CHAPTER 30 (cont.) ________ HISTORY OF RED OAK FIRE DEPARTMENT After the fire of December 23rd, 1875, immediate steps were taken to organize a fire department. The first regular meeting was held January 7th, 1876, at which C. M. Mills presided, and B. B. Clark acted as secretary. As a result the Red Oak Fire Company was organized. Geo. M. West was elected forman, T. H. Lee first assistant, B. E. A. Simons, second assistant, T. H. Alexander, secretary, and P. T. Noonan, treasurer. The city council was asked to provide the necessary fire apparatus, and by March 24th it had arrived, consisting of a hook and ladder outfit and a velocipede engine. This neces- Page 290 sitated forming two companies. The first firemen's festival was held March 2nd, 1877, at which they cleared $181.05. Later a chemical engine with an 80 gallon cylinder was added to the equipment beside other chemical extinguishers. The fire department has continued to improve until it has become recognized as one of the very strongest in Southwestern Iowa. About 1895, a hose house was erected, a two-story, substantial brick affair, at the corner of Fourth and Washington Ave. A small hose house was also erected in the east part of town, where a hose-cart is located for the use of the citizens in that vicinity. The following persons have held the office of Chief of the Fire Department: G. M. West, 1876-7; E. A. Harris, 1877-1885; J. B. Bishop, 1885-1886; T. H. Lee, 1886-1888; J. B. Bishop, 1888-1890; J. J. Andrus, 1890-1892; P. C. Shipley, 1892-1893; F. S. McBurney, 1893-1894; J. S. Cook, 1894-1895; J. C. Curtis, 1895-1896; J. J. Andrus, 1896-1897; R. H. Maloney, 1897-1898; J. L. Jennings, 1898-1899; A. J. Seefeldt, 1899-1900; E. L. Breese, 1900-1901; J. H. Faftery, 1901-1902; J. S. Cook, 1902-1903; Lee Blue, 1903-1904; Inda Stevens, 1904-1906; from 1906 to the present time, George Millhollin. CITY WATER WORKS With the increased growth of the city, a waterworks plant became a necessity. The subject was discussed by the leading business men in 1879 but took no definite shape until early in 1880, one of the leading spirits in the movement being Mr. R. Wadsworth. The city council let the contract to B. P. Perkins, the total cost for plant and laying of mains to be thirty thousand dollars. It is said the entire issue of bonds for the waterworks was taken by the citizens of Red Oak. The waterworks plant consisted of a pumping station near the river in the west part of town and the water was pumped by direct pressure. In 1895 a standpipe was erected in the east part of Page 291 town, which forced water through the pipes by gravity. The supply of water, while of excellent quality, has not always been abundant in quantity, and new wells had to be sunk. During the year 1906, the city council prospected for water in the south-eastern part of town near what has been known for years as the "Sand Springs." Here a strong flow was struck and a large well sunk. The pumping station was transferred to the new site, and the City of Red Oak is now being supplied with an abundance of pure spring water. Some years ago, the city made a contract with the Electric Company to supply power to pump the water; hence the city is not required to keep an engineer at the waterworks plant as was formerly done. PUBLIC UTILITIES Red Oak is said to enjoy a higher average of comfort than most towns of its size. Its sewer system is an excellent one. This dates from 1890, when the court house was erected. Since then the system has been extended to nearly all parts of town. The Red Oak Gas Co. was organized in 1882, when C. D. Jones and George Joslyn of Independence, Iowa, came here and secured a franchise. The plant was conducted by these people until 1904, when it was sold to local capitalists, who now conduct it. F. A. Kidder has been manager for the past thirteen years. In 1891, G. E. Claflin, A. M. Miller and W. H. Blood came to Red Oak and secured a franchise for an electric light plant. They were young men who were in the electrical business and chose Red Oak as the most promising place they could find for such an enterprise. The plant was put in operation the same year. It has since been greatly improved and enlarged until it has a combined light, heat and power service. The controlling interest passed into the hands of the late C. F. Clarke, who took great pride in the plant, and in 1899 a hot water heating system was put in which furnishes heat to the business houses around the square and to some others in the Page 292 immediate vicinity. The electric company also furnishes power for the principal manufactories, like the Replogle Mill and The Thos. D. Murphy Co. calendar factory, as well as power for the city waterworks. A day and night light circuit is one of the attractive features in the business district. The first telephone company was organized about 1881, in the early days of the telephone, and Mr. R. Wadsworth was the prime mover. This company was a small affair and had only a few subscribers. The service was expanded, however, connection being made with the surrounding towns. Two years later, the Iowa Telephone Company, generally known as the Bell system, secured a franchise and put in a plant. In 1902, this company had something over three hundred instruments in use. In that year an independent concern the Montgomery County Telephone Company, secured a franchise and erected a plant. As a result of the competition of the two companies, rates were reduced to $1.00 a month for residences and $2.00 for business houses. Each company has at this time over six hundred subscribers. STREET RAILWAY Along in the early eighties Red Oak had a number of public spirited citizens who had large ideas of the city's future development. Some time during 1881, a coterie of these citizens brought up the subject of a street railway, and on