WILLIAM SHIRLEY, KOSSUTH COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT

This winter I have been working on a project for the Kossuth County Genealogical Society organizing all of the information the society has on country schools.  Kossuth County used to be dotted with country schools that were located every two miles or so and quite often we receive inquiries about locations of schools, teachers who taught at them, and students who attended them.  It was time to get all of the information that we have organized into one location.

As a part of that project, I kept running across the name of William Shirley who served as County School Superintendent from 1912 to 1940.  I thought it would be interesting to take a closer look at his life to both share with you and to include with the country school information.

SHIRLEY COMES TO SWEA CITY

Shirley first came to Kossuth County in 1906 to serve as superintendent of the new Swea City High School which had been built in 1903.  Born near Springfield, Illinois, Shirley had moved with his family to Minburn, Iowa, when he was 14 and he completed his high school education there.  After teaching for a year, he sought a civil engineering degree at the college in Ames.  He then taught for four years before accepting a position as principal at Waukee where he served until taking the job in Swea City.

Shirley was popular with the area citizens and well-suited for the position.  During the next six years, he worked tirelessly for the students under his care, always striving to increase the scholastic standards to provide a top-notch education.  In 1912 when then-serving Superintendent Sid Backus announced that he would not seek reelection, William Shirley decided to run for the position of Kossuth County School Superintendent.

William Shirley
Campaign Postcard

Handwritten message on each postcard

THE CAMPAIGN AND ELECTION

Both Shirley and Frank Sarchet, a teacher, announced their intention to run on the Republican ticket, necessitating a primary runoff.  Mr. Shirley hit the ground running and was often seen riding a motorcycle while campaigning.  He had the advantage of being the “candidate of north Kossuth” where he was well known.  His political advertising boldly stated that he represented a part of the county that was entitled to a county office.  He pointed out that the county attorney was from Whittemore, the Clerk resided in LuVerne, Wesley was the home of the Treasurer, the current superintendent was from Bancroft, and the auditor, recorder and sheriff lived in Algona.  Using print ads, letters, and postcards, Shirley outspent his opponent 2 to 1.  The spending paid off as he defeated Sarchet quite soundly – 1300 votes to 649.

Upper Des Moines-Republican, June 5, 1912

The Democratic candidate for the election was a teacher from the Fenton area, Margaret Dorweiler.  Shirley kept a steady pace of canvassing the county throughout the summer while Miss Dorweiler was on a European trip.  Once she returned in September, she conducted a remarkable campaign while still teaching full time.  The election results were actually closer than expected.  Shirley received 2207 to Dorweiler’s 1994 – a difference of 213 votes.  Keep in mind that in 1912 women did not have the right to vote so Margaret could not cast a vote in her own favor.  However, given the support received, she obviously was able to convince the Democratic male voters in the county that she was worthy of the position.

Portion of 1912 ballot showing
Candidates Shirley and Dorweiler 

THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT

The county superintendent’s office was located in a cramped office in the Kossuth County Courthouse.  The new superintendent settled quickly into his office and began his duties.  One of the first things he did was purchase a Kodak camera with which to take photos of every school building and yard in Kossuth County with the intention of leaving his successor a pictorial record of the conditions of the schools when Shirley took office.  What a prize that would be to have today!

He also hired a deputy superintendent who just happened to be his wife, Grace (Barger) Shirley.  The two had married in 1900 and had three children – Hale, Pearl and John.  Grace became an integral part of the superintendent’s office.  Her husband was often out of the office inspecting schools, conducting examinations and attending meetings leaving her to deal with much of the paperwork as well as unexpected callers who had business to conduct with the superintendent.  She managed the office with a pleasant and cheerful attitude.

Although he was quite loyal to the north part of the county it became apparent very quickly after the election that it would be necessary to move to Algona.  The family purchased a home on South Dodge Street and took possession April 1, 1913.  They would soon become active in many community activities and the Methodist Church.  Mr. Shirley served on many local committees including the one formed to assist with the placement of orphan train children who arrived in 1916.

