CHAPTER 30 (cont.) ________ HISTORY OF RED OAK ART CALENDERS The most important manufacturing institution in Red Oak, and one of the most important in the state, is the calendar works of The Thos. D. Murphy Co. The business, as it is known today, originated in Red Oak in 1889, when calendars were made on a small scale. The business began with the firm of Osborne & Murphy, the members being Edmund B. Osborne Page 299 and Thos. D. Murphy, two young men who had been college mates. In 1888, they were partners in the publication of the Red Oak Independent. When the plans for the new county court house had been perfected, they conceived the idea of using a picture of the proposed court house as the design for a calendar, printing the advertisement of Red Oak merchants around the picture. It proved quite a success and gave them the idea of reproducing pictures of old paintings by the half-tone process, using these pictures as calendar designs. A considerable business was built up by 1895, when Mr. Murphy retired from the company, which was continued by Mr. Osborne and his associates, the corporate name being changed to the Osborne Company. In 1899, the Osborne Co. moved its plant to Newark, N. J., and in 1900, Mr. Murphy organized The Thos. Murphy Co. This concern began business in a new building erected for it on Coolbaugh Street, just east of the square. The side of the building was 22 feet by 112, three stories high in front and one story in the rear. So rapidly did the business develop, that the following year, another building was erected, full three stories high, with a basement. Ever since then the business has developed rapidly, until in 1904 no fewer than seven buildings were used by the company. In that year, they secured an entire block of ground in the southwest part of the city on Second Street, and a factory 240 feet long by 55 feet wide and three stories high, was erected. This did not serve the purpose for any great length of time, for in 1906, they found it necessary to build an addition 66 feet wide by 106 feet long and three stories high. This factory is one of the most complete of its kind in the United States, and is considered a model factory building. It is a mill constructed building with an automatic sprinkler system. The building is heated by hot water furnished by the electric company which also furnishes the power. About three hundred persons are employed in the manufacture of calendars, which are sold al- Page 300 most all over the English speaking world. In 1904, a branch was established in London, and a force of thirty salesmen sell the product throughout the United Kingdom. At the present the product of the factory is distributed throughout Canada, Great Britain, the United States and the Hawaiian Islands, and many orders go to South Africa and other foreign countries.
SCHOOLS The first schoolhouse in Red Oak was erected about 1859. It was a small frame structure, made of native lumber, about 20x20 feet in size, and was located near where the pottery now stands. It was also used as a meeting house where "protracted" meetings were held in an early day. When it was succeeded by a more pretentious edifice it was moved south of town near the South Cemetery, where it was used a number of years as a schoolhouse. The first teacher was Thomas Petty, who afterwards lived in Elliott. The second school building in Red Oak was a small brick structure erected in 1863 out on the prairie north of the business portion of the town. It was really located on Corning Street near the present high school building and for many years it was occupied as a dwelling. W. H. Kerrihard was the contractor and Charles Bolt did the mason work. When it was completed, the district was so short of funds they couldn't pay for it and Mr. Kerrihard retained control of it for several years, during which time it was used indiscriminately for school purposes, church services and for occasional dances. The district finally raised the necessary funds and the dances were discontinued. Among the early teachers were Hamilton White, who afterwards became famous as the Col. Sellers of Red Oak. He it was who later projected the sanitarium scheme, which resulted in the erection of what is known as the Sanitarium, which is at present used as a school and hospital for feeble minded children, conducted by Mrs. F. M. Powell and her daughter, Dr. Velura Powell. Page 301 The Independent District of Red Oak was organized in Red Oak in 1870. At that time, the only school building was the small brick referred to above, and two teachers were employed to manage it. Red Oak's first graded school was opened in the spring of 1871 in what is known as the Lincoln School, erected at a cost of $22,000. In the summer of 1881, the Bancroft School, located in the north part of the city, was erected at a cost of $8,000. In the same year, the first course of study was printed. In 1882, the principal was given authority as Superintendent. The first principal of the high school was J. R. McKim. In the summer of 1889, a high school building was erected in the east part of the city, now known as the Webster School. In the same year, the South Ward, afterwards the Jefferson School, was erected. The two buildings cost $24,000, including the grounds. In 1892, the Washington School