History: History of Doon 1868-1992; Lyon County, Iowa ****************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES PROJECT NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ ****************************************************** The USGenWeb Archives provide genealogical and historical data to the general public without fee or charge of any kind. It is intended that this material not be used in a commercial manner. All submissions become part of the permanent collection. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Roseanna Zehner December, 2002 ______________________________________________________ NOTE: For more information on Lyon County, Iowa Please visit the Lyon County, IAGenWeb page at http://iagenweb.org/lyon/ ______________________________________________________ INDEX History of Doon State Officers Raid Two Doon Homes Heathen Days in Doon The Woodman Hall Doon Community Center Memories of the Bonnie Doon Railroad Doon's Early Years Few Hollanders in Doon in 1910-1912 Billy Bronk's big story that got him in Trouble Oldest Living WW 11 Veteran from Doon Josephine Schultz Doon's Golden Girls They Recall an Older Doon Louie Sneller's Sports Record The Town Band Doon Organizations Doon's Part in the World's Wars Doon businesses, Gay Nineties to 1992 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- From the Good Old Days State Officers Raid Two Doon Homes, confiscate some alcohol FROM DOON PRESS June 4, 1936 Representatives of the Iowa State Liquor Commission, assisted by Sheriff J. M. McGuire and Deputy G. T. Naglestad, raided two Doon homes early Wednesday afternoon and secured a quantity of alcohol and "hootch." At the ............ home 10 bottles of alcohol were seized and 1 gallon, 2 quarts, and 2 pints of alcohol and hootch were taken by officers at the ................. home. Officers also raided and arrested other peddlers of illegal liquor residing at Alvord, Lester, Rock Rapids, Little Rock and George that day. .....was out of town at the time his place was raided......accompanied the officers to Rock Rapids and was later released after being placed under a $100 cash appearance bond. Both......and......were slated for a preliminary hearing before Judge Hubes of Rock Rapids this Thursday. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Heathen Days in Doon by Harold Aardema If the whole truth of the matter is to be told, Doon's seamy underside must be allowed to show too. That there was such an underside is not disputed. Even today the reputation of Old Doon makes New Doon blush to remember. Many old timers still recall, and the younger generation has heard takes of exceeding wickedness of Doon in by-gone days. Little is known of very early Doon-from the period of 1868 to about 1889. There is no newspaper file up to 1889 except two issues of the Lyon County (Doon) Press published in 1872. How long this infant paper published is unknown. Likely it was short-lived for its main reason for being was to serve as a publication for legal notices of the crooked county ring. It was in 1889 that a week-to-week account of the Doon doings became a part of the town's chronicle. In the nineties two Doon newspapers fought for favor, the Press and the Journal. Each called the other the most vile of publishable names. The Press survived. It was in the Doon Press that inklings of sin in Doon became evident. The correspondent from Garfield township wrote in her column: "Some folks say they are holding a revival at Doon. Doon could stand several revivals if current rumor is correct, for folks say it's a very wicked place." In the nineties Doon was graced by three churches; the Congregational, St. Mary's and the Baptist. But attendance was not strong. The church by popular concept was then for women and children. To counter the saving influence of the three churches there were in Doon three whiskey salons. These dens of iniquity were located at the locations of the present post office, the present Dan's Place and in the city park area. There was a fourth outlet for illicit Sunday business and for sale to sots whose wives had blacklisted them elsewhere. This was the "Blind Pig" located on lower mainstreet (sunny side). This establishment had also another reputation of ill repute. Whiskey in the saloons flowed at 10 cents a shot, a big glass of beer for a nickel. The insides of the saloons were much like the saloons in the Western movies. There was the bar with rail, stools, the backbar with bottles, spittoons and dirty pictures. And there was the customer, who if he were a good customer, was one of the town's drunks. The late Mrs. Anna McDowell recalled the saloons well. She never saw the inside of one for her W.C.T.U. affiliated mother made sure that the kids skirted the saloons by passing them on the other side of the street. Rick Ricke recalling the saloons as a boy in Doon said that crass drunkenness and disorder was more common in the old days than today, and said it was common to see a hitched horse all day in front of a saloon, its master finally returned home by horse sense. "Snakes" too, was a horror, Ricke recalled. Slowly the pressure was put to the saloons. The Doon town council proceedings are sprinkled with entries like these: December 1895-Committee on temperance files report, stating that there is disregard for the law in conducting saloons, some of them not having received the consent of beer holders as required by law and that liquor had been sold contrary to law and that considerable drunkenness and disorder had come to the notice of the committee and the committee has reason to believe that gambling houses are being run contrary to law… "On June, 1897-"Rev. V.L. Brandt petition, signed by 10 ladies, asks saloons be closed on certain days and that all gambling and immoral dives be prohibited on that day." June, 1904-"Clerk instructed to draft notice to be served on Wm…. That he refrain from having a rough house, under penalty." May, 1905-"Motion supported that curtains of saloons and pool halls be raised at all times." National prohibition came into effect in 1920. But local prohibition came in about 1914 recalled Rich Ricke. Ricke said the pressures of the community's dries became so great that the town council simply refused to issue licenses. Scandal came to Doon in the eighteen nineties with the out of town Butcher Picnic. This not to be confused with the Old Settler's Picnic nor with what in later years were famous (and spicy) Doon picnics. The Butcher Picnic was an affair by the stockyards of Sioux City. The employees of the stockyards came in a special train from Sioux City. They took their own beef, food and a special car of beer. There was also a car of vice-vending. This was before 1902 and the picnics were held just west of Doon along the river. Unfortunately some local people became involved also. The Press editor was silent in accounts of the Butcher Picnics but the Rock Rapids Reporter told all, saying in holy summation that Doon would never live down the shame of these affairs. Those Doon picnics were something too. Old timers recall the time a free-for-all broke out during the fatman's race. Dr. Brott was the starter. He raised the pistol to fire. The gun clocked on a dud. The starting gun failed a second time and one Rock Rapids man started on the false start. Doc Brott who was hotheaded cussed the Rock Rapids man. Then Dan McGrauw of Rock Rapids hit the doc in the mouth. Soon it was fists flying, Doon vs. Rock Rapids. Doctor Brott had to be treated by his bitter rival, Dr. Chalmers. Saturday night fights were common in Doon. Lawsuits were common too-over the fights and over the most comical of situations. One farmer was hailed into court for trimming his neighbor's bull who kept jumping the fence into his fields. Prohibition dried the country but it didn't dry local thirsts. The need was supplied by the bootlegger. The bootlegger was usually the peddler of smuggled booze but sometimes he made his own and sold it too. The art is lost but the memories linger. You might even today find the rusted tin and coiled pipe of a still in Doon if you looked hard enough. Gambling is an ancient vice. Doon had early day card sharks, some of them local talent. Many an illicit, undercover game of poker was played on Sundays in the old sandpit just west of the lumberyard. George J. Miller and George Montgomery had a little block plant building down in the pit. Ah yes, Doon had its heathen days. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE WOODMAN HALL by Galen Lawrence It is amazing how an old wood frame building could be the center of so much fun and enjoyment to a community. It was well suited for plays and operettas as it was complete with curtain, stage and dressing rooms. It paled in comparison to today's modern facilties, but it served the purpose in Doon's early and middle years. In the early days, traveling shows would come to town and perform in the old hall, which, at that time, the writer believes was called the opera house. It probably received its new name from the Woodman Society who held their meetings there. In later years it was the social center of the town with all the high school plays and operettas, public dances, Legion parties, band concerts and basket socials held there. Of course all the local basketball games were played there with the fans on the stage, along the sidelines, in the balcony and on the stairs leading to it. A huge stove or furnace sat in the northwest corner and a number of players were scorched when coming in contact with it. On the other ends of the hall were swinging doors through which many a player was forced when making a 'lay-up' and found himself out on the sidewalk. The old hall found its usefulness diminished in the forties when Doon's new public school was completed. It sold for $200 in 1942 to be salvaged by a local citizen. Doon's new modern fire station stands in its place. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- DOON COMMUNITY CENTER by Dee Keegan The Central Lyon School Board's decision to close the South Elementary Center in Doon at the close of the 1985 school year not only left the town bereft of a public school, but also left the community faced with the problem of what to do with the building. In 1986 the town of Doon purchased the school from Central Lyon for the sum of $1.00. Knowing that in similar circumstances, too many of these closed schools fall into disrepair and become the target for vandals, a town meeting was held, and those in attendance voted to convert the old school into a community center. Much work had to be done and a lot of money was needed. From 1988 until early in 1992, $16,206.00 was raised through donations from individuals and businesses. Fundraisers in the form of basketball tournaments, dances, talen shows, etc...have brought in an additional $4,951.00. Remodeling costs as of April 1, 1992, totaled $74,931. with the town of Doon assuming the bulk of the expenses. Rooms were cleaned, painted, panelled and carpeted. The Senior Citizens and the American Legion have their own meeting rooms. The Public Library was moved from the former Town Hall (with a lot of volunteer help,) and now occupies a spacious area. The Learning Center Pre School, occupying two rooms, opened in February, 1992. One room is presently used for Centennial merchandise. Another large meeting room, as well as the fully equipped kitchen and gymnasium are available for rent. At present, work is being done, mainly through donations, on a weight room. The old adage, "when handed a lemon, make lemonade" certainly applies here as the big old brick building which served the community so well for so many years as a school, is now a very busy Community Center. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memories of the Bonnie Doon Railroad Written by Galen Lawrence The Omaha spur line affectionately known by Doonites as the "Bonnie Doon," has been a curious but important part of Doon's history. Cross-country rivals down played its importance somewhat and some called it a "streak of rust." This observance might have applied in its later years, but in the 1800's and early 1900's it definitely was an important part of the flourishing town. Since it has been a vital thread in the unraveling of Doon's history and a central theme for Doon's memorabilia and centennial celebration, this writer thought it interesting to trace some of its past. A typical trip on the Bonnie Doon would go something like this. You would purchase your fare from Depot Agent Chancey McDowell in time to board the train about 6:40 a.m. (The depot was located across the street and slightly west of the Bonnie Doon Hotel, whose location is now occupied by Northwest Mfg.) Conductor John Van Valkenburg would call out the "all aboard" and your journey would begin as engineer Jim Suddaby fired up the boilers and started the big wheels rolling. Your trip would take you through the scenic Rock River valley, crossing the K.T. Trail (old 75 or the present diagonal northeast of Doon) in about two miles. It next crossed the present highway 75 and cut across the northwest corner of the Hy Schnepf farm to the first stop at Lakewood. (Lakewood had an elevator in those days and the train would pick up carloads of grain in the harvest season.) You then passed along the higher ground on the east side of the river until you crossed the bridge over the Big Rock about one mile north of Lakewood village. The train then stayed on the West Side of the river, through the Hunt farm, past the East Side of the Rock Rapids Cemetery into the town of Rock Rapids. If you wished to have business or shop in the town you would get off at the Omaha depot (which was just across the tracks from the Illinois Central Depot.) If you wished to go to Luverne you would continue through Rock Rapids, crossing main street and the Rock Island tracks (which ran east and west) and continue along side and just west of the Illinois Central tracks (past the present site of the Rock Rapids Golf Course.) About one and one half miles North of town you would cross the Illinois Central tracks and continue through the flat Rock River valley to Luverne, Minnesota. Where you would leave the train at the Omaha depot (which was located near the pony express stop just north of present highway 16 and near the West Side of the Rock River.) For your return trip you would board the train about 6:45 P.M. and arrive back in Doon about 8:10 P.M. It might be added here that not only people from the connecting towns used the train but also passengers from the Sioux City and Northern would stay overnight in the Bonnie Doon Hotel and board the train in the morning for points north. Some sidelights concerning the train, which this writer found while researching, were quite interesting. Alice Jacobsma, who at that time lived on the Lacey farm northeast of Doon (now farmed by the Ken Post family,) told of several incidents. One day as they were anticipating the daily run of the train (across the road from their home) someone ventured that the old train was due for a derailment. Some minutes later it happened as they were watching and all cars except the locomotive left the tracks. She also mentioned the section workers would leave a handcar on a siding near their farmyard and the young ones would push it on the rails all the way to Lakewood and back between runs of the train. Mr. grandfather, W.W. Reynolds, who lived about one mile east of the