Town's Incorporation Came Late
24 Years after First Permanent Settlement in 1868According to definition, incorporation is the act of combining into one body, society, or organization.
It seems that back in Doon's early days the thought of "combining" was not a very much discussed or controversial issue. In January, 1892, issues of "The Lyon County Press" there is little editorial or public comment concerning the issue. In one small item it was stated "The people of Hull say they are satisfied with incorporation. They say it is not expensive and that it pays."
There was sufficient interest, however, to cause the District Court of Lyon County, in its December 1891 term, to appoint the following commissioners to hold an election on the incorporation of Doon:
C.M. Goodyear
C.P. Scott
Chas Creglow
J.H. Gallagher
B.H. Perkins
All qualified voters were instructed to vote on the issue at an election to be held in the school house in Doon on Saturday, January 16, 1892, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The form of the ballot was to be: "For Incorporation" or "Against Incorporation"
After notices of election were properly published in the paper the election was held at its appointed time. The 55 votes cast were unanimous for incorporation. There was only one dissenter who owned property in Doon, but lived in Rock Rapids, and he did not vote.
The January 29th, 1892 District Court decreed that since Doon had, by proper election, unanimously voted for incorporation, it should now be known as the "Incorporated Town of Doon."
Doon now being legally established as a town, needed officers to supervise the inevitable affairs and problems to come. The court appointed Commissioners gave notice of the first election in the March 3, 1892 issue of the "Lyon County Press." This announcement stated that the election was to be held Monday, March 3, 1892, for the purpose of electing the following officers: one mayor, six trustees, and one recorder.
Where as the question of incorporation had stirred up little civic interest, the coming election drew much attention, probably because personalities were now involved. For a while it looked like the town would be split on two tickets, but the "Press" editor rallied the people toward a unifying single ticket.
A town caucus was convened on the Saturday night preceeding the election, for the purpose of balloting for nominees for the ticket. The following men were nominated for office:
Mayor: H.D. Rice
Recorder: A.H. Thompson
Trustees: B.F. Cogswell, Hans Lorenzen, John Bentl, G.W. Bower, C.B. Fairbanks, and L.H. Bailey.
In the election that followed, all nominees were elected, H.D. Rice receiving 70 votes out of 70 cast, and Thompson receiving 69. The town was ready to do business!