Palmer Iowa 75th Anniversay

This information on the 75th anniversary of the town of Palmer was sent by Lee Himan. It was published as a supplement to the local newspapers in 1975.

The Birth of a Town
Palmer

Twenty-five acres of land were purchased from Neil Hanson following completion of survey for the Rock Island Railway company's lines in August, 1899, this land to be used for a town site which was named Hanson (in honor of Mr. Hanson), but later changed to "Palmer" due to the resemblance of a nearby town (Manson). Location of this land was in Section 10, Bellville Township, Pocahontas County. Surveying and platting "was conducted by Fred A. Malcolm of Rolfe" and made a matter of record on Dec. 11, 1899.

Incorporation

On April 12, 1901 the town of Palmer was incorporated and the first officers to serve were: Mayor, Hamelin Rice; Clerk, M. A. Hansen; Marshall, A. Larson; Treasurer, F. S. White; Council men, F. B. Hatfield, J. P. Peterson, 0. T. Hungerford, A. R. Olson, Frank Frey and John Loughren. John Valentine was in charge of streets.

Bellville Township, which was very swampy and, marshy, was made productive and suitable for building by means of drainage. First settlers in the township were William Bell and Neil Hanson who had homesteaded in Section 10 in March of 1869. The township was named Bellville in honor of William Bell, the first settler to build a cabin in the township.

First Train

The first train reaching Palmer was on July 12, 1900, and regular train service came to the community the following September. It is told that when the first train came from Manson, the rails were laid as they went and it was not necessary for the train to stop and wait. First station agent was William T. Hiatt. The depot, built in 1900, was struck by lightning and burned Sept. 3, 1949.

More "Firsts"

Ella Wiegert, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Wiegert, was the first child born in Palmer. Her birthdate was Oct. 17. 1899. Ella later became Mrs. Ben Elson. On Nov. 8,1899, the first boy, Jasper Gerald, was born to Mr. and Mrs. William T. Hiatt. The first wedding was that of William V. Fisher and Edith G. Brown on June 26, 1901.

The bank and real estate building of Morris W. Fitz was the first erected. The building was located on the post office corner and later moved to its present location to serve as a barber shop. Among first buildings was a hotel built by Anton Larson and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Larson. In this hotel, the first post office was set up on Jan. 3. 1900, with Miss Minnie Hanson (who became Mrs. Larson) as postmistress. Mr. Larson served as a rural mail carrier and the building housed a coffee shop.

Palmer's business district was enlarging with erection of more buildings and a drug store was opened by Dr. J. J. Kessing and wife, the latter a pharmacist. This was at the site where the bank was later located, the drug store being moved and becoming the New Palmer Cafe. A barber shop operated by Fred Parker from Pomeroy, was in the front portion of the drug store building.

The Wheeler Lumber Co., which was the second place of business in Palmer, was located across from the bank on the south side of the street and managed by Martin A. Hanson. A second lumber store opened its doors a short time later, this being the Citizens Lumber Co., which was managed by William Wiegert and is now the H & W Lumber Co.

Other Businesses

Olson Brothers, owners of the first hardware store, also sold farm implements with competition furnished by an implement owned and managed by 0. T. Hungerford. W. J. Posakony, owner-operator of a hardware business for a short time, discontinued this in favor of the "horseless carriage" and he and a brother-in-law established the Posakony-Shimon automobile agency. Located between Citizens Lumber and the Hungerford Implement was a hardware store managed by Mike Whitt.

Fire Destruction

On Oct. 25. 1905, a ravaging fire broke out, destroying the Olson Brothers Implement, Hun- gerford Implement, Whitt's Hardware and the Citizens Lumber Co. Also destroyed was the first butcher shop, which was managed by A. E. Marshal. Later falling prey to fire was the Linder building, erected about 1900, in which a pool hall was run by a Mr. Baker, and the R. Ross Harness Shop, both of which were destroyed on July 4, 1906. Both buildings were replaced.

