In early October, word began to spread that Post 491 was evicting Wagner’s popular bar from its home in the building owned by the American Legion Post 491. On Wednesday, Roger Snell, adjutant of Post 491, hosted an “open forum” on the issue. Snell told the crowd that the meeting’s purpose was to share information. Snell previously told The Messenger that the Legion voted to not renew Wagner’s lease because they don’t like him and “he’s not a nice person to deal with,” adding that “it’s not business, it’s personal.”

“We want to hear what you think, and we want you to hear what the facts are,” Snell said.

The facts, it turned out, was that Wagner’s lease on the Legion’s building was set to expire on Aug. 31 after 10 years of tenancy. Snell said Wagner was invited to the Legion’s August meeting — on the third Wednesday of the month — to discuss the lease, but a couple days before the meeting Wagner informed the Legion he wasn’t going to be able to make it.

The group’s regular meeting went on as planned, Snell said, and no action on the bar lease was taken. He said he was told a few days later that Wagner had been at the Iowa State Fair and that’s why he couldn’t attend the meeting.

-Messenger photo by David Borer
Judy Steuerwald, center, speaks during a public meeting Wednesday night about the Duncombe American Legion Post moving to evict Stumpy’s Bar and Grill from its building.

Kim Chambers, a partner in the Stumpy’s Bar business, said the Legion offered to renew the bar’s lease with her, on the condition that Wagner wasn’t present in the building during business hours. Snell confirmed this a few minutes later.

The meeting ran haphazard with no real order — there were shouts at times and aggressive gesturing.

“As a fellow veteran, I’m kind of ashamed of the Legion right now,” said Alice Neal, a Duncombe resident and veteran of the U.S. Navy.

Representatives from charities like the Sleeping Angels Foundation, Angel Ride to Save the Ta-Tas and the Angel Tree spoke on behalf of Wagner, saying that their fundraising events wouldn’t be as successful without the support they receive from Stumpy’s Bar.

“Quite frankly, this guy is hard to get along with,” was a comment echoed throughout the evening — mostly by people who were speaking in support of Wagner and the bar.

-Messenger photo by David Borer
A large crowd filled the Duncombe Community Center Wednesday night for a meeting about the eviction of Stumpy’s Bar and Grill.

“A lot of people don’t like Stumpy, but the town needs this,” said Greg Royster. “The town needs a bar, a restaurant, a place to be. It always has and always will.”

“You’re probably in the minority if you like him,” said Brian Wagner, a cousin of Bruce. “I think you guys are lucky to have him. I think that Stump and Kim run a good bar. I think you guys are totally overly optimistic on ever opening that bar again. I think that you guys have a building to rent out and I don’t know why Stump even wants to be here anymore, but he still wants to be here and you guys are lucky to have him.”

Snell claims three different people have inquired about leasing the bar, but did not elaborate.

Judy Steuerwald, president of the Legion’s Women’s Auxiliary, noted the harm that a business closing could have on the small town and asked, “Isn’t the Legion supposed to be a member of the community?”

Steuerwald’s late husband, Gary, had previously been the Legion’s commander and had to work with Wagner since his lease with the Legion began a decade ago. Steuerwald said even her husband found it difficult to work with Wagner, but they figured it out and made it work, she said.

Steuerwald asked if the Legion would consider having another meeting, with all of the members, and voting on the issue again.

“The rent’s going up big time if we did it,” said Roger Dillingham, Legion member and former commander.

Dillingham then accused Steuerwald of trying to take over the Legion.

“We’ll disband the Legion and go join Fort Dodge or Webster City,” he said.

The meeting ended with little accomplished, but Snell told those in attendance that the Legion would meet and vote on the issue again. He previously said the group has 17 members and only eight were in attendance at the meeting where they voted to oust Stumpy’s. Snell said he was told by the state adjutant that a quorum was not needed.

Stumpy’s bar is still open.