. Graves,
an early librarian, and one was read from Mrs. Ola Eyestone Young. Mrs. Mary Shields Bush, a sister of John Shields sent a most interesting letter telling of early library activities,
and sending an old time ticket to a library fair held in Washington.
Miss Emma L. Kirk, librarian at Fairfield; Mrs. Lowden and Mrs. Ball, members of the library board; and Mr. and Mrs. Hogue of Fairfield, attended the library anniversary celebration
here yesterday.
PROGRAM
October 11, 1928
AFTERNOON 2:39
Dr. W. W. Bowers, Presiding
“In the Beginning” George G. Rodman
“As I Remember” Mrs. Etha Henderson Steck
“As My Father Said” Mrs. Helen Burrell Keck
EVENING 7:30
Mayor John Applegate, Presiding
“The Library and the Schools” Supt. J. H. Peet
“The Passing Years” C. J. Wilson
“My Recollections” S. W. Livingston
“Then and Now” Lawrence Wilson
IN THE BEGINNING
By George G. Rodman
Local conditions in the early seventies did not look favorable for the establishment did not look favorable for the establishment of a free public library because so many other
important improvements were needed.
Every home was barricaded by a high board fence to keep out the hogs, cows, horses and mules that roamed the streets at their will and ate what grass there was. Dog fennel was
the main green crop that covered the streets, except where traffic kept a narrow strip of roadway bare.
There were a few sidewalks scattered about the town. There was no uniformity of construction and were built by free will of the residents. The prevailing style was a two-inch
plank a foot wide and sixteen feetlong with a two inch hole at each end, laid lengthwise.
The supply of water came from shallow wells at nearly every home. When there was a fire the church bells gave the alarm and every able-bodied man grabbed the two family buckets,
drink and slop, and hiked for the blaze.
Vehicles were drawn by horses, mules and oxen. The C. R. I. & P railroad had arrived in 1858.
The old brick court house in the public square was abandoned and courts and county officers at various times occupied Music Hall, Everson Opera House and Corrett’s Hall. City Councils
found lodging in the office of the City Clerk.
The sewers that we had in early days were called ditches that carried off the surface water into the three small creeks that came down from the North, where the Court House now is,
just east of the Washington National Bank and down West of the A. H. Patterson home, now the Mrs. M. W. Bailey home, and met two blocks south of the square and emptied into Crooked
Creek about where the big sewer is.
There were eight kerosene lamps on the tops of post on the sidewalks around the square.
Washington, Iowa was incorporated as a town by County Judge J. F. Brown, June 6, 1864, in accordance with a petition of A. W. Chilcote and others. J. R. Lewis appeared for petitioners
and L. F. Sherman and S. G. Owen gave testimony. We were just a little Country town having dreams.
Before the Library was established, books were scarce and expensive and people who were able to buy them would read them and pass them on to others, so they were generally worn out
before, they got back to the owners.
An act to provide for the establishment and maintenance of free public libraries in cities and incorporated towns was approved by the 14th General Assembly of Iowa, March 20th, 1872.
It was in anticipation of the enactment of this law that our people began to create a sentiment in favor of a library for Washington in 1871. It looked almost impossible to its few
friends and visionary to all others.
The library project was thoroughly discussed during 1872 but the first effort to establish it by lawn was begun January 6th, 1873, when Councilman Dr. D. Scofield presented the
following resolution: “That the question as stated in Section 6, Chapter 17 of the Laws of the 14th General Assembly, providing for the establishment of a library within the city,
be submitted to the people of the City of Washington for their approval or rejection at the next municipal selection to be held in this city.”
March 3rd, 1873, said election was held and resulted as follows: For the library tax 88; against 199; majority against 111. Our library friends were overwhelmed and discouraged.
December 1st, 1873, the following resolution was presented by Councilman D. Scofield and on motion passed: Resolved, that the following questions be submitted to the electors of
the City of Washington at the next city election:
Shall stock be restrained from running at large?
Shall the sale of beer and native wines be prohibited?
Shall the city avail itself of the privileges in relation to public library?
At the election held Monday, March 2, 1874, the result of the vote on the library was as follows:
For the library – 246 votes
Against the library – 192 votes.
Making a majority of 54 votes for the library.
The city councilmen thought it impossible to buy any books for the tax levy that could be voted would amount to only a little more than three hundred dollars a year. There was no
answer to that, for we all knew that we must incur room rent, lights, fuel and pay the salary of the librarian. I do not know why we were so persistent in advocating a project that
seemed so impossible to maintain. Perhaps we had counted on some one or more of the project enthusiasts remembering it in his will.
July 3, 1876, D. Scofield, C. T. Jones acting secretary, and James A. Thompson were appointed a committee to report upon rules, regulations etc., for the government of the
contemplated public library.
