"Iowa Almanac" is a copyrighted production of Stein Enterprises, L.L.C.
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No use of the material is allowed without prior written permission of the copyright holder.
Copyright 2017 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 2017 by Stein Enterprises, L.L.C.
Iowa Almanac for Friday, June 30, 2017
"The Father of the Grotto"
Father Paul Doberstein was born in Germany in 1872 and emigrated to the United States at age 20. He was ordained in Milwaukee on June 30th, 1897. After a year as chaplain for a Dubuque hospital, he was appointed as pastor of the West Bend Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church. He remained there for the rest of his life, and during that 57 years, he created something truly remarkable.
Shortly before he completed his seminar studies, Father Doberstein became critically ill with pneumonia. He prayed to the Virgin Mary, promising to build a shrine in her honor if he lived.
He made good on that promise, creating the Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend. It started as a fishing pond and park outside the church, an effort to get parishioners to stay after services. In 1912, after years of collecting rocks and precious stones, he began to create the Grotto, which is designed to tell the story of man's fall and his redemption by Christ as savior of the world. And as Father Doberstein recalled in a 1946 radio interview, he did it without any training.
I never draw any plans on paper. I visualize these things that I do. I visualize the whole grotto as it will appear complete, in two minutes, as a mental picture.
Along with Matt Szerensce, who signed on to the project right out of high school and worked on it himself for 52 years, Father Doberstein envisioned a work of art that brings some 100,000 visitors each year to West Bend in northwest Iowa to see the largest grotto in the world.
The geological value of the stones that make up the Grotto is around $4 million. But to its creator, it was a priceless tribute and fulfillment of a promise Father Paul Doberstein made in a prayer shortly become he became ordained as a priest, on this date in 1897.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 30th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Father of the Grotto"
Father Paul Doberstein was born in Germany in 1872 and emigrated to the United States at age 20. He was ordained in Milwaukee on June 30th, 1897. After a year as chaplain for a Dubuque hospital, he was appointed as pastor of the West Bend Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church. He remained there for the rest of his life, and during that 57 years, he created something truly remarkable.
Shortly before he completed his seminar studies, Father Doberstein became critically ill with pneumonia. He prayed to the Virgin Mary, promising to build a shrine in her honor if he lived.
He made good on that promise, creating the Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend. It started as a fishing pond and park outside the church, an effort to get parishioners to stay after services. In 1912, after years of collecting rocks and precious stones, he began to create the Grotto, which is designed to tell the story of man's fall and his redemption by Christ as savior of the world. And as Father Doberstein recalled in a 1946 radio interview, he did it without any training.
I never draw any plans on paper. I visualize these things that I do. I visualize the whole grotto as it will appear complete, in two minutes, as a mental picture.
Along with Matt Szerensce, who signed on to the project right out of high school and worked on it himself for 52 years, Father Doberstein envisioned a work of art that brings some 100,000 visitors each year to West Bend in northwest Iowa to see the largest grotto in the world.
The geological value of the stones that make up the Grotto is around $4 million. But to its creator, it was a priceless tribute and fulfillment of a promise Father Paul Doberstein made in a prayer shortly become he became ordained as a priest, on this date in 1897.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 30th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, June 29, 2017
"The Human Fly"
Henry Roland had an odd job. He climbed buildings in the 1920s and 1930s, travelling the country and entertaining audiences through his antics.
In August of 1924, Roland, his wife Anna, and their small daughter, Helen, were travelling across Iowa. Henry would perform and collect donations to cover their living expenses. They found themselves in Bloomfield, and Henry found the Davis County Courthouse there irresistible.
Back then, courthouse squares and main streets were hubs of small town activity, so it was no surprise that several hundred people gathered to watch Roland climb the outside of the building. All went well until he neared the cornice. He lost his footing and fell 35 feet to the sidewalk below, breaking his left hip, among other injuries. Doctors said he would never climb again, and in fact, he spent five weeks in a hospital in Ottumwa.
But the Human Fly would return to the entertainment circuit. And while he was gaining fame, there was still something missing.
In June 1932, Henry Roland was in northern Missouri and decided to cross the state line to tackle the courthouse in Bloomfield once again. The earlier fall left him with one leg shorter than the other, and a left arm that never fully recovered. But despite that, on June 29th, Roland flawlessly climbed the Davis County Courthouse in less than 12 minutes, placing his cap on the head of the Blind Justice statue that stands atop the clock tower.
Five years later, at the age of 43, he died in a fall from a trapeze more than 60 feet above the ground in Tennessee.
The Davis County Courthouse beat him once, but Henry Roland got his revenge eight years later, climbing the building in Bloomfield on this date in 1932.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 29th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Human Fly"
Henry Roland had an odd job. He climbed buildings in the 1920s and 1930s, travelling the country and entertaining audiences through his antics.
In August of 1924, Roland, his wife Anna, and their small daughter, Helen, were travelling across Iowa. Henry would perform and collect donations to cover their living expenses. They found themselves in Bloomfield, and Henry found the Davis County Courthouse there irresistible.
Back then, courthouse squares and main streets were hubs of small town activity, so it was no surprise that several hundred people gathered to watch Roland climb the outside of the building. All went well until he neared the cornice. He lost his footing and fell 35 feet to the sidewalk below, breaking his left hip, among other injuries. Doctors said he would never climb again, and in fact, he spent five weeks in a hospital in Ottumwa.
But the Human Fly would return to the entertainment circuit. And while he was gaining fame, there was still something missing.
In June 1932, Henry Roland was in northern Missouri and decided to cross the state line to tackle the courthouse in Bloomfield once again. The earlier fall left him with one leg shorter than the other, and a left arm that never fully recovered. But despite that, on June 29th, Roland flawlessly climbed the Davis County Courthouse in less than 12 minutes, placing his cap on the head of the Blind Justice statue that stands atop the clock tower.
Five years later, at the age of 43, he died in a fall from a trapeze more than 60 feet above the ground in Tennessee.
The Davis County Courthouse beat him once, but Henry Roland got his revenge eight years later, climbing the building in Bloomfield on this date in 1932.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 29th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, June 28, 2017
"Iowa's First Club"
On June 28, 1865, the Dubuque Shooting Society was formally incorporated. The group was founded in 1856 and is Iowa's oldest existing club. Originally known as the Schuetzen Gesellschaft, the group's charter members were all of German descent, and non were native-born Dubuque residents.
In fact, until 1875, anyone who could not speak German was excluded from membership, and the German name was used until 1890.
The club's 160-yard range at 30th and Jackson Streets was the scene of frequent shooting competitions. A change in the course of the Minnesota and Northwestern Railroad meant the club needed to find a new property. They settled on a 23-acre park fronting what is now Highway 52 North, which was once the county poorhouse farm. The natural amphitheater provided an ideal setting for shooting and privacy.
About 100 years after the railroad forced the Society to move, transportation routes almost did the same thing again. In 1978, there were plans to route a four-lane highway through a portion of the property. But the Dubuque City Council cancelled those plans, because of the negative impact on the Society.
Originally known as Schuetzen Gesellschaft, the Dubuque Shooting Society was formally incorporated as Iowa's oldest existing club, on this date in 1865.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 28th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Iowa's First Club"
On June 28, 1865, the Dubuque Shooting Society was formally incorporated. The group was founded in 1856 and is Iowa's oldest existing club. Originally known as the Schuetzen Gesellschaft, the group's charter members were all of German descent, and non were native-born Dubuque residents.
In fact, until 1875, anyone who could not speak German was excluded from membership, and the German name was used until 1890.
The club's 160-yard range at 30th and Jackson Streets was the scene of frequent shooting competitions. A change in the course of the Minnesota and Northwestern Railroad meant the club needed to find a new property. They settled on a 23-acre park fronting what is now Highway 52 North, which was once the county poorhouse farm. The natural amphitheater provided an ideal setting for shooting and privacy.
About 100 years after the railroad forced the Society to move, transportation routes almost did the same thing again. In 1978, there were plans to route a four-lane highway through a portion of the property. But the Dubuque City Council cancelled those plans, because of the negative impact on the Society.
