Kossuth County History Buff

Sunday, June 27, 2021

THE PICTURESQUE MCCOMB HOUSE AND LAUNDRY

If you have been following this blog for a while, you may remember other posts featuring homes and businesses that were included in the publication, “Picturesque Algona.” This post will tell the story of F.L. McComb and his business, McComb Laundry. By 1900 when “Picturesque Algona” was published, F. L. McComb had been in Algona for five years. Photographs of both his home and his business, McComb Laundry, appear in the book. McComb’s name may not be one that is extremely familiar in our local history, but for a short period of time he ran a very successful steam laundry business.

Franklin Lewis McComb was born in Genesee County, Michigan on February 3, 1855. He had been an Iowa resident for just a short time when he married Sarah Ardelia Elliott on January 30, 1889 in Des Moines. By 1895 he and his family were living in Clay County. In that year he traded his 240-acre farm to Elihu Wright in exchange for the Wright residence in Algona and a smaller farm near Wesley.

McComb came to Algona with brand new steam laundry equipment from Chicago and set up business. An article from the Upper Des Moines published on June 26, 1895 stated:

“If anyone believes that getting a collar ready for wear is a simple process he should visit the laundry building back of Heise’s block. It is washed in a patent washer, wrung in a machine which revolves like a milk separator and throws the water out, dried in a kiln heated by steam to 250 degrees, starched in a patent machine, ironed on a fancy brass ironing machine, and all but wrapped up and delivered by automatic action.”

THE HISTORY OF THE HOUSE

The house that the McCombs traded for had been built by James McLaren in 1880 in anticipation of his upcoming nuptials to Miss Mary Patterson. The structure was a large frame building with two uprights, one 16 x 32 feet and the other 16 x 22 feet, with an additional wing 14 x 16 feet in size, all of which were covered by a hip roof. McLaren worked as a “confidential clerk” at the J. J. Wilson store and Miss Patterson had been employed as a school teacher prior to her marriage.

The following year the McLarens welcomed a son who brought them much happiness and contentment. Sadly, their precious utopia would not last. Mrs. McLaren became ill with a stomach ailment in the summer of 1885. She passed away on August 9^th, leaving her husband and 4-year-old son to mourn her loss. The funeral was held at the couple’s home. The room where the viewing and service took place was filled with floral tributes created by many friends, including drapes of evergreen and flowers over door arches. Rev. W. H. Burnard spoke on a selection from the New Testament and Mrs. R. H. Spencer and several others rendered beautiful hymns in tribute to the deceased. Mrs. McLaren was laid to rest in Riverview Cemetery.

McLaren’s sister, ElizabetH, stayed for several months after the funeral to care for the grieving husband and son. On November 11, 1885, she was married to W. B. Harter at the house which this time was joyfully bedecked in wedding flowers and greenery. James McLaren remained in Algona until November of 1887 at which time he and his son moved to California where he went into banking.

THE HOUSE BECOMES THE MCCOMB RESIDENCE.

The house had several other owners before it was traded to F. L. McComb as part of his transaction with Elihu Wright.

The McComb family moved into the Wright house in October of 1895. The couple had two active young boys, Arthur and Carl, who filled the house with noise and laughter. Just a year later, however, the house was once again permeated with darkness and despair when five-year-old Arthur became ill and succumbed to diphtheria a short time later.

The McComb house in 2021

THE LAUNDRY BUSINESS

The steam laundry was considered a model establishment in the city of Algona. From lace curtains to shirt, collars and cuffs, they were known to do excellent work. Special rates applied for family laundry which they were happy to handle in bulk.

By 1898, McComb desired to move his business to State Street. Finding nothing suitable there, he decided to construct a building to suit his needs on a side street. He bought a lot at 113 North Dodge Street where a flour warehouse stood. He moved that building to the back of the lot and erected a one-story front next to the office of the Algona Republican.

When the new site was completed, McComb filled it with the latest laundry equipment, including a $700 ironer that was wide enough to iron a bed sheet and warranted to iron everything but barbed wire. He then moved the old equipment to Blue Earth, Minnesota, where he opened another laundry establishment. The new equipment was tested in mid-June of 1899 and was soon fully up and running. The business employed a dozen people either working in the laundry or doing pickup and delivery. As they began to pull in custom work from neighboring towns more workers were needed and it was expected that their staff would grow to 20. Mr. McComb must have been a good employer as his staff presented him with a handsome office chair for Christmas in 1899.

