Fillmore County, Minnesota - Chapter 16: Osteopathy, 1912

Chapter 16: Osteopathy

Osteopathy as a System or Therapeutics - Andrew Taylor Still the Founder - Importance of the Profession at the Present Time - The First Osteopath in Minnesota - The Present Practitioners in Fillmore County - By A. D. Becker, D. 0.

In writing the local history of a comparatively new science it might be well to give the reader a brief exposition of what osteopathy is, who its founder was and a word as to the scope of its application. A short but fairly comprehensive definition and description follow:

Osteopathy is a system of therapenties that depends for its results upon the mechanical adjustment ot the various tissues of the body by a series of leverages or manipulations constituting what is known as an osteopathic treatment. Osteopathy bases its treatment of disease on the well recognized physiological facts, that the function and well being of every tissne and organ of the body is dependent upon its blood and nerve supply, and that nature has provided all the vital forces and chemicals necessary for the maintenance of health and the repair of discased conditions. Health is natural, disease is unnatural. Diseuse, or abnormal functioning, is caused by an interference with the blood supply or blood drainage of the part diseased, or by an interference with the normal and proper nerve impulses to that part, or both. Osteopathy has discovered that such interference is mechanical, due to contracted or tightened muscles or ligaments, ot to the abnormal relations of the bones, the frame work upon which the softer tissues of the body depend for support and protection ; such interference constituting what is known as an 'osteopathic lesion.'' Owing to the fact that most of the nerves of the body come from the spine, and that the control of the blood supply to the various organs of the body is largely, if not wholly, through the nerves, osteopathic treatments are mainly given to the spine. It then heeomes the duty of the osteopathic physician, {o discover the lesions in any particular ease and to adjust such lesions to their normal anatomical relation, depending upon the fact that when structure has been made normal, the functioning or action of the parts will return to the normal. The osteopath, in treating a patient, enly seeks to liberate the natural vital forces and chemicals; thereby assisting nature, along natural paths to restore to normal balance and funetion any parts which may be subjeet to disease.

In the early days of osteopathy enres were made chiefly in chronie diseases, as people did not have sufficient confidence in the new system to allow the osteopath to handle acute illnesses. But this is rapidly changing and osteopaths are treating more acute cases every year. Osteopathy built up its present standing by curing the incurable cases-of old lines of treatment and stands today a complete system of practice, treating successfully both acute and chronic diseases. ''Osteopathy then deals with the body as an intricate machine which, if kept in proper adjustment, nourished and eared for, will run smoothly into ripe and useful old age.''

Osteopathy was discovered by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still. Dr. Still was a medical practitioner for many years, serving as surgeon in the Union army during the Civil War. Being a man with an analytica} mind and gifted with that rare faculty, the ability to think along original lines, Dy. Still was not satisfied to allow the many failures of his own practice and those of his colleagues to go unexplained, but worked incessantly and studied deeply into the anatomy and physiology of the human body, to determine if there was not some better and more effective way to relieve suffering humanity of its pains and infirmities. In 1874 he announced to his patients at Baldwin, Kans., that he had done with drugs forever, and that he had evolved a system of drugless healmg. For eighteen years the struggle was hard und bitter. We was ridiculed, maligned and scoffed at, and met opposition of the most determined sort. Deserted hy relatives as well as friends, he moved with his family to Kirksville, Mo., which place was to become the theater of his greatest achievements.

In 1892 he started a school at Kirksville for the purpose of teaching the uew science to others. This sehool, known as the Ameriean School of Osteopathy, was the first sehoo] of the new system, and with a humble heginning and its dozen or so scholars, has grown to be a large college in the twenty years of its existenee, having nearly 800 students in attendance and over three thousand graduates. There are now several colleges of osteopathy located in various parts of this country, all of which maintain a high standard of requirements, and belong to the Associated Colleges of Osteopathy.

There are over five thousand osteopaths, practicing in every state of the Union, in Canada, Mexico and in the leading countries of Europe, Asia and South America. No system of therapy ever gained public recognition and adoption so speedily or fully. Within fifteen years over forty states of the Union have enacted laws placing the osteopathic physician on substantially the same legal plane as the old school practitioners, while court decisions in the remaining states have completed the legalization. There is an American Osteopathic Association with over three thousand active members, holding annual meetings in various of the larger cities of the country. Among the many activities of this associa- {ion is the financing and establishment of an institute for research work to be located in Chicago and to be known as the A. T. Still Research Institute. There are state associations in every state with subsidiary district, county and city societies.

The first osteopath in Minnesota was Dr. Chas. E. Still, a son of Dr. A. T. Still, who first located in Minneapolis in 1893 and afterwards practiced in Red Wing and St. Paul. There are now about one hundred and twenty-five osteopaths in Minnesota, and this number is being constantly augmented. The law regulating the practice of osteopathy in Minnesota was passed in the early spring of 1903 and became effective in April of the same year.

Dr. L. V, Read located in Spring Valley in 1909, having previously practiced in Winona. Dr. Read graduated from the Northern Institute of Osteopathy and located in Minneapolis {since bought by the American School of Osteopathy and discontinued) in 1904. Since locating in Spring Valley Dr. Read has built up a thriving and constantly growing practice and enjoys the confidence and support of his fellow citizens.

Dr. A. D. Becker located in Preston in February, 1908, after graduating from the 8. S. Still College of Osteopathy, located at Des Moines, Ia. In September, 1908, he went to Kirksville, Mo., for several months' post graduate work, returning to Preston in April, 1909, and practicing until September of the same ycar, when he turned his practice over to Dr. S. H. Stover for two years, during which time he oecupied a chair on the faeulty of the American School of Osteopathy and was also a member of the hospital staff. Returning to Preston September i, 1911, he resumed his practice. Dr. Becker is a member of the American Osteopathic Association and of the Minnesota State Osteopathic association, serving as its president from October, 1911, to October, 1912. That the doctor has been successful in his chosen profession is well attested by his increasing practice, patients coming from South Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa to seck his professional services. He is earnest and conscientious in his wark and enjoys to a marked degree the confidence of his patients and friends.

Ciltapter Xvii

Preston City - Location and Advantages - First Settlement - Early Residents - Early Business - Preston in 1858 - Municipal History - Electric Light and Waterworks - City Hall and Library - Preston Township Past and Present,

Preston is a busy village in the geographical center of the county, and is honored with the distinction of being the county seat. It was first settled in 1853, platted in 1855 and incorporated in 1871. It is 109 miles from Minneapolis and has communication with the outside world through two railroad branches, one extending to Reno and the other to Isinours. The south branch of the Root river, on which the village is located, furnishes limited water power, which has still greater possibilities. Preston has numerous stores and the usual complement of professional and business activities. It has two banks, two weekly newspapers, two hotels, two theaters, a broom factory, a bottling plant, a lumber yard, a machine shop and gasoline engine factory, a brick yard, a garage, three elevators, a creamery, a brewery, several liveries and dray lines, a graded and state high school, six churches, a fine court house and jail, a Carnegie library and city hall combined, many miles of pavement, a fine waterworks system and an electric ight plant.

The village is built about the court house square, which is well kept, and in the summer the place, with its distant rolling hills, presents a beautiful appearance.

First Settlement

The first settlement of Preston village dates back to 1853, when John Vail, from Pennsylvania, located on the south fork of the Root river and erected a log cabin on its south bank, on the exact site of the present power plant of ihe village of Preston.

Jn the meantime there had been transpiring in Iowa events which had an important influence on the future of Fillmore county. Mrs. Barbara Kaercher Sehweitzer, then separated from her husband, was living in Winnishiek county, Iowa, where, as the vesult of profitable investments, she owned eight hundred acres of rich land, favorably located. With her were her grown sons, Theobold and Louis; a young son, Jacob; and two daughters, Barbara and Margaret.

In the same vicinity, and a member of the same colony, was. living Jolin Kaereher and his family. John Kaercher was a brother of Mrs. Barbara Kaercher Sehweitzer. He, like his sister, had made considerable money by wise land investinents.

To these people William Vail, a brother of the solitary pioneer then living on the future site of Presion, made the proposition that they come to this locality and start a village. He pictured the country and the future of the county in glowing terms and assured them that were they to locate in this vieinity with the capital they would secure by the sale of their Iowa property and establish a sawmill and gristmill, they could easily secure the county seat.

Accordingly, in the winter of 1854, John Kaerecher, Theobold. Schweitzer, Michael Anstett and Berry Olson came to this locality, and looked about for a suitable loeation for a village and a mill.

