THE DEATH OF A LAWMAN

The community of Bancroft was in shock.  Their marshal was dead—killed in the line of duty.  Strong and vital, in his early 40’s, William Gallion was well liked and respected in the community.  He and his family had moved to Portland Township in 1865 when he was just a boy and he had grown up working on the farm.  After his father passed, the family moved to Bancroft and he worked digging wells until he was elected city marshal and water superintendent in 1895.

His duties as a small-town marshal were pretty routine—investigating complaints, checking out strangers who wandered into town, escorting an occasional imbiber home when they were a little tipsy.  So how did he end up dead on October 9, 1896?

BANK ROBBERY AND MURDER

Two days earlier the bank in Sherburne, Minnesota, had been robbed by two men using the names J. D. Sair and Fred Pratt.  During the robbery the assistant cashier, George Thorburn, and a customer, Olof Oestern, had been killed.  The robbers had escaped by jumping thru a back window and riding their bicycles out of town, headed toward the Iowa line.  The two separated when just a few miles out of town to avoid detection.  Word soon spread and lawmen on both sides of the border were warned to be on the lookout for strangers matching their descriptions.  The fugitive known as J. D. Sair spent the night at Swan Lake and then head northeast the next morning being pursued as far as Swea City.  Cutting into Seneca Township, he again headed northeast.  By this time Marshal Gallion was on the trail and followed him to a farm site several miles east of Elmore, Minnesota.  Believing that the suspect had bedded down for the night, Gallion returned to Elmore.

The next morning Gallion joined forces with Deputy Sheriff E. E. Ward of Fairmont, E. D. Fuller of Bancroft, M. E. Coffey of Sherburne, and Sandy McDonald, sheriff of Blue Earth.  Gallion directed them to the home of Ole Munson.  Driving their teams into the yard, Ward jumped out of the buggy driven by Marshal Gallion, approached the house and knocked on the door.  Mrs. Munson came out.  He told her why he was there and described the suspect, asking if she had seen anyone of that description riding a bike.  She made no reply but using her thumb, pointed to the back door.

At that moment, the door opened slightly and a .38 caliber revolver appeared and began firing, first at Fuller, then at McDonald and finally at Ward who dodged to one side.  Ward moved to a window three feet from the door and began firing at the fugitive.  Fuller, who was driving the other buggy, whipped the team to action and called out to the others to look out.  He drove a short distance from the house with Gallion’s team following behind. He hitched his horses to a fence and then turned to see Gallion slightly slumped in his seat.  Realizing something was wrong, he rushed to him, eased Gallion out of the buggy and on to the ground.  As he opened his coat, he discovered Gallion had been shot near the heart and he expired shortly thereafter without a struggle.  Fuller laid him on a robe and covered his body.

Back at the Munson house, the gunfight continued.  Sair made a break for a small building a short distance from the residence.  He mounted the bicycle he had hidden there and rode north, the posse soon in hot pursuit.  Sair was an excellent bicyclist and he bobbed and weaved down the road making it difficult to get a good shot.  After about four miles though, one of the men managed to shoot out his rear tire.  He left the bike and sought refuge in a nearby corn field.  Deputy Sheriff Ward took careful aim with his Winchester, fired and wounded the suspect.  Sair continued on for a few more rods, then pulled out his own revolver, held it to his temple, and pulled the trigger.  Numerous rounds were fired by the lawmen into his body to assure his demise.  On his person they found $1,020.03 in cash, two loaded revolvers and a large knife.  His body was taken to Elmore by Deputy Sheriff Ward.

Upon learning of the death of Will Gallion, the Noble Grand of the local Odd Fellows Lodge, A. N. Leonard, traveled to Elmore to bring home the body.  Due to inclement weather that evening, the party stayed in Elmore.  Local undertaker Sparks went up on the midnight train and embalmed the body of the Marshal and then brought it home to Bancroft to prepare for burial. 

