following persons: J. H. Wallbank, S. D. Cook, F. N. Chase, J. E. E. Markley, S. B. Packard, R. H. Moore, Allan Dawson, S. H. Mallory, G. W. McCoid, Owen Lovejoy and A. W. Irwin; who proceeded to organize by the election of the following officers: S. H. Mallory, president; Allan Dawson, vice-president; F. N. Chase, secretary; G. W. McCoid, treasurer.
A Semi-Centennial Celebration of the admission of Iowa into the Union was held at Burlington in the month of October, 1896. The Governor appointed a Commission consisting of P. M. Crapo, George F. Henry and John Scott to make arrangements for this celebration. It was largely attended by the pioneers of the State and many valuable historical addresses and papers were contributed.
On the 28th of March, 1896, the battleship “Iowa,” which had been built by the Government and named in honor of our State, was launched at Philadelphia. The Governor and Staff and most of the Iowa members of Congress were present and participated in the exercises. The ship was christened by Miss Mary Lord Drake, daughter of the Governor. By authority of the General Assembly a silver plate service was procured and presented to the commander of the “Iowa.”
During the latter part of the year a terrible famine prevailed in India and appeals were made to the people of the United States for aid. Governor Drake appointed a commission consisting of Hoyt Sherman, E. H. Conger, Rev. Leon A. Harvey, Colonel G. L. Godfry, W. L. Carpenter and J. D. McGarraugh to collect and forward provisions to the sufferers in India. The people of Iowa contributed liberally and the Commissioners were enabled to furnish generous aid.
On the 11th of July, 1896, there occurred a collision of trains on the main line of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway near Logan in Harrison County, the most destructive to human life that has ever been known within the State.
