"HSTORYj
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977.701
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1135652
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5 1833 01717 0678
HISTORY
OF
KOSSUTH, HANCOCKS WINNEBAGO
COUNTIES, IOWA,
TOGETHER WITH SKETCHES OF THEIR CITIES, VILLAGES AND TOWNSHIPS, EDUCATIONAL,
CIVIL, MILITARY AND POLITICAL HISTORY; PORTRAITS OF PROM-
INENT PERSONS, AND BIOGRAPHIES OF
REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
HISTORY OF IOWA
EMBRACING ACCOUNTS OF THE PRE-HISTORIC RACES, AND A BRIEF REVIEW
OF ITS CIVIL AND MILITARY HISTORY.
ILLU STRATED
itt
TO THE PIONEERS
OF
KOSSUTH, HANCOCK AND WINNEBAGO COUNTIES.
THIS VOLUME IS
RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED,
WITH THE HOPE THAT l'OUH VIRTUES MAY BE EMULATED
AND YOUR TOILS AND SACRIFICES DULY APPRECIATED
BY COMING GENERATIONS.
^
113565^
P R E F AC E
This work was commenced, and has been carried forward to completion, with a
specific object in view, which was, to place upon record in a reliable manner and in
permanent form, whatever incidents of importance have transpired within what are
'now the limits of Kossuth, Hancock and Winnebago counties, since their first settle-
ment. As preliminary to the narrative proper, it was thought best to give a succinct
history of the State at large.
In the general history of the three counties, as well as in those of their cities,
townships and villages, the reader will li i I that incidents, reminiscences and anec-
dotes are recorded with a variety and completeness commensurate with their impor-
tance. Herein is furnished (and this is said with confidence) to the present genera-
tion and to those which follow it, a valuable reflex of the times and deeds of the
pioneers. It has been truly said that "a people that takes no pride in the noble
achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything to be remembered
with pride by remote descendants." It is believed that, in the following pages,
there is erected to the pioneer men and women of Kossuth, Hancock and Winn.eba-
go counties a lasting monument.
The resolutions passed by Congress in 1876 in reference to the preparation and
preservation of local history, and the proclamation from the President recommend-
ing that those resolutions be carefully observed, have met with the very general and
hearty approval of the people. Indeed, so acceptable has seemed this advice from
our law-makers, that steps have already been taken in almost every thoroughly organ-\
ized community throughout the land to chronicle and place in permanent form the
annals of each neighborhood, thus rescuing from oblivion much interesting and vain-
7
PREFACE.
able information that is irretrievably lost each year through the death of old settlers,
and the decay and ravages <d' time. It was thought there could be no good reason
why the history of Kossuth, Bancock and Winnebago counties should not be placed
npon as enduring a foundation as those of surrounding counties; and, to this end, no
expense or pains has been spared to render it worthy the patronage of its citizens.
A number of experienced writers upon local history have had the work in charge
from it- inception to its close; and, upon completion of their labor, before any portion
of the manuscript was sent to the press, the whole was submitted to committees of
citizens for revision, thus insuring correctness and adding materially to the value of
the book.
The labors of all engaged in this enterprise have been cheered by the cordial as-
sistance and good-will of many friends; so many, indeed, that, to attempt to name
them, would, in this connection, be impracticable; to all of whom, grateful acknowl-
edgments are tendered. The press of each of the three counties is entitle. 1 to Special
mention for their help and encouragements so generously tendered.
ONION PUBLISHING COMPANY.
JtTNE, 1884.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Mouud Builders
The Hod Men
Discovery of the Mississippi
Marquette
LaSalle 20
Purchase of Louisiana 20
CHAPTER II.
INDIANS AND INDIAN WARS 21
The Illinois, Sacs and Foxes 21
The Iowas 22
War Between Sues and Foxes and Iowas 22
The Sioux 24
Black Hawk War 31
Battle of Bad Ax 33
CHAPTER III.
INDIAN TREATIES 36
Black Hawk Treaty 36
Sacs anrl Fox Treaty 38
Treaty with the Sioux 39
Treaty with the Sacs 39
Treaty with the Foxes 39
Treaty with the Iowas 40
Treaty with the Sacs of Rock River •. 40
Treaty of 1824 40
Treaty of 1830 40
Treaty with Sacs. Foxes and other Tribes 41
Treaty with the Winnebagoes - 41
Treaty of 1836, with Sacs and Foxes 42
Treaty of 1837 42
Treaty of Relinquishment 42
Treaty of 1842 42
CHAPTER rV.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS 43
The Dubuque Settlement ... 43
The Giard Settlement 43
The Montrose Settlement 43
The Burlington Settlement 43
The Keokuk Settlement 43
Rules for the Government of Dubuque 45
PAGE.
Military Interference with Settlements 45
KxtniL'iiisliment "1 Indian Titles . - <l)
The Fort Madison Settlement 47
FlintHills 47
The Davenport Settlement 48
Clayton County Settlement..-.-" 48
Council Bluffs 48
DesMoines 49
CHAPTER V.
TERRITORIAL AND 5TATE ORGANIZATIONS 50
Territorv of Wisconsin 50
Territorial Council 50
Organization of Counties 51
Territory of Iowa 51
First Territorial Officers 51
First Iowa Territorial Legislature .. 52
First Session of the Legislature 52
A Stormy Session 52
Selection of the Capital 62
Iowa City . 53
Loan for the Completion of the State House . 53
Woman's Rights 54
The Missouri War 55
Atteinpi at Slate Or^unzation 56
Constitutional Convention .' 56
Second Constitutional Convention 57
Election of state Officers.. 57
Salaries of State Officers - 58
CHAPTER VI.
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATE. 58
State School Superintendent 58
Public Buildings 59
Location of State University 59
Appointment of Supreme .fudges 60
Railroad Buildings 62
Organization of the Republican Party 63
Constitutional Convention 64
Des Moines Chosen the state Capital 64
Census by Counties. 67
CHAPTER VII.
GEOLOGT— TOPOGRAPHY— WATER COURSES. 69
Azoic System 70
Lower Silurian System 70
Upper Silurian System 71
~f
J-^
^k
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE
Devonian System 1J
i rous Syst m JJ
CivtHc-ini:- Sy-fin '"
Peat ig
V,^"V.. --> .Lime::::::::::::::: r
Sulphate ot Str..IlltU '"
Sulphate of Baryta 'J
Sulphate of Magnesia ";
Climate ij
Topography »
Lakes and Streams *
CHAPTER VIII.
IOWA AND THE REBELLION <*j
Response to the Nation's Call °J
Kirst Infantry J..
[ : 1 1 jmtry ,'
Third Infantry £
Font th Infantry ';
Fifth Infantry g
Sixth Infantry ''
Sownlll Intant.} t,
Eighth Infantry ,,
Ninth Infantry £
Tenth Infantry .;'
Eleventh Infantry }"
Twelfth Infantry {
Thirteenth Infantry j j
Fourteenth Infantry
Fifteenth Infantry '.',
Sixteenth Infantry ! ■
Seventeenth Intantry J"~
Eighteenth Infantry ™j
Nineteenth Infantry !":;
Twentieth Infantry :'
Twenty-lust Infantry "™
Twenty-second Infantry v™
Twenty-third Infantry *"*
Tweiitv-fourtli Infantry "•_'
Twentv-niih Infantry \ ■»
Twenty-sixth Infantry
Twenty-seventh Infantry ''■'
Twenty-eighth Infant r> !'.'
Twentv-ninth Intantiv '
Thirtieth Infantry '
Thirty-first Infantry '"•
Thirty-second Infantry
Thirty-third Infantry •
Tllirty-loiirth Intautry
Thirty-fifth infantry J
ThirtV-iixth Infantry '*
Thirty-Seventh Infantry ;;
Thirty-eighth Infantry } ;
Thirty-ninth Infantry "•
Fortieth Infantry
Forty-tlrst Infantry
Forty-fourth Infantry { '"
b Infantry
Porty-BlXth Infantry J ]
Fort y-se vent li Infantn JJJ
Forty-eighth Infantry JJ
First Cavalry J .',
See, in. I ( lavalry -
Tin
Firsi Battery J;
i tery [J
Third Battery J
Fourth Battery j
Iowa Regiment of Colored Troops jj
Nellie I II B'lPlel Bl IL'.'Uli- JJ
Southern Border Brigade JJ
Promotions "
CHAPTER IX.
PAGE
EDUCATIONAL-STATE INSTITUTIONS 117
The First School House in
Ael for the Estalili-hinenl ol Common SehoolH. US
The Slate University 121
State Normal School J~3
State Agricultural ( ollege J^*
other Colleges and I ui\ orsities 1-4
Deal and Dumb Institute [26
College for the Blind 1~<;
Iowa Hospital for tile Insane }~>
Hospital lor the Insane at independenee h>
Soldiers' l irulKins' Home l~>
Asylum lor Feeble Minded children I'.'
Penal Institutions Jf»
Anamosa Penitentiary MO
Uavs' Reform School ^
state Historical Soeiety ■;[
siate Agricultural Society J3J
Fish-Hatching House 1-il
Ti'AL
mpaigli of 1K40 -
u.paign of 1S41
mpaigli of IS!-'
isa
134
134
136
138
14U
143
■ ■ ■ 145
,,'..,!,,,,,. UT
1 HI
,,,,,. ,,..,, ,,| is,,
- 150
mpaign ot 1S5.1
mpaigli of lsf.7. .
154
: ,:' c 1 is. :
159
:;:"' HI III ■
165
167
mpaign ei l-iii .'
172
mpaign of lsiir,
173
ipai-n ol 1879.
,paign of 1880.
lpaign of 1XHI.
I HA] TER XI.
TERRITORIAL AND STATE OFFICERS-
Robert Lucas 216
John Chambers 220
JamesClarke —'
i illier Territorial olliccrs 2ti7
State Officers. , 227
j ,
*,
a '
r
TABLE OF COFTENTS.
VII 1
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
PAGE
UL-
... 352
>EN-
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER II.
EAKLY HISTORY AND SETTLEMENT....
County's Name
PAGE
331
.... 2.34
242
244
. . 246
253
260
CHAPTER XIII.
TOPOGRAPHY/, GEOLOGY AND AGRK
TCJRE
CHAPTER XIV.
NATIONAL. STATE AND COUNTY REPRE
CHAPTER III.
'COUNTY GOVERNMENT
CHAPTER IV.
OFFICIAL MATTERS
CHAPTER V.
POLITICAL
CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER XV.
ALGONA TOWNSHIP
.... 3T0
CHAPTER XVI.
BURTTOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XVII.
.... 437
CHAPTER XVIII.
CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER XIX.
GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP
Town of Bancroft
CHAPTER XX.
IRVINGTON TOWNSHIP , ...
Village of Irvington
CHAPTER XXI.
... V,2
489
493
CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER IX.
The Bee
Algrona Times
Algona Republican
Kcissuth County Review
The Bancroft Register ....
CHAPTER X.
EDUCATIONAL
School Commissioners
County Superintendents
.... 296
297
299
300
301
'.'...'.'. 304
304
30S
Village of Whittemore
CHAPTER XXII.
LUVERNE TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XXIII.
.... 501
.'.... 507
CHAPTER XXIV.
PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XXV.
531
Teachers' Association
CHAPTER XI.
.. .. 311
CHAPTER XXVI.
CHAPTER XII.
REMINISCENCES AND EVENTS OF INTEREST 345
)
CHAPTER XXVII.
WESLEY TOWNSHD?
542
[
'*
6 r-
V
VIII
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
ri'.i imi.i
PAGE
Ackley, DeWitl I . .
.. 389 Cunningham, Joseph A. 554
. 283
■ - w
47« ■ urran.Henrj 541
"ill- ... II 1,'», III .."
.. Hil
AUen, G ■£■• C
281
514 Danson, Robert .1 ." ■
. 44}
Amosfw'iUhimM.'.'.:
l.-.ii .'....... l.iiMi.ui 432
. 447
Andruss, Zebina C.
;.■'. ..:.w-. .I..I111T 47::
.'.is
Austin, G
I".:; l>a\ ,-..,,, Hasselas. .. . '.:::
II. Ml/. JO. 1,1,1111.
Au-iin. Oscar
1. i i'.iv;-..... llilllirl :c,
llupkius, J. W
195
Diivismi. .1 • — ■ - 1'
Hudson, A. L
422
Bachman, E W
Hudson, 41. 11
i-mi. Matthew 11
Murray, John
! 440
Baiter, G<
. 44U
Barslow
.'.;..
Nicoulin, J.F
. :«I4
Barr, Js i
r.^4
Norton, Hiram ... -
. 439
Uatti reon, Abijab..
. 4U3
Bell, Benry
ii,ii. ii. ii I.iIk. B..
. 431
Oleson, Carl E...
•;>**
Bell, Christian
Hi', I),,, \i, ,|. i. II. iii . r
itlivrr, Clii.il..*>.'. ...
Bei -■ b 1
'>r. Iiiiiii...,.i,I>..\..1 v
Ingham, W. II .
Olson,
'. \::>
Benscboter, Gram
.. 526
Ingham, Harv, j
. >- 1 ■ • i I .:. 1 ..■ 1-. Joseph.
432
■ iuser,Rudo
1 I.V.I Earl.-y. Tliuiims ■' .
i.uiii. Martin A
Birg. . i barles
Blancbard, M 1' .
Palmer.O. E
. 429
Blossom, I ii
'•..tt. i-.iii.I)
382
1
son. P T 528
.'■ii. ■-..,,. limn II
. . arce] Wihet F.'.'.
158
534
438
Bronsonl P< terL 5
Pinkerton, John M...
496
Brown, John
Ii, iwn, :.
llm.ni.Ji . Uei I<
Brunson.A. \
. 287
Buell,Dumon1 \
,.,,..,., ,. , l8L .
. 471
Burt, i 1
!■■.,.,,„, Bberhard
Burtis, G I
465
Bush, \ .1
Butler, Hyman li
Butts r m
■ ™ : !
Bye 1
Kyes, i alviu 1
v i';'.,.!.',""" '':
519
Cain, .l.-sse W
181
1 Mil. Al
871
, 1
361
1 811,0.
i arlon, Kinsej
■ William. .
. 4111
Caulkins, Elijah
891
< hapin, Morris B,
. 644
Chi .John
. 4»0
. \\ ,11,. A.
. 165
i nubb, C '
465
465
E F
. 457
hanenW...
'
492
i offen, Warren
OS, I'll n
. 474
. i -
M' ■:. Muni. .
M li M .1
606
';
128
c ollar, '
Mi !...>. .lull..
Schmidt,' i
-i M.
:-■ II. ii 1 « - • -mi. .-,■ . .lnii..-- l\
s.ll.l.-i.i.T. IVI.-i (i
Schryv. r, Israel G
>.-. I>. An. In «■ 1.
537
■
'»' 1 1 ll'.'iMl. !-.",'!.'. i"i:" "
'. .'.i:!
•hllip
190 Herman, ad... i 15 Marbli .-. I;
.. 497
"1
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Sheet/., L. A
Siefert, A Ion/.. A
Siefert, William II
Simpkins, George
Slatrlf. 1". L
Smith, Fi. F
Smith, Hon lamin
smith. .'harles t.'
Smith, G. W
Smith, Henry A
Smith. J. A
Smith. John G...
Smith, J G
Smith. Lewis H..
S..|..m.m. lii'tirse.
Spear. S. C
Spencer, Robert H
Stacy, J . E
PAGE
Starr, Milton 2!H> Tiet/,, Fer.linantl 506
Stewart, George
Stow, C. A
Stow, Comfort P ...
Sloiiffh, M. W
Strneker. Ilermaiin
Sutton, G. T
Swanson, John.
128 Turner, Lafayette
411.1 Wa.lsworth. Joseph \V. 401
281 Walker, Peter J 505
135 Wallace, John 364
Tallman. Elias 4s:; War.l, E. L
Ta\l..r, Maiecllus .. .V.n Wai ten, James H
Ta'\lor. F M 382 Warren, K. B
Tavlor. l'huunce\ 3u* Wartman, S. S
Thompson, John ".IT Weaver, John N...
Thompson, Joseph. 4-4 \\ caver, E. N
Thru. ■eker. William u;: Wilkinson, J. J...
PAGE
Winkie. li. FI 52H
Winter. William I' 523
Wilts.-, Case 534
Wilson, JohnJ 358
Wilson, John 438
W 1, Francis A 445
W Iworth, U It 385
WootFworth, Charles... 482
Wooster. Helen 306
Wooster, Abel.. 459
Younie, A 404
Zahlten, August 423
Zankc, Joseph 430
ZilM'aiu.', J. B 454
Zimmerman, David 465
Zoelle, Valentine. . .. 507
PORTRAITS.
PAGE
.. 376iMi
PAGE PAGE
Katie.. 3771Zahlten, A 415
•**
(» v
*>"
]
x TABLE OF CONTENTS.
[
HISTORY O.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTORY
CHAPTER II.
F HANCOCK COUNTY.
PAGE
.... (1L'7
.... 628
'.'.'.. 628
629
PAGE
555
CBAPTER XII.
Hancock Sentine 1
The Independent
Hancock County Autograph
Hancock Signal.
Organization
Reminiscence by Hun. J . M . Elder.
CHAPTER HI.
COUNTY GOVERNMENT
CHAPTER IV.
OFFICIAL MATTERS
560
562
5155
Hancock County Tribune 031
CHAPTER XIII.
GEOGRAPHY, TOPOGRAPHY AND MISCEL-
CHAPTERXIV.
A M STERDAM TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XV.
AVERY TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XVI.
HI XG II AM TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XVII.
BOONE TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XVIII.
BRITT TOWNSHIP
.... Kia
.... mi
.... 051
.... 654
.... 656
Ci\ 11 Townships
Marriage Record
Financial
Registry of Deeds
CHAPTER V.
THECOUETSOF HANCOCK COUNTY
District Court
Circuit Court
'".'.'.'.'.'.'.'. 573
iT5
576
578
CHAPTER VI.
POLITICAL
CHAPTER VII.
THE BAKOF HANCOCK COUNTY
CHAPTER VIII.
THEMEDICAL PROFESSION
CHAPTER IX.
THE 1VAH 1'nii THE DNION
CHAPTER X.
.NATIONAL. STATE AMI COUNTY
SENTA'J [ON
Congressional
Mel T- "1 Hi'' li'-IK Till A>MTIll.l)
Circuit .lu. l/i-
County Judge
599
602
REl'RE-
Gil
611
612
618
614
CHAPTER XIX.
Town of Garner
CHAPTER XX.
CRYSTAL TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XXI
. 875
681
CHAPTER XXII.
ELLINGTON TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XXIII.
... 694
CHAPTER \.\l\
i. LRFIELD TOWNSHIP
( IIAl'TKK XXV.
.... 707
CHAPTER XXVI.
MADISON TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XXVII.
.. ".Ill
Treasurer and Recorder,
i uiinty Treasurer
1 ount j !,-• corder
Clcr£ "1 ill'- ' Mm i -
-l-Mll
County Sun I'jnr
Drainage Commissioner
CHAPTER XI.
615
616
HIT
617
618
619
621
621
1
CollW ITU
CHAPTER XXVIII.
OHTHEL TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XXIX
.... 717
...724
f
-
* »
♦»
"' "
V
A
y-
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
XI
f
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Abbey, M.J
Adams, Edwin
Aldrieb, Isaac N....
Allen, A. S
Avery, Anson
Bailey, John A
Bailey, John D
PAGE
'.'. k;T
.. :w
.. K74
. 643
.■'-
PAGE
.'orey, Kiehard 693
Crew, James 6^0
Jrow, James 596
Dallman, Herman
eck, ' Jam it 704
Day, S. B
llavler. 'I'honias H4
hieiuis. lani.-s K72
Dooliuk. r_<\.. ids
Duryea, George 65J
Elder, James F 646
Eider. J. M iai
i.lder, Hubert Kill
Elder. '1 llolmls "lU'i
Ell. i-cba-lian il'.m
Elinor. William F Kill
Farman, Bert 651
Fehly, I re.ieriek k>
GUdden.Fremom B 70
Greeni , Z. C .. 601
Cries. Allien ", 1 "
Grubb, Henry L 701
Hales, Edwin 661
Hamilton. H. (i Kid
llarraldson. Nils 714
Hayes, Wes
Heal, Frank. ;-;i
111 ■iiii.'n'hoi. ■r.'.l 11 . '.l".
Howlund, S.V."" in.
I
Hoyt, 0. K
Hunt, D. F
Hiintly, Eevi
Hi. -ton, HenrvJ
Hymer, Thomas
Jenson, Jorgen
Johnson, James
Johnson, Mat
Karr, Joseph
Kinsev, William
K oerner, William F...
Lackore, James
Lafson, A. W
Larsen, La wrenteus.
Larson, Marten
Lasher, John
Latham. F. H
Liqillll, K. K
MeGraw, Elbert I....
\cii,ei,,'.i, l ,tm. ;;;.".'"
Maben, G. K
Mi n, Jay 1.)
Melcher. Elie'nF. .'.'.'.'.'
Morrison,' h'.'b" ..'.'.'.
Mo. ode k. Frederick
N< Nun. Peter S
Nisi iet. William
Northup, F S
Osborne, Joseph
Pritchard, William S.
AGE
PAGE
. 595
. 657 i
. 649
. 596
. 701
648
. 688
662
669
595
10
. 694
. 596 ;
. 718
713
: 719
• 650
' 597
. 625
. 693
. 702
. 671
Kill
. 615
. 695
. 648
. 620
.11
i 670
«47
. 730
. 71 HI
. 619
. 677
m
668 Rasmusson, Rasmus
662 Reed, Edgar F
616 Kipley, A. C
11 its, E. A
651 Bobbins, John B
6S7lKodman. William G.
670 Rogers, Frank 1(. .. .
Hoss, Eugene S
ans, Ml' .
596 Bussell, Harrison P..
681
Sehoono\er, Noimnil
711 Seett, Byron F
700 si, aw, Farner .....
KKKSlilso'n, 0. H 1 . V.'.V
647 Stoddart, John....
K1K .Stork, John
696 Strong, Joseph G
663 Sturgeon, Samuel...
n6
7ns Thiol, J. B
. 702 Tompkins, E
Kin Treganza, Joseph A.
666 Turtle, A. M
. 691
Bailey, L B
.. 613
Bates, Henry A
Beadle, .1 . 11 ...
1 Beadle, G. W
Beadle, J. Q
Bennett, John E.
Bingham, John (1
Book, John
Boleinger, Bernard.
Bonar. James C
Herman, William...
Bowers, Myron .. .
Brooks, d! i:. .*..'"..'
Brown, Thomas M.
Bulfon, c harks 1. . '
Burdick, John 11..'
Burdick, Frank T...
(arisen, Godfrey...
Carpenter, Harry A
i ihase, Andrew J. . .
i base L. VV.
Chase, Daniel
cliiistie, William...
Christie. Sr., John..
Christie, Jr., John..
Clemens, John J...
Colburn, Francis N.
.. 114
. 619
'.'. li'iVJ
i..-.:
.. ac
. r.iit
. . 696
.. 701
... 114!
i
703 Ward. Catharine
7ns Warner, D. T .•
7ni Way, ChandlerC
Wernet, Jo i b
598 Westpnall, Samuel A
White.Albert D.... 61
703 Wiles, M. L
672 Wilson, James
■7(lii Willson. - H
704 Wright, Charles.R...
725
. 640|Yoter, William
L
-
r
■% c
^k
xii TABLE OF CONTENTS.
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
PAGE
801
809
817
830
858
852
854
861
871
908
901
909
923
928
CHAPTER I.
PAGE
THE CHANGE 731
i >i-j;alLiznti(ill i>l' tuc County 7-U
Location, Toiio^raphv unil ecology 7.Z1
Railroads 734
CHAPTER II.
EARLY SETTLEMENT 786
First Settlers 136
First Things 74^
CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XII.
AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE AND DAI
RYING
CHAPTER XIII.
CHAPTER XIV.
CHAPTER XV.
WINNEBAGO COUNTY IN THE WAR
CHAPTER XVI.
Indians 751
CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER V.
NATIONAL, STATE AM) nn'N'TV REPRE-
SENTATION 760
CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER XVII.
CENTER TOWNSHIP
Lake Mills
CHAPTER XY1II.
FOREST CITY AND FOREST TOWNSHIP ....
CHAPTER XIX.
LINDEN TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XX.
LOG \N TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XXI.
Winu.-lwi.'o I',-.-- 7711
Northern [owa Gazette 778
W """ bi ~oniii.it 779
Tin W,nu. liiii.. i lli.f 781
Wlnm 1 a to V Ij Review 781
CHAPTER VII.
JUDICIAL 784
District Court '.si
circuit. Court 786
County Court 786
CHAPTER VIII.
FINANCIAL AND OTHER MAT TICKS 788
CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER XXII.
NEWTON TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XXIII.
CHAF1 ER X
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
BIOGRAPHICAL
Aas, DavidC
Alexander, Elwood .
Ambroson, Ole
Ambrose, J. H..T...
Anderson, John A ..
Anderson, A
Anderson, J. E
Aulinan, John B. . ..
Bahner, R. H
Uailev, John
Bakke, O. P
Blonnerhassett. A. ..
Blowers, George K..
Blowers, P. P
Boyd. J K
Braekey, Mrs. T.
Braekey, T. A
Braeki'y, Ole 0.
Brokko, Sigur
Brandstad, Andru E
Brones, A. N
Burnap, W. A
Burgeson, John
Butcher, Thomas J
Chase, A . H
Chapman, W. A
( hristianson, John.
Clark, Robert
Cole, A. T
Couley, J. B
Danl, I. M
David, J. W
Day, Charles H
Denzel, John
Drogsvold, Ole J —
Falken, T.J
Fisher, James W
Fisher, William H...
Foss, John
Franklin, W. R
Franklin, George A.
Gannett, Philip
Gibson, D. T
Grasley, Oley
Gudmanson, Ole
Gnlliokson, Eriek....
91K
Halvorson, Erel 870
Halvorsen, John 926
Hanson, Peter 910
Hanson, W. O
Hailing, Aaron O
Haugland, R. O
KW Hayes, DeVVitt C
Hernionson, Bendiek.
Higinbotham, William, mil
Hill. Jonathan B....
Holstead, Michael J.
Holtan, Hans 914Nilson, All
Honsey, S. G 932 1
Honsey, T. G 932 Odden, Andrew J
Howard, J. E 806 Olson, Hans P....
Hull, Justin M 815 Olson, Sandel....
Olson
Levoid, G. H.
Lun
Hans
881
MeUreevey. Edward .
Mahoney, J. W
Martinson, Christian.
Mattoeks, Eli
Mei nek, C. Eugene
Mikkel-on, Eli N 809
M.ie, H. P ""
M l, i He Knudson.
Munsoii, NelsM 818
Murphy, Jerry... ' , '"'
Nelson, S. T....
Nelson, Mikkel.
Nelson, C. L .
Nerby, L. B...
lush, Harry R . ...
Isaaes, Charles —
Isaaeson, John —
Jenks, Charles F. .
Jensen, R. P
lohiHon. Peter H .
lohnsoii, H. T ...
Johnson, George..
Joiee, E. J
" ;», P. C
Jones William H
Land™, Minim K .
Larson, William . .
I .an imore, J. T.. .
Law, John
Lepper, Frank
M .'.' (ilson, Peter.
'.','. i Uson, John S..
-'"Onstab, KnudE
S)7 Otis, James J 899
881
921 Paulson, Halvor.
870 Pederson, Bertus
Ml Pederson, P. P 917
SKI Person, Andrew 914
M4 Peterson, Harold
K1H Phelps, J. A
Pincknev, James
Kill Plunimer, J. A...
KT1 Poulson, Jens ...
Price, James
861 Itagan, M. V
806 Ransom, T. C
KS-i Rasmuson, Christian.
*6? Revlaml. P. K
Rowland, Horaee J... 8(H
Rusley, T. K 912
Rygmyr, H. H 911
G.0 917
Seeor, Eugene 768
Seeor. David 763
Seil.ert, Peter 921
Severs, O. T 768
Sharp, J.J 927
::cion, John A 931
Simmons Solomon 898
Skinner, E. D 908
Smith, N. A 865
Smith, CD 855
Sogard, T. A 919
Sogard, Simon 919
Sogar.l, Arne T 919
Sornsen, Ole 869
Strike, Thomas 1) 900
Stvve. N. 864
Sunderland, ole H 926
Syverson, Syver 919
Taylor, William 900
Tenuis, William 929
Tennis, Samuel 788
Thomas, George W 855
Thomson, Thomas
Thompson, J. F
Thompson, Clement.
Thompson, N. B
Thompson, John
Turvesou, Martin
Twito, Jaeob H
804
Ulve, O. 928
Van Duien, William... 814
Wadsworth, S. D 866
Wauibhnim, 1'eder H.. 922
WeNli, Charles E 898
Wilson, J. B 862
Winslow, Henry W.... 863
PORTRAITS.
Anderson, J. E.
PAGE PAGE
Hanson, W. 915
. 859 Hull, J. M 81l|Mahoney,
^
*, s_
±\£L
Certificates of Committees.
We the undersigned, committee appointed for the iMnpi.sc ..r examining and cnrrecti
if the History of Kossuth County, wi itten and cmnpil. .1 l.y ihol'ui.ui i*ulilisbing Compa
Illinois, do hereby c, it 1 1 \ that tin- sai.l manuscript was snlniiittt-d to lis, and that we made
i.lduions that wo, in our judgment, deemed necessary, and Ms so run ceded, we approve
W. H. Ingham, 1
Ambrose A. Call, I
Mrs. ('. A. Ingham, I
Mrs. H. E. Stacy,
J. E. Stacy,
Lewis H. Smith, |
B. F. Reed.
We the nndoisi._-no
Bee and revise the lush
Springfield, Illinois, ,!•
it committee appointed by the ..Id seniors and prominent men of the county, to over-
of Hancock County, written and compiled by the Tnion I'nblisuing Company, of
r.l.v certify that the SMid lUHiiu-oript was subl
ons, that we, in ouriudgn
John Maben, 1
J. M. Elder, |
L. B. Bailev. \, Committe
John Christie, Jr. I
i of the general eoi
ity, written and c
t we, in our judgm
David Secor,
J. S. Blowers,
J. E. Anderson,
A. T. Cole.
Solomon Simmons,
William Tennis,
Peter Hanson.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
CHAPTER I.
THE traveler, in wending his way
across the fair State of Iowa, with
its evidences of civilization upon every
hand; its magnificent churches with spires
pointing heavenward; its school-houses
almost upon every hill; palatial residences
evincing wealth and refinement, cannot
realize-that, less than a half century ago,
this "beautiful land" was the home only
of the red man, who roamed at will over
the fair and fertile prairies, hunting in the
woods and fishing in its streams. The
change would seem too great for him to
realize. But it is indeed true. These
churches, these school-houses, these pala-
tial residences, t)v se railroads, these tele-
graph and telephone wires, all have been
erected or placed here within the space of
a half century.
Before the advent of the Red Men, who
were found in possession by the Europeans,
who inhabited this country, is a subject
yet unsolved, and is shrouded in mystery.
That there were human beings of a distinct
race from the red men of later days, is gen-
erally conceded, but scientists fail as yet
to agree as to their nature and origin.
That this continent is co-existent with the
world of the ancients cannot be questioned.
Every investigation instituted under the
auspices of modern civilization confirms
this fact. It is thought by many that the
first inhabitants came from Asia, by way
of Behring's Strait, and in large numbers.
Magnificent cities and monuments were
raised at the bidding of tribal leaders, and
populous settlements centered with thriv-
ing villages sprang up everywhere in man-
ifestation of the progress of the people.
For the last four hundred years the colo-
nizing Caucasian has trodden on the ruins
of a civilization whose greatness he could
only surmise. Among these ruins are
pyramids similar to those which have ren-
dered Egypt famous. The pyramid of
Chalula is square, each side of its base
being 1,335 feet, and its height 172 feet.
Another pyramid north of Vera Cruz is
formed of large blocks of highly polished
porphyry, and bears upon its front hiero-
HISTORY OF IOWA.
glyphio inscriptions and curious sculpture.
iet square, and a flight of 57 steps
conducts to its summit, which is 65 feet
high. The ruins of Palenque are said to
extend 20 miles along the ridge of a moun-
t in, ami the remains of an Aztec city, near
the hanks of the Gila, are spread over
more than a square league. The principal
feature of the Aztec civilization which has
c >ine down to us was its religion, which
we are told was of a dark and gloomy
eh iracter. Each new god created by their
priesthood, instead of arousing new life in
the people, brought death to thousands;
and their grotesque idols exposed to drown
the senses of the beholders in fear, wrought
wretchedness rather than spiritual happi-
ness. In fact, fear was the great animating
principal, the motive power which sustained
this terrible religion. Their altars were
sprinkled with blood drawn from their own
bodies in large quantities, and on them
thousands of human victims were sacri-
ficed in honor of the demons whom they
worshipped. The head and heart of
every captive taken in war were offered
up as a sacrifice to the god of battles,
while the victorious legions feasted on the
remaining portions of the bodies. It is
said that during the ceremonies attendant
i i! i !i«- consecration of two of their tem-
ples, the number of prisoners offered up
in sacrifice was 12,210, while they them-
Qtributed large numbers of volun-
tary victims to the terrible belief.
The race known as the Mound-Builders
next attracts the attention of the ethnolo-
gists. Throughout tie- Mississippi Valley,
including many portions of Iowa, are found
mounde and walls of earth or stone, which
can only have a human origin. These
mounds vary in size from a few feet to
hundreds of feet in diameter. In them
are often found stone axes, pestles, arrow-
heads, spear-points, pieces of flint, and
other articles. Pottery of various de-
signs is very common in them, and from
the material of which they are made geol-
ogists have attempted to assign their age.
Some have thought that the Mound-
Builders were a race quite distinct from
the modern Indians, and that they were in
an advanced state of civilization. The
best authorities now agree that while the
comparatively civilized people called the
Aztecs built the cities whose ruins are
occasionally found, the Mound-Builders
were the immediate ancestors of the In-
dians De Soto first saw, and little different
from the Indians of to-day.
The origin of the Red Men, or Ameri-
can Indians, is a subject which interests
as well as instructs. It is a favorite topio
with the ethnologist, even as it is one of
deep concern to the ordinary reader. A
review of two works lately published on
the origin of the Indians, treats the matter
in a peculiarly reasonable light. It- says :
"Recently a German writer lias put for-
ward one theory on the subject, and an
English writer has put forward another
and directly opposite theory. The differ-
ence in opinion concerning our aboriginals
among authors who have made a profound
study of races, is at, once curious and in-
teresting. Blumenbach treats them in his
classifications as a distinct variety of the
human family; hut, in the three-fold divi-
I >r. Latham, they are ranked among
th. Mongolidse. Other writers on races
^]-
HISTORY OF IOWA.
regard them as a branch of the great Mon-
golian family, which at a distant period
found its way from Asia to this continent,
and remained here for centuries separate
from the rest of mankind, passing, mean-
while, through divers phases of barbarism
and civilization. Morton, our eminent
ethnologist, and his followers, Nott and
Gliddon, claim for our native Red Men an
origin as distinct as the flora and fauna of
this continent. Piichard, whose views are
apt to differ from Morton's, finds reason to
believe, on comparing the American tribes
together, that they must have formed a
separate department of nations from the
earliest period of the world. The era of
their existence as a distinct and isolated
people must probably be dated back to the
time which separated into nations the in-
habitants of the Old World, and gave to
each its individuality and primitive lan-
guage. Dr. Robert Brown, the latest
authority, attributes, in his 'Races of Man-
kind,' an Asiatic origin to our aboriginals.
He says that the Western Indians not only
personally resemble their nearest neighbors
— ihe Northeastern Asiatics — but they re-
semble them in language and tradition.
The Esquimaux on the American and the
Tohuktcis on the Asiatic side understand
one another perfectly. Modern anthro-
pologists, indeed, are disposed to think
that Japan, the Kuriles, and neighboring
regions, may be regarded as the original
home of the greater part of the native
American race. It is also admitted by
them that between the tribes scattered
from the Arctic sea to Cape Horn there
is more uniformity of physical feature
than is seen in any other quarter of the
globe. The weight of evidence and au-
thority is altogether in favor of the opin-
ion that our so-called Indians are a branch
of the Mongolian family, and all additional
researches strengthen the opinion. The
tribes of both North and South America
are unquestionably homogeneous, and, in
all likelihood, had their origin in Asia,
though they have been altered and modi-
fied by thousands of years of total separa-
tion from the present stock."
If the conclusions arrived at by the
reviewer is correct, how can one account
for the vast difference in manner and form
between the Red Man as he is now known,
or even as he appeared to Columbus and
his successors in the field of discovery, and
the comparatively civilized inhabitants of
Mexico, as seen in 1521 by Cortez, and of
Peru, as witnessed by Pizarro in 1532 ?
The subject is worthy of investigation.
In the year 1541, Ferdinand DeSoto, a
Spaniard, discovered the Mississippi river,
at the mouth of the Washita. He, how-
ever, penetrated no further north than
the 35th parallel of latitude, his death ter-
minating the expedition. It was thus left
for a later discoverer to first view the
"beautiful land."
In a grand council of Indians on' the
shores of Lake Superior, they told the
Frenchmen glowing stories of the "great
river" and the countries near it. Mar-
quette, a Jesuit father, became inspired
with the idea of discovering this noble
river. He was delayed in this great un-
dertaking, however, and spent the interval
in studying the language and habits of the
Illinois Indians, among whom he expected
to travel. In 16V3 he completed his pre-
parations for the journey, in which he was
to be accompanied by Joliet, an agent of
HISTORY OF IOWA.
the French Government. The Indians,
who had gathered in large numbers to wit-
ness his departure, tried to dissuade him
from the undertaking, representing that
the Indians of the Mississippi Valley were
cruel and blood-thirsty, and would resent
the intrusion of strangers upon their do-
main. The great river itself, they said,
was the abode of terrible monsters, who
could swallow both canoes and men. But
-Marquette was not diverted from his pur-
pose by these reports, and set out on his
adventurous trip May 13; he reached, first,
an Indian village where once had been a
mission, and where he was treated hospit-
ably; thence, with the aid of two Miami
guides, he proceeded to the Wisconsin,
down which he sailed to the great Mi-ssis-
83 j pi, which had so long been anxiously
Looked for; floating down its unknown
waters, the explorer discovered, on the
25 h of June, traces of Indians on the west
bank of the river, and landed a little above
the river now known as the Des Moines.
For the first time Europeans trod the soil
of Iowa. Marquette remained here a short
t ni>\ becoming acquainted with the In-
dians, and then proceeded on his explora-
tions, lie descended the Mississippi to
the Illinois, by which and Lake Michigan
he returned to French settlements.
Nine years later, in 1682, La Salle de-
cended the Mississippi to the Gulf of
Mexico, and, in the name of the king of
France, took formal posession of all the
immense region watered by the great river
and its tributaries from its source to its
mouth, and named it Louisiana, in honor
of his master, Louis XIV. The river he
called " Colbert," in honor of the French
Minister, and at its mouth erected a column
and a cross bearing the. inscription, in
French:
' 'LOUIS THE r.KEAT, KIKO OF FRANCE AND NAVARRE,
REIGNING APRIL 9, 1682."
France then claimed by right of dis-
covery and occupancy the whole valley of
the Mississippi and its tributaries, includ-
ing Texas. Spain at the same time laid
claim to all the region about the Gulf of
Mexico, and thus these two great nations
were brought into collision. But the
country was actually held and occupied by
the native Indians, especially the great
Miami Confederacy, the Miamis proper
(anciently the Twightwees) being the east-
ern and most powerful tribe.
Spain having failed to make any settle-
ment in the newly-discovered country, it
was left for France to occupy the land,
and that government, soon after the dis-
covery of the mouth of the Mississippi by
La Salle, in 1682, began to encourage the
policy of establishing a line of trading
posts and missionary stations, extending
through the west from Canada to Louis-
iana.
In 1762, France, in a time of extreme
weakness, ceded all the territory west of
the Mississippi, including what is now
Iowa, to Spain, which power retained pos-
session until October 1, 1800, when it
retroceded it to France/ This latter power
ceded it, to the United States in 1803, for
the sum of $15,000,000.
On assuming control, the United States
organized all that region west of the Mis-
sissippi and north of the Territory of
Orleans as the District of Louisiana. In
1805 the District of Louisiana was organ-
ized into the Territory of Louisiana.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
This Territory was subsequently divided, iana, Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota,
and now forms seven great States — Louis- | Kansas and Nebraska.
CHAPTER II.
INDIANS ANIl INDIAN WARS.
For more than one hundred years after
Marquette and Joliet trod the virgin soil
of Iowa, and admired its fertile plains,
not a single settlement had been made or
attempted, nor even a trading post estab-
lished. The whole country remained in
the undisputed possession of the native
tribes, who often poured out their life
blood in obstinate contest for supremacy.
That this State, so aptly styled "The
Beautiful Land," had been the theatre of
numerous fierce and bloody struggles be-
tween the rival nations for possession of
the favored region long before its settle-
ment by civilized man, there is no room
for doubt. In these savage wars the
weaker party, whether aggressive or de-
fensive, was either exterminated or driven
from its ancient hunting grounds.
When Marquette visited this country
in 1673, the Illini were a very powerful
people, occupying a large portion of the
State ; but when the country was again
visited by the whites, not a remnant of
that once powerful tribe remained on the
west side of the Mississippi, and Iowa
was principally in the possession of the
Sacs and Foxes, a warlike tribe which,
originally two distinct nations, residing
in New York and on the waters of the
St. Lawrence, had gradually fought their
way westward, and united, probably after
the Foxes had been driven out of the Fox
River country in 1846, and crossed the
Mississippi. The death of Pontiac, a
famous Sac chieftain, was made the pre-
text for war against the Illini, and a fierce
and bloody struggle ensued, which con-
tinued until the Illini were nearly de-
stroyed, and their hunting grounds pos-
sessed by their victorious foes. The Io w as
also occupied a portion of the State, for a
time, in common with the Sacs, but they,
too, were nearly destroyed by the Sacs
and Foxes, and in " The Beautiful Land "
these natives met their equally warlike
foes, the northern Sioux, with whom tl>e\
maintained a constant warfare for the pos-
session of the country for many years.
In 1803, when Louisiana was purchased
by the United States, the Sacs, Foxes and
Iowas possessed the entire State of Iowa,
and the two former tribes, also, occupied
most of Illinois.
22
HISTORY OF IOWA.
The Sacs had four principal villages,
where most of them resided. Their
largest and most important town — if an
Indian village may be called such — and
from which emanated most of the ob-
stacles encountered by the Government in
the extinguishment of Indian titles to
land in this region, was on Rock river,
near Rock Island ; another was on the
east bank of the Mississippi, near the
month of Henderson river; the third
was at the head of the Des Moines Rap-
ids, near the present site of Montrose ;
and the fourth was near the mouth of the
upper Iowa.
The Foxes had three principal villages.
One was on the west side of the Missis-
sippi, six miles above the rapids of Rock
river; another was about twelve miles
from the river, in the rear of the Dubuque
lead mines ; and the third was on Turkey
river.
The Iowas, at one time identified with
the Sacs of Rock river, had withdrawn
from them and become a separate tribe.
Their principal village was on the Des
Moines river, in Van Buren county,' on
the site where Iowaville now stands. Here
the last great battle between the Sacs and
Foxes and the Iowas was fought, in which
Black Hawk, then a young man, corn-
led one division of the attacking
f rces. The following account of the bat-
tle has been given:
"Contrary to long established custom of
Indian attack, this battle was commenced
in the day-time, the attending circum-
stances justifying this departure from the
well-settled usages of Indian warfare The
b ttli field was a level river bottom, about
lour miles in length, and two mi i
near the middle, narrowing to a point at
either end. The main area of this bottom
rises perhaps twenty feet above the river,
leaving a narrow strip of low bottom along
the shore, covered with trees that belted
the prairie on the river side with a thick
forest, and the immediate bank of the river
was fringed with a dense growth of wil-
low. Near the lower end of this prairie,
near the river bank, was situated the Iowa
village. About two miles above it and
near the middle of the prairie is a mound,
covered at the time with a tuft of small
trees and underbrush crowing on its sum-
mit. In the rear of this little elevation or
mound lay a belt of wet prairie, covered,
at that time, with a dense growth of rank,
coarse grass. Bordering this wet prairie
on the north, the country rises abruptly
into elevated broken river bluffs, covered
with a heavy forest lor many miles in ex-
tent, and in places thickly clustered with
undergrowth, affording convenient shelter
for the stealthy approach of the foe.
"Through this forest the Sac and Fox war
party made their way in the night, and
secreted themselves in the tall grass spoken
of above, intending to remain in ambush
during the day and make such observa-
tions as this near proximity to their in-
tended victims might afford, to aid them
in their contemplated attack on the town
during the following night. From this
situation their spies could take a full sur-
vey of the village, and watch every move-
ment "f the inhabitants, by which means
they were soon convinced that the Iowas
had no suspicion of their presence.
"At the foot of the mound above men-
tioned the Iowas had their race course,
where they diverted themselves with the
HISTORY OF IOWA.
excitement of horse-racing, and schooled
their young warriors in cavalry evolutions.
In these exercises mock battles were fought,
and the Indian tactics of attack and defense
carefully inculcated, by which means a
skill in horsemanship was acquired that is
rarely excelled. Unfortunately for them
this day was selected for their equestrian
sports, and, wholly unconscious of the
proximity of their foes, the warriors re-
paired to the race-ground, leaving most of
their arms in the village, and their old
men, women and children unprotected.
u Pash-a-po-po, who was chief in com-
mand of the Sacs and Foxes, perceived at
once the advantage this state of things
afforded for a complete surprise of his now
doomed victims, and ordered Black Hawk
to file off with his young warriors through
the tall grass and gain the cover of the
timber along the river bank, and with the
utmost speed reach the village and com-
mence the battle, while he remained with
his division in the ambush to make a sim-
ultaneous assault on the unarmed men
whose attention was engrossed with the
excitement of the races. The plan was
skillfully laid and most dexterously exe-
cuted. Black Hawk with his forces
reached the village undiscovered, and
made a furious onslaught upon the de-
fenseless inhabitants by firing one general
volley into their midst, and completing the
slaughter with the tomahawk and scalping-
knife, aided by the devouring flames with
which they enveloped the village as soon
as the fire-brand could be spread from
lodge to lodge.
"On the instant of the report of fire-arms
at the village, the forces under Pash-a-po-po
leaped from their couchant position in the
grass, and sprang, tiger-like, upon the un-
armed Iowas in the midst of their racing
sports. The first impulse of the latter natur-
ally led them to make the utmost speed to-
ward their arms in the village, and protect,
if possible, their wives and children from
the attack of their merciless assailants.
The distance from the place of attack on
the prairie was two miles, and a great
number fell in their flight by the bullets
and tomahawks of their enemies, who
pressed them closely with a running fire
the whole way, and the survivors only
reached their town in time to witness the
horrors of its destruction. Their whole
village was in flames, and the dearest
objects of their lives lay in slaughtered
heaps amidst the devouring element, and
the agonizing groans of the dying, mingled
with the exulting shouts of the victorious
foe, filled their hearts with maddening
despair. Their wives and children who
had been spared the general massacre were
prisoners, and together with their arms in
the hands of their victors; and all that
could now be done was to draw off their
shattered and defenseless forces, and save
as many lives as possible by a retreat
across the Des Moines river, which they
effected in the best possible manner, and
took a position among the Soap Creek
Previous to the settlement of their vil-
lage on Rock river, the Sacs and Foxes
had a fierce conflict with the Winnebagos,
subdued them and took possession of their
lands. At one time this village contained
upward of 60 lodges, and was among the
largest Indian villages on the continent.
The number of Sacs and Foxes in 1825
was estimated by the Secretary of "War to
HISTORY OF IOWA.
be 4,600. Their village was situated in
the immediate vicinity of the upper rapids
of the Micsissippi, where the flourishing
towns of Rock Island and Davenport are
now situated. The extensive prairies
dotted over with groves, the beautiful
scenery, the picturesque bluffs along the
river banks, the rich and fertile soil pro-
ducing large crops of corn, squash and other
vegetables with little labor, the abundance
of wild fruit, game, fish, and almost every-
thing calculated to make it a delightful
spot for an Indian village, which was
found there, had made this place a favorite
home of the Sacs, and secured for it the
strong attachment and veneration of the
whole nation.
The Sioux located their hunting grounds
north of the Sacs and Foxes. They were
a fierce and warlike nation, who often dis-
puted possessions with their rivals in savage
and bloody warfare. The possessions of
these tribes were mostly located in Minne-
sota, but extended over a portion of
Northern and Western Iowa to the Mis-
souri river. Their descent from the north
upon the hunting grounds of Iowa fre-
quently brought them into collision with
the Sacs and Foxes, and after many a con-
flict and bloody struggle, a boundary line
was established between them by the
Government of the United States, in a
treaty held at Prairie du (hien in 1825.
Instead of settling the difficulties, this
caused them to quarrel all the more, in
con sequence of alleged trespasses upon
each other's side of the line. So bitter
and unre'enting became these contests,
that,in 1830, the Government purchased of
the respective tribesof the Sacs and Foxes,
and the Sioux, a strip of land twenty miles
wide on both sides of the line, thus throw-
ing them forty miles apart by creating a
"neutral ground," and commanded them
to cease their hostilities. They were,
however, allowed to fish and hunt on the
ground unmolested, provided they did not
interfere with each other on United States
territory.
Soon after the acquisition of Louisiana,
the United States Government adopted
measures for the exploration of the new
Territory, having in view the conciliation
of the numerous tribes of Indians by
whom it was possessed, and also the se-
lection of proper sites for the establish-
ment of military posts and trading sta-
tions. The Army of the West, Gen. Wil-
kinson commanding, had its headquarters
at St. Louis. From this post Captains
Lewis and Clarke, with a sufficient force,
were detailed to explore the unknown
sources of the Missouri, and Lieut. Zebu-
Ion M. Pike to ascend to the head waters
of the Mississippi. Lieut. Pike, with
one sergeant, two corporals and seven-
teen privates, left the military camp,
near St. Louis, in a keel boat, with four
months' rations, August Oih, 1805. On
the 20th of the same month the expedition
arrived within the present limits of Iowa,
at the foot of the Des Moines Rapids,
where Pike met William Ewing, who had
just been appointed Indian Agent at this
point, a French interpreter, tour chiefs,
fifteen Sacs and Fox warriors. At the
head of the rapids, where Montrose is now
situated, Pike held a council with the
Indians, in which he addressed them sub-
stantially as follows:
"Your great father, the President of the
United States, wishes to be moreintim nely
A
HISTORY OF IOWA.
acquainted with the situation and wants
of the different nations of Red people in
our newly acquired Territory of Louis-
iana, and has ordered the General to send
a number of his warriors in different
directions to take them by the hand and
make such inquiries as might afford the
satisfaction required."
At the close of the council he presented
the Red Men with some knives, tobaoco
and whisky. On the 23d of August he
arrived at what is supposed, from his de-
scription, to be the site of the present city
of Burlington, which he selected as the
location of a military post. He describes
the place as "being on a hill, about forty
miles above the River de Moyne Rapids,
on the west side of the river, in latitude
about 40 deg. 21 min. north. The channel
ef the river runs on that shore. The hill
in front is about 60 feet perpendicular,
and nearly level at the top. About 400
yards in the rear is a small prairie, fit for
gardening, and immediately under the hill
is a limestone spring, sufficient for the
consumption of a whole regiment." In
addition to this description, which corres-
ponds to Burlington, the spot is laid down
on his map at a bend in the river a short
distance below the mouth of the Hender-
son, which p uirs its waters into the Mis-
sissippi from Illinois. The fort was built
at Fort Madisou, but from the distance,
latitude, description and map furnished by
Pike, it could not have been the place se-
lected by him, while all the circumstances
corroborate the opinion that the place he
selected was the spot where Burlington is
now located, called by the early voyagers
on the Mississippi " Flint Hills " In C' m-
pany with one of his men, Pike went on
shore on a hunting expedition, and follow-
ing a stream which they supposed to bo a
part of the Mississippi, they were led away
from their course. Owing to the intense
heat and tall grass, his two favorite dogs,
which be had taken with him, became ex-
hausted, and he left them on the prairie,
supposing that they would follow him as
soon as they should get rested, and went
on to overtake his boat. After reaching
the river he waited some time for his
canine friends, but they did not come, and
as he deemed it inexpedient to detain the
boat longer, two of his men volunteered to
go in pursuit of them, and he continued on
his way up the river, expecting that the
two men would soon overtake him They
lost their way, however, and for six days
were without food, except a few morsels
gathered from the stream, and might have
perished had they not accidentally met a
trader from St. Louis, who induced two
Indians to take them up the river, and they
overtook the boat at Dubuque. At he
latter place Pike was cordially received by
Julien Dubuque, a Frenchman, who held a
mining claim under a grant from Spain.
He had an old field piece, aud fired a salute
in honor of the advent of the first Am sr-
ican who had visited that part of the Ter-
ritory. He was not, however, dsposed to
publish the wealth of his mines, and ihe
young and evidently inquisitive officer
obtained but little information from him.
Upon leaving this place, Pike pursued
his way up the river, but as he pax-ed
beyond the limits of the present State of
Iowa, a detailed history of his explora-
tions does not properly belong to this vol-
ume. It is sufficient to say that, on the
site of Fort Snelling, Minnes ita, he hi 1 I a
y=r
HISTORY OF IOWA.
council with the Sioux, Sept. 23, and ob-
tained from them a grant of 100,000 acres
of land. Jan. 8, 1806, he arrived at a trad-
ing post belonging to the Northwest Com-
pany, on Lake De Sable, in latitude 47 ° .
This company at that time carried on their
immense operations from Hudson's Bay to
the St. Lawrence ; up that river, on both
sides along the great lakes, to the head of
Lake Superior, thence to the sources of the
Red River of the North, and west to the
Rocky Mountains, embracing within the
scope of their operations what was subse-
quently the State of Iowa. After suc-
cessfully accomplishing his mission and
performing a valuable service to the whole
Northwest, Pike returned to St. Louis, ar-
riving there April 30, 1806.
Before the Territory of Iowa could be
open to settlement by the whites, it was
necessary that the Indian title should be
extinguished and the original owners re-
moved. The Territory had been pur-
chased by the United States, but was .still
occupied by the Indians, who claimed title
to the soil by right of possession. • In
order to accomplish this purpose, 1 irge
sums of money were expended, besides the
frontier being disturbed by Indian wars,
terminated repeatedly by treaty, only to
be renewed by some act of oppression on
the part of the whites, or some violation
of treaty stipulation.
When the United States assumed con-
trol of the country, by virtue of the Louis-
iana purchase, nearly the whole State was
in possession of the Sacs and Fixes, a
powerful and warlike nation, who were
not disposed to submit without a Stl
to what they c msidered the encroachment
of the pale faces. Among the most noted
chiefs, and one whose restlessness and
hatred of the Americans occasioned more
trouble to the Government than any other
of his tribe, was Black Hawk, who was
born at the Sac Village, on Rock river, in
1767. He was simply the chief of his own
band of Sac warriors; but by his energy
and ambition he became the leading spirit
of the united nation of Sacs and Foxes,
and one of the prominent figures in the
history of the country from 1804 till his
death.
In early manhood he attained distinc-
tion as a fighting chief, having led cam-
paigns against the Ooages and other neigh-
boring tribes. About the beg lining of
the present century he began to appear
prominent in affairs on the Mississippi.
His life was a marvel. He is said by
some to have been the victim of a narrow
prejudice and bitter ill-will against the
Americans.
Upon the cession of Spain to Fiance, in
1801, it did not give up possession of the
country, but retained it, and by the au-
thority of France transferred it to the
United States in 180-1. At that time
Black Hawk and his band were in St.
Louis, and were invited to be present and
witness the transfer; but he refused the
invitation, and it is but just to say that
this refusal was caused probably more
from regret that the Indians wire to be
transferred from the jurisdiction of the
Spanish authorities than from any special
hatred toward the Americans. In his life
he says: "I found many sad and gloomy
faces because the United States were ab ut
to take possession of the town and country.
Soon alter the Americans came 1 took my
b ind and went to take leave of my Spanish
HISTORY OF IOWA.
father. The Americans came to see
him also. Seeing them approach, we
passed out of one door as they entered an-
other, and immediately started in our
canoes for our village on Rock river, not
liking the change any better than our
friends appeared to at St. Louis. On
arriving at our village, we gave the news
that strange people had arrived at St.
Louis, and that we should never see our
Spanish father again. The information
made all our people sorry."
November 3, 1804, a treaty was con-
cluded between William Henry Harrison,
then Governor of Indiana Territory, on
behalf of the United States, and five chiefs
of the Sac and Fox nation, by which the
latter, in consideration of $2,234 worth of
goods then delivered, and a yearly annuity
of $1,000 to be paid in goods at just cost,
ceded to the United States all that land on
the east side of the Mississippi, extending
from a point opposite the Jefferson, in
Missouri, to the Wisconsin river, embra-
cing an area of over 51,000,000 of acres.
To this treaty Black Hawk always objected,
and always refused to consider it binding
upon his people. He asserted that the
chiefs or braves who made it had no au-
thority to relinquish the title of the nation
to any of the lands they held or occu-
pied, and, moreover, that they had been
sent to St. Louis on quite a different
errand, namely: to get one of their people
released, who had been imprisoned at St.
Louis for killing a white man.
In 1805 Lieutenant Pike came up the
river for the purpose of holding friendly
councils with the Indians and selecting
sites for forts within the territory recently
acquired from France by the United
States. Lieut. Pike seems to have been
the first American whom Black Hawk
ever met or had a personal interview with,
and he seemed very much prepossessed in
his favor. He gives the following account
of his visit to Rock Island: "A boat came
up the river with a young American chief
and a small parly of soldiers. We heard
of them soon after we passed Salt river.
Some of our young braves watched them
every day to see what sort of people he
had on board. The boat at length arrived
at Rock river, and the young chief came
on shore with his interpreter, made a
speech and gave us some presents We
in turn presented him with meat and such
other provisions as we had to spare. We
were well pleased with the young chief;
he gave us good advice, and said our
American father would treat us well."
Fort Edwards was erected soon after
Pike's expedition, at what is now Warsaw,
Illinois, also Fort Madison, on the site of
the present town of that name, the latter
being the first fort erected in Iowa. These
movements occasioned great u;. easiness
among the Indians. When work was
commenced on Fort Edwards, a delegation
from their nation, headed by some of their
chiefs, went down to see what the Am, ri-
cans were doing, and had an iuterview
with the commander, after which they
returned home and were apparently satis-
fied. In like manner, when Fort Madi.-on
was being erected, they sent down another
delegation from a council of the nation
held at Rock river. According to Black
Hawk's account, the American chief told
them that he was building a house for a
trader, who was coming to sell them goods
cheap, and that the soldiers were cominu'
HISTORY OF IOWA.
to keep him company — a statement which
Black Hawk says they distrusted at the
time, believing that the fort was an en-
croachment upon their rights, and designed
to aid it getting their lands away from
them. It is claimed, by good authority,
that the building of Fort Madison was a
violation of the treaty of 1804. By the
11th article of that treaty, the United
States had a right to build a fort near the
mouth of the Wisconsin river, and by
article 6 they had bound themselves "that
if any citizen of the United States or any
other white persons should form a settle-
ment upon their lands, such intruders
should forthwith be removed." Probably
the authorities of the United States did not
regard the establishment of military posts
as coming properly within the meaning of
the term "settlement" as used in the treaty.
At all events, they erected Fort Madison
within the territory reserved to the Indi-
ans, who became very indignant.
Very soon after the fort was built, a
party led by Black Hawk attempted its
destruction. They sent spies to watch the
movements of the garrison, who ascer-
tained that the soldiers were in the habit
of marching out of the fort every morning
and evening for parade, and the plan of
the party was to conceal themselves near
the fort, and attack and surprise them
when they were outside. On the morning
of the proposed day of the attiek, five
soldiers came out and were fired upon by
the Indians, two of them being killed.
The Indians were too hasty in their move-
ment, for the parade had not commenced.
However, they kept up the attack several
days, attempting the old Fox strategy of
setting tire to the fort with blazing arrows;
but finding their efforts unavailing, they
soon gave up and returned to Rock river.
In 1812, when war was declared between
this country and Great Britain, Black
Hawk and his band allied themselves with
the British, partly because he was dazzled
by their specious promises, but more prob-
ably because they were deceived by the
Americans. Black Hawk himself declared
that they were forced into war by being
deceived. He narrates the circumstances
as follows: "Several of the head men and
chiefs of the Sacs and Foxes were called
upon to go to Washingt -n to see their
Great Father. On their return they re-
lated what had been said and done. They
said the Great Father wished them, in the
event of a war taking place with England,
not to interfere on either side, but to re-
main neutral. He did not want our help,
but wished us to bunt and suppott our
families, and live in peace. He said that
British traders would not be permitted to
come on the Mississippi to furnish us with
goods, but that we should be supplied with
an American trader. Our chiefs then told
him that the British traders always gave
them credit in the fall for guns, powder and
goods, to enable us to hunt and clothe our
families. He repeated that the traders at
Fort Madison would have; plenty of goods;
that we should go there in the fall and he
would supply us on credit, as the British
traders had done." Black Hawk seems to
have accepted the proposition, and he and
his people were very much pleased. Act-
ing in good faith, they fitted out for their
winter's hunt, and went, to Fort Madison
in high spirits to receive from the trader
their outfit of supplies; but after waiting
some time, they were told by the trader
HISTORY OF IOWA.
that he would not trust them. In vain
they plea led the promise of their Great
Father at Washington; the trader was
inexorable. Disappointed and crest fallen,
the Indians turned sadly to their own vil-
lage. Says Black Hawk: "Few of us slept
that night. All was gloom and discon-
tent. In the morning a canoe was seen
ascending the river; it soon arrived bear-
ing an express, who brought intelligence
that a British trader had landed at Rock
Island with two boats filled with goods, and
requested us to come up immediately, be-
cause he had good news for us, and a
variety of presents. The express presented
us with tobacco, pipes and wampum. The
news ran through our camp like fire on a
prairie. Our lodges were soon taken down
and all started for Rock Island. Here
ended all our hopes of remaining at peace,
having been forced into the war by being
cKceived." He joined the British, who
flattered him, and styled him "Gen. Black
Hawk," decked him with medals, excited
his jealousy against the Americans, and
aimed his band; but he met with defeat
ami disappointment, and soon abandoned
the service and came home.
There was a portion of the Sacs and
Foxes, whom Black Hawk, with all his
skill and cunning, could not lead into hos-
tilities to the United States. With
Keokuk ("The Watchful Fox") at their
head, they were disposed to abide by the
treaty of 1804, and to cultivate friendly
relations with the American people. So,
when Black Hawk and his band joined the
fortunes of Great Britain, the rest of the
nation remained neutral, and, for protec-
tion, orgauized with Keokuk for their
chief. Thus, the nation was divided into
the "War and Peace party." Black Hawk
says he was informed, after he had gone to
the war, that the nation, which had been
reduced to so small a body of fighting
men, were unable to defend themselves in
case the Americans should attack them,
and, having all the old men, women and
children belonging to the warriors who
had joined the British, on their hands to
provide for, a council was held, and it was
agreed that Quash-qua-me (The Lance)
and other chiefs, together with the old
men, women and children, and such others
as chose to accompany them, should go to
St. Louis and place themselves und< r the
American Chief stationed there. Accord-
ingly they went down, and were received
as the "friendly band" of Sacs and Foxes,
and were provided for and sent up the
Missouri river.
On Black Hawk's return from the
British army, he says Keokuk was intro-
duced to him as the war chief of the
braves then in the village. He inquired
how he had become chief; and was in-
formed that their spies had seen a large
armed force going toward Peoria, and
fears were entertained of an attack upon
the village; whereupon a council was held,
which concluded to leave the village, and
cross over to the other side of the Mis-
sissippi. Keokuk had been standing at
the door of the lodge when the council
was held, not being allowed to enter on
account of never having killed an enemy,
where he remained until Wa-co-me came
out. Keokuk asked permission to speak
to the council, which Wa-co-me obtained
for him. He then addressed the chiefs.
He remonstrated against the desertion
of their village, their own homes, and the
HISTORY OF IOWA.
graves of their fathers, and offered to
defend the village.
The council consented that he should be
their war chief. He marshaled his braves,
sent out spies, and advanced on the lead-
ing trail to Peoria, but returned without
seeing the enemy. The Americans did
not disturb the village, and all were satis-
fied with the appontment of Keokuk.
Like Black Hawk, he was a descendant of
the Sac branch of the nation, and was born
on Rock river in 1780. lie was of a pacific
disposition, but possessed the elements of
i rue courage, and could fi;:ht when occa-
sion required with cool judgment and
heroic energy. In his first ba'lle he en-
countered and killed a Sioux, which placed
him in the rank of warriors, and he was
honored with a public feast by his tribe
in commemoration of the event.
In person, Keokuk was tall and of portly
bearing. In his public speeches he dis-
played a commanding attitude and grace-
ful gestures. lie has been described as
an orator, entitled to rank with the most
gifted of his race. He spoke rapidly, but
his enunciation was clear, distinct and
forcible; he culled his figures from tin-
stores of nature, and based his arguments
on skillful logic. Unfortunately for his
reputation as an oratoramong white people,
he was never able to obtain an interpreter
who could claim even a slight acquaint-
ance with philosophy. . Willi one excep-
tion only, his interpreters were unac-
quainted with the elements of their
mother tongue. Of this serious hindrance
to his fame he was well aware, and re-
tained Frank Labershure, who had re-
ceived a rudiment il education in the French
and English languages, until the latter
broke down by dissipation and died.
Keokuk was thus compelled to submit his
speeches for translation to uneducated
men, whose range of thought fell far
below the flights of a gifted mind, and the
fine imagery drawn from nature was be-
yond their power of reproduction.
Keokuk had sufficient knowledge of the
English language to make hir.i sensible of
this bad rendering of his thoughts, ami
often a feeling of mortification at the
bungling efforts was depicted on his coun-
tenance while speaking. The proper
[dace to form a correct estimate of his
ability as an orator -was in the Indian
council, where he addressed himself ex-
clusively to those who understood his lan-
guage, and witnessed the electrical effect
of his eloquence upon his council. He
seems to have p s^-essed a more sober
judgment, and to have had a more intelli-
gent view of the great strength and re-
sources of the United States, than his
noted and restless cotemporary, Black
Hawk. He knew from the first that the
reckless war which Black Hawk and his
band had determined to carry on could
result in nothing but disaster and defeat,
and he used every argument against it.
The large number of warriors whom he
had dissuaded from following Black Hawk
Incline, however, greatly excited with the
war spirit after Stillman's defeat, and but
for the signal tact displayed by Keokuk on
that occasion, would have forced him to
submit to their wishes in joining the rest
of the warriors in the field. A war dance
was held, and Keokuk took part in it,
seeming to be moved with the current of
the rising storm. When the dance was
over, he called the council together to pre-
HISTORY OF IOWA.
pare for war. He made a speech, in which
he admitted the justice of their complaints
against the Americans. To seek redress
was a noble aspiration of their nature.
The blood of their brethren had been shed
by the white man, and the spirits of their
braves, slain in battle, called loudly for
vengeance.
" I am your chief," said he, " and it is
my duty to lead you to battle, if after fully
considering the matteryou are determined
to go; but before you decide to take this
important step, it is wise to inquire into
the chances of success."
He then portrayed to them the great
power of the United States, against whom
they would have to contend, and thought
their chances of success was utterly hope-
less. "But," said he, "if you do deter-
mine to go upon the warpath, I will agree
to lead you on one condition — that before
we go we kill our old men and our wives
au<l children, to save them from a linger-
ing death of starvation, arid that every one
of us determine to leave our homes on the
other side of the Mississippi." This was
a strong but truthful picture of the pros-
pect before them, and was presented in
such a forcible light as to cool their ardor
and cause them to abandon their rash
undertaking. From this time there was
no serious troutle with the Indians until
the Black Hawk war.
The treaty of 1804, between the United
States and the chiefs of the Sao and Fox
nations was never acknowledged by Black
Hawk, and, in 1831, he established him-
self with a chosen band of warriors upon
the disputed territory, ordering the whites
to leave the country at once. The settlers
complaining, Governor Reynolds, of Illi-
nois, dispatched General Gaines with a
company of regulars and 1,500 volunteers
to the scene of action. Taking the Indians
by surprise, the troops burnt their village,
and forced them to conclude a treaty, by
which they ceded all their lands east of
the Mississippi, and agreed to remain on
the west side of the river.
Necessity forced the proud spirit of
Black Hawk into submission, which made
him more than ever determined to be
avenged upon his enemies. Having ral-
lied around him the warlike braves of the
Sac and Fox nations, he recrossed the Mis-
sissippi in the spring of 1832. Upon
hearing of the invasion, Governor Rey-
nolds hastily collected a body of 1,800
volunteers, placing them under command
of Brig.-Gen. Samuel Whiteside.
The army marched to the Mississippi,
and, having reduced to ashes the Indian
village known as " Prophet's Town," pro-
ceeded several miles up Rock river, to
Dixon, to join the regular forces under
Gen. Atkinson. They formed, at Dixon,
two companies of volunteers, who, sighing
for glory, were dispatched to reconnoiter
the enemy. They advanced, under com-
mand of Major Stillman, to a creek after-
wards called "Stillman's run," and, while
encamping there, saw a party of mounted
Indians at a distance of a mile. Several of
Stillman's party mounted their horses and
charged the Indians, killing three of them;
but, attacked by the main body, under
Black Hawk, they were routed, and, by
their precipitate flight, spread such a panic
through the camp that the vhole company
ran off to Dixon as fast as their legs could
carry them. On their arrival it was found
that there had been eleven killed. The
HISTORY OF IOWA.
party came straggling into camp all night
long, four or five at a time, each squad
positive that all who were left behind were
massacred .
It is said that a big, tall Kontuckian,
with a loud voice, who was a Colonel of the
militia, upon his arrival in camp gave to
Gen. Whiteside and the wondering multi-
tude the following glowing and bombastic
account of the battle:
"Sirs," said he, "our detachment was
encamped among some scattering timber
on the north side of Old Man's creek, with
the prairie from the north gently sloping
down to our encampment. It was just
after twilight, in the gloaming of the even-
ing, when we discovered Black Hawk's
army coming down upon us in solid column;
they displayed in the form of a crescent
upon the brow of the prairie, and such
accuracy and precision of military move-
ments were never witnessed by man; they
were i qual to the besttroopsof Wellington
in Spain. I have said that the Indians
came down in solid columns, and displayed
in the form of a crescent; and, what was
most wonderful, there were large squares
of cavalry resting upon the points of the
curve, which squares were supported again
by other columns fifteen deep, extending
back through the woods and ever a swamp
three-quarters of a mile, which again rested
on the main body of Black Hawk's army,
bivouacked upon the banks of the Kish-
wakee. It was a terrible and a glorious
Sight to see the tawny warriors as they
rode along our Hanks attempting to out-
flank us, with the glittering moonbeams
g listening from their polished blades and
burning spears. It was a sight well calcu-
lated to strike consternation in the stoutest
and boldest heart; and, accordingly, < ur
men soon began to break, in small squads,
for tall timber.
"In a very little time the rout became
general, the Indians were soon upon our
flanks, and threatened the destiuction of
our entire detachment. About this time
Maj. Stillman, Col. Stephenson, Maj. Per-
kins, Capt. Adams, Mr. llackelton and my-
self, with some others, threw ourselves into
the rear to rally the fugitives and protect
the retreat. But in a short time all my
companions fell bravely fighting hand-to-
hand with the savage enemy, and I alone
was left upon the field of battle About
this time I discovered not far to the left a
corps of horsemen, which seemed to be in
toh rable order. I immediately deployed
to the left, when, leaning down and placing
my body in a recumbent posture upon the
mane of my horse, so as to bring the heads
of the horsemen between my eye and the
horizon, I discovered, by the light of the
moon, that they were gentlemen who did
not weir hats, by which token I knew they
were no friends of mine. I therefore made
a retrograde movement, and recovered my
position, where I remained some time, in
thinking what further I could do for my
country, when a random ball came whist-
ling by my ear, and plainly whispered to
me, 'Stranger, you have no further busi-
ness here.' Upon hearing this, I followed
the example of my companion s-in-arms,
and broke for tall timber, and the way I
ran was not a little."
For a long time afterward Maj. Stillman
and his men were subjects of ridicule and
merriment, which was as undeserving as
their expedition was disastrous. Still-
man's defeat spread consternation through-
HISTORY OF IOWA.
out the State and nation. The Dumber of
Indians was greatly exaggerated, and the
name of Black Hawk carried with it asso-
ciations of great military talent, savage
cunning and cruelty.
A regiment sent to spy out the country
between Galena and R >ck Island, was sur-
prised by a party of seventy Indians, and
was on the point of being thrown into dis-
order, when Gen. Whiteside, then >
as a private, shouted out that he woul !
shoot the tirst man who turned his back on
the enemy. Order being restored, the bat-
tle began. At its very outset Gen. White-
side shot the leader of the Indians, who
thereupon commenced a hasty retreat.
In June, 1832, Black Hawk, with a band
of one hundred and fifty warriors, attacked
the Apple River Fort, near Galena, de-
fended by twenty-five men. This fort, a
mere palisade of logs, was erected to afford
protection to the miners. For fifteen con-
secutive hours the garrison had to sustain
the assault of the savage enemy; but,
knowing very well that no quarter would
be given them, they fought with such fury
and desperation that the Indians, after
losing many of their warriors, were com-
pelled to retreat.
Another party of eleven Indians mur-
dered two men near Fort Hamilton. They
were afterward overtaken by a company
of twenty men, and every one of them
killed.
A new regime: t, under the command of
Gen. Atkinson, assembled on the banksof
the Illinois, in the latter part of June.
Major Dement, with a small party, was
sent out to reconnoiter the movements of
a large body of Indians, whose endeavors
to surround him made it advisable for him
to retire. Upon hearing of this engage-
ment, Gen Atkinson sent a detachment to
intercept the Indians, while he with the
main body of his army, moved north to
meet the Indians under B'ack Hawk.
They moved slowly and cautiously through
the country, pissed through Turtle Vil-
lage, and marched up along Rock river.
On their arrival news was brought of the '
discovery of the main trail of the Indians.
Considerable search was made, but they
were unable to discover any vestige of In-
dians, save two, who had shot two soldiers
the day previous.
Hearing that Black Hawk was encamped
on Ro k River, at the Manitou village,
they resolved at once to advance upon the
enemy, but in the execution of their de-
sign they met with opposition from their
officers and men. The officers of Gen.
Henry handed to him a written protest;
but he, a man equal to any emergency,
ordered the officers to be arrested and
escorted to Gen Atkinson. Within a few
minutes after the stern order was given,
the officers all collected around the Gen-
eral's quarters, many of them with tears in
their eyes, pledging themselves that if for-
given they would return to duty and never
do the like again. The General rescinded
the order, and they at once resumed duty.
THE BATTLE OP BAD-AXB.
Gen. Henry marched, on the 15th of
July, in pursuit of the Indians, reaching
Rock river after three days' journey, where
he learned Black Hawk was encamped
further up the river. On July 19 the
tro j s were ordered to commence their
march. After having made 50 miles, they
Y
HISTORY OF IOWA.
were overtaken by a terrible tbunder
storm, which lasted all night. Nothing
e oled, however, in their courage and zeal,
i y marched again :>0 miles the, next day,
encamping near the place where the In-
dians encamped the night before Hurrying
along as fast as they could, the infantry
keeping up an equal pace with the mounted
force, the. troops, on the morning of the
crossed the river connecting two of
the four lakes, by which the Indians had
been endeavoring to escape. The;,
on their way, the ground strewn with ket-
tles and articles of baggage, which, in the
In te of retreat, the Indians wire obliged
to throw away. The troops, inspired with
new ardor, advanced so rapidly that at
noon they fell in with the rear guard of
the Indians. Those who closely pursued
them were saluted by a sudden fire of
musketry from a body of Indians who had
concealed them elves in the high grass of
the prairie. A most desperate charge was
made upon the Indians, who, unable to
resist, retreated obliquely in order to out-
flank the volunteers on the right; but the
charged the Indians in their ambush
and expelled them from their thickets at
int of the bayonet, and dig] I
them. Nighl set in and the battle ended,
having cost the Indians sixty-eight of their
bravest men, while the loss of the Illinois-
ans amounted to but one killed and eight
wounded.
□ after this battle, Gens. Atkinson
and Henry joined tlieirfore.es and pursued
tii'' Indians. Gen. Henry struck the main
trail, left his horses behimi
advance guard of eight men, and m
forward upon their trail. When these
men came within sight of the river,
they were suddenly fired upon, and five of
them killed, thu remaining three maintain-
ir ground till Gen. Henry came up.
Then the Indians, charged upon with the
bayonet, fell back upon their main force;
the battle now became general; the In-
dians fought with desperate valor, but
were furiously assailed by the volunteers
with their bayonets, culling many of the
Indians to pieces and driving the rest into
the river. Those who escaped from being
drowned found refuge on an island. On
hearing the frequent discharge of mus-
ketry, indicating a general engagement,
Gen. Atkinson abandoned the pursuit of
the twenty Indians under Black Hawk
himself, and hurried to the scene of action,
where he arrived too late to take part in
the battle. He immi : <d the
river with his troops, the water reaching
up to their necks, and landed on the island
where the Indians had secreted them-
m Ives. The soldiers rushed upon the
Indians, killed several of them, took the
others prisoners, and chased the rest into the
river, where they were either drowned or
shot before reaching the opposite shore.
i. led the battle, the Indians losing
three hundred, besides fifty prisoners; tin;
whites, but seventeen killed and twelve
wounded.
Black Hawk, with his twenty braves,
retreated up the Wisconsin river. The
Wmnebagos, desirous of securing the
friendship of the whites, went in pursuit
and captured ami delivered them to Gen.
Street, the United States Indian Agent.
Among the prisoners were the son of
Black Hawk and the prophet of the tribe.
These, with Black Hawk, were taken to
HISTORY OF IOWA. 1135652
Washington, D. C, and soon consigne 1
as prisoners at Fortress Monroe.
At the interview Black Hawk had with
the President, he closed his speech deliv-
ered on the occasion in the following
words: "We did not expect to conquer
the whites. They have too many houses.
too many men. I tuok up the hatchet, for
my part, to revenge injuries which my
people could no longer endure. Had I
borne them longer without striking, my
people would have said: 'Black Hawk is a
woman; he is too old to be a chief; he is
no Sac' These reflections caused me to
raise the war-whoop. I say no more. It
is known to you. Keokuk once was here;
you took him by the hand, and when he
wished to return to his home, you were
willing. Black Hawk expects, like Keo-
kuk, he shall be permitted to return, too."
By order of the President, Black Hawk
and his companions, who were in confine-
ment at Fortress Monroe, were set free on
the 4th day of June, 1833.
After their release from prison they
were conducted in charge of Major Gar-
land, through some of the principal cities,
that they might witness the power of the
United States and learn their own inability
to cope with them in war. Great multi-
tudes flocked to see them wherever they
were taken, and the attention paid them
rendered their progress through the coun-
try a triumphal procession, instead of the
transportation of prisoners by an officer.
At Rock Island the prisoners were given
their liberty amid great and impressive
ceremony. In 1838 Black Hawk built him
a dwelling near Dos Moines, tlis State,
and furnished it after the manner of the
whites, and engaged in agricultural pur-
suits and hunting and fishing. Here with
his wife, to whom he was greatly attached,
he passed the few remaining days of his
life. To his credit, it may be said that
Black Hawk remained true to his wife,
and served her with a devotion uncommon
among Indians, living with her upward of
forty years.
At all times when Black Hawk visited
the whites he was received with marked
attention. He was an honored guest at
the old settlers' reunion in Lee county,
Illinois, at some of their meetings, and
received marked tokens of esteem. In
September, 1838, while on his way to
Rock Island to receive his annuity from
the Government, he contracted a severe
cold, which resulted in a severe attack of
bilious fever, and terminated his life Oct.
3. After his death he was dressed in the
uniform presented to him by the President
while in Washington. He was buried in a
grave six feet in depth, situated upon a
beautiful eminence. The body was placed
in the middle of the grave, in a sitting
position upon a seat constructed for the
purpose. On his J eft side the cane given
him by Henry Clay was placed upright,
with his right hand resting upon it. His
remains were afterwards stolen and car-
ried away, but they were recovered by the
Governor of Iowa, and placed in the
museum of the Historical Society at Bur-
lington, where they were finally destroyed
by fire.
^k
HISTORY OF IOWA.
CHAPTER III.
INDIAN TREATIES.
As has already been stated, all Iowa was
in actual possession of the Indians when
purchased by the United States Govern-
11 iit, and for purposes of settlement by
the whites, could only be obtained by
le ejectment or re-purchase from
inhabiting the country. This was
effected in a series of treaties and pur-
chases, of which a synopsis is given:
The territory known as the "Black
Hawk Purchase," although not the first
portion of Iowa ceded to the United States
l.\ the Sacs and Foxes, was the first opened
to actual settlement by the tide of emi-
gration which flowed across the Missis-
as soon as the Indian title was
wished. The treaty which provided
for this cession was made at a council held
(vest bank of the Mississippi, where
tands the thriving city of Davenport,
iund now occupied by the Chicago,
Island & Pacific R. R. Co, Sept. 21,
This was just after the " Black
War," and the defeated savages had
I from east of the Mississippi. At
the council the Government was repre-
ed by Gen. Winfield Scott and Gov.
Reynolds, of Illinois. Keoki
me thirty other chiefs and warriors
wi re present. By this treaty the Sacs and
ceded to the United States a strip
I on the eastern border of Iowa, fifty
wide, from the northern boundary of
Missouri to the mouth of the Upper Iowa
river, containing about 6,000,000 acres.
The western line of the purchase was
parallel with the Mississippi. In consider-
ation of this cession, the United
Government stipulated to pay annually to
the confederated tribes, for thirty con-
secutive years, $20,000 in specie, and to
pay the debts of the Indians at Rock
Island, which had been accumulating for
mi years, and amounted to $50,000,
due to Davenport & Farnham, Indian
traders. The Government also generously
donated to the Sac and Fox women and
children whose husbands and fathers had
fallen in the Black II awk War, 35 beef
cattle, 12 bushels of salt, 30 barrels of
pork, 50 barrels of flour, and 6,000 bushels
of corn.
The treaty was ratified February 13,
1833, and took effect on the 1st of June
following, when the Indians quietly re-
moved from the ceded territory, and this
fertile and beautiful region was opened to
tiers.
By terms of the treaty, out of the Black
purchase was reserved for the
and Foxes 400 square miles of land, sit-
on the Iowa River, and including
within its limits Keokuk village, on the
right bank of that river. This trad
known as Keokuk's reserve, and was
pied by the Indians until 1836, when, by
HISTORY OF IOWA.
a treaty made in September between tbem
and Gov. Dodge, of Wisconsin Territory,
it was ceded to the United States. The
council was held on the banks of the Mis-
sissippi, above Davenport, and was the
largest assemblage of the kind ever held by
the Sacs and Foxes to treat for the sale of
lands. About one thousand of their chiefs
and braves were present, and Keokuk was
the leading spirit of the occasion, and
their principal speaker.
By the terms of this treaty, the Sacs
and Foxes were removed to another reser-
vation on the Des Moines river, where an
agency was established at what is now the
town of Agency City. The Government
ire out of the Black Hawk purchase
to Antoiue LeClare, interpreter, in fee
simple, one section of land opposite Rock
Island, and another at the head of the first
rapids above the island on the Iowa side.
This was the first land title granted by
the United States to an individual in Iowa.
Gen. Joseph M. Street established an
agency among the Sacs and Foxes very
soon after the removal of the latter to their
new reservation. He was transferred from
the agency of the Winnebagos for this
purpose. Alarm was selected, upon which
the necessary buildings were erected, in-
cluding a comfortable farm house for the
agent and his family, at the expense of the
Indian fund. A salaried agent was em-
ployed to superintend the farm and dispose
of the crops. Two mills were erected —
one on Soap creek, and the other on Sugar
creek. The latter was soon swept away
by a flood, but the former remained and
did good service for many years.
Connected with the agency were Joseph
Smart and John Goodell, interpreters. The
latter was interpreter for Hard Fishes'
band. Three of the Indian chiefs — Keo-
kuk, Wapello and Appanoose — had each
a large field improved, the two former on
the right bank of the Des Moines, back
from the river, in what is now " Keokuk's
Prairie," and the latter on the present
site of the city of Ottumwa. Among the
traders connected with their agency W( re
the Messrs. Ewing, from Ohio, and Phelps
& Co , from Illinois, and also J. P. Eddy,
who established his post at what is now
the site of Eddyville. The Indians at this
agency became idle and listless in the ab-
sence of their natural and wonted excite-
ments, and many of them plunged into
dissipation. Keokuk himself became dis-
sipated in the latter years of his life, and
it has been reported that he died of de-
lirium tremens after his removal with his
tribe to Kansas. On May, 1843, most of
the Indians were removed up the Des
Moines river, above the temporary lin
Red Rock, having ceded the remnant of
their lands in Iowa to the United i
Sept. 21, 1837, and Oct. 11, 1842. By the
terms of the latter treaty, they held p -
session of the "New Purchase" till the
autumn of 1845, when most of them were
removed to their reservation in Kansas,
the balance being removed in- 1846.
Before any permanent settlement was
made in the Territory of Iowa, white ad-
venturers, trappers and traders, many of
whom were scattered along the Mississippi
and its tributaries, as agents aud employes
of the American Fur Company, intermar-
ried with the females of the Sac and Fox
Indians, producing a race of half-breeds,
whose number was never definitely ascer-
tained. There were some respectable aud
HISTORY OF IOWA.
excellent people among them, children of
some refinement and education. For in-
stance: Dr. Muir, a gentleman educated at
Edinburg, Scotland, a Surgeon in the
United States Army, stationed at a mili-
tary post located on the present site of
Warsaw, married an Indian woman, and
reared his family of three daughters in the
city of Keokuk. Other examples might
be cited, but they are probably exceptions
to the general rule, and the race is now
nearly or quite extinct in Iowa.
August 4, 1 824, a treaty was made be-
tween the United States and the Sacs and
Foxes, by which that portion i f Lee county
was reserved to the half-breeds of those
tribes, and which was afterward known -as
the " half-breed tract." This reservation
is the triangular piece of land containing
about 119,000 acres, lying between the
Mississippi and the Des Moines rivers. It
is bounded on the north by the prolonga-
tion of the northern line of Missouri. This
line was intended to be a straight one, run-
ning due east, which would have caused it
to strike the Mississippi river at or below
Montrose; but the surveyor who run it took
no notice of the change in the variation of
the needle, as he proceeded eastward, and,
in consequence, the line he run was bent,
deviating more and more to the northward
of a direct line as he approached the Mis-
ipi river, so that it struck that river at
the lower edge of the town of Fort Madi-
son. "This erroneous line," says Judge
Mason,"has been acquiesced in as well in
Hxing the northern limit of the half-breed
tract as in determining the northern
boundary line of the State of Missouri."
The line thus run included in tin- i
tion a portion of the lower part of
of Fort Madison, and all of the present
townships of Van Buren, Charleston, Jef-
ferson, Des Moines, Montrose and Jackson.
Under the treaty of 1824, the half-breeds
had the right to occupy the soil, but could
not convey it, the reversion being reserved
to the United States. But January 30th,
1843, by act of Congress, this reversionary
right was relinquished, and the half-breeds
acquired the Ian Is in fee simple. This no
sooner done than a horde of speculators
rushed in to buy land of the half-breed
owners, and, in many instances, a gun,
blanket, a pony or a few quarts of whisky-
was sufficient for the purchase of large
estates. There was a deal of sharp prac-
tice on both sides. Indians would often
claim ownership of land by virtue of being
half-breeds, and had no difficulty in prov-
ing their mixed blood by the Indians, and
they would cheat the speculators by selling
land to which they had no rightful title.
On the other hand, speculators often
claimed land in which they had no owner-
ship. It was diamond cut diamond, until
at last things became badly mixed. There
were no authorized surveys, and no boun
dary lines to claim, and, as a natural
result, numerous conflicts and quarrel-,
ensued.
January 16, 1838, Edward Johnstone,
Thomas S. Wilson and David Brigham
were appointed commissioners by the Wis-
consin Legislature, clothed with power to
settle their difficulties, and to decide up <n
the validity of claims, or sell them for the
benefit of the real owners. The act pro-
vided that these commissioners should be
paid six dollars a day each. The commis-
sion entered upon its duties, and continued
until the next session of the Legislature,
HISTORY OF IOWA.
when the act creating it was repealed, in-
validating all that had been done, and
depriving the commissioners of their pay.
The repealing act, however, authorized the
commissioners to commence action against
the owners of the half-breed tract, to re-
ceive pay for their services in the District
of Lee county. Two judgements were
obtained, and on execution the whole tract
was sold to Hugh T. Reid, the sheriff exe-
cuting the deed. Mr. Reid sold portions
of it to various parties; but his own title
was questioned, and he became involved
in Litigation. Decisions in favor of Reid
and those holding under him were made
by both District and Supreme Courts; but
in December, 1850, these decisions were
finally reversed by the Supreme Court of
the United States, in the case of Joseph
Webster, plaintiff in error, vs. Hugh T.
Reid, and judgement titles failed.
About nine years before the judgement
titles were finally abrogated as above,
another class of titles were brought into
competition with them, and, in the conflict
between the two, the final decision was
obtained. These were the titles based on
the " decree of partition " issued by the
United States District Court for the Ter-
ritory of Iowa, May 8, 1841, and certified
to by the clerk on the 2d day of June of
the same year. Edward Johnstone and
Hugh T. Reid, then law partners at Fort
Madison, filed the petition for the decree
in behalf of the St. Louis claimants of
half-breed lands. Francis S. Key, author
of the Star-Spangled Banner, who was
then attorney for the New York Land
Company,, which held heavy interests in
these lands, took a leading part in the
measure, and drew up the documents in
which it was presented to the court.
Judge Charles Mason, of Burlington, pre-
sided. The plan of partition divided the
the tract into 101 shares, and arranged that
each claimant should draw his proportion
by lot, and should abide the result, what-
ever it might be. The arrangement was
entered into, the lots drawn, and the plat
of the same filed in the Recorder's office,
October 6, 1841. Upon this basis the titles
to the land in the Half-Breed Tract are
now held.
We subjoin a synopsis of the different
treaties made with the Indians of Iowa:
1. Treaty with the Sioux. — Made July
15,1815; ratified December 16, 1815, This
treaty was made at Portage des Sioux of
Minnesota and Upper Iowa, and the United
States, by William Clark and Niuian Ed-
wards, Commissioners, and was merely a
treatise of peace and friendship on the
part of these Indians toward the Unite 1
States at the close of the war of 1812.
2. Treaty with the Sacs. — A similar
treaty of peace was made at Portage des
Sioux, between the United States and the
Sacs, by William Clark, Ninian Edwards
and Auguste Choteau, on the 13th of Sep-
tember, 1815, and ratified at the same date
as the above. In this the treaty of 1S04
was re-affirmed, and the Sacs here repre-
sented promised for themselves and their
bands to keep entirely separate from the
Sacs of Rock river, who, under Black
Hawk, had joined the British in the war
just then closed.
3. Treaty with the Fo.ves. — A separate
treaty of peace was made with the Foxes
at Portage des Sioux, by the same commis-
sioners, on the 14th of September, 1815,
and ratified the same as the above, wherein
^
,t
msroRY OF IOWA.
the Foxes re-affirmed the treaty of St. Louis,
of November 3d, 1804, and agreed to de-
liver up all their prisouers to the officer in
command at Fort Clark, now Peoria, Illi-
nois.
4. Treaty with the Ioicas. — A treaty of
peace and mutual good-will was made
. between the United States and the Iowa
tribe of Indians, at Portage des Sioux, by
the same commissioners as above, on the
16th of September, 1815, at the close of the
war with Great Britain, and ratified at the
same date as the others.
5. Treaty with the Sacs of Rock
Ri ■ r.— Made at St. Louis, on the 13th of
May, 1816 between the United States and
the Sacs of Mock river, by the Commis-
sioners, Willian Clark, Ninian Edwards
and Auguste Choteau, and ratified Dec. 30,
1816. In this treaty that of 1804 was re-
established and enforced by the chiefs and
head men of the Sacs of Rock river, and
Black II iwk himself attached to it his sig-
nature, or, as he said, "touched the goose-
quill."
6. Treaty of 1824.— On the 4th of
August, 1824, a treaty was made between
the United Staies and the Sacs and Foxes, in
the city of Washington, by William Clark,
Commissioner, wherein the Sac and Fox
ts relinquished their title to all lands
in Missouri, and that portion of the south-
east corner of Iowa known as the "half-
I Tact" was set off and reserved for
■ of the half breeds of the Sa ■ and
Foxes, they holding title in the same man-
ner as Indians. Ratified Jan. 18, 1825.
7. Treaty of August 19, 1825. — At this
d ite a m ide by W illiim < 'lark
and Lewis Cass, at Prairie du Chien, be-
tween the United States and the Chippe-
was, Sacs and Foxes, Menominees, Wiune-
bagos, and a portion of the Ottawas and
Pottawatomies. In this treaty, in order
make peace between the contending tribes
as to the limits of their respective hunting
grounds in Iowa, it was agreed that the
United States Government should run a
boundary line between the Sioux, on the
north, and the Sacs and Foxes on the south,
as follows :
Commencing at the mouth of the Upper
Iowa river, on the west bank of the Mis-
sissippi, and ascending said Iowa river to
its west fork; thence up the fork to its
source; thence crossing the fork of R 1
Cedar river in a direct line to the lower
fork of the Calumet river, and down that
fork to its junction with the Missouri river.
8. Treaty hf 1830— On the 15th of
July, 1830, the confederate tribes of the
Sacs and Foxes ceded to the United States
a strip of country lying south of the above
line, twenty miles in width, and extending
along the line aforesaid from the .Missis-
sippi to the Des Moines river. The Sioux
also, whose possessions were north of the
line, ceded to the Government, in the same
treaty, a strip on the north side of the
boundary. Thus the United States, at the
ratification of this treaty, February 24,
1831, came into possession of a portion of
Iowa forty miles wide, extending al
the Clarke and Cass line of 1825, from the
Mississippi to the Des Moines river. This
territory was then known as the "Neutnl
Ground," and the tribes on either side of
the line were allowed to fish and hunt on
it unmolested until it was made a Winne-
servation, and the Winnebagos
v ere removed to it in 1841.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
9. Trent;/ loith the Sacs and Foxes and
other tribes. — At the same time of the
above treaty respecting the "Neutral
Ground" (July 15, 1830), the Sacs and
Foxes, Western Sioux, Omahas, Iowas and
Missouris ceded to the United States a por-
tion of the western slope of Iowa, the
boundaries of which were defined as fol-
lows: Beginning at the upper fork of the
Des Moines river, and passing the sources
of the Little Sioux and Floyd rivers, to the
bank of the first creek that falls into the
Big Sioux, or Calumet, on the east side;
thence down said creek and the Calumet
river to the Missouri river; thence down
said Missouri river to the Missouri State
line above the Kansas; thence along said
line to the northwest corner of said State;
thence to the high lands between the
waters falling into the Missouri and Des
Moines, passing to said high lands along
the dividing ridge between the forks of
the Grand river; thence along said high
lands or ridge separating the waters of the
Missouri from those of the Des Moines, to
a point opposite the source of the Boyer
river, and thence in a direct line to the
upper fork of the Des Moines, the place of
beginning.
It was understood that the lands ceded
and relinquished by this treaty were to be
assigned and allotted, under the direction
of the President of the United States, to
the tribes then living thereon, or to such
other tribes as the President might locate
thereon for hunting and other purposes.
In consideration of three tracts of land
ceded in this treaty, the United States
agreed to pay to the Sacs $3,000; to the
Foxes, $3,000; to the Sioux, $2,000; to the
Yankton and Santee bands of Sioux, $3,000;
to the Omahas, $1,500; and to the Ottoe-i
and Missouris, $2,500— to be paid annually
for ten successive years. In addition to
these annui ies, the Government agreed to
furnish some of the tribes with b'ack-
smiths and agricultural implements to the
amount of $200, at the expense of the
United States, and to set apart $3,000 an-
nually for the education of the children of
these tribes. It does not appear that any
fort was erected in this territory prior to
the erection of Fort Atkinson on the Neu-
tral Ground in 184o-'41.
This treaty was made by William Clark,
Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and Col.
Willoughby Morgan, of the United States
First Infantry, and came into effect by
proclamation, February 24, 1831.
10. Treaty with the Winnebago*. —
Made at Fort Armstrong, Rock Island,
September 15th, 1832, by General Winne d
Scott and Hon. John R ynolds, Governor
of Illinois In this treaty the Winne-
bagos ceded to the United States all their
land lying on the east side of the Missis-
sippi, and in part consideration therefor
the United States granted to the Winue-
bagos, to be held as other Indian lands
are held, that portion of Iowa known as
the Neutral Grounds. The exchange of
the two tracts of country was to take place
on or before the 1st day of June, 1833. In
addition to the Neutral Grounds, it was
stipulated that the United States should
give the Winnebagos, beginning in Sep-
tember, 1833, and continuing for twenty-
seven successive years, $10,000 in specie,
and establish a school among them with a
farm and garden, and provide other facili-
ties for the education of their chi dren, not
to exceed in cost $3,000 a year, and to con-
:'_i:
HISTORY OF IOWA.
tin ue the same twenty-seven successive
years. Six agriculturists, twelve yoke of
oxen, and plows and other farming tools
were to be supplied by the Government.
11. Treaty of 1832 with the Sacs and
Foxes. — Already mentioned as the Black
Hawk purchase.
12. Treaty of 1836 with the Sacs and
Foxes. — Ceding Keokuk's reserve to the
United States, for which the Government
stipulated to pay $30,000, and an annuity
of $10,000 for ten successive years, to~
gether with other sums and debts of the
Indians to various
13. Treaty of 1837.— On the 21st of
October, 1S37, a treaty was made at the
city of Washington, between Carey A.
Harris, Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
and the confederate tribes of Sacs and
Foxes, ratified February 21, 1838, wherein
another slice of the soil of Iowa was ob-
tained, described in the treaty as follows:
"A tract of country containing 1,250,000
acres, lying west and adjoining the tract
ed by them to the United States in
the treaty of September 21, 1832. it is
understood that the points of termination
for tiie present cession shall bo the north-
ern and southern points of tract as fixed
by the survey made under the authority of
the United States, and that a line shall be
drawn I ra so as to intei
line ext< nd< d westvt ardly from thi
of said tract nearly opposite to Rock Island,
as I lid down in the above • nrvey, so far as
may be I he number of
acres hereby ceded, -. ntioned
line, it is estimated, will be about I
five miles."
This piece of land was about twenty-five
miles in the middle, and ran off to a point
at both ends, lying directly back to the
Black Hawk purchase, and of the same
length.
14. Treaty of Relinquishment. — At the
same date as the above treaty, in the city
of Washington, Carey A.Harris, Commis-
sioner, the Sacs and Foxes ceded to the
United States all their right and interest
in the country lying south of the boundary
line between the Sacs, Foxes and Sioux, as
described in the treaty of August lit, 1825,
and between the Missouri and Mississippi
rivers, the United States paying f r the
same $160,000. The Indians also gave up
all claims and interests under the ti
previously made with them, for the satis-
faction of which no appr ipriations had
been made.
15. Treaty of 1842.— The last tr aty
was made with the Sac and Foxes I
11, 1842; rati led March 23, 1843. li was
made at. the Sac and Fox agency (.'■
City), by John Chambers, Commiss
on behalf of 1 1 States. In this
the Sac and Fox Indians ceded to
the United States all their lands west of
the Mississippi to which they had any
claim or title By the terms of this |
they were to be removed from the country
at the expiration of three years, and all
who remained after that were to move at
their own expense. Part of them were
removed to Kansas in the fall of 18-15, and
: he spring following.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
CHAPTER IV.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
The first permanent settlement made by
whites within the limits of Iowa, was by
Julien Dubuque, in 1788, when, with a small
party of miners, he settled on the site of
the city that now bears his name, where he
lived until bis death, in 1810. What was
known as the Girard settlement, in Clayton
county, was made by some parties prior to
tbe commencement of the present century.
It consisted of three cabins, in 1805. Louis
Honori settled on the site of the present
town of. Montrose, probably in 1799, and
resided thereuntil 1805, when his property
passed into other hands. Indian traders
had established themselves at various points
at an early date. Mr. Johnson, an agent
of the American Fur Company, had a
trading post below Burlington, where he
carried on traffic with the Indians some-
time before the United States purchased
Louisiana. In 1820, LeMoliese, a French
trader, had a station at what is now San-
dusky, six miles above Keokuk, in Lee
county. The same year, a cabin was built
where the city of Keokuk now stands, by
Dr. Samuel C. Muir, a surgeon in the
United States Army. His marriage and
subsequent life were very romantic. While
stationed at a military post on the Upper
Mississippi, the post was visited by a beau-
tiful Indian maiden — whose native name,
unfortunately, has not been preserved —
who, in her dreams, had seen a white brave
unmoor his canoe, paddle it across the
river, and come directly to her lodge. She
felt assured, according to the superstitious
belief of her race, that in her dreams she
had seen her future husband, and had come
to the fort to find him. Meeting Dr. Muir,
she instantly recognized him as the hero of
her dream, which, with childlike innocence
and simplicity, she related to him. Her
dream was indeed prophetic. Charmed
with Sophia's beauty, innocence and devo-
tion, the doctor honorably married her; but
after awhile the sneers and gibes of his
brother officers — less honorable than he,
perhaps — made him feel ashamed of his
dark-skinned wife, and when his regiment
was ordered down the river to Bellefon-
taine, it is said he embraced the opportu-
nity to rid himself of her, never expecting
to see her again, and little dreaming that
she would have the courage to follow him.
But, with her infant child, this intrepid
wife and mother started alone in her canoe,
and after many days of weary labor and a
lonely journey of 900 miles, she at last
reached him. She afterward remarked,
when speaking of this toilsome journey
down the river in search of her husband:
"When I got there I was all perished
away — so thin !" The doctor, touched by
sucb unexampled devotion, took her to his
heart, and ever after, until his death, treat-
ed her with marked respect. She always
1
HISTORY OF IOWA.
presided at his table with grace and dig-
nity, bui ii' ver abandoned her nativi
of dress. In I is stationed at
Fort Edward, now Warsaw, but the sense-
less ridicule of some of his brother officers
on account of his Indian wife induced him
to resign his commission. He then built
a cabin, as above stated, where Keokuk is
now situated, and made a claim to some
land. This claim he leased to Otis Rey-
nolds and John Culver, of St. Louis, and
went to La Pointe (afterward Galena),
where he practiced his profession for ten
years, when he returned to Keokuk. His
Indian wife bore to him four children —
Louise, James, Mary and Sophia. Dr.
Muir died suddenly of cholera, in 1832,
but left his property in such a condition
that it was soon wasted in vexatious liti-
gation, and his brave and faithful wife, left
friendless and penniless, became discour-
aged, and, with her two younger children,
disappeared. It is said she returned to her
people, on the Upper Missouri.
The gentleman who had leased Dr.
Muir's claim at Keokuk, subsequently • m
ployed as their agent Moses Stillwel), who
arrived with his family in 1828, and took
possession. His brothers-in-law, Amos and
ourt Van Ansdal, came with him
and settled near. Mr. Stillwell's daughter
Margaret (afterward .Mrs. Ford), was born
in : :;l at the foot of the rapids, called by
the Indians Puckashetuek. She was prob-
ably the first wdiite American child born
in Iowa.
In 1820 Dr. Isaac Gallaud made a set-
tlement on the Lower Rapids, at what is
now Nashville. The same year .!
Lang worthy, who ha I i
raining at Galena since 1821, n
to visit the Dubuque mines The lead
in the Dubuque region were an
' bj cl of great ii teivst to the minersabout
t, for they were known to be rich in
lead ore. To explore these mines, and to
obtain permission to work them was there-
fore eminently desirable. Crossing the
ippi at a point now known as Dun-
leith, in a canoe, and swimming his horse
by his side, he landed on the spot known
as the Jones Street Levee. Before him
was spread out a beautiful prairie, on
which the city of Dubuque now stands.
Two miles south, at the mouth of Catfish
creek, was a village of Sacs and Foxes.
Thither Mr. Langworthy proceeded, and
was well received by tin' natives. He
endeavored to obtain permission from
them to mine in their hills; but this they
refused. lie, however, succeeded in gain-
ing the confidence of the chief to such an
extent as to be allowed to travel in the
interior for three weeks, and explore the
country. He employed two young Indians
as guides, and traversed in different direc-
tions the whole region lying between the
'. 'la and Turkey rivers. He re-
turned to the village, secured the good will
of the Indians, and, returning to Galena,
formed plans for future operations, to be
executed as soon as the circum I
would permit. In the following year, with
his brother, Lucius II., and others, having
obtained the CO Indians, Air.
Langworthy crossed the Mississippi and
commenced mining in the vicinity around
Dubuque.
Although these lands had been pur-
chased from France, they were not in the
actual posession of the United States.
The Indian titles had not been ex-
r
^t.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
tinguished, and these adventurous persons
were beyond the limits of any State or
Territorial government. The first settlers
were therefore obliged to be their own
law-makers, and to agree to such regula-
tions as the exegencies of the case de-
manded. The first act resembling civil
legislation in Iowa was done by the miners
at this point, in June, 1830. They met on
the bank of the river, by the side of an old
Cottonwood drift log, at what is now the
Jones Street Leevee, Dubuque, and elected
a committee, consisting of J. C. Lang-
worthy, H. F. Lander, James McPhetres,
Samuel Scales and E. M. Wren. This may
be billed the first Legislature in Iowa, the
members of which gathered around that
old Cottonwood log, and agreed to and re-
ported the following, written by Mr. Lang-
worthy, on a half sheet of coarse, unruled
paper, the old log being the writing desk:
"We, a committee, having been chosen
to draft certain rules and regulations
(laws), by which we, as miners, will be
governed, and, having duly considered the
subject, do unanimously agree that we will
be governed by the regulations on the east
side of the Mississippi river, with the fol-
lowing exceptions, tu-wit:
Article I. That each and every man
shall hold two hundred yards square of
ground by working said ground one day
in six."
"Article II. We further agree that
there shall be chosen by the majority of
the miners present, a person who shall hold
this article, and who shall grant letters of
arbitration on application having been
made, and that said letters of arbitration
shall be obligatory on the parties so apply-
ing."
The report was accepted by the miners
present, who elected Dr Jarote in ace >rd-
ance with article second. Here, then, we
have, in 1830, a primitive Legislature
elected by the people, the law drafted by
it being submitted to the people for ap-
proval.and underit Dr. Jarote was eli cted
first Governor. And the laws thus enacted
were as promptly obeyed as any have been
since.
After this, the miners, who had thus
erected an independent government of
their own on the west side of the Missis-
sippi river, continued to work successfully
for a long time, and the new settlement
attracted considerable attention. But the
west side of the Mississippi belonged to
the Sac and Fox Indians, and the Govern-
ment, in order to preserve peace on the
frontier, as well as to protect the Indians
in their rights under the treaty, ordered
the settlers not only to stop mining, but to
remove from the Indian Territory. They
were simply intruders. The execution of
this order was intrusted to Col. Zachary
Taylor, then in command of the military
post at Prairie du Chien, who, early in
July, sent an officer to the miners to forbid
settlement, and to command the miners to
remove, within ten days, to the east side
of the Mississippi, or they would be driven
off by armed force. The miners, how-
ever, were reluctant about leaving the rich
"leads" they had already discovered and
opened, and were not disposed to obey the
order to remove with any considerable
degree of alacrity.
In due time Colonel Taylor dispatched
a detachment of troops to enforce his
order. The miners, anticipating their
arrival, had, excepting three, recrossed the
HISTORY OF -IOWA.
river, and from the east bank saw the
troops land on the western shore. The
three who had lingered a little too long
were, however, permitted to make their
escape unmolested. From this time a mil-
itary force was stationed at Dubuque to
prevent the settlers from returning, until
June, 1832. The Indians returned, and
were encouraged to operate the rich mines
opened by the late white occupants
In June, 1832, the troops were ordered
to the east side of the Mississippi to assist
in the annihilation of the very Indians
whose rights they had been protecting on
the west side. Immediately after the close
of the Black Hawk war, and the n
tions of the tieaty in September, 1832. by
which the Sacs and Foxes ceded the tract
known as the "Black Hawk Purchase," the
settlers, supposing that now they had a
right to re-enter the territory, returned and
took possession of their claims, built cab-
ins, erected furnaces and prepared large
quantities of lead for market. But the
prospects of the hardy and enterprising
settlers and miners were again ruthlessly
interferred with by the Government, on
the ground that the treaty with the Indians
would not go into force until June 1st,
1833, although they had withdrawn from
the vicinity of the settlement. Col. Taylor
was again ordered by the War Department
to remove the miners, and, in January,
1833, troops were again sent from Prairie
du Chien to Dubuque, for that purpose.
This was a serious and perhaps unneces-
sary hardship imposed upon the miners.
They were compelled to abandon their
cabins and homes in mid-winter. This,
too, was only out of respect for forms, for
the purchase had been made, and the In-
dians had retired. After the lapse of fifty
years, no very satisfactory reason for this
rigorous action of the Government can be
given. But the orders had been given,
and there was no alternative but to obey.
Many of the settlers re-crossed the river,
and did not return; a few, however, re-
moved to an island near the east baiik of
the river, built rude cabins of poles, in
which to store their lead until spring, when
they could float the fruits of their labor-:
to St. Louis for sale, and where they could
remain until the treaty went into force,
when they could return. Among these
were the Langworthy brothers, who had
ou hand about 300,000 pounds of lead.
