The Chautauqua Age

  The first Chautauqua was held June 29 through July 6, 1905, at the county fair grounds, in a tent having a capacity of three thousand. The tent and grounds were lighted by electricity. Season tickets sold at $1.50 and $2.00. There were lodging accommodations for those who wished to sleep on the grounds at 25 cents per night. Tent and lots rented from $2.50 to $6.00 for the season. Camp furniture could be rented. A dining hall was provided as well as a place where teams could be fed and cared for. Rates of one and one-third fare for round trip were given from railroad points within one hundred fifty miles of Red Oak. G. S. Dick was president of the Chautauqua Association, and Wm. Murchie, secretary.

   The purpose of the Chautauqua was to bring to the people the best in lectures, music, instruction and good entertainment. Included on the program were America's best and brightest statesmen, orators, lecturers, educators, scientists and musicians.

   The opening address was given by William Jennings Bryan, with his "Prince of Peace" address. Other famous names on the program included Jane Addams, the world-famed social settlement leader, Edith Henry Wallace of Des Moines, Governor Robert M. LaFollette of Wisconsin.  Each weekday morning a Children's Hour was held, followed by a Bible address.

   The collapse of the tent in 1907 made the demand imperative that there be a permanent auditorium erected. In 1908 Chautauqua Park was purchased for $750 and a permanent pavilion of steel construction was erected. This had a seating capacity from 3,500 to 5,000, and cost around $5,200.

   Inners and his band appeared at the opening performance in the new pavilion. Gipsey Smith, world evangelist, preacher and lecturer also appeared on this program.

   Chautauqua continued through 1929 with many notable people appearing throughout the years.     

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Red Oak Hospital

   The first hospital in Red Oak was established in 1907 by four physicians, Drs. Gillmor, Lawrence, Seabloom and Reiley, in a building where later the Murphy Memorial Hospital had its beginning in 1931. The City Council of Red Oak in February 1931 accepted the bequest of Thos. D. Murphy and Inna C. Murphy, amounting to $50,000, and the Murphy Memorial Hospital was opened in the Gillmor Building, which had been previously operated as a hospital.

   In 1941 a new hospital building was constructed, and was occupied on March 17, 1942. This building was made possible by a gift of $25,000 from Oscar and Margaret Shepard, and a community contribution of $18,000.

   As the result of a local fund raising campaign, a new addition was constructed in 1949, and supplemented by a Federal hospital grant. This hospital is the first to be completed in Iowa under the provisions of Public Law 725. Impressive ceremonies marked the dedication of the completed Murphy Memorial Hospital on January 12, 1950.

   The hospital at present has a capacity of fifty beds, and has been under the efficient administration of Miss Sophia Pieper, R. N. since February 1936.

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Company M

  Co. M. was organized about 1893. Red Oak, for about 14 years had a military organization known as Co. K. but in 1892 their company was mustered out of the new service.

   In August, 1893, a number of young men formed a temporary military organization and made application for membership in the Iowa National Guard. In October, two state officers were sent here to inspect the new company, with a view to mustering them in. They were so well satisfied that they enlisted the boys on the spot.

   The Company has served in all wars since they were organized. Darwin Merritt was one of the two officers who lost their lives on the ill-fated battleship Maine when it was blown up in Havana harbor, therefore the people of Montgomery county had a special interest in the Spanish-American war.

  During World War I the Company went to war with full strength of 250. They fought in the major campaigns at Belleau Woods, Argonne Forest, St. Michel and Swepps. There were over 160 casualties and 52 killed in action. 

  In World War II, Red Oak received nationwide publicity because of the large number of casualties in the European conflict. March 6, 1943 was a black day in the history of the community for more than one hundred telegrams arrived stating that boys were missing in action.  In April the news was official that twenty-seven boys had been taken prisoners at Fald Pass. While this was probably the outstanding single action, yet boys served in every continent in every major battle of the war.