"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 2015 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 2015 by Stein Enterprises, L.L.C.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, December 31
"The Creator of Paul Bunyan"
James Floyd Stevens was born in Iowa, but he did not have an easy childhood. Born on a farm near Albia in 1892, his father was a so-called gypsy farmer who liked to move around, and his mother worked as a hired girl for $12 per month. Young James lived with his grandmother in Moravia for five years, from the time he was 4 years old.
He later moved to Idaho. After fighting in World War I, he returned to the Pacific Northwest and worked in the woods, logging camps, and sawmills of Oregon. It was there he first heard tall tales about a gigantic lumberjack.
He researched the character, tracing the legend back to French Canada in the early 1800s, and possibly a real logger by that name.
In 1925, Stevens collected the stories about the lumberjack and wrote a best-selling book named after the character--Paul Bunyan. And so began a fifty-year literary career, which included nine books and more than 250 stories and magazine articles. He was known for exaggeration and satire, which offended some readers who lived in the places he wrote about.
While some knew the tales of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, they only became well known through the mind and pen of an Iowan...James Stevens, who died at age 79 on this date in 1971.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 31st...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Creator of Paul Bunyan"
James Floyd Stevens was born in Iowa, but he did not have an easy childhood. Born on a farm near Albia in 1892, his father was a so-called gypsy farmer who liked to move around, and his mother worked as a hired girl for $12 per month. Young James lived with his grandmother in Moravia for five years, from the time he was 4 years old.
He later moved to Idaho. After fighting in World War I, he returned to the Pacific Northwest and worked in the woods, logging camps, and sawmills of Oregon. It was there he first heard tall tales about a gigantic lumberjack.
He researched the character, tracing the legend back to French Canada in the early 1800s, and possibly a real logger by that name.
In 1925, Stevens collected the stories about the lumberjack and wrote a best-selling book named after the character--Paul Bunyan. And so began a fifty-year literary career, which included nine books and more than 250 stories and magazine articles. He was known for exaggeration and satire, which offended some readers who lived in the places he wrote about.
While some knew the tales of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, they only became well known through the mind and pen of an Iowan...James Stevens, who died at age 79 on this date in 1971.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 31st...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, December 30
"Dissolving the Trust"
In hindsight, it sounded too good to be true. Perhaps that should have been our first clue.
Steven Wymer founded a company in Irvine, California, called Institutional Treasury Management. He set up funds in which cities and towns could invest. One was called the Iowa Trust, and 88 government agencies in Iowa invested more than $70 million in the Iowa Trust. Formed in January 1989, the Trust was designed to pool dozens of small and medium investment accounts to create better opportunities. Wymer had done business with various Iowa cities, including Marshalltown, and other cities soon joined the new venture.
It should have been safe, with investment only in government securities. But it was a fraud, with Wymer deceiving his clients, sending false monthly statements overstating the amount of money in clients' accounts and forging brokerage documents to support those false statements.
The bubble burst on December 12, 1991, when the house of cards came falling down. Wymer faced fraud charges tied to $113 million of money given him by municipalities. Officials in California and Colorado were seriously affected, but nowhere was the crisis more severe than in Iowa.
Cities and towns across the state had to put off plans to maintain roads, buildings, and cemeteries...build libraries...and they had to lay off employees. Money was lost, never to be recovered.
The Trust itself was put in the hands of a receiver to pursue claims and recover some of the money. Long before the case of Bernie Madoff hit national headlines, there was Steve Wymer and the Iowa Trust, termed the worst financial scandal in our state's history.
Lawsuits continued throughout the decade, but nearly three years to the day the fraud was discovered, the Iowa Trust itself was dissolved by order of an Iowa District Court, on this date in 1994.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 30th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Dissolving the Trust"
In hindsight, it sounded too good to be true. Perhaps that should have been our first clue.
Steven Wymer founded a company in Irvine, California, called Institutional Treasury Management. He set up funds in which cities and towns could invest. One was called the Iowa Trust, and 88 government agencies in Iowa invested more than $70 million in the Iowa Trust. Formed in January 1989, the Trust was designed to pool dozens of small and medium investment accounts to create better opportunities. Wymer had done business with various Iowa cities, including Marshalltown, and other cities soon joined the new venture.
It should have been safe, with investment only in government securities. But it was a fraud, with Wymer deceiving his clients, sending false monthly statements overstating the amount of money in clients' accounts and forging brokerage documents to support those false statements.
The bubble burst on December 12, 1991, when the house of cards came falling down. Wymer faced fraud charges tied to $113 million of money given him by municipalities. Officials in California and Colorado were seriously affected, but nowhere was the crisis more severe than in Iowa.
Cities and towns across the state had to put off plans to maintain roads, buildings, and cemeteries...build libraries...and they had to lay off employees. Money was lost, never to be recovered.
The Trust itself was put in the hands of a receiver to pursue claims and recover some of the money. Long before the case of Bernie Madoff hit national headlines, there was Steve Wymer and the Iowa Trust, termed the worst financial scandal in our state's history.
Lawsuits continued throughout the decade, but nearly three years to the day the fraud was discovered, the Iowa Trust itself was dissolved by order of an Iowa District Court, on this date in 1994.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 30th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, December 29
"A Song for a Church"
William Pitts was a Wisconsin schoolteacher who traveled to Iowa in 1857 to visit his fiancée in Fredericksburg. On the way, the stagecoach stopped in Bradford. Pitts took a walk and discovered a vacant lot in the town that had beautiful cedar and oak trees. Inspired, he wrote a poem about the site, which he later set to music. He imagined a church nestled within those trees.
After marrying his fiancée, Pitts moved to Fredericksburg. While going through Bradford on another occasion, he was stunned to see that a church was being built on the very spot of his vision. There was no furniture in it, nor a bell to ring, but the church was dedicated on December 29th, 1864. As part of the dedication, William Pitts sang his song in public for the first time.
It was called “Church in the Wildwood” and quickly became popular in the area. Not long after debuting the song, Pitts moved to Chicago to attend a medical college, but he needed money for tuition. So he sold the rights to the song to the Higgins publishing company, which had published many of the popular Civil War-era ballads and marching songs. He received $25.
The song became forgotten, as did the church when the railroad bypassed Bradford in favor of Nashua.
Finally, in 1914, interest in the church was rekindled, and along with it, interest in the song. With the reopening of what we now know as the Little Brown Church in the Vale, came national acclaim for the hymn, “Church in the Wildwood”.
That seems fitting, since the two have always been linked, ever since William Pitts first performed his composition in public, on this date in 1864.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 29th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"A Song for a Church"
William Pitts was a Wisconsin schoolteacher who traveled to Iowa in 1857 to visit his fiancée in Fredericksburg. On the way, the stagecoach stopped in Bradford. Pitts took a walk and discovered a vacant lot in the town that had beautiful cedar and oak trees. Inspired, he wrote a poem about the site, which he later set to music. He imagined a church nestled within those trees.
After marrying his fiancée, Pitts moved to Fredericksburg. While going through Bradford on another occasion, he was stunned to see that a church was being built on the very spot of his vision. There was no furniture in it, nor a bell to ring, but the church was dedicated on December 29th, 1864. As part of the dedication, William Pitts sang his song in public for the first time.
It was called “Church in the Wildwood” and quickly became popular in the area. Not long after debuting the song, Pitts moved to Chicago to attend a medical college, but he needed money for tuition. So he sold the rights to the song to the Higgins publishing company, which had published many of the popular Civil War-era ballads and marching songs. He received $25.
The song became forgotten, as did the church when the railroad bypassed Bradford in favor of Nashua.
Finally, in 1914, interest in the church was rekindled, and along with it, interest in the song. With the reopening of what we now know as the Little Brown Church in the Vale, came national acclaim for the hymn, “Church in the Wildwood”.
That seems fitting, since the two have always been linked, ever since William Pitts first performed his composition in public, on this date in 1864.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 29th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Monday, December 28
"It's Our Birthday"
It was on this date, December 28th, in 1846 that Iowa officially became the 29th state admitted to the union.
What we know today as Iowa was originally part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. What was called the Iowa Territory was established in 1838, splitting off from the Wisconsin Territory. It included Iowa and parts of what is now Minnesota and North and South Dakota.
We know Des Moines as our state's capital city, but that was not always the case. The first capitol of the Iowa Territory was in Burlington. After three years there, the territory's capital moved to Iowa City in 1841. It remained the Iowa capital until 1849, when Iowa, the state, was three years old.
The name Iowa comes from the Ioway people, one of many Native American tribes living in the state at the time of European exploration. Popular lore indicates that Iowa means 'beautiful land'.
The Hawkeye State got its nickname back in territorial times. Two Burlington men, a judge and a newspaper publisher, promoted the Hawkeye name as a tribute to Chief Black Hawk; the publisher even changed the name of his paper from the Patriot to the Hawkeye, the name it still has today.
Iowa's state slogan...Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain...was developed by three members of the Iowa Senate just days after statehood. The words became part of our new state seal, and 70 years later, also part of our first official state flag.
President James K. Polk signed legislation establishing Iowa as a state, on this date in 1846.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 28th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"It's Our Birthday"
It was on this date, December 28th, in 1846 that Iowa officially became the 29th state admitted to the union.
What we know today as Iowa was originally part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. What was called the Iowa Territory was established in 1838, splitting off from the Wisconsin Territory. It included Iowa and parts of what is now Minnesota and North and South Dakota.
We know Des Moines as our state's capital city, but that was not always the case. The first capitol of the Iowa Territory was in Burlington. After three years there, the territory's capital moved to Iowa City in 1841. It remained the Iowa capital until 1849, when Iowa, the state, was three years old.
The name Iowa comes from the Ioway people, one of many Native American tribes living in the state at the time of European exploration. Popular lore indicates that Iowa means 'beautiful land'.
The Hawkeye State got its nickname back in territorial times. Two Burlington men, a judge and a newspaper publisher, promoted the Hawkeye name as a tribute to Chief Black Hawk; the publisher even changed the name of his paper from the Patriot to the Hawkeye, the name it still has today.
Iowa's state slogan...Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain...was developed by three members of the Iowa Senate just days after statehood. The words became part of our new state seal, and 70 years later, also part of our first official state flag.
President James K. Polk signed legislation establishing Iowa as a state, on this date in 1846.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 28th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Friday, December 25
"The Founder of Iowa State"
By the time Benjamin F. Gue moved to Iowa at the age of 24, he'd already had many life experiences. He was born on December 25th, 1828 on a farm in New York. His parents were Quakers and Abolutionists, and their home was used as a stop on the Underground Railroad. When Ben Gue was 10 years of age, his father died, leaving his mother to raise Ben and his siblings, and to manage the farm.
In the early 1850s, he and his younger brother migrated to Iowa and farmed in Scott County. In 1856, he was a delegate to the state convention which formally organized the Republican Party in Iowa. He was elected to the state house in 1858, then the senate in 1862. He also served a term a lieutenant governor of our state.
In 1858, Gue was one of the authors of a bill to establish a state agricultural college and model farm, which became Iowa State University. He served as president of the board of trustees for what was then Iowa Agricultural College. His leadership at that pivotal time led many to call him the founder of the school.
In addition to being a farmer and a politician, Gue was a newspaper editor and publisher. His four volume history of Iowa was published in 1903 and remains the most important work on the earliest days of our state.
The founder of Iowa State University, Benjamin F. Gue, was born on this date, Christmas Day, in 1828.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 25th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Founder of Iowa State"
By the time Benjamin F. Gue moved to Iowa at the age of 24, he'd already had many life experiences. He was born on December 25th, 1828 on a farm in New York. His parents were Quakers and Abolutionists, and their home was used as a stop on the Underground Railroad. When Ben Gue was 10 years of age, his father died, leaving his mother to raise Ben and his siblings, and to manage the farm.
In the early 1850s, he and his younger brother migrated to Iowa and farmed in Scott County. In 1856, he was a delegate to the state convention which formally organized the Republican Party in Iowa. He was elected to the state house in 1858, then the senate in 1862. He also served a term a lieutenant governor of our state.
In 1858, Gue was one of the authors of a bill to establish a state agricultural college and model farm, which became Iowa State University. He served as president of the board of trustees for what was then Iowa Agricultural College. His leadership at that pivotal time led many to call him the founder of the school.
In addition to being a farmer and a politician, Gue was a newspaper editor and publisher. His four volume history of Iowa was published in 1903 and remains the most important work on the earliest days of our state.
The founder of Iowa State University, Benjamin F. Gue, was born on this date, Christmas Day, in 1828.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 25th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, December 24
"A Raffle...or a Scam"
To some in Sioux City, John Peirce was an upstanding citizen and land developer. To others, he was a wheeler-dealer and a scam artist.
Peirce was a veteran of the Civil War from the Sixth Iowa infantry and a major promoter of Sioux City during the late 1800s, a boom time for that area of Iowa.
Like many in business, Peirce had been hurt by the national financial panic of 1893. To pay back his debts, Peirce looked for an easy answer. He decided to raffle off his well known mansion on the city's north side. He charged a dollar a ticket with the drawing to be at the Union passenger depot on Christmas Eve 1900. Some 40,000 tickets were sold. That would be worth more than $1.1-million today.
It was announced that the winner was a jeweler from Vinton. But it was soon discovered that the winning ticket was actually held by a New York millionaire, William Barbour...the same William Barbour to whom John Peirce owed a substantial debt.
To make matters worse, legal documents showed that Peirce had signed a deed transferring ownership of the mansion to Barbour nine days before the Christmas Eve drawing.
Barbour quickly sold the mansion to another party in exchange for bonds in a local bridge company. As for Peirce, he took the money and ran...literally. He wrote a farewell letter to the city that was published in the newspaper and moved with his family to Seattle. He never returned.
John Peirce's fraudulent house raffle, where he made off with what would be more than a million dollars in today's money, happened in Sioux City on this date, Christmas Eve, in 1900.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 24th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"A Raffle...or a Scam"
To some in Sioux City, John Peirce was an upstanding citizen and land developer. To others, he was a wheeler-dealer and a scam artist.
Peirce was a veteran of the Civil War from the Sixth Iowa infantry and a major promoter of Sioux City during the late 1800s, a boom time for that area of Iowa.
Like many in business, Peirce had been hurt by the national financial panic of 1893. To pay back his debts, Peirce looked for an easy answer. He decided to raffle off his well known mansion on the city's north side. He charged a dollar a ticket with the drawing to be at the Union passenger depot on Christmas Eve 1900. Some 40,000 tickets were sold. That would be worth more than $1.1-million today.
It was announced that the winner was a jeweler from Vinton. But it was soon discovered that the winning ticket was actually held by a New York millionaire, William Barbour...the same William Barbour to whom John Peirce owed a substantial debt.
To make matters worse, legal documents showed that Peirce had signed a deed transferring ownership of the mansion to Barbour nine days before the Christmas Eve drawing.
Barbour quickly sold the mansion to another party in exchange for bonds in a local bridge company. As for Peirce, he took the money and ran...literally. He wrote a farewell letter to the city that was published in the newspaper and moved with his family to Seattle. He never returned.
John Peirce's fraudulent house raffle, where he made off with what would be more than a million dollars in today's money, happened in Sioux City on this date, Christmas Eve, in 1900.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 24th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, December 23
"Planning a Zoo"
For generations in the 1900s, a zoo was a place for families to go to view animals from around the world. But you can't simply start a zoo. It's a long process, as citizens of Des Moines found out.
Back in 1961, the federal government approached the city of Des Moines about donating some land near Fort Des Moines to be used for recreational purposes. The idea of a zoo in Iowa's capital city was discussed, and on December 23rd, 1963, the city signed an agreement to create the Des Moines Children's Zoo. A.H. Blank donated $150,000 to the city to build the zoo, and civic leaders and citizens worked to raise additional funds.
On May 8, 1966, the Des Moines Children's Zoo opened. Designed primarily around nursery rhyme themes, it included a castle with a moat, Monkey Island, an animal petting area, and miniature train. Zoo director Bob Elgin welcomed 186-thousand visitors that first year alone.
By 1980, though, attendance had dropped off to only 43-thousand a year. That led to the founding of the Blank Park Zoo Foundation. Voters approved a $1.8-million bond referendum, and a community campaign raised another $1.4-million. The zoo was closed for three years for renovation, and under its new name, the Blank Park Zoo opened again in 1986, broadening its focus from just being a children's zoo.
Since then, there have been many other changes, and some years, attendance nears 400-thousand people. But it all began when the city signed off on a development agreement to create a zoo in Des Moines, on this date in 1963.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 23rd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Planning a Zoo"
For generations in the 1900s, a zoo was a place for families to go to view animals from around the world. But you can't simply start a zoo. It's a long process, as citizens of Des Moines found out.
Back in 1961, the federal government approached the city of Des Moines about donating some land near Fort Des Moines to be used for recreational purposes. The idea of a zoo in Iowa's capital city was discussed, and on December 23rd, 1963, the city signed an agreement to create the Des Moines Children's Zoo. A.H. Blank donated $150,000 to the city to build the zoo, and civic leaders and citizens worked to raise additional funds.
On May 8, 1966, the Des Moines Children's Zoo opened. Designed primarily around nursery rhyme themes, it included a castle with a moat, Monkey Island, an animal petting area, and miniature train. Zoo director Bob Elgin welcomed 186-thousand visitors that first year alone.
By 1980, though, attendance had dropped off to only 43-thousand a year. That led to the founding of the Blank Park Zoo Foundation. Voters approved a $1.8-million bond referendum, and a community campaign raised another $1.4-million. The zoo was closed for three years for renovation, and under its new name, the Blank Park Zoo opened again in 1986, broadening its focus from just being a children's zoo.
Since then, there have been many other changes, and some years, attendance nears 400-thousand people. But it all began when the city signed off on a development agreement to create a zoo in Des Moines, on this date in 1963.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 23rd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, December 22
"Dying in the Line of Service"
It was one of the deadliest fires in Iowa history, and prompted sweeping changes in the way fire departments train.
Shortly after 8 in the morning on December 22nd, 1999, fire broke out in Melissa Cooper's Keokuk apartment, one of three in a century-old two-story house. She was awakened by her 4-year-old son Jacob, who said there was a fire. She and Jacob escaped, and fire fighters soon arrived to put out the fire and rescue Melissa's other three children.
They rescued her 2-year-old twins, Robert and Rebecca, but they died a short time later. Three fire fighters re-entered the building to save 7-year-old Jessica, but they were caught in a deadly flashover.
The body of one of the fire fighters was found on the first floor of the building. The bodies of the other two were found on the second floor. One of them had little Jessica in his arms.
The fire that killed three children and three fire fighters was caused by food left on a kitchen stove.
In its 120-year history, the Keokuk Fire Department had never experienced a line-of-duty death. Then three of the department's 19 full-time members died in a single morning--Dave McNally, Jason Bitting, and Nate Tuck.
The fire was used in nationwide training for other departments, in hopes that lessons learned from the Iowa tragedy could save other lives.
But despite training and best efforts, six lives...those of three fire fighters and three children...were lost in Keokuk, on this date in 1999.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 22nd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Dying in the Line of Service"
It was one of the deadliest fires in Iowa history, and prompted sweeping changes in the way fire departments train.
Shortly after 8 in the morning on December 22nd, 1999, fire broke out in Melissa Cooper's Keokuk apartment, one of three in a century-old two-story house. She was awakened by her 4-year-old son Jacob, who said there was a fire. She and Jacob escaped, and fire fighters soon arrived to put out the fire and rescue Melissa's other three children.
They rescued her 2-year-old twins, Robert and Rebecca, but they died a short time later. Three fire fighters re-entered the building to save 7-year-old Jessica, but they were caught in a deadly flashover.
The body of one of the fire fighters was found on the first floor of the building. The bodies of the other two were found on the second floor. One of them had little Jessica in his arms.
The fire that killed three children and three fire fighters was caused by food left on a kitchen stove.
In its 120-year history, the Keokuk Fire Department had never experienced a line-of-duty death. Then three of the department's 19 full-time members died in a single morning--Dave McNally, Jason Bitting, and Nate Tuck.
The fire was used in nationwide training for other departments, in hopes that lessons learned from the Iowa tragedy could save other lives.
But despite training and best efforts, six lives...those of three fire fighters and three children...were lost in Keokuk, on this date in 1999.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 22nd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Monday, December 21
"The Diplomat from Des Moines"
George Wildman Ball was born on December 21st, 1909 in Des Moines. His family later moved to Illinois, and he graduated from Evanston High School and Northwestern University.
After earning his law degree, Ball joined a Chicago law firm which included Adlai Stevenson II as one of its partners. Stevenson became a lifelong mentor to Ball.
His career in government began during World War II, when in 1942, he became an official of the U.S. Lend Lease program with Great Britain.
When Adlai Stevenson was the Democratic presidential nominee in 1952, George Ball was one of the campaign speechwriters, served as liaison between Stevenson and President Harry Truman, and was executive director of Volunteers for Stevenson, targeting independent and Republican voters. Ball was also a major part of Stevenson's 1956 bid for the White House.
While Stevenson did not make it there, Ball did. He was Under Secretary of State for Economic and Agricultural Affairs in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. He became well known for his opposition to escalating the Vietnam War.
During the turbulent summer of 1968, Ball was Ambassador to the United Nations, defending the right of Czechoslovakia to freedom against Soviet invasion. He later advised the Nixon administration on American policy in the Persian Gulf.
An advisor to three presidents, and our country's ambassador to the United Nations...George Ball...born in Des Moines on this date in 1909.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 21st...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Diplomat from Des Moines"
George Wildman Ball was born on December 21st, 1909 in Des Moines. His family later moved to Illinois, and he graduated from Evanston High School and Northwestern University.
After earning his law degree, Ball joined a Chicago law firm which included Adlai Stevenson II as one of its partners. Stevenson became a lifelong mentor to Ball.
His career in government began during World War II, when in 1942, he became an official of the U.S. Lend Lease program with Great Britain.
When Adlai Stevenson was the Democratic presidential nominee in 1952, George Ball was one of the campaign speechwriters, served as liaison between Stevenson and President Harry Truman, and was executive director of Volunteers for Stevenson, targeting independent and Republican voters. Ball was also a major part of Stevenson's 1956 bid for the White House.
While Stevenson did not make it there, Ball did. He was Under Secretary of State for Economic and Agricultural Affairs in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. He became well known for his opposition to escalating the Vietnam War.
During the turbulent summer of 1968, Ball was Ambassador to the United Nations, defending the right of Czechoslovakia to freedom against Soviet invasion. He later advised the Nixon administration on American policy in the Persian Gulf.
An advisor to three presidents, and our country's ambassador to the United Nations...George Ball...born in Des Moines on this date in 1909.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 21st...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Friday, December 18
"The Wizard of Spirit Lake"
It’s always been a popular spot for sportsmen, the area around Spirit Lake. And it’s therefore not surprising that many well-known sportsmen hail from that area.
One of the most famous was Fred Gilbert, known to all as Dood Gilbert…and known to trap shooters as the Wizard of Spirit Lake.
He was born on December 18th, 1865, just after the end of the Civil War, and it was said that young Fred Gilbert had a shotgun in his hands from the time he was able to carry one. At an early age, it was also clear he had a skill that would make him known around the world.
Trap shooting was such a big part of his life that he named his daughter Annie, after Annie Oakley, and his son Tom Marshall, after a fellow shooter and Dood’s longer mentor.
He won the World’s Pigeon Shooting Championship in Baltimore in 1895 just before he turned 30 years of age, and from then on, his shooting became his livelihood.
In the early 1900s, he traveled around the country in a private railroad car, competing at shoots for his employers, the DuPont Powder Company and the Parker Gun Company. He shot targets in every state in the union, as well as in England, Scotland, and Ireland. For years, his run of 591 straight hits in competition stood as a world record.
Dood Gilbert was inducted into the Amateur Trapshooting Association Hall of Fame in 1969, and a park toward the north end of Spirit Lake bears his name. Two others from Spirit Lake are also in the Hall—Johnny Jahn in 1976 and Bob Allen in 1982; no other town in America can claim three Hall of Famers.
Fred Gilbert…Dood…a Hall of Fame trapshooter, born in Spirit Lake, on this date in 1865.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 18th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Wizard of Spirit Lake"
It’s always been a popular spot for sportsmen, the area around Spirit Lake. And it’s therefore not surprising that many well-known sportsmen hail from that area.
One of the most famous was Fred Gilbert, known to all as Dood Gilbert…and known to trap shooters as the Wizard of Spirit Lake.
He was born on December 18th, 1865, just after the end of the Civil War, and it was said that young Fred Gilbert had a shotgun in his hands from the time he was able to carry one. At an early age, it was also clear he had a skill that would make him known around the world.
Trap shooting was such a big part of his life that he named his daughter Annie, after Annie Oakley, and his son Tom Marshall, after a fellow shooter and Dood’s longer mentor.
He won the World’s Pigeon Shooting Championship in Baltimore in 1895 just before he turned 30 years of age, and from then on, his shooting became his livelihood.
In the early 1900s, he traveled around the country in a private railroad car, competing at shoots for his employers, the DuPont Powder Company and the Parker Gun Company. He shot targets in every state in the union, as well as in England, Scotland, and Ireland. For years, his run of 591 straight hits in competition stood as a world record.
Dood Gilbert was inducted into the Amateur Trapshooting Association Hall of Fame in 1969, and a park toward the north end of Spirit Lake bears his name. Two others from Spirit Lake are also in the Hall—Johnny Jahn in 1976 and Bob Allen in 1982; no other town in America can claim three Hall of Famers.
Fred Gilbert…Dood…a Hall of Fame trapshooter, born in Spirit Lake, on this date in 1865.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 18th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, December 17
"Life is a Terrible Thing to Sleep Through"
Peter Hedges was born in West Des Moines in 1962. His mother was a psychotherapist; his father, a retired Episcopalian minister. The Valley High School grad was active in theater while in school, and went on to study drama in college.
Before he was 30 years of age, Hedges published his first novel. "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" told the story of a young man in Endora, Iowa, who has to care for his challenged brother Arnie and his obese mother, all of which gets in the way when love walks into his life. One review called it a classic American novel. The book was made into a movie, which premiered on December 17th, 1993.
The movie starred a young Johnny Depp as Gilbert Grape, and an even younger Leonardo DiCaprio as his brother Arnie.
DiCaprio earned an Academy Award nomination for his role in the film, which grossed more than $10 million nationally at the box office.
Hedges wrote the screenplay, adapting his own novel. In 2002, he received his own Academy Award nomination for adapting the screenplay for the film "About A Boy". More recently, he not only writes but directs his films.
The movie poster used the phrase "life is a terrible thing to sleep through" to promote the story of a young man whose life is at a crossroads in small town Iowa. The movie, "What's Eating Gilbert Grape", from the book written by Iowa native Peter Hedges, premiered on this date in 1993.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 17th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Life is a Terrible Thing to Sleep Through"
Peter Hedges was born in West Des Moines in 1962. His mother was a psychotherapist; his father, a retired Episcopalian minister. The Valley High School grad was active in theater while in school, and went on to study drama in college.
Before he was 30 years of age, Hedges published his first novel. "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" told the story of a young man in Endora, Iowa, who has to care for his challenged brother Arnie and his obese mother, all of which gets in the way when love walks into his life. One review called it a classic American novel. The book was made into a movie, which premiered on December 17th, 1993.
The movie starred a young Johnny Depp as Gilbert Grape, and an even younger Leonardo DiCaprio as his brother Arnie.
DiCaprio earned an Academy Award nomination for his role in the film, which grossed more than $10 million nationally at the box office.
Hedges wrote the screenplay, adapting his own novel. In 2002, he received his own Academy Award nomination for adapting the screenplay for the film "About A Boy". More recently, he not only writes but directs his films.
The movie poster used the phrase "life is a terrible thing to sleep through" to promote the story of a young man whose life is at a crossroads in small town Iowa. The movie, "What's Eating Gilbert Grape", from the book written by Iowa native Peter Hedges, premiered on this date in 1993.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 17th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, December 16
"Shock Waves"
These days we know a lot about earthquakes, including measurement of their severity and to a limited degree, predicting where they might occur.
That was not the case in 1811, a time when communication was limited and it literally took days and weeks to get information from one point to another.
On December 16th, 1811, the most powerful earthquakes to hit the contiguous United States east of the Rocky Mountains occurred. The earthquakes shook all corners of the land that would soon become the Iowa Territory, and later, the state of Iowa.
The epicenter was in what is now northeast Arkansas, and the series of estimated 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that day and the next were named for the nearby Mississippi River town of New Madrid, which is now in the state of Missouri.
The earthquakes were strongly felt over a 50,000 square mile area, and roughly felt across a million square miles of our country.
Damage was not as severe as you might expect, because so much of the area at the time was sparsely populated, and largely rural. Aftershocks continued for two months.
Witnesses recall an awful noise like loud but distant thunder and awoke to find cracks in the structures of buildings.
The area is now part of the New Madrid Seismic Zone, and analysts predict a 7 to 10 percent chance of another major earthquake in that region in the next 50 years.
