Library in a bathroom?

In 1907, members of the PEO Chapter K and the Village Improvement Society Ladies met for the planning and starting of a public library.

The first library was in the courthouse restroom and had been self-supporting by fines and book rentals. Because of confusion and the coming and going of occupants of the restroom, a room on the third floor of the courthouse was accepted as a more suitable place for the library.

It was decided to apply to Mr. Carnegie for funds to build a suitable library. Receiving a favorable reply from Mr. Carnegie, the Village Improvement Society Ladies met with the city council placing the matting before them. On March 25, 1907, a special election for the voting of a tax was held.

The women had won their spurs as politicians and when the proposition to erect a Carnegie library came up, the mere men realized there was no hope of defeating it after the ladies announced they proposed to fight it out on that line if it took all summer.

Again, the ladies go in their carriages and dragged the voters to the polls and carried every ward and the general population by a handsome majority. The ladies waited for the mayor to announce his library board of trustees — the ladies wanting at least four members on it — expecting to see the dirt fly or know the reason why.

Interested citizens and the ladies kept the matter before the public until the council appointed a board. The mayor made his appointments, which the council rejected with neatness and dispatch saying they had it in their power they would have who they believed to be the best or none.

Deadlock stood with a good prospect of no library board at all.

It was jokingly reported there were so many board appointees they were arranging to hold a reunion as soon as their membership reached the 5,000 mark and the mayor hadn’t mentioned the statue of justice over the east courthouse door as an appointee yet.

Finally, after more the five tries, the deadlock ended when the mayor submitted a board that not a member of the council had any objections.

It was over. The mayor and council smoked the “Pipe of Peace.” The nine-member board consisted of five men and four women.

It was not recorded the council fell upon each other’s necks and wept with joy over the outcome. One councilman was reported to have been seen to smile once or twice that week. Another was seen smoking a cigar election day. One felt so good he expected to take an afternoon off and go fishing. The mayor felt they had ironed out the wrinkles of the situation.

So all was lovely — sometimes, maybe.

The new library was dedicated June 15, 1911.

In 1912, the ladies voted to build a chapel at Maple Hill Cemetery. It is standing still today with additions build on the east and west.