Museum updates: Twin plants, &tc.

Somebody asked the other day when the museum would open again, when actually it never closes --- although the "season," when we're open longer hours, ended Sept. 30. Now, Judy is there from 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays; Marilyn, from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays; and I'm generally there a couple of morning hours daily --- depending. Plus, we'll gladly open for visitors at other times providing you contact us to make arrangements: (641) 774-4464 or lchs@iowatelecom.net.

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This was the year when neither master gardener Kay nor I could stand to see the big Stephens House front-porch planters wither, freeze and die --- so thanks to Rex's strong back they moved inside and upstairs and seem to be flourishing. The redoubtable Sarah P., artist with paint and plants as well as persuasive Presbyterian preacher, created these for us in the spring, incorporating ginger, which has flourished. Now Kay is experimenting to see if the plants will make it through the winter, then move outside again.

We were going to let the south porch planters, filled with lesser stuff, go. But one thing led to another and they're now over-wintering in the big south dining room windows downstairs.

Kay, Robin, Meg, Sarah and others have done a magnificent job with the outdoor plantings this year, and now we're talking rain garden for the seriously intimidating drop from patio to blacksmith shop level of our back-40 ski slope.

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As anyone who deals with old buildings knows, maintenance is a big deal --- unless you want the darned things to fall down around your ears. So there's been a lot of that this year and more is planned.

At the Stephens House, for example, the built-in eavestroughs that serve the lower-level roofs of the front porch had to be dealt with during the summer and a reproduction of a critically deteriorated and surprisingly large basement window was custom-built and installed.

Now, we're preparing to insulate the walk-up attic, which has only a dusting between some floor joists and, apparently, none whatsoever under the floor. That will be blown-in fiberglass, a project financed in large part by a South Central Community Foundation grant and Alliant Energy rebates. It's needed because the house is heated and cooled year-around to a consistent level, and that's costly in a big old drafty building.

The big barrier to insulation previously was the fact the attic had been used for storage since the building was acquired in 1965 --- and was full of an amazing assortment of stuff. All of that was moved with considerable effort during the summer to basement storage and as the months go by we hope to finally sort thorugh it and incorporate as much as possible into exhibits.

Although the attic no longer will be usable once insulated --- that may be a good thing. Plus, the insulating process is reversible, something that needs to be considered when dealing with a National Register-listed building.

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Elsewhere, we have a state grant that will help us replace the wood-shingle roof on our 1880s school house. Puckerbrush arrived on campus during the late 1960s, just after consolidation, with the roof that's still in place --- but the end of its useful life is very near. Everything involved in this project has been approved at state level. Now if the very-busy contractor who had the successful bid (installing a wood-shingle roof the right way is specialized work) would just answer his telephone!

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Finally, we're getting estimates now for replacement of the doubled doors that serve as the museum's main entrance --- to the Lewis Building. These have served since the 1970s and actually were moved from the original wing of the building when the newer wing that contains the commons area and offices plus a gallery was added. Although the old doors still are sturdy, they are not insulated, have warped slightly (daylight always is visible somewhere around them no matter what we do) and they are extraordinarily difficult to lock and unlock. Hopefully, they will have been replaced before snow flies.

About that photo up there

Virginia and others have asked about the locale of the photo now serving as header for this page and my Facebook home page, too. It was taken at this time last year (I know that's cheating) in Pleasant Township, just at the turnoff from the Zion Cemetery road where you start meandering down toward the site of old Olmitz along Cedar Creek. Here it is, full frame

Centennial School once was located just over the wooded hill in the distance to the northwest. Centennial was named, of course, because it was built in 1876. It also was one of the first schools taught by my grandfather, back in 1895.

Turn southwest from the corner post (that's a hedge post, by the way) and this is the view, then due south on what was a hazy but sunny morning and this is the view down toward Olmitz, where only a memorial is left to remind us of one of Lucas County's most vibrant mining towns.

Charitone updates: Seeing sky

Look up from street level through fourth-floor windows at the Hotel Charitone's east end these days and you'll see sky --- old roof off; new roof on as construction workers move to seal the building so interior work can begin.

Actually, the roof is being replaced incrementally, starting at the east end where water damage was most severe during years when the old building was virtually abandoned. Johnson Machine Works is fabricating the steel clips that will be needed to support new trusses. Completion goal for the roofing project is the end of November, according to Ray Meyer, who provided two updates last week --- one to Bill Howes for a report in Thursday's Herald-Patriot and the other for those of us who attended Thursday's Non Profits Roundable..

C & D Masonry, of Perry, already has repaired most of the exterior brickwork on the fourth-floor level, separated over the years from structural walls --- again, by seepage --- and reworked segments of interior wall at that level as well.

The other most noticeable part of the restoration project is the absence of windows on the north and east facades. These openings will be filled with reproduction windows as part of the sealing project. Existing windows (now hiding behind plywood for the most part) will be refurbished on the North Grand and Braden Avenue facades in accordance with Department of the Interior guidelines. That's a necessity when federal and state tax credits are part of the financing package for restoration of a National Register-listed building.

Once sealed, a good deal of work remains to be done inside before the fun stuff begins. Steel supports will be sandblasted and perhaps in some cases replaced and concrete work also will be dealt with. The whole place also needs to dry out thoroughly, since water has cascaded for years from roof to basement, especially at the east end.

Two minor changes at street level also were evident last week. The stubby porch over the main entrance was removed --- the original recessed main entrance will be restored. And preparations were beginning to restore the window that sometime during the 1930s was turned into a door to allow direct access from street to restaurant.

I've including here two preliminary plans for the Charitone's interior. These are not up to date, since they are taken from "story boards" prepared for use during public presentations when the Charitone project began earlier this year --- but are generally accurate. The original presentation material lives at the museum when not on the road, so anyone who wants to take a closer look is welcome to stop in and do so.

Current plans call for the first floor of the Charitone to be filled with a restaurant and meeting room in original locations, along with kitchen and service areas. A bar has been proposed for the old lobby end of the building, with two entrances sandwiched between --- the original south entrance primarily for the public; a new north entrance for apartment residents and those who need handicap access.

Four apartments are planned for each of the three upper levels. Three of those on each floor will have two bedrooms; the fourth, one bedroom.

