WALNUT ITEMS FROM THE AVOCA DELTA
BEFORE WALNUT HAD ITS OWN NEWSPAPER
DITCHING AND HOUSE MOVING
Parties wishing ditching done I would respectfully say that I have purchased the necessary machinery for doing both open and blind ditching for the farmers of Pottawattamie and adjoining counties, and prepared to do their ditching cheaper than it can be done by hand and in a satisfactory manner. I am also prepared to move houses on short notice, as I have all the machinery in readiness for that purpose. All orders addressed to me, or to F. H. & J. D. Green, at Walnut Station, Iowa, will receive prompt attention. WILLIAM CARNEY (November 18, 1875, p. 1)
We paid the enterprising town of Walnut a visit on Friday last, and found it bristling all over with bustling activity. The village is making rapid strides in the march of improvement, and well it may with its live set of business men. We spent most of the day there and enjoyed ourselves hugely. We dined with our esteemed friend, Mr. S Chamberlin, whose estimable lady made us feel at home. Mr. Chamberlin is engaged in the grocery business there and is driving a flourishing trade. Among the other driving business establishments there among grocers and general merchandise, are Lodge Bros., Packard & Spangler In Hardware, Mr J F Naugle, and F H & J D Green. Drugs are distributed by Dalrymple & Bruce and Dr. W F Waird. Charley Merrill is pegging away and doing a decidedly good business in the boot and shoe line. All the business houses carry large stocks, much larger indeed, than is usually seen in young towns. In the land agency business, E R Hinckley and James Ledwich & Co. who are a host in themselves for the growth of Walnut. Harris, Barnes & Cronnet, manufactures of wagons, plows, pumps etc., are also driving a fine business, and are a living example of what home patronage will do in building up a manufacturing interest. Exchange Bank presided over by that prince of good fellows Chas. Hinckley, is also one of the marked institutions of the town. Mr. J H Henry, and Avery, Spangler & Co grain dealers, have each a fine elevator, and are doing a large shipping business. A new hotel has been erected on the main street of the town, which is highly spoken of as a good place to stop. A large steam flouring mill also adds its strength to the general growth and activity. In addition to the large and varied business and manufacturing interests, Walnut is not without good schools and church privileges, having a fine school house capable of accommodating about two hundred pupils, a Catholic church, and services there by the Presbyterians, Methodists and Baptists each Sabbath. W H Bowman, plow manufacturer and blacksmith is also one of her stirring citizens, who is “thar” when it comes to biz. Wm Motter is just opening a furniture establishment—Henry Ott already has one, so that trade in that line will be lively. No matter which way you turn, new buildings meet your gaze—buildings that have been erected this year. No town in Iowa has more rapidly improved in every respect than has Walnut during the past six months, and none has a more enterprising class of business men. (November 4, 1875, p. 3)
The merchants of Walnut have commenced business, so we are informed on a strictly cash basis. (November 18, 1875, p. 3)
Walnut Items
The quiet denizens of this burg were brought back from dreamland last Thursday evening by an unearthly noise produced by the agitation of plow shares, cow bells, tin horns, etc. On inquiring the occasion of such a din, we learned that Henry Kruisfelt had just brought a brand new wife from Clinton county, Iowa, and we again sought our couch; satisfied the thing would run all right, and wishing him joy in his new estate…Monroe Spangler has purchased a half interest in M. O. McLyman’s meat market. The new firm has employed John R. Johnson as meat carpenter…Motter has concluded not to go into the furniture trade here–he has bought the farm of Wm. Hall building a house to live in. The mill is again in full blast, running night and day and is doing good work. They have machinery for cleaning wheat for parties desiring to ship for themselves…The Wisconsin House has a new sign and the Central House a street lamp…Corn is coming in slowly. Our grain men are paying twenty cents for eighty pounds—corn is fair though light…Our enterprising grain dealer, J. H. Henry has purchased two thousand wagon loads of grain instead of one, as the Delta stated last week, since harvest. (November 18, 1875 p. 3)
(November 25, 1875, p. 3)
W. H. Linfor, of Walnut, dropped in on us last week. He reports everything lovely at that enterprising burg.
The people of Walnut have corn cribs to the right of them, ditto to the left of them, and all around the edges—the buyers have now in store about seventy-five thousand bushels. (December 9, 1875, p. 3)
Improved Berkshire Pigs for sale. Inquire at Exchange Bank, Walnut, Iowa. (December 16, 1875, p. 3)
One of the most novel inventions that has been seen in Avoca for some time was the clothes rack offered for sale by Mr Micheal Sorrick. Mr Sorrick has canvassed Walnut and our own town the past week and every one that has seen it are pleased—especially the ladies. Every family should have one of these racks, as they are simple and cost but a trifle. Mr S is now canvassing Council Bluffs, but will return at some future time, and those wanting one of these household necessities can get one off him. (December 16, 1875 p. 3)
Wm. S. Motter is running the furniture business red hot at Walnut. (December 16, 1875 p. 3)
Walnut is expanding. Dave Tostevin is surveying off lots in the Snow [Noe’s?] and Hinckley additions. (December 16, 1875 p. 3