MT. OLIVE AND IRMA IN 1906
MENTION OF MT. OLIVE BRINGS TO MIND 
MEMORIES OF BYGONE DAYS

This article appeared in the Feb. 22, 1906 issue of The Nevada News.  See Map I for the location
of Mt. Olive and Irma.  

     Taylor Township is one of the most prosperous sections of the county.  It is populated
with splendid people, dotted with fine farms, and covering a large territory, its property is known
all over the county.

     Irma post office was established a number of years ago by Louis Waters and named for
Mr. Water's daughter and run in connection with a store.  The store still operates, but the post
office has been abolished and patrons are served by rural free delivery from Rosston.  

     Mr. Waters carries a spendid stock of general merchandise and enjoys fine patronage.  He
owns a handsome home and splendid farm situated on the public road between Rosston and
Waldo.  It is a convenient stopping place for travelers and everyone receives courteious treatment
in his home. 

     One of the points of interest near Irma is Mt. Olive, one of the oldest church structures in
the county.  Nearby is the cemetery, wherein lies buried the loved ones of numbers of prominent
families, and the well kept grounds and handsome monuments attest to the kind remembrance in
which the departed ones are held. 

     Mt. Olive has history which ante-dates the war.  It was under the boughs of the mammoth
oaks surrounding the church that Co. I of which W. J. Blake became Capt., was formed and from
which they began their march to the seat of war in 1861.  Probably no hundred men were ever
assembled with stouter hearts, truer purpose, or willing sacrifice than did those brave men who
came to Mt. Olive church that beautiful spring morn 45 years ago.  And their courage never
faltered and their campaign never faltered, but was one grand triumph until they were captured at
Helena in July, 1862.  They were taken prisoner there, and those not wounded were carried to
Island No. 10 in Lake Michigan where they were finally paroled.  Among those wounded left
behind was Z. W. Bailey, father of our Joe Bailey, who was suffering from a broken hip and lost
thumb caused by the accidental discharge of a musket in the hands of one of our own men.  Mr.
Bailey remained in the hospital at Helena several months, and as soon as he was able to creep on
crutches, he was paroled and started the long journey home.  Afoot, and on crutches, the trip was
made slowly.  It was six months from the day he left Helena until he appeared at his home near
Mt. Olive and relieved the painful anxiety of a waiting family. 

     There still remains at Mt. Olive a number of old soldiers of Co. I.  At the burial of Mr. Alf
Rogers the 12th of last June, there were assembled on this sad occasion five of the men who had
met at the same place 45 years before to fight for their rights.  As S. W. Wright, A. T. Bailey, Asa
Waters, J. S. Marlar, and Z. W. Bailey looked into each other's faces, they must have thought of
that other occasion when descending this slow, sloping hill, they cast a parting look at the
hallowed church of God and realized that perhaps it was for the last time.  These men are growing
old, but there remains something of that same buoyant spirit that brought honor to them in war
and success in peace. 

     Probably one of the oldest settlers in the Irma community is Asa Waters.  Settling here in
the 40's, he has been able to watch with civic pride the constant growth of the community from a
dreary wilderness to a land of peace and plenty.   In those days, there was no underbrush, the
country was open, and it is one of Asa Waters'  familiar expressions that "in those days, you could
see a deer fudder than you could shoot a rifle". 

     There was also bear.  Late one evening, Mr. Waters was going up the road from home
when he noticed a black object coming down the road ahead of him.  Thinking it a yearling, he
proceeded joyously on his way.  But coming within a few feet of the object, it suddenly raised on
its hind legs and Mr. Waters realized the painful fact that he was facing a bear.  Mr. Bruin stood
motionless for a few moments, then let down on all fours and slowly walked back up the road. 
Mr. Waters stood motionless, too and remained that way until Mr. Bear was out of sight, and
then he "flew" to the house.  We will always believe the bear acted wisely, for in those days Asa
Waters was a man. 

     The Irma of today, however, is different.  There are no bear there now, but instead an
energetic and prosperous people who are happy in the contentment that follows a life of industry
and peace.