No, a firm completion date has not yet been set for the project; and, no, the final cost hasn't been calculated --- although millions are involved. You may recall that major commitments to the project have come so far from Hy-Vee, $1.6 million, and the Vredenburg Foundation, $500,000.

Some have asked what the apartment rent will be and, again, no firm figures are available. This will not be subsidized housing and the apartments are intended to provide something lacking in Chariton now --- quality rental housing priced at the upper end of the market.

Some idea might be gained by looking at the Masonic Building in Osceola, which several of us visited early this year. That much older and smaller structure, restored at a cost of $2.2 million, includes six apartments on its upper two levels. One-bedrooms there rent for $750 and two-bedrooms, for $850. If interested in that project, undertaken by the same architect, Kirk Bluck, and contractor, Koester Preservation, now working in Chariton, you can read more here.

The Charitone as it looked in late September, before the landmark sign had been removed for storage and restoration.

Building Detective: Jay J. Smyth Block

Note: This is a double post from within the previously posted building sequence of the "Chariton's Square Deal" blog.

The two west business blocks (consisting of four storefronts) on the north side of Chariton's square are identical for good reason --- they were built by brothers Jay J. Smyth and William H. Smyth in the aftermath of a Dec. 30, 1905, fire that destroyed five northside brick buildings --- everything from the intersection of North Main Street and Braden Avenue east to the Mallory Block, then standing on the site of the current U.S. Bank building. The most likely architect for these two blocks is Oran Alonzo Hougland, then the only architect practicing in Chariton and at the height of his statewide popularity.

Prior to the fire, W.H. Smyth had owned a single-front building on the corner lot, one of the most historic lots in Chariton. That building had been built only 10 years earlier after another fire destroyed frame structures in the same locations of those that fell in 1905. Smyth was operating a dry goods store here at the time of the 1905 fire with The Chariton Leader office and printing plant and the offices of E.H. Storie, a justice of the peace, upstairs.

The two current Smyth blocks fill a single lot with 82-foot frontage sold for $32 on the first Monday in November, 1849, just after the city was platted, to Nelson Wescott. Wescott built Chariton's first store, a cabin of hewn oak logs, on its west quarter. By some accounts, Chariton's first well also was dug on this lot. Before that well, pioneers had collected rain water and hauled water from the Chariton River. The 82-foot lot later was subdivided into four single lots with 20-foot frontages, then reassembled by the Smyth brothers.

Prior to the 1905 fire, Jay J. Smyth owned the three single-front buildings east of the W.H. Smyth building. He operated a loan office from the first building, now site of the east half of his 1906 block, and was on the verge of opening a new bank, the Commercial, when the fire occurred.

If you look carefully at this postcard view looking north along the west side of the square, which dates from the summer of 1906, you can see the ruins of the W.H. Smyth building at the extreme right.

W.H. Smyth's loss in the 1905 fire was estimated at $19,000 --- $9,000 for his building and $10,000 for the goods it contained. The building was insured for $3,000, but the goods were uninsured. J.J. Smyth's total loss was estimated at $16,000 for three buildings and personal contents. He carried no insurance.

In February of 1906, the Smyth brothers recognfigured ownship of their lots so that Jay J. Smyth took control of the two west lots and William H. Smyth, the two east lots. The Chariton Leader of Feb. 15, 1906, reported the transaction this way: "Messrs. Jay J. and W.H. Smyth have effected an arrangement by which the former has the controlling interest in the two west lots on the northwest corner of the square, and W.H. Smyth will control the two lots adjoining on the east. They will have corresponding charge of the new buildings to be erected as soon as the weather will permit."

Jay J. Smyth planned his new building as home for the new Commerical Bank, and may have considered the corner lot more suitable for that. W.H. Smyth did not plan to go into business again and, indeed, devoted the rest of his life to managing his property and other assets, so location may have been less important to him.

The Chariton Leader of July 12, 1906, reported that "The foundations are now in for the new business buildings on the north side, covering the territory destroyed by fire last December. The structures will be much better than the former ones and will be built out of gray (sic) brick. The foundation for the bank vault of J.J. Smyth is now being put in and from now on the construction work will be much more rapid."

And on July 26, 1906, The Leader reported, "Good progress is being made on the new buildings on the north side. The W.H. Smyth block is up above the second story and work is now being pushed on the J.J. Smyth block and the brick work is commencing on the J.A. Brown building."

By December the Jay J. Smyth block was complete and was being equipped. According to the Leader of Dec. 13, 1906, "Jay J. Smyth has his fixtures placed in his north side bank building and will soon open for business. It was almost a year ago that the Commerical Bank was to open, but on the night before, the fire came, causing months of delay."

More research is needed to determine when the north half of the Jay J. Smyth Block, in which Chariton Leader publisher Henry W. Gittinger had a minor financial interest, was added to the main part of the building. In addition to the Leader offices and printing plant, this portion of the building also housed a variety of offices and shops.

Jay J. Smyth continued to operate in his business block until death during 1920 as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. The block remained in the Smyth family through the life of his son, Porter Jay Smyth, who died during 1963.

The following postcard view shows how the double Smyth blocks looked not long after their completion during late 1906.

The art and mystery of endorsement

Still a little bemused about The Register's Sunday endorsement of Mitt Romney, which broke a string of progressive presidential endorsements that stretched back to 1972 --- the last time the newspaper Iowa used to kind of depend upon endorsed a Republican, Richard Nixon. Oops.

Reading around, it seems to me that John Deeth probably has the clearest understanding of the reasons for the endorsement --- the president's botched "off the record" interview last week with publisher Laura Hollingsworth and editor Rick Green. That offended the delicate sensibilities of The Register's editorial board which, after "vigorous" debate, decided to endorse the challenger. In other words, "we'll show you what happens when you mess with us."

Some have suggested that The Register's corporate master, Gannett, ordered the endorsement, which seems unlikely. Gannett certainly is struggling in Des Moines and The Register is a mere shadow of its former self in part because of that. But The Iowa City Press-Citizen, Gannett's other Iowa property, endorsed Obama --- although it does operate in a city where tar and feathers could have resulted from anything else.

