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HISTORY OF 



HAMILTON COUNTY 

IOWA 



By 
J. W. LEE 



ILLUSTRATED 



Volume I 



1912 
THE S. j. CLARKE PLTBLISHIXG COMPAXY 

CHICAGO 



m:: :;ew york 
PUBLIC LIBRARY 



R 1D41 



Editor's Preface 



This volume larings tlie General History of Hamilton County down to the 
beginning of the Twentieth Century and no attempt has been made to make a 
systematic record of events occurring later than the above date. It presents the 
first serious attempt at compiling and publishing a History of Hamilton County 
that has ever been made. Chapters three to ten inclusive are the work of F. O. 
Lee, deceased. They were written in 1890 and 1891 and are presented, prac- 
tically, as they were prepared by him and in the preparation of these chapters, 
Mr. Lee was always glad to acknowledge valuable assistance from Isaiah Doane. 
Chapter twenty-eight entitled "The Mills of the County," was prepared by Mrs. 
Effie jMcKinley Kantor. 

Chapter twenty-nine entitled "The Kendall Young Library" was prepared by 
E. D. Burgess. 

Articles on Church History have been contributed by Chas. Biernatzki, Capt. 
Frank E. Landers, Dr. W. R. Homan, Rev. M. L. Melick, H. A. Maxon and 
Prof. F. C. Runkle. 

The editor desires to acknowledge great assistance from the files of the Ham- 
ilton Freeman, of which an almost complete set is in existence and from the writ- 
ings of J, H. Stephenson, Isaiah Doane, W. L. Clark, S. B. Rosencrans and Chas. 
Aldrich which have appeared in the press of the county from time to time. He 
also desires to express gratitude for the kindly interest taken in the work by Capt. 
Frank E. Landers and for the immense fund of information he has always so 
promptly and willingly supplied. He is also grateful for the kindness of E. S. 
Boudenot, in making certain drawings to illustrate the work. 

J. W. Lee. 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I 
GEOLOGICAL 

LOCATION' AND TOPOGRAPHY — OUR SOIL AND ITS ORIGIN' ECON'oMR PROIJUCTS 

GEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION \V. L. CLARK's ESTIMATE OF OLTR MINERAL 

WEALTH — WATER SUPPLIES THE BOONE RIVER THE WEBSTER CITY RESERVOIR 

POWER POSSIBILITIES FISH AND CLAMS TIMBER — ARTESIAN WELLS — MC- 

MURRAV'S REPORT I 



CHAPTER H 
OUR TITLE 

ABSTRACT OF TITLE TO HAMILTON UOL'NTV INDIAN RIGHTS — THE NEUTRAL STRIP 

CESSION OF 1842 — HENRY LOT's TROUBLE WITH THE INDIANS — THE LOT 

MONUMENT REPULSE OF GONERNMENT SURVEYORS BY INDIANS — HENRY LOT's 

REVENGE — A PIONEER INOL'EST I" 



CHAPTER III 

THE FIRST SETTLERS 

THE ARRIVAL OF PRESTON BELL — SETTLERS IN 185O SETTLERS IN 1851 — SETTLERS 

IN 1852 — now "JAS" CAUGHT A DEER THE FIRST STORE — OTHER SETTLERS IN 

1852 THE FIRST MILL — AN ECCENTRIC CHARACTER A PIONEER PRAYER MEET- 
ING — ARUI\ALS IN 1853 — CLAIM JU.\IPER^ THE FIRST LAND ENTRY SLOUGH- 
ING DOWN PIONEER HOSPITALITY — ARRI\ALS IN 1854 — DAVE BEACH WALKS TO 

DES MOINES — THE FIRST BRIDGE THE ARRIVAL OF W. J. SILVERS — STORY OF 

MR. silvers' TRIP TO HAMILTON COUNTY SILVICRS FINDS HIS HOME AN EARLY 

DISASTER ARRIVAL OF THE WILLSONS MRS. WILLSON's STORY OTHER '55 SET- 
TLERS — HOMER AS A PIONEER CITY THE SECOND STORE .\RR1VAL OF liENJ. 

MILL.NUn-- I'IKST SiriTI.EMENT ON SKUNK KI\"ER 29 

V 



vi COXTEXTS 

CHAPTER IV 
EARLY EN'EXTS CHIEELY OE A i'ULmCAL XATURE 

THE FIRST ELF.CTION OKCANIZING WliDSTER COUNTY TAXATION WITHOUT REPRE- 
SENTATION THE FIRST COUNTY OFFICERS THE COUNTY SEAT THE STATE ROAD 

— THE SECOND ELECTION — GRANVILLE EURKI.EY — THE BUILDING OF HOMER NEW 

CASTLE — A jriLD WINTER PRAIRIE VS. TIMBER FARMS — A STATE ELECTION — THE 

FIRST SCHOOLS PROHIBITION SUSTAINED A CONTEST OVER COUNTY JUDGE — C. C. 

CARPENTER VISITS NEW CASTLE — TIMBER STEALING ANOTHER "WILSE BREWER" 

STORY — SOME NEW TOWNS ^THE THIRD SCHOOL HOUSE THE HOTEL SIGN M0\- 

ING THE COUNTY SEAT BALLOT BOX STUFFING THE MOON HOUSE — THE "OLD 

WILLSON house" — HON. W. C. WILLSON RAILROAD BOND ELECTION — A HARD 

WINTER PORK AND HOMINY HAMILTON COUNTY ORGANIZED CHOOSING THE 

NAME THE FIRST HAMILTON COUNTY ELECTION WEBSTER CITY IN 1 857. . . 49 

CHAPTER V 
THE SPIRrr [. ARE >LVSSACRE 

THE MASSACRE — THE RELIEF EXPEDITION. — COMPANY "c" ORGANIZED LIEUT. JOHN 

N. .maxwell's STORY INK-PA-DU-TAH, THE OUTLAW — DEPREDATIONS IX CL.\Y 

COUNTY — INDIANS AT THE GARDINER HOME THE INDIANS AT THE MATTOCK 

HOME THE HOWE FAMILY MURDERED AT THE MARBLE CABIN — THE MAS- 
SACRE DISCOVERED TRI.\LS OF THE PRISONERS — THE INDIANS AT SPRINGFIELD — ■ 

THE FLIGHT OF THE FUGITIVES RECOLLECTIONS OF F. R. M^SON DEATH OF 

CAPTAIN JOHNSON — THE GREAT INDIAN SCARE — THE FRONTIER GUARD 69 



CHAPTER \ i 

lUST HEEORE THE WAR— EVEXTS OCCrRRlXri TX --^j-'-^i^---^,) 

AND -Go 

FOUNDING OF THE FREEMAN THE FIRST FOURTH OF JULY CELEliRATION — COUNTER- 
FEITERS ANOTHER PAPER TOWN — A COUNTY ELECTION — AN IMJCCTION CONTEST — 

A COUNTY FAIR IN '57 — AN E.\RLY TRAGEDY RIVER LAND GRANT — WILD CAT 

MONEY HORSE THIEVES RAILROAD E.XCITEMENT — THE TOWN OF 1I.\WLEV — 

BUILDING THE FIRST BRIDGE — ARRIVAL OF JACOI! SKINNER — CARPENTER VS. DUN- 
COMBE THE FIRST H.\Y SCALES — AN ATTEMPT TO INCORPORATE — RESCINDING 

THE RAILROAD BONDS THE WET SEASON OF '58 — WADING THE SLOICHS — THE 

FIRST liREWERV PROMINICNT MEN ARRIVE — THE RIVER STEAMER REACHICS FORT 

DODGE — THE SWAMP LAND I CNIi — AN ATTI'.MPT TO (;ET A N i;W COl'RT HOUSE 

AN INDIGNATION MEETING JUDGE M AXWIII, — MORE RAILROAD TALK — PIONEER 

POLITICS — A COUNTY ELECTION — A NIAV SCHOOL HOUSE — POLITICS IN iSflO 

.STATLSTICS — THREE NEW BRIDGES 93 



CONTENTS vii 

CHAPTER VII 

THE CINTL WAR— LOCAL EVENTS OCCURRING DURING THE 

GREAT STRUGGLE 

THE FIRST JIAN TO ENLIST COMPANY F ORGANIZED ROSTER OF CO. F — POLITICS 

DURING THE WAR GROVE TOWNSHIP CREATED THE COUNTY OFFERS BOUNTIES 

BOUNTIES INCREASED TRAGEDY AT FISH TRAP FORD CO "a" 32ND INFANTRY 

SWAMP LANDS^ CLERK J. M. JONES RESIGNS THE FREEMAN RESUMES PUB- 
LICATION — D. D. MIRACLE ARRIVES HORSE THIEF EXCITEMENT THE CIRCUS 

COMES TO TOWN — THE SHEEP INDUSTRY — DRAFTING SOLDIERS STATE MILITIA — 

THE FIRST TEACHERS INSTITUTE SOLDIERS AS GL'ESTS — THE FIRST CEMETERY AS- 
SOCIATION A DRAFT AVOIDED THE ASSASSINATION OF LINCOLN — A TRAGEDY 

AMOXC, THE SOLDIERS THE SORGHL'M AGE 1 15 



CHAPTER Vni 

TUST AFTER THE WAR— EVENTS BETWEEN THE CLOSE OF THE 
WAR AND THE ARRIVAL OF THE FIRST RAILROAD 

HOMER REVIVES — B. F. DERR COMMENCES BUSINESS HOOK's POINT THE NEW 

YORK COLONY — ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD REACHES ACKLEY MOB LAW ^THE 

POTTER HOL'SE — THE DECLINE OF THE SHEEP INDUSTRY GRACELAND CEMETERY 

COUNTY ELECTION IN '65 A COURTHOUSE AT LAST A BUSINESS DIRECTORY IN 

1866 — J. D. HUNTER TAKES CHARGE OF THE FREEMAN A SEVERE WINTER A 

WET SPRING A MARKET REPORT IN 1867 COUNTY ELECTION IN 186/ TOWN- 
SHIP OF BLAIRSBURG CREATED BASEBALL IN THE SIXTIES THE FIRST BANK IS 

ESTABLISHED A GRASSHOPPER SCARE A PIONEER CAMP MEETING JUDGE CHASE 

FOR CONGRESS A COUNTY FAIR GROUND ESTABLISHED I33 



CHAPTER IX 

THE FIRST RAILROAD— THE ARRIVAL OF THE "IRON HORSE" AND 

ATTENDING EVENTS 

THE RAILROAD IS COMING THE LOCATION OF A DEPOT — THE RAILROAD ARRIVES — 

A TOUGH CROWD A DRUNKEN RIOT A JAIL NEEDED THE FIRST BRICK RESI- 
DENCE THE FIRST BRICK BUSINESS HOUSE — THE COMMERCIAL BLOCK SOME NEW 

MILLS — JUDGE ROSE WILLSON TOWN — A FREE RIDE TO FORT DODGE THE MURDER 

OF JOHN ROSS — OTHER TRAGEDIES — THE SWAMP FLIND MORE NEW BRIDGES — 

ELECTION OF 1869 COUNTY STATISTICS THE THIRD CHURCH A PIONEER PAR- 
SON — THE SECOND BANK ORGANIZED THE FIRST GRAIN ELEVATOR — NEW BUILD- 
INGS THE NEW SUPERVISOR SYSTEM A CONTEST FOR REPRESENTATI\-E — A CON- 
TEST FOR SHERIFF STARTING THE "iNDEx" — THIC LIQUOR INTERESTS WIN — A SAD 

STORY PROSPECTS OF ANOTHER RAILROAD 147 



viii CONTEXTS 

CHAPTER X 

THE XEW COURTHUL'SE— I'RIXCH'AL EXEXTS OCCCRRLXCi 
■DURING THE "SEXEXTIES" 

THIC.GRANGE THE AXTI-.AIO\(jrOI.V CAMPAIGN — A .STARTLING ACCIDENT THE UNl- 

VERSALIST SOCIETY ORGANIZED — THE FREEXIAN CHANGES HANDS THE ARGUS 

ESTAHLISHED THE CAMPAIGN OF 74 — ELECTING A SHERIFF — RAISING FUNDS. 

FOR A NEW COURTHOUSE THE NEW COURTHOUSE SEEKING IIIDS FOR THE NEW 

COURTHOUSE SELLING THE SWAMP LAND THE CONTRACT AWARDED THE 

WORK COMMENCED LAYING THE CORNER STONE — COMPLETING THE KUII.DING — 

THE CEREMONY OF DEDICATION THE WILLIAMS STANDARD STARTED GRASS- 
HOPPERS AGAIN MORE RAILROAD PROSPECTS THE TOWN OF CALLANAX — THE 

CALLANAN HERALD — TWO MURDERS — ANOTHER VOTE ON THE RAILROAD TAX — 

THE ADVERTISER STARTED HOG CHOLERA NEW BRIDGES THE COUNTY POOR 

FARM THE CHEESE FACTORY THE FIRST MEMORIAL SERNTCE A SOLDIERS' 

REUNION THE WELP.KRG TR,\( ;i:i)\' T H ]•: TDLIUK) & XORTH W ESTER X RAILWA\-. I 6" 

CH AFTER XI 
REMINISCEXCES OF PIOXEER LIFE 

PIONEER LIFE BY PETER LYON — CHRISTMAS IN 1857 — A PIONEER CANDY PULL — A 

PIONEER LAW SUIT, BY E. G. WHALEY EARLY LIFE IN WEBSTER — PIONEER 

COLIRTSHIP THE FIRST SCHOOLHOUSE — THE FIRST CHARIVARI. BY A. HASWELL — 

HOW JOHN KEARNS HAULED FLOIR FROM VINTON TO WEBSTER CITY, BY .] . \ . 

KEARNS FISH TRAP FORD THE LAST ELK, BY ISAIAH DOAXIi — WEBSTER CITy's 

FIRST (JUARTER CENTURY, BV S. B. ROSENCRANS — A ROMANTIC WEDDING TRIP, P.V 
MRS. II. II. KITTS 187 

CHAPTER XII 
POLITICAL HL^TORV 

POLITICAL CONDITIONS IX 1880 C.\MPAIGX OF 1881 — KAMK.\R AXD ALDRICH — D. C. 

CHASE TAKES A SHOT .\T .\LDRICH — "RECK YOUR OW.X RE.\d" "THE FUSILLADE" 

PROHIBITION — THE ARGUS IN POLITICS — PRAY FOR CLERK OF THE SUPRE.ME COl'UT 

— CA.MPAIGN OF 1883 GEO. W. BELL STARTS THE GRAPHIC THE PROHIBITOUY 

LAW — CAMPAIGN OF 1884 DEMOCRATS DIVIDE THE SPOILS — CAMP.MGX OF 1 885 

WESLEY MARTIN HONORED THE OFFENSIVE P.\RTISAX DOCTRIXE REACTS 

ALDRICH BOLTS — THE CAMPAIGN OF 1887 — THE C.VMPAIGN OF 1888 — D. C. CHASE 

IN THE LEGISL.'\TURE THE CAMPAIGNS OF 189O, 189I AND 1893 — CHASE FOR 

.STATE SENATOR PARTY REGULARITY — M. II. liRINTON AS .\ LEGISLATOR — CAM- 
PAIGN OF 1S94 TWO DAILY PAPERS — THE jdURX.VL FOUNDED K.VMRAR FOR 

GOVERNOR — THE CAMPAIGN OF 1895 POL IT US IX 96 POLITICS IN 1897 — 

EVENTS IN 1898 — THE FRI'.I-.MAX AXD TUIBUX:-; lOXSOLIDATE TWO IMPORTAXT 

REFORM S 205 



CONTEXTS ix 

CHAPTER XI 11 
CITY POUTICS 

WEBSTER CITY INCORPORATED NO PARTY POLITICS ALLOWED A CITY OF THE SEC- 
OND CLASS THE WATERWORKS SOLDIERS HOME PROSPECTS J. D. RISTE 

ELECTED COUNCILMAN MOVING THE POSTOFFICE THE MARKET SQUARE — ELEC- 
TRIC LIGHTS CITY POLITICS A BLOW AT THE CITY SCALES ELECTRIC LIGHT 

PLANT COMPLETED THE FIRST NATIONAL MO\ES — THE POSTOFFICE MOVED AT 

LAST THE CLARK-YOUNG CONTEST CONTRACTION NOT ALLOWED — THE 5OOO 

MARK REACHED THE CITY SCALES FIGHT 1 H !•: FIFTH WARD ZT,^ 



CHAPTER XIV 
RIVER LAXD TROUBLES 

TIIEDES MOINES RIVER LAND GRANT — THE RIVER LAND COMPANY THE RESOLUTION 

OF 1861 — AN INDIGNATION MEETING — UNITED STATES VS. THE NAVIGATION CO. 
THE INDEMNITY BILL 241) 



CHAPTER XV 
A CHAPTER OF TRAGEDY 

SUICIDES AND ACCIDENTAL DEATHS THE MURDER OF JAMES RICHARDSON THE 

BASKET TRIAL — THE SUSPECTED MURDER OF MRS. DULIN ATTEMPTED BANK 

ROBBERY 261 

CHAPTER XVI 
MILITARY HISTORY 

HOW THE SOLDIERS WERE ASSIGNED MILITARY RECORDS OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

SOLDIERS THOSE WHO DIED IN SERVICE THOSE WHE HELD OFFICE CIVIL WAR 

VETERANS WHO RESIDE IN HAMILTON COUNTY — CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS BURIED IN 
HAMILTON (■(ll"NT^' 273 

CHAPTER XVII 
SPAXISH-AMERICAX WAR 

COMPANY C OUG.\NIZEI> CO.MPANY C PREPARES FOR WAR — COMP.\NY C CALLED OUT 

THE RESERVE COMPANY COMPANY C MUSTERED INTO U. S. SERVICE RECRUIT- 
ING SERVICE — SICKNESS IN CAMP THE COMPANY MUSTERED OUT COMPANY C 

REORGANIZED 2<.JJ 



X CONTENTS 

CHAPTER XVIII 
THE TOWNSHIPS— HOW AND WHEN ORGANIZED 

FREMONT TOWNSHIP — CASS TOWNSHIP — ULAIRSBURG TOWNSHIP WILLIAMS TOWN- 
SHIP ROSE GROVE TOWNSHIP — LIBERTY TOWNSHIP — INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP 

—FREEDOM TOWNSHIP BOONE TOWNSHIP WEP,STER TOWNSHIP — HAMILTON 

TOWNSHIP — LYON TOWNSHIP — JEWELL JUNCTION LINCOLN TOWNSHIP — ELLS- 
WORTH SCOTT TOWNSHIP ELLSWORTH TOWNSHIP — CLEAR LAKE TOWNSHIP- 
MARION TOWNSHIP STRATFORD 30^ 

CHAPTER XIX 

HAMILTON COl'XTV ATTEMPTS TO GET MORE RAILROADS 327 

CHAPTER XX 
THE ROSENCRANS PARK 

A HEALTH RESORT — THE FIRST PARK OPENING THE SECOND PARK OPEN DAY — • 

JUDGE DOANE's ADDRESS — THE END OF THE PARK 33I 

CHAPTER XXI 

INVENTIONS, MANUFACTURING. WHOLESALE AND 
RETAIL TRADE 

INVENTIONS — MANUFACTURING THE TILE FACTORY LITCHFIELD MANUFACTURING 

COMPANY — WHOLESALE GROCERY THE SHOE FACTORY' THE CANNING FACTORY 

— WEBSTER CITY HOT WATER HEATING COMPANY MARTIN TELEPHONE COM- 
PANY SIEVE FACTORY- RETARDER FACTORY BOTTLING WORKS GENERAL CON- 
TRACTORS RJOCA SINE FACTORY AMERICAN STOCK FOOD COMPANY NEFF 

HANDLEBAR COMPANY— BROWN SPRING ICE SKATE COMPANY — QUEEN MANU- 
FACTURING COMPANY — CEMENT PIPE AND TII.IC COMPANY RETAIL TRADE 

BUSINESS DIRECTORY IX 1869 — DIRECTORY IN 1S81 — DIRECTORY 1 \ 1896 

DIRIXTORY IN I9O4 339 

CHAPTER XX n 
THE BENCH AND BAR 

J I IJGE m'fARLAND — OTHER EARLY JUDGES AND LAWYERS A FAMOUS CASE 

PIONEER JUSTICE PRACTICE — REPORT OF THE FIRST GRAND JURY OUR LAWYERS 

IN 1867 — HAMILTON COUNTY JUDGES — DANIEL DARROW CHASE — DAVID D. MIR- 
ACLE NORMAN B. HYATT — MODERN TRIALS AND LAWYERS — THE DEPARTED 

WM. R. DANIELS, JACOB SKINNER. F. Q. LEE, G. B. PRAY, 11. G. GULP 355 



CONTENTS xi 

CHAPTER XXIII 
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION 

THE FIRST DOCTOR rXOXEER PRACTICE DOCTORS OF TODAY — DENTISTRY 37I 

CHAPTER XXR" 
THE NEWSPAPERS 

THE FREEMAN THE INDEX THE ARGUS — THE ADVERTISER — THE WILLIAMS 

STANDARD THE CALLANAN HERALD THE CALLANAN REGISTER— THE JEWELL 

REVIEW THE STRATFORD REGISTER THE WEEKLY REVIEW THE JEWELL RECORD 

THE GRAPHIC THE WEBSTER CITY TRIBUNE THE WILLIAMS HERALD — THE 

WILLIAMS REPORTER THE WILLIAMS REVIEW THE WEBSTER CITY HERALD — - 

STR.\TFORD COURIER THE GRAPHIC-HERALD — THE STANHOPE NEWS THE JOUR- 
NAL THE STANHOPE MAIL — THE JEWELL CLIPPER THE WILLIAMS WASP THE 

HORNET THE ELLSWORTH CHRONICLE ELLSWORTH NEWS 375 

CHAPTER XXV 

HANKS AND BANKING 381 



CPIAPTER XXVI 
THE CHURCHES 

SOJIE CHURCH STATISTICS ^THE METHODISTS — THE UNIVERSALISTS THE GERMAN 

LUTHERAN CHURCH THE UNITED BRETHREN — CHRISTIAN SCIENCE — CONGREGA- 
TIONAL CHURCH — THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH — ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC 
CHURCH THE ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH — THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH — NOR- 
WEGIAN LUTHERAN CHURCH 389 



CPIAPTER XXNII 

I\ MICMilRIAM 413 

CHAPTER XXVTII 
THE MILLS OF THE COUNTY 

BRUCE MILL BELLS MILL — GROSECLOSE MILL — BONE's MILL — TUNNEL JIILL — ■ 

CHASE MILL TURBINE MILL HARRIS MILL — THE STEAM MILL — THE MODEL 

MILLS THE TEN EYCK MILLS 423 



xii CONTEXTS 

CHAPTER XXIX 
PUBLIC BENEFACTORS 

KENDALL YOUNG LIBRARY DESCRIPTION OK THE BUILDINC LIFE OK KENDALL 

YOUNG MERCY HOSPITAL 435 

CHAPTER XXX 
THE SCHOOLS 

THE SUPERINTENDENTS — SUPERINTENDENT SKINNERS REPORT THE FIRST HIGH 

SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT JOHNSON's REPORT — THE NEW IIKJII SCHOOL DUILD- 

ING THE FIRST COMMENCEMENT 443 

CHAPTER XXXI 

AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENTS 441 ) 



History of Hamilton County 



CHAPTER I 
GEOLOGICAL 

LOCATION AND TOPOGRAPHY OUR SOIL AND ITS ORIGIN ECONOMIC PRODUCTS 

GEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION W. L. CLARK's ESTIMATE OF OUR MINERAL 

WEALTH WATER SUPPLIES — THE BOONE RIVER THE WEBSTER CITY RESERVOIR 

POWER POSSIBILITIES FISH AND CLAMS TIMBER — ARTESIAN WELLS MC- 

MURRAY'S REPORT. 

LOCATION AND TOPOGRAPHY 

Hamilton county is located very near the centre of the state of Iowa. Its 
present limits were established by an act of the legislature in 1850 and it was then 
named Risley, in honor of a Colonel Risley, who was killed in the Mexican war. 

The county is twenty-four miles square and embraces, according to govern- 
ment survey, the congressional townships, 86, 87, 88, and 89 north, in ranges, 
23, 24, 25, and 26 west of the 5th principal meridian. 

It is bounded on the north by Wright county, on the east by Hardin county. 
on the south by Story and Boone counties, and on the west by Webster county. 

The topography as a whole, presents a comparatively level plain with a gentle 
slope to the south, which will average perhaps from one to two feet per mile. 
This level plain is broken by the Boone river which extends from north to south 
through the western tier of townships and by a range of small morainic hills which 
extend from the southwest corner of the county eastward through Marion, Clear 
Lake and Ellsworth townships until near Jewell the direction changes to the 
northward, through Lyon, Liberty and Williams townships. These hills are very 
interesting to the student of geology. They are curious both in individual ap- 
pearance and arrangement. Sometimes there will be a single hill, quite regular 
in shape resembling an Indian mound. Sometimes they are in groups, and again 
they are found in a continuous range. These hills were not caused by the action 
of wind and water but were caused by forces that affected the whole topography. 
Mr. Thomas H. McBride in his report of the geological survey of Hamilton 
county gives the following description of their origin : 

"Such hills or knolls, are thought to represent the modified remnants of an 
ancient moraine, a glacial deposit left here at some time in the history of 
the world, not very long gone by, when the great mass of snow and ice which 



2 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

still persists about the north pole of our world came very much further south, 
even here to Iowa, a vast glacier, pushing and spreading by its own weight along 
the ground, leveling the hills, filling the valleys, so long as it moved, and finally 
leaving these scattered piles of drift and debris where its margin rested, and the 
glacier along its southern border, checked its southeast advance, shortened it, 
diminished it, caused it to recede even farther and farther north until it paused 
at last only as a great snow cap to the planet, covering Greenland and other icy 
lands, generally away north of the Arctic circle even as we see it this day. 

"Wright and Hamilton counties are just within the limits of the old glacier's 
furthest eastward spread or push. Traces of similar topography extend almost 
to Ackley along the line of the Illinois Central and almost to Hampton along the 
Great Western Railway, but the high hills of Dows, and those about Iowa Lake 
are the most striking evidences of the glacier's pause, while points near Hampton 
and Ackley may fix for us the very furthest reach of glacial action. The hills 
referred to, mark perhaps a second limit when the glacier, once melted quite 
away, came down again, only once more to meet with check, once more dissolve 
away, and this time disappear for good." 

OUR SOIL AND ITS ORIGIN 

The surface of the earth throughout Hamilton County is composed of what 
geologists call "Wisconsin Drift." It is a sort of clay more or less intermixed 
with pebbles and the later formation is of a light yellowish color. When this 
yellow clay has been exposed to the weather and is mixed with decayed vegeta- 
tion, it becomes black and forms the richest and most fertile soil. The Wisconsin 
Drift varies in depth from five or six feet to lOO feet, the average depth being 
perhaps about 50 feet. 

If the student who is interested in the study of this formation will go to the 
high blufi^ which flanks Boone river on the south just north of Lawn Hill addi- 
tion to Webster City, he will find a vertical exposure some 85 feet in thickness. 
This shows about 70 feet of Grey Wisconsin drift, 12 feet of yellow Wisconsin 
drift, and about 3 feet of black soil. 

It is thought that the river at this point cuts clear through the Wisconsin drift 
formation and that the exposure here furnished is one of the best to be found in 
the county, though there are of course many others along the course of the Boone 
river. The surface of this formation in Hamilton county, while, on the whole 
almost level, was filled with small depressions from a fraction of an acre to 20 
acres in extent. These depressions filled with water and formed sloughs or 
swamps and in pioneer days, there was hardly a quarter section of prairie land in 
the entire county that did not have within its borders, several of these sloughs. 
These sloughs were not confined to the lower lands but were found at all eleva- 
tions, some even on top of the Alorainic hills which range through the county. 
These swamps, though looked upon with extreme aversion by early settlers, were 
in fact storehouses of agricultural wealth for when they were once thoroughly 
drained, they became the richest and most jiroductive land to be found. 

The soil of Hamilton county is very uniform in character and is usually de- 
scribed as "black loam." This black loam is from three to five feet in depth and 
when thoroughly drained and cultivated, is of most astonishing productiveness. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 3 

The soil along the river and over the Morain hills is of a sandier nature, lighter 
in color and not so rich as the heavier prairie soil but even this lighter soil has its 
advantages, for it warms up earlier in the spring and is easier to cultivate. 

ECONOMIC PRODUCTS 

The economic products of a geological nature are limestone, fire clay, sand 
and gravel and coal, and there is at least one exposed stratum of very good sand- 
stone, though a quarry has never been developed. 

Before the universal adoption of cement as building material, large (juantities 
of limestone were quarried for foundation purposes. There was a quarry at 
Bell Mill, one on the old Snell farm in Webster township and several in and 
about Webster City. 

In the pioneer days, lime was manufactured, and this industry was carried on 
to considerable extent by both Ulis Briggs and Jacob Paine. In the earliest 
pioneer days "mud brick" were manufactured from a sort of river silt deposited 
along the Boone river and this same river silt when mixed with stronger clay or 
shale shipped from Lehigh is now made into the best quality of brick and tile. 

There are fine deposits of shale and fire clay along the Boone river but lack 
of cheap transportation facilities has prevented the development of any extensive 
pits. 

Coal of good quality and in large quantities has been found along the Boone 
river between Webster City and the Des Moines river ; indeed it is quite well 
settled that the whole southwest one-fourth of the county is underlaid with coal. 
In earlier days, mines were developed and the coal consumed within the county 
was nearly all mined at home. J. N. Bell is credited with having first discovered 
coal in Hamilton county. When a small boy, while digging along the river bank he 
came across a bright glistening material which his youthful imagination pictured 
as gold. It turned out to be sulphur deposits in a vein of coal. And so the dis- 
covery was made and the first coal mine was opened near Bell Mill. Later, quite 
a number of mines were developed, among which might be mentioned the 
Brockschink and Silvers mines, the Chaflin mines and the Stockdale mines. Coal 
of good quality was mined here for years and transported by wagon or sled to 
the home of the user or to market at Webster City and hauling coal was the usual 
occupation of the teamster during the winter months. At times the demand for 
coal was so great that teamsters arriving at the mines before daylight in the 
morning might have to wait the greater part of the day before their turn came to 
have their wagons filled. With the building of the Northwestern and Crooked 
Creek railroads, the coal mining industry in Hamilton county began to decline 
and now comparatively little coal is mined in the county. 

GEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION 

Hamilton has been, since its first discovery, so rich in agricultural advantages 
that little attention has been paid to its mineral wealth. A geologist by the name 
of David D. Owen passed up the Des Moines river and made some slight observa- 
tions in Hamilton county prior to 1852, but about all that he recorded, was that 
Hamilton county was "the Beautiful Prairie." 



4 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

Dr. Chas. A. White visited the county about 1869 and noted the Morain Hills 
and the coal deposits. 

Mr. Warren Upton studied our Morainic deposits in 1880. Aside from these 
observations, little attention had been paid to the geology of the county until the 
survey made by Mr. Thos. McBride in 1909. 

It is known however that shortly after the time of the Des Moines River land 
grant, the Des Moines Navigation and R. R. Company sent scientific men out to 
investigate the natural resources of the land they e.xpected to acquire from the 
state, and that the reports of these men were such as caused the company to insert 
a mineral reserve clause in many of its deeds to Hamilton county land. 

In 1885, Will L. Clark who was at that time writing for the Freeman made 
some inquiry into "Our Mineral Wealth" and wrote an article which is here 
reproduced : 

W. L. CLARK'S ESTIMATE OF OUR MINERAL WEALTH 

HER VAST COAL AND CLAY FIELDS, WITH STRONG INDICATIONS OF RICHER DEPOSITS, 
IN THE WAY OF COPPER, LEAD AND PORCELAIN 

By the developments already made, together with the observations taken in 
numerous geological and mineralogical surveys, there is every indication that the 
past ages have made a rocky frame work, the inner cells of which contain an 
accumulation of untold wealth, which at no distant day will fill human hands and 
enrich the cofl^ers of those who possess and develop these rich mines. This is not 
an idle speculation or fanciful dream, but rather the rational conclusion deduced 
from the critical and scientific investigations made by those thoroughly acquainted 
with such subjects, who have made this particular location a special study for 
more than thirty years. Away back, as early as 1854-5, the Des Aloines River 
Land and Navigation company employed experts, operating in various depart- 
ments of natural science, to prospect and survey the Des Moines valley for the 
purpose of ascertaining the value of their lands, both as to its to])ographical and 
subterranean formation. This research was all conducted by practical as well as 
scientific men, who reduced every observation bearing on the subject to records, 
charts and plats, which are now intact. This company also spared no expense to 
procure and carefully preserve all valuable specimens of mineral ore curiosities, 
some of which have proven to be "missing links" as it were, to a pre-historic 
people, who have been lost and forgotten within the folds of a mysterious wind- 
ing sheet, the true texture of which will ever remain an uncertainly to the present 
inhabitants of the earth. The River Land Company had in their corps of topo- 
graphical engineers, Mr. Huitt Ross, still a resident of this county, who is today 
in the possession of more valuable knowledge concerning the mineral deposits of 
Hamilton county than any one now known to us. Through a reliable source we 
learn that there is a certain tract in which may be seen positive and well detined 
traces of a mineral deposit, in which lead and copper ore are to be fountl in 
quantities sufficiently large to pay for mining. Specimens of copi)er ore, taken 
from this locality, were sent to eastern cities and there tested by competent as- 
sayers who pronounced it a large per cent copper. There were also found chunks 
of lead ore, which assayed 60%. One acf|uaintcd with geological formations can 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 5 

go to several points on the Boone and Des Moines rivers and find nuggets of 
lead ore in great abundance, which to the casual passerby would look like so 
many common stones. Men have gone from this county to the far off Rocky 
Mountain country and there risked life, money, and all that was dear for the pur- 
pose of prospecting in mines, where the "croppings" or outside prospects were 
not half so auspicious as those to be seen along the Boone and Des Moines valleys. 
At dift'erent times during the past quarter of a century Mr. Ross has tried to 
induce capital to invest in a mining plant, by which the hidden treasures of these 
undeveloped mines might be unbosomed and utilized, but so far all such attempts 
have failed by reason of various causes, the principal one being the fact that the 
title of a portion of this land was in litigation, and also that the owners of the 
same are not inclined toward enterprise and speculation, growing out of their 
ignorance concerning the vast bonanza which in all probability rests beneath the 
very house they now live in. We believe that if some of the wealthy men of this 
county would take pains the coming season to allow Mr. Ross and others to make 
them acquainted with some of the by-paths and trails of Nature along the banks 
of the Boone river, that they would be astonished at the prominent features of 
our county's mineral wealth, and also become induced to form a stock company 
for the purpose of making some more certain test of this supposed deposit. A 
three days' trip up and down the meanderings of this stream piloted by one who 
knows whereof he speaks, would not only be a very pleasant trip, but doubtless 
bring to light that which would be of vast financial benefit to this section of Iowa. 
Our county has been looked upon by our state geologists as being one of rare 
value and importance both as to its coal and potters clay deposit, and also to the 
finer, more valuable minerals. There is another feature so full of wonderment 
in regard to this strange part of our county, and about which there is so little 
known, of which it may be of interest to speak in this connection. There is a 
point on Boone river at which one may see a well defined right angular line of 
earth works thrown up as systematically as those produced by our well trained 
modern soldiery for a protection against an enemy. In the immediate vicinity of 
this line of earth works, which are elevated to quite a height above the surface there 
have been found many odd relics bearing unmistakable evidence of having been 
fashioned by a people with whom this age is unacquainted. Among these rare 
curiosities is a peculiar shaped dish of pottery ware, resembling the porcelain 
goods of today, though not half so highly finished. Also unique designed stone 
hammers, axes, and other curiously fashioned tools, which must have been made 
by some extinct race, who no doubt, from all that can be seen, used them in some 
kind of mining or manufacturing work. Here may be found irregular shaped 
pieces of lead and copper ore, through which is trickling a stream of spring 
water, containing mineral properties, the same as that found discharging from 
every rich copper mine in the world ; it is of a peculiar green color, perfectly 
transparent, yet leaving a deposit on the stones over which it flows, containing 
l)oth sulphur and salts of copper. There is a reason to believe that at one time 
this plateau was the site of a thriving little villa, the inhabitants of which, how- 
ever unlettered, were possessed with a peculiar skill, by which they made imple- 
ments in a manner, and from a mixture of material now unknown to artisans. 
There may also be seen excavations in the bluffs along the river at this point, 
resembling the opening to a coal shaft, which has caved in and over which debris 



6 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

has collected and underbrush is now growing. There is a theory among those 
who have studied well the subject, that these were the mouths of ancient copper 
and lead mines. At least who can contradict it by telling the inquisitive who these 
relics were made by and for what purpose, and at what date in the world's his- 
tory were they wrought out? 

OTHER VALUABLE MINERALS 

to be seen in great quantities in the above described section are fine ciualities of 
ochre, so called by some, and by other chemists pronounced a species of red 
graphite, (red lead), which produces a very valuable paint for both wood and 
iron surfaces. Also there is to be found a good amount of the same sort of white 
clay from which porcelain ware is made. Specimens of this valuable mineral 
have been experimented with by those skilled in this i)eculiar art, and it is proven 
beyond a peradventure that a vein of sufficient thickness, to pay for working, is 
to be found within this wonderful mineral land of the Boone valley. This alone 
is worth its tens of thousands to the county when properly developed. 

THE COAL AND CLAY 

fields of our county are more generally understood and conceded as facts ; yet the 
almost boundless stratas of these more common minerals have been but scarcely 
touched, and much less developed. One particular grade of coal, thus far only 
found in Scotland, aboimds here, and which has never been used, save in small 
pieces by a few experimenters, who claim it contains eight times the carbon found 
in bituminous coal. There is but little doubt that the scope of country lying be- 
tween the Des Moines and Skunk rivers is underlain by valuable coal stratas, 
varying from lo to i.ooo feet in depth. There are a number of other rare min- 
erals found in this "Wonderland of the Boone," including a fine grade of mica, 
better known as isinglass, which we have no space to elaborate upon at this 
time. Suffice to say that we have a mineral treasure locked up within the cham- 
bers of the earth which will certainly guarantee the organization of a stock com- 
pany, the purpose of which shall be to spend a few thousand dollars in determin- 
ing just what these minerals will prove themselves to be worth. From what we 
can glean as to the above we are again constrained to assert that this is no idle 
fancy, but a correct conclusion. W. L. C. 

And still after nearly 30 years the wonderful mineral wealth of which Mr. 
Clark speaks is still undeveloped. Agriculture and the things necessary to agri- 
culture have absorbed the entire attention of the people. They have had little 
time to prospect for lead, copper or the fine clays, even if they would have been 
able to recognize these minerals had they come upon them. 

WA'l'KK -Sirl'l'LllCS 

Hamilton county is well watered by streams and formerly she was the ])os- 
sessor of three very respectable lakes. 

Ilic I'.oone river traverses the west tier of townships from mnth to south and 
into this river empties Brewer creek, I-yon creek and White l'"o\ creek, besides 




BOOXK RIVER, WEBSTER CITY 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 7 

numerous small rivulets. This system is now fed by a vast net work of under- 
ground tile which is continually supplying fresh, clear, cold water. 

The Skunk river with its branches, traverses the eastern part of the county. 

Lake Cairo, better known as "Mud Lake" is located near the centre of the 
county on the line between Hamilton and Lyon townships. This lake formerly 
covered about 1,200 acres and was a great rendezvous for wild game. In late 
years it has been drained, and, but for the still well defined banks, that border of 
the old bed. one would scarcely know that a lake had ever existed there. 

In the east part of the county, in Rose Grove township, was Iowa lake, almost 
as large as Mud lake. This too has been drained and converted into farm land. 

In the southern part of the county, in Ellsworth township, is "Wall Lake," 
almost entirely surrounded by Morainic hills. This lake is still in existence. It 
is only about half the size of the other lakes. It is shallow and filled with rushes 
and other aquatic plants and probably at some time in the not very distant future, 
it too will be converted into farm land. 

Boone river has many natural advantages. Beside revealing along its banks 
much of geological interest, it for many years furnished power for a number of 
mills. This little river, silent and unpretentious in dry weather but stormy, tur- 
bulent and dangerous in flood times, has by reason of its economic value earned 
a place in history. 

In 1910, Mr. Geo. D. Dobson and T. L. Blank, acting under direction of the 
Iowa State Drainage Waterway and Conservation Commission, made a thorough 
examination and survey of the Boone river. Below is given a report of their 
findings made by Mr. L. V. Hites, secretary of the commission : 

THE BOONE RIVER — DESCRIPTION 

The Boone river rises in the northwestern part of Hancock county and flows 
in a southeasterly direction to the vicinity of Webster City in Hamilton county, 
where its general course changes to the south and southwest to its junction with 
tho Des Moines river at a point about three miles from Stratford but in Webster 
county. The total length of the river is about 98 miles by river measurement, and 
65 miles by air line. It has a drainage basin above Webster City, the area drained 
by the river being about 100 square miles, making a total of 920 square miles. The 
latter area was not considered in the calculations of stream flow used in this 
study. 

CH,-\R.'>iCTER OF V.\LLEY 

The valley of the river throughout the territory covered by the surveys is 
comparatively narrow and deep, rarely exceeding one-half a mile in width, and 
often as narrow as 500 feet at a height of 80 or 90 feet above the river bed. 

The banks of the river are in general about 12 to 20 feet high, backed by a 
second bank 4 to 10 feet high and 10 to 200 feet back from the river. The slopes 
of the sides of the valley are comparatively steep, varying from vertical bluffs, 
where native rock outcrops, to slopes of about a ij/ to i pitch which rise to a 
height of from 50 to 150 feet above the river bed. 

The bed of the stream and the nature of the soil through which it runs are 
variable. The lower five or six miles of the river valley, from the junction to the 



8 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

vicinity of Bell Mill, is characterized by a wide flood plain and the channel is 
tortuous and frequently interspersed with sand and gravel bars. The soil is a 
rich river silt. 

Near the Bell Mill bridge, the character of valley changes. Coal outcrops in 
the bluffs, and the river bed is a sort of black or blue clay. The surface of the 
native limestone is at this point about lo feet below the bed of the river. 

From the Bell Mill bridge to the Tunnel Mill bridge, the river bed is clay or 
shale covered with sand, the depth of bed rock in this section varying from five 
to ten feet. Coal outcrops are frequent, and though the veins are quite thin, they 
contain exceedingly good coal. 

Sandstone and limestone outcrop about one-quarter of a mile above the old 
Tunnel Mill dam and form the bed of the river. These outcrops are characterized 
in a number of places by vertical bluffs in which 20 to 50 feet of lime and sand- 
stone is e.xposed. No out-crops of native rock appear from Bone's Mill bridge 
to the Allbright bridge, but rock foundation is only a few feet below the bed of 
the river. There are low bluffs of native rock from a point a half mile below 
the Millard bridge to a short distance above the Chicago and North-Western 
Railroad bridge. From this point to the end of the survey no more outcrops 
appear and no probings were made for foundation on account of the large num- 
ber of boulders in the soil. 

DISCH.\RGE 

The discharge of the Boone river at various seasons of the year is a factor 
very difficult to determine, and in fact, could not be accurately computed, with- 
out a series of gaugings and discharge measurements covering a number of years. 
However, during the month of .\ugust, 1910, the survey party took an accurate 
wier measurement of the discharge one-fourth of a mile below the Haskell bridge. 
This measurement shows a discharge of 12.6 second feet which, according to the 
testimony of people acquainted witli the river and according to the most accurate 
data obtainable in regard to the run-oft' for the watershed of the river, is about 
one-third or one-half of the usual minimum discharge. Since this past season 
has been one in which all previous low water records have been broken, 20 second 
feet could be taken as the minimum discharge upon which to base power estimates. 

The maximum discharge of the river could only be obtained in a very rough 
way. High water cross sections were taken at several points in the river above 
the Millard bridge, and the slope of the river determined. With these factors, 
the maximum flow was estimated by means of Kutter"s formula and was found 
to be about 7,000 second feet. This figure is for the year 1903, during which 
this section of the country experienced the heaviest rainfall in many years. 

FLOODS 

The lloods of the Boone river arc usually very sudden and of short duration. 
This is a favorable factor for the development of water-power since the (|uick 
passing of floods shortens the time of low head due to high water. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 9 

FALL 

The total fall of the Boone river from the upper end of the Webster City 
reservoir, about eight miles above Webster City, to its junction with the Des 
Moines river, a point about twenty-eight miles below Webster City, is 133.5 feet, 
giving an average of 3.73 feet per mile. In some places however, the gradient 
is as much as eight feet per mile, while in other sections it reduces to less than 
three feet per mile. 

The maximum fall attained at certain points is found, where there is a suc- 
cession of rapids as, for example, just below the Allbright bridge and about one- 
half mile below the Millard bridge. 

The average fall of the river at various sections is shown by the following 
table: 

FALL 
LOCATION DISTANCE PER MILE 

!\Iouth of river to Haskell bridge 3.31 3.66 

Haskell bridge to Bell Mill bridge 2.81 3.20 

Bell -Mill bridge to Tunnel Mill bridge 4-88 3.38 

T. M. bridge to Tunnel Mill dam 1.75 4-85 

T. M. dam to Bone's Mill bridge 3.38 5.07 

Bone's Mill bridge to Allbright bridge 2.25 4.31 

Allbright bridge to Millard bridge 3.44 4.31 

Millard bridge to Chase Mill dam 4.06 2.88 

Chase Mill dam to Webster City dam-site 2.00 2.90 

Webster City dam-site to north end of reservoir 7.90 3.29 



Total 3578 Av. 3.73 

THE WEBSTER CITY RESERVOIR 

Before going into the calculations, as to the power to be developed and the 
location of power sites, it would be well to call attention to the results of the sur- 
vey of the Webster City reservoir site. This investigation has shown that an 
earth dam 26 feet high to the flow-line and 1,200 feet long on top, could be built 
just above the Chicago and North Western railroad bridge, north of Webster 
City, which would impound about 8,500 acre feet of water. The reservoir would 
extend about seven miles up stream and would have a superficial area of 647.5 
acres when full. The cost of such a reservoir, including the expenses incurred 
in building the dam, installing controlling devices, and buying lands necessary for 
the reservoir, would be approximately $35,000. 

The flow line of this reservoir was taken at the assumed elevation of 210. If 
the elevation of 197.5 be taken as the lowest elevation to which the water should 
be drawn, tlie reservoir would have an available capacity of 6,250 acre feet with 
a minimum head of 13.5 feet to be used in developing water power. The super- 
ficial area at the 197.5 ^0°^ contour is about 375 acres, and the length of the 
reservoir at this elevation is approximately four miles. From 70 to 90 horse 
power could be developed continuously at this dam. This power could be meas- 
urably increased by the use of a steam auxiliary to carry the plant through the 



10 HISTORY OF HAAIILTOX COUXTY 

dry season. If this reservoir were to be used for power only instead of being 
used to regulate the flow of the river, the horse power developed could be prac- 
tically doubled. 

If the 6,250 acre feet of storage be applied toward increasing the dry season 
flow of the Boone river, it would amount to 35 second feet for 90 days on a 34 
hour basis. Ninety days were assumed as the time through which the flow of the 
reservoir was to be distributed, since that number of days would easily cover the 
low water period. Adding this 35 second feet to the minimum flow of the river 
gives a total dry season flow of 55 second feet, which is safely the minimum flow 
that could be expected with the aid of this reservoir, since it would seldom be 
called upon to supply water to the river more than 75 days. 

POWER POSSIBILITIES SIZE OF PL.\NTS 

A few statements in regard to the water-power plants in operation in this state 
at the present time will make clear the reasons for the conclusions drawn from 
these studies. There are loi power-plants in operation in the state, of which 87 
have reported to this commission. Of this number 60 develop 100 horse power 
or less, with an average head of 9.6 feet, and of these, 27 develop 50 horse power 
or less, under an average head of 9.5 feet. This average head would reduce to 
about eight feet if three plants which utilize the extraordinary heads of 20, 30 
and 50 feet were left out of the calculations. We find also that the majority of 
the plants developing over 100 horse power are on rivers which have a minimum 
flow several times that of the Boone river. Hence, it seems reasonable to con- 
clude, that in suggesting power projects for this river, plants of the above men- 
tioned capacities would be the most practicable, and, in fact, the only kind 
feasible. 

B.\SIS OF ESTIM.XTE 

In the following considerations of power projects, no attention has been paid 
to the question of the use to which the power would be applied, but since there 
always has been a use for such power, it is safe to say that it would be saleable 
in some form or other. In the estimates which follow, all calculations of horse 
power are for a theoretical horse power, minus a 20 per cent loss, which would 
give approximately the power that could be delivered at the plant. 

On account of the large flood discharge of the river, most of the dams sug- 
gested would necessarily have long spillways, or be submerged dams. Concrete 
dams would be practicable in several places on account of the presence of ma- 
terials for their construction. Timber dams would probably have to be used in 
several locations where the small amount of power available would not permit of 
such expenditure as a concrete dam would demand. 

BELL MILL SITE 

The lower five miles of the river [)resent no very good locations for dams of 
any size worth mentioning, and the lack of good foundation makes dam construc- 
tion unfavorable for this section. There is, however, a good dam-site about two 
miles above the old Bell Mill dauL .\ dam here, if made from ten to twelve feet 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 11 

high, would be about 150 feet long and would easily furnish 50 horse power 
continuously, which would amount, if transformed into electrical energy, to about 
900 kilowatt hours per day. The flowage from such a dam as suggested would 
cause but little damage, as it would remain almost entirely within the banks of 
the river. The stage of the river would be affected for about three miles above 
the proposed dam to a point near the Tunnel .Mill bridge. 

TUNNEL MILL SITE 

The next feasible site is at the location of the old Tunnel MiW project. At 
this point the river makes a loop of about one and three-fourths miles to within 
less than 1,000 feet of its own channel. The old Tunnel Mill project consisted 
of a low timber and brush dam which diverted the river into a tunnel about 450 
feet long, which carried the water through the intervening bluff and delivered it 
to a mill, whence it was returned to the river at the other end of the loop by a 
short mill race. 

Our surveys show that there is a fall of 8.6 feet in the river around this loop, 
and that a 13-foot dam less than 300 feet long could easily be constructed at the 
point where the old timber dam was located. This dam would cause but very lit- 
tle overflow, and would affect the river for only about three miles up stream. 

There is an abundance of gravel and sand, as well as outcrops of native rock, 
to be found within the immediate vicinity of this place which could be used in 
the construction. Bed rock at the dam site is about four or five feet below the 
bed of the river. The tunnel would not need to be over 450 feet long, and would 
be straight earth excavation with perhaps, a few boulders. 

By the construction of this proposed dam and tunnel, it would be possible to 
create a head of from 20 to 21 feet which, with the water available, would easily 
develop 100 horse power on a 24-hour basis equal in electrical energy to 1,800 
kilowatt hours per day. 

bone's mill site 

The next point where a good head could be created is immediately below the 
site of the old Bone's Mill dam. It would be possible here to construct a dam 20 
to 22 feet high, which would not exceed 200 feet in length. 

There would be some little flowage damages, due to the effect of the dam dur- 
ing the floods unless large flood gates were installed. The back water would 
reach about four and one-half miles up stream. Rock foundation is about four 
feet below the river bed at this point. There is an abundant supply of sand, 
gravel, and native rock in the near vicinity. 

Assuming that a head of 22 feet could be obtained the plant would develop 
about 120 horse power continuously, which, when transformed into electrical 
energy, would be equal to 2,148 kilowatt hours. 

MILLARD BRIDGE SITE 

Between the limits of the reservoir created by the Bone's Mill dam and the 
Webster City reservoir site, there is but one point favorable for the construction 



12 HISTORY OF HAiMILTON COUNTY 

of a dam. About one-half mile below the Millard bridge, a dam could be con- 
structed fourteen feet high and 150 feet long very reasonably. There is a good 
foundation here, and rock outcrops in the banks. Sand and gravel are also easily 
obtainable. 

There would be some flowage damages in high water, due to this dam, but the 
most of this could be remedied if the dam should develop 70 horse power on a 
24 hour basis, c(|ual to 1,250 kilowatt hours in electrical energy. 

CONCLUSION 

The investigations on the Boone river lead to the following conclusions : 

1. The minimum flow of the Boone river is too small to warrant the develop- 
ment of the water power except by the use of large storage-reservoirs. 

2. The proposed Webster City reservoir, if constructed either for a power 
site and a pleasure resort for Webster City, or for the treble purpose of a power 
site, a pleasure resort, and for regulating the dry season i\o\v of this stream for 
the improvement of other ]}ower plants below, would be practicable. 

3. It is probable that a further investigation of the river would result in 
bringing to light more such reservoir sites. Wall lake and Owl lake, east and 
west respectively, suggest themselves as promising fields for further investigation 
and are likely to afford sites for satisfactory storage. 

4. The Boone river valley abounds in good sites for small power projects 
which could be profitably constructed by the aid of the Webster City reservoir. 

5. The addition of other storage reservoirs, or the use of steam auxiliaries 
would materially increase the horse power and the value of these plants. 

6. With the exception of the Webster City reservoir, the power sites of the 
Boone river are impracticable without the study and development of the river as 
a whole. 

7. Bottom lands along the Boone river in the ])art referred to above are not 
extensive, yet there are some. These are now subject to constant destructive 
erosion. Of course, much of this waste would cease with the control proposed for 
this lawless stream. 

Respectfully, 

L. V. lIiTES, Secretary. 

FISH AND CLAMS 

In the waters of the Boone, swim a few choice fish; Bass, pickerel, perch-pike 
(wall eyed pike) catfish and carp are the principal varieties. While these are not 
as numerous, as they were in early days, the skilled angler seldom fails to secure 
a "mess" if he is at all persistent. 

The clams, which are numerous along the saiuly river bottoms, contain many 
valuable pearls; indeed pearl fishing has become (|uite an industry during the 
summer months. 

TIMBliR 

Along the banks of the rivers and creeks and alx)Ut the margin of the lakes of 
the county is a plentiful supply of native timber; red cedar, of which onlv a few 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 13 

specimens have been found, cottonwood, quaking asp, willow, walnut, butternut, 
hickory, oak, maple, box elder, basswood are chief among the larger varieties. 
Besides this there is an abundance of small fruit trees and bushes, such as wild 
crabapples, plums, thornapples, Juneberries, haws, gooseberries, raspberries, etc., 
to say nothing of the vines and creeping plants of which the wild grape is a use- 
ful specimen. 

.ARTESIAN WELLS 

Another feature of interest is the artesian wells and springs that are found in 
nearly all parts of the county. One of the most wonderful springs in the county 
bursts from the rocks near the margin of Boone river on the McLaughlin farm 
in Cass township. 

Perhaps the most notable artesian well in the county is located at Webster 
City. A company organized to prospect for gas, commenced drilling near the 
Chicago & North-Western Railway track on Bank street. After going down 
over 1,200 feet, they failed to discover gas, but they did develop a magnificent 
flowing well of very superior water. 

mcmurray's report 

Fortunately, at the time this well was sunk, L. A. McMurray, a member of the 
company became interested in the project from a scientific standpoint and kept 
a record of the strata through which the well drill passed. He not only made a 
report to those in charge of the state geological survey, but he preserved in a glass 
tube, actual samples of each stratum of earth and rock in the order they were 
originallv formed. This graphic portrayal of the foundation stones of Webster 
Citv may be seen by any one who will call at the Auditor's office in the Hamilton 
county court house. 

Mr. Mc^Iurray's report to the geological survey is as follows : 

XIX. WEBSTER CITY 

Owner Gas Well Co. 

Depth 1,250 feet 

Diameter 8 inches — 6 inches 

Elevation of curb A. T 1,048 feet 

Head of Water A. T 1,064 feet 

Date of beginning Feb. 3, 1888 

Date of completion June 28, 1888 

This first flow from this well was obtained at the depth of 675 feet and its 
head was six feet above the curb. The source of the present flow, heading six- 
teen feet above the curb, is at about 1,200 feet. The discharge was originally 
about seventy gallons a minute. It has since diminished, owing presumably to 
neglect, but is still strong. The water has both the odor and taste of sulphur, and 
so rapidly corrodes iron that the best galvanized pipe withstands its constant flow 
but about two years. For these reasons it is only used in a public watering trough. 
The well is cased to or near the bottom. 