CONDUCTING BUSINESS

Superintendent Shirley made it a policy to regularly visit the schools under his charge.  With over 150 schools in the county, that was quite an undertaking.  He was also in charge of hiring and monitoring all teachers, administering teacher and eighth grade student exams, and conducting graduation ceremonies and spelling bees, among many other duties.

Mr. Shirley was an imaginative educator.  One of the first things he did when he took office was order seeds from Washington, D.C. which he distributed to students to raise their own gardens.  When the war years arrived, the Superintendent organized a bean growing club to help raise navy beans for the troops.  He sent out postcards to every boy in the county asking them to commit to raising a certain number of acres.  He assisted them by providing the seed. 

The influenza outbreak of 1918 brought some challenges.  Approximately half of the schools in the county were closed due to the epidemic.  In November he contracted influenza and was absent for some time.  When he returned, he found that he was short ten teachers.  Some had left to find other employment and others were gone due to illness or death – Ethel Bailey, who taught in the Fenton area, died of influenza on December 11, 1918.  The teacher shortage continued throughout the war.

Every year the Kossuth County Teachers Association hosted an institute which the Shirleys helped to organize.  Teachers from across the county attended and were encouraged to socialize at the reception held as part of the event.  Local well-known educators such as Minnie Coate and J.F. Overmyer guided participants in workshops for each level – primary, elementary and high school – and speakers on various aspects of child development and educational methods made it an important event each year.

Plum Creek School #7
Located in Section 34, Plum Creek Township

Visiting schools was one of Shirley’s favorite duties.  He was often accompanied by a district director and would drop by a school to observe the teacher and students as they went through their day.  He took a personal interest in the children at each school and would often take some time to talk with them or quiz them on spelling words or arithmetic problems.

THE PASSING OF AN ERA

Outside of school, Shirley enjoyed hunting with friends, especially in Eagle Township near Swea City where he first settled in the county.  He and Grace also enjoyed traveling to visit their children.  Their oldest, Hale, became a doctor and settled in California; daughter Pearl married and lived near Washington, D.C.; and youngest son, John, was employed as an instructor at Michigan State University. 

Grace and William Shirley in 1938
Pictured on steps of
Kossuth County Courthouse

On the evening of Sunday, May 18, 1940, William Shirley sat down in his favorite chair and turned on the radio to listen to the news.  A massive heart attack took his life moments later.  His death sent a shock wave through the county where he had served over 27 years.  It was a double blow to his wife who not only lost her husband but also her job as deputy superintendent.

During his tenure many changes took place in education which included the superintendent position going from an elected position to one appointed by the supervisors and saw the consolidation of school districts.  William Shirley took them all in stride and did his best to provide Kossuth County children with the best education possible.

CAN YOU HELP?

If any of you have photos of any of the country schools that once stood in Kossuth County, the genealogy society would be most grateful to have a copy to add to its collection.  A digital copy can be emailed to kossgensoc@gmail.com.  We would be happy to scan and return any photo if you are unable to scan them yourself.  It would also be wonderful to obtain copies of other materials concerning students or teachers at country schools such as report cards, attendance records, lesson plans, or other data that you may be willing to share.  All materials will be returned to you after copying/scanning unless you wish to donate them.  Please feel free to contact us at the above noted email address if you have any information to share.

Until next time,

Jean

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THE ROLLER RINK REMEMBERED

Roller skating rinks have a long history in Algona.  There were two competing facilities as early as 1883.  Often featuring live music from the Algona Cornet Band or the Algona Harp Orchestra, they were all the rage.  Exclusive sessions were held for children, women, singles and couples.  Special events such as costume parties and skating contests complete with prizes and awards were often held.  Although the early rinks were popular, ownership and management changed often making them short-lived.