The oddest thing about The Register's endorsement, which reaffirms the editorial board's committment to all other progressive causes, was its illogic. The suggestion that Romney would do a better job with the economy flies in the face of the fact that  the Republican has carefully avoided outlining an economic plan and remained focused on not being Barack Obama.  And the suggestion that Romney will reach "across the aisle" to break partisan gridlock is absurd, something both Republicans and Democrats know.

In the end, about all The Register endorsement accomplished was to undermine its remaining strength among progressives, who have tended to forgive an increasingly weak news product because of a consistently strong liberal editorial voice. Republicans, outside the few remaining classic conservatives from the party's former base, have loved to hate the flagship of Iowa newspapering for years --- and that's unlikely to change.

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Speaking of politics, want to know to which campaign your neighbor has been contributing? Here's the place to find out. Just type in the last name of a candidate and his or her disclosure forms appear. I'm actually more interested in PAC than individual donations, but there's lots of fun to be had here.

 

Arts and crafts

Those of us who can't draw, can't paint, can't pot --- can't even knit --- could come away from events like Saturday's arts fair at the Freight House, sponsored by the Lucas County Arts Council, feeling inadequate. If it weren't so much fun just to look.

This was one of two arts- and crafts-related events in Chariton Saturday. The other, larger because the venue is, was the Sisters Craft Fair at Carpenters Hall. Didn't make it to that one --- there's only so much time in a day.

I've never been very good at distinguishing between art and craft, but imagine there was a mix at both locations. Art (or craft) is in the eye of the beholder, I suppose.

I always figure I've got a stake in Meg Prange's innovative fabric art (above) since she bought the farm where I grew up when my parents retired and continues to live and work there with her husband, Larry --- who was along for the ride Saturday. Meg works very hard at her art and, during the season, always seems to be on her way to one regional fair or another.

The other professional artist at Saturday's fair whose work I'm most familiar with is Steve Scott (right), a talented painter who sells most of his work through galleries elsewhere since any artist who depended upon Lucas Countyans to make major investments in art would most likely starve. Steve's sidekick here is David West, who lives out near Lucas and also is an artist but was just visiting Saturday. We call these guys the "UFO boys" sometimes, since both are believers, which results in interesting coversations during Monday morning gatherings at St. Andrew's.

The key racks, by the way, are not exactly representative of Steve's work; it's just that he happens to be a trifle overstocked on these because of a summer project undertaken at someone else's behest that didn't quite work out.

Watercolorist Brenda Boatman, of Corydon, also was displaying her work Saturday.

As was Steve Gibson of Milo, whose detailed paintings of regional farm buildings are popular. He attends a few shows a year, but markets his work primarily via the Internet. In civilian life, Steve works for a printing concern in Urbandale, so I had a good time talking with him about not only barns but also printing presses.

There were at least three potters and I managed to visit with two of them, Bob Kling, of Indianola (above) and Brian Barkey of Knoxville (below). I really like ceramics, but am flat out of space either to display or store (until I knock something off a shelf and break it again).

I was quite taken by Evan Branson's gourd art, which has the advantage of being very lightweight --- and tends not to shatter into a hundred pieces if inadvertently dropped. Evan lives near Weldon.

The most popular display, with kids especially, may have been Mary Parks' Still Water Fiber Farm spinning demonstration. That's Mary, of Pleasantville, spinning directly from a very calm angora rabbit as sidekick Linda Graves looks on. I ran into Mary on Farm Crawl two weeks ago at Blue Gate farm, but fogot to ask if it was the same rabbit.

The weight of the world

Wish I'd taken the camera along yesterday when I went up to the county auditor's office to vote --- not to immortalize the staff (although they're certainly photogenic), but to take a picture of the mighty pillar that is the only visible means of support on first-floor level of the courthouse for the considerable weight of the clock tower looming overhead.

Looking at the courthouse from the outside, you'd kind of expect its tower to have four walls extending all the way down to the old building's footings. But that's not the case. I wonder how often the auditor's staff thinks of all that weight above their heads, resting on the shoulders of that big pillar. Take a look next time you're in the courthouse.

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I got in the habit of voting early during years when Tuesdays involved being on the road with no certainty of reaching that school gymnasium in northwest Mason City that was my precinct's polling place. I still like to vote early. Later on at the office the alternate Frank, a traditionalist when it comes Election Day, made the case for the first Tuesday in November --- and it's a good one. But I expect to keep voting early.

The audtor's office was busy Friday --- new voters registering, others adjusting their registrations and still more just voting. I'd imagine the staff ends the days this time of year fairly worn down.

Voted the usual straight (Democrat) ticket on one side, then turned the ballot over and spent some time filling in little circles on the back --- a time-consuming but important process. I wonder how many Lucas Countyans actually will cast votes for hospital trustee --- or even know what a hospital trustee is. Same goes for the other categories of county candidates there.

Voted "yes" to retain all the judges, including Iowa Supreme Court Justice David Wiggins --- the principal target of Christian soldiers in Iowa this year because of his part in the unanimous 2009 Iowa Supreme Court decision that cleared the way for same-sex marriage.

It's not clear what the outcome of the retention vote will be, but it wouldn't be a surprise if Wiggins were ousted, too, in part because of indifference (it takes time to work the back of the ballot). Hopefully, not; but hate is a strong motivator and without it, the evangelical wing of the protestant church, not to mention the Roman Catholic hierarchy, has so little left.

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I'm looking forward to the Lucas County Arts Council's annual fall arts fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at the Freight House. The Sisters Craft Show will be held in conjunction --- from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Carpenters Hall. There's always lots of stuff to look at, so it should be an interesting day.

Shaped by fire

This battered old photo from about 1900, used here a week or so ago, shows the buildings destroyed in the big blaze of January 1904. The Manning & Penick Buidling at far left still stands, but all structures to the north burned. They were (from left) the two-story Lockwood Jewelry Store building, the three-story (with cast iron facade) Storie Drug Store building and the Mallory Opera Block.

I've been reading lately in the context of fire about the development of Chariton's water supply system, a process that did not begin until 1906 and and really didn't have a satisfactory outcome until construction several years later of the reservoirs east of town, now called Lakes Ellis and Morris, that continue to supply the city.