14 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUXTY 

ANALYSIS 



■ Grains per Parts per 

U. S. Gallon. million 

Silica (SiOo) 1.889 32-571 

Alumina fALo..) Trace Trace 

Ferric oxide ( FeaO,) Trace Trace 

Lime ( Cao) 14-285 246.286 

Magnesia ( Mgo) 2.593 44-714 

Potash ( K.o ) 

Soda (Na,o) 8.791 iSi-57i 

Chlorine (CI) 596 10.286 

Sulphur trioxide (So,,) 24.890 429.143 

Carbon dioxide (Co™) 12.354 213.000 

Water in combination (Hp) 2.494 43-000 

UNITED AS FOLLOWS 

Grains per Parts per 

U. S. Gallon million 

Calcium bicarbonate ( CaHoCOa)^ 22.529 388.428 

Calcium carbonate (CaCOj) 265 4-571 

Ferrous bicarbonate ( FeH^COa), Trace Trace 

Calcium sulphate (CaSo.,) 15-494 67.143 

Magnesium sulphate (MgSOj) 7-747 133-573 

Sodium sulphate (NhjSOi) 18.891 325.714 

Sodium chloride (NaCl) 994 '^7-^43 

Alumina ( ALO3) Trace Trace 

Silica (SiO,) 1.889 32-571 

Oxygen replaced by chlorine 084 1.428 

Solids 67.893 1,170.571 

Analyst, Prof. J. B. Weems. Date, July 9, 1896. 

RECORD OF STRATA 



Thickness Depth 
20. From surface to rock, 180 feet. soil, clay, sand, thin layers 

of rock, etc 1 80 1 80 

19. Sandstone, gray, of (|uartz of various colors, yellow, pink 

and black, grains imperfectly rounded ; mingled with the 

sand is a large quantity of light yellow limestone 20 20 

18. Limestone, light gray, soft, earthy, in Haky chips, fossili- 

f erous 1 50 350 

17. Shale, blue 10 360 

16. Limestone, dark drab, mottled with white calcite, crystalline. 100 460 

15. Limestone, magnesian, hard brown, crystalline 40 500 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 15 

14. Shale, calcareous, dark gray, siliceous with microscopic par- 
ticles of quartz 20 520 

13. Dolomite, or magnesium limestone, dark brown, compact 

crystalline 3° 55° 

12. Limestone, dark blue gray, crystalline efifervescence slow.. . 45 595 
II. Limestone, light yellow-gray, soft, crystalline, effervescence 

slow 55 650 

10. Dolomite, or magnesian limestone, as No. 13 30 680 

9. Limestone, light gray, saccharoidal 95 775 

8. Limestone, close-grained, no samples 45 820 

7. Limestone, brown, crystalline 60 880 

6. Limestone, or shale, highly argillaceous, blue-gray 120 1,000 

5. Shale, drab, calcareous 75 i,075 

4. Limestone, magnesian, brown, crystalline 15 1,090 

3. Limestone, in pure, white crystalline sand 40 1,130 

2. Limestone ( ?), pure white, no sample 120 1,250 

I. Limestone, light buff, in fine sand 1,250 

SUMMARY 

This section is a difficult one to interpret with the data at hand, and the 
following assignments are made more for general stratigraphical reasons than 
because of any direct evidence carried by the drillings themselves. 

Depth 

Thickness A. T. 

19-20. Alluvium, Drift and Coal measures 200 848 

17-18. Mississippian 160 668 

7-16. Devonian and Niagra 520 168 

5, (6?) Maquoketa 195 27 

1-4. Galena-Trenton penetrated 175 202 



CHAPTER II 
OUR TITLE 

ABSTRACT OF TITLE TO HAMILTON COUNTY INDIAN RIGHTS — THE NEUTRAL STRIP 

CESSION OF 1842 HENRY LOt's TROUBLE WITH THE INDIANS THE LOT 

MONUMENT REPULSE OF GOVERNMENT SURVEYORS BY INDIANS — HENRY LOT's 

REVENGE A PIONEER INQUEST. 

ABSTRACT OF TITLE TO HAMILTON COUNTY 

When the prudent citizen buys a tract of land, he is always concerned about 
the abstract of title. This document shows the names of all who have owned 
or held legal claims against the land since it was first sold to the settler by the 
government. Perhaps it would be interesting to know who owned or claimed 
the land of Hamilton county before the United States government had the 
right to sell it to the settler. This information was collected by Capt. Frank 
E. Landers some years ago, and was published in the "Annals of Iowa" under 
the title of "An Abstract of Title to the State of Iowa" and so much of it as 
refers to the territory of which Hamilton county was a part is given below : 

GRANT TO THE KING AND QUEEN OF SPAIN 

1493. Pope Alexander VI granted to Ferdinand and Isabella, King and 
Queen of Aragon and Castile — Spain — all the continents, inhabited by infidels, 
which they had discovered, extending the assignment to their heirs and suc- 
cessors, the kings of Castile and Leon. The boundary between the grants to 
Spain and Portugal was fixed on a line drawn from pole to pole, one hundred 
leagues west of the Azores. All countries east of that meridian not actually 
possessed by any Christian prince were to belong to Portugal ; all to the west, 
to Spain. Owing to the dissatisfaction of Portugal, as to the boundary fixed 
in the grant to that country and Spain, a commission was appointed, which, on 
July 2, 1493, agreed on a line two hundred and seventy leagues farther west. 
In the first assignment, Portugal secured only the title to what was found to 
be a vast expanse of ocean, and the change of meridian was made in the belief 
that she would thereby acquire some portion of "terra firma." But in this 
she was also doomed to disappointment. 

THE CABOT PATENTS 

1496. Henry VII, King of England, granted to John Cabot and his sons. 
Lewis, Sebastian and Sancius, a patent of discovery, possession and trade. This 

Vol. 1—2 

17 



18 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

was to include all lands they might discover, of which they were to take posses- 
sion in the name of the English Crown. England laid claim in 1498 to all of 
North America, through the discoveries of the Cabots. 

THE PLYMOUTH COMPANY'S CHARTER 

1620. James I, King of Great Britain. France and Ireland, granted to the 
Council at Plymouth, England, all that part of America lying between the 
fortieth and forty-eighth degrees of north latitude, and extending from "sea 
to sea." This grant included within its limits the whole of Iowa, and challenged 
any rights Spain may have received from the Pope. 

THE MASSACHUSETTS B.\Y COMP.\Ny's CHARTER 

1628. The "Council established at Plymouth," England, granted to Sir 
Henry Roswell and others, all that part of New England in America, extending 
along the Atlantic coast from three miles north of the Merrimac to three miles 
south of the Charles river, and westward between the latitude of 42°, 2' and 
a point three miles north of the most southerly bend of the Merrimac, to the 
South Sea. This grant gave to the Massachusetts Company that part of Iowa 
lying between parallels passing through the north edge of Clinton county and 
the south part of Clayton county and includes Hamilton county. Charles I, 
King of England, granted, March 4, 1629, to Sir Henry Roswell and twenty 
others, a charter similar to that of 1628, with the exception, that no part of 
the lands therein granted were, on the 3d day of November, 1620, inhabited 
by any other Christian prince or within the limits of the Southern Colony of 
Virginia. The associates were made "one body corporate and politic in fact 
and name, by the name of the governor and company of Massachusetts Bay 
in New England." 

THE PLYMOUTH COMPAXv's CHARTER 

1635. The charter of the Plymouth Company was surrendered to the Crown 
of England, to obtain a confirmation of the respective rights of the original 
members of the company. The grant was divided into twelve parts, and dis- 
tributed by lot. No territory was partitioned lying west of forty miles west of 
the Hudson. The province of Virginia, on the surrender of the charter of the 
Plymouth Company, extended its jurisdiction to the forty-first ])arallel, the 
south line of the Warwick grant. The territory of Iowa was then claimed by 
Virginia, the assignees of the Earl of Warwick, and Massachusetts, to the 
north line of Massachusetts, and from thence north by the Crown of England. 

LA SALLe'S patent 

1678. Louis XR\ King of France and Navarre, granted a patent to Robert 
de la Salle, permitting him to endeavor to discover the western part of New 
France. April 9. 1682, La Salle, having descended the Mississippi and explored 
the shore of the Gulf of Mexico to the westward, took formal possession of 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 19 

the country in the name of the King of France, "from the mouth of the Ohio; 
also along the Mississippi and the rivers discharging themselves thereinto from 
its source beyond the country of the Nadouessioux as far as its mouth at the 
Gulf of Mexico." 

THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY COMPANY'S CHARTER 

1684. The Court of Chancery of Westminster, England, decreed that the 
patent of Massachusetts should be brought into court and cancelled. 

THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY COMPANY'S CHARTER 

1691. William and Mary, King and Queen of England, granted. a charter 
uniting the colonies of Massachusetts, New Plymouth and others under a new 
name of "Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England." The charter in- 
cluded the same territory in Iowa as did that of the charters of 1628 and 1629. 

crozat's p.\tent 

1712. Louis XIV, King of France and Navarre, granted a patent to Anthony 
Crozat, for fifteen years, with the right to carry on a trade in the country be- 
tween Carolina and New Mexico. The country was to retain the name of 
Louisiana and be annexed as a dependent of New France. The laws of France 
were extended to the province. 

the western company's patent 

1717. Crozat surrendered his patent to the Crown of France, and King 
Louis XV granted to the Western Company, for twenty-five years, the exclusive 
commerce of Louisiana, and the right of beaver trade with New France. The 
charter gave rights of civil and military jurisdiction. It was surrendered to the 
crown in 1730. 

the act of fontainbleau 

1762. A preliminary treaty was signed between England, France and Spain 
by which it was agreed that the boundary between the provinces of England 
and France should be irrevocably fixed by a line drawn in the middle of the 
Mississippi river, from its source to the Iberville, etc. Louis XV, King of 
France, ceded Louisiana to Spain. The province was formally taken possession 
of August 18, 1769. By this treaty the territory comprised in the bounds of 
the state of Iowa was definitely placed in the province of Louisiana, and the 
rights of the English claimants terminated. 

the treaty of PARIS 

1763. A definitive treaty was signed between England, France and Spain, 
confirming the boundary between the possessions of England and France as 
agreed upon by the Act of Fontainbleau, of 1762. 



20 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

THE TREATY OF ILDEFONSO 

1800. A secret agreement was entered into by which the King of Spain 
was to re-cede the province of Louisiana to France, upon a fulfillment of certain 
considerations to be performed by the French Republic. 

The agreement of the treaty of Madrid, made the following year, provided 
that the retrocession of Louisiana as provided in the treaty of Ildefonso should 
be carried out. 

THE TREATY OF PARIS 

1803. France ceded the province of Louisiana to the United States. The 
treaty was ratified and proclaimed October i, 1803. The province comprised 
all west of the Mississippi river north and east of the Spanish possessions, with 
the island of Orleans. 

DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA 

1804. The part of the province of Louisiana south of the thirty-third parallel 
was detached to form the territory of Orleans, by act of congress, and the 
residue named "District of Louisiana," and placed under the control of the 
governor and judges of Indiana territory. 

TERRITORY OF LOUISIANA 

1805. A territorial government was established by congress in the District 
of Louisiana, and the name changed to "Territory of Louisiana.',' 

TERRITORY OF MISSOURI 

1812. The government of the territory of Louisiana was re-organized and 
the name changed to "Territory of Missouri." 

TERRITORY OF MISSOURI 

i8ji. .Missouri was admitted as a state, and the remaining portion of the 
territory, that part north and west of Missouri and .Arkansas, left without any 
form of government. 

MICHIGAN TERRITORY 

1834. The boundaries of Michigan territory were extended by act of con- 
gress westward to the Missouri river. This act again placed Iowa among the 
governments east of the Mississippi river. Michigan territory extended from 
Lake Huron to the Missouri river, and from the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois 
and Mi.ssouri north to the Rritish possessions. 

WISCONSIN TERKrroRY 

1836. Michigan territory was divided by act of congress .April 20, 1836, 
and the western part established as "Wisconsin Territory." 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 21 

IOWA TERRITORY 

1838. Wisconsin territory was divided by act of congress of June 12, 1838, 
and the western part given a territorial government and named "Iowa Terri- 
tory." This territory embraced the territory of the present state of Iowa, North 
and South Dakota east of the Missouri and White Earth river^, and Minnesota 
west of the Mississippi river and a line drawn from its source to the British 
possessions. 

STATE OF IOWA 

1846. Application was made to congress February 12, 1844, for admission 
of Iowa as a state. On the first day of November of that year a constitution 
was adopted by a territorial convention. An act of admission was passed by 
congress on the 3d day of March, 1845, but at the election held on the 4th of 
August following, the people rejected it. The reason for this action is given 
below. On the i8th day of May, 1846, another constitution was adopted by a 
second convention, called for that purpose. This constitution proved acceptable 
to the people and was adopted at an election held August 3 of the same year. 
On the following August 4, 1846, congress passed an act repealing the law of 
March 3, 1845, and accepting the boundaries of the state as defined in this last 
constitution and as they exist today. On the 28th day of December, 1846, 
congress passed an act admitting Iowa as a state. The boundaries were set 
forth in the act as follows : 

"Beginning in the middle of the main channel of the Mississippi river, at a 
point due east of the middle of the mouth of the main channel of the Des 
Moines river ; thence up the middle of the main channel of the said Des Moines 
river to a point on said river where the northern boundary of the state of 
Missouri — as established by the constitution of that state, adopted June 12 — 
crosses the said middle of the main channel of the said Des Moines river ; thence 
westerly along the said northern boundary line of the state of Missouri, as 
established at the time aforesaid, until an extension of said line intersects the 
middle of the main channel of the Missouri river ; thence up the middle of the 
main channel of the said Missouri river to a point opposite the middle of the 
main channel of the big Sioux river, according to Nicollett's map ; thence up 
the middle of the main channel of the Big Sioux river, according to the said 
map, until it is intersected by the parallel of forty-three degrees and thirty 
minutes, north latitude ; thence east along said parallel of forty-three degrees 
and thirty minutes, until said parallel intersects the middle of the main channel 
of the Mississippi river ; thence down the middle of the main channel of the 
Mississippi river to the place of beginning," 

INDIAN RIGHTS 

The examiner of the above "abstract" might well make the objection that 
it is not complete in so much as it does not take into account the rights of the 
American Indian, who occupied the land, at the time the United States secured 
its title from foreign claimants. 

About the time of the Louisiana purchase, when the United States first 



22 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

acquired a proprietary interest in the state of Iowa, a large portion of the state 
was occupied by the Sacs and Fox Indians, and for many years, there was a 
running warfare between these tribes and the Sioux, that swept down from 
the Dakotas and Minnesota. During this warfare, Wright and Hamilton counties 
were without doubt the scene of many a fierce Indian battle and it is believed 
that at one time of uncertain date an Indian battle was fought upon the ground 
now occupied by Webster City. Credence is given to this supposition by the 
fact that in excavating for cellars and cisterns in the block now occupied by 
the new government postofifice, many human bones have been brought to light 
and these were most probably the hones of Indians killed in battle. 

THE NEUTR.M, STRIP 

In 1825, Governor Clark met in council with about 3.000 Indian chiefs and 
warriors at Prairie Du Chien. Here he assured them that the "Great Father" 
wanted "not the smallest piece" of their land, but he did want them to cjuit 
fighting with each other and to become c|uiet, peaceable people. To this end 
it was agreed that the Sioux should stay north and the Sacs and Foxes, south, 
of a certain line extending east and west across the state. This line extended 
from about 20 miles south of the northeast corner of the state to the fork of 
the Des Moines river in Humboldt county and thence northwest to the forks 
of the Big Sioux river in Lyon county. The line passed through Wright county 
near Belmond, Clarion and Goldfield. But this imaginary line was not sufficient 
to keep the warring triljes apart and the uncertainty as to its exact location was 
a constant cause for controversy. So in 1830 the line was broadened. Certain 
of the Sioux tribes ceded to the United States a strip of land 20 miles wide, 
abutting this line on the north and extending from the Mississippi to the Des 
Moines river. At the same time the confederated tribes of the Sacs and Foxes 
ceded to the United States a corresponding strip 20 miles wide abutting the 
treaty line on the south and extending to the Des Moines river, and also some 
other lands in the western part of the state. This was known as the "Neutral 
Strip." The south line of this strip enters Hamilton county at about the 
northeast corner of section one, in Rose Grove township, crosses Boone river 
near the Bone's mill bridge and leaves the county at Homer in Webster town- 
ship. The United States now had dominion over this territory, but the con- 
tracting tribes had the right to hunt upon the ceded lands. The neutral strip 
and the other lands ceded in 1830, cost the United States in money and presents 
about 3 cents per acre. 

THE CESSION OF 1842 

That portion of llaniillon ct)unty lying south of the neutral strip was still 
in (he dominion of the Sacs and I>"ox Indians, but in 1S42, they ceded to the 
United States, all of their land east of the Missouri and agreed to evacuate 
within three years. Land had evidently commenced to advance in jiricc. for the 
cession of 1842 cost the United States 10 cents per acre. 

So, the prudent man who has an abstract showing an unbroken chain of 
conveyances, from the United States to himself, may feel assured that no human 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 23 

being, either civilized or savage, has a legal or moral claim to the acres he owns 
equal to his own. And if it is suggested that the Indians did not receive enough 
for their lands, and that their ignorance was taken advantage of, it may well 
be retorted that the Indians drove a harder bargain and received much more 
per acre for their land than did Napoleon when he sold Louisiana to the 
emissaries of Thomas Jeiferson. 

But in spite of the fact that all of the territory within the present limits of 
Hamilton county had been purchased from the Indians, some tribes were loth 
to surrender their hunting grounds to the white man, and consequently it hap- 
pened that when the first settlers arrived, they were received with unveiled 
hostility. Among the manuscripts of F. Q. Lee is found the following account 
of the trouble between Henry Lot, and the Indians. 

HENRY lot's TROUBLE WITH THE INDL^NS 

"In the summer of 1847, Henry Lot with his family, consisting of a wife 
and three children, moved up from near Des Moines to the forks of the Boone 
and Des Moines rivers and built himself a cabin. He brought with him a couple 
of barrels of whiskey, some cattle and a horse and a few articles intended to be 
used in trading with the Indians. 

The country was occupied by a tribe of Sioux Indians, Si-dom-i-na-do-tah 
being their chief. Lot had not been long at his new place of residence when 
he was visited by Si-dom-i-na-do-tah and a few of his warriors and informed 
that he was an intruder and that he must leave within a given time. Lot did 
not leave and when the given time had expired, the old chief and his band came 
again, no doubt to drive him away. While Lot evidently did not believe the 
Indians would return to interfere with him, he was nevertheless on the lookout 
for them. But it happened that when they came, he, with two older sons, was 
at some distance from his cabin, unarmed. They saw the Indians enter the 
cabin, heard the screams of Mrs. Lot, and saw the younger boy run from the 
back door of the house westward toward the Des Moines river. The screaming 
of Mrs. Lot soon ceased, and Lot, judging that the Indians had murdered her, 
took the two boys he had with him and made his way down the river to Pea's 
Point in Boone county, and reported that his wife had been murdered by the 
Indians. His arrival, and the news he brought, alarmed the whole settlement, 
and fearing the Sioux might follow Lot and fall upon the settlement, the settlers 
assembled at the house of John M. Crooks and took measures for their defense 
in case they were attacked. 

John Pea proposed an immediate expedition to take vengeance upon Si-dom- 
i-na-do-tah and his band, but as the force of settlers was small, it was thought 
best not to leave their own families, but to procure assistance. Accordingly. 
Lot was sent to Elk Rapids for aid. When he reached Elk Rapids he found 
Chemisne, a Pottawottomie chief, with whom he was acquainted, and several 
hundred of his tribe there encamped. This chief was known among the settlers 
as Johnnie Green. Lot appealed to Johnnie Green, who, after hearing his story, 
immediately called a council of his braves wherein it was determined that the 
chief with twenty-six of his warriors should accompany Lot. Accordingly, they 
painted themselves in a most hideous manner, their custom when going upon 



24 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

the warpath, and mounting their ponies, the whole party, with several white 
men, set out for Pea's Point to join the settlers there in an expedition against 
the Sioux. From a history of Boone county we copy : 

'Lot, with several white men and the Pottawottomies were rapidly advancing 
across the prairie towards Crook's house, the Indians in front, yelling as was 
their custom when starting upon the warpath, and not in the vicinity of danger. 
The settlers, supposing them to be the Sioux coming to attack them, prepared 
for action, each singling out his Indian, and were upon the point of firing, when 
they recognized Lot and other white men. and were happily disappointed to 
find them all friends.' 

John Pea and six other white men accompanied Lot and the Pottawottomies 
tc the mouth of Boone river and there found that the family had not been 
tomahawked as Lot had represented, but that no serious harm had been done 
to them. But a cow and one or two hogs had been killed and Lot's pony had 
been taken. The whiskey, however, was safe and after scouting the country 
over for a few miles, and failing to find any of the Sioux, Lot gave his Indian 
friends all the whiskey they could carry and they returned to Elk Rapids, where, 
to celebrate the expedition, they took a rousing spree. 

All this happened late in November or in December. The boy, who had 
escaped and ran towards the Des Moines river, had not returned, nor had he 
been heard of. Lot was able to track him in the snow, and after following the 
track about twelve miles down the river, he found him lying in a hollow log. 
He was dead. Lot fastened up the log to keep away the wolves, and left him 
there until the next spring. The boy was only about eight or nine years of 
age and it is supposed he became exhausted and hid. While he rested, he went 
to sleep and froze to death. Lot also found, a few miles north of his cabin, the 
carcass of his pony. The Indians had killed it, as he always thought, to settle 
a quarrel among themselves, as to who should have it. 

The Sioux did not return again to molest Lot and his family, but early the 
next spring Mrs. Lot ( who by the way, claimed to be a daughter of e.x-Governor 
Huntington), died and was buried on a knoll near where their cabin stood. 
Until recently, the grave was marked only by a wild grape vine that grew upon 
it. It was located in what is known as the "A'iger's cemetery a few miles south- 
west of Homer." 

THE LOT MONUMENT 

The fact that Mrs. Lot was the first white [jerson to be buried in the locality 
of Homer actuated the old settlers to do something to perpetuate her memory. 
Accordingly a subscription fund was raised and a monument erected at her 
grave in the fall of 191 1. The monument is built of cement and is a plain 
shaft. The work of making and erecting the monument was done by j. N. Bell, 
who was largely instrumental in creating interest in this worthy enterprise. The 
monument was unveiled witii elaborate ceremonies in September, 191 1. Prof. 
C. F. Runkle was the orator of the day and he was listened to by a large 
audience. 

Si-doni-i-iia-do-tah was perhaps honest in his claim to dominion over the 
territory invaded by Lot, though he was mistaken as to the extent of his right. 
The Sioux did own some territory west of the Des Moines river, in what is 




Drawn from an old print by E. S. Boudinot 

SI-DOM-I-NA-DO-TAH 
The Indian Chief Murdered liy Henry Lot 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 25 

now Humboldt county, but this did not extend south of the forks of the Des 
Moines and Si-dom-i-na-do-tah was claiming territory some twenty miles south 
of the southern border of his rightful possessions. 

THE REPULSE OF GOVERNMENT SURVEYORS BY INDIANS 

In 1848 the government survey of the lands lying north of the Raccoon 
Forks, uiow Des Aloines) was commenced and in May of that year a Mr. 
Marsh, with a surveyor's party and outfit commenced to run a correction line 
from the Mississippi river, near Dubuque, west to the Missouri river and pass- 
ing through Hamilton county. The surveying party proceeded with their work 
unmolested until they reached the Des Moines river. There they were met by 
a party of Indians who opposed their further progress. The chief, whose name 
was Si-dom-i-na-do-tah, claimed that the lands lying west of the Des Moines 
river belonged to his people and ordered Mr. Marsh and his men to "Puc-a- 
chee," which meant to "be off" or "be gone." After this interview, the Indians 
retired and the surveyors encamped for the night to consider the matter. The 
Sioux were the most savage and warlike tribe of Indians in the west and they 
were brave, fearless, and bloodthirsty as well. However, the surveying party 
decided to move on and the next morning crossed the river and proceeded with 
their work. They had not gone far, however, when at a point near section 30, 
township 89, range 28, they were suddenly surrounded and attacked by Indians. 
Their animals and supplies were taken, their instruments broken, their stakes 
pulled up, their mounds torn down and the party driven back across the Des 
Moines river. Stripped of everything, there was nothing left to do but to take 
up the march on foot, back to civilization. Some of the party returned over 
the line of their recent survey to Dubuque, while others went south to Des 
Moines. They were kindly assisted on their way at the settlements along the 
Des Moines river, and their report of the hostile attitude of the Indians filled 
the frontier settlers with apprehension and alarm. And this alarm was con- 
sidered all the more serious since the Indians had maintained a sullen and 
threatening attitude since their difficulty with Henry Lot in 1847. 

The repulse of the surveyors, and the threatening attitude of the Indians 
toward the 'settlers further down the river, caused the government to establish 
a military post at Fort Dodge. Although the post was established as soon as 
the report of the surveying party reached Washington, and orders could be 
returned, it was not until 1850 that a detachment from the Sixth U. S. Infantry, 
under command of Maj. Sam'l. Woods reached the point designated for the 
fort and built it. When the fort was first built it was called Fort Clark, but 
another fort having been built and named Fort Clark, the secretary of war, 
to prevent confusion changed the name to Fort Dodge, in honor of the dis- 
tinguished frontier statesman, Senator Dodge. 

In 1 85 1, the Sioux territory in the northern part of the state was ceded to 
the United States, and after that Si-dom-i-na-do-tah made no further attempts 
to check the invasion of the white man. But in spite of his attempts to be a 
good Indian and live in peace with his white neighbors, an avenger was on his 
trail, and he was soon to fall the victim of treachery more terrible, even, than the 
treacherv of the Red man. \\'e quote again from the manuscript of F. Q. Lee : 



26 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

HENRY lot's REVENGE 

"After the death and burial of his wife, Henry Lot took his children and 
went to Des Moines where he met and formed the acquaintance of Squire and 
Francis McGuire. Sometime the next winter he inarried the daughter of 
P'rancis McGuire, and in the spring of 1849 he and his wife and the two Mc- 
Gnires, with their families, moved into the neighborhood where he had lived 
before, and where his first wife had died. 

"After his trouble with the Indians he swore vengeance on the Sioux, and 
many stories have been told of his attempts to poison them. But we are inclined 
to think that none of these stories rest even upon probable grounds. But be 
that as it may, it is certain that he did meditate harm to them. 

"Some five years later, in November, 1854, Lot took three barrels of whiskey 
and some other articles and proceeded north of Fort Dodge about thirty miles 
with the apparent intention of trading with the Indians. Si-dom-i-na-do-tah, 
the Sioux chief, was located in this locality. The chief was then quite an old 
man and had ceased to go about with his tribe. He had built a cabin, where 
he lived with his wife and four children, his aged mother, and two other Indian 
children. 

"Lot built his cabin about a mile from that of the old chief and not far from 
where the town of Livermore, in Kossuth county, now stands. 

"Sometime during the winter. Lot and his step-son went to Si-dom-i-na-do- 
tah's cabin and told the old chief that they had seen a large herd of elk and deer 
on the creek bottom some distance from his cabin and induced him to go with 
them to kill some of them. The old man, not suspecting treachery, mounted 
his pony, and with gun in hand started on the hunt. When they were well 
out of sight and hearing, Lot shot the old chief and killed hmi, and leaving 
his body where it fell, took his pony to his own cabin. 

"That night Lot and his son painted themselves to look like Indians and went 
to the old chief's cabin where they murdered the aged mother, the wife and four 
of the children. A little girl eleven years of age escaped and hid among the 
willows near the creek, and a boy of twelve, who was left for dead, afterward 
recovered. 

"Having thus murdered seven of the Indians, including Si-dom-i-na-do-tah, 
they took such furs, skins and other things as they could carry, burned their 
own cabin, and taking a circuitous route through Hamilton county to avoid 
Fort Dodge, they crossed the Des Moines river southwest of Homer and made 
their way westward toward the Missouri river. On their way they camped one 
night about a mile and a half south of Homer, and tried to sell some of the old 
chief's property to the settlers. But the settlers, on account of certain suspicious 
actions were afraid to buy, fearing no doubt that it would later develop that 
the goods had been stolen from the Indians. 

"About ten days after the murder, some members of the triiie went to the 
chief's cabin and found the dead bodies, and the two children that had not been 
killed. The children told their story, from which it was believed that the Fox 
Indians were perpetrators of the outrage. The Indians hastened to Fort Dodge 
and gave information of the murder. Major Williams and two or three other 
white men immediately went to the scene of the tragedy and soon discovered 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 27 

that it was Lot who had committed the crime. They buried the bodies found 
at the cabin and were soon on the track of the fleeing murderers. They tracked 
them to where they crossed the Des Moines river and there all trace was lost, 
and as they had had ten days' start, the pursuit was abandoned. 

"Lot and his step-son went to California, and a few years later the son 
returned and reported the death of his father." 

A PIONEER INQUEST 

The body of the old chief was not found until about a year later, and when the 
report of the finding of the skeleton reached Homer, Granville Burkley, acting 
as county attorney, advised the coroner that it was his duty to summon a jury 
and hold an inquest. The Indians were notified of the proceeding and a few 
of them were present, bringing with them the two children that escaped massacre 
at the cabin, as witnesses. None of the Indians could speak, or understand the 
English language, nor could the coroner or any of his jury understand the 
Indian language. A man by the name of William Miller, who joined the party 
at Fort Dodge could have acted as interpreter, but between him and Burkley an 
ill feeling existed and he was not allowed to take any part in the proceeding. 
Professing to know the language himself, Burkley proceeded to question the 
witnesses, who answered all of his questions with "Ho wah sech che nepo 
Dakota," meaning, "yes, white man killed Dakota." Burkley interpreted this 
answer as often as it was given, to suit himself, but Mr. Miller objected to his 
interpretation, whereupon a quarrel ensued between them. Burkley made a 
great speech to the coroner and jury, claiming to be a college bred man, and 
acquainted with all languages, and quoted from several literary works, and 
some poetry to prove his knowledge. Miller, being an illiterate man and not 
able to answer Burkley's high flown speech, left in disgust and the inquest 
proceeded as Burkley directed. Before leaving, Burkley prevailed upon the 
Indians to allow him to take the skull of the old chief away with him. The 
Indians considered the whole proceeding as of very great importance and sup- 
posed when it was finished the white men would capture the murderer and 
turn him over to them. In allowing Burkley to carry off the skull they thought 
they were doing their part toward this much desired end. 

Burkley took the skull to his home in Homer and hung it by the hair that 
had adhered to the skull, to the limb of a tree in his back yard where many of 
the old settlers have seen it swinging in the wind. Later, when it fell from the 
tree, he nailed it to the corner of his house as a sign. William Miller was often 
in Homer and saw the skull and reported to the Indians the use that was being 
made of it. They became very wroth, and for some time meditated a descent 
upon Homer and a massacre of the settlers in retaliation for the murder of the 
old chief and the indignity put upon his memory by Burkley. The expedition 
against Homer was abandoned, however, but the Indians were always sullen 
and morose afterwards and their ill-temper broke out at last when Ink-pa-du-ta. 
a nephew of Si-dom-i-na-do-tah, made an attack upon the settlers at Spirit 
Lake in 1857. 



CHAPTER III 

THE FIRST SETTLERS 
By F. Q. Lee 

THE ARRIVAL OF PRESTON BELL — SETTLERS IN 185O SETTLERS IN 185I SETTLERS 

IN 1852 HOW "jAS" CAUGHT A DEER THE FIRST STORE — OTHER SETTLERS IN 

1852 ^THE FIRST MILL — AN ECCENTRIC CHARACTER A PIONEER PRAYER MEET- 

INt; ARRIVALS IN 1853 — CLAIM JUMPERS THE FIRST LAND ENTRY SLOUGH- 
ING DOWN PIONEER HOSPITALITY — ARRIVALS IN 1854 DAVE BEACH WALKS TO 

DES MOINES — THE FIRST BRIDGE THE ARRIVAL OF W. J. SILVERS STORY OF 

M.R. silvers' trip TO HAMILTON COUNTY- — SILVERS FINDS HIS HOME AN EARLY 

DISASTER ARRIVAL OF THE WILLSONS MRS. WILLSON's STORY OTHER '55 SET- 
TLERS — HOMER AS A PIONEER CITY THE SECOND STORE ARRIVAL OF BENJ. 

MILLARD FIRST SETTLEMENT ON SKUNK RIVER. 

ARRIVAL OF PRESTON BELL 

Early in the spring of 1849, ^ young man, born and raised in the state of 
Indiana, seeking a home on the frontier, and who had been stopping for some 
time near Des Moines, Iowa, loaded his few worldly possessions into a covered 
wagon and with an ox team, started northward in search of a location. He 
followed the course of the Des Moines river, passing through the small settle- 
ments on the way until, at Swedes Point in P)Oone county, he left all settlements 
behind him. When he came to where the Boone river empties into the Des 
Aloines, he followed that stream a few miles, where he found a location to his 
liking. It was on the west bank of the Boone. Wliat he found was from forty 
to sixty acres of what is called "weed bottom," which made it possible to plant 
a crop at once. A high blufif ran back of the cleared bottom lands and at the 
foot of this blufif, he built a pole cabin and blazed out a "claim" running from 
the river over the bluffs and back over the level lands to the west. All of the 
lands thus "blazed out" were wooded, except the weed bottom. 

Having brought with him one of those old "bull plows," he went to work to 
raise a crop of corn. The soil was intensely rich, and was as mellow as an 
ash heap. He succeeded in raising the finest corn he had ever seen, and was 
in position next year (1850), to supply the U. S. surveying party with corn 
when they arrived to survey the lands. This young man, whose name was 
Preston C. Bell, better known as "Press Bell," proved to be the first settler 
within the present limits of Hamilton county. And there, where he staked out 
his first claim, he continued to live most of the time until 1892, when he sold 

29 



30 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

out and moved to Kansas. When the writer visited him in t888, he found 
him, and his wife, whom, by the way, he married in 1850, living in a neat farm 
house within a few rods of the site of his original cabin. 

When Mr. Bell settled on the Boone river, no survey of the public lands north 
of Boone county had yet been made. Boone river had not yet been named and 
for several years it was known to the first settlers as "The East Fork of the 
Des Moines" or more commonly. "The East Fork." It presented altogether a 
different appearance then, than it does now, being narrow and deeper and 
having no sand bars. The broadening out of the river came with the settling 
up of the country, and of the many excellent water power sites then to be found 
along the river, scarcely any now remain. 

The river was probably given its present name at the time the government 
survey was being made near its mouth, in 1850. 

When Mr. Bell first settled here, he knew of no neighbors nearer than six- 
teen miles. When the government survey had been made, Mr. Bell found most 
of his claim to be within the northeast quarter of section No. 30, township No. 
87, range No. 26, west of the fifth principal meridian Iowa, and this quarter was 
therefore entered by him. 

During the course of the summer, he discovered that he had neighbors 
within four or five miles, as three families had moved up into the forks of the 
Boone in Webster county. These families were those of Squire and Frank 
McGuire and Henry Lot. 

The second settler in this county was Osborne Brannan, who came some- 
time during the summer of 1849 ^"^ located a claim on what is now section 
28-87-26, and thus he became Mr. Bell's nearest neighbor. They were the only 
settlers in the county, prior to 1850. 

In recording the events of the early settlement of a county, where no effort 
has been made to preserve its history, it is 'difficult to be entirely accurate as to 
dates. It is found that the recollection of early settlers is so treacherous as to 
dates that it is difficult for some of them to tell with certainty just when they 
came. It is not strange, therefore, that dift'erent claims to ])riority in settle- 
ment should arise, and it is almost imjjossible to determine who was first upon 
the ground. Their recollection of the time of coming is often expressed in 
such terms as "early in the spring" or "just as winter was breaking up," which 
expressions admit of considerable doubt whether the time was March, April 
or May, as any of these months might have been thought to be early in the 
spring, and in any of them, it might have ajjpeared to the settler that "winter 
was just breaking up." They often came from dift'erent directions, and did not 
discover each other's presence, sometimes for months, so ihat. looking back 
now, it is not strange that each should think he was here before the other. 
Several of those coming in 1850 claimed for a long lime to be the first settler 
and in nearly every sketch of the early settlement, credit is given to Wilson 
Brewer as being the first settler, but upon that jxiint there is no room for douljt. 

SKTTI.ERS IN 185O 

Whoever may have been first, we tind that in the spring of 1850, TiioM.vs 
HoGAX came and took up a claim on what is now section ji-87-26. John Tolnian, 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 31 

who was afterward school fund commissioner of Webster county came also 
and located a claim on the farm which was afterwards owned for a long time 
by John Robinson. Very shortly after Tolman had located his claim, Mintor, 
or "Major" Brassfield came and purchased it. Tolman then moved to Webster 
countv. Brassfield remained but a few years, when he moved to Wright county. 
He took up a claim near Goldfield, where he resided for many years, claiming 
to be the first settler of that county. 

In the fall of 1850 Wilson Brewer and family, and a nephew, William 
Brewer, and William Stanley and family arrived and settled near Bone's mill, 
about six miles south of Webster City. As usual in those times, they came 
with ox teams in covered wagons. They had a large tent which they set up. 
Game was so plentiful that Wilson Brewer was able to bring in a fine yearling 
deer and the party partook of a bountiful supper of venison. 

Wilson Brewer staked out a claim just south of the mill site, and built a 
cabin, but soon sold to his nephew, and coming up the river, staked out a new 
claim within the present boundaries of Webster City. Mr. Brewer was there- 
fore the first settler within the present limits of Webster City. 

Mr. Stanley located his claim a short distance up the river from the mill 
site. He built his house on the east side of the river and cleared a truck pacch 
on the west side. Being a hunter and trapper, he made no other improvements. 
The site of his cabin is still plainly to be seen, the land being now owned by 
county clerk, J. C. Sterling. After occupying this claim about a year, Stanley 
sold it to Peter Lyon and it was occupied by his brother, Isaac Lyon, and 
family for some time. Shortly after the sale of his claim Mr. Stanley died 
and his family moved north of Webster City and took up another claim. Wil- 
liam Stanley was the first white person to die within the present limits of Hamil- 
ton county. His death occurred in the fall of 185 1. 

These were all the settlers who came during the year 1850, and at the close 
of that year, no more than seven families had permanently located in Hamilton 
county. 

SETTLERS IN I 85 I 

Isaac Hook was the first settler to come in 185 1. He took a claim and set- 
tled at Hook's Point. D. S. Jewett followed and took a claim and built a cabin 
in section 21-87-26, but soon thereafter sold to Jacob Crooks and left the county. 
He afterwards returned, however, and for many years was a prominent citizen 
of Cass township, where he resided until his death. Nick Bonnet, a son-in-law 
of Mr. Crooks, came also in 1851. In September, Ed Leastman and James 
Brock arrived, and it was also in this year that Peter and Isaac Lyon, with 
their families came, and settled on the Stanley claim as above mentioned. 

These were all the settlers coming in 1S51, so that at its close, only fourteen 
families had located in the county and the population did not, perhaps, exceed 
fifty people. 

,\mong these early settlers, the Lyons were noted for their fashion of wear- 
ing buckskin clothes, nicely fringed, giving the men a very picturesque appear- 
ance. An old settler said to the writer, that he would never forget the first 
time he saw Joth Lyon. Joth, then a boy, was dressed in full buckskin, with 
a coon-skin cap and moccasins. He was going to the "Bruce" mill with an ox 



32 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

team, attached to a "lizzard" loaded with sacks of grain. A lizzard was a sort 
of sled, made of a tree fork, shaped like a letter V, with boards laid across for 
a bed upon which to lay the load. The team was hitched to the point of the V. 
This primitive sled was not uncommon in early times, though, no doubt, there 
are many young people in this community today, who never saw or heard of one. 
Though the settlement of the county up to January i, 1852, had been slow, 
the settlers had from time to time gone to Des Moines, Iowa City, and even 
as far as Keokuk for supplies, and the fame of the splendid country along the 
Boone and Des Moines had gone forth. So, the year 1852 was destined to be 
an important one in the settlement of the county. 

SETTLERS IN 1852 

The first settler to come in 1852 was Benjamin Bell, familiarly known 
throughout the county as "Uncle Benny Bell." He came up from Des Moines, 
where his family was stopping for the winter, early in the year, and, after 
looking about, returned, and in the spring brought liis family, including his 
father, Benj. Bell, and they rented the Press Bell claim and lived there during 
their first year. They came, of course, with ox teams, but Uncle Bennie brought 
a horse along. As the wagon with the household effects was going down a 
steep hill, Mrs. Bell's spinning wheel, she had brought all the way from Indiana, 
and had guarded with great care, fell from the wagon and was broken. It was 
upon this wheel that the flax and wool for all the family clothing had been 
spun and it was regarded as quite a serious accident. During the year Mr. 
Bell staked out a claim and made improvements, built a cabin and prepared to 
move to it by the next spring. 

HOW "JAS" C.-\UCHT .\ DEER 

For the benefit of our boy readers, as well as others, we insert here an 
account of the capture of a deer by Jasper Bell, the oldest son of "Uncle Bennie." 
Jas was thirteen years old at this time and it was his business, as it is that of 
many boys, even at this day, to prepare and bring in the kindling with which to 
start the morning fire. It was late in the fall, and ice had frozen for four or 
five feet along each side of the river, but the center was open. Jas had forgotten 
to get in his kindling at night, and was ordered out of bed just at daybreak to 
supply it. He ran out to the "woodpile" without dressing himself and was 
clothed only in his night clothes. When reaching the wood pile, he chanced to 
look up the hill toward the house and saw an antlered deer. He forgot his 
undressed condition, and ran back to the house calling the greyhound and bull- 
dog. Returning with them, he pointed out the deer to them. No sooner did 
the hound see the deer than she went after it like a shot, and the deer, to 
escape, ran down the hill. The bulldog headed it off and it plunged into the 
river and swam acros.s, but was unable to land on account of the rim of ice 
frozen there. The bulldog plunged in too and seized the deer by the throat. 
Under the water they went, then up again, and a fierce struggle took ])lace, 
churning the water into a foam. The dog held on and gradually worried the 
deer out while he towed him toward the shore upon which young Jasper stood 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 33 

shouting at the top of his voice: "Sick em Bull, hold on Bull." When the 
dog reached the edge of the ice, Jas ran out and taking him by the short stubby 
tail, lifted him up and taking hold of his hind legs, tried to draw him into the 
ice, yelling all the time, "Hold him fast, Bull." All this noise and racket brought 
"Uncle Bennie" to the scene and as the deer was about worried out, half 
drowned, and was held close to the ice by Jas and the dog, he took it by the 
horns and killed it. When it ceased to struggle, he drew it onto the ice. Then 
looking around and discovering Jas in his unclad condition, said. "You'd better 
get to the house, boy, or you'll freeze." Jas then remembered, for the lirst 
time, his lack of proper raiment, and, of course, scampered off to the house 
double quick. But he declares to this day that he wasn't a bit cold, nor were 
his feet frozen by standing on the ice. He thinks in his excitement he danced 
about so energetically that he was kept perfectly warm. What boy in these 
days would not glory in such a chance to catch a deer ! But the opportunity 
for such good luck comes only to the earliest settlers in the countries where 
deer are found, and before the sight of men and human habitations have so 
alarmed them as to keep them far away from the settlements. In those days 
deer were plenty, and were often seen near the dwellings of the early settlers, 
and few. indeed, were they who did not have a nice fat deer always hanging in 
the "smoke house" and "venison" was an every-day supply that would gladly 
have then been traded for salt pork. 

THE FIRST STORE 

David Carroll came next, and to him may be accorded the credit of keeping 
the first store near Hook's Point. His stock of goods was exceedingly limited, 
and it is reported that he kept most of it under the bed. Still it was a source 
of supply to the settlers for gunpowder, lead, and a few other indispensables. 
Indeed a much larger stock would have gone begging among so few customers. 

Whiskey was considered a prime necessity and while almost all the settlers 
brought with them a small amount for present use, Isaac Hook was the first 
to keep it for sale. His place was therefore resorted to to such an extent that 
he also put in a small stock of goods and became the second storekeeper, if 
indeed, he was not the first, as some aver he was. Both stores, however, were 
started the same year, and probably but little time intervened between the 
opening of each. 

It must not be thought that these stores began business with a "grand 
opening" as do the mercantile institutions of the present day. They simply 
brought forward a supply of those articles most needed by the early settlers, 
and as customers were few, the members of the storekeeper's family were his 
clerks, and they chalked on the door, the items of credit or carried them in 
their minds. Whichever way it was done, there was little grumbling by store- 
keepers about bad debts, for the men and women who braved the hardships of 
pioneer life, were honest, as a rule, and whether any account was kept of 
debts or not, they were usually paid. 

Mr. Hook, in addition to his small store, opened a hotel, and Hook's Point, 
as the place was called, became the principal trading point in the county. 

Vol. 1—3 



34 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

OTHER SETTLERS IN 1852 

W. W. McKiNNEY first came to Iowa in 1839, but moved to Hamilton 
county in August, 1852. He settled just north of Hook's Point. 

Elziar Russell came in September, 1852, and settled on the southeast 
quarter of section 9-87-26, the farm which is now known as the Low Lawn 
Stock Farm. He began at once to make permanent improvements, and resided 
there until the winter of 1853-4, when he moved to section 7 in the same town- 
ship. His new claim was a piece of ground claimed by the Des Aloines River 
Land Company and joined the town plat of Homer. Mr. Russell made some 
improvements, but did not occupy the land long, becoming interested in town 
property in Homer, as well as in some mill property in Webster county. 

THE first mill 

Andrew Gloseclose, with his son and daughter, came to the county in the 
summer of 1852. He built a dam across Boone river on section 15-87-26, pre- 
paratory to building a mill. He had been in the milling business on Big Creek, 
about three miles north of Polk City, in Polk county, for several years, but 
that stream had gone dry in the summer and the location was not good. Major 
Brassfield had visited the mill and told him of some excellent mill sites on the 
"East Fork" and persuaded him to move up here. After finishing up the dam 
and putting up a pole cabin, to the square, he went back to Polk county, and 
in December brought the rest of the family. The snow was deep, the weather 
cold, and the cabin had no roof. He planted two "forks" in the ground, put a 
pole across, and stood up poles, covering them with bark, thus providing a 
temporary abode until the cabin could be finished. The next year he had his 
mill moved and set up, and sometime in 1853 was ready to grind wheat and 
corn. Lewis McCrarj' and Wm. Strickler were the men employed to set up 
the mill. The burrs for the mill were made of an Iowa "Xiggerhead," in Polk 
county, and though not equal to the finer burrs of a modern mill, they did fair 
work. This was the first grist mill in the county. Mr. Gloseclose also brought 
along a hand mill, called in these days a corn cracker, for grinding corn. He 
also put in a sawmill in connection with his grist mill. He ran the mill about 
two or three years and sold :o Snell, Butterworth & Messmore, and they sold 
to Charles Fisher and it is known to most of the residents of the county as the 
"Fisher Mill." Miss Sarah Gloseclose was a girl of thirteen when she accom- 
panied her father and brother to this county in 1852. In 1857 she married 
Morgan Hill and lived for many years near the place where her father first 
settled, and from her we learned the facts above stated. Mrs. Hill can remember 
when elk were so plentiful that her father and a neighbor caught two of them 
in the deep snow, and after tying them up, came to the house for a sled and 
brought both of them in alive. They tried to tame them but they refused to be 
tamed and finally died. She feels quite sure that Isaac Hook must have brought 
the first goods into the county, for she remembers that before moving to 
Hamilton county, Mr. Hook rented a house near their mill in Polk countv and 
brought goods there and opened a store. Frank Hook, then a young man was 
in charge of it. The goods were supplied from his store in this county and the 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 35 

reason given for bringing the goods back was that there were not enough 
people to sell them to. 

Among the other arrivals in 1852 were John Whaley, who came in Septem- 
ber ; Washington Neese. who came in November ; and W. W. McLaughlin, who 
came in December; while Dan and John Devore, Philamen Johnson, Mr. Ecker- 
son and John Cofer all came during the year and settled near Hook's Point and 
Homer. 

AN ECCENTRIC CHARACTER 

There was also another, a very eccentric character, who settled near Homer 
about this time. This was E. H. West, who afterwards became sheriff 
of the county. He was part of the time a most devout leader in religious mat- 
ters and part of the time an equally persistent worshiper at the shrine of 
Bacchus. His revels rarely passed without his becoming deeply intoxicated. 
He was greatly elated over the honor of being sheriff of the county and was 
anxious that everybody should recognize his importance. If he met a stranger 
he would always stop and inquire his name and where he was going, and would 
then add, "My name, sir, is West, E. H. West, sir, high sheriff of Webster 
county." He left the county after a few years and while all of the old settlers 
remember him and have many a hearty laugh over his many eccentricities, no 
one knows where he went or what became of him. 

There may have been other arrivals during this year, but if so no record of 
the fact has ever been made and no one recollects that others came. 

A PIONEER PRAYER MEETING 

Up to this time, January i, 1853, if any minister or schoolteacher had plied 
his vocation in the county, we have failed to find the old settler who remembers 
the fact. Spiritual matters were not, however, entirely neglected. Praver meet- 
ings were occasionally held at the cabins of the settlers, and these devotions 
were as earnest and devout, if not more so, than those held in palatial cathedrals 
where the auxiliaries of civilization count for more than a contrite heart. 

It is reported that at one of these early meetings, while all were on their 
knees, a billy goat walked into the cabin door, and cautiously advancing behind 
the one leading in prayer, slowly, but harder and a little harder bumped the 
praying settler while louder prayed the devout man. Finally the goat, intent 
on attracting attention, gave a resounding butt, which sent the leader of prayer 
over the chair in front of which he knelt. In the meantime everyone in the 
house had become aware of the goat's doings and was holding fast his mouth, 
and suppressing his "risibilities" with might and main. But when the good 
brother went sprawling over his chair, and, in anger bred in this moment of 

misfortune, exclaimed, "d m the goat," a roar of laughter filled the cabin. 

Further prayers were dispensed with for that time, but it is scarcely necessary 
to remark that when prayer meetings were held in that house thereafter, the 
goat was safely tied up. 



36 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

ARRIVALS IN 1 853 

Fewer settlers came to the county in 1853, than had come in the two previous 
years. We do not make mention of the settlements in what is now Webster 
county. Those who came to Hamilton county, so far as they have been reported, 
were John N. Maxwell, J. M. Funk, Wm. W. Funk, J. R. Payne, N. Branch, 
Elisha Neese, Geo. Neese, Patrick Frakes and his sons and Rosco Royster. 
There may have been others, but we have not met them or heard of them. 

Jacob Funk and Wm. W. Funk came in June, 1853, and went back east the 
following fall. While here, they entered about two hundred acres of land on 
the Boone river just south of what is now Webster City. They employed Wilson 
Brewer to get out five thousand rails with which the work of fencing could be 
done. They returned to this county the next spring. 

George Neese settled on the southeast quarter of section 21-87-26, where 
he continued to reside until his death, which occurred a few years ago. His 
widow, Susan Neese, resided there until her death in 1888. 

Patrick Frakes took up a claim in w'hat is now Cass township, but as the 
land lying north of the correction line did not come into market until in the 
summer or fall of 1854, he was unable to enter his claim until then. 

Rosco Royster settled near Homer. 

John N. Maxwell looked over the country, entered a claim and went back 
to Indiana, but returned the next year. His favorable report of the country 
brought his father. Judge John D. Maxwell, and several other families within 
the next two or three years. 

"claim jumpers" 

In the spring of 1853 the lands had all been surveyed and placed on the 
market. Quite a number of early settlers made a business to enter choice lands 
in the name of dififerent members of their family and many transients came 
and went, entering lands. 

The land ofifice was then at Fort Des Moines and choice lands were selected 
and frequent trips made to Des Moines, not unfrequently on foot. Speculators 
came, selected lands, and entered them on their return. 

It not unfrequently happened that they took the numbers of land already 
occupied by a settler who was making improvements and had neglected to secure 
the title to his claim by formal entry. Men who did this were called claim 
jumpers, and the settlers made it very unpleasant for a claim jumjicr if he 
returned in person to claim one of these selections. These claim jumpers were 
speculators, however, and very seldom returned, as their entries were made to 
sell, and were usually sold to emigrants, while on the way. In consequence of 
this class of entries, much litigation and bad blood was engendered, and the 
settlers, acting together to protect each other in their improvement?, usually 
succeeded in making it so unpleasant for a man with a "jumped" claim, that 
he was glad to compromise by receiving his entry money back. 

Another reason why settlers were so annoyed, was that many of them did not 
have the money with which to make entry and so took possession, made improve- 
ments and trusted to the future for the ojiportunity and means to secure their 
titles. Speculators sometimes took advantage of this, and filed against their lands. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 37 

THE FIRST LAND ENTRY 

The oldest entry in this county that we liave been able to find, was made by 
Thomas Williams. He entered 400 acres in 31-88-25 and in 36-88-26 June 25, 

1853- 

"sloughing down" 

During this year the first mill was built in the county. Prior to that for awhile, 
the nearest mill was at Red Rock, south of Des Moines, but later there were 
erected one or two mills in Polk county. Trips were made to these mills with ox 
teams and as there were no bridges north of Des Moines, and only a few south of 
there, the going was anything but pleasant. Ox teams were better however, for 
wading sloughs and crossing streams than horses, as they could work through 
where horses and mules would mire down. Still it not unfrequently happened, 
that even ox teams were stuck in a slough, when it would become necessary for 
the wagoner to carry the load out on his back, piecemeal, then draw the wagon 
out, usually by means of a cable chain hooked to the end of the wagon tongue. 
So often did the "sloughing down" process happen, that no settler even ventured 
away from home with a team without being supplied with cable chains or heavy 
rope, with which to draw out if he got stuck in the mud. There was not a bridge 
in the county, as yet, and more curious still, no apparent effort had been made to 
get one. 

PIONEER DWELLINGS 

The settlers were mostly poor and unable to buy lumber sufficient for their 
own wants, and as the revenues of the county for the first year after its organiza- 
tion did not reach $1200, it will be seen that there were no means at hand to se- 
cure bridges, even where they were most badly needed. Houses were built from 
cellar to garret without sawed lumber and in many instances, without nails. The 
walls were of round or hewn logs, the opening between them being chinked up 
with strips of wood and "daubed" with mud. The floors and doors were made 
with "puncheons" split out of logs and dressed with an ax. The roof was made 
of "shakes" rived out of logs and held in place by weights laid over each layer of 
"clapboards." Some were fortunate enough to have glass windows, but even this 
luxury was denied to many : in which case slats were fastened across the window 
opening and greased paper pasted over them. In some cases even this was not 
done, and the openings were left open, and were closed only when severe cold 
weather demanded it. Large holes were bored into the logs which formed the 
wall of the house and into these seasoned stakes were driven, extending into the 
room far enough to support a bed, and sometimes two or three bunks of this kind 
were made, one above the other. Slabs or "puncheons" were fixed against the 
wall in the same manner for cupboard and water bench. Chairs were made with- 
out backs, though some settlers could make rough ones with "splint" bottoms. 
Every log cabin had its huge open fire place — for stoves were not used by the 
earliest settlers — where great log fires were built, and upon the broad stone hearth 
the good wife and sturdy daughters did the family baking. When good flour or 
corn meal was to be had, what grand light bread or corn "pone" these pioneer 
dames could make, and many a pioneer's mouth will water at the recollection of 



38 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

it. Suspended from the crane over the fire was a chain with a hook upon which 
pots and kettles were hung for cooking. Coffee, corn bread, venison, crab apples 
and hominy, these were the substantial of life. Wheat bread, sugar, etc., were 
luxuries, to be set out on holiday occasions or when "company" came, and not in- 
frequently they were taken off the table before the children (at the second table) 
got at them. Sometimes, however, a lump of sugar was given to a hungry little 
fellow to give him an idea of the good things he too could enjoy when he grew up 
and became "company." 