The first earthquakes ever reported to be felt in Iowa were part of the New Madrid earthquakes, which started on this date in 1811.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 16th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Shock Waves"
These days we know a lot about earthquakes, including measurement of their severity and to a limited degree, predicting where they might occur.
That was not the case in 1811, a time when communication was limited and it literally took days and weeks to get information from one point to another.
On December 16th, 1811, the most powerful earthquakes to hit the contiguous United States east of the Rocky Mountains occurred. The earthquakes shook all corners of the land that would soon become the Iowa Territory, and later, the state of Iowa.
The epicenter was in what is now northeast Arkansas, and the series of estimated 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that day and the next were named for the nearby Mississippi River town of New Madrid, which is now in the state of Missouri.
The earthquakes were strongly felt over a 50,000 square mile area, and roughly felt across a million square miles of our country.
Damage was not as severe as you might expect, because so much of the area at the time was sparsely populated, and largely rural. Aftershocks continued for two months.
Witnesses recall an awful noise like loud but distant thunder and awoke to find cracks in the structures of buildings.
The area is now part of the New Madrid Seismic Zone, and analysts predict a 7 to 10 percent chance of another major earthquake in that region in the next 50 years.
The first earthquakes ever reported to be felt in Iowa were part of the New Madrid earthquakes, which started on this date in 1811.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 16th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, December 15
"Completing the Road"
Interstate 80 runs from San Francisco, California, to Teaneck, New Jersey. In Iowa, the east/west roadway enters our state at the Missouri River in Council Bluffs, cuts through the capital city of Des Moines, through the former capital city of Iowa City, and passes along the northern edges of Davenport and Bettendorf before leaving the state via the Congressman Fred Schwengel Memorial Bridge over the Mississippi River into Illinois.
Prior to the interstate, the most common roadway connecting east to west along the southern half of the state was what became U.S. Highway 6. In fact, it became the busiest highway in the state.
It took 14 years to complete I-80 in Iowa. The first section opened in the western suburbs of Des Moines in 1958. Construction in eastern Iowa was finished in 1966. The final piece of I-80 in Iowa, the Missouri River bridge to Omaha, opened on December 15th, 1972.
The majority of I-80 runs through farmland, yet roughly one-third of Iowa’s total population lives along the Interstate 80 corridor.
The Iowa Department of Transportation operates 9 rest areas along the I-80 route. And near Walcott on the eastern end of the state is the world’s largest truck stop, Iowa 80.
The final stretch of Interstate 80 in Iowa, the bridge over the Missouri River between Council Bluffs and Omaha, opened on this date, in 1972.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 15th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Completing the Road"
Interstate 80 runs from San Francisco, California, to Teaneck, New Jersey. In Iowa, the east/west roadway enters our state at the Missouri River in Council Bluffs, cuts through the capital city of Des Moines, through the former capital city of Iowa City, and passes along the northern edges of Davenport and Bettendorf before leaving the state via the Congressman Fred Schwengel Memorial Bridge over the Mississippi River into Illinois.
Prior to the interstate, the most common roadway connecting east to west along the southern half of the state was what became U.S. Highway 6. In fact, it became the busiest highway in the state.
It took 14 years to complete I-80 in Iowa. The first section opened in the western suburbs of Des Moines in 1958. Construction in eastern Iowa was finished in 1966. The final piece of I-80 in Iowa, the Missouri River bridge to Omaha, opened on December 15th, 1972.
The majority of I-80 runs through farmland, yet roughly one-third of Iowa’s total population lives along the Interstate 80 corridor.
The Iowa Department of Transportation operates 9 rest areas along the I-80 route. And near Walcott on the eastern end of the state is the world’s largest truck stop, Iowa 80.
The final stretch of Interstate 80 in Iowa, the bridge over the Missouri River between Council Bluffs and Omaha, opened on this date, in 1972.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 15th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Monday, December 14
"Iowa's Record-Setting Governor"
When Terry Branstad woke up this morning, he made history.
This is his 7,642nd day serving as Iowa's governor, over two different tenures in office. That is longer than any other governor has served in American history. He breaks the record of New York governor George Clinton, who also served during two different tenures--from 1777 to 1795, and again from 1801 to 1804.
Branstad long ago set the record for Iowa's longest-serving governor. That all happened when he was governor the first time, from 1983 to 1999. He returned to office in 2011.
Branstad is now 69 years of age, and has served as governor for just under 21 years. When he was first elected, he was 36---almost half his lifetime ago--and set a record then for becoming the youngest governor in state history.
Prior to being elected as governor, he served a four-year term as Robert Ray's last lieutenant governor, and before that, he served three terms in the Iowa House.
That's 31 years of elected service. But he has a longer string going than that; he and his wife Chris have been married since 1972, more than 43 years.
Today, the governor will hold an open house at the capitol, and be the guest of honor at a gala event tonight, with proceeds to support one of his passions, preserving Iowa history.
Terry Edward Branstad, the 39th and 42nd governor of the state of Iowa, and now, the longest serving governor in American history. And it's happening today...on this date, in 2015.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 14th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Iowa's Record-Setting Governor"
When Terry Branstad woke up this morning, he made history.
This is his 7,642nd day serving as Iowa's governor, over two different tenures in office. That is longer than any other governor has served in American history. He breaks the record of New York governor George Clinton, who also served during two different tenures--from 1777 to 1795, and again from 1801 to 1804.
Branstad long ago set the record for Iowa's longest-serving governor. That all happened when he was governor the first time, from 1983 to 1999. He returned to office in 2011.
Branstad is now 69 years of age, and has served as governor for just under 21 years. When he was first elected, he was 36---almost half his lifetime ago--and set a record then for becoming the youngest governor in state history.
Prior to being elected as governor, he served a four-year term as Robert Ray's last lieutenant governor, and before that, he served three terms in the Iowa House.
That's 31 years of elected service. But he has a longer string going than that; he and his wife Chris have been married since 1972, more than 43 years.
Today, the governor will hold an open house at the capitol, and be the guest of honor at a gala event tonight, with proceeds to support one of his passions, preserving Iowa history.
Terry Edward Branstad, the 39th and 42nd governor of the state of Iowa, and now, the longest serving governor in American history. And it's happening today...on this date, in 2015.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 14th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Friday, December 11
"Partnering With The Soviets"
It was no surprise that young John Chrystal would be involved in agriculture and dealings with the Soviet Union.
Chrystal's uncle was Roswell Garst, who hosted Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev on his farm in 1959. Chrystal was there, and soon followed in his uncle's footsteps, making his own first trip to the Soviet Union in 1960, touring key agricultural areas and offering criticism of Soviet farming methods.
John Chrystal was invited back more than 30 times over the years, and became a confidant not only of Khrushchev, but of a then-obscure official named Mikhail Gorbachev.
Chrystal was criticized at times for this close association with the Soviets, but in his view, if they prospered from learning better ag methods, they would become better customers of the U.S.
"And if we can be less afraid of each other," he said, "we have a better chance of stopping the arms race and not blowing each other up."
He became chairman and CEO of the Bankers Trust Company in the 1980s, while maintaining a partnership with his brother, running the family farm. He even ran for the Democrat nomination for governor.
As a country banker in Iowa, he helped farmers achieve their dreams by providing money to grow their corn and hog operations. As an international ag expert, he lent advice on growing methods and trade relations. John Chrystal of Coon Rapids, born on this date in 1925.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 11th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Partnering With The Soviets"
It was no surprise that young John Chrystal would be involved in agriculture and dealings with the Soviet Union.
Chrystal's uncle was Roswell Garst, who hosted Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev on his farm in 1959. Chrystal was there, and soon followed in his uncle's footsteps, making his own first trip to the Soviet Union in 1960, touring key agricultural areas and offering criticism of Soviet farming methods.
John Chrystal was invited back more than 30 times over the years, and became a confidant not only of Khrushchev, but of a then-obscure official named Mikhail Gorbachev.
Chrystal was criticized at times for this close association with the Soviets, but in his view, if they prospered from learning better ag methods, they would become better customers of the U.S.
"And if we can be less afraid of each other," he said, "we have a better chance of stopping the arms race and not blowing each other up."
He became chairman and CEO of the Bankers Trust Company in the 1980s, while maintaining a partnership with his brother, running the family farm. He even ran for the Democrat nomination for governor.
As a country banker in Iowa, he helped farmers achieve their dreams by providing money to grow their corn and hog operations. As an international ag expert, he lent advice on growing methods and trade relations. John Chrystal of Coon Rapids, born on this date in 1925.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 11th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, December 10
"On The Cover"
Albert Cummins was a powerful Iowa political figure. He served as our state's governor, and later for 18 years as a U.S. Senator from the state. He even ran for president twice, in both 1912 and 1916.
After an early career as a civil engineer building railroads, he became a lawyer. In his most famous case, he represented a group of farmers in an attempt to break an eastern syndicate's control of the production of barbed wire.
A Republican, he generally supported Democrat President Woodrow Wilson's efforts to regulate business, and even wrote a clause of the Sherman Anti-trust Act. But on foreign policy matters, especially as they related to the first world war, he stuck to his party's platform.
Cummins was president pro tem of the U.S. Senate for six years, from 1919 to 1925. He also chaired the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee and the body's committee on interstate commerce.
It was because of that power in Washington that a new weekly newsmagazine put Albert Cummins on the cover of its December 10th, 1923 issue. The magazine had only been around for six months at that point, but it would come to be one of the most recognized names in American journalism--Time magazine.
Cummins lost a primary fight for re-election in 1926, and died a month after at the age of 76.
A national political figure from Iowa, governor and U.S. senator Albert Cummins was pictured on the cover of Time magazine, on this date in 1923.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 10th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"On The Cover"
Albert Cummins was a powerful Iowa political figure. He served as our state's governor, and later for 18 years as a U.S. Senator from the state. He even ran for president twice, in both 1912 and 1916.
After an early career as a civil engineer building railroads, he became a lawyer. In his most famous case, he represented a group of farmers in an attempt to break an eastern syndicate's control of the production of barbed wire.
A Republican, he generally supported Democrat President Woodrow Wilson's efforts to regulate business, and even wrote a clause of the Sherman Anti-trust Act. But on foreign policy matters, especially as they related to the first world war, he stuck to his party's platform.
Cummins was president pro tem of the U.S. Senate for six years, from 1919 to 1925. He also chaired the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee and the body's committee on interstate commerce.
It was because of that power in Washington that a new weekly newsmagazine put Albert Cummins on the cover of its December 10th, 1923 issue. The magazine had only been around for six months at that point, but it would come to be one of the most recognized names in American journalism--Time magazine.
Cummins lost a primary fight for re-election in 1926, and died a month after at the age of 76.
A national political figure from Iowa, governor and U.S. senator Albert Cummins was pictured on the cover of Time magazine, on this date in 1923.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 10th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, December 9
"The First Heisman"
John Jay Berwanger was born in Dubuque on March 19, 1914. He was a talented athlete and played football at the University of Chicago in the 1930s, when the school was part of the Big Ten Conference.
Berwanger played halfback for the Maroons. But that wasn't all. He called plays, ran, passed, punted, blocked, tackled, kicked off, kicked extra points, and returned punts and kickoffs.
In a 1934 game against Michigan, he was tackled by future president Gerald Ford. But the tackle was more memorable for Ford, who suffered a gash under his left eye while making the tackle, and bore the scar the rest of his life.
In November 1935, Jay Berwanger received a telegram from Manhattan's Downtown Athletic Club, informing him he had won a trophy for being the most valuable football player east of the Mississippi. It included a trip for two to New York, which Berwanger later said was more important than the trophy, because it included his first airplane flight.
That first trophy actually didn't have a name. It was named for athletic club director John W. Heisman the following year.
That wasn't the end of firsts for Jay Berwanger. In the first National Football League draft in the spring of 1936, he was the first player selected by the Philadelphia Eagles. They traded his rights to the Chicago Bears, but Berwanger and legendary Bears coach George Halas could not agree on a salary. So he never played pro ball.
For some years, that trophy was actually used as a doorstop in his aunt's house. Later, as the award became more prestigious, the trophy was placed on display at the university.
The first winner of what became the Heisman Trophy, Dubuque native Jay Berwanger, picked up his trophy in New York on this date in 1935.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 9th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The First Heisman"
John Jay Berwanger was born in Dubuque on March 19, 1914. He was a talented athlete and played football at the University of Chicago in the 1930s, when the school was part of the Big Ten Conference.
Berwanger played halfback for the Maroons. But that wasn't all. He called plays, ran, passed, punted, blocked, tackled, kicked off, kicked extra points, and returned punts and kickoffs.
In a 1934 game against Michigan, he was tackled by future president Gerald Ford. But the tackle was more memorable for Ford, who suffered a gash under his left eye while making the tackle, and bore the scar the rest of his life.
In November 1935, Jay Berwanger received a telegram from Manhattan's Downtown Athletic Club, informing him he had won a trophy for being the most valuable football player east of the Mississippi. It included a trip for two to New York, which Berwanger later said was more important than the trophy, because it included his first airplane flight.
That first trophy actually didn't have a name. It was named for athletic club director John W. Heisman the following year.
That wasn't the end of firsts for Jay Berwanger. In the first National Football League draft in the spring of 1936, he was the first player selected by the Philadelphia Eagles. They traded his rights to the Chicago Bears, but Berwanger and legendary Bears coach George Halas could not agree on a salary. So he never played pro ball.
For some years, that trophy was actually used as a doorstop in his aunt's house. Later, as the award became more prestigious, the trophy was placed on display at the university.
The first winner of what became the Heisman Trophy, Dubuque native Jay Berwanger, picked up his trophy in New York on this date in 1935.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 9th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, December 8
"Marking The Trail"
It was the Great National North and South Highway...the Daniel Boone Trail. While many groups tried to connect the United States from east to west during the early 1900s, the Daniel Boone Trail Association was one of the first to connect the country with a reliable roadway from north to south...from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.
The path was to honor two of the greatest pioneers of the Mississippi Valley--Daniel Boone and his youngest son, Nathan. Colonel Nathan Boone was responsible for making the trail known when he marched with his U.S. troops through Iowa to Minnesota in 1835.
On December 8th, 1915, the Boone Commercial Association met in Fort Dodge to begin retracing and resurrecting the northern portion of the Boone Trail. Less than two months later, a similar meeting was held in Moberly, Missouri to revive the southern part of the trail.
The day after the Fort Dodge meeting, representatives wrote to the Iowa State Highway Commission, seeking registration of the official Daniel Boone Trail stretching from Des Moines to St. Paul, traveling through Polk City, Madrid, Boone, Boxholm, Ogden, Fort Dodge, Dakota City, Humboldt, Algona, Burt, Bancroft, and Elmore in Iowa.
It took a year for the trail supporters to gather enough funds to make the project a reality. Finally, in January 1917, the route was approved by state officials and construction began.
The Daniel Boone Trail connected the United States from north to south, connecting cities in what was called the very garden of the Mississippi Valley, over a route laid out by nature herself. And it all started with a planning meeting in Fort Dodge, on this date in 1915.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 8th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Marking The Trail"
It was the Great National North and South Highway...the Daniel Boone Trail. While many groups tried to connect the United States from east to west during the early 1900s, the Daniel Boone Trail Association was one of the first to connect the country with a reliable roadway from north to south...from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.
The path was to honor two of the greatest pioneers of the Mississippi Valley--Daniel Boone and his youngest son, Nathan. Colonel Nathan Boone was responsible for making the trail known when he marched with his U.S. troops through Iowa to Minnesota in 1835.
On December 8th, 1915, the Boone Commercial Association met in Fort Dodge to begin retracing and resurrecting the northern portion of the Boone Trail. Less than two months later, a similar meeting was held in Moberly, Missouri to revive the southern part of the trail.
The day after the Fort Dodge meeting, representatives wrote to the Iowa State Highway Commission, seeking registration of the official Daniel Boone Trail stretching from Des Moines to St. Paul, traveling through Polk City, Madrid, Boone, Boxholm, Ogden, Fort Dodge, Dakota City, Humboldt, Algona, Burt, Bancroft, and Elmore in Iowa.
It took a year for the trail supporters to gather enough funds to make the project a reality. Finally, in January 1917, the route was approved by state officials and construction began.
The Daniel Boone Trail connected the United States from north to south, connecting cities in what was called the very garden of the Mississippi Valley, over a route laid out by nature herself. And it all started with a planning meeting in Fort Dodge, on this date in 1915.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 8th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Monday, December 7
"The First to Make the Ultimate Sacrifice"
Father Aloysius Schmitt had just finished saying Sunday mass on the battleship USS Oklahoma on December 7th, 1941. Then, the unthinkable happened.
Aloysius Schmitt was born in St. Lucas, Iowa on December 4th, 1909. He studied at Loras College in Dubuque, and then prepared for the priesthood as a seminarian in Rome. After serving in parishes in Dubuque and Cheyenne, Wyoming, Father Schmitt received permission to become a chaplain and joined the United States Navy in the summer of 1939, shortly before turning age 30.
As he prepared for mass on December 7th, 1941, Schmitt had just celebrated his 32nd birthday three days earlier, and was one day away from the sixth anniversary of being ordained.
No sooner had he finished the service, than the call went out on the battleship for "general quarters". The USS Oklahoma was near Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and the Japanese were attacking.
The Oklahoma capsized, trapping a number of sailors and Father Schmitt in a compartment with a small porthole as the only means of escape. Father Schmitt helped a number of men through that porthole, and when it was his turn, he declined and turned back to help more men get out. A dozen men escaped thanks to his efforts.
But Father Schmitt made the ultimate sacrifice. He died that day on board the Oklahoma. While his body was never found, his liturgical book was
A destroyer escort named the USS Schmitt was commissioned in his honor in 1943. And the chapel at his alma mater was dedicated in his memory.
The first chaplain of any faith to have died in World War II, Iowa native Father Aloysius Schmitt, died in the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on this date in 1941.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 7th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The First to Make the Ultimate Sacrifice"
Father Aloysius Schmitt had just finished saying Sunday mass on the battleship USS Oklahoma on December 7th, 1941. Then, the unthinkable happened.
Aloysius Schmitt was born in St. Lucas, Iowa on December 4th, 1909. He studied at Loras College in Dubuque, and then prepared for the priesthood as a seminarian in Rome. After serving in parishes in Dubuque and Cheyenne, Wyoming, Father Schmitt received permission to become a chaplain and joined the United States Navy in the summer of 1939, shortly before turning age 30.
As he prepared for mass on December 7th, 1941, Schmitt had just celebrated his 32nd birthday three days earlier, and was one day away from the sixth anniversary of being ordained.
No sooner had he finished the service, than the call went out on the battleship for "general quarters". The USS Oklahoma was near Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and the Japanese were attacking.
The Oklahoma capsized, trapping a number of sailors and Father Schmitt in a compartment with a small porthole as the only means of escape. Father Schmitt helped a number of men through that porthole, and when it was his turn, he declined and turned back to help more men get out. A dozen men escaped thanks to his efforts.
But Father Schmitt made the ultimate sacrifice. He died that day on board the Oklahoma. While his body was never found, his liturgical book was
A destroyer escort named the USS Schmitt was commissioned in his honor in 1943. And the chapel at his alma mater was dedicated in his memory.
The first chaplain of any faith to have died in World War II, Iowa native Father Aloysius Schmitt, died in the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on this date in 1941.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 7th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Friday, December 4
"The Most Beautiful Woman in the World"
Helen Louise Leonard was born in Clinton on December 4th, 1861. Her father was an editor of the Clinton Herald newspaper; her mother, a leader of the suffrage movement. They nicknamed her Nellie.
When Nellie Leonard was a child, the family moved to Chicago. By the time she was 15, she had moved to New York and soon became noticed. Her facial features were termed perfect, her figure voluptuous, and her soprano voice beautiful. The Father of Vaudeville, Tony Pastor, discovered Nellie in 1879 and made her a star. But not as Nellie Leonard, rather by the stage name Lillian Russell.
She became known as the Great American Beauty. Earning up to $5,000 per week in the early 1900s, she'd take the stage in a $3,900, diamond-studded corset and sing her signature song, "Come Down, My Evening Star".
She was often seen with her friend, Diamond Jim Brady, riding bicycles in New York's Central Park. She'd be on a gold-plated bike set with diamonds and emeralds, which cost $1,900.
But even as the lavish Lillian Russell, there was still a part of the Iowa girl left. Her favorite food was always corn on the cob.
From a humble beginning in Clinton as Helen Louise Leonard, the glamorous early 20th century performer Lillian Russell was born on this date in 1861.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 4th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Most Beautiful Woman in the World"
Helen Louise Leonard was born in Clinton on December 4th, 1861. Her father was an editor of the Clinton Herald newspaper; her mother, a leader of the suffrage movement. They nicknamed her Nellie.
When Nellie Leonard was a child, the family moved to Chicago. By the time she was 15, she had moved to New York and soon became noticed. Her facial features were termed perfect, her figure voluptuous, and her soprano voice beautiful. The Father of Vaudeville, Tony Pastor, discovered Nellie in 1879 and made her a star. But not as Nellie Leonard, rather by the stage name Lillian Russell.
She became known as the Great American Beauty. Earning up to $5,000 per week in the early 1900s, she'd take the stage in a $3,900, diamond-studded corset and sing her signature song, "Come Down, My Evening Star".
She was often seen with her friend, Diamond Jim Brady, riding bicycles in New York's Central Park. She'd be on a gold-plated bike set with diamonds and emeralds, which cost $1,900.
But even as the lavish Lillian Russell, there was still a part of the Iowa girl left. Her favorite food was always corn on the cob.
From a humble beginning in Clinton as Helen Louise Leonard, the glamorous early 20th century performer Lillian Russell was born on this date in 1861.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 4th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, December 3
"The First Inauguration"
Iowa became a state in December of 1846. The territorial government was converted to a state government, and Iowa's first state governor was an unlikely choice.
Ansel Briggs was a Vermont native who moved from Ohio to Iowa in 1839 after hearing of great opportunities in the new land. He opened a stagecoach business and earned a good living transporting mail for the government.
His travel in eastern Iowa for his business led him to become well known, and he soon held various positions, declaring himself a Democrat.
As Iowa was forming its state government, Briggs became a candidate for governor, using as his slogan a toast he had once made at a banquet--"No banks but earth, and they well tilled." He won the nomination against two opponents, and then won the general election against his Whig opponent by only 247 votes out of more than 15,000 cast.
On December 3, 1846, an informal inauguration was held for Iowa's first governor. A committee of two Senators and two Representatives escorted Briggs into the House Chamber of the Capitol in Iowa City. The Chief Justice administered an oath. Then the governor sat and listened as his inaugural address was read aloud by a friend who was a member of the state Senate. He asked for the General Assembly's "aid and indulgence" as he began the job.
Briggs declined to serve more than that first four-year term, believing the job should be placed in more capable hands. A consistently humble man, he did not live in Iowa City, the capitol, while governor. He lived in his Iowa home town of Andrew in Jackson County, despite the fact there were no traveled roads from there to Iowa City. Briggs would make the trips on horseback and on foot, days and nights at a time.
That's how Ansel Briggs got to Iowa City to be sworn in as Iowa's first governor, on this date in 1846.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 3rd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The First Inauguration"
Iowa became a state in December of 1846. The territorial government was converted to a state government, and Iowa's first state governor was an unlikely choice.
Ansel Briggs was a Vermont native who moved from Ohio to Iowa in 1839 after hearing of great opportunities in the new land. He opened a stagecoach business and earned a good living transporting mail for the government.
His travel in eastern Iowa for his business led him to become well known, and he soon held various positions, declaring himself a Democrat.
As Iowa was forming its state government, Briggs became a candidate for governor, using as his slogan a toast he had once made at a banquet--"No banks but earth, and they well tilled." He won the nomination against two opponents, and then won the general election against his Whig opponent by only 247 votes out of more than 15,000 cast.
On December 3, 1846, an informal inauguration was held for Iowa's first governor. A committee of two Senators and two Representatives escorted Briggs into the House Chamber of the Capitol in Iowa City. The Chief Justice administered an oath. Then the governor sat and listened as his inaugural address was read aloud by a friend who was a member of the state Senate. He asked for the General Assembly's "aid and indulgence" as he began the job.
Briggs declined to serve more than that first four-year term, believing the job should be placed in more capable hands. A consistently humble man, he did not live in Iowa City, the capitol, while governor. He lived in his Iowa home town of Andrew in Jackson County, despite the fact there were no traveled roads from there to Iowa City. Briggs would make the trips on horseback and on foot, days and nights at a time.
That's how Ansel Briggs got to Iowa City to be sworn in as Iowa's first governor, on this date in 1846.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 3rd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, December 2
"The Ames Project"
Shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941, the head of physical chemistry at Iowa State College, Professor Frank Spedding, was quietly recruited by the federal government for a war-related project. After travelling to meetings in Chicago and elsewhere, Spedding convinced his colleagues that his portion of the research should be done in his lab in Ames. Iowa State president Charles Friley gave his permission, even though details at the project were top secret and he didn't have the proper security clearance at the time.
Spedding had expertise in spectroscopy and separation of rare earth elements. That was important because he now was part of the Manhattan Project, which led to development of the atomic bomb. Spedding and his team in Ames, including chemist Harley Wilhelm, were tasked with the job of transforming bulk uranium ore into highly purified uranium metal. By February 1942, only two months after the U.S. entered World War II, a new team was up and running in Ames.
By September of that year, they had their first breakthrough...creation of small blocks of pure uranium metal, the first ones ever manufactured. On December 2nd, 1942, Spedding and a group of 40 scientists, including the noted physicist Enrico Fermi, watched a test of the Iowa State discovery at the University of Chicago. Workers there had converted an old squash court into a mini-reactor. The material developed in Ames was the key component leading to a reaction and production of nuclear energy, which would later be channeled into development of the most destructive bomb ever created.
Work continued in Ames secretly, and then on August 6th, 1945, the first atomic bomb was dropped from a plane piloted by a former Iowan. The work of the Ames Project then became known.
The Manhattan Project's first breakthrough, converting theory to practice, was made possible because of research done at Iowa State, successfully tested on this date in 1942.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 2nd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Ames Project"
Shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941, the head of physical chemistry at Iowa State College, Professor Frank Spedding, was quietly recruited by the federal government for a war-related project. After travelling to meetings in Chicago and elsewhere, Spedding convinced his colleagues that his portion of the research should be done in his lab in Ames. Iowa State president Charles Friley gave his permission, even though details at the project were top secret and he didn't have the proper security clearance at the time.
Spedding had expertise in spectroscopy and separation of rare earth elements. That was important because he now was part of the Manhattan Project, which led to development of the atomic bomb. Spedding and his team in Ames, including chemist Harley Wilhelm, were tasked with the job of transforming bulk uranium ore into highly purified uranium metal. By February 1942, only two months after the U.S. entered World War II, a new team was up and running in Ames.
By September of that year, they had their first breakthrough...creation of small blocks of pure uranium metal, the first ones ever manufactured. On December 2nd, 1942, Spedding and a group of 40 scientists, including the noted physicist Enrico Fermi, watched a test of the Iowa State discovery at the University of Chicago. Workers there had converted an old squash court into a mini-reactor. The material developed in Ames was the key component leading to a reaction and production of nuclear energy, which would later be channeled into development of the most destructive bomb ever created.
Work continued in Ames secretly, and then on August 6th, 1945, the first atomic bomb was dropped from a plane piloted by a former Iowan. The work of the Ames Project then became known.
The Manhattan Project's first breakthrough, converting theory to practice, was made possible because of research done at Iowa State, successfully tested on this date in 1942.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 2nd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, December 1
"A Home for Veterans"
The Civil War claimed the lives of 13,001 Iowans. Many others returned home, in need of care.
Governor Samuel Kirkwood proposed building a home for disabled Civil War veterans from Iowa. 75 of Iowa's 99 counties competed to have the soldiers home located in their county.
Marshalltown citizens, many of whom still remembered the city's failed attempt to locate the state capitol in their city, followed by a failed attempt to house a land grant college, raised $30,000 to show the Iowa House and Senate the community was serious about providing a place for Iowa's veterans.
In March 1886, the General Assembly appropriated $75,000 to purchase land and another $25,000 to run the home for its first year. A month later, Marshalltown was officially chosen as the site.
The Main Building of the Iowa Soldier's Home was completed on November 30th, 1887, and the next day, December 1st, the first resident was admitted--Amos Fox of Livermore.
The Main Building, with its capacity of 200 residents, became the men's dormitory, and was used for 76 years, until it was demolished in 1963.
In 1892, cottages were constructed, to be used by veterans and their spouses who wanted to live together.
Today, what is now the Iowa Veterans Home is the third largest state veterans home in the country with 755 available beds.
But the first resident of the Iowa Soldiers Home, Civil War veteran Amos Fox, entered the facility in Marshalltown on this date in 1887.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 1st...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"A Home for Veterans"
The Civil War claimed the lives of 13,001 Iowans. Many others returned home, in need of care.
Governor Samuel Kirkwood proposed building a home for disabled Civil War veterans from Iowa. 75 of Iowa's 99 counties competed to have the soldiers home located in their county.
