"History of Decatur County and Its People" Volume I

Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith, Supervising Editors

The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago IL, 1915.
 
Chapter X ~ The City of Leon
Pages 109 - 129
 
EARLY SETTLEMENT AND GROWTH

Leon is now a city of 1,800 inhabitants. When the town was first surveyed it was given the name of Independence, but as the county seat of Buchanan County, Iowa, bore the same name the postal authorities objected, so the new town was given the name South Independence. In the winter of 1854-5 the Legislature of the state changed the name to Leon in compliance with a petition drawn by a committee consisting of S. C. THOMPSON, Dr. J. P. FINLEY and G. L. MOORE. It is said that the name Leon was suggested by W. H. CHEEVERS who became attracted by it while serving as a soldier in the Mexican war.

Thomas H. EAST built the first residence in Leon. It was a log cabin located in the rear of the present opera house. After the town was surveyed Dr. S. C. THOMPSON built a log house sixteen feet square where the opera house now stands and occupied the same for a residence. He also put a small building up for use as an office.

I. N. CLARK put up a store building for CLEVELAND & WINN on the site later occupied by CLARK & McCLELLAND'S store. Into this building the goods from the store on the ONEY farm were moved and Mr. CLARK sold the first dollar's worth of goods to Reuben HATFIELD. The building was 20 by 40 feet in dimensions and constructed of rough logs. One of the firm, WINN, in recent years conducted a store at Higginsville, Missouri.

Soon a sufficient number of settlers arrived to justify the establishment of a postoffice and Joshua DAVIS was the first postmaster. He was a brother-in-law of Johnny PATTERSON and had his office on the north side of the square. Among other pioneer business men were: Dr. Frank WARFORD, MOORE & RICHARDS, Samuel HARROW & Son, W. W. ELLIS, Dr. J. P. FINLEY, STILLWELL & STEVENS, Ira B. RYAN, and Reuben SHACKLEFORD. The latter kept the first hotel then located on the site of Mrs. KONKLE'S residence. Ishani FUQUA also kept an hotel in an early day. John M. RICHARDSON conducted the first flouring mill. The first attorneys were John WARNER, George A. HAWKEY, P. H. BINKLEY, Judge Samuel FORREY and "Timber" WOOD.

In 1854, the first school building was erected in Leon. At the close of that year the town had four stores and about forty residences. From this time until the commencement of the Civil war the growth in population was quite rapid and the town enjoyed a lucrative trade. Few stores multiplied rapidly and by 1800 the town had 6OO inhabitants. In 1870 the town numbered 820 people; in 1880 there were 1,367; in 1890, 1,565; in 1900, 1,620; and in 1910 there were 1,800 people living here. The town in the last five years has grown proportionately.

Among the old settlers here was W. T. FISHBURN. He came from Van Buren County in 1856. By trade he was a millwright and con- tractor. That year he built a grist mill for Uncle Billy DAVIS, the founder of Davis City. He built a grist mill in Terre Haute in 1858 for himself and managed it for nearly three years. The mill was partially destroyed in 1860 and so he returned to Leon, where he owned and occupied a residence on the present site of the Advent Church. He was an accomplished mechanic and put the machinery in the Little grist mill in the east part of Leon. He supervised the placing of the town clock in the church at Davis City.

Leon was incorporated as a city in 1858. The early records of the city have been lost, so it is not possible to ascertain just who the first officers were: however, in 1874 the office of mayor was held by M. A. MILLS.

The office of postmaster has been held successively by Joshua DAVIS, Alexander UPDEGRAFF, Mr. SNYDER, P. O. JAMES, John P. FINLEY, Jr., W. H. ROBB, J. L. HARVEY, W. J. SULLIVAN, E. K. PITMAN, J. R. CONREY, John LEDGERWOOD, Millard F. STOOKEY. The office is in the third class, with no city delivery, but with five rural route carriers. In the near future, however, the Leon office will be changed to the second class.

NEWSPAPERS

The Leon Pioneer was published by BINCKLEY [BINKLEY ?] Brothers, P. H. and George, in the autumn of 1855. It was a seven-column folio, issued on Thursday. It was democratic in politics. BINCKLEY Brothers sold out to Joe PARSONS and he to Sam CASTER. The next proprietor was John FINLEY who changed the name to the Democratic Reporter. JACKSON & HOWARD finally succeeded FINLEY and in 1866 the paper came into the hands of DETRICK & PENNIWELL. A Mr. GARRETT afterwards bought the interest of PENNIWELL and then the whole was sold to G. N. UDELL. FRAZIER & JACKSON were the next in the list of owners and they restored the name of Pioneer to the sheet and during the last of 1870 sold to Ed D. PITMAN [who sold the paper] to SHINN Brothers and the latter moved it to Hutchinson, Kansas.

The Democrat was started in January, 1879, by O. M. HOWARD and W. C. JACKSON and was a few months later consolidated with the Reporter, another young sheet, the new paper being called the Democrat-Reporter. On February 26, 1880, the Decatur County Press was issued for the first time by the Press Printing Company with J. C. STOCKTON as editor and publisher. On October 26, 1881, this paper was united with the Democrat-Reporter. Mr. STOCKTON was editor of the new combination and J. A. RAY was business manager until August, 1884, when a company was formed. Lon H. BOYDSTON was then editor. Up until this time it had been a greenback paper, but now it changed to the democratic color.