PIONEER HOSPITALITY 

The rough and rugged lives, thus environed by such uninviting conditions, 
were iilled with much kindness, and it was rare, indeed that the needy passerby 
failed to obtain free shelter and relief. 

The rude doors were fastened by a wooden latch on the inside. A string was 
attached to this latch and passed out through a hole in the door above, which, 
being pulled from the outside, raised the latch. To draw in the string, was to 
lock the door more securely than can be done with the patent locks of the present 
day. There was no picking such a lock. These latch strings were always out to 
the new comer and neighboring settler. It was the sign of hospitality, a very 
hearty invitation to call being often expressed by the sentence: "Our latch string 
will always be out." 

Was a new cabin to be built, all the settlers for miles around were sure to be 
there. The logs were cut and put in place, the cabin roofed, floored, daubed, and 
not infrequently a country dance was held in the new cabin at night. Every 
settler worked with a will all day. and if any imbibed so freely as to be a little 
uncertain on his feet at night, little heed was paid to the fact. 

Still, a sentiment in favor of temperance, caused no doubt by witnessing the 
frequent drunks which the ever present whisky jug created, ripened into a pro- 
hibitory law which at an election had the sanction of a majority of the electors 
of this county. 

ARRIVALS IN 1 854 

The year 1854 was destined to be one of more importance to the county than 
any that had yet preceded it. It was in this year, that what might be called the 
real settlement of the county began. 

As has been seen by those who have read the former chajiters of this history, 
the emigrants prior to 1854 were few and far between. It is probable that the 
whole population of the county of Webster did not exceed 300 on the first day of 
January, 1854. The garrison at Ft. Dodge had abandoned the place in September, 
1853, and moved westward to Ft. Ridgley, leaving, according to an old Iowa bul- 
letin, only three men at Ft. Dodge, viz : Wm. Williams, his son James B.. and a 
discharged soldier named Joseph Sweet. 

Among the arrivals this year — 1854 — were T. J. .Anient, H. Gage, W. J. 
Silvers, L. B. Hill, Benj. Beach, B. B. Segar, Tolman Wiltsey, R. D. Remmington, 
S. K. Boak, H. V. Boak, Joseph Fisher, A. Brock, Bailey Brock, H. M. Barstow, 
Robert Scott, J. F. lUuler, W. C. Royster, George Cooper, Alanson Dickinson and 
A. J. Barr. 

David, Than and Ben Beach, Geo. Cooper and Tolman Wiltsey, came together 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 39 

and arrived at Wilson Brewer's, May 12, where they put up. The women of the 
party had been left at Marshalltown and the men came on prospecting. They all 
received a hearty welcome at Mr. Brewer's and the next day he went with them 
to select lands. The Beaches selected the Woolsey farm, now Lawn Hill addi- 
tion to Webster City, and the Shipp farm near the cemetery. Mr. Dickinson 
selected the farm afterwards for so long the home of B. Millard. 

D.-WE BEACH WALKS TO DES MOINES 

When the party had made selection of lands, David Beach and Alanson Dick- 
inson went to Des Moines to enter them, and Wiltsey and Than Beach went back 
to Marshalltown after their families. Beach and Dickinson went to Des Moines 
on foot. They stayed all night the first night at Alexander's, below Ridgeport, in 
Boone county. Beach had not been accustomed to walking, and next morning, 
he was so stiff and sore that he wanted to give up the trip, but, being assured by 
Dickinson that he would "limber up" in a short time, he started forward again and 
got through. One thing that made the trip uncomfortable was that he carried 
about $700 in gold in his trousers pocket, which became very heavy as the journey 
proceeded and chafed him terribly. 

A PIONEER HOTEL 

When the parties had returned, the Beaches built a log house on the land west 
of town and kept hotel. The house had only one room in it, but travelers could 
not pick and choose in those days, and so the house received a good patronage. 
As. many as seventeen guests were sometimes accommodated here at one time. 
Of course the accommodations were not what would be considered by commer- 
cial travelers of today, first class, as most of the guests had to sleep on the floor, 
but it was the best they could do and there was no grumbling. Indeed those who 
stopped here were homeseekers and hardy pioneers, and they not only expected 
but rather enjoyed the hardships met. As some of these were light in compar- 
ison with what they experienced in a hundred other ways, they were not thought 
of until long years afterwards as being anything out of the way. 

THE FIRST BRIDGE 

Following close upon the Beaches and the Wiltseys, came L. B. Hill and five 
other families, the Harts, now residents of Webster county. The party arrived 
at Rose Grove just at night, and camped on the east side of Skunk river. Dur- 
ing the night there came up a very heavy thunder storm with copious showers of 
rain, causing the ox teams to stampede and raising the Skunk river so it could not 
be forded. Their stampeded cattle were found next day many miles south, prob- 
ably in Story county, and brought back. The wagons, in the meantime had been 
wheeled into a circle by those left at the camp, and the camp fire built in the center 
of the circle. The next morning, after returning with the cattle, the Skunk not 
being fordable, the men set to work to build a bridge. Tall, straight trees were 
cut and placed across from one bank to the other, and poles were placed on these 
stringers for a floor, being keyed up, to hold them in place. When the bridge 



40 HISTORY OF HAAIILTON COUNTY 

was finished, tliey brought their wagons as near as possible, then swam the cattle 
across. — fearing to pvit them on the bridge — and with chains and ropes attached 
to the wagons, drew them across. This was probably the first bridge built in the 
county. Other settlers coming in soon afterwards, drove over it. but it washed 
out during the siunmer or fall. 

The party proceeded westward to the home of Mr. Turnham, about three 
miles south of Webster City, where they camped. One of the children, Lucius 
Hart, had taken sick on the way and died here during the night. The party were 
headed for W'ebster county, but the Boone river was too high to cross and they 
remained several days. In the meantime Mr. Hill looked about and selected a 
claim north of Webster City and moved to it while the balance of the party went 
on to \\'ebster county. 

.\RRIV.AL OF \V. J. SILVERS 

W. J. Silvers came in the fall of 1854. He. in company with his brother-in- 
law, A. J. Barr, and two men named Gregory, started from central Illinois, in a 
two-horse wagon for Kansas. They crossed the Mississippi river at Burlington. 
Iowa, arriving at ]\Iitchelville. Iowa, and while eating dinner and talking of 
Kansas and Iowa, concluded to look Iowa over, before proceeding any further 
westward. The next morning therefore, they started northwest. Zilr. Silvers 
says : 

STORY OF silvers' TRIP TO H.XMILTOX COUNTY 

"There were no roads and after driving about fifteen miles we came to a grove ; 
saw an old log shanty, and on driving up to it we were met by a pack of dogs. 
There were four women at the shanty, and one of them blew a long tin horn, 
and very soon six rough looking men came out of the brush. We asked there 
about a camping place and they told us of a favorable place down on the creek 
bottom. We drove down about 80 rods distant from the cabin and found a grassy 
spot — thick willow groves on both sides and only a narrow road cut through. 
While going down, we noticed one of the men following us, but we thought little 
of it. We had a splendid team of horses which we staked, and lit a fire. \\'hile 
eating our supper, our two dogs began barking savagely and the horses snorted 
as though they scented danger, refusing to eat. We knew that something was 
wrong, but could only guess that our neighbors of the cabin were prowling round, 
meditating a raid on our team, though we could hear nor see nothing. Finally 
at the suggestion of Mr. Barr, we concluded to break camp and move out of 
there. We put out our fire, hitched up our team as quickly as possible and began 
to get out. It was so dark we could not see the road. After a long time, we 
came out of the timber onto a prairie where we found a cabin but no one lived 
in it so we concluded it would be safer to pass it by. We drove out on to the 
prairie; found a low spot of ground, unhitched, and settled down for the night. 
It was not long until we found our move had been a judicious one, for we heard 
the men coming. We had no light and kept perfectly quiet but each man had 
his gun ready to give them a warm reception if they attempted to molest us. 
They were evidently looking for us, for they passed us on one side, and after a 
while came back and passed us on the other side, thus going round us. Failing 
to find us, they went to the deserted shanty, built up a fire and sang and yelled 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 41 

for a couple of hours. As soon as day began to break, we hitched up our horses 
and set out on our journey, concluding to take our breakfast farther on the way. 
I have no doubt, if we had not been on our guard, our horses would have been 
missing, for those fellows were not prowling about in that manner for nothing. 
We arrived that evening at Nevada, Story county, but found there only one log 
house and with its owner we swapped a wild turkey, that we had captured, for a 
loaf of bread. I bought a farm here for S5.00 per acre but when we came to 
make out the deed the man backed out. We then started on and coming to the 
place where Story City now is — there was no house there then, — we met an old 
trapper named Brown, who told us there was a good country on the Boone river, 
so in the morning we started out across the big prairie for Boone river." 

SILVERS FINDS HIS HOME 

"A team had gone over before us and little rags had been tied onto the gum 
weeds along the track to mark the way, and, by following this trail, we reached 
the Boone river at a point where Bone's mill now stands. A man named Tom 
Williams then owned the place. We crossed the river and went out of the timber 
on the west side, and found only one log house, Nate Prims', which stood on the 
place now occupied by Robert Martin. Coming out upon the prairie west of the 
timber, we saw a sight never to be forgotten, — the land covered with a luxuriant 
growth of grass, known as the 'blue stem.' It grew tall as a man could reach. 
I said to the boys, 'This is good enough for me, I guess I won't go any farther.' 
We could have our pick of the land as it all belonged to Uncle Sam and he only 
wanted $1.25 per acre. I selected the southeast quarter of section 26-88-26 
where my present house now stands. I went back to Illinois next fall, with my 
wife and one child, returned to Iowa in a wagon drawn by three yoke of cattle. 
We arrived on the 8th day of October, and stopped with Mr. Prims until I could 
cut logs and build a cabin. On the first day of November, Mr. Prims, Mr. 
Pricket. Mr. Standsbaugh and Jacob Bibler helped me raise the cabin. I got it 
chinked, and the north and west sides mudded. when a great blizzard came and 
froze everything up. We lived in that way all winter. My wife and I froze our 
heels so we could scarcely walk. The timber along the river was all claimed, 
but I bought some about two miles from my land. Deer were plenty, though 
I never had the good luck to kill one. While I was away from home one day, 
a half dozen took shelter from the wind at the side of the cabin. My wife got 
the gun and tried to shoot one, but knowing nothing about guns, only raised the 
hammer half way and could not get it to go off. so she put the gun away and 
went out and scared them away. I paid ten dollars a hundred for flour that year. 
There were plenty of elk and some talk of buffalo liut I never saw one. The 
first corn pen and wheat bin I ever had was under the beds, so it will be seen the 
crop was not so large. I had all my fence burned twice by prairie fire, and barely 
saved my house and stable by hard work." 

We have given the above account of Mr. Silvers, at lengfth, because it illus- 
trates the trip westward by the average pioneer, and the effect a view of the 
country had upon him. It also shows how many starting for other parts were by 
slight circumstances caused to look at this part of the country and finally settle 
here. 



42 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

AN EARLY DISASTER 

Early in the year 1854, Benj. Bell lost his house by fire. This was the first 
house burned in the county. The house took fire near midnight and the fire 
made such rapid progress that it was impossible to stop it. By dint of hard, and 
part of the time, dangerous work, most of the household goods were removed. A 
wild winter "blizzard" was howling and the snow was blowing quite thickly. The 
children tumbled out of bed and out of the house without having time to dress, 
and a neighbor about eighty rods away, seeing the fire came with his ox team and 
bundled the children and Airs. Bell into the wagon and took them to his house. 
Jas. Bell, being the oldest boy, then near fifteen years old. had lost all his clothes 
in the fire and besides did not notice the departure of the family so he had to 
take a quilt which he found there, and wrap about him and walk, or rather run 
barefooted through the snow to the neighbor's house. Next day the neighbors 
all turned out and went to work to build a cabin. It was intensely cold, but the 
logs were cut, hauled up and the cabin put up. A huge log pile was kept burn- 
ing and with hot water mud was mixed and the house "daubed" though the mud 
froze as fast as it was put on. As soon as it was completed, the family moved in. 
Very few people of the present day would think of building a house under such 
conditions and fewer still, of living in one so green and newly made. But houses 
were scarce and small, and it was really a "ground-hog"' case, a sort of "Hob- 
son's choice" afifair and no bad consequences resulted from it. 

ARRIVAL OF THE WILLSONS 

Among the earliest settlers in the spring of 1855 were W. C. and S. W'illson. 
and as Mrs. W. C. Willson, in an essay read before the Old Settlers Reunion 
Society in 1886, gave a very graphic description of the journey and many import- 
ant happenings, we quote from that essay so much as pertains to the year 1855. 

MRS. WILLSOX'S STORV 

"We left Wisconsin the last of October, 1854; went by rail as far as Rockford, 
111., that being the terminus of the railroad at that time. There we fitted up teams 
for our journey to this state. Our party consisted of Mr. William Hammond. Mr. 
Levi D. Stearns, Mr. W. C. Willson, S. Willson, and the writer. We crossed the 
Mississippi at Fulton and Lyons. The ferry having stopped at 4 o'clock the day 
previous, we took rooms at Clinton, expecting to remain until the river froze over, 
there being no bridge across the Mississippi at that time ; fortunately a cake 
of ice floated down that night and lodged between the two ])laces. and early the 
next morning we crossed over it. The cake of ice was fully a quarter of a mile 
long and the water surged incessantly both above and below it, making the pas- 
sage exceedingly perilous. Our first stopping place for any length of time was 
Iowa City, then the capital of the state. The legislature being in session at the 
time made it quite lively and attractive, and I was quite desirous of making it our 
home. I remained there two months while the gentlemen took prospecting tours 
throughout the state. Mr. llaniniond and W. C. \\'illson in ])articular came back 
with glowing descriptions of Webster county and a little town called Newcastle. 




\V. C. Wll.LSOX 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 43 

But we decided it was altogether too far from civilization to suit any of us. How- 
ever, after every trip, \V. C. would invariably wind up with 'Well, I have found 
no place that suits me like Newcastle.' The last of December we went to Inde- 
pendence. On our journey we frequently passed farmers plowing in their shirt 
sleeves. After a few weeks stay at Independence, W. C. prevailed on his brother, 
Sumler, to accompany him to the famous "Castle." The last thing they said was, 
'We will l.)uy land there, but it is altogether too far west to live.' On their return 
they had bought the 'Castle' and surroundings, and with hearts beating high with 
great expectations of the ever bright future, and a railroad within two to hve 
years sure, we turned our faces toward the west and started for our new home 
in hopes of reaching our destination before the breaking up of the sloughs. Two 
days travel brought us to Beaver Creek. The ice had gone out and taken the 
bridge with it, and we were delayed there over a week, while the men worked in 
the water up to their waists building a bridge. This obstacle being overcome, we 
continued our journey to 'Pilgrims Grove' on the south fork of Iowa river, our 
next stopping place. I had got the impression that Pilgrim's Grove was quite a 
town where we would have to stop over until the next morning in order to cross 
the forty miles of prairie between there and Newcastle; but what was my 
astonishment when we came in sight of the Grove to see only the smoke from one 
chimney, and as we approached a log shanty with one shaky door and a quilt for 
the other. W. C. dropped the lines and called out 'whoa,' and two strapping girls, 
barefooted, came running out to see what was wanted. We ordered dinner — and 
such a dinner — all the delicacies that that thriving commercial centre afforded, 
which consisted of strong coffee without sugar or cream, fried pork in a sea of 
grease, and corn dodgers, served on a red chest without table cloth. The eating 
utensils were three knives, two forks and the same number of plates and cups. 
The next morning bright and early we started for Newcastle. We left the road 
north of Rose Grove and followed stakes W. C. and S. Willson had set up on their 
return, for fifteen miles into Newcastle, crossing the Boone river near where Mil- 
lard's bridge now stands, and made the first halt at Wilson Brewer's log cabin 
where we received a hearty welcome. They not being able to keep us, we drove on 
to Tolman Wiltsey's and stopped with them two weeks, until our log house was 
in readiness for us. We arrived on the 26th day of March, 1855. We moved 
into our house on Wednesday and on Saturday following we had twenty to stay 
all night and from that time to October, we never had less than forty to one hun- 
dred at a meal. The cause of this rush was the opening of the general land office 
at Fort Dodge which occurred in April, 1855. 

"We sent a team to Boone for lumber and could only get enough for one door 
and table 14 feet long and half a dozen stools. We used a quilt for our back 
door. 

"Among the first arrivals were B. S. Mason, Alonzo Thompson and a Mr. 
Hancock, also a Col. Dewey and Toby of Des Moines, who entered considerable 
land here at that time. Cyrus Smith came with a peddler's wagon, and started 
the first store in Newcastle. At the same time a Mr. Leavitt, now of Waterloo, 
arrived. 

"The first town election was held at our house. The polls were our din- 
ing room table, and the ballot box, J. M. Funk's hat. He acted as one of the 
judges of the election. The names of the voters were: Wilson Brewer, Peter 



44 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

Lyon, Tolman Wiltsey, George Cooper, David and Nathanial Beach, Levi D. 
Stearns, Jack Brewer, Jake and William Funk, Ross Payne, N. Osbourne, A. W. 
Frakes, W. C. and S. Willson, and Messrs. Bradshaw and Griffith. Homer was 
then the county seat of Webster county and we received our mail from there until 
the first of July. It was usually brought up in a pocket handkerchief, the boys 
taking turns as mail carriers. The first physician was Dr. Jewell. The first min- 
ister Rev. Mr. Skinner, congregationalist. The first lawyer was L. D. C. Mac- 
Gart. Henry Martin was the first postmaster. The first school was taught by 
Mrs. Wheeler in the rear of her husband's store. This was in July, 1855. Up to 
this time W. C. Willson had erected log cabins and a saw mill on the site of the 
Webster City water mills now owned by Judge Chase. The first boards were 
sawed on the i8th day of September, 1855, and were used in the construction of 
a house for B. S. ]\Iason now occupied by Mr. Goit. and in November he brought 
his bride from Massachusetts and commenced housekeeping. 

"The first of October we sold our log hotel to Mr. Lockwood, moving into a 
slab barn, where we lived three weeks until W. C. completed a frame building 
known as the Webster City hotel. The plastering was done by W. C. \\'illson 
and M. Sweeney the day before we moved in. They got as much on the floor 
as the walls, and that night it froze solid, so that it required that fancy team of 
oxen that John ^Maxwell spoke of to scrape it oft'. The walls were wet all 
winter so that our beds required new hay every few weeks. 

"On the 9th of November, — I remember the night well, was ironing, — 
Mr. McChesney, the stage agent, drove up wanting to see Mr. Willson imme- 
diately. He had just received orders to change the mail route by way of Alden, 
Eagleville, Batch Grove and Fort Dodge. Mr. Willson jumped onto a mule and 
left at once for Fort Dodge although it was storming fearfully, not being willing 
to surrender the route so easily after giving the best carriage and team we ever 
owned to get it here. After consulting with Major Williams and John F. Dun- 
combe, they decided that Mr. Willson should go to Dubuque and see Gen. Jones, 
which he did at once, not giving himself any rest until he had seen him. The 
general said: 'My God, Willson. I don't know what to make of it; the mail shall 
never pass over that route and I know what I am talking about.' He wrote a 
line to the agent to disobey the order and he would be personally responsible. He 
wrote to President Buchanan if that order was not changed he would resign as he 
thought he ought to have something to say about mails in his own district. The 
final adjustment was made through his influence with Senator Bigler, of 
Pennsylvania. 

"People of today cannot realize the fearful hardships we had to endure in 
crossing the forty miles of prairie east of us without a house or stopping place, 
many losing their way or becoming sloughed down, came straggling in all hours 
of the night hungry and tired." 

OTHER "55 settlers" 

While 1854 had been an important _\car. 1855 was still more imjiortant. Tlie 
following is a partial list of the new comers this year. W. A\'. Pioak and family, 
P. C. Babcock, B. S. Mason and wife, Josejih Adams, Richard Sacket, Cyrus 
Smith, James Key, I. E. Church. W. C. Willson and wife, S. Willson, W. L. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 45 

Church and family and Airs. Swanger (now Gilhspie), G. T. Adams, Uncle 
Jimmy Adams and family, W. I. Worthington, John McFarland, Israel Wood- 
ard, M. Sweeney, Huitt Ross, Zera Hayden, Jacob Duckett and wife, James 
Duckett, E. P. JMcCowen, C. F. Kent, A. Hazwell, Morgan Hill, P. Clayball, E. 
Lakin, L. Lakin, A. B. Lakin, B. Millard. 

There were of course many others but we are unable to secure their names. 
Most of the above mentioned men were probably married but we have only men- 
tioned the fact where we were sure of it. 

These came in companies from two to six or eight families and though many 
of them started for other parts of the west most of them made this their stopping 
place for the reasons given by Mr. Silvers and Mrs. Willson. 

This year also made Webster county a center of attraction on account of the 
location of the land office at Fort Dodge which, of course, brought everybody 
desiring to enter lands within the district, to that place. As a stage line was 
started between Des Moines and Fort Dodge early this year, most of the home- 
seekers passed through what is now Hamilton county and many of them were 
induced to settle here. 

HOMER AS A PIONEER CITY 

Homer, as the county seat of Webster county, grew with surprising rapidity 
and its fame reached the eastern states and it became the most noted city in north- 
ern Iowa. Had Homer secured the Land office instead of Fort Dodge, it would 
probably today, be one of the first cities of the state, and the line of the east and 
v^est railroads would probably have passed through there. But while its citizens 
were building up and swelling with importance over being the most populous and 
prosperous town in the northwest, the shrewder citizens of Fort Dodge secured 
the land office which took everybody to that place, and as a matter of course, 
where everybody goes, a great many will stay. Fort Dodge now began to build 
with a vigor that surprised the Homerites and a rivalry was at once started, and 
so constantly were the eyes of the Homer people kept upon the Fort that they 
almost forgot that another, equally powerful rival was beginning to spring up at 
Newcastle. But Homer was' the county seat and she grew almost as fast as 
both her rivals until the fall of 1856. 

THE SECOND STORE 

As has been mentioned, a store had opened there in 1854, and now early in the 
spring of 1855, Philip Detrick and Benjamin Bell opened a second store. The 
goods for this store were brought from Keokuk by Benjamin Bell, Ike Murphey 
and J. N. Bell, with ox teams, and a store opening up in the new town, with three 
ox loads of new goods was indeed an event of great importance and tended to 
remind the settlers of the stores in the east. How much of the three ox loads 
was whiskey we have not been informed, but as no store was considered com- 
plete in its stock without that delectable beverage, we have no doubt they had 
enough to supply the customers. These were the days when whiskey was un- 
taxed, and consequently cheap and a little black jug could be found under the bed 
of almost every settler; if not for his own use, to play the agreeable to his neigh- 



46 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

bors when they called, and to have handy in case of a snake bite, for snakes were 
as numerous as whiskey was plentiful, and nothing was more plentiful than both 
of them, unless it was mosquitoes and unoccupied land. 

ARRIVAL OF SNELL AND BUTTERWORTH 

Snell and Butterworth came in 1855 and as both were men of means, they 
branched out into all kinds of business and came as near owning the town as it 
is possible for men to own a town. They started a store that, within a year did 
a wholesale as well as a retail business. They purchased a mill. They owned 
and speculated in land. They traded with everybody who came along, and trusted 
everybody who wanted goods whether settlers or emigrants to points further west. 
They took everything in exchange for goods that could be turned into money, and 
infused a spirit of enterprise, trade and dicker into the settlers that made the 
town a "teeming mart of trade." A couple of years ago the writer was engaged in 
conversation with a gentleman in Des Moines, who, finding that we were from 
Webster City, inquired about Homer and stated that about the time of which we 
are now speaking, he came west with some money, looking for a future home and 
a chance for speculation in some new town that would in a few years become a 
city of importance. He looked Des Moines over, heard of Homer, came to see it. 
From the thrift and enterprise apparent, its location, and the rapidity of its 
growth, he made up his mind that here was to be one of the first cities of the 
state, and invested all his means in town lots expecting to get rich on the rise 
in valuation of property; and he laconically remarked, "That money is still in- 
vested there. Do you think there is any prospect of every realizing upon it?'" 
We replied that inasmuch as he had no doubt, already realized a very large divi- 
dend of disappointment, he could hardly hope to reap further emoluments, and 
he said he supposed he'd have to be satisfied with that. The incident shows 
what splendid prospects appeared then to He before the now desolate town of 
Homer. 

John F. Duncombe came to Fort Dodge this year (1855) and that town began 
to grow too. The land office, the hotel, and in fact almost everything there was 
in the deserted government buildings, and crowds of men came and went during 
the summer and fall. 

ARRIVAL OF BENJAMIN MILLARD 

Benjamin Millard, who came to this county that year, relates that he came 
from Des Moines, going through several counties southwest of here, and finally 
arrived at Fort Dodge in the last days of April. He says there were so many 
people stopping at the old Waukonza House-^— the jirincipal building of the old 
fort, — that there was little accommodation or comfort, a man being thankful if he 
got shelter of any kind, and usually made no objection if he had only a nice good 
hard floor to sleep on. As soon as it was light, the gtiests at the hotel ranged 
themselves as near the dining room door as possible, and held their places for 
almost two hours, so as to get in at the first table, and for two reasons: first, to 
get away to their business as soon as possible, and second, because there would 
not be much left to eat for those w'ho came last. Hotel keepers had no competi- 



I HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 47 

tion in the Fort, and while they tried to provide for their guests as well as possible, 
there were so many of them, and they were so far from sources of supply that 
what they could not conveniently get, they did without, and the traveler who 
didn't like the fare and accommodations, knew he couldn't do any better and 
found it wisest to keep quiet and take things as they came. 

Mr. ;\Iillard didn't like the looks of things at the Fort, and so, hearing of 
Newcastle, started out to look it over. There was then no road, and being on 
horseljack he started according to directions, across the trackless prairies. He 
travelled so long, he began to think he had missed the place and would probably 
have to stay out all night, but was happily disappointed just before night while 
crossing a ravine near where IVIillard's bridge now is, to come upon the cabin of 
Mr. Dickinson where he called and arranged to stay for the night. Being thirsty, 
he asked Mrs. D. for a drink and she directed him to the spring. When he saw 
that spring, he determined to buy the place if possible. Accordingly the next 
day, May 1st, '55, he made a deal with Mr. Dickinson for the farm, trading in his 
horse as part payment and was to have possession in the fall. The next day he 
started on foot across the prairie east, for Cedar Falls. He moved his family 
out in the fall. As an illustration of the severity of the cold the next winter, he 
says he purchased a lot of potatoes of Jake Funk at 75 cents a bushel, and had 
Mr. Dickinson bury them for him. They were buried so deep that Mr. Millard 
told him he would never be able to dig through to them in the spring, and vet the 
whole lot was lost. 

FIRST SETTLEMENT ON THE SKUNK RIVER 

The first settlements made in this county away from the Boone river, were 
made at Lakin's Grove on the Skunk river. In the fall of 1854, Luther Lakin, 
Elisha Lakin, Dr. Cochran and Oscar M. Lakin, came to Hamilton county, entered 
land lying on the Skunk river, and returned east. In the spring of 1855, Luther 
Lakin left home, intending to get married and meet his father and other settlers 
on the Skunk, but he arrived about two weeks earlier than the rest and can 
therefore lay just claim to being the first settler in the east part of the county 
and in Lyon township. About two weeks after his arrival Elisha Lakin, B. A. 
Lakin, and E. P. McCowan came and all settled near each other. The men turned 
in and helped Mr. McCowan to build a caLiin, which was the first house built in 
that part of the county. McCowan moved into his new house and shortly after- 
wards Evaline JMcCowan was born, being the first white child born in the east 
half of the county. The next house built was Luther Lakin's, which stood about 
a half mile west of his present residence. The house was not built until about 
three months after his arrival. In the meantime, the cooking was done on a 
stove in a bark shanty, and they slept in the covered wagon. 

Elisha Lakin put up the next house, and it remains yet on the farm of Palmer 
Tatham, having been used for many years as a stable. In the fall of the same 
year, Geo. and Henry Staley moved in and took a claim about four miles south 
of Lakin's Grove in what is now Ellsworth township and so far as we have 
been able to learn, these were the only settlers in the east of the county prior to 
the year 1856. 



CHAPTER IV 

EARLY EVENTS CHIEFLY OF A POLITICAL NATURE 

By F. Q. Lee 

THE FIRST ELECTION ORGANIZING WEBSTER COUNTY TAXATION WITHOUT REPRE- 
SENTATION THE FIRST COUNTY OFFICERS THE COUNTY SEAT — -THE STATE ROAD 

— THE SECOND ELECTION GRANVILLE BURKLEY— THE BUILDING OF HOMER NEW 

CASTLE A MILD WINTER PRAIRIE VS. TIMBER FARMS — A STATE ELECTION THE 

FIRST SCHOOLS PROBIBITION SUSTAINED A CONTEST OVER COUNTY JUDGE C. C. 

CARPENTER VISITS NEW CASTLE — TIMBER STEALING ANOTHER "WILSE RREWER" 

STORY — SOME NEW TOWNS THE THIRD SCHOOL HOUSE THE HOTEL SIGN MOV- 
ING THE COUNTY SEAT BALLOT BOX STUFFING THE MOON HOUSE — THE "OLD 

WILLSON house" — HON. W. C. WILLSON RAILROAD BOND ELECTION A HARD 

WINTER PORK AND HOMINY H.\MILTON COUNTY ORGANIZED CHOOSING THE 

XAJIE THE FIRST HAMILTON COUNTY ELECTION WEBSTER CITY IN 1857. 

It must be remembered that when the first settlers arrived there was no 
county or township government of any kind and no officers of the law among 
the settlers. Heavier settlements had taken place along the Des Moines river 
within what is now Webster county, than on the Boone in Hamilton. But the 
settlements in the two counties were really one large settlement and they were 
all neighbors and friends. 

In laying out Weljster county the Legislature had named it "Yell," after a 
colonel who fell in the Mexican war. 

THE FIRST ELECTION 

Without county organization or any provision for holding elections, the people 
did not forget that they were citizens of a great nation and entitled to vote and 
with true democratic instincts determined to exercise that right whether there 
was any law for it or not. County lines adopted by a state legislature did not 
stand in the way and it was determined to hold an election and vote for state 
officers. There was no sheriff to make proclamation or other officers to direct 
aft'airs, but this did not deter them from their purpose. Word was sent out that 
an election would be held. It was carried from neighbor to neighbor, as there 
were no newspapers to publish the news, and there is little doubt but every set- 
tler within both counties of Risley and Yell was duly notified. The election was 
held in August, 1852, at the house of William Pierce, a short distance southwest 
of Homer and near the line of the two counties. When the settlers met to hold 

Vol. 1—4 

49 



50 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

the election, they chose for judges, Isaac Hook, \\'illiam Pierce and John Tohiian, 
and for clerks, L. Miracle and William T. Woolsey. 

The following is the poll list and will give a fair idea of the population of 
the two counties at the time: W. A. Kratzer, Isaac Bell, Henry Lot, John Huff- 
man, Theodore Eslick, Samuel Eslick, Perlonzo Bell, Jesse Goodrich, John Galer, 
Daniel P. Devore, Joseph Hardin, Levi Hall, Jacob Booker, John Hefley, Lazarus 
Wright, Franklin McGuire, Philomen Johnson, Isaac Hook, Adam Mesmore, 
Wm. T. Woolsey, Henry Harden, Jesse McGuire, Jacob Dick, Pearley C. Bell, 
James Anders, Richard M. Bonnet, Wm. Creller, Thos. Hogan, Jacob Grouse, 
E. B. Hall, John Tolman, Lodorick Miracle, Francis McGuire. Linas Gilmore, 
Squire McGuire, James McGuire, Wm. Pierce, Wm. R. Williams, James Doty, 
Benj. Bell, Jacob Miracle, Jacob Bell, John Drought, Ephrem Doty. 

At the time of holding this election, the settlers called the two counties Cass 
township, and it is stated by old settlers that no more than a dozen residents 
of the two counties of Risley and Yell failed to vote. 

ORG.XNIZIXG WEBSTER COUNTY 

The holding of this election brought all the settlers together and through it 
they got a taste of politics and the subject of organization into a county began 
to be agitated and a general sentiment favorable to it was created. 

The settlers of the counties of Risley and Yell, therefore, late in the fall 
of 1852, united in petitioning the legislature for a separate county government 
embracing the territory of both counties and that the new county be called 
Webster. 

The legislature therefore passed the following act at the session which con- 
vened Dec. 1st, 1852: 

AN ACT TO CREATE THE COUNTY OF WEBSTER 

Section I. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa: 
That the counties of Yell and Risley, be and the same are hereby united into one 
county, to be called "Webster." 

Section II. This Act to take efl'cct from and after its publication in the 
Iowa Star; Provided, the State shall incur no expense for such [)ublication. 
Approved Jan. 22n(l, 1853. 

I'ly an act a])])roved the same day the counties of Yell and Risley were at- 
tached to Boone county and it became the duty of the county judge of Boone 
county, to appoint commissioners and su]5ervise the organization of the new 
county and under these commissioners the first election for the selection of county 
officers took place and returns were made to the county judge of Boone county. 

TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION 

Before the counties of Yell and Risley were attached to Boone county they, 
with all the other unorganized Cdunlies in the northwest portion of the .state, had 
been attached to Polk county. Wliile so attached for revenue and judicial pur- 
poses, an assessor was sent u\i to assess the property and he returned an assess- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 51 

able valuation of about $40,000.00, which included probably all of the assessable 
property in all of the unorganized counties north of Boone county. But the 
settlers objected to paying taxes without having any voice in the matter and 
whether their objection was considered legally good is not known, but no attempt 
was made to collect the taxes then levied and they were never paid. 

Preparations having now been made for a county government, the county 
judge of Boone county ordered an election to l)e held on the first Monday in 
April, 1853. 

THE FIRST COUNTY OFFICERS 

The election was held at the residence of Wm. Pierce. Theodore Eslick, A. 
Gloseclose, and John Tolman were judges. L. Miracle and Earven Allen, clerks. 
Wm. Pierce was elected county judge, Jesse Goodrich, clerk of district court; 
James T. Hook, treasurer and recorder ; J. H. Cof er, prosecuting attorney ; 
Samuel Eslick, county assessor; James Doty, sherifif; John Johns, coroner, and 
Philomen Johnson and John Tolman, justices of the peace. 

These officers were elected to hold their offices until the general election to 
be held on the first Monday in August, 1853. 

The salary of the judge and treasurer was small. Warrants were issued 
to each for $12.50 for services from April ist to August ist, 1853, though addi- 
tional compensation was afterward paid to the judge. 

The first record made by the county judge, after taking his office, was that 
of the issuance of a marriage license to John J. Holmes and Miss Emily Lyons, 
daughter of Isaac Lyons, and bears date May 14th, 1853. 

THE COUNTY SEAT 

A commission was appointed to locate a county seat. Elisha Anderson and 
Samuel McCall acted upon the commission and selected the southwest quarter 
of section 6, township 87, range 26, as a location, and the county seat was named 
Homer. The land belonged to the government, but the county officers took pos- 
session of it and had it "run out" into town lots. The following persons were 
employed to survey it : W. R. Williams, R. W. W. Alcorn. Francis Eslick, Gran- 
ville Burkley, L. Gilmore, S. C. Wood, Benj. Bell, John Manling and Geo. W. 
Hill. 

It was not until October 14th, 1854, that the county obtained title to the land. 
On that day Judge Pierce received a warrant for $114 with which to enter the 
land upon which the town plot of Homer is located. 

THE STATE ROAD 

One of the first acts of the county government was to appoint a commission 
to locate a state road from I'ort Dodge to Fort Des Moines. William Pierce, 
John Taylor, Peter J. Nickolson, Francis McGuire and Samuel Luther were the 
commissioners. S. C. Wood was employed as surveyor on the road, and with 
the assistance of Geo. Morgan, Richard Green, James Oliver, David Carroll, R. 
W. W. Alcorn, Elisha Kounts, and David Hamilton, made the survey, and the 



52 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

road was duly established. It was over this road that the Northwestern Stage 
company afterwards ran its line between the towns above named. The entire 
county was included within one township, and it was called Washington. 

THE SECOND ELECTION 

The next election was held in Homer on the first Monday in August, 1853. 
ai:d at this election 79 votes were cast. There was no court house at Homer, at 
the time, and to improvise a polling place a wagon box was inverted, and over it 
a brush canopy erected. The judges and clerks sat upon the wagon box. The 
candidates for office and the votes received by each were as follows : 

County Judge, William Pierce, 39 ; James Hook, 37. Treasurer and re- 
corder, W. T. Woolsey, 39; James Hook, 37. Sherifif, James Doty, 39; Benj. 
Bell, 35. Prosecuting attorney, Geo. Warner, 31; Geo. W. Hall, 10; John H. 
Cofer, 34. Coronor, Jacob Miracle, 40; David Carroll, 32. Justices of the 
peace (no opposition), E. Russell, L. Miracle. 

GR.\NVILLE HURKLEY 

We deem it proper at this time to call attention to a character who played an 
important part in the early history of Webster and Hamilton counties. We 
refer to Granville Burkley, the first lawyer to settle within the present limits of 
the two counties. Burkley came to Yell county in the fall of 1852 and during 
the following winter taught a school a short distance southwest of where Homer 
was afterwards located. The school was attended by pupils from both counties. 
J. H. Lyons, whose parents resided near where Webster City now is, attended 
this school and lived with the family of the teacher. He relates that the school 
was closed for two weeks during the winter while Islr. Burkley took a petition 
from the settlers, praying for a county government, to Iowa City, where the 
legislature was in session. He managed matters so well that the act authorizing 
the organization of Webster county was passed. He took an active interest in 
the organization of the new county, and was largely instramental in locating the 
county seat at Homer. He was a man well suited to be a "backwoods" lawyer. 
Though of considerable ability, he had a bulldozing disposition, and when he 
desired to carry a point, he had very few scruples as to the means employed. 
He undertook to run the county, and succeeded fairly well until John F. Dun- 
combe of Fort Dodge and W. C. Willson of Webster City joined forces and car- 
ried things against him. For the first three years after the county was organized 
there is little doubt that he directed most of the public matters, and dictated 
the county policy. 

THE nun.DINC, OF HOMER 

The town of Homer haxing i)ccn platted and established as the county seat 
in the fall of 1853, David Carroll l)uilt the first house in it early in the year 1854. 
It was a hewn log house about sixteen feet square and into this he moved his 
family and his stock of goods. Granville Burkley also iniilt a house and moved 
his family into it. A post-office had been established and he was ajipointed 
postmaster, and was the first postmaster in the county. It is said that the mails 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 53 

were very light and that he kept them in a box under the bed and wlien anyone 
called for mail, they were directed to pull out the box and look for themselves. 
But this charge is also denied, and in the main is probably pure fiction. It was 
during this year that the first regular hotel was opened. Its location was at 
Homer and Alexander Turner was the landlord. The hotel was opened in the 
fall and J\Ir. Turner kept it until the next June when he moved to Swedes Point 
for a year. He then returned to Homer again, and in 1857 moved to Webster 
City where he remained until his death. He built one of the first brick houses 
in \\'ebster City and it w'as for many years the finest residence in the city. While 
he was landlord of the hotel in Homer, the land office was opened at Fort Dodge, 
and the stage line from Des Moines to that place was started. His daughter, 
Mrs. M. R. Dalby, then a little girl, remembers distinctly the stirring incidents 
of the time, and tells how utterly impossible it was for the hotels, with their 
limited capacity, to accommodate the general rush of travelers, and how they 
slept in barns and out of doors, for want of better accommodations. A number 
of houses were built during the year, forming quite a village. Among the build- 
ings erected was a schoolhouse built by Granville Burkley for the settlers but 
some difficulty occurred about accepting the house and Burkley pocketed the key 
and refused admission thereto until it should be accepted. A compromise was 
finally made, and school was held in it the winter of 1854-5, and we believe R. 
W. W. Alcorn was the teacher, though here again there is some dispute, while 
those disputing Mr. Alcorn's title to being the first teacher at Homer are unable 
to name the person who was entitled to that honor. It was in this school house 
that Judge McFarland held the first district court ever held in the county. It 
was in the fall of 1854. There was little or no business of importance to attend 
to, for up to this time, except for justices of the peace and their courts, the 
people had been a law unto themselves. They regulated the evil doers sum- 
marily. If there were those who were not "square" the displeasure of the 
community, with all that that implies in a new country, was sufficient to hold most 
of the would-be criminals in check, and from that displeasure there was na 
appeal. 

NEW CASTLE 

In the fall of 1854 Wilson Brewer and Wm. Frakes laid out the town of New 
Castle, now part of Webster City, and began selling lots. It was located on the 
west side of Boone river and consisted of eight blocks, lying between Division 
street and the Illinois Central R. R. and east of Superior street as now seen on 
the maps of Webster City. The plat was two blocks wide and four blocks long 
and was the second town laid out in the county. 

The laying out of this town and giving the place a name tended to bring this 
place into more notoriety, and homeseekers heard of it as they journeyed west- 
ward, and made it a point to pass through on their way. Many arriving in that 
way being pleased with the location and surroundings concluded to stay and be- 
came permanent settlers. 

A MILD WINTER 

The winter of 1854-5 was perhaps the mildest and pleasantest winter ever 
witnessed in Iowa. Very little snow fell and very little cold weather was ex- 



54 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

perienced. It was asserted that so mild was the weather that the mosquitoes 
lived over. They were unusually plentiful in the following April, at any rate. Josie 
R. Middleton has often told the writer than on Christmas day, 1854, he walked 
from Homer to White Fox in his bare feet, carrying his shoes and coat on his 
arm, and that the roads were dry and dusty and the day was much more like one 
in May than in December. 

PRAIRIE VS. TIMBER FARMS 

Our readers, if they have noticed the settlement of the county as recorded 
herein, will observe that up to the end of the year 1854, no settlements had 
been made except along the Boone river ; or, at least within a couple of miles 
of it. The prairie land at that time was shunned, unless it could be had near 
the timber, or in connection with timber land. Looking about us now, it will 
also be observed that though the prairie was then shunned and the timber sought 
for homes, the finest farms and farm buildings are to be found on the prairie, 
and it has been true of the settler on the prairie ever since the settlement of the 
county that the general farmer, who went right out into the prairie did much 
better than the man who stuck his stake in the timber and grubbed out his fields. 
Along the timber, the first start was more cheaply made because a log cabin could 
be put up with no outlay of money. But it was on the prairie that the neat white 
farm houses first appeared, giving the country the appearance of civilization and 
thrift that is not usually expected where nothing but log cabins are to be found. 

A STATE ELECTION 

During the year 1854, Francis Eslick was elected district clerk ; John H. Cofer, 
prosecuting attorney; Samuel Eslick, sheriff; and Henry B. Martin, surveyor. 

For senator, Theophelus Bryan received 94 votes and James Gordan, 19 
votes. 

For representative in state legislature, Samuel McCall had 81 votes; Gran- 
ville Burkley had 33 votes ; Franklin Thompson had 13 votes. Phineus Cassody 
received 96 votes for district judge and Wm. McKay 12. 

The vote for governor in the county gave Curtis Bates 104. and James W. 
Grimes, 22. 

From the above vote it will be seen that the population of the county in August, 
1854, was about 600 and that politically the county was largely democratic as 
is shown by the vote for governor. Bates being the democratic candidate. 

Settlers were coming in, singly and in groups, during all of this year and 
while a larger proportion than common stopped within the present limits of 
Hamilton county, the larger number went into the present limits of Webster 
county. 

THE FIRST SCHOOLS 

In the fall of 1854, the Frakes, Downings, Skinners, Segars, Paynes and 
probably Storys, organized a school district and built a log schoolhouse on the 
present site of the White Fox schoolhouse. Josie R. Middleton was employed 
as the first teacher and as there was no school being taught at Webster City, 



HISTORY OF HA:\IILT0N COUNTY 55 

the Lyons and Brewers also attended there. This was the first school in the 
northern part of the county, and one of the first in the county. The same 
winter a school was taught at Homer by Mr. Alcott, and another north of Hook's 
Point was held in a claim cabin, taught ijy Miss Abedience Bell, — now Mrs. 
W'oolford, of Boone county. These were the first schools taught within what is 
now Hamilton comity. 

At the April, 1854, election there were 213 votes cast and the following officers 
were elected : N. W. Meservey, county judge ; Granville Burkley, county attorney ; 
D. Carroll, drainage commissioner; A. Gaines, coroner. 

For district judge, W. W. Williamson had 123 votes and C. J. McFarland, 
•J2, votes. McFarland was elected in the district but it will be seen from the 
vote at the different elections in Webster county that he was not popular with the 
voters and never carried a majority of the votes. The board of canvassers for 
this election were judge Pierce and Justices of the Peace L. ]\Iiracle and E. 
Russell. 

"prohibition" SUST-MNED 

The question of prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors came up at the 
April election of this year and resulted as follows : For prohibition, 99 ; against 
prohibition, 76. The democrats were prohibitionists and the whigs were for 
license though the vote shows that not all of the democrats voted for prohibition, 
and it is probable that some of the whigs voted for it. About one-fourth of the 
voters refrained from voting on the question at all. 

The second election of the year took place on August 7th, when there were 
283 votes cast. 

A CONTEST OVER COUNTY JUDGE 

Judge Pierce had resigned and W. N. Meservey was elected judge at the 
April election to fill the vacancy and the office was to be regularly filled at the 
August election. W. N. Meservey was again a candidate and John D. Maxwell 
was his opponent. The contest between these two candidates was very spirited, 
the people of Homer and vicinity voting for Meservey while the citizens of Fort 
Dodge and New Castle and vicinity voted for Maxwell. The election resulted as 
follows: J. D. Maxwell, 156; W. N. Meservey, 136. 

Notwithstanding, Maxwell was clearly elected by a majority of 20 and no 
fraud was charged. The canvassers at this election being Homer men, gave 
Meservey the certificate of election. The entry made by them of the election 
return book shows the vote as recorded above. Ma.xwell entered a contest and 
the trial resulted in his favor, but Meservey appealed to the district court and 
continued to hold the office. When the time for trial in the district court came, 
Meservey succeeded in obtaining a change of venue and the case was sent to Pot- 
tawottomie county for trial. The office was not a very valuable one so far as 
salary was concerned and therefore Maxwell failed to follow the case and Meser- 
vey continued to hold the office until after the county was divided. 

The other officers elected at the August election, 1855, were: Geo. Gregory, 
district clerk; W. T. Woolsey, treasurer; Wm. Royster, sheriff; C. C. Carpenter, 
surveyor ; N. L. Osborn, coroner. 



56 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUXTY 

C. C. CARPENTER VISITS NEW CASTLE 

C. C. Carpenter had been working as a surveyor during the year in different 
parts of the count},^ and a good story is told of his first visit to New Castle after 
the Willsons had opened their hotel. As stated by Mrs. Willson, the number 
of guests at their house was out of all proportion to the means for comfortable 
accommodation and Carpenter and his gang of surveyors were obliged to sleep 
on the floor of the main room. In one corner of this room was a bed with cur- 
tains around it in which Mr. and Mrs. Willson slept. 

Now Mrs. Willson, notwithstanding her rough surroundings, was as neat and 
trim all the time as though just out of a band-box, and a great beautj' as well. 
Walt was full of rush and enterprise, going in where anything was to be done 
without regard to personal appearance. He was at this time working on his mill 
dam, and was covered with mud and tanned by exposure. In his personal appear- 
ance, in his every day clothes, he was not a beautj". Mrs. Willson looked after 
the hotel and Walt looked after everything else and worked at ever\-thing. \\'hile 
Carpenter knew who the landlady was, he did not know and had not met the 
landlord, and when he was pointed out to him he could not refrain from remark- 
ing: "Well, it's an infernal shame that so nice a woman as that should be married 
to that galoot of an Irishman." Walt didn't hear of this remark until after 
acquaintance had changed Mr. Carpenter's opinion, and of course, when he did 
hear of it he could laugh as heartily over it as anybody. 

Among the deaths this year was that of a man named Crawford at Homer. 
His funeral sermon was preached by a newcomer who claimed to be a preacher 
and we are informed he preached a very excellent sermon. The preacher must 
have been an imposter, however, for the night after preaching the funeral, he 
stole a horse and skipped out and was never heard of again. 

The first physician to locate at Homer was a Dr. Coyle, and the second was 
a Dr. Corbin, both coming in 1855. 

The winter of 1855-6 was the hardest yet seen by any of the settlers and 
was a great contrast to the mild and pleasant one that had preceded it. Deep 
snows, blizzards and bad roads were the chief attractions. 

TIMBER STEALING 

We must not forget to mention a matter that had been going on ever since the 
settlement of the county but which first began to be noticed about this time and 
that was what would now be called stealing timber off non-residents' lands. The 
fact was that much of the valuable timber lands had been entered by speculators 
who were holding it for a high price, to buy it and as the work of improving 
their farms could not be carried on without timber, they helped themselves to 
any timber not guarded by a settler. As the settlers winked at these depredations 
to speculators' land, it was difficult and usually impossible to punish any of them, 
though the law was stringent enough. 

A story is told of Wilson Brewer that will illustrate how this thing was 
carried on. An eastern speculator came out to look after his property and 
stopped with Mr. Brewer. The next day Mr. B. took the man out to show him 
his land, which was timber land. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 57 

On the way Mr. B. pointed out a piece of timber land here that he said be- 
longed to Mr. So and So and said Mr. A. stole the timber of that ; another piece 
belonged to another and ^Ir. B. stole the timber of that; finally coming to a 
strip of land that had evidently been well covered with timber said : "This is your 
land and I stole the timber off of it and if you don't like it, I'll lick h — 1 out of 
you." The fellow said he liked it and returned east disgusted, and let his land 
go to tax deed, never again paying any more attention to it. But if one settler 
was found taking timber belonging to another settler, it was made exceedingly 
torrid for him. In relation to taking speculators' timber the settlers reasoned 
like this : "The improvement of our land will necessarily increase the price of 
the speculator's land without his doing anything; therefore it is only fair that 
enough of his property be put into the improvements to make him pay in part 
at least for the cause of the advance of the price of his land," which seemed 
to be good logic, if it was not law. Another way the settler had of making the 
speculator pay for the advance in the price of his land was to assess his unim- 
proved lands as high as the improved farms, thus making him pay as high taxes 
as the settler, and for the same reason as given in the timber case. For these 
two causes, speculators' lands were, no doubt, often sold for a much smaller price 
than if they had not existed, and the settler benefited thereby. 

ANOTHER "WILSE BREWER" STORY 

Another story is told of "Wilse Brewer" which illustrates the summary 
methods of doing justice then. 

There had been a shooting match and "Wilse" had won a quarter of beef. 
That evening, before starting home, somebody stole the beef. One Beemas Hay- 
den was accused of taking it, and Brewer having satisfied himself that he was 
the culprit went to his house next morning before Hayden was up and hauled 
him out of bed and gave him a sound thrashing. Nothing was done with Brewer 
for this, but Brewer went to the office of Esquire Russell and plead guiltv to 
assault and battery and paid a fine of $5.00 on his own motion. When the 
grand jury sat next, they were proceeding to indict Hayden for stealing the beef. 
Brewer heard of it and went before the body and said that he had chastised the 
man sufficiently and asked that the case be dropped and the jury dropped it. 

SOME NEW TOWNS 

During the year 1855, the people of Hamilton county, like the people of most 
new countries, found numerous places where it was thought a town would be 
needed in the future, therefore, in addition to the towns of Homer and New 
Castle, there was a town laid out July 2. 1855. on the southeast quarter of sec- 
tion 6-86-26. The town consisted of a row of blocks around a public square and 
was called "Paris." The projection of the town of Paris was a flat failure and 
perhaps few. except the early settlers, know that such a town was platted. This 
town, however, was laid out on the same section of land upon which the villages 
of Hook's Point was afterwards situated. 

On July 5th, Walter C. Willson, Henry Kellogg and Chas. Wilder filed for 
record the original plat of "Webster City." It included New Castle and joined 



58 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

West New Castle on the south. It extended west to Broadway, the line being the 
alley north of Bank street, south to the present cemetery, and east to the Boone 
river and north to the I. C. R. R. track. The postoffice was named Webster City; 
the name of New Castle was after a few years changed to Webster City by act of 
the legislature, though the original names still appear on the maps of the town, 
and a large part of the business portion of the town is now on what was platted 
as West New Castle. 

On the 24th of July, 1855, a town was laid out on the southeast quarter of the 
northeast quarter of section 12-87-26 and was called "New Saratoga." This 
town was laid out on what is now the John N. Maxwell farm, and it was a 
prominent candidate for the honor of the county seat at, and after the division 
of the county. It was, however, always a paper town, no buildings ever having 
been, so far as we can find, erected upon it unless it was a farm house. A story is 
told, that the question of deciding whether Webster City or Saratoga should be 
the county seat was submitted to N. G. Olmstead and S. B. Rosencrans, who were 
to wrestle to decide it, the victor to name the town ; that Rosencrans was suc- 
cessful and named Webster City. It will hardly be taken by the average citizen 
that it was officially so determined, though we believe the wrestle really took place. 

New Castle, during the year 1855. made considerable growth. As stated in 
Mrs. Wilson's essay, a saw mill was built the fore part of the year near where 
the Chase flouring mill now stands. A store was opened by Cyrus Smith. There 
was one regular hotel kept by W. C. Willson ; and Wilson Brewer and the 
Beaches also kept lodgers. 

In December, Jacob M. Funk and Joseph Funk laid out and placed in market 
West New Castle which extends from New Castle on the east nearly to Des Moines 
street and from the Illinois Central railroad south to the alley north of Bank 
street. Joseph Funk was not a resident and the dedication of the town ]>Iat was 
signed by Jacob M. F'unk and "Joseph Funk by J. M. Funk, his agent." 

THE THIRD SCHOOL HOUSE 

As will have been noted, the first two school houses in the county were built 
in the fall of 1854 at Homer and White Fox. The third school house was built 
by James Faught in 1855 on the site of what is now known as the "Bethel" school 
house in Webster township. The building then erected, and used for years, is 
now to be seen at the home of Mr. William Spicer, and is used by him as a 
granary. There may have been other school houses built in the county that 
year but if so, we have failed to hear of it. Quite a number of schools were 
taught in the county during T855, but so far as we have heard they were kept 
in claim caljins or tcm])orary l^iuildings, and among the rest Miss Richey, later 
Mrs. Levi Emmerson, of Stratford, taught a school at Hook's Point in a room 
of a private residence arranged for the occasion. 

THE HOTEL SIGN 

About this time "Uncle Ike Hook." ha\ing a hotel at llot)k's I'oint, concluded 
that the dignity of the place would be enhanced if a nice sign was painted and 
erected in front of it. The sign was to be a square board hung in a frame in 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 59 

which it would swing and elevated upon a post. The sign was painted which 
should announce the localit}' of "The Marian Hotel." The pole was pro- 
vided upon which it was to be placed and a few neighbors had been invited to 
help raise the sign and celebrate the occasion. On the night before the pole was 
to be raised, the boys of the neighborhood carried the pole off and hid it. The 
old man was in a towering passion when it was discovered that it was gone, and 
swore and threatened, but all to no purpose. No one seemed to know anything 
about it. In a few days, however, "Uncle Ike" changed the front, told the boys 
it would be all right and offered a small reward for the pole. It is needless to 
say that the pole was found and a new day was set for raising. This time the 
sign had been fastened on, the hole dug in which to plant it, the neighbors invited 
and the old man was on the lookout for tricks, but the boys were too many for 
him, and while a few of them engaged in business in the house, the others carried 
off the pole, sign, and all, and planted in good shape on a knoll in an adjoining 
cornfield where in plain view, it was seen next morning, the sign gaily swinging 
in the wind in the midst of the growing corn. When the neighbors came next 
day to raise the sign, the old man treated the matter as a joke, the whole crowd 
"irrigated" and then the sign was brought from the corn field and placed in its 
legitimate position. 