Some area clergy found them to be demoralizing institutions.  In 1906, a sermon by Rev. O.H. Holmes of the Congregational Church in Algona entitled “St. Samson, the Patron Saint of the Bowling Alley, Billiard Hall and Skating Rink” was advertised in advance.  The service was well attended—including by a local news man.  In the news article reporting on the sermon, it was said that Rev. Holmes spoke to the young people of Algona “exhorting them to not throw their lives away, to beware of reaching that point where nothing at home fireside pleases and where nothing but the billiard hall, the skating rink and the bowling alley will do.”  Guess they weren’t considered family entertainment.

Although I was never very good at it, I enjoyed spending time roller skating with friends when I was growing up in Algona.  My oldest brother and older sister were the “star” skaters in our family doing fancy turns and skating backwards without skipping a beat (or falling as I was most likely to do).  They went to the rink so often that they each had their own pair of skates complete with pom-poms.  I’d love to know how many miles were put on those skates over the years.

I think for most of us who grew up in and around Algona in the 1950’s through the 1990’s, the skating rink that will always be a part of our memories was located at the corner of Roan and Commercial Streets and was most commonly known as the “Star Roller Rink” and later as “Jolly Time Skating Center.”  Here is its story.

THE "ROLLER-DROME" 

Star Roller Rink in 1960

In September of 1946, L. J. Schmidt of Bode applied to the Algona City Council for a permit to build a roller rink at a cost of $16,000.  He had purchased a tract of land right at the north end of Diagonal Street for the facility.  The area for skating was 60 feet wide by 132 feet deep.  An office and skate room were located in an annex along the west side of the building.

Construction began in 1947 but was halted when certain government regulations came to light which required further permitting.  Building resumed later that year and was completed by mid-summer of 1948.  The foundation and walls were of concrete block, the roof was arched and the skating rink was solid maple.  It featured a state-of-the-art music sound system as well as a soft drink bar. 

The grand opening of the new “Roller-Drome” was held on July 17, 1948 beginning at 8 p.m.  Young people from all over the area laced up to try their skills on the new floor.  The rink was soon booked solid for parties held by church and Sunday school groups, 4-H clubs, and private celebrations such as birthday parties.  The facility proved to be so popular that it was closed only six nights during the first seven months of operation.

That same fall a ladies’ day was established on Wednesdays.  Soon a large group of women had formed a skating club.  They called themselves the “Skaters Coffee Gulping Club of Algona.”  They would gather at 2 p.m. to skate for an hour before taking a break for coffee and lunch, and then resume skating for another hour.

STAR ROLLER RINK 

Inside Star Roller Rink looking
toward northwest corner - 1957

In 1955 the rink was purchased by LeRoy and Lola Lau who moved to Algona with their two daughters, Deanna and Barbara.  LeRoy had been born and raised at Garner.  They had previously owned a sporting goods store in Grand River, Iowa.  The name of the rink had been changed to Star Roller Rink several years prior and the Laus continued to operate it under that name. 

Saturday night was always busy at the rink.  Open from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., it was a popular destination, especially for teenagers and young adults.  Activities like the Hokey Pokey and the limbo were loved by the crowds.  One of the favorite parts of the evening was when the “Couples only” skate was announced.  Romantic music would fill the air, perhaps a ballad by Elvis or “Blue Velvet” by Bobby Vinton.  You would glide out on to the floor hand in hand with your sweetheart and begin to circle the rink.  The main lights would dim so that the glow of the neon star and the flash of the mirror ball on the ceiling provided just enough illumination for a private moment in a crowd. 

Many romances began at the Star Roller Rink including that of my brother, Mike, and his wife, Carole.  Mike passed away several years ago, but Carole shared some of her favorite memories with me.  She enjoyed waltzing and performing other dances while on skates—especially to such tunes as “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by the Beatles or “The Twist” by Chubby Checker.  Sometimes Mike would twirl her so fast that she was sure he would not be able to hold on to her.  Perhaps her favorite memory is that of the last dance of the evening when they would skate to a song by the Drifters before packing up their skates.