On January 1, 1887, BOYDSTON sold to J. D. and O. E. HULL. The new owners dropped the name used and called the paper The Reporter, which title has been used continuously ever since. On October 1, 1887, J. D. HULL sold his interest to E. W. CURRY and the firm name was then CURRY & HULL. This lasted until May, 1889, when L. H. BOYDSTON purchased CURRY'S interest. On December 1, 1890, O. E. HULL bought out BOYDSTON and came into full ownership which he has retained until the present time. The paper is democratic, six columns, weekly issue running from twelve to sixteen pages. The circulation is about two thousand seven hundred.

The Leon Plain Talk was first issued April 3, 1886, as an independent sheet, and was the successor of the Voice and Echo which was published from September to December, 1885, by BRANNON & FLANDERS. This paper ran but a few months, then died.

Die Wage was a German paper printed for a few weeks in 1869, to encourage German settlers to come to this county.

The Decatur County Advocate was started in the spring of 1873 by D. Frank KNAPP. He published it one year as an anti-monopoly paper. In 1876 he returned and started the Leon Clipper, a republican paper. This he published for a period of three months. The Fact was started in Leon in 1887 by the firm of STOCKTON & WATSEBAUGH. This paper, independent in politics, continued to run successfully until 1897, when it was abandoned.

Forty-eight years ago the Journal was first issued in Leon by P. O. JAMES, a practical printer and an experienced newspaper man. It has since been published continuously and thus is the oldest paper in the county. The old Washington hand press and other material was hauled to town in a wagon by the late R. E. DYE. At that time the population of the town was about seven hundred and the county not over nine thousand.

Peter Orlando JAMES had been an employe (sic) of the Des Moines Register, where he formed the acquaintance of Frank W. PALMER who had an ambition to serve the people of this district in Congress. It is said that PALMER bought the press and type and presented them to Mr. JAMES. At any rate the paper was started in the interests of Mr. PALMER and successfully so. Mr. JAMES had served during the Civil war in the Fourth Iowa Infantry and was an excellent soldier. He was a prominent Odd Fellow and took great interest in the order. He filled in succession all of the offices of the lodge and was chosen several times as a representative to the grand lodge. Mr. JAMES became postmaster in 1871. Mrs. M. E. JAMES continued the publication of the Journal and also served as postmistress. In 1875 Mrs. JAMES sold the paper to W. T. ROBINSON, now deceased. He conducted the paper for ten years, during which time he improved the mechanical department and increased the patronage and circulation. He was assisted in the local work by S. C. MITCHELL and J. A. KEATON. Mr. ROBINSON was an experienced printer and newspaper man and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. In August, 1885, Mr. ROBINSON sold the paper to Marion F. STOOKEY, Millard F. STOOKEY and W. S. JOHNSON, with the latter in control as editor. On January 1, 1893, the paper became the joint property of the two STOOKEYS, and on January 1, 1904, a joint stock company was organized, composed of the following stockholders: Marion F. and Millard F. STOOKEY, James F. HARVEY, Thomas TEALE, Capt. J. D. BROWN, Stephen VARGA. The stock held by these men has been gradually taken over by Will F. LINDSEY and James F. HARVEY, these two men now owning the entire paper, the former acting as editor. The paper is published weekly, is republican, six columns, and generally runs from twelve to sixteen pages each issue. The office and plant is equipped with the latest machinery, including a modern linotype.

TELEPHONES

The Leon Telephone Company established an exchange in January, 1896, in the building now occupied by the Exchange National Bank. Miss Lou CRAIGO was the operator. The exchange remained in the above location until February 22, 1898, when it was removed to the Caster Building at the corner of Main and Commercial streets. The Leon Telephone Company was the property of C. A. HAWKINS of Chicago and W. R. ELLINWOOD of Leon. Leon now has the service of both the Bell and Mutual companies.

ELECTRICITY

The Leon light plant was constructed in 1888 by the City of Leon and managed by the city until November, 1904, when the plant was sold to CURTIS & CHASE, the consideration being $5,000. This deal was closed on November 15th and the new proprietors began operating the plant under the title of the Leon Electric Light, Heat and Power Company, with George W. SEARS as superintendent and treasurer. Lewis NIES of Oskaloosa was secured as electrician. In March, 1909, J. F. SMITH and Sam C. JOHNSTON of Omaha, Nebraska, bought out the company and changed the title to the Leon Electric Company. This company now supplies Decatur City and Garden Grove with electricity.

WATER

The question of a municipal water supply first came before the people of Leon in 1909. On June 10th of that year a special election was held on the proposition of issuing $35,000 in bonds for the construction of a system of water works. This proposition was defeated by a majority of 195 votes.

On December 14, 1909, the question was again submitted to a general vote. By a vote of 626 to 253 the people declared in favor of issuing bonds to the extent of $35,000 and by a vote of 336 to 130 in favor of establishing a system of water works.

IMPROVEMENTS

Within the last decade a start has been made in equipping the City of Leon with adequate paving, sewerage and other improvements necessary to a growing town. In the years 1913-4 fully three miles of good brick paving was laid. In 1909 the sanitary sewerage system was installed under the main streets, the sewage being disposed of by artificial means. There are six miles of water mains in the city, all municipally owned. In the summer of 1915 there will be nine miles more sewerage laid in the city.

