#like it could v easily be underway in a few months if that

[thatothercosplayer]

Taking a break from writing plot stuff (building up shit in drafts so I can put out things more consistently) but I am in a Big Writing Mood™ so let’s sit down and have a talk about Gundam. 

I’m gonna talk to you about.... 

5 Gundam Sidestories That Deserve to be Animated.....That AREN’T Crossbone. 

So, before I get into things, I know what you’re wondering (that is, if you’re not mecha literate): what the fuck is crossbone and why is it being excluded.

Well, I’ll tell you, fam. Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam is a manga series that was written to kind of explain what would have happened if Gundam F91 would have been made a proper TV series. 

At least, that’s what it is in theory. I can only really apply this to the first manga series- not it’s endless sequels (Cross Heart, Steel Seven, Phantom, etc.) 

For some fucking reason, people won’t shut the fuck up about Crossbone, and how it needs to be animated. There’s no explanation as to why it needs to be animated, but people just fucking want it and no one ever shuts the fuck up about it.

In case you couldn’t tell: I’M SALTY AS HELL ABOUT THIS. I can’t go anywhere to have a fucking discussion about Gundam without Crossbone getting brought up. This has been going on for close to 3 years now and it’s driving me FUCKING CRAZY HOLY SHIT WOULD YOU PEOPLE SHUT UP FOR FIVE GODDAMN SECONDS

Um.

ahem.

Sorry about that. 

So, anyways. I’m writing this list mainly to get this off my chest and expend some energy related to me being salty as fuck about Crossbone. Ya’ll ready? 

No?

Too bad. Note: The placement on of things on this list don’t really speak to how I prioritize any of them, in any manner. This is just me writing it as things come to me. Without further ado, let’s get this underway.

1) Mobile Suit Gundam Sidestory: Missing Link (2014)

What? A UC Gundam entry? On this list? It’s more likely than you think. 

Let me say this to start: I fucking love Missing Link and think it’s a tragedy that it’s as obscure as it is. Like many of the series in the Sidestory family, it started off life as a video game. In this case, it was the crown jewel of the compilation game/remake/hd collection/whatever Mobile Suit Gundam Sidestory on the Platstation 3. This particular entry is a dual-sided story about two units in the One Year War: The Marchosias Special Forces, a dumping ground for Zeon pilots who are too violent, tempestuous, or injured to work in standard units; on the other side is the Slave Wraiths, which I would say are honestly the Gundam A-Team. 

I’m serious! They’re all military criminals that were framed for various crimes, and then were taken in by a rather dubious high-ranking Federation officer who uses them to clean up their not-exactly-legal-or-moral shit. They’re not so much black-ops but more like walking redtape files. 

The things that make this one stick out are the fact that, despite an ensemble cast of 12 or so that the story flips back and forth between, nothing is ever lost in translation. No team is focused on over the other, and by the end you’ll find yourself caring about both of these disparate, ragtag teams of jaded pilots. 

Atop that, the story’s protagonists are actually a father and son duo who have no idea that they’re fighting each other in the war (at least, not at first)! It’s a beautiful case of dramatic irony and for once, IT’S NOT PLAYED FOR TRAGEDY. There is a strong underlying theme of hope despite crushing odds running throughout the story. Great sacrifices are made so that the fire of hope can still burn, and eventually the two teams find themselves bucking off the military complexes that cast thema side and find solidarity in each other. 

It’s a story about unity, hope, and most importantly: understanding. 

Of course, that’s not even touching the FANTASTIC setpieces that permeate the story. Seaside battles, battles amidst the jungles of Jaburo (not above, not under, IN the jungles of Jaburo), furious battles to protect shuttles launching to space....I could go on and on!

Did I mention the mechanical design? What?! I haven’t?! 

The new mechanical designs in this series are _superb._ The Slave Wraith is great, but what’s even better is the element that connects these two concurrent stories together: The Pale Rider.

The Pale Rider is a phantom of the battlefield, attacking everything in sight. It has no concept of friend or foe, and it is there to silence dissent and wipe out any proof of ill deeds. 

Oh, yeah, and it runs on a variant of the EXAM System. You know. The one that the Blue Destiny has. 

The same system that was made by fracturing a human soul in two and shoving those halves into computers.

You know.

The one that made a Gundam an eldritch abomination.

That one.

Yes. 

Except this variant, the HADES, is far worse. 

So, now you have an enigmatic Mobile Suit that indiscriminately ravages the battlefield, all operated by a phantom hand that you only have a name to. One of my favorite things about Missing Link is the simple fact that, quite honestly, you never see the villain. You only hear the orders they send, and feel the impact of their decisions. 

Last, but certainly not least, while the majority of the story is set in the One Year War, the final chapter (which, sadly, is not in English in any shape or form save for the Gundam wiki) is set during the First Neo-Zeon War, around the time ZZ takes place- which makes it even more unique because there aren’t many sidestories that explore this time period, even if only for a moment. 

All of this combined makes for a fantastic tale of political intrigue, espionage, hardship, and triumph that I would easily recommend. Unfortunately, the only way to experience this story in English at the moment is SD Gundam G Generation Genesis’ chapter based on the story; as I mentioned above, the story itself isn’t truly complete, even if the end is more like a bonus chapter. It is rather extensive and covers all the key plot points, and also manages to keep all the character bits that make it so good.

tl;dr Missing Link deserves to be animated. 