In relation to this visit a former history of (he county has said: ''John Kaercher and Theobald Sehweitzer visited Carimona, which had an embryotie village with a sawtill whieh had been ereeted by the three Piekett brothers. It was at once decided that this was a very desirable piece of property to have, althongh there was not a superlative abundance of first-class tuinber to keep it in operation. Tlowever, Kaercher and Schweitzer opened negotiations with a view of purchasing the property if it could be obtained at a satisfactory figure. Two of the brothers were consulted, and they agreed that $1,400 would be a fair valuation. When, however, the third Piekett arrived upon the scene, he affected the most supreme indifference abont selling and placed his figures at $1,600, and to this unexpected raise the young prospectors expressed their surprise. The two young men thus seeking their fortunes were attired in overalls, and shirts made of bed ticking, which would not create the impression that they had several thousand dollars in ready cash. The conversation finally hecame animated with spicy remarks on hoth sides. and finally they were told that Carimona could get aloug very well without auy striped Dutchmen. Of course this abruptly closed negotiations in that quarter. It must not be forgotten that, this was then a new country, that straggling bands of Indians still roamed about their native wilds, and that the fleet-footed antelopes still held possession of the choice pastures that now, for a quarter of a century, have yielded a wealth of golden harvest to those who have followed these pioneer footsteps.''

After looking about for a few days, the party seleeted thie present site of Preston as the field of their future endeavors and concluded the negotiations with John Vail.

The loeation was a most desirable one. The river afforded opportunities for a dam, there was a good plaee for mill sites, there was plenty of room for residences, the soil in the neighborhood was well adapted to agriculture, timber and stone were available, and the water supply was excellent for domestic purposes, a fine spring being situated near the cabin.

In April, 1855, their Iowa interests having been disposed of, the little colony came here and moved into Vail's cabin. The party consisted of Mrs. Barbara Kaercher Sehweitzer, her two sons, Theobold and Jacob; John Kaercher, his wife and two daughters; Michael Anstett, his wife and two sons, Michael and John; and Berry Olson.

When the Kaercher colony arrived there began a season of busy activity for the people of this vicinity. Work was coinmeneed on cabins and on the mill. The stone mill, whieh with additions is still standing, was started, and Luther Preston, the nullwright, moved into it with his family. A sawmill was also erected a short distance down the river and was soon in operation. This mill was of wood and is no longer in existence.

John Kaercher needed many men to work on his mills, and millwrights, carpenters and common workmen, as well as farmers, began to settle in or near the new village.

The Vail eabin was much too small for the use of the families that were crowded into it, and soon after his arrival here John Kaercher started the erection of a house, which oeenpied the present site of the Popple & Cummings foundry.

Early Residents. Among those who lived in or near Preston in the days of the earliest settlement wexe the following: Richard Hahn, Christ Hahn, John MeLean, James Connell, Christ Brill, Aaron Knight, Willian Sawyer, John Merrick, David Carr, James Kinman, John Hurlbut, Jasper Kent, Nicholas Ream, John Borden, Elias Lint, W. W. Fife, Samuel M. Shook, C. Peterson, M. C. Shook, William Lipe, Thomas Quinn, A. H. Butler, S. B.

Early Business. The year 1855 was a busy one mm Preston. Aside from the work on the mills and on various residences, two hotels, a photograph gallery and a store were erected, and a blacksmith shop was in full operation.

The Preston Hotel, which was the first hotel in the village, was erected in 1855, and was opened in the spring with Menno Ebby as the proprietor. The hotel occupied the present site of the Farmers' Home, on St. Paul street.

The New England House was erected later in the same year by James P. Tibbetts, being opened with D. W. Morrell as proprictor. Mr. Tibbetts also opened a photograph gallery in the same building. The site is now occupied by the store of George Moore.

A blacksmith shop was operated by C. Rappe, beginning with July, 1855. He bought out an earlier blacksmith. This earlier blacksmith, who is said to have established his forge here shortly after the arrival of Vail, was a Seotchman, but there seems to be an uncertainty as to his name, although he is said to have been William Douglass. It is also said to have been Dougherty. The site of the forge was just south of where the old Minnesota Hotel is located.

1858, In 1858, Thomas Ha, who arrived in 1856, opened a stove and saloon in the building erected by Joseph Summers, on the corner now owned by the Preston Realty and Investment Company. Tom Ifall's place was an historie spot, and many were the heated discussions held here during war times.

Preston in 1858. A hooklet issued just after the state was adinitted contains the following picture of Preston at that time. "No court house las as vet been erected, but a convenient building of brick is completed for the register of deeds' office. The river, which runs directly through the town, affords, within a distance of less than a mile, three excellent water powers, two of which are already improved - the lower one by Theobold Schweitzer and the next above by John Kaercher. The former gentleman has just completed, at a cost of $8,000, a woolen factory and furniture shop. The building, which is of stone, is 35 by 45 feet in area, and three stories high. The grist mill erected by Jolin Kaercher, in 1855, was the first built in the county. It is of stone, 30 by 40 fect in area, and four stories high, eapable of flouring five hundred bushels of wheat in twenty-four hours. The grist mill, saw mill and dam were completed at a cost of over #15,000. The Stanwix Hotel is a building 36 by 50 feet, four stories high and well frrnished. It is kept by Theobold Sehweitzer. The Minnesota House, kept hy J. Ober, is a fine buildiug of brick and reecives a good patronage. An excellent. quarry of building stone is found adjoining the village. The briek yard, worked by Henry Webb, has turned out over 600,000 brick, and a number of dwellings in the village are built of that material. The citizens have unanimously voted a tax of $2,500 for the erection of a school house, 28 by 50 feet. two stories high, to be built of brick. It will be completed during the present summer. The village at present comprises ahout forty honses, and the population is estimated at 300.' The advertisements whieh accompany this deseription are: Preston Mills, grist mall and saw mill, John Kaereher, Stanwix Hotel. N. P. Colburn, attorney. Woolen mill and furniture shop, T. Schweitzer. I and D. O'Brien, hardware and the like, eorner of River and St. Anthony streets. Preston Brick Yard, Henry Webb.

Municipal History. Preston was incorporated by the state legislature, approved Mareh 4, 1871. The first village council inet May 15, 1871. The charter provided that the citizens of the village should remain citizens of the township, and this conneetion between the city and township continued until the present year, when they were separated. The principal officers of the village have been as follows:

1888 - Mayor, H. R. Wells; councilmen, G. A. Love, W. W. Fife, W. W. Foote, A. Weiser, H. C. Gullickson; treasurer, A. L. Bennett; justice, E. Lint; overseer, J]. Luhman; marshal, John Garletz; recorder, G. F. Mann; attorney, IT. 8. Bassett.

1890--Mayor, G. A. Love; councilmen, I]. R. Wells, C. H. Conkey, A. Weiser, W. W. Foote, J. H. Phillips; treasurer, A. L. Bennett; recorder, Julius Johnson; justiec, E. Lint; marshal, John Garletz.

John Taylor

1903 - Mayor, T. L. Donovan; councilmen, Herman Kuhl, J. C. Mills, F. Read, C. F. Groth, H. Holdhusen; treasurer, Gust Gartner; recorder, Charles Kruppenbacher; marshal, J. B. Grobey ; justices, E. Lint, O. H. Jacobson; street commissioner, Thomas Flynn. T. L. Donovan resigned and G. A. Love was elected August 10 as mayor.

1910 - Mayor, G. A. Love; councilmen, A. L. Bennet, M. M. Blunt, Gust Gartner, Joseph Dreier, F. Read; treasurer, G. W. Tlard ; recorder, William Kruppenbacher; marshal, O. W. Krause; street commissioner, Thomas Flynn. O. W. Krause resigned March 13 and George Ibach was appointed to fill the vacancy.

Electric Light System. Preston has a municipal electrie light system, the station being located on the site of the old Vail cabin, the first house in Preston village. The municipal pumping station is in the same building. The streets are well lighted, and the citizens, to a large extent, have availed themselves of ihe system to illuminate their places of business and their residences. The current was first turned on for about ten minutes at 5:30 in the afternoon on October 29, 1896. The next day the system was in full operation, illuminating both streets and buildings.

Waterworks System. Few cities have as excellent a system of waterworks as Preston. The water, which is clear and sparkling, is furnished from the spring long known as the Vail spring, famous since the days of the first settler. The force of the water is sufficient for all purposes of fire protection, and the equipment is modern in every respect. The pumping station is conducted in connection with the electric light power plant, the site having been donated by Mary O'Brien. The water was first turned into the mains October 19, 1896, the fires having been put under the boilers October 16, 1896, but owing to the great pressure, a flaw in the piping on Main street developed into a crack and exploded with great force, necessitating a delay of several days before the system was put in full operation.

The City Hall and Library. The people of Preston are now eompletiug a combined city hall and Carnegie library. As far back as August 5, 1886, the village purchased land on St. Paul strect from the Louis Frank estate for a city hall and fire house. Here the fire apparatus was housed until 1911. May 1, 1911, the couneil voted to use the license fund to construct a village hall on the old site. May 8, 1911, a special election was held, and it was voted to make the village of Preston a separate election and assessment district, separate and apart from the townships of Carimona, Carrolton, Fountain and Preston, and each thereof in said county.