The new Burlington depot at Leon was opened to the public January 23, 1911.

The Waubonsie Trail was put through Leon in the spring of 1911.

The first meeting to consider a Young Men's Christian Association in Leon was held December 16, 1879.

BANKS

The Farmers and Traders State Bank of Leon was organized in 1894 as a private bank by J. E. THOMAS of Davis City, A. H. TEALE of Kellerton. They bought the bank building of L. P. SIGLER. In the same year Thomas TEALE bought their interests in the bank and it was incorporated as a state bank January 1, 1895, Judge John W. HARVEY being a partner and stockholder and later becoming president. There has been no change in ownership as the estate of Judge HARVEY still retains a half interest. The present officers are: Thomas TEALE, president; Mrs. John W. HARVEY, vice president; Fred TEALE, cashier; T. S. ARNOLD, S. G. MITCHELL and C. E. STUBER, assistant cashiers. The bank started with a capital of $25,000, increased to $50,000 in 1903, and to $100,000 in 1913. It is the largest capitalized bank in the county at the present time.

The Exchange National Bank of Leon was started as the Exchange Bank in February, 1885, with the following first officers: S. W. HURST, president; I. N. CLARK, vice president; C. E. GARDNER, cashier. The present officers are: A. L. ACKERLY, president; O. E. HULL, vice president; E. G. MONROE, cashier; Carl MONROE, assistant cashier. The capital stock is $35,000; and the deposits are $190,000.

The Farmers and Traders Bank mentioned above was originally started in 1869 as the First National Bank and five years later was purchased by the Decatur County Banking Association, namely, D. and A. B. STEARN and L. P. SIGLER, who named it the Farmers and Traders Bank. SIGLER was president and T. S. ARNOLD cashier.

There is in process of organization a new bank in Leon to be known as the Leon Savings Bank. It is to be located in the SIGLER Building at the corner of Main and Ninth streets. The articles of incorporation are at this date filed. Marion F. STOOKEY will be president; Frank N. HANSELL and G. W. BAKER, vice presidents; and George T. OGILVIE, cashier.

LODGES, SOCIETIES AND CLUBS

Grand River Lodge No. 78, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, was organized under dispensation November 30, 1855, with the following charter members: Samuel C. THOMPSON, worshipful master; George T. YOUNG, senior warden; J. R. McCLELLAND, junior warden; D. O. BALL and Thomas SILVER. John P. FINLEY, Peter C. STEWART and Samuel FORREY were the first initiates and were received January 15, 1856. The charter was granted June 5, 1856, and Samuel C. THOMPSON was named as worshipful master; George T. YOUNG, senior warden; F. M. WAFFORD, junior warden.

Leon Chapter No. 33, Royal Arch Masons, was organized October 25, 1866, with the following officers: C. S. STOUT, high priest; S. C. THOMPSON, king; John P. FINLEY, scribe; H. W. PECK, captain of hosts; C. G. BRIDGES, principal sojourner; John E. CHANCY, royal arch captain; William M. DUNCAN, master third vail; George T. YOUNG, master second vail; W. B. MONTGOMERY, master first vail; J. H. WOODBURY, secretary; Thomas JOHNSON, guard. George WOODBURY was the first man elected to membership.

Independence Chapter No. 28, Order of Eastern Star, was organized in November, 1884, with a membership of about twenty-five.

Hesperia Lodge No. 33, Knights of Pythias, existed several years before the fire of 1879, when the records were all destroyed with the exception of the charter which was returned to the grand lodge. The lodge was reorganized June 21, 1886, under the former name. The lodge was reorganized with eight of the original members, namely: A. E. CHASE, W. A. BROWN, E. W. CURRY, W. T. CARTWRIGHT, S. A. GATES, L. W. FORGRAVES, G. L. HARVEY, C. W. HOFFMAN. The following also became charter members at this time: J. L. YOUNG, H. C. Van WERDEN, C. M. MURRAY, L. Van WERDEN, Albert GAFFORD, W. J. SULLIVAN and John F. HAMILTON.

Leon Lodge No. 84, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized by dispensation February 7, 1856, and chartered October 8th of the same year. The charter members were: John F. FINLEY, Sr., W. H. CHEEVER, J. H. CLARK, Arnold CHILDERS and C. R. LAPHAM. The lodge flourished until 1861 when, by reason of numerous enlistments in the army, meetings were discontinued. The last meeting was on March 9th of that year and the next recorded meeting was held on July 27, 1868.

Leon Post No. 251, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized November 22, 1883, by W. T. WILKINSON, mustering officer. The following were the first officers: J. A. RAY, commander; S. P. NOTT, senior vice commander; C. W. BECK, junior vice commander; W. J. SULLIVAN, quartermaster; Ed K. PITMAN, adjutant; W. L. KELLY, surgeon; I. P. MORTON, chaplain; John P. FINLEY, officer of the guard; E. W. CURRY, officer of the day; J. M. SYLVESTER, sergeant-major; J. B. GARRETT, quartermaster-sergeant.

Leon Lodge No. 88, I. O. O. F., was organized in the autumn of 1885 with forty-six charter members. The charter was received December 12th, following.

