Trading in the present for the past

K
SEPT. 22, 2003
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Tuesday: Mostly sunny
Low Tonight: 45º High Tuesday: 72º
John Frank, a worker at S&J Tube Inc. in Wapello, lays out chair
parts this morning to be put together and painted. Forty “chair
kits” are painted at one time.
West Nile infiltrates Wapello
Blue Grass
Happy 150th,
Blue Grass Louisa County man making a slow but steady recovery after being diagnosed with disease
CYNTHIA BEAUDETTE
of the Muscatine Journal
CONNIE STREET
BLUE GRASS, Iowa – The
residents of Blue Grass are
inviting people throughout the
region to help them celebrate
their town’s 150th birthday.
According to Donna
Lindberg, publicity chairperson for the event, the Sesquicentennial Celebration will
continue throughout the
weekend of Friday, Sept. 26Sunday Sept. 28.
“We hope the work everyone has put into planning this
will be fruitful as far as getting a lot of people here for
this celebration,” said Blue
Grass Mayor Paul Barnes.
“The more the merrier.”
The weekend of the event
many residents of this former
American Indian camp will be
repeating or listening to the
stories their ancestors first
told about the early days of
Blue Grass.
Vera Carlin, one of the
town’s longest established residents, was born in Blue
Grass Jan. 24, 1921.
Her maternal and paternal
grandparents, the Kautz and
Daurer families, are among
the founding families of Blue
Grass.
Carlin, 82, has the distinction of being on hand for two
landmark celebrations. She
attended the 100th anniversary of Blue Grass as well.
“We had a big parade,” she
said. “We had a three-day celebration like we are having
this year.”
Carlin said the town had
326 residents when she was a
child.
“We’re way over 1,600
now,” she said.
Committee secretary
Shirley Petersen-Allbee said
the committee wanted to be
sure everyone was represented in the historical celebration. This is one reason the
opening ceremonies will
include members of the
Indian Tribal Council and the
Blue Grass American Legion.
“The way Blue Grass got
its name is this area was on
an old Indian trail,” PetersenAllbee said. “When the
Indians were coming up to it,
the area where the ponies
tramped it down made the
grass look blue and they
called it the ‘blue grass stopping over place.’ I thought it
would be appropriate to have
Indian Tribal Council be part
of this celebration.”
The council will also
demonstrate making Indian
fry bread and beading.
The Indian Tribal Dance
Circle will be another event
featured on Saturday.
Those who want to take
Blue Grass history home with
them can purchase author
Catherine Guy’s history of the
town. Guy, a reporter for the
Leader newspaper, updated
the information from a 1976
history book. The publication,
printed by Images in Ink,
includes the names of new
businesses and historical stories.
Activities in preparation
for the event included a fundraising spaghetti dinner at the
local community club hall
of the Muscatine Journal
MORE ON 150TH, PAGE 2A
Classified
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Weather
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severe form
of neurological disease
such as
encephalitis
or meningitis
that can last
several
weeks.
Neurological
effects can be Poe
permanent.
Poe doesn’t remember any
mosquito bites, but he and
wife Liz did notice a couple of
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dead blackbirds in their yard
during the summer. His habit
has always been to walk or
play golf early in the mornings, so he could have acquired
the virus almost any place.
Poe had some cold symptoms on Sept. 1. By Sept. 6, he
didn’t have the energy to
attend a family wedding and
slept in a motel room during
the ceremony.
On Sept. 7 he seemed to
have a little more energy, but
“it was downhill after that,”
said Liz Poe.
Liz took her 77-year-old
husband to the local doctor
when he exhibited a fever and
double vision. Soon afterward
he became nauseated; his
hands began to shake and his
fever rose. It was time for a
trip to the emergency room.
“They did some tests, but
couldn’t find anything wrong,”
Liz Poe remembers. “As we
went out the door, the doctor
said ‘I could test him for
MORE ON NILE, PAGE 2A
Trading in
the present
for the past
Canine
Buckskinners gather
clean-up for a rendezvous
This adult female
dachshund gets a
much-needed bath by
volunteers Saturday
afternoon at the
Muscatine Humane
Society. Some 91
dogs were rescued
Friday from a dog
breeding facility in
West Liberty.
BETH HECHT/
MUSCATINE JOURNAL
Eleanor Dvorchak
holds one of 91 dogs
confiscated in a raid
Friday in West
Liberty. Volunteers
are needed to clean
cages and to interact with the dogs,
some who’ve
never been out of
the cages in which
they were found.
BETH HECHT/
MUSCATINE JOURNAL
BETH HECHT/MUSCATINE JOURNAL
Cages and pet carriers are stacked in the Muscatine Humane Society
Saturday afternoon after a raid Friday garnered 91 dogs. Each dog is
being bathed and, if necessary, groomed. Volunteers are needed to
clean cages and interact with the dogs.