Marshalltown citizens, many of whom still remembered the city's failed attempt to locate the state capitol in their city, followed by a failed attempt to house a land grant college, raised $30,000 to show the Iowa House and Senate the community was serious about providing a place for Iowa's veterans.
In March 1886, the General Assembly appropriated $75,000 to purchase land and another $25,000 to run the home for its first year. A month later, Marshalltown was officially chosen as the site.
The Main Building of the Iowa Soldier's Home was completed on November 30th, 1887, and the next day, December 1st, the first resident was admitted--Amos Fox of Livermore.
The Main Building, with its capacity of 200 residents, became the men's dormitory, and was used for 76 years, until it was demolished in 1963.
In 1892, cottages were constructed, to be used by veterans and their spouses who wanted to live together.
Today, what is now the Iowa Veterans Home is the third largest state veterans home in the country with 755 available beds.
But the first resident of the Iowa Soldiers Home, Civil War veteran Amos Fox, entered the facility in Marshalltown on this date in 1887.
And that's Iowa Almanac for December 1st...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Monday, November 30
"The Video Game Capital of the World"
During the summer of 1981, a man named Walter Day visited more than 100 video game arcades over four months, recording the high scores he found on each game.
After that tour, on November 10, he opened his own arcade in Ottumwa, naming it Twin Galaxies. On February 9 of the next year, his database of records from that summer 1981 tour was released publicly as the Twin Galaxies National Scoreboard.
Twin Galaxies became known as the official scoreboard, arranging contests between top players. Twin Galaxies' first event in 1982 attracted international media attention for gathering the first teams of video-game stars.
Similar competitions were also conducted during the next two summers when Walter Day organized players in many states, including Iowa, to form teams and compete in high score contests for the Guinness Book of World Records.
On November 30, 1982, Ottumwa mayor Jerry Parker declared Ottumwa to be the "Video Game Capital of the World".
That claim was backed up by Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, the Atari video game company, and the Amusement Game Manufacturers Association in a ceremony at Twin Galaxies in Ottumwa in early 1983.
In January 1983, Twin Galaxies organized the first significant video-game championship, to crown a world champion. This event was filmed in Ottumwa by ABC-TV's That's Incredible! and was aired on the night of February 21, 1983.
Twin Galaxies founder Walter Day left the company in 2010 to pursue a career in music. But his work led to Ottumwa being dubbed the Video Game Capital of the World, on this date in 1982.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 30th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Video Game Capital of the World"
During the summer of 1981, a man named Walter Day visited more than 100 video game arcades over four months, recording the high scores he found on each game.
After that tour, on November 10, he opened his own arcade in Ottumwa, naming it Twin Galaxies. On February 9 of the next year, his database of records from that summer 1981 tour was released publicly as the Twin Galaxies National Scoreboard.
Twin Galaxies became known as the official scoreboard, arranging contests between top players. Twin Galaxies' first event in 1982 attracted international media attention for gathering the first teams of video-game stars.
Similar competitions were also conducted during the next two summers when Walter Day organized players in many states, including Iowa, to form teams and compete in high score contests for the Guinness Book of World Records.
On November 30, 1982, Ottumwa mayor Jerry Parker declared Ottumwa to be the "Video Game Capital of the World".
That claim was backed up by Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, the Atari video game company, and the Amusement Game Manufacturers Association in a ceremony at Twin Galaxies in Ottumwa in early 1983.
In January 1983, Twin Galaxies organized the first significant video-game championship, to crown a world champion. This event was filmed in Ottumwa by ABC-TV's That's Incredible! and was aired on the night of February 21, 1983.
Twin Galaxies founder Walter Day left the company in 2010 to pursue a career in music. But his work led to Ottumwa being dubbed the Video Game Capital of the World, on this date in 1982.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 30th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Friday, November 27
"A Life Centered On Faith"
Sarah Pollard was born in Bloomfield on November 27th, 1862. You won't recognize her by that name, because early on, she decided she didn't like it, and instead went by Adelaide Pollard.
A deeply religious woman, by the time she was 40 years of age in 1902, Adelaide wanted to travel to Africa to become a missionary. But she could not raise the needed money.
Discouraged, she attended a prayer meeting one evening, and was inspired by the meditations that night. She went home and wrote a hymn, which millions have sung in the century since it was written.
Have Thine own way, Lord!
Have Thine own way!
Thou art the potter; I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Adelaide wrote more than 100 other songs, but since she seldom sought credit, we don't know how many for sure.
Just before World War I, she did reach Africa, but the fighting forced her to retreat to Scotland. She returned to the U.S. after the war and continued preaching until her death due to a ruptured appendix just before Christmas 1934, at the age of 72. She's buried in a cemetery in Fort Madison.
You may not recall her name, but you've no doubt sung her hymns. Adelaide Pollard, born in Iowa on this date in 1862.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 27th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"A Life Centered On Faith"
Sarah Pollard was born in Bloomfield on November 27th, 1862. You won't recognize her by that name, because early on, she decided she didn't like it, and instead went by Adelaide Pollard.
A deeply religious woman, by the time she was 40 years of age in 1902, Adelaide wanted to travel to Africa to become a missionary. But she could not raise the needed money.
Discouraged, she attended a prayer meeting one evening, and was inspired by the meditations that night. She went home and wrote a hymn, which millions have sung in the century since it was written.
Have Thine own way, Lord!
Have Thine own way!
Thou art the potter; I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Adelaide wrote more than 100 other songs, but since she seldom sought credit, we don't know how many for sure.
Just before World War I, she did reach Africa, but the fighting forced her to retreat to Scotland. She returned to the U.S. after the war and continued preaching until her death due to a ruptured appendix just before Christmas 1934, at the age of 72. She's buried in a cemetery in Fort Madison.
You may not recall her name, but you've no doubt sung her hymns. Adelaide Pollard, born in Iowa on this date in 1862.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 27th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, November 26
"They Love to Sing"
In March 1868, four homesick Norwegian immigrants in northeastern Iowa began to sing together regularly. They took the name Luren from an area in Norway, and so began what we known today as the Luren Singing Society.
The Luren Singing Society is the world's oldest Norwegian-American male chorus, now in its 148th year of continuous existence, with the slogan, "We Love To Sing!"
For many years, the group gathered and shared fellowship. But on November 26th, 1874, it was time for a public concert. The group of 22 had been practicing twice a week for most of that year. The concert at Radliff's Hall in Cresco cost attendees 50 cents a ticket, but that included a dance afterwards.
The printed program showed 11 choral pieces in Norse and three solos by chorus director Emil Berg.
A month later, the group had its first Decorah concert, in the Steyer Opera House.
The next year, a group of Decorah women made a large banner for the Luren Singers. That original banner hangs today in the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah.
The Luren Singing Society, the world's oldest Norwegian-American male chorus, performed at World's Fairs in two different centuries. But their first public concert was in Cresco, on this date, in 1874.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 26th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"They Love to Sing"
In March 1868, four homesick Norwegian immigrants in northeastern Iowa began to sing together regularly. They took the name Luren from an area in Norway, and so began what we known today as the Luren Singing Society.
The Luren Singing Society is the world's oldest Norwegian-American male chorus, now in its 148th year of continuous existence, with the slogan, "We Love To Sing!"
For many years, the group gathered and shared fellowship. But on November 26th, 1874, it was time for a public concert. The group of 22 had been practicing twice a week for most of that year. The concert at Radliff's Hall in Cresco cost attendees 50 cents a ticket, but that included a dance afterwards.
The printed program showed 11 choral pieces in Norse and three solos by chorus director Emil Berg.
A month later, the group had its first Decorah concert, in the Steyer Opera House.
The next year, a group of Decorah women made a large banner for the Luren Singers. That original banner hangs today in the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah.
The Luren Singing Society, the world's oldest Norwegian-American male chorus, performed at World's Fairs in two different centuries. But their first public concert was in Cresco, on this date, in 1874.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 26th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, November 25
"Saving The Cupola"
As was the case in many Iowa counties, a fierce fight developed over time over where the county seat of Butler County would be located. There was Clarksville and Butler Center, but ultimately Allison became the choice, in great part because of how the railroad lines ran.
Even after a courthouse was built there, over nearly a century, the citizens were torn about the building. Voters approved adding on to it a few times, and a few other times proposals to build new buildings were rejected.
Finally, in May 1973, voters approved a new courthouse in a vote that had to be delayed a month because of the historic April blizzard that year.
The new courthouse would cost just under a million dollars. It took a year and a half to build, and was opened on December 14, 1975 on a piece of ground just to the south of the old one.
But a few weeks before that, on November 25, 1975, the 94-year-old courthouse made news when an Iowa National Guard helicopter lifted the distinctive round cupola off the building, carefully placing it on the courthouse grounds. It was to be a county American Revolution Bicentennial project, and include a hall of fame of county residents.
In April 1976, the old courthouse was torn down, leaving its replacement standing on the courthouse grounds. But there was one reminder of the old building left. The cupola from the old courthouse, left to honor the old structure, was moved by helicopter to the ground on this date in 1975.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 25th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Saving The Cupola"
As was the case in many Iowa counties, a fierce fight developed over time over where the county seat of Butler County would be located. There was Clarksville and Butler Center, but ultimately Allison became the choice, in great part because of how the railroad lines ran.
Even after a courthouse was built there, over nearly a century, the citizens were torn about the building. Voters approved adding on to it a few times, and a few other times proposals to build new buildings were rejected.
Finally, in May 1973, voters approved a new courthouse in a vote that had to be delayed a month because of the historic April blizzard that year.
The new courthouse would cost just under a million dollars. It took a year and a half to build, and was opened on December 14, 1975 on a piece of ground just to the south of the old one.
But a few weeks before that, on November 25, 1975, the 94-year-old courthouse made news when an Iowa National Guard helicopter lifted the distinctive round cupola off the building, carefully placing it on the courthouse grounds. It was to be a county American Revolution Bicentennial project, and include a hall of fame of county residents.
In April 1976, the old courthouse was torn down, leaving its replacement standing on the courthouse grounds. But there was one reminder of the old building left. The cupola from the old courthouse, left to honor the old structure, was moved by helicopter to the ground on this date in 1975.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 25th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, November 24
"The Dance That Turned Tragic"
It was Thanksgiving eve 1965 in Keokuk, and about 75 persons were in the national guard armory there for a gala square dance.
About four dozen were dancing in six squares, with another dozen sitting along the sidelines. More than a dozen children played in the basement of the building.
It was the weekly meeting of the Swing Ezy club, and with the holiday coming up, spirits were high.
Then came an explosion and flash fire that demolished the building in an instant.
The building was heated by natural gas, and when it ignited, the explosion blew out the walls and sent the roof high into the air.
A total of 21 people died as a result of the explosion on burns they received. More than a month later, another 12 were still hospitalized.
It was the top news story of the year in Iowa, and the greatest tragedy in Keokuk's history.
And it was 50 years ago today, when 21 people were killed in an explosion that destroyed the Keokuk national guard armory...on this date in 1965.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 24th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Dance That Turned Tragic"
It was Thanksgiving eve 1965 in Keokuk, and about 75 persons were in the national guard armory there for a gala square dance.
About four dozen were dancing in six squares, with another dozen sitting along the sidelines. More than a dozen children played in the basement of the building.
It was the weekly meeting of the Swing Ezy club, and with the holiday coming up, spirits were high.
Then came an explosion and flash fire that demolished the building in an instant.
The building was heated by natural gas, and when it ignited, the explosion blew out the walls and sent the roof high into the air.
A total of 21 people died as a result of the explosion on burns they received. More than a month later, another 12 were still hospitalized.
It was the top news story of the year in Iowa, and the greatest tragedy in Keokuk's history.
And it was 50 years ago today, when 21 people were killed in an explosion that destroyed the Keokuk national guard armory...on this date in 1965.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 24th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Monday, November 23
"The Day Without Football"
It was to be the game of the year. On Saturday, November 23rd, 1963, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish were to play the Iowa Hawkeyes at Iowa Stadium. It would be the last game of the Hawkeyes' season, and fourteen Iowa seniors were looking forward to ending their careers on a high note against a perennial power.
And then, everything changed.
From Dallas, Texas, the flash, apparently official...President Kennedy died at 1 p.m. Central Standard Time, 2 o'clock Eastern Standard Time, some 38 minutes ago.
The assassination of President John F. Kennedy changed the world in many ways. In Iowa, there was uncertainty whether the football game the next day should be played or not.
The Notre Dame team had already flown into Iowa and was checking into a Coralville motel when the shooting occurred.
The Hawkeyes went through their final practice and were taken by bus to a Mount Vernon motel, where they typically stayed at that time the night before a home game.
A crowd of 55,000 was expected, each paying $5 for the ticket.
Iowa athletic director Forest Evashevski met with his Notre Dame counterpart and decided that the game should be played. That was the word Friday night.
Then just after midnight, after further consideration, the decision was made to not play the game. Players did not find out until the next morning.
No Big Ten games were played that day. NFL games were played that weekend, a decision commissioner Pete Rozelle said years later he regretted.
Notre Dame offered to play the game two weeks later, but Iowa declined since extending the season by those two weeks would interfere too much with class work.
It was the only game in Iowa football history to not be played in the season it was scheduled, when the Hawkeyes game against Notre Dame was cancelled due to the assassination of President Kennedy, on this date in 1963.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 23rd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Day Without Football"
It was to be the game of the year. On Saturday, November 23rd, 1963, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish were to play the Iowa Hawkeyes at Iowa Stadium. It would be the last game of the Hawkeyes' season, and fourteen Iowa seniors were looking forward to ending their careers on a high note against a perennial power.
And then, everything changed.
From Dallas, Texas, the flash, apparently official...President Kennedy died at 1 p.m. Central Standard Time, 2 o'clock Eastern Standard Time, some 38 minutes ago.
The assassination of President John F. Kennedy changed the world in many ways. In Iowa, there was uncertainty whether the football game the next day should be played or not.
The Notre Dame team had already flown into Iowa and was checking into a Coralville motel when the shooting occurred.
The Hawkeyes went through their final practice and were taken by bus to a Mount Vernon motel, where they typically stayed at that time the night before a home game.
A crowd of 55,000 was expected, each paying $5 for the ticket.
Iowa athletic director Forest Evashevski met with his Notre Dame counterpart and decided that the game should be played. That was the word Friday night.
Then just after midnight, after further consideration, the decision was made to not play the game. Players did not find out until the next morning.
No Big Ten games were played that day. NFL games were played that weekend, a decision commissioner Pete Rozelle said years later he regretted.
Notre Dame offered to play the game two weeks later, but Iowa declined since extending the season by those two weeks would interfere too much with class work.
It was the only game in Iowa football history to not be played in the season it was scheduled, when the Hawkeyes game against Notre Dame was cancelled due to the assassination of President Kennedy, on this date in 1963.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 23rd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Friday, November 20
"From Aunt Fanny, to Fran"
Frances Allison was born on November 20th, 1907 in LaPorte City. Fran graduated from Coe College, and was a teacher. Her love of performing led her to WMT radio's Waterloo studios, where she became a regular on the air.
At the age of 30, she moved to network radio in Chicago, as a staff singer and personality on the NBC network. She became a regular on The Breakfast Club program, and for 25 years portrayed "Aunt Fanny", a small-town gossip.
In the earliest days of television, in 1947, Burr Tillstrom was asked to put together a puppet show for children. He asked Fran Allison to appear alongside his creations, and Kukla, Fran, and Ollie was born.
The show aired throughout the 1950s on NBC, and returned for another decade in the late 60s and early 70s on CBS. Fran appeared in other television programs, featuring her singing talents, but she's best remembered for her time with a family of puppets.
Kukla, Fran and Ollie were even honored by having a U.S. postage stamp issued with their images on it in 2009, 20 years after Fran's death. She was laid to rest in Cedar Rapids.
The only human to appear alongside the Kuklapolitan Players, Fran Allison, was born in LaPorte City on this date in 1907.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 20th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"From Aunt Fanny, to Fran"
Frances Allison was born on November 20th, 1907 in LaPorte City. Fran graduated from Coe College, and was a teacher. Her love of performing led her to WMT radio's Waterloo studios, where she became a regular on the air.
At the age of 30, she moved to network radio in Chicago, as a staff singer and personality on the NBC network. She became a regular on The Breakfast Club program, and for 25 years portrayed "Aunt Fanny", a small-town gossip.
In the earliest days of television, in 1947, Burr Tillstrom was asked to put together a puppet show for children. He asked Fran Allison to appear alongside his creations, and Kukla, Fran, and Ollie was born.
The show aired throughout the 1950s on NBC, and returned for another decade in the late 60s and early 70s on CBS. Fran appeared in other television programs, featuring her singing talents, but she's best remembered for her time with a family of puppets.
Kukla, Fran and Ollie were even honored by having a U.S. postage stamp issued with their images on it in 2009, 20 years after Fran's death. She was laid to rest in Cedar Rapids.
The only human to appear alongside the Kuklapolitan Players, Fran Allison, was born in LaPorte City on this date in 1907.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 20th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, November 19
"They Ran for the Cornfields"
In the mid-1960s, Amish living near Hazleton in Buchanan County found themselves in the middle of a conflict between two school districts that were merging. Many in the smaller school district were opposed to the merger.
The Amish themselves wanted to be included in an area of the new district where one-room schools, which the Amish preferred, would still be operated. The Amish had also come under pressure from the state for failing to meet new teacher certification standards.
Some say the Amish were convinced by the larger school's superintendent to vote for the merger, with the promise that there would be one-room schools. The merger passed, thanks to the Amish vote.
But state inspectors visited the Amish schools, and imposed fines against the Amish for using uncertified teachers. And that led to a pivotal moment on November 19th, 1965.
On that Friday morning, a yellow Oelwein school bus pulled up to the Amish school to take the children to a consolidated town school. Sobbing parents were arrested for noncompliance with Iowa school law. Frightened children fled their school, running for cover in nearby cornfields. The iconic photos of the scene were on the front pages of major newspapers across the country the next morning.
The governor intervened to calm the situation, and eventually, the state legislature changed the law, allowing religious exemptions from state school standards. And the conflict was a factor in the 1972 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Wisconsin v. Yoder, granting Amish and other groups religious exemptions from state-mandated schooling standards.
But the conflict between the Amish and their beliefs, and state officials who wanted to force children to attend school in town, came to a head near Hazelton, on this date in 1965.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 19th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"They Ran for the Cornfields"
In the mid-1960s, Amish living near Hazleton in Buchanan County found themselves in the middle of a conflict between two school districts that were merging. Many in the smaller school district were opposed to the merger.
The Amish themselves wanted to be included in an area of the new district where one-room schools, which the Amish preferred, would still be operated. The Amish had also come under pressure from the state for failing to meet new teacher certification standards.
Some say the Amish were convinced by the larger school's superintendent to vote for the merger, with the promise that there would be one-room schools. The merger passed, thanks to the Amish vote.
But state inspectors visited the Amish schools, and imposed fines against the Amish for using uncertified teachers. And that led to a pivotal moment on November 19th, 1965.
On that Friday morning, a yellow Oelwein school bus pulled up to the Amish school to take the children to a consolidated town school. Sobbing parents were arrested for noncompliance with Iowa school law. Frightened children fled their school, running for cover in nearby cornfields. The iconic photos of the scene were on the front pages of major newspapers across the country the next morning.
The governor intervened to calm the situation, and eventually, the state legislature changed the law, allowing religious exemptions from state school standards. And the conflict was a factor in the 1972 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Wisconsin v. Yoder, granting Amish and other groups religious exemptions from state-mandated schooling standards.
But the conflict between the Amish and their beliefs, and state officials who wanted to force children to attend school in town, came to a head near Hazelton, on this date in 1965.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 19th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, November 18
"Strike Up The Band"
Charlie Barnhouse was a talented musician. He taught himself to play the cornet, and became a conductor and composer. By the late 1880s, he decided to leave his home in West Virginia and see where his musical talents would take him.
He wound up leading town bands in both Mt. Pleasant and Burlington. Along the way, he started a music publishing company 129 years ago, with the first selection being The Battle of Shiloh March. In December 1890, he made his final move, settling in Oskaloosa. His C.L. Barnhouse Company soon became prominent in the band world, thanks to his works as well as those by Karl L. King, Fred Jewell and Russell Alexander.
When Charlie died on November 18, 1929, his son, C.L. Barnhouse, Jr., better known as Lloyd, led the company into a new era, at the start of the school band movement. During World War II, the Barnhouse Company became a major supplier of music for military bands, as well.
The third generation of the family assumed management of the company in 1957, and the fourth generation took over in 1979.
The C.L. Barnhouse company is unique, for preserving a nearly complete archive of all publications, dating back to 1886. As a result, virtually no Barnhouse publication is out of print.
The founder of a new type of company 129 years ago that continues to thrive today, C.L. Barnhouse, died on this date in 1929.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 18th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Strike Up The Band"
Charlie Barnhouse was a talented musician. He taught himself to play the cornet, and became a conductor and composer. By the late 1880s, he decided to leave his home in West Virginia and see where his musical talents would take him.
He wound up leading town bands in both Mt. Pleasant and Burlington. Along the way, he started a music publishing company 129 years ago, with the first selection being The Battle of Shiloh March. In December 1890, he made his final move, settling in Oskaloosa. His C.L. Barnhouse Company soon became prominent in the band world, thanks to his works as well as those by Karl L. King, Fred Jewell and Russell Alexander.
When Charlie died on November 18, 1929, his son, C.L. Barnhouse, Jr., better known as Lloyd, led the company into a new era, at the start of the school band movement. During World War II, the Barnhouse Company became a major supplier of music for military bands, as well.
The third generation of the family assumed management of the company in 1957, and the fourth generation took over in 1979.
The C.L. Barnhouse company is unique, for preserving a nearly complete archive of all publications, dating back to 1886. As a result, virtually no Barnhouse publication is out of print.
The founder of a new type of company 129 years ago that continues to thrive today, C.L. Barnhouse, died on this date in 1929.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 18th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, November 17
"Death Before Dishonor"
Iowa soldiers distinguished themselves in many battles during the Civil War. Some suffered mightily at the Camp Sumter military prison at Andersonville, Georgia. The Confederate prisoner of war camp was overcrowded to four times its capacity, with inadequate water supply, low food rations, and generally unsanitary conditions.
Of the approximately 45,000 Union prisoners held there during the war, nearly 13,000 died. 202 of those were Iowans. No other state, north or south, had a higher percentage of its male population between the ages of 15 and 40 serve in the military during the course of the war than Iowa did.
In 1904, the Iowa General Assembly appropriated $10,000 to build a monument at Andersonville "in commemoration of the patriotism, suffering and martyrdom of the Iowa soldiers who were imprisoned and died" at the Camp Sumter prison.
Two years later, on November 17, 1906, the Iowa Monument at Andersonville was dedicated. Gov. Albert B. Cummins spoke of the sacrifices all the prisoners there made. "These boys suffered the unparalleled inhumanity of prison and the infinite cruelties of the stockade rather than surrender for a single moment their privilege to fight and die for the Union, and for the sovereignty of the old flag." Remember, many Civil War veterans were still alive at this time, barely 20 years after the war's end.
A commission of veterans selected the design of a weeping woman kneeling, mourning the loss of so many lives. Under the inscription Death Before Dishonor is a list of names of Iowans known to have died there.
It still stands in the national cemetery there, surrounded by the Civil War burials. The Iowa Monument, to honor Iowa Civil War veterans who endured the Andersonville prisoner of war camp, was dedicated on this date in 1906.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 17th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Death Before Dishonor"
Iowa soldiers distinguished themselves in many battles during the Civil War. Some suffered mightily at the Camp Sumter military prison at Andersonville, Georgia. The Confederate prisoner of war camp was overcrowded to four times its capacity, with inadequate water supply, low food rations, and generally unsanitary conditions.
Of the approximately 45,000 Union prisoners held there during the war, nearly 13,000 died. 202 of those were Iowans. No other state, north or south, had a higher percentage of its male population between the ages of 15 and 40 serve in the military during the course of the war than Iowa did.
In 1904, the Iowa General Assembly appropriated $10,000 to build a monument at Andersonville "in commemoration of the patriotism, suffering and martyrdom of the Iowa soldiers who were imprisoned and died" at the Camp Sumter prison.
Two years later, on November 17, 1906, the Iowa Monument at Andersonville was dedicated. Gov. Albert B. Cummins spoke of the sacrifices all the prisoners there made. "These boys suffered the unparalleled inhumanity of prison and the infinite cruelties of the stockade rather than surrender for a single moment their privilege to fight and die for the Union, and for the sovereignty of the old flag." Remember, many Civil War veterans were still alive at this time, barely 20 years after the war's end.
A commission of veterans selected the design of a weeping woman kneeling, mourning the loss of so many lives. Under the inscription Death Before Dishonor is a list of names of Iowans known to have died there.
It still stands in the national cemetery there, surrounded by the Civil War burials. The Iowa Monument, to honor Iowa Civil War veterans who endured the Andersonville prisoner of war camp, was dedicated on this date in 1906.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 17th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Monday, November 16
"The Grinnell 14"
It was the fall of 1961, and the protests that marked the decade were years away. But one group of Iowa college students set the example.
The 10 men and 4 women left Grinnell College by car on November 13th of that year, arriving in Washington, D.C. three days later. Their goal was to protest against atmospheric nuclear testing, seeking to influence the young president who was still in his first year in office.
Grinnell's student senate passed a resolution in support of the protestors. Around 160 students on campus fasted in solidarity while the group was in the nation's capitol.
They caused quite a stir, getting national news coverage on NBC's "Huntley Brinkley Report", and making headlines in international newspapers. They were welcomed into the White House to meet with officials; President Kennedy was away at the time.
They even went to the Soviet embassy to ask why nuclear testing was continuing.
And they set an example. Tom Hayden, later part of the Chicago 7, credited the Grinnell group with helping launch the broader 1960s student peace movement. The Grinnell 14 were followed by students from dozens of other schools, one after another, in a series of protests that lasted at least a year.
Less than two years after the protest, the U.S., Soviet Union, and United Kingdom signed a partial test ban treaty that ended the atmospheric tests.
Attention was given to the issue by a group of 14 Grinnell College students, who arrived for a week of protesting in Washington, D.C., on this date in 1961.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 16th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Grinnell 14"
It was the fall of 1961, and the protests that marked the decade were years away. But one group of Iowa college students set the example.
The 10 men and 4 women left Grinnell College by car on November 13th of that year, arriving in Washington, D.C. three days later. Their goal was to protest against atmospheric nuclear testing, seeking to influence the young president who was still in his first year in office.
Grinnell's student senate passed a resolution in support of the protestors. Around 160 students on campus fasted in solidarity while the group was in the nation's capitol.
They caused quite a stir, getting national news coverage on NBC's "Huntley Brinkley Report", and making headlines in international newspapers. They were welcomed into the White House to meet with officials; President Kennedy was away at the time.
They even went to the Soviet embassy to ask why nuclear testing was continuing.
And they set an example. Tom Hayden, later part of the Chicago 7, credited the Grinnell group with helping launch the broader 1960s student peace movement. The Grinnell 14 were followed by students from dozens of other schools, one after another, in a series of protests that lasted at least a year.
Less than two years after the protest, the U.S., Soviet Union, and United Kingdom signed a partial test ban treaty that ended the atmospheric tests.
Attention was given to the issue by a group of 14 Grinnell College students, who arrived for a week of protesting in Washington, D.C., on this date in 1961.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 16th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Friday, November 13
"Taking On The Press"
It was never a secret that President Richard Nixon and the news media did not get along. At the height of the Vietnam War, protests were held across the country. On November 13th, 1969, the Administration decided to fight back.
Vice President Spiro Agnew was set to speak to the Midwestern Regional Republican Conference in Des Moines. He took advantage of the occasion to criticize the news media, in a speech written by future presidential candidate Pat Buchanan.
“The American people would rightly not tolerate this concentration of power in Government. Is it not fair and relevant to question its concentration in the hands of a tiny, enclosed fraternity of privileged men elected by no one and enjoying a monopoly sanctioned and licensed by Government? The views of a -- the majority of this fraternity do not -- and I repeat, not -- represent the views of America.”
“Now I want to make myself perfectly clear: I'm not asking for Government censorship or any other kind of censorship. I am asking whether a form of censorship already exists when the news that 40 million Americans -- when the news that 40 million Americans receive each night is determined by a handful of men responsible only to their corporate employers and is filtered through a handful of commentators who admit to their own set of biases.”
This was merely the first of a series of speeches. In a later one, Agnew called the media pundits nattering nabobs of negativism. And of course, Agnew himself had legal troubles that forced him from office.
But the Nixon Administration’s public criticism of the news media, through Vice President Spiro Agnew, started in Des Moines on this date in 1969.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 13th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Taking On The Press"
It was never a secret that President Richard Nixon and the news media did not get along. At the height of the Vietnam War, protests were held across the country. On November 13th, 1969, the Administration decided to fight back.
Vice President Spiro Agnew was set to speak to the Midwestern Regional Republican Conference in Des Moines. He took advantage of the occasion to criticize the news media, in a speech written by future presidential candidate Pat Buchanan.