On Wednesday, January 16, 1957 as the Laus were closing for the evening and the last skaters were on the benches unlacing their skates, an explosion suddenly ripped through the front of the building.  The damage was extensive – wooden shelves holding skates were knocked over from the force of the explosion and large holes blown in the rink floor.  Debris was scattered throughout the area. A skate was even found lodged in the ceiling.  LeRoy was in the back of the building and was unhurt, but Lola was among the 15 who were injured.  Sixteen year old Argyle Pettit was the most severely wounded, suffering a skull fracture and other injuries. 

It appeared that the damage was caused by a gas explosion, but since the building had no gas installations the incident was investigated.  A leaky gas valve was eventually located in a main 12 feet in front of the building.  It was theorized that the gas followed a water line into the skating rink where it built up over a few hours.  All those who were injured made a full recovery, but the results could have been so much worse.  A bus load of students from Twin Rivers had left the building just moments before the blast.

Algona Upper Des Moines
February 14, 1957

It didn’t take long for the rink to be repaired.  Just one month later, on Saturday, February 16^th, it re-opened and began doing business as usual.

JOLLY TIME SKATING CENTER 

In 1967, LeRoy Lau sustained injuries to his leg at his other job at Weidenhoff.  When his leg did not heal properly and required additional surgeries, he determined he could no longer operate the skating rink. The following year LaRue and Alberta Weaver purchased the Star Roller Rink and moved to Algona with their children, Sandra and Steve.  The children were competitive skaters and the parents had helped out at the rink where they had skated in Des Moines.  When LaRue decided to leave the Iowa National Guard, the family decided to buy the skating rink and run it together. 

Jolly Time Skating Center

They changed the name of the rink to “Jolly Time Skating Center.”  Daughter Sandy gave lessons and some of her pupils went on to perform in various competitions.  LaRue did all of the repairs around the facility including keeping the skates in good repair.  With hundreds of pairs available for rent, that was almost a full time job in and of itself. Besides regular business hours they hosted numerous birthday parties and other gatherings over the years.  They were always happy to fashion the music to the crowd and took requests for favorite skating tunes.

RAINBOW SKATELAND

In May of 1989 the Weavers decided to retire.  They had attempted to sell the rink but had not had any offers.  They closed the doors and made plans to auction the contents.  But the building’s life as a skating rink was not quite over yet.  By September Kay and Pat Sifert had moved back to Algona from Texas and decided to purchase the facility.  They renamed it “Rainbow Skateland” and opened shortly after Labor Day.  Kay Sifert continued to operate much like her predecessors with public skating available at scheduled times and holding special events by reservation.  School children came for classes or physical education classes during the school year and special classes were held for the Algona Rec Department.  The Siferts operated the rink until shortly after the turn of the century at which time it closed for good, leaving Algona without a skating rink after more than 50 years.  In later years the building has served in several capacities, the latest as a dance studio.

Dance Connection - 2020

Racing, dodging, twirling, gliding – round and round the rink we went – it was freedom on wheels.  Such fun to reminisce!

Until next time,

Jean

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CHRISTMAS EVE 1874

I want to share this article from The Algona Republican published December 30, 1874.  It describes two different events held on Christmas Eve that year sponsored by area churches.  The first gathering was hosted by members of the Universalist Society and the second was a joint venture between the Methodist and Congregational churches.

In those early days churches did not always have a permanent home and were used to being somewhat mobile.  According to the History of Kossuth County published in 1913, the Universalist Church was first organized here in 1873 by Rev. H. B. Butler and services were initially held in the Baptist church. 

The Methodists were holding services in the chapel of Algona College in 1874 as it would be some years before the beautiful church their congregation enjoys today would be erected.  Services of the Congregational Church at that time were being convened in the old town hall which they had purchased in 1868.  Neither facility would hold a crowd as large as the one expected for the Christmas Eve celebration and so they joined forces to use the “hall” at the new courthouse. 

Santa’s helpers were busy as the article discloses.