THE MCCOMBS MOVE ON

Business continued strong for the next few years. A small fire in the building and a break in at his home which resulted in the theft of a gold watch and $20 added some excitement to the regular routine, but the best news of the McComb family was the birth of their daughter, Ruth, in 1902. The new baby girl brought much joy to the family, but her arrival also made Frank realize that his drinking had gotten out of hand. A few months later he began treatment at the Murray-Lange Institute for his alcoholism.

McComb sold his business to Will Lacy in 1904 and he and his family moved to Sioux Falls where he opened another laundry. A short time later they moved to Cass County, Iowa, where they remained. Frank became a prominent farmer in the Lewis area. He died in 1928 and Sarah passed away on November 1, 1947.

The old post office building built on the
site of the McComb Laundry

In 1934 the laundry property was purchased for the purpose of building a new post office and was demolished. The McComb house still stands at the corner of Jones and Kennedy.

A note to those of you who have signed up to receive emails when a new story is posted: The email feature in Blogger which has been handled by Feedburner is being dropped in July. I have not yet found a new provider to handle the email service and it may be some time before I do. I apologize for this delay and appreciate your understanding as I work through this problem. You can always find the link to stories on the Kossuth County History Buff Facebook page.

Until next time,

Jean

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Tuesday, May 4, 2021

REMEMBERING VAN'S

In the early 1930’s the paving of the two highways that serve Algona was rapidly being completed. Highway 18, locally known as the A.Y.P., was located north of Algona and would become a transcontinental highway. Running north and south through the city proper was Highway 16 which had been known as the Daniel Boone Trail. In 1930 it was designated a U.S. highway and renamed 169.

These two highways intersected at a point some distance north of Algona city limits in an area previously used for agricultural purposes. One of the first to see the possibilities of operating a business at the site, Sidney Wallburg of Hutchins purchased a 112-acre tract of farm land from A L. Webster in March of 1930 with the intention of creating a tourist camp. The land was located on the south side of Highway 18.

Aerial view of Wallburg cabin camp,
restaurant and gas station possibly 1940s

By the end of May that year, a filling station and five tourist cabins had been erected. The structures were prefabricated and shipped in sections. Upon arrival they were bolted together which made construction quick and easy.

The five cottages resembled log cabins with rounded half-log siding which was painted orange. Each was designed to accommodate two people with a Murphy bed, a drop leaf table, two chairs, a kerosene lamp and a small oil stove if it was cold. Bathing amenities consisted of a small table that held a wash basin, water pail, dipper and cup. Bedding was available by request. Toilets were in a separate location. Within a few weeks, electricity was provided via the city so each unit then had electric lights. The cabins were nestled in the shade of timber along a creek which ran through the property.

The filling station was located near the southwest corner of the intersection and had the same orange siding as the cottages. Nearby a cabin building had been transformed into a small kitchen and dining area where barbeque pork sandwiches, hamburgers, homemade pie and other delights were prepared and served by Dora Wallburg, Sidney’s wife. It included a counter with several stools and two small tables.

Initially the family lived in the modest farm house located on the property about a block away from the station, making them the first inhabitants of “north” Algona. Sidney and Dora had four daughters-Evelyn, Letha, Ardis and Gladys. The oldest was married and living in Britt, but the other three lived with their parents. Marvin, their only son, was born after their move to Algona. Later living quarters were added next to the lunchroom and that is where Marvin was born.

Business was rather slow at first and money was tight—so much so that the first day Dora made one pie to sell and then used the proceeds to make two pies the next and so on. As you might imagine, the business of running a fuel station and restaurant kept the couple quite busy and their kids grew up there, napping in a corner or doing homework at a table and all helped out as needed. Eventually the two highways brought many travelers through Algona which made the business quite successful. However, not all customers were friendly as the couple and their daughter, Letha, found out one cold night in January, 1933.

Shortly after 11 o’clock on a Friday night, a 1927 Hudson sedan with three occupants drove up to the pumps. They told Sidney Wallburg to fill the gas tank and put in a quart of oil while they went in for a bite to eat. This was not an uncommon request and he recognized the men from other visits, including one earlier that same afternoon. They ordered soup and coffee from Dora and conversed very quietly while they ate. After entering the lunch room, Mr. Wallburg became suspicious of their demeanor and edged closer to the group in an effort to hear what they were saying. As they were finishing their meal, the pastor of the Algona and Emmetsburg Episcopal churches, Rev. Louis Denninghoff, came in to purchase cigars. While the Wallburgs were distracted by the new customer, the bandits seized the opportunity. One blocked the front entrance and another the back door while the third ran to the money box and scooped out the $10 that was there. He then turned to Dora and demanded to know where she kept other money. She pointed to a cigar box on another counter and he found an additional $3 in change there. Finding her purse, the bandit rifled through it, finding 4 cents. He then took her handkerchief and carefully wiped the handbag for fingerprints.