MOVING THE COUNTY SEAT 

And now the project of moving the county seat from Homer to Fort Dodge 
began to be agitated liy citizens of the latter place and New Castle. But the 
Homerites paid little heed to it for, were they not prospering and growing without 
precedent? All over the town, houses were springing up or were projected. A 
large two-story wholesale and retail store added dignity and importance to the 
place that not even Des Moines could rival. A brick yard was a thing being pre- 
pared for, and which, when completed, was to furnish materials out of which 
brick blocks were to be made and citified airs be taken on as well as to make 
substantial, that, which as yet, was but temporary. The settlements around 
Homer were more populous than anywhere else, hence the idea of removing the 
county seat was little less than madness, as viewed from a Homer standpoint. 
But they reckoned without their host, for John F. Buncombe, as leader of the Fort 
Dodge forces, made an agreement with the people of New Castle by which both 
towns were to join in removing the county seat to Fort Dodge after which the 
counties were to be divided and the Fort Dodgers were to assist in securing the 
county seat of the new county for Newcastle. A proposition, therefore, was 
submitted to the voters at the April election. 1856, to remove the county seat to 
Fort Dodge. The very greatest interest was manifest on all sides in the result 
of this election. 

BALLOT BOX STUFFING 

Each side sent emissaries to the voting precincts of the other to watch and 
see that no illegal votes were polled ; and notwithstanding the greatest precaution, 
the result of the election showed plainly enough that each party had been busily 
engaged in trying to get in all the votes it could on its own side regardless of the 
right of the matter. Homer, to prevent illegal votes from being cast at New 
Castle sent Lawyer Granville Burkley there to watch the polls. But a future 



60 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

county seat here was at stake, and so the boys and transients who were willing 
to vote if they could get a chance, got in readiness, and then a crowd would 
surround Burkley and engage him in a heated discussion, during which many 
votes would be cast. 

A good many people were daily arriving on the stage from the east and a man 
was sent out to meet the stage and secure as many votes as possible among the pas- 
sengers. The passengers of that time were usually willing enough to enter into 
any project that brought the treats and cost nothing, and as a rule they passed 
right on out of the country. So when the stage arrived, the settlers surrounded 
Burkley and got up an unusual hub-hub and while it was going on ran in the stage 
passengers and voted them. It is not improbable that they voted again when they 
arrived at Fort Dodge where most of them were going. And yet, what was being 
done at New Castle or Webster City, was scarcely up to the average ballot stuffing 
at other places, for when election was over it was found that about three times 
as many votes had been cast as at any previous election and Fort Dodge suc- 
ceeded by a vote of 407 against 264. The Homer people felt very confident 
that they were carrying the election for they were polling within about 20 
votes of as many as the whole vote of the county had ever been before. They 
knew, too, that by an honest vote, they could not count much more than half that 
number. Imagine their surprise, when the returns were brought in to find them- 
selves so far outdone at their own game. That game, which they fondly be- 
lieved they were playing alone, had been more than discounted at Fort Dodge 
and New Castle. 

I lad an honest vote and a fair count been had, it is more than probable that 
Homer would have retained the county seat ; however, the record of both sides 
was too rotten to bear inspection, and no contest was made over the election. In- 
deed it is doubtful whether anyone desired the matter brought before the courts 
where an investigation might involve so many in personal difficulty on account 
of illegal voting. Instead of a contest, a good many Homer people declared that 
the election was a monstrous fraud and the county records should not be moved. 
Guns were cleaned up and no little amount of large talk indulged in, but it 
all amounted to nothing and the books were removed and nobodv hurt. 

At this election, some of the Homer jieople thought it would be a good joke 
on John F. Duncombe to elect him coroner and no of them voted for him for 
that office. Having in view, perhaps. Homer's probable triumjjh at the election, 
they no doubt thought that Duncombe would be a proper person to sit upon the 
remains of the dead town of Fort Dodge. But Rev. John Johns received 420 
votes and was elected, (jranville Burkley was elected prosecuting attorney at this 
election and the question of restraining stock was defeated. 

Another election was held on the first Monday of August following, and 
while perhaps two hundred voters had been added to the population since the 
county seat contest, only 5(15 votes were polled, of which Flias Pecock had 
290 votes and W. C. Willson 275. 

S. B. Rosencrans was at this election selected for district clerk, lie did not 
personally take charge of his office, but on the igth day of August appointed 
Hezikiah Beecher as his deputy. This arrangement did not prove satisfactory 
however, and on the 2yth day of August, he revoked that appointment and 
appointed Chas. A. Sherman as his deputy. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 61 

Among the new comers this year who have reported to have signed in 
the Old Settlers' Register are: Gil Perry, F. J. McConnel, C. T. Fenton, Morg 
Everts, W. H. Richardson, Thos. Bonebright, W. B. Howard, A. Keplar, S. B. 
Rosencrans, F. A. Harris, H. C. Hillock, S. L. Richardson, A. McLaughlin, 
Simon Day, W. L. Clark, Wm. Howell, M. W. Howland, Chas. Stoddard, Wm. 
Oleson, Geo. Shipp, W. H. Bates, G. H. Daniels, J. P. Tucker, W. H. Frasier, 
Wm. Willis, J. M. Jones, S. Rickard, G. W. Perry, John Whaley, W. S. Worth- 
ington, N. H. Hellen, Robt. W. Martin, Isaiah Doane and Theodore Phillips. 

One-third of these have held offices of some kind, county, township or school, 
and the reader of today, looking over this list will be struck by the very important 
part in the county development so many of them have played. None of them 
were legal voters at the election above mentioned. Four of them were here at 
the election when the county seat question was voted upon. Judge Doane was 
one of the four. He arrived in March and but a few days prior to the election, 
and, coming as he did when the ground was covered With snow and slush, the 
scene was dreary in the extreme. The Judge and his family were so dis- 
heartened and homesick at the first that he didn't care if they moved the county 
seat to "Tophet." But a few weeks changed the aspect of 'affairs, and becom- 
ing satisfied with the country and its prospects, a home was purchased and he 
has remained ever since. He was among the unfortunate persons whose selec- 
tion and entry of land was upon what is known as the Des Moines river grant, 
but finding that no certain title was likely to be soon, if ever, obtained, he sold 
out his claim and never dabbled in that class of lands. He was a farmer in 
summer and taught school in winter, and no old settler was to be found whose 
fund of anecdote of early times was greater than his. From his great store of 
information we have drawn largely for material in the makeup of this history. 

W. H. Frazier lived until '59, near, and just east of Homer, when he pur- 
chased land and built a house in what is now Clear Lake township. At this 
time there was only one house within the present limits of that township ; that of 
Theodore Phillips, who moved there in '56 and was, therefore, the first, while 
W. H. Frazier was the second settler in that township. He had only just com- 
pleted and moved into his new house when he concluded to return east, and 
went to Illinois, remaining six years, and returned in 1865. He was a member 
of the first jury drawn in Hamilton county. 

THE FIRST STEAM MILL 

In the spring of 1856, J. M. Funk and Sumler Willson brought from Dubuque, 
by teams, a steam mill, the first set up within Hamilton county. There were but 
two or three bridges on the whole route, and as the streams were swollen by 
recent rains and the melting snow that had fallen during the winter, the work 
was arduous and sometimes full of danger. When the steam mill was in opera- 
tion, S. B. Rosencrans and C. T. Fenton purchased a half interest in it, and 
in connection with J. M. Jones and J. M. Funk, owned and ran the mill for 
several years. The first year Rosencrans was superintendent and J. M. Jones 
engineer. 



62 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

THE MOON HOUSE 

What was then considered as the "first class'' hotel of W'ebster City was the 
IMoon House, a plank structure 16x40 feet, one and a half stories high, with a 
lean-to on one side. The main building had one partition in the center, making 
a barroom in front, out of which was a stairway ; the back part had a partition 
lengthwise, making a bedroom and sitting-room. The lean-to on one side was 
the kitchen and dining-room, while the whole upstairs without partition, was 
filled with beds except a narrow alley down the center between them. These 
were filled nightly with men, as were also the floors of the barroom and sitting- 
room, the men bunking down on the floor with buffalo robes under them and 
blankets for covering. The bill of fare was as unpretentious as the other sur- 
roundings, for vegetables were scarce, and the main articles of diet were bread, 
butter, ham, bacon, beans and coffee. 

There was what is usually called a "cold snap" in April, freezing up the 
river so that people could cross it on the ice, making the spring very late and 
considerable of the planting was not done until June. Indeed the whole winter 
of '55-6 was a very, severe one, so much worse than had ever occurred before 
that the deer were all driven out of the country and but very few of them ever 
returned. 

THE "old WILLSOM HOUSe" 

During the season, the old Willson House, now the Park House, on the 
corner of Seneca and Bank streets, was built and opened. Most, if not all of 
the houses in town, were then east of that house and to illustrate the wildness 
of the surroundings, we mention the fact that a few deer were, during the year, 
seen upon the town plat, and in the fall a prairie fire burned over most of the 
ground where the business portion of Webster City is now situated, burning 
around the residence of S. B. Rosencrans. which was then being built and which 
was only saved from the fire by great effort. 

HON. W. C. WILI.SON 

At the fall election, Walter C. Willson was elected to the state legislature 
and was the first Hamilton county man to sit as a member of that body. The 
one grand object Mr. Willson had in view was the passage of a law organizing 
the present county, and having the county seat located at Webster City. In 
this he succeeded admirably as will be seen as we progress with this history. 

RAILROAD nOXD ELECTION 

On the iQth day of .August, 1856. John I'". Duncombe a])peared before the 
county judge with a jietition signed by one hundred and fifty residents of the 
county, asking the county court to call an election for the 22d day of September, 
at which the question, "Whether Webster county would subscribe for the $200,- 
000 of the capital stock of the Dubu(|ue and Pacific Railroad and issue bonds 
therefor, payable in seventeen, eighteen, nineteen and twenty years, with ten 
per cent per annum, to provide for payment of the principal and interest thereof." 




7-J i 






HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 63 

The judge granted the request and entered an order calling said election, 
but we have been unable to find any record of the election having been held, 
and what makes the matter all the more uncertain is the fact that while part 
of the old settlers declare the vote was taken and carried, about an equal number 
declare that no vote was ever taken. Those who hold that the election did take 
place and carried say that after the division of the county it was put upon 
Hamilton county to assume $90,000 of the bonds, and Webster to assume $110,- 
000, and that when Hamilton county came to vote to ratify the agreement and 
issue the bonds, the voters repudiated the whole matter. 

While Hamilton county was united with Webster, nine townships were made, 
four o.f them being within the limits of this county. They were Cass, Boone, 
Webster and Clear Lake, and they probably extended clear across the county, 
twenty-four miles, and were six miles wide, and these were the organized town- 
ships of the county when the separation took place the next spring. Benjamin 
Millard was one of the first justices of the peace of Boone township, but he 
soon tired of the office, and August 7, 1856, resigned, and Amnion Moon was 
appointed to fill the vacancy. 

A HARD WINTER 

All of the old settlers will yet remember the winter of 1S56, the longest and 
most severe that has yet been seen here. In the fall the weather up to about 
3 o'clock in the afternoon of December ist had been unusually fine, when the 
sky became overcast with black clouds ; the wind rose almost to a hurricane and 
by night the snow was falling, blowing, drifting, and the storm lasted for three 
days, during which time it was dangerous, and most of the time impossible to 
leave the house. The air was so full of flying snow, that objects at only a few 
feet distant could not be seen. Many were unable, during those three days, to 
even feed or care for their stock, and when at last the wind died down and the 
snow had ceased to fall or fly. stables and houses had, many of them, to be dug 
out of the snow. In places drifts of snow were twenty or thirty feet high and 
especially was the drifting to be seen around the houses and stock yards, where 
it seemed all the snow had been collected. So hard had the wind blown and so 
solidly was the snow packed, that horses and cattle could walk over the highest 
drifts without any danger of breaking through, and many farmers fed their 
stock on top of the rifts clear above the stake and ridered fence that enclosed 
the yards. To illustrate the depth of the snow it is related on good authority, 
that one of Judge Pierce's horses had its leg badly injured by the snow giving 
way just over the end of a tall stake and letting the foot down the side of the 
stake, where it was not so tightly packed. This storm was only the beginning 
of a series of blizzards lasting all winter and until late in the spring. There 
seemed to be very little "let up" to the storms and it kept the settlers busy 
between storms to provide fuel and keep their stock dug out of the drifts and 
fed. The roads were almost impassable, and it was dangerous to go out of 
sight of the settlement for fear of getting caught in a blizzard and freezing. 
Flour became scarce, indeed, in many instances nothing like flour or meal was 
to be had, and whole families subsisted for days upon corn ground in a coffee 
mill and made into coarse mush or bread. Others varied the monotonv of such 



64 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

a diet, with what is known as lye hominy and these delectable viands, — this 
attenuated menu, — of Johnnie cake, hog and hominy was a compulsory diet, 
though we cannot say that the settlers came out any thinner in fiesh on account 
of it. But when the storms let up, flour was produced and wheat bread was 
again upon the table, what a luxury, indeed, it seemed. 

PORK AND HOMINY 

Speaking of hominy, we should mention a kind that was made by some of 
the settlers without lye. To make this a hominy mortar had to be made. A 
log from sixteen to twenty inches thick, and about three feet long, was cut 
scjuare at l)oth ends. Its outside was shaped something like a druggist's mortar. 
At one end a cavity about ten or twelve inches deep was dug and made smooth. 
An iron wedge fastened into the end of a cleft stick with a band around it to 
prevent the stick from splitting was prepared, and these two tools completed the 
equipment. Corn was then washed and soaked in warm water and put into the 
mortar and pounded with the iron wedge until the hull of the grain was beaten 
off and the grain broken into pieces. The corn was then taken out and dried 
and the husk blown out, leaving the grain clean. It was put into a large kettle 
and boiled, sometimes for a whole day, and before the boiling process was 
finished, a huge chunk of fat pork was put into the kettle and cooked with it. 
The whole mass was then taken out and was fried and used as it was wanted. 
This was a tedious and laborious way of getting hominy, but when made by 
this process it surpassed in sweetness and richness all other kinds and was a 
favorite wherever found. 

During the hard winter we have just described, many incidents are told of 
narrow escapes from being frozen to death and numerous were the heels and 
toes, fingers, ears and noses that were frozen and peeled of¥. Schools could 
only be kept going about half the time and then only the larger pupils, or those 
living near the schoolhouse dared to venture, for fear of being caught away from 
home in a storm. Persons were often caught out when a storm came up and 
would put up at the first cabin reached, and stay for days, fearing to attempt 
to reach home, while their friends would worry about them, not knowing where 
they were and fearing they had perished in the storm. Of all the winters in 
Iowa, this one of '56 and '57 is looked back to by the settlers as the hardest 
ever seen here, and it tried the nerve and stirring qualities of those who were here 
for the first time, making them heartily wish themselves "back east." 

HAMILTON COU.XTY ORG.XNIZKD 

The legislature of the state, early in its session in 1856, passed the following 
act providing for the organization of Hamilton county. 

".■\N .\CT TO CRE.\TE THE COUNTY 01-" H.V.MILTON 

"Section i. Re it enacted by the General .Assembly of the State of Iowa, 
That so much of the county of Webster, as lies east of range twenty-seven, west 
of the fifth principal meridian, according to the official survey of lands by the 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 65 

United States Government be, and the same is, hereby created and organized 
into a new county to be called Hamilton. 

"Sec. 2. All the estate of which the county of Webster is now seized shall 
belong to, and the county be seized thereof to its own use, in which such real 
estate may be situated, after the division by the organization of such new county. 

"Sec. 3. The said county of Webster, and said county of Hamilton, shall 
both be and remain liable for any and all indebtedness existing against the county 
of Webster, at the time this act takes efifect, to the same extent as if this act 
had not been passed, and the money rights and credits or other personal property 
belonging to the said county of Webster at the time this act takes efifect, shall 
be apportioned between said counties, in such manner as shall be just and 
equitable. 

"Sec. 4. For the purpose of ascertaining and fixing upon such apportion- 
ment of money, rights and credits, or other personal property provided for in 
the preceding section, the Governor shall, on the complete organization of said 
county of Hamilton by the election of county officers, and upon the request of 
the county Judge of said county of Hamilton, form a Commission who shall 
meet at a time to be fixed by the Governor, at the County Seat of Webster County, 
and make such apportionment of said money, rights and credits or other property 
above mentioned, as to them shall appear just and equitable. The decision of 
said Commissioners or any two of them, shall be final, and such decision shall 
be reduced to writing, and signed by the Commissioners making the same, and 
a Commissioner to be appointed by the Governor, shall, before proceeding to 
act as such, take and subscribe an oath for the faithful performance of his duties. 

"Sec. 5. Said Commissioners shall each receive three dollars per day, for 
every day they shall be actually employed in making such apportionment to be 
paid by the county of Hamilton. 

"Sec. 6. At the next April election after the passage of this act, there shall 
be elected by the qualified voters, residing within the county of Hamilton, the 
same county and township officers as are now allowed and required by law in 
organized counties : Provided, township officers shall be elected only in cases 
where an election would have taken place had this act not been passed ; And 
further provided, that the said county officers so elected shall hold their offices 
as if elected to fill vacancies. The votes cast at such election shall be returned 
to and canvassed by the county Judge of Webster county who shall canvass the 
same, and notify the persons elected of their election. The person elected county 
Judge of Hamilton County shall qualify before the county Judge of Webster 
County ; and when so qualified, the organization of said county shall be deemed 
complete. The expenses of said election shall be paid by the county of Hamilton. 

"Sec. 7. The Judge of Hamilton County may, whenever he shall deem it 
expedient so to do, cause to be transcribed so much of the public records of the 
county of Hamilton, and the copies so made, if duly certified to be true and 
correct copies by the proper officer having the original records in his custody 
as a public officer, at the time of so certifying, shall be received by all Courts 
with like effect as if the original records were oft'ered in evidence. 

"Sec. 8. Webster City is designated as the county seat of Hamilton County, 
subject however to the provisions of the general law relating to the re-locating 
county seats. 



66 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

"Sec. 9. This shall be in force from and after its publication in the Iowa 
City Republican and Fort Dodge Sentinel. Approved 22nd Dec, 1856. 

"I certify that the foregoing act was published in the Iowa City Republican 
and in the Fort Dodge Sentinel, Jan. 8, 1857. 

"Elej.\h Sells, Sec'y of State." 

" CHOOSING THE NAME 

The county was named Hamilton in honor of Judge W'm. W. Hamilton of 
Dubuque, who was president of the senate, and who rendered Mr. W'illson mucii 
valuable assistance in securing the passage of the act. 

We cannot find that the question of a name for the new county was ever 
discussed among the settlers and it is probable that it was generally supposed 
the old name of Risley would have to be adopted. But ]\Ir. Willson felt very 
grateful to Judge Hamilton for his kindly and efficient assistance in preparing 
and securing the passage of the act, and the new name was received by the 
settlers with great satisfaction and was liked much better than the original name 
of Risley had been. 

FIR.ST HAMILTON COUNTY ELECTION 

In accordance with this law, the first election of officers of the new county 
of Hamilton was held on the first Monday in A])ril. 1857, at which there were 
347 votes cast as follows : 

County Judge — J. D. Maxwell, 204. Hampton Corbin, 143. 

District Clerk — G. W. McClure, 206. J. C. Pemberton, iig. 

Prosecuting Attorney — E. R. Green, 197. Wm. R. Daniels. 139. 

Treas. and Recorder — Cyrus Smith, 206. J. C. Pemberton, 119. 

County Assessor — R. D. Remington, 154. Alex Turner, 142. E. Lakin, 44 

Sheriff — Wm. Royster, 343. S. Sufficool, 2. 

School Fund Commissioner — J. ^^'. Payne, 188. J. H. Cofer, 152. 

County Surveyor — E. Huntington, 242. Sam. H. Lunt, 72. 

Drainage Commissioner — H. M. Pjarstow, 190. J. (jilcrist, 150. 

Coroner — L. Lakin, 148. A. Gaines, 119. 

The above are the returns as certified by the commissioners of election, but 
as Elisha Lakin appeared a few days after the election and qualified for the 
office of coroner, it is probable that the transcript is in error. 

.■\I1 of the officers were elected to serve only until the August election, except 
assessor and drainage commissioner, who were commissioned to serve for two 
years, and coroner for one year. 

R. I). Remington resigned the office of assessor on June 20 and on June 30, 
1857, Judge Maxwell ajipointcd J. C. Pemberton to fill the vacancy. 

Thornton Parker and 1!. D. Jewell were elected justices of the peace of 
Boone township at this first election. Elisha Lakin and .\. (). Hall for justice 
of peace for Clear Lake township ; Wm. Weaver, justice of peace for Webster 
township, an<l if Cass townshij) elected such an officer the record does not dis- 
close the fact. 

A correspondent to the Dubu(|ue Express and Herald under date of February 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 67 

ig, 1857, wrote a long article upon Webster City and its prospects which was 
afterwards copied in the Hamilton Freeman and from which we quote as 
follows : 

WEBSTER CITY IN 1857 

"A spacious and handsome frame hotel sixty feet front by thirty feet deep, 
two and a half stories high, has been erected and furnished by Messrs. Millard 
and Browning. This is one of the best built, and best designed hotels in the 
western country and is the largest west of Independence." (This was the main 
Iniilding of the present Park House.) 

The water power is an excellent one and has been finely improved by 
Messrs. W. C. and S. Willson. One large saw-mill (water power) with nine 
feet head with a rose wheel jiropelling one upright, and two buzz saws, with 
turning lathe, boring and morticing machine. This mill, owned by \V. C. and 
S. Willson, will saw eight thousand feet of lumber in twenty-four hours. 

One large steam sawmill, fifteen horse power, with fine machinery, is 
capable of sawing twelve thousand feet of lumber in twenty-four hours. The 
enterprising proprietors are Messrs. Fenton, Funk & Co. S. B. Rosencrans, 
Esq., a member of the firm, personally superintends the mill. J. M. Funk, Esq., 
of the same firm, owns a large amount of town property, and is a valuable and 
enterprising citizen." 

Mercantile — W. C. Willson, general merchandise; Robertson & Barton, 
ditto; D. O. Laughlin, do.; T. W. Solsberry, do.; Rhodes & Halsey, druggists. 

L.\ND Agents — Wadsworth & Baum, C. Smith, E. Huntington, Morgan 
Everts, Gamut Parker. 

Notaries Public — J. J. Wadsworth, A. Moon, C. Smith, E. Huntington. 

Music Teacher — Mr. P. Page. i 

Physicians — Dr. A. C. Baum, Dr. Benedict, Dr. Jewell. 

Mechanics — Sackett & Sons, carpenters and joiners; Babcock & Mason, 
cabinet-makers; Sage & Bros., masons; Chambers, wagon maker; Robt. Furge- 
son, blacksmith. 

Religious — One Presbyterian organization, Rev. Mr. Dodder, pastor ; one 
Methodist organization. Rev. Mr. Day, pastor. 

A public school building has been built, which cost $i,ooo, and a large and 
prosperous school is now in operation, taught by Mr. N. Hathway. 

One lodge. Good Templars, and an excellent lyceum is established. 

Hotels— Western Hotel. A. Moon ; Webster City Hotel, by Millard & Brown- 
ing; City Hotel, by IT. Kellogg. 

I'osTOFFicE Statistics— J. J. Wadsworth, Esq., postmaster. This office 
was established December 3, 1855. The gross receipts for the quarter ending 
March 31, '-,6, were $i4-54; gross receipts for the quarter ending December 31, 
1856, were $65.09, showing a surprising increase which fully indorses the pros- 
perity of the town. There were tri-weekly mails from Dubuque; also from 
Iowa City; also a weekly mail route is established from this point to Belmond, 
county seat of Wright county. This office is neatly fitted up and has one hun- 
dred and twenty boxes. 

Improved lands within three, six, ten miles, range from $10 to $1^ per acre. 
Wild prairie lands range from $3 to $8 per acre. Timber land from $20 to $30 
per acre." 



\ 



CHAPTER V 
THE SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE 

THE MASSACRE THE RELIEF EXPEDITION. — COMPANY "c" ORGANIZED LIEUT. JOHN 

N. maxwell's STORV — INK-PA-DU-TAH, THE OUTLAW DEPREDATIONS IN CLAY 

COUNTY INDIANS AT THE GARDINER HOME THE INDIANS AT THE MATTOCK 

HOME — THE HOWE FAMILY MURDERED AT THE MARBLE CABIN — THE MAS- 
SACRE DISCOVERED TRIALS OF THE PRISONERS — THE INDIANS AT SPRINGFIELD — ■ 

THE FLIGHT OF THE FUGITIVES — RECOLLECTIONS OF F. R. MASON DEATH OF 

CAPTAIN JOHNSON THE GREAT INDIAN SCARE — THE FRONTIER GUARD. 



By F. Q. Lee 



THE SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE 



On about the 8th of March, 1857, Ink-pa-du-tah, a Sioux renegade, with 
about forty followers, made an attack upon, the settlements at Spirit Lake and 
killed or captured everyone found there. This massacre was perhaps the most 
horrible affair that has ever occurred in the history of Iowa, and on account of 
the intense impression it made on the minds of our people, it properly becomes 
a part of our history. 

Ink-pa-du-tah was a nephew of old Si-dom-i-na-do-tah, the Sioux chief, 
who was murdered by Henry Lot in 1854, and some authors are of the opinion 
that the death of the old chief was the proximate cause of the Spirit Lake 
horror. Other causes are assigned and perhaps a discussion of causes will be 
more appropriate after a description of the affair itself has been given and its 
connection with Hamilton county history more fully shown. 

THE RELIEF EXPEDITION 

It was not until the 22d of March that the news of the massacre reached 
Webster City. A meeting of citizens was immediately called and volunteers 
to go to the relief of the settlers at the lake called for. Nearly everybody volun- 
teered. As it was not thought advisable for so many to go, especially as the 
whereabouts of the Indians was not known and they might at that moment be 
moving to attack Webster City, and the settlement north ; it was decided to send 
thirty of the youngest and strongest men. Judge Maxwell was appointed to 
select the men from the many who had volunteered. The volunteers were there- 
fore drawn up in line, and the following were selected : John C. Johnson, John 
Maxwell, Frank Mason, Harris Hoover, A. N. Hathway, Sherman Cassady, A. 

69 



70 HISTORY OF HAAIILTOX COUNTY 

K. Tullis, Elias D. Kellogg, A. S. Leonard, John Gates, T. B. Bonebright, Alonzo 
Richardson, .Michael Sweeney, J. Brainard, Humphry Hillock, M. Howland, 
F. R. Moody, Wm. K. Laughlin, E. Gates, W. L. Church, Jareb Palmer, J. C. 
Pemberton, Thos. Henderson, J. Griffith, John Newland, Jas. Hickey, Patrick 
Colan, John Erie, Patrick Stafford, H. E. Dally. 

The above list is that given by H. Hoover, a member of the expedition and 
published in August, 1857. The company left Webster City about i o'clock on 
•March 23, and arrived at Fort Dodge that evening. They were received by a 
large and enthusiastic meeting of citizens and found that about seventy-five men 
had been enrolled there for the expedition, and were divided into two companies, 
with John F. Duncombe and C. B. Richards as captains, and these companies were 
named "A" and "B." 

COMP.\NV "c" ORG.\NIZED 

The volunteers from Webster City immediately organized as Company "C 
and they elected J. C. Johnson, captain; John N. Maxwell, first lieutenant; F. 
R. Mason, second lieutenant; H. Hoover, sergeant. Major Williams, an old 
man near seventy years of age, was chosen as commander of the force. The 
expedition was one of almost incredible difficulty and hardship, and as the par- 
ticulars of the march to the lakes, the burial of the dead and the return has been 
so graphically written by Lieutenant J. N. Maxwell, we give his account : 

LIEUTENANT JOHN N. MAXWELL's STORY 

"We left Fort Dodge March 24th, but owing to our commissary being hindered 
in proctiring transportation, we were obliged to camp at Beaver Creek, not more 
than four miles north. We built up large camp fires, provided a hasty meal, 
dried our clothes as well as we could and without tents we lay down and slept 
soundly. On the morning of the 25th we resumed our march, crossing the east 
branch of the Des Moines without difficulty and camped at Dakota City. The 
26th the roads became more and more difficult. In some places the snow was so 
deep that it was necessary to break a road before our teams could pass through. 
In other places it had drifted in the ravines to the depth of eight or ten feet. The 
only way to proceed was to wade through, stack arms, return and unhitch tlie 
teams, attach ropes to them and draw them through, then perform the same 
operation with the wagons. This performance took place every mile or two and 
by such progress we were two days reaching McKnights Point, on the east side 
of the west branch of the Des Moines river, twelve miles from Dakota City, 
where we camped on the night of the 27th. 

"On the night of the 26th the command camped out on the prairie, but a 
detail under Captain Duncombe had gone ahead to look out the road to the 
Point. Duncombe had been ill during the day and he became so exhausted that 
he had to be carried into camp, and came near losing his life. Resuming our 
march on the 28th, we camped that night at Shippy's on Cylinder creek. 

"On Sunday, the 29th, we reached the Irish colony in Emmet county and all 
were cared for by the settlers who had assembled for protection in case of an 
attack, and were greatly relieved when we came in sight. The morning of the 
30th found the command greatly refreshed, having butchered a cow that had 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 71 

Ijeen wintered on prairie hay. The beef was not exactly porterhouse steak but 
it was food for hungry men. We left our teams which were nearly exhausted, 
and impressed fresh ones. We camped that night near ISig Island grove. At this 
place the Indians had kept a lookout in a big cedar tree that grew on the island 
m the middle of the lake, and their camp fires were still burning. A platform 
had been built in this tree forty feet from the ground from which one could 
easily see twenty miles. The place had probably been deserted for several days, 
except by one man who had remained to keep watcli. 

"The morning of the 31st the command moved out early. Ten men were 
sent forward as scouts. When about eight miles out we met the Springfield 
refugees, the Churches, Thomases, Carver and others. We went into camp and 
our surgeon dressed the wounds of the fleeing party. On the morning of April 
1st Major Williams sent an escort with the Springfield people back to the Irish 
colony, and proceeded northwest, with an advance guard ahead. We camped 
that night at Granger's Point near the Minnesota line. Here we learned that 
the U. S. troops from Fort Ridgley were camped at the head of Spirit lake and 
that the Indians had fled to Owl lake some eighteen miles away. As we were on 
foot and the Indians were supposed to be mounted there was no chance of 
overtaking them. 

"A council was held and it was decided to return the main part of the com- 
mand to the Irish colony and wait for the rest to come in. Twenty-six men were 
selected including those having friends at the lake to cross the river, proceed 
to that point, to bury the dead, reconnoiter and see if there were any who had 
escaped the Indians. I was one of this party. On the morning of the 2d day of 
April, under Captain J. C. Johnson, we crossed the Des Moines river and took 
a south and west direction. The traveling was much better than it had been 
since we left Fort Dodge. It was warm and clear. About two o'clock we struck 
East Okoboji lake on the southeast shore. The first cabin we came to was that 
of Mr. Thatcher. Here we found the yard and prairie covered with feathers. 
Two dead men were lying at the rear of the house, both bodies being badly 
shot in the breast. They evidently had been unarmed and everything indicated 
that they had been surprised. The rest of the family had been killed in the house 
or taken prisoners, and everything indicated that there had been no defence. 
IVom here we went to Mr. Howe's, where we found seven dead bodies. There 
was one old and one middle-aged woman, one man and four children — all bru- 
tally murdered. It seemed that the man had been killed by placing the muzzle 
of a gun against his nose and blowing his head to pieces. The other adults had 
been simply shot. The children had been knocked in the head. We di- 
vided into two parties to bury the dead, camping for the night near the 
residence of the Howe family. Old Mr. Howe was found on the 3d 
of April some distance from the house, on the ice, shot through the head. 
We buried him on a blufif southwest of the place some eighty rods from 
the house. The next place was Mr. Mattock's. Here we found eleven dead 
bodies and buried them all in one grave, men, women and children. The ground 
was frozen and we could only make the grave about eighteen inches deep. It 
was a ghastly sight. The adults had been shot, but the children's brains had 
been knocked out, apparently by striking them across their foreheads with heavy 
clubs or sticks of wood. The brains of one boy about ten years of age had been 



72 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUXTY 

completely let out of his head and lay upon the ground. Every one else shrank 
from touching them. I was in command, and feeling that I would not ask another 
to do a thing at which I myself revolted, I gathered up the poor scattered frag- 
ments upon the spade and placed them all together in the grave. About forty 
head of cattle had been shot at this place, the carcasses split open in the back 
and the tenderloins removed — all that the Indians cared to carry ofif. The house 
had been burned with one dead body in it at the time. At this place it seems 
to me that the only man who fought the Indians was Dr. Harriott who had for- 
merly lived at Waterloo. He made a heroic defense, probably killing and wound- 
ing two or three Indians. He was falling back toward Granger's, evidently de- 
fending the women and children when he was finally shot himself. He still 
grasped his Sharp's rifle, which was empty and broken off at the breech, show- 
in.g that he had fallen in a hand to hand fight. I have little idea that any other 
man about the lakes fired a gun at the Indians. It was simply surprise and 
butchery. 

"From here we went to the Grangers' and found the dead body of one of 
the brothers of that name. He had been first shot and his head had been split 
open with a broad axe. He and his brother had kept a small store, and the 
Indians had taken everything away excepting a dozen bottles of strychnine. 
We buried him near his own house. The next house was Gardiner's. Here 
were the bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, one grown-up daughter and two small 
children in the yard and a baby in the house. We buried this family all in one 
grave about two rods from the house. Tired and hungry, we went into camp in 
a small grove at the rear of the house with nothing to eat but potatoes. 

"Some of our party had visited the lake in the fall and had seen Mr. Gardiner 
bury two bushels of potatoes in a box under the stove. These we found and 
roasted in the camp fire. They lasted two days. On the morning of the 4th 
we completed our sad task, and without any food, turned our faces homeward, 
taking a southeast course hoping to reach the Irish colony the same day. In the 
forenoon, it was quite warm, melting the snow, and consequently traveling was 
very difficult. We were obliged to wade sloughs, waist deep, or go miles around 
and run the risk of losing the course. \\ e were wet to the shoulders and while 
in this fearful condition the wind changed. About four o'clock a blizzard was 
upon us. In a short time our clothes were frozen stiff. Many of us cut holes in 
our boots to let the water out. and several pulled their boots off and w ere unable 
to get them on again. I']) to this time the detachment had kept together, .\bout 
sundown we came to a township corner placed there the year before. Laughlin 
and I wanted to be governed by the pit. While we were talking, part of the 
detachment came up and passed us some distance to the right. Those who hap- 
pened to be with Laughlin and me stopped on a piece of dry ground close to the 
townshi]) corner, determined to remain near it all night lest in the night we 
should lose our course as shown 1>\' the corner. We marched back and forth all 
night long. When a comrade would fall others would help him to his feet. 
encourage him and force him to keep moving as the only hope, for no living 
being could survive an hour in such a storm without hard exercise. Captain 
Johnson's iwrty, led by a trapper, became a little separated from us by a slough, 
where they found a dry i)lace, and commenced pacing back and forth as we were 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 73 

doing. They stayed there all night but m the morning took a southeast direction, 
while we went east. They seemed to have perfect confidence in the old trapper's 
knowledge of the country. 

"During the night some of our men begged to lie down, claiming that it was 
useless to try to keep up any longer as the ice on their clothes gave them fearful 
'annoyance. But the more hopeful would not consent to any one giving up. In 
this distressed condition we traveled up and down that path all night. 

"One man by the name of Henry Carse from Princeton, 111., had taken his 
boots off in the evening and wrapped his feet in pieces of blanket. He suc- 
ceeded in getting along as well as the rest during the night, but in the morning 
when we went on the ice to break a road, his feet got wet and the wraps wore 
out. I staid with him until within three or four miles of the Des Moines river, 
when I l)ecame satisfied he could not get there, as his mind had failed. Every 
time I would bring him up he would turn away in any direction. Finally Henry 
Dally came along and succeeded in getting him to the river. The river was three 
•iiiles from the Irish colony. We had no matches, but some of the party knew 
how to strike a fire by saturating a damp wad with powder and shooting it into 
the weeds. In this way we succeeded in striking a fire. Henry Carse was now 
unconscious and the blood was running from his mouth. We cut the rags from 
his feet and the skin came ofif the soles of his feet with the rags. 

"As soon as the fire was well going Laughlin and I, being the least frozen, 
determined to try to cross the river and reach the settlement for help. We walked 
to the middle of the river, laid poles over the weak ice and crawled over. We 
reached the Irish colony and sent back help to the rest of the party. I went to 
sleep soon after entering a warm room and did not waken until the next day 
when I took some nourishment and started on to overtake the command under 
Major Williams which had been detained at Cylinder creek. In the morning 
C. C. Carpenter tried to get a guide to go and help search for Johnson and his 
friend Burkholder, but failed. As we left the colony I looked back and saw Car- 
penter going down the river to see if they had struck the river below. At Cylin- 
der creek the party broke up into squads, each reaching his home as best he 
could and all of tis more or less demoralized. Laughlin and I came by way of 
Fort Dodge, while Frank Mason and some of the others came across north of 
here. Most of us had our ears and feet frozen, but we only lamented the loss of 
the slain settlers and our comrades, Johnson and Burkholder, whose precious 
lives had been given for the relief of the helpless. But it has always been a won- 
der to me that we did not leave the bones of more of our comrades to bleach 
with these, on those wild and trackless prairies." 

Ink-pa-du-tah was, it seems, an outlaw among the Indians, having killed his 
chief and fled from his tribe. He was brave, cruel and blood thirsty, feared by 
the Indians and despised by all except the scoundrel clement of the Indian tribes 
that he drew around him. 

Several minor difficulties are reported between his followers and the scat- 
tered white settlers in the northwest mostly resulting from the thieving pro- 
pensities of the alleged braves, who not being allowed to commit depredations 
upon the settlers' property with impunity, became sullen and revengeful. 



74 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

DEPREDATIONS IN CLAY COUNTY 

They started on a raid that ended in the massacre, in the late fall of 1856. 
from the lower valley of the Little Sioux river, and went slowly northward shoot- 
ing cattle and hogs here and there, and committing other depredations. They 
stopped a few days in Clay county at a place now called Peterson, and killed a 
few cattle belonging to A. S. Mead (Mr. Mead being away), knocked down 
his wife, destroyed other property and carried off to their camp his daughter 
Hattie, seventeen years old, and started to take a younger sister, Emma, but 
she resisted and cried so loud that an Indian took a rod and whipped her all the 
way back to the house. At Mr. E. Taylor's house they knocked him down, kicked 
his boy into the lire place and carried his wife off to their camp. The captive 
women were kept over night at the camp and permitted to go home next day. 
They then proceeded northward and on the 7th day of ^larch arrived at Okoboji 
lakes. Strange as it may seen?, the settlers here had heard nothing of the depre- 
dations committed but a few miles south of them, nor did they anticipate any 
trouljle when the Indians camped at the edge of the settlement. ^Ir. Gardiner 
had made arrangements to start early in the morning of the 8th for Fort Dodge 
for supplies and the family were up early, but just as they were about to sit 
down to breakfast an Indian came in. .\ place was prepared for him and in 
an apparently friendly manner he partook of the hospitality of the family. 

THE INDIANS AT THE GARDINER HOME 

He was soon followed by others, until Ink-pa-tlu-tah with fourteen warriors, 
their squaws and papooses had entered the house. They appeared friendlv. and 
the scanty store of the household was freely divided among them. Then they 
became sullen and insolent, demanding ammunition, etc. Mr. Gardiner w-as giving 
one of them a few gun caps, when he snatched the box. Another tried to get the 
powder horn which hung against the wall but was prevented by Mr. Luce, who 
seized a gun and pointed it at the Indian's head. 

The Indians continued to prowl around the premises for some time, and Mr. 
Gardiner, fearing trouble, put off his trip. Dr. Harriott and Mr. Snyder came 
while the Indians were still there. Mr. Gardiner thought there was trouble ahead 
and believed that the neighbors should be warned, and that all should get together 
for defense but Harriott and Snyder thought it was only a pet of the Indians 
and that no danger need be apprehended, and after doing some trading with the 
Indians, they left. When the Indians left they drove ]\Ir. Gardiner's cattle before 
them and shot some of them. After that Mr. Luce and Mr. Clark went out 
to notify the settlers, and Mr. Gardiner was in favor of barricading the house 
and fighting it out, but his wife thought it better to treat the Indians kindly, and 
prevailed upon him to adopt this plan. 

Clark and Luce did not return, .and about 3 o'clock liring was heard, and just 
as the sun was setting, Mr. Gardiner went out and saw the enemy coming. He 
told his wife and both went out to meet and pacify them. They demanded more 
flour and wdien Mr. Gardiner turned to get it for them, they shot him through the 
heart. One of the women seized the gun when the Indians began beating Mrs. 
Gardiner and Mrs. Luce over the heads with their guns, dragged them both 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 75 

out of the house and killed them. They then took the little children and dragged 
them out into the yard and beat their brains out with sticks of wood, but took 
Abbie a prisoner. They broke the furniture, scattered the contents of the feather- 
beds about the yard, and dragging Abbie after them left behind the bodies of six 
of their victims, some of whom were not yet dead, as their groans were still to 
be heard. 

THE INDIANS AT THE M.VTTOCK tlOME 

When the Indians arrived at the camp which was at the home of Mr. Mattock. 
Abbie Gardiner, who was a prisoner, found that the work of massacre had been 
done here before going to Mr. Gardiner's, for the cabins were on fire ; the bodies 
of Dr. Harriott, Mr. Mattock, Mr. Snyder, Carl Granger and several others were 
lying about the ground, while the shrieks and the groans of two or three helpless 
victims were heard from within the burning buildings where they were con- 
fined. Clark and Luce were killed near the outlet of the southern shore of East 
Okoboji. 

THE HOWE FAMILY MURDER 

That night a war dance was held and next morning the savages blackened 
their faces and started out again. Only four families remained and they, all un- 
conscious of the fate of their neighbors, were pursuing their domestic duties. 
The Indians had proceeded but a short distance when they met Mr. Howe, 
whom they shot and then cut off his head. His skull was found some two years 
afterwards on the southern shore of the lake. They then went to ^Ir. Howe's 
house, where thev murdered Airs. Howe and six children. They then went to 
the cabin of Noble and Thatcher. Mr. Noble and Mr. Ryan were at home, and 
the Indians feigned fiiendship until they had an advantage, when both men were 
simultaneously shot. They then seized the two children by the feet and dragged 
them from their mother's arms, carried them out in the yard and dashed their 
brains out against a tree that stood there. They plundered the house, slaughtered 
cattle, hogs and poultry indiscriminately, and started back to camp, taking Mrs. 
Noble and Mrs. Thatcher prisoners. In going back they passed the house of 
Mr. Howe, where Mrs. Noble saw her mother's corpse. Her brother, Jacob, 
some thirteen years old. who had been left for dead, was found sitting up in the 
yard, conscious, though unable to speak. The savages, before they left, killed 
him before her eyes. On the loth they broke camp and moved northwest and 
on the 13th accidentally came upon the cabin of Mr. Marble. 

AT THE MARBLE CABIN 

Mr. Marble had not heard of their being in the neighborhood, and was taken 
completely by surprise. They feigned friendship and were supplied with victuals, 
after which they proposed to Mr. Marble to shoot at a mark. Wishing to humor 
them, he consented. A board was set up, and when his head was turned, they 
shot him through the back and he fell dead in his tracks. Mrs. Marble saw her 
husband killed and started to run, but was captured and taken along as a prisoner. 
Mr. Marble's cabin was on Spirit lake, and he was the only person killed there. 
All the others were killed on Okoboji. 



76 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

Twenty persons were killed the first day, twelve the second, and one the sixth, 
while four were taken prisoner. 

THE MASSACRE DISCOVERED 

The massacre was discovered by Air. Markham, who left home on the jth to 
look for some cattle, and returned after dark on the 9th to the house of Mr. 
Gardiner. Here he found the dead bodies and started at once to the cabin of 
Air. Alattock and was almost in the midst of the Indian camp before he knew 
of their whereabouts. He cautiously withdrew and went to Mr. Howe's cabin. 
Here also, he found only the work of destruction, and pushed on to the cabin of 
Noble and Thatcher which was also his home, only to find the lifeless bodies of 
his friends. 

He stayed all night in the forest, and next day, supposing Air. Alarble had also 
been killed, struck out for Springfield (now Jackson), eighteen miles distant in 
Alinnesota, to inform the settlers there of the massacre at the lakes. The In- 
dians, with their prisoners, went in a northwesterly direction, camping at differ- 
ent places at night, and on the 26th camped on Heron lake, about fifteen miles 
from Springfield. Here the squaws, papooses and prisoners were left, and the 
warriors, by signs, gave them to understand that the settlers at Springfield were 
to be butchered. Miss Gardiner's sister was there and she therefore v/as in 
great suspense until their return two days later and even then was not sure, but 
that the last of her family had fallen victim to the butchery of the savages. The 
next day they were pursued by U. S. Cavalry and were nearly overtaken but 
while the Indians were hiding and expecting an attack, the soldiers turned back, 
then began forced marches for the captives who were loaded down with plunder 
taken from the settlers. 

TRIALS OF THE PRISONERS 

Mrs. Thatcher was sick, but bore up with remarkable fortitude for six weeks, 
when, in crossing the Bi? .Sioux, and when near the middle of the river, a young 
Indian pushed her off into the ice cold water. With almost superhuman effort, 
she swam to the shore from which they had just come, and was clinging to the 
root of a tree, when some Indians came up, threw clubs at her and with poles 
pushed her back into the angry stream. She made another desperate effort for 
her life and would doubtless have reached the other shore, but was met by her 
tormentors and beaten off. She was then carried down the stream while the 
Indians ran along the banks whooping and yelling and throwing sticks and stones 
at her and she was finally shot and her lifeless body left to float down stream. 
Mrs. Noble was afterwards killed by one of the Indians. Miss Gardiner and 
Airs. Alarble were ransomed afterward. 

Those desiring a complete history of the massacre and captivity can find the 
same in Ab])ie Gardiner .Sharp's book, from which most of the facts here stated 
are gleaned. 

Let us now return to the settlement at Springfield where lived Airs. \V. L. 
Church, Aliss Swanger and many others who before and since have long been 
residents of this county and learn what happened to them and the settlers there. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 77 

The settlement at Springfield was about eight miles north of the line of the 
territory of Minnesota and consisted of seven families and eight or ten single 
men. The houses were scattered up and down the river for seven or eight miles. 
The Wood Brothers had a store, and in addition to supplying the settlers with 
necessaries did a considerable trade with the Indians located in that vicinity. 
When Mr. Markham arrived at the settlement late on the evening of the loth of 
March, and reported the massacre at the Okoboji, great excitement prevailed 
and most of the settlers gathered at the house of Mr. Thomas and took measures 
for defence. Mr. Thomas' house was the largest in the settlement, being a double 
log house, and as favorably situated for defence as any. Those gathered at 
this house were Mr. Thomas, his wife and six children, the eldest, twelve or thir- 
teen years old; Mr. Strong, his wife and two children; Mrs. Church and two 
children; Mr. Stewart, wife and three children; Miss Swanger, Miss Gardiner, 
Mr. Markham, J- Bradshaw and Mr. Carver. Henry Trets and Mr. Chififen 
were sent to Fort Ridgely for soldiers, carrying with them the written statement 
of Mr. Markham and the application of the settlers for assistance. At another 
house about three-fourths of a mile from Mr. Thomas' were the following named 
persons : Mr. Skinner, his wife and two children ; Mr. Nelson, his wife and one 
child ; Mr. Smith, who had had one of his legs amputated a short time before, and 
his wife ; Mr. Henderson, who had both legs amputated ; and Mr. Shiegiey and 
his boy, about three years old. This house stood on the prairie. 

The Wood Brothers, upon hearing Markham's story, doubted its correctness 
and the other settlers also doubted it because Markham was a stranger to all of 
them and they did not believe that such a wholesale massacre could have taken 
place so near them without their hearing of it sooner. Still fear and excitement 
reigned, and at Mr. Thomas', where so many were crowded in, the excitement 
became so great that Mrs. Stewart broke down and became insane and had to be 
removed. Her husband took her and his three small children to his cabin and 
remained there. On the 20th of March Jareb Palmer, who had been away north 
for ten days, returned to find the settlement in this state of -excitement and 
heard at Wood's store that one of the friendly Indians had said that another 
Indian had told his squaw that all the settlers at the lakes had been killed. Two 
strange Indians, one of them in war paint, were at Wood's store, buying powder 
and lead when Palmer arrived, and they said they would be back with twenty 
lodgers in two days. The situation therefore began to look very dangerous. 
Palmer took up quarters at Thomas' cabin, and thus matters went on until the 
morning of the 26th. The messengers sent to Fort Dodge had not returned. 
There had been no demonstration on the part of the Indians, the most suspicious 
incident being the sudden departure, two days before, of all the friendly Indians 
v.ho had been staying in the neighborhood all winter. The little garrison at 
Thomas', having now been cooped up for fifteen days, began to feel that no 
trouble was imminent, and on the 26th the supply of wood having run short, the 
men went out after wood without their guns, and had returned just before 3 
o'clock P. M., remarking that "They guessed they had wood enough to last until 
the war was over." They had scarcely entered the house when Willie Thomas, 
a lad of eight years, entered and said that Henry was coming down the road. 
Supposing it to be Henry Trets, all the people in the house, except ]\lrs. Church 
and Mrs. Thomas, went out to see and learn the news. No sooner were they 



78 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

outside, than a volley of shot came rattling among them, causing a precipitate re- 
treat into the house. The doors were (juickly barred, hut as shot came through 
the door, puncheons were taken up and place<l against it. It was found that in 
the attack on the outside, Air. Carver had been shot in the arm and in the side; 
Mr. Thomas had been shot through the wrist ; Miss Swanger had been shot in the 
shoulder ; and poor little Willie Thomas, who had given the alarm, had been shot 
down. His groans could be heard, hut the settlers did not dare open the door 
to take him in lest the Indians make a rush for it and all be lost. When they did 
dare go out for him, it was found that he had been mortally wounded in the head 
and had died. The chinking was removed from the log house to make port iioles 
and a vigorous fire was returned, the women loading gims, and even firing them, 
and the Indians seeing as high as eight guns at one time (the whole number in 
the cabin ) , pointing from the port holes and being rapidly discharged, concluded 
that the number of men in the cabin was larger than it was, and the siege was 
soon raised, the Indians driving Mr. Thomas' horses away before them. They 
were seen going away, hut it was feared this would be only a ruse to bring the set- 
tlers out and shoot them down from under cover of the stacks and stables, so 
they still kept close within. 

Let us leave them here for awhile and find how it fared with the other set- 
tlers. The store of Wood ISrothers had been rilled of its contents. The brother 
who had had so much confidence in the Indians had been killed and brush had 
been ])iled upon his body and set on lire, leaving his remains charred and black- 
ened. The other brother had evidently attempted to escajie, but had been shot 
down at some distance from the store. Brush had been jiiled upon his body also, 
and fire set to it, but the fire had gone out without reaching his remains. The 
Indians then went to the cabin of ,Mr. Stewart (who had left the Thomas cabin 
on account of his wife) and under the pretense of wanting to buy a hog. got him 
to start out to show his s\\ inc. Wlien a few rods from the house they shot him 
down. 11 is wife, with a babe at her breast, saw her husband fall, and ran out 
to him, and as she leaned over his dying foriu, the red skins tore her infant from 
her bosom and nun-dered it as well as the poor woman ;ui(l another child. Little 
Johnnie Stewart, eight years old, hid behind a log while the Indians were kill- 
ing his mother, and remained concealed until they had gone away, lie then 
ventured up to the cabin of Air. Wheeler, but hearing talking inside, supposed 
the Indians were inside and tied in the Thomas cabin. When the occupants of 
that cabin saw him coming they thought he was an Indian trying to crawl upon 
them, and were about to shoot him down when some one recognized him. W hen 
he came up he was taken into the house through the window. 

Mr. Sheigley was seen passing, on his way to the Wheeler cabin where his 
little bo_\' was stopping. They called to him through the port hole and he came 
to the house and was taken in. .\'o attack had been made upon the house on 
the prairie where he had been, nor upon the Wheeler cabin and he did not know 
miiil then th.it the Indians had made any attack upon the settlers. lUu having 
heard firing in the afternoon he had grown al.irnied and had started out to see 
if all was right. 

Our readers will renu'mher the account heretofore given of the severity of 
the winter and the extreme danger of venturing away from home for fear of 
getting caught in a blizzard and lost. The experience of the winter had, no 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 79 

doubt, caused the settlers to remain at home as much as possible, and this 
accounts for the fact that they knew so little of each other's condition and were 
so taken by surprise when the Indians came upon them. 

THE FLIGHT OF THE FUGITIVES 

These two persons having come to the house without molestation, it was 
apparent that the Indians had gone, but how soon they might return again 
could not be told. A consultation was therefore held by the inmates of the 
Thomas house, and supposing all the settlers except those in the prairie house 
had been slain, they determined to attempt to reach the settlements at Fort 
Dodge and Webster City. They knew that if they started and were overtaken 
on the prairie, they could make but little resistance as Mr. Thomas and Mr. 
Carver were both badly wounded and only three men in good condition were 
with the party, while the number of women and children was over* twenty. Yet 
to remain seemed equally dangerous, for it was not certain that the men sent for 
help had not been killed themselves. Then, the soldiers might not believe their 
story and refuse to come. They did not know that tlie news had reached the 
southern settlements and that help was coming and they feared the Indians 
might creep upon them in the night, set fire to their cabin and they would all 
miserably perish. Whichever way they looked at the situation the prospect was 
indeed a gloomy one as must be apparent when it was decided as the most feasible 
chance of escape, to attempt to reach the settlements at Fort Dodge and Webster 
City, one hundred and forty miles away, though to reach them they must go on 
foot through the deep snow and slush and added to which was the fact that the 
weather was intensely cold and they were liable to perish from that cause. No 
sooner was the resolution formed than active preparations were commenced. 
It was found that the Indians had left the oxen, and they were hastily hitched 
to the sled by Mr. Markham, and such things only as were absolutely necessary 
for the journey, loaded. Mr. Carver was unable to walk and was placed on 
the sled, but the women and children were compelled to travel on foot. About 
9 o'clock, they sallied forth. The night was intensely dark and they hurriedly 
and silently left the place, leaving the body of little Willie lying where he fell 
and died. Slowly and painfully, the fugitives traveled on through the cold and 
snow for several miles, expecting every moment to hear the dread war whoop 
of the merciless savages in -the rear. Finally, worn out and fearing they were 
going in the wrong direction, they stopped and spent the balance of the night 
the best they could. As soon as it was light next morning, they continued their 
weary march in the direction of George Granger's, but their oxen became en- 
tirely exhausted and Mr. Palmer was sent ahead to get Mr. Granger to come 
with his team and help get them in. Their team, having stuck fast in a snow 
bank, they abandoned it and the wounded and all were compelled to make their 
way on foot as best they could. They were met by Mr. Palmer and George 
Granger, but as only a team had been brought, intending to hitch onto the sled, 
they were compelled to struggle on, on foot, until the sled could be brought up. 
On the prairie, they were joined by Dr. Strong, who had left the Thomas caljin 
before the attack. They were joined, also, by other settlers who were fleeing. 
It was afterwards learned that the Indians, in passing the Wheeler caljin beo-an 



80 ■ • HISTORY OF HAIMILTOX COUNTY 

firing at it and that some one got out a big cow bell and began ringing it, which 
had the effect of frightening them away. Dr. Strong's family was at the Thomas 
house and not having the courage to go himself the next morning to see what 
had been their fate, he persuaded Mrs. Smith to go, which she did and finding 
the body of little Willie at the door and, on looking in, seeing the floor torn up 
and covered with blood marks, her courage failed and she returned and told 
what she had seen. Dr. Strong without making any further inquiry fled for 
dear life, not even attempting to further learn the fate of his family. 

