jy o ^
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HISTORY
T A MA County,
IOWA,
TOGETHER WITH SKETCHES OF THEIR TOWNS, VILLAGES AND TOWNSHIPS, EDDCATIONAl
CIVIL, MILITARY AND POLITICAL HISTORY; PORTRAITS OF PROM-
INENT PERSONS, AND BIOGRAPHIES OF
REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
H ISTO R Y OF IOWA,
EMBRACING ACCOUNTS OF THE PRE-HISTORIC RACES, AND A BRIEF REVIEW
OF ITS CIVIL AND MILITARY HISTORY.
ILLUSTRATED
>if\<a
SPRINGFIELD, ILL.
UNION PUBLISHING COMPANY.
^
TO THE PIONEERS
Iama County,
THIS VOLUME IS
RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED,
WITH THE HOPE THAT VOUK VIUTIIES MAY BE EMULATED
AND VOUR TOFLS AND SACKIKrCES DULY APPKECIATED
.BY COMING GENEKATIONS.
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•k.
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PREFACE
Tlie imjiortance of local history cannot be overestimated. Many of the most
noted men of the country have given the best part of their lives to the preservation of
the many incidents that form a part of the early settlement of the county in which
they live. Hon. E. B. Washburn, Ex-Minister to France, devotes much time to this
woik; Hon. John Wentworth, of Chicago, has done more to preserve the early records
of that city than any other person, and spares neither time or money to secure every
little. incident that serves to render interesting the history of that remarkable place.
Hon. Lyman C. Draper, Corresponding Secretary, and Hon. Daniel S. Durkee, Libra-
rian of the Historical Society of Wisconsin, do everything in their power to encourage
llie compilation and preservation of local history. In the vast library of the Historical
Society of Wisconsin, no works are more referred to than the local histories of the
various counties of the States of the Union.
Believing that Tama county afforded material for a good history, the LTnion Pub-
lishing Company, of Springfield, Illinois, sent a corps of experienced historians into
the field with instructions to spare no pains in compiling a complete and reliable woik.
As preliminary to the work, and in order to insure correctness and a work in which
every citizen of the county might feel a just pride, the co-operation of the Old Settlers'
Society was secured. That society appointed a committee to read and revise the
general history of the county, and a like committee in each township to examine and
correct the history of their respective townships. With but one or two exceptions,
every man thus appointed served to the best of his ability, and the wisdom of the
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PREFACE
choice of the committees is shown in the work performed. We feel confident that we
here present to our patrons a history that is as correct as possible for human beings to
make it. That errors will be discovered, we have no doubt. Man is a fallible being,
but every statement herein published is honestly believed in by the parties furnishing
the information, and by the members of the committee examining it. All desire the
truth, and nothing but the truth. They gave much time to the work and deserve the
thanks of the citizens of the county for the faithful manner in which they discharged
the trust reposed in them. Our thanks they certainly have The thanks of the pub-
lishers are also tendered to all who have assisted in the compilation of this work.
We cannot name them all, for their name is legion, but we must not forget to men-
tion Hons. G. R. Struble, Leander Clark, L. G. Kinne, J. C. Vermilya, J. H. Hollen,
Thomas Murray, D. D. Appelgate and J. B. Hedge. The historians of the company
also deserve to be remembered — George A. Ogle, J. I',. Ogle, J. J. Rising, C. H. Shaler,
G. VV. Davy, C. W. Demmon, E. F. Graves, W. M. Shumaker, H. O. Brown and
F. H. Schlutsmeyer. They tried to do their work well and to please our jiati'ons.
In conclusion, we would say that our work is done; the Ilisloiy of Tama Coinity
is placeo in your hands. We hope you will be pleased with it.
Union PruMsniNc. Cojipanv.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
HISTORY OF IOWA.
CHAPTER I.
PAGE
INTROBfCTniiY 17
OritriiiMl iiihabitiiiits 17
MouiHl liuil.k-is IK
Tbe Red Men 18
Discovery of the Mississippi 19
Marquette 19
LaSalle 30
Purchase of Louisiana 30
CHAPTER n.
INDIANS AND INDIAN WARS
The minis, Sacs and Foxes
The lowafi
War between Sacs and Foxes and lowas
The Simix
Klaek Hawk W, r
Rattle of Bad-Axe
CHAPTER lU.
INDIAN TREATIES ..
Black Hawk Treaty
Sacs and Fox Treaty
Treaty with the Sioux
Treaty with the Sacs
Treaty with the Foxes
Treaty with the lowas
Treaty with the Sacs of Rocl£ River
Treaty of 1824
Treaty of 1830
Treaty with Sacs, Foxes and other Tribes .
Treaty with the Winnebagos
Treaty of 1836, with the Sacs and Foxes
Treaty of 1837
Treaty of Relinquishment
Treaty of 18i3
CHAPTER IV.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS
The Dubuque Settlement
The C.iard Sctlli'nicnt
The M.mtnisi- S.ttli-Tnent
The Hinliri-K.ri Sciilnnent
Tbe Keok\ik Settlement
Rules for the Ciovcrument of Dubuque.
PAGE
Military Inteiference with Settlements 4.">
ExtirifiiiislHiicMt .ii I niliaii Titles 46
The F.)i-1 MiHii-oii s,iilrin.-iit 47
Flint llilN, 47
The Da\ciiiii.ii s.iiliin<iu 48
Clayton I'otuitr Settlement 4S
Council Bluffs 48
DesMoines 49
CHAPTER" V.
TERRITORIAL AND STATE ORGANIZATIONS. .50
Teriitory of Wisconsin 50
Territorial Council 60
Organization of Counties .51
Territory of Iowa 51
First Territorial ( ifflcers 51
First Iciwa Territc.rial Legislature .53
First Sessiim nl the Legislature 53
A Stormy Session .52
Selection of the Capital .52
lowaCity 53
Loan for the Completion of the State House. . . .53
Woman's Rights 54
TheSlissouri War 55
Attempt at State Organization .56
Constitutional Ci .mention .56
Second Constitutional Convention 57
Election of Stiite Officers 57
Salaries of State Officers 58
CHAPTER VI.
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OFTHE STATE. .58
State School Superintendent 58
Public liuililiTijis 59
Loeatiiin (if State University 59
Appoiiuiiunt nt Supreme Judges 60
Railrcia.l Huil.lillfiS 63
Oi-ganizatii.ii ..f ilie Republican Party 63
Constitutiimai lunvention 64
DesMiiHiis ( li..srn the State Capital 64
Census by Counties 61
CHAPTER VII.
GEOLOGY— TOPOGRAPHY— WATER COURSES 60
Azoic System 70
Lower Silurian System 70
Upper Silurian System 71
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAQE
Devonian System Tl
Carboniferous System 71
Cretacious System.... 75
Peat 7ti
Gypsiiin 7fi
Minor Diposits Sulphate of Lime 78
S\ilphati- cif siioiiita 78
Siilpliiitc- 111 llinyla 78
Sulpbati' ijf .MiiK-nesia 78
Climate 79
Topography 79
Lakes and Streams 80
CHAPTER VIII.
low A AX D TH E UEBELLION Wl
Ufsponsu to the Nation's Call IK)
Kirst Infantry 8«
Second Infantry 97
Third Infantry 97
Fourth Infantry 98
Fifth Infantry 98
Si.\th Infantry 98
Seventh Infantry 98
Eighth Infantry 99
Ninth Infantrv 99
Tenth Infantry 9it
Eleventh Infantry 100
Twelfth Infantrv 100
Thirtc'i-iith Infantrv 101
Kourticlitll Infantry 101
Fifli-iiitli Iniaiitrv 101
Si.\ter-ntli InfantLV 102
Sevi-iit.inth Infantry 102
EiffUtrciilli Infantry 103
Nint'tc'ciitU Infantry 103
Twentiith infantry 103
Twcnt \-tlrst 1 n fa ntry 103
Twentv-sccon.l Infantrv 104
Twi-nty-tliinl Infantry 104
Twentv-f.inrth Infantrv 105
Twent v-tllth Infantrv ia5
Twi-nly-si.vth InfantlT 105
Twent \ -s( â– ; i-uth 1 iifantry 105
Twentv-citihth Infantrv 106
Twcnty-nintli Infantry 106
Thirtieth Infantrv 106
Thirtv-llTsI Infantrv 107
Thirty-s,. ((Hill Infantry 107
Thirtv.fhir.l Infantrv 107
Thirtv-f.mrtli 1 n fantrv 107
Thi rt,\ -tit 1 li I n fa ntry . ." 108
Thirty-sixth Inlantrv 108
Thirty-scM-nth Infantry 108
Thirfy-ii'-'hih Infantry 109
Thirty-ninili Inlantry 109
Fortieth liitantrv 110
Forty-tiist Infantrv llll
F<irtv-f(iM in Infantry lln
Forlv-liftli Infantry ill
Fortv-si\th Infantry HI
Forty-seventh infantry Ill
Fortv-(â– i^'â– hth Infantry Ill
Fii-Bt Cavalry Ill
Second Cavalry 112
Third Cavalry 113
Fourth Cavalry 112
Fifth Cavalry U3
Si.t th Cavalry 113
Seventh Cavalry 113
Eighth Cavalry 114
Ninth Cavalry 114
First Battery 114
Second Battery 114
Third Battery 115
Fourth Battery 115
Iowa Regiment of Colored Troops 115
Northern Border Brigade 115
Sotithern Border Brigade 115
Promotions 115
CHAPTER IX.
PAGE
ED0CATIONAL— STATE INSTITCTIONS 117
The First School House 117
Act for the Estalilishment of Common Schools. 118
The State L'niversitv 121
State Noinial Sehdoi 123
State .\K-ri( Hit iiral College 124
other Cdlletres and Cniversi ties 124
Iieaf aii.l Dniiili Institute 126
Cdllet'e f.ir the Ulnid 126
Idwa llds|iital ti.r the Insane 127
ilds)utal Iditlie Insane at Independence 128
Soldiers- I hiihans' Home 128
Asvlinn lor Feel. I. â– Minded Children 129
Penal lii-titiitions 129
Anamosa Penitentiary 130
liovs' K.lonn School 130
State llMorieal Society 131
Stute A-iKUltimil Society 131
Fish-Hatching House 131
CHAPTER X.
POLITICAL 13
First Election 1S2
Campaign of 1840 132
Campaign of 1841 132
Campaign of 1842 134
Campaign of 1*43 i?A
( 'ampaign of 18H i:^4
Ciinstitinional Convention 136
Campaign of 1H46 1E6
Campaign of 1847 138
Campaign of 1848 140
Campaign of 1849 143
Campaign of 18.50 145
Campaign of IWl 147
Campaign of 1852 147
Campaign of 18,5:1 149
(.'ampaign of 1854 150
Campaign of 1855 152
Campaign of mw 153
Campaign of 1857 154
Campaign of 1858 1,57
Campaign of 18.59 159
Campaign of 1860 163
Campaign of 1861 165
Campaign of 1862 167
Campaign of 1863 170
Campaign of 1864 172
Campaign of 1865 1'3
Campaign of 1866 176
Campaign of 1807 .• 179
(Campaign of 1868 M)
Campaign of 1869 ]f2
( ampaign of 1870 11-3
Campaign of 1871 184
Campaign of 1872 If6
Cmnpaign of 1873 U9
Campaign of 1874 IH
Campaign of 1875 194
Campaign of 1876 liiB
Campni^rn of 1877 198
Campaign of 1878 201
Campaign of 1879 2C6
Campaign of 1880 210
Campaign of 1881 212
CHAPTER XI.
TERRITORIAL AND STATE OFFICERS—
Robert Lucas 215
.lohn Chambers....- 220
.1 ames ( larke 223
(nher Territorial Officers 227
State tilheers 227
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TABLE OF CONTENTS.
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTORY .
CHAPTER II.
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF TAMA COUNTY 233
Location - 233
Topography 2S3
Geological '. 234
CHAPTER III.
INDIAN OCCUPANCY 237
Indian Agents 240
The Indian Name 241
Customs and Habits 242
CHAPTER IV.
THE BEGINNING 256
Early Settlement 246
County Name 256
Organization 256
Location of County Seat 261
First Events 262
First Fourth of July Celebration 264
CHAPTER V.
COUNTY GOVERNMENT 265
Acts of County Court 266
Acta of the Board of Supervisors 270
CHAPTER VI.
OTHER OFFICIAL MATTERS 285
Matrimonial 285
Abstract of Assessments 289
County Buildings 289
Tama County Poor Farm 290
Attempt to Make a Change 291
Population of Tama County 292
First Instruments Recorded 292
CHAPTER VII.
PIONEEER LIFE 295
Early Manners and Customs 296
Character of the Pioneers 299
Clothing 300
Bee Hunting 302
Snakes 302
Religion 305
Agriculture 305
The Claim System 306
CHAPTER VIII.
TAMA COUNTY COURTS 307
FirstTrials 307
District Court 308
Circuit Court 312
County Court 314
CHAPTER IX.
PAGE
THE BAR OF TAMA COUNTY 314
TheBarofthe Past 316
The Present Bar 327
CHAPTER X.
THE PRESS a52
The Toledo Tribune 353
The Iowa Transcript 354
Tama County Republican 355
The Toledo Chronicle 355
The Press at Montour 357
The Tama county Union 357
The Tama Citizen 357
The Tama Herald 357
Tama City Herald of Economy 358
Tama County Liberal 358
Chelsea Peoples' Friend 358
The Traer Clipper 358
Tama County Independent 362
The Toledo Times m'S
The Tama County Democrat 364
Tama City Press 365
The Penman's Help 365
Dysart Reporter 365
Tama County News 371
The Free Press 373
The Traer Star 375
Gl adbrook Courier 376
Toledo News 379
The Tama Northern •. . . 380
The Dysart Record 381
The Teacher and Student 382
CHAPTER XI.
EARLY DAYS 383
Reminiscence by Mrs. Rachael Vandorin 384
The Wilkinson Party 386
Tim Brown's Poetry 390
Methodism Introduced in Northern Tama 391
Reminiscence by Newton Miller 393
The Pioneer Doctor 395
Toledo Reminiscence by T. Brown 399
How the Court Got Across the River 401
Reminiscence of the Eaily Days of Northern
Tama 402
Pioneer Life by Christopher Spire 414
CHAPTER XII.
POLITICAL 41S
The First Political Convention 418
OflicialVote 435
CHAPTER XIII.
NATIONAL, STATE AND COUN'l Y REPRESEN-
TATION 449
Congressional 449
Lieutenant Governor 4-52
Ji=^
TABLE OE CONTENTS.
PAGE
Attorney General m
Supreme Court Reporter toi
Collector iif Internal Revenue 457
Railroail Comissioners 458
Gi>virnm>Ml Clerkship *59
Speaker of ibe House ISK
the General Assembly 459
• .lu.ls;
463
Auditor 4«»
ler and Recorder 4'0
Kerorder 47:3
Clerks of Court* 477
Slieriir.,. f!-
County Surveyor *pu
id Commissioners 485
ijerintendent 485
Proseewtliit; Attorney 486
Drainage Commissioners 4^6
CHAPTER XIV.
INSIKANCi;, ENDOWMENT AND OTHER AS-
SiKlATIiiNS 487
iild SeitliM-s' Society 487
Fanners" Mutual Aid Company 488
Iowa Mutual Henetit Association 48S
Mutual Endowment Association 490
CHAPTER XV.
THE WARFOR THE UNION 493
Second Inlantry 498
Fifth Infantry 488
EiKht h I nf a ntry 498
Ninth Infantry 498
Tent li Infantry S-'
KIcvenlh Infantry ?0o
Twelth Infantry oUa
Thirteenth Infantry 505
Fonileenth Infantry SOo
Sixteenth Infantry 50i
Kit-htee„th Infantry o07
Twentv-lourth Inlantry 508
Tweni\ -seventh lulantry 519
Twenl'veinhlh Infantry 519
Korty-sevinth Infantry 530
First" Cavalry 530
Second Cavalry 531
valry 531
Fifth
Sixtl! Ci
valr
ilhCavalry • i«\
,ight Artillery !».-
T..iirti-erl DlMld *'"
Honored Dead.
CHAPTER XVI.
535
EDUCATIONAL _^^ , ...
County Superintendent of Schools oto
Normal Institutes ..•••• •.■••. 2tA
Tama County Teachers' Association 54-
Western College '>='*'
CHAPTER XVU.
THE MEDICAL I'llOFESSION 581
First Physicians in the County W)i
Tama Citv Physicians ^-
T,.licln fhysieiana *»
Tiaer Physicians »i?
Dysart Physicians 580
(iladhronk Physicians J^
Chelsea Physicians Sffi
Garw
Elbi
rlti!
Ph'
1 Phy
..idiantown Physicians.
Montour Physicians —
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PAGE
Richland Physicians 687
Irving Physicians 558
Mooreville Physicians 587
Crystal Physicians 587
Tama County Medical Association 587
CHAPTER XVIII.
ACRICCLTURE AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIE-
TIES 588
The first Fair 589
Tama County Agricultural Society 590
Agricultural .Association of Tama County 593
Traer District Agricultural Society .592
Tama County Horticultural Society .592
CHAPTER XIX.
RAILROADS .593
The First Railroad in Tama County 594
Chicago i- Northwestenn .596
Toledo & Northwestern .597
Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern 605
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 605
W^isconsin, Iowa & Nebraska 606
Projected Railroads 6(ki
CHAPTER XX.
BUCKINGHAM TOWNSHIP 608
Settlement 608
Organic 627
Educational 628
Religious 629
Historical Items 631
Postoflices esi
The Larches 632
CHAPTER XXI.
CUtLTON TOWNSHIP 6:0
Settlement and Growth 6:14
Organic 638
Items of Interest. . IKW
Religious 640
Railroad Matters 642
Kars PostoHice 642
Town of G.\hwi;; iu;i
Educational 646
Postoffice 646
Societies 646
CHAPTER XXU.
CARROLL TOWNSHEP 648
Settlement of Carroll 6»9
Organic 653
Religious 65:j
Educational 653
First Things 654
CHAPTER XXIII.
CLARK TOWNSHIP 6.55
Settlement 6.55
Orjrnnie 6t>l
Eiluiational 662
Kttie Postoffice 662
Historical Items 66:1
Town ok Dtsabt 66;t
liusiness Matters and Men 663
H.itels 667
Postoilices 670
Eilcat ional 671
Hcligiou.s 671
CH.APTER XXIV.
COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP
Early Settlement
Organic
s> ^
The Township Name
Educational
Religious
Postofflce
Village of Columbia.
Historical Items
CHAPTER XXV.
CRYSTAL TOWNSHIP.
Early Settlement
Organic
Items of Interest —
Educational
Postoffices
Religious
CHAPTER XXVI.
GENESEO TOWNSHIP
Settlement
Organic
Educational
Religious
Historical Events
Postoffice
ViLL-VGE OF MOOREVILLe.
CHAPTER XXVII.
GRANT TOWNSHIP
Settlement
Organic
Educational
Various Items of Interest. .
The Church in Grant
Allendale Stock Farm
CHAPTER XXVIII.
HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP
Early settlement
Organic
First Things
Educational
Religious
CHAPTER XXIX.
HOWARD TOWNSHIP
Settlement
FirstEvents
Organic
Religious
MoNTicELLO Village
CHAPTER XXX.
INDIAN VILLAGE TOWNSHIP....
Early Settlement
Organic
Historical Items
Educational
indiantown, ob bntlerville.
LeGrand Station
Potter
Town of MONTonB
Development
Postofflce
Organic
Religious
Societies
Educational
CHAPTER XXXI.
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP
Settlement
Organic
Fifteen Mile Grove Postofflce .
Colville Postofflce
Items of Interest
CHAPTER XXXII.
ONEIDA TOWNSHIP 829
Early Settlement S30
.Historical Items °37
CHAPTER XXXin.
OTTER CREEK TOWNSHIP 838
Early Settlement 838
Organic 842
Postoffices 843
Gladstone '?<3
Educational 844
Historical Items of Interest 844
CHAPTER XXXn'.
PERRY TOWNSHP 844
Early Settlement 844
Organic 868
Historical Items 868
Educational 869
Religious 870
Wolf Creek Postofflce 873
West Union Village 873
Buckingham Village 874
City of Tr.aer 874
Development 874
Postofflce 891
Educational 892
Religious 8^
Societies 896
CHAPTER XXXV.
RICHLAND TOWNSHIP 898
Settlement 898
Historical Items AW
Organic 905
Educational 90*
Religious 906
Village of Helena 908
ViLL-\GE OF Eureka 908
CHAPTER XXXVL
SALT CREEK TOWNSHIP 909
Early Settlement 909
Organic 916
Historical Items •. 916
Educational -Jig
ReUgious 917
Irving 91i
Chelsea 918
CHAPTER XXXVII.
921
SPRING CREEK TOWNSHIP
Settlement ^1
Organic J^
Various Items 932
B.ADGER Hill 933
Gladbrook 935
Growth and Business Development 9:35
Postofflce 944
Incorporation 945
Educational 946
HeUgious 946
Societies 948
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
TAMA TOWNSHIP 948
Settlement 949
Items of Interest 955
Postofflce 956
Organic 956
Tama City 958
Banks 960
Tama City Brewery 974
Tama Creamery 974
•F
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Paper Mill
»:5
Brfck 975
Furniture Manufactory 9ia
Tama Hvdi-aulic Power »76
Postofflce • 9S0
Incorporation S85
Educational 9*6
Religious ""Si
Societies "91
CHAPTER XXXrX.
TOLEDO TOWNSHIP 993
Early Settlement S94
Historical Items 1005
Organic 1WJ6
City of Toledo ino8
Early Settlers UWii
Busines Interests IIW
Toledo City Bank 1038
Organic 1032
Postofflce 1034
Educational 1035
Religious 10-39
CHAPTER XL.
YORKTOWNSHfP ''^°^
Early Settlement losj
Organic 1059
\ILLAGE OF WAI.TAM 1059
Village of Eluekso.v 106I
Village of Vinisq 1062
Postofflces loij
Mills â– â– 1004
Historical Items ioa5
Religious io6«
Education iggj;
CHAPTER XLI.
EVENTS OF INTEREST 1067
Criminal io67
Gold in Tama county !m!I..'.'.10"H
A Blizzard 11.! 1070
Accidents Ii!"!"!!ll070
First Settlement in Tama County !."!l081
BIOGRAPHICAL
PAQB
Abbott, John 792
Abbott, Washington... 702
Adams, N. H. H 7fi0
Adelbert, Sydney 8.5G
Aldrii-h. Sylvcs
Ale
I, ,. 111
i.Jr 10
Ale.xiiinliT,
Ale.xandiT, (icorKc Oils
Allard, .loseph 724
A Hard, Jonathan 724
AUard, Albert »40
Allard, G. P 931
Allen, Isaac L 318
Allen, Isaac I> 4.57
A lien, John 467
Ames, J.T 632
Antrim, Adin 867
Appelgate, D. D 329
Appolgate, W. E 1024
Appleton, Richard W.. 58B
Arbuthnot, S. W 6fi9
Armstrong, T. K 1019
Arter, Jacob 653
Asher, Isaac 250-791
Austin, Robert E 34tj
Austin, Michael 325
Averill, J. C 8"S|
Babb.navid 771
Babb, Quincy 771
Babli, Anthony L 771
Biibcmk. Maxson 841
Baker. D.W 712
Bailey, Jehial 1002
Bailey, Alanson H 781
Bailey, George L 3:!;j
Baldv, P. L .ifiS
Baldy H. T .571
Baldwin, Henry 102s
Baldwin, C. H 820
Balfour, William 715
Ballard, Jeremiah 571
Barbour, Dr.vden 8fil
Barker, George 7.50
Barnes. Charles 900!
Barton, Edward 569
Baxter, C. A 784
Beach. R. B 6.VJ
Bcardshear, W. M 559
PAGE
Beatty , Henry 856
Beery, Samuel E 637
Relden, H. B 1027
Bent, Lorenz .569
Henesh, Frank 1063
llrntley, C. B 975
liciison, Alvin 629
lii'nnett, Eli S 751
Benedict, E. H 351
Best, B 880
Bern, A. C 824
Berry, S. W 940
Billerbeck. Jacob 825
Bisel. Benjamin 733
Bishop, J. B. M 475
Bishop, Jonathan S .... 697
Bishop, Charles A 698
Bishop. John 1000
Blodgett. Miron 478
Boehmke, F.
Uolens, Eugene B 320
isomer, F. A.
Bonnov, M. II
Bonney, O. D
Bowe,' E. R 1031
Brown, Fred W.. .
Brown, Timothy
Bruner, D. F
Bruner, Benjamin.
Bruner, Adam
Bruner, Solomon .
Brush. John B
Bull, John G
Bunee, Hiram
Burge, James
Burt, L. N. B. C
Burris, H. C
Burright, Orrin
Butler, M. S
Bvwater, A
By water, W. C
Bywater. Napoleon.
Calderwood, Hugh.
Camery, ,James M . .
Camery, Denton ..
Cainpljell, John
Campbell, John P..
Cannon, E. J
Gary, Lyman
PAGE
. 370
. 316
. 470
Bowen, W. H 887 Gary, L. H
Bowdle, J
Bovennrer, Samuel
Boynton, H. W
Bradley, James M..
Bradbrook. Walter..
Bradford, T. F
Bradshaw, Homer S.
Bradshnw, C. B
Bruinerd. Orson T..
Itninnan. W. L
llninaman. Henry..
lirnsh, Hugh
lireebt. Adam
Bronnan, Edward 730
Brewer, James 947k'lay. Hiram
Bricker, .-inthony KMlClausen, Hein;
Bricker, Truman 983 Cleveland, E.
Brooks, J. H 982 Clough, J. E..
Brooks, James H 951 Ciidy, Lynmn
BrockwaT, A. L 827 Cohrt, Johann
Brockman, N.J 64:1 Cold, F. G...
Brown, William 751 Cold, C.J. C.
Brown, H. A ,546(Cold, J. F. G..
469 Cart, S. M
781|Carpenter, E. S
.571lCarmichael. Lewis..
795 Carmichael, E. L . .
6ti6,Carraiehael, H. F. ...
Casey, Michael
Casey, Patrick
Chambers, G. M
Chase, Tallman
Chase, Stephen. . .
Churchill, Harry E..
Clark. Leander
Clark, Rush
lark.
.., . ^ PAGE
Colebauph, A . F 813
Collins, C. C 877
Collins, Andrew 857
. 744 Conant, George W.. 636
.1004 Conant. Marion A Kio
. VM Conant. W. L 581
. 711 Conant William 5.83
. 02KCimnell. Daniel, Sr. . 945
. .569|Connell, Daniel 944
. . 9.55jConnell, John 457
. 636iCoolidge, Liberty.....' 903
. 837lCone, Albert G 865
. lOSOiConklin, Charles H 311
. 565,Conrerse, John T 663
, . 922|(yOry, Henry 920
, . 922 Cory, John". ' t;8;)
.. 6;J7 Cory, William .'.'68:1
I Corns, William 567
. . 657 Cordner. Adam... . I0;i9
..1020|Corfman, John loOI
..102l!Co8krey, William H
. . 661 Countryman, S. S
. . 902 Covell, C. E
.1034 Cowan, Robert..
.. 476 Cram, J. F
. . 572jCrawford, C. H
.. 987|Crenshaw, B. F
.. 968:Crittenden, George
.. 964|Cron, James..
. . 965|Cronk, J. G...
. 966|Croskrey, Wesley'..
. . 730Cumming8, Martin.
. . 611 Cummings, A
. . 913 Cummings, John... 621
.. 463 Cummings, Thomas.... 618
.. 794 Cummings, W. H 958
. . 1012 Cuther, M. L SSO
.. 465 Cuthbertson, A ..... 785
. . 888 Daniel, Wesler A ,561
.. 901 Davis, Franklin 483
. . 714 Davis, C. L 705
.. 976 Davis, John R 761
.. 664 Davis, Henry E 625
. 855 Davis, Henry F 914
.. 7irDavies. A ft' 106O
. 8241 Davidson, James 762
. 824 Davenport, George L. 241
.. 828Day, H 909
lft5.S
915
. 718
901
324
618
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
ncLnn.l. W. A
Dp Lung, Gibson W.
Dillmuii, S. S 51
Diiifri'o, Allen
Dinsdale, James....
Dinsdale. L. P
Di.Ton, L. J
Dodd. Edward
Dodd, Andrew
Donavon, Jerry
Donaldson, Andrew
Dooley , M. V
Dowd, J. J
Downs, T. L
Downs. W. A
Doyle, John
Draper. Norman
Duncan. Charles F...
Dnpre, T. A
Dysart, Joseph
Ebersole, E. C
Edmonds, Alonzo...
Edwards, G. G
Edwards, George A.
Ellwood, George C.
Ellwood, J. D
Elmer, O. F
Emmett, Patrick...
Eraerling, Charles...
Enderton. James †”
Eshbiiugh, Frank..
Fshliaufih, John A.
F.<lil.aii-h, W. F
RviTOtt. Samuel
Everett, K. E
Evy, .I.H
Farnham, Eber C...
Fedderson Brothers.
Fee, W. A
Fee, George M
Kelter, Nelson
Fellows, B. W
Fink, James
Findley, J. T
Fisher, Nathan
Fitzgerald, Richard.
Fitzgerald, J. C
Fleming, John
Fleming, John
Fleming, William F
Flint, J.C
Flint, E. A
Fowler, Allen S
Foster, C. J. L
Foster, H. C
Fowler, James
Frank. George M...
Franks, William. ...
Fimee, R. H
Free, Thomas S
Furrow, Joseph
PACE
.. nsi Gotthold, W. C
.. "H8 Gould, Samuel......
i7-]03,«> G ower, J. W
.. 793Grau, J. M
.. K2(iGray, John K
. TliS Gray, Charles
.. T9ti fii-aham, James R..
â– T12 Graham. T. A
'*'â– ' Graham, J. H
â– 9WGravatt, O
â– W Graham, William H
.. :i52 Granger, Robert...
..1029Green, J.V.B
.. 545 Greve, Johann
.. 809 Gregory, D. B
68*Grinnell, J. B.
. 622|(}rover, George H..
.. 669[Guernsey, Elijah...
. .. 843 Guernsey, A. W....
Haagen, Charles. ..
Gait, John
Gallagher, William.
Gallagher, D. K...
(;allagher, William,
(iallagly, Thomas...
(iarner, William
Gardiner, John
Gaston, Hugh F....
Gethmann, Louis...
Giger, JohnH
(iiger, Samuel
Giger, I. F
Gloss, Albert
Goding, O. W
Goding, F. W
Goodenow, Fitch...
Goodric-b, G. H
naiigrii, v.iiHiicc
:334 Habenioh, J. H
•JfiliHall, H. A
10« Haminitt, Benjamin.