2) New Mobile Report Gundam Wing Dual Story: G-Unit aka Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: The Last Outpost (1997-1998)

Holy SHIT why is every fucking title related to Gundam Wing so fucking long.

ahem

So....let’s talk Gundam Wing.

After Colony, in my opinion, is a rather weak timeline with little media worth actually looking at. What few sidestories there are are mostly rehashes, there’s not much variety in mechanical design due to the majority of the sidestory designs being variants of the main five Gundams in the show, and most importantly: the overall average quality of the timeline as a whole is incredibly lackluster. 

Fucking fight me, I’ll die on this hill.

However, there’s one story that I feel rises above its compatriots and manages to to be a bit better. That would be, of course, the entry I have listed above. 

G-Unit focuses on an asteroid colony, MO-V, a rather backwater installation with a population of about 100,000. The story itself runs concurrently with those of Gundam Wing, though the effects are rather negligible at best due to how isolated the conflict depicted in the manga is. 

The protagonists of the story are twin pilots Odin and Odel Bernett, who test the prototype Mobile Suits developed at the colony, the Geminass Units 01 and 02. Things are going smoothly, however, there’s just one problem: OZ is not happy with MO-V. OZ is the villainous organization in Gundam Wing- think of them as your Titans expy ala Zeta Gundam. 

 Anyways, MO-V has not agreed to OZ’s continued demands that it fall in line with rest of the colonies that are submitting to OZ’s rule. While, at first, it was ignored because it was merely an outdated factory (it mass-produced Leos, the go-to grunt unit for OZ, but by the time the story takes place the Vertigo has replaced the Leo), news of the prototypes traveled fast and it was deemed taking things too far.

Thus, begins a six month siege, with an entire army on one side and (at most) two men on the other.

Oh, and I guess two of the Gundam Boys appear too or something and Zechs might be there as well idgaf.

I still have yet to read this in full (as it was released in English during Gundam Wing’s heyday in the US), but the premise alone is interesting, and the majority of the new mechanical designs are awesome.

Just ignore the special Leo units that OZ-Prize deploys. Two of the three are the kind of bullshit that Gundam Wing likes to pull that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Having a gigantic, flowing cape in SPACE IS ABSOLUTELY IMPROBABLE. How can you style yourself as an attempt to go back to Gundam’s more serious, hard sci-fi roots when you throw in a fucking mecha with hair extensions!? This isn’t G Gundam! You can’t get away with that! PICK A GENRE, DAMMIT. 

Uh...

ahem. 

Anyways, I love what I have seen of these mechanical designs in action. The Hydra Gundam was featured in Gundam Battle Assault 2 (aka the game that gave rise to the “Oh hey! Big Zam” meme, which I love atop of being a good fighting game), while the Geminass units, Gundam Asclepius, Burnlapius, Gundam LO Booster, Griepe, Vayeate Suivant, and Mercurius Suivant (PHEW!) all appear in the Gundam G Generation games, particularly WORLD and OVERWORLD. They units I’ve listed above are all fantastic designs and really deserve to get animated proper.

Plus....well....

The only other Gundam Wing-related project that has any chance in hell of getting animated is Frozen Teardrop, aka the Biggest Disaster to Ever Come Out of the Gundam Franchise, Ever™.

So....yeah. 

3) Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Astray (2002)

Fuck. Cosmic Era is such a disappointment. The two TV series it has are half-baked attempts at rehashes of 0079 and Zeta with new plots sloppily dumped in, are overloaded with pointless flashbacks and too much fucking filler of people screaming each other’s names. Asinine writing, sameface syndrome, and behind the scenes bullshit abound.

But I’m not here to gripe about the flaws of Gundam SEED or SEED Destiny.

I’m here to talk about the godlike spin-off that SEED birthed, and has been criminally underutilized by Sunrise and Bandai.

Hang on, I gotta put on some TM Revolution to get into the mood.

...

Alright, fixed.

So! Let’s talk about Gundam SEED Astray and why you should be experiencing it Right Fucking Now™. 

For one, it doesn’t focus on Kira, so that’s already a huge plus. Sorry, kiddo- you may be adorably pathetic, but you are also a bore to watch at times. Nah, fam, let’s get some hot-bloodedness up in here! 

OKAY SO this story is about a group of salvagers. That’s right. The main characters of this tale is the motherfuckin’ Junk Guild- or, rather, the ship HOME of the motherfuckin’ Junk Guild.

Yes, I have to put motherfuckin’ before I say Junk Guild, because these guys are cool. 

One problem SEED has is that there is this bad habit of tying things back to the main series in some bullshit roundabout way that kind of ruins the point of having sidestories. I’m reading, watching, playing, etc these stories to learn about people in other parts of this universe who are either independant of the conflict in the show, or are only loosely tied to it by being in the same war but elsewhere or maybe being effected by it. 

SEED Astray manages to dodge that bullet by throwing out the concept of let glory-hog Kira Yamato show up and ruin things, and instead knocks him out for the duration of his appearance. 

Uh, wait, I need to talk about the story itself. Whoops! Let’s get back to that. 