CHURCHES

In the fall of 1851 the Iowa Conference sent a missionary by the name of Lyman BRIGGS to Decatur County. Three sermons were preached and on week days, but every Sabbath the class met at PATTERSON'S.

John PARKER was the next one; he came in the fall of 1852. BARNES and family came and lived where W. A. BOONE lives. McILVANIES came and lived on the Doctor BAKER farm. Doctor THOMPSON came in the fall of 1851. Quarterly meeting was at Albia and Uncle John PATTERSON went on horseback, as it was the only way to travel, as there was no road with the exception of the Indian trail and no bridges. This year Thomas SMITH and family came and added five more to the church. Others who came were: STANLEYS, VANDERPOOLS, HATFIELDS, I. N. CLARK, Thomas WINN, James GARRETT, Frank SMITH.

Brother SWIM came to preach, but not often, as there were five counties to be supplied. The first quarterly meeting was held at Decatur City in a house built for a courthouse. John HAYDEN was the first presiding elder; John PARKER, pastor; John PATTERSON, class leader; John JORDAN, steward.

The first Sunday school in Decatur County was organized in 1833, in John PATTERSON'S cabin, by WILLIAMS, a Presbyterian, and John Patterson as superintendent. In 1854 the Decatur mission was formed and D. L. SWIM appointed pastor in charge. In the same year it became Leon Circuit, which was composed of the counties of Decatur, Ringgold, Clarke and Union. Owing to the increase in population it was thought best to divide the circuit so Decatur Circuit was established. There being a substantial church in Decatur City the minister aroused the people of Leon to build a large church.

Services were held at PATTERSON'S and other members' homes and later they were held in a school where Mrs. LANDIS now lives. In 1850 preaching and Sunday school were held in an old courthouse in the east of town, where the VARGA residence now stands. Then in the old brick courthouse in the southwest corner of the square. The Presbyterian and Methodist societies plastered this building to obtain its use, each society occupying the building on alternate Sabbaths. The bell now used by the public schools once called the worshippers to this church.

On January 13, 1859, a committee was appointed to estimate the cost of a new church and shortly afterward the lot where the public library now stands was taken over and work begun on the building. The committee named was composed of: George HAWLEY, John JORDAN, John PATTERSON, John THARP, Daniel SHAFFER, Rev. J. D. De LAY. It was through great effort that the building was enclosed, floored and one coat of plaster put on in the fall of 1859. For seats slab benches were made with no backs. The threatenings of the Civil war and later the war itself stopped all work upon the church. In 1860 the trustees were ordered to buy or build a parsonage. In 1863 part of the pastor's salary of $400 was paid in produce. In 1876 the church building was renovated. W. P. WOOD and L. P. SIGLER gave the church its first organ in 1877. On July 5, 1888, the church was incorporated.

The cornerstone for the new church structure was laid August 23, 1888, and completed at a cost of $9,000.

The following are the names of the pastors who have served this society: Lyman BRIGGS, John PARKER, SWIM, J. B. RAWLS, David DICKINSON, Erasmus T. COINER, Jacob De LAY, Benjamin WILLIAMS, Samuel FARLOW, J. E. CARY, Benjamin SHINN, D. O. STUART, William F. HERTWOOD, G. P. BENNETT, R. M. THORNBURG, J. C. R. LAYTON, Simpson GUYER, Amos WILSON, A. P. HULL, D. McINTYRE, William PLESTED, A. BROWN, W. H. SHIPMAN, C. L. NYE, C. H. NEWELL, James BOREMAN, A. T. JEFFREY, W. C. HOHANSBELT, George M. HUGHES, George WINTERBOURN, John GIBSON, Joseph STEPHEN, I. N. WOODWARD, A. M. PILCHER, Ray SHIPMAN, James L. BOYD, E. M. HOFF, Guy J. FANSHER.

The Christian Church was an aggressive force among the early pioneers of Decatur County. An organization was established in good season in Leon, and the efforts of the pastor and visiting evangelists exercised a material influence toward the moral and educational advancement of the people.

The first regular organization of the Christian Church was effected the first Sunday in June, 1854, by Elder Josephus C. PORTER, who served as preacher in charge for nearly twenty years. Names that are now mentioned with respect and affection as members of this devoted band of pioneer Christians are: John GARDNER and wife, Christina A. GARDNER, Franklin GARDNER, J. C. PORTER and wife, Anna BRADFIELD, Catherine GARDNER, Wilson I. GARDNER, Anna THATCHER, Jacob WITTER and wife, Reuben SHACKLEFORD and wife, Andrew McELVAIN, J. McELVAIN and wife, John W. GARDNER and wife, W. W. ELLIS and wife. Dr. J. R. McCLELLAND and wife, Daniel BRADLEY and wife, and Nancy WELDON. Among those who assisted in evangelistic work during the early days were Elders John POLLY, W. B. FISK, O. E. BROWN, J. C. LEVEY and T. V. BERRY.

In 1867 the congregation had increased in numbers to such an extent that a church building became a necessity. Accordingly a brick structure was erected which cost $4,000 and was used as a house of worship until the spring of 1902. It was 40 by 60 feet in size and for many years was the best church building in the county. The new building was dedicated on Sunday, February 14, 1903.

