"Iowa Almanac" is a copyrighted production of Stein Enterprises, L.L.C.
All Rights Reserved.
No use of the material is allowed without prior written permission of the copyright holder.
Copyright 2023 by Stein Enterprises, L.L.C.
All Rights Reserved.
No use of the material is allowed without prior written permission of the copyright holder.
Copyright 2023 by Stein Enterprises, L.L.C.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, August 31, 2023
"A Legend Dies In Iowa"
Rocky Marciano was undefeated in 49 professional fights and was the world heavyweight boxing champion from 1952 to 1956, when the sport's popularity was its highest. He remains the only person to hold the heavyweight title without a tie or defeat during his entire career.
He had a relentless style and great stamina, and his knockout percentage of 87.75 is one of the highest in history. He retired from the ring at age 32 and was active in television and business.
On August 31, 1969, Rocky Marciano was a passenger in a small private plane travelling from Chicago to Des Moines. But the weather turned bad, and the pilot tried to set the plane down on a small airfield outside of Newton. The plane hit a tree two miles short of the runway; Rocky Marciano, and pilot Glenn Belzand passenger Frankie Farrell, both of Des Moines, were killed. It is still not known if the crash was caused by engine failure, pilot error, or both.
In 2019, a memorial was dedicated on the south end of Newton, near where the accident occurred.
Marciano had planned to spend the night in Des Moines before returning home to celebrate his 46th birthday the next day. But a plane crash ended his life one day before that birthday, near Newton, on this date in 1969.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 31st...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"A Legend Dies In Iowa"
Rocky Marciano was undefeated in 49 professional fights and was the world heavyweight boxing champion from 1952 to 1956, when the sport's popularity was its highest. He remains the only person to hold the heavyweight title without a tie or defeat during his entire career.
He had a relentless style and great stamina, and his knockout percentage of 87.75 is one of the highest in history. He retired from the ring at age 32 and was active in television and business.
On August 31, 1969, Rocky Marciano was a passenger in a small private plane travelling from Chicago to Des Moines. But the weather turned bad, and the pilot tried to set the plane down on a small airfield outside of Newton. The plane hit a tree two miles short of the runway; Rocky Marciano, and pilot Glenn Belzand passenger Frankie Farrell, both of Des Moines, were killed. It is still not known if the crash was caused by engine failure, pilot error, or both.
In 2019, a memorial was dedicated on the south end of Newton, near where the accident occurred.
Marciano had planned to spend the night in Des Moines before returning home to celebrate his 46th birthday the next day. But a plane crash ended his life one day before that birthday, near Newton, on this date in 1969.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 31st...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, August 30, 2023
"A Sitcom Star"
An actor can only hope to be a major part of one successful television series. When you're part of two American TV classics, that's a rich career, indeed.
On August 30th, 1927, Bill Daily was born in Des Moines. His father died when he was young, and Bill was raised by his mother and other family members. At age 12, the family moved from Des Moines to Chicago. After leaving high school, Bill tried his hand as a jazz musician before being drafted to serve in the Army during the Korean War.
He enjoyed entertainment, and ultimately got a job with the NBC television station in Chicago. He had contact there with a young accountant who wanted to be a comedian. That was the first time Bill Daily met Bob Newhart, but not the last.
Daily played astronaut Roger Healey in the 1960s situation comedy I Dream of Jeannie for five years, opposite Larry Hagman and Barbara Eden. Then, in 1972, Daily was reunited with his acquaintance from Chicago, on The Bob Newhart Show. There he played neighbor Howard Borden, a flight navigator. That show enjoyed six successful seasons. Later, he was a regular on the Match Game into the 1980s.
He passed away on September 4, 2018, only five days after celebrating his 91st birthday.
Familiar sitcom actor Bill Daily, born in Des Moines on this date in 1927.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 30th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"A Sitcom Star"
An actor can only hope to be a major part of one successful television series. When you're part of two American TV classics, that's a rich career, indeed.
On August 30th, 1927, Bill Daily was born in Des Moines. His father died when he was young, and Bill was raised by his mother and other family members. At age 12, the family moved from Des Moines to Chicago. After leaving high school, Bill tried his hand as a jazz musician before being drafted to serve in the Army during the Korean War.
He enjoyed entertainment, and ultimately got a job with the NBC television station in Chicago. He had contact there with a young accountant who wanted to be a comedian. That was the first time Bill Daily met Bob Newhart, but not the last.
Daily played astronaut Roger Healey in the 1960s situation comedy I Dream of Jeannie for five years, opposite Larry Hagman and Barbara Eden. Then, in 1972, Daily was reunited with his acquaintance from Chicago, on The Bob Newhart Show. There he played neighbor Howard Borden, a flight navigator. That show enjoyed six successful seasons. Later, he was a regular on the Match Game into the 1980s.
He passed away on September 4, 2018, only five days after celebrating his 91st birthday.
Familiar sitcom actor Bill Daily, born in Des Moines on this date in 1927.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 30th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, August 29, 2023
"A Rail Runs To Des Moines"
Political horse trading is nothing new. In fact, in 1857, those who wanted the state capitol permanently located in Des Moines threw their financial support behind a certain railroad line in exchange for folks from Keokuk supporting keeping the capitol in Des Moines when the new state constitution was voted on.
The Des Moines Valley Railroad was based in Keokuk, and it took 12 years to build the rail line to Des Moines. On August 29th, 1866, the first train on the Valley Road was to come to the state capitol. A formal proclamation was issued:
Let the glad news sweep over the prairies and around the universe, that the first train on the Valley Road will come into Des Moines...arrangements should be made to meet the Iron Horse and give him a grand reception!
That proclamation noted that 40 persons from Keokuk would be making the trip, and suggested that there be "marching, bonfires, music, hurrahing, whistling, yellings, and circumscribed and uncircumscribed rippings and tearing through all this Land of Promise!"
A large crowd greeted the train, as many had not seen one since they crossed westward to settle what was originally called Fort Des Moines.
The crowd lived up to the call for "a perfect roar and rush and thunders of enthusiasm" when the first train on the Des Moines Valley Railroad arrived in Des Moines on this date in 1866.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 29th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"A Rail Runs To Des Moines"
Political horse trading is nothing new. In fact, in 1857, those who wanted the state capitol permanently located in Des Moines threw their financial support behind a certain railroad line in exchange for folks from Keokuk supporting keeping the capitol in Des Moines when the new state constitution was voted on.
The Des Moines Valley Railroad was based in Keokuk, and it took 12 years to build the rail line to Des Moines. On August 29th, 1866, the first train on the Valley Road was to come to the state capitol. A formal proclamation was issued:
Let the glad news sweep over the prairies and around the universe, that the first train on the Valley Road will come into Des Moines...arrangements should be made to meet the Iron Horse and give him a grand reception!
That proclamation noted that 40 persons from Keokuk would be making the trip, and suggested that there be "marching, bonfires, music, hurrahing, whistling, yellings, and circumscribed and uncircumscribed rippings and tearing through all this Land of Promise!"
A large crowd greeted the train, as many had not seen one since they crossed westward to settle what was originally called Fort Des Moines.
The crowd lived up to the call for "a perfect roar and rush and thunders of enthusiasm" when the first train on the Des Moines Valley Railroad arrived in Des Moines on this date in 1866.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 29th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Monday, August 28, 2023
"From Wall Lake To The Grandstand"
Our Iowa State Fair grandstand shows are big events, with the top artists performing. They’re now the third largest moneymaker for the fair each year.