No sooner had the miners left than Lieu-
tenant Covington, who had been placed in
command at Dubuque, by Colonel Taylor,
ordered some of the cabins of the settlers
to be torn down, and wagons and other
property to be destroyed. This wanton
and inexcusable action on the pan of a
subordinate, clothed with a little brief
authority, was sternly rebuked by Col.
Taylor, and Covington was superseded by
Lieut. George Wilson, who pursued a just
and friendly course with the p oneers, -., ho
were only waiting for the time when they
could repossess their claims.
The treaty went formally into effecl
June, 1833; the troops were withdrawn,
and the Langworthy brothers and a few
others at once returned and resumed pos-
session of their homes and claims. From
this time must date the first permanent set-
tlement of this portion of Iowa. Mr. John
P. Sheldou was appointed superintendent
of the mines, by the Government, and a
system of permits to miners and licenses
to smelters was adopted, similar to that
HISTORY OF IOWA.
47
which had been in operation at Galena
since 1825, under Lieut. Martin Thomas
and Capt. Thomas C. Legate. Substan-
tially the primitive law enacted by the
miners assembled around that old cotton-
wood drift login 1830, was adopted and
enforced by the United States Govern-
ment, except that miners were required to
sell their mineral to licensed smelters, and
the smelter was required to give bonds for
the payment of six per cent, of all lead
manufactured, to the Government.
The rule in the United States mines,
on Fever river, in Illinois, had been,
until 1830, that the miners must pay a ten
per cent. tax. This tax upon the miners
created much dissatisfaction among the
miners on the west side, as it had on the
east side of the Mississippi. They ihought
they had suffered hardships and privations
enough in opening the way for civilization,
without being subjected to the imposition
of an odious Government tax upon their
means of subsistence, when the Federal
Government could better afford to aid than
to extort from them. The measure soon
became very unpopular. It was difficult
to collect the taxes, and the whole system
was abolished in about ten years.
About five hundred people arrived in
the mining district in 1833, after the In-
dian title was fully extinguished, of whom
one hundred and fifty were from Galena.
In the same year Mr. Langworthy assisted
in building the first school-house in Iowa,
and thus was formed the nucleus of the
populous and thriving city of Dubuque. Mr.
Langworthy lived to see the naked prairie
on which he first settled become the site
of a city of 15,000 inhabitants; the
small school-house which he aided in con-
structing replaced by three substantial ed-
ifices, wherein 2,000 children were being
trained; churches erected in every part of
the city, and railroads connecting the wil-
derness, which he first explored, with all
the cistern world. He died suddenly, on
the 13th of March, 1865, while on a trip
over the Dubuque & Southern railroad, at
Monticello, and the evening train brought
the news of his death, and his remains.
Lucius H. Langworthy, his brother, was
one of the most worthy, gifted and influ-
ential of the old settlers of this section of
Iowa. He died greatly lamented by many
friends, in June, 1865.
The name "Dubuque" was given to the
settlement by the miners, at a meeting held
in 1834.
Soon after the close of the Black Hawk
war, in 1832, Zachariah Hawkins, Benja-
min Jennings, Aaron White, Augustine
Horton, Samuel Gooch, Daniel Thompson
and Peter Williams made claims at Fort
Madison. In 1833, Gen. John 11 Knapp
and Col. Nathaniel Knapp purchased these
claims, and, in the summer of 1835, they
laid out the town of "Fort Madison," and
lots were exposed for sale early in 1836.
The town was subsequently re-surveyed
and platted by the United States Govern-
ment. The population rapidly increased,
and in less than two years the beautiful
location was covered by a flourishing town
containing nearly 600 inhabitants, with a
large proportion of enterprising merchants,
mechanics and manufacturers.
In the fall of 1832, Simpson S. White
erected a cabin on the site of Burlington,
79 miles below Rock Island During the
war, parties had looked longingly upon the
"Flint Hills" from the opposite side of the
^k
HISTORY OF IOWA.
river, and White was soon followed by
others. David Tothers made a claim on
the prairie, about three miles back from
the river, at a place since known as the
farm of Judge Morgan. The following
winter the settlers were driven off by the
military from Rock Island, as intruders
upon the rights of the Indians. White's
cabin was burned by the soldiers. He
returned to Illinois, where he remained
during the winter, and, in the following
summer, as soon as the Indian title was
extinguished, returned and re-built his
cabin. White was joined by his brother-
in-law, Doolittle, and they laid out the
town of Burlington in 1834, on a beautiful
area of sloping eminences and gentle de-
clevities, enclosed within a natural amphi-
theater formed by the surrounding hills,
which were covered with luxuriant forest-,
and presented the most picturesque scenery.
The same autumn witnessed the opening
of the first dry goods stores, by Dr. W. R.
Ross and Major Jeremiah Smith, each well
supplied with Western merchandise. Such
was the beginning of Burlington, which,
in less than four years, became the seat of
government for the territory of Wisconsin,
and, in three years more, contained a pop-
ulation of 1,400 persons.
Immediately after the treaty with the
Sacs and Foxes, in September, 1832, Col.
George Davenport male the first claim on
the site of the present thriving city of
Davenport. As early as 1827, Col. Daven-
port had established a flat-boat ferry, which
ran between the island and the main shore
of Iowa, by which he carried on a trade
with the Indians west of the Mississippi.
In 1833 Capt. Benj irain VV. Clark moved
from Illinois, and laid the foundation of
the town of Buffalo, in Scott county, which
was the first actual settlement within the
limits of that county.
The first settlers of Davenport were
Antoine LeClaire, Col. George Davenport,
Major Thomas Smith, Major Win. Gordon,
Philip Hambough, Alex. W. McGregor,
Levi S. Colton, Captain James May, and
others.
A settlement was made in Clayton county
in the spring of 1832, on Turkey river, by
Robert Hatfield and Win. W. Wayman.
No further settlement was made in this
part of the State until 183G
The first settlers of Muscatine county
were Benjamin Nye, John Vanater and G.
W. K;sey, all of whom came in 1834. E.
E. Fay, Win. St. John, N. Fullington, II.
Reece, Jona Pettibone, R. P. Lowe, Stephen
Whicher, Abijah Whitney, J. E Fletcher,
W. D. Abernethy and Alexis Smith were
also early settlers of Muscatine.
As early as 1824 a French trader named
Hart had established a trading post, and
built a cabin on the bluffs above the large
spring now known as "Mynster Spring,"
within the limits of the present city of
Council Bluffs, and had probably been
there some time, as the post was known to
the employes of the American Fur Com-
pany as li La Cote de Hart," or "Hart's
Bluff."
In 1827 an agent of the American Fur
Company, Francis Guitar, with others, en-
camped in the timber at the foot of the
bluffs, about on the present location of
Broadway, and afterward settled there.
In 1839 a block house was built on the
bluff in the east part of the city. The
Pottawatomie Indians occupied this part
of the State until 1846 7, when they re-
^=fk
HISTORY OF IOWA.
linqnished the territory and removed to
Kansas. Billy Caldwell was then princi-
pal chief. There were no white settlers in
that part of the State except Indian traders,
until the arrival of the Mormons under the
lead of Brigham Young. These people,
on their way westward, halted for the win-
ter of 1840-7 on the west bank of the Mis-
souri river, about five miles above Omaha,
at a place now called Florence. Some of
them had reached the eastern bank of the
river the spring before, in season to plant
a crop. In the spring of 1847 Young and
a portion of the colony pursued their jour-
ney to Salt Lake, but a large portion of
them returned to the Iowa side and settled
mainly within the present limits of Potta-
watomie county. The principal settlement
of this strange community was at a place
first called '"Miller's Hollow," on Indian
creek, and afterward named Kanesville, in
honor of Col. Karu;, of Pennsylvania, who
visited them soon afterward. The Mor-
mon settlement extended over the county
and into neighboring counties, wherever
timber and water furnished desirable loca-
tions. Orson Hyde, priest, lawyer and
editor, was installed as President of the
Quorum of Twelve, and all that part of the
State lemained under Mormon control for
several years. In 1847 they raised a bat-
talion, numbering 500 men, for the Mexi-
can war. In 1848 Hyde started a paper,
called the Frontier Guardian, at Kanes-
ville.
In 1849, after many of the faithful had
left to join Brigham Young, at Salt Lake,
the Mormons in this section of Iowa num-
bered 0,552, and, in 1850, 7,828, but they
were not all within the limits of Pottawat-
omie county. This county was organized
in 1848, all the first officials being Mor-
mons. In 1852 the order was promulgated
that all the true believers should gather
together at Salt Lake. Genti'es flocked
in, and in a few years nearly all the first
settlers were gone.
May 9, 1843, Capt. James Allen, with a
small detachment of troops, on board the
steamer "lone," arrived at the present site
of the capital of the State, DesMoines.
This was the first steamer to ascend the
DesMoines river to this point. r l he troops
and stores were landed at what is now the
foot of Court Avenue, DesMoines, and
Capt. Allen returned in the steamer to
Fort Sanford, to arrange for bringing up
more soldiers and supplies. In due time
they, too, arrived, and a fort w;s built
near the mouth of Raccoon Fork, at its
conlluence with the DesMoines, and named
Fori DesMoines. Soon after the arrival of
the troops, a trading post was established
on the east side of the river, by two noted
Indian traders, named Ewing, from Ohio.
Among the first i-ettlers in this part of
Iowa were Berjamin Bryant, J. B. Scott,
James Drake (gunsmith), John Sturtevant,
Robert Kinzie, Alexander Turner, Peter
Newcomer, and others.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
CHAPTER V.
TERRITORIAL AND STATE ORGANIZATIONS.
The immigration to Iowa after the Black
Hawk purchase was so rapid and steady
that some provision for civil government
became necessary. Accordingly, in 1834,
all the territory comprising the present
Slates of Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota
was made subject to the jurisdiction of
Michigan Territory. Up to this time there
had been no county or other organization
in what is now the State of Iowa, although
one or two justices of the peace had been
appointed, and a postoftice was established
at Dubuque in 1833. In September of
1834, therefore, the Territorial Legislature
of Michigan created two counties on the
west side of the Mississippi river — Du-
buque and DesMoines — separated by a line
drawn westward from the foot of Rock
Island. These counties were partially or-
ganized. John King was appointed Chief
Justice of Dubuque county, and Isaac Lef-
fler (of Burlington) of DesMoines county.
Two associate justices, in each county,
were appointed by the Governor.
In October, 1S35, Gen. George W. Jones,
now a citizen of Dubuque, was elected a
delegate to Congress. April 20, 1836,
through the efforts of Gen. Jones, Con-
gress passed a bill creating the Territory
of Wisconsin, which went into operation
July 4, of the same year. Iowa was then
included in the Territory of Wisconsin, of
which Gen. Henry Dodge was appointed
Governor; John S. Horner, Secretary;
Charles Dunn, Chief Justice; David Irwin
and William C. Frazer, Associate Justices.
Sept. 9, 1836, Governor Dodge ordered
a census of the new Territory to be taken.
This census showed a population of 10,531,
of which DesMoines county contained
6,257, and Dubuque 4,274. Under the
apportionment, the two above named
counties were entitled to six members
of the Council and thirteen of the House
of Representatives. The Governor issued
his proclamation for an election to be held
on the first Monday of October, 1836, on
which day the following members of the
first Territorial Legislature of Wisconsin
were elected from the two counties in the
Black Hawk purchase :
Dubuque — Council: John Fally, Thos.
McKnight, Thos. McCraney. House: Lor-
ing Wheeler, Haldin Whelan, Peter Hill
Engle, Patrick Quigly, Hosea F. Camp.
DesMoines — Council: Jeremiah Smith,
Jr., Joseph B. Teas, Arthur B. Ingram.
House: Isaac Leffler, Thos. Blair, Warren
L. Jenkins, John Box, George W. Teas,
Eli Reynolds, David R Chance.
The Legislature assembled at Belmont,
in the present State of Wisconsin, October
25th, 1836, and organized by electing Henry
Baird President of the Council, and Peter
Hill Engle (of Dubuque) Speaker of the
House.
r
^=4.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
51
At this session the county of DesMoines
was divided into DesMoines, Lee, VanBu-
ren, Henry, Muscatine and Cook. This
last is now called Scott county. The first
Legislature adjourned December 9th, 1836.
The second Legislature assembled at
Burlington, November 9, 1837. It divided
Dubuque into the counties of Dubuque,
Clayton, Fayette, Delaware, Buchanan,
Jackson, Jones, Linn, Benton, Clinton and
Cedar, and adjourned January 20th, 1838.
A third session was held at Burlington,
commencing June 1st, and ending June
12th, 1^38. Most of the new counties
were not organized until several years
afterward.
The question of the organization of the
Territory of Iowa now began to be agi-
tated, and the desires of the people found
expression in a convention held Nov. 1st,
which memoralized Congress to organize a
Territory west of the Mississippi, and to
settle the boundary line between Wiscon-
sin Territory and Missouri. The Territorial
Legislature of Wisconsin, then in session
at Burlington, joined in the petition. Gen.
George W. Jones, of Dubuque, then re-
siding at Linsinawa Mound, in what is now
Wisconsin, was delegate to Congress from
Wisconsin Territory, and labored so earn-
estly that the act was passed dividing the
Territory of Wisconsin, and providing for
the territorial government of Iowa. This
was approved June 12, 1838, to take effect
and be in force on and after July 3, 1838.
The new Territory embraced "all that
part of the pr sent Territory of Wisconsin
west of the Mississippi river, and west of
a line drawn due north from the head-
waters or sources of the Mississippi to the
Territorial line." The organic act pro-
vided for a Governor, whose term of office
should be three years; and for a Secretary,
Chief Justice, two Associate Justices, and
Attorney and Marshal, who should serve
four years, to be appointed by the Pr si-
dent, by and with the advice and consent
of the Senate.
The act also provided for the election, by
the white male inhabitants, citizens of the
United States, over 21 years of age, of a
House of Representatives, consisting of
26 members, and a council, to consist of 13
members. It also appropriated $5,000 for
a public library, and $20,000 for the erec-
tion of public buildings.
In accordance with this act, President
Van Buren appointed ex-Governor Robert
Lucas, of Ohio, to be the first Governer of
the new Territory. Wm. B. Conway, of
Pittsburg, was appointed Secretary of the
Territory; Charles Mason, of Burlington,
Chief Justice, and Thomas S. Wilson, of
Dubuque, and Joseph Williams, of Penn-
sylvania, Associate Judges of the Supreme
and District Courts; Mr. Van Allen, of
New York, Attorney; Francis Gehon, of
Dubuque, Marshal; Augustus C. Dodge,
Register of the Land Office at Burlington,
and Thos. McKnight, Receiver of the Land
Office at Dubuque. Mr. Van Allen, the
District Attorney, died at Rockingham
soon after his appointment, and Col. Chas
Weston was appointed to fill his vacancy.
Mr. Conway, the Secretary, also died at
Burlington during the second session of
the Legislature, and James Clarke, editor
of the Gazette,wa,s appointed to succeed him.
Governor Lucas, immediately after his
arrival, issued a proclamation for the elec-
tion of members of the first Territorial
Legislature, to be held on the 10th of Sep-
HISTORY OF IOWA.
teruber, dividing the Territory into election
districts for that purpose, and appointing
the 12th of November for the meeting of
the Legislature to be elected at Burlington.
The members were elected in accordance
with this proclamation, and assembled at
the appointed time and place. The fol-
lowing are their names :
Council— Jesse B. Brown, J. Keith, E
A. M. Swazey, Arthur Ingram, Robert
Ralston, George Hepner, Jesse J. Payne,
D. B. Hughes, James M. Clark, Charles
Whittlesey, Jonathan W. Parker, Warner
Lewis, Stephen Hempstead.
House— Wm. Patterson, Hawkins Tay-
lor, Calvin J. Price, James Brierly, James
Hall, Gideon S. Bailey, Samuel Parker,
James W. Grimes, George Temple, Van
B. Delashmutt, Thomas Blair, George H.
Beeler, Wm. G. Coop, Wm. H. Wallace,
Asbury B. Porter, John Frierson, Wm. L.
Toole, Levi Thornton, S. C. Hastings,
Robert G. Roberts, Laurel Summers, Ja-
bez A. Burchard, Jr., Chauncey Swan, An-
drew Bankson, Thomas Cox and Hardin
Nowlin.
Although a large majority of both
branches of the Legislature were Demo-
ocrats, Gen. Jesse B. Brown (Whig), of
Lee county, was elected President of the
Council, and Hon. Wm. H.Wallace (Whig),
of Henry county, Speaker of the House of
Representatives — the former unanimously
and the latter with but little opposition
At that time national politics were little
heeded by the people of the new Territory,
but in 1840, during the Presidential cam-
paign, party lines were strongly drawn.
At the same time with this Legislature,
a Congressional delegate was also elected.
Out of four candidates, William W. Chap-
man was elected.
The first session of the Iowa Territorial
Legislature was a stormy and exciting one.
By the organic law the Governor was
clothed with almost unlimited veto power.
Governor Lucus seemed disposed to make
free use of it, aud the independent Hawk-
eyes could not quietly submit to arbitrary
and absolute rule, and the result was an
unpleasant controversy between the execu-
tive and legislative departments; Congress,
however, by act approved March 3d, 1839,
amended the organic law by restricting
the veto power of the Governor to the two-
thirds rule, and took from him the power
to appoint sheriffs and magistrates. Among
the first important matters demanding at-
tention was the location of the seat of
government, and provision for the erection
of public buildings, for which Congress
had appropriated $20,000. Gov. Lucas,
in his message, had recommended the ap-
pointment of commissioners with a view
to selecting a central location. The extent
of the future State of Iowa was not known
or thought of. Only a strip of land fifty
miles wide, bordering on the Mississippi
river, was the Indian title extinguished,
aud a central location meant some central
point in the Black Hawk Purchase.
The friends of a central location sup-
ported the Governor's suggestion. The
Southern members were divided between
Burlington and Mount Pleasant, but finally
united on the latter as the proper location
for the seat of government. The central
and southern parties were very nearly equal,
and, in consequence, much excitement pre-
vailed. The central party at last tri-
umphed, and, on January 21st, 1839, an act
HISTORY OF IOWA.
was passed appointing Chauncey Swan, of
Dubuque county, John Ronalds, of Louisa
county, and Robert Ralston, of DesMoines
county, Commissioners to select a site for
a permanent seat of government within
the limits of Johnson county.
The first settlement within the limits of
Johnson county was made in 1837. The
county was created by act of the Territorial
Legislature of Wisconsin, approved Dec.
21, 1837, and organized by act passed at
the special session at Burlington, in June,
1838, the organization to date from July 4,
following. Napoleon, on the Iowa river,
a few miles below the future Iowa City,
was designated as the temporary county
seat.
All things considered, the location of
the capital in Johnson county was a wise
act. The Territory was bounded on the
north by the British possessions; east, by
the Mississippi river to its source; thence
by a line drawn due north to the northern
boundary of the United States; south, by
the State of Missouri, and west by the
Missouri and White Earth rivers. But
this immense territory was in undisputed
possession of the Indians, except a strip
on the Mississippi, known as the Black
Hawk Purchase. Johnson county was,
from north to south, in the geographical
center of this purchase, and as near the
east and west geographical center of the
future State of Iowa as could then be made,
as the boundary line between the lauds of
the United States and the Indians estab-
lished by the treaty of Oct. 21, 1837, was
immediately west of the county limits.
After selecting the site, the Commission-
ers were directed to lay out 640 acres into
a town, to be called Iowa City, and to pro-
ceed to sell lots and erect public buildings
thereon, Congress having granted a section
of land to be selected by the Territory for
this purpose. The Commissioners met at
Napoleon, Johnson county, May 1, 1839,
selected for a site section 10, in township
79 north, of range 6 west of the fifth prin-
cipal meridian, and immediately surveyed
it and laid off the town. The first sale of
lots took place Aug. 16, 1839. The site
selected for the public buildings was a
little west of the center of the section,
where a square of 10 acres, on the elevated
grounds overlooking the river, was reserved
for the purpose. The capitol is located in
the center of this square. The second Ter-
ritorial Legislature, which assembled in
November, 1S39, passed an act requiring
the Commissioners to adopt such plan for
the building that the aggregate cost, when
complete, should not exceed $51,000, and
if they had already adopted a plan involv-
ing a greater expenditure, they were direct-
ed to abandon it. Plans for the building
were designed and drawn by Mr. John F.
Rague, of Springfield, Ills., and July 4,
1840, the corner-stone of the edifice was
laid with appropriate ceremonies. Samuel
C. Trowbridge was marshal of the day,
and Governor Lucas delivered the address
on that occasion.
On July 13, 1840, Governor Lucas an-
nounced to the Legislature then as-
sembled in special session, that on the
4th of that month he had visited Iowa
City, and found the basement of the cap-
itol nearly completed. A bill authorizing
a loan of $20,000 for the building was
passed January 15, 1841, the unsold lots of
Iowa City being the security offered, but
only $5,500 was obtained under the act.
1 1 1. STORY OF IOWA.
Monday, December 6, 1841, the fourth
Legislative Assembly met at the new cap-
ital, Iowa City, but the capitol building
could not be used, and the Legislature oc-
cupied a temporary frame house, that had
been erected for that purpose during the
session of 1841-2. At this session, the
Superintendent of Public Buildings (who,
with the Territorial Agent, had superseded
the Commissioners first appointed,) esti-
mated the expense of completing the build-
ing at $33,330, and of completing rooms
for the use of the Legislature at $15,600.
During the following year the Superin-
tendent commenced obtaining stone from a
new quarry about ten miles northeast of the
city. This is now known as the "Old Cap-
itol Quarry," and is thought to contain an
immense quantity of excellent building
stone. Here all the stone for completing
the building was obtained, and it was so
far completed that, on the 5th day of De-
cember, 1842, the Legislature assembled in
the new Capitol. At this session the Su-
perintendent estimated that it would cost
$39,143 to finish the building. This was
nearly $0,000 higher than the estimate of
the previous year, notwithstanding a large
sum had been expended in the meantime.
This rather discouraging discrepancy was
accounted for by the fact that the officers
in charge of the work were constantly
short of funds. Except the Congressional
appropriation of $20,000, and the loan of
$5,500 obtained from the Miners' Bank of
Dubuque, all the funds for the prosecution
of the work were derived from the sale of
the city lots (which did not sell very rap-
idly), from certificates of indebtedness,
and from scrip, based upon unsold lots,
which was to be received in payment for
such lots when they were sold. At one
time the Superintendent midea requisition
for bills of iron and glass, which could not
be obtained nearer than St. Louis. To
meet this, the agent sold some lots for a
draft payable at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania,
for which he was compelled to pay 25 per
cent, exchange. This draft amounted to
$507, which that officer reported to be more
than one-half the cash actually handled by
him during the entire season, when the dis-
bursements amounted to very nearly $24,-
000. With such uncertainty, it could not
be expected that the estimate could be
very accurate. With all these disadvan-
tages, however, the work appears to have
been prudently prosecuted, and as rapidly
as circumstances would permit.
In 1841, John Chambers succeded Robert
Lucas as Territorial Governor. The office
was held by him until 1845, when it was
filled by James Clarke.
The first Legislative Assembly laid the
broad foundation of civil equality, on which
has been constructed one of the most "lib-
eral governments in the Union. Its first
act was to recognize the equality of woman
with man, before the law, by providing
that " no action commenced by a single
woman, who marries during the pendency
thereof, shall abate on account of such
marriage." This principle has beeu
adopted in all subsequent legislation in
Iowa, and to-day woman has full and equal
rights with man, excepting only the right
of the ballot.
Religious toleration was also secured to
all, personal liberty strictly guarded the
rights and privileges of citizenship ex-
tended to all white persons, and the purity
of elections secured by heavy penalties
HISTORY OF IOWA.
against bribery and corruption. The
judiciary power was vested in a Supreme
Court, District Court, Probate Court and
justices of the peace. Real estate was
made divisible by will, and intestate pro-
perty divided equitably among heirs.
Murder was made punishable by death,
and proportionate penalties fixed for lesser
crimes. A system of free schools, open
for every class of white citizens, was estab-
lished. Provision was made for a system
of roads and highways. Thus, under the
Territorial organization, the country began
to emerge from a savage wilderness, and
take on the forms of civil government.
The Territorial Legislature held its
eighth and last session at Iowa City, com-
mencing December 1, 1845. James Clark
was the same year appointed the successor
of Governor Chambers, and was the third
and last Territorial Governor. In 1843 the
Territorial Legislature compiled and pub-
lished a code of general statutes, making
a volume of 800 pages, that continued in
force until July, 1851.
THE MISSOURI WAE.
In defining the boundaries of the coun-
ties bordering on Missouri, the Iowa
authorities had fixed a line which has
since been established as the boundary
between Iowa and Missouri. The consti-
tution of Missouri defined her northern
boundary to be the parallel of latitude which
passes through the rapids of Des Moines
river. The lower rapids of the Mississippi
immediately above the mouth of the Des
Mi ines river had always been known as
the Des Moines Rapids, or the "rapids of
the Des Moines river." The Missourians
(evidently not well versed in history or
geography), insisted on running the
northern boundary line from the rapids in
the Des Moines river, just telow Keosau-
qua, thus taking from Iowa a strip of ter-
ritory eight or ten miles wide. Assuming
this as her northern boundary line, Missouri
attempted to exercise jurisdiction over the
disputed territory by assessing taxes, and
sending her sheriffs to collect them by
distraining the personal property of the
settlers. The Iowans, however, were not
disposed to submit, and the Missouri offi-
cials were arrested by the sheriffs of Davis
and Van Buren counties and confined in
jail. Governor Boggs, of Missouri, called
out his milita to enforce the claim and
sustain the officers of Missouri. Governor
Lucas called out the militia of Iowa
About 1,200 men were enlisted, and 500
were actually armed and encamped in
Van Buren county, ready to defend the
integrity of the Territory. Subsequently,
Gen. A. C. Dodge, of Burlington, General
Churchman, of Dubuque, and Dr. Clark,
of Fort Madison, were sent to Missouri as
envoys plenipotentiary, to effect, if possi-
ble, a peaceable adjustment of the diffi-
culty. Upon their arrival, they found that
the county commissioners of Clark county,
Missouri, had rescinded their order for the
collection of taxes, and that Governor
Boggs had dispatched messengers to the
Governor of Iowa proposing to submit an
agreed case to the Supreme Court of the
United States for the settlement of the
boundary question. This proposition was
declined; but afterward, upon petition of
Iowa and Missouri, Congress authorized a
suit to settle the controversy. The suit
was duly instituted, and resulted in the
decision that Iowa had only asserted "the
HISTORY OF IOWA.
truth of history," and that she knew
where the rapids of Des Moines river were
located. Thus ended the Missouri war.
"There was much good sense," says lion.
0. C. Nourse, "in the basis upon which
peace was secured, to-wit: 'If Missourians
did not know where the rapids of the river
Des Moines were located, that was no suf-
ficient reason for killing them off with
powder and lead; and if we did know a
little more of history and geography than
they did, ve ought not to be shot for our
learning. We commend our mutual for-
bearance to older and greater people.'"
Under an order from the Supreme Court
of the United States, William G. Miner, of
Missouri, and Henry B. Hendershott, of
Iowa, acted as commissioners, and surveyed
and established the boundary. The ex-
penses of the war on the part oflowa were
never paid, either by the United States or
the Territorial Government. The patriots
who furnished supplies to the troops had
to bear the cost and charges of the struggle
The population being sufficient to justify
the formation of a State government, the
Territorial Legislature of Iowa passed an
act, which was approved February 12th,
1844, submitting to the people the ques-
tion of the formation of a State constitu-
tion and providing for the election of
delegates to a convention to be convened
for that purpose. The people voted upon
this at their township elections in the fol-
lowing April. The measure was carried
by a large majority, and the delegates
elected assembled in convention at Iowa
City October 7th, 1844. On the first day
of November following, the convention
completed its work, and adopted the first
State constitution.
Hon Shepherd Leffler, the president of
this convention, was instructed to transmit
a certified copy of this constitution to the
delegate in Congress, to be by him sub-
mitted to that body at the earliest practi-
cable day. It also provided that it should
be submitted, together with any conditions
or changes that might be made by Con-
gress, to the People of the Territory, f< r
their approval or rejection, at the township
election in April, 1845.
The Constitution, as thus prepared, pro-
vided the following boundaries for the
State: Beginning in the middle of the
channel of the Mississippi river, opposite
the mouth of the Des Moines river; thence
up the said river Des Moines, in the mid-
dle of the main channel thereof, to a point
where it is intersected by the old Indian
boundary line, or line run by John C. Sul-
livan in 1816; thence westwardly along
said line to the "old" northwest corner of
Missouri; thence due west to the midd'e
of the main channel of the Missouri river;
thence up the middle of the main channel
of the river last mentioned, to the mouth
of the Sioux or Calumet river; thence in a
direct line to the middle of the main chan-
nel of the St. Peters river, where the Wa-
tonwan river — according to Nicollett's
map— enters the same; thence down the
middle of the main channel of the said
river to the middle of the main channel
of the Mississippi river; thence down the
middle of the main channel of said river
to the place of beginning.
These boundaries were considerably
more extended than other Western States,
and Congress therefore amended the < on-
stitution, by act approved March 3, 16 45,
as follows: Beginning at the mouth of
HISTORY OF IOWA.
the Des Moines river, at the middle of the
Mississippi; thence by the middle of the
channel of that river to a parallel of lati-
tude, passing through the mouth of the
Maukato or Blue Earth river; thence west,
along said parallel of latitude, to a point
where it is intersected by a meridian line
17 ° 30' west of the meridian of Wash-
ington City; thence due south, to the
northern boundary line of the State of
Missouri; thence eastwardly, following
that boundary to the point at which the
same intersects the Des Moines river;
thence by the middle of the channel of
that river to the place of beginning.
Had these boundaries been accepted,
they would have placed the northern
boundary of the State about 30 miles
north of its present location, and would
have deprived it of the Missouri slope and
the boundary of that river. The western
boundary would have been near the west
line of what is now Kossuth county. But
it was not so to be. In consequence of
this radical and unwelcome change in the
boundaries, the people refused to accept
the act of Congress, and rejected the Con-
stitution, at the election held Aug. 4, 1845,
by a vote of 7,656 to 7,235.
May 4, 1846, a second Convention met
at Iowa City, and on the 18th of the same
month another Constitution, prescribing
the boundaries as they now are, was
adopted. This was accepted by the people,
August 3, by a vote of 9,492 to 9,036. The
new Constitution was approved by Con-
gress, and Iowa was admitted as a sov-
ereign State in the American Union, Dec.
28, 1846.
The people of the State, anticipating
favorable action by Congress, held an
election for State officers October 26,
which resulted in Ansel Briggs being de-
clared Governor; Elisha Cutler, Jr , Secre-
tary of State; Joseph T. Fales, Auditor;
Morgan Reno, Treasurer; and members of
the Senate and House of Representatives.
The act of Congress which admitted
Iowa gave her the 16th section of every
township of land in the State, or its
equivalent, for the support of schools;
also, 72 sections of land for the purpose of
a university; also, five sections of land for
the completion of her public buildings;
also, the salt springs within her limits, not
exceeding 12 in number, with sections of
land adjoining each; also, in consideration
that her public lands should be exempt
from taxation by the State, she gave the
State five per cent, of the net proceeds of
the sale of public lands within the State.
Thus provided for as a bride with her
marriage portion, Iowa commenced house-
keeping on her own account.
A majority of the Constitutional Con-
vention of 1846 were of the Democratic
party; and the instrument contains some
of the peculiar tenets of the party of that
day. All banks of issue were prohibited
within the State. '1 he State was prohibited
from becoming a stockholder in any cor-
poration for pecuniary profit, and the Gen-
eral Assembly could only provide for pri-
vate corporations by general statutes. The
constitution also limited the State's indebt-
edness to $100,000. It required the Gen-
eral Assembly to provide public schools
throughout the State for at least three
months in the year. Six months previous
residence of any white male citizen of the
United States constituted him an elector.
fk
HISTOEY OF IOWA.
The government was started on an
economical basis. The members of the
General Assemb'y received, each, two dol-
lars per day for the first fifty days of the
session, and one dollar per day thereafter.
The sessions were to be biennial. The
salaries of the State officers were limited
the first ten years as follows: Governor,
$1,000 per annum; Secretary of State, $500;
Treasurer of State, $400; Auditor of State,
$600; and Judges of the Supreme Court,
$1,000 each. And it may be said here that
these prices did not discourage the best
talent of the State from seeking these
positions, and that during these ten years
none of these officers were ever known to
receive bribes, or to steal one dollar of the
public money. At the time of organiza
tion as a State, Iowa had a population o
116,651, as appears by the census of 1847
There weie twenty-seven organized coun
ties in the State, and the settlements were
being rapidly pushed toward the Missouri
CHAPTER VI.
GROWTn AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATE.
The first General Assembly was com-
posed of nineteen Senators and forty Rep-
resentatives. It assembled in Iowa City,
November 30th, 1840, about one month be-
fore Congress passed the act of admission.
The most important business transacted
was the passage of a bill authorizing ft
loan of $50,000 for means to run the State
government and pay the expenses of the
Constitutional Convention. The election
of United States Senators was called up at
this session, and was the occasion of much
excitement and no little hard feeling. The
Whigs had a majority of two in the House
and the Democrats a majority of one in
the Senate. After repeated attempts to
control these majorities for caucus nom-
inees, and frequent sessions of a joint con-
vention for purposes of an election, the
attempt was abandoned. A public school
law was passed at this session, for the or-
ganization of public schools in the State.
In pursuance of its provisions, an election
f.r superintendent of public instruction
was held the following spring, and James
Harlan received a majority of the votes
cast. After the election the Democratic
Secretary of State discovered that the law
contained no provision for its publication
in the newspapers, and he claimed it had
HISTORY OF IOWA.
not gone into effect. He, therefore, and
the Governor, refused Harlan a certificate
of election. The Supreme Court sustained
their action.
At this first session of the General As-
sembly, the Treasurer of State reported
that the capitol building was in a very
exposed condition, liable to injury from
storms, and expressed the hope that some
provision would be made to complete it, at
least sufficiently to protect it from the
weather. The General Assembly re-
sponded by appropriating $2,500 for the
completion of the public buihlings. At
the first session, also, arose the question of
the relocation of the capitol. The western
boundary of the State, as now determined,
left Iowa City too far toward the eastern
and southern boundary of the State; this
was conceded. Congress had appropri-
ated five sections of land for the erection
of public buildings, and toward the close
of the session a bill was introduced pro-
viding for the relocation of the seat of
government, involving to some extent the
location of the State University, which
had already been discussed. This bill
gave rise to much discussion, and parlia-
mentary maneuvering almost purely sec-
tional in its character. It provided for
the appointment of commissioners, who
were authorized to make a location as near
the geographical centre of the State as
a healthy and eligible site could be ob-
tained; to select the five sections of land
donated by Congress, to survey and plat
into town lots not exceeding one section of
the land so selected; to sell lots at public
sale, not to exceed two in each block.
Having done this, they were then required
to suspend further operations, and make a
report of their proceeding to the Governor.
The bill passed both Houses by decisive
votes, received the signature of the Gov-
ernor, and became a law. Soon after, by
"An act to locate and establish a State
University," approved Feb. 25, 1847, the
unfinished public buildings at Iowa City,
together with the ten acres of lands on which
they were situated, were granted for the
use of the University, reserving their use,
however, by the General Assembly and the
State officers, until other provisions were
made by law.
The Commissioners forthwith entered
upon their duties, and selected four sec-
tions and two half sections in Jasper
county. Two of these sections are in what
is now DesMoines township, and the others
in Fairview township, in the southern part
of that county. These lands are situated
between Prairie City and Monroe, on the
Keokuk & DesMoines railroad, which runs
diagonally through them. Here a town
was platted called Monroe City, and a sale
of lots took place. The number of 415
lots were sold, at prices that were not con-
sidered remarkably remunerative. The
cash payments (one-fourth) amounted to
$1,797.43, while the expenses of the sale
and the claims of the Commissioners for
services amounted to $2,206.57. The Com-
missioners made a report of their proceed-
ings to the Governor, as required by law,
but the location was generally condemned.
When the report of the Commissioners,
showing this brilliant financial operation,
had been read in the House of Represent-
atives, at the next session, and while it was
under consideration, an indignant member,
afterward known as the eccentric Judge
McFarland, moved to lefer the report to a
HISTORY OF IOWA.
select committee of five, with instructions
to report "how much of said city of Mon-
roe was under water, and how much was
burned." The report was referred, with-
out the instructions, but Monroe City never
became the seat of government. By an
act approved January 15, 1849, the law by
which the location had been made was re-
pealed, and the new town was vacated, the
money paid by purchasers of lots being
refunded to them. This, of course, re-
tained the seat of government at Iowa
City, and precluded for the time the occu-
pation of the building and grounds by the
University.
At the same session $3,000 more were
appropriated for completing the State
building at Iowa City. In 1852, the fur-
ther sum of $5,000, and in 1854 $4,000
more were appropriated for the same pur-
pose, making the whole cost $123,000, paid
partly by the general Government and
partly by the State, but principally by the
proceeds of the sale of lots in Iowa City.
After the adjournment of the first Gen-
eral Assembly, the Governor appointed
Joseph Williams, Chief Justice, and Geo.
Green and John F. Kinney Judges, of the
Supreme Court. They were afterward
elected by the second General Assembly,
and constituted the Supreme Court until
1855, with the exception that Kinney re-
signed in January, 1^54, and J. C. Hall, of
Burlington, was appointed in his place.
Hall was one of the e.irliest and ablest
lawyers of the State, and his memory will
long be cherished by the early members of
the profession. Some changes having
occurred by death and removal, the Gov-
ernor was induced to call an extra session
of the General Assembly in January, 1S48,
with the hope of an election of United
States Senators. The attempt, however,
was again unsuccessful. At this session,
Charles Mason, William G. Woodward and
Stephen Hempstead were appointed Com-
missioners to prepare a code of laws for
the State. Their work was finished in
1850, and was adopted by the General As-
sembly. This "code" contained, among
other provisions, a code of civil practice,
superseding the old common-law forms of
actions and writs, and it was admissible
for its simplicity and method. It remained
in force until 1863, when it was superseded
by the more complicated and metaphys-
ical system of the revision of that year.
The first Representatives in Congress
were S. Clinton Hastings, of Muscatine,
and Shepherd Leffler, of DesMoines county.
The second General Assembly elected
to the United States Senate, Augustus
Ctesar Dodge and George W. Jones. The
State government, after the first session,
was under the c utrol of Democratic ad-
ministration till 1855. The electoral vote
of the State was cist for Lewis Cass, in
1848, and for Franklin Pierce in 1852.
The popular vote shows that the Free-Soil
element of State during this period very
nearly held the balance of power, and that
up to ISoi it acted in the State elections
to some extent with ;he Democratic party.
In 1848 Lewis Cass received 12,093 votes,
Zachary Taylor 11,043, and Martin Van
Buren,the Free-Soil candidate, 1,226 votes,
being 176 less than a majority for Cass.
In IS, 2, Pierce iec ived 1 7,762 votes,
Scott 15,855, and Hale (Free-Soil) 1,606,
being for Pierce 301 votes more than a
majority.
tt
^k
HISTORY OF IOWA.
61
The question of the permanent location
of the seat of government was not settled,
and in 1851 bills were introduced for its
removal to Fort DesMoines. The latter
appeared to have the support of the major-
ity, but was finally lost in the House on
the question of ordering it to its third
reading.
At the next session, in 185?!, a bill was
again introduced in the Senate for the re-
moval of the seat of government to Fort
DesMoines, and, on final vote, was just
barely defeated. At the next session, how-
ever, the effort was more successful, and
January 15th, 1855, a bill relocating the
Capital within two miles of the Raccoon
Fork of the DesMoines, and for the ap-
pointment of Commissioners, was approved
by Gov. Grimes. The site was selected in
1856, in accordance with the provisions of
this act; the land being donated to the
State by citizens and property-holders of
DesMoines. An association of citizens
erected a building for a temporary capitol,
and leased it to the State at a nominal
rent.
The passage by Congress of the act
organizing the Territories of Kansas and
Nebraska, and the provision it. contained
abrogating that portion of the Missouri
bill that proh bited slavery and involuntary
servitude north of 36 ° 30' was the begin-
ning of a political revolution in the North-
ern States, and in none was it more marked
than in the State of Iowa. Iowa was the
"first free child born of the Missouri com-
promise," and has always resented the de-
struction of her foster parent.
In the summer of 1854 there was a tacit
coalition or union of the Whig and Free-
Soil elements of the State. Alarmed at
the aggressive spirit manifested by the ad-
herents of the peculiar institution, the
Free-So Iei-8, who almost held the balance
of power in the State, readily adopted as
their candidate the Whig nominee for Gov-
ernor. Many of the old-line Whigs aban-
doned their party because of this coalition,
but many strong and able men among the
Democrats co-operated with it. James W.
Grimes was the nominee of the Whigs,
and Curtis Bates, of Polk county, was the
nominee of the Democratic party. Grimes
was then in the vigor of his manhood, and
all the energies of his being appeared to
be aroused by what he denominated the
aggressions of the slave jsower. He was
thoroughly in earnest, and canvassed most
of the organized counties of the State.
The people flocked by the thousands to
hear him, and were electrified by his elo-
quence. No one of the opposition at-
tempted to meet him in debate. The re-
sult was his election by a majority of 1,404
in a vote of 21,794. A majority was also
secured in the General Assembly on joint
ballot of the two Houses in opposition to
the Democratic party. The opposition
party in 1854-'5 were known as anti-Ne-
braska Whigs. A caucus of this opposing
element nominated James Harlan as their
candidate for United States Senator, Geo.
G. Wright for Chief Justice, and Norman
W. Isbell and Wm. G. Woodward for
Judges of the Supreme Court.
A portion of the opposition, however,
refused to go into this caucus, or to abide
by its decision as to the United States Sen-
ator. They were the personal friends of
Ebenezer Cook, of Scott county.
A joint convention was secured, and the
Judges of the Supreme Court were elected.
^r-
HISTORY OF IOWA.
After frequent balloting and adjournments,
it was at last understood that Cook's
friends had yielded, ana would .support
Mr. Harlan. When the hour arrived to
which the joint convention had adjourned,
messengers were sent to the Senate by the
House, to inform that body that the House
was ready to meet them in joint conven-
tion. Before this message could be de-
livered, the Senate had adjourned over
until the next day. The anti-Nebraska
Senators, however, entered the hall of the
House and took their seats in joint conven-
tion. Much confusion prevailed, but
finally a President pro tern of the conven-
tion was chosen, and Mr. Harlan was
elected. His seat was contested, and his
eh ction declared invalid by the United
Slates Senate.
At the next session of the General As-
sembly, held in 1857, Mr. Harlan was re-
elected, and was permitted to take his seat.
The year 1856 marked a new era in the
history of Iowa. In 1854 the Chicago &
Rock Island railroad had been completed
to the east bank of the Mississippi river,
opposite Davenport. In the same year the
corner-stone of a railroad bridge that was
to be the first to span the "Father of
Waters," was laid with appropriate cere-
monies, at this point. St. Louis had re-
solved that the enterprise was unconstitu-
tional, and by writs of injunction made an
unsuccessful effort to prevent its comple-
tion. Twenty years later in her history
St. 1 ouis repented her folly, and made
atonement for her sin by imitating Iowa's
example. January 1st, 1856, this railroad
was completed to Iowa City. In the mean-
time two other railroads had reached the
east bank of the Mississippi — one opposite
Burlington and one opposite Dubuque —
and these were being extended into the
interior of the State. Indeed, four other
lines of railroads had been projected across
the State, from the Mississippi to the Mis-
souri, having eastern connections.
May 15th, 1856, Congress passed an act
granting to the State, to aid in the con-
struction of railroads, the public lands in
alternate sections, six miles on each side
of the proposed lines. An extra session
of the General Assembly was called in
July of this year, that disposed of the
grant to the several companies that pro-
posed to complete these enterprises. The
population of Iowa was now 500,000. Pub-
lic attention had been called to the neces-
sity of a railroad across the continent.
The position of Iowa, in the very heart
and center of the republic, on the route
of this great highway of the continent,
began to attract attention. Cities and
towns sprang up through the State as if
by magic. Capital began to pour into the
State, and bad it been employed in devel-
oping the vast coal measures and establish-
ing manufactories, or if it bad been
expended in improving the lands, and in
building houses and barns, it would have
been well. But all were in haste to get
rich, and the spirit of speculation ruled the
hour.
In the meantime, every effort was made
to help the speedy completion of the i ail-
roads. Nearly every county and city on
the Mississippi, and many in the interior,
voted large corporate subscriptions to the
stock of the railroad companies, and issued
their negotiable bonds for the amount.
Thus enormous county and city debts were
inclined, the payment of which these ran-
HISTORY OF IOWA.
nicipalities tried to avoid, upon the plea
that they had exceeded the constitutional
limitation of their powers. The Supreme
Court of the United States held these
bonds to be valid, and the courts, by man-
damus, compelled the city and county
authorities to levy taxes to pay the judg-
ments recovered upon them. These debts
are not all paid, even to this day; but the
worst is over, and the incubus is in the
course of ultimate extinction. The most
valuable lessons are those learned in the
school of experience, and, accordingly, the
corporations of Iowa have ever since been
noted for economy.
In 1856 the Republican party of the
State was duly organized, in full sympathy
with that of the other free Stales, aud at
the ensuing presidential election the elec-
toral vote of the State was cast for John
C. Fremont. The popular vote was as
follows : Fremont, 43,954; Buchanan, 36,-
170, and Fillmore, 9,180. This was 1,396
less than a majority for Fremont. The
followi g year an election was held, after
an exciting campaign, for State officers,
resulliug in a majority of 1,406 for Ralph
P. Lowe, the Republican nominee. The
Legislature was largely Republican in both
branches.
In June, 1854, a Board of State Com-
missioners contracted with the DesMoines
Navigation Railroad Company, an organ-
ization composed principally of New York
capitalists, to undertake the work, agree-
ing to convey to the company lands at
$1.25 an acre for all moneys advanced
and expended. In the meantime difficul-
ties arose in regard to the extent of the
grant. The State claimed lands through-
i ut the whole extent of the river to the
north line of the State. The Department
of the Interior changed its rulings under
the several administrations. The Com-
missioner of the General Land Office cer-
tified to the State about 320,000 acres of
land below the Raccoon Fork of the river,
and about 270,000 acres above it prior to
1857, when he refused to certify any more.
This led to a settlement and compromise
with the Navigation Company in 1858,
whereby the company took all the land
certified to the State at that date, and paid
the State $20,010 in addition to what they
had already expended, cancelled their con-
tract and abandoned the work.
The General Assembly granted to the
DesMoines Valley Railroad Company the
remainder of the grant to the State line, to
aid in building a railroad up and along the
DesMoines Valley; and Congress, in 1862,
extended the grant, by express enactment,
to the north line of the State.
The most injurious result to the State,
arising from the spirit of speculation pre-
valent in 1856, was the purchase and entry
of great bodies of Government land within
the State by non-residents. This land was
held for speculation, and placed beyond
the reach of actual settlers for many
years.
From no other one cause has Iowa suf-
fered so much as from the short-sighted
policy of the Federal Government in sell-
ing lands within her borders. The money
thus obtained by the Federal Government
has been comparatively inconsiderable.
The value of this magnificient public do-
main to the United States was not in the
few thousands of dollars she might exact
from the hardy settlers, or that she might
obtain from the speculator who hoped to
HISTORY OF IOWA.
profit by the settlers' labors in improving
the country. Statesmen should have taken
a broader and more comprehensive view
of national economy, and a view more in
harmony with the divine economy that had
prepared these vast fertile plains of the
West for the "homes of men and the seats
of empire." It was here that new States
were to be builded up that si ould be the
future strength of the nation against for-
eign invasion or home revolt. A single
regiment of Iowa soldiers during the dark
days of the Rebellion was worth more to
the nation than all the money she ever ex-
acted from the toil and sweat of Iowa's
early settlers. Could the statesmen of
forty years ago have looked forward to this
day, when Iowa pays her $1,000,000 annu-
ally into the treasury of the nation for the
extinction of the national debt, they would
have realized that the founding of new
States was a greater enterprise than the
retailing of public lands.
In January, 1857, another Constitutional
Convention assembled at Iowa City, which
framed the present State constitution. One
of the most pressing demands for this con-
vention grew out of the prohibition of banks
under the old constitution. The practical
result of this prohibition was to flood the
State with every species of "wild-cat"
currency. Our circulating medium was
made up in part of the free-bank paper of
Illinois and Indiana. In addition to this,
we had piper issued by Iowa brokers, who
had obtained bank charters from the Ter-
ritorial Legislature of Nebraska, and had
their pretended headquarters at Omaha and
Florence. Our currency was also well
assorted with the bills from other States,
generally such as had the best reputation
where they were least known. This paper
was all at 2, and tome of it from lu to 15
per cent, discount. Every man who was
not an expert in detecting counterfeit bills,
and who was not posted in the history of
all manner of banking institutions, did
business at his perd. The new constitution
mnde ample provisions for house banks
under the supervision of our own laws.
The limitation of our State debt was en-
larged to $.50,000, and the corporate in-
debtedness of the cities and counties were
also limited to five per cent, upon the valu-
ation of their taxable property.
The Judges of the Supreme Court were
to be elected by the popular vote.
The permanent seat of government
was fixed at DesMoines, and the Statt Uni-
versity located at Iowa City. The qualifi-
cations of electors remained the same as
under the old constitution, but the schedule
provided for a vote of the people upon a
separate proposition to strike the word
"white" out of the suffrage clause, which,
had it prevailed, would have resulted in
conferring the right of suffrage without
distinction of color. Since the early or-
ganization of Iowa there had been upon
the statute books a law providing that no
negro, mulatto or Indian should be a com-
petent witness in any suit or proceeding to
which a white man was a party. The Gen-
eral Assembly of 1856-'7 repealed this law,
and the new constitution contained a clause
forbidding such disqualification in the
future. It also provided for the education
of "all youth of the State" through a sys-
tem of common schools. This constitution
was adopted at the ensuing election by a
vote of 40,311 to 38,681.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
October 19, 1857, Gov. Grimes issued a
proclamation declaring the City of Des-
Moines to be the capital of the State of
Iowa. The removal of the archives and
offices was commenced at once and con-
tinued through the fall. It was an under-
taking of no small magitude; there was
not a mile of railroad to facilitate the
work, and the season was unusually dis-
agreeable. Rain, snow and other accom-
paniments increased the difficulties, and it
was not until December that the last of the
effects, — the safe of the State Treasurer,
loaded on two large "bob-sleds," drawn by
ten yokes of oxen, — was deposited in the
new capitol. Thus Iowa City ceased to be
the capital of the State after four Territo-
rial Legislatures, six State Legislatures and
three Constitutional Conventions had held
their sessions there.
In 1856 and 1858 large appropriations
were made for the erection of public build-
ings and the support of the unfortunate
classes, and a loan of $200,000 was author-
ized.
During the years 1858-60, the Sioux In-
dians became troublesome in the north-
western part of the State. They made
frequent raids for the purpose of plunder,
and on several occasions murdered whole
families of settlers. In 1861 several com-
panies of militia were ordered to that por-
tion of the State to hunt down and expel
the thieves. No battles were fought, the
Indians fleeing as soon as they ascertained
systematical measures had been adopted
for their punishment.
In 1870 the General Assembly made an
appropriation and provided for the appoint-
ment of a Board of Commissioners to
commence the work of building a new cap-
itol. The corner-stone was laid with ap-
propriate ceremonies November 23, 1871.
The building is a beautiful specimen of
modern architecture.
When Wisconsin Territory was organ-
ized, in 1836, the entire population of that
portion of the Territory now embraced in
the State of Iowa, was 10,531. The Terri-
tory then embraced two counties, Dubuque
and DesMoines, erected by the Territory
of Michigan, in 1834. Since then, the
counties have increased to ninety-nine, and
the population in 1880 was 1,624,463. The
following table will show the population at
different periods since the erection of Iowa
Territory:
Tear. Population
1838 22,5S9
1840 43,115
1844 75,152
1846 97,588
1847 1 16,651
1849 1 52,988
1850 1 91,982
1851 204,774
1852 230,7 1 3
1854 326,01 3
1856 519,055
1859 638,775
I860 674,913
1863 701,732
1865 750,699
1867 902,040
1869 1,040,8 1 9
1870 1,191,727
1873 1,251,333
1875 1,366,000
1880 1,624,463
The most populous county is Dubuque,
42,'.i!»7. Polk county has 41,395, and Scott
41,270. Not only in population, but in
HISTORY OF IOWA.
everything contributing to the growth and
greatness of a State has Iowa made rapid
progress. In a little more than thirty-five
years its wild but beautiful prairies have
advanced from the home of the savage to
a highly civilized commonwealth, embra-
cing all the elements of progress which
characterize the older States.
The first railroad across the State was
completed to Council Bluffs in January,
1861. The completion of three others
soon followed.
In 1854 there was not a mile of railroad
in Iowa. Within the succeeding twenty
years, 3,765 miles were built and put in
successful operation.
The present value of buildings for State
institutions, including the estimated cost
of the capitol, is as follows :
State Capitol $2,500,000
State University 400,000
Agricultural College and Farm. 300,000
Institution for the Blind 150,000
Institution for the Deaf and
Dumb 225,000
Institutions for the Insane 1,149,000
Orphans' Home 62,000
Penitentiaries 408,000
Normal School 50,000
R form School 90,000
The State has never levied more than
two and ODe-half mills on the dollar for
State tax, and this is at present the consti-
tutional limit. The State has no debt.
No other influence has contributed so
much to the progress and development of
Iowa as the newspapers of the State. No
class of men have labored more assiduously
and disinterestedly for the development of
the State and the advancement of her ma-
terial interests, than her editors. There
are now published in Iowa 25 daily papers,
364 weekly papers, and 13 monthly publi-
cations. These are as a rule well supported
by the people.
Such is briefly a summary of the history
and resources of Iowa. There is perhaps
no other country on earth where so few
people are either rich or poor as in Iowa;
where there is such an equality of condi-
tion, and where so many enjoy a compe-
tence. The law exempts from execution
a homestead to every head of a family.
Every sober, industrious man can in a short
time acquire a home. Iowa is the home
for the immigrant. The children of the
laboring man have no prejudice of caste to
overcome in the effort they may choose to
make for the improvement of their condi-
tion in life. Here all men enjoy the alien-
able blessings of "life, liberty and the pur-
suit of happiness," not only unfettered by
legal disabilities, but also untrammeled by
those fixed conditions of social and busi-
ness life that elsewhere result from accu-
mulated wealth in the possession of the
few. As education is free, so also the ave-
nues of success are open in every pursuit
and calling. The highest incentives exist
to exertion. Labor and effort, whether
manual or mental, are held alike honorable;
and idleness and crime are alone consid-
ered disreputable.
Thriving cities and towns dot the land;
an iron net-work of thousands of miles of
railroads is woven over its troad acres;
10,000 school-houses, in which more than
500,000 children are being taught the rudi-
ments of education, testify to the culture
and liberality of the people; high schools,
colleges and universities, are generously
endowed by the State; manufactories are
.fe
HISTORY OF IOWA.
busy on all her water-courses, and in most
of her cities and towns.
We quote from Judge Nourse: "The
great ultimate fact that America would
demonstrate is, the existence of a people
capable of attaining and preserving a su-
perior civilization, with a government self-
imposed, self-administered and self-perpet-
uated. In this age of wonderful progress,
America can exhibit nothing to the world
of mankind more wonderful or more glo-
rious, than her new States — young empires,
born of her own enterprise, and tutored at
her own political hearlh-stone. Well may
she say to the monarchies of the old world,
who look for evidence of her regal grandeur
and state: 'Behold, these are my jewels !'
And may she never blush to add: 'This
one in the center of the diadem is called
Iowa !" '
The following is the census of Iowa
by counties, as taken by the National Gov-
ernment at each decade:
CENSUS OF IOWA.
COUNTIES.
1840.
1850.
1860.
1870.
984
1,533
12, 237
11,931
451
1,496
8,244
4,232
4 915
7,906
57
3.724
281
1,612
12,949
940
58
4,336
5, 427
52
20,728
18, 938
383
5,244
13,764
8,677
11. 024
19,611
.180
31,164
105
12, 073
3,744
1,309
I, 374
^93
3,008
777
3,131
672
735
517
Calhoun .,
1,602
1,253
3.941
19, 731
Clarke
i." 161 "
709
3.873
2,e24
8,735
1,523
27,771
clmt^n 1 :::::::::::::::::::::::::..:
35, 357
854
7, 264
965
1.759
12, 988
12, 019
164
5, .177
17, 432
27. 256
1, 389
3,659
10, 841
1, 392
625
16. 973
1,244
11, 174
4. 627
6, 399
7,061
11,188
19,791
16. 636
23.913
20, 838
14,0-1
18, 547
7,537
14, 293
5, S95
12 351
16,943
18, 937
11,461
8, -240
14,534
11,512
4,248
28,829
36, 764
12,413
18, 746
16. 468
15, :s:«;
17, 9.-2
33, 09!)
1.901
HISTORY OF IOWA.
CENSUS OF IOWA— Continued.
COUNTIES.
1810.
1850.
1860.
1870.
1880.
1,699
179
5,440
3,621
18,701
3,168
332
43
8, 029
18, 493
9,883
15, 038
17,573
13.306
13,271
41«
29, 232
18,9)7
10, 370
6, 766 '
6,055
999
13, 684
8,931
21. I«3
2^596
226
16, 664
22,619
32,116
17, B39
24, S98
19, 731
19, 14
3,351
37,210
28.859
12,877
10,388
221
13, 834
25,518
24, 436
17, 576
8,718
9.582
3,654
12,724
5,934
21,688
715
8,' 707""
16,649
3, 772
6,341
4, 382
822
7,210
1,280
9,904
4, 472
3,007
4, 822
1,411
2,773
1,491
471
17, 478
1, :i73
1,927
18, 861
4^939
471
Louisa
Lncas
13, 146
14, 530
1.179
5,9-9
5,48i
7, 339
14,816
16, 811
6,015
4,481
3,40y
832
8,612
1, 256
16, 444
8
"5,731"*'
551
4,419
!32
148
4.96')
2, 923
216
25, 959
10
4,051
5. 285
3, 590
2 012
17,081
14.518
10,281
14.2:15
6,4(9
9, 504
168
13,942
1,119
75S
653
9, 975
1,336
2,199
1,446
27, 857
16, 893
15, 581
5,691
1,411
38,509
2,549
570
11, 651
16, 131
6,989
5,986
17, 672
22, 346
17,980
18, 952
11,287
10, 484
1, 526
23,570
6. 172
2,893
615
2.140
S, 9St>
8
204
6,1(6
12, 270
8,471
961
4, 9 .7
340
16, 127
M6 "
4,917
192,214
674,913
1,191,792
1,624,463
*x
',
1
HISTORY OF IOWA. 09
[
CHAPTER VII.
GKOLOGY — TOPOGRAPHY — WATER COURSES.
Geologists divide the soil of Iowa into
State, and adjacent to the Missouri river.
three general divisions — drift, bluff and
Although it contains less than one percent.
alluvial. The drift occupies a much larger
of clay in its composition, it is in no re-
part of the surface of the State than both
spect inferior to the best drift soil. The
' the others. The bluff has the next greatest
alluvial soil is that of the flood plains of
area of surface, and the alluvial least. All
the river valleys, or bottom lands. That
soil is disintegrated rock. The drift de-
which is periodically flooded by the rivet a
posit of Iowa was derived, to a consider-
is of little value for agricultural purposes;
able extent, from the rocks of Minnesota;
but a large part of it is entirely above the
but the greater part of Iowa drift was de-
reach of the highest flood, and is very pro-
rived from its own rocks, much of which
ductive.
has been transported but a short distance.
The stratified rocks of Iowa range from
In northern and northwestern Iowa the
the Azoic to the Mesozoic, inclusive; but
drift contains more sand and gravel than
the greater portion of the surface of the
elsewhere. In southern Iowa the soil is
State is occupied by those of the Palaeozoic
frequently stiff and clayey. The bluff soil
age. The table below will show each of
is found only in the western part of the
these formations in their order:
SYSTEMS.
AGES.
GROUPS.
PERIODS.
EPOCHS.
THICKNESS
IN FEET.
Cretaceous
10 to 200
50
130
100
200
20i
900
75
90
196
175
SCO
350
(Lower Cretaceous. \
j Sabcarboniferous
Lu on ]
Niimara . I
Galena Limestone H
Trenton Limestone
St Peter's Sandstone ..
250
200
80
250
300
50
J
V
A
1
J
L.
>
-^
\
: '
HISTORY OF IOWA.
AZOIC SYSTEM.
The Sioux quartzite is found exposed in
natural ledges only upon a few acres in
the extreme northwest corner of the State,
upou the banks of the Big Sioux river,
for which reason the specific name of
Sioux quarlzite has been given them. It
is an intensely hard rock, breaks in
splintery fracture, and of a color varying,
in different localities, from a light to deep
red. The process of metamorphism has
been so complete throughout the whole
formation, that the rock is almost every-
where of uniform texture. The dip is
four or five degrees to the northward, and
the trend of the outcrop is eastward and
westward.
LOWER SILURIAN SYSTEM.
Primordial Group. — The Potsdam sand-
stone formation is exposed only in a small
portion of the northeastern part of the
State. It is only to be seen in the bases
of the bluffs and steep valley sides which
border the river there. It is nearly value-
less for economic purposes. No fossils
have been discovered in this formation in
Iowa.
Lower Magnesian Limestone. — This
formation has but little greater geographi-
cal extent in Iowa than the Potsdam sand-
stone. It lacks a uniformity of texture
and stratification, owing to which it is not
generally valuable for building purposes
The only fossils found in this formation in
the State are a few traces of crinoids, near
McGregor.
The St. Peters sandstone formation is
remarkably uniform in thickness through-
out its known geographical extent, and it
occupies a large portion of the northern
half of Allamakee county, immediately
beneath the drift.
Trenton Grottp — With the exception of
the Trenton limestone, all the limestones
of both Upper and Lower Silurian age in
Iowa are magnesian limestone — nearly
pure dolomites. This formation occupies
large portions of Winneshiek and Allama-
kee counties and a small part of Clayton
The greater part of it is useless for eco-
nomic purposes; but there are some com-
pact, even layers that furnish fine material
for window-caps and sills. Fossils are so
abundant in this formation that in some
places the rock is made up of a mass of
shells, corals and fragments of trilobites,
cemented by calcareous material into a
solid rock. Some of these fossils are new
to science and peculiar to Iowa.
The Galena limestone is the upper form-
ation of the Trenton Group. It is 150
miles long, and seldom exceeds 12 miles
in width. It exhibits its greatest develop-
ment in Dubuque county. It is nearly a
pure dolomite, with a slight admixture of
silicous matter; good blocks for dressing
are sometimes found near the top of the
bed, although it is usually unfit for such a
purpose. This formation is the source of
the lead ore of the Dubuque lead mines.
The lead region proper is confined to an
area of about 15 miles square iu the vicinity
of Dubuque. The ore occurs in vertical
fissures, which traverse the rock at regular
intervals from east to west; some is found in
those which have a north and south direc-
tion. This ore is mostly that known as
Galena, or sulphuret of lead, very small
-i
^f
HISTORY OF IOWA.
quantities only of the oarbonate being
found with it.
Cincinnati Group — The surface occu-
pied by the Maquoketa shales is more than
100 miles in length, but is singularly long
and narrow, seldom reaching a mile or two
in width. The most northern exposure
yet recognized is in the western part of
Winneshiek county, while the most south-
erly is in Jackson county, in the bluffs of
the Mississippi. The formation is largely
composed of bluish and brownish shales,
sometimes slightly arenaceous, sometimes
calcareous, which weather into a tenacious
clay upon the surface, and the soil derived
from it is usually stiff and clayey. Several
species of fossils which characterize the
Cincinnati Group are found in the Maquo-
keta shales, but they contain a larger num-
ber than have been found anywhere else
in these shales in Iowa, and their distinct
faunal characteristics seem to warrant the
separation of the Maquoketa shales as a
distinct formation from others in the
group.
UPPER SILURIAN SYSTEM.
Niagara Group. — The area occupied by
the Niagara limestone is 40 and 50 miles
in width, and nearly 160 miles long, from
north to south. This formation is entirely
a magnesian limestone, with a considerable
portion of silicious matter, in some places,
in the form of chert or coarse flint. A
large part of it probably affords the best
and greatest amount of quarry rock in the
State. The quarries at Anamosa, LeClaire
and Farley are all opened in this forma-
tion.
DEVONIAN SYSTEM.
Hamilton Group. — The area of surface
occupied by the Hamilton limestone and
shales is as great as those by all the form-
ations of both Upper and Lower Silurian
age in the State. Its length is nearly 200
miles, and width from 40 to 50. A large
part of the material of this is quite woitli-
less, yet other portions are valuable for
economic purposes; and, having a large
geographical extent in the State, is a very
important formation. Its value for the
production of hydraulic lime has been
demonstrated at Waverly, Bremer county;
the heavier piers and other material re-
quiring strength and durability. All the
Devonian strata of Iowa evidently belong
to a single epoch. The most conspicuous
and characteristic fossils of this formation
are brachiopodes, corals and mullusks.
The coral Acervularia Davidsoni occurs
near Iowa City, and is known as "Iowa
City marble" and "Bird's Eye marble."
CARBONIFEROUS SYSTEM.
Of the three groups of formations that
constitute the carboniferous, viz: the sub-
carboniferous, coal measures and Permian,
only the first two are found in Iowa.
Subcarboniferous Group. — This group
occupies a very large area of surface. Its
eastern border passes from the northeast-
ern part of Winnebago county, with con-
siderable directness in a southeasterly
direction to the northern part of Washing-
ton county. It then makes a broad and
direct bend nearly eastward, striking the
Mississippi at Muscatine. The southern
and western boundaries are to a consider-
able extent the same as that which separates
it from the real field. From the southern
part of Pocahontas county it passes south-
east to Fort Dodge, thence to Webster
City, thence to a point 3 or 4 miles north-
*T
DISTORT OF IOWA.
east of Eldora, in Hardin county, thence
southward to the middle of the north line
of Jasper county, thence southeastward to
Sigourney, in Keokuk county, thence to
the northeastern corner of Jefferson Gounty,
thence sweeping a few miles eastward to
the southeast corner of Van Buren county.
Its arc is about 250 miles long, and from
20 to 50 miles wide.
The Kinderhook Beth. — The most south-
erly exposure of these beds is in Des-
Moines county, near the mouth of Skunk
river. The most northerly now known is
in the eastern part of Pocahontas county,
more than 200 miles distant. The princi-
pal exposures of this formation are along
the bluffs which border the Mississippi and
Skunk rivers, where they form the eastern
and northern boundary of DesMoines
county; along English river, in Washing-
ton county; along the Iowa river in Tama,
Marshall, Hamlin and Franklin counties,
and along the DesMoines river in Hum-
boldt county. This formation has consid-
erable economic value, particularly in the
northern portion of the region it occupies.
In Pocahontas and Humboldt counties it
is invaluable, as no other stone except a
few boulders are found here. At Iowa
Falls the lower division is very good for
building purposes. In Marshall county all
the limestone to be obtained comes from
this formation, and the quarries near Le
Grand are very valuable. At this point
some of the layers are finely veined with
peroxide of iron, and are wrought into both
useful and ornamental objects. In Tama
county the oolitic member is well exposed,
where it is manufactured into lime. Upon
exposure to atmosphere and frost it crum-
bles to pieces; consequently it is not valu-
able for building purposes.
The remains of fishes are the only fossils
yet discovered in this formation that can
be referred to the sub-kingdom Vertebrata;
and so far as yet recognized, they all be-
long to the order Selachians Of Articu-
ticulates, only two species have been recog-
nized, both of which belong to the genus
Phillipsia. The sub-kingdom Mollusca is
also largely represented. The Radiata are
represented by a few crinoids, usually
found in a very imperfect condition. The
sub kingdom is also represented by corals.
The prominent feature in the life of this
epoch was molluscan. It overshadowed
all other branches of the animal kingdom.
The prevailing classes are: Lamellibranch-
iates, in the more arenaceous portions; and
Brachropods in the more calcareous por-
tions. No remains of vegetation have
been detected in any of the strata of this
formation.
The Burlington limestone formation
consists of two distinct calcareous divi-
sions, separated by a series of siliceous
beds; both divisions are crinoidal. The
Burlington limestone is carried down by
the southerly dip of the Iowa rocks, so that
it is seen for the last time in the State in
the valley of Skunk river, near the south-
ern boundary of DesMoines county, which
is the most northerly point that it has been
found, but it probably exists as far north
as Marshall county. Much valuable mate-
rial is afforded by this formation for eco-
nomic purposes. The upper division
furnishes excellent common quarry rock.
Geologists are attracted by the great
abundance and variety of its fossils — cri-
noids — now known to be more than 300.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
The only remains of vertebrates discov-
ered in this formation are those of fishes,
and consist of teeth and spines. Bones of
bony fish, on Buffington creek, Louisa
county, is an exposure so fully charged
with these remains that it might with pro-
priety be called bone breccia.
Remains of Articulates are rare in this
formation; so far as yet discovered, they
are confined to two species of trilobites of
the genus Phillipsia. Fossil shells are
very common.
The two lowest classes of the sub-king-
dom Radiata are represented in the genera
Zaphrentis, Amplexus and Syringaposa,
while the highest class, Echinoderms, are
found in most extraordinary profusion.
The Keokuk limestone formation is to
.be seen only in four counties — Lee, Van
Buren, Henry and DesMoines. In some
localities the upper siliceous portion is
known as the Geode bed; it is not recog-
nizable in the northern portion of the
formation, nor in connection with it where
it is exposed, about 80 miles below Keo-
kuk. The geodes of the Geode bed are
more or less masses of silex, usually hol-
low and lined with crystals of quartz; the
outer crust is rough and unsightly, but the
crystals which stud the interior are often
very beautiful; they vary in size from the
size of a walnut to a foot in diameter.
This formation is of great economic
value. Large quantities of its stone have
been used in the finest structures in the
State, among which are the postoffices at
Dubuque and DesMoines. The principal
quarries are along the banks of the Missis-
sippi, from Keokuk to Nauvoo. The only
vertebrate fossils in the formation are
fishes, all belonging to the order Selachians,
some of which indicate that their owners
reached a length of 25 or 30 feet. Of the
Articulates, only two species of the genus
Phillipsia have been found in this forma-
tion. Of the Mollusks no Cephalopods
have yet been recognized in this forma-
tion in Iowa. Gasteropods are rare;
Brachiopods and Polyzoans are quite
abundant. Of Radiates, corals of genera
Zaphrentis, Amplexus and Aulopora are
found, but crinoids are most abundant. Of
the low forms of animal life, the proto-
zoans, a small fossil related to the sponges,
is found in this formation in small num-
bers.
The St. Louis limestone is the uppermost
of the sub-carboniferous group in Iowa. It
occupies a small superficial area, consisting
of long, narrow strips, yet its extent is
very great. It is first seen resting on the
geode division of the Keokuk limestone,
near Keokuk; proceeding northward, it
forms a narrow border along the edge of
the coal fields in Lee, DesMoines, Henry,
Jefferson, Washington, Keokuk and Ma-
haska counties; it is then lost sight of
until it appears again in the banks of
Boone river, where it again passes out of
view under the Coal Measures, until it is
next seen in the banks of the DesMoines,
near Fort Dodge. As it exists in Iowa, it
consists of three tolerably distinct sub-
divisions — the magnesian, arenaceous and
calcareous. The upper division furnishes
excellent material for quicklime, and when
quarries are well opened, as in the north-
western part of VanBuren county, large
blocks are obtained. The sandstone, or
middle division, is of little tconomic value.
The lower, or magnesian division, furnishes
a valuable and durable stone, exposures of
w
HISTOKY OF IOWA.
which are found on Lick creek, in Van
Buren county, and on Long creek, seven
miles west of Burlington.
Of the fossils of this formation, the
vertebrates are represented only by the
remains of fish, belonging to the two
orders, Selachians and Ganoids. The
Articulates are represented by one species
of the trilobite, genus Phillipsia; and two
ostracoid genera, Cylhra and Beyricia.
The Mollusks distinguished this formation
more than any other branch of the animal
kingdom. Radiates are exceedingly rare,
showing a marked contrast between this
formation and the two preceding it.
The Coal Pleasure Group is properly
divided into three formations, viz: the
Lower, Middle and Upper Coal Measures;
each having a vertical thickness of about
two hundred feet.
The Lower Coal Measures exists east-
ward and northward of the DesMoines
river, and also occupy a large area west-
ward and southward of that river; but
their southerly dip passes below the Middle
Coal Measure at no great distance from
the river. This formation possesses
greater economic value than any other in
the whole State. The clay that underlies
almost every bed of coal, furnishes a large
amount of material for potters' use. The
sandstone of these measures is usually soft
and unfit for use; but in some places, as in
Red Rock, in Marion county, blocks of
large dimensions are obtained, which make
good building material, samples of which
can be seen in the State Arsenal, at Des
Moines.
But few fossils have been found in any
of the strata of the Lower Coal Measures,
but such animal remains as have been
found are, without exception, of marine
origin. All fossil plants found in th< se
measures, probably belong to the class
Acrogens. Specimens of Calamites and
several species of ferns are found in all the
Coal Measures, but the genus Lepidoden-
dron seems not to have existed later than
the epoch of the Middle Coal Measures.
The latter formation occupies a narrow
belt of territory in the southern-central
portion of the State, embracing a superfi-
cial area of about 1,400 square miles The
counties underlaid by this formation are,
Guthrie, Dallas, Po'k, Madison, Warren,
Clarke, Lucas, Monroe, Wayne and Appa-
noose.
Few species of fossils occur in these
beds. Some of the shales and sandstone
have afforded a f i w imperfectly preserved
land plants, three or four species of ferns,
belonging to the genera. Some of the
carboniferous shales afford beautiful speci-
mens of what appears to have been sea-
weed. Radiates are represented by corals.
The Mollusks are most numerously repre-
sented. Trilobites and ostracoids are the
only remains known of Articulates. Ver-
tebrates are only known by the remains of
Selachians, or sharks and ganoids.
The Upper Coal Measures occupy a very
large area, comprising thirteen whole
counties, in the southwestern part of the
State. By its northern and eastern boun-
daries it adjoins the area occupied by the
Middle Coal Measures. This formation
contains a considerable portion of bhales
and sandstone, but the prominent litho-
logical features are its limestones. Al-
though it is known by the name of Upper
Coal Measures, it contaius but a single bed
of coal, and that only about 20 inches in
HISTORY OF IOWA.
maximum thickness. The limestone ex-
posed in th'i8 formation furnishes good
building material, as in Madison and Fre-
mont counties. The sandstones are quite
worthless. No beds of clay, for potters'
use, are found in the whole formation.
The fossils are more numerous than in
either the Middle or Lower Coal Measures
The vertebrates are represented by the
fishes of the orders Selachians and Ganoids.
The Articulates are represented by the
trilobites and ostracoids. Mollusks are
represented by the classes Cephalapoda,
Gasterapoda, Lamellibranchiata, Brachio-
poda and Polyzoa. Radiates are more
numerous than in the Middle and Luwer
Coal Measures. Protozoans are repre-
sented in the greatest abundance, some
layers of limestone being almost entirely
composed of their small fusiform shells.
CRETACEOUS SYSTEM.
The next strata in the geological series
are of the Cretaceous age. They are found
in the western half of the State, and do
not dip, as do all the other formations
upon which they rest, to the southward
and westward, but have a general dip of
their own to the north of westward, which,
however, is very slight. Although the
actual exposures of cretaceous rocks are
few in Iuwa, there is reason to believe that
nearly all the western half of the State was
originally occupied by them; but they have
been removed by denudation, w T hich has
taken place at two separate periods. The
first period was during its elevation from
the cretaceous sea, and during the long
Tertiary age that passed between the time
of that elevation and the commencement
of the Glacial epoch. The second period
was during the Glacial epoch, when the ice
produced their entire removal over consid-
erable areas. All the cretaceous rocks in
Iowa are a part of the same deposits farther
up the Missouri river, and, in reality, form
their eastern boundary.
The Nishuabotany sandstone has the
most easterly and southerly extent of the
cretaceous deposits of Iowa, reaching the
southeastern part of Guthrie county and
the southern part of Montgomery county.
To the northward, it passes beneath the
Woodbury sandstones and shales, the latter
passing beneath the Inoceramus, or chalky
beds. This sandstone is, with few excep-
tions, valueless for economic purposes.
The only fossils found in this formation
are a few fragments of angios permous
leaves. The strata of Woodbury sand-
stones and shales rest upon the Nishnabot-
any sandstone, and have not been observed
outside of Woodbury county; hence their
name. Their principal exposure is at Ser-
geant's Bluffs, seven miles below Sioux
City. This rock has no value, except for
purposes of common masonry. Fossil re-
mains are rare. Detached scales of a lepi-
doginoid species have been detected, but
no other vertibrate remains of vegetation,
leaves of Salix Meekii and Sassfras creta-
ceum have been occasionally found.
The Inoceramus beds rest upon the
Woodbury sandstone and shales. They
have not been observed in Iowa except in
the bluffs which border the Big Sioux river
in Woodbury and Plymouth counties.
They are composed almost entirely of cal-
careous material, the upper portion of
which is extensively used for lime. No
building material can bo obtained from
these beds, and the only value they possess,
T
HISTORY OF IOWA.
except lime, are the marls, which at some
time may be useful on the soil of the adja-
cent region. The only vertebrate remains
found in the cretaceous rocks are the fishes.
Those in the Inoceramus beds are two
species of squaloid Selachians, or certra-
cionts, and three genera of teliosts. Mol-
luscan remains are rare.
Extensive beds of peat exist in Northern
Middle Iowa, which, it is estimated, con-
tain the following areas: Cerro Gordo
county, 1,500 acres; Worth, 2,000; Winne-
bago, 2,000; Hancock, 1,500; Wright, 500;
Kossuth, 700; Dickinson, 80. Several con-
tain peat beds, but the peat is inferior to
that in the northern part of the State.
The beds are of an average depth of four
feet. It is estimated that each acre of
these beds will furnish 250 tons of dry
fuel for each foot in depth. At present
this peat is not utilized, but, owing to its
great distance from the coal fields, and the
absence of timber, the time is coming when
their value will be fully realized.
The only sulphate of the alkaline earth
of any economic value is gypsum, and it
may be found in the vicinity of Fort
Dodge, in Webster county. The deposit
occupies a nearly central position in the
county, the DesMoines river running nearly
centrally through it, along the valley sides
of which the gypsum is seen in the form of
ordinary rock cliff and ledges, and also oc-
curring abundantly in similar positions
along both sides of the valleys of the
smaller streams and of the numerous
ravines coming into the river valley. The
most northerly known limit of the deposit
is at a point near the mouth of Lizaid
creek, a tributary of the DesMoines river
and almost adjoining the town of Fort
Dodge. The most southerly point at which
it has been exposed is about six miles, by
way of the river, from the northerly point
mentioned. The width of the area is un-
known, as the gypsum becomes lost be-
neath the overlying drift, as one goes up
the ravines and minor valleys.
On either side of the creeks and ravines
which come into the valley of the Des
Moines river, the gypsum is seen jutting
out from beneath the drift in the form of
ledges and bold quarry fronts, having
almost the exact appearance of ordinary
limestone exposures, so horizontal and reg-
ular are its lines of stratification, and so
similar in color is it to some varieties of
that rock. The principal quarries now
opened are on Two-Mile creek, a couple of
miles below Fort Dodge.
Age of the Gypsum Deposit — No trace
of fossil remains has been found in the
gypsum or associated clays; neither has
any other indication of its geologic age
been observed except that which is afforded
by its stratigraphical relations; the most
that can be said with certainty is that it is
newer than the coal measures, and older
than the drift. The indications afforded
by the stratigraphical relations of the gyp-
sum deposit of Fort Dodge are, however,
of considerable value. No Tertiary de-
posits are known to exist within or near
the borders of Iowa, to suggest that it
might be of that age, nor are any of the
Palaeozoic strata newer than the subcar-
boniferous unconformable upon each other
HISTORY OF IOWA.
as the other gypsum is unconformable upon
the strata beneath it. It therefore seems,
in a measure, conclusive that the gypsum
is of Mesozoic age; perhaps older than
the cretaceous.
The lithological origin of this deposit is
as uncertain as its geological age. It seems
to present itself in this relation, as in the
former one, — an isolated fact. None of
the associated strata show any traces of a
double decomposition of pre-existing ma-
terials, such as some have supposed all de-
posits of gypsum to have resulted from.
No considerable quantities of oxide of iron
nor any trace of native sulphur have been
found in connection with it, nor has any
salt been found in the waters of the region.
These substances are common in associa-
tion with other gypsum deposits, and by
many are regarded as indicative of the
method of or resulting from their origin
as such. Throughout the whole region the
Fort Dodge gypsum has the exact appear-
ance of a sedimentary deposit. From
these facts it seems not unreasonable to en-
tertain the opinion that this gypsum origin-
ated as a chemical precipitation in com-
paratively still waters which were satu-
rated with sulphate of lime and destitute
of life; its stratification and impurities
being deposited at the same time as clayey
impurities which had been suspended in
the same waters.
Physical Properties. — Much has already
been said of the physical character of this
gypsum; but as it is so different in some
respects from other deposits, there are still
other matters worthy of mention in con-
nection with those. According to the re-
sults of a complete analysis of Prof.Emery,
the ordinary gray gypsum contains only
about eight per cent, of impurity, and it
is possible that the average impurity for
the whole deposit will not exceed that pro-
portion, so uniform in quality is it from
top to bottom and from one end of the
region to the other. As plaster for agri-
cultural purposes is sometimes prepared
from gypsum that contains thirty per cent,
of impurity, it will be seen that this is a
very superior article for such purposes.
The impurities are of such a character
that they do not in any way interfere with
its value for use in the arts.
Although the gypsum rock has a gray
color, it becomes quite white by grinding,
and still whiter by the calcimining process
necessary in the preparation of plaster of
Paris. These tests have all been practi-
cally made in the rooms of the Geological
Survey, and the quality of the plaster of
Paris still further tested by actual use and
experiment. The only use yet made of
the gypsum by the inahabitants is for the
purposes of ordinary building stone. It is
so compact it is found to be comparatively
unaffected by frost, and its ordinary situa-
tion in walls of houses is such that it is
protected from the dissolving action of
water, which can, at most, reach it only
from occasional rains, and the effect of
these is too slight to be perceived after the
lapse of several years. Hon. John F.
Duncombe, of Fort Dodge, built a fine
residence of it in 1861, the walls of which
appear as unaffected by exposure and as
beautiful as they were when first erected.
Several other houses in Fort Dodge have
been constructed of it, including the depot
buildings of the Dubuque and Sioux City
Railroad. MaDV of the sidewalks in the
HISTORY OF IOWA.
town are made of the slabs or flags of gyp-
sum which occur in some of the quarries
iu the form of thin layers.
MINOR DEPOSITS OP SUI PHATE OF LIME.
Sulphate of lime in the various forms
of fibrous gypsum, selenite and small
amorphous masses, has also been discov
ered in various formations in different
parts of the State, including the Coal
Measure shales near Fort Dodge, where it
exists in small quantities, quite independ-
ently of the great gypsum deposit there.
The quantity of gypsum in these minor
deposits is always too small to be of any
practical value, usually occurring in shales
and shaly clays. Associated with strata
that contain more or less sulphnret of
iron, gypsum has thus been detected in
the Coal Measures, the St. Louis lime-
stone, the Cretaceous strata, and also in
the Dead Caves of Dubuque.
SULPHATE OP STRONITA.
This mineral is found at Fort Dodge,
which is, perhaps, the only place in Iowa
or iu the valley of the Mississippi where
it has as yet been discovered. There, it
occurs in very small quantities in both the
shales of the Lower Coal Measures and in
the clays that overlie the gypsum deposit,
and which is regarded as of the same age
with it. The mineral is fibrous and crys-
talline, the libers being perpendicular to
the plane of the layer; it resembles, in
physical character, the layer of fibro-crys-
talline gypsum, before mentioned. Its
color is of light b'ue, is transparent, and
shows crystalline facets upon both the
upper and under surfaces of the layer, of
the upper surface being smaller and more
numerous. The layer is probably not
more than a rod in extent in any direction,
and aboul three inches in maximum thick-
ness. Apparent lines of stratification
occur in it, corresponding with those of
the shales which imbed it. The other
deposit was still smaller in amount, and
occurred as a mass of crystals imbedded
in the clays that overlie the gypsum at
Cummins' quarry, in the valley of Sol-
diers' creek, upon the north side of the
town. The mineral in this clay is nearly
colorless, and somewhat resembles masses
of impure salt. The crystals are so closely
aggregated that they enclose but little im-
purity in the mass, but in almost all other
cases their fundamental forms are ob-
jured. This mineral has almost no prac-
tical value, and is only interesting as a
miueralogical fact.
SULPHATE OF BARYTA.
In Iowa this mineral has been found
only in minute quantities. It has been de-
tected in the Coal Measure shales of De-
catur, Madison and Marion counties,
Devonian limestone of Johnson and Bre-
mer counties, and, also, in the lead caves
of Dubuque. It is in the form of crystals
or small crystalli
SULPHATE OF MAGNESIA.
Epsomite, or native Epsom salts, having
been discovered near Burlington, all the
sulphates of alkaline earths of natural
origin have been recognized in Iowa; all
except the sulphate of lime being in very
small quantity. The Epsomite mentioned
r^
HISTORY OF IOWA.
was found beneath the overhanging cliff of
Burlington limestone near Starr's Mill. It
occurs in the form of em irescent encrusta-
tions upon the surface of stones, and in
similar small fragile masses among the
pine debris that has fallen down beneath
the overhanging cliff. The projection of
the cliff over the perpendicular face of the
strata beneath, amounts to near 20 feet at
the point where Epsomite was found. The
rock upon which it accumulates is an im-
pure limestone, containing also some car-
bonate of magnesia, together with a small
proportion of iron pyrites, in a finely
divided condition. By experiments with
this native silt in the office of the Survey,
a fine article of Epsom salts was produced,
but the quantity obtained there is very
small, and would be of no practical value
on account of the cheapness in the market.
CLIMATE.
The greatest objection to the climate of
this State is the prevalence of wind, which
is somewhat greater than iu the States
south and east, but not so great as it is
west. The air is pure and generally bra-
cing, — the northern part particularly so
during the winter. The prevailing direc-
tion of the wind during the whole year is
easterly. Corresponding 1 )', thunder storms
are somewhat more violent in this State
than east or south, but not near so much so
as toward the mountains. As elsewhere in
the Northwestern States, easterly wind-
bring rain and snow, while westerly oms
clear the sky. While the highest temper-
:itur<' occurs here in August, the month of
July aver ges the hottest, and January the
coldest. The mean temperature of April
and October nearly corresponds to the
mean temperature of the year, as well as to
the seasons of spring and fall, while that
of summer and winter is best represented
by August and December. Indian summer
is delightful and well prolonged. Untimely
frosts sometimes occur, but seldom severely
enough to do great injury. The wheat
crop being a staple product of the State,
and is not injured at all by frost, this great
resource of the State continues intact.
TOPOGRAPHY.
All the knowledge we have at present
of the topography of the State of Iowa is
that derived from incidental observations
of geological corps, from the surveys made
by railroad engineers, and from barometri-
cal observations made by authority of the
Federal Government. No complete topo-
graphical survey has yet been made, but
this will doubtless be attended to in a few
years.
The State lies wholly within, and com-
prises a part of, a vast plain, and there is
no mountainous or even hilly country
within its borders; for the highest point is
but 1,200 feet above the lowest point; these
two points are nearly 300 miles apart, and
the whole State is traversed by gently
flowing rivers. A clearer idea of the great
uniformity of the surface of the State may
be obtained from a statement of the gen-
eral i-lopes in feet per mile, from point to
point, in straight lines across it.
Per Mile.
From N. E. corner to S. E. cor-
ner of State 1 ft. 1 in.
From N. E. corner to Spirit Lake, 5 ft. 5 in
From N.W. corner to Spirit Lake, 5 ft.
From N.W. corner to S.W. cor-
ner of the State 2 ft.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
From S. W. corner to highest
ridge between the two great
rivers (in Ringgold county).. 4 ft. i in.
From the highest point in the
State (near Spirit Lake) to the
lowest point in the Stale (at
the mouth of DesMoines river) 4 ft.
We thus find that there is good degree
of propriety in regarding the whole State
as belonging to a great plain, the lowest
point of which within its border, the south-
eastern corner of the State, is only 444
feet above the level of the sea. The aver-
age height of the whole State above the
level of the sea is not far from 800 feet,
although it is a thousand miles from the
nearest ocean.
These remarks are, of course, to be un-
derstood as applying to the State as a
whole. On examining its surface in detail,
we find a great diversity of surface by the
formation of valleys out of the general
level, which have been evolved by the
actions of streams during the unnumbered
years of the terrace epoch. These river
valleys are deepest in the northwestern
part of the State, and consequently it is
there that the country has the greatest di-
versity of surface, and its physical features
are most strongly marked.
The greater part of Iowa was formerly
one vast prairie. It has, indeed, been
estimated that seven-eighths of the surface
of the State was prairie when first settled.
By prairie it must not be inferred that a
level surface is meant, for they are found
in hilly countries as well Nor are they
confined to any particular variety of soil,
for they rest upon all formations, from
those of the Azotic to those of the Creta-
ceous age, inclusive. Whatever may have
been their origin, their present existence
in Iowa is not due to the influence of cli-
mate, of the soil, or of any of the under-
lying formations. The real cause is the
prevalence of the annual fires. If these
had been prevented fifty years ago, Iowa
would now be a timbered country. The
encroachment of forest trees upon prairie
farms as soon as the bordering wood-
land is protected from the annual prairie
fires, is well known to farmers throughout
the State. The soil of Iowa is justly
famous for its fertility, and there is prob-
ably no equal area of the earth's surface
that contains so little untillable land, or
whose soil has so high an average of fer-
tility. Ninety-five per cent, of its surface
is capable of a high state of cultivation.
LAKES AND STREAMS.
Lakes — The lakes of Iowa may be prop-
erly divided into two distinct classes. The
first may be called drift lakes, having had
their origin in the depressions left in the
surface of the drift at the close of the gla-
cial epoch, and have rested upon the undis-
turbed surface of the drift deposit ever
since the glaciers disappeared. The others
may be properly termed fluviatile or allu-
vial lakes, because they have had their
origin by the action of rivers while cut-
ting their own valleys out from the surface
of the drift as it existed at the close of the
glacial epoch, and are now found resting
upon the alluvium. By "alluvium" is
meant the deposit which has accumulated
in the valleys of rivers by the action of
their own currents. It is largely composed
of sand and other coarse material, and
HISTORY OP IOWA.
M
upon that deposit are some of the best
productive soils in the State. It is this
deposit which forms the flood plains aiid
deltas of our rivers, as well as the terraces
of their valleys. The regions to which the
drift lakes are principally confined are near
the head waters of the principal streams
of the State. They are consequently found
in those regions which lie between the
Cedar and DesMoines rivers, and the Des
Moines and Little Sioux. No drift lakes
are found in Southern Iowa. The largest
of the lakes to be found in the State
are Spirit and Okoboji, in Dickinson
county, Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo county,
and Storm Lake in Buena Vista county.
Spirit Lake. — The width and length of
this lake are about equal, and it contains
about 12 square miles of surface, its north-
ern border resting directly on the boun-
dary of the State. It lies almost directly
upon the great water-shed. Its shores
are mostly gravelly, ai d the country about
it fertile.
Okoboji LiKE. — This body of water
lies directly south of Spirit Lake, and has
somewhat the shape of a horse-shoe, with
its eastern projection within a few rods
of Spirit Lake, where it receives the out-
let of the latter. Okoboji Lake extends
about five miles southward from Spirit
Lake, thence about the same distance
westward, and it then bends northward
about as far as the eastern projection.
The eastern portion is narrow, but the
western is larger, and in some places 100
feet deep. The surroundings of this and
Spirit Lake are very pleasant; fish are
abundant in them, and they are the re-
sort of myriads of water-fowl.
Clear Lake. — This lake is situated
upon the water-shed between the Iowa and
Cedar rivers. It is about 5 miles long, 2
or 3 miles wide, and has a maximum
depth of only 15 feet. Its shores and the
country around are like that of Spirit
Lake.
Storm Lake. — This lake rests upon the
great water-shed in Buena Vista county.
It is a clear, beautiful sheet of water, con-
taining a surface area of between 4 and 5
square miles. The outlets of all these
drift lakes are dry during a portion of the
year, except Okoboji.
Walled Lakes — Along the water-sheds
of Northern Iowa great numbers of small
lakes exist, varying from half a mile to a
mile n diameter. One of the la'-es in
Wright county, and another in Sac, have
each received the name of "Walled Lake,"
on ace mnt of the embankments on their
bord. is, which are supposed to be the work
of ancient inhabitants. These embank-
ments are from 2 to 10 feet iu height, and
from 5 to 30 feet across. They are the
result of natural causes alone, being refer-
able to the periodic action of ice, aided to
some extent by the action of the waves.
These lakes are very shallow, and in win-
ter freeze to the bottom, so that but little
unfrozen water remains in the middle. The
ice freezes fast to everything on the bot-
tom, and the expansive power of the water
in freezing acts in all directions from the
center to the circumference, and whatever
was on the bottom of the lake has been
thus carried to the shore. This has been
going on from year to year, from century
to- century, forming the embankments
which have caused so much wonder.
*<• ^-
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Springs issue from all the geological
formations, and form the sides of almost
every valley, but they are more numerous,
and assume proportions which give rise to
the name of sink-holes, along the upland
borders of the Upper Iowa river, owing to
the peculiar fissued and laminated charac-
ter and great thickness of the strata of the
age of the Trenton limestone which under-
lies the whole region of the valley of that
stream. No mineral springs, properly so-
called, have yet been discovered in Iowa,
though the water of several artesian wells
is frequently found charged with soluable
mineral substances.
Rivera. — The two great rivers, the Mis-
sissipi and Missouri, from the eastern and
the western boundaries, respectively, of
the State, receive the eastern and western
drainage of it. The Mississippi with its
tributaries in Eastern Iowa drain two-
thirds of the State, and the Missouri with
its tributaries drain the western third. The
great water-shed -which divides these two
systems is a land running southward from
a point on the northern boundary line of
the State, near Spirit Lake, in Dickinson
county, to a nearly central point in the
northern part of Adair county. From the
last named point this highest ridge of land
between the two great rivers continues
southward, without change of character,
through Ringgold county, into the State
of Missouri; but it is no longer the great
water-shed. From that point another ridge
bears off southward, through the counties
<>f Madison, Clarke, Lucas and Appanoose,
which is now the water-shed.
All streams that rise in Iowa occupy, at
first, only slight depressions of the land,
and are scarcely perceptible. These uniting
into larger streams, though still flowing
over drift and bluff deposits, reach consid-
erable depth into these deposits, in some
cases to a depth of nearly 200 feet from
the general prairie level.
The greater part of the streams in West-
ern Iowa run either along the whole or a
part of their course, upon that peculiar
deposit known as bluff deposit. The
banks even of the small streams are often
five to ten feet in height and quite perpen-
dicular, so that they render the streams
almost everywhere unfordable, and a great
impediment to travel across the open
country where there are no bridges.
This deposit is of a slightly yellowish
ash color, except when darkened by decay-
ing vegetation, very fine and silicious, but
not sandy, not very cohesive, and not at
all plastic. It forms excellent soil, and
does not bake or crack in drying, except
limy concretions, which are generally dis-
tributed throughout the mass, in shape
and size resembling pebbles; but not a
stone or a pebble can be found in the
whole deposit. It was called "silicious
marl" by Dr. Owen, in his geological re-
port to the Government, and he attributes
its origin to an accumulation of sediment
in an ancient lake, which was afterward
drained, and the sediment became dry land.
Prof. Swallow gives it the name of "bluff,"
which is here adopted; but the term, "la-
custrine" would have been more appro-
priate. The peculiar properties of this
deposit are that it will stand securely with
a precipitous front 200 feet high, and yet
is easily excavated with a spade. Wells
dug in it require only to be walled to a
point just above the water-line. Yet, com-
HISTORY OF IOWA.
pact as it is, it is very porous, so that
water which falls on it does not remain at
the surface, but percolates through it;
neither does it accumulate within it at any
point, as it does upon and within the drift
and the stratified formations.
The thickest deposit yet known in Iowa
is in Fremont county, where it reaches 200
feet. It is found throughout a region
more than 200 miles in length, and nearly
100 miles in width, and through which the
Missouri runs almost centrally.
This fine sediment is the same which
the Missouri once deposited in a broad
depression in the surface of the drift that
formed a lake-like expansion of that river
in the earliest period of the history of its
valley. The extent of the deposit shows
this lake to have been 100 miles wide and
more than twice as long. The water of
the river was muddy then as now, and the
broad lake became filled with the sediment
which the river brought down. After the
lake became filled with the sediment, the
valley below became deepened by the con-
stant erosive action of the waters, to a
depth sufficient to have drained the lake
of its first waters; but the only effect then
was to cause it to cut its valley out of the
deposits its own muddy waters had formed.
Thus along the valley of that river, so far
as it forms the western boundary of Iowa,
the bluffs which border it are composed of
that sediment known as bluff deposit,
forming a distinct border along the broad,
level flood plain, the width of which varies
from five to fifteen miles, while the orig-
inal sedimentary deposit stretches far in-
land.
Chariton and Ghrand rivers rise and
run for twenty-five miles of their course
upon the drift deposits alone. The first
strata that are exposed by the deepening
valleys of both these streams belong to
the Upper Coal Measures, and they both
continue upon the same formation until
they make their exit from the State, (the
former in Appanoose county, the latter in
Ringgold county,) near the boundary of
which they passed nearly or quite through
the whole of that formation to the Middle
Coal Measures. Their valleys deepen
gradually, and 15 or 20 miles from the
river they are nearly 150 feet below the gen-
eral level of the adjacent highland. When
the livers have cut their valleys down
through the series of limestone strata, they
reach those of a clayey composition. Upon
these they widen their valleys, and make
broad flood plains or " bottoms," the soil
of which is stiff and clayey, except where
modified by sandy washings. These
streams are prairie streams in their upper
branches and tributaries, but flow through
woodland farther down. The proportion
of lime in the drift of Iowa is so great that
the water of all the wells and springs is
too " hard " for washing purposes, and the
game substance is so prevalent in the drift
clays that they are always found to have
sufficient flux when used for the manufac-
ture of brick.
Platte river belongs mainly to Missouri.
Its upper branches pass through Ringgold
county. Here the drift deposit reaches its
maximum thickness on an east and west
line across the State, and the valleys are
eroded in some instances to a depth of
200 feet, apparently, through this deposit
alone. Tin term " drift deposit " applies
to the soil and sub-soil of the greiter pari
84
HISTORY OF IOWA.
of the State, and in it alone many wells
are dug and our forests take root. It rests
upon the stratified rooks. It is composed
of clay, sand, gravel and boulders, promis-
cuously intermixed without stratification,
varying in character in different parts of
the State.
One Hundred and Two river is repre-
sented in Taylor county, the valleys of
which have the same general character of
those just described. The country around
and between the east and west forks of
this stream is almost entirely prairie.
Nodaway river is represented by east,
middle and west branches. The two for-
mer rise in Adair county, the latter in
Cass county. These rivers and valleys are
fine examples of the small rivers and
valleys of Southern Iowa. They have the
general character of drift valleys, and with
beautiful undulating and sloping sides.
The Nodaway drains one of the finest
agricultural regions in the State, the soil
of which is tillable almost to their very
banks. The banks and the adjacent nar-
row flood-plains are almost everywhere
composed of a rich, deep, dark loam
Nishnabotany river is represented by
east and west branches, the former having
its source in Anderson county, the latter
in Shelby county. Both these branches,
from their source to their confluence, and
also the main stream from there to the
point where it enters the great flood-plain
of the Missouri, run through a region, the
surface of which is occupied by the bluff
deposit.
The West Nishnabotany is probably
without any valuable mill-sites. In the
western part of Cass county, the East
Nishnabotany loses its identity by becom-
ing abruptly divided up into five or six
different creeks. A few good mill-sites
occur here on this stream. None, how-
ever, that are thought reliable, exist on
either of these rivers, or on the main
stream below the confluence, except, per-
haps, one or two in Montgomery county.
The valleys of the two branches, and the
intervening upland, possess remarkable
fertility.
Buyer river, until it enters the flood-
plain of the Missouri, runs almost, if not
quite, its entire course through the region
occupied by the bluff deposit, and has cut
its valley entirely through it along most of
its passage. The only rocks exposed are
the upper coal measures, near Reed's mill,
in Harrison county. The exposures are
slight, and are the most northerly now
known in Iowa. The valley of this river
has usually gently sloping sides, and an in-
distinctly defined flood-plain. Along the
lowir half of its course the adjacent up-
land presents a surface of the billowy
character, peculiar to the bluff deposit.
The source of this river is in Sac county.
Soldier river — The east and middle
branches of this stream have their source
in Crawford county, and the west branch
in Ida county. The whole course of this
river is through the bluff deposit. It has
no exposure of strata along its course.
Little Sioiix river. — Under this head are
included both the main and west branches
of that stream, together with the Maple,
which is one of its branches. The west
branch and the Maple are so similar to
the Soldier river that they need no sep-
arate description. The main stream has
HISTORY OF IOWA.
its boundary near the northern boundary
of the State, and runs most of its course
upon drift deposit alone, entering the
region of the bluff deposit in the southern
part of Cherokee county. The two prin-
cipal upper branches near their source in
Dickinson and Osceola counties are small
prairie creeks within distinct valleys. On
entering Clay county the valley deepens,
and at their confluence has a depth of 200
feet. Just as the valley enters Cherokee
county it turns to the southward, and be-
comes much widened, with its sides gently
sloping to the uplands. When the valley
enters the region of the bluff deposit, it
assumes the billowy appearance. No ex-
posures of strata of any kind have been
found in the valley of the Little Sioux or
any of its branches.
Floyd river. — This river rises upon the
drift in O'Brien county, and flowing south-
ward enters the region of the bluff deposit
a little north of the centre of Plymouth
county. Almost from its source to its
mouth it is a prairie stream, with slightly
sloping valley sides, which blend gradually
with the uplands. A single slight exposure
of sandstone of cretaceous age occurs in the
valley near Sioux City, aud which is the
only known exposure of rock of any kind
along its whole length. Near this exposure
is a mill-site, but farther up the stream it
is not valuable for such purposes.
Mock river. — This stream passes through
Lyon and Sioux counties. It was, evi-
dently, so named from the fact that con-
siderable exposures of the red Sioux
quartzite occur along the main branches
of the stream in Minnesota, a few miles
north of the State boundary. Within the
State the main stream and its branches are
drift streams and strata are exposed. The
beds and banks of the streams are usually
sandy and gravelly, with occasionally
boulders intermixed.
Big Sioux River. — The valley of this
river, from the northwest corner of the
State to its mouth, possesses much the
same character as all the streams of the
surface deposits. At Sioux Falls, a few
miles above the northwest corner of the
State, the streams meet with remarkable
obstructions from the presence of Sioux
quartzite, which outcrops directly across
the stream, and causes a fall of about 60
feet within a distance of half a mile, pro-
ducing a series of cascades. For the first
25 miles above its mouth, the valley is
very broad, with a broad, flat flood-plain,
with gentle slopes, occasionally showing
indistinctly defined terraces. These ter-
races and valley bottoms constitute some
of the finest agricultural land of the re-
gion. On the Iowa side of the valley the
upland presents abrupt bluffs, steep as the
materials of which they are composed will
stand, and from 100 to nearly 200 feet
high above the stream. At rare intervals,
about 15 miles from its mouth, the creta-
ceous strata are exposed in the face of the
bluffs of the Iowa side. No other strata
are exposed along that part of the valley
which borders our State, with the single
exception of Sioux quartzite at its extreme
northwestern corner. Some good mill-
sites may be secured along that portion of
this river which borders Lyon county, but
below this the fall will probably be found
insufficient and the locations for dams in-
secure.
HIS I OK Y OF IOWA.
k
Missouri Rioer. — This is one of the
muddiest streams on the globe, and its
waters are known to be very turbid far
toward its source. The chief peculiarity
of this river is its broad flood-plains, and
its adjacent bluff deposits. Much the
greater part of the flood-plain of this river
is upon the Iowa side, and continues from
the south boundary line of the State to
Sioux City, a distance of more than 100
miles in length, varying from three to five
miles in width. This alluvial plain is esti-
mated to contain more than half a million
of acres of land within the State, upward
of 400,000 of which are now tillable.
The rivers of the eastern system of
drainage have quite a different character
from those of the western system. They
are larger, longer and have their valleys
modified to a much greater extent by the
underlying strata. For the latter reason,
water-power is much more abundant upon
them than upon the streams of the western
system.
BesMoines Miner. — This river has its
source in Minnesota, but it enters Iowa
before it has attained any size, and flows
almost centrally through it from northwest
to southeast, emptying into the Mississippi
at the extreme southeastern corner of the
State. It drains a greater area than any
river within the State. The upper portion
of it is divided into two branches, known
as the east and west forks These unite
in Humboldt county. The valleys of these
branches above their confluence are drift
valleys, except a few small exposures of
subcarbouiferous limestone about five
miles above their confluence. These ex-
posures produce several small mill-sites.
The valleys vary from a few hundred yards
to half mile in width, and are the finest
agricultural lands. In the northern part
of Webster county the character of the
main valley is modified by the presence of
ledges and low cliffs of the subcarbonifer-
ous limestone and gypsum. From a point
a little below Fort Dodge to near Amster-
dam, in Marion county, the river runs all
the way through and upon the lower Coal
Measure strata. Along this part of the
course the flood-plain varies from an
eighth to a mile or more in width. From
Amsterdam to Ottumwathe subcarb jnifer-
ous rocks pass beneath the river again,
bringing down the Coal Measure strata
into its bed; they rise from it iu the ex-
treme northwestern part of VanBuren
county, and subcarboniferous strata re-
sume and keep their place along the valley
to the north of the river.
From Fort Dodge to the northern part
of Lee county the strata of the Lower
Coal Measures are present in the valley.
Its flood-plain is frequently sandy from
the debris of the sandstone and sandy
shales of the Coal Measures produced by
their removal in the process of the forma-
tion of the valley.
The principal tributaries of the Des
Moines are upon the western side. These
are the Raccoon and the three rivers, viz:
South, Middle and North rivers, The
three latter have their sources in the re-
gion occupied by the Upper Coal Measure
limestone formation, flow eastward over
the Middle Coal Measures, and enter the
valley of the DesMoines upon the Lower
Coal Measures. These streams, especially
South and Middle rivers, are frequently
bordered by high, rocky cliffs. Raccoon
HISTORY OF IOWA.
river has its source upon the heavy surface
deposits of the middle region of Western
Iowa, and along the greater part of its
course it has excavated its valley out of
those deposits and the Middle Coal
Measure alone. The valley of the Des
Moines and its branches are destined to
become the seat of extensive manufac-
turies, in consequence of the numerous
mill-sites of immense power, and the fact
that the main valley traverses the entire
length of the Iowa coal fields.
Skunk river. — This has its source in
Hamilton county, and runs almost its en-
tire course upon the border of the outcrop
of the Lower Coal Measures, or, more prop-
erly speaking, upon the subcarboniferous
limestone, just where it begins to pass be-
neath the Coal Measures by its southerly
and westerly dip. Its general course is
southeast. From the western part of
Henry county, up as far as Story county,
the broad, flat flood-plain is covered with a
rich, deep clay soil, which, in time of long-
continued rains and overflows of the river,
has made the valley of Skunk river a ter-
ror to travelers from the earliest settlement
of the country. There are some excellent
mill-sites on the lower half of this river,
but they are not so numerous or valuable
as on other rivers of the eastern system.
Iowa river. — This river rises in Han-
cock county, in the midst of a broad,
slightly undulating drift region. The first
rock exposure is that of subcarboniferous
limestone, in the southwestern corner of
Franklin county. It enters the region of
the Devonian strata near the southwestern
corner of Benton county, and in this it
continues to its confluence with the Cedar
in Louisa county. Below the junction
with the Cedar, and for some miles above
that point, its valley is broad, and especi-
ally on the northern side, with a well-
maiked flood-plain. Its borders gradually
blend with the uplands as they slope away
in the distance from the river. The Iowa
furnishes numerous and valuable mill-sites.
Cedar river. — This stream is usually
understood to be a branch of the Iowa, but
it ought, really, to be regarded as the main
stream. It rises by numerous branches in
the northern part of the State, and flows
the entire length of the State, through the
region occupied by the Devonian strata and
along the trend occupied by that formation.
The valley of this river, in the upper part
of its course, is narrow, and the sides slope
so gently as to scarcely show where the
lowlands end and the uplands begin. Be-
low the confluence with the Shell Rock,
the flood-plain is more distinctly marked,
and the valley broad and shallow. The
valley of the Cedar is one of the finest re-
gions in the State, and both the main
stream and its branches afford abundant
and reliable mill-sites.
Wapsipinnicon river. — This river has
its source near the source of the Cedar,
and runs parallel and near it almost its en-
tire course, the upper half upon the same
formation — the Devonian. In the north-
eastern part of Linn county it enters the
region of the Niagara limestone, upon
which it continues to the Mississippi. It
is 100 miles long, and yet the area of its
drainage is only from 12 to 20 miles in
width. Hence, its numerous mill-sites are
unusually secure.
HISTOEY OF IOWA.