So! SEED Astray revolves around 3 prototype Mobile Suits know as the Astray Red Frame, Astray Blue Frame, and Astray Gold Frame. The Red and Blue Frames accidentally fall into the hands of junker Lowe Guele and mercenary Gai Murakumo, who find themselves pursued by nobleman Rondo Ghina Sahaku, who wants the frames back. 

As Ghina begins his dogged pursuit of both parties, HOME and Serpent Tail (the groups Lowe and Gai are parts of, respectively) continuously cross paths, taking scrap from the battlefields they pass trough and extensively personalizing and upgrading their Astray Frames more and more. 

As time passes, conspiracies are unraveled, secrets about the origins of humanity’s space travel are revealed, and THERE’S A BRAIN IN A JAR.

Yes! That’s right! Astray embraces the wackiness of SEED and goes beyond it, resulting in one of the best goddamn things that ever happened in all of Gundam: the 150 Meter Katana. 

No. I’m not making this up. This happened. And it is amazing. 

It was a katana so big that they had to make a power loader....for a MOBILE SUIT to wield! 

Now, I may be cheating a bit by putting Astray on here as it’s....somewhat been animated. Sort of. It has a short series of 10 minute promotional episodes, as well as two 5 minute promo shorts to promote the later entries in the series. However, it never got a full-fledged anime series, and that’s an absolute CRIME. The 150 Meter Katana needs to be animated.

Lowe Guile is a fun protagonist who bucks a lot of Gundam traditions by being a hot-blooded go-getter who is always ready to take on whatever life throws at him, and his counterpart, Gai Murakumo, is a cool-headed badass who can turn around even the most impossible of odds. Their interactions are unique in that they vary from antagonistic to friendly and everything in between. This is in part thanks to the diplomatic immunity that the Junk Guild has, and also due to Gai Murakumo being part of the mercenary group Serpent Tail. As a result, the two clash, team up, etc. many times over the course of the series before realizing they have a common enemy. As a result, I feel that SEED Astray shows the Cosmic Era timeline at it’s best- displaying new possibilities for the Gundam franchise, and proving that you don’t have to rehash the same story over and over to be good. 

Lastly, as things sit right now, the only reliable way to consume SEED Astray is to hunt down the shorts, or check out Brunom1′s Let’s Play of Super Robot Wars W, which extensively features SEED Astray.

I rest my case. 

4) Mobile Suit Gundam 00F (2007-2009)

Let me tell you about a crazy motherfucker named Fon Spaak.

Fon Spaak is a fucking lunatic. He is a homocidal maniac who enjoys killing, blatantly breaks laws whenever he gets the chance to just because it’s fun, and most importantly: he is the good guy. 

Yep. Got your attention, didn’t I? Mobile Suit Gundam 00F is the story about another agent in the organization Celestial Being, who supports the protagonists of Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (the first season of which I still uphold to be Gundam Wing done right) from the shadows. He covers any hiccups and makes sure that operations go smoothly, ensuring that Celestial Being’s goals are met.

However, he has to deal with constant sabotage from a rogue agent who is tied to VEDA, the supercomputer that helps plan and dictate a lot of Celestial Being’s operations.

00F is, at times, the Rozencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead of Gundam 00. It’s fast-paced, funny, yet also grim and violent all at the same time. It creates a crap-saccharine view of an already shitty world, and exploits that by using the larger-than-life protagonist to contrast the rather depressing events that surround him. 

Fon Spaak is a bit of an implacable man, and when he wants to get something done, he will stop at nothing to do it.

Gundam 00F is a bit rare nowadays, like any out of print Gundam material, but it was published in English. I actually own almost all of it (still missing two volumes). If you ever run across it, I can’t recommend it enough. If, for whatever reason, you want Deadpool to pilot a Gundam, this motherfucker is the closest you’re going to get. God speed, you crazy bastard. 

5) Mobile Suit Gundam École du Ciel (2002)

Come on. Like I was really going to leave this one out? 

We’re returning to the Universal Century for my last entry on this list, and goddamn is this ever a good entry. Set in the year UC 0085- a whole two years before Zeta Gundam begins- and continuing up into the events of the TV series,  Mobile Suit Gundam École du Ciel is, by and large, my favorite Gundam sidestory, ever. 

Period. 

I love all the above sidestories, but this one has a special place in my heart for a lot of reasons. It’s nostalgic, but it’s well written, and explores a rare time period in the Universal Century. 

The space between Operation Stardust (depicted in the OVA series Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory) and the Gryps Conflict as depicted in Zeta Gundam is a time period that has, to my (rather extensive huehuehue) knowledge, has only ever been looked at by  École du Ciel. That alone should be reason enough to hunt this one down and give it a read.

If it’s not, well, read on, friend.

It has a female protagonist (a rarity in Gundam!!) who, while at first lost in this world constantly at war, eventually finds her own purpose and sense of agency as she struggles to find a place in the world to call her own.  École du Ciel is a story about coming of age, the pains of growing up, and facing inner demons set amidst the backdrop of Canada and a sea of stars. 

The original mechanical designs are gorgeous, particularly the star Mobile Suit, Le Cygne. The characters feel human despite their extraordinary abilities, and they’re not perfect. 