But it wasn’t always that way. In fact, it wasn’t until the 1960s that the grandstand began being used for concerts at all.
The 1965 Iowa State Fair was actually the first to feature a top-notch performer in concert. Wall Lake native Andy Williams returned to his home state at the height of his international popularity to take the grandstand stage on five consecutive nights. At the time, his national television variety program was quite popular, and he brought with him on the stage a group that regularly performed on his television program—the Osmond Brothers. That was fitting, since Andy Williams first performed with his brothers singing on the radio in the 1930s.
For the next several years, the fair booked a single top-notch act to perform on multiple nights. Several times in the 1960s and 1970s, it was the Lawrence Welk orchestra.
We now eagerly anticipate release of the list of performers who take the stage at our fair each August. But the trend started with Iowa’s own Andy Williams, who wrapped up a five night engagement at the Iowa State Fair grandstand on this date in 1965.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 28th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"From Wall Lake To The Grandstand"
Our Iowa State Fair grandstand shows are big events, with the top artists performing. They’re now the third largest moneymaker for the fair each year.
But it wasn’t always that way. In fact, it wasn’t until the 1960s that the grandstand began being used for concerts at all.
The 1965 Iowa State Fair was actually the first to feature a top-notch performer in concert. Wall Lake native Andy Williams returned to his home state at the height of his international popularity to take the grandstand stage on five consecutive nights. At the time, his national television variety program was quite popular, and he brought with him on the stage a group that regularly performed on his television program—the Osmond Brothers. That was fitting, since Andy Williams first performed with his brothers singing on the radio in the 1930s.
For the next several years, the fair booked a single top-notch act to perform on multiple nights. Several times in the 1960s and 1970s, it was the Lawrence Welk orchestra.
We now eagerly anticipate release of the list of performers who take the stage at our fair each August. But the trend started with Iowa’s own Andy Williams, who wrapped up a five night engagement at the Iowa State Fair grandstand on this date in 1965.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 28th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Friday, August 25, 2023
"And The Winner Is..."
Only one woman from Iowa has ever won the Miss Teen USA pageant, and it happened on August 25th, 1992.
Jamie Solinger was from Altoona. She had started modeling in magazines such as Seventeen and Glamour. She was recruited by Iowa pageant directors to enter the Miss Iowa Teen USA 1992 pageant. She won the state crown, and then competed in the national pageant in Biloxi, Mississippi. That event was noteworthy because of Hurricane Andrew, which was bearing down on Biloxi, forcing the pageant to be held early, with the national broadcast that evening actually taped for safety reasons.
Six years later, Jamie Solinger won the title of Miss Iowa USA, and the very next year, crowned her sister Jaclyn as her successor.
After she was married, Jamie Patterson won the Mrs. Iowa pageant title in 2004, and became third runner-up in the Mrs. America 2005 contest.
Iowans have only placed in the Miss Teen USA pageant four times…and the only winner, Jamie Solinger, had the crown placed on her head on this date in 1992.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 25th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"And The Winner Is..."
Only one woman from Iowa has ever won the Miss Teen USA pageant, and it happened on August 25th, 1992.
Jamie Solinger was from Altoona. She had started modeling in magazines such as Seventeen and Glamour. She was recruited by Iowa pageant directors to enter the Miss Iowa Teen USA 1992 pageant. She won the state crown, and then competed in the national pageant in Biloxi, Mississippi. That event was noteworthy because of Hurricane Andrew, which was bearing down on Biloxi, forcing the pageant to be held early, with the national broadcast that evening actually taped for safety reasons.
Six years later, Jamie Solinger won the title of Miss Iowa USA, and the very next year, crowned her sister Jaclyn as her successor.
After she was married, Jamie Patterson won the Mrs. Iowa pageant title in 2004, and became third runner-up in the Mrs. America 2005 contest.
Iowans have only placed in the Miss Teen USA pageant four times…and the only winner, Jamie Solinger, had the crown placed on her head on this date in 1992.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 25th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, August 24, 2023
"Founding the Synod"
It was on August 24, 1854, that the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Iowa and Other States was founded. That long name was typically shortened to simply "the Iowa Synod". It happened at St. Sebald in Clayton County.
The synod was formed as a result of disagreements at a settlement of pastors in Saginaw, Michigan. The pastors had been sent to America from Germany by Johann Konrad Wilhelm Lohe. The group split, with some joining the Missouri Synod, while a small group of others moved to Iowa. They were led by Georg Grossman and Johannes Deindoerfer.
Ten years after its founding, in 1864, the Iowa Synod adopted a constitution and its formal name...which, in the native German, was "Die deutsche evangelishe lutheranish Synode von Iowa".
Four decades after it was founded, the Iowa Synod grew when most of the congregations of First Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Texas joined the Iowa group as its Texas District.
By the end of the 1920s, the Iowa Synod had 637 pastors, 932 congregations, and 150,683 members.
Still more change came in 1930, when the Iowa Synod merged with the Ohio Synod and the Buffalo Synod, forming the American Lutheran Church, or ALC. A half century later, after further mergers, the now-larger group became part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the ELCA, in 1988.
But the original group of dissident pastors from Michigan came to Iowa and founded the Iowa Synod at St. Sebald, on this date in 1854.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 24th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Founding the Synod"
It was on August 24, 1854, that the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Iowa and Other States was founded. That long name was typically shortened to simply "the Iowa Synod". It happened at St. Sebald in Clayton County.
The synod was formed as a result of disagreements at a settlement of pastors in Saginaw, Michigan. The pastors had been sent to America from Germany by Johann Konrad Wilhelm Lohe. The group split, with some joining the Missouri Synod, while a small group of others moved to Iowa. They were led by Georg Grossman and Johannes Deindoerfer.
Ten years after its founding, in 1864, the Iowa Synod adopted a constitution and its formal name...which, in the native German, was "Die deutsche evangelishe lutheranish Synode von Iowa".
Four decades after it was founded, the Iowa Synod grew when most of the congregations of First Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Texas joined the Iowa group as its Texas District.
By the end of the 1920s, the Iowa Synod had 637 pastors, 932 congregations, and 150,683 members.
Still more change came in 1930, when the Iowa Synod merged with the Ohio Synod and the Buffalo Synod, forming the American Lutheran Church, or ALC. A half century later, after further mergers, the now-larger group became part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the ELCA, in 1988.
But the original group of dissident pastors from Michigan came to Iowa and founded the Iowa Synod at St. Sebald, on this date in 1854.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 24th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, August 23, 2023
"The First Quarterly Meeting"
Iowa was originally part of the Michigan and Wisconsin Territories, not developing its own identity until 1838. But there was white settlement in the region before the land was called Iowa.
And with those settlers from the east came great faith, which manifested itself in the development of churches. They not only were places of worship, but also community centers. Some served multiple roles, as schoolhouses, places for racial integration, and courthouses.
By the 1820s, the Methodists had become the leading denomination in the United States, with one mission being to reform the continent. After the end of the Black Hawk War in 1833, Methodist pioneers began to move into these new lands of what is now the Midwest.
The first Methodist, and perhaps first Protestant, sermon preached in Iowa was in a tavern in Dubuque in 1833.
The first church in Iowa was a Methodist chapel which was constructed in that same city in 1834, and was a great example of what we today would call "multi-purpose" facilities. The meeting that adopted the resolution to incorporate the town of Dubuque was held there in 1837. One of the church's charter members was a black woman.