Public pumped up over the heart of the mill
■ Friends of the Mill and
Friends of Melpine School
join forces for annual
celebration/fund-raiser
CYNTHIA BEAUDETTE
of the Muscatine Journal
MUSCATINE, Iowa – An
annual celebration at Wild Cat
Den State Park became more
memorable as guests watched
the park’s 155-year-old grist
mill crank back to life.
The mill, built in 1848 by
Benjamin Nye, has been the
centerpiece of affection and
dedication for the Friends of
the Pine Creek Grist Mill
since the group organized in
1996.
Each year the Friends of
the Mill join the Friends of the
Melpine School to host an
annual fund-raiser known as
Heritage Days. The Friends of
the Melpine School is a group
devoted to preserving the history of the one-room schoolhouse near the mill.
Tom Hanifan, Friends of
the Mill president, said the
state of Iowa put a half-million
dollars into the restoration
and preservation of the mill
and members of his group
have dedicated thousands of
hours to the effort.
“It was really satisfying to
hear people’s reaction,” said
Friends of the Mill member
Scott Gibbs. “Many people
told me they really appreciated all the work the group did
to get the mill running.”
“This is the heart of the
whole mill,” said Friends of
the Mill volunteer Haven
Noble, as he poured kernels of
dried corn into the mill chamber.
“We’ve never seen a mill
actually running like this
before,” said Delores Anderson of Calamus. “It’s amazing
that these people worked so
hard to get that running.”
Anderson said she and her
husband Andy also enjoyed
the free canoe rides on Pine
Creek and the music provided
by local vocal groups such as
MORE ON HERITAGE, PAGE 2A
with a bygone era
CYNTHIA BEAUDETTE
of the Muscatine Journal
MUSCATINE, Iowa –
People who chanced upon a
unique gathering of like-spirited individuals at Wild Cat
Den State Park this weekend
may have wondered if they
somehow slipped back in
time.
The annual Buck Skinner
Rendezvous, which was set up
in the upper camping area of
the park, was filled with
teepees, buckskin lodges and
the aroma of roasting meat
and fry bread.
Those who called the rendezvous home this weekend
brought their favorite
component of the early
American fur trapping era
and described their craft to
visitors.
The only qualification one
needs for becoming a buckskinner is a respect and wonder for a relatively short-lived
era when fur trading was a
booming business in the
United States.
Buckskinner Ralph
Jeambey said fur came into
great demand when the
English took a great liking to
beaver hats in the early 1800s.
That country’s affection for
the head wear continued until
1840 and its popularity lured
trappers to the Rocky
Mountains where beaver
were more plentiful.
Once a year, trappers and
the native American Indians
would gather in one area to
trade their furs for needed
supplies and luxuries.
“They’d get everything
they needed for the year and
go back into the mountains to
trap,” said Dale Frazier, a
buckskinner and mountain
man from Ollie. “Many of the
trappers married into
American Indian tribes.”
Jim Mathias, who became
a buckskinner about 30 years
ago, said the new age of buckskinning gained popularity
during the 1980s.
Mathias said the gathering
MORE ON BUCK, PAGE 2A
Bill Trent seeks re-election for 5th Ward seat on Muscatine City Council
and is proud to watch its success.
MUSCATINE, Iowa –
He says thanks go to the
Muscatine resident Bill Trent
voters and financial contribuof 312 Eagle Ridge Road will
seek re-election to his 5th Ward tors for making it happen.
The Skate Park is already
seat on the Muscatine City
open and the aquatic center is
Council in the Nov. 4 election.
set to open on Memorial Day
Trent, 55, is finishing his
first term on the City Council. 2004. Other phases of the $9.6
He helped get the Pearl of the million project will continue
until it is completed by the
Mississippi Project started
FROM STAFF REPORTS
I n d ex
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WAPELLO, Iowa – Jack Poe
has enough energy to smile
but that’s about it since he
contracted West Nile Virus.
Poe is the first person in
Louisa County diagnosed with
the virus.
The West Nile virus is a
mosquito-borne disease that
can infect humans, birds,
horses and other mammals.
The time from infection to the
onset of disease symptoms is
usually 3 to 15 days.
Most people who are infected with the West Nile Virus
will not have any type of illness. It is estimated that 20
percent of the people who
become infected will develop
West Nile fever: Symptoms
include fever, headache, body
aches, vomiting, confusion,
coma, tremors, exhaustion,
convulsions or paralysis.
It is estimated that 1 in 150
persons infected with West
Nile Virus will develop a more
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Muscatine City Council
end of 2005.
He describes the Pearl project as his proudest accomplishment on the council.