Mrs. Sharp in her book says : 

"To cap the climax of woes, shortly after Dr. Strong left his neighbors in 
the Wheeler cabin, they likewise concluded to flee, leaving poor Henderson, who 
had both legs off, behind. Mr. Smith, who had only lost one leg, attempted to 
accompany the fleeing party, which consisted of his wife, Mr. Skinner and wife, 
Mrs. Nelson and child about a year old, and a little boy of Mr. Shiegley's, a 
year old, but after going a short distance, he was compelled to give up the 
journey by reason of his bleeding wound. Seeing that he was unable to travel, 
Mrs. Smith and the others abandoned him and Mr. Shiegley's little boy, on the 
prairie where no white man could offer assistance or administer consolation. 
Thus he was left to crawl on his hands or hobble along and drag his torn and 
bleeding body back to the cabin." 

The party reached Mr. Granger's where they rested two nights and a day, 
when they again took up their march for the settlements. They traveled all 
day and without tents or shelter, spent the nights on the bleak and snow covered 
prairie, until the 30th of March, when they met the relief expedition from 
Webster City. And here we wish to note an incident showing the bravery of 
Mr. Bradshaw. 

It will be remembered that Carver and Thomas were both wounded and 
comparatively helpless, while Bradshaw and Markham were the only able bodied 
men with the women and children. It was a hazy day and objects at a distance 
could not be plainly distinguished. Away off on the prairie appeared suspicious 
looking objects. Soon they came nearer, appearing to be a long line of Indians 
wrapped in their blankets, and crossing the prairie. At first it was hoped that 
they might pass on without discovering the party or at least without molestation, 
but it was soon seen that they had been sighted and that a consultation was 
taking place among them. Next they scattered themselves out and began slowly 
and cautiously to advance upon the fleeing settlers. The settlers had no other 
thought but that the Indians were now upon them and that their time had come. 
The women and children were ordered to dispose themselves behind the sled 
and team and keep perfectly quiet. There were eight guns loaded and Mr. 
Bradshaw had them carried forward about fifty steps to the front of the fugi- 
tives and in the direction of the advancing enemy and stacked .';o as to be quickly 
reached. He then ordered all the others back and took his position by the guns. 
He was a good marksman and he intended to kill as many of the advancing foe 
as possible and to sell his life as dearly as possible in defense of the party. The 
suspense of the waiting party was terrible, as the foe advanced very slowly and 
cautiously. But this supposed foe was the volunteers from Webster City, led 
by Lieutenant Maxwell. When they saw the fugitive settlers, they concluded 
from what they could make out in the distance that this was a party of Indians 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 81 

with a lot of women and children captives and immediately began to advance 
upon them, being ordered to use the utmost caution in case of a conflict, not to 
direct their fire so as to imperil the lives of any of the captives if it could be 
avoided. Thus, each party was deceived as to the character of the other, and 
being thus deceived, the one waited quietly and determinedly the approach of 
the other, while the other approached as quietly and determinedly to a supposed 
conflict, resolved to rescue the supposed prisoners or perish in the attempt. 
Imagine then, the surprise and joy on both sides when it was discovered that 
what seemed advancing foes were friends coming to their rescue. Here, far out 
on the prairie, the rescue party had met a part of those in whose defense they 
were pushing forward to the frontier settlements. It was indeed a joyous 
meeting. ^Ir. Church was with the volunteers and was glad indeed to find his 
wife and her sister. Miss Swanger, alive. A detail was made from the volun- 
teers to return with the fugitives, while the rest went on to Okoboji Lake to 
bury the dead. Where, in all the scenes of noble daring can be found an example 
of bravery more sublime than that of Bradshaw, quietly awaiting what he 
firmly believed to be a conflict with a cruel and merciless foe, and a certain and 
perhaps awful death at their hands at last. 

Sitting around the quiet fireside in the midst of friends and the comforts of 
civilization, it is scarcely possible to realize the terror and suffering through 
which these pioneer settlers passed ; not to sufficiently admire the courage and 
fortitude shown by most of them at every stage of it. Even in cases where 
courage failed and the heart grew sick and coward legs carried the luckless 
ones away from dutv, making men forget the wild terror of the times, the 
instincts of nature and the promptings of human sympathy, we may well draw 
the veil of charity. And this will be the more easily realized as in the progress 
of this history the terror and flight of many others will be recorded and that too, 
when only an imaginary danger threatened. 

But our story of the relief expedition is not yet complete. We have read 
Lieutenant Maxwell's graphic account of the march, but he did not tell all. It 
was left to his comrade, Lieut. Frank R. Mason, to complete the story of the 
march, and his account, one of the most thrilling we have ever read, is here given; 

RECOLLECTIONS OF SOME OF THE INCIDENTS OF THE TERRIBLE M!.^RCH TO RESCUE 
THE SETTLERS OF THE NORTHWEST 

By Frank R. Mason 

The next morning after arriving at the Irish colony. Major Williams selected 
ten of the strongest men from the company to scout the country north, northeast 
and northwest for Indians and Indian signs. Our stock of provisions consisted 
of about four pounds of coarse corn meal, and twenty pounds of flour. I was 
one of the ten men selected with Lieutenant Maxwell, Church, Thatcher and 
Hathway. I do not recollect the names of the other five. Major Williams 
ordered corn bread prepared for us. Each man was allotted a piece about the 
size of a common skimmer, and not much thicker. This was to be each man's 
rations for three days. Being very hungry when my portion was given me, I 
resolved that the easier and more convenient way of carrying it would be to 
eat it, which I did with a relish. We too"k our departure from the company 



82 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

about 6 o'clock in the morning, and a beautiful morning it was. The snow at 
that time was more than two feet deep. We took a northeasterly direction, and 
traveled about twelve miles that forenoon when we reached the top of a hill and 
Lieutenant Maxwell ordered us to halt. We scraped the snow from the hill and 
there the boys dined. Having eaten my dinner for breakfast, I could only look 
on. Lieutenant Maxwell, with his natural tact, suggested that I act as sentrv, 
while the others ate. I stationed myself about two or three rods from the men. 
Looking directly north I discerned an object in the distance, which at that time 
appeared like a mere black spot on the horizon. After observing it closely for 
several minutes, I became satisfied that it was a moving object. I then called 
Lieutenant Maxwell's attention to it. We put our ramrods in line with it and 
sighted. We soon concluded that it must be a band of Indians. A consultation 
was held immediately, and it was decided that we should meet them as quickly 
as possible. The band of Indians (as we then supposed) must have been about 
two miles away. There was a small creek bordered with willows about half 
way between us and them, which we wished to reach before thev did. as we did 
not want to give them the advantage of the ambush. Therefore it was a race, 
long legs coming into active service. Church and Hathway being short and 
somewhat stocky did more rolling than walking. But we succeeded in passing 
the bushes, and as we ascended a knoll we beheld what appeared to be red-skins. 
After a hasty examination of our arms and ammunition, we got in readiness for 
a fight. Presently they saw us, halted, and prepared to defend themselves. We 
remained in this position a few moments, awaiting Lieutenant Maxwell's order 
to fire. Every man was eager for the fray, some of the boys expressing their 
surprise that our worthy commander did not give the order to fire at once. He 
ordered us to advance and keep in position. We did so until we were within 
twenty rods of the party ; we then halted. Suddenly, Mr. Church ( whose station 
was next to me) sprang forward and exclaimed: "My God, there's my wife 
and babies !" We then discovered our mistake. Such a heart rending scene as 
was then presented I never had witnessed, as the relatives and friends of those 
refugees had supposed they were dead, and this meeting was one long to be 
remembered. It was at this meeting that Mr. Thatcher was told of the probable 
fate of his wife and child. A numlier of the party were wounded and in terrible 
condition. Mr. Thomas was traveling with his hand dangling bv the cords of 
his arm, having been shot through the wrist. It now began to rain. Lieutenant 
Maxwell ordered me to return to the main company as quickly as I could and 
inform Major Williams of our discovery. I ran every step of the wav. about 
eight miles, and was seen by the company when two miles from ihem. Captains 
Duncoml)e and Richards came to meet me. Major Williams soon came up and I 
told him my story ; a brief consultation followed. It was now al)0Ut 4 o'clock. 
Major Williams ordered me to return to the refugees, in company with Captains 
Duncombe and Richards, and the surgeon. We made a (|uick march, arriving 
at the camp about 9 o'clock p. m. The remainder of the company came up at 
12 o'clock. When we reached camp it was storming furiously, and the scene 
that greeted us was terrible to behold : Men, women and children in a wounded 
and starving condition — no fire, no tent covers excepting wet blankets, and worse 
than all, no food. We were a mournful company. Every man was as silent 
as the grave. Many of us were then, feeling the worse for wear — from exposure 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 83 

and hunger. The next morning we marched without breakfast. We marched 
till about 4 o'clock p. ni., when we went into camp and had a very scanty meal 
prepared from a small (luantity of flour which we found buried in a stable. We 
started on our march the next day about daylight and continued till sundown, 
expecting to see Indians at any moment, as their camp fires were burning where 
we camped last. We halted that night near where the town of Estherville now 
stands. As we were going into camp we saw a mounted horseman approaching 
us from the north, and he proved to be one of the U. S. soldiers from Fort 
Ridgley, Minn. He informed us that the company to which he belonged was at 
Springfield, Minn., and that the Indians had killed or taken prisoners all the 
settlers at the lakes, and left two or three days before. Here a noble band of 
men volunteered to go to the lakes and bury the dead. Lieutenant Maxwell 
has given an account of this march. 

The next morning we began our homeward journey. Many were sick, snow- 
blind and nearly naked, no boots or shoes, and some were barefoot. I well 
remember my comrade, Mr. Brizee, in that day's march. We were far behind 
the company and he was discouraged and somewhat deranged, while I was so 
fatigued and sick I could scarcely move. We plodded along until about 3 o'clock 
in the afternoon, when a blizzard set in from the northwest. Brizee begged of 
me not to leave him on the prairie alone. I assured him that I would stay with 
him and if it came to the worst we would perish together. Darkness came on, 
and we had not seen our company for some hours. My comrade was determined 
to lie down, but I urged him to keep moving for a time, but he finally sank 
exhausted. Not being able to carry him, I laid down also, wrapping our Ijlankets 
around us and never expecting to see the sun rise again. Sometime after I 
was aroused by being shaken. I could hardly believe my senses. Not finding 
us in camp, our lamented friend, Newton Hathway, had gone in search of us, 
facing that fearful storm. He found us about two miles from the company. I 
fully believe that nothing less than Divine Providence directed him to us through 
such a storm. We arose and he guided us to camp. Next morning we started 
for the Irish colony. The day was fine and the snow was thawing rapidly. We 
got on very well until we reached a creek which was much swollen by the thaw. 
It was very deep and some ten rods wide. At this time occurred the first 
insubordination among the men. As my captain or lieutenant was not with us, 
I was in command of Company C. I was driving the team, which consisted of 
three yoke of oxen. We came to the creek, the water was deep and cold, and 
every man wanted to ride across ; but being already heavily laden and feeling 
sure the oxen would have to swim, I refused and the boys plunged in and got 
through some way. I managed to get the oxen into the water, and when I 
reached the middle of the stream and the oxen had to swim, the middle team 
turned around so I had four oxen going one way and two the other. I called 
for help but no response ; therefore I was obliged to get out into the stream and 
take the yoke from the oxen and get out without assistance. We resumed our 
march and that night camped at the Irish colony. Many of us slept in an 
abandoned hog pen, while the rest sat around the camp fire. Major Williams 
had asked me that evening if I knew of anything in our supplies to cook. I 
answered "yes" as I remembered having a small amount of flour. About 4 
o'clock in the morning I put the kettle on the fire and heated the water to a boil- 



84 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

ing- point, stirred in the flour and boiled it continuously for two hours. About 
the time I took it from the fire Comrade Rowland came crawling out of the 
hog pen and asked for something to eat. I told him that was all the food we 
had or were likely to have for some days, and that it must be equally divided 
among ninety men. The poor boy burst into tears, saying, "Frank, I'm starving 
to death." I could not refuse him after this, and I gave him his plateful of this 
villainous mixture that was worse than melted lead — the stomach of a mule 
could not have digested it. 

The morning was bright and warm and the snow was melting rapidly. About 
9 o'clock the rain began to fall in torrents and continued till late in the afternoon. 
About 4 o'clock we arrived at Cylinder creek, which ordinarily was a small 
stream, but the descending rain and the melting snow had swollen it to ihe 
dimensions of a large river. We were now drenched to the skin and as the 
wind had shifted to the northwest it was rapidly growing cold. It was not many 
minutes until our clothes were frozen stiff. We were very scantily dressed — 
few of the men having more than an undershirt and a pair of pants. I was as 
well dressed as any of them and all I had to brave that fearful storm with, was 
a flannel shirt, a pair of pants with one leg torn off at the knee, and the seam in 
the other ripped from top to bottom, one boot with the leg cut off — the mate 
having been burned a few days previous. We began to look around for a place 
to sleep. Some of the boys spread their blankets upon the ground and arranged 
themselves "spoon fashion." Brizee, Rowland, Hathway and myself lay between 
the hind wheels of a wagon. We got through the night but I hardly know how, 
as the mercury was about thirty-four degrees below zero. We were all glad to see 
daylight, but many did not dare to crawl out of their blankets that day. The 
poor boys were almost freezing and some of them becoming insane. I think we 
were all more or less insane during a part of that terrible night. Brizee would 
frequently put his face to mine and beg me to "go down the creek, where only 
half a mile was a big hotel, and we could get a warm breakfast with hot coffee!" 
When I would tell him it was only a dream he would sob like a child and still 
insist that we must go. After daylight I fell into a doze, and dreamed that I 
was at my dear old mother's home, that I had been away and come home hungry. 
She and a favorite sister prepared some toast for me. I can see them now as 
I saw them then. 

The next morning was still and bright. Mr. Rowland and myself concluded 
to cross the creek. We staggered to our frozen feet and arm in arm hobbled 
toward the stream. All eyes were upon us as we went upon the ice. We began 
to feel encouraged, but when we ncared the center of the creek we found o])en 
water. This open space was about thirty feet wide and very deeji. We had 
resolved never to return to that camp again. Looking ujj the stream we saw a 
clump of willows and went to them. Here we found that ice had floated down, 
lodged against the willows and frozen, thus forming a complete bridge. After 
passing the channel we signaled back, when a truly joyous shout went up from 
those |)0()r, half insane boys. I will here state that there was not a man among 
our number — about eighty — who h;id strength enough to reach the opposite 
shore. 1 do not understand why they were so affected — it seemed to be weak- 
ness and a shortage of breath. Every man's mouth was open wide, their tongues 
hanging out, ;uid in some instances blood rnnniiii; from their noses or mouth,--. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 85 

Shippey's cabin, where Major Williams, Captains Duncombe and Richards and 
Private Smith had been during the storm, was two and a half miles southeast 
of the creek. Howland and I kept together until we reached the cabin, being 
among the last to arrive; he, being the stronger, had rendered me considerable 
assistance, for which, now after thirty years, I thank him most sincerely. Major 
Williams met us with great big tears streaming down his furrowed cheeks. 
Those who remained at the cabin rendered us all the assistance in their power. 

We soon devoured the provisions they provided and all sank down in the 
warmth of the sun and slept. We were allowed to sleep till about 3 p. m., when 
we were aroused from our slumbers and a consultation was held. It was de- 
cided to disband, separate into small squads and strike out for the nearest settle- 
ment. Everv man was ordered to leave all baggage except blankets. We all 
did so to a man except my friend Hathway (brother of George and Miss Hath- 
way, of this city), and he, being deranged, left his rifle, blanket, etc., but gathered 
uji a lot of rubbish which was useless to him and every one else. As I had been 
as far north as the head timber on Lot's creek the summer before, I was detailed 
to pilot our Webster City men across the prairie to that point, about eighteen 
miles from us. 

After bidding adieu to our comrades we took up our march in a south- 
easterly direction. Immediately after starting, our friend Hathway took the 
back track. When we were about half a mile from him I went back to where 
he stood and putting my hand upon his shoulder urged him to come along ; but 
his eyes fairly flashed fire as he resolutely refused. I signaled for help and 
Tohn Gates came to my assistance — a tower of strength and manliness, a man 
who never flinched from the performance of a duty. We approached Hathway; 
the fire had disappeared from his eyes, and he fell into our willing arms nearly 
helpless. John and I carried him almost every rod of the way by taking turns. 
Occasionally he would arouse from his stupor; at such times we would cross 
our hands together, forming a seat for him, but when he was too weak to sit 
erect we would take him in our arms or upon our backs. About dark the boys 
all complained of hunger and exhaustion, and often asked me how far it was 
to the timber. I admit I prevaricated some, telling them the distance was much 
less than I really thought it was. I had learned that a person could imagine 
seeing almost anything at night on the prairie that he wished. I looked to the 
southeast and asked them if they could not see the timber ; they looked and in 
a few moments all exclaimed, "Frank, you are right!" But it was merely 
imagination. We struggled along until about 1 1 o'clock, when we reached the 
timber. Then came the question I had so much dreaded: "Frank, where is the 
house you told us about?" I was somewhat dumbfounded and confused — no 
house could we see. We ascended a little elevation about eighty rods south of 
the grove and scraped away the snow and otherwise prepared to stay there 
during the balance of the night. We had nothing to eat and were nearly naked. 
Exhausted and discouraged, heart-sick and freezing, the boys lay down upon 
the snow-clad ground to rest and sleep. I was blamed by all for not leading 
them to the house. I lay on the ground with my hand supporting my head. I 
felt that I had assumed too much, but that the rei)rimand was uncalled for, and 
I cried like a child. I thought I could never forgive them for saying so many 
unkind things which pierced my heart like a dagger. Hut, thank God ! I did 



86 . HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

forgive them, and that too before another day. Yes, comrades, all of you, I do 
not in my bosom entertain anything toward you except brotherly love. 

We were there probably an hour when I heard a woman's voice. I feared 
my senses were leaving me and that it was only a delusion. She spoke again, 
asking me who w^e were. I told her who we were and of our condition and asked 
her where she lived and what her name was. She said her name was Mrs. 
Collins, and she lived only a little way north of us. She and her husband had 
been to a neighbor's and in returning home had accidently found us. I asked if 
she would give us something to eat and a place in her house for Hathway and 
Emery Gates, who had given out about two hours before. She answered me in 
these words : "W'e will do all we can for thee." God liless these Quaker wives ! 
I have one myself. 

A fire w^as soon started after we arrived at their house, and as the room 
began to warm, Hathway and Gates fainted. Mr. Collins put them on the bed 
and administered to their wants. Mrs. Collins' larder seemed to be well 
supplied with flour, meat and molasses, and she immediately commenced to 
bake biscuits and fry meat ; that, with molasses, was the grandest meal I ever 
ate. After we had satisfied our hunger, Mrs. Collins turned her attention to our 
sick comrades, nursing them until morning. We slept in the loft of- the cabin 
that night and rested well. The next morning we were out carlv, but Mrs. 
Collins had already prepared our breakfast. We ate heartily and were then in 
joyous spirits, as our hunger was appeased and we were only forty miles from 
home. We made arrangements with Mr. and Mrs. Collins to take care of Gates 
and Hathway until they were able to be moved; but these good people were 
unwilling to accept any compensation for their services. In behalf of my com- 
rades — some living and some dead — I thank you, Mr. and Mrs. El wood Collins, 
and may God bless you always ! 

We spoke a few cheering words to Hathway and Gates and then started on 
our hcmieward journey. We pushed rapidly forward until we came to the east 
fork of the Des Moines river. The ice had broken up and some had gone; 
where it had not been carried away by the current the water was so deep along 
the edges that we were unable to reach the ice. We went south (were now 
between Lot's Creek and Bloody Run) and waded T51oody Run, but found no 
place to cross the river. ^Ve retraced our steps and went north to Lot's creek, 
which we waded, and found a ]>lace in the river where the ice had come dow-n 
and formed what is commonly called a jam; we. quickly crossed and I cannot 
describe our joy after getting safely over. We were now getting hungry. In 
the haste of our departure from the Collins house we had forgotten to get a 
lunch, which I know Mr. and Mrs. Collins would have gladly given us. We 
again resumed our march and about 4 o'clock came in sight of Boone river 
timber. It had never looked so good before and we felt that we were at home. 
We were about two miles from the Cosort farm and our progress was very 
slow. We ascended a knoll and made a halt for rest. Darkness came on. 
Candles were lighted in the house and we were mustering our courage to make 
.another efl'ort to reach this refuge. 1 told the men one of my best stories, of 
which, in those days, I had a goodly supply. It seemed to stimulate us and we 
pushed on with all our energy. \\"e walked and crawled on our hands and 
knees, and in this manner succeeded in reaching Cosort's house about 10 o'clock. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 87 

The family were all in bed. We routed them and the first person com.ing to the 
door was Mr. Wesley Camp, of this town, who was spending the night there on 
his return trip to the north. He seemed to be much surprised and did not 
recognize any of us though in a lighted room. He at once went to the stable 
and mounting a horse rode to Webster City, aroused the people and told them 
he had seen the survivors of the Spirit Lake expedition ; that all but nine were 
dead, and who they were he could not tell. Of course, all who had friends in 
the expedition feared they were lost. 

Mrs. Cosort prepared supper for us and after eating we went to bed but not 
to sleep, as our frozen limbs pained us so we could not lie still. We arose early 
next morning, and as Mr. Cosort was coming to town with his team and wagon, 
we paid our bill and started, feeling as well as circumstances would permit, and 
arrived at the Willson House (now the Hamilton House), about ii o'clock 
a. m. Mr. Cosort demanded from us and we paid him $14.50 for the twelve- 
mile ride. Most, if not all of the men borrowed the money to pay him. This 
climate soon became distasteful to him and he left the country. Our friends 
met us and with a hearty good will welcomed us home again. 

DE.XTH OF CAPTAIN JOHNSON 

All who went out with the expedition finally returned safely to their homes 
except the gallant Captain Johnson of ?Iamilton county, and Burkholder of 
Webster county. These two became separated from the rest and becoming lost, 
perished on the bleak prairie. Eleven years passed before their bones were 
found and the place where they gave up their lives was at last made known. 

Of all the heroes of ancient or modern times, none endured greater hardships 
or died in a nobler or more unselfish death. Their fame is safe in the grateful 
memory of the people of Iowa. 

THE GREAT INDIAN SCARE 

After the return to Webster and Hamilton counties of the volunteers and 
fugitives, the stories told by them of the murders and cruelties committed by 
the Indians, filled the hearts of all with aft'right, ready to turn upon the slightest 
pretext into terror and a stampede. 

These stories were told on the streets, in the places of l)usiness. and around 
the firesides. \'ague rumors filled the air to the effect that the relentless Sioux, 
having had a taste of blood, and having escaped without a scratch, were prepar- 
ing to make a descent upon the settlements along the Boone and Des Moines 
rivers. And these rumors held such credence in the minds of the people that 
scouts were detailed to make excursions to the frontier settlements and beyond, 
to note if savage Indians were to be seen and inform the settlers in time for 
them to escape or prepare for defense. 

These precautions were entirely unnecessary, as what we have already written 
as well as the sequel will show. But the settler did not know then, what we do 
now, and the desire for the safety of their families justified the vigilance which 
they adopted and which led to scenes which we are about to describe. 

On the 27th day of April, as two of the scouts (we believe they were John 



88 HISTORY OF HAMILTON' COUNTY 

Maxwell and W. L. Church) were returning from an expedition far up the 
Boone river, and when they were about fifteen miles north of Webster City, 
another scout, going out, saw them in the distance and mistook them for Indians. 
They wore shawls, as the weather was chilly, and no doubt looked like Indians. 
But the scout not only saw them, and mistook them for the enemy, but his 
imagination pictured farther to the north the tepees of a numerous encampment 
of redmen. He immediately turned and began to make for home. The two 
scouts saw him, too, and from his actions, guessed that he had mistaken them 
for the enemy, and, supposing they could overtake him before he reached the 
city, drew their shawls over their heads and started after him, single file, on the 
gallop. Their actions were seen by the lone scout. Now thoroughly convinced 
that the Indians were coming, he threw down his whiskey bottle and powder 
horn in the road, in the hope that they would find them and be delayed, for a 
time at least, and rode with might and main for town, avoiding the road and 
high grounds, however, and keeping down the ravines and out of sight. He 
gave the alarm at every cabin on the way, and aroused the town as soon as he 
could possibly ride in. From his statements it was supposed that a large force 
of mounted Indians were hurrying down upon the settlements and that Webster 
City would be attacked that night. The nevi's spread through the settlements 
up the Boone like wild fire and almost on the heels of the scout came rolling 
into town the terror stricken settlers. Three or four farmers from south of 
town who had not yet gone home, heard the news and hurried home, arousing 
the neighbors on the way, so that m a comparatively short time the whole neigh- 
borhood was in a panic. 

The people north of town came in and the work of organizing and preparing 
for defense was commenced. South of town, the settlers fled down the river 
to Hook's Point and Boonsboro and by the time the runaways reached Homer 
and Hook's Point, the story had grown until reports had it that all the settlers 
north of Fort Dodge had been killed and that town was then besieged and the 
people were liable to be all murdered during the night ; that a large force was 
rapidly approaching Webster City, killing the settlers and destroying their prop- 
erty as they came. So perfectly panic stricken and wild had the people become, 
that they paid no heed to anything that did not lend additional fuel to the flame 
of fright. For instance. Judge Doane had been at Fort Dodge that day and 
when he left in the afternoon, all was quiet and serene. When he reached Homer, 
the people were gathered in groa]is on the streets, telling how Fort Dodge was 
under siege, and when he told them he had just come from there and there was 
nothing in the story so far as that town was concerned, they paid no heed to 
him. but ran away all the same. It is said that Judge Pierce and Judge Doane 
and their families alone stayed at home, but inquiry shows that even these stayed 
because Doane didn't have a team to run away with, and Pierce had loaned his 
wagon to Mr. Royster further down the river, who, when he heard the news, 
hitched onto the borrowed wagon and made tracks for the south, and left Judge 
Pierce with no wa.gon or other vehicle to run away with. .As the women folks 
were unable to walk with any hope of outrunning their pursuers if they were 
really coming, they concluded to stay and take chances. 

The two scouts, having lost sight of the fleeing one, thought no more of the 
matter and rode leisurely along until they found tlie wiiiskey bottle and powder 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 89 

horn, and again the idea that they were mistaken for Indians came into their 
heads, and it was exceedingly funny, too, to them. They drank the whiskey 
and laughed at the fellow's folly, but when they got to town and found the 
uproar the people were in, they did not dare to make the true statement of the 
case, but averred that they had been far up the country, and that they had seen 
no Indians nor anv signs of them, and that it was all folly to be scared at all 
about it. \\'hile their story had a quieting effect, the work of guarding the 
town was not abandoned and not a few of the settlers declared that both the 
scouts were so drunk that they wouldn't know an Indian if they saw one. 

All night long, and until the next afternoon, the settlers from the north kept 
coming into town, and it seemed that when one started to run, his imagination 
turned manv objects in the rear into the likeness of Indian pursuers, and so not 
a few that came to town asserted that they had seen the foe with their own eyes. 
Thus again was the reassuring report of the two scouts discredited, and the 
theory of their being drunk strengthened. Josiah Downing's people, six miles 
north of town were engaged in making maple sugar and had a quantity of sap 
just ready to "sugar off," but everything was quickly abandoned. Mr. Downing 
used to declare afterwards that his one regret at leaving was that he had no 
poison to put into the sap, that the Indians when they came might eat it and 
be poisoned, and he always declared that if he had had any he certainly would 
have put it in. It is well, however, that he had none, for several of the younger 
men scouting up in that direction before the return of the family, finding there 
were no Indians, went to the camp and ate their fill of the sugar, and among 
those was Angus McLaughlin, whose earthly career would undoubtedly have 
closed then and there for he filled himself full of that deserted sweetness. 

South of town the panic was even wilder than north of it. Many settlers left 
their tables setting on the floor with meals prepared, and ran away, in some cases 
neglecting even to shut the door. One settler whose name we refrain from 
mentioning, had put what corn he had left under the bed to save it better, left 
his house and everything in it with the door open. When he returned, the 
hogs and cattle had taken possession and his corn was all gone, while the room 
was in a state of destruction that even the Indians, had they come, could scarcely 
have made worse. Almost everybody ran away and some never stopped running, 
we fear, for they never returned. 

T. T. AlcConnell, who then resided on the Robison farm north of Hook's 
Point, relates that about lo o'clock that night. Press Bell came to his cabin and 
told the news and went on over the river to tell the other settlers. After he 
had gone, McConnell went out, and could hear the rumble of wagon wheels and 
see numerous lantern lights all moving south. His wife insisted on going too. 
He hitched up his team, brought it up to the door and proceeded to load on such 
things as they could easily carry along, but while loading, the team took fright 
and ran aw^ay. They ran into a field, however, and after a time ran against a 
fence and stopped. He brought them back and loading in his wife and child, 
went to Hook's Point. Here he found a number of settlers, with others con- 
stantly coming, while some had already passed on, going to Boonsboro. A 
parley was held and it was decided to remain there together 'till morning, when, 
if no authentic news came, scouts were to be sent north to find out something 
reliable in relation to the danger. Morning came, and still no one had seen an 



90 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

Indian or seen anybody who had. Mr. ■Nlclvinney furnished two horses and 
Mr. Hook one, and McConnell, Smith {who afterwards killed Gatchell), and 
Jones, were sent out to reconnoiter while the others were to remain until they 
were heard from. The scouts were charged if they found danger, not to spare 
the horses but to bring in the news quickly at all hazards. When these men got 
to Homer, they found that a courier had been over from Webster City the night 
before and purchased all the powder and lead there was in town. They there- 
fore hurried on to Webster City, but when they got there they found the excite- 
ment dying down and the settlers starting out north to their homes again. They 
concluded that no danger was to be apjjrehendcd and Jones went back bv way 
of Homer to tell the news, and the other two went down the river. About half 
way down, they saw a couple of ox teams and a horse team coming up. These 
settlers were returning home. Anxious to let them know, they started towards 
them on a gallop, but the returning settlers, seeing them coming on a gallop, 
jumped at the conclusion that the Indians were after them and without waiting 
for them to come up, turned their teams, laid on the "gad," and were running 
away again for dear life. They made such good time that it was quite a while 
before the horsemen could get near enough to tell them there was no danger. 

As soon as the news reached Boonsboro, Judge McFarland raised a com- 
pany of volunteers and made a forced march across the country to the relief of 
Webster City, arriving there on the afternoon of the day after the fright began. 
Many of the old settlers remember the coming of the little army, commanded by 
the redoubtalile judge, how the soldiers were drawn u]) in line on our streets 
and welcomed by the citizens; the speech of the judge; and how, the danger 
being passed, the soldiers were feasted, and how a general drunk was indulged 
in that night in which the would be gallant soldiers, and the but latelv panic 
stricken citizens, vied with each other in a hand to mouth conflict with "red eye" 
and "fortyrod," and how the list of the fallen would have paralyzed the heart of 
the stoutest warrior had they fallen in liattle; and in which conllict. no one be- 
came more gloriously drunk than the commander of the army. 

By the time the scare was over, along the Boone, the news had reached the 
Skunk river, and many of the settlers from there iiegan to flock over, onlv to 
learn that it was all a mistake and hapiiily they could return in peace. 

THE IOW.\ I'RONTIKR C.U.VRDS 

During the fall of 1S57, there was considerable talk of another Indian out- 
break at Spirit Lake. As near as we can learn, jared Talmcr was responsible 
for most of it. Several letters written by iiim were printed by the newspapers 
of the settlements. He succeeded in creating a sentiment of fear and a demand 
for state protection, tlius securing the jiassage of an act by the state legislature 
at its session in 1857-8, providing for a company of mounted militia to be en- 
listed as near the scene of the expected outbreak as possilile and Palmer was 
ma<le the commissioner to enlist the company. The company was recruited at 
Boonsboro, Web.ster City and Homer. Its officers were Capt. Henry It. Martin, 
Webster City ; First Lieutenant W. L. Church, Homer ; Second Lieutenant D. S. 
Jewett, Boonsboro; Sergeants W. D. C.rason, W. S. Defor, E. N. Wilcox, C. C. 
Stratton; Corjiorals R, D. Haskell, D. X. Carver. T. Mulraney, .\. Mcriietlers. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 91 

The company was called "The Iowa Frontier Guards." Governor Lowe issued 
an order that the company should march for the frontier on Tuesday, March 2, 
i8s8. On Saturday before marching the company assembled in Webster City 
and a ball was given at the Willson House in the evening, in honor of the com- 
pany, at which the ladies of Webster City presented it with a flag. It was 
formally presented on behalf of the ladies by Colonel John Peak, with the follow- 
ing remarks : 

"Captain Alartin, officers and soldiers of the Iowa Frontier Guards: I have 
had the honor of being appointed by the ladies this day, to perform an agreeable 
duty. You are on the eve of marching to defend the homes and firesides of 
many unprotected families on our frontier, from the savages. Your duty is 
an arduous but noble one, and to cheer you in its performance, these ladies have 
prepared this emblem as a token of their regard for you and their confidence in 
your abilitv to perform the task you have voluntarily espoused. While on tedious 
marches, through privations and fatigues, storms and dangers you may have to 
pass, look on it and take renewed courage. Remember that the eyes of the state 
and nation are upon you. Think of the many hearts that beat for your success ; 
think how the bright eyes of these ladies will sparkle with delight when they 
hear you have acted bravely and nobly. Prove that you will be as true to your 
trust as the "Old Guard' were to Napoleon, or the 'Tenth Legion' were to 
Caesar. Remember with this flag I now present you — in behalf of these ladies — 
that you carry with you the honor of northwestern Iowa, and may you prove 
by your valor, and the bravery of the Iowa Frontier Guard, that it is safe in 
your hands, and that you will be as ready to defend, as to bear, these colors — 
that never run." 

Captain Martin received the flag and replied as follows : 

■"Ladies of \\'cbster City: Permit me in behalf of the Frontier Guards to 
tender you a thousand thanks for this acceptable and sacred gift. The American 
flag is always looked upon with emotions of pride by every lover of liberty, 
and well it may be, for the stars and stripes proudly float over millions of free 
men and are seen and respected on every sea. And such a gift at this time is in 
true keeping with the spirit which has been manifested by the ladies of Webster 
City — lovely, intelligent and patriotic — they are first in every enterprise, in every 
act of benevolence. But a few months since, when the sad tidings reached us 
of the cruel depredations that had been committed upon our northern frontier, 
the willing and efficient aid rendered in sending relief to the suft'erers fully 
demonstrated that the spirit which animated the mothers and daughters of the 
Revolution is alive in Webster City. And now, fair ladies, we take leave of 
you to hasten to the northwest to prevent the recurrence of the Spirit Lake 
outrage. We go with the expectation of suft'ering privations and encountering 
dangers by flood and field, but in the darkest hours this manifestation of your 
kindness, well wishes and patriotism, will nerve us to indure every danger. The 
'Ladies of Webster City' shall be our watchword, and this cherished gift shall 
be the standard around which we rally, and although its bright colors may be 
bleached by the storms of heaven, and the sweeping winds of the boundless 
prairie, or perchance the bullets of the enemy may riddle it, yet we promise that 
it shall not be disgraced by deeds of ours, that it shall be returned with fame as 
untarnished as the hand that wro'l it." 



92 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

The above addresses are copied from the Freeman of March 4, 1858. 

The company, numljcring thirty-one men, left Webster City on Monday, 
March ist, but never saw any active service, as the Indians made no hostile 
demonstration towards the settlers. They were out four months, when they 
were recalled and disbanded by the governor. 

In November, 1858, a new Indian scare arose at Spirit Lake, caused by the 
camping in that vicinity of a large body of the red skins. Applications were made 
to Governor Lowe for aid, and Captain Martin and liis frontier guard were again 
ordered out. They started for the seat of war on November 23. Captain Martin 
had orders from Governor Lowe to order all Indians, whether friendly or other- 
wise, to leave the state, and if they refused to drive them out at all hazards, and 
he was enjoined to make every possible effort to capture Ink-pa-du-tah, and as 
many of his tribe as could be identified as implicated in the massacre in the 
spring of 1857, in order that they might be dealt with according to law. The 
command stayed out all winter, but no difficulties were met with. 

August 12, 1887, was set apart by the people of Hamilton as the day for the 
unveiling of a tablet erected in honor of the company of men who went to the 
relief of the sufferers from the Spirit Lake massacre in 1857. This enterprise 
had been promoted and organized by Charles Aldrich and contemplated the erec- 
tion of a brass tablet in a prominent place in the county court house. The tablet 
was completed, appropriately inscribed and fixed to the west wall of the court 
house hall. A large assemblage of people attended and appropriate cerenaonies 
were held. The following is the inscription as it appears on the tablet: 

IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THE HEROIC VOr.UNTEERS FROM H.XMILTON COUNTY, 
IOWA. IN THE SPIRIT LAKE EXPEDITION 

Commanded by Major William Williams, of b'ort Dodge, for the relief of the 
settlers who survived the Indian massacre of ]\Iarch 8, 1857 

Roster of Comf'any C 

Captain, J. C. Johnson ; First Lieutenant. John N. Maxwell ; Second Lieuten- 
ant, Frank R. Mason; Sergeant, Harry Hoover; Corporal, A. N. Hathway. 

Privates — Michael Sweeney, John Gates, James Brainard, William K. Laugh- 
lin, J. C. Pemberton, James Hickey, Morris Markham, Andrew .S. Leonard, .Sher- 
man Cassaday, Iium])hrey Hillock, I''. R. Moody, Jareb Palmer, John Ilowland, 
Patrick Stafford, A. K. Tullis, Alonzo Richardson, M. W. Howland, William 
L. Church, Henry E. Dalley, John Eric, Elias D. Kellogg, Thos. B. Bonebright, 
Josiah Griffin, Emery W. Gates, Thomas Anderson, Patrick Colon, John 
Bradshaw. 

This tablet was erected at the public expense to commemorate the jiatriotism, 
valor and sufferings of these gallant men in one of the severest marches recorded 
in Indian border warfare. In memory also of Mrs. William L. Church, who shot 
an Indian while defending her babies, and of her sister, Drusilla Swanger, who 
was severely wounded. 



CHAPTER VI 

JUST BEFORE THE WAR— EVENTS OCCURRING IN '57-'s8-'59 AND '60 

By F. Q. Lee 

FOUNDING OF THE FREEMAN THE FIRST FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION COUNTER- 
FEITERS ANOTHER PAPER TOWN A COUNTY ELECTION AN ELECTION CONTEST 

A COUNTY FAIR IN '57 AN EARLY TRAGEDY RIVER LAND GRANT WILD CAT 

MONEY HORSE THIEVES RAILROAD EXCITEMENT THE TOWN OF HAWLEY — 

BUILDING THE FIRST BRIDGE — ARRIVAL OF JACOB SKINNER — CARPENTER VS. DUN- 
COMBE THE FIRST HAY SCALES AN ATTEMPT TO INCORPORATE RESCINDING 

THE RAILROAD BONDS THE WET SEASON OF '58 WADING THE SLOUGHS THE 

FIRST BREWERY PROMINENT MEN ARRIVE THE RIVER STEAMER REACHES FORT 

DODGE THE SWAMP LAND FUND AN ATTEMPT TO GET A NEW COURT HOUSE 

AN INDIGNATION MEETING JUDGE MAXWELL MORE RAILROAD TALK PIONEER 

POLITICS A COUNTY ELECTION A NEW SCHOOL HOUSE POLITICS IN 1860 

STATISTICS ^THREE NEW BRIDGES. 

FOUNDING OF THE FREEMAN 

As we progress with our history, we record no event that gives more pleasure 
than the establishment of a newspaper in Hamilton county. Such a medium 
of intelligence is so entirely necessary to every locality, that no community, no 
matter how well it may be endowed in every other respect, can do without it. 

About February 15, 1857, Charles Aldrich arrived at Webster City, searching 
for some suitable place to locate and start a newspaper. He was an experienced 
printer, having worked at his trade in Buffalo, New York, and Warren, Penn- 
sylvania, and for three years had published a weekly paper at Olean, New York. 
He quit the newspaper business once, and went to farming, but his love for the 
old trade called him back and he began to look about for a location. He after- 
wards accidently got a book in which the writer spoke in glowing terms of Fort 
Dodge and the valley of the Des Moines and also mentioned, incidentally, Web- 
ster City. This somewhat aroused his curiosity and animated a desire to see the 
great western country where Greeley advised all young men to go and he re- 
solved to make a tour of inspection extending as far west as Fort Dodge, Iowa. 
« Accordingly in the fore part of February he set out. All along the idea of start- 
ing a newspaper at Fort Dodge was foremost in his mind ; but when he arrived at 
Dul)Uf|ue he learned that a democratic paper had already been started there, and 
as he did not believe two newsappers could live in so new a locality, he gave up the 
project. He had been informed, however, tliat Welxster City was a lively little 

93 



94 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

place and wanted a paper. So lie made up his mind to visit it, and accordingly 
set out across the country by stage, a journey which gave him ample opportunity 
to get familiar with the inconvenience of being snowbound, and "sloughed down." 
This gave him a good practical idea of the rough venturesome life the pioneer must 
endure. 

As we have said before, he arrived at Webster City about the 15th of Feb- 
ruary and at cnce made known his business. He was well received by the citi- 
zens who fully understood the necessity of having a newspaper, for how could 
a town grow and prosper without some way of proclaiming its existence to the 
world; without some medium of conveying intelligence? 

A public meeting was held and after ample consideration, it was resolved that 
providing Charles Aldrich should start a paper, a guarantee of five hundred 
subscribers and a bonus of five hundred dollars would be given ; the bonus to be 
paid when the printing office had been equipped. In spite of the above very 
liberal offer, things looked somewhat discouraging to the young editor at first. 
Times were very hard, prices very low and money, which consisted mostly of 
"wild cat" currency, was very uncertain. But when he considered the fact that 
Webster City was the county seat, and had unusually fine agricultural country 
to support it, he knew the hard times could not last always, and that the country 
was bound to settle and become more or less wealthy in time, so he concluded 
to accept the offer, and returned to New York for his familv and printing ma- 
terials for his office. 

About May i. 1857. Mr. Aldrich had purchased the outfit for the Hamilton 
Freeman and had it shipped to Dyresville in this state. Here he was met by 
C. T. Fenton with good teams, and the types and furniture were loaded in and 
started for Webster City. The Washington hand press was so heavy it had to be 
left for several weeks until the roads became more settled and then John Meeks 
with his ox teams brought it forward. 

On the 26th of June, 1857, the first number of the Hamilton Freeman, the 
first newspaper published in Hamilton county, and the first Republican paper in 
the state, north of Boone, was issued. 

THE FIRST FOURTH OF JULY CELEnR.\TION 

The people of the count}' held great reverence for the "Declaration of Inde- 
pendence," but their numbers had been too few, heretofore, to ]iro])erly cele- 
brate its birth. But this year (1857) it was resolved that all delinquencies of the 
past should be "made up" and a "grand and glorious fourth" was prepared for. 
The festivities commenced in the evening of the third with a grand ball at the 
Willson house where the young folks "tripped the light fantastic" until the na- 
tional salute was fired at sunrise. At ten o'clock a procession was formed under 
direction of Col. John Peake, and marched to the grove west of town (near 
where A. N. Boeye now lives). A. Moon was president of the day. Rev. 
J. K. Large offered a very impressive prayer and J. J. Wadsworth read the Dec- 
laration of Independence. John F. Duncombe, of Fort Dodge, was to have deliv- 
ered an address, but for some reason he failed to he present, and S. B. Rosencrans 
took the stand and made a very excellent, though very hastily prepared oration. 
He was loudly applauded for his witty "hits" intermixed with nuich good solid 



HISTORY OF HA^IILTON COUNTY 95 

wisdom took well. When the address had been concluded, the procession returned 
to the Willson house for dinner, after which toasts were proposed and responded 
to. Peter Lyon told about shooting elk, but a short distance from where he was 
then speaking. Judge Maxwell bore down hard on "land sharks" and expressed 
a determination to stand by Hamilton county to the last. 

"The ]\Ierry Boys of Webster City" then appeared in grotesque costume and 
danced on the public square and sang songs composed especially for the amuse- 
ment of the spectators. And thus ended the first 4th of July celebration in Web- 
ster City, if not in Hamilton county. 

COUNTERFEITERS 

The peaceful tranquillity of Webster City was just a little ruffled during this 
month (July) by the arrest of a counterfeiter named Charles Stuart with about 
two thousand seven hundred dollars of bad money in his possession. He was a 
bold, cheeky man, and when Judge Maxwell fixed his bail at one thousand five 
hundred dollars he offered to pay it in his currency, but he went to jail instead. 
He afterwards escaped, however. 

ANOTHER "paper" TOWN 

On July 15, 1857, the town plat for the village of Mettamora was filed with 
the county recorder. The town occupied the greater part of section 20 in Wil- 
liams township and was owned by Wm. H. Merritt. This town on paper was one 
of the finest a person often sees, and by means of liberal advertisement, quite a 
number of lots were sold to eastern purchasers. But as no buildings, to our 
knowledge, were ever erected on its soil, it did not flourish very extensively, ex- 
cept perhaps, in the imagination of eastern men who owned lots within its limits. 
But as time moved on the foreign property owners of this "phantom city" became 
aware of the true condition of things, and their lots were either sold for taxes, 
or they went back to the original owners on account of incomplete title. 

A COUNTY ELECTION 

At the election here the first Monday in August, 1857, the following vote 
was cast : 

County Judge — J. D. Maxwell, 172. Ammon Moon, 158. 

Recorder and Treasurer — Cyrus Smith, 203. F. J. Allen, 121. 

Prosecuting Attorney — W. R. Daniels, 240. I. S. Smith, 79. 

Sheriff — C. C. Leonard, 166. Wm. Royster, 163. 

Coroner — E. Lakin, 211. L. Lakin, 98. 

Surveyor — H. B. Martin, 258. E. Huntington, 68. 

For new constitution. 199. 

Against new constitution, 82. 

For amendment to new constitution by striking out word "white" from article 
on right of suffrage, 48. Against, 251. 



96 HISTORY Oi< HAMILTON COUNTY 

AN ELECTION CONTEST 

About the i8th of August, 1857, William Royster, through his attorney, Gran- 
ville Burkley, appeared before Judge Maxwell contesting the election of C. C. 
Leonard as sheriff of Hamilton county, charging illegal voting. The judge 
issued a precept and gave it to N. W. Browning to serve. Browning returned it 
with the following report : 

"1 tried to serve it upon the within named C. C. Leonard, but he ran off and 
I could not. On the 21st of August, I served said precept by leaving a copy, etc." 

N. W. Browning. 

The trial took place Sept. 17, 1857, with J. D. Alaxwcll as judge, Geo. Smith 
as deputy clerk and Levi Olmstead as constable. The attorneys for the plaintiff 
were W. N. Alesservey and H. B. Martin ; and the attorneys for the defendant 
were W. R. Daniels and E. W. Salsbury. After a heated contest, the judges of 
election came to the conclusion that Leonard had 162 legal votes and Royster 160. 

All along there was a desire in and about Homer and the southern part of 
the county to move the county seat from Webster City to Saratoga and this fact 
figured not a little in -local politics. This feeling perhaps gave rise to the above 
contest, as Royster was a Homer man while Leonard decidedly favored Webster 
City. 

A COUNTY FAIR IN '57 

The Hamilton county agricultural society held a fair at Webster City, October 
14 and 15, 1857, and in order to give an idea as to who were here at the time 
and what they were doing, it might be proper to give the names of those who 
received premiums on different exhibits. 

S. Willson, Wm. Frances, W. W. Boak, David Bibler, Wm. Silvers, L W. 
Payne, D. Beach. T. ]. Chesney, G. Burkley and J. A. Rhodes, all were honored 
with ribbons, on different kinds of horses and mules. 

On cattle, D. Bibler. Hiram Bennett, J. H. Cofer, L. B. Hill, J. A. Rhodes, D. 
Beach, G. W. McClure, and J. D. Maxwell received premiums. 

Peter Lyon was the only exhibitor of swine and of course he received ist 
premium. Peter Lyon and Granville Burkley also made fine exhibits of poultry. 

On improved farms, Wm. W. Funk received the first premium, while L. B. 
Hill. Wm. Frakes, and John Frank were complimented by the committee on the 
fine condition of their lands. 

On field crop and vegetables, ]Memiums were received as follows : 
. Simon Day received premium on wheat ; H. Corbin on oats ; O. W. Story on 
potatoes ; H. M. Barstow on carrots ; John Frank on beats ; T. L. Richardson on 
turnips ; Chas. Royster on squashes ; James Hamilton on pumpkins. H. M. Bar- 
stow and S. B. Rosencrans showed the best variety of fruit trees, while John 
l'"rank had the finest variety of vegetables. 

The best samples of butter were shown by O. W. Story and T\. Willis. The 
best bed (juilt was by Miss Lizzie McLaughlin; the best blacksmith work by R. 
M. Furgeson; best pair of boots by J. H. Hartnian ; the best joiner's work. Harris 
Floover; and the best sample of cabinet work, W. Leonard. W. W. Wells ex- 
hibited finest tailor's work. 

The finest lady equestrians were Mrs. J. J. Wadsworth. Miss C. J. Maxwell 
and Miss Teresa Maloolev. Mrs. A. Moon exhibited some fine wax fruit and a 




I!HO])ES JUIL]JiX(;. WKH.STER CITY 
The first Inick liusiuess building erected in Hamiltun County 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUXTY 97 

wreath of hair work. D. A. Eckerson showed samples of flour from his mill; 
and H. X. Brockeray exhibited some fine brick of his own manufacture. Mrs. S. 
B. Rosencrans displayed some fine embroidery. An Indian coat and a necklace 
of bears' claws were supplied by A. Moon. The society was addressed by G. W. 
McClure, S. B. Rosencrans. Chas. Aldrich, Peter Lyon, W. C. Willson, J- D. 
!\Iaxwell and C. C. Carpenter.. 

AN E.\RLY TR.\GEDV 

^^'e have never yet read a history whose pages were not somewhere darkened 
by tragedv and we are afraid it will be impossible to write a truthful one cover- 
ing anv long degree of time while frail humanity figures in it without such 
shadows. And as the people of Hamilton county were but human beings, in 
common with the people of all other communities, it will not be expected that 
they should have unconsciously acted at all times with such precision and virtue 
as to have laid the foundation for a history entirely free from the blots of crime. 
Although they had been permitted to live in an unusually quiet and peaceful 
neighborhood, the faults of man had not been entirely controlled: nor the im- 
petuosity of his nature entirely curbed by a strong reign of self control. 

George P. Smith, the chief actor in the tragedy we are about to relate, was 
not an unusually wicked man. When volunteers for the relief of the Spirit 
Lake settlers were called for, he enlisted and accompanied the expedition. Aside 
from a fiery and impetuous nature, he was considered a harmless, amiable sort 
of a fellow, and nothing Init a lack of self-control led to the crime he so foully 
committed. 

Charles Gatchell and George Smith had always been apparently good friends. 
They were in each other's society a great deal about Hook's Point, and joked with 
each other and told their adventures with the greatest amiability. One day 
when both were at the residence of Isaac liook, they became involved in a 
quarrel about some fence rails. The hot words led to blows, and Gatchell, who 
was the larger and stronger uf the two, gave Smith ciuite a severe pounding. 
They were separated, however, and both went into the barroom of Hook's hotel, 
where more angry words were indulged in, which lasted two or three minutes 
when Smith turned to leave the room. When he reached the door, he saw a 
gun which had been left there. He stopped and picked it up. It was loaded 
and capped. He whirled around, leveled it at Gatchell, and fired. Gatchell 
threw up his hands and fell on his knees but immediately rose and was helped 
to bed. He had been shot in the side, just below the heart and died in about 
twenty-five minutes. The news was at once conveyed to Webster City, where 
a warrant was issued and Sheriff^ Leonard sent to execute it. Smith did not 
trv to escape and was taken to Webster City before Judge Maxwell for pre- 
liminarv examination. District Attorney Daniels appeared on behalf of the 
State, and Skinner and iJerkley for the defendant. After the evidence had been 
carefullv considered, George P. Smith was held for the murder of Charles 
(kitchell. The crime was committed at Hook's Point on Saturday evening. 
Xovember 14, 1857. Smith was confined at the residence of Sherift' Leonard 
until the next spring, when he succeeded in escaping and was never heard of 
again, although the prairie was scoured by the citizens for miles. After the 

Vol. 1—7 



98 HISTORY OF HAAllLTOX COL'XTV 

excitement had somewhat died down, some one started the report that the mur- 
derer had been hiding in a barn in town while the hunt was going on, and that he 
had been seen leaving. This started another "fox hunt" hut with no success. ■ 

RIVER LAND GRANT 

Thus far we have passed over the history of the count)- without mention- 
ing the troubles arising over what is known as the River Land Grant. Away 
back in the forties, Congress granted the odd numliered alternate sections for 
six miles on each side of the Des Moines river as far north as the Raccoon fork, 
to aid in making the river navigable. The Raccoon fork was at Des Aloines, but 
the Des Moines Navigation and Railroad company to whom the lands were 
granted, made claim to the lands to the north line of the state. This claim was, 
part of the time sustained by the General Land office and part of the time denied. 
During the times the land office held against the company, settlers were permitted 
to pre-empt these disputed lands and patents were issued for them. Then when 
the ruling of the land office would change, the Navigation company would attempt 
to put the settlers ofif the lands and thus a conflict arose that lasted for over 33 
years. The settlers formed themselves into a society to support each other and 
prevent eviction. Contests in the courts usually terminated against the settlers 
but when the officers came out to evict, they were met by force and driven oft, 
or if they succeeded in setting the settler out before the other settlers knew of it, 
a force would gather and put'him back in again. Several of the Navigation com- 
pany's agents were lynched, others driven out, never caring to return, and others 
barely escaped a like fate. 

WILD C.\T MONl-:v 

In the history of all peoples, it is not only interesting but necessary to have 
some knowledge of the financial conditions under which they lived in order to 
thoroughly understand their actions. We pause here, then, in the narration of 
events, to find the information indicated above. This is peculiarly a fitting place, 
too, in our history, for about this time there sprang into existence a new industry 
of very great importance to the settlers, and without which their condition would 
have been lamentable, indeed. 

Most of the settlers were jioor men who brought little, if any more monev 
with them than enough to pay the entry fee for their lands. They had no market 
for their product except to newcomers, and there were no fixed prices for any- 
thing, unless the product was very scarce. The price was very low, and money 
was so scarce that when one had anything to sell he usually had to trade for some- 
thing he needed worse than what he had to dispose of. What made their condi- 
tion infinitely worse, was the great financial panic of 1857 which broke nearly 
all the banks and filled the country with worthless bank bills. The law under 
which this money was issued provided that it should have a specie basis and the 
affidavit of the banker issuing the bills was taken as proof of the fact that the 
specie was on hand when the bills were issued. Strangely enough, the law did 
not provide that the specie should be kept on hand, or if it did, the i)rovision 
was not obeyed, so the specie basis that did duty in starting one bank and eased 
the conscience of the banker over the affi(la\il he made, was carted olT to the 



I 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 99 

next town and became the specie basis for another bank and so it traveled round 
the country starting "\\'ild Cat" banks. The 1:)ills of these banks of issue 
promised to pay gold or silver on demand Init as paper money was so much more 
convenient than coin, few people demanded coin and having contidence that the 
coin was behind the bills for their redemption the bills were readily taken and did 
all the offices of money. If the fraud had not been discovered this money might 
have gone on doing the business of the covnitry as perfectly as any money could 
have done. So long as a man thought the banks had the coin in its vaults to 
redeem the bill he had in his pocket he did not want the bill redeemed — he pre- 
ferred the paper ; but the moment he had a well grounded suspicion that the bank 
did not have the gold, he wanted gold, and wanted it at once. 

The fraud of carting the specie about and starting many banks on the same 
supply of coin was discovered and the people took fright. A general run was 
made on the banks and of course all the spurious banks went to the wall at once. 
Banks, honestly started, redeemed their paper as it came in, and kept on in bus- 
iness for a time but a second run almost inevitably followed, under which few 
could stand, so if a man accepted a "^^'ild Cat" bill quoted good one dav, the 
bank issuing it was liable to break before he had an opportunity to pass it off on 
some one else and it became "dead money" in his pocket. 

