I read your article in the Delaware County Leader about the time you lived on the Shannon farm south of Fairbank. My great grandfather was the original owner owner that made it the Shannon farm. I got a good chuckle from the part that the house was to small for your family. John Shannon had 12 children, the youngest being the twins Joe and Vince. There father was killed in a horse and buggy accident coming home from Fairbank. The article in the Fairbank paper, which my mom cherished was that a fine pair of Morgan horses was found wandering near a neighbors home. Knowing the fine team belonged to John Shannon there was a search started to find John. They found him not far from his homestead throne from the buggy and died of a broken neck. It was assumed that something spooked the team. My great grandmother kept the homestead and Joe Shannon being a bachelor and a twin of Vince maintained the place until apparently your family lived there. The people that recently bought it found pieces of old farm machinery and gave them to mom. She cherished them and even took a picture of the building that they had been found by. My mother would have loved your story. There was also stories of a car seen in Fairbank with dogs in it and everyone knew Joe Shannon was in town. My aunt gave me the newspaper and I knew the history of the farm. Thank you for your story.
Denise —
I just noticed your note on my website, BettyBrandtPassick.com.
I wasn’t aware the Delaware County Leader had published an article about the time my family of origin resided on the Shannon farm south of Fairbank. I did extensive research on that farm for our family’s book of history, We Are Eight, a Memoriam (2015), so I’m well aware of all that you’ve written. I never was able to find any photos of the old house — do you have this?
Thanks for reaching out to me. My schedule is published on the website… It would be nice if you could attend one of the events so we could meet down the road sometime.
Regards, Betty
I found your history of Fairbank interesting. One of my cousins lived there until she passed away over 10 years ago. So I have been in the area. My interest in local history is centered more around the Dyersville area. Therefore I read your book “The Black Bag of Dr. Wiltse.” I am curious about the reality of certain persons and events in the book. I see there was a real Dr. Wiltse and Dr. Boomer. You mention the murder of Dr. Stout by Dr. C. C. Sharp at Delhi. Was that real? Was the Delhi Argus Journal real?
I write an historical column for the Dyersville Area Historical Society, which is printed in the Dyersville Commercial, which is another reason for my interest in local history. It was unfortunate that you were not able to make your appearance at the Delaware County Fair last July. I had hoped to visit with you then.
Thanks in advance for any answers you can provide. Diane Koch
Diane —
I just noticed your note on my website, BettyBrandtPassick.com.
I grew up in Fairbank and write historical crime fiction — my novels are all set in “Oxbow,” similar to Fairbank. I largely use real names and places from the area that I glean from real historical writings of the area. Yes, the murder of Dr. Stout by Dr. C. C. Sharp at Delhi was real, as was the Delhi Argus Journal.
Unfortunately my back went out in 2023 so I had to cancel my booth at the Delaware County Fair, and I remain uncertain if I’ll attend in 2024.
Kind regards, Betty
I read your article in the Delaware County Leader about the time you lived on the Shannon farm south of Fairbank. My great grandfather was the original owner owner that made it the Shannon farm. I got a good chuckle from the part that the house was to small for your family. John Shannon had 12 children, the youngest being the twins Joe and Vince. There father was killed in a horse and buggy accident coming home from Fairbank. The article in the Fairbank paper, which my mom cherished was that a fine pair of Morgan horses was found wandering near a neighbors home. Knowing the fine team belonged to John Shannon there was a search started to find John. They found him not far from his homestead throne from the buggy and died of a broken neck. It was assumed that something spooked the team. My great grandmother kept the homestead and Joe Shannon being a bachelor and a twin of Vince maintained the place until apparently your family lived there. The people that recently bought it found pieces of old farm machinery and gave them to mom. She cherished them and even took a picture of the building that they had been found by. My mother would have loved your story. There was also stories of a car seen in Fairbank with dogs in it and everyone knew Joe Shannon was in town. My aunt gave me the newspaper and I knew the history of the farm. Thank you for your story.
Denise —
I just noticed your note on my website, BettyBrandtPassick.com.
I wasn’t aware the Delaware County Leader had published an article about the time my family of origin resided on the Shannon farm south of Fairbank. I did extensive research on that farm for our family’s book of history, We Are Eight, a Memoriam (2015), so I’m well aware of all that you’ve written. I never was able to find any photos of the old house — do you have this?
Thanks for reaching out to me. My schedule is published on the website… It would be nice if you could attend one of the events so we could meet down the road sometime.
Regards, Betty
I found your history of Fairbank interesting. One of my cousins lived there until she passed away over 10 years ago. So I have been in the area. My interest in local history is centered more around the Dyersville area. Therefore I read your book “The Black Bag of Dr. Wiltse.” I am curious about the reality of certain persons and events in the book. I see there was a real Dr. Wiltse and Dr. Boomer. You mention the murder of Dr. Stout by Dr. C. C. Sharp at Delhi. Was that real? Was the Delhi Argus Journal real?
I write an historical column for the Dyersville Area Historical Society, which is printed in the Dyersville Commercial, which is another reason for my interest in local history. It was unfortunate that you were not able to make your appearance at the Delaware County Fair last July. I had hoped to visit with you then.
Thanks in advance for any answers you can provide. Diane Koch
Diane —
I just noticed your note on my website, BettyBrandtPassick.com.
I grew up in Fairbank and write historical crime fiction — my novels are all set in “Oxbow,” similar to Fairbank. I largely use real names and places from the area that I glean from real historical writings of the area. Yes, the murder of Dr. Stout by Dr. C. C. Sharp at Delhi was real, as was the Delhi Argus Journal.
Unfortunately my back went out in 2023 so I had to cancel my booth at the Delaware County Fair, and I remain uncertain if I’ll attend in 2024.
Kind regards, Betty