Headline from The Republican
October 14, 1896

SUSPECT NUMBER 2

The second robbery suspect, known as Fred Pratt, was taken into custody the next day in Lake Mills.  It soon became apparent that he was using an alias, but he refused to give his correct name.  He did confess to being one of the robbers and did state that J. D. Sair was his brother.  After separating from his brother a few miles out of Sherburne, he rode west and then followed the Des Moines river south before stopping for the night at a farmer’s house about five miles south of Estherville.  After breakfast he started out again following the river until just south of Emmetsburg where he turned east and headed for Algona.  Occasionally he would take refuge in a corn field to avoid meeting teams or people on horseback.  He finally arrived in Algona about 9 p.m. and put up at a local hotel.  The next morning, he had his bicycle repaired and then stopped at the local express office to see if the items he and his brother had shipped had arrived.  Not finding the shipment there, he decided that he’d better not wait for its arrival and was soon on his was way out of town.

As he left Algona, it began to rain making the roads difficult to maneuver.  He ended up walking and pushing the bike much of the way.  By the time he made it to Lake Mills on Saturday afternoon, October 10^th, he was worn out, soaked to the skin, and gave no resistance when arrested.  Officers found three loaded revolvers and two knives in his possession.   Pratt told the authorities he was from Cedar Rapids and was on his way to Minneapolis.  After being interrogated, he did admit to being one of the Sherburne robbers and that the suspect who killed himself was his brother.  He insisted that his brother did all of the shooting and that when they planned the robbery, it was understood that there would be no shooting.  Even after confessing to the crime, he refused to give his real name.  The prisoner was placed under heavy guard due both to the severity of the crimes committed and threats of lynching.

The prisoner was moved to the Fairmont, Minnesota, jail and finally, on October 13^th, he told the sheriff there his true name – Lewis Kellihan from Rock Rapids, Iowa.  His statement was confirmed and his parents, who still resided in Rock Rapids, were notified. They identified the dead robber as J. H. (Hans) Kellihan.  His parents were devastated at the news—one son dead and a second son under arrest for murder. 

Headline from The Republican
October 21, 1896

Trial for Lewis Kellihan was set for March 23, 1897, in Fairmont, Minnesota.  The defendant was represented by H. G. McMillen, a well-known lawyer.  It is said that he represented Kellihan pro bono as Lewis had rescued McMillen’s daughter five years before from drowning.  Because of the notoriety of the event, seating a jury was extremely difficult.  Three pools of jurors had to be called in before the correct number of jurors was chosen.

During the trial, the defendant’s father, John Kellihan, testified that Lew had always been a good boy and had never gotten into any trouble.  Around the age of 12 he had been thrown from a horse onto frozen ground and suffered a head injury.  He was unconscious for two days and in bed for two weeks.  Lewis had been a different person following the accident.  Among other things, his decision-making skills were adversely affected as well as his comprehension of the seriousness of a situation, and his parents knew that he could easily be led into situations beyond his full understanding. During the trial he often smiled or laughed at inappropriate times and did not seem to grasp the seriousness of the proceeding.  In fact, the reporter covering the trial for the Fairmont Sentinel observed, “He has certainly not been acting, but is either dull of understanding or a hardened evil doer.”

GUILTY OF MURDER IN THE 1ST DEGREE

Following the trial and deliberations, the defendant was found guilty of murder in the first degree.  As a part of their verdict, the jury also made a special request for mercy for the defendant.  Sentencing was set for April 12^th.  Despite multiple requests for clemency, Lewis Kellihan was sentenced to death by hanging on August 12^th.  His attorneys then petitioned the Minnesota State Board of Pardons which met in July.  Kellihan’s sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in the state penitentiary.  By late 1899, it was reported that Lewis was “losing his mind” and as time progressed, his mental health deteriorated until he became violently insane.  He died January 28^th, 1902.  An autopsy disclosed a brain tumor which was thought to have caused many of his behavior problems in his last years.

GALLION'S FUNERAL

 

Bancroft opera house known as
Jefferson Hall

The funeral for William Gallion was held on Sunday afternoon, October 11, 1896.  It was originally intended to be held in the Methodist Church, but due to the size of the expected crowd was moved to the Bancroft town hall/opera house, known as Jefferson Hall.  Even with a larger room, almost half of the mourners were forced to stand outside.  A life-size picture of Gallion was placed in the center of the hall, draped in black. 