Turkey river — This river and the Upper
Iowa are, in many respects, unlike other
Iowa rivers. The difference is due to the
great depth to which they have eroded
their valleys and the different character of
the material through which they have
worked. Turkey river rises in Howard
county, and in Winneshiek county, a few
miles from its source, its valley has attained
a depth of more than 200 feet, and in Fay-
ette and Clayton counties its depth is in-
creased to 300 and 400 feet. The summit
of the uplands, bordering nearly the whole
length of the valley, is capped by the Ma-
quoketa shales. These shales are under-
laid by the Galena limestone, between 200
and 300 feet thick. The valley has been
eroded through these, and runs upon the
Trenton limestone. Thus all the forma-
tions along and within this valley are Lower
Silurian. The valley is usually narrow,
and without a well-marked flood-plain.
Water-power is abundant, but in most
places inaccessible.
Upper Iowa river. — This river rises in
Minnesota, just beyond the northern boun-
dary line, and enters our State in Howard
county before it has attained any consider-
able size. Its course is nearly eastward
until it reaches the Mississippi. It rises in
the region .of the Devonian rocks, aud
flows across the outcrops, respectively, of
the Niagara, Galena and Trenton lime-
stone, the lower magnesian limestone, and
Potsdam sandstone, into and through all
of which, except the last, it has cut its val-
ley, which is the deepest of any in Iowa.
The valley sides are almost everywhere
high and steep, and cliffs of lower magne-
sian and Trenton limestone give th sm a
wild and rugg. d aspect. In the lower part
of the valley the flood-plain reaches a
width sufficient for the location of small
farms, but usually it is too narrow for such
purposes. On the higher surface, however,
as soon as you leave the valley you come
immediately upon a cultivated country.
This stream has the greatest slope per mile
of any in Iowa, and consequently it fur-
nishes immense water-power. In some
places where creeks come into it, the valley
widens and affords good locations for
farms. The town of Decorah, in Winne-
shiek county, is located in one of these
spots, which makes it a lovely location;
and the power of the river and the small
spring streams around it offer fine facilities
for manufacturing. This river and ifs
tributaries are the only trout streams in
Iowa.
Mississippi river. — This river may be
described, in general terms, as a broad
canal cut out of the general level of the
country through which the river flows. It
is bordered by abrupt hills or bluffs. The
bottom of the valley ranges from one to
eight miles in width. The whole space
between the bluffs is occupied by the river
and its bottom, or flood-plain only, if we
except the occasional terraces or remains
of ancient flood-plains, which are not now
reached by the highest floods of the river.
The river itself is from half a mile to
nearly a mile in width. There are but four
points along the whole length of the State
where the bluffs approach the stream on
both sides. The Lower Silurian formations
compose the bluffs in the northern part of
the State, but they gradually disappear by
a southerly dip, and the bluffs are con-
J
5 ^
_. »
w
}
HISTORY OF IOWA. 89
[
timed successively by the Upper Silurian,
back only to the close of the glacial epoih;
Devonian and Subcarboniferous rocks
but that the Mississippi and all the rivers
which are reached near the southeastern
of Northeastern Iowa, if no others, had .it
corner of the State.
least a large part of the rocky portions of
Considered in their relation to the pres-
their valleys eroded by pre-glacial, or, per-
ent general surface of the State, the rela-
haps, by palaeogoic rivers, can scarcely be
tive ages of the river valley of Iowa date
doubted.
CHAPTER VIII.
IOWA AND THE EEBEI.LIOK.
By her record in the war of the rebellion
of marble for the Washington Monument
Iowa proved herself a truly loyal State.
at the national capitol, and by order of the
The Presidential campaign of 1860 was
General Assembly there was inscribed
an exciting one, and the fact that civil war
upon its enduring surface the following:
might be inaugurated in case Abraham
"Iowa — Her affections, like the rivers of
Lincoln was elected, was well understood
her borders, 'flow to an inseparable Union."
and duly considered. The people of Iowa
The time was now approaching in her his-
indulged in no hatred or ill-will toward
tory when these declarations of attachment
any section of the country, but were deter-
and fidelity to the nation were to be put
mined to hold such opinions upon questions
to a practical test.
of public interests, and vote for such men
Certainly the people of no State in the
aa to them seemed for the general good,
nation could be more vitally interested in
uninfluenced by any threat of violence or
the question of our national unity than the
civil war.
people of Iowa. The older States of the
The General Assembly of the State of
Union, both North and South, were repre-
Iowa, as early as 1851, had by joint resolu-
sented in its population. Iowans were
tion declared that the State of Iowa was
nearly all immigrants, bound to those older
" bound to maintain the union of these
communities by the most sacred ties of
1
States by all the means in her power."
blood, and most endearing recollections of
L
]
The same year the State furnished a block
early days. In addition to these consider-
[
~~> — ~
•c
<s r~
r r
1
r
HISTORY OF IOWA.
ations of a personal character, there were
others of the gravest political importance.
Iowa's geographical position as a State
made the dismemberment of the Union a
matter of serious concern. The Missis-
sippi had been for years its highway to
the markets of the world. The people
could not entertain the thought that its
navigation should pass under the control
of a foreign government. But more than
this was to be feared the consequence of
introducing and recognizing in our national
system the principal of secession or disin-
tegration.
If this should be recognized as a right,
what security had the States of the interior
against their entire isolation from the com-
merce of the world, by the future secession
of the Atlantic and Pacific States? And
the fact also remained, that secession or
separation removed none of the causes of
war. Whatever there was in the peculiar
institution that created differences of sen-
timent or feeling, or caused irritation, still
existed after the separation, with no court
or constitution as the arbiter of rights, and
with the one resort, only, of the sword to
settle differences. In secession and its
logical and necessary results, we saw
nothing but dire confusion and anarchy,
and the utter destruction of that nation-
ality through which alone we felt that our
civil liberties as a people could be pre-
served, and the hopes of our civilization
prepetuated.
The declaration of Mr. Buchanan's last
annual message, that the nation posssesed
no constitutional power to coerce a seced-
ing State, was received by the great
majority of our citizens with humiliation
and distrust. Anxiously they awaited the
expiring hours of his administration, aid
looked to the incoming President as to an
expected deliverer that should rescue the
nation from the hands of traitors, and the
control of those whose non-resistance in-
X~t~& her destruction. The firing upon the
national flag at Sumter aroused a burning
indignation throughout the loyal States of
the Republic, and nowhere was it more
intense than in Iowa. And when the
proclamation of the President was pub-
lished, April 15,1861, calling for 75,000
citizen soldiers to " maintain the honor,
the integrity, and the existence of our
national Union, and the perpetuity of pop-
ular government," they were more than
willing to respond to the call. Party lines
gave way, and for a while, at least, party
spirit was hushed, and the cause of our
common country was supreme in the aflYc-
tions of the people. Peculiarly fortunate
were the people of Iowa at this crisis, in
having a truly representative man as ex-
ecutive of the Slate. Thoroughly honest
and thoroughly earnest, wholly imbued
with the enthusiasm of the hour, fully
aroused to the importance of the crises,
and the magnitude of the struggle upon
which *~ were entering, with an indomit-
able rt'lll under the control of a strong
common sense, Samuel J. Kirkwood, was,
indeed, a worthy chief to organize and
direct the energ'es of the people. Within
thirty days after the date of the President'?!
call for troops, the First Iowa Regime.it
was mustered into the service of the
United States, a second regiment was in
camp ready for the service, and the Gen-
eral Assembly of the State was convened
in special session, and had by joint resolu-
HISTORY OF IOWA.
tion solemnly pledged every resource of
men and money to the national cause.
So urgent were the offers of companies,
that the Governor conditionally accepted
enough additional companies to compose
two additional regiments. These were
soon accepted by the Secretary of War.
Near the close of May, the Adjutant Gen-
eral of the State reported that 170 compa-
nies had been tendered the Governor to
serve against the enemies of the Union.
The question was eagerly asked, " Which
of us will be allowed to go? " It seemed
as if Iowa was monopolizing the honors
of the period, and would send the larger
part of the 75,000 wanted from the whole
North.
There were much difficulty and consid-
erable delay experienced in fitting the first
three regiments for the field. For the
First Infantry a complete outfit (not uni-
form) of clothing was extemporized, prin-
cipally by the volunteered labor of loyal
women in the different towns — from mate-
rial of various colors and qualities, ob-
tained within the limits of the State. The
same was done in part for the Second
Infantry. Meantime, an extra session of
the General Assembly had been called by
the Governor, to convene on the 15th of
May. With but little delay, that body
authorized a loan of $800,000, to meet the
extraordinary expenses incurred, and to be
incurred, by the Executive Department,
in consequence of the new emergency. A
wealthy merchant of the State (ex-Gov.
Merrell, then a resident of McGregor)
immediately took from the Governor a
contract to supply a complete outfit of
clothing for three regiments organized,
agreeing to receive, should the Governor
so elect, his pay therefor in the State bonds
at par. This contract he executed to the
letter, and a portion of the clothing (which
was manufactured in Boston, at his order)
was delivered at Keokuk, the place at
which the troops had rendezvoused, in ex-
actly one month from the day in which
the contract had been entered into. The re-
mainder arrived only a few days later. This
clothing was delivered to the soldiers, but
was subsequently condemned by the Gov-
ernment, for the reason that its color was
gray, and blue had been adopted as the
color to be worn by the National troops
Other States had also clothed their troops,
sent forward under the first call of Presi-
dent Lincoln, with gray uniforms, but it
was soon found that the Confi derate forces
were also clothed in gray, and that color
was at once abandoned by the Union
troops. If both armies were clothed alike,
annoying, if not fatal, mistakes were liable
to be male.
While engaged in these efforts to dis-
charge her whole duty in common with all
the other Union-loving States in the great
emergency, Iowa was compelled to make
immediate and ample provision for the
protection of her own borders from threat-
ened invasions on the south by the seces-
sionists of Missouri, and from danger of
incursions from the west and northwest by
bands of hostile Indians, who were freed
from the usual restraint imposed up^n
them by the presence of regular troops
stationed at the frontier posts. These
troops were withdrawn to meet the greater
and more pressing danger threatening the
life of the Nation at its very heart.
The Governor of the State, in order to
provide for the adequate defense of Iowa's
HISTORY OF IOWA.
borders from the ravages of both rebels
in arms against the Government and of the
more irresistible foes from the Western
plains, was authorized to raise and equip
two regiments of infantry, a squadron of
cavalry (not less than five companies) and
a battalion of artillery (not less than three
companies). Only cavalry were enlisted
for home defense, however, but in times of
special danger, or when calls were made
by the Unionists of Northern Missouri for
assistance against their disloyal enemies,
large numbers of militia on foot often
turned out, and remained in the field until
the necessity for their services had passed.
June 13th, Gen. Lyon, then command-
ing the United States forces in Missouri,
issued the first order for the Iowa volun-
teers to move to the field. The First and
Second Infantry immediately embarked in
steamboats and proceeded to Hannibal.
Two weeks later the Third Infantry was
ordered to the same point. These three,
together with many other of the earlier
organized Iowa regiments, rendered their
first field service in Missouri. The First
Infantry formed a part of the little army
with which Gen. Lyon moved on Spring-
field, and fought the bloody battle of Wil-
son's creek. It received unqualified praise
for its gallant bearing on the field. In the
following month (September), the Third
Iowa, with but very slight support, fought
with honor the sanguinary engagement of
Blue Mills Landing; and in November the
Seventh Iowa, as a part of the force com-
manded by Gen. Grant, greatly distin-
guished itself in the battle of Belmont,
where it poured out its blood like water —
losing more than half of the men it took
into action.
The initial operations in which the bat-
tles referred to took place were followed
by the more important movements led by
Gen. Grant, Gen. Curtis, of this State, and
other commanders, which resulted in de-
feating the armies defending the chief
strategic lines held by the Confederates in
Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri and Arkan-
sas, compelling their withdrawal from
much of the territory previously controlled
by them in those States. In these and
other movements, down to the grand cul-
minating campaign by which Vicksburg
was captured and the Confederacy perma-
nently severed on the line of the Missis-
sippi river, Iowa troops took part in
steadily inc easing numbers. In the in-
vestment and siege of Vicksburg, the
State was represented by thirty regiments
and two batteries, in addition to which
eight regiments and one battery were
employed on the outposts of the besieg-
ing army. The brilliancy of their exploits
on the many fields where they served,
won for them the highest meed of praise,
both in military and civil circles. Mul-
tiplied were the terms in which expres-
sion was given to this sent ment, but these
words of the journals of a neighboring
State: "The Iowa troops have been heroes
among heroes," embody the spirit of all.
In the veteran re-enlistment that dis-
tinguished the closing month of 1863,
above all other periods in the history of
re-enlistment for the National armies, the
Iowa three-years' men (who were rela-
tively more numerous thin those of any
other State), were prompt to set the ex-
ample of volunteering for another term
of equal length, thereby addiug mai y
thousands to the great army of those who
HISTORY OF IOWA.
give this renewed and practical assurance
that the cause of the Union should not
be left without defenders.
In all the important movements of 1864
and '65, by which the confederacy was pen-
etrated in every quarter, and its military
power filially overthrown, the Iowa troops
t>>ok pait. Their drum-beat was heard on
the banks of every great river of the
South, from the Potomac to the Rio Grande,
and everywhere they rendered the same
faithful devoted service, maintaining on
all occasions their wonted reputation for
valor in the field, and endurance on the
march.
Two Iowa 3-year cavaliy regiments were
employed during their whole term of ser-
vice in the operations that were in progress
from 18G3 to 1866 against the hostile In-
dians of the Western plains. A portion
of these men were among the last of the
volunteer troops to be mustered out of ser-
vice. The State also supplied a consider-
able number of men to the navy, who took
part in most of the naval operations pros-
ecuted against the Confederate power on
the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, and the riv-
ers of the West.
The people of Iowa were early and con-
stant workers in the sanitary field, and by
their liberal gifts and personal efforts for
the benefit of the soldiery, placed their
State in the front rank of those who be-
came distinguished for their exhibitions of
patriotic benevolence during the period
covered by the war. Agents appointed by
the governor were stationed at points con-
venient for rendering assistance to the sick
and needy soldiers of the State, while oth-
ers were employed in visiting, from time
to time, hospitals, camps and armies in the
field, and doing whatever the circumstances
rendered possible for the health and com-
fort of such of the Iowa soldiery as might
be found there.
Charitable enterprises also found a ready
support in Iowa. Some of the benevolent
people of the State early conceived the
idea of establishing a home for such of the
children of deceased soldiers as might be
left in destitute circumstances. This idea
first took form in 1S63, and in the follow-
ing year a home was opened at Farming-
ton, VanBuren county, in a building leased
for that purpose, and which soon became
filled to its utmost capacity. The institu-
tion received liberal donations from the
general public, and also from the soldiers
in the field. In 1865 it became necessary
to provide increased accommodations for
the large number of children who were
seeking the benefits of its care. This was
done by establishing a branch at Cedar
Falls, in Black Hawk county, and by secur-
ing, during the same year, for the use of
the parent home, Camp Kinsman, near the
city of Davenport This property, by act
of Congress, was soon afterward donated
to the institution. In 1866, in pursuance
of a law enacted for that purpose, the Sol-
diers' Orphans' Home (which then con-
tained about 450 inmates), became a State
institution, and thereafter the sums neces-
sary for its support were appropriated from
the State treasury. A second branch was
established at Glenwood, Mills county.
Convenient tracks were secured, and valu-
able improvements made at all the different
points. Schools were also established, and
employments provided for such of the
children as were of suitable age. In every
way the provision made for these wards
sit
HISTORY OF IOWA.
of the State has been such as to challenge
the approval of every benevolent mind.
The number of children who have been
inmates of the home from its foundation
to the present time is considerably more
than 2,000.
No bounty was paid by the State on
account of the men she plaeed in the field.
In some instances, toward the close of the
war, bounty, to a comparatively small
amount, was paid by cities and towns On
only o:e occasion, that of the call of July
18, 180J, was a draft made in Iowa. This
did not occur on account of her proper lia-
bility, as established by previous rulings
of the War Department, to supply men
under that call, but grew out of the great
necessity that there existed for raising
men. The Government insisted on tem-
porarily setting aside, in part, the former
rule of settlements, and enforcing a draft
in all cases where sub-districts in any of
the States should be found deficient in
their supply of men. In no instance was
Iowa, as a whole, found to be indebted to
the General Government for men, on a
settlement of her quota accounts.
Not satisfied with merely doing her duty
under the law, Iowa, of her patriotic gen-
erosity, did more than was required. The
17th, 18th and 37th regiments of infantry,
the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th regiments of cav-
alry were all enrolled, not to meet any
call from the General Government, but to
enable citizens of the State to enlist un-
der the banners of the Union, in excess of
all demands which could lawfully be made.
The State also contributed a large num-
ber of men and many officers to regiments
in Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Illinois,
Wisconsin and Minnesota, and out of a
population of less than 2,000 arms-bearing
colored citizens, raised nearly a whole reg-
iment of African troops. But besides the
troops thus regularly enrolled within the
State, and those who formed part of regi-
ments in neighboring States, there were
not a few of Iowa's citizens in the regular
army, in the different staff departments of
the volunteer army, and in commands to
far distant States.
Those, also, should be noticed who were
called upon to protect the State and adjoin-
ing States from raids, to preserve the inter-
nal peace of the State, etc., in 1861, when
Northern Missouri was overrun by preda-
tory bands, and the loyal citizens were
being driven from their homes by hun-
dreds, and suffering in life, person and
estate, the border Iowa yeomanry, unskilled
in anything pertaining to war, responded
to the Macedonian cry of their neighbors
and speeded across the line to help them
to the number of 1,500; they were armed
with old fowling pieces and antiquated
militia gear, but they proved effective,
nevertheless, their hearts being in the right
place. In the same year three expeditions
were sent out to beat back the Jackson
bushwhackers who were advancing on
Iowa, driving out the Union people on
their way. These expeditions numbered
about 1,300 men, and performed valuable
service in Missouri.
On the northern border, during the
same year, the Sioux City cavalry, ninety-
three men, and Captain Tripp's company,
about fifty men, were employed to protect
the borders against the Indians.
In 1862, under authority of the General
Assembly, the Northern and Southern
Border Brigades were organized — the one
n—
<1
HISTORY OF IOWA.
95
for the protection of the State against
guerilla bands on the south along the entire
border, the other to keep in check the dis-
affected Indians intent on mischief in the
northwest. There were five companies of
the Northern Border Brigade, two hun-
dred and fifty men, and ten companies of
the Southern Border Brigade, seven hun-
dred and ninety-four men, judiciously
stationed at exposed points. For two
years the State, at her own expense, sup-
ported these organizations. There can be
no doubt that this was a wise expenditure,
considering the service done — that of stay-
ing murder, rapine and arson, which were
threatening to stalk through the State.
Subsequently eight hundred militia in
eleven companies were called out to sup-
press the celebrated Talley treason in
Keokuk county, and five hundred on ac-
count of the disturbances in Poweshiek
and Davies counties.
At the beginning of the war, the popu-
lation of Iowa included about 150,000 men
presumably liable to render military ser
vice. The State raised for general service
thirty-nine regiments of infantry, nine
regiments of cavalry, and four companies
of artillery, composed of three years' men;
one regiment of infantry, composed of
three months' men, and four regiments
and one batallion of infantry, composed of
100 days' men. The original enlistments
in these various organizations, including
1,72V men raised by draft, numbered a
little more than 69,000. The re-enlist-
ments, including upward of 7,000 vete-
rans, numbered very nearly 8,000. The
enlistments in the regular army and navy,
and organizations of other States, will, if
added, raise the total to upward of 80,000.
The number of men who, under special
enlistments, and as militia, took part at
different times in the operations on the
exposed borders of the State, was probably
as many as 5,000.
As an inevitable result of war, many
became prisoners, and suffered the cruel-
ties of Libby, Anderson ville and other
"pens" in the South, which have become
famous the world over, solely because of
the incredible barbarities practiced in
them. Considerable portions of the 8th,
12th and 14th Regiments were captured,
after hard fighting, at Shiloh; the 16th
was nearly all surrendered at Atlanta; the
17th atTilton; the 19th at Sterling farm;
the 36th at Mark's Mill. Many escaped
heroically from rebel imprisonment, and
the narratives of their sufferings would
make many interesting volumes.
Every loyal State of the Union had
many women who devoted much time and
great labor toward relieving the wants of
our sick and wounded soldiery, but for
Iowa can be claimed the honor of inaugu-
rating the great charitable movement
which was so successfully supported b/
the noble women of the North. Mrs.
Harlan, wife of Hon. James Harlan,
United States Senator, was the first woman
of our country among those moving in
high circles of society who personally
visited the army and ministered to the
wants of the suffering soldiery. In many
of her visits to the army, Mrs. Harlan was
accompanied by Mrs Joseph T. Fales,
wife of the first State Auditor of Iowa.
No words can describe the good done, the
lives saved, and the deaths made easy by
the host of noble women of Iowa, whose
names it would take a volume to print.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Every county, every town, every neighbor-
hood in the State had these true heroines,
whose praise can never be fully known, till
the final rendering of all accounts of deeds
done in the body. The contributions of
the State to "sanitary fairs" during the
war were enormous, amounting to many
hundred thousand dollars. Highly sue
cessful fairs were held at Dubuque, Mus
catine, Burlington and Marshalltown
while all the towns contributed most gen
erously to fairs of a less general nature
All this must be added to the work of the
many "Florence Nightingales" of Iowa,
whose heroic sacrifices have won for them
the undying gratitude of the nation.
It is said, to the honor and credit of
Iowa, that while many of the loyal States,
o'der and larger in population and wealth,
incurred heavy State debts for the purpose
of fulfilling their obligations to the Gene-
ral Government, Iowa, while she was fore-
most in duty, while she promptly discharged
all her obligations to her sister States and
the Union, found herself at the close of
the war without any material additions to
her pecuniary liabilities incurred before
the war commenced. Upon final settle-
ment after restoration of peace, her claims
upon the Federal Government were found
to be fully equal to the amount of her
bond issued and sold during the war to
provide the means for raising and equip-
ping her troops sent into the field, and to
meet the inevitable demands upon her
treasury in consequence of the war.
It was in view of these facts that Iowa
had done more than her duty during the
war, and that without incurring any con-
siderable indebtedness, and that her troops
had fought most gallantly on nearly every
battle-field of the war, that the Newark
Adoertiser and other prominent Eastern
journals called Iowa the "Model State of
the Republic."
In the following pages a brief account
is given of each regiment, which was cred-
ited to Iowa during the war.
The First Regiment was organized
under the President's first proclamation
for volunteers for three months, with John
Francis Bates, of Dubuque, as Colonel;
William H. Merritt, of Cedar Rapids, as
Lieutenant-Colonel, and A. B. Porter, of
Mt. Pleasant, as Major.
The regiment was mustered into the
service of the United States May 14th
1861, at Keokuk. The different compa
nies were independent military organiza
tions before the war; and tendered theii
service before the breaking out of hostili
ties. The regiment was in quarters in
Keokuk for two weeks, During this time
they became proficient in the use of arms,
and they learned something of practical
camp life. June 13th, the regiment re-
ceived orders to joiu General Lyon in
Missouri. They immediately embarked
on board a steamer, and by midnight were
at Hannibal, Mo., where they slept on the
fljor of a large warehouse. They pro-
ceeded without delay to the interior of the
State, where Gen. Lyon had just defeated
Gov. Jackson with his so-called State
troops. Joining Lyon, they were soon
given a taste of active service. For two
months they were almost constantly on
the march, and occasionally skirmished
with the enemy. August 10th, a sharp
battle was fought with the enemy at
Wilson's Creek, when the gallant and
HISTORY OF IOWA.
noble Gen. Lyon was killed, and the regi-
ment lost 10 killed and 50 wounded.
After the battle the regiment proceeded to
St. Louis, and their three months having
expired, were mustered out August 25th,
1861. The number of officers and men in
this regiment were 959. Of these 13 were
killed, 13 died, 141 were wounded, and
three were missing.
The Second Infantry was organized
soon after the commencement of the war,
with Samuel R. Curtis, of Keokuk, as
Colonel; James M. Tuttle, of Keosauqua,
as Lieutenant-Colonel; and M. M. Crocker,
of DesMoines, as Major; and was mustered
into the service of the United States, at
Keokuk, in May, 1861. It participated in
the following engagements: Fort Donel-
son, Shiloh, advance on Corinth, Corinth,
Little Bear Creek, Ala., Resaca, Ga., Rome
Cross Roads, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain,
Nickajack Creek, in from of Atlanta, Jan-
uary 22, 1804, siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro,
Eden Station, Little Ogeechee, Savannah,
Columbia, Lynch's Creek and Benton ville;
went with Sherman on his march to the
sea, and through the Carolinas, home.
This regiment was one of Iowa's most
distinguished commands in the war. It
was the first three years' regiment, and it
left for the theatre of war even before the
First Regiment, by a few hours.
Its companies were enrolled during that
first splendid enthusiasm which followed
the bombardment of Fort Sumter, and
they contained many men of talent and
reputation. The regiment especially dis-
tinguished itself in the capture of Fort
Donelson, in entering which it was
awarded the post of honor It was then
that the unenthusiastic Gen. Halleck pro-
nounced the Iowa Second the " bravest of
the brave." The Second Veteran Infantry
was formed by the consolidation of the
battalions of the Second and Third Vet-
eran Infantry, and was mustered out at
Louisville, Ky , July 12, 1SG5. The total
number of officers and men who inlisted
in this regiment was 1,247. Of this num-
ber during the war 65 were kil ed, 134
died, 330 were discharged, 268 were
wounded, 14 were missing and 24 were
captured.
The Third Infantry was organized at
about the same time as the Second, with
Nelson G. Williams, of Dubuque county,
as Colonel; John Scott, of Story county,
Lieutenant-Colonel; William N. Stone, of
Marian county, as Major, and was mustered
into the United States service in June,
1861, at Keokuk. The regiment was en-
gaged at Blue Mills, Mo., Shiloh, Hatchie
river, Matamoras, Vicksburg, Johnson,
Miss., in the Meridian expedition at At-
lanta, in Sherman's march to the sea, and
through the Carolinas to Richmond and
Washington. The regiment was veteran-
ized and' organized as a battalion in 1864,
but before the officers received their com-
missions the battalion bravely fought itself
out of existence at the battle of Atlanta.
The remnant was consolidated with the
veterans of the Second, and the regiment
was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July
12, 1864. The total number of officers
and men in the regiment was 1,074. Of
this number, during the war, 57 were
killed, 133 died, 231 were discharged, 269
were wounded, 10 were missing, 93 were
captured a'id 19 were transferred.
- 19
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Tub Fourth Infantry was organized
with G. M. Dodge, of Council Bluffs, as
Colonel; John Galligan, of Davenport, as
Lieutenant-Colonel; Wm. R. English, of
Glenwood, as Major. The regiment was
engaged at Pea Ridge, Chickasaw Bayou,
Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Jackson, Look-
out Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Ring-
gold, Resaca and Taylor's Ridge. It came
home on veteran furlough February 26,
1864; returned in April; was in the cam-
paign against Atlanta, Sherman's march to
the sea, and thence through the Carolinas
to Washington, and home; was mustered
out at Louisville, Ky., July 24, 1865. The
total number of officers and men in this
regiment was 1,184, of whom 01 were
killed, 205 died, 299 were discharged, 338
were wounded, 5 were missing, 44 were
captured and 37 were transferred.
The Fifth Infantry was organized
with Wm. II. Worthington, of Keokuk, as
.Colonel; C. Z. Mathias, of Burlington, as
Lii'utenautrColonel; W. S. Robertson, of
Columbus City, as Major, and was mus-
Uivd into the service of the United States,
at Burlington, July 15, 1861. The regi-
ment was engaged at New Madrid, siege
of Corinth, Iuka, Corinth, Champion Hills,
siege of Vicksburg. and Chickamauga.
Went home on veteran furlough in April,
1 864, the non-veterans went home in July,
i SU4, leaving 180 veterans, who were trans-
ferred to the Fifth Iowa Cavalry. The
Fifth Cavalry was mustered out at Nash-
ville, Tenn., August 11, 1865. The regi-
ment had done brave service, and amply
deserves the high encomium passed upon
it by the generals of the army. The total
number of officers and men in the regi-
ment was 1,037, of whom 65 were killed,
126 died, 244 were discharged, 288 were
wounded, 103 were captured, and 50 were
transferred.
The Sixth Infantry was organized
with John A. McDowell, of Keokuk, as
Colonel; Markoe Cummins, of Muscatine,
as Lieutenant-Colonel; John M. Corse, of
Burlington, as Major; and was mustered
into the service of the United States July
6, 1861, at Burlington. It was engaged at
Shiloh, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Big
Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Jackson,
Black River Bridge, Jones' Ford, in Sher-
man's march, then returned through the
Carolinas. The regiment served with dis-
tinction at the siege of Jackson, winning
high praise from General Smith, command-
ing. It marched through most of the
Southern States, thousands of miles, and
bore its share of fatigue with unflinching
devotion to duty. The total number of
officers and men in the regiment was 1,013,
of vhom 109 were killed, 157 died, 265
wen. discharged, 355 were wounded, 3 were
missLig, and 8 were transferred.
Thk Seventh Infantry was organized
with J. G. Lauman, of Burlington, as Col-
onel; Augustus Wentz, of Davenport, as
Lieut.-Colonel; E. M. Rice, of Oskaloosa,
as Major; and was mustered into the
United States service at Burlington, July
24, 1861. The regiment was engaged in
the battles of Belmont, Fort Henry, Fort
Donelson, Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Cor-
inth, Rome Cross Roads, Dallas, Big
Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack
Creek, siege of Atlanta, July 22d in front
of Atlanta, Sherman's campaign to the
ocean, through the Carolinas to Richmond,
and thence to Louisville. Was mustered
"FT
HISTORY OF IOWA.
out at Louisville, Ky., July 12, 1865. The
battle in which the Seventh did the most
service was that of Belmont, in which it
lost 227 in killed, wounded and missing.
The regiment, by four years of faithful
service, earned as honorable a name as can
be found anywhere in the annals of our
volunteer soldiery. The Seventh contained
altogether 1,138 officers and men, and of
these, during the war, 98 were killed, 178
died, 21)1 discharged, 354 were wounded,
and 29 were transferred.
The Eighth Infantry was organized
with Frederick Steel, of the regular army,
as Colonel; James L. Gedds, of Vinton,
as Lieutenant-Colonel; J. C. Ferguson, of
Knoxville, as Major; and was mustered
into the service of the United States Sep-
tember 12, 1861, at Davenport, Iowa. The
regiment was engaged in the following
battles: Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, Jack-
son and Spanish Fort. Was mustered out
at Selma, Ala., April 20, 1866. The Eighth
fought nobly at Shiloh for ten hours, but
was finally forced to surrender. Most of
the command then suffered in rebel
prisons for eight months, when they were
paroled or released. A portion of the
regiment was not surrendered, and it went
into the famous "Union Brigade." The
regiment was re-organized in 1863, and
performed faithful service until mustered
out in 1866. It was on duty in Alabama
nearly a year after the collapse of the Re-
bellion, and by the "Campaign of Mobile"
earned as warm a reception as Iowa gave
to any of her returning heroes. Of 1,027
officers and men, 53 were killed, 187 died,
314 were discharged, 288 were wounded,
8 were missing, 394 were captured, and
38 were transferred.
The Ninth Infantry was organized
with Wm. Vandever, of Dubuque, as Colo-
nel; Frank G. Ilerron, of Dubuque, as
Lieutenant-Colonel; Wm. H. Coyle, of
Decorah, as Major. The regiment was in
the following engagements: Pea Ridge,
Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, siege of
Vicksburg, Ringgold, Dallas and Lookout
Mountain. It also participated in the
Atlanta campaign, Sherman's march to the
sea, and the return home through North
and South Carolina to Richmond. Was
mustered out at Louisville, July 18, 1865.
The Ninth Iowa was recruited and organ-
ized by its first colonel, Wm. Vandever,
who was, in 1862, made a Brigadier-Gene-
ral. The regiment performed most bril-
liant service during the whole war, and
took a prominent part in the battle of
Pea Ridge. It had marched more than
4,000 miles, been transported by rail and
steamer more than 6,000, and traversed
every State by the Confederacy except
Florida and Texas. The regiment brought
home four flags, of which two were de-
posited with the Adjutant-General, one
given to the State Historical Society, and
one was kept by the regimental associa-
tion, formed by them on being mustered
out. Of 1,090 men and officers, 84 were
killed, 275 died, 274 were discharged, 385
were wounded, 1 was missing, 32 were
captured, and 30 were transferred.
The Tenth Infantry was organized
with Nicholas Perczel, of Davenport, as
Colonel; W. E. Small, of Iowa City, as
Lieutenant-Colonel; John C. Bennett, of
¥
100
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Polk county, as Major; and was mustered
into the service of the United States at
Iowa City, September 6, 1861. The regi-
ment participated in the following engage-
ments: Siege of Corinth, Iuka, Corinth,
Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Cham-
pion Hills, Vicksburg and Mission Ridge.
Was mustered out August 15, 1865.
The bloodiest battle in which the Tenth
took a prominent part was that of Cham-
pion Hills, in which it lost half its number
in killed, wounded and missing. Many
regiments, on coming home, gave to the
Stale banners with the names on them of
the principal battles in which they had
been engaged. The Tenth gave up its
colors with the simple inscription, "Tenth
Iowa Veteran Volunteers;" and when a
visitor to the State Department looks at
this banner, torn and bloody with four
years of hard service, he will think that
"Tenth Iowa Veteran Volunteers" is as
proud an inscription as flag ever unfurled
to the bieeze of heaven. Of 1,027 officers
ami men, 63 were killed, 170 died, 256
were discharged, 277 were wounded, 17
were captured, and 49 were transferred.
Tiie Eleventh Infantry was organ-
ized with A. M. Hare, of Muscatine, as
Colonel; John C. Abercrombie as Lieu-
tenant-Colonel; Wm. Hall, of Davenport,
as Major; and was mustered into the ser-
vice of the United States, at Davenport,
in September and October, 1861. The
regiment was engaged in the battle of
Shiloh, siege of Corinth, battles of Cor-
inth, Vicksburg, Atlanta campaign, and
battle of Atlanta. Was mustered out at
Louisville, Ky., July 15, 1865. No regi-
ment did better service in the war, and no
regiment met with heartier welcome on its
return home. Of 1,022 men, 58 were
killed, 178 died, 158 were discharged, 234
were wounded, 4 were missing, 63 were
captured, and 42 were transferred.
The Twelfth Infantey was recruited
soon after the disaster at Bull Run, under
a proclamation by President Lincoln call-
ing for more volunteers. It was organized
with J. J. Wood, of Maquoketa, as Colonel;
John P. Coulter, of Cedar Rapids, as Lieu-
tenant-Colonel; Samuel D. Brodtbeck, of
Dubuque, as Major; and was mustered into
the service of the United States in October
and November, 1861, the last company
November 25. The regiment was engaged
at Shiloh, Fort Donelson, siege of Vicks-
burg, Tupelo, Mississippi, White River,
Nashville and Spanish Fort. Was mus-
tered out at Memphis, January 20, 1866.
In the battle of Shiloh the Twelfth fought
gallantly all day in company with the
Eighth and Fourteenth, and at sunset sur-
rendered. They endured a loathsome
captivity in rebel prisons for eight months,
when they were exchanged, and the regi-
ment was re-organized. A few who were
not captured at Shiloh performed ac ive
service in the " Union Brigade," during
these eight months. The newly equipped
regiment immediately joined the army be-
fore Vicksburg, and served actively the
rest of the war. When the regiment vet-
eranized, January 4, 1864, a larger propor-
tion of men re-enlisted than in any other
regiment from Iowa The following
spring the regiment was home for a few-
weeks on veteran furlough After Lee's
surrender the regiment was continued in
the service in Alabama, on guard and gar-
HISTORY OF IOWA.
rison duty for several months. Of 981
officers and men, 33 were killed, 285 died,
258 were discharged, 222 were wounded,
404 were captured, and 23 were trans-
ferred.
The Thirteenth Infantry was or-
ganized with M. M. Crocker, of DesMoines,
as Colonel; M. M. Price, of Davenport, as
Lieutenant-Colonel; John Shane, of Vin-
ton, as Major; and wag mustered into the
service of the United States, November 1,
1861 The regiment was in the battle of
Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Corinth, Kenesaw
Mountain, siege of Vicksburg, campaign
against Atlanta, Sherman's march to the
sea, and through the Carolinas, home.
Was mustered out at Louisville, July 21,
1865. This regiment was especially fortu-
nate in having such a commander as Col.
Crocker. The men at first objected to
drilling five or six hours every day, and
other severe discipline; but afterward, in
the battle of Shiloh and elsewhere, they
had ample reason to be grateful for their
drill under Col. Crocker. The Thirteenth
did noble service in many important affairs
of the war, and had the honor of being the
first Union troops to enter Columbia, S. C,
where the secession movement first began.
Of a total of 989 officers and men, 68 were
killed, 224 died, 270 were discharged, 313
were wounded, 6 were missing, 88 were
captured, and 34 were transferred.
The Fourteenth Infantry was or-
ganized in the fall of 1861, under the call
of October 3. Before the regiment was
organized, the first three companies raised,
A, B and C, were ordered on garrison duty
at Fort Randall, Dakota Territory, and re-
mained ever afterward detached from the
regiment. So that, although in form they
were a part of the Fourteenth Iowa for
some time, they were never under its com-
manding officer. Afterward, these com-
panies for a time were called the First
Battalion of the 41st Infantry; but this
regiment never being organized, they
finally were attached to a cavalry regi-
ment. The Fourteenth, therefore, had at
first but seven companies. In June, 1863,
the number of companies was raised to 10,
and thus constituted for the first time a
full regiment. The regiment was first
organized with Wm.T. Shaw, of Anamosa,
as Colonel; Edward W. Lucas, of Iowa
City, as Lieutenant-Colonel; Hiram Leon-
ard, of DesMoines county, as Major; and
was mustered into the service of the United
States at Davenport, in October, 1861.
The regiment was in the battle of Fort
Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Pleasant Hill,
Meridian, Fort De Russey, Tupelo, Town
Creek, Tallahatchie, Pilot Knob, Old
Town, Yellow Bayou, and others. Was
mustered out, except veterans and recruits,
at Davenport, November 16, 1864. The
regiment was nearly all captured at the
battle of Shiloh, but was after a few
months exchanged and reorganized. The
Fourteenth did some of the hardest fight-
ing that was done in the war. Of 840
officers and men, 31 were killed, 148 died,
191 were discharged, 186 were wounded, 1
was missing, 269 were captured, and 23
were transferred.
The Fifteenth Infantry was organ-
ized in the winter of 1861-2, with Hugh
T. Reid, of Keokuk, as Colonel; William
Dewey, of Freemont county, as Lieutenant-
III.-.TOUY OF IOWA.
Colonel; W. W. r> lnap, of Keokuk, as
Major; and was mustered into the service
of the United States at Keokuk, March 19,
1862.
The regiment participated in the battle
of Shiloh, siege of Corinth, battles of
Corinth, Vicksburg, campaign against At-
lanta, battle in front of Atlanta, in Sher-
man's march to the sea, and through the
Carolinas to Richmond, Washington and
Louisville, where it was mustered out
August 1, 1^64. The regiment was most
actively engaged at the siege of Atlanta,
where it was under fire from the rebels
for 81 days. The gallant Fifteenth will
long be honored by the grateful people of
Iowa for its faithful service of three years
and a half in the heart of the rebellion.
Of 1,196 men, 58 were killed, 277 died,
306 were discharged, 416 were wounded,
7 were missing, 83 were captured, and 27
were transferred.
The Sixteenth Infantry was organ-
ized under the first call of 1861, and was
at that time supposed to be the last Iowa
would be called upon to furnish. But the
war was only begun, and Iowa was des-
tined to furnish more troops after the
Sixteenth than before. As organized, the
Sixteenth had Alexander Chambers for
Colonel; A. H. Sanders, of Davenport, for
Lieutenant-Colonel; and William Purcell,
of Muscatine, for Major. It was mus-
tered into the service of the United States
at Davenport, December 10, 1861.
The Sixteenth was in the battles of
Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Iuka, Corinth,
Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, and
the various battles around Atlanta; in
Sherman's campaigns, and those in the
Carolinas. Its first battle was the bloodiest
of the war — Shiloh; and that they behaved
so well under their first fire, showed that
they were good men. After the battle of
Shiloh, the "Iowa Brigade" was formed,
of which the Sixteenth ever after formed a
part. This "Iowa Brigade" was most
highly praised by the Inspector-General of
the Seventeenth Army Corps, who de-
clared in his official report that he had
never seen a finer looking body of men, in
any respect. In the battle before Atlanta,
the greater part of the regiment was cap-
tured, and remained in captivity two
months. The Sixteenth was mustered out
July 19, 1865, at Louisville. Of its 819
officers and men, 62 were killed, 255 died,
211 were discharged, 311 were wounded,
14 were missing, 257 were captured, and
29 were transferred.
The Seventeenth Infantry was raised
during the cpring of 1862, and organized
with John W. Rankin, of Keukuk, as
Colonel; D. B. Hillis, of Keokuk, as
Lieutenant-Colonel; and Samuel M. Wise,
of Mt. Pleasant, as Major. It was mus-
tered into the service of the United
States at Keokuk, April 16, 1862.
The Seventeenth was in the siege of
Corinth, the battles of Iuka, Corinth, Jack-
son, Champion Hills, Fort Hill, siege of
Vicksburg, Mission Ridge, and Tilton,
Ga., where most of the regiment were
made prisoners of war, October 13, 1804.
The regiment won special commendation
at the battle of Corinth. Of its 956 mem-
bers, 45 were killed, 121 died, 222 were
discharged, 245 were wounded, 8 were
missing, 278 were captured, and 28 were
transferred.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Tiie Eighteenth Infantry, as well as
the Seventeenth, was not recruited in re-
sponse to any call of the President, but
was a free gift from the people of Iowa.
It was raised in the early summer of 1S62,
and was mustered into the service of the
United States at Clinton, August 5, 6 and
7, 1862, with John Edwards, of Chariton,
as Colonel; T. Z. Cook, of Cedar Rapids,
as Lieutenant-Colonel; Hugh J. Campbell,
of Muscatine, as Major. It was engaged
in the battles of Springfield, Moscow,
Poison Spring, Ark., and others. Much of
its time was spent in garrison duty, west
of the Mississippi, and therefore it did not
share in the brilliant honors of the great
battles east of that river. Had oppor-
tunity offered, no doubt they would have
assaulted Vicksburg, or fought above the
clouds on Lookout Mountain, as bravely
as any troops in the Union. It was mus-
tered out July 20, 1865, at Little Rock,
Arkansas. Of 875 officers and men, 28
were killed, 122 died, 233 were discharged,
79 were wounded, 63 were captured, and
15 were transferred.
Tea Nineteenth Infantky was the
first regiment organized under President
Lincoln's call of July 2, 1862, made when
the cause of the Union looked most
gloomy. It was mustered into the United
States service August 17, 186-', at Keokuk,
with Benjamin Crabb, of Washington, as
Colonel; Samuel McFarland, of Mt. Pleas-
ant, as Lieutenant-Colonel; and Daniel
Kent, of Ohio, as Major.
The regiment served faithfully at Prai-
rie Grove, Vicksburg, in the Yazoo river
expedition, at Sterling Farm, and at Span-
ish Fort. At Sterling Farm, September
29, 1S63, most of the regiment surrend-
ered, after a hard fight. They were ex-
changed July 22d of the following year,
when they rejoined their regiment at New
Orleans. The Nineteenth was mustered
out at Mobile, Ala., July 18, 1865. Of 985
men and officers, 58 were killed, 133 died,
191 were discharged, 198 were wounded,
216 were captured, and 43 were transferred.
The Twentieth Infantry was the sec-
ond of the twenty-two regiments raised in
Iowa under the call of July 2, 1862. The
regiment was raised within two counties,
Linn and Scott, each of which contributed
five companies, and which vied with each
other in patriotism. Wm. McE. Dye, of
Marion, Linn county, was commissioned
Colonel; J. B. Leek, of Davenport, Lieut.-
Colonel; and Wm. G. Thompson, of Ma-
rion, Major. The muster-in took place at
Clinton, August 25, 1862. The Twentieth
fought at Prairie Grove and at Ft. Blakely.
Though not engaged in prominent battles,
it performed valuable garrison duties on
the southern coast. It was on Mustang
Island, off the coast of Texas, seven months.
Was mustered out at Mobile, Ala., July 8,
1865, and on its return home received a
royal welcome from Iowa's citizens. Of
925 officers and men in the Twentieth, 9
were killed, 144 died, 166 were discharged,
52 were wounded, 13 were captured and
39 were transferred.
The Twenty- First Infantry was raised
in August, 1862, with Samuel Merrill (ex-
Governor of Iowa) as Colonel; Cornelius
W. Dunlap, of Mitchell, as Lieut-Colonel;
S. F. Van Anda, of Delhi, as Major; and
was mustered into the service of the
HISTORY OF IOWA.
United States August ' 8, 20, 22 and 23,
except one company, which had been mus-
tered in June The Twenty-first was en-
gaged at Hartsville, Mo., Black River
Bridge, Fort Beauregard, siege of Vicks-
burg, and battles of Mobile and Fort
Blakely. For nearly a year the regiment
served in Missouri, where it distinguished
itself by the well-fought battle of Harts-
ville. Then it fought in Mississippi, in
Louisiana, in Texas, in Louisiana again, in
Arkausas, in Teunessee, in Louisiana once
more, and in Alabama. In the battle of
Fort Gib on, this and several other Iowa
regiments were prominent. The Twenty-
first was mustered out at Batou Rouge, La.,
July 15, 1865. Of its 980 officers and men,
39 were killed, 192 died, 159 were dis-
charged, 161 were wounded, 2 were miss-
ing, 21 were captured, and 56 were trans-
ferred.
The Twenty-Second Infantry was or-
ganized in August, 1862, with Wm. M.
Stone, of Knoxville (formerly Major of
the Third Infantry, and since Governor of
Iowa), as Colonel; John A. Garrett, of
Newt.)!], as Lieut. Colonel; Harvey Gra-
ham, of Iowa City, as Major; and was mus-
tered into the United States service at Iowa
City, September 10, 1862.
The Twenty-second served in many of
the Southern States, and was engaged at
Vicksburg, Tompson's Hills, in Sherman's
campaign to Jackson, at Winchester, Fish-
er's Hill, and Cedar Creek. The regiment
particularly distinguished itself in an as-
sault upon the enemy's works at Vicks-
burg, and in the battle of Winchester, in
the Shenandoah Valley, where it lost 109
men. In the Vicksburg assault, the regi-
ment lost 164 men. General Grant says
in that assault, only Sergeant Griffith and
11 privates (of the Twenty-second,) suc-
ceeded in entering the fort. Of these,
only the Sergeant and one man returned.
Altogether, there were 30 Iowa regiments
concerned in the siege of Vicksburg. The
regiment was mustered out at Savannah,
Ga., July 25, 1S65. Of 1,008 members, 58
were killed, 182died, 161 were discharged,
267 were wounded, 84 were captured, and
42 were transferred.
Tub Twenty-Third Infantry was or-
ganized with William Dewey, of Fremont
county, as Colonel; W. H. Kinsman, of
Council Bluffs, as Lieut.-Colonel; S. L.
Glasgow, of Corydon, as Major; and was
mustered into the service of the United
States at DesMoines, September 19, 1862.
The regiment was engaged at Vicksburg,
Port Gibson, Black River, Champion Hills,
Jackson, Milliken's Bend, and Ft. Blakely.
The Twenty-third are the acknowledged
heroes of the battle of Black River Bridge,
and the equal sharers with other troops of
the honors of many battle-fields At Black
River but a few minutes were i sed in as-
saulting and carrying the rebel works, but
those few were fought with fearful loss to
the Twenty-third Iowa. After the success-
ful fight, in which the Twenty-first also
took part, Gen. Lawler passed down the
line and shook every man's hand, so great
was his emotion. Gen. Grant called it a
brilliant and daring movement. It was
mustered out at Harrisburg, Texas, July
26, 1865. Of its 961 officers and men, 41
were killed, 233 died, 181 were discharged,
135 were wounded, 3 were captured, and 42
transferred.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
-A
The Twenty- Fourth Infantry, called
" The Iowa Temperance regiment," was
raised by Eber C. Byarn, of Linn county,
and consisted of men who were pledged to
abstain from the use of liquor in any shape.
Ebei C. Byarn, of Mt. Vernon, was Colonel;
John Q. Wilds, of Mt Vernon, Lieutenant-
Colonel; Ed. Wright, of Springdale, as
Major. The regiment was mustered
into the service of the United States at
Muscatine, September 18, 1862. The regi-
ment was engaged at Fort Gibson, Cham-
pion Hills, General Banks' Red river ex-
pedition, Winchester, Fisher's Hill and
Cedar Creek. The battles in which the
Twenty-fourth took the most prominent
part were those of Sabine Cross Roads (in
the Red river expedition) and Fisher's
Hill. Of 979 men and officers, 50 were
killed, 259 died, 205 were discharged, 260
were wounded, 2 were missing, 76 were
captured and 55 were transferred.
The Twenty-Fifth Infantry was or-
ganized near the beautiful little city of
Mt. Pleasant, with George A. Stone, of
Mt. Pleasant, as Colonel; Fabian Bry-
dolph as Lieutenant-Colonel; and Calom
Taylor, of Bloomfield, as Major. Was
mustered into the United States service,
atMt. Pleasant, September 27, 1862. The
regiment was engaged at Arkansas Post,
Vicksburg, Walnut Bluff, Chattanooga,
Campain, Ringgold, Resaca, Dallas, Kena-
saw Mountain, battles around Atlanta,
Lovejoy Station, Jonesboro, Ships Gap,
Bentonville and was with Sherman on his
march through Georgia and the Carolinas,
to Richmond and Washington. The cap-
ture of Columbia, the capital of the chief
disloyal State, was effected by Iowa troops,
among which were those of the Twenty-
fifth. The regiment was muster, d out at
Washington, D. C , June 6, 18tJ5. Of 995
men and officers, 39 were k lied, 223 died,
140 were discharged, 183 were wounded, 4
were missing, 18 were captured and 71
were transferred.
The Twenty-Sixth Infantry was or-
ganized near the city of Clinton. Milo
Smith, of Clinton, was Colonel; S. G.
Magill, of Lyons, was Lieutenant-Colonel;
Samuel Clark, of De Witt, was Major; and
the regiment was mustered in at Clinton,
in August of 1862. The regiment was
engaged at Arkansas Post, Vicksburg,
Snake Creek Gap, Ga., Eesaca, Dallas,
Kenesaw Mountain, Decatur, siege of At-
lanta, Ezra Church, Jonesboro, Lovejoy
Station, Ship's Gap, in Sherman's cam-
paign to Savannah and home through the
Carolinas. The regiment took part in
many great battles, and did faithful service
all through the war, after winning com-
mendations from its Generals. On the re-
turn home, the regimental flag was depos-
ited with the State archives, inscribed in
golden colors with the names of the battles
and victories in which they had shared.
It was mustered out of the service at
Washington, D. C, June 6, 1S65. Of i» 9
men and officers, 44"were killed, 244 died,
147 were discharged, 165 were wounded,
27 were captured and 70 were transferred.
Thr Twenty-Seventh Infantry was
recruited in the northern part of Iowa, and
was organized with James I. Gilbert, of
Lansing, as Colonel; Jed. Lake, of Inde-
pendence, as Lieutenant-Colonel; and G
W. Howard, of Bradford, as Major. It
HISTORY OF IOWA.
was mustered into the service of the United
States at Dubuque, October 3, 1862. 'I he
Twenty-seventh was engaged at Little
Rock, Ark., the battles of the Red river
expedition, Fort De liussey, Pleasant Hill,
Yellow Bayou, Tupelo, Old Town Creek
and Fort Blakely. This regiment had
varied experience in the matter of climate;
for their first active service was in Minne-
sota, while before the war was over they
made a voyage on the gulf, from the
Balize to Mobile Bay. After faithful ser-
vice through the rest of the war, the regi-
ment was mustered out August 8, 1SG5, at
Clinton, Iowa. Of 940 officers and men,
9 were killed, 183 died, 207 were dis-
charged, 142 wounded, 6 were missing, 32
were captured and 47 were transferred.
TriE Twenty-Eighth Infantry was
organized during the autumn of 1862, with
the following officers: Wm. E Miller, of
Iowa City, Colonel; John Connell, of To-
ledo, Lieutenant-Colonel; and II. B Lynch,
of Millersburg, as Major. The regiment
was engaged at Port Gibson, Jackson and
siege of Vicksburg; was in Bank's Red
river expedition, and fought at Sabine
Cross Roads, in the Shenandoah Valley,
at Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar
Creek. In this last the regiment was most
prominently engaged. During its service
it fought a dozen battles, and traveled well-
nigh the entire circuit of the Confederacy.
The Twenty-eighth was mustered out of
the service at Savannah, Ga., July 31,1865.
Of its 956 officers and men, 56 were killed,
111 died, 187 were discharged, 262 were
wounded, 10 were missing, 93 were cap-
tured and 44 were transferred.
The Twenty -Ninth Infantry was or-
ganized at Council Bluffs, and mustered
into the .-ervice of the United States,
December 1, 1862, with Thomas H. Ben-
ton, Jr., of Council Bluffs, as Colonel; R.
F. Patterson, of Keokuk, as Lieutenant-
Colonel; and Charles B Shoemaker, of
Clarinda, as Major.
The Twenty-nint'i was engaged at
Helena, Arkansas Post, Terre Noir, and
Spanish Fort. Though it was one of the
best disciplined and bravest regiments in
the war, it was long kept from participa-
tion in active service by being stationed
in Arkansas The regiment was mustered
out at New Orleans, August 15, 1865. Of
a total of 1,005 officers and men, 21 were
killed, 268 died, 132 were discharged, 107
were wounded, 1 was missing, 55 were
captured and 37 were transferred.
The Thirtieth Infantry was organ-
ized in the summer of 1862, with Charles
B. Abbott, of Louisa county, as Colonel;
William M. G. Torrence, of Keokuk, as
Lieut.-Colonel; Lauren Dewey,of Mt. Pleas-
ant, as Major; was mustered into the ser-
vice of the United States at Keokuk, Sep-
tember 23, 1862. The regiment was
engaged at Arkansas Post, Yazoo City,
Vicksburg, Cherokee, Ala., Chattanooga,
Ringgold, Resacka, Kenesaw Mountain,
Atlanta, Lovejoy Station, Jonesboro and
Taylor's Ridge; accompanied Sherman in
his campaign to Savannah and through the
Carolinas to Richmond, and was in the
grand review at Washington, D. C. The
Thirtieth was in the thickest of the war,
and came home loaded with honors, leav-
ing its honored dead on a scoie of battle-
fields. It was mustered out June 5, 1865.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Of 978 officers and men in this regiment,
44 were killed, 264 died, 145 were dis-
charged, 222 were wounded, 2 were miss-
ing, 19 were captured, and 48 were trans-
ferred.
The Thirty-First Infantry -was or-
ganized in the summer of 1862, with
William Smyth, of Marion, as Colonel;
J. W. Jenkins, of Maquoketa, as Lieuten-
ant-Colonel; and Ezekiel Cutler, of Ana-
mosa, as Major. It was mustered into the
service of the United States at Davenport,
October 13, 1862.
The Thirty-first was engaged at Chicka-
saw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Raymond,
Jackson, Black River, Vicksburg, Chero-
kee, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge,
Ringgold, Taylor's Hills, Snake Creek
Gap, Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church,
Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta
and Jonesboro; was in Sherman's cam-
paign through Georgia and the Carolinas,
and was mustered out at Louisville, Ky.,
June 2V, 1865. The regiment always did
its part nobly. It was received home with
speeches, feasting, etc., bat the people's
joy was tempered with sadness, as the
regiment had gone forth 1,000 strong, and
returned with 370. But had not so many
regiments returned with thinned ranks, the
Rebellion had not been conquered — the
Union had not been saved. Of 977 officers
and men, 13 were killed, 279 died, 176
were discharged, 85 were wounded, 13
were captured, and 72 were transferred.
The Thirty-Second Infantry was or-
ganized in the fall of 1862, with John
Scott, of Nevada, as Colonel; E. H. Mix,
of Shell Rock, as Lieutenant-Colonel; and
G. A Eberhart, of Waterloo, as Major.
The regiment was mustered into the ser-
vice of the United States at Dubuque,
October 5, 1862. The regiment was en-
gaged at Fort De Russey, Pleasant Hill,
Tupelo, Old Tower Creek, Nashville and
other battles. For some time the regi-
ment was separated, and the detachments
in different fields, but at last they were all
united, and the regiment served as a unit.
It was mustered out at Clinton, Iowa,
August 24, 18G5. Of 925 officers and men,
59 were killed, 242 died, 174 were dis-
charged, 142 were wounded, 98 were cap-
tured, and 35 were transferred.
The Thirty-Third Infantry was or-
ganized in the fall of 1862, with Samuel
A. Rice, a popular politician of Central
Iowa, as Colonel; Cyrus H. Maskey, of
Sigourney, as Lieutenant-Colonel; Hiram i
D. Gibson, of Knoxville, as Major; and
was mustered into the service of the
United States at Oskaloosa, October 1,
1862 The regiment was engaged at Little
Rock, Helena, Saline River, Spanish Fort
and Yazoo Pass. The regiment worked
to best advantage at the brilliant victory
of Helena. It remained in Arkansas till
the early part of 1865, when it moved
south to take part in the closing scenes in
Alabama. The Thirty-third was mustered
out of service at New Orleans, July 17,
1865. Of 985 men and officers, 26 were
killed, 241 died, 145 were discharged, 177
were wounded, 7 were mis-ing, 74 were
captured, and 32 were transferred.
The Thirty- Fourth Infantry was
organized in the fall of 1862, with Ge rgo
W. Clarke, of Indianola, as Colonel; W.
<<J <» k_
HISTORY OF IOWA.
S. Dungan, of Chariton, as Lieutenant-
Colonel; R. D. Kellogg, of Decatur, as
Major; and was mustered into the service
of the United States at Burlington, Octo-
ber 15, 1863.
The regiment was engaged at Arkmsas
Post, Fort Gaines and other places in
Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Ala-
bama. January 1, 1865, the regiment was
consolidated with the Thirty-eighth. Re-
cruits from the Twenty-first and Twenty-
third had b( en, ou the muster-out of those
regiments, transferred to the Thirty-fourth,
and this regiment had a total of 1,131 offi-
cers and men at its muster-out at Houston, t
Texas, August 15, 1865. Of 953 properly j
belonging to this regiment, 4 were killed,
234 died, 314 were discharged, 16 were
wounded, 4 were captured and 22 were
transferred. The regiment traveled over
15,000 miles in its service.
The Thirty-Fifth Infantry was re-
cruited "in the summer of 1862, and mus
tered into the service of the United States,
at Muscatine, September 18, with S. G
Hill, of Muscatine, as Colonel; James S
Rothrock, of Muscatine, as Lieutenant
Colonel, and Henry O'Conner, of Musca-
tine, as Major.
The regiment participated in the battles
of Jackson, siege of Vicksburg, Bayou
Rapids, Bayou de Glaze, Pleasant Hill,
Old River Lake, Tupelo, Nashville and
the Mobile campaign. The Thirty-fifth
served bravely in a dozen battles, and
traveled 10,000 miles. On its return home,
it was greeted with a most hearty recep-
tion, and a reunion of old soldiers. The
regiment was mustered out at Davenport,
August 10, 1865, and paid and disbanded
at Muscatine six da\s later. Of 9S4 offi-
cers and men, 38 were killed, 208 died, .0i
were discharged, 95 were wounded, 3 were
missing, 15 were captured and 05 were
transferred.
The Tuirty-Sixtii Infantiiy was or-
ganized iu the summer of 1862, with
Charles W. Kittivdge, of O.turnwa, as
Colonel; F. M. Drake, of Uniouville,
Appanoose county, as Lieutenant-Colonel,
and T. C. Woodward, of Ottu.uwa, as
Major. The regiment was mustered into
the service of the United States, at Keo-
kuk, October 4, 1S02
The Thirty-sixth was engaged at Mark's
Mills Ark., E. kins' Ford, Camden, Helena,
Jenkins' Ferry and other places during the
"Little Rock expedition." The regiment
suffered greatly from sickness Before it
was fully organized, even, small-pox and
measels attacked the men, and the com-
mand lost 100 men Then it was obliged
to encounter the malarial fiuences of Yazoo
river and Helena. Before they recovered
their vigor fully, more of them were forced
to surrender to the rebels. 'I he reg 'merit
was mustered out at Duvali's Bluff, Ark ,
August 24, 1865. Of 986 officers and men,
35 were killed, 258 died, 191 were dis
charged, 166 were wounded, 460 were cap-
tured and 24 were transferred
The Thirty-Seventh Infantry was
generally known as the "Gray beard Reg-
iment." It was composed of men over 45
years of age, and hence not subject to
military service, but their patriotism in-
duced them to enlist, and the services of
the regiment were accepted by the Secre-
tary of War, for post and garrison su'vic.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
It was organized with George W. Kincaid,
of Mu catine, as Colonel; Geo R. West,
of Dubuque, as Lieutenant-Colonel, and
Lyman Allen, of Iowa City, as Major. The
musur-in look place at Muscatine, Decem-
ber 15, 1862.
The regiment served at St. Louis in
guard of military prisons, then on the line
of the Pacific railway, then at Alton, 111.
Here they remained guarding the rebel
prisoners till January, 1864, when they
moved to Rock Lland to perform similar
duties until June 5. They seived the next
three months, in very hot weather, at
Munphis. Thence the command moved
to Indianapolis. From here five companies
went to Cincinnati, three to Columbus and
two to Gallipolis, Ohio. At these posts
they remained till May, 1865. This "Gray-
1> aid Regiment" was the only one of its
kind in the war, and it received many
favorable expressions from commanding
officers under whom it served. It was
mustered out Vay 24, 1865, the day of the
grand review at Washington. The Thirty-
seven h was the first Iowa three-years'
regiment to come home, and was mustered
out thus ear!) by special request of General
Willich, in whose brigade they were, in
or er that they might save their crops, most
of them being farmers. Of 914 officers
and men, 3 were killed, 145 died, 359 were
discharged, 2 were wounded, none were
missing and none captured.
TriE Thirty-Eight!! Infantry was re-
cruited in August, 86 , and mustered into
the service of the United States at Du-
buque, November 4, with D. II. Hughes,
of Dec-orah, as Col nel; J O. Iludmitt, of
Waverly, as L ; eut -Colonel; and Charles
Chadwick, of West Union, as Major.
The regiment participated in the siege
of Vicksburg and Banks' Red River expe-
dition, and was consolidated with the
Thiity-fourth Infantry, January 1, 1865.
Of all Iowa's regiments, the Thirty-eighth
was most unfortunate in regard to sick-
ness. It had not been in the service two
years when more than 300 enlisted men
and a number of officers had died of
disease. Dm ing the same period 100 had
been discharged for inability. There were
long weary weeks when there were not
enough well men to take care of the sick —
not even enough to bury the dead. It was
at last obliged to give up its own existence.
Though the regiment had not had an op-
portunity to achieve brilliant renown in
the field, it did fulfill a no less honored
destiny than many whose banners were
covered with the names of battles. It did
all that men could do — it gave itself up
for the good of the service. Of its 910
men, 1 was killed, 314 died, 120 were dis-
charged, 2 were wounded and 14 were
transferred.
The Thirty-Ninth Infantry was or-
ganized with H. J. B. Cummings, of Win-
terset, as Colonel; James Redfield, of
Redfield, Dallas county, as Lieutenant-
Colonel; and J. M. Griffiths, of DesMoines,
as Major.
The regiment was engaged at Parker's
Cross Roads, Tenn., Corinth, Allatoona,
Ga , Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta,
and was in Sherman's march to the sea,
and through the Carolinas to Richmond.
The regiment was one of the most distin-
guished in the field, and met with a royal
welcome from the warm-hearted people
HISTORY OF IOWA.
of Iowa, on its return home. It had pre-
vi< nsly taken part in the grand review at
Washington. It was mustered out at
Washington, June 5, 1865, and was dis-
banded at Clinton, Iowa. Of its 933 officers
and men, 41 were killed, 143 died, 123
were discharged, 113 were wounded, 206
were captured and 16 were transferred.
The Fortieth Infantry was the high-
est in numerical order of Iowa's three-
year's regiments, but not the last to leave
the State. Three or four other regimental
organizations, too, were commenced, but
not completed. Some 300 men were
enlisted for the Forty-first, who united
with the three companies of the Four-
teenth, stationed at Fort Randall, Dakota
Territory; another regiment, to be called
the Forth-second, was attempted, with
camp at Dubuque; and still another, at
Oltumwa, was to be called the Forty-
third. These attempts were unsuccessful
in so far as the complete formation of an
infantry regiment after the Fortieth was
concerned. The Fortieth was organized
at Iowa City, November 15, 1862, with
John A. Garrett, of Newton, as Colonel;
S. F. Cooper, of Grinnell, as Lieutenant-
Colon. 1; and S. G. Smith, of Newton, as
Maj.r
The regiment participated in the siege
of Vicksbmg, Steele's expedition, Bank's
Red River expedition, and the battle of
Jenkins' Ferry. It was called the "Cop-
perhead Regiment," by political partisans,
but it bore its share of the fatigues of war
in a patriotic way that might have been
emulated by some of their political ene-
mies The fact is, moreover, the regiment
always gave a small Republican majority,
though the contrary was believed for a
time. The Fortieth was mustered out at
Port Gibson, August 2, 1865. Of 900 offi-
cers and men, 5 were killed, 196 dii d,
134 were discharged, 43 were wounded, 3
were captured, and 26 were transferred.
The Forty-First Infantry was never
completed as an infantry regiment. It con-
tained three companies Its infantry or-
ganization was under the command of John
Pattee, of Iowa City. Under authority
from the War Department, these three
companies became K, L and M of the Sev-
enth Cavalry.
The Forty -Fourth Infantry was
raised in the summer of 1864. Generals
Grant and Sherman being actively en-
gaged with large armies against the enemy,
the Governors of the Northwestern States
proposed to the authorities of the War
Department to send into the field a consid-
erable number of troops for a short term
of service, who might relieve others on
guard and garrison duty at the rear, and
thus be the means of adding largely to the
force of drilled and disciplined men at the
front. This proposition was, after a time,
accepted, and the term of service was es-
tablished at 1 (j0 days. Gov. Stone accord-
ingly issued his proclamation calling for
such troops, and the citizens responded
with four regiments and one battalion.
Because commissions had been issued to
persons designated as officers of the Forty-
first, Forty-second and Forty-third Regi-
ments, which were never organized, how-
ever, although considerable was done in
the way of their formation, the number of
the regiments of 100 days' men commenced
HISTORY OF IOWA.
with Forty-four. This regiment was under
the command of Colonel Stephen H Hen-
derson, and was mustered in at Davenport,
June 1, 18(34.
The regiment did garrison duty at
Memphis and La Grange, Tenn., and was
mustered out at Davenport, September 15,
18G4 Of 867 officers and men in the
Forty fourth, 1 was killed and 18 died
There were no other casualties.
The Forty-Fifth Infantry was mus-
tered in at Keokuk, May 25, 1864, with
A. J. Bereman, of Mt. Pleasant, as Colonel;
S. A. Moore, of Bloomfield, as Lieutenant-
Colonel; and J. B. Hope, of Washington,
as Major. This was the first of the
regiments of 100 days' men organized;
it even preceded the Forty-fourth. It
performed garrison duty in Tennessee,
and was mustered out at Keokuk, Septem-
ber 16, 1864 Of 912 officers and men, 2
were killed, 19 died, 1 wounded, and 2
were transferred.
Tnii Forty-Sixth Infantry was organ-
ized with D. B. Henderson, of Clermont,
as Colonel; L. D. Durbin, of Tipton, as
Lieutenant-Colonel; and G. L. Tarbet as
.Major It was mustered in at Dubuque,
June 10, 1804.
The Forty-sixth performed garrison
duty in Tenuessee, and was mustered out
at Davenport, September 23, 1804. Of its
892 officers and men, 2 were killed, 24
died, 1 was wounded, and 3 were captured.
The Forty Sevknth Infantry was
mustered into the service of the United
States at Davenport, June 1, 1364, with
James P. San ford, of Oskaloosa, as Colo-
nel; John Williams, of Iowa City, as
L'eutenant-Colonel; and G. J. Wright, of
Dt 8 Moines, as Major.
This regiment was stationed at the
sickly place of Helena, Arkansas, where
many succumbed to disease. Of 884
officers and men, 1 was killed, 46 died, and
1 was transferred.
The F >rty Eighth Infantry (Bat-
talion) was mustered into the United
States service at D,.venport, July 13, 1864,
with O. H. P. Scott, of Farmington, as
Lieutenant-Colonel. The battalion served
its time guarding rebel prisoners on Rock
Island, in the Mississippi river, opposite
Davenport. It was mustered out at Rock
Island barracks, October 21, 1864. Of 340
officers and men, 4 died and 4 were trans-
ferred The services of these 100-days' men
were of great value to the national cause.
They were acknowledged by the President
of the United States, in a special execu-
tive order, returning his hearty thanks to
officers and men.
The First Cavalry was organized in
the spring of 1861, with Fritz Henry War-
ren, of Burlington, as Colonel; Charles E.
Mi ss of Keokuk, as Lieutenant-Colonel;
E. W. Chamberlain, of Burlington, James
O. Gower, of Iowa City, and W. M. G.
Torrence, of Keokuk, as Majors.
The regiment was engaged at Pleasant
Hill, Mo., Rolla, New Lexington, Elkin's
Ford, Little Rock, Bayou Metoe, Warrens-
burg, Big Creek Bluffs, Antwineville, and
Clear Creek. The regiment veteranized
in the spring of 1864. It did not take the
usual 30 days' furlough until May, for their
services were needed in the field, and they
HISTORY OF IOWA.
gallantly volunteered to remain. After
the war was closed the First served in
Texas, with Gen. Custer, until its muster-
out, February 15, I860. Of 1,478 officers
and men, 43 were killed, 215 died, 207
were discharged, 88 were wounded, 2
were missing, 22 were captured, and 39
were transferred.
The Second Cavalry was organized
with VV. L. Elliott, a Captain in the third
cavalry of the regular army, as Colonel;
Edward Hatch, of Muscatine, as Lieuten-
ant-Colonel; and N. P. Hepburn, of Mar-
shalltown, D. E. Coon, of Mason City,
and H. W. Love, of Iowa City, as Majors.
The regiment was mustered in at Daven-
port, September 1, 186 1.
The Second participated in the siege of
Corinth, the battles of Farmington, Boone-
vi lie, Rienzi, Iuka, Corinth, Coffeeville,
Palo Alto, Birmingham, Jac' son, Grenada,
Colliervi le, Moscow, Pontotoc, Tupelo,
Old Town, Oxford ami Nashville. The
regiment performed active and arduous
service all through the war, and so often
distinguished itself as to btcome well
known throughout the nation. It was
mustered out at Selma, Ala., September
19, 1865. Of its 1,394 officers and men,
41 were killed, 224 died, 147 were dis-
charged, 173 were wounded, 10 were
missing, 74 were captured and 42 were
transferred.
The Third Cavairt was mustered in at
Keokuk, August and September, 1861,
with Cyus Bussey, of Bloomfield, as
Colonel; H. H. Trimble, of Bloomfield, as
Lieutenant-Colonel; and C. H. Perry, H.
C. Caldwell and W. C. Drake, of Cory-
don, as Majors. The Third was engaged
at Pea Ridge, La Grange, Sycamore, near
Little Rock, Columbus, Pope's Farm, Big
Blue, Ripley, Cold water, Osage, Talla-
hatchie, Moore's Mill, near Montevallo,
near Independence, Pine Bluff, Bott's
Farm, Gun Town, White's Station, Tupelo
and Village Creek. The regiment was
raised by Hon. Cyrus Bussey, who, in his
call for volunteers, requested each man to
bring with him a good cavalry horse to
sell to the Government. In two weeks he
had a thousand men well mounted, in the
rendesvous at Keokuk. In order to still
further hasten matters, Colonel Bussey
personally contracted in Chicago for
equipments. In this way the delay exper-
ienced by other regiments in preparing for
the held was entirely avoided. The regi-
ment took an active part in many battles
and raids, and always behaved with dis-
tinguished gallantry. Was mustered oir
at Atlanta, Ga., August 9, 1865. Of 1,360
officers and men, 65 were killed, 251 died,
311 were discharged, 166 were wounded
1 was missing, 146 were captured and 34
were transferred.
The Fourth Cavalry was organized
and mustered into the service of the
United States at Mt. Pleasant, November
21, 1861, with Asbury B. Porter, of Mt
Pleasant, as Colonel; Thomas Drummond,
of Vinton, as Lieutenant-Colonel; and S.
D. Swan, of Mt. Pleasant, J. E. Jewett, of
DesMoines, and G. A. Stone, of Mt.
Pleasant, as Majors. The Fourth fought
bravely, and lost men at every one of the
following engagements: Gun Town, Miss.,
Helena, Bear Creek, Memphis, Town
Creek, Columbus, Mechanicsburg, Little
HISTORY OF IOWA.
•W
Blue river, Brownsville, Ripley, Black
River Bridge, Grenada, Tupelo, Yazoo
River, White River, Osage, Lock Creek,
Okalona, and St. Francis River. The
Fourth was one of the bravest and most
successful regiments in the field, and
its services were of the utmost value to
the Union arms. It was mustered out
at Atlanta, Ga.. August 10, 1865. Of
1,227 officers and men, 44 were killed,
207 died, 241 were discharged, 119 were
wounded, 3 were missing, 94 were cap-
tured, and 35 were transferred.
The Fifth Cavalry was but in part an
Iowa regiment. The States of Minnesota
and Missouri and the Territory of Ne-
braska were largely represented; but as
Iowa had the most, it was designated as an
Iowa regiment. It was organized and
mustered into the service at Omaha, with
Wm. W. Lowe, of the regular army, as
Colonel; M. T. Patrick, of Omaha, as Lieu-
tenant-Colonel; and Carl Schaeffer de Bern-
stein, a German baron, Wm. Kelsay and
Alfred B. Brackett as Majors. This regi-
ment was engaged at the second battle of
Fort Donelson, Wartrace, Duck River
Bridge, Sugar Creek, Newman, Camp Creek,
Cumberland works, Tenn., Jonesboro, Bbe-
nezer Church, Lockbridge's Mills, Pulaski
and Cheraw. The gallant Fifth was in
many situations requiring the greatest
coolnes and courage, and always acquitted
itself with high honor. At one time the
regiment was surrounded by rebels, and
the Colonel in charge of the brigade had
escaped with two other regiments to the
Union lines, reporting the Fifth all killed
or captured. But the result was far from
that. At the critical time the brave Major
Young, afterward the Colonel of the regi-
ment, thundered out in the still night air,
"The Fifth Iowa is going straight through ;
let the brave follow!" Then came the
single word of command, "Forward ! " and
when they reached the rebel lines,
"Charge!" Fifteen hundred troopers
dashed at full speed over the bodies of
the surprised rebels, and escaped to the
Union lines with the loss of but 15 men.
The regiment was finally mustered out at
Nashville, Tenn, August 11, 1S65. Of
its 1,245 officers and men, 47 were killed,
141 died, 224 were discharged, 56 were
wounded, 217 were captured and 17 were
transferred.
The Sixth Cavalry was organized and
mustered in at Davenport, January 31,
1863, with D. S. Wilson, of Dubuque, as
Colonel; S. M. Pollock, of Dubuque, as
LieutenantrColonel, and T. H. Shepherd,
of Iowa City, E. P. TenBroeck, of Clin-
ton, and A. E. House, of Delhi, as Majors
This regiment was employed on the
frontier against the Indians, and did excel-
lent service. Their principal engagement
was the battle of White Stone Hill, in
which they severely punished a band of
hosliles. The Sixth was mustered out at
Sioux City, October 17, 1865. Of 1,125
officers and men, 19 were killed, 72 died,
89 were discharged, 19 were wounded and
7 were transferred.
The Seventh Cavalry was organized
and mustered into the service at Daven-
port, April 27, 1863, with S. W. Summers,
of Ottutnwa, as Colonel; John Pattee, of
Iowa City, as Lieutenant-Colonel, and II.
H. Heath and G. M. O'Brien, of Dubuque,
and John S. Wood, of Ottumwa, as Majors
HISTOEY OF IOWA.
This regiment also served against the
Indians in the West. It fought bravely
in many battles, and won the lasting grati-
tude of the people of the West. It was
mustered out at Leavenworth, Kan., May
17, 1866, except Companies K, L and M,
which were mustered out at Sioux City,
June 22, 1866. Of its 562 officers and
men, 47 were killed, 101 died, 252 were
discharged, 8 were wounded and 9 were
transferred.
The Eighth Cavalry was recruited by
Lieutenant Dorr, of the Twelfth Infantry.
As the result of his energy, 2,000 were
soon enlisted for the Eighth. Some 300
were rejected, 450 were turned over to the
Ninth Cavalry and about 75 to the Fourth
Battery. The Eighth was organized with
Joseph B. Dorr, of Dubuque, as Colonel;
H. 6. Barner, of Sidney, as Lieutenant-
Colonel; John J. Bowen, of Hopkinton;
J. D. Thompson, of Eldora, and A. J.
Price, of Guttenberg, as Majors; and was
mustered into the United States service,
at Davenport, September 30, 1863.
This regiment served gallantly in guard-
ing Sherman's communications, and at the
battles of Lost Mountain, Lovejoy's Sta-
tion, Newman and Nashville. It partici-
pated in Stoneman's cavalry raid round
Atlanta, and Wilson's raid through Ala-
bama. After the close of hostilities and
before the muster-out, Col. Dorr died of
disease. He was much beloved by his
command, and highly respected at home,
where he had been an able editor. The
Eighth was mustered out at Macon, Ga.,
August 13, 1865. Of its 1,234 officers and
men, 30 were killed, 106 died, 67 were dis-
charged, 87 were wounded, 2 were missing,
259 were captured and 22 were transferred.
The Ninth Cavalry was the last three
years' regiment recruited in Iowa. It was
organized and mustered into the service of
the United States, at Davenport, Novem-
ber 30, 1863, with M. M. Trumbull, of
Cedar Falls, as Colonel; J. P. Knight,
of Mitchell, as Lieutenant-Colonel; E. T.
Ensign, of DesMoines, Willis Drummond,
of McGregor, and William Haddock, of
Waterloo, as Majors.
The regiment performed heavy scout-
ing, guard and garrison duties in Ar-
kansas, for the small part of the war after
it was organized. It was mustered out
at Little Eock, Ark., February 28, 1866.
Of its 1,178 officers and men, 6 were
killed, 178 died, 64 were discharged, 15
were wounded, 1 was captured and 11
were transferred.
The First Battery of Light Artil-
lery was enrolled in the counties of Wa-
pello, DesMoines, Dubuque, Jefferson,
Black Hawk and others, and was mustered
into the service at Burlington, August 17,
1861, with C. H. Fletcher, of Burlington,
as Captain ; was engaged at Pea Ridge,
Port Gibson, in the Atlanta campaign, at
Chickasaw Bayou, Lookout Mountain, etc.;
was mustered out at Davenport, July 5,
1865. Of 149 members, 7 were killed, 55
died, 35 were discharged, 31 were wounded
and 3 transferred.
The Second Battery was enrolled in
the counties of Dallas, Polk, Harrison,
Fremont and Pottawatamie, and mustered
in at Council Bluffs, and at St. Louis, Aug-
HISTORY OF IOWA.
ust 8 and 31, 1861, with Nelson I. Spoor,
of Council Bluffs, as Captain. The bat-
tery was engaged at Farmington, Corinth,
and other places Was mustered out at
Davenport, August 7, 1865. Of a total of
123 officers and men, 1 was killed, 30 died,
10 were discharged, 15 were wounded, 1
was captured, and 6 were transferred.
Tub Third Battery was enrolled in
the counties of Dubuque, Black Hawk,
Butler and Floyd, and was mustered into
the service at Dubuque, in September,
1861, with M. M. Hayden, of Dubuque, as
Captain. The battery was engaged at Pea
Ridge and other important battles. Was
mustered out at Davenport, October 23,
1865. Of 142 officers and men, 3 were
killed, 34 died, 28 were discharged, and 18
were wounded.
The Fourth Battery was enrolled in
Mahaska, Henry, Mills and Fremont coun-
ties, and was mustered in at Davenport,
November 23, 1863. This battery was on
duty most of the time in Louisiana, but
did not serve in any important battles.
Was mustered out at Davenport, July 14,
1865. Of 162 officers and men, 6 died, 11
were discharged, and 1 was transferred.
The Iowa Regiment of Colored Troop3
was organized and mustered into the ser-
vice of the United States, October 23, 1863.
John G. Hudson, Captain Company B,
Thirty-third Missouri, was Colonel; M. F.
Collins, of Keokuk, was Lieut.-Colonel;
and J. L. Murphy, of Keokuk, was Major.
This regiment was afterward the Sixtieth
Regiment of United States Colored Troops.
It was not called upon to fight, but it per-
formed valuable guard and garrison duties
at St. Louis and elsewhere South.
The Northern Border Brigade was
organized by the State of Iowa to protect
the Northwestern frontier. James A. Saw-
yer, of Sioux City, was elected Colonel.
It consisted of five companies, all enlisted
from the northwestern counties.
The Southern Border Brigade was
organized by the State for the purpose of
protecting the southern border of the State,
and was organized in the counties on the
border of Missouri. It consisted of seven
companies in three battalions.
PROMOTIONS.
The following promotions were made by
the United States Government from Iowa
regiments :
MAJOR-GENERALS.
Samuel R. Curtis, Brigadier-General, fp in
March 21, 1862.
Frederick Steele, Brigadier-General, from No-
vember 29, 1862.
Frank J. Herron, Brigadier-General, from No-
vember 29, 1863.
Grenvillo M. Dodge, Brigadier-General, from
June 7, 1864.
BRTGADIER-QENERALS.
Samuel R. Curtis, Colonel 2d Infantry, from
May 17, 1861.
Frederick Steele, Colonel 8th Infantry, from
February 6, 1862.
Jacob G. Lannian, Colonel 7th Infantry, from
March 21, 1862.
Grenville M. Dodge, Colonel 4th Infantry,
from March 31, 1853.
James M. Tultle, Colonel 2d Infantry, from
June 9, 1862.
+*
^k
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Washington L. Elliot, Colonel 2d Cavalry,
from June 11, 1862.
Fitz Henry Warren, Colonel 1st Cavalry, from
July 6. 1862.
Frank J. Herron, Lieut. -Colonel 9th Infantry,
from July 30, 1962.
Charles L. Mutinies, Colonel 5th Infantry,
from November 29, 1862.
William Vandever, Colonel 9th Infantry, from
November 29, 1862.
Marcellus M. Crocker, Colonel 13th Infantry,
from November 29, 1862.
Hugh T. Reid, Colonel 15th Infantry, from
March 18, 1803.
Samuel A. Rice, Colonel 33d Infantry, from
August 4, 1863.
John M. Corse, Colonel 6th Infantry, from
August 11, 1S03.
Cyrus Bussey, Colonel 3d Cavalry, from Jan-
uary 5, 1864.
Edward Hatch, Colonel 2d Cavalry, from April
27, 1864.
Elliott W. Rice, Colonel 7th Infantry, from
June 20, 1864.
Wm. W. Belknap, Colonel 5th Infantry, from
July 30, 1864.
J .hn Edwards, Colonel 18th Infantry, from
September 26, 1864.
.Tames A. Williamson, Colonel 4th Infantry,
from January 13, 1864.
James I. Gilbert, Colonel 27th Infantry, from
February 9, 1865.
Thomas J. McKean, from November 21, 1861.
BREVET MAJOR-GENERALS.
John M. Curse, Brigadier-General, from Octo-
ber 5, 1864.
Edward Hatch, Brigadier- General, from De-
cember 15, 1864.
William W. Belknap, Brigadier-General, from
March 13, 1865.
W. L. Elliott, Brigadier General, from March
13, 1865.
Wm. Vandever, Brigadier-General, from June
7, 1865.
BREVET BRIGADIER- GENERALS.
Wm. T. Clark, A.A.G., late of 13th Infantry,
from July 22, 1864.
Edward F. Winslow, Colonel 4th Cavalry, from
December 12, 1864.
S. G. Hill, Colonel 35th Infantry, from Decem-
ber 15, 1864.
Thos. H. Benton, Colonel 29th Infantry, from
December 15, 1864.
Samuel S. Glasgow, Colonel 23d Infantry, from
December 19, 1864.
Clark R. Weaver, Colonel 17th Infantry, from
February 9, 1865.
Geo. A. Stone, Colonel 25th Infantry, from
March 13, 1865.
Frmcis M. Drake, Lieut. -Colonel 36th Infant-
ry, from February 22, 1865.
Datus E. Coon, Colonel 2d Cavalry, from
March 8, 1865.
George W. Clark, Colonel 34th Infantry, from
March 13, 1865.
Herman H. Heath, Colonel 7th Cavalry, from
March 13, 1865.
J. M. Hedrick, Colonel 15th Infantry, from
March 13, 1865.
W. W. Lowe, Colonel 5th Cavalry, from March
3, 1865.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
CHAPTER IX,
EDUCATIONAI, STATE INSTITUTIONS.
The people of Iowa have ever taken a
deep interest in education, and in this
direction no State in the Union can show
a better record. The system of free pub-
lic schools was planted by the early set-
tlers, and it has expanded and improved
until now it is one of the most complete,
comprehensive and liberal in the country.
In the lead-mining regions of the State,
the first to be settled by the whites, the
hardy pioneers provided the means for the
education of their children even before
they had comfortable dwellings for them-
selves. School teachers were among the
first immigrants to Iowa. Wherever a
little settlement was made, the school
house was the first thing undertaken by
the settlers in a body, and the rude, primi-
tive structures of the early time only dis-
appeared when the communities increased
in population and wealth, and were able to
replace them with more commodious and
comfortable buildings. Perhaps in no
single instance has the magnificent pro-
gress of the State of Iowa been more
marked and rapid than in her common
school system and in her school houses.
To day the school houses which every-
where dot the broad and fertile prairies of
Iowa are unsurpassed by those of any
other State in this great Union. More
especially is this true in all her cities and
villages, where liberal and lavish appro-
priations have been voted by a generous
people for the erection of large, coram "li-
ons and elegant buildings, furnished with
all the modern improvements, and costing
from $10,000 to $60,000 each. The people
of the State have expended more than
$10,000,000 for the erection of public
school buildings.
The first school house within the limits
of Iowa was a log cabin at Dubuque, built
by J. L. Langworthy, and a few other
miners, in the autumn of 1833. When it
was completed, George Cabbage was em-
ployed as teacher during the winter of
1833—4, and thirty-five pupils attended his
school. Barrett Whittemore taught the
school term, with twenty-five pupils in at-
tendance. Mrs. Caroline Dexter com-
menced teaching in Dubuque in March,
1836. She was the first female teacher
there, and probably the first in Iowa. In
1839, Thomas H. Benton, Jr., afterward
for ten years Superintendent of Public
Instruction, opened an English and classi-
cal school in Dubuque. The first tax for
the support of schools at Dubuque was
levied in 1840.
At Burlington, a commodious log school
house, built in 1834, was among the first
buildings erected. A Mr. Johnson taught
the first school in the winter of 1834-5.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
fe*
In Scott county, in the winter of 1835-0,
Simon Crazin taught a four-months term
of school in the house of J. B. Chamberlin;
In Muscatine county, the first school
was taught by George Bumgardcer, in the
spring of 1837. In 1839 a log school
house was erected in Muscatine, which
served for a long time as school house,
church and public hall.
The first school in Davenport was taught
in 1838. In Fairfield, Miss Clarissa Saw-
yer, James F. Chambers and Mrs. Reed
taught school in 1839.
Johnson county was an entire wilder-
ness when Iowa City was located as the
capital of the Territory of Iowa, in May,
1839. The first sale of lots took place
August 18, 1839, and before January 1,
1840, about twenty families had settled
witMn the limits of the town. During
the same year Mr. Jesse Berry opened a
school in a small frame building he had
erected on what is now College street.
In Monroe county, the first settlement
was made in 1843, by Mr. John R. Gray,
about two miles from the present site of
Eddyville; and in the summer of 1844 a
log school house was built by Gray, Wm.
V. Beedle, C. Renfro, Joseph McMullen
and Willoughby Randolph, and the first
school was opened by Miss Urania Adams.
The building was occupied for school
purposes for nearly ten years.
About a year after the first cabin was
built at Oskaloosa, a log school house was
built, in which school was opened by
Samuel W. Caldwell, in 1844.
At Fort DesMoines, now the capital of
the State, the first school was taught by
Lewis Whitten, Clerk of the District
Court, in the winter of 1846-"7, in one of
the rooms on "Coon Row," built for
barracks.
The first school in Pottawattamie county
was opened by George Green, a Mormon,
at Council Point, prior to 1849; and until
about 1854 nearly all the teachers in that
vicinity were Mormons.
The first school in Decorah was taught
in 1855, by Cyrus C. Carpenter, since Gov-
ernor of the State. In Crawford county
the first school house was built in Mason's
Grove, in 1856, and Morris McIIenry first
occupied it as teacher.
During the first twenty years of the his-
tory of Iowa, the log school house pre-
vailed, and in 1861 there were S93 of these
primitive structures in use for school pur-
poses in the State. Since that time they
have been gradually disappearing. In
1865 there were 796; in 1870, 336; and in
1875, 121.
January 1, 1839, the Territorial Legisla-
ture passed an act providing that " there
shall be established a common school, or
schools, in each of the counties in this
Territory; which shall be open and free
for every class of white citizens between
the ages of five and twenty-one years."
The second section of the act provided that
"the County Board shall, from time to
time, form school districts in their respec-
tive counties, whenever a petition may be
presented for the purpose by a majority of
the voters resident within such contem-
plated district." These districts were
governed by boards of trustees, usually of
three persons; each district was required
to maintain school at least three months
in every year; and later, laws were enacted
providing for county school taxes for the
payment of teachers, and that whatever
>FT
HISTORY OF IOWA.
additional sum might be required should
be assessed upon the parents sending, in
proportion to the length of time sent.
In 1846, the year of Iowa's admission as
a State, there were 20,000 scholars, out of
100,000 inhabitants. About 400 school
districts had been organized. In 1850
there was 1,200, and in 1857 the number
had increased to 3,265.
In March, 1858, upon the recommenda-
tion of Hon. M. L. Fisher, then Superin-
tendent of Public Instruction, the Seventh
General Assembly enacted that "each
civil township is declared a school dis-
trict," and provided that these should be
divided into sub-districts. This law went
into force March 20, 1858, and reduced
the number of school districts from about
3,500 to less than 900. This change of
school organization resulted in a very
material reduction of the expenditures for
the compensation of district secretaries
and treasurers. An effort was made for
several years, from 1867 to 1872, to abolish
the sub-district system. Mr. Kissell,
Superintendent, recommended this in his
report of January 1, 1872, and Governor
Merrill forcibly endorsed his views in his
annual message. But the Legislature of
that year provided for the formation of
independent districts from the sub-districts
of district townships.
The system of graded schools was
inaugurated in 1849, and new schools, in
whi'ch more than one teacher is employed,
are universally graded.
Teachers' institutes were organized
early in the history of the State. The
first official mention of them occurs in the
annual report of Hon. Thomas H. Benton,
Jr., made December 2, 1850, who said: "An
institution of this character was organized
a few years ago, composed of the teachers
of the mineral regions of Illinois, Wiscon-
sin and Iowa. An association of teachers
has also been formed in the county of
Henry, and an effort was made in October
last to organize a regular institute in the
county of Jones." At that time, although
the beneficial influence of these institutes
was admitted, it was urged that the ex-
penses of attending them was greater than
teachers with limited compensation were
able to bear. To obviate this objection,
Mr. Benton recommended that " the sum
of $150 should be appropriated annually
for three years, to be drawn in installments
of $50 by the Superintendent of Public
Instruction, and expended for these insti-
tutions." He proposed that three institutes
should be held annually at points to be
designated by the superintendent.
The expense of this would be trifling,
and all recognized the benefits to be
derived; and yet no legislation was had
until March, 1858, when an act was passed
authorizing the holding of teachers' insti-
tutes for periods not less than six working
days, whenever not less than 30 teachers
should desire. The superintendent was
authorized to expend not exceeding $100
for any one institute, to be paid out by the
county superintendent, as the institute
might direct, for teachers and lecturers,
and $1,000 was appropriated to defray the
expenses of these institutes.
Mr. Fisher at once pushed the matter of
holding institutes, and December 6, 1858,
he reported to the Board of Education
that institutes had been appointed in 20
counties within the preceding six months,
and more would have been held but the
HISTORY OF IOWA.
appropriation had been exhausted. At the
first session of the Board of Education,
commencing December 6, 1858, a code of
school laws was enacted, which retained
the existing provisions for teachers' insti-
tutes.
In March, 1860, the General Assembly
amended the act of the Board by appro-
priating "a sum not exceeding $50 annually
for one such institute, held as provided by
law in each county." In 1865, the super-
intendent, Mr. Faville, reported that "the
provision made by the State for the benefit
of teachers' institutes had never been so
fully appreciated, both by the people and
the teachers, as during the last two years."
By an act approved March 19, 1874,
normal institutes were established in each
county, to be held annually by the county
superintendents. This was regarded a very
decided step in advance by Mr. Abernethy,
and in 1876 the General Assembly estab-
lished the first permanent State Normal
School, at Cedar Falls, Black Hawk county,
appropriating the building and property of
the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at that place
for that purpose. This school is now "in
the full tide of successful experiment."
The present public school system is ad-
mirably organized, and if the various offi-
cers who are entrusted with educational
interests of the commonwealth continue
faithful and competent, should and will
constantly improve.
Funds for the support of public schools
are derived in several ways. The 16th
section of every congressional township
was set apart by the General Government
for school purposes, being one-thirty-sixth
part of all the lands in the State. The
minimum price of these lands was fixed at
one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre.
Congress also made an additional donation
to the State of 500,000 acres, and an ap-
propriation of five per cent, on all the
sales of public lands to the school fund.
The State gives to this fund the proceeds
of the sales of all lands which escheat to
it; the proceeds of all fines for the viola-
tion of the liquor and criminal laws. The
money derived from these sources consti-
tutes the permanent school fund of the
State, which cannot be diverted to any
other purpose. The penalties collected by
the courts for fines and forfeitures go to
the school fund in the counties where col-
lected. The proceeds of the sale of these
lands and the five per cent, fund go into the
State treasury, and the State distributes
these proceeds to the several counties accord-
ing to their request, and the counties loan
the money to individuals, for long terms, at
eight per cent, interest, on security of land
valued at three times the amount of the
loan, exclusive of all buildings and im-
provements thereon. The interest on
these loans is paid into the State treasury,
and becomes the available school fund of
the State. The counties are responsible
to the State for all money so loaned, and
the State is likewise responsible to the
school fund for all moneys transferred to
the counties. The interest on these loans
is apportioned by the State Auditor semi-
annually to the several counties of the
State, in proportion to the number of per-
sons between the ages of five and twenty-
one years. The counties also levy an
annual tax for school purposes, which is
apportioned to the several district townships
in the same way. A district tax is also
levied for the same purpose. The money
HISTORY OF IOWA.
121
arising from these several sources consti-
tutes the support of the public schools,
and is sufficient to enable every sub-district
in the State to afford from six to nine
months' school each year.
The burden of direct taxation is thus
lightened, and the efficiency of the schools
iucreased. The taxes levied for the sup-
port of the schools are self-imposed. Un-
der the admirable school laws of the State,
no taxes can be legally assessed or col-
lected for the erection of school houses
until they have been ordered by the elec-
tion of a district at a school meeting
legally called. The school houses of Iowa
are the pride of the State and an honor to
the people. If they have been built some-
times at a prodigal expense, the tax-payers
have no one to blame but themselves.
The teachers' and contingent funds are
determined by the Board of Directors,
under certain legal instructions. These
Boards are elected annually, except in the
independent districts, in which the Board
may be entirely changed every three years.
The only exception to this mode of levy-
ing taxes for support of schools is the
county school tax, which is determined by
the County Board of Supervisors. The
tax is from one to three mills on the dol-
lar; usually, however, but one.
In 1881 there were in the State 4,339
school districts, containing 11,244 schools,
and employing 21,776 teachers. The
average monthly pay of male teachers was
$32.50, and of female teachers $27.25.
There were 594,730 persons of school age,
of whom 431,513 were enrolled in the
public schools. The average cost of tuition
for each pupil per month was $1.62. The
expenditures for all school purposes was
$5,129,819.49. The permanent school
fund is now $3,547, 123. 82, on which the
income for 1881 was $234,022.40. In each
county a teachers' institute is held annu-
ally, under the direction of the county
superintendent, the State contributing
annually $50 to each of these institutes.
THE STATE UNIVERSITY.
By act of Congress, approved July 20,
1840, the Secretary of the Treasury was
authorized to "set apart and reserve from
sale out of any of the public lands within
the Territory of Iowa not otherwise claimed
or appropriated, a quantity of land not ex-
ceeding two entire townships, for the use
and support of a University within said
Territory when it becomes a State." The
first General Assembly, therefore, by act
approved February 25, 1847, established
the "State University of Iowa," at Iowa
City, then the Capital of the State. The
public buildings and other property at Iowa
City, were appropriated to the University,
but the legislative sessions and State offices
were to be held in them until a permanent
location for a Capital was made.
The control and management of the
University were committed to a board of
fifteen trustees, to be appointed by the
Legislature, and five were to be chosen
every two years. The Superintendent of
Public Instruction was made President of
this Board. The organic act provided that
the University should never be under the
control of any religious denomination
whatever; and that as soon as the revenue
from the grant and donations should
amount to $2,000 a year, the University
should commence and continue the instruc-
tion, free of charge, of fifty students annu-
122
HISTORY OF IOWA.
ally. Of course the organization of the
University at Iowa City was impracticable,
so long as the seat of government was re-
tained there.
In January, 1849, two branches of the
University anil three normal schools were
established. The branches were located
at Fairfield and Dubuque, and were placed
upon an equal footing, in respect to funds
and all other matters, with the University
at Iowa City. At Fairfield, the Board of
Directors organized and erected a building
at a cost of $2,500. This was nearly de-
stroyed by a hurricane the following year,
but was rebuilt more substantially by the
citizens of Fairfield. This branch never
received any aid from the State, and, Jan-
uary 24, 1853, at the request of the Board,
the General Assembly terminated its rela-
tion to the State. The branch at Dubuque
had only a nominal existence.
The normal schools were located at An-
drew, Oskaloosa and Mt. Pleasant. Each
was to be governed by a Board of seven
Trustees, to be appointed by the Trustees
of the University. Each was to receive
$500 annually from the income of the Uni-
versity fund, upon condition that they
should educate eight common-school teach-
ers, free of charge for tuition, and that the
citizens should contribute an equal sum for
the erection of the requisite buildings.
The school at Andrew was organized No-
vember 21, 1849, with Samuel Ray as
Principal. A building was commenced,
and over $1,000 expended on it, but it was
never completed. The school at Oskaloosa
was started in the court ho-se, September
13, 1852, under the charge of Prof G. M.
Drake and wife. A two-story brick build-
ing was completed in 1853, costing $2,lT3
The school at Mt. Pleasant was never or-
ganized. Neither of these schools received
any aid from the University fund, but in
1857 the Legislature appropriated $1,000
for each of the two schools, and repealed
the laws authorizing the payment to them
of money from the University fund. From
that time they made no further effort to
continue in operation.
From 1847 to 1855, the Board of Trus-
tees was kept full by regular elections by
the Legislature, and the trustees held fre-
quent meetings, but there was no actual
organization of the University. In March,
1855, it was partially opened for a term of
16 weeks. July 16, 1855, Amos Dean, of
Albany, N. Y , was elected President, but
he never entered fully upon its duties.
The University was again opened in Sep-
tember, 1855, and continued in operation
until June, 1856, under Professors John-
son, Welton, Van Valkei burg and Griffin.
The faculty was then re-organized, with
some changes, and the University was
again opened on the third Wednesday of
September, 1856. There were 124 students
(83 males and 41 females) in attendance
during the years 1856-7, and the first regu-
lar catalogue was published.
At a special meeting of the Board, Sep-
tember 22, 1857, the honorary degree of
Bachelor of Arts was conferred on D.
Franklin Wells. This was the first degree
conferred by the University.
The new constitution, adopted in 1857,
definitely fixed the Capital at DesMoines,
the State University at Iowa City, and pro-
vided that it should have no branches. In
December of that year, the old capitol
building was turned over to the Trustees
of the University. In 1858, $10,000 were
HISTORY OF IOWA.
appropriated for the erection of a board-
ing hall. The Board closed the University
April 27, 1858, on account of insufficient
funds, and dismissed all the faculty except
Chancellor Dean. At the same time a res-
olution was passed excluding females.
This was soon after reversed by the General
Assembly.
The University was re-opened Septem-
ber 19, 1860, and from this date the real
existence of the University dates. Mr.
Dean had resigned before this, and Silas
Totten,D.D.,LL.D.,was elected President,
at a salary of $2,000. August 19, 1862, he
resigned, and was succeeded by Prof. Oli-
ver M. Spencer. President Spencer was
granted leave of absence for fifteen months
to visit Europe. Prof. Nathan E. Leonard
was elected President pro tern. President
Spencer resigning, James Black, D. D.,
Vice-President of Washington and Jeffer-
son College, Penn., was elected President.
He entered upon his duties in September,
1868.
The Law Department was established in
June, 1S68, and, soon after, the Iowa Law
School, at DesMoines, which had been in
successful operation for three years, was
transferred to Iowa City and merged in
the department.
The Medical Department was established
in 1869. Since April 11, 1870, the gov-
ernment of the University has been in the
hands of a Board of Regents.
Dr. Black resigned in 1870, to take
effect December 1; and March 1, 1871,
Rev. George Thatcher was elected Presi-
dent.
In June, 1874, the chair of military
instruction was established, and Lieuten-
ant A. D. Schenk, Second Artillery, U. S.
A., was detailed by the President of the
United States as Professor of Military
Science and Tactics.
In June, 1877, Dr. Thatcher's connection
with the University was terminated, and
C. W. Slagle was elected President. He
was succeeded in 1878 by J. L. Pickard,
LL. D., who is the present incumbent.
The University has gained a reputation
as one of the leading institutions of the
West, and this position will doubtless be
maintained. The present educational
corps consists of the following, besides
President Pickard: in the Collegiate De-
partment, nine professors and six in-
structors, including the Professor of Mili-
tary Science; in the Law Department, a
chancellor, two professors and four lec-
turers; in the Medical Department, eight
professors and ten assistant professors and
lecturers.
No preparatory work is done in the
University, but different high schools in
the State, with approved courses of study,
are admitted as preparatory departments
of the University, whose graduates are ad-
mitted without examination. Common
schools, high schools and university are
thus made one connected system.
The present number of students in the
Collegiate Department is: males, 163;
females, 69; total, 232; in Law Depart-
ment, 140; in Medical Department, 195.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
This is located at Cedar Falls, Black
Hawk county, and was opened in lb76.
The institution trains teachers for our
schools, and is doing excellent, though
limited, work. What is wanted is more
HISTORY OF IOWA.
room and increased facilities of every
kind. Other institutions of a similar kind
should also be established throughout the
State.
STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
The State Agricultural College and
Farm were established by act of the Gen-
eral Assembly, approved March 23, 1858.
The farm was located in Story county, at
Ames. In 1862 Congress granted to Iowa
240,000 acres of land for the endowment
of schools of agriculture and the mechani-
cal arts. In 1864 the Assembly voted
$20,000 for the erection of the college
building. In 1866 $91,000 more were
appropriated for the same purpose. The
building was completed in 1868, and the
institution was opened in the following
year. The college is modeled to some
extent after Michigan Agricultural Col-
lege.
Tuition is free to pupils from the State
over sixteen years of age. Students are
required to work on the model farm two
and a half hours each day. The faculty is
of a very high character, and the institu-
tion one of the best of its kind. Sale of
spirits, wine and beer as a beverage is for-
bidden by law within three miles of the
college. The current expenses of this
institution are paid by the income from
the permanent endowment. A. S. Welch,
LL. D., is President, and is assisted by
twelve professors and eight instructors.
Whole number of students admitted, 2,600;
present number, 240. The college farm
consists of 860 acres, of which 400 are
under cultivation.
Besides the State University, State
Agricultural College and State Normal
School, ample provision for higher edu-
cation has been made by the different
religious denominations, assisted by local
and individual munificence. There are,
exclusive of State institutions, 23 universi-
ties and colleges, 111 academies and other
private schools. All these are in active
operation, and most of them stand high.
A list of the universities and colleges, and
a brief notice of each, is herewith given:
Amity College is located at College
Springs, Page county. S. C. Marshall is
President. There are 6 instructors and
225 students.
Burlington University is located at Bur-
lington, DesMoines county. E. F Stearns
is President of the faculty. There are 5
instructors and 63 students.
Callanan College is located at Des
Moines, Polk county. There are 14 in the
faculty, of which C. R. Pomeroy is Presi-
dent, and 183 students are enrolled.
Central University is located at Pell a,
Marian county. It is an institution of the
Baptist denomination. Rev. G. W. Gard-
ner is President of the faculty, which
numbers 7. There are 196 students.
Coe College is located at Cedar Rapids,
Linn county. S. Phelps is President.
There are 10 in the faculty and 100
students.
Cornell College is located at Mt. Vernon,
Linn county, and is under the control of
the M. E. Church. W. F. King is Presi-
dent. There are 20 instructors and 400
HISTORY OF IOWA.
students. This college is one of the
highest in character, and has a large at-
tendance.
Drake University is located at Des
Moines, Polk county. G. T. Carpenter is
President, and is ably assisted by 25 in-
structors. There are 125 students.
Griswold College is located at Daven-
port, Scott County, and is under the control
of the Episcopal Church. W. S. Perry is
President. There are 7 instructors and 80
students.
Iowa College is located at Grinnell, Po-
weshiek county. G. F. Magouu is Presi-
dent. There are 14 instructors and 359
students. The institution is one of the
leading colleges in Iowa, and is perma-
nently endowed.
Iowa Wesleyan University is located at
Mt. Pleasant, Henry county,. W. J.
Spaulding is President. There are 6 in
the faculty, and over 160 students in at-
tendance. The University is under the
auspices of the M. E. Church, and enjoys
a high degree of prosperity.
Luther College is situated in Decorah,
Winneshiek county. L. Larson is Presi-
dent of the faculty, which numbers 10.
There are 165 students in attendance.
Clin College is looated at Olin, Jones
county. C. L. Porter is President.
Oskaloosa College is situated in Oska-
loosa, Mahaska county. G. H. McLaugh-
lin is President. The faculty numbers 5,
and the students 190. The college stands
very high.
Penn College is situated in Oskaloosa,
Mahaska county. B. Trueblood is Presi-
dent of the faculty, which numbers 5.
There are 175 students in attendance.
Simpson Centenary College is located at
Indianola, Warren county. E. L. Parks is
President. There are 9 instructors and
150 students.
Tabor College is located at Tabor, Fre-
mont county. Wm. M. Brooks is Presi-
dent. The college was modeled after
Oberlin college, in Ohio. The faculty
consists of 6, and there are 109 students.
Upper loioa University is located at
Fayette, Fayette county, and is under the
control of the M. E. Church. Rev. J. W.
Bissell is President. There are 1 1 instruc-
tors and 350 students. This University
stands very high among the educational
institutions of the State.
University of Des Moines, at DesMoines,
has 5 instructors and 80 students.
Whittier College was established at
Salem, Henry county, by the Friends. J.
W. Coltrane is President. There are 4
instructors and 105 students.
Riverside Institute. — This school is
located at Lyons, on a beautiful elevation
overlooking the Mississippi river. Rev.
W. T. Currie is the Principal of this
Academy.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTE.
By an act of the Legislature of Iowa,
approved January 24, 1855, the Iowa Insti-
tute for the Deaf and Dumb was estab-
lished at Iowa City.
In 1866 a great effort was made to re-
move the Institute to DesMoines; but it
was finally permanently located at Council
Bluffs, and the school opened in a rented
building. In 1868 Commissioners were to
locate a site, and superintend the erection
of new building, for which the Legisla-
ture appropriated $125,000. The Com-
missioners selected 90 acres of land two
mili-s south of the city.
In October, 1870, the main building and
one wing were completed and occupied.
In February, 1877, fire destroyed the main
building and east wing, and during the
summer following a tornado blew off the
roof of the new west wing and the walls
were partially demolished. About 150
pupils were in attendance at the time of
the fire. After that, half of the class were
dismissed, and the number of pupils re-
duced to 70.
The present officers are: B. F. Clayton,
President, Macedonia, term expires in
1886; A Rogers, Secretary, term expires
1884; John H. Stubenranch, term expires
in 1884. The county superintendent of
schools annually reports all persons of
school age that are deaf and dumb; also
those too deaf to acquire learning in the
common schools. The cost per pupil is
$28 per quarter, and is paid by the parents
or guardian ; but when unable to do so, the
expense is borne by the respective county.
The regular appropriation is $11,000 per
annum, drawn quarterly. Parents and
guardians are allowed to clothe their
children.
The whole number admitted to the
Institution is 621. Present number, 221.
Last biennial appropriation, $27,839.
COLLEGE FOB THE BLIND.
The first person to agitate the subject of
an In-titute for the Blind was Prof. Sam-
uel Bacon, himself blind, who, in 1852,
established a school of instruction at
Keokuk. The next year the Institute was
adopted by the State, and moved to Iowa
City, by act of the Legislature, approved
January 18, 1853, and opened for the re-
ception of pupils, April 4, 1853 During
the first term 23 pupils were admitted.