It is safe to say that the last anniversary of Christmas-eve was celebrated by our citizens with as much of solid, sensible mirth and enjoyment as any of its predecessors.  For several days our merchants were kept busy from early morning till late at night, displaying their Christmas wares, fanciful and substantial, for the inspection of the numerous agents of Santa Claus.  Truth to tell, the amount of money expended in holiday gifts in Algona, this season, exceeds the calculations of the most extravagant.  Where all the money comes from is more than a seven days’ wonder, and puzzles while it pleases the dealers.  The rapid disappearance of holiday goods from numerous show windows and cases was proof positive that many happy recipients of favors were to be added to the list of admirers of the “jolly old elf,” the children’s patron saint.  On Thursday there was a hurrying up and down in our streets.  People of all ages and conditions, carrying mysterious looking bundles, might have been seen at almost any hour in the day, directing their steps to Court House Hall or the Universalist Church, where their packages were deposited with as much of secrecy as the circumstances would admit, preparatory to their display upon the Christmas-trees.

AT THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH

The late Fair given by the Universalist Society had so infringed upon the time and taxed the energies of a majority of the members as to influence a decision adverse to any unusual Christmas demonstration.  Nevertheless, the preparations for the evening were such as would have done credit to any society at any time.  Two fine evergreen trees had been procured and were arranged very tastefully, on each side the speaker’s platform, connected by garlands of evergreen.  These trees were heavily laden with a profusion of St. Nicholas’ favors, from the smallest toy for the little juvenile to the more valuable gift for the child of a larger growth.  Placed conspicuously over the desk and between the tops of the trees was a representation of the Child cradled in a manger.  Over it rose and set a beautiful star, whose evolutions continued during the evening.  The exercises of the evening opened with a prayer by Rev. Butler.  This was followed by singing and recitations by the children of the Sabbath School, after which the distribution of gifts began.  The house was well filled by the friends, and nothing occurred to mar the pleasure of the occasion.

Congregational Church - former Town Hall

AT THE COURT HOUSE HALL

The Methodist and Congregational Sabbath Schools had arranged for a union celebration of the occasion at Court House Hall, and the result was probably the grandest success ever achieved in that line in this part of the dominions of Santa Claus.  Court House Hall was early in the evening crowded as never before, and before the exercises opened, both the main floor and gallery were densely packed.  We have no means of estimating the number of those present, but the wonder was expressed on all sides as to where so many people, of all ages, could have come from.  We were glad to see large numbers in from the country.  The windows were brilliantly illuminated, and the Hall gaily decorated, the latter being mostly the work of the ladies.  Two large oak trees had been provided to bear the gifts, and their wide spreading branches were heavily loaded.  But the trees proved quite insufficient for the purpose, and presents were deposited on tables in front of the speaker’s platform, and stowed away around the foot of the trees, and in every available place.  The gifts were in good proportion to the vast audience.  The Cornet Band was present and furnished several fine pieces of music while the audience was being seated. 

Kossuth County Courthouse built in 1872-73

The following programme of exercises was carried out previous to the distribution of presents:

        Prayer by Rev. C. Taylor.

        Singing by children.

        Address by Milton Starr.

        Song—“Ring Christmas Bells.”

        Three-minute speech by Rev. Underwood.

        Song—“Glory be to God on high.”

        Rev. Webster declined to extend the exercises by further remarks, and the task of distributing gifts was proceeded with.  It had been announced that Santa Claus would be present and take a conspicuous part in the proceedings, but other duties appear to have claimed his attention.  The Committee showed themselves equal to the emergency, and before a very late hour the tokens of love had been placed where they would do the most good.  The utmost good feeling was preserved throughout the evening, and all seemed to thoroughly enjoy the occasion.

        At the conclusion of the exercises the members of the Band were treated to an oyster supper at Hollar’s Restaurant.