tracks had a hired man named Dell Towne who was a liberal imbiber of the "spirits." On one occasion they found him going along the tracks with a shovel shouting, "Hoboes, dig 'em out." One other time he lay across the rails hoping to end it all, only to be rescued in time. Glen Hunt, an early years farmer near Rock Rapids, through whose farm the train ran, recalled that in the later years the tracks were allowed to deteriorate and the old train would slowly wobble along so badly that the bell on the engine would ring continuously. He remembered that after the victory in World War I, the celebration in Rock Rapids included shooting holes in the Bonnie Doon water tower, rendering it useless. Mrs. John Keegan mentioned that her late husband John worked on the crew repairing the bridge over the Big Rock River after a flood washed it out. In the early thirties, the demise of the Bonnie Doon became certain and in 1933 it was completely abandoned and torn up for salvage. Some of the right of way can be traced between the terminal towns, and there are old pilings left near and in the stream where the tracks crossed the Big Rock. Just north of Doon can be seen old pilings where crossed ravines and the "S" curve still remains in the diagonal (or the old K.T. highway) where the tracks crossed the road. Just north of the Rock Rapids Golf Course can be seen the two rights of ways side by side of the Omaha and Illinois Central and an old yellow limestone culvert still remains in the Omaha right of way. Another culvert remains near the John Buss hotel in Doon. These traces of the past remind us of a time when the only other mode of transportation was using the horse. As times changed the development of the automobile allowed people to move about without complying with train schedules. The "Bonnie Doon" has served well its niche in time. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Doon's Early Years In the pioneering of any settlement one name always seems to stand out above the rest. In Doon's early history H.D. Rice was most certainly that man. He must have been an adventurous and courageous pioneer to remain in his 1869 wilderness home until Doon finally blossomed out as a thriving town twenty years later. Mr. And Mrs. Rice, together with Civil War veterans J.B. Hartson, Emerick Ervin, H.W. Reeves, and L.F. Knight-plus the little colony of Halvor Nelsson's at Beloit, comprised the only Lyon County settlers in the winter of 1868-1869. The south tier of townships in Lyon County was surveyed the 11th of September 1855 by the U.S. Land Office of Sioux City. Doon Township was organized in January 1871, it being one of three in Lyon County at that time. (The other being Rock and Lyon). It consisted of all of what is now Doon, Garfield, Wheeler, and Dale plus the south ½ of Cleveland, Rock, Liberal and Grant townships. As other townships were formed it kept giving up a portion of the original territory until the present size was decided in 1882 when Garfield was organized. Most of Doon's early and present history largely concerns the townships of Doon and Garfield. Its influence and trade territory, however, does extend into the adjoining Sioux County townships. Doon remained as a trading post, stagecoach stopover, and grain market for many years. An early historical account had this to say: "It is one of the oldest towns in the county but on account of not having sufficient railway facilities has never grown to any size. But should the new line of railroad from Sioux City come to this town as is proposed, this will make one of the best towns in the county as it is settled with a well to do and enterprising class of people." The first frame building near Doon or on the Rock River was erected by H.D. Rice in 1869. It was located near the site of the present dumping grounds. The land on which this building was located was part of a quarter section on which homestead rights had been applied for in 1855 by a Gordon Clark. He died before he could come here leaving the rights to a brother, Cephas, who received the patent in 1866. This is one of the earliest, if not the 1st Lyon County land transactions in the books of the Allbright Abstract Co. of Rock Rapids. The first building or business on the present site of Doon was erected by G.R. Badgerow of Sioux City in July of 1870. It was used to house several grocery stores, a real estate office, and as an early meeting place for the Lyon County Board of Supervisors. Mr. Badgerow was a promoter and tried to get the Lyon County Courthouse located in Doon. Because Rock Rapids also wanted the prize, a commission was appointed to vote on the matter. It was decided to locate the building in Rock Rapids thereby establishing the county seat. At this time Doon was reported to have had a public hall and an "elegant" school. North Doon was plotted in Section 25 of Doon township January 7, 1880 by Robert Penman, Lucy Eggleston, Fred Keep, George McQueen, J.A. Wagner, and Ed Bradley. Doon was plotted by George Bowers and A.H. Davidson on September 6, 1889 on the south ½ of N.W. ¼ Section 25. Bonnie Doon was plotted by Mary Hubbard November, 1889 on the same section. The enterprising Rices had kept Doon on the map, essentially as a stagecoach stopover, and now the railroads were coming! --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Few Hollanders in Doon in 1910-1912 One does not usually think of a telephone directory as a historical document, but when it is old it becomes just that. One such surviving Doon directory goes back to the years 1910-1912. The cover page of the 4x7 inch little booklet reads "Telephone Directory of the local and rural lines of the Doon Exchange, Will C. Moeller owner." It was found in the 1960's when the old Doon town hall was razed. It has a buff colored cover and contains 36 pages, including instructions and troubleshooting hints as well as advertising. The directory is not dated but the listing of the Rev. F.G. Deker gives a certain clue to the date. The Reverend Deker was the first pastor of the Doon First Reformed Church and church records date his pastorate here as from October 3, 1910 to December 1912. The directory is historically interesting because it lists the names of persons living in Doon and Doon rural area at this period. Obviously the list is not complete because everyone could not afford or justify the luxury of a telephone back then. Listed are 92 town telephones including both businesses and residents. The rural phones listed number 131. Some curious items of the instructions are also found in the directory. The directory warns. "This telephone is not for your neighbor's use…Night service is from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. and should be used only for doctor calls or emergency calls…Do not make calls during severe electrical storms…Talk within ½ of transmitter…Replace weak batteries. Listed here is the complete Doon town and Doon rural telephone list. DOON TOWN PHONES A--Atlas Elevator, A.W. Anderson, Will Anderson, J.J. Achatz Store, Will Anderson office. B--John Balbach, Barber Shop, Dr. J.F. Brott office, Dr. J.F. Brott residence, Bank, J.T. Buchanan, George Bowers, Will Boomgaarden, Peter Baker, Charles Bartels, C.D. Buis Hardware, Herman Bunge, H. Bunge Store. C--Dr. F. Chalmers office, Ben Clemmens, J.R. Claxton restaurant, Ben Cogswell, Will Curtis restaurant, J.M. Collenbaugh. D--DeWald and Walters, George DeBey Implement, Omaha Depot, Great Northern Depot, Peter Deurloo, J. Becker Drug Store, Doon Sand and Gravel Pit, Rev. F.G. Dekker. E--John Edwards. F--J.D. Fleck Hardware, J.D. Fleck, Farmers Elevator, C.F. Fitzgerald. G--R.J. Gillen, W.S. Gillen Feed Store, H.E. Glissman, Mike Geerdes. H--H.D. Visser Harness Shop, John