Frank Frey, was operator of the first general store; another general store was operated by F. B. Hatfield; Peter Wendell built the Wendell Hall which was used for a village meeting place and school commencements until the Opera House was erected in 1916; Joseph Abrahamson had the first blacksmith shop built, and con- ducted the business with assistance of his sons, Hans and Minus, and William Snibley was builder and operator of the first livery barn. Peter O'Brink also built a blacksmith shop and it was here that the fire station was located. Others operating a grocery and dry goods in the early days of Palmer were partners, Sid Brown and Frank Anderson; another was built by Coon and Harrison of Manson with John Bush as Operator. H. R. Pulley, who came to Palmer in 1902, first worked for Olson Brothers Hardware, and on Sept. 1, 1914, opened his own hardware business.

A stockyard was built in about 1900 with stock buyers being P. E. Tall, George Wendell, Con Eberwien and A. C. Schroeder.

Honors for being the town's first two service stations went to Phillips and Standard.

PALMER IN 1923

From files of the Palmer Press, available from June 21, 1923 until the final edition on June 10, 1943, a chronology of events for that 20 year period is gleaned. The Press, with dateline weekly on Thursday, was published in 1923 by F. 0. Christoffers with subscription rate being $2.00 per year. The Palmer Press came into being in 1903.

From the Press we find that the Palmer Opera House was under management of 0. T. Nolan and there were many businesses in Palmer at that time. C. & N. Abrahamson were operators of a general store, and among the bargains listed in their ad were: 11 oz. raisins at 10 cents; wool soap flakes per pkg. 5 cents; children's gingham dresses 98 cents to $2.12, these being regularly valued at $1.00 to $3.00. B. M. Hinrichs also operated a general store and had as a special of the week 2 pkgs. corn flakes or post toasties for 25 cents.

Wm. Wiegert and Son were owners of a lumber store and a similar business was conducted by M. A. Hansen; hardware and furniture were sold by H. R. Pulley. August Schade conducted an auto repair; Kaiser Auto Co. had garages in Pocahontas and Palmer, and there was also a Francis & Beneke Auto Co.; George G. Kleen had a garage and blacksmith business; R. Ross served the community as a harness maker; W. J. Kruse operated the Hawkeye Oil Co.; Loots Bros. were in the imple- ment business, and in one of their ads listing used machinery bargains we also fine listed "1 team black mares, 7 yrs. old, weight about 1450, guaranteed to hitch and wind."

There was the Tierney Drug Store; The Home Cafe which Mrs. Anna Kruse became manager of in 1923 and advertised on Aug. 2, 1923. "ready to cook for threshers"; two banks were in business, the Farmers Savings Bank and the Palmer Savings Bank; elevators were those of Beneke Grain Co. and Farmers Coop., the latter being managed by Ray Buckingham.

Dr. J. J. Ryan served the community as veterinarian; P. H. Cassens operated a dray line and N. P. Hansen had a collection agency. The town also had the services of'a physician, Dr. C. E. Stewart.

Other 1923 Happenings

A large class was inititiated when the Woodman Picnic was held at Lizard Lake Resort, a popular place; The Rifle Club became possessors of a new shooting gallery located in the Wiegert & Son Lumberyard; the Pocahontas County Board of Supervisors let contract for county graveling which included the 4 miles west of Palmer.

Clearly baseball was among favorite sports and many games were advertised that were played at Lizard Lake Resort. There was also much mention of the teams of Nolans All Stars who played on Tuesday, Sept. 4, vs. Kolps All Nations at the Palmer diamond with admission free. A big Fall Festival held on Tuesday, Sept. 18, opened at 10:00 a.m. with a concert by the Pocahontas Band and closed with a dance for which music was by Lancasters Orchestra - an apparently popular group. A Fontenelle phonograph given away at the festival was won by Paul Schuman.

School Notes

F. R. Evans came from Maynard. Iowa, to Palmer as superintendent of the Palmer School after being named to that position in June 1923. The school, with grades one through eleven, opened on Sept. 3 with 102 pupils. On Friday, Nov. 23, a declamatory contest was held in the Palmer Opera House (this apparantly a first contest) and it was well attended. Winners were: James Nolan, first, oratorical; Margaret Christoffers, first, dramatic; Manly Abrahamson, first, humorous.