“The American people would rightly not tolerate this concentration of power in Government. Is it not fair and relevant to question its concentration in the hands of a tiny, enclosed fraternity of privileged men elected by no one and enjoying a monopoly sanctioned and licensed by Government? The views of a -- the majority of this fraternity do not -- and I repeat, not -- represent the views of America.”
“Now I want to make myself perfectly clear: I'm not asking for Government censorship or any other kind of censorship. I am asking whether a form of censorship already exists when the news that 40 million Americans -- when the news that 40 million Americans receive each night is determined by a handful of men responsible only to their corporate employers and is filtered through a handful of commentators who admit to their own set of biases.”
This was merely the first of a series of speeches. In a later one, Agnew called the media pundits nattering nabobs of negativism. And of course, Agnew himself had legal troubles that forced him from office.
But the Nixon Administration’s public criticism of the news media, through Vice President Spiro Agnew, started in Des Moines on this date in 1969.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 13th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, November 12
"The First Legislature"
The land west of the Mississippi River, including what is now Iowa, was part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Iowa was originally part of the Wisconsin Territory, but ultimately, the parcel was divided. Some wanted to call the new territory Washington, after our first president. Others wanted to name it Jefferson, after the president who bought the land.
Imagine…instead of our state being Iowa, we were actually fairly close to living in the state of Washington, or the state of Jefferson. But instead, the name given the area by Albert M. Lea was used. Iowa.
On June 12th, 1838, President Martin Van Buren signed the bill which created the Iowa Territory. It went into effect on July 4th, Independence Day. The president appointed Robert Lucas as governor. He had previous experience as governor of Ohio. The president also appointed three justices for a territorial supreme court.
The people of the new territory were to elect their own legislatures, and on November 12th, 1838, the first Iowa territorial legislature began meeting, two months after the first election. Governor Lucas decided Burlington would be the capital of the new territory, until the legislature selected another location.
That first legislature settled various orders of business, but one of the first was to establish a new city in Johnson County, named Iowa City, to be the capitol. The cornerstone for the capitol building was set in 1840, but it took a long time for the stone capitol to be built. The legislature did meet there in 1841, but in a temporary frame building; they moved into the stone capitol the next year.
Today, our legislature meets annually, from January until typically April or May. But the first legislative session, for the Iowa Territory, was on this date in 1838.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 12th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The First Legislature"
The land west of the Mississippi River, including what is now Iowa, was part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Iowa was originally part of the Wisconsin Territory, but ultimately, the parcel was divided. Some wanted to call the new territory Washington, after our first president. Others wanted to name it Jefferson, after the president who bought the land.
Imagine…instead of our state being Iowa, we were actually fairly close to living in the state of Washington, or the state of Jefferson. But instead, the name given the area by Albert M. Lea was used. Iowa.
On June 12th, 1838, President Martin Van Buren signed the bill which created the Iowa Territory. It went into effect on July 4th, Independence Day. The president appointed Robert Lucas as governor. He had previous experience as governor of Ohio. The president also appointed three justices for a territorial supreme court.
The people of the new territory were to elect their own legislatures, and on November 12th, 1838, the first Iowa territorial legislature began meeting, two months after the first election. Governor Lucas decided Burlington would be the capital of the new territory, until the legislature selected another location.
That first legislature settled various orders of business, but one of the first was to establish a new city in Johnson County, named Iowa City, to be the capitol. The cornerstone for the capitol building was set in 1840, but it took a long time for the stone capitol to be built. The legislature did meet there in 1841, but in a temporary frame building; they moved into the stone capitol the next year.
Today, our legislature meets annually, from January until typically April or May. But the first legislative session, for the Iowa Territory, was on this date in 1838.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 12th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, November 11
"The Armistice Day Blizzard"
The fall of 1940 was warm and uneventful. Hunters were waiting for the normal cold fronts to move in, so the birds they were targeting would move south.
But they didn’t want, nor expect, what hit on November 11th.
Weather forecasting was nothing like today, so the weather systems that converged on Iowa and the Midwest were a surprise. One system was moving east from the Rocky Mountains. A Canadian cold air mass was sliding down from the north, while warm moist air came up from the south.
The combination was deadly, resulting in a thousand mile wide path of destruction, becoming the most famous and disastrous blizzard in American history.
The barometric pressure dropped to an all-time record low in Charles City. The temperature dropped from the 60s to single digits in a matter of a few hours.
The storm dropped more than two feet of snow, killed thousands of cattle, and destroyed a million Thanksgiving turkeys. All tolled in the Midwest, 160 people died.
Hunters in Iowa were especially at risk, because without warning, they were trapped out in the wild. Thousands of ducks flew overhead, but the hunt was difficult in the hurricane force winds. And many hunters were so focused on their shooting, they did not pay enough attention to their own safety, and were lucky to escape with their lives.
Even decades later, the lucky ones, now in their 80s, still think about being out hunting during the greatest blizzard in American history, the Armistice Day Blizzard, on this date in 1940.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 11th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Armistice Day Blizzard"
The fall of 1940 was warm and uneventful. Hunters were waiting for the normal cold fronts to move in, so the birds they were targeting would move south.
But they didn’t want, nor expect, what hit on November 11th.
Weather forecasting was nothing like today, so the weather systems that converged on Iowa and the Midwest were a surprise. One system was moving east from the Rocky Mountains. A Canadian cold air mass was sliding down from the north, while warm moist air came up from the south.
The combination was deadly, resulting in a thousand mile wide path of destruction, becoming the most famous and disastrous blizzard in American history.
The barometric pressure dropped to an all-time record low in Charles City. The temperature dropped from the 60s to single digits in a matter of a few hours.
The storm dropped more than two feet of snow, killed thousands of cattle, and destroyed a million Thanksgiving turkeys. All tolled in the Midwest, 160 people died.
Hunters in Iowa were especially at risk, because without warning, they were trapped out in the wild. Thousands of ducks flew overhead, but the hunt was difficult in the hurricane force winds. And many hunters were so focused on their shooting, they did not pay enough attention to their own safety, and were lucky to escape with their lives.
Even decades later, the lucky ones, now in their 80s, still think about being out hunting during the greatest blizzard in American history, the Armistice Day Blizzard, on this date in 1940.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 11th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, November 10
"Little House on the Iowa Prairie"
Generations have enjoyed the books and television program inspired by the writing of Laura Ingalls Wilder. There have been various Iowa angles in the stories, including when Laura's older sister Mary went blind and attended school in Vinton for a time.
Not talked about in the Little House books was the time the Ingalls family spent in Burr Oak, Iowa. Charles Ingalls--Pa-- for a year. It was during that year, on May 23rd, 1877, that Charles and Caroline Ingalls welcomed their fifth and final child into the world, a girl they name Grace Pearl Ingalls.
Grace moved from Iowa when she was an infant, and ultimately the family settled in Minnesota and the Dakotas. Like her mother and sister Laura, Grace also became a school teacher, near DeSmet, South Dakota. In later years, Grace became her sister Mary's caretaker.
There's another Iowa angle to note. Laura's daughter, Rose, also became a writer. In fact, she wrote the first biography of Herbert Hoover, before he became president. Rose donated her papers and those of her mother to the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch, where today, scholars travel to study her works.
Laura Ingalls Wilder's youngest sister, Grace Pearl Ingalls Dow, born in Iowa, died on this date in 1941.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 10th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Little House on the Iowa Prairie"
Generations have enjoyed the books and television program inspired by the writing of Laura Ingalls Wilder. There have been various Iowa angles in the stories, including when Laura's older sister Mary went blind and attended school in Vinton for a time.
Not talked about in the Little House books was the time the Ingalls family spent in Burr Oak, Iowa. Charles Ingalls--Pa-- for a year. It was during that year, on May 23rd, 1877, that Charles and Caroline Ingalls welcomed their fifth and final child into the world, a girl they name Grace Pearl Ingalls.
Grace moved from Iowa when she was an infant, and ultimately the family settled in Minnesota and the Dakotas. Like her mother and sister Laura, Grace also became a school teacher, near DeSmet, South Dakota. In later years, Grace became her sister Mary's caretaker.
There's another Iowa angle to note. Laura's daughter, Rose, also became a writer. In fact, she wrote the first biography of Herbert Hoover, before he became president. Rose donated her papers and those of her mother to the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch, where today, scholars travel to study her works.
Laura Ingalls Wilder's youngest sister, Grace Pearl Ingalls Dow, born in Iowa, died on this date in 1941.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 10th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Monday, November 9
"Floyd of Rosedale"
Iowa and Minnesota have always been friendly rivals. Sometimes, not so friendly.
The football rivalry between the University of Iowa and the University of Minnesota got a little heated in the middle 1930s, in large part because of what Iowa thought was unduly rough treatment suffered by Iowa's star halfback Ozzie Simmons, one of the few black players of the time.
In 1935, both teams entered the game undefeated, and the rhetoric got a little heated. To try to ease tensions, Minnesota Gov. Floyd Olson sent a telegram to Iowa Gov. Clyde Herring, betting a prize Minnesota hog against a prize Iowa hog that Minnesota would win the game...and requiring that the loser deliver the hog in person to the winner.
Gov. Herring accepted, and on November 9th, the Golden Gophers won the game 13-6; later that year, they won their second straight national championship.
Allen Loomis, the owner of Rosedale Farms near Fort Dodge, donated a pig so Gov. Herring could pay off the bet. The pig was the brother of Blue Boy, from the Will Rogers movie "State Fair", and in honor of Gov. Olson, was named Floyd. Soon Gov. Herring personally walked Floyd into Gov. Olson's carpeted office in St. Paul.
Amazingly, some complained that the wager violated state gambling laws, and because it was across state lines, that the pig was subject to interstate commerce regulations. Lawsuits were even filed.
The Minnesota governor offered Floyd as first prize in a statewide essay-writing contest, won by 14-year-old Robert Jones.
To replace the real Floyd, Gov. Olson commissioned a scuptor to capture Floyd's image. The result is a 98 pound bronze pig trophy, and every year, the Hawkeyes and Gophers play for the right to win Floyd of Rosedale.
In 2008, Rivals.com named Floyd of Rosedale the top rivalry trophy in all of college football. But the real Floyd was the subject of a wager, on this date in 1935.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 9th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Floyd of Rosedale"
Iowa and Minnesota have always been friendly rivals. Sometimes, not so friendly.
The football rivalry between the University of Iowa and the University of Minnesota got a little heated in the middle 1930s, in large part because of what Iowa thought was unduly rough treatment suffered by Iowa's star halfback Ozzie Simmons, one of the few black players of the time.
In 1935, both teams entered the game undefeated, and the rhetoric got a little heated. To try to ease tensions, Minnesota Gov. Floyd Olson sent a telegram to Iowa Gov. Clyde Herring, betting a prize Minnesota hog against a prize Iowa hog that Minnesota would win the game...and requiring that the loser deliver the hog in person to the winner.
Gov. Herring accepted, and on November 9th, the Golden Gophers won the game 13-6; later that year, they won their second straight national championship.
Allen Loomis, the owner of Rosedale Farms near Fort Dodge, donated a pig so Gov. Herring could pay off the bet. The pig was the brother of Blue Boy, from the Will Rogers movie "State Fair", and in honor of Gov. Olson, was named Floyd. Soon Gov. Herring personally walked Floyd into Gov. Olson's carpeted office in St. Paul.
Amazingly, some complained that the wager violated state gambling laws, and because it was across state lines, that the pig was subject to interstate commerce regulations. Lawsuits were even filed.
The Minnesota governor offered Floyd as first prize in a statewide essay-writing contest, won by 14-year-old Robert Jones.
To replace the real Floyd, Gov. Olson commissioned a scuptor to capture Floyd's image. The result is a 98 pound bronze pig trophy, and every year, the Hawkeyes and Gophers play for the right to win Floyd of Rosedale.
In 2008, Rivals.com named Floyd of Rosedale the top rivalry trophy in all of college football. But the real Floyd was the subject of a wager, on this date in 1935.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 9th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Friday, November 6
"The Baseball Evangelist"
They say more than a million people accepted Christ as a direct result of his preaching. But early on, there was not much to suggest that William Ashley Sunday would be one of the best known evangelists of the early 1900s.
He was born in Ames in 1862. He never knew his father, who died during the Civil War. His mother tried to keep the family together, but ultimately Billy Sunday spent part of his childhood in various homes for orphans of soldiers.
After high school, he was a locomotive firefighter for the railroad and played baseball in Marshalltown, leading his amateur team to a state title.
Marshalltown native and baseball hall of famer Cap Anson saw him play and arranged for Sunday to get a tryout with the Chicago National League ball club. He made the team, and soon proved to be the fastest runner in the whole league.
In 1886, he joined a group of young people on their way to Chicago’s Pacific Garden Mission. After about a half-dozen meetings, he converted. In 1890, he gave up a $350 per week baseball contract to make only a thousand dollars a year working for the YMCA and touring the country, spreading the gospel.
He was known for pounding the pulpit, moving around the room while preaching, waving his arms and enthusiastically delivering his message.
He preached for 39 years, before dying of a heart attack in Chicago on November 6th, 1935. He was less than two weeks away from his 73rd birthday.
Iowa born Billy Sunday, pro athlete and preacher, died on this date in 1935.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 6th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Baseball Evangelist"
They say more than a million people accepted Christ as a direct result of his preaching. But early on, there was not much to suggest that William Ashley Sunday would be one of the best known evangelists of the early 1900s.
He was born in Ames in 1862. He never knew his father, who died during the Civil War. His mother tried to keep the family together, but ultimately Billy Sunday spent part of his childhood in various homes for orphans of soldiers.
After high school, he was a locomotive firefighter for the railroad and played baseball in Marshalltown, leading his amateur team to a state title.
Marshalltown native and baseball hall of famer Cap Anson saw him play and arranged for Sunday to get a tryout with the Chicago National League ball club. He made the team, and soon proved to be the fastest runner in the whole league.
In 1886, he joined a group of young people on their way to Chicago’s Pacific Garden Mission. After about a half-dozen meetings, he converted. In 1890, he gave up a $350 per week baseball contract to make only a thousand dollars a year working for the YMCA and touring the country, spreading the gospel.
He was known for pounding the pulpit, moving around the room while preaching, waving his arms and enthusiastically delivering his message.
He preached for 39 years, before dying of a heart attack in Chicago on November 6th, 1935. He was less than two weeks away from his 73rd birthday.
Iowa born Billy Sunday, pro athlete and preacher, died on this date in 1935.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 6th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, November 5
"Changing Its Name"
There are a number of items on an election day ballot. There are obviously votes for candidates for public office, and often voters are asked to render judgment on a taxation or a bond issue.
Rarely, though, are they asked to change the name of their city.
But that was the case in the Greene county town of New Rippey on November 5, 1957.
There had been a village by the name of Rippey. Then, a new settlement was organized nearby, and took the name New Rippey.
But by 1957, the original Rippey was just a memory, having ceased to be long before. Besides, people who did refer to it called it Old Rippey, even though that was not its official name.
New Rippey was actually called Rippey by most people, since it was the only one left. The only time it was ever called New Rippey was in legal descriptions or judicial use.
The only way to change the city's name was through the will of the voters. Why bother? Because there was some fear that if someone called it Rippey in one place, and New Rippey in another, there would be confusion in legal documents.
So on November 5th, 1957, the citizens of New Rippey went to the polls to vote on a variety of municipal issues, including whether to officially call themselves Rippey.
The measure passed. And the name was changed.
Many of us know Rippey as the place where a mid-winter bicycle ride is held, the Bike Ride to Rippey, better known by its acronym, BRR. Imagine if the town was still called New Rippey...the acronym would not be nearly as clever.
Thanks to the will of a majority of voters, New Rippey became Rippey, on this date in 1957.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 5th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Changing Its Name"
There are a number of items on an election day ballot. There are obviously votes for candidates for public office, and often voters are asked to render judgment on a taxation or a bond issue.
Rarely, though, are they asked to change the name of their city.
But that was the case in the Greene county town of New Rippey on November 5, 1957.
There had been a village by the name of Rippey. Then, a new settlement was organized nearby, and took the name New Rippey.
But by 1957, the original Rippey was just a memory, having ceased to be long before. Besides, people who did refer to it called it Old Rippey, even though that was not its official name.
New Rippey was actually called Rippey by most people, since it was the only one left. The only time it was ever called New Rippey was in legal descriptions or judicial use.
The only way to change the city's name was through the will of the voters. Why bother? Because there was some fear that if someone called it Rippey in one place, and New Rippey in another, there would be confusion in legal documents.
So on November 5th, 1957, the citizens of New Rippey went to the polls to vote on a variety of municipal issues, including whether to officially call themselves Rippey.
The measure passed. And the name was changed.
Many of us know Rippey as the place where a mid-winter bicycle ride is held, the Bike Ride to Rippey, better known by its acronym, BRR. Imagine if the town was still called New Rippey...the acronym would not be nearly as clever.
Thanks to the will of a majority of voters, New Rippey became Rippey, on this date in 1957.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 5th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, November 4
"Taken Hostage"
Jesup native Katy Koob became a teacher. But she had always been fascinated by the work of Edward R. Murrow and his reporting from Britain during World War II. That ultimately led to a second career as a foreign service officer. And that led to becoming a piece of history.
In the summer of 1979, the 42-year-old became director of the Iran-American Society, a non-profit group established by the U.S. government to build educational and community relationships between the U.S. and Iran. She had only been on the job for four months, when on November 4, 1979, a group of Iranian students supporting the revolution took over the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking embassy workers hostage. While her office was two miles from the Embassy, she too was soon taken hostage.
For 444 days, 52 Americans were held by the student group. A rescue effort in the spring of 1980 was unsuccessful and led to the deaths of eight American servicemen.
The hostage crisis dominated the presidency of Jimmy Carter and was clearly a factor in his landslide loss to Ronald Reagan in November of 1980. It was only when Reagan took the oath of office, literally, that the hostages were released by Iran into U.S. custody shortly after 12 noon on January 20, 1981.
Amazingly, all were safe, and all were able to walk onto the plane to freedom.
Kathryn Koob returned to the foreign service, serving in Austria, Germany and Australia, ultimately retiring in 1996 and moving back to Iowa.
Iowa native Kathryn Koob was one of only two females taken hostage, along with 50 others, in Iran on this date in 1979.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 4th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Taken Hostage"
Jesup native Katy Koob became a teacher. But she had always been fascinated by the work of Edward R. Murrow and his reporting from Britain during World War II. That ultimately led to a second career as a foreign service officer. And that led to becoming a piece of history.
In the summer of 1979, the 42-year-old became director of the Iran-American Society, a non-profit group established by the U.S. government to build educational and community relationships between the U.S. and Iran. She had only been on the job for four months, when on November 4, 1979, a group of Iranian students supporting the revolution took over the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking embassy workers hostage. While her office was two miles from the Embassy, she too was soon taken hostage.
For 444 days, 52 Americans were held by the student group. A rescue effort in the spring of 1980 was unsuccessful and led to the deaths of eight American servicemen.
The hostage crisis dominated the presidency of Jimmy Carter and was clearly a factor in his landslide loss to Ronald Reagan in November of 1980. It was only when Reagan took the oath of office, literally, that the hostages were released by Iran into U.S. custody shortly after 12 noon on January 20, 1981.
Amazingly, all were safe, and all were able to walk onto the plane to freedom.
Kathryn Koob returned to the foreign service, serving in Austria, Germany and Australia, ultimately retiring in 1996 and moving back to Iowa.
Iowa native Kathryn Koob was one of only two females taken hostage, along with 50 others, in Iran on this date in 1979.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 4th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, November 3
"Iowa's First Newspaper"
The land that is now Iowa was originally part of the Wisconsin Territory. In 1838, the parcel of land was divided, and the Iowa Territory was formed, with a capital located at Burlington. Burlington was actually the last capital of the larger Wisconsin Territory, and in 1837, James Clarke and Cyrus Jacobs founded the Wisconsin Territorial Gazette there. After the land became Iowa, they changed the name of their publication on November 3rd, 1838 to the Iowa Territorial Gazette, becoming the Iowa territory’s first newspaper.
Clarke went on to become the third and last governor of the Iowa Territory. A county in southern Iowa is named in his honor. His partner, Jacobs, was killed in a duel just three days before the Iowa Territorial Gazette published its first issue.
Not long after, a rival paper was started, called the Iowa Patriot, encouraged by David Rorer, the man who won the duel with Cyrus Jacobs. The paper’s name was changed to the Hawk Eye in honor of Chief Black Hawk. That paper became the driving force to have “Hawkeye” adopted as our state’s nickname.
Ultimately, the Gazette and Hawk Eye both thrived in Burlington, long after Iowa became a state and its capital moved from the city. But the Depression took its toll, and a Galesburg man, O.N. Custer, purchased the papers and merged them into The Hawk Eye Gazette, the name it held until 1960, when the name was shortened to The Hawk Eye.
The first newspaper in the Iowa Territory, the Iowa Territorial Gazette, now the Hawk Eye, was published in Burlington on this date in 1838.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 3rd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Iowa's First Newspaper"
The land that is now Iowa was originally part of the Wisconsin Territory. In 1838, the parcel of land was divided, and the Iowa Territory was formed, with a capital located at Burlington. Burlington was actually the last capital of the larger Wisconsin Territory, and in 1837, James Clarke and Cyrus Jacobs founded the Wisconsin Territorial Gazette there. After the land became Iowa, they changed the name of their publication on November 3rd, 1838 to the Iowa Territorial Gazette, becoming the Iowa territory’s first newspaper.
Clarke went on to become the third and last governor of the Iowa Territory. A county in southern Iowa is named in his honor. His partner, Jacobs, was killed in a duel just three days before the Iowa Territorial Gazette published its first issue.
Not long after, a rival paper was started, called the Iowa Patriot, encouraged by David Rorer, the man who won the duel with Cyrus Jacobs. The paper’s name was changed to the Hawk Eye in honor of Chief Black Hawk. That paper became the driving force to have “Hawkeye” adopted as our state’s nickname.
Ultimately, the Gazette and Hawk Eye both thrived in Burlington, long after Iowa became a state and its capital moved from the city. But the Depression took its toll, and a Galesburg man, O.N. Custer, purchased the papers and merged them into The Hawk Eye Gazette, the name it held until 1960, when the name was shortened to The Hawk Eye.
The first newspaper in the Iowa Territory, the Iowa Territorial Gazette, now the Hawk Eye, was published in Burlington on this date in 1838.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 3rd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Monday, November 2
"Back in Office"
Terry Branstad has never lost an election. And the one on November 2nd, 2010, was no different.
From 1973 to 1979, he was a member of the Iowa House, followed by four years as Lieutenant Governor under Governor Robert D. Ray.
Branstad was first elected Governor at age 36, the youngest ever in Iowa history. Before leaving office, he was elected governor four times—over Roxanne Conlin in 1982, Lowell Junkins in 1986, Don Avenson in 1990, and Bonnie Campbell in 1994. Branstad stepped down when his term ended in January 1999, after becoming the longest serving governor in Iowa history.
He spent a dozen years away from elected office, during which time the Democrats held the governor’s seat. Then Branstad ran for his old job again in 2010. He held off two challengers in the Republican primary, and then unseated incumbent Governor Chet Culver in the general election, winning by 10 percentage points.
He’s not the first Iowa governor to leave office and be elected again later…but Samuel Kirkwood did it in 1875, 135 years before Branstad.
And he’s been elected once since then…but Terry Branstad was first returned to office in the general election held on this date in 2010.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 2nd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Back in Office"
Terry Branstad has never lost an election. And the one on November 2nd, 2010, was no different.
From 1973 to 1979, he was a member of the Iowa House, followed by four years as Lieutenant Governor under Governor Robert D. Ray.
Branstad was first elected Governor at age 36, the youngest ever in Iowa history. Before leaving office, he was elected governor four times—over Roxanne Conlin in 1982, Lowell Junkins in 1986, Don Avenson in 1990, and Bonnie Campbell in 1994. Branstad stepped down when his term ended in January 1999, after becoming the longest serving governor in Iowa history.
He spent a dozen years away from elected office, during which time the Democrats held the governor’s seat. Then Branstad ran for his old job again in 2010. He held off two challengers in the Republican primary, and then unseated incumbent Governor Chet Culver in the general election, winning by 10 percentage points.
He’s not the first Iowa governor to leave office and be elected again later…but Samuel Kirkwood did it in 1875, 135 years before Branstad.
And he’s been elected once since then…but Terry Branstad was first returned to office in the general election held on this date in 2010.
And that's Iowa Almanac for November 2nd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Friday, October 30
"Begging Door to Door"
In the 1930s, Halloween in Des Moines was focused more on vandalism than going door to door for treats. Police there responded to a record 550 calls of vandalism in one year alone.
The director of what is now the parks and rec department, Kathryn Krieg, came up with a campaign to encourage less destructive forms of fun.
In 1938, the city set aside October 30th as Beggars’ Night, encouraging children on that night only to go door to door and say the phrase, “Tricks for Eats”. The city council said “eats should be given only if such a ‘trick’ as a song, a poem, a stunt or a musical number, either solo or in group participation, is presented.”
The Beggars’ Night program worked. By the mid-1940s, the number of Halloween police calls in Iowa’s capital city had been cut by more than half.
There was a down side, though. Some of the worst jokes and riddles ever have been told as part of the yearly event.
Kathryn Krieg retired in 1974 after 43 years on the job. Her yearly reminders to make children work for their Halloween candy were carried by local media for parts of five different decades. She died in 1999 at the age of 94, but her legacy is intact today.
The first Beggars’ Night in Des Moines, where children said “Tricks for Eats” and then were held to it, was on this date in 1938.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 30th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Begging Door to Door"
In the 1930s, Halloween in Des Moines was focused more on vandalism than going door to door for treats. Police there responded to a record 550 calls of vandalism in one year alone.
The director of what is now the parks and rec department, Kathryn Krieg, came up with a campaign to encourage less destructive forms of fun.
In 1938, the city set aside October 30th as Beggars’ Night, encouraging children on that night only to go door to door and say the phrase, “Tricks for Eats”. The city council said “eats should be given only if such a ‘trick’ as a song, a poem, a stunt or a musical number, either solo or in group participation, is presented.”
The Beggars’ Night program worked. By the mid-1940s, the number of Halloween police calls in Iowa’s capital city had been cut by more than half.
There was a down side, though. Some of the worst jokes and riddles ever have been told as part of the yearly event.
Kathryn Krieg retired in 1974 after 43 years on the job. Her yearly reminders to make children work for their Halloween candy were carried by local media for parts of five different decades. She died in 1999 at the age of 94, but her legacy is intact today.
The first Beggars’ Night in Des Moines, where children said “Tricks for Eats” and then were held to it, was on this date in 1938.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 30th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, October 29
"Autumn Leaves Rising, Not Falling"
Early on, people in Des Moines knew Louis Weertz had talent. His father was a minister; his mother, a music teacher. The family moved to Des Moines before Louis was even a year old, and by the time he was three, he was already playing the piano…by ear.
His studies in piano at Drake University were interrupted by World War II, but he later returned to Drake and earned a masters degree. After that, it was on to the famous Julliard school. While in New York, he won a national TV talent contest. The founder of Kapp Records heard him play and signed him to a recording contract.
And that’s how Louis Weertz became known as Roger Williams.
In 1955, Roger Williams recorded “Autumn Leaves”. It became the only piano instrumental to ever reach number one on Billboard magazine’s pop music chart. It was the fourth number one song of the rock era and first moved to the top of the chart on October 29th of that year.
It stayed at number one for four weeks, and wound up being the fourth most popular song of the whole year.
Roger Williams scored 18 gold and platinum albums, and played for nine U.S. presidents, ranging from Harry S. Truman to George W. Bush.
He died of pancreatic cancer in 2011, just a week after his 87th birthday.
Iowa’s Louis Weertz—known to the world as pianist Roger Williams—went to number one on the pop charts with “Autumn Leaves”, on this date in 1955.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 29th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Autumn Leaves Rising, Not Falling"
Early on, people in Des Moines knew Louis Weertz had talent. His father was a minister; his mother, a music teacher. The family moved to Des Moines before Louis was even a year old, and by the time he was three, he was already playing the piano…by ear.
His studies in piano at Drake University were interrupted by World War II, but he later returned to Drake and earned a masters degree. After that, it was on to the famous Julliard school. While in New York, he won a national TV talent contest. The founder of Kapp Records heard him play and signed him to a recording contract.
And that’s how Louis Weertz became known as Roger Williams.
In 1955, Roger Williams recorded “Autumn Leaves”. It became the only piano instrumental to ever reach number one on Billboard magazine’s pop music chart. It was the fourth number one song of the rock era and first moved to the top of the chart on October 29th of that year.
It stayed at number one for four weeks, and wound up being the fourth most popular song of the whole year.
Roger Williams scored 18 gold and platinum albums, and played for nine U.S. presidents, ranging from Harry S. Truman to George W. Bush.
He died of pancreatic cancer in 2011, just a week after his 87th birthday.
Iowa’s Louis Weertz—known to the world as pianist Roger Williams—went to number one on the pop charts with “Autumn Leaves”, on this date in 1955.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 29th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, October 28
"First in the Nation"
The third debate of this presidential election cycle between Republican candidates takes place tonight in Boulder, Colorado.
