Pieces of Iowa’s Past, February 9, 2011

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, published by the Iowa State Capitol Tour Guides weekly during the legislative session, features historical facts about Iowa, the Capitol, and the early workings of state government. All historical publications are reproduced here with the actual spelling, punctuation, and grammar retained. February 9, 2011 THIS WEEK: Forty-fourth Iowa General Assembly

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, February 16, 2011

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, published by the Iowa State Capitol Tour Guides weekly during the legislative session, features historical facts about Iowa, the Capitol, and the early workings of state government. All historical publications are reproduced here with the actual spelling, punctuation, and grammar retained. February 16, 2011 THIS WEEK: Fifty-fourth Iowa General Assembly

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, February 23, 2011

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, published by the Iowa State Capitol Tour Guides weekly during the legislative session, features historical facts about Iowa, the Capitol, and the early workings of state government. All historical publications are reproduced here with the actual spelling, punctuation, and grammar retained. February 23, 2011 THIS WEEK: Sixty-fourth Iowa General Assembl

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, March 2, 2011

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, published by the Iowa State Capitol Tour Guides weekly during the legislative session, features historical facts about Iowa, the Capitol, and the early workings of state government. All historical publications are reproduced here with the actual spelling, punctuation, and grammar retained. March 2, 2011 THIS WEEK: Seventy-fourth Iowa General Assembly

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, March 9, 2011

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, published by the Iowa State Capitol Tour Guides weekly during the legislative session, features historical facts about Iowa, the Capitol, and the early workings of state government. All historical publications are reproduced here with the actual spelling, punctuation, and grammar retained. March 9, 2011 THIS WEEK: The Future of the State Law Library

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, March 16, 2011

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, published by the Iowa State Capitol Tour Guides weekly during the legislative session, features historical facts about Iowa, the Capitol, and the early workings of state government. All historical publications are reproduced here with the actual spelling, punctuation, and grammar retained. March 16, 2011 THIS WEEK: Marquette’s account of the discovery of the Upper Mississippi

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, March 24, 2011

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, published by the Iowa State Capitol Tour Guides weekly during the legislative session, features historical facts about Iowa, the Capitol, and the early workings of state government. All historical publications are reproduced here with the actual spelling, punctuation, and grammar retained. March 24, 2011 THIS WEEK: Origin of the Pioneer Lawmakers Association BACKGROUND: Aldrich, Gue, and Finkbin

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, March 30, 2011

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, published by the Iowa State Capitol Tour Guides weekly during the legislative session, features historical facts about Iowa, the Capitol, and the early workings of state government. All historical publications are reproduced here with the actual spelling, punctuation, and grammar retained. March 30, 2011 THIS WEEK: John B. Newhall BACKGROUND: This information is from the introduction written by William Petersen in a reprint of the second edition of A Glimpse of Iowa in 1846.

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, April 6, 2011

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, published by the Iowa State Capitol Tour Guides weekly during the legislative session, features historical facts about Iowa, the Capitol, and the early workings of state government. All historical publications are reproduced here with the actual spelling, punctuation, and grammar retained. April 6, 2011 THIS WEEK: The early Iowa experience for women BACKGROUND: From The Story of Iowa: The Progress of an American State, by William J. Petersen, Vol. 1, Copyright 1952, Lewis Historical Publishing Co., Inc., New Yor

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, April 13, 2011

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, published by the Iowa State Capitol Tour Guides weekly during the legislative session, features historical facts about Iowa, the Capitol, and the early workings of state government. All historical publications are reproduced here with the actual spelling, punctuation, and grammar retained. April 13, 2011 THIS WEEK: Average Prices of Cattle, Cows and Sheep, and the Necessary Farming Implements for the Beginner BACKGROUND: From A Glimpse or Iowa in 1846; or, the Emigrant’s Guide, and State Directory; with a Description of the New Purchase: Embracing Much Practical Advice and Useful Information to Intending Emigrants. By J.B. Newhall, W.D. Skillman, Publisher; Burlington, Iowa, 1846, Second Edition