The list of pastors who have served this church in Leon is as lows: Revs. J. C. PORTER, James GASTON, T. V. BERRY, A. B. CORNELL, S. H. HEDRIX, H. A. LEMON, W. E. JONES, O. ELBERT, A. E. MAJOR, John P. JESSE, C. F. STEVENS, H. T. CLARK, R. J. CASTOR, H. H. HUBBELL.

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized in 1857. Among the leading members were John W. WARNER, Mr. GILLAM, W. P. BLAIR, Robert PATTERSON and George T. Young, with their families. They met in the courthouse on alternate Sunday mornings for four years and then discontinued services. Reverend POST was their only pastor during this time.

The Presbyterian Church was formed June 2, 1866, in the Methodist Church. The first members were Francis and Mary VARGA, W. H. SMITH, THOMAS and Mary BALDWIN, Fidelia F. THOMPSON, Robert and Meturak KINNEAR, Margaret STONE, W. W. and Rebecca J. MOORE, W. P. BLAIR, Mary A. BLAIR, Mary E. YOUNG and Martha E. AVERY. The meetings were first held every month in the old schoolhouse. After 1869 they were held on alternate Sundays, one preacher serving this and the Grand River Church. In 1871 a house of worship was erected on Commercial Street, two blocks east of Main, costing $7,000. The pastors who have served here are: Revs. D. S. HUGHES, R. J. BURT, A. A. MATHES, F. REA, C. M. Des ISLETS, Cyrus JOHNSON, W. C. CORT.

The Baptist Church first held services four miles southeast of Leon, some years before the war. The meeting place was shortly removed to town. Among the early members were: Mr. and Mrs. BURNS, Mrs. HAMMER, Samuel C. THOMPSON, Robert E. DYE and wife. Rev. John WOODARD preached for the congregation for some years just before the war and then the organization went down. About 1867 Reverend CAKE preached for one year. Then came Revs. MORTON, TILLBURY, Freeland EDWARDS. The new organization was effected November 1, 1879. Among the members who helped in this revival were: Robert E. DYE and wife, Mrs. HAMMER, Mr. and Mrs. BURNS, Warren COLE and wife, N. P. BULLOCK and wife, C. M. MURRAY and S. P. NOTT and wife. The society rented a hall over BOWMAN'S harness shop until the church was constructed in 1883 on the second block east of the square. It was a frame structure and cost $3,500.

The Seventh Day Adventists formed a society in Leon in 1888 under F. C. WATKINS. A house of worship was constructed soon after the organization of the society. The society has now but twenty-three members and hold meetings every other Sunday. There is also an Adventist Church at Woodland, nine miles southeast of Leon, and one at Tuskeego. Both of these congregations are small.

The United Brethren Society began their work in the county in 1856, when Elder Abraham REPLOGLE, of Appanoose County, gathered the members at Franklin and organized them into a church with William J. STOUT, Sam A. GARBER and Harry SPURLOCK as ministers.

The charter members of this society were: Susan HENDRICKS, Jacob SEARS and wife, Christ HEASTON and wife, Jacob HEASTON and wife, Samuel SEARS, William STOUT and wife, Harvey SPURLOCK and wife, Samuel GARBER and wife, and James OWENSBY and wife. The first communion was held at the OWENSBY home. The first church was constructed in the county in 1874, six miles northeast of Leon, and was known as Franklin Church. In 1883 came the unfortunate division of the church over the question of uniformity in religious garb. The liberal conference joined with the Presbyterians in building a union chapel at Crown. The following preachers have served there: Revs. S. H. BASHOR, Mrs. Clara FLORA, Noali FLORA, Isaac THOMAS, Sadie GIBBONS, W. A. WITTY, S. J. WOOD, F. RAWLINSON, J. F. and F. A. GARBER, G. T. RONK. The church at Union Chapel was organized in October, 1912. The church building in Leon was begun May 28, 1914, the lot having been purchased in October, 1913, and the church was dedicated October 25, 1914.

THE SWIFT COMPANY

The plant of Swift & Company in Leon was completed in September, 1904, and opened for business the same month with T. D. WATSON as resident manager. He was manager of the Chariton plant before coming to Leon, and after the big fire that destroyed the former Swift plant in this city he had charge of both the houses of the company, here and at Chariton. The first plant was built and opened in 1902, and was completely destroyed by fire in the winter of 1904. The cost of the second structure was $5,000. This second plant burned to the ground on Saturday, October 24, 1914. The loss amounted to $100,000.

COMMERCIAL CLUB

The Leon Commercial Club was established April 26, 1907. The object of the club is to promote the civic and industrial interests of the city and to place Leon on equal footing with similarly sized cities in the state. The present officers are: James F. HARVEY, president; A. L. ACKERLY, vice president; William J. SPRINGER, secretary; C. W. ROBINSON, treasurer.
 
REMINISCENCES OF LEON

By Maj. J. L. YOUNG
 In November, 1859, when I first saw Leon there was not a foot of sidewalk in the town. The men engaged in the mercantile business were RICHARDS & HALE, who had a nice stock of goods in an old frame shack at the northwest corner of the square. BRADLEY & GARDNER were doing business in the frame building that stood on the opposite corner of the square, where the EVANS Block now stands. J. D. HARROW & Co. were in a still smaller frame building that stood where the Park Hotel now stands. STEVENS & STILLWELL were in a frame building on the west side of the square near the HURST store.