The other two bandits took turns standing guard and searching the back room for more money. Finding none, they took cartons of cigarettes and boxes of cigars as well as candy bars. They then turned to Rev. Denninghoff. During the excitement, the good pastor had discreetly dropped his wallet behind the stove. Knowing he had the wallet when he entered the room, the thieves began to verbally abuse the minister, telling him they would pump him full of lead if he didn’t hand over his money. The missing wallet was soon discovered by one of the robbers and he demanded the reverend’s watch and keys as well. All of the hostages, including Letha Wallburg who was also present, were instructed to lay down with their face to the floor with the exception of Mrs. Wallburg who was allowed to sit in a chair due to a heart condition. Two of the men then left to warm up the car and as the final thief left, he tore the telephone receiver and cord from the phone and threw them on the counter. They then headed west at a high rate of speed. An attempt was made to catch the bandits by a customer who came on the scene shortly after they left, but they were not apprehended.

In the spring of 1933, the Wallburgs endured their first flood when snow melt and spring rains caused water to rise three feet deep around the cabins and station. Over 300 gallons of gasoline in storage tanks were damaged when water rose above the air intakes. All of the mattresses in the cabins were ruined and a coating of muddy silt was left behind on every surface it touched. Although this was their first flood, it would not be their last.

In 1937 the Wallburgs built a new gas station slightly to the west of its previous site and the old lunch room was converted into tourist quarters. Five more cabins were added. They constructed a brand-new restaurant with living quarters upstairs. The new place had booth seating and many new amenities. Given the flooding history, all of the buildings were raised to at least a foot higher than previous flood waters had ever risen.

Their daughter, Letha, had married Harold Van Allen in 1936. Following their marriage, the young couple lived in one of the cabins until the new restaurant building was completed. Then the Wallburgs moved into the new living quarters and the Van Allens moved into the home vacated by the Wallburgs. Letha ran the restaurant while Dora took care of the cabins – there were now 17 – while Sidney continued managing the gas stations. Harold worked at Botsford Lumber during the week and helped cook at the restaurant on weekends. The Van Allens’ son, Jim, was born in November of 1937 and their daughter, Pat, in 1939.

Another flood devastated the property in September of 1938 despite the steps taken to prevent future damage.

During WWII, the Van Allens moved to California. Harold worked in the shipyards and Letha in an aircraft plant. Several people ran the restaurant during this period. When they returned from California after the war, they purchased a cabin camp and restaurant in Britt that the Wallburgs had acquired in their absence. After one year of operation, they sold the business and moved to Algona, buying the restaurant and changing the name to “Van’s.”

From the 1956 Algona High School Bulldog

In February of 1950, the Van Allens again took possession of the restaurant, just in time for the flood of 1951. At that time the restaurant offered a drive-in feature during the summer which was quite popular. They were famous for their Hi-Boy burger which contained two hamburger patties, cheese, lettuce, mayo, and all the trimmings. The café was open six days a week and as late as needed on weekends, often keeping Harold and Letha on their feet long past midnight. Their children too grew up in the business often standing on pop cases to do dishes and clearing tables as soon as they were tall enough.

The restaurant had a wide appeal – it was often crowded on Sunday mornings for the after-church crowd, numerous organizations held their meetings there, and it was always full and noisy on Friday nights following a football or basketball game. It was also the place to go with your date or after “dragging main” with your friends. Whether for an order of fries or onion rings to go with your cherry Coke, Van’s was the place to go. For the better part of 26 years, Harold and Letha Van Allen were the faces that greeted you behind the counter. Harold was a good-natured, well-respected host who let the young ones have a little fun, but also knew when to draw the line.

The restaurant was remodeled on several occasions – sometimes by choice and other times due to damage from floods. In 1965 a bar area was added under the name “Van’s Hideaway Lounge.” It was planned by Jim Van Allen and featured a Spanish-Colonial theme and was decorated in deep reds and antique golds, with wrought iron dividers.