Most importantly, something I’ll stress above all else- while the events in the series are impacted by events depicted in Zeta Gundam, there is hardly any overlap between the two, with little to no cameos by main characters from the show.

Which is as it should be in any given sidestory. It’s a SIDE story, not a crossover. I don’t mind the occasional overlap to show that things are part of a larger world (EG: Protagonist A brushing shoulders with Protagonist B from another story who is in the midst of an important scene, and A is merely a bystander), but extensively featuring a protagonist from another show just ruins the point. 

The TV show is about them. The side story is about someone else. Ideally, that’s how it should be.

And, as things are, this story feels fresh. The illustrations by Haruhiko Mikimoto are gorgeous, especially when he pulls out his signature hand-brushed style. The Mobile Suit scenes are beautifully detailed, and they carry weight and impact. 

I can’t recommend  École du Ciel enough. If you’re a new Gundam fan or a veteran, if you haven’t read  École du Ciel, do yourself a favor, hunt down some copies of it, and join me in my regular outcries of how it’s a damn CRIME this hasn’t been revisited in any shape or form after its print run. No model kits, no anime, no game appearances, NOTHING. It’s been neglected for too long.

I don’t care if it’s in G Generation, Gundam Breaker, a trading card game, whatever,  École du Ciel needs to return, and I feel an animated series would be the perfect way to do so. 

Well, there you go. Hopefully you enjoyed my ramblings about Gundam.

[ticket4futball]

Few best Premier League players right now for every position

One of the key reasons why the Premier League is the most famous league in the world is its brilliant players.

Several of the world’s best footballers pursue their trade in England’s top division thanks mostly to the unexpected amounts of money Premier League clubs can divide out into transferal fees and incomes. Sports enthusiasts from around the world can purchase Premier League Tickets online to enjoy its stunning performances.

But who are the superlative players in the Premier League?

David de Gea Manchester United Goalkeepers

We know he has not been at his best over the past 12-18 months but David de Gea is still a world-class goalkeeper and easily one of the greatest if not the greatest in the Premier League.

The Spaniard who has gained the Sir Matt Busby Competitor of the Year award Four times since 2013 would still be the man you would have in between the sticks in a fantasy Premier League v La Liga Bundesliga Serie A-game.

Right backs Trent Alexander Arnold Liverpool

It is wonderful that Trent Alexander Arnold is only 21 years old. What a footballer. Liverpool’s English international could be pushed further up the pitch over the coming years but for now, he is doing a fantastic job at right-back.

Aaron Wan Bissaka Manchester United

We are big fans of Leicester City’s Ricardo Pereira but we have gone for Manchester United’s summer signing Aaron Wan Bissaka who possesses all the tools required to become a world-class right back.

The 21-year-old is durable lightning rapid and times his challenges to perfection.

Centre-backs Virgil van Dijk Liverpool

The best center-back in biosphere football right now Virgil van Dijk is the top player in his position in the Premier League by a nation mile.

Liverpool is blessed to have him though the Reds deserve credit for having the braveries to pay £75 million for the Dutch defender when no other club would.

Harry Maguire Manchester United

Aymeric Laporte is a fanciful defender for Manchester City’s system but United’s Harry Maguire is the well all-round center-back. The England international probably was not worth the £80 million that United paid Leicester City for his services, but he is still top drawer.

Left-backs Andy Robertson Liverpool

Is there a well left-back in world football right now? Probably not: It is incredible that Liverpool manager to sign Andy Robertson for just £8 million. The 25-year-old is getting better and better.

Ben Chilwell Leicester

Ben Chilwell is developing into a top left-back and our money is already the second-best in the Premier League. The Leicester City and England man is still only 22 years old so it will only expand further over the upcoming seasons.

Defensive midfielders Fabinho Liverpool

Like Alisson, Fabinho has completed a massive impact for Liverpool since inward at Anfield in 2018. The Brazilian who joined the Reds in a £39 million transfer from AS Monaco is now the top holding midfielder in English football.

Wilfred Ndidi Leicester

Man City’s Fernandinho or Wilfred Ndidi: This was a nearby one.

Because of how fine he is underway the season we will go through Leicester City’s 22-year-old Nigerian who is placed as the third-best player in the whole Premier League for the recent campaign by Who Scored.

Central midfielders N’Golo Kante Chelsea

Still, the top midfielder in the Premier League all act N’Golo Kante has evolved his game over the past few seasons and now pops up with a few more goals than he used to. Each team would love to have a delightful Frenchman in it.

Right-wingers Mohamed Salah Liverpool

With six goals and three contributions in the Premier League already this season it assurances to be another productive campaign for Liverpool's world-class Egyptians.

Mohamed Salah would walk honestly into just about every initial lineup in world football.

Football fans can get Manchester United through our trusted online ticketing marketplace. Ticket4football.com is the most reliable source to book Manchester United Football Tickets.

[goldeagleprice]

Thrive and Survive: Conrad v. Tower City

by Mark Hotz

I hope you all are enjoying your summer so far. We in the East Coast have avoided virtually all of the crazy weather conditions that have plagued much of the Midwest and South. This month a new purchase and some interesting photos gave me the impetus for my current article. Since by this time you all know how much I like an abandoned bank and small towns in general, I hope you enjoy our sojourn in Tower City, North Dakota, and Conrad, Iowa.

