ton and wife, Saul Tipton, W. G. Wyatt, W. L. Wyatt, J. A. Wyatt, Oscar T. Wyatt and Jane F. Wyatt.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH was organized in 1874, by John B. Murphy and others. Services are held once a month. No further information has been accessible relative to this society.

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST was organized February 26, 1876, with Jesse Fowler, W. P. Clark, R. D. Hammon, G. W. Baker, Henry Walton, E. K. Kemple, Adaline Fowler, M. J. Clark, Catherine Harles, Mary Foxworthy, E. Shepherd, E. McLane, Lizzie Yorich, Mary Morse, Ellen Summers, S. Kemple, Elizabeth Johnson, Jessie Hull and Polly M. Day as original members. Every Lord's day the congregation meets in Morris' hall for worship, as it owns no structure of its own. So far as can be learned the pastors have been W. H. Hardman, who organized the society, S. B. Ross, Rev. McFadden, and Elders Smith and R. Reed. It is in a very flourishing condition, and cares for its interests with a careful hand.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

The means of obtaining a fair common school education are presented to the youth of Malvern under the most favorable circumstances. Its citizens have recognized that of all things which enter into the very undercurrents of life, in business or out of it, education is the most important. While churches and church interests have been fostered and the moral conditions of the people have been met, they have not failed to note the intimate connection which exists between religion and morals, between noble living and education. The schools of the city are second to none in the county, and meet fully the wants of the community in supporting that greatest of all needs, a fair business education.

The present independent school district was formerly a portion of what was known as White Cloud township, being all that part of said township known as section 29 and all that portion of section 32 included in the town plat of Malvern. The change was made by an unanimous vote of those who attended a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the question, April 15, 1871. At a subsequent meeting held May, 16, 1871, the following persons were elected and qualified as a board of directors: J. B. Ringland, H. E. Boehner, Wm. McCrary, M. J. Curtis, J. M. Strahan and H. A. Copeland. The following were elected officers of the board: J. B. Ringland, chairman; J. D. Paddock, secretary; W. D. Evans, treasurer. August 1, 1871, the voters of the district voted to issue bonds to the amount of $2,900, for the purpose of building a suitable school-house. Plans and specifications were drawn up by R. L. Gidley, and the building built under contract by Bond & Smith for the sum of $3,169.50. The first teacher was F. H. Hannah, at $55 per month. Present school board

are, Wm. Black, president; J. Curtis, treasurer; O. H. Snyder, secretary; W. D. Evans, H. H. Woodrow, C. H. Paddock, G. W. Curfman and M. E. Boehner, directors. Present teachers are, Wm. M. Moore, principal; Mrs. E. V. Witchener, Miss Laura Bishop and Miss Kate Brown assistants. Children in district of school age, 311.

In addition to its public schools Malvern enjoys other facilities of an educational character, such as few places of its size can maintain. It is a school known as THE WESTERN IOWA NORMAL. In the year 1875 a project was conceived by the Rev. J. W. Roe, of the Baptist church of this place, to form an incorporation having for its object the building of an academy to be under the auspices of that denomination. In accordance with this object subscriptions to the amount of $8,500 were secured and articles of incorporation obtained, and arrangements made for the putting up of a building, which has cost, up to this time, $12,000, and is not yet completed. The name of the academy was "The Baptist Centennial Academy of Malvern." Owing to the death of the originator of the project, there being no one interested who had a full knowledge of the pre-arranged plans, the project is in abeyance and the institution is temporarily converted into a private one conducted by M. Lewis.

Thus has been traced the history of Malvern, which, though brief, is not without interest and value. There may be none of that tragic interest which centers in cities that have witnessed the fall of dynasties and the institution of republics, or which have themselves helped to shape the destinies of a world-but is a phenomenal one in that it marks the peculiar and distinctive features of western progress. Its rise is not of that character which bears on its surface none of the marks of permanency, but has taken place in obedience to those laws which insures permanency, and are of themselves a sufficient guarantee of future growth and prosperity. When business interests and a fealty to town prosperity once become factors in the popular opinion, then there is the promise and potency of substantial development. Such has characterized the brief history of Malvern. Where twelve years ago were unbroken prairie and the stillness that broad acres only may know, stands a town of seven hundred people, busied each with the cares of an active life, and moving amidst the hum of numerous industries. In no land except the great west could such a wonder be.