The late summer saw the first quarterly conference for Methodists in the region held in the new facility in Dubuque.
They outgrew that initial chapel within only five years, and the original building was replaced in 1839 by a new church one block north of the original one. A plaque now tells the story, located on the site of the first church in Iowa, which held its first Methodist quarterly conference in Dubuque, on this date in 1834.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 23rd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The First Quarterly Meeting"
Iowa was originally part of the Michigan and Wisconsin Territories, not developing its own identity until 1838. But there was white settlement in the region before the land was called Iowa.
And with those settlers from the east came great faith, which manifested itself in the development of churches. They not only were places of worship, but also community centers. Some served multiple roles, as schoolhouses, places for racial integration, and courthouses.
By the 1820s, the Methodists had become the leading denomination in the United States, with one mission being to reform the continent. After the end of the Black Hawk War in 1833, Methodist pioneers began to move into these new lands of what is now the Midwest.
The first Methodist, and perhaps first Protestant, sermon preached in Iowa was in a tavern in Dubuque in 1833.
The first church in Iowa was a Methodist chapel which was constructed in that same city in 1834, and was a great example of what we today would call "multi-purpose" facilities. The meeting that adopted the resolution to incorporate the town of Dubuque was held there in 1837. One of the church's charter members was a black woman.
The late summer saw the first quarterly conference for Methodists in the region held in the new facility in Dubuque.
They outgrew that initial chapel within only five years, and the original building was replaced in 1839 by a new church one block north of the original one. A plaque now tells the story, located on the site of the first church in Iowa, which held its first Methodist quarterly conference in Dubuque, on this date in 1834.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 23rd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, August 22, 2023
"The Hobos"
Traditionally, the term "hobo" referred to migratory workers who were homeless by choice. After the Civil War, they helped meet the labor needs of America by moving from job to job, usually by hopping a ride on a freight train. Movies and novels have told romanticized stories of the hobos, who may originally have gotten their names from a group of soldiers returning from the war, who were "homeward bound".
There's a difference between hobos and bums, and hobos are quick to point that out. Hobos work to make their way, they say, while bums are those who do not work, preferring to beg and ask for handouts.
The town of Britt, 30 miles or so west of Mason City, is home each year to the National Hobo Convention, the largest gathering of hobos in the country. The event includes a large parade and crowning of a hobo king and queen. Events in more recent years have also included a hobo 5K, classic car show, and memorial service. Hobos who attend set up a camp near the town's railroad tracks, which they call their jungle.
The relationship began in 1899, when three Britt men wanted to gain some attention for their town. So they invited the Grand Head Pipe of the Tourists Union No. 63, a man named Charles Noe of Illinois, to come to Britt and consider hosting an annual hobo convention there. Noe agreed, if the locals would pay his way. After that meeting, it was agreed that Britt would host the 1900 Hobo Convention. Some in town thought it was a joke, but that joke has been one of the city's claims to fame for more than a century.
You don't have to wait until next August's event to sample some of the experience. The National Hobo Museum opened in Britt in 1980 in the former Chief Theater on Main Street, and is open most days between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
They came from around the country for that first National Hobo Convention held in Britt, Iowa, on this date in 1900.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 22nd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Hobos"
Traditionally, the term "hobo" referred to migratory workers who were homeless by choice. After the Civil War, they helped meet the labor needs of America by moving from job to job, usually by hopping a ride on a freight train. Movies and novels have told romanticized stories of the hobos, who may originally have gotten their names from a group of soldiers returning from the war, who were "homeward bound".
There's a difference between hobos and bums, and hobos are quick to point that out. Hobos work to make their way, they say, while bums are those who do not work, preferring to beg and ask for handouts.
The town of Britt, 30 miles or so west of Mason City, is home each year to the National Hobo Convention, the largest gathering of hobos in the country. The event includes a large parade and crowning of a hobo king and queen. Events in more recent years have also included a hobo 5K, classic car show, and memorial service. Hobos who attend set up a camp near the town's railroad tracks, which they call their jungle.
The relationship began in 1899, when three Britt men wanted to gain some attention for their town. So they invited the Grand Head Pipe of the Tourists Union No. 63, a man named Charles Noe of Illinois, to come to Britt and consider hosting an annual hobo convention there. Noe agreed, if the locals would pay his way. After that meeting, it was agreed that Britt would host the 1900 Hobo Convention. Some in town thought it was a joke, but that joke has been one of the city's claims to fame for more than a century.
You don't have to wait until next August's event to sample some of the experience. The National Hobo Museum opened in Britt in 1980 in the former Chief Theater on Main Street, and is open most days between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
They came from around the country for that first National Hobo Convention held in Britt, Iowa, on this date in 1900.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 22nd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Monday, August 21, 2023
"The Baseball Promoter"
James Leslie Wilkinson was born in Algona on May 14th of 1878. He loved baseball and was headed for a promising career as a pitcher until he hurt his wrist. He then turned to team ownership and management, which turned out to be his real talent. For more than 50 years, J.L. Wilkinson used an eye for promotion to support the game he loved in unique ways.
In 1909, J.L. created a women's baseball team that drew up to 2,000 fans at a time. He had a covered grandstand moved around the Midwest by train to create his own venue at each stop along the way. Rumor has it a few of the players were actually men in drag.
By 1912, he had founded the All Nations baseball club in Des Moines. The team was made up of whites, blacks, Polynesians, Asians, and Native Americans, which was quite unique for the time.
He was probably best known for being one of the founders of the Negro National League in 1920, creating the now famous Kansas City Monarchs team. J.L. Wilkinson was the only white team owner that was trusted by league organizers, and he even roomed with his black coaches and players when the team was on the road and hotels were short of rooms; again, unique for the time.
Under his leadership, the Kansas City Monarchs won ten league titles and played in four Negro League World Series, winning in both 1924 and 1942. Oh, and he also signed a player named Jackie Robinson to his first professional baseball contract.
Iowa's baseball entrepreneur, James L. Wilkinson, or Wilkie, as he was known, was elected to the baseball hall of fame in 2006; but that was more than forty years after his death, on this date in 1964.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 21st...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Baseball Promoter"
James Leslie Wilkinson was born in Algona on May 14th of 1878. He loved baseball and was headed for a promising career as a pitcher until he hurt his wrist. He then turned to team ownership and management, which turned out to be his real talent. For more than 50 years, J.L. Wilkinson used an eye for promotion to support the game he loved in unique ways.
In 1909, J.L. created a women's baseball team that drew up to 2,000 fans at a time. He had a covered grandstand moved around the Midwest by train to create his own venue at each stop along the way. Rumor has it a few of the players were actually men in drag.
By 1912, he had founded the All Nations baseball club in Des Moines. The team was made up of whites, blacks, Polynesians, Asians, and Native Americans, which was quite unique for the time.
He was probably best known for being one of the founders of the Negro National League in 1920, creating the now famous Kansas City Monarchs team. J.L. Wilkinson was the only white team owner that was trusted by league organizers, and he even roomed with his black coaches and players when the team was on the road and hotels were short of rooms; again, unique for the time.
Under his leadership, the Kansas City Monarchs won ten league titles and played in four Negro League World Series, winning in both 1924 and 1942. Oh, and he also signed a player named Jackie Robinson to his first professional baseball contract.