The impediment to development of an adequate water supply was reluctance to spend money, although Chariton was was by the turn of the 20th century a prosperous place. That changed after three major fires, commencing in January of 1904 and continuing through 1906, wiped out large segments of the west and north sides of the square.

Chariton's principal piece of firefighting equipment in 1904 was Old Betsy, the Silsby steam pumper, now  restored, that still is the pride and joy of the Chariton fire department. But when fire broke out on the square, cisterns at its courners were the only sources of water. In a pinch, water could be hauled or pumped to the square from the light plant pond, which then filled Yocom Park, but it was not until after the big fires that a water line was installed from the light plant to the square to allow the cisterns to be recharged rapidly.

If a call for assistance was telegraphed to Albia or Osceola, firefighters there had to load their equipment aboard rail cars and and attach the cars to a train headed in the right direction.

After the fires, voters finally approved levies that allowed construction of a water system to begin, but even then the supply was problematic until construction of the reservoirs, water filtering plant and pumping station east of town. Wells were never able to provide enough water.

Anyhow, here's an account of the 1904 fire that started the process that ended with commencement of the water distribution system we still use today.

WORST FIRE IN HISTORY OF THE TOWN

Chariton Business Property Worth $100,000 Goes Up in Smoke
Mallory's Opera Block, D.Q. Storie's Block and Lockwood's Jewelry Store
Burned to the Ground --- Portion of Stocks Saved --- Firemen Handicapped

The Chariton Patriot, Jan. 28, 1904

The most disastrous fire in Chariton's history occurred Monday night when Mallory's opera block, the D. Q. Storie building and Lockwood & Son's jewelry store burned to the ground. A large portion of the stocks of goods were saved. The damage is estimated to be $100,000. The losses are all covered by insurance except to the amount of about $25,000.

The heaviest loser is D. Q. Storie. His net loss is thought to be at least $18,000. The Von Behren grocery store also loses heavily, the estimate being $4,500. Will B. Barger suffered the loss of his fine law library worth $2,800. Lockwood & Son say they cannot estimate their loss at this time. The losses suffered by S. Oppenheimer, Hollinger & Larimer, and Brown & Lutz are covered by insurance.

All of the property owners will commence the work of rebuilding as soon in the spring as the weather will permit. Mrs. Thayer telegraphed from Long Beach, California, her sympathy to the tenants of the opera block and stated that she would erect, in the spring, a building with all modern improvements. As to the kind of building proposed, we are not informed; nor can we state whether or not it will contain a theatre.

The Albia fire department was sent for but they came too late to be of material assistance. The lateness of their arrival was caused by no fault of theirs but by delay by the railroad company in furnishing them a train. For their willingness to come and the assistance they rendered, our town people feel very grateful.

The fire was discovered by Night-watchman Hans Beck. While making his rounds he saw tiny jets of flame bursting through the ceiling in the rear of Von Behren's grocery store. There was a row about six feet long of these little flames coming through a seam in the steel ceiling just above the store. He gave the alarm, and it was thought by those first to arrive that the fire was not serious and could easily be extinguished. An hour later the fire was raging in a manner that foretold the doom of the building.

The fire evidently caught from the flue in Von Behren's store as it was in the ceiling about this flue the fire was first seen. An attempt was made to check the fire with balcocks. Then a line of hose was laid and taken up the opera house stairway. The men holding the nozzle saw flames breaking through the floor around the stove on the west side of the opera house. They called for water, but Assistant-chief Woods ordered the hose downstairs and into Von Behren's store where it was attempted to fight the fire from below. This proved futile.

Meanwhile the flames increased in volume and force and soon the interior of the opera house was a roaring furnace. The hose was taken out of Von Behren' s to the street on the north side of the building and a stream of water directed into the opera house. There was neither sufficient volume of water nor enough force behind the stream to do any good and the flames, fanned by a northwest wind, swept with devouring fury through the upper floors.

In the store rooms below the work of carrying out goods was being done with all haste. It was given out several times by the firemen that they had the fire under control, and it was thought by many that the fire could be checked in time to stave the Storie building. But Chariton's fire-fighting facilities were inadequate to combat such a conflagration. The fire wall of the Storie block was not proof against the awful onslaught of the flames and it suffered as had the opera block. The falling of the wall on the Lockwood building crushed the roof and destroyed all hope of saving the little frame building. Here the fire was checked in its career of destruction by the solid brick wall of the Penick block. It is fortunate there were no openings in this wall. Had the fire gained foothold in this building it is very probable that the entire west side of the square would have been destroyed, and after it the buildings south of the square. By this time the water supply of both cisterns on the square was exhausted and the engine had to be moved to the city pond, when it froze up and was taken to the fire house.

About six o'clock the Lockwood building blazed up with renewed fury and the services of the Albia fire engine were called upon.

During much of the time that the fire was raging, two streams of water played on the flames, but the firemen worked under greater difficulties than have been encountered since before the steam engine was purchased. With the mercury in the thermometer hovering near the twenty-below-zero mark, the engine froze up repeatedly and there were intervals of several minutes duration from time to time in which it was forced to cease pumping. One after the other, the cisterns gave out and time was lost moving the engine from one reservoir to another. The work was further handicapped by the hose freezing up. Danger from falling walls prevented the firemen from getting close enough to the fire to do effective work. The men worked hard and much credit is due them for the hours of effort expended in the face of difficulties that could not be overcome.

The greater part of S. Oppenheimer's stock was saved from fire. Nearly the entire stock of Hollinger & Larimer was taken from the building. However, both these clothing firms had their stocks badly damaged in moving and they say that much is missing. Their losses are covered by insurance. Stock to the amount of $1,300, only, was saved from Von Behren's. Little of Brown & Lutz's stock was saved. The Chariton Loan & Trust Company saved their abstract books and their safe went through the fire without damage to the valuable securities therein. What was saved from Storie's store is hardly worth considering. Dr. Storie lost every thing he possessed for his  professional work. Wm. Haylor, jewler, saved all his property, including his repair work. Lockwood's succeeded in saving the most valuable part of their stock: jewelry, silverware, cut-glass and articles of such nature. The greater part of their stock in the rear and south sides of the room were consumed. They lost everything in their living apartments up-stairs.

