At the regular meeting of the Melrose Council Monday evening, James J. Carr was selected for Mayor in the place of M. J. Coleman, who resigned. Source: Melrose Bell, January 6, 1916 Notice of Special Election To the qualified electors and voters of the town of Melrose, Iowa. Your are hereby notified that at a regular meeting of the Common Council held at the Town Hall in the Town of Melrose, Iowa, on the 3rd day of January, 1916, at which meeting Councilmen James Curran, Roy Day, John Palmer, Thomas Reynolds, and M. F. Ciska were present, also J. M. Carr, Mayor, and J. L. Dinneen, Clerk, the petition of M. F. Coleman, a property owner of said Town, said petition signed by the required number of qualified electors and property owners residing in and citizens of said town, asking that a franchise be granted to the said M. J. Coleman, for the installation, erection and maintenance of an electric light plant in the said town of Melrose was presented to the Council. WHEREAS Source: Melrose Bell, January 20, 1916 Electric Lights The voters of our city will have the opportunity of voting on the proposition of granting a franchise to M. J. Coleman for lighting the city. Lights are furnished for a number of business buildings at the present time and good satisfaction is given. Mr. Coleman has purchased new machinery with power enough to accommodate our people. We have been at a disadvantage in the way of lights for the streets and for use in stores and residences. This is a question that must be met in some way and the present proposition will fill the long felt want. It is not pleasant for our citizens or for strangers while in the city to be compelled to travel our streets without lights. We are assured that all will be taken care of in the way of lights for stores and residences and that the streets will be fully covered. This is a public enterprise and should be sustained by our citizens. Let us have a full vote and boost for this enterprise. Source: Melrose Bell, February 3, 1916 Melrose To Have Electric Lights At the special election held Monday for the electric lights, the proposition carried by a large majority. Source: Melrose Bell, February 10, 1916 Ordinance No. 59 An ordinance granting to M. J. Coleman, of Melrose, Iowa, his associates, successors, and assigns, the right to install, and maintain an electric light and power plant in the Incorporated Town of Melrose, Iowa.
Be it ordained by the Mayor and Town council of the incorporated Town of Melrose, Monroe County Iowa, as follows, to-wit: Section One: -- That pursuant to a vote of a majority of the voters of said incorporated Town of Melrose, Iowa, at a special election called and held for the purpose on the 7th day of February, 1916, authorizing the granting of this franchise, and approving the same permission is hereby granted to M. J. Coleman, of Melrose, Iowa, his associates, and assigns to erect, and maintain upon the public streets and alleys in the incorporated Town of Melrose, Iowa, at such points as may be designated by the Town Council of said incorporated Town, through it s Street Committee, poles, or posts of wood, or other suitable material, to support all necessary wires, arms, lamps and fixtures as may be necessary to operate and maintain an electric light and power plant ant to convey current to be sold to said town, and any of it inhabitants for private or public use and consumption; provided however, said poles, posts, wires, arms, supports, and other fixtures, shall be so placed, supported, and maintained, and the wires, arms, lamps, and fixtures placed at such elevation, not less than Twenty Five Feet above the grade at Street Crossings, and also placed and maintained as to avoid danger to person, and damage to adjacent property, and to avoid the obstruction of the free use of all streets, and alleys, for any, and all lawful purposes. Section Two: -- Said poles shall not be so set as to interfere with the proper improvements of said streets and alleys, as may hereafter be determined by the Town Council and in case of bringing to grade, or changing any street, or alley, where such poles have been set, then said M. J. Coleman, his successors, and assigns, shall erect such poles, or posts, under the direction of the street committee of said Town Council. Section Three: -- The said M. J. Coleman, his successors, and assigns shall hold the said Town safe and harmless against any and all damage resulting from the erection of said poles, posts, wires, fixtures, and lamps, under the permission herein granted, as well as from the carelessness of any agent, or employe of the said M. J. Coleman, or his successors, and assigns, in erecting placing, and using said poles, posts, wires and fixtures, and in maintaining and using the same, and shall hold and keep said town safe and harmless from any damage cause, or causes of action, arising against it by reason of placing, using, or maintaining said poles, wires, and fixtures, or