North Dakota had its heyday during the National Currency era, with thriving small agricultural and railroad towns, each having its own national bank (and in some cases, more than one.) But changes in technology, brutal weather, and reduced dependence on small farms and railroads turned many of these towns into ghosts or near ghosts.

I was fortunate to obtain a large size note from the First National Bank of Tower City, North Dakota, recently. Tower City is a very small town that straddles the line between Barnes and Cass Counties in eastern North Dakota. It lies 46 miles due west of the city of Fargo. The current population is 253, though its peak population of 460 was back in 1910.

Charlemagne Tower, a leading eastern railroad shareholder and landowner, was urged to develop the land in western Cass County so that further settlements along the railway line could be assured. Through a friend, Tower met and then hired George Ellsbury from Winona, Minnesota, to be his land agent.  Land sales and development in eastern Dakota Territory were soon underway.

In the spring of 1879, many people from Winona, Minnesota were encouraged by George Ellsbury to come to the area where present-day Cass and Barnes county lines meet.  Ellsbury had been deeded 608 acres to establish a townsite.  The deed was filed for the new town in August of 1879.  The agent surprised his “boss” by naming the new site Tower City and insisted the name could not be changed when Tower argued that it should be called Ellsbury.

From the outset, Tower City leaders had lofty goals.  George Ellsbury sought to have only “people of good character” and “high quality” settle the area, preferably American in birth.  He also emphasized that he did not want the evil influence of liquor to be present and would not sell land for saloon purposes!

As more land was settled and farmed and local businesses increased, the new town’s future appeared to be bright.  Even a city newspaper was started, at first published monthly, then weekly.  With the population growth, there were no limits to the town leader’s visions of greatness. In 1880, Ellsbury had an idea: that of creating a new county between Barnes and Cass, and having Tower City named county seat of Tower County.  Although this plan did not materialize, it was not forgotten.  A year later an attempt was made to create Ordway County, with Tower City again proposed for the county seat.  This plan, too, failed.  Not to be denied, the town powers sought to have the state capital located in Tower City.  However, Bismarck was able to offer a greater financial package, $100,000 versus the $15,000 proposed by Tower City.  That ended the pursuit of greater renown in a bigger arena.

The next Ellsbury plan was to establish a University of Tower City.  With support sought from the Baptists of Dakota Territory and an assumed large donation from Charlemagne Tower, the college broke ground in 1884.  But without the endowment expected, the plans had to be downsized regarding any new buildings.  Next, the school building and a hotel were offered for use, so in 1886 the college opened.  By the end of two years’ existence, finances dictated that Tower University close its doors.

Over the years, the population of Tower City began to wane, and fires and tornadoes wracked the business district, destroying many of the buildings. Some were later abandoned and razed. Such is the life of many rural small towns in America.

The First National Bank of Tower City was organized at the end of 1902 and received charter #6557. The first officers were brothers R.P. Sherman, president, and S.F. Sherman, cashier. The bank issued Series of 1902 Red Seals, Date Backs and Plain Backs. The bank also issued some Series of 1929 small size notes, but because the bank went into receivership in December of 1929, only 40 sheets total of small size notes were issued, and none are known today. Ten large size notes are reported. The total circulation was $453,000.  I have included a photo of my note, a Series of 1902 $20, with signatures of A.M. Voorhees, president, and J.W. Chapman, cashier. These men took office in 1922.

This Series of 1902 $20, new to the author’s collection, was the impetus for including Tower City, North Dakota, in this article.

Tower City today has a population of around 260, and has a modern local district high school within its limits. The old main business district, along Broadway Street, once had sturdy buildings lining both sides of the street. I have included a vintage photo postcard view of Broadway Street circa 1910, with the bank the second building on the left identified by a large arrow.

This vintage postcard view of Tower City shows Broadway Street circa 1910. The First National Bank building is identified by a large arrow.

Today, only two brick buildings are left standing on Broadway Street, the rest having been destroyed or razed over the years. The street does have a few modern prefabricated steel buildings and one lone wooden false front store that dates from the early days. The bank, once in a cluster of brick buildings, stands alone and abandoned just north of the intersection of Broadway and 2nd Street. While a bit sad in its own right, it is still there, and it is just the kind of bank building that I love. I have included a photo of it along with a photo of the only other brick building, once a group of stores and later the Tower City Market, but now abandoned.

Today, the old First National Bank of Tower City is forlorn and abandoned on what is left of Broadway Street. It is one of just two brick buildings left in town from the early days. All of the other buildings seen in the 1910 view were destroyed by either fire, tornadoes, or razing.

Now, we will take a look at Conrad, Iowa. I have had notes from this town before, but I don’t actively collect Iowa, so I sold them. It is, however, an interesting contrast to Tower City.

Conrad, Iowa, is located in Grundy County in east-central Iowa, with a population of 1,100. As the crow flies, it is 45 miles southwest of Waterloo, easily reached via State Route 14 and County Road D67. J.W. Conrad, Conrad’s namesake, settled in southern Grundy County near Wolf Creek in 1853. In the spring of 1880, the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad began work on a rail line running through Wolf Creek Valley; soon after, a plan for the town of Conrad was established. In 1894, a fire broke out and destroyed nearly every downtown building. The town rebuilt immediately, replacing wood-frame structures with brick buildings. Known for its rich black dirt, Conrad claims to be the “Black Dirt Capitol of the World.”