Every effort was made to save goods and the utmost precaution was taken by the owners to prevent damage to goods and to stop theft. However, cowardly thieves got in their work and there is much complaint of missing articles.

The extent of the damage sustained and amount of insurance in each case, is as near as we can learn as follows:

Opera block, loss $35,000, insurance $26,000
D. Q. Storie, loss $30,000, insurance $12,000
S. Oppenheimer, loss $8,000, covered
Hollinger & Larimer, loss $5,000, covered
Lockwood & Son, loss $10,000, insurance $9,000
Geo. Von Behren, loss $7,000, insurance $2,500
Brown & Lutz, loss $3,500, insurance $3,000
W. B. Barger, loss $2,800, insurance $1,000
Loan & Trust Co, loss $500, none

The losses sustained by Smith, photographer; C. Dalin, tailor; and Adams Express Company are slight.

The fire sufferers are temporarily located, as follows:

Hollinger & Larimer: Law building east side.
S. Oppenheimer: South side in room lately occupied by bowling alley.
Lockwood & Son: Penick block
Geo. Van Behren: Dewey block
Chariton Loan & Trust Co: Up-stairs over Smyth's dry goods store
D. Q. Storie and Wm. Haylor: Ed Storie's store, east side

Just in case there's any confusion ...

... now that we're less than two weeks away from Election Day, see the above. Any LGBT person who votes the Republican ticket is a fool. But there's more to it than that. I like this short list of successes during Barack Obama's first term:

1. Passed health care reform; 2. passed Wall Street reform; 3. ended the war in Iraq; 4. began drawdown of the war in Afghanistan; 5. eliminated Osama bin Laden; 6. turned the U.S. auto industry around; 7. recapitalized banks; 8. repealed Don't Ask Don't Tell; 9 toppled Moammar Gaddafi; 10. increased support for veterans; 11. expanded wilderness and watershed protection; and 12. expanded hate crimes protection. That's a dozen, but there are more.

And then there's Mitt Romney, whose principal public service accomplishment was signing a modified version of Obamacare into law while governor of Massachusetts and whose principal personal accomplishment has been augmenting the family fortune while exploiting the misfortunes of others.

Oh --- and convincing many evangelical Christians to trade their imaginary friend Jesus in on a new imaginary friend named Mitt. The former has far more potential than the latter.

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I see by this week's Herald-Patriot that the publisher has resurrected Mike Huckabee's argument, launched during August, that rape can be a positive thing, based upon the fact the late, great diva Ethel Waters resulted from the rape of her mother, age 13 at the time.

This is a variation of the proposition made Tuesday by Indiana senatorial candidate Richard Mourdock that pregnancies resulting from rape are "something God intended."

The argument has as much validity as a contention that the world would be a better place if Mike Huckabee's mother had had access to an abortion provider after the former Arkansas governor was conceived, presumably consensually.

It's not about zygotes or embryos; it's about the authority of women over their own bodies and their own reproductive choices.

The days of Douglas Ice Cream

Hy-Vee most likely is the top-selling brand of ice cream in Lucas County now, but a century ago it was Douglas, manufactured by the Douglas Ice Cream Co. --- chartered in 1913 with capital of $35,000 --- in this building just off the northeast corner of the Chariton square. The builder (and ice cream manufacturer) was Lee P. Douglas, who moved from Chariton to Des Moines with his family during 1922.

This old photo must have been taken not long after production began. The dray wagon is filled with tubs labeled "Douglas, Chariton, Iowa" and the banners on the wagon and in the first-floor windows of the building behind it read, "Douglas Ice Cream."

The Chariton Leader reported on Dec. 18, 1913, that "The new Douglas building on Grand street is fast assuming propositions (?!?) and ere long will be completed. It is to be occupied by the Douglas Ice Cream Company in the manufacture of this article for the retail and wholesale trade. The building stands two stories above a high basement. These lower rooms will also be fitted up for business. L.P. Douglas and P.T. Paton have formed a partnership and will soon launch a bottling establishment here. The style of the firm is to be known as the D. & P. B. Co. They will equip this establishment with the latest and best appliances and machinery and will put a superior product on the market. Mr. Douglas will have charge of the manufacturing end of the business and Mr. Paton represent the distribution and this will make a strong firm."

Two months later, on Feb. 12, 1914, The Herald-Patriot reported that "Lee Douglas is moving his ice cream factory into his fine new building north of Palmer's Department store (which was located then on the Charitone Hotel site), and will be ready for business on Saturday of this week. Mr. Douglas and P.T. Paton were in Burlington last week attending the Bottlers' convention and have purchased the fixtures for their bottling business which will also be opened in the near future."

Neither the ice cream nor the bottling business endured, but the building did. Probably best-known as the Anderson Building, it has housed a locker, offices and apartments. Now owned by Richard Atwell, it continues to serve as an apartment house.

Building Detective: The Grand Theater

Then The Strand. Even, briefly, The Casino. But who would guess now that this building four doors south of the alley on the square's east side now owned and occupied by the South Central Community Foundation started life as a theater? The only exterior hint, visible in the tunnel-like entrance to foundation offices, is what appears to be a fragment of the brightly-colored terrazzo floor of the original lobby.

I still have a lot of questions about the building to answer, so this post is a ploy. I'm going to post a link to the "If you grew up in Chariton, you remember ...." page and see if any among its more than 1,000 members remember a theater here. Some do, I think.

The heydey for theaters in Chariton was a brief three-year period --- from 1927 until 1930 --- when three were operating. The earliest of these was The Temple (later Lincoln), located on the ground floor of a three-story building that once stood on the site of what now is Hammer Medical Supply. The Grand was built in 1913. During 1927, Harry Cramer built The Ritz, which still looks like a theater although it now houses The Connecticut Yanke Pedaller bicycle shop.

For three years, all were fully operational --- showing movies interspersed during the early years with vaudeville acts. But in 1930 a major south-side fire destroyed the Temple/Lincoln Theater building and heavily damaged the new Ritz, which then was rebuilt behind its distinctive blonde brick facade. Only two theaters were left. Although The Grand continued to operate as The Strand, I'm not sure for how long. I remember this only as a commercial and office building.