Originally known as Schuetzen Gesellschaft, the Dubuque Shooting Society was formally incorporated as Iowa's oldest existing club, on this date in 1865.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 28th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, June 27, 2017
"A Town On Fire"
This Independence Day will be different...for the first time in almost 80 years, fireworks are legal in Iowa. Fireworks have been legal in many neighboring states, but were not here. And that's in large part because of something that happened on June 27th, 1931.
The weather was hot even for an Iowa summer. The temperature in Spencer in northwest Iowa topped off at 97 degrees. And lack of recent rain made things dry, as well.
There was a large fireworks display in the front window of Bjornstad's Drugstore at the corner of Fourth and Main, downtown. A little boy took an interest in the display, which was not uncommon. What happened next was quite uncommon.
No one to this day is sure what happened, but somehow a lit sparkler was dropped on the fireworks display. That led to an explosion that literally set downtown Spencer on fire. The heat, drought, and high winds that day fanned the flames that consumed two and a half blocks of the business district. More than 50 buildings were soon reduced to rubble, with damage estimated at $1.2 million. Amazingly, no lives were lost.
A few years later, in 1938, the Iowa legislature banned the sale and private use of fireworks, a ban that remained in place until just this year.
When Spencer's business owners decided to rebuild, they opted for a theme of art deco and mission revival styles for most of the new buildings. As a result, Miami, Florida is the only city in the country with a larger art deco presence in its commercial buildings.
But it was hard to consider that when Spencer's downtown business district went up in flames due to fireworks, on this date in 1931.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 27th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"A Town On Fire"
This Independence Day will be different...for the first time in almost 80 years, fireworks are legal in Iowa. Fireworks have been legal in many neighboring states, but were not here. And that's in large part because of something that happened on June 27th, 1931.
The weather was hot even for an Iowa summer. The temperature in Spencer in northwest Iowa topped off at 97 degrees. And lack of recent rain made things dry, as well.
There was a large fireworks display in the front window of Bjornstad's Drugstore at the corner of Fourth and Main, downtown. A little boy took an interest in the display, which was not uncommon. What happened next was quite uncommon.
No one to this day is sure what happened, but somehow a lit sparkler was dropped on the fireworks display. That led to an explosion that literally set downtown Spencer on fire. The heat, drought, and high winds that day fanned the flames that consumed two and a half blocks of the business district. More than 50 buildings were soon reduced to rubble, with damage estimated at $1.2 million. Amazingly, no lives were lost.
A few years later, in 1938, the Iowa legislature banned the sale and private use of fireworks, a ban that remained in place until just this year.
When Spencer's business owners decided to rebuild, they opted for a theme of art deco and mission revival styles for most of the new buildings. As a result, Miami, Florida is the only city in the country with a larger art deco presence in its commercial buildings.
But it was hard to consider that when Spencer's downtown business district went up in flames due to fireworks, on this date in 1931.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 27th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Monday, June 26, 2017
"Trapped by Corn"
The odds were not in Arick Baker's favor. In the last half of the 20th century, 74 percent of those trapped in grain bins died.
On June 26th, 2013, the 23-year-old Baker went into an 80,000-bushel grain bin in rural Hardin County to remove some rotten corn, unplugging a hole so corn could pass through.
Suddenly, an air pocket sucked him down. Soon he was covered by 22,000 bushels of corn. He knew there was about two feet of corn above him, because he was able to move his left arm above his head, and he could feel the top of the corn only with his fingertips.
He was alone. His father and a truck driver had already left the area, and Baker had no idea when they would be back. After being trapped for an hour, the truck driver returned and called for help.
How did Arick Baker survive against such long odds? He was wearing a ventilation mask to filter air that can become dirty from dust and mold. His parents bought him the $350 mask because he had suffered from asthma as a child. While it did not provide oxygen, it provided enough of a buffer to allow him to breathe just enough to stay alive.
Firefighters from all around came to help, and four hours later, Arick Baker was free, thanks to responders who dug for hours to remove corn from the bin. (The photo above is from the Iowa Falls Times-Citizen newspaper.) He spent two days in a hospital for an injured foot, a few scratches, and rope burn.
You may have seen his story on national television recently; it was profiled on ABC's "In an Instant" program. And it truly was against all odds, when Arick Baker of New Providence survived five hours trapped in a grain bin in Hardin County, on this date in 2013.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 26th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Trapped by Corn"
The odds were not in Arick Baker's favor. In the last half of the 20th century, 74 percent of those trapped in grain bins died.
On June 26th, 2013, the 23-year-old Baker went into an 80,000-bushel grain bin in rural Hardin County to remove some rotten corn, unplugging a hole so corn could pass through.
Suddenly, an air pocket sucked him down. Soon he was covered by 22,000 bushels of corn. He knew there was about two feet of corn above him, because he was able to move his left arm above his head, and he could feel the top of the corn only with his fingertips.
He was alone. His father and a truck driver had already left the area, and Baker had no idea when they would be back. After being trapped for an hour, the truck driver returned and called for help.
How did Arick Baker survive against such long odds? He was wearing a ventilation mask to filter air that can become dirty from dust and mold. His parents bought him the $350 mask because he had suffered from asthma as a child. While it did not provide oxygen, it provided enough of a buffer to allow him to breathe just enough to stay alive.
Firefighters from all around came to help, and four hours later, Arick Baker was free, thanks to responders who dug for hours to remove corn from the bin. (The photo above is from the Iowa Falls Times-Citizen newspaper.) He spent two days in a hospital for an injured foot, a few scratches, and rope burn.
You may have seen his story on national television recently; it was profiled on ABC's "In an Instant" program. And it truly was against all odds, when Arick Baker of New Providence survived five hours trapped in a grain bin in Hardin County, on this date in 2013.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 26th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Friday, June 23, 2017
"Fighting the Fires"
The city of Cedar Rapids began organizing its first volunteer fire department on February 4th, 1869. Less than a month later, the city's first steamer engine and 500 feet of hose arrived; costing $6,000.00.
The city's volunteer effort continued for 24 years, before the first paid fire chief was hired. L. M. Ayers served in that position for four years. At the time, the city's loosely organized fire equipment consisted of nine two-wheeled carts, one four-wheeled cart, two large hook-and-ladder trucks, and one supply wagon.
On June 23rd, 1894, the Cedar Rapids Fire Department became a paid department, with professional firefighters. The city would now be covered by a unified fire department, rather than a collection of individual volunteer companies. Prior to the unification, individual volunteer companies would actually compete with one another to get to a fire first and put it out.
The first Central Fire Station in the city was on Second Street East near the Granby Building. A new station was built five years later, and the first motorized fire apparatus came in 1912. The department joined the International Association of Firefighters Union in early 1918.
Starting in 1975, new fire trucks were painted yellow instead of red; many departments tried this idea, as it was thought they would be more visible. Cedar Rapids ultimately switched back to red in the early 1990s. Today, the department prides itself on responding anywhere in our state's second largest city in less than four minutes.
A total of 248 men, 11 companies, and 14 pieces of apparatus was taken out of service, ending a quarter-century of volunteer firefighting, when the Cedar Rapids Fire Department became a unified, paid city department, on this date in 1894.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 23rd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Fighting the Fires"
The city of Cedar Rapids began organizing its first volunteer fire department on February 4th, 1869. Less than a month later, the city's first steamer engine and 500 feet of hose arrived; costing $6,000.00.
The city's volunteer effort continued for 24 years, before the first paid fire chief was hired. L. M. Ayers served in that position for four years. At the time, the city's loosely organized fire equipment consisted of nine two-wheeled carts, one four-wheeled cart, two large hook-and-ladder trucks, and one supply wagon.
On June 23rd, 1894, the Cedar Rapids Fire Department became a paid department, with professional firefighters. The city would now be covered by a unified fire department, rather than a collection of individual volunteer companies. Prior to the unification, individual volunteer companies would actually compete with one another to get to a fire first and put it out.