The First National Bank of Conrad, Iowa, was organized in April of 1909 and received charter #9447. It was a small-town bank, and its total circulation was just under $270,000 prior to its liquidation in November 1931. Around 12 large and two small size notes are reported. I have included a photo of a nice large size Series of 1902 note from Conrad; I regret I was unable to obtain a photo of a Series 1929 small size note.

This attractive Series of 1902 $10 note hails from the First National Bank of Conrad, Iowa. Note the attractive pen signatures of J.F. Wheeler, cashier, and E.O. Ecklund, president. (Photo courtesy Bill Litt)

Conrad’s business district, centered on Main Street in town, has been remarkably well preserved. In 2007, Conrad’s Chamber of Commerce and Main Street programs merged to form Conrad Chamber-Main Street. Conrad’s Chamber of Commerce was formed in the 1960s but had been in existence for many years before as the Conrad Commercial Club. Conrad was accepted into the National and State Main Street programs in 1991 but acted as a Main Street program since 1989 while awaiting official Main Street status. As a result, empty storefronts were revitalized and today Conrad’s Main Street features 100 percent occupancy!

The old First National Bank building with its distinctive arch façade still stands on Main Street downtown. I have included photos of both sides of Main Street as they appeared circa 1915. The First National Bank building is indicated with an arrow. On the opposite side of the street, the Conrad State Bank can be seen on the foreground corner. I have also included the same (but consolidated) view as it appears today, with virtually all the buildings intact and in good use.

  It is interesting to note how some small towns thrive and survive, and others do not. I thought that the juxtaposition of Tower City, North Dakota, and Conrad, Iowa, illustrated that very well.

Readers may address questions or comments about this article or national banknotes in general to Mark Hotz directly by email at markbhotz@aol.com.

This modern view of Main Street in Conrad, Iowa, shows both the national bank, at left, and the old Conrad State Bank, on the right. Very little has changed since the early views, making Main Street in Conrad a true historical delight.

The post Thrive and Survive: Conrad v. Tower City appeared first on Numismatic News.

[dorcasrempel]

Mission Yangtze has officially begun

Water-to-Go ambassador, Ash Dykes, has reached the source of the Yangtze River in China meaning that #MissionYangtze is officially underway!

Ash has now started his world record-breaking adventure travelling 4,000 miles on foot along the length of China’s Yangtze River. Having made it to the source, Ash is excited about the expedition. In this first part of the expedition, he and his team expect to cover the 200 miles to the mountain village of Qumarleb over the next few weeks. This section of the expedition is some of the toughest, most dangerous terrain he will experience. Chance encounters with bears and wolves are to be expected, as is wild unpredictable weather with temperatures expected to go as low as -23 degrees.

Ash Dykes with his #MissionYangtze team

The sheer length of the mission, with its isolation, difficult terrain, including treacherous v-shaped valleys and thick forests, variable climates and everyday dangers, makes this his most intense and challenging mission yet. After months of intensive fitness training both at his home gym in North Wales and in China, people around the globe will be able to follow the expedition and witness Ash pushing himself to his absolute limits as he covers the challenging terrain and interacts with some of the 400 million people who live alongside and depend on the Yangtze River to survive.

This year, the two-time world first record holder and British adventurer will attempt his greatest expedition yet, as he walks from the Yangtze’s source in the meltwaters of the Jianggendiru Glacier on the Tibetan Plateau to its delta near Shanghai, where it meets the East China Sea. The Yangtze is the longest river in the world to flow through a single country and its length has never been walked, until now.

Ash will once again be embarking on an expedition with his trusty Water-to-Go bottle as part of his essential kit. With Water-to-Go by his side every step of the way, Ash will be able to stay well hydrated and healthy throughout his journey. Water-to-Go will be his personal, portable water filtration system that will allow him to find safe, drinking water from any non-salt water source in the world.

  Ash is not only a fantastic ambassador but a true inspiration to so many people by showing the importance of pushing your limits, dreaming big, having goals and staying persistent in achieving them.

The original timeline of the expedition which will take Ash at least a year to complete

This expedition and the wider implications are not to be underestimated. Not only is this Ash’s toughest mission but it could quite easily be considered as one of the biggest expeditions ever attempted. Ash has already had plenty of support from family, sponsors and some famous faces who are aware of this challenge.

Good luck and stay safe @AshDykes for your mission along the Yangtze river in China. It’s such an incredible country with unbelievable wilderness – and you will experience warmth from the people like you will never imagine! Respect to you buddy

— Bear Grylls (@BearGrylls) August 30, 2018

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Credit: Martin Lyons Photography

Master the unknown, the unexpected, the failure and the fear that may live within you. Because when you master it, you’ll take ahold of it and once it’s in your grasp, there’s no way it can sneak upon you and try knocking you down. If you lose grasp of it and it comes for you, it won’t succeed, why? Because you’ll be ready #MissionYangtze #MissionPossible

Ash Dykes

This would be a revolutionary moment for Ash and the adventure world as he looks to push the boundaries of what is humanly possible. However, his expedition could have more far-reaching effects than that. Water-to-Go have been working with Ash since 2014 and have previously sponsored him his expeditions in Mongolia and Madagascar meaning he could access safe, clean drinking water from any non-salt water source. Ash is also an advocate of sustainable and responsible travel so Water-to-Go allows him to stand by these principles and help protect the planet from plastic pollution.