Iowa's baseball entrepreneur, James L. Wilkinson, or Wilkie, as he was known, was elected to the baseball hall of fame in 2006; but that was more than forty years after his death, on this date in 1964.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 21st...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Friday, August 18, 2023
"Oil and Banking"
On August 18th, 1876, Lewis and Lucinda Phillips welcomed a son to their growing family near Conway in Taylor County. Lee Eldas Phillips, or “L.E.” as he was known, was the fourth of ten children in the family.
He attended Western Normal College in Shenandoah, and then taught school for a time, starting in 1897…but his interest in business led him to join a Creston insurance firm two years later, then to work in sales for a lumber and coal company.
That led to helping establish a mining business in Knoxville in 1902…and two years later, L.E. and one of his brothers, Frank, organized the Anchor Oil and Gas Company. Another brother, Waite, was also in the oil business.
L.E. and Frank obtained leases near Bartlesville in what was then the Cherokee Nation territory, now Washington County, Oklahoma. L.E. moved his family—by then consisting of a wife and three children—to Bartlesville, where he purchased real estate and become a community leader.
The brothers formed the Citizens’ Bank and Trust Company in Bartlesville in 1905 and added other local banks to their holdings. L.E. and Frank thought banking was the way to go, so they sold their petroleum industry assets in 1915 to concentrate on their financial institutions. But they could not dispose of leases in Osage County, Oklahoma…so the Phillips brothers continued drilling and set up a new company—the Phillips Petroleum Company.
Turned out that those Osage County leases became quite profitable, and soon folks knew of the Phillips brothers gas stations, which adopted a famous U.S. highway running through their state as their trade name and logo…Route 66, leading to “Phillips 66” stations.
Because of his efforts with the Red Cross and Liberty Loan campaigns during World War I, he was offered the position of Governor General of the Philippines by President Herbert Hoover, but he declined. Despite poor health, he remained active in business and community affairs until his death at the age of 67 in 1944.
One of the brothers who founded Phillips Petroleum and Phillips 66 gas stations, Lee Eldas Phillips…was born near Conway, Iowa on this date in 1876.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 18th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Oil and Banking"
On August 18th, 1876, Lewis and Lucinda Phillips welcomed a son to their growing family near Conway in Taylor County. Lee Eldas Phillips, or “L.E.” as he was known, was the fourth of ten children in the family.
He attended Western Normal College in Shenandoah, and then taught school for a time, starting in 1897…but his interest in business led him to join a Creston insurance firm two years later, then to work in sales for a lumber and coal company.
That led to helping establish a mining business in Knoxville in 1902…and two years later, L.E. and one of his brothers, Frank, organized the Anchor Oil and Gas Company. Another brother, Waite, was also in the oil business.
L.E. and Frank obtained leases near Bartlesville in what was then the Cherokee Nation territory, now Washington County, Oklahoma. L.E. moved his family—by then consisting of a wife and three children—to Bartlesville, where he purchased real estate and become a community leader.
The brothers formed the Citizens’ Bank and Trust Company in Bartlesville in 1905 and added other local banks to their holdings. L.E. and Frank thought banking was the way to go, so they sold their petroleum industry assets in 1915 to concentrate on their financial institutions. But they could not dispose of leases in Osage County, Oklahoma…so the Phillips brothers continued drilling and set up a new company—the Phillips Petroleum Company.
Turned out that those Osage County leases became quite profitable, and soon folks knew of the Phillips brothers gas stations, which adopted a famous U.S. highway running through their state as their trade name and logo…Route 66, leading to “Phillips 66” stations.
Because of his efforts with the Red Cross and Liberty Loan campaigns during World War I, he was offered the position of Governor General of the Philippines by President Herbert Hoover, but he declined. Despite poor health, he remained active in business and community affairs until his death at the age of 67 in 1944.
One of the brothers who founded Phillips Petroleum and Phillips 66 gas stations, Lee Eldas Phillips…was born near Conway, Iowa on this date in 1876.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 18th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, August 17, 2023
"A Giant Fake"
The biggest hoax of the 19th century had an Iowa flavor.
In 1868, cigar maker George Hull came up with an idea to create a giant petrified man while on a business trip to our state. He had gotten into a disagreement with a minister about the literal nature of a biblical passage--"There were giants in the earth in those days." So Hull went to Fort Dodge and ordered a five-ton block of gypsum. It was delivered to Chicago, where stonecutter Edward Burghardt created a three thousand pound statue of an ancient man, some ten feet tall. Hull had it secretly buried in a pit on a farm near Cardiff, New York. The next year, the farm's owner hired two workmen to dig a well on the spot where the giant had been buried. The workmen soon discovered what appeared to be a petrified man.
People came from miles around to see the Cardiff Giant, as religious fervor swept over the area. Despite experts who claimed it could not be real, demand to see the Giant continued, even leading to a tour of the country. By 1875, it was pretty clear the giant was a fraud and George Hull confessed to the scam. The giant was put into storage, where it remained until 1900 when it was discovered in a warehouse and again placed on display.
Not long after, a Fort Dodge man, Joe Mulroney, purchased the giant and on New Year's Day 1914, it returned home to Fort Dodge, and then again traveled the country for a time. Des Moines Register and Tribune publisher Gardner Cowles, Jr. bought the giant on August 17, 1935 and displayed it in his home for a time. The giant has been on display at the Farmers Museum in Cooperstown, New York, since 1947.
A replica of the fake has been on display at the Fort Museum in Fort Dodge since 1972. But the original became a part of publisher Gardner Cowles Jr.'s home in Des Moines, on this date in 1935.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 17th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"A Giant Fake"
The biggest hoax of the 19th century had an Iowa flavor.
In 1868, cigar maker George Hull came up with an idea to create a giant petrified man while on a business trip to our state. He had gotten into a disagreement with a minister about the literal nature of a biblical passage--"There were giants in the earth in those days." So Hull went to Fort Dodge and ordered a five-ton block of gypsum. It was delivered to Chicago, where stonecutter Edward Burghardt created a three thousand pound statue of an ancient man, some ten feet tall. Hull had it secretly buried in a pit on a farm near Cardiff, New York. The next year, the farm's owner hired two workmen to dig a well on the spot where the giant had been buried. The workmen soon discovered what appeared to be a petrified man.
People came from miles around to see the Cardiff Giant, as religious fervor swept over the area. Despite experts who claimed it could not be real, demand to see the Giant continued, even leading to a tour of the country. By 1875, it was pretty clear the giant was a fraud and George Hull confessed to the scam. The giant was put into storage, where it remained until 1900 when it was discovered in a warehouse and again placed on display.
Not long after, a Fort Dodge man, Joe Mulroney, purchased the giant and on New Year's Day 1914, it returned home to Fort Dodge, and then again traveled the country for a time. Des Moines Register and Tribune publisher Gardner Cowles, Jr. bought the giant on August 17, 1935 and displayed it in his home for a time. The giant has been on display at the Farmers Museum in Cooperstown, New York, since 1947.
A replica of the fake has been on display at the Fort Museum in Fort Dodge since 1972. But the original became a part of publisher Gardner Cowles Jr.'s home in Des Moines, on this date in 1935.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 17th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, August 16, 2023
"Iowa's Ag Ambassador"
James Wilson was born in Scotland on August 16th, 1835. But his strong identification with Iowa and agriculture is what made him well known.
Jim's family came to the U.S. in 1851, and after four years in Connecticut, they moved to a Scotch settlement in Tama County.