The first Central Fire Station in the city was on Second Street East near the Granby Building. A new station was built five years later, and the first motorized fire apparatus came in 1912. The department joined the International Association of Firefighters Union in early 1918.
Starting in 1975, new fire trucks were painted yellow instead of red; many departments tried this idea, as it was thought they would be more visible. Cedar Rapids ultimately switched back to red in the early 1990s. Today, the department prides itself on responding anywhere in our state's second largest city in less than four minutes.
A total of 248 men, 11 companies, and 14 pieces of apparatus was taken out of service, ending a quarter-century of volunteer firefighting, when the Cedar Rapids Fire Department became a unified, paid city department, on this date in 1894.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 23rd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, June 22, 2017
"Mrs. Olson's Hometown"
Virginia Christine Ricketts was born in the southwest Iowa town of Stanton on March 5th, 1920. Using the name Virginia Christine, she had a long career as an actress, including playing a nosy bigot in the movie "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner". But most likely, you'll remember her from another role.
For 21 years in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, Virginia Christine played the character Mrs. Olson in the long-running Folgers coffee commercials.
Her hometown wanted to honor her, so in 1971, Stanton repainted its water tower to resemble a coffee pot, complete with handle and spout. It became known as the World's Largest Coffee Pot, and would hold three quarters of a million cups of coffee.
But even the world's largest coffee pot was not large enough to handle the water needs of Stanton, so on June 22nd, 2001, five years after Virginia Christine's death, the city added a second water tower...this one in the shape of a coffee cup. The coffee cup water tower would hold 2.4 million cups of coffee. Both were decorated with a Swedish-style tollware design, with decorative hearts and flowers.
The coffee pot water tower became too expensive to maintain, and in 2015, it was taken down, with the giant coffee pot itself mounted at street level on the local historical society's grounds as a tribute to Stanton native Virginia Christine, Mrs. Olson. But the coffee cup water tower still stands, as it has ever since this date in 2001.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 22nd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Mrs. Olson's Hometown"
Virginia Christine Ricketts was born in the southwest Iowa town of Stanton on March 5th, 1920. Using the name Virginia Christine, she had a long career as an actress, including playing a nosy bigot in the movie "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner". But most likely, you'll remember her from another role.
For 21 years in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, Virginia Christine played the character Mrs. Olson in the long-running Folgers coffee commercials.
Her hometown wanted to honor her, so in 1971, Stanton repainted its water tower to resemble a coffee pot, complete with handle and spout. It became known as the World's Largest Coffee Pot, and would hold three quarters of a million cups of coffee.
But even the world's largest coffee pot was not large enough to handle the water needs of Stanton, so on June 22nd, 2001, five years after Virginia Christine's death, the city added a second water tower...this one in the shape of a coffee cup. The coffee cup water tower would hold 2.4 million cups of coffee. Both were decorated with a Swedish-style tollware design, with decorative hearts and flowers.
The coffee pot water tower became too expensive to maintain, and in 2015, it was taken down, with the giant coffee pot itself mounted at street level on the local historical society's grounds as a tribute to Stanton native Virginia Christine, Mrs. Olson. But the coffee cup water tower still stands, as it has ever since this date in 2001.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 22nd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, June 21, 2017
"The Mother of 4-H"
Celestia Josephine Field was born on Sunnyside Farm near Shenandoah on June 21, 1881. Her mother was also Celestia Josephine, so the newborn was known throughout her life as Jessie.
At age 19, Jessie Field was hired to teach at Clarinda’s Goldenrod School. She felt that rural children needed more connections with each other than they were getting, so she began holding informal after-school lessons, in what became the Boys Corn Club and Girls Home Club.
She continued her own education and wound up as a school principal in Montana. Before long, her older brother Henry Field, who was himself getting quite a reputation for his seed company, wrote and asked her to move back home because the job of Page County country school superintendent was open. She got the job in 1906.
She continued working with students outside of school, and to reward those who excelled, in 1910 she designed a three-leaf clover pin with the letter H on the leaves, standing for head, hands, and heart. Later, a fourth leaf was added, originally standing for home, and later, health.
Soon these 4-H clubs spread to other areas, and by 1914, a national 4-H organization was born.
Jessie Field moved to New York City in 1913 to become national secretary of the YWCA. She returned to southwest Iowa in 1917, married, and devoted the rest of her working life to family and connecting with homemakers via programs on her brother’s radio station.
She died in 1971 at the age of 89, after breaking her hip in a fall, which then led to pneumonia.
More than 25 million young people have participated in 4-H in the century it has been in existence. The Mother of 4-H, Jessie Field Shambaugh, was born near Shenandoah on this date in 1881.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 21st...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Mother of 4-H"
Celestia Josephine Field was born on Sunnyside Farm near Shenandoah on June 21, 1881. Her mother was also Celestia Josephine, so the newborn was known throughout her life as Jessie.
At age 19, Jessie Field was hired to teach at Clarinda’s Goldenrod School. She felt that rural children needed more connections with each other than they were getting, so she began holding informal after-school lessons, in what became the Boys Corn Club and Girls Home Club.
She continued her own education and wound up as a school principal in Montana. Before long, her older brother Henry Field, who was himself getting quite a reputation for his seed company, wrote and asked her to move back home because the job of Page County country school superintendent was open. She got the job in 1906.
She continued working with students outside of school, and to reward those who excelled, in 1910 she designed a three-leaf clover pin with the letter H on the leaves, standing for head, hands, and heart. Later, a fourth leaf was added, originally standing for home, and later, health.
Soon these 4-H clubs spread to other areas, and by 1914, a national 4-H organization was born.
Jessie Field moved to New York City in 1913 to become national secretary of the YWCA. She returned to southwest Iowa in 1917, married, and devoted the rest of her working life to family and connecting with homemakers via programs on her brother’s radio station.
She died in 1971 at the age of 89, after breaking her hip in a fall, which then led to pneumonia.
More than 25 million young people have participated in 4-H in the century it has been in existence. The Mother of 4-H, Jessie Field Shambaugh, was born near Shenandoah on this date in 1881.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 21st...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, June 20, 2017
"Time For A Drink"
Ever since before it became a state, Iowa has had an uneasy relationship with alcohol. Production and sale were limited by state lawmakers, and the state actually imposed statewide prohibition in 1916, four years before it became national policy.
The national prohibition experiment led to bootlegging, including in Iowa. After all, we had easy access to a key ingredient for the manufacture of alcohol--corn. Many Iowa bootleggers set up their businesses in rural areas, further away from prying eyes of law enforcement.
Iowa bootleggers made moonshine whiskey, wine, gin, and home brew beer--all simply raw alcohol. More refined illegal liquor could be purchased in so-called speakeasies.
In northwest Iowa, near the small town of Templeton, illegal whiskey made there became popular in speakeasies from Chicago to Kansas City to New York. Now, the same Templeton Rye is produced legally.
The illegal production of alcohol led to 20,000 people going to jail nationally in the last half of 1931 alone.
On June 20th, 1933, Iowans voted to pass the 21st Amendment, which repealed prohibition. The experiment was officially over later that year, when enough states followed Iowa's lead.
But for more than 50 years, Iowa still strictly controlled the distribution of alcohol, selling it only through state-run liquor stores until 1987.
After banning alcohol statewide well before the national prohibition, Iowa became one of the first states to vote wet, on this date in 1933.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 20th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Time For A Drink"
Ever since before it became a state, Iowa has had an uneasy relationship with alcohol. Production and sale were limited by state lawmakers, and the state actually imposed statewide prohibition in 1916, four years before it became national policy.
The national prohibition experiment led to bootlegging, including in Iowa. After all, we had easy access to a key ingredient for the manufacture of alcohol--corn. Many Iowa bootleggers set up their businesses in rural areas, further away from prying eyes of law enforcement.
Iowa bootleggers made moonshine whiskey, wine, gin, and home brew beer--all simply raw alcohol. More refined illegal liquor could be purchased in so-called speakeasies.
In northwest Iowa, near the small town of Templeton, illegal whiskey made there became popular in speakeasies from Chicago to Kansas City to New York. Now, the same Templeton Rye is produced legally.