A Baby Health Contest sponsored by the County Federation of Woman's Clubs was climaxed in October 1923 and Jackson Kolp of Palmer, who was ribbon winner for boys in the 1 to 2 year group, was named "Sweepstakes" boy winner.

Ray Buckingham was named Commander of St. Mihie Post No. 202 of the American Legion.

The City Meat Market was disposed of by N. E. Wells to Art Cuff, who was Wells' precedessor in the business. J. E. Spackman conducted the business for Cuff.

1923 Rages Out

Up until Saturday, Dec. 29, 1923 local fans played horseshoe outdoors every day during December and the mercury had reached a high of 42 degrees on Christmas Day. On December 29 the snow began to fall and it had reached blizzard proportions by Sunday, then continued on until Monday afternoon leaving drifts of 6 to 8 feet. East-west roads were drifted badly and Supervisor Elsen had men out with shovels Tuesday opening the roads. On New Year's Day the thermometer reading had dropped to 23 degrees below zero.

Palmer Shipping Ass'n

Palmer's Shipping Association held its annual meeting in February 1924 and re-elected H. F. Tobin and Charles Swalin directors. Officers then elected were: H. F. Tobin. president; 0. W. Anderson, vice-president; Wm. Lampe, secretary-treasurer. Other directors were Swalin and Henry Kramer. The annual report showed that 101 loads of stock. had been shipped during 1923.

In February 1924 Pulley and Bieber placed an ad stating that they had radios for sale.

Street Operations

The town of Palmer bought a Fordson tractor in March 1924 to be used in draggin streets which had heretofore been done with horses. It was tlie opinion of the officials that the job could be handled much cheaper with the Fordson which they secured through the Pocahontas Auto Co. for which J. E. Spackman was Palmer representative.

New Press for Newspaper

A new Babcock Standard Press was installed by the Palmer Press in April 1924 and was classed as "an up-to-date machine in every way."

Rudy Beneke sold his barber shop in Elsen's pool hall to Harry Malm in 1924. Malm had taken a barber's course at Cedar Rapids. Beneke was then employed by a Fort Dodge tonsorial parlor; Wm. Francis disposed of his interest in Francis & Beneke Auto Co. to Gust Wahlgren, who had been a machinist in the garage; the American Legion secured and delivered at cost flag poles for the business district, the poles being 10 feet high with a 3 x 5 foot flag which were to be used on days when flags were displayed.

In June 1924 Rasmus Ross, who had "stuck to the bench" for over 23 years, disposed of his harness shop to George Colman of Butterfield, Minn. Mr. Ross was one of the pioneer businessmen of Palmer.

After operating the restaurant for one year, Mrs. William Kruse sold the business to Ed Duden in the summer of 1924. This was not a new undertaking for the Dudens for they had formerly operated the restaurant.

Important matters discussed at the meeting of the Commercial Club at the July 31 meeting included the Pocahontas County Credit Bureau in which nearly every businessman in Palmer signed for membership. William A. Wiegert was unanimously elected to represent Palmer on the board of directors. One man in each town of Pocahontas County was named to the board.

Ness Veden purchased the meat market of Art Cuff in August 1924 and rented the recently remodeled Johnson building where he moved the market to about November 1.

Home Construction

The August 28, 1924 Palmer Press lists new homes recently finished or under construction to include: Gerd Fredricks, 5 1/2 miles west of Palmer; C. F. Elsen northeast of town; H. H. Gerdes. northeast of town; Harm Ricklefs northeast of town; H. C. Moore. in Palmer.

Herman G. Peterson, in September of 1924, purchased the building and mercantile stock of C. & N. Abrahamson and took immediate possession.

From school notes of October 1924, the benefits of radio's discovery was related as follows: Wednesday morning of this week the high school pupils went to John Beneke's residence to "listen in" to a radio concert broadcasted by the State University at Iowa City for the benefit of high school throughout the state. These concerts are to be given weekly for the remainder of the year.

In November 1924, another hardware store was opened, this one by Rasmus Ross, who had disposed of his harness business because of failing health and now felt much better after a summer's rest.