I am not certain whether John R. WHARTON or WHARTON & RICHARDSON were then in business, but I think they were in a 2-story frame building standing on the alley where STEMPEL's drug store stood. That was the first imposing business building in the town and had an outside stairway on the south side leading to the second story, where the BINCKLEY's printed the Pioneer, the only paper then published in the county. Alexander UPDEGRAFF and Ab GILLHAM had a harness shop just south of FARQUAHAR Brothers' hardware store.

The legal guessing on points of law and equity at that time was done by Judge SEARS, while Bob PARROTT, of Osceola, was prosecuting attorney for the district. George T. YOUNG was clerk; Harrison WELDON, sheriff; John JORDAN, treasurer, and L. H. SALES, county judge. The jail was a log structure and had iron bars in the windows which we thought awfully secure in those days. I guess it was, for nobody broke jail then as they have since the cage system was introduced. The jail then stood one block west of the northwest corner of the square.

At that time I. N. CLARK was the only retired merchant in Leon. I. H. WOOD made and mended our shoes, and Uriah BOBBITT filled the same office for the horse and mule population. Judge Samuel FORREY was the leading lawyer of the place, while Joe and John WARNER dropped in the procession next, and P. H. BINKLEY, George A. HAWLEY and George S. ADAMS brought up the rear, with V. WAINWRIGHT just newly admitted, looking out for a good place in which to drop.

John WARNER and George A. HAWLEY were the Presbyterian preachers for the town and vicinity. John concluded to give all of his time to the church and sold his practice and good will to YOUNG & WAINWRIGHT and quit the practice for six or eight months, and then went into the firm for active practice again.

The hotel accommodations then were fully up to the present considering the town size. The PATTERSON House, kept by Robert PATTERSON and his estimable family, was a 2 l/4-story structure, of wood, that stood on the south side of the square just east of the site of the VARGA Block, where a nice, cheerful wood fire in the old-fashioned fire-place gave such a comfortable greeting to the traveler that he was prepared to partake heartily of the substantial and well cooked meal he was always sure of having placed before him.

The FREEMAN House, a clean, comfortable place to stay, was kept by Mrs. Rhoda HAWKINS, Billy BOONE'S mother. Billy was then a bare-footed boy, usually with his big toe tied up or a stone bruise on his heel.

John WARNER and Old Man SHACKLEFORD had been engaged in the hotel business, but they retired and gave way to more pretentious hostelries. Shortly before this Karl HOFFMAN completed the building known for years as the SALES House. HOFFMAN traded the building for eighty acres of land north of Leon, where his son Cal now resides.

The frame Methodist Church was not completed in 1857, but they held meetings every Sunday at 11 o'clock, and at "early candle lightin' " when they could get a preacher. When they could not. Uncle Johnny PATTERSON would hold class or Jimmie GARRETT would "exhort" for an hour or two.

John LEE, an importation from Illinois, started a saloon in a photographer's car on the west side of the square in 1861, but a committee composed of the best women of the town visited the place one fine day with axes, hatchets and matches, and John did not keep a saloon in Leon after that.

In 1856 the population of Leon had increased to 600. In 1871 it was only 800, but the arrival of the railroad during that year brought many people to the place so that the population had increased to 1,367 in 1880. The greater portion of the main line of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad through Iowa and also the branch from Chariton to Leon was constructed during the year 1871. Eight years later the road was extended to Bethany, Mo. In order to procure the branch line Garden Grove Township donated $25,000, while Center gave $50,000 and the right of way from Garden Grove to Leon. The advent of the railroad stimulated immigration, promoted business activity and increased the value of real estate throughout the country.

Among the members of the Leon bar in 1871 were John W. HARVEY, WARNER & POST, N. P. BULLOCK, J. B. MORRISON, E. W. CURRY, W. M. PORTER, W. E. DAWSON and Albert HALE. The physicians were J. P. FINLEY, H. C. SANFORD and J. R. McCLELLAND. A. S. UPDEGRAFF conducted a harness shop, and Q. M. LINDSEY officiated as landlord at the SALES House.

The First National Bank had a capital of $60,000 and was officered as follows: President, John CLARK; vice president, William DAVIS; cashier, L. P. SIGLER; directors, J. D. WASSON, A. M. HILTON, R. E. HUTCHINSON, William LOVING, J. H. GARRETT, J. E. LOGAN and S. C. THOMPSON.

The druggists were HILDRETH & WOODBURY, THOMPSON & GILLHAM and HAMMER & FINLEY. Among the prominent merchants were S. W. HURST, RICHARDS & CLOSE and W. D. COVENTRY. S. V. WALTON & Brothers advertised themselves as breeders and shippers of Poland China hogs, Shorthorn cattle and Spanish fowls. Phillip BLIND was the barber, and A. C. DAVIS the dentist. L. S. LUNBECK was the painter and paperhanger. The woolen factory was owned and operated by C. M. KNAPP, and JORDAN & ROBB owned the abstract books and conducted a land agency. SINCLAIR & JINKS were the restaurant people, and S. A. MILLER supplied bread for the public at his bakery located south of the square.

