A. F. MERRILL, D, D. S., 
Spirit Iowa. 
OFFICE OVER DICKINSON CO. BANK. 
, 
V ’ 
IV 
I6. X. Brownell, fife. 2>. 
PRACTICING PHYSICIAN. 
Surgeon to B. C. R. & N. Ry. Examining- Surgeon for Pensions. 
Office at Drug Store. ’Phone No. 6. House Phon^ No. 36. 
Office open every day, except Monday and Friday, 
from 9 to 12 a. m. and 1 to 4:30 p. m. 
TO THE READER. 
That you may know where you are at. and what interest 
attaches to such location; that you may be correctly guided to such 
other places as may interest you, is the sole aim and purpose of this 
leaflet. The points of history are thought to be correct; the map is 
correct, with the exception of some bits of road which may have 
been opened since this was made, and the further changes in the 
erection of the Inn at Dixon’s Beach, and the almost numberless 
cottages that have been erected along these shores, the erection 
of the Milwaukee’s new depot at Arnolds, and the large additions by 
the Knight Templars to their buildings at their park on Spirit Lake 
We had hoped to be able to announce the station of another rail¬ 
road on West Okoboji, but—let us stop with a ‘‘but.” Should you 
get lost as a result of following this map and directions—come to 
town and we will help you find yourself.—E. L. Brownell. 
It is quite certain that Hennepin, while a prisoner of the 
Indians was in the vicinity of these lakes. Later on, when the 
Lewis and Clarke expedition was at or near the mouth of the Little 
Sioux river, an Indian told them that the stream had its origin in a 
number of lakes to the north. To a certain extent this was true, 
but the main stream comes from north of the Minnesota state line. 
It may be said in passing that these lakes outlet through the Gar 
lakes and a channel joining the Little Sioux some four or five miles 
to the south and west of West Okoboji. Next in the history of this 
section, so far as I have been able to ascertain—In the report of 
Nicollet, the younger, who was commissioned by the War Depart¬ 
ment to visit these lakes—his order specifically mentioning “Mlnne 
Waukon,” or Spirit Lake—he was to report, and so did, on the lati¬ 
tude and longitude as well as elevation of this section. His obser¬ 
vations were taken at the head of Spirit Lake. 
In the summer of 1856 the first real settlement of the Lake 
Reigon was attempted, the Gardner and Luce families, the first to 
locate, building a log cabin near where the massacre monument 
now stands. As a matter of fact the old cabin, now enclosed for 
protection, stands where it was erected, with all the hopes and 
ambitions of the pioneer near a half century ago, and stands with as 
TAKE THE 
Burlington (soar Rapids k Mtorn 
To Chicago and the East, St. Louis and the South and the 
LAKE REIGON OF NORTHWESTERN IOWA. 
No better place in the country for a rest and recreation com¬ 
bined than Spirit and West Okoboji lakes. JNO. G. FARMER, Asst 
Gen. Pass, and Ticket Agent. Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 
I i—----; 
interesting local history as possibly any similar object in the state 
1 or nation A full account of the massacre and treatment of cap¬ 
tives is well stated by Mrs. Abbie Gardner-bharpe. the sole survivor 
of that horrible affair, in her book, “The Spirit Lake Massacre, for 
sale by the author at her cottage near the monument, and at Bro w¬ 
nell’s Pharmacy. Spirit Lake. From 1857 on, the settlement of this 
region has been continuous. The only real set-back the count.v has 
received, and which, for a time, seriously threatened the futuie of 
the county, was during the years 1866 to ’68, when the skies weie 
darkened'and the grasshopper was a burden. About twenty years 
since, the Lake Region become celebrated or known as a resort for 
hunting and fishing, and let it be known that but one fish story has 
ever been told of these lakes, that could not be believed.* 
The city of Spirit Lake, with a population of 1500, is as 
■ attractive a little city as can be found in the state. Stores well 
1 supplied with finely assorted stocks of goods, in the various lines. 
Our public buildings will compare favorably with any like county- 
seat; and as for Churches, we have Baptist, Catholic, Episcopal and 
Lutheran, having frequent if not regular services. The Methodist 
church, with Rev. Dr. Lyman, and the Presbyterian, with Rev. Dr. 
Rayson, as pastors, have services each Sunday: to all of these 
strangers are cordially welcomed. , . ' 
Spirit Lake Chautauqua, in its ninth year is proving one of 
s the best throughout the West. The present year session com¬ 
mences the 17th of July continuing until and including the 31st. The 
program is made up in such shape as to lecture talent, music and 
entertainment, that hard indeed would he be to please who could 
not find much to enjoy. Copies of the Chautauqua Herald sent to 
any address on request, or will be found at most business houses in 
’ town. „ . 
To visit points of interest, and call upon your friends, start 
with wheel or carriage from Spirit Lake and take either of the 
*For further information inquire of Hon. J. W. Cory. 
LAKE SHORE PROPERTY. 
Three-fourths of a mile of Lake front—timbered throughout— 
will be sold in tracts, if desired. 
Tract No. 1. One-fourth mile of frontage, 40 acres, embracing 
20 acres timber and some of plow and meadow lands. Twenty-five 
of choicests lots can be made of this front 
/ Tract No. 2. About 31 acres, 2nd growth timber front, fine view 
will cut into 20 or more good lots, H mile of lake front, not so valu¬ 
able as the first but will grow into as fine lots as can be found. 