Ever since the first Iowa presidential precinct caucus in 1972, Iowa has become a popular place for those who seek the nation's highest office, especially since a relative unknown named Jimmy Carter used a strong showing in the 1976 event to ultimately win his party's nomination and later the presidency.
In those early days, the caucus was held in late January, and for many years, in mid to late February. But as Iowa's role in the process became more prominent, other states wanted to leapfrog Iowa and be first in the nation.
That led to party rules declaring that Iowa would be the first in the nation caucus state, and New Hampshire would host the first in the nation primary. But other states kept inching earlier and earlier, and there was a real danger that Iowa would actually have to hold its 2008 caucuses in calendar year 2007 in order to remain first.
On October 28th, 2007, representatives of the Iowa Democratic Party voted to move the caucuses to January 3rd, 2008, just about as early as possible while still being in the year of the election. Earlier in the month, our state's Republicans did the same thing, continuing a 30-year trend of the two parties holding their respective caucuses on the same night, to maximize national exposure.
Despite threats, no other state moved ahead of Iowa, and on January 3rd, 2008, 38 percent of Iowa Democrats chose a U.S. Senator from Ilinois, Barack Obama, as their choice for president, edging former U.S. Senator John Edwards from North Carolina with 30 percent. Obama, of course, went on to win the nomination and the election to become the first non-Caucasian to hold the presidency.
The date for that historic caucus was set when Iowa Democrats moved the event to an earlier date to remain first in the nation; a decision made on this date in 2007.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 28th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"First in the Nation"
The third debate of this presidential election cycle between Republican candidates takes place tonight in Boulder, Colorado.
Ever since the first Iowa presidential precinct caucus in 1972, Iowa has become a popular place for those who seek the nation's highest office, especially since a relative unknown named Jimmy Carter used a strong showing in the 1976 event to ultimately win his party's nomination and later the presidency.
In those early days, the caucus was held in late January, and for many years, in mid to late February. But as Iowa's role in the process became more prominent, other states wanted to leapfrog Iowa and be first in the nation.
That led to party rules declaring that Iowa would be the first in the nation caucus state, and New Hampshire would host the first in the nation primary. But other states kept inching earlier and earlier, and there was a real danger that Iowa would actually have to hold its 2008 caucuses in calendar year 2007 in order to remain first.
On October 28th, 2007, representatives of the Iowa Democratic Party voted to move the caucuses to January 3rd, 2008, just about as early as possible while still being in the year of the election. Earlier in the month, our state's Republicans did the same thing, continuing a 30-year trend of the two parties holding their respective caucuses on the same night, to maximize national exposure.
Despite threats, no other state moved ahead of Iowa, and on January 3rd, 2008, 38 percent of Iowa Democrats chose a U.S. Senator from Ilinois, Barack Obama, as their choice for president, edging former U.S. Senator John Edwards from North Carolina with 30 percent. Obama, of course, went on to win the nomination and the election to become the first non-Caucasian to hold the presidency.
The date for that historic caucus was set when Iowa Democrats moved the event to an earlier date to remain first in the nation; a decision made on this date in 2007.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 28th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, October 27
"Our State Fair is a Great State Fair"
We’re used to the Iowa State Fair lasting more than two weeks, and being a focus of our late summer, August activities.
But it wasn’t always that way.
The first Iowa State Fair was held after harvest, from October 25th through the 27th, 1854. The fair was staged in Fairfield on a budget of only $323. There was no railroad at the time in Fairfield; that was still four years off.
Fairfield hosted the event the next year as well, before moving from town to town for the next 20 years. Muscatine, Oskaloosa, Iowa City, Dubuque, Burlington, Clinton, and Keokuk each hosted the fair for two year terms; Cedar Rapids played host twice, for a total of four years.
The Iowa State Fair moved to Des Moines permanently in 1878. It has been at its current location, at East 30th and East Grand Avenue, since 1886.
Since that first year, the Fair has been cancelled only five times, all due to war…the Spanish-American War in 1898, and for four years during World War II.
That first fair opened with presentation of a 360-pound “Great Denmark Cheese” to Iowa’s governor-elect James Grimes, from his friends from Lee County. The final day of the fair featured ten girls showing off their equestrian skills. Belle Turner of Lee County won first prize and a gold watch, but popular sentiment for a poor girl, 14-year-old Eliza Jane Hodges of Iowa City, led to $165 in cash and six month’s school tuition being raised for her from the crowd on the spot.
It cost 25 cents to get in, and first place winners got red ribbons, not the blue ribbons we know today. Some 10,000 people attended part of the three days of that first Iowa State Fair, which wrapped up in Fairfield on this date in 1854.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 27th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Our State Fair is a Great State Fair"
We’re used to the Iowa State Fair lasting more than two weeks, and being a focus of our late summer, August activities.
But it wasn’t always that way.
The first Iowa State Fair was held after harvest, from October 25th through the 27th, 1854. The fair was staged in Fairfield on a budget of only $323. There was no railroad at the time in Fairfield; that was still four years off.
Fairfield hosted the event the next year as well, before moving from town to town for the next 20 years. Muscatine, Oskaloosa, Iowa City, Dubuque, Burlington, Clinton, and Keokuk each hosted the fair for two year terms; Cedar Rapids played host twice, for a total of four years.
The Iowa State Fair moved to Des Moines permanently in 1878. It has been at its current location, at East 30th and East Grand Avenue, since 1886.
Since that first year, the Fair has been cancelled only five times, all due to war…the Spanish-American War in 1898, and for four years during World War II.
That first fair opened with presentation of a 360-pound “Great Denmark Cheese” to Iowa’s governor-elect James Grimes, from his friends from Lee County. The final day of the fair featured ten girls showing off their equestrian skills. Belle Turner of Lee County won first prize and a gold watch, but popular sentiment for a poor girl, 14-year-old Eliza Jane Hodges of Iowa City, led to $165 in cash and six month’s school tuition being raised for her from the crowd on the spot.
It cost 25 cents to get in, and first place winners got red ribbons, not the blue ribbons we know today. Some 10,000 people attended part of the three days of that first Iowa State Fair, which wrapped up in Fairfield on this date in 1854.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 27th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Monday, October 26
"The Ida Grove Train"
Just a few years after Iowa became a state, surveyors were running township lines in what is now Ida County. The name does not refer to a famous citizen, nor is it a derivative of a Native American word.
The surveyors noted that Native Americans in the area had camped on a high hill west of where the town of Ida Grove was later established. They had fires burning on the top of that hill, drying strips of meat over green sampling frames so it would not spoil during the winter. The fires were visible through the night, reminding the surveyors of the vestal fires on Mount Ida in Greece.
And that’s how Ida County got its name.
A nearby grove of trees was in place near what became the John Moorehead home, also known as the Stagecoach Inn because it was placed at the crossroads of least five small stagecoach lines. Martha Moorehead had a habit of naming their family homes, and dubbed this one Ida Grove.
And as more buildings went up, as more settlers moved into the area, a town developed near that grove of trees…named Ida Grove.
The Stagecoach Inn became the first post office for the town, and later the first county courthouse.
The stagecoach lines gave way to the arrival of the railroad, and the first Chicago and Northwestern Railroad train made its way through Ida Grove on October 26th, 1877. As was often the case after rail service, the town grew quickly.
A new courthouse was built, on Moorehead Street, named after the original settlers of Ida Grove, which was officially named when the first train arrived in town, on this date in 1877.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 26th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Ida Grove Train"
Just a few years after Iowa became a state, surveyors were running township lines in what is now Ida County. The name does not refer to a famous citizen, nor is it a derivative of a Native American word.
The surveyors noted that Native Americans in the area had camped on a high hill west of where the town of Ida Grove was later established. They had fires burning on the top of that hill, drying strips of meat over green sampling frames so it would not spoil during the winter. The fires were visible through the night, reminding the surveyors of the vestal fires on Mount Ida in Greece.
And that’s how Ida County got its name.
A nearby grove of trees was in place near what became the John Moorehead home, also known as the Stagecoach Inn because it was placed at the crossroads of least five small stagecoach lines. Martha Moorehead had a habit of naming their family homes, and dubbed this one Ida Grove.
And as more buildings went up, as more settlers moved into the area, a town developed near that grove of trees…named Ida Grove.
The Stagecoach Inn became the first post office for the town, and later the first county courthouse.
The stagecoach lines gave way to the arrival of the railroad, and the first Chicago and Northwestern Railroad train made its way through Ida Grove on October 26th, 1877. As was often the case after rail service, the town grew quickly.
A new courthouse was built, on Moorehead Street, named after the original settlers of Ida Grove, which was officially named when the first train arrived in town, on this date in 1877.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 26th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Friday, October 23
"Championship Horseshoe Pitching"
Frank Elroy Jackson was a farmer near Kellerton, Iowa, in Ringgold County. To pass the time, he like many others enjoyed horseshoe pitching. But Frank Jackson took it to a new level.
He first got a taste of competition in 1910, just as he was turning 40 years of age. He saw how others had tossed the horseshoes, and was surprised. He had never heard of being able to hold a shoe so it would open toward the stake. Instead, he had been holding the shoe with his finger around the heel calk.
At the time, games were played on dirt or sand courts, with stakes sticking two inches high off the ground, and placed 38 feet apart. Frank Jackson had developed the skill of pitching a ringer over that two inch stake, then laying a second shoe on top of the stake so opponents could not keep their ringers on. Later, the stake height was adjusted to six inches.
Jackson took it seriously, using a pair of shoes he had specially made by a local blacksmith, who bent the calks so the shoe would slide better in the sand, and help him slide ringers on the stake.
The first national horseshoe pitching tournament was held on October 23rd, 1915, in Kansas City, Kansas. And Frank Jackson won the title. He held it for four years, and was never defeated in competition.
Wearing a battered old felt hat, a long-sleeved shirt with a skinny necktie tucked in near one of the top buttons, and unpressed pants held up by suspenders, Kellerton, Iowa’s Frank Elroy Jackson became the national horseshoe pitching champion, on this date in 1915.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 23rd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Championship Horseshoe Pitching"
Frank Elroy Jackson was a farmer near Kellerton, Iowa, in Ringgold County. To pass the time, he like many others enjoyed horseshoe pitching. But Frank Jackson took it to a new level.
He first got a taste of competition in 1910, just as he was turning 40 years of age. He saw how others had tossed the horseshoes, and was surprised. He had never heard of being able to hold a shoe so it would open toward the stake. Instead, he had been holding the shoe with his finger around the heel calk.
At the time, games were played on dirt or sand courts, with stakes sticking two inches high off the ground, and placed 38 feet apart. Frank Jackson had developed the skill of pitching a ringer over that two inch stake, then laying a second shoe on top of the stake so opponents could not keep their ringers on. Later, the stake height was adjusted to six inches.
Jackson took it seriously, using a pair of shoes he had specially made by a local blacksmith, who bent the calks so the shoe would slide better in the sand, and help him slide ringers on the stake.
The first national horseshoe pitching tournament was held on October 23rd, 1915, in Kansas City, Kansas. And Frank Jackson won the title. He held it for four years, and was never defeated in competition.
Wearing a battered old felt hat, a long-sleeved shirt with a skinny necktie tucked in near one of the top buttons, and unpressed pants held up by suspenders, Kellerton, Iowa’s Frank Elroy Jackson became the national horseshoe pitching champion, on this date in 1915.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 23rd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, October 22
"Letterman Comes to Iowa"
Earlier this year, David Letterman ended his record-setting 33 years hosting late night TV shows. Many forget that his first TV show was on at a very different time, and had a different sound.
The David Letterman Show aired at 9 a.m. Iowa time for a four month period in the summer and fall of 1980. It wound up winning an Emmy, but it was a little too unique for an audience used to game shows and soap operas, and not a comedian with quirky humor.
As an example…the show sponsored an essay contest, telling why Letterman and his New York-based crew should tape an episode at your house. Jane Goldsworthy of Cresco, Iowa, submitted a 100-word essay, and before long, she found out she had won.
And that was how Howard and Jane Goldsworthy became national TV stars for a day, on October 22nd, 1980. The Letterman program that day included taped man-on-the-street segments from downtown Cresco, stupid pet tricks, and guest Cloris Leachman, herself an Iowa native.
The show almost did not make it on the air. It was taped in the late summer, and then the show was cancelled. But before the last daytime Letterman program on October 24th, the producers made sure the Iowa episode aired, on this date, in 1980.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 22nd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Letterman Comes to Iowa"
Earlier this year, David Letterman ended his record-setting 33 years hosting late night TV shows. Many forget that his first TV show was on at a very different time, and had a different sound.
The David Letterman Show aired at 9 a.m. Iowa time for a four month period in the summer and fall of 1980. It wound up winning an Emmy, but it was a little too unique for an audience used to game shows and soap operas, and not a comedian with quirky humor.
As an example…the show sponsored an essay contest, telling why Letterman and his New York-based crew should tape an episode at your house. Jane Goldsworthy of Cresco, Iowa, submitted a 100-word essay, and before long, she found out she had won.
And that was how Howard and Jane Goldsworthy became national TV stars for a day, on October 22nd, 1980. The Letterman program that day included taped man-on-the-street segments from downtown Cresco, stupid pet tricks, and guest Cloris Leachman, herself an Iowa native.
The show almost did not make it on the air. It was taped in the late summer, and then the show was cancelled. But before the last daytime Letterman program on October 24th, the producers made sure the Iowa episode aired, on this date, in 1980.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 22nd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, October 21
"Iowa Brothers Top The Charts"
Given the family history, it was no surprise that Phillip and Donald Everly would turn to music. Their father, Ike, had developed a unique style of guitar playing and soon was a full-time musician. Ike and Margaret moved their family to Shenandoah so Ike could take a job performing on KMA radio. Little Donnie and Baby Boy Phil soon joined their parents on the air, when they were only 8 and 6 years old.
The Everlys lived in Shenandoah from 1945 to 1952…not long after, America knew of the brothers thanks to their first single, “Bye Bye Love”, which peaked at number 2 on the pop charts in 1957.
Their next single, though, went to the very top.
“Wake Up Little Susie” hit number one in Billboard magazine’s chart on October 21, 1957. It stayed at number one for four weeks and became their second million selling record in a row. Don was 20, Phil was 18.
The Everly Brothers were among the first 10 artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Together they had 35 Billboard Hot 100 singles…26 of those made the Top 40. But their first number one hit, “Wake Up Little Susie”, first topped the pop charts on this date in 1957.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 21st...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Iowa Brothers Top The Charts"
Given the family history, it was no surprise that Phillip and Donald Everly would turn to music. Their father, Ike, had developed a unique style of guitar playing and soon was a full-time musician. Ike and Margaret moved their family to Shenandoah so Ike could take a job performing on KMA radio. Little Donnie and Baby Boy Phil soon joined their parents on the air, when they were only 8 and 6 years old.
The Everlys lived in Shenandoah from 1945 to 1952…not long after, America knew of the brothers thanks to their first single, “Bye Bye Love”, which peaked at number 2 on the pop charts in 1957.
Their next single, though, went to the very top.
“Wake Up Little Susie” hit number one in Billboard magazine’s chart on October 21, 1957. It stayed at number one for four weeks and became their second million selling record in a row. Don was 20, Phil was 18.
The Everly Brothers were among the first 10 artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Together they had 35 Billboard Hot 100 singles…26 of those made the Top 40. But their first number one hit, “Wake Up Little Susie”, first topped the pop charts on this date in 1957.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 21st...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, October 20
"A Racist Attack on the Field"
Johnny Bright was a star halfback and quarterback for the Drake Bulldogs. In 1951, he was a pre-season Heisman Trophy candidate, and led the nation in total offense.
Drake was riding a five-game winning streak that season when the Bulldogs traveled to Oklahoma A&M, now Oklahoma State, on October 20th of that year. Two years before, Bright had been the first African-American to play on the Aggie’s home turf at Lewis Field.
It was no secret that A&M players were targeting Bright. Newspapers in Stillwater wrote that Bright was a marked man.
During the first seven minutes of the game alone, Bright was knocked unconscious three times by shots by A&M defensive tackle Wilbanks Smith. That last shot broke Johnny Bright’s jaw, but he still completed a 61-yard touchdown pass a few plays later. He did have to leave the game due to his injuries and the Bulldogs lost 27-14.
Given the times, it was hard to get some people to believe that Bright was targeted. But a six-photograph sequence of the final shot to Bright’s jaw, taken by Des Moines Register photographers Don Ultang and John Robinson, proved the case, winning the pair a Pulitzer Prize in the process.
When it became clear the Missouri Valley Conference was not going to take action against Oklahoma A&M, Drake actually withdrew from the conference in protest, not returning as a football member for 20 years.
Johnny Bright finished fifth in the Heisman voting, despite missing most of the last three games of that season because of the injury. He later spent 12 years in the professional Canadian Football League and was inducted into the league’s hall of fame.
In 2005, the president of Oklahoma State wrote a letter to Drake’s president, formally apologizing for the incident. But it came 22 years after Johnny Bright died.
Drake’s star was brutally knocked out of the game, simply because of his race, on this date in 1951.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 20th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"A Racist Attack on the Field"
Johnny Bright was a star halfback and quarterback for the Drake Bulldogs. In 1951, he was a pre-season Heisman Trophy candidate, and led the nation in total offense.
Drake was riding a five-game winning streak that season when the Bulldogs traveled to Oklahoma A&M, now Oklahoma State, on October 20th of that year. Two years before, Bright had been the first African-American to play on the Aggie’s home turf at Lewis Field.
It was no secret that A&M players were targeting Bright. Newspapers in Stillwater wrote that Bright was a marked man.
During the first seven minutes of the game alone, Bright was knocked unconscious three times by shots by A&M defensive tackle Wilbanks Smith. That last shot broke Johnny Bright’s jaw, but he still completed a 61-yard touchdown pass a few plays later. He did have to leave the game due to his injuries and the Bulldogs lost 27-14.
Given the times, it was hard to get some people to believe that Bright was targeted. But a six-photograph sequence of the final shot to Bright’s jaw, taken by Des Moines Register photographers Don Ultang and John Robinson, proved the case, winning the pair a Pulitzer Prize in the process.
When it became clear the Missouri Valley Conference was not going to take action against Oklahoma A&M, Drake actually withdrew from the conference in protest, not returning as a football member for 20 years.
Johnny Bright finished fifth in the Heisman voting, despite missing most of the last three games of that season because of the injury. He later spent 12 years in the professional Canadian Football League and was inducted into the league’s hall of fame.
In 2005, the president of Oklahoma State wrote a letter to Drake’s president, formally apologizing for the incident. But it came 22 years after Johnny Bright died.
Drake’s star was brutally knocked out of the game, simply because of his race, on this date in 1951.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 20th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Monday, October 19
"The True Father of the Computer"
Computers, and the latest technology computers have spawned, dominate our lives. It’s hard to imagine a time without them.
Who deserves the credit for inventing the computer has been hotly contested over time.
One night in the late 1930s, Iowa State University physics professor John Vincent Atanasoff was working in his lab. He had a particularly frustrating day, performing tedious mathematical calculations. So he left work and went to a bar to relax.
He wanted to find a way to make working those calculations easier. It was in that bar that he came upon the idea that a binary number system and electronic switches, combined with an array of capacitors on a moving drum to serve as memory, could produce a computing machine that would make his life easier.
So he went back and built the machine. It worked, and nearly two years later, in 1939, Atanasoff and graduate student Clifford Berry built a prototype of the ABC…the Atansaoff-Berry Computer.
But he never patented the device, and others took the foundation developed by Atanasoff to create machines that advanced the ABC.
Lawsuits later resulted, because if the ABC was in fact the foundation of more modern computers, a lot of money was at stake.
On October 19, 1973, a judge ruled that the fight at the time between Honeywell and Sperry-Rand over who invented the computer missed the point…because the true father of the computer was John Atanasoff.
The decision came just two weeks after his 70th birthday. From that point on, John Atanasoff’s name would go down in history. Recognition that the Iowa State professor invented the first electronic digital computer came in a court decision, on this date, in 1973.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 19th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The True Father of the Computer"
Computers, and the latest technology computers have spawned, dominate our lives. It’s hard to imagine a time without them.
Who deserves the credit for inventing the computer has been hotly contested over time.
One night in the late 1930s, Iowa State University physics professor John Vincent Atanasoff was working in his lab. He had a particularly frustrating day, performing tedious mathematical calculations. So he left work and went to a bar to relax.
He wanted to find a way to make working those calculations easier. It was in that bar that he came upon the idea that a binary number system and electronic switches, combined with an array of capacitors on a moving drum to serve as memory, could produce a computing machine that would make his life easier.
So he went back and built the machine. It worked, and nearly two years later, in 1939, Atanasoff and graduate student Clifford Berry built a prototype of the ABC…the Atansaoff-Berry Computer.
But he never patented the device, and others took the foundation developed by Atanasoff to create machines that advanced the ABC.
Lawsuits later resulted, because if the ABC was in fact the foundation of more modern computers, a lot of money was at stake.
On October 19, 1973, a judge ruled that the fight at the time between Honeywell and Sperry-Rand over who invented the computer missed the point…because the true father of the computer was John Atanasoff.
The decision came just two weeks after his 70th birthday. From that point on, John Atanasoff’s name would go down in history. Recognition that the Iowa State professor invented the first electronic digital computer came in a court decision, on this date, in 1973.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 19th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Friday, October 16
"Cy Takes The Field"
The Iowa State athletic teams have been known as the Cyclones since 1895. That’s when the Chicago Tribune said the Northwestern football team had been “struck by a cyclone” when the team from Ames came to town. The name stuck.
But it’s hard to have a cyclone as a mascot. After all, what costume would you come up with?
In 1954, members of Iowa State’s Pep Council decided the university needed a mascot. They decided on a cardinal, since the school colors are cardinal and gold. A contest was held to name the new mascot, and 17 people submitted the name “Cy”, short for “Cyclone”.
Cy the Cardinal made his debut at Homecoming on October 16th, 1954. That first Cy was 8 feet tall and the costume cost $200 to create.
A slightly more agile version of the mascot, named Clone, debuted in 1989. Cy and Clone both served for a number of years, before being merged in 1995 into the Cy who prowls the sidelines on game day today.
Cy the Cardinal won a national mascot of the year contest in 2008, but he made his debut at Homecoming, on this date, in 1954.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 16th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Cy Takes The Field"
The Iowa State athletic teams have been known as the Cyclones since 1895. That’s when the Chicago Tribune said the Northwestern football team had been “struck by a cyclone” when the team from Ames came to town. The name stuck.
But it’s hard to have a cyclone as a mascot. After all, what costume would you come up with?
In 1954, members of Iowa State’s Pep Council decided the university needed a mascot. They decided on a cardinal, since the school colors are cardinal and gold. A contest was held to name the new mascot, and 17 people submitted the name “Cy”, short for “Cyclone”.
Cy the Cardinal made his debut at Homecoming on October 16th, 1954. That first Cy was 8 feet tall and the costume cost $200 to create.
A slightly more agile version of the mascot, named Clone, debuted in 1989. Cy and Clone both served for a number of years, before being merged in 1995 into the Cy who prowls the sidelines on game day today.
Cy the Cardinal won a national mascot of the year contest in 2008, but he made his debut at Homecoming, on this date, in 1954.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 16th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, October 15
"Graduating Cadets"
The United States entered World War I in 1917, and thousands of Americans enlisted to fight Germany in the Great War. That included thousands of black Americans, from all parts of the country.
Keep in mind this was only 50 years after the end of the U.S. Civil War.
Despite the eagerness of some blacks to join the fight, enlistments were limited by the federal government. While some groups such as the NAACP pushed for officer training for blacks, government officials were afraid the race issue would hurt the war effort.
So a compromise was reached, whereby one officer candidate school in the country would be open to blacks. It was located at Fort Des Moines.
Fort Des Moines had been built on 400 acres of land in 1901 and had previously hosted all-black units for training.
The first black officer candidates arrived at Fort Des Moines in May of 1917, consisting of 1,000 black college graduates and faculty members. At the time, Des Moines’ black population only numbered 5,000.
The troops were highly educated, and well received by the community. That was in contrast to an all-black Alabama enlisted regiment based at Camp Dodge across town, which often faced discrimination.
After 90 days of rigorous training, 638 captains and lieutenants received their commissions and were dispatched for basic training across the country. They would reunite in New Jersey in June of the next year, to fight as a unit in France.
Graduation day for the country’s only class of black officers, trained at Fort Des Moines, happened on this date in 1917.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 15th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Graduating Cadets"
The United States entered World War I in 1917, and thousands of Americans enlisted to fight Germany in the Great War. That included thousands of black Americans, from all parts of the country.
Keep in mind this was only 50 years after the end of the U.S. Civil War.
Despite the eagerness of some blacks to join the fight, enlistments were limited by the federal government. While some groups such as the NAACP pushed for officer training for blacks, government officials were afraid the race issue would hurt the war effort.
So a compromise was reached, whereby one officer candidate school in the country would be open to blacks. It was located at Fort Des Moines.
Fort Des Moines had been built on 400 acres of land in 1901 and had previously hosted all-black units for training.
The first black officer candidates arrived at Fort Des Moines in May of 1917, consisting of 1,000 black college graduates and faculty members. At the time, Des Moines’ black population only numbered 5,000.
The troops were highly educated, and well received by the community. That was in contrast to an all-black Alabama enlisted regiment based at Camp Dodge across town, which often faced discrimination.
After 90 days of rigorous training, 638 captains and lieutenants received their commissions and were dispatched for basic training across the country. They would reunite in New Jersey in June of the next year, to fight as a unit in France.
Graduation day for the country’s only class of black officers, trained at Fort Des Moines, happened on this date in 1917.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 15th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, October 14
"A Fruit Pie"
Anita Bryant was known in the 1950s and 1960s as a singer, then as the commercial spokesperson for Florida orange juice.
By the mid-1970s, she became active in the anti-gay rights movement, first in Florida, and then around the country.
That's what led her to come to Des Moines on August 14th, 1977. Only two months before, her efforts led to repeal of an anti-discrimination ordinance in her home state. She was speaking at a news conference when suddenly a gay rights activist from Minnesota named Thom Higgins hit Bryant in the face with a cream pie. Some called for security, but Bryant waved them off, quipping, "At least it was a fruit pie."
Immediately afterward, Bryant and her husband Bob Green prayed for God to forgive the activist for his deviant lifestyle. Higgins was one of four who attended the news conference to protest against Bryant. They brought with them a spare pie. Bryant's husband confronted the four outside the news conference, and tossed that spare pie into the face of one of the protesters.
No charges were filed.
It's been nearly 40 years, and the issue of gay rights still raises controversy. One of the most public displays of the dispute came in Des Moines when Anita Bryant was hit in the face with a pie by a gay rights activist, on this date, in 1977.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 14th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"A Fruit Pie"
Anita Bryant was known in the 1950s and 1960s as a singer, then as the commercial spokesperson for Florida orange juice.
By the mid-1970s, she became active in the anti-gay rights movement, first in Florida, and then around the country.
That's what led her to come to Des Moines on August 14th, 1977. Only two months before, her efforts led to repeal of an anti-discrimination ordinance in her home state. She was speaking at a news conference when suddenly a gay rights activist from Minnesota named Thom Higgins hit Bryant in the face with a cream pie. Some called for security, but Bryant waved them off, quipping, "At least it was a fruit pie."
Immediately afterward, Bryant and her husband Bob Green prayed for God to forgive the activist for his deviant lifestyle. Higgins was one of four who attended the news conference to protest against Bryant. They brought with them a spare pie. Bryant's husband confronted the four outside the news conference, and tossed that spare pie into the face of one of the protesters.
No charges were filed.
It's been nearly 40 years, and the issue of gay rights still raises controversy. One of the most public displays of the dispute came in Des Moines when Anita Bryant was hit in the face with a pie by a gay rights activist, on this date, in 1977.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 14th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, October 13
"A Post Office Before The Town"
A U.S. post office was established in the town of Williams, Iowa on this date, October 13th, in 1869.
But it wasn't very busy. That's because at the time the post office was established, the town had not even been platted.
William H. Merritt owned a number of parcels of land in Iowa at that time, and thanks to the growing railroad, set up a number of small towns through which rail lines could run.
That was the case with Williams, located in Hamilton County. The town was not platted until the winter of 1869 and the only building that was built was the railroad depot. The first postmaster was Isaac H. Brown, who also served as the depot agent...truly a one-man town.
Merritt named his town for Major William Williams of Ford Dodge.
The first house in Williams was built in 1870, but by 1900, the town had a population of 500. It was among the first in Iowa to have a complete water and sewage system, and in 1930, it was chosen by Bell Telephone as the first rural community west of the Mississippi to have dial telephones.
And one of the town's favorite sons, Al McCoy, has been the play by play voice of the Phoenix Suns NBA team since 1972 and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007.
There were no homes and no citizens, but you could send a letter to the post office in Williams, Iowa, which was established on this date in 1869.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 13th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"A Post Office Before The Town"
A U.S. post office was established in the town of Williams, Iowa on this date, October 13th, in 1869.