“Great things are happening here,” he said. “This project, along with the downtown
streetscaping and riverfront
improvement, will make
Muscatine an even better
place to live and work and
play. The projects are all
interconnected making a great
project all around.”
Trent, a Muscatine High
School graduate, earned his
bachelor’s degree at
Monmouth College and his law
degree at Georgetown
University.
The senior vice president
and general council for Varied
Investments looks forward to
helping keep the city running
in the positive direction it has
taken.
C M Y K
FROM THE FRONT
2A MUSCATINE JOURNAL
SEPT. 22, 2003 MONDAY
Nile
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
West Nile, but there’s nothing
we can do if he has it.’”
The next day, Liz Poe
“knew something was seriously wrong when he wasn’t
smoking and wasn’t using the
remote to change television
stations.”
One more day and appointments were made for more
tests. Doctors in Iowa City
looked for brain tumors,
meningitis, West Nile, Lyme
Disease and other viruses.
Jack Poe doesn’t remember
much about his five-day hospital stay, except for the pain of
the spinal tap.
It was soon discovered that
he had meningitis and that he
has had three mini-strokes.
Liz Poe wonders if the virus
CYNTHIA BEAUDETTE/MUSCATINE JOURNAL
More than 900 people attended the annual Heritage Days celebration at Wild Cat Den State Park Saturday. This
year’s event was highlighted by the fact that the Pine Creek Grist Mill, pictured, was operating again.
Heritage
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
the Port City Pearls members
of the Sweet Adelines
International.
Becky Evans, whose mother grew up in Muscatine, visited the area from
Williamsburg. Evans said she
had a specific interest in the
mill area because she learned
Benjamin Nye was one of her
ancestors.
Evans said she was also
intrigued by a grave witching
expedition conducted by
Muscatine resident Gladys
Mittman. Mittman handed
th
guests straightened aluminum
coat hangers and directed
them to hold the two rods
directly in front of them.
Mittman said the rods would
cross when participants
walked over an unmarked
grave.
“I’m a non-believer,” said
Ken Hyman, a long-time
Friends of the Mill member. “I
said, ‘These won’t cross,’ but
they did. It was a little
spooky.”
Others experienced the
same phenomena. Mittman
said grave witching is much
like divining for water and
may be a result of a magnetic
pull from earth that has been
moved.
ONLINE
Pine Greek Grist Mill
http://www.pinecreekgristmill.com/home.htm
The event also included
Nauvoo on the Road, a display
of early American trades and
skills from the 1840s which
included the hand manufacturing of bricks, candles and
rope as well as blacksmithing.
Friends of the Mill member
Doug Buchelle said this year’s
celebration attracted more
than 900 people.
“We have an excellent
group,” said Wild Cat Den
State Park Manager Dennis
Murphy.
Cynthia Beaudette can be reached at
563-263-2331 (ext. 323) or by e-mail at
[email protected]
9/11 mastermind: Original plan
called for far more destruction
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
where more than 650 people
were served.
Petersen-Allbee and
Martha Moore designed an
award-winning logo for the
event in the logo creation contest.
“The thing that tickles me
is the community’s really
come together,” said
Petersen-Allbee.
Cynthia Beaudette can be reached at
563-263-2331 (ext. 323) or by e-mail at
[email protected]
SCHEDULE
Friday, Sept. 26
7 p.m. - Celebration of Children at the Blue
Grass Elementary School. The children will
perform under the direction of Mr. Gene
Jebsen. Refreshments provided by the PTA.
WASHINGTON (AP) – Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks, told U.S. officials the plot was
five years in the making and that a wave of suicide attacks
was supposed to follow, say interrogation reports reviewed by
The Associated Press.
Mohammed said the plan, first developed in 1996, called for
hijacking five planes on each American coast, but was changed
several times as al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden sought to
improve the chances that the attacks could be pulled off simultaneously.
Mohammed, a key captive in the U.S. war on terrorism, also
addressed one of the questions raised by congressional investigators in their Sept. 11 review. He said he never heard of a
Saudi man named Omar al-Bayoumi who provided rent money
and assistance to two airliner hijackers when they arrived in
California.
Congressional investigators have suggested Bayoumi could
have aided the hijackers or been a Saudi intelligence agent,
charges the Saudi government vehemently deny. The FBI also
has cast doubt on that theory after extensive investigation.
Saturday, Sept. 27
6:30-9:30 a.m., Celebration of Community
pancake breakfast sponsored by the Blue
Grass American Legion at the Community
Hall.
6:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. - History display in the
Community Hall.
10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - A quilt display at the
American Legion.
10-10:30 a.m. - Opening ceremony at
Community Club Park featuring the Urban
Indian Tribal Council and Blue Grass
American Legion presenting colors. Retired
at sunset.