"3" Hamilton, J. M
939 Haney, O. M
"10 Hancock, AmosB...
93' Hai-t, John W
"2f Harris, J. F
"â– t- Harris, Thomas
"57 Harris, William
1)8- Harman. E
'>f'~ Hartsock, William. ..
'i'^1 Harmsen. John
''â– â– '8 Harrison, W. H
â– *'0'' Harrison, W. H
â– (iTO Harrison, E. W
o34 Hartshorn, H. A . .
jHaworth, James
â– â„¢8|Haworth, Alpheus...
10'l;Haworth, Shepard...
• 651lHawk, W. H
. 696 Hayes, C. E
• SO'iiHaves, J. M
• "ISlHealT, Henry M...
• 6.i9'Hedge, James B
â– â– '84iHeidlebaugh, John...
â– 3.5i;Helm,Woodhull
â– 479|i.fg]nj, Varnum
• "^TiHelm, Phineas
â– 624 Hendrirks, John P.. .
"oSI Hendricks, John... .
?«JlHild, John
• 900|HiU, Joseph
• S58|Hinegardner, D. S ..
â– SaijHitchner, W. D
â– J^^Hixson, P
• 34niHoag. Joel
. 8bo;Hodgin, K. F
• ^I'Hollen, J. H
101-' Holstead, W.H
4*'9 Homan, Charles
• 6b5 Horton, Silas H
Houghton, William..
61b Howard, H. W
â– '80 Howard, John
â– "**'' Howard, A. L
â– ?84Huey, John
â– 8.<) Hufford, Abraham...
^^8 Hughes, D. L
''26 Hull, James L
■*«liHulett, L. D.
â– 930 Hurd, Fayette
""Hutchison, G. A
. T7BI
• flj tngham, S. W
. 902i[nnes, James
■56«lrrish, CharlesW
• 5«6:ives, T. N
• "831jacobs, Hoface
â– 325 Jacobs, Claus F
Jackson, Andrew —
Jackson, T. Walter..
Jameyson, Charles...
Jaqua, Gamaliel
Jensen, P
Jensen, John
Johnson, Alexander
Johnson, Charles
Johnston, W. F
Johnston. W. S
Johnston, Wesley —
Jons, Claus
Jones, P. C
.Toralemon, J. C
Junker, F. W
Keeler, R. W
Keith, L. P
Kelly, S. V. R
Kellogg, William P . .
Kendrick, J. C
Keown, William
Kephart, E. B
Kenp, Martin
Kiescr. J..hn G
Kile. Mrs. Ibl.v. . -
â– . Nidi, liis
a. William B...
Kinne, L. G
Kinner, William
Kinner, James M —
Ivinner. John A
Kline, Walter
Kline, William
Klingamon, George.
Knapp, B. L
Knight, Thomas L. .
Knoop, Christian
Knowlton. C. F
Kober, John
Kober, George
KoUman, William...
Kremenak, J. W —
Krouse, William —
PAGE
I McAlpine, John 886
'McAnulty, Hugh 982
iMcClain, Willliam 6.52
1 McClaskey, John R 474
SBR MrCliirr. George W.
n \I,
James..
967
782
LaDow, B. B
LaDow, Alexander,
Ladd, John A
Ladd, Daniel C
Ladd, W. T. V......
Lage, Fred
Lamb, Wi.liam L ..
Lamb, D. C
Lamb, Jacob W
Langley. E. T
Lauderdale, J. H..
Law, Andrew
Lawson, G. B
Lee, Simon A
Leibrandt, C. A —
Leland, S. C
Lesser, Wallace B..
Levering, Noah —
Lewis, Norman
Liebty, Peter
Life, John
Life. George M
Livingston, David.
Loder, William
Logan, .James
Long, Simeon D —
Loop, Anson
Loop, Charles
Loupee, Lewis.. ..
Louthan, John B
Loiithan, Wallace B...
Ludwig, H
Lnndt, John
Lynde, Edward
McAlevy, Samuel E...
,k, JuhnF....
--.' w.-i Miniiick Brothers., sss
I.",' Ml ( ,.~h. Andrew 861
I \i( ( ijiikcn, Alexander 755
KHii M,( r.iith. James 755
111::: Mctiiilugh, James 825
5WI McDonald, George W.. 664
.575iMcGee, Charles F 941
1023lMcIlhinney, Andrew.. 744
iMcIntire, Daniel 745
int7M,-Tntire, R. G 346
.<!.", MiKav, Benjamin 733
â– sill MiK.im, John 313
, SINS McKuile, John W 696
4S6|McKunc, George 696
7.50 McKune, John E 697
557 McMillan, Gilbert 704
687 McPherran, Robert.... 715
9JP McPherran. A . S 868
S.V McTurk. William 717
s."..'- Maden, Isaac 95t
4iiii Magee, James 794
3:iO!Magee, Robert 794
Magee, James L 795
Maiden, George 1003
Mann, Thomas E 380
Mann, S. S 928
Marsh, Levi..... 910
Martens, F 930
.1022 Marston, H. L 937
Mason, O. N 8.31
Mattern, Joseph 781
Malin, William G 461
Malin, Thomas M 884
Malin, George M 684
Maltbie, S. W 816
Mathern. A 974
Matthieson, Mathias... 836
Matthews, Lewis 808
Maynard, SamuelP — 736
Meagher, M 990
Meeker, William 841
Meeker, Lathrop 841
Meggers, Frank 837
Meinger, Charles, .. 729
Melick, Robert 1002
Merritt, James B 770
Merritt, James A 339
Meiritt, Theodore J 742
Merchant, Lewis 983
...Merrill, William 925
89j|Metz, Keinhard 678
.. 988Mills, O. H 341
. 569 Miller, William E .310
.. 337 Miller, C. W .578
.. 375 Millard, J.C 804
. 318Millard. O. P 809
. 9.53 Mitchell, James 761
.1004iMo£fart, John B 810
. 734 Monroe, Gilbert J T.i7
737i Moore, Edwin 714
. 895 Moore, Theodore 727
. 863 Moore, Theodore 742
. 862 Moore, J. S 1014
. 760 Moore, 11. H 881
. 8.59
. 860 Moore, Z. T 886
.1022 Morton, John 698
. 586 Morton, Margaret 698
. 3401Morton, Jonathan.. . 701
. 825 Morton, Newman W.... 701
. 827lMorgan, F. K 833
. 717| Morgan, M.R 833
Morford, Isaac R 902
93:3lMoreton, Isaac 914
-"« • \
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Mowrv, Welcome.
Mu<l^'i-tt. Newton
Mm-niy, Thcmas. .
Murray, .hiines...
Mutch, Juines... .
Myers, t'httrles
Myers, C. H
Newcomb, A. G ..
Newi^omer, Smith.
Nichols, JohnG....
Nicholson, John.. .
Nutt Romanzo
ONeill, James
Olney, Clinton
Ormiston, J. S
Osliorne, N L
Iitterman, Georg^e W
Ottcrman, Philip
iiverniirc, Peter ;
Owen. J. A
Owens. Henry A
Pageler, Gerhard.
Parker, J. C
T'a.Yson. Josiah. ..
'"enrose, E. G
PAGE
.. SM Hhoads, L. L
.. im Kite. N. C
.. 478, Rice, Alfred
Rich, Alanson P. ...
Riggr, Robert N
Riley, John
Roberts, C.H
Rogers, Reuben
Rogers, Amos R
Rogers, Reuben O.. .
Rogers, Warren
Ross, John
Hoss, Henry
Rothrock, James H.
Ruggles, Edward . . .
645
PAOE| PACE
.. H81 Springer, J.N 'tTJ
. . 547 .Stalev, T. J 470
.. 8'JOStautrer, Issac MS
.. 899Staveley, Anthony
.. T39 Starr, Arthur P
PAGE
Vertnilya. John C 464
Voege, Joachin 930
Vogi, George 852
Peniiell, V. B. .
Pennell. L. H
Peter.i. Henry....
Peterson, John .. ..
Peterson, Jonathan.
Peverill. William...
Philp, William
Pnilp, James
Phillips, James
Pickett, .Moses
Pierce. .Milton H
PinkertoM. .1. II.
.10.^
Piiikerti
I'loei
W, li..
I'eter..
H. A
. Williii
n
tiel.lllr.
I hers ..
The
I'mvers. Knbert M
Powell, Robert....
I'oyneer, E. M
I'oyneer, A. N
Prinrtle, Truman. .
Putman, J. M
Queal, Paul
Ionian, Abraham...
Quinn, Peter
()uintard. Charles C
Rainsdell, John...
Rawson, A. Z
Ray, David
Reamer. Daniel....
Rebok. Philip K. jr
Reed. .1. D. E.
Keilniond, John F.
Heed. Milton...
Heed, George
Iteedv, John S
Reedy, S. C
Heiehnmn, Rudolph.,
Reichman, Edward
Keickhotr, William...
Ueid. Samuel
Keh.ler. Marx H
U.h.ler, P
Uehiler, Jurgen
Safely, John G
Salsbury, W. C
Sapp, M. B
Sehoel, August
Schmidt, John
Schroeder, Madison..
Scott, Robert A
Scott. Jasper H
Seamons, M. L
Sears, W. G
Sexton, Lemuel
Shane, John
Sharp, John
Sharp, John B
Sharp, William
Shaler, Jacob W'
Sherman, Phineas L.
Sherrett, Thomas
Shower, Isaiah
Shugart, Z. T
Shugart, Levi H . .
Shultz, Valentine
Shultz, Peter H
n, Joseph
n, Frank
"imon, Moses
krable, Charles
. krable, John
Skyles, Thomas
Slessor, James ....
Slessor, W. H
Slessor, W. T
Sloss, George
Sloss, Allan
Sloss, James
Smith, Henry L..
Smith, E. H
Smith, E. R
Smith, Frank S
Smith, Robert S.
Smith, J. H
Smith, James H.. .
Smith, Frank E...
914 Smith, C. A
943 Smith, John C
at] Smith Jeremiah
1020 Smith Barzilla
660 Smith, S. P
660 Smith, Henrv
984 Smyth, William
'.H)l|Sn.Tdcr, Levi
99.1 Soleman, Garrett
77'<ISoleman, H
362[Souster, W. W
lU24lSpayde, J. L
:!i5 Spayth, D
7.i9;Spaeford, L. M
822>Spiers, Alexander
822 Spire, Christopher.
822JSprole, William
MCi Wager, Harvey 728
Stevens, H. J 943 Wagner, H 1014
Stevens, J. H .j8(i Waldon, M. M 451
.1055 Stevens, C.J 477VValls, Solomon 707
laiS Stewart. Andrew J.... 913 Walker, G. W 904
1K)6 Stewart. James 7.i9 Walters, W. C 1012
888|Stewart, William 660 Walz, John 678
470 Stewart. Joseph .546, Ward, J. F 970
6:i8jSterretl, A. H 546iWarren, T. E 475
Stevi nson, .lohn 708i Watson, James 757
Stivers, William H ;J27 Watsor, 'I homas 758
Stiger, H.J 3:!9 Way.
Stiger, S 1016'
Stone. Benjamin Iol3 '
,323 Stoner, David. '
.1054
1013
jjOjIStoakes, Henry S.54
1030 Stoakes, George 8.54
9,39 Stoakes, John 853
"tiolStoakes, Eleazer 728
-fijStoakes. William H...
>i.-|Stniikes, Mathias
â– ;,;,:Sto:,kes. .1.x
s-.-ISt. 1(1.1,11.1. Lvman H..
â– :j'4i,jst.,.l.iar,|, William H
â– ,i,s.-,.St..d.,ar.i. I,e,.nunl.,,
31., Stoddiir.l. William,.,
â– 7,3ist<,d.l.ir<l, Albert
Stoelting, C
Stnible, G. R ,328-349
.Struble, James H 476
Struve, John MV
Stuart, Jame,") W S64
Stuart, David M
Surfac
Swan, Peter
Swan, John
Swartz, William
Swift, H. S
884
.1056
.1029
J Talmage, T. S .
1061 Tappen, W. W.
figti Tauk, Hinrich
7.5«l Taylor, David..
rj^lTaylor, William
7,5.5 Ta.vlor, Ira
X91 Taylor. Giles
;5)j Tedford. John L 72
. 756 ''<'">Ple. T. C 7:s
.loeOiTemple. E. W 73
304 Terpenning, Hansom . . . 83i
. 570 Thomas, B. F 6.5'
.585 Thomas. Enos 64;
. 660 Thompson, Benjamin, ijfi'
. 686 Thompson, S ,57;
77.) Ihompson, J. A 90!
. 1026 Tlerney, Daniel 621
y^:^ Tiffany, W. H 34
gijITode, Claus Wi
900 Toland, David. . . . 9.V
. it;7 Tompkins. A 460-8;«
j<77 r.imlinsnn, William
Sol Townsend, J. S
Qnq Townsend. .lohn S..
7^Turbett. W. S
;is> Turnbull. Richard
575 rrowbndgo, James 680
. 671 1
.1003
. 883 Van.^nken. .Tames I
. H-)7 VanHoiii. i>..t,.r s
â– 079 VanVlier. Heniy.
, 800 \ anilever, Willinm.
W'eaver, Frank...
Weaver, Solomon .
Weir, Thompson 749
Wentch, P. P 656
West, S. Newell 733
West, Alexander W... 842
Wescott. D. G 9a5
Whannell, Peter 707
(>5tiiW"hannell, Robert 74.8
0.58 Whannell, Thomas 708
07slWheaton, Andrew J... 473
077 White, Isaac W 732
OTTiWhite, Nathan 862
i;:: Whitten. C. C 604
Whitaker, Thomas 959
Whitmoie, William 834
Wiebenson, E 939
Wies, Claus 826
Wieting, Nathan C 319
Wild, John 1025
Wiles, J. C 833
Willey, James A 910
Wilson, John , 855
Wilson, M. C 959
Wilson, James 458
Wilson, C. A 774
Wilbur, George L 348
Wilson. West 701
Willett.J. W 336
Wilcox, Svlvester 842
Willard, H. F 926
Williams, (JeorgeS. .. 912
Wilcoxon,T. D. H 795
Wilkinson, A 250
Wilkinson, Wm 250
Williamson, W. H 836
Williamson, H. A 479
Winn. Walter F 379
Wing. J. B 569
Winders. Hiram 772
Wise, Adam &51
Withers, W. J 884
Withington. H. H 78.5
Wood. F. C 347
Wood.W. H :H7
Wood, George 670
Wood, Alfred 611
Wood, Joshua C.
Wood. Lynia _
Wood. Lvman E
Wonser, W. W. .
Wonser, F.J. M
Worrall, W. P
Worden, William
Woolley, E. M
Woolley, H. M
Woodward, J. H
Wylie, Robert
84«
847
Veiser. Jacob
\'e. iiniins, Rfibert.
^ .mug, W. K . ..
i^'oungman, J. W.
PORTRAITS
-9 ^
PAOE
Dailev, George L 321
Baldwin, C. H 499
lieardshear, W. M 553
Brooks, J. H 509
Brunei-,1). F 303
Carmichael, L nm
Clark, Leander 3.57
Corns, William 961
CumminffS, A 619
Ebersole, E. C
Fellows, B. W...,
Guernsey, A. W.
Harrison, W. H
Hartshorn, H . A
Haworth, James
Hedge, James B
Hollen, J. H
Kccler, R. W..
Kephart, E. B.
Kinne, L, G...
331
Lamb, Jacob W 436
Lite, John 471
Mann, S. S 93:)
Murray, Thomas 275
McAnulty, Hugh 415
Parker, J. C 481
PAGE
Sleesor, James 76;)
Sl.'ssor, W. T 753
Smith, E. K .377
Smith, Franks 583
Struble, G. K 4!I9
Thompson, Benjamin.. 563
Townsend, J. L 699
Whannell, Thomas 709
Winn, W. F 933
Willett, J. W 454
Wilkinson, A 347
Certificates of the Committees.
Below is given a copy of the certificate, signed by the committee appointed by the Old Settlers' Society,
to revise and correct the' general history of Tnma county, and also committees from each township to revise
and correct the histories of the various townships, showing that the publishers have complied with their prom
ises, and did their utmost to produce a reliable and complete history of the county. The following is the cei^
tiflcate of the general committee:
' "We, the undersigned, members of the general committee, appointed by the Old Settlers' Society of Tama
county, to correct and revise the manuscript of the History of 'Tama county, written 'and compiled by the
Union Publishing Company, of Springfield, Illinois, do hereby certify that wo did, to the best of our ability
and recollection, examine said manuscript, and made all the changes and additions that we in our judgment
deemed necessary, and as corrected approve the same : W. C. Salsbury, i
J.C. Vermilya, |
F. Davis, I
J. H. Hollen, \Ciimmiitee.
D. F. Bruner, I
L. Clark,
G. H. Struble, J
Following is the certificate of the committee for the respective cities and townships:
"We, the committee appointed by the Old Settlers' Society, to revise and correct the history [of our res-
pective townships] for the History of 'Tama county, written and compiled liy the Union Publishing Company,
of Sprin'. field, Illinois, do hereby certify that said manuscript was submitted to us, and that we diii make all
the changes, corrections and additions that we in our judgment deemed necessary, and as corrected approve
the same:"
J. V. B. Greene,
W. A. Daniel,
J. C. Wood,
J. T. Ames,
— Buvliinghain
Kobert Whannell,
William Kline,
J. C. Fleming,
J. H. Scott,
—Grant.
C. H. Baldwin,
8. V. K. Kellev,
J. F. G. Cold,
—Lineuln.
J. P. Wood,
G. Taylor,
—Perm.
William li. King,
R. Yeomans,
A. Bywater,
—Sprlnij Creek.
C. W. Dobson,
John Peterson,
—Carltim.
.James Trowbridge,
L. Stoddard,
Jacob Croskrey,
Eli Chase,
—Columhia.
Quincy W. Babb,
Jacob Koons,
J. B. Merritt,
-HiiihUtiMl.
J. C. Wiles,
O. N. Mason,
—Oneida.
A. Wilkinson,
James A. Wllley,
—Salt I 'reck.
L. H. Shugart,
Amos Rogers,
Jas. li. VanAnken.
James Haworth,
G. M. Fee,
Adam Wise,
J. L. Townsend,
J. B. Wvlle,
J. B. M. Bishop,
— ( 'rystal.
J H. Giger,
J. H. Tindall,
L F. Hammitt,
—HuwarO.
Abram Tompkins,
J. M. Hayes,
C. E. Haye»,
D. C. Lamb,
—Utter Crcelt.
W. T. Hollen,
William Blodget,
B. A. Hall,
—Tama titwn.'*hii) and City.
Joseph Dvsart,
T. S.Talmage,
Charles L'nger,
— riiii*.
J. L. Gedford,
Harney Wager,
Theodore Moore,
John Riley,
—Geneeeo.
Edward Ruggles,
.\ . N . Poy neer,
.1. M. Bradley,
(i. 1). H. Wilcoxon,
—Indiiin Vniygr.
James F. Cram,
John M. Ramsdell,
—BicliUiml.
Franklin Davis,
A. La Dow,
A.J. Wheaton,
William E. Rogers,
—Tiiledii tiiwH.'ttiipand City.
2y_
k.
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 ag-',
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 fi-hing in its streams. The
change would seem too great for him to
realize. But it is in 'eed true. These
churches, these school-houses, these pala-
tial residences, th'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 shronded 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
firs' inhabitants came fr^m Asia, by way
of Behring's Strait, and in large numbers.
Majrnificent 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
on'y surmise. Among these ruins are
pyramds similar to those which have ren-
dered Egypt famous. The f'yramid of
Chalula is square, each side of its base
being 1,3-35 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-
-» — sRT
HISTORY OF IOWA.
glyphic inscriptions and curious sculpture.
It is 32 feet square, and a fli<;ht 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-
tain, and the remains of an Aztec city, near
the banks of the Gila, are spread over
more than a square league. The principal
feature of the Aztec civilization which has
come down to us was its religion, which
we are told was of a dark and gloomy
character. 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-
ne.ss. 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
on the consecration of two of their tem-
ples, the number of prisoners offered up
in sacrifice was 12,210, while they them-
selves contributed 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 the Mississippi Valley,
including many portions of Iowa, are found
mounds and wal's 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 Miund-
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 topic
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 has 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; but, in the three- fold divi-
sion of Dr. Latham, they are ranked among
the Mongolidie. Other writers on races
r-
HISTORY OF IOWA.
H
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 (minent
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. Pricliard, whose views are
apt to differ from Morten'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
— the Northeastern Asiatics — but they re-
semble them in language and tradition.
The Esquimaux on the American and the
Tchuktcis 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 raoe. 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
ail 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
Spaniarl, 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 1673 he completed his pre-
parations for the journey, in which he was
to be accompanied by Joliet, an agent of
-^
20
HISTOKY OF IOWA.
the French Government. The Indians,
who had gathered in large numbers to wit-
ness his dej)arture, 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 Missis-
sippi, which had so long been anxiously
looked for; floating down its unknown
waters, the explorer discovered, on the
25ih 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
time, 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-
scended the M'ssissippi 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 " Colbart," in honor of the French
Minister, and at its mouth erected a column
and a cross bearing the inscription, in
French:
' 'LOUIS THE OHEAT, KING OP FBANCE AND .NAVAnilE,
KEIGMN'G APEIL 9, 1682."
France then claimed by right of dis-
covery and occupancy the whole valley of
the Miss'ssippi and its tributaries, includ-
ing Texas. Spiin 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-dii-covercd 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 16S2, 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 1303, 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.
«C «"
^— ^1^
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Thib Territory was subsequently divi'ied,
and now forms seven great States — Louis-
iana, Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota,
Kansas and Nebraska.
CHAPTER II.
INDIANS AND INDIAN WARS.
For more tban one hundred years after
Marquette and Joliet trod tbe 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 pos.session of the native
tribes, who often poured out their life
blood in obstinate contest for supremacy.
That this Stale, 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 lowas
also occupied a portion of the State, for a
time, in common with tbe 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 they
maintained a constant warfare for the pos-
session of the country for many years.
In 180.3, when Louisiana was purchased
by the United States, the Sacs, Foxes and
lowas possessed the entire State of Iowa,
and the two former tribes, also, occupied
most of Illiuois.
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 Eock river,
near Kock Island ; another was on the
east ba.k of the Mi^sissippi, near the
mouth 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 thr^e principal villages.
One was on the west side of the Missis-
sippi, six miles abovo 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 lowas, 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 lowavillenow stands. Here
the last great battle between the Sacs and
Foxes and the lowas was fought, in which
Black Hawk, then a young man, com-
manded 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
Rattle-field was a level river bottom, about
four miles in length, and two miles wide
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 growing on its sum-
mit. In the rear or 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 for 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 of the inhabitants, by which means
they were soon convinced that the lowas
had no suspicion of their presence.
"At the foot of the mound above men-
tioned the lowas had their race course,
where they diverted themselves with the
HISTORY OF IOWA.
23
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.
"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 lowas 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 file
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
prisLiners, 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 p.^sition among the Soap Creek
hills."
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
24
HISTORY OF IOWA.
be 4,600. Their village was situated in
the immediate vicinity of the upper rapids
of the Mifsissippi, where the flourishing
towns of Rock Island and Davenport are
now situated. The extensive prairies
dotted over with groves, the beautiful
scenery, the picturisque bluffs along the
river banks, the rich and fertile soil pro-
ducing large crops (if 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 aitachment 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 fflen 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
Norlhira and Western Iowa to the Mis-
souri river. Their descent from the north
upon the hunting grounds of Iowa fre-
qui utly brought them into collision with
the Sacs and Foxes, a: d 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 Chien in l.'-25.
Instead of settling the difficulties, this
caused them to quarrel ail the more, in
conse<iuence of alleged trespasses upon
each other's side of the line. So bitter
and unre'enting became these contests,
that, in IS 30, the Government purchased of
the respective tribes of the Sacs and Foxes,
and the Sioux, a strip of land twenty miles
wide on both sides of the line, tLus 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 hu' t 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 adopt' d
measures for the exploration of the i.ew
Territory, having in view the conciliation
of the numerous tribes "f Indians by
â– ;\hora it was possessed, and a. so the se-
leclion of pn per sites for the establish-
ment of military posts and trading sta-
tions. The Army of the West, Gen. Wil-
kinson commanding, had its hradquarters
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. I 'ike 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 9ih, 16-05. On
_tlie 20. h 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
jistbeen appointed Indian Agent at this
point, a French interpreter, four 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 addresjed them sub-
stantially as follows:
" Your great father, the President of the
United States, wishes to be more intimately
H^ s-
^^
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
dirtctions 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, tobacco
and whi.sky. On the 23d of August he
arrived at what is suppoi-ed, 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
of 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 pjurs 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 Builington is
now located, called by the early voyagers
on the Mississippi " Flint Hills " In c> m-
pany with one of his men, I'ike went on
shore on a hunting expedition, and follow-
ing a stream which they supposed to be a
part of the Mississippi, they were led away
from their course. Owing to the intense
heat and tall grass, his two favorite dogs,
wliicli he 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 the
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, and fired a salute
in honor of the advent of the first Amer-
ican who had visited that part of the Ter-
ritory. He was not, however, disposed to
publish the wealth of his mines, and the
young and evidently inquisitive ofiicer
obtained but little information from him.
Upon leaving this place. Pike pursued
his way up the river, but as he passed
beyond the limits of the present State of
Iowa, a detailed history of his explora-
tions does not propm'ly belong to this vol-
ume. It is sufficient to say that, on the
site of Fort Snelling, Miunesita, he held a
^^
26
HISTOEY OF IOWA.
council with the Sioux, Sept. 2.3, 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 S.able, in latitude 47 * .
Tills 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
Re^l Eiver of the North, and west to the
R cky Mountains, embracing within the
sco))e 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-
cha-^ed 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, large
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 whiles, or gome violation
of treaty stipulation.
When the United States assumed con-
trol of the country, by virtue of the Louis-
iani purchase, n arly the whole Stale was
in possession of the Sacs and Foxes, a
powerful and warlike nation, who were
not disposed to submit without a struggle
to what they C'jnsidered the encroachment
of the pale faces. Among the most noted
chiefs, and on.e whose restlessness and
hatred of the Americans occasioneil 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 dist no-
tion as a fighting chief, leaving led c;»m-
jiaigns against the O.-ages and other neigh-
boring tribes. About the beg nning of
the present century he began to appear
prominent in affairs on ihe Mississippi.
His life was a marvel. He is said by
some to have been ihe victim of a narrow
prejudice and bitter ill-will against the
Americans.
Upon the cession of Spain to France, 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 1804 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 thai
this refusal was caused probably more
from regret that the Indians were to be
transferred from the jurisdiction of the
Spanish authorities than from any t-pecial
hatred toward the Americans. In his life
he says: "1 found many sad and gloomy
faces because the United Slates were about
to take possession of the town and country.
Soon after the Americans came I took my
b md and went to lake leave of my Spanish
HISTORY OF IOWA.
27
father. The Americans came to see
him also. Seeing them approach, we
passed out of one door as they entered an-
ot^er, and immediately started in our
canoes for our village on Buck river, not
liking the change any belter 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 shouh! never see our
Spanish father again. Tne information
made all our people sorry."
IJovember 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.
lu 1805 Lieutenant Pike came up the
river for the purpose of holding friendly
i-ouncils 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 afier we passed Salt river.
Some of our young braves watched them
every day to see what sort of people he
h.ad 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 Ameri-
cans were doing, and had an interview
with the commander, after which they
returned home and were apparently satis-
fied. In like manner, when Fort Madison
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 coming
^
28
HISTORY OF IOWA.
to keep him company — a statement which
Black Hawk says they distrusted at the
lime, believing that the fort was an en-
croachment upon their rights, and designed
to aid it getting their lands away frcra
thorn. 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 indignaut.
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 mornini;
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 att ck, 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 fire to the fort with blazing arrows;
but finding their efforts unavailing, they
soon gave up .ind rtturned 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
thai the}' 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. Th^y
said the Great leather wished them, in the
event of a war taking place with England,
not to interfere on eiiher side, but tore-
main neutral He did not want our help,
but wished us to bunt and suppoit our
families, and live in peace. He said that
Britii-h 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
ihfm credit in the fall for guns, powder and
goods, to enable us to hunt and clothe our
families. He repeated that the traders at
FortMadison would have plenty of good?;
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 aud
his people were very much pleased. Act-
ing in g lod faith, they tilted 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
M'y
HISTORY OP IOWA.
!^
that he would not trust them. In vain
they pleaded the promise of their Great
Father at Washington; the trader was
inexoiable. Di.s.appuinted 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 moruiug a canoe was seen
ascending the river; it soon arrived bear-
ing an express, who brought inte'iigence
that a British trader had landed at Rock
Island with two boats filled with goods, and
requested us to comu 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 Kock Island. Here
ended all our hopes of remaining at peace,
having been forced into the war by being
deceived." He joined the British, who
flattered him, and styled him "Gen. Black
Hawk," decked him with medals, excited
his jealousy against the Americans, and
armed his band; but he met with defeat
and 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, organized 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 Quasb-qua-me (The Lance)
and other chiefs, together with the old
men, women and children, and such others
as chose to accom^jany 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 spits 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, whiih Wa-co-me obtained
for him. He then addressed the chiefs.
He remonstrated against the desertion
of their vill.age, their own homes, and the
^'
30
HISIORY OF IOWA.
graves of their fathers, and offered to
defend the village.
The couucil consented that he shou'd be
their war chief. lie marshaled his braves,
sent out spies, and advanced on the lead-
ing trail to Piioria, but returned without
seeing the enemy. The Americans did
not disturb the village, and all were satis-
fied with the appo niment of Keokuk.
Like Black Hawk, he was a descendant of
the Sac branch of the nation, and was born
on Rock river in 17S0. He was of a pacific
disposition, but possessed the elements of
true courage, and could fi.:ht when occa-
sion required with cool judgment and
heroic energy. In his first battle 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. He 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 the
stores of nature, and based his arguments
on skill !"ul logic. Unfortunately for his
reputation as an orator among white people,
he was never able to obtain an interpreter
who could claim even a slight acquaint-
ance with philosophy. With one excep-
tion only, his interpreters were unac-
quainted with the elements of their
mother tongue. Of this serii,.us liindrance
to his fame he was well aware, and re-
tained Frank Labershure, who had re-
ceived a rudiniental education in the French
and English languages, until the latter
broke down by dissipation and died.
Kei'kuk was thus compelled to submit his
spetches 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, and
often a feeling of mortification at the
buiiglin^efforts was depicted on his coun-
tenance while speaking. The proper
])!ace 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 possessed 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 whtim he
had dissuaded from following Black Hawk
became, however greatly excited with the
war spirit after Stillman's defeat, and but
for the signjl 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 8peech,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
and children, to save them from a linger-
ing death of starvation, and 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 troulle with the Indians until
the Black Hawk war.