by the use of any machinery, lamps, fixtures, or appliances, on which letters patent have been granted to any person, or company, without the consent of such person or company. Section Four: -- That in consideration of the privileges herein granted, and the rentals to be paid by the said incorporated Town of Melrose, as hereinafter specified, the said M. J. Coleman, his successors, and assigns, shall put in and install in said Town of Melrose, an Electric Light and Power, plant of sufficient dimensions and capacity to furnish said town with such number of Street Lights of not less than 8 Watt Power, and shall at all time during the life of an electric Light and Power plant of sufficient capacity to supply the needs of said Town, and inhabitants thereof with light and power as may be reasonably demanded; said Electric Plant and machinery used in operating the same shall be of the most approved make now in use for such purposes. Section Five: -- Light for Commercial and Private use in Stores, Halls, Churches, and private residences to be operated from early candle lighting in the evening until Twelve O Clock midnight each and every night during the year; provided however, that in case of public meetings, and entertainments being held in and of the halls or churches in said town, then on such occasions said commercial lights, and the Street Lights provided for under this franchise shall be operated for at least one hour after the close of such entertainment, or public gathering; and it is further provided that the rate charged for commercial and private lights, and power, shall not be excessive, and shall not be higher than the average rate charged for such service by persons operating Independent of Private plants in Towns of like size, or... (Part of the article is missing from the photographs.) Town monthly at $22.50 per annum for each light. The said light to be in operation and lighted from early candle lighting each evening until twelve o clock, midnight, each and every night during the year, at such times up Twelve O Clock,midnight, except during such time as the moonlight unobstructed by clouds shall give sufficient light to make said streets as light as said street light would when running to full lighting capacity; provided that the pro-rata
deductions may be made for any light that is out of condition, and not in operation for more than one night during any one week of the year, as required under this section. Section Seven: -- This ordinance shall be accepted by said M. J. Coleman, his successors, or assigns, within Sixty days from the date of the passage thereof by the Council, and the said plant shall be installed and ready for use within Six Months from the date of such acceptance. Section Eight: -- This ordinance shall, after being accepted in writing as provided for in section seven hereof, be construed as a contract by (Part of the article is missing from the photographs.) Source: Melrose Bell, May 18, 1916 Ordinance 60 Ordinance defining a fixing punishment for maliciously breaking electric lights, interfering with and destroying or damaging poles, fixtures, wires and other property erected on the streets for transmitting electric current and power. Section One: -- Be it ordained by the Town Council of the Town of Melrose, Iowa, that any person who shall break, mar, or disfigure any electric light, fixtures, poles, wires, or any of the machinery, apparatus, and fixtures, connected with the operation of any electric light or power plant shall be guilt of a misdemeanor, and up conviction shall be fined not to exceed One Hundred Dollars, or imprisoned at hard labor not to exceed thirty days. Passed and approved this 20th day of March, 1916 J. M. Carr, Mayor J. L. Dinneen, Clerk Source: Melrose Bell, May 4, 1916 Electric Lights On May first, the electric lights were turned on and all were pleased with service rendered. In all there will be twenty lights, this number giving good service. Mr. Coleman is to be commended for his efforts in this undertaking. Heavier machinery will be added and we are assured that all will be accommodated as soon as possible. Our citizens should encourage this enterprise owned and controlled by home people. With our good light and good roads, our city will be continued indefinitely on the world map. Source: Melrose Bell, May 4, 1916 New electric lights have been placed in the Lee hardware store, the telephone office and at the J. L. Bates residence the past week. Several other residences will put in the lights in the near future. Source: Melrose Bell, November 10, 1916 M. J. Coleman, manager of the Opera House, entertained the Dramatic company to an evening at the moving picture show. Source: Melrose Bell, March 15, 1917 The fine new residence of M. T. Knowles in the east part of town is nearing completion. It is lighted with electric lights and fitted with all modern conveniences. This will be a splendid home for Mr. and Mrs. Knowles and family.