The illegal production of alcohol led to 20,000 people going to jail nationally in the last half of 1931 alone.
On June 20th, 1933, Iowans voted to pass the 21st Amendment, which repealed prohibition. The experiment was officially over later that year, when enough states followed Iowa's lead.
But for more than 50 years, Iowa still strictly controlled the distribution of alcohol, selling it only through state-run liquor stores until 1987.
After banning alcohol statewide well before the national prohibition, Iowa became one of the first states to vote wet, on this date in 1933.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 20th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Monday, June 19, 2017
"Defeating A Legend"
The 1955 U.S. Open golf championship ended in a playoff. One of the competitors was the legendary Ben Hogan. The other was a virtual unknown from Iowa, Jack Fleck.
By 1955, Hogan had already won four U.S. Open titles and was the dominant player in the game. Jack Fleck was a journeyman, scratching out a living from a home base in Florida. With the encouragement of his wife Lynn, he commited himself to the pro tour for two years. One of Fleck’s idols was Ben Hogan; he wore a cap like the one Hogan wore, and was one of the first to use Hogan- brand golf clubs. In fact, Ben Hogan hand-delivered two clubs to Fleck just before the start of the U.S. Open, because they were not ready when Fleck got the rest of the set.
The Olympic Club course in San Francisco was suited to Fleck’s game, with long rough, tree-lined fairways, and small greens. Back then, the tournament included 18 holes on Thursday, 18 on Friday, and two full rounds—36 holes—on Saturday.
Ben Hogan was in the lead on that final Saturday when NBC was scheduled to sign off their telecast. The only person left on the course with a chance was Jack Fleck, and he needed two birdies in the last four holes just to tie the legend. So NBC told their audience Hogan would no doubt win and ended their coverage.
But then Fleck rolled in an 8-foot birdie putt on No. 15, and another on the final hole, to tie Hogan at the top of the leaderboard.
The two men squared off in an 18-hole playoff on Sunday. Fleck took a strong lead, with three straight birdies. But then the pressure started to get to him, and he bogeyed two late holes. It came down to the last hole, with Jack Fleck leading Ben Hogan by a single shot. Now it was the veteran’s turn to feel the pressure, and he hooked his drive into the rough, giving Jack Fleck the national title.
The people of his hometown of Davenport gave Jack Fleck a parade and a new car. Fleck would only win twice more on the pro tour, but the then-new Seniors Tour revitalized his career, including a win in the PGA Seniors Championship in 1979.
He had a secret that he said helped him all those years. To avoid running out of energy, he sucked on two or three sugar cubes on each hole. He said he never came close to getting tired. No doubt it helped when Jack Fleck won the U.S. Open in a playoff over Ben Hogan, on this date in 1955.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 19th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Defeating A Legend"
The 1955 U.S. Open golf championship ended in a playoff. One of the competitors was the legendary Ben Hogan. The other was a virtual unknown from Iowa, Jack Fleck.
By 1955, Hogan had already won four U.S. Open titles and was the dominant player in the game. Jack Fleck was a journeyman, scratching out a living from a home base in Florida. With the encouragement of his wife Lynn, he commited himself to the pro tour for two years. One of Fleck’s idols was Ben Hogan; he wore a cap like the one Hogan wore, and was one of the first to use Hogan- brand golf clubs. In fact, Ben Hogan hand-delivered two clubs to Fleck just before the start of the U.S. Open, because they were not ready when Fleck got the rest of the set.
The Olympic Club course in San Francisco was suited to Fleck’s game, with long rough, tree-lined fairways, and small greens. Back then, the tournament included 18 holes on Thursday, 18 on Friday, and two full rounds—36 holes—on Saturday.
Ben Hogan was in the lead on that final Saturday when NBC was scheduled to sign off their telecast. The only person left on the course with a chance was Jack Fleck, and he needed two birdies in the last four holes just to tie the legend. So NBC told their audience Hogan would no doubt win and ended their coverage.
But then Fleck rolled in an 8-foot birdie putt on No. 15, and another on the final hole, to tie Hogan at the top of the leaderboard.
The two men squared off in an 18-hole playoff on Sunday. Fleck took a strong lead, with three straight birdies. But then the pressure started to get to him, and he bogeyed two late holes. It came down to the last hole, with Jack Fleck leading Ben Hogan by a single shot. Now it was the veteran’s turn to feel the pressure, and he hooked his drive into the rough, giving Jack Fleck the national title.
The people of his hometown of Davenport gave Jack Fleck a parade and a new car. Fleck would only win twice more on the pro tour, but the then-new Seniors Tour revitalized his career, including a win in the PGA Seniors Championship in 1979.
He had a secret that he said helped him all those years. To avoid running out of energy, he sucked on two or three sugar cubes on each hole. He said he never came close to getting tired. No doubt it helped when Jack Fleck won the U.S. Open in a playoff over Ben Hogan, on this date in 1955.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 19th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Friday, June 16, 2017
"The Man of Steel"
For a generation of moviegoers in the 1980s, Christopher Reeve was the embodiment of the comic book character Superman. More recently, it may have been Iowa native Brandon Routh. But for an earlier generation, those who grew up with the birth of television, there was only one man of steel...George Reeves.
By the time he donned the red cape for the first time, Reeves had already appeared in more than two dozen films, including Gone with the Wind and Knute Rockne, All American.
Born in Woolstock, Iowa on January 5th, 1914, Reeves became beloved by youngsters as a result of the 104 episodes of the Adventures of Superman that aired on television between 1952 and 1958...most of them were filmed in color, which led to a resurgence in the show's popularity a decade later when stations finally started broadcasting in color.
Sadly, Reeves was not able to enjoy that later success. He died of a gunshot wound to the head on June 16th, 1959, and whether it was suicide, as officially determined--or something more sinister, as some still suspect--the gentle nature of George Reeves came through the television screen, and in personal appearances--whether as Clark Kent, or his alter ego Superman.
TV's Superman, Iowa-born George Reeves, died on this date in 1959.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 16th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Man of Steel"
For a generation of moviegoers in the 1980s, Christopher Reeve was the embodiment of the comic book character Superman. More recently, it may have been Iowa native Brandon Routh. But for an earlier generation, those who grew up with the birth of television, there was only one man of steel...George Reeves.
By the time he donned the red cape for the first time, Reeves had already appeared in more than two dozen films, including Gone with the Wind and Knute Rockne, All American.
Born in Woolstock, Iowa on January 5th, 1914, Reeves became beloved by youngsters as a result of the 104 episodes of the Adventures of Superman that aired on television between 1952 and 1958...most of them were filmed in color, which led to a resurgence in the show's popularity a decade later when stations finally started broadcasting in color.
Sadly, Reeves was not able to enjoy that later success. He died of a gunshot wound to the head on June 16th, 1959, and whether it was suicide, as officially determined--or something more sinister, as some still suspect--the gentle nature of George Reeves came through the television screen, and in personal appearances--whether as Clark Kent, or his alter ego Superman.
TV's Superman, Iowa-born George Reeves, died on this date in 1959.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 16th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, June 15, 2017
"The First Woman Speaker"
College commencement ceremonies often have featured speakers, whose remarks are often forgotten. For that matter, many of the graduates can't remember who spoke at their graduation after a few years time.
Chances are, however, that the graduates of Iowa State University remembered the commencement exercises on June 15th, 1921, because one of the school's most famous graduates delivered remarks.
Carrie Lane Chapman Catt was born in 1859 in Wisconsin, but grew up on a farm near Charles City from the time she was 7. She graduated from what was then Iowa Agricultural College in 1880 with a degree in general science. She was the only woman in her graduating class. She became a teacher and principal in Mason City, and at the age of 24, became school superintendent, one of the first women to hold such a position.
After her first husband died of typhoid fever, Carrie devoted herself to the women's suffrage cause. In 1890, she married engineer George Catt, whom she had first met while in college. He supported his wife's suffrage work, saying his role in the marriage was to earn their living, and hers was to reform society.
