The Odebolt Chronicle
VOLUME FORTY, Number 17, JULY 7, 1927
Pioneer Days
Experiences of Early Settlers
Told by Odebolt People
We are pleased, this week, to publish one of those popular pioneer stories from our old friend, A. B. Waggoner, who has lived in this vicinity for nearly half a century. Mr. Waggoner is one of the real pioneers and his story of early days and of the incidents that led to his success as a farmer, are very interesting. It is the intention of The Chronicle to continue these pioneer stories, since they seem to be popular among the readers, and we hope that others who came here when the town and the surrounding country were young, will co-operate with us and send in their stories so that not a week may pass without one of these narratives of early days in or around Odebolt.
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A. B. Waggoner
I landed in Odebolt on April 10, 1881, and have called this my home town ever since. Well do I remember how the train we arrived on got snowbound east of town, and how
after considerable delay and work the drifts were cut through. Between here and Ida Grove the drifts were so deep that the train again was halted. There were about 40
people aboard, some headed for Ida Grove, others to Battle Creek and other nearby points. Some of them were obliged to reach their destinations with sleds after leaving
the train.
Jacob Anderson was in Ida Grove, and together we went to the Cook ranch. There we met Mrs. Anderson and their two daughters, May, now Mrs. Jed Worden, and Jennie, now
Mrs. M. D. Farmer, of Portland, Ore. There were about six men at the ranch, and two of them were named "Pete". There were some Longs and some Johnsons. But
I'll never forget those two "Petes". One was S. P. Swanson, now a neighbor of mine. They had a pair of Bronchos on the ranch which nobody would ride. Pete
had to get on the hay rack to feed them once in a while. The animals were very balky, but Pete taught me how to drive them. I remember one old Swede who came in and
the boss asked him what was the matter. He said his horse was "balky like the devil, and his plow had its nose turned up".
My folks worked on the ranch two years. Others were such men as George Smith, Scott Long, Gust Wonders, John Hannel, Sam Wonderly, Phil Henneman and about a half dozen others. Well, the first year we broke the prairie and sowed flax. There was plenty of raw prairie, and many prairie chickens which the boys would get for food. Later my folks went to farming for themselves, moving south of town in Wheeler township, and I have lived here ever since, with the exception of five years when I lived in Ida county.
I cast my first vote in Wheeler township, voting for James A. Garfield for president in 1884. [Republican President James A. Garfield was assassinated in 1881. Perhaps this first vote was for James G. Blaine, the Republican candidate for President in the 1884 election who lost to Grover Cleveland, Democrat.] I worked for my folks until 1888, when I was married and started farming for myself. During this time I have seen many changes. When I started we had nothing but walking machinery, but now all the implements of agriculture are of the riding type, we have the two-row cultivator, the gang, and the tractor and lastly the auto, all of which furnish ease and comfort and are great labor savers.
I have sold corn for 10 cents per bushel, oats for 15 cents, hogs for two and one-half per cwt. While these prices may seem ridiculously low, it must also be remembered that we paid only 80 cents for a sack of flour, 75 cents for a pair of overalls, about a dollar for a pair of shoes, and everything else in proportion, so you see times were not so hard after all. Nowadays we merely handle a little more money. In those old days we were without the telephone, had no "gas wagon," and lacked other luxuries, but we always had a good driving team and felt just as proud of them as we now do of our automobile. No, I haven't forgotten the faithful horse, neither do I neglect him as I raise two or three every year and sell them at good prices.
I have lived on this farm for 27 years. It is located on Penn Ave., five miles south and a mile east of Odebolt. Mrs. Turner owns the place. We have a family of seven children, three boys and four girls. Only two are left at home now. Four of our children have gone through the Odebolt high school. We are living in a good neighborhood. All good people. Some of our friends often say: "You don't look old--how do you manage to retain your young appearance so well?" In reply I simply tell them, "early to bed and early to rise," keeps a man young.
I must say a word about the business men who were in Odebolt when I came here. There was J. E. Einspahr, the only man living here then who is still in business here. There was also Wm. Sampson, J. W. Burnside, John Reynolds, Capt. Hess, John Horan, Joe Mattes, and many others. Sam Kennedy was town marshal. Jacob Keck and aunt Margaret operated a restaurant. Aunt Margaret is now Mrs. Davenport, and believe me when you got your feet under her table you got a square meal and it cost only "two bits."
I have made several trips back to my old home town but there is no place that looks as good to me as Iowa, "where the tall corn grows."
I have been a reader of The Chronicle ever since its first issue appeared. These stories of old times interest me very much, as they serve to recall "the good old days," and bring back many fond memories. Here's hoping you keep them going.
[Sadly, this was the last story in the series.]
(By A. B. WAGGONER)
transcribed by B. Ekse from microfilm