CITY OF DECORAH

The following sketch was prepared by A. K. Bailey for Anderson & Goodwin's Atlas., It is now adopted, with such corrections as a lapse of eight years requires:

White men may have camped on the site of the city of Decorah, the shire town of Winneshiek county, previous to June 10,1849, but, if so, they left no evidence of their visit. Tradition refers to such visitors with the hint that they were of the class that prefers the borders of civilization to civilization itself.

It was on the above date that a homeseeker's wagon halted beside a magnificent spring that existed for many years several rods in rear of the present "Winneshiek House." That spot became the future home of the Day family. They were Virginians, of the enterprising class and were seeking a location with larger advantages than their earlier home had afforded them. This company consisted of the wife and mother of the family (who was also its master spirit) and three sons. "Mother" Day's keenness of observation had noted that cities and villages were mostly located on living streams or beside considerable bodies of water; hence she sought that advantage as a desirable addition to good farming lands. In the charming Upper Iowa river valley and the splendid spring beside which the party had halted, it was then and there settled that here was to be the future home of the Day family.

The remains of the largest village of the Winnebago Indians were still in existence. This tribe left their Iowa home reluctantly, but the fiat had gone forth that they must "move on," and the formality of a treaty had settled this question two years previous. Perhaps, nay, probably, the Indian trails that everywhere centered towards this spot had something to do in leading their white successors to the favorite village of the Winnebagoes. Be that as it may, the same influences in tutored and untutored minds led to a choice which proved wise and profitable to the whites who succeeded the Indians.

The family of William Painter followed soon after and located close by in the same valley, a little west of the Day homestead, so close that when the village plat of Decorah was made it was located on lands owned by both these pioneers. The tide of traveling land seekers followed them. The Days kept open house.

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Their log cabin became a hotel of widespread fame, at a convenient point on the overland ,stage route from Dubuque to St. Paul.

In 1851 the county of Winneshiek was organized (as told in the history of Winneshiek county) by John L. Carson, legally appointed organizing officer or sheriff. By the legislative act for organizing the county "Decorah" was named as one of the points to be voted for as the county seat of Winneshiek county. Mr. Carson's certificate (the first paper of any kind in the official records of the county) duly certifies that "on the 7th day of April, A. D. 1851, Decorah was duly elected to be the county seat of said (Winneshiek) county." The legal existence of Decorah did not begin, however, until 1853; for it was not until August 17th of that year that William Day made and entered of record a plat and deed of renunciation to 'public use of the "east half of Decorah," and September 7th following William Painter executed a like plat and deed for the "west half of Decorah." The name was borrowed from the Winnebago Indians. Winneshiek was a distinguished chief of that tribe, and Waukon Decorah was a lesser chief. The name, however, is not of wholly Indian origin, but is believed to have come from the French and Sioux.

The earliest historian of Decorah was Rev. Ephraim Adams, a Congregational clergyman who came to Decorah in 1857 as the first resident pastor. In the Thanksgiving sermon delivered ten years later on "The First Things of Decorah," he drew this picture of the future city in 1851-2:

Let us see what we have: Three log cabins, one hotel; a lawyer and two merchants, partners in trade; with other families that might be named, though the census would not be large; the water power beginning to be improved; regular preaching once a month by two different denominations; and a county seat with, of course, regular sessions of the county court.

It was in this year that Decorah postoffice was established, with C. Day postmaster.

In 1853 the first schoolhouse was built. It was located on the lot now occupied by the First Norwegian Lutheran church; and the first teacher was Theodore W. Burdick, who for many years was one of the most prominent citizens of the city. For one term he represented this district in the lower branch of Congress.

In 1854, according to Rev. Mr. Adams, above quoted, the three cabins of 1851 had expanded to "a little village of fifteen to twenty buildings, counting hotels, stores, stables, shops and buildings of all kinds." In the years 1854-5 the first Winneshiek House was erected by Wm. Day, on the original site selected by Mrs. Day. In A. D. 1877 this was enlarged, made really a second "Winneshiek," and at the time this is written the third Winneshiek is nearing its completion-a structure such as the pioneers never dreamed of, for railways, electric light and communication, steam heat, and all of the modern conveniences were then unknown qualities.