The treaty of 1804, between the United
States and the chiefs of the Sac and Fox
nations was never acknowledged by Black
Hawk, and, in 1831, he established him-
self with a chosen band of warriors u|)()n
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, Govenior Rey-
nolds hastily collected a body of 1,800
volunteers, placing them under command
of Brig.-Gen. Samuel Whiteside.
The army marched to the Mississijipi,
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
Gtn. 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 dittance of a mile. Several of
Stillniin's party mounted their horses and
charged the ludians, 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 bi-en eleven killed. The
-=> pv
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-
tu4e 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 usin 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 equal to the best troops of 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 over a swamp
three-quarters of a mile, which again rested
on th; main body of Black Hawk's army,
bivouacked upon the banks of the Kish-
wakee. It was a terrible and a glorious
bight to see the tawny warriors as they
rode along our flanks attempting to out-
flank us, with the glittering moonbeams
g.istening from tlieir polished blades and
burning spears. It was a sight well calcu-
lated to strike consternation in the stoutest
and boldest heart; and, accordingly, cur
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 destiuclion of
our entire detachment. About this time
Maj. Stillman, Col. Stephenson, Maj. Per-
kins, Capt. Adams, Mr. Hackelton 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 ihe left a
corps of horsemen, which seemed to be in
tolerable 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 wear 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 companions-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.
33
out the Slate and nation. The number of
Inilians 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 Rock Island, was sur-
prised by a parly of seventy Indians, and
was on the point of being thrown into dis-
order, when Gen. Whiteside, then serving
as a private, shouted out that he would
shoot the first man who turned his back on
th3 enemy. Order being restore'd, 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
protect!' >n 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 {heir 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 banks of
the Illinois, in the latter part of June.
Major Dement, with a small party, was
sent out to rtjconnoiter 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 Black Hawk.
They moved slowly and cautiously through
the cjunlry, pissed through Turtle Vil-
lage, and marched up along R ick 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 iwo 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 opposiiion 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 OF BAD-AXK.
Gen. Henry marched, on the 15th of
July, in pursuit of the Indians, reaching
Rock river after three days' juuiney, where
he learned Black Hawk was encamped
further up the river. On July 19 the
troops were ordered to commence their
march. After having made 50 miles, they
HISTORY OF IOWA.
were overtakon by a terrible thunder
storm, which lasted all night. Nothing
cooled, however, in their courage and zeal,
they marched again .^0 miles the next day,
encamping near the place where the In-
dians encamped the niglitbefore 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
2 St, crossed the river connecting two of
the four lakes, by which the Indians had
been endeavoring to escape. They found,
on their way, the ground strewn with ket-
tles and articles of baggage, which, in the
haste of retreat, the Indians were 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
latter charged the Indians in their ambush
and expelled them frc.m their thickets at
the point of the bayonet, and dispersed
them. Night set in and the battle ended,
having cost the Indians sixty-eight of their
br.avest mm, while the loss of the lUinois-
ans amounted to but one killed and eight
wounded.
Soon after this battle. Gens. Atkinson
and Henry joined their forces and pursued
the Indians. Gen. Henry struck the main
trail, left his horses behind, formed an
advance guard of eight men, and marched
forward upon their trail. When these
eight men came within sight of the river,
they were suddenly fired upon, and five of
them killed, th^ remaining three maintain-
ing their ground till Gen. Hei ry 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, cutting 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 tte 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 immediately forded the
river with his troops, the water reaching
up to their necks, and landed on the island
where the Indiana had secreted them-
selves. 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 drowaed or
shot before reaching the opposite shore.
Thus ended the battle, the Indians losing
three hundred, besides fifty prisoners; the
whites, but seventeen killed and twelve
wounded.
Black Hawk, with his twenty braves,
retreated- up the Wisconsin river. The
Winnebagos, desirous of securing the
friendship of the whites, went in pursuit
and captured and 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
*?!<
f-
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Washington, D. C, and soon consigned
as prisoners at Fortress Monroe.
At the interview Black Hawk bad 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 huuses,
too mmy men. I took up the haichet, 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 tlieir 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 Slates 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 Des Moines, this State,
and furnished it after the manner of the
whites, aid' 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
air.ong 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 left 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.
-^.
nsr-
J^
36
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-
ment, and for purposes of settlement by
the whites, could only be obtained by
forcible ejectment or re-purchase from
those 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
by the Sacs and Foxes, was the first opened
to actual settlement by the tide of emi-
gration which flowed acro's the Missis-
sippi as soon as the Indian title was
extinguished. The treaty which provided
for this cession was made at a council held
on the west bank of the Mississippi, where
now stands the thriving city of Davenport,
on ground now occupied by the Chicago,
Rock Island & Pacific R. R. Co , Sept. 21,
18.32. This was just after the "Black
Hawk War," and the defeated savages had
retired from east of the Mississippi. At
the council the Government was repre-
sented by Gen. Winfield Scott and Gov.
Reynolds, of Illinois. Keokuk, Pashapaho
and some thirty other chiefs and warriors
were present. By this treaty the Sacs and
Foxes ceded to the United States a strip
of land on the eastern border of Iowa, fifty
miles 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 States
Government stipulated to pay annually to
the confederated tribes, for thirty con-
secutive years, ISO, 000 in specie, and to
pay the debts of the Indians at Rock
Island, which had been accumulating for
seventeen 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 Ilawk 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
white settlers.
By terms of the treaty, out of the Black
Hawk purchase was reserved for the Sacs
and Foxes 400 square miles of land, sit-
uated on the Iowa River, and including
within its limits Keokuk village, on the
right bank of that river. This tract was
known as Keokuk's reserve, and was occu-
pied by the Indians until 1836, when, by
HISTORY OF IOWA.
37
a treaty made in September between them
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
also gave out of the Black Hawk purchase
to Antoine 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. A tarm 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 era-
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 were
the Metsrs. Ewing, from Ohio, and Phelps
& Co , from Illinois, and also J. P. Eddy,
who established his post at what is now
the site of Eddy ville. 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, 1S43, most of
the Indians were removed up the Des
Moines river, above the temporary line of
Red Rock, having ceded the remnant of
their lands in Iowa to the United States,
Sept. 21, 1837, and Oct. 11, 1842. By the
terms of the latter treaty, they held pos-
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 and 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 and
HISTORY OF IOWA.
excelleut 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 Ivei)kuk. 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, I82+, a treaty was made be-
tween the United States and the Sacs and
Foxes, by which that portion c 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
Monlrose;.but the surveyor who runit 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-
sissippi 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
fixing the northern limit of the half-breed
tract as in determining the northern
boundary line of the Slate of Missouri."
The line thus run included in the re'»erva-
tion a portion of the lower part of the city
of Fort Madison, and all of the present
townships of Van Buren, Charleston, Jef-
ferson, Des Moines, Montro.ie and Jackson.
Under the treaty of 182+,the half-breeds
had the right to occupy the soil, but could
not convey it, the reversion being reserved
to the United Stales. But Janu.iry 30th,
1843, by act of Congress, this reversionary
right was relinquished, and the half-breeds
acquired the Ian Is in fee simple. Tbis no
sooner done than a horde of speculators
rushed in to buy laud 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 laud 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
werj no authorized surveys, and no boun
dary lines to claim, and, as a natural
result, numerous conflicts and quarrels
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 upon
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. Tne 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 sherifiE exe-
cuting the deed. Mr. Reid sold portions
of it to various parties; but his own title
â– 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
Web-ter, plaintiff in error, vs. Hugh T.
Reid, nnd 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 Johnstoae 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 oflice,
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 male with the Indians of Iowa:
1. Treaty with the Sioux. — Made July
15, 1815; ratified December 16, 1815, This
treaty was made at Portage dus Sioux of
Minnesota and Upper Iowa, and the United
States, by William Clark and Ninian Ed-
wards, Commissioners, and was merely a
treatise of peace and friendship on the
part of these Indians toward the United
States at the close of the war of 1812.
2. Treaty icith the Sacs. — A similar
treity 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 ab )ve. In this the treaty of 1804
was re-aflirmed, and the Sacs here repre-
sented promised for themselves and their
bands to keep entirely separate from the
Sacs of Rac'c river, who, under Black
Hawk, had joined the British in the war
just then closed.
3. Treaty with the Foxes. — 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
1" I -
^k
HISTORY OF IOWA.
the Foxes re-affirmed the treaty of St. Louis,
of November 3d, 1804, and agreed to de-
liver up all their prisoners to the officer in
command at Fort Clark, now Peoria, Illi-
nois.
4 Treaty with the loicas. — 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 Hock
Jiiver. — Made at St. Louis, on the 13th of
May, 1816, between the United States and
the Sacs of Rock river, by the Commis-
sioners, William 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 Hawk 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 States and the Sacs and Foxes, in
the city of Washington, by William Clark,
Commissioner, wherein the Sac and Fox
nations relinquished their title to all lands
in Missouri, and that portion of the south-
east corner of Iowa known as the "half-
breed tract" was set off and reserved for
the use of the half breeds of the Sacs and
Foxes, they holding title in the same man-
ner as Indians. Ratified Jan. 18, 1825.
7. Treaty of August 19, 1825. — At this
date a treaty was made by William Clark
and Lewis Cass, at Prairie du Chien, be-
tween the United States and the Chippe-
was. Sacs and Foxes, Menominees, Winue-
bagos, and a portion of the Oliawas and
Pot awatomies. In this treaty, in order
make peace between the contending tribes
as to the limits of their respective bunting
grounds in Iowa, it was agreed that the
United States Government should run a
biHindary 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 Red
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 of 1830.— On the loth 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. "I'hus the United States, at the
ratification of this treaty, February 24,
1831, came into possession of a portion of
Iowa forty miles wide, extending along
the Clarke and Cass line of 1825, from the
Mississippi to the Des Moines river. This
territory was then known as the "Neutral
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-
bago reservation, and the Winnebagos
were removed to it in 1841.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
9. Treati/with 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, Oraahas, lowas 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 t-ide;
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 h'gh 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 locale
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 |i3,00(i; to the
Foxes, $3,000; to the Sioux, $ ?,000; to the
Yankton and Siutee bands of Sioux, $3,000;
to the Omahas, $1,500; and to the Ottoes
and Missouris, $2,500— to be paid annually
for ten successive years. In addition to
these annuiiies, the Government agreed to
furnish some of the tribes with b'ack-
sniiths and agricultural implements to the
amount of 1:200, at the expense of the
United States, and to set apart $3,000 an-
nually fur 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 (iround in IS-to-''!!.
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 Winnebagos. —
Made at Fort Armstrong, Rock Island,
September 15th, 1832, by General Wiufie'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 Winne-
bagos, to be held as other Indian lands
are held, that portion of Iowa known aa
the Neutral Grounds The exchange of
the two tracts of country was to take place
on or before the Ist day of June, 1833. la
addition to the Neutral Grounds, it was
stipulated that the Uuiled States should
give the Winnebagos, beginning in Sep-
tember, 1833, and continuing for twenty-
seven fcuccessive 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-
^
HISTORY OF IOWA.
tinue 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 183-2 loith the Sacs and
Foxes. — Already mentioned as the Black
Hawk purchase.
12. Treaty o/ 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 110,000 for ten successive years, to-
gether with other sums and debts of the
Indians to various parties
13. Treaty of 1837.— On the 21st of
October, 1837, 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
conveyed by them to the United States in
the treaty of September 21, 1832. It is
understood that the points of termination
for the present cession shall. be 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 between them so as to intersect a
line extended westwardly from the angle
of said tract nearly opposite to Rock Island,
as laid down in the above survey, so far as
may be necessary to include the number of
acres hereby ceded, which last mentioned
line, it is estimated, will be about twenty-
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 tl e
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 19, 1825,
and between the Missouri and Mississippi
rivers, the United S ates paying f<r the
same $160,000. The Indians also gave up
all claims and interests under the treaties
previously made with them, for the satis-
faction of which no appropriations had
been made.
15. Treaty of 1842.— The last trfaty
was made with the Sacs and Foxes October
11, 1842; ratified March 23, 1843. It was
made at the Sac and Fox agency (Agency
City), by John Chambers, Commissioner
on behalf of the United States. In this
treaty 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 treaty
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 1845, and
the rest the 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 his death, in 1810. What was
known as the Girard settlement, in Clayton
county, was made by some parties prior to
the 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 themselvesatvarious 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, LeMoiiese, 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 Slates 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 iLime,
unfortunately, has not been preserved —
wlio, 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:
'â– When I got there I was all perished
away — so thin!" The doctor, touched by
such unexampled devotion, took her to his
heart, and ever after, until his death, treat-
ed her with marked respect. She always
:r^
:k
44
HISTORY OF IOWA.
presided at his table with gr.ice and dig-
nity, but n<?ver abandoned her native style
of dress. In 18l9-'20 he was stationed at
Fort Edward, now Warsaw, but the sense
less ridicule of some of his br.jther officers
on account of his Indian wife induced him
to resign his commission He then built
a cibin, 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.
I\Iuir 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,
disa(ipeared. It is said she returned to her
people, on the Upper Missouri.
The gentleman who had leased Dr.
Muir's claim at Keokuk, subsequently em-
ployed as their agent Moses Stillwel), who
arrived with his family in 1828, and took
possession. His brothers in-law, Amos and
Valencourt Van Ansdal, came with him
and settled near. Mr Stillwell's daughter
Maigaret (afterward Mrs. Ford), was born
in 1831 at the foot of the rapids, called by
the Indians Puckashetuck. She was prob-
ably the first white American child born
in Iowa.
In 1829 Dr. Isaac Galland made a set-
tlement on the Lower Rapids, at what is
now Nashville. The same year James S.
Langworthy, who had been engaged in
lead mining at Galena since 1824, resolved
to visit the Dubuque mines The lead
mines in the Dubuque region were an
objoct of great ii terest to the mitM is about
Galena, 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
Mississippi 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 the natives. He
endeavored to obtain permission from
them to mine in their hills; but this they
refused. He, 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
Maquoketa and Turkey rivers. He re-
tu ned 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-itances
would permit. In the following year, with
his brother, Lucuis H., and others, havinj;'
obtained the consent of the Indians, Mr
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-
HISTORY OF IOWA.
tiiiguished, and these adventurous persons
were beyond the linaits 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 called 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 unauiiHOusly agree that we will
be governed by the regulations on the east
side of the Mississippi river, with the fol-
lowing exceptions, to-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-
The report was accepted by the miners
present, who elected Dr Jarote in accord-
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 under it Dr. Jarote was elected
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 succ ssfully
for a long time, and the new settlement
attracted considerable attention. But the
west side of the Mississippi belonged to
the Sao 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 raining, 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 s'de
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
-.jV
^^
46
HISTORY OF IOWA.
river, and from tlie east bank saw the
troops land on the western shore. The
lliree 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 o
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 negotia-
tions of the treaty 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 Ist,
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 compelleU to abandon their
cabins and homes in mid-winter. This,
too, was only out of respect for forms, fur
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. Hut 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 bark of
the river, built rude cabins of poles, in
which to store their lead until spring, when
they could float the fruits of their labors
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
on hand about 300,000 poumls 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 part 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, who
were only waiting for the time when they
could repossess their claims.
The treaty went formally into effect
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. Sheldon 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.
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 log in 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 thought
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
populousand 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 cm-
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 eastern 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 Thom])8on
and Peter Williams made claims at Fort
Madison. In 1833, Gen. John H 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
- s
r
mSIORY OF IOWA.
river, and White was soon followed by
others. David Totliers 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 t^e
military from Rock Island, as intruders
upon the rights of the Ind'ians. While'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 forests,
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 Wet-tern merchandise. Such
was the beginning cf Burlington, which,
in less than four years, became the seat of
goveri.ment 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 made the first claim on
the site of the present thriving city of
Davenport. As early as 1827, Col. Daven-
port had eslablislied 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 183.3 Capt. Benjamin W. 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 Wm. Gordon,
Philip Hambough, Alex. W. McGregor,
Levi S. Col ton, Captain James May, and
others.
A settlement was made in Clayton county
in the spring of 1832, on Turkey river, by
Robert Hatfield and Wm. W. Wayman.
No further settlement was made in this
part of the State until 1836
The first settlers of Mu,*catine county
were Benjamin Nye, John Vanater and G.
W. Kasey, all of whom came in 1834. E.
E. Fay, Wm. St. John, N. Fullington, H.
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 estab'ished 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 "La Cote de Hart," or "Hart's
Bluff."
In 18.i7 an agent of the American Fur
Company, Fiancis 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 cast part of the city. The
I'ottawatomie Indians occupied this part
of the State until 1846 7, when they re-
HISTORY OF IOWA.
liiiquished 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 1846-7 on the we.^t 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 j''Ur-
ney to Salt Lake, but a large portion of
them returnerl 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. Kane, of Pennsylvania, who
visited them soon afterward. The Mor-
mon settlement extendtd 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
Slate remained 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 Gv,ardian, 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 6,552, 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 oflioials being Mor-
mons. In 1852 the order was promulgated
that fll 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, 184.3, 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 thi.s point. The troops
and stores were landed at what is now the
foot of Court AvenuQ, 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 wrs built
near the mouth of Raccoon Fork, at its
confluence with the DesMoines, and named
Fort 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 settlers in this part of
Iowa were Benjamin Bryant, J. B. Soott,
James Drake (gunsmith), John Sturtevant,
Robert Kinzie, Alexander Turner, Peter
Newcomer, and others.
^^
â– t.
50
HISTORY OF IOWA.
CHAPTER V.
TERRITORIAL AND STATE ORGANIZATIONS.
The immigration to Iowa after the Black
Hawk purchase was so rapid and steady
that gome provision for civil government
became necessary. Accordingly, in 1834,
all the territory comprising the present
States 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 postoffice 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, 1835, 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 :
DuBUQiE — 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, 1 836, and organized by electing Henry
Baird President of the Council, and Peter
Hill Engle (of Dubuque) Speaker of the
House.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
At this session tlie 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 9lh, 1836.
The second Legis'alure assembled at
Burlington, November 9, 1 837. 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 nntil 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 Witconsin, 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. seflt 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 Presi-
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 Slates, 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 Eockingham
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 GazetteyWas 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-
:k
HISTORY OF IOWA.
tember, dividing the Territory into election
districts for that purpose, and appointing
the l2th 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
Riilston, 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 ekcted President of the
Council, and Hon.Wm H.Wallace (Whig),
of Henry county, Sptaker 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, parly 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
Legi.'^lature 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, and 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 pow^ 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 Beat 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,
and 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-
umjihed, and, on January 21st, 1839, an act
l^
HISTORY OF IOWA.
53
was passed appoiuting Chauiicey 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
JohnsDn 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 pased 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 Mis,sissippi 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.
Aftei 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 th6 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, 1839, passed an act requiring
the Commissioners to adopt such plan for
the building that the aggregate cost, when
complete, should not exceed $51,' 00, 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 ihe 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 $^0,000 for the building was
passed January 15, 1841, the unsold lots of
I jwa City being the security offered, but
only $5,5(i0 was obtained under the act.
- '9
J^t
HISTORY 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 $6,000 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 820,000, 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 m dea 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 thf 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
witji 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 been
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 cilizenship 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 foims 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 184-3 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 MISSOtJRI WAR.
In defining the boundaries of the conn-
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 rajiids of Des Moines
river. The lower rapids of the Mississippi
immediately above the mouth of the Des
Ml 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 lelow Keosau-
qua, thus taking from Iowa a strip of ter-
ritory eight or ten miles wide. Assuming
this as her norihern boundary line, Missouri
attempted to exercise jurisdiction over the
disputed territory by assessing taxes, and
sending ber sheriffs to collect them by
distraining the personal property of the
settlers. The lowans, however, were not
disposed to submit, and the MLssouri offi-
cials were arrested by the sheriffs of Davis
and Van Buren counties and confined in
jail. Governor Boggs, of Missouri, called
out his mllita to enforce the claim aLd
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 tha
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
^1
56
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," saya Hon.
C. C. Noiirse, "in the basi^ upon whit-h
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 ofE 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 of Iowa 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 Lttflfr. the president of
this convention, was instruced 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 providt^d that it should
be submitted, together with any conditions
or changes that might be made by Con-
gress, to the People of the Territory, fi 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
bounda-y 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 middle
of the main channel of the Missouri river;
tl>ence 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 Nicollelt'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-
stituiion, by act approved March 3, 1845,
as follows: Beginning at the mouth of
TV
HISTORY OF IOWA.
57
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 moulh of the
Mankato or Blue Earth river; thence west,
along said parallel of latitude, to a point
where it is intersected by a meridia > 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 1 6th 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 Slate, 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. The 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.
A
HISTOET OF IOWA.
The government was started on an
economical basis. The members of the
General Assembly 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 frorn 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 S'ate, Iowa had a population of
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
river.
CHAPTER VI.
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OP 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 a
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
e.xcitement and no little hard feeling. Tbe
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.
59
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 Treasurrr 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 12,500 for the
completion of the public buiMings. At
the first session, also, arose the question of
the relocation of the capitol. The western
boundary of the Stale, 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 operatioi s, and make a
report 9f 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 td locate and establish a State
University," approved Feb. 25, 1847, the
unfinished public buildings at Iowa City,
together withthe 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
11,797.43, while the expenses of the sale
and the claims of the Commissioners for
services amounted to $2,206.67. 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
atlv.s, at the next session, and while it was
under consideration, an indignant member,
aTterward known as the eccentric Judge
McFarland, moved to refer the report to a
A
60
HISTORY OF IOWA.
select committee of five, with instrHctions
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 vacate'd,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 15,000, 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, 1854, and J. C. Hall, of
Burlington, was appointed in his place.
Hall was one of the earliest 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, 184S,
with the hope of an election of United
States Senators. The attempt, however,
was again unsuccessful. At this ses.sion,
Charles Maion, 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 Lefiier, of DesMoines county.
The second General Assembly elected
to the United States Senate, Augustus
Caesar Dodge and George W. Jones. The
State government, after the first session,
was under the c -ntrol 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 thai
up to 1854 it acted in the State elections
to some extent with the 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 1862, Pierce lec^ived 17,762 votes,
Scott 15,855, and Hale (Free-Soil) 1,606,
being for Pierce 301 votes more than a
majority.
7\s
?A
HISTORY OF IOWA.
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 1853, a bill was
again introduced in the Senate for the re-
moval of the seat of government to Fort
DesMoines, and, on final vote, w^as 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
seivitude 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 Slate 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 185i 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-Soilers, 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
Demo'crats 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 power. 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 C-iucus, 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.
62
HISTORY OF IOWA.
After frequent balloting and adjournments,
it was at last understood tbat Cook's
friends had yielded, and 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 /»'(? tem, of the conven-
tion was chosen, and Mr." Harlan was
elected. His seat was contested, and his
eltclion declared invalid by the United
States 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. Louis 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 had it been employed in devel-
oping the vast coal measures and establish-
ing manufactories, or if it had 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
incurred, the payment of which these mu-
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 States, and 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
following year an election was held, after
an exciting campaign, for State officers,
resulting 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-
out 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 bel. w 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 ?!20,0C0 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 r.orth 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
ye.ars.
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 should 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 pro^iibition 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 paper 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 some 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 peril. The new constitution
made 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 properly.
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 State 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.
65
October 19, IBS'?, Gov. Grimes issued a
proclamation declaring the City of Des-
Moiues 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
tffects, — the safe of the State Treasurer,
loaded on two large "bob-sleds," drawn by
ten yokes of oxen, — was deposited in -the
new oapitol. 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:
Year. Population.
1838 22,589
1840 43,115
1844 â– 75,152
1846 97,588
1847 1 16,651
1849 1 52,988
1850 191,982
1851 204,774
1852 230,713
1854 326 013
1856 ..5:9,055
1859 638,775
1860 674,913
1863 701,732
] 865 750,699
1867 902,040
1869 1,040,819
1870 1,191,727
1873 1,251,333
1875 1,366,000
1880 1,624,463
The most populous county is Dubuque,
42,997. Polk county has 41,395, and Scott
41,270. Noli 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
ciiaracterize the older States.
Tlie first railroad across the State was
completed to Council BlufiFs in January,
ISGt 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
Iii>littitions 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 one-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 wtekly 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 I.wa. 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 uutrammeled 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, whetiier
manual or mental, are held alike honorable;
and idleness and crime are alone consid-
ered disreputable.
Thriving cities and towns dot the lanil;
an iron network of thousands of miles <>f
railroads is woven over its I road 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
--r
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 Stales — 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.
18c0.
984
1.533
12. 237
11,931
451
8,4tl6
8.244
4,232
4 915
7,906
57
3.724
147
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
5,074
1. 374
793
3,058
3, 982
4,614
17, 868
16. 466
1,319
22, 4S4
S1.7f6
14, 584
1S.528
17, 034
1,5P5
9.951
1,602
2,451
S 464
19, 731
4,722
1,967
10, 180
8,735
l,.'i23
27, 771
35, 3.57
2, 530
12,019
16, 565
12,018
17, 432
S7. 2.56
1,389
38, 969
1,392
16, 973
10. 768
4, 738
11, 174
4. 627
6, 399
7,061
11, 199
11, 188
777
3, lai
19.791
. *
16. 636
7,448
673
135
735
24. 888
23,913
20, 833
Bremer
14.0 1
517
18, 547
7,537
14, 293
5, .'>95
..11
12 351
16, 943
1,253
3,941
18, 937
11,461
8, 240
14, .S34
709
11,512
4,248
1,101
8i!l
3,873
2,822
28,829
36, 764
12,413
Dallas
834
7,264
965
1,759
12, 988
18, 746
Davia . .
16. 468
15, 336
Delaware
163
.5, 577
17, 9. 2
33, 099
1.901
3,069
10,841
42, 997
1.550
625
22, 258
14, 677
10. 248
1,244
17,653
IS, 725
frnn Iv"
12,639
Guthrie
14, 863
T^
6
1
HISTORY OF IOWA.
CENSUS OF IOWA— Continued.
COUNTIES.
18-10.
1850.
1860.
1870.
1880.
1,6H9
179
5,440
3,621
18,701
3, 168
332
43
8, OiO
18. 493
9,883
15. o:i8
17, 573
13.306
13,271
416
29, â– .'32
18,!M7
10, 370
5,766
6, 0.55
!»9
13, 6S4
8, 9:il
21. 4«3
6, 8S2
2, 5;'6
2-.'C
16, 664
22.619
8., 116
17. 839
24, 898
19, 731
19,4)4
3,351
37,910
28.8,va
12,877
10, S-'S
221
13, 884
25. 5 8
84, 436
17, 576
8,718
9.588
3,654
12,724
5, 934
21,688
715
11,252
3, 453
17,808
Hardin
8,' 707""'
3, 172
20, 8-26
10,837
6,341
Ida
822
7,210
1,280
9,904
4, 4T2
3,007
4, 822
'18,861'"
5,444
4, 9:i9
471
19, '221
1,411
Jnsper
25, 9li8
17, 478
25, 4-J'J
2,773
1, â– 19 1
471
Jones
Keokuk
81, 'J.')!)
Kossuth
6,093
1,373
1,937
6,179
Linn
Louisa
13, 14K
Lyon
1.173
5, 9-9
5,483
338
7,3.39
14,816
16, 81 1
6,015
4,481
3,40a
832
8,612
1, 256
16, 444
8
17, 825
Mahaska
Marion
85, 111
Marshall
23, 7..2
Mills
Mitchell
9,055
MOIIOB
«,884
13,719
15, 895
1,942
5,731
O'Biion
4, 155
2,219
551
4^419
132
143
103
11,6-2t
4.»Ud
5,668
2,9-23
246
25, 9.W
818
10
4, OSl
5.285
3, .190
2 012
17, 081
14,518
10. 281
14,835
6,4(9
2,B04
168
13,942
1,119
751;
653
9, 97.')
1,336
2,1!<9
1.446
27. 857
16. 893
15, 581
5,691
1,411
88,509
8,549
. .170
11, e.'ii
16, 131
6,989
fi,9r6
17, 672
22, 346
17,980
18, 958
11,287
10, 484
1, 52K
S3. 570
6. 172
2,892
2,392
19,66r
4, 131
Plymouth
8,Sf'7
3,713
Polk
4.511
7, 828
615
48. 395
39, 846
Poweshiek
18, 93n
12, 0.-J5
2,140
.^986
41, 270
Shelby
12, 696
6,426
16, 966
8
804
81,5-5
15, 635
Union
14 9S0
6,146
12,270
8,471
961
4,957
340
17, 042
2S,88J
Warren
19, 578
1,594
20. 373
wavne ...::::::"::::"::::;:::::::::::
16, 127
15. 9.-.0
4,917
f«6
23. 9;i7
14,997
7,953
Wright
5.062
Total
43. lis
192, 214
674,913 '
1,191,792
1,6'34,463
r
<p *..
^
'â– >-%
^
HISTORY OF IOWA. 69
r
CHAPTER .VII,
GKOLOGY — TOPOGKAPHT — 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 per cent.
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 riveis
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:
BTSTEMB.
AGES.
GROUPS
PEKIOUS.
FORMATIONS.
EPOCHS.
THICKN-E88
L\ FliET.
Dr
\
1
ift
10 to 200
50
130
lOii
200
20
aoo
75
90
196
ns
ao
35(J
80
i L ower Cretaceons
â– ^ishnahotaiiy Sanrietone
1 Sabcarboniferons
Hamilton
Niagara
a^aia Llme^toiie
1
\
Si
S50
SOU
80
250
300
50
Tr^nt^.n Lmit-stnDe
â– ;t Peter's Saiirtstone
^
Huronian
t"^'
^
(s r
"
^^
_±=£k:
70
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 tbe State,
upon the banks of the Big Sioux river,
for which reason the specific name of
Sioux quanzite 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 STSTEH.
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 M'ignesian 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
reraarkab'v 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.
I'reyiton Group — 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 i.s made up of a mass of
shells, corals and fragments of trilnbites,
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 in 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
-^
HISTORY OF IOWA.
quantities only of the carbonate being
found with it.
Cincinnati Group. — The surface occu-
pied by the Maquoketa shales is more than
100 miles iu 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
clav uj5on 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 STSTBM.
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 Failey are all opened in this forma-
tion.
DEVONIAN SYSTEM.
ITamilton 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
p^rt of the material of this is quite worth-
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- â–
carboniferous, coal measures and Permian,
only the first two are found in Iowa.
Subcarboniferous Group. — This gioup
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-
J.
:k
72
HISTORY OF IOWA.
east of Pldora, 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 county,
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 Rinderhook Bech — 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.
•e*1(S — ^
fV
J,
^L^
HISTORY OB^ IOWA.
