The Fort Dodge Messenger

DES MOINES, Dec. 29 Des Moines was decked with flags yesterday in honor of the semicentennial anniversary of Iowas statehood. Fifty years ago the act for admission of Iowa was approved by the president. City, county, state and school buildings and business houses and residences generally were decorated with flags, but there were no other observatio... ns aside from a national salute at sunrise. Monday was the fiftieth anniversary of Iowas statehood, and was a day appropriate for the display of national colors as recommended by the proclamation of the governor. Iowa has a proud record back of her and a promising future ahead. In increase of wealth and population, as well as in the development of great natural resources, Iowa in every way does credit to the great republic and is one of the brightest stars in the jeweled band of union. Fifty years has seen this great commonwealth develope (sic) from a vast ocean of rank prairie grass backboned with timber bordered streams to a veritable garden of fertility. The rich loam has been turned int gold; the forests have fenced the prairie farms and the bountiful portion of mineral wealth has been ever a potent factor in aiding our material progress. The hamlets of fifty years ago have grown to cities and the cities have grown rich and populous. All will now go well with the Hawkeye state if the political doctors havent forced her to swallow an over dose of their particular kind of confidence which produces nausea and headache. Fort Dodge Messenger and Chronicle, Dec. 29, 1919 Its Wet Underfoot But a Raw Wind Makes Overcoat a Necessity. The January thaw got here before January but whether or not it is a January thaw no one will have any doubts about the thawing part. The streets are running water and even the hardest chunks of dirty ice are being resolved into water under the combination of milder temperatures and sunshine. But even with the thaw working overtime, there is a cold sharp wind which is felt every now and then and makes the day seem rather raw, dont you know? ...Read More