In 1855 Congress passed a law locating a land office at Decorah. This opened December 24, 1855, and brought hither a throng of land speculators, bankers and others, which gave the town such an impetus that when the census of 1860.was taken the population had grown to 1,219. It is said there were nine bankers and land offices doing business here while the land office was open and as long as any land remained for entry. One of these survived the panic of

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1857, and all subsequent financial perils. The "Winneshiek County Bank, capital $5,000," was opened by two Pennsylvanians--Horace S. Weiser and Thos. J. Filbert. The latter retired a few years later, and the bank was continued by the senior partner until his death twenty years later. "The Winneshiek County State Bank" is the legitimate successor of this pioneer bank, and has now reached its fiftieth year of successful life. Charles J. Weiser, son of the founder, is now the president, and the stock is largely held by him and his two sisters. The original $5,000 of capital has grown to $100,000, with a surplus fund of $25,000, and a property value behind it a hundred times greater than the original fund.

The first newspaper started in 1855, and was known as the Decorah Chronicle. In the ensuing few years it had a new publisher almost every year until in 1860 it became the property of W. Bailey & Son. It is now conducted by A. K. Bailey & Son, the junior of that period being the senior of the present time.

The village grew continuously, and in. 1857 had aspirations for municipal honors. This resulted in a decision reached by vote of electors on the first Monday in April of that year to incorporate as a town under the state law. Hon. E. E. Cooley was chosen mayor, with full corps of municipal officers.

In 1870 the census disclosed a population of 2,110. This being a sufficient population to make it "a city of the second class," steps were taken to enter that grade of municipalities, and that event was completed by an election in 1871 of Charles T. Allen as mayor, with a council of eight members representing four wards. The boundaries of the city have twice been enlarged, the last time by uniting to it the town of West Decorah, which had been incorporated in 1879, including all that part of the city lying on the west side of the Upper Iowa river. The city has never enjoyed a boom; its growth has been steady and normal, advancing only as fast as the necessities of the surrounding country demanded. In 1860 its population was 1,219; in 1870, 2,110; in 1880, 2,951; in 1900 with West Decorah added, 3,777; in 1910, 3,592.

Strenuous efforts were made for many years to build up manufacturing enterprises, but for various reasons most of these were unsuccessful, although large sums of money were expended in the effort. In the meanwhile, without especial endeavor, there grew up an unusual success along a line many communities have expended large sums only to meet failure in the end. The city became an educational center.

In 1862 Luther College came hither. It was founded in 1859-60, and passed its first year in Wisconsin. Then, as now, this county was a center of a numerous, intelligent and generous Norwegian population, and when a permanent location was desired by the Norwegian Lutheran Synod of North America for a high class educational institution Decorah was elected. A beautiful site was provided for it on the western border of the city. While the first college building was being erected the building now used by the St. Cloud Hotel, and one dormitory adjoining it, was ample for the students who first sought its benefits. In 1863 the college grew in numbers as well as enlarged its facilities for doing the work of preparing young men for lives of usefulness demanding culture, intelligence and consecration. A very high percentage of its graduates passed on into the theological seminary, and thence to the service of the Norwegian Lutheran church. In 1889 the first building was destroyed by fire, and for a time removal

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was contemplated. The final decision of the synod was to rebuild, and out of the trial by fire grew stronger than ever for the great work to be done.

In 1874 John Breckenridge, who had been a successful teacher in the public schools of the city, decided to start an academic school, and in that manner the Decorah Institute was born. It has maintained a very successful career of more than a quarter century; and the young men and women it has helped to higher positions than they could otherwise have reached are counted by the thousands. Among its graduates are state and county superintendents of schools, teachers, lawyers, doctors, and others filling useful places in the work of the world.

In 1888 Mr. C. H. Valder, another teacher, whose specialty was in penmanship and business training, conceived the idea of establishing a business college. To this was soon added a normal department, and it, too, has aided other thousands into positions of high rank in the business world. Year after year its enrollment has been upwards of 400; and its graduates are scattered all over the Northwest from Chicago to the Pacific coast. A lesser institution came also without solicitation-the Sisters' School, or Academy of the Immaculate Conception, and its work has been helpful to a large body of youth.

