December, 1886, which resulted in the destruction of S. W. Snyder's flouring mill. The loss is estimated at $4,000 without any insurance. It is supposed Dr. W. H. Grafton, of Cambridge, will share in the loss. A good flouring mill destroyed makes a serious loss to the whole community.
C. B. Owens, mayor at Sheldahl.
Sheldahl Crossing is near one and a half miles north of Sheldahl, and has an elevator, no post-office, but passengers can get off and get on trains here. E. T. C. Wells, agent at the Crossing. LATER—April, 1887.—A post-office just fixed at the Crossing called Slater. S. Ashland, postmaster.
Mr. E. Freed has the credit of building the first dwelling house at the Crossing.
There are several cemeteries in the township; one in section 1, one in section 18, and one in section 36, and the Fieldburg cemetery in the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 25, township 82, range 24.
There are four church buildings in Palestine Township as described below:
The Fieldburg Lutheran church is in the southwest corner of section 25.
The Palestine Lutheran church is in the southeast corner of section 25, township 82, range 24, being near a mile from the Fieldburg Lutheran church.
There are two Lutheran and two Methodist churches in Sheldahl. One Lutheran church in Polk, and one in Story County; one Methodist church in Story and one in Boone County. The town being in three counties each county shares in the churches.
The school-houses seem to be centrally placed in their twomiles square idstricts, except one, and that one is not far from its center. The first frame school house, as claimed in Story County was located in the northeast corner of section 1, township 82, range 24 (now Palestine township), and was known as the renowned Walnut Grove school-house, and was built in 1854-5 of native lumber.
Sheldahl has a high or graded school building.
FIRE's DOINGS.—Mr. Edwards, who lives a few miles west of Sheldahl, had the misfortune to have his house burned to the ground Wednesday last. There was an insurance of $800 on the house. —(Intelligencer, Jan. 27, 1887.)
Col. Snider is rebuilding his flouring mill at Sheldahl. The numerous friends of the old veteran hope that he may be blessed in business and recover all his recent loss before another hair turns gray on his venerable head.—(Intelligencer, Jan. 27, 1887.)
From a brief acquaintance with Col. Snider we think he is a very worthy man and such as should receive not only the sympathy but financial aid in his effort to rebuild his mill. A good flouring mill is of great value to the community in which it is situated. He has our sympathy at least.