The following three articles from Chariton newspapers deal with The Grand's beginning.

CONTEMPLATED NEW THEATRE

The Chariton Leader, 5 September 1912

A gentleman from St. Joseph was here on the first of the week and contracted for the erection of a theatre building on the Riebel lot, just north of the Star Bakery. It is to be especially erected for a theatre, one story, 20x100 feet, with raised floors and asbestos curtains. He said he would give bond for a long term lease and if he does so the building will be built immediately.

NEW THEATRE NEARING COMPLETION

The Chariton Leader, 6 March 1913

The Grand Theatre building on the east side of the square is nearing completion and is a thing of beauty and we hope a joy forever. the inside walls are artistically finished in blending colors and present a charming effect. The stage at the rear is 20x20 feet with dressing apartments below. Mr. Banning has moved his family here from Des Moines, and expects to open up the theatre some time in April. He is an experienced show man and owns several motion picture shows in various parts of the state. While the Temple Theatre has always pleased, competition is the life of trade, and both will probably do better by another being here.

NEW PICTURE SHOW

The Chariton Herald-Patriot, 20 March 1913

Chariton has a second picture show, the Grand theater under the management of J.D. Banning being thrown open to the public last week. The room was especially arranged for a moving picture show with high ceilings, a loft in the rear for the operator's booth and orchestra, while 240 comfortable opera chairs are arranged for the public. A suction fan will be placed at the east end of the building and four 14-inch fans will be installed to provide pure air for a crowded house. The booth for the operator is constructed of steel with asbestos lining, thus minimizing the danger of fire, while a side door and two doors near the stage provide quick means of exit in case of accident. Screen, lenses and machinery are rapidly being brought into excellent condition and only the best and cleanest pictures will be shown. The new theater and the building in which it is located is a credit to the east side of the square. Mr. Banning expects to make his permanent home in Chariton and has already secured a suite of rooms in the Smyth block.

 

The Star Bakery, mentioned in the first article, is now headquarters for Meyer Law Firm. When The Grand was built, the three lots separating it from the east-side alley were vacant. And here's a puzzle --- the first article states that the new theater was to be built as a one-story building. So did the builder change his mind and build it as a two-story building? Or was the second floor added later? And why did whoever built it use for its second floor a design almost identical to that of the 1904 Lockwood Building on the west side of the square --- complete with distinctive bay window?

 

Whatever the case, J.D. Banning didn't last long. The Herald-Patriot of May 8, 1913, reported that "The Grand Theater was sold last week by Mr. D.J. Banning to Mr. E.P. Shipley, of Corydon, who took possession Friday. Mr. Shipley expects to make some improvements and will conduct an up-to-date moving picture show and theater. He expects to furnish the best films and attractions that are to be had."

 

Shipley, who rechristened the theater The Casino, didn't last long either. By the end of 1913, the theater had been sold to Chariton businessmen Ralph Bowen and Ralph Becker, who moved aggressively to improve it. The Chariton Leader of Dec. 11, 1913, reported as follows:

 

GRAND THEATRE BUILDING ENLARGED

The Chariton Leader, Dec. 11, 1913

 

The Grand Theatre building will be extended east to the alley, and work of excavation has begun. This will give them double floor space to accommodate the crowds that attend the movies nightly. They have been giving three shows an evening and then could not accommodate all. An orchestra has been added and good music will be a special feature.

 

The results of that expansion were reported upon by The Herald-Patriot of Jan. 1, 1914, and this is where I'm going to leave this Building Detective installment for the time being:

 

HAS DOUBLED ITS CAPACITY

The Chariton Herald-Patriot, Jan. 1, 1914

 

The Grand Theater is a growing and a going concern under the management of Becker & Bowen. The building was erected less than a year ago for occupancy by a gendleman who announced himself an experienced theater manager. It was opened on April 1st and after a few weeks during which it made no money it was sold to a second man who also failed to please the public. Messrs. Becker & Bowen then assumed direct charge of the theater and from the first have made it successful financially because they spent their money freely and judiciously to make it a place of real entertainment for the public.

 

Since cool weather set in, the crowds have been too great to accommodate them in the small room and a short time since it was decided to enlarge the room. This has been done by extending the building to the alley, making the seating capacity 500 or just double what it has been.

 

At the rear of the addition a loft for the accommodation of fire proof scenery and curtains has been erected, while at the front of the stage an orchestra pit has been equipped where the musicians are practically hidden from the audience. The floors are given a greater pitch than the room formerly had and an inclined entrance will be fitted up to give the desired elevation without climbing steps as is so often the case.

 

One of the best improvements, however, is a Gold Radio screen, the only one of its kind in this section of the state. This screen presents the picture in the clearest possible manner and is guaranteed not to injure the eyes, a fault of many ordinary screens.

 

A new drop curtain will be placed in position, while electric fans will be used to get a current of fresh air through the entire building. The walls will be handsomely decorated and the enitre theater fitted up as cosily and completely as possible. It is expected all these improvements will be completed in a few days and next week will se them all in use. The management is to be contratulated upon the success they have made of the theater business.

Chariton women outmaneuver the men

The effort to earn ratification by the states of the Nineteenth Amendment, which guaranteed universal suffrage, was a battle. This is an example of literature circulated nationwide by those opposed to the amendment.

Iowa women coldn't vote in 1906, but in one instance at least, in Chariton, won the day anyway --- in part because of male folly.

Although Iowa generally was considered a progressive state during the 19th century, that was not the case when it came to women's suffrage. Wyoming led the way here, embedding universal suffrage in its territorial constitution during 1869. Utah followed in 1870; then Washington, in 1883. By the time the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1920, women already could vote in most of the West --- but not in Iowa.

The best Iowa could do was partial suffrage, granted legislatively in 1894. That allowed women to vote on a limited range of issues --- whether or not a new school building should be erected, for example, or taxes raised to finance other public improvements. If candidates were involved, however, only males could vote. Presidential suffrage did not come until 1919, the year the Iowa Legislature ratified the Nineteenth Amendment. Full suffrange finally arrived when the Nineteenth Amendment became effective.