An ordinance changing the form of the municipal government of Washington to that of a chity of the second class passed February 13th, 1877.
Another ordinance constituting and establishing of a free public library was passed August 6, 1877.
Rules and regulations for the library were adopted.
The project having been thus approved by the voters of the city, the City Council passed an ordinance establishing the Washington Free Public Library which provided for the election
by the Council of a librarian and three trustees. James A. Thompson was elected librarian and Dr. Scofield, Rev. T. D. Wallace and D. W. Lewis trustees; E. G. Wilson secretary.
The city council had levied a half mill tax for the years 1875-1876 and stopped there. The annual amount received from the tax levy was only about $360. There was an anxious demand
from the public that the library should be started. James A. Thompson offered his services a yar for nothing and H. A. Burrell agreed to give the use of the upstairs front room of
the Press building free of rent for a year. There was nothing in the way to prolong the opening of the library.
After going through a struggle of about six years it was quite pleasing to learn by proclamation in the Press and Gazette that the Washington Free Public Library was to opening to
the public on Wednesday, August 7, 1878, from 3 to 4:30 p. m. and on Saturday the tenth from 7 to 9 p. m. and every succeeding Wednesday and Saturday. This was an event that its
friends had long looked forward to.
People young and old came by hundreds and filled the library room and stairway and formed a line on the side walk, sometimes reaching across the street and half way across the north
side of the square.
James A. Thompson was a jeweler whose store and residence was on the west side of the square. He had read more worth while books than any man in the town. He was a gentleman of the
old school. He was city treasurer from 1869 to 1881. Among his friends who visited him frequently, I recall Dr. D. Scofield, C. T. Jones, Mr. and Mrs. William Scofield, H. A. Burrell,
A. R. Dewey, A. H. Wallace, John Rheinart, J. P. Huskins, J. A. Henderson, Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Steck, Dr. and Mrs. Chilcote, Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Scofield and J. M. Denny, Mr. Thompson
began to talk about the possibility of getting a library in Washington. In the course of time these and some others concluded that it should be tired, and the struggle began.
George G. Rodman, A. R. Dewey, John Templin, Mrs. H. F. Steck, Mrs. William Scofield and H. A. Burrell were assistants of Librarian Thompson at various times.
April 16, 1883 Councilman Frazier presented the following: Resolved, that a committee be appointed to present a plan and report cost of the erection of a building for city purposed,
on the site of engine house, adopted, and Frazier, Wilde and Burrell were appointed May 7, 1883, said committee reported that the building to be erected at an estimated cost of
$3064.43, the lower story to be ten feet, the upper 13 feet, with a suitable style of architecture. The lower story to be divided into an engine room, a drying room and a tool room;
the upper story to be divided into a library room and council chamber. Committee asked that immediate steps be taken for its erection. The vote on the question resulted: For the motion:
Frazier, Wilde, Bell, Miles Dodds and Burrell. Nays: Rodman and Wallace. The nays thought it was not large enough.
The library moved into City Hall in 1883 and remained there until 1902 and then to this library home.
The public library building now in use was presented to the city of Washington, Iowa, by Jane A. Chilcote, deceased, and accepted by the City Council on the 22nd day of July 1901,
and the same is hereby designated and set apart for the use of the free public library of the city now established. That said building shall be known and the same is hereby named
“The Jane A. Chilcote Library Building.”
Mrs. Jane A. Chilcote was a resident of Washington for many years, coming here in the fifties and living here until her death. She was a splendid character, unassuming, helpful and
generous. It was a great pleasure for her to give her splendid home to all the people of the city that she loved. I am sure they all loved her.
Our library was created through trials and tribulations, nourished by dear friends from infancy into youth and to the age of fifty years. May it live long and prosper.
The librarian has kept account of the number of books taken out since 1902. In that year the number of books given out was 11,226. Every year the number taken out has been materially
increased. The number from 1927 was 24,466. The total number in 25 years was 466,547.
I think that at the end of fifty years it might be proper to give due credit to those who created it and to those who have nourished it, by celebrating the occasion.
We were happy in Burrell’s second story. We were jubilant in the little City Hall room and we are proud of our own library building.
Many daily visitors come to read the books, magazines and papers. It looks like a busy school room, all interested and absorbed. The quiet of it is impressive. The books are
wholesome because selected with care. The librarian is courteous and helpful to those who need it. Its’s a friendly place, it’s wholesome, it’s clean. It’s yours. Patronize it.
Librarian: J. A. Thompson, 1878 to 1881; J. W. Templeton, 1881 to 1883; F. H. Graves, 1883 to 1889; Mrs. Graves, 1889 to 1891; Miss N. J. Springer, 1891 to 1906;
Miss Eva G. Denny, 1906--.