The banks were mostly located in the states east of the ^Mississippi and as 
the means of communication was not as complete as now, it was sometimes weeks 
after the bank failed, before the news reached the frontier. "Bank detectors" 
were printed, in which a list of all 1)anks aj^peared and those that had suspended 
were noted. These "detectors" were regularly sent for bv the merchants and 
when one would arrive, every settler who had a bank bill in his pocket would 
go to the store to see if it was yet good. Most of the money among the settlers 
was of this kind and as almost every dollar of it sooner or later became worthless, 
it is easy to imagine how scarce money became and how hard it was to get. Old 
settlers say that there were months at a time during 1857-8 when thev never saw 
a cent of good money of any kind. After things had been going on in this way 
for some time, and times had become most pinching, two Jew peddlers from 
the southern part of the state began to buy fur and pay cash for it. Of course 
everybody wanted cash and almost everybody went to trapping as the only means 
of getting it. Old settlers have told that the first money they had had for months 
they received from these Jews for furs. The business having been started, other 
buyers of fur put in appearance, and the settler became a trapper. The muskrat 
was the principal fur bearing animal, but mink, otter and beaver were also fre- 
quently caught in the earlier days. 

The hard times continued until after the Ijreaking out of the war, when money 
became plentiful, and times flush. Occasionally, however, a new settler came with 
plenty of good money, and for him, times were always exceptionally good, for 
with it he could buy almost anything he wanted and at his own price. 

HORSE THIEVES 

About this time horse thieves began to make themselves very troublesome to 
the settlers. In July, 1857, B. Millard, who resided a short distance south of 
Webster City had a very fine span of horses stolen. He offered $50 reward for 



99251R 



1(K) HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUXTY 

the return of the horses or- the capture and conviction of the thieves and for a 
time nearly everybody was hunting tlieni. Though lie and many others were con- 
stantly on the hunt, and the loss was advertised, it was six months after they were 
taken, before they were found. They were at last discovered over in Marshall 
county where they had been taken up as strays and sold. He got the horses back 
but they had been foundered so badly that they were not worth the money spent 
to recover them. The thieves were never caught. Millard got on the track of 
them as he believed then, and still believes, and overtook them (there were two ). 
at Indianola, la. He captured one but the other got away. He brought his 
prisoner back to Boonsboro, but the prisoner produced a man who swore he had 
accompanied him to Des Moines and that he had no horses, and Mr. IMillard being 
unable to get any positive proof, had to let him go. Horses were being stolen 
in other settlements around and to protect tlieir property a thief detective society 
was organized with I!. Millard. E. W. Salsberry and J. S. Letts as the princi])al 
and moving spirits. 

R.\n.RO.\D E.XCITEMEXT 

And now the people were thrown into a fever of excitement over the prospect 
of having a railroad, and this is not to be wondered at when it is remembered 
how far they were from railroad markets. About August i, 1857, Capt. G. W. 
Smith of New York, and .\. \\ "arren, agent for the state, arrived in Webster 
City, exploring the line of the proposed Dubu<iue and Pacific railroad. This rail- 
road company had received a grant of land through the state of Iowa to aid in 
building a road from Dubuque to Sioux City. Captain Smith represented the 
foreign bond holders interested in the proposed road. The coming of these men, 
and the representations of Capt. Smith, caused the settlers to believe that the 
road would be built at once, and great was the rejoicing and high were the hopes 
of all on account of it. L5ut it amounted to nothing at that time, though it no 
doubt had the good effect of bringing more people in and keeping those already 
here, in high expectation of better times. 

THE TOWN 01- n.\WLEV 

The railroad excitement and the apparent certainty that the railroad would 
be constructed upon the line propo.sed, caused the laying out of another new town 
named Hawley, a short distance east of the present town of Blairsburg. The 
proprietors of this new town were Thos. J. AlcCartney, Geo. Grechenek. W. C. 
& S. Willson, Smith Bros, J. M. Funk and others. They intended to have several 
buildings erected during the year and it was to be one of the Western Stage Com- 
pany's stations. The town was named llawley in honor of the chief engineer 
of the D. & V. U. R. However, it absolutely and utterly refused to grow. There 
was a farm house on the land when ]ilatted, and this was the only house ever 
erected there. A number of lots were sold however, but they were allowed to 
go to a tax sale, and were afterwards bought up and the town plat antuiUcd and 
what was to be a thriving little city, is now a fine farm. 



HISTORY OF HA.MILTOX COUNTY 101 

KUILDING Till-: FIRST DKIDCK 

Up to this time, no bridge had been built across iioone river, but the urgent 
need of one caused the subject to be discussed upon all sides, it seems, however, 
that the condition of county finances was such that the county authorities would 
take no steps toward building a bridge at public expense. 

The project of building a bridge by private subscription was therefore brought 
forward. Accordingly, a public meeting was called, signed by "many citizens." 
The meeting was held at the schoolhouse in Webster City for the purpose of 
accepting proposals for building a bridge across the river at the foot of Dubuque 
street ( the present site of the east bridge ) , and to take measures to raise the 
necessarv funds with which to pay for the same. .Several meetings were held 
before the necessary funds were pledged, but the contract to build it was let in 
October to one Alden liaker. Work was at once commenced and the first bridge 
across lloone river was compleled and ojiened for travel the last of Deccmljer, 

.\uui\Ai. or j.\coi; .skixnm;r 

In October, 1857, Hon. Jacob Skinner took up his residence in Webster City 
and opened a law office after which Lawyer Ikirkley didn't have things all his own 
way. 

^Ir. Skinner was a lawyer of considerable experience. He had been a mem- 
ber of the Wisconsin legislature and therefore at once took a leading position at 
the bar, and in all public affairs. 

CARPENTER VS. DUNCOMBE , 

A very exciting political campaign took place in the fall of 1857, the chief inter- 
est centering ujion the candidates for representative in the state legislature. Hon. 
C. C. Carpenter was the republican candidate and Hon. John F. Buncombe, the 
democratic candidate. These candidates and their friends got out and made the 
air blue with villification and abuse of each other, both on the stump, and in the 
press and created a great deal of partisan bitterness all over the district. 

Carpenter was elected by a small majority but the friends of Mr. Buncombe 
claimed that this result was obtained by a dishonest count and so the contest was 
kept humming for some weeks after the election was over, and we doubt whether 
the animosities engendered in this campaign were ever wholly wiped out. They 
certainly have not yet been forgotten, and they continued to live as long as the 
principal actors were alive. 

It was during this year, also that Sheriff Leonard appointed John N. Maxwell, 
deputy sheriff, and lie has the honor, therefore, of being the first deputy sheriff' of 
Hamilton county. 

THE FIRST HAY SCALER 



The first hay scales were erected in Webster City in December, 1857, by Ji>hr 
Peak, Esq. Prior to that, all articles for sale, that could not lie weighed on tlu 
common counter scales, had to be "lumped off'." 



102 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

In December, 1857, the treasurer of the county gave notice that he was ready 
to receive taxes. Accompanying the notice was the following statement: "The 

total value of taxable property is $1,361,251.00 

State tax is 4,086.71 

County tax is 4,767.84 

School tax is 1.362.28 

Road tax on poll and personal property is 1,537.81 

Road tax on real estate is i ,702.38 

Total taxes , $13,457.22 

AN .\TTEMPT TO I.N'COKPOUATE 

As early as December. 1857, the citizens of Webster City began to agitate the 
question of incorporating the towns. Meetings were frequently held at which the 
question was discussed pro and con, with a great deal of heat and vigor. At a 
meeting in Januarj' '58, it was decided to incorporate and a charter was there- 
fore prepared and forwarded to the state legislature for legislative action. How- 
ever, the incorporatifin was not at this time effected. 

RESCIXUIXr, THIi R. K. BONDS 

While Webster and Hamilton counties were united, the county by a vote of 
its citizens agreed to take $200,000 worth of stock of the D. & P. R. R. and issue 
county bonds in payment for the same. After the counties were divided, a ques- 
tion as to the legality of the vote and the liability of Hamilton county for her 
share of these bonds, arose. In the settlement l)etween the couiUies, it was ar- 
ranged that if the counties were liable and were compelled to take the bonds 
that Hamilton county's share to assume would be $90,000. So grave and un- 
certain was the question of the liabilities of the counties, that legislative aid was 
invoked, which resulted in the [lassage of a law legalizing the division of the 
bonds but i)roviding that a vote should be taken upon the question of rescinding 
tile former vote. If the former vote was rescinded at the election, the bonds were 
to be void, but if the former vote was sustained or ratified, then each count}- 
should issue the bonds according to the former agreement. .\ si)irited contest 
was held over this election. The railroad company promised, if tlie bonds were 
sustained, to put a large force of men to work and push the same as rapidly as 
possible. Tint it was an enormous debt to saddle upon a county whose whole tax 
collection for all purposes amounted to l)ut little over $13,000, and the election 
resulted in a defeat of the bonds by the following vote: 

For rescinding, 196 votes. 

Against rescinding, 182 votes. 

TIIF. WET .SEASON OF '58 

We are now w riling of m;itlers hap])ening mostly in 1858 and our history 
would fall far short of what it ought to be if it failed to mention as impressively 
as possible that this was the wet season, remembered by all the old settlers so 



HISTORY OF HAAIILTOX COUNTY 103 

vividly and with good cause. Tiie ponds and sloughs were overflowing all sum- 
mer. The creeks were always bank full, but every few days, owing to heavy 
rains, would be flooding the whole adjoining country. 

The river was broad, deep and muddy, always bank full and every few days 
it would '"get on a mighty bender,"' threatening to wash away the only bridge in 
the county — the one built by private subscription the year before. It is needless 
to say that this bridge was highly prized now, for it was the only place where 
the river in its swollen condition, could be crossed except in boats. 

The fields were everywhere so soft and muddy that but little farm work could 
be done. The crops, started on the higli lands, were greatly damaged by red and 
black rust, for in the intervals between lands, the sun shown out with its fiercest 
heat, and as a result the oat and wheat crop was nearly a complete failure and the 
corn crop was but little better. 

WADING THE SLOUGHS 

Many are the incidents told by pioneers of the trials and dangers passed 
through at this time. If one went abroad, if only for a short distance, he had 
sloughs to wade. One of the pioneers of that time, says that when he started to 
go anywhere and came to water which he was sure to do, and that pretty often, 
.he spent no time in trving to find a place to cross, but at once took off his boots 
and trousers to keep them dry and boldly waded in, and that he had had to thus 
disrobe a half dozen times in going as many miles. Even the women had to bow 
to the necessity of wading, or staying at home much more than they liked to, and 
so when thev wanted to visit a neighbor, they dressed in suitable st}le for the 
trip and skipped out alone. When they came to a slough, they waded through. 

This kind of adventure might seem very funny for a little while, but it lasted 
all summer and everybody was heartily sick of it. The general despondency 
amounting almost to dispair, prevailing throughout the whole community, can 
scarcely be imagined. Added to this, was the general hard times mentioned be- 
fore. The Freeman, the only paper in the county at the time, took as hopeful 
a view of the situation as possible, but still it could not ignore the facts. A few 
extracts from its columns during the time relating l)oth to the hard times and the 
floods will no doubt assist in forming a more correct idea of the veritable horrors 
of the times and a few of them are given for that purpose. 

"Mortality — Some poet has stated that the world is full of change. We 
don't believe it. If so where is it? It isn't in the banks. It isn't in the groceries. 
Don't the poet mean by 'the world' old woolen socks and broken shaving cups? 
We propose that the poet be called on to resume !'' 

"help, cash-US or we sink" 

"We were never quite so hard up for a little ready money as at the veritable 
present. The elephant, hard times, stepped on our pocket book six weeks ago, 
and we have not in that time taken in enough cash to pay our expenses three days. 
We paid out our last dime so long ago that we have entirely forgotten how it 
looks. We are owing divers little debts which ought to be paid, but some one 



104 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

must pay us first. If quarter sections were selling for a cent a piece, we couldn't 
buy a gopher hill." 

"sooz.\n.va"s krpostrofv too the rAXICIv" 

"Amazin Creecher ! say wot giv yew birth ? \\'as't sum anormus river, on ooze 
banx you made such orf ul runs ? did'ent you know they'd kave ? Dew say, wot 
makes ye run around, smashin' and breakin' things so fritfully, with such a hol- 
sail slorter? Aint yew sick of smashed and broken vittals? Don't you think 
you'd better dri up or else simmer down ? I dew. 

"The Western .Stage Company have just begun to issue money of their own 
manufacture. The denominations of this scrip are $i, $2, $3 and $5 bills; is re- 
deemable one year from date at Iowa City and bears six per cent interest. The 
company receive it for fares and all debts due them and will not suffer it to de- 
preciate a fraction." 

Many such as the above besides an elaborate article running through se\eral 
numbers of the paper on the money crisis show how hard times pinched. 

As early as the latter part of January. 1858, the Freeman began to speak 
of the wet season : 

"liOONic RivKR OX .\ I'.ic.N i>i:k" 

"Our quiet, classical little river has been behaving rather oi)streperously of 
late, in fact getting above its business. The recent heavy rains, together with the 
melted snow has made it swell up prodigiously. Gophers and muskrats have had 
to retreat to higher grounds. They may brag about their Des Moines, Iowa, and 
Cedar creeks, but there's fluid enough in the Boone this Wednesday morning, 
January 27th, to make a dozen such feeble riverlets and have enough left for a 
majestic river still. If the primitive geographer had only happened along here 
at such a time, the Boone would have been laid down in all the maps as a navig- 
able stream. Such a whistling of the currents through the woods and thickets, 
such a deep sullen roar, nights; such a snapping, crackling and crashing of the 
huge cakes of ice; such tremendous gorges of ice and such a wayward cutting 
across lots, of the young currents, each trying to set up a river on its own hook 
never was seen since the day of the big Indian whose spirits rot out their 
burial places like the genii of the Oriental world. 

"But to drop down suddenly from this lofty sentence, considerable damage 
has been done by the tall water. A iiortion of I'ray and Stoddard's mill dam 
has gone out and our new bridge has come vlm-v near leaving us without any sort 
of permission. The bridge was only retained in its i)lace i)y the best efforts of 
our citizens who have watched it and worked at it, day and night, for the last 
four or five days. The bridge has stood firm, but the emlianknients have suf- 
fered considerably. The damage will be ])rom]itly repaired and communic;ition 
with t'other side of Jordt)n will not be interrupted." 

.\pril 15 — The recent heavy rains have laid an embargo upon travel. The 
roads are very soft, the streams very high and tlie sloughs bottomless. Com- 
munication with the outer world is pretty n.uicli cut off. ( "^^'hcn it will be re- 
sumed, let those who are better versed in niudology |)re(lict." 1 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 105 

With many intervLMiing notices to the same effect, on June 3rd, this item ap- 
peared : 

"Another heavy rain is sending up the rivers and creeks. We have scarcely 
had three consecutive days since spring opened without a heavy rain. Farming 
operations have been consideraljly delayed and travel attended with great trouble. 
When the weather will become settled is a ditflcult matter to predict. All signs 
seem to fail in a wet time." 

And this : 

"Our supplv of i)aper having become exhausted and the roads continuing so 
bad as to render it uncertain when we will receive any, there will probably be no 
regular issue of our paper for a week or two to come." 

And it was two weeks before the paper was again issued. 

"September 10, 1858 — There are many long faces among the farmers of Iowa 
at this time. With the panic which brought down the prices of their farms from 
imaginarv figures to sober realities, tested by actual production and greatly re- 
duced means of paying debts ; with an almost total failure of wheat and oats and 
the loss by reason of continuous rains of an opportunity to raise a full corn crop, 
there is truly some cause for the farmers feeling blue. But despondency will not 
pay debts or repair disaster. There is but one sensible thing to do, pick the Hint 
and try it again." 

Having now given a fair idea of the conditions under which the settlers 
labored, in 1858, we proceed to the general history. 

THE FIRST BREWERY 

The first brewery was built in the county by Mr. Dezeyk, who began the work 
early in July and promised to complete and have it in operation by October. 
That was the old stone building which stands to this day at the south end of 
Will son avenue. 

PROMINENT MEN .VURI\1-: 

In August, Hon. D. D. Chase came to Webster City and opened up a law 
office. It was in this year also that Kendall Young and L. L. Treat settled here, 
after a few years residence at Irvington, Kossuth county. John W. Lee, who 
was one of the county supervisors at the time of the building of the new court 
house in 1876, and whose name is inscribed on the corner stone, also arrived in 
July of that year. 

At the October election this year John Porter was elected district judge, W. P. 
Hepburn, district attorney, and Julius .M. Jones, clerk of the court for this county. 

In November, Superintendent of Schools D. A. Baum, resigned and Judge 
Maxwell appointed Rev. T. X. Skinner to fill the vacancy. 

On November 27, 1858, "The First Baptist Church" was organized in Webster 
City, and Rev. O. A. Holmes was chosen pastor, and services were held in the 
new Town Hall. 

The winter of '58-9 was not unusual in any of its aspects, simply a regular 
Iowa winter; March was a fine month in which considerable farm work was done, 
but April came in cold, windy and disagreeable and kept it u]"). frosting and freez- 



106 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

ing the life out of early vegetation and the high blown hopes of the farmers. 
However, May brought good weather and the season of '59, abundant crops. 

THE KIVER STE.XMER RE.\CHES FORT DODGE 

Early in A])ril. while the Des Aloines river was in a high stage, the steamer 
Charles Rogers, came up from Des Moines to h'ort Dodge. The citizens of Fort 
Dodge were in ecstasy and declared the Des Moines river navigable, and so much 
excitement was engendered that the question was seriously entertained and dis- 
cussed whether the Boone river might not be navigable too, and a serious editorial 
appeared in the Freeman of May 26, arguing the feasibility of the question and 
urging the people to look into the matter. 

THE SWAMP LAND FUND 

At the April election in 1858. the question, "shall the swamp lands belonging 
to Hamilton county be appropriated for the erection of county buildings" was 
submitted to a vote of the people. 

There were 315 votes cast of which 246 were for the proposition and 69 against. 

AN ATTEMPT TO GET A NEW COURT HOUSE 

Pursuant to this vote, Judge J. D. Maxwell advertised for bids for the con- 
struction of a court house 50x70 ft. on the ground, with the basement of cut stone 
and two stories above of brick and let the contract for building the same to Hyde 
and Hoskins, contractors of Des Moines. Under the contract, the county was 
not obliged to issue any warrants or bonds in payment for the work until the 
building was under roof. 

On the 26th day of July, 1858, ground was broken for the erection of the 
building, and the work began. It was carried forward with a spirit of enterprise 
that betokened an early completion. The people of the southern part of the countv 
were opposed to the erection of the building. They hoped to be able to remove 
the county seat to Saratoga. The sentiment, however, in Webster City and the 
northern part of the county was almost unanimous in favor of putting up a build- 
ing that would forever settle the county seat question in favor of Webster City. 
It is a notable fact that in a jjublic meeting largely attended. Judge Maxwell and 
B. Millard were the only ones who sjjoke in favor of a cheap house for present 
imrposes leaving it to the j^eople, when the count}- became more populous to build 
a large and costly court house. It was. therefore only out of deference to the 
universal sentiment about him that Judge Ma.xwcll consented to let a contract 
for such an imposing and costly structure. 

The W'Ork had gone on but a short time when the contractors rci)rescntcd to 
Judge Maxwell that they would be unable to proceed unless lionds which they 
could negotiate, could be issued to them in advance, as they were without means 
to purchase material and ])ay the laborers. They had given bonds for the faithful 
performance of their contract, and as complaints were becoming loud and per- 
sistent from the workmen that they were not iieing paid, a pressure was brought 
to bear on the judge to issue $6,000 in bonds, of $10 each. With this act, at the 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 107 

time, nobody found fault. It nuist be remembered, however, that the bonds were 
drawn upon the express condition that the proceeds should be deposited in the 
judge's hands and paid out by him on warrants given for work and material upon 
the court house. ^Ir. Hyde took ,$2,000 of the Ijonds to Des Moines and traded 
them off, but deposited no money with the judge, nor did he pay their hands as 
promised. Sunder Willson took the other $4,000 of bonds to Chicago, but was 
unable to sell them at any price and returned with them. Now Hyde and Hos- 
kins, the contractors kept away from Webster City, ])ut left a Mr. Killian as fore- 
man in charge of the work, l)ut without authority to bind them as their agent 
except as to the work done, but as he was unable to pay his hands and work was 
about to be suspended. Judge Maxwell agreed that if the $4,000 in bonds in Mr. 
Willson's hands were surrendered, he would issue $1,000 in warrants. Mr. Killian 
procured and surrendered these bonds and received warrants for $1,000, upon 
which money was realized and ]5art of tiie indebtedness incurred on account of 
the work was paid. 

And now Hvde and Iloskins began to clamor for the issuance to them of 
bonds for $10,000 or $15,000, saying they could now sell them, and w'ould put 
the money in the judge's hands to be paid out on the work, but the judge refused 
flatly to do anything of the kind for now the work had stopped, and fault was 
being found with him because he had before issued bonds as requested. He was 
severely censured by many who were very anxious to see the work go on and 
was attacked and abused in a most shameful manner in the Freeman by Gran- 
ville Burkley. Judge Maxwell replied in a very frank and gentlemanly way stat- 
ing the whole matter connected with the court house just as it existed. Still there 
were many who believed that if the bonds W'Cre issued the work would go on and 
the house be finished. As those who find fault or have a grievance always do the 
most talking, the judge came in for rounds of abuse on every street corner. Now 
that the $3,000 in bonds that were out were likely to be a dead loss, many began 
to find fault with the judge for issuing any bonds at all and yet took care not to 
commend him for his refusal to issue more. Added to the hub-hub raised about 
the court house bonds, the Freeman began to accuse him of a lavish prodigal and 
unlawful expenditure of the county funds in the way of paying high salaries, 
to which the judge answered defending his course. The salaries of $400, to the 
judge, treasurer, etc., and certain payments for deputies were complained of and 
a fierce newspaper controversy resulted, and Judge Maxwell became the most 
talked about, and "best alniscd" man in the county. But he held firm and work 
on the court house was not resumed. 

Though Judge Maxwell had been in favor of a cheap court house in the be- 
ginning, after a basement had been excavated and walled up and the county had 
expended $3,000 upon it, he Ijecame in favor of going on with the work, that the 
money expended should not be lost. There seemed to be a general opinion in 
favor of having the house finished if any one could l)e found who would take the 
contract and receive as pay therefor, Hamilton county's interest in the swamp 
lands. But the old Contract of Hyde and Hoskins stood in the way. They had 
done no work during the year 1859 and all attempts at a settlement with them 
had failed. 'Sh. Maxwell had not been a candidate for re-election and it was 
strongly suspected that the judge elect. Dr. Corbin, of Homer, would oppose any 
further progress towards completion of the court house. The friends of that pro- 



108 HISTORY OF HAAJILTOX COUNTY 

jccl. llierefore, were anxious that something decisive should be done Ijefore Mr. 
-Maxwell retired from office. I-I. R. Salsbury, 15. Millard and S. B. Rosencrans 
were willing to take the contract to build the court house that should cost $50,000 
and take the county's swamp land as pay therefor, but to prevent difficultv every 
effort was made to get rid of the former contract. Ikit as that could not be 
done Judge Maxwell entered into a contract with these gentlemen, by which they 
were to build a $50,000 court house. They were to have the benefit of the work al- 
ready done, and all of the materials on hand, and were to have a quit claim deed 
from the county for all its swamp lands, and all the interest of the count^• in the 
swamp land grant. This contract was signed on the last day of Judge Maxwell'- 
term of office. 

.\X INDICXATION MICETIXC 



Sometime afterward, a meeting was held at the school house in Webster Cit 



denominated ".\n Indignation Meeting" at which resolutions strongly condemning 
the action of Judge Maxwell in letting the contract and recommending that the 
then county judge refuse to recognize it in any way. were pasted. The most 
scathing resolution and the one which showed malice and meanness to the utmost 
degree, was drawn and presented b}' (iranville liurkley. who had so severelv criti- 
cised Judge Maxwell, through the newspaper, because he refused to issue $10,000 
or $15,000 in bonds to aid in the com])letion of the building, and it was passed in 
the excitement of the meeting. 

As the new administration of county affairs refused to do an\thing further 
about the building, nothing more was ever done. The stone was taken piecemeal 
from the foundation and within the last few years the stones were all taken out. 
the ground leveled down and now no trace of it remains. The site of that build- 
ing was near the center of the city park opposite the Park House. 

JUDGE M.\XWELr. 

From what we had been told of the controversies and actions in relation to 
the court house, we had formed the opinion that Judge ^laxwell, while perfectly 
honest and conscientious, w'as too easily persuaded into doing injudicious acts, 
and that he was rather weak and vacillating in character. A thorough investiga- 
tion into all the matters connected with his acts as a public officer and a careful 
reading of all the controversies, between him and his enemies has caused us to 
reform that opinion, and we believe that no more honest and capable man ever 
held office in this county. It is perfectl)- plain that every effort of the man was 
put forth for what he believed honestly to be for the best interest of the people. 
He made some mistakes — what man has not — but no man was more ready than 
he to rectify a mistake or to acknowledge it. In all his controversies through the 
press, he exhibited an honesty, fairness and openness that in contrast with his 
opponents, was marked indeed, and which ought to have put them to shame. 

He was charged with being parsimonious and again with being lavish with 
the public funds. He w'as in fact neither, but a just and honorable man who 
aimed at simple right always. He has been severely blamed for making the con- 
tract on his last da\' in office ;ind it may not have been the most expedient thing 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 109 

10 do. and \et from his view of matters, he could scarcely refuse to do it because 
he thought it riglit and indeed we are not sure that, had he been sustained and the 
court house built, the town and county would not have been greatly ])enelited 
thereby. 

JIORE UAlLKOAl) TALK 

IJuring the year 1859. there was much talk of a railroad. The line had been 
surveved through Webster Cit\- and the great object of interest was the location 
of the depot. In this matter no one took a more active part than W. C. W'illson. 
who desired to have the depot located on the Brewer farm, the present intersec- 
tion of Third and Grove streets, in the west part of town. The business men 
gcnerallv wanted it located at the head of Seneca street and that point seems to 
have been li.xed at one time for the location. But as the war was coming on and 
all present prospects of the road vanished, talk to a considerable degree died out 
and when the matter was again renewed, everything was done over again. 

PIONEER POLITICS 

In nothing did the average citizen take more interest than in politics, which 
was carried on with much more heat and venom than is exhibited at the jjresent 
dav. Then the two parties were very nearly equal in strength and a nomination 
did not mean certain election. There was no Democratic paper in this county, but 
the Fort Dodge Sentinel was Democratic and was taken generally by the Demo- 
crats, while the Freeman did equal service for the Webster county Republicans. 
\Ye have never seen a full copy of the Sentinel, but in reading its opponent, the 
F"reeman, we conclude that it was a paper of pretty good editorial ability as it kept 
Mr. Aldrich in considerable of a fever. Personalities took the place of logic, 
and John F. Duncombe. one of the editors of the Sentmel, was called Ridiculous 
Pomposity, while the other editor was called Jackass White. The Sentinel called 
.Mr. .\ldrich. "Jakey." Of course all this personality and nicknaming among the 
rival editors was highly entertaining to the people, who laughed and were will- 
ing to be bottle holders if the editors would put their vaunted valor and bloody 
threats into execution and punch each other's heads. But it was always noticed 
that the lion roared loudest, when twenty good American miles divided them, 
and that the lamb element predominated when they were brought near together. 
It is suspected that there are editors of similar dispositions even at the present 
day and it has even been doubted by some whether the race will ever liecome 
extinct. 

Now in the midst of this political fight, and newspaper wrangle, a poem en- 
titled "Spring Cometh" was sent from Webster City to the Sentinel for publica- 
tion. The following clipped from the Freeman will explain the whole matter. 

"sold and got the tin" 

A short time since the following notice appeared in the Fort Dodge Sentinel : 

"Spring Cometh." — We have received a good piece of poetry with the above 

tiile from Webster City, but unaccompanied by the author's real name, though 

we readily divine wdio she is. The sentiment is good and the style promising. 



110 iTiSTny>;v oi' TiA^rn.TOX cocxty 

W'f will publish her lines when she complies with a rule from which it would 
be dangerous for us to deviate — "'no commi'.nication inserted unless accompanied 
by the author's real name." 

Time passed on and the "quid nuncs" of our town had well dropped the sub- 
ject of the authorship of "Spring Cometh." until last Saturday when the "good 
piece of poetry from Webster City" appeared conspicuously in the Sentinel. Ida. 
it seems, either passed in her name or the sagacious editors trusted to their well 
known power of "divination" — and we can't tell which. Here it is, a very pretty 
poem, covering up a villainous acrostic on the editors of that able journel, as will 
be seen by reading the first letter of each line downwards. Rut "the sentiment 
is good and the style promising." 



FOR THE SENTINEL — BY ID.\ FAIRFIELD 

Robed in her emerald vesture. 
In her jewelry of bloom, 
Deftly spreading her verdure 
Is spring the maiden, comes. 
Caressed by the clasping sunshine. 
Upland, valley and wood 
Lift up their humble flower buds. 
Opening their eyes of gold. 

Under the spell of her presence 
Soft and silvery rills 
Prattle and tinkle in gladness, 
On all the sunny hills ; 
Moved by the vernal impulse, 
Parting its walls of shell, 
Open leaved may a floweret 
Sunncth itself in the dell. 

Impelled by the heart of nature. 
Thrilled by her pulse's beat 
Young leaflets darken in greenness 
And spread to the coming heat. 
Nourished by earth's rich life-blood. 
Dried by the sunshine warm, 
joyful and blest in their plentv. 
Are the flowers which smile to charm. 

Coldness, and storm cloud, and darkness, 

Keep to your hills of snow ! 

Away to your country of icebergs — 

Spring tosscth her garlands now. 

She biddeth us wake from our dreaming 

When voices of duty call, 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 111 

Hopefully waiting and working. 
In our own sphere, though small ; 
The labor of none is wasted. 
E'en a sparrow may not fall. 

We believe if was never confessed who wrote the above acrostic, but think it 
perfectly safe to guess that the editor of the Freeman procured it if he did not 
write it himself. He was first to discover it and made much of the sell on the 
Sentinel editors. 

COUNTY ELECTION 

At the October election of 1859 there was an unusually spirited contest over 
county officers resulting in the election of the following persons by small 
majorities, viz : 

County Judge — Dr. H. Corbin of Homer. 

Recorder and Treasurer — (ieorge Shipp of \\'ebster City. 

Sheriff — Dan A. Cnderdown of Webster Cit\-. 

Superintendent of Schools — E. H. Blair of Webster City. 

Drainage Commissioner — Peter Lyon of Boone township. 

Surveyor — James Faught of Webster township. 

Coroner — Luther Lakin of Cedar Lake township. 

Hon. S. B. Rosencrans was elected member of the legislature from this district 
and Col. Scott, of Story county, was elected senator. 

The board of supervisors were I. S. Wilcox, of Wel)ster, D. Averell, of Cass, 
E. Renner, of Hamilton, Benjamin Bell, of ^Marion, A. Turner, of Boone. 

.\ NEW SCHOOL HOUSE 

In June, 1859, a contract was let to W. S. Worthington to build a new school 
house in Webster City. The structure was to be of brick — 3^x54 feet, two stories 
high with a front projection sixteen feet square and three stories high. In the 
beginning, only two school rooms were fitted up on the first floor and the second 
floor was fitted up for an assembly room and here town meetings were held until 
the need of more room brought that room into use as a school room. That building 
stood upon the site of the present three story, twelve-room school building. When 
finished, it presented a very imposing appearance and was perhaps as good a 
school house as was to be found in any town west of the ^Mississippi, of twice the 
population of Webster City. 

In November, 1859, Judge Porter held his first term of court in this county. 
H. C. Henderson acted as district attorney. There were a large number of cases 
on the calendar. A number were for trespass brought by the River land Company, 
against settlers and since that time, for many years, no term of court passed that 
did not present one or more of these River land cases. 

POLITICS IN i860 

The winter of '59-60 was but an ordinary one and the season of i860 a toler- 
ably fair one for crops of all kinds. Settlements were being made in all parts of 



112 HISTORY OF HA^IILTOX COUNTY 

the county Init nowhere in groups so that while a goodly number of people came 
during the year, they scattered out over the county and did not seem to materially 
increase the population. 

As we have noted before, politics in the county had always brought out a good 
deal of enthusiasm and a good deal of heat and this was particularly true of the 
campaign of i860. The democrats, mostly of the Breckenridge wing, charged 
the republicans with being abolitionists in disguise, intending to free the negroes if 
they got into power. The republicans replied that they had no intention of inter- 
fering with slaver\- where it then existed but were opposed to any further exten- 
sion of it. Epithets were applied and abuse freely indulged in and it caused such 
an enmity to exist between the members of the parties, that afterwards, when the 
war broke out, the feeling of ill-will towards the party in power rather than a lack 
of loyalty prevented, for a time, many democrats from enlisting. T!ut when the 
war became serious, these feelings were swallowed up by a more loyal sentiment 
and enlistments went on without regard to past party affiliations. 

STATISTICS 

In December. 1S60, J. 'SI. Jones, clerk of the board of supervisors prepared 
and had published the following ■'abstract of the late census of this countv." 
Population i860, 17 10. 
Total valuation of county. $1,306,744.00. 
Value of live stock. $53,365.00. 
Number of acres of improved land, 8,207. 
Improved farms, 138. 
Bushels of wheat raised in 1S59, 10,590. 
Bushels of corn, 45,505. 
Bushels of oats, 8,209. 
Bushels of potatoes. 10,209. 
Pounds of butter made, 40,810. 
Mills run by water, 7. 
Mills run by steam, 4. 
Flouring Mills, 2. 
Population of Webster City, 464. 

tiiki;e new bridges 

Ui) to the fall of i860, only one bridge had been built across Boone river, and 
that had been built by private subscription. Xow an earnest demand was being 
made for three other bridges. But as the finances of the county would not admit 
of appropriations for the purjiose it was determined to ai)propriate eight thousand 
acres of the swamp land to raising of sufficient funds with which to build bridges. 
Before the swamp lands could be appropriated, it became necessary to submit the 
proposition to a vote of the people, and accordingly on the 2nd day of October. 
i860. Judge Corbin issued a proclamation setting forth the need of three bridges. 
"One at, or near the Olmstead mill ford, just west of Saratoga, one at "Fish 
Trap Ford"' and one north of Webster City (near the site of the present North 
bridge) and also urged the need of a jail, submitting the question of approjiri- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY li;; 

ating for the building of the same, the ])roceeds of eight thousand acres of the 
swamp lands. The proposition carried at the election 1)\- only GG majority, out 
of a total vote of ^^~. 

On December 17, judge Corbin issued a notice to builders asking bids for the 
building of three bridges and a jail in separate contracts; bids to be opened Jan. 
3, 1 86 1. Payments to lie made in swamp land, or the proceeds of the sale thereof, 
when the work was completed. But a new order of things was ushered in at the 
beginning of the rear i8()i. The last legislature had passed a law creating the 
board of supervisors, consisting of one from each township, and lodged with that 
body the financial management of the county. Up to that time, the county judge 
had been autocrat of the county with almost unlimited power and discretion as to 
the management of the county's Inisiness. He allowed all claims against the 
county, made all contracts and jierformed, generally in his own single person, all 
the acts now performed b}- the Iioard of supervisors. In the election of the board, 
the judge found himself stripped of almost all his authority and occupation. 
Judge Corbin found so little in his office to do that in the spring of 1861 he moved 
back onto his farm, and set apart two days in each month when he would be at 
his office for official duty. His proclamation for bids on the bridges and jail 
went by default and the board of supervisors assumed control of the matter. At 
the April session, they advertised for l)ids up(^n the three bridges and the jail and 
at the lune session rejected all bids, changed the condition under which Ijids would 
be received and api)ointed a committee to let the contract in accordance with a 
resolution passed bv them, provided the resolution received the endorsement of 
more than one-half the voters of the county. One person in each township was 
appointed to circulate a paper in his township for signatures for or against 
^ resolution. 

Here the more exciting matters connected with the breaking out of the Civil 
^var intervened, and the matter of the building of these bridges was passed over 
for more than a vear. We therefore follow the course of events and pass them 
too. 



CHAPTER \'II 

THE CRIL WAR— LOCAL EVENTS OCCURRING DURING THE 

. GREAT STRUGGLE 

By F. O. Lee 

THE FIRST MAN" TO ENLIST COMPAXY F ORGANIZED ROSTJCR OF CO. F — POLITICS 

DURING THE WAR — GROVE TOWNSHIP CREATED THE COUNTY OFFERS BOUNTIES 

BOUNTIES INCREASED — TRAGEDY AT FISH TRAP FORD CO "a" 32ND INFANTRY 

SWAMP LANDS — CLERK J. M. JONES RESIGNS THE FREEMAN RESUMES PUB- 
LICATION — D. D. MIRACLE ARRIVES HORSE THIEF EXCITEMENT THE CIRCUS 

COMES TO TOWN THE SHEEP INDUSTRY — DRAFTING SOLDIERS STATE MILITIA — 

THE FIRST TEACHERS INSTITUTE SOLDIERS AS GUESTS THE FIRST CEMETERY AS- 
SOCIATION A DRAFT AVOIDED THE ASSASSINATION OF LINCOLN — A TRAGEDY 

AMONG THE SOLDIERS THE SORGHITM AGE. 

And now the niutterings of a civil war began to be heard through the land. 
Citizens l)ecame wild to procure the latest news.- It seemed hardly possible that 
the south would have the hardihood to precipitate a war with the north upon 
SO small a pretext as they claimed to have. But when Abraham Lincoln was 
inaugurated president of the United States, on the 4th of March, 1861, many 
of the southern states had already passed the Ordinance of Secession, and when 
but a short time after Lincoln's inauguration. Forts .^uniter and Pickens were 
attacked and the Federal garrison forced to surrender, and evacuate while other 
acts of violence and treason were daily occurring, an intense feeling and excite- 
ment in the north was aroused. When Lincoln issued his proclamation calling 
for 75.000 troops, the country was at once ablaze with patriotism. James 
Buchanan approved Lincoln's course and gave -fsS-OOO to e(|uip troops. Stephen 
A. Douglas threw the weight of his influence in favor of the union, and in Weli- 
ster City, we find a public meeting called at which a "Lilierty Pole" was raised 
with the greatest enthusiasm. .Speeches were made by judge Porter. Peter Hep- 
Inirn. John A. Hull. Granville Burkley. John F. Duncomlje. Jacolj Skinner and 
many others, all breathing the highest patriotism. Five months l^efore these men 
liad been nearly equally divided, and engaged in a political canvass of great ear- 
nestness and bitterness. Now that the country was in danger, they stood like 
brothers, determined that treason should die. In a neighljoring county, the repulj- 
lican and democratic flag poles were taken down, spliced together and raised again 
amid the wildest enthusiasm. How grand that act. How suggestive of the 
purposes then in view. Iowa was called on for only one regiment, but five were 
raised and offered, and as the news flashed over the country of the disastrous 

115 



llfi HISTORY OF IIAMII.TOX COUNTY 

defeat at liiill Kun. cnlhusiasni and ])ati"iotisni burned still more tiercely and tlie 
f,'rand refrain, "We're coming, Father Abraham, three hundred thousand more," 
was more than a reality. From every avenue in life, the citizen came forth and 
became the soldier, and the civilized world stood aghast at the marvelous rapidity 
witli which the armies formed, and how they fought like veterans though only a 
lew weeks or months in the service. \\'ithout an army, one rose U]) as if by 
magic, and the endurance, bravery and skill it showed was something new in 
the history of war. 

Hamilton county people shared in the excitement, patriotism and enthusiasm. 
The Board of Supervisors at the June session, iSdi. appn)])riated Si.ooo to be 
used in expenses of volunteers and caring for the families of all who enlisted or 
might enlist. 

THE FTRST MAX TO F.NI.TST 

Perhaps the very first Hamilton county man to enlist was Captain II. !'>. 
Martin of the I'rontier Guard, who, it seems, was visiting in the east, and joined 
a Kentucky Company of which he was made First Lieutenant. He was shot 
through the leg at the battle of Barbersville. A a., one of the first conflicts of the 
war, and did not recover until the three months" term for which he enlisted had 
e.xpired. \\hile convale.scing, he went on a furlough to visit friends in Ohio and 
all traces of him seem tt) have been lost. 

The second man most probably was George Grechoneke. who became Cajitain 
of a comjiany in Gen. Sickles' Brigade. So far as we have been able to learn, 
he never returned to this county, and nothing more was heard of him. 

The next two to enlist were- Harris Hoover and Isaac Soule, who went to 
Eldora and joined Capt. Thompson's Cavalry. Company G. First Iowa Cavalry, 
which was to lie attached to the regiment being raised by Col. Fitz Henry Warren. 

roMP.v.Nv F ()Ri;anizi;i) 

Jn the meantime, an earnest effort was being made to organize a company in 
this county, G. Burkley. Lieutenant W. L. Church and others leading in the 
matter. It was not until about the 20th of .\ugust, 1861, that a suflficient number 
of men were collected to muster a company, and they were drawn uj) in line in 
front of the town hall and sworn into service by I. M. Jones, clerk of the district 
court. The comjiany numbered about fxj men and were ordered into camp at 
Davenport during the month of .Se])teniber, where they were organized as Com- 
pany F, 2nd Iowa Cavalry. 

The following is a roster of the company : 

G. Burkley.. Captain. Webster Cit> . 

W . I.. Church, First Lieutenant. Homer. 

G, R, i\mmond. Second Lieutenant. Webster City. 

J. Faught. Quartermaster Sergeant. \\'el)ster City. 

1'. Riley, Orderh- Sergeant. Homer. 

A, Patterson, First Sergeant, llelmond. 

-V. V. Ballou, Second Sergeant, ^^'ebster City. 

F. A. Harris, Third Sergeant, Webster City. 

I. A. Norwood, l-'ourlh .Sefgcant, Webster City. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 117 



£. D. Kellogg, First Corporal, Cresco. 

FI. Overacker, Second Corporal, Belmond. 

W. li. Cheny, Third Corporal, Webster City. 

F W'hited, Fourth Corporal, Goldfield. 

S. Hartman. Fifth Corporal, Webster City. 

S. Gilpin, Sixth Corporal, Cpper Grove. 

E. Eastabrook, Seventh Corporal, Iowa I''alls 

T. Brassfield, Private, Goldfield. 

J. J. Berkley, Webster. 

C. E. Biggs, Homer. 

H. FI. Battles, Homer. 

L. Barns, Goldfield. 

J. Brock, Webster City. 

li. Brock, Webster City. 

J. B. Bolden, Alden. 

S. K. Baker. Delanti. 

S. Craig, \\'est Liberty, N. Y. 

L. Gary, Algona. 

L. D. Cobb, Hampton. 

S. Church, Iowa Falls. 

M. F. Collins, Webster City. 

J. Clemmen, Homer. 

C. C. Coulter, lielmond, 

C. F. Dalley, Homer. 

A. Esterbrook, Iowa I'^alls. 
J. Elenger, Algona. 

T. Fisher, Webster City. 

J. B. Gray, Belmond. 

V. R. Gray, Belmond. 

J. Gray, Goldfield. 

J. Gilpin, Upper Grove. 

W. W. Gates, Eagle Grove. 

\V. C. B. Howard, liomer. 

N. S. F. and W. Hall. Webster City. 

J. Hartman, Homer. 

J. C. Hickart, Algona. 

L. ^I. Harris, Webster City. 

B. Hayden, Homer. 
X. Hayden, Homer. 

T. J. Hussey, Bridgejiort. 
|. Killing, Iowa Falls. 
S. Kinnan, Delanti. 

C. F. Kellogg, Cresco. 

D. Knoll, Belmond. 

R. AIcKirkland, Iowa Falls. 
J. W. Kimberlain, Homer. 
R. Lyon, Webster City, 
n. Lake, Webster City. 



118 HISTORY OF HAAIILTOX COUNTY 

A. Louison, Alden. 

E. Loomis, Luni. 

A. Listenberger, South JJeiid. 

A. F. Alunson, Webster City. 

J. v. Neary, Webster City. 

D. Okerson, Webster City. 

L. F. Parks, Homer. 

S. Powers, Iowa Falls. 

J. Riebhoff, Algona. 

J. G. Reiley, Algona. 

J. C. Taylor, Algona. 

H. W. Todd, Alden. 

W. A. Wood, Homer. 

T. Wheelock, Upper Grove. 

D. Weaver. Welister City. 

Wm. H. Wood, Iowa Falls. 

J. i\I. ^\■haley, Belmond. 

S. S. Westgates, Iowa I'^alls. 

The following persons were rejected: Frank Packard, cut on wrist; Leander 
M. Pemberton, age; James Brock, eyes; Daniel W. Cole, defective hands; D. AI. 
Hartman, eyes; Samuel Osburn, age; Wm. J\I. Okerson, age; Francis C. Crom- 
well and Wm. Mann refused to take the oath. 

Althotigh this company was recruited here it will be seen that many of its 
members were from other counties. 

rOLITICS DURING THE W.AR 

It will be remembered that nearly all the democrats were Douglas men 
and of course were what were known during the war as war democrats. There 
was, therefore, no sentiment here but that of loyalty to the flag, and desire for an 
earnest prosecution of the war. It was, therefore, proposed in the fall of 1861, 
that a Union party be formed and old party names be dropped until the south 
was subdued. The Union party was organized and a ticket was put in the field 
but the republican leaders insisted upon keeping up their jiarty organization and 
declared the Union movement to be an attempt of the democrats to share in the 
offices. S. B. Rosencrans who had been a republican from the first was charged 
with being the leader of the Union movement. 

The republicans put a ticket in the field in opposition to the "Union Move- 
ment" and a hot and Ijitter contest resulted. 

The nominees of the two parties were as follows : 

County Judge — Republican, W. R. Daniels ; Union, James Sanford. 

Treasurer and Recorder — Republican, J. M. Bell; Union, John W. Funk. 

Sheriff — Republican, Michael Sweeney; Union, N. G. Olmstead. 

.Superintendent of .Schools — Repul)lican. J. \\'. Lee; Union, J. ^^'. Lee. 

Drainage Commissioner — Repul)lican, Israel ^^'oodward ; Union, T. J. Mc- 
Connell. 

Coroner — Republican. James Sanford; L'nion, 'Sir. Phillips. 

Surveyor — Republican, L. L. Richardson. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 119 

Dan Underwood, then sheritf of the county, became an independent candidate 
for reelection and J. S. Smith ran independent for recorder and treasurer. Tlie 
contest resulted in the election of the straight republican ticket. At this election 
Hon. D. D. Chase was elected district attorney to fill a vacancy caused by the 
resignation of Peter Hepburn who had gone to the war. 

GROVE TOWXSHIP CREATED 

The board of supervisors created the township of Grove, west of Cass, and 
made the dividing line between them to be the east line of the west tier of sections 
in township 89, range 25, and authorized the voters in the new township to meet 
at the house of Elizabeth ^IcLaughlin on the day for general election and elect 
a full complement of township officers. Later in the session, the board seems to 
have been struck with a species of patriotic fever, for on motions, following each 
other in succession, they changed the naipe of Grove township to Fremont, Clear 
Lake to Lyon. Wall Lake to Ellsworth and Norway to Scott. 

They levied taxes as follows : 

County tax, three and one-half mills. 

Support of schools, i mill. 

State tax, 2 mills, besides two township and school taxes. 

The new board of supervisors organized at the January session, 1862, with 
Huitt Ross as chairman. The membership of the board was as follows : Cass 
township, Robert Willis ; Fremont township, W. ^^^ Boak ; Boone township, J. 
M. Funk ; Hamilton township, David L. Hook : Webster township. Isaiah Doane ; 
]\Iarion township, Huitt Ross ; Lyon township, Luther Lakin ; Ellsworth town- 
ship, J. S. Wald ; Scott township, Israel Biggs. 

This was the board that provided for building the bridges and repudiated the 
county bonds as above related. 

L'nder the law of the state it was left discretionary with the board to publish 
the delinquent tax list or the proceedings of the board or not. They refused to 
sanction the publication of the tax list and only agreed to authorize the printing 
of the proceedings of the board on condition that the cost should not exceed Si 50. 
The amount offered was $50 less than had been paid the previous year, and 
though we nowhere find an acceptance of the offer, we presume it was adopted 
for the proceedings appeared in print. The board must have changed its policy 
upon the publication of the tax list also though the record is silent as to that ; 
at any rate the tax list was printed as usual each year until September 27, 1862, 
when the Freeman suspended publication. It did not resimie again until May 
28. 1864. 

THE COUXTV OFFERS EOUXTIES 

At the September, 1862, session of the board the following resolution was 
oft'ered by ^Ir. Boak and adopted. 

"Resolved, that the board of supervisors of Hamilton county. Iowa, pay 
to each resident volunteer the sum of fifty dollars upon his being sworn into the 
United States Service and that the further allowance of four dollars per month 
to the wife and two dollars a month to each child under fourteen vears of each 



120 HISTORY OF IIA.M ll.TOX COUXTV 

resident volunteer who shall go from this county under the recent calls of the 
president. 

"Rcsolz'cd, that if there should Ije a draft made from this county that the 
same allowance be made to each man so drafted, and to each member of his family 
as is given to volunteers and their families." 

. The clerk was directed to issue warrants in pa_\-meiU of claims utuler said 
resolutions wlien vouchers showing that claimant has been mustered into service 
are jiresented. 

The first order drawn under the above resolutions was at the Octoi)er session 
and was in favor of John S. Sanford. 

There were three changes in the board of supervisors during the \ear 1863. 
J. C. Hayse took the place of I. Dean, E. W. Salsbury that of J. M. Funk, and 
Samuel Oakes that of J. S. Ward, but the policy adopted by the old Ijoard was 
followed up. 

At the June session the resolution offering bounty of .$50 to volunteers and $4 
a month to the wife and $2 to each child under fourteen years old was reinacted. 

At the June session. County Judge \V. R. Daniels, having made preparations 
to go to Pike's Peak, tendered his resignation. This was accepterl and Isaiah 
Doane was appointed to' fill the vacancy. 

It was at this session also that two propositions to publish the delincjuent ta.x 
list in papers in adjoining counties were tendered the board. One of these prop- 
ositions was made by J. D. Hunter of Eldora, Hardin county, at that time pul)- 
lisher of the Hardin County Sentinel. This was the first appearance of Mr. 
Hunter in the county. 

Three years later he became a resident of the county and has ever since held 
a leading place in its ])olitical affairs. 

liOUNTIES INCRE.VSKD 

In the fall of i8()3, the call for men to fill the quota of the county in the 
military service made a draft seem imminent and a special meeting of the board 
was called to devise ways and means, if possible, to avert it. This meeting was 
called for two very good and suiificient reasons: First, the county did not want 
it said that there were not patriots enough to fill every demand made by the 
government without force being used to procure them, and second, nobody wanted 
to be drafted. Perhaps the last consideration was the more weighty of the two, but 
both reasons were sound and as a draft would directly or indirectly strike almost 
every property owner in the county there was little danger that any measure 
adopted would not meet hearty supjKHt and cooperation from everybody. Tlie 
board, therefore, concluded that the best way to meet the situation was to offer 
sufficient bounty to induce men to volunteer. Two hundred dollars seemed to be 
the ])revailing .imounl oft'ered by other counties and it was soon agreed to oft'er 
that amount, ilut as volunteers were being called for all over the country and 
it w-as not certain that even that liberal offer would induce enough to volunteer 
to fill the quota, in which case a draft would have to l)e resorted to, it was agreed 
that drafted men ought to have the same bounty as enlisted men. It was finally 
agreed to rei)eal the resolution giving $50 and per capita support to the volunteer 
and his famih- and in lieu of that to offer a l)otnitv of ?200 to each \oluntcer or 



HISTORY OF HAAIILTOX COUNTY 121 

drafted man mustered into the United States service and accredited to this county. 
and a four mill tax was levied to raise the money necessary to meet the payments. 

Having now recounted the doings of the officials (5f the county for a couple of 
years, let us go back and note the private happenings of general interest. 

It is well perhaps to note that during the winter of '61-2 very heavy snow fell 
and the spring did not open up until April when the snow going off with a rain 
raised the rivers and streams higher than they had ever been known to be before, 
and the high water continued to the middle of May. 

T]JA(.;b:DV AT FISH TKAl' 1-OKU 

On the first da}- of .May, 18OJ, occurred a most shocking casualty at Fish Trap 
Ford, and as a full account thereof was published in the Freeman of Alay 3rd, we 
can do no better than to give the article. 

"The most startling calamit_\- that has ever happened in our c(junty occurred in 
Alarion township at the crossing of the Ues Monies road on Lloone on Thursday 
last resulting in the drowning of Airs. S. M. Sherman and Mrs. Chas. .\. Sherman 
and an only child of the latter, aged about a year and a half — all of Fort Uodge. 

'Tt has been the custom of the stage company during the prevalence of the high 
v.ater, to ferrv the mails and passengers over in a skiflf, a team being always in 
readiness on the other side to carry them forward. On Thursday these ladies 
were passengers from Des Moines and uiion arriving at the ford, a lad of thirteen 
or fourteen by the name of Jakeway, undertook to ferry them across. The party 
vv'ith their baggage and the mails loaded the skiff down very much besides making 
it 'top heavv.' L'pon nearing the swift part of the current, one of the oars 
caught upon a brush or other impediment, causing the boat to dip water and at 
the same time one of the mail bags slid into the river. The rower at once strove 
to secure the mail and while thus engaged and evidently frightened, the boat 
struck a sunken tree and capsized, precipitating its contents into the tlood. The 
boy caught upon a branch of the tree and reached the shore, but the two ladies 
and the child were drowned. Neither of the stage drivers could swim and con- 
sequently could render no aid. A Mr. Curtis of Marion township, who appeared 
to be present, plunged into the river, but was so burdened by his clothing as to 
be unable to render any assistance. The elder Mrs. Sherman maintained herself 
upon the water and swam down with the current several rods before she became 
insensible. Her body floated so near to the shore some 300 yards below, that the 
stage driver on the right bank managed to reach it and bring it ashore, and had 
medical assistance been at hand there seems but little doubt that her life might 
have lieen saved. The younger of the two, having the child in her arms, very soon 
sank. The child becoming disengaged, floated down the stream with one of its 
little hands aljove the water, seemingly clutching the air. The news of the accident 
was quickly carried to the village, a mile or two below, and also to Homer, and 
the inhabitants all rushed to the spot, to render such aid as they could in recover- 
ing the bodies. The body of Mrs. C. A. Sherman was recovered about half a 
mile below, as was also that of the child. Dr. Corbin, of Homer, made an effort 
to resuscitate the liody first recovered, Init too much time had intervened and life 
was extinct. 

"The elder of the two ladies was the wife of S. M. Sherman, Esq., ])ostmaster 



122 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COL'XTY 

at Fort Dodge, and the younger was the wife of his son, Capt. Chas. A. Sherman. 
late of Fort Dodge, hut now somewhere in Eastern X'irginia in the discharge of 
his military duties." 

During the season of 1862, Hiram Dennett built a flouring mill on lioone river, 
two miles north of Webster City. 

Dr. H. N. Crapper, who was for many years a successful practitioner in Web- 
ster City, came in the summer of 1862. He had for some years prior been a 
resident of Liljerty (now Goldfield), Wright county. 

COMPANY A. 32XD IXFAXTRV 

In September, 1862, a company of volunteers was raised in Wright, Hamilton 
and Humbolt counties. L. H. Cutler, of Belmond, member of the legislature 
from this district, was made captain. The roster of the company shows that the 
following men residents of Hamilton county enlisted in that company (Com- 
pany A, 32nd Iowa Infantry) : 

John Eckstein, J. P. Paine, W. K. Laughlin, T. C. Allen, H. Church. J. S. 
Sanford, J- Brock, N. G. Olmstead, J. Duckett, John McAIiller, J. S. Cross, J, 
N. Maxwell, L. Olmstead, J. :\I. ]\IcFarland, S. L. Richardson, J. Adams, B. R. 
Brewer, C. Church. 

This company was named "A" and became a part of the 32nd Iowa Infantry. 

On the 19th of Sept., 1862, a company was organized at Webster City, consist- 
ing of 50 men, designed for the Northwest service, that is, as a guard to prevent 
invasion by Indians. Of this company, Dr. H. X. Crapper was made captain, 
Wm. L. Church, ist lieutenant, and Sam M. Pardell, 2nd lieutenant. Xo roster 
of the men enlisting appears to have been preserved and there is no record that 
the company was ever called out, or did any service. 

