Allerton and Axtell

by Gary Lee Martinson

  “Telegram,” he answered her frankly. Silence followed the answer as she waited for him to elaborate.

  She finally gave in to curiosity, “Who is it from?”

  “Mr. Charles W. Williams,” he said, “he wants me to come and help him set up a race track in Galesburg.” Clara looked at Gilbert as if she thought Gilbert had something to do with the telegram. “He says he needs a man with good business sense. He says he’ll guarantee me five figures a year.”

  Clara put her arms around Gilbert and spoke quietly to him as if he had something to do with the job offer, “I love you so.”

  “I love you more,” he returned. The two of them smiled at each other.

  Clara asked with great interest. “Since we are getting married, I think I ought to know what your middle name is?”

  “Well,” he said coyly, “I don’t have a middle name.”

  Clara chuckled, “Everyone has a middle name. Now come on, you can tell me.”

  “Nobody ever told me,” Gilbert said, “So how can I tell you.”

  Clara was annoyed, “How am I suppose to address you when I am angry with you.” She took a deep breath. “Gilbert, Whatever, Fenny, answer my question!”

  “Great guess, whatever,” he smiled. Clara’s eyes began to turn a deep green. Gilbert quickly changed his tone, “All right, it’s-” he paused, “It’s Eloise. That’s what my name would have been, had I been a girl.”

  Late Notes

  Many of the events depicted are based on true events or activities. One activity, the extra coins being rescued by Mrs. Morton and hidden in the birdcage, was taken from a story in the Centennial issue of the Bulletin Journal in 1965.

  The story of the threat on the Axtell train, was documented in two articles, only one article referred to the involvement of Mr. Williams with the telegraph system. I believe Mr. Williams would not have hesitated to take control of teletyping the message to the Cedar Rapids station, since he was an experienced telegrapher. The contents of the message could only be speculated from the information available.

  The story of Wapsi and Pinicon was fun to throw in. The thugs that beat Gilbert up represent the corrupt part of horse racing. There was no documented attempt to poison Allerton that I found.

  There really was a big tree the young adults would gather to. Mr Williams did sponsor patients from the hospital to attend the races.

  Miss Timms was a female reporter from Minneapolis, her involvement was limited, but I thought she added insight to describe the relations between Williams and the media. She was also a great outlet to introduce Rush Park to the reader.

  I rode the trolley up the hill in Dubuque and thought it was absolutely fascinating, so I worked it in the book.

  The opening fire sequence was truly a devastating event for Independence, so I wanted to bring it out as accurately as I could.

  The top 50 Recorded times at the end of 1891

  Sunol

  2:08 1/4

  Maud S

  2:08 3/4

  Palo Alto

  2:08 3/4

  Nancy Hanks

  2:09

  Allerton

  2:09 1/4

  Jay-Eye-See

  2:10

  Nelson

  2:10

  Arion

  2:10 3/4

  Guy

  2:10 3/4

  Stamboul

  2:11

  St. Julian

  2:11 1/4

  Delmarch

  2:11 ½

  Axtell

  2:12

  Jack

  2:12 1/4

  Egthorne

  2:12 ½

  McKinney

  2:12 ½

  Margeret S

  2:12 ½

  Belle Hamlin

  2:12 3/4

  Mary Marxhall

  2:12 3/4

  Pat Downing

  2:13

  Maxie Cobb

  2:13 1/4

  Rarus

  2:13 1/4

  Robert Rysdyk

  2:13 1/4

  Bonnie McGregor

  2:13 ½

  Harry Wilkes

  2:13 ½

  Phallas

  2:13 3/4

  Vic H

  2:13 3/4

  Clingstone

  2:14

  Goldsmith Maid

  2:14

  Trinket

  2:14

  Homestake

  2:14 1/4

  Nelly W

  2:14 1/4

  Patron

  2:14 1/4

  Alvin

  2:14 ½

  Bonnie Wilmore

  2:14 ½

  Incas

  2:14 ½

  Rosalind Wilkes

  2:14 ½

  Faustino

  2:14 3/4

  Hopeful

  2:14 3/4

  Lockheart

  2:14 3/4

  Pickpania

  2:14 3/4

  Prince Wilkes

  2:14 3/4

  Alabaster

  2:15

  Alcryon

  2:15

  Arab

  2:15

  Balkan

  2:15

  Charleston

  2:15

  Favonia

  2:15

  Lulu

  2:15

  Majolica

  2:15

  Pennant

  2:15

  Bibliography

  The American Trotter — Book -- John Nervey – Coward-McCann 1947

  copyright 1947 by the Trotting Horse Club of American, Inc.

  Van Rees Press New York

  Alix Queen Of the Turf – by Roy Marshall 2002

  The Palimpsest y of Iowa – Iowa City Iowa – October 1965 – edited by William J. Petersen

  1965 Bulletin Journal Centennial Issue – 1965 – reproductions of Articles from The American Trotter, Buchanan County Journal, The Conservative, The Bulletin.

  History Of Buchanan County – 1995

  Axtell and Allerton – their performances and su
ccesses – A biographical sketch of their owner C. W. Williams – by H. C. Harding West Liberty Iowa

  Cedar Rapids Iowa Daily Republican Printing and Binding House 1892

  New Standard Encyclopedia- Standard Education Corporation Chicago-1988

  1875 Map Of Iowa Counties– A.T. Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State Of Iowa 1875

  125 years of Growth — The Story of Independence –

  Buchanan County Iowa 1990 – Written by the people of Buchanan County

  Biographical Index to the County Histories Of Iowa – Gateway Press Inc. Baltimore MD 1979 by Charles Morford

  Independence Bulletin Journal– May 25, 2002 – Reflections of Our Past – by Ellen V. Foland

  Bulletin County Journal - September, 1st 1887

  Conservative - August, 31 1887

  Buchanan County Genealogical Society - Birth Certificates Rush Williams and Death Certificates Juliana Williams and Rush Willliams

  – The Lexington of the North – Published by The State Historical Society