73
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 Buffingtou 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 Radiataare represented in the genera
Zaphrentis, Amplexus and Syringaposa,
while the highest class, Ecliiiioderms, 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 thdlr 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 Ceph.alopods
liave 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, De.-^Moines, 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 furni-shes
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 economic value.
The lower, or magnesian division, furnishes
a valuable and durable stone, exposures of
N"
HISTOEY OF IOWA.
which ar# found on Lick creek, in Van
Buren county, and on Long creek, seven
miles west of Burlington.
Of the fossils of this formation, the
vertebra'es 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, Cythra and Beyricia.
The MoUusks 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 Measure 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 eastr
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 Stale. 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 Rjck, in Marion county, blocks of
large diuiensions are obtained, which make
good bui'diiig 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 these
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, Polk, 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 few 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 Mollu.<k3 are most numerous!y 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 b )un-
daries it adjoins the area occupied by the
Middle Coal Measures. This formation
contains a considerable portion of shales
and sandstone, but the prominent litho-
logical features are its limestones. Al-
though it is known by the name of Upper
Coal Measures, it contains but a single bed
of coal, and that only about 20 inches in
'W
A
k.
HISTORY OF IOWA,
75
maximum thickness. The limestone ex-
posed in this 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 Lower
Coal Measures. Protozoans are repre-
sented in the greatest abundance, some
layers of limestone being almost entirely
composed of their small fusiform shells.
CBETACEOUS 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 Iowa, 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, which 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, wjien 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 Missoai-i river, and, in reality, form
their eastern boundary.
The Nishnabotany 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 be obtained from
these beds, and the only value they possess,
^f^
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 oretaceouH rocks are the fishes.
Those in the Inoceramus beds are two
spec'es 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, l,.'iOO 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
fiul for each foot in depth. At present
ihi.s peat is not utilized, but, owing to its
great distance from the coal fields, and the
absence ot 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 De Moines river running nearly
centva'ly through it, along the valley sides
of wliich the gyp'-um is seen in the form of
on'inaiy r(>ck 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 Liza d
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 north jrly 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 vallej'S.
On either side of the creeks and ravines
which come into the valley of the Dcs
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 oidinary
limestone expo ures, 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 Gijpsimi Depmit — No trace
of fossil remains has been found in the
gypsum or associated clays; neither h.is
any other indication of its geologic age
been observed except that which is affoided
by its stratigraphical relations; the most
that can be said with certainly is that it is
newer than the coal measures, and older
than the drift. The indications afforde I
by the stratigraphical relations of the gy| -
sum deposit of Fort Dodge are, however,
of considerable value. No Tertiary de-
posits aie 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.
ihL^
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 gy|)sum origin-
ated as a chemical precipitation iu 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 lime as clayey
impurities which had been suspended in
the same waters.
Physical Properties. — ATurh 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 Pr.if.Einery,
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 gyp.sum 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.
Buncombe, of Fort Do'^ge, 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,includii)g the depot
buildings of the Dubuque and Sioux City
Railroad. Marv of the sidewalks iu the
V8
fflSTORY OF IOWA.
town are made of the slabs or flags of gyp-
sum which occur in some of the quarries
in the form of thin layers.
MINOR DEPOSITS OF SULPHATE 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 sulphuret 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 OF STEONITA.
This mineral is found at Fort Dodge,
which is, perhaps, the only place in Iowa
or in 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 fibers 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 about 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-
sured. This mineral has almost no prac-
tical value, and is only interesting as a
mineralogical fact.
SULPHATE OF BAKTTA.
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 crystalline masses.
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
HISTORY OF IOWA.
was found beneath the overhanging cliff of
Burlington limestone near Starr's Mill. It
occurs in the form of eiBorescent 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 salt 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.
CLIMATH.
The greatest objection to the climate of
this State is the prevalence of wind, which
is somewhat greater than in 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. Correspondingly, thunder-storms
are somewhat more violent in this State
than east or south, but not near so much bo
as toward the mountains. As elsewhere in
the Northwestern States, easterly wind-
bring rain and snow, while westerly ones
clear the sky. While the highest temper-
ature 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, lut
this will doubtless be attended to in a few
years.
The State lies wholly within, jnd 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 3U0 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^lope8 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
FromN.W corner toSpiritLake, 5 ft
From N.W. corner to SW. cor-
ner of the State 2 ft.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
From S. W. corner to highest
ridge between the two great
rivers (iu Ringgold county).. 4 ft. 1 in.
From the highest point in the
Slate (near Spirit Lake) to the
lowest point in the Slate (at
the mouth of DesMuines 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 ot 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-
ver.sity 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 formatiors, 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 .innual 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 — T he 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 flumatile 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 h.as acciMnulated
in the valleys of rivers by the action of
their own currents. It is largely composed
of sand and other coarse material, and
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Lk
upon that deposit are some of the best
productive soils in the State. It is this
deposit which forms the flood plains and
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
Moiues and Little Sioux. No drift lakes
are fouud 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 I-ake. — 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, and the country about
it fertile.
Okoboji Lake. — 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 Like, 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 plea-aut; 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.
Stokm 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 in diameter. One of the lakes in
Wright county, and another in Sac, have
each received the name of "Walled Lake,"
i,>n account of the embankments on their
borders, Trhich are supposed to be the work
of ancient inhabitants. These embank-
ments are from 2 to 10 feet in 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.
k.
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-boles, along the uplard
borders of the Upper Iowa river, owing to
the peculiar (issued and laminated charac-
ter and great thickness of the stra'a of the
age of the Trenton limestone which under-
lies the whole regioa 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.
Rivers. — The two great rivers, the Mis-
sissipi and Missouri, from the eastern and
the western bouirdaries, 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
watershed. From that point another ridge
bears off southward, through the counties
of 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 great(=r 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 fe<^t in height and quite perpen-
dicular, so that they render the streams
almost everywhere unfordable, and a greij.
impediment to travel across the open
country where there are no bridges.
This deposit is of a sHghtly yellowih
ash color, except when darkened by decay-
ing vegetation, very fine and silicious, but
not sandy, cot 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 df posit. It was called "silicious
marl" by Dr. Owen, in his geological re-
port to the Government, and he atlribuies
its origin to an accumulation of sediment â–
in an ancient lake, which was afterwaid
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 recurely 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.
ik
pact as it is, it is very porous, so that
water wbich 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 twiee 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 Grand rivers rise and
run for twentj'-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 feel below the gen-
eral level of the adjacent highland. When
the rivers 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. Tha term "drift deposit " applies
to the soil and sub soil of the greiter part
^7
T'
A
â– ^
HISTORY OF IOWA.
of the State, and in it alone many wells
are dug and our forests take root. It rests
upon the stratified rocks. 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.
Nbdmnay 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 au,d
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.
N'ishnabotany 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.
Boyer river, until it enters the flood-
plain of the Missouri, runs almost, if net
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
ihe 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
lower 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 rivet The east and middle
branches of this stream have their source
in Crawford county, and the west brancli
in Ida county. The whole course of this
river is through the bluff deposit. It has
no exposure of strata along its course.
Little Sioux river. — Under this head are
included both the main and west branches
of that stream, together with the Msplo,
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
, 4^
'^
HISTORY OB" 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 blufP 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 wii^ened, with its sides gently
sloping to the uplands. When the valley
enters the region of the blufif deposit, it
assumes the billowy appearance. No ex-
posures of strata of any kind have been
found in the valley of the Lttle 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
â– of sandstone of cretaceous age occurs in the
valley near Sioux City, and 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.
Hock 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.
Biff 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. Oa 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.
*^
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Missouri River. — This is one of the
muddiest streams on tbe 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.
DesMoines River. — 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
subcarboniferous 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 Am.ster-
dam, in Marion county, the river runs all
the ivay 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 Ottumwa the subcarbonifer-
ous rocks pass beneath the river again,
bringing down the Coal Measure strata
into its bed; they rise from it in 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, fl )W eastward over
the Middle Coal Measure.'^, and enter the
valley of the DesMoines upun the Lower
Coal Measures. These streams, especially
South and Middle rivers, are frequently
bordered by high, rocky cliffs. Raccoon
'C <s"
>?-,
HISTORY OF IOWA.
87
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.
Sku?ik 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 Beaton 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-
marked 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-
tir^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
unusuallv 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 liver 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 2C0
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, and
flows across the outcrops, respectively^ of
the Niagara, Galena and Trenton lime-
stone, the lower raagnesian 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 raagne-
sian and Trenton limestone give them a
wild and rugged 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 tine facilities
for manufacturing. This river and its
tributaries are the only trout streams in
Iowa.
Mississippi river. — This river may be
described, in general terms, as a broad
canal cutk,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 Ijluffs are con-
^
HISTORY OF IOWA.
89
tinued successively by the Upper Silurian,
Devonian and Subcarboniferous rocks
which are reached near the southeastern
corner of the State.
Considered in their relation to the pres-
ent general surface of the State, the rela-
tive ages of the river valley of Iowa date
back only to the close of the glacial epoch;
but that the Mississippi and all the rivers
of Northeastern Iowa, if no others, had at
least a large part of the rocky portions of
their valleys eroded by pre-glacial, or, per-
haps, by palaeogoic rivers, can scarcely be
doubted.
CHAPTER VIII.
IOWA AKD THE REBELLION.
By her record in tlie war of the rebellion
Idwa proved herself a truly loyal State.
The Presidential campaign of 1860 was
an exciting one, and the fact that civil war
might be inaugurated in case Abraham
Lincoln was elected, was well understood
and duly considered. The people of Iowa
indulged in no hatred or ill-will toward
any section of the country, but were deter-
mined to hold such opinions upon questions
of public interests, and vote for such men
as to them seemed for the general good,
uninfluenced by any threat of violence or
civil war.
The General Assembly of the State of
Iowa, as early as 1851, had by joint resolu-
tion declared that the State of Iowa was
" bound to maintain the union of these
States by all the means in her power."
The same year the State furnished a block
of marble for the Washington Monument
at the national capitol, and by order of the
General Assembly there was inscribed
upon its enduring surface the following:
'•Iowa — Her affections, like the rivers of
her borders, 'flow to an inseparable Union."
The time was now approaching in her his-
tory when these declarations of attachment
and fidelity to the nation were to be put
to a practical test.
Certainly the people of no State in the
nation could be more vitally interested in
the question of our national unity than the
people of Iowa. The older Stales of the
Union, both North and South, were repre-
sented in its population. lowans were
nearly all immigrants, bound to those older
communities by the most sacred ties of
blood, and most endearing recollections of
early days. In addition to these consider-
^
90
HISTORY OF IOWA.
alions of a personal cliaracler, 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, and
looked to the incoming President as to an
expected deliverer that should rescue the
n.ation from the hands of traitors, and the
control of those whose non-resistance in-
t'^vJ 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, 186r, 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," ihey 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 affec-
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 State. Thoroughly honest
and thoroughly earnest, wholly imbued
with the enthusiasm of the hour, fully
aroused to the importance of the crises,
and the ra^-^nitude of the struggle upon
which '' were entering, with an indomit-
able A'lU 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 af ler the date of the President's
call for troops, the First Iowa Regiment
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.
^W
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 frcm 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 15lh 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 consequent e of the new emergency. A
wealthy merchant of the Stale (ex-Guv
-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 Confederate 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 made.
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 upon
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
^i
HISTORY OF IOWA.
L
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 embarktd 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 increasing 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 sentiment, but these
words of the journals of a neighVjoring
State: "The Iowa troops have been heroi s
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 than those of any
other State), were prompt to set the ex-
ample of volunteering for another term
of equal length, thereby adding many
thousands to the great army of those who
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Iht^
gave ibia reueweJ 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 finally overthrown, the Iowa troops
took part. Their drum-beat was heard on
the banks of every great river of the
South, from the Potomac to the Ilio 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.
T«-o Iowa 3-year cavalry regiments were
employed during their whole term of ser-
vice in the operations that were in progress
from 1863 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 Slate, 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 1863, 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
94
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 Slate on
account of the men she placed 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, 180), 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
selllemeiit 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
I7th, 18th and 37th regiments of infantry,
the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9lh 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 thu-i 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 Stale and adjoin-
ing States from raids, to preserve the inter-
nal peace of the State, etc., in 1861, wlien
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 bordc r, 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
HISTORY OF IOWA.
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
1,727 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, Andersonville 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 16ih
was nearly all surrendered at Atlanta; the
I7th 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 array 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.
'A:
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 suc-
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 Stales,
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
Advertiser 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.
TnK FiKST 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 organize
tions before the war; and teadeied their
service before the breaking out of hostili-
ties. The regiment was in quirters 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 join General Lyon in
Missouri. They immediately embarked
on board a steamer, and by midnight were
at Hannibal, Mo., where they slept on the
floor of a large warehouse. They pro-
ceeded without delay to the interior of the
Slate, where Gen. Lyon had just defeated
Gov. Jackson with his so-called Stale
troops. Joining Lyon, they were soon
given a taste of active service. For two
months tliey 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 OB^ IOWA.
noble Gen. Lyoii was killed, and the regi-
ment lost 10 killed and 50 wounded.
After the battle the regiment proceeded to
St. Louis, and tlieir three mouths having
expired, were mustered out August 25 th,
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 DesMoiiies, 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, Sliiloh, advance on Corinth, Corinth,
Little Bear Creek, Ala., Resaca, Ga., Rome
Cross Roads, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain,
Nickajack Creek, in front of Atlanta, Jan-
uary 22, 1804, siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro,
Eden Station, Little Ogeechee, Savannah,
Columbia, Lynch's Creek and Bentonville;
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
thai 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, 1865. The total
number of officeis and men who iulisted
in this regiment was 1,247. Of this num-
ber during the war 65 were kil ed, 1.S4
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 and 19 were transferred.
^
HISTORY OF IOWA.
The 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, Vicksbui-g, Jackson, Look-
out Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Ring-
gold, Eesaca 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, 3.38
were wounded, 5 were missing, 44 were
captured and 37 were transferred.
The Fifth Infantry was organized
with Wm. H. Worthington, of Keokuk, as
Colonel; C. Z. Mathias, of Burlington, as
Lieutenant-Colonel; W. S. Robertson, of
Columbus Ciiy, as Major, and was mus-
tered into the service of the United States,
at Burlington, July 15, 1861. The regi-
ment was engaged at New Madrid, siege
of Corinth, luka, Corinth, Champion Hills,
siege of Vicksburg and Chickamauga.
Went home on veteran furlough in April,
1864, the non-veterans went home in July,
1864, 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 Ixfantry was organized
wiih John A. McDowell, of Keokuk, as
Colonel; Markoe Cummins, of Muscatine,
as Lieut-iuant-Colouel; 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
wer>. discharged, 355 were wouiidt-d, 3 were
missuig, and 8 were transferred.
Tuis 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, Keneoaw 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
*^^
"t s \ '
HISTORY UF IOWA.
out at Louisville, Ky., July 12, 1865. The
battle in whicli the Seventh did the most
service was that of Belmont, in which it
lost '2-21 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. TheSeventii contained
altogether 1,133 officers and men, and of
these, during the war, 98 were killed, 178
died, 21(1 discharged, 354 were wounded,
and 29 were iransferred.
. The Eighth Infantry was organized
with Frederick Sttfel, 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, 1801, 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 waim a reception as Iowa gave
to any of her returning heroes. Of 1,027
officers and men, 53 were killed, 1S7 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. Herron, 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 Carolipa to Richmond. Was
mustered out at Louisville, July 18, 1865.
The Ninth Iowa was recruited and organ-
ized by its first colonel, W^m. Vandever,
who was, in 1862, ma<le 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
siearaer 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 Adjutaut-Geneial, one
given to the State Historical Society, and
one was kept by the regimental associa-
tion, formed by them on being mustered
out. Of ],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
- 1 vg
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, luka, Corinth,
Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Cham-
pion ITills, Vicksburg and Mission Ridge
Was mustered out August 15, 1865
The blordiest 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
State 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 breeze of heaven. Of 1,027 officers
and men, 63 were killed, 170 died, 256
were discharged, 277 were wounded, 17
were captured, and 49 were transferred.
The 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 Maj'.r; 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 4 2 were transferred.
The Twelfth Infantry 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 Coloijel;
John P. Coulter, of Cedar Rapids, as I.ieu-
tenant-Colonel; Samuel D. Brodtbeck, of
Dubuque, as Majir; 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 V cks-
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 duly for several monlbs. Of 9Sl
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 was 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 959 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 hut 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 Majnr; 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 wt unded, 1
was missing, 269 were captured, and 23
were transferred.
The Fifteenth Infantry was organ-
ized in the wnnter of 1861-2, with Hugh
T. Reid, of Keokuk, as Colonel; William
Dewey, of Freeraont county, as Lieutenant-
102
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Colonel; W. W. Belnap, of Keokuk, as
Maj<jr; 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
LouLsville, where it was mustered out
August 1, 1864. 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 Infantet was organ-
ized under the first call of 1861, and was
at that time sujiposed 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, luka, Corinth,
Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, and
the various battles arouiid Atlanta; in
Sherman's campaigns, and those in the
Carolinas. Its first battle was the bloodiest
of the war — Shiloh; and that they behaved
80 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 Corp-, 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 mustefred 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 hpring of 1862, and organized
with John W. Rankin, of Keokuk, 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 luka, 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, 18G4.
The regiment won special commendation
at the battle of Corinth. Of its 956 mem-
bers, 45 weie killed, 121 died, 222 were
discharged, 245 were wounded, 8 were
missing, 278 were capiured, and 1:8 were
transferred.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
The Eightbenth 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 1862,
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 oflScers and men, 28
were killed, 122 died, 233 were discharged,
79 were wounded, 63 were captured, and
15 were transferred.
The Nineteenth Infantry 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, 1863, 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, 183 died,
191 were discliarg-d, 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 comjjanies, and which vied with each
other in patriotism. Wm. McE Dye, of
Marion, Linn county, was commissioned
Colonel; J. B. Le.k, of DavenporB, L'eut-
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, ard 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
89 were transferred.
The TwKNTY-FiEST Infantry was raised
in August, 1862, with Samuel Merrill (ex-
Governor of Iowa) as Colonel; Cornelius
W. Dunlap, of Mitchell, as Lieut.-Coloael;
S. F. Van Anda, of Delhi, as Major; and
was mustered into the service of the
104
HISTORY OF IOWA.
United States August 1 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 Viclts-
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 baule of Harts-
ville. Then it fought in Mississippi, in
Louisiana, in Texas, in Louisiana again, in
Arkansas, in Tennessee, 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 Baton 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
Iov\a), as Colonel; John A. Garrett, of
Newton, as Lieut. Colonel; Harvey Gra-
ham, of Iowa City, as Major; and was mus-
tered into the United States seivice 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
particul irly 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 Vicksburi' assault, the reffi-
ment lost 164 men. General Grant says
in that assault, only Sergeant Grifiith 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, 1865. Of 1,008 members, 58
were killed, 182 died, 161 were discharged,
267 were wounded, 84 were captured, and
42 were transferred.
The Twenty-Third Infantry was or-
ganized with William Dewey, of Fremont
county, as Colonel; W. II. 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-thiril 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 used 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.
'k
HISTORY OF IOWA.
105
Thb 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 u<e of liquor in any shape.
Ebet 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, Fishtr's Hill and
Cedar Creek. The battles in which the
Twenty-fourth took the nnst prominent
part were those of Sabine Cross Roads (in
the Red river expedition) and Fisher's
Hill. Of 979 men and officers, 56 were
killed, 259 died, 205 were discharged, 260
were wounded, 2 were missing, 76 were
captured and 55 were transferred.
Thk 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,
Vieksburg, Walnut Bluff, Chattanooga,
Campain, Ringgold, Resaga, Dallas, Kena-
saw Mountain, battles around Atlanta,
Lovejoy Station, Jonesboro, Ships Gap,
Bentonville and was with Sherman on his
march through Georgia and the Carol inas,
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 mustered out at
Washington, D. C , June 6, 1865. 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. 6.
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, Vieksburg,
Snake Creek G^p, Ga., Resaca, 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, 1865. Of 919
men and officers, 44 were killed, 244 died,
147 were discharged, 165 were wounded,
27 were captured and 70 were transferred.
The 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
106
HISTORY OF IOWA.
was mustered into the service of the United
States at DuVxique, October 3, 1862. The
Twenty-seventh was engaged at Little
Rock, Ark., the battles of the Red river
expedition, Fort De Russey, 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, 1865, 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.
The 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 H.B Lynch,
of Miliersburg, 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 C^dar
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 mis.sing, 93 were cap-
tured and 44 were transferred.
The Twenty-Ninth Infantry was or-
ganized at Council Bluffs and mustered
into the service 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-ninth 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, Re.sacka, 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 score of battle-
fields. It was mustered out June 5, 1865.
T
HISTORY OF IOWA.
fb
Of 978 officers and men in this regiment,
44 were killed, 264 died, 145 were dis-
charged, 22-2 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 Davenp. rt,
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 Cieek
Gap, Kesaca, 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 a", 1865. The regiment always did
its part nobly. It was received home with
speeches, feasting, etc., but 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. II. 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
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 ofiicers, 26 were
killed, 241 died, 145 were discharged, 177
were wounded, 7 were missing, 74 were
captured, and 32 were transferred.
The Thirty- Fourth Infantry was
organized in the fall of 1862, with Ge rge
W. Clarke, of Indianola, as Colonel; W.
A
108
HISTORY OF IOWA.
S. Dmigan, 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 Arkansas
Post, Fort Gaines and other places in
Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Ala-
bama. January 1, 1P65, the regiment was
consolidati d with the Thirty-eighth. Re-
cruits from the Twenty-first and Twenty-
third had bren, on 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, ]
Texas, Augu.^t 15, 1865. Of 95.3 properly j
belonging to this regiment, 4 were killed, j
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 I>ieutenant-
Colonel, and Henry O'Conner, of Musca-
tine, as Major.
The regiment participated in the battles
of Jackson, siege of Vicksburg, Bayou
Ra]iids, 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 mustpred out at Davenport,
August 10, 1865, and paid and disbanded
at "Muscatine six days later. Of 984 offi-
cers and men, 38 were killed, 208 died, 192
were discharged, 95 were wounded, 3 were
missing, 15 were captured and 65 were
transferred.
The Tiiirtt-Sixth I.vfantry was or-
ganized in the summer of 1862, with
Charles W. Kittredge, of Oltumwa, as
Colonel; F. M. Drake, of Unionville,
Appanoose county, as Lieutenant-Colonel,
and T. C. Woodward, of Ottumwa, as
Major. The regiment was mustered into
the service of the United States, at Keo-
kuk, October 4, 1862.
The Thirty-sixth was engaged at Mark's
Mills Ark., Elkins' Ford, Camden, Helena,
Jenkins' Ferry and other places during the
"Little Hock 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 fluences of Yazoo
river and Helena. Before they recovered
their vigor fully,more of them were forced
to surrender to the rebels. The regiment
was mastered out at Duvall'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
Thb Thirty-Sbvbnth 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 service.
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
muster-in took 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 Island to perform similar
duties until June 5. They served the next
three months, in very hot weather, at
Mtnipliis. Thence the command moved
to Indianapolis. From here five compnnies
went to Cinciniinli, three to Cohirnbus and
two to Gallipolis, Ohio At these posts
they remained till i\Iay, 1865 This "Gray-
b( ard 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 ^'ay 24, 186-5, the day of the
grand review at Washington. The Thirty-
seventh was the first Iowa three-years'
regiment to come home, ^nd wa^ mustered
out thus early 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.
The Thirty-Eighth Infantry was re-
cruited in August, :SG?, and mustered into
the service of the United States at Du-
buque, November 4, with D. H. Hughes,
of Deeorah, as Colonel; J. O. Hudmitt, of
Waverly, as Lieut -Colonel; and Charles
Chadwlck, of West Union, as Major.
The regiment participated in the siege
of Vicksburg and Banks' Red River expe-
dition, and was consolidated with the
Thirty-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 ofiicers had died of
disease. Duiing 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 biilliant 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 Thtrty-Ninth Intantry was or-
ganized with H. J. B. Cnmmings, of Win-
terset, as Colonel; James Eedficld, of
Redfield, Dallns county, as Lieutenant-
Colonel; and J. M. Griftiihs, of DesMoiiies,
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 Rielimond.
The regiment was one of the most distin-
guished in the field, and met with a royal
welcome from the warm hearted people
^
no
HISTORY OF IOWA.
of Iowa, on its return home. It had pre-
viously taken part in the grand review at
Washington. It was mustered out at
Washington, June 5, 1S65, 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
Ottumwa, was to be called the Forty-
third. The.se 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 Griunell, as Lieutenant-
Colonel; and S. G. Smith, of Newton, as
Major.
The regiment participated in the siege
of Vicksburg, 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
lime. The Fortieth was mustered out at
Port Gibson, August 2, 1865. Of 900 offi-
cers and men, 5 were killed, 196 died,
134 were discharged, 43 were wounded, 3
were captured, and 26 were transferred.
The Forty-Fiest Infantry was never
completed as an infantry regiment. It con-
tained three companies lis infantry or-
ganization was under the command of John
Pallee, of Iowa City. Under authority
h\>ra 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
Departmeiit 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 duly at the rear, and
thus be the means of adding largely to the
force of drilled and disciplined men at the
front. Tliis proposition was, after a time,
accepted, and the term of service was es-
tablished at KG days. Gov. Stone accord-
ingly is!^ued 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 conciderable 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, 1864.
The regiment did garrison duty at
Memphis and La Grange, Tenn., and was
mustered out at Davenport, September 15,
1864 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 Keol<uk, 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.
The 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, 1864.
The Forty-sixth performed garrison
duty in Tennessee, and was mustered out
at Davenport, September 23, 1864. Of its
892 officers and men, 2 were killed, 24
died, 1 was wounded, and 3 were captured.
The Forty-Seventh Infantry was
mustered into the service of the United
States at Davenport, June 1, 1864, with
James P. San ford, of Oskaloosa, as Colo-
nel; John Williams, of Iowa City, as
Lieutenant-Colonel; and G. J. Wright, of
Des 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 FoktyEighth Infantry (Bat-
talion) was mustered into the United
States service at D.ivenport, 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 lOO-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.
M' S8 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 , R.illa, New Lexington, Elkin's
Ford, Little Rock, Bayou Metoe, Warrens-
bur^, Big Creek Bluff.s, Antwineville, and
Clear Cre* k. The regiment veteranized
in the spring of 1864. It did not take the
usual 30 days' furlough until May, for their
servicfS were needed in the field, and they
T'
112
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, 1866. 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 liansferreJ.
The Second Cavalet was organized
with W. 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, 1861.
Tlie Second participated in the siege of
Corinth, the battles of Farmington, Boone-
ville, Rienzi, luka, Corinth, Coffeeville,
Palo Alto, Birmingham, Jackson, Grenada,
CoUierviile, Moscow, Pontotoc, Tupelo,
Old Town, Oxford and Nashville. The
regiment performed active and arduous
service all through the war, and so often
distinguished itself as to become well
known throughout the nation. It was
mu.stered 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 Cavalry was mustered in at
Keokuk, August and September, 1861,
with Cyrus Bussey, of Bloonificld, as
Colonel; H. II. Trimble, of Bloonifield, as
Lieutenant-Colonel; and C. H. Perry, H.
C. Cahlwell and W. C. Drake, of Cory-
don, as Majors. The Third was engaged
at Pea Ridge, La Grange, .Sycamore, near
L'ttle Rock, Columbus, Pope's Farm, Big
Blue, Kipley, Coldwater, Osage, Talla-
hatchie, Moore's Mill, near Montevallo,
near Independence, Pine Bluff, Bolt'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 field was entirely avoided The regi-
ment took an active part in many battles
and raids, and always behaved with dis-
tinguished gallantry. Was mustered out
at Atlanta, Ga., August 9, 1865. Of 1,3G0
officers and men, 65 were killed, 251 died,
311 were discharged, 166 were wounded
1 was missing, 146 were captured and 34
were transferred.
Tub 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. Jewetf, 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.
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 arras. It was mustered out
at Atlanta, Ga.. August 10, 1865. Of
1,2-27 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 Cavalhy 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 Schaeiferde Bern-
stein, a German barou, Wn?. Kelsay and
Alfred B. Bracket! as Majors. This regi-
ment was engaged at the second battle of
Fori Donelson, Wartrace, Duck River
Bridge, Sugar Creek, Newman, Camp Creek,
Cumberland works, Tenn., Jonesboro, Ebe-
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 tim^ the brave M,ijor
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,
"Chirge!" 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 mu-tered out at
Nashville, Tenn, August 11, 1865. 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 Ca valet was organized and
mustered in at Davenport, January 31,
1863, with D. S. Wilson, of Dubuque, as
Colonel; S. M. Pollock, of Dubuque, as
Lieutenant-Colonel, 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
hostiles. 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 Ottumwa, as Colonel; John Pattee, of
Iowa City, as Lieutenant-Colonel, and H.
H. Heath and G. M. O'Brien, of Dubuque,
and John S. Wood, of Ottumwa, as Majors
;nr
114
HISTOEY OF IOWA.
This regiment also served against the
Indians in the West. It fought bravely
iu 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 ai 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 Eiohth 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. G. Barner, of Sidney, as Lieutenant-
Colonel; John J. Bowen, of Hopkintou;
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-
char2ed,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 servi'^e of
the United States, at Davenport, Novem-
ber 30, 1.^63, with M. M. Trumbull, of
Cedar Falls, as Colonel; J. P. Knight,
of Mitchell, as Lieutenant-Colonel; E. T.
Ensign, of DesMoines, Wilis 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 Rock, 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 op Light Artil-
lery was enrolled in the counties of Wa-
pello, DesMoines, Dubuque, Jefferson,
Blatk 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 R'dge,
Port Gibson, in the Atlanta canip;tig i, at
Chickasaw Bayou, Lookout Mountain, etc.;
was mustered out at Davenport, July 5,
1865. Of 149 membern, 7 were killed, 5'-<
died, 35 were discharged, 31 were wounded
and 3 transferred.
The Seconp Battery was enrolled in
the counties of Dallas, Polk, Harrison,
Fremont and Pottawaiamie. and mustered
in at Council Bluff-, and at Si. Louis, Aug-
HISTORY OF IOWA.
k.
ust 8 and 31, 1861, wilh Nelson I. Spoor,
of Council Bluflfs, as Captain. The bat-
tery was engaged at Farniington, 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.
The 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
llalge 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 wuui.ded.
The FouRrH 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 Regimemt of Colored Troops
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 Ti-oops.
It was not called upon to light, but it per-
formed valuable guard and garrison duties
at St. Louis and elsewhere South.
The Noetheen Boeder 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 S'.uthern Border Brigade was
organized by the State for the purpose of
protecting the southern border of the Slate,
and was organized iu the counties on the
border of Missouri. It consisted of seven
companies in three battalions.
peomotiovs.
