The next in order, is Dr. S. J. Starr, who came to AMES during the early part of the year 1866, and at once commenced medical practice. He soon received not only a flattering practice but the respect and confidence of citizens of town and country. In 1875, owing to failing health, the consequence of fatigue and exposure incident to pioneer practice, Dr. Starr was obliged to retire from his profession. He will long be remembered by our people as a devoted and self sacrificing physician. Dr. Starr is still a resident of Ames.

In the summer of 1868 Dr. James Bradley a graduate of the Chicago Medical College of the class of 1868, settled in Ames and commenced the practice of his profession, as partner of Dr. Carr. This connection was continued until the removal of Dr. Carr from AMES, when Dr. A. Richmond became associated with him, this business relation continuing until the summer of 1872. Dr. Bradley's medical career in AMES has been a continuing success, as his host of friends and patrons abundantly testify. He still resides here in the practice of his profession.

In the spring of 1870 Dr. Albert Richmond, of Vermont, and a graduate of the Medical Department of the University of Vermont, came to AMES, and engaged in the practice of medicine, associating himself with Dr. James Bradley with whom he continued during his residence here, which terminated in the summer of 1872. Dr. Richmond in addition to a finished general education, was thoroughly read in his profession, and was very successful and popular in his practice. He went from here to his native town in Windsor Co., Vermont, where he is engaged in a very extensive practice. He is still remembered by his many friends in this vicinity as a finished gentlemen and kind and sympathizing medical attendant.

One of our most popular and skillful physicians is Dr. D. S. Fairchild, a native of Vermont and a graduate of the class of 1868 of the Albany N.Y. Medical College. He located in AMES in July 1872, and at once took high rank in the medical profession here. Dr. Fairchild is deservedly popular, being not only thoroughly read in his profession, and a constant and devoted student of its literature, but beyond this an intelligent and social gentleman. He still resides here in the enjoyment of a large and lucrative practice.

The oldest medical practitioner in AMES both as relates to years of life and years devoted to the profession, is Dr. Geo. Stitzell. Dr. Stitzell graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in the year 1855 and at once engaged in medical practice which he has continued until the present time. During the late rebellion he served as surgeon of the 56th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry two years in a very acceptable manner. Dr. S. has been a

Last in the list of members of the medical fraternity of AMES, as well as the youngest in the profession is Dr. Geo. A. Meredith, a graduate of the class of 1872, of the Medical Department of the University of Michigan. Dr. Meredith first settled at Ontario, in this county, from whence he moved to AMES in August 1874, where he continues to practice. Dr. Meredith has all the qualifications for a first-class physician and is rapidly winning favor with our people and distinction in his profession.

In conclusion of this subject it may truthfully be said of the medical fraternity of AMES, that they have ever sustained themselves and the profession they honor in a very creditable manner before our people, and those practicing here enjoy in an eminent degree the confidence and respect of our community. Although within two hours ride of our State Capital it is a rare thing indeed, that medical council is sought from that point where some of the most noted of the profession in the State reside. Beyond this it seems proper to state that representatives to the State Medical Association, and the International Medical Congress have been from time to time selected from the members of the profession here.

These facts confer a high deed of praise upon members of the fraternity at AMES, and afford an unmistakable index of the estimation in which they are held at home and abroad.

Our Schools
Special prominence should be given to the educational advantages of our growing city. Until April, 1871, we were known as Sub-District No.4 of Washington township. Since that period we have been known as The Independent District of AMES. At the time of our independent organization we found ourselves with an enumeration of 226 scholars, supporting two teachers with an average attendance in our schools of 145. We were near $2,000 in debt, with but one school building, and that of limited capacity, besides being inconveniently situated as related to near one-half the scholars. But our people have every fully realized the important benefit to be derived from popular education, and have manifested a commendable zeal in their efforts to provide ways and means for the promotion of this vital interest, and it is a source of congratulation that these efforts have been fruitful in results. We have to-day two school houses of tasteful appearance and convenient arrangement, with five large rooms, where near three hundred scholars are daily taught in the rudiments of education.

The Iowa State Agricultural College,
May properly be classed among the educational agencies of AMES. It is situated one mile west of the city, on a fine elevation overlooking the surrounding country in every direction. The College farm was purchased for the State in 1859, the act for the establishment of the Agricultural College having been passed by the legislature

