The Webster County Gazette: May 14, 1880

Strawberry Festival

The Presbyterian ladies brought the first strawberries to town, and served them in the name and in behalf of the new temple. The attendance was good, the strawberries were delicious and the musical part of the entertainment was not less so. But the dishes were too large and the berries cost too much to make the speculation a very profitable one.  The berries cost the ladies 38 cents per quart. The receipts were about $80 and the net proceeds will be $20 or $25. The music was very enjoyable and the programme reads as follows:

The Webster County Gazette: May 10, 1878

Bible Society

We would call the attention of all friends of the bible in this county, that the Rev. A. Pilbeam has been employed by the Webster County Bible Society to canvas the county for the purpose of distributing the bible and for soliciting subscriptions in aid of this society. We ask for Mr. Pilbeam a kind recption (sic) and a hearty response to his solicitations. No collections will be taken in the Churches this year for the cause, the society having adopted this plan in place of the annual church collections. Each donator will please give the name of the church he wishes his contribution credited.

Wolsey Welles, President.
Theo. Hawley, Vice President.
E.H. Rich, Secretary.

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 14, 1904

Will Build a New Church

Swedish Lutherans of West Fort Dodge to Build

Structure to be Constructed of Brick with Stone Trimmings and to Cost $7,000.

Architect Frank W. Griffith is making plans for a Swedish Lutheran church, to be erected in West Fort Dodge. The church will have a seating capacity of about four hundred, and will cost $7,000. The building, when finished will be one of the best of the smaller churches in the city. It will be built of brick with stone trimmings. The improvement will add greatly to the appearance of West Fort Dodge.

The erection of this church has been for some years in the minds of the West Side Swedish Lutherans, but it was considered better to defer action in the matter until such time as an edifice of sufficient size and beauty could be erected, so that it would accommodate the needs and be the pride of the pastorate for many years to come. It has now been decided that the resources of the congregation are sufficient for the undertaking, and as soon as the plans are completed, its erection will be begun.

The Fort Dodge Messenger: April 2, 1903

Drawings for New Parochial School

Plans Show a School Building Complete in Every Particular for Purpose for Which It is Intended

Plans and drawings for the new parochial school to be erected this spring by the people of Sacred Heart parish, in this city, have been completed by Architect J.H. Albright, and show a building, which in convenience and adaptability for school uses will be exceeded by no school building in the city.

The plans by Architect Albright show a structure of pressed brick with slate roof, and base of cut stone extending five feet above ground. The building will be 76 by 67 feet in dimensions, and will include two stories and a basement, all of which will be utilized for school purposes.

In the basement will be separate play rooms for the boys and girls, toilet rooms and heating rooms.

The second and third floors will each contain three large school rooms, 23 by 32 feet in dimensions, thus giving the scholars adequate accommodations for from 250 to 300 pupils. A teacher’s room will be at the landing of each of the two stair cases.

The building will be heated by the fan system of ventilation, which has already proved so satisfactory in the Arey school in this city.

The building will be located on the present site of the school, and there will be two entrances, one west, on Thirteenth street, and one on Third avenue south. The floors of both main entrances will be tiled, adn both will open into spacious vestibules, from which stairways will lead, one to the first floor of the building.

A corridor will run thru the center of the two main floors, upon which the school rooms will open, thus giving ready communication from one to the other. Each school room will have its own cloak room.

Everything about the building will be modern. The floors will be of maple wood and the school rooms will be equipped with slate black boards. The plumbing will be modern thruout.

Viewed from the exterior, the building will also be pleasing. It will be equipped with a bell tower and will present an imposing frontge. Specifications are to be made out at once, and the contract will be let as soon as possible.