Events of 1925

The Palmer Shipping Association, at their annual February meeting, reported 65 cars of stock were shipped through the association during their fiscal year. A petition was signed asking the railroad company for additional pens and loading chutes at the stockyards. It was advised that the yards were inadequate to handle the amount of stock to be shipped from Palmer. W. J. Lampe and Henry Kramer were re-elected directors for a term of three years.

In a front page article of the Palmer Press of February 26, 1925, is carried the item that "For the first time in history the inauguration of a President will be broadcast by radio, when on the morning of March 4 ,all America will tune in. . . . Marking as it does the first time in the history of radio that this has been done, public interest is centered upon it. We believe that if a receiving set could be installed in our schools it would instill in the heart of young America the significance of a Presidential inauguration."

In March 1925 a Linograph was installed in the office of the Palmer Press.

Town Election

William Elsen was re-elected mayor of Palmer in the election of March 1925, receiving 94 of the 178 votes cast. This was the largest vote ever cast in Palmer. His opponent. Herman Westphal, received 80.

It was in July 1925 that the Palmer Press told that "Palmer has long enjoyed the distinction of having the best and nicest opera house of any town its size in the state. It can now boast of having the coolest opera house. C. T. Nolan recently installed a large fan in the basement that keeps the entire house well filled with cool fresh air. The air is taken from the outside and forced through a large pipe off the stage."

The Home Cafe was sold by Ed Duden to George A. Miller in October 1925; H. L. Patterson purchased a lot from Dr. Steward east of the Home Cafe in 1925 for erection of a produce house.

St. Mehiel Post No. 202 of the American Legion named J. H. Beneke as post commander for 1926 with Albert Wiegert vice commander, H. J. Tierney adjutant, J. C. Drzycimski finance officer, Martin O'Brien historian, Claude Wilson chaplain and Lou Erie master-of-arms. The American Legion Auxiliary named Mrs. J. H. Beneke as president, Mrs. J. C. Drzycimski vice president, Mrs. Vern Morril secretary, Mrs. Ray Buckingham treasurer, and Mrs. Martin O'Brien chairman of cradle roll.

Population Gain

In 1920 Palmer had a population of 282 while in 1925 the enumerator found a population of 319.

F. O. Christoffers was appointed postmaster in February 1926, succeeding Mrs. Ira Kime who resigned in September 1925 after serving for a number of years.

Study Light Rates

The town council, at their rcgular meeting March 1, 1926, took up the argument in regard to the light proposition, according to an article in the Palmer Press. The article stated that the present rates were entirely too high and that the town council would investigate the proposition of installing a municipal plant.

In the annual school election of March 1926, a lively, quiet Election, 172 votes were cast. William J. Lampe and George Siebels were elected, defeating incumbents Harm Buhs and George Reiter.

Joe Pierick, in 1926, took over the Hawkeye Service Station, which had been operated by W. J. Kruse.

Palmer Has Park

In the early summer of 1926, a park was developed in the railroad property west of the depot. A fence painted in patriotic colors surrounded the area and a tall flag pole was erected. A cement curb was placed around the flower bed and the name of the town was written in cement letters. The work was done by C. R. Bieber, Emil Sundberg and helpers during their spare time. These men also contributed money in addition to their efforts.

Sell Light System

At a special election in September 1926 it was voted to sell the entire distributing system including all poles, wires, transformers, meters, maintenance supplies and equipment used in connection with the distribution of electricity, together with substation and transmission lines four miles west of Palmer. The consideration was $13,000 and the sale made to the Central Iowa Power and Light Co.

Feed Grinding Plant

C.T. and J. J. Nolan in 1926 purchased the south half of the Farmers Elevator Co. double corn crib and converted the building into a feed grinding plant. Overhead bins were built in and an outside elevator put up. A grinder with a 30 horse stationary engine for power was installed.

Fall Festival
Mart Schroeder Day

Visitors came from as far as 1700 miles to participate in the Farmers Fall Festival and Mart Schroeder Day in the fall of 1926. The day dedicated to a local boy, Mart Schroeder, honored him for the splended success achieved in the League as one of the outstanding baseball pitchers of the day. Hronek's 240 Blue Denim Overall Band rendered the music for the occasion. Many events were held including a hog calling contest for which John Christoffers won the first prize of a saddle horse. There was a beauty contest with Kathryn Nolan winning first prize, of $3.50 cash; a ladies nail driving contest for which Mrs. Bothwell won first; a pie eating contest for boys which was won by Raymond Cassen, and other contests including races and a horseshoe tournament.