Trustees: Dr. D. Scofield, D. W. Lewis, Rev. T. D. Wallace, Dr. J. D. Miles, H. A. Burrell, J. C. Burnes, J. R. Logue, A. H. Wallace, Arthur Fowler, H. R. Stark, G. H. Mullin,
Mrs. J. R. Logue, Mrs. J. A. Chilcote, J. H. Young, Mrs. William Scofield, H. Scofield, W. A. Pratt, Mrs. M. J. Roberts, W. C. Allen, C. C. Patterson, R. B.. Crone, Mrs. Ida Nicola,
Miss Cordelia Ross, L. D. Young, M. W. Bailey, Mrs. Carolyn Elder, C. H. Keck, K. Michaels, F. L. Wilson, A. C. Fuller, S. W. Livingston, W. R. Sawhill, Mrs. C. J. Wilson,
C. S. Lemmon, L. H. Wallace, Mrs. Harry Shrader, Dr. C. W. McLaughlin, Mrs. Josephine Elder, W. W. Bowers, Mrs. C. W. McLaughlin, Helen Wilson, J. H. Peet, W. C. Hedges.
The following city officials served during the struggle for the establishment of the Library:
1872-Mayor, Enoch Ross; treasurer, J. A. Thompson; (served from 1869 to 1878); solicitor, H. Scofield; councilmen: T. F. Dougherty, Jackson Roberts, M. C. Parker, J. P. Huskins,
clerk, A. R. Dewey, (served from 1871-1878).
1873-Mayor, Norman Everson; solicitor, George G. Rodman; councilmen: D. Scofield, A. A. Smith, W. A. Guseman, R. M. Wallace.
1874-Mayor, L. Moreland; councilmen: P. S. Dougherty, John Rheinert, William Blair; D. W. French.
1875-Mayor, John P. Huskins; councilmen: D. Scofield, L. Whitcomb, J. H. Rex, R. M. Wallace.
1876-Mayor, John A. Henderson; councilmen: A. H. Wallace, A. H. Patterson, J. F. Henderson, Andrew Kenrall.
1877-Mayor, John A. Henderson; councilmen: Austin Kracaw, H. E. Yearick, J. H. Wilson, R. M. Wallace; clerk, E. G. Wilson.
1878-Mayor, R. T. McCall; councilmen: John Dodds, N. Everson, J. F. Henderson, A. Kendall; clerk, E. G. Wilson.
Our theatrical friends: A. R. Dewey, C. T. Jones, Mrs. J. Albert Williams, Mrs. Ren Henderson, G. G. Rodman, Cyrus Beard, Edgar Wilson, R. R. Bowland, George Morton, Leigh Wallace,
Fanny Jones, A. N. Alberson, C. W. Beard, Col. Cowles, Frank Steck, C. H. Groff, E. Hoover, Wayne Simmons, Dan Bolding, Alma Glasgow, Winnie Richards, A. Van Wagener, Alice Wilson,
Will Glasgow, Charles Wilson, Capt. Kellogg, Jack Morrison.
There were others that we cannot recall now. They produced several plays and the profits helped to keep the Library going.
LETTERS READ AT CELEBRATION
Some very interesting letters and greetings were received, from Miss Nannie Springer, a former librarian now living in Palo Alto, California, from Mrs. M. W. Bailey of Burlington,
whose husband was for years president of the Board of Trustees, a telegram from Mrs. Lucy Wilson Errett, who is president of the State Library Association of Illinois and a former
assistant in this library. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Wilson of Washington. These letters were read:<
From Mrs. H. Graves, a former librarian. Now living in Norfolk, Virginia:
Norfolk, Virginia, Aug. 24, 1928
It certainly does seem a long time to look back fifty years and I that the Washington library has accomplished much good in that time.
When I took charge, it had been moved from the room over the Press office to one over the firehouse. At first, we opened it two evenings a week, but later it was open two afternoons
each week. We used the red and blue pegs to show whether the book wanted was on the shelves and it was a very good systems for a small library, only when a blue peg was put where a
red one should be caused a little temporary confusion.
At first the boys were inclined to be a little boisterous but they soon learned to be very quiet and gentlemanly. I asked them to remove their hats on entering and they did so with
the exception of one young man who steadily refused to take off his hat, though I spoke to him personally. He came to the library at nearly every opening, but always kept his hat on
his head, so I said no more to him, and let him be the one exception to the rule.
I re-catalogued the books, not by the Dewey system, however, but one of my own, which I think now was not a very good one, but it was the best I knew.
Mr. Burrell and Mr. Graves often helped me in the rush evening hours, and we were kept very busy for about an hour and half after opening time.
There were frequently funny little happenings among the children and I can see Mr. Burrell now, standing behind the peg board, chuckling. You know how he saw the funny side of things.