But it wasn't very busy. That's because at the time the post office was established, the town had not even been platted.
William H. Merritt owned a number of parcels of land in Iowa at that time, and thanks to the growing railroad, set up a number of small towns through which rail lines could run.
That was the case with Williams, located in Hamilton County. The town was not platted until the winter of 1869 and the only building that was built was the railroad depot. The first postmaster was Isaac H. Brown, who also served as the depot agent...truly a one-man town.
Merritt named his town for Major William Williams of Ford Dodge.
The first house in Williams was built in 1870, but by 1900, the town had a population of 500. It was among the first in Iowa to have a complete water and sewage system, and in 1930, it was chosen by Bell Telephone as the first rural community west of the Mississippi to have dial telephones.
And one of the town's favorite sons, Al McCoy, has been the play by play voice of the Phoenix Suns NBA team since 1972 and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007.
There were no homes and no citizens, but you could send a letter to the post office in Williams, Iowa, which was established on this date in 1869.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 13th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Monday, October 12
"Iowa and the War Between the States"
It was on this date, October 12th, 1864, that a Civil War battle was fought...in Iowa.
Just north of the Missouri border, near Bloomfield, Confederate forces led by Lieutenant Bill Jackson made their way into Iowa. Jackson led a dozen heavily armed Missouri Partisan Rangers dressed in Union uniforms in a raid through Davis County. It led to the murder of three local citizens.
It was the furthermost north of any confederate incursion during the civil war.
Now, some folks near Salineville, Ohio claim that distinction, as well. While that location is further south than the Iowa site, the Ohio battle was a full engagement between Union and Confederate forces. By contrast, the incursion into Iowa sounds more like a gang in disguise.
But they were still Confederate soldiers on a raid that led to the deaths of three Iowans, farther north than any others went, near Bloomfield in Davis County, on this date in 1864.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 12th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Iowa and the War Between the States"
It was on this date, October 12th, 1864, that a Civil War battle was fought...in Iowa.
Just north of the Missouri border, near Bloomfield, Confederate forces led by Lieutenant Bill Jackson made their way into Iowa. Jackson led a dozen heavily armed Missouri Partisan Rangers dressed in Union uniforms in a raid through Davis County. It led to the murder of three local citizens.
It was the furthermost north of any confederate incursion during the civil war.
Now, some folks near Salineville, Ohio claim that distinction, as well. While that location is further south than the Iowa site, the Ohio battle was a full engagement between Union and Confederate forces. By contrast, the incursion into Iowa sounds more like a gang in disguise.
But they were still Confederate soldiers on a raid that led to the deaths of three Iowans, farther north than any others went, near Bloomfield in Davis County, on this date in 1864.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 12th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Friday, October 9
"Up, Up and Away"
We take air travel for granted these days, but it wasn’t that long ago that soaring through the sky was quite a novelty.
While the first public demonstration of an unmanned hot air balloon was in France in 1783, it took 62 years before a similar event occurred in Iowa. It was for Independence Day 1845, and an unmanned balloon was sent aloft in Burlington, staying in the sky for close to an hour.
On October 9th, 1856, some 15,000 people gathered in Muscatine for the third Iowa State Fair. Among that day’s attractions was the first manned balloon ascension ever in the state.
The balloon was owned by Silas M. Brooks, and was called Hercules. Newspapers called the event “entertainment with a very heavy expense” and “the greatest novelty that has ever visited this city”.
At around 4:30 p.m., the balloon began to rise and a male known now only as Mr. Leonard climbed into the basket. He drifted for 45 minutes, coming back to earth in Cedar County, three miles north of Wilton and fifteen miles from where he started in Muscatine.
The first manned balloon ascension, a highlight of the third Iowa State Fair in Muscatine, on this date in 1856.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 9th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Up, Up and Away"
We take air travel for granted these days, but it wasn’t that long ago that soaring through the sky was quite a novelty.
While the first public demonstration of an unmanned hot air balloon was in France in 1783, it took 62 years before a similar event occurred in Iowa. It was for Independence Day 1845, and an unmanned balloon was sent aloft in Burlington, staying in the sky for close to an hour.
On October 9th, 1856, some 15,000 people gathered in Muscatine for the third Iowa State Fair. Among that day’s attractions was the first manned balloon ascension ever in the state.
The balloon was owned by Silas M. Brooks, and was called Hercules. Newspapers called the event “entertainment with a very heavy expense” and “the greatest novelty that has ever visited this city”.
At around 4:30 p.m., the balloon began to rise and a male known now only as Mr. Leonard climbed into the basket. He drifted for 45 minutes, coming back to earth in Cedar County, three miles north of Wilton and fifteen miles from where he started in Muscatine.
The first manned balloon ascension, a highlight of the third Iowa State Fair in Muscatine, on this date in 1856.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 9th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, October 8
"Dedicating a Courthouse"
Fayette County in northeast Iowa has a unique history. It's named for the French general aiding the Colonists in the Revolutionary War, the Marquis de la Fayette.
And it was originally one of the largest counties ever organized. It had an area of 140,000 square miles and included all of the present state of Minnesota west of the Mississippi River. In fact, almost all of the counties in northeastern Iowa were formed out of the original Fayette County, which was reduced to its current boundaries in 1847, shortly after Iowa became a state.
Back in 1851, a vote was held to determine where the county seat would be. Voters had six choices, with the top two advancing to a later ballot when the final choice would be made. Voters chose West Union over Lightville.
The county seat of West Union was originally called Knob Prairie. And although a courthouse was proposed in 1853, one was not built until three years later. County business was transacted in the Methodist Church until the courthouse was ready.
But that original building burned to the ground when a prisoner in the jail started his cell on fire. A second courthouse was then built...but it was destroyed by fire, as well in 1922.
Before a third courthouse could be built, there was another fight over where the county seat should be located. Fayette and Oelwein made their case, but again, West Union prevailed, in part because citizens of West Union and the surrounding areas donated $100,000 toward the total building cost of almost $300,000. But after losing the previous two courthouses due to fire, this one is a gray Bedford stone structure.
This version of the Fayette County Courthouse was formally dedicated and open for business, on this date in 1924.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 8th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Dedicating a Courthouse"
Fayette County in northeast Iowa has a unique history. It's named for the French general aiding the Colonists in the Revolutionary War, the Marquis de la Fayette.
And it was originally one of the largest counties ever organized. It had an area of 140,000 square miles and included all of the present state of Minnesota west of the Mississippi River. In fact, almost all of the counties in northeastern Iowa were formed out of the original Fayette County, which was reduced to its current boundaries in 1847, shortly after Iowa became a state.
Back in 1851, a vote was held to determine where the county seat would be. Voters had six choices, with the top two advancing to a later ballot when the final choice would be made. Voters chose West Union over Lightville.
The county seat of West Union was originally called Knob Prairie. And although a courthouse was proposed in 1853, one was not built until three years later. County business was transacted in the Methodist Church until the courthouse was ready.
But that original building burned to the ground when a prisoner in the jail started his cell on fire. A second courthouse was then built...but it was destroyed by fire, as well in 1922.
Before a third courthouse could be built, there was another fight over where the county seat should be located. Fayette and Oelwein made their case, but again, West Union prevailed, in part because citizens of West Union and the surrounding areas donated $100,000 toward the total building cost of almost $300,000. But after losing the previous two courthouses due to fire, this one is a gray Bedford stone structure.
This version of the Fayette County Courthouse was formally dedicated and open for business, on this date in 1924.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 8th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, October 7
"Writing a Constitution"
The procedure was fairly straight forward…in order for a territory to become a state, a constitution had to be written.
And that led to a gathering of 72 men in Iowa City on October 7th, 1844. Iowa had been a territory for six years, but the concept of writing a constitution or making laws was still new.
Two thirds of the delegates were Democrats, the rest were Whigs. The Republican party wouldn’t be formed for another ten years.
The convention was in session for 26 days, discussing questions such as “should meetings be opened with prayer?”, “what salaries should be paid to public officials?” and “what should be the boundaries of the new state?”.
The constitution was ultimately sent to Congress in December, which had to determine if Iowa’s population was large enough to justify statehood, if the boundaries for the proposed new state were satisfactory, and if the constitution itself was consistent with the U.S. constitution.
Congress approved the document, including that Iowa would enter the union as a free state. But the people of Iowa had to vote and approve the constitution. As it turned out, citizens did not like the boundaries that had been proposed, and rejected the constitution.
That delayed Iowa statehood, because another convention had to be called and another document prepared for approval by voters. That ultimately happened, of course. But the first constitutional convention for Iowa statehood began on this date in 1844.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 7th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Writing a Constitution"
The procedure was fairly straight forward…in order for a territory to become a state, a constitution had to be written.
And that led to a gathering of 72 men in Iowa City on October 7th, 1844. Iowa had been a territory for six years, but the concept of writing a constitution or making laws was still new.
Two thirds of the delegates were Democrats, the rest were Whigs. The Republican party wouldn’t be formed for another ten years.
The convention was in session for 26 days, discussing questions such as “should meetings be opened with prayer?”, “what salaries should be paid to public officials?” and “what should be the boundaries of the new state?”.
The constitution was ultimately sent to Congress in December, which had to determine if Iowa’s population was large enough to justify statehood, if the boundaries for the proposed new state were satisfactory, and if the constitution itself was consistent with the U.S. constitution.
Congress approved the document, including that Iowa would enter the union as a free state. But the people of Iowa had to vote and approve the constitution. As it turned out, citizens did not like the boundaries that had been proposed, and rejected the constitution.
That delayed Iowa statehood, because another convention had to be called and another document prepared for approval by voters. That ultimately happened, of course. But the first constitutional convention for Iowa statehood began on this date in 1844.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 7th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, October 6
"Giving His Life for Football"
People knew from the start he was unique.
Jack Trice distinguished himself on a very good team at East Tech high school in Cleveland. The team's coach, Sam Willaman, took a job at Iowa State College and recruited some of his high school players to come with him to Ames. One was Trice, who took advantage of the opportunity to get a college education while playing the game he loved.
It would not be easy, however. When he arrived on campus in 1922, he was the only African-American player on the team, at a time when some schools refused to take the field if their opponent included a player of color.
Freshmen could not play on the varsity back then, so Trice bided his time until the 1923 season. The first game was in Ames against Simpson College. Trice did not start, but his play during Iowa State's 14-6 win earned him a starting role the next week, at Minnesota.
Trice hurts his shoulder and breaks his collarbone in the first series, but stays in the game. In the second half, while playing on the offensive line, Trice throws a block and is trampled by Minnesota players. He does not get up after the play. He was briefly treated at a hospital, but allowed to ride the train back to Ames with his teammates.
He was immediately hospitalized when he returned, but the internal injuries he sustained in the game led to a raging fever and infection. By early Monday afternoon, Jack Trice had died.
Was he targeted for injury during the game due to his race, or his skill? Was he burdened by race, leading to his desire to stay in the game despite injury.
The night before the game, he wrote a letter which was found in his jacket pocket. He wrote, "The honor of my race, family and self are at stake. I will be trying to do more than my part."
The stadium where Iowa State now plays bears his name; that, of course, came after decades of discussion on the topic. It's the only Division I stadium in the country to be named after an African-American athlete.
The only player to die on the field while wearing an Iowa State jersey, Jack Trice, suffered injuries that would be fatal, on this date in 1923.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 6th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Giving His Life for Football"
People knew from the start he was unique.
Jack Trice distinguished himself on a very good team at East Tech high school in Cleveland. The team's coach, Sam Willaman, took a job at Iowa State College and recruited some of his high school players to come with him to Ames. One was Trice, who took advantage of the opportunity to get a college education while playing the game he loved.
It would not be easy, however. When he arrived on campus in 1922, he was the only African-American player on the team, at a time when some schools refused to take the field if their opponent included a player of color.
Freshmen could not play on the varsity back then, so Trice bided his time until the 1923 season. The first game was in Ames against Simpson College. Trice did not start, but his play during Iowa State's 14-6 win earned him a starting role the next week, at Minnesota.
Trice hurts his shoulder and breaks his collarbone in the first series, but stays in the game. In the second half, while playing on the offensive line, Trice throws a block and is trampled by Minnesota players. He does not get up after the play. He was briefly treated at a hospital, but allowed to ride the train back to Ames with his teammates.
He was immediately hospitalized when he returned, but the internal injuries he sustained in the game led to a raging fever and infection. By early Monday afternoon, Jack Trice had died.
Was he targeted for injury during the game due to his race, or his skill? Was he burdened by race, leading to his desire to stay in the game despite injury.
The night before the game, he wrote a letter which was found in his jacket pocket. He wrote, "The honor of my race, family and self are at stake. I will be trying to do more than my part."
The stadium where Iowa State now plays bears his name; that, of course, came after decades of discussion on the topic. It's the only Division I stadium in the country to be named after an African-American athlete.
The only player to die on the field while wearing an Iowa State jersey, Jack Trice, suffered injuries that would be fatal, on this date in 1923.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 6th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Monday, October 5
"Herky Comes To Life"
We're used to mascots in costumes prowling the sidelines at college football games. But at the University of Iowa, live animals used to be the mascot.
In 1908, a live bear named Burch arrived from Idaho. Students enjoyed wrestling with him, until he grew too large. Later, Rex the dog served as the ROTC and university mascot, from 1927 to 1932. But neither matched the team's nickname, Hawkeyes.
In 1948, the first hawk mascot appeared. It was in cartoon form, drawn by Iowa journalism instructor Dick Spencer. A name-the-mascot contest was held, and a Belle Plaine alum named John Franklin won for his suggestion of Hercules the Hawk, which quickly became shortened to the now familiar Herky. But it took nearly a decade before Herky came to life.
On Friday, October 5, 1956, the first pep rally of the college football season was held in Iowa City. There, a hawk made his appearance, the third live species to be an Iowa mascot but the first that actually matched the team's nickname.
Three years later, a member of an Iowa fraternity created a costume inspired by Dick Spencer's Herky cartoon, and the now-famous tradition of a person as mascot began.
But the first live Herky was an actual hawk, who made his first appearance when Hawkeyes gathered for the pep rally held in Iowa City on this date in 1956.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 5th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Herky Comes To Life"
We're used to mascots in costumes prowling the sidelines at college football games. But at the University of Iowa, live animals used to be the mascot.
In 1908, a live bear named Burch arrived from Idaho. Students enjoyed wrestling with him, until he grew too large. Later, Rex the dog served as the ROTC and university mascot, from 1927 to 1932. But neither matched the team's nickname, Hawkeyes.
In 1948, the first hawk mascot appeared. It was in cartoon form, drawn by Iowa journalism instructor Dick Spencer. A name-the-mascot contest was held, and a Belle Plaine alum named John Franklin won for his suggestion of Hercules the Hawk, which quickly became shortened to the now familiar Herky. But it took nearly a decade before Herky came to life.
On Friday, October 5, 1956, the first pep rally of the college football season was held in Iowa City. There, a hawk made his appearance, the third live species to be an Iowa mascot but the first that actually matched the team's nickname.
Three years later, a member of an Iowa fraternity created a costume inspired by Dick Spencer's Herky cartoon, and the now-famous tradition of a person as mascot began.
But the first live Herky was an actual hawk, who made his first appearance when Hawkeyes gathered for the pep rally held in Iowa City on this date in 1956.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 5th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Friday, October 2
"Navy Pilots in Iowa"
America entered the second world war when Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941. All aspects of American society were mobilized.
Five months later, in April 1942, a U.S. Navy site selection board met in Ottumwa with city officials and the head of the airport commission there. The board determined that Ottumwa was well suited as the site for a primary training location, and on July 9th of that year, Navy Secretary Frank Knox announced approved of Ottumwa as site of a Naval aviation base.
The Navy took possession of a 14-hundred acre tract of land for the air base, which was under the direction of Lt. Comdr. D.D. Gurley. On September 13th, the first two enlisted men reported for duty.
Lt. Comdr. Gurley himself landed the first Navy airplane at the base on January 23rd, 1943. Flight training for cadets began in March. That summer, some 30,000 civilians toured the new base during an open house.
Over time, more than 66-hundred trainees reported for duty in Ottumwa, including Ensign Richard Nixon in October of 1942. They flew nearly 400-thousand training flights before flight training officially ended in September of 1945. The base was used for midshipmen training after the war, and then was closed when operations moved to Florida two years later.
The Naval Air Station at Ottumwa trained thousands of pilots during World War II before the last U.S. Navy airplane left Ottumwa, on this date, in 1947.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 2nd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Navy Pilots in Iowa"
America entered the second world war when Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941. All aspects of American society were mobilized.
Five months later, in April 1942, a U.S. Navy site selection board met in Ottumwa with city officials and the head of the airport commission there. The board determined that Ottumwa was well suited as the site for a primary training location, and on July 9th of that year, Navy Secretary Frank Knox announced approved of Ottumwa as site of a Naval aviation base.
The Navy took possession of a 14-hundred acre tract of land for the air base, which was under the direction of Lt. Comdr. D.D. Gurley. On September 13th, the first two enlisted men reported for duty.
Lt. Comdr. Gurley himself landed the first Navy airplane at the base on January 23rd, 1943. Flight training for cadets began in March. That summer, some 30,000 civilians toured the new base during an open house.
Over time, more than 66-hundred trainees reported for duty in Ottumwa, including Ensign Richard Nixon in October of 1942. They flew nearly 400-thousand training flights before flight training officially ended in September of 1945. The base was used for midshipmen training after the war, and then was closed when operations moved to Florida two years later.
The Naval Air Station at Ottumwa trained thousands of pilots during World War II before the last U.S. Navy airplane left Ottumwa, on this date, in 1947.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 2nd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, October 1
"The King Assumes His Throne"
Here's Johnny!
John William Carson was born in Corning, Iowa on October 23, 1925. And it was on this date, October 1st in 1962, that 36-year-old Johnny Carson first took the stage as host of NBC's Tonight Show program.
For the next 30 years, Carson dominated late night TV as no one else has, before or since. His nightly monologue was required viewing and helped reflect, and set, the national mood on politics, pop culture, and life in our times generally.
Carson also lived in Clarinda, Avoca, and Red Oak, Iowa, before his family moved to Norfolk, Nebraska when Johnny was 8 years old. He taught himself magic, and often performed as a teen as the Great Carsoni.
The love of entertaining led him to the still new world of broadcasting, first in Omaha and then Los Angeles, where in 1950 he got his first comedy show, Carson's Cellar.
Soon it was on to New York to host a series of game shows while also filling in as host of other programs, including substituting for Jack Paar on his version of the Tonight Show.
The king of late night, Carson presided over the Tonight Show in parts of four different decades, and gave countless comedians and entertainers their big break on his program.
It's hard to believe it's been more than 20 years since he left television, but in a testament to the popularity of his work, reruns of the original programs from the 1970s and 1980s will soon air again nightly on TV stations across the country.
The first Tonight Show starring Iowa's Johnny Carson took to the air, on this date, in 1962.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 1st...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The King Assumes His Throne"
Here's Johnny!
John William Carson was born in Corning, Iowa on October 23, 1925. And it was on this date, October 1st in 1962, that 36-year-old Johnny Carson first took the stage as host of NBC's Tonight Show program.
For the next 30 years, Carson dominated late night TV as no one else has, before or since. His nightly monologue was required viewing and helped reflect, and set, the national mood on politics, pop culture, and life in our times generally.
Carson also lived in Clarinda, Avoca, and Red Oak, Iowa, before his family moved to Norfolk, Nebraska when Johnny was 8 years old. He taught himself magic, and often performed as a teen as the Great Carsoni.
The love of entertaining led him to the still new world of broadcasting, first in Omaha and then Los Angeles, where in 1950 he got his first comedy show, Carson's Cellar.
Soon it was on to New York to host a series of game shows while also filling in as host of other programs, including substituting for Jack Paar on his version of the Tonight Show.
The king of late night, Carson presided over the Tonight Show in parts of four different decades, and gave countless comedians and entertainers their big break on his program.
It's hard to believe it's been more than 20 years since he left television, but in a testament to the popularity of his work, reruns of the original programs from the 1970s and 1980s will soon air again nightly on TV stations across the country.
The first Tonight Show starring Iowa's Johnny Carson took to the air, on this date, in 1962.
And that's Iowa Almanac for October 1st...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, September 30
"TV Comes to Eastern Iowa"
After World War II, Americans were impatient. They sacrificed during wartime, and now wanted to enjoy all aspects of life. That included entertainment, such as the new medium of television.
But there were too many applicants for TV station licenses, so the Federal Communications Commission put a freeze in place to help them determine how best to use the limited television spectrum. For those of us in Iowa, it meant very few local stations--one in Davenport, one in Ames, and one in Sioux City--until the freeze was lifted in 1953.
William B. Quarton was a broadcasting visionary, and quickly moved to put Channel 2 on the air in Cedar Rapids, to go along with the radio station he ran. And while his WMT radio was successful, local bankers weren't too sure about the promise of television and refused to loan him the money needed to put a TV station on the air. He had to go to the Twin Cities for financing.
Then on September 30th, 1953, local television came to eastern Iowa when Channel 2 signed on just before noon.
This is a great day for us, and I hope it is for you, too. Now, we've had a wonderful time building this station. Please do remember that we are not experts. We're trying to do the best we can. We're going to make many mistakes. You're going to have a lot of fun with us, laughing at our mistakes. But one of these days we'll end up, I feel confident, with a very good operation.
That was the voice of William B. Quarton from that first broadcast. The first full program on the channel was the first game of the 1953 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Channel 9 in Cedar Rapids went on the air two weeks later, followed by Channel 7 in Waterloo on Thanksgiving day. In a unique burst, eastern Iowans went from no local stations, to three, in the space of less than two months.
This is WMT-TV, Channel 2 in Cedar Rapids.
But it started when Channel 2 went on the air as eastern Iowa's first television station, on this date in 1953.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 30th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"TV Comes to Eastern Iowa"
After World War II, Americans were impatient. They sacrificed during wartime, and now wanted to enjoy all aspects of life. That included entertainment, such as the new medium of television.
But there were too many applicants for TV station licenses, so the Federal Communications Commission put a freeze in place to help them determine how best to use the limited television spectrum. For those of us in Iowa, it meant very few local stations--one in Davenport, one in Ames, and one in Sioux City--until the freeze was lifted in 1953.
William B. Quarton was a broadcasting visionary, and quickly moved to put Channel 2 on the air in Cedar Rapids, to go along with the radio station he ran. And while his WMT radio was successful, local bankers weren't too sure about the promise of television and refused to loan him the money needed to put a TV station on the air. He had to go to the Twin Cities for financing.
Then on September 30th, 1953, local television came to eastern Iowa when Channel 2 signed on just before noon.
This is a great day for us, and I hope it is for you, too. Now, we've had a wonderful time building this station. Please do remember that we are not experts. We're trying to do the best we can. We're going to make many mistakes. You're going to have a lot of fun with us, laughing at our mistakes. But one of these days we'll end up, I feel confident, with a very good operation.
That was the voice of William B. Quarton from that first broadcast. The first full program on the channel was the first game of the 1953 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Channel 9 in Cedar Rapids went on the air two weeks later, followed by Channel 7 in Waterloo on Thanksgiving day. In a unique burst, eastern Iowans went from no local stations, to three, in the space of less than two months.
This is WMT-TV, Channel 2 in Cedar Rapids.
But it started when Channel 2 went on the air as eastern Iowa's first television station, on this date in 1953.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 30th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, September 29
"The Man from Iowa"
A new television show premiered on NBC in the fall of 1964. It was called the Man from U.N.C.L.E., starring Robert Vaughn and David McCallum as two secret agents working for the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement–the acronym was U.N.C.L.E. Each week they battled an international crime syndicate.
The program was created by Norman Felton, a University of Iowa graduate with bachelor's and master’s degrees in Fine Arts. From the earliest days of television, Felton wrote scripts for the new medium. He was in charge of the legendary Playhouse 90 program, and his company produced other well-known shows such as Dr. Kildare.
The second episode of the Man from U.N.C.L.E. aired on September 29th, 1964. To honor his educational background, the episode was titled “The Iowa-Scuba Affair”. In the show, character Napoleon Solo traveled to Iowa, which was the site of a secret U.S. Air Force base. The plot focused on a group which wanted to hijack a secret U.S. plane as part of a plan to overthrow a South American nation.
The year after that episode aired, the English-born Felton established a playwriting fellowship at the University of Iowa, the place where he met his wife while a student in 1940. Later, he donated papers associated with his career to the university, as well.
Television playwright and producer Norman Felton wrote his adopted home state of Iowa into the script for a new hit TV series, the Man from U.N.C.L.E., which aired on this date in 1964.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 29th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Man from Iowa"
A new television show premiered on NBC in the fall of 1964. It was called the Man from U.N.C.L.E., starring Robert Vaughn and David McCallum as two secret agents working for the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement–the acronym was U.N.C.L.E. Each week they battled an international crime syndicate.
The program was created by Norman Felton, a University of Iowa graduate with bachelor's and master’s degrees in Fine Arts. From the earliest days of television, Felton wrote scripts for the new medium. He was in charge of the legendary Playhouse 90 program, and his company produced other well-known shows such as Dr. Kildare.
The second episode of the Man from U.N.C.L.E. aired on September 29th, 1964. To honor his educational background, the episode was titled “The Iowa-Scuba Affair”. In the show, character Napoleon Solo traveled to Iowa, which was the site of a secret U.S. Air Force base. The plot focused on a group which wanted to hijack a secret U.S. plane as part of a plan to overthrow a South American nation.
The year after that episode aired, the English-born Felton established a playwriting fellowship at the University of Iowa, the place where he met his wife while a student in 1940. Later, he donated papers associated with his career to the university, as well.
Television playwright and producer Norman Felton wrote his adopted home state of Iowa into the script for a new hit TV series, the Man from U.N.C.L.E., which aired on this date in 1964.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 29th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Monday, September 28
"A Hospital Under Quarantine"
The influenza pandemic made its way to Iowa in the fall of 1918. The base hospital at Camp Dodge was quarantined on September 28th of that year...only two days later, the entire camp located near Des Moines was quarantined, due to 500 influenza cases being reported there.
The first three deaths due to flu were reported at Camp Dodge on October 1st. The number of nurses on duty there doubled to nearly 600 by the middle of the month.
The hospital commander told the Red Cross that agency would have to handle the growing emergency, since the War Department was not ready for such a rapid spread of the deadly disease.
Everyone was required to wear a gauze mask, but yet the disease spread. By early October, Camp Dodge facilities were used to treat more than 3,000 ill personnel.
In an effort to stop the disease, the state health commissioner banned all indoor funerals for influenza victims, and in Des Moines, school officials barred children from attending school if they lived in a house with anyone who had influenza. Soon, the city issued a general quarantine, closing all schools, theaters, pool halls, and other public places.
The disease peaked that fall with more than 21,000 cases reported, but it was still prevalent throughout the state into the next spring.
The first major sign of trouble was at Camp Dodge, which led to a quarantine of the base hospital on this date in 1918.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 28th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"A Hospital Under Quarantine"
The influenza pandemic made its way to Iowa in the fall of 1918. The base hospital at Camp Dodge was quarantined on September 28th of that year...only two days later, the entire camp located near Des Moines was quarantined, due to 500 influenza cases being reported there.
The first three deaths due to flu were reported at Camp Dodge on October 1st. The number of nurses on duty there doubled to nearly 600 by the middle of the month.
The hospital commander told the Red Cross that agency would have to handle the growing emergency, since the War Department was not ready for such a rapid spread of the deadly disease.
Everyone was required to wear a gauze mask, but yet the disease spread. By early October, Camp Dodge facilities were used to treat more than 3,000 ill personnel.
In an effort to stop the disease, the state health commissioner banned all indoor funerals for influenza victims, and in Des Moines, school officials barred children from attending school if they lived in a house with anyone who had influenza. Soon, the city issued a general quarantine, closing all schools, theaters, pool halls, and other public places.
The disease peaked that fall with more than 21,000 cases reported, but it was still prevalent throughout the state into the next spring.
The first major sign of trouble was at Camp Dodge, which led to a quarantine of the base hospital on this date in 1918.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 28th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Friday, September 25
"The Last Spitballer"
When Urban Clarence Faber was a child in Cascade, Iowa, his father managed a tavern and ran the Hotel Faber in their hometown. Young Faber, known to all as Red, was athletic, and by the age of 16, was getting $2 just to pitch in Sunday afternoon baseball games in Dubuque.
Red Faber pitched in the major leagues for 20 seasons, all with the Chicago White Sox. Yes, that included the infamous Black Sox team in 1919, but Red was not involved in game-fixing; he missed the World Series due to injury and the influenza epidemic.
At one point, in 1917, he started and won three games in two days…and later that year, in the World Series, he received pitching decisions in four games, a record which stands to this day. Oh, and he won three of them.
He won 254 games total in the big leagues, despite playing for some poor White Sox teams in the 1920s. At the time of his retirement in 1933, he was the last legal spitball pitcher in the American League. He was 45 years of age when he retired, and still holds the White Sox franchise record for most games pitched.
Faber helped found Baseball Anonymous, a charitable organization that helped former players who had run into financial or physical problems.