EMERSON.

This town is situated in the midst of a rich and well settled farming district, on the line of the C., B. & Q. R. R. and near the line of Montgomery county. As might therefore be expected, its business opportunities and advantages are great, and of considerable importance. The town is hardly more than a decade old, but it has already evidenced the

wisdom of its founder in the selection of its site, and the liberal inducements offered to promote its growth in population.

Concerning the history of this place it has been possible to glean nothing save a few tacts relative to its earliest settlement, and for these acknowledgments are due to Judge Tubbs. The first child born in the limits of Emerson was a male, John, son of David J. and Martha A. Rowhouser. This event occurred October 29, 1870. On December 10, of the same year, was born Alice, daughter of D. M. and Anna Tomblin, the first female child born in the city. The first marriage occurred May 17, 1873, and was that of G. F. Waterman and Eliza Stewart. The Rev. Eber Loomer performed the ceremony. Along with these events of a happier nature came also the summons of death. Carrie B. Sheldon was the first to fall; she dying August 25, 1870. The first physician was L. Carr, from Ames, Iowa, who subsequently moved to Pendleton county, Kentucky, where he is now practicing. The first clergyman was Eber Loomer, of the Baptist denomination, who conducted religious services in the depot of the C., B. & Q. R. R., in August, 1870. In the same year was opened the first school, one on the subscription plan, conducted by William Rice. His pupils numbered seventeen, and his compensation was some twenty-five dollars per month. He subsequently removed to Yankton, Dacotah. In 1873 the number of pupils had so increased that the town erected a school building at a cost of three thousand five hundred dollars, to supply the need for suitable accommodations. These are all the facts relative to earlier history that can be gleaned.

CIVIC SOCIETIES.

Of this class of organizatlons there is but one in Emerson, Humanity Lodge, No. 378, A. F. and A. M. It was organized under dispensation July 13, 1876, and chartered June 8, 1877. The charter members were

L. W. Tubbs, W. M.; J. H. Cain, S. W.; D. W. Graff, J. W.; Matthew Burvis, Treasurer; H. M. Good, Secretary; J. B. Welpton, S. D.; W. A. Glover, J. D.; D. J. Rowhouser, Tyler; William Applegate, Orin Squires, J. M. B. Fort, George Shaw and D. L. McMurty. The membership is now thirty-seven. The lodge is in a florishing condition and is one of great promise.

CHURCHES.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. This is the oldest society of its kind in the town, having been organized by the Fourth Quarterly Conference, in September, 1871. The original members were John Little and wife, A. L. Sheldon and wife, William Applegate and wife, Philip Fancher and wife, W. S. Douglas and Maggie J. Barr. A brick structure was built by the society and dedicated June 20, 1880, by the Rev. Bishop E.

G. Andrews. The building cost four thousand dollars and is a neat and tasty structure. The pastors have been F. Plumb, E. W. Sage, L. W. Archer, W. F. Mark, W. J. Beck and Charles Leach. The membership is ninety-five.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. This organization dates back to March 19, 1873. The following persons then became the original members of the church: Edward Bradley, L. C. McClintock and wife, G. D. Fritch and wife, W. J. Wright and wife, William M. Treat and wife, and D. L. Tubbs and wife. A frame church was built in 1877, and on October 7, of the same year was dedicated by S. C. Sale.

The pastors have been

W. P. Patterson, E. J. Lockwood and J. H. Pratt. There is in connection with the society a prosperous Sabbath school, missionary society and ladies' aid society. The organization is clear from debt and owns its neat church valued at thirty-five hundred dollars.

THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH of Emerson was organized June 20, 1876, with R. A. Wells and wife, Mrs. Clara Sheffer, J. H. Cain, Mrs. Maggie McKowan, H. F. Tomblin and wife, Mrs. George Taylor, and David Groff and wife as original members. Three years later, in 1877, a frame church was built at a cost of thirty-three hundred dollars, and was dedicated by the Rev. C. H. Cleland, of Council Bluffs. The pastor is Rev. J. R. Brown, who ministers to a membership of seventy-six persons. The church is reported financially and spiritually prosperous.

No information has been attainable with reference to the village schools. They are reported, however, to be efficient and equal to all demands for sometime to come.

The business of Emerson is good, its business men reliable and active, and its material wealth annually increasing. Nearly every branch of industry and trade is represented, and the town enjoys the patronage of the surrounding country.

SILVER CITY.

This active infant city is situated in the western part of Ingraham township, near Silver Creek, on the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific railway. It is ten miles from Glenwood, the county seat. It commands a rich and established farm trade. The railroad communications are excellent, giving it speedy access to one of the greatest markets in the west. The first store was built by A. W. Crosby; the second, a drug store, by W. G. Moore, and the third, a general merchandise store, by S. M. Wiatt, all completed in the summer of 1879, and before the town was laid out. The railroad company on whose line the place is situated, laid the town out in the fall of 1879. The plat embraces some seventy acres.

A pleasant and commodious school-house was built at a cost of two thousand five hundred dollars. The building stands in a very pleasant

location, and will seat some two hundred pupils. The usual kinds of business are here found, all in the hands of men who are not only energetic but enthusiastic in their labors for their chosen home. The town is feeling their influence, and the result is proving how well they have labored.

The Silver City elevator is owned by Edwin Moore. It is an entirely new structure, completed in December, 1880, at a cost of nearly five thousand dollars. It possesses all the appliances of a well regulated modern elevator, and has a storage capacity of some twenty-five thousand bushels. The company or firm of which Mr. Moore is a member operates a number of elevators in different towns in southwestern Iowa, and the extent of their business may be readily inferred therefrom.

CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES.

SILVER CITY FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, was organized February 10, 1876, by Revs. E. E. Cady and J. W. Roe. The original members were G. W. Sidener, Harriet Sidener, S. D. Sidener, Esther Sidener, R. N. Smawley, C. D. Hawley, Harriet A. Hawley, M. A. Dupree, Silas Morse, Betsy Morse, Rufus Bevier, A. B. Bevier, Julia A. Skanks, M. A. Chambers, Phoebe Simpson, Mr. J. R. Allison, I. J. Moffitt and Rilda Wolverton. In 1880 a frame church was built at a total cost of one thousand six hundred dollars. November 7, 1880, it was dedicated by Rev. A. Rhodes, of Malvern. The pastors have been L. W. Atkins and T. M. Coffey. The church is a strong one, and does much good in advancing the social and moral interests of the community.

THE SILVER CITY LODGE No. 403, I. O. O. F. was instituted March 25, 1880. It being so young can have no history. The first officers were W. B. Oaks, Secretary; A. W. Crosby, V. G.; R. B. Parrish, P. G.; E. L. Landon, N. G.; C. P. Bateman, Treasurer, and G. G. Lambert, Warden. The lodge now numbers twenty-seven.

HASTINGS.

This village is situated at the crossing of the C., B. & Q., its Avoca extension northward, and Sidney branch southward. The proprietors are the railroad company and E. J. Hale, of Boston, Massachusetts. It was platted by A. B. Smith, of Plattsmouth, in the summer of 1870, but was not put into the market until 1872. The site of the town as platted contains some four hundred and forty acres. The building was one used as a section house, erected for its own purposes by the railroad company. The first business house was put up by C. W. Brandon, and is now cccupied as a drug store, by James Gray. The first residence was put up by James Mullooney, on the north side of the track. George Edson soon after came and erected the first blacksmith shop. These are all the facts