November 30th of that year the Red Oak Railway was incorporated, with the following as incorporators: P. P. Johnson, W. C. Lockhart, A. C. Hinchman, H. C. Houghton, John Hayes, Geo. M. West, H. H. Palmer, O. E. Whitaker, F. M. Byrkit, J. F. Fisher, C. F. Clarke, R. Wadsworth, M. Wadsworth. These public spirited citizens scarcely expected their investment to prove a bonanza, their idea being that a street railway would tend to build up the town. P. P. Johnson, who was Page 293 one of the moving spirits in the affair, was made president of the company, and O. E. Whitaker, the first superintendent. The system was open for business April 1st, 1882, the company having expended between $5,000 and $10,000 in track and equipment. Two cars were used, and they were propelled by horse or mule power. The receipts for the first month amounted to $147.00. It does not appear that the company ever paid dividends, although they started in by running their cars on regular schedule, from Sixth and Prospect Streets to the passenger depot, every fifteen minutes. Finally, in February, 1886, Marcus Bonham acquired control, and after that he operated the line in his personal interest for the next fifteen years. For the greater part of this time he made no attempt to run on schedule, except that he regularly made the trains. Not only did he carry passengers on his street car, but baggage as well. The mule car system became more or less of a standing joke among traveling men throughout the Western country. Mr. Bonham finally became interested in mining in Colorado, and about April, 1901, disposed of the railway to S. P. Wallace of Griswald. Wallace ran the line for a year or more until the city got ready to pave the square, when they tore up the tracks, and Red Oak's street railway system passed out of existence. This action on the part of the city was due to the fact that Mr. Wallace either did not have the funds to pay for the paving between the tracks, or showed no disposition to make the improvement. A number of damage and injunction suits against the city followed, winding up with a suit for heavy damages against the mayor and members of the council. None of the suits ever amounted to anything, and no damages were secured. PAVING In the early days, one of the greatest drawbacks to Red Oak was its unpaved streets. Owing to the peculiar quality of Southwestern Iowa's soil, the streets became a sea of almost Page 294 bottomless mud at times of prolonged wet weather, or in the spring after an "open" winter. The question of paving was agitated for many years, but it was not until 1902, during the administration of Mayor Griffith, that any action was taken. The City Council finally decided to make a beginning and the first paving contract included paving the square and a block each way except toward the west, where two blocks were paved. Vitrified brick were used on a concrete base. The following year, the paving was extended into the residence districts on East Hill and to the freight and passenger stations. About this time an ordinance was passed compelling the building of permanent walks, and as a consequence, in the last few years the old board sidewalks of the city have practically all been replaced with cement walks. As this is being written, contractors are at work on a new paving contract, principally in the residence district in the east part of town. BUSINESS AND SOCIETY In the early days, Red Oak had a pretty hard name. It was on one of the principal routes to the west, and in the course of time became known all over the country. While Red Oak had the reputation of being, next to Deadwood, the toughest town in the west, it really did not deserve all the bad things that were said about it. At no time was Red Oak filled with saloons and gambling houses as were many other frontier towns and in the early eighties the saloons disappeared when the Iowa prohibition law went into effect. Following the disappearance of saloons, an awakened sentiment resulted in making the town puritanical, at least compared with the freedom and license of early days. So far did this movement go that for several years following 1894, not even a billiard hall could secure a license. We find that in 1880, there were seven saloons in Red Oak. Since the day of prohibition, there have been no saloons, and there are none at this time. Even when the town's reputation was the worst, the better class of citizens Page 295 predominated, and for many years Red Oak has had a high class of citizenship. Red Oak is said to have more fine residences and comfortable homes than any other town of its size in the state. Its business houses are substantial in appearance and well kept; its merchants are progressive and up to date. BANKS V. D. Stoddard was the first banker and he began business about 1868. Later, he had a partner, Gen. David Remick. About 1870, a second bank was started. It was called the Bank of Red Oak, and H. N. Moore was one of the prime movers. In June 1873, steps were taken to organize the First National Bank of Red Oak. H. N. Moore was to be President, H. H. Chamberlain, Cashier, and the directorship included A. Hebard, Wayne Stennett, P. P. Johnson, H. A. McFatrich, S. D. Rynerason, H. H. Chamberlain and H. N. Moore. The capital stock was to be $50,000. Shortly afterwards, Mr. Chamberlain died and the project was abandoned. It was taken up, however, by others shortly afterwards and on Sept. 24, 1873, the First National Bank was organized with C. H. Lane, President; F. M. Byrkit, Vice President, C. F. Clarke, Cashier; A. C. Hinchman, H. A. McFatrich, T. W. Crandall and P. W. Slagle, the latter of Fairfield, directors. The bank began business Dec. 1st and has been under the same management ever since. The following January, the banking firm of H. N. Moore & Co., was organized to succeed the Bank of