Just before the Civil War, Jim and his brother Peter began farming. When the war started, they decided that Peter should join the Union army, while Jim stayed back to farm. By the time Peter returned, Jim had doubled the size of the farm, which was well stocked.
He served in the Iowa House, becoming Speaker in 1872. He was on the State Board of Regents, and later was elected to Congress.
But agriculture was in his blood, so he returned to Iowa and became a professor of agriculture at Iowa State College. He is generally recognized as laying the foundation for what became the greatest ag college in the country.
President William McKinley asked him to serve as U.S. secretary of agriculture in 1897. The man by then known as "Tama Jim" Wilson accepted, and served 16 years in the post, under three presidents...no one else had ever served that many years in presidential cabinets.
He insisted that the ag department do practical things to help farmers, stressing better living and better crops and livestock.
Bringing agriculture into the 20th Century, Iowa's "Tama Jim" Wilson was born on this date in 1835.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 16th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Iowa's Ag Ambassador"
James Wilson was born in Scotland on August 16th, 1835. But his strong identification with Iowa and agriculture is what made him well known.
Jim's family came to the U.S. in 1851, and after four years in Connecticut, they moved to a Scotch settlement in Tama County.
Just before the Civil War, Jim and his brother Peter began farming. When the war started, they decided that Peter should join the Union army, while Jim stayed back to farm. By the time Peter returned, Jim had doubled the size of the farm, which was well stocked.
He served in the Iowa House, becoming Speaker in 1872. He was on the State Board of Regents, and later was elected to Congress.
But agriculture was in his blood, so he returned to Iowa and became a professor of agriculture at Iowa State College. He is generally recognized as laying the foundation for what became the greatest ag college in the country.
President William McKinley asked him to serve as U.S. secretary of agriculture in 1897. The man by then known as "Tama Jim" Wilson accepted, and served 16 years in the post, under three presidents...no one else had ever served that many years in presidential cabinets.
He insisted that the ag department do practical things to help farmers, stressing better living and better crops and livestock.
Bringing agriculture into the 20th Century, Iowa's "Tama Jim" Wilson was born on this date in 1835.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 16th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, August 15, 2023
"The Neutral Ground"
Before 1830, the land that is now Iowa was in full possession of two Native American tribes, the Sacs and the Foxes. North of their territory, in what is now Minnesota, the Sioux tribe hunted.
The Sacs and Foxes were constantly at war with the Sioux, and since formal boundaries were unknown to them, there were frequently bloody conflicts when one crossed into what the other thought was their territory.
Various efforts to secure peace were attempted by the U.S. government, including drawing boundaries. But those lines were not followed by either tribe very closely.
On August 15th, 1830, the United States bought a strip of land 20 miles wide from the Sioux, along the southern edge of their land. The government bought another 20-mile-wide strip of land from the Sac and Fox, along the northern edge of their land. This 40-mile-wide buffer was called the "neutral ground". Both tribes could hunt and fish in the area, provided they did not fight or interfere with each other, since this land was now under the direct control of the federal government.
The neutral ground stretched from Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin southwest to Fort Dodge, Iowa.
It's hard to tell if it would have worked, since just three years later, the federal government used the neutral ground as a place to move members of the Winnebago tribe, displaced from their ancestral home in Wisconsin.
But it was an attempt to bring peace between two tribes, when the United States established a neutral ground to separate the Sac and Fox and the Sioux, on this date in 1830.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 15th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Neutral Ground"
Before 1830, the land that is now Iowa was in full possession of two Native American tribes, the Sacs and the Foxes. North of their territory, in what is now Minnesota, the Sioux tribe hunted.
The Sacs and Foxes were constantly at war with the Sioux, and since formal boundaries were unknown to them, there were frequently bloody conflicts when one crossed into what the other thought was their territory.
Various efforts to secure peace were attempted by the U.S. government, including drawing boundaries. But those lines were not followed by either tribe very closely.
On August 15th, 1830, the United States bought a strip of land 20 miles wide from the Sioux, along the southern edge of their land. The government bought another 20-mile-wide strip of land from the Sac and Fox, along the northern edge of their land. This 40-mile-wide buffer was called the "neutral ground". Both tribes could hunt and fish in the area, provided they did not fight or interfere with each other, since this land was now under the direct control of the federal government.
The neutral ground stretched from Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin southwest to Fort Dodge, Iowa.
It's hard to tell if it would have worked, since just three years later, the federal government used the neutral ground as a place to move members of the Winnebago tribe, displaced from their ancestral home in Wisconsin.
But it was an attempt to bring peace between two tribes, when the United States established a neutral ground to separate the Sac and Fox and the Sioux, on this date in 1830.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 15th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Monday, August 14, 2023
"A Mammoth Discovery"
In the summer of 2001, construction was underway on a new parking ramp in downtown Des Moines, for Allied Insurance and Farmland Insurance. A structure of that size obviously needed a strong foundation, so crews were forming support pillars by drilling down to bedrock with a giant auger, then pouring reinforced columns of concrete.
On August 14th, 2001, the auger struck bedrock...and more. Workers examined the area and found the auger had uncovered bones. Authorities were contacted, and discovered they were mammoth bones, from animals that roamed the Earth some 16,000 years ago.
They were found to be from a wooly mammoth, one of the great beasts of the Ice Age. As the climate warmed with the end of the Ice Age, rivers, vegetation and the landscape changed. The world that mammoths dominated was no more, and the long wooly coats that had protected them against the cold led to their extinction in a changing environment with warming temperatures.
The bones found in downtown Des Moines were collected and are now part of a major display at the State Historical Building, along with a nearly complete mammoth skeleton found in Wisconsin. Bone fragments have been found in farm fields all over Iowa, but a sizeable amount of remains were found while workers were digging for a parking ramp in downtown Des Moines, on this date in 2001.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 14th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"A Mammoth Discovery"
In the summer of 2001, construction was underway on a new parking ramp in downtown Des Moines, for Allied Insurance and Farmland Insurance. A structure of that size obviously needed a strong foundation, so crews were forming support pillars by drilling down to bedrock with a giant auger, then pouring reinforced columns of concrete.
On August 14th, 2001, the auger struck bedrock...and more. Workers examined the area and found the auger had uncovered bones. Authorities were contacted, and discovered they were mammoth bones, from animals that roamed the Earth some 16,000 years ago.
They were found to be from a wooly mammoth, one of the great beasts of the Ice Age. As the climate warmed with the end of the Ice Age, rivers, vegetation and the landscape changed. The world that mammoths dominated was no more, and the long wooly coats that had protected them against the cold led to their extinction in a changing environment with warming temperatures.
The bones found in downtown Des Moines were collected and are now part of a major display at the State Historical Building, along with a nearly complete mammoth skeleton found in Wisconsin. Bone fragments have been found in farm fields all over Iowa, but a sizeable amount of remains were found while workers were digging for a parking ramp in downtown Des Moines, on this date in 2001.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 14th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Friday, August 11, 2023
"The Worst Flooding"
Depending on where you live, you might look to flooding in 1993 as the worst ever…or perhaps 2008.
But in Ames, the record was on August 11th, 2010.
Fourteen inches of rain fell in the area in just four days. All that rain led to the Squaw Creek overflowing its banks and joining with the Skunk River, leading to the historic backup of water.
Hundreds were forced from their homes, roadways were closed, and on top of it all, an underground water pipe broke, depleting the city’s water towers and interrupting the flow of the Ames water supply.
