Log Cabin Diary Recounts 1857 Indian War Path Incident
Journal entry describes 1857 near Little Sioux River as nine Indians in war paint approached the Bitnell and Kirtner families on a Sunday. Preparations hid guns and food. no one was harmed, a frozen ox was butchered for meat. Nearby Log Cabin Reminder notes Peterson Iowa historic site.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Waterman
O’brien County
Mr. Waterman
Kirtners
Bitnells
Little Sioux
Bitnell
Peterson
Iowa
R. E. Heywood
Spirit Lake
Jane Bitnells
Storm Lake Chronicle Past Storms and Incidents
Storm Lake notes recount a severe winter storm across the northwest with many frozen deaths including two men en route from Spencer to Sibley and a Fort Dodge resident. Also documented are Storm Lake incorporation voting results, a fatal kerosene fire at Tierney residence, Buena Vista County Agricultural Society preparations, and prairie fires north of town.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Northwest
Selkirk
Lake House
Jennings
Fort Dodge
Spencer
Sibley
Emmet County
Luther Spotswood
Storm Lake
Thomas Tierney
Tierney
Buena Vista County Agricultural Society
Lincoln’s Birthday Proposed as National Holiday
1874 January 21 notes a proposal to make Lincoln's birthday February 12 a national holiday. July 15 reports The Pilot moving its sanctum and office to the former Post Office room. July 29 mentions S G Miller and others building fine croquet grounds in front of the City Hotel with many citizens seeking use.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pilot
S. G. Miller
Storm Lake Town Council Edges Sidewalk and Church Plans
In 1875 July 7 the council ordered about half a mile of sidewalk, with nearly two more miles to be presented later. September 22 notes frescoing the new Methodist church, first of its kind in Storm Lake, with the bell arriving for installation. October 20 reports the Little Sioux bridge at Sioux Rapids nearing completion, appearing substantial and flood resistant.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Storm Lake
Little Sioux
Sioux Rapids
Storm Lake Literary Association Formed
An organization in Storm Lake known as the Storm Lake Literary Association was formed last Wednesday to host essays orations declamations debates and music. Also noted is the January 19 bank opening named Storm Lake Bank with James Harker as president J A Dean as vice president and J F Toy as cashier.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Storm Lake Literary Association
Storm Lake Bank
James Harker
J. A. Dean
J. F. Toy
Sac City
Messrs. Woodruff
Ashbury Herrold
Buena Vista County
Storm Lake
Blaine
Board of Supervisors
Storm Lake Township
Hayes township created from Storm Lake area in Buena Vista
The Pilot reports the south half of Storm Lake township is organized into a new Hayes township. A bridge bid advertisement was approved for the Little Sioux river crossing at Linn Grove. Buena Vista County faces loss of records in a January 1 fire. abstracts and bank records are urged. Storm Lake Dramatic Association formed with March 28 show Michael Erle. Storm Lake launches new paper Buena Vista Sentinel with first issue last Friday.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Board of Supervisors
Storm Lake Township
Hayes Township
Little Sioux River
Linn Grove
Buena Vista County
Iowa
Storm Lake Bank
Storm Lake Dramatic Association
Michael Erle
Storm Lake
Buena Vista Sentinel
The Pilot Iowa largest newspaper declares big reach
The Pilot boasts it is Iowa’s largest paper larger than Chicago outlets with fifty six columns of news items poetry ads and local notes. It recounts county events from Buena Vista including Sunday school conventions strawberry festivals court house plans and early Storm Lake developments through 1878 with court sessions and roster details.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
The
Pilot
Iowa
Chicago
Buena Vista County
First Methodist
John R. Lemon
Ladies of the Presbyterian Church
Court House
Board of Supervisors
Sioux Rapids
Storm Lake
Brubacher and Sweetser
Ed. R. Duffle
J. M. Toliver
Edgar E. Mack
W. C. Weddington
D. A. Cutler
Lot Thomas
G. S. Robinson
T. D. Higgs
William Milchrist
Henry Aplington
L. E. Hay
J. E. Wirick
William Wart
Sheriff Weddington
J. T. Redfield
George Marshall
T. S. Smith
A. G. Blom
D. M. Wright
J. B. Alexander
Wm. Guilford
L. Christeson
M. Tolle
Jas. Thompson
C. E. Lee
H. C. Rash
C. C. Cleaves
T. H. Smith
Thos. Whitely Sr
Storm Lake town records raise saloon and billiard licenses
At the June town council session licenses for saloons were increased from $150 to $500 per year and billiard tables from $10 to $25 with payment required in advance. A November note announces a new school paper The School Record in Storm Lake, edited by Fred McCartney Orange Lemon Eva Campbell and Jesse Pettit. A December fire at Park House stable killed five horses a yoke of cattle and one cow, with estimated losses around $600, about half insured, Storm Lake’s first fire in nine years and possibly incendiary.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Storm Lake
School Record
Fred McCartney
Orange Lemon
Eva Campbell
Jesse Pettit
Park House
Also Mentioned on This Page
Kirtner
Mr. Bitwell
Jane
Bitwell
Theo. Slutz
Jonathan Knight
First Presbyterian Church
Corner Lake Avenue
Third Street
Alex Darley
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!