On Sept. 27, 1862, the Hamilton Freeman suspended publication, its editor and 
publisher, Mr. Charles Aldrich, having enlisted in the service of the U. S. and the 
people of the county were without a local paper for almost two years. 

As the years of the war slowly passed and men were constantly dropping out 
of the line of civil life into the ranks of the great army that was battling for the 
Union, it is not strange that settlements within the county should be fewer and 
improvements less in value than when the attention and energies of so large a 
number of men were engaged in civil, instead of military, pursuits. Still the work 
of settling and improving the county did not wholly stop. .\ scattering settle- 
ment had been effected along the Skunk river. There the Sowers, .Staleys, Hen- 
dersons, Lakins, Churches, Evcretts and others had built their cabins and with 
the aid of a few scattered prairie settlers, had organized townshii>s and were 
building school houses, roads, bridges and placing the handmarks of civilization 
upon the wild and untamed prairies. It seemed incredible that under the circum- 
stances, any improvements could be expected, yet the fact is that the county con- 
tinued to gradually increase in population and material resources until in 1865 
and '66, when a great influx of settlers began to tind homes here and ]iul new life 
and vigor into all private and iniblic enterprises. 

The newly elected members of the board of supervisors, taking their places 
Jan. I, 1864, were for Fremont townshi]!. \\'. W. Boak ; Cass, Robert Willis, 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 123 

Hamilton, I. C. Woodard; Marion, W. Neese ; Lyon, W. R. Patrick. W. W. 
Boak was elected chairman of the board. 

The county officers were: County judge, I. Doane; recorder and treasurer, 
J. ^I. Bell ; sheriff, ^I. Sweeney ; drainage commissioner, W. R. Patrick ; coroner, 
J. W. Payne. 

SWAMP LANDS 

The swamp lands had always been looked upon by the people as a means 
whereby public improvements might be made, and, as we have seen, several at- 
tempts had been made to utilize them for this purpose but so far to little purpose. 
But now a new question regarding these lands came up which gave the county a 
great deal of trouble and litigation and the whole question was not finally settled 
until quite recently. It will therefore be of interest to explain the situation in 
relation to them so that the future actions of the officials in relation thereto will be 
understood. 

The swamp land grant was a grant to the counties of the state of all the 
swamp lands within their boundaries and the intention of the grant was to encour- 
age the draining of, and making productive, this otherwise almost valueless land. 
Taken according to government survey, the smallest subdivision of that survey 
being the basis, if a forty acre division, or a lot adjoining a meandered lake or 
river, was more than half so swampy as to be unfit for cultivation or use as 
meadow land without drainage, then that forty or lot was swamp land and 
covered by the grant. The government had sent a commissioner to report these 
lands and heretofore the county had relied upon the lists of lands so reported. 
As it proved this list had been made without much care on the part of the com- 
missioner and a considerable amount of land that was not swamp was reported. 
After this grant had been made, other grants were made to railroad companies. 
The grants to the railroad corporations provided that where the lands included in 
the grant to them had been already sold by the government, they in view thereof 
could locate any other unsold lands within the state. These railroad grantees, 
therefore in looking for lands outside of their grant, discovered that a great deal 
of land claimed by the dift'erent counties was not swamp lands at all, though so 
reported by the commissioners. They therefore laid claim to this land, and the 
land commissioner made a ruling that before patents would issue for swamp 
lands, the counties should make proof of the swampy character of each tract ot 
land claimed. 

The swamp land grant provided that where any swamp land had been sold 
by the government, the county entitled to it should receive cash or script. With 
the script the county could locate any unsold land belonging to the government in 
the state, whether swamp or not. 

As the government had sold considerable land which really belonged to 
the countv, the county received its script and located other land in Emmet and 
Kossuth counties. It may be wondered at that any one should buy swamp land 
when there was plenty of good land to l)e had at the same price. But people 
generally did not know about the swamp grant and would enter quarters, one 
fortieth of which was swamp, while speculators would locate tracts of lands with- 
out seeing them at all or knowing anything about their character, and in this way 
much swamp land was sold by the government. 



124 [IISTORY OI' IIAMILTOX COL'XTV 

As we have said, up to this time the county had relied upon the selections made 
and reported to the government In- the commissioner. Ikit now they were com- 
pelled to make proof of the swampy character of each forty acre tract and also 
make proof as to the s\\ amp land sold to settlers or speculators by the government, 
but they were not allowed to make proof ujion any lands e.xcept such as had 
already been reported or designated as swamp land. 

At the June session of the board, 1864, one Wm. P.aker. a non-resident, pre- 
sented a proposition to the board offering to prove up and settle the swamp land 
claims for county for twenty per cent of cash or land shown by the proofs to 
belong to the county and ten per cent of the indeiunity lands. The board there- 
upon entered into a contract with said liaker. to settle the county's swamp land 
claims, and upon terms suijstantially according to the proposition. This led to 
immediate steps being taken to settle the claims, but it led also to a lawsuit with 
Baker that hung in the courts for years for Baker's work was but partially and 
imperfectly done. Several other attempts were made by other persons at different 
times, but it was many years before it was finally settled, as will be seen as this 
history proceeds. 

CLERK J. M. JONES UESIGXS 

At the .^eptemlser session of the board, 1864, J. M. Jones, who had been its 
very efficient clerk from the organization of that body, presented his resignation, 
he having determined to enlist in the army. It is but proper to state here that 
no set of records in the county were more neatly and systematically kept than 
those under his control, and the board was loath to part with so efficient an officer. 
But his reasons for resigning were all sufficient and his resignation was accepted 
and a vote of thanks was tendered him for his efficient services while clerk. On 
the same day, AI. Sweeney presented his resignation as sheriff' of the county, 
which was accepted, and he was elected to fill the vacancy in the clerk's office. 
Humphrey C. Hillock was elected sheriff" to fill the vacancy caused by the resig- 
nation of Mr. Sweeney. 

THE FREEM.\X RESU.MES PrnLIC.\TIOX 

In May, 18O4, .Mr. \'. A. Ballon came home from the war and renewed the 
publication of the Freeman. His first issue appeared May 25, 1864. .Mr. Sal- 
low was a young man who had been employed in the Freeman office soon after 
it was established in 1857 and had worked on the paper during all the time, when 
not attending college, until the fall of 1861, when he enlisted in Company F, Sec- 
ond Iowa Cavalry, in which he served, making an e.xcellent record as a soldier. 
On account of [joor health, however, he was discharged. 

His service in the army had not cooled his patriotism for the first issue of his 
paper he set up as his motto, "My Country when right. My Country, always, 
whether right or wrong," In the first issue of the paper we notice under the 
head of "war items," that at the battle of Plea.sant Hill, in which the Thirty^sec- 
ond Iowa was engaged, that Sergeant J. Ripley was wounded : .Henry Franks, 
R. D. Faught, Chas. Gray, John Haskins, missing. Joshua McFarland wounded 
in the leg, John M. .Miller wounded in the head; Joseph Payne, missing. .Ml of 
these were Hamilton countv men. 



lllSTUkY Ol- IIAAIILTUX CULXTY 125 

U. I). MIRACLE ARRIVES 

Just at this lime. llun. I). D. .Miracle ari'ived ancl look up liis residence. An 
article from his pen entitled "Aly first trip in a stage coach," was printed in the 
first issue of the I'reeman in 1864. as also a local notice stating that "D. D. Mir- 
acle, Esq.. a lawyer from Oshkosh. Wis., has just arrived and intends to remain 
permanently in this ]5lace.'" 

HOUSE THIEF EXCITEMENT ' 

In the latter part of -May, 1864, there was great excitement in the county over 
horse thieves. ( )n the 27th day of May, six horses and three sets of harness were 
stolen in the northwest corner of Story county and the thieves [)assed northward 
through this county into Wright. They were pursued and in consequence, be- 
tween Skimk Grove and Alden, they turned loose two of the stolen horses. From 
Alden they turned northwest aiul stopped at the house of Wm. McCotmack, a 
liomesteader living about a mile and a half southeast of where Clarion now 
stands. The sheriff of Wright county had been notified, and with a posse of men 
went in i)ursuit and found the thieves at McCormack's and attempted to arrest 
them. There were three of them and the\-, knowing that "Judge Lynch" would 
probably officiate at their trial if arrested, and that a hanging bee would occur as 
soon as a tree could be found to hang them to. fought with the greatest desperation 
and succeeded in escaping with part of their plunder, leaving behind them two 
horses and the three sets of harness. The harness was hid in three separate 
places in the tall grass where they were soon afterward found. In the fight be- 
tw^een the sheriff's posse and the thieves, guns and ])istols were freely used, but 
the thieves escaped so far as known uninjured, while of the sheriff's posse Mr. 
Donaldson was shot through the breast and was supposed to ije fatally wounded. 
However, he recovered and lived many years, though always suffering froin the 
effect of the wound. John Alelrose was shot in the neck. The thieves started 
southwest and the next day, a courier from Batch Grove came into Webster City 
for help, and was immediately joined by a goodly number of horsemen, but upon 
searching the grove nothing was found. It was reported that they had gone east 
in the direction of Eagle creek and Wall lake. The horsemen followed until 
near midnight, and coming to the conclusion that they were not on the right track, 
returned home. It seems that the thieves after eluding pursuit stole four horses 
on Lizzard creek and were next seen near Forest City, Iowa. This affair created 
a great sensation at the time and nearly every old settler will remember the great 
excitement it created. It became the leading subject of conversation for weeks 
and W'hile the excitement was at its height, the wildest rumors were freely cir- 
culated with reference to the thieves' organization, the desperate characters of 
the gang. It was claimed to be the determination of the horse thieves to steal all 
the horses in the neighborhood worth stealing, and shoot down any person who 
attempted to interfere. It was strongly urged that Story, Hamilton and Wright 
counties should unite in offering a reward for the ca])ture of the thieves. Hamil- 
ton declined, Wright offered $150 reward for each of the men. The thieves 
passed over into Minnesota, wdiere they were ]jursued so closely that a battle took 
place and again they escaped, leaving, it was reported, three of the pursuing jiarty 



126 HISTORY OF HAAFILTOX COUNTY 

dead on tlie field. The matter was freely discussed in the newspapers of the 
state and it was decided by them that Hamilton and Wright counties were dan- 
gerous places to travel- through. To show the tenor of the comment, we present 
here a clipping from the Sioux City Register. 

"It is becoming rather dangerous for strangers to travel in the neighborhood 
of Hamilton or Wright counties, without the jjroper papers to identify them- 
selves. Two citizens of this county, Dr. Ordway and Able Bacon were over east 
buying stock a few days ago, and while riding along, thinking there was nothing 
to molest them or make them afraid, they saw five or six horsemen approaching, 
riding furiously. When near enough, they halted our astonished citizens with a 
dangerous display of firearms and informed them that they were hunting for 
horse thieves and that Ordway and I'.acon were the fellows. Imagine their as- 
tonishment. They protested their innocence and demanded to see the warrant 
for their arrest but all of no avail. Bacon was pronounced guilty as an old of- 
fender, because he is, unfortunately, a little deaf, which they averred was feigned 
and a 'trick of the trade.' Our friends were taken back several miles and were 
lucky enough to be able to prove that they were not the thieves they were taken 
to be, and were allowed to go on their way rejoicing." 

The above shows how thoroughly aroused the people generally w ere, and how 
suspicious they were of all strangers. 

THE CIRCUS COMES TO TOWN 

On the second day of August, 1864, Hamilton county saw her first circus. It 
exhibited at Webster City, and was the then world renowned "Yankee Robison's 
Big Show." Everybody turned out and everybody was loud in the praise of the 
performance, notwithstanding the fact that it rained almost all day. Even in the 
midst of war and horse thieves, a big draft for soldiers imjiending, the people 
gave themselves up to one day's enjoyment at a circus. 

THE SHEEP IXDCSTRY 

Prior to the fall of 1864, but a few sheep had been brought into the county: 
but those had done well and as the price of wool was high, it was thought that this 
was "par excellence" the country for sheep. J- D. Sells brought in about 700 
from Ohio, while \Y S. Worthington and |. M. I'unk. witli one or two others, 
brought in a drove of over 2,000. Everybody began to talk shceiJ, and everybody 
was anxious to get some of them. Quite a number of farmers went away with 
the intention of bringing in new droves. We i)ass the ])rogress of lhi> industry 
for the present, but at the jiroijcr time will be compelled to note how it died out 
and give the catises therefor. 

HKAl'TING SOLDIERS 

During ihc summer, a new call of the ]iresi(lcnt ni the Cniteil States for 500,- 
000 men necessitated a draft in almost all localities of the L'nion. In Hamilton 
countv s]iccial pains had been taken to prevent the necessity ot a draft by the 



HISTORY OF HA:MILT0X county 127 

offering of a bounty of $200. This bounty was supplemented in some of the 
townships by an additional bounty of $200 raised by private subscription, which 
witli $100 ofifered by the general government brought the bounty up to $500. 
The draft was escaped in some of the townships but was enforced in others. It 
was to have been made on the 5th day of Septemljer, and had it taken place then, 
every township in the county Ijut Fremont would have been on the list. Hut it 
did not take place until al)out the 28th of the month and the result of the draft by 
the townships was as follows : 

Ellsworth — Christian Peterson, John Smith, Henry Staley, F. A. AlcClelland. 

Cass — Ulis Briggs, Henry P. Corbin, Harrison Averell, John P. Downing. 

Scott — Barney Charleson. Andrew Christiansen, Ole H. Johnson, Ira 
Stephens. 

Hamilton — Isaac Hanley J. X. IMaxwell, John McFarland, Jacob Olmstead, 
R. R. Royster, Addison Woodard. 

Webster— Wm. H. Banks, Thos. J. Rinwell, F. B. X. Strong, M. R. J. Coffer, 
Wm. K. Rush, Alilton Fisher. 

Marion — James Brundage, Reuben Neese, Francis Neese, J. F. Hook. 

In a draft for Webster township, when the first draw was made, two names 
were drawn sticking together. The names were Isaiah Doane and E. B. N^. 
Strong. These names were laid aside and when the draft for that township was 
otherwise concluded, the names were all taken out and these two again placed in 
the wheel and a draw made which fell upon Air. .Strong. The incident shows 
how near the county judge came to going to war. Judge Doane got the news that 
he had been drafted and immediately made arrangements to go, but the next day 
found that by one chance in two he had escaped. 

Prior to the draft, Hon. S. B. Rosencrans had been appointed by the governor 
as draft commissioner. He employed Dr. Phinneas Sage, a resident physician, as 
examiner and opened an office. To this office came all persons whose names had 
been listed as subject to draft, and who claimed exemption on account of dis- 
ability, and the scenes enacted here filled the whole space between the sublime and 
the ridiculous — the piteous and pugnacious. 

One great strapping fellow, who looked like he could fell a bull with a blow 
of his fist, claimed exemption because when a boy he fell on a stone and cut a 
hole in his scalp, leaving a scar. He wanted to get oft' on account of the scar. 

Tom Striker, then quite a notorious character on account of his pugilistic 
proclivities, claimed exemption on account of a gun shot wound in the nose. The 
claim was allowed and before he left the office he swore he could whip any man 
in the county. 

Men, who were never before suspected of being unsound, suddenly developed 
most startling physical debilities, so much so that there were people who hinted 
that the fright taken at the thought of going to war suddenly developed active 
complaints that had lain dormant for years and most probably would never have 
been heard of but for the draft. A^nother curious fact has lieen noticed. When 
the war was over, many who complained of such utter debility, suddenly got well 
(in the joy of the occasion ) and were never again attacked with the old trouljle- 
some complaints. 



128 HISTORY ov IIA.^[lI.'|■o^■ corxTV 

STATl-: Ml 1. 1 11 A 

L nder a law ici raise a state niiliua, 1 lainiltim coiiiit\ was tn .--uiiplv three eom- 
paiiies. The first eonipany was raised about the 20th of Auj^ust. in the southern 
part of the eounty. Win. AT. Xeeley was elected captain ; Smith, lirst Heutenant, 
and David Carroll, second lieutenant. The second comi)any was raised at Web- 
ster City and Major Geo. W. Crosley, formerly of the Third Infantry, was chosen 
captain; W. L. Church, first lieutenant; L. L. Estes, second lieutenant. 

The election for 1864 resulted as follows: Clerk, M. Sweeney; recorder. I. 
Doane ; sheriff, Humphrey Hillock; superintendent of schools, O. A. llolmes; 
drainage commissioner, \\'m. II. Adams, all elected by the Union part\ . 

Following the horse thief excitement in May as related above, a team of horses 
was stolen from Huitt Ross of Marion township, on the i8th of October, An- 
other team was stolen from \\'m. .S]iicer, of Webster townsliii). .-uid excitement 
was again aroused. 

THE Fiu.sT Ti'.Ai' incus' IXSmTTl': 

On the 17th of October, 1868, a teachers' institute was held at Webster City 
for one week. It was conducted by IVof. J. L. Enos of Cedar Rapids and from 
the best information we can get it was the first real institute ever held in the 
county and at the time was regarded as a \ ery important affair. There was no 
roll of teachers ]niblished or preserved, but we have been able to secure the fol- 
lowing partial list. John W. Lee, suj^erintendent ; H. M. Cass, 1. X. A\erell, Miss 
Belle Williams, Adam Kepler, \'iola Kellogg, Sarah Craft,' I. aura A. COoper. W 
J. Covil. John W. Funk and Miss I'.Ua V.. Elder. 

SOLDI I'.K.S .\S lil'ESTS 

( )n November 8tli, a detachment of jji soldiers under command of Capt. 
McCarthy, of the Sixth Iowa Cavalry, passed through this county and camped 
near the east bridge in Webster City, where they were visited by almost everx- 
one in the communii\ . It was very interesting to civilians to witness the routine 
of a real camp of soldiers. This detachment was a part of an expedition of 
General Sully, who, with his staff, passed through the county ;iboul a week later. 

■iiii-: i-iRST I icMi:ri:uv association 

iJuring the iiumth of Xovcmlicr, i8()4. the tirsl cemetery association in the 
county was organized at Webster City. Suniler Willson was made president and 
Rev. O. A. Holmes, secretary. The cemetery was located north of town on land 
owned by Mr. \\'illson, on a hlulT north of the north bridge. 

A nuAi"r AVOiDi i> 

( 'n the 1 8th of December, 1864, a call for 300,000 incii b\ the iJresident made 
another draft imminent and the Itoard of supervisors at the January session of '6^ 
offered .$qoo countv bounty to volunteers. Local subscriptions were freely made 




H — 






5^ 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 129 

and several recruits went out from the county while some re-enlistments were ac- 
credited to it. The draft was avoided and of the amounts subscribed to encourage 
enlistments, 64 per cent was returned to the subscribers. 

In March, 1865, County Treasurer J. M. Bell resigned and a special meeting 
of the board was called to elect his successor and for other purposes. The board 
met on the 27th day of March, accepted the resignation of Treasurer Bell to take 
effect June ist, and elected Major J. M. Jones as his successor. They also created 
the township of Rose Grove by dividing Boone township, cutting off all that part 
of it lying east of sections 5 and 32 and intervening sections in township 88, 
range 24, to county line. 

Early in January about 500 head of government stock was brought to Webster 
City for wintering and to these were added considerable numbers from time to 
time until by April several hundred head were being fed here and forty soldiers 
were detached from several companies stationed at Sioux City. 

THE ASSASSINATION OF LINCOLN 

On April 9th, the surrender of General Lee put an end to the rebellion but the 
news did not reach here for some days and the people, wild with delight, were in 
the very midst of their jollification when the news flashed over the country of the 
assassination of President Lincoln, and the attempted assassination of several 
other officials of the government. It is impossible to describe the state of feeling 
which this news created. All who witnessed and felt it will ever remember it with 
feelings of such poignant sorrow as to still bring tears to the eyes. The governor 
issued a proclamation requesting the people of the state to meet in their respective 
places of worship on the 27th of April, for humiliation and prayer, and that all 
travel and business within the state be suspended for that day. The day was gen- 
erally observed throughout the country. At Homer, a very large meeting was 
held and was addressed by Rev. Holmes and Rev. Hawks, and at Webster City a 
similar meeting was addressed by Rev. Hestwood and Rev. Harvey. 

A TRAGEDY AMONG THE SOLDIERS 

On the 19th day of April, 1865, a difficulty arose between two of the soldiers 
stationed here resulting in a fight with revolvers in which three men lost their lives. 
The Freeman of the 22nd, gives the following account of it : 

Fatal Affray, — On Wednesday, last, a fatal affray took place between two 
soldiers that were stationed here. It appears that they had been drinking pretty 
freely, and this is supposed to be the cause of the fight. Q. M. Sergeant, J. W. 
Anderson, Company A, Sixth Iowa Cavalry and Sergeant Wm. Ostrander, Com- 
pany E, Sixth Iowa Cavalry, had been having some words during that afternoon, 
but had been reconciled and locked arms and went to their quarters. Shortly 
after the report of fire arms was heard in that direction and then word came that 
three men had been shot. After reaching their quarters it would seem that words 
had again been commenced between them, resulting in the shooting of the two 
above named and Private E. M. Jones, Company G, Sixth Cavalry. The first 
shot fired hit Mr. Jones in the left side, passing through him. After this, shots 
were exchanged rapidly with their navy revolvers, all taking effect in one or the 

Vol. 1—9 



130 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COL'XTY 

other ; three balls through one and two through the other, all in their bodies. They 
then clinched and fell to the floor. Sergeant Ostrander died shortly after sun- 
down with three ball holes through his body. He leaves a family in Fremont 
county. Sergeant Anderson lingered until nine o'clock, when he also expired. 
From letters found, it appears he was a married man though he claimed to have 
been single since joining the regiment. He enlisted in Marshall county, but was 
not a resident of the state. Mr. Jones lived until about nine o'clock next morning, 
when he expired. He was from Delaware county and leaves a family. He was 
trying to prevent the men from shooting each other when he was shot. The ser- 
geants were the best of friends since they have been here and were almost in- 
separable. Liquor was the cause of this triple death. W'here the liquor came from 
will be seen in another place. 

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. O. A. Holmes, his address being 
heard with marked attention. He dwelt at some length upon the use of al- 
coholic liquors and used some plain words that it will be well to heed. The bodies 
were interred in the new cemetery grounds. 

THE SORGHUM .VGE 

During the war, while the price of produce had gone up slightly, the price 
of groceries had advanced to an enormous degree. This county being as yet 
so far from railroads, supplies had to be brought from Iowa City, Des Moines 
or Farly by team, while the products of the farm must also be carted to these 
distant points over almost impassable roads, crossing swollen and unbridged 
rivers. It is not strange therefore, that the settlers sought to utilize their own 
production and buy as little as possible. Among the most interesting stories 
of early times are those related of trips to these distant towns with produce to 
sell. Two or three stories illustrative of these trips will appear in these columns 
when the proper time arrives, at present we will only mention some of the 
means used to dispense with "store supplies" by substituting farm production. 
Molasses and sugar, with which the settlers sweetened their wild berries and 
"crab-apple-sass," became so costly that even the crab apple must be abandoned 
unless cheaper sweetening than store molasses or sugar could be found, and 
so the settler began to raise cane and make sorghum molasses. The earlier 
settlers, those who had always been pioneers, somewhere, were from the earliest 
date raising small patches of cane, but it was not 'till war prices came, that the 
settlers generally were driven to that necessity. The effort was crowned with 
such success, however, that very soon every farmer had his cane patch ; every 
neighl)orhood one or two cane mills, and when the season for making molasses 
came, there were weeks that the cane mill and the boiling vat would be in 
operation day and night, and they made, generally, a very good ciualily of 
sorghum. We must admit, however, that a great deal of the molasses produced 
was very dark, strong and unpalatable, but this was caused by the fact that many 
tried to boil the sap in kettles of all dimensions, shapes and sizes and it was im- 
possil)le to get rid of much of the "scum" and imi)urities, and this made the 
molasses black and strong and liable to fernicnl. lUit the liroad lioiling pans, 
with their compartments that enabled the sap to evaporate rapidly, gave ample 
means for thorough skimming and soon brought forth a clear, thick product of 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 131 

great excellence, and it became a matter of competition among the farmers, as 
to who should produce the finest sorghum. With this "sweetening," not so 
very cheap, but plentifully produced, wholly by their own labor, the women 
folks vied with each other in making many different kinds of jams and butters. 
Currants, gooseberries, wild plums and crab apples were the staple articles 
with which to experiment and the number of different kinds of dishes they 
could and did concoct from these fruits was a wonder as well as a great credit 
to their ingenuity. Crab apples came and stayed longer than anything else, and 
with this as a base, it is really wonderful how many kinds of "sass" could be 
made, all tolerable food, but "crabby'' and ready to give away the secret of 
sweetening at first taste ; and when this, put away for winter, got tired of in- 
activity and "worked," it was quickly taken in hand, dumped into kettles and 
"done up" again with more sorghum added. 

When the writer came to Iowa in 1871, this industry was perhaps at its very 
greatest height, and we were riding on a load of cane before we had left the 
train two hours. It seemed to us that the one industry of the county was mak- 
ing sorghum, and if there was anything except meats, they didn't put sorghum 
into, we used to wonder what it was. This industry began to be general during 
the war, and grew until every farmer made plenty for his own use and some 
manufactured it for sale. This industry flourished until refined sugar and fine 
syrups became cheap, when it gradually died out, the mills rusted down and 
now, only here and there is sorghum produced at all. 

The period from 1864 to 1880 will ever be known as the "sorghum age" 
of the county. It will not be just to pass this subject without mention of this 
industry, and as illustrating we note that in 1864 W. W. Boak, from a little 
over one acre of cane, manufactured two hundred and eighty gallons of sorghum, 
which was worth at current prices, $400. This was perhaps more than an 
ordinary yield, but it indicates what was done, and can be done again in the 
way of raising cane. 



CHAPTER VIII 

TUST AFTER THE WAR— EVENTS BETWEEN THE CLOSE OF THE 
WAR AND THE ARRIVAL OF THE FIRST RAILROAD 

HOMER REVIVES B. F. DERR COMMENCES BUSINESS HOOk's POINT THE NEW 

YORK COLONY ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD REACHES ACKLEY MOB LAW THE 

POTTER HOUSE — THE DECLINE OF THE SHEEP INDUSTRY GRACELAND CEMETERY 

COUNTY ELECTION IN '65 — A COURTHOUSE AT LAST A BUSINESS DIRECTORY IN 

1866 J. D. HUNTER TAKES CHARGE OF THE FREEMAN A SEVERE WINTER A 

• WET SPRING A MARKET REPORT IN 1867 COUNTY ELECTION IN 1867 TOWN- 
SHIP OF BLAIRSBURG CREATED BASEBALL IN THE SIXTIES THE FIRST BANK IS 

ESTABLISHED A GRASSHOPPER SCARE A PIONEER CAMP MEETINC JUDCIE CHASE 

FOR CONGRESS A COUNTY FAIR GROUND ESTABLISHED. 

By F. 0. Lee 

HOMER REVIVES 

In Alay, 1865, the Chicago & North- Western Railway was finished and run- 
ning to Boone, making that town the nearest of importance, with railroad 
facilities. It was very natural that new settlers coming to the county should 
try to settle as near the railroad as possible, and so the settlements about Homer, 
Hook's Point and south towards Boone, began to receive an increase in popula- 
tion. This part of the county had been the first to be settled, and in point of 
numbers and influence, had led all others. But with the removal of the county 
seat to Fort Dodge, the town of Homer gradually died out and settlements 
thereabout became less frequent, leaving that country almost at a standstill for 
years. But now, with its advantage as being the nearest to railroad communica- 
tion, it again sprang into activity and new settlements began to be made on 
every hand and new settlers began to improve the land on the prairies away 
from the timber skirting the Boone river. 

B. F. DERR COMMENCES BUSINESS 

In August, B. F. Derr came to Homer, formed a partnership with Mr. Dickey 
and opened up the largest stock of dry goods, groceries, etc., to Ije found in 
the county. So dead a town was Homer at the time of Mr. Derr's arrival, that 
he took rooms he found vacant and lived in them some months before he was 
able to find out to whom they belonged. Mr. Dickey and Dr. Corbin had each 
been running small general stores, but no means had been taken to boom things, 

133 



134 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

and everything was allowed to drift along in its own way. With the coming 
of Mr. Derr, however, a new impetus was given to business. At his suggestion 
the residents of Homer began to work together to build up the town. The firm 
of Dickey & Derr, believing then, as Mr. Derr always had believed, in the efficacy 
of printer's ink, had large hand bills and circulars printed and scattered broad- 
cast throughout the settlements and sent to eastern friends of settlers. These 
circulars extolled the country, its products and everything connected with the 
community tributary to Homer and especially urged the advisability of buying 
goods of Dickey & Derr. Their example was followed to some extent by Dr. 
Corbin and others. Everywhere you went, these bills and circulars were found, 
and settlers writing to their friends in the east would enclose them in their 
letters, and these seeds of enterprise soon began to bear an immense harvest of 
settlement and trade, so much so, that at the end of the first year it was found 
that the firm of Dickey & Derr had sold $30,000 worth of goods and their 
trade was constantly increasing. Dr. Corbin had also shared in the general 
prosi)erity, and at the end of that year Homer had become a lively town so far 
as business was concerned and was growing in population and importance. When 
Mr. Derr arrived in Homer, lots were at slow sale at $10 to $15 apiece; by the 
end of the year these same lots were selling rapidly at $50 to $75 apiece. Soon 
the fame of Homer spread, and new lines of business were established. Dr. 
Warner established a drug store, Mr. Price opened a cabinet shop, Ezra Wood- 
ard opened a harness shop, Mr. Bartells and Mr. Trotter opened shoe shops, 
and it was not long 'till all the trades were represented ; all were made welcome 
and all worked together to build up the town. Tucker & Olmstead had a steam 
saw-mill one mile west of town and their business grew to such dimensions that, 
to board their hired help and their families, their store bill amounted to over 
$5,000 with the one firm of Dickey & Derr, and they may have purchased con- 
siderable of the other stores. A great many settlers came in and in many cases 
their means were exhausted by the time they had settled, and, as many of them 
came thus, in the summer and fall, they raised no crops and were compelled to 
purchase all their supplies "on tick," to be paid out of the next year's crop. To 
all such, goods were sold without stint and credit given. The great public 
spirit of the merchants can be realized when it is understood that to do this 
required large outlays of cash with no positive assurance of ever getting pay. 
The grain supply of the county had not been sufficient to provide provisions for 
all, and so corn meal was hauled from Sweed's Point, where it could be pro- 
cured and where $1.50 per hundred had to be paid for it. Flour was shipped 
from Chicago and sold at $7 a hundred and meat was also shipped from Chi- 
cago and had to be sold at $18 per hundred for side pork, with larger prices 
for shoulders and hams. Each year renewed, but in decreasing ratio, the con- 
ditions above mentioned and each was met in the same manner. Homer had 
daily mails brought by the stage running through to Fort Dodge and her pros- 
perity continued until 1S70, when the railroad was completed to Webster City 
and Fort Dodge. .After this, the decline of the town was as rapid as the growth 
had been, but the country round aiiout it continued to progress, checked and 
hindered only by the unfortunate river land difficulties in which many of the 
settlers were involved, and of which we shall write at length in a future chapter. 






HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 135 

hook's point 

Hook's Point shared in the general prosperity of that part of the county and 
soon grew into a smart little village. It had a large steam sawmill, general 
stores and almost all kinds of business, but unlike Homer, when the railroad 
crossed the northern part of the county, its prosperity, though checked for a 
time, was not destroyed, and after a time began to grow again, slowly, and held 
its own until the North-Western Railroad crossed the south part of the county 
and Stratford was established. Then most of the people moved to Stratford, 
and Hook's Point as a town and trading point was wiped out entirely. 

In common with the country about Homer and Hook's Point, the whole 
county began to show activity in the way of new settlements, but not in so 
maked a degree as near these two towns. 

THE "new YORK COLONY" 

The return, and settlement in this county, of what was known as the "New 
York Colony," that had gone to Dakota early in 1864. furnished perhaps the 
largest body of persons coming in a body to the county, and made up the 
largest share of the settlers arriving in 1864. In 1865, the settlers came in larger 
numbers than ever before and new homes were established in all parts of the 
county. This manner of settlement continued and increased with the years. 
There was no unusual or spasmodic growth, but a gradual and substantial addi- 
tion to numbers each year, making the material prosperity permanent and 
lasting. 

ILLINOIS CENTR.\L RAILROAD REACHES ACKLEY 

By the month of October, 1865, the Dubuque and Iowa Falls Railroad had 
reached Ackley and railroad facilities, compared with what they had been, were 
regarded as very good, and the prospects for an extension of the road westward 
through this county at an early day tended largely to induce emigrants to stop 
here where lands were cheap, and where, with the arrival of the railroad, they 
would probably largely advance in price. Indeed, the people hereabout, were 
e.xceedingly proud of the fact that the road had reached a point so near as 
Ackley and boasted of the convenience, for with daily stages from Ackley and 
a railroad beyond, an order for small articles of goods could be sent to Chicago 
and be returned within three days if no delays or accidents occurred. 

MOB LAW 

During the summer of 1865, considerable excitement was caused in the 
county by what was termed a case of "mob law." On the night of July i, a 
number of masked and otherwise disguised men, went to the cabin of a settler 
namey Joseph Dunbar, in Cass township. They took him out of bed, draggea' 
him to the timber near by, where they stripped and soundly flogged him. Mrs. 
Dunbar and a daughter, a bright young woman, interfered to protect the hus- 
band and father, and they also received some rather rough treatment. 

The cause of the trouble seems to have been that a large number of Dunbar's 



136 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

cattle and horses were frequently found in the grain fields of his neighbors 
where they had gone during the night. The neighbors urged him to take care 
of his stock during the night time as they all did, but he seems to have paid no 
attention to these requests and it was even charged that he threw down fences 
and turned the cattle into the grain fields himself. The neighbors, therefore, 
used pretty rough measures in expelling his stock from their fields when they 
found them trespassing, and hard feelings were engendered. 

Then followed a series of outrages to stock of the neighborhood such as 
hamstringing horses, maiming and wounding cows with a knife or other sharp 
weapon. These depredations were charged to Dunbar. He was frequently 
seen prowling about at all hours of the night by one and another of the neigh- 
bors. But he was never caught doing this mischief and no evidence could be 
produced against him to sustain a criminal prosecution. Still the damage to 
stock continued and as these depredations were confined to parties having 
trouble with Dunbar, the neighborhood generally believed he was the guilty 
party and a few of them, just who they were was never certainly known, de- 
termined to take the law into their own hands and put a stop to it if possible, 
and it is a notable fact that no more outrages to stock were committed in the 
neighborhood after the "mob" had done its work. Dunbar was a man of great 
irritability of temper and when angered was utterly unreasonable, vindictive 
and revengeful. When difficulties were once started he made himself so ob- 
noxious that he was thoroughly hated by some of his neighbors and shunned 
by nearly all. 

The Dunbar family claimed to recognize a number of the mob and a half 
dozen arrests were made. The men arrested were regarded then, and such of 
them as live in the county now, as among the most peaceable, respectable and 
well disposed men in the county. One of them has since served in a most 
important county office for four years and was elected by the party vastly in 
the minority, which emphasizes the high opinion in which he was held. Whether 
he was in the mob or not, it is certain the people either did not believe he was, 
or did not care. Viewing the character of the men arrested and their conduct 
towards others then and since then, if they really were of the mob, the aggrava- 
tion must have been enormous to lead them to take such means to rid them- 
selves of the annoyance. No one was ever convicted of participation in the 
offense, though suits and countersuits dragged along in the courts for some 
years. It is said upon good authority that when the grand jury found a bill of 
indictment against one of the alleged mob and he was notified of it, he brought 
down a number of watermelons and rolled them into the jurv room and told 
the jury to go for them. The same grand jury indicted Dunbar and he also 
brought watermelons and treated the jury. One of the jury after regaling 
himself to satiety on the melons, facetiously remarked: "If there's anybody 
else who has good watermelons and wants an opportunity to treat this jurv, let 
him send in his name and we'll accommodate him with an indictment." 

Mr. Dunbar was at one time fairly well to do. but his difficulties with his 
neighbors and his propensity for law nearly broke him up. His children are 
still residents of the county and are among the most respectable and well dis- 
posed of our citizens. 

It is curious to note with what complacency the people of every town and 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 137 

country regard themselves and their achievements. This was true of Hamilton 
county in general and Webster City in particular. This was illustrated in many 
wavs. and especially in the case of the schools of that town, which the people 
were wont to consider "the best in the state" and for size were regarded as 
simply immense. 

There was a "high school" and two lower rooms and there was talk of 
building an additional house for the accommodation of those pupils living across 
the river in the east part of town. The enumeration made in 1865 showed chil- 
dren of school age to the number of two hundred. 

''THE POTTER HOUSE" 

In September. 1865, A. M. Potter came to Webster City and opened a hotel 
in what was then known as "The Church House," at the northeast corner of 
Bank and Union streets and changed the name to "The Potter House." Fie 
afterwards moved the building to Second street between Seneca and Willson 
avenue and added a brick front and it continued to be the Potter Flouse until 
after his death. 

THE DECLINE OF THE SHEEP INDUSTRY 

In a former chapter mention was made of the sheep industry. This industry 
grew until there were many thousand sheep in the county. Nearly every farmer 
had a flock of from fifty to one hundred, and though they were worth from 
$4 to $10 a head, nearly every one who could get the money or credit had 
"went into sheep." But before the industry was two years old the sheep began 
to die. This was in the fall of 1865. All manner of stories were afloat as to 
the cause of the loss. But speculation upon the cause and all the doctoring 
they could do did not stop the death rate, and in less than four years there 
were almost as few sheep in the county as when the craze began. The industry, 
like the Roman Empire, had "rose and fell." It was thought after it was all 
over that the inclement winters, the length of time between green grass in fall 
and spring (for there was not tame hay here then), and insufficiency of shelter, 
combined to break down the constitution of the animals, while the wet prairie 
upon which they grazed in summer gave them foot rot. The industry was 
therefore practically abandoned as an unprofitable, if not an impossible, busi- 
ness to keep up. Of course such a disastrous ending to the business made 
future ventures in that direction almost out of the question, but in later years 
the cultivation and drainage of the lands, the introduction everywhere of tame 
grasses, the planting of groves to break the bleakness of the prairies, has changed 
conditions and the business has in later years been resumed in a limited degree, 
and now gives promise of becoming an important element in the future of the 
county. 

GR.\tEL.\ND CEMETERY 

In a former chapter mention was made of a new cemetery, situated on the 
bluff just north of the north bridge. 

To this location there were serious objections, the principal one being the 



138 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

difficulty of reaching it in case of high water, for a grade had not yet been built 
across the long stretch of low ground on the south side leading to the bridge. 
The road across this low ground was not good even at its best, and in high water 
it overflowed. The great expense of putting it in shape for use at all times 
could not be incurred at that time. Indeed, many declared that the grade never 
could be made and maintained. So when an attempt was made to improve the 
cemetery and to meet the expense of it, a public sale of lots was advertised, 
there were no bidders and it was decided to abandon that location. A few 
burials had been made there and among them, the three soldiers killed in 
Webster City as related herein. Prior to its establishment, burials had been 
made on the river bluff northwest of town and a large number had been buried 
there. With the abandonment of the enterprise of establishing a cemetery on 
the north hill, it was determined to seek a new location and the location of the 
present Graceland cemetery was agreed upon and laid out in lots. 

Sumler Willson was president, and Isaiah Doane secretary and treasurer of 
the association that selected these grounds. To the new location, which was 
established November, 1865, removals were made from the other grounds. 

Since the establishment of the new cemetery and within the past few years, 
the ladies of Webster City have organized a cemetery association and taken 
entire charge and control of it. The grounds have been greatly enlarged and 
improved. The new part has been artistically laid out according to plans drawn 
and furnished by N. P. Hyatt. Esq., a young attorney of this city, and every 
year new and attractive improvements are being made. Closz Brandrup is 
employed as sexton and spends all his time in caring for the grounds. A large 
number of very fine monuments have been erected and now the cemetery estab- 
lished in 1865 is among the finest in the state. 

COUNTY ELECTION OF 1865 

The October election in 1865 passed by with little excitement so far as 
local affairs were concerned and resulted in the election of County Judge, Isaiah 
Doane; Treasurer, Hiram H. Bennett; Sheriff', H. C. Hillock; Superintendent 
of Schools, Rev. O. A. Holmes ; Drainage Commissioner, D. Carroll ; Surveyor, 
James Faught ; Coroner, Richard Sackett. 

The board of supervisors were as follows: Cass. J. \\'. Lee; Rose Grove, 
S. L. Rose; Marion, W. Neese; I<"remont, George C. Cole; Ellsworth, J. M. 
Foster; Boone, Sumler Willson; Hamilton, W. M. Neely; Scott. Lars Hender- 
son ; Webster, D. Carroll ; Lyon, E. Lakin. When this new board organized in 
January, 1866, S. L. Rose was elected chairman. This board seems to have 
had a large amount of business before it, judging from the printed "proceed- 
ings," and it was a board that when it determined to do anything, it went right 
about it, and it was done. It dctcrniined to build a courthouse, and advertised 
for bids. 

A COURTHOUSE .\T l..\.<r 

In May, it accepted the bid iif Turner. l)all)\- and Baxter ;uid entered into a 
coiUract with tlieni for the erection of a house 28x50 ft., two stories. Two 




llAMll/roX COUNTY'S FIKST roL'RTHOUSE 
Now used as a rcsidciici' }<\ ■!. K. Ki'aiiis 



^ 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 139 

county offices were arranged for on the first lloor and tlie j^econd lloor was fur- 
nished up for a court room. The contract price was $1,934.00 and the building 
was completed and reariy for occupancy October i of that year. It was located 
on the old [niblic s(|uare at the southeast corner of Seneca and liank streets. 
The court room was entered by an outside stairway and in it court was held for 
a number of years. It was in this room that the famous Ross murder trial took 
]jlace. This building is now located on East I'.ank street and is the residence 
of J. \ . Kearns. 

The board did a great deal of business during the year, !)Ul nothing of special 
note except the building of the courthouse, which it must be remembered was 
onl\- intended as a tem]iorary structure, to last until the county was able to 
build a costly and permanent one. The people of the county were so well 
pleased with this board that all its members were returned for the next year 
except the member from Webster, who was succeeded by Dr. H. Corbin. 

A BUSINESS DIRECTORY IN 1866 

Perhaps nothing could give a better idea of the extent of growth of the 
county than to give a business directory of Webster City, the principal town of 
the county, of date February 24, 1866, and to state that the census report made 
in 1865 showed 2,023 inhabitants in the county, and this is all the more im- 
portant for consideration as the time is about the beginning of a more active, if 
not more permanent growth of the county in population and importance. 

To further show the rate of growth, the reports of statistics to January i, 
1867, showed a population in the county of 3,151. The number of dwelling 
houses, 546, an increase of nearly two hundred during the year of 1866. 

BUSINESS DIRECTORY OF WEBSTER CITY 

Merchants — John Rhodes, drugs, dry-goods, groceries, boots and shoes; 
G. W . Crosley, dry-goods, groceries, boots and shoes ; L. L. Estes, drugs, gro- 
ceries and postoffice ; K. Young, dry-goods and groceries, boots and shoes ; L. L. 
Treat, dry-goods, groceries, boots and shoes ; Fairchild & Hoffman, general 
hardware; W. W. Wells, gent's furnishing goods and tailoring; J. S. Bell, gro- 
ceries ; G. W. Bailey, groceries. 

Furniture — Cox and Sketchley, J. S. Kenyon. 

Harness Shop — W. H. Mayhew, W. Young. 

Blacksmiths — Howell & Cleckner, W. C. Howard, J. Fisher. 

Wagon Shop — E. Sackett. • 

Shoe Shop — A. Beauchaine, David Smith, D. Hartman, J. W. Holiday. 

Livery Stable — Chas. Arthur. 

Lawyers — D. D. Chase, district judge; W. J. Covil, Miracle & Sutton, J. 
Skinner. 

Billiard, Saloon — Browning & Worthington. 

Physicians — H. E. Hendryx, J. R. Burgess, H. N. Crapper, I. Soule. 

Millinery — Miss D. Swanger, Miss M. E. Bell. 

Auctioneer — W. L. Church. 

Mills — Saw, Chas. Stoddard; grist, S. .\ldrich. 



140 HISTORY C)l- lIAAriT.TON COUNTY 

Cooper Shop — James Gayer. 

Photographer — S. Moore. 

Agricultur.al W..\REnousE — O. E. Stevens. 

ME.vr Market— H. C. Hillock. 

Tliis directory is taken from the Freeman of February 24, 1S66. As a 
further basis of comparison, a market report is desirable, but none was printed, 
and the memory of man is too treacherous to rely upon. 

THE FIRST CHURCH BUILDING 

Up to the spring of 1866, while there were several church societies in the 
county, as yet no church building had been erected. In the country services were 
neld in the cabins of the settlers or in the school houses, and in town in buildings 
hired for the purpose. In Webster City the Baptists held services in the town 
hall, and the ^Methodists and Congregationalists used a building located just east of 
the present Baptist church until the completion of the new courthouse, when 
they used the court hall. A move was put on foot in 1865 to build a new Metho- 
dist' church in Webster City, and in March, 1866. the contract to build a brick 
church was let to Turner, Dalby and Ba.xter for $2,500. The walls were built and 
roof put on, and in this unfinished condition, without seats, a grand Christmas 
service was held in it December 25, 1866. The next spring the building was com- 
pleted and regular services were held there, but owing to the inability of the 
society to pledge the means to clear the building of debt, it was not formally dedi- 
cated until about two years later. 

The building was located on the northeast corner of what is now the public 
school grounds, and was removed in 1886, the material being used in the construc- 
tion of a new Methodist Episcopal church on the corner opposite the present 
court house. It was the first church built in the county and though the contract 
was let for $2,500, the building cost about $4,000 when completed. 

J. D. HUNTER TAKES CHARGE OF THE FREEMAN 

On the 7th of December, 1866, John D. Hunter published his first issue of the 
Freeman. Up to this time, since his return from the army in 1864, Mr. \'. A. 
Ballou had ])ublished the paper and had given the county a very able and newsy 
journal, but desiring to return to college and complete his education, ho retired 
from journalism and returned to school. 

Mr. Hunter in his "word at the start" declared his inteiuion to make the paper 
"radically republican," and that he has done so will scarcely be denied. He had 
had considerable journalistic experience and had good ability as a writer and espe- 
cially as a localizer, and the Freeman continued to take rank as a first class county 
paper. Not only that, but it grew better as its editor became better accjuainted 
with Hamilton county and its men and affairs. He continued to be a resident of 
the county, and with the exception of one year, was editor of the Freeman to 
within a few years of the time of his death. His services in behalf of the county 
can never be fullv told. Im-oui the time of his arrival until his death he exerted 
lhrf)Ugh the Freeman a powerful influence for good. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 141 

A SEVERE WINTER 

The winter of 1866-7 was one of unusual length and severity, snow falling 
early and remaining until late in the spring, so that there were one hundred and 
four days of sleighing without a break. It appears that the hardest part of the win- 
ter was in March, when a snow storm of unprecedented severity swept over the 
whole northwest from which a number of people-lost their lives by being frozen, 
though happily no Hamilton county citizens were among them. A Mr. Hand, a 
stage driver well known here, was lost on the prairie for four days, but escaped 
with the loss of his toes. One of the horses froze to death where he unhitched and 
abandoned it. A Wright county man perished while on his way home from a 
neighbor's house, but a couple of miles distant and was not found for four days ; 
John W. Lee, attempting to go to Hickory Grove in Hancock county from his 
home five miles north of Webster City, was caught in the storm and remained 
out on the prairie all night, and his escape from freezing was almost miraculous. 

The snow did not go off until April, when as a result of warm weather and 
rains, the whole face of the country resembled a huge lake. 

A WET SPRING 

The streams and rivers were swollen to a higher stage than had ever been 
known before, and much damage was done while travel was almost completely 
stopped. Railroad bridges were washed out and travel over ordinary wagon roads 
were scarcely thought of for some days. None of the wagon bridges in this 
county were taken out, but the water overflowed the approach-ways so that for 
days they could not be reached. An incident of the "flood" is related of Jay Stern- 
berg. He attempted to take a man across the river in a boat ; the boat struck a 
snag and capsized. The man was a swimmer and safely reached the shore, but 
Jay had not learned that fishy art and had to seek other means of safety. He 
managed to reach a tree and like Zaccheus of old, climbed into it, where he had to 
stay until help took him off. He was very fortunate in not being drowned and 
had an opportunity to find out just how it looks "to a man up a tree." 

During this winter, in January, a deer was killed between Harris' mill and 
White Fox. It had been started near the source of the Boone and followed south 
until when near the mill its pursuers came near enough to get a shot at it and 
wounded it badly. It eluded pursuit for a time, but next day was run down and 
captured. It was next to the last deer captured in the county, though not the last 
seen, as the writer saw two of them as late as the spring of 1877, north of Webster 
City. 

A MARKET REPORT IN 1 867 

Early in 1867 the Freeman began to print a Webster City market report and 
we choose the date of May ist as a fair average of prices for the year, and 
give it in full : 

WEBSTER CITY MARKET 

Wheat No. i per bu $2.25 

Wheat No. 2 per bu .■ 2.00 



142 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

Oats per bu .75 

Corn per bu $1.00 to 1.25 

Potatoes per bu 1.25 to 2.00 

Flour per cwt 7.00 

Pork per cwt 7.00 to 8.00 

Hay per ton 5.00 to 6.00 

The reason for these high jjrices is found in two facts: Prices were generally 
high, and a constantly increasing population dejiended entirely upon purchasing 
supplies, until such times as they could raise crops. More was required than was 
produced, and the shortage had to be shipped from the east. This enabled the 
farmer to sell at high figures. These prices held good all over the county. 

In May, 1866, came A. Ramharter, and in May, 1867, his brewery was in full 
running order and it continued to run and had grown to considerable proportions 
when the prohibitory law of 1884 closed it up and Mr. Ramharter left the state. 
In June, 1867, "Uncle" John Bonner purchased or leased the "Willson House" 
and changed the name to the "American House." The name was afterward 
changed to the "Hamilton House," and still later was known as "Park Hotel." 

A DISASTROUS FIRE 

On July 9, 1867. the Ten Eyke steam saw and grist mill at Hook's Point 
burned to the ground. This mill had been doing (juite a business as a saw mill 
and had a lath mill and planing machine attached as well as burrs for grinding 
grists. It had also a machine used in making cheese boxes. All, including about 
thirty thousand feet of lumber, was destroyed. The loss footed up several thou- 
sand dollars. Immediate steps were taken to rebuild and by the following April, 
1868, it was again in running order. Its career of usefulness did not last many 
years, however, and now scarcely a trace of it is to be seen. 

COUNTY ELECTION IN '67 

At the election in the fall of 1867 the following officers were elected: Judge, 
I. Doane; Treasurer, John Eckstein; Sheriff, John McMiller; Superintendent of 
Schools, W. J. Covil ; Surveyor, W. T. Wright; Drainage Commissioner, Huitt 
Ross; Coroner, Dr. J. R. Burgess. There was no contest over any of the offices 
except sheriff. For that office Fred A. Harris had secured the regular reiiublican 
nomination and Mr. McMiller, who was also a candidate before the convention 
thinking he had not been fairly beaten, ran independently and was elected by a 
small majority. John D. 1 lunicr was elected to the legislature and on going to 
Des Moines on the first day of January to take his seat, he left the Freeman 
in charge of Judge S. L. Rose as editor and Will !•". Smith was made foreman 
and business manager. 

TOWNSIIIl' OF BLAIRSBURG CRE.\TED 

At the September session of the board of supervisors, the township of Blairs- 
burg was created and the record of its creation shows it to have been made up of 
certain sections and half sections cut off from Cass, Boone and Rose Grove town- 



HISTORY OF HAAIILTON COUNTY 143 

ships, and to have been made up mostly of territory lying east of the present 
townships of Blairsburg and Liberty. Only two half sections of the present town- 
ship of Blairsburg were then in the township so named. The present town of 
Williams is very near the geographical center of Blairsburg township as first 
organized. A. P. Allen was its first member of the board while the other members 
of the board, all of whom were new members except three, were as follows : 
Boone, J. R. Burgess ; Ellsworth, J. A. Cooper ; Lyon, William Tatham ; Fremont, 
A. McLaughlin; Marion, Joseph Bone; Cass, J. W. Lee; Rose Grove, S. L. Rose; 
Scott, Lars Henryson ; Webster, B. E. Boynton. Judge Rose, as usual, was made 
chairman of this board. 

B.\SE BALL IN THE SIXTIES 

It was about this time that Hamilton county, like the whole country, was 
struck by what might be termed the "base ball craze." It was then a new game, 
and clubs were formed in different parts of the county. Crowds went out to wit- 
ness the game, and old and middle-aged men seeing it, were reminded of how 
they used to play "town ball," and took a hand. A report of what was denomi- 
nated "a hotly contested game of base ball" is given in one of the local papers of 
the day, in which the score is put down at 105 to 62. But then with the rules of 
that day and a "live" ball, the surprising number of runs may well be excused. 
The "craze" has never died out, and probably never will. 

THE FIRST B.VN'K ESTABLISHED 

In December, 1867, B. F. Miller arrived in Webster City and immediately 
opened the "Bank of Webster City" and he is entitled to be listed as the first 
banker and his, the first bank in the county. During the year he was joined in 
business by Jay Sternberg and the business enlarged, a building put up, and a new 
fire and burglar proof safe was procured. 

A GRASSHOPPER SCARE 

The last of September, 1867, witnessed quite a scare throughout the county. 
Stories had been circulated about the ravages of grasshoppers in Dakota, and other 
western localities, and so when suddenly the very sun was obscured by clouds of 
these festive "hoppers," that alighted and swept everything green before them, 
and then proceeded to bore the earth full of holes and plant therein their eggs, the 
people became truly frightened. True, the grasshoppers did little damage, for the 
corn was generally too well matured to be injured by them, and little was left for 
them but turnips and cabbages. But these afforded the "hoppers" an opportunity 
to show up "a sample" of how they could clean up a crop of green, and the 
farmer trembled when he thought of what might happen in the spring when that 
mat of "hopper eggs" should hatch, and be turned loose upon the spring crops. 
His fears were not wholly unfounded, for when spring came, the "hoppers" 
hatched out and went to work on the young crops. They appeared to be re-en- 
forced by others from the southwest, and for a while it seemed certain that the 
whole crop must go. But suddenly they arose and left in the early part of July, 



144 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUXTY 

having damaged the crops on an average of about one-half. Some fields were 
scarcely touched, while others were totally destroyed. The greatest amount of 
damage was done to the oats crop — many fields being not worth the harvesting. 
This was quite a calamity to the new settler, who generally had little to fall back 
upon, and some left the county, while no doubt emigration was slightly checked by 
the reports of the disaster. 

A PIONEER CAMP MEETING 

In July, 1868, was held the first camp-meeting. It was held at Royster's grove, 
three and a half miles southeast of Homer. Four thousand persons were re- 
ported to have been present on Sunday. Between thirty and forty conversions 
were reported, and thirty-four additions to the church. Everything passed oflf 
successfully and quietly. 

JUDGE CHASE FOR CONGRESS 

Up to the summer of 1868 Hon. A. \V. Hubbard of Sioux City had repre- 
sented the sixth district in congress, but by reason of failing health, he was not 
a candidate for reelection. As a consequence, G. W. Couch, C. F. Clarkson, 
Charles Pomeroy, D. D. Chase and John Scott entered the race for the nomination. 
Judge Chase of Hamilton county had achieved considerable distinction and popu- 
larity while district attorney and district judge and went into the convention with 
more strength than any two candidates. Unfortunately for his chances for suc- 
cess, however, political differences had risen between him and Col. Chas. A. Clark, 
and Colonel Clark opposed his nomination. He was able, fearless and untiring in 
his opposition and went to the convention to defeat Judge Chase if possible, though 
not a delegate. Chase, as the strongest and leading candidate, was unable to make 
any combinations, while the weaker candidates could and did combine and after 
two days in convention and seventy-seven bollots, one Charles Pomeroy received 
the nomination. Pomeroy was a weak man who had nothing to recommend him 
except his ability to make a speech, and his record as a congressman showed the 
weakness of a political choice that is determined by political dickering. Judge 
Chase would have made an able representative in congress, but the animosities 
engendered in the contest for the nomination were kept alive and though he was 
often mentioned in connection with that position, the political avenger was always 
alert, and following Pomeroy, came Jackson Orr and Addison OUiver, and the con- 
tinuation of such weak men in office provoked Ben Butler to remark, "It was a pity 
the big northwest district of Iowa could not be represented in congress." 