She came up with the idea for what became the national League of Women Voters and was honorary president for more than a quarter century, until her death in 1947.
She was the first woman to deliver a commencement address at Iowa State, and in fact, did so not only in 1921, but in 1930 as well. In that first graduation speech, she closed by saying, "To the wrongs that need resistance...to the right that needs assistance...to the future in the distance...give yourselves."
The words of suffragist Carrie Chapman Catt, when she delivered the commencement address at her alma mater, Iowa State University, on this date in 1921.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 15th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The First Woman Speaker"
College commencement ceremonies often have featured speakers, whose remarks are often forgotten. For that matter, many of the graduates can't remember who spoke at their graduation after a few years time.
Chances are, however, that the graduates of Iowa State University remembered the commencement exercises on June 15th, 1921, because one of the school's most famous graduates delivered remarks.
Carrie Lane Chapman Catt was born in 1859 in Wisconsin, but grew up on a farm near Charles City from the time she was 7. She graduated from what was then Iowa Agricultural College in 1880 with a degree in general science. She was the only woman in her graduating class. She became a teacher and principal in Mason City, and at the age of 24, became school superintendent, one of the first women to hold such a position.
After her first husband died of typhoid fever, Carrie devoted herself to the women's suffrage cause. In 1890, she married engineer George Catt, whom she had first met while in college. He supported his wife's suffrage work, saying his role in the marriage was to earn their living, and hers was to reform society.
She came up with the idea for what became the national League of Women Voters and was honorary president for more than a quarter century, until her death in 1947.
She was the first woman to deliver a commencement address at Iowa State, and in fact, did so not only in 1921, but in 1930 as well. In that first graduation speech, she closed by saying, "To the wrongs that need resistance...to the right that needs assistance...to the future in the distance...give yourselves."
The words of suffragist Carrie Chapman Catt, when she delivered the commencement address at her alma mater, Iowa State University, on this date in 1921.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 15th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, June 14, 2017
"A Game With No Fans"
Yesterday, we remembered the impact of the devastating floods of 2008 on Cedar Rapids. River flooding affected central Iowa too, including Iowa's capital city of Des Moines. And it led to a unique sporting event being held.
On June 14, 2008, flood waters were rising in the Des Moines metro area, and an evacuation order was in place for downtown.
The Iowa Cubs minor league baseball team was being forced to cancel scheduled games against the Nashville Sounds, who were already in town. As team officials looked at the schedule, weather issues earlier in the season had already led to a number of future doubleheaders, and there were few available dates left for rescheduling the Friday and Saturday games that were going to be postponed.
So team officials made a deal with the city. They would have the game on that Saturday afternoon...but no fans were allowed to attend. That's right...the official attendance for the game was zero.
To cut down on the temptation of fans violating the evacuation order and coming anywhere near the ballpark, the team did not use the scoreboard or the public address system. There was no music playing as batters came to the plate.
The only sounds were cracks of the bat, balls hitting gloves, and whatever chatter came from players themselves. One player said it was like a sandlot game, only with uniforms.
Iowa won that game 5 to 4, and went on to win 83 games that year on their way to a division title. But no game was more memorable than the one played with no fans due to concerns about flooding in Des Moines, on this date in 2008.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 14th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"A Game With No Fans"
Yesterday, we remembered the impact of the devastating floods of 2008 on Cedar Rapids. River flooding affected central Iowa too, including Iowa's capital city of Des Moines. And it led to a unique sporting event being held.
On June 14, 2008, flood waters were rising in the Des Moines metro area, and an evacuation order was in place for downtown.
The Iowa Cubs minor league baseball team was being forced to cancel scheduled games against the Nashville Sounds, who were already in town. As team officials looked at the schedule, weather issues earlier in the season had already led to a number of future doubleheaders, and there were few available dates left for rescheduling the Friday and Saturday games that were going to be postponed.
So team officials made a deal with the city. They would have the game on that Saturday afternoon...but no fans were allowed to attend. That's right...the official attendance for the game was zero.
To cut down on the temptation of fans violating the evacuation order and coming anywhere near the ballpark, the team did not use the scoreboard or the public address system. There was no music playing as batters came to the plate.
The only sounds were cracks of the bat, balls hitting gloves, and whatever chatter came from players themselves. One player said it was like a sandlot game, only with uniforms.
Iowa won that game 5 to 4, and went on to win 83 games that year on their way to a division title. But no game was more memorable than the one played with no fans due to concerns about flooding in Des Moines, on this date in 2008.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 14th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, June 13, 2017
"The River Crested"
Iowa's rivers started spilling out of their banks about a week before Friday morning, June 13th, 2008. The historic suspension bridge in Charles City was swept away, then a day later, a crest of 8 feet above flood stage reached Waverly.
But the full force of the bloated Cedar River hit Iowa's second-largest city, Cedar Rapids, mid-morning on that Friday. The crest was 31.3 feet, more than 19 feet above flood stage...and more than 11 feet above the previous record level.
Most of downtown Cedar Rapids, a 10 square mile area, was inundated with water...that's an area of 1,300 blocks. More than 5,000 homes were affected, as were all the downtown businesses...more than 900 in all. Mays Island, which included city hall, the county courthouse, county jail, and federal courthouse, was flooded up to the second floor level.
All but one of the city's wells was flooded; that was saved thanks to hundreds of volunteers and a massive sandbagging effort.
The roster of buildings that sustained heavy damage included some of Cedar Rapids' most historic and well known sites--the Paramount Theatre that had recently been restored, the African American Cultural Center and Museum, the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library, the main branch of the public library, the Mother Mosque of America, the Czech Village, Time Check neighborhood, and so much more.
Not much of Iowa was left unaffected by the massive floods that summer. But for sheer scope of devastation and river level, nothing matched the crest in Cedar Rapids at more than 19 feet above flood stage, on this date in 2008.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 13th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The River Crested"
Iowa's rivers started spilling out of their banks about a week before Friday morning, June 13th, 2008. The historic suspension bridge in Charles City was swept away, then a day later, a crest of 8 feet above flood stage reached Waverly.
But the full force of the bloated Cedar River hit Iowa's second-largest city, Cedar Rapids, mid-morning on that Friday. The crest was 31.3 feet, more than 19 feet above flood stage...and more than 11 feet above the previous record level.
Most of downtown Cedar Rapids, a 10 square mile area, was inundated with water...that's an area of 1,300 blocks. More than 5,000 homes were affected, as were all the downtown businesses...more than 900 in all. Mays Island, which included city hall, the county courthouse, county jail, and federal courthouse, was flooded up to the second floor level.
All but one of the city's wells was flooded; that was saved thanks to hundreds of volunteers and a massive sandbagging effort.
The roster of buildings that sustained heavy damage included some of Cedar Rapids' most historic and well known sites--the Paramount Theatre that had recently been restored, the African American Cultural Center and Museum, the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library, the main branch of the public library, the Mother Mosque of America, the Czech Village, Time Check neighborhood, and so much more.
Not much of Iowa was left unaffected by the massive floods that summer. But for sheer scope of devastation and river level, nothing matched the crest in Cedar Rapids at more than 19 feet above flood stage, on this date in 2008.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 13th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Monday, June 12, 2017
"Mary Ingalls Comes To Iowa"
Thanks to the stories told by Laura Ingalls Wilder in her books and the "Little House on the Prairie" TV series, we know the story of the Ingalls family, who actually lived in Burr Oak, Iowa, for one year when Charles Ingalls--Pa--helped to run the Masters Hotel there in 1876. While some of the stories in the books and on television were fictionalized, many were based on actual experiences, including how Mary Ingalls coped with losing her sight.
At age 14, Mary became totally blind from what doctors called "brain fever". Two years later, at age 16, Ma and Pa Ingalls accompanied Mary to Vinton, Iowa, home to what was then called the Iowa College for the Blind. The family was living in South Dakota at the time, but there was no school for the blind there; the Iowa facility was recommended to them by travelling missionary.