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, May 4, 2011

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, published by the Iowa State Capitol Tour Guides weekly during the legislative session, features historical facts about Iowa, the Capitol, and the early workings of state government. All historical publications are reproduced here with the actual spelling, punctuation, and grammar retained. May 4, 2011 THIS WEEK: Destruction and Salvage of the Iowa Building BACKGROUND: Iowa was the first state to dedicate its building at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. This it did on November 14, 1903, five and one-half months before the opening of the World’s Fair. The building was an extravagant structure, but its life was temporary. Destruction of the building began on December 1, 1905

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, May 11, 2011

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, published by the Iowa State Capitol Tour Guides weekly during the legislative session, features historical facts about Iowa, the Capitol, and the early workings of state government. All historical publications are reproduced here with the actual spelling, punctuation, and grammar retained. May 11, 2011 THIS WEEK: Governor Kirkwood :” . . . what my state could do for you.” BACKGROUND The Fourth reunion of the Pioneer Lawmakers Association assembled in the auditorium of the Young Men’s Christian Association Building at Des Moines, on the 14th day of February, 1894, at 9 a.m., and were called to order by Hon. George G. Wright, President

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, January 11, 2012

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, published by the Iowa State Capitol Tour Guides weekly during the legislative session, features historical facts about Iowa, the Capitol, and the early workings of state government. All historical publications are reproduced here with the actual spelling, punctuation, and grammar retained. January 11, 2012 THIS WEEK: PROFESSORSHIPS AND STUDENT ENROLLMENT AT THE STATE UNIVERSITY BACKGROUND: The Ninth General Assembly convened January 13, 1862, and adjourned April 8, 1862—an 86-day session. The Brick Capitol in Des Moines had been the seat of government for four years. John R. Needham was the Lt. Governor presiding in the Senate, and Rush Clark was the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Republican Party had the majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The legislature had 140 members. Samuel Kirkwood was the governor, serving his second term. Governor Kirkwood was the first governor of Iowa to be re-elected to a second term and the first governor to serve nonconsecutive terms. He was 46 at the time of his first Inaugural on January 11, 1860. The 1860 census showed Iowa’s population at 674,913.

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, January 18, 2012

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, published by the Iowa State Capitol Tour Guides weekly during the legislative session, features historical facts about Iowa, the Capitol, and the early workings of state government. All historical publications are reproduced here with the actual spelling, punctuation, and grammar retained. January 18, 2012 THIS WEEK: Report by Annie Wittenmyer, State Sanitary Agent BACKGROUND: The 10th General Assembly convened on January 11, 1864, and adjourned on March 29—a 79-day session. There were 138 members in the legislature. The members included 42 Republicans in the Senate and 87 Republicans in the House of Representatives. Democrats numbered four in the Senate and five in the House. Jacob Butler was the Speaker of the House, and Enoch W. Eastman was the Lt. Governor presiding in the Senate. William Stone was Iowa’s governor. Stone was inaugurated on January 14, 1864. He was 36 years old. Governor Stone, a friend of President Abraham Lincoln, rode Lincoln’s funeral train to Springfield, Illinois

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, January 25, 2012

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, published by the Iowa State Capitol Tour Guides weekly during the legislative session, features historical facts about Iowa, the Capitol, and the early workings of state government. All historical publications are reproduced here with the actual spelling, punctuation, and grammar retained. January 25, 2012 THIS WEEK: HOUSE RESOLUTIONS PRESENTED ON JANUARY 8, 1866 BACKGROUND: Background: The 11th General Assembly convened January 8, 1866, and adjourned April 3, 1866—an 86-day session. There were 146 members in the legislature, 48 senators and 98 representatives. Iowa’s Governor was William Milo Stone, and the 1860 census showed Iowa’s population at 482,699. Robert Finkbine represented House district 26. It was Finkbine’ s second term. He was 37 and listed his occupation as “builder.” Robert Finkbine went on to become the Superintendent of Construction for the present day Capitol. House district 26 represented Johnson County in 1866. In 1878, Marion County became the constituency for House district 26. The representative in House district 26 in 1878 was William Milo Stone, previous governor and resident of Knoxville