Hollander, Bonnie Doon Hotel, W.E. Holmes, Jim Harvey, John Hayse, George Heine, Fred Huizenga. J--Joyce Lumber Company, J.J. Johnson. L--Livery Barn, Masons Lodge Hall, M.W.A. Lodge Hall, Lewis and Clemmens. M--C.R. McDowell, G.L. McGarry, John Mason, H.C. Miller Implement, Jim Masters, Will C. Moeller, Ralph Mishler, Jake Mann, F.A. Meyer. N--E. Nester P--Press Office, Post Office. R--B. Richardson, Hugo Ross, F.H. Richardson, C. Ross Store, C. Ross, George G. Ross, Henry Reyelts, Rock Rapids Creamery Station, George G. Ross Feed Store. S--Nellie Scott, C.P. Scott, Schoeneman Bros., John Schurman, A.C. Schoop, Anna Solon. T--Ira Tompson, Mrs. John Triggs. RURAL DOON PHONES A--William Arp, A. Aardema, V. Aurit, Herman Arp. B--F. Brunning, A. Brouwer, R. Beek, A. Beek, A. Boscaljohn, August Berg, C. Bornholtz, J. Brower, E.S. Barker, A. Brinkhaus, J.R. Bensen, H. Buma, Claus Boer, Will Barton, W. Boomgaarden, Jake Brinkhaus. C--Dick Clausen, Jess Cogswell, H.M. Corwin. D--G. DeBoer, John DeVries, M. DeBoer, H. DeGroot, John Doherty, B. Doherty, Jim Dwinell, Dick DeHartog, J. DeKnicker, N. DeRuyter. E--Fred Engelking, Egge Brothers F--Henry Frank, Andrew Flitch, George Fink, Mike Fox. G--Henry Goetsch, Claus Grother. H--Edward Harming, Henry Hasche, Herbert Howen, Claus Harder, F. Hoisington. J--Henry Johnson, Fred Johnson, Johnson Brothers, Lew Johnson, J.L. Johnson K--Fred Klein, John Kuvear, John Kramer, Peter Kramer, J.H. Kelley, Pat Kelley, Lew Kroeger, Herman Kroeger, Henry Kroeger, Severt Kooima, A. Klovestadd, Joe Kleespies, Henry Klein, August Klein, Ernst Klein, W.E. Klein, Jonas Klein. V--John Van Dallen, Henry Van Dallen. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- BILLY BRONK'S BIG STORY THAT GOT HIM IN TROUBLE Reprinted from Ink Spots, by Harold Aardema Doon Press, June 22, 1989 Doon's past is rich in stories. Billy Bronk lived many of them. Billy Bronk was not his real name but the story is just as true as though it were. As true as the storyteller who told me could recall it. Billy was a young family man in the terrible thirties in Doon. Like most of his fellow townsmen he had to struggle to keep food on the table and a roof that didn't leak over the heads of himself and his family. He took life as it came. It was his way. He was a stoic without knowing it. Billy asked for little, expected less. He never shook his fist at the sky and he was at peace with his neighbor. There was humor in Billy Bronk, a stoic kind of humor, often at his own expense. Billy didn't have a mean bone in him and he didn't have an enemy in the whole town. One spring day in the thirties, on an afternoon when he had no work, he bethought himself of the wild ducks and geese that winged daily overhead for parts northward. And he thought how just maybe some might spend the late afternoon and night down by the Big Rock River north of Doon and how he might bring home a bird for meat for the pot. It wasn't right according to the letter of the law. He knew that, but he reasoned that these were hungry times and God would understand and man should at least look the other way. Billy left on foot with his two-dollar single shot 12-gauge shotgun. He was walking about halfway across a plowed field when he spotted two official looking men sizing him up. Billy knew they were game wardens on the hunt for two-legged game. He had no license to hunt and anyway the season was closed. The two men cleared the fence and started to run after him. Now Billy was a small guy, agile, and he had a stronger reason to run than the two lawmen that were handicapped also with big bellies. Ho, ho, did Billy Bronk run. He now cleared a fence like he never thought he could. He was in corn stubble yet he went faster than before. A jackrabbit was scared out of an afternoon snooze and it leaped ahead in great hops as though inviting Billy to a race. It was at this point that Billy Bronk uttered these now famous words, "Get out of my way jackrabbit and let me show you how to run!" Billy cleared another fence and now was in river pasture country. Ahead lay the Big Rock, swollen from late winter run-off. But good fortune was with him for there was an ice jam across the stream. Billy Bronk was not known as a daring man but this situation called for bravery. He eased his way across. He stashed his gun in a hole in the ice. At the same time the game wardens pressed on in pursuit but the couldn't see Billy because of a hill that blocked their view. And good luck was again with Billy for he found a straw stack near the river. He crawled in and hid himself, seeing but unseen. Some moments later he could see the fat-bellies at the river's edge. They swept the area with their field glasses, talked with their hands, then finally turned back for the long walk to the car. By night Billy recovered his gun and walked back home. A half-hour later he was home safe. Home safe. By and by Billy began to feel a measure of pride in his escape and it was this pride that did him in. One Saturday afternoon while sipping a cool and foamy mugful at the Cosmo he was heard to mutter something strange, "And I said to that Jackrabbit..." There was a leak out of the Cosmo. A dastardly rat ran to the game wardens and told all that Billy said and shortly after the two game wardens came to call on poor Billy Bronk. He was found guilty, fined. Billy didn't have the money so they put him in jail. But it wasn't long after that Billy Bronk was back in the Cosmo, now telling prison stories. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ OLDEST LIVING WW II VETERAN FROM DOON. To August C. Ross, age 84, goes the distinction of being the oldest living World War II veteran to enter military service from Doon. A son of the C. Ross' he was born in Doon January 21, 1907, attended schools here and resigned as Doon postmaster July 1941 as a 2nd Lt. U.S. Infantry Reserve volunteer for military service in North Africa. He was later transferred to the Army Air Corp, then assigned to attend U.S. Command and General Staff College and upon graduation was ordered to overseas duty. His major assignment was a director of personnel and administration and support activities for the Iceland Command. He retired with the rank of Lt. Col. U.S. Air Force and makes his home in Seattle, Washington ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ JOSEPHINE SCHULTZ Reprinted from Ink Spots column by Harold Aardema Doon Press Josephine Schultz... There is a name to remember. In the long history of Doon's many cold and colorful characters she is most wonderfully memorable. Just when Josephine came upon the Doon scene is lost in the misty past. The church burial record states only that she died on October 16, 1947 at the age of seventy-two. She was born in 1875. Manus DeJong...also deceased, once told me his recollection of Josephine as his seventh grade teacher at Rock Township No. 5, located six miles south of Doon. "We liked her," he said. "She was odd but easy going and we had lots of leeway with Miss Schultz. She stayed with our family two nights each week. Those were the nights I took piano lessons. Her horse was peculiar too. It had a belly rupture and Miss Schultz tied the belly with a band of cloth. She was kind to her horse." How long her teaching career lasted is also a matter of conjecture. Probably she did not retire old for her eccentric ways kept getting in the way of her acceptance. When she asked to make her living quarters in Peterson Country School, two miles east of Doon's southend, the board had had enough and terminated her. She kept house for a couple in Rock Rapids, an old timer recalls. Later she made her home with the Darlings, a hard luck Doon family that lived in a tiny house in the southeast part of