of two inch hose with hook and ladders. This will give us a fair fire protection.—(1886.)
Story City is preparing to celebrate the Fourth of July in grand style.
A fire department has been organized in our little city, and now we are prepared to battle with the fire fiend should he ever make his appearance. The officers of the company are as follows: R. Boyd, foreman; J. H. McElwee, assistant foreman; O. B. Peterson, secretary, T. T. Henryson.—(June 17, 1886.)
A tile factory has been started and is now in successful operation under the efficient management of Messrs Butler and Peterson.
From four to six loads of hogs are shipped from here every week.
Story City is twenty-three years younger than Fairview. Story City was laid out as a town in 1878, while Fairview was laid out in 1855. The place was known for many years as Fairview only.
The name of the postoffice was first called Story City, and the first postmaster was Fred W. Rhodes, and the business of the office commenced late in 1856 or early in 1857.
Rhodes was succeeded by Noah Harding in 1857 or '58; Lars R. Larson succeeded Harding and retained the office until he was succeeded by M. Swartout, February 1, 1886, who is still postmaster.
The first water power saw mill was built by Mr. Browm. It was northeasterly of the artesian well. It sawed but little for want of water power. The early history of Howard and Lafayette, to be found elsewhere, will give further items of early times, (see R. W. Ballard's letter.)
Story City and Fairview were incorporated as one in December, 1881, as Story City. We may say: "United, we Stand divided we fall."
Under the head of "Directories" can be found the business men of Story City.
Lafayette is a very noted name. All American readers, doubtless are familiar with the name. Southwesterly from Story City, some distance from town, a considerable portion of the land is fiat and wet, but not so many ponds as are in some other parts of the county. By tile draining it surely will be very productive. The township has two streams that are named—the Everlasting Skunk, (otherwise, by act of Legislature, called "Chicaqua,") is one of them and Keigley's branch is the other one. Skunk enters the township in the northeast quarter of section 12, township 85, range 21, and passes down and crosses the township line into section 7 for a very short distance, then crosses back to section 12 near the southeast corner of 12, then crosses into the northeast quarter of the