Hilton Coliseum again took on water, with officials arriving to find the basketball floor floating on top of eight feet of water inside the building. Damage on the Iowa State University campus alone topped $50 million. About 30 employees of a Walmart were pulled by city officials from rising floodwaters that had trapped them inside the store.
Ames had experienced flooding before, but never to the degree as on this date, in 2010.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 11th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Worst Flooding"
Depending on where you live, you might look to flooding in 1993 as the worst ever…or perhaps 2008.
But in Ames, the record was on August 11th, 2010.
Fourteen inches of rain fell in the area in just four days. All that rain led to the Squaw Creek overflowing its banks and joining with the Skunk River, leading to the historic backup of water.
Hundreds were forced from their homes, roadways were closed, and on top of it all, an underground water pipe broke, depleting the city’s water towers and interrupting the flow of the Ames water supply.
Hilton Coliseum again took on water, with officials arriving to find the basketball floor floating on top of eight feet of water inside the building. Damage on the Iowa State University campus alone topped $50 million. About 30 employees of a Walmart were pulled by city officials from rising floodwaters that had trapped them inside the store.
Ames had experienced flooding before, but never to the degree as on this date, in 2010.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 11th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, August 10, 2023
"Honoring Veterans And Their Flags"
There's been a lot of talk lately about Civil War battle flags, including one used by the confederacy--should it still be on public display, even as a tribute to the soldiers who fought during that war. But Iowans have long respected battle flags from the “war between the states”.
In fact, it was on August 10th, 1894, that Iowa celebrated Battle Flag Day. About five thousand Iowa Civil War veterans assembled in Des Moines and marched behind their regimental flags for the last time.
That's because two years before, the Iowa legislature passed a law requiring those battle flags to be restored and displayed in hermetically sealed glass cases, "to display them to the best advantage and to preserve them as far as possible from all injury". The efforts to preserve those Civil War battle flags continue to this day.
The veterans proudly marched behind their colors to the state capitol, where they were put on permanent display on the anniversary of the Battle of Wilson's Creek, on this date, in 1894.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 10th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Honoring Veterans And Their Flags"
There's been a lot of talk lately about Civil War battle flags, including one used by the confederacy--should it still be on public display, even as a tribute to the soldiers who fought during that war. But Iowans have long respected battle flags from the “war between the states”.
In fact, it was on August 10th, 1894, that Iowa celebrated Battle Flag Day. About five thousand Iowa Civil War veterans assembled in Des Moines and marched behind their regimental flags for the last time.
That's because two years before, the Iowa legislature passed a law requiring those battle flags to be restored and displayed in hermetically sealed glass cases, "to display them to the best advantage and to preserve them as far as possible from all injury". The efforts to preserve those Civil War battle flags continue to this day.
The veterans proudly marched behind their colors to the state capitol, where they were put on permanent display on the anniversary of the Battle of Wilson's Creek, on this date, in 1894.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 10th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, August 09, 2023
"Rolling On The River"
Many communities settled next to rivers as sources for much of what we need to survive. Those rivers also became key transportation outlets. For example, the first rafting on the Mississippi River was done by lead miners who constructed platforms from logs to float the lead to St. Louis.
The earliest lumbering came from Wisconsin, where log rafts and sawed lumber rafts were sent downstream to Galena and Dubuque. Directing the rafts of logs was done with long poles.
In the early days of floating logs and lumber down the Mississippi in the middle 1800s, there were five rapids pilots living at Leclaire, who were kept busy piloting floating rafts over the Rock Island rapids.
In 1874, small steamboats were first used to guide the rafts, and that meant even larger rafts with more lumber. The largest rafts at that point were more than five city blocks long, containing up to three million feet of lumber.
By the late 1800s, hardly a day went by in Dubuque when at least one raft was not stopped at a sawmill, or pushed ahead to another mill downstream. In fact, the W.J. Young mill in Clinton was the world's largest for a time.
But with the 20th century, it became cheaper to have the timber sawed in the north where it was harvested and shipped south as planks, and that brought to an end the practice of sending logs as a raft down river…that, along with overcutting of northern forests reducing the supply.
And that’s why, under the guidance of a boat named the Ottumwa Belle, the last raft of logs passed beneath the Dunleith and Dubuque Bridge, through the city of Dubuque to a mill downstream, on this date in 1915.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 9th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Rolling On The River"
Many communities settled next to rivers as sources for much of what we need to survive. Those rivers also became key transportation outlets. For example, the first rafting on the Mississippi River was done by lead miners who constructed platforms from logs to float the lead to St. Louis.
The earliest lumbering came from Wisconsin, where log rafts and sawed lumber rafts were sent downstream to Galena and Dubuque. Directing the rafts of logs was done with long poles.
In the early days of floating logs and lumber down the Mississippi in the middle 1800s, there were five rapids pilots living at Leclaire, who were kept busy piloting floating rafts over the Rock Island rapids.
In 1874, small steamboats were first used to guide the rafts, and that meant even larger rafts with more lumber. The largest rafts at that point were more than five city blocks long, containing up to three million feet of lumber.
By the late 1800s, hardly a day went by in Dubuque when at least one raft was not stopped at a sawmill, or pushed ahead to another mill downstream. In fact, the W.J. Young mill in Clinton was the world's largest for a time.
But with the 20th century, it became cheaper to have the timber sawed in the north where it was harvested and shipped south as planks, and that brought to an end the practice of sending logs as a raft down river…that, along with overcutting of northern forests reducing the supply.
And that’s why, under the guidance of a boat named the Ottumwa Belle, the last raft of logs passed beneath the Dunleith and Dubuque Bridge, through the city of Dubuque to a mill downstream, on this date in 1915.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 9th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, August 08, 2023
"An Iowa Pen Signs The Charter"
Walter Sheaffer was running a successful jewelry business in Fort Madison in 1907, when he came up with the idea of making a new kind of fountain pen. Most pens at the time were ink droppers, but Sheaffer designed a self-filling fountain pen, with a lever on the barrel. He patented the design in 1908, and went into the pen business full-time.
The W.A. Sheaffer Pen Company was incorporated on January 1st, 1913 with a value of $35,000. Sheaffer sold the jewelry business and expanded pen manufacturing in Fort Madison.
Soon, Sheaffer pens were popular across the country. A full-page ad in the Saturday Evening Post in 1914 proclaimed "Big Business Demands Sheaffer's Pen".
The pens became status symbols. They cost three times more than their competitors, with the lowest priced pen selling for $8.75 back in 1920...but the more expensive pens had lifetime guarantees.
Fast forward to August 8th, 1945. The day is best known as when the U.S. dropped the second atomic bomb on Japan. But it was also the day when the United States became the first nation to complete the ratification process and join a new international organization--the United Nations.
Given the war circumstances, there was no pomp and circumstance associated with the signing, just a small ceremony. President Harry S. Truman signed first, foregoing the ceremonial pens typically used for such things and instead using a 10-cent desk pen.
Secretary of State James F. Byrnes also signed the document. Byrnes used a pen he pulled from his coat pocket...a Sheaffer pen, made in Fort Madison.
And so it was that a document that brought the United Nations into being bears a signature made using a pen manufactured by an Iowa company, when the U.S. Secretary of State pulled a Sheaffer from his pocket to sign off, on this date in 1945.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 8th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"An Iowa Pen Signs The Charter"
Walter Sheaffer was running a successful jewelry business in Fort Madison in 1907, when he came up with the idea of making a new kind of fountain pen. Most pens at the time were ink droppers, but Sheaffer designed a self-filling fountain pen, with a lever on the barrel. He patented the design in 1908, and went into the pen business full-time.