Red Oak, with H. N. Moore, Wayne Stennett and R. M. Roberts as owners, R. M. Roberts being cashier. The bank was succeeded by the Red Oak Savings Bank and, later, by H. C. Houghton's Private Bank, which is still being conducted. The Red Oak National Bank was organized August 30, 1883, with Justus Clark, President; B. B. Clark, Vice President; P. P. Clark, Cashier; and D. B. Miller, A. Hebard, H. C. Binns, Humphrey Roberts, Wm. H. Hunter on the board Page 296 of directors. This bank has made rapid growth, and, under the same management, has become one of the leading country banks of the state, having deposits at this time of around a million dollars. The First National Bank is also one of the strong banks of this part of the state. The Farmers' National Bank was organized in 1901 and began business early in 1902. The officers were as follows: M. Chandler, President; George C. Boileau, Vice President; O. J. Gibson, Cashier. Directors: G. E. Anderson, J. F. Brown, E. M. Murphy, Levi Bennett, W. P. Marshall, Sven Pehrson, Benj. Davis and Charles Baldwin. HOTELS There is scarcely an enterprise which redounds so much to the credit of a town as a good hotel. The old Central House and the Tremont House were two well known hostelries of the olden time, but they hardly measure up to what first class hotels should be, although they served their purpose well for the time being. The Tremont House was burned in 1876 at which time it was unoccupied. The Judkin Bros., in 1880 erected what was then a pretentious building, 36 feet wide by 80 feet deep, and three stories high, at a cost of $16,000. This hotel was located on Coolbaugh Street, opposite the present site of the court house. The Judkins House, as it was conducted by the proprietors, became more or less notorious to the traveling public. After several years it was acquired by P. P. Johnson, a public spirited citizen, and became known as the Johnson House. It was successfully managed by a number of people, and its reputation was much improved. About 1900, Samuel Payne leased the hotel, and later acquired the property, as well as a lot adjoining on the east. He built a wing to the east, and refitted the hotel throughout making it a first-class establishment. The new Hotel Johnson is rated as one of the best hotels in Iowa. It is popular both with the citizens and with the traveling public. For several years past
(Click on images for larger size) Page 297 it has been the custom of society people in the city to give their swell functions at the hotel. For many years up to the time when the new railroad was put through by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Co., the Depot Hotel was conducted under the supervision of the railroad company. In 1903, when the new passenger depot was built, the old Depot HOtel was abandoned and was sold to Thos. Griffith who moved it to Second and Market streets, where it was remodeled, veneered with brick,a nd made into a modern hotel. It is called the Colonial and at the present time is under the same management as Hotel Johnson. INDUSTRIES The first pottery in Red Oak was established by Webster Eaton and his brother while the former was publishing The Red Oak Express. After several years, it was leased to W. H. Close, who about 1874, established the Red Oak Pottery Works. Mr. Close conducted this business until his death, about 1896, when he was succeeded by J. C. Curtis,who operates the plant at present. In addition to the pottery, he also manufactures brick and tile. R. E. Cook and F. A. Wetherhead also have a brick and tile works in the southeastern part of town. They manufacture principally for local consumption. A considerable portion of the pottery manufactured at the pottery works is sold throughout Southwestern Iowa. In 1870, a brewery was built in Red Oak which was conducted until state wide prohibition put it out of business. In the 70's, Joseph F. Fisher did an extensive local business in packing hogs. For many years George B. Brown conducted an iron foundry and machine shop and manufactured buggies. He later disposed of the foundry department and at the present time manufactures carriages and conducts a machine shop. At the present time, and for several years, The Kerrihard Co., of which E. W. Kerrihard is President, has conducted a foundry and machine shops and has a growing business. They Page 298 manufacture pumps, steel tanks, soil pipe and a number of articles of their own invention, and conduct a general plumbing and heating business. The Replogle Co. is the largest manufacturer of flour in Southwestern Iowa, and one of the largest in the state. The company was established in 1889 and made rapid progress. On June 15, 1892, the mill was burned to the ground, but with commendable pluck, it was rebuilt at once, more complete than ever, and by November of the same year, the new mill was ready for business. Since then, the mill has been improved constantly, and is now and for some years has been run by elec[t]ricity, the power being furnished by the Red Oak Electric Co. Two large steel storage tanks were erected a few years ago, with a capacity of fifty thousand bushels of wheat. The product of the mill is sold in more than one hundred towns in Southwestern Iowa. The founders were J. M. Replogle and his sons, Samuel M., David A., and J. H. Replogle. The Red Oak Canning Company was organized in 1902 by the following persons: B. B. Clark, W. N. Malony, Thos. Griffith, H. C. Houghton, M. E. Fisher, M. N. Spencer, Ira M. Needles and S. H. Kirk. Mr. Needles was made the superintendent, he being a practical canning man. The company bought the old packing house plant, located near the river in the west part of town. A complete plant was put in and the concern has run successfully ever since. The principal products of the factory are canned sweet corn and peas. 
|