Open House Management

An agreement was made early in December 1926 whereby Ray Buckingham and Ben Loots took over management of the Opera House.

There were seven contestants in lineup and nearly that many jiggers in the old time fiddlers contest at the opera house Tuesday night December 28, 1926, according to the Palmer Press. Fiddlers were Carl Waldon of Manson, Jinks of Jolley, Andrews of Gilmore City, John Christoffer of Palmer, Whittlesey of Gilmore City, Gerd Christoffer, and Ed Hansen of Palmer. Waldon received the highest percent, 85 and 2/3.

News of 1927

Katherine Boozell succeeded Rose McCormick as Pocahontas County Recorder in 1927. She retained Veronica Lampe as deputy.

A Woman's Club was organized in Palmer in February 1927 with meeting date set for the first Thursday afternoon of each month at the Legion Hall from 2 to 5 p.m. Mrs. J. R. Kolp served as president and Mrs. H. C. Moore as secretary.

Electric Fire Siren

Early in 1927 the Palmer Fire Company suggested that the town should have an up-to-date fire siren to replace the old bell and the idea was favorably received. A committee met with the town council on the proposition and it was agreed that the fire team should take up donations around town and the council would pay the deficit. The siren ordered was a 60 cycle, 3 phase, 6 horsepower outfit listed at $210. Plans were made for erection of a steel tower on the town lot, the tower to be 30 feet high. The old bell was to be hung in it also for use if the current shoud be cut off.

The Nolan Mill and Farmers Elevator Co. crib were burned to the ground the latter part of April, 1927.

In May 1927 L. J. Erie sold his barber shop to W. H. Thiesen, an experienced barber.

The Palmer unit of the American Legion Auxiliary was Very proud in 1927 when Mrs. K. A. Brown and Mrs Martin O�Brien returned from attending the State convention of the Legion Auxilliary and reported That the local unit won first prize, �The President�s Gavel�, for service work Done during that year.

The word �Palmer� was painted on the water tower so that strangers might know the name of the town when driving through.

The Palmer Duco Shop was was opened in 1927 by Nels Kaiser with Marvin Miller in charge. It was set up to refinish automobiles with genuine Duco rinish, and also Duco furniture of all kinds.

A feed grinding mill was again being set up in the summer of 1927, this mill by John Wilts.

The golfing bug had started to infest Palmer in 1927 and we find this little bit of poetry on page 1 of the Palmer Press on September 8.

Nobody From Palmer

"Who's that stranger, Mother dear?
Look! He knows us. Ain't he queer?�
"Hush, my own, don't talk so wild,
He's your father, dearest child."
"He's my father? No such thing!
Father died away last spring!"
"Father didn't die, you dub -
Father joined a golfing club.
"But they closed the club, so he
Has no place to go, you see -
No place left for him to roam;
That is why he's coming home.
Kiss him - he won't bite you child;
All them golfing guys look wild."

A movement to organize a band in Palmer got underway in the fall of 1927. Residents felt that there was plenty of good band material, and that, with the help of some of the old band members, the boys could get started.

H. F. Toben of Palmer was re-elected vice president of the Farmers Grain Dealers Association of Iowa at the annual convention held in-February 1928.

In March 1928 Palmer bought a fire truck from Spirit Lake, a practically new truck that had four 2 1/2 gallon chemical tanks, lanterns, ladders, crow bars, axes and other equipment. The truck arrived in Palmer on Wednesday, March 14. A building to house the truck, street grader and tractor was put up south of the water tower.

A very successful community banquet was sponsored by the American Legion and Auxiliary in March 1928. H. C. Moore was toastmaster and address of the evening was given by Frank Miles of Des Moines, editor of the Iowa Legionaire.

Propose School Addition

Sketch plans and a prospective view of the proposed addition to the Public School building were presented the people of Palmer in the Palmer Press edition of April 12, 1928. The addition was made necessary in order to provide the required room to properly house the grade school and to make it possible to furnish facilities for an accredited high school. The building then in use was to be used entirely for the grade school, and the new addition would house the high school together with some rooms to be used in common by all grades. As of that time a three year high school was being maintained.