Prof. Bacon, the Principal, made his first
report in 1854, and suggested that the
name be changed from "Asylum for the
Blind " (which was the name first adopted)
to that of " Institution for the Instruction
of the Blind." This change was made in
1855, and the Legislature made an annual
appropriation of $55 per quarter for each
pupil; afterward this appropriation was
changed to $3,000per annum.
Prof. Bacon was a fine scholar, an eco-
nomical manager, and in every way adapted
to his position. During his administration
the institution was, in a great measure,
self-supporting by the sale of articles
manufactured by the blind pupils. There
was also a charge of $25 as an admission
fee for each pupil. Prof. Bacon founded
the Blind Asylum at Jacksonville, Illinois.
In 1858 the citizens of Vinton, Benton
eounty, donated a quarter section of land
and $5,000 for the establishment of the
asylum at that place. On the 8th of May,
HISTORY OF IOWA.
127
that same year, the trustees met at Vinton
and made arrangements for securing the
donation, and adopted a plan for the erec-
tion of a suitable building. In 1860 the
contract for enclosing was let to Messrs.
Finkbine and Lovelace, for $10,420. In
August, 1862, the goods and -furniture were
removed from Iowa City to Vinton, and in
the fall of the same year the school was
opened with 24 pupils.
The institution has been built at a vast
expenditure of money, much greater than
it seemed to require for the number of
occupants. The Legislative Committee,
who visited the college in 1878, expressed
their astonishment at this utter disregard
of the fitness of things. They could not
understand why $282,000 should have been
expended for a massive building for the
accommodation of only 130 people, costing
the State over $5,000 a year to heat it, and
about $500 a year for each pupil.
The present officers are: Robert Car-
others, Superintendent; T. F. McCune,
Assistant Superintendent; Trustees: Jacob
Springer, President; M. H. Westbrook,
J. F. White, C. O. Harrington, W. H.
Leavitt, S. H. Watson. Whole number of
occupants, 436. Present number, males,
36; females, 50, Salary of superintendent,
$1,200; assistant, $700; trustees, $4.00 per
day and mileage. Annual appropriation,
$8,000, and $128 per year allowed for each
pupil. Annual meeting of trustees in June.
Biennial appropriation in 1880, $3,000.
IOWA HOSPITAL FOB THB IHSANB.
The Iowa Hospital for the Insane was
established by an aot of the Legislature,
approved January 24, 1855. Gov. Grimes,
Edward Johnson, of Lee county, and Chas.
S.Blake, of Henry county, were appointed
to locate the institution and superintend
the erection of the building; $4,4 25 were
appropriated by the Legislature for the
site, and $500,000 for the building. The
commissioners located the institution at
Mount Pleasant, Henry county, and a plan
of the building was drawn by Dr. Bell, of
Massachusetts. The building was designed
to accommodate 300 patients, and in Octo-
ber work commenced, superintended by
Henry Winslow. The Legislature had
appropriated $258,555.67 before it was
completed. One hundred patients were
admitted within three months. In April,
1876, a portion of the building was de-
stroyed by fire From the opening of the
Hospital to the close of October, 1877,
there wer<> admitted 3,684- patients. Of
these, 1,141 recovered, 505 were improved,
589 were discharged unimproved, and 1
died. During this period 1,384 of the pa-
tients were females.
The trustees are elected by the Legisla-
ture, and all officers are chosen by the
trustees. Superintendents are chosen for
six years. Dr. Ranney was first chosen in
1865; salary, $2,000 annual. Whole number
of patients admitted, 4,598; present num-
ber males, 298; present number females,
235. Trustees paid $5 per day and mile-
age, not to exceed 30 days each year.
Annual meeting, first Wednesday in Octo-
ber; quarterly, January, April and Sep-
tember.
Present officers are: Mark Ranney, M.
D, Superintendent; H.M.Bassett, M.D.,
J. P. Brubaker, M.D., and Max Witte,
M.D., assistant physicians.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
HOSPITAL FOE THE INSANE, AT INDEPEND-
ENCE.
The Legislature of 1867-8 adopted meas-
ures providing for an additional hospital for
the insane, and an appropriation of $125,-
000 was made for that purpose. Matuiin
L. Fisher, of Clayton county, E. G. Mor-
gan, of Webster county, and Albert Clark,
of Buchanan county, were appointed com-
missioners to locate and superintend the
erection of a building. These commis-'
Bioners commenced their labors June 8,
1868, at Independence. They were author-
ized to select the most desirable location,
of not less than 320 acres, within two
miles of the city of Independence, that
might be offered by the citizens free of
charge. They finally selected a site on the
west side of the Wapsipinicon river, about
a mile from its banks, and about the same
distance from Independence. The contract
for building was awarded to David Arm
strong, of Dubuque, for $88,114. It was
signed November 7, 1868, and work was
immediately commenced. George Josse-
lyn was appointed superintendent of the
work. The first meeting of the trustees
was called in July, 1872. At the Septem-
ber meeting, Albert Reynolds, M. D , was
elected Superintendent of the Hospital;
George Josselyn, Steward, and Mrs. Anna
B. Josselyn, Matron.
The Hospital opened May 1,1873. Whole
number of patients admitted, 2,000; pres-
ent number (1882), 533; males, 290; fe-
males, 243. Biennial appropriation (1880),
$35,300.
The present officers are: G. H. Hill,
Superintendent; term expires in 1882;
salary, $1,600. H. G. Brainard, M. D.,
Assistant Superintendent; salary, $1,000.
Noyes Appleman, Steward; salary, $900.
Mrs. Lucy M. Gray, Matron; salary, $600.
soldiers' orphans' home.
This institution is located at Davenport,
Scott county, and was originated by Mrs.
Annie Wittenmeyer, during the late rebel-
lion. This noble woman called a conven-
tion at Muscatine, September 7, 1863, for
the purpose of devising means for the
education and support of the orphan chil-
dren of Iowa, whose fathers lost their lives
in defending their country's honor. The
public interest in the movement was so
great that all parts of the State were
largely represented, and an association was
organized, called the Iowa State Orphan
Asylum. The first meeting of the trus-
tees was held February 14, 1864, at Des
Moines, when Gov. Kirkwood suggested
that a home for disabled soldiers should be
connected with the Asylum, and arrange-
ments were made for raising funds. At
the next meeting, in Davenport, the fol-
lowing month, a committee was appointed,
of which Mr. Howell, of Keokuk, was
chairman, to lease a suitable building,
solicit donations, and procure suitable
furniture. This committee secured a large
brick building in Lawrence, VanBuren
county, and engaged Mr. Fuller, of Mount
Pleasant, as Steward. The work of prepa-
ration was conducted so vigorously that
July 13, following, the executive commit-
tee announced that they were ready to
receive children. Within three weeks 21
were admitted, and in a little more than
six months the soldiers' orphans admitted
numbered 70.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Miss M. Elliott, of Washington, was
appointed the first Matron, but she resigned
tluf illowing Febrmry, and was succeeded
b\ .Mrs. E Q Piatt, of Fremont county.
The Home was sustained by voluntary
cm iributions, until 1866, when it was
taken charge of by the State. The Leg-
islature appropriated $10 per month for
each orphan actually supported, and pro-
vided for the establishment of three
homes The one in Cedar Falls was organ-
ized in 1S65; an old hotel building was
fitted up for it, and by the following Jan-
uary there were 96 inmates. In October,
1869, the Home was removed to a large
brick building about two miles west of
Cedar Falls, and was very prosperous for
several years; but in 1876 the Legislature
devoted this building to the State Normal
School. The same year the Legislature
also devoted the buildings and grounds of
the Soldiers' Orphans' Home, at Glenwood,
Mills county, to an Institution for the Sup-
port of Feeble-Minded Children. It also
provided for the removal of the soldiers'
orphans at Glenwood and Cedar Falls
Homes to the institution located at Daven-
port.
The present officers are: S. W. Pierce,
Superintendent; Mrs F.W. Pierce, Matron.
Whole number admitted, 1,525; present
number, males, 79; females, 90. The 18th
Grand Army Corps appropriated 12,000 to
build eight cottage--, school house and other
buildings; these have been completed, and
the home will, when finished, accommo-
date 200 children. Superintendent's sal-
ary, $1,200 per annum. Trustees are
elected for two years.
ASYLUM FOR FEEBLE-MINDED CHILDREN.
An act of the General Assembly, ap-
proved March 17, 1878, provided for the
establishment of an asylum for feeble-
minded children at Glenwood, Mills
county; and the buildings and grounds of
the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at that place
were taken for this purpose. The asylum
was placed under the management of three
trustees, one of whom should be a resident
of Mills County.
The grounds to be used were found to
be in a very dilapidated condition, and
thorough changes were deemed necessary.
The institution was opened September 1,
1876, and the first pupil admitted Septem-
ber 4. By November, 1877, the number
of pupils had increased to 87. The whole
number admitted has been 257. Present
inmates number 200.
PENAL INSTITUTIONS.
The first penal institution was estab-
lished by an act of the Territorial Legisla-
ture, approved January 25, 1839. This
act authorized the Governor to draw the
sum of $20,000, appropriated by an act of
Congress in 1838, for public buildings in
the Territory of Iowa. It provided for a
Board of Directors, consisting of three
persons, to be elected by the Legislature,
who should superintend the building of
a penitentiary to be located within a mile
of the publio square, in the town of Fort
Madison, county of Lee, provided that the
latter deeded a suitable tract of land for
the purpose, also a spring or stream of
water for the use of the penitentiary.
The first directors were John S. David
and John Claypole. They were given the
power of appointing the warden, the latter
HISTORY OF IOWA.
to appoint his own assistants. The citizens
of Fort Madison executed a deed of 10
acres of land for the building, and Amos
Ladd was appointed superintendent June
5, 1839. The work was soon entered upon,
and the main building and warden's house
w.ere completed in the fall of 1841. It
continued to meet with additions and im-
provements until the arrangements were
all completed according to the design of
the directors. The estimated cost of the
building was $55,933.90, and was designed
of sufficient capacity to accommodate 138
convicts.
Iowa has adopted the enlightened policy
of humane treatment of prisoners, and
utilizes their labor for their own support.
Their labor is let out to contractors, who
pay the State a stipulated sum therefor,
the latter furnishing shops, tools, ma-
chinery, etc., and the supervision of the
convicts.
The present officers of the prison are:
E. C. McMillen, Warden, elected 1878 and
1880; Hiel Hale, Deputy Warden; W. C.
Gimn, Chaplain; A. W. Hoffmeister,
Physician; M. T. Butterfield, Clerk.
The whole number of convicts admitted
up to the present time (1882) is 3,387.
Number of males in 1881, 350; females,
3; number of guards, 33. The Warden
is chosen biennially by the Legislature,
aud receives a salary of $2,000 per annum.
ANAMOSA PENITENTIARY.
In 1872 the first steps toward the erec-
tion of a prison at Anamosa, Jones county,
were taken, and by an act of the General
Assembly, approved April 23, this year,
William Ure, Foster L. Downing and Mar-
tin Heisey were appointed commissioners
to construct and control prison buildings,
They met on the 4th of June, following,
and selected a site donated by the citizens
of Anamosa. The plan, drawings and
specifications were furnished by L. W.
Foster & Co , of DesMoines, and work on
the building was commenced September
28, 1872. In 1873, 20 convicts were trans-
ferred from the Fort Madison prison to
Anamosa.
The officers of the Anamosa prison are:
A. E. Martin, Warden; L. B. Peer, Deputy
Warden; Mrs. A. C. Merrill, Chaplain; L.
J. Adair, Physician; T. P. Parsons, Clerk.
The whole number admitted since it was
opened is 816. Number of males in 1882,
133; females, 2. Salaries of officers the
same as those of the Fort Madison peni-
tentiary.
boys' reform sctiool.
By act approved March 31, 1868, the
General Assembly established a reform
school at Salem, Henry county, and pro-
vided for a Board of Trustees, to consist
of one person from each Congressional
District. The trustees immediately leased
the property of the Iowa Manual Labor
Institute, and October 7 following, the
school received its first inmate. The law
at first provided for the admission of
children of both sexes under 18 years of
age. The trustees were directed to organ-
ize a separate school for girls.
In 1872 the school was permanently
located at Eldora, Hardin county, and
$45,000 were appropriated for the neces-
sary buildings.
In 1876 the law was so amended that
only children over 7 and under 16 years of
as;e were admitted.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
The children are taught the elements of
education, in particular the useful branches,
and are also trained in some regular course
of labor, as is best suited to their age, dis-
position and capacity. They are kept
until they arrive at majority, unless bound
out to some responsible party, which
relieves the State of their care. Occasion-
ally they are discharged before the age of
21, for good conduct.
The institution is managed by five trus-
tees, elected by the Legislature. Whole
number of boys admitted, 818. There are
204 inmates at present, and also 63 in the
girls' department, at Micheliville. The
biennial appropriation for 1880 was
STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
By act of the General Assembly ap-
proved January 28, 1857, a State Historical
Society was provided for in connection
with the University. At the commence-
ment, an appropriation of $250 was made,
to be expended in collecting and preserv-
ing a library of books, pamphlets, papers,
paintings and other materials illustrative
of the history of Iowa. There was appro-
priated the sum of $500 per annum to
maintain this Society. The management
consists of a board of 18 curators, nine
appointed by the Governor and nine
elected by vote of the Society.
The State Historical Society has pub-
lished a series of very valuable collections,
including history, biography, sketches,
reminiscences, etc., with quite a large
number of finely engraved portraits of
prominent and early settlers, under the
tide of "Annals of Iowa."
STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
This Society is conducted under the
auspices of the State, and is one of the
greatest promoters of the welfare of the
people under the management of the Stale
government. It should receive more pe-
cuniary assistance than it does. The
Society holds an annual fair, which has
occurred at Des Moines since 1878. At its
meetings subjects are disciused of the
highest interest and value, and these pro-
ceedings are published at the expense of
the State.
The officers are a President, Vice-Presi-
dent, Secretary, and Treasurer and five
Directors. The last hold office for two
years, and the other officers one year.
FISH HATCHING-HOUSE.
This was established in 1874, and has
for its object the supplying of rivers and
lakes with valuable fish. The General
Assembly first appropriated the sum of
$3,000. Three fish commissioners were
appointed, and the State is divided into
three districts, one for each commissioner.
The Hatching-House was erected near
Anamosa, Jones county, and is conducted
in the same manner as similar houses in
other States. Since 1876 there has been
but one commissioner, B. F. Shaw. Mr.
Shaw is enthusiastic in his work, and has
distributed hundreds of thousands of
small fish of various kinds in the rivers
and lakes of Iowa. The 16th General
Assembly passed an act in 1878 prohibiting
the catching of any kind of fish except
brook trout from March until June of each
year.
4^
HISTORY OF IOWA.
CHAPTER X.
POLITICAL.
The Territory of Iowa was organized in
1838, and the following Territorial officers
were appointed by President VanBuren:
Governor, Robert Lucas, of Ohio; Secre-
tary of the Territory, William B. Conway;
Chief Justice, Charles Mason, of Burling-
ton; Associate Justices, Thomas S. Wilson,
of Dubuque, and Joseph Williams, of
Pennsylvania; Attorney-General, M. Van
Allen, of New York; Marshal, Francis
Gehon, of Dubuque.
The first election was for members of
the Territorial Legislature and a delegate
to Congress. The Democracy controlled
the Legislature by a large majority. The
vote on Delegate was as follows :
Wm. W. Chapman, Dem 1,400
Peter H. Engle, Dem 1,454
B. F. Wallace, Whig 013
David Rorer, De:r. 605
Mr. Talliafero 30
The election of 1R39 was for members
of ihe Second Territorial Legislature, and
created little interest.
In 1840, the year of the "hard cider
campaign," the interest was awakened, and
both parties put in nomination candidates
for Delegate to Congress. There was also
an election for Constitutional Convention,
which was defeated. The vote on Dele-
gate was as follows:
A. C. Dodge, Dem.
Alfred Rich, Whig. .
Mr. Churchman
.4,009-515
.3,494
The Whigs held a convention in 1841,
at Davenport, on the 5th day of May, and
adopted the following platform :
Whereas, It lias pleased the Governor of the
Universe, by one of those inscrutable acts the
righteousness of which no man may question,
,to take from the American people their beloved
Chief Magistrate, William Henry Harrison, and
transfer him from this to another, and, we trust,
to a better world; therefore,
Resolved, That we sincerely mourn over and
deplon the loss of one whose services in every
department of society have been so pre-emi-
nently useful. As a citizen, he was beloved for
his rectitude and benevolence; as a soldier, dis-
tinguished for his bravery and success; as a
statesman, his ability, purity and patriotism
were remarkable; as a Christian, he was humble
and pious. Iu short, his whole character was
made up of traits seldom to be found in men
occupying the place in society he filled, and is
worthy f imitation by all those who love their
country.
Resolved, As a token of our sorrow on this
providential bereavement, we will wear the
usual badge of mourning thirty days; and that
we concur with President Tyler on recommend-
ing to the people of the United States that the
14th of May be observed as a day of fasting and
prayer.
Resolved, That we have full confidence in the
ability and current political sentiments of John
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Tyler, who, by the voice of the people and the
Providence of God, now fills the Executive
Chair of the United States.
Resolved, That we recognize in John Cham-
bers, the gentleman lately appointed to the Ex-
ecutive Chair of Iowa, a sterling Democratic
Whig; one whose early life is honorably identi-
fied with the history of our late war with Great
Britain; and whose uniform devotion to the best
interests of our country affords us a sure guar-
anty of his usefulness in this Territory.
Alfred Rich was again nominated for
Delegate to Congress.
The Democrats held their convention
June 1, at Iowa City, and passed the fol-
lowing resolutions :
Whereas, The Federalists, or self-styled
Whigs of Iowa, flushed with their recent victory
in the Presidential contest, and secure in the
enjoyment of power, are laboring zealously and
perseveringly to effect a revolution in the polit-
ical character of the Territory, to accomplish
which all their united energies wiil be brought
into action at the next general election; an*l,
Whereas, The Democracy here, as well as
elsewhere, believing the principles of their party
to be based upon the immutable and eternal doc-
trines of right and justice, feel it to be their
duty to maintain and assert them upon all prop-
er occasions — in the hoMt of defeat as when tri-
umphant; and,
Whereas, By union and harmony, exertion
and activity, we can administer a rebuke to the
arrogant spirit of Federalism, at our next gen-
eral election, which, while it will exhibit Iowa
to the Democracy of the Union in the most en-
viable light, will also demonstrate to the enemies
of our principles the futility and hopelessness
of their efforts to obtain the ascendency; there-
fore,
Besolved, That it is the duty of every Democrat
of Iowa, no matter what may be his station in
life, to be watchful, vigilant and active in main-
taining the ascendency of his party in the Ter-
ritory; and it is earnestly urged upon all that
they lay aside local questions and sectional feel-
ings, and unite heart and hand in exterminating
their common enemy, Federalism, from the
Territory.
Resolved, That Iowa, in defiance of the efforts
of the National administration to throw around
her the shackles of Federalism, is, and will con-
tinue to be, Democratic to the core; and she
spurns, with a proper indignation, the attempt
of those in power to enslave her, by sending
her rulers from abroad, whose chief recom-
mendation is, that they have not only been
noisy, but brawling, clamorous politicians.
Resolved, That in the appointment of David
Webster to be Secretary of the Stivte, ive see the
destinies of our beloved country committed to
the hands of a man who, during the late war
with Great Britain, pursued a course to which
the epithet oi "moral treason" was justly ap-
plied at the time. In the gloomiest period of
the war, Mr. Webster was found acting, upon
all occasions, in opposition to every war meas-
ure brought forward by the friends of the
country; and the journals of Congress and
speeches of Mr. Webster clearly established the
fact that, though not a member, he connived at
and leagued in with the traitorous Hartford Con-
vention.
Resolved, That the recent astounding and
extraordinary disclosures made by the stock-
holders of the United States Bank, with regard
to the mismanagement, fraud and corruption of
that wholesale swindling institution, prove the
correctness of the course of the Democracy of
the Nation in refusing to grant it a new charter,
and redounds greatly to the sagacity, honesty
and Roman firmness of our late venerable and
iron-nerved President, Andrew Jackson.
Resolved, That the distribution of the public
lands is a measure not only fraught with evil,
on the grounds of its illegality, but that, were it
carried into effect, would greatly prejudice the
rights and interests of the new States and Ter-
ritories.
Resolved, That a permanent prospective pre-
emption law is the only effectual means of
securing to the hardy pioneer his home, — the
^=t
HISTORY OF IOWA.
result of his enterprise and toil, which alone
has brought our lovely and cultivated plains
from the rude hand of nature to their present
high state of cultivation.
Resolved, That in Thomas H. Benton, the
bold and fearless leader of the Democracy of
our country, on this as well as all the matters of
western policy, we behold the poor man's true
and firmest friend, in whom, as the advocate of
their interests and rights, they have the highet-t
confidence, and on whom they can rely for sup-
port and protection in the enjoyment of rights
and privileges which it has ever been the policy
of the Federalists to divest them of.
Resolved, That Democracy is based upon the
principles of equal rights and justice to all men;
that to deprive man of the privileges bestowed
upon him by the laws of nature and bis country,
without yielding him a just equivalent, is to
take from him all that renders lite worthy his
possession — independence of action; such we
believe to be the effect of the recent order of the
present Chief Magistrate.
Resolved, That we respect all, of whatever
station, who boldly and fearlessly advocate our
rights and secure us in the free enjoyment of
the same, while we heartily despise and con-
demn those, Come from whence they may, who
are leagued with our enemies in their efforts to
wrest from us our homes and sacred altars.
Resolved, That it is the characteristic doctrine
of Democracy to secure to all the enjoyment of
rights and privileges inalienable to freemen,
and that the proscription of foreigners by the
Federalists is a contracted effort to secure to
themselves the inestimable privileges of free-
dom and free government, and thus cut jff a
large portion of the human family from rights
which the charter of our liberties declare are
granted to all.
Gen. A. C. Dodge was placed in nom-
ination, and elected by the following vote:
A. C. Dodge, Dem 4,828—513
Alfred Rich, Whig 4,315
No platforms were adopted by the par-
ties in 1842; neither was there in 1843.
William H. Wallace was nominated by
the Whigs and A. C. Dodge by the Dem-
ocrats for Delegate to Congress. The
vote stood:
A. C. Dodge, Dem 6,084—1,272
William Wallace, Whig 4,812
On the 9th day of January, 1844, the
Whigs met in convention, at Iowa City,
and without making nominations adopted
the following platform:
Resolved, That ; ublic meetings for the free in-
terchange of feelings and opinions on the part
of the American people, in regard to important
measures, are interwoven with our political insti-
tutions, and necessary to the perpetuity of our
national liberty.
Resolned, That it is the duty of all patriots
to keep a watchfui eye upon their rulers, and
to resist at the threshold every inroad to cor-
ruption; that we deprecate the prostitution of
the patronage of the President and of the dif-
ferent officers of the Government to the services
of a party and the practice of offering the offices
of honor and profit as a reward for political
treachery; that we believe this exercise of; ower
to be eminently dangerous to the political integ-
rity and patriotism of the i ountry, and that a
limitation to one Presidential term would, in a
great degree, arrest the progress of corruption
and political profligacy.
Resolved, That inasmuch as the States, in the
formation of the constitution, surrendered to tl e
General Government exclusive control of all the
sources of incidental revenue and reserved to
themselves the right of taxation alone as a
source of revenue to meet their individual
wants; justice, reason, and common honesty
require that the General Government should
provide an incidental revenue equal to all the
wants of the Government, without resorting to
the proceeds of the public lands or the odious
and oppiessive measure of direct taxation as
contended for by the so-called Democratic
party.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Resolved, That we regard the proceeds of the
sales of public lands as the legitimate property
of the States, and as only a trust fund in the
hands of the General Government, and that the
trust should te executed without further delay
by a distribution of the same among the States
and Territories; that this measure is especially a
debt of justice at this time, when many of the
States are groaning with taxation and almost
driven to bankruptcy by an accumulation of
debts, which have resulted in a great measure
from the ruinous policy of the so-called Demo-
cratic party.
Resolved, That we deprecate experiments in
legislation where the result is uncertain and un-
ascertainable, and that while we should avoid
the errors of the past, we should cliug with
unflinching tenacity to those institutions which
have successfully stood the test of experiment,
and have received the sanction and support of
the f ramers of the constitution.
Resolved, That we deem the establishment of
a national currency of certain value and every-
where received, as indispensably necessary to
the greatest degree of national prosperity; that
the international commerce of this widely ex-
tended country is greatly retarded and heavily
burdened with taxation by the want of a com-
mon medium of exchange, and that it is the
constitutional duty of the General Government
to remove all impediments to its successful pros-
ecution, and to foster and encourage the internal
commerce and enterprise, the interchange of
commodities among the States, not only by a
reasonable system of internal improvements of
a general character, but also by furnishing to
the nation a currency of equal value in all parts
of its wide-spread domain, and that the exper-
ience of the past fully proves that this end has
been accomplished by a national bank, can be
again accomplished by a national bank, and in
no way so safely and so certainly as by the
agency of a well regulated national bank.
Resolved, That a tariff which will afford a rev-
enue adequate to all the wants of the General
Government, and at the same time protect the
agricultural and mechanical industry of the
American people, is a measure necessary to
secure the prosperity of the country, and
warmly advocated by the Whig party of this
Territory.
Resolved, That although we have no right to
vote at the approaching Presidential election,
yet we look forward to the exertions of our
friends of the States for the elevation of Henry
Clay to the Chief Magistracy of the Union with
intense interest and assurance of our most
ardent wishes for their
Resolved, That governments should be admin-
istered so as to produce the greatest good to the
greatest number, and that this is true Democracy;
that the self-styled Democratic party, by the
policy they have pursued for the last ten years
in their efforts to destroy the prosperity of our
farmers and mechanics by rejecting a tariff for
revenue and protection, by destroying the best
currency ever possessed in any nation, by seek-
ing to deprive us of all currency except gold
and silver, in refusing to the indebted States
relief by paying to them their proportion of the
proceeds of the public lands, in their continued
uniform and violent opposition to all measures
calculated to advance the national and individ-
ual prosperity, by means of the encouragement
of commerce and internal improvements, by a
narrow and selfish policy in converting the ex-
ecutive power into an engine of party, by their
federal and aristocratic exertions to maintain
the veto power, and consolidate all the powers
of Government in one leader, thereby rendering
the administration of the Government a mere
machine of party, in their repeated efforts to
undermine and destroy the constitution and
laws of Congress, by openly disregarding the
rights secured by those laws, in their demoraliz-
ing efforts to induce the States to disregard their
honor and repudiate their debts, in their open
violation of private rights, by repealing charters
and violating the obligation of contract; in short,
by their whole policy and principles which, in a
time of peace, and abundant crops, and with the
smiles of heaven, have reduced this wealthy,
proud and prosperous nation to actual bank-
ruptcy, r.ational and individual, they have for-
feited the name of Democrats, and as a party
are no longer to be trusted with the reins of
power.
„r*
HISTORY OF IOWA.
The Democrats adopted no platform in
1844.
The Legislature on the 1 2th of February,
1844, passed another act submitting the
question of a constitutional convention to
the people, which was carried. A consti-
tution was framed by this convention, and
Congress passed an act providing for the
admission of Iowa as a State; but curtail-
ing the northern and western boundaries.
At an election held in April, 1845, the
people rejected the constitution. The
August election, 1845, was for Delegate to
Congress. Ralph P. Lowe secured the
Whig nomination, while A. C. Dodge was
nominated for re-election by the Demo-
crats. The vote stood:
A.C.Dodge, Dcm 7,512—831
R. P. Lowe, Whig, 6,681
In April, 1876, delegates were chosen to
a second constitutional convention, which
met at Iowa City, May 4, 1846. The con-
stitution framed by this body was accepted
by the people in August, Congress having
repealed the obnoxious features respecting
boundaries, giving Iowa the territory to
which it was justly entitled.
After the adoption of this constitution,
the Whigs met in convention at Iowa
City, September 25, and nominated the
following State ticket: Governor, Thos.
McKnight; Secretary of State, James H.
Cowles; Auditor of State, Eastin Morns;
Treasurer of State, Egbert T. Smith. The
following platform was adopted:
Resolved, That, considering it our duty, as
Whigs, to effect a thorough organization of our
party, and, by use of all honorable means, faith-
fully and diligently strive to ensure the success
of our political principles in the State of Iowa.
Resolved, That we, as Whigs, do prom'.ly and
unhesitatingly proclaim to the worM the follow-
ing distinctive and leading principles, that we,
as a party, avow and advocate, and which, if
carried out, we honestly believe will restore our
beloved country to its prosperity, and its insti-
tutions to their pristine purity:
1. A sound national currency, regulated by
the will and authority of the people.
2. A tariff that shall afford sufficient revenue
to the national treasury and just protection to
American labor.
3. More perfect restraints up"n executive
power, especially upon the exercise of the vet<..
4. An equitable distribution of the proceeds
of the sales of the pullic lands among all the
States.
5. One Presidential term.
6. Expenditure of the surplus revenue in
national improvements that will embrace the
great rivers, lakes, and main arteries of com-
munication throughout our country, thus secur-
ing the most efficient means of defense in war
and commercial intercourse in peace.
Resolved, That the re-enactment of the thrice
condemned sub-treasury, which will have the
effect of drawing all coin from circulation and
locking it up in the vaults and safes of the Gen-
eral Government, the passage of McKay's British
tariff bill discriminating in favor of foreign and
against American labor, and striking a blow,
intended to be fatal, to home market for Ameri-
can agricultural productions, and the executive
veto of the river and harbor bill which paralyzes
the western farmer's hope of just facilities for
transporting his surplus products to a market,
and cripples the enegies of commerce in every
division of the Union, should consign the present
administration to a condemnation so deep that
the hand of political resurrection could never
reach it.
Resolved, That we hold these truths to be self-
evident, that the fortv-ninth degree of north
latitude is not fifty-four degrees, forty minutes;
that James K. Polk's late letter was a deception
and falsehood of a character so base as none but
the most dishonorable mind would have resorted
to; that McKay's tariff is not a judicious revenue
HISTORY OF IOWA.
137
tariff affording incidental protect to American
industry; that the annexation of Texas is not
a peaceful acquisition; that lamp-black and
rags, though called treasury notes and drawn on
a bankrupt treasury, are not the constitutional
currency, and that locofocoism is not Democ-
racy .
Resolved, That we believe the American sys-
tem of Henry Clay, as exemplified in the tariff
of 1842, is essential to the independence and
happiness of the producing classes of the United
States; that in its protection of home protec-
tions it nerves the arm of the farmer and makes
glad the hearts of the mechanic and manufac-
turer by ensuring them a constant and satisfac-
tory remuneration for their toils, and that it is
found by the test of experience to be the only
permanent check on the excessive importations
of former years, which have been the principal
cause of hard times, repudiation, bankruptcy,
and dishonor.
Resolved, That we regard the adoption of the
constitution at the recent election, by reason of
the highly illiberal character of some of its pro-
visions, as an event not calculated to promote
the future welfare and prosperity of the State of
Iowa, aud that it is our imperative duty to pro-
cure its speedy amendment.
Resolved, That we pledge ourselves to use our
utmost exertions to keep up a thorough organi-
zation of the Whig party in Iowa; and although
our opponents claim erronerusly, as we believe,
to possess an advantage in numbers and depend
upon ignorance, prejudice and credulty for suc-
cess, yet, having a superiority in the principles
we profess, we have implicit confidence in the
dawning ef a brighter day, when the clouds and
darkness of locofocoism will be dispelled by the
cheering rays and invigorating influence of
truth and knowledge.
On motion, it was
Resolved, That we recommend to the support
of the people of Iowa, at the coming election,
the ticket nominated by this convention; that
we believe the candidates to be good men, and
that the members of this convention, in behalf
of those for whom they act, pledge to them a
cordial and zealous support.
The Democratic Convention was held
September 24, which nominated the fol-
lowing ticket: Governor, Ansel Briggs;
Secretary of State,E. Cutler, Jr.; Auditor
of State, J. T. Fales; Treasurer, Morgan
Reno.
The following platform was adopted:
Resolved, That the conduct of James K. Polk,
since he has been President of the United States,
and particularly during the last session of Con-
gress, has been that of an unwavering and un-
flinching Democrat; that Young Hickory has
proved himself to be a true scion of Old Hick-
ory; and we tender to him and his coadjutors in
the executive department the gratitude of the
people of the State of Iowa.
Resolved, That the recent session of Congress
has been one of the greatest importance to the
people of these United States, since the time of
Mr. Jefferson, and we confidently regard the
acts passed by it, particularly the passage of
the Independent Treasury Bill, the settlement
of the Oregon question (though the people of
Iowa would have preferred 54, 40), and the re-
peal of the odious tariff act of 1842, as destined
to advance the welfare, promote the interest,
and add to the peace and harmony not only of
our people, but of the civilized world.
Resolved, That the repeal of the unjust, un-
equal and fraudulent tariff act of 1842, at the
recent session of Congress, deserves the highest
praise from the people of Iowa, and entitles
those members of Congress who voted for it
to the lasting gratitude of all good citizens;
that by its minimum and specific, duties — by its
unequal and unjust protection of the captaiists
and moneyed institulions, and by its casting the
burden of taxation upon the laboring masses,
and exempting the uper ten thousand, it was
absolutely a federal tariff, based on the doc-
trines of the great God-like Belshazzerof Massa-
chusetts, viz: "Let the Government take care
of the rich, and the rich take care of the poor";
that the conduct of the Vice-President of the
United States, upon that great question of the
age, entitles him to the highest place in the con-
fidence of the Democracy of the United States.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Resolved, That all modes of raising revenue
for the support of Government are taxes upon
the capital, labor and industry of the country;
and that it is the duty of a good government to
impose its taxes in such a manner as to bear
equally on all classes of society; and that any
government which, in levying duties for raising
revenue, impresses burdens on any one class of
society, to build up others, though republican in
form, is tyranical in deed, ceases to be a just
government, and is unworthy of the confidence
or support of a free people.
Resolved, That the separation of the public
moneys from the banking institutions of the
country, in the passage of the Independent
Treasury Bill, meets the approbation of this
Convention, and the recent vote of the people
of this Slate, adopting the Constitution, is a de-
cisive indication of public sentiment against all
banking institutions of whatever name, nature
or description.
Resolved, That the repeated unjust aggression
of the Mexican people and Mexican Government
have long since called for redress, and the spirit
which has discouraged, opposed and denounced
the war which our Government is now carrying
on agaiust Mexico, is the same spirit which op-
posed the formation of a Republican Govern-
ment, opposed Jefferson and denounced the last
war with Great Britain, and now, as they did
then, from a federal fountain.
Resolved, That General Taylor and our little
army have won for themselves the everlasting
gratitude of the country, for which they will
never, like Scott, be exposed to a shot in their
rear from Washington or any other part of the
country.
Resolved, That we repudiate the idea of party
without principles; that Democracy has certain
fixed and unalterable principles, among which
are equal rights and equal protection to all, un-
limited rights of suffmge to every freeman, no
property qualifications or religious tests, sov-
ereignty of the people, subjection of the Legis-
lature to the will of the people, obedience to the
instructions of constituents, or resignation, and
restriction of all exclusive privileges to corpo-
rations to a level with individual rights.
Resolved, That henceforth, as a political party,
we are determined to know nothing but Democ-
racy, and that we will support men only for
their principles. Our motto will be: Less leg-
islation, few laws, strict obedience, short ses-
sions, light taxes, and no State debt.
The vote on Governor was as follows:
Ansel Briggs, Dem 7,626—247
Thomas McKnight, Whig 7,379
The office of State Superintendent of
Public Instruction having been vacated, it
was provided in the act that an election
should be held the first Monday in April,
1847, for the purpose of filling the office.
The Whigs placed James Harlan in nomi-
nation, and the Democrats, Charles Mason.
Harlan was elected by a majority of 413
out of a total vote of 15,663.
By act approved February -24, 1847, the
Legislature created a Board of Public
Works for the improvement of DesMoines
river, and provided for the election of a
President, Secretary and Treasurer of such
on the first Monday in August. The
Democrats in State convention at Iowa
City, June 11, placed the following ticket
in the field: President of Board, H. W.
Sample; Secretary, Charles Corkery; Treas-
urer, Paul Bratton. The following plat-
form was adopted:
Whereas, Our country is at present engaged
in an expensive and sanguinary war, forced
upon her against her will, and cariied on to
repel aggravated and repeated instances of in-
sult and injustice; and,
Whereas, There are those among us, native-
born Americans, who maintain that Mexico is
in the right and the United States in the wrong
in this war; and,
Whereas, The public mind is, at the present
time, agitated by other great questions of na-
tional policy, in relation to which it is proper
that the Democracy of Iowa should speak out
HISTORY OF IOWA.
through their representatives here assembled;
therefore,
Resolved, That we indignantly repel the charge
made by the Whig press and the Whig leaders,
that the war is one of aggression and conquest.
The United States, we fearlessly assert, have
for years submitted to treatment at the hands of
Mexico which, by any European government,
would have been regarded as a good cause of
war, and which our own government would
have made cause of quarrel with any transat-
lantic power.
Resolved, That we triumphantly point to the
repeated efforts made by our government, since
the commencement of the war, to re-open nego-
tiations with Mexico with a view of putting an
end to hostilities as evidence of the pacific
motiyes by which it is actuated, and we rely
upon this testimony for the justification of our
government in the eyes of the civilized world.
We also point, with the highest satisfaction, to
the humane and Christian like manner in which
the war has been conducted on our part, show-
ing, as it does, that the United States have
throughout acted upon principle in every respect
worthy of the enlightened ana civilized age in
which we live. ■
Resolved, That we have the most unlimited
confidence in the ability and statesman-like
qualities of President Polk; that the measures
of his administration, standing, as they have
done, the test of time, have our most cordial
approbation; that in the prosecution of the war
with Mexico, he and the several members of his
cabinet have evinced the most signal energy and
capacity; that the brilliant success of our arms
at every point, and the fact that in the short
space of one year more than one-half of Mexico
has been overcome by our troops, and is now in
our possession, furnishes a refutation of the
assertion sometimes heard from the Whigs, that
the war has been inefficiently conducted, and
that the country has the amplest cause to con-
gratulate itself that, great and - important as the
crisis is, it has men at the head of affairs fully
equal to the emergency.
Resolved, That the thanks of the American
people are due to Major-Generals Scott and
Taylor, their officers and men, for their courage,
bravery and endurance; that in the victories they
have achieved, they have shed imperishable
honor upon their country's flag at the same time
that they have won for themselves, one and all,
chaplets of imperishable renown.
Resoloed, That in the demand which now ex-
ists in the countries of the old world for Ameri-
can provisions, we have an illustration of the
incalculable benefits which are sure to result to
the United States, and particularly to the great
West, from reciprocal interchange of commo-
dities; that the agriculturists of Iowa have sen-
sibly partaken of the benefits resulting from
this liberal system of policy, and in the name of
the Democratic party of Iowa, we tender to
President Polk and the Democratic members of
Congress our thanks for the enactment of a
tariff, which is likely to have the effect of caus-
ing foreign countries to still further abolish their
restrictions upon American grain and American
provisions.
Resolved, That the evidence to be found in the
fact that, within the last three months, the enor-
mous sum of fifty-five millions of dollars has
been offered to be loaned to the Government at
a premium, is a proud vindication of the finan-
cial ability of the Government, at the same time
that it rebukes with merited severity the croak-
ing of those who, at the commencement of the
war, predicted that the treasury would be beg-
gared in less than a year, with no means of re-
plenishing it.
Resolved, That we approve of the conduct of
the Democratic members of our first State Legis-
lature. Under the peculiar circumstances by
which they were surrounded, their conduct was
such as became them, and is sustained by the
entire Democracy of the State.
Resolved, That the Democratic party have ever
regarded education as the only means of pre-
serving and perpetuating our republican institu-
tions; that it is now and ever has been solicitous
for its extension throughout the whole length
and breadth of our land; and that it is one of
the chief objects of the Democratic party of this
State to establish such a system of free schools
as will enable every child within its borders to
IIIS10RY OF IOWA.
qualify himself to perform all the duties devolv-
ing upon a citizen of this favored country.
Resolved, That we pledge ourselves collectively
to support the nominees of this convention; that
in our respective counties vvc will spare no
efforts to promote their success; that we will
permit no selfish consideration, no sectional feel-
ings, to influence us, but. rallying under the
banner of the good old cause, the cause of De-
mocracy, we will march on to victory, triumph-
ant victory 1
The Whigs nominated for President of
the Board, Geo. Wilson; Secretary, Madi-
son Dagger; Treasurer, Pierre 13 Fagan.
Sample was elected over Wilson by 510
majority, out of a total vote of 16,250.
The Whigs of Iowa were fir^t in the
field in 1848, meeting in convention May
11th, at Iowa City. They nominated for
Secretary of State J. M. Coleman; Auditor,
M. Morley; Treasurer, Robert Holmes.
The following platform was adopted :
The Government of the United States is based
upon and exists only by the consent of the peo-
ple; and,
Whereas, It is the duty as well as the rights
of the citizens of the United States to meet in
their primary capacity, whenever their judg-
ment may dictate, to examine into the affairs of
the Government; and,
Whereas, This right carries with it the power
to approve the conduct of their public servants,
whenever approval is merited by faithfulness
and integrity, so it equally confers the duty of
exposing imbecility, selfishness and corruption,
when they exist in the admiuistration of the Re-
public, and of denouncing those who. disregard-
ing the example and admonitions of the Fathers
of the Republic, are abandoning the true prin-
ciples on which our civil institutions are found-
ed, and proclaiming and carrying out measures
that cannot but prove detrimental to the har-
mony and best interests of the Union, and may
eventuate in the overthrow of our present Re-
publican form of government; therefore,
Resolved, By the Whigs of Iowa, through their
Representatives in State Convention assembled,
that the Government of the United States is a
limited Government, divided into three depart-
ments, each having its appn Mate sphere, and
separate and well-defined duties to perform;
that it is necessary to the stability and perpetu-
ity of our institutions, that the Executive, Leg-
islative and Judicial Departments should be
kept distinct, and confined to their legitimate
duties; and that any encroachment, by one de-
partment, upon either of the others, is a viola-
tion of the spirit and letter of the constitution,
and should call down the severest reprehension
of the American people.
Resolved, That the admonition of a late Presi-
dent of the United States, "Keep your eye upon
the Presi lent," should especially recommend
itself to all the people in times like the present;
that the Government can only be kept pure by
the constant watchfulness of the people and the
ixpression of their loudest censure, when spec-
ulation and corrupti. n is detected.
Resolved, That entertaining these opinions, we
have no hesitation in declaring that the eleva-
tion of James K. Polk to the Presidential office
was a sad mishap to the American Government;
and that his administration, by its total aban-
donment of the principles of true Republican-
ism, as taught by Washington, Jefferson and
Madison; by its encroachments on the national
constitution, and its entire disregard of the will
of the people, as expressed through their Rep-
resentatives in Congress; by its denunciations
of its own constituents, its futile attempt to
misrepresent facts and conceal the truth, its
endeavors to prostrate the industrial energies of
the people and discriminate ia favor of the man-
ufactures and machinery of Europe, its violation
of its own much lauded system of finance, the
sub-treasury, thereby furnishing the people with
promise to pay its officers with gold and silver;
by its war, commenced without the assent of
the war-m iking power, against a weak and dis-
tracted sister Republic, while at the same time,
it ignobly and cowardly crouched before
the lion of England, and took back its own asser-
tions; its public debt of one hundred millions
HISTORY OF IOWA.
and its sacrifice of human life; its veto of meas-
ures i h;it met the approval of every former Pres-
ident; and, worse than all, by its infamous at-
tempt to rob of their well-earned laurels, won on
the tented field, in the heart of the enemy's
country; those who commanded the armies of
the Republic, and bring them into unmerited
disgrace before the American people, — by this
aggregation 1 of misdeeds, has signalized itself
as the worst, most selfish and corrupt adminis-
tration the United States ever had.
Resolved, .That, while we concede that it is the
duty of every citizen to support his country
when engagi d in a conflict with a foreign power,
yet we equally insist that it is the duty of the
people to hold their public servants to a strict
accountability, and honestly to condemn what-
ever their judgment cannot approve; that we
indignantly hurl back the imputation of James
K. Polk and his parasites, that the "Whig party
of the Unkn are wanting in love of country,
and deficient in its defense, and in evidence of
the patriotism of the Whig party, we proudly
point to the commanding generals, the distin-
guished officers and the brave soldiers who, in
our army in Mexico, have shed luster upon them-
se ves and renown upon the flag of their country.
Resolved, That, believing the war terminated,
our convictions require us to declare that the
war with Mexico was a war brought on by the
Executive, without the approbation of the war-
n aking power, that had the same prudence
which governed the administration in its inter-
course with Great Britain, relative to the settle-
ment of the Oregon question, exercised toward
Mexico, a nation whose internal dissensions and
weakness demanded our forbearance, the war
w)uld have been averted, and the boundaries
between the two nations amicably and satisfac-
torily settled.
Resolved, That we are in favor of the applica-
tion of the principle contained in the Wilniot
proviso (so called), to all territory to be incor-
porated into this Union, and are utterly opposed
to the further ex'ension of slave territory.
Resolved, That our opposition to the sub-treas-
ury and the tariff of 1843 has not been dimin-
ished by the evidence furnished us of their oper-
ations; that they are twin measures, calculated
and designed to depress the free labor of the
country, for the benefit of a minority of the
people — the oie operating to lessen the price of
labor, and bring down the wages of freemen,
and the other throwing open our ports for the
introduction of the productions of the pauper
labor of Europe, thereby crippling our own man-
ufacturers and compelling them either to sacri-
fice their laborers or close their business; that
the one has failed as a disturbing system of the
Government, the administration having been
compelled to resort to banks and paper in
making their payments, and the other, as a rev-
enue measure, has proved entirely inadequate to
the support of the ordinary expenses of the Gov-
ernment; that the one, by withdrawing from
circulation, and shutting up in its vaults a large
amount of specie, and the other, by overstock-
ing the market with foreign goods, have largely
contributed towards, if they have not entirely
produced, the present financial difficulties; and
that we cannot but foresee that the country will
soon be visited, if these measures are continued,
with a commercial revulsion as great and disas-
trous as that of 1837.
Resolved, That the profession of the adminis-
tration of James K. Polk, that it is in favor of,
and devoted to, an exclusively metallic currency,
while if is issuing millions u, on millions of
paper money, in shape of treasury notes, irre-
deemable in specie, is an insult to the American
people, and deserves the unqualified denuncia-
tion of every lover of truth and honesty.
Resolved, That the great West, whose popula-
tion and commerce are rapidly increasing, bear-
ing, as it does, its full proportion of the public
burdens, is entitled to some consideration at the
hands of the General Government, and to some
participation in the Union; that the Mississippi
river is to the whole Mississippi Valley what the
Atlantic is to the Eastern and the lakes are to
the Northern States; that if it is constitutional
to clear and improve any harbors in the latter,
it is equally constitutional to do the same in the
former; that the River and Harbor Bill of the
last session of Congress contained only appro-
* r
HISTORY OF IOWA.
priations for work that had met the approval of
Jackson and VanBurcn; that the veto of that
measure by the Executive was a high-handed
usurpation upon the rights of the pe pie and
their representatives, uncalled for and unneces-
sary, and that, by that act, James K. Pulk
proved himself false to the principles of his pre-
decessors, and hostile to the future growth and
best interests of the West.
Resolved, That in view of the misrule, venality
and infractions of the Constitution which have
characterized the present administration, we
deem the approaching Presidential election one
of the most important that Las occurred since
the organization of the Government; that it is
necessary to the preservation of the institutions
bequeathed to us by our fathers, that there
should be a change of rulers as well as a change
of measures; that, animated by a sincere desire
to promote the welfare and honor of our coun-
try, we have determined to buckle on our armor
and enlist for the war; and, in the language of
one who never faltered in-his devotion to his
country, we call upon every Whig in Iowa to
"Arouse! Awake! Shake off the dew-drops that
glitter. on your garments!" and, in company
with your brethren throughout the Union, "Once
more march forth to battle and to victory I"
Resolved, That, although the Whig party of
Iowa lias expressed a preference for General
Taylor as the Whig candidate for President, yet
they deem it due to themselves to declare that
they commit the whole subject into the hands of
the Whig National Convention, and whoever
may be the nominee of that body for President,
the Whigs of Iowa will give him a cordial sup-
port.
Resolved, That locofocoism in Iowa has proved
itself a faction, "held together by the coercive
power of public plunder," and devoid alike of
generosity and prir.siple; that, under cover of
an assumed love of law and order, it has under-
taken and cast from office a citizen chosen by a
large majority of the popular voice, while, at the
same time, it is represented in Congress by men
elected without the shadow of law; that in foist-
ing into the halls of Legislature, men who had
no right there, for the purpose of carrying out
their own selfish designs, they were guilty of a
clear violation of constitutional law, and of
usurpation upon the rights of the people; and
that the Whig members of the Legislature, by
refusing to go into the election of Senators and
Supreme Judges, whde those individuals exer-
cised the functions of Representatives, truly
reflected the will of their constituents, and de-
serve the thanks of every friend of good gov-
ernment.
Ri\st>h-eil, That we most cordially commend to
the support of the people of Iowa the ticket
placed in nomination by this convention, of
State (•lliiars a:.d electors of President and Vice
President; that they are citizens distinguished
for their ability, integrity, patriotism and cor-
rect moral deportment; and that we pledge to
this ticket a full, hearty and zealous co-opera-
tion in the ensuing canvass, with the confident
assurance that if every Whig does his "duty, his
whole duty, and nothing short of his duty," at
the ballot-box, they will receive from the people
of Iowa a majority of their suffrages
Resolved, That we are watching with deep in-
terest the recent movements in Europe, indica-
ting as they do, the spread of popular liberty,
and the determination on the part of the masses
to throw off the fetters of despotism and kingly
rule; that we joyfully admit into the brother-
hood of republicanism the new republic of
France, trusting that an all- wise Providence
will guide and watch over the destinies of the
new government and establish it on a permanent
basis; and that to the masses of the other na-
tions of Europe, who are now struggling to he
free, we tender our warmest sympathies, and
bid them a heartfelt God-speed in their efforts to
obtain a recognition of their rights and liberties.
The Democrats placed the following
ticket in nomination at a State convention
held June 1st, at Iowa City: Secretary of
State, Josiah H. Bonney; Auditor, Joseph
T. Fales; Treasurer, Morgan Reno. The
official vote showed Bonney to be elected
Secretary of State by 1,212 majority, out
of a total of 23,522.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
The campaign of 1849 was opened by
the Democrats, who met in convention at
Iowa City, and nominated William Patter-
son, President of Board of Public Works;
for Secretary, Jesse Williams; Treasurer,
George Gillaspie. The platform adopted
by the convention was as follows:
Besolved, That, in view of the large interest at
stake in the judicious and vigorous prosecution
of the public works on the DesMoines river, and
in view also of the efforts on foot by the Whig
party to obtain the control and direction of the
same, by means of a Whig Board of Public
Works, it is important that the Democracy of
the State should take immediate and energetic
steps toward a thorough and complete organiza-
tion of the party, and be ready on the day of
the election to secure to themselves, by a tri-
umphant majority, the choice of the officers;
and that, while we cordially and unreservedly
recommend the nominees of this convention to
the confidence and support of the people, we
should also take occasion to admonish our
friends, that in union there is strength, and in
vigilance, success.
Besolved, That this convention has received,
with feelings of profound grief, the intelligence
of the death of that pure patriot and able states-
man, James K. Polk, late President of the United
States; and that for his eminent and distinguished
services to his country, for his faithfulness to
principle, and for his purily of private life, his
memory will ever live in the cherished recollec-
tions of the Democracy of the nation, by none
more honored than the people of this State.
Besolved, That we recur with pride to the tri-
umphant success, the splendid achievements,
and the imperishable renown of the late admin-
istration; and that, while we point to these as
the glorious results of past labors, we should re-
member that, as they were gained by a strict
adherence to honest principles and the adoption
of an honest policy, they can be sullied or im-
paiied only by a base abandonment of them
upon the altar of expediency, or by a disgrace-
ful surrender in the form of coward silence.
Besolved, That we still adhere as firmly as
ever to the principles and measures which dic-
tated and governed the course of the late admin-
istration; and that we derive a high pleasure
from the fact that a Democratic Senate is vouch-
safed to us as an impassable barrier between the
federal high tariff, bank and paper policy, hopes
and designs of the present dynasty, and the gold
and silver currency, and low tariff and inde-
pendent treasury policy of the people.
Besolved That the administration of Gen.
Taylor, as far as it Ins proceedi d upon its mis-
sion, has unblush'tngly falsified every promise
and giossly violated every pledge given before
the election by its nominal chief; that a party
which can go before the country upon one set of
issues, and immediately after its installation
into power enter upon the practice of another
set, is more than ever deserving of the reproba-
tion of the world, and of the continued and
uncompromising hostility of the Democratic
party.
Besolved, That General Taylor, for the part
which he has played, or has been made to play
in this d ; sgraceful game of deception, has dis-
placed a want of honest principle or weakness
of mind and character, which equally disquali-
fies him for the place he holds, and fuliy justi-
fies the worst predictions ever made agains his
fitness for the Presidency; and that, although
we may once have admired the soldier in the
tented field, we are now reluctantly brought to
condemn and to repudiate the cipher in the
cabinet of the country.
Besolved, That the removals in this State have
been made without cause and in direct viol ition
of the professions of General Taylor, before the
election; and that the appointments which have
followed have been made in equal violation of
the same professions.
Besolved, That the appointment of a bureau
officer from this State, in the person of Fitz
Henry Warren, is an act deserving the censure
and undistinguished condemnation which it is
receiving from a large majority of the Whigs of
Iowa; and that his retention in office, in the
face of these open and emphatic expressions of
4^
HISTORY OF IOWA.
public disgust, is well calculated to prepare the
mind of every one to be surprised at nothing, in
the way of moral turpitude, which may mark
the future character of General Taylor's admin-
istration.
Resolved, That the Democrats who have been
removed from office in this State by the federal
and prescriptive administration now in power,
retire from their respective posts without re-
proach from government, and with the unim-
paired confidence and respect of the Democracy
of the State.
Resolved, That we deprecate any separate and
sectional organizations, in any portion of the
country, having for their object the advocacy of
an isolated point involving feeling, and not
fact— pride, and not principle, as destructive to
the peace and happiness of the people and dan-
gerous to the stability of the Union.
Resolved, That inasmuch as the Territories of
New Mexico and California come to us free, and
ate free now by law, it is our desire that they
should remain forever free; but that until it is
proposed to repeal the laws making the country
free, and to erect others in their stead for the
extension of slavery, we deem it inexpedient
and improper to add to the further distraction
of the public mind by demanding, in the name
of the Wilmot Proviso, what is already amply
secured by the laws of the land.
The Whigs met in convention June 30,
at Iowa City, where they nominated the
following ticket: President of Board,
Thomas J. McKean; Secretary, William
M. Allison; Treasurer, Henry G. Stewart.
The following platform was adopted:
Resolved, That this convention has unlimited
confidence in the integrity, ability and patriotism
of the people's President, General Zachary Tay-
lor. The illustrious services he has rendered
his country in forty years' devotion to her in-
terests and her glory in the field, and the abun-
dant evidence he has given since his inaugura-
tion as Chief Magistrate of the Republic, of the
possession of eminent administrative talents,
afford a sure guaranty that his administration
will be devoted to the highest and best interests
of the country, the whole country, and nothing
but the country. With such a leader, one who
has successfully encountered every danger,
whether in front, rear or rank, we may look with
confidence to the speedy testoration of the
country to her true Republican destiny.
Resolved, That, in the opinion of this meet-
ing, the recent demonstration of public senti-
ment inscribes on the list of executive duties, in
characters too legible to be overlooked, the tusk
of reform, and the correction of those abuses
which have brought the patronage of the Federal
Government into conflict with the freedom of
election; and that as vacancies by death are
few, by resignation none, the task of reform
and the correction of those abuses can be accom-
plished only by removal; and we regard the wail-
ings of the locofoco press at the salutary and
essential changes which the administration has
seen proper to make, as involving a disregard
of the important truth here referred to, and a
contempt of the first principles of Democracy.
Resolved, That the welfare and interests of the
people of Iowa imperatively require an amend-
ment to the State Constitution, by which the
incubus, imposed in some of its provisions upon
their resources and prosperity, shall be removed.
Resolved, That the people have a right to
demand that this question shall be submitted to
them for their action, and in the judgment of
this convention they will be recreant to their
interests if they do not visit their condemnation
upon a party that, with professions of Democ-
racy perpetually upon its lips, has shown itself
in practice to be destitute of the true principles
of Democracy.
Resolved, That the course of the dominant
party of this State, in the late General AssemMy,
in its daring assaults upon the most sacred pro-
vision of the constitution; in the outrage which
it commit till against the great principles of civil
and religious liberty, in depriving one of the
counties of the State, as a punishment for the
free exercise by its voters of the elective fran-
chise of the rights of representation, in ex-
cluding it from all the judicial districts of the
HISTORY OF IOWA.
State, aud in its flagitious attempt to destroy its
organization altogether, and to excommunicate
its inhabitants, indiscriminately, from the pro-
tection of civil society; in its contemptuous
refusal to allow the people of the State the priv-
ilege of expressing their opinion on the subject
of a convention to amend the State constitution;
in its refusal to instruct the Senators in Con-
gress from this State to favor the policy of the
Wilmot Proviso, by excluding the institution of
slavery from our newly acquired Territory; in
its attempt to create new offices, not demanded
by the public interest, as a sort of pension to
partisan favorites — offices which would have im-
posed new burdens in the shape of increased
taxation without any corresponding benefit, —
and in its reckless prodigality of the public
money, should consign it to the perpetual con-
demnation of a free people.
Resolved, That we are opposed to the exten-
sion of slavery into territory now free, and that
we believe it to be the duty of the Federal Gov-
ernment to relieve itself of the responsibility of
that institution, wherever it has the constitu-
tional authority so to do; and that the legislation
necessary to effect those objects should be
adopted.
Resolved, That for the compliment paid to our
Slate, in the appointment of one of our fellow-
ciiizens to the important office of Assistant
Postmaster, the President is entitled to our
thanks.
Resolved, That we commend the ticket pre-
sented by this convention to the people of this
State for their cordial support.
Patterson was elected President over
McKean by a majority of 712 out of a total
vote of 22,632.
The Whigs met in convention May 15,
1850, at Iowa City, and made the follow-
ing nominations: Governor, James L
Thompson; Secretary of State, Isaac Cook;
Auditor of State, William H. Seevers;
Treasurer of State, Evan Jay; Treasurer
of Board of Public Works, James Nosier.
The resolutions adopted were as follows:
Resolved, That every day's experience vindi-
cates the sentiment proclaimed by the Whig
State Convention last year, that the welfare and
interests of the people of Iowa imperatively
require an amendment to the State constitution,
by which the incubus imported in some of its
provisions upon their resources and prosperity
shall be removed.
Resolved, That the people have a right to de-
mand that this question shall be submitted to
them for their action, and in the judgment of
this convention they will be recreant to their
interests if they do not so determine by their
votes at the approaching election.
Resolved, That we have undiminished confi-
dence in the integrity, ability and patriotism of
the people's President, General Z. Taylor, and
in the wisdom of the policy by him recom-
mended to Congress.
Resolved, That the Whigs of the country owe
it to themselves and the great principles they
profess to cherish, to give the President a Con-
gress disposed to co-operate with him in his
patriotic purposes to serve the country, instead
of pursuing a factious opposition to the bitter
end.
Resolved, That we cherish an ardent attach-
ment to the union of the States, and a firm de-
termination to adhere to it at all hazards and to
the last extremity.
Resolved, That we hail with the highest grati-
fication the rising of a new State upon the
borders of the Pacific, and that we are in favor
of its immediate admission into the family of
States upon no other conditions than those im-
posed by the constitution of the United States,
and untrammelled by any question of Territorial
legislation.
Resolved, That while we hold it to be the duty
of all to be ready and willing to stand to and
abide by the provisions of the constitution of the
United States, we are nevertheless free to re-
affirm, as we now do, the opinion heretofore ex-
pressed by the Whig party in Iowa, that we are
in favor of free men, free territory, and free
States.
HISTOEY OF IOWA.
Resolved, That the Surveyor General's office
of Wisconsin and Iowa, under the control of
the Democratic party, has been, and is, an
engine of vast political power, and that its
extensive patronage has been used to subserve
the interest of that party. We, therefore, re-
spectively and earnestly request of the President
of the United States the immediate removal of
C:H. Booth, Esq. , the present incumbent, and
the appointment of one who will not use the
patronage of this office for political ends.
Resolved, That we cordially recomnend the
candidates nominated by this convention, for
the various Slate offices to be filled at the next
August election, to the confidence and support
of the people of Iowa.
The Democrats met at Iowa City June
12, 1850, and nominated the following
ticket: Governor, Stephen Hempstead;
Secretary of State, G. W. McCleary;
Au.litor, Wm. Pattee; Treasurer, Israel
Keister; Treasurer Board Public Works,
George Gillaspie. The following platform
was adopted:
Resolved, That the events of the past year,
having served to demonstrate the soundness and
wisdom of the resolutions adopted by the last
Democratic State Convention, we re-assert and
re-adopt them, as follows:
Resolved, That we recur with pride to the tri-
umphant success, the splendid achievements
and the imperishable renown of the late admin-
istration; and that, while we point to these as
the glorious results of past labors, we should
remember that, as they were gained by a strict
adherence to honest principles, and the adoption
of an honest policy, they can be sullied or im-
paired only by' a base abandonment of them
upon the altar of expediency, or by a disgrace-
ful surrender in the form of a cowardly silence.
Resolved, That we still adhere, as firmly as
ever, to the principles and measures which dic-
tated and governed the course of the late admin-
istralion; and that we derive a high pleasure
fiom i Lie fact that a Democratic Senate is vouch-
safed to us as an impassable barrier between the
Federal high-tariff, bank and paper policy, hopes
and designs of the present dynasty, and the gold
and silver currency, low taiiff and independent
treasury policy of the people.
Resolved, That the administration of General
Taylor, as far as it has proceeded upon its mis-
sion, has unblushingly falsified every promise and
grossly violated every pledge given before the
election by its nominal chief; and that a party
which can go before the country upon one set of
issues, and immediately after its installation
into power enter upon the practice of another
set, is more than ever deserving of the reproba-
tion of the world, and of the continued and un-
compromising hostility of the Democratic party.
Resolved, That General Taylor, for the part
which he has played, or has been made to play,
in this disgraceful game of deception, has dis-
played a want of honest principle, or a weakness
of mind and character, which equally disquali-
fies him for the place he holds, and fully justifies
the worst predictions ever made against his fit-
ness for the Presidency; and that, although we
may have once admired the soldier in the tented
field, we are now reluctantly brought to con-
demn and to repudiate the cipher in the Cabinet
of the country.
Resolved, That the removals in this State have
been made without cause and in direct violation
of the professions of General Taylor before the
election; and that the appointments which have
followed have been made in equal violation of
the same professions.
Resolved, That it is as gratifying to the pride
as it is creditable to the patriotism of the Dem-
ocrats of Iowa, that prominent statesmen of all
parties, in seeking for a satisfactory adjustment
of the difficulties which unfortunately exist be-
tween the slave and non-slaveholding States,
are found uniting, in main, on the policy of non-
intervention; and while they arrogate to them-
selves no right to question the course of other
States on this subject, they point to the fact,
with feelings of unmingled satisfaction, and
they, in co-operating with those who are striving
t' preserve the Union, are required to ''tread
no steps backward."
4
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Resolved, That, regarding the preservation of
our happy form of government as paramount to
all other considerations, and believing that the
threatened danger may be averted, we approve
of the bill recently introduced into the United
Stales Senate by the Committee of Thirteen,
generally known as the "Compromise Bill."
Resolved, That, as this bill authorizes the im-
mediate admission of California, organizes the
Territories of New Mexico and Utah, provides
for the settlement of the Texan boundary ques-
tion, enforces the provisions of the constitution
with regard to the reclamation of persons
escaping from service, and abolishes the slave
trade in the District of Columbia, we believe its
adoption, as a whole, would be hailed as a peace-
offering by an overwhelming majority of the
people; nor is our confidence in the wisdom of
the measure diminished by the fact that the
ultraists of both extremes are found united in
opposition to it, but rather increased.
Resolved, That the late decision of Secretary
Ewing, by which the State of Iowa has been
robbed of nearly a million of acres of valuable
land, and the improvement of her principal
interior river, retarded, if not wholly destroyed,
is an act which finds no justification in the pre-
cedent or usages of the government; that it is a
derogation of both the letter and spirit of the
act of Congress making the donation, and that,
in the name of the people of Iowa, we feel called
upon to denounce it as illegal and unjust.
Resolved, That this decision, taking away from
the State, by a Whig administration, the greater
portion of a valuable grant, made to it under a
Democratic rule, the people of Iowa have suf-
fered a wrong which, while they have no alterna-
tive but submission, they cannot but feel most
deeply and sensibly that the administration at
Washington is not less responsible for the deci-
sion than those who defend it; and that it is the
duty of the Democracy to arraign them at the
bar of public opinion at the approaching election
for aiding and abetting in crippling the energies
of our young and expanding commonwealth.
Resolved, thdt President Taylor's Cabinet have,
in the recent Galphiu swindle and other specula-
tions of the same kind, proven to the world that
their promises of retrenchments and reform in
the administration of the government were made
to deceive the people, and not with the intention
of being kept.
Resolved, That the present Governor, Secre-
taryof State, Auditor and Treasurer, whose terms
of office are about to expire, each and all of them,
by the honest, efficient and impartial discharge
of their duties, deserve the cordial approbation
of the people of the State of Iowa.
Resolved, That we confidently present the
nominees of the convention to the voters of the
State of Iowa for their support; and that we,
ourselves, will individually use all honorable
means to secure theii election.
The utlicial vote ou Governor ■
fol-
Stephen Hempstead, Dem. . .
James L. Thompson, Whig ,
William Penn Clark
.13,488
.11,403
. 575
In 1S51, for Superintendent of Public
Instruction, the Democrats nominated
Thomas II. Benton, while the Whigs sup-
ported William G. Woodward, an Inde-
pendent candidate. Benton was elected
by a majority of 1,351.
In 1852 the Whigs were early in the
field, meeting in convention at Iowa City,
February 26, and placing in nomination
the following ticket: Secretary of State,
J. W. Jenkins; Auditor of State, Asbury
Porter; Treasurer of State, Hosea B.
Horn. The following platform was
adopted:
Resolved, That we most cordially approve of
the administration of President Fillmore, and
have the fullest confidence in the executive
officers of our government, and that the admin-
istration (jf our foreign and domestic affairs
deseives our highest admiration and firmest
support; and we have the assurance that under
such an administration our lepublie will always
be safe.
£=-
4*
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Resolved, That our warmest gratitude is due
to those of whatsoever political party, who
have, for the last two years, battled for the
union of these States, and that we now regard
the question out of which our apprehension of
disunion arose as settled now and forever.
Resolved, That we rejoice to see our Demo-
cratic fellow-citizens in the Western States
occupying a part of our political platform, es-
pecially that relating to currency, to the im-
provement of rivers and harbors by appropria-
tions from the national treasury, and a revision
of the tariff of 1846.
Resolved, Thai, as by alone following the
advice of the illustrious Father of our Country
tor three-quarters of a century, our nation is
prosperous and happy, we are still for adhering
to that which teaches us to be at peace with all
nations, and to form entangling alliances with
none.
Resolved, That the delegates to the National
Convention be left free to act according to their
own judgment, when they meet their brethren
in the Natioral Convention, to nominate candi-
dates for President and Vice-President of the
United States, according to the lights that there
may be presented, and so to act as to harmonize
conflicting claims and interests, and to maintain
the integrity of the Whig party and the ascend-
ancy of Whis principles.
Resolved, That it is the opinion of this con-
vention that a convention to revise the constitu-
tion of the States should be called at as early a
day as is practicable; and, with a view to the
advancement of this object, it is hereby recom-
mended to State and local candidates in every
part of the Stale to make this issue distinctly
and strongly before the people.
Resolved, That this convention request the
executive committee of the State, and of each
county and of each district composed of several
couutics, to effect a complete and efficient or-
ganization of the Whig party in their respective
counties and districts.
The Democratic convention met May
28th, at Iowa city, and nominated the fol-
lowing ticket: Secretary of State, Geo.
W. McCleary; Auditor, William Pattee;
Treasurer, M. L. Morris. The following
platform was adopted:
Resolved, That paramount to all questions of a
party or sectional nature, we are in favor of
"The Union now and forever."
Resolved, That to carefully regard the rights
of States, is the only possible way to strengthen
and perpetuate our glorious confederacy.
Resolved, That a strict construction of the
Constitution of the United States is the only
safeguard for the rights of the States, and that
we fully recognize the doctrine of the Virginia
and Kentucky resolutions of 1798 and 1799 and
the Baltimore platform of 1844.
Resolved, That we are opposed to a national
bank, a high protective tariff and all measures
and monopolies of a like nature, and are in
favor of the independent treasury and tariff of
1836.
Resolved, That we are opposed to a wasteful,
extravagant and corrupt system of internal im-
provements; but hold that improvements of a
national character may properly be made with
the nation's money, and that, in justice, the
general government, as a great landholder in the
States, should contribute of her large domain to
those public enterprises by which her interests
are secured and promoted and the value of that
domain enhanced.
Resolved, That we are in favor of the " com-
promise' 1 '' as a final settlement of the question
which has so long agitated the country upon the
subject of domestic slavery.
Resolved, That we are opposed to " nullifica-
tion" of every kind, whether in the legislature
of Vermont, or in the latitude of South Carolina,
and are in favor of a faithful execution of laws
of Congress until they are repealed, or declared
inoperative by the proper tribunals of the
country.
Resolved, That our adopted citizens well
deserve the political blessings which are now
extended to them by the existing naturaliza-
<5' -
HISTORY OF IOWA.
tion laws passed by our Democratic forefathers,
and we are opposed to any alteration of them
sought for by native "Americanism."
Resolved, That we are opposed to the nomi-
nation of a candidate for the Presidency upon
the naked idea of availability, but are in favor
of a candidate whose principles are known to be
national and in conformity to the time-honored
tenets of the Democratic party.
Resolved, That we are in favor of the nominee
of the Baltimore convention, as our candidate
for the Presidency, and to such nominee we
pledge our hearty and individual support.
In regard to State policy —
Resolved, That we heartily concur in the great
principles of judicial and financial reform which
are agitating the civilized world, and which have
to some extent been recognized by the adoption
of our revised code; but at the same time repro-
bate many of the provisions as destructive of
the great ends sought after, and earnestly recom-
mend a thorough revision of all obnoxious fea-
tures.
The official vote for Secretary of State
was as follows:
George G.HcCleary, Dem , .16,884—1,857
J.W. Kenkins, Whig 16,027
In 1853 the Democrats inaugurated the
campaign by nominating David C. Cloud
for Attorney General, and adopting the
following resolutions:
Resolved, That the delegates this day in con-
vention assembled, congratulate the Democracy
of the Union, upon the emphatic verdict of the
people in favor of Democratic principles, as ex-
pressed in the election of Franklin Pierce and
Wm. R. King, to the Presidency and Vice-Pres-
idency of this Republic.
Resolved, That we recognize as principles car-
dinal in the Democratic faith: "The election of
all officers by the people." "The limits of State
indebtedness." "Equal taxation" — compelling
the property of the rich, invested in stock, to
bear its proportion of the public burthen of con-
tribution to the taxes of the State. The restraint
of the legislative power— confining it to the
legitimate subject of general legislation, and the
crowning glory of repeal, which secures the
people sovereign from ever becoming slaves to
any law or charter passed by their servants.
Resolved, That a wise political economy de-
mands a more liberal system of disposing of the
public lands, and that the prosperity of the
country, and the happiness of individuals would
be eminently promoted by the passage of a law
giving the public domain in limited quantities
to actual settlers at a price covering the cost of
survey anil other necessary expenses.
Resolved, That no species of industry should
be fostered to the injury of another, that no
class of men should be taxed directly or indi-
rectly for the benefit of another; that every de-
scription of industry should stand or fall on its
own merits, and that commerce should be unfet-
tered, and, like the air, free.
Resolved, That the Democracy of Iowa adhere
to the known and long-established doctrines of
the party relative to the currency.
Resolved, That to the Democratic, Republican,
State and federal institutions, resting on univer-
sal suffrage and universal eligibility to office, do
these United States owe their unexampled pros-
perity among nations, and that it is our duty to
sympathize with every people struggling against
tyrants for freedom.
Mr. Walker introduced the following
resolutions, which, on motion, were adopt-
ed :
Resolved, That the present Commissioner of
the DesMoines Improvement, General V. P. Van
Antwerp, by the fidelity, energy and ability with
which he has discharged the duties of his respon-
sible position, is entitled to the highest esteem
and gratitude of the people of this State.
Resolved, That to his faithful and judicious
efforts we are indebted to the final grant by the
general government of the fund for the Des
Moines River Improvement, sufficient and ample
to ensure a completion of the work, and develop
the resources of the DesMoines Valley.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Resolved, That in prosecuting the negotiations
for the State, he has displayed unsurpassed per-
severance, industry and discretion against the
most trying discouiagements and embarassments,
and that he has not only faithfully improved
every opportunity to advance the interests of
his trust, but has signalized his term of service
by measures which will identify his name with
the successful completion of the public works.
Resolved, Therefore, that in his voluntary re-
tirement from the office which he has so ably filled,
we hereby tender to him, in convention of the
Democracy of the State, the endorsement, "Well
done, good and faithful servant."
The Whigs made no nomination, but
supported Samuel A. Rice for the office of
Attorney-General. Cloud was elected over
Rice by 7,564.
In 1854 the Democrats convened on the
9th of January, at Iowa City, placed the
following ticket in the field, and adopted a
platform: Governor, Curtis Bates; Secre-
tary of State, Geo. W. McCleary; Auditor
of State, Joseph L. Sharp; Treasurer of
State, Martin L. Morris; Attorney-General,
David C. Cloud; Supt. of Public Instruc-
tion, Jas. D. Eads. The following is the
platform :
Resolved, That we, the delegates of the various
counties of Iowa, in State Democratic Conven-
tion assembled, do hereby re-affirm and pledge
ourselves to the principles of the Baltimore Na-
tional Convention of 1852, and that we hold and
cons der them as constituting the true platform
of the Democratic platform, and as fundamental
and essential with all true Democrats.
Resolved, That we look upon ourselves as
members of the real National Democratic party,
a party radically identical in all parts of the
Union; and that we have no sectional views to
gratify, no selfish designs to accomplish, but
are wholly devoted to the Union, harmony and
success of the cause; we therefore repudiate all
disaffection on sectional or personal grounds,
and denounce all bickering among ourselves
and most earnestly recommend "union, har-
mony, concession and compromise," as a nucleus
for universal observance.
Resolved, That we have increased confidence
in the talents, and in the integrity and patriotism
of Eranklin Pierce, that his administration of
the government have been distinguished by
wisdom, firmness and unwavering adherence to
its sound Democratic principles; that he has
fully redeemed the pledges given to the Ameri-
can people, previous to his election.
Resolved, That we regard the right of instruc-
tion ns the sheet anchor, the main pillar ol our
freedom; and that we are determined never to
surrender it, but to the last stand by and defend
it, convinced, as we thoroughly are, that it is
only by frequent and rigid exercise of this in-
valuable privilege that the Democratic character
of this government can be preserved, and we
believe the agent who disobeys to be unworthy
the confidence of his constituents, and that he
ought to resign his seat.
Resolved, That the liberal principles embodied
by Jefferson in the Declaration t f Independence,
and sanctioned in the constitution, which makes
ours the land of liberty and the asylum of the
oppressed of every nation, have ever been cardi-
nal principles in the Democratic faith, and
every attempt to abridge the privilege of becom-
ing: citizens and the owners of soil among us,
ought to be resisted with the same spirit which
swept the alien and sedition laws from our
statute books.
Resolved, That in the recent development of
the grand political truth of the sovereignty of
the people, and their capacity and power of
self-government, we feel that a high and sacred
duty is devolved with increased responsibility
upon the Democratic party of this country as
the party of the people, to sustain and advance
among us constitutional "liberty, equality and
fraternity," by continuing to resist all monopo-
lies and exclusive legislation for the benefit of
the few, at the expense of the many, and by
vigilant and constant adherence to those prin-
ciples and compromises and strong to uphold
the Union as it was, the Union as it is, and the
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Union as it should be, in the full expansion of
the energies and capacity of this great and pro-
gressive people.
Resolved, That we look upon the speedy or-
ganization of Nebraska Territory aa a highly
important object, and that its northern boundary
should coincide, or nearly so, with the latitude
of the northern boundary of Iowa.
Resolved, That we hereby pledge ourselves to
abide the decision of this convention, and to
use all honorable means to secure the election
of the nominees.
Resolved, That the proceedings of this con-
vention be published in all the Democratic
papers in the State, and copies be sent to the
President, heads of departments, and to our
Representatives in Congress.
The Whigs met at Iowa City, February
22, and nominated the following ticket:
Governor, James W. Grimes; Secretary of
State, Simeon Winters; Auditor of State,
Andrew Jackson Stephens; Treasurer,
Eliphalet Price; Attorney-General, James
W. Sennett. The following is the plat-
form:
Resolved, That an experience of seven years
under our present constitution has demonstrated
that that instrument is not suited to the politi-
cal, the agricultural and commercial wants of
the State or the Spirit of the age; that the wants
of the people demand a constitution making
liberal provisions for the promotion of works of
internal improvement, and providing, also, for
a well regulated system of banking, which will
relieve the people of this State from the onerous
and oppressive burden they now suffer in the
shape of indirect taxation paid to the banks of
others States, whose money is in circulation
Resolved, That, in common with the Whig
party throughout the Union, we recognize the
binding force and obligation of the act of Con-
gress of 1820, known as the Missouri Compro-
mise, and we view the same as a compact
between the North and South, mutually binding
and obligatory, and as a final settlement of the
question of slavery within the geographical
limits to which it applies.
Resolved, That we most unqualifiedly and
emphatically disapprove of the efforts now being
made in Congress to legislate slavery into the
free Territory of Nebraska, and we do most
heartily recommend to our Senators and Repre-
sentatives in Congress to oppose by all honor-
able means the passage of the Nebraska Bill, as
reported by Senator Douglas, of Illinois; and
that we cannot otherwise look upon the pretense
by Mr. Douglas and his aiders and abettors, that
"the 8th section of the Missouri Compromise is
suppressed by the acts of 1850," than as a propo-
sition totally unreasonable and absurd on its
face, conceived it bad faith and prompted by
an ignoble and most unworthy ambition for
party and personal political preferment; and
that we do, as citizens of the West and the free
State of Iowa, most earnestly desire to see an
immediate organization of Nebraska Territory,
without any infringement of the solemn compact
of 1820, commonly called the Missouri Compro-
mise.
Resolved, That, as Whigs and citizens of the
great valley of the Mississippi, we are heartily
in favor of that well regulated Whig policy of
liberal appropriations by the general govern-
ment, for works of internal improvement of a
national character, and that we view all navi-
gable waters in the country, whether rivers or
inland seas, as eminently national in their char-
acter, and recommend to our Senators and
Representatives in Congress to endeavor, by all
honorable means, to procure appropriations for
such purposes, and especially for the removal of
obstructions to navigation in the Mississippi
river.
Resolved, That we view the proposition of
Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, to effect
an improvement by the levying of tonnage du-
ties on the internal commerce of the country, as
entirely inadequate to the accomplishment of
such n purpose, and only calculated to impose
heavy and unjust burdens on the people of the
West, in the shape if indirect taxation, without
HISTORY OF IOWA.
securing to theui any of the proposed advan-
tages.
Resolved, That we unreservedly and cordially
approve of the course and conduct of the Hon.
John P. Cook, our Representative in Congress
from the Second Congressional District, and we
hereby pledge ourselves to sustain him in his
able and independent course.
Whereas, The object of our educational sys-
tem was to place the means of a common school
education within the reach of all; and
Whereas, Under its present management
more than one third of the proceeds of the fund
set apart to cherish and maintain that sys-
tem is annually absorbed by its constitutional
guardians, subjecting it to a loss, in the year
1851, of $10,751.40 to pay the salaries and ex-
penses of the Superintendent of Public Instruc-
tion and Commissioners of the School Fund, and
leaving only the sum uf $20,600.11 to be dis-
tributed among the public schools; and
Whereas, The duties of said officers may all
be discharged by other State and county officers,
without any or with but a trifling expense to said
fund; therefore,
Resolved, That sound policy and enlightened
philanthropy demand such legislation and
amendment to our constitution as will preserve
this fund inviolate to the purposes originally
intended as an inheritance to our children and
their posterity.
Resolved, That we are in favor of a donation,
by Congress, of public lands, in limited quanti-
ties, to actual settlers.
Resolved, That we believe the people of this
State are prepared for, and their interests re-
quire, the passage of a law prohibiting the man-
ufacture and sale of ardent spirits within the
State as a beverage.
The official vote on Governor was as fol-
Jimes W. Grimes, Whig 23.025-1,82?
Curtis Bates, Pem 21,202
The election of 1855 was for minor offi-
cers. The Democrats met in convention.
January 24, at the Capitol, and nominated
the following ticket: Commissioner Des
Moines River Improvement, O. D. Tisdale;
Register DesMoines River Improvement,
Win. Dewey; Register Land Office, Stark
H. Samuels. The following is the plat-
form adopted:
Whereas, It is in accordance with the Dem-
ocratic party, to declare, from time to time, its
views upon the various political principles that
occupy the attention of the couutry; therefore,
Resolved, That there has been a period in the
history of our country, when we could with
more confidence proclaim to the world our entire
adherence to and approval of the old landmarks
of the Democratic party.
2. That the temporary success of our foes
being a result of an abandonment of principles
on their part, and of the aggression of discordant
elements, brought together for mercenary ends,
affords no grounds for alarm; but confident of
the correctness of our principles, and of the in-
tegrity of the masses, we appeal to the sober,
second thought of the people with no fears as to
the verdict they may render.
8. That we declare our firm determination to
sustain the principles recognized as correct, in
reference to slavery agitation, to support the
constitution faithfully, to carry out its provis-
ions, and discountenance all incendiary move-
ments that tend to the overthrow of our govern-
ment, from whatever source they may originate.
4. That the efforts being made to colonize
free negroes in their native land, is a measure
that commends itself to every philanthropist as
being the only favorable plan for the ultimate
accomplishment of the first wish of every friend
of freedom.
5. That we endorse, to the fullest extent, the
compromise measure of 1850, believing those
measures to be constitutional, just, and proper.
6. That in changing his domicile from one
portion of a republican government to another,
man does not divest himself of his political,
moral or natural rights, nor can he be deprived
HISTORY OF IOWA.
of them otherwise than as he has consented to
constitutionally.
7. That the liberal principles embodied by
Jefferson, in the Declaration of Independence,
and sanctioned in the constitution, which makes
ours the land of liberty and the asylum of the op-
pressed of every nation, have ever been cardinal
principles in the Democratic faith, and every at-
tempt to abridge the right of becoming citizens
and the owners of soil among us ought to be re-
sisted with the same spirit that swept the alien
and sedition laws from the statute books.
8. That we adhere to the doctrine of an un-
restrained religious liberty, as established by the
constitution of the United States, and sustained
by all Democratic administrations.
The Whigs held their last State conven-
tion at Iowa City, January 25, 1855, and,
without resolutions, made the following
nominations: Commissioner on Des Moines
River Improvement, Wm. McKay; Regis-
ter DesMoines River Improvement, J. C.
Lock wood; Register Land Office, Anson
Hart.
The official vote for Commissioners was
as follows:
William McKay, Whig 24,743—4,737
O. D. Tisdale, Deni , 20,006
A vote was taken this year on the pro-
hibition liquor law, with the following re-
sult:
For the law 25,555—2,910
Against the law 22,645
While the Whig party in this State ap-
parently was in a well organized condition,
throughout the Union it was undergoing a
process of disintegration. In the South
it was being absorbed by the American or
Know Nothing party, and in the North by
the newly organized Republican party,
born out of the issues growing out of the
slavery question. Representatives of the
Republican party met in convention at
Iowa City, February 22, 1850, and selected
the following ticket: Secretary of State,
Elijah Sells; Auditor, John Patten; Treas-
urer, M. L. Morris; Attorney-General, S.
A. Rice. The following platform was
adopted at the same time and place.
United in a common resolve to maintain right
against wrong, and believing in the determina-
tion of a virtuous and intelligent people to sus-
tain justice, we declare —
1. That governments are instituted among
men to secure the inalienable rights of life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
2. That the mission of the Republican party
is to maintain the liberty of the press, the sov-
ereignty of the State, and the perpetuity of the
Union.
3. That under the constitution, and by right,
freedom is alone national.
4. That the federal government, being one of
limited powers, derived wholly from the consti-
tution, its agents should construe these powers
strictly, and never exercise a doubtful authority
— always inexpedient and dangerous.
5. If the plan is Jeffersonian, and the early
policy of the government is carried out, the fed-
eral government would relieve itself of all re-
sponsibility for the existence of slavery, which
Republicanism insists it should and means it
shall do, and that regarding slavery in the State
as a local institution, beyond our reach and above
our authority, but recognizing it as of vital con-
cern to every citizen in its relation to the nation,
we well oppose its spread, and demand that all
national territory shall be free.
6. That the repeal of the Missouri Compro-
mise, and the refusal of the slave power to abide
by the principles on which that repeal was pro-
fessedly based, make the national domain the
battle ground between freedom and slavery; and
while Republicans stand on a national basis, and
will ever manifest and maintain a national spirit,
they will shrink from no conflict and shirk no
responsibility on this issue.
7. That the slave power, the present national
administration and its adherents, having violated
HISTOET OF IOWA.
this policy, and the principles on which it is
based, by a disregard of the law and its own
profession, by encroachments upon the State
and personal rights, and by breaking solemn
covenants of the country, make the issue
whether freedom shall be limited to the tree
States, or slavery to the slave States, and make
that issue absorbing and paramount.
Resolved, That the firm, consistent, and
patriotic course pursued by the Republican
members of the present Congress, during the
arduous protracted struggle for the speakership,
meets with our cordial approval, and we recog-
nize in Hon. N. P. Banks; a statesman of mature
abilities, a Republican of reliable character; and
we hail his election as a proud triumph of those
great principles of human liberty upon which
the American government was founded.
The Democratic convention met at Iowa
City, June 26, 1856, and adopted a plat-
form and made the following nominations:
Secretary of State, Geo. Snyder; Auditor,
Jas. Pollard; Treasurer, George Paul; At-
torney-General, James Baker. The follow-
ing is the platform:
Resolved, That the Democracy of Iowa receive
with joy, and ratify with confidence, the nom-
inations of James Buchanan and John Q. Breck-
enridge.
2. That the platform of Democratic principles
laid down by the Cincinnati convention meets
our hearty concurrence, and that it is such a one
as is worthy of the only National party in exist-
ence.
On motion of Col. Martin, of Scott, the
following resolution was unanimously
adopted:
Resolved, That freedom and equal rights are
the basis of Democracy, and that no measure or
principle not embracing or recognizing these is
any part or parcel of the Democratic creed; that
Democracy is equality against privilege, freedom
against aristocracy, liberty against licentious-
ness, strict construction against latitudinanan
interpretations of the constitution, law and order
against anarchy and violence, and the peace, har-
mony, prosperity and perpetuity of our glorious
Union to the end of time.
The entire Republican ticket was elected.
Sells, for Secretary of State, received 40,-
6S7 votes and Snyder 32,920.
There were three elections in 1857 — the
first in April, for Superintendent of Public
Instruction, Register of Land Office and
DesMoines River Commissioner; the sec-
ond in August, for the. purpose of a vote
on the new constitution; the third in Octo-
ber, for Governor and Lieutenant Gov-
ernor. The Democrats nominated the
following ticket: Superintendent Public
Instruction, Maturin L. Fisher; Register,
Theodore S. Parvin; DesMoines River
Commissioner, Gideon Bailey; Governor,
Benj. M. Samuels; Lieutenant-Governor,
Geo. Gillaspie.
The Republicans nominated the follow-
ing ticket: Superintendent Public In-
struction, L. A. Bugbee; Register, W. H.
Holmes; DesMoines River Commissioner,
II. F. Manning; Governor, Ralph P.Lowe;
Lieutenant-Governor, Oran Faville.
The following Republican platform was
adopted:
United in a common resolve to maintain right
against wrong, and believing in the determina-
tion of a virtuous and intelligent people to sus-
tain justice, we declare:
1. That governments are instituted among
men to secure the inalienable rights of life, lib-
erty and the pursuit of happiness.
2. That the mission of the Republican party
is to maintain the liberties of the people, the
sovereignty of the States and the perpetuity of
the Union.
3. That under the constitution, and by right,
freedom alone is national.
4. That the Federal Government being one
of limited powers, derived wholly from the con-
HISTORY OF IOWA.
stitution, its agents should construe those powers
strictly, and never exercise a doubtful authority,
always inexpedient and dangerous.
5. That if this Jeffersonism and early policy
were carried out, the Federal Government would
relieve itself of all responsibility for the exist-
ence of slavery, which Republicanism insists it
should, and means it shall do, and that regard-
ing slavery in the States as a local institution,
beyond our reach, and above our authority, but
recognizing it us of vital concern to the nation, we
still oppose its spread, and demand that all
national territory shall be free.
6. That the repeal of the Missouri compro-
mise, and the refusal of the slave power to abide
by the principle on which that repeal was pro-
fessedly based, made the national domain the
battle ground between freedom and slavery, and
while Republicans stand on a national basis, and
maintain a national spirit, they will shirk no
responsibility on this issue.
7. That the slave power — the present national
administration and its adherents having violated
this policy, and the principles on which it is
based, by a disregard of law and its own pro-
fessions, by an invasion of the State and per-
sonal rights, and by breaking solemn covenants,
has forced upon the country the issue whether
freedom shall be limited to the free States or
slavery to the slave States, and makes that issue
absi rbiug and paramount.
Resolved, That the recent opinion of the Su-
preme Court of the United States, in the Died
Scott case, is the most alarming of those bold
innovations upon the rights of the free States
which have marked the administration of the
government for years past, as sectional and
disloyal to the spirit of our free institutions.
We regard it as virtually revolutionizing the
judicial action of the government, if tolerated;
by giving to s'avery a national instead of a local
character; opening free States and free Terri-
tories for its diffusion; reducing to the condi-
tion of chattels those who are recognized by the
constitution as men, belying the sentiments of
the Declaration of Independence, and casting
reproach upon the action of those who, amid
toil and peril, laid deep the formation of the
Union.
2. That the National Administration has
brought disgrace upon the country by so long
tolerating the demoralizing and heaven-defying
practices of Brigham Young and his followers
in Utah. The embarrassment experienced by
the present administration in reaching and cor-
recting the evil, is mainly attributed to the doc-
trine embodied in the Kansas Nebraska Bill,
and the retention of the U. S. soldiery in Kansas
to overawe unoffending men, instead of sending
them to Utah, where the authority of the gen-
eral government is brazenly defied, is humili-
ating evidence of perversion of the powers of
the national government.
3. That we invite the affiliation and co-opera-
tion of freemen of all parties, however differing
from us in other respects, in support of the
principles herein declared, and believing that
the spirit of our institutions as well as the con-
stitution of our country, guarantee liberty of
conscience and equality of rights among citi-
zens, we oppose all legislation impairing their
security.
4. That we congratulate the people of Iowa
upon the new constitution, for many reasons,
but most of all in view of the fact that it enables
them to provide for themselves a sound currency,
and places the annual election in October instead
of August, thus consulting the convenience of
an agricultural population.
5. That it is a deliberate conviction of this
convention, that the next Legislature should
provide a system of banking that will secure to
the State a circulating medium, redeemable at all
times, within its limits, in gold and silver; and
we will support for State officers and the Legis-
lature such, and such only, as are avowedly
qualified favorable to this result.
6. That the administration of Governor
Grimes deserves and receives our warmest en-
dorsement, and that the thanks of all who love
the character and prosperity of the State, are
due to him, as well as to the Legislature, for
their efforts to bring to justice a dishonorable
public servant, defeat speculation, and prevent
±=k
HISTORY OP IOWA.
the squandering of the fund consecrated to the
education of the children of the State.
7. That in the nominees for Governor and
Lieutanant-Governor we recognize men capable
and honest, and every way worthy the support
of the Republican party of this State.
The Democrats adopted the following
platform :
As to national policy —
1. That we have undiminished confidence in
the present administration. That the policy
adopted is eminently wise and proper, and
should command the support and approval of
every ratioual man.
2. That the opposition to President Buchanan
is now composed of the fire eaters of the South
and the Black Republicans of the North, who
are vieing with each other in abusing the admin-
istration and Democratic party. We therefore
place them in the same category, and brand
them as a united opposition, and will treat
them alike as factionists, disunionists and ene-
mies of the Democracy and the country.
8. That we will maintain and preserve the
Constitution of the United States, with all its
checks and balances, and that treaties made
by the President and Senate, laws passed by
Congress under the Constitution, and decisions
made by the Supreme Court of the United
States, are equally binding on the people, and
must be maintained in order to preserve the
country from anarchy, and that it is the duty of
every citizen to sustain these departments of
government against the assaults of bigots, fanat-
ics and traitors.
As to State policy —
1. That we will preserve and maintain the
institutions of this State in a just ielation and
haimony toward the general government, and
we repudiate and condemn any effort that has
been made, or may be made, which asserts the
right or remotely tends to bring our State into
collision or conflict with the general government.
2. That the conflict of the Black Republican
party, acting through their Representatives in
passing a law authorizing the Negroes and In-
dians to become witnesses against the citizens
of this State, was an unjustifiable innovation
upon the laws of the State, passed without ne-
cessity, and the first step towards a system to
equalize the black and white races.
3. The late Constitutional Convention, com-
posed of a large majority of Black Republican
members, openly advocated the equality of the
black and white people, and unanimously recom-
mended, through an appendage to the constitu-
tion, that the word "white" be stricken from
that instrument; we, therefore, feel free to
charge upon that party the design and purpose
of abolitionizing the people of this State, and
placing the negro upon an equality with the
white man.
i. That the National Democracy of Iowa re-
gard the new constitution just adopted by the
people, in many of its features, as essentially
anti-Democratic, unjust, and containing prin-
ciples that tend to subvert the distinction be-
tween the black and white laces, and looking to
equality between them.
We, therefore, now proclaim open and undis-
guised hostility to each and every action and
part of said instrument which contains these ob-
noxious provisions, and wc here raise the stand-
ard of opposition and reform, and call upon
every true patriot in the State to carry these
questions to the ballot-box, and to elect officers
for government of the State who will take every
honorable measure to reform and amend said
constitution.
5. That the laws of the last Legislature ap-
portioning the State into Representative districts
and the adoption of that law by the late Black
Republican Constitutional Convention, by which
the majority of the members of the General
Assembly are given to a minority of the people,
and many thousands of our citizens are virtually
disfranchised, was a tyrannical and flagitious
outrage, — a violation of every principle of a
Republican Government, — and demands the
severest rebuke from the people; that we recog-
nize in these proceedings a manifest conspiracy
against the rights of the majority, and a wanton
violation of the principles of our Republican
form of Government.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
6. That the refusal of tho late Constitutional
Convention to allow the constitution to become
the supreme law of the land, when sanctioned
and adopted by a majority of the people, and
postponing the taking effect of portions of the
same for more than two years after its adoption,
which was avowedly done to withhold political
power from the people, and retain it in the hands
of already condemned officers, is an insult and
an outrage upon the people, and deserving our
condemnation.
7. That the Democracy of the State of Iowa
take this method of expressing their gratitude
and confidence in the Hon. George W. Jones,
our Democratic Senator, and the Hon. A. Hall,
late Di-mocratic Representative, for their faith-
ful adherence to Democratic principles, and
their untiring vigilance for the welfare of our
young and promising State.
Fisher was elected Superintendent over
Buzbee by 505 majority; Manning over
Baily, for Commissioner, by 315; Lowe
over Samuels, for Governor, by 2,149.
The campaign of 1858 was opened by
the Republicans, meeting in convention at
Iowa City, June 17, and adopting the fol-
lowing platform:
Whekeas, We, the representatives of the
Republicans of Iowa, being again permitted to
assemble in State Convention, deem this a fitting
occasion to briefly express our views of national
and State policy, and to affirm our adhesion to
the principles of constitutional liberty, for
which we have been long and earnestly con-
tending. We believe this Republic specially
ordained by the blood and treasure of our fore-
fathers for the free homes of the mechanic, the
operative and the farmer, and we, their rtescend-
ents, are determined it shall be preserved and
administered for our common welfare; and that
the great problem of the ability of the people to
govern themselves shall be clearly solved in the
onward progress and prosperity of our Republi-
can constitution; manifesting to the nations of
this earth that the free spirit of this nation is
unconquered and unconquerable; therefore,
Resolved, That the principles laid down in the
Philadelphia platform, adopted on June 17, 1850,
are founded upon the Constitution of the United
States, are consonant with the teachings of
Christianity, and are most heartily endorsed by
the convention.
2. That in the contest now waging between
freedom and slavery, our sympathies are wholly
and strongly with the former— that we have no
truce to offer, no mercy to ask, that with us the
watchword is victory or death.
3. That the effort made to extend the area of
slave territory on this continent, by the Demo-
cratic party, is contrary to the spirit of the age
and the genius of our institutions.
4. That by the passage of the English swindle
for the admission of Kansas into the Union
under the infamous Lecompton Constitution,
whereby an unjust discrimination is made in
favor of slave and against free States in the
amount of population required to form a State
government, the so-called national Democracy
have proven devotion to slavery extension, their
opposition to the interests of free labor, and
their total disregard of the popular will.
5. That the new doctrine of the so-called
Democratic party originated by Chief Justice
Taney, in the Died Scott decision, and carry
slavery into our national territory, has no foun-
dation in the Federal Constitution, is at war
with the verities of our history, civil and judi-
cial, and this is calculated to tolerate the en-
slaving of our race in all the States.
6. That we view with satisfaction the course
of those who, without respect to party feeling,
and uninfluenced by the threats and in scorn of
the bribes and .corrupting influences of the
Buchanan administration, boldly, and as free-
men fighting for freemen's rights, opposed with
all their might the passage of the Lecompton
Constitution and the English swindle through
Congress, and we trust that among the people
there will continue the same strong opposition
to the encroachments of the slave power, which
they have so gallantly manifested before the
HISTORY OF IOWA.
7. That we look forward hopefully to that
good time, not far distant, when it shall be
deemed legitimate, proper and constitutional
for this government to extend its protecting care
over free labor, the commerce and industrial
interests of all the country, instead of bending
its whole energies and treasure for the aggrand-
izement of a slaveholding aristocracy in one
section of the Union.
8. That the corruption which stalks abroad
at noonday, pervading every department of the
National Government, the gross and shameless
use of Presidential power and patronage to in-
fluence the action of Congress, the astounding
increase in national expenditures in a time of
peace and universal financial embarrassment
(involving, as it does, a debt of forty-five mil-
lions of dollars, and an expenditure of nearly
one hundred millions of dollars during a single
financial year), bringing upon the government
the burning disgrace of bankruptcy and threat-
ening the onerous burthens of direct taxation,
demand a solemn, earnest protest from us in
behalf of the people of Iowa.
9. That the mismanagement and reckless
squandering of the school fund of the State by
the late Seperintendent of Public Instruction,
and the manner in which this sacred fund has
been dealt with in many counties in the State,
as developed by the investigation already insti-
tuted, under a Republican State administration,
demonstrates the wisdom of that thorough ac-
countability and scrutiny provided for by the
State Legislature.
10 That we, as Republicans, pledge our-
selves to use all honorable efforts to promote
the administration of the State and general
government with strict economy and a just
regard to the growing interests of our State and
Union.
11. That our State should have that consider-
ation from the general government to which her
resources, power and future prospects entitle
her, and that we will demand from the general
government five per cent, of the proceeds of
those lands hitherto entered with land warrants
w ii bin the State; the improvement of the navi-
gation of our great inland seas, and such addi-
tional grants of lands to aid the building of
railroads through unoccupied portions of Iowa
as will upbuild the population and wealth of our
State and the general welfare of our common
country.
12. That the members of this convention
heartily endorse the candidates nominated to-
day for the various offices, and promise their
united and zealous support in the ensuing cam-
paign, and, if their labors can achieve it, a
triumphant election.
13. That the entire Republican delegation in
Congress are entitled to the gratitude of the
nation for their able and zealous advocacy of
true Republican principles; and that our imme-
diate Representatives, Messrs. Harlan, Curtis
and Davis, have the unqualified approbation of
their constituents for the talented and efficient
manner in which they have represented the
State of Iowa, and especially for the earnest iud
uncompromising opposition waged by them
against the Lecompton English Bill bribe and
other tyrannical abuses of the present adminis-
tration.
The following ticket was then nomi-
nated: Secretary of State, Elijah Sells;
Auditor of State, J. W. Cattell; State
Treasurer, John W. Jones; Attorney-Gen-
eral, S. A. Rice; Register of State Land
Office, A. B. Miller; Com. of DesMoines
River Improvement, Wm. C. Drake.
The Democrats met June 23 at Des
Moines, nominated the following ticket
and adopted a platform: Secretary of
State, Samuel Douglas; Auditor of State,
Theodore S. Parvin; Treasurer of State,
Samuel H. Lorah; Attorney-General, Jas.
S. Elwood; Commissioner DesMoines
River Improvement, Charles Baldwin;
Register of Land Office, James M. Eeid.
The following is the platform:
The Democrats of Iowa, through representa-
tives in State Convention assembled, proclaim
their unalterable devotion and adhesion to the
principles embodied in the resolutions following:
HISTORY OP IOWA.
Resolved, That we adopt, abide by, and will
cherish and defend the platform of principles
promulgated by the representatives of the De-
mocracy of the nation, when assembled in
national convention, at Cincinnati, in June,
1856, believing, as we do, that the platform
there laid down is broad and strong enough to
uphold and sustain every true patriot, and with
such only do we desire companionship.
2. That all attempts to engender sectional
prejudice and animosities are pregnant with
mischief, tend to hinder the progress and devel-
opment of our country, and must, if persisted
in, lead to the dismemberment of the union of
the States and the destruction of the only free
government of the world.
3. That the rights of the people should be
maintained alike against the encroachment of
federal power, the zeal of blind partisanism and
wiles of unscrupulous and demagogue politi-
cians, and that the office of the Democratic
party is to see these cardinal principals main-
tained in their party.
4. That the agitation of the slavery question
tends to weaken the bonds of our union by de-
stroying that confidence which should exist
between the different States, and begetting sec-
tional animosities, and that it is the duty of all
true patriots to frown upon such attempts, and
secure, by all honorable means, the discredit
alike of the extremists of the South and North.
5. That the decision of the judicial tribunals
of the State and Federal Government should be
respected, must be submitted to, obeyed and
carried into effect; and that any attempt to set
them at defiance is a step toward anarchy and
confusion, tends to impair respect for the gov-
ernment, and merits the unmeasured condemna-
tion of all law-abiding and peaceably disposed
citizens.
6. That the outrages recently committed on
our shipping by officers of the British Govern-
ment demands an immediate and unequivocal
denial and apology; that now is an appropriate
time to settle finally the question of the lights
to visit and search vessels >n the seas, and in the
event an apology is refused, the arrogant pre-
tensions of European powers should try the
"last resort" of nations, the cannon's mouth,
and the world taught the lesson that our flag
cannot be degraded, nor our nation insulted
with impunity.
7. That the administration of State affairs in
Iowa for the last four years, under Republican
rule, is of a character to warrant the most rigid
investigation by the people, and that the expo-
sure thus far of their speculations, fraud and
extravagance calls for the denunciation of all
honest men.
8. That an empty treasury, extravagant ex-
penditures, and the stifling of investigation into
corruption, by Republican officials of Iowa,
should be sufficient to arouse tix-payers to the
enormous outrages perpetrated upon the people's
treasury, and absolutely demand a change in
the administration, that the guilty may be
brought to punishment, and our State preserved
from utter bankruptcy.
9. That the Democracy of Iowa pledge to the
people their earnest, persistent and unalterable
purpose to reform the State government, and to
bring to condign punishment whoever may be
found guilty of criminal default in any of its
departments.
The Republicans carried the State by an
average majority of 3,000.
The Republicans were again first in the
field for the State campaign of 1859.
They met in convention, June 22, at Des
Moines, and nominated the following
ticket: Governor, S. J. Kirkwood; Lieu-
tenant-Governor, Nicholas J. Rusch; Su-
preme Judges, Ralph P. Lowe, L. J.
Stockton, Caleb Baldwin. The platform
adopted was as follows:
Possessing an abiding confidence in the intel-
ligence and patriotism of the American people,
an unwavering faith in their devotion to the
eternal principles of liberty, as they came from
the hand and heart of the fathers of the Repub-
lic, and invoking the blessing of heaven upon
our efforts to maintain them in their purity, we
HISTORY OF IOWA.
commend them most cordially to the sympathy
and support of the Republicans of Iowa and of
the Nation.
Resolved, That we entertain an abiding confi-
dence in the cardinal doctrines contained in the
Republican National platform of 1856, and re-
affirming the same, we commend them anew to
the discriminating consideration of the people.
2. That the sum of nearly one hundred mil-
lion dollars, supposed to be necessary to support
the government under rule of the Africanized
Democracy, is incompatible with just ideas of a
simple, economical Republican government, and
the issue of National shinplasters to meet such
demand shows the hopeless financial degrada-
tion of the present administration.
3. That we condemn the principles advocated
by the Democratic party— no prohibition of
slavery in the Territories— and proclaim as our
principles, no interference with liberty by the
President, by Congress or by the federal court.
4. We claim for citizens, native and natural-
ized, liberty and conscience, equality of rights
and the free exercise of the right of suffrage.
We favor whatever legislation and administra-
tive reform that may be necessary to protect
these rights, and guard against their infringe-
ment or abuse, and opp- se any abridgment
whatever of the rights of naturalization now
secured to emigrants, and all discrimination
between naturalized citizens whatever, by the
amendment of the State constitution or other-
wise. And we cordially approve of the action
taken by the Republican State Central Commit-
tee in regard to the amendment proposed by the
Massachusetts Legislature to its constitution.
5. That the Republican party will forever
oppose the demand of the Southern Democracy
for the enactment of a slave code for the Terri-
tories.
6. That we look with horror upon the revival
of the slave trade, and view with alarm the
apathy and abortive attempts of administration
and judiciary in arresting and bringing to trial
and justice those who have recently been guilty
of open infractions of those laws of our country
which declare it piracy, and in sending such as
have been arrested to places of trial where in-
dictment was doubtful and acquittal certain;
and while we will oppose, by every just means,
the repeal of those laws, we will also insist upon
their being hereafter faithfully executed and
enforced, even though it involve the exercise of
the full power of the federal government.
7. That we are in favor of granting to actual
settlers suitable portions of the public lands free
of charge; and we do most unqualifiedly con-
demn the course of the present slavery Democ-
racy in Congress, in opposing and defeating, in
the United States Senate, the Homestead bill,
which was designed to secure free homes for
free people, whether of native or of foreign
birth.
8. That the rights of citizens are equal, and
they are equally entitled to protection at home
and abroad, without regard to nativity or dura-
tion of domicile; and that the late refusal by
the federal government, as expressed in the late
official communication of Lewis Cass, Secretary
of State, to guarantee against arrest and deten-
tion, abroad, of naturalized citizens, on the
ground of their allegiance to foreign power, is a
cowardly abandonment of the true and noble
position hitherto occupied by our government.
9. That we re-assert, as cardinal principles of
Republicanism, the maintenance of a strict
economy in public expenditures, and the prompt
and faithful discharge by public officers of their
public duties; and we congratulate the people
of Iowa that the present State officers are honest
and enjoy their confidence in the execution of
their official duties.
10. That while our State tax has been largely
reduced, being less in 1858 than the preceding
year, and less the present year than in 1858, the
increasing county taxation is becoming so bur-
densome as to call imperatively for reform in
the system of county administration.
The Democrats met at DesMoines, June
23, adopted a platform, and placed the fol-
lowing ticket in the field: Governor, A. C.
Dodge; Lieutenant-Governor, L. W. Bar-
bitt; Supreme Judges, Charles Mason, T.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
S. Wilson, C.C. Cole. The following is
the platform, as to National policy:
Whereas, In view of the double relation in
wb ch we stand toward tbe federal government
on tbe one band, and our own State on the other,
we deem it expedient and proper, before enter-
ing upon a contest which may, in no small de-
gree, influence the character and destinies of
both governments, to adopt and promulgate the
following declaration of principles for the gov-
ernment of our conduct:
Resolved, That we affirm the principles of the
national Democratic platform of 1856, and re-
assert the doctrines of non-intervention therein
contained, as the ground upon which a national
party can be maintained in these confederate
States.
2. That the organized Territories of the
United States are only held in their Territorial
condition until they attain a sufficient number
of inhabitants to authorize their admission into
the Union as States, and are justly entitled to
self-government and the undisturbed regulation
of their own domestic or local affairs, subject
only to the constitution of the United States.
3. That, inasmuch as the legislative power of
the Territories extends undeniably to all right-
ful subjects of legislation, no power can prevent
them from passing such laws upon the subject
of slavery as to them may seem proper, and
whether such laws, when passed, be constitu-
tional or not, can be finally determined, not by
Congress, but by the Supreme Court on appeal,
from the decisions of the Territorial courts.
4. That tbe Supreme Court of the United
States, being under the constitution, and an
independent co-ordinate branch of the govern-
ment, with a tenure of office which cannot be
changed by the action of parties, through the
instrumentality of Congress, we hold the Democ-
racy entirely irresponsible for its doctrines, and
in no case conclusively bound by the same,
except so far as to inculcate obedience to its
decisions while they continue in force.