The Bancroft banks started a fund to assist Will’s widowed mother and to erect a suitable monument in his memory.  However, I could find no evidence that such a memorial was ever constructed.  After losing his life in the line of service, Marshal William Gallion lies forgotten in an unmarked grave in Portland Township Cemetery.

My thanks to Doug Nyman of the Bancroft Historical Museum for his help in locating a photo of the Bancroft opera house.

Until next time,

Jean

 

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AN UNIMAGINABLE TRAGEDY

Several years ago, a friend sent me several news articles from 1919 about the Matt and Anna Faber family and suggested I do a post.  I tucked the info away, saving it for future use.  While researching the influenza outbreak earlier this year, I came across the same articles and once again was reminded.  Last month I attended the cemetery walk hosted by the Kossuth County Historical Society at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery which is located on the hill behind the church at St. Joe, at the southern end of Kossuth County on Highway 169.  During that walk, the story of the great tragedy which struck the family was briefly described.  After receiving yet another reminder, I decided that fate was telling me the story needed to be told again.

The Children of Math and Anna Faber
(From the St. Joseph Parish Centennial Book)

MATHIAS FABER AND ANNA FUHRMANN

Mathias Faber, known more commonly as Math or Matt, was born in 1879, the son of George and Elizabeth (Hauser) Faber.  His future bride, Anna Fuhrmann, was born September 24, 1884 to John and Mary (Engert) Fuhrmann.  Both families were well-known and respected members of the St. Joe community.  Math and Anna grew up on farms in big families and attended country schools.  Both families were Catholic and faithful members of St. Joseph’s parish which was just a couple miles east of their home sites.

On June 4, 1907, Math and Anna were married in a double wedding ceremony along with Math’s sister, Kate, who wed John Frideres.  The service was held at the George Faber residence with 200 families present.  It was a day filled with joy, happiness and a promising future for both couples.

From The Courier, June 7, 1907

A HOME AND A FAMILY

In November of that year, George Faber and John Fuhrmann purchased a half section of land in Section 33 of Riverdale Township and divided it between the two.  Math and Anna moved into the home located on that farm.  The house was a large two-story structure, perfect for raising a family.  The couple soon discovered they were expecting their first child.  Their son Raymond was born on August 30, 1908.

Lower portion of Riverdale Township map
from 1913 showing location of Faber
home from the town of St. Joe

Life for the most part was good for the young family and by June of 1919, they had been blessed with a total of seven children:  Raymond, Alvina, Lydia, Bernadine, Ernest, Leona, and baby Elmer Joseph.  Late one afternoon, Anna took the six older children to a photography studio to have their photo taken.  She decided not to include little Joseph in the photo as he was only four months old and she didn’t have time to get him properly dressed.  It is said that when Anna arrived at the studio with six children in tow, the photographer was out of sorts that she would bring that many children in for a picture that late in the afternoon.  He quickly set up the shot and took one lone photo before sending them on their way.  

TRAGEDY STRIKES

Sunday, June 21, 1919, was the feast of Corpus Christi.  The feast is celebrated by the church with a procession in honor of the Blessed Sacrament.  The Faber family participated along with the other parishioners.  Members of the congregation remarked how beautifully the children were dressed for the procession.  Later that same day, the children were playing outside.  A new hog house was being built on the farm and they climbed to the top of the roof as they often did.  Lydia began directing them in a song, using a stick as her baton.  As Anna heard them singing “I want to be angel and with the angels sing, a crown on top my head, a scepter in my hand”, she silently hoped that they all would be angels one day.

That evening as the children prepared for bed, they begged for two-and-a-half-year-old Leona to sleep upstairs with them.  The youngest children always slept near their parents on the main floor of the house and she had not yet graduated to the upper floor.  After much cajoling, the parents consented and Leona was tucked in upstairs with the “big” kids.  Herb Roethler, the Fabers’ hired man, also had a room upstairs.  Herb had gone into the children’s room for the lamp as he intended to write a letter yet that evening. Returning to his room, he changed his mind and retired to his bed.

