Histories of our utilities may be found elsewhere in this book, but the governmental procedures establishing them and the other various municipal departments are as follows:

Lighting for our town in the early years created problems when six suitable oil street lamps were installed on Main Street in October, 1885. These had to be lighted and turned off at midnight. In 1896, C.H. Reinholdt ordered one dozen additional oil lamps. Fred Miller furnished the oil at 13 cents per gallon. By October, 1899, and continuing from time to time, street lamps were placed on various important corners around town. In May, 1900, the Council hired someone to attend to the lighting, filling and extinguishing of the lamps, at a salary of $16.00 per month.

Telephones Appear September 30, 1900, an ordinance was enacted which covered the franchise with the Audubon Telephone Company to set up poles and install

telephone lines. Their lease continued until the business became the Independent Manning Telephone Company.

The next ordinance called for an electric light plant and at an election March 1, 1901, the town granted a 10-year franchise to W.B. Swaney and Peter Ohrt, who established the Manning Electric Light Company. June 6 the town rented 10 arclight fixtures at a cost not to exceed $8.00 each from the Manning company. The lamps carried 2000 candle-power and were to burn all night. The company's franchise was again renewed in 1911.

September 27, 1954, Erwin Hansen, city attorney, discussed procedures with the Council for proposed natural gas for Manning, to cost $250,000. An election was held December 20, 1954, with 671 yes ballots and 22 no ballots. A special election was held December 11, 1959, to vote on the contract for gas to buy and resell to the residents of Manning with the gas to be available for approximately 20 years. May 26, 1960, bids were taken and L.R. Young Construction Co., of Salem, Illinois was awarded the contract for $151,666.77.

After the town purchased its first ten acres of land for a cemetery in 1883, more land was needed from time to time. The town bought 3.96 acres from Harry Hinz in August, 1948, and additional land from him in January, 1968.

On May 19, 1884, the town was bonded for $5000 for fire protection. In September of 1896 Nick Schilling built a hook and ladder cart for $75 and in April of 1897 rubber buckets were purchased for $16 a dozen to use with the cart. In March, 1901, $30 was spent for six firemen's coats and in 1903 the Council ruled to pay $1 to the first fireman arriving at a fire. Today $1 wouldn't be an incentive, but in 1903 it was the average amount paid for a day's wages. This may account for the speed of our championship firemen's running team.

In 1932, March 4, an election was held to establish a public library to be supported and maintained by taxation. An ordinance established a library board of trustees August 2, 1934, and in December they appointed Mrs. Bertha Sutherland and L.E. Qualley for 6-year terms; Luther Tate and Mrs. Hazel Meyers for 4-year terms; and Pearl West for a 2-year term.

On January 4, 1945 the Chamber of Commerce requested the Council to investigate a proposed airport. January 27, 1945 they submitted a proposition to levy annual special tax not to exceed 1 1/4 mills per annum on taxable property for a period of not more than 20 years and not exceeding $17,000 for acquiring and equipping a municipal airport, according to chapter 303.1 code of Iowa. An election on February 23, 1945 proved favorable.

In October, 1936, the Town Council considered a petition to acquire land to build a swimming pool, and an election was held November 16. In January, 1937, C.W. Steinbaugh of Omaha, architect, presented plans and in April, 1938, Buell & Winters of Sioux City discussed proposed pool plans with the Council. Actual progress did not begin until July, 1956, when Lechner Engineering Company of Omaha presented specifications for a pool and an election was held August 7, 1956, ratifying the project.

City Park

During the early 1920's plans were made for constructing a city park. March 6, 1924 a resolution authorized purchase of the ground necessary. It was located south of present Highway 141 opposite the city fire station. It was named Citizens Park. A Park Commission was named April 14, 1930, consisting of J.J. Sinn, Wm. Ohde, and H.J. Vogt, at salaries of $10 per year.

Garbage Collection

Garbage collection began in March, 1947, when Edward Erps met with the Town Council to inaugurate a garbage pick-up. In April, 1957, an ordinance established charges and rentals for use of and service rendered by Sanitary Utilities of the Town of Manning, providing rules and regulations for the collection.

In February, 1971, the Carroll County Solid Waste Management Commission was formed, the sanitary land fill dump discussed, and an agreement was made in May, 1971, with the Carroll County Waste Commission to open that fall. In September, 1971, bids for garbage collection were submitted and Lyle Rowedder's bid of $1.35 per residence was accepted, to start November 1, 1971. Over a period of nine years the rates have gradually increased to the present 1980 rate of $4 monthly.

The owner of the first car in Manning was O.E. Dutton, in 1905. By April, 1907, there were six car owners, according to the assessment rolls. In 1907, three cars were assessed at $300 and the other three at $700. According to the records, it became evident that as the cars got older, the assessments declined too.

In September of 1911 an ordinance was passed for the regulating of such requirements as the speed limit to 15 miles per hour, good brakes, suitable muffler, carrying lights, etc. Also no cars were to be left unattended with the motor running and cars were required to park in the center of Main Street in the appropriate painted lines. Anyone driving horses was required to turn to the right and off the street so that the cars had the hard surface to drive on.