President in Des Moines Today

I can’t really have local history and government documents blogs without writing about today’s event. Right now, President Obama is meeting with 70 Des Moines residents in a Beaverdale backyard. I’m familiar with the house as I live across the street from it. And no, I’m not the person who called the police to investigate a suspicious person who turned out to be a member of the secret service (reported in the Register). I will say that under the circumstances I would have called, too.

It really is amazing how much work goes into getting the President around. I don’t know the details, but I have an idea of the time frame. Our neighbor’s house is beautiful with a large backyard, so it is not surprising that it was selected. The event prep work started last week with phone lines being installed, cars parked up and down the street, and lots of people moving in and out of the house. Of course,we weren’t told what was happening other than an important person would be at that house.

Last night a large satellite truck parked on the corner and this morning the media was out by 6:30. Secret service and police in numerous places, as well as a sniper team were present to protect the President. I wasn’t there when the President arrived (I’m working), but I’m expecting a full report from my husband.

I kept thinking how crazy I’d be if that was my house. Although our neighbors seemed busy straightening an already neat looking yard and house, they seemed to take it in stride. The Secret Service members were friendly, and I had no problem getting out this morning to get to work. I am disappointed I missed the full experience, but just observing the prep work made me tired.

I hope the President enjoys his visit. I also hope that my neighbors can relax after this experience. It’s a great story for them to pass down in their family and a wonderful event attached to a beautiful home.

Cedar County Cow War of 1931

On September 21, 1931, a battle ensued at the Jake Lenker farm in Cedar County, Iowa.   On this day, over 60 law enforcement officials and two veterinarians encountered 400+ farmers  carrying wood planks, rocks, pipes, and other items attempting to suppress tuberculosis (TB) testing of their cattle.  The farmers attacked law enforcement and their vehicles.   No one fired a weapon.   Due to the unrest, the governor sent over 1,400 National Guard troops to enforce TB testing and to keep the peace.

Humans can contract Bovine TB  through milk consumption.  An antibiotic to treat TB wasn’t available until 1934.  Testing cattle for a contagious disease sounds like a good idea, right?  Not so to many of the farmers in Cedar County.

The biggest factor in the cow war was money.  If a cow was found to have TB, then it was put down and the federal government would pay the farmer one-third of the animal’s value and the state would pay another third.  The farmers lost out on the last third.  Farmers didn’t just lose out on the animal value.  If the animal was put down, they also lost out on the income from the cow’s milk production.  Total, this could be a significant amount of money, especially during the Depression when banks were going under and people were losing their property to foreclosure.

The National Guard’s two month presence stopped the protests and cattle were tested.  It wasn’t the last time a protest over TB testing occurred in Iowa, but Cedar County’s cow war may have been the largest and possibly most violent.

Sources:

Cedar County Cow War of 1931, http://www.history.iastate.edu/agprimer/Page24.html,  Iowa State University Center for Agriculture and Rural Studies, Accessed Sept 28, 2010.

Get Away from Those Cows, Collier’s, February 27, 1932.

One-Armed Bandits and Other Stories of Iowa’s Past and Present, George Mills, 1997.

One Armed Bandits and Other Stories. . .

I was researching the Cedar County Cow War when I came across this book, One Armed Bandits and Other Stories of Iowa’s Past and Present by George Mills.  Well, the title definitely caught my attention as I wondered, how many one-armed bandits could there have been in Iowa?  Approximately 17,480 in 2009.  What am I referring to, you ask?  I’d like to know what you think.  Please post your answer in the comments box and I’ll  confirm it or provide the answer on Monday.

Back to the book.  One Armed Bandits is full of great Iowa stories about  Bonnie and Clyde, soldiers’ clothing, strange names, downtown, and of course, the reason I found the book, the cow war.   There’s also a couple of great photos  of the Majestic and Unique Theaters included, too.

This book is available for checkout at five of DMPL’s locations.  You can place your reserve online, over the phone (9-6, M-F), or in-person.  Click here to see hours and locations.

East River Bank 1909

From the DMPL photo collection.

African Americans in Iowa

The African American Museum of Iowa (AAMI) is located in Cedar Rapids,  but no fear, if you can’t visit, you can still view some of their exhibits online.  Buxton, sports, and George Washington Carver are included in AAMI’s virtual exhibits.

With support from a grant and many sponsors, AAMI established the Children’s Oral History Project.  The Children’s Oral History Project promotes cross-generational interaction and history by having children interview adults regarding their experiences in Iowa.   Four topics are addressed:  Segregation and integration, African American professionals,  civil rights organizations, and African American church history.

The floods of 2008 threatened the collections of the museum, but they survived  and the museum has continued with its mission.

If you are interested in learning more about African American history in Iowa, you may try these books from DMPL.

African Americans in Iowa:  A Chronicle of Contributions 1830-1992

Iowa’s Black Legacy

Outside In:  African American History in Iowa 1838-2000

Buxton:  A Black Utopia in the Heartland

Oak Hill:   A Portrait of Black Life in the Heartland

Life Narratives of African Americans in Iowa