The following promotions were made by
the United States Government from Iowa
regiments :
MA.IOn-OENERALS.
Samuel R. Curtis, Brigadier-General, fr m
Marcli 21, 1862.
Frederick Steele, Brigadier-General, from No-
vember 29, 1862.
Frank J. Herron, Brigadier-General, from No-
vember 29, 1862.
Qrenvillc M. Dodge, Brigadier-General, from
June 7, 1864.
BRTOADrBR-OENEHAM.
Siirauel R. Curtis, Colonel 2d Infantry, from
May 17, 1861.
Frederick Steele, Colonel 8th Infantry, from
February 6, 1862.
Jacob G. Lanman, Colonel 7th Infantry, from
March 21, 1862.
Grenville M. ' Dodge, Colonel 4th Infantry,
from Much 31, 1882.
James M. Tuttle, Colonel 2d Infantry, from
June 9, 1862.
.tv
116
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Washington L. Elliot, Colonel 2d Cavalry,
from June 11, 1862.
Fitz ITrnry Warren, Colonel 1st Cavalry, from
July 6, 18(;a
Frank J. Herron, Lieut. -Colonel 9th Infantry,
from July 30, 1962.
Charles L. Matthies, Colonel 5lh Infantry,
fruui 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 13, 1863.
Samuel A. Rice, Colonel 33d Infantry, from
August 4, 1863.
John M. Corse, Colonel 6th Infantry, from
August 11, 1863.
Cyrus Bussey, Colonel 3d Cavalry, from Jan-
uary 5, 1864.
Edvirard 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 -bn Edwards, Colonel 18th Infantry, from
September 26, 1864.
James 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-OENBRAM.
John M. Corse, Brigadier-General, from Octo
bcr 5, 1861.
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 BRTO.\DTER-GENERAl,S.
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. 6. Hill, Colonel 35lh Infantry, from Decem-
ber 15, 1864.
Thos. H. Benton, Colonel 29th Infantry, from
December 15, 1864.
Saiuuel S. Glasgow, Colonel 33d Infantry, from
December 19, 1864.
Clark R. Weaver, Colonel 17th Infantry, from
February 9, 1865.
Geo. A. Stone, Colonel 25lh Infantry, from
March 13, 1865.
Francis 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 18, 1865.
W. W. Lowe, Colonel 6th Cavalry, from March
3, 1865.
\
HISTORY OF IOWA.
»t
CHAPTER IX.
BDUCATIOXAL STATE INSTITUTIOKS.
The people of Iowa have ever taken a
deep interer.t 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.
Today 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, commodi-
ous and elegant buildings, furnished with
all the modern improvements, and costing
from 1 1 0,000 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 18.33. When it
was completed, George Cabbage was em-
ployed as teacher during the winter of
1838-4, 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
leviod 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.
^r
J'
-''Tre-
llis rORY OF IOWA.
Il Scott county, in the wiiitciof 1835-6,
Simon Crazin tauglit a four-moLtbs term
of school in the house of J. B. Chambeilin.
In Muscatine county, the first school
was taught by George Bumgardter, in the
spring of 1837. In 1339 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
within 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 Willougliby 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 DcsMoines, now the capital of
the State, the first school was taught by
Lewis Wbitten, 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 185.5, 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 McHenry first
occupied it as teacher.
During the first twenty years of the his-
tory of Iowa, the log school house pre-
vailed, and in ISbl there were 893 of these
primitive structures in use for school pu; â–
po&es in the Stale. 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 throe months
in every year; and later, laws were enacted
providing for county school taxes for ihe
payment of teachers, and that whatever
>r^
^t
HISTORY OF IOWA.
11!
additional sum might be required should
be assessed upon the parents sending, in
proportion to the length of time sent.
In 1 846, 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
.livided 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 thia 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 ntw schools, in
which more than one teacher is employed,
are universally graded.
Teachers' institutes were organized
early in the history of the State. The
tirsl official mention of them occurs in the
annual report of Hon. Thoo-as U. Benton,
Jr., made December 2, 1850, who said: "An
institution of this character was organized
a few years a^o, 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 installnieiits
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 teacher^
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 11,000 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
w
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 850 annually
for one such institute, held as provided by
law in each county " In 1865, the super-
intendent, Mr. Favllle, reported that "the
provision made by the Slate for the benefit
of teachers' institutes had never been so
fully appreciated, both by the people and
the teacher.s, 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 terras, 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 lax 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.
?t^
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
increased. 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
iiitil 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 $3,5<7,123.82, on which the
income for 1881 was $234,622.40. 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 jiublic lands within
the Territory of Iowa not otherwise claimed
or appropriated, a quantity of land not ex-
ceeding two entire townshij)s, 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-
HISTORY OF IOWA.
ikL
allv. Of course the organization of ibe
University at Iowa City was impracticable,
80 long as the seat of government was re-
tainer! there.
In January, 1849, two branches of the
University an 1 three normal school-s were
establisiied. The branches were located
at Fairfield and Dubuque, and were placed
upon an equal fooling, 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. Tnis 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, Qskaloosa 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-
ver.sity 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 hor.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 S2,473
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 api>ropriated $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 tifne 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 he^d fre-
quent meetings, but there was no actual
organization of the University. In March,
1»55, 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, 1S5G, under Professors John-
son, Wellon, Van Valke: burg and Grifiin.
The faculty was then re-organized, wiih
some changes, and the University was
again opened on the third Wedi:esday of
September, 1856. There were 124studef)ts
(83 males and 41 fen)ales) in attendance
during the years 1856-7, and the first regu-
lar catalogue was ]niblished
At a special meeting of the Board, Sep-
tember 22, 1857, the honoiary degree of
Bachelor of Arts was conferred <>n 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 St^te University at Iowa Ciiy, 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 wtre
^;
^A
HISTORY OF IOWA.
appropriated for the erection of a board-
ing hall. The Board closed theUnivtrsity
April 21, 1858, on account of insufficient
funds, and dismissed all the faculty ex ept
Chancellor Dean At the same time a res-
olution was passed excluding females.
Tills 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 12,000 August 19, 1862, he
resigned, and was succeeded by Prof. Oli-
ver M. Spencer. President Spencer was
granted leaveof absence for fifteen months
to visit Europe Prof. Nathan R. Leonard
was elected President j»ro te7n. President
Spencer resigning, James Black, D D.,
Vice-President of Washington and Jeffer-
son College, Penn., was elected President.
ITe entered upon his duties in September,
1868.
The Law Department was est.ablished in
June, lt68, ai.d, 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 Meilical Department was established
in 18ti9. Since April 11, 1870, the gov-
ernment of the University has been in the
hands of a Board of Regents.
Dr. Clack 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. S'agle was elected Pn sident. 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
maint.iined. The present educational
corps consists of the following besides
President Pickard: in the Collegiate De-
partment, nine professors and six in-
structor--, 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.
â– j}fo 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 Departnaent is: males, 163;
females, 69; total, 2.32; in Law Depart-
ment, 140; in Medical Department, 195.
STATK NORMAL SCHOOL.
This is located at Cedar Falls, Black
Hawk county, and was opened in 1S76.
The institution trains teachers for our
schools, and is doing excellent, thouffh
limited, work. What is wanted is more
HISTORY OF IOWA.
room and increased facilities of every
kind. Other institution.^ of a similar kind
sliould also be established throughout the
State.
STATE AGBICtri.TlTRAT, COTXEGB.
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 191,000 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 muniBcence. 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, Des Moines 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 18S students are enrolled.
Central University is located at Pella,
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 un'"!er the control of
the M. E. Church. W. F. King is Presi-
dent. There are 20 instructors and 400
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
students. This college is oue 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.
Grisioold College is located at Daven-
port, Iscott 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. Magoun is Presi-
dent. There are 14 instructors and 359
stu lents. The institution is one of the
leading colleges in Iowa, apd is perma-
nently endowed.
Iowa Wtsleyan University is located at
Mt. Pleasant, Henry county,. W. J.
Ijpaulding is President. There are 6 in
the faculty, and over ICO students in at-
tendance. The University is under the
auspices of the M. E. Cijurch, 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 located at Olin, Jones
county. C. L. Porter is President.
Ofkaloosa College is situated in Oska-
loosa, Mahaska county. G. H. McLaugh-
lin is Pres dent. The faculty numbertt 5,
and the students 190.
very high.
The college stands
Penn College is situated in Oskaloosa,
Mahaska county. B. Trueblood is Presi-
dent of the faculty, which numbers 5.
There are l75 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 Iowa 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 11 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, Honry county, by the Friends. J.
W. Coltrane is President. There are 4
instructors and 105 students.
liiverside 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.
1-20
HISTORY OF IOWA.
DJJAF AND DUMB INSTIl UTB.
By an act of the Legislature of Iowa,
ap^iiovoil January 24, 1855, the Iowa losti-
tiite for the Deaf and Dumb was estab-
lished at Iowa City.
In 186G 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
miles 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
di>missed, 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 adrnitted to the
Institution is 631. Present number, 221.
Last biennial appropriation, $37,83U.
COLLEGE FOR THE BLIND.
The first person to agitate the subject of
an In-titute for the Blind was Prof. Sam-
uel B^con, himself blind, who, in 1852,
established a school of instruction at
Keokuk. The next year the Institute was
adv)pted 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 pu()ils 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 annaal
appN'priation of $55 per quarter for each
pupil; afterward this appropriation was
changed to $3,000 per 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
county, donated a quarter section of land
and $5,000 for the establishment of the
asylum at that place. On the 8th of May,
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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
tlieir astonishment at this utter disregard
of the titness of things. They could not
understand why $282,000 should have been
expended for a mas.-iive building for the
accommodation of only 130 people, costing
the Slate 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. Weslbrook,
J. F. White, C. O. Harrington, W. H.
Leavitt, S. H. Watson. Whole number of
occupants, 436. Present number, males,
3C; 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.
Bienuial appropriation in 1880, $3,000.
IOWA HOSPITAL FOB THB INSANE
The Iowa Hospital for the Insane was
establibhed by an act 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; $4,425 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 were 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 cho,sen by the
trustees. Superintendents are chosen for
six years. Dr. Eanney 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 WiUe,
M.D., assistant physicians.
sf'V
12S
HISTOKY OF lO'A'A.
HOaPITAL FOB THE INSANE, AT INDEi'ESD-
The Legislature of 1S67-8 adopted meas-
ures providing for an additional hospital for
the insane, and an appropriation of $125,-
000 was made for that purpose. Malurin
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-
sioners 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, thnt
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 188,114. It was
signed November 7, 1868, and work was
immediately ommi-nced. 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 ,1 873. Whole
number of patients admitted, 2,000; pres-
ent number (1882), 533; males, 290; fe-
males, 243. Biennial appropration (1880),
$35,300.
The present officers are: G. H. Hill,
Superintendent; term expires in 1882;
salary, IKSOO. H. G. Brainard, M. D.,
Assi.stant Superintendent; salary, 11,000.
Noyes Anpleman, Steward; salary, ^000.
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, 1S63, for
the purpose of devising means for the
education and support of the orphan chil-
dren of Iowa, whose fathers lost their lives
in defendiuG; their country's honor. The
public interest in the moveu ent was so
great that all parts of the Stale 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 sixgge-ted
that a home for disabled soldiers shcu'd 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 suit.ible
furniture. This committee secured a l:.rge
brick building in Lawrence, Van Ruren
county, and engaged Mr. Fuller, of Mount
Pleasai.t, 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
the following Februiry, and was succeeded
by Mrs. E G. Piatt, of Fremont county.
The Home was sustained by voluntary
contributions, until I8tjti, 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 1665; an old hotel building was
fitted up for it, and by the following Jan-
uary there were 96 inmates. In Octnber,
1?69, the Home was removed to a large
brick building about two mles 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
â– Grand Army Corps appropriated |-2,000 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, 11,200 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 ],
1876, and t^^e first pupil admitted Septem-
ber 4. By November, 1877, the number
of pupils had increased to 87. The whole
r umber admitted has been 257. Present
inmates number ^00.
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 public 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 spririg or stream of
water for the use of the periitentiary.
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 owu 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
were completed in the fall of 1841. It
conlinued Jo meet â– 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 $55,93.3.90, and was designed
of suflicient capacity to accommodate 133
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 ISVS and
1880; Hiel Hale, Deputy Warden; W. C.
Gunn, Chaplain; A. W. Hoffmeister,
â– 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 cho.sen biennially by the Legislature,
and rtceives a salary of S2,000 per annum.
ANAMOSA PENITENTIAKT.
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 4lh 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 Peet, Deputy
Warden; Mrs. A. C. Merrill, Chaplain; L.
J. Adair, Physician; T. P. Parsons, Clerk.
The whole number admitted since it was
opened is 8! 6. Number of males in 1882,
133; females, 2. Salaries of ( ffieers the
same as those of the Fort Madison peni-
tentiary.
BOTS' REFORM SCnOOL.
By act approved March 31, 18G?, 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 Maimal Labor
Institute, and October 7 following, the
school received its first inmate. The law
at first provided for the admission ( f
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 pevmanently
located at Eldora, Ilar.lin 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
age were admitted.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
131
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, 8J8. There are
l04 inmates at present, and also 63 in the
girls' department, at Micheliville. The
biennial appropriation for 1880 was
$.0,900.
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,
lo be expended in co'lecting 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, uiuLt the
title of "Annals of Iowa."
STATE AGRICULTUKAL 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 State
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 discussed 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
13,000. 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 fi,sh oxcept
brook trout from March until June of each
year.
^
132
HISTORY OF IOWA.
CHAPTER X.
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. TV. Chapman, Dem 1,490
PeterH. Engle, Dem 1,454
B. F. Wallace, Whig 913
David Rorer, De;i-. 605
Mr. Talliafero 30
The election of 1839 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,
whicli was defeated. The vote on Dele-
gate was as follows:
A. C. Dodge, Dem 4,009-515
Alfred Rich, Whig 3,494
Mr. Cburchmaa 93
The Whigs held a convention in 1841,
at Davenport, on the 5th day of May, and
adopted the following platform :
Whereas, It has pleased the Governor of the
Universe, by one of those inscrutable acts tlie
righteousness of which no man may question,
to take from the Ameiicai; people their beloved
Chief ^Magistrate, William Henry Harrison, and
transfer him frvm this to another, and, we trust,
to a better world; therefore,
Resolved, Tliat we sincerely mourn over and
deplorL 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-
tin^;uished for his bravery and success; as a
statesman, his ability, purity and patriotism
were remarkable; as a Christian, he was humble
and pious. In 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 if imitation by all those who love their
country.
Beaolced, As a token of our sorrow on this
providential bereavement, we will wear the
usual badije of mourning thirty days; and that
We concur with President Tyler on recommend-
ing to the people of the Unite I 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.
•K
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 tcj the Ex-
ecutive Chair ot Iowa, a sterling Democratic
Whig; one whose early life is honorably identi-
fied with the history of our late war with Great
Britain; imd whose uniform devotion t > the best
interests of our country affords us a sure guar-
anty of his usefulness in this Territory.
Alfred Eich was again nominated for
Delegate to Congress.
The Democrats held their convention
June 7, 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 efl'ect a revolution in the polit-
ical character of thi; Territory, to accomplish
which all their united energies wiil be brought
into action at the next general election; ani.
Whereas, The Democrasy 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 heir 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,
Resolned, 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; audit 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 efibrts
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 State, we 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 ol "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 ConjH'ess 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 cflectual means of
securing to the hardy pioneer his home, — the
134
HISTORY OF IOWA.
result of liis enterprise and toil, which alone
hii9 brought our lovely and cultivated plains
from the rude hand of nature to their present
high state of cultivation.
Jieaolved, 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 p ilicy, we behold the poor man's true
and firmest friend, in whom, as the advocate of
their interests and rights, they have the highest
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 Feder.dists to divest them of.
Resolved, That Democracy is based upon the
principles of equal rights and justice to :\11 men;
that to deprive man of the privileges bestowed
upon him by the laws of natun'and his country,
without yielding him a just equivalent, is to
take from him all that renders lile worthy his
possession — independence of action; such we
believe to be the eft'ect 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 jS a
l:'.rge portion of the human family from rights
which the charter of our liberties declare are
granted tD all.
Gen. A. C. Dodge was placed in nom-
ination, and elected by the following vote:
A. C. Dwdgo, 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 11. 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—1,273
William Wallace, Whig 4,81-3
On the 9lh day of January, 1844, the
Whigs met in convention, at Iowa City,
and without making nominations adopted
the following platform:
Resolved, That â– 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.
Resolaed, 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 parly and the practice of offering the officis
of honor and profit as a reward for political
treachery; that we believe this exercise of ; owcr
to be eminently dangerous to the political integ-
rity and patriotism of the i ountry, and that a
limitation to one Presidential term \\ould, 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 «r the odious
and oppressive measure of direct taxation as
contcnde;! for by the so-called Democratic
party.
^
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Resolved, That we regard the proceeds of tlie
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 tioie, 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 cling with
unflinching tenacity to those institutions which
have successfully stood the test of experiment,
and have received the sanction and support of
the framers 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 Gener.il 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, aud in
no way so safely and so certainly as by the
agency of a well regtdated national bank.
Resolved, That a tarifif which will allbrd 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 success.
Resolved, That governments should be admin-
istered so as to produce the greatest good to the
greatest number, aud 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 bett
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 couv-rting 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 eflTorts to induce the Slates 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, Lational and individual, they have for-
feited the name of Democrats, and as a pariy
are no longer to be trusted with the reins of
power.
7^y
133
IIISTOEY 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, 184.'), 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 vole stood:
A.C.Dodge, Dcm 7,513—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
liy 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 Morris;
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, us Wbigs, do prout'.ly and
unhesitatingly proclaim to the worl'' 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 tc 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 ; erfect restraints up"n executive
power, especially upon the exercise of the vetf..
4. An equitable distribution of the proceeds
of the sales of the pul lie lands among all the
States.
5. One Presidential term.
6. Expenditure of the surplus revenue in
national improvements that will embrace tht
great rivers, lakes, and main arteries of com-
munication througboul our country, thus secur-
ing the most efficient means of defense in war
and commercial intercomse 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 Bi'tish
tariff bill discriminating in favor of foreign and
against American lubor, and striking a blow,
intended to be fatal, to home market for Ameri-
can agricultural productions, and the executive
veto of the river anJ harbor bill which paralj-zes
the western farmer's hope of just facilities for
transporting his surrlus products to a maiket,
and cripples the euegies of commerce in every
division of the Union, should consign the present
administ ration 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 fort^- -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
w
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 Hetiiy 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, and 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 m the principles
we profess, we have implicit confidence in the
dawning ef a brighter day, when the clouds and
darkness of locofocoism will bu dispelled by the
cheering rays and invigorating influence of
truth and knowledge.
On motion, it was
Resolved, That we i-ecommcnd 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 lield
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 coa Ijutors 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 lime 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 1843, 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 KpecIHc duties — by its
unequal and unjust protection of the captaiists
and moneyed institutions, 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 tyrauical 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
banlving institutions of whatever name, nature
or disciiptiou.
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 against Mexico, is the same spirit which op-
posed the formation of a Republican Govern-
ment, opposed .Jefferson and denounced the last
â– 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.
liesnlved. That we repudiate the idea of party
without principles; that Democracy has certain
fixcl and unalterable principles, among which
are equal rights and equal protection to all, un-
limited ri;;hts of sudi ge to every freeman, no
properly qualifications or religious tests, sov-
ereignty of the people, subjection of the Legis-
lature to the will of the pople, obedience to the
iu.struclions 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, li«nt taxes, and no State debt.
The vote on Governor was as follows:
Ansel Briggs, Dem 7,626—247
Thomas McKuight, Whig 7,379
The office of State Superintendent of
Public Instruction having been va'jated, it
was provided in the act that an election
should be held the first Monday in April,
1817, 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 15,66-3.
By act approved li'ebruary -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, Jime 11, placed the following ticket
in the field: President of Board, H. W.
Sample; Secretary, Charles Corkery; Treas-
urer, Paul Brptton. The following plat-
form was adopted:
Whhkeas, Our country is at present engaged
in an expensive and sanguinary war, forced
upon her against her will, and carded on to
repel aggravated and repeated instances of in-
sult and injustice; and,
Wnp.ttEAS, There are those among us, native-
born Americans, who maintaiu that Mexico is
in the right and the United States in the wrong
in this war; and,
WHKiiE.\s, 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
r
HISTORY OF IOWA.
139
through their repretentativea here assembled;
therefore,
Resiiloed, That we indignaDtly 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.
Reaolved, That we triumphantly point to the
repeated etl'urts 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
motives by which it is actuated, and we rely
upon this testimony for the jusiificalion 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 conductod on our part, show-
ing, as it does, that the United States have
thrnughout ncted 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 siatesman-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 inefSciently 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 aifairs fully
equal to the emergency.
Resolved, That the thanks of the American
people are due to Major-Generals Scott and
Taylor, their officers and ineu, for their cournge,
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.
Resolved, That in the demand which now ex-
ists in the countries of the old world for Ameri-
can provisions, we have an illustntion of the
incalculable benefits which are sure to result to
the United Stales, 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, wo 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 fiuther 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 oflered to be loaned to the G:)vernment 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 ourfirst 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
HISTORY OF IOWA.
qualify himself to perfonu 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 wc will spare no
ettorts 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 I
The Whigs nominated for President of
the Board, Geo. Wilson; Secretary, Madi-
son Dagger; Treasurer, Pierre B Fagan.
Sample was elected over Wilson by 510
majjrity, out of a total vote of 16,250.
The Whigs of Iowa were fir^t in the
field in 1848, meeting in convention May
1 llh, 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,
Whrreas, 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 integiity, so it equally confers the duly of
exposing imbecility, seltishness and corruption,
when they exist in the administration of the Re-
public, and of denouncing those who. disregard-
ing the examjile and admnuilions of the Fathers
of the Ke|)ubUc, are abandoning the true prin-
ciples on whiih our civil institutions are found-
ed, and proclaiming and currying out measures
that cannot but prove detrimental to the har-
mony and best interests of the Union, and may
eventuate in the overthi'ow of our present Re-
publican form of government; therefore,
Resolved, By the Whigs of Iowa, through their
Representatives in State Convcnting assembled,
that the Government of the United States is a
limited Government, divided into three depart-
ments, each having its appjv liate sphere, and
separate and well-defined duties to perform;
that it is necessary to the stability and perpetu-
ity of our in?1itulions, that the Executive, Leg-
islative and Judicial Departments should be
kept distinct, and confined to their legitimate
duties; and that any encroachi :ent, 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 President," should especially recommend
itself to all the people in times like the present;
ttiat the Government can only be kept pure by
the constant watchfulness of the people and the
i,xpres!>ii)n of their loudest censure, when spec-
ulation and corrupt!! 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 oflice
was a sad mishap to the Auieiican 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
constitation, 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 in 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 uflicers with gold and silver;
by its war, commenced without the assent of
the war-m ^king 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 to:)k back its own asser-
tions; its public debt of one hundred millions
HISTORY OF IOWA.
141
and its sacrifice of human life; its veto of meas-
ures that met theapproval 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 of misdeeds, has signalized itself
as the worst, most selfish and corrupt adminis-
tration tire United States ever had.
Resolved, That, while we concede that it is the
duty of every citizen to support his country
when engaged 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 Unicn are wanting in love of coun.try,
and deficient in its defense, and in evidence of
the patriotism of the Whig party, we proudly
point to the commanding gi-mrals, the distin-
guished officers and the brave soldiers who, in
our army in Mexico, have shed luster upon them-
selves and renown upon the flag of their country.
Resolved, Thai, believins the war tciminated,
our convictions require us to declare that the
war with Mexico was a war brought on by the
Executive, without the approbalion of the war-
making 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-
ponited into this Union, and are utterly opposed
to the further extension of slave territory.
Resoloed, That our opposition to the sub- treas-
ury and the tariff of 181.5 has not been dimin-
ished by the evidence furnished us of tlieir 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 o'le 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, aud 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
coutiibuted 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 coii^mercial revulsion aa great and disas-
trous as that of 1837.
Resohed, That the profession of the adminis-
tration of James K. Polk, that it is in favor of,
and devoted to, an exclusively metal lie currency,
while it 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 arc 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-
142
HISTORY OF IOWA.
pri itious for work that had met the approval of
Jac-kson and Vin'?urrn; that the veto of that
measure by the Executive was a high-handed
usurpanon upon the rights of the pei^ple and
their representatives, uncalled for and unntces
sary, and that, by th;vt act, James K. Pulk
proved himself false to the principles .'f 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 ori^anization 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
"Ar'iuse ! Awake I Shake oflf the dew-drops that
glitter on your garments I" and, in company
with your brethren throughout the Union, "Once
more march forth to battle and to victory 1"
Resolved. That, although the Whig party of
Iowa has expressed a preference for General
Taylor as the Whig candidate for President, yet
thiy 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 bod}- for President,
the Whigs of Iowa will give him a cordial sup-
port.
Resolved, That locofocoism in Iowa has proved
itself ;i faction, "held together by the coercive
power of public plunder," and devoid alike of
generosity and principle; 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 rii^hts of the people; and
that the Whig members of the Legislature, by
lef using to i;o into the eleclicn of Senators and
Supreme Judges, whde those iiidividu..ls exer-
cised the functions "f Representatives, truly
reflected the will of their constituents, and de-
serve the thanks of every friend of good gov-
ernment.
Resolved, That we most cordially commend to
the support of the people of Iowa the ticket
placed in nomination by this convention, of
State officers 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 contident
assurance that if every Wiiig 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 oil' 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 be
free, we tender our warmest sympathies, and
bid them a heartfelt God-speed in their efforts to
obtain a recognition of their rights aud 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:
Resolved, That, in view of the large interest at
stake in the judicious and vigorous prosecution
of the public works on the DcsMoines river, and
in view also of the efforts on foot by the Whig
party to obtaia 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 org miza-
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 oflRcers;
aud that, while we cordially and unrcst-rvedly
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.
Retohed, That this convention has received,
with feelings nf profound grief, the intelligence
of the death of that pure patriot aud able states-
man, James K. Polk, late President of the United
St ites;and that for his eminent and distinguished
services to his country, for his faithfulness to
principle, aud for his purily of private life, his
memory will ever live in the cherislnd recollec-
tions of the Democracy of the nation, by none
more honored than the people of this State.
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 re-
member that, as they were gained by a strict
adherence to honest principles anil 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.
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-
istration; and that we derive a high pleasure
from the fact that a Democratic Senate is vouch-
safed to us as ah 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.
Resolved That the administration of Gen.
Taylor, as far as it has proceeded upon its mis-
sion, has uablushingly falsified every promise
and grossly 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.
Resolved, That General Taylor, for the part
which he has played, or has been made to play
in this d sgiaceful game of deception, has dis-
pirited a want of honest principle or weakness
of mind and character, which equally disquali-
fies him for the place he holds, and fully 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.
Resolved, That the removals in this State have
been made without cause and in direct viol ation
of the professions of General Ta_\ lor, before the
election; and that the appointments which have
followed have been made in equal violation of
the same professions.
Resolved, That the appointment of a bureau
officer from this State, in the person of Fitz
Henry Warren, is an act deseiving the censure
and undistinguished condemnation which it is
receiving from a large mij.iriiy of the Whigs of
Iowa; and that his retention in oflice, in the
face of these open and emphatic exiiressious of
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 proscriptive administration now in power,
retire from iheir respective posts without re-
proach from government, and with the unim-
paired coutidence and respect of the Democracy
of the Stale.
Resolved, That we deprecate any separate and
sectional organ izutions, 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
aie 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 demaudiug, in the name
of the Wilmot Proviso, what is already ami)ly
secured by the laws of the land.
The Whig.si 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 couutiy, and nothing
but the country. With such a lender, one who
has successfully encountered every danger,
whether in front, rear or rank, we may look with
conlidence to the speedy lestoratiou 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 task
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 remov d ; 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 Assemldy,
in its daring assaults upon the most sacred pro-
vision of the constitution; in the outrage which
it committed 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
^<5
^
illSTORY OF IOWA.
State, and in its flagitious attempt to destroy its
organization altogether, and to excommunicate
its inliabitants, 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 opiuiou on the sul^ject
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 tlie 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
t:ixation without any corresi)onding benefit, —
and in its reckless prodigality ot 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 Fedrral Gov-
ernment to relieve itself of the responsibility of
that institution, wherever it has the constitu-
tionitl authority so to do; and that the legislation
necessary to efEect those objects should be
adopted.
Resolved, That for the compliment paid to our
State, in the appointment of one of our fellow-
cilizeus to the important office of Assistant
Postmaster, the President is entitled to our
thanks.
Besoloed, 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 resolu' ions adopted were as follows:
Resolved, That every day's experience vindi-
cates the sentiment proclaimed by the Whig
State Convention last year, that the wt-lfare 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 Slate 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 duly
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.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Resolved, That the Surveyor General's office
of Wisconsin and Iowa, under the control of
the Democratic party, hag 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
CAl. 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 State 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, â– G. W. McCleary;
Auditor, 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, Th.it we recur with pride to the tri-
umpliaul 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 sui'rt^nder in the form of a cowardly silence.
Resolced, 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-tarifif, 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.
Resolced, That the administration of General
Taylor, as far as it has proceeded upon its mis-
sion, has unblushingly falsifieJ 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 immL-diately 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 llie place he liolds, 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 dinct 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 pol'icy of non-
intervention; and while they arrogate to them-
selves no right to question the course of other
Slates on this subject, they point to the fact,
with feelings of unmingled saiisfaction, and
they, in co-operating wilh those who are striving
t • preserve the Union, are required to "tread
no steps backward."
7U
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 Cumuiittee of Thirteen,
generally known as the "Curnpromise Bill."
Resolved, TU.it, as this bill authorizes the im-
mediate admission of C.iliforni.i, 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, aud abolishes the slave
trade in the District of Columbia, we believe its
adoption, as a whole, would be hailed as a peace-
ottering by an overwhelming majority of the
people; nor is our contidence 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 mil 'ion of acres of valuable
land, and the improviment 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 s-^irit of the
act of Congress making the donation, and that,
in the name of the people of Inwa, 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, w hile they have no alterna-
tive but submission, thoy 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, that President Taylor's Cabinet have,
in the recent G ilpliin 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, Th-it the present Governor, Secre-
taryof State, Auditor and Treasurer, whose terms
of office are about to expire, each and all of them,
by tiie honest, efhcient 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
mgans to secure their election.
The official vote on Governor was as fol-
lows:
Stephen Hempstead, Dem 13,J8G i,083
James L. Thompson, Whig 11,403
William Penn Clark 575
In 1851, for Superintenrient of Public
Instruction, the Democrats nominated
Thomas H. 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
ofliccrs of our government, and that the admin-
istration of our foreign and domestic affairs
deserves our highest admiration and firmest
support; and we have the assurance that under
such an administration our lepublic will always
be safe.