The village was to consist of the cast half of seeiion one, in Carimona; the east half of section thirty-six, in Fountain, and all of section thirty-one, Carrollton, and section six, Preston. At a special election June 20, 1911, the village voted $12,000 in bonds, one-half to be applied toward the payment of debts and one-half to be used in erecting a village hall. Later $10,000 was obtained. The plans were made, and it was decided to have the library and the city hall in one building. August 29, 1911, the plans for the lockup were approved by the state board. Work on the new building was commenced in the fall of 1911. It will be completed this suminer, although delayed by the falling of a part of the wall, Deceinber 11, 1911. The building is of ornamental brick, one story high, with basement. The library proper is forty by forty feet, and the village hall proper is thirty by sixty feet. The building will house not only the village hall and the Hbrary. but also the fire apparatus and the locknp. The rest room will also be located in the new structure.

The Preston library had its beginuing in 1898, when the Browning Round Table, conumonly known as the Browning Club, and consisting then of men and women, started a small collection of books. The story of the part taken by this club in the fostering of the library is told elsewhere. On March 2, 1908, at the request of the Browning Club and on motion of J. C. Mills, the council unanimously passed a resolution establishing a free public library, to be known as the ''Preston Browning Publie Uibrary.'? The sum of #150 was voted for its maintenance for six months. The library of the Browning Club consisting of 327 voluunes was accepted at the same time and a library board appointed consisting of: Mrs. C. M. Anderson, Mrs. Harrict E. Grattan, R. E. Thompson, Mrs. Nellie O'Brien, Mrs. Mary Love, Mrs. Emma A. Mills, Mrs. TI. 8. Bassett, Cora Bigelow and Reuben Kuethe. On October 12, 1908, the council decided to grant an additional sum of $150 or $25 a month, for the maintenanee of the library for a second six months. 'The next spring a tax levy was made to support the library for a year. The councilmen at the time of the establishment of the publie library, March 2, 1908, were: J. C. Mills, W. H. Willams, J. Drier, Frederick Read and C. E. Snyder. The mayor was Dr. G. A. Love. In June, 1909, the following entry appears in the village books: ''Resolved, by the village council of the village of Preston, duly and regularly assembled in the mayor's office'on June 22,1909, pursuant to call, that in consideration that Andrew Carnegie will contribute the sum of $8,000 for the construction of the library building, the counc¢il of said village will procure a suitable site therefor in said village and levy an annual tax of 10 per cent, or $800. for the eare and eustedy of said building and the procuring of suitable and proper books, and that the authorities of said village will properly maintain said building open for the use of the citizens and for the library to be perpetually maintained therein.'' Oetober 11, 1909, a tax of 1.1 mills was laid for the library for the year commeneing May 1, 1910. The site of the old Rink was secured, and the village decided to erect a city hall and Hbrary combined. July 10, 1911, the village recorder was instructed to take up the matter in behalf of the village with Andrew Carnegie, to secure $8,000 for a library, this action being the result of the special election held July 7,

1911. The necessary requirements were complied with, and the building will be completed in the summer of 1912. When the village first took hold of the library in 1908, rooms were secured in the Fillmore County Bank Building. In 1910 the library was moved to the upper floor of the Wesier Building. Since 1908 the librarians have been Florence Kiehle, Cora Bigelow, Mrs. E. B. Read, and Mys. Gertrude Johnson has been assistant. The first library association in Preston was started January 1, 1867. The officers were: President, H. A. Billings; vice president, Reuben Wells; librarian, J. C. Braden; secretary, Ephriam Mc- Murtrie; treasurer, J. B. Vail; directors, Rev. J. E. Burbank and D. B. Coleman. In the eighties books were distributed from the old L, O. Hamre Building, and were destroyed when that building was burned, in November, 1893.

The artist and poet, A. L. Sleyster, started a juvenile library in his studio, and these books are now a part of the volumes in the publie library.

The Browning Round Table. This organization, consisting of men and women, and popularly known as the Browning Club, had an important part in the social and intellectual life of Preston, and is given the eredit of having originated what has now developed into the public library of Preston.

In 1898 Mrs. Emma Allen Mills, aided by Sarah E. Brown, principal of the Preston High school, invited a number of the leading literary people of Preston to the Mills home for the purpose of starting a literary society, or reading club. At that. meeting it was decided to read the poctical works of Robert Browning, and the elub was organized as the Browning Round Table, but was popularly known as the Browning Cleb. Mrs. Mills acted as temporary chairman, and was elected as president and leader. It was decided to send for copies of the complete edition of Robert Browning's works, to be used as text hooks. The club grew in numbers until its membership was about thirtyfive. Before long difficulties, inherent to Browning's style, lead to a realization of the need of a public library and its customary reference books. The Jacek of such in Preston was deplored and discussed, and a proposition was made to levy a tax of $1.50 per member, select a list of books, and thus start the nueleus of what the members hoped some day to be a Preston publie library. Aceordingly, committees were appointed for the selection of books, the forming and printing of suitable rules and regulations for their exchange and loan. It was agreed that they should be free to all members of the club, and a charge of 5 cents per book made to all others who wished to read them. The books were in great demand and the attempt proved a success. With the charge for loans and fines for keeping a book over time, and also from new membership dues, new books were added. A committee was also appointed to secure the small collection of juvenile books made by A. L. Sleyster, photographer, some years previous. K. W. Buell offered to furnish a case for the books in his office, and also to keep a record of withdrawals and returns. It was also voted by the club that while these books were to be kept together as a nucleus of a hoped-for library, yet, if the plan should not suceeed, all the books should go back to the original donor. Accordingly, a list of books, with names of the selector opposite each, was filed with the president. The books were never returned.

The poems of Robert Browning were studied all that year and about half of the next year. The president and leader, finding it impossible to be present the remainder of the year, resigned. Then the club, finding it difficult to render Browning without the help of one who had previously studied it, decided to read other authors. The men gradually dropped out. Many of these men, however, were afterward prominent in the movement which resulted in the taking over of the library by the city and the establishment of the public library.

The Browning Club, as a member of the Federated Clubs, dates from 1900, a reorganization being elfected by the ladies that year. The first meeting of the season of 1900-1901 was held October 12 at the home of Mrs. Julia Lockerby. Mrs. Rosella Bailey was appointed temporary chairman, and Edna MeGregor secretary pro tem. It was moved that those present organize into a club to be called the Browning Club, and that the officers be nominated by informal ballot. Mrs. Catherine Moriarty was chosen president; Mrs. Julia Lockerby, vice president; Mrs. Rosella Bailey, secretary, and Edna McGregor, treasurer. October 6 the constitution was presented and adopted. Article II was: ''The object of this club shall be to form an organized center for the mental and social culture of its members. To this end the elub shall encourage a liberal exchange of thought by papers and discussions upon all subjects pertaining to its object.'' The by-laws were as follows: Article I - Membership. Any woman may become a member of The Browning Club upon the payment of $1.15 and signing the constitution. Article [I - Dues. Each member shall pay 50 cents a year dues, unless otherwise voted by the club. Article I1J - Books. 1. The books of The Browning Library shall be free to members of the club. 2. Anyone may draw a book from The Browning Library upon the payment of 5 cents. 3. Books drawn from the library must be returned within a limit of two weeks.

And Family

During this year the Browning Club secured for the town 2 lecture course, consisting of lectures by Maria Sanford and others, and an entertainment by the Philharmonic Quartette.

It was decided to leave the books where they were, in the office of K. W. Buell, the county superintendent of schools. January 6, 1903, the club met with Mrs. Nellic O'Brien to select books for the Browning Club library, and labels were purchased for the books given by Mr. Sleyster. The books were then moved to the store of F'. C. Bailey, in the Bailey block. On March 31 it was found that all the books were in except one. During the years 1902-1903 Mrs. Nellie O'Brien was president.

During the years 1903-1904 Mrs. Harriet E. Grattan was president. The Bay View course of study was adopted. In 1904-1905 Mrs. Joan Day again beeame president, and proposed that the elub agitate the establishment of a town library. The seerctary was instructed to write to Andrew Carnegic. This was done, but nothing came of the effort at that time. Mus. C. AL, Anderson, president for 1905-1906, called a special meeting at her home for the purpose of discussing the possibility of obtaining a room to be used as a publie library and reading room, and also to decide upon a list of books to be purchased for the hbrary. A committee consisting of Cora Bigelow, Edna McGregor and Mrs. Jennie Wells was appointed to eall upon the business men of the town to solicit aid for the proposed reading room. The business men, however, did not give the looked-for eneouragement, and it was decided to have no reading room that winter. But the Hbrary grew from year to year under the fostering care of the Browning Club, and the way was slowly but surely prepared for a public library. The elub gave a hasket sociable an St. Patrick's Day, 1905, to raise money to buy more books.