Bond Issue Carries

A special school election was held with the proposition voted on being to issue bonds in the sum of not to exceed $25,000 for the purpose of constructing and equipping an addition to the school building. The issue carried and it was hoped that the construction would be finished by the time that school opened in the fall.

A new cash grocery and meat market was opened in the building formerly occupied by Veden and Ed V. Johnson as grocery manager and George Donahue of Fonda in charge of the meat department.

The American Legion Auxiliary got a drive underway in the spring of 1928 to get the city park in order and to start a rest room where the city fire department formerly was. The rest room was soon ready and opened.

Business Briefs

C. A. Taylor of Pomeroy rented the south room of the Duden Cafe in March 1930 to put in a full line of bakery goods which was brought every morning from Pomeroy. Miss Myrtle Cassens was in charge of the Palmer Bakery.

T. F. Nelson purchased the George Kleen blacksmith shop in August 1930.

Schwartz Grocery carried as some of its September 11, 1930, specials: Kellogg's Corn Flakes, large, 12 cents; Hershey Cocoa, 1 lb. tin, 2 for 25 cents; Salmon, fancy pink, 2 tall cans, 25 cents; Candy Bars, 3 for 10 cents.

1936 Cold Wave

Iowa was in the grip of one of the most severe winters since 1912. The temperature remained below zero most of the time and 27 below was recorded in the vicinity. Snow was accompanied by high winds and bobsleds were popping up at every corner, the first time in many years. Rural mail carriers were forced to make many miles of detour and then some were unable to get to their destination. Coal supplies were getting low and a half-ton limit was placed on customers.

Dressing for style was out and everybody was dressing for comfort, cotton hose - not just one pair, but several pair - stocking caps for men and women, and overalls for the women seemed to be a new fad on the numerous below zero days. Some farmers used the old gunny sacks for transporting groceries over their shoulders. Party lines were no source of annoyance, but were the only means of communication to most of the isolated farmers as well as townfolk.

Weather reports and news were eagerly listened to over the radio and it seemed that each forecast was for more snow or cold weather. The public school and all rural schools of the vicinity were forced to close for two weeks due to the coal shortage.

"Butter" Robbery

Thieves robbed the Palmer Creamery of a ton of butter worth $600 in March 1936, this consisting of 33 tubs.

The Himan building was leased by Floyd McCain of Pomeroy in the spring of 1936 for a garage repair shop; Dr. J. H. Coogan located in Palmer in 1936 and had his office rooms with Dr. C. E. Stewart; in December 1936 the Pomeroy-Palmer Mutual Telephone Co. purchased the building owned by Dr. C. E. Stewart and the telephone office moved into the upstairs rooms.

Rural Electrification

A meeting in regard to Rural Electrification was held March 2, 1937, concerning membership in the Pocahontas County Rural Electric Cooperative. A series of meetings was set up to be held within two weeks explaining the program.

Business Changes

A new bank, The Palmer State Bank, was opened on May 15, 1937, with H. R. Pulley president; Ben Fischer, vice president; V. H. Reid, cashier and Mae Anderson, bookkeeper. Directors were O. T. Hinrichs, W. T. Mammen, A. J. Jensen, E. F. Peterson, H. R. Pulley, Ben Fischer and V. H. Reid. The Tscherter Cafe was sold to Mrs. Fern Griffin of Gilmore City and Mrs. Margaret Delaware of Superior, Wis, in July 1937; M. D. Smith of Kearney, Neb., purchased the business of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Trauger in late 1937; the George Kohlman & Son harness and shoe repair was sold to Fritz Ladewig of Holstein in February 1938. The Kohlmans had operated the business since 1913.

Other business changes in the early months of 1938 included selling of his implement business by Frank Schoon, who for a long time had Roy Miller as a partner, to Carl Toben; Manly Abraham- son, who had been operating the DX Service Station for a year, resigned to operate a farm near Sutherland and Fitzgerald and Ollinger of Pocahontas leased the station; John Buhs and Gordon Lampe rented the Kaiser building to operate a service station.

