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Archiver > IA-IRISH > 2002-05 > 1020517458


From: "Cathy Joynt Labath" <>
Subject: [IA-IRISH] More History of Clare, Webster Co, IA
Date: Sat, 4 May 2002 08:04:18 -0500


Continued From:
St. Matthew's Parish
1886-1979

History of Clare [Webster Co, Iowa]

Building and construction continued in 1893 when Ed and John Cavanaugh
built an ice house and put in about 300 tons. The city jail was almost
completed and the residents of Clare were to have an Independent School
District. The schools were to be located one mile north and another one mile
south of town.
The following news item was taken from the Clare Examiner, September
30, 1897:

The Clare Races
A three day session of racing is being well attended- some
interesting races won...
Wednesday was a busy day in Clare. The hotel and restaurants were
busy. Luke McKernan put up an annex in the shape of a tent in which to serve
the meals and accommodate the weary pilgrims to the Mecca of
Fun..........The green horse race was the first event on the program and it
was especially interesting. The first heat was won by Dick Revenge owned by
J.F. McCarty. In the second heat Dick stumbled and Little Jake beat him but
Dick came out in a good second. The third heat was very close and Billy the
Kid won it by a nose with Dick second. The third heat decided the race in
favor of Dick Revenge, he having taken one first and two seconds.

In 1897 we find the following businesses in Clare:
Richard Quick...Depot Agent-Telegraph Operator for Rock Island R.R.
W.J. Collins...Editor of "Clare Examiner" and law practice
M.J. Haugh...Saloon
Frank Ennis...Barber shop in South Clare
M.J. McMahon...Hardware
D.E. Welch
Walter Ford...Grain and General Mdse-Land Sales
John Hanrahan...1st Hotel-Saloon and Pool Hall- closed hotel in 1891- Saloon
next
fifteen years then pool hall.
R. English...Saloon with M.J. Haugh
M.H. Collins...Grocery
C.J. Rial...Gorcery and Insurance (Chicago Life Ins. Co.)
Ole Larson...Carpenter
J.F. O'Hearn...Blacksmith
M.J. O'Hearn...Blacksmith
M.J. Lahiff...Saloon on West Side
Dr. Baldwin...M.D.
J.A. Redden...Undertaker, Furniture Store
Thos. Donahoe...Bank (State Bank of Clare)
C.E. Griffin...Livestock Buyer
P.J. Crilly...Livery Barn, Implement
F.H. Dickey...Implement business, Livery
E.J. Hood...Drug Store
William Hoyer...Wagons and Buggies, possibly feed
J.F. Cavanaugh...Dray- took over Smith's Dray Line
Lewis Smith...Dray Line
P.J. Levins...Editor- Enterprise 1895
W.J. Hood...Merchant
J.M. Donahoe...Postmaster
John L. Hood...Meat Market and Butcher
E.L. Cavanaugh...Farm Implements, Buggies
Luke McKernan...1st Marshall
Dr. Russell...M.D.
Wm. Hines...Farmer (possibly worked part time for someone)
M.J. Collins...Auctioneer
Thomas O'Boyle...Grocery-postmaster
Charles Donahoe...Grocery and General Mdse
Julian Chalus...Dray-Mngr. Livestock Association
J.D. Conway...Lumber Yard
Otto Klapka...Blacksmith-Hardware
Clem Conway...Grocery
Furlong...Conway and Furlong Store- dissolved partnership in 9-1891.

On February 4, 1898:
The Dewey Opera House
Robert Emmett Literary Society held its first meeting in the new
Opera House. A debate was staged "Resolved that 'Intemperance is the
Greatest of all Evils'." P.H. Cain, Con Rial, D.S. Couglon, Drs. E.D.
Russell and H.J. Horner filled a lively three hours with pros and cons. The
judge gave the affirmative two votes out of three. Two hundred attended.
Admission was $5.
In 1898 too the water works was constructed. Cost $5000.

In June 1898 we read this item:
2 cribs of corn west of the depot contain 4000 bushels. The corn
will move from Clare as quickly as a voracious steam sheller can get to it.
Con E. Griffen bought the corn a yar ago for 12-16c a bushel and
sold it for a figure that netted him 28c.

In 1899 the people of Clare were told they were to have a
telephone. The office was to be in the Fronb Ennis Building. The poles had
already been set and double wire was to be strung before the phones could be
put into operation.
Report of school taught in District No. 6 Jackson Township,
Webster County for the month ending Jan. 28. Those neither absent nor tardy
are Alice Fitzgerald, Mae Coleman, Martha Coleman, Mary, John, Matt and Joe
Fitzgerald, Don and Jerry Coleman....J. O'Malley, teacher.

In 1900 the Clare Independent went up in fire. it was thought to be the
work of a malicious destroyer.
In 1900 too the Wide Awake Restaurant was opened under the Conway
Store. It was operated by B.M. Meyer.
In 1901 the population of Jackson township was 374 and prices were as
follows: Hogs, $4.20, Corn 24-26c, Oats 19-21c, Cattle $3-$3.25.


...to be continued...

Cathy Joynt Labath
The Irish in Iowa
http://www.celticcousins.net/irishiniowa/index.htm



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