In the spring of 1906, as Rey. F. C. Bailey was to close his store, it was deeided to move the library into the store occupied by J. W. Drake. Myr. and Mrs. Drake acted as librarians, for which, in lieu of a salary, they received a vote of thanks, aud Mrs. Drake was made an honorary member of the club. In the fall of 1906, under the presidency of Mrs. Anderson, who was re-elected, an entertainment, in the form of a home talent play, was given. All who took part in the play were given the free use of the books. The reecipts from the entertainment were expended on the library. A neat eatalogue was made for the books, which then numbered about 327, and it was decided to put on the cover, ''Catalogue of The Browning Library Books.''

Mrs. Harriet E. Gratian was elected president for the years 1907-1908. The minuies of the elub for February 29, 1908, read: "A special meeting of the club was ealled at 3 o'clock at Mrs. Nellie O'Brien's to talk over the public library and to listen to explanations concerning it, given by Mrs. John C. Mills.'' The members decided to meet with the eouncil March 2, 1908, and ask it to establish a reading room and Hbrary.

Consequently ihe members of the club went to the council meeting and offered to give their library of about 327 books, their eases and their catalogues to the village if the council would establish a free publie library. A budget of estimated expenses for six months amounted to $150, and the council voted this amount. The mayor appoiuted a library board consisting of five club members and four others, and this work of the Browning Club was terminated. The library became the property of the city.

Still the Browning Club had a great intevest in the growth of this infant library and co-operated most heartily with the library board in getting up a book shower which added many books to the library.

In May, 1909, it was decided to resume the study of Browning for the ensuing year, and Mrs. Mills was elected leader. Browning was also studied by the club during the vears 1910-1911. Shakespeare was studied in 1911-1912.

The present officers of the club are: Mrs. C. M. Anderson, president; Mrs. Harriet E. Grattan, vice president; Mrs. Emma Mills, secretary; Mrs. Nellie O'Brien, treasurer.

The Preston Commercial Club, recently organized, has already proven its worth as a social and business organization, and has many plans on foot for the betterment of the village. It was organized November 6, 1911, the stoelkholders being: Ludvig Gullickson, A. W. Thompson, L. J. Lubmann, A. G. Olson, A. P. Nelson, Henry A. Larson, W. B. Grinnell, A. D. Becker, E. K. Blexrud, George L. Harrington, L. O'Brien, A. H. Langum, G. F. Harrington, J. FE. Kumm, A. H. Olson, O. H. Titterud, E. H. Cummings, S. A. Langum, I. A. Highum, John W. Ilopp, Charles H. Utley.

The object of the club, as set forth in the constitution is as follows: ''The general purpose of this corporation shall be to promote commercial and manufacturing enterprise and activity, to assist, encourage and protect the business interests and to foster and advance the welfare, prosperity, growth and development of the village of Preston, and to establish and maintain a social club for the social benefit of its members and friends.''

Cemeteries. Preston has six cemeteries, the German Lutheran, the Greenwood, the German Methodist, the Norwegian Lutheran, the Crown Hill and the St. Joseph.

Preston. The shire town of the county is the southeast of the four eentral towns, and has for immediate neighbors Carrolton on the north, Amherst on the east, Harmony on the south, and Carimona on the west. In form and size it corresponds with a town of government survey. The south braneh of Root river impinges upon the northwest corner of the town, and Camp creek, arising in Harmony, runs north from section thirty-three to seetion five, where it joins the main stream. It is a good farming town with considerable rolling prairie; Union prairie involving the northeastern part and Highland prairie the sontheastern. The soil varies from a rich black loam in the valleys to light elay of a sandy character on the hills. In addition to the streams mentioned the town is well watered with springs which bubble up at the surface, yielding sparkling water in abundance.

Early Settlement. The earliest se(tiers known to have taken elaims here were Andrew Tollefson and Torger Peterson, who, coming from their native Norway, arrived in August, 1833, and took up their local habitations in sectious twenty-two and twentythree. Mr. Tollefson built his house on section twenty-two, but afterwards moved if onto section twenty-three. The log house erected in 1853 by Andrew Tollefson on section twenty-two is still standing, though its aspect has been considerably changed,

In 1854 D. M. Little, a native of Ohio, came here and preempted land in seetion three. <A, J. Tillotson, of Ohio, also came with him, but Mr. Little went back and did not retmm until 1856. Robert Krees settled in section twenty-two. Robert Henderson came from Canada in 1854 and took some land in section twenty-six. Ole Munson was on section fifteen, Andreas Tollefson was on section fourteen. LK. O. Wilson, a Norwegian who had stopped a while in Illinois, took up his abode about the same time. The Duxburys settled on Partridge creck in the southern

During the year 1856 Henry Milne located in section twentysix, and Robert McCallum secured a claim in section twenty-two. These men were from Seotland. William Boice, of Dutchess county, New York, settled in seetion thirty-two. John Mills, an Englishnan, transferred himself to section twenty-two. John Long, of Maryland, placed himself in section eight. The history of the town and city of Preston is necessarily blended together in a great measure, and in the sketches of the two they overlap each other.

Land Office Records. 'The first titles to land in Preston township were issued by the government in 1854. Those who obtained land that year were as follows, the date of the issuanee of the warrant being given first, then the name of the owner and then the seetion in which the land was largely located: August 15, Joseph Weymouth, 30; Angust 17, Aaron Grigsby, 7; August 17, John Jones, 18; August 17, Edwin O. Wilson, 19; September 1, Rufus D. Weymouth, 29; September 15, Robert Wilson, 18; November 8, Duncan M. Little, 3; November 24, Andrew J. Tillot= son, 3.

Early Events. John Henderson, son of Robert and Janet Henderson, was born on July 5, 1854. Mary Bendrickson on April 20, 1856. Purdy Hart and Phebe J. Boice were married in the spring of 1857. Rufus D. Weymonth and Mary 8. Painter were married in August, 1857. On July 8, 1854, Bendrick Bendriekson, a son of Knudt and Robina Bendrickson, died at the age of five years, and was buried on his father's farm in section twenty-four. Purdy Bain died on November 21, 1856.

ernment was on May 11, 1858. The town officers elected at that time were: Supervisors, S. B. Murrell (chairman), John Duxbury and Thomas 8. Vickerman; town clerk, B. 8S. Loomis; colleetor, D. R. Smith; assessor, Oliver Williams; justices of the peace, S. B. Murrell and Dunean Murray; constables, William D. Lipe and William Hutton; overseer of the poor, E. O. Wilson; overseers of the highways, J. K. Bradbury and Berge Oleson. At this election 133 votes were polled. The political machinery in town, so far us the discharge of official duties is concerned, has gone on smoothly whieh ever party has been in power. In 1911 the village was separated from the township.

Railroad Bonds. Bonds were issued by the authority of town on August 27, 1879, to the amount of $25,000, in aid of the construetion of the ''Caledonia, Mississippi & Western Railroad.'' These bonds were fifty in number for $500 each, were to receive 7 per cent interest, and were payable on or before the expiration of twenty years. They were conditioned upon the road being built into town.

Preston in the War of 1861. The action of the town in reeruiting our armies in the field will not suffer in eomparison with others in the country. On two oceasions the town was required to raise money for additional bounty, and it was promptly done. On August 5, 1864, at a meeting of the board of supervisors, a tax was levied to pay an additional bounty of $200 to each and every man who should volunteer, and thus help fill the quota of the town. Again, in December, 1864, in response to the president's call for more, the supervisors levied another tax to put the bounty up to $400 each to be paid by the town.

Cilapter Xviii Spring Valley City And Townsidp

Spring Valley City - Its Modern Aspect - Early Days - Municipal History - Fire Department - Library - Rest Room - Waterworks and Lights - Commercial Club - Other Advantages - Spring Valley Township - Early Settlement and Organization - Former Villages - Edited by Sidney J. Huntley.

"Flowers bloom best midst environment of sunshine and intelligent cultivation, and cities live longest and happiest where conditions conduce to the loftiest development of moral, financial and physical cuture.'? This was written by a common sense philosopher lone before this city had its beginning, but it is so pertinent to the subject in hand that it requires no stretch of distinguishing ability to cite Spring Valley as an exemplification of the quotation.

To those who have an intimate aequaintance with Spring Valley, the story of its general status will furnish pleasure rather than interest, while to the many who may get their first or more intimate impressions of its advantages through this work, brief details may prove a valuable index to possibilities whieh will result in future profits to both town and reader.