^
149
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Resolved, That our wannest gralitiide 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 no^D and forever.
Resuleed, That we rejoice to see our Demo-
cratic fellow-citizens in the Western States
occupj'ing 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 followinc the
advice of the illustrious Father of our Country
lor three-quarters of a century, our nation is
1 rosperous and happy, we are still for adhering
to that whic-h teaches us to be at peace with all
nations, ard 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 Natiotal Convention, to nominate candi-
dates for President and Vice-President of the
United States, according to the lights that there
may be presented, anc^ so to act as to harmonize
conflicting claims and interests, and to maintain
the integrity of the Whig party and the ascend-
ancy of Whig principles.
Ifesolved, 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 State to make this issue distinctly
and strongly before the people.
Resolved, That this convention request the
executive committee of the State, and ot each
county and of each district composed of several
counties, to effect a comidete and iffii-ient or-
Lianization of the AVhig parly 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
]ilatforra 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 EentU' ky resolutions of 17118 and 1799 and
the Baltimore platform of 1844.
Resolved, That we are oppo.srd 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 characli-r may properly be made with
the nation's money, and that, in justice, the
general government, as a great landholder in the
^t ites, should contribute of her huge domain to
those public enterpiises by \\hich her interests
are secured and promoted and the value of that
domain enhanced.
Resolved, That we are in favor of the " com-
promise" as a final settlement of the question
which has so long agitated the country upon the
subject of domestic slavery.
Resolved, That we arc opposed to " nullifica-
tion" oi evcii' kind, whether in the legislature
of Vermont, 'r in the latitude of South Carolina,
and are in favor of a faithful execution of laws
of Congn ss until they are repealed, or declared
inoperative by the proper tribunals of the
country.
Resolved, That our adopted citizens well
deserve the poliiie.il blessings which are now
extended to them by the existing naturaliza-
HISTORY OF IOWA.
4,
tiou laws passed by our Democratic forefathers,
and we are opposed to any alter.ition of them
sougl.t for by native "Americanism."
Jirsnlced, That we are opposed to the nomi-
nation of a candidate for the Prisidency upon
the naked idea 'f availability, but are in favor
of a candidate whose principles are known to be
national and in conformity to tiie timti-honored
tenets of the Dumocralic party.
Resolted, That we are in favor of the nominee
of the BrtltiuK re 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 revi&ed code; but at the same time repro-
bate many of tlie 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 Q.McCleary, Dem 16,834—1,857
J.W. Keukins, Whig 15,037
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 tliis 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
indelitcdness." 'Equal taxation" — cocipelling
the pr:>perty of the rich, invested in stock, to
bear its pr iporlion of the public burthen of con-
tribution to the taxes of the State. The restraint
of the legisl itive 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 uf 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 an,l 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 cunimerce should be uufet-
teied, and, like the air, free.
Resolved, That tlie Democracy of Iowa adhere
to the known and long-established doctrines of
the partj 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-
peiity among nations, and that it is our duty to
sympathize with every pe^^ple struggling against
tyrants for freedom.
Mr. Walker introd iced the following
resolutions, which, on motion, were adopt-
ed :
Resolved, That the present Commissioner of
the DesMuines 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
eflcirts we are indebted to the final grant by llie
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.
^'
150
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Re.ioloed, That in prosecuting the uegntiatlons
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 wliicU will identify his name with
the successful completion of the public works.
Resolved, Thirefore, that in his voluntary re-
tirement from the office which he hasso ably tilled,
we hereby tender to him, in convention of the
Democracy of the State, the endorsement, "Well
done, good and faithful servant."
The NMiigs made no nomination, but
supported Samuel A. Ivice for the office of
Attorney-General. Cloud was elected over
Rice by 7,5(34.
In 1854 the Democrats convened on the
9lh of January, at Iowa City, placed the
following ticket in the tield, 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 :
Jiesolced, 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 18.'52, and that we hold and
cons der them as constituting the true platform
of the Democratic platform, and aa fundamental
and essential with all true Democrats.
Resalved, That we look upon ourselves as
members of the real National Deniocratic party,
a parly 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 tlie talents, and in the integrity and patriotism
of ErauUlin Pierce, that his admiuislmliou of
the g.ivernmeut 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 tl.e right of instruc-
tion ris the sheet anchor, the main pillar ol our
freedom; and that wu 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 c 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 develoj mcnt 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 parly 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 upheld
the Union as it was, the Union as it is, and the
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Union as it slwuld be, in the full expansion of
the energies and capacity of this great anj pro-
gressive people.
Resolved, That we look upon the speedy or-
ganization of Nebraska Terdtory as 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 iu the State, and copies be sent to the
President, heads of depart meuts, and to our
Representatives in Congress.
The Whig8 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,
Eliplialet Price; Attorney-General, James
W. Sennett. The following is the jilal-
f orm :
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
among us.
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 Conijjro-
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 unqu.ilifiedly and
emphatically disapprove of the etlorts 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 iu 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 al)ettors, that
"the 8th section of the Missouri Compromise is
su])pressed 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 ana 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 geneial 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 improvemeiu by the levying of tonnage du-
ties on the internal commerce of the country, as
entirely inadequate to the accomplishment of
such a purpose, and only calculated to impose
heavy and unjust burdens on the people of the
West, in the shape of indirect taxation, without
HISTORY OF IOWA.
sociuiiig to tbem any of the proposed advan-
tafrcs.
ReHolfe'l. That we unreservedly and cordially
approve of the course and conduct of the Hon.
Jdlin P. Cook, our Representative in Congress
from the Second Congressional District, and we
hereby pledfie ourselves to sustain him in his
able and independent course.
WiiKUEAS, The object of our educational sys-
tem was to place the means of a common school
education within the reach of all; and
Where.^s, Under its present management
more than one third of the proceeds of the fund
set apart to cherish an I maintain that sys-
tem is annually absorbed by its constitutional
guardians, subjecting it to a loss, in the year
1851, of 110,751.40 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 of $20,600.11 to be dis-
tributed among the public schools; and
WnEUEAS, The duties of said officers may all
be discharged by other State and county officers,
without anyor«*ith but a trifling expense to said
fund; therefore,
Resoloed, That sound policy and enlightened
philanthro|iy demand such legislation and
amendmelit to our constitution as will preserve
this fund inviolate to the purposes origii'ally
intended as an inheritance, to our children and
their posterity.
Resolced, That we are in favor of a donation,
by Congress, of public lands, in limited qu^ioti-
ties, to actual settlers.
Resoloed, 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-
lows:
.1 ancs W . Grimes, Whig 23.0'25 1,823
Curtis Bates, Pem 21,202
The election of 1855 was for minor offi-
cers. The Democrats met in convention,
Jai:uary 24, at the Capitol, and nominated
the following ticket: Commissioner Des
Moines River Irapiovement, O. D. Tisdale;
Register DesMoines River Improvement,
Wm. 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 country; therefore,
Resolved, That there has been a period in thfl
history of our country, when we could with
more confidence proclaim to the world our entire
adherence to and ajjpioval 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 peo.ile 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 slaverj' agitation, to support the
constitution faithfully, to carry out its provis-
ions, and dii^countciiance 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.
6. That we endorse, to the fullest extent, the
compromise measure of 1850, believing those
measures to be conslilutional, just, and proper.
6. That in changing his domicile from one
portion of a republican ;:overnment to another,
man does not divest himself of his political,
moral or natural rights, nor can he be deprived
V
HISTORY OF IOWA,
of Ihcm (ithcrwise than as he has consented to
constitutionally.
7. That the liberal principles embodied by
Jeft'erson, in the Declaration of Independence,
â– and sanctioned in the constiiution, which makes
ours the land ol liberty and the asylum of the op-
pressed of every ualiun, have ever been cardinal
principles in ihe Democratic faith, and every at-
tempt to abridge ihe right of becoming citizens
and the owners of soil among us ought to be re-
sisted wilh the same spirit that swept the alien
and sedition laws from the statute books.
b. That we adhere to the doctrine of an un-
restrained religious liberty, as established by the
constiiution of ihe United Slates, 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 DesMoines
Eiver Improvement, Wm. McKay; Regis-
ter DesMoines River Improvemeut, J. C.
Lock wood; Register Land Office, Anson
Har..
The official vote for Commissioners was
as follows:
William McKay, Whig 24,743—4,737
O. D. Tisdale, Dem 20,006
A vote was taken this year on the pro-
hibition liquor law, with the following re-
sult:
For the law 25,55.5—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 2-2, 1856, 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 resolveto 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.
3. 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 irovernment, being one of
limited powers, derived wholly from the consti-
tution, its agents should coustiue 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 eur 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 .«pread, 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 slivery; and
while Repubiicans 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
>^«
I s
r
HISTORY OF IOWA.
this policy, and the pnncii)les on -n-liicb it is
based, by a disHegard of the law and its own
profession, by enjroachments upon the State
and personal rights, and by breaking solemn
covenants of the country, make the iss;ie
whether freedom shall be limited to the tree
States, or slavery to the slave States, and make
that issue absorbing and paramount.
Resoloed, That the firm, consistent, and
l)atriotic course pursued by the Republican
numbers of the present Congress, during the
arduous protracted struggle for the speakership,
meets with our cordial approval, aud we recog-
nize ill Hon. N. P. B:aikc a statesman of mature
abililies, a Republican of reliable character; and
we hail his elecli<m 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 2C, 18.56, 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 aud John Q. Breck-
eundire.
2. That the platform of Democratic principles
laid down by the CTucinnati 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:
Rcwleed, That freedom and equal rights are
the basis of Democracy, and that no measure or
princii>!e not embracing or recognizing these is
liny part or parcel of the Democratic creed; that
Democracy is equnlity against privilege, freedom
against aristocracy , liberty against licentinus-
ness. strict construction against latitudinarian
interpretations of the constitution, Inw and order
against anarchy and violence, and the peace, har-
nionj', prosperitj' and perpetuity of our glorious
Uniou to the end of time.
The entire Republican ticket was elected.
Sells, for Secretary of State, received 40,-
687 votes and Snyder 32,920.
There were three elections in 1857 — the
first in April, for Superintendent of Public
Instruction, Register of Land Otlice and
De>Moines 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,
H.F. Manning; Governor, Ralph P.Lowe;
Lieutenant-Governor, Orau 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 tte pursuit of happiness.
i. 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. Tliat the Federal Government being one
of limited powers, derived wholly from the con-
HISTORY OF IOWA.
stitulion, ils agent- sliould construe tbose powers
strictly, and uever exercise a doubtful autburity,
uhvays inexp(^dient and dangerous.
5. Tbat if this Jeffersonism and early policy
were cairied out, the Federal Government would
relieve itself of all respousibiiily 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 as of vital concern to the nation, we
still oppose its spread, and demand that all
national territory nhuU be free.
6. That the repeal of the Missouri compro-
mise, and the refusal of the slave [.ower 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 inv..sion 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
absorbing and paramount.
Resolved, That the recent opinicm of the Su-
preme Court of the United States, in the Dred
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 ei ibarrassment experienced by
the present administration in reaching :.nd cor-
recting the evil, is mainly attributed to the doc-
trine embodied in the Kansas Ncbr.iska Bill,
and the retention of the U. S. soldiery in Kansas
to overawe unoflVnding men, instead of sending
them to Utah, where the authority of the gen-
eral government is bn.zenly detied, is humili-
ating evidence of perversion of the powers of
the national government.
3. That we invite the affiliation and co-opera-
lion of Ireemen of all parties, however difEering
from us in other respects, in support of the
principles herein declared, and believing that
the S|iirit oi 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 currcuc}',
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 eflbrts to bring to justice a dishonorable
public servant, defeat speculation, and prevent
156
HISTORY OF IOWA.
the squunileiing of llic fund consfcr.ited to the
educiition 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 liejublican parly of this Slate.
Tlie Democrats adopted the following
platform :
As to national policy —
1. That we have undiminished confidence in
the present admini-trution. That the policy
ado|iled is eminently wise and proper, and
should Command the support and approval of
every rational u.an.
2 That the opposition to President Buchanan
is now composed of the fire eaters of ihe South
and the Black Republicans of the North, who
are vieingwith each other in abusing the aamin-
istn'lion and Democratic party. We tlierefore
place lliem in the same category, and brand
them as a united opposiiion, and will treat
them alike as faclionists, disunionists and ene-
mies of the Democracy and the country.
3. Tliit 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
Congn-ss 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
eveiy citizen to sustain these departments of
government agaiust the assaults of bigots, fanat-
ics and traitors.
As to State policy —
1. That we will preserve and maintain the
insiitutions of this State in a jnst lelation and
hajmony toward the general goverr.ment, and
we repudiate and condemn any effort that ha>
bien made, or may be made, which asserts the
right or remotely lends to bring our State into
collision orcouflict with the general government.
3. That the conflict of ihe Black Republican
party, acting through their Representatives in
passing a law authorizing the Kegroes 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 Ripublicau
members, openly advocated the equality of the
black and while people, and unanimously lecom
mended, through an appendage to the constitu-
tion, that the word "white" be stricken from
that insliumert; we, therefore, feel free to
charge upon that parly the design and purpose
of abolitionizing Ihe people of this State, and
I lacing the negro upon an equality with the
while man.
4. 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 races; 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-
no.xious provisions, and wc here raise the stand-
ard of opposition and refoim, and call upon
every true patriot in the Slate to carry these
questions to the ballot-box, and to elect ofiicers
for government of the Slate who will take every
honorable measure to reform acd amend said
constitution.
o. That the laws of the last Legislature ap-
portioning the State into Kepiesentative districts
and the adoption of that law by the lale 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 llagitious
outrage, — a violation of every principle of a
Republican Government, — and demands the
seveiest rebuke from the people; that we lucog-
nize in these proceedings a manifest conspiracy
against the rights of the majority, and a wanton
violation of ihe principles of our Republican
form of Government.
lilSTOUY OF IOWA.
6. That the refusal of thu late Constitutional
Convention to allow the constitution to become
the su|>reiue law of the land, when sanctioned
and adopted by a majority of the people, and
postponing the taking effect of portions . f the
same for more than two years after its adoption,
which was avowedly done to withhold political
power from I he people, and retain it in the hands
of already condemned oflicers, 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 iu the Hon George W. Jones,
our Democratic Senator, and the Hon. A. Hall,
late Democratic Representative, for their faith-
ful adherence to Democratic principles, and
their untiring vigilance for the welfare of our
young and proiuising State.
Fisher was elected Superintendent over
Buzbee by 505 m gorily; Manning over
Baily, for t'omniissioner, by 315; Lowe
over Samuels, tor Governor, by 2,149.
The cam|)aign of 1858 was opened by
the Republicans, meeting in convention at
Iowa City, June 17, and adopting the fol-
lowing platform:
WnERE.vs, We, the representatives of the
Republicans of Iowa, being again permuted to
assemble in State Convention, deem this a fitting
occasion to briefly express our views of national
and State policy, and to afflrui our adhesinn 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 f'esccnd-
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 :he free spirit of tliis nation is
uuconquered 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.
3. That in the contest now waging between
freedom and slavery, our sympathies are wholly
and strongly with the former»-lhat we have no
truce to ofi'er, 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, thi ir
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 Dred 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 uninfluc need by the threats and in scorn of
the bribes and corrupting influences of the
Duchaiian administiation, boldly, and as free-
men tigblin^' for freemen's rights, opposed with
all Ihi ir might the passage of the Lecompton
Constitulion and the English swindle throusih
Congress, and we trust that among the people
tliere will continue the san;e strong opposition
to the encroachments of the slave pnwer, whiih
they have so gallantly manifested befoie the
uathin.
^s
HISTORY OF IOWA.
7. Tb:it we louk forward bo; efully to Ibut
good time, not far distant, when it shall be
deemed k'sitima'e, proper and constitutional
for this government to extend its protecting care
over free !al)or, the commerce and industrial
inltrcsts of all the country, instead of bending
ils whole energies and treasure for the aggrand-
izement of a slavebolding aristocracy in one
section of the Union.
8. That the corruption which stalks abroad
at noonday, pi rvading every department of the
National Government, the gross and shameless
use of Presidential imwer 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), briuLing upon the government
the burning disgrace of bankiuptcy 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 luotruclion,
and the manner in which this sacred fund has
been dealt with in many counties in the Siate,
as developed b)' 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 eflforts 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 i)roceeds of
those lands hitherto entered with land warrants
within 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 cummon
country.
12. That the members of this convention
heartily eudv^rse the candidates nominated to-
day for the vaiious (fficcs, and promise thtir
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 lud
uncom))i()mising 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. Caitell; State
Treasurer, John W. Jones; Attorney-Gen-
eral, S. A. Rice; Register of State Land
Office, A. B. Miller; Com. of DesMoines
River Improvi inent, Wm. C. Drake.
The Democrats met June 2.3 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; Commis.sioner DesMoines
River Improvement, Charles Baldwin;
Register of Land Office, James M. Reid.
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 OF IOWA.
159
Jiesolced, That we adopt, abide by, and will
cherish and defend t).e platform of principles
promulgated by the representatives of the De-
mocracy of the nation, when assembled in
national convention, at Cincinnnti, in June,
18.JG, believing, as we do, that the platform
there laid down is bro.id and strong enough to
uphold and sustain every tnie patriot, and with
such only do we desire comp mionship.
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 dismc mberment 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 Z' al of blind partisanitm and
wiles of unscrupu ous and demagogue politi-
cians, and that ihe office of the Democratic
parly is to see these cardinal principals main-
tained in their pariy. ""^
4. That the a;:ilation of the slavery question
tends to weaken the bonds of our union by de-
stroying toat Confidence vvhicli should exist
between the difl'erent States, and begetting sec
tional animosiiies, 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 Nurth.
5. That the decision of the judicial tribunals
of the State and Kecieral Government should be
itspicied, must be submitted to, obeyed and
carried into efl'ect; 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 cnnden.na-
tion of all law-abiding and peaceably disposed
citizens.
6. That the outrages recently committed on
our shipping by ollicers of the British Govern-
ment demands an immediate and unequivocal
denial and auulogy; that now is an appropriate
tinit to settle finally the question 'of the rights
to visit and seiiich vessi-ls D the seas, and in the
event an -ajxilogy is refused, the arrogmt 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
low a 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
extravagmce calls for the denunciation of all
honest men
8. That an empty treasury, extravagant ex-
penditures, and the stifling of 'uvesligation into
corruiilion, by Republican ofBcials of Iowa,
should be sufficient to arouse t-ix-payers to the
enormous outrages perpetrated upon the people's
treasury, and absolutely deiuand 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
l)e(>ple their earnest, persistent and uuilterable
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 eS'.irls to maintain them in their purity, we
160
HISTORY OF IOWA.
commcud Ihem most cordially to tlii; 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 uf 1856, and re-
affijming 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 sujiport
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 degreda-
tion of the present administration.
3. That we condemn the principles advocated
by the Democratic party — no prohibition of
slavery in the Terriiories— and pioclaim as our
principles, no interferencs 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 infiiuge-
raent 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 bj' the Republican Slate 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 touthern 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 ojien 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 acquiital 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 arc 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 e.\pressed in the late
official communication of Lewis Cass, Secretary
of State, to guarantee against arrest and de'eu-
tion, abroad, of naturalized citizens, on the
ground of their allegiance to foreign power, is a
cowardly abandonment of the true and noble
position liitherio occupied by our government.
9. That we re-assert, as cardinal principles of
Republii anism, the m dntenance of a strict
economy in public expenditures, and the prompt
and faithful discharge by public ollicers 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 185S than the preceding
year, and less the present year than in 1858, the
increasing county taxation is becoming so bur-
dt-nsome as to call imperatively for reform in
the system of county administration.
Tbe Democrats met at DesMoines, June
23, adopted a platform, aud placed tbe fol-
lowing ticket in the field: Governor, A. C.
Dodge; Lieutenant-Governor, L. W. Bar-
bitt; Supreme Judges, Charles Mason, T.
^
HISTORY OF IOWA.
161
S. Wilson, C.C. Cole. The following is
the platform; as to National policy:
Whereas, In view of the double relation in
wh ch we stand toward ibe federal government
on the one hand, and our own State on tbe other,
we deem it expedient and proper, before enter-
ing upon a contest wbich may, in no small de-
gree, influence the character and destinies of
both eovernments, to adopt and promulgate the
following declaration of piinciples for the gov-
ernment of our conduct:
ResoUed. That wc affirm the principles of the
national Democratic platform of 1856, and re-
assert the doctrines of non-intervention therein
contained, as the ground upon wbich 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, nit by
Congress, but by the Supreme Court on appeal,
from the decisions of the Territorial courts.
4. That tlie 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, both 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 be-
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
Supinme Court and acts of Congress passed in
accordance with the constitution, is the very
essence of nullitication.
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 iucui 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 lauds 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 land by Congress to actual
settlers, subject only to such restrictions as will
exclude speculators from the benefits of such
acts.
HISTORY OP IOWA.
13. That we are in favor of an economical
administialiou 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-
ilized world, but would entail a foul blot ou 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 drop past differ-
ences, and assemble again as a band of brothers
under the 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 State 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 neero from the South the right
of sufl'rage 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 jiarty, 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 chiinge 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 laboiers, if the present Republican policy
be persisted in.
5. That such 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
schools, 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 suppression 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. Kiikwood, Rep. 56,506—2,964
A. 0. Dodge, Dem 58,542
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.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
^k_
Breckenridge by the Southern wing, and
John Bell bj' 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.
W. Cattell; State Treasurer, Charles C.
Nourse; Register of State Land Office, A.
B. Miller. The platform adopted was
short, and as follows :
Reaohed, That this coDvention 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 lo 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.
8. That the Republicans of the State of Iowa
in convention assi^mbled, 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 State, James M.
Corse; Auditor of State, Geo. \V. 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 Couventiou.
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 luwa firmly adhere to
the doctrine of non-intervention and popular
sovereignty, laid down in the said plalform, 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 eflbrts to procure *he 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 Ihe 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, unconstitutional 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 stringent laws, by which men in
official station occupying a judicial capacity,
either as din ctors and oflBcers of banks or rail-
road companies, shall be made jjersonally 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 irovernment, which have
grown up under the administration, and through
the corrupt partisan management of the so-called
Republican party.
2. A reduction of the appropriationsof money
for extraordinary purposes.
3. A reduction of appropriations for chari-
table institutions and purposes, to the necessary
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
earLiugs of the industrious aud frugal.
5. The construction of buildings for the use
of our charitable institutions upcm 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 buildingti erected for similar purposes in
old aud wealthy States or Goveniments.
6. The early revision of the State constitu-
tion, so as to free il 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 e.xisting laws, enacted by Rejiublican 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
cases.
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 Stale 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 B;ink themselves admit that at the present
time there is no real security for the redemption
of the notes of the banks.
10. The entire separation of the finances of
the State from the banks, and a repeal of all
laws luthoiizing either State or county officers
to depi sit 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
I normous State debt. In violation of the consti-
tution, for the puri>ose of promoting thcschemes
of plunder, of railroads or other sjieculators.
3. 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 Ihat we hold
the revi-nues 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 favoi of
providing liberally and justly for all the bcnev
olent institutions of the State, and for all classes
HISTORY OF IOWA.
165
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 DecUiration 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 treisou, and an apology for traitors, the
ruin of commerce, and the dissolution of political
society, the mother 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 kov-
ernmeut itself, aud deny to it the o: ly power by
which it can be maintained. Auli-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
indep' ndence and established our glorious con-
stitution and Union, and having, by our second
war of 1818, maintained our national integrity
against the most formidable of foreign foes, it
now remains for us to establish that integrity
for all years to come against internal foes, aud
in this third and hist 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 requi-
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 blessings of peace and
prosperity in the Union of the 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
aud order, and the supremacy acknowledged
on its own terms.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
7. In the State affairs we demand all the
economy consistent wiih the public safety, and
all the liberality required for the comfort and
efflci<»ncy of our volunteers, and for the protec-
tion of the State a£ainst invasion. To that end
we approve the action of the 61 neral Asstmbly,
al 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 governmenl.
The Democrats nominated Wi'liam H.
Merritt for Governor; M.aturia 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 tl.e 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, beiue assem-
bled by their delegates in convention, in the
Capitol at DesMoines, on the 2411; day of July,
1861, do make and proclaim to their fellow citi-
zens of 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
dutv upon the people for whose benefit alone
government is instituted, and who, having the
light to either alter or abolish it when it ceases
to be administered for their hai)piness and pros-
perity, have also the right to determine and
direct how it shall be administered when they
fled it departing from the principles u;)on which
it was founded, and to be |)recipitating into
waste and ruii. the fabric of civil society, instead
of preserving the people in peace, piomoling
their prosperity, and securin;^ their rights.
Viewing, therefore, dispassionately, the present
condition of our distracted country, and with
the single purpose of miking 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 arraj'ed northern sentiment in antagonism
to the constitutional rights of the people of the
si ive States, aud which proclaim an "irrepres-
sible" and unceasing hostility to the domestic
institutions of our brethren of the South.
3. That, notwithstanding the pi'ovocation
given to the people of the South by the mani-
festation of hostility toward their institutions,
by a majority of the people of the Norih, we
unequivocally 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 pulitical heresy, unwar-
ranted by the constitution, detrimental to the
HISTORY OF IOWA.
167
best iuteresls 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 goverument,
the duty we owe to posterity and the advance-
ment of political freedom throughout the world,
alike, command of us the pnservalion and per-
petuity of our federal Uuiou, and we hereby
pledge the whole power of the Democratic party
to every just and constitutional means to main-
tain the same, whether its Uestniction 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
ofiicers 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 difierent 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 modem 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
cousequences fatal to the liberties of the country.
9. That we are irreconcilably opposed to all
paper money banking, as being a system of
legalized swindling, to be indulged in only by
the designing capitalist, and are opposed to
every species uf paper, except commercial pa-
lmer, 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 fall 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 atiairs, 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 ofiicial vote for Goveruor was as
follows:
S. J. Kirkwook, Rep 69,8.53-16,608
William H. Merritt, Dem 43,245
The Democratic convention was held at
the Capitol in 1862, and the following
ticket nominated: Secretary of State,
liichard 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
^k
168
HISTORY OF IOWA.
measures as common sense, reason and jjatriot-
ismwill 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 commeuced and prosecuted for the
purpose of 'suppressing the rebellion, and pre-
serving and vindicating the conslilulion of the
Union and the laws, and for that purpose only.
4. That the doctrines of the secessionists and
of the ab ilitionists, 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 liave 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 arc sufficient for any
emergency, and that the suppression of the free-
dom of speech and the press, and the unlawful
arrest of citizeus, and the suspension of the writ
of habeas 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.
6. That this is a government of white men,
and was established exclusively for the white
race; that the negroes are not enlitled to and
ought not to be admitted to political or social
equality with the white race, but tliat it is our
duty to treat them with kindness and considera-
tion, as an inferior and dependent race; that the
right of the several Stales to determine tlie
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 tliem 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 compar.ilively
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
ofl"er 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 govein-
ii.ent 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 n-j North,
^®
HISTORY OF IOWA.
no South, no East, 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
goverumeut.
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 admin isi ration of the government,
and we appeal to our fellow citizens who love
the constiiution 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, VVm.
H. Holmes; Attorney-General, Charles C.
Nourse; Register of the State Land Office,
Jusiah 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 suffrnges 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.
9. 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 pled:;es, 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 purposes.
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 jiower, 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.
ITO
HISTORY OF IOWA.
7. That the valor of our soldiers and sailors,
and especiallj' those of our own Statu, on every
battle field 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 prompily fur-
nish hiT quota of troops culled for by the recent
proclamalion of the Piesident, and any addi-
tional number which the public service may
require.
y. That the voluntary enlistment of our
adopted citizens in the army and navy, and their
tjied valor on our battle-fields, have demon-
stratea the warmth of their patriotism and an
appreciation of liberty and good government
wliich 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, w* earnestly
ajjiieal to the incumbents of the legislative and
executive departments of the government, to use
every legitimate means in their possession to
crush the rel)ellion, 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 H Sylvester, Deto 50,809
In 186-3 the Democrats met in conven-
tion at DesMoines, and nominated Malurin
L. FLsher for Governor. Mr. Fisher sub-
sequently declining, Gen. James M. Tuttle
was substiluttd; 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 lesolve:
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.
2. 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 proi)(ise and advoc.le
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 ilicir liberties, or to be deirimental to
their welfare.
3. That these and all other rights guaranteed
to them by the constitution are their i ights in
war as well as in tmies of peace, and of fur 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 smrender 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 canyiugoul the emancipation j)rocla-
mation of the President of the United States;
and if the Federal administration expect a
united North to attend its efforts to sup, ress 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.
171
wilh the people of the States, infringe upon no
one single right guaranteed to the people by
either the federal or State constitutipns.
7. That we declare our determined opposition
to a system of emancipatiou by the State upon
conipeDSation 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 co operate with them in the
restoration of peace and the procurement of
BU :h proper guarantees as would give security
'to all iheir interests and rights.
10. That the soldiers composing our armies
niertt 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 i 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, an'l 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 countiy,
the men who are engaged in representing the
Democracy as wanting in sympathy with our
galh.nt defenders.
16. That we earnestly denounce the authors
of those heresies, seceasionism and abolitionism,
which have culminated in an armed rebellion,
desolated our country and brought sorrow to the
heart of every person in this broad laud.
The Republicans met at DesMoine?,
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 Stale, as an expression 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
of goverumeat, they intended to and did grant
to thiit 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
me lus 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 eflfecl 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 Slate, 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. Siimuel 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 properly, must be sub-
ordinate thereto.
At that convention the following ticket
was nominateU: Governor, Williaiu 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., 86,12^—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. Lasli; Auditor,
H. B. Ilendershott; Register State Land
Office, B. D. Holbrook; Supreme J idge,
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, Wm. H. Holmes; Attorney-
General, Isaac L. Allen; Register Laud
Office, J. A. Harvey. The platfoim
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
^
~Q> \
HISTORY OP IOWA.
173
whose heroic achicvemeats 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 beld at Iowa
City, August 24th, when the following res-
olutions were adopted :
Wherbas, We believe that there is indispu-
table evidence existing that the Union miiy be
restoreji 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 fnr500,000 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 federal
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 Jeflfeison, Madison and .Jackson— and
to the resolutions passed by every Democratic
convention held in 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, vviihin
their respective States (now soutiht 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,(i33— 40,090
John H. Wallace, Dem 49,943
The Republicans were the first to 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;
•<, a 1.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Siipt. of Public Inslruciion, Oran Fajville;
biipieine 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
relis^ious freedom is the natural right of man-
kind evir* 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
Slates soil, we recommend the permanent dis-
fraucliisenient of leaders of the rebellion, civil
and military; and that the late President of the
so-called Confederate Slates of America, as the
deepest embodiment of criminal barbarity, be
brought to tlie 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
men before the law. "Therefore, we are in favor
of amending the constitution of our State by
striking out the word 'while' in the article of
refuge."
