Ancestor Artifacts - Your Local Newspaper Archives - Part 1 of 3

 

Ancestor Artifacts

Your Local Newspaper Archives

Part 1 of 3

Working on another project, I just was reminded how valuable my hometown local newspaper archive is to my own research. The Coon Rapids (Iowa) Enterprise has published weekly since 1881 to present. All available now in an archive. Here is Page Two from a 6 Sep 1935 special issue boosting the 4-County Fair… but so much more to me.

In the second column is a neat story, taken from the initial 1881 issue of the paper which I find fascinating. Below that is a short column, “Woman’s Angle” - like what Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote for The Farmer (see image below). The three far right columns was why I have a copy. “Churches Play Main Role in Town’s Growth.” There is even a photo of the Methodist Episcopal Church. This article carries over onto half of page three. I’ll share that tomorrow.

Let’s see what the “Gossip From 1882 Issue…” had to say:

From the first issue of the Enterprise, then a four column, two page paper, gotten out October 13, 1881, on a job press by editor Stowell in the back room of a hardware store in “Old Town,” we print the following items:
It is only three weeks since we settled in the lively little town of Coon Rapids, and having secured the required number of subscribers, we present the citizens with this, the initial number of the Enterprise.
On account of the similarity of name between this berg and Cedar Rapids the railroad company will probably rechristen the town.
The new town east of here has been named Bayard in honor of Senator Bayard of Delaware.
Mike McDonald was elected representative from the adjoining district last week.
This is as good field for some tonsorial artist and we hope that some knight of the shears will soon put in appearance.
Tuesday settled the election in Iowa and the republican paper will quarrel no more about bolters.
The railroad agent at Glidden wants to know how it comes that Coon Rapids merchants are getting so many goods from Glidden. Because our merchant are hustlers.
The boys had a good joke on we, the The Enterprise. The editor printed a bill in which he spelled heifer “heifer.” Everybody came down on us with a thud.
The grand jury of the District of Columbia has found an indictment against Chas. Gâteau for murdering James A. Garfield,
The ague has a pretty firm grip on this section of the country, first time in twelve years.
John Pike has opened his new meat market and is supplying all kinds of meats.
Carroll county has seven new newspapers.
There are four columns of advertising in the first issue, leaving but four columns for news. The advertisers were: Louthan and Co., harness; Putnam and Morris, dry goods and groceries; C.C. Reynolds, restaurant; Hall and Kessellring, saloon and billiards; Thompson, Morrow and Jones, implements; J. M. Stowell, hardware; J. H. Foster, blacksmith; John Pike, meat market; Julius Garst, physician; J. D. Parrott, restaurant; S. Preston, real estate; Ed. M. Bachley, M.D.; J. W. Hall, stage line; E. Garst, postmaster.
There was no church or Sunday school in town and but one secret society, A.F.and A.M. C.E. Morris, W.M., and John Heater, secretary.

I love seeing the businesses listed. Note, for example, that the owner of the hardware store and the editor of the paper are the same person. 

Stowell noted "no church of Sunday school in town" but that is questioned in the accompanying article. No building, for sure, but much activity, it seems. More on that to come. Subheadings in the "Churches" article include: Methodist Episcopal Church; Church of Christ; Annunciation Church; Star Church (the one I was researching); and on Page 3: Trinity Evangelical Lutheran; Wesleyan Methodist; Pleasant Ridge Friends; Free Methodist.

See any familiar names from your ancestor lists?

Comments?

More tomorrow…

Families are Forever! ;-)