Source: Melrose Bell, October 18, 1917 Electric lights have been put in the residences of Mrs. J. P. Cummins, J. L. Dinneen and R. F. Hannam. Source: Melrose Bell, May 30, 1918 M. J. Coleman, the electric light man, is the most accommodating man in town. When Luke Logan, who carries the mail from the post office to the depot, got the Flu, Mr. Coleman took the job and when the meat man, M. F. Haley, took the Flue, Mr. Coleman was soon helping out there. He says Next. Source: Melrose Bell, December 5, 1918 M. J. Coleman, the Electric Man, has his office in the Lucht Storeroom north of the Post Office. Source: Melrose Bell, June 17, 1920 Electric Light Plant Burns Monday night the Light plant owned by M. J. Coleman caught fire and was entirely destroyed. Mr. Coleman had gone home to take a lunch and on returning found the engine room in flames. By the kind assistance of neighbors, the near building were saved. Mr. Coleman will begin at once to replace his loss. The business is partly covered by insurance. Source: Melrose Bell, October 21, 1920 M. J. Coleman, the electric light man, is rebuilding his power house and installing an engine and new machinery. He expects soon to have everything complete for business. Source: Melrose Bell, November 11, 1920 Considerable damage was done in this vicinity Friday night by the storm. Trees were blown down, electric and telephone wires damaged. Mr. Coleman, the Electric Light Man, suffered a severe loss to his power house. Source: Melrose Bell, April 21, 1921 M. J. Coleman is enlarging his power house to make room for his new engines and dinamo. When completed he will have greater power the many town the size of Melrose. Source: Melrose Bell, May 12, 1921 May Furnish Melrose Juice H. T. Wilson, manager of the Southern Iowa Electric Co., and Attorney E. A. Anderson met with the town council at Melrose, Thursday evening relative to the taking over of the Coleman electric light plant there by the Chariton concern, as the city want a twenty-four hour service. A resolution was passed authoring a survey of the Coleman plant in order to establish a value, which was agreeable to all parties and if an agreement can be reached current will be furnished from Chariton. Chariton Leader. Source: Melrose Bell, September 7, 1922 Light Plant Burns
The electric plant caught fire from some unknown cause Wednesday before noon and in a short time was burned to the ground. The buildings on either side were endangered for a while but no serious damage was done to them. The plant, owned by M. J. Coleman, is a total loss partly covered by insurance. Source: Melrose Bell, May 24, 1923 Al Scott of Ottumwa is working for M. J. Coleman on the masonary work of the new electric light plant. Source: Melrose Bell, August 9, 1923 Official Publication Ordinance No. 64. An ordinance entering into contract with the Iowa Southern Utilities Company of Delaware for the construction of a distribution system for electric light, heat and power in the Town of Melrose, Iowa, and authorizing and directing the sale of said distribution system when completed to the Iowa Southern Utilities Company of Delaware, its successors and assigns, and calling and providing for a special election submitting such question to the qualified voters of the Town of Melrose, Monroe County, Iowa. BE IT ORDAINED by the Town Council of the Town of Melrose, Monroe County, Iowa. Section 1. A contract is hereby entered into with the Iowa Southern Utilities Company of Delaware, its successors and assigns for the construction of a distribution system for electric lights, heat and power in the town of Melrose, Iowa, upon the terms and provisions as herein-after set forth in this Ordinance. Section 2. The distribution system to be constructed by the said Iowa Southern Utilities Company of Deleware, its successors and assigns shall be standard construction; shall be modern and up to date and shall be of sufficient capacity to supply all reasonable demands of said town and the inhabitants thereof and shall include a street lighting system of thirty-four (34) sixty (60) candle power lamps complete in every respect. All of said system shall be complete including transformers, meters and other appliances ready to receive current form a transmission line over which current shall be supplied from outside of said Town Plans and specifications covering said distribution system are on file with the Town Clark. Section 3. On the completion of said distribution system, the Town of Melrose, Iowa, agrees to pay to the said Iowa Southern Utilities Company of Delaware, its successors and assigns, the sum of $6,000. Section 4. The said Town of Melrose further agrees that on the completion of said distribution system for electric light, heat and power, as herein provided, that therupon, it will sell and convey to the said Iowa Southern Utilities Company of Delaware, its successors and assigns, to the treasurer of the Town, the sum of ONE DOLLAR ($1.00). And the mayor of said town is hereby authorized and directed at such time and upon the said ONE DOLLAR ($1.00) to execute and deliver to the said Iowa Southern Utilities Company of Delaware a proper instrument of conveyance conveying said distribution system to the Iowa Southern Company of Delaware, its successors, and assigns. Section 5. The said Iowa Southern Utilities Company of Delaware, its successors, and assigns, agrees and accepts said instrument of conveyance upon the condition that it will construct and have completed on or before May 1st, 1925 to the limits of said Town a transmission line of sufficient capacity to supply electricity for the needs of the inhabitants of said Town of Melrose and that it will thereafter maintain said transmission line and operate said distribution system in the Town of Melrose in accordance with such franchise as said Town of Melrose shall grant to the Iowa Southern Utilities Company of Delaware, its successors, and assigns, and which franchise is accepted by it. Section 6. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect after the passage and publication as required by law and when it shall be approved by a majority of all votes cast at a special election to be held in the Town of Melrose.