About 11 o’clock Math and Anna awoke hearing what they thought was a call for water.  Thinking someone was thirsty, they went to the staircase only to see the upstairs engulfed in flames.  They could not reach the upper floor and began to yell for Herb Roethler.  Their yelling roused him from his sleep and he immediately tried to enter the children’s rooms but the flames and smoke were so intense that they drove him back.  He managed to break out a window and fell or jumped to the ground. 

After awakening Herb, Math, Anna and little Joseph had left the house.  Herb and Math found a ladder and put it up to the window of one of the children’s bedrooms.  The upper portion of the ladder broke the window, immediately caught on fire and became useless.  Moments later, the upper level collapsed and the entire house was soon completely consumed.

The June 26, 1919 edition of the Livermore Gazette stated, “Nobody knows how the house caught fire, but it was evidently all ablaze and escape from upstairs shut off before the children were awakened.  Or it is possible that they were practically suffocated by the smoke before awakening; nobody knows.  Or their cries from the hallway up stairs may have been what finally awakened the parents; they cannot say exactly.”  The St. Joseph Catholic Church 1876-1976 centennial book says, “The screams of the children stopped, one by one, until none could be heard.”  Anna tried on several occasions to enter the burning house and had to be held back.  Her agonizing cries were heard throughout the neighborhood for days after the tragedy.

The fire had been so intense that very little remains of any of the children could be found.  Some charred bone fragments were found and they were buried in a common grave at St. Joseph Cemetery marked by a stone listing the names of each of the children.  A memorial service was held at the ruins of the home on the Monday evening following the fire.  Anna eventually planted a flower garden where the house had stood as she always felt that was the true resting place of her beloved daughters and sons. 

The deep anguish felt by Math and Anna was almost unbearable.  Even though they had Joseph to care for, the torment and agony of the loss they had suffered threatened their very existence.  The St. Joseph Centennial book states, “Mrs. Faber later had a dream or vision in which her children came from heaven to get her, that she might go back to heaven with them as she was so bereaved by their death.  However, as she neared heaven, she looked back and saw her husband, Matt, and Joseph still on earth without her.  Realizing she was more needed on earth than in heaven, she asked to be returned to her husband and son.  From this time she was able to accept the tragedy and had a great faith until her dying day.  Probably no one read their Bible more than Anna.”

The above photograph of the children that had been taken in such haste was developed after the fire and delivered to the family.  It was the only remaining memento of their precious children as everything else had been lost in the fire.  I am sure that it was a treasure beyond price and was cherished for the rest of their lives.

BEGINNING AGAIN

In August of 1919, the Fabers began building a new large house on the farm.  Five more children would eventually join Joseph and be raised there:  Raphael, Mary, Herman, Florian and Arlene.  The children attended the parish school and were involved in many activities including class plays and music programs, Mary often playing piano either as a solo performance or as an accompanist.  Later Herman and Florian served in the armed forces.  Watching their babies grow and mature must have brought much joy into the Fabers’ lives again, but it is likely there was a mixture of melancholy and wistfulness over what might have been. 

Back row: Raphael, Florian, Herman & Joseph
Front row: Arlene, Math, Anna & Mary
(From the St. Joseph Parish Centennial Book)

In 1946 Math and Anna became grandparents for the first time and they would go on to be blessed with 19 grandchildren.  They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1957 and Math passed on January 13, 1959.  Anna would live to be 90 years old, dying on October 9, 1974.  Can you imagine the joyous reception at the heavenly gates when she was greeted by her special angels and joined them in the angel chorus?

Until next time,

Jean, a/k/a Kossuth County History Buff

 

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LAUREL HILL CEMETERY

Nestled just south of the tiny village of Irvington is a cemetery known as Laurel Hill.  It is the final resting place of many well-known pioneers who came to Kossuth County with dreams of settling the frontier and becoming prosperous and successful.  Many of their descendants, neighbors and others are buried there as well.