During Mary's first year in school, there were 94 students--42 males and 52 females. Courses ranged from academic--spelling, arithmetic, and grammar--to industrial--making brooms, knitting, and carpet weaving.
Mary Ingalls' academic achievements were exceptionally high, and her performance in music was considered above average. Students were graded in part on conduct, and Mary received 100 percent, the highest of anyone in her class.
On June 12, 1889, 24-year-old Mary Ingalls graduated from the Iowa College for the Blind, one of eight in her graduating class. She recited an essay at the commencement exercises.
She returned to South Dakota, where she lived the rest of her life, first with her mother, then with sister Grace and sister Carrie. She died at the age of 63 in 1928. She never married, and never had children. She also did not live long enough to know that her sister Laura would immortalize the family through the Little House books. But we know about them, and know that Mary Ingalls graduated from the school for the blind in Vinton, on this date in 1889.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 12th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Mary Ingalls Comes To Iowa"
Thanks to the stories told by Laura Ingalls Wilder in her books and the "Little House on the Prairie" TV series, we know the story of the Ingalls family, who actually lived in Burr Oak, Iowa, for one year when Charles Ingalls--Pa--helped to run the Masters Hotel there in 1876. While some of the stories in the books and on television were fictionalized, many were based on actual experiences, including how Mary Ingalls coped with losing her sight.
At age 14, Mary became totally blind from what doctors called "brain fever". Two years later, at age 16, Ma and Pa Ingalls accompanied Mary to Vinton, Iowa, home to what was then called the Iowa College for the Blind. The family was living in South Dakota at the time, but there was no school for the blind there; the Iowa facility was recommended to them by travelling missionary.
During Mary's first year in school, there were 94 students--42 males and 52 females. Courses ranged from academic--spelling, arithmetic, and grammar--to industrial--making brooms, knitting, and carpet weaving.
Mary Ingalls' academic achievements were exceptionally high, and her performance in music was considered above average. Students were graded in part on conduct, and Mary received 100 percent, the highest of anyone in her class.
On June 12, 1889, 24-year-old Mary Ingalls graduated from the Iowa College for the Blind, one of eight in her graduating class. She recited an essay at the commencement exercises.
She returned to South Dakota, where she lived the rest of her life, first with her mother, then with sister Grace and sister Carrie. She died at the age of 63 in 1928. She never married, and never had children. She also did not live long enough to know that her sister Laura would immortalize the family through the Little House books. But we know about them, and know that Mary Ingalls graduated from the school for the blind in Vinton, on this date in 1889.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 12th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Friday, June 9, 2017
"A TV Star Is Born"
And the way to get Floppy out of the box is to yell...1...2...3...Where's Floppy?
For generations of children growing up in Central Iowa, that meant it was time for fun with their favorite TV hosts, Duane Ellett and Floppy.
For 30 years, the multi-talented Ellett and his beagle puppet presided over multiple children's programs on TV13 from Des Moines...and many more saw them in live performances throughout the state, including regular appearances at the Iowa State Fair.
Ellett was a radio and TV performer who was asked to create a puppet for use on a TV pets program, to help young people better understand how to care for their animals. He was first called Mr. Dog, but because of his distinctive ears, he quickly took the name Floppy.
Children lined up to ask Floppy a riddle and beep his celebrated nose. And in all those years, there was only one Floppy...although he did add a trademark red sweater about halfway through his time on the air.
"The Floppy Show" was still going strong when Duane Ellett died suddenly in the spring of 1987, just after the pair celebrated their 30th anniversary on the air.
Decades later, Floppy Nation is still strong, as evidenced by the thousand people who came to a Duane & Floppy Film Festival in Des Moines a few years ago. There have been DVD collections of their work, with a new fifth DVD coming out in time for the Iowa State Fair. And a new book, with nearly 200 photos, will be available later this year, all at TheFloppyShow.com
And now it's time for Floppy to say..."So Long, Kids!"..."Goodbye, Floppy"
The iconic duo of Duane Ellett and his sidekick Floppy first became a part of Iowa culture, when Floppy made his first appearance on television, on this date in 1957...60 years ago today.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 9th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"A TV Star Is Born"
And the way to get Floppy out of the box is to yell...1...2...3...Where's Floppy?
For generations of children growing up in Central Iowa, that meant it was time for fun with their favorite TV hosts, Duane Ellett and Floppy.
For 30 years, the multi-talented Ellett and his beagle puppet presided over multiple children's programs on TV13 from Des Moines...and many more saw them in live performances throughout the state, including regular appearances at the Iowa State Fair.
Ellett was a radio and TV performer who was asked to create a puppet for use on a TV pets program, to help young people better understand how to care for their animals. He was first called Mr. Dog, but because of his distinctive ears, he quickly took the name Floppy.
Children lined up to ask Floppy a riddle and beep his celebrated nose. And in all those years, there was only one Floppy...although he did add a trademark red sweater about halfway through his time on the air.
"The Floppy Show" was still going strong when Duane Ellett died suddenly in the spring of 1987, just after the pair celebrated their 30th anniversary on the air.
Decades later, Floppy Nation is still strong, as evidenced by the thousand people who came to a Duane & Floppy Film Festival in Des Moines a few years ago. There have been DVD collections of their work, with a new fifth DVD coming out in time for the Iowa State Fair. And a new book, with nearly 200 photos, will be available later this year, all at TheFloppyShow.com
And now it's time for Floppy to say..."So Long, Kids!"..."Goodbye, Floppy"
The iconic duo of Duane Ellett and his sidekick Floppy first became a part of Iowa culture, when Floppy made his first appearance on television, on this date in 1957...60 years ago today.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 9th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, June 8, 2017
"The Murderous Barber Brothers"
Isaac Barber may only have been 25, and his younger brother William 23, but they had committed a long list of crimes at those young ages. The Barber Brothers were known to have committed six murders, wounded several others, and pulled off many robberies and horse thefts in the early 1880s in Iowa and Illinois. There was even a reward of $6,000 offered for their capture.
The Barber Brothers had kept a low profile in the winter of 1883, following the murder of Fayette County deputy sheriff Marion Sheppard the previous September. The martyred Sheppard is remembered as one of the first Iowa officers killed in the line of duty, and his name appears on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. (photo above).
But the brothers desire to return to their home area wound up being their undoing in June of 1883.
They showed up at their old family home in West Union, unaware that their mother had recently sold the homestead, and after the new owners recognized them, they fled into nearby timber. At one point, during this final period on the run, the boys were washing up in the Wapsipinicon River when a law posse spotted them. They left their hats, coats and boots behind in their haste to get away. Then they were spotted in a school house near Sumner, but fled following a shoot out with authorities. They made their way to Tripoli and hid in a barn on the Tegtmeir farm. When son Henry Tegtmeir was milking, they showed themselves and asked for a meal. Henry obliged them, but slipped out to tell his father and brothers the notorious Barber Brothers were on their property. The others went to get help, while Henry kept the outlaws company. Five neighbors then stormed the house, and in the shootout, one of them died. But the Barber Brothers were captured.
There was so much interest in hanging the boys then and there that a crowd gathered near a jail in Waverly. The sheriff snuck the prisoners to Waterloo, where they were escorted by train to Independence, to stay a step ahead of the mobs that were intent on dispensing justice. Soon the Barber Brothers were returned to Waverly, and indeed, a mob overcame the resistance of authorities, and on June 8th, they took Issac and William Barber to the nearby Murphy's Grove, where they were hanged shortly before midnight.
The leaders of the mob were put on trial, and found guilty. But somehow, the court failed to order any punishment; the public consensus was that the brothers deserved a hanging.
The murderous crime spree of the Barber Brothers came to an end, through a mob dispensing their own kind of justice by hanging, on this date in 1883.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 8th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Murderous Barber Brothers"
Isaac Barber may only have been 25, and his younger brother William 23, but they had committed a long list of crimes at those young ages. The Barber Brothers were known to have committed six murders, wounded several others, and pulled off many robberies and horse thefts in the early 1880s in Iowa and Illinois. There was even a reward of $6,000 offered for their capture.