In 1976 the Van Allens retired from the business, selling it to Ed and Sheri Fuoss who retained the familiar “Van’s Café” name. In 1979 the enterprise was sold to Scott Christensen and Bob Spencer and it was rebranded “C & S Café.” The café survived the tornado of that year which passed slightly to the north of its location, but flooding later in the year caused massive damage again to the structure. In 1980, the restaurant and the surrounding property was sold to make room for a shopping center. The destruction of the building that held so many wonderful memories did not even merit a photo or a news story—at least one that I could find.

Photo of C & S Cafe taken in 1980
shortly before it was razed

Sidney and Dora Wallburg had passed away in the 1950’s. Their son Marvin ran the cabin camp for time, but he moved to Storm Lake in the mid-1960’s. As needs changed, tourist camps went out of style as more and more travelers elected to stay in hotels with additional amenities.

Harold Van Allen

Harold Van Allen was elected mayor of Algona in 1978 and went on to serve four terms. He passed away quite unexpectedly on March 29, 1992 at the age of 74 while wintering in Arizona. Letha survived him by three years, dying on July 9, 1995. They are buried in Calvary Cemetery in Algona.

Although the building has been gone for more than 40 years, memories of meals enjoyed with friends and loved ones linger on in the minds of their many customers, a reminder of good food and happy days. The mere mention of Van’s Café brings smiles to the faces of those who had the privilege of dining or working there – a legacy of which the Wallburg and Van Allen families can be proud.

Until next time,

Kossuth County History Buff

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Wednesday, February 17, 2021

THIS TOMBSTONE TELLS A STORY

I enjoy walking and often during the warm months of the year, I spend my lunch hour walking through Riverview Cemetery. It is a good work out with its rolling hills, but it is also a feast for the eyes. I often refer to it as an outdoor museum because so many of the tombstones are works of art.

Standing by itself near a bend in a road is a stone that always catches my eye. It appears rather lonely, marking a single grave, and bears the name of Rachel Elliott Baldwin. It is quite distinctive. The scroll on which her name is written is attached to a tree trunk. Ivy twists and turns around the trunk and at the base are fern leaves. A smaller tree trunk sits alongside. In the world of gravestone symbolism, each of these icons have a deeper meaning.

Photo of gravestone
from Find A Grave

A tree is an enduring symbol of eternal life and protection. When only the trunk of the tree is used as a headstone, it represents the brevity of life. The scroll is a sign of life and time depending on how much of the scroll is unfurled. Rolled up ends indicate a past or future that is hidden. A scroll can also honor and commemorate the decedent’s life. Ivy indicates friendship, fidelity and immortality and fern leaves show the person’s humility and sincerity.

So, who was this woman that lies beneath this ornate stone? The headstone would indicate that the deceased was loved and honored, humble and friendly, and that her life was cut short. The rolled upper portion of the scroll indicates that perhaps part of her past was hidden. With my curiosity peaked, I decided to find out if the tombstone did in fact reflect Rachel’s life story.

Rachel A. Elliott was born in Poweshiek County, Iowa, the daughter of James and Margaret Elliott. She had eight siblings, including a twin brother, Elisha. Although her tombstone shows her year of birth as 1850, the 1850 census shows the age of the twins as one year old, so it is possible that she was born on February 27^th in 1849. She spent her youth in Jasper County, Iowa, where her father was a farmer.

On July 1, 1866, at the age of 17, she was married to Orlando Salvadore Baldwin, who was ten years her senior. Census records reflect that through the years he was a farmer and a laborer and Rachel was a homemaker. Four children were born to their union: Anne, Fred, George and Cora.

Rachel Elliott Baldwin
Photo found on Family Search

By 1895, Rachel was operating a millinery store in Fort Dodge and living with Cora who was a seamstress. Anne was operating her own millinery business in Webster City and in 1897, newspaper articles show that Rachel was living with her. In 1899 Rachel moved to Algona and opened a millinery store just south of the courthouse, two doors west of the location where the new Durdall Hotel was being completed. Advertising indicates that she carried a full range of hats for all ages. A few months later, Cora joined her, locating a dressmaking parlor in the store. Throughout this period, there is no mention of Orlando or what happened to him. The 1900 census shows Rachel as head of household and a widow.

It appears that the business was going well, at least well enough for Rachel to purchase the store building in late 1899. The next year she even displayed merchandise in Mrs. Eddy’s gallery to make purchasing more convenient for shoppers in Wesley.