IRVINGTON CEMETERY ASSOCIATION

The Irvington Cemetery Association was organized June 26, 1875 by a group of prominent men who realized the necessity of having a resting place for the dead.  Up to that time burials had been made at various places around the countryside.  A constitution was adopted and the first officers were President A.M. Johnson, Vice President David Sample, Secretary G. M. Parsons and Treasurer Richard Hodges, all of whom now rest there in the shade of the majestic trees scattered throughout the cemetery. 

On July 3, 1875, a tract of land was purchased from Mrs. Nancy Wright for $20.  Beautifully located on high ground with good drainage, the land was bounded on the west by Des Moines River and timber land.  A strip on the west side was reserved for those unable to buy lots.  Mrs. Wright’s husband, Jacob, had passed away in February of that year and had been buried in this area.  According to the cemetery records, burials had been made at the site for many years before it was designated as a cemetery.

The first annual meeting was held in September of 1875.  A constitution of 29 articles was adopted.  According to a news article published in the July 1, 1954 Kossuth County Advance, thirty-six charter members purchased one or more lots at $5 per lot. The cemetery consists of nine blocks with 24 lots per block.  Each lot contains 9 burial spaces so, if you are following along and have done your math correctly, you will have figured out that they each got 9 burial spaces for $5!  Quite a deal I would say.

Prior to the establishment of the cemetery, people were often laid to rest on acreages or in pastures.  After the cemetery was established, some of those bodies were recovered and brought to Laurel Hill for burial.  For example, Abraham Knight died in 1861 of typhoid fever and was first interred in a field in Sherman township.  In 1890, his remains were exhumed and buried here.

 

THE CEMETERY GROWS AND GAINS A NAME

In 1889, D.D. and Lydia Dodge deeded a strip of ground two rods wide extending along the entire length of the north line and a strip four rods wide along the west side of the cemetery, increasing it to the size it is today.  The deed provided that the strip on the north was to be reserved for use as a public thoroughfare, however, the cemetery association reserved the right to erect and maintain hitching posts.

In 1916 the Association purchased a new fence and the Irvington Aid Society donated the north gate.  Up until that time the cemetery had no name and it was left up to the Aid Society to choose one.  The name of “Laurel Hill” was suggested by Etta Cleary.  It is believed that it was named after a famous cemetery in Philadelphia with a riverside view.  Etta Smith came to Kossuth County with her parents when she was 2 years old.  She later taught school until she married Omer Cleary.  The couple had one child, Charles, who contracted croup and died when he was just four years old.  The Clearys lived in a home in this same section so Etta knew this area well.  Now Mrs. Cleary is buried in the cemetery she named.  

There are approximately 850 people buried there, some identified and others not.  In 1922 construction workers were digging in the Irvington gravel pit when two skeletons buried in walnut caskets were unearthed.  One news article of the time stated they appeared to be of an adult and a child.  The theory was that they were the remains of Indians as some of the old settlers remembered there being an Indian burial ground in that area.  That seems somewhat unlikely however because Indians did not normally bury their dead in wooden caskets.  The remains were never identified, but were reburied here at the Irvington cemetery at the direction of the Kossuth County Board of Supervisors.

JACOB AND NANCY WRIGHT FAMILY

A unique headstone marks the graves of Jacob and Nancy Wright, the original owners of this land.  The Wrights first came to Kossuth County in 1855.  The family was here during the Indian scare and several family members participated in building the fort which was erected at that time for protection.  The fort was hastily constructed in April of 1857 based on inaccurate reports of sightings of bands of hostile Sioux warriors nearby.  Plans were made to take the women and children to safety in Webster City while the men stayed back to complete the fort and defend the little pioneer community.

Jacob and Nancy Wright Gravestone

The Wrights’ daughter, Sarah, had become betrothed to William Moore, a carpenter and cabinet maker who had a combination home and workshop on one of the four corners of the main block in downtown Irvington.  Sarah had no intention of traveling to Webster City and being separated from William.  Since it would be inappropriate for a young, unmarried woman to remain behind, a wedding license was rapidly obtained.  The couple was married by Justice of the Peace George D. Wheeler on April 22, 1857, at the home of her parents.  Despite a heightened sense of danger, the locals in the community found time to celebrate the wedding and an evening of merriment was enjoyed by all.  The next day the fort building continued and all of the women and children were taken to Webster City, with the exception of Sarah and her sister who remained and served as chief cooks for the garrison.  It is interesting to note that the William Moore-Sarah Wright union was the first marriage to take place in the county.