Although universal suffrage nearly became law in Iowa several times during the half century following the Civil War, it always fell short. One barrier was the intentional difficulty of the amending process built into the Iowa Constitution --- amendments must be approved by two consecutive General Assemblies, then voted upon by the people. Other barriers included the entrenched insecurity of the patriarchy, the fear among men that women were likely to favor prohibition and that old favorite --- that granting women the right to vote would endanger traditional marriage. Sound familiar?

Whatever the case, women could not vote in the 1906 school board election in Chariton, but could run for office and did win. Here's the story:

WOMEN FOR DIRECTORS

Mrs. Penick and Mrs. Whitfield Win in School Election

The Chariton Patriot, March 15, 1906

In one of the warmest school elections ever held in Chariton, the women's ticket was victorious Monday, Mrs. Kate Penick and Mrs. Edna Whitfield being elected directors. Fred J. Yengel was elected treasurer over John Culbertson.

The vote on the candidates was as follows: For director, Mrs. Penick, 313, Mrs. Whitfield, 272; J.H. Curtis, 260; Fred Stafford, 177; A.L. Yocom, 108; F.E. Hendrickson, 85. For treasurer, F.J. Yengel, 416; John Culbertson, 190.

The entrance of the women into the contest for school director added considerable to the interest in the election. At a meeting of the men candidates on the morning of the day of election it was suggested that all candidates have their names on the same ticket. Mr. Hendrickson objected to having the women's names on the ticket with the men's. And the women heard of it. Later, the objection was withdrawn and the women were requested to have their names on the same ballot with the men's. But the ladies then would not accept the invitation. They issued a hand-bill stating they had been denied representation on the ticket with the men. The men then issued bills, and under the head-line, "A Correction," stated that they had invited the ladies to have their names printed on the same ballot. The women replied to this, stating as a reason, that in declining to accept the invitation from the men after objection having first been made to their names on the same ticket, they were but asserting their self respect --- and the bill distributor was given another job.

With two directors to be elected, and there being four men candidates in the field, the women's ticket had the advantage, as the vote for the men was considerably divided. Under the circumstances the run made by J.H. Curtis speaks well for his standing in the community, he only falling thirteen votes short of being elected.

For treasurer, Mr. Yengel received the support of nearly everyone who voted the women's ticket. On the men's ticket, Mr. Culbertson led in the race for this office.

 

One Sunday, three preachers

Here it is Sunday again as October plunges toward the November 6 wire and that come-to-Mitt or come-to-Obama moment. It's been just like an old-fasioned revival meeting, but with dueling messiahs and differing visions of hell. 

But heck, we're all just looking for a savior. And poor Jesus --- handed his pink slip and escorted from the building, he's pursuing other opportunities these days.

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The Pew Form on Religion and Public Life released results of its latest survey early in the month, concluding that "nones" --- Americans who profess no religious affiliation --- are in the ascendent. One in five now, up 15 percent in the last five years. For young adults --- those under 30 --- the percentage is higher, a third.

Hardly surprising. These are folks who look at the church and see an organization whoring for money, power and political control. I wonder how many more will walk away in the aftermath of this year's partisan brawl. Maybe Jesus is working that crowd now.

I'm intrigued enough by the video promo (top) for Shane Hipps' new book, "Selling Water by the River," to order a copy. Hipps is a preaching product of Mars Hill Church, founded by Rob Bell, who gave us "Love Wins," which outraged the orthodox by dissing hell. Hell if it weren't for hell, much of the church as we've known it wouldn't have a leg to stand on. Maybe Jesus has found work here.

Hipps has borrowed the line "selling water by the river" from Zen, so that's intriguing. I like the brief sermon incorporated in the video, but of course haven't read the book. Watch it and see what you think. The orthodox, again, have declared it heresy --- but the principal hope in organized Christianity always has been heresy.

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Also making the rounds this week is this YouTube video of the Rev. Phil Snider, pastor of Brentwood Christian Church in Springfield, Missouri, testifying earlier this year during Springfield City Council debate about expanding the city's non-discrimination policy to include LGBT people.

Snider deftly flips a script written by earlier Christian pastors citing God to defend racial segregation into an affirmation of the orthodox church's current targets. Interesting stuff. Jesus at work again?

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Back in the church-as-whore department, you've got the Jesus-wept spectacle of Billy Graham, "America's pastor," now 94 and not necessarily coherent, propped up by first son Franklin to bless the Romney campaign during a personal visit, followed up by full-page advertising urging --- among other things --- votes "for those who protect the biblical definition of marriage between a man and a woman."

Shortly thereafter, the Billy Graham Evangelical Association removed Mormons from the list of hell-bound "cults" that it has spent decades condemning --- at least until after the election. You've gotta love it.

Presbyterian Church: By T.M. Dunshee

This is the sixth in a series of articles written or edited by Thomas M. Dunshee between 1903, when he collected the material, and 1910, when he finished entering the sketches in a small blue "tablet" notebook now in the Lucas County Historical Society collection. The subjects of the biographies all were fellow pioneers in the Newbern neighborhood of English Township, Lucas County. He also wrote about the two churches that were located in the township, including First Presbyterian, also known as the Cain Church.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ENGLISH

By Thomas M. Dunshee

Dated Dec. 29, 1903

This church was organized at Newbern, Marion County, Iowa, August 28, 1869, by Rev. W.C. Hollyday of Chariton as the Presbyterian Church of Newbern with the following charter members: George T. Mayes, Mariah Mayes, Flora Taylor, Thomas M. Dunshee, Susan Dunshee, William T. Dunshee, James Taylor, Charlotte Ann Taylor, Joshua B. May, Martha May, James P. Holliday, Ruth Holliday, Martha Jane Holliday and David Williams. Of this number there are but five of the original members at the present time.

James Taylor and James P. Holliday were the first elders elected. Rev. W.C. Hollyday of Chariton was stated supply for three years, one fourth of his time. Commencing in May 1873, Rev. P.H. Jacobs of Knoxville preached for six months every three weeks. Rev. James Stuart Reed of Chariton supplied the church for three years whenever his ministerial duties at his home church would permit.