Red Faber of Cascade, Iowa, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964, a dozen years before he died, on this date, in 1976.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 25th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Last Spitballer"
When Urban Clarence Faber was a child in Cascade, Iowa, his father managed a tavern and ran the Hotel Faber in their hometown. Young Faber, known to all as Red, was athletic, and by the age of 16, was getting $2 just to pitch in Sunday afternoon baseball games in Dubuque.
Red Faber pitched in the major leagues for 20 seasons, all with the Chicago White Sox. Yes, that included the infamous Black Sox team in 1919, but Red was not involved in game-fixing; he missed the World Series due to injury and the influenza epidemic.
At one point, in 1917, he started and won three games in two days…and later that year, in the World Series, he received pitching decisions in four games, a record which stands to this day. Oh, and he won three of them.
He won 254 games total in the big leagues, despite playing for some poor White Sox teams in the 1920s. At the time of his retirement in 1933, he was the last legal spitball pitcher in the American League. He was 45 years of age when he retired, and still holds the White Sox franchise record for most games pitched.
Faber helped found Baseball Anonymous, a charitable organization that helped former players who had run into financial or physical problems.
Red Faber of Cascade, Iowa, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964, a dozen years before he died, on this date, in 1976.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 25th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, September 24
"An Iowan Makes Television History"
People in Dakota City, Iowa said he got his strong vocabulary from his mother, who taught him to read before he started school. Harry Reasoner used those skills throughout his life, beginning his journalism career while a high school student in Minneapolis.
He started in radio after the second world war and soon moved to the new field of television. Reasoner was one of the early faces on the screen, who helped invent television news.
On September 24th, 1968, his was the first voice heard on a new program, one which would revolutionize television.
Good Evening. This is 60 Minutes. It’s a kind of a magazine for television.
Once the program found a home on the Sunday night CBS schedule, 60 Minutes became the top rated program of any kind in the country and invented the television magazine show format. Reasoner was restless, though, and left CBS News in 1970 for the chance to co-anchor the ABC Evening News.
That later made him part of history again, on October 4th, 1976.
Our major story tonight is that agriculture secretary Earl Butz has paid the price for telling an obscene racial joke on a commercial airline flight. Secretary Butz resigned today. Closer to home, I have a new colleague to welcome…Barbara? Thank you, Harry…
Reasoner’s new co-anchor was Barbara Walters, the first female anchor of a TV evening newscast.
Reasoner later returned to CBS and 60 Minutes, where he spent the rest of his career.
That’s the news. I’m Harry Reasoner. Good night.
Iowa native Harry Reasoner co-anchored the first 60 Minutes broadcast on CBS, on this date in 1968.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 24th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"An Iowan Makes Television History"
People in Dakota City, Iowa said he got his strong vocabulary from his mother, who taught him to read before he started school. Harry Reasoner used those skills throughout his life, beginning his journalism career while a high school student in Minneapolis.
He started in radio after the second world war and soon moved to the new field of television. Reasoner was one of the early faces on the screen, who helped invent television news.
On September 24th, 1968, his was the first voice heard on a new program, one which would revolutionize television.
Good Evening. This is 60 Minutes. It’s a kind of a magazine for television.
Once the program found a home on the Sunday night CBS schedule, 60 Minutes became the top rated program of any kind in the country and invented the television magazine show format. Reasoner was restless, though, and left CBS News in 1970 for the chance to co-anchor the ABC Evening News.
That later made him part of history again, on October 4th, 1976.
Our major story tonight is that agriculture secretary Earl Butz has paid the price for telling an obscene racial joke on a commercial airline flight. Secretary Butz resigned today. Closer to home, I have a new colleague to welcome…Barbara? Thank you, Harry…
Reasoner’s new co-anchor was Barbara Walters, the first female anchor of a TV evening newscast.
Reasoner later returned to CBS and 60 Minutes, where he spent the rest of his career.
That’s the news. I’m Harry Reasoner. Good night.
Iowa native Harry Reasoner co-anchored the first 60 Minutes broadcast on CBS, on this date in 1968.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 24th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, September 23
"Live from the Field"
Earl Peak was glad to have talented employees working for his Marshall Electric Company. Chauncey Hoover and Merle Easter could invent whatever devices and methods that were needed. That included building a broadcasting transmitter.
Soon experimental radio broadcasts were coming from the company's building at the corner of 16th and Main Streets in Marshalltown, which was then on the edge of town.
Then as now, high school sporting events were popular with audiences. But the only way to put them on the radio was for someone at the game to use a telephone and describe the action to an announcer in the studio, who then spoke into a microphone in a form of hearsay play-by-play.
The Marshall Electric staff could hear the crowd cheering at Marshalltown Bobcat football games, since Franklin Field was just three blocks away. And that gave them an idea.
At Peak's encouragement, Hoover and Easter made a microphone cable that was more than three blocks long, running it out the window of the studio down the street to the field. That was unique; so unique that on September 23rd, 1922, what became KFJB radio broadcast the first high school football game, live from the field, in the country. In fact, it was a double header, and central Iowans heard it live...America's first, live from the field, high school football broadcast, from Marshalltown's Franklin Field, on this date in 1922.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 23rd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Live from the Field"
Earl Peak was glad to have talented employees working for his Marshall Electric Company. Chauncey Hoover and Merle Easter could invent whatever devices and methods that were needed. That included building a broadcasting transmitter.
Soon experimental radio broadcasts were coming from the company's building at the corner of 16th and Main Streets in Marshalltown, which was then on the edge of town.
Then as now, high school sporting events were popular with audiences. But the only way to put them on the radio was for someone at the game to use a telephone and describe the action to an announcer in the studio, who then spoke into a microphone in a form of hearsay play-by-play.
The Marshall Electric staff could hear the crowd cheering at Marshalltown Bobcat football games, since Franklin Field was just three blocks away. And that gave them an idea.
At Peak's encouragement, Hoover and Easter made a microphone cable that was more than three blocks long, running it out the window of the studio down the street to the field. That was unique; so unique that on September 23rd, 1922, what became KFJB radio broadcast the first high school football game, live from the field, in the country. In fact, it was a double header, and central Iowans heard it live...America's first, live from the field, high school football broadcast, from Marshalltown's Franklin Field, on this date in 1922.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 23rd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, September 22
"The Secretary is Impeached"
William Worth Belknap was born on September 22nd, 1829 in Newburgh, New York. He moved to Iowa and opened a law practice. He then turned to politics, and was elected as a state representative in Iowa in 1857.
When the Civil War broke out, he joined the Union Army, distinguishing himself in battle. He was then appointed by President Ulysses S. Grant to serve as the country’s 30th Secretary of War.
While his tenure was marked by positive things, such as preserving photographer Mathew Brady’s images of the Civil War, and helping victims of the 1871 Chicago fire, there was scandal.
In 1876, it was learned that he had been receiving kickback payments from a ship contractor. That explained the lavish lifestyle he lived in Washington. He resigned his position shortly before the U.S. House was to vote on impeaching him for “basely prostituting his high office to his lust for private gain.” President Grant accepted the resignation, but the House impeached him anyway.
That led to a trial in the Senate, but Belknap was acquitted because a large number of Senators believed they did not have jurisdiction to put a private citizen on trial, and after resigning, Belknap was just that…a private citizen.
The former Iowa legislator and distinguished war hero, who became the first cabinet secretary ever impeached…William Belknap, was born on this date in 1829.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 22nd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Secretary is Impeached"
William Worth Belknap was born on September 22nd, 1829 in Newburgh, New York. He moved to Iowa and opened a law practice. He then turned to politics, and was elected as a state representative in Iowa in 1857.
When the Civil War broke out, he joined the Union Army, distinguishing himself in battle. He was then appointed by President Ulysses S. Grant to serve as the country’s 30th Secretary of War.
While his tenure was marked by positive things, such as preserving photographer Mathew Brady’s images of the Civil War, and helping victims of the 1871 Chicago fire, there was scandal.
In 1876, it was learned that he had been receiving kickback payments from a ship contractor. That explained the lavish lifestyle he lived in Washington. He resigned his position shortly before the U.S. House was to vote on impeaching him for “basely prostituting his high office to his lust for private gain.” President Grant accepted the resignation, but the House impeached him anyway.
That led to a trial in the Senate, but Belknap was acquitted because a large number of Senators believed they did not have jurisdiction to put a private citizen on trial, and after resigning, Belknap was just that…a private citizen.
The former Iowa legislator and distinguished war hero, who became the first cabinet secretary ever impeached…William Belknap, was born on this date in 1829.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 22nd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Monday, September 21
"The Goddess of Peace"
In 1907, six statues were installed at the top of the Black Hawk County Courthouse in Waterloo. They were created by artist Robert De Glass to represent important societal elements...justice, education, agriculture, commerce, industry, and peace.
A half century after the statute named Peace was put in place, a rusty stabilizing pipe failed, and Peace tumbled to the ground in 1957. It was put into storage, and when the courthouse was demolished in 1963, four of the statues, of seated figures, were moved to the River Plaza Building in downtown Waterloo. Another had been destroyed.
Peace was the sole remaining statue, and with the help of state legislator and Upper Iowa University alum Don Kimball, Peace was leased to the college for 99 years at a cost of $1 and became a fixture on the campus in Fayette.
She earned the nickname green goddess, and proudly stood atop Alexander-Dickman Hall at Upper Iowa. But 40 years after her move to Fayette, Peace again fell from the roof of a building, this time during a windstorm. Her head and a few limbs were broken.
It took two years of repairs, but on September 21st, 2006, a special reinstallation ceremony was held and Peace returned to the rooftop to look upon the campus.
The date was fitting, since it was also the International Day of Peace. The century old statue, Peace, which fell to the ground from the top of buildings in two different cities, returned to glory in Fayette on this date in 2006.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 21st...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Goddess of Peace"
In 1907, six statues were installed at the top of the Black Hawk County Courthouse in Waterloo. They were created by artist Robert De Glass to represent important societal elements...justice, education, agriculture, commerce, industry, and peace.
A half century after the statute named Peace was put in place, a rusty stabilizing pipe failed, and Peace tumbled to the ground in 1957. It was put into storage, and when the courthouse was demolished in 1963, four of the statues, of seated figures, were moved to the River Plaza Building in downtown Waterloo. Another had been destroyed.
Peace was the sole remaining statue, and with the help of state legislator and Upper Iowa University alum Don Kimball, Peace was leased to the college for 99 years at a cost of $1 and became a fixture on the campus in Fayette.
She earned the nickname green goddess, and proudly stood atop Alexander-Dickman Hall at Upper Iowa. But 40 years after her move to Fayette, Peace again fell from the roof of a building, this time during a windstorm. Her head and a few limbs were broken.
It took two years of repairs, but on September 21st, 2006, a special reinstallation ceremony was held and Peace returned to the rooftop to look upon the campus.
The date was fitting, since it was also the International Day of Peace. The century old statue, Peace, which fell to the ground from the top of buildings in two different cities, returned to glory in Fayette on this date in 2006.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 21st...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Friday, September 18
"A President Comes Back to the Heartland"
I'll come back any time you ask me, especially when I'm met by 10 acres of people; now you figure out how many that is.
As it turns out, about 100 thousand people filled the 10-acre area around the stage to hear President Harry S. Truman on September 18th, 1948.
The scene was the annual National Plowing Matches, held that year near Dexter, Iowa.
Truman was in a tough election fight, and many presumed Republican Gov. Thomas E. Dewey of New York would win. Truman toured the country by train in a whistle stop campaign, taking on the Republican-led 80th Congress, which he dubbed the "do nothing" Congress.
During his appearance in Iowa, the president took a jab at the opposition party. He first noted that times had changed greatly in agriculture from when he worked in the fields as a boy; now machines automatically did what a man and a horse used to do.
I don't want to turn the clock back, I don't want to go back to that horse and buggy age, although some of our Republican friends do.
In one of history's great political comebacks, on November 2nd, Truman won election for a full term as president against three major challengers, including Iowa's Henry A. Wallace.
Truman wound up carrying the state of Iowa in that 1948 election, no doubt in part due to when the president spoke to 100,000 people at the National Plowing Matches in Dexter, on this date, in 1948.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 18th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"A President Comes Back to the Heartland"
I'll come back any time you ask me, especially when I'm met by 10 acres of people; now you figure out how many that is.
As it turns out, about 100 thousand people filled the 10-acre area around the stage to hear President Harry S. Truman on September 18th, 1948.
The scene was the annual National Plowing Matches, held that year near Dexter, Iowa.
Truman was in a tough election fight, and many presumed Republican Gov. Thomas E. Dewey of New York would win. Truman toured the country by train in a whistle stop campaign, taking on the Republican-led 80th Congress, which he dubbed the "do nothing" Congress.
During his appearance in Iowa, the president took a jab at the opposition party. He first noted that times had changed greatly in agriculture from when he worked in the fields as a boy; now machines automatically did what a man and a horse used to do.
I don't want to turn the clock back, I don't want to go back to that horse and buggy age, although some of our Republican friends do.
In one of history's great political comebacks, on November 2nd, Truman won election for a full term as president against three major challengers, including Iowa's Henry A. Wallace.
Truman wound up carrying the state of Iowa in that 1948 election, no doubt in part due to when the president spoke to 100,000 people at the National Plowing Matches in Dexter, on this date, in 1948.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 18th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, September 17
"Iowa's Senior Senator"
He was barely 25 years of age when he was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in 1958. He had earned bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Northern Iowa in political science, which no doubt would help in the state legislature.
For the first dozen years he served in Des Moines, he also worked as a sheet metal shearer and assembly line worker, in addition to working the family farm.
Then in 1974, he was elected to Congress from Northeast Iowa, succeeding legendary third district congressman H.R. Gross, who had served for 26 years.
Six years later, he stunned incumbent U.S. Senator John Culver and took the oath of office in Washington on January 3rd, 1981. He's still there, the second-longest serving U.S. senator in Iowa history.
Of course, I'm talking about Senator Charles Grassley, who turns 82 years of age today. Here's what he told "Iowa Almanac" he would be doing on his birthday:
Get up at 4, and instead of running three miles in my neighborhood, for the third time on my birthday, I'm going to do my annual run from the home to the dome, which is six and one tenth miles. Some time between 3 and 5 though, I'm going to enjoy my birthday big bowl of ice cream that I always have; anybody on the staff can have ice cream as well.
Happy Birthday to Iowa's senior United States senator, Charles Grassley, who was born in New Hartford, on this date, in 1933.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 17th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Iowa's Senior Senator"
He was barely 25 years of age when he was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in 1958. He had earned bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Northern Iowa in political science, which no doubt would help in the state legislature.
For the first dozen years he served in Des Moines, he also worked as a sheet metal shearer and assembly line worker, in addition to working the family farm.
Then in 1974, he was elected to Congress from Northeast Iowa, succeeding legendary third district congressman H.R. Gross, who had served for 26 years.
Six years later, he stunned incumbent U.S. Senator John Culver and took the oath of office in Washington on January 3rd, 1981. He's still there, the second-longest serving U.S. senator in Iowa history.
Of course, I'm talking about Senator Charles Grassley, who turns 82 years of age today. Here's what he told "Iowa Almanac" he would be doing on his birthday:
Get up at 4, and instead of running three miles in my neighborhood, for the third time on my birthday, I'm going to do my annual run from the home to the dome, which is six and one tenth miles. Some time between 3 and 5 though, I'm going to enjoy my birthday big bowl of ice cream that I always have; anybody on the staff can have ice cream as well.
Happy Birthday to Iowa's senior United States senator, Charles Grassley, who was born in New Hartford, on this date, in 1933.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 17th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, September 16
"A City of Literature"
The University of Iowa Writers' Workshop was founded 79 years ago, and has been home to thousands of talented writers. Its graduates include 17 Pulitzer Prize winners and five recent U.S. Poets Laureate.
That pioneering program in the teaching of creative writing led to dozens of creative programs within the university and the Iowa City community. One of the more recent is tied to UNESCO‒the United National Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
On September 16th, 2008, the city and the university unveiled their joint proposal to designate Iowa City as one of the world's few Cities of Literature. It was shipped to the UNESCO office in Paris for consideration.
Why Iowa City? Many say it's been a haven as well as a proving ground for writers, and the synergy between the writers and the institutions that have grown from them have created an unique identity for the city.
Two months later, word came that UNESCO had designated Iowa City as the world's third City of Literature, joining Edinburgh, Scotland and Melbourne, Australia. Since then, four other cities have earned the designation--Dublin, Ireland; Reykjavik, Iceland; Norwich, England; and Krakow, Poland.
The designation makes Iowa City part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, to promote innovative growth and shared experiences worldwide. A successful application, submitted on hand-made paper with original calligraphy, for Iowa City to become a world City of Literature was submitted on this date, in 2008.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 16th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"A City of Literature"
The University of Iowa Writers' Workshop was founded 79 years ago, and has been home to thousands of talented writers. Its graduates include 17 Pulitzer Prize winners and five recent U.S. Poets Laureate.
That pioneering program in the teaching of creative writing led to dozens of creative programs within the university and the Iowa City community. One of the more recent is tied to UNESCO‒the United National Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
On September 16th, 2008, the city and the university unveiled their joint proposal to designate Iowa City as one of the world's few Cities of Literature. It was shipped to the UNESCO office in Paris for consideration.
Why Iowa City? Many say it's been a haven as well as a proving ground for writers, and the synergy between the writers and the institutions that have grown from them have created an unique identity for the city.
Two months later, word came that UNESCO had designated Iowa City as the world's third City of Literature, joining Edinburgh, Scotland and Melbourne, Australia. Since then, four other cities have earned the designation--Dublin, Ireland; Reykjavik, Iceland; Norwich, England; and Krakow, Poland.
The designation makes Iowa City part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, to promote innovative growth and shared experiences worldwide. A successful application, submitted on hand-made paper with original calligraphy, for Iowa City to become a world City of Literature was submitted on this date, in 2008.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 16th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, September 15
"Waverly's UFO"
It was shortly before 9 p.m. on September 15th, 1996. A woman looked out her kitchen window in Waverly and noticed a green light approaching from the northeast. About a minute later, the light had descended to an altitude consistent with that of a helicopter, and hovered over the Red Fox Inn, about a mile away from her apartment. She also noticed that the color of the object had changed to red and white.
The woman, her daughter, and the daughter's friend got in a car for a trip to a local convenience store. The object appeared to follow them, becoming parallel to their car after they had traveled only three blocks. When they stopped at a stop light, the object stopped. When they moved forward, the object moved forward, keeping pace less than 50 feet behind and 20 feet above them.
By the time they had gotten to the store, the object was gone. They were too frightened to get out of the car, so they returned to the apartment. Soon after, they looked out the window--and there was the same glowing object again, this time hovering over the apartment.
The woman went inside to call police, while her two daughters and three neighbor children watched as the object turned white in color, with two large lights at the bottom...almost like eyes, they said. It was as big as a house.
For about five minutes, the object hovered 20 to 30 feet over the two-story apartment building. Then it flashed out of sight. Police arrived soon after, but they could not explain it.
Was it something from outer space? We don't know, but the multi-colored disc, about 40 feet across, dominated the clear evening sky in Waverly on this date, in 1996.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 15th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Waverly's UFO"
It was shortly before 9 p.m. on September 15th, 1996. A woman looked out her kitchen window in Waverly and noticed a green light approaching from the northeast. About a minute later, the light had descended to an altitude consistent with that of a helicopter, and hovered over the Red Fox Inn, about a mile away from her apartment. She also noticed that the color of the object had changed to red and white.
The woman, her daughter, and the daughter's friend got in a car for a trip to a local convenience store. The object appeared to follow them, becoming parallel to their car after they had traveled only three blocks. When they stopped at a stop light, the object stopped. When they moved forward, the object moved forward, keeping pace less than 50 feet behind and 20 feet above them.
By the time they had gotten to the store, the object was gone. They were too frightened to get out of the car, so they returned to the apartment. Soon after, they looked out the window--and there was the same glowing object again, this time hovering over the apartment.
The woman went inside to call police, while her two daughters and three neighbor children watched as the object turned white in color, with two large lights at the bottom...almost like eyes, they said. It was as big as a house.
For about five minutes, the object hovered 20 to 30 feet over the two-story apartment building. Then it flashed out of sight. Police arrived soon after, but they could not explain it.
Was it something from outer space? We don't know, but the multi-colored disc, about 40 feet across, dominated the clear evening sky in Waverly on this date, in 1996.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 15th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Monday, September 14
"Raising the American Flag"
In 1836, Texas won its independence from Mexico and became a separate country. It became one of the United States in 1845, just a year before Iowa was admitted into the union.
In early 1846, war broke out over where the border was between Mexico and Texas. American history books call it the Mexican War, but Mexican history books refer to it as the U.S. Invasion. Congress declared war on Mexico in May of that year, and the U.S. doubled the size of its Army fighting force.
We've told you before about some of the soldiers who volunteered from the Iowa Territory to serve. Today, the story of Company K from Fort Madison, which was mustered for duty a year into the war. They joined Major General Winfield Scott's 13,000-man army, and participated in the American victory at the Battle of Cerro Gordo in April of 1847. Scott's army fought its way to Mexico City, losing 40 percent of its men along the way to combat and disease, including the Iowa company commander, Captain Edwin Guthrie.
On September 14th, 1847, General Scott's army captured the capitol of Mexico City. That's when Iowan Benjamin S. Roberts of Fort Madison made history. He was serving with the U.S. Mounted Rifle Regiment at the time. Benjamin Roberts personally removed the Mexican flag that was flying over the National Palace, and replaced it with the American flag.
The sure sign of military conquest...hoisting your country's flag in place of your enemy's. And when the U.S. army captured the Mexican capital, it was Iowa's Benjamin Roberts who flew Old Glory over the Mexican National Palace, on this date, in 1847.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 14th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Raising the American Flag"
In 1836, Texas won its independence from Mexico and became a separate country. It became one of the United States in 1845, just a year before Iowa was admitted into the union.
In early 1846, war broke out over where the border was between Mexico and Texas. American history books call it the Mexican War, but Mexican history books refer to it as the U.S. Invasion. Congress declared war on Mexico in May of that year, and the U.S. doubled the size of its Army fighting force.
We've told you before about some of the soldiers who volunteered from the Iowa Territory to serve. Today, the story of Company K from Fort Madison, which was mustered for duty a year into the war. They joined Major General Winfield Scott's 13,000-man army, and participated in the American victory at the Battle of Cerro Gordo in April of 1847. Scott's army fought its way to Mexico City, losing 40 percent of its men along the way to combat and disease, including the Iowa company commander, Captain Edwin Guthrie.
On September 14th, 1847, General Scott's army captured the capitol of Mexico City. That's when Iowan Benjamin S. Roberts of Fort Madison made history. He was serving with the U.S. Mounted Rifle Regiment at the time. Benjamin Roberts personally removed the Mexican flag that was flying over the National Palace, and replaced it with the American flag.
The sure sign of military conquest...hoisting your country's flag in place of your enemy's. And when the U.S. army captured the Mexican capital, it was Iowa's Benjamin Roberts who flew Old Glory over the Mexican National Palace, on this date, in 1847.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 14th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Friday, September 11
"Lindbergh Against The War"
September 11th, 2001, ultimately led to the U.S. fighting wars on two fronts. Literally 60 years before the terrorist attacks on America, on September 11th, 1941, one of the world’s most famous citizens was in Des Moines, warning about intervening in the conflict which became the second World War.
Charles Lindbergh was the first man to fly a plane across the Atlantic Ocean, in 1927. He gained immediate fame worldwide, and even 14 years after his accomplishment, his opinions were respected across the country.
Lindbergh became involved with the America First Committee, which advocated staying out of what was then a European conflict. His Des Moines speech on the topic, however, led many to be outraged. He claimed there were three groups pushing the U.S. into war—the British, the Jewish, and the Roosevelt Administration. He said the greatest danger to our country was Jewish influence in motion pictures, the press, radio, and government.
We are on the verge of a war in which the only victor would be chaos and prostration.
We are on the verge of a war for which we are still unprepared, and for which no one has offered a feasible plan for victory--a war which cannot be won without sending our soldiers across the ocean to force a landing on a hostile coast against armies stronger than our own.
The famed aviator Charles Lindbergh was roundly criticized for that speech, advocating isolationism in the face of World War II…a speech delivered in Des Moines on this date in 1941.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 11th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Lindbergh Against The War"
September 11th, 2001, ultimately led to the U.S. fighting wars on two fronts. Literally 60 years before the terrorist attacks on America, on September 11th, 1941, one of the world’s most famous citizens was in Des Moines, warning about intervening in the conflict which became the second World War.
Charles Lindbergh was the first man to fly a plane across the Atlantic Ocean, in 1927. He gained immediate fame worldwide, and even 14 years after his accomplishment, his opinions were respected across the country.
Lindbergh became involved with the America First Committee, which advocated staying out of what was then a European conflict. His Des Moines speech on the topic, however, led many to be outraged. He claimed there were three groups pushing the U.S. into war—the British, the Jewish, and the Roosevelt Administration. He said the greatest danger to our country was Jewish influence in motion pictures, the press, radio, and government.
We are on the verge of a war in which the only victor would be chaos and prostration.
We are on the verge of a war for which we are still unprepared, and for which no one has offered a feasible plan for victory--a war which cannot be won without sending our soldiers across the ocean to force a landing on a hostile coast against armies stronger than our own.
The famed aviator Charles Lindbergh was roundly criticized for that speech, advocating isolationism in the face of World War II…a speech delivered in Des Moines on this date in 1941.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 11th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, September 10
"Winning Olympic Gold"
Doreen Wilber first became interested in archery in 1957 when one of her husband’s customers paid his auto repair bill with a bow and set of arrows. But it soon became clear she was a natural.
She had amazing concentration, and was physically strong. No professional coach, no commercial sponsor…but Doreen did not lose a single tournament at the state level for 10 years.
She shot on the international level from 1968 to 1974 and established 10 new records, along the way becoming the first woman to shoot over 1200 in international competition.
On September 10th, 1972, she won the gold medal in the women’s section of the first modern Olympic archery competition…and she did so at the age of 42.
She was inducted in nine halls of fame, including the Sports Illustrated Athletes of the Century. She died of Alzheimer’s Disease in her hometown of Jefferson in 2008. She was memorialized with a life-sized bronze statue in the center of town three years later.
The Iowa woman with outstanding sportsmanship, Doreen Wilber, won Olympic gold in archery on this date in 1972.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 10th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Winning Olympic Gold"
Doreen Wilber first became interested in archery in 1957 when one of her husband’s customers paid his auto repair bill with a bow and set of arrows. But it soon became clear she was a natural.
She had amazing concentration, and was physically strong. No professional coach, no commercial sponsor…but Doreen did not lose a single tournament at the state level for 10 years.
She shot on the international level from 1968 to 1974 and established 10 new records, along the way becoming the first woman to shoot over 1200 in international competition.
On September 10th, 1972, she won the gold medal in the women’s section of the first modern Olympic archery competition…and she did so at the age of 42.
She was inducted in nine halls of fame, including the Sports Illustrated Athletes of the Century. She died of Alzheimer’s Disease in her hometown of Jefferson in 2008. She was memorialized with a life-sized bronze statue in the center of town three years later.
The Iowa woman with outstanding sportsmanship, Doreen Wilber, won Olympic gold in archery on this date in 1972.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 10th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, September 9
"Riding the Rails"
Today, the city of Ames and Iowa State University are integrated to the point it’s hard to tell where one starts and the other stops. Back in 1890, though, the Iowa Agricultural College campus, as it was then known, was separate from the town of Ames, and the only transportation linking the two was a stagecoach line.
In an effort to bridge this distance, there was great interest in connecting the town and campus with a railway. On September 9th, 1890, the Ames Street Railway Company began soliciting subscriptions to pay for the two-mile rail line.
By the next spring, grading for the line was underway, and testing was done on Independence Day 1891, with regular service beginning soon after.
The rail car carrying passengers itself was called the Dinkey. Ultimately the roster of cars used included three passenger cars and a multipurpose flat car. The flat car was used to carry freight and baggage, complete with stakes, set-in pockets, and ropes to keep suitcases from falling off.
The Dinkey operated to connect the campus with the town until 1907, when it was retired. The equipment was stored at the Chicago & Northwestern facility in Boone, until it was scrapped in 1917 to provide material for World War I.
The train is remembered fondly today, with a beer named in its honor at a local brew pub. The fundraising effort for Ames’ in-town train, the Dinkey, began on this date, in 1890.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 9th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Riding the Rails"
Today, the city of Ames and Iowa State University are integrated to the point it’s hard to tell where one starts and the other stops. Back in 1890, though, the Iowa Agricultural College campus, as it was then known, was separate from the town of Ames, and the only transportation linking the two was a stagecoach line.
In an effort to bridge this distance, there was great interest in connecting the town and campus with a railway. On September 9th, 1890, the Ames Street Railway Company began soliciting subscriptions to pay for the two-mile rail line.
By the next spring, grading for the line was underway, and testing was done on Independence Day 1891, with regular service beginning soon after.