The W.A. Sheaffer Pen Company was incorporated on January 1st, 1913 with a value of $35,000. Sheaffer sold the jewelry business and expanded pen manufacturing in Fort Madison.
Soon, Sheaffer pens were popular across the country. A full-page ad in the Saturday Evening Post in 1914 proclaimed "Big Business Demands Sheaffer's Pen".
The pens became status symbols. They cost three times more than their competitors, with the lowest priced pen selling for $8.75 back in 1920...but the more expensive pens had lifetime guarantees.
Fast forward to August 8th, 1945. The day is best known as when the U.S. dropped the second atomic bomb on Japan. But it was also the day when the United States became the first nation to complete the ratification process and join a new international organization--the United Nations.
Given the war circumstances, there was no pomp and circumstance associated with the signing, just a small ceremony. President Harry S. Truman signed first, foregoing the ceremonial pens typically used for such things and instead using a 10-cent desk pen.
Secretary of State James F. Byrnes also signed the document. Byrnes used a pen he pulled from his coat pocket...a Sheaffer pen, made in Fort Madison.
And so it was that a document that brought the United Nations into being bears a signature made using a pen manufactured by an Iowa company, when the U.S. Secretary of State pulled a Sheaffer from his pocket to sign off, on this date in 1945.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 8th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Monday, August 07, 2023
"The Train Reaches The Station"
Calhoun County in western Iowa wasn’t always called that. In honor of the Sac and Fox Indians, two of Iowa’s counties were named Sac and Fox in 1851. But a friend of former U.S. vice-president John C. Calhoun did not like the name Fox, and got the county named for Calhoun in 1853.
The county seat wasn’t always Rockwell City, either. It was originally Lake City, but was moved when the tracks of the Illinois Central Railroad were laid through the county in 1870, and Manson and Pomeroy sought the designation. Ultimately, though, leaders decided a more central location was best, and Rockwell City became the county seat.
Rockwell City was platted in 1876 and named for its founders, John and Charlotte Rockwell.
The importance of being on a rail line with a regular train schedule was not lost on Rockwell. At that time, the survival of cities depended on it.
So in 1880, when John Rockwell learned that Des Moines businessman Frederick M. Hubbell was bringing his railroad as far as Jefferson, Rockwell went to Des Moines and promised to give Hubbell half of the building lots in the town if Hubbell would bring the railroad to Rockwell City. Hubbell did, and the first train arrived there on August 7th, 1882.
After the arrival of the railroad, the population of Rockwell City doubled, making John Rockwell’s trade a pretty good investment. All that growth came after the first train arrived in Rockwell City, on this date, in 1882.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 7th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Train Reaches The Station"
Calhoun County in western Iowa wasn’t always called that. In honor of the Sac and Fox Indians, two of Iowa’s counties were named Sac and Fox in 1851. But a friend of former U.S. vice-president John C. Calhoun did not like the name Fox, and got the county named for Calhoun in 1853.
The county seat wasn’t always Rockwell City, either. It was originally Lake City, but was moved when the tracks of the Illinois Central Railroad were laid through the county in 1870, and Manson and Pomeroy sought the designation. Ultimately, though, leaders decided a more central location was best, and Rockwell City became the county seat.
Rockwell City was platted in 1876 and named for its founders, John and Charlotte Rockwell.
The importance of being on a rail line with a regular train schedule was not lost on Rockwell. At that time, the survival of cities depended on it.
So in 1880, when John Rockwell learned that Des Moines businessman Frederick M. Hubbell was bringing his railroad as far as Jefferson, Rockwell went to Des Moines and promised to give Hubbell half of the building lots in the town if Hubbell would bring the railroad to Rockwell City. Hubbell did, and the first train arrived there on August 7th, 1882.
After the arrival of the railroad, the population of Rockwell City doubled, making John Rockwell’s trade a pretty good investment. All that growth came after the first train arrived in Rockwell City, on this date, in 1882.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 7th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Friday, August 04, 2023
"Riding the Rails, for Dinner"
On August 4th, 1984, a classic passenger train named the Star Clipper departed from Osage. One-hundred-twenty-one passengers were on board that Saturday night for the first trip on something new--a dinner train.
The concept of a dinner train in modern times was something new, allowing many people the chance to experience rail travel for the first time, while also providing entertainment reminiscent of days gone by.
That evening, the guests traveled in northeast Iowa and enjoyed a fresh, chef-prepared meal and live, tableside entertainment.
The idea was the brainchild of a legendary short line and regional railroad operator named Jack Haley. He thought restoring old trains and short sections of track would be of interest to people, and the Star Clipper Dinner Train has been called the father of the modern day dinner train.
After first operating from Osage, the Iowa Star Clipper moved to Waverly in 1986, and once business declined after a few years there, the train itself was moved to Michigan, where it operated until 2010. The Iowa rail line from Waverly is now a pedestrian and bicycle trail.
Since its restoration, the Star Clipper Dinner Train has entertained more than two million passengers in three different states. But it all began with 121 passengers who rode the train for an evening from Osage, on this date in 1984.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 4th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Riding the Rails, for Dinner"
On August 4th, 1984, a classic passenger train named the Star Clipper departed from Osage. One-hundred-twenty-one passengers were on board that Saturday night for the first trip on something new--a dinner train.
The concept of a dinner train in modern times was something new, allowing many people the chance to experience rail travel for the first time, while also providing entertainment reminiscent of days gone by.
That evening, the guests traveled in northeast Iowa and enjoyed a fresh, chef-prepared meal and live, tableside entertainment.
The idea was the brainchild of a legendary short line and regional railroad operator named Jack Haley. He thought restoring old trains and short sections of track would be of interest to people, and the Star Clipper Dinner Train has been called the father of the modern day dinner train.
After first operating from Osage, the Iowa Star Clipper moved to Waverly in 1986, and once business declined after a few years there, the train itself was moved to Michigan, where it operated until 2010. The Iowa rail line from Waverly is now a pedestrian and bicycle trail.
Since its restoration, the Star Clipper Dinner Train has entertained more than two million passengers in three different states. But it all began with 121 passengers who rode the train for an evening from Osage, on this date in 1984.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 4th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, August 03, 2023
"A World Hall of Famer"
You know the story of Waterloo’s Dan Gable. He was good at many sports, but opted to focus solely on wrestling before his sophomore year in high school. It paid off, as he ran up a 64-0 record, winning three state championships for Waterloo West high school.
Then it was on to college, where he lost only one match in his entire Iowa State University career--his last, while winning 181 others. His dominance continued in the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, where he won gold without giving up a single point.
Gable turned to coaching at the University of Iowa in 1976 and became the most successful coach in college history, including 9 national titles in a row as well as 21 consecutive Big Ten titles.
On August 3rd, 2012, Dan Gable was inducted into the International Wrestling Hall of Fame, managed by the international Olympic governing body for the sport. The ceremony was held just before the London Olympic Games that year.
"Any time you go into a Hall of Fame it is always good. When you go into one that is at the top of your sport, it is pretty impressive…I also have a category I went in called legends. Most everybody went into the Hall of Fame, but I got to go into a special category. That really is meaningful. I am really honored. Hopefully I can live up to that legend…This is history, but what about let’s make some more history. That is what I’m looking to do," Gable said.