town. It was the house that later became her last home. The location was the present site of the Anthony Teunissen home. She gave music lessons on an old pump organ. She painted pictures and sold them and did tinting of photographs. She must have saved some money for she had scant income in her later years. But her savings at best must have not amounted to much for she lived poorly. Many lived poorly in Doon in the 30s and 40s but few so poorly as Josephine Schultz. Who was this strange woman? She was a schoolteacher. She was a lifelong spinster. She was reputed to be possessor of a master's degree in music. She had artistic talent. She was Catholic in a mostly Protestant town. She was the bearded lady. She dressed in rags. She was terribly odd in her ways. She was not understood, she was often laughed at. She was most comfortable with children and young people. She wore always that misshapen hat, a tattered sweater and a wrinkled, ill matched skirt. She walked with her head bent slightly forward as a bucking a headwind. She was soft spoken, sincere, closer to earnest. She seldom laughed but she was not at all melancholy. These little odd things are remembered about her: she canned wieners, she walked each evening to the Old Omaha depot to get the time of day, she collected orange wrappings from C. Ross's store for use as what we politely call today bathroom tissue. I remember Josephine Schultz with a mixture of curious amusement and of affectionate respect. In our childhood and teens we loved that crazy old lady. She gave us no treats. She had none to give. We had to endure her exhibition of still life paintings and sometimes her playing on a wheezy old pump organ. She rewarded us with a peak into her impossibly disordered little house, as we walked through narrow winding passages between boxes stacked high. But mostly she was just nice and utterly free of show and pretense. One Sunday morning Josephine did her finest act of defiance against a world that was too often cruel and mocking. It happened of all places in the church she loved. Saint Mary's Mission in Doon's northeast corner. Father Buckholtz was priest and he was known as a somewhat grumpy fellow. Her little balled fist of a gesture may have been directed at Father Buckholtz, or maybe in protest against her not being asked to play the organ but told expressly not too. In may have been something else. Each Sunday morning she would sneak up into the loft where the organ was and she would go through the motions of playing but not really. That heroic morning Josephine did her finest playing. She pumped hard, pulled out all the stops and right in the middle of grumpy old Father Buckholtz' mass, she played "Yankee Doodle." There was horror below in the sanctuary, but in heaven the angels must have laughed lustily, and no doubt even today that oldie is dusted off with. "Did you hear this one from down on earth...?" She was the talk of the town. Some months before she died she was again the talk of the town. A rumor surfaced in Doon. Josephine Schultz has taken to drink. At first she took the Great Northern train to Alvord to get her store secretly. Later she openly sat in a rear booth at August Kahl's Corner Cafe and with the raising of a silent finger ordered yet another beer. Most folks thought it was 'just awful.' A silent few knew it was Josephine's way of coping with her terminal illness and final loneliness. She was found one gold and blue day in October in the year 1947. She was found ill to death in her tiny home with rooms stacked to nearly the ceiling with boxes of all sorts. She died a day or two later in the hospital in Rock Rapids. Mention her name even today and Doon's older residents remember. They remember and each has a Josephine Schultz story to tell. They remember with a sign of regret and a wish that they had been a little kinder to her. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- Doon's Golden Girls Laura Nelson, 97 Laura came to Doon in the 1920's from Wisconsin and because of ill health now resides in the nursing home in Rock Valley. She is 97 years old and one of the oldest ex-residents of Doon. Laura was an esthetic lady and loved her flowers, trees and garden. She was a charter member of the Doon Women's Club, was on the steering committee of the one time English Lutheran Church and was also instrumental in the development of the Doon Park. Lorena Reynolds, 97 Lorena Reynolds was born in the small apartment above her father's store in the year 1894, and she claims to be the first baby born in the incorporated town of Doon. She is also the oldest living person born in Doon and the oldest living graduate of the Doon Public High School. Lorena married Howard Reynolds in September, 1921, and together they operated a very successful poultry farm, winning many awards with their Reynolds Leghorn hens. She lives alone in her home in Akron, Iowa, and at the age of 97, still enjoys her neighbors, her flowers, her birds and life itself. Minnie Van Den Top, 95 Minnie Van Den Top, 95, was born in Doon, November 11, 1896, to William and Annie (Eggink) Burrgraaf. She moved with her family to South Dakota as a child, and returned to Doon in 1919, following her marriage to Jake Van Den Top. She and her husband were engaged in farming and they raised nine children, eight of whom still live in this area. They moved to town in 1961, and her husband passed away in 1966. Mrs. Van Den Top is affectionately known in Doon as "Grandma", and small wonder, as she is very proud of the fact that she has over one hundred great-grandchildren. Vera Steen, 91 Vera Steen, 91, daughter of Charlie and Matilda (Zorn) Kruger, was born in the Bonnie Doon Hotel, and grew up in what is now the Ted Boersma home. She graduated from Doon High School in 1919. Her father was in the grain business and raised Percheron horses. After attending Nettleton College in Sioux Falls, she married Allen Steen and the couple had one son. Vera lived in Chicago for many years, doing secretarial work. She returned to Doon in 1975, to make her home. Vera's love of the piano is well known, and she has provided entertainment for many at various Dinner Date locations, Senior Citizen and Women's Club functions. Vera took a fall in early 1992, and at the time of this interview, was temporarily residing at the Health Center in Rock Rapids where she was receiving therapy. Ethel McKeegan, 90 Long time Lyon County and Doon rural resident celebrated her 90th birthday in the 1st Congregational Church on April 19, 1992. She was born on the farm southwest of Doon where she has lived most of her life. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin and later worked in the advertising department of Bloomingdale's Department Store in New York City. Ethel has been a member of the Congregational Church since 1912, and she and her brother Stanley farmed the family farm for many years. Lucy Gorter, 89 Lucy Gorter, 89, was born in Holland, but came to the Doon area with her parents John and Buwalda in 1911. She married Jake Gorter in 1924. They were engaged in farming in the Doon area. They couple had six children. Her husband passed away in 1958, and in 1963 Lucy moved to town. Alice Mulder, 86 Alice Mulder, 86, was born on a farm near George, Iowa, to parents John and Katie Otten. She moved to the Doon area at a very early age and attended country schools. When the Doon Christian school opened, she was a member of the first eighth grade class to graduate. She married Joe Mulder, an area trucker and cattle buyer, who passed away some years ago. For many years Alice was the area "sewing lady". Etta De Jong, 85 Etta De Jong, 85, was born on a farm near Rock Valley to Charlie and Ida (Postma) Anema. She married Manus De Jong and the couple had ten children. Upon retirement, the couple moved into town and Manus passed away six years ago. Cynthia Van den Oever Cynthia Van den Oever was born on a farm near Hull. Her parents were Pete and Barbara Van den Oever. She attended country school. About forty five years ago, Cynthia moved to Doon with her mother. Tracy Aardema, 84 Tracy Aardema, 84, was born on a farm near Doon in 1908, to Herman and Sarah Zylstra. She was educated in the Doon Christian School. Tracy married Simon Aardema. He was engaged in the cement and concrete business. The couple had four children, and Tracy proudly states that all four of her children still live in the Doon area. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- THEY RECALL AN OLDER DOON by Dee Keegan Most of what you are reading in this Doon history book has been gleaned from records, files and dusty old newspapers. But within our community there is a small group who were witnesses to that period of time that most of us can only read about. One of the neatest assignments I had in working on this book was visiting with Alice Ray, Gertrude Nagel and Frances Keegan, and they were happy to share many fond memories of the 'Good Old Days' in Doon. Alice Ray, 95, was born in Sioux Center, and came to Doon at the age of twelve with her parents, Johanna and Gerrit Klock, and brothers and sisters. They lived in what is now the Red Van Bemmel home. Alice graduated from Doon High School in 1914, and at a time when many did not attend high school, her class had seventeen graduates. Alice married Ralph Ray in 1923. They had four daughters. Ralph passed away in 1952. Alice taught country school before she was married and later owned and operated Doon Sundries with Alys Jacobsma for many years. Gertrude Nagel, 86, and Frances Keegan, 84, are sisters, daughters of Jake and Elizabeth (Solon) Mann. Their mother came to Doon from Highland, Wisconsin at the age of 11, in 1895. Their father came from Harlan, Iowa, and was a well known contractor. Jake and Elizabeth had nine children, all born in Doon. Gertrude and Frances were both born in what is now the Randy Van Engen home. Gertie graduated from Doon High School in 1924, attended six weeks of normal school training in Cedar Falls, and taught country school. She married Lou Laackmann in 1928 and they operated the Corner Cafe (about where the town blackboard is located.) They had five children. After selling the cafe they moved around the country for 23 years with a construction firm. After Lou's death in 1967 Gertie returned to make her home in Doon. She married Carl Nagel in 1976. He passed away in 1979. Frances (who happens to be my mother-in-law, and one of the best cooks around), is the youngest of the ladies, but she has spent the most years in Doon, having lived here all 84 years of her life. She graduated from Doon High School in 1926, married John Keegan in 1929, and the couple had eight children. John worked for the railroad and died in 1970. For many years Frances cooked at Pete's Place in Doon. ......Frances and Gertie recall basketball games. Gertie was a forward and Frances a guard when they played games all over the county and went as far as Maurice. No school bus for these teams---Walt Levering and Arie Ver Hey put fresh straw in their cattle trucks, loaded up the teams, and away they went. ......Alice recalls that Sunday night was a busy time for the livery stable as the local young men rented horses and buggies and went courting. ......Frances fondly recalls going to dances, following Lawrence Welk on his dance circuit from Lester all the way to Pipestone. She remembers all the girls in Doon named Frances, named for the doctor who delivered them. Dr. F. E. Chalmers. ......more memories: Movies shown on the side of a building. Mrs. Robison's Millinery Store with the gorgeous display of hats in the windows (now the Howie Van Ginkel home). The Bonnie Doon Hotel, where a colored lady named Mrs. Morton, employed as a dishwasher, had a talking parrot, and where the dining room was cleared out on Saturday nights so the young people could wind up the Victrola and dance. Mrs. Jim Suddaby teaching young girls to mend during World War I (Jon Suddaby was an engineer on the "Bonnie Doon"---they lived in the Joe Keegan home). Gertie recalls her senior class taking the "Bonnie Doon" all the way to Lester for their senior skip day. They remember buying penny candy at Achatz store. Blizzards. Babies being born at home. Scarlet and typhoid fever and whooping cough. Hard times during the depression. When the C Ross home was one of 'the grandees' of Doon (now the Larry Boeve home.) School wardrobes consisting of two wool dresses, long underwear and long stockings, and hair was braided or pipe-curled. They remember when young people's idea of fun was horseback riding, a taffy pull or a sleigh ride. These ladies, along with all those featured on our 'Golden Girl' page, represent a cross section of Doon. Some were born here, left and came back. Some moved here and stayed, and two were born here and never left. Their interests and hobbies are diverse, but they are linked with one common thread, their devotion to their families and church and their love for our town of Doon. Everyone in Doon, no matter what their age may be, has their own special memories, but time and space only permits us these few. We sincerely thank these grand ladies of Doon for taking us with them on their trip down memory lane, in what one of them referred to as a quieter and gentler time. -------------------------------------------------------------------- LOUIE SNELLER'S SPORT RECORD STANDS UNBEATEN On the night of January 18, 1955 Doon High School's 6 feet 7 inch Louie Sneller became the holder of the official state scoring record for a single basketball game. He still holds that record (1992). Sneller scored 31 field goals and nine free throws for 71 points against Larchwood to beat the previous record holder, Clarence Shera of Tiffin, Iowa. In 1938 he sank 34 field goals and two free throws (before the bonus rule.) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Town Band By Galen Lawrence Gone from the scene is the local institution known as the municipal band. Why it disappeared could be due to many different reasons. Now only the larger towns and cities are able to maintain one. From the Doon Comet Band in the 1890'a to the last performances in the 50's it was an important part of small town entertainment. The weekly Saturday night summer band concert was a really big affair with all the farmers coming to town in their striped bib overalls and the kids having a ball running around not paying much attention to the music. Concerts were usually in the park and a specially constructed stand held the musicians. Usually marches from the Bennett bank book were the order of the evening with a few waltzes for a change of pace. In between numbers cars parked on both sides of the street next to the city park would honk their horns to show their appreciation. In later years the concerts were held on Wednesday nights with free movies shown on a screen provided by the east side of Sam Ketel's Gamble Store. Besides concerts other affairs the band participated in were booster trips for Doon celebrations and Memorial Day observances with the band marching down main street and their playing at the cemetery. In winter months the band would play at basket socials and concerts in the old Woodman Hall and for fun they would play and roller skate at 15 minute intervals in the Sioux Center roller skating rink. Most surrounding towns had bands and on concert night the towns (especially Doon, Hull and Rock Valley) would exchange players to bolster their numbers. Although the present generation missed out on the municipal band era, many memories are held by us older folks. It has been hard to replace the local band as a unifying organization and source of entertainment. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ DOON ORGANIZATIONS by Galen Lawrence AMERICAN LEGION The Rock River Post Number 476 was chartered August 10, 1920. The official charter members were as follows: Troy Barb, Will Benit, Cecil Buschenfeldt, Peter Decker, Louis Dehn, Henry Duerloo, Nick Feikema, Paul Fox, Hugo Glissman, H. Glissman, Jr., Cornelius Ross, Floyd Ross, C.E. Greene, Earl Griffin, Andrew Hanson, Dale Hodge, Fred Hoppe, Louis Hoppe, James Jusper, C.A. Kohnen, C.E. Konicek, John Ennis, Herman Kooiker, Ralph Ray, C.P. Van Zanten, George Kloek, Corbie Lehman, Floyd Lehman, John Levering, White McCauley, Arthur Otten, Louis Penning, Howard Reynolds, Fred Richardson, Richard Ricke, Roy Ricke, Henry VerMaas, Arthur Warne and Royce Weatherly. Following the Korean War post members sponsored a Korean War Book and made enough money to purchase new colors. The present membership numbers 44 and has remained fairly consistent through the years. Post Number 476 has always been active in veteran's and civic affairs. For many years Boys State was sponsored in which a local representative joined others in a state wide group to learn state government. Every year the legion conducts serivces on Memorial Day to honor the war dead and perform military rites for local veterans who have passed away. The organization also acts as a go between for veterans seeking medical or financial help. LEGION AUXILIARY Soon after the American Legion was formed the legion auxiliary was chartered with the following nineteen members: Mrs. Mina Scholten, Mrs. Alice Decker, Mrs. Henry Duerloo, Mrs. Verna Hodge, Mrs. Alice Kloek, Mrs. Johanna Kloek, Mrs. Bertha Krueger, Mrs. Alma Lehman, Mrs. Martha Moeller, Mrs. Dora Nagel, Mrs. Omme Penning, Mrs. Pearl Ricke, Mrs. Kate Penning, Miss Hattie Ricke, Miss Leona Ricke, Mrs. Fannie Richardson, Mrs. Ella Ross, Mrs. Mary Ross and Miss Mary Ross. The auxiliary has been active in many civic and charitable activities including erecting the town bulletin board, sponsoring Girls State every other year and making favors and cookies for the Sioux Falls Veteran's Hospital, the Rock Rapids Hospital and the Rock Rapids nursing homes. The organization now totals nineteen members which is the same number as the original nineteen. DOON FIREMEN From Doon's Fire House Companies Number 1 and 2 in the 1890's to the modern efficient fire department of 1992, the Doon firemen have bravely answered the call to many fires great and small. Today's equipment is housed in a spacious new firehall which was badly needed by the department. Recent equipment includes two 1966 trucks, a newer and better equipped 1972 truck and a tanker, as well as a first responder rescue unit. Present membership numbers about twenty and all are active in sponsoring yearly fund raisers such as pancake suppers and breakfasts, shotgun raffles and poultry parties. The present fire chief is Andy Tennissen who serves as the town maintenance man. SENIOR CITIZENS The senior citizens of Doon were organized November 21, 1969 with Mrs. Sara Dykstra, Mrs. Alice Ray and Mrs. Gertrude Laackamann as the steering committee. It was decided to call the group the Golden Hour meeting and they would get together on the first and third Tuesdays of each month with a planned program and refreshments. There were eight members at the first regular meeting and Anna McDowell was the oldest, being 86 at that time. The Doon senior citizens are a very valuable asset to the town as it gets together people from different religions and backgrounds. They go on various excursions to see the many attractions around the area and eat out at many places. Thanksgiving and Christmas get togethers are traditional with the group and good food and good times are enjoyed by all. In general it is a chance for many older citizens to get acquainted and to enjoy their 'golden years together.' BOY SCOUTS The Boy Scouts first became active in the 1920s and some of the early leaders were Ralph Ray, Rev. Cheney and Albert Ross. The group became inactive during the World War II years but was later revived at various times by Loyal Siebrands, Merlyn Cadwell and Henry Rozeboom. For the last ten years 'Woody' Ross has been a loyal scout leader and has had as many as 16 scouts in Troop 186. Various organizations have sponsored the scouts in the past years, including the Woman's Club and firemen. At the present the American Legion is sponsoring the troop. The scouts have participated in such worthwhile projects as paper drives, painting the town fire hydrants, painting the crosses and podiums at the cemetery and helping to maintain the city park. Wood Ross has had the special reward of seeing his twin sons, Pat and Mark, achieve the highest scouting award, Eagle Scouts. BOY SCOUTS IN 1963 These were Doon's boy scouts in the year 1963. Loyal "Butch" Siebrands was scoutmaster. The lads are pictured, Front Row, Left to Right: Bernic Johnson, Jim Teuissen, Dean Schouten, Daniel Boon, Rus Krull, Curt Krull and David Boon. Middle Row, Left to Right: John Teunissen, Darlo LeMonds, Ken DeJong, Mike Ryan, Glen Myers and Dan Anderson. Back Row, Left to Right: Donald Boon, Assistant Scoutmaster and Butch Siebrands, Scoutmaster. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ DOON'S PART IN THE WORLD'S WARS Doon's involvement in any war probably begins with the Civil War as some of its early settlers were veterans of that confllict. A partial list of these would include: John Balback, Oliver Mann, J. Wagner, T.E. Hartson, and Charles Shultz. Civil war veterans were especially encouraged to settle the new frontier by being allowed to homestead a quarter section of land while nonveterans could only manage on '80.' However only two townsips of Lyon County were subject to homestead rights, these being Grant and Dale. One of the first Civil War veterans to arrive was J.B. Hartson. He settled a short distance from Doon in 1868. Herbert Hartson, son of J.B. Harlson, joined the G.A.R. and served his country in the Spanish American War about thirty-four years later. He, together with C.B. Shatswell and Andrew Madsen were the first men to go to service from Doon. The town was called upon to contribute in much greater measure in World War I. Among the many veterans taking part in conflicts was the group who colorfully called themselves 'Doon's Dirty Dozen' picture here. Casualties of the war were Jacob Brahm, Camp Dodge, Iowa, pneumonia, James H. McKeegan, Ames, Iowa, Spanish flue; Abbe Feikema, Tennessee, flu, Marinus Duerloo, Florida, flu, Preston McGarry, pneumonia; John Trigg, killed in action on Armistice Day; and Harry Klock. World War II required the greatest patriotic efforts of all and 120 of Doon's citizens were called upon for war duty. Those who gave their lives for that cause were Lawrence Finck...in the Aleutians, Jake Mann...at sea, and Behrends Lienemann...in Germany and Henry Karsmeyer. Two undeclared wars or 'conflicts' followed in recent years and at the present. In the Korean Conflict (1950-1953) Doon contributed its fair share with 38 local veterans answering the call. More than thirty local youth served in the Vietnam conflict. There were injuries but no fatalities. In the eighties several skirmishes occurred, namely the bombing of Gadafi, Grenada and Panama. Desert Storm, the wr of the nineties, precipitated by Saddam Hussein's take over of Kuwait, again called Doon citizens. Serving in the Near East were Doug Jansma, Ronald Teunisen, Carl Surma and Sheila Mukler. Not to be forgotten in the wars are the women who took part as nurses, WAVES or WACS. Those people left on the home front quietly gave their all to help dispose of the disagreeable task of war as quickly as possible. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ DOON BUSINESSES, GAY NINETIES TO 1992 by Galen Lawrence It would be difficult for the writer and dull to the reader to trace the businesses of Doon through all of its 100 years of incorporated existence. However, the Gay Nineties year of 1894, and the present would make an interesting comparison. Each had its own particular set of businesses, which grew out of the needs of the times in which they flourished. One business of Doon appears in the listings of both these years, and is therefore the town's oldest continuous enterprise. W. D. Schoeneman and Sons became the successors of J. H. Queal and Co. in the summer of 1894. The Doon firm was part of a chain of lumber concerns in Iowa and South Dakota, and was managed locally by W. N. Meier. H. J. Drier managed the business for almost 50 years. Another flourishing business lumber company at this time was the Holmes- Bently Lumber Company. It was responsible for building many of the homes in Doon at this time, and also many of the farms in the area. This was one of the four yards they had in operation in this part of the state. The company was a strong concern and was run by active, enterpising and experienced young men. Gillen Bros. and Hoff was one of Doon's first drug stores. It was managed by J. A. Hoff, a competent pharmacist and J.A. Masters managed the jewelry department. The firm has changed hands and names many times. A second drug store was managed by Dr. L.C. Gurney. It was the town's first drug store and Dr. Gurney was the first doctor in Doon. He had given up his medical practice, however, and chose to be a pharmacist and pension examiner while in Doon. The oldest practicing physician was C.W. Gillin who came to the city in 1890. Still a third doctor here in 1894 was Dr. H.J. Brink who, besides his medical practice, operated the Dr. Brinks Medicine Company. A cure was available for almost any ailment. There are no doctors in Doon at the present time. Of great importance to the town were the grain and stock dealers. Doon had five large firms engaged in this enterprise: Kansas City and St. Paul, Hubbard and Palmer, J.Q. Adams and Co., W.W. Gardner, and F.H. Peary Elevator which was moved and is now part of the Doon Elevator Co. Closely associated with the elevators was Doon's Roller Mills owned by Doth and Petersen. The plant had a capacity of 70 barrels a day of very fine flour sold under the tradenames of 'World's Fair' and 'Doon Patent.' The firm was valued at $13,000. To provide capital for such ventures were Doon's two banks. The oldest bank in the city was the Doon Bank established in 1889. Diagonally across the street was located the Doon Savings Bank which was rightfully proud of the fine two story brick building which housed the business. It had surplus and capital amounting to $20,000 and according to reports, was a well-managed bank. The Valley State Bank is in its place now. In the dry goods business were three thriving firms: Gillin Bros., Kahl Bros., and C. Ross and Co. Mr. Ross came from Sioux City where he was an employee of T.S. Martin and Co. His first establishment was at the location now occupied by the Corner Cafe. Later he built a new building across the street, and called it the Big Store. The Gillen Bros. had a somewhat smaller place of business, but very well stocked and with prices to meet the times. It was known as one of the best places in town to do trading. The Kahl Brothers ran what was later called 'The Little Store.' The boys were well liked and most favorably spoken of by all that know them. Honest goods at a fair cash price and a low margin of profit was the rule by which they ran their business. Gillen Bros. operated in the building which is now Howard Van Ginkel's apartments. Early Doon had a firm dealing exclusively in clothing. This firm was operated by Thomas Delhie. His store was not uncommonly large, but of good size for a town like this. A man dealing excusively in the meat business was Henry Kuhrt. His business was very well spoken of and he paid the highest prices for cattle, hogs, poultry, and hides. Doon has no exclusive meat market today but it does have a prosperous grocery and locker business. 1894 hardware stores were those of Kridler, Fleck and Co., and E.A. Howland. While the early hardwares were quite competent in the tinsmith trade, todays hardware specializes more in plumbing and of course the installation and service that goes along with all our 'new fangled gadgets.' Kridler, Fleck and Co. had one of the neatest little hardware stores in this part of the country. In the early days Doon had three firms dealing with farm machinery. Two dealt only with farm machinery and supplies. They were: Kleespies and Duncan, engaged in the sale of machinery, buggies, and road carts, etc.. and Jenkins and Weatherly, dealers in 'any good farm machine.' They were located across the street from the Bonnie Doon Hotel. The Doon Furniture and Implement Company extended itself to the supply of furniture and even the undertaking business. The three operators involved in the business were O.R. Brewster, F.L. Jinkens, and J.W. Merrill. Another store operated by D.S. Burdick dealt only with furniture and upholstered goods. Dealing in horse harnesses and leather goods of all kinds was J.B. Eilers. He did repairing and some manufacturing. Mr. Eilers had in stock all the different articles which enter into the makeup of the harness line and he had as complete a stock of these goods as we ever find in a town the size of Doon. In the early days Doon also had two blacksmiths who worked with horse shoeing and repairs of numerous horse drawn vehicles and implements. They were the C.H. Beebe Wagon Shop, manufactures of Beebe's celebrated rod plow, and C.W. Cornish and Co. In the line of custom work our citizens of the nineties had four draymen to haul their goods and commodities. A corn sheller and ditcher were operated by L. Spencer and Adolph Schroeder sold and operated Aultman Taylor threshing rigs. Doon had two livery stables to care for the horses and buggies of the olden days. One was the Bonnie Doon Livery located just south of the hotel and another was operated by John Curtiss just west of the old Omaha depot. Tourists and passengers were offered a fast ride to any part of the county. Every town had to have its newspaper and Doon was usually blessed with a competent editor, although ownership changed hands quite frequently. In 1894 The Lynn County Press was edited and published by J.H. Bahne. He succeeded the Scott Bros. who had the paper for several years. Today's editorial duties are handled by Harold Aardema in publication of the revived 'Doon Press.' This title was last used by Harold Stearns in the forties. W.D. Mathews was a competent brick and stone mason in Doon's fast growing early years. He, together with J.L. Randall, carpenter and contractor---J.P. Mueller, contractor and builder---McGarry and Clemmens, building movers and well borers-- -Lincoln McGarry, building mover, and others tried to keep up with the town's expansion. In addition to the enterprises listed, the Doon of 1894 had two millinery shops, two barber shops, a part time dentist, a tailor, Bower and Hasche real estate and insurance, J.P. Tinley, the attorney, E. Silver the confectioner and two hotels with restaurants. Finn and Company had just taken over the City Hotel and Restaurant, and H.D. Rice continued in the hotel business with his fine 50 room Bonnie Doon Hotel, the pride of Northwest Iowa. Our town in those days could justifiably be proud.