5. That we extend to Andrew Johnson, in his
assum|ilion of Presidential respousiliililies, our
contidence 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 citizeu soldiery of Iowa maj' return to
their homes and avocations of peace, we extend
to them the grateful thanks 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
rehel army or navy, and also every man who left
his State to avoid military service, due from liim
to the government, should be forever debarred
by constitutional provision, from holding publi:
office, and from the exercise of the rights of suf-
frage in this State.
8. That we approve the act'ons 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 we humbly 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 tliis year was
a "Soldiern' Convention," or, as the body
termed itself, "The Union Anti-Negro Suf-
frage Party," which convened at the Cap-
itol August 23d, and adoptt d 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, H.
H. 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, leeliug 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 Slates,
and with the blessings of free institutions and
HISTORY OF IOWA.
iTo
the peace bo happily restored, hereby adopt the
foIlowiDg 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 unqualiiitd support.
3. We are opposed lo negro suft'rage or to the
striking of the word "white" out of the article
on sufi'rage in our State constitution, and will
support no candidate for office, either State or
national, who is in favor of negro suffjage 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
shivery and the ratification of the same by our
next Legislature
5. That, inasmuch as we do not sufficiently
know the sentiment of Ihc people of the State
in regard to the prohibitory liquor law, we deem
it expedient to refer this matter to the different
county conventions lo taUe 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 disab'cd 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 ofl'euses by courts-
martial and military courts, in States and dis-
tricts where civil law is unimpeded in its opera-
tions and in full fore;.
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 Stale,
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 sulfering, their ad-
mirable discipline and indomitable valor.
9. That we hail with joy the return of these
brave men from the liattlefiild, and extend to
them our grateful thanks for their services and
176
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 nssassinatian of President Lin-
coln was an act of unmitigated barbarism, and
one 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 Slates afforded the issues for
1860. 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
liand 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 lovalty 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 relicllion 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
ficaiion of that ameuJment 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 eiiforccmenl
of the Monroe doctrine, and that we extend to
all people struggling to preserve nationalitj' or
to achieve liberty, our warmest support
6. That we are in favor of the equalization of
the bounties of soldiers who faithful))' 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 honesij' and capacity, and we
unqualifiedly condemn dishonesty and careless-
ness iu 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. Van Anda;
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 followlDg 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 riquircmenls 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.
17V
war hiiving been prosecuted on our part, as ex-
pressly declan d 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 cnnstitu-
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 the constitution and laws of t! e land.
3. While we fully concede to the federal
government the power to tr.force 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 raainteuance, 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 es'sential to that balance of power (m
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 of 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 of 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 apjiointmcnt,
preference should be given to those competent
to perform duties required, and as a positive
reward for their services, tlie 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
d' mands that immediate provision should be
made for the equalization of buunties,
7. We cordially eudor.-e the restoration policy
of President Johnson as wise, patriotic, consti-
tutional, and in harmony wiih 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 Piesidi nt 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 States
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.
13. All ofl:cers 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
l^
17;
HISTOEY OF IOWA.
the Supreme Court, and "thai, we recom-
mend and will co-operate with the conser-
vative element of the Republican party in
their eflForts to restore the Union and de-
feat radical disunionism, and for that
purpose hereby agree to suj)port their
candidales."
The convention named (Japt. Albert
Stoddard for Clerk of the Supreme Court,
and Capt. Fred Gottschalk 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 uniullering fidelity iiud firmness to
the oiganization of tlie Deiuucrutic partj', and to
its ancient and well settled principles, as enunci-
ated by Thomas Jellerson, 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 tiixa'ion.
2. That the one great question of the day is
the immediate and unconditional restoration of
all the Slates to the exercise of their rights
within the federal Union under the constitution,
and that we will cordiully 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 aud 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 parly position, who lionestly, 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 exemiition of United States
bonils from ti,ix is nothing else th.in exemption
of rich men from tax, because they are rich,
and tliey lax the poor m.in because he is poor.
Hence, justice and equality require that said
bonds should be taxed.
5. That striei and impartial justice demands
that tlie expenses of the general government as
well as the State governments should be paid by
the peojile according to their abiliiy and not ac-
cording to their necessities. Ilence we are
opposed now, as in the past, to the high tariff
which tends to burden the producer (or the ben-
efit of the manufacturer.
6. That the so called Maine liquor law is in-
consistent with the genius of a free peojile, and
unjust and burdensome in its operations. It
has vexed and harrussed the citizens, burdened
the counties with expenses, and proved wholly
useless in the sup|iression of inlemperanee.
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 accompl ees, calls for the
coudeuinaticn of every honest m.in in the St.%le,
and if the radicals of the last Legisl-ituie 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 sympathize with the people of
every country struggling for their liberties.
9. That we approve of the National Union
Convention to be held at Phil idclphia 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 fiyhting for the
Union during the recent rebellion, is embalmed
in the hearts of the American people, and that
justice, as well as huminity, demands at the
hands of the American pi'ople 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
.k
HISTORY OF IOWA.
179
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
the movement now being made by the friends
of Ireland to obtain the independence of that
glorious country from under the yolie of English
tyranny, and that we bid them God speed in the
noble work, and ho|ie that the subject of the
independence of Ireland will continue to be agi-
tated until ihe 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
Q. G VanAuda, Dem 55,854
In 1807 the Republicans met in conven-
tion at DesMoines, June 19th. They
nominated for Governor, Col. Saml. Mer-
rill; Lieutenant-Governor, Col. Juo. 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
ameudmenls 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 apprt.ve 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 energy and
vitality, we demand that Congress assemble in
July to carry out by additional enactments the
tme 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 by 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 consiilution, 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 afl'airs.
5. That the Republican members of the Con-
gress of the United States are entitled to the
thanks of the nation for their flniiness 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 interests
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 Slate 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.
V
180
HISTORY OF IOWA.
3. That the existing tarifl" laws are unjust
and heavily burdensome to the agricultural
States, wilhout bcins of a- corresponding benefit
to the government, and only of advantage to a
few manufacturing States, and should be re-
pealed 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 in favor of
enacting a well regulated license law in lieu
thereof.
6. That we are in favor of an amendment to
the constitution of our State giving to foreigners
the elective franchise after they have declared
their intention of becoming citizens of the United
Stales, 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 in order to reduce the present
burdensome taxation, and we denounce in the
severest terms the profligacy, corruption and
knavery of our State officers and Congressmen.
8. That the denial of representation to ten
States in the Union, thiough odious military
reconstruction, in violation to the constitution,
should meet the unqualified oppostion of every
good citizen.
On Governor the official vote was as fol-
lows:
Samuel Merrill, Rep 90,200—27,240
Charles Mason, Dem 63,900
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 Slate, John A. Elli-
ott; Treasurer of State, Maj. Samuel E.
Rankin; Regi.-iter of State Land Office,
Uol. 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
aftairs, would be an evil of the greatest magni-
tude, and 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')g-
nize that the principles embodied in said amend-
ment are more sacred than party ties, and above
all consideration of mere parly 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
3. That we demand the strictest economy in
the administration ot 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 safely 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 and principles of
the Republican organization of Iowa has ever
^4<^ — ^
HISTORY OF IOWA.
been well defined, understood and sustained, and
we are resolved that the Republican stiindard
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 in
earnest in fighting for and maintaining our lib
erty, our Union, the rights of mm 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 20lh 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 carried
out, will inevitably result in a permanent mili-
tary despotism.
2. That the present depressed condition of
the country, with its prostrated business, jiara-
lyzed industiy, oppressive taxation and political
anarchy, are the direct results of the unwise and
unconstitutional legislation of the dominant
party in Congress.
3. That it is the avowed object of the Con-
gressional pulicy 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 currency;
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 ofif 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 bondliolders, ought to be
abolished, and the United States notes substi-
tuted in lieu of a natumal 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 lo
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. Tbat 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 riuht of the general government to
interfere with the question of suffrage in any of
the States of the Union.
9. That the soldiirs of Iowa, in the recent
great revolution, exhibited a spirit of patriotism,
courage and endurance, under great privation
and sufferings, that have wou 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 Den\ocracy of Iowa for
President of the United States.
On Secretary of State, the official vote
stood as follows:
J,
182
HISTORY OP 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 LieutenaiitGovernor; Jolin F. Dillon
for Supreme Judge; A. S. Kissell for
Superintendent of Public Instruc ion.
They adopted the following resolutions:
Resolced. Thai we heaitili endorse the admin-
istration of Governor Merrill as economical and
honest, and that it deserves, as it lias received,
the hearty approval of the people of Iowa.
2. That we unite upon a continuance of strict
and close economy in all deparlmciits of our
State governnieut in bihilf of the maintenance
of the happy financial condition to wliich our
State has attained under Republican rule.
8. That the means now in the State treasury,
and which may become avail al)le, outrht 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 1868, which has brought peace, happi-
ness and prosperity to our nation; and we
heartily endorse the administration of General
Graul.
5. That the publio 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 pulilic buildings not clearly neces-
sary to be made or erected, until the n.itional
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 :'.s rapidly as practicable.
6. That we endorse and a; prove the policy
which the present Secretary of the Treasury of
the United States lias pursued.
The Di-mocrats placed in nomination
the following ticket: Governor, (-Jeorge
Gillespie; Lieutenant-Governor, A. P.
Richardson; Judge of the Supreme Court,
W.F. Brannan; Superintendent of Public
Instn ction, Edward Jaeger. They, also,
adopted as a platform the following:
Whereas, Upon the eve of a political c.mvass,
the tiiiio-huuored usage of our party requires that
a platform of principles be announced for the
government ofrthose who may be elected to of-
fice; therefore, be it
ResUved, That the Democratic party view with
alarm tlie action of an unscrupulous majority in
C^ongress, in its attemi>t to absorlj 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 iu 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.
8. That now, as in time past, we are opposed
to a high protective tarifl', and that we will use
everj' eflbrt to prevent and difeai 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 tarifl' system
as shall promote commerce with every nation of
the woild.-
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
A
HISTORY OF IOWA.
183
the duty of the government to protect every cit-
izen, whether naturalized ornative, 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 ofHcers should be held to a strict
accountability to the people for their ofEcial
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 Miiine 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; Reportei of the
Supreme Court, C. H. Bane; Clerk of the
Supreme Court, William MoLenan; Judge
of the Supreme Court, long terra, 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 one
classof citizens, or upon onebrmch of industry,
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 tarill" system, and in favor of one
which, while adapted to the purpose of raising
the eecessary revenue to provide for the liquida-
tion of our national indebtedness, to meet the
expenditures of an economical administration,
will not .<ppress 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 n-ligious liberty.
6. That we cordially invite the electors of
Iowa to co-operate with us in the support of the
priucii)les herein enunciated.
The Re publicans met one week later
than the Democrats, and nominated for
Supreme Judge, full term, C. C. Cole; Su-
preme Judge, Dillun vacancy, W. E. Mil-
ler; Supreme Ju^lge, Wright vacancy, Jas.
G. Day; Secretary of State, Ed. Wright;
Au liior, John Russell; Trea-urer, S E.
Haiikin; Register of Land Office, Aaron
Brown; Attorney-General, Henry O'Con-
ner; R porter of the Supreme Court, E.
r
184
HISTORY OF IOWA.
II. Stiles; Clerk of Supreme Court, Chas.
Linderman. The following are the reso-
lutions adopted by tlie Republicau conven-
tion :
Resolved, That we refer witli pride to the his-
tory of the Republican party, and coiigralulate
the country upon its successful career. It has
given to the poor man a homestead; it has abol-
ished slavery, and established manhood suffi;ige;
crushed treason, and given to us tbc Pacitic 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 governuient 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 adminstralion of General
Grant, bv 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 shouUl be so adjusted as not to become pre-
judicial to the iudusirial 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 opnosed 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 admiustratious.
6. That we arc 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 stiict neutrality in the con-
test now waging in Europe, yet we cannot forget
tliat 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 unqualilicd
syn pathy 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 adespotic, 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 rig.'ls
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—41,433
Charles Dorr, Dem ()0,oU.5
In 1871 the Democrats were again first
in the field, assembling in convention at
DesMoines, June 14th, and nominated for
Governor, J. C. Knapp; Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor, M. M. Ham; Supreme Judge, John
F. Duncorabe; Superintendent of Public
Instruction, Edward M. Munn. 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 Stales and indi-
viduals.
3. That we cherish yie American system of
State and local governments, and that we
HISTORY OF IOWA.
1^
will forever defend the same agaiust the cential-
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 Stale
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 mm 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 every department of
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 $iO,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 f30,000,000, 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 reme'dies.
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 fl;igrant outrage on the rights of
the free laborers and 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 constitu-
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 are taxed,
and we afiirm the right of the people, by legis-
lative enactment, to regulate and control all cor-
porations doing business within the borders of
the State.
12. That with the watchword of reform we
contidently go to the country; that we believe
the interests of the great body of the people are
the same; that without regard to the past political
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 wrong-doers
and oppressors themselves.
The Republicans met at DesMoines,
June 21st, and placed the following ticket
in nomination: Governor, C. C. Carpen-
ter; Lieutenant-Governor, H. C. Bulls;
Judge of Supreme Court, J. G. Day; Su-
perintendent Public Instruction, Alonzo
W
HISTOEY OF IOWA.
Abernethy. The platform adopted by the
convention was as follows:
liesoloed, That we refer with pride to the his-
tory of the Ilciiublican 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-
cated the 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
dpi^ree 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 exnense
of another, and therefore advocate such protec-
tion only as a faiily 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 imlividuals 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 ^ubj(•cl to the control of the people, we are
in favor of so providing, by proper legislative
enactment, as to elfectually prevent monopoly
and extortion on the part of railroaus 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 .co 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, ihe
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 occupancj-, 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 econoniiral
and judicious management of the affairs of the
Slate, 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. Knapp, Dem 68, 199
During Grant's first administration new
issues were formed, and a new movement
sprung up, known as the l.eberal 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
'k
HISTORY OF IOWA.
]87
the nomination of Greeley, ratified the
nomination and adopted the Liberal Re-
publican platform. The disaffection was
80 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, 187'2, 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-Gent ral,
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
Biltimore, in placing in nomination Horace
Greeley for President and B. Gratz Brown for
Vice President, and we adopt its platform and
principles.
2. Th;it 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
whom 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
tion on the 21st day of August, A. D. 1872,
declare their unceasing faith in the principles
and platform adopted by the National Republi-
can convention at Philadelphia, on the 6lh day
of June 1873, and with honest pride refer to the
history of the party in this State 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
l>rosperity and national security Ihruughout the
country; that at last the De.nocratic party have
nominally abandoned tlie princiiiles 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 atlirm 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 Pjesi-
dencyof the United States, and of Henry Wilson,
of Massachusetts, for Vice-President, meets our
unqualified and hearty approval.
3. That we are in favor of the most rigid
economy in 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 property, whether
held by individuals or corporations, should bear
their equal and just portion of the public bur-
dens.
V
188
HISTORY OF 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 cfTorts
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 nominations
made by this convention, and pledge to the
nominees our hearty, active and earnest support.
A " straight " Democratio convention
was held at DesMoines, September 6th,
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-
cans, 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 husiile 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 ajjproachingfall 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 parly;
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 merilable and dis-
honorable defeat.
6. That the alacrity with which the Demo-
cratic press of Iowa, wiih one honorable excep-
tion, has championed the corrupt Greeley con-
spiracy, presents the most scandalous defection
in all our political history, an.idst which the
sturdy devotion to sound principle, exhibited by
the Audubon county Sentinel and the Chicago
Timet, is especially gratifying, and we there-
fore urge upon the Democracy of Iowa a diter-
mined effort to give the Times and Sentinel an
extensive circulation throughout the entire
Slate, and such other reliable Democratic jour-
nals as may be hereafter established.
7. Tlial 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 Slate ticket, where Repub-
licans have been phiced in lieu thereof, and that
we suggest that where Republicans have bien
nominated for Congress by Ihe so called Demo-
crats and Liberals in the seveial Congressional
HISTORY OF IOWA.
districts, tliat 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 Olfice, Dave Sheward.
The following is the official vote on Sec-
retary of State:
J. T. Young, Rep 132,359—57,863
E. A. Quilbert, Lib. andDem 74,497
D. B. Beers, straight Dem 1,333
The* Republican State Convention for
1873 met at DesMoiues, 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 parly 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 auJ 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 abuses
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
direliot to its spirit and its duty if it does not
protect all our people from all forms of oppres-
sion, whether of monopolies, centralized capil al,
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.
8. 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 and 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
^.
190
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
puuishmenl 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
Ihe people, is guilty of fr.iud 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
80 embezzled.
6. 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 voted against the same and yet re-
ceived the money, is most flagrantly 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 secure for agriculture and labor their due in-
fluence, interests and rights, and the Republican
parly will be their ally in every just eftorl to at-
tain that end.
8. That we are desirous of political reform,
and for honesty, economy an ? purity in all offl
cial administration; that to secure this is the
duty -.f every citizen; that to this end every
good 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 duly of every Republican to
oppose the election of a bad and incompetent
candidate, 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. J. Hall;
Supt. of Publiclnstruction, 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 reform
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, —
3. 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 Stale
creating them; that such legislative control
should be in expressed abrogation of the theory
of the inalienable nature of ihartertd rights, and
that it should be at all limes 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.
^ c
^
HISTORY OF IOWA.
3. Thiit we favor such modification of our
banking system as will exleud its beiufits 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 tariflf laws that shall give usiiee 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
seekers 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 sympathj' 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
lower 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
more in proportion to the awards of labor in
prfvate life.
7. That we are opposed to all future grants
of land to railroads or other corporations, and
' elieve that the public domain should be held
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
pledges or trust are unworthy of renewed con-
fidence, and those who criminally trifle with tlje
public funds must be punished as criminals,
regardleis 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 salary
swindle and official embezzelements, and the
hundreds of other combinations, steals, frauds,
and swindlf'S, by which Democratic and Repub-
lican legislators, congressmen, and offlce-holders
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 10.5,133—34,113
J. G. Vale, Anti-M...i 81,020
An Anti-Monopoly conventiou 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:
Resolved, That we, the delegated representa-
tives of the people of Iowa, favorable to the
organization of an independent political party,
laying aside past diflerences 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
happiness 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.
^^
IIISTOEY OF IOWA.
and 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
presei-ved.
3. 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 oflScial
authority, and others deprived of their constitu-
tional rights, oppressive laws enacted, burden-
some taxation imposed, and immense and ficti-
tious indebtedness created, resulting in the
degradation of those States, and the general
impoverishment of their people.
8. 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, in the innum-
erable frauds perpetrated under its authority, in
its disgraceful partiality for and rewards of un-
worthy favorites, in its reckless and unstable
financial policy, and in its total incapacity to
meet the vital questions of the day, and provide
for 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 exorcise of their inherent sover-
eignty, to correct these accumulating evils, and
bring the government back to its ancient land-
marlts, patiotism and 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 whiih it was
contracted; that an over issue of paper money
being at variance with the principles of a sound
financial 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
currenc}' shall at all times be adequate to the
general l)usiness and commerce of the country,
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 and 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 demand 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
faiihfully 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 enterjirise, 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 <5ur civil
service to the end that capacity and fidelity he
made the essential qualifications for election and
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
nv
HISTORY OF IOWA.
193
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 Congress shall equalize the boun-
ties and grant to eaeh one of them, or to his
widow and children, a homestead of one hun-
dred and sixty acres of land from the unappro-
priated domain of the country.
12. That we desire hereafter to be linown as
the Independent party of Iowa, and 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 l8t, at DesMoines, put in nom-
ination for Secretary of State, Josiah T.
Young; Treasurer of State, Wm. 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:
Besoloed, That as the policy of the Republi-
can party in relation to finance, has atlorded 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. And
while re-affirming the policy announced by the
party in the national conventions of 1868 and
187:3, and triumphantly endorsed by the people
at the polls— a pulicy 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
material and industrial interests of the counlry,
to the end that the volume of currency may be
regulated by the national laws of trade.
3. That we reaffirm the declaialion 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, towit, 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 railr.iads or other means, and in the exer-
cise uf that power Congress may, and should, so
legislate as to prohibit, under suitable ; cnalties,
extortion, unjust discrimination, and other
wrong and unjust conduct on the part of per-
sons or corporations engaged in such commeice;
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 Stale has the power, and it is its
duly, 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 protec-
^1^
A
194
HISTORY OF IOWA.
tion of all citizens, white or black, native or
foreign born, in the enjoyment of all the rights
guaraotced by the c institution 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 Stales, providing
for the election of President and Vice-President
by a direct vote of the people.
8. Tliat while inventors should be protected
in their just riahts 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 tlie 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 govermental 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 Doruocrats,
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
Anti Monopolists of the State of Iowa, in delegate
convention assembled, declare, as a basis of per-
manent organizttiou 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.
8. 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 prohibitiim of military inicrfer-
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 Unds 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 f 25,000. No third term.
10. That we are n favor of the resumption of
specie pavment as soon as the same can be d me
without injury to the business interests of the
country, and maintain a sufficient supply of
national curiency for business purposes; opposi-
tion to present national banking law.
11. A tarifiE on imports that will produce the
largest amount of revenue, with the smallest
amount of tax, and no imposition of duiies for
HISTORY OF IOWA.
195
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
best guard against, and the safest solution of,
the evils of intemperance,
13. That we are 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, fortheiroppressive,
unjust, and defective system of finance and taxa-
tion; for their continued tyranny and cruelty to
the Southern Stales 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 Rei)ublican convention at Des-
Moines placeil in nomination for Governor,
S. J. Kirkwood ; Lieutenant-Governor,
Joshua G. Newbold; Judge of Supreme
Court, Austin Adams ; Superintendent
Public Instruction, Alonzo Abernethy.
The convention also adopted the follow-
ing platform:
Reauhed, That we declare it a cardinal prin-
ciple of the Republican faith that the republic
is 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.
2. That wc favor the early attainment of -cur-
rencj' convertible with coin, and therefore
advocate the gradual resumption of specie pay-
ments by continuous and steady 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-
ment 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
difficulties 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 be held 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 ;iolitical 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 H.
^r^
19d
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Lozier, and adopted the following plat-
form :
Whereas, The traffic in and use of intoxi
eating liquors as a beverage, is the greatest evil
of the present age; and,
Whereas, The legal prohibition of said traffic
and use of liquors is the prime duty of those
who frame and execute laws for the public wel-
fare; iind,
Whereas, The existing political parlies, in
their Slate 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 thfs action of these political parties,
forced to seek the promotion of their objects by
such organizations and combinations as may
prove most i ffeclive for the success of the tem-
perance Crtus-e, without reference to previous
political iiffili.ilion.
3. That we most cordially approve the policy
of the present aduiinislraliou in the setilenieul
of difficulties between ourselves and other na-
tions, by arbitration, inste:id "f appealing to
arms; and also the eSorts 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 Clay, 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 ori^anization whatever,
and. in favor of such legislation as will secure
the education of all children within our State in
the elementary branches of conimiui 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 mountain of great moral prin.iples,
and we call upon all concerned in 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 organizatiims, looking to
the election of such Representatives in our Leg-
islature, and 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 124,8-.r)-31,57G
S. Lefler, Dem 93,279
J. H. Lozier, Pro 1,397
The financial depression during the sec-
ond administration of Grant was such as
to influence the formation of a new party,
known as the Greeiibick 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
lOlh, at DesMoines, and adopted the fol-
lowing resolutions :
WuEnEAS, 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 campaign, in which the Democratic
and Republican leaders have failed to take the
side of the people; therefore, we, the citizens of
Iowa, in mass conveniion assembled, do thus
organize the Independent party of Iowa, and
declare our faith in the following principles:
1. That it is the duly 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 bunds
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, 1869, -making greenbacks payable in
coin, and making 5-20 bonds jierpetual 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 Coojier for President, and Samuel F.
Gary 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 hehl in Des
Moines: Secretary of State, Josiab T.
Young; Auditor, Buren R. Sherman,
Treasurer, Geo. W. Beinis; 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
brotherhood throughout the nation; for men of
unsullied honesty, and purity of chajacter 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 ailvocate 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,
'A:
198
HISTORY OF IOWA.
and no diversion of the school fund from the
public schouls.
6. That we cordially iuvite immigration from
all civilized countries, guaianteeing to emisjrants
the same political privileges and social and re-
ligious freedom we ourselves enjoy, and favor-
ing a free and unsecturiau system of common
schools for their children with ours.
7. That in James 6. 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:
Resohed, By the Liberal Democratic party of
the State of Iowa, in conveution ;isscmliled, ihat
we adopt as our plalfoim of jirinciples 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.
Hend licks, 80 ably presented in their letters of
acceptance of the nominations at said conveu-
tion.
The following is the Democratic ticket:
Secretary of State, J. H. Stubeiiraiich;
Treasurer of State, W. Jones; Auditor of
State, VV'. 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. Stubeurauoh, Dem 112,115
A. Macready, Gr 9,436
Young's majority over all 50,620
In the cani])aign 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
Coello. The following is the platform:
Acting for the Republicans of Iowa, by its
authority and its name, this convention declares:
1. The United Slates 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 part^' 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 ecjuals;
that they are endowed by the Creator with cer-
tain inalienable rights, among which are life,
liberty and the pursuit of Ijappiness; that for
the attainment of these ends governments have
been instiluied 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
Rejjublican parly 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
parly stands sacredly pledged. The power to
provide for the enforcement of the principles
embodied in the recent constitutional amend-
ments, is vested by these ameiKlineuts 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 lor removing any just causes of discon-
tent on the part of any class, and for securing
'7\
r
HISTORY OF IOWA.
-K^
to every American citizen complete liberty and
exact equiility in the exercise of the civil, politi-
cal and public rights. To this end we impera-
tively demand of Congress and the Chief E.KCcu
tive a courage and fidelity to these duties which
shall not fuller 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 tlie foundati.m 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 fot 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 coudeum the )iolicy of grant-
ing subsidies at public expense, eirher to indi-
viduals ot corporations, foi 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 admiuistet
the law; to legislative affairs, men who will
represent, upon all question?, the best sentiment
of the pc.oi>le, and who will labor earne.-tly for
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 Stale'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 Greeubackers met at DesMoines,
July 12, and nominated, for Governor,
D. B. Stiibbs; Lieutenant-Governor, A.
Macready; Supreme Judj;e, John Porter;
Supt. of Public In.struction, 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 of our national finances; and.
Whereas, Alter generations of experience,
we are forced to believe that nothing further
can be hoped for through the old puliiical
parties; therefore we make the following dec-
laration of principles:
1. We demand the unconditional repeal of
the specie resumption act of January 14, 1875,
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 laxation 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.
200
IIISTOEY OF IOWA.
7. We demand a reduction of offices and sal-
aries, to the end that there be less taxation.
8. We demand Ihat 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 tiafiic in alcoholic
beverages, and the abatement of the evil of
intemperance.
10. We are opposed to all further subsidies
by either the Stale 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 this
year at Marslialltown, and nominated the
following ticket: Governor, John P. Irisli;
Lieutenant-Governor, W. C. Janieti; Su-
preme Judge, U. C. Boardman; Superin-
tendent of Public Iiistru tion, G. D. Culli-
8on. They also resolved —
1. The Democracy of the State of Iowa in
couvenli m assembled hereby declare in favor of
a taritl' for revenue, the only economic home
rule, the supremacy of civil over military power,
the separation of church and Stale, equality of
all citizens before the law, oppositiim to the
grantiug by the general government of subsidies
to any corporation wliatever; 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.
8. 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-
maud the passage of a law which shall restore to
silver its monetary power.
5. That we favor the retention of a green-
back cuirency, and declare against any further
contraction, and favor the substitution of green-
backs for national bank bills.
6. We congratulate the country upon the ac-
ceptance by the present administration of the
constitutional and pacilic policy of locil self-
government in the States of the South, so long
advocated by the Democratic party, aud which
has brought peace and harmony to that section.
Aud in regard to the fu ure linancial policy, in
the lauiiuage of our national platform adopted
in the New York convention, in 1868, we urge,
7. Payment of the public debts of the United
Slates 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 Ihe 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 necessarj' aistagouism be-
tween the people and corporation, and the com-
mon interests of both demmd a speedy restora-
tion of former friendly relations through just
legislation on iMic side, and a cheerful submis-
sion thereto on the other.
11. Rights of capital and labor arc equally
sacred, aud 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.
uational 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-resulated 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 :
Whbkeas, 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 peuple 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 i>olitioal action.
3 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
relics of barbarism; has produced the lowest and
most degraded foi m 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 eflectsof intoxicating
liquors, and the right to use all lawful and
laudiable means to defend themselves and their
neighbors against the traffic as a beverage within
our State.
4. That governments are insiituted 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 n hich 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
a political 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, ought
to be allowed to say by their votes, what laws
shall he 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, Uep 121,546
D. P. Stubbs, Gr 38,228
John P. Irish Dem 7U,3o3
Elias Jessup, Temp 10,639
Gear had a majority over Irish of 23,193,
but the combined opposition vote was
greater by 674.
In 1878 the Greenbackers held the first
State convention, assembling at Des
Moines April 10th, and nominated for
Secretary of State, E. M. Farnsworth;
i) >y
^1.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Treasurer, M. L. Devlin; Auditor, G. V.
Swearenger; Treasurer, M. Farrington;
Altoriiey-General, General C. H. Jackson;
Jiidgeof SupreraeCourt, J G. Knapi>; Cleik
of Supreme Court, Alex. Runyoii; Reporter
Supreme Court, Geo. VV. Rutherford. They
adopted the following platform:
Whereas, ThrougUout our entire couniry the
value o.f real estate is depreciated, iuduslry para-
lizcd, inide depressed, business income and
w^.gLS reduced, unparalleled distress inflicted
upon the pooler and middle ranks of our people,
the land filled with fraud, embezzlement, hank-
rupcy, crime, suffering, pauperism, and starva-
tion; and
Whekeas, This state of things has been
brought about by legislation in the interest of
and dictated by money lenders, bankers, and
bondholders; and,
Whekbas, The limiting of the legal tender
quality of greenbacks, the changing of currency
bimds into coin bonds, the demonetizing of the
bilver dollar, the exempting of bonds from taxa-
tion, the contraction of the circulaiing 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 uncondilional repeal of
the specie resumption act of January 14th, 187.5,
and the abandonment of the present suicidal and
destructive policy of contraction.