Ash resting in the shade of his trailer with his Water-to-Go bottle in the Gobi Desert whilst on his solo expedition across Mongolia in 2014.

This has all perfectly coincided with Water-to-Go’s recent launch in China and the recent changes in the country as the Chinese government look to tackle the problem of plastic pollution and make the country ‘greener’. China recently issued restrictions on the amount of foreign trash it will accept for processing, banning the import of various scrap metal and chemical waste products. The ban on imported waste is “a symbolic measure for the creation of an ecological civilization in China,” under the leadership of President Xi Jinping.

The momentum behind Ash and this exhibition has been fantastic so we are sure there will be plenty of interest in the 26-year-old adventurer from Wales and the wider implications as he embarks on his toughest mission to date. The expedition is already being filmed by Mandarin Films, for a TV documentary series and weekly web video episodes will be distributed by some of the largest online and media channels across China and worldwide.

Ash’s expedition has perfectly coincided with our recent launch in China

Ash promises it will be just as digitally entertaining as it will be intense. He’ll take on local rituals, compete in martial arts, try the weirdest foods, give back to the communities and encourage people to join him along the way.

Part of his mission is to provide communities with fresh drinking water and education on plastic pollution, and how to enjoy but protect the world we live in.  As part of #MissionYangtze and thanks to the initiatives of Health & Happiness (Shanghai), official partners of Water-to-Go, Ash has made it his mission to donate a certain number of Water-to-Go bottles to communities in need of access to clean, safe water at key points along his expedition.

Thanks to Ash, Health & Happiness were able to provide 380 Water-to-Go bottles to a school in the rural mountain area of Southern Shaanxi Province.

Although he is travelling around rural parts of China, you will be able to see exactly where he is along his route via his online tracker.

You can track Ash via this live tracker link

Ash expects to complete the world-record setting #MissionYangtze in August 2019 and he will also attempt to make it the most digitally engaging expedition in history. Ash will be using his satellite technology to post regular updates to social media and will go live again on YouTube as often as he can throughout the expedition so you can keep up to date with everything that is going on.

Ash is excited to share one of the greatest expeditions of the decade and inspire children and adults alike. Water-to-Go is privileged to be a part of Ash’s journey and we are looking forward to hearing more about his epic mission as he attempts to make history.

Ash will be posting updates weekly on social media so you can keep up to date with everything that goes on during his expedition.

Relive the expedition announcement again here –

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Thrive and Survive: Conrad v. Tower City

by Mark Hotz

I hope you all are enjoying your summer so far. We in the East Coast have avoided virtually all of the crazy weather conditions that have plagued much of the Midwest and South. This month a new purchase and some interesting photos gave me the impetus for my current article. Since by this time you all know how much I like an abandoned bank and small towns in general, I hope you enjoy our sojourn in Tower City, North Dakota, and Conrad, Iowa.

North Dakota had its heyday during the National Currency era, with thriving small agricultural and railroad towns, each having its own national bank (and in some cases, more than one.) But changes in technology, brutal weather, and reduced dependence on small farms and railroads turned many of these towns into ghosts or near ghosts.

I was fortunate to obtain a large size note from the First National Bank of Tower City, North Dakota, recently. Tower City is a very small town that straddles the line between Barnes and Cass Counties in eastern North Dakota. It lies 46 miles due west of the city of Fargo. The current population is 253, though its peak population of 460 was back in 1910.

Charlemagne Tower, a leading eastern railroad shareholder and landowner, was urged to develop the land in western Cass County so that further settlements along the railway line could be assured. Through a friend, Tower met and then hired George Ellsbury from Winona, Minnesota, to be his land agent.  Land sales and development in eastern Dakota Territory were soon underway.

In the spring of 1879, many people from Winona, Minnesota were encouraged by George Ellsbury to come to the area where present-day Cass and Barnes county lines meet.  Ellsbury had been deeded 608 acres to establish a townsite.  The deed was filed for the new town in August of 1879.  The agent surprised his “boss” by naming the new site Tower City and insisted the name could not be changed when Tower argued that it should be called Ellsbury.

From the outset, Tower City leaders had lofty goals.  George Ellsbury sought to have only “people of good character” and “high quality” settle the area, preferably American in birth.  He also emphasized that he did not want the evil influence of liquor to be present and would not sell land for saloon purposes!

As more land was settled and farmed and local businesses increased, the new town’s future appeared to be bright.  Even a city newspaper was started, at first published monthly, then weekly.  With the population growth, there were no limits to the town leader’s visions of greatness. In 1880, Ellsbury had an idea: that of creating a new county between Barnes and Cass, and having Tower City named county seat of Tower County.  Although this plan did not materialize, it was not forgotten.  A year later an attempt was made to create Ordway County, with Tower City again proposed for the county seat.  This plan, too, failed.  Not to be denied, the town powers sought to have the state capital located in Tower City.  However, Bismarck was able to offer a greater financial package, $100,000 versus the $15,000 proposed by Tower City.  That ended the pursuit of greater renown in a bigger arena.