As I finished reading this article I couldn’t help but close my eyes and picture the hustle and bustle of downtown Algona during the Christmas holidays in 1874.  In my imagination I see sleighs or wagons with their horses tied to hitching posts while owners shop or gather around a warm stove for a cup of coffee and gossip with their neighbors; stores of various sizes and construction with holiday gifts and displays in their windows to entice window shoppers to come inside; and the crowd gathered inside of the new courthouse near two oak trees covered in gifts while children sing carols.  And it warms my heart to know, even back then, they had numerous “agents of Santa Claus” who, because of their generosity, made sure that area families had a blessed and joyous Christmas.    

And that is my wish for you, dear readers.  May your every wish come true!

Until next time,

Kossuth County History Buff

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COME INTO OUR KITCHENS

While filing some items in the genealogy room at the Algona Public Library recently, I found a cookbook that was out of place.  It had been donated to the gen society ten years ago by a person who purchased it at a used bookstore in San Diego.  At the time of our receipt it was in pretty rough shape.  Since it was falling apart, we placed each page in a page protector and put the book in a three ring binder to preserve it. 

The cookbook is entitled Come Into Our Kitchens.  There is no other information to indicate the date of publication, who compiled the collection or what organization profited from its sales.  I recall at the time we received it we did a little research trying to identify its source, but to no avail.  Rather than put it on the shelf next to the other cookbooks in our collection, I decided to give it another go.  Who knows?  At the very least I might be able to find some good recipes for the upcoming Thanksgiving dinner.

The publication contains advertising from many local Algona merchants which helps to date the period it was published.  There is an ad for the Call Theatre which led me to deduce that it was published prior to 1937 when that structure burned to the ground.  Other advertisers included Kent Motors, Pratt Electric, and The Hub Clothiers, among many others.  One of the most vexing aspects of the advertisements is that addresses are not given for most of the businesses.  That seems to be a recurring theme in advertising prior to 1970 or so.  Evidently no one back then considered the feelings of future local historians or family history researchers and their need for specific information.  Sigh . . .

The cookbook itself is thin – 50 pages or so – and specializes in sweets.  It begins with doughnuts, coffee cakes and breads, proceeds on to cakes and icings, has a section on cookies and bars and another on candies.  It then moves on to desserts and pies and ends with various salad recipes.  Thumbing through the book was nostalgic.  There is something about a well-loved cookbook with pages discolored and splattered, corners worn, and notes in the margins that is comforting. 

Roll and waffle recipes

Titles of recipes can be fascinating.  Today’s cakes might be called “Death By Chocolate” or “Ooey Gooey Butter” cake, but they had interesting names then too.  Here are some of the cakes from Come Into Our Kitchens:  Feather Weight Cake from Mrs. H.M. Harris, Light as Ducks Down Cake from Fern (Mrs. W.A.) Foster, and Yellow Feather Cake presented by Mrs. Homer Tuttle.  Angel food and sponge cake recipes were quite popular with recipes submitted by Marie (Mrs. William) Hawcott, Ruby (Mrs. Francis) Hawcott and Ella Mae (Mrs. Alvin) Weber.  I have always admired those talented bakers who could make an angel food cake from scratch, beating all those egg whites that are required.  And these fine ladies likely beat them by hand. 

Seeing the Chocolate Pin Wheel Cookies recipe from Mrs. Antone Johnson reminded me of the delicious ones my husband’s grandmother, Josie (Mrs. Aloysius) Eischeid used to make.  How we looked forward to that treat whenever we stopped by for a visit!  Other cookies such as Carmel Cookies (Mrs. Burton Thorpe) and Butterscotch Pecan Squares (Mrs. Ben Sorensen) sound delicious.  However, a few did not sound appetizing at all – Date Rocks (Mrs. Fred Frost) and just plain Rocks (Mrs. W. C. Steele) for example.  I don’t think I would enjoy eating cookies that are described as “rocks.”

There were several recipes in the candy section that I found intriguing.  I had never heard of Sea Foam candy before, but both Mrs. D. J. Mitchell and Miss Annie Ingersoll submitted recipes.  My favorite candy in the section has to be the one entitled “Patience” which again was contributed by Mrs. Mitchell.  After reading the directions, I certainly agree that one would have to have extreme patience to prepare it.