William and Sarah settled in Irvington and started a family.  We know that the couple had a daughter, Laura, who was born in 1860.  When the War Between the States began, William enlisted on August 16, 1862 in Company A, 32^nd Iowa Infantry.  On December 30^th of that same year, he died at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, of illness.  His body was returned by the Army and buried here.  Little Laura followed her father in death when she was but three years old and is buried next to him. We do not know what happened to Sarah Moore as the cemetery records do not reflect that she is buried here.  Perhaps she married again and had another family, but that is a mystery not yet solved.

Gravestone of William Moore

Gravestone of little Laura Moore

As you will recall, Jacob Wright was buried here in 1875 before his wife, Nancy, sold the property for use as a cemetery.  Nancy herself passed away in November of 1891 content that a permanent resting place had been designated.  She was buried in the family plot marked with this distinctive headstone, surrounded by many of her neighbors and friends who had passed on to their eternal rest before her. 

MANY VETERANS AT REST

There are numerous veterans buried in Laurel Hill from all branches of the military and all wars or conflicts from the Civil War forward.  One lot contains the gravesites of three generations of veterans from the same family.  John Haines was born in New York in 1824.  At the age of 38 he enlisted in Company D, 126^th New York Infantry and served throughout the Civil War.  He was made a prisoner at Harper’s Ferry by Stonewall Jackson.  After his release, he rejoined his company and was present at Appomattox when Lee surrendered.  He came to Kossuth County with his family in 1870 and eventually pre-empted a claim in Garfield township where he resided until his death.

His grandson, Archie Haines, was drafted into WWI and was in the Kossuth County contingent that left September 22, 1917.  Promoted to corporal before leaving the states, he was part of Company F, 350^th Infantry that arrived in France in late August, 1918.  By the following month they were stationed near the front.  His company served in the trenches for several months before the war ended.  During this time they slept wherever they could find rest—on the ground, in a box car, in a hayloft, or even standing in the trenches between rounds of shelling.  His son, Orval, was born while he was overseas. 

Archie’s daughter, Irene Haines (later Elbert), enlisted in 1943.  She took boot training at Hunter College in New York.  The top 10% of the class was shipped to Washington, DC and Irene spent her entire service career there in Naval Intelligence decoding Japanese naval messages.  It was highly classified and extremely secretive.  For her service, she received the Presidential citation and the Navy Unit commendation ribbon along with a personal letter from the US Secretary of the Navy.  Her brother, Orval, served twenty years with the US Navy and two of her sons also served 20 years – one in the Army and the other in the Navy.

 

As I walk through a cemetery, I often think of the line from an old television show that went something like, “There are eight million stories in the naked city.  This was just one of them.”  There may not be eight million stories at Laurel Hill, but there are many waiting to be told.  Each and every one of its residents had a unique and interesting life.  I have touched on just a few in this post.  Perhaps we will visit Laurel Hill again one day to hear other voices from the past. 

Until next time,

Jean

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THE ALGONA THEATRE

It seems that whenever I come up with a topic for a new post, it never turns out the way I initially pictured it.  Sometimes my research takes me down a rabbit hole or leads me down twisting and turning paths.  Such is the case in point.  My original idea was to do a story on the Algona Theatre, but that research led to the New Call theatre which led to the Old Call Opera House and so my story takes you further back in time . . . 

THE OLD CALL

Most of us are familiar with the story of the building known originally as the Call Opera House located on Thorington Street just across the street from the courthouse.  Built by Ambrose Call and business partners in 1893, it served as an event center for the area hosting many types of entertainment, including live performances of all kinds, political rallies, school plays, graduations, and on and on, until settling into its final role as a motion picture theater.  It met its demise in a fiery inferno on April 28, 1937.