I tried to keep the books in good repair, by constant pasting and patching, but they would wear out after a while, and the trustees gave me permission to give away those that were beyond
repair. A little bare-footed Bohemian boy from Richmond, named Tony Chez, used to come to the library with a grain sack and I would fill it with worn out volumes of Harpers, and other
books, and these would keep him in reading matter for many months, when he would come for more.
These books were a veritable God send to him and he has since told me that his first impulse for an education, and a desire to make something of himself came from reading those worn out
books from our library. He certainly did make something of himself, and you probably know of his gallant service in the World war. He is a brother of Joe Chez who lived with us and
worked in Mr. Graves’ office.
It was my ambition to have a reading room added to the library and in time we were able to subscribe for a number of magazines, which were place on a table and enjoyed by young and
old alike.
Not long after this addition was made, we moved away and the work passed into other hands. I have forgotten who took charge, but I think it was Miss Nannie Springer.
What a joy it must be to work in the airy rooms of the Chilcote home. O, the hot July nights in that furnace over the fire house. I used to wrap a piece of ice in several thicknesses
of cloth and hold it on my wrist until it melted and it seemed as though closing time would never come and let me out of that horrid atmosphere. In cool weather the room was very
comfortable and the work was a real pleasure.
I thank you for the invitation to visit Washington. It would be very pleasant to attend the celebration and meet old friends, but I fear that my traveling days are over, but I shall
be with you in spirit, and I hope I shall be able to see an account of the celebration of our fiftieth birthday.
Your most sincerely,
Julia Graves
From Mrs. Ola Eyestone Young, Los Angles, Cal.:
Dear Friend:
Have been thinking of your anniversary and so many remembrances of the old library have come to me. I’m wondering if anyone recalls my occasional days and evenings in the library when
Miss Springer was librarian? I had no official position but I “helped out” a good many times, especially when I sent a troop of boys and girls from the high school on a search for
material for their English lessons. I had a jolt of pleasure amid the old book stacks and carried home piles of books to browse over. Till then I had never had quite all the readding
matter I wanted. Then too, the faces of many old time friends and fellow readers come up from the past and all at once the years dropped from sight and I’m teaching school again, back
in dear old Washington. A wonderful history could be written of the worth-whileness of the library. I have known most of the librarians. They have served the city well.
I hope this reaches you in time with my love and congratulations, with my appreciation of what the library meant to me.
Ola Eyestone Young
From Julia A. Robinson, Executive Secretary, State Library Commission:
Mrs. Bessie McLaughlin,
Washington, Iowa.
Your invitation to your celebration of the fiftieth year of service of the Washington Public Library is received.
I wish it were possible for me to be present as I should enjoy it very greatly and I send herewith my heartly congratulations upon all these years of service. They mean many hours
of work on the part of your librarian and many hundreds and thousands of people helped and benefitted by heir contact with the library. It would be an inspiring thing if on this
occasion you could have a procession of all these people including their repeated use of the library as the young people grew up.
Very sincerely yours,
Julia A. Robinson, Executive Secretary
From Mrs. Mary Shields Bush of Denver, Colorado, Oct 4
Dear Librarian,
Library and Board:
In a newspaper clipping sent to me by my niece, Miss Ticia Shields, I read that the Public Library of Washington is to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary on October 11.
I would like to be present on this occasion, but since I cannot, I am sending a few lines which may be of interest to some of the older residents.
I am enclosing a little red ticket on which is printed “Library Fair, Admit One.” This ticket ahs been my possession for over fifty years, and perhaps, you may consider it worthy of
a place in your library museum. How many of you remember the Library Fair? Nowadays it would be called bazaar. I don’t remember the exact date, but I think it was the fall of 1877.
I trust you will not think me egotistical when I say that the idea of the fair originated in the minds of two school girls, Allie Glassgow (Mrs. Alma White) and Mary Shields
(Mrs. Mary S. Bush).
Of course they could not do much without help and they soon had plenty, for nearly everyone in town was willing to assist.
The younger girls canvassed the entire city in pairs, soliciting donation of foods, fancy work and money.
One thing I remember is that nearly every married woman we asked to help said she would be glad to, but she would have to ask her husband first. How many women of today would think
that necessary? Of course, we always took these women’s names and called upon them the second time, and I will say this much for the husbands, that in nearly every case we received
the donation.
The fair was held for two or three nights and was a financial success.
When we turned the money over to the “city fathers,” or whoever was to take care of it, we found, to our great joy, that there was already a considerable sum towards the library.
This money had been raised by taxation a few years before, but had never been expended.
The money in the treasury and the proceeds of the Library Fair constituted the “nest-egg” of the Washington Public Library which is soon to attain the dignified age of
half a century.
Very truly yours,
Mary Shields Bush
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