Spring Valley, a city of nearly 2,000 inhabitants, is located in the western part of Fillmore county, on the southern Minnesota division of the Chieago, Milwaukee & St. Paw Railway, and also on the Chicago & Great Western Road. Sinee the city was founded its growth has been slow, but substantial, and with unfaltering progress along the line of permanent development, until today it has a commereial, social and artistic standing excelled by none of its neighbors, and equalled by few of them. And the iniportant faetors of this development are the unexcelled advan- tages of location, natural resources, pure water, good health and the productiveness of the farms tributary to Spring Valley, With its two lines of transportation and easy accessibility to market. this city has long held the record as the banner stock shipping point in southern Minnesota, it being no unusual sight to see a solid train load of hogs shipped from this city to the Chicago market at one time, while eggs and poultry are shipped East by the earload. The Spring Valley Creamery, one of the largest and best co-operative ereameries in this famons dairy section, has long held its supremacy, while the Spring Valley Flour Mills are known far and wide from the excellence of their product. A line of elevators operated by independent luyers and also by the large grain companies, keeps the grain and cereal market at the top noteh, while the Farmers' Co-operative Buyers and Shippers' Association, a strong organization of farmers, is a potent factor in giving the farmer the largest possible returns for the products of the soul, the dairy, the flocks and herds. Two substantial banking houses, with deposits aggregating nearly a million dollars and each with a surplus which equals their eapital stock, makes this city a financial center for a large territory. Three fine school houses, with all the modern and up-to-date methods, ineluding an agricultural sehool, affords tbe best of instruction for the youth of ecity and country. <A fine public library, with thousands of volumes, adds its potent influence to the intellectual uplift of the community, while seven churehes minister to the moral welfare of large congregations.

Spring Valley has one hotel, two banks, three garages, one bakery, one laundry, two theaters, two dentists, four lawyers, one orchestra, one flour mill, two nurseries, seven churehes, two shoe shops, three physicians, three art stores. one publie park. one junk dealer, two newspapers, two drug stores, one music store, four paint shops, three restaurants, one tailor shop, one cigar factory, one billiard hall, one rental agency, two lumber yards, one broom factory, a sewerage system, four stock buyers. five grocery stores, two bicyele shops, four wagon shops, one livery stable, two meat markets. two jewelry stores, two harness shops, four machine shops, two plumbing shops, two baseball clubs, two furniture stores, five blacksmith shops, four hardware stores, three millinery stores, two resident opticians, two veterinary surgeons, four dry goods stores, six dressmaking shops, four grain warchouses, one electric light plant, several boarding houses, four real estate dealers, four joh printing offices, two photograph galleries, six boot and shoe stores, three insurance agencies, two coal and wood yards, 2,000 inhabitants, one steel neekyoke factory, one local telephone exchange, three breeders of race horses, three three-chair barber shops, an up-to-date fire department, marble and monumental works, four rural free delivery routes, five contractors and builders, two undertaking establishments, one ladies' furnishing goods store, one wideawake commercial club, three cement sidewalk manufacturers, three agricultural implement dealers, one architeet (state-wide reputation), best brass baud in southern Minnesota, one public library and free reading room, the healthiest climate in the United States, splendid trout fishing in nearby sireams, municipal judge and two justices of the peace, three clothing and gentlemen's furnishing stores, two railroads with eight passenger trains daily, all of the principal benevolent and fraternal orders, three fine sehool buildings employing twenty teachers, two long distance telephone systems (rural telephone lines), one ercamery (best in the state, annual product exceeds $150,000), one wholesale poullry and egg house (annual business $125,000), a munieipal waterworks system which furnishes the purest of water.

Business Men of the Day. The business men of Spring Valley who have their hands on the pulse of commercial hfe are a wideawake, progressive and liberal body. Yet with their progression and liberality is blended a conservatism which insures suceess. Their oceupations and necessities keep them in touch with the popular requirements in their particular lines of business. Among those noted in this history will be recognized many excellent specimens of their ealling, a great majority of whom have won their laurels in the avenues of trade. They represent to a great extent the brains and intelligence of its commercial leaders, and the successes they have already achieved are proof that they know how to keep abreast of the times in all that goes to make up business conquest. The pre-eminently successful merchant of today has discarded the slow methods of his predecessors. He is alert and enterprising to a high degree, and with lis progressive spirit surmounts almost overwhelming obstacles and strikes out in new directions, working along the highway which ultimately leads to great success. Those mentioned in this history are known as ''hard workers.'' At their places of business early and late, with honest endeavor to sueceed and an eye to the future, they are as representative a body as could be found in any city - men of fearless integrity, whose word is as good as their bond. They are not distinguished for their great wealth, but their bank accounts are the results of their own industry. Their careers make an interesting chapter in the history of this city.

Early History. In 1853 Zara Warner took a claim in sections twenty-seven and twenty-eight. Ia the same year T. F. Huntley took a claim in sections thirty-three and thirty-four. They erected claim shanties, brought their families, started to break the land, and were the original inhabitants of what afterward beeame the village of Spring Valley. Nothing was done toward establishing a village in 1853 and 1854.

In 1855 there arrived a group of men who were the real founders of the village. The company consisted of Joseph B. Thayer, Nelson Burdick, I. N. Cummings, H. A. Billings and J. M. Strong. They came from Pennsylvania and arrived in Fillmore county May 14, 1855, taking dinner at Elliota, and reaching the home of Gilbert Bassett, at Forestville, for the night. They arrived in Spring Valley May 15, and took dinner with Zara Warner. After looking over the land the men organized the Spring Valley Association and purchased twenty acres from Mr. Warner and 160 from Mr. Tuntley, paying $200 in gold. The next day they started back to Iowa. The land of Mr. Warner lay north of Jefferson street and the land of Mr. Huntley south of it.

June 16, 1855, a ynarter section in sections thirty-three and thirty-four was pre-empted by J. B. Thayer, this being the land on a part of which the original village was platted.

The first store was put up in 1855 by I. N. Cummings, oceupying the present site of the Commercial Hotel. Mr. Cummings and his family occupied the second story of the store. It is said that when Mr. Cummings located here he brought about $300 worth of goods, which he first displayed for sale in a rail pen covered with boards, using this primitive place of trade until the store was completed.

The first hotel was put up in 1855, and was opened by Myron Conklin. The hotel was of logs, and stood a little south of the river on the west side of what is now Broadway.

Two frame residences were erected on the village site in 1855. One was that of H. A. Billings, the building being located near where the Burgess Brothers Lumber Yard is now operated. The other was. the residence of Cordello Wilkins. This house contained three rooms, and was in those days regarded as a model of convenience and luxury.

These houses, one store, one hotel and two residences, were all that oecupied the village site when W. L. Kellogg arrived in the spring of 1856.

In the meantime, in 1855 Thomas C. Watson had settled east of the village, on what is now the Kellogg farm, and John M. Smith had opened a small store there, a school also being taught that year by Ann Kingsley, a sister of Mrs. John M. Smith.

Spring Valley, were platted and recorded. March 21, 1856, Thomas C. Watson platted a village called Spring Valley, on what is now the Kellogg farm, east of the present village. April 7, 1856, J. B. Thayer platted what is now known as the original plat of Spring Valley, lying south of Jefferson street and west of Section street.

In the race for existence the town platted by Thayer survived, and Watson's town became a farm, John M. Smith soon moving to Thayer's village and opening his store here.

Spring Valley in 1858. A pamphlet issued in 1858 has the following to say of Spring Valley: ''The village was laid out in the spring of 1856, and now contains some thirty or more houses. In approaching the town the eye is first attracted by the handsome white school house which crowns an eminence overlooking the village, and was built before the village was two years old, at a cost of over $1,500. A church will soon be built. In the meantime services are being held in the school house. Descending the gentle slope from the school house, we come to the steam flouring and sawmills of Stevens & Son. The grist mill is driven by an engine of fifteen horse power, and cuts 2,000 feet of lumber in twelve hours. A lath saw and shingle machine are also connected with the mill, and now in operation. The Spring Valley Hotel, kept by Farmer, is a well arranged and comfortable house. Here are two stores and several mechanics. A lycewn has been in operation for several months, and its weekly sessions are attended by old and young.'' The advertisements which appear are those of H. M. Steele, attorney; J. M. Strong & Co., general store; Spring Valley Steam Flouring & Saw Mills, Stevens & Son; H. Gilbert, M. D., drugs and medicines. The other store was that of Thomas C: Watson. B. F. Farmer, in the meantime, had opened a blacksmith shop. The hotel mentioned was kept by Hiram and George W. Farmer.