A COUNTY "fair GROUNd" ESTABLISHED 

In the fall of 1867 the people of the county began to agitate the question of or- 
ganizing a county agricultural society, and the project meeting general approval, 
a meeting was called to take steps toward effecting an organization. The meet- 
ing convened at the courthouse and elected temporary officers, appointed commit- 
tees to draft by-laws and rules, etc. T. A. Conklin was chairman of that organiza- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 145 

tion. Several meetings were held during the winter, and early in the spring, every- 
thing was in readiness for a permanent organization. This was effected by the 
election of Judge S. L. Rose, president, and R. E. Fairchild, secretary. The com- 
mittee appointed for the purpose selected the grounds south of Rosencrans' park ; 
they were purchased at $60 per acre, and the society borrowed $500 of the county 
with which to make the cash payment therefor. The grounds were cleared up, 
fenced and a race track one-third of a mile in length made, and the first fair held 
on the grounds began September 30, 1868, and was to last two days. On ac- 
count of rain the first day, the time was extended to three days. The fair was 
regarded as a success and annual fairs were held there for about twelve years. 
But the society was never able to pay the county the money borrowed and at last 
the grounds were turned over to the county. The old society is now extinct. The 
grounds they improved now form one of the finest parks in the state and when 
public meetings are held there, it is interesting to hear the pioneers of the county 
recall the many happy incidents of early life connected with, and brought to 
memory, by a visit to these grounds. But the rumbling of the iron horse is heard 
in the distance and we must turn to an investigation of the history of its coming 
and attending incidents. 



CHAPTER IX 

THE FIRST RAILROAD— THE ARRIVAL OF THE "IRON HORSE" AND 

ATTENDING EVENTS 

THE RAILROAD IS COMING THE LOCATION OF A DEPOT THE RAILROAD ARRIVES — 

A TOUGH CROWD A DRUNKEN RIOT A JAIL NEEDED THE FIRST BRICK RESI- 
DENCE — THE FIRST BRICK BUSINESS HOUSE THE COMMERCIAL BLOCK SOME NEW 

MILLS — JUDGE ROSE WILLSON TOWN — A FREE RIDE TO FORT DODGE THE MURDER 

OF JOHN ROSS OTHER TRAGEDIES — THE SWAMP FUND MORE NEW BRIDGES — 

ELECTION OF 1869 COUNTY STATISTICS THE THIRD CHURCH A PIONEER PAR- 
SON THE SECOND BANK ORGANIZED THE FIRST GRAIN ELEVATOR NEW BUILD- 
INGS THE NEW SUPERVISOR SYSTEM A CONTEST FOR REPRESENTATIVE A CON- 
TEST FOR SHERIFF STARTING THE "iNDEX" THE LIQUOR INTERESTS WIN — A SAD 

STORY — PROSPECTS OF ANOTHER RAILROAD. 

By F. Q. Lee 

THE RAILROAD IS COMING 

As Stated in a former chapter, the Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad reached 
Ackley in the fall of 1865, and continued to move westward until in the spring of 
1866 it reached Iowa Falls where work was suspended and the prospect for an 
early extension of the road to the west, while it was earnestly hoped for, seemed 
far in the future. It was not until the fall of 1867 that the people began to again 
have assurances of an early extension of the road. Their prospects were based 
upon the report that the Illinois Central Company had leased the line and would 
undertake the building of it, westward. The report so enthused the people along 
the line that public meetings were called and everything promised that was 
likely to encourage the building of the road. It was soon found that the Illinois 
Central had leased the road as far as built but did not intend to build it farther, 
and as the old Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad did not show signs of activity, 
and had not built forward fast enough to entitle it to the land granted to it by the 
state, a new company named Iowa Falls and Sioux City Company was organized 
for the purpose of building the line westward and securing the land. John I. Blair 
was the leader of this organization. The organization of this company and its 
immediate attempts to procure sufficient influence in the next legislature to secure 
the land grant caused the old Dubuque and Sioux City Company to begin work 
on the line in the late fall and winter of 1867 and to attempt to secure a renewal of 
the grant to it. What was termed a final survey was therefore made in the fall 
and winter of 1867-8, the depot grounds were laid out and some grading was 

147 



148 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

done. The legislature granted the land to the company that built within a certain 
time, but reserved to the state the right to fix the passenger and freight rates, to 
be charged by the company accepting the grant. When the legislature adjourned 
work upon the line substantially stopped. Eflforts were at once put forth to have 
an extra session of the legislature called to repeal the obnoxious rate clause in 
the law. During the summer the Iowa Falls and Sioux City Company succeeded 
in buying out the Dubuque and Sioux City Company and, though urging an extra 
session of the legislature, believed that the obnoxious clause would be repealed by 
the next legislature, if no extra session was called. They began to push the work 
with considerable zeal and asked the people along the line to vote a five per cent 
tax to assist them in the construction of the road. A good many meetings were 
held in Webster City and railroad talk was the principal theme on all sides. In 
January, 1868, W. C. Willson returned from Chicago and became one of the most 
zealous and untiring workers for the extension of the road. He went to Chicago 
in 1862, when the prospects for a road seemed dead, intending to return when a 
road was secured. The road had been surveyed through the town prior to his 
going away and considerable controversy had been had over the site for the depot. 
Willson wanted it located on "the Brewer farm," a short distance west of its 
present location, while others desired it at the head of Seneca street. The whole 
matter had died out, however, and now upon his return there was little controversy 
at first about the location, and it seemed settled that it would be at the head of 
Seneca street. So there was a pretty general agreement among the people in their 
work for a road. In August, 1868, a vote was had upon the question of a five per 
cent tax to aid the road and it carried by a vote of 148 for. and 29 against. The 2r 
must have made considerable noise, however, for a great deal of rejoicing resulted 
from the outcome. Bonfires were burned and "The Rattlers" under the leader- 
ship of W. L. Church, with a martial band, serenaded some of the principal citi- 
zens and generally "painted the town red." 

THE LOC.\TION OF A DEPOT 

The work of building was now going on all along the line from Iowa Falls, and 
it was confidently Ijelieved that the road would be completed by January, and the 
cars running into town. Again the question of the location of the depot became 
all absorbing. The town was then substantially all on Seneca and liank streets 
and the general preference of the citizens was for the depot to be situated on the 
north end of Seneca street. But the comjjany found objections to that location 
on the ground of its nearness to the river and jjreferred a location farther 
west, which also suited the Willsons and I'unk, for they had a large number of 
town lots that would be increased in value by the location westward. 

The depot was located adjoining Des Moines street. 

Whether the Willsons or Funk were res]M)nsible for the location of the depot 
or not, they were charged with the responsibility by the residents of Seneca street 
and considerable bad blood was stirred up, and matters grew worse and worse 
until in the early spring of 1869, the Willsons left .Seneca street and began the erec- 
tion of a hotel on the site of the present "Willson House," and started to build up 
what was then familiarly known as "Willson Town." 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 149 

THE RAILROAD ARRIVES 

These contentions, however, did not retard the progress of the road, and, 
though it came with less rapidity than was expected, it came at last, and on the 
6th of April, 1869, the "Iron Horse" crossed the "classic Boone" and came snort- 
ing into Webster City. The depot had already been built and so at last Hamilton 
county had a railroad and Webster City was its terminus for the time being. 

A TOUGH CROWD 

The building in of the railroad brought with it a large influx of home seekers 
and a large number of transients. A good many of the latter class were workers 
upon the railroad and hard characters in the extreme. One of the hands who 
worked on the road here went over to Fort Dodge, and got permission of a 
farmer to ride out into the country with him in his wagon. After riding with the 
old gentleman until some miles out of town, killed him and took his money. He 
was captured, however, and in course of time sent to the penitentiary for life. 

A DRUNKEN RIOT 

In the latter part of May, 1868, a lot of men employed on the road east of 
town were paid off and their wages reduced from $2.00 per day to $1.50. Most 
of them quit work and came into town, where they proceeded to get on a "big 
drunk." There were two gangs of them and as they filled up with whiskey, 
they became quarrelsome. A prize fight was arranged between the two gangs 
and each brought out its best man. The ground chosen for the fight was imme- 
diately in the rear of the old town hall, between two ricks of cord wood, leaving 
a space of perhaps over twenty feet. The spectators ranged themselves at the 
openings at each end, and upon the wood. Seconds and spongers were chosen 
and the men stripped off their shirts and entered the ring, shook hands to show 
h(j\v friendly they were, as all prize fighters do, and began to pummel each 
other. In their partially naked condition they several times came in contact 
with the sharp ends of the cord wood and were punished in that way even 
more than they punished each other. Quite a number of rounds were fought, 
when one of the men was declared the winner and the fight was over. But this 
proved to be only a starter. The sight of the battle had served to stimulate in 
many of the half drunken men the belief that they were fighters too, and it was 
but a short time until a general fight began on the streets. Nobody seemed 
particularly mad at anybody, but just wanted to whip some one, and so the 
fellow who happened to be nearest got hit, and usually hit back. Several citizens 
were struck and quickly getting out of the crowd, it was noised over town that 
a riot was on. The citizens rallied as quickly as possible and led by Sheriff 
McMiller, charged the rioters and began to arrest. As there was no jail, they 
put them in a room in the courthouse. Those who were not too drunk, climbed 
out of the back window and escaped, but some were too drunk to get out and 
were kept until the arrival of the "boss" from the camp, who bailed them out. 
The men went back to camp where the carouse was kept up, and during the 



150 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

night they piled up the picks, shovels and some other tools with which they 
worked and made a bonfire of them. 

A J.AIL NEEDED 

The conduct on the part of the railroad hands caused the town to take imme- 
diate steps to prevent the future occurrence of such disgraceful scenes and a 
meeting was called at which it was determined to build a jail. Bids were adver- 
tised for, and by the last of June a jail was built of native lumber. Two by 
four planks were spiked together after the manner of building an elevator. The 
jail was located on the southeast corner of the old courthouse square, where it 
served the purpose of a county jail until the erection of the new courthouse in 
1876. It was afterwards located in the rear of the council rooms in Webster 
City and was used as the city "lock up." 

THE FIRST BRICK RESIDENCE 

The first brick house built in the county was erected on Dubuque street, 
south of the Universalist church, and is now owned and occupied by Dr. A. A. 
Kellogg. 

THE FIRST BRICK BUSINESS HOUSE 

The first brick business house was built in 1867, on Seneca street, and was 
built by John Rhodes and is still known as the Rhodes building. 

THE COMMERCI.\L BLOCK 

In 1868 Commercial block was built on the corner of Seneca and Hank 
streets. There brick buildings made the town assume more of a substantial 
appearance. The corner building was first finished and occupied by L. L. Estes, 
as a drug store and postoffice, while the second floor was divided into three 
offices which are occupied by Hyatt & Pray and D. D. Miracle, attornevs, and 
Dr. Curtis. The people were justly proud of this new commercial block and 
the Freeman, in making an editorial mention of it, December 23, 1868, says: 

"Taken altogether, this is undoubtedly one of the finest business houses of 
its size in the whole state and is not only a credit to the enterprise and good 
taste of its worthy proprietor, but is a substantial ornament to our wide awake 
town." 

It was about this date that R. N. Woodworth came to this county. He 
associated himself in business with D. D. Miracle, E.sq., in the Land Agency 
business and the firm had the first complete set of .\bstracts of Lands in the 
county. Mr. Woodworth had been engaged in the land business at Montana. 
Iowa, ]irior to locating here. 

January I, 1869, Judge Doane was succeeded as recorder by Samuel Da.xter 
and became auditor, the office of county judge having been abolished. A. .-K. 
Wicks became clerk of courts in place of Michael Sweeney. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 151 

SOME NEW MILLS 

The brick steam flouring mill in the west end of town was built in 1867, by 
Moore & Selders, and for many years was an important factor in the develop- 
ment of the county. It was burned down some years ago and was never rebuilt. 

Prior to 1868 a Mr. King had built a sawmill on the flats east of the market 
square in Webster City and near the river. In 1869, Mr. B. W. Farmer, of 
Woodstock, Illinois, purchased the mill and in company with Mr. Richards, put 
in a planing mill. The mill was run for a year or two there, when it was pur- 
chased by Thomas Richards and removed to Batch Grove and after a year or 
two there, in 1872 was brought back and located at the present site of the Web- 
ster City Felt Shoe Company building on West Second street. Richards sold 
it to E. Mabbitt, who converted it into a grist mill and afterwards sold out to 
Closz & Biernatzki. The Biernatzki Bros, purchased Closz's interest, and hav- 
ing put in entire new machinery, it became one of the most prosperous mills in 
the county. It was burned down in June, 1892, and was never rebuilt. 

JUDGE ROSE 

In a former chapter, mention was made of the election of Judge Rose to 
the circuit bench, a new branch of the courts of Iowa created by the legislature. 
In 1868, Judge Rose had been a member of the board of supervisors for several 
years, and from the first had been chairman. Notwithstanding his election as 
judge, he was also elected as supervisor from Rose Grove township and in 
the organization of the board in 1869, was again elected chairman. It had been 
reported that, owing to the new duties imposed upon him, the judge was about 
to resign his seat upon the board, and to prevent this, a resolution passed that 
body requesting him to retain his membership, which he consented to do. 
Perhaps few men played a more important part in the official management of 
the county than Judge Rose. Certainly no one was more influential and no 
man ever so completely dominated the affairs of a township than Judge Rose did 
those of Rose Grove township. It is reported that dissatisfaction with his 
methods and management among the settlers in the north part of the county, 
such as seemed likely in a short time to result in a change of management, 
caused the organization of Blairsburg township setting over into the new town- 
ship the men who were questioning the propriety of the management under 
Judge Rose. Certain it was, when a petition was prepared by the judge and 
sent out to be signed by the men of the north part of the township, asking the 
organization of the new township, no signatures could be obtained and the 
settlers were therefore not a little surprised when at the ne.xt session of the 
board the new township was created without any of the residents within the 
limits of it asking for it and while they were all opposed to it. In the light of 
subsequent developments was attested the charge made by the men of the new 
township, that things were crooked in Rose Grove, and they had been set ofif 
to prevent a discovery of the real situation. 

Judge Rose was a man of commanding appearance, well informed, a lawyer 
of good ability, a ready reasoner who. with the very greatest appearance of 
wisdom and candor, could present a project which he desired to be adopted 



152 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

with so much force and plausibility as to carry conviction. No man had half 
the influence that he had with the board of supervisors, and desiring the adop- 
tion of any measure by that body it was only necessary to secure the judge's 
influence and no further notice was needed. It was sure of adoption. He was 
not a profound lawyer, but he made a good judge, for while he was not ''posted" 
upon the law, he had a good legal mind and when the lawyers had got through 
with their "law and precedents," the judge had generally arrived at a correct 
legal conclusion. There was one off-set, however, to his judgments — he was a 
strong partisan and had a great, indeed, an almost overmastering desire to 
assist his friends, and this frequently led him to seek for reasons justifying 
decisions in accord with his desires. This propensity often led him astray. It 
was his intentions, no doubt, to be honest, at the outset, but in the end he often 
sought to advance his own, and the interests of his friends, with the means at 
his hands, whether he had the right to appropriate them or not. In the manage- 
ment of his farm, he often found need for money. Holding monev not then 
needed for public use, he appropriated it, intending no doubt to return it again 
by the time it was needed. But his farming operations were on a large and 
expensive scale and never paid expenses and so he was unable to replace the 
money. Having purchased lumber to be used in bridging sloughs, he used it. 
temporarily to make cattle and hog lots and never found it convenient to dis- 
continue that use. As a farmer, he was an enthusiast, and alwavs expected to 
receive large financial returns, while benefitting the community at the same time 
by introducing new crops or new methods. Everybody who resided in the 
county at that time remembers his attempt to revolutionize farming and hog- 
raising by the introduction of his Jerusalem artichoke. Nearly evervbody caught 
the fever, and the judge actually made some money out of the beginning of the 
experiment, but the whole scheme flattened out and left him a great loser. Yet, 
urged on by his temporary success, he invested more largely and lost all he 
invested in it. 

As a man, Judge Rose made friends with all classes and conditions of men. 
He was unusually polite and accommodating with everybod>-. He was a conversa- 
tionalist of rare ability and always affable and friendly with anybody he chanced 
to meet. There was a charm in his manner that impressed those he met with 
his honesty and superior ability. He was the most popular man in the county. 
Had he been possessed with abundant means he would have been all that he 
pretended, and all that his most ardent admirers thought him to be. lUit his 
farming operations failed to be remunerative and the settling up of his township 
and the abolishment of the township supervisor system, brought his financial 
distresses to light, both as to private and public affairs. The Rose Grove farm, 
a magnificent property for the time, was sold at sheriff's sale and the judge 
returned East, broken in health and ruined in propertv and credit. The financial 
complications in which he had involved the township brought on a long train of 
litigation. Yet with all, wc doubt if the judge really had an enemy. While 
condemning his course, everybody sympathized with hiiu, and wiien he returned 
the last time to the county, a few years ago, and but a short time before his 
death, be was as warmly received, and as sincerely sympathized with l>v his 
many old time friends as though he had always been what he no doubt intended 
to be, and what they at one time thought him to be. With all his faults and 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 153 

misfortunes he was still loved by even those he had injured. He was a man 
of wonderful natural and acquired ability and he was respected for these despite 
all else. 

WILLSON TOWN 

As intimated in a former chapter, a good deal of contention had been indulged 
in about the location of the railroad depot and W. C. Willson was the center 
upon which most of the blame for its location west of Seneca street rested. 
The contention caused business and personal animosities which finally culminated 
in W'illson's determination to pull out from the olil town and build up again 
nearer the depot. Accordingly in the early spring of 1869, he, in company with 
his brother Sumler, laid out and l)egan the erection of a new hotel "over in the 
swamp." on the present site of "The Willson" and announced a determination 
to build business blocks and carry on business near the hotel. The project was 
looked upon generally as wild and visionary, for the grounds about the new 
hotel site were low and wet and a regular "black swamp" lay between the hotel 
and the depot. The grounds between Second street and the railroad, and run- 
ning from Seneca street west to Broadway, was a veritable swamp in which 
many citizens had been in the habit of shooting ducks. The new move was 
therefore the subject of considerable mirth on the part of the "old town" folks, 
and it was generally predicted that the whole scheme would fail and when 
"Walt" got over his "pet" he would come back to dry ground again "a poorer 
but a wiser man." But they reckoned without their host. Walt had money 
and was full of pluck and vim, and when he started out, went through things 
like a whirlwind and never thought of such a thing as turning back. The hotel 
was finished -and formally opened on July 4, i86g, and so generally were the 
people of the town opposed to his move that the guests at the opening of the 
house came mostly from the country and from Fort Dodge. J. M. Funk joined 
the Willsons in the new move. 

New buildings were erected, and to secure business men to occupy them, 
they were, in the beginning, let free of rent for the first year, while in all cases 
for a term of years the rental charged was very low. Lots were given to men 
who would place business houses upon them, and to secure residents, a lot would 
be given to any person who would buy a lot, which was an inducement to build 
in the new part of the town, for the regular price of lots was a little lower than 
in the older part of town, and a lot thrown in brought down the price one-half. 
This mode of procedure brought business upon Second street and residents 
to "Willson Town." The lousiness men who came were wide awake and fell 
into the enthusiasm of building up their end of town. The papers were filled 
up with large advertisements, and so much stir was made that the business 
gradually dropped away from the old town and took up permanent quarters in 
the new, until Second street came up with, and surpassed Seneca street in busi- 
ness importance. It was the contention between these two streets for business 
supremacy that was designated as the "up town and down town fight." This 
fight was partially allayed wdien the postofifice was located on the corner of the 
two streets and a postoffice building erected, but for many years the old fight 
continued to break out like an old sore and after a spasmodic eruption lasting 
a few weeks, again quiet down only to reappear, but always after longer 



154 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

periods. During the very height of the "fight," witli all the advantage in favor 
of the "down town" faction, the weapon used to best advantage by the "up 
town" folks and with most effect was printer's ink. They even went so far as 
to establish a paper to boom their interests. The old town folks advertised in 
a quiet and ordinary way, but the flaming advertisements of their opponents 
caught the eye of the people whose trade was wanted and they got the trade. 
Looking over the whole field of strife, from this secure position, it seems per- 
fectly plain that the "old town" lost the advantage with which they started 
because they felt too secure in it, and they did not make free enough use of 
printer's ink. Had they outdone their competitors in that one particular, it is 
doubtful whether the up town people with all their push and donations could 
have succeeded. 

While the new hotel was being put ui) in town under personal supervision 
of Sumler Willson, Walter C, as contractor, was rapidly pushing work on the 
railroad between Webster City and Fort Dodge. Never was twenty miles of 
railroad graded, and tied and ironed in better time and better condition than 
the road between these two towns. So that in less than one month from the 
time after the road arrived at Webster City, the cars were running into Fort 
Dodge. 

A FREE RIDE TO FORT DODGE 

Not that it had all been built in a month's time, but that in that time the 
connecting link between the towns had been welded and about the 20th of May 
a free excursion train was run from here to the fort under the management of 
Mr. Willson who, as the train was about to pull out, went to the conductor and 
told him to "make the trip in an hour or burst his boiler." The trip was made 
in the time, but as the train went whirling along, rocking from side to side and 
bumping over the uneven and unsettled rails of the new road, it fairly made the 
hair of the excursionists stand on end. That ride will never be forgotten by 
any who took part in it. 

THE MURDER OF JOHN ROSS 

We now come to the relation of a tragedy that probably caused more excite- 
ment than anything that has ever happened in the county — the murder of John 
Ross. As the Freeman of June 23, 1869, contained a lengthy and very full 
account of the murder, written at the time, we extract the following therefrom: 

THE TRAGEDY AT ROSS' MILL 

"About half past 11 o'clock a. m., on Wednesday, last, the i6th inst., one 
of the most cold blooded and atrocious murders we ever heard of was com- 
mitted at Ross' (formerly Sternberg's) mill, on the Boone river, six miles south 
of this place. The facts as far as we have been able to ascertain them are sub- 
stantially as follows ; 

"About 4 o'clock in the afternoon of the 15th inst., sonic men who were at 
work- in the mill yard, having occasion to see Mr. Ross, went to the mill for 
that i)ur])ose, i)ut not finding him there supposed he was engaged outside and 
made no further search. Some two hours later, a brother of the murdered man. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 155 

who had been at work in a field several miles from the mill, came in and Mr. 
Ross, not yet having made his appearance, the brother, fearing some accident 
had befallen him, began, in company with some of the neighbors and hands 
about the premises, a vigorous search through every part of the mill and 
machinery. In looking around, it was discovered that the flood gate was about 
half open, and that but for some obstruction, the mill should be running. Fur- 
ther investigation revealed the fact that the burrs were so tightly screwed down 
that a full head of water would hardly have been able to start the machinery. 
This was the first thing to excite suspicion that foul play had been used, and 
the search was continued but a few moments longer before the lifeless body of 
Mr. Ross was found, by his brother James, in the wheel house almost covered 
with water. With the assistance of the other men, the body was taken out and 
laid upon the mill floor when it was discovered that the unfortunate man had 
been shot through the right side of the back just below the shoulder and after- 
wards thrown into the wheel house by the murderer. 

"A messenger was immediately dispatched to town to notify the sheriff and 
coronor of what had transpired and to summon their attendance upon the scene 
of the murder. The sherifif, in company with several other citizens of town, 
started for the mill about ii o'clock at night. Arriving there, a coroner's jury 
was summoned and an inquest held over the remains. The jurymen were Sum- 
ler Willson, Addison Arthur and Chas. B. Willson, and in the absence of Dr. 
Burgess, the coroner, the examination was had before Justice J. F. McConnell. 
After a careful and thorough examination of the facts as they developed, the 
jury rendered a verdict that the deceased came to his death at the hands of 
John Ross ; whereupon young Ross, a nephew of the murdered man, was 
arrested by the sheriff". The next day a preliminary examination was com- 
menced before Justice McConnell, but upon filing an affidavit by the prisoner 
. . . the further prosecution of the trial was postponed until the 28th inst. 
Chas. A. Clark appears for the state, and N. B. Hyatt for the defence. . . . 

"the prisoner 

is a young man of rather prepossessing appearance; is about five feet eight or 
nine inches in height, has a mild expression of countenance and a clear, but 
restless blue eye; gives unmistakable evidence of some culture and claims to be 
but eighteen years of age. He is a son of the murdered man's brother, and 
bears his name — John Ross. His parents reside in Janesville, Wisconsin, but 
young Ross claims to have lived in Chicago most of the time for the past year. 
. . . The young man also claims to be a miller by trade. He came here about 
five weeks ago, since which time he has been visiting with the families of John, 
Samuel and James Ross and John Meeks, who are his uncles. 

"why he is suspected 

"The circumstances tending to fasten suspicion upon young Ross are so far 
as we have been able to ascertain, about as follows : He was known to be with- 
out money and seemed very anxious to return home or to Chicago ; knew his 



156 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

uncle, John Ross, had considerahle money about him; had frci|ucnllv asked his 
uncle for money to take him home, hut had been refused — his uncle telliny liim 
that he had to make a payment u])on his mill and needed all of the money that 
he had lor that purpose. That he had been seen at the mill in the forenoon and 
at about 12 o'clock on the day of the murder; and he at tirst denied being at 
the mill at all on that day, but finally admitted that he had been there early in 
the morning and had afterwards come up to Webster City, but had returned 
from the latter place to his uncle, John Meeks' (some three miles from Ross' 
mill), where he arrived about i o'clock p. m. The statement that he reached 
Meeks' about i o'clock is corroborated by testimony of Mr. Meeks and others. 
Young Ross strenuously denies that he was at or near the mill after 8 or y 
o'clock in the morning and asserts that he got the twenty dollars found in his 
possession after arrested, from a man whom he met in Webster City on the 
arrival of the train from the east at 11 o'clock a. m. This latter statement seems 
to be very generally discredited and it is asserted that positive evidence can be 
produced that he was seen at the mill near the hour of 12 on the day of the 
murder. 

"The mill is located on the river bank at the foot of a hill, and is overlooked 
from Mr. Ross' house, which is situated on the side of the hill, not over twenty- 
five rods from the mill. It seems that on th.e day of the murder, Mr. Ross went 
to the house about 10 o'clock in the forenoon, took a lunch and told the women 
that they need not get dinner that day as he would not come up until supper- 
time. That at about 1 1 o'clock they heard the report of a gun at the mill, but 
as the men were in the habit of shooting fish and rats about the premises, no 
unusual notice was taken of the matter at the time. The men employed in the 
yard but a few yards from the mill, and who generally went into the mill from 
three to six times during the day. did not happen to go in on this day until 
about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, at which time (as i^efore stated) they wished 
to see Mr. Ross in relation to certain work they were doing in the yard. That 
Mrs. Ross — wife of the murdered man — went to the mill sometime between 
noon and 4 o'clock p. m., and after looking about the premises for some minutes, 
returned to the house without any suspicions of the terrible tragedy that had 
been enacted there but a few hours before. 

"We visited the scene of the murder on Friday and saw the spot where it is 
supposed the murdered man had stood when he received the fatal shot. It was 
near the east door of the first floor of the mill, in that department known as 
the bran-room, and from the construction of ihe room, the nature of the wounds 
on the body and the general surroundings, the murderer ctnild not have been 
more than twelve or fifteen feet from his victim at the time he shot him. He 
was then dragged some eighteen or twenty feet and thrown into the wheel 
house where he was afterwards found, as hereinbefore stated. 

"The excitement in the neighborhood at the discovery of the murder was 
intense, and all sorts of rumors in relation to the terrible afTair were soon flying 
in every direction over the country. The crime was so fearful and cold blooded 
in conception, and so unnatural and horrible in execution, that everybody stood 
dumbfounded at a recital of its detail. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 157 

"the Ml'RDERED MAN" — HIS CHARACTER, ETC. 

"With the murdered man, John S. Ross, we were not intimately ac(iuainted, 
hut know that in business matters he was prompt and reliable. Those who knew 
him best, speak of him as an industrious and honorable man, and one who was 
very generally respected in the community where he lived. He was a man of 
very few words, and was said to have been rather odd and somewhat eccentric 
in his character and habits. He generally carried considerable money about 
him, and never took any trouble to conceal it from those by whom he was sur- 
rounded. One of his brothers, we understand, says -Mr. Ross had about $490 
in his pocket on the morning of the day on which he was murdered, and that 
the same was in a large leather pocket-book that he usually carried. This, of 
course, the murderer secured, as it was not found on the body of the murdered 
man. 

"Mr. Ross leaves a young wife and one child, and several brothers and 
sisters to mourn his untimely and dreadful taking ofT. 

"The post mortem examination made by Drs. Hendryx, Crapper and Ament 
revealed the fact that the gunshot wound was sufficient to cause the death. At 
least a half dozen persons testified to hearing the shot, and all ascribed the same 
cause, and did not take alarm. Thus was John S. Ross murdered in broad 
daylight within calling distance of a number of persons and the act was not 
discovered for about seven or eight hours, and as will be seen, the perpetrator 
of the deed not yet and perhaps never will be certainly known." 

At the October term of the district court, young Ross was indicted for the 
murder of his uncle, and a special term to begin on the 3d Monday in Decem- 
ber was ordered for the trial of the case, and in the meantime the defendant 
was returned to jail. Judge Chase presided at the trial ; J. H. Bradley, states 
attornev, prosecuted, and N. B. Hyatt and J. F. Buncombe were attorneys for 
the defense. The trial lasted three days and developed much conflicting evi- 
dence. While several witnesses testified to seeing young Ross at the mill and 
to hearing the gun fired, they did not agree as to circumstances, nor as to the 
time of the shooting. The young man was arrested at the home of his uncle, 
fohn Meeks. He was fast asleep when the officers arrived and did not act 
guilty. He had been there all afternoon of the day of the murder, and no one 
noticed anything unusual in his appearance or actions. The circumstances as 
brought out at the trial pointed strongly to him as the murderer, and yet there 
was sufficient cause for a reasonable doubt of his guilt. If he was guilty he 
was a most consummate actor, or a most heartless villain. It seems incredible 
that anyone, much less a young and inexperienced boy, could have committed 
such a cold blooded and horrible murder, and so successfully concealed all 
traces of remorse or feeling in reference to it. The prosecution was managed 
with excellent ability by Judge Bradley, while the defense was conducted with 
consummate ability by N. B. Hyatt and John F. Buncombe. With such able 
counsel representing both sides, it is certain the case was tried for all there was 
in it. Tudge Chase, in an able and very clear and concise charge to the jury, 
sent that body of men to their room, from which they returned in about one 
hour with the verdict of not guilty. While the verdict satisfied a majority of 
the people who heard the evidence, a great many continued to believe the de- 



158 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

fendant guilty. Certain it is, no further light was ever thrown on the mystery 
of the murder. Young Ross immediately on his acquittal left the country and 
we believe has never returned. Even those who continued to believe him guilty, 
do not believe he finally secured the money, but suppose he hid it and that it 
was carried away in the high waters occurring after the murder and before 
the trial. All this is mere conjecture, however. It is probable that no further 
light will ever be shed upon the dark mystery of the murder. 

OTHER TR.AGEDIES 

Following close upon this murder came two more sudden and horrible deaths. 
In October, a boy named Fisher, living in the south -part of the county was 
accidentally killed. He was pulling a loaded gun, muzzle foremost from under 
a load of hay, when the hammer caught on the wagon and the gun was dis- 
charged, the contents entering the breast of young Fisher, killing him instantly. 

On October 3d, a young man named Cook, driver of the Willson House 
"buss," while at the depot, was thrown from the top of the buss by the horses 
becoming frightened and starting to run. He fell upon the platform, but imme- 
diately got up and gave chase. He caught the team, but in trying to stop them, 
was knocked down, run over, two wheels of the buss passing over his neck, 
killing him instantly. He was a stranger in the place. 

THE SWAMP LAND FUND 

We turn from these tragedies to the more peaceful and pleasant happenings, 
and note that at the June session of the board of supervisors, the question of 
the swamp lands came up again. A resolution was passed to submit to a vote 
of the people three questions. 

1st. Shall seventy per cent of the swamp land fund be used to build a 
courthouse jail. 

2d. Shall twenty per cent of that fund be appropriated to build bridges. 

3d. Shall ten per cent of that fund be appropriated to drain the swamp 
land of the county. 

A vote upon these propositions at the next general election was taken, and 
the first proposition- was beaten, and the last two carried. 

MORE NEW RRIDGES 

At the next session after the election, a number of petitions were before the 
board asking bridges. Resolutions to build at McLaughlin's ford, at Harris' 
mill and at the site of the Ea.st bridge, Webster City (recently washed out), 
were passed. A new bridge was just being completed at Millard's ford, but the 
new l)ridge at Bone's mill (now Dell's mill), built the year before, as mentioned 
in a former chapter, had gone down. It seems to have been built of lumber 
that would swell like dried ai)ples and in the long s]3ell of wet weather follow- 
ing its completion, it swelled and hoisted up its back so far as to pull one end 
off the pier, dropped into the river and floated oflf, and the board finally con- 
cluded to build another one there. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 159 

ELECTION OF I 869 

At the election that fall, '69, I. Doane, A. A. Wicks, John Eckstein and John 
McMiller were elected their own successors ; J. D. Hunter was elected for a 
second term in the legislature from Hamilton, Wright and Franklin counties, 
and Dr. Curtis was elected school superintendent. In the fall of this year the 
second church was built in the county, it being the Congregational church in 
Webster City. It was located on the southeast corner of Willson avenue and 
Bank street and, for the times, was a very commodious and elegant church. It 
has since been replaced by the very fine new building which now graces the site 
of the old church. 

It was during the year 1869 that the old Willson House barn was built east 
of the hotel, and used afterwards as an agricultural depot. J. M. Funk built 
his double wood block across the north of the Willson ; W. N. Browning built 
Browning's block on Seneca street.; Rosencrans built his block just opposite it, 
but earlier in the year. This year R. I. Burleson came and opened a clothing 
store. Lewis Crary came and went into the hardware and wagon-making business. 

COUNTY ST.\TISTICS 

From the assessors' returns in 1869, the following census abstract was com- 
pleted by Mr. A. A. Wicks, county clerk, and compared with statistics hereto- 
fore given, will show the rapidity of the growth of the county. Postoffices — 
Webster City, Blairsburg, Lakin's Grove, Randall, Homer and Hook's Point. 

Number of dwelling houses in county, 766. 

Number of families, 800. 

Number of white males, 2,233. 

Number of wrhite females, 2,033. 

Total population, 4,266. 

Number of voters, 916. 

Number militia, 677. 

Acres of land enclosed, 22,912. 

Acres of land cultivated, 16,643. 

Acres of spring wheat, 5,655. 

Acres of oats, 2,442. 

Acres of buckwheat, barley and rye, 231. 

Acres of potatoes, 306. 

Acres of sorghum, 258. 

Acres of hops, 8. 

Number of horses, 206. 

Number of cattle, 4,898. 

Number of hogs, 2,531. 

Number of sheep, 3,533. 

Number of milch cows. 1,612. 

Number of dogs, 550. 

Number of bushels of spring wheat. 52,945. 

Number of bushels of oats, 29,715. 

Number of bushels of corn, 242,111. 



160 HISTORY OF HAMILTON' COUNTY 

Number of bushels of potatoes, 32.757. 

Number of gallons of sorghum, 23,672. 

Number of pounds of butter, 115,491. 

Number of pounds of cheese, 11,895. 

Number of pounds of wool, 12,007. 

Number of pounds of hops, 940. 

Number of tons of coal taken out, 2,540. 

The above table does not include crops of Cass township, nor does it include 
a large amount in the aggregate of buckwheat, rye. barley, honey, hay, grapes, 
grass seed, etc. The report was made as of January i, 1869, and is for the 
season of '68. 

THE THIRD CHURCH 

The third church erected in the county was at Homer, it being the Camp- 
bellite church and was completed during the winter of 1869-70. It had been 
commenced and was in progress of erection at the same time the Congregational 
church in Webster City was being built, but the latter was first finished. The 
former was finished by the Webster township school board in January, 1870, 
in which to complete a term of school, the schoolhouse in that village having 
burned. 

A PIONEER PARSON 

Speaking of churches, the old settlers will remember a Methodist minister 
traveling the Homer circuit in 1869-70, by the name of Mershon, who was a 
great disputant, and kept the community in a continual ferment over disputa- 
tions upon biblical questions, and especially on the subject of baptism. He 
arranged debates in which his op])onents soon became disgusted and withdrew, 
leaving Mershon in possession of the field, and apparently in the belief that he 
had driven them off by his eloquence. Such debates usually preceded a series 
of contentious articles in the paper until the editor, Mr. Hunter, shut them out. 
From all we have been able to gather upon the subject, Mershon made a great 
deal of noise, stirred up a great deal of ill-will among the members of the 
different churches at Homer, and succeeded in getting himself thoroughly dis- 
liked bv a majority of his own church people as well as by everybody else, and 
left the county at the close of a sensational lawsuit to the relief of all hi.^ 
friends and joy of his enemies. 

THE SECOND H.\NK ORG.VNIZED 

The second bank in the county was organized in 1870 and began business on 
the first of Mav. It was entitled Young, Estes & Company's Bank, and the mem- 
bers of the firm were Kendall Young, president ; L .L. Estes, W. \^■. P.oak, E. S. 
Wheeler and O. K. Eastman, cashiers. It began business in Estes' building, taking 
the place of the postoffice recently removed to other cjuartcrs. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 161 

THE FIRST GRAIN ELEVATOR 

In the spring of 1870 was commenced the erection of the first grain elevator 
in the county by B. F. Miller and Jay Sternberg which was completed and in use, 
receiving grain the following fall. It was located on land leased of the Illinois 
Central Railroad Company on the south side of the road and across the street west 
from the depot. It was an important factor in the business enterprises of the 
county, as it provided a convenient means for handling the grain raised hereabout, 
and its importance will be the more apparent when it is remembered that grain 
was then brought from all portions of the south and southeast parts of the county 
as well as from a distance of at least thirty miles north. The elevator was used 
by Miller & Sternberg for a couple of years, when Sternberg sold out to J. W. 
Mattice and the business was carried on under the firm name of Miller & Mattice. 
They subsequently sold the building to J- W. Allington who made many improve- 
ments in it and it continued to be one of the leading elevators of the county until 
it burned down during the latter part of January, 1890. 

NEW KUILDINGS 

In 1870 the Willsons built a brick block and opera house, and about the first of 
September, Captain Crary moved his hardware store into it and in it carried on 
business alone or in company with Mr. J. W. Evans to the day of his death. The 
corner room was taken possession of by the Hamilton County Bank (Miller & 
Sternberg) and was used as a bank by them until 1896. The same room is now 
occupied by the Webster City Savings Bank. 

Work was also commenced on a new brick block on second street opposite 
the opera house block. 

The second church parsonage in the county was erected this year also. The 
Methodist Episcopal parsonage was located on Bank street north of the public 
school buildings. Its first occupant was Rev. J. R. Berry. 

The fourth church erected in the county was at Homer, the Methodist Episco- 
pal church, which was built during the season of 1870 and was formally dedicated 
on Sunday, the i8th of December, Rev. J. W. Todd, assisted by Rev. J. R. Berry 
of Webster City, officiating. 

Union block on Bank street was finished this year and the hall was used by the 
Baptist society for church services and the circuit and district court was held 
therein until the building of the new courthouse. A large number of other build- 
ings of less importance and estimated with those already mentioned to cost 
$100,000 went up in Webster City, while a glance over the surrounding countr; 
shows that improvements there were equally rapid. 

THE NEW SUPERVISOR SYSTEM 

Under a law passed at the January, 1870, session of the legislature, the old 

system of township supervisors was repealed and instead of it there was a new lav 

for county supervisors enacted. Under its provisions three supervisors were 

elected at the general election in 1870 and there were two tickets in the field. The 
Vol. I— 11 



162 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

republicans nominated Julius M. Jones, of Boone; James A. Snodgrass, of Web- 
ster; and John A. Cooper, of Ellsworth. The democrats nominated L. Bick- 
f ord, of Cass ; Joseph Dale, of Webster ; and Henry Staley, of Scott. The repub- 
lican ticket was elected by a majority of 340 votes and J. M. Jones, J. A. Snod- 
grass and J. A. Cooper have the honor of being the first board of county super- 
visors under the present law. J. M. Jones was the first chairman. 

A law had also passed the legislature on the temperance question. A local 
option law providing that counties might vote whether ale, beer and native wine 
could be sold within the county outside of corporated towns. This question was 
submitted to the voters of Hamilton county at the general election in 1870 and 
polled but a light vote. For prohibition there were 365 votes and against, 335. 
From the vote, it is conclusive that not more than two-thirds of tlie voters voted 
upon this question. It was carried by 30 majority. 

Ye historian arrived in Webster City for the first time on the morning of the 
I2th of September, 1871, and from the first hour of arrival until after election that 
fall, the universal theme of conversation was the question of who should be elected 
representative of the district composed of Hamilton, Wright and Humbolt 
counties. Two republican candidates were then in the field, viz: L. L. Estes, of 
Hamilton, and S. B. Huett, of Wright. A matter exciting such universal and 
continued conversation and commotion cannot fail to be of interest to our readers 
and marks an interesting chapter in the county's history and we therefore give it. 

A CONTEST FOR REPRESENTATIVE 

The contest began in a primary election in Webster City held prior to a con- 
vention, on the 17th of June, 1871, to elect delegates to said convention. L. L. 
Estes and I. Doane were the candidates voted for and Estes was successful. The 
Freeman in giving the "result of last Friday" said : 

"The primary election in this township last Friday afternoon for the election of 
delegates to the county convention was, as usual, carried on with much interest 
and considerable excitement and resulted in a decisive victory for the 'Down 
Town' (or Estes) ticket. In a total vote of 357 the 'Down Town' ticket received 
244 and the 'Up Town' (or Doane) ticket. 113 votes — giving the Estes dele- 
gates a majority of 128." 

By this vote fourteen Estes delegates were elected to the county convention. 

The result of the primary election and the above notice of it brought Judge 
Doane out — an article in the Freeman claiming that it "init him in a false position 
before the people and did him injustice." The letter is too long to copy here. It 
is only mentioned as the beginning of the contrtn'ersy that ran all through the can- 
vass. It was replied to by tiie editor in wliicli among other things is said: 

"Again the judge declares that 'temperance' and 'free whiskey' entered into 
the contest and thinks 'old redeye' got the advantage of him. Well, we can 
only say of this phase of the question, that stubborn facts must prove or disprove 
his assertion. The fact that he is known to be an active (and we believe) con- 
sistent temperance man. may have lost the judge a few votes ; jjut we are informed 
by prominent members of the temperance lodge here that a large majority of the 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 163 

temperance men voted for the Estes ticket — not that they loved Judge Doane less, 
but the "Down Town' ticket more." 

The Freeman undoubtedly mirrored the state of public sentiment as it under- 
stood it, making it quite certain that whether the "up" or "down" town contention 
had been declared a part of the contest at the time, it unquestionably entered into it 
and became more apparent as the discussion went on, and the "Up Town" men 
entered actively into the contest to defeat Mr. Estes. When the district convention 
met at Liberty (now Goldfield), Wright countv, there were four delegates each 
from Humbolt and Wright and eight from Hamilton. These were the days when 
Hon. N. B. Hyatt was a leader in the republican party, and though he was not 
elected a delegate to this convention, it was seen that to secure Estes' nomination, 
some able work would have to be done, and as he was a shrewd politician, a proxy 
was secured for him. He was a member of the Hamilton delegation, and was 
made chairman of the convention. When the balloting began Estes had eight votes 
and Huett had eight, and it was soon found that Humbolt and Wright had en- 
tered into an agreement to stand by Hyatt to the end. The Hamilton delegates 
voted at times for almost every prominent republican in Wright county, and any 
Wright county delegate could have had the nomination at any time by simply 
voting for himself and breaking the deadlock, but they stood firm and 191 ballots 
were taken, always a tie, when chairman Hyatt on the 191st ballot ruled that as 
chairman, he had the right to a casting vote, there being a tie. This claim was 
vehemently protested against by the Huett delegates, and as the chairman per- 
sisted in his ruling and had half of the delegates in the convention at his back, 
it was useless to appeal from the decision. So the delegates from Wright and 
Humbolt withdrew from the convention; met and nominated Huett. The Ham- 
ilton county delegates nominated Estes, and the contest was opened. The demo- 
crats put one Van Meter, of Humbolt, in nomination, but in the general clamor 
and contention between the other two, he was in a measure lost sight of and 
failed to carry more than two-thirds of the democratic vote. He received only 
50 votes m Wright county. Estes had only 3 votes in Humbolt county and Huett 
received 260 in Hamilton. Estes had 307 majority over Huett in Hamilton, while 
Huett had 140 majority in Wright and 346 in Humbolt. There was a great deal 
of bitterness developed in the contest and charges of personal dishonesty, in- 
trigue and trickery were freely made against both candidates. Outcroppings of 
that bitterness may even yet be found both in this county and in Wright. It is 
quite certain that the "up" and "down town" fight lost this county a representative. 

A CONTEST FOR SHERIFF 

A good deal of interest was also awakened in Hamilton county over the election 
of a sheriff. Fred A. Harris was the regular republican nominee and as there 
were several candidates before the convention, the defeated ones claimed Fred was 
not fairly nominated and pooled their grievances and H. C. Hillock came out as 
an independent candidate. J. G. Bonner was the democratic candidate and these 
three made a thorough canvas. Harris was elected but we shall see as we go on 
that the contest was to be renewed against him in two years and encompass his 
defeat. At this election, Eckstein was reelected treasurer; Chas. A. Wickware, 
auditor; Rev. J. A. Potter, superintendent of schools; M. Sweeney, supervisor. 



161 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

START! XG THE INDEX 

Following upon the spirited election of 1871 which left the -up" and "down" 
town controversy in an aggravated condition was the starting of a newspaper 
called the Index as a representative of the "up" town interests. It was started by 
the Raber Brothers, three in number, who came from New York for the purpose, 
arriving in Webster City on the 8th day of December. 1871. Between the 5th and 
loth of January, 1872, they issued a small sheet announcing their intention of 
starting a paper and on the 13th of January the first regular issue of the Index 
appeared. This was the second newspaper established in Hamilton county. The 
criticisms of the Index upon the county management brought back the fire of the 
Freeman and created a most lively controversy w hich grew personal in its nature. 
(luring the time Mr. J. C. Irvin was the editor. Mr. Todisman became the editor 
of the Index in the fall of 1872 and early in the spring of 1873, Lew W. Raber 
])Iaced his name at the head of the paper as editor, though he was onlv editor in 
name. Judge Doane being engaged to do the writing for it from that time until 
in the spring of 1874, when the publication was suspended and the plant was 
taken to Tipton, Iowa, where the Cedar County Farmer was started, Judge Doane 
accompanying and becoming the editor of that paper for one year. It was dur- 
ing the stay of the Index in this county that the grange movement was started 
and that paper became the organ of the antimonoi)oly partv, though it was started 
as a republican paper. 

In the fall of 187 1 the fourth church built in the county was erected. It was 
the Catholic church, on the river bluff east of the east bridge. It was not com- 
pleted, however, and ready for use until the spring of 1872. 

In September, 1871, the First National Bank was organized in Webster City 
with Kendall Young as president and O. K. Eastman as cashier, and the bricl 
building in which the bank took up its quarters was built. It continued to occupy 
the same building until 1892. when it removed to its present quarters at the north- 
west corner of Seneca and Second streets. Kendall Young was continuouslv 
its president until the time of his death. 

THE LIQUOR INTERESTS WIN 

It will be remembered by the readers that I lamilton countv had. by a vote, 
adopted the prohibitory law. and the same was in force during the year of 1871. 
It was at the general election in that year resubmitted to a vote of the people. At 
the jirevious submission, a ver\- light vote had been cast upon that c|uestion, but 
now everybody voted and there were g2~ votes cast of which 201 were for ])rohi- 
bition and 726 against it. From that time until 1884 the license law prevailed in 
the county. 

.\ S.\n STORV 

Early in June, a young Cicrman girl named .\nna I .aliman came from l-'ort 
Dodge to Webster City with a young child that she was trying to dispose of. 
After remaining in town two or three days and being unable to find a place for 
the child, she left the Potter House, where she had lieen stopping and apparently 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 165 

went into the coimtiy. \\'Iien she returned to town, a couple of hours later, she 
went to ^Ir. Samuel Cooper's but without the child. This caused suspicion and 
Sheriff Harris went to her and inquired what she had done with it. She said she 
had left it in the country, Mr. Harris got a buggy and insisted that she should 
accompany him to the place where she left it, as she did not seem to know the 
name of the person with whom it was left. She got into the bugg\' and they 
started over the east bridge. Before going far she broke down and pointing the 
way, directed him to a little ravine that puts into Lyon's creek some rods north of 
the road that led up into the White Fox neighborhood. Here in a little hole gullied 
out by the water, perhaps three feet long and eighteen inches dee]) and a foot wide, 
he found the child where the mother had sunk it in the water. It was dead, of 
course, and the sheriff left it and returning to town secured the services of Coroner 
F. J. McConnell who held an inquest over the remains and the jurv rendered a 
verdict that it came to its death by the hands of its mother. Anna Lahman. She 
was arrested but waived examination and was committed for trial at the next 
term of the district court. She had Ijeen living for a \ear or more in respectable 
families in Fort Dodge and was a good servant girl and had borne a good reputa- 
tion. She could not keep her place and the baljy, and she was trying to dispose of 
the baby and return to the Fort before Iier place there would be taken by another. 
Her money had become exhausted, and being among strangers in her desperate sit- 
uation, she deliberately took the child to the place above described and sank it in 
the water, no doubt holding it down until it ceased to move and then left it. She 
was ignorant and simple minded, and her greatest anxiety on her arrest was that 
the proceedings w'ould not be very long so that she could get back to her place in 
Fort Dodge. She was indicted at the November term of the district court for in- 
fanticide and on a trial was convicted of manslaughter. Her youth and feeble- 
minded innocence created a general sympathy for her, by all who heard the trial 
and when Judge Chase sent her to the reform school instead of the penitentiary 
a general feeling of relief and approbation was expressed. 

PROSPECTS OP .\ NOT HICK RAILUt).\U 

The people of Hamilton county were not satisfied with one railroad — the Illi- 
nois Central — and there was a general clamor for a north and south line. It was 
strongly urged that a north and south line was now needed to develop our re- 
sources and set the county on the highway to permanent prosperity. 

Of course, Webster City was conceded to be the one point in the county where 
such a road must strike, but to the south, each township and community wanted 
to secure the road. It was wanted on the west side of the river with a depot at 
Homer. It was wanted on the east side of the river with a depot at Saratoga. It 
was wanted on the east side of the county with a depot at or near Lakin's grove 
But while every locality wanted the road, and nearly every man wanted a depot 
on his farm, all agreed upon the necessity of a road running north and south, let 
it go where it would. 

Nobody thought of a railroad being built in those days, without local aid. It 
was usual to vote taxes, but that kind of aid struck pocketbooks all alike, wdiile the 
road benefitted the few. verv much more than the many. That no one would be 



166 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 

personally taxed to aid in securing a road, it was proposed to vote the swamp land 
interest of the county in aid of a road. Our readers will see that this swamp land 
was a wonderful fund to have on hand, and served as an escape valve for a num- 
ber of public projects needing private aid, as it had already been voted away a 
number of times, but like the "bad bill," try however hard they might, the people 
could not get rid of it. Here was a chance to get rid of the swamp lands, and as 
nobody ever heard of a railroad company refusing anything, it seemed sure to go 
this time, if enough was offered with it to secure the building of a road. These 
were times, too, when a great many people thought themselves able to build a rail- 
road. It was easily done. All you had to do was to form a construction company, 
incorporate so that your private property could not be taken for debt, make a con- 
tract, go along the proposed line and get taxes and other subsidies enough to build 
the road, find a company that would take it off your hands, and all you could get 
for it would be so much ready profit cleared. There were plenty of proposed lines 
through Iowa then. Each proposed line had a construction company behind it. 
and nearly every town had at least a vice president of a railroad (construction) 
company in it, while presidents of railroads were to be encountered every day. It 
is not strange, then, that when everybody wanted a railroad built and nearly every- 
body was ready to build one, that the prospects were good for at least two in the 
county. Two made application for aid. They were the Iowa, Minnesota & North 
Pacific and the Des Moines, Boone & Northern. The latter was to start at Des 
Moines, come through Boone, Webster City, and go northeast to Mason City. 
The former seems to have started out somewhere near Burlington and was to 
pass through this county from the southeast to the northwest making W'ebster 
City a principal point. What wild dreams floated in the air! What a mighty rise 
in real estate was to follow the incoming of these two roads ! And thev were sure 
to come for local men of note, whose names were familiar in the towns they lived 
in, were presidents and vice presidents of them, and they knew how to take care 
of their own and our interests. They were both applicants for local aid. Artemus 
Ward was willing to put down the rebellion if he had to sacrifice all his wife's rela- 
tions. So the people of the county were willing to get the road if they had to sac- 
rifice the swamp land, and in the fall of 1871 the question of donating the lands 
to the building of these two roads was put to a vote. Of course, it carried, only 
62 votes being cast against it. So much was secured, but that was not enough. 
Taxes were asked and generally voted. Some of the townships wouldn't vote 
taxes. Fremont was one. My, how Fremont was abused for it. Her citizens 
had no public spirit, whatever. Now, the road was sure to come, at least the Des 
Moines Boone road. The timber lands along the Des Moines river were lined with 
busy choppers getting out railroad ties. Why "the contract had been let !" The 
spirit of the times was railroad prospects. It was the talk of the street, the public 
gathering- and the fireside. No one knew for certain where the roads were to run. 
Many a farmer could plainly see that it would run through his place and many an 
air castle was built with a railroad depot and a thriving little town on the right 
spot, a settler's own farm. Can any of the old settlers recall the fact? Alas, for 
the high expectations ! The whole project fell through. The air castles fell down. 
The railroad ties so bravely cut either rotted down or were converted into stove 
wood, all to give place to other proposed roads and other air castles that never 
materialized, even though at last a north and south road was built. 



CHAPTER X 

THE NEW COURTHOUSE— PRINCIPAL EVENTS OCCURRING 
DURING THE "SEVENTIES" 

THE GRANGE THE ANTI-MONOPOLY CAMPAIGN — A STARTLING ACCIDENT — THE UNI- 

VERSALIST SOCIETY ORGANIZED — THE FREEMAN CHANGES HANDS THE ARGUS 

ESTABLISHED THE CAMPAIGN OF '74 ELECTING A SHERIFF RAISING FUNDS 

FOR A NEW COURTHOUSE THE NEW COURTHOUSE SEEKING BIDS FOR THE NEW 

COURTHOUSE SELLING THE SWAMP LAND — -THE CONTRACT AWARDED THE 

WORK COMMENCED LAYING THE CORNER STONE COMPLETING THE BUILDING — 

THE CEREMONY OF DEDICATION THE WILLIAMS STANDARD STARTED GRASS- 
HOPPERS AGAIN MORE RAILROAD PROSPECTS THE TOWN OF CALLANAN" THE 

CALLANAN HERALD — TWO MURDERS ANOTHER VOTE ON THE RAILROAD TAX — 

THE ADVERTISER STARTED HOG CHOLERA NEW BRIDGES THE COUNTY POOR 

FARM — THE CHEESE FACTORY THE FIRST MEMORIAL SERVICE — A SOLDIERS' RE- 
UNION THE WELBERG TRAGEDY THE TOLEDO & NORTHWESTERN RAILWAY. 



By F. 0. Lee