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1931/95 years ago
Webster City today had the largest Dollar Day ever held in the city.
Crowds began coming early this morning and even before 8 o'clock, large groups were standing in front of many of the stores waiting for them to open their doors. The weather was favorable, the rain yesterday having cooled the air and with a bright day of sunshine in prospect, both town and country people planned to do their shopping early.
1941/85 years ago
WPA Laborers walk out on school job
Forty-three WPA workers refused to resume work on the Washington Central school addition Tuesday morning and as a result the project was at a standstill the remainder of the day.
A delegation of five workmen went to Des Moines shortly after the walkout planning to confer with the state labor relations board.
In a petition signed by all the WPA workers, the men asked that Virgil Hurst, who was discharged recently by Earl Krell, engineer in charge of the project be reinstated; that Krell be removed as engineer.
B.E. Beard, superintendent of schools, said that relative to any change in engineers on the project that the district office at Fort Dodge stated that Krell would remain in charge of the work. Krell succeeded Louis Klise as engineer. He formerly was with the quarter-master corps of the U.S. in the Panama Canal zone.
One of the WPA workers declared that "We aren't striking for more money, shorter hours or anything of the kind. All we want is Hurst’s reinstatement and the removal of Krell as engineer."
1966/60 years ago
Forty years ago in the Daily Freeman-Journal there appeared an item which said "A beautiful fountain will be erected in Graceland cemetery in memory of deceased soldiers of the county with the funds provided in the will of the late P.M. Banks."
However, the fountain, in itself never became a reality, but through plans which were later altered, the attractive speaker's stand and memorial facilities at Graceland Cemetery were constructed and donated to Graceland cemetery through the assistance of the funds left in the will of Parker Morse Banks, a Civil War Veteran, who marched with Gen. Sherman and other Union forces on the famous march through Georgia to the sea.
Banks served for 13 years as Webster City's city clerk and was active on the council and was a former mayor. He was born in Bath, Maine, and enlisted in the U.S. Army at Cherry Valley, Ill., as a member of the 105th Illinois Infantry.
He fought in many of the key engagements of the war and was wounded June 16, 1864 in the battle of Lost Mountain. However, he returned to duty and served for the duration of the war, including the climactic march through Georgia.
After the war, he returned to Illinois and worked for the Chicago Northwestern Railway for a short while before moving to Ackley, Iowa in 1896.
After being in the lumber business and also in banking, Banks moved to Webster City and operated a clothing store for a short time and then was assistant postmaster from 18762-1876. He was associated later with both the Hamilton County State bank and for two years as assistant cashier at the First National before starting his 13 year career as city clerk, resigning that position in 1913.
He was very active in the Masonic and Elks lodges and the Congregational church and was a past commander of the Winfield Scott Post, Grand 'Army of the Republic, the Civil War veterans organization, here for many years being active in the GAR until his death December 26, 1923.
After the bequest in the will was announced, a committee was named to investigate the possibility of erecting a fountain at the cemetery. During the long depression years, however, no progress was made on the memorial project.
A new committee, consisting of R.G. Remley, chairman, George E. Alexander, Bert Bankss, Alvin Fort, Mrs. John N. Garth and L.A. Lehnard was appointed. Plans for the speaker's stand and memorial center which contains two water fountains as well as restroom facilities were drawn up with R.W. Youlden as architect.
The memorial was constructed and officially dedicated in appropriate services with Chairman Remley as one of the speakers. The Banks estate was officially marked closed on July 8, 1933.
1991/35 years ago
Ribbon cut at Crestview apartments
Ribbon cutting ceremonies were held Sunday afternoon at the open house held at the new Crestview Apartments in Webster City. Cutting the ribbon is Grace Sherman, who opened the first family care center. Other family members include her son, Joe and his wife Charlotte Sherman, owners of the Crestview complex. Additional family members are Ann Sherman and her fiance, Paul Root and Kathy Gourley and her husband George.
The new apartments feature carpeting, individually controlled heating and cooling, smoke detectors and automatic sprinklers, a kitchen with range, microwave, disposal and refrigerator, pre-wiring for cable TV, an emergency call system, and other amenities.
State runner-up
Eighteen year old Kris Bailey of Williams, daughter of Chuck and Kathy Bailey, was named first runner-up in the Iowa State Fair Queen competition Saturday afternoon in Des Moines.
Bailey had been crowned as this year's Hamilton County Fair Queen earlier this month and was one of 72 contestants in the state competition.