5. That without courts of justice, boLh State
and national, respected by the people, and sus-
tained in their proper functions by popular sen-
timent, anarchy and violence become inevitable,
and all rights of both person and property in-
come insecure and worthless.
6. That the action of the public authorities
in some of the States, in attempting to set at
defiance by State authority, decisions of the
Supreme Court and acts of Congress passed in
accordance with the constitution, is the very
essence of nullification.
7. That a tariff for revenue alone is the true
policy of this country, but an incidental protec-
tion is one of its legitimate consequences. The
amount of duties levied should be limited to the
necessary wants of the government, and they
should be so apportioned as to fall as lightly as
possible upon the people, by whom they are
eventually to be paid.
8. That it is a doctrine of the Democratic
party that all naturalized citizens are entitled to
the same protection, both at home and abroad,
that is extended to the native born citizens, and
that even a voluntary return of such citizens to
the land of their birth, for a temporary purpose,
does not place them beyond the range of that
protection, but that our government is bound to
shield them from injury and insult while there,
at every hazard.
9. That the expansion of our national domain
is desirable whenever it shall be necessary for
the safety, happiness and prosperity of the Re-
public, and we will hail with pleasure the acqui-
sition of the island of Cuba, whenever it can be
effected with justice and in accordance with the
wishes of the people thereof , and as a nation we
can never assent to its appropriation by any of
the powers of Europe, and will incur all the
hazards of war to avert such a result.
10. That the building of a railroad connecting
our Atlantic and Pacific coasts, by grants of the
public lands along the line thereof, or by any
other constitutional means, will meet with the
hearty approval of the Democracy of Iowa.
11. That we are in favor of granting a home-
stead of 160 acres of laud by Congress to actual
settlers, subject only to such restrictions as will
exclude speculators from the benefits of such
acts.
IIISTOEY OF IOWA.
13. That we are in favor of an economical
administration of the federal government, and
will lend our best efforts to those who advocate
reform and retrenchment in our national expen-
ditures.
13. That we are unconditionally opposed to
the re-opening of the African slave trade; that
its revival would not only renew those cruelties
which once provoked the indignation of the civ-
il zed world, but would entail a foul blot on our
country's fair escutcheon.
14. That we cordially tender to the Democ-
racy of the Union an invitation to unite with us
in maintaining our organization on principles
indicated in the foregoing resolutions, and that
we earnestly appeal to them to diop past differ-
ences, and assemble again as a band of brothers
underthe panoply of the constitution and Union.
As to State policy —
Resolved, That the burdens of taxation have
increased and are increasing under the present
administration of Slate affairs, and that a com-
plete and thorough reform of existing abuses
and expenditures is demanded by the highest
interests of the people.
2. That the Democracy cordially and sincerely
invite emigrants to settle in the State, promising
them all the protection and right they have en-
joyed under the laws of Congress since the days
of Jefferson; and that we earnestly deplore the
acts of the Republican party in Massachusetts,
and their attempts in New York, Connecticut
and New Jersey, to confer upon the uncouth,
semi-barbarian negro from the South the right
of suffrage and office in one year, and requiring
for the same purpose of the naturalized citizens
a residence of two years after naturalization,
equivalent to an extension of the period for nat-
uralization to seven years, thus degrading the
foreign white man below the negro and mulatto.
3. That we are opposed to the policy inaugu-
rated in this State by the Republican party, by
which the immigration to this State of the Afri-
can race is encouraged and promoted, thus
bringing cheap negro labor into direct competi-
tion with the labor of the white man, and tilling
our State with a class of population that can
never become citizens thereof; and we are in
favor of a change which shall discourage and
prevent the settlement of that race among us.
4 That, since the border States of Ohio, In-
diana and Illinois exclude the free negroes of
the South from their limits by stringent laws,
Iowa will become the great receptacle of the
worthless population of the slave-holding States,
to the exclusion of an equal number of free
white laborers, if the present Republican policy
be persisted in.
5. That sueh a policy leads necessaiily to the
intermixing of black and white children in the
common schools, or the necessity of dividing
the common school fund to maintain separate
and independent schools in every locality where
free negroes reside.
6. That the Democracy demand a total repeal
of the provisions of our State constitution, and
the law made in pursuance thereof, requiring
negro children to be admitted into our common
sclu nils, or separate schools, to be supported out
of the common school fund for their education.
7. That the Maine liquor law is inconsistent
with the spirit of a free people, and unjust and
burdensome in its operations; it has vexed and
harrassed the citizen, burdened the counties with
expense and litigation, and proven wholly use-
less in the suppiessiou of intemperance.
8. That we favor a total change in the present
common school system, so as to give the people
the full benefits of a common school education
without the cumbersome machinery and enor-
mous expense which the present system requires.
The vote for Governor was as follows:
L. J. Kirkwood, Rep. 56,506—2,964
A. C. Dodge, Dem 53,542
The campaign of 1860 was the most ex-
citing one in the history of the State, and,
next to that of 1840, the most exciting
campaign in the history of the Govern-
ment. Abraham Lincoln had been nomi-
nated by the Republicans for the Presi-
dency; Stephen A. Douglas by the North-
ern wing of the Democracy; John C.
Breckenridge by the Southern wing, and
John Bell by the Union party. The Re-
publicans of Iowa met in convention at
Iowa City, May 23d, and selected the fol-
lowing named candidates : Secretary of
State, Elijah Sells; Auditor of State, J.
VV. Cattell; State Treasurer, Charles C.
Nourse; Register of State Land Office, A.
B. Miller. The platform adopted was
short, and as follows :
Resolved, That this convention approve and
endorse the platform of principles laid down by
the late Republican convention at Chicago, as
the true and sound exposition of Republican
doctrine, which we are prepared to advocate and
defend.
2. That, in reference to State policy, the Re-
publican party of the State of Iowa are in favor
of a rigid economy in the expenditures of the
public money, and the holding of all public offi-
cers to a strict accountability.
3. That the Republicans of the State of Iowa
in convention assembled, do hereby endorse the
nominations made at the Chicago convention, of
Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois, for President, and
Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine, for Vice-President,
and pledge to them the undivided support of
the party of the State.
4. That this convention have full confidence
in the nominations made by it to-day, both for
State and national officers, and we recommend
them with entire unanimity to the support and
confidence of the people of Iowa.
The Democrats held their convention
July 12, at DesMoines. Their ticket was
as follows: Secretary of S'.ate, James M.
Corse; Auditor of State, Geo. W. Max-
field; Treasurer of State, John W. Ellis;
Attorney-General, Wm McClintock; Reg-
ister of Land Office, Patrick Robb. Their
platform was as follows:
Resolved, That the Democracy of Iowa, by
their delegates in the State convention assem-
bled, do hereby most cordially endorse and
approve of the Democratic National Convention,
which convened at Charleston on the 23d day of
April, and which concluded its labors at its
adjourned session, in the city of Baltimore, on
the 23d day of June, by the nomination of
Stephen A. Douglas for the Presidency.
2. That this convention heartily endorses
and approves the platform enumerated by said
convention; and that we will give that platform
and the nominees of the national Democracy for
the Presidency and Vice-Presidency, Douglas
and Johnson, our most zealous and energetic
support.
3. That retaining unabated confidence in the
intelligence, integrity and patriotism of the
people, the Democracy of Iowa firmly adhere to
the doctrine of non-intervention and popular
sovereignty, laid down in the said platform, as
presenting the only just and practicable solution
of the question of domestic slavery.
4 That the Iowa delegates to the National
Democratic Convention are entitled to the
thanks of their constituency for the able and
faithful manner in which they discharged the
duty entrusted to them, and that this convention
heartily approves of their action in said body.
5. That in view of the fact that efforts are
being made in some of the States to form so-
called union electoral tickets, pledged to vote
for this or that candidate for the Presidency, as
circumstances may subsequently determine, the
Democracy of Iowa totally disapprove of all
attempts to compromise the integrity of the
Democratic party organization, by putting Dem-
ocratic candidates for electors upon the same
ticket with candidates who are not pledged to
vote, if elected, for Douglas and Johnson, and
for no other persons whomsoever.
6. That we approve of a homestead law, giv-
ing to every citizen of the United States a home
for himself and family; and that this convention
recommend to our Representatives in Congress
to use their best efforts to procure the passage
of a law for that purpose.
7. That we cordially invite all conservative
national men to fall into the Democratic ranks
and help to crush the hydra-headed monster.
Congressional Intervention.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
8. That the dominant party, called Republi
can, during the brief period it has been in
power, inflicted upon the people of Iowa a con-
stitution and laws, the result of which has been
the constant perplexity of the people, the crea-
tion of an enormous, unconstitutioual debt, and
the imposition of taxes too grievous to be borne,
thereby exhausting and using up the hard earn-
ings of the industrious and the prudent — all of
which call loudly for reform at the hands of the
people.
9. That it is high time there should be a
change of men in power and policy in govern-
ment; that the Legislature should pass more
wholesome and stringeut laws, by which men in
official station occupying a judicial capacity,
either as directors and officers of banks or rail-
road companies, shall be made personally liable
for an improper use of the moneys of the people
entrusted to their care and custody.
10. That the Democratic party of the State
of Iowa is committed to and pledges itself to
carry out, so soon as it obtains the administra-
tion of the affairs of the State, the following
measures of State policy:
1. A reduction of the enormous and unneces-
sary expenses of the government, which have
grown up under the administration, and through
the corrupt partisan management of the so-called
Republican party.
2. A reduction of the appropriations of money
for extraordinary purposes.
3. A reduction of appropriations for chari-
table institutions and purposes, to the neeessary
requests of those classes of the unfortunate, for
which it is the duty of the State to fully and
liberally provide
4 To reduce the excessive taxation which
now burdens the people and consumes the hard
earnings of the industrious and frugal.'
5. The construction of buildings for the use
of our charitable institutions upon plans com-
mensurate with the wants of those institutions
and the ability of the State, without attempting
to imitate the grandeur or magnificence of the
public buildings erected for similar purposes in
old and wealthy States or Governments.
6. The early revision of the State constitu-
tion, so as to free it from those features which
render it justly obnoxious to the people.
7. The amendment of our banking laws so
as to throw reasonable restrictions upon the
operations of the banks, and to secure the peo-
ple against the frauds and swindling which, un-
der existing laws, enacted by Republican legis-
lators, in the interests of the banks, may be
practiced by bank officers, of which the system
has already furnished its fruits in two important
8. That we are in favor of removing the
stocks or other securities, pledged for the prompt
redemption of the issues of the banks, from the
the custody and control of the State Bank to the
custody of the Treasurer of the State.
9. The increase of these securities to such an
extent as will furnish ample protection to the
people in using the issue of the banks, which is
imperatively demanded as the officers of the
State Bank themselves admit that at the present
time there is no real security for the redemption
of the notes of the banks.
10. The eutire separation of the finances of
the State from the banks, and a repeal of all
laws authorizing either State or county officers
to deposit public money with the branches of
the State Bank, save at their own risk.
Resolved, further, That the Democratic party
is opposed to any and all attempts to create an
enormous State debt, in violation of the consti-
tution, for the purpose of promoting the schemes
of plunder, of railroads or other speculators.
2. That the system inaugurated by the Re-
publican party of erecting unnecessary and use-
less offices for the purpose of providing for the
politically lame, halt or blind, and that we hold
the revenues of the Government should be ap-
plied strictly and economically to the legitimate
wants of the Government.
3. That while we are in favor of fostering
popular education, until the means of liberal
education be placed within the reach of every
child in the State; that while we are in favor of
providing liberally and justly for all the benev
olent institutions of the State, and for all classes
HISTORY OF IOWA.
of the unfortunate, which humanity demands
shall be ; rotected and cared for,— we are op-
posed to enormous appropriations of public
money for uncalled-for purposes, or placing
large sums of money in the hands of men, poli-
ticians or unscrupulous persons, to be wasted in
promoting private and political interests, instead
of applying the same to the purpose for which
the appropriations were made.
For Secretary of State the official vote
was as follows :
Elijah Sells, Rep 70,706-13,670
J. M. Corse, Dem 57,036
When the campaign of 1861 was inau-
gurated the war for the Union was in
progress. The Republicans met in con-
vention, and placed in nomination Samuel
J. Kirkwood for Governor; John R.
Needham, for Lieutenant-Governor; Ralph
P. Lowe, for Supreme Judge. The fol-
lowing platform was adopted:
1. Renewing our declarations of unalterable
devotion to the constitution and Union of the
States, to the doctrine of the Declaration of In-
dependence, and to the law of submission to the
will of the majority, constitutionally expressed,
we again commend each and all of these corner-
stones of our government to the unchanging
affection of the people of Iowa.
2. That this convention, in behalf of its own
immediate constituency, of all patriotic citizens,
acknowledges, with profound gratitude, the
prompt dedication of life and fortune by our
gallant volunteers, in response to the appeal
made to a loyal people by a patriotic President,
and in this action, creditable alike to the admin-
istration and to the people, we witness a return
of the noble spirit of the revolution.
3. That the new doctrine of secession is a
wicked abomination, as abhorrent to patriotism,
as it is alien to the constitution, demoralizing in
its principle, and destructive in its action, a dis-
guise to treason, and an apology for traitors, the
ruin of commerce, and the dissolution of political
society, the mothei of all political crimes and the
sum of all villainies, and as such we utterly re-
ject and hold it in absolute detestation.
4. That government always means coercion
when its lawful authority is resisted, and those
who oppose " coercion," necessarily oppose gov-
ernment itself, and deny to it the o: ly power by
which it can be maintained. Anti-coercion,
therefore, is only another of their disguises of
treason, by which they hope so to weaken the
government at present as to overthrow it in the
future, and we brand it as hypocrisy and repu-
diate it.
5. Having, by our first war of 1776, won our
indeppndence and established our glorious con-
stitution and Union, and having, by our second
war of 1812, maintained our national integiity
against the most formidable of foreign foes, it
now remains for us to establish that integrity
for all years to come against internal foes, and
in this third and last great trial of our country's
history, in its struggle to maintain that system
of government which has been the admiration
of the world, whoever hesitates or falters should
receive the execration of mankind, as he surely
will the reproaches of posterity.
6. The value of the constitution and the
Union cannot be measured by dollars and cents,
nor by the span of a human life, and there should
be no limit to appropriations of men and money
for their preservation, except the amount r< qui-
site for certain success. We therefore cordially
approve both the action of the President in call-
ing for men and money, and the action of Con-
gress in placing at his disposal more of both
than he demanded, thus giving assurance to the
world of the unalterable determination of this
government to perpetuate its existence as estab-
lished by our fathers, to crush out the foulest
rebellion known to history, and liberate the
loyal people of the rebellious States from the
odious despotism and terrorism which have
wrenched from them the bUssings of peace and
prosperity in the Union of tlie States, and we
demand the prosecution of the war until the
insults to our national flag and authority are
avenged by the restoration everywhere of law
and order, and the supremacy acknowledged
on its own terms.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
7. In the State affairs we demand all the
economy consistent with the public safety, and
all the liberality required for the comfort and
efficiency of our volunteers, nnd for the protec-
tion of the State against invasion. To that end
we approve the action of the General Assembly,
at its special session, in making appropriations
for war purposes.
8. We heartily invite co-operation with us of
men of all parties, whatever their former politi-
cal ties, who adhere to these sentiments, and
who unite in the patriotic support of the present
loyal administration of the government.
The Democrats nominated William H.
Merritt for Governor; Maturia L Fisher,
for Lieut.-Governor; James L. Elwood, for
Supreme Judge. Their platform was as
follows:
The people of the State of Iowa who regard
the constitution of the United States in its judi-
cial relation to the States and people as inter-
preted by the Supreme Court, and its political
principles as enunciated from time to time by
the Democratic party, and as applied by several
successive administrations in carrying on the
government of the United States, being assem-
bled by their delegates in convention, in the
Capitol at DesMoines, on the 24th day of July,
1S61, do make and proclaim to their fellow citi-
zens i >f the sister States of the Union, the follow-
ing declaration:
Whereas, In the vicissitudes which are inci-
dent t all governments, to human safety, and to
civiliza ion, the government and the people of
the United States have become involved in a
civil war, which threatens alike to be disastrous
to the form of government which experience has
proved to be the most conducive to the happi-
ness of mankind, and to result in imposing upon
the present and future generations onerous
burdens, which it should be the duty of a gov-
ernment having any regard for the well being of
the people to avoid, it becomes the incumbent
duty upon the people for whose benefit alene
government is instituted, and who, having the
light to either alter or abolish it when it ceases
to be administered for their happiness and pros-
perity, have also the right to determine and
direct how it shall be administered when they
find it departing from the principles upon which
it was founded, and to be precipitating into
waste and ruin the fabric of civil society, instead
of preserving the people in peace, piomoting
their prosperity, and securing their rights.
Viewing, therefore, dispassionately, the present
condition of our distracted country, and with
the single purpose of making an effort to avert
impending and other threatened calamities, and
of restoring peace, founded upon that fraternal
patriotism which gave birth to the American
Union, and which preserved its integrity till the
election of a President upon a principle which
was hostile to the constitution of the United
States and antagonistic to the vested right of
the people of nearly half the States of the
Union, do declare—
1. That we regard the present condition of
the country, the civil war in which the people
are engaged, the effort to dismember the Union
and all the concomitant evils which afflict us as
a nation, as the legitimate result of the success-
ful teaching of the doctrine and policy of the
''irrepressible conflict;" a doctrine and a policy
which arrayed northern sentiment in antagonism
to the constitutional rights of the people of the
slave States, and which proclaim an "irrepres-
sible" and unceasing hostility to the domestic
institutions of our brethren of the South.
2. That, notwithstanding the provocation
given to the people of the South by the mani-
festation of hostility toward their institutions,
by a majority of the people of the North, we
uuequivocally condemn the course they have
pursued to obtain a redress of their grievances,
believing, as we do, that, aided by the conserva-
tive people of the Northern States, their griev-
ances would have been redressed, and their
rights and interests respected and secured in a
constitutional manner and by constitutional
means.
3. That we are heartily opposed to the doc-
trine of secession, a political heresy, unwar-
ranted by the constitution, detrimental to the
^
HISTORY OF IOWA.
best interests of the whole country, and destruc-
tive of the Union and that glorious heritage of
liberty bequeathed to us by our fathers.
4. That our obligations to the government,
the duty we owe to posterity and the advance-
ment of political freedom throughout the world,
alike, command of us the preservation and per-
petuity of our federal Union, and we hereby
pledge the whole power of the Democratic party
to every just and constitutional means to main-
tain the same, whether its destruction be at-
tempted by the insidious teachings of the higher
law doctrine of the Abolition Republican party,
or by the open attacks of men in armed rebellion
against it.
5. That, as we were taught and admonished
by the experience of every free people whose
political existence was extinguished by the
assumption of arbitrary power and the violation
of fundamental principles, to resist the encroach-
ment of executive prerogatives, we therefore
emphatically and unequivocally condemn the
assumption of unauthorized power by the Ex-
ecutive of the United States, or by any other
officers of the government.
6. That our Union was formed in peace, and
can never be perpetuated by force of arms, and
that a republican government held together by
the sword becomes a military despotism.
7. That the Democratic party are in favor of
a convention of the different States of the entire
Union, as soon as the same can be properly had,
for such legislation as may secure equal and full
rights to all sections of this Union, and a full
representation of all the States, and a removal
of the agitation of the question of slavery from
the halls of Congress and the States of the
Union.
8. That we repudiate the modern heresy that
the States of this confederacy never had an
independent existence distinct from the federal
government, and are indebted for their present
position in the Union to that government, as a
gross insult to the common sense of the country,
and a shameless falsification of historical facts,
unworthy of the source from whence it emin-
ated, and unless promptly met with a stern re-
buke on the part of the people, fraught with
consequences fatal to the liberties of the country.
9. That we are irreconcilably opposed to all
paper money banking, as being a system of
legalized swindliug, to be indulged in only by
the designing capitalist, and are oppos d to
every species of paper, except commercial pa-
per, for the transaction of business and trade,
and in favor of a speedy return to a specie cur-
rency; and, if for a time we must submit to the
banking system, we recommend that the bank
law be so amended as to make each stockholder
individually liable (to t'.e fill extent of his
property not exempt from execution) for the
debts of the bank, and to subject their corpora-
tions to such restraints as to make them amen-
able to law.
10. That we are opposed to a tariff of duties
upon imports, for the purpose of protection, as
creating monopolies, and that, in the present
crisis of affairs, when the laborer is poorly paid
and the products of agriculture are almost
worthless, it is the interest of the people that
the present burdens imposed upon these articles
which enter into the consumption of the poorer
classes of our citizens be at once removed.
The official vote for Governor was as
follows:
S. J. Kirkwook, Rep 59,853-16,608
William H. Merritt, Dem 43,245
The Democratic convention was held at
the Capitol in 1862, and the following
ticket nominated: Secretary of State,
Richard H. Sylvester; Auditor, John
Browne; Treasurer, Samuel H. Lorah;
Attorney-General, Benton J.Hall; Regis-
ter of Land Office, Fred. Gottschalk. The
following is the platform adopted:
1. That the constitution and the Union and
the laws must be preserved and maintained in
all their rightful supremacy, and that rebellion
against them must be suppressed and put down;
and that we are in favor of the employment of
all constitutional means for that purpose, not
merely by force of arms, but by such other
HISTORY OF IOWA.
measures as common sense, reason and patriot-
ism will readily suggest to the governing powers.
2. That the true interests of the country, as
well as the dictates of humanity, require no
more war or acts of war should be prosecuted or
done than are necessary and proper for the
prompt and complete suppression of the rebel-
lion.
3. That the present war, as avowed by the
President and Congress, and understood by the
people, was commenced and prosecuted for the
purpose of suppressing the rebellion, and pre-
serving and vindicating the constitution of the
Union and the laws, and for that purpose only.
4. That the doctrines of the secessionists and
of the abolitionists, as the latter are now repre-
sented in Congress, are alike false to the consti-
tution and irreconcilable with the unity and
peace of the country, the first have already
involved us in a cruel civil war, and the others
(the abolitionists) will leave the country but
little hope of the speedy restoration of Union or
peace, unless the schemes of confiscation, eman-
cipation, and other unconstitutional measures,
which have been lately carried and attempted to
be carried through Congress, be revoked by the
people.
5. That the doctrine of State necessity is
unknown to our government or laws, but the
constitution and the laws are sufficient for any
emergency, and that the suppression of the free-
dom of speech and the press, and the unlawful
arrest of citizens, and the suspension of the writ
of hahens corpus, in violation of the constitution
in States where the civil authorities are unim-
peded, is most dangerous to civil liberty, and
should be resisted at the ballot-box by every
freeman of the land.
G. That this is a government of white men,
and was established exclusively for the white
race; that the negroes are not entitled to and
ought not to be admitted to political or social
equality with the white race, but that it is our
duty to treat them with kindness and considera-
tion, as an inferior and dependent race; that the
right of the several States to determine the
position and duties of the race is a sovereign
right, and the pledges of the constitution require
us, as loyal citizens, not to interfere therewith.
That the party fanaticism or the crime, which-
ever it may be called, that seeks to turn the
slaves of the Southern States loose to overrun
the North, and into competition with the white
laboring classes, thus degrading their manhood
by placing them on an equality with negroes in
their occupation, is insulting to our race and
meets our emphatic and unqualified condemna-
tion.
7. That the purchase of the slaves by the
government, as proposed by the President, will
impose an enormous and unendurable burden
upon the present generation, and entail upon
posterity grievous exactions.
8. That Congress, in the enactment of the late
tariff and tax bills, and the President by his
avowal, have imposed unfair and unjust enact-
ments upon the people at large, by discriminat-
ing in these acts in favor of the comparatively
wealthy, and against those who are least able to
bear the burdens of taxation.
9. That we recur with patriotic pride to the
bravery and valor of the officers and soldiers of
all the Iowa regiments exhibited in the struggle
upon the many bloody fields in which they have
been engaged; and that this convention, in be-
half of the Democracy of this State, tenders to
them a united testimony to their valor, and
devotion to the constitution and the Union, and
offer to the friends and families of those who
have fallen upon the field, its sincere sympathy
and condolence.
10. That viewing the glories of the past and
contemplating the realities of the present, we
believe there is no hope in the future for the
perpetuity of our government, but by preserving
the constitution inviolate and in respecting it by
both government and people as a sacred deposit
of individual and State rights; in an economical
and systematic administration of the govern-
ment by which corruption will be prevented,
extravagance restrained, expenditures reduced,
and heavy taxation rendered unnecessary; in
cultivating among the people that spirit of
American fraternity which once knew no North,
HISTORY OF IOWA.
no South, no Eusl, no West, except as parts of
one unbroken Union; in submitting questions
which might arise hereafter, effecting the legal
rights of States to the judicial tribunals and not
to the executive or legislative branch of the
And firmly believing in the efficiency of the
principles herein enunciated, we implore the
blessing of God upon our efforts to have them
applied to the administration of the government,
and we appeal to our fellow citizens who love
the constitution and Union as it was before its
harmony was disturbed by abolition fanaticism,
and its bonds broken by rebellion.
The Republicans met at DesMoines and
nominated as follows: Secretary of State,
James Wright; Auditor of State, Jona-
than W. Cattell; Treasurer of State, Win.
H. Holmes; Attorney-General, Charles C.
Nourse; Register of the State Land Office,
Josiah A. Harvey. The platform adopted
lead as follows:
We, the delegates of the Republican party of
Iowa, assembled to declare anew our political
belief, and to select candidates for important
official positions, present to the people the fol-
lowing as our articles of faith:
1 . That the constitution of the United States
is the fundamental law of the land; that it was
adopted by our fathers to establish justice and
secure the blessings of liberty to themselves and
their posterity; that in accordance with the
forms prescribed by that instrument, and by the
laws of Congress, Abraham Lincoln was elected
by the voluntary suffrages of the people as the
Chief Magistrate of the United States for the
term of four years; that before he had taken
the oath of office or exercised any of the powers
with which he had been clothed, certain States
of the Union passed ordinances of secession,
assuming thereby to be no longer a part of, nor
subject to the laws of, the United States; that
soon afterward they organized a separate con-
federation, proclaimed their independence of
and hostility to the federal government, and
from that time to the present have waged cause-
less, merciless and barbarious warfare against
the republic, to which they owe perpetual grati-
tude and allegiance.
2. That for the maintenance of the govern-
ment, in this the hour of its peril, it is the duty
of every citizen to devote time, labor, property,
life; that we, as the representatives of an organ-
ized association of citizens, publicly pledge all
our energies and substance, should they be
needed, for the governmental defense.
3. That we have undiminished confidence in
the President of the United States, that he is
faithful to his pledges, is honest and determined
in his purposes to crush the rebellion and main-
tain the union of the States, and that we earn-
estly endorse the action of our Representatives
in Congress in aiding to pass laws for the aboli-
tion of slavery in the District of Columbia; for
the perpetuation of freedom in all the Territo-
ries of the republic; for the confiscation of the
property of rebels, and clothing the President
with authority to use the slaves of traitors for
all military pnrposes.
4. That we abhor all sympathizers with seces-
sion, who, to cover their treasonable sentiments,
raise the cry of abolitionism; but that, on the
contrary, we will honor any loyal citizen, what-
ever may have been his former political associa-
tions, who will sustain, with all his power, the
struggle of Democratic Republicanism against
traitorous aristocracy, North or South.
5. That, extending a hearty welcome to those
who are present with us in this convention who
have left the so-called Democratic party, we in-
vite all loyal citizens, regardless of former
political associations, and who are in favor of
giving the national administration their honest
support, to co-operate with us, and we commend
to all of such the patriotic words of the lamented
Douglas, who said: "There is only two sides to
this question. Every man must be for the
United States or against it. There can be no
neutrality in this war — only patriots or traitors."
6. That we reiterate the demand for an eco-
nomical administration of our national and State
government, and for a punishment of fraudu-
lent contractors and plunderers of the public
treasury.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
7. That the valor of our soldiers and sailors,
and especially those of our own State, on every
battlefield to which they have been called, has
earned for them a lasting gratitude, and com-
mended themselves and their families to our
practical sympathy and aid.
8. That the State of Iowa will promptly fur-
nish her quota of troops called for by the recent
proclamation of the President, and any addi-
tional number which the public service may
require.
9. That the voluntary enlistment of our
adopted citizens in the army and navy, and their
tried valor on our battle-fields, have demon-
strated the warmth of their patriotism and an
appreciation of liberty and good government
which have earned for them the proud name of
American citizens and soldiers.
10. That as citizens of a loyal State, whose
patriotism, 'oth at home and upon foreign
battle-fields, has spoken for itself, we earnestly
appeal to the incumbents of the legislative and
executive departments of the government, to use
every legitimate means in their possession to
crush the rebellion, and if, as a last measure for
the preservation of the republic, it shall become
necessary to blot out the institution of slavery
from the soil of every State, we will say Amen,
letting the consequences fall upon the wicked
authors of the war, and leaving the final issue
with God.
The official vote on Secretary of State
was as follows:
James Wright, Rep 66,014—15,205
Richard II Sylvester, Dem 50,809
Iu 186.3 the Democrats met in conven-
tion at DesMoines, and nominated Maturin
L. Fisher for Governor. Mr. Fisher sub-
sequently declining, Gen. James M. Tuttle
was substituted; John F. Lumcombe was
nominated for Lieutenant-Governor, and
Charles Mason for Supreme Judge. The
following was the platform adopted:
In view of the circumstances that have brought
us together, we hereby resolve:
1. That the will of the people is the founda-
tion of all free government. That to give effect
to this will, free thought, free speech and free
press are absolutely indispensable. Without
free discussion there is no certainty of sound
judgment; without sound judgment there can
be no wise government.
3. That it is an inherent and constitutional
right of the people to discuss all measures of
their government, and to approve or disapprove
as to their best judgment seems right. That
they have a like right to propose and advocate
that policy which, in their judgment, is best,
and to argue and vote against whatever policy
seems to them to violate the constitution, to
imperil their liberties, or to be detrimental to
their welfare.
3. That these and all other rights guaranteed
to them by the constitution are their rights in
war as well as in times of peace, and of far more
value and necessity in war than in peace: for in
peace, liberty, security and property are seldom
endangered; in war they are ever in peril.
4. That we now say to all whom it may con-
cern, not by way of threat, but calmly and
firmly, that we will not surrender these rights,
nor submit to their forcible violation. We will
obey laws ourselves, and all others must obey
them
5. That there is a manifest difference between
the administration of the government and the
government itself. The government consists of
the civic and political institutions created by
the constitution, and to the people owe allegi-
ance. That administrations are but agents of
the people, subject to their approval or con-
demnation, according to the merit or demerit of
their acts.
6. That we are opposed to the war for the
purpose of carryingout the emancipation procla-
mation of the President of the United States;
and if the Federal administration expect a
united North to attend its efforts to suppress a
rebellion, it must not only come back to its
object of the war, as set forth in the Crittenden
resolution adopted by the House of Representa-
tives in July, 1861, but it must, in its dealings
HISTORY OF IOWA.
with the people of the States, infringe upon no
one single right guaranteed to the people by
either the federal or State constitutions.
7. That we declare our determined opposition
to a system of emancipation by the State upon
compensation to be made out of the treasury of
the United States, as burdensome upon the
people, unjust in its very nature, and wholly
without warrant of the constitution.
8. That we declare that the power which has
recently been assumed by the President, where-
in, under the guise of military necessity, he has
proclaimed and extended, or asserts the right to
proclaim or extend, martial law over States
where war does not exist, and has suspended the
writ of habeas corpus, is unwarranted by the
constitution, and its tendency is to subordinate
the civil to the military authority, and subvert
our free government.
9. Thai we deem it proper further to declare,
that we, together with the loyal people of the
State, would hail with delight any manifestation
of a desire on the part of the seceded States to
return to their allegiance to the government of
the Union; and, in such event, we would cor-
dially and earnestly cooperate with them in the
restoration of peace and the procurement of
su ;h proper guarantees as would give security
to all their interests and rights.
10. That the soldiers composing our armies
merit the warmest thanks of the nation. The
country called, and nobly did they respond.
Living, they shall know a nation's gratitude;
wounded, a nation's care; and, dying, they shall
live in our memory, and monuments shall be
raised to teach posterity to honor the patriots
and heroes who offered their lives at their
country's altar. The widows and orphans shall
be adopted by the nation, to be watched over
and cared for as objects fully worthy of the
nation's guardianship.
11. That we will adhere to the constitution
and the Union as the best, it may be the last,
hope of popular freedom, and for all wrongs
which may exist, will seek redress under the
constitution and within the Union by the peace-
ful but powerful agency of the suffrages of a
free people.
12. That we hail with pleasure and hope,
manifestations of conservative sentiment among
the people of the Northern States in their elec-
tions, and regard the same as the earnest of a
good purpose upon their part to co-operate with
all citizens in giving security to the rights of
every section, and maintaining the Union and
constitution as they were ordained by the foun-
ders of the republic.
13. That we will earnestly support every
constitutional measure tending to preserve the
union of the States. No men have a greater
interest in its preservation than we have. None
desire it more; none who will make greater
sacrifices or endure more than we will to accom-
plish that end. We are, as we have ever been,
the devoted friends of the constitution and the
Union, and have no sympathy with the enemies
of either.
14. That the establishment of military gov-
ernment over loyal States where war does not
exist, to supersede the civil authorities and sup-
press the freedom of speech and of the press,
and to interfere with the elective franchise, is
not only subversive of the constitution and the
sovereignty of the States, but the actual inaugu-
ration of revolution.
15. That we denounce as libelers of the
Democratic party and enemies of the country,
the men who are engaged in representing the
Democracy as wanting in sympathy with our
gallant defenders.
16. That we earnestly denounce the authors
of those heresies, secessionism and abolitionism,
which have culminated in an armed rebellion,
desolated our country and brought sorrow to the
heart of every person in this broad land.
The Republicans met at DesMoines,
June 1 7th, and adopted the following
platform :
We, a convention of representatives of the
loyal people of the State of Iowa, assembled
under the call of the Republican organization
of the State, as an expiession of the views which
shall govern our political action, do declare:
1. That when our fathers formed our consti-
tution, and founded thereon a republican form
HISTOET OF IOWA.
of government, they intended to and did grant
to that government full power to sustain its
natural existence.
2. That whenever the life of the Republic is
endangered, either by invasion or rebellion, the
constitution justifies the use of all necessary
means known to civilized warfare in resisting
invasion or suppressing rebellion.
3. That we fully and heartily endorse the
policy of the administration, and we will to the
utmost continue to sustain the government in
suppressing the rebellion, and to effect that
object, we pledge our fortunes and our lives.
4. That the gratitude of a free people is due
to our soldiers in the field, both native and
foreign born, for that heroic valor by which
they have honored us and sustained the flag of
our country, and we guarantee to them con-
tinued encouragement and support.
5. That we have witnessed with pride and
admiration the bravery and heroism of Iowa
soldiers, and we recognize in their brilliant ca-
reer a history for the State of Iowa, second to
that of no other State in the Union.
6. That we approve of the action of the Gen-
eral Assembly of the State, in enacting a law
giving to our brave soldiers in the field an
opportunity to vote at our elections, and we
earnestly hope that no technicality may deprive
them of their right.
7. That this convention hereby tenders to
Hon. Samuel J. Kirkwood the cordial thanks of
the loyal people of Iowa for the able, fearless,
and patriotic discharge of his duties, during the
two terms he held the office of Governor of the
State.
8. Finally, we declare that the preservation
of the constitution and the Union is above and
beyond all other interests, and that all questions
of party, of life, and of property, must be sub-
ordinate thereto.
At that convention the following ticket
was nominated: Governor, William M.
Stone; Lieutenant-Governor, Enoch W.
Eastman; Judge of the Supreme Court,
John F. Dillon.
The official vote on Governor was as
follows :
W. M. Stone, Rep., 86,123—38,174
J. M. Tuttle, Dem 47,948
The year 1864 brought with it another
Presidential campaign. The Republicans
placed in the field for re-election Abraham
Lincoln, while the Democrats nominated
General George B. McClellan. In Iowa
the Democrats met in convention at Des
Moines, June 16th, and placed in nomina-
tion the following named, without adopt-
ing resolutions: Secretary of State, John
H. Wallace; Attorney-General, Charles A.
Dunbar; Treasurer, J. B. Lash; Auditor,
H. B. Hendershott; Register State Land
Office, B. D. Holbrook; Supreme Judge,
Thomas M. Monroe.
The Republicans held their convention
July 7th, at DesMoines, when they nomi-
nated the following ticket: Supreme Judge,
C. C. Cole; Secretary of State, James
Wright; Auditor of State, John A. Elliott;
Treasurer, Win. H. Holmes; Attorney-
General, Isaac L. Allen; Register Land
Office, J. A. Harvey. The platform
adopted was as follows:
Resolved, That we hereby ratify the nomina-
tion of Abraham Lincoln for President, and
Andrew Johnson for Vice-President of the
United States, for the next term, and we pledge
for them the electoral vote of Iowa,
2. That we cordially approve and adopt the
platform of resolutions presented by the National
Union Convention at its recent session in Balti-
more, and that we most heartily endorse the
action of Congress in repealing all laws for the
return of fugitive slaves and abolishing the
inter-State coastwise slave trade.
3. That the brave sons of Iowa who have
gone forth to defend the cause of liberty and
Union on the battle-fields of the South, and
HISTORY OF IOWA.
whose heroic achievements have shed imperish-
able glory on our State and nation, we offer our
highest praises and our most fervent gratitude,
and that our State government should continue
to make liberal provisions for the protection
and support of their families.
4. That to the women of Iowa, whose patriotic
labors have contributed so much moral and
material aid and comfort to our sick and
wounded soldiers, we tender our heartfelt
thanks.
A Peace Convention was held at Iowa
City, August 24th, when the following res-
olutions were adopted :
Whereas, We believe that there is indispu-
table evidence existing that the Union may be
restored on the basis of the federal constitution;
and,
Whereas, We further believe that a vigorous
prosecution of this abolition war means the
speedy bringing about of a division of the Re-
public; and being ourselves in favor of a restored
Union, and against the acknowledgment of a
Southern Confederacy, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the war now being prosecuted by
the Lincoln administration is unconstitutional
and oppressive, and is the prolific source of a
multitude of usurpations, tyrannies and corrup-
tions, to which no people can long submit, with-
out becoming permanently enslaved.
a. That we are opposed to the further prose-
cution of the war, believing that the Union can
be preserved in its integrity by the President
agreeing to an armistice, and by calling a
national convention of sovereign States, to con-
sider the terms upon which all the people may
again live together in peace and harmony.
3. That believing war to be disunion, and
desiring to stop the further flow of precious
blood for a purpose so wicked as disunion, we
respectfully urge the President to postpone the
draft for 500, 000 men "to be driven like bullocks
to the slaughter," until the result of an armistice
and national convention of States is known.
4. That in the coming election we will have
a free ballot or a free fight
5. That should Abraham Lincoln owe his re-
election to the electoral votes of the seceded
States, under the application of the President's
"one-tenth" system and military dictation, and
should he attempt to execute the duties of the
President by virtue of such an election, it will
become the solemn mission of the people to
depose the usurper, or else be worthy the slavish
degradation, which submission under such cir-
cumstances, would seem to be their just desert.
6. That if the nominee of the Chicago con-
vention is fairly elected, he must be inaugurated,
let it cost what it may.
7. That, in respect to the gereral relations
which do and ought to exist between the fed* ral
and State ^governments, we approve and will ad-
here to the principles in the Virginia and Ken-
tucky resolutions of '98— to the interpretations
thereof by Jefferson, Madison and Jackson — and
to the resolutions passed by every Democratic
convention held iu this country— to all of which
special reference is here made, in utter condem-
nation of the war, and of its incidents
8. That in respect to the new and disturbing
element of our times — negro equality— we shall
maintain that the status of the inhabitants
(black, white and mixed) of the States, wiihin
their respective States (now sou-M to be con-
trolled by federal bayonets), is, and ought to be,
an exclusively State regulation; that the African
negro is not our equal in a political or social
sense; and that every usurping attempt, by fed-
eral force, so to declare him, will meet with our
determined resistance.
9. That the foregoing preamble and resolu-
tions be submitted to our delegation to the Chi-
cago convention, for their consideration.
The official vote at the November elec-
tion, on Secretary of State, was as follows:
James Wright, Rep 90,033-40,000
John H. Wallace, Dem 49,943
The Republicans were the firstto meet in
convention in 1865. They met at Des
Moines June 14th, and selected the follow-
ing ticket : Governor, Wm. M. Stone;
Lieutenant-Governor, Benjamin F. Gue;
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Supt. of Public Instruction, Oran Fayville;
Supreme Judge, Geo. G. Wright. The
platform adopted was as follows :
Resolved, That the perpetuation of the federal
Union, with all guarantees of Republican liberty
which its founders contemplated, is the most
sacred political duty of American citizenship.
2. That, during the four years of war, inau-
gurated by pro-slavery traitors, the great truth
has been demonstrated, in devastation and
death, that the nation cannot exist half slave
and half free, and believing that political and
religious freedom is the natural right of man-
kind even where, we do most fervently pray,
and shall most earnestly labor, for the ratifica-
tion of that amendment to the fundamental law
which provides for the abolition of slavery
throughout all the States and Territories of the
federal Union.
3. That, to the end that the consequences of
treason may be made so appalling that never
again shall it be inaugurated upon the United
States soil, we recommend the permanent dis-
franchisement of leaders of the rebellion, civil
and military; and that the late President of the
so-called Confederate States of America, as the
deepest embodiment of criminal barbarity, be
brought to the speediest trial and swiftest execu-
tion, regardless of the habiliments, under the
immunities of which he sought, in the day of his
calamity, to take refuge.
4. That, with proper safeguards to the purity
of the ballot-box, the elective franchise should
be based upon loyalty to the constitution of the
Union, recognizing and affirming equality of all
nun before the law. "Therefore, we are in favor
of amending the constitution of our State by
striking out the word 'white' in the article of
refuge."
5. That we extend to Andrew Johnson, in his
assumption of Presidential responsibilities, our
confidence and support, pledging for the patri-
otic masses of Iowa a continuance of the same
devotion to the federal flag which was promptly
extended to his predecessors.
6. That now the war is practically ended, and
our brave citizen soldiery of Iowa may return to
their homes and avocations of peace, we extend
to them the grateful thank- of the people, and a
welcome, such as only the patriotic and the
brave are entitled to receive.
7. That every man who voluntarily left his
home in this State, before or during the rebellion,
with a view to serve the cause of treason in the
rebel army or navy, and also every man who left
his State to avoid military service, due from him
to the government, should be forever debarred
by constitutional provision, from holding public
office, and from the exercise of the rights of suf-
frage in this State.
8. That we approve the actions of our State
executive in his hearty support of the general
government, and we tender the thanks of this
convention for the faithful administration ol his
office.
9. That wehumbly return thanks to Almighty
God for the deliverance of our State and nation
from the further perils of war, and that we de-
voutly recognize His hand in the great work
which has been wrought in the last four years,
for our people and for humanity.
The next convention held this year was
a "Soldiers' Convention," or, as the body
termed itself, "The Union Anti-Negro Suf-
frage Party," which convened at the Cap-
itol August 23d, and adopted a platform
and selected candidates for the various
offices to be filled, as follows : Governor,
Gen. Thos. H. Benton; Lieut.-Governor,
Col. S. G. VanAnda; Supreme Judge, II.
II. Trimble; Supt of Public Instruction,
Capt J. W. Senate. The platform read as
follows :
We, the delegated representatives of the sol-
diers and loyal citizens of Iowa, feeling pro-
foundly grateful for the restoration of peace
after four years of bloody war, have met to-
gether, as free American citizens, to adopt such
measures as in our judgment will most certainly
tend to perpetuate our glorious union of States,
and with the blessings of free institutions and
HISTORY OF IOWA.
the peace so happily restored, hereby adopt the
following platform of principles, viz:
1. We are in favor of the Monroe doctrine.
2. We sustain the administration of Presi-
dent Johnson, and especially endorse his recon-
struction policy, and we pledge him our earnest
and unqualified support.
3. We are opposed to negro suffrage or to the
striking of the word "white" out of the article
on suffrage in our State constitution, and will
support no candidate for office, either State or
national, who is in favor of negro suffrage or of
the equality of the white and black races.
4. We are in favor of the amendment of the
constitution of the United States, abolishing
slavery and the ratification of the same by our
next Legislature.
5. That, inasmuch as we do not sufficiently
know the sentiment of the people of the State
in regard to the prohibitory liquor law, we deem
it expedient to refer this matter to the different
county conventions to take such action in the
matter as by them is deemed proper, and to
instruct their Senators and Representatives
accordingly.
6. We are in favor of the brave soldiers and
marines who have faithfully served their coun-
try in the army and navy of the United States,
and especially of the crippled or disabled sol-
diers, having the preference for all offices of
profit, honor or trust, either by appointment or
otherwise, where they are equally competent
and qualified to discharge the duties of the
office or the trust reposed.
7. That we cherish with grateful remem-
brance the memory of our dead soldiers, and
ever will be ready and willing to lend our aid,
sympathy and protection to the crippled and
disabled soldiers, and the widows and orphans
of the war.
The Democrats also held a convention,
made no nominations, but adopted the fol-
lowing platform :
1. That we heartily rejoice in the suppres-
sion of the great rebellion and the preservation
of the Union, and give unfeigned thanks to
Almighty God for the restoration of peace.
2. In order that this peace may be permanent
and its effects speedily and widely felt, we be-
lieve it is the duty of every patriot to sustain
cordially the present policy of President John-
son in reconstructing the States recently in
rebellion.
3. That the establishment of a monarchy on
the soil of this continent is in direct defiance of
the Monroe doctrine — a doctrine accepted and
recognized by all true Americans; and it is the
duty of the Government of the United States to
see that the people of Mexico are freed from
the oppression of foreign bayonets, and the
republic restored.
4. That we favor rigid economy in the
national and State expenditures, and will insist
on the reduction of the numberless horde of
useless office-holders who feed like locusts on
the hard earnings of the people.
5. That we earnestly condemn the trial of
American citizens for civil offenses by courts-
martial and military courts, in States and dis-
tricts where civil law is unimpeded in its opera-
tions and in full force.
6. That we are radically opposed to negro
equality in all its phases, and accept the issue
tendered by the late Republican convention of
the 14th of June in making that doctrine the
chief plank in its platform by proposing to
strike the word "white" out of the article on
suffrage in the constitution of Iowa.
7. That the attacks on General Sherman,
originating in the War Department at Washing-
ton, and servilely copied and endorsed by many
of the leading Republican papers of the State,
are the offspring of envy and fanatacism, and
will recoil with crushing force on the heads of
his calumniators.
8. That we feel a just pride in the progress
of our army and navy, and especially of the
soldiers of Iowa, who, under Grant and Sher-
man, have made a lasting and glorious record of
their patient endurance of suffering, their ad-
mirable discipline and indomitable valor.
9. That we hail with joy the return of these
brave men from the battlefield, and extend to
them our grateful thanks for their services and
HISTORY OF IOWA.
a hearty welcome to their homes, and believe
that it is the duty, as it will be the pleasure, of
their fellow-citizens to see that a due proportion
of the civil honors and offices of the State shall
be distributed among them, and the fostering
care of the public extended to the widows and
orphans of those who died in the service of their
country.
10. That the assassinatian of President Lin-
coln was an act of unmitigated barbarism, and
oue that should be held in utter abhorance by
every good citizen.
The official vote for Governor is as fol-
lows:
William M. Stone, Rep 70,445—16,375
Thos. H. Benton, Anti-Negro Suf.54,070
Questions growing out of reconstruction
of Southern States afforded the issues for
I860. The first convention in this State
was held by the Republicans at the Capi-
tol, June 20, where the following ticket
was nominated: Secretary of State, Col.
Ed. Wright; Treasurer, Maj. S. E. Rankin;
Auditor, J. A. Elliott; Register of State
Land Office, Col. C. C. Carpenter; Attor-
ney-General, F. E. Russell; Reporter of
Supreme Court, E. H. Stiles; Clerk of
Supreme Court, Lieut. C. Linderman. A
platform was adopted, which reads as
follows:
Resolved, That the first and highest duty of
our free government is to secure to all its citi-
zens, regardless of race, religion or color,
equality before the law, equal protection from
it, equal responsibility to it, and to all that have
proved their loyalty by their acts, an equal
voice in making it.
2. That the reconstruction of the States
lately in the rebellion belongs, through their
representatives in Congress, to the people who
have subdued the rebellion and preserved the
nation, and not to the executive alone.
3. That we heartily approve of the joint
resolution lately passed by the Senate and House
of Representatives in Congress assembled, pro-
posing to the Legislature of the several States
an additional article by way of amendment to
the federal constitution, and we pledge the rati
flcation of that amendment by the Legislature
of Iowa.
4. That in the firm and manly adherence of
the Union party in Congress to the above prin-
ciples, we recognize new guarantys to the safety
of the nation, and we pledge to Congress our
continued and earnest support.
5. That we are in favor of the enforcement
of the Monroe doctrine, and that we extend to
all people struggling to preserve nationality or
to achieve liberty, our warmest support
6. That we are in favor of the equalization of
the bounties of soldiers who faithfully served
their country in the war for the suppression of
the rebellion.
7. That we are in favor of the nomination
and election to office of such persons as are
known to possess honesty and capacity, and we
unqualifiedly condemn dishonesty and careless-
ness in every department of the public service.
A conservative convention was called,
which convened at DesMoines June 27,
and nominated the following ticket: Sec-
retary of State, Col. S. G. VanAnda;
Treasurer, Gen. Poe A. Slone; Auditor of
State, Capt. R. W. Cross; Attorney-Gen-
eral, Capt. Webster Balinger; Supreme
Court Reporter, Capt. J. W. Senate; Clerk,
Lewis Kinney. The following platform
was adopted:
1. We hold that the constitution of the
United States is the paladium of our liberties,
and that any departure from its requirements by
the legislative, executive or judicial departments
of the government is subversive of the funda-
mental principles of our republican institutions.
2. Repudiating the radical doctrine of State
rights and secession on the one hand, and the
centralization and consolidation of federal
authority on the other, as equally dangerous;
and believing that no State can secede, and the
HISTORY OF IOWA.
war having been prosecuted on our part, as ex-
pressly declared by Congress itself, to defend
and maintain the supremacy of the constitution,
and to preserve the Union inviolate, with all the
dignity, equality and rights of the States unim-
paired, the federal arms having been victorious,
we hold that all the States are still in the Union,
and entitled to equal rights under the constitu-
tion, and that Congress has no power to exclude
a State from the Union, to govern it as. a terri-
tory, or to deprive it of representation in the
councils of the nation, when its representatives
have been elected and qualified in accordance
with ihe constitution and laws of tLe land.
3. While we fully concede to the federal
government the power to enforce obedience to
the constitution and laws enacted in conformity
with it, and to punish those who resent its legiti-
mate authority in the several States, we believe
in the maintenance, inviolable, of the rights of
the States, and especially of the right of each
State to order and control its own domestic insti-
tutions according to its own judgment, exclu-
sively, as essential to that balance of power on
which the perfection and endurance of our
political institutions depend.
4. "We hold that each State has the right to
prescribe the qualifications of its electors, and
we are opposed to any alteration ©f the State
constitutions on the subject of suffrage.
5. We consider the national debt a sacred
obligation, and the honor and reservation of the
government as irrevocably pledged for its liqui-
dation; no obligation, incurred in any manner
whatever in aid pf the" rebellion, should ever be
assumed or paid.
6. The nation owes a lasting debt of gratitude
to our soldiers and sailors of the late war for the
suppression of the rebellion; and in the bestowal
of public patronage by election or appointment,
preference should be given to those competent
to perform duties required, and as a positive
reward for their services, the government should
give to each of those who have fallen in the ser-
vice, or have been honorably discharged, or
their legal representatives, one hundred and
sixty acres of land; and justice to those who
entered the service in the early part of the war
demands that immediate provision should be
made for the equalization of bounties.
7. We cordially eudor.-e the restoration policy
of President Johnson as wise, patriotic, consti-
tutional, and in harmony with the loyal senti-
ment and purpose of the people in the suppres-
sion of the rebellion, with the platform upon
which he was elected, with the declared policy
of the late President Lincoln, the action of
Congress, and the pledges given during the war.
8. We regard the action of Congress, in refus-
ing to admit loyal representatives from the
States recently in rebellion, as unwarranted by
the constitution, and calculated to embarrass
and complicate, rather than adjust, our national
trouble.
9. The ratification by the legislatures of the
several States of the amendment to the consti-
tution of the United States, for the abolition of
slavery, settles that question virtually, and
meets our hearty approval.
10. We are opposed to any further amend-
ments to the constitution of the United Slates
until all the States are represented in Congress,
and have a vote in making the same.
11. We are in favor of a strict adherence to
the Monroe doctrine, and extend to all people
struggling to preserve nationality and liberty
our warmest sympathy.
12. All officers entrusted with the manage-
ment of funds should be held to a strict account
ability for the faithful application of the same,
and in case of the defalcation or misuse of such
funds, they should not be permitted to evade
responsibility by implicating irresponsible agents
selected by themselves. Any party that counte-
nances such evasion becomes accessory to the
crime.
The Democratic convention assembled
July 11th at DesMoines. No Democratic
candidates were selected, save for two
offices, the committee on nominations
recommending that the convention nomi-
nate candidates for Clerk and Reporter of
HISTOET OF IOWA.
the Supreme Court, and "that we recom-
mend and will co-operate with the conser-
vative element of the Republican party in
their efforts to restore the Union and de-
feat radical disunionism, and for that
purpose hereby agree to support their
candidates."
The convention named Capt. Albert
Stoddard for Clerk of the Supreme Court,
and Capt. Fred. Gottsohalk for Reporter.
The following resolutions were adopted:
Resolved, That the Democracy of Iowa will
adhere in the present and the future, as in the
past, with unfaltering fidelity and firmness to
the organization of the Democratic party, and to
its ancient and well settled principles, as enunci-
ated by Thomas Jefferson, the great apostle of
American Democracy, and as acknowledged and
accepted by the party from the foundation of
the government, and especially of equal taxa-
tion and representation of all the States subject
to taxation.
3. That the one great question of the day is
the immediate and unconditional restoration of
all the States to the exercise of their rights
within the federal Union under the constitution,
and that we will cordially and actively support
Andrew Johnson, President of the United
States, in all necessary and proper means to
carry out his policy as directed to that end, and
especially in securing immediate representation
in the Senate and House of Representatives, to
the eleven States from which it is now unconsti-
tutionally and arbitrarily withheld.
3. That for the purposes above set forth we
will co-operate in public meeting, conventions
and at the polls with all men without reference
to past party position, who honestly, and by
their acts and votes as well as by their profes-
sion, support the President in his policy of res-
toration as declared.
4. That the exemption of United States
bonds from tax is nothing else than exemption
of rich men from tax, because they are rich,
and they tax the poor man because he is poor.
Hence, justice and equality require that said
bonds should be taxed.
5. That strict and impartial justice demands
that the expenses of the general government as
well as the State governments should be paid by
the people according to their ability and not ac-
cording to their necessities. Hence we are
opposed now, as in the past, to the high tariff
which tends to burden the producer for the ben-
efit of the manufacturer.
6. That the so-called Maine liquor law is in-
consistent with the genius of a free people, and
unjust and burdensome in its operations. It
has vexed and harrassed the citizens, burdened
the counties with expenses, and proved wholly
useless in the suppression of intemperance.
The opinion of this convention is that the same
ought to be repealed.
7. That the plunder of the State treasury, by
Governor Stone and accomplices, calls for the
condemnation of every honest man in the State,
and if the radicals of the last Legislature had
been true to the interests of the people, they
would not have labored to save the criminals,
but would have piosecuted them to a speedy
and condign punishment.
8. That we are in favor of a prompt and
effective enforcement of the Monroe doctrine,
and we heartily S3'mpathize with the people of
every country struggling for their liberties.
9. That we approve of the National Union
Convention to be held at Philadelphia on the
14th of next month; that we approve of the
principles and policy set forth in the address of
the Democratic members of Congress, urging the
Democracy of the nation to unite with the
objects of that convention.
10. That the memory of the brave officers
and soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the
Union during the recent rebellion, is embalmed
in the hearts of the American people, and that
justice, as well as humanity, demands at the
hands of the American people that the widows
and orphans of those who died in the Union
service shall be duly provided for by liberal
pensions; that there shall be an equalization of
bounty so that those who breasted the war at
HISTORY OF IOWA.
the start shall share the equal pecuniary mu-
nificence of those who entered the army at a
later date.
11. That we most cordially sympathize with
lb" movement now being made by the friends
of Ireland to obtain the independence of that
glorious country from under the yoke of English
3 , and that we bid them God speed in the
nob'e work, and hope that the subject of the
independence of Ireland will continue to be agi-
tated until the Emerald Isle shall stand out in
full and bold relief on the map of the world as
one of the independent nations of the earth.
On Secretary of State the official vote
was as follows:
Ed. Wright, Rep 91,227—35,373
G. G VanAnda, Dem 55,854
In 1867 the Republicans met in conven-
tion at DesMoines, June 19th. They
nominated for Governor, Col. Saml. Mer-
rill; Lieutenant-Governor, Col. Jno. Scott;
Judge of Supreme Court, Hon. J. M. Beck;
Attorney-General, Maj. Henry O'Connor;
Superintendent Public Instruction, Prof.
D. Franklin Wells. The following is the
platform adopted by the convention:
1. That we again proclaim it as a cardinal
principle of our political faith that all men are
equal before the law, and we are in favor of such
amendments to the constitution of the State of
Iowa as will secure the rights of the ballot, the
protection of the law and equal rights to all
men, irrespective of color, race or religion.
2. That we approve of the military recon-
struction acts passed by the 39th and 40th Con-
gress. The illiberal construction by unfriendly
officials depriving these acts of their • nergy and
vitality, we demand that Congress assemble in
July to carry out by additional enactments the
true and original intent of said acts, the restora-
tion of the rebel States upon a sure and loyal
basis.
3. That the promt trial and punishment,
according to law, of the head of the late rebel-
lion, for his infamous crimes, is imperatively
demanded for the vindication of the constitu-
tion and the laws, and for the proper punish-
ment of the highest crimes, it is demanded by
justice, honor and a proper regard for the pro-
tection of American citizenship, and hy a due
regard for the welfare and future safety of the
republic, and it is due not only to the dignity of
the nation, but in justice to the loyal people who
have been so heroic in their devotion to the
cause of the constitution, the Union and liberty,
and to the soldiers of the Union who survive
and the memory of the heroic dead.
4. That we are in favor of the strictest
economy in the expenditures of public money,
and that we demand at the hands of all officials,
both State and national, a faithful and rigidly
honest administration of public affairs.
5. That the Republican members of the Con-
gress of the United States are entitled to the
thanks of the nation for their firmness in resist-
ing the conspiracy to turn over the control of
the government to the hands of traitors and
their allies, and defeating the purpose of a cor-
rupt Executive, and thus sustaining the interest-
of liberty, in a great and dangerous crisis in our
history.
The Democracy were in convention July
26th, and nominated the following ticket:
Governor, Charles Mason ; Lieutenant-
Governor, D. M. Harris; Supreme Judge,
J. H. Craig; Attorney-General, W. T.
Baker; Superintendent Public Instruction,
M. L. Fisher. The platform adopted by
the convention was as follows:
Resolved, That the maintenance, inviolate, of
the rights of the States, especially the rights of
each State to order and control its own institu-
tions according to its own judgment exclusively,
is essential to that balance of power on which
the perfection and endurance of our political
fabric depends.
2. That we believe each State has the right
to regulate the elective franchises for itself, and,
as citizens of the State of Iowa, are opposed to
striking the word "white" out of our State con-
stitution.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
3. That the existing tariff laws are unjust
and heavily burdensome to the agricultural
Slates, without being of a corresponding benefit
to the government, and only of advantage to a
few manufacturing States, and should be re-
peal' 'I or greatly modified.
4. That all classes of property should pay a
proportionate rate toward defraying the ex-
penses of the government. We are therefore in
favor of taxing government bonds the same as
other property.
5. That we are in favor of repealing the pres-
ent liquor law of this State, and iu favor of
enacting a well regulated license law in lieu
thereof.
6. That we are in favor of an arnendnx nt to
the constitution of our State giving to tori ',:•.< rs
the elective franchise after they have declared
their intention of becoming citizens of the United
States, and have resided in the State one year.
7. That we demand of our public officers in
the State of Iowa and in the United States the
strictest economy iu order to reduce the present
burdensome taxation, aud we denounce in the
severest terms the profligacy, corruption and
knavi ry of our State officers and Congressmen.
8. That the denial of representation to ten
States in the Union, through odious military
reconstruction, in violation to the constitution,
should meet the unqualified oppostiou of every
good citizen.
On Governor the official vote was as fol-
lows:
Samuel Merrill, Rep 90,200—27,340
Charles Mason, Deni 62,960
The year 1868 brought with it another
Presidential campaign. Ulysses S. Grant
was the Republican nominee for President,
and Horatio Seymour that of the Demo-
crats. In Iowa the campaign was opened
by the Republicans, who nominated the
following ticket : Secretary of State, Ed.
Wright; Auditor of State, John A. Elli-
ott; Treasurer of State, JVIaj. Samuel E.
Rankin; Register of State Land Office,
Col. C. C. Carpenter; Attorney-General,
Major Henry O'Connor. The following
platform was adopted :
We, the delegates and representatives of the
Republican party of Iowa, in convention assem-
bled, do, for ourselves and party, resolve —
1. That it is as important that the principles
of the Republican party should control, in the
administration of the State and nation now, and
for the future, as at any time since that party's
organization; and that the restoration to power,
under any pretext or any form of party organi-
zation of the men who would again apply the
principles and policy of the pro-slavery party
before and during the war, to the present and
future administration of State and national
affairs, would be an evil of the greatest magni-
tude, aud full of danger to the country.
2. That, while we recognize the fact that the
electors of Iowa are to act individually and
directly upon the proposed amendment to the
constitution of the State; and while we rec ig-
uize that the principles embodied in said amend-
ment are more sacred than party ties, and above
all consideration of mere party policy, never-
theless we deem it proper to again proclaim it
as a cardinal principle of our political faith, that
all men are equal before the law, and we are in
favor of the proposed amendment of the consti-
tution of the State of Iowa, which will secure
the rights of the ballot, the protection of the
law, and equal justice to all men irrespective of
color, race or religion
8. That we demand the strictest economy iu
the administration ol our State and national
government.
4. That we are in favor of the nomination of
U. S. Grant as our candidate for President, and
as a guarantee of his life and safety as well as
that of the nation, our delegates are especially
enjoined to secure, as our candidate for Vice-
President, a Republican of unswerving fidelity
and unimpeachable integrity.
5. That the views, purposes aud principles of
the Republican organization of Iowa has ever
HISTORY OF IOWA.
been well defined, understood and sustained, and
we are resolved that the Republican standard
shall never be lowered or compromised; that on
the battle-field, at the polls, and in the councils
of the nation, Iowa has ever been radically m
earnest in fighting for and maintaining our lib
erty, our Union, the rights of man and the honor
and integrity of the nation; and that we expect
and demand of the national convention to as-
semble at Chicago on the 20th inst., an unequiv-
ocal avowal of our principles, and upon such
platform we propose to meet and overwhelm our
political opponents.
The Democracy met at DesMoines and
made nominations as follows : Secretary
of State, David Hammer, Register of Land
Office, A. D. Anderson; Treasurer of State,
L. McCarty; Auditor of State, H. Dun-
lavey; Attorney-General, J. E. William-
son. They also adopted the following res-
olutions :
Resolved, By the Democracy of Iowa, in con-
vention assembled, that the reconstruction policy
of Congress is unconstitutional and destructive
of the spirit of American liberty, and, if earned
out, will inevitably result in a permanent mili-
tary despotism,
2. That the present depressed condition of
the country, with its prostrated business, para-
lyzed industry, oppressive taxation and political
anarchy, are the direct results of the unwise and
unconstitutional legislation of the dominant
party in Congress. (
8. That it is the avowed object of the Con-
gressional policy to continue in power the most
venal and corrupt political party that ever dis-
honored any civilization; a policy vindictively
enacted and mercilessly prosecuted, with the
unconstitutional purpose of centralizing and
perpetuating all the political power of the gov-
ernment in the dominant radical party in Con-
gress.
4. That for the maintenance of the national
credit, we pledge the honor of the Democracy of
Iowa; but that we will unalterably oppose that
policy which opposes to pay the rich man in
gold and the poor man in depreciated currencv;
and that we believe that the currency which is
good enough to pay the soldier, the widow and
the orphan, is good enough for the bondholder;
and that the bonds of the government, which
are made payable on their face in "lawful
money," popularly known as greenbacks, having
been purchased with that kind of money, may
be justly and honorably redeemed with the
same; and it is the duty of the government to
pay them off as rapidly as they become due, or
the financial safety of the country will permit.
5. That the national bank system, organized
in the interest of the bondholders, ought to be
abolished, and the United States notes substi-
tuted in lieu of a national bank currency, thus
saving to the people, in interest alone, more than
$18,000,000 annually; and until such system of
banks shall be abolished, we demand that the
shares of such banks in Iowa shall be subject to
the same taxes, State and municipal, as other
property of the State.
6. That it is the duty of the United States to
protect all citizens, whether native or natural-
ized, in every right, at home and abroad, without
the pretended claim of foreign nations to per-
petuate allegiance.
7. That we are in favor of the repeal of the
prohibitory liquor law, and of the enactment of
a judicious license law in its stead.
8. That we are opposed to conferring the
right of suffrage upon the negroes in Iowa, and
we deny the right of the general government to
interfere with the question of suffrage in any of
the States of the Union.
9. That the soldiers of Iowa, in the recent
great revolution, exhibited a spirit of patriotism,
courage and endurance, under great privation
and sufferings, that have won for them the ad-
miration of the nation, and entitle them to the
kind recollection of their countrymen and the
aid of a graceful government.
10. That Hon. Geo. H. Pendleton, of Ohio, is
the first choice of the Democracy of Iowa for
President of the United States.
On Secretary of State, the official vote
stood as follows:
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Ed. Wright, Rep 120,265-45,801
David Hammer, Dem 74,464
The Republicans, in 1869, re-nominated
Samuel Merrill for Governor; — Waldon
for Lieutenant-Governor; John F. Dillon
for Supreme Judge; A. S. Kissell for
Superintendent of Public Instruction.
They adopted the following resolutions:
Resolved, That we heartily endorse the admin-
istration of Governor Merrill as economical and
honest, and that it deserves, as it has received,
the hearty approval of the people of Iowa.
2. That we unite upon a continuance of strict
and close economy in all departments of our
State government in behalf of the maintenance
of the happy financial condition to which our
State has attained under Republican rule.
3. That the means now in the State treasury,
and which may become available, ought to be
issued for the purpose of defraying the neces-
sary expenditures of the State government,
economically administered, and for no other
purpose; and no State taxes, or only the mini-
mum absolutely required, should be levied or
collected until such means are exhausted, to the
end that the burden of taxation may be made as
light as possible.
4. That we rejoice in the glorious national
victory of 1808, which has brought peace, happi-
ness and prosperity to our nation; and we
heartily endorse the administration of General
Grant.
5. That the public expenditures of the na-
tional government should be reduced to the
lowest sum which can be reached by a system of
the most rigid economy; that no money should
be taken from the national treasury for any
work of internal improvements, or for the erec-
tion of any public buildings not clearly neces-
sary to be made or erected, until the national
debt is paid or greatly reduced. That all the
money that can be saved from the national
revenue, honestly collected, should be applied
to the reduction of the national debt, to the end
that the people may be relieved of the burthen
of taxation as rapidly as practicable.
6. That we endorse and approve the policy
which the present Secretary of the Treasury of
the United States has pursued.
The Democrats placed in nomination
the following ticket: Governor, George
Gillespie; Lieutenant-Governor, A. P.
Richardson; Judge of the Supreme Court,
W.F. Brannan; Superintendent of Public
Instruction, Edward Jaeger. They, also,
adopted as a platform the following:
Whereas, Upon the eve of apolitical canvass,
the time-honored usage of our party requires that
a platform of principles be announced for the
government of those who may he elected to of-
fice; therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Democratic party view with
alarm the action of an unscrupulous majority in
Congress, in its attempt to absorb the powers of
the executive and judicial departments of the
government, and to annihilate the rights and
functions reserved to the State governments.
2. That we favor a reform in the national
banking system, looking to an ultimate abolition
of that pernicious plan for the aggrandizement
of the few at the expense of the many.
3. That now, as in time past, we are opposed
to a high protective tariff, and that we will use
every effort to prevent and defeat that system of
national legislation which will enrich a small
class of manufacturers, at the expense of the
great mass of producers and consumers, and that
we are in favor of such reforms in our tariff systi m
as shall promote commerce with every nation of
the world.
4. That the pretended trial, conviction and
execution of persons not in the military or naval
service of the United States, by military commis-
sion, Is in direct conflict with the constitution,
and we denounce the same as unworthy of a free
people, and disgraceful to the American govern-
ment.
5. That we demand no more, and will submit
to nothing less than the settlement of the Ala-
bama claims according to the recognized rules
of international law, and that we declare it to be
Y
HISTORY OF IOWA.
the duty of the government to protect every cit-
izen, whether naturalized or native, in every right
of liberty and property throughout the world,
without the pretended claims of foreign nations
to their allegiance.
6. That we are in favor of, and insist on, an
economical administration of the national and
State governments, that the people may be as
speedily as possible relieved from the load of
taxation with which they are now oppressed,
and that public officers should be held to a strict
accountability to the people for their official
acts.
7. That a national debt is a national curse,
and that while we favor the payment of the
present indebtedness according to the strict let-
ter of the contract, we would rather repudiate
the same than see it made the means for the
establishment of an empire upon the ruins of
constitutional law and liberty.
8. That in the opinion of this convention the
so-called Maine liquor law, which now disgraces
the statute books of the State of Iowa, ought to
be repealed at the earliest possible moment.
The campaign of 1870 was short, the
first convention being held by the Demo
crats at DesMoines, August 10. The
nominations made were as follows: Sec-
retary of State, Charles Doerr; Auditor of
State, Wesley W. Garner; Treasurer of
State, William C. James; Attorney-Gen-
eral, H. M. Martin; Register of State Land
Office, D. F. Ellsworth; Reporter of the
Supreme Court, C. H. Bane; Clerk of the
Supreme Court, William McLenan ; Judge
of the Supreme Court, long term, J. C.
Knapp; Judge of the Supreme Court, to
fill the vacancy occasioned by the resig-
nation of Judge Dillon, P.Henry Smythe;
Judge of the Supreme Court to fill the va-
cancy occasioned by the resignation of
Judge Wright, Reuben Noble. They
adopted the following platform:
The representatives of the Democracy of Iowa,
coming together in a spirit of toleration and de-
votion to the doctrines of representative govern-
ment, and relying for final success upon public
discussion and the intelligence and patriotism of
the people, deem the present convention a fitting
occasion to proclaim the following as the prin-
ciples of the Democratic party of Iowa:
Resolved, That the internal revenue system of
the United States is unendurable in its oppres-
sive exactions; that to impose burdens upon oue
class of citizens, or upon one branch of indusi ry,
to build up another, and to support an army of
office-holders to enforce their collection, is an
abuse of the taxing power, and that we are in
favor of the collection of all taxes through State
government.
2. That we are opposed to the present unjust
and unequal tariff system, and in favor of one
which, while adapted to the purpose of raising
the necessary revenue to provide for the liquida-
tion of our national indebtedness, to meet the
expenditures of an economical administration,
will not oppress labor and build up monopolies.
3. That we are in favor of such disposition
of our public lands as will secure their occupa-
tion by actual settlers, and prevent their absorp-
tion by mammoth corporations.
4. That we assert the right of the people by
legislative enactment, to tax, regulate, and con-
trol all moneyed corporations upon which extra-
ordinary rights are conferred by charters.
5. That we are opposed to any attempt to
abridge the most full and free enjoyment of
civil and religious liberty.
6. That we cordially invite the electors of
Iowa to co-operate with us in the support of the
principles herein enunciated.
The Republicans met one week later
than the Democrats, and nominated for
Supreme Judge, full term, C. C. Cole; Su-
preme Judge, Dillon vacancy, W. E. Mil-
ler; Supreme Judge, Wright vacancy, Jas.
G. Day; Secretary of State, Ed. Wright;
Auditor, John Russell; Treasurer, S. E.
Rankin; Register of Land Office, Aaron
Brown; Attorney-General, Henry O'Con-
ner; Reporter of the Supreme Court, E.
^=f
1*4
HISTORY OF IOWA.
H. Stiles; Clerk of Supreme Court, Chas.
Linderman. The following are the reso-
lutions adopted by the Republican conven-
tion :
Resolved, That we refer with pride to the his-
tory of the Republican party, and congratulate
the country upon its successful career. It has
given to the poor man a homestead; it has abol-
ished slavery, and established manhood suffrage;
crushed treason, and given to us the Pacific rail-
road; settled the doctrine of the right of expa-
triation, maintained the honor, integrity and
credit of our nation. It has vindicated the
Monroe doctrine by preventing foreign powers
from interfering with the government on this
continent; and to perpetuate it in power is the
only safe guaranty for peace and prosperity in
the future.
2. That we heartily endorse the honest, faith-
ful, and economical adrninstration of General
Grant, by which our national debt has become
so largely reduced, and our national credit and
honor so firmly maintained.
3. That a tariff for revenue is indispensable,
and should be so adjusted as not to become pre-
judicial to the industrial interests of any class
or section of the country, while securing to our
home products fair competition with foreign
capital and labor.
4. That we are opposed to any system or
plan of granting public lands to railroad or
other corporations without ample provision
being made to secure their speedy sale at
moderate prices, and occupancy upon fair and
liberal terms by any and all who desire to pur-
chase and settle upon them.
5. That we are in favor of an economical
and judicious management of the affairs of the
State, and with this view we endorse the present
administration of the State government, and
commend it to the favorable consideration of
the people and to future adminstrations.
6. That we are in favor of such legislation as
will protect the people from the oppression of
monopolies controlled by and in the interest of
corporati' ns.
7. That while, as Americans, we feel in duty
bound to preserve a strict neutrality in the con-
test now waging in Europe, yet we cannot forget
that in our late war the sympathies and material
aid of the German states were freely given us,
and we do not hesitate to declare our unqualified
sympathy with the earnest efforts of the Germans
to maintain and defend their national unity; and
we condemn the course which the Democratic
press of the country has been and is now pursu-
ing in the support of a despotic, imperial dynasty,
and a causeless war against a people desiring
peace, and aspiring to perfect liberty.
8. That the Republican party of Iowa wel-
come to our shores all human beings of every
nation, irrespective of race or color, voluntarily
seeking a home in our midst; and all the rights
and privileges which we, as citizens, demand for
ourselves, we will freely accord to them.
9. That we are in favor of amending our
naturalization laws by striking out the word
"white" from the same, wherever it occurs.
The official vote on Secretary of State
was as follows:
Ed. Wright, Rep 101,938—11,433
Charles Dorr, Dem 60,005
In 1871 the Democrats were again first
in the field, assembling in convention at
DesMoines, June 14th, aud nominated for
Governor, J. C. Knapp; Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor, M. M. Ham; Supreme Judge, John
F. Duncombe; Superintendent of Public
Instruction, Edward M. Mtitin. They
adopted the following platform:
Resolved, That we recognize our binding obli-
gation to the constitution of the United States,
as it now exists, without reference to the means
by which the same became the supreme law of
the land.
2. That we will faithfully support the consti-
tution of the United States, as it now exists, and
that we demand for it a strict construction so as
to protect equally the rights of States and indi-
viduals.
3. That we cherish the American system of
State and local governments, and that we
HISTORY OF IOWA.
will forever defend the same against the central-
ized federal power.
4. That universal suffrage, having been estab-
lished, should now be coupled with its twin
measure, universal amnesty.
5. That we denounce all riotous combinations
and conspiracies against law, and demand that
the same be suppressed by the proper State
authorities, and that the federal power ought not
to intervene unless such intervention is de-
manded by the State authorities.
6. That the proposed annexation of the Do-
minican republic meets with our earnest oppo-
sition, partly on account of the character of the
mongrel population, and that of their unfitness
to become American citizens, but more especially
on account of the corrupt motives in which that
measure had its inception, and of the reprehen-
sible means by which it was sought to be con-
summated.
7. That while we have a tariff on imports, it
must be regulated with an eye single to revenue,
and not with a view to what is called protection,
which is only another name for the legalized
plundering of one industry to bestow favors
upon another; and that the recent election to
the United States Senate, by the Legislature of
Iowa, of a man wholly and openly committed to
a protective tariff, demonstrates that the party
in power are in antagonism to the great agricul-
tural interests of the State.
8. That the profligate corruption and wanton
extravagance which pervade everydepartmentof
the federal government, the sacrifice of the inter-
est of the laborer to aggrandize a handful of aris-
tocrats, the wicked deprivation of the people of
their rightful heritage to public lands, which have
been made a gift to railroad and other monopo-
lists, the payment of more than $20,000,000 prem-
ium during the administration of President
Grant on government, bonds, payable at par, the
maintenance, at an annual cost to the people of
nearly $30,000,000, of an unconstitutional, op-
pressive and extortionate system of banking,
whereby money is made scarce and interest
high, are abuses which call for wise and thor-
ough remedies.
9. That we are in favor of strict economy, of
a large reduction in the expenditures of the
federal and State governments, of civil service
reform, of the collection of the internal revenue
by State authorities and return to honest labor
the myriads of tax-gatherers who inflict our land
and eat up its substance, and of the speedy trial,
conviction and punishment of the thieves who
have stolen the taxes paid by the people.
10. That it is a flagrant outrage on the rights of
the free laborers ami mechanics of Iowa, that
the labor of penitentiary convicts should be
brought into conflict with theirs, and that it is
the duty of the next Legislature to enact such
laws as will certainly and effectually protect
them from such unjust and ruinous competition.
11. That section 2, article 8, of the coustitu
tion of Iowa, which declares that "the property
of all corporations for pecuniary profit shall be
subject to taxation the same as that of individ-
uals," should be rigidly and strictly enforced,
and that by virtue thereof we demand that rail-
roads and railroad property shall be taxed the
same as the farmer and the mechanic ate taxed,
and we affirm the right of the people, by legis-
lative enactment, to regulate aud control all cor-
porations doing business within the borders of
the State.
12. That with the watchword of reform we
confidently go to the country; that we believe
the interests of the great body of the people are
the same; that without regard to thepastpolitical
associations they are the friends of free govern-
ment; that they are equally honest, brave and
patriotic, and we appeal to them, as to our
brothers and countrymen, to aid us to obtain
relief from the grievous abuses which wrong
and oppress "every one except the wrongdoers
and oppressors themselves.
The Republicans met at DesMoines,
June 21st, and placed the following ticket
in nomination: Governor, C. C. Carpen-
ter; Lieutenant-Governor, II. C. Bulis;
Judge of Supreme Court, J. G. Day; Su-
perintendent Public Instruction, Alonzo
HISTOEY OF IOWA.
Abernethy. The platform adopted by the
convention was as follows:
Resolved, That we refer with pride to the his-
tory of the Republican party, and congratulate
the people of the country upon its -successful
career. It has given to the poor man a home-
stead; it has abolished slavery and established
manhood suffrage; crushed treason, and given
us a continental railway; settled the doctrine of
the right of expatriation; maintained the honor,
integrity and credit of the nation; has vindi-
catedihe Monroe doctrine by preventing foreign
powers from interfering with the governments
of this continent, and to perpetuate it in power
is the only guaranty for peace and prosperity in
the future.
2. That we heartily congratulate the country
upon the settlement of our vexed and dangerous
controversies with the government of Great Brit-
ain, and especially upon the just and Christian
spirit and manner in which these controversies
have been settled.
3. That while we favor a just and reasonable
degree of protection to all branches of American
industry against foreign competition, we are
unalterably opposed to any system of legislation
which favors one section of the country or de-
partment of industrial enterprise at the expense
of another, and therefore advocate such protec-
tion only as a fairly adjusted revenue tariff will
afford.
4. That we are in favor of a uniform system
of taxation, so that all property within the limits
of the States, whether of individuals or corpo-
rations, for pecuniary profit, shall bear its just
share of the public burdens.
5. That, believing that all corporations doing
business within the limits of this State are right-
fully subject to the control of the people, we are
in favor of so providing, by proper legislative
enactment, as to effectually prevent monopoly
and extortion on the part of railroads and other
corporations.
6. That we are in favor of extending the
blessings of civil and religious liberty to the
human race everywhere, and therefore, when-
ever it shall be made manifest that the people
of San Domingo so desire annexation to the
United States, for the purpose of enjoying the
benefits which such relation would afford them,
we shall favor the earnest and intelligent con-
sideration of this question by the treaty-making
power of the government.
7. That, as agriculture is the basis of pros-
perity of this State, we recognize its pre-emi-
nent claims for support, by legislation or other-
wise, as may be necessary to secure full devel-
opment of our highly-favored State.
8. That we are for such a modification of our
revenue system as will, at as early a day as pos-
sible, relieve the pressure of our internal reve-
nue laws, and reduce, as far as praticable, the
expenses of collecting the taxes.
9. That we cordially approve and earnestly
endorse the eminently wise, patriotic, and eco-
nomical administration of President Grant, and
heartily commend it to the favorable considera-
tion of the country.
10. That we are opposed to any system or
plan of granting public lands to railroads or
other corporations without ample provision be-
ing made for securing their speedy sale at a
moderate price, and occupancy, upon fair and
liberal terms, to any and all who desire to pur-
chase and settle upon them.
11. That we are in favor of an economical
and judicious management of the affairs of the
State, and, with this view, we endorse the
present administration of the State govern-
ment.
The official vote on Governor was as
follows:
C. C. Carpenter, Rep 109,228—41,029
J. C. Kuapp, Dem 68,199
During Grant's first administration new
issues were formed, and a new movement
sprung up, known as the Leberal Republi-
cans. This party placed in nomination
Horace Greeley for President and B. Gratz
Brown for Vice President. The Demo-
crats, meeting in convention shortly after
V
HISTORY OK IOWA.
— t
the nomination of Greeley, ratified the
nomination and adopted the Liberal Re-
publican platform. The disaffection was
so great among Democrats that Charles
O'Connor was placed in nomination, as a
regular Democrat, for the office of Presi-
dent. Gen. Grant was re-nominated by
the Republicans, with Henry Wilson for
Vice-President. In Iowa the Democrats
and Liberal Republicans met in convention
August 1, 1872, at DesMoines, and agreed
upon the following ticket, of which two
candidates were Democrats and three
Republicans: Secretary of State, Dr.
E. A. Guilbert; Treasurer, M. S. Rohlfs;
Auditor, J. P. Cassady; Attorney-General,
A. G. Case; Register of State Land Office,
Jacob Butler. The two conventions also
adopted the following platform:
Resolved, That we approve of and endorse the
action of the late Democratic convention at
Baltimore, in placing id nomination Horace
Greeley for President and B. Gratz Brown for
Vice-President, and we adopt its platform and
principles.
2. That in the State ticket this day presented
by the joint action of the Democratic and Liberal
State conventions, we recognize citizens of in-
tegrity, worth and ability, whose election would
best subserve the interests of the State, and to
wham we pledge our undivided and cordial
support.
The Republican convention met August
21 and nominated, for Secretary of State,
Josiah T. Young; Auditor, John' Russell ;
Treasurer, Wm. Christy; Register of State
Land Office, Aaron Brown; Attorney-Gen-
eral, M. E. Cutts. The following platform
was also adopted:
The representatives of the Republican party
of the State of Iowa, assembled in State conven
tiou on the J 1st daj of August, A. D. IS? J,
declare their unceasing faith in the principles
and platform adopted by the National Republi-
can convention at Philadelphia, on the 6lh day
of June, 1872, and with honest pride refer to the
history of the party in this Slate and nation, and
announces an abiding faith in its present integ-
rity and future supremacy. Under the control
of this organization, a gigantic rebellion has
been crushed, four millions of slaves not only
released from bondage, but elevated to all the
rights and duties of citizenship; freedom of
speech has been secured, the national credit
sustained; the taxes reduced, and the commer-
cial interests of the whole country nurtured and
protected, producing a condition of individual
and national prosperity heretofore unequaled.
So marked, decisive and unmistakable has been
the judgment of the people of this country that
the maintenance of the principles of the Repub-
lican party are the only true guaranty of national
prosperity and national security throughout the
country; that at last the Democratic party have
nominally abandoned the principles which they
have heretofore maintained, and announced
their adhesion to the principles of the Republi-
can party, and are endeavoring to steal into
power by nominating recent Republicans. But
with full confidence of our glorious triumph in
the present campaign, both in this State and the
nation, we hereby reiterate and re affiim the great
principles that have governed and controlled the
Republican party in the past, and pledge to the
people their maintenance in the future.
Resolved, That the nomination of our present
able, earnest and incorruptible Chief Magistrate,
Ulysses S. Grant, for re-election to the Presi-
dency of the United States, and of Henry Wilson,
of Massachusetts, for Vice-President, meets our
unqualified and hearty approval.
2. That we are in favor of the most rigid
economy m the administration of the affairs of
this State and the nation.
3, That we are opposed to any legislation,
State or national, that tends to unjustly dis-
criminate between individual interest and that
of corporations, believing that properly, whei her
held by individuals or corporations, should bear
their equal and just portion of the public bur-
dens.
¥
HISTORY OP IOWA.
4. That we are opposed to all further grants
of land to railroad or other corporations, and the
public domain which is the common heritage of
the people of this country should be sacredly
held by the government for the use and benefit
of actual and bona fide settlers.
5. That we hereby endorse the recommenda-
tion of General Grant, that emigrants be pro-
tected by national legislation, and that all eliorts
on the part of the government of the State or
nation to encourage emigration from foreign
countries meet our approval; and we hereby
commend the labors of the officers of the State
in their efforts to encourage and secure emigra-
tion to this State.
6. That we cordially endorse the nominatious
made by this convention, and pledge to the
nominees our hearty, active and earnest support.
A " straight " Democratic convention
was held at DesMoines, September 8th,
which adopted the following platform,
and placed in nomination a ticket:
Resolved, That the coalition ef office hunters
at Cincinnati and Baltimore, whereby Horace
Greeley, a life- long, mischievous and unchanged
Republican, was presented as Democratic candi-
date for Presidency, merits the condemnation of
every honest elector, and we repudiate the same
on behalf of the unpurchasable Democracy of
the State of Iowa.
2. That, with Chas. O'Connor and the Louis-
ville National Convention, we believe that
Horace Greeley, above all other living Ameri-
can's, is the recognized champion of the pernic-
ious system of government. Intermeddling
with those concerns of society which, under
judicious laws of State enactment, should be
left to individual action, and as such, he cannot
consistently or safely receive the vote of any
Democrat.
3. With the Louisville convention, we also
believe that the principles of the dual Republi-
can party, one faction of which is led by Grant
and the other by Greeley, are inimical to consti
tutional free government, and hostile to the fun-
damental basis of our union of co-ordinate self-
governing States, and that the policies of said
dual party are in practice demoralizing to the
public service, oppressive upon the labor of the
people, and subversive of the highest interests
of the country.
4. That we will act upon the advice of said
convention, and for national regeneration will
form political associations, independent of either
branch of said dual party, and nominate and sup-
port, in the approaching fall elections, State and
district candidates who are in harmony with said
convention, and who are opposed to all the prin-
ciples, policies and practices of said dual party;
that we heartily endorse all the proceedings of
the Louisville national convention, and pledge
to its nominees, Charles O'Connor and John
Quincy Adams, our most cordial support.
5. That the supposed availability of Horace
Greeley, as a coalition candidate, upon which
alone his name found any support, having
already signally failed, it becomes the duty of
the Baltimore delegates to formally withdraw
from the lists a name which so manifestly fore-
dooms the national Democratic party, with all
its hopes and aspirations, to meritable and dis-
honorable defeat.
6. That the alacrity with which the Demo-
cratic press of Iowa, with one liouorable excep-
tion, has championed the corrupt Greeley con-
spiracy, presents the most scandalous defection
in all our political history, amidst which the
sturdy devotion to sound principle, exhibited by
the Audubon county Sentinel and the Chicago
Times, is especially gratifying, and we there-
fore urge upon the Democracy of Iowa a deter-
mined effort to give the Times and Sentinel an
extensive circulation throughout the entire
State, and such other reliable Democratic jour-
nals as may be hereafter established.
7. That it is the sentiment of this convention
that we proceed to nominate a full O'Connor and
Adams electoral ticket and substitute Demo-
cratic names on the State ticket, where Repub-
licans have been placed in lieu thereof, and that
we suggest that where Republicans havi
nominated for Congress by the .^o called Demo-
crats and Liberals in the several Congressional
HISTORY OF IOWA.
districts, that Democrats in favor of the Louis-
ville nominations be substituted in their stead
by the several Congressional districts.
The following State ticket was nomi-
nated by the convention: Secretary of
State, L. S. Parvin, who subsequently de-
clined and Charles Baker was substituted;
Treasurer, D. B. Beers; Auditor, J. P.
Cassady; Attorney-General, A. G. Case;
Register of Land Office, Dave Sheward.
The following is the official vote on Sec-
retary of State:
J. T. Young, Rep 132,859-57,862
E. A. Guilbert, Lib. andDem 74,497
D. B. Beers, straight Dem 1,322
The Republican State Convention for
1873 met at DesMoines, June 25, and
nominated, for Governor, C. C. Carpenter;
Lieutenant - Governor, Joseph Dysart;
Judge of Supreme Court, J. M. Beck;
Supt. of Public Instruction, Alonzo Aber-
nethy. The following platform was
adopted:
The Republicans of Iowa, in mass convention
assembled, make this declaration of principles:
We hold the Republican party to be a political
organization of those American citizens who are
opposed to slavery in all its forms; who believe
that all men are entitled to the same political
and civil rights; who believe that all laws, State
and national, should be made and administered
so as to secure to all citizens, wherever born or
whatever their color, creed, condition or occu-
pation, the same rights before the law; who
believe in free schools, free opinion and universal
education; who believe that American society
and the American people should all be raised
to the highest possible plane of liberty, honesty,
purity, intelligence and morality, and that all
laws should be made and the government con-
stantly administered with this aim in view, and
that no party has a right to support of the people
which it not inspired with this purpose. Believ
ing that the Republican party is still controlled
by these principles, and that it is now, as it has
been from its beginning, an organization of the
best and purest political sentiment of the
country, we, as Republicans, renew the expres-
sion of our devotion to it, and our belief that we
can secure through it the political reform and
the just and necessary measures of legislation,
and of relief from monopolies and other aliases
of power which the country so much needs;
therefore,
Resolved, That, proud as we are of most of the
past record of the Republican party, we yet
insist that it shall not rely upon its past achieve-
ments; it must be a party of the present and of
progress; and as it has preserved the Union,
freed the slave and protected him from the
oppression of the slave-master, it will now be
direlict to its spirit and its duty if it does not
protect all our people from all forms of oppres-
sion, whether of monopolies, centralized capital,
or whatsoever kind the oppression may be.
2. That we insist upon the right and duty of
the State to control every franchise of whatever
kind it grants; and while we do not wish that
any injustice shall be done to the individual or
corporation who invest capital in enterprises of
this kind, we yet demand that no franchise shall
be granted which is prejudicial to the public
interests, or in which the rights and interests of
the State and the people are not carefully and
fully guarded.
3. That the producing, commercial and in-
dustrial interests of the country should have
the best and cheapest modes of transportation
possible; and while actual capital invested in
such means of transit, whether by railroad or
otherwise, should be permitted the right of
reasonable remuneration, an abuse in their man-
agement, excessive rates, oppressive discrimina-
tions against localities, persons or interests,
should be corrected by law, and we demand con-
gressional and legislative enactments that will
control aDd regulate the railroads of the coun-
try, and give to the people fair rates of trans-
portation, and protect them against existing
abuses.
4. That we heartily applaud the active meas-
ures of the late Congress, in ferreting out and
HISTORY OF IOWA.
exposing corruption. We have seen, with pro-
found regret, in the developments made thereby,
evidences of political and official corruption,
and the abuse of responsible positions by men
of all political parties, to further personal ends,
and we demand pure official conduct, and the
punishment of unfaithful public men, who,
having betrayed the confidence freely extended
to them, shall not be shielded from the disgrace
of their acts by any partisanship of ours, and
we denounce all credit mobilier transactions and
all official misconduct of whatever form.
5 That we believe that whenever a person
holding any position of trust given him by
the people, is guilty of fraud or embezzlement,
he should be convicted and punished under the
criminal laws of our land, in addition to the re-
covery from him or his bondsmen of the amount
so embezzled.
G. That the act of the majority of the mem-
bers of the last Congress, in passing what is
known as the back-pay steal, by which they
voted into their pockets thousands of dollars
which did not belong to them, as well as the act
of those who v. ted against the same and yet re-
ceived the money, is most flagranti}' improper
and infamous, and should secure the political
condemnation of all who were party to it; and
we demand that the provisions of the said act
by which the salaries were increased, shall be
promptly and unconditionally repealed.
7. That we sympathize with every movement
to ecun for agriculture and labor their due in-
fluence, inti rests and rights, and the Republican
party will be their ally in every just effort to at-
tain that end.
8. That we are desirous of political reform,
and for honesty, economy an-' purity in all offi
cial administration; that to secure this is the
duty .f every citizen; that to this end every
go.id man should feel bound to participate in
politics, and to make an end to bad men forcing
their election by securing a party nomination,
we declare it the duty of every Republican to
oppose the election of a bad and incompetent
c ndidate, whether he be a candidate upon our
own or upon any other ticket.
The question of monopolies began to
agitate the people to a great extent at this
time and the opposition to Republicans
united under the name of anti-monopolists.
An Anti-Molopolist convention was held at
Des Moines, August 12th, and the follow-
ing ticket nominated. Governor, Jacob
G. Vale; Lieutenant-Governor, Fred.
O'Donnell; Supreme Judge, B. f. Hall;
Supt. of Public Instruction, D. M. Prindle.
The following platform was adopted at
this convention:
Whereas, Political parties are formed to
meet public emergencies; and when they have
discharged the duty which called them into
being, they may become the means of abuse as
gross as those they were organized to reform;
and,
Whereas, Both of the old political parties
have discharged the obligations assumed at their
organization, and being no longer potent as
instruments for the reform of abuses which have
grown up in them, therefore we deem it incon-
sistent to attempt to accomplish a political ref irm
by acting with and in such organization; there-
fore,
Resolved, That we, in free convention, do
declare, as the basis of our future political
action, —
2. That all corporations are subject to legisla-
tive control; that those created by Congress
should be restricted and controlled by Congress,
and that those under State laws should be sub-
ject to the control respectively of the State
creating them; that such legislative control
should be in expressed abrogation of the theory
of the inalienable nature of chartered rights, and
that it should be at all times so used as to
prevent the moneyed corporations from becom-
ing engines of oppression; that the property of
all corporations should be assessed by the same
officers, and taxed at the same rate as the pro-
perty of individuals; that the Legislature of Iowa
should, by law, fix maximum rates of freight to
be charged by the railroads of the State, leaving
them free to compete below the rates.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
3. That we favor such modification of our
banking system as will extend its benefits to
the whole people, and thus destroying all
monopoly now enjoyed by a favored few.
4. That we demand a general revision of the
present tariff laws that shall give us free salt,
iron, lumber, and cotton and woolen fabrics, and
reduce the whole system to a revenue basis only.
5. That we will not knowingly nominate any
bad man to office, nor give place to persistent
peckers therefor, but will freely seek for our-
selves competent officers — as heretofore, politi-
cal leaders have sought office for themselves—
and that we will nominate only those known to
be faithful and in sympathy with these declara-
tions, and will, at the polls, repudiate any candi-
date known to be unfit or incompetent.
6. That, we demand the repeal of the back
salary law, and the return to the United States
treasury of all money received thereunder by
members of the last Congress and of members
of the present Congress. We demand a repeal
of the law increasing salaries, and the fixing of a
and more reasonable compensation for
public officers, believing that until the public
debt is paid and the public burden lightened,
the salaries of our public servants should be
ni' it in proportion to the awards of labor in
private life.
7. That we are opposed to all future grants
of land to railroads or other corporations, acd
' elieve that the public domain should beheld
sacred to actual settlers; and are in favor of a
law by which each honorably discharged soldier
or his heirs may use such discharge in any
government land-office in full payment for a
quarter-section of unappropriated public lands.
8. That public officers who betray their
a or trust are unworthy of renewed con-
fidence, and those who criminally trifle with the
public funds must be punished as crin
regardless of their previous influence or the
political importance of their bondsmen.
9. That, we arc in favor of a strict construc-
tion of our constitution by our Supreme and
other courts, and are opposed to the exercise of
the doubtful powers by judicial or other officers.
10. That in the corrupt Tammany steal, the
credit mobilier fraud, the congressional sa'ary
swindle and official embezzelements, and the
hundreds of other combinations, steals, frauds,
and swindles, by which Democratic and Repub-
lican legislators, congressme a,
have enriched themselves, and defrauded the
country and impoverished the people, we find
the necessity' of independent action and the
importance of united effort, and cordially invite
men, of whatever calling, business, trade, or
vocation, regardless of past political views, to
join us in removing the evils that so seriously
affect us all.
The vote was light, and on Governor
was as follows:
C. C. Carpenter. Rep.
J. G. Vale, Anti-M...,
...105,132—24,112
....81,020
An Anti-Monopoly convention was held
at DesMoines, June 23, 1874, which nom-
inated the following ticket and adopted
the following platform: Secretary, David
Morgan; Auditor, J. M. King; Treasurer,
J. W. Basner; Attorney-General, J. H.
Keatley; Clerk of Supreme Court, Geo.W.
Ball; Reporter of Supreme Court, J. M.
Weart. The following is the platform:
Res >lved, That we, the delegated representa-
tives of the people of Iowa, favorable to the
organization of an independent political party,
laying aside past differences of opinion, and
earnestly uniting in a common purpose to secure
needful reforms in the administration of public
affairs, cordially unite in submitting these decla-
rations:
1. That all political power is inherent in the
people; that no government is worthy of pre-
servation or should be upheld which does not
derive its power from the consent of the gov-
erned, by equal and just laws; that the inesti-
mable right of life, liberty and the pursuit of
ss should be secured to all men, without
distinction of race, color or nativity; that the
maintenance of these principles is essential to
the prosperity of our republican institutions,
-f? i
HISTORY OF IOWA.
aud that to this end the federal constitution,
with all its amendments, the rights of the States,
and the union of the Slates must and shall be
preserved.
2. That the maintenance inviolate of the
rights of the States, and especially of the right
of each State to order and control its own
domestic institutions according to its judg-
ment exclusively, is essential to that bal-
ance of power on which the perfection and
endurance of our political fabric depends;
and that we denounce as a criminal excess of
constitutional power the policy of President
Grant's administration in fostering the enormi-
ties perpetrated in certain States of the Union
in arbitrarily interfering with their local affairs,
in sustaining therein the usurpations of aliens
and irresponsible adventurers, whereby certain
men have been illegally invested with official
authority, aud others deprived of their constitu-
tional rights, oppressive laws enacted, burden-
some taxation imposed, and immense aud ficti-
tious indebtedness created, resulting iu the
degradation of those States, and the general
impoverishment of their people.
3. That the conduct of the present adminis-
tration, in its bold defiance of public sentiment
and disregard of the common good, in its prodi-
gality and wasteful extravagance, iu the innum-
erable frauds perpetrated under its authority, in
its disgraceful partiality for and rewards of un-
worthy favorites, in its reckjess and unstable
financial policy, and in its total incapacity to
mi ( t the vital questions of the day, aud provide
fur the general welfare, stands without a paral-
lel in our national history, and the highest con-
siderations of duty require the American
people, in the exercise of their inherent sover-
eignty, to correct these accumulating evils, and
bring the government back to its ancient land-
marks, patiotism aud economy.
4. That the faith and credit of the nation
must be maintained inviolate; that the public
debt, of whatever kind, should be paid in strict
accordance with the law under which it was
contracted; that an over issue of paper money
b ing at variance with the principles of a sound
tin iiicial policy, the circulating medium should
be based upon its redemption in specie at the
earliest practicable day, and its convertibility
into a specie equivalent at the will of the holder,
and that, subject to these restrictions, it is the
duty of Congress to so provide, by appropriate
legislation, that the volume of our government
currency shall at all times be adequate to the
general business and commerce of the couutry,
and equitably distributed among the several
States.
5. That tariffs and all other modes of taxa-
tion should be imposed upon the basis of rev-
enue alone, and be so adjusted as to yield the
minimum amount required for the legitimate
expenditure of the government, faithfully and
economically administered, and that taxation to
an extent necessary to the accumulation of a
surplus revenue in the treasury, subjects the
people to needless burdens aud affords a temp-
tation to extravagance and official corruption.
6. That railroads and all other corporations
for pecuniary.profit should be rendered subser-
vient to the public good; that we demaud such
constitutional and necessary legislation upon
this subject, both State and national, as will
effectually secure the industrial and producing
interests of the country against all forms of
corporate monopoly and extortion, and that the
existing railroad legislation of this State should
faithfully be enforced, until experience may
have demonstrated the propriety and justice of
its modification.
7. That while demanding that railroads be
subject to legislative control, we shall discoun-
tenance any action on this subject calculated to
retard the progress of railroad enterprise, or
work injustice to those invaluable auxiliaries to
commerce and civilization.
8. That the limitation of the Presidency to
one term, and the election of President, Vice
President and United States Senators by a direct
popular vote, and a thorough reform of our civil
service to the end that capacity and fidelity be
made the essential qualifications for election aud
appointment to office, are proposed reforms
which meet our hearty endorsement.
9. That we demand such a modification of
the patent laws of the United States as shall
HISTORY OF IOWA.
destroy the monopoly now enjoyed by the man-
ufacture of agricultural and other implements
of industry.
10. That the personal liberty and social rights
of the citizens should not be abridged or con-
trolled by legislative enactment, except in so
far as may be necessary to promote the peace
and welfare of society.
11. That holding in grateful remembrance
the soldiers and sailors who fought our battles,
and by whose heroism the nation was preserved,
we insist that Congiess shall equalize the boun-
ties and giant to eaeh one of them, or to his
widow and children, a homestead of one hun-
dred and sixty acres of laud from the unappro-
priated domain of the country.
12. That we desire hereafter to be known as
the Independent party of Iowa, aud recognizing
the individual conscience of the voter as para-
mount to the claims of the party, ask the co-
operation of those only to whom this declaration
of principles and the candidates nominated
by this convention may commend themselves
worthy.
The Republican convention, which con-
vened July 1st, at DesMoines, put in nom-
ination for Secretary of State, Josiah T.
Young; Treasurer of State, VVm. Christy;
Auditor of State, Buren R. Sherman; Reg-
ister of State Land Office, David Secoi;
Attorney-General, M. C. Cutts; Judge of
Supreme Court, E. J. Holmes; Reporter of
Supreme Court, John S. Runnells. The
following is the Republican platform:
We, the representatives of the Republican
party of the State of Iowa, in convention assem-
bled, do adopt the following platform of princi-
ples:
Resoloed, That as the policy of the Republi-
can party in relation to finance, has aftbrded-the
people not only a safe, sound and popular cur-
rency, of equal and uniform worth in every
portion of our common country, but has like-
wise greatly improved the credit of the country
at home and abroad, we point with pride to its
record and accomplishments in this regard. Aud
while re-afflrming the policy announced by the
party in the national conventions of 1868 and
1872, and triumphantly endorsed by the people
at the polls— a policy which, while contributing
to the public credit has also enhanced the indi-
vidual and collective prosperity of the American
people — we favor such legislation as shall make
national banking free to all, under just and
equal laws, based upon the policy of specie re-
sumption at such time as is consistent with the
matt rial and industrial interests of the country,
to the eud that the volume of currency may be
regulated by the national laws of trade.
2. That we re-affirm the declaration of the
Republican national platform of 1872, in favor
of the payment by the government of the United
States of all its obligations in accordance with
both the letter and the spirit of the laws under
which such obligations were issued, and we de-
clare that in the absence of any express provis-
ion to the contrary, the obligations of the gov-
ernment when issued and placed upon the mar-
kets of the world, are payable in the world's
currency, to-wit, specie.
3. That under the constitution of the United
States, Congress has power to regulate all "com-
merce among the several States," whether carried
on by railroads or other means, and in the exer-
cise (if that power Congress may, and should, so
legis'ate as to prohibit, under suitable penalties,
extortion, unjust discrimination, and other
wrong and unjust conduct on the 4 part of per-
sons or corporations engaged in such commerce;
and, by virtue of the same constitutional power,
Congress may and should provide for the im-
provement of our great natural water-ways.
4. That the State has the power, aDd it is its
duty, to provide by law for the regulation and
control of railway transportation within its own
limits, and we demand that the law of this
State passed for this purpose at the last session
of the General Assembly shall be upheld and
enforced until it shall be superseded by other
legislation, or held unconstitutional by the
proper judicial tribunal.
5. That we feel bound to provide all appro-
priate legislation for the full and equal piotec-
HISTORY OF IOWA.
tion of all citizens, white or black, native or
foreign born, in the enjoyment of all the rights
guaranteed by the constitution of the United
States and the amendments thereto.
6. That the $27,000,000 reduction in the
estimated general government expenses for the
coming fiscal year meets our hearty commenda-
tion, and shows that the Republican party on
questions of retrenchment and economy is carry-
ing out in good faith its oft repeated pledges to
the people.
7. That we are in favor of an amendment to
the constitution of the United States, providing
for the election of President and Vice-President
by a direct vote of the people.
8. That while inventors should be protected
in their just rights of property in their inven-
tions, we demand such modifications of our
patent laws as shall render the same more fair
and equitable to consumers.
9. That the faith of the Republican party is
pledged to promote the best good of the civil
service of the country, and that we, as Republi-
cans of Iowa, demand that only honest and
capable men be elected or appointed to office,
and that we commend the position of the party
in instituting investigations of corruption in
office, sparing therein neither friends nor foes.
10. That since the people may be intrusted
with all questions of govermeutal reform, we
favor the final submission to the people of the
question of amending the constitution so as to
extend the rights of suffrage to women, pursuant
to action of 15th General Assembly.
On Secretary of State the vote stood:
J. T. Young, Rep 107,243-28,183
David Morgan, Dem 79,060
For the campaign of 1875 the Democrats,
Liberal Republicans and Anti-Monopolists
met at Des Moines, June 24th, and nom-
inated a State ticket headed by Shepherd
Lefler for Governor; Lieutenant-Governor,
E. B. Woodward; Judge of Supreme Court,
W. J. Knight; Supt. of Public Instruction,
Isaiah Donane. The following platforn
was then adopted:
The Democrats, Liberal Republicans, and
Ami Monopolists of the State of Iowa, in delegate
convention assembled, declare, as a basis of per-
manent organization and united action, the
following principles:
1. A firm adherence to the doctrine of politi-
cal government, as taught by Jefferson, Madison,
and other fathers of the republic.
2. A strict adherence to the constitution in
all measures involving constitutional power.
3. The supremacy of the Republican govern-
ment within the sphere and reservation of the
local authority of the constitution as opposed to
the concentration of all powers in a strong cen-
tralized government.
4. Absolute prohibition of military interfer-
ence with the local State elections, and the
peaceful assembling and organization of the
State Legislatures, except in the manner clearly
defined in the Constitution.
5. Honesty in the administration of the
public officers, and strict economy in the public
expenditures.
6. All officers to be held to a strict accounta-
bility for the misuse of the public funds or for
the prostitution of their powers for private use.
7. The preservation of all the rights of every
citizen, without regard to race or color. >
8. The reservation of the public lands for the
benefit of actual settlers, and opposition to any
further grants to corporate monopolies for any
purpose.
9. The restoration of the Presidential salary
to $25,000. No third term.
10. That we are <n favor of the resumption of
specie payment as soon as the same can be done
withnut injury to the business interests of the
country, and maintain a sufficient supply of
national cunency for business purposes; opposi-
tion to present national banking law.
11. A tariff on imports that will produce the
largest amount of revenue, with the smallest
amount of tax, and no imposition of duties for
V~^
HISTORY OF IOWA.
^k
the benefit of manufactures at the expense of
agricultural interests.
12. We are in favor of the repeal of the present
prohibitory liquor law, and the enactment of a
practical license law, strictly enforced, as the
bi-st guard against, and the safest solution of,
the evils of intemperance,
13. That weave opposed to all legislation that
restricts any citizen in his individual or social
rights and privileges.
With this declaration of principle and policy,
in the language of our biethren of Ohio, we
arraign the leaders of the Republican party for
their extravagant expenditure and profligate
waste of the people's money, for their oppressive,
unjust, anddefective system of finance and taxa-
tion; for their continued tyranny and cruelty to
the Southern States of the Union, and their
squandering of public lands; their continuance
of incompetent and corrupt men in the offices
at home and abroad, and for their general
mismanagement of the government, and we cor-
dially invite all men, without regard to past
party association, to co-operate with us in
removing them from power, and in securing
such an administration of public affairs as char-
acterized the purer and better days of the
republic.
The Republican convention at Des-
Moines placed in nomination for Governor,
S. J. Kirkwood ; Lieutenant-Governor,
Joshua G. Newbold; Judge of Supreme
Court, Austin Adams; Superintendent
Public Instruction, Alonzo Abernetby.
The convention also adopted the follow-
ing platform:
Resolved, That we declare it a cardinal prin-
ciple of the Republican faith that the republic
i- a nation, one and indissoluble, within which
the constitutional rights of the States and of the
people to local self-government must be faith-
lully maintained.
8. That we favor the early attainment of cur-
rency convertible with coin, and therefore
advocate the gradual resumption of specie pay-
ments by continuous and stead\ steps
3. That we favor a tariff for revenue, so
adjusted as to encourage home industry.
