Malmberg retells tales of Iowa in mid-century history classic

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Bonnie and Clyde are among Iowa's historical notables in Don Brown's book, "Tell a Tale of Iowa."

Many people I talk with feel that younger Iowans are not learning about our state. They claim people are just not aware of our state’s unique heritage as the best example of New England Yankee, Upland South and Western European immigrant cultural mix in the United States.

A little reading can change this situation. There are some very interesting books and articles on Iowa history that tell our story very well and help educate Iowans. New history books, such as the one Lake City marketer Darcy Maulsby just released, are also published regularly and meet with avid readers.

One of the best books for people wanting to learn more about Iowa is “Tell a Tale of Iowa.” This book was published by Don Brown in 1965 and is familiar to many older Iowans. In my opinion, it is perfect for the Internet age.

Its stories are short and well organized by theme, including the seven themes of Native American and settler stories, crime and mysteries, favorites, heroes, dreamers, characters and unforgettable people. Yes, Iowa has plenty of all of those.

Chief Mahaska, also known as Chief White Cloud

The legendary Native American Chiefs Black Hawk and Mahaska feature prominently in the first section. Most people are unaware of Mahaska’s desperate efforts to keep his Ioway people together and out of trouble.

Unfortunately for Mahaska, also known as Chief White Cloud, his efforts resulted in his eventual murder at the hands of two of his own men.

No Iowa history book would be complete without the story of the notorious Spirit Lake massacre and the smaller Teagarden family murders. Brown tells all of these stories in a suspenseful writing style.

Brown discusses many of our state’s criminal acts in part two. Many people are unaware that homegrown outlaws like the Troublesome Creek Gang and the savage but dumb Valentine brothers caused serious problems in parts of rural Iowa.

Legendary outlaws such as the James gang, Dillinger gang and Bonnie and Clyde were known to pass through and committed their share of robberies. The author describes one of the Dillinger gang raids in gripping fashion.

What other state can boast of holding a hobo festival, a legendary little brown church, a Corn Palace or a Giant? Brown tells all about these famous Iowa stories and follows up with a story about the 1890’s version of the Battleship Iowa.

Today visitors can see models of the 1940s and 1980s Battleship at Forest Park Museum. These models were present at the relaunch ceremony when the ship started a voyage around the world in the 1980s.

Barclay Coppock

Of course Iowa has our share of heroic figures. The five Sullivan brothers, the Coppock brothers from John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry and the extremely courageous Senator Grimes, who prevented the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson — these are just a few of them. No history of Iowa heroes would be complete without an account of Kate Shelley and her incredible train rescue in Boone County.

Most people have dreams, but some are bigger than others. Many notable Wild West writers, humorists, musicians and artists called Iowa home. Brown’s story about how unhappy Grant Wood’s dentist was when he saw his likeness in the famous American Gothic painting is particularly hilarious.

Iowa has its share of characters, some of them even achieved national prominence. The author tells about the scandal of Amelia Bloomer and the short dress with pantaloons she popularized to the consternation of many Iowans and people across the nation.

Amelia Bloomer

This state also produced the worst Vaudeville Act in history. The terrible Cherry sisters, as they were known, sang so badly that eggs and tomatoes were thrown at them regularly and forced them to perform behind chicken wire. In spite of this, the three sisters sang regularly together for many years and received a full obituary in the New York Times when they passed away.

Some people, like Buffalo Bill Cody and the famous Ringling Brothers, will be remembered for generations to come. These are just some of the noteworthy Iowans Brown discusses, and they make for a fitting end to his book.

“Tell a Tale of Iowa” is certainly not a complete history of Iowa, but it doesn’t claim to be. Instead, it succeeds in getting readers interested in our unique state history and some of the many people who shaped the state as we know it today. Next time you visit the library or a used book store, find out if it is available. You will find it worth a read!

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