Y Tract No. 3. Of 20 acres heavily timbered over % of same. One 
1 cottage on this property. 
If you want good property for use or speculation this is your 
i chance. Call on Dr. Brownell at his Drug and Book store. 
DEIBNER BKOlS., 
Bus, Dray and Livery Lines. 
Spirit I<oke Okoboji. 
LAND, HORSES, LIVE STOCK, ICE AND MILK. 
GOOD RIGS— PROMPT SERVICE. 
Telephone connections with all points. 
three roads leading to Okoboji. The east road will give you a 
beautiful view to the east and south on East Okoboji lake; or by the 
west road through the timber, as pretty a way as lovers (of nature) 
need ask for. As you cross the swing bridge, after a cooling drink 
at Wilson & Sons, notice to your left the point of timber where the 
railroad leaves the bridge—here stood the cabin of the Granger 
brothers and where one of them was killed; farther to the north is 
Okoboji station. Continuing across the bridge and causeway 
you cross the railway track and come to a little grocery store; near 
here stood the cabin of the Mattock family, and here some ten or 
eleven persons, adults and children, were killed the day of the mas¬ 
sacre, March 8, 1857. Driving on to the south you will, when well 
into the woods, pass the Little Church and the home of its pastor, 
Mrs. Hornaday, and still farther you will pass the Okoboji cemetery. 
A most beautiful “God's Acre,” appropriately guarded by the tim¬ 
ber at either side, with sentinel trees throughout this pretty enclos¬ 
ure with its gentle slope to lake Minnewashta, Down the hill and 
Tents and Camping Outfits. 
Tents for sale or rent. Stools, Chairs, Cots, Ham¬ 
mocks, etc. Call and examine them at Brownell’s Phar¬ 
macy. 
to the west and you soon come to the monument, erected to the 
memory of those massacred not only, but historically recounting 
the names and deeds of the rescuing party which was sent. Of this 
expedition the Hon. R. A. Smith, living at Okoboji, was a member. 
At this place Gardner and wife, Mrs. Luce and children were killed. 
And here lives the survivor of not only the horrors of that day and 
night, but of several months. She will make your visit interesting, 
and the relics and curios in the old cabin are well worth viewing. 
You can, after viewing Pillsbury’s point and the many pretty 
cottages near by. return to Arnolds Park for a dinner, passing in 
the woods the cottage of Chief Justice Given and others. If you so 
desire you can go to the east, crossing the outlet, on the east side 
of the woods. Here Messrs. Clark and Luce were killed. On or 
near here Mr. Howe was killed the second day. 
Take either of the roads leading to Warner’s Chapel, and a 
Kodaks and Cameras, SKi*' 
And all materials used by the amateur. 
BROWNELL’S PHARMACY. 
Go to SMITH’S 
Fine Fruits and Candies, 
Salt Water Taffy and Salted Peanuts. 
Hazeiwud ice Crn 
COOLEST 
say it yet,’ 
is the finest and used exclusively 
in my Ice Cream Parlor and Soda 
Fountain. The LARGEST and 
ICE CREAM PARLOR in the city. --Lest you forget I 
GO TO SMITH’S. 
most beautiful view meets the eye, turn which way you will. North 
from Warner's Chapel and at the edge of the timber you see the 
home of Peter Ladue. Near here, the point marked by a circle, 
was the cabin of Mr. Howe, where seven persons were_ killed. 
Follow the road skirting the timber to the second point indicated, 
just across a deep ravine from the home of Mr. Arthur, on the way- 
side of the road, here stood the log houses of Messrs. Noble and 
Thatcher and here two men and two children were killed and two 
women were captured. These were the last killed and closed the 
second day of the massacre. 
To get home your road will bear to the north and northwest. 
You go down a steep hill and at the right, east of you, when upon 
the bridge, you will see in the south bank a fine mineral spring, not 
easily reached, but well worth a visit. You will find your way to 
town near the bank of the East Okoboji and across the causeway 
into the city. 
Some other day take your wheel, or wheels, and passing 
west along the south border of Spirit Lake, by the West Side Hotel 
turning to the north, you will first pass the home of B. F. Stevens, 
of St. Louis. Keeping still to the north you will pass. Templars 
Park on your right, with its fine array of buildings, certainly beauti¬ 
ful for situation. Further along you will find cottages and the sum¬ 
mer home of J. S. Polk, of Des Moines, and you are at Marble 
Grove, where Marble was killed on the 13th of March by the same 
band of Indians as had done the bloody work at Okoboji. A circle 
on the map near Marble Lake indicates the place. 
Further along, through a most beautiful tract of timber land, 
you will pass the strange “Sunken” Lake on your left and when 
you have crossed a bridge over an inlet you are brought within the 
circle of mounds, left by that unknown race of an unknown period. 
These were partially opened some years since and skeletons of 
large size discovered. Further exploration should be had of. these 
remains of pre-historic fortifications. Farther along you will see 
Books, JTagazines, Good Literature 
and Daily Papers. 
To our old customers it is unnecessary to say anything regarding 
our stock of books—We have them. 
The New Books and the Standard Publications. 
BROWNELL’S PHARMACY. 
C. M. & ST. P. RY. 
This road is kno vn to the whole west and therefore we need 
simply to call attention to the fact that by it you can come from 
most anywhere over this road and land at the Lakes. 