4. That the earnest efforts of the government
to collect the revenue, prevent and punish
frauds, have our unqualified approval.
5. We are opposed to further grants of land
to railroads or other corporations, but we de-
mand a reservation of public domain for settle-
men; under the homestead laws, and for other
bona fide settlers.
6 We demand such a revision of the patent
laws as will relieve industry from the oppression
of monopolies in their administration.
7. That we cordially approve the policy of
the present administration in the settlement of
diffii ulties between ourselves and other nations,
by arbitration, instead of appealing to arms.
8. The Republican party of Iowa is opposed
to a third term.
9. We demand that all railway and other cor-
porations shall beheld in fair and just subjection
to the law-making power.
10. We stand by free education, our public
school system, taxation of all for its support,
and no division of the school fund.
11. That our national and State administra-
tion of public affairs have our hearty support.
12. We cordially invite all who are opposed
to the restoration of the Democratic party to
power, to forget all past political differences, and
unite with the Republican party in maintaining
the cause of true reform.
13. The persistent and tyrannical efforts of
the enemies of the Union, by murder and intim-
idation of the enfranchised citizens, and the
ostracisms and proscriptions of the white Repub-
licans of the South, for the purpose of rendering
null and void this amendment, merits the con-
demnation of every honest man.
14 That we heartily endorse the action of
President Grant in enforcing the laws when
called upon to do so by the proper authorities
of the State.
The Prohibitionists of the State met and
nominated for Governor, Rev John II.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Lozier, and adopted the following plat-
form :
Whereas, The traffic in and use of intoxi-
cating liquors as a beverage, is the greatest evil
of the present age; and,
Whereas, The legal prohibition of said traffic
aud use of liquors is the prime duty of those
who frame aud execute laws for the public wel-
fare; and,
Whereas, The existing political parties, in
their State platforms, have either ignored or re-
pudiated the foregoing principles, the one de-
claring for license, the other refusing to pass a
resolution opposed to the repeal of the existing
prohibitory law of our State; therefore,
Resolved, That the temperance people of Iowa
are, by this action of these political parties,
forced to seek the promotion of their objects by
such organizations and combinations as may
prove most effective for the success of the tem-
perance cause, without reference to previous
political affiliation.
2. That we most cordially approve the policy
of the present administration in the settlement
of difficulties between ourselves and other na-
tions, by arbitration, instead of appealing to
arms; and also the efforts now being made to
codify the international laws so that a World's
Peace Congress may be established before which
all international difficulties may be adjusted, and
thus "nations learn war no more."
3. That the desecration of the Christian Sab-
bath by public amusement, such as target-shoot-
ing, dancing, theatrical performance, and kin-
dred practices, together with ordinary business
traffic, except by persons conscientiously ob-
serving the seventh day of the week as a Sab-
bath day, augurs evil to the public morals, and
that the laws of our State, touching Sabbath
desecrations, should be rigidly enforced.
4. That we are in favor of maintaining our
free school system at the expense of the whole
people, and without the division of our school
fund with any sectarian organization whatever,
aud in favor of such legislation as wdl secure
the education of all children within our State in
the elementary branches of common school edu-
cation.
5. That the doctrine of professed political
parties ought to be, is, and shall continue to be,
powerless to control men bound by their convic-
tions to the mouutain of great moral principles,
and we call upon all concerned iu the promotion
of public morals to promptly and earnestly re-
buke the policy now inaugurated by such pro-
fessed leaders, and to seek its overthrow.
6. That we earnestly recommend that the
temperance people of the several counties
promptly form county organizations, looking to
the election of such Representatives in our Leg-
islature, aud such officers as will enact and en-
force laws for the promotion of the foregoing
principles, leaving the question of calling a con-
vention for the nomination of State officers and
of further organizing to an executive committee
to be elected by this convention.
The vote on Governor was officially an-
nounced as follows :
S. J. Kirkwood, Rep. .
S. Lefler, Dem
J. H. Lozier, Pro
The financial depr
124,8.15—31,576
1,397
ion during the sec-
ond administration of Grant was such as
to influence the formation of a new party,
known as the Greenback party, or, as it
was styled in national convention, the Na-
tional Greenback Labor party. Peter
Cooper was the candidate of this party for
the Presidency, while the Republicans
nominated Rutherford B. Hayes, and the
Democrats Samuel J. Tilden. The Green-
back men of Iowa held a convention May
10th, at DesMoines, and adopted the fol-
lowing resolutions :
Whereas, Labor is the basis of all our wealth,
and capital cannot be accumulated except as the
product of industry, or human life, given out in
the daily labor of the toiling millions; and,
Whereas, Money is, in essence, only a certi-
ficate of service rendered, and hence the solution
HISTORY OF IOWA.
of the financial question lies at the bottom of all
true government, and is the paramount issue of
the present campaigu, in which the Democratic
and Republican leaders have failed to take the
side of the people; therefore, we, the citizens of
Iowa, in mass convention assembled, do thus
organize the Independent party of Iowa; and
declare our faith in the following principles:
1. That it is the duty of the government to
establish a monetary system, based upon the
faith and resources of the nation, in harmony
with the genius of this government, and adapted
to the demands of legitimate business.
2. That we demand the immediate repeal of
the specie resumption act of January 14, 1875,
and that the circulating notes of our national
and State banks, as well as the local currency,
be withdrawn from circulation, and their place
supplied by a uniform national currency. Issued
direct from the government, the same to be
made a legal tender for all public and private
debts, duties on imports not excepted, and inter-
changeable at the option of the holder for bonds
bearing a rate of interest not to exceed 3.65 per
cent, per annum.
3. We demand that the present bonded debt
of the country be refunded as speedily as pos-'
sible into registered interchangeable bonds that
shall bear interest at a low rate, not exceeding
3 65 per cent, per annum.
4 We are in favor of the repeal of the act
of March 18, 1809, making greenbacks payable in
coin, and making 5-20 bonds perpetual or pay-
able only in coin and thus unjustly discrimin-
ating in favor of the money interest.
A Greenback State ticket was nominated
at a convention held September 20th, and
these additional resolutions were adopted:
1. We are in favor of the adoption of the
platform of the Indianapolis National Conven-
tion.
2. We recognize the rights of capital and its
just protection; we condemn all special legisla-
tion in its favor.
3. We demand a reduction of official salaries,
proportionate to the reduction of the profits on
labor.
4. We demand a remonetization of silver.
5. We demand the equality of the soldiers'
bounties
6. We approve and endorse the nomination
of Peter Cooper for President, and Samuel F.
Cary for Vice President of the United States.
The following is the ticket nominated:
Secretary of State, A. Macready; Auditor .
of State, Leonard Brown; Treasurer of
State, Geo. C. Fry; Register State Land
Office, Geo. M. Walker; Superintendent
Pub. Instruction, Rev. J A. Nash; Supreme
Judges, Charles Negus, Oliver R. Jones.
The Republicans placed in nomination
the following, at a convention held iu Des
Moines: Sicretary of State, Josiah T.
Young; Auditor, Luren R. Sherman,
Treasurer, Geo. W. liemis; Register of
Land Office, David Secor; Supreme Judges,
W. H. Seevers, J. H. Rothrock; Attorney-
General, J. F McJunkin; Superintendent
Public Instruction, C. W. VonCoelln. At
the same time they adopted as a platform
the following:
1. We are for maintaining the unity of the
nation sacred and inviolable; for the just and
equal rights of all men; for peace, harmony and
brntl eruooc" throughout the nation; for men of
unsullied honesty, and purity of character and
public trust, and for the swift pursuit and un-
sparing punishment of all dishonest officials,
high or low.
2. That we are in faver of, and we demand,
a rigid economy in the administration of the
government, both State and national.
3. That we favor a currency convertible with
coin, and therefore advocate the gradual resump-
tion of specie payment by continuous and speedy
steps in that direction.
4. That we demand that all railway and other
corporations shall be held in fair and just sub-
jection to the law-making power.
5. That we stand by free education, our
school system, taxation of all for its support.
no diversion of the school fund from the
public schools.
6. That we cordially invite immigration from
all civilized countries, guaranteeing to emigrants
the same political privileges and social and re-
ligious freedom we ourselves enjoy, and favor-
ing a free and unsectariau system of common
schools for their children with ours.
7. That in James G. Blaine we recognize a
pure Republican and patriot, and one well
worthy to be chosen as the standard-bearer of
the Republican party in the coming campaign.
The Democrats, in convention at Des
Moines, August 30th, adopted the follow-
ing:
Resolved, By the Liberal Democratic party of
the State of Iowa, in convention assembled, that
we adopt as our platform of principles the reso-
lutions and declarations of the National Con-
vention at St. Louis, and earnestly approve the
sentiments of the eminent statesmen of the
party, lion. Samuel J. Tilden and Thomas A.
Hendricks, so ably presented in their letters of
acceptance of the nominations at said conven-
tion.
The following is the Democratic ticket:
Secretary of State, J. H. Stubenrauch;
Treasurer of State, W. Jones; Auditor of
State, W. Growneweg; Register of State
Land Office, H. C. Ridernour; Attorney-
General, J. C. Cook; Judges of Supreme
Court, W. I. Hayes, W. Graham. The
vote on Secretary of State was as follows:
J. T. Young, Rep 172,171
J. H. Stubenrauch, Dem 112,115
A. Macready, Gr 9,436
Young's majority over all 50,620
In the campaign of 1877 the Republi-
cans met first in convention at Des
Moines, June 28, where they nominated
the following ticket: Governor, John H.
Gear; Lieutenant - Governor, Frank T.
Campbell; Supreme Judge, James G. Day;
Supt. of Public Instruction, Carl W. Von
Coelln. The following is the platform:
Acting for the Republicans of Iowa, by its
authority and its name, this convention declares:
1. The United States of America is a nation,
and not a league, by the combined workings of
the national and State governments under their
respective institutions. The rights of every
citizen should be secured at home and protected
abroad, and the common welfare promoted.
Any failure on the part of either national or
State governments to use every possible consti-
tutional power to afford ample protection to
their citizens, both at home and abroad, is a
criminal neglect of their highest duty.
2. The Republican party has preserved the
government in the commencement of the second
century of the nation's existence, and its prin-
ciples are embodied in the great truths spoken
at its cradle— that all men are created as equals;
that they are endowed by the Creator with cer-
tain inalienable rights, among which are life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that for
the attainment of these ends governments have
been instituted among men deriving their justice
from the consent of the governed, which con-
sent is evidenced by a majority of the lawful
suffrages of citizens, determined in the pursu-
ance of the law. Until these truths are univers-
ally recognized and carefully obeyed, the work
of the Republican party is unfinished, and the
Republican party of Iowa will stand by its colors
and fight the good fight to the end.
3. The permanent pacification of the southern
section of the Union, and the complete protec-
tion of all citizens in the free enjoyment of all
their rights, is a duty to which the Republican
party stands sacredly pledged. The power to
provide for the enforcement of the principles
embodied in the recent constitutional amend-
ments, is vested by these amendments in the
constitution of the United States, and we declare
it to be the solemn duty of the legislative and
executive departments of the government to
put in immediate and vigorous exercise all their
powers for removing any just causes of discon-
tent on the part of any class, and for securing
r r-
HISTORY OF IOWA.
to every American citizen complete liberty and
exact equality in the exetcise of the civil, politi-
cal and public rights. To this end we impera-
tively demand of Congress and the Chief Execu-
tive a courage and fidelity to these duties which
shall not falter until the results are placed
beyond doubt or recall.
4. That the public credit should be sacredly
maintained, and all the obligations of the gov-
ernment honestly discharged; and that we favor
the early attainment of a currency convertible
with coin, and therefore advocate the gradual
resumption of specie payments by continuous
and steady steps in that direction.
5. That the silver dollar having been a legal
unit of value from the foundation of the federal
government until 1873, the laws under which its
coinage was suspended should be repealed at the
earliest possible day, and silver made, with
gold ; a legal tender for the payment of all debts,
both public and private. We also believe that
the present volume of the currency should be
maintained until the wants of trade and com-
merce demand its further contraction.
6. That the investment of capital in this
State should be encouraged by wise and liberal
legislation, but we condemn the policy of grant-
ing subsidies; at public expense, either to indi-
viduals or corporations, for their private use.
7. That we demand the most rigid economy
in all departments of the government, and that
taxation be limited to the actual wants of public
expenditure.
8. That we favor a wisely adjusted tariff for
revenue.
9. That we hold it to be a solemn obligation
of the electors of Iowa to be earnest in securing
the election to all positions of public trust of
men of honesty and conscience; to administra-
tive affairs, men who will faithfully administer
the law; to legislative affairs, men who will
represent, upon all questions, the best sentiment
of the people, and who will labor earnestly fur
the enactment of such laws as the best interests
of society, temperance and good morals shall
demand.
10. That we rejoice in the honorable name of
Iowa, that we are proud of the State's achieve-
ments, of the degree of purity with which its
public affairs have been conducted, and the
soundness of its credit at home and abroad. We
pledge to do whatever may be done to preserve
unsullied the State's reputation in these regards.
The Greenbackers met at DesMoines,
July 12, and nominated, for Governor,
D. B. Stubbs; Lieutenant-Governor, A.
Macready; Supreme Judge, John Porter;
Supt. of Public Instruction, S. T. Ballard.
The convention also adopted the following
platform:
Whereas, Throughout our entire country,
labor, the creator of all wealth, is either unim-
ployed or denied its just reward, and all produc-
tive interests are paralyzed; and,
Whereas, These results have been brought
about by class legislation, and the mismanage-
ment o/ 3ur national finances; and,
Whereas, After generations of experience,
we are forced to believe that nothing further
can be hoped for through the old political
parties; therefore we make the following dec-
laration of principles:
1. We demand the unconditional repeal of
the specie resumption act of January 14, 18T5,
and the abandonment of the present suicidal
and destructive policy of contraction.
2. We demand the abolition of national
banks, and the issue of legal tender paper
money, by the government, and made receiv-
able for all dues, public and private.
3. We demand the remonetization of the
silver dollar, and making it a full legal tender
for the payment of all coin bonds of the govern-
ment and for all other debts, public and private.
4. We demand the equitable taxation of all
property, without favor or privilege.
5. We commend every honest effort for the
furtherance of civil service reform.
6. We demand the repeal of all class legisla-
tion and the enforcement of such wise and pro-
gressive measures as shall secure equality of
rights to all legitimate interests, and impartial
justice to all persons.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
7. We demand a reduction of offices and sal-
aries, to the end that there be less taxation.
8. We demand that the Independents of Iowa
sustain and endorse the principles of railroad
legislative control, as expressed by the highest
judicial authority, not as enemies of public
enterprises, but as friends of the whole country
and of the people.
9. We demand that all legal means be ex-
hausted to eradicate the traffic in alcoholic
beverages, and the abatement of the evil of
intemperance.
10. We are opposed to all further subsidies
by either the State or general government, for
any and all purposes, either to individuals or
corporations.
11. We invite the considerate judgment of
our fellow citizens; of ail political parties, upon
these our principles and purposes, and solicit
the co-operation of all men in the furtherance of
them, as we do believe that upon their accept-
ance or rejection by the people, the weal or woe
of our beloved country depends.
The Democracy met in convention thia
year at Marshalltown, and nominated the
following ticket: Governor, John P. Irish;
Lieutenant-Governor, W. C. James; Su-
preme Judge, H. C. Boardman; Superin-
tendent of Public Iustru tion, G. D. Culli-
son. They also resolved —
1. The Democracy of the State of Iowa in
convention assembled hereby declare in favor of
a tariff lor revenue, the only economic home
rule, the supremacy of civil over military power,
the separation of church and State, equality of
all citizens before the law, opposition to the
granting by the general government of subsidies
to any corporation whatever; and we believe,
2. The destruction of the industry of the
country and the pauperism of labor are the in-
evitable fruit of the vicious laws enacted by the
Republican party.
3. That, as a means of relieving the distressed
portions of the community, and removing the
great stringency complained of in business cir-
cles, we demand the immediate repeal of the
specie resumption act.
4. That we denounce as an outrage upon the
rights of the people the enactment of the Re
publican measures demonetizing silver, and de
mand the passage of a law which shall restore to
silver its monetary power.
5. That we favor the retention of a green
back currency, and declare against any further
contraction, and favor the substitution of green
backs for national bank bilis.
6. We congratulate the country upon the ac
ceptance by the present administration of tin
constitutional and pacitic policy of local self-
government in the States of the South, so long
advocated by the Democratic party, ami which
has brought peace and harmony to that section
And in regard to the future financial policy, in
the language of our national platfotm adopted
in the New York convention, in 1868, we urge,
7. Payment of the public debts of the United
States as rapidly as practicable, — all the money
drawn from the people by taxation, except so
much as is requisite for the necessities of the
government, economically administered, being
honestly applied to such payment when due.
8. The equal taxation of every species of
property according to its value.
9. One currency for the government and the
people, the laborer and the office holder, the
pensioner and the soldier, the producer and the
bondholder.
10. The right of a State to regulate railroad
corporations having been established by the
higher court of the country, we now declare that
this right must be exercised with due regard to
justice, as there is no necessary antagonism be-
tween the people and corporation, and the com-
mon interests of both demand a speedy restora-
tion of former friendly relations through just
legislation on one side, and a cheerful submis-
sion thereto on the other.
11. Rights of capital and labor are equally
sacred, and alike entitled to legal protection.
They have no just cause of quarrel, and the
proper relations to each other are adjustable by
HISTORY OF IOWA.
national laws, and should not be tampered by
legislative interference.
12. That we favor a repeal of the present pro-
hibitory liquor law of the State, and the enact-
ment of a well -regulated license law instead,
and all the money derived from license to go to
the school fund of the State.
A State Temperance or Prohibition con-
vention assembled at Oskaloosa August
30, and nominated Elias Jessup for Gov-
ernor, and adopted, as a platform, the fol-
lowing :
Whereas, Intemperance is the enemy of all
— the drinker, the seller, the financier, the states-
man, the educator and the christian; therefore,
be it
Resolved, By the temperance people of the
State of Iowa, that we hold these truths to be
self-evident, and we do hereby declare them as
the basis of our political action.
2 We recognize intemperance as the great
social, moral, financial and political evil of the
present age; that it is not an incident of intelli-
gence and refinement, but is one of the worst
relies of barbarism; has produced the lowest and
most degraded form of government; and there-
fore should be overthrown by all republican
governments.
3. We claim that all men are endowed by
their Creator with the inalienable right of free-
dom from the destructive effects of intoxicating
liquors, and the right to use all lawful and
laudiable means to defend themselves and their
neighbors against the traffic as a beverage witbin
our State.
4. That governments are instituted for the
purpose of restraining and prohibiting the evil
passions of men, and of promoting and protect-
ing their best interests; and that, therefore, it
is the duty of a government to use all its powers
to make it as easy as possible for men to do
right and as difficult as possible to do wrong.
5. We believe that the prohibition of the
traffic in intoxicating liquors is the only sound
legislative theory upon which this vexed ques-
tion can be solved and the nation saved from
bankruptcy and demoralization.
Therefore, we insist upon the maintenance
and enforcement of our prohibitory law, and
upon such amendments thereto as will place ale,
wine, and beer under the same condemnation as
other intoxicating liquors.
6. That this great evil has long since assumed
apolitical form, and can never be eliminated
from politics until our legislatures and courts
accomplish its entire overthrow and destruction.
7. We hereby declare that, since we believe
prohibition to be the only sound legislative
policy, and since law is only brought to bear
upon society through its officers, legislative,
judicial, and executive, we therefore can and
will support only those men who are known to
be tried and true temperance prohibitory men.
8. We believe that in the security of home
rests the security of State; that women is by her
very nature the acknowledged guardian of this
sacred shrine; that intemperance is its greatest
enemy; therefore we claim that the daughters of
this commonwealth, as well as her sons, ousht
to be allowed to say by their votes, what laws
shall be made for the suppression of this evil,
and what person shall execute the same.
9. We believe the importation of intoxicat-
ing liquors from foreign lands, and their protec-
tion by the United States government, while in
the hands of the importer, and inter-state com-
merce in the same, cripple the power of State
governments in enacting and enforcing such
legislation as is and may be demanded by the
people.
The vote on Governor was as follows:
John H. Gear, Rep 121,546
D. P. Stubbs, Gr 38,228
John P. Irish, Dem 79,303
Elias Jessup, Temp 10,639
Gear had a majority over Irish of 23,193,
but the combined opposition vote was
greater by 674.
In 878 the Greenbackers held the first
State convention, assembling at Des
Moines April 10th, and nominated for
Secretary of State, E. M. Farnsworth;
^
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Treasurer, M. L. Devlin; Auditor, G. V.
Swearenger; Treasurer, M. Farrington;
Attorney-General, General C. H. Jackson;
Judge of Supreme Court, J.G.Knapp; Clerk
of Supreme Court, Alex. Runyon; Reporter
Supreme Court, Geo. W. Rutherford. They
adopted the following platform:
Whereas, Throughout our entire country the
value of real estate is depreciated, industry para-
lized, trade depressed, business income and
wages reduced, unparalleled distress inflicted
upon the poorer and middle ranks of our people,
the land filled with fraud, embezzlement, bank-
rupcy, crime, suffering, pauperism, and starva-
tion; and
Whereas, This state of things has been
brought about by legislation in the interest of
and dictated by money lenders, bankers, and
bondholders; and,
Whereas, The limiting of the legal tender
quality of greenbacks, the changing of currency
bonds into coin bonds, the demonetizing of the
silver dollar, the exempting of bonds from taxa-
tion, the contraction of the circulating medium,
the proposed forced resumption of specie pay-
ments, and the prodigal waste of the public
lands, were crimes against the people, and so
far as possible the results of these criminal acts
must be counteracted by judicious legislation.
1. We demand the unconditional repeal of
the specie resumption act of January 14th, 1875,
and the abandonment of the present suicidal and
destructive policy of contraction.
2. We demand the abolition of national
banUs and the issue of a full legal tender paper
money by the government, and receivable for
all dues, public and private.
3. We demand the remonetization of the
silver dollar, making it a full legal tender for
thepaynientof all coin b mils of the government,
and for all other debts, public and private, and
that the coinage of silver shall be placed on the
same footing as that of the gold.
4. Congress shall provide said money ade-
quate to the full employment of labor, the equit-
able distribution of its products and the require-
ments of business.
5. We demand that Congress shall not, under
any circumstances, authorize the issuance of in-
terest-bearing bonds of any kind or class.
6. The adoption of an American monetary
system, as proposed herein, will harmonize all
differences in regard to tariff and federal taxa-
tion, distribute equitably the joint earniugs of
capital and labor, secure to the producers of
wealth the results of their labor and skill, mus-
ter out of service the vast army of idlers, who,
under the existing system, grow rich upon the
earnings of others, that every man and woman
may, by their own efforts, secure a competence,
so- that the overgrown fortunes and extreme
poverty will be seldom found within the limits
of our Republic.
7. The Government should, by general enact-
ment, encourage the development of our agri-
cultural, mineral, mechanical, manufacturing
and commercial resources, to the end that labor
may be fully and profitably employed, but no
monopolies should be legalized.
8. The public lands are the common property
of the whole people, and should not be sold to
speculators, nor granted to railroads or other
corporations, but should be donated to actual
settlers in limited quantities.
9. It is inconsistent with the genius and
spirit of popular government that any species
of private or corporate property should be ex-
empt from bearing its just share of the public
burdens.
10. That, while the interests of the labor and
producing classes throughout the nation are
identical, North, South, East and West, and
while it is an historic fact that the war of the
rebellion was inaugurated in the interests of a
class kindred to that which oppresses us, there-
fore we declare that the Government of the
United States shall never pay any part or por-
tion of what is known as the confederate or rebel
debt.
11. We demand a constitutional amendment
fixing the compensation of all State officers, in-
HISTORY OF IOWA.
eluding members and employes of the General
Assembly.
12. We demand a general reduction of all
county and court expenses, with a reduction of
offices, to lessen oppressive taxes.
13. We demand that all just and legal means
shall be used for the evils of intemperance.
14. We invite the considerate judgment of
our fellow-citizens of all political parties upon
these, our principles and purposes, and solicit
the co-operation of all men in the furtherance of
them, as we do believe that upon their accept-
ance or rejection by the people, the weal or woe
of our beloved country depends.
The Democrats assembled in convention
June 7th, and nominated the following
ticket . Secretary of State, T. O. Walker;
Auditor, Col. Eiboeck; Treasurer, E. D.
Fenn; Register of State Land Office, T. S.
Bardwell; Judge of Supreme Court, Judge
J. C. Knapp; Clerk of Supreme Court, M.
V. Gannon; Reporter of Supreme Court,
J. B. Elliott; Attorney-General, John Gib-
bons. The convention adopted the fol-
lowing platform :
We, the Democracy of Iowa, in convention
assembled, congratulate the country upon the
restoration of home rule to the South and the
era of peace brought about in response to the
demands of the national Democracy, and make
this declaration of principles:
1. In favor of a tariff for revenue only; honest
and economical home rule; the supremacy of
civil over military power; the separation of the
church and State; the equality of all citizens
before the law; opposition to granting by the
general government of subsidies to any corpora-
tion whatever.
2. We believe the financial system of the
Republican party has been one of favor to the
moneyed monopolies, of unequal taxation, of
exemptions of class, and of a remorseless con-
traction that has destroyed every enterprise
which gave employment to labor, and therefore
we denounce it, its measures and its men, as
responsible for the financial distress, misery
and want which now afflict the nation.
3. Labor and capital have an equal demand
upon and equal responsibility to the law.
4. Public officials should be held to strict
accountability, defaulters should be severely
punished, and riot and disorder promptly sup-
pressed.
5. We deprecate the funding of our non-in-
terest bearing debt, and insist that our bonded
debt be refunded at a rate of interest not ex-
ceeding four per cent.
6. We favor an equal recognition of gold,
silver and United States notes in the discharge
ol public and private obligations, except where
otherwise provided by contract, and to the end
that the same be secured, we favor the uncon-
ditional repeal of the resumption act, and the
coinage of silver on equal conditions with gold.
We oppose any further retirement of the United
States notes now in circulation, and favor the
substitution of United States treasury notes for
national bank bills.
7. We declare it as our opinion that it is the
duty of the government to take immediate steps
to improve our great Western rivers, and that
the means provided should be commensurate
with the importance and magnitude of the work.
8. Thorough investigation into the election
frauds of 1876 should be made, the frauds should
be exposed, the truth vindicated, and the crimi-
nals puuished in accordance with law, wherever
found.
9 The management of our State institutions
by Republican officials has been and is Lotori-
ously corrupt, and a disgrace to the people; we
therefore demand a thorough investigation of
the same, and the punishment of all parties who
have betrayed their trust.
Resolved, That we accept and re-affirm the doc-
trine of Mr. Tilden upon the war claims as a
proper adjustment of the national policy con-
cerning that class of claims upon the public
treasury.
The Republicans held their convention
June 19, and nominated the following
HISTORY OF IOWA.
ticket: Secretary of State, Capt. John
A. T. Hull; Auditor, Maj. Buren K.
Sherman; Treasurer, George W. Bemis;
Register State Land Office, Lieut. James
K. Powers; Judge of Supreme Court, Col.
J. H. Rothrock. They also adopted the
following platform:
1. That the United States of America is a
nation, not a league. By the combined work-
ings of the national and State governments,
under their respective constitutions, the right of
every citizen should he secured at home and
abroad, and the common welfare promoted.
Any failure on the part of either the national or
State governments to use every possible consti-
tutional power to afford ample protection to
their citizens, both at home and abroad, ia a
neglect of their highest duty.
2. Against the assaults of traitors and rebels,
the Republican party has preserved these gov-
ernments, and they represent the great truths
spoken to the world by the Declaration of Inde-
pendence, that "all men are created equal;"
that, they "are endowed by their Creator with
certain inalienable rights, among which are life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that for
the attainment of these ends, governments have
been instituted among men, deriving just powers
from the consent of the governed," which con-
sent is evinced by a majority of the lawful
suffrages of the citizens, determined ia pursuance
of law; and in order that this end maybe justly
and fully reached, the Republican party of Iowa
demands that every qualified elector in every
State, North and South, Democrat or Republi-
can, white or black, shall be permitted, un lis-
turbed by force and unawed by fear, to vote at
all elections at the place prescribed by law, and
nowhere else, just once, and no more than once;
and that every vote so cast shall be honestly
counted, and that every person chosen by such
votes to any office shall be freely inducted into
it, and effectively supported in the discharge of
his duties; and every well informed person
knows that with such freedom of elective action
and honest administration as are herein de-
manded, at least five of the Southern States arc
Republican by a large majority, and that they
are now in the hands of the Democratic party,
solely through force, fraud, intimidation, and
failure to enforce the principles herein set
forth.
3. The permanent pacification of the southern
section of the Union, and the complete protec-
tion of all its citizens in all their civil, political,
personal and property rights, is a duty to which
the Republican party stands sacredly pledged.
In order to redeem this pledge, it placed the
recent amendments in the constitution of the
United States, and upon the righteous basis of
said amendments it will go forward in the work
of pacification until peace shall come through
right doing, and contentment through justice.
4. The Democratic dogma of "home rule,"
which seeks to shut out from participation in
the political affairs of the southern States all
citizens who oppose, the Democratic party and
are not natives of said States, and i:. obedience
to the spirit to which every man from the north,
of republican sentiments, is termed a "carpet-
bagger," is hereby denounced as the worst phase
of State rights yet developed, and we demand
for the people of Iowa absolute freedom to go
whithersoever they may please within the limits
of the nation, to utter their sentiments by speech
or by press upon all subjects touching their
interests, and all matters of public concern.
5. That the armed conflict between the
traitors and the rebels who sought to destroy the
republic, and the patriots who defended it, was
more than a trial of physical force between
Greeks. It was a struggle of right against wrong,
of a true civilization against a false one, of a
good government against anarchy, of patriots
against traitors, wherein the Republican party
was the defender of right, the champion of a
true civilization, the promoter of good govern-
ment, . and in whose ranks patriots marched
against traitors; and who ever fails to regard
the Republican party from this standpoint and
in this light, fails to comprehend its character,
its achievements, its purposes, and its duties,
and whoever treats with the Democratic part}'
from any other standpoint, manifests incapacity
HISTORY OF IOWA.
to understand palpable facts, and will be over-
whelmed with disaster.
6. That the soldiers who fought the battles
of the republic are entitled to special credit for
the heroism which they displayed, for their
unselfish devotion to liberty and order, and for
the great fact that the war "turned out as it
did;" and discredit, in like degree, attaches to
the traitors and rebels who fought to destroy the
nation. Whoever fails to appreciate these facts,
is derelict in the duty he owes to the party.
7. That the Republican party is the party of
order as opposed to all lawlessness in whatever
quarter the same may arise, or in whatever form
it may appear.
8. That the wisdom of the financial policy of
the Republican party is made manifest by its
results. It has brought specie and paper practi-
cally together months before the date fixed by
law for t!.e resumption of specie payment by
the gover.-.ment; it has given to all classes money
of the same value, it has placed our nation on
an equal footing with the other great nations of
the world in all matters of financial concern; it
has promoted the refunding of the national debt
at a low rate of interest; it has maintained the
national credit; and any change in this policy
which tends to obstruct it in its work of restor
ing specie payment, whereby paper currency
becomes absolutely as valuable as gold and
silver stand ird coin; of reviving business, pro-
moting industry, and maintaining the public
credit, is hereby denounced as wholly evil and
injurious to the best interest of the country.
9. That the organized raid on the treasury by
the Southern Democratic members of Congress,
for payment of hundreds of millions of dollars
of rebel war claims, is an unparalleled impu-
dence, and a present danger against the success
of which the triumph of tr.e Republican party
is our only security.
10. That we favor a wisely adjused tariff for
revenue.
11. In the matter of the faithful administra
tiou of the public funds, the Republican parly
challenges the closest scrutiny, and invites com-
parison with any and all other agencies in pub-
lic or private affairs. Notwithstanding the vast
sums', amounting to thousands of millions of
dollars, collected and distributed by Republican
administration, the percentage of loss is less
than can be shown by any other political party
that has ever been entiusted with the control of
public affairs, or by individuals in their own
private business. This shows that the charge
of corruption made against the Republican
party is as groundlessly impudent as was the
attempt of the Southern Democracy to destroy
the Union wantonly wicked and atrociously
cruel.
12. The title to the Presidential term was
definitely and finally settled by the forty-fourth
Congress, and any attempt to open it is danger-
ous, illegal, and unconstitutional, and the
Republican party of Iowa will resist all efforts
not founded on the constitution and the existing
laws to displace the present possessor of said
title, and it is a source of sincere congratulation
that the firm attitude assumed by the Republi-
can party of the country in this regard forced a
majority of the House of Representatives to
disavow the real but covert purposes of the so-
called Potter investigation.
13. That the effotrs of the Democratic party in
Congress to cripple and render inefficient the
army and navy of the United States is most
earnestly condemned, and all efforts looking to a
permanent reduction of the same, with a view to
a future reorganization, whereby the official
stations may be in whole or in part supplied by
officers who engaged in rebellion against the
nation, who hold to the doctrine of secession,
and who acknowledge primary allegiance to a
Slate, are hereby denounced as dangerous to the
peace of the country and w the permanence of
the Union.
14. That it is not only the right, but the duty,
of every good citizen at party caucus, in the
party conventions, and at the polls, to use his
best efforts to secure the nomination and elec-
tion of good men to places of official trust, and
we disapprove of all interference with the
perfect freedom of action of any citizen in the
exercise of said right and in the discharge of
said dutv.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
15. That personal temperance is a most com-
mendable virtue in a people, and the practical
popular movement now active througout the
State, for the promotion of temperance, has our
most profound respect, sympathy, and approval.
1G. That we demand the most rigid ecouomy
in all departments of the public service, and
rigid retrenchment in all public expenses in all
possible directions, and the reduction of taxa-
tion to the lowest limits consistent with efficient
public service. In the direction of such ecouomy
and retrenchment, we hcartly commend the
action of the Republican legislature in reducing
the expenses of the State in the sum of four hun-
dred thousand dollars, and this example set by the
State, should be followed in all other depart-
ments of our government.
17. That the Republican party of Iowa de-
mands an honest, faithful and efficient discharge
of duty by all officers, whether federal. State,
county or municipal, and requires a full, fair,
and impartial and searching investigation into
the official conduct of all officials and the busi-
ness of all officers, without regard to party or
pcr-onal association, and whenever or wherever
fraud and dishonesty are discovered, the Repub-
licans of Iowa demand the prompt punishment
of the guilty parlies. "Let no guilty man es-
cape."
A fusion ticket, composed of Green-
backers and Democrats, was agreed on
September 29th, as follows : Secretary of
State, E. M. Farnsworth (Greenbacker);
Auditor, Jos. Eiboeck (Democrat); Treas-
urer, M L. Devin (Greenbacker); Register
of Land Office, M. Farrington (Green-
backer); Judge of Supreme Court, Joseph
C. Knapp (Democrat); Attorney-General,
John Gibbons (Democrat); Clerk of Su-
preme Court, Alex. Runyou (Greenback-
er); Reporter of Supreme Court, John B.
Elliott (Democrat). On Secretary of State
the vote was as follows :
J. A.T. Hull, Rep 131544
E. M Farnsworth, Fusion 125 087
T. O. Walker, Dem 1,302
Hull, overall 8,055
The Democrats held a convention May
21, 1879, at Council Bluffs, and nominated
the following State ticket: Governor, H.
H. Trimble; Lieutenant-Governor, J. Y.
Yeomans; Judge of Supreme Court, Reu-
ben Noble; Supt. of Public Instruction,
Erwin Baker. The platform adopted by
the convention is here given :
Resolved, That the Democratic party now, as
in the past, insists that our liberties depend upon
the strict construction and observance of the
constitution of the United States and all its
amendments.
2. That the States and the general govern-
ment should be sternly restrained to their respec-
tive spheres, and to the exercise only of the
powers granted and reserved by the constitution.
3. That the policy of the Republican party,
by which it inflates the importance of the States
when necessary to cover the theft of the Presi-
dency, and in turn magnifies the functions of
the general government to cover the coercion of
the States into the endorsement of the partisan
will of the fraudulent executive, is full of evil
and fruitful of danger.
4. That such a policy is intended to array
section against section, the States against the
general government, and it against the States in
turn, for the purpose of destroying the freedom
of both, and teaching the people to look to a
strong government as a shelter from the anarchy
its advocates have planned.
5. That evidences of these nefarious pur-
poses is furnished by the present attitude of the
Republican party, which is arrayed against a
free ballot, on which depend all the liberties se-
cured to us by the constitution.
6. That we view with alarm the determina-
tion of the Republican party, through the fraud-
ulent executive, to deprive this republic of its
army, so necessary to the defence of its frontier,
and its protection from foreign aud domestic
enemies, by vetoing appropriations for the pay
HISTORY OF IOWA.
and support of our soldiers, unless they can be
used to force voters to record the mere will of
the executive.
7. That we hail the Democratic Senators and
Representatives in Congress as worthy the hero-
ic lineage of American citizens, for standing
firmly for the American idea in government as
against the despotic theory from which our rev-
olutionary fathers revolted, and we ask all lovers
of liberty to join us and them in a protest against
the change in our form of government proposed
by the Republican party, which will substitute
tin- will of one man for that of the majority of
all the people.
8. That we are in favor of the substitution
of United States treasury notes for national
bank notes, and of the abolition of national
banks as banks of issue; that the government of
the United States issue the money for the people;
and, further, that we favor a reduction of the
bonded debt of the United States as fast as prac-
ticable, and the application of the idle money in
the treasury to that purpose.
9. That we favor the free and unlimited coin-
age of the silver dollar of 413>£ grains, and pro-
viding certificates for silver bullion which may
be deposited in the United States treasury, the
same to be legal tender for all purposes.
10. That we favor a tariff for revenue only.
11. That we are in favor of economy in pub-
lic expenditures, including reduction of salaries
local and general, wherever they may be deemed
excessive; and also a reduction in the number of
ollicials.
12. That the Democratic party of Iowa is de-
sirous of promoting temperance, and, being op-
posed to free whisky, it is in f av ^r of a judicious
license law.
13. That we favor holding all public servants
to a strict accountability, and their prompt and
severe punishment for all thefts of public money
and maladministration of public office.
A Temperance convention was held at
C< dar Rapids June 16th, and adopted the
tng platform :
Besnlced, We recognize the traffic in intoxicat-
ing liquors as the great moral, financial, social,
and political evil of the present age; that it is
one of the worst relies of barbarism; that it has
always been the moving cause of crime, and is,
therefore, subversive of our republican form of
government, and should be overthrown.
2. We believe that the prohibition of the
traffic of intoxicating liquors is the only sound
legislative theory upon which this vexed ques-
tion can be solved and the nation saved from
bankrupcy and demoralization; therefore, we
insist upon the maintenance and enforcement of
our prohibitory liquor law, and upon such
amendments by the next Legislature of the State
of Iowa as will place ale, wine, and beer under
the same condemnation as other intoxicating
liquors.
3. We believe that in the security of home
rests the security of the State; that woman is by
her very nature the acknowledged guardian of
this sacred shrine, and that intemperance is
its greatest enemy, therefore we claim that the
daughters of this commonwealth, as well as her
sous, be allowed to say,|by their vote, what laws
should be made for the suppression of this evil,
and what persons shall execute the same.
4. That the present movement inaugurated
by the temperance organizations of the State to
prohibit the manufacture and sale of alcoholic
liquors, except for mechanical and medical pur-
poses, including malt and wine liquors, meets
our active support.
5. That we, as the Prohibitionists of the
State of Iowa, in view of the great questions of
public interest effecting the perpetuity of our
general government, which are now absorbing
the thought and actiou of all our people, deem
it inexpedient and unwise to nominate a State
prohibitory ticket at the present time.
A portion of the convention in favor of
the nomination of a State ticket seceded,
and nominated a State ticket, headed by
G. T. Carpenter for Governor. Mr. Car-
penter declining, D. R. Dungan was substi-
tuted. The rest of the ticket was composed
HISTORY OF IOWA.
as follows: Lieutenant-Governor, Frank
T. Campbell; Judge of the Supreme Court,
J. M. Beck; Supt. of Public Instruction,
J. A. Nash.
The Greenbackers assembled at Des
Moines May 28th, and nominated a ticket
as follows: Governor, Daniel Campbell;
Lieutenant-Governor, M. M. Moore; Su-
preme Judge, M. H. Jones; Supt. of Pub-
lic Instruction, J. A. Nash. The follow-
ing platform was adopted:
Whereas, The sovereign and supreme power
of the American Union is vested in the free will
of the citizens thereof, who have an equal and
unquestionable right to express that will as to
them stems best adapted to secure the peace,
perpetuate the liberty, and promote the pros-
perity of eacli individual, as well as to enhance
anil protect the common welfare of our country;
and,
Whereas, This power has been delegated to
unworthy servants, who have diverted it from
its original purpose, whereby grievous wrongs
have been perpetrated on the masses of the
people, subjecting them to gross injustice,
widespread poverty, untold privations, and
business paralyzation; and,
Whereas, These grievances have been greatly
augumented by limning the legal-tender quality
of the greenbacks; by loaning the credit of the
government to national bank corporations; by
ehanging government bonds into coin bonds,
and making the same exclusively payable in
gold, by the conversion of a non-interest bearing
circulating medium into an interest bearing
government debt; by defrauding laborof employ-
ment; by the ruinous shrinkage in the value of
property; by the depression of business; by the
willful restrictions placed upon the remonetiza-
tiou of the silver dollar; by the exemption of
capital from its just share of the burden of taxa-
tion; by the contraction of the greenback cur-
rency; by the forced resumption of specie pay-
ment; by the increase in the purchasing power
of money, and its attendant hardshi, s on the
debtor class; by declaring poverty a crime, and
providing punishment therefor; by the criminal
waste of the public domain, through enormous
grants of land to railroad corporations; by
oppressive taxation; by high rates of interest for
the use of money; by exorbitant salaries and fees
to public officers; by official corruption in the
administration of public affairs; and,
Whereas, A moneyed despotism has grown
up in our land out of this state of affairs, which
con trols the law-making power of our country,
dictates judicial decisions, wields an undue
influence over the chief executive of the nation
—in the consideration of the laws passed for the
benefit of the people, thus enabling the money
power to carry on its schemes of public plunder,
under and by which colossal fortunes have been
gathered in the hands of the ambitious and un-
crupulous men whose interests are at war with
the interests of the people, hostile to popular
government, and deaf to the demands of honest
toil; therefore, we, the representatives of the
Union Greenback Labor Party of Iowa, adopt
the following as our platform of principles:
1. The general government alone to issue
money; the amount in circulation to be fixed by
a constitutional amendment upon a. per capita
basis; calling in of all United States bonds, and
the payment of them in full legal-tender money.
2. That the national banks, as banks of issue,
must be abolished by law, and the legal tender
greenback money of the government of the
United States shall be substituted for their cir-
culation.
8. That we demand the unlimited coinage of
the silver dollar of the present standard weight
and fineness.
4. That the American people owe a debt of
gratitude to the Union soldiers that can never
be fully paid, and in recognition of their patri-
otic services we endorse the arrearages of pen-
sions, and favor the passage of a bill providing
for the equalization of bounties similar to the
one vetoed by ex-President Grant.
5. That we view with grave apprehension
the continued oppression of the people by cor-
porate powers; and while we execrate the inhu-
man treatment of the Union soldiers in prison
*¥^
HISTORY OF IOWA.
pens of the South during the rebellion, we con-
demn the violence of partisan spirit in the legisla-
tive halls of Congress, which seeks to revive the
dead issue of the past while conspiring against
and deliberately refusing to provide measures of
relief adequate to the living necessities of the
present.
6 That it is the right and duty of all qualified
electors of any State in the Union to vote accord-
ing to their conscientious convictions, and to
have that vote honestly and fairly counted; and
that any attempt to interfere with that right,
either by threats of bands of armed men or the
use of troops at the polls, or by fraud in con-
ducting the election, or bribery in making out
the returns, or by threats to dismiss from service,
or any other means by which that right is
abridged, is a crime that should be severely
punished.
7. That the office-holders of our country are
the servants and not the masters of the people,
and that these officers should be removed and
punished to the full extent of the law whenever
they betray the public trust confided to them;
and we demand that all official fees and salaries,
commencing with the President, should be re-
duced from twenty-five to fifty per cent.; and
we further demand the strictest economy in the
administration of our courts of justice, and in
all other federal and State officers.
8. That we highly commend the moral re-
form of men and the elevation of families by
agencies of the temperance cause, and demand
the use of all just and legal means for the sup-
pression of the evils of intemperance.
9. That all real estate be assessed to the
owner, and the tax theieon be paid by him, pro-
vided, that in case there is a mortgage or ven-
dor's lien upon the land, and he pays the whole
tax, that he may deduct, as payment on said
lieu, the pro rata share of the tax.
10. That the revenue law of the State shall
be amended so that the penalty or interest on
the sale of delinquent taxes should not exceed
the sum of ten per cent, per anuum, and that the
time of redemption shall be extended to a teim
of five years.
11. We favor the repeal of the present rail-
road commissioners' law, and the adoption of a
suitable legislative action to reduce and equalize
freight.
12. That the prison convict labor shall never
come in competition with free labor, by the
contract system, under any name.
Resolved, That we approve the bold and inde-
pendent stand taken by our Greenback repre-
sentatives in Congress; and we especially endorse
the conduct of Messrs. Weaver and Gillette in
their conduct with the combined opposition of
both old parties.
2. That the nominees of this convention are
the candidates of the Greenback party of Iowa,
and in no case will we recognize the right of any
person or persons to alter or change the ticket
here nominated, except to fill vacancies occa-
sioned by death, in which case the central com-
mittee shall not place on the ticket the names
of any person or persons who are identified with
either of the old parties.
The Republicans assembled at Des
Moines, June 11, and nominated the fol-
lowing ticket: Governor, John H. Gear;
Lieutenant-Governor, Frank T. Campbell;
Supreme Judge, J. M. Beck; Supt. of
Public Instruction, C. W. Von Coelln.
A platform was adopted as follows:
1. That the United States of America is a
nation, not a league. This is the doctrine of the
constitution, confirmed by the result of the war
of the rebellion. The Democratic party denies
this, and opposes to it the doctrine of State
rights, which includes the power of a State to
dissolve its connection with the Union, therefore
it is dangerous to the national life to trust it to
the Democratic party.
2. Upon the foregoing doctrine of nationality
depends the power of the republic to protect its
citizens in all other rights, both at home and
abroad, and from its denial by the Democratic
party have resulted the barbarous outrages per-
petrated on citizens in all of the disturbed sec-
tions of the Southern States, and redress can be
HISTORY OF IOWA.
had alone through the administration of public
affairs in the several departments of the govern-
ment by the Republican party.
3. We denounce the attempt of the Demo-
cratic party in Congress to render the federal
elections insecure by the repeal of the election
laws of the United States as dangerous to a free
and pure expression of the voice of the people
through the ballot-box, and as tending to subject
said elections to the dominations of the bull-
dozing elements of the Southern States, and of
repeaters and promoters of fraud in the city of
New York and elsewhere, and the resistence
made to the accomplishment of this result by
the Republican Senators and Representotives in
Corgress, and by President Hayes in his veto
messages, is accorded our profound commenda-
tion.
4. That we approve ol the financial policy of
the Republican party, and refer with pride to its
results. The Southern Democratic rebellion for
the perpetuation of slavery and the enforcement
of State rights forced an enormous interest-
bearing debt upon the people, which, in August,
1865, reached its highest point, and then
amounted to $2,381, 530,294. 96, requiring an an-
nual interest payment of $150,977,697.87. On
the 1st of August next, when the Republican
refunding operations will be completed, this
Democratic debt will be reduced to $1,797,613,-
700.00, with an annual interest charge of but
$83,778,777.50, showing a reduction in the prin-
cipal of $583,886,594.96, and of the annual
interest charge of $57,203,619.37; and we declare
this debt shall be honestly paid in honest money,
and to this end are in favor of keeping our coin
circulation at its largest practicable volume, and
of maintaining our paper currency where the
Republican party has placed it — at par with
coin; and to the further end that the dollar
earned by labor shall be worth as much as the
dollar earned by capital.
5. Concerning further financial legislation,
we say, let us have peace, undisturbed by Con-
gressional tinkering, that our business interests
may levive, investments of more idle capital be
encouraged, commercial interests fostered, and
the general welfare promoted.
6. The profit arising from the coinage of gold
and silver should inure to the benefits of the
government, and not to the advantage of private
owners of bullion, as this tends to diminish the
burdens of the tax-payers, and no part of the
tax-paying currency should be converted into
the new tax-paying list.
7. We favor a wisely-adjusted tariff for rev-
enue.
8. We demand a strict economy in the impo-
sition of public taxes and expenditures of pub-
lic money, and such just reduction and equali-
zation of the salaries and fees of public officers
as shall place them on an equality with like po-
sitions in private employment.
9. That we renew our expression of profound
gratitude to the soldiers and sailors of the Union,
and denounce the removal of employees of this
class by the Democrats in Congress, and the ap-
pointment, in their stead, of members of the
Confederate army.
10. That we re-affirm the position of the Re-
publican party heretofore expressed upon the
subject of temperance and prohibition.
The vote on Governor was as follows :
John H. Gear, Rep 157,571
H. H. Trimble, Dem 85,056
F.T.Campbell, Gr 45,438
D. R. Dungan, Temp 3,258
Gear, over all 23,828
The campaign of 1880 was an exciting
one. James A. Garfield was the Repub-
lican candidate for the Presidency; Win-
field S. Hancock, the Democratic; James
B. Weaver, the Greenback ; Neal Dow, the
Prohibition. The Republicans of Iowa
were first in the field this year, meeting in
convention at DesMoines April 7*-h, and
nominating for Secretary of State, J. A. T.
Hull; Treasurer, E. H. Conger; Auditor,
W. V. Lucas; Attorney-General, Smith
McPherson; Register of State Land Office,
J. K. Powers. They also resolved —
1. That we insist on the nomination of well-
known Republicans of national reputation fur
— k
HISTORY OF IOWA.
ability, purity and experience in public affairs,
and adhesion to Republican princif les, for Pres-
ident and Vice-President of the United States,
by the National Republican Convention.
2. That, as Republicans of Iowa, recognizing
in the Hon. James G. Blaine a man of tried in-
tegrity, of uncompromising loyalty and patriot-
ism, of commanding ability both as a leader and
statesman, and a fearless advocate of the prin-
ciples which have preserved the Union and given
undying luster to the party of which he is the
admired representative, we take pleasure in re-
cording the fact that he is the preference of the
Republicans of Iowa for the office of President
of the United States. And while we pledge our-
selves to support the nominee of the Chicago
convention, we nevertheless declare it is our
conviction that no other candidate will develop
the enthusiasm or call out the number of votes
that would be polled by the American people
for James G. Blaine, as the standard-bearer of
the Republican party in the national contest of
1880.
3. That the delegation of this convention to
Chicago be instructed to cast the vote of Iowa
as a unit; and that the delegation be further in-
structed to use all honorable means to secure
the nomination for President of the Hon. James
G. Blaine.
The Greeuback party assembled in con-
vention May 19th, at Des Moines and
nominated Secretary of State, G. M. Wal-
ker; Treasurer of State, Matthew Farring-
ton; Auditor of State, G. V. Swearengen;
Attorney-General, W. A. Spurrier; Register
of State Land-Office, Thos. Hooker. The
following is the platform adopted :
We, the National Greenback Labor Party of
Iowa, decide, as our first broad principle of
faith, that that which is created is subservient
to the power that created it.
Mesulced, That all currency, whether metallic
or paper, necessary for use and convenience of
the people, should be issued and controlled by
the government, and not by or through the bank
corporations of the country; and when so issued
shall be a full legal tender for the payments of
all debts, public and private.
2. That so much of the interest bearing debt
of the United States as shall become redeemable
in the year 1881, or prior thereto, being in
amonnt $782,000,000, shall not be refunded
beyond the power of the government to call in
said obligations and pay them at any time, but
shall be paid as rapidly as possible, and accord-
ing to contract. To enable the government to
meet these obligations, the mints of the United
States should be operated to their full capacity
in the coinage of standard silver dollars, and
such other coinage as the business of the country
may require.
3. That as the producing classes are now
enslaved by interest-bearing debt, therefore we
are unalterably opposed to all bonded indebted-
ness.
4. That the payment of the bond in coin,
originally payable in lawful money, was a gift
to the bond-holder, and the payment of the
soldiers in paper, when by contract payable in
coin, was and is an unjust discrimination in
favor of the bondholder; therefore, we demand,
in justice to the soldier, that he be paid accord-
ing to contract.
5. That we are opposed to the importation of
Chimse semi-barbarous labor, regarding it as a
paralyzing and degrading system, that will,
unless checked, undermine American free labor
6. That we demand the immediate passage
by Congress of a law for the equalization of
soldiers' bounties similar to the one vetoed bj
Grant.
7. That the right of suffrage, free press and
speech, are the inalienable rights of every citi-
zen of the United States.
8. That we denounce the discrimination
between government clerks and government
laborers, the clerks working six hours and the
laborers ten hours.
9. That we are opposed to a large standing
army, either national or State, in times of pro-
found peace, eating out the substance of the
people.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
10. That we will continue to agitate the sub-
ject of reform in this State, until official salaries
shall bear a just proportion to the incomes of the
people wh«> pay them.
11. That the last Legislature of our State, in
failing to pass the innocent purchaser bill, the
bill to reduce court expenses, the bill to protect
the destruction of sheep from the ravages of
dogs, the bill to cut down our tax penalties, the
bill to reduce the rate of interest, have neglected
the best interests of the State, and ought to be
turned out of power.
12. That the State should not sell contract
labor to compete with free labor.
13. That as citizens of Iowa we feel proud of,
and extend our heartfelt gratitude to Messrs.
Weaver and Gillette, for their noble and untir-
ing efforts in the halls of Congress to secure the
rights of the worthy toiling millions.
14. That we, as the National Greenback Labor
Patty, know no North, no South, no East, no
"West.
15. That all banks of issue and all monopolies
must go,
The Democrats met at Des Moines; Sep-
tember 2d, and nominated a ticket as fol-
lows : For Secretary of State, A. B. Keith;
Treasurer, Martin Blim ; Auditor, Chas. I.
Barker ; Attorney-General, C. A. Clark ;
Register of State Land Office, C. A.
Dougherty. They also resolved :
1. We, the Democracy of Iowa, in delegate
convention assembled, endorse the platform of
the parly adopted at Cincinnati, and pledge
our earnest efforts in its behalf.
2. The Democracy of Iowa are heartily in
favor of the National nominees, Hancock and
English, as they give a decided assurance of
pi.re and more thoroughly careful administration
of national affairs.
3. We are in favor of a judicious license law,
and condemn all efforts to legislate against
those natural rights which do not trespass upon
those belonging to the whole community, and
we applaud the action of our representatives at
DesMoines in the Eighteenth General Assembly
for their manly and able opposition to the at-
tempt at sumptuary legislation made by a Re-
publican legislature.
The vote for Secretary of State stood as
follows:
J. A. T. Hull. Rep 184, 166
A. B. Keith. Dem 105,760
G. M. Walker, Gr 32, 780
Scattering 422
Hull overall 45, 204
In the campaign of 1881, the first con-
vention held was by the Democrats, at
DesMoines, June 16. They nominated
for Governor, L. G. Kinne; Lieutenant-
Governor, J. M. Walker; Judge of Su-
preme Court, H. B. Hendershott; Supt. of
Public Instruction, W. H. Butler. The
convention adopted the following plat-
form :
The Democratic party of Iowa, in convention
assembled, re-affirm the national platforms of
1876 and 1880, demand strict economy in all
public expenditures, a strict accountability of
all public servants, and declares —
1. For tariff reform, ultimating in simpler
revenue system, with commercial freedom as its
issue .
2. That we oppose all sumptuary lawp, and
the proposed prohibitory amendment to the
constitution in all its steps and stages as the most
offensive form of sumptuary regulation.
3. That the great agricultural and producing
interests of the country should be emancipated
from the burdens of monopoly put upon them
by Republican rule, and as a feature of such
relief, for the cheapening of transportation by
government appropriations for improvement of
the Mississippi river, its navigable tributaries
and other water-ways,
4. That we execrate the constant official cor-
ruption grown into Republican practice, and
that the demand of our national platform for
civil service reform is freshly emphasized by the
immoral spectacle of Republican factions dis-
HISTORY OF IOWA.
turbing the public peace, not. by the agitation of
great measures of statesmanship, but by a vulgar
quarrel over the partition of public spoils, and a
squabble for the opportunities of official theft.
The Greenback convention was held at
Marshalltown, June 2, and the following
ticket nominated: Governor, D. M. Clark;
Lieutenant-Governor, James M. Holland;
Supt. of Public Instruction, Mrs. A. M.
Swain; Supreme Judge, W. W. William-
son. The following platform was adopted
by the convention:
1. The right to make and issue money is a
sovereign constitutional power to be maintained
by the people for the common benefit. We de-
mand the abolition of all banks of issue, and
the substitution of full legal tender greenbacks
in lieu of their notes.
2. We oppose the refunding of the national
debt or the issue of interest-bearing non-payable
bonds upon any pretext, and demand the pay-
ment and destruction of those outstanding at
the earliest possible moment.
3. We demand a gradual income tax, where-
by capital shall bear a just share of the public
burden.
4. We regard the act substituting a railroad
commission for laws governing freight rates in
the State as a fraud secured by the railroad
companies through a Republican legislature, and
demand its repeal. While we favor liberal na-
tional appropriations for the creation and im-
provement of water-ways, we demand laws
protecting the people of Iowa from discrimina-
tion, pooling, watering of stock, drawbacks or
rebates, and all unjust charges on the part of
railroads, until such time as the people, who
built most of these roads with land grants,
taxes and subsidies, shall own and operate or
fully control them.
5. We demand a revision of our patent right
laws, placing a fair limit upon the royalties of
inventors, and protecting the people from injus-
tice.
6. We demand that all land grants forfeited
by reason of the non-fulfillment of conditions by
railroad companies shall be at once reclaimed
by the government, and henceforth that the
public domain be reserved exclusively for
homesteaders or actual settlers.
7. We demand absolutely Democratic rules
for the government of Congress and State legis-
latures, placing all representatives of the people
upon an equal footing, and taking from all com-
mittees a veto power upon proposed legislation.
8. We denounce as most dangerous the re-
strictions of the right of suffrage in many
States, and its abolition in the District of Col-
umbia, and demand equal political rights for all
men and women.
9. Believing that all questions affecting the
public interest should be decided by the people,
we favor the submission of the proposed consti-
tutional amendment to the popular vote.
10. We demand that all ballots in this State
shall be of uniform size, color and material, and
that each party having a State organization
shall have one member on the election board of
each township precinct.
11. We favor the abolition of the electoral
college, and the election of President, Vice-
President and Senators of the United States by
a direct vote of the people.
12. In the furtherance of these ends, we ask
the co-operation of all men and women, without
regard to previous party affiliation or prejudice.
The Republicans met at DesMoines,
June 7, and nominated the following
ticket: Governor, Buren R. Sherman;
Lieutenant-Governor, Orlando H. Man-
ning; Supt. of Public Instruction, John
W. Akers; Judge of Supreme Court,
Austin Adams. The convention also
adopted the following platform:
We, the representatives of the Republican
party of Iowa, demand anew of the people of
the State their fullest confidence and support,
because of the faithfulness of the party, in the
State and in the nation, to party pledges; be-
cause of the marvelous devotion it has shown in
support of the Union; because of its abhorrence
HISTORY OP IOWA.
of slavery and polygamy, and of its successful
efforts to crush the one, and of its persistent
struggle to get rid of the other, sure to go on to
its final extirpation; because of its active inter-
est in the relief of struggling and oppressed
humanity everywhere; because of its determin-
ation to abolish all inequalities of citizenship, to
give all men of all races and nationalities in this
land equality of civil and political rights; be-
cause of its efforts to establish temperance, to
educate the people and build up all moral forces;
because it has been earnest in its efforts toward
honest and economical government, and has
been swift to correct abuses when it has discov-
ered them; because it has steadily maintained
the financial honor of the nation, is rapidly dis-
charging its great war debt, and has made the
recent financial history of the government the
marvel of nations; because it has protected the
labor of the country, and built up its agricultu-
ral and manufacturing interests, and promoted
the means of internal commerce by judicial leg-
islation; because it is positive and progressive,
and will, in the future, as in the past, prove its
capacity to grapple promptly and successfully
with every emergency of the nation, and with
every question affecting the people's interests;
and, finally, because it will secure a complete
and lasting unification of the country, entire
peace and concord, upon the statute basis of
free schools, free speech, a free press and a free
ballot.
In the spirit of the purpose that has redeemed
former pledges and produced these results, the
Republican party of Iowa resolves —
1. We re-affirm the Republican national plat-
form of 1880, and insist upon its enforcement in
its relation to the several affairs of the nation,
the States and the Territories, in order that
sound policies shall prevail in the nation, and
ample protection be afforded to its citizens in all
of their> rights of citizenship in the several
States; and that the territories be made as abso-
lutely free from the debasing presence and per-
nicious influences of polygamy as the States
now are of slavery.
2. We congratulate this country upon the
election of James A. Garfield, and the national
adminstration upon the vigorous manner in
which it has undertaken'to ferret out fraud and
suppress extravagance in public expenditures, to
secure the personal and commercial rights of
our people abroad, to deal justly with the Indian
wards of the government, and upon the con-
spicuous success of its financial policy.
8. That we are in hearty sympathy with the
spirit of recent conventions for supplementing
and improving the great water routes of the
nation, and cordially endorse all measures which
look toward a practical aud judicious improve-
mentof the magnificent water-ways which uature
has afforded us for cheaply transporting the
immense commerce of the States, and therefore
developing the immense resources of the interior
of our national domain.
4. That we recognize railways as one of the
most potent agencies in our national progress,
but one which by reason of its relation to the
people, must be kept subordinate to the interests
of the people, and within the legislative control
of Congress and the State. That in the spirit of
its usefulness, it must be dealt with in fairness
and without injustice. But we are in accord
with the popular demand, that the unquestion-
able legislative power shall be used to protect
the people from any abuse and unjust exactions.
5. That the plenary power of Congress over
the subject of patent, should be so exercised as to
protect the people against the wrongs and abuses
which have been developed and are practiced
under the present system of laws relating to
patent rights, and we ask our senators and repre-
sentatives in Congress, to lend their best efforts
to the accomplishment of this end.
6. That the position attained in our com-
merce by American meats and live animals,
demand the enactment of effective legislation
by both the nation and the States, for the sup-
pression of such diseases as are calculated to
interfere with this important feature of our
foreign trade.
7. That in pursuance of the uniform justice
of the Republican party to observe the pledges
and perform the promises made and given in its
platform, we declare that the provisions in the
HISTORY OF IOWA.
platform of 1879, for the submission of
the so-eallcd prohibitory amendment of the con-
stitution of Iowa, to a vote of the people at a
special and non-partisan election should be
enforced, in order that the good faith of the
party may be maintained, and that the people
in this government of the people, by the people,
and for the people, may have an opportunity to
express their wishes concerning the pending
amendment, regardless of party affiliations, and
with perfect freedom from all party restraint
and influences.
CHAPTER XI.
TERRITORIAL AND STATE OFFICERS — A RETROSPECT.
In the limited space of this State his-
tory, sketches of the various Territorial
and State officers cannot be given, though
they would be of great interest. It is
thought best, however, to insert sketches
of the three Territorial Governors. These
have been prepared by Hon. Samuel Mur-
dock, of Clayton county, a gentleman than
whom none are better qualified for the
task.
Robert Lucas.
In the spring of 1832 the celebrated
Indian Chief, Black Hawk, in violation of
the treaty of St. Louis in 1804, which he
himself had ratified in 1816, and again
partially ratified in 1831, started with his
band, composing a part of the Sac and
Fox Indians, ascended Rock River to a
considerable distance, where he took up a
strong military position.
Gen. Atkinson, with a large number of
United States troops and volunteers from
the surrounding country, immediately pur-
sued him, with the intention of forcing the
cunning chief either to retire or give him
battle. And in compliance with this reso-
lution, he dispatched forward Major Still-
man, with three or four hundred volunteers,
to reconoitre the position of Black Hawk.
But Stillman had before him a "Warrior
tr'ed;" a man who had been born and
cradled upon the battle-field; one who had
followed his father through many a hard-
fought battle with the Cherokees; one
who had stood shoulder to shoulder with
Tecumseh at Brownstown and the Thames;
one who, by experience, understood both
the tactics of the white man and the
Indian; one who had mingled in the strife
and carnage of every desperate and bloody
battle along the whole western border for
nearly half a century before. As soon as
he heard that Stillman was approaching
his camp, he made preparations to meet
him, and in doing this he planned and
accomplished one of the greatest and most
HISTORY OF IOWA.
skillful military stratagems known to
modem times.
Stillman, underrating the character of
the man before him, rushed, with his
whole force, into the very jaws of death;
his troops were thrown into the worst
kind of disorder, and fell around him dead
and dying over the field.
Bravely did Stillman attempt to rally
his men and bring them into order, which
he came very near doing; but the eagle
eye of an old warrior was looking over
that field, and just at the moment when
the tide of battle seemed to hang in a
balance, this brave old warrior puts him-
self at the head of a chosen number of his
gallant braves, and with a yell that sent a
thrill through many a bold and daring
heart, rushed to the charge, dealing death
and destruction in his way.
Stillman ordered his men to fall back,
but all was now utter confusion, and the
retreat became a perfect rout. Thus, sir,
commenced the short and bloody "Black
llawk War," a war in which few laurels
were won, and nothing found to admire
save the daring bravery of the savage
commander. It is not my purpose to fol-
low it further; its history is a history of
the most disgraceful outrages and vile
treacheries on the part of the Americans;
and but for the noble conduct of the gal-
lant Dodge connected with it, ought to be
blotted forever from the recollections of
American history.
The war ended by the capture of "Black
Hawk" through the treachery of the Win-
nebagos; and a treaty was concluded
with him on the 21st of September, 1832,
at Rock Island, by which he ceded to the
United States a large tract of land, west
of the Mississippi, which became known
as the "Black Hawk Purchase." This
war had its important effects in the his-
tory of the Great West; it brought into
notice the rich valley of the Rock river;
it laid open to view the wealth and treas-
ures locked up for past ages in the lead
mines of Wisconsin; it opened to the view
of the emigrant a rich and fertile valley,
lying between the Mississippi on one side
and the Missouri on the other; and long
before the stipulations of the treaty of
1832 could be carried out, thousands
rushed pell mell into the new land, ming-
ling savage and civilized life together.
The National Legislature has never yet
been able to keep up in making the neces-
sary laws for their protection, with the
great tide of civilization, as it rolls on-
ward, year after year, upon the heels of
retreating savages.
On the 20th of April, 1836, Congress
passed a law for the organization of the
Territory of Wisconsin, by the provisions
of which the northern boundary of Wis-
consin extended west in a zigzag direction
from a point opposite the main channel of
Green Bay through Lake Superior, touch-
ing the White Earth river, thence down
said river to the main channel of the Mis-
souri, thence down the Missouri to a point
due west from the northwest corner of the
State of Missouri, etc.; thus, you see, in-
cluding within the bounds of Wisconsin
all the lands and territory which now
compose the great States of Iowa and
Minnesota. It was soon evident that this
arrangement could not last long; Young
America had crossed the Mississippi, and
had left a natural boundary behind him;
stretching his eyes three hundred miles
HISTORY OF IOWA.
west, his vision rested upon another, and
with this in view, he demanded a separa-
tion, whicn no Congress at that time dared
to refuse.
On the 13th day of June, 1838, Congress
passed an act organizing the Territory of
Iowa into a separate and distinct govern-
ment. This was the era of many a dar-
ling project on the part of Young Amer-
ica, which he has since carried out to per-
fection and success; while at the same
time it became the era of many a "bubble
bursted" in the shape of fallen cities and
deserted capitols. Cassville, below you,
was once, in expectancy, a proud metropo-
lis, and the seat of a more than Chinese
Empire. The act took effect from and
after the 3d day of July of that year, with
all the requisites of a separate and inde-
pendent existence.
Robert Lucas, of Ohio, the person whose
name heads this article, was appointed by
Mr. VanBuren, her first Governor, in con-
nection with Willian B. Conway, of Penn-
sylvania, Secretary.
Governor Lucas, at the time of his
appointment, was quite an old man, and
far advanced in the decline of life; he had
spent his best days in the service of his
country. His youth was spent amid the
strife and storms of a cruel and desperate
border war. He was engaged in almost
every battle from the Huron to the Thames.
He had mingled personally in almost
every skirmish on the frontier during the
war of 1812, and his history was full of
romantio adventures, hair-breadth escapes,
and bold and daring encounters. He had
seen the Great West territory pass from
a howling wilderness, and become the
abode of millions of freemen who could
cultivate their own vine and fig tree, wor-
ship at their own shrine, with none to fear
or make them afraid. He had seen Ohio
a despondency, a little colony, struggling
for existence, with almost her entire male
population drafted for a border war, and
he left her for Iowa, the third among a
confederation of States, the greatest, the
most powerful, and at the same time the
most proud and glorious republic the
world ever saw.
He commenced his public career in
Ohio in her infancy; he assisted, by his
valor and courage, to drive back the mur-
derous foe who hung upon the borders to
glut his vengeance on the innocent child
at its mother's breast. And not until the
Indian had buried the tomahawk, and
England had ceased to desolate her fron-
tiers, did he quit his post and return to
enjoy himself in the peaceful avocations
of private life. He mingled in her halls
and in her councils, and his name con-
nected with almost every public act of that
great State, which gave her prosperity and
greatness; and as a tribute to his worth
and a reward for his services, she conferred
upon him, in his declining years, the office
of Governor.
It was soon after his term of office ex-
pired in Ohio that he received from the
President the Governorship of Iowa.
It was during his term of office as Gov-
ernor of Ohio that the dispute arose
between that State and the territory of
Michigan, in relation to their respective
boundaries, which came very near plung-
ing both of them into a cruel, desperate
and fratricidal war. The matter was set-
tled, finally, by giving Ohio all she claimed;
and in order to keep the youngest child of
218
HISTORY OF IOWA.
the Republic in these days from being
naughty, she was given a strip of poor
territory, two hundred and fifty miles
from her, and north and west of the main
channel of Green Bay.
He commenced his career in Iowa with
all the bouyancy of youth and better days,
and looked forward with a great deal of
interest to the day when he should see her
a proud and noble State.
Scarcely had he time to look around
him and gather information, in his new
field of labor, before he found himself
involved in another question of boundry,
between Iowa and the State of Missouri.
Missouri had set up a claim to a strip of
country about six miles wide extending
along the south line of our whole State;
and on this strip of land she had several
. times attempted to collect taxes and en-
force her laws.
The settlers resisted these claims of
Missouri, and appealed to the Governor
for protection. No sooner was their case
made known to him than he resolved to
call forth all the military force he could
procure, and for this purpose he issued
his proclamation. Hundreds responded
to his call, and in a short time he had col-
lected here and there through the territory
a set of men who only wanted a nod from
their commander, and they would have
thrown themselves against odds into the
very heart of Missouri. Gov. Boggs, of
Missouri, had also called on his State for
assistance, and he, too, was on his march
with a desperate set of men to assert his
claim. Had those two forces have met,
nothing could have prevented a dreadful
and fatal encounter.
But wise councils prevailed, and the
legislature of Iowa, to its everlasting
credit, drew up and passed a preamble and
resolutions requesting both Governors to
suspend hostilities until the first day of
July thereafter. These resolutions had
the desired effect; military preparations
were suspended by both parties, and an-
other cruel and fratricidal war averted.
The matter was afterwards submitted to
Congress, where, through the influence of
A. C. Dodge, with his uncle, Dr. Linn,
who was at that time a Senator in Congress
from Missouri; the matter was finally
settled by giving to Iowa all she ever
claimed.
Thus ended the celebrated "Missouri
war," a war whose history is full of fun
and anecdote, a war which has since fur-
nished the theme for many an idle, but
interesting romance; and a war which will
only be remembered in machine verse and
burlesque song; for
"Missouri shall many a day"
"Tell of the bloody fray "
"When the Hawkeyes and Pukies"
"First met on her border."
Governor Lucas never forgot the inci-
dents of this war during his life; and long
after the difficulties had passed away, he
never could talk about it without flying
into a passion at the conduct of Missouri.
He cherished a holy hatred for the land of
"Pukes" during his lifetime.
Not long after the difficulties with Mis-
souri were settled, he got into a desperate
quarrel with the legislature, and for a time,
everything about the capital wore a bel-
ligerant aspect. It will be recollected
that at that time the legislature was filled
exclusively by young men; "mere boys,"
%
HISTORY OF IOWA.
as it was said of them at the time, and a
higher set of fellows than they were,
could scarcely be found. They looked
upon Iowa as their own and each of them
looked himself as the future Senator,
Governor, or chief justice of a future
State, which he himself was at that time
laboring to bring about; and the history of
occurring events will show, that with a
large number of them, their early antici-
pations turned out to be true; and with
those who are still in obscurity, but yet in
the prime of life, a bright and happy future
is still before them. The Governor was an
old man, and, as they thought, tinctured
somewhat with "Foggyisni," and they did
not hesitate to declare that he was here for
the office, and for the office alone, and that
as soon as his term expired, he would
return again to Ohio, as all Governors of
new Territories have generally done.
What wonder, then, that between such
elements, there should, in the course of
events spring up a collision.
The Governor attempted from time to
time, to check these young law-makers in
their public expenditures, and did not
hesitate to call them a set of proflligates.
In retaliation for these acts on the part of
the Governor, the legislature appointed a
committee, consistingof James W. Grimes,
since United States Senator, Chauucy Swam
who subsequently died at sea on his return
from California, and Laurel Summers,
afterwards United States Marshal for Iowa,
to inquire into his power, and define his
duties. This committee after due delibera-
tion, gravely reported to the legislature,
that the Governor had full power and
authority to vote all acts of the legislature,
of every kind, name and description, except
acts for the appropriation of money, and
then asked to be discharged from the fur-
ther consideration of the subject. But
the matter did not end here, for the legis-
lature on the 16th of January, 1840,
instructed their delegate to Congress,
W. W. Chapman to use his influence in
procuring a law, allowing the people to
elect their own Governor, and provided in
this resolution, that the Governor himself
should circulate it. This resolution he
took good care to approve, and actually
sent copies of it to Washington city.
He was removed from the office of
Governor, after the 4th of March, 1831,
and John Chambers, of Kentucky was
appointed to succeed him.
After his removal he returned to private
life, and resided at Bloomington for a
number of years.
He returned to Ohio and ran for Con-
gress, but was defeated, after which he
again returned to Iowa, and if I mistake
not, was a member of the first constitu-
tional convention.
Old age crept upon him at last, and he
died a number of years ago, at Muscatine.
He was always a Democrat of the Jack-
sonian school, and throughout a long
public life he was strictly and religiously
honest. He was not a man of much talent,
but his long public life had made him
familiar with the whole routine of public
affairs.
With his intimate aquaintance with
public men and public affairs, he could
have written an admirable history of the
Great Wests. But he has left nothiug
behind him save his own acts.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
In person, he was tall and slender, and
in his younger days, capable of enduring
great hardships.
As her first Governor, and one of her
truest and best friends, he will live on the
pages of Iowa's history, when statues of
marble and brass, shall have crumbled into
John Chambers.
On the 4th day of March, 1841, "William
Henry Harrison was inaugurated President
of the United States. He was carried into
office through one of the most renowned
and exciting political campaigns our coun-
try has ever witnessed.
During the administration of Mr. Van
Buren, his immediate predecessor, our
country, and indeed the whole civilized
world, was visited by one of those great
commercial revulsions which seems peri-
odically to take place in the affairs of man.
Never before had our country witnessed
and felt such a universal depression of all
kinds of business, nor could the most gifted
seer in commercial pursuits tell how or
when this great commercial calamity would
end, or be remedied.
The people thought they could look back
into the administration of General Jack-
son, when the deposits were removed, as
the primary cause of all the distress in
every ramification of trade which followed
during the administration of his successor,
and in order, as they supposed, to apply a
remedy, and restore confidence and secu-
rity again to the country, demanded a
change in the affairs of the government.
For twelve years previous to 1S40, the
government had been in the hands of a
party calling themselves "Jackson Demo-
crats," and from their long tenure in office,
many of them had come to the conclusion
that they owned them in their own right,
and that almost every office in the gift of
the President was a life tenure.
Acting upon this principle, many of these
incumbents had become notoriously cor-
rupt, and appropriated the money belong-
ing to their respective offices to their own
private and pecuniary profit.
These things, added to the commercial
distress I have mentioned, increased the
popular clamor for a change, and General
Harrison was triumphantly elected Presi-
dent. And although the writer of this
article heard him declare in a public
speech that he would suffer his right hand
to be cut off before he would remove a
public officer for opinion sake alone, yet
one of the first acts of his administration
was the. removal of Robert Lucas from the
Governorship of Iowa, and the appoint-
ment of John Chambers, of Kentucky, to
succeed him.
He arrived in Iowa a short time after he
had received his appointment, and imme-
diately took possession of his office.
He was a Whig, and of that Kentucky
school of politics, in his day, which took
rather a conservative view of public affairs.
He was an old man, and had seen some
service in his day. He was among the
Kentucky volunteers on the frontier during
the war of 1812, and distinguished him-
self in several skirmishes with the Indians,
and was looked upon as one of Kentucky's
bravest men. Everything in Iowa was in
the hands of the Democrats; they had,
since the formation of the Territory, filled
every office; they had controlled and di-
V«
HISTORY OF IOWA.
221
rected its whole legislation; they had
carved and cut every act to suit theni-
Belves. So that when the new Governor
arrived he found Iowa in the hands of a
joint stock company, with the shares above
par, and none to dispose of at any price.
These same stockholders had been for
several years accustomed to look upon his
predecessor, although one of their own
faith, with considerable distrust; and need
we wonder that when a new man made his
appearance among them, of opposite faith,
that, for a time at least, he should receive
the cold shoulder?
He had been appointed for four years,
and in all probability would remain his
time out; but four years was an age, at
that time, to those who in fact controlled
the destinies of a future republic.
A plan was therefore set on foot by those
who owned the largest shares in the com-
pany, to bring about a revolution, to change
the form of government, to establish a
State; and, in obedience to this plan, the
legislature, on the 16th day of February,
1842, provided that at the August election
following, a vote should be taken for or
against a convention to form a constitution
for the State of Iowa. At this time the
general government had paid all the ex-
penses of the Territory, in hard money.
At every session of every court, in every
county throughout the whole Territory, the
Judge, the District Attorney, and last,
though not least, the United States Mar-
shal, or one of his deputies, always ap-
peared together. As soon as the court was
over, and justice had been meted out with
unsparing hand, the Marshal called up the
Grand and Petit Juries, and the witnesses
upon all criminal trials, cashed all their
accounts in half dollars, and they went
their own way over the broad prairies,
whistling or singing that good old tune,
"Uncle Sam is rich enough to give us all a farm."
Taxes they did not feel, for there was no
occasion to gather them, and I know of no
happier State on earth than where man
can live and enjoy all the sweets of unre-
strained liberty, be assured of protection
from aggression and wrong, his fields and
gardens yielding a bounteous return for
the slightest touch of the hoe and the
spade, upon his own soil, with a cabin
reared by his own hands, and "children
who cluster like grapes at the door," with
a table covered by the choicest viands, the
latch-string never pulled in, and at the
same time a government scattering broad-
cast around him annually thousands of dol-
lars in hard money, and asking nothing in
return but good behavior. Such was the
state of things in the Territory, at this
time; and when the August election came,
the people voted against a convention, and
wisely concluded to remain a few years
longer in a state of dependency, in order
to enjoy, as long as possible, the benefits
showered upon them by the general gov-
ernment.
During all this time the new Governor
had not been idle. He had, previous to
this, collected all the information he could
in relation to the country. He had held a
treaty with the Sac and Fox Indians, and
had succeeded in making a purchase of
all their lands lying west of the Blackhawk
Purchase and extending west to the Mis-
souri, and north to the "Neutral Ground."
By this treaty Iowa acquired jurisdiction
to the Missouri on the west, and by an act
HISTORY OF IOWA.
of Congress a criminal jurisdiction to the
liiitish possessions on the north.
Long before this treaty could be ratified
at Washington, tens of thousands rushed
pell-mell upon the "New Purchase," deter-
mined to make themselves "claims," and
stand by them to the last. Troops were
sent to drive them off until the stipulations
of the treaty could be carried out, and in
order to give time to the Indians to re-
move.
But before the troops had time to re-
move a few squatters in one portion,
"claims" were made in their rear, adjoin-
ing one another, at the rate of fifty miles
a day. So great was the rush for "claims"
that it was no uncommon thing for the in-
habitants of an Indian village to wake up
in the morning, and to their utter conster-
nation and surprise, find a log cabin or
"claim shanty" which had been erected in
their town during the night, while upon
the door, perhaps, with chalk or coal, the
unmistakable pictures of the bowie-knife
and revolver, indicating, as the Indians
well knew, the desperate character of him
who sleeps within, upon that pallet of
leaves and grass.
No troops could restrain them, and the
officers gave up in despair, thus in a short
time the Territory had received a large
addition to her population.
The friends of a State government
thought they could now, after so large an
increase of population as this new pur-
chase had brought about, venture again
upon their darling scheme.
On the 12th day of February, 1844, the
Legislature again provided that at the
April election following a poll should be
opened, and each elector interrogated "for
or against a convention?" This time it
was made a party measure, and to be
"for a convention" was a true test of a
man's Democracy. The plan succeeded
admirably, even beyond the expectations
of the "share-holders," and upon counting
there was a small majority in favor of a
convention.
The delegates were elected at the Aug-
ust election following, and the convention,
consisting of seventy members, assembled
at Iowa City on the first Monday in Octo-
ber, 1844, and proceeded to form a consti-
tution. After a few weeks deliberation,
they produced what they called a constitu-
tion, but, upon inspection, it was found to
be rather a rickety affair; it was, however,
in accordance with the doctrine of "Popu-
lar Sovereignty," submitted to the people
for their rejection or approval, at the April
election, in 1845. At the time of its form-
ation, the convention, in defining the boun-
daries of the future State, had included on
the north nearly the whole of what is now
the State of Minnesota. Congress aad,
however, in anticipation of our coming,
and in order to meet us half way, passed
an act admitting us into the Union, but at
the same time curtailing our boundaries,
both on the north and west, cutting us off
from the Missouri entirely. This act oi
Congress became known only a short time
before the April election, and this fact, in
connection with the unpopularity of the
instrument itself, caused its defeat at the
election which followed.
The legislature had wisely provided, at
the session which provided for a conven-
tion, that in the event the constitution
should be defeated, there should be an
election for members of the legislature in
HISTORY OF IOWA.
223
April, and that such legislature should
assemble on the first Monday in May, 1845.
The election was held accordingly, and
the Legislature assembled at Iowa City at
the time designated.
Immediately after the organization, the
Democrats called together a caucus, in
which it was resolved to submit again the
same constitution to another test; and,
agreeable to this resolution, Shepard
Leffler, of DeMoines, introduced into the
Senate a bill for that purpose. This bill
passed both Houses, and was submitted to
Mr. Chambers for his approval. But he
differed with the legislature in regard to
their power to pass an act of that kind,
and he returned it with his veto. The
legislature, however, was too strong for
him, and they passed the bill over his
veto, and again submitted the constitution
at the August election following. But the
people by this time had got tired of the
old thing. Copies of it had been handed
from one to another until they were worn
.out; they believed the Governor was
right in his veto; and the old man had the
grand satisfaction in seeing his last public
act in the territory triumphantly sustained
by the people. It was again rejected by a
large majority, and came very near defeat-
ing General Dodge for Congress, who
undertook to pack it and run against
R. P. Lowe, the present Chief Justice of
the State.
Mr. Polk was inaugurated President of
the United States on the 4th of March,
1845, and a short time after the close of
the session of May, 1845, he removed
Mr. Chambers, and appointed James
Clarke, of Burlington, to succeed him.
This closed the publio career of John
CI) ambers, second Governor of Iowa. A
short time after his removal by Mr. Polk,
he returned to his home in Kentucky,
where he soon after died.
He was a large, heavy man, round
shouldered, and had rather a stooping
gait. His manners were reserved, and at
first sight you would not care about ap-
proaching him, but a little familiar ac-
quaintance with him would make him a
favorite.
A half hour's conversation with him,
and he was as pleasing as a child; and
take him all in all, he was about the most
perfect specimen of Kentucky gentleman
that was ever my lot to fall in with.
The longer he remained in Iowa, the
more the people loved him.
I bid him farewell for the last time on
the steps of the Capitol at Iowa City, when
he wept like a child.
When he left Iowa for his own bright
and sunny land, he left no enemies behind
him. A noble hearted man, he fixed his
name forever on the pages of our history,
and he left us to mingle his dust in that
land which gave him birth. So far as my
acquaintance with him is concerned, I can
truly say with Burns:
"An honest man now lies at rest,
One who on earth was truly blest;
If there's another world, he lies in bliss,
And if there's none, he's made the best of this."
Jambs Clarke.
Sometime in the autumn of the year
1837, when the trees were in the yellow
leaf, a printer boy of slender form and
gentle appearance might have been seen
*«-
HISTOET OF IOWA.
crossing the "Laurel Hills" of his own
State. Behind hirn rolled the waters of
the "Blue Juniata," on the banks of which
he had spent, in merry glee, his youthful
days. He had heard and read of strange
countries that lay far off towards the set-
ting sun, through which broad rivers run,
and spreading landscapes unfolded to
human eyes the most rare and magnificent
beauty.
These things inspired his youthful mind
with a spirit of wild adventure — "fields
looked green far away" to his imagination,
and he left the scenes of his early youth,
severed the strong and loving ties that
bound him to the land of his nativity, bid
farewell to all that was dear to him on
earth, and with his youthful gaze fixed upon
that star which never sets, he launched
forth into the wilds of Wisconsin, a
stranger in a strange land, an adventurer
seeking his own fortune, depending upon
his own exertions, with no recommend
save an honest countenance and genteel
deportment. This young man was James
Clark, who in after years became the able,
talented and popular Governor of Iowa,
lie remained in Wisconsin, working at
his trade as a printer, until after the or-
ganization of the Territory of Iowa, when
he removed to Burlington, where the first
legislature of Iowa assembled. After the
death of Mr. Conway, he was appointed,
by Mr. Van Buren, Secretary of the Terri-
tory, which office he filled with great
credit to himself and satisfaction to the
people. During the time he held this
office he contributed, by his kind, gentle
and amiable manner, to soften the feelings
of hatred and distrust which at one time ex-
isted between leading men of the Territory.
Whoever had business at his office found
him a kind, gentle, quiet, amiable man,
always ready and willing to do whatever
was desired of him, regretting, at the same
time, that he could do no more. No man
ever labored harder in an office than he
did, and it always seemed to me that his
whole pride and ambition was to serve
some one, and by so doing make himself
nseful to his fellow man.
During the time he was Secretary he
underwent great labor, but notwithstand-
ing the large amount of business he trans
acted, he still found time to write for the
press, and contributed many valuable
articles touching the future greatness of
Iowa.
After he retired from the office of Secre-
tary, he returned again to the Printing
office, and became the leading Editor of
the Burlington Gazette. To the columns
of this paper he devoted his whole ener-
gies, and by so doing, made it the leading
democrat paper of the territory; a position
which he has held to this day!
After the inauguration of Mr. Polk as
President of the United States, in 1845, he
removed Mr. Chambers, and appointed Mr
Clarke to succeed him as Governor of Iowa.
Previous to his appointment, he had been
elected by the people of his county, a
delegate to the first convention which
assembled to form a constitution for the
State of Iowa. In this convention he dis-
tinguished himself, both for his talent and
personal demeanor, and contributed to the
pages, of that constitution, these great ele-
mentary principles which lie at the founda-
tion of human rights.
And, although that constitution was
defeated, he still had the satisfaction of
±=A.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
seeing their spirit and meaning transferred
to another, and still continued as the fun-
damental law of our State.
The first legislature, after he received
his appointment of Governor, assembled at
Iowa City on the first Monday of Decem-
ber, 1S45. His message to the legislature
after its organization is a model of style
and clearness.
He set forth the importance of aa early
extinguishment of the Indian title to all
the lands within the limits of Iowa, and
urges the legislature to memorialize Con-
gress to purchase a tract of land on the
upper Mississippi for a future home for the
Winnebagoes, and thus induce them to
part with their title to a large tract of
country known as the "neutral ground,"
a recommendation which the general
government soon after acted upon and
carried out.
As soon as the "Blackhawk Purchase"
had been surveyed, and it was discovered
that it contained within its bounds large
tracts which were supposed to contain
valuable mineral, these tracts were reserved
from market, and the government set itself
up as a great landlord to lease out these
lands at a stipulated rent. Mr Clarke soon
saw the evil and injustice of such a system
upon the inhabitants of Iowa, and he set
himself at work to break it up; and it was
through his influence and exertions that
the land was afterwards thrown into
market.
There was not a barrier in the future
greatness of Iowa that did not call forth
his attention, and he had the grand satis-
faction of seeing everything that he re-
commended for the benefit and prosperity
of Iowa afterwards carried out, and carried
out, too, precisely, as he bad suggested and
wished. He seemed to be aware that he
would soon be called upon to pass over the
government, over which he presided
with so much skill and ability, into the
hands of the real sovereigns of the soil,
and he was determined that nothing should
be left undone by him to retard her future
greatness.
On the 16th day of January, 1846, the
legislature passed, once more, an act for
the purpose of electing delegates to frame
a constitution for the State of Iowa.
This time the friends of a State govern-
ment took it for granted that the people
of the territory wanted a constitution, so
the legislature provided that at the April
election following the passage of this act,
the people of the territory should elect
delegates to a convention. Accordingly,
at the April election delegates were elected,
and the convention, agreeable to said act,
consisting of thirty-two members, instead
of seventy as in the previous convention,
met at Iowa City on the first Monday of
May, 1846, and after a session of eighteen'
days produced a constitution, which con-
stitution was submitted immediately fol-
lowing, and was adopted by them as their
constitution for the Stale of Iowa,
Thus you see that Iowa, from a colony,
a dependency, a territory, jumped, in the
short space of seven months, from the
time the act above mentioned first passed,
to that of a sovereign independent State.
After the result was known, the Gover-
nor issued his proclamation for a general
election in November following, at which
election Ansel Briggs, of Jackson county
was elected Governor of the State.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
This proclamation was the last public
act of James Clarke, for as soon as the new
Governor was qualified, he turned over to
him all the archives of his office, and
returned once more to the printing office,
Again he scattered through Iowa his
beautiful editorials through the columns of
the Burlington Gazette, until the name and
fame of Iowa became known throughout
the length and breadth of the land.
lie appeared at the capitol at the first
session of the State legislature under the
new constitution, to wbich body he deli-
vered an affecting and interesting farewell
letter, then stood back quitely during the
whole of the session, and gazed with indig-
nation upon his countenance at the dread-
ful strife, storms and bitterness which was
manifested during the entire session.
Never since the organization of the ter-
ritory, had any man seen, or even dreamed
of anything like it; every man seemed to
look upon each other as being ip his way
to places of- honor and profit, and it
became a cut and thrust game. Both
parties were without leaders, or if they
had them, the leaders themselves stood in
great need of being led.
Neither done anything — neither party
could do anything. When one party made
a move it was instantly checkmated by the
otto or. Speech after speech was made,
each one declaring himself a patriot and a
true lover of his country, ready at all
times to bleed and die for her. No one
could do anything for the reason that none
of the rest would let him. They ate,
drank, grew fat, and returned to their
seats, only to play the same game over
again as on the previous day. They in-
stituted a court for the trial of any offender
who should attempt to bribe any one of
their number; and whenever such a tribu-
nal is constituted, there is always sure to
be some one to try.
Now and then during the session some
poor devil was snatched up, arraigned and
tried for indiscretely showing his money to
some one of its members. But such trials
only served to lionize the victims, and it
looked to an outsider as if these scamps
themselves had purposely committed these
offenses in order to bring themselves into
notice, and thereby claim themselves to be
the victims of a cruel persecution.
In vain did they meet in joint conven-
tion for the purpose of electing Judges of
the Supreme Court and Senators. Every
vote, some anxious aspirant in the "lobby"
would brighten up, thinking perhaps this
time the lucky card would turn up; but,
alas! for human hopes, he lacked just one
vote of an election.
Your humble servant was an idle and
curious looker-on at most of the interest-
ing scenes which took place at this seseion,
and if it was not for the notes that he took
at the time, he could hardly tell at this day
whether these scenes were real, or whether
they were the productions of an idle and
troubled dream.
They finally adjourned without electing
either Judges or Senators, and the State
toddled along very well, half State, half
Territory.
This was the last time, I believe, that
Mr. Clarke ever appeared at the legisla-
ture. He died soon after, at Burlington,
with that horrible scourge, the cholera.
This closed the earthly career of a just
and noble man, cut off in the prime of life
and in the midst of a useful career.
■k
HISTORY OF IOWA.
He was married to a sister of General
Dodge, and this fact being known at the
time of his appointment as Governor, drew
upon the Dodge family the title of the
"Royal Family." But whatever might
have been said in this respect, the appoint-
ment was due to Mr. Clarke, nor could it
have been bestowed upon a better man, or
one inoi« competent to fill it.
He was the third and last Territorial
Governor of Iowa, and, like the other two
who preceded him, as soon as he had passed
the offioc into the hands of his successor,
he gerftly and calmly laid down and died.
He was a tall, slender man, of a mild and
amiable disposition, and had quite a femi-
nine look. He left a family behind to
mourn his sad loss. His history is without
a stain or reproach, and throughout his
whole life no man ever imputed ought
against his character as a man and a citi-
zen.
I have thus given you a few random
sketches of the three Territorial Governors
of Iowa, together with a few of the prin-
cipal events in the history of Iowa, con-
nected with their administration.
Most of the incidents contained in these
sketches I have given from memory alone,
having been myself an eye -witness of, and
personally cognizant of many of the facts.
By these sketches you not only see the
character and noble traits of the three
good and wise men, but you see that under
their care and protection, a young and
thrifty State sprung into existence in the
short space of eight years from the time
when the whole Territory was the home of
the savage.
Other Territorial Officers.
Secretaries.
Win. B. Conway, 1838, died 1839.
James Clark, 1839-41
O. H. W. Stull, 1841-3.
Samuel J. Burr, 18-13-5.
Jesse Williams, 1845.
Auditor*.
Jesse Williams, 1840-43.
William L. Gilbert, 1843-45.
Robert M. Secrest, 1815.
Treasurers.
Thornton Baylie, 1839-40.
Morgan Reno, 1840.
Judgts.
Charles Mason, Chief Justice, 1838.
Joseph Wiiliams, 183d.
Thomas S. Wilson, 1838.
Presidents of ConncH
Jesse B. Brown, 1838-9.
Stephen Hempstead, 1839-40
M. Baiaridge, 1840-1.
J. W. Parker, 1841-2.
John D. Elbert, 1842-8.
Thomas Cox, 1843-4.
8. Clinton Hasting, 1845
Stephen Hempstead, 1815-6
Speakers of the /loun*
William H. Wallace, 1 83.8-8
Edward Johnson. 1839-40.
Thomas Cox, 1840-1.
Warner Lewis, 1841-2.
James M. Morgan, 1842-3. v
James P. Carletoc, 1843 4.
James M. Morgan, 1845
George W. McLeary, 18-15-6.
State Officers
Governors.
Ansel Briggs, 1846-50.
Stephen Hempstead, 1850-54.
James W. Grimes, 1854-58.
Riflph P. Lowe,
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228 HISTORY
OF IOWA.
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Samuel J. Kirkwood. 1860-64.
John W. Jones, 1859-63.
William M. Stone, 1864-08.
William H. Holmes, 1863-67.
Samuel Morrill, 1808-72.
Samuel E. Rankin. 1867-73.
Cyrus C. Carpenter, 1872-78.
William Christy, 1873-77.
Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1876-77.
George W. Bemis, 1877-81.
J. G. Newbold, 1877-78.
Edwin H. Conger, 1881 .
John H. Gear, 1878-82.
Buren R. Sherman, 1882.
Attorney- General*.
David C. Cloud, 1853-56.
Lieutenant- Governor*.
Samuel A. Rice, 1856-60.
Oran Faville, 1858-00.
Charles C. Nourse, 1800-64.
Nicholas J. Rusch, 1860-02.
Isaac L. Allen, 1865-66.
John R. Necdhani, 1802-64.
Frederick E. Bissell, 1866-67.
Enoch W. Eastman, 1864-66.
Henry O'Connor, 1867-72.
Benjamin F. Gue, 1866-68.
Marcena E. Cults, 1872-70.
John Scott, 1868-70.
John F. McJunkin, 1877-81.
M. M. Waldcn, 1870-72.
Smith MoPherson, 1881.
H C. Bulis, 1872-74.
Joseph Dysart, 1874-76.
Adjutant- General*.
Joshua G. Newbold, 1876-78.
Daniel S. Lee, 1851-55.
Frank T. Campbell, 1878-82.
George W. McLeary, 1855-57.
Orlando H. Manning, 1882.
Elijah Sells, 1857.
This ofbee was created by the new constitu-
Jesse Bowen, 1857-61
tion, September 8, 1859.
Nathaniel Baker, 1861-77.
John H. Luby, 1877-78.
Secretaries of State.
W. L. Alexander, 1878.
Elisha Cutter, Jr., 1816-48.
Joseph H. Bonney, 1848-50.
Registers of the State Land Ojlc*
George W. McCleary, 1850-56.
Anison Hart, 185.5-57.
Elijah Sells, 1856-63.
Theodore S. Parvin, 1857-59.
James Wright, 1863-67.
Amos B.Miller, 1859-62.
Ed. Wright, 1867-73.
Edwin Mitchell, 1862-63.
Josiah T. Young, 1873-79.
Josiah A. Harvey, 1803-67.
J. A. T Hull, 1869.
Cyrus C. Carpenter, 1867-71.
Auditors of Slat*.
Aaron Brown, 1871-75.
David Secor, 1875-79.
Joseph T. Fales, 1840-50.
William Pattee, 1850-54.
J. K. Powers, 1879.
Andrew J. Stephens, 1855-59.
Jonathan W. Cattell, 1859-65.
Superintendents of Fublie Instruction
John A. Elliott, 1865-71.
James Harlan, 1847-48.
John Russell, 1871-75.
Thos. H. Benton, Jr., 1848-54.
Ruen R. Sherman, 1875-81.
James D. Eads, 1854-57.
William V. Lucas, 1881.
Joseph C. Stone, 1857.
Maturin L. Fisher, 1857-58.
Treasurers of Stat*.
Oran Faville. 1864-67.
Morgan Reno. 1846-50.
D. Franklin Wells. 1867-68.
Israel Kister, 1850-52.
A. S. Kissell, 1808-72.
\
Martin L. Morris, 1852-59.
AlonzoAbernethy, 1872-76.
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HISTORY
OF IOWA. 229
I
Carl W. Van Ooelen, 1876-83.
James Grant, 1852-54.
John W. Akers, 1882.
Reuben Noble, 1854-56.
This office was created in 1847 and abolished
Samuel McFarland, 1856-57.
in 1858, and the duties then developed upon the
Stephen B. SheWdy, 1857-59.
secretary of the Board of Education; it was re-
John Edwards, 1859-61.
created March 23, 1864.
Rush Clark, 1861-63. ■
Jacob Butler, 1863-65.
State Printers.
Ed. Wright, 1865-67.
Garrett D. Palmer and George Paul, 1849-51
John Russell, 1867-69.
William H. Merritt, 1851-53.
Aylett R. Cotton, 1869-71.
William A. Hornish, 1853.
James Wilson, 1871-73.
Den. A. Mahoneynnd Jos. B. Dorr, 1853-55.
John H. Gear, 1873-77.
Peter Moriaity, 1855-57.
John Y. Stone, 1877-79.
John Tecsdale, 1857-61.
Lore Alford, 1880-81.
Francis W. Palmer, 1861-39.
G. R. Struble, 1882.
Frank M. Mills, 1869-71.
G. W. Edwards, 1871-73.
Chief Justices of the Supreme Court.
Rich. P. Clarkson, 1873-79.
Charles Mason, 1847.
Frank M. Mills, 1879.
Joseph Williams, 1847-48.
8. Clinton Hastings, 1848-49.
State Binderi.
Joseph Williams, 1849-55.
William M. Coles, 1855-58.
George G. Wright, 1855-60.
Frank M. Mills, 1858-67.
Ralph P. Lowe, 1860-62.
James S. Carter, 1867-71.
J. J. Smart, 1871-75.
Caleb Baldwin, 1862-64.
George G. Wright, 1864-66.
H. A. Perkins, 1875-79.
Matt. Parrott, 1879.
Ralph T. Lowe, 1866-68.
John F. Dillon, 1868-70.
Chester C. Cole, 1870-71.
Secretaries of Board of Education.
James G. Day, 1871-72.
Joseph M. Beck, 1872-74.
T. H. Bcntou, jr., 1859-63.
W. E. Miller, 1874-76.
OraD Faville, 1863-64.
Chester C. Cole, 1876.
This office waa abolished March 23, 1864.
William H. Seevers, 1876-77.
Presidents of the Senate.
James G. Day, 1877-78.
James H. Rothrock, 1878-79.
Thomas Baker, 1846-47.
Joseph M. Beck, 1879-80.
Thomas Hughes, 1847-48.
Austin Adams, 1880-82.
John J. Selman, 1843-49.
EnosLowe, 1849-51.
William H. Seevers, 1882.
W. E. Leffingwell, 1851-53.
Associate Justices.
Maturin L. Fisher, 1853-55.
Joseph Williams, held over from territorial
W. W. Hamilton, 1855-57.
government until a successor was appointed.
Under the new constitution the Lieut. -Gover-
Thomas S. Wilson, 1847.
nor is President of the Senate.
John F. Kinney, 1847-54.
George Greene, 1847-55.
Speakers of the House.
Jonathan C. Hall, 1854-55.
Jesse B. Brown, 1846-48.
William G. Woodward, 1855.
J
Smiley H. Bonham, 1848-50.
Norman W. Isbell, 1855-57.
I
J
George Temple, 1850-52,
Lacon D. Stockton, 1856-60.
[
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■
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Caleb Baldwin, 1860-64.
Ralph P. Lowe, 1860.
George G. Wright, 1860.
John F. Dillion, 1864-70.
Chester C. Cole, 1864-77.
Joseph M. Beck, 18.68.
W. E. Miller, 1870.
James G. Day, 1870.
United States Senator*.
Augustus C. Dodge, 1848-55.
George W. Jones, 1848-59.
James B. Howell, 1870.
George G. Wright, 1871-77.
James Harlan, 1855-65.
James W. Grimes, 1859-69.
6amuel J. Kirkwood, 1866.
James Harlan, 1867-73.
William B. Allison, 1873-79.
8amuel J. Kirkwood, 1877-81.
William B. Allison. 1879.
James W. McDill. 1881.
Members of House of Representatives.
1846-17— S.Clinton Hastings, Shepherd Leffler.
1847-49— Wm. Thompson, Shepherd Leffler.
1849-51— Wm. Thompson, Dan. F. Miller,
Shepherd Leffler.
1851-53— B. Henn, Lincoln Clark.
1853-55— Bernhart Henn, John P. Cook.
1855-57— Aug. Hall, Jas. Thorington.
1857-59— Samuel R. Curtis, Timothy Davis.
1859-61— Samuel R. Curtis, Wm. Vandever.
1861-63— Samuel R. Curtis, J. F. Wilson, Wm.
Vandever.
1803-65— James F. Wilson, Hiram Prico, Wm.
B. Allison, J. B. Grinnell, John A. Kasson,
Asahel W. Hubbard.
1865-67— James F Wilson, Hiram Price, Wil-
liam B. Allison, Josiah B. Grinnell, John A.
Kasson, Asahel W. Hubbard.
1867-69— James F. Wilson, Hiram Price, Wil-
liam B. Allison, William Loughbridge, Grenville
M. Dodge, Asahel W. Hubbard.
1869-71— George W. McCrary, William Smyth
(died September 80, 1870, and succeeded by
Wm. P. Wolf), William B. Allison, William
Loughbridge, Frank W. Palmer, Charles Pome-
roy.
1871-73— Geo. W. McCrary, Aylett R. Cotton,
W. G. Donnan, Madison M. Walden, Frank W.
Palmer, Jackson Orr.
1873-75— Geo. W. McCrary, Aylett R. Cotton,
W. Q. Donnan, Henry O. Pratt, James Wilson,
William Loughbridge, John A. Kasson. James
W. McDill, Jackson Orr.
1875-77— Geo. W. McCrary, John Q. Tufts,
L. L. Ainsworth, Henry O. Pratt, James Wilson,
Ezekiel S. Sampson, John A. Kasson, James W.
JtfcDil], Addison Oliver.
1877-79— J. C. Stone, Hiram Price, T. W. Bur-
dick, N. C. Deering, Rush Clark, E. 8. Samp-
sou, H. J. B. Cummings, W. F. Sapp, Addison
Oliver.
1879-81— Moses A. McCoid, Hiram Price,
Thomas Updegraff, N. C. Deering, Rush Clark
(died in Ma} 7 , 1878, and succeeded by Wm. G.
Thompson), J. B. Weaver, E. H. Gillette, W.F.
Sapp, Cyrus C. Carpenter.
1881-83-M. A McCoid, S. S. Farwell, Thos.
Updegraff, N. C. Deering, W. G. Thompson,
M. E. Cutts, John A. Kasson, W. P. Hepburn,
C. C. Carpenter.
Present State Officers.
Governor, Buren R. Sherman.
Secretary, John A. T. Hull.
Deputy Secretary, Wm. T. Hammond.
Auditor, Wm. V. Lucas.
Deputy Auditor, Rufus L Chase.
Bookkeeper, L. E. Ayres.
Treasurer, Edwin H. Conger.
Deputy Treasurer, C. R. Chase.
Register Land-office, Jas. K. Power*.
Deputy Register, John M. Davis.
Suft Pub. Inst , John W. Akers.
Printer, Frank M. Mills.
Binder, Matt. Parrott.
Adjutant-General, W. L. Alexander.
Superintendent Weights and Measures, Prof.
N. R. Leonard.
Librarian, Mrs. S. B. Maxwell.
Assistant Librarian, Jessie Maxwell.
Supreme Couet.
Chief Justice— Wm. H. Seevers, Oskalooss
Judge*— James G. Day, Sidney.
James H. Rothrock, 'Tipton.
Joseph M. Beck, Fort Madison.
Austin Adams, Dubuque.
AWy Gen.— Smith McPherson, Red Oak.
Clerk — E. J. Homes, Des Moines.
Reporter— John S. Qunnclls, Des Moines.
r-
HISTORY
OF
KOSSUTH COUNTY
IO"W\A..
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION.
THE study of the annals of the past
has, at all times and in all clinics,
claimed a large share of the attention of
the more intelligent of men. To the sage
and scholar, poring over some vast and
ponderous tome, dusty with age, and in
an almost forgotten tongue, the new be-
ginner with his short and comprehensive
compilation, suited to his early years,
each draw much pleasure from its peru-
sal. Men, eminent in the domain of let-
ters, have, however, divided history into
several classes, the most prominent of
which are, first, that which treats only of
events; and the second, that which treats
of men, the living actors in the world's
great drama. The first of these is but the
dry bones of a fossil age, reft of all life,
and is at best but a synopsis of the more
important actions that have crowded upon
the stage of the past, a list of kings, rulers,
dynasties, and their acts, to which the
people play but a secondary part. The
second treats of the people, of men in
their broad humanity, and is an ever liv-
ing reality, clothed in the flesh, and the
story of their deeds, has, in its relation,
all the fascination of romance, enchaining
the reader to its pages until the volume
is finished and laid down with a sigh.
This form of history, warm and palpi-
tating, as it is, with the busy lives of men,
who, like ourselves, have lived and moved
upon the world's broad surface, is the
£<
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY
model after which it has been the en-
deavor to compile these pages. No nar-
row attempt to paint with partisan pen,
the workings or machinations of any
party or creed, but setting out in broad
and comprehensive detail the actions of
those brave men and heroic women who,
in the early stages of this county's exist-
ence, played so well "their parts upon the
mimic stage." Brave, hardy pioneers,
who, departing from their parent roof-tree,
plunged into the great wilderness west
of the "Father of Waters," there to carve
out for themselves homes upon the prai-
ries. Heroic women who, leaving the
home and association of childhood, where
surrounded with ease and comfort they
had passed their youthful days, followed
their husbands to this then desert spot,
and cheered their weary hours and shared
their joys and sorrows. Men and women
who lived true lives while here on earth,
and "departing leftfoot-printsin the sands
of time" that cannot help but make the
world brighter, richer and truer.
The times move on apace, and these,
the pioneers of Kossuth county, are al-
ready passing away to their reward be-
yond the "dark river," and it behooves
the historian to hasten in his task that he
may note down from the lips of those who
remain the account of the trials, the
labors, the joys of those early days, to
preserve within the pages of history their
deeds, so that when they have "gone before
to that bright and better land," the annals
of their times may be preserved. Here
let us raise the monument of everlasting
fame, and let History with her adaman-
tine pen engrave their lives and actions
upon her tablets, monuments that shall
long outlast the bronze or stone that must
ere long mark the resting places of them
all.
In casting a backward glance adown
the "misty corridors of time," the think-
ing mind cannot but wonder at the short-
ness of the time that has elapsed since
these now fruitful fields and busy towns
were but the waste and grassy desert,
roamed over only by savage beast or the
Indian. Where now rises the beautiful
town or village, then stood, perhaps, the
lonely teepee of the savage; where is
heard the hum of busy industry or the
whir of machinery, then re-echoed only to
the howl of prowling wolf, the hoot of
night seeking owl, or the horrid whoop
of fiendish savage. But man came, civil-
ized man, and with the characteristic en-
ergy of the Anglo Saxon race, made these
waste places to blossom as the rose. The
savage gave place to industry and thrift,
and villages and farms began to dot the
virgin surface of the county.