Rail Roads

The central position of AMES on the map of our State cannot fail to strike the observed as likely to afford her marked advantages over other inland towns as relates to probable railroad connections. This was seen and appreciated by our first settlers when the C. R. & M. R. R. R. was completed to this point, and hence the active and persistent efforts of our people in behalf of a railroad connection with the State Capital which were at length crowned with success in the building of the D. M. & M. R. R. from Des Moines to this place While this road, which here connects with the C. & N. W. R. R. is in itself of vast advantage to us, bringing us, as it does into near business and we may say social relations with a large and enterprising city, we yet regard it of far greater importance as giving promise of other north and south roads from beyond us at the northeast and northwest, which roads seem destined from natural causes to converge to this point. The Northwestern must ever remain, as it today is, the chief of all the east and west trunk lines traversing our State. It is not the legitimate object or province of this work to give statistical data touching the standing or comparative traffic of this line of road. It may not however be out of place to state that with a first class road bed and track, with all needed rolling stock, it is at many seasons of the year taxed to its utmost capacity in doing all the business offered, and the building of a second track has been from time to time earnestly discussed - the managers of the road seeing the necessity for this improvement in the near future. At this time, of all the points contributing to the carrying trade of this road west of Cedar Rapids, AMES, with two exceptions stands first.

The coming crop will add largely to the surplus agricultural products of our county all of which must be moved toward a market by this road, and the call for shipping facilities from AMES is likely to be largely in excess of any former year, and this steadily growing demand can only be met in the coming year by the greatly enlarged carrying capacity of the mad. At present nearly one-half the shipments from Story county are made at Ames, and when we consider that the D. M. & M. Road is of narrow gauge,

The following summary and addenda will show the present condition of AMES as relates to material industries and interests. We have here four firms dealing in General Merchandise, to-wit: Bigelow Huntington & Tilden, Monroe Soper & Thomas, H. Rothschild & Co. (New York Store, I. E. Hirsh, Manager,) and the Skandinavian Store, Christensen & Jacobson proprietors. The three first named firms carry large and full stocks of dry goods, groceries, hats, caps, clothing, boots and shoes, carpets, &c., &c. The latter named carries a full but lighter stock in all lines mentioned. In the line of Hardware we have three firms, all doing a prosperous business. Boyd Brothers, in addition to their general hardware and stove trade deal 1argely in farm machinery and agricultural implements. Wright & Littte carry a large and full stock of general hardware, stoves, &c. They also deal in agricultural implements and farm machinery. Bingham & Barroll is a new firm in this line, dealing in general hardware, stoves, pumps, and house furnishing goods. They are enterprising young men and carry a very fine and full stock of goods.

In the line of Groceries and Family Supply Stores, we have Chaney & Co., and Wm. Clark. These firms have each a large and prosperous business, and keep full and perfect stocks of groceries, vegetables, green, dried and canned fruits &c., &c.

In the Drug Trade we have John J. Bousquet & Co., and Tilden & Eddy. They each carry full stocks of drugs, paints, oil and glass, patent medicines, books, paper, wall paper and notions. Bosquet & Co. have the advantage of long experience here, but Tilden & Eddy are young men of rare probity and enterprise and have already a large trade, which promises a steady increase.

H. P. Lods deals in ready made clothing, boots and shoes, gentlemen's furnishing goods and notions. He carries a large and full stock.

We have two Jewelry Stores, either of which would be a credit to a much larger town than Ames. W. W. Booth was the first established, but I. B. Frazee is after him in all kinds of enterprise known to the trade. They are both young men who understand their business and attend to it in al1 its details.

The Intelligencer, a weekly newspaper, is published here by Watts & Alexander. Also during each college year, The Aurora, by the college literary societies.

Hotels. Ames boasts of two No. 1 Hotels, The West House, kept by Wm. West, and the New York House, J. A. Bain proprietor. Traveling men testify that no superior and few as good Hotels as those of Ames are kept on the N. W. R. R. in Iowa.

In custom Boot and Shoe making we have L. Z. DeLorme, C. Johnson, and Bonebrake & Hulett. They

We have two Harness Shops. Wm. McMichael, and H. S. Goble. Both these concerns, are reliable and well patronized and their stocks comprise everything in their line.

Of Furniture Stores we have two; B. J. Blaney and P. B. Butler. Mr. Blaney has been a resident of Ames near ten years and is noted for his "good works." Mr. Butler is also an old resident, carrying a large stock and does a large business.

The only special dealer in farm machinery and agricultural implements, is Cal. Giddings. He does an extensive business and is a reliable man.

As before noticed there is but one Lumber Dealer in Ames. C. Lamb & Sons, of Clinton, Iowa, represented by C. D Norman Agent. Their supply of lumber and building material in their line is large and complete.

Of the Professions of Law and Medicine, Ames has the following representatives: Attorneys; Cyrus E. Turner, McCarthy Stevens & Underwood, and Rainbolt & Barnes; Physicians; James Bradley, Geo Stitzell, S. J. Starr, D. S. Fairchild and G. A Meredith.

As a practical Dentist, Dr. E. D. Andruss has no superior in the State, as his numerous patrons will testify.

Banker, Wm. D, Lucas. Mr. Lucas does a general banking business and is in every respect a reliable business man.

With the foregoing exhibit the history of Ames on the Fourth of July in the first Centennial year of our country is concluded. It may be relied on as nearly accurate and fully truthful.