The Barber Brothers had kept a low profile in the winter of 1883, following the murder of Fayette County deputy sheriff Marion Sheppard the previous September. The martyred Sheppard is remembered as one of the first Iowa officers killed in the line of duty, and his name appears on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. (photo above).
But the brothers desire to return to their home area wound up being their undoing in June of 1883.
They showed up at their old family home in West Union, unaware that their mother had recently sold the homestead, and after the new owners recognized them, they fled into nearby timber. At one point, during this final period on the run, the boys were washing up in the Wapsipinicon River when a law posse spotted them. They left their hats, coats and boots behind in their haste to get away. Then they were spotted in a school house near Sumner, but fled following a shoot out with authorities. They made their way to Tripoli and hid in a barn on the Tegtmeir farm. When son Henry Tegtmeir was milking, they showed themselves and asked for a meal. Henry obliged them, but slipped out to tell his father and brothers the notorious Barber Brothers were on their property. The others went to get help, while Henry kept the outlaws company. Five neighbors then stormed the house, and in the shootout, one of them died. But the Barber Brothers were captured.
There was so much interest in hanging the boys then and there that a crowd gathered near a jail in Waverly. The sheriff snuck the prisoners to Waterloo, where they were escorted by train to Independence, to stay a step ahead of the mobs that were intent on dispensing justice. Soon the Barber Brothers were returned to Waverly, and indeed, a mob overcame the resistance of authorities, and on June 8th, they took Issac and William Barber to the nearby Murphy's Grove, where they were hanged shortly before midnight.
The leaders of the mob were put on trial, and found guilty. But somehow, the court failed to order any punishment; the public consensus was that the brothers deserved a hanging.
The murderous crime spree of the Barber Brothers came to an end, through a mob dispensing their own kind of justice by hanging, on this date in 1883.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 8th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, June 7, 2017
"A Primary Fight"
Last month saw America's longest serving governor, Terry Branstad, leave office to become U.S. Ambassador to China. Branstad served as governor in two different, multi-term periods. But that does not mean there wasn't opposition when election years rolled around...including a fight within his own party in 1994.
Branstad was first elected as Iowa's governor in 1982 and was on the verge of being Iowa's longest-serving governor when he announced plans to run for another term in 1994. It's not often a sitting governor is challenged by a member of his own party, and given the lack of previous challenges, there was no reason to believe 1994 would be any different.
But a congressman from western Iowa had other ideas. Fred Grandy was born in Sioux City, and after a career as an actor, including time on TV's "Love Boat" program, Grandy moved back to his hometown and became the congressman for Iowa's fifth congressional district. After four terms in Congress, Grandy set his sights on becoming Iowa's chief executive.
It was a close battle, and while polls showed Branstad with a comfortable lead heading into election day, the race tightened as voters went to the polls. Branstad ultimately won, 51.8 percent to 48.1 percent, winning most counties in Iowa, except in the western part of the state that Grandy represented in Washington, and more liberal areas, such as Johnson County.
In the November general election, Branstad's margin of victory over Democrat Bonnie Campbell was broader, 56.8 percent to 41.6 percent. He retired from office after that term, only to be re-elected a dozen years later.
But the long-time governor had a scare when he won his party's primary by less than four points, on this date in 1994.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 7th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"A Primary Fight"
Last month saw America's longest serving governor, Terry Branstad, leave office to become U.S. Ambassador to China. Branstad served as governor in two different, multi-term periods. But that does not mean there wasn't opposition when election years rolled around...including a fight within his own party in 1994.
Branstad was first elected as Iowa's governor in 1982 and was on the verge of being Iowa's longest-serving governor when he announced plans to run for another term in 1994. It's not often a sitting governor is challenged by a member of his own party, and given the lack of previous challenges, there was no reason to believe 1994 would be any different.
But a congressman from western Iowa had other ideas. Fred Grandy was born in Sioux City, and after a career as an actor, including time on TV's "Love Boat" program, Grandy moved back to his hometown and became the congressman for Iowa's fifth congressional district. After four terms in Congress, Grandy set his sights on becoming Iowa's chief executive.
It was a close battle, and while polls showed Branstad with a comfortable lead heading into election day, the race tightened as voters went to the polls. Branstad ultimately won, 51.8 percent to 48.1 percent, winning most counties in Iowa, except in the western part of the state that Grandy represented in Washington, and more liberal areas, such as Johnson County.
In the November general election, Branstad's margin of victory over Democrat Bonnie Campbell was broader, 56.8 percent to 41.6 percent. He retired from office after that term, only to be re-elected a dozen years later.
But the long-time governor had a scare when he won his party's primary by less than four points, on this date in 1994.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 7th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, June 6, 2017
"A New Name"
In May 1855, less than a decade after Iowa became a state, a town was platted in what is now Hardin County in central Iowa. The county's first surveyor, John Shepherd, handled the task for the town, located on the bank of the Iowa River.
Soon after, a post office was established there, as a station on a weekly mail route from Waterloo to Eldora. The town was named Lithopolis, although that's not its name today, and we're really not sure how it got that original name to begin with. We do know that on June 6, 1870, the name of the town was officially changed to Steamboat Rock. It was named because a large rock on the river bluff, from a distance, was said to resemble a number of steamboats. On one of these was something that resembled a wheel house, and from that grew a large pine tree. But in 1858, the tree was struck by lightning and the shock caused the part of the rock resembling a wheel house to break off. That's why if you try to see a steamboat in the rock formation today, it takes a bit more imagination. But the rock was still a memorable marker, and ultimately became the name of the town. Below, a plat map of the city from 1875, five years after the name was changed.
The population of Steamboat Rock has not changed much over time. In 1880, the town boasted 523 people, which seems to be the highest point in its history. The last census showed 310 people living there, the lowest official total since records were kept.
Today, Steamboat Rock is a major producer of corn and ethanol, which led to the reactivation of a railroad line through town in 2007, the Iowa River Railroad.
The town slogan is The Valley of Friendliness, and while you know it today as Steamboat Rock, it has only been called that since the name was changed from Lithopolis, on this date in 1870.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 6th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"A New Name"
In May 1855, less than a decade after Iowa became a state, a town was platted in what is now Hardin County in central Iowa. The county's first surveyor, John Shepherd, handled the task for the town, located on the bank of the Iowa River.
Soon after, a post office was established there, as a station on a weekly mail route from Waterloo to Eldora. The town was named Lithopolis, although that's not its name today, and we're really not sure how it got that original name to begin with. We do know that on June 6, 1870, the name of the town was officially changed to Steamboat Rock. It was named because a large rock on the river bluff, from a distance, was said to resemble a number of steamboats. On one of these was something that resembled a wheel house, and from that grew a large pine tree. But in 1858, the tree was struck by lightning and the shock caused the part of the rock resembling a wheel house to break off. That's why if you try to see a steamboat in the rock formation today, it takes a bit more imagination. But the rock was still a memorable marker, and ultimately became the name of the town. Below, a plat map of the city from 1875, five years after the name was changed.
The population of Steamboat Rock has not changed much over time. In 1880, the town boasted 523 people, which seems to be the highest point in its history. The last census showed 310 people living there, the lowest official total since records were kept.
Today, Steamboat Rock is a major producer of corn and ethanol, which led to the reactivation of a railroad line through town in 2007, the Iowa River Railroad.
The town slogan is The Valley of Friendliness, and while you know it today as Steamboat Rock, it has only been called that since the name was changed from Lithopolis, on this date in 1870.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 6th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Monday, June 5, 2017
"Shutting Down A Station"
Norman Baker of Muscatine was always a performer. He made a name early on as a vaudeville performer, then by marketing a portable calliope for use at carnivals and outdoor events. He soon expanded that into a mail order business selling everything from overalls to coffee. And when he saw that people like Earl May in Shenandoah were having success selling their items via radio, Norman Baker built his own station in 1925, and KTNT radio was born.
He said it stood for Know the Naked Truth, and he loved welcoming visitors to Muscatine to see the studios and patronize the café, service station, and store he built to go with KTNT. Typically clad in a white suit with lavender tie, Baker soon moved into a different realm…health care.
