Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-09-26
E0uNp1NG A COMMUNITY.


ster City" the book compiled by Mrs.
Harriet Bonebright-CloSz. containing
"reminiscences Of her mother and many
other interesting narratives and Incl
cents of the pioneer days of Webster
City and Hamilton county, has been
published and a number of copies de-
|livered to subscribers.
The author has demonstrated her
ability as a writer of rare accomplish
ments. and the publishers prepared Il
book that is credit to the art prescr-
vativc of all arts 1t is printed upon
fine book paper. contains 3o1 pages
If very interesting matter and is well
and duribly bound. 1t is worthy OF II
place in every library of Iowa and will
increase in value and the appreciation
OF the people with the lapse OF time.
l: is published under the auspices of
the historical department of the state.
which fact fully attests its dependa-
|bility and value and gives competent
evidence OF it's merit. 1t contains
preface from the pen of Hon. ID. {.
Chase Of this city and here is one of
the paragraphs showing his apprecia-
ton:
THE work Of preserving a permanent
record of the piOnerr life OF such
community is seldom attempted. In
this instance it is done comprelensively
and well. and one feels in reading each
succeeding chapter that the account is
a truthful one. and from tirst-hand in
formation. There is not Il dull chapter
ia the book, and the story shows clearly
the early life and times as they actual
ly were. There are few living at the
present time who have the fantest.
conception of the labor, sacrifices and
ACCOMPLISHMENTS of the early settlers.
Sarah Brewer Bonebright has the
following to say in her ''Forcword' at
the beginning of her narrative:
.'These "reminiscences are recorded i'll
the first person, because | believe the
bond Of personal interest may be
strengthened and the touch of human
sympathy sustained by pursuing that
course.
"Excep, in Il few instances which
touch our family life, | restrict the
record to the years Immediately follow
ing our advent into Iowa. in ISIS. be-
fore the fuller flow if immigration mad
begun. I cOntine myself TO the activi-
ties and incidents which have not been
related in other records of our city,
for later historians are numerous and
their work has been vOluminous and
rainstaking.
Il make no claim for absolute ac-
curacy in dates. Periods marking life
cpochs such as moving, building, births,
weddings or deaths always We're wildly
impressed. and other incidents arrange
themselves approximately in order
The first few years were the best
memory markers. j. was young. ac-
tive. alert. and anything Of Importance
was mentally recorded without effort.
Exceptional happenings, were not num-
crous. when compared with the present.
hut MANY of the events of early years
are clearer to me today than those OF
the past decade.
There is, in this account at least,
the advantage of first hand narrative
which eliminates heresay evidence and
oBviates, in large degree. the posi-
bility of hMccuracy which easily may
creep into oft-relatcd secondhand state
nients. ga
These "reminiscences may SAVIOR
somewhat, Of family history. but such
early recital could not he otherwise,
for our family alone, made tire initial
journey to what now is Webster City.
the home of Wilson Brewer furnished
the first objective point for Il commu-,
nifty nucleus Ny father was the. NOV