Prominent Pioneers. Among the prominent men in or near Spring Valley in the days of the earliest settlement, there should be mentioned, in addition to those given space elsewhere, the following: Eleazer Root, Jessie Cartlich and sons, Charles, Joseph and D. C., George Fesler, Orlan Root, William S. Hail, Charles A. Cady, Dr. W. P. Belden, John Kleckler, Joseph R. and. 8. C. Kellogg, Henry Low, Henry Prosser, John Sample, W. T. 'Wilkins, N. B. Smith, Thomas Scott, James Scott,

Municipal History. A village government was authorized for Spring Valley in the winter of 1872, by a special act of the legislature. The following nained persons were elected the first officers: President, C. E. Evans; chairman, 8. A. Hunt, I. N. Cummings, J. F. Stevens and L. Griswold; treasurer, A. J. Alley; recorder,

1879 - President, C. M. Clark; council, E. Steffens, J. Q. Farner, 8. A. Hunt, E. W. Allard; recorder, W. L. Kellogg; treasurer, A, P. Flower; marshal, T. Wilkins; attorney, Burdett Thayer; justice, A. R. Holman; assessor, N. R. Booth; surveyor, M., F. Varney; overseer, A. Gould.

1881 - Chairman, D. A. Sullivan ; council, A. F. Whiteman, E. W. Thayer, L. Bar, H. J. Anderson; recorder; W. L. Kellogg; treasurer, A. P. Flower; marshal, T. A. Wilkins; attorney, Burdett Thayer; justice, George C. Weed; overseer, C. E. Huntley; surveyor, M. F. Varney.

1889 - Chairman, C. M. Clark; council, E. W. Thayer, W. H. Arnold, J. R. Johnson, B. H. Holmes; recorder, J. C. Halbkat; treasurer, A. P. Flower; marshal, George Schell; attorney, C. D. Allen; justice, A. R. Holman; surveyor, W. M. Mason; overseer, Benry Goldberry. March 18, 1889, the trustees of the village met at 2 in the afternoon. Ballot was taken for chairman. At 5 forty-one ballots had been taken with no decision. The board adjourned io meet at 8 o'clock in the evening. March 18, 1889, the board met pursuant to adjournment and again proceeded to ballot for chairman. No decision was reacbed until a ballot had been taken one hundred and six times. At the one hundred and sixth ballot C. M. Clark received a majority of the votes and was eleeted chairman of village council.

W. H. Lee

**Polities'' do not cut much, if any, figure in the municipal government of this city. The mayor and other principal municipal officers have ever been chosen from our most progressive and substantial business men and eitizens, who, almost without exception, have labored for the upbuilding and best interests of our city. The demand exists in the form of a very clearly crystalized and stable public sentiment for a business-like administration of public affairs by praetical business men, and this demand has usually been recognized and carried out, thus giving to our city a succession of municipal administrations whose records in the main have been good, and uniformly devoid of any taint or any suspicion of municipal seandal.

The present mayor of Spring Valley, John C. Keenan, for example, is a man whose painstaking and unselfish devotion to the city is beyond ali criticism. No man could be more loyal to personal interests than he is to the municipal interests of Spring Valley, and his sufficient reward, when his official task shall have been done, like the reward of those who have preceded him, will lie in fact, recognized and appreciated by the pcople, that in his faithfulness he has helped on the advancement of Spring Valley. The councilmen composing the municipal board are found loyally holding up the mayor's hands in every good work on the city's behalf. The members of the board are practical business men and good citizens, and all their official acts are consequently intelligent and broad-gauged, having reference to the city's business future not less than to its present. Under such supervision of municipal affairs the administration of the city is im every way efficient.

Spring Valley Fire Department. April 18, 1874, a eall was extended to the citizens of the village to meet at the office of J. T. Casey, April 25, 1874, for the purpose of organizing a hook and ladder company. This was duly organized and officers elected as follows: President, N. M. Lewis; vice-president, E. 8. Bumstead; treasurer, E. W. Thayer; foreman, W. H. Lloyd; first assistant, 8S. P. Steiner; second assistant, P. W. Carr.

May 12, 1879, the company was organized under a new charter with the following officers: President, A. B. Burleson; vicepresident, A. R. Holman; treasurer, C. F. Kumm; seeretary, L. A. Kinsbury ; foreman, A. FE. Dickinson; first assistant, L. W. Ross;

A reorganization was effected November 19, 1898, with S. M. Wilder as fire marshal and H. B. Turner as secretary, and at the annual meeting May 8, 1899, the following officers were elected: Fire marshal, Ira Judd; secretary, H. B. Turner; treasurer, Levi Watson; captains, cart 1, Joe Whitley; cart 2, Bert Olds; hook and ladder company, William D. Ingalls.

Waterworks and Lights. The waterworks and street lighting system in Spring Valley both date from 1893. The lights were turned on July 238, 1893. The pumps at the waterworks plant were started September 13, 1893, and the water was turned into the mains the next day. The contract to build the waterworks had been awarded to James A. Train for $10,483, on May 26, 1893; and the franchise to the Spring Valley Electrie Light and Investment Company had been granted May 6, 1893, to extend for a period of thirty years. The electric light company furnished power for the waterworks under contract until 1912, when the city arranged to furnish its own power. An abundance of pure water is a question of vital importance to a growing city, and in this respect Spring Valley is indeed fortunate. The supply is ample for all needs and is pumped from an inexhaustible natural spring of pure, sparkling water. There are over four miles of mains, forty hydrants and about four hundred private taps. A new steel water tower and a new pumping station were erected the past year at a cost of $10,000, and the present system is one of the best and most economical in the state and is being operated at a saving of about $1,500 per annum over the old system. The 100-foot water tower gives a natural gravity pressure of sixty. five pounds, which is ample for all needs and, furnishes the city with its clectrie fire alarm system - cexcellent fire protection.

The Spring Valley Commercial Club was organized March 28, 1907, when about twenty business men of the village gathered for the purpose of perfecting plans for the ''boosting'' of Spring Valley. J.C. Halbkat explained the object of the mecting and W. C. Webber, of Rochester, spoke of what had been done along similar lines in other plaees. After a diseussion of the needs of the village, J. C. Halbkat was elected temporary chairman and W.D. Hart temporary seerctary. W. D. Hart, Archie Jorris and J. H. Halbkat were appointed a soliciting committee, and Frank Rafferty, Al Conklin and E. B. Davis a committee on by-laws.

The club has done everything in its power to boost Spring Valley. It has held street fairs, with premiums, for the encouragement of every industry possible to the county and with plenty diversion to attract the people from all directions. It has held numerous market days, pumpkins shows, horse shows, cow shows, exhibits of various kinds, harvest festivals, free auctions, entertainments and ''Booster'' days. It encouraged the location of the agricultural sehool here. It likewise seeured the location of the neckyoke factory. It encouraged the establishment of the Dan Patch Air Line route through the place, and has projected an electric line to Cresco, Ia. It has worked for better passenger schedules and better freight rates. It has helped keep up the race track, the Athletic Park and the band. It has eneouraged better roads and worked for better msurance rates and better fire protection in publie buildings. It has given Fourth of July celebrations. It has endeavored to secure just telephone rates. It has entertained many distinguished men as individuals, as well as such bodies as the Manufacturers' and Jobbers' Association of Minneapolis, the Old Soldiers, Sailors and Settlers of Fillmore County, and the Fillmore County Business Men's Association. In fact, in every line possible it has advocated and stood for the best progress in Spring Valley life.

Spring Valley Driving Park Association. This institution was invoked into existence during the Centennial year, a lot of ground was leased and improvements made, a half-mile track graded, and several races were put on during the few years of the existence of the society; but the hard times dissuaded the proprietors from investing any deeper after the $800, which the amusement cost, had been expended. The present society, the Spring Valley Driving Association, was organized in 1893. The officers: President, Dr. F. W. Thornhill; secretary and treasurer, Charles Smith; directors, L. B. Henderson, Charles Lawrence and H. R. Lupien.

Spring Valley Public Library. A public library for Spring Valley had long been advocated privately, but durimg the summer of 1901 several public meetings were held to discuss the subject. The enthusiasm shown was very gratifying and it was decided to launch the project at once. The business men agreed 10 finance the undertaking if provision was made for a rest room for their patrons. Accordingly the lower part of the Lawrence Building was rented. The front part was fitted up for a rest room and the back part for a reading room and library. On October 12, 1901, these rooms were opened to the public. The library part looked very bare, as there were no books. The reading table was, however, well provided with magazines given by friends. The library board at its first meeting subscribed for thirty dollars' worth of magazines. The local county and weekly papers were kindly eontributed. The first library board was as follows: B. F. Farmer, president; J. N. Graling, vice-president; F. E. Lurton, secretary; Mrs. O. E. Thayer, collector. Nellie M. Grant was the first librarian. A book shower was given that week, which placed 112 books on the shelves, and $15 in eash was handed to the book committee. The People's Church gave the cause a big boost by giving their library of 317 volumes. The W. C. T. U. followed with thirty-six volumes, and private individuals gave ninety-four volumes. The Congregational Sunday school gave a sixteen-volume set of Dickens. The W.C. T. U., Epworth League, Christian Endeavor Society and nearly every organization in town vied with each other in giving benefits for the library. The books, coming from all sources, when placed together made quite a showing, and with the fifty volumes from the state lbrary afforded a pleasing variety. That the public appreciated ihe library was evident from the cireulation of 7,103 volumes the first year. The rest room patrons increased steadily from week to week.