In July 1938 the Tierney Drug Store was sold to Donald Nolan, a registered pharmacist; a business deal was completed in early October whereby Frank Schoon became owner of the Elsen Grocery and took immediate possession; Donald Reiter took over management of the DX Service Station in late 1938 from Everette Ollinger.

News of 1939

The post office moved into new quarters in the building formerly occupied by the Farmers Savings Bank, now owned by the Pomeroy-Palmer Telephone Co. Dr. E. E. Morton also established his office in this building, moving from the old Peter Wendell building; the Frank Schoon Grocery was sold to James O'Brien of Fonda in March 1939. Mr. Schoon then engaged in farming.

Palmer residents voted two to one in favor of installing a $2,500 water filtering system at the March 1939 election.

Robert N. Abrahamson, in August 1939, purchased the real estate and insurance business operated for many years by G. E. Haney; the Helmer Ice Cream Store was opened in 1939; work was completed on a locker plant for Palmer and vicinity in the fall of 1939. The building was built south of the H. G. Peterson store and was a subsidiary of the Gilmore City plant, in charge of C. R. Burrell, where products were processed. H. G. Peterson attended the Palmer plant.

Becomes Centenarian

Mrs. Peter Lage celebrated her 100th birthday on December 24, 1939, and was able to receive telephone congratulations from her friends. She also enjoyed many callers and was honoree at a birthday dinner held at the E. J. Schoon home.

Entering the 1940's

"A roaring blaze, threatening a large part of Palmer's business section during Wednesday morning's 15 below zero temperature, gutted the Elsen Pool Hall and caused much smoke and water damage to the Hanson Barber Shop, O'Brien Grocery, and did some damage to the Nolan Drug Store," according to a story carried in the Palmer Press of Thursday. January 25, 1940. The blaze originated in the basement of the pool hall and it looked for a while as though the business block on the north side of the street might be swept away. It seemed for a time that the local fire department might not be able to get the blaze under control and the Pocahontas fire department was summoned. The drain on the water tank exhausted the water supply and water in the pool hall basement was pumped out and used again.

Gust Wahlgren, Palmer fire- man, narrowly escaped drowning when he fell through a stair opening into about two feet of water in the pool hall basement, the article states. Wahlgren, Marcel Moritz and Albert Kruse had gone into the building to get at the fire from the inside and the room was so full of smoke that visibility was very poor and Moritz told Kruse that the other man had disappeared. Kruse, being familiar with the building, realized that Wahlgren had fallen down the stairway and called for more help while Moritz went to the basement and lifted Wahl- gren, who had struck his head and become unconscious, from the water.

James O'Brien, operator of a grocery store for a year, leased a building in Goldfield and left for that place in February of 1940; Henry Pundt opened a farm epuipment repair shop in March 1940.

New Fire Truck

Decision had been made to purchase a modern pumper fire truck, suitable for both rural and town service, provided that money could be raised by subscription in the Palmer trade territory, and in March 1940 a committee solicited memberships in the Fire Truck Association.

Fire of unknown origin almost completely destroyed the Christensen Carpenter Shop in April 1940, destroying also a considerable amount, or badly damaging it.

More Early Palmer History

Palmer Has Newspaper

Palmer was also able to be proud of having a newspaper serving the community in its early days, this being the Palmer Press whose first editor was L. O. Hull. The paper's last editor was Otto Christoffer. The home of the Press was in a building erected in 1903 by M. Fitz.

For many years Palmer had a fine creamery. The first creamery, built by Carl Elsen, Gerd Elsen, Otto Siebels and George Carver, was managed by Henry Peters. This was later sold to George Siebels. Early in 1931, when the private creamery building and equipment were for sale, a group of community farmers were of the opinion that a cooperative creamery should be started. From this, the Palmer Cooperative Creamery Associa- tion came into being. After a meeting of farmers in February, 1931, a committee canvassing the territory found that a sufficient number of cows were in the community to warrant a creamery and organization followed.

Financing needed was estimated at $5,000 and shares of stock were sold at $25 per share bearing 6% interest.