Meanwhile the public school has never been neglected. Step by step a school has been built up that carries its students to the doors of the colleges of the state and the universities of Wisconsin and Minnesota. The school property of the district-coequal with the city limits--exceeds in value $50,000. These schools privileges are so highly appreciated that in the winter season nearly a thousand students, not residents of the city, are attracted here for the advantages these institutions afford.

The printing industry is one not fostered by capital that has grown to such proportions that there is no other city of 4,000 people that can compare with it. The location of Luther College in Decorah made this the educational center of the Norwegian Lutherans of America. It also was the main factor in causing the establishment of the Synod Publishing House. This is what its name implies in its fullest extent. It is supplied with the best purchasable equipment in type-setting machines, printing presses, and binding implements, and its output, in addition to its church weekly, includes the making of Bibles, prayer and hymn books, theological works, etc. It is equipped for any work the big city offices can do.

The Decorah-Posten is also another great success in the printing art. After years of desperate struggles, Mr. B. Anundsen, its publisher, achieved the enviable position of securing the largest circulation of any Norwegian newspaper printed in this country. Twice a week the Posten sends to over 39,000 patrons the product of a corps of six editors, and an equipment that includes two perfecting presses, three linotypes, and other up-to-date facilities of the printer's art. The local newspapers are the Decorah Republican, the lineal descendant of the Chronicle, started in 1855; the Decorah Journal, published by Fred Biermann, and representing the democratic faith; and the Decorah Public Opinion, published by H. J. Green, republican in its faith. Each of these offices has excellent equipments.

The church accommodations of Decorah are large and fully ample for the needs of a city of 5,000 people. There are seven different organizations, all

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represented in houses of worship. The pioneer church was of the Methodist faith, organized by Rev. Albert Bishop in September, 1851. Its first house of worship was built in 1856, and is now in use as the Boy Scout headquarters and as a gymnasium. The brick building now occupied was erected in 1874. The second church was of the Congregational order, established in June, 1854. Rev. E. Adams became its pastor in 1857, and remained in this relation for fourteen succeeding years. Its first house of worship was erected in 1860 and 1861, being dedicated November 17th of the latter year. This structure gave place to a new and more modern church in the years 1895-6. These were followed in due time by the Catholic, Episcopal, First Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran, German Methodist, Baptist, and United Lutheran (Norwegian), all save one sustaining pastors and holding regular Sabbath services.

The banking facilities of the city are supplied by the Winneshiek County State Bank, heretofore referred to, the Citizens Savings Bank, organized under state laws, and the National Bank of Decorah, operating under the national banking law. Their business relations with the people of this city and surrounding territory are indicated by the following statistics taken from the last published statements made in compliance with legal requirements:

Winneshiek County State Bank.--Capital, surplus and undivided profits, $206,111.49; aggregate resources, $1,656,345.93. Officers--C. J. Weiser, president; R. Algyer and E. W. D. Holway, vice presidents; A. Anfinson, cashier; and A. C. Whalen, assistant cashier.

Citizens Savings Bank--Capital, surplus and profits, $79,416.07; total resources, $572,118.50. Officers--E. J. Curtin, president; Ogden Casterton, vice president; B. J. McKay, cashier; F. E. Cratsenberg and Richard E. Bucknell, assistant cashiers.
National Bank of Decorah.--Capital, surplus and profits, $64,088.90; total resources, $549,522.62. Officers--L. B. Whitney, president; O. C. Johnson, vice president; H. C. Hjerleid, cashier; W. F. Baker, assistant cashier.
Decorah State Bank--Capital, surplus and profits, $61,382.77; total.resources, $258,788.71. Officers--R. A. Engbretson, president; L. S. Reque, vice president; E. F. Berg, cashier; Arthur R. Johnson, assistant cashier.

Aggregate resources of all banks, $1,485,997.53.

The railway history of Decorah began as early as 1856 by a local organization
known as the Northwestern Railroad Company, but nothing like the whistle of a locomotive was heard inside the borders of the county until 1864. The McGregor Western Railway in time was merged into the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company. In September, 1869, a branch line was built into Decorah, to the intense gratification of all its citizens. There were those, however, who seriously questioned whether it would prove a permanent line. They argued that a daily stage line was ample for all the passenger traffic, and the freight business gave employment to only a few teamsters. Why, they said, one combination coach, making a daily trip in and out, would suffice all the needs of the town. Today over that line there are five daily trains in and out, consisting or one or more passenger cars, a combined baggage and smoking car, a U. S. mail coach, and not infrequently trains of a half-dozen or more of freight cars. In 1883 an extension of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railway from Postville was secured. This has since passed into the hands of the Rock Island

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System, thereby affording to the city all the resources of two of the largest railway organizations operating in the West.