building was erected in the west part of the city, at an expense of $20,000. The present High School building was erected in 1898 at an expense of about $17,000. The public schools of the city rank among the best in the state. CIVIC SOCIETIES. The first Masonic lodge, Red Oak Lodge, No. 162, A. F. & A. M., was organized Nov. 16, 1861. Its charter members were Wm. Focht, Chas. Bolt, J. Ivens, I. Davies, R. M. G. Patterson,a nd the following were the first officers: J. W. Patterson, W. M.; G. A. Gordon, S. W.; J. M. Hewitt, J. W.; Wm. Dun, Treasurer; W. W. Merritt, Secretary. Montgomery Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M., was organized July 1, 1870. The following were the first members and officers: E. L. Grubb, H. P.; G. M. West, E. K.; J. R. Stratton, E. S.; E. M. Mills, C. of H.; P. St. Clair, P. S.; W. B. Kennedy, R. A. C.; R. B. Temple, M. third vail; J. Julian, M. second vail; H. A. McFatrich, M. first vail; W. Stennett, Treasurer; H. Bennett, Secretary; J. Shover, Sentinel. Page 302 Bruce Commandery, No. 34, was organized in April, 1878. The charter members were: C. G. Atwood, W. C. Davis, C. F. Hall, F. P. Wormley, H. A. thompson, J. W. Chace, Charles Kelly, N. A. Gray, C. L. Mahrenholz, Wayne Stennett and A. B. Combs. The first Odd Fellows' Lodge was organized August 24, 1869, by W. T. Briggs. The following were the first officers: W. G. Walker, N. G.; Isaac Fuller, V. G.; S. S. Purcell, R. S.; J. L. Ashby, P. S.; J. R. Cooley, Treasurer. Valley Encampment, No. 76, I. O. O. F., was organized April 21, 1875, the charter members being M. T. Anderson, E. Kretchmer, Hardin Pegram, W. H. Evans, Ira Pickett, H. C. French, D. B. Miller, Z. T. Fisher, A. McConnell and Smith McPherson. The Masonic Fraternity owns its own temple as do the Odd Fellows, the latter having also a club and reading room. ONe of the strongest lodges in the city is that of the Knights of Pythias, which has lodge and club rooms on the third floor of the Houghton Bank block. The club rooms are provided with billiard tables, reading room and bowling alley. The first post of the Grand Army of the Republic was organized in Red Oak in 1867, about a year after the founding of the order. It was known as Post No. 117, G. A. R., and was organized August 3, 1867, by G. W. Burns. The charter members were E. A. Harris, John W. Campbell, P. H. Goode, T. H. Dearborn, W. P. Wiley, E. H. Burris, C. M. Bartlett, J. S. Cook, A. W. Harding, L. W. Cook. The first officers were: E. A. Harris, Post Commander; I. M. Binns, Senior Vice Commander; John W. Campbell, Junior Vice Commander; P. H. Goode, Post Adjutant; T. H. Dearborn, Post Quartermaster. The post grew until it had about thirty-three members, but in the course of two or three years it died out and gave up its charter. The second organization, known as Lyon Post, No. 9, G. A. R., was organized in May, 1878. Page 303 The officers elected were John S. Stidger, Post Commander; H. H. Palmer, S. V. C.; T. J. Edwards, J. V. C.; T. H. Lee, Q. M.; S. A. Jones, Officer of the Day; H. G. McMillan, Officer of the Guard; E. S. Rogers, Chaplain, A. A. Clapp, Surgeon; A. W. Harding, Sergeant Major; D. S. Haas, Quartermaster Sergeant. However, this organization was not even as successful as its predecessor, for it did not last over six months. Three years later, September 19th, 1881, another post was organized. Just what the original name was, history does not say, but when the original members came down on the street after having effected their organization, they heard the news of President Garfield's death. They immediately turned about, went up to the lodge room where they reconsidered their first name and substituted for it the name of the martyred President. The post therefore became known as Garfield Post, No. 57, G. A. R. The following were the first officers and charter members: Joel Carey, Commander; H. H. Palmer, Senior Vice Commander; J. B. Bishop, Junior Vice Commander; T. C. Gaylord, Adjutant; J. W. Martin, Surgeon; Jesse Sautbin, Quartermaster; P. S. Douglas, Quartermaster Sergeant; W. A. Hayes, Erial Stevens, J. W. McCoy, Wm. Cozad, J. D. Graham, R. McLaughlin, J. V. Bliss, J. W. Hiatt, E. T. Judd, D. J. Ockerson, G. W. Mohler, John Malnburg, J. H. Binney. There were a number of others besides those named above who were present at the first meeting but who did not sign the charter roll. C. C. Platter, at present postmaster of Red Oak, made the motion to change the name to Garfield Post. Garfield Post prospered and has had a continuous existence ever since. In 1893 the work of the G. A. R. was supplemented by the organization of the Woman's Relief Corps under the name of Garfield Relief Corps, No. 264. There were twenty-five charter members, the first president being Mrs. W. A. Harding, Page 304 who held that office for three years. The others were: Treasurer, Mrs. T. H. Dearborn; Secretary, Mrs. Laura Pogue; Sr. Vice., Mrs. Francis Graybil; Jr. Vice., Mrs. Elizabeth Sautbin; Chaplain, Mrs. Olive Hite; Conductor, Mrs. Ed Kretchmer; Guard, Mrs. Abbie Bliss. Mrs. Hite has served as chaplain continuously since the organization of the corps. The Relief Corps has done much to alleviate the suffering among the poor, especially among the families of old soldiers. For a number of years Red Oak has been