After the first year the libvary was supported by a 1-mill tax until the Carnegie library was built. The library board, not content to have the library kept in rented buildings, took measures to secure a permanent home. }°. E. Lurton, seeretary, was instrueted to open correspondence with Andrew Carnegie, and at the request of President Graling and Secretary Lurton, Governor Van Sant, Senator Clapp and Representative Tawney furnished the library with recommendations to Mr. Carnegie. In April, 1904, the good news came that Mr. Carnegie would give $8,000 upon consideration of the usual tax and donation of site. To select a site proved no easy matter, but the council finally decided upon the present site and transferred the control of the same to the library board in January, 1904, The Carnegie library was

During these early years much gratuitous work was done by the faithful members of the library board, but no one was so conspicuously generous of his time as J. N. Graling, who, as chairman of the building committee and janitor of Carnegie library for the first year, served without recompense. Some of the more conspicuous contributions to the library have been as follows: In the year 1903 an excellent gift was made to the library by Mr. and Mrs. John Leuthold. This consisted of a thirty-two-volume set of histories, ineluding Menzel's ''Germany,'' Green's '"'England,'' Prescott's ''Mexico,'' ete. R. W. Sears, of Chieago, who had formerly lived in Spring Valley, gave thirty-four volumes. The eommittee were allowed to select these. In this same year the Methodist Episcopal Sunday school gave ninety-one volumes, and the W. C. T. U. gave several volumes. In 1904 the Congregational Sunday school gave sixty-seven volumes, the public school gave 164 volumes, Mrs. S. M. Steffens twenty-five volumes, J. B. Viall nine volumes, and EK. G. Il. Adams quite a collection. There were many additions from other individuals. In 1905 the Methodist I:piscopal Sunday sehool gave nine volumes, the Up-To-Date Club gave four volumes, the Tourist Club eleven volumes, G. E. Downs eighteen volumes, Rev. E. J. Dunham several volumes. In the succeeding years some particularly good additions deserving special mention have been made through special sources. The Up-To-Date Club has given about twenty volumes of poetical works of the best American and English authors. The Tourist Club has given an excellent set of commentarics on Shakespeare and an excellent volume of his complete works. Mrs. C. W. Taylor gave bound volumes of '' Harper's Monthly'' and the '"'Outlook.'' The latter were an excellent addition to the reference department and are in quite constant use. Nellie Grant gave, among other standard works of fiction and non-fiction, two particularly excellent works, viz., Howell's ''Heroines of Fiction'? and a Dickens Dictionary. Mrs. Susan Farmer gave qnite a collection of valuable books. E. G. H, Adams gave a thirty-volume set of Collins' works. Lucile Sechraut gave fifteen volumes and Alfred Conklin about twenty volumes. In 1907 the high school gave sixty-five volumes. In 1911 Burdiek Post, G. A. R., of Spring Valley, gave a valuable collection, consisting principally of the ''Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies of the War of the Rebellion' A rental shelf of recent fiction is maintained by the Up-To-Date Club and these books are eventually given to the library and beeome fourteen-day books, free to all.

two very earnest and active supporters, who were also members of the library board. These wére Dunbar Leach, who passed on in December, 1910, and S. M. Wilder, who passed on in June, 1911.

There have been three librarians. Nellie M. Grant, of Spring Valley, Minn., resigned on account of poor health in August, 1907. Her successor, Eva G. Stevens, resigned in October, 1909, to become Mrs. Cyrus H. Vanderhoef, of Baraboo, Wis. Emma M. Hart, a university graduate, is the present librarian.

On the main fioor of the library building and adjoining the reading room is a pleasant room which is used for board meetings. This room is also used by the public, by people waiting between trains, and by people from the country and is greatly appreciated by them.

The library contains about 2,500 volumes, which it loans. During the year of 1910 there were about 10,000 loans made and there is an average of about forty readers a day.

The library is fortunate in having a definite annual incowe, although there are still many needs in the line of binding of magazines for reference and the like which are still to be met.

The basement of the library building is used as a rest room, also as an assembly room for different organizations. The Civic League, Commercial Club and others use it. The ladies of the different aid socicties of the different churehes use it for their sales.

The present library board is as follows: Dr. George MeGillvray, president; Mrs. Franees Graling, secretary; Lyle Ham- Jine, Mrs. Emily Lloyd, L. M. Sturdivant, Mis. Flora Thayer, Mrs. Orinda Thayer, H. T. Tolmie and Mrs. Nellie Washburn. - Compiled jointly by Nellie M. Grant and Emma M. Hart.

Spring Valley Public Waiting Room. The basement of the Carnegie library building is used as a ladies' rest room. There are tables here on which lunches may be eaten. It is largely patronized by people from the country and by people waiting between trains. The first quarters for this purpose were in the old Lawrence Building, in 1901, where the Spring Valley public library was also first started. The rest room was at first financed by the business men of the town. Since 1904 it is supported from the annual fund of $800 raised for the support of the library. For some time after the Carnegie building was erected the committee room on the main floor and adjoining the reading room was used for this purpose. Later it was delegated principally to the basement, greatly to the advantage of the library, as it gave better opportunity for quiet reading and study, while, on the other hand, there is in the basement freedom for adults to visit together and for children to work off their restlessness with less restraint. The rest room is well patronized. The committee room on the main floor is, however, still used by many for quiet waiting and is greatly appreeciated. - Compiled Jointly by Nellie M. Grant and Emma M. Hart.

The Spring Valley Cemetery Association was organized in 1860 by E. McCurtrie, Asa Billings, Willard Allen, Cordello Wilkins, 8. A. Hunt and T. B. Johnson, the latter of whom was appointed undertaker and sexton and retained the place for nineteen years, burying more than 250 people in that time. Four acres were bought for $100, and the plat was later enlarged. The present officers are: President, 8. C. Pattridge; secretary, IT. T. Tolmie; treasurer, C. H. Smith. The cemetery is well eared for and makes a most suilable place of repose for the departed.

Spring Valley, on the western border of Fillmore county, is near the headwaters of several branches of the Root river and Jacks a section and a half of occupying a full governiuent township. Sumner is on the north, Fillmore on the east, Bloomfield on the south and Mower county on the west.

Bear ereck winds in and out of the northern tier of sections. Deer creek meanders across the town from west to east, north of the center. Spring Valley creek cuts diagonally through the southeastern part of the town, there being also several smaller erceks.

When the settlers reached this town they found a fine open rolling prairie in the southern tier of sections, land somewhat more uneven and covered with light timber or brush in the middle tiers, and heavily timbered land in the northern tier. Even to the present day there are numerous timber claims of from two to twenty acres each in the northern part of the township.

The scenery in several parts of the township is most attractive. A spot of especial beauty is located on Deer ereeck in section eleven. Here the stream winds around from ihe west, and striking a perpendicular limestone ledge one hundred feet high, is reflected toward the north, after which it turns to the south, thus forming a loop, coming back to the cast side of the ledge less than seventy feet from where its deflection occurs. The loop around the limestone ridge is a mile and a half in extent, and during this detour the river drops thirty fect. The ledge itself has sheer sides and is covered at the top with irces, thus adding greatly to the picturesqueness of the scenery. :

Early Settlement. Evidence as to the earliest settlement of Spring Valley township is unsatisfactory and conflicting. It is apparent that several of the early settlers came on foot, seleeted they claims and then went after their families, sometimes not returning until a year or so later, thus causing several different dates to be given as the time of their settlement here. Then, too, a number of the earliest settlers stayed but a short time and moved away before proving up on their claims, leaving so slight an impression that not even their first names have been preserved. A few settlers evidently came to Spring Valley in 1852.

1852 - Simeon Phillips first staked off his claim where the Crawford Kellogg place is now located. He also located another claim the following year. Finally he sold out and went to Bloomfield. His shanty is supposed to have been the first in the town. A Mr. Johnson claimed the north half of section twenty-six, but the following year disposed of it to the Lowe brothers. Little of him is known except that he was an American, that he came here from Iowa, and returned from whence he caine. Mr. Delling that year took the northeast quarter of section thirty-four, but soon sold to Mr. Cartlich and transferred himself to the section line of twenty-four and twenty-seven. His family, it is not unlikely, was the first in Spring Valley. After a time he removed to Frankford, in Mower eounty. In May of that year a Mr. Brown took the northeast quarter of section twenty-three and withont having made any improvements sold to Norman W. Kingsley the following year. Of his previous or subsequent history nothing is known here. Henry W. Perkins visited this place in May, 1852, and selected a place and drove his claim stakes in the southeast quarter of section twenty-three, and then returned to some rented land in Iowa. In September he came with a team, bringing his wife, put up a shanty, and cut some hay, but returned to Iowa in the fall. He came back the next spring and began to break up his land.