But thirty years have passed since first
the pristine sod was pressed by the foot
of white settlers, and one can hardly help
but look around and contrast the differ-
ence between the then and now. The
early pioneer, to reach this locality, was
forced to make long journeys in his wagon
or on horseback, over undulating prairie,
through swamp and slough, with no road
to guide nor make his way smooth. No
bridges spanned the streams, and his only
alternative was to make a long detour to
find a ford, or swim the creek or river.
Then when he had reached his destina-
tion, he had his humble cot to raise by
the unaided efforts of his own hands, that
he and his, might he sheltered from the
A
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
elements. Fie was cut off, to a certain
extent, from mail communication with
the outside world; and when he had by
infinite toil succeeded in raising his little
crop, he had no handy means of disposing
of it except by hauling to a far distant
market. But now neat frame cottages
adorn the land, and he sits in his easy
chair surrounded by every comfort and
luxury that lie knew in his old home in
the older States; the iron horse snorts at
his front door, and he can receive his
daily paper, yet damp from the press, and
learn the current events in far off climes
of a day ago.
Then, when he came here the imple-
ments of husbandry were rude and simple,
and the helps to domestic labor almost
entirely wanting; and now the self-binder
and mower have taken the place of the
scythe and cradle, the thresher that of the
flail; and all kinds of machinery have
supplanted the expenditure of manual
strength. Enter the house and the sew-
ing machine, the patent churn, the newly
invented home creamery, and thousands
of appliances are found to help the busy
housewife do away with much of the
drudgery of earlier days. The children
of this generation, looking around them,
can little realize the trials, the toils, the
penury and pinching want endured by
their parents in their pioneer days, and it
is the pleasing task of the historian to
draw the veil, that they may look back
into the past, and view the noble deeds of
their fathers and mothers in those pristine
days.
Some one has justly said that "a price-
less boon would have been conferred upon
posterity, had some kind hand sketched
down in living letters the pictures and
the daily lives of the hardy pioneers, led
by that noble Winthrop, who settled on
New England's rocky shore. Their per-
sonal history, their every day customs,
their principal characteristics, that we
could know them as if we had lived among
them." In this spirit these pages have
been compiled, and the personal sketches
of the old settlers, living or dead, so per-
meate the whole mass as to give it the
semblance of a living reality, that could
not be attained under any other mode of
treatment.
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
CHAPTER II
EARLY HISTORY AND SETTLEMENT.
Usually the task of finding out the first
settlers of a county, that has passed its
second decade, is a more difficult task
than it looks to be upon the surface, but
in the case of Kossuth county the com-
piler has been saved great trouble. Much
of the facts contained in this chapter have
been gleaned from a series of sketches
written by Hon. Ambrose A. Call, the pi-
oneer fnir-i .iw Hi .in-,; of the county, and
from which we freely quote, by kind per-
mission. A habit this gentleman has fol-
lowed of jotting down the events of the
day in a diary, makes any contribution he
may make to a historical work doubly val-
uable, and no better account of the early
settlement of the county could be written.
The territory embraced by Kossuth
county was formerly occupied by the Sioux
Indians, although there is no evidence of
their having had any villages or cultivat-
ing any land on the East Fork. The
Winnebagoes occupied the country as far
west :is Clear Lake and Pilot Mound (in
Hancock county) and the Sacs and Foxes,
from the south as far up as the mouth of
Boone river. The proximity of those
tribes with whom the Sioux were con-
stantly at war, doubtless made this locality
an undesirable place for a permanent res-
idence. It seems to have been their cus-
tom to make annual raids in strong force
on the frontier settlers, robbing and pil-
laging as they went. Before the post was
established at Fort Dodge, they frequently
went down as far as the rapids, and as far
east as Iowa river, and if they happened to
meet a band of Winnebagoes or Sacs and
Foxes, or a surveying party of whites in
their territory, there was sure to be a mas-
sacre, a fight or a foot race. To prevent
these raids on the settlers, and also to keep
peace between the three tribes of Indians,
was the object of the government in es-
tablishing a military post at Fort Dodge.
Before the settlement of the county, there
were no roads or trails passing through its
territory. There were three trails running
north and south, west of the Cedar, well
known to the frontier settlers and trap-
pers, one up the Boone river by Buffalo
Grove to Mankato, Minnesota; one from
Boonesboro by the way of Fort Dodge up
the east side of the river, crossing just
above the forks and up the West Fork to
Fort Ridgely; one from Sioux City up the
Floyd, crossing to the East Fork of the
Rock, to the Minnesota river. Prior to
1854 two cabins had been built north of
Fort Dodge in Iowa, one by Henry Lott
near the mouth of Lott's creek, in Hum-
boldt county, and the other by William
Miller, six miles north of Fort Dodge, on
the east side of the river. They were
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
both built and used for trading posts,
while the soldiers were stationed at Fort
Dodge.
In March, 1853, Lott was robbed and
driven out by the Indians, but he subse-
quently returned with a fresh supply of
whisky and tobacco, watched his oppor-
tunity to get the perpetrators all drunk at
once, when he succeeded in tomahawking
six of their number, including the chief
of the band. The bodies were carted
four or five miles and dumped into Bloody
Run, whence its name, after which exploit
he packed up his goods, burned his cabin
and left the country. Miller, on learning
of this last enterprise of his rival and
fearing a retaliation, abandoned his claim
and fortified himself in the old barracks
at Fort Dodge. On July 3, 1?54, when
Ambrose A. Call reached Homer, one of
the most conspicuous objects of the town
was the head of the old chief stuck on a
pole, which an enterprising trapper had
fished out of the creek and brought down
as a trophy. The part of Kossuth county
south of the north line of township 95, was
mostly surveyed in 1853-4. Col. Ellis
and Capt. Leach were engaged in survey-
ing the north part of 05, about the 1st of
July, 1854, when their camp was robbed
by the Indians and they were compelled
to abandon the work. The camp was lo-
cated on the northeast quarter of section
15, township 95, range 29, two miles south
of Algona, near what is known as the Os-
good House. From these parties the Call
brothers at Fort Dodge,July 5, heard a des-
cription of the country and an estimate of
the amount of timber in what they called
the big grove, and at once decided to make
up a party and explore that locality. But
this party was not a success. One man
volunteered, William F. Smith, a school-
master, with a rusty rifle, a covered wagon,
a balky horse to put with the old pack
horse, made up the outfit,with a small stock
of provisions and a large amount of good
advice. The party left Fort Dodge July
7, and kept up the river on the east side.
About 4 o'clock in the afternoon the driv-
er discovered Indians, dead ahead, two,
yes, three, four, five, eight of them alto-
gether, several miles away. A consulta-
tion was held, a vote taken, and the de-
cision announced that the party should go
right ahead and interview them, but they
had disappeared — probably laid down in
the grass, 2^ossibly gone back over the hill.
Every member of the party was on the
alert, revolvers examined, powder picked
into the tube of the old gun, and prepara-
tion made for war, when the advance
guard shouted back that he could "lick a
whole tribe of them Injuns," which was
literally true, for at the sound of his voice
they took flight. The second night out,
July 9, camp was made on the southeast
quarter of section 12, township 95, range
29, near D. W. King's residence.
A very remarkable phenomenon was
witnessed by this party, the evening of
the 1st of July, one that seldom occurs
except on the arid plains in the center of
the great continent. A most beautiful
mirage — proper — appeared in the north-
west just at sunset. The day had been
very warm, with scarcely a breath of wind.
A few cumulus clouds were visible above
the horizon, when they noticed a peculiar
appearance of the sky in the northwest,
as of a shadow. A few minutes, however,
brought to their view an exact duplicate
230
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
of the bluffs and groves as defined against
tlie horizon, inverted, and seemingly sus-
pended in the air. At first the outlines
were dim, but a* the sun sank lower be-
hind the bluffs, the picture developed un-
til the lower edge was as perfect as
the groves and hills themselves. They
watched the phenomenon with intense in-
terest until the picture faded in the twi-
light.
The next morning a careful reconnois-
sance satisfied them that the Sioux who
robbed the surveying party had gone in
an easterly direction. They found one of
their encampments, near where the Col-
lege building now stands. Their fires
had apparently just gone out. A few
"teepee 1 ' poles were left, and three or four
rude racks, upon which they had "jerked"
their buffalo and elk meat. Says Mr.
Call: "There had been a large band of
them; we estimated their number at 100
men, but we afterward learned that our
estimate was too low, as they went as far
east as Lime creek, and created a great
panic among the settlers as far south as
Cedar Falls and Waterloo. The settlers
first heard of their proximity from his dem-
ocratic excellency, Gov. Hempstead, who
was out beyond the settlements selecting
a few choice pieces of land, and who only
by hard running escaped capture. The
governor promptly ordered out the State
militia, to drive them back. Carriers
were sent out, and volunteers to the num-
ber of some 200 gathered and confronted
the Indians on Lime creek. Both parties
fortified and made faces at each other for
several days. Finally an old trader by
the name of Ilewett volunteered to take
a flag of truce into the Indian camp, and
try to find out what they wanted of our
governor. The Sioux, after becoming
satisfied that there were no Winnebagoes
in the ranks of the whites, agreed to turn
back. In their retreat towards the upper
Missouri, they crossed the Des Moines
near the mouth of Buffalo Fork about the
10th of August, fortunately not discover-
ing our cabin. Our party, the 10th of
July, passed over the town site of Algona,
crossed the river just above Blackford's
grove, and took dinner on section 15, at
the camp where the surveyors were
robbed. We then went down the river on
the west side, crossing Four Mile creek,
and striking well out on the prairie,
struck the old trail at the ford above the
forks, and reached Fort Dodge the second
night. We had not yet decided whether
there was anything in Kossuth county
worth claiming, but on reaching Boons-
boro, the writer hereof decided to return.
A. C. Call was to return to Iowa City,
and come back in four weeks. W. T.
Smith had accompanied us as far as Boons-
boro, on his way home to southern Ohio,
but was persuaded to remain with me two
months for $14 per month. I succeeded
in purchasing, in that vicinity, a yoke of
oxen and wagon, a few implements and
tools, and a stock of provisions; also a
a large-bored rifie. This last I bought of
Judge McFarland, who afterwards be-
came quite well-known through the me-
dium of Harper's Drawer.
"The Judge was a great buffalo hunter;
in fact every kind of game suffered at his
hands — especially poker. In returning
from Boonsboro, after leaving the old
trail this side of Fort Dodge, the best
natural route was selected for a road, as
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY
this was our only outlet to settlements.
The fords where we crossed the streams
were worked so as to make them pass-
able, and a small log hitched under the
hind axle of the wagon, which dragged
down the grass, made a trail which could
be easily followed.
We reached our camping ground on
section 14, near the present residence of
C. C. Chubb, July 26. The weather was
very unfavorable, raining almost constant-
ly for several days. We also suffered
great annoyance from the mosquitoes. The
first few days were spent in making out
claims, after which we went to work
building a cabin, 14x16 feet, but which
was raised twelve logs high August 8.
This cabin stood about twenty rods south-
west of C. C. Chubb's house in Cresco."
This was the first dwelling raised in the
county of Kossuth.
Early in the year 1854, Asa C. Call,
wishing to make some investments in
western lands and to lay out a town plat
somewhere, began to look around for a
suitable locality. It was his idea to get
somewhere upon navigable waters, but a
trip along the banks of the Mississippi
demonstrated that the territory was al-
ready occupied, and a visit to the upper
lake region produced a similar impres-
sion. He therefore determined to go north
from Des Moines, along the river of that
name, into the unexplored region of this
State. In July, in company with his
brother, Ambrose, he started out and
came to Kossuth county. After a thor-
ough looking over the territory, they went
back, but with the intention of returning.
Ambrose A. Call was the first to do so.
Making his second and final visit to this
county the same month, and on July 26,
1854, camped on section 14, and raised
their cabin as already mentioned.
Thus the Call brothers are justly en-
titled to the honor of being the first pio-
neers of Kossuth county, and are yet the
most prominent figures around which
cluster the halo of many reminiscences of
the past. During the fall of that same
year, 1S54, Malachi and W. G. Clark,
William Hill and Levi Maxwell, settled
in what is now Cresco. In this connection
it would be well to mention that the wife
of Asa C. Cat! was the first of that cour-
ageous band of noble women who fol-
lowed their husbands into this great
wilderness, and was the first white woman
whose feet trod the prairies of Kossuth
county.
In November, William H. Ingham, with
D. E. Stein, came to Kossuth county, al
though he did not make a claim until
later. But on the arrival of A. L. Seeley
in the latter part of January, they in com
pany built a cabin on Mr. Ingham's claim
near the present residence of Mr. Rieb-
hoff, in Portland township.
During the winter, Richard Parrott and
Lyman Craw took claims on the east side
of the river, about three miles above
Algona; also Henry Linder, a live young
Hoosier, claimed ''Linder's Grove," now
"Paine's Grove," in Portland township.
The creek took its name from him.
About the latter part of the year 1854,
there came to this locality, Charles Eas-
ton, an Englishman, a man of years and
well informed but curious in his ways,
and to this day spoken of as an oddity.
Christian Hackman also took a claim in
what is now Cresco township. He, with a
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
party by the name of Daniel Hill, seem to
close the number of the pioneers of that
year.
Mr. Call, in his sketches of the early
settlement says :
"The first winter was very mild and
favorable for the settlers, who were fre-
quently obliged to make long journeys
with ox teams after supplies, camping out
by the way. The coldest day of the win-
ter was January 13, when the mercury
went eighteen degrees below zero ; Janu-
ary 22 it got down to twelve below ; on
the 26th to nine below; and February 24
to ten below, with but little snow."
Early in the spring of 1855, Asa C.
Call built a block house, (logs hewn on
each side) near his present residence.
This was the first house on the town site
of Algona. Here he brought his young
wife, and from this humble dwelling and
this couple has grown the large and thriv-
ing city of Algona, with its 2,000 inhabi-
tants and teeming industries.
Early in the spring of 1S55, Solomon
Hand and a Mr. Benson made claims in
the county.
The 1st of May, 1S55, the pioneers of
the Whitinsville colony arrived. These
were James L. Paine, Francis C. Rist, Al-
exander Brown, Sr., Alexander Brown, Jr.,
Barney Holland and Robert Brown. Paine
and Rist took claims on section 12, Al-
gona township. Mr. Brown bought out
old Daniel Hill and took other lands
adjoining, in Cresco, and Barney Holland
and Robert Brown took up claims in the
same vicinity. Both of these latter left
the county after but a short stay, going
back to Massachusetts.
In March, J. W. Moore, accompanied
by Jacob C. Cummins, arrived. Mr.
Moore was a man of considerable means,
and bought several timber claims, as well
as an interest in the town site. These I
believe were the first claims transferred
for a consideration, although Mr. Cham-
bers, a brother of ex-Gov. Chambers, of
Muscatine, had previously offered Am-
brose A. Call a yoke of oxen for his and his
brother's claim on the town site, includ-
ing the grove north of the town.
Among the other settlers of 1855 may
be found the names of Jacob C. Wright,
Reuben Purcell, Thomas and John Rob-
inson, Benjamin Hensley, George Smith,
August Zalten, L. L. Treat, Kendall
Young, D. W. King, Lewis H. Smith,
Corydon Craw, E. Lane and Hiram Wilt-
fong. These all came in the spring and
summer of that year. Mr. Wright bought
out Solomon Hand ; Robinson and Hens-
ley took claims adjoining; Purcell claimed
what is known as Purcell Point ; Craw
claimed on section 17, township 95, range
2S. The lower end of the county also
received some settlers in 1855. The first
after Michael and John Johnson were
Harlow Miner, Solomon and G. VV. Hand
and Mr. Mayberry. Eber Stone settled
near S. Bellows' present residence, the
same year. In May, 1855, Mr. Carter,
father of A. B. Carter, settled where he
now lives on the West Fork, and was
the first settler on that stream.
In June, Dr. R. Cogley and John John-
son bought claims, Cogley of Maxwell,
(the Huntley place,) and Johnson of C.
Easton, (the Fred Wilson place). Dr.
Cogley was the first physician, a man of
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
fine presence and good abilities, although
a little eccentric in his habits.
A. Zahlten sold out his claim near Da-
kota, and bought the grove where he now
lives. The 4th of July Lewis H. Smith
struck the settlement ; he, with C. C. Car-
penter, was finishing up the survey .aban-
doned by Leach and Ellis the previous
summer.
In July a large band gf Indians came
into the settlement; they were impudent
and troublesome, taking everything they
could lay their hands on when they found
a cabin with the occupant absent, or
whenever they could intimidate by threats.
In one or two instances a collision seemed
inevitable, but was avoided by the In-
dians backing down. A number of the
settlers finally armed themselves and went
into their camp, and ordered them off ;
they promised to go at sunrise the next
morning, which promise they faithfully
kept, making a straight trail in a north-
westerly direction.
About 200 acres of prairie was broken
in the county this summer, and sixty acres
of sod corn raised by Asa C. Call, that
produced about fifty bushels per acre of
sound corn.
E. Moll took claims in September, at
the mouth of Buffalo Fork.
In the fall of this year J. E. Blackford
arrived and settled near the town of Al-
gona. Richard Hodges, who came about
the same date, located on the 8th of De-
cember, on section 5, in what is now
Sherman township.
These parties were followed by a num-
ber of others from Whitinsville, Mass..
among whom were Jason Richmond,
Charles Osgood, Stephen Milieu, Theodore
Smith, John Hutchinson and Mr. Wood,
Richmond and Holland bought out the
Clarks, who moved to Irvington and be-
came the owners of Benson's claim. Mr.
Call, in speaking of these old settler's says:
"Osgood bought out old Billy Hill, and
this relieved us of his presence. About
the middle of May, D. \V. King, Preston,
Smock, and Edward Putnam, struck the
settlement. Mr. King took the claim
where he now lives ; Putnam remained
several years, making his home with W.
II. Ingham, and officiating as chief cook.
He is now cashier of the Merchant's Na-
tional Bank, at Cedar Rapids. Smock
and Preston left this locality soon after
their settlement and their present where-
abouts is unknown."
James Hall and Thomas C. Covill were
also arrivals of this year. Hall worked
on the saw-mill put up by Judge Call, and
is now engaged in cabinet making in Des
Moines. Covill went away from the
county shortly after his advent here and
has passed out of view.
During the summer of 1856, the popu-
lation of the county nearly quadrupled.
Among the more prominent arrivals were:
Barnet and John Devine, Joseph Raney,
Levi Parsons, L. Fox, Kinsey Carlon, G.
C. Carlon, William Carter, D. W. and
Matthew Sample, George Wheeler, Charles
Harvey, Luther Bullis, G. S. Jones and
his sons, George Blottenberger, John,
Charles II., and Jesse Magoon, J. E. Stacy,
Rev. Chauncy Taylor, John Heckart,
Michael Reibhoff, J. G. Green, II. A. Hen-
derson, Frank Harrison, Thomas White-
head, Roderick M. Bessie, Robert Moore,
William Carey, Horace Schenck, James
Roan, Rev. D. S. McComb, Luther and
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
Sylvester S. Rist, Orange Winkler, C.
Gray, Oliver Benschoter, George E.
Lowe, Havens F. Watson, Joseph Thomp-
son, William Green, O. W. Robinson,
Jonathan Callender, George D. Wheeler,
Eli Ferris, William B. Moore, Amos S.
Collins, E.J. Rice, Gilbert W. Skinner,
Amos Otes, George P. Taylor, James Cur-
ran, and others.
In this year of 1856, Mrs. Francis C.
Rist, now the wife of Judge Smith, made
the journey from Dubuque to Algona, to
meet her husband. The roads were truly
awful, the way long and dreary ; but sus-
tained by warm affection she dared the
trial. Truly such women as these deserve
this place in history, among the pioneers
of the new country. There were many of
the trials that the men escaped, and in
the person of this lady, history honors the
noble women pioneers of Kossuth county.
The most of these pioneers thus briefly
mentioned, and many who have been
omitted, receive more lengthy notices fur-
ther on, in the chapter of township history.
The pioneer days of the county may by
this lime be said to be over, as many now
Hocked to this vicinity and the county
settled up rapidly until the stringent times
of 1857, and the breaking out of the rebel-
lion stopped for a while the flow of emi-
gration to Kossuth county, as it did all
over the Union.
Mr. Call, in his sketch of the first set-
tlement, to which we are indebted for so
much of this chapter, gives the following
epitome of events as they looked to an
eye-witness. We quote the article almost
in its entirety, as it is the valuable contri-
bution to historical research by one of the
principal actors in the events of the time.
He says:
"The first formal meeting ever held in
the county was for the purpose of organ-
izing a claim club. This was held at the
house of J. W. Moore early in the sum-
mer of 1855. The meeting was organized
by the election of Robert Cogley presi-
dent, and Corydon Craw, secretary, who
were also elected first officers of the club.
A fee of $2 was charged for membership,
with power to assess members as occasion
might require. Each member was allowed
to record a claim of 320 acres, the same
being plainly marked out, in the peaceable
possession of which the club undertook
to protect him. Meetings were held
monthly and new officers elected quarterly.
The club was never called upon to use
violence in protecting the claims of its
members, and I believe but one ease came
before it for arbitration; but there is no
doubt but the organization did much good
as a prevention of trouble. It was kept
up until the lands became subject to pre-
emption under the United States law.
"Prior to 1S59 the elections for State
and county officers were held in August,
and township officers were elected in
April. The settlers had determined to
organize at the general election in August,
and with that object in view got together
and made up a county ticket which
seemed to give general satisfaction. Up
to this time there had been no town ri-
valry, in fact no other town but Algona
had been spoken of, and so far as the
writer knows there had been no itching
for political preferment. Speculation
throughout the west was running high at
that time, and Iowa had more than her
r-r
HISTORY OF KOSSI'TII COUNTY.
sliare of it. Gold was abundant, and as
is usually the case when money is plenty
interest was high; 3 per cent, a month be-
ing considered reasonable for short time
accommodations, but 4 per cent, was
more common. Uusually from 36 to 40
per cent, was charged by the year, and at
these high figures fortunes were made by
borrowing money and entering lands.
Men who had no capital whatever could,
by making judicious selections of govern-
ment land, borrow money to enter it, giv-
ing the land itself for security, and before
the end of the year more than double
their money by selling.
"Land and town lots was all the talk in
the older portions of the State. Com-
panies were organized and rings formed
for the purpose of building up cities and
making fortunes for the sanguine stock-
holders. In this way Des Moines, Sioux
City, Fort Dodge, Waterloo, Cedar Falls,
Charles City, and other large towns were
started, besides hundreds of others Unit
proved failures and were abandoned by
those who projected them. Of course
large fish took the largest bait, the smaller
ones having to content themselves with
what was left and look out sharp that
they themselves were not made bait of.
Kossuth county and Calls' settlement had
gained considerable notoriety, and was
considered a good field for speculative
operation. Consequently, just before the
August election, a company was formed,
with headquarters at Webster City, for
the purpose of capturing the offices, get-
ting the county seat and building a rival
town. The active men in the company
were: George and Cyrus Smith, Kendall
Young and L. L. Treat, all good and dis-
crete men with plenty of capital to back
them. They came quietly into the settle-
ment, selected their own site at Irvington
named their town Irvington, after Wash-
ington Irving.
"Securing the friendship of the family
of Clarkes, thus giving them five votes,
made up their ticket by giving the best
offices to men who might otherwise go
with Algona, agreed to divide their lots
liberally with those who worked with
them, and as the writer was afterward
told by one of the parties, received
pledges from four more than a majority
of all the voters of the county to vote the
Irvington ticket.
"With the assurance of success they re-
tired, leaving the election in the hands of
the people. So quietly was this work
done that the Algona party were taken
by surprise. They had not expected a
contest and had made no preparation for
it. A number of voters were out of the
county, but feeling that the prestige of
our town depended upon our electing an
Algona ticket, every exertion was made to
win the election. One man (Jacob Cum-
mins) who had started for Cedar Falls
was overtaken sixty miles away and
brought back to vote. The writer spent
two days in what is now Humboldt county
chasing after voters who were out on the
prairie elk hunting, and finally brought
in two, Solomon Hand and Harlow Miner.
The judges of election were sworn by
John F. Duncombe, who came up from
Fort Dodge on purpose. The election was
hotly contested and won by the Algona
party by a few votes. The officers elected
were: Judge, Asa C. Call; county clerk,
Robert Cogley; treasurer and recorder,
242
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
J. W. Moore; county surveyor, Lewis H.
Smith. The vote was canvassed at Homer,
the county .scat of Webster county.
"The weather remained very mild until
about the 1st of December, when con-
siderable snow fell, followed by other
storms and very cold weather; snow ac-
cumulated to the depth of nearly two
feet. Game of all kinds were very abund-
ant, being driven into the timber by the
severity of the weather. At the head of
some of the small streams, where the old
grass was unburned, buffalo and elk were
corralled by the snow and remained
nearly all winter living on the old grass.
The timber was full of deer and wolves,
a great many of which were killed. Bea-
ver, otter, fisher and mink were numerous,
but as we were not skillful trappers we
got but few of them."
At the time of the incoming of the first
settlers but little, if anything, was known
of the topography of that portion of Iowa
lying west of the Cedar river and its afflu-
ents, and north of Fort Dodge. But for
all that, the Legislature of 1852 set off,
bounded and named this tract of country,
with the name, but not the same bound-
aries it now bears. It then comprised
sixteen townships and was twenty-four
miles square. That part then lying north
of Kossuth, was christened Bancroft
county, after the great historian of that
name. In the Legislature of 1854-5, an
organic act was passed, whereby, Kossuth,
Bancroft and the north half of Humboldt
counties were placed together and organ-
ized under the name of Kossuth county,
and temporarily attached to that of Web-
ster county for judicial purposes.
During the month of August, 1855, an
election was held to. perfect the organiza-
tion and elect the first officers, as related
by Mr. Call, and resulted in the choice of
Asa C. Call for county judge; Robert
Cogley, county clerk; J. W. Moore, treas-
urer and recorder; Lewis 11. Smith, coun-
ty surveyor. These were the first officers
of the new county of Kossuth.
In 1857, the General Assembly of the
State of Iowa, passed an act, chapter 147
of the session ordinances of that Assembly^
whereby, that part of Humboldt county,
heretofore a part and parcel of Kossuth
county, was detached and the latter was
made the size that it at present has. At
this same session, an act was passed which
prohibited the constitution of any new
county "having less area than 432 square
miles, nor shall the territory of any organ-
ized county be reduced below such limit,
except the county of Worth and the coun-
ties west of it along the northern border."
In later years an abortive attempt was
made to organize the twelve northern
townships into a separate county, under
the name of Crocker, an account of which
may be found elsewhere.
county's name.
Kossuth county was named after Louis
Kossuth, who has long been known as one
of the world's most famous agitators, ora-
tors and patriots. His learning and elo-
quence have been admired on both sides
of the ocean, and his heroic struggles for
Hungary's independence has stirred the
heart and called forth the sympathy of
every lover of freedom. Four score years
have rarely been allotted to public men
who have worked so vigorously, suffered
so many hardships, and lived as intensely
w
•fe.
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
243
as has Kossuth. He was emphatically the
product of his times. Possessed of intel-
lectual genius of a high order, and endowed
with an indomitable energy, he would
have been a man of mark in any country,
but the sublimity of his patriotic devo-
tion, the inspiration of his eloquence, and
the rugged bravery of his character, could
only have been developed and called out
by the troubled times of his Nation's his-
tory. Hungary made Kossuth. Kossuth
spent his life in trying to make Hungary.
No effort he could put forth, no sacrifice
he could make, was too great for her, but
he had no word or work for any other
cause. Wendell Phillips, in his lecture on
Toussant L'Overture, graphically appeals
to "the eloquent Son of the Maygar" for
some word of sympathy with the down-
trodden negro, but is forced to the con-
clusion that however much he may love
freedom, Kossuth is deaf to all cries but
those of Hungary.
Louis Kossuth was born in Monok, Hun-
gary, April 27, 1803. His family was of
Slavic descent and noble rank, and his
father gave him the advantages of a lib-
eral education, including a course in law
and philosophy, at the University of Pa-
tak. He excelled as a scholar, particu-
larly in his knowledge of history and the
languages, speaking fluently the Maygar,
Slavak, German, French and Latin, and
later in life, the Italian and English. Af-
ter leaving college Kossuth was appointed
an assessor of the Assembly of his native
country, and joining the liberals in poli-
ties he became very popular with the com-
mon people. During 1832-6 Kossuth be-
came, by proxy, a member of the Upper
House of the Diet, and though its debates,
of so much interest to Hungarian patriots,
were forbidden publication, yet by Kos-
suth's efforts they were circulated by
means of manuscript newspapers. At the
close of the Diet, Kossuth endeavored to
publish a lithographic paper, but the gov-
ernment prohibited its publication, and
for persisting in his work he was seized
in the night, tried for treason and sen-
tenced to four years imprisonment. Gen-
eral public indignation, and the prospect
of foreign intervention, procured his re-
lease before the time appointed. He then
became editor of the Pesth Journal, en-
tered the Legislature as leader.of the lib-
erals, and kept up a vigorous agitation for
local self-government. During the war
for liberty, he was for some months gov-
ernor of Hungary, but on the failure of
the struggle he escaped to Turkey where
he was protected by the Porte. In 1851
he sailed from Turkey on the United
States war vessel Mississippi, as the guest
of our government. While in this coun-
try Kossuth spoke in many of our leading
cities, enlisting sympathy for Hungary
and urging the United States to join with
England in preventing European inter-
ference with her struggles for liberty.
Returning to Europe, he engaged in lit-
erary and scientific work, but all the time
watching for any political complications,
that might justify Hungary in striking
another blow for liberty. In 1867, on the
reorganization of the Austro-Hungarian
Empire, he was allowed to return to his
native land, but he preferred to remain in
Turin, condemning the compromise thai
had been made by his countrymen. Kos-
suth in many respects resembled Gam-
betta. Of like fiery disposition and im-
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY
passioned eloquence, they were equally
effective on the platform or wielding the
pen. The latter lived to see the consum-
mation of his hopes, in repuhlican France;
the former, after a lifetime of heroic ser-
vice, has seen Hungary liheralized,but not
enfranchized.
HISTORICAL ITEMS.
The first marriage in the county was
that of William Moore to Sarah Wright,
April 22, 18?7. The license for this event
was issued by Judge Call, and the knot
matrimonial was tied by George D.
Wheeler, justice of the peace.
The first death in the county was that
of a party by the name of Mahuren. This
man, a minister or elder of the Christian
Church, in the fall of 1854, came to the
cabin of Ambrose A. Call, and being sick,
staid there about two weeks, and at the
end of that period died.
The first birth in Kossuth was that of
James and Joseph Crose, twin sons of
Philip and Mary Crose, which occurred
Aug. 28, 1855, in Irvington township.
James is teaching school in Bancroft, and
his brother is engaged in farming in
Cresco township. Some dispute seems to
have arrisen as to this fact; some claiming
that Irving Clark, son of William G.
Clark, was the first party born in this
county, but upon investigation it appears
that the latter party was born at Fort
Dodge.
The first saw-mill was raised at Irving-
ton and commenced operations early in
the summer of 1856. Judge Call started
his mill at Algona a few weeks later.
The first log house was built by Am-
brose A. Call and W. T. Smith, on section
14, in township 95, range 29, now in Cresco,
and was finished in August, 1854.
The first board building was erected by
J. W. Moore, in Algona, for a store room.
This was but a rude shanty, built of
boards.
The first goods sold in the limits of
Kossuth county are believed to have been
a small stock of powder, whisky and
like commodities peddled out by Charles
Easton in 1854 or 1R55. He had no store
building but inhabited a tent from which
lie sold the goods.
The first store and stock of goods was es-
tablished at Algona, by Maj. W. W. Wil-
liams, who was the suttler at Fort Dodge.
During the summer of 1856, he sent up a
small assortment of such goods as would
retail well in a new country. These goods
were in charge of William Koons, but he
did not stay long as he was superceded
by II. F. Watson, who immediately built
a new building for the accommodation of
the stock.
The first frame building erected in Al-
gona was one built by Lewis II. Smith, dur-
ing that eventful summer of 1856.
The first citizen of the county to be-
come naturalized was Christian Hackman
who received his final papers upon the
10th day of October, 1856.
The first order or warrant for the pay-
ment of money by the county, bore the
date of April 22, 1857, and was issued to
Lewis H. Smith for locating a road.
The first newspaper, in the county of
Kossuth, was the Algona Pioneer Press,
established in that town by Ambrose A.
Call in September, 1861. This paper had
an existence only of about two years,
when it suspended.
.b
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
The first frame school house in the
county was erected in the year 1860, on
section 24, in township 96 north, range 29
west.
The first white woman whose feet trod
the soil of Kossuth county was Mrs. Asa
(I. Gall, in July, 1854.
The first kerosene ever used in this
county was brought here by Lewis II.
Smith in 1859. A great deal of sport en-
sued in the first attempt to use this oil, as
he thought that the wick must be above
the cone.
The first bread made in the county,
from wheat raised therein, was made by
Mrs. II. A. Henderson in 1859. As this
wheat was raised by her husband and was
the first of Kossuth county growth, a fes-
tive time was made of it and the neigh-
bors were invited in to partake of the
bread.
The first sewing machine was brought
to Kossuth county in January, 1860, by
Lewis II. Smith of Algona.
The first threshing in Kossuth county
was done by some parties from Boone
river, for W. II. Ingham in the fall of
1859. This was done ou section 20, town-
ship 96, range 20.
The pioneer piano of the county was
brought to Algona, by Lewis II. Smith, dur-
ing the winter of 1865-6.
The first bank in the county was opened
by W. II. Ingham in January, 1867, at
Algona, and the first draft or bill of ex-
change was drawn on the 1 1th of January
of that year. It was for $100 from James
L. Paine to a minister of the gospel in
Missouri.
The first bank sign, that of Ingham &
Smith, was painted by the junior partner,
and is yet preserved among the relics of
by-gone days. This was lettered in 1870.
Lewis II. Smith, besides being the first
lawyer in the county, was the first to hang
out a sign as notary public in 1857.
The first window blinds ever placed
upon a house in Kossuth county were the
property of Capt. W. H. Ingham, who
put them on his dwelling in 1860.
The last elk seen in this county was
killed during the month of November,
1867, by a party of gentlemen in the
Boone river near the east line of the
county. The party consisted of the fol-
lowing members: A. L. Seeley, A. Ken-
nedy, Abraham Hill and J. G.Smith. The
horns that ornamented this historic ani-
mal's head now decorate the court room in
Algona.
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY
CHAPTER III
COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
As has been already mentioned, the
territory now comprising the county of
Kossuth, was attached, with the north
half of Humboldt, to Webster county, but
in 1855 an organization was effected, and
at the August election of that year, (for
prior to 1859 the general election was
held in August,) the necessary officers
were elected, and Kossuth county entered
upon a separate existence. These first
officers were : Asa C. Call, county judge ;
Robert Cogley, clerk of the court ; J. W.
Moore, treasurer and recorder, and Lewis
II. Smith, surveyor.
The records of this election have per-
ished in the lapse of years, and no account
exists that preserves in official form the
number of votes polled. At the next
election, however, which occurred upon
the 7th of April, 1856, George W. Hand
received forty-two votes, all that were
polled, for the office of school fund com-
missioner ; Eber Stone, thirty-seven for
the office of prosecuting attorney, and
Francis Brown thirty-seven for that of
coroner.
In these early days the mode of govern-
ment of the county differed widely from
what it is at the present. The executive
powers were vested in what was called
the "county court," which had the same
jurisdiction and powers as are now held
by the county board of supervisors, the
county auditor, the judge of the circuit
court, especially those matters that relate to
the probating of wills, etc., and of mar-
riage licenses. This court consisted of the
judge, sheriff and clerk, but in the former
resided all authority, and when the two
latter acted at all, it was simply as assist-
ants. As may be seen by this, the posi-
tion of county judge was of primal im-
portance.
The first entry upon the minute book of
the county judge bears date of March 1,
1856, and is as follows :
"Ordered by the county court of Kos-
suth county, this day, That swine and
sheep shall not be permitted to run at
large, within said county, after the 1st of
June, A. D. 1856, and any such animals
found so running at large after that date,
may he taken up as trespassing animals.
The above regulation will be submitted
to the voters of Kossuth county at the en-
suing April election. Those in favor of
the law to write on their ballot, 'For the
hog law.' Those opposed, will write,
'Against the hog law.' "
The record then says that there were
twenty-six votes in favor of, and eleven
against the above proposed law.
At this same term of court the county
of Kossuth was divided into townships
^Jk
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
as follows : All that part of the county
lying south of the north line of congres-
sional township 93, he denominated Hum-
boldt township. (This is now part of the
county of the same name.) And all that
part of the county lying north of the
same line to be called Algona township.
At the March term of the county court,
1857, the county was re-divided into town-
ships. At this time, that part of the
county, now a part of Humboldt, was sep-
arate! from this, and the remaining ter-
ritory was divided as follows: A town-
ship with the following boundaries was
formed, "beginning at^ the quarter post
on the east line of section 7, township 95
north, of range 27 west, of the 5th prin-
cipal meridian, and running from thence
due west along the center of sections 13,
14, etc., to the middle of the channel of
the east fork of the Des Moines river, and
thence down the middle of said channel
to the sou tli line of township 94. and thence
east along said line to the east line of the
county, and thence along said county line
to the place of beginning." This town-
ship was christened Irvington.
"All that part of the county lying north
of a line beginning at the quarter post on
the east line of section 13, township 95,
range '27 west, and running due west to
the quarter post on the west side of sec-
tion 18, township 95, range 30," was set off
into a civil township, and the name Al-
gona given to it.
The third township was called Cresco,
and comprised all that part of the county
lying west of the middle of the channel
of the east fork of the Des Moines river,
and south of the south line of Algona
township.
On the 15th of October, ls57, the county
court made the first levy of taxes, which
is recorded to be as follows : County fund,
six mills on a dollar ; State fund, three
mills; school, one and one-half mills;
road, one and one-half mills ; poll tax,
fifty cents; road poll, $-2.
But little of any general interest oc-
curs in these earlier records, as most of
the time of the court was taken up in
auditing and paying the bills against the
county, and other routine business.
At the October term of the county
court held in 1858, the first naturalization
papers were issued to the foreign born
residents of Kossuth county. '1 lie first
man to take the necessary oath, and re-
ceive his papers, was John Hutchinson,
a native of Ireland, and a subject of the
Queen of England. The date of the
record of this event is October 7. That
and the following days of the same term,
papersof an equivalent nature were issued
to August Zahlten, a native of Prussia;
James Roan, of Scotland; Barnet Devine,
James II. Thompson, Michael Fox and
Joseph Thompson, natives of the Emerald
Isle; George Frederick Schaad and Chris-
tian Hackman, from Hesse Darmstadt;
and Michael Schmidt, a Hollander. All
these are now remembered as among the
"old settlers," and the day of their en-
franchisement should be remembered as a
bright era of their lives.
On the 1st of January, 1861, a change
took place in the mode of government of
the county, in accordance with the laws of
the 8th General .Assembly. The coun-
ty judge, by that act, became of secondary
consideration, and the board of county
supervisors, consisting at that time of one
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
member from each township, was created,
and to which was delegated nearly all of
the powers and functions of the county
judge. The latter only retained jurisdic-
tion in probate, and some other minor
matters. The first board of supervisors
of Kossuth county met at the office of the
county judge, in Algona, on the 7th day
of January, 1801. The following gentle-
men presented themselves as the choice
of their respective townships for the office
of supervisor, and presented their creden-
tials: Ambrose A. Call, Algona; M. C.
Lathrop, Cresco, and J. R. Armstrong,
Irvington.
After having qualified they took their
seats and proceeded to perfect their or-
ganization by the election of a chairman,
and "ii a ballot being taken the choice fell
upon Ambrose A. Call, who was conducted
to the chair.
The first business brought before the
new board was the settling of the amount
of the bond to be given by the clerk of
(he board, which was placed at $500. The
members then drew lots to determine the
length of the term for which each should
hold his seat; M. C. Lathrop drew the
ballot entitling him to his place for the
"long term," or two years.
There being no court house nor county
offices, the board rented the office of L.
H. Smith for use of the clerk of the
board, and at the same time authorized
the treasurer and recorder and probate
judge to rent, another office. Much of the
regular routine business came up before
this board in the way of paying claims
ami locating of roads, but. nothing seems
to have occurred of any historical impor-
tance or of general interest, although a
great deal of necessary business was trans-
acted by the honorable board.
The new board for the year 1S6'2 met
on the 6th of January, and consisted of
the following gentlemen: Ambrose A.
Call, Algona; J. R. Armstrong, Irving-
ton, and Abiathar Hull, Cresco. Mr. Arm-
strong was chosen chairman for the ensu-
ing year.
At the February session this board en-
tered into a contract with Asa C. Call, a
resident of the county, by which he
agreed to act as the agent of Kossuth
county in procuring for the said county
the swamp and overflowed lands to which
the said county was entitled, under certain
acts of Congress and of the Genera! As-
sembly of the State of Iowa. By this
contract Mr. Call was made the duly ac-
credited agent for the whole negotiation
of the matter, and was to receive as com-
pensation for his services one-fourth of
all such lands recovered to the county.
At the May term a resolution was passed
to submit to the legal voters of the county
an important question, as follows:
"The undersigned makes to the county
of Kossuth the following proposition, to
wit: If the said county will give to the
undersigned as a bonus 8,000 acres of the
swamp lands of an average quality in said
county, the undersigned will build within
one mile of Algona, in said county, a
grist-mill, to be propelled by water;
which mill shall be built in a substantial
manner, and shall have two run of buhrs,
ami all the fixtures necessary to make
good flour. And the undersigned further
agrees, if said county shall accept this
proposition, to enter into an obligation,
with good and ample security to said
Jj.
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
240
county, that said mill shall be in opera-
tion within twelve months, and that it
shall be run at the place designated for
five years, and that the rate of toll to be
taken at said mill shall not exceed one-
seventh. [Signed] Samuel Reed.
Ahiather Hull."
But owing to the withdrawal of Mr.
Reed's name from the proposition, the
board decided to annul the whole pro-
ceeding, and, on the 9th day of June, did
revoke the order for the special election,
and the scheme died into obscurity.
The county having made other use of
the lands, Asa Call could not comply with
the terms of the contract made by him,
so did not procure the necessary patents
endowing the county with the so-called
swamp lands, but as the matter was other-
wise settled the claim was made good and
he was settled with by a committee, con-
sisting of Lewis II. Smith and W. 11.
Ingham, appointed for that purpose. At
the general election of 1S62, a majority
of the qualified electors of the county,
voted in favor of the county entering into
a contract with the American Emigration
Company, whereby they turned all these
swamp lands over to that corporation, in
lieu of improvements that they would
make and the aid it would give to emi-
gration to this section of the State and
various minor considerations. All deeds
to be given by the company, to enclose a.
clause, binding the purchaser to make a
bona fide settlement thereon within a
limited period, which should be stipulated
in the conveyance.
The new board for 1863 met, for their
first session, on the 5th of January, and
consisted of the following gentlemen, who
were all present and took their seats:
Ambrose A. Call, Algona; J. R. Arm-
strong, Irvington, and Benjamin Clark,
Cresco. They immediately proceeded to
effect an organization by electing Am-
brose Call chairman for the ensuing year.
A great mass of business was transacted
during the year but none of it of general
interest at this time except the various
resolutions in favor of bounties to volun-
teers, which may be found at length in
the chapter devoted to "The War for the
Union."
The board of supervisors for the year
1864 met, on the 4th of January, and the
following gentlemen appeared and an-
swered to their names: Addison Fisher,
Irvington township; D. W. King, Algona
township; Benjamin Clark, Cresco town-
ship.
After being duly sworn and inducted
into office, Benjamin Clark was elected
chairman for the year, and the organiza-
tion was completed. A resolution was
then introduced and adopted empowering
the clerk to procure a plan and specifica-
tions for building a court house, and sub-
mit the same to the board at their next
meeting. Nothing seems to have grown
out of this at the time, but the seed thus
early planted bore rich fruit in the full-
ness of days, as a glance at the beautiful
edifice of the county will prove.
On the 3d of January, 1865, the new
board met in regular session, and after
taking the usual oath of office, the fol-
lowing members took their seats: Addi-
son Fisher, Irvington; D. W. King, Al-
gona; and C. Hackman, Cresco. After
electing Mr. Fisher as chairman for the
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
year, they proceeded to the transaction
of the usual routine business.
The board of supervisors for the year
1866 was made up of the same members
as the previous year. After the usual
formalities, Mr. Fisher was again elected
chairman. But little business was trans-
acted by this board, except the usual rou-
tine of auditing claims and road and
bridge matters. However, during their
administration, a contract was let to
Samuel Reed to build a structure for the
use of the county as a court house, which
he erected in compliance with the terms
of the contract, for the sum of $775.
Upon the 15th of October, this same year,
the following resolution was adopted by
the board:
Resolved, That, as the American Emi-
grant Company have passed a resolution
donating the sum of §5,000 to this county
for school house purposes, that said sum
(if money, when received, shall be used
for the erection of a seminary in the
town of Algona, and for no other purpose.
This seminary to be under the control of
the board of supervisors, and to be con-
sidered a county building.
The board of supervisors for the admin-
istration of the business of the county,
for the year 1867, met on the 7th of Jan-
uary, and consisted of the following mem-
bers: Addison Fisher, Irvington; D. W.
King, Algona; and Benjamin Clarke,
Cresco.
After a proper qualification, the board
proceeded to organize by the election of
Addison Fisher as chairman for the year,
and proceeded to the auditing of claims
and locating of county roads.
The board in 1868 was made up of
Addison Fisher, Irvington; Benjamin
Clarke, Cresco; and Abrarn Hill, Algona.
Immediately after meeting, on the 6th
of January, the new members were duly
qualified and taking their places, organ-
ized for the year by the election of Addi-
son Fisher as chairman. One of the first
measures adopted was a resolution au-
thorizing the. board of supervisors to act as
a committee of the whole in selecting a
site and purchasing land for a poor farm
for the use of the county.
The board, for the year I860, met for
the first time on the 4th of January, of
that year, and the following gentlemen
appeared and were duly qualified: Addi-
son Fisher, Irvington; Abram Hill, Al-
gona; G. W. Olmsted, Cresco.
Mr. Fisher was re-elected to fill the
chair, and the board proceeded to assume
the reins of government. Lewis II. Smith,'
late county judge and ex-officio county
auditor, having handed in his resignation,
the board appointed Marcus Robbins to
fill the vacancy. It was also
Resolved, That the territory embraced
in the following congressional town-
ships, to-wit: Townships 98, 99 and 100^
in range 29 west, of the fifth principal
meridian, and townships 9s, 09 and loo,
in range 30 west, of the same meridian be
formed into a new township called Green-
wood, and that its boundaries shall be as
above described. Also, at the October
session, that portion of Kossuth county
embraced in townships 96, 97, 98, 99 and
100, range 28, were formed into a new
civil township under the name of Port-
land. That portion of the county em-
braced in congressional townships or. and
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
97, ranges 20 and 30, was formed into a
now township to be known as Darien.
This hitler township, however, never was
organized under this name, as it did not
seem to meet the views of all concerned.
Jan. 3, 1S70, was the day upon which
met the new board of supervisors of the
county. The following gentlemen pre-
sented themselves, and after the usual
formalities, took their seats: Daniel
Rice, Algona; Albe Fife, Irvington; L.
K. Garfield, Greenwood; and O. F. Hale,
Cresco.
After organizing by the election of
Daniel Rice as chairman, the board pro-
ceeded to the transaction of business. At
the July session of this board the action
taken in the creation of Darien township
was rescinded, in answer to the petition
of seventy-six of the legal voters thereof.
The following year, 1871, Daniel Rice,
D. II. Hutchins and Charles C. Chubb,
constituted the board of supervisors, and
after taking the usual oath and seating
themselves, elected Mr. Rice chairman.
This was at their first meeting, on the 'id
of January. At the April session the
county auditor was authorized, by 'resolu-
tion of the board, to purchase fifty cords
of building stone for the building of the
basement of the new court house to be
erected. About this time the north part
of the county was organized into a sep-
arate county and called Crocker county,
but as it was contrary to law it was after-
wards abandoned. But at the time, in
April, 187), a pretended board of super-
visors, to quote the records of Kossuth
county, made a demand that this county
cease to assess, levy and collect taxes
within their territory, but the government
of Kossuth county paid no attention
whatsoever, except to say that when they
were satisfied that there was such a
county as Crocker, with a de facto govern-
ment, then they would listen to the re'
monstrance. In June the honorable
board passed a resolution, submitting to
the qualified voters of the county the
proposition that the bonds of the county
lie issued in the sum of $25,000, upon
which to borrow money to build a court
house. These bonds were to bear an in-
terest of ten per cent., payable annually,
and the principal to be paid in install-
ments of $3,000 each year, beginning
with that of 1874. Also that a tax of five
per cent, should be levied as a special
tax upon the assessed property of the
county to meet these bonds as they ma-
tured. On the 5th of September, being
then in session, the board appointed D.
H. Hutchins and J. E. Blackford a com-
mittee to draft plans ami specifications
for a county poor house, and to advertise
for proposals to build the same.
The board of supervisors, for the year
18 72, met for the first time at the court
house in Algona, January 0, and consisted
of Daniel Rice, who had been re-elected,
D. 11. Hutchins and C. C. Chubb. Mr.
Rice was elected the presiding officer,
after qualification.
In 1873 the board consisted of D. Rice,
D. II. Hutchins and R. I. Brayton, the
latter the newly elected member, who,
after being duly sworn, took his seat with
his colleagues. Mr. Brayton was then
called to the chair, temporarily, Mr.
Hutchins, the third member, being absent
at the time, and the board being organ-
ized proceeded to tlie~transaction of the
J? —
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
business before them, which consisted
mostly of locating roads, hearing petitions
and paying claims against the county.
At a later session Mr. Hutch ins being
present, was made chairman of the board
lor the ensuing year. The usual business
coming up for settlement, the board
proceeded to its consideration. At
the June session the auditor was in-
structed to sell the old court house to the
highest bidder, and have it removed from
its present site.
The board for the year 1874 met upon
the 5th of January, and consisted of the
following gentlemen: D. Rice, R. I.
Brayton, II. F.Watson, Leonard Ayers and
M. Taylor. After having entered upon
the duties of their positions by subscrib-
ing to the usual formula, they completed
their organization by the election of Mr.
Rice as chairman for the concurrent year.
The board of supervisors for the year
1875 was composed as follows: II. F.
Watson, R. I. Brayton, M. Taylor, D.
Rice and L. Ayers. Mr. Taylor was
elected chairman.
The members of the board for the suc-
ceeding years were as follows:
1876.— II. F. Watson, chairman; M.
Taylor, D. Rice, R. I. Brayton and Philip
Dorweiler.
1877. — D. Rice, chairman; R. I. Bray-
ton, Philip Dorweiler, M. L. Bush and II.
Schenok.
1878.— R. I. Brayton, chairman; Philip
Dorweiler, H. Schenck, M. L. Bush and
E. S. Streater.
1879. — Philip Dorweiler, chairman; M.
L. Bush, II. Schenck, E. S. Streater and
A. Rutherford.
1880. — E. S. Streater, chairman; Philip
Dorweiler, A. Rutherford, C. D. Pettibone
and Isaac Sweigard.
1881. — C. D. Pettibone, chairman; I.
| Sweigard, A. Rutherford, Philip Dorweiler
and J. D. McDonald.
1882.— C. D. Pettibone, chairman; J.
D. McDonald, II. B. Butler, J. B. John-
son and I. Sweigard.
18S3.— H. B. Butler, chairman; J. D.
McDonald, J. B.Johnson, Norman Collar
and George Boyle.
;V
<*l ®_
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
CHAPTER IV.
OFFICIAL MATTERS.
Grouped together in this chapter will
be found the various matters gathered
from the county records and other sources,
and that fill no special place in history,
but which left untold would mar thecom-
pleteness of tbe annals.
POPULATION.
In 1S56, the first year that this county
was mentioned in the census returns of
the State, there were some 377 inhabitants
credited to the whole county, as then con-
stituted. In I860, with a less area, the
population was 410. The number of in-
habitants for the succeeding years are
herewith presented, as compiled from
the State census returns:
1863 36511870 3,351
1865 694 1873 4,252
,573 1875 3,765
18G7.
l.'.U'.il
By the census of 1880, the population
was shown to be 6,1 78, of which 3,238 were
males and 2,940 were females. A large
portion of the settlers of the county are
American born, those of that nativity
numbering 4,883, where the foreign ele-
ment only foots up 1,295.
MARRIAGE RECORD.
Licenses have always been required in
the State of Iowa before the nuptial knot
could be tied, and the clerk of the court
has always been the custodian of the
books and has authority to issue the said
permits, under certain restrictions. These
records therefore have proved an invalu-
able source from which to draw the ma-
jority of the facts found here.
The first license on the record books of
Kossuth county was issued by Judge Call,
under date of April 22, 1857, and author-
ized the proper person to unite in the
bonds of matrimony, William Moore and
Sarah Wright The ceremony was per-
formed the same day, apparently, by
George D. Wheeler, a justice of the peace.
This was the first marriage within the
limits of Kossuth county.
The second license was issued on July
21, 1857, by Judge Call, to Ilurlbut W.
Lake and Rachel W. Eggers. This couple
were married the same day by "his honor
the judge."
Licenses were issued the same year to
the following parties: Charles I. Harvey
and Minerva Wright, October 15. They
were married by Judge Lewis II. Smith,
the same day.
Thomas J. Foster and Jane Lane, Octo-
ber 15, who were also united in mar-
riage by the county judge.
Lewis H. Smith and Abbie M. Rist,
October 24. This couple were united un-
der the sanction of the Church, in the per-
son of Rev. Chauncey Taylor, and was tbe
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
first rite matrimonial to be so solemnized
by a clergyman in the county.
Theodore J. Smith and Roxa Fleming,
November 10.
Roderick M. Bessie and Mary E. Lane,
November 20.
William D. Eaton and Nancy II. Kel-
logg, December 20. The last three
couples were all married on the day of
the fssuance of the licenses by the Rev.
Chauncey Taylor.
This comprises all the marriages for
that year, nor did the number increase
very materially the next year. In 1858
there were the following candidates for
matrimonial honors:
August Zahlten and Mary Reibhoff,
January 0. Married, the same day, by
Lewis H. Smith, county judge.
Amos Otis, Jr., and Almira E. Ileck-
art, March 24. Married the following day
by J. E. Blackford, justice of the peace.
William A. Wilson and Chloe S. Law-
rence, May 16. Married, the same day, by
Rev. D. S. McComb, a Presbyterian cler-
gyman.
James E. Hall and Susan Hall, July I.
Married at the same time by Judge Smith.
George M. Wiltfong and Martha A.
Clarke July 17. Married the same day
by W. B. Moore, a justice of the peace.
Sylvester S. Rist and Mary Ann Millen,
August 31. Married by L. H. Smith, the
county judge.
Marcena Harriet and Caroline Latti-
more, September 14: also united the
-:une day, by Judge Smith.
Swan Linquest and Hannah Peterson,
Jan. 15, 1859. Married the same date by
L. L. Treat, justice of the peace.
J. R. Armstrong and Jane Fife, Jan.
27, 1859. Married by Rev. O. A. Holmes.
G. W. Mann and Laura M. Bellows,
Aug. 25, 1859. Married by Rev. C. Taylor.
J. E. Stacy and Harriet E. Taylor,
April 12, i860. United in wedlock by
the Reverend father of the bride, Chaun-
cey Taylor.
George P. Steele and Mary S. Clark,
April 12, 1860. Married by Rev. C. Taylor.
Oscai Stevens and Jane Magoon, May
28, 1860.
Christian Ilackman and Elizabeth Clark,
May 24 I860.
Andrew L. Seeley and Alice Benscho-
ter. May 30, 1861.
Richard Colburn and Elmira Ileckart,
May 7, 1861.
Elias N. Weaver and Polly Benschoter,
Dec. 18, 1861.
But this is sufficient. Many of the
names will be recognized as those of early
settlers, and of the parties who have been
most prominently identified with the prog-
ress and development of Kossuth county.
Herewith is appended a table showing
the number of marriages of each year,
and calling the attention to the curious
variation in their number, as the times
were hard or easy.
1857 81870 26
1861.
lsii-J.
im;:;
1864.
:-: 1874.
■J is;.-,.
:: 1876.
5 1877.
1865 9 1878 47
1866 161879 54
1867 91880 65
1868 '18 1881 71
1869 20 1882 67
COURT HOUSE.
Some sort of offices were provided for
the county officials at the county seat of
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
Kossuth county, from the date of its or-
ganization, but no regular court house was
built for the use of the county until I860.
On tlie 26th of March of that year, a con-
tract was entered into by and between
the honorable board of supervisors and
Samuel Reed, of Irvington, whereby the
latter agreed to erect a building to be
used by the county as a courthouse. This
was a small frame building which an-
swered its purpose but indifferently well
until 1872, when the present building was
erected. The building cost the county
something like $800, and after the erec-
tion of the new court house, was sold by
order of the county board ; August Zahl-
ten being the purchaser. This old court
house becoming totally inadequate to the
conveniences of the county, and besides
offering no sort of protection to the
records from fire, in 187], the board of
county supervisors submitted the proposi-
tion to the qualified electors of Kossuth
county, that they should issue the bonds
of the county to raise the necessary
money to erect a court house. At the Oc-
tober .election the people of the county,
by a handsome majority, assented to bur-
den themselves with the debt, and pro-
ceedings were at once commenced, look-
ing toward the erection of the present
magnificent structure that beautifies the
town. The members of the board of su-
pervisors, thinking, no doubt, it was for
the best interests of the county, did not
let the whole contract for the building to
some contractor who would have slighted
the work, having no particular interest in
it, but raised the edifice themselves, giv-
ing work to home mechanics and labor-
ers. The operation was commenced by
letting a contract to C. F. Kyes for the
excavation of the cellar. This contract
was signed upon the 27th of April, 1872,
and the price agreed upon was twelve and
one-half cents per cubic yard, and the
same was to be finished in twelve days
from the date of the signing of the con-
tract. Mr. Kyes completed the work in
accordance with his terms of agreement.
The next was to build the foundation and
basement, and this was done out of native
stone. There being no stratified rock nor
•quarry within the limits of this county,
good building material was found by dig-
ging through the soil into the underlying
drift and taking out the boulders, and
dressing them into shape. These are
nearly all quartzose in make up, being in
many cases, Laurentian granite and gneiss,
brought from the primeval beds, of which
there exists none nearer than the north
shore of Lake Huron, and being of a vol-
canic nature, are comparatively indestruc-
tible, make a firm foundation. On this
was reared a beautiful and stately edifice
in the Anglicized Tuscan style of architect-
ure, that every inhabitant of the county
feels a just pride in.
The building is constructed of Milwau-
kee brick and trimmed with cut stone,
with a square roof, and a balcony or open
belvedere in the center of it. On the
northeast corner rises the beautiful square
tower, characteristic of this style of archi-
tecture, and a small ornamental one fin-
ishes the opposite corner.
Within, the building is finished in most
excellent style, and with its high ceilings,
perfect ventilation and commodious quar-
ters, make it a pleasure to call upon the
obliging servants of the people who have
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
^
their offices therein. In the second story
is the room used for the various courts
that meet here for the administration of
justice and law. This is one of the most
magnificent rooms in proportion, in north-
ern Iowa, and the whole building pro-
claims to every one the cultured taste that
dictated its erection. No wonder that all
the citizens of the county are proud of it
when it calls forth the highest encomiums
of every casual visitor to the town. The
cost of this superb structure was about
$38,000, of which the following gives
some of the most prominent items :
Rough Stone $1,557.24
Dressed Stone 1,621 .74
Red Brick 3. 830.07
White Brick 2, 017.56
Mason Work 5, 212 95
Lumber 3, 987. 76
John Hiles' bills of doors and sash.etc. 2. 576.56
Teaming and common labor 1,01s 48
Painting 62148
Carpenter Work 2, 799 42
Wages of foreman Booth 1, 226 00
Tin Rooting 1,179.55
Freight 1,327.48
Hardware 1, 237.65
Blaeksmithing 231.75
Paul to architect M Mix 625, 00
Lime, glass, etc 834.96
Sand 130.00
Miscellaneous 580.50
Total $32,622. 14
Other items carried the amount up to
the figures mentioned above.
When the building was done charges of
fraud were of course circulated, and it
was claimed that D. H. Hutching, agent
of the building committee of the board,
had diverted funds, and other claims of
like nature. They were wholly without
foundation, as the following extract from
the minutes of the board will show. This
was passed at the session held in July,
1873 :
"The majority report of the committee
appointed to investigate court house mat-
ters was presented, accepted and ordered
to be spread upon the minutes of the pro-
ceedings of the board of supervisors,
which is accordingly done, and is in words
and figures following, to-wit :
To the Honorable, the Board of Super-
pervisors :
"The committee appointed by you to in-
vestigate certain frauds alleged to have
been perpetrated by certain individuals in
connection with the building of the court
house and certain bridges beg leave to
submit the following report :
"It is the opinion of your committee
that the charges or rather insinuations
were based seemingly upon a partial
and superficial examination of the books
and papers on file, and that the committee,
after a careful examination of the same,
can find no evidence of moneys misapplied
or unaccounted for, and the tenor of the
evidence taken has shown no disposition
on the part of the board of supervisors
or their agent, D. II. Hutchins, to divert
the funds of the county.
"The cost of the building up to the
present time is about $34,000.
"The items let by contract to the low-
est bidder were: The largest portion of the
rough stone; the dressed stone was let to
the lowest bidder, and at twenty-five per
cent, less than had formerly been paid in
in the same town ; the red brick ; the
mason work; painting, with the excep-
tion of some outside work, was let to the
lowest bidder, and at about one-half the
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
common rates ; tin roofing to the lowest
bidder.
"The remaining items were not con-
tracted for, some from their very nature,
and others on account of other circum-
stances involving a supposed loss to the
county. After taking all the testimony
produced before the committee, which is
quite voluminous, and has occupied your
committee for many days, we have care-
fully examined the same and find nothing
therein tending to the implication of the
board of supervisors as a body, or D. II.
Ilutchins, their agent, in any frauds or
misapplication of the county funds.
Samuel Reed, Ch'n,
John Wallace,
Albert Bush."
civil townships.
The thirteen civil townships into which
Kossuth county is divided were organized
upon the following dates: Algona, June,
1856; Irvington, March, 1857; Cresco,
March, 1857; Greenwood, Jan. 5, ISOO;
Portland, October 1869; Wesley, June,
1871; Lotts Creek, Feb. 3, 1873; Fenton,
April 7, 1873; Ramsey, June 3,1879; Burt;
Luverne, Sept. 4, 1882; Prairie, Sept. 27,
1882; Sherman, Feb. 19, 1883.
ITEMS OF INTEREST.
Lands exclusive of town property in
acres 553,568
Total exemptions for trees planted. . . $l:>4. 140
Valuation after deducting exemptions 1, I'll, 0:;s
The value of realty in the towns, cities
and villages of the county according to
the assessment of 1882, is as follows:
Algona incorporated
... $80,785
Greenwood ' '
Portland
..... 8,148
.... 1.979
067
Aggregate val
le in towns. . .
...$96,722
Total value of railroad property $199,476
Total value of personal property 260,823
Total valuation of the county. . $2,008,602
LIVE STOCK.
No. valuation
Cattle assessed in the county ... 10.723 $82,524
Horses " " 3,545 70,313
Mules " " 113 2,926
Sheep " " .... 1,592 1,522
Swine " " 3,969 4,297
Total valuation of live stock $161,581
The total tax levied in the county, in
1882, was $76,087.70
FINANCIAL.
The following items show the growth
in wealth and valuation in the county
during the last decade. A full report of
the valuation by years was not accessible,
neither is it of much general interest.
These are simply given to show the in-
crease, as exhibited by the tax books of
Kossuth county.
1872.
Value of land in county $1,527,237
Value of personal property 118,996
Value of railroad property 57, 600
Total value $1,703,833
1874.
Value of lands $1,775,475
Value of town property 131.051
Value of personal property 73,734
Value of railroad property 42,000
Total value $2,022,850
1877.
Value of lands $1 . 633, 577
Value of lots 76,381
Value of railroad property 44. 065
Value of personal property 152,715
Total value $1,906,738
1878.
Total value of lands $1,500,361
Value of town property 72, 480
Personal property 155, 321
Valuation of railroad property 41, 250
Total value of county $1, 769. 412
,4
... _°>
.«-
1
253 HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
1
1870.
Value of laud in the county
Value of town lots
...$1,366,255
REOISTRY of deeds.
On consulting the records in the office
of the county recorder, it is found that
the first deed upon record is that of the
dedication of the town plat of Irvington,
and bears date of Sept. 19, 1856, and is
signed by George Smith, Lyman L. Treat,
anil Kendall Young. The deed is ac-
knowledged before L. II. Smith, a notary
public, in and for Kossuth county, and by
order of Asa 0. Call, county judge, was
filed for record on the -27th day of Sep-
tember 1856, at 9 o'clock a. si., by Chauncey
Taylor, deputy recorder.
There are now in use some twenty-five
books of deed records, nineteen of real
estate, and six of town lots.
Personal property valued at # . ....
Total valuation of county. .
1881.
Value of lands
. . . 170, 873
...$1,696,008
...$1,533,246
. . ss 596
183, 621
Value of personalty
Total valuation of county. .
1882.
Value of lands
... 113.340
...$1,918,803
...$1,590,608
96. 970
Value of personal property
. . . 202, 740
Total value of county $2, 151, 499
treasurer's retort.
The last report of the county treasurer,
S. S. Rist, made June 1, 1883, shows the
following summary of cash on hand at
that date in each several fund of the
county treasury :
State Fund $ 789.04
The first mortgage on record bears date
of Aug. 27, 1S55, and was given by the
Des Moines Navigation & Railroad Com-
pany, to secure the payment of bonds of
that corporation. The first mortgage,
however, given by a resident and citizen
of Kossuth county was one signed by Asa
C. Call, the same date, and in favor of
.Morrison & Drakes, of Sturgis, Mich., and
was on certain material and machinery for
a saw-mill purchased by the judge of that
firm. The consideration was $750, and
was satisfied at the maturity of the notes.
There are now eleven books of mortgages
of real estate in use by the recorder, run-
ning from A to N, which latter letter des-
ignates the volume in use at present. The
chattel mortgages are recorded in some
twelve books, in addition to this.
A list is herewith given of the various
town plats that have been recorded from
time to lime in the books of the county,
with the date of the filing of each, and
names of original proprietors :
67.16
Bridge "
. ... 3,963.47
287.40
War and defense bond fund
Court house bond fund
Insane fund
Algona township funds
1 .02
74.47
1,175.61
1,092.52
1.218 64
Creaco " "
Portland " "
504.86
. . . . 677 25
!
Lett's Creek " "
Algona City " "
Ind. district of Algona
Ramsey township fund
580.17
1,213.11
764.10
.... 303.92
f
*
s r-
h
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
Irvington, filed for record, Sept. 27,
1850, by George Smith, L. L. Treat and
Kendall Young.
Algona, filed Dec. 2, 1856, by Asa C.
Call.
Ashuelot, filed July 30, 1858, by George
Brizee.
Cresco, filed September, 1858, by Henry
Kellogg.
Call's addition to the town of Algona,
filed Sept. 11, 1871, by Asa C. and Am-
brose A. Call, Henry and Anthony H.
Duraut, and John Heckart.
Wesley, tiled Oct. 10, 1873, by J. H.
Merrill, of Clayton county.
Whittemore, filed April 12, 1879, by W.
II. Ingham and L. H. Smith.
Whitman, filed Feb. 1, 1881, by West-
ern Town Lot Company, owners.
Luverne, filed March 23, 1881, by G.
W. Ilanna and B. B. Bliss, original pro-
prietors.
Burt, filed Sept. 19, 1881, by A. A. Call,
D. A. Buell and the Western Town Lot
Company.
Bancroft, filed Sept. 3, 1881, by A. A
Call and Western Town Lot Company.
Irvington Station, filed Sept. 24, 1881,
by Western Town Lot Company.
Ingham's addition to Algona, filed Nov.
22, 1881, by W. II. Ingham.
Call & Smarts addition to same, filed
by A. C. Call, S. L. Witter and J. J. Smart,
Aug. 4, 1882.
Western Town Lot Company's addition
to Bancroft, filed for record by that cor-
poration Oct. 5, 1882.
Call's third addition to Algona, filed
Nov. 1, 1883, by Asa C. Call.
Full details of each of these appear in
their proper places in this volume.
The whole number of record books in
this office at the present is seventy-nine.
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY".
CHAPTER V
POLITICAL.
Herewith is given the official canvass of
the entire vote of the county, from the
date of its organization until the present
moment, with the exception of that of
August, 1855, which is missing from the
record books of the county.
ELECTION. APRIL 7, 1856.
Softool F«inJ Commissioner.
George W. Hand 42
Prosecuting Attorney.
Eber Stone 37
Franc-is Brown 37
ELECTION, AUGUST 4. 1856.
Secretary of State.
Elijah Sells 31— IS
George Snyder 13
State Auditor.
John Pattie 30— 16
James Pollard 13
M.L. Morris 1
State Treasurer.
M.L.Morris 30- 17
George Paul 13
Attnrney-tieneral.
Samuel A. Rice 30— 17
James Baker 13
Representative in Congress.
TimothyDavia 32— 19
Shepherd Leffler 13
Representative in Legislature.
E.R.Gillett 30- 17
W . C. Wilson 13
State Senator.
George A. Kellogg 13
clerk, if the District Court.
J.E. Slacy 43
Prosecuting Attorney.
Charles Osgood 43
Coroner.
Alexander Brown 43
ELECTION, APRIL, ls.,7.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
L. H. Bugbee 82— 72
M.L. Fisher 10
Commissioner of the Des Moines Hirer Improoement
Edwin Manning 82— 72
G S. Bailey 10
Rfffister State Land Office.
William J. Holmes 82- 72
Theodore S. Parvin 10
Slinill
H.F. Walson 83— 75
I' K Davis ti
Jacob Cummins 1
H . A . Henderson 1
Assessor.
R.C.Sliaw 88- 85
Robert Moore 2
C. Easton 1
Drainage Commissioner
Joseph P. Sharp 86— 84
Amos Otis 1
'"Scattering" 1
Joseph Thompson 43— 3
Luther Bullis 38
William Skinner 2
SPECIAL ELECTION, JUNE 20, 1857.
For an east and west railroad 75— 16
Against an east and west railroad 59
Against a north and south railroad 57— 13
For a north a nd south railroad 44
AUGUST ELECTION. 1857.
('aunty Judge.
LowisH. Smith 100— 95
Charles Easton 2
Charles Osgood 1
G. P. Taylor 1
Jacob Cummins 1
^
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
K\
Treasurer and Recorder.
H.F.Watson 89— 74
C.Taylor 15
Sheriff.
O. W. Robinson 97— 93
G. C.Carlon 1
F. K. Davis 1
.TaoobCummins 1
N. Cleveland 1
County Surveyor.
William H. Ingham 59— 81
Jerome lileakman 36
GeorgeSmith 1
L. H.Smith 1
i Coroner
Luther Bullis 101
School Fund Commissioner.
William B. Moore 106
On the New Constitution
For the new constitution 01 — in
Against the new constitution 21
On the proposition; "ShaRtheword white he stricken
out of flu article on the right of suffrage'?'
"No" 51— 11
"Yes" 40
On tlie iiroi'otitinn to aid north and south railroad .
For 75— 55
Against 20
ELECTION, OCTOBER 13, 1857.
Governor.
RalphP.Lowe 70— 25
Benjamin M. Samuels 45
Lieutenant-Governor.
Orau Faville 70— 25
George Gillaspy 45
Beprcsentatire Villi Legislative District.
C. C. Carpenter 65— 15
John F. Duncombe 50
ELECTION, APRIL, 1858.
Superintendent of Common Schools.
Rev. C.Taylor 4S— 2
D. W. Sample 43
Badger Easton 3
Against increase of salaries 56— 4
For increase of salaries ' 52
SPECIAL ELECTION, JUNE, 1858.
For a general Banking law 70— 42
Against a general Banking law 24
For a State Bank of Iowa 101— 99
Against a State Bank of Iowa 2
For an increase of salaries 72— 39
Against an increase of salaries 33
ELECTION OCTOBER 12, 1858.
Secretary of State.
Elijah Sells
Samuel Douglas
E. Blackford
State Auditor.
W. Cattell
S. Parvin
Dr. McCoy
State Treasurer.
J.W.Jones
Samuel L. Lorah
O. Minkler
Attorney-General.
Register of slate Laud offl.ee.
B.Miller 69- 33
James M. Keid 35
M.Jones 1
Commissioner Des Moines Hirer Improvement.
W.C.Drake 72— 39
Charles Baldwin 32
Ambrose Call 1
Member of Congress, 3d District.
William Vandever 72— 39
W. E. Lefflngwell 32
A. Call 1
Judge District Court, ith Judicial District.
AsbaelW. Hubbard 77— 50
W. G. Wyatt 26
Gottenburg 1
District Attorney, ith District.
Orlando C. Howe 8
E. D. Thompson 5
C. Gray
Membet Hoard of Education.
Daniel E. Brainard ;
J.S.Cole ;
Samuel Nixon
1 '(.)/, of the District Court
J.E.Stacy 1
Charles Easton
Coroner .
K. Carlon <
F. R. Jewell
County Surveyor.
A.F. W'illoughby
SPECIAL ELECTION, APRIL 2.5, 1859.
nn the question of issuing Hands
Against the bonds ;
62 I
For the bonds.
ELECTION, OCTOBER 1L 1859.
Governor.
Samuel J. Kirk-wood
Augustus C. Dodge
Lieutenant-Governor.
Nicholas J. Buscb
Lyeander W. Babbitt
Judges of Supreme Court.
Ralph P. Lowe
L. D. Stockton
Caleb Baldwin
Charles Mason
Thomas S. Wilson
C.C. Cole
State Senator, 32d District
Luther L. Pease
J. F. Duncombe
Uepresentatiee train llls( Legislative Iastriet .
John E. Blackford 96-
F. M. Corey 16
County Judge.
J.E.Stacy 59-
Lewis H. Smith 49
Sheriff.
O. Benschoter
G. W. Blottenberg
( 'ounty Supei Intent '■ at.
J . R. Armstrong
H. Kellogg
Drainage Commissioner.
H . Kellogg ...
Surveyor.
William L. Miller
A. F. Willoughhy.
V. H Ingham....
ELECTION, NOVEMBER f
For President
Abraham Lincoln, Republican
StephenA, Douglas, Democrat
Si cretary of State.
Elijah Sells, Republican
John M. Corse, Democrat
State .Auditor.
J. W. Cattell, Republican
George W. Maifield, Democrat
State rreaswer.
John W. Jones, Republican
John W. EUls, Democrat
Judge of Supreme Court.
George G. Wright, Republican C
J. M. Ellwood, Democrat i
Representative in Congress— 2d District.
William Vandever, Republican ... (
B. M. Samuels, Democrat i
Clerk of District Court.
F. McCoy I
H. F. Watson
,s'»i veyor.
L. H. Smith.
John Brown
H. Kellogg..
A. B. Mason..
John W. Sumtr
F. McCoy
Culvin Heckar
A. A. Cull, of Algona township 44-
A. ('.Call, of Algona township 1
J. R. Armstrong, of Irvington township. . . 28
M. C. Lathrop, of Cresco township 8-
tienry Kellogg, of Cresco township 1
SPECIAL ELECTION, MAY 6, 1861.
i hi Proposition in Regard to /;/ idoi -
For bridges 57-
Aguinst bridges 27
GENERAL ELECTION, OCTOBERS, 1861.
Governor.
Samuel J. Kirkwood, Republican 71-
William H. Merritt, Democrat 3
Benjamin M. Samuels, Democrat 2
Lieutenant-Governor.
John R. Needhum, Republican. 72-
J. W. Williams 2
Lauren Dewey 2
Judge, Supreme Court .
Ralph P. Lowe 72-
J. M. Elwood 3
Kinsey Carlon 1
Representative /mm :,r,ih Legislative Iiistrirt
Treasurer and Recorder.
D. S. McComb.
E. Easton
Drainagi ( ammissi.an i
Horace Schenck
H. Kellogg
A.Davidson
A
k
I
I
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
263
I
f
County Superintendent.
C.Taylor
A.B.Mason
69—
3
51—
26
54—
9
1
57—
24—
17
9
1862.
50-
19
50—
18
50-
16
51—
17
51-
62—
6
ict.
49-
20
50—
65
5-
1
47—
9
65
25
43
56
7
24
31
32
34
34
:;i
56
29
49
3
38
Special Tax l.crii.
62—
10
1863.
54—
15
55—
12
54—
15
57-
12
rt.
39-
27
61
60
50-
5
1
43—
14
9
8
1
1
13
37
12-
7
3
61
39
43
39
45
12
44
21
5
County Supervisor, Cresco.
Sheriff.
Oliver Bensehoter
William Holliens
Coroner.
GENERAL ELECTION, OCTOBER 13,
Governor.
William Stone, Republican
James M . Turtle, Democrat
Lieutenant-Governor.
Enoch W. Eastman, Republican
John F. Duncombe, Democrat
Judge of Supreme Court.
John F.Dillon, Republican
Charles Mason, Democrat
State Senator, 4*( District
George W. Bassett
C. E. Whiting
Ittprcsrntotiri . 5s(/i Leijislntii; Ih-h
0. Minkler ...
E.W.Clark
Supervisors .
Ambrose A. Call, of Algona township
W.H.Ingham, of Algona township
J. R. Armstrong, of Irvington township, . .
Ambrose Call, of Irvington township
A. Hull, of Cresco township
GENERAL ELECTION, OCTOBER 14,
Secretary of State.
James Wright, Republican
Richard H. Sylvester, Democrat
State Auditor.
John W. Cattell, Republican
John Brown, Democrat
State Treasurer.
William H. Holmes, Republican
Attorney-General.
Charles C. Nourse, Republican
Benton J. Hall, Democrat
Josiah H. Harvey, Republican
Representative, Congress, 6th Distric
A.W.Hubbard, Republican
John W. Duncombe, Democrat
Judge District Court, Uh Judicial Disti
Treasurer and Recorder.
J. E. Stacy
Sheriff.
County Judge.
County Superintendent.
C. Taylor
Surveyor.
Coroner.
Franklin McCoy
John Currier
Member Board of Education .
William J. Wagoner
Drainage Commissioner.
Clerk of the District Court.
Supervisor, Algona Township.
County Judge.
C. Taylor
Supervisor, Irvington Township.
J.E.Blackford
Swamp Land Contract.
For the contract
Against the contract
j
SOLDIERS' VOTE.
Treasurer and Recorder.
J. E. Stacy
f
n
■* „i
3
r— ►■
h
'y
-_A
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
Sheriff.
O. Benschoter 3
SPECIAL ELECTION, APRIL 25, 1864.
an the Proposition to Build a Iitiiiw in Irvlmgton
Township.
For the bridge 41— 32
Against the bridge 9
GENERAL ELECTION, NOVEMBER 8, 1864.
For President.
Abraham Lincoln, Republican 74— 60
(ieorgeB. McClellan, Democrat 14
Jitd[jf Super mr Court.
Chester Cole, Republican 74— 60
Thomas M . Monroe, Democrat 14
Secretary of State.
John A . Elliott, Republican 74— 60
E. C. Hendershott, Democrat 14
State Treasurer.
William II. Holmes, Republican 74— 60
J. B. Lash, Democrat 14
Attorney-General.
Isaac L. Allen, Republican 74— 60
Charles M. Dunbar, Democrat 14
Register State Land Office.
J.H.Harvey, Republican. 74— 60
B. D. Holbrook, Democrat 14
Representative in Congress, Sth District.
A. W. Hubbard, Republican 74— 60
L. Chapman. Democrat 14
Clerfc o/ District Court.
James L. Paine 89
Surveyor.
Jason Dunton 14
W. H. Ingham 12
L.H.Smith 2
Recorder.
Jerome E. Stacy 61— 60
Franklin McCoy 1
Supervisor, Cresco Township.
C. Hackman 10— 5
II . Clark 5
GENERAL ELECTION, OCTOBER 10, 1865.
Governor.
William M. Stone, Republican 138— 126
Thomas H. Benton, Jr., Democrat 12
Lieutenant-Got) ernor.
Benjamin F. Gue, Republican 139—127
W. W.Hamilton, Democrat 12
Judge Supri me Court.
George C. Wright, Republican 49— 37
George G. Wright 44
George W. Wright 19
H. It. Trimble, Democrat 12
(Iran Faville 26
State Supcrintrinlcnt of Piihlic Instruction.
Oran Faville, Republican 110— 98
I. W. Sennett, Democrat 12
George C. Wright 26
Rcjiresentatiec, 5*<fc Legislative District.
Lemuel Dwelle, Republican 139
County Judge.
Luther Rist 144—142
John S. Love 2
Treasure!
Jerome E.Stacy.
W. H. Ingham...
91— 35
A. C. Call 26— 2
Jerry Abbott 24
Scattering 10
Drainage Commissioner.
Kinsey Carton 36— 22
G. W. Paine 13
J. Dunton. 1
GENERAL ELECTION. OCTOBER 9, 1866.
Serif tar!/ of Slate.
Ed. Wright, Republican 149-144
9. G. Van Anda, Democrat 5
State Auditor.
John A. Elliott, Republican 149— 144
Robert W. Cross, Democrat 5
State Treasurer.
E.Rankin, Republican 149—144
George A . Stone, Democrat 5
Register, State Land OJRce.
C. C. Carpenter, Republican 149-144
Levi P. McKinne, Democrat 5
Attorney General.
F. E. Bissell, Republican 149— 144
W. Ballinger, Democrat 5
Clerk of Supreme Court.
C. Linderman, Republican 149—144
Fred Gottschalk, Democrat 5
Reporter of Supreme Court.
E. H. Stiles, Republican 149-114
Albert Stoddard, Democrat 5
Represent at ire in Congress, 6tfl District
A. W. Hubbard, Republican 149— 144
.1 I). Thompson, Democrat 5
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
Judge of nisi rirt i (ourt, tWi Judicial District.
Henry Ford, Republican 149-144
0. C. Treadway, Democrat 5
District Attorney.
OraonBloe, Republican 149—144
P. D. Mickel, Democrat 5
Clark of the District Court.
JamesL.Paine 89— 25
L. M Mack 47
Marcus Robbins IT
Recorder.
Harvey M. Taft 83- 22
JohnReed 25
Charles C. Chubb 35
L. H. Smith 1
County Judge.
L.H.Smith 70- 47
E.Crawford 20
L.E. Smith 1
Albert Calkins 1
John Reed 1
Surveyor.
O.F.Hale 142
Supervisor, Cresco Township.
Benjamin Clarke 19
GENERAL ELECTION, OCTOBER 8, 1867.
Governor.
Samuel Merrill, Republican 217- 804
Charles Mason, Democrat 13
Lieutenant-Gov rnor .
JohnScott. Republican 217—204
D. M. Harris, Democrat 13
Judge of Supreme Court.
J. M. Beck, Republican 217—204
J II. Craig, Democrat 13
Attorney-General.
Henry O'Connor, Republican.. 217—
W. T. Bnrker, Democrat 13
Superintendent of Public Instruction.
D.F.Wells, Republican 217—
Maturiu L. Fisher, Democrat 13
Senator, 46th District.
Theodore Hawley, Republican 213—
C. C. Smeltzere, Democrat 14
Representative, 59(h Legislative District.
C. W. Tenny, Republican 183—
W. P. Roseerans, Democrat 38
County Judge.
L.H.Smith 82
James H . Warren 55
J. C. Chapen 47
H. F. Watson 7
H. Durant 1
Treasurer.
J.E.Stacy 202—:
A. S. Gardner 11
A. D. Clarke 5
Sheriff.
JohnPinkerton 215—:
A. Hill 1
Samuel Reed 1
Ruf us Watson 1
O. Minkler 1
Superintendent of Schools.
JohnReed 215—:
C.Taylor 3
Scattering 3
Surveyor.
Henry Durant 174—
Jason Dunton 42
GENERAL ELECTION, NOVEMBER 3, 1868.
President.
D. S. Grant, Republican 332-.
Horatio Seymour, Democrat 30
Representative in Congress, i;iii District.
Charles Pomeroy, Republican 333—
Charles A. Russell, Democrat 30
On the First Amendment.
For 347—
Against 30
(Di the Second .1 incndiiicnt.
For 348—
Against 29
On the Third Amendment
For _ 348-
Against 29
On the Fourth Amendment.
For 348—
Against 29
On the Fifth Amendment.
For 348—
Against 29
Secretary of State.
Ed. Wright, Republican 333— :
David Hammer, Democrat 30
State Treasurer.
S. E. Rankin, Republican 333—
L. McCarty, Democrat 30
State Auditor.
John A. Elliott, Republican 333—
H. Dunlevy, Democrat 30
Register of State Land Office.
O. C. Carpenter 333—
A. D. Anderson 30
Attorney General.
Henry O'Conner, Republican 333— :
J. E. Williamson, Democrat — 30
AI«— ~^L
IIISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
Judge of Circuit Court, 2d Circuit.
Marcus Bobbins 249—:
J. M. Snyder 69
J. P. White 9
James White 8
James B. White 1
Clerk of the DUtrici Court.
A.E.Wheelock 277—:
S.G.A.Read 62
A.Wheeloek 4
Recorder.
H. M Taft 285—:
CharlesC. Chubb 1
Scattering 2
Surveyor.
William H. Ingham 21
Jason Dunton 20
Scattering 2
Stock Act.
For 175—
Against 21
Supervisor of Crcsco Town hip.
0. W. Olmsted 26-
Albert Bush 19
GENERAL ELECTION, OCTOBER 14, 1869.
Governor,
Samuel Merrill, Bepubliean 353—
George Gillaspy, Democrat. 1
Lieutenant-Governor.
M. W. Walden, Republican a52—
A. P. Richardson, Democrat 1
353
Judge of Supreme Court.
John P. Dillon, Republican 353—;
\V K. ISvannan, Democrat? 1
Representative from H6(h Legislative District
.laiiifis H. Todd. Republican 826—1
H.B.Day 9
Scattering 11
Treasurer.
J.E.Blackford 2.53-:
James L. Paine 100
Blackford 1
Auditor.
A. E. Wheelock 232—
Marcus Bobbins, Jr., 120
JohnM. Plnkert
O. Minkler
A. W. Osborne .
H. H. Grant
Dr. Read....
Scattering
Sheril
Superintendent.
Surveyor.
J.B.Jones 290
Coroner.
L. A. Sheetz 62-
James Barr 31
E.A. Crawford 1
On Bridge Bond Question.
Against 261—
For 8
GENERAL ELECTION, OCTOBER 11, 1870.
Judge of Supreme Court, full term.
Chester C. Cole 375-
Joseph C. Knapp, Democrat 38
Reuben Noble, Democrat 3
Judge of Vic Supreme Court, to fill vacancy causec
the declension of J. F. Dillon.
William E. Miller, Republican 383-
Reuben Noble, Democrat 38
Judge Supreme Court, to fill vacancy caused by
resignation of George G. Wright.
James G . Day, Republican 383-
P. Henry Smith, Democrat 38
Secretary of State.
E. Wright, Republican 440-
Charles Doerr, Democrat 47
State Auditor.
John Russell. Republican 443-
W. W. Garner, Democrat 47
State Treasurer.
Samuel E. Rankin, Republican 443-
William C. James, Democrat — 47
Register State Land Office.
Attoruey.<;eneriil.
Henry O'Conner.
H. M. Martin
Reporter Supreme Court.
E.H. Stiles 443— 396
C.H.Bano 47
Clerk Supreme Court
Charles Linderman 443— 396
William McLenan 47
Rcprescntativt in Congress, Mh District.
Jackson Orr, Republican 443—396
C. C. Smeltzer, Democrat 47
Judge of District Court, Hh Judicial District.
Henry Ford 443— 439
H. E. J. Boardman 4
Disti let Attorney.
Charles H. Lewis 443—430
John A. Hull 13
Constitutional Convention.
For a convention 59— 37
Against a convention 22
¥
£=±
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
Clerk af the Courts.
A. E. Wheelock 468
II. M. Tn 1 1 ..
F. M. Taylor.
J. M. Cowan.
D. H. Hutehins 377
Daniel Rice 280
C.O.Chubb 204
O.F.Hale 72
Addison Fisher 116
AbramHill 66
J . It. Armstrong 4
AlbeFife 33
Thomas Kobinaon 1
Thayer Lumber 49
G. W. Mann 3
Benjamin Clark 1
Edwin Sparks.. 1
On the Question of Restraining Stock.
For the restraint of stock from running- at
large 272— 120
Against the restraint of stock from run-
ning at large 152
On Vie Question of Prohibitum.
For prohibition 374—338
Against prohibition 46
On the Stock Act.
For the stock act 380—240
Against stock act 40
GENERAL ELECTION, OCTOBER 10, 1871.
Governor.
Cyrus C. Carpenter, Republican 517— 454
J. C. Knapp, Democrat 63
Lieutenant-Governor.
H.C.Bullis, Republican 518—455
M. M . Ham, Democrat 63
Judge Supreme Court.
James G. Day, Republican 518— 455
John F. Duncombe, Democrat 63
Supi rintendent of Public Instruction.
Alonzo Abernathy, Republican 519—456
Edward Mnnn, Democrat 63
E. Wheelock.
Sheriff.
J. M. Pinkerton 430—274
J.B.Robinson 156
Superintendent of Schools.
M. Helen Wooster 543—542
J. R.Armstrong 1
Surveyor.
J. B.Jones 250—218
O.F.Hale 20
J.P.Colby 11
Addison Fisher 1
Coroner.
L.A.Sheetz 130— 67
James Barr 28
R. Vanbolt 15
S.G.A.ReaJ 13
Scattering 12
County Supervisor.
Daniel Rice 393- 382
Addison Fisher 10
AbramHill 1
On the Proposition to Issue Bonds to Build a Court
House.
For court house bonds 305— 68
Against court house bonds 2:S7
GENERAL ELECTION, NOVEMBER 5, 1873.
President .
U. S. Grant, Republican 519—398
Horace Greeley, Democrat and Liberal Re-
publican 119
Charles O'Conuer, Straight Democrat 2
Secretary of State.
Josiah T. Young, Republican 527—407
E. A. Guilbert, Democrat 105
Charles Baker 2
Auditor of State.
John Russell, Republican 526— 415
J.P.Cassady, Democrat Ill
Treasurer of State.
William Christy, Republican 527—416
M. J. Rolilfs, Democrat 109
D. B. Beers 2
Register State Land Office.
Aaron Brown, Republican 536— 41 6
Jacob Butler, Democrat ._. . . 109
Attorney-General, to fill vacancy.
M. E. Cutts, Republican 363
Attorney-General, full term.
M. E. Cutts, Republican 586—413
A. G. Case, Democrat 113
Representative in Congress, 9th District.
Jackson Orr, Republican 499— 360
John F. Duncombe, Democrat 139
Judge of Circuit Court, ith District.
Addison Olliver 630
Clerk of the Courts.
A. E. Wheelock 521-- 404
A.D.Clarke 117
Recorder.
A. M. Horton 290
H. M.Taft 220
Charles Birge 83
John Reed 24
A. E. Wheelock 1
Supervisor.
R. I. Brayton 380— 120
Addison Fisher 213
R.Brayton 26
Charles Chubb 1
(hi the Proposition, "Shan the Board «f Supervisors
Be Increased to Five?"
For the increase 43B— 38T
Against the increase 49
GENERAL ELECTION, OCTOBER 20, 1873.
Governor.
C. C. Carpenter, Republican 642— 039
Jacob Vail, Democrat 3
Lieutenant-Governor.
Joseph Dysart, Republican 644—642
Judge Whiting, Democrat - 2
Judge of Supreme Court.
J. M. Beck, Republican 644-043
B. J. Hale, Democrat 1
Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Alonzo Abernathy, Republican 643—041
D. W. Prindle, Democrat ... 2
Representative, 69t7i Assembly District.
DavidSecor, Republican 657—656
L. A. Sheetz, Democrat 1
Treasurer.
Milo W. Stough 509— 357
H. P. Hatch .. 123
E. Woodworth 24
Auditor.
H.S.Vaughn 366— 65
Z. C. Andruss 102
John Reed 197
P. Burlingame 1
J. M. Pinkerton 1
Sheriff.
John M. Pinkerton 405— 146
R. J . Hunt 249
D.J. Long 8
J . Henderson 2
Sari rint' wleiii ,,f Schools.
A. A. Bronson 411—153
M. P. Hartford 240
H. M.Taft 10
M. Heien Wooster 2
Surveyor.
A.D.Clarke 624-
L. C. Dunton 127
O.F.Hale 6
C. B. Hutching... 3
J. Dunton 2
D. Long 1
Coroner.
L. A.
520- 510
H. Vanbolt 6
M. H. Wooster 2
Scattering 2
GENERAL ELECTION, OCTOBER 13, 1874.
Secretary of State.
JosiahT. Young, Republican 429—318
David Morgan, Democrat Ill
State Auditor.
Buren R. Sherman, Republican 428—316
J. M. King, Democrat 112
State Treasurer.
William Christy, Republican 429— 318
Henry Harges. Democrat 109
J. W. Barnes ~
Register State Land Office.
David Secor, Republican 430— 320
R. H. Hodarmel, Democrat HO
Attorney-Oi net, a
M. E.Cutts, Republican 419— 308
J. H. Keatly, Democrat Ill
Cleric of the Supreme Court.
E. J. Holmes, Republican 430—319
S. W. Ball, Democrat Ill
Reporter of Supreme Court.
John S. Runnells, Republican 420— 808
J. M. West, Democrat 112
Ki pri si illative in Congress.
Addison Olli ver, Republican 425— 310
0. E. Whiting, Democrat 115
Judge of District Court, 4th Dist>-ict .
Charles H. Lewis 401-266
P. D. Mickel 135
Judge of Circuit Court.
J. R. Zonver 429
Frank E. Chamberlain Ill
District Attorney.
George B. McCarty 470—104
M . Wakefield 68
Clerk of the Courts.
John Wallace 200— 6
A. E. Wheelock 260
Recorder.
A. M. Horton 296- 47
William Ward 249
Supervisor.
Daniel Rice 318— 181
Addison Fisher 114
Scattering 23
On tile Question, ' 'Shall Stock lie Restrained from Run-
ning at Large?"
For restraint 430—394
Against restraint 36
GENERAL ELECTION, OCTOBER 12, 1875.
Governor.
Samuel J . Kirkwood, Republican 582— 51U
Shepherd Leffler, Democrat 71
J . H . Lozier 1
Lieutenant-Governor.
Joshua G. Newbold, Republican 589—521
Emmet B. Woodward, Democrat 68
Judge of Supreme Court.
Austin Adams, Republican 589— 521
W.J. Kuight, Democrat 6S
Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Alonzo Abernathy, Republican 588— 520
Isaiah Doane, Democrat 68
State Senator, mh District.
Lemuel Dwelle, Republican 584—512
James M. Elder, Democrat 25
James Elder 7
J.M.Elder 37
R. H. Spencer 3
Repre.se nt at ice, C'Mlt Assemlilu District.
Henry H . Bush, Republican 566— 480
Charles Berge, Democrat 85
James M. Elder 1
Auditor.
Victor M. Stough 405—158
H. S.Vaughn 247
Treasurer.
M.D. Blanchard 229
D.S.Ford 206
W. H. Nycum 169
E.W.Clarke 41
Sheriff.
J . M . Pinkerton d59—
P. L. Slagle 201
C. D. Pettibone 97
D. J. Long 5
Supcrint endent of Schools.
A. A. Brunson 461—
H. B. Butler lsn
Coroner.
H. C. McCoy 155_
L. A. Sheetz 121
R. E. Glover 28
A. L.Seeley 1
Supervisor.
Philip Dorweiler 446
Robertl. Brayton 297
Addison Fisher 139
Anthony Hinton 134
L. Ayers 77
B.Sheldon 9
J. E.Webster 19
Scattering 30
GENERAL ELECTION, NOVEMBER 13, 1876.
President .
Rutherford B . Hayes, Republican 638— ■
Samuel J . Tilden, Democrat 227
Peter Cooper, Greenback 2
Representative in Congress, 9th District.
Addison Olliver, Republican 627—
Samuel Rees, Democrat 215
John N. Weaver, Greenback 10
Secretary of State.
J. T. Young, Republican 640—
John H. Stubonrauch, Democrat 227
State Treasurer-
George W. Bemis. Republican 640—
Wesley Jones, Democrat 227
Register State Land Qfflu .
David Secor, Republican 640—
N. C. Ridenour, Democrat 227
Attorney-General.
John F. MeJunkin, Republican 639—
I . C. Cook, Democrat 228
Judge of Supreme Court, to fill vacancy .
William H. Seevers, Republican 639-
Walter I. Hayes, Democrat 197
Judge of Supreme Court, full term.
W. H. Seevers, Republican 639—
Walter I. Hayes, Democrat 226
Judge of Supreme Court, to fill vacancy.
James H.Rothrock, Republican 639—
William Graham, Democrat 218
Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Carl Von Coelln, Republican 640
Judge of District Court, lith District.
E. R.Duffie 852
Judge of Circuit Court.
JohnN. Weaver 584—
LotThomas 220
District Attorney.
J.M.TolUver 852
Clerk of the Courts.
John Wallace 853
Recorder.
John Reed 342
JohnK. Fill, Jr 99
A.D.Clarke 216
George L. Galbraith 193
On the Special Lew of a One Mill Ta.r.
Against the tax 85—
For the tax 27
GENERAL ELECTION, OCTOBER 9, 18T7.
Governor.
John H. Gear, Republican 463—
John P. Irish, Democrat 236
EliasJessup, Prohibition 89
D. P. Stubbs, Greenback 13
Lieutenant-Governor.
Prank T. Campbell, Republican 561—
W. C. James, Democrat 234
A.M. Cready, Greenback 7
Judge of Supreme Court.
JamesG. Day, Republican 561—
M. E. J. Buardman, Democrat 233
John Porter 7
Supi rint( wient of Public Instruction.
Carl Von Coelln, Republican 571-
G. D. CullisoD, Democrat 232
S. F.Ballard 7
Representative, 16th Assembly District.
John J. Wilson, Democrat 405—
L. H. Smith, Republican 398
Auditor.
V.H. Stough G64—
J.W. Kenyon 138
Treasurer.
M. D. Blanchard 791
Sheriff.
J. M. Pinkerton 405—
C. D. Pettibone 200
D. A. Haggard 194
Superintendent of Schools.
A.A. Croee 418—
A. A. Bruuson 383
Coroner.
S. G. A. Read 559—
H. C. McCoy 239
Surveyor.
J.B.Jones 801
Supervisor.
E. S.Streeter 451—
A.Rutherford 346
GENERAL ELECTION, OCTOBER 8, 1878.
Secretary of StaU .
J. A.T. Hull, Republican 582—
B. M. Farnsworth, Democrat 408
staff Auditor.
Buren R. Sherman. Republican 482—
Joseph Eibceck, Democrat 414
State Treasurer.
George W. Bemis, Republican 183—
M. L. Devin, Democrat 408
State Land Office.
J. K. Powers, Republican 485—
M. Farrington, Democrat 408
Attorney-Oi m ral
JohnF. McJunkin, Republican 484—
John Gibbon, Democrat 411
Judae Supreme Curt.
James H. Rothrock, Republican 493—
Joseph P. Knapp, Democrat 404
Clerk of Supreme Court.
E. J. Holmes, Republican 486—
Alexander Runyon, Democrat 407
Representative in Cone/rest, Sth District.
C. C. Carpenter, Republican 505—
L. D. Hoggart, Democrat . 393
Clerk of the Courts.
N. B. Benham 475—
W. H.Nycum 441
W.C. Nycum 1
Recorder.
John Reed 918
GENERAL ELECTION, OCTOBER 20, 1879.
Governor.
John H. Gear, Republican 700—
D. Campbell, Greenback 150
H.H.Trimble, Democrat 245
.Lieutenant-Governor.
F.F.Campbell, Republican 699—:
W. H. Moore, Greenback 153
J. O. A. Yeomans, Democrat 251
Judge of Supremt Court.
J. M. Beck, Republican 606— :
M. H. Jones, Greenback 152
Reuben Noble, Democrat 255
Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Carl Von Coelln, Republican 707— :
J. A. Nash, Greenback 151
E. Baker, Republican 245
State Senator, 49th District.
E.J. Hartshorn, Republican 696—:
John Wallace, Greenback 166
P. O. Cassady, Democrat 242
Representative, aitli Aocmldu District .
A. D. Bicknell, Republican 685—:
George W. MeCauley, Democrat 413
W.H.Brown 1
Auditor.
R. W. McGetchie, Peoples 307
V. H. Stough, Independent 277
H. L. Goodrich, Independent 156
M. De L. Parsons, Greenback 209
J. Q. A. Hudson, Republican 153
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
-*—*£ ,
PinkertOD.
Friuk
Supei i/i(« llil.il/ nf ScJlimis.
A. A. Croae
J. H. Saunders...
0. H. Wilbridge.
C. 11. Hutchins..
A. D.Clarke
L.K.Garfleld 539
H. A. McCoy 447-
W. F. Browne 64
GENERAL ELECTION, NOVEMBERS, 1880.
President.
James A. Garfleld, Republican 758-
Winneld S. Hancock, Democrat 254
James A. Weaver, Greenback 87
Secretary of State.
J. A. T. Hull, Republican 755-
A. B. Keith, Democrat 253
G. M. Walker, Greenback 90
State Auditor.
W.V.Lucas, Republican 756-
Cbarles I. Barker. Democrat 254
G. V. Swearingen, Greenback 89
State Treasurer.
E. H. Conger, Republican 754-
Martin Blinn, Democrat 255
Mathew Farriugton, Greenback 90
Register of State Land Office.
J. K. Powers, Republican 756-
Daniel Daughertj-, Democrat 254
Thomas Hooker, Greenback 89
Attorney-General.
S. McPherson, Republican 756-
Charles A. Clark, Democrat 254
W. A. Spurrier, Greenback 89
Representative in Congress, 9th District.
C. C. Carpenter, Republican 759-
P. H. Guthrie, Democrat 246
D. Campbell, Greenback 67
Judge of District Court, Uth District.
E. R. Duffle 1091
Judge of Circuit Court.
J.N. Weaver.
DMrirt AHornm
CO rh of the Courts.
N. B. Benham.
"Yes" 108
On the proposition to strike out tlu word "white" inl
State constitution.
For 47"- :
Against 127
GENERAL ELECTION. OCTOBER 11, 1881.
Governor.
Buren R. Sherman, Republican 371— 1
L. G. Kinne, Democrat 231
D. M. Clark, Greenback 19
William Johnson, Prohibition 2
Lieutenant-Governor.
Orlando H. Manning, Republican 573— I
J. M. Walker, Democrat 230
James M. Holland, Greenback 19
John Kent, Prohibition 3
Judge of Supreme Court.
Austin Adams, Republican f
H. B. Hendershott, Democrat s
W. W.Williamson, Greenback
J . W. Rodgers, Prohibition
Superintendent of Public Instruction.
John W. Akers, Republican J
WalterH. Butler, Democrat J
Mrs. A. M. Swain, Greenback
J. Hammond, Prohibition
Representative, '6th Assembly District.
L.A.Sheetz f
„
Treasurer.
R. W. McGetchle,
M. De L. Parsons
A. E. Wheelock..
Auditor.
Peoples
506—
. ... 308
Sheriff.
D. A. Haggard 4f,9-
Edson Williams 342
Scattering 2
Superintendent of Schools.
J. J. Wilkinson 447-
W.M.Colby 37:1
Coroner.
L.K.Garfleld 422-
George A . Jackson 393
>]1r
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
Surveyor.
D.P.Mayer 413—
D.T.Mayer 14
O.F. Hale 391
SPECIAL ELECTION, JUNE 37, 1882.
On tin questionof adoptinatlu prohibition amendment
to the State commotion.
For the adoption of the amendment 706—
Against the adoption of the amendment. . . 625
GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 7, 1882.
Secretary of State.
J. A. Hull, Republican 815—
T. O. Walker, Democrat 384
William GaBton, Greenback 31
O. W. Hall, Prohibition 1
Slat, Auditor.
John L. Brown, Republican 809—
William Thompson, Democrat 3(12
C. A. Wyant, Greenback 31
William Elliott, Prohibition 1
John Foley 1
State Treasurer.
E.H. Conger. Republican 810—:
John Foley, Democrat 393
George Deer, Greenback 33
W. Stringstead, Prohibition 1
W. Thompson 1
Attorney-General.
Smith McPherson, Republican 810—:
J. H. Bremerman, Democrat 393
A. J. Reed, Greenback 31
Jacob Rogers, Prohibition 1
Judge of Supremi i tour!
William H. Seevers, Republican 809— I
Charles E. Bronson, Democrat 393
M. A. Jones, Greenback 31
J. P. Ferguson, Prohibition 1
Clerk of Supreme I 'ourt
G. B. Pray, Republican 811—:
H. F. Bonorden, Democrat 392
F. H. Clark, Greenback 31
W. P. Nourse, Prohibition 1
Reporter of Supreme Court.
E. C. Ebcrsole, Republican 810— i
F. A. Palmer, Democrat 393
J. H. Williamson, Greenback 31
Representativt InCongress, lOHi District.
A. J. Holmes, Republican 900—;
John Cliggett, Democrat 372
Isaac Dane, Greenback 32
Clerk of the Courts.
N. B. Benham 758—292
Isaac Sweigard 464
Scattering ., 2
Recorder.
JohnReed 811—432
E. V. Sweeting 379
GENERAL ELECTION, OCTOBER 9, 1883.
Governor.
Buren R. Sherman, Republican 910— 298
L. G. Kinnie, Democrat 570
James B. Weaver, Greenback 42
lAeutenantrGooernor.
(I. II. Manning, Republican 912—306
Justus Clark, Democrat- 564
S. Kirkpatrick, Greenback 42
Judge of Supreme Court.
Joseph R . Reed, Republican 910— 303
Walter I . Hayes, Democrat 566
Daniel W. Church, Greenback 42
Superintendent of Pulrtic Instruction.
J. W. Akers, Republican 912— 300
E. P. Farr, Democrat 568
Abbie O. Canfleld, Greenback 44
State Senator. 47(J< District.
C. C. Chubb, Republican 933- 376
Alexander Mitchell, Democrat 556
John J. Wilson 1
Representative. 84th Assembly District.
T. W. Harrison, Republican 861— 411
John J. Wilson 450
Auditor.
C. B. Hutchins, Republican 798— 85
R. W. McGetchie, Peoples 713
Treasurer.
S. S. Rist 779— 42
C.Rickard 737
Sheriff.
D. A. Haggard 149S— 1493
Scattering 5
Superintendent of Schools.
J.J. Wilkinson 1312—1306
Scattering 6
Surveyor.
O. F. Hale 1514—1512
Scattering 2
A. Richmond 1515—1515
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
CHAPTER VI
JUDICIAL.
For some reason Kossuth county for I
several years after its organization was
not honored by the presence of the dis-
trict court, all the legal business being
transacted at the bar of the county court.
However, in 1868, Kossuth county was
placed in the 4th judicial district, but
no cases being on file, no term of the
court was held until in 1860.
The first regular term of the district
court in Kossuth county was held in May,
1800, and convened for the first time on
the '21st of that month at Algona. There
•were present the following members:
Hon. Asahel W. Hubbard, judge; O.
Howe, district attorney; J. W. Moore,
clerk; and O. Benschoter, sheriff.
Immediately upon the assembling of
the court the following gentlemen were
impaneled and sworn in as the grand
jury: S. P. Martin, Luther Bullis, G. W.
Blottenberger, Henry Kellogg, John
Hutchinson, Frederick P. Schaad, Wil-
liam H. Ingham, W. B. Carey, Malichi
Clark, Andrew L. Seeley, Asa C. Call,
Albe Fife, John Ileckart, Thomas Robin-
son and Alexander Davidson, who retired
for deliberation.
The first case that came up before the
court was one entitled H. A. Henderson
vs. Albeit McKinney, and was a suit on
attachment. The record states that
"whereas this case having been compro-
mised and settled nut of court, and it
being shown that the costs in the same
have been paid," the case was dismissed.
Lewis H. Smith, presenting himself
then, before the court, and asking to be
admitted to practice at the bar of that
court, the petition was granted and Mr.
Smith enrolled among the legal frater-
nity.
Hon. A. VV. Hubbard, the judge who
presided over this court, was a resident
of Sioux City, and afterwards was
elected member of Congress from this
district, and is noted at more length under
that head in the chapter on "National,
State and County Representation."
The next judge, Isaac Pendleton, was
elected in 1862, and presided for the first
time in Kossuth county at the May term
in 1863. He was a good judge and deeply
read in the law, and occupied the bench
for one full term of four years.
At the May term of court, 1863, while
Judge Pendleton was on the bench, the
first jury trials came off and the first petit
jury was impaneled. It consisted of the
following well-known citizens: Kinsey
Carlon, foreman; Francis Harrison, Rob-
ert Braden, David Haggarty, Charles
Hubbard, W. P. Keyes, W. P. Winter,
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
John Wallace, G. O. Austin, Abel Woos-
ter, Charles Strubel and J. E. Blackford.
The cases seem to have been some
trifling misdemeanor committed by three
parties, but the jury in every case
brought in a verdict of acquittal, and the
prisoners were discharged by the court.