He promoted an unconventional cancer treatment and opened his own cancer hospital in Muscatine. It turned out his treatment was nothing more than a shot with a mixture of clover, corn silk, watermelon seed, and water. But thanks to aggressive advertising and the power of his radio station, by 1931 Baker’s hospital had monthly revenue of $75,000.
But that on air medical demagoguery inspired his critics, and on June 5th, 1931, the Federal Radio Commission shut down KTNT for irresponsible actions. Undaunted, Baker moved to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, where he built a 100,000-watt radio station blasting northward throughout the U.S. He then moved his hospital from Muscatine to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. But the truth about his cancer treatments caught up with him, and he wound up serving four years in Leavenworth Penitentiary for federal mail fraud. But he kept all the money he had gotten from people hoping for a cure, and wound up living the last 15 years of his life on a three-story yacht in Florida. He died of cirrhosis of the liver in 1958 and is buried in his hometown of Muscatine.
Norman Baker’s venomous obscene broadcasts against the public interest came to an end when the government shut down KTNT radio, on this date in 1931.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 5th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Shutting Down A Station"
Norman Baker of Muscatine was always a performer. He made a name early on as a vaudeville performer, then by marketing a portable calliope for use at carnivals and outdoor events. He soon expanded that into a mail order business selling everything from overalls to coffee. And when he saw that people like Earl May in Shenandoah were having success selling their items via radio, Norman Baker built his own station in 1925, and KTNT radio was born.
He said it stood for Know the Naked Truth, and he loved welcoming visitors to Muscatine to see the studios and patronize the café, service station, and store he built to go with KTNT. Typically clad in a white suit with lavender tie, Baker soon moved into a different realm…health care.
He promoted an unconventional cancer treatment and opened his own cancer hospital in Muscatine. It turned out his treatment was nothing more than a shot with a mixture of clover, corn silk, watermelon seed, and water. But thanks to aggressive advertising and the power of his radio station, by 1931 Baker’s hospital had monthly revenue of $75,000.
But that on air medical demagoguery inspired his critics, and on June 5th, 1931, the Federal Radio Commission shut down KTNT for irresponsible actions. Undaunted, Baker moved to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, where he built a 100,000-watt radio station blasting northward throughout the U.S. He then moved his hospital from Muscatine to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. But the truth about his cancer treatments caught up with him, and he wound up serving four years in Leavenworth Penitentiary for federal mail fraud. But he kept all the money he had gotten from people hoping for a cure, and wound up living the last 15 years of his life on a three-story yacht in Florida. He died of cirrhosis of the liver in 1958 and is buried in his hometown of Muscatine.
Norman Baker’s venomous obscene broadcasts against the public interest came to an end when the government shut down KTNT radio, on this date in 1931.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 5th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Friday, June 2, 2017
"Bridges on the Big Screen"
In 1992, Robert James Waller was a University of Northern Iowa business professor. His novel “The Bridges of Madison County” changed all that, becoming one of the bestselling books of the century with some 50 million copies sold, thanks in great part to an endorsement by Oprah Winfrey, who did an episode of her show from the site of the bridges. The book was on the New York Times bestseller list for more than three years.
The book tells the story of a married but lonely Italian woman, Francesca Johnson, living in Madison County, Iowa, in the 1960s. She engages in an affair with a National Geographic photographer named Robert Kincaid, who is doing a photo essay on the area’s covered bridges.
On June 2nd, 1995, a movie based on the book premiered. It starred Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood, who also directed the film.
You know, I get the distinct feeling that I’m lost.
Are you supposed to be in Iowa?
Yeah.
Well then, you’re not that lost.
I’m looking for a bridge, one of those covered bridges out here in this neighborhood.
Roseman Bridge?
That’s it.
The film was shot on location in Iowa during the summer of 1994 over a period of 42 days, ten days ahead of schedule. Shooting took place in Winterset and Adel.
The film “The Bridges of Madison County” grossed more than $70 million in the U.S. after its release on this date in 1995.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 2nd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Bridges on the Big Screen"
In 1992, Robert James Waller was a University of Northern Iowa business professor. His novel “The Bridges of Madison County” changed all that, becoming one of the bestselling books of the century with some 50 million copies sold, thanks in great part to an endorsement by Oprah Winfrey, who did an episode of her show from the site of the bridges. The book was on the New York Times bestseller list for more than three years.
The book tells the story of a married but lonely Italian woman, Francesca Johnson, living in Madison County, Iowa, in the 1960s. She engages in an affair with a National Geographic photographer named Robert Kincaid, who is doing a photo essay on the area’s covered bridges.
On June 2nd, 1995, a movie based on the book premiered. It starred Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood, who also directed the film.
You know, I get the distinct feeling that I’m lost.
Are you supposed to be in Iowa?
Yeah.
Well then, you’re not that lost.
I’m looking for a bridge, one of those covered bridges out here in this neighborhood.
Roseman Bridge?
That’s it.
The film was shot on location in Iowa during the summer of 1994 over a period of 42 days, ten days ahead of schedule. Shooting took place in Winterset and Adel.
The film “The Bridges of Madison County” grossed more than $70 million in the U.S. after its release on this date in 1995.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 2nd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, June 1, 2017
"The First Woman of Flight"
When she was 9 years old, Amelia Earhart's family moved to Des Moines. Her father was a claims officer for the Rock Island Railroad, and was transferred from Kansas to Iowa. The next year, she saw her first aircraft at the Iowa State Fair. But it was hardly love at first sight. Her father tried to get her and her sister to take a flight, but one look at the rickety flivver was enough for Amelia, who asked if they could instead go back to the merry-go-round. She later described the biplane as "a thing of rusty wire and wood and not at all interesting."
The Earhart family moved from Iowa in 1914, and it was still a few years before an adult Amelia took flying lessons in California from Ames native Neta Snook Southern.
And of all the marvels of modern invention, that with which I am most concerned is, of course, air transportation. Flying is perhaps the most dramatic of recent scientific attainment. In the brief span of 30-odd years, the world has seen an inventor's dream, first materialized by the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk, become an everyday actuality.
Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic in June of 1928, and made the first solo flight from the Atlantic to the Pacific Coast of America three months later.
On June 1st, 1937, Amelia Earhart began her attempt to become the first woman to fly around the world. The next day, her last radio transmission was heard, where she indicated that the level of gas in the plane was running low. She and her navigator, Fred Noonan, were never heard from again.
The teenager who saw her first airplane at the Iowa State Fair and wasn't impressed, Amelia Earhart, left on her last flight, designed to go around the world, on this date in 1937.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 1st...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The First Woman of Flight"
When she was 9 years old, Amelia Earhart's family moved to Des Moines. Her father was a claims officer for the Rock Island Railroad, and was transferred from Kansas to Iowa. The next year, she saw her first aircraft at the Iowa State Fair. But it was hardly love at first sight. Her father tried to get her and her sister to take a flight, but one look at the rickety flivver was enough for Amelia, who asked if they could instead go back to the merry-go-round. She later described the biplane as "a thing of rusty wire and wood and not at all interesting."
The Earhart family moved from Iowa in 1914, and it was still a few years before an adult Amelia took flying lessons in California from Ames native Neta Snook Southern.
And of all the marvels of modern invention, that with which I am most concerned is, of course, air transportation. Flying is perhaps the most dramatic of recent scientific attainment. In the brief span of 30-odd years, the world has seen an inventor's dream, first materialized by the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk, become an everyday actuality.
Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic in June of 1928, and made the first solo flight from the Atlantic to the Pacific Coast of America three months later.
On June 1st, 1937, Amelia Earhart began her attempt to become the first woman to fly around the world. The next day, her last radio transmission was heard, where she indicated that the level of gas in the plane was running low. She and her navigator, Fred Noonan, were never heard from again.
The teenager who saw her first airplane at the Iowa State Fair and wasn't impressed, Amelia Earhart, left on her last flight, designed to go around the world, on this date in 1937.
And that's Iowa Almanac for June 1st...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.