The fall of 1875 it was decided to build a house of worship. This house was located by the building committee three miles southeast of Newbern in section eight on land donated by G.T. Mayes. This would place the church at a central point for the membership. Material was purchased of Dave Thompson, Chariton, and hauled on the ground preparatory to building the following spring, at which time Wood and Fountain of Newbern commenced work. The building was completed in July and was dedicated September, 1876, at a cost of $1,700 dollars, the board of church erection of the Presbyterian Church giving $400.

The church has been supplied by the following ministers: By Thomas N. Buchanan of Steubenville, Ohio, 1876, and Rev. J. Osmond of Russell, Iowa, one fourth time, 1877 to 1880. Rev. C.M. Allen, Sioux City, one fourth time January 1881 to October 1881; Rev. James Stuart Reed, Chariton, many times from 1872 to 1883; Rev. C.S. McElhinney, Fairfield, one fourth time July 1884 to 1886. Rev. J.H. Aughey, Chariton, one fourth time November 1886 to 1887. Mr. W.C. Atwood, Humbolt, Nebraska, one fourth time April 1888 to 1892. Rev. L.M. Scroggs, Chicago, one fourth time December 1892 to October 1893; Rev. W.C. Atwood, Chariton, one fourth time, six months, (commencing) April 1894. Rev. J.Q. Hall, Russell, one fourth time April 1895 to 1896. Rev. Lloyd C. Walters, Kinross, Keokuk County, Iowa, vacation 1896. Rev. Lloyd C. Walters, Kinross, Keokuk County, Iowa, vacation 1897. Rev. Robert Beer, Des Moines, one fourth time, Ocober 1897 to February 1900. Rev. Charles Brown Berry, student, vacation 1900. Rev. A.C. Ormond, Chariton, every two weeks January to October 1901. Rev. J.W. Pressly, Derby, every two weeks March 1902 to April 1903. Rev. O'Brien, Sunday school missionary, July 16 and 17, 1903. Rev. A. H. Chittenden, Chariton, every two weeks June to November, 1903. Rev. J.W. Pressly, Derby, October 24 and 25, 1903. Rev. M.R. Laird, Maysville, Illinois, Jan. 17, 1904.

The Church of English has given in the twenty-two years reported to the different boards of church work,  congregational, miscellaneous and Sabbath school work $4,949.02 besides what was given during twelve years not reported.

The average membership for thirty-four years, thirty-five; the present membership, thirty-four. The rotary system for the election of elders was adopted February 25, 1881. The following named persons have served the church as ruling elders --- James P. Holliday, James Taylor, G. T. Mayes, S.C. Cain, T.M. Dunshee, O.F. Brownlee, Joshua B. May and Edward E. Loynachan.

This photograph of First Presbyterian Church of English, also known as Cain Church, was taken from the Lucas County Genealogical Society's 1978 county history. According to that history, all remaining memberships were transferred after a period of decline to First Presbyterian Church of Chariton during 1931. After five years of disuse, the church was sold during 1936 and thereafter demolished. Early plat maps show the church located on the east side of the Newbern Road almost due east of what now is known as Spring Hill Cemetery.

Joseph Howard: By T.M. Dunshee

This is the fifth in a series of biographical sketches written or edited by Thomas M. Dunshee between 1903, when he collected the material, and 1910, when he finished entering the sketches in a small blue "tablet" notebook now in the Lucas County Historical Society collection. The subjects all were fellow pioneers in the Newbern neighborhood of English Township, Lucas County.

JOSEPH HOWARD

"By Mrs. Moon"

Dated December 1903

Joseph Howard was born in Tennessee March 9, 1796. His father, Abraham Howard, was a Virginian of English descent. His mother, whose maiden name was Stuart, was of Scotch-Irish descent.

At the age of thirteen years in 1809, Joseph's mother moved to Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, thirty-four miles east of St. Louis, where they lived until young Howard was seventeen years of age (Abraham Howard reportedly died before his son was born.), when he enlisted in the War of 1812 with what was called the Illinois Rangers. For two years he was kept busy with his regiment, guarding the settlers from the Indians, and on duty in some of the frontier posts. He came to Iowa for the first time in 1813 during an expedition sent up the Mississippi River against the Indians, which went as far north as Rock Island. He said then, if Iowa was ever purchased of the Indians by the Government and came to settlement he would go there. His regiment saw good service, had a number of engagements with the Indians.

After his two years were up he returned home and again engaged in farming and by industry and frugality saved money enough to buy a piece of land, which he proceeded to imporve.

The eighteenth day of March 1819 he was married to Jennie McLilly of Edwardsville. Her parents formerly came from South Carolina where she was born the fourth of February 1801. In 1805 they emigrated to Springfield, Tennessee, where they lived until the year 1817 when they came to Edwardsville. Here they lived for perhaps a dozen years.

In 1828 he was converted and joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He entered the Ministry at thirty-two years of age and from that time until 1860 engaged actively in the duties of a minister of the Gospel.

Uncle Jody Howard as he was familiarly known to many of the early settlers of Lee and Lucas Counties, moved to Lee County, Iowa, in the spring of 1835. Here he purchased 320 acres of land eight miles north of West Point. Here he lived for fifteen years. There were but few settlers and plenty of Idians. Keokuk was a little trading post with a few log cabins.

In 1850, Mr. Howard sold his farm and in October they emigrated to Warren County, Iowa, and settled in Whitebreast Township. Here he bought and entered at different times in Warren and Lucas Counties 1,200 acres of land. In February 1852, he purchased 120 acres of Government land in section six lying west of what afterwards became the town of Newbern. He improved and built for himself a home where he spent the remaining years of his life.

He died the second of February 1875. On account of failing health he did not preach regularly from 1860 until his death.

The town of Newbern was laid out by Ranson Davis in 1851, he building the first house. Mr. Howard kept the first post office just across the county line in Lucas County. There were no churches or school houses in the community and but four cabins between Knoxville and Newbern and one between Newbern and Chariton. He was one of the prominent figures in the little town just started.

Mr. and Mrs. Howard had twelve children born to them, seven boys and five girls, Abram, Samuel, Johnson, John T. Elizabeth O., Mary Angeline, William B. Joseph S. James B., Nancy J., Finis A. and Martha M.

Joseph Howard is buried in the Newbern Cemetery. This photograph of his tombstone is taken from the Web site Find A Grave.