P. O. JAMES had established the Journal in 1868 and in his issue of August 24, 1871, occurred the following: "We learn that work commenced on the B. & M. Branch at Garden Grove on Monday. This is glorious news to our people and gives us room to hope that we will soon have a railroad in Decatur County."

THE LEON BOARD OF TRADE

This organization has been superseded by the Commercial Club, but nevertheless, the history of the same is interesting.

On January 15, 1888, a meeting of the business men of Leon was held at the courthouse at which steps were taken towards organizing a business men's association. At this meeting a committee was appointed for the purpose of drawing up a plan of organization. At a second meeting held on Friday evening, January 13th, the committee reported, recommending that an association be formed at once under the name of the Leon Board of Trade. The shares of stock were fixed at $5 each, and each member of the board was required to take not less than one share of the stock. The constitution and by-laws were at once circulated for signatures, and within fifteen minutes thirty of the business men of the town had signified their intention of becoming members of the board.

The board of trade existed successfully and helpfully for a number of years. The purposes of the organization, of course, were largely the same as the present Commercial Club.

LEON AS DESCRIBED IN 1869

The Decatur County Journal, issue of Tuesday, March 4, 1869, has the following to say of Leon:

This is the county seat and is situated about two miles northeast of the geographical center of the county. Thomas H. EAST had built a house on the townsite before the town was laid out. Judge S. C. THOMPSON built the first after the location of the town. CLARK, WINN & Co. built the first business house, and I. N. CLARK sold the first goods in September, 1853.

It now contains six general stores, two family groceries, two drug stores, two stove and tinware stores, three shoe shops, two printing offices, two harness shops, two jewelers, two milliners, three hotels, one livery stable, three blacksmiths, three wagonmakers, one cabinet dealer, two land agencies, eight lawyers, six physicians, two churches, one schoolhouse, two flouring mills, one woolen factory, with the usual proportion of mechanics of different kinds.

Among the substantial business men are RICHARDS & CLOSE, J. D. HARROW and G. D. SELLERS, general dealers; HILDRETH & SALES and T. W. HAMMER, druggists; S. FARQUHAR and J. W. SHAEFFER, dealers in stoves and tinware; J. L. SIMMS, boots and shoes; A. S. UPDEGRAFF and PATTERSON & DARR, saddles and harness; Jacob WARNER, jeweler; MILLS & CROSS, Uriah BOBBITT, blacksmiths; G. IRELAN, wagonmaker. J. O. JOHNSON keeps the SALES House; this is known as the best hotel in Southern Iowa, Among our prominent lawyers are YOUNG & HARVEY, S. FORREY and J. B. MORRISON. The physicians are J. P. FINLEY, Sr., B. F. RAIFF, R. D. GARDNER, H. Clay SANFORD, J. R. McCLELLAND and C. P. MULLINNIX.

A Masonic lodge, known as Grand River Lodge No. 73 and Leon Chapter No. 32, located in Leon, are in a flourishing condition. Leon Lodge No. 84, I. O. O. F., is also in flourishing condition. A Chapter of Temperance was organized during the past winter and is doing good work.

Considerable attention has been given by the citizens to the planting of shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery. The Public Square, a block of ground 216 feet square, has been enclosed and planted in forest trees, mostly maple, yet of small size. Half a mile north of town there is a large and well-stocked nursery of fruit and ornamental shrubbery of almost every variety. The nursery has been in operation twelve or more years, and is owned and operated by the practical horticulturist, J. B. LUNBECK.

Wood is the principal fuel used and is delivered in Leon during the winter season at $2 per cord.

There are forty-four arrivals and departures of the mails each week to and from different directions. The postoffice here is a money-order office.

The population of Leon is about one thousand. During the past season about thirty good buildings were erected.

The following items were prepared by J. N. MACHLAN. The writer makes the items doubly interesting by using the historical present tense:

As Abraham Lincoln is now running for President of the United States it is fitting that some demonstration in honor of the occasion be given at Leon. It is useless to state that there is no little interest shown by both political parties on the occasion. Prominent among the Lincolnites that are among those that are parading the streets of Leon are Jesse ROBERTS and George MACHLAN, who with a string of teams hitched to a wagon loaded with logs are playing an important part as they pass through the streets of young Leon, one of them driving and the other splitting rails with a mall and wedge.

News has reached us that E. CURRY, son of William CURRY and brother of E. W. CURRY, has returned home from the war on a furlough.

That Grandma Taylor, mother of Uncle Ben TAYLOR, living in the northeast part of Franklin Township, had disappeared from the homestead of her son, Ben, where she made her home. The news was heralded from place to place over the sparsely settled country, and a searching party, consisting of John LILLARD, George MACHLAN and others, have searched diligently for the missing woman and have found no traces of her whereabouts except some small bits of her clothing.

News has also reached us that Denver CURRY, youngest son of William CURRY, met with a sad accident while watching his father bore holes in a stick of timber to be used in making a bob sled. The little fellow became anxious to ascertain if the auger point was about to come through the lower side of the timber, and in doing so thrust his front finger into the hole that was just being completed, when it was instantly seized by the crude jaws of the auger and cut off. The severed piece was preserved in alcohol.