Those canvassing the area were elected creamery officers until the first annual meeting held in January. H. F. Toben was president; Chris Suhrbier, vice president; George Siebels. secretary-treasurer, and.R. M. Booge, Minus Abrahamson, John R. Wiegert and O. T. Hinricks, directors. The creamery operations were started on April 20, 1931, with Elmer Anderson as manager and buttermaker. He was succeeded by C. T. Fisher, Robert Thomson. H. E. Hemmingsen, Mr. Henely, J. M. Moore, Chester Peterson and Leonard Jackson. In 1937 new equipment was installed after the original shares of stock had been paid. For many years the business proved successful.

Among the Tirst homes built in Palmer were those of F. S. White, William A. Wiegert, Gerhart Cooper, Hamelin Rice, John Reimer, John Valentine, Fred Anderson, Grandma Schroeder, Arend Arends, M. A. Hansen, Alfred Johnson, Frank Frey, Jesse Gibson, R. Ross, Henry Peters, and C. P. Ljungren.

At the time of the Palmer's 50th Anniversary Celebration, it was felt that it was impossible to list all of the pioneers contributing to the town and area growth, but the names of some of these settlers were given and they are again being given here: Paul Peterson, Fred Parker, Albert Peterson, Mike Witte, Gerd Beneke, James Jensen, Charles Kelso, Ed Fischer, Otto Moline, Rev. A. A. Marsey, S. O. Brown, Frank Anderson, J. I. Johnson, Otto Christoffers, Rev. U. F. Groth (the first resident pastor in Palmer), John McCurnin, J. A. Gibson, Oscar Anderson, E. Sundberg, P. E. Lindstrom, Gust A. Johnson, Martin Siebels, George Siebels, Gust Winke, Charles Himan, Fred Bruns, Roy Pulley, A. W. Lewis, William Dean, Harm Bruns, Charles Anderson, Alfred Widel, John Peterson, Brono B. Bruns, James Dean.

Banking facilities have also been provided for Palmer, the first bank being Iowa Banking Company and the second, the Palmer State Bank, of which the late Hugh Moore was an organizer. The Palmer State Bank now operating was organized May 15, 1937.

Start of railroad

Painters were putting the finishing touches on the depot when W. T. Hiatt came to Palmer to open the railroad depot on August 18, 1900. The Chicago, Rock Island was built into and through Palmer in 1900 after grading had been done the previous fall and early Spring. Track laying reached Palmer January 12, 1900. For a time after that, freight was billed to Gowrie where charges were paid and freight then delivered at Palmer. The station proved a valuable asset to the company and for many years there were two passenger trains daily, except Sunday, going south and north. A stock train traveling south each Sunday morning also carried passengers. The lines made good connections - at Des Moines making connection with the main east and west line of the Rock Island; at Laurens connecting with the North Western; at Manson with Illinois Central, and at Perry with the Milwaukee.

With Martin Hanson as organ- izer. the first telephone meetings were held in 1900.

Contrary to present times when the services of a doctor are not to be found in every community, Palmer, at one time, had three doctors. The first of these was Dr. J. T. Kessing, who was also the first druggist. A fourth doctor, coming shortly after the first three, remained for only a short time.

Churches and Schools

Palmer has always been blessed with churches to minister to the needs of its people, having three denominations organizing in the early 1900's. The first church, the Methodist, was organized in 1900 and a building erected a short time later, in 1901. The first pastor was Rev. H. J. Calkins. St. Paul's Lutheran Church was built in 1902 and Rev. William Weltner was first pastor. In the spring of 1910, St. Joseph's Catholic Church was built and Rev. Edward Neppel was pastor.

The first in school in the township was located at the north end of town. A. T. Kainc was first teacher.

It was in January, 1905, that the Palmer Public School was opened for classes with an enrollment of 120 children. The school contained three rooms - these for primary, intermediate and advanced classes. Supt. M. Cromwell was teacher, assisted by Miss Ebersole and Miss Mary Peterson in the primary and intermediate rooms. Board of Education members were P. E. Tall, A. B. Olson, Frank Lampe, J. P Peterson and Charles Weigert. A. Larson was school secretary and Fred Anderson custodian.

The Birth of a Town Palmer