1853 - This year there was quite an increment to the primitive infant colony, and some of the settlers are here mentioned without much regard to the order of their arrival. Norman W. Kingsley, of New York state, came from Wisconsin in June, and the available place that filled his desire was in the west part of section twenty-two. Here he made a farm and a home, where he remained until ealled to his eternal home in 1875. There were three sons: Solomon, Charles, and N. W. Henry Kibler came this spring from Virginia and settled in sections twenty-four and twenty-five, on which he afterwards built a sawmill. He was a noted man in his time, a representative in the legislature, and with metropolitan aspirations laid out a city and ealled it "Tiberty.''? He moved to Fillmore township, where he died.

Dr. J. Early, the father-in-law of Kibler, came with him and drove his stakes east of the Kibler claim. The doctor had quite a reputation as a medical man, but did not make many improvements and after a while removed to Iowa, where he afterward died.

Calvin E. Huntley, Sr., commonly called ''Cal.'' Huntley, settled in the fall of 1853 and gathered a erop of hay, whieh he utilized by forming a shelter for the coming winter.

Zara A. Warner passed through this town in 1852, and deeming it a goodly land, resolved to make it his future home while he remained in this world, and so in 1853 he came back with luis wife and five sons and daughters and pre-empted 160 acres in sections twenty-seven and twenty-eight. Some of the children afterwards secured land in their own right. Part of Mr. Warner's claim is now within the city limits. His original cabin was destroyed by the wind and he erected his second eabin near where the barn of Frank Rafferty, Jr., is now located. Thomas C. Watson had a claim east of Warner's, which two years afterwards he sold to the Kelloggs. He had a store in Spring Valley at one time. His brother Josiah was at the Big Spring in 1853, but soon sold out there. T. F. Huntley, a native of New York, came from Allamakee county, Iowa, arrived in June, 1853, and took his claim where the village now is the same month. He brought his family in July and fixed up a hay shanty at first.

David Broxhelm and William Baker, two Englishmen, drove through from Dodge county, Wisconsin, in 1853, and Baker surrounded some land in section thirty-four, but in a few months sold to F. Kummer, who also arrived that year. Broxholm's territory was in section twenty-five.

T. B. Johnson came here December 15, 1854, from Ohio via. Iowa, and on July 9, 1855, he brought his family, consisting of a wife and five children, and his land was on section thirty-five. He put up a hewn log house, which was an unusual luxury in those days. He bought two hogs which weighed hetween two and three hundred pounds for $75, so that as long ago as that there were corners on pork. Mr. Johnson was the first mail carrier,

Early Events. Flora, daughter of Frederick and Caroline Kummer, was born January 5, 1854. Mary Belle, daughter of J. B. Thayer, was born November 11, 1855. Orin A. Huntley was also born at a very early day in the cabin of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Calvin E. Huntley.

Hattie H. Kingsley, daughter of Norman W. Kingsley, Sr., died in the fall of 1856, and was buried on her father's farm, two miles east of the village.

The first cemetery in the town was a lot vacated by the village company between blocks twenty-cight and twenty-nine, but the remains at first deposited there were in the sixties removed to a new cemetery which had been established.

Land Office Records. The first titles to land in Spring Valley township were issued by the government in 1855. Those who obtained land that year were as follows, the date of the issuance of the warrant being given first, then the name of the owner and then the section in whieh the land was largely located: February 19, Edward Buck, 1; May 5, Samuel Jolly, 2; May 8, Joseph Carter, 1; May 13, John L. Green, 3; May 30, John L. Green, 4; May 30, Russell A. Steere, 3-4; May 13, Russell A. Steere, 3; May 25, John Cozad, 12; May 28, Charles ¥. Hardy, 3; May 30, William Tuttle, 2-3; May 30, Joseph 8. Brownell, 4-5; June 1, Angustus M. Dyson, 27; June 1, Nathaniel Hall, 1; June 2, Cephas Smith, 4; June 6, David Steere, 4; June 8, George J. Cravath, 2-3; June 11, Samuel M. Early, 24; June 13, Isaac Stewart, Jr., 5; June 16, Joseph B. Thayer, 33-34; June 16, Ed. Willard, 30; June 22, Elbridge A. True, 30; June 26, Gerry Burdick, 3; June 26, Isaac N. Cummings, 11; June 26, Henry C. Tart, 1; June 26, Sargeant Kingsbury, 3-10; June 26, John M. Smith, 13; July 4, Henry Low, 26; July 4, Josiah K. Watson, 26-27; August 3, Daniel Scoville, Jr., 2; August 30, William Collins, 2; September 11, John S. Crane, 31; September 11, Peter G. Tilton, 30; September 15, Harrison A. Billings, 12; September 15, Joseph Cartlich, 24; September 21, Soloman W. Kingsley, 23; September 21, Thomas C. Watson, 27; October 2, John Jolly, 10; October 9, Henry Kibber, 24-25; Oetober 10, Legrand Lloyd, 11-12; October 11, Esra Seoville, 21-28; October 12, Elon Crane, 11-12; October 12, James Ives, 12; October 12, John Kleckler, 26; October 15, William S. Hill, 17; October 17, Wallace T. Belden, 10; October 17, Isaac H. Eaton, 29; October 17, Niels Johnson, 28; October 17, Eleaser Root, 21; October 17, Orlin Root, 29; October 17, Merit Warner, 28-33; October 17, Nelson Warner, 28; October 17, Cor-

During the war the town levied several taxes to pay bounties for soldiers to fill the quota. The amounts paid were from $300 to $400 to each.

Former Villages

Limetown or Lime City is the name of a locality in the ceuter of seetion four, which is so called on account of the lime burned here. A sawmill was put in, probably as early as 1854, and was on the northeast quarter of the section, on Bear Creek, from which it procured its power. Jt was commenced by Frank Tebot, who eonstrueted a dain across the river and secured a head of twelve feet. He soon sold to Mr. Frazer, and in 1855 the dam weut out. It was bought by Mr. Young, who replaced the structure, but that also was carried down stream. In 1857 Mr. Scoville put up a steam sawmill on the west side of the creek, with a circular saw that could rip out 3,000 feet of lumber in a day. It was sold to Mr. Morrison and finally moved to the Minnesota valley. In 1860, or thereabouts, T. J. Murphy put ap a steam sawmill across the creek, with a cireular saw and a fortyfive-horsepower engine that could saw 6,000 feet of lumber a day. This was purchased in 1869 by L. G. Odell, who run it for several years and sold the property to Charles Gordon. The hoiler was sold and transferred to the stone mill in Sumner. Olds' sawmill was built in 1868 by N. Olds & Son. It has a story and a half with a basement, is 20x41 feet, and a wing 12x41 feet. Its location was on Deer creek and it was operated by water,-had a eircular saw, and could deliver 2,500 feet of lumber in a day. A three-foot dam secured a fall of twelve feet. In the upper story was machinery for manufacturing wagons and sleds and for repairing. In 1881 the water wheel became permanently disabled and a portable steam engine was brought into requisition. This was about a half mile below the site of ''Beldena.'' During the war T. J. Murray commenced burning lime here and did a good business, employing in this work and in the mill quite a foree of men, and in 1868 he sold out to L. G. Odell, who built a ''draw kiln'' and went into the business quite extensively.

Liberty. A city of this name sprung up in the mind of Ilenry Kibler, who had a farm in section twenty-four, and it was so far materialized as to be platted and recorded. The enthusiastic proprietor had a few goods for sale in his house, and this was the nearest approach to its becoming a city that it ever made.

Beldena. One of the early enterprises of the town of Spring Valley was the inception of a village with the above appellation. Its location was most admirable, on the southeastern part of section nine, on Deer Creek. The proprietor and projector was Dr. W. P. Belden, a young man of means and energy, who ¢commenced with business-like methods to make improvements. A dam was thrown aeross the river to seeure a water-power, and the village was regularly surveyed and platted, but never recorded. Quite a number of families were attracted to the spot, a blacksmith shop, a shoe shop and a store were started, and everything seemed to conduce toward the suecess of the undertaking. But various untoward circumstances and the rivalry of neighboring villages that were candidates for public favor and patronage were too powerful to be overeome and so this project was abandoned. The dam was washed out in 1858. It is said that Dr. Belden lost $3,000 in this venture.

Deer Creek Postoffice was ushered into existence in 1856, with W. 8. Hill as postmaster, and the mail was opened at bis house on section seventeen. The name ''Areade'' was at first sent in by Mr. Hill to the postoffice authorities, but that was rejected and Deer Creek substituted. In about four years it was discontinued.