We are informed that the young daughter of Mr. CLINKINBEAD, near Prairie City (now Van Wert), who, with her parents, was visiting at the MACHLAN homestead, became anxious to eat some homemade soap from a kettle near the house. The child was attracted by the looks of the soap, and thinking it was sorghum molasses, ate quite a mouthful before she learned it was hurting her. Presently she began to suffer, and as soon as it was learned what she had eaten she was given raw egg and cream, which relieved her somewhat.

We are informed that a dance will take place at Jesse ROBERTS' one night next week. All are invited.

There will be a spelling school at the WALKER schoolhouse next Friday night. A cordial invitation is extended to all.

Strange, isn't it, that we have just learned that the little round yellow and red varieties of Jerusalem cherries that some people call tomatoes, such as our mothers raise in their gardens for ornaments, are said to be relished by some people as edible.

Horrible Accident. — Mrs. DAY, wife of Joshua DAY, living in central Franklin Township, was killed by a runaway team while returning home from Leon with her son, Joe JACKSON. When about 4 1/4 miles north of town the team became frightened, and running for some distance when Mrs. DAY was thrown from the carriage, her clothing catching about the vehicle. She was dragged near the horses' heels for some distance, when Joe became unable to hold the team. They kept on running, the carriage upsetting, and becoming loosened, they continued on toward home, leaving the corpse in a badly mutilated condition in the little muddy creek 4 1/9 miles north of town.

The Eclipse of the Sun. — The other day, while we were busily engaged stacking wheat and had a stack almost finished at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, we observed first a hazy atmosphere, then a smoky appearance, then in a few minutes a yellowish tint, then darkness was coming on and peculiar sensations were chasing each other up and down our spine as it grew darker and darker. We climbed down from the stack, as it was too dark to work, and went to the house. The fowls had gone to roost. But ere long Old Sol began to show his shining face as if nothing extraordinary had taken place, and before his face disappeared beneath the western horizon we had our wheat stack finished and climbed down for supper.

J. S. RYAN'S daughters look quite well in their new dresses made of wool yarn spun and wove into cloth by their mother, Mrs. John RYAN, of North Central Township. The flannel was made from red and blue wove in cheeks.

The hum of the spinning wheel may be heard in the land these days. Mrs. John DELK and Mrs. George MACHLAN enjoy treading the wheel and singing as they spin.

The sad news has just reached us that Chicago is burning and that horses and cattle are rushing to the lake and plunging into the water to escape the flames.

J. S. RYAN, J. M. GARDNER and Alma JACKSON have each purchased new organs. Organs have been so reduced in price that a pretty good instrument can be had for from $250 to $300, and the price of pianos has also dropped until a fairly good one can be had for from $600 to $800.

A Narrow Escape. — Ebenezer PRICE, while assisting with the threshing at his near neighbor's, was standing near the tumbling rod of the thresher when his clothes caught on the revolving shaft and was fast winding them up, when, with great presence of mind, he seized the shaft, called out "Whoa!" to the teams and, being a powerful man, was enabled to bring the revolving shaft to a stand-still and saved meeting a horrible death.

There will be a spelling contest at the White Oak schoolhouse Friday night. Some good spellers are expected to be present. Come everybody.

Theodore DELK, living in Center Township, has become quite pro- ficient in handling the violin.

Sherman ABBOTT, a bright young fellow, is doing some spying for Uncle Sam in the northeast part of the county.

Mr. VanNOSTRAND is making some good hard money on his fine farm on the north county line. Mr. Van knows how to till the soil for what's in it.

Frank SAMSON, a bright young son of Reverend Seth, of near Prairieville, fell twenty feet through a hay-mow at George MACHAN'S, lighting on a hard floor and temporarily injuring his spine.

Denver CURRY, brother of School Teacher E. W. Curry, stopped growing at a height of 6 feet 4 inches.

A party of four young couple boarded a lumber wagon a few evenings ago and started to church northwest of Greenbay, stopping at Mr. JOHNSON'S store in Greenbay and procuring all the candy Mr. JOHNSON had, which was about three pounds, and started on their way munching at the candy as they went. It was not long until they began to feel sick and not one of the entire posse escaped the effect of the candy. They all returned home a little worse for the wear.

There will be a corn-shucking at Mr. DONOVER'S stable tomorrow night. Oysters will be served after the shucking. Come early and bring your sweethearts.

Ebenezer PRICE, on going to his barn yesterday as usual to feed his horses, was picking up some hay and uncovered a man dead drunk. The man was almost frozen to death, and would have been beyond recovery had not Mr. PRICE taken him to the house and warmed him up and gave him some food to eat.

Amusing, wasn't it, to see young George W. SAMSON flushing crimson the other day during school hours at the Roberts schoolhouse when young pretty Miss SMITH (teacher) caught him napping?

There will be a taffy pulling at Frank BEDIER'S Saturday night. Come and bring your 'lasses and your lassies.

Mr. Henry GRIBBLE has purchased a recently invented self-binding harvester for about three hundred and seventy-five dollars. The machine binds grain with wire and is attracting people from far and near to see the wonder of the age.

It is reported in Decatur County that a line of wire called a telephone line has been constructed between Indianola, in Warren County, and Afton, in Union County, and that people in said towns can talk over the line of wire by talking into a queer-looking apparatus called a telephone. The people in adjoining counties are quite a little excited over the affair, as many of them never heard of such a thing before in their lives.
 
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