February 2023

 DMARSPA FEBRUARY 23, 2023, MINUTES

  President Marla Carr welcomed DMARSPA members and guests to the February 23, 2023, meeting.
Peggy Aerosophile introduced Gale Brubaker, from Jordan House who spoke on “The Underground Railroad and John Brown.”  Gale, executive director at Jordan House, is originally from Bloomfield, and came to DM to attend Drake University.   She has worked at WHO, Borders Books, Alzheimer’s Association, and other non profits.  In May, she will have completed eight years.   The WDM Historical Society was formed in 1970 to preserve the historic home of James C. Jordan.   Located on Fuller Road, they have tours on Saturday and Sunday.  Their purpose is dedicated to Community Enrichment through education, preservation and celebration.  James Jordan (1813-1891) accomplishments:  In the legislature when the capitol was moved to Des Moines; was founder and director of the State of Iowa Bank.   Originally from Virginia, he was a Methodist and abolitionist.  He came to Des Moines because he lived in a slave-owning state.  Slave owners were taxed more for cattle than for slaves.  After James’s father died, his family moved to Michigan.  The family started marrying after settling in Michigan.  In 1839, the family made the decision to move to Missouri, although their original plan was to move to Oregon.  But, the Oregon Trial was treacherous .   The territory of Iowa was opening up, so they came to Iowa to check out the land in 1844.  They walked out their claim of 160 acres.  They finally moved here in 1845.  James was part of the legislature that worked out the Constitution laws in 1851 - Exclusion Law- which prohibited negro immigration into Iowa.  Those already here could remain.  When the family got here, they lived in a tent, then a cabin in 1848.   Melinda passed away in 1855, a mother of six children.  James was a widower for a year and then married Cynthia in 1856 , a widow whom he had hired to be the school teacher in the school he built and supported.  He was 45 and she was 26.  The Jordans eventually owned 1800 acres.  Special terminology for the Underground Railroad.  Several routes, including going into Mexico.  John Brown was an action abolitionist.   He traveled between his home in NY and Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa.   We are part of the John Brown Freedom Trail.   John Brown and his group stayed at the Jordan house, actually the property, in 1859.   We were stop #8 on the trail across Iowa which went from SW Iowa , through Dexter to WDM.  Seven months later, Brown and his men attempted to seize the Federal Armory and Arsenal in Harper’s Ferry, Va.  It is estimated that in 1850, 100,000 formerely enslaved individuals escaped via the Underground Railroad.  Example of two of the slaves - Samuel and Jane Harper who were two of the twelve individuals John Brown helped.  James Jordan and Valley Junction = James gave a bribe to bring in the railroad to Valley junction in 1876.  He convinced the Rock Island to put a shipping junction near his property instead of Waukee.  By 1900’s, over 400 railroad employees and families lived in Valley Junction.   More than 26 passenger trains passed through daily.   A variety of nationalities lived there to service the railroad.  Can contact Gale at gbrubaker@wdmhs.org, 515-225-1286.   Several plans in the works - getting a log cabin, having a summer camp for kids, bring school to grounds.  First, they have to get the deteriorating buildings from the church camp either fixed or taken down.  Cost of the tour - $5.  The family sold the house in 1947.   They burned many of the papers when they cleaned out the house.  So, much of the proof for historical recognition was burned up.  People can be a member of the WDM Historical Society for $25 a year.  There is a fund from Grinnell College to provide field trips for students.  Pathway to History made of bricks that people dedicated to loved ones.  You can purchase one for $50 or $100.  Follow her on Facebook at @WestDesMoinesHistoricalSociety.
Pledge of Allegiance followed by a moment of silence.  
Lunch
During lunch, Kamryn Ryan briefly presented about a paid volunteer program in the schools.
Introduction of visitors.
BUSINESS MEETING:
    A.  Secretary’s report:  Sherry Wilkinson.   Minutes were approved as read.
    B.  Treasurer’s report:  Sandra Petre.. GENERAL FUND - Balance on hand January 26,             2023 - $4738.78,  Deposits - $973.00.  Expenses - Hy Vee (lunch) $885.96.  Balance on             hand February 23, 2023 - $4825.82.  SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNT - Balance on hand             January 25, 2023 - $2480.38.  Deposit - $151.00.  Interest - $.52.  Balance on hand             February 23, 2023 -     $2631.90.  TOTAL BALANCE ON HAND FEBRUARY 23, 2023 -
    $7452.72.
    C.  Courtesy Report:  Dee Fleischacker - Scholarship applications sent out to colleges             and two received back so far.   Welcome letters sent to two new members, Get well             card to Sandy Weldon, who just had knee surgery, and sympathy card to Garland             Seibert’s family.
    D.  Old Business:
        1.  Seeking President and Vice President.
        2.   Tell friends about DMARSPA.  Marla would like to reach 100 in membership.
    E.  New Business:
        1.  Let Marla know if you have any concerns about our new venue.
        2.  Dues - will start collecting in March for 2023-24 year.   Dues need to be paid                 by June 27.
        3.   Over $500 collected at this meeting for the Scholarship fund.
8.  March cashiers - Allaire Jutting and Paula Middleton Schaffer.
9.  Door prize - Allaire Jutting
10.  March Program - Mary’s Helping Hands - Lauren Burke and Robin Fulton.  
    A.   Donations of diapers and clothing will be accepted.  Any size is needed.  Also             looking for seamstresses.   Also accept gently used T shirts who makes breast pads,             maternity clothing, sheets.  Do not accept used pack and plays.  They also have a             Venmo account for donations.

Respectfully submitted,

Sherry Wilkinson
Secretary