Drive east from Chariton on U.S. 34 and half-way to Albia, seat of Monroe County, you'll come to the southward turnoff toward Melrose, or "Little Ireland" as the 100 or so souls who live there now call it. The highway descends sharply into the creek valley from the old Methodist Cemetery, passing St. Patrick's Church on a hilltop to the west, then takes a right, turns south to cross what now are the BN&SF tracks and climbs out of the valley past Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Although Rathbun Lake could not have been dreamed of in 1867, Melrose and its main thoroughfare now serve as a major north portal to Rathbun, Honey Creek Resort and other lake and lake-side attractions.
When the following was published in The Albia Union of Feb. 7, 1867, Melrose was a rail-side boom town, platted the previous year and growing up along the rail bed of the new Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, construction of which had continued west toward Chariton from Ottumwa following the end of the Civil War. Melrose eventually would grow to a population of about 500 before shrinking now to the approximate size of the small trading center that had developed here prior to the war.
The scribe who wrote this sometimes over the top report was Jacob C. Peacock (1843-1923), recently returned from Civil War service and appointed express mail agent for the rapidly expanding town. His father, Jonathan D.S. Peacock, who died during 1865 while Jacob was away, had been the first Melrose postmaster in pre-war years. Jacob was 23 when this was written.
A few years later, he would move to Chariton upon being named express mail agent here, then after snagging an appointment to the U.S. Bureau of Pensions would move to Washington, D.C., where the remainder of his life was spent. Both he and wife, Lucretia, are buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Here's Jacob's report, published under a headline that read simply "Melrose."
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Editor, Union: Through the columns of our worthy county paper, we should like to have a hearing, as the name Melrose, a short time back --- or place bearing the name --- was scarcely known, although at present there are but few who have not heard of it, within the limits of our county, and not a few "outsiders" have also harkened to the magic word, Melrose.
To those who will read, we would (in our way) tell of our future hopes and aspirations as a community, town and Township.
The town Melrose is situated in the northern portion of Jackson Township, Monroe County, Iowa; is 15 miles west of Albia and 15 miles east of Chariton, Lucas County, about two and a half south of a "bee" line of the two places. Nine miles north of Milledgeville, in Appanoose County, and four and a half miles southeast of (what used to be) Lagrange, Lucas County, directly on the line of the great western thoroughfare, the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad (which now fully accounts for our importance), the construction train of which reached here on Jan. 22nd, Inst., causing us great pleasure. 'Twas a welcome sight, we assure you; the boys cheered and shouted, men grew tall, very tall, your humble servant grew some six inches in as many minutes. The ladies, fair creatures, all come out and as they always do (bless them) --- "giggled lots." Horses shared in the excitement by snapping halter straps, rearing and plunging, and otherwise expressing their delight. It was a general mix of men, dogs, boys, women, children, horses and the elements, as it was cold and blustering and blowing some.
We anxiously await the first passenger train. The hills and hollows have grown more dignified since the advent of the cars, we all walk "Spanish Tip-toe." Everything and everybody have assumed an air of importance, three words will comprise the whole "we are some!" We know Albia no more for ever, if she does not complete the Iowa Central, and that speedily. Then Albia and Melrose will make a "hoss team" of no small dimensions, will pull together. As for Melrose, we suppose that disinterested parties think our case fast approaching the stage known as "Poll Evil" or more commonly "Big Head."
INHABITANTS
We have some two hundred and fifty or three hundred comprising many variations of the human race. Many well to do and of refinement and culture.
BUSINESS
Of which we have a variety, and is lively, have two stores with general and well assorted stocks, which rooms will compare favorably with any in our county seat. One Drug Store of a nice small stock, fresh and pure; one Harness Shop; two Blacksmith shops; three Boot and Shoe makers (room for more), two cabinet shops (under construction) and a Butcher Shop, and to top out the shows will add (at the risk of my head) a "ware" Doggery, kept by a clever old gentleman of the Emerald Isle, with which class (as with many others) the "crathur" not only seems the staff of life, is life itself, a too free use of which here seems to cause a great deal of unnecessary "tangleing" or "tiring" in double bow-knots of "legs," "Painting" Eyes, "Settling" teeth, building "Tie Shanties" on cheek bones and of even causing mother Earth to fly up and strike "um" rebukingly in the face.
PROFESSIONAL
Men we have few ... Two M.D.'s which is an abundance, as people here die before Doctors can get at them; this is accounted for by the place being so fast!
As for sickness, don't have any, don't know what it is.
HOTELS
We have two with two or three boarding houses, which are orderly and well kept.
RELIGION
here like most other places from some cause or other is at a discount and preaching scarce, whereas we have heretofore had preaching from different denominations, as the Christians, Methodists, Baptists, Universalists, Soul Sleepers, United Brethren, and others, we now boast of but two ministers, Rev. Boyle and Rev. Hays, Methodist and Baptist, both veterans in the cause, and most noble men who we hope will revive the cause of Christianity --- the languor of which, at present, is ascribed to "Rail Road on the Brain" of our citizens.
CHURCHES
We have none. The Methodist society will erect one the present season; some time, the Catholics will also build a Chapel.
We have a very good school room, which now answers for church and school purposes both. Have quite a number of scholars in the District, some seventy or eighty. A very promising school is now in progression here, under tutorage of Mr. George Hamilton, of this county. Commenced some two weeks since.
OUR YOUNG "AMERICA"
We will pitt against the world, of both sexes, for wit, brass (as brassy as old fashioned door knobs) and sass. Our "heroes" for Chewing, Smoking, and Blowing, for politeness, gentility and good behaviour (when so inclined) --- a medley of all that's both good and bad.
SOCIETY
is good, might add refined, but like all fast places, we have our "Batts" and "Bawls" as a natural consequence, on all public works. We have no murders to boast of and but an occasional Horse Thief.
FARMS AND FARMERS
as good as Iowa affords. Are surrounded by a rich farming country and live men who are up to the day and age.
OUR NATURAL RESOURCES
are great. We have at Melrose, within a radius of three quarters of a mile, five springs large and of living water, three of which are Sulphur, which accounts for our never being plagued with the "Prairie Diggs." So said by medical men. This is certainly destined to be the "Saratoga" of the West, in fact Saratoga East will become in our humble opinion rather shady when we begin operations One thing only that our citizens are behind in, and that is just simply not taking their county paper, nor patronizing it by advertising. We would extend to all a cordial "invite" to come and see us, and "if thou woulds't view fair Melrose aright, go visit it by the pale moon's light."
JACKSON TOWNSHIP
As loyal a Township as ever sent men to the bloody field of battle. Until very recently here was never over eight-four votes cast at any one time, but in our late bloody struggle against rebellion and wrong, there were found one hundred and twelve to shoulder the musket in defence of our Liberty, Laws and Land. We never stood the Draft, always being ahead of our quota. Melrose then consisting of one hundred ad thirty souls, all told, sent thirty of her "true and brave," some of whom today lie mouldering low, sleeping beneath the battle turf, in a sunny clime, the sleep that knows no waking. Long life they, green in memory's sacred shrine --- in peace their noble souls.
Old "Jackson" sends greeting sto the world as we are now bound two it by two great powers of Earth, Electricity and steam.
J. C. Peacock
Melrose, Iowa, January 31st, 1867
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