COMMUNITY PARK ACTIVITIES
10 a.m. -5 p.m. - Wapsi Wranglers - Jail &
Bail, antique firearms collection;
10:30 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. - historical skits.
10:30 a.m. -6 p.m.: arts & crafts, demonstrators Indian Fry Bread, face painters,
balloon animals, historical characters portrayed by school children; antique trucks,
automobiles, and farm machinery; caricature artist; Indian teepee; postage cancellation stamp with Blue Grass 150th logo..
11 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Food served at the Park
Pavilion, including hog dogs, brats,
maid rites, drinks.
11 a.m. - 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. - Indian
Tribal Dance Circle performances
11 a.m.-6 p.m. - Community Hall
ENTERTAINMENT
The Golden Tones; CASI New Horizon Band
of QC; DanceWerks; Double W Dancers;
square & round dancers; a barbershop
quartet; and the group, Just for Fun.
4:30-7 p.m. - Homemade chicken and noodle dinner at St. Andrew1s Church. meal
tickets are $6 in advance, $6.50 at the
door and $3.50 for chldren.
7 p.m. - Talent Show directed by Todd
Hawley at the Community Hall.
9:30 a.m. - Old-time movies and popcorn
outside the Community club hall.
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Connie Street can be reached at
563-263-2331 (ext. 317), 319-527-8164 or
by e-mail at [email protected]
Buck
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
at the rendezvous included
people from all walks of life
including school teachers,
professors and medical professionals.
Jeamby said some people
enjoy a rendezvous on the
weekend to join others who
identify with the historical
lifestyle. Others earn a living
by selling their handcrafted
wares at the events.
The items for sale included
hand-beaded items, animal
skins, arrow heads, candy,
drums, leather moccasins,
homemade jams, soaps and
clothing. Blacksmithing was
also demonstrated.
“When we invite pilgrims
the kids learn so much,” said
Connie Colberg, a medical
professional at the University
of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
who is a storyteller at rendezvous. Colberg, who is one
quarter Lakota Indian, says
the buckskinner lifestyle
holds a deep attraction for
her.
“I’ve always liked fringe,”
she said, showing her buck-
CYNTHIA BEAUDETTE/MUSCATINE JOURNAL
Stephanie Stammer checks the cooking pots outside the teepee her
husband Todd Stammer set up at the Buck skinner Rendezvous at Wild
Cat Den State Park this weekend.
skin dress. “I feel so comfortable here.”
“We want to live the
lives of our ancestors,”
Frazier said.
Stephanie Stammer said
this is the first year she’s
attended a rendezvous. She
joined her husband, Todd
Stammer, who has been a
buckskinner for many years.
Stephanie said she’ll return
A N
H O N E S T L Y
next year.
“It’s very relaxing,” she
said.
Jeambey said the rendezvous is always the third
week of September.
To learn more about the
buckskinner tradition contact
Jeambey at 263-7430 or
Mathias at 263-0558.
Cynthia Beaudette can be reached at 563263-2331 (ext. 323) or by e-mail at [email protected]
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0
house asking questions for the
state department of health.
According to Alana Poage,
the county public health director, the department of health
is accumulating scientific
data and tracking patterns to
verify the information it has
is accurate.
West Nile virus is not
spread by casual contact such
as touching, kissing or caring
for someone who is infected.
There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus. and
there is no vaccine, but several companies are working
towards developing one.
The Poes urge anyone with
symptoms to seek medical
attention and answer all questions to help with the
research.
“We hope no one else gets
this,” Jack Poe said.
Great deals on Fall travel.
Buy by 9/26/03.
Sunday, Sept. 28
CELEBRATION OF FAMILY
10 a.m. -3 p.m. - History display in
Community Hall
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.- Quilt display at the
American Legion
11-11:30 a.m. - Presentation of Colors by
the Urban Indian Tribal Council and
American Legion
11:30-noon - Ecumenical service in the
Community Club Park
Noon - 3 p.m.: Food sales, featuring homemade ice-cream
1-1:15 p.m. - Bicycle parade
1:30-3 p.m.- Ball diamond games - tug of
war, wheel barrow races, ladder
jacks, hula hoops, gunny sack races, etc.
3 p.m. - Closing ceremonies
Schedule subject to change.
could have caused one of
those strokes, but there is no
answer.
“They don’t have a lot of
answers about West Nile,” she
said. “They are still researching it.”
Since he got home from
the hospital, the retired
Wapello High School principal
sleeps a lot.
“I do that really well,” Poe
said with a grin. “I never feel
not tired.”
His wife says he seems to
be returning to his old self.
Full recovery could take 10 to
12 weeks, but she knows that
there could be relapses or
permanent neurological damage such as speech difficulties, tremors or vision problems and she watches him
carefully.
Soon after the tests confirmed that Poe had West
Nile, the Louisa County Public
Health Department was at the