The marque of the Iowa Theatre
can be seen two buildings down
from the Old Call Theatre
(Kossuth Co Advance 7/1/1954)

N.C. “Norm” Rice had taken over management of the Call Opera House/Theatre in 1916.  One of the first things he did was to install equipment for the showing of motion pictures.  In 1929 Rice installed a sound system in the Old Call which rivaled many fine theaters in the state.  The Rice family, which consisted of wife, Harriett, and daughter, Mary Janice, lived in an apartment located in the Call.  Harriett was an exceptional pianist having attended the Boston Conservatory of Music.  She worked closely with her husband managing the Call.  When it burned, the Rices also lost all of their worldly possessions.

Plans for a new 700 seat facility began to be discussed while the embers of the old Call still smoldered.  The plans never got beyond the discussion stage though and the remains of the opera house continued to be an eyesore for more than a year.  Occasionally, a brick, window pane, or piece of mortar would fall to the sidewalk below, sometimes narrowly missing an unsuspecting passerby. 

Although the loss of the landmark Call was a devastating blow to the community, Algona was not left without a theater.  Rice also managed the Iowa Theatre which was located several doors north of the old Call site.  The motion pictures that had been booked at the Call were able to be screened there.  

THE NEW CALL

A few blocks to the north Gail Pettit had built a new motion picture theater at 216 East State Street which had opened in 1936 under the name “State Theater.”  When plans to rebuild at the old Call site did not materialize, Norm Rice and other investors purchased the building and business, renaming it “The Call.”  With its imposing façade, it became a hallmark of downtown Algona.  Unfortunately, it too would meet the fiery demise its namesake had.

Kossuth County Advance 12/21/1950

During the afternoon of December 20, 1950, a blaze broke out which soon engulfed the theater building.  Embers were flying everywhere putting other structures in danger.  The Duryea house on Call Street caught fire on the roof which fireman were able to put out.  Fire, smoke and water damage occurred to neighboring businesses which included Pratt Electric, Moose Hall, and the Kent Garage. 

The Whittemore Fire Department was called to help fight the inferno.  It was estimated that 1500 gallons of water per minute were being sprayed on the fire.  The street became coated with ice, making it very slippery for those on the scene. The back of the building collapsed and power to the area went down when utility poles and lines were damaged. 

It had been a very tough few days for Norman and Harriett Rice.  Mr. Rice had fallen earlier in the week and injured his leg.  Losing another theater to fire must have been very discouraging and then, to put the icing on the cake, Harriett fell the morning after the fire and broke her shoulder. 

THE ALGONA THEATRE

Plans to build a new theater began almost immediately.  A few years before Norm had entered into a partnership with Central States Theatre Corporation of Des Moines.  An architect by the name of George Becker from Minneapolis was hired to design the new building before the year was out.  Once again, the old Iowa Theater came to the rescue and the movies that had been booked to be shown at The Call made their debut at the Iowa instead.

Construction of the new facility, which would be named The Algona, began soon after the building permit was issued at the end of June.  The cost of the project was estimated at $60,000, a handsome budget in those days.  The final design plan provided for seating of 780 and promised every guest optimum viewing pleasure. 

Norman Rice was involved in the initial plans, but on August 1, 1951, he announced that he had sold his interest to Central States Theatre Corporation and he officially retired after 35 years in the theater management business.  He was well known in the industry, not only as a pioneer developer of sound in motion picture, but also in his ability to bring first-run films to the local screen upon release while other small-town theaters waited months to book the same movie.  He would not have long to enjoy his retirement as he died in September of 1952.

The new theater was a modern wonder of stainless steel and glass and was touted to be the most fireproof building in Algona.  A large canopy extended out over the sidewalk in front.  Huge neon letters spelling out “ALGONA” were attached to the top of both program boards which were mounted on the canopy.  The program boards were positioned so that the name of the latest feature could be seen from either direction on State Street.  Posters of upcoming attractions were displayed in glass cases on the front of the building.

