1871: TOM McNIDER BUILT BRIDGES FOR NEW RAILROAD

MCNIDER, MACNIDER, CAMERON

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 11/18/2014 at 12:16:45

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Monday, June 01, 1953
Mason City Centennial Edition, Section 3

1871: TOM McNIDER BUILT BRIDGES FOR NEW RAILROAD INTO MASON CITY

[Section 3, Page 13] A hot August sun riding high in the heavens was beating down on the North Iowa prairies. Here and there a field of wheat in the shock broke the monotony of the waving prairie grass and patches of hazel brush.

On a primitive road winding its way through the country, routed in such a way as to miss the occasional slough, a slow moving caravan of lumber wagons wormed its way toward Mason City, then in 1871, a town of 1,100 population. Perched high on one of these wagons, surrounded by a jumble of scrapers and other equipment used by a railroad contractor, was a barefoot lad of 11 years. He was tired and dirty for he had ridden in this fashion from Eldora.

"This Is the Place"

The leader halted his horses at Central Park and the other drivers drew alongside.

"This is the place, boys," he said as he instructed everyone to tie up their horses.

The speaker was Tom McNider, railroad contractor, who had the contract for construction of bridges for the Central Railway of Iowa (later to become a part of the M. and St. L. system). The 11 year old boy was his son, Charles H. McNider, father of Gen. Hanford MacNider.

McNider had the contract for the railroad bridges between Eldora and the Minnesota state line. A combination of circumstances made it a losing proposition to the extent that when the project was completed McNider had contributed all he had to the venture.

It was this condition of the family fortunes that caused the son to leave school and begin working. He was employed for a time at a grain elevator operated by W. W. Cameron and at the age of 15 years began his career with the bank that later became the First National, getting a salary of $8 a month.

Purchased Home

The first home of the McNiders was one rented at Pennsylvania and 2nd southeast. Later he purchased a home on N. Federal and 3rd, across the street south from the Hotel Hanford.

At the time the McNiders arrived in Mason City, Federal Avenue was a scraggly row of buildings on either side, mostly one story, with three or four stone buildings looming higher.

In the block in which the First National Bank stands there were three small buildings. The postoffice stood on the present site of the bank with Silas Card holding the office of postmaster.

The Allen House, regarded as one of the finest hostelries in North Iowa, was already up on the north corner of the park.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, November of 2014