When it comes to pies, these women knew what they were doing.  I can almost picture them in their kitchens rolling out the crusts.  Lemon Chiffon (Mrs. Anna Gill), Washington Nut Pie (Mrs. Lillian Norton), Silver Cream Pie (Mrs. Walter Klamp), and Angel Food Pie (Mrs. Earl Moore) are just a few of the many varieties mentioned. 

While paging through the book, I started to study some of the names of those who contributed recipes for publication.  I began to notice that the majority of the surnames represented families who had been faithful Methodists through the years.  After spending some time on Find-a-Grave, I was soon able to confirm through obituaries that funerals for all but a very few of the women I was able to track were held from the Methodist Church.  The book itself belonged to Elizabeth Carlisle who I have been unable to find.  Her ownership could perhaps be another clue.

So as you can see, this post is part history and part mystery.  To any loyal readers who happen to be members of the United Methodist Church in Algona, does this cookbook look familiar to you?  Would it have been compiled as a fundraiser for the church or perhaps one of the women’s groups?  We would love to be able to date when it was published and confirm its origin. 

When Thanksgiving rolls around each year, I can’t help but think of some of the bountiful meals I have shared with friends and family throughout my life.  In that spirit, does anyone have memories to share of the culinary talent of any of the contributors that I have mentioned in this post or whose names appear on the accompanying photos?  If so, I would love to read your comments.

While counting my blessings this year, I want you to know that I am thankful for each of you that enjoy these posts and love local history as much as I do. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jean

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A SOLDIER'S GOODBYE

Chris and Freda Kain stood at the train station.  His leave was coming to an end and it was time to return to duty.  The two found it especially hard to part this time.  Exactly one week before—on September 10, 1918—they had been married quietly in the Catholic parsonage with their friends, Frank and Segrid Kohlhaas, as their witnesses.  The wedding was the culmination of a long courtship. 

* * * * *

Chris Kain was born in 1881, the ninth child of Patrick and Anna (Wall) Kain.  He grew up on their farm in Plum Creek Township and graduated from Algona High School.  He began his higher education at Collegeville, Minnesota, but in 1899 transferred to Highland Park College in Des Moines from which he graduated with a pharmacy degree.  He had already been working at Sheetz Pharmacy in Algona when he passed his exam and became a registered pharmacist in late 1902.

By 1905 Chris was seeing an unknown young woman in the Minneapolis area.  How long their romance lasted or how serious it became could not be determined.  Did it end in heartbreak?  It is likely we will never know, but an article published on February 13, 1908 in The Algona Advance may give us a clue.  A humorous expose entitled “List of Eligibles – A Survey of Those Who Have No Wives, But Who Would Have Them if the Ladies Proposed,” gives a list of local eligible bachelors and their availability.  It states, “Chris Kain was once on the string, but the string broke.  He is open for sealed bids at the earliest possible date.”

Christopher Kain

For a time after that, Chris was somewhat footloose.  News articles place him working in Guthrie Center, Westgate and Sumner until March of 1915 when he returned to Algona and became employed at the Rexall drug store. 

* * * * *

Born in Bancroft in 1884, Freda Sjogren was the daughter of Peter and Caroline (Fehrm) Sjogren.  The family moved to Algona when she was a child and after completing her schooling, Freda began working at the Chrischilles Store as a cashier.  She also served as an organist at the Swedish Lutheran Church.

At the time Chris returned to Algona in 1915, Freda was working as a cashier at the Quinby & Krause store in downtown Algona.  Did she frequent the lunch counter at the drug store?  Did he shop at Quinby & Krause?  Whether his good looks caught her attention or her charming smile caught his, the two soon became an item.

* * * * *

When the United States entered the war in 1917, Chris was 36 years old—too old to be drafted.  Nevertheless he knew that medical personnel were sorely needed in the ranks.  He was at the time working in the Kraft-Misbach Store.  He and four other male employees of the firm heard the patriot’s call to serve.  In early December Chris went to Camp Dodge with a group of other local men to enlist.  Soon he was back home having sprained an ankle.  Determined, he returned to Camp Dodge when the ankle was healed and re-entered the service on December 24, 1917.