recognized as one of the neatest, cleanest, best kept towns in the state, and much credit for this state of things is due to the women of Red Oak. Realizing the value of united effort, a number of the prominent women of Red Oak joined in organizing the Monday Club of Red Oak, the articles of incorporation being signed April 7, 1896. The first officers were: Mary A. Jones, President; Harriet E. Leach, First Vice President; Emily Taylor Fisher, Second Vice President; Olivette C. Junkin, Recording Secretary; Addie L. Clark, Corresponding Secretary; Maude C. Pomeroy, Treasurer. The board of directors for the first year was composed of the above named officers and the following persons: Rosa S. Clark, Sara C. Fisher, Ella L. Houghton, Maria C. Kriedler, Ina C. Murphy, Jessie Graham Osborne, Emma R. Palmer and Leola S. Tilly. The club holds its regular meetings in the Knights of Pythias hall once a month. Its work is divided into a number of different departments such as Music, History, Literature, Current Topics, Domestic Science and Village Improvement. In the departments of History, Literature and Music, regular courses of study are carried on. The Village Improvement society, particularly in its early days, did a great deal toward beautifying the city. Their first important accomplishment after the organization of the club was the installing of the clock in the court house. The ladies conducted the campaign for the necessary funds and arranged to have the clock put in the tower. They also took charge of Page 305 College Park, put it in order and put down cement walks around and through it. In addition to these things the influence of the society has been toward building up an ideal city. At the present time the largest department of the club is the Current Topics department. The Monday Club is a member of the Iowa Federated Woman's Club, and its members take an important part in federation affairs. The first military company organized in Red Oak was Company K. The enthusiasm aroused by a soldier's reunion held at Clarinda, Page County, June 1, 1878, resulted in the organization of a military company, H. G. McMillan, the county sheriff, taking the lead in the matter. The first meeting was held June 17th, and the organization was completed August 20, 1878, by the election of E. s. Rogers, Captain; W. P. Wiley, First Lieutenant; T. H. Dearborn, Second Lieutenant. There were fifty men enrolled. The company did not become a member of the guard, however, until in June, 1879, when it was assigned as Company K of the 5th Regiment, and received state arms consisting of breech loading Springfield rifles. The first observance of Decoration Day at Red Oak was in 1880, the work of decoration being under the direction of members of Company K. At that time there were five soldier's graves to be decorated. Company K flourished for a number of years, the captain for a time being W. H. Evans who has served continuously in the Iowa National Guard for more than thirty years, and is at present General Inspector of Small Arms practice with the rank of Colonel. Captain Evans was afterward elected major and after a time the company was mustered out. A few years later, in 1893, Company M of the 3rd Page 306 regiment was organized, particulars of which will be found in the article on the Spanish American war. At the close of the war and after the Iowa Regiments had been mustered out, the National Guard was organized, Company M retaining its position in the guard, but the number of its regiment being changed to the 55th. Shortly after its re-organization, Captain J. W. Clark was elected Lieutenant Colonel, and he was succeeded by the then First Lieutenant, Guy E. Logan, who, at the present time is Assistant Adjutant General, with the rank of Major. The officers at this time are: Captain, Ivan E. Ellwood; First Lieutenant, Earl Hessler; Second Lieutenant, C. Ray Logan. Company M has a membership of about fifty and ranks among the very best in the state both in drill and rifle practice. In May 1897, the Mayflower Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was organized with a membership of fifteen. The following named members were chosen as officers: Mrs. John Hayes, Regent; Mrs. B. B. Clark, Vice Regent; Mrs. H. C. Houghton, Secretary, Mrs. F. M. Byrkit, Treasurer. The board of management consisted of two first named officers and Mrs. M. E. Fisher, Mrs. J. M. Junkin and Mrs. George Palmer. In addition to the societies and clubs named herein, there are a number of fraternal benefit societies with a healthy membership. There are also the usual church societies, all with a good membership, and accomplishing good work. A history of the churches will be found in another chapter. NEWSPAPERS The first newspaper to be published in Red Oak was The Oak Express, the first number of which was issued March 28, 1868. An account of its early days, written by Webster Eaton, its first editor, will be found elsewhere in this book. According to the records, Mr. Eaton sold the paper Nov. 10, 1871, to B. E. A. Simons. The following February, Mr. Page 307 Simons sold a half interest to W. F. Eastman. Several months later, Mr. Simons sold his remaining interest to Z. T. Fisher, and the paper was conducted by the firm of Fisher & Eastman until Nov. 15, 1872, when they sold