Section 7. The Iowa Southern Utilities Company of Delaware shall accept the terms of this Ordinance by an acceptance in writing filed with the Town Clerk within thirty (30) days from and after its ratification by the voters of the said Town of Melrose and from and after the filing of said acceptance of the Ordinance and said acceptance shall generate a valid and binding contract between said Town and Iowa Southern Utilities of Delaware, its successors, and assigns. Section 8. It is further ordained, and it is hereby ordered, that the question of entering into said contract as provided by this Ordinance, shall be submitted to a vote of the electors of the Town of Melrose, Iowa, at a special election and that said special election is called and ordered to be held in the Town of Melrose, Iowa, on the 22nd day of January, 1925, notice of said election shall be given in the manner and form required by law. Adopted and approved this 22nd day of December, 1924 W. A. Carney, Mayor of the Town of Melrose, Monroe County, Iowa J. K. Coughlin, Town Clerk of Melrose Iowa Source: Melrose Bell, January 22, 1925 ALL ABOUT MIKE Mike Coleman was a man who dared to be himself. He lived in f St. Patrick's Church on the high street, now known as Trinity Avenue. When the whole town was still walking around in the mud, Mike poured the first cement sidewalk in front of his house. It was quite an innovation in 1910. Mike was almost always the first one in town to do anything. Besides putting in the first sidewalk, he owned the first car in Melrose. It was a "Stutz", and he use to 'oke that he had to drive to Albia or Chariton 'ust to turn it around. He owned a meat market for a while and each Saturday morning, delivered fresh meat to the mines north of town. He also owned a tavern. There was more than one saloon in town in the early days; Mike had one of them. His beer parlor was located between the railroad tracks and the bottom street where the carwash stands at the present time. He extended credit but he kept his accounts written with Bon-Ami soap on a mirror behind the bar. When the customer paid up, Mike erased the name from the mirror. He never had trouble with delinquent accounts - not in the tavern anyway. The noise of wash day was too much for Mike so he brought peace to the town by building an electric generating plant. The ladies all changed from the ear splitting gasoline engines on their washing machines, to electric motors, and every Monday morning from seven until noon Mike ran his generating plant so the women could do the family laundry. If a busy woman was running a little late, a phone call to Mike through Central would keep the plant running for another ten minutes or until the lady was finished with the throw rugs, and the overalls were swinging on the line.
Mike was wonderful. He brought medicine shows to town and he loved the movies. Oh how he enjoyed a good picture show! From his power house, Mike strung his electric wires down to Jimmy Duggan's vacant lot and in the summer time, offered outdoor "photoplays." People would bring their chairs and blankets and babies, and with the electricity from his wonderful plant, Mike showed all the moving pictures from Hollywood. In the winter time, the shows and the electricity were moved into the Opera House where "Birth of a Nation" played to a capacity crowd. At a time when it was not so easy to get to the outside world, Mike brought the outside world to Melrose. In later years, when it was suggested at a Fall Festival, that they erect a statue to Mike, his widow agreed that he deserved the honor and would have been pleased, but it was never realized. Maybe this fond recollection by a little girl from his old neighborhood will do. Source: "But of Course They Were Irish", by Evelyn Sinclair Tierney, pages 81-82.