He was originally assigned to the ordnance division and in the spring of 1918 he was stationed at Camp Hancock which was near Augusta, Georgia.  That camp which had been established in July of 1917 was referred to as a “great city of tents.”  Because of the warm weather, it was decided that buildings to house the soldiers were not required.  The camp was a major ordnance training ground preparing its soldiers for the frontlines. The noise of gun and cannon fire filled the air throughout the day. 

Eventually, Chris did request a transfer to the medical corps which was granted.  The base hospital was housed in a succession of wooden buildings, but the field hospital—where many of the patients were housed—was a series of tents.

* * * * *

By September of 1918 when Chris came home on leave, the momentum of the war appeared to have shifted to the Allies who had pushed back the offensive of the Germans in the second battle of Marne in July and launched their own counteroffensive.  If this progress continued, there was strong hope that the war would soon end. 

Was this hope voiced between Freda and Chris as they said their farewells at the train station?  Did they speak of the plans they had for the life they would share when the war ended?  Or did they simply gaze at one another whispering endearments knowing that these memories had to last until Chris came home to stay?  All too soon it was time to board.  The two embraced each other one last time.  As Chris climbed on to the train, he turned and waved.  Freda raised her hand in reply.  She watched the train pull out of the station continuing to wave until it could no longer be seen and then she turned, her eyes filled with tears, and went home.

Private Christopher Kain

* * * * *

Since the spring of 1918, the H1N1 influenza (otherwise known as the Spanish flu) had been spreading worldwide.  While most types of influenza were dangerous for those under the age of 5 or 65 and older, this specific strain was particularly deadly for those between the ages of 20 and 40.  Overcrowded hospitals, poor hygiene and global troop movement caused the rapid expansion of the disease.  No vaccines or antibiotics existed at the time so treatment consisted of isolation, quarantine, use of disinfectants and limitation of public gatherings.  Many large cities closed theaters, schools and churches.  Funerals were limited to 15 minutes.

Some who died of the illness passed within hours of their first symptoms.  For others it was a slow, agonizing passage from pneumonia as their lungs filled with fluid, causing them to cough up blood and struggle for air until they suffocated.

On September 30, 1918, only two soldiers were in the Camp Hancock infirmary.  By the end of the next day, 716 reported with flu-like symptoms.  In just four more days—by October 5^th—3,000 cases were reported and 52 soldiers had died.  Chris entered the hospital that same day.

Word of his illness was received by his wife late Thursday, October 10^th. Freda, along with his sister, Mary, who was a nurse, left the next day for his bedside.  Upon reaching Augusta, they were informed that they were too late—Private Christopher Kain had died Saturday, October 12^th, of pneumonia resulting from influenza.

* * * * *

His body arrived in Algona on Thursday, October 17^th, and was immediately interred in Calvary Cemetery.  Open air services were performed graveside by Father Coffey of St. Cecelia’s parish.  He was buried next to his parents and two brothers, Patrick, Jr., and James.

The Kain family burial plot at Calvary Cemetery

For Freda, a widow after 32 days of marriage, the grief must have been almost unbearable as she stood by his grave that day.  She was now saying a permanent goodbye to the husband she had watched board a train exactly one month earlier.  She closed her eyes and pictured him so handsome in his uniform smiling and waving to her as the train pulled away from the station.  She would remember him that way always.

* * * * *

Epilogue:  Freda Kain did go on to marry again.  Three years later she married Sever Christensen who was a rural mail clerk in Algona and a veteran of World War I.  They were married a little over 15 years when Sever died suddenly while they were on vacation in California.  They had no children.  Freda died in August of 1962 after a long illness.  She is buried next to Sever in Riverview Cemetery.

My thanks to Barbara Darling, a relative of Chris Kain, for sharing photos and family history with me.

Until next time,

Kossuth County History Buff

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