In 1881-2 the necessity of better fire protection than a chemical engine and a bucket brigade caused the citizens to vote the city authorities permission to bond the incorporation for $16,000 and construct a waterworks system. The surrounding hills gave the best possible opportunity to make and use the gravity system. A reservoir ample for all present needs was built on the bluffs above the city (in the natural drainage of the land), that gives a force upon the mains in the business portion of the city exceeding a pressure of a hundred pounds per inch. The fire protection afforded is ample, and, as the popular saying goes, the system paid for itself several times over by the power and force of the direct pressure it affords. A fire department of three hose companies and one hook and ladder company has been all the city has needed. Additions to the original system have been made until, at this time, nearly every point inside the city limits is within reach of the fire department with 3,000 feet of hose.

The unity of purpose, public spirit and enterprise of the citizens is marked by two conspicuous examples. In 1891 it seemed necessary to secure a safe, comfortable and suitable public building in which to hold public gatherings, concerts, theatricals, and conventions. The original opera house had been outgrown; there was danger in filling it as such structures often are, and many of the older citizens could not endeavor to lift themselves up and down two long flight of steps. A canvass of the city was made, and nearly everyone approached joined in a proposition to build a suitable opera house-one in fact as well as name. At that time a complete structure for $25,000 was unknown. To build it was an experiment. It was a success. Hundreds have since been erected. This was the pioneer. There were over a hundred owners, and few owned any large portion. It was a new era in city history. It meant a higher class of entertainment, and the dropping out of the cheaper ones. We all took comfort in it. In the mid-summer of 1898 its interior was destroyed by fire. The owners and managers were not discouraged. They rose to the occasion. They rebuilt it and enlarged its capacity fully one-fourth, thereby making it more popular than ever.

In a somewhat similar manner when it became evident that the traveling public was shunning our city because the hotel equipments were crowded and did not meet their demands, plans were formed in 1904 to supply this deficiency. An organization was perfected and fifty stockholders united in like spirit. The result is a new Winneshiek, built during the ensuing fall and winter. It was informally opened April 1st, and formally opened on the 27th day of April. What the opera house was to its patrons, the Winneshiek is to the traveling public-new throughout, from foundation stone to cap-stone--a fifty-room hotel of city characteristics in every respect.

In 1902 a system of permanent paving was begun. Eight blocks of it-it being from the west end of Water street to Dry Run bridge, with two blocks on two side streets-were laid with Galesburg brick. In the following year four additional blocks on Washington street were similarly paved, and in 1903-4 another portion of the same street that had been troublesome and vexatious, was permanently improved and made a feature of the city which citizens take pleasure in showing to visiting friends.

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Since the foregoing improvement was completed paving has been done about Courthouse square, on Main street from Winnebago to Washington street and from Water to Main on Court street, a total of six blocks.

The year 1913 has witnessed another noticeable improvement in the lighting of the business portion of the city. Handsome electroliers have taken the place of the old arc lights and the city presents a metropolitan appearance.
The city hospital that is to be is referred to under the head of Public Buildings. While this is in a measure a local enterprise, the city of Decorah expects that the people of the county generally will avail themselves of its beneficial features.

All public buildings and many of the residences are lighted by electricity or gas furnished by private corporations. The Standard Telephone Company (now owned by the "Bell" interests) maintains a local exchange that is well sustained, and through the toll lines and independent farm lines, every town in the county and hundreds of farm homes are in easy communication.

The city officials, chosen at last spring's election, are: H. J. Green, mayor; councilmen-1st ward, John O'Niel; 2d ward, W. F. Baker; 3d ward, R. Bucknell; 4th ward, L. L. Cadwell; 5th ward, W. T. Symonds; at large, Peter Jenson and C. E. McKinney. F. M. Hughes is city clerk, J. A. Nelson is city attorney, R. Algyar is city treasurer, and E. J. Gillett is assessor.

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