The rail car carrying passengers itself was called the Dinkey. Ultimately the roster of cars used included three passenger cars and a multipurpose flat car. The flat car was used to carry freight and baggage, complete with stakes, set-in pockets, and ropes to keep suitcases from falling off.
The Dinkey operated to connect the campus with the town until 1907, when it was retired. The equipment was stored at the Chicago & Northwestern facility in Boone, until it was scrapped in 1917 to provide material for World War I.
The train is remembered fondly today, with a beer named in its honor at a local brew pub. The fundraising effort for Ames’ in-town train, the Dinkey, began on this date, in 1890.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 9th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, September 8
"Air Mail Delivery"
The magic of airplanes in the early part of the 1900s captivated Americans. To be able to see men and women fly machines long distances was amazing.
Soon, practical uses for this advancement were developed, including for commercial air freight and mail.
The Iowa City airport was the first in the state to be used on the Chicago to Omaha commercial air freight route. The first consignment was reported on January 8th, 1920, when 400 pounds of mail made its way to Omaha, along with the meat for a banquet in honor of General John Pershing. On the return trip, the plane carried a hog for a banquet in Chicago.
The transcontinental air mail service route was completed later that same year, extending westward through Omaha, Cheyenne, Salt Lake City, and Reno, on its way to San Francisco.
At that time, travel was only during the daylight, and the mail was delivered by military pilots.
On September 8, 1920, the first sack of air mail, delivered by a military pilot, arrived in Des Moines, part of the new transcontinental route.
Today we send electronic messages in seconds. But the wonders of air mail were still new when the first sack of mail was delivered in Des Moines, on this date, in 1920.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 8th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Air Mail Delivery"
The magic of airplanes in the early part of the 1900s captivated Americans. To be able to see men and women fly machines long distances was amazing.
Soon, practical uses for this advancement were developed, including for commercial air freight and mail.
The Iowa City airport was the first in the state to be used on the Chicago to Omaha commercial air freight route. The first consignment was reported on January 8th, 1920, when 400 pounds of mail made its way to Omaha, along with the meat for a banquet in honor of General John Pershing. On the return trip, the plane carried a hog for a banquet in Chicago.
The transcontinental air mail service route was completed later that same year, extending westward through Omaha, Cheyenne, Salt Lake City, and Reno, on its way to San Francisco.
At that time, travel was only during the daylight, and the mail was delivered by military pilots.
On September 8, 1920, the first sack of air mail, delivered by a military pilot, arrived in Des Moines, part of the new transcontinental route.
Today we send electronic messages in seconds. But the wonders of air mail were still new when the first sack of mail was delivered in Des Moines, on this date, in 1920.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 8th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Monday, September 7
"Shot In The Heart"
Some think it was Myrtle Cook’s words that ultimately got her killed.
On September 7th, 1925, she was sitting near the window of her home in Vinton, rehearsing her speech to an upcoming Women’s Christian Temperance Union meeting. Myrtle was active in the fight against alcohol, making public the names of those she suspected of bootlegging. As a result, she had made enemies. Her house had been egged, and she feared she might be harmed.
Myrtle’s mother in law was upstairs, occasionally hearing the speech over the thunderstorm in progress at the time. She then heard what she thought was thunder, then silence. She went downstairs and found Myrtle had been shot in the heart, the bullet coming through the open window. She was dead within an hour.
In addition to her membership in the WCTU, Myrtle was a member of the Ku Klux Klan. In fact, the preacher at her funeral wore white Klan robes, and a cross was set on fire in the cemetery in her honor. Given all that, the murder and funeral made news across the country.
The identity of her killer, though, is still a mystery. Was it Myrtle’s estranged husband, or someone who hated her political views? We still don’t know.
It’s been 90 years since 51-year-old Klan member and temperance activist Myrtle Cook was killed in her home in Vinton, with a single shot to the heart, on this date, in 1925.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 7th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Shot In The Heart"
Some think it was Myrtle Cook’s words that ultimately got her killed.
On September 7th, 1925, she was sitting near the window of her home in Vinton, rehearsing her speech to an upcoming Women’s Christian Temperance Union meeting. Myrtle was active in the fight against alcohol, making public the names of those she suspected of bootlegging. As a result, she had made enemies. Her house had been egged, and she feared she might be harmed.
Myrtle’s mother in law was upstairs, occasionally hearing the speech over the thunderstorm in progress at the time. She then heard what she thought was thunder, then silence. She went downstairs and found Myrtle had been shot in the heart, the bullet coming through the open window. She was dead within an hour.
In addition to her membership in the WCTU, Myrtle was a member of the Ku Klux Klan. In fact, the preacher at her funeral wore white Klan robes, and a cross was set on fire in the cemetery in her honor. Given all that, the murder and funeral made news across the country.
The identity of her killer, though, is still a mystery. Was it Myrtle’s estranged husband, or someone who hated her political views? We still don’t know.
It’s been 90 years since 51-year-old Klan member and temperance activist Myrtle Cook was killed in her home in Vinton, with a single shot to the heart, on this date, in 1925.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 7th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Friday, September 4
"Sketching Our Times"
During his five-decade-long career, cartoonist Paul Conrad provided comment on 11 presidential administrations. His work for the Los Angeles Times even landed him on President Nixon’s enemies list during the aftermath of Watergate.
He and his twin brother James were born in Cedar Rapids on June 27th, 1924. He was actually left-handed, but forced by teachers to use his right hand, not uncommon at the time. He first showed a flair for art by drawing on the bathroom wall of his elementary school in Des Moines. His role model was the legendary Des Moines Register editorial cartoonist, Ding Darling.
After service in World War II, Conrad enrolled at the University of Iowa in 1946 and started drawing cartoons for the Daily Iowan. He graduated in 1950 and spent the next 14 years at the Denver Post. He earned his first Pulitzer Prize in 1964, and his work was syndicated across the country.
He moved to the Los Angeles Times in 1964 and offered cartoon commentary on the important political events of the time, picking up another two Pulitzers during his 30 years there.
When Paul Conrad died in California at the age of 84, he was universally regarded as one of the finest political cartoonists of the century. Iowa born Paul Conrad died on this date in 2010.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 4th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Sketching Our Times"
During his five-decade-long career, cartoonist Paul Conrad provided comment on 11 presidential administrations. His work for the Los Angeles Times even landed him on President Nixon’s enemies list during the aftermath of Watergate.
He and his twin brother James were born in Cedar Rapids on June 27th, 1924. He was actually left-handed, but forced by teachers to use his right hand, not uncommon at the time. He first showed a flair for art by drawing on the bathroom wall of his elementary school in Des Moines. His role model was the legendary Des Moines Register editorial cartoonist, Ding Darling.
After service in World War II, Conrad enrolled at the University of Iowa in 1946 and started drawing cartoons for the Daily Iowan. He graduated in 1950 and spent the next 14 years at the Denver Post. He earned his first Pulitzer Prize in 1964, and his work was syndicated across the country.
He moved to the Los Angeles Times in 1964 and offered cartoon commentary on the important political events of the time, picking up another two Pulitzers during his 30 years there.
When Paul Conrad died in California at the age of 84, he was universally regarded as one of the finest political cartoonists of the century. Iowa born Paul Conrad died on this date in 2010.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 4th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Thursday, September 3
"The Candidates Meet in Des Moines"
Campaigns for president can often be contentious affairs; we in Iowa certainly see that up close every four years.
On September 3rd, 1936, a unique meeting of the two major party nominees occurred in Des Moines.
The summer of 1936 saw continued economic stress in America. In the Midwest, that was coupled by crippling drought.
A conference was held in Des Moines, attended by governors from states most affected by the drought, including Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Kanas.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt attended the sessions, held at the state capitol building in Des Moines. That included a meeting with his presidential rival, Kansas Gov. Alf Landon. The two shook hands for the media cameras and exchanged pleasantries before a lunch and the afternoon drought relief conference.
A poll released that very day showed Landon’s lead over Roosevelt in rural areas widening. But as the November election approached, the tables turned nationally, and FDR won in a landslide, only losing Maine and Vermont.
The two rivals for president, Franklin Roosevelt and Alf Landon, met in Des Moines to talk about drought relief, on this date, in 1936.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 3rd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Candidates Meet in Des Moines"
Campaigns for president can often be contentious affairs; we in Iowa certainly see that up close every four years.
On September 3rd, 1936, a unique meeting of the two major party nominees occurred in Des Moines.
The summer of 1936 saw continued economic stress in America. In the Midwest, that was coupled by crippling drought.
A conference was held in Des Moines, attended by governors from states most affected by the drought, including Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Kanas.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt attended the sessions, held at the state capitol building in Des Moines. That included a meeting with his presidential rival, Kansas Gov. Alf Landon. The two shook hands for the media cameras and exchanged pleasantries before a lunch and the afternoon drought relief conference.
A poll released that very day showed Landon’s lead over Roosevelt in rural areas widening. But as the November election approached, the tables turned nationally, and FDR won in a landslide, only losing Maine and Vermont.
The two rivals for president, Franklin Roosevelt and Alf Landon, met in Des Moines to talk about drought relief, on this date, in 1936.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 3rd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, September 2
"The Ballpark Gets A New Name"
Garner W. Taylor became sports editor of the Des Moines Register in 1914. He was still on the job 51 years later, when he died of a heart attack at the age of 78 in 1965.
During that time, he shaped Iowans' impressions of sports. Generations recall The Big Peach sports section in the paper, and his regular column, "Sittin' in With the Athletes".
Prior to working at the Register, he was secretary to the baseball team in St. Joseph, Missouri and earned the nickname "Sec"...which he used the rest of his career. And it was that interest in baseball that is behind today's story.
He strongly believed that a city the size of Des Moines should have a strong minor league baseball team, and pushed for the effort in his columns. In 1947, a new ballpark was built to house the Des Moines Bruins of the Western League. It was called Pioneer Memorial Stadium. The Bruins were in town for 12 years, followed by a three-year stint by the Des Moines Demons of the Three-I League.
After the Demons' first season, on September 2nd, 1959, the ballpark got a new name--Sec Taylor Stadium, in honor of the newspaperman who supported Iowa sports so strongly.
The ballpark has a corporate name now, but the field where the Iowa Cubs play is still named for him.
Pioneer Memorial Stadium, the minor league baseball stadium in Des Moines, was renamed Sec Taylor Stadium, on this date, in 1959.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 2nd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"The Ballpark Gets A New Name"
Garner W. Taylor became sports editor of the Des Moines Register in 1914. He was still on the job 51 years later, when he died of a heart attack at the age of 78 in 1965.
During that time, he shaped Iowans' impressions of sports. Generations recall The Big Peach sports section in the paper, and his regular column, "Sittin' in With the Athletes".
Prior to working at the Register, he was secretary to the baseball team in St. Joseph, Missouri and earned the nickname "Sec"...which he used the rest of his career. And it was that interest in baseball that is behind today's story.
He strongly believed that a city the size of Des Moines should have a strong minor league baseball team, and pushed for the effort in his columns. In 1947, a new ballpark was built to house the Des Moines Bruins of the Western League. It was called Pioneer Memorial Stadium. The Bruins were in town for 12 years, followed by a three-year stint by the Des Moines Demons of the Three-I League.
After the Demons' first season, on September 2nd, 1959, the ballpark got a new name--Sec Taylor Stadium, in honor of the newspaperman who supported Iowa sports so strongly.
The ballpark has a corporate name now, but the field where the Iowa Cubs play is still named for him.
Pioneer Memorial Stadium, the minor league baseball stadium in Des Moines, was renamed Sec Taylor Stadium, on this date, in 1959.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 2nd...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, September 1
"Opening A Home"
In 1881, Western College moved from Shueyville to Toledo. The college was established by the United Brethren in Christ, and made the move to the Tama County town because Toledo residents pledged $20,000 in support for the financially troubled college. The campus grew to include 16 acres in the center of town.
In 1902, with finances still an issue, Western College announced it would change its name in honor of anyone who would donate $50,000 to start an endowment fund. Major Leander Clark of Toledo said he would make the donation, provided the college found another $100,000 to go with it. They did, in large part because of a $50,000 donation by Andrew Carnegie. So in 1906, Western College became Leander Clark College.
But despite those endowed funds, the college still went bankrupt barely a decade later, and in 1919, it merged with Coe College.
As for the college campus in Toledo, that was acquired by the State of Iowa, and on September 1st, 1920, what had been Leander Clark College became the State Juvenile Home, operated by the Iowa Department of Social Services. Over the time it was open, students there attended Herbert Hoover High School, named for Iowa’s only native-born president.
You’ll recall the home was in the news often in the past few years, because of the controversial decision by the governor to close the facility. After the college that had been there went bankrupt, the State Juvenile Home in Toledo opened, on this date, in 1920.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 1st...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Opening A Home"
In 1881, Western College moved from Shueyville to Toledo. The college was established by the United Brethren in Christ, and made the move to the Tama County town because Toledo residents pledged $20,000 in support for the financially troubled college. The campus grew to include 16 acres in the center of town.
In 1902, with finances still an issue, Western College announced it would change its name in honor of anyone who would donate $50,000 to start an endowment fund. Major Leander Clark of Toledo said he would make the donation, provided the college found another $100,000 to go with it. They did, in large part because of a $50,000 donation by Andrew Carnegie. So in 1906, Western College became Leander Clark College.
But despite those endowed funds, the college still went bankrupt barely a decade later, and in 1919, it merged with Coe College.
As for the college campus in Toledo, that was acquired by the State of Iowa, and on September 1st, 1920, what had been Leander Clark College became the State Juvenile Home, operated by the Iowa Department of Social Services. Over the time it was open, students there attended Herbert Hoover High School, named for Iowa’s only native-born president.
You’ll recall the home was in the news often in the past few years, because of the controversial decision by the governor to close the facility. After the college that had been there went bankrupt, the State Juvenile Home in Toledo opened, on this date, in 1920.
And that's Iowa Almanac for September 1st...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Monday, August 31
"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. He was on his way to give a speech to support a friend's son. 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, and Rocky Marciano, the pilot, and another passenger were killed. It is still not known if the crash was caused by engine failure, pilot error, or both.
Marciano had planned to spent 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. He was on his way to give a speech to support a friend's son. 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, and Rocky Marciano, the pilot, and another passenger were killed. It is still not known if the crash was caused by engine failure, pilot error, or both.
Marciano had planned to spent 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 Friday, August 28
"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 Thursday, August 27
"See You At The Fair"
The annual Delaware County Fair got underway on August 27th, 1912. The four day event ran from Tuesday through Friday.
Among the attractions, Miss Dorothy Devonda, a daring aeronaut who set a record for the highest flight ever made in a gas balloon. Her daily balloon ascension including double parachute drops.
Also performing, The Murdos, with their troup of trained dogs, twice each day before the amphitheater.
Admission at the gate was 35 cents for adults and 15 cents for children. Although if you bought a pass for all four days, you could get a discount.
The Manchester Democrat newspaper noted that the buildings and grounds have been put in excellent condition for the fair, and that good weather will assure one of the best fairs in history.
In that same issue of the paper was an ad for a competing attraction. Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show scheduled a performance for the last day of the fair, hoping to capitalize on the crowd already in Manchester. The Buffalo Bill show was combined with Pawnee Bill’s Great Far East show, depicting the splendors of the Orient. Two performances, tickets were 50 cents each.
Even today, a county fair attracts a wide variety of citizens. From parachute drops from a gas balloon, to trained dogs, to Buffalo Bill…it was all in Manchester, as the Delaware County Fair got underway on this date in 1912.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 27th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"See You At The Fair"
The annual Delaware County Fair got underway on August 27th, 1912. The four day event ran from Tuesday through Friday.
Among the attractions, Miss Dorothy Devonda, a daring aeronaut who set a record for the highest flight ever made in a gas balloon. Her daily balloon ascension including double parachute drops.
Also performing, The Murdos, with their troup of trained dogs, twice each day before the amphitheater.
Admission at the gate was 35 cents for adults and 15 cents for children. Although if you bought a pass for all four days, you could get a discount.
The Manchester Democrat newspaper noted that the buildings and grounds have been put in excellent condition for the fair, and that good weather will assure one of the best fairs in history.
In that same issue of the paper was an ad for a competing attraction. Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show scheduled a performance for the last day of the fair, hoping to capitalize on the crowd already in Manchester. The Buffalo Bill show was combined with Pawnee Bill’s Great Far East show, depicting the splendors of the Orient. Two performances, tickets were 50 cents each.
Even today, a county fair attracts a wide variety of citizens. From parachute drops from a gas balloon, to trained dogs, to Buffalo Bill…it was all in Manchester, as the Delaware County Fair got underway on this date in 1912.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 27th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, August 26
"A Ride Across the State"
It began with a challenge. Donald Kaul wrote the “Over the Coffee” column from Washington, D.C. for The Des Moines Register. John Karras wrote features for the paper. Karras suggested that Kaul come back to Iowa and ride his bicycle across the state, writing about what he saw from that perspective. Kaul said he would, but only if Karras rode along.
And RAGBRAI was born. The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa started on August 26th, 1973 in Sioux City. That first year included overnight stays in Storm Lake, Fort Dodge, Ames, Des Moines, and Williamsburg, before ending up in Davenport. It was a six-day ride then, and Kaul and Karras invited anyone who wanted to, to ride along. Three hundred riders showed up in Sioux City, growing to 500 on the stretch between Ames and Des Moines. Some 114 cyclists made it across the state with the two Register writers.
Response was so positive, another ride was held the next year. And as you know, it’s now become one of the best-known summertime traditions in Iowa, attracting people from around the world. Nearly 20,000 miles have been traveled, with more than 325,000 people taking part at one time or another.
There have been 43 rides, now held in late July every year. In fact, it’s only 332 days until the next one. But the first Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa started in Sioux City, on this date in 1973.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 26th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"A Ride Across the State"
It began with a challenge. Donald Kaul wrote the “Over the Coffee” column from Washington, D.C. for The Des Moines Register. John Karras wrote features for the paper. Karras suggested that Kaul come back to Iowa and ride his bicycle across the state, writing about what he saw from that perspective. Kaul said he would, but only if Karras rode along.
And RAGBRAI was born. The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa started on August 26th, 1973 in Sioux City. That first year included overnight stays in Storm Lake, Fort Dodge, Ames, Des Moines, and Williamsburg, before ending up in Davenport. It was a six-day ride then, and Kaul and Karras invited anyone who wanted to, to ride along. Three hundred riders showed up in Sioux City, growing to 500 on the stretch between Ames and Des Moines. Some 114 cyclists made it across the state with the two Register writers.
Response was so positive, another ride was held the next year. And as you know, it’s now become one of the best-known summertime traditions in Iowa, attracting people from around the world. Nearly 20,000 miles have been traveled, with more than 325,000 people taking part at one time or another.
There have been 43 rides, now held in late July every year. In fact, it’s only 332 days until the next one. But the first Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa started in Sioux City, on this date in 1973.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 26th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, August 25
"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 Monday, August 24
"Constructing a Race Track"
It became the first not-for-profit greyhound racetrack in America, with all its profits earmarked for local charitable distribution.
It was the Dubuque Greyhound Park. Originally, it was owned by the City of Dubuque and operated by the Dubuque Racing Association, a volunteer board made up of 21 directors.
Profits from the racetrack went to the city and area charitable organizations, and pari-mutuel and gaming taxes provided revenue for the city, county, and state.
It happened because in 1984, the Iowa legislature passed a law allowing greyhound and horse racing in our state. An April 1984 referendum asked Dubuque citizens to approve a $6.5 million general obligation bond to be used as the major source of funding for the racetrack. It passed with 71 percent approval, the largest referendum in city history.
Dubuque's license was granted on July 18, 1984, and construction on the track began a month later. It finally opened on June 1st, 1985.
The debt was paid off 14 years ahead of schedule, making it the first debt-free pari-mutuel facility in Iowa.
The facility is now controlled by the Iowa Greyhound Association. But construction on the Dubuque Greyhound Park began on this date in 1984.
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.
"Constructing a Race Track"
It became the first not-for-profit greyhound racetrack in America, with all its profits earmarked for local charitable distribution.
It was the Dubuque Greyhound Park. Originally, it was owned by the City of Dubuque and operated by the Dubuque Racing Association, a volunteer board made up of 21 directors.
Profits from the racetrack went to the city and area charitable organizations, and pari-mutuel and gaming taxes provided revenue for the city, county, and state.
It happened because in 1984, the Iowa legislature passed a law allowing greyhound and horse racing in our state. An April 1984 referendum asked Dubuque citizens to approve a $6.5 million general obligation bond to be used as the major source of funding for the racetrack. It passed with 71 percent approval, the largest referendum in city history.
Dubuque's license was granted on July 18, 1984, and construction on the track began a month later. It finally opened on June 1st, 1985.
The debt was paid off 14 years ahead of schedule, making it the first debt-free pari-mutuel facility in Iowa.
The facility is now controlled by the Iowa Greyhound Association. But construction on the Dubuque Greyhound Park began on this date in 1984.
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 Friday, August 21
"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 promote 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 promote 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 Thursday, August 20
"Exploring Iowa"
The land that is now Iowa was part of the famous Louisiana Purchase in 1803. The next year, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set out on a two and a half year expedition to explore and map the new territory.
One of the first men to join the expedition was Charles Floyd of Kentucky. The 22-year-old was a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army and a relative of Clark’s.
As they neared the Missouri River in the end of July, Floyd took ill. He recovered briefly, but then died on August 20th, 1804, likely due to a ruptured appendix.
A funeral was held and Floyd was buried on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River. The expedition named the area Floyd’s Bluff, which is located within the current city limits of Sioux City.
The Sergeant Floyd Monument was declared a national historic landmark in 1960, part of a 23-acre park to honor the only person on the Lewis and Clark expedition to die, and the first U.S. soldier to die west of the Mississippi.
The monument itself is 100 feet high, honoring Sergeant Charles Floyd of the Lewis and Clark expedition, who died on this date in 1804.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 20th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Exploring Iowa"
The land that is now Iowa was part of the famous Louisiana Purchase in 1803. The next year, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set out on a two and a half year expedition to explore and map the new territory.
One of the first men to join the expedition was Charles Floyd of Kentucky. The 22-year-old was a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army and a relative of Clark’s.
As they neared the Missouri River in the end of July, Floyd took ill. He recovered briefly, but then died on August 20th, 1804, likely due to a ruptured appendix.
A funeral was held and Floyd was buried on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River. The expedition named the area Floyd’s Bluff, which is located within the current city limits of Sioux City.
The Sergeant Floyd Monument was declared a national historic landmark in 1960, part of a 23-acre park to honor the only person on the Lewis and Clark expedition to die, and the first U.S. soldier to die west of the Mississippi.
The monument itself is 100 feet high, honoring Sergeant Charles Floyd of the Lewis and Clark expedition, who died on this date in 1804.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 20th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Wednesday, August 19
"Boldly Going Where None Had Gone Before"
The 1960s were a time of space exploration, culminating with men landing on the moon in 1969.
On August 12th, 1960, the Echo 1 satellite was launched, to operate in geosynchronous orbit 26,000 miles above the earth. Echo 1 was a communication satellite, and this device in particular established a number of firsts.
It saw the first live, satellite-based voice communication, a radio message delivered by President Dwight Eisenhower, and facilitated the first transcontinental satellite telephone call, made between two researchers.
On August 19th, technicians working for Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids used Echo 1 to transmit an Associated Press photo of President Eisenhower from Iowa to Richardson, Texas, the first image transferred by satellite.
Today, we take such communication for granted, even having small satellite dishes on the roofs of our houses so we can watch television. But thanks to technology developed by Iowa’s Collins Radio Company, the first photo was transmitted by a satellite, on this date in 1960.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 19th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Boldly Going Where None Had Gone Before"
The 1960s were a time of space exploration, culminating with men landing on the moon in 1969.
On August 12th, 1960, the Echo 1 satellite was launched, to operate in geosynchronous orbit 26,000 miles above the earth. Echo 1 was a communication satellite, and this device in particular established a number of firsts.
It saw the first live, satellite-based voice communication, a radio message delivered by President Dwight Eisenhower, and facilitated the first transcontinental satellite telephone call, made between two researchers.
On August 19th, technicians working for Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids used Echo 1 to transmit an Associated Press photo of President Eisenhower from Iowa to Richardson, Texas, the first image transferred by satellite.
Today, we take such communication for granted, even having small satellite dishes on the roofs of our houses so we can watch television. But thanks to technology developed by Iowa’s Collins Radio Company, the first photo was transmitted by a satellite, on this date in 1960.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 19th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
Iowa Almanac for Tuesday, August 18
"The First in Iowa City"
On August 18th, 1977, the Iowa City Fire Department hired its 104th paid fire fighter. What made this hire different is that it was for the first female in the department.
Linda Eaton was a member of the department for three years. Much of that time was associated with controversy, some of which played out nationally.
In February of 1979, Linda Eaton was suspended twice for insubordination. Her offense was that she refused to stop breastfeeding her son during her work breaks.
She filed a sex discrimination complaint against the city, and on March 20th, 1980, the Iowa Civil Rights Commission ruled unanimously in her favor, saying she did have the right to breast feed at work, and awarding her damages, back pay, and attorney fees.
Claiming she was harassed by male firefighters after winning that action, she left the fire department and sued in Johnson County District Court for nearly a million dollars, saying her civil rights had been violated. In 1984, a jury of five men and three women ruled against her.
Her time on the department was short, but definitely eventful. And it began when Linda Eaton was hired as the first female firefighter in Iowa City, on this date in 1977.
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.
"The First in Iowa City"
On August 18th, 1977, the Iowa City Fire Department hired its 104th paid fire fighter. What made this hire different is that it was for the first female in the department.
Linda Eaton was a member of the department for three years. Much of that time was associated with controversy, some of which played out nationally.
In February of 1979, Linda Eaton was suspended twice for insubordination. Her offense was that she refused to stop breastfeeding her son during her work breaks.
She filed a sex discrimination complaint against the city, and on March 20th, 1980, the Iowa Civil Rights Commission ruled unanimously in her favor, saying she did have the right to breast feed at work, and awarding her damages, back pay, and attorney fees.
Claiming she was harassed by male firefighters after winning that action, she left the fire department and sued in Johnson County District Court for nearly a million dollars, saying her civil rights had been violated. In 1984, a jury of five men and three women ruled against her.
Her time on the department was short, but definitely eventful. And it began when Linda Eaton was hired as the first female firefighter in Iowa City, on this date in 1977.
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 Monday, August 17
"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 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 in 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 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 in 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 Friday, August 14
"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 woolly 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 woolly 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 sizable 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 woolly 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 woolly 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 sizable 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 Thursday, August 13
"Hiring a Professor"
By the time Gustavus Hinrichs joined the University of Iowa faculty on August 13th, 1863, he'd already had quite a life. He was educated in Denmark and had come to the U.S. only two years before at the age of 25, settling in Davenport. Originally a teacher of modern languages, he later taught the physical sciences, which is where he made his mark.
He did pioneering work on the structure of crystals, which had bearing on the later discovery of the structure of the atom. He was one of several scientists credited with discovering the Periodic System of Elements. He focused much research on the study of weather and started the first state weather service, in Iowa. Fluent in five languages, Gustavus Hinrichs helped build a world-class science program at the University of Iowa, and pushed for the state's medical college to be in Iowa City.
But he was seen as sensitive and high-strung, and his fight with a university president got so heated, the state legislature sent a committee to investigate. After 23 years, he was fired for "general obstreperousness". He later called the Iowa medical school a slaughter house and said surgeons were drunk while dealing with patients, but those charges were unfounded.
Earlier this summer, parts of Iowa experienced an early morning storm, a widespread, cold air mass that moved rapidly in a straight line, with winds stronger than in many tornadoes. The weather term for that is derecho. It's a phenomenon that was first identified and named by Professor Gustavus Hinrichs, who joined the University of Iowa faculty on this date in 1863.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 13th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.
"Hiring a Professor"
By the time Gustavus Hinrichs joined the University of Iowa faculty on August 13th, 1863, he'd already had quite a life. He was educated in Denmark and had come to the U.S. only two years before at the age of 25, settling in Davenport. Originally a teacher of modern languages, he later taught the physical sciences, which is where he made his mark.
He did pioneering work on the structure of crystals, which had bearing on the later discovery of the structure of the atom. He was one of several scientists credited with discovering the Periodic System of Elements. He focused much research on the study of weather and started the first state weather service, in Iowa. Fluent in five languages, Gustavus Hinrichs helped build a world-class science program at the University of Iowa, and pushed for the state's medical college to be in Iowa City.
But he was seen as sensitive and high-strung, and his fight with a university president got so heated, the state legislature sent a committee to investigate. After 23 years, he was fired for "general obstreperousness". He later called the Iowa medical school a slaughter house and said surgeons were drunk while dealing with patients, but those charges were unfounded.
Earlier this summer, parts of Iowa experienced an early morning storm, a widespread, cold air mass that moved rapidly in a straight line, with winds stronger than in many tornadoes. The weather term for that is derecho. It's a phenomenon that was first identified and named by Professor Gustavus Hinrichs, who joined the University of Iowa faculty on this date in 1863.
And that's Iowa Almanac for August 13th...Listen to the extended audio version of today's story by clicking on the audio player above.