Only two others in history were inducted as legends. But it’s appropriate, since you can’t say the name Dan Gable without also saying legendary. The Waterloo native was inducted into the international wresting hall of fame on this date in 2012.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 3rd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"A World Hall of Famer"
You know the story of Waterloo’s Dan Gable. He was good at many sports, but opted to focus solely on wrestling before his sophomore year in high school. It paid off, as he ran up a 64-0 record, winning three state championships for Waterloo West high school.
Then it was on to college, where he lost only one match in his entire Iowa State University career--his last, while winning 181 others. His dominance continued in the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, where he won gold without giving up a single point.
Gable turned to coaching at the University of Iowa in 1976 and became the most successful coach in college history, including 9 national titles in a row as well as 21 consecutive Big Ten titles.
On August 3rd, 2012, Dan Gable was inducted into the International Wrestling Hall of Fame, managed by the international Olympic governing body for the sport. The ceremony was held just before the London Olympic Games that year.
"Any time you go into a Hall of Fame it is always good. When you go into one that is at the top of your sport, it is pretty impressive…I also have a category I went in called legends. Most everybody went into the Hall of Fame, but I got to go into a special category. That really is meaningful. I am really honored. Hopefully I can live up to that legend…This is history, but what about let’s make some more history. That is what I’m looking to do," Gable said.
Only two others in history were inducted as legends. But it’s appropriate, since you can’t say the name Dan Gable without also saying legendary. The Waterloo native was inducted into the international wresting hall of fame on this date in 2012.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 3rd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, August 02, 2023
"Baby Jessica"
On February 8, 1991, Clara Clausen of Cedar Rapids gave birth to a daughter. Two days later, she signed adoption papers, as did the girl's biological father, Scott Seefeldt. The baby girl was adopted by Jan and Roberta DeBoer of Ann Arbor, Michigan. They named the girl Jessica.
But Seefeldt was not actually Jessica's biological father. Instead, a man named Dan Schmidt was. Schmidt and Clausen broke up shortly after Clausen discovered she was pregnant, and she never told him about the baby.
Less than a month after the baby was adopted, Clausen had second thoughts about the adoption and contacted Schmidt. They filed a legal action to have the adoption nullified since Schmidt as the biological father had not signed away his parental rights. They also got married.
After a district court ruled that the baby needed to be returned to Iowa, the DeBoers filed an appeal. In December 1992, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled 8 to 1 in favor of the Schmidts. The DeBoers appealed, this time in Michigan since that's where the child was living. They lost in court there, too, and the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case.
By this time, the case had drawn massive national publicity.
On August 2nd, 1993, while a television audience watched, a crying Jessica was returned to her biological parents in Cedar Rapids.
The stress of the situation was apparent. Both the Schmidts and DeBoers wound up divorcing. But the girl, now named Anna Schmidt, appears to have grown up normally and has avoided the spotlight. In fact, she says she has no recollection of the custody change which happened on live television on this date in 1993…30 years ago today.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 2nd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Baby Jessica"
On February 8, 1991, Clara Clausen of Cedar Rapids gave birth to a daughter. Two days later, she signed adoption papers, as did the girl's biological father, Scott Seefeldt. The baby girl was adopted by Jan and Roberta DeBoer of Ann Arbor, Michigan. They named the girl Jessica.
But Seefeldt was not actually Jessica's biological father. Instead, a man named Dan Schmidt was. Schmidt and Clausen broke up shortly after Clausen discovered she was pregnant, and she never told him about the baby.
Less than a month after the baby was adopted, Clausen had second thoughts about the adoption and contacted Schmidt. They filed a legal action to have the adoption nullified since Schmidt as the biological father had not signed away his parental rights. They also got married.
After a district court ruled that the baby needed to be returned to Iowa, the DeBoers filed an appeal. In December 1992, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled 8 to 1 in favor of the Schmidts. The DeBoers appealed, this time in Michigan since that's where the child was living. They lost in court there, too, and the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case.
By this time, the case had drawn massive national publicity.
On August 2nd, 1993, while a television audience watched, a crying Jessica was returned to her biological parents in Cedar Rapids.
The stress of the situation was apparent. Both the Schmidts and DeBoers wound up divorcing. But the girl, now named Anna Schmidt, appears to have grown up normally and has avoided the spotlight. In fact, she says she has no recollection of the custody change which happened on live television on this date in 1993…30 years ago today.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 2nd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, August 01, 2023
"Talley's War"
When Iowa was admitted to the Union in 1846, it was a free state, meaning slavery was prohibited. But many in our state had loyalty to the south...perhaps they had relatives living there, or believed that states should make their own choice on what we now see as a moral issue.
Those in the North who became involved in helping the South during the Civil War, secretly raising money for guns and other supplies, were called Copperheads. They got the name because the loyal Union people thought they were as deadly as the copperhead snake.
One of the leaders of the Copperheads in Eastern Iowa was a Baptist preacher named Cyphert Talley. He was actually pro-peace, and spoke often at rallies.
One of those was a Democratic party rally held near the English River on Saturday, August 1st, 1863. Hundreds attended. After the rally, Talley and his party rode in wagons to the town of South English nearby, where a meeting of Republicans had taken place. Talley was warned not to go to the town, but did anyway.
The Democrats in wagons displayed weapons, and soon gunfire was exchanged between Talley's people and the equally well-armed people in the town. Hundreds of shots were fired, but only one person died--Cyphert Talley.
By the next day, hundreds came to South English, demanding vengeance. They formed what was called the Skunk River Army, itching for a fight. Some townspeople travelled to Davenport to meet with Governor Samuel Kirkwood about the matter. The governor travelled with several hundred troops and cannons to the area, but the so-called Army lost its nerve along the way and had disbanded by the time the governor arrived.
No one was ever indicted for shooting Cyphert Talley, whose death led to high tension in South English for a month, beginning on this date in 1863…160 years ago today.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 1st...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Talley's War"
When Iowa was admitted to the Union in 1846, it was a free state, meaning slavery was prohibited. But many in our state had loyalty to the south...perhaps they had relatives living there, or believed that states should make their own choice on what we now see as a moral issue.
Those in the North who became involved in helping the South during the Civil War, secretly raising money for guns and other supplies, were called Copperheads. They got the name because the loyal Union people thought they were as deadly as the copperhead snake.
One of the leaders of the Copperheads in Eastern Iowa was a Baptist preacher named Cyphert Talley. He was actually pro-peace, and spoke often at rallies.
One of those was a Democratic party rally held near the English River on Saturday, August 1st, 1863. Hundreds attended. After the rally, Talley and his party rode in wagons to the town of South English nearby, where a meeting of Republicans had taken place. Talley was warned not to go to the town, but did anyway.
The Democrats in wagons displayed weapons, and soon gunfire was exchanged between Talley's people and the equally well-armed people in the town. Hundreds of shots were fired, but only one person died--Cyphert Talley.
By the next day, hundreds came to South English, demanding vengeance. They formed what was called the Skunk River Army, itching for a fight. Some townspeople travelled to Davenport to meet with Governor Samuel Kirkwood about the matter. The governor travelled with several hundred troops and cannons to the area, but the so-called Army lost its nerve along the way and had disbanded by the time the governor arrived.
No one was ever indicted for shooting Cyphert Talley, whose death led to high tension in South English for a month, beginning on this date in 1863…160 years ago today.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 1st...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