Near the close of 1902 Rachel suffered a stroke. She was left with some paralysis and began to lose her vision. Her eyesight faded slowly until she was totally blind. Her physical health followed the same decline. Despite her infirmities, it was said that Rachel was “patient and uncomplaining to a rare degree.” Cora provided her care the last years of Rachel’s life until she died on the 22^nd day of February, 1907, just 5 days before her 57^th or 58^th birthday. Her obituary states that the funeral was held at Cora’s home in Algona and describes the scene as follows: “The home was filled with sympathetic neighbors. The casket was covered with beautiful floral wreaths, contributed by loving friends.”

So, were the clues on Rachel’s gravestone accurate? Cora’s devotion to caring for her mother certainly showed that Rachel was deeply loved and she demonstrated great humility bearing her final illness with patience and an uncomplaining attitude. The floral tributes and large gathering of friends and neighbors at her funeral speak to the close friends she made during her relatively short residence in Algona. And passing away in her late 50’s confirms that her life span was shorter than many. That leaves only the possibility of a hidden past represented by the partially rolled top of the scroll.

Photo of gravestone
from Find A Grave

What was Rachel’s secret? There is only one of which I am aware. Although Rachel had shown her marital status as “widowed” on the 1900 census, her husband, Orlando Salvadore Baldwin, was still very much alive at her death and lived until June 17, 1914. It is unknown if they were legally divorced or merely separated, but it is likely that due to the mores of the time, Rachel did not want to inform the census taker (or others for that matter) of the truth.

Orlando Salvadore Baldwin
Found on Find A Grave

Orlando listed himself as a “lecturer” in the 1905 Iowa census and a brief description of his life given on Find A Grave expands on that term stating that he was an evangelist who road a circuit in the late 19th and early 20^th centuries, spreading the Good News to the rural churches of Hardin County. He is buried in the Radcliffe cemetery.

Perhaps Rachel Baldwin had a few more hidden secrets which accompanied her to the grave 114 years ago. They will likely remain a mystery. But her hauntingly beautiful tombstone lives on and, all things considered, tells her story quite well.

Until next time,

Jean

Be sure to visit the KCHB Facebook page for more interesting info about the history of Kossuth County, Iowa.

Monday, January 18, 2021

THE ALGONA CHAUTAUQUA OF 1911

Going through some things that need to be scanned for the genealogical society, I came across a booklet entitled, The Algona Chautauqua. I had heard of a Chautauqua before and was aware it was a type of educational program, but thumbing through this booklet made me want to learn more.

Chautauqua was an educational and social movement which originated in the late 19^th century. It was a method by which the average person could continue their education by listening to nationally-known speakers that covered a wide range of topics as well as enjoy some musical and light-hearted entertainment. Scattered throughout were sermons or lectures with a moral or religious message. These events were especially popular in small towns without access to the variety of speakers and entertainments in larger cities.

The fourth annual Chautauqua which took place in Algona from June 24^th to July 2^nd in 1911 was just such a program. Beginning at 3 p.m. each day with the exception of Sundays, the presentation would commence with a musical prelude which would be followed by a speaker. After a break for dinner, a similar format was followed starting at 7:45 p.m. with musical entertainment after which the same speaker from the afternoon program would expound on another topic or a new lecturer or entertainer would present. On Sundays a musical interlude followed by a sermon was added at 10:30 a.m.

With no local venues large enough to hold the expected crowd, an enormous tent was erected on the playground behind Central School. Adult season tickets were priced at $2.50 and entitled the bearer to the entire nine-day experience. Season tickets were available for children for $1. You could also purchase day tickets for 50¢ each or single admissions for 35¢. More than 300 season tickets had been sold in advance and the committee had hopes of selling another 700 at the opening.

The event schedule included 18 programs and 36 separate entertainments during the Chautauqua. When the complete program was announced, the locals were delighted to learn that the Williams Jubilee Singers would once again be providing the musical productions during the first four days. Their previous concerts here had been very well received and the planning committee knew they would attract a large crowd. This troupe of black singers was highly trained and extremely talented. Their advertisement states, “Our selection of songs varies from the Opera to the Negro Boat and Cabin Songs” and included a large repertoire ranging from classic selections to plantation songs and even ragtime. They had performed all across the United States and Canada with much success.

Speakers for the event included a United States Senator (W. S. Kenyon of Iowa), two state governors (Mississippi and North Carolina), a congressman from Indiana, a Bishop of the Reformed Episcopal Church as well as several other clergymen. Other acts featured included a humorist, ventriloquist, and a lecturer. Perhaps the most unusual speaker was Tahan, the White Savage, whose presentation almost did not take place.