Kossuth County Advance 7/1/1954

Doors of glass lined the front entrance.  The ticket office was on the right.  Its location allowed for ticket sales to be made either inside or outside, depending on the weather.  The concession booth was next to the ticket office and contained confections of many varieties and of course popcorn and soda could be purchased there as well.

Concession stand and
ticket booth

Across the lobby from the concession area was a passageway that led to an exit.  It was separated from the lobby area by a glass partition.  Another row of doors led to the inner foyer from which you would enter the auditorium.  At each end of the inner foyer were stairs that led up to the balcony which extended over the front lobby and could seat 195.  There was also a door on the west side of the inner foyer which was the entry to the manager’s office.  The office itself was located behind the concession stand. 

On the east side of the inner foyer were the entrances to the “luxuriously furnished powder and smoking rooms.”  They were quite spacious and the powder room featured cushioned chairs and mirrors all along one wall.

The auditorium could be entered on either side of the inner foyer near the balcony stairs.  The room was lined with figured acoustic board for optimum sound quality.  The screen covered a large portion of the south wall and was covered by gold curtains which swept back as the lights dimmed when the show was about to begin.  

Almost 600 sponge cushioned, form fitting, velvet upholstered chairs were mounted on the gradually pitched floor to ensure good vision from any seat.  The chairs were described as “push backs” which allowed you to push back your seat to allow someone to pass in front of you without standing up.  They were the latest thing in theater seating at the time.  Aisles were covered with burgundy carpet and rope lighting ran along the edge to guide you to your seat after the lights had been dimmed and the previews begun – or for that trip to the concession stand for a refill.

The projection area was directly behind the balcony and contained a state-of-the-art twin projection machine to provide the ultimate in technicolor viewing.  The storage room next to it provided easy access to the front canopy to allow the program boards to be changed as needed.  

The Algona Upper Des Moines 9/13/1951

The new manager, William “Bill” Schleiger, was the host at the grand opening of the new theater on September 13, 1951.  Crowds lined up down the street to have an opportunity to be in the first viewing audience.  The opening feature was “On Moonlight Bay” starring Doris Day and Gordon MacRae.  Admission prices were 60¢ for adults, 45¢ for juniors (ages 12-16) and 14¢ for children.  Having separate prices for juniors was a new innovation and was well received by area families.

Kossuth County Advance 9/18/1951

PERSONAL MEMORIES

My memories of the theater date back to the 1960's.  We did not frequent the theater much as a family but as I grew older, I was often allowed to attend a movie on Saturday afternoon.  One of my favorites was “Sound of Music” and I sang every song I could remember as I slowly walked home, replaying every scene in my mind.  I was often pressed into taking my little brother to shows and free merchant movies and though I sometimes protested having to be his babysitter, I had to admit that I enjoyed the shows we went to almost as much as he did.

If I was lucky, I would have enough money to buy a treat and I remember looking at the variety in the concession case while waiting my turn to order.  There were many good things to purchase and I would go back and forth, trying to make a decision in advance so I didn’t hold up the line when it was my turn.  Although many brightly wrapped packages would catch my eye, nine times out of ten I would default to my favorite, Sugar Babies, and then ration them out so that they would last me through the show, which of course they never did.

The Algona in 1980

As I grew older, the theater was a frequent destination, whether with friends or on a date.  James Bond flicks, Kramer vs. Kramer, All the President’s Men and The Sting were so entertaining on the big screen.  And before too many years passed, I was taking my own children to the Algona Theatre to make their own memories of watching Disney movies, Jurassic Park, and Home Alone.

The Algona Theatre building in 2020

In July of 2005, a tri-plex movie theater opened just a block down the street and after 54 years of service, The Algona closed.  Today the building stands vacant, having outlived its usefulness as a theater.  It has been the home to several bars/restaurants during the intervening years and I hope that it will one day open its doors to serve the public once again.  For now, my memories will have to be enough.

This post is dedicated to my late sister, Kathy, who worked in both the ticket booth and concession stand at The Algona while in high school.  It was there she met her future husband, Dave.  Miss you, Sis!

Until next time,

Jean

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