The next Ellsbury plan was to establish a University of Tower City.  With support sought from the Baptists of Dakota Territory and an assumed large donation from Charlemagne Tower, the college broke ground in 1884.  But without the endowment expected, the plans had to be downsized regarding any new buildings.  Next, the school building and a hotel were offered for use, so in 1886 the college opened.  By the end of two years’ existence, finances dictated that Tower University close its doors.

Over the years, the population of Tower City began to wane, and fires and tornadoes wracked the business district, destroying many of the buildings. Some were later abandoned and razed. Such is the life of many rural small towns in America.

The First National Bank of Tower City was organized at the end of 1902 and received charter #6557. The first officers were brothers R.P. Sherman, president, and S.F. Sherman, cashier. The bank issued Series of 1902 Red Seals, Date Backs and Plain Backs. The bank also issued some Series of 1929 small size notes, but because the bank went into receivership in December of 1929, only 40 sheets total of small size notes were issued, and none are known today. Ten large size notes are reported. The total circulation was $453,000.  I have included a photo of my note, a Series of 1902 $20, with signatures of A.M. Voorhees, president, and J.W. Chapman, cashier. These men took office in 1922.

This Series of 1902 $20, new to the author’s collection, was the impetus for including Tower City, North Dakota, in this article.

Tower City today has a population of around 260, and has a modern local district high school within its limits. The old main business district, along Broadway Street, once had sturdy buildings lining both sides of the street. I have included a vintage photo postcard view of Broadway Street circa 1910, with the bank the second building on the left identified by a large arrow.

This vintage postcard view of Tower City shows Broadway Street circa 1910. The First National Bank building is identified by a large arrow.

Today, only two brick buildings are left standing on Broadway Street, the rest having been destroyed or razed over the years. The street does have a few modern prefabricated steel buildings and one lone wooden false front store that dates from the early days. The bank, once in a cluster of brick buildings, stands alone and abandoned just north of the intersection of Broadway and 2nd Street. While a bit sad in its own right, it is still there, and it is just the kind of bank building that I love. I have included a photo of it along with a photo of the only other brick building, once a group of stores and later the Tower City Market, but now abandoned.

Today, the old First National Bank of Tower City is forlorn and abandoned on what is left of Broadway Street. It is one of just two brick buildings left in town from the early days. All of the other buildings seen in the 1910 view were destroyed by either fire, tornadoes, or razing.

Now, we will take a look at Conrad, Iowa. I have had notes from this town before, but I don’t actively collect Iowa, so I sold them. It is, however, an interesting contrast to Tower City.

Conrad, Iowa, is located in Grundy County in east-central Iowa, with a population of 1,100. As the crow flies, it is 45 miles southwest of Waterloo, easily reached via State Route 14 and County Road D67. J.W. Conrad, Conrad’s namesake, settled in southern Grundy County near Wolf Creek in 1853. In the spring of 1880, the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad began work on a rail line running through Wolf Creek Valley; soon after, a plan for the town of Conrad was established. In 1894, a fire broke out and destroyed nearly every downtown building. The town rebuilt immediately, replacing wood-frame structures with brick buildings. Known for its rich black dirt, Conrad claims to be the “Black Dirt Capitol of the World.”

The First National Bank of Conrad, Iowa, was organized in April of 1909 and received charter #9447. It was a small-town bank, and its total circulation was just under $270,000 prior to its liquidation in November 1931. Around 12 large and two small size notes are reported. I have included a photo of a nice large size Series of 1902 note from Conrad; I regret I was unable to obtain a photo of a Series 1929 small size note.

This attractive Series of 1902 $10 note hails from the First National Bank of Conrad, Iowa. Note the attractive pen signatures of J.F. Wheeler, cashier, and E.O. Ecklund, president. (Photo courtesy Bill Litt)

Conrad’s business district, centered on Main Street in town, has been remarkably well preserved. In 2007, Conrad’s Chamber of Commerce and Main Street programs merged to form Conrad Chamber-Main Street. Conrad’s Chamber of Commerce was formed in the 1960s but had been in existence for many years before as the Conrad Commercial Club. Conrad was accepted into the National and State Main Street programs in 1991 but acted as a Main Street program since 1989 while awaiting official Main Street status. As a result, empty storefronts were revitalized and today Conrad’s Main Street features 100 percent occupancy!

The old First National Bank building with its distinctive arch façade still stands on Main Street downtown. I have included photos of both sides of Main Street as they appeared circa 1915. The First National Bank building is indicated with an arrow. On the opposite side of the street, the Conrad State Bank can be seen on the foreground corner. I have also included the same (but consolidated) view as it appears today, with virtually all the buildings intact and in good use.

  It is interesting to note how some small towns thrive and survive, and others do not. I thought that the juxtaposition of Tower City, North Dakota, and Conrad, Iowa, illustrated that very well.

Readers may address questions or comments about this article or national banknotes in general to Mark Hotz directly by email at markbhotz@aol.com.

This modern view of Main Street in Conrad, Iowa, shows both the national bank, at left, and the old Conrad State Bank, on the right. Very little has changed since the early views, making Main Street in Conrad a true historical delight.

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