1 lie succeeding judge, who donned the
ermine in this, the 4th district, was Hen-
ry Ford, who was elected in 1866, and
held his first term of court, in Kossuth
county, in May, 1867. He was considered
a fair, impartial judge, courteous to all
who labored at the bar, and of fair legal
ability. Orson Rice was the district
attorney of this court. In 1S70 Judge
Ford was re-elected and served, in all,
eight years upon the bench of this dis-
trict. At the time of his re-election, C.
II. Lewis was chosen to fill the position
of district attorney.
In 1874, C. H. Lewis, who had held the
position of district attorney during the
four years previous, as mentioned, was
called upon by his fellow citizens to
assume the higher duties of judge of the
district court, which he did to the satis-
faction of all. He, however, held it for
but two years, when E. R. Duffie was
elected to the ermine. He was re-elected
in 1880, this county having at that time
become a part of the new 14th judi-
cial district, and still occupies the
bench. Judge Duffie is a resident of Sac
City, and is a native of Lewis county,
State of New York. He came to Iowa in
1867, and is counted as one of the finest
lawyers in this district. Shrewd, well
posted on all law, he seldom errs in
judgment, and is quoted as a model jurist.
CIRCUIT COURT.
The business requiring the attention of
the district court having grown too oner-
ous, in April, 1868, the General Assembly
established a circuit court having the
same general jurisdiction as the district
court in all civil actions, and having con-
trol of all probate matters, and exclusive
jurisdiction on all writs of appeals from
inferior tribunals. This law went into
effect the first Monday of January, 1869,
and the first judge to grace the bench in
this circuit was a Mr. Snyder, who had
been elected the previous fall. Mr. Sny-
der was a resident of Humboldt county.
He held the office for four years with
credit, and the approbation of the bar,
although not a lawyer, when elected.
Addison Olliver was elected to fill the
position of judge of the circuit court in
1872, and occupied the bench for one
term of four years.
J. R. Zonver was elected to fill this
position in 1874, and held it four years,
when he stepped aside to make room for
a successor.
In 1876 J. N. Weaver, one of the orna-
ments of the bar of Kossuth county, was
called upon to assume the judicial robes
and ascend the bench, which he did. He
was re-elected at the general election, in
the fall of 1880, and is the present incum-
bent of the office.
COUNTY COURT.
This, as has been stated, was the gov-
ernment of the county at an early day,
and combined the powers and authority
now delegated to the board of supervi-
sors, county auditor and circuit court.
The first county judge was Asa C. Call,
one of the pioneers of the county, upon
•|V
J,
=&.
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
whom devolved the difficult task of or-
ganizing the county, then in its infancy.
Judge Call's successors were: Lewis H.
Smith, Jerome E. Stacy, D. S. McComb,
Chauncey Taylor and Luther Rist. Dur-
ing 1S61 the board of supervisors came
into being, thus cutting off some of the
authority and business of the county
judge, and in 1869, on the creation of the
county auditor and circuit court, the office
having no further business, was abolished.
These officers may be found treated in
greater detail, in the chapter entitled,
"National, State and County Representa-
tion," to which the reader is respectfully
referred.
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
CHAPTER VII
THE BAR OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
A faithful record ot the bar of any
county should be of more general interest
than perhaps any other part of its annals.
No men are more widely known, or are
more public property than the members
of this honorable profession. Upon them
depend so much that is of vital interest
to the lives and property of every indi-
vidual in the community, for it must be
borne in mind that upon the judicious
framing, and the wise interpreting of the
laws, depend, in a large measure, the pros-
perity of the country. Therefore it must
be that anything relating to these gen-
tlemen must form a very important por-
tion of the history of the county. The
bar of Kossuth county, has in no respect,
been behind any other portion of this
broad land of ours, as some of the best
legal minds, fairest logicians and finest
orators in the State have practiced at its
bar, and have been proud to claim a resi-
dence in the county. Many of them have
been honored with political preferment,
and have represented their constituents
in the councils of the State and sat upon
the woolsack, as judges.
Perhaps no business requires a severer
code of morality than does that of the
profession of the law, and any swerving
from a straight line causes a large falling
off in practice. But the members of the
bar of Kossuth county have been, with
few exceptions, an honor to their county
and State. So far as the material would
permit, personal sketches are given in
this connection of all who have practiced
before the bar of courts in this county.
Intentionally, none have been omitted,
and much would have gladly been said of
many of them were the data accessible.
Judge Lewis H. Smith was the first
lawyer in the county, having been admit-
ted to the bar in I860, but never practiced
to any extent except in the earlier years
of the county's history.
The first to enter the county and make
a business of practicing law was Marcus
Robbins, Jr. This gentleman came to
Algona during the year 1865, and opened
an office. He had been admitted to the
bar in Minnesota and had been engaged
in practice there. He had a fair library
and was a well read lawyer; an excellent
office worker and a good debator. He
worked up considerable practice and in
1868 was nominated for the office of judge
of this circuit, which had just been cre-
ated. He is now a resident of Washing-
ton Territory, where he is engaged in the
the practice of his profession.
Judge A. C. Call was admitted to the
bar about the time that L. H. Smith was,
but never practiced to any extent.
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
Having thus denned the position of the
first lawyers in the county, it will be in
order to give a full account of the other
members of the bar, in this connection.
Among those who have practiced at the bar
of Kossuth county, and who have been
resident lawyers, but who have either
died, removed hence or quit practice, were
the following: J. H. Hawkins, Mr. Doran,
G. G. Ames, A. D. Clarke, J. B. Loomis,
Mr. Ilerron, C. G. Jones, A. L. Hudson,
Pitt Cravath, Charles Birge and John
Gates.
Jasper II. Hawkins practiced law in
Algona, from 187-3 until May, 1883. He
came to Kossuth county from Jessup,
Buchanan county, and while here acquired
a large and lucrative practice. He was a
well-read lawyer, posted on all questions
of jurisprudence, subtle in argument and
forcible in logic. He removed to Des-
Moines, where he has worked up an ex-
tensive business, although his advent in
the capital city has been of recent date.
Mr. Doran located at Algona in 1875,
but staying but a short time was hardly
identified with the bar of Kossuth.
G. G. Ames, a member of the bar at
Algona, located in that city in 1880, and
remained about one year. He is now in
Oregon, engaged in the practice of his
profession.
Mr. Ilerron came to Algona about 1870,
and remained for several years. He was
a man of more than average ability and
excellently educated. He did not give
much attention to his law practice, al-
though he did to some degree, but was
much engaged in teaching foreign lan-
guages, especially German, a tongue in
which he was a proficient.
C. G.Jones came to Algona in 1871 and
was admitted to the bar, while a resident
of that place, in 1876. A more able law-
yer, or office-worker, never was in the
county, except that when he came to
plead, the least little opposition set him
off, and he swept down upon his adversary
with a torrent of words and violent ges-
ticulations. He was intensely nervous, and
this taken in connection with the fierce
onslaught he made upon any and every
opponent, gained for him the nick-name
of ' Blizzard" Jones. Several years ago
he left this county and is now located in
Milwaukee, where he has a large practice.
A. L. Hudson, a brilliant young man,
who gave evidence of a rich intellect,
well-stored, located in this county, at Al-
gona, in 1876. He acquired considerable
practice, and was for some time the editor
the Upper Des Moines, and his keen pen-
notes in that paper are models of cutting-
sarcasm and scintillating wit. In 1882
he removed to Sioux City, where he is
making quite a success in the line of his
legal profession.
Pitt Cravath, at one time the editor of
the Upper Des Moines, was also a practic-
ing lawyer at the bar of this county. He
is now at Whitewater, Wis., engaged in
the newspaper business for which he has
natural abilities.
John Gates, an attorney of the Floyd
county bar, came to Algona and entered
into practice during the year 1876, but
remained but a short time when he re-
turned to Nora Springs, where he at pres-
ent resides.
Charles Birge was one of the legal pro-
fession of Kossuth county, who came to
Algona in April, 1870. A more extended
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
sketch of the gentleman may be found un-
der the head of first officers of the incor-
porated town of Algona, he having the
honor to have been the first mayor of that
place.
The Algona Bar Association was organ-
ized with the beginning of the year 1883.
The first election for officers was held upon
the 13th of January, and the following
were chosen : George E. Clarke, presi-
dent ; II. S. Vaughn, vice-president ; Har-
vey Ingham, secretary ; C. P. Dorland,
treasurer. The articles of organization
recite that the object of the association is
for "the mutual improvement and ad-
vancement of the interests of the members
of the legal profession in the county."
All members are subject to duty on
work assigned them by the president.
Meetings are held the first and third Sat-
urday evenings of each month. The pres-
ent officers are : J. N. Weaver, president ;
A. F. Call, vice-president ; B. F. Reed,
secretary.
The present members of the bar of
Kossuth county, who are in active prac-
tice, are recognized throughout the State
as among the leading representatives of
their profession. Indeed some have more
than a local reputation for astuteness and
legal acumen. The following is the list
of those who ornament the profession in
question : George E. Clarke, F. M. Tay-
lor, II. S. Vaughn, Benjamin F. Reed,
A. F. Call, J. N. Weaver, Eugene II.
Clarke, C. P. Dorland, Quartern & Sut-
ton, R. J. Danson, William L. Joslyn,
W. P. Colbaugh, J. B. Jones, J. C. Ray-
mond, W. E. Morrison, Samuel Mayne,
and Harvey Ingham.
Asa F. Call, attorney at law, is a native
of Algona, born May 20, 1856. He is a
son of Judge Asa C. Call, one of the
founders of Algona. He was admitted to
practice in the courts of Indiana in Sep-
tember, 18*76, and in the courts of Iowa,
in November, 1877. He married Lucinda
M. Hutchins, in September, 1877, and they
have two children. He is one of the
founders, and is now a director of the
Bank of Algona, one of the best banks in
northern Iowa. He is one of the attor-
neys of the Chicago <fc Northwestern
Railway Company, and his general legal
business is extended over the northwest
quarter of the State, in both State and
Federal courts. He has saved about
820,000 out of his business, and his suc-
cess is the best recommendation of his
merit.
Benjamin F. Reed, son of Samuel
Reed, of Irvington, was born at Lincoln,
Logan Co., 111., May 16, 1848. When
five years old, his parents emigrated to
Marshall Co., Iowa, where he received
the rudiments of his early education in
the pioneer log school house. In May,
1858, the family removed to Kossuth
county, and settled in Irvington township,
where they endured the hardships and
privations of early settlers. It was here
that "Ben," as he is familiarly known,
grew to manhood, working on the farm
during the summers and attending school
during the winters. Having here ac-
quired a general education, he subse-
quently taught school for about five years,
with marked success, employing his leis-
ure time in reading law. In June, 1873,
he was admitted to the bar, after gradua-
ting from the law department of the Iowa
~5> r y
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
State University. During 1874-5, he was
law partner of GT. C. Wright, of Waverly,
Iowa, after which lie. returned to Algona,
and was for some time the junior member
of tlie firm of Hawkins & Reed. In the
fall of L8T5 he was married to Stella E.,
(laughter of Dr. M. H. Hudson. And
now with their two children — Fay and
Lee, they enjoy life in their beautiful
residence on McGregor street, owing no
man a single dollar. Mr. Reed has been
identified with Kossuth county for over
twenty-five years. He has seen the rude
cabins by the grove transformed into com-
fortable houses upon gigantic farms. He
is of a soeial disposition, and has always
taken, an active part in the educational
interests of his county. Politically he is
a republican, and has been for years one
of the most energetic workers and sup-
porters of that party. Although never a
candidate for office himself, yet he has
taken the deepest interest in the political
issues of the country. As an orator and
"stump speaker," he has won considerable
distinction. Also his ability as a cam-
paign solo singer and song writer has
called forth the finest encomiums of the
press. His original songs as sang by him
during the republican canvass o,f 1883 —
"Rally at the polls" and "Sherman's Vic-
tory," were sang in different parts of the
State with telling effect.
John B. Jones was born in Kenosha
Co., Wis., Dec. 16,1845. In 1864 he en-
listed in company E, 39th Wisconsin Vol-
unteer Infantry, serving under Capt. Gra-
ham. Mr. Jones did post duty in Ten-
nessee. After coming home from the
war he followed farming for one and a
half years. In 1S66 he went into a land
and abstract office. He studied law under
S. J. Brande. He remained in the office
until 1868, and in the spring of i860 he
came to Kossuth Co., Iowa. He again
commenced reading law. In 1869 he was
appointed county surveyor, and in 1871
was elected surveyor. He was admitted
to the bar in 1870, and began practicing in
Algona. He does a very large land and
abstract business ; also a large insurance
business. Mr. Jones wrote the first set
of abstract books ever written in the
county. He was married in July, 1876,
to Theresa E. Burlingame, a daughter ot
A. Burlingame, of Algona. The result
of this union was a pair of twins — John
Paul and Jennie Pauline, born in Decem-
ber, 1877. Mr. Jones owns one of the
largest and best farms in the county. It
consists of 440 acres, situated on sections
16 and 1 7, township 95, range 29, with his
house on the northeast quarter of section
1 7. The house contains two stories, and
..insists of two parts; one of which is
18x2<> feet, and the other 16x26 feet in
size. He also has a house 16x20 in size
for his foreman. His barn for cattle is
42x140 feet in size, with stone basement.
The barn for his horses is 28x36 feet in
size ; granary 16x24 feet, and he has
wagon sheds and tool houses, etc. His
buildings are considered about the best in
the county. Mr. Jones deals quite exten-
sively in fine stock. He has 150 head of
cattle, forty-six of which are full blood
Durham, and twenty-two head of Clyde
and Norman horses. Four Mile creek
runs through his farm. He has a wind-
mill, double header, twenty-two foot
wheel, which runs his corn-sheller, feed-
cutter, etc. He has a farm one mile south
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY
of the home farm, which contains 400
acres; also owns three other farms, two in
Cresco township and one in Fenton town-
ship. Besides these farms he owns con-
siderable land elsewhere. He has a grist-
mill in Algona, in connection with J. E.
Stacy, known as Jones & Stacy's water-
mill.
John N. Weaver, circuit judge of the
14th judicial district of Iowa, was
born June 4, 1844, in Wayne Co., Ohio.
His parents were Rev. S. and Alice
(Black) Weaver, his father being the
founder and for eight years president of
Western College, Iowa. Judge Weaver
was educated at Western College. In
March, 1804, he enlisted in company D,
12th Iowa Infantry, and served until the
26th day of June, I860. [Judge Wea-
ver's nativity on the muster roll is given
as Stark Co., Ohio, by mistake, he hav-
ing left Wayne county with his parents
when very young.] He then read law
with the late Judge William Smyth, also
late member of Congress, at Marion,
Iowa, being admitted to the bar at Marion
in the fall of 1867. On account of failure
of health, Judge Weaver was unable to
practice much until 1809. He was one of
the founders, in 1809, and afterwards
editor and proprietor, of the Springvale
Republican, at Springvale, now Hum-
boldt, Iowa. He continued in this busi-
ness nearly three years, the most of which
time he practiced law. He then sold the
newspaper and engaged in the practice of
law at Humboldt until 18*74, when he re-
moved to Algona and entered into prac-
tice at this place. In the fall of 1870 he
was elected to his present position, going
into office Jan. 1, 1S77. He was re-elected
and began his second term Jan. 1, 1881.
Judge Weaver was married Nov. 13, 1870,
at Humboldt, Iowa, to Martha M. Gould.
They have four children — Kate F., Daisy
L., twins; Flora B., Cora P., twins. Judge
Weaver is a Royal Arch Mason, belong-
ing to Prudence Chapter, No. 70, Algona,
Iowa. He is a member of Algona Lodge,
No. 236, I. O. O. F. He is also a mem-
ber of Anchor Encampment, Mason City.
Chester P. Dorland, attorney at law,
was born May 25, 1851, in Henry Co.,
Iowa. His parents, Willett and Abigail
(Bedell) Dorland, were natives of New
York, and removed to Henry Co., Iowa,
in 1S44. When twelve years of age he
removed with the family to Chicago, 111 ,
remaining until 1871. He then entered
Penn College, at Oskaloosa, Iowa, from
which he graduated in 1S70. While at
Penn College he taught two or three
hours a day, besides keeping up his stud-
ies, and in this way paid all his expenses
while in school. After leaving college he
engaged in teaching, spending his vaca-
tions in the study of law. In 1878 he
entered the law department of the Iowa
State University, graduating in 1879, and
came directly to Algona. He was prin-
cipal for two years of the Algona public
schools. He then engaged in the practice
of law, in which profession lie is very
successful. Mr. Dorland married Linda
A. Ninde, of Oskaloosa, Iowa, in 1876-
Mr. Dorland is a self-made man. Having
started early in life to do for himself, lie
has reached his present position by his
own unaided efforts.
Robert J. Danson, attorney at law and
notary public, was born Feb. 2, 1S57, in
Waukesha, Wis., being there reared and
*
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
educated. He began the study of law in
1879, uiiilcr M. S. Griswold, of Waukesha.
After studying with him about nine
mouths he went to Davenport, Iowa, and
there continued his studies with the law
firm of Stewart & White, and nine months
later, December, 1-880, he was admitted to
tbebarof Waukesha county. He engaged
in practice in that city and in Rock Island,
III., until in 1882, then came to Algona,
where he continues to practice law. Mr
Danson was married March 17, 1880, to
Ella J. Lilly, a native of Milwaukee,
Wis. They have one child— Ella E.
G. T. Sutton, of the law firm of Quar-
ton & Sutton, is a son of T. W. and De-
borah (Query) Sutton, born in Adams Co.,
Ohio, May 14,1854. His father was born
in Ohio, in 1819. He removed to Wayne
Co., Iowa, in is.->s and followed farming.
His death occurred in February, 1878.
His mother was born in Ohio in 1826, and
and , lied .Tune 10, 1850. On Aug. 28,
1863, his father was again married. This
time to Frances George. She survives
Mr. Sutton, and now lives at Promise
City, Iowa, having married William Kirk
in [883. The subject of this sketch fol-
lowed farming during his early life, until
seventeen years of age, when he taught
school that winter, farmed the next sum-
mer for his father ; taught the next win-
ter, and in the spring of 1873, entered
Oskaloosa College. After leaving that
college he again taught school and farmed,
thereby laving up enough money to enable
him to finish his collegiate education,
which he accomplished, graduating in
1881. Every dollar that he spent in pro-
curing his education was earned by his
own exertions. In the summer of 1881
he took a trip through Iowa and Nebraska.
In the fall of the same year he taught
school at Beacon, Iowa, being the princi-
pal. About this time he began to read
law; and after bis school was out, entered
the law office of John F. Lacey, in Oska-
loosa, Iowa. He was admitted to the bar
in December, 1882. On the 1st day of
January, 1883, he came to Algona and
formed a partnership with W. B. Quarton.
Tlie firm is building up a substantial and
lucrative practice, and their prospects for
the future are of the brightest. Mr. Sut-
ton is a staunch republican of the "Jim"
Blaine type. Mr. Sutton's father was a
whig. His grandfather served in the
War of 1S12, and his great-grandfather in
the War of the Revolution.
J. C. Raymond is the only practicing
lawyer in Luveme. He is a native of
New York State and studied law at West-
ford, Penn. He was admitted to the
bar at Wellsborough, in that State in
1854. Mr. Raymond came to Luverne
from Butler county, in 1882.
Samuel Mayne, came to Bancroft from
Eagle Grove, on tho 17th of October,
1883, and engaged in the practice of law.
He was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.,
and studied law at the State University tit
Iowa City, from which he graduated in
the class of 1882.
W. L. Joslyn, attorney at law, is a native
of DeKalb Co., 111. He received a com-
mon school education. He afterwards
taught school. He was admitted to the
bar at Sycamore, 111. in 1881. In 1882 he
came to Algona and commenced the prac-
tice of his profession.
*f
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
George E. Clarke, one of the most
prominent attorneys of the Kossuth coun-
ty bar, was born March 19, 1845, in San-
gerville, Piscataquis Co., Maine. He re-
ceived his education at Foxcroft Academy.
In August, 1865, he removed to Illinois,
remaining there until 1866, when he re-
moved to Red Oak, Iowa, where he taught
school several years. He also taught
school in Saint Charles, 111. Mr. Clarke
commenced the practice of law in Algona
in the winter of 1869-70. Very few men
have been more successful in the practice
of their profession than has Mr. Clarke.
He soon built up a large and lucrative
practice not only in Kossuth, but in the
counties adjoining as well. In 1877 he
became employed in various cases for the
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway
Company. His business with this com-
pany has grown so extensive that for three
years past it has occupied his entire atten-
tion and time. In fact, he makes that
business a specialty, hence does not devote
any time to general practice as formerly.
Mr. Clarke has charge of the legal busi-
ness of over 700 miles of the C, M. <fc St.
P. R. R. lines. Mr. Clarke's reputation
in his profession is co-extensive with the
State, as lie is largely engaged in both the
federal and supreme courts of the State.
Mr. Clarke was married July 7, 1869, at
Saint Charles, 111., to Lou E. Hawkins.
She died July 5, 1875. On the 21st of
June, 1876, he was united in marriage
with Carrie A. Straw, of Guilford, Maine.
Mrs. Clarke is very highly educated and
accomplished. She was a graduate of
Kents Hill Seminary, in Maine, and re-
ceived an excellent musical education at
the Boston Conservatory of Music. This
marriage was a happy one, and has been
blessed with a pleasant home. Mr. Clarke
has three daughters — Gertie E., born June
25, 1871; Lulu M., born June 24, 1875;
and Nellie Straw, born Oct. 28, 1882. Mr.
Clarke's parents are of English descent.
His paternal ancestor, Hugh Clarke, came
from England to the colony in Massachu-
setts in 1024. Willliam G. Clarke, father
of the subject of this sketch, was a promi-
nent lawyer in Piscataouis Co., Maine.
He stood at the head of the bar in that
county.
~* 9 ^
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
CHAPTER VIII
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
There is probably no profession or busi-
ness in existence among civilized commu-
nities, in which the members are called
on to make more daily self-sacrifices and
undergo more privations than the medi-
cal profession. No more thankless mis-
sion can a man enter upon, in the arena of
the world's activity, than that of healing-
sick and suffering humanity. Much more
than their share of the unpleasantness of
this must necessarily be the lot of those
conscientious and bold pilots of the guild,
who pushed out among the early pioneers
in former days. Called on, at all hours of
the day or night, to mount his horse, and
answer the call of duty, oftinies to face
the fearful "blizzard," the summer's rain
or mud and wet, the doctor of those days
had a lot that none could envy.
Money in all new countries is a scarce
commodity, and the pioneer physician's
hope of reward was but a slender chance,
but notwithstanding this, be it spoken
to the eternal honor of the profession,
never did the cry of distress and suffering
reach their ear, but what it was answered.
The doctor did what he could to relieve,
and if the fee was not forthcoming, the
service was cheerfully given for the sake
of the brotherhood of man. More real
moral courage was required to adopt this
profession and labor upon the verge of
civilization in pioneer times, than it does
to lead armies or storm death-dealing
batteries, and yet the grand heroes of
these conflicts with disease and the grim
king of terrors, has no wreath of victory,
no grand song of fame to herald their
actions. Let it then be the pleasant tusk
of the historian to here write down the
acts and lives of these, the real heroes of
pioneer days, that when the present gen-
eration have passed away, the children of
a coming age shall do honor to their mem-
ories.
The first disciple of the healing art that
came into Kossuth county, to practice his
profession, was Dr. R. Cogley, who was
one of the pioneers of the county. He
located on what is now the Huntly place,
in June, 1855. This farm was a part of
section 13, in Cresco township. Dr. Cog-
ley was the graduate of a medical college
of some note in Ohio, and was a very pro-
ficient physician. He, after some years
spent in this county, left and went to Os-
| kaloosa, Iowa, where he enjoyed the fruits
of a large and remunerative practice.
Dr. Amos S. Mason, one of the argo-
nauts of 1856, located at Algona, and en-
tered into the practice of medicine. He
was a graduate of the Pennsylvania Uni-
versity, at Philadelphia, and a fine scholar
and physician. He remained in the county
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY
until the breaking out of the Rebellion,
when listening to the call of duty, he en-
listed and received a commission as cap-
tain. After the close of the war, his
health not proving very good, he moved
to New Orleans, where he lived for some
years, lie died quite recently at Cin-
cinnati, while on a trip from Washington
to New Orleans. At the time of his death
he was partowner of the Times- Democrat
at the Crescent City, one of the best pa-
pers of the State of Louisiana.
Dr. Franklin McCoy came to Kossuth
county in 1857, and commenced the prac-
tice of his profession. lie was a thor-
oughly energetic man, and a successful
practitioner. Coming to a new country
without money, he was compelled to meet
many obstacles,but by labor and energy, he
overcame them and acquired a fair share
of real estate. Early in the year 1866, he
left Algona and went to Columbia City,
Ind., where he grew into a large practice
and became quite wealthy. He died at
that place, on the 9th of January, 1874,
of heart disease, mourned by a large circle
of friends, acquaintances and patients.
Dr. Davidson, a follower of the old
school of medicine, came into the county
and took up some land. He came here
from Waterloo, and practiced to a con-
siderable extent and acquired some local
reputation, and went back to Pennsyl-
vania.
Dr. M. C. Lathrop was also one of the
early disciples of Esculapius in the county.
In July, 1858, he first landed at Algona,
and entered into practice. In the spring
of 1859, liking the place, lie went back to
Cedar Fills, and brought his family to
this point. He remained until the begin-
ning of the Civil war, when he went to
Cedar Rapids and entered the service as
surgeon. After the cessation of hostili-
ties, he went east, and at present is at
Dover, N. II., where he has a most lucra-
tive practice.
Dr. Andrew Mason was also at one time
a practicing physician at Algona.
Dr. Whitney located at Algona, for a
short time being engaged, during 1870, in
the drug business with II. C. McCoy.
One of the most eminent men in the pro-
fession, he has never seemed to get ahead,
but rather to retrograde in all respects.
lie went from here to Fmmetsburg, but
is at present located at Pierre, Dakota.
Dr. J. II. Leavitt came with Dr. James
Barr and remained in partnership with
him some time. He is now located some-
where in Wisconsin.
Dr. Jackson came to Algona in 1881,
but made quite a short stay, and now re-
sides at Fergus Falls, Minn., where he is
working up a tine practice.
Among the physicians now resident in
Kossuth county are: Dr. L. A. Sheetz,
Dr. L. K. Garfield, Dr. S. G. A. Head, Dr.
James Fair, Dr. M.I1. Hudson, Dr. L. E-
Potter, Dr. A. Richmond, Dr. II. C. .Mc-
Coy, Dr. J. M. Pride, Dr. H. AUeyne,Dr.
L. R. Baker, Dr. G. T. West, Dr. A. W.
Berryman, Dr. E. W. Bachman 'and Dr.
G. B. Forbush.
. L. K. Garfield, M. D., the oldest prac-
ticing physician in this county, was born
May 6, 1820, in Langdon, Sullivan Co., X.
H. He was reared and educated in his
native State. When twenty-one years of
age he entered the office of Dr. Graves
of Langdon, and commenced the reading
of medicine. Two years later he at-
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
tended the Vermont Medical College, bis
last course in that college being in 1846.
He afterward attended the Missouri .Med-
ic:!] College; the College of Physicians
and Surgeons at Keokuk, and the Rush
Medical College of Chicago. Soon after
his last term at the Vermont Medical Col-
lege he emigrated to Tioga Co., Penn.,
where he commenced the practice of med-
icine in partnership with Dr. Krouse,
which he continued eight years. He then
moved to Schnyler Co., N. Y., and con-
tinued his practice until 1865, when he
emigrated to Algona, Kossuth Co., Iowa,
where he still follows his profession. At
this time the county was sparsely settled
and his rides were long and dreary, his
only guide being the sun and wind by day
and the stars by night. Dr. Garfield has
been continuously engaged in the practice
of medicine and surgery for over thirty-
seven years; yet he is well preserved for
a man of over sixty-four years. He is a
very positive man, and when he makes up
his mind no power on earth can move
him from his purpose, and in most in-
stances it will be found that he is correct.
By his high social endowments and his
skill and success in his profession, he has
gained many warm and ardent friends,
and by his positive character he has made
some bitter enemies. Much of his suc-
cess in life may be attributed to his high
professional attainments, skill and suc-
cess in practice.
S. G. A. Read, M. D., A. M., one of the
prominent physicians of Algona, was
born in January, 1817, in Washington Co.,
Vt., where he lived until fifteen years old,
when his parents emigrated to St. Law-
rence Co., N. Y., where they remained
two years, then emigrated to Medina
county, on the Western Reserve of Ohio,
being among the early settlers of that
county. He was educated in Oberlin
College, after which he took a medical
course at the Cleveland Medical College,
and was graduated therefrom with the
degree of M. D. This was in 1852-53.
He immediately commenced the prac-
tice of his profession at Wooster }
Wayne Co., Ohio, and in 1854, removed
to Columbia City, Whitley Co., Ind. The
doctor was married in Ohio to Beulah E.
Smith. They had three children — Mary
J., wife of J. P. Hawkes; Julia A., widow
of Samuel Hill; and Martha, wife of A. S.
Hawkes. In March, 1860, Mrs. Read
died in Columbia City. In March, 1863,
Mr. Read married Elizabeth Bunnell^
a daughter of Edmond II. and Betsey
(Ashley) Bunnell. On the 4th of July,
1865, Dr. Read reached Algona, coming
by railroad to Cedar Falls, (then the ter-
minus) thence by stage to Algona. He is
a member of the Masonic fraternity, and
a Knight Templar. Himself and wife are
connected with the Methodist Episcopal
Church. The doctor is an active student,
not laying aside even the classics. The
Greek New Testament is his intimate
companion in all his travels. He is now-
studying the Hebrew language.
L. A. Sheetz, M. D., one of the promi-
nent business men of Algona, was born
in Stephenson Co., 111., in 1844. His par-
ents were Jared and Magdalena Mennig,
who emigrated to Stephenson Co., 111., in
1840, being among the early settlers of
the county. The doctor was reared and
educated in his native county. He en-
tered the medical department of the Uni-
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
versity of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, in
1862, and finished the studies of the
sophomore class in 1863. In 1864 lie en-
listed in the 8th Illinois Volunteer In-
fantry, was made adjutant of the regi-
ment. The regiment led in the charge at
Fort Blakely and was the first to plant
their colors on the walls. In 1866 he
was mustered out at Baton Rouge. Re-
turning from the war he commenced the
study of medicine in the office of Dr. B.
T. Buckley, at Freeport, 111., and during
the winter of 1SU7-S, attended medical
lectures at Rush Medical College, Chi-
cago, 111. In the winter of 186S-69 he
attended lectures atBellevue Hospital Med-
ical College, New York, graduating in the
spring of 1809. In May of the same year
he came to Algona, where he embarked in
the drug business in company with Du-
rant brothers, and at the same time fol-
lowed the practice of medicine. In 1872
the firm was dissolved, the stock being
divided, and he started his present place
of business. In 1870 he was married to
Dona Langdon, a daughter of Henry D.
Langdon, of St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.
Dr. James Barr was born July 25, 1836,
in Lanarkshire, Scotland. At nine years
of age he was apprenticed to the weaver
trade. His health failing, at the end of
three years, he was placed on a farm.
When seventeen years old he came with
the family to this country, working in a
coal mine a short time near Sharon, Penn.
In 1*54 he went to Trumbull Co., Ohio,
and worked on a large dairy farm till the
spring of In.tG, when he moved to Iowa,
locating in Fayette county, and spending
two seasons on a farm. When twenty-
two he attended the district, school, up to
that time not having had more than one
year's schooling and was notable to do the
must simple example in multiplication or
division, being principally self-educated.
In a short time he entered Upper Iowa
University, then recently located at, Fay-
ette, and dilligently pursued his studies
till the Civil war commenced. During
this time he had no means of support ex-
cept the earnings of Ins own hand. In
September, 1861, he enlisted as a private
in the 12th Iowa Infantry, and soon
alter the battle of Shiloh was appointed
hospital steward, in which capacity he
served three years. During the year lsG.'i
the. surgeon of the 12th regiment was
absent most of the time on detached duty,
when he had charge of the regiment, and
in September of that year was commis-
sioned assistant surgeon, serving until mus-
tered out in February, 1866. Returning to
Fayette, he read medicine with Dr. C. C.
Parker, surgeon of the 12th Infantry, and
attended lectures at Rush Medical Col-
lege, graduating in February 1S68. After
spending a short time in Mindoro, Wis.,
Dr. Barr located in Clermont, Iowa, prac-
ticed there till May, 1869, when he settled
in Algona, where he has a large and lu-
crative practice. He is a modest, quiet,
unassuming gentleman, attending to the
duties of his profession with the utmost
assiduity. In 1871 Dr. Barr was ap-
pointed United States examining surgeon
for pensions, and still holds that office.
In February, 1876, he became a volunteer
weather reporter for this immediate sec-
tion of the State, and still makeshis daily
observations, reporting to Prof. Derrick
of Iowa City. In March, 1880, he gradu-
ated in the Hahnemann Medical College
± J,
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
287
of Chicago, after attending lectures dur-
ing the winter. Dr. Barr has always
voted the republican ticket and is a
staunch supporter of the temperance
cause. He is a Master Mason. lie mar-
ried, June 15, 1871, Selina M. Bradshaw
of Davenport, Iowa. They have four
children — Bertram J., Arthur E., Emma
N. ami Mary A. Mrs. Barr is a graduate
of the high school and training school of
Davenport, was a teacher there for sev-
eral years, and is a woman of no small
degree of intellectual polish. They are
both active members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and active in the Sab-
bath school. Dr. Barr's experience in
the army hospital as steward and as-
sistant surgeon was an excellent school
to him, and aided him in laying a good
foundation on which to build in medical
science, of which he is a very close stu-
dent. When he entered the army he
took some books with him, and at first
pursued his studies when not busy in the
hospital. He fitted himself for a sur-
geon's duties by studying two hours
before anyone else was astir. Industry
in so noble a direction has been amply
rewarded.
Dr. E. W. Bachman was born in Green
Co., "Wis. His father was a Methodist
minister, being on the circuit twenty-six
years, so that during Mr. Bachman's early
life lie was in schools in Baraboo, Maus-
ton and Lodi, these being the places where
his father preached at different times.
His education was finished at Kilbourn
City Institute. At the age of twenty, he
was engaged as clerk in Eau Claire, Wis.
for one year. When twenty-three years
old, he went into business for himself in
Mazo Manie, sold out, and moved to
Fayette, Wis., where he commenced
studying medicine with Dr. Arahm.
After studying two years, he went to
Iowa City, to attend the lectures in the
State University, from there he went to
the Insane Hospital at Mt. Pleasant, for
the study of nervous diseases with Dr.
Ranney. He then came to West Bend,
where he has since practiced, having a
range of ten miles in each direction. He
owns a nice residence in West Bend,
which In' bought a short time since of E.
S. Bagley. He has displayed considera-
ble taste in fitting it up, having good
grounds. In the fall of 1883, Dr. Bach-
man was elected county superintendent
by the largest majority ever received by
any officer in the county. He was mar-
ried Oct. 18, 1883, to Jennie Forest, of
Emmetsburg. He is a member of the
Congregational Church. In politics he is
a republican, and belongs to the order of
Odd Fellows.
Dr. John M. Pride was born in Seneca
Co., Ohio, May 3, 1840. His father, John
Pride, was a native of New York, and his
mother, Esther (Reed) Pride, was a na-
tive of Pennsylvania. They wore early
settlers in Seneca county. When John
was eighteen years of age he went with
his parents to Franklin Co., Iowa. In
1875 he began the study of medicine with
Dr. O. B. Harriman of Hampton, Iowa,
being a student with him until the spring
of L878. During that time, however, he
attended the winter terms of 1875-6 and
18.77-8, of school at the State Univer-
sity of Iowa, graduating at the close of
the latter term, lie then returned to
Hamilton, and practiced under his former
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
preceptor until June, 18*79, when he came
to Whittemore. He was the first and
only physician in practice here. Dr.
Pride was married April 5, 1880, to Mary
Brown, a native of Wisconsin.
Dr. Loron E. rotter, homeopathic phy-
sician and surgeon, was born in Niagara
Co., N. Y., April 27, 1823. When eigh-
teen months old he went with his parents,
Sheldon and Wealthy (Baldwin) Potter,
to Genesee county and thence to Erie
county, his father being engaged in the
lumber business. In the fall of 1839 the]
removed to Ashtabula Co., Ohio, where
Dr. Potter led a frontier life with his
parents until twenty-one years of age.
His chance for an education being very
limited, he might be termed a self-made
man. The most of his education was
gotten with the help of his mother, in the
chimney corner, after his days, work was
done and his companions were pleasure
seeking. When twenty-two years of age
he began the study of medicine with Dr.
Horace Eaton, at Sheffield, Ashtabula
Co., Ohio. He continued to study with
him three years, then attended lectures
at the Kingsville Institute. He then re-
moved to Knox Co., 111., where he resided
five years, then went to Henry county re-
maining ten years, engaged in farming
and practicing medicine. Before he had
been in Henry Co., 111., one year, there
were no less than nine physicians settled
around him, who had come west to seek
a field of labor. In the fall of 18G5 Dr.
Potter removed to Marengo, Iowa, spend-
ing the winter, and in the spring of 1866
going to Greencastle township, Marshall
Co., Iowa. He resided here eighteen
years, having a large practice, and at
times employing three teams and drivers,
and getting the most of his sleep in the
wagons, and sometimes riding a circuit of
twenty-five miles. He at first practiced
the regular system, but in eight years
adopted the homeopathic, which he deems
far superior. In May, 1883, on account
of failing health, Dr. Potter retired from
active practice, and moved on a farm in
Cresco township, Kossuth county. He
owns eighty acres of land on section 18,
township 95, range 29, eighty acres on
section 19, township 95, range 29, and
eighty acres on section 20, township 95,
range 30, where he now resides. He lias
erected some substantial buildings, a house
18x24 feet, a barn 20x36 feet and a sheep
barn 20x04 feet. Dr. Potter is not al-
lowed to rest, however, for he is frequently
called to see his old patrons in severe
cases, even to Illinois, Missouri, Kansas
and Dakota, and being compelled to at-
tend on his immediate neighbors, he is
kept so busy that he is obliged to neglect
his farming interest. Dr. Potter has
been unfortunate in the way of accidents.
Soon after moving to Marshall county,
while hauling a load of lumber, his team
ran away and the doctor was thrown from
the wagon, breaking three of his ribs, and
injuring his spine so badly that his lower
limbs were paralyzed for some time. Two
years later he lost his right hand in a
broom corn machine. Mr. Potter was
married Dee. Ml, 1843, to Thankful Pack-
ard, of Sheffield, Ashtabula Co., Ohio.
They have had eight children, five of whom
are living — Orange A., a veterinary sur-
g( , living in Cresco township, this
county; Albert C, homeopathic physician
and surgeon at Clifton, Kan.; Caroline
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
■k.
C, residing in Tama Co., Iowa; Lawrence
E., residing in Cresco township, and Hor-
ace E., attending lectures at the Homeopa-
thic Medical College in Missouri. Dr.
Potter is a republican in politics. He is
a radical temperance man, and in religion
is liberal. He owns the only Cassimere
goats in the count)-, lias a fine flock of
sheep, some fine high grade Shorthorns,
and some very fine horses for driving pur-
poses.
Dr. B. G. Forbush was born March 20,
1821, in Cayuga Co., N. Y. His father
died when he was quite young. When
seven years of age his mother moved to
Erie Co., N. Y., where he grew to man-
hood, receiving a common school educa-
tion. When twenty-eight years of age
he commenced reading medicine in Buf-
falo, N. Y., under Dr. J. 13. Pride, at-
tended lectures at Buffalo Medical Univer-
sity, and graduated in 1852. He began
the practice of medicine in Buffalo, where
he remained three years. He married
Sophrona P. Mann, of Aurora, Erie Co.,
N. Y. She died in 1851. He then mar-
ried Louisa Holbrook, in 1853, who died
in I860, leaving two children — Charles G.
and Endora L. In 1853 he removed to
Chautauqua Co., N. Y. In 1856 he went
to Grant Co., Wis., where he followed his
profession till the spring of 1 872, when
he came to Algona, and is now engaged
in the drug business. Dr. Forbush is a
member of Prudence Lodge, No. 205, and
is an upright man and a gentleman of the
old school. In 1868 he attended the Ec-
lectic College at Cincinnati, where he
graduated. In 1875 he was married to
Viola Bellows, his present wife.
M. II. Hudson, M. D., graduated at the
Berkshire Medical College, Pittsfield,
Mass., in the year isi4. lie commenced
the practice of his profession in the city
of Brooklyn, N. Y. After pralicing sev-
eral years in Brooklyn, he took a trip to
California for his health. He went in a
sailing packet around Cape Horn, being
four months on the water. He remained
in San Francisco for two years. On re-
turning home he decided to locate in the
west; consequently removed with his
family to Paw Paw, 111., where he prac-
ticed some eight years, while he experi-
enced many of the hardships incident to
the practitioner in a new and thinly set-
tled country. He came to Kossuth with
his family in the spring of 1864, and set-
tled on the farm where he now resides.
Dr. Harban Alleyne, was a native of the
West Indies, and a graduate of Edinburgh
University, Scotland, of 1871. He came
to Wesley in 1880, where he established
himself in practice. He has the reputa-
tion of being a most excellent physician.
Dr. L. R. Baker, a homeopathic physi-
cian, a graduate of the Michigan Univer-
sity, at Ann Arbor, located at the village
of Luverne in May, 1883, and is engaged
in practice at that point.
Dr. G. T. West, allopathic physician,
located'at Bancroft on the 1st of March,
1883. He is a graduate of the St. Louis
Medical College, of the class of 1*70.
Dr. A. W. Berryman, an allopathic
physician, settled at Bancroft in April,
lss-_\ and is one of the resident physicians
of the county. He is a graduate of the
medical department of the State Univer-
sity, at Iowa City. He practiced for
about two years at Montour, Iowa, before
coming to this place.
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
CHAPTER IX
the n;i:ss.
There is no instrumentality, not even ex-
cepting the pulpit andbar, which exerts such
an influence upon society as the press of
the land. It is the Archimedian lever that
moves the world. The talented minister
of the Gospel on the Sabbath day preaches
to a few hundred people; on the follow-
ing morning his thoughts are re-produced
more than a thousand fold, and are read
and discussed throughout the length and
breadth of the land. The attorney at the
bar, in thrilling tones, pleads either for
or against the criminal arraigned for
trial, often causing the jury to bring in
a verdict against the law and the testi-
mony in the case. His words are re-pro-
duced in ever)- daily that is reached by
the telegraphic wire, and his arguments
are calmly weighed by unprejudiced men
and accepted for what they are worth.
The politician takes the stand and ad-
dresses a handful of men upon the political
questions of the day; his speech is re-
ported, and read by a thousand men for
every one who heard the address. Sud-
denly the waters of one of our mighty
rivers rise, overflowing the land tor miles
and miles, rendering thousands of people
homeless and without the means to secure
their daily bread. The news is flashed
over the wire, taken up by the press, and
known and read by all men. No time is
lost in sending to their relief; the press
has made known their wants, and they are
instantly supplied. "Chicago is on fire!
Two hundred millions worth of property
destroyed!- Fifty thousand people rendered
homeless!" Such is the dread intelligence
proclaimed by the press. Food and cloth-
ing are hastily gathered, trains are char-
tered, and the immediate wants of the
sufferers are in a measure relieved.
The power for good or evil, of the
press, is to-day unlimited. The short-
comings of the politician are made known
through its columns; the dark deeds of
the wicked are exposed, and each fear it
alike. The controlling influence of a
Nation, State or county is its press; and
the press of Kossuth county is no excep-
tion to the rule.
The local press is justly considered
among the most important institutions of
every city, town and village. The people
of every community regard their particu-
lar newspaper or newspapers as of pecu-
liar value, and this not merely on account
of the fact already alluded to, but because.
these papers are the repositories wherein
are stored the facts and the events, the
deeds and the sayings, the undertakings
and the achievements that go to make up
local history. One by one these things
are gathered and placed in type; one by
~e> "V
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
one the papers are issued; one by one
these papers are gathered together and
hound, and another volume of local, gen-
eral and individual history is laid away
imperishable. The volumes thus collected
are sifted by the historian, and the book
for the library is ready. The people of j
each city or town naturally have a pride
in their home paper. The local press, as
a rule, reflects the business enterprise of
a place. Judging from this stand-point,
Kossuth county need not fear the closest
scrutiny. Its papers are well filled each week
with advertisements of home merchants,
and of its numerous business ventures.
No paper can exist without these adver-
tisements, and no community can flourish
that does not use the advertising columns
of its local press. Each must sustain the
other.
The first paper in the county was the
Algona Pioneer Press, and was established
by Ambrose A. Call, in the early part of
1861.
The material for this journalistic ven-
ture was bought by the proprietors at
Fort Des Moines, as it was then called,
and brought to Algona in an ox-cart, by
O. Minkler. The press was set up, and
with Ambrose A. Call in the editorial
chair, the infant journal embarked upon
its career. The initial number was issued
on the 13th of April, 1861, and in defer-
ence to the way of the craft, Mr. Call thus
indulges in a salutation:
We this week give to the public the
first number of the Algona Pioneer Press,
and in doing so we would say to our
friends and the public generally, that we
do not mount the tripod for any particu-
lar love we have for the profession of an
editor, for, so far as we may learn, they
are the hardest worked and poorest paid
fellows in Christendom. Neither do we
assume this responsibility as a labor of
love, for however much we might love
the people of Kossuth and the adjoining
counties, it is obvious that something
more material is necessary to satisfy the
cupidity of our compositor, and stop the
whimperings of our devil. But we have
been led to believe that such a paper as
we intend to make the Press can be sus-
tained in Algona and made to pay — not
the proprietor alone, but the whole com-
munity. We do not ask a gratuity, and
have no desire to live on charity. All we
expect is the co-operation of our friends,
and the support of the people so far as
our paper merits it, and they think it
compatible with their interests to give it.
One principal object of the Press will be
to bring to the attention of those looking
westward for homes, and a remunerative
field for the investment of their capital, the
vast extent and productiveness of our unoc-
cupied and unsold lands. While Kansas has
been over-run with emigrants, and Minne-
sota l-apidly filled up, northern Iowa has
remained in statu quo. A man may travel
through the counties west of us, border-
ing the Sioux river, for a hundred miles
without seeing a single sign of civiliza-
tion, the buffalo and elk unscared by the
pioneer. And what is the reason of this?
We believe that as northwestern Iowa
holds out as many inducements to the
emigrant as any other portion of the
United States, the reason is this, those
wishing to come west have been deceived;
they have been made to believe that the
lands of Iowa are already all occupied;
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
they have been coaxed on to the sterile
plains of western Kansas by political or-
ganizations for the purpose of accom-
plishing certain political ends, without
any regard whatever to the resources of
the country; and during the past winter,
if we can credit the reports coming from
there, many have died from actual starva-
tion. We believe a reaction is about to
take place. The unsettled condition of
the country, and the small demand for
labor and capital in the eastern States,
will create a demand for western lands,
and cause a heavy emigration to the wesl
the coming summer, and it is fur the in-
terest of northwestern Iowa, in order to
develop her resources and to secure the
speedy completion of her railroads, that
she should receive her fair proportion.
And we believe that to secure this, it is
only necessary that the people should lie
enlightened in regard to our resources
and prospects.
To our acquaintances, it is not necessary
to say anything in relation to the politics
of the Press, but to those with whom we
are not acquainted, we would say that the
editor has worked with and for the repub-
lican party ever since its organization,
and has no desire to forsake it now. We
expect to support the administration of
Lincoln, having faith in his integrity and
statesmanship, and believing that he will
stand linn to the principals enunciated in
the Chicago platform, and endorsed by
the people on the Oth of November.
Upon new questions, as tbej arise for the
consideration of the American people, the
Press will take the liberty of deciding for
itself, without asking the permission of
political leaders, or having its opinions
forestalled by the actions of others.
The paper contains the proceedings of
the first board of county supervisors, and
a few foreign advertisements. The only
home advertisements are the cards of Dr.
Franklin McCoy as physician and sur-
geon, Lewis H. Smith as attorney at law,
and John Ileckart as turner and painter.
The sheet was ;l six column folio, and
quite neatly made up and printed. The
editorials were far above the average of
the usual effusions to be met with in the
country newspapers of that date, and,
taken altogether, the Pioneer Press was a
model paper. The second number con-
tain- an account of the bombardment of
Fort Sumter, in Charleston bay, and the
subsequent ones teem with war news, and
overflow with the loyalty and patriotism
of the editor.
In those days, a newspaper received ad-
vantages that none at the present day can
boast of. The printing of the tax-lists
was a "fat take" and the Algona Pioneer
Press, not only enjoyed the official patron-
age of this county, but several of the adjoin-
ing counties, not being yet honored with
the great civilizer, a local press, had their
legal printingdonehere. All these things
combined to make this a lucrative under-
taking. In 180:!, Mr. Call rented the
office, material and business to George
Ingersoll, of the Fort Dodge Messenger,
who sent Col. Page, the present post-
master of that town, to Algona, to manage
the paper. Under this administration the
Pioneer Press was continued until the lat-
ter part of 1864, when the paper was sus-
pended.
J^
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
After the lapse of a year or two, the
material was purchased by Mrs. Lizzie B.
Read, and the paper commenced a new
life under the name of the Upper Des
Moines, a name it has retained until the
present. This was engineered by Mrs.
Read, and is said to have been a very read-
able paper. The editorial and literary
columns teemed with good things well
said.
In November, 1866, J. II. Warren be-
came the owner of the Upptr J^ es M<<iu, s,
and assumed the editorial chair. Mr.
Warren had never before acted in this
capacity, or had experience in the printing
business, but great natural abilities united
with a mind well stored gave him the
advantage of circumstances, and he soon
gave evidence of his fitness for the posi-
tion. As a writer he was pungent and to
the point, wasting no long space or time
in long winded editorials, hut going
straight to the point ami in a few words
disposing of the subject under discussion.
Upon assuming the helm of the good ship
Upper Des Moines, he addressed his readers
in the following words by way of saluta-
tion: "In assuming the responsibility of
publishing a weekly journal, we do so
with a full knowledge of the magnitude
of the undertaking. To publish a journal
that will please every one is a task that
we do not expect to perform ; as such a
task has never yet been accomplished by
any power, either human or Divine. But
if careful -attention to business, persever-
ance and hard labor can make the Uppt r
Des Moines a welcome visitor to all our
patrons, we shall perform the task cheer-
fully. We are aware that during the past
three months complaints have arisen
against the former publishers ; but
whether such complaints have been just,
well grounded, or false and unreasonable,
it would be neither wisdom nor policy in
us now to decide ; for, perad venture, we
might he pronouncing sentence against
one whom we would not wish to censure.
For, in taking the place of the former
publishers, we are subjecting ourself to a
like criticism.
"The political complexion of the Upper
]>cs Moines will continue, as heretofore,
Union republican. The principles advo-
cated by the two great political parties of
the present day, are too well understood
by every one to require any explanation
here. But, like Col. Crockett, shall en-
deavor first, to be sure we are right, and
then go ahead.
"The advancement of the interests of
Kossuth and adjoining counties will claim
particular attention. And to this end we
hope for and shall expect the aid and co-
operation of all who desire to see this
portion of our State still further improved;
our vast prairies more thickly dotted with
improved farms, farm houses, school-
houses and churches, the natural results of
honest industry and intelligence com-
bined.
"Our columns will atall times be opened
for the full and free discussion of all
topics of general interest, but it cannot be
used for the gratification of personal ill-
will, tinder any circumstances, as such
things always have a bad effect upon the
moral and social condition of society, and
will never be tolerated by any publisher
desirous of maintaining the respectability
of his journal.
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNT V
"With these remarks we leave the Upper
Des Moines to speak for itself, and our
readers to judge of its merit."
After nine years of strenuous work in
placing the paper on a proper footing,
and raising it from a small six column
affair to a large, handsome and well con-
ducted journal of nine columns to the
page; graduating from the printing of it
upon the old fashion hand press to the
much more speedy steam press, Mr.
Warren disposed of the office and busi-
ness to Pitt Cravath. This was upon the
20th day of September, 1875. In stepping
out from the sanctum, Mr. Warren said a
few words at parting, that have the right
ring about them. He said:
"To say good-by to friends has always
been to me one of the most unpleasant
tasks of life. And at this time it is with
feelings of deep regret that I say it to
those with whom I have for the past few
years maintained business and friendly
relations. A trifle less than nine years
ago I quietly and unostentatiously stepped
into the editorial harness, and now I as
quietly and unostentatiously lay it by and
resume a place in the peaceful walks of
private life. During the years of my man-
agement of the I'/i/iri- P,s Milling I have
assiduously labored for what I deemed
the best good of the town and county
in particular, and the whole State in gen-
eral. If at times I have erred, which I can-
not deny lias often been the case, it was
an error in judgment, without evil intent.
"The bold, uncompromising course I
have at all times pursued when combat-
ting the powers of evil, in attempting to
expose corruption or to thwart the de-
signs of unscrupulous schemers, has made
enemies of such, but has also made
friends of honest men who always pursue
a policy that shall result in the greatest
good to the greatest number.
"Of my success in bringing the Upper
/V,< Moines to the enviable position it now
occupies in journalism, I scarcely need
speak. Starting from a small twenty-four
column sheet, it has steadily advanced
with the growth of the county, until it
has reached a size of thirty-six columns,
with a large and constantly increasing
circulation, and a good, paying patron-
age.
"A word to my former patrons in rela-
tion to my successor will here be appro-
priate. Something more than a years'
residence in Algona, during which time
his deportment has been that of a gentle-
man and a ripe scholar, has drawn around
him the best elements of society and has
made him universally admired and
esteemed for his good qualities. I cheer-
fully recommend him to my friends and
former patrons, and trust they will con-
tinue unbroken the friendly relations so
long existing between themselves and the
former publisher. The future policy of
the new proprietor will lie fully set forth in
his salutatory, and I have not the shadow
of a doubt but it will be rigidly adhered
to.
"And now, in the full belief that my
friends who have so long stood shoulder
to shoulder with me in every r good work,
will always have in their hearts a warm
place tor me, I say to them, good-by. To
my enemies who have so relentlessly pur-
sued me in the vain hope of tearing down
whatever I had builded, I say I Can for-
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
get and forgive, but shall always remem-
ber them.''
Pitt Cravatb continued sole proprietor
of this flourishing paper until Feb. 20,
1879, when lie sold out to A. L. Hudson
Mr. Cravat h was a bold, fearless writer,
with a keen, sarcastic, pen that pricked
the evil-doer or political enemy until
they writhed.
Mr. Hudson, who was alone in the con-
trol of the Upper Des Mo hies for one year,
was a prominent member of the bar of
Kossuth county, and was of a most
aggressive disposition. Like Paul Jones,
of yore, he sailed through the seas of life,
with the ominous motto, "Don't tread on
me," displayed at his masthead, and woe
betide the unfortunate wretch that dared
to meet him in the tilt. Keen, scathing
and scholarly, his attacks were so fierce
that all dreaded his pen. Yet gentle-
manly in all that he said and did he was
a great favorite in all circles, except that
of the feu- political enemies he must have
of a necessity made.
On the 20th of February, 1SS0, R. B.
Warren acquired a half interest in this
paper and the firm became Hudson &
Warren. The latter partnership contin-
ued until Nov. 20, 1882, when Harvey
Ingham purchased the interest of Mr.
Hudson, and the present firm of Ingham
& Warren came into existence.
Throughout all these years, the paper
has gone through manifold changes in
shape, size and make up. Commencing
as a six column folio, under the manage-
ment of Mr. Warren, it arose to the dig-
nity of a nine column, having been en-
larged successively to seven, eight and
nine, as the years rolled on. After it
into the hands of Mr. Hudson, it
beeame a six column quarto, and later a
seven column, of the same form. The
present paper is a nine column folio, on
the "flexible plan." On weeks when there
is an abundance of matter, it is issued with
six pages, and when material runs short,
but four pages. Messrs. Ingham & War-
ren are both young men, and understand
all the branches of the art of printing.
The paper is a model of neatness besides
being well edited.
Harvey Ingham was born in Portland
township, Kossuth county, Sept. 8, 1858,
and is a son of W. II. and C. A. (Rice)
Ingham. In 1876 he entered the Iowa
State University, at Iowa City, and grad-
uated from the literary department in
1880. He immediately entered the law
department of the same institution, from
which he was graduated in the class of
1881, Soon after leaving college, he ob-
tained a situation as county historian for
Capt. A. T.Andreas, of Chicago, 111., and
was one of the assistants in compiling and
editing the history of Nebraska. When
that volume was completed, and ready for
publication (1882), Mr. Ingham purchased
a half-interest in the Upper Des Moines,
and in connection with R. B. Warren, has
been fairly successful in the publishing
business.
R. B. Warren was born at Horicon,
Dodge Co., Wis., Dec. 1, 1849, and is a
son of J. II. and A. B. (Horton) Warren.
He passed his earlier life in Trempealeau
and Eau Claire counties, Wis., and attended
school until thirteen years of age. In
September, 1865, he entered the office of
the Eau Claire Argus, R. H. Copeland
publisher, to learn the printer's trade, and
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
remained with him until June, 1866. In
November, of the same year, his father,
who had removed to Iowa in June, pur-
chased the office of the Upper Des 3Ioines,
and good will of (he paper, and our sub-
ject assisted him in the management of
the paper for nine years. In July, 1875,
lie went to Chicago, 111., and secured a
position as compositor on the Daily Turns,
holding a case for fifteen months. Leav-
ing Chicago, he was employed, for nine
months, as a traveling salesman through
Kansas, Missouri and southern Iowa, and
in the fall of 1877, accepted the fore-
manship of the Upper Des Moines, then
under the management of Pitt Cravath.
lie remained in charge of the office for
fifteen months, and continued with the
new proprietor, A. L. Hudson, a year
longer. lie then purchased a half inter-
est in the business, and Feb. 20, 1880, as-
sumed the management of the business,
which position he has since continued to
hold. In 1882 Harvey Ingham purchased
Mr. Hudson's interest, and the firm name
was changed to Ingham & Warren.
Although it has been written that the
Pioneer Press was the first paper in the
county of Kossuth, still astrict regard for
historical accuracy impels the statement
that this is only true so far as regards
printed papers. A manuscript paper, call-
ed The Jlee, was in existence several years
prior to the appearance of the above-men-
tioned periodical. This was an eight-page
paper, written on letter paper, and was
edited by Harriet E. Taylor, now Mrs. J.
E.Stacy. The first number of this paper
was issued upon the 27th of December,
1857. The fair editress, in this initial
sheet, makes an opening address to the
readers of The Dee, in the following words:
"We are happy to present to our friends
this first number of The Dee as the first
paper published in this 'little world of
Algona,' and though now small and may
be insignificant in the eyes of many, still
we have sanguine hopes that it will thrive,
and before many years stand the first and
oldest among our village papers. A per-
son when first starting in an enterprise
like this, feels rather delicately. Many
fears arise whether the paper will suit the
readers. Knowing there are as many
minds as persons, and also knowing that
unless all these minds are satisfied, we are
the loser, we feel still more anxious than
we would otherwise.
"The Deeis intended to he strictly a
neutral paper. We shall strive to please
all by offending none. It will abound in
wit and humor, be graced with sound, in-
tellectual studies and pleasing stories,
have all the news of the day, we hope
none of the gossip. We have able corres-
pondents for The Bee who will favor it
with their productions from time to time.
A few advertisements will be inserted
just to help pay expenses. We have tried
to tell you imperfectly, however, what we
shall strive to make The Drr, and we hum-
bly beg our friends to stand by us and
not allow it to sink into obscurity, as the
papers in our neighboring towns have
done."
Miss Taylor sometimes was assisted in
her arduous labor by junior editors and a
corps of contributors, but still the labor
of writing the paper every week, must
have proved irksome. The paper ran for
two or three years, and filled the niche
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
that it was intended to. Some numbers
betray .1 literary excellence far in advance
of later and more pretentious sheets.
In the fall of 1871 Bryan J. Castle, who
had been a member of the Chickasaw
comity bar, and the ex-editor of the Law-
ler Times, established a paper at Algona.
This sheet, which was a seven-column
folio, was cilled the Algona Times, and
was democatic in politics. The initial
number of this paper was issued upon
Friday, Sept. 15, 1871, and Mr. Castle
thus addressed his readers, in a plain prac-
tical talk :
"With this number commences our new
paper, and as custom requires us to make
known our principles in the beginning,
and let the people know what kind of a
paper we intend to publish, we proceed to
perform that duty. The Times will be,
emphatically, a people's paper, devoted to
the local interests of our town and sur-
roundings. It will be our aim to advance
the best interests of all classes — mercan-
tile, mechanical and agricultural — and do
all in our power to develop the resources
of the country.
"In politics we are democratic, and as a
democrat, we intend to discuss freely all
the issues before the country, and show up
and expose the short-comings of all our
public functionaries, no matter of what
political complexion. We will not frame
our views with reference to latitude or
longitude ; but will feel free to express
ourselves on all subjects affecting the wel-
fare of the country.
"The prosperity of Algona will be to
us of paramount importance, and we will
ever work for its growth and development
in preference to anything elue. We will
discuss freely and candidly all those ques-
tions in which the people are interested ;
as free trade, tariff, protection, etc., and
will be found at our post at all times
ready to stand up for 'the right;' to ad-
vocate economy, encourage industry, and
add to the general welfare of the people.
Upon the 14th of March, 1S72, the
Times appeared under the management of
the new firm, who had just purchased the
interest of Mr. Castle — Messrs. Horton,
Jones cfe Co. This firm was composed of
the following parties: A. M. Horton, J.
B. Jones and Milton Starr.
The editor, Mr. Horton, in assuming
the tripod, thus addressed the patrons of
the paper, and the public in general:
"In appearing before the people of Kos-
suth county in the capacity of caterers to
the public appetite for news, the present
proprietors of the Times fully realize the
magnitude of the task to which they have
set themselves. In a community like our
own, where the great eastern dailies are
taken and read by a large number- of in-
habitants, it is no light undertaking to
attempt the publishing of a weekly which
shall be at once interesting as a news pa-
per and an organ for the dissemination of
sound and wholesome views on subjects
of general and local importance. Indeed
we could not hope to exist in competition
with these great organs were it not for
the fact that we will be able to furnish
our patrons with what in the nature of the
case it is impossible for foreign publica-
tions to supply them — local news, and
an opportunity to discuss through our
columns matters of local interest, and
read the opinions of others on those sub-
jects. These advantages it shall be our
-_.fc
'29S
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
chief aim to furnish to the Kossuth coun-
ty public, and it is our .ambition to be-
come par excellence the organ of the peo-
pie.
"While we shall hold decided opinions
upon all questions of either general or
local public policy, we will endeavor to
discuss them in a dispassionate manner,
and be willing to accord to our opponents
that courteous treatment which we ask
for ourselves. We will not stultify our
manhood by cringing to power, be the
same considered respectable or disreput-
able. We shall make it a point to assail
principles, rather than men.
"When found in the ranks of the major-
ity, it will be because we believe them to
be right, and we will when compelled,
patiently if not cheerfully bear defeat
with the minority, believing it better to
be right than to be successful, and that,
"Though the mills of God grind slowly,
Yet they grind exceedingly small;
Though with patience he stands waiting,
With exactness grinds he all. "
"Believing intemperance to have been
and still to be the cause of more human
misery than any other evil, or all other
evils combined, we will ever stand ready
to second all well directed efforts for its
suppvession.
"Having always been found in the ranks
of the republican party, and firmly be-
lieving that the accession to power at this
time of the so-called democratic party
would be a National calamity, we shall
continue to identify ourselves with that
party for whose principles we have con-
tended as well on southern battle fields as
in the more congenial but not less earnest
contests of civil life.
"Our principal reason for adhering to
the republican party is that we consider
the administration of affairs to be safer in
the hands of those who preserved the
Nation from distraction than in the hands
of those who either attempted to destroy
it or sympathized with those who did so
attempt.
"We speak of the democratic party as
an organization ; with individual mem-
bers we have no controversy. Good men
and patriotic can be found in the ranks of
the democrats, but the record of the party,
as an organization, during the darkest
period of our existence as a Nation, must
ever remain a source of humiliation to
every true American.
"Gen. Grant is our first choice for the
next Presidential term. Not that we do
not believe many others to be just as calla-
ble of discharging the duties of chief ex-
ecutive as he ; but we believe Grant, in
the main, to have administered the affairs
pertaining to his office with an eye single
to the public weal, and in a manner satis-
factory to all who are not either blinded
by party prejudice or warped by disap-
pointed ambition.
"In county, town and village affairs, we
shall advocate that course which we deem
to be most beneficial to all concerned,
knowing no north nor south, but whole
sections.
Of our predecessor, B. J. Castle, Esq.,
who bowed himself out in last weeks'
issue, it is unnecessary to speak at length.
To his reputation as a journalist, no words
of ours can add. His public career in
Algona, although not of long duration,
has certainly not been devoid of interest.
He has not failed to strike at whatever in
A_~.
—4*
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
his opinion had the appearance of evil,
nor has he been found wanting when any
laudable enterprise needed encouragement.
We will gladly hail his decision to settle
permanently in Algona; but if he con-
cludes to locate elsewhere, we bespeak for
him a cordial reception, and prophesy for
him a successful career, and hosts of
friends among those whose friendship it
is an honor to possess.
"In concluding this, our salutatory, we
respectfully solicit your patronage, when,
alter strict trial, we shall bo found deserv-
ing it, and your indulgence when, as is very
likely to be the case, being human, we
make mistakes."
Respectfully,
Horton, Jones & Co.
This new firm, as will be seen, changed
the politics of the paper, and upon the
l&tfa of May, 1872, altered the make-up of
the sheet to an eight column folio, and
the name to that of Algona Republican, a
name it still retains.
The paper continued under the manage-
ment of this co-partnership until April
12, 1875, when Mr. Starr purchased the
interest of J. B. Jones, and the style of
the firm was changed to that of Horton
& Starr. Ably edited and neatly gotten
up in the mechanical department, the Re-
publican now succeeded to a liberal pat-
ronage. Upon the 22d of February, 1881,
Mr. Horton disposed of his share in the
enterprise to his partner, Milton Starr.
On the 1st of July, 1S83, Mr. Cowlea
was admitted as a partner in the Republi-
can, and the style of the firm at present
is Starr & Cowles. The paper is a well
edited, and in the general make-up, most
creditable. Local columns teeming with
items and a large display of advertise-
ments, proclaim the healthy state of this
weekly. Mr. Starr is an easy, fluent
writer, and by strict attention to business
and the wants and wishes of the commu-
nity, has built up one of the best papers
in northern Iowa.
Milton Starr, son of Jesse and Lucinda
Starr, was born in Whitley, Canada, Feb.
17, 1846. His grandparents on his father's
side were natives of Pennsylvania. His
father was a carpenter, but became part
proprietor in a flouring mill, in which he
retained his interest until removing to
Wisconsin and settling on a farm in Dane
county. The family remained at this
place until the summer of 1801, when
they removed to Jones Co., Iowa. In 1806
he entered Cornell College, graduating
from that institution in 1870. In Octo-
ber, 1871, he came to Algona, and entered
the office of the Algona Times, then just
established by B. J. Castle, and assisted
in the printing of the second number of
the paper. He was a member of the firm
of Horton, Jones & Co., who bought out
the Times March 4, 1872, changing the
name to the Algona Republican. In
April, 1875, Mr. Starr bought the interest
of J. B. Jones, thus acquiring a half in-
terest in the paper. In February, 1881,
he became sole proprietor by the purchase
of the interest of A. M. Horton. Mr.
Starr immediately put a power press in
the office, and many improvements were
made. In 1882 Mr. Starr erected a build-
ing 22x72 feet in dimensions, and twenty-
four feet in height, which is intended for
the permanent home of the Republican.
The lower story is used for printing and
editorial rooms, and the second floor for a
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUVfY.
public hall. In July, 1883, he admitted
Gardner Cowles as a partner. The paper
has always been uncompromising in its
advocacy of republicanism and prohibi-
tion. Mr. Starr was a charter member of
the lodge of Good Templars organized
at Algona in 1876, and has since main-
tained his connection with the institution.
In 1879 he was elected grand secretary of
the order in Iowa, a position which he
held four years. Mr. Starr is a member
of the Congregational Church. He was
married Oct. 1, 1870, to Kate Krater, born
in Clayton Co., Iowa, July 23, 1852, her
parents being natives of Lorraine. Mrs.
Starr was educated at the Iowa Agricul-
tural College, graduating in 187.3. From
that time until her marriage her attention
was given almost wholly to art studies,
three years being spent in the studio of
Helen M. Knowlton, in Boston, a pupil of
the late William M. Hunt. Mr. and Mrs.
Starr have two children — Helen, born
July 30, 1880, and Robert, born March 15,
1882. Mr. Starr's mother died Feb. 17,
1852. His father resides in Palo Alto
Co., Iowa, being upwards of eighty years
ofage.
The Kossuth County Review, anew ven-
ture in the newspaper world, first saw the
light in the spring of 1883. On the 16th
of March, the first number was issued by
its present editor and proprietor, V. S.
Ellis, at Luverne. The editor in honor
to the time-honored custom of the craft,
made his bow to the people of this locali-
ty in the following words:
"With this, the first issue of The Kos-
suth County Review, we make our bow,
and to the general public and future read-
ers of the Review, would say: good morn-
ing.
"Of course a live and generous public
will allow us to say a few words; however,
we do not call your attention to this move
to gratify any personal pride that we
might entertain, but we intend to make
the Revieio a live paper, published in the
interests of Luverne and surrounding
country. Our motto shall be, 'home first,
then the outside world.' We shall ever
endeavor to set forth at all times that
which will be for the upbuilding of our
town.
"W T hile this is yet anew undertaking in
this young but prosperous burg, we are
sure that we can make it a success. Hav-
ing been in the newspaper business for
several years we are aware of the price
that it costs to run a paper, and a partial
canvass of the business firms of this
place has convinced us that we shall have
a hearty support, which we need to make
the paper a success financially.
"We shall treat subjects that we deem
worthy of mention in our own way and
according to our own views. However,
in the great political field we shall be in-
dependent. When we say independent
we do not mean that we will entirely ig-
nore all political questions, but that we
will not ally our paper to party, clique or
ring. If we are on the fence, we reserve
the right to strike either way, and if we
should strike more on one side than the
other, it will be because our convictions
outweigh our caution, for the political
history of our country proves that parties,
like individuals, are liable to make grave
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
"With these few remarks and hoping the
Review will find a hearty welcome in
every household in southern Kossuth and
northern Humboldt counties, we again say
to you, one and all, 'good morning.'"
The paper is a seven column folio,
neatly printed and with a liberal show of
advertising patronage. Although the
editor is a young man, still the leaders
show more than average ability. The
first issue has an interesting account of
the rise of the town and the resources of
the surrounding country, and three and a
half columns of local items.
Verne S. Ellis, son of Smitzer and
Charlotte Ellis, was horn Jan. 16, 1864, in
Geauga Co., Ohio. When five years of
age his parents moved to Iowa, locating
in Montour, Tama county, where his
father erected a building for a meat mar-
ket, but soon sold out and went to work
at his trade, being a painter. Mr. Ellis
received his education in Montour. In
1879 he went into the office of the Mon-
tour Review, to learn the printing busi-
ness under A. A. Blackmail. The paper
was discontinued in 1880, when in about
two months, Mr. Ellis and brother, Da-
vid A., started it again, and issued it un-
til September, 1882. They then discon-
tinued its publication and moved the
office to Bancroft, Kossuth Co., Iowa,
where they were running a paper called
the Bancroft Register, which was estab-
lished April previous. In March, 1883,
they started a paper in Luverne, called
the Kossuth County Review. Getting the
material here Monday morning, they sent
out the first issue on Saturday evening
dated March 10. The paper has been
published regularly since then, both pa-
pers being owned and published by Mr.
Ellis and brother.
The Bancroft Register, a neat little
seven column folio, was established in the
town of Bancroft, Kossuth county, in iss2,
by D. A. Ellis and brother. The first
sheet was issued upon Friday, April' 14,
and is now in a good healthy condition.
David A. Ellis, the senior editor, handles
a pen to some purpose and the local col-
umn is quite creditable. Mr. Ellis, al-
though a young man, has had some jour-
nalistic experience, having published the
Review in the town of Montour, Tama
county, previous to coming to this county.
David A. Ellis, editor of the Bancroft
Register, was born in Cuyahoga Co., Ohio,
Feb. 21, 1861. When eight years of age
he moved with his parents, S. and Char-
lotte L. (Frazer) Ellis, to Tama Co., Iowa,
locating in Montour. In 1878 Mr. Ellis
entered the office of the Montour Review,
edited by Mr. Blackman, to learn the print-
ers' trade. After working there two
months the office was closed, and it being
in debt to Mr. Ellis for his work, he took
charge of it, operating it for six months.
In 1879 Mr. Ellis purchased new material
and started the paper anew. He publish-
ed the paper until Sept. 29, 1882, when it
was discontinued, Mr. Ellis having six
months previous to this time started the
Register in Bancroft. He still has con-
trol of the Register, and makes it a very
lively and spicy little sheet. Mr. Ellis is
a republican in politics.
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNT Y.
CHAPTER X
EDUCATIONAL.
When upon that cold and stormy day in
December, 1G20, the noble band of Pil-
grims landed upon the bleak and desolate
shore of New England, their first thought
was of religious duty, the second of
schools and academies. They came, flee-
ing from the religious intolerance of the
old world, to found a Utopian country of
their own in the wilds of America. Scarce
were they landed when all were assem-
bled and prayers and religious services
were held, the echoes of which yet rever-
berate around the world ; for in their
prayers they sought the Divine assistance
to found a colony, where freedom and
education could go hand in hand, and if
in alter years, their stern creed of morals
and religious asceticism led them into
intolerant acts towards their neighbors,
still the general movement was toward
the light of liberty and education.
There, on the stony soil of Massachu-
setts, these stern and rigid moralists first
planted the seed of our grand system of
educational facilities. There they origi-
nated the district school that has outlasted
them and their other institutions, seen
governments wax old and pass away, and
survived the throes of revolution, when
these colonies revolted from the galling
yoke of Britannia. In that land of its
birth, the system of district schooli, with
its board of select men, still survives,
with but little change from that of the
original system that was planted two cen-
turies and a half ago. The sons and
daughters of New England, in their
journey toward a home in the west, car-
ried the precious seed, and planting it in
the fruitful soil, it flourished and grew
until it far overshadowed the parent tree.
In Iowa, such has been the fostering hand,
of our State government, it lias reached
the very acme of perfection. According
to the report of the census of the United
/States government, the ratio of illiteracy
in this State is less than in any other of
the States of the Union, and the citizen
of our noble young common weath can
well hold up his head and say, ''although
we are among the youngest in the sover-
eignties of the world, none can exceed us
in intelligence or knowledge, or in our
system of education."
One of the county school superintend-
ents of Kossuth county, and one of its
best educators, M. Helen Wooster, says
of the subject of education and teaching
as follows :
"History is one long record of the rise,
supremacy and downfall of theories, in-
stitutions and governments. The long-
ing for true theories, lasting institutions
and safe governments has caused to he
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
recognized the fact, that the common per-
ception of many individuals is safer and
presumably more nearly correct than the
perceptions of a few; as the rays collected
and converged by the microscope produce
a more legible representation than can be
produced directly upon the eye. If, how-
ever, the lens be defective, the eye is the
truer interpreter.
"Democratic institutions must be based
upon the strong common sense of the
masses. If it be an educated common
sense, no concern need be felt for the
effect of time or the loss of individuals,
for the elements of life are within and
not applied.
"To accomplish a general dissemination
of knowledge, method after method was
advocated, tried and modified, until the
present public school system was adopted
and established. Soon interested observa-
tion detected that the end obtained was
not the end desired, and as quickly dis-
covered that one cause of the partial fail-
ure lay in the misapplied energies of the
teachers. Perhaps no one better under-
stood the duties and, therefore, the quali-
fication of a teacher than Horace Mann.
He says:
'One requisite is a knowledge of com-
mon school studies. Teachers should have
a perfect knowledge of the rudimental
branches which are required by law to be
taught in our schools. They should under-
stand, not only the rules which have been
prepared as guides to the unlearned, but
also the principals on which the rules are
founded, those principles which lie be-
neath the rules, and supercede them in
practice, and from which, should the ru'es
be lost, they could be framed anew.
Teachers should be able to teach subjects,
not manuals merely. The knowledge
should not only be thorough and critical,
but it should be always ready at command
for every emergency, familiar like the
alphabet, so that as occasion requires, it
will rise up in the mind instantaneously
and not need to be studied out with labor
and delay * * * The next principal
qualification is the art of teaching. This
is happily expressed in the common
phrase, aptness to teach. The ability to
acquire and the ability to impart are
wholly different talents. The former may
exist in the most liberal measure without
the latter.'
"The necessity for such trained talent in
the school room has involved the Normal
School, and, for the benefit of those
teachers who cannot take a Normal course,
the Teachers' Institute. Probably there
are many teachers who receive their first
and only true ideas of teaching through
them. There is nothing of arrogance in
the assertion. Until the teachers' profes-
sion shall have taken its proper position
in public opinion and none be allowed to
enter it without special training, numbers
will for a few months in the year assume
the place of teacher to the child. They
cannot be expected to understand the art
of instructing others. To help this class
of teachers and prepare them for their
duties is the object of the Teachers' In-
stitute. There the methods that have
been wrought out by educators who have
made it their life's study, are explained
and illustrated. Surely nothing but a
censurable indifference on the part of the
teacher to his duties toward the pupil, or
the equally censurable willingness to re-
304
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
ceive compensation from the public treas-
ury without having rendered an equiva-
lent, could permit one to neglect the
means Cur improvement so offered them."
SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.
When the county of Kossuth was or-
ganized, the office of school superintend-
ent was not yet created, and the only
officer in the educational department of
the county was the school fund commis-
sioner, and he only had charge of the
school fund, only so far as it is in the
hands of the board of supervisors at pres-
ent, lie could loan the surplus funds to
private parties upon first-class securities.
So far as educational matters were con-
cerned, he had little or no authority. The
directors hiring the teachers, made the
necessary examination into their requisite
qualifications for the position, and public
examinations were totally unknown. The
first party to hold the position of school
fund commissioner, in Kossuth county,
was George W. Hand, who was elected
to till the position, in April, 1857. Mr.
Hand did not hold it very long, as his
time of office expired with that year. Some
years since, he left the county, going to
the State of Kansas, where he is believed
to be at present.
W. 1>. Moore was his successor, but only
held it for a short time, as this office ex-
pired in the latter part of the year 185S.
Mr. Moore has been dead sometime, and
nothing can be gathered in regard to him,
of an interesting nature.
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
This office was created during the year
1858, and the duties of the office were the
same as at present, but the official put in
much less time, and in several instances
the semi-annual appropriation of the
county court and, subsequently, of the
board of supervisors, for tiie salary of
county superintendent, reached the mu-
nificent sum of $-20 for six months ser-
vices. The first to occupy this respon-
sible position was the Rev. t'hauncey
Taylor, who was elected in April,
1858, and served one year. Mr. Taylor
was a member of the Congregational
Church, and was one of the first to con-
duct Divine service in the county. He
died on the 29th of February, 187G, at
Algona,and the following obituary of him,
written by the hand of one who knew and
loved him, gives a better sketch of him
than can be penned by the hand of a
stranger, no matter how much he may ad-
mire the man and the record of his work.
The item in question goes on to relate the
fact of his death, and then says:
"Sorrow at his departure is not alone
confined to those who knew him well, and
knowing, learned to love and admire his
many virtues, his unflagging zeal in pros-
ecuting his life work of doing good, his
broad charity towards his fellow-men, for
all recognized in him the true, honest
Christian minister, and as such mourn his
loss. Father Taylor had filled the allotted
three score years ami ten, and had filled
them with blessings for others, and eter-
nal blessings for himself. He commenced
his ministerial labors in Iowa in 1856,
though for twenty years previous he had
possessed the design of one day coming
to our western prairies, and here found-
ing a Church and lending his efforts to es-
tablishing an institution of learning.
"In 1S5G he was appointed an agent of
the Home Missionary Society, and leav-
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
ingliis family in New York, came hither
to the scene of his future labors, crossing
the Mississippi on foot, stopping at Des
Moines a short time, and then taking up
his route to this then almost solitary re-
gion, lie at once went to work to advance
the moral and mental well-being of his
fellows, and mainly through his exertions,
was erected a town hall, during the Hist
years of his stay, and which, enlarged, is
now the Congregational church. For six-
teen years he was the presiding genius,
the spirit of the Congregational Society,
and in great measure the parent of most
of the religious interests in the county.
During the time of his ministry here he
assisted in consigning to their last resting
place eighty-eight of his parishioners,
among them, the old and young, withered
and fair, and poured the balm of relig-
ious consolation into the aching hearts of
the mourning friends. During that time
also, he solemnized sixty-three marriages
and lived to christen the pledges of many
of those happy unions and to give them
their early instruction of reverence and
love for the Great Parent of all.
"lie also established the first reading
club, devoted to the intellectual improve-
ment of its members and of the citizens
of the county generally. The first sing-
ing class in the county was inaugurated
by him, and for many years he was the
sole musical instructor. For the greater
portion of his twenty years ministry among
us he filled appointments at various places
throughout the county, until his kindly
features and gentle words were known to
almost every inhabitant of the county. In
1858 he attended the State Congregational
Association at Dubuque, and in reply to
the astonishment of his admiring friends,
that a man of his abilities should bury
himself in the northwestern solitudes, in-
sisted that Algona was in the centre of the
world, that the difficulty was, the world
was one sided.
"He was one of the three ministers who
organized the Northwestern Congrega-
tional Society, then including but three
Churches, and now representing no less
than twenty-three Churches, with a mem-
bership of 932. When the War of the
Rebellion broke out, he sent, with tears of
sorrow but the glow of patriotism, Ids
youngest son to do battle for his country,
soon to mourn him a victim offered upon
the alter of his country. A few years later
and he was called upon to grieve the loss
of his only remaining son, his sorrow
doubled from the fact that they each died
surrounded by strangers, and far from the
loving embrace of parents and kindred.
"The formal organization of the Church
here was made in August, 1858, and for
over fifteen years he filled the position of
pastor, gaining the love, not only of his
parishioners but of the whole community,
by his eminent piety, and broad charity
and tolerance, and to-day young and old
throughout the county, mourn with sin-
cerest sorrow the departure of Father
Taylor."
What more could be added, when it is
well known that the above is the verdict
of every one in the county. Admiration
for his many virtues, and for his truly
Christian life shall never cease while any
who knew him shall exist upon earth.
In ls;59 J. R. Armstrong was elected to
fill this office and served for two years in
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
that capacity. He is still one of the prom-
inent residents of the county.
The Reverend Chauncey Taylor was
again chosen superintendent of schools
of the county at the general election in
18G1, and served a term of two years
from the 1st of January, 1862, when he
again retired to the shades of private life
and his ministerial duties.
M. D. Blanchard was the immediate
successor of Mr. Taylor, entering upon
the duties of the office with the first of
the year, 1864, and fulfilling its functions
for the space of two years. Mr. Blanch-
ard, at a later date, filled the office of
county treasurer, under which head the
reader may find a more extended sketch
of the gentleman. His term of office ex-
pired the last of December, 1865.
The Reverend Chauncey Taylor was
again called to superintend the school
system of Kossuth county, entering the
office the 1st of January, 1866, and again
serving, as such, for a term of two years.
John Reed, the present recorder of
the county, was elected county super-
intendent of common schools, in 1867,
and entering upon the function of the
office with the year 1868 served until
September, 1869, when he resigned. Mr.
Reed is noticed in fuller detail under
the head of recorder, in the chapter de-
voted to the representation of the Nation,
State and county.
On the resignation of Mr. Reed the
board appointed A. W. Osborne to this
office, and at the election of that year,
1869, he was elected to lie his own suc-
cessor, and held the office until October,
1870, when he too, resigned the office.
Mr. Osborne shortly afterward left this
county, ernigratingto Spirit Lake, Dickin-
son county, where he has since been prom-
inently identified with the official man-
agement of county matters, having been
county treasurer of that county for seven
or right years. He has always been
spoken of as a man of excellent business
habits and quite methodical in all the
affairs of life.
On the acceptance of the resignation of
Mr. Osborne, the board appointed M.
Helen Wooster to fill the vacancy, and at
the general election of 1871, the people
of the county endorsed the selection by
electing the lady to the office by a hand-
some majority. Miss Wooster, the only
lady official the county has ever elected
to fill an office, was a native of Massa-
chusetts and came west for the purpose of
engaging in educational pursuits, es-
pecially in the higher branches. Her
peculiar ability fitted her well for the
arduous duties of superintendent and un-
der her able management the schools of
the county took a great step forward in
the' march of progress. Miss Wooster is
now in California, where she went several
years ago.
A. A. Bronson was elected county su-
perintendent of schools in 1873. Was re-
elected in 1S75 and 1877, and held the
office for six years. Having fulfilled the
duties devolving upon him in a manner
creditable to himself and satisfactory to
the people of the county, he retired from
official position covered with laurels. He
is still one of Kossuth county's influential
citizens.
A. A. Crose, another of the present resi-
dents of the county was chosen by his
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
fellow electors, in 1879, to fill this difficult
office, and served two years.
J. J. Wilkinson, the present incumbent
of the office of county superintendent
of schools, was elected in 1881, and al the
election of 1S83 was re-elected to the
same position for the ensuing term.
J. J. Wilkinson was born Aug. 31, 1851,
in Oakland Co., Mich. His parents,
Joseph and Sarah (Scholey) Wilkinson,
were natives of England, and emigrated
to the United States in 1850, locating at
Detroit, Mich., where they spent one win-
ter, then went to Oakland county, where
he engaged in farming. In 1862 they re-
moved to Shiawassee Co., Mich., which
is still their home. Coming to this coun-
try a poor man, he has by hard labor ac-
cumulated a comfortable property, ami is
to-day one of the well-to-do farmers in
this county. J. J. Wilkinson was reared
on a farm, received a common school edu-
cation, and afterward graduated from the
High school. He then entered a store as
clerk at Perry, remaining two years, af-
terward attended Mayhews Business Col-
lege in Detroit, Mich., graduating in 1873.
After leaving Detroit, he taught school
several years. In 1877 he came to Kossuth
county where he taught till 1881, then
was elected county superintendent of pub-
lie schools, was re-elected in 1883 without
opposition. Mr. Wilkinson is a young
man, well qualified for his position, and
the interests of the schools are carefully
looked after. He married Mertie Har-
per, a daughter of Judge A. A. Harper, of
Michigan. They have three children —
J. Leslie, George H. and Stanley. He is
a member of the I. O. O. F.
From the time of the first organization
of the county into school districts, the num-
ber of schools have increased quite rap-
idly, and educational facilities have become
more and more efficient. Each cycle has
shown a marked difference in this respect.
Much difficulty has been found in getting
any reliable information in regard to
the early schools, as it seems, that in
those pioneer days not much care was ex-
ercised in the preservation of the records,
and but few of them have survived the
lapse of years, even if they have been
comparatively few. In 1864, however, it
is found there were in the county, 150
scholars between the ages of five and
twenty-one years,of which eighty-two were
males, and sixty-eight females. There
were at the same time, some eleven schools
in the county: with an enrollment of 147
scholars and thirteen teachers. The av-
erage attendance of pupils was set down
for that year at seventy-six, and the aver-
age weekly compensation to the teachers
in the county is recorded to have been
$5.6-2 for males, and $3.58 for females.
By 1880 the educational work had made
a giant stride from this primitive showing.
In the statistics of that year the follow-
ing items will probably be of interest, in
this connection.
Number of district townships 9
Number of independent districts 1
Number of sub-districts 76
Number of ungraded schools S8
Number of rooms in graded schools 5
Number of children in the county between
the ages of 5 and 21 years 2,565
Of which are males 1,286
Females 1, 279
Total number of pupils enrolled 1,909
Average attendance 1,177
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
Number of school houses, frame 78
Total value of school houses $32, 201
Value of apparatus $ 1,854
Number volumes in library 1,300
TRESENT CONDITION.
From the last statistical report availa-
ble, a number of items are herewith pre-
sented, which will show the present con-
dition of educational matters, in Kossuth
county, better than a long, labored article
would:
Number of district townships 12
Number of independent districts. 1
Number of sub-districts 81
Number of ungraded schools 95
Number of rooms in graded schools 9
Number of teachers employed 9
Male teachers 2
Female teachers 7
Average compensation to males ?0o 00
Average compensation to female $35 71
Number of children between the 'ages of
5 and 21 years 3,062
Of which are males 1, 537
Of which are females 1,525
Enrollment in public schools 2, 486
Number of school houses in county 88
Of which are frame 88
Total value of school houses $46,348
Total value of apparatus $1,870
Number of volumes in libraries 1,620
Number of certificates granted in Oct.
1882, up to Oct. 1883 192
Of which are males 40
Females 152
Average age of male teachers 24
Females..? 20
Number of applicants rejected 14
In this connection a few items arc pre-
sented, taken from the official records,
showing the financial condition of the
educational department of Kossuth county
for the year 1883 :
SCHOOL HOtTSE FUND . Dr.
Amount on hand per last report $1,882 00
Received from district lax 8,173 10
Received from other sources 809 95
Total $10,865 15
Cr.
Paid for school houses'and sites . . . $5,945 41
Paid for apparatus 68 88
Paid on bonds and interests 441 18
Paid for other purposes 1, 245 93
On hand 3. 162 75
Total $10.865 15
CONTINGENT FIND. Dr.
On hand per last report $3, 155 45
Received from district tax 6, 817 04
Received from other sources 36129
Total $10, 333 78
Paid for rent and repairs on school Cr.
houses $1,743 39
Paid for fuel 2,379 50
Paid secretaries and treasurers 786 61
Paid for records, etc 202 08
Paid foi insurance and janitor 325 00
Paid for supplies 592 15
Paid for other purposes 1.930 37
Onband 2,198 98
Total $10,333 78
teachers' fund. Dr.
On hand, last report $12,041 26
Received from district tax 22, 121 07
Received from semi-annual appoint-
ment 2,749 96
Received from other soirees 255 77
Total $37,168 06
Cr.
Paid teachers $23, 815 78
Paid for other purposes 2930
On hand 13. 322 98
Total $37,168 06
NORMAL INSTITUTES.
The State superintendent of public in-
struction, in a report made in 1872, used
the following, in regard to these insti-
tutes:
"The subject of normal schools deserves
special attention from the legislators and
school authorities in the State. The time
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
has evidently gone by when intelligent
parents are willing to entrust the educa-
tion of their children to the novices and
quacks with which the profession is
everywhere crowded. If parents are not
sufficiently intelligent to perceive the
lasting damage resulting to their chil-
dren from the crude methods of ignorant
and incompetent teachers, the State, at
least, is supposed to be informed on this
point, and is in duty bound to exert its
resources to the utmost that the evil may
be removed. The intellectual and moral
training of the youth of the land is a
public trust, guarded with constitutional
sanctions, and lying nearest the great
heart of our republican institutions. The
strength and permanency of a popular
government are invested in the intelli-
gence and refinement of the people, and
therefore our common schools are the
hope of the Nation. Now, if these are
neglected, or through defective super-
vision are suffered to fall into incompe-
tent hands, the State thereby commits the
two-fold error of squandering the public
funds, and what is infinitely worse, of
allowing meantime her occasions for
strengthening the very foundations of
government to go by unimproved. It is
asserted that ninety-four per cent, of the
200,000 teachers of the United States
have entered the school room without any
professional training for the work; ami
forty per cent, of them without any de-
sign whatever of making it a profession.
"Perhaps it is because the primary and
district schools of this country are so
largely given over to charlatanry on the
one hand and the probationary blundering
of novices on the other, that the state-
ment has gone out upon the endorsement
of the bureau of education, that 'poor
schools and poor teachers are in a ma-
jority throughout the country,' and that
'multitudes of schools are so poor that it
would be as well for the country if they
were closed.
"But we have failed fully to comprehend
the office of professional training for the
teacher, until the subject of method has
been taken into the account. Teaching is
an art, and as such has been undergoing
progressive improvement through many
ages of research and discovery. It has
assumed new shapes, invented new facili-
ties, and adopted successively a great va-
riety of methods by which the young
mind may be aroused to action, and all
the spiritual faculties may be put in the
way of an ordinary and healthful devel-
opment. As tire human mind lias been
more and more profoundly studied, and
its laws and capabilities, its social and
material relations have been drawn out,
the methods of imparting instruction and
the whole art of school organization and
management have undergone changes
corresponding to these new directions of
thought. Theory and practice have thus
mutually kept pace with each other. It
is pre-eminently the province of the nor-
mal school to drill in method, and enforce
the underlying principles which commend
recent and improved methods to the ac-
ceptance of its pupils.
"In every particular case, excepting, of
course, when an actual and manifest in-
capacity is developed, the young man or
woman submitting to a thorough normal
drill, gains in a brief time what the ex-
perience of years would fail to supply
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
and is enabled in this way to bring to the
schools of the country a fund of skill and
resources which otherwise the country
would not have. It can be asserted with
confidence that such results are always
more than an equivalent for the money
expended, both by the student and the
State, and the time and toil and sacrifice
attending the,se preparatory years. It is
returned as a moral force in our public
school system immeasurably more power-
ful, and far-reaching and enriching to the
life of the Nation, than can be contrib-
uted from any other agemy immediately
within the embrace of the State. The
teacher enters' the school room already a
practiced hand in the detail of manage-
ment, and with lofty and just conceptions
of the dignity ami worth of his profession,
and it is inevitable that the air of confi-
dence he exhibits, and the calm devotion
he manifests, in the work he loves, will
be caught by the children, and the schools
will gain an advantage in this way which
money cannot purchase.
"Under the hand of the patient, intelli-
gent teacher, our Nation is reduced to
homogenity in the school room.
'It is deemed feasible, therefore, to in-
augurate a system of graded normal
schools. The subject has been broached
by the National Teachers' Association of
IS7Q, and is a. scheme upon which there is
pretty general unanimity among all the
leading educators of the land. Two very
strong papers urging the necessity, and
detailing the advantages of such a plan,
were submitted at the National Teacher's
Association, and were deemed so timely
and suggestive with reference to this
most pressing problem, that the commis-
sioner of education has incorporated them
entire in his report for 1*70. So thor-
oughly has the subject been canvassed in
these two papers, and the advantages and
practicability of the plan so clearly and
judiciously set forth, that I cannot do bet-
ter than commend the careful reading of
them to all those who are in any way in-
terested in the movement. Meantime it
is proper in this connection to state briefly
the considerations favoring the plan.
"First, then, if the plan were consum-
mated, all the normal schools that would
be established in the State, with the ex-
ception of some central normal schools,
would possess the character and curricu-
lum of primary normal schools. These
would be preparatory and tributary to the
central normal school, the grade of the
latter answering to the higher department
of our graded school system, and prepar-
ing teachers more expressly for these;
whereas the organization and course of
studies in the former would prepare teach-
ers for the mixed schools of our rural
districts and the lower department of our
graded school system.
The article is too long to cpiote entire,
but the above extract has been given sim-
ply to show the purposes for which the
normal institute was created. The act
of Legislature which instituted them was
passed in the fall of 187:1, and in the
spring of 1874 the first of them was held
at Algona, in Kossuth county. This com-
menced the 30th day of March, and lasted
for several days. The following is a re-
port of this meeting, taken from the
newspapers of the county published at
the time:
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
31]
At 9 a. M. Prof. Eld ridge and about
forty teachers met at the high school de-
partment, in Algona. The Professor, af-
ter exchanging salutations with some of
his numerous friends, ascended the plat-
form and called the school to order, then
read an appropriate lesson from the Bible
and opened the session by prayer. He
than addressed a few words of greeting
to the school, and stated that the princi-
pal business of the day would consist in
organization and classification. While
the teachers were handing in their names
and postoffiee address, Superintendent
Brunsou put in an appearance and intro-
duced to the school Prof. P. Ritner, of
Columbus, Louisa county, stating that he
would assist Prof. Eldridge in instructing
the school, and that he "trusted we should
get oar money's worth from both gentle-
men."
Prof. Eldridge then stated that the or-
der of exercises in the afternoon would
be a classification of the sciences and ex-
ercises in grammar, physiology and arith-
metic.
In the afternoon the number in attend-
ance was increased to forty-eight. * *
The programme as announced in the
morning was carried out, and at 4 p. M.
the session closed. The indications are
all favorable for a large, profitable and in-
teresting school.
Tuesday, March 31.
The number of pupils arrived since
yesterday is twelve, making sixty now
present, and more are expected. Among
the arrivals from other counties I notice
John Bennett and Mr. Prouty, from Em-
metsburg; Miss O'Brien, from Hancock,
and Mr. Hudson, from Minnesota. The
school is classified in three divisions, and
as our superintendent conducts some of
the classes, there arc! three teachers. The
school is already an assured success, and
I hear the highest terms of gratification
expressed by those in attendance. One
teacher said, and the language found a
cordial response from all, "This is just the
opportunity I have long wished for."
Since this time an institute has been
held each year, with increasing interest
and success, demonstrating beyond a
doubt the usefulness of the system. Each
year they have grown in attendance, and
the effect is plainly visible in the in-
creased efficiency of the teachers of the
county.
TEACIIEKS' ASSOCIATION.
This association was organized in the
latter days of the year 1875. In a report
of the first meeting of the society held on
Thursday and Friday evenings, December
30 and 31, it is said that there was no dif-
ficulty in carrying out the programme
which was arranged several weeks previ-
ous to the meeting. Several questions of
great interest to both teacher and parents,
were brought before the association for
discussion. The discussion of each ques-
tion was opened by some one, previously
appointed, after which each one present
was invited to present his views on the
subject. The following are the questions:
"Should corporal punishment be re-
sorted to in governing a school?" — dis-
cussion opened by Prof. Bushhell.
"Should vocal music be taught in our
public schools?" — Emma Ileckart.
"Should we have compulsory educa-
tion?"— John Reed.
A-
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
"What can be done to secure more per-
manent employment, better pay and
longer engagements for teachers ?"-Super-
intendent Brunson.
"Should we give rewards and prizes for
excellence in scholarship and deport-
ment?" — Eunice Knapp.
"How can we secure the co-operation of
the parents?"— B. F. Reed, Esq.
"When and in what order shall the
branches taught in our common schools be
taken up?" — Prof. Saunders.
Great interest was manifested in the
discussion of each of these questions, but
more especially in those of "corporal
punishment" and "compulsory education."
Thursday evening President Barclay
delivered a very entertaining and instruc-
tive lecture on "The art of securing atten-
tion," which was listened to with attention
and marked appreciation. Mrs. Colton
read an excellent essay entitled "Gather
up the fragments." The audience was
favored with several pieces of good music
rendered by some of the best musical tal-
ent of the city. The music was under the
direction of Prof. Saunders, assisted by F.
M. Taylor and wife, Cora Setchel, Mrs. J.
R. Jones, Mrs.Buffum and Leroy Setchel,
with Minnie Billington at the organ. Un
Friday evening the exercises consisted of
music, a discussion, a question-box, a socia-
ble and several toasts.
The following officers were elected for
I the ensuing year: A. A. Brunson, presi-
dent; Emma Ileckart, secretary; Prof.
Saunders, treasurer; John Reed, President
Barclay and Francis Moore executive com-
mittee.
This meeting was held at the college
chapel, and was largely attended by
teachers and others interested in educa-
tional progress.
CHAPTER XI
THE WAR FOR THE UNION.
The institution of slavery was always a
source of trouble between the free and
slave-holding States. The latter were al-
ways troubled with the thought that the
former would encroach on their rights,
and nothing could lie done to shake this
belief. Compromise measures were adopted
from time to time to settle the vexed ques-
tion of slavery, but the fears of the slave-
holders were only allayed for a short
time. Threats of secession were o t< n
made by the slave-holding States, but as
some measures of a conciliatory charac-
ter were passed, no attempts were made
to carry their threats into execution. Fi-
nally came the repeal of the Missoui i
Compromise and the adoption of a meas-
ure known as the Kansas-Nebraska bill.
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
This hill opened certain territory to sla-
very, which, under the former act, was
forever to be free. About the time of the
passage of this act, the whig party was
in a state of dissolution, and the great
body of that party, together with certain
democrats who were opposed to the Kan-
sas-Nebraska bill, united, thus forming a
new party, to which was given the name
of republican, having for its object the
prevention of the further extension of
slavery. The people of the South imag-
ined they saw in this new party, not only
an organized effort to prevent the exten-
sion of slavery, but one that would event-
ually be used to destroy slavery in those
States in which it already existed.
In 1860 four Presidential tickets were
in the field. Abraham Lincoln was the
candidate of the republicans, Stephen A.
Douglas iif the national democrats, John
C. Breckenridge of the pro-slavery inte)
ests, and John Bell of the Union. Thi
Union party was composed principally o
those who had previously affiliated with
the American or know-nothing party.
Early in the campaign there were threats
of secession and disunion in case of the
election of Abraham Lincoln, but the
people were so accustomed to Southern
bravado that little heed was given to the
bluster.
On the 20th of December, 1860, South
Carolina, by a convention of delegates,
declared, "That the Union now existing
between South Carolina and the other
States of North America is dissolved, and
that the State of South Carolina has re-
sumed her position among the Nations of
the earth, as a free, sovereign and inde-
pendent State, with full power to levy war
and conclude peace, contract alliances,
establish commerce, and do all other acts
and things which independent States may
of right, do."
On the 2tth, Gov. Pickens issued a proc-
lamation declaring that "South Carolina
is, and has a right to be a free and inde-
pendent State, and as such has a right to
levy war, conclude peace, and do all acts
whatever that rightfully appertain to a
free and independent State."
On the 26th, Major Anderson evacuated
Fort Moultrie and occupied Fort Sumter.
Two days previously he wrote President
Buchanan's Secretary of War, John B.
Floyd, as follows:
"When I inform you that my garrison
consists of only sixty effective men, and
that we are in very indifferent works, the
walls of which are only foutreen feet high;
and that we have, within 100 yards of our
walls, sand hills which command our
works, and .which afford admirable sites
for batteries and the finest coverts for
sharp-shooters; and that besides this there
are numerous houses, some of them within
pistol shot, and you will at once see that,
if attacked in force, headed by any one
but a simpleton, there is scarcely a possi-
bility of our being able to hold out long
enough for our friends to come to our sue.
cor."
His appeal for re-inforcements we re
seconded by Gen. Scott, but unheeded by
President Buchanan, and entirely ignored
by John B. Floyd, Secretary of War.
On the 28th, South Carolina troops oc-
cupied Fort Moultrie and Castle Pinck-
ney, and hoisted the palmetto flag on the
ramparts. On the 29th John B. Floyd re-
signed his place in Buchanan's cabinet,
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
charging that the President, in refusing
to remove Major Anderson from Charles-
ton Harbor, designed to plunge the coun-
try into civil war, and added: "I cannot
consent to be the agent of such a calam-
ity." On the same day the South Caro-
lina commissioners presented their official
credentials at Washington, which, on the
next day, were declined.
On the second day of January, 1861,
Georgia declared for secession, and Geor-
gia troops took possession of the United
States arsenal in Augusta, and Forts Pu-
laski and Jackson.
Gov. Ellis, of North Carolina, seized
the forts at Beaufort and Wilmington and
the arsenal at Fayetteville. On the even-
ing of the 4th, the Alabama and Missis-
sippi delegations in Congress telegraphed
the conventions of their respective States
to secede, telling them there was no pros-
pect of a satisfactory adjustment. On the
7th, the conventions of Alabama, Missis-
sippi and Tennessee met in secret con-
clave. On the 9th, Secretary Thompson
resigned his seat in the Cabinet on the
ground that, contrary to promises, troops
had been sent to Major Anderson. On
the 9th, the Star of the West, carrying
supplies and re-inforcements to Major
Anderson, was tired into from Morris
Island, and turned homeward, leaving
Fort Sumter and its gallant little band, to
the mercy of the rebels. On tin' same
day, the ordinance of secession passedthe
Mississippi Convention. Florida adopted
an ordinance of secession on the 10th,
and Alabama on the 11th. The same day
(the 11th) Thomas, Secretary of the
Treasury, resigned, and the rebeln seized
the arsenal at Baton Rouge, and Forts
Jackson and St. Philip, at the mouth of
the Mississippi river, and Fort Pike at
the entrance of Lake Pontchartrain.
Pensacola navy yard and Fort Barrancas
were surrendered to rebel troops by
Col. Armstrong on the 13th. Lieut.
Slemmer, who had withdrawn his com-
mand from Fort McRae to Fort Pick-
ens, defied Armstrong's orders, and an-
nounced his intention to "hold the fort"
at all hazards. The Georgia Convention
adopted an ordinance of secession on the
19th. On the 20th, Lieut. Slemmer
was besieged by a thousand "allied troops"
at Fort Pickens. Louisiana adopted an
ordinance of secession on the 25th. On
the 1st of February the rebels seized the
United States Mint, and custom house at
New Orleans. The Peace Convention as-
sembled at Washington on the -1th, but
adjourned without doing any tiling to quiet
the disturbed elements. On the 9th, a
provisional constitution was adopted ;it
Montgomery, Ala,, it being the Con-
stitution of the United States "re-con-
structed" to suit their purpose. Jeffer-
son Davis, of Mississippi, was chosen
President, and Alexander II. Stevens, of
Georgia, Vice-President of the "Confed-
erate States of North America " Jeff. Davis
was inaugurated on the ISthj and on the
25th it was learned that General Twiggs,
commanding the Department of Texas,
had basely betrayed his trust, and that he
had surrendered all the military posts,
munitions and arms to the authorities of
Texas.
Mr. Lincoln was inaugurated March 4,
1861, in front of the capitol, the inaugu-
ration ceremonies being witnessed by a
vast concourse of people. Before taking
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.
the oath, Mr. Lincoln pronounced in a
clear, ringing voice, his inaugural address,
to hear which, there was an almost pain-
ful solicitude, to read which the whole
American people and the civilized world
awaited with irrepressible anxiety. With
that address, and the administration of
the oath of office, the people were assured.
All doubt, if any had previously existed,
was removed. In the bauds of Abraham
Lincoln, the people's President, and him-
self of the people the government was
safe.
Traitors were still busy, plotting and
planning. Troops were mustering in all
the seceded States. On Friday, April 12,
the surrender of Fort Sumter, with its
garrison of sixty effective men, was de-
manded and bravely refused by the gal-
lant Major Anderson. Fire was at once
opened on the helpless garrison by the
rebel forces, numbered by thousands. Re-
sistance was useless, and at last the Na-
tional colors wers hauled down, and by
traitor hands were trailed in the dust.
On Sunday morning, the 14th, the news
of the surrender was received in all the
principal cities of the Union. That was
all, but that was enough. A day later,
when the news was confirmed and spread
through the country, the patriotic people
of the North were startled from their
dreams of the future — from undertakings
half completed — and made to realize that
behind that mob there was a dark, deep,
and well organized purpose to destroy the
government, rend the Union in twain, and
out of its ruins erect a slave oligarchy,
wherein no one would dare question their
right to hold in bondage the sons and
daughters of men whose skins were black.
Their dreams of the future— their plans
for the establishment of an independent
confederacy — were doomed from their in-
ception to sad and bitter disappointment.
Everywhere north of Mason and Dixon's
line, the voice of Providence was heard:
"Draw forth your million blades as one:
Complete the battle now begun ;
God fights with yo, and overhead
Floats the dear banner of your dead.
They, and the glories of the past,
The future, dawning- dim and vast,
And all the holiest hopes of man.
Are beaming triumphant in your van."
' 'Slow to resolve, be swift to do !
Teach ye the False, bow fights the True !
How buckled Perfidy shall feel,
In her black heart the Patriot's steel,
How sure the bolt that Justice wings;
How weak the arm a traitor brings;
How mighty they who steadfast stand.
For Freedom's flag and Freedom's land."
President Lincoln, on the loth of April,
issued the following proclamation :
' 'Whereas, The laws of the United States have for
sunn- time past, and are now, opposed, and the exe-
cution thereof obstructed, in the States of South Car-
olina, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and
Texas, by combinations too powerful to be sup-
pressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceed-
ings, or by the powers vested in the marshals; now
therefore, f, Abraham Lincoln, President of the
United States, by virtue of the power in me vested
by the Constitution and the laws, have thought to
call forth, and hereby do call forth, the militia of the
several States of the Union, to tin- Dumber of 75,000,
in order to suppress said combinations, and to cause
the laws to be duly executed.
The details for this subject will be immediately
communicated to the State authorities through the
War Department. I appeal to all loyal citizens to
favor, facilitate, and to aid this effort to maintain the
honor, the integrity, and existence of our National
Union, and the perpetuity of popular government,
and to redress wrongs already long endured. I deem
it proper to say that the first service assigned to the
tori-e- hereby called forth will probably be to re-
possess the forts, places and property which have
been seized from the Union; and in every event the
utmost care will be observed, consistently with the
object aforesaid, to avoid any devastation, any de-
st met ion of. or interference with property, or any dis-
turbance of peaceful citizens in any part of the
country; and I hereby command the persons com-
HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNT Y
posing the combinations aforesaid, to disperse and
retire peaceably to their respective abodea within
t wenty days from tins date.
Deeming thai the present condition of public af-
fairs presents an extraordinary occasion, I do hereby,
in virtue of the power in mo vested by the Constitu-
tion, convene both Houses of Congress. The Sena-
tors and Representatives are therefore summoned to
assemble at their respective chambers at 12 o'clock,
noon, on Thursday, the fourth day of July next,then
and thereto consider and determine such measure
as in their wisdom the public safety and interest may
seem to demand.
In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and
caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the citv of Washington, on the fifteenth
day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight 