out to Joel and W. S. Mayne. Thereafter, J. Mayne was the real editor and publisher of the paper until June 1, 1880, when S. C. Hunter came into control of the paper. Six months later, he sold out to John Killets, a young college-bred man from Ohio, who spent considerable money in enlarging the plant. Two years later he was succeeded by J. W. Chaffin, and that gentleman in the fall of 1883 sold it to C. W. Snyder, formerly of Cedar Falls. A year later, a third interest was disposed of to his nephew, C. P. Sheffer. The firm of C. W. Snyder & Co. continued the publication until January, 1886, when the Express Printing Company was formed by consolidation with the Republican, published by Saylor & Danforth. C. W. Snyder acted as President and Manager of the new concern until January, 1890, when he sold his stock to Mr. Sheffer and W. T. Hollowell. In the spring of 1895, Thos. D. Murphy purchased the stock of the paper and consolidated it with the Red Oak Independent. Mr. Murphy has owned a controlling interest in the paper ever since. With the exception of a period during 1872 and 1873, when The Express issued a daily, it has been published as a weekly. The Express is and always has been Republican in politics and for years has ranked as one of the leading country weeklies of the state. At present the plant is one of the most complete of the kind in the state, part of its equipment being a linotype typesetting machine. The Red Oak Record was established June 5, 1871, by John S. Stidger of Keosququa, Van Buren Co. When the paper was first started, it was independent in politics, but in 1874 it came out in favor of Republicanism. In 1876, Captain Stidger associated with him his son, C. W. Stidger, and in September, 1880, the firm became Stidger Bros., the father Page 308 retiring. On July, 1879, the first issue of the Daily Record was published. This was continued until 1885. Some time before this, one of the Stidgers sold his interest to A. J. Graham. In February, 1885, Graham & Fisher sold to W. W. Riner. About April, 1885, Riner sold to J. F. Saylor, former City Superintendent and, afterwards, County Superintendent of Schools. Mr. Saylor sold a half interest to T. C. Danforth a few weeks later and changed the name to The Republican. In January, 1886, the Republican was consolidated with The Express. When Riner bought the business, he gave a mortgage on the plant held by A. J. Graham. When the Republican was consolidated with The Express, this mortgage was overlooked and Mr. Graham had to take the plant to protect the mortgage. He then started the Red Oak Independent early in 1887, and associated with him, W. T. Hatswell. Mr. Graham died in the fall of 1887 and his son-in-law, Edmund B. Osborne, succeeded him. A few months later, Thos. D. Murphy purchased Mr. Hatswell's interest and the Independent was conducted by Osborne & Murphy until 1895, when Mr. Murphy bought out Mr. Osborne's interest and, buying The Express at the same time, consolidated the two papers. The Red Oak Democrat was established by Wm. C. Stidger, a son of John S. Stidger, who founded the Record. The Democrat, as the name indicates, supported the Democratic party. On Sept. 3, 1880, the Democrat was sold to Linehan & Esser. The field was evidently not a productive one for that sort of a paper and it gave up the struggle on Feb. 18, 1881. The first democratic paper in the county was the New Era, which was established at Red Oak in February, 1876, by Captain H. M. Hall. In the fall of 1877, he sold it to G. Dennis, who established the People's Telephone Sept. 7, 1877, as a Greenback paper. In the spring of 1879, Mr. Dennis sold a half interest in the paper to H. M. Hall, the Page 309 publishers being Dennis & Hall. On Dec. 3, 1879, Dennis & Hall sold a half interest to N. W. Cook, the title of the firm being, N. W. Cook & Co., Mr. Dennis retiring from the management. On April 13, 1881, Dennis, Cook & Hall sold to Dr. R. D. Sperry, who took his son, Wm. Sperry, as partner, and the firm was R. D. Sperry & Son. On Aug. 27, 1884, the paper was sold to Messrs. Boll & Clark, who changed the name to The Red Oak Sun, and its politics became Democratic. Messrs. Boll & Clark have conducted the Sun successfully ever since. After the consolidation of The Express and Independent, Red Oak had only two newspapers, the Express and the Sun. In the fall of 1895, W. E. Cherry, of Creston, came to Red Oak and started the Saturday Evening Mail. It was started primarily as a society paper and created more or less comment, but did not prove a great success. The next year, W. W. Montgomery, who had just completed his term as County Superintendent of Schools, purchased the plant and changed the name of the paper to The Republican. In 1897, C. P. Sheffer, who had been one of the editors of The Express, bought a half interest in The Republican and the paper was conducted for a number of years by Montgomery & Sheffer. It never proved a financial success, nor did it gain any considerable circulation. It led a precarious career until about 1904, Mr. Montgomery in the meantime having sold his interest. Mr. Sheffer was finally compelled to suspend publication and at the present time and for several years past, Red Oak has only two newspapers.
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