Train travel in those days was not always the most reliable. With all of their celebrities coming in by rail and sometimes scheduled to arrive only an hour or two before their scheduled presentation, it was common for one or more presenters to either arrive late or not show up at all. Such was the case for Tahan, the White Savage. He was expected to arrive on the 1:27 p.m. train on Tuesday afternoon, but the train itself was an hour late. He was to give his presentation at 3 p.m. When the train finally pulled into the depot, he was not on it. The audience had gathered. What was the committee to do? Thankfully, humorist Opie Read had arrived in Algona early to have some quiet time to work on a book he was writing. He was not scheduled to present until Friday. Read was willing to go on and gave the same lecture he had the year before. It was well received by the audience, many of whom had not heard it before.

And, just as Opie finished his speech, Tahan arrived on the late afternoon train. He had simply missed his connection in Chicago. The committee asked him to stay and promised him a spot if any other speaker did not show. He agreed and when W. S. Battis, the interpreter of Dickins, failed to arrive on Thursday, the opportunity presented itself. He appeared on the platform in full Indian dress and proceeded to tell his story.

Joseph K. Griffis was born in the frontier near where the city of Gainesville, Texas, is now located. His father was a well-known United States scout known as “California Joe” and his mother was a quarter Osage Indian. When he was two years old a band of Kiowas raided the Osage settlement where he lived with his mother. She was killed trying to protect him. It was the intent of the young warrior who killed his mother to kill him too, but he reconsidered and the child was presented to Kiowa Chief Zepkho-eete and his wife, Tsilta. When she learned he came from Texas, she named him “Tahan” which means Texas man. He was accepted into the family and raised with the chief’s other children. As his life unfolded, at age 10 he was returned to an uncle in Texas but growing homesick, he returned to the Kiowas. He served as a scout in the Army, was court martialed when he refused the order of a young officer to polish his boots, and sentenced to death. While awaiting execution, he escaped from prison and wandered for three years, suspicious and afraid. It was while he was in London, Ontario, that he was befriended by a member of the Salvation Army and became a Christian. He learned to read and write, became a Presbyterian minister, and received a pardon from President Grover Cleveland.

Joseph K. Griffis a/k/a Tahan

The audience found Tahan’s presentation very pleasing and many complimentary remarks were received. Senator Kenyon’s speech was also a highlight of the event. Some other speakers did not receive such glowing remarks. Thomas Brooks Fletcher spoke on the topic, “The Martyrdom of Fools.” The Algona Courier described him as follows: “He is young, impulsive, and conceited and possesses a good deal of natural ability. He talked fast and furious and worked himself into a frenzy and a sweat. . . His talk was at times highly dramatic and was interspersed with wit that kept the audience in good humor. But he didn’t know when to stop. He talked a good half hour too long and made the audience tired and added nothing to the essence of his lecture.” The newspaper also panned the performance of Magician Hal Merton stating that “It pleased the children though it was not a very good exhibition of magic art and was scarcely worth what it cost.”

Rounds Ladies Orchestra

The other two other musical groups, the Rounds Ladies Orchestra and the Castle Square Entertainers, were found to be quite entertaining. The orchestra consisted of nine women who played a variety of instruments as well as performed vocal solos, duets and quartets. The group was directed by Herbert O. Rounds and featured his wife, Flora Sprague Rounds. The Castle Square Entertainers billed themselves as “a first-class quartette of popular entertainers with excellent voices, whose ensemble work has been perfected by several seasons of successful concert work.” Their repertoire ranged from humorous songs to Irish monologues, and dramatic readings. Both were well received by the audience, but it was mentioned that neither measured up to the Williams Jubilee Singers.

On the last evening, the Castle Square Singers closed the event with a concert of sacred music. Members of the Chautauqua committee then addressed the crowd, thanking everyone for their patronage which allowed them to cover all of their expenses leaving a modest balance. The audience gave the committee a standing ovation in thanks for the excellent experience and unanimously expressed their favor of continuing the Chautauqua another season.

The Chautauqua events continued on for many more years, coming to an end in the late 1920’s or early 1930’s. Times were changing and the programs no longer attracted the crowds of the past. But they were long remembered for bringing culture and high-quality entertainment to small town America.

Until next time,

Jean

Be sure to visit the KCHB Facebook page for more interesting info about the history of Kossuth County, Iowa.

Saturday, November 7, 2020

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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