2. We demand the abolition of national
banks 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 remoiictization of the
silver dollar, niMkini; it a full legal tender for
thepaynientof all coin b mds of the government,
and for all other debts, public and private, and
that the coinage of silver shall be placed on the
Same looting as that of the gold.
4. Congress shall itrovide said money ade-
quate to the full employment of labor, the equit-
able di»lributi(in 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 harmmize all
difterences in regard to tariff and federal taxa-
tion, distribute equitably the joint earnings of
capital and labor, secure to the producers of
wealth the results of their labor and skill, mus-
ter out of servii e the vast army of idlers, who,
under the existing system, grow rich upon the
earnings of others, that every man s-nd womm
may, by their own efforts, secure a competence,
so that the overgrown f'^/rluues and extreme
poverti' 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 pioperty 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 W^est, 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, thert-
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 ofBrers, in-
HISTORY OF IOWA.
203
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 7tL, and nominated the following
ticket . Secretary of State, T. O. Walker;
Auditor, t'ol. 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, cougnitulate the country upon the
restoriition 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 favurof a tariff for revenue only; honest
and economical home rule; the supremacy of
civil over military power; the separation of the
church and Stale; 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 mouopolits, uf unequal ta.xalion, of
exemptions of class, and of a remorseless con-
traclion 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
Stales 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 punished in accordance with law, wherever
found.
9 The management of our State institutions
by Republican officials has been and is lotori-
oiislj' 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 tht 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
«<^ a
HISTORY OF IOWA.
ticket: Secretary of State, Capt. John
A. T. Hull; Auditor, Maj. Buren K.
Siierinan; 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 be secured at home and
abroad, and the common welfare promoted.
Any fiiilure on the part of either the national or
State governments to use every possible consti-
tutional power to affird ample protection to
their citizens, both at home and abroad, is a
neglect of their liighest duty.
2. Against the assaults of traitors and rebels,
the Republican party has preserved these gov-
ernments, and tht'y 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 jiowcrs
from the consent of the governed," which con-
sent is evinced by a majority of the lawful
suffrages of the citizens.determined in pursuance
of law; and in order that this end may be justly
and f ullj- reached, the Republican party of Iowa
demands that every qualified elector in every
State, North and South, Democrat or Republi-
can, while or black, shall be permitted, un lis-
lurlied by force and unawed by fear, to vote at
all elections at the jilace prescribed by law, and
nouhere 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 are
Republican by a large majority, and that they
arc cow in the hands of the Democratic party,
sole'y through force, fraud, intimidation, and
failure to enforce the principles herein set
forth.
3. The pel manent pacification of the southern
section of the Union, and the complete protec-
tion of all its citizens in all their civil, political,
peisonal and property rights, is a duty to which
the Republican ))arty stands sacredly pledged.
In Older to redeem this pledge, it placed the
recent amendments in the constitution of the
United Slates, 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 Slates all
citizens who oppose the Democratic party and
are not natives of said Slates, and ir. obedience
to the spirit to which every man from the north,
of republican sentiments, is termed a "cariiel-
bagger," is hereby denounced as the worst jdiase
of State rii-'bts yet developed, and we demand
for tlie people of Iowa absolute freedom to go
whithersoever they may please within the limits
of the nation, to utter llieir sentiments by speech
or by press upon all subjects touching their
interests, and all matters of public concern.
5. That the armed conHicl between the
traitors and the rebels who sought to destroy the
republic, and the patriots «lio defended it, was
more than a Ui; 1 of jihysical 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 c^.ampion of a
true civilization, the promoter of good govern-
ment, and in whose ranks patriots maicbed
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 party
from any other standpoint, manifests incapacity
HISTORY OF IOWA.
205
to understand palpable facts, and will be obei-
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 gre;it fact that the war "turned out as it
did;" and discredit, in like degree, attaches to
the traitors and rebels u ho fought to destroy the
nation. Whoever fails to appreciate these facts,
is derelict in the duty he owes to the parly.
7 That the Republican party is the party of
order as opposed to all lawlessness in whatever
quartei' 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
resulls. It has brought specie and paper iiracli-
cally together mouths before the dale li.\ed by
law for l.'.e resumption of specie payment by
the goverv.uient; ii. has given to all classes mouej'
of the same value; it has placed our nation on
an equal footiug with the other great natious of
the world in tdl matters of finaucial concern; it
has promoted the refutiding of the national debt
at a low rate of interest; it has maiutaiued the
national ci edit; and auy change in this policy
which tends to obstruct it in its worli of restor
ing specie payment, whereby paper currency
becomes absolutely as valuable as gold and
silver stand ird coin; of revivmg business, pro-
moling 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 Congiess,
for payment of hundreds of millions of dollars
of rebel war claims, is an unpaialleled 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
leveuue.
11. In the matter of the faithful admiuistra
tion of the iiublic funds, the Republican parly
challenges tlie closest scrutiny, and invites com-
parison with any and all other agencies in pub
lie or private affairs. Notwithstanding the vast
sums, amounting to thousands of millious of
dollars, collected and distributed by Republican
adminislration, the percentage of lof^s is less
than can be shown by any other political parly
that has ever been entiusted with the control of
pniilic affairs, or by individuals in their own
ju'lvate business. This shows that the charge
of corruption made against the Republican
party is as grouudlessly 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 efl'orts
not founded on the constitution and the existing
laws to displace the present possessor of said
title, and it is a source of sincere cougratulati m
that the firm attitude assumed by the Republi-
can party of the country in this regard forced a
majority of the House of Representalives to
disavow the leal but covert purposes of the so-
called Potter investigation.
13. That the eflolrs of the Democratic party in
Congress to cripple and render ineflicient the
army and navy of the United Slates 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 to 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. Thai person^ tt-mperance is a must 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, sj-mpathy, and approval.
16. That we demand the most rigid economy
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 economy
and retrenchment, we heartly 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 < fficienl discharge
of duty by all <ifficers, whtlher federal. State,
county oi; municipal, and requires a full, fair,
and impartial and searching investigation into
the oflicial conduct of all officials and the busi-
ness of all officers, without regard to party or
personal association, and whenever or wherever
fraud and dishonesty are discovered, the Repub-
licans of Iowa demand the prompt puuishment
of the guilty parlies. "Let no guilty man es-
cape."
A fusion tifiket, composed of Green-
backers and Democrats, was agreed on
Sei'teraber 29lh, as follows : Secretary of
State, E. M. Farnsworth (Greenb3c'.<er);
Auditor, Jos. Eiboeck (Democrat); Treas-
urer, M L Devin (Greenbackei); Register
of Land Office, M. Farrington (Green-
backer); Judge of Supreme Court, Joseph
C. Kiiapp (Democrat); Attorney-General,
John Gibbons (Democrat); Clerk of Su-
preme Court, Alex. Runyon (Greeuback-
er); Reporter of Supreme Court, John B.
Elliott (Democrat). On Secretary of State
the vote was as follows :
J. A. T. Hull. Rep 134.544
E. M. Furnsworlh, Fusion 125,087
T.O.Walker, Dem 1,302
Hull, overall 8,0.55
The Democrats held a convention Hay
21, 1879, at Council Bluffs, and nominated
the following State ticket: Governor, H.
II. 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
tlie 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 restr.iined to their respi c-
tive spheies, and to the exercise only of the
poweis granted and reserved by the constitution.
3. That the policy of the Republican party,
by which it inflates the importance of the States
when neces.-aiy 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 governuient, and it against the Stales 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 balU]t, 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 and domestic
enemies, by vetqing appropriations for the pay
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
207
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-
olflliouary fatheis revolted, and we ask all lovers
of liberty to join us and them in a protest ag.unst
the change iu our form of goveinmeut proposed
by the Republican party, which will substitute
the will of oue 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 Uuited States issue the money for the people;
and, further, that we favor a reduction of the
bonded debt of the Uuited 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 Stales treasury, the
same to be legal tender for all purposes.
10. That we favor a tarifiE for revenue only.
11. That we aie in favor of economy in pub-
He expenditures, including reduction of salaries
local and general wherever they may be deemed
excessive; and also a reduction in the number of
officials.
12. That the Democratic party of Iowa is de-
sirous of promoting temperance, and, being op-
posed to free whisky, it is in fav >rof a judicious
license law.
18. 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 offlce.
A Temperance convention was held at
Cedar Ripids .June 16th, and adopted the
following platform :
Reaoloed, 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 relics of barbarism; that it lias
always been the moving cause of crime, and is,
therefore, subversive of our republican form of
government, and should be overthrown.
3. 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
sons, be allowed to 8ay,iby 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 tire Slate 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 action 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
"* ^^
'I
ik.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
as follows: Litulenaiii-Governor, Fiank
T. Campbell; Judge of the Supreme Court,
J. M. Beck; Supt. of Public Instruction,
J. A. Nash.
The Greenbackera 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 tlieieof, who have an equal and
unquestioiiiible right to express that will as to
them St ems best adapted to secure the peace,
perpetuate the liberty, and promote the pros
perity of each individual, as well as to enhance
and 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 paralyzatioa; and,
Wheukas, These grievances have been greatly
augiimeuled by limiting the legal-tender quality
of the greenbacks; by loaning the credit of the
government to national bank corporations; by
changing liovernmenl bonds into coin bonds,
and making the same exclusively payable in
gold, by the conversion of a non-interest bearing
cireuliiling medium into an interest bearing
government debt; by defrauding labor of empl>y-
ment; by ihe ruinous shrinkage in the value of
property; by the depression of busintss;b3' the
willful restrictions phiced upon the remanetizn-
tion 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 ciime, and
providing punishment therefor; by the criminal
waste of the public domain, through enormous
grants of land to rai'road corporations; by
oppressive taxation; by high rates of interest for
the use of money; by exorbitant salaries and fees
to i)ublic officers; by official Corruption in the
administration of public affairs; and,
Wheheas, a moneyed despotism has grown
up in our land out of this state of att'airs, which
eon 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 peojile, thus enabling the money
power to carry on its schemes of public plunder,
under and by which colossal foriuues 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; ihcrefore, we, the representatives of the
Union Greenback Labor Parly of Iowa, adopt
the following as our platform of princip'es:
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.
3. 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 thearreamges 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 »ve view with grave ajjprehension
the continued oppression of the people by cor-
porate powers; and while we execrate the inhu-
man treaiment of 4he Union soldiers in prison
^S
i> "v
-^
HISTORY OF IOWA.
pena 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 agdnst
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 n the Union to vote accord-
ing to their conscientious convictions, and to
have that vole 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 l)y 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 officeholders 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 thereon 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
lien, 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 percent, per annum, 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
fiei^ht
13. 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 Greenb ick 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 parlies.
The Republicans assembled at Des
Moines, June 11, and nominated the fol-
lowing ticket: Governor, John H. Gear;
Lieutenant-Govenior, Frank T. Camjibell;
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
Ibis, 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.
hiid alone llirough the administration of public
aflairs in the several departments of the govern-
ment by the Republican party.
3. We denounce the attempt of the Demo-
cratic parly 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
Congress, and by President Hayes in his veto
messages, is accorded our profound commenda-
tion.
4. That we approve of 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 iutcrest-
beariug debt upon the people, which, in August,
1805, reached its highest point, and ihen
amounted to |2,S81,580,294.96, 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 $,583,880,594.96, 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
Republicau 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. Concirniug 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 pr.ihibition.
The vote on Governor was as follows :
John H. Gear, Rep 1.57,571
H. H. Trimble, Dem 85,056
FT, Campbell, Gr 45,433
D. R. Dungan, Temp 3,258
Gear, over all 23,838
The campaign of 1 880 was an exciting
one. James A. Garfield was the Repub-
lican candidate for the Presidency; Win-
field S. Hancock, the Democratic; J^.mes
B. Weaver, the Greenback; Neal Dow, the
Prohibition. The Republicans of Iowa
were first in tbe 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. Ijucas; 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 for
^r
HISTORY OF IOWA.
211
ability, purity and experience in public nfEairs,
and adhesion to Republic;m princij les. for Pres-
ident and Vice-President of the United States,
by the National Kepublicaa 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 ottice 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 otlier 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 Greenback 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
loAva, decide, as our first broad principle of
faith, that that which is created is subservient
to the power that created it.
Besulted, 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 debis, 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
amount 1782,000,000, 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 paj-able 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
Chinese 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 by
President 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.
;if-
HISTORY OF IOWA.
10. That we will continue to ngitate the sub-
ject of reform in this State, until official salaries
shall bear a just proportion to the incomes of
the people who pay them.
11. That the last legislature of our State, in
failing to pass the innocent purchaser bill, the
bill to re "uce court expenses, the bill to protect
the destruction of sheep from the ravages of
clogs, 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 ought 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
Party, know no North, no South, no East, no
West.
15. T!iat 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 party adopted at Cincinnati, and pledge
our earnest eS'orts 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
pure and more thoroughly careful admistration
of national i.ffairs.
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 on Secretary of State stood as
follows:
J. A. T. Hull, Rep 181.166
A B. Keith. Dem 10.5,760
G. M. Walker, Gr 8^',780
Scattering 422
Hull over all 4.5,204
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-alBrm 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 laws, and
the proposed prohibitory amendment to the
constitution in all it steps and stages as the most
offensive form of sumptuary regulation.
8. That the great agricultural and producini;
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 Mississi|ipi 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 spectaclie of Republican factions dis-
â– ^r^
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 oificial 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 constitulionai power to be maintained
by the people for the common benefit. We de-
mand the abolition of all banks of issue, and
the substitulion of full legal tender greenbacks
in lieu of their notes.
2. We ojipose 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 waterways, 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 comjianies 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 afEecting 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
jjs
214
HISTORY OF IOWA.
of slavery and iiolygam^-, aud 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 detennin-
ation to abolish all inequulities 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 (he 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
Re])ubUcan 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 pievail in the nation, and
ample protection be afforded toils 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. AVe congratulate this country upon the
election of James A. Garfield, and the national
admiustration 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.
3. 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 and judicious improve-
meutof the magnificent water-ways which nature
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 subjectof 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-called 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 maiutained, 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
iimendment, regardless of party affiliations, and
with perfect freedom from all party restraint
and influences.
CHAPTER XI,
TERRITORIAI, AND STATE OFFICERS — A RETROSPECT.
In the limited space of this State his-
tory, slsetches 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 Stillraan had before him a "Warrior
tred;" 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
HlSrOIiY OF IOWA.
skillful military stratagems known to
modern times.
Stillraan, 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
Hawk 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 kuowu
as the "Black Hawk Purchase." This
war had its important effect;* in the his-
tory of the Great West; it brought into
notice the rich valley of the R' ck 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
Stale of Missouri, etc.; thus, you see, in-
cluding within the bounds of Wisconsin
all the lands and territoiy which now
compose the great • Slates of Iowa and
Minnesota. It was soon evident that this
atrangement could not last long; Young
America had crossed the Mississippi, and
had left a natural boundary behind him;
stretching his eyes three hundred miles
^i
HISTORY OF IOWA.
217
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 OB 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 eflFect from and
after the 3d day of July of that year, with
all the requisites of a. separate and inde-
jiendent exis'.ence.
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
romantic adventures, hair-breadth escapes,
and bold and daring encounters. He had
seen the Great Wost 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
moat 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 otKce
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 ofKce 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
- a
218
HISTORY OF IOWA.
tbe 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 bad he time to look around
him and gather information, in his new
field of labor, before he found himself
involved in another que.stion of boundry,
between Iowa and the State of Missouri.
Missouri had set up a claim to a strip of
ccHiiitry 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. Roggs, of
Missouri, had also called on his State for
assistance, and he, too, was on his march
with a desptrate 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"
"Till of the bloody fray "
"When the Ilawkeyes 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 asj)ect 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 tbem 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, abrightaiid happy fu'ure
is still before them. The Governor was an
old man, and, as they thought, tinctured
somewhat with "Foggyism," 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, thpt 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 profliigates.
In retaliation for these acts on the part of
the Governor, the legislature appointed a
committee, consisting of James W. Grimes,
since United States Senator, Chauncy Swan>
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
autliority 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 Bloomiugtoa 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 firct 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 aquaiutance 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.
V
^j 2_
220
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
pagi'S of Iowa's history, when statues of
marble and brass, shall have crumbled into
dust.
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 "Jack on 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-
^
;r§^
HISTORY OF IOWA.
t>^.
rected its whole legislation; they had
carved and cut every act to suit theui-
selves. 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 p>robability 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 hj those
who owned the largest shares in the com-
pany, to bring about a revolulion,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 pnough 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 <Frong, 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 Sao and Fox Indians, and
had succeeded in making a purchase of
all their lauds 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
British 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
lime the Territory had received a large
addition to her population.
The fi-ieuds 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 convenl'.o;i,
consisting of seventy members, asseni'i'eil
at Iowa City on the first Monday in Oo'.o-
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 bad,
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 of
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 legisln.iure had wisely provided, at
the session which provided for a conven-
tion, tbnt in the event the constitution
should be defeated, there should be an
election for members of the legislature in
HISTORY OF IOWA.
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, 8hepard
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 public career of John
Chambers, second Governor of Iowa. A
short time after his rempval by Mr. Pulk,
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 ia concerned, I can
truly say with Burns:
"An honest man now lies at rest,
One who ou earth was truly blest;
If there's another world, he lies in bliss,
And if there's uoue, he's made the beat of this."
Jambs Clares.
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
^j]'' *>
224
HISTORY OF IOWA.
crossing the "Laurel Hills" of his own
State. Behind him 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 Fcenes 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.
He 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 appuinted,
by Mr. Van Buren, Secretarv of the Terri-
tory, which ofhce 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 â–
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 lime 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 offiue 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 wliole 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
>^.
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, 1845. His message to the legislature
after its organization is a model of style
and clearness.
He set forth the importance of an 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 had 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 immftdiately 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 spac^ 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 Uriggs, of Jackson county
was elected Governor of the State.
;i^
226
HISTORY OF IOWA.
This proclamation was the last public
act of James Clarke, for as soon as the new
Governor was quulitied, he turned over to
him all the archives of his oflice, and
returned once more to the printing office,
Again be 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.
He appeared at the capitol at the first
session of the State legislature under the
new constitution, to which body he deli-
vered an affecting and iiteresting 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 itj 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
other. 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 onb
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.
.•^
S> V, --
J 01
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®1
HISTORY
OF IOWA. 227
r
He was married to a sister of General
Othkb Territorial Officebs.
Dodge, and this fact beiug known at the
ikcretariea.
time of his appointment as Governor, drew
Wm. B. Conway; 1838, died 1839.
upon the Dodge family the title of the
James Claik, 1839-41
"Royal Family." But whatever might
have been said in this respect, the appoiutr
ment was due to Mr. Clarke, nor could it
0. H. W. Stull, 1841-3.
Samuel J. Burr, 1843-5.
Jesse Williams, 1845.
have been bestowed upon a better man, or
Auditur$.
OKe moi-e competent to fill it.
Jesse Williams, 1840-43.
He was the third and last Territorial
Governor of Iowa, and, like the other two
William L. Gilbert, 1843-45.
Robert M. Secrest, 1845.
who preceded him, as soon as he had passed
Treaaurert.
the office into the hands of his successor,
Thornton Baylie, 1889-40.
he gently and calmly laid down and died.
Morgan Reno, 1840.
He was a tall, slender man, of* a mild and
Judges.
Charles Mason, Chief Justice, 1838.
Joseph Williams, 1838,
amiable disposition, and had quite a femi-
nine look. He left a family behind to
mourn his sad loss. His history is without
Thomas S. Wilson, 1838.
a stain or reproach, and throughout his
whole life no man ever imputed ought
against his character as a man and a citi-
Presidents of GouneiL
Jesse B. Brown, 1838-9.
Stephen Hempstead, 183&-40.
zen.
M. Bainridge, 1840-1.
J. W. Parker, 1841-3.
John D. Elbert, 1843-3.
I have thus given yon a few random
Thomas Cox, 1843-4.
sketches of the three Territorial Governors
8. Clinton Hasting, 1845.
of Iowa, together with a few of the prin-
Stephen Hempstead, 1845-d.
cipal events in the history of Iowa, con-
Speakers of the Houss,
nected with their administration.
William H. Wallace, 1838-9.
Most of the incidents contained in these
Edward Johnson. 1839-40.
sketches I have given from memory alone,
Thomas Cox, 1840-1.
having been myself an eye-wituess of, and
personally cogn^zant of many of the facts.
By these sketches you not only see the
Warner Lewis, 1841-3.
James M. Morgan, 1843-a
James P. Carleton, 1843-4.
James M. Morgan, 1845.
character and noble traits of the three
George W. McLeary, 1845-fl.
good and wise men, but you see that under
thuir 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
State Officers.
Oover7u»-s,
Ansel Briggs, 1846-50.
Stephen Hempstead, 1850-64.
James W. Grimes, 1854-58.
It
J
the savage.
Ralph P. Lowe, 1838-00.
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228 HISTORY
OF IOWA.
Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1860-R4,
John W. Jones, 18.59-63.
William M. Stone, 1864-68.
William H. Holmes, 1863-67.
Samuel Morrill, 1868-72.
Samuel E. Rankin. 1867-73.
Cyrus C. Carpcnti-r, 1873-76.
William Christy, 187:3-77.
Samuel J. Kirkwuod, 1876-77.
George- W. Bl-uus, 1877-81.
J. Q. NcWbokl, 1877-78.
Edwiu n. Conger, 1881.
John H. Gear, 1878-83.
Buren R. SheimaD, 1883.
Attorney- Oenfr^t.
David C. Cloud, 1853-.56.
Lieuienn nt- Oooernor*.
Samuel A. Rice, 1856-60.
Oran Faville, 1858-60.
Charles C. Nuurse. 1860-64.
Nicholas J. Rusch, 1860-63.
Isaac L. Allen, 186.>'r,.
John R Needham. 1863-64.
Frederick E. Bissell. 1866-07.
Enoch W. Eastman, 1864-66.
Henry O'Connor, lS-;r-72.
Benjamin F. Oup, 1866-68.
Marcena E. Cults, 1873-76.
John Scott, 181)8-70.
John F. McJunkin, 1877-81.
M. M. Walden, 1870-73.
Smith McPherson, 1881.
H C. Bulls, 1873-74.
•
Joseph Dysart, 1874-76.
Adjutant- Oemralt.
Joshua G. Newbold, 1876-78.
Daniel S. Lee, 1851-55.
Frank T. Campbell, 1878-83.
George W. McLeary, 1855-57.
Orlando H. Manning, 1883.
Elijah Sells, 18.57.
.
This office was created by the new constitu-
Jesse Bowen,' 1857-61
tion, September 8, 1859.
Nathaniel Baker, 1861-77.
Secretaries of StaU.
John H. Luby, 1877-78.
W. L. Alexander, 1878.
Elisha Cutter, Jr., 184G-48.
Joseph H. Bonney, 1848-50.
Registers of the State Land Ojiet
George W, McClcary, 1850-56.
Anison Hart, 1855-57.
Elijah Sells, 1856-63.
Theodore s. Parvin, 1857-59.
James Wright, 1863-67.
Amos B. Jliller, 1859-63.
Ed. Wright, 1867-73.
Edwin Mitchell, 1863-63.
Josiah T. Young, 1873-79.
Josiah A. Harvey, 1863-67.
J. A. T Hull, 1869.
Cyrus C. Carpenter, 1867-71.
Auditors of Siati.
Joseph T. Fales, 1846-50.
William Pattee, 18.".0-^4.
Aaron Brown, 1871-75.
David Secor, 1875-79.
J. K. Powers, 1879.
Andrew J. Stephens, 1855-59.
Jonathan W. Catlell, 1859-65.
Superintendents of Publie Instruction.
John A. Elliott, 186.5-71.
John Russell, 1871-75.
Rueu R. Sherman, 1S75-81.
William V. Lucas, 1881.
James Harlan, 1847-18.
Thos. H. Benton, Jr., 1848^54.
James D. Eads, 1851-57.
Joseph C. Stone, 1857.
Malurin L. Fisher, 1857-53.
Treasurers of Stat*.
Oran F.iville, 1864-67.
Morgan Reno. 1846-50.
1). Franklin Wells, 1867-63.
J
Israel Ki.^ler, 18.J0-53.
A. S. Kissell. 1868-73.
\
Martin L. Morris, 1853-59.
Alonzo Abcrnelhy, 1873-76.
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HISTORY
OF IOWA. 229
Curl W. Van Coelen, 1876-83.
James Grant, 1853-54.
John W. Akers, 1883.
Reuben Noble, 1854-.56.
This office was created in 1847 and abolished
Samuel McFarland, 1856-57.
in 1858, and the duties then developed upon Ihe
Stephen B. Shekdy, 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, lf6.')-67.
Garrett D. Palmer and Gecro Paul, 1849-51
John Russell, 1867-69.
WilliKmH. Mcnitt, 1851-5B.
Aylctt R Cotton, 1869-71.
William A. Horuish, 1853.
James Wilson, 1871-73.
Den. A. AliUouey and Jos. B. Dorr, 1853-55.
John H. Gear, 1873-77.
Peter Moriarty, 18.i5-5T.
John Y. Stoue, 1877-79.
John Teesdale, 1857-61.
Lore Alford, 1880-81.
Fruuci-s W. Palmer, 1861-69.
G. R. Struble, 1883.
Frank M. Mills, 1861J-71.
G. W. Edwards, 1871-73.
Chief Justices of ihe Supreme Court.
Rich. P. Clarkson, 1873-79. •
Charles Mason, 1847.
Frank M. Mills, 1879.
Joseph Williams, 1847-48.
S. Clinton Hastings. 1848-49.
State Bindert,
Joseph Williams, 1849-.jr>.
William M. Coles, 1855-58.
George G. Wright, 1855-60.
Frank M. Mills, 1858-67.
Ralph P. Lowe, 1860-63.
James 8. Carter, 1867-71.
Caleb Baldwin, 1863-64.
J. J. Smart, 1871-75.
George 0. Wright, 1864-66.
H. A Perkins, 1875-79.
Ralph T. Lowe, 1866-08.
Matt. Parrott, 1879.
John F. Dillon, 1868-70.
Chester C. Cole, 1870-71.
Secretaries of Board of Education.
James G. Day, 1871-73.
Joseph M. Beck, 1873-74.
T. H. Biuton, jr , 1859-63.
W. E Miller, 1874-76.
Oraii Faville, 1863-64.
Chester C. Cole, 1870.
This office waa abolished March 23, 1864.
William H. Seevers, 1876-77.
Presidents of the Senate.
Jame^ G. Day, 1877-78
James H. Rothrock, 1878-79.
Thomas Baker, 1846-47.
Thomas Hughes, 1847-18.
Joseph M. Beck, 1879-80.
Austin Adams, 1880-83. â–
John J Selman, 1848-49.
William H. Seevers, 1883.
Enos L'lwe, 1849-51.
W. E. Leffingwell, 1851-.53.
Associate Justieet.
Malurin L. Fisher, 18.53-55.
Joseph Williams, held over from territorial
W. W. Ham 11 ion, 1855-57.
government until a successor waa appointed.
Under the new constitution the Lieut.-Gover-
Thomas S. Wilson, 1847.
nor is President of the Senate.
John F. Kinney, 1817-54.
George Greene, 1847-55.
Speakers of the Boute.
Jonathan C. Hall, 18.54-55.
Jesse B. Brown. 1846-48.
William G. Woodward, 1S55.
J
Smiley H. Bonham, 1818-50.
Norman W. Isbell, 1855-57.
L
e)
George Temple, ISJO-o',',
Lacon D. Stockton, 1856-60.
I9 ^
V^
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"^ e
^t
4;
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Caleb Baldwin, 1860-64.
Ralph P. Lowe, 1860.
George G. Wright, 1880.
John F. Dillion, 1864-70.
Chester C. Cole, 1864-77.
Joseph M. Beck, 1868.
W. E. Miller, 1870.
James Q. Day, 1870.
United States Senator*.
Augustus C Dodge, 1 84^-55.
George W. Jones, 1848-59.
James B. Howell, 1870.
George Q. Wright, 1871-77.
James Harlan, 183-65.
James W. Grimes, 1859-69.
Bamuel J. Kirkwood, 1868.
James Harlan, 1867-7.3.
William B. Allison, 1873-79.
Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1877-81,
William B. Allison. 1879.
James W. McDiil. 1881.
Members op House of Reprkskhtativks.
1846-47— S.Clinton Hastings, Shepherd LeflSer.
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 Price, Wm.
B. Allison, J. B. Qrinnell, John A. Kasson,
Asahel W. Hubbard.
186^-67— James F Wilson, Hiram Price, Wil-
liam B. Allison, Josiah B. GrinncU, John A.
Kasson, Asahel W. Hubbard.
1867-69— James F. Wilson, Hiram Price, Wil-
liam B. Allison, William Lougbbridge, Grenville
M. Dodge, Asahel W. Hubbard.
1869-71— George W. >l<;Crary, William Smyth
(died September 80, 1870, and succeeded by
Wm. P. Wolf), William B. Allison, William
Louglibridge, Frank W. Palmer, Charles Pome-
roy.
1871-73— Geo. W. McCrary, Aylett R. Cotton,
W. G. Donn.in, Madison M. Walden, Frank W.
Palmer, Jackson Orr.
1873-75— Geo. W. McCrary, Aylett R. Cotton,
W. G. 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.
McDill, Addison Oliver.
1877-79— J. C. Stone, Hiram Price, T. W. Bur-
dick, N. C. Deering, Rush Clark, E. 8. Samp-
son, H. J. B. Cummings, W. F. Sapp, Addison
Oliver.
1879-81— Moses A. McCoid, Hiram Price,
Thomas UpdegrafiT, N. C. Deering, Rush Clark
(died in May, 1878, and succeeded by Wm. G.
Thompson), J. B. Weaver, E. H. Gilletle, W. F.
Sapp, Cyrus C. Carpenter.
1881-83— M. A. McCoid, S. 8 F.irwell, TUos.
Updegraff, N. C. Deering, W. G. Thompson,
M. E. Cutts, John A. Kasson, W. P. Hepburn,
C. C. Carpenter.
Present State Ofticerb.
Oovernnr, Buren R. Shennan.
Secretiiry, John A. T. Hull.
Vepiiti/ Seeretiiry, Wm. T. Hammond.
Auditor, Wm. V. Lucas.
Jiep'ity Auditor, Rufus L. Chase.
Book keeper. L. E. Ayies.
Treasurer, Edwin U. Conger.
Deputy Treo surer, C. R. Chase.
Jiejistrr Lnnil-office, Jas. K. Power*.
JJeputy Register, John M. Davis.
Sup't Pub. Inat , John W. Akers.
Printer, Frank M Mills.
Binder, Mat. Parrott.
Adjutant Genernl, \\. L. Alexander.
Superaitendent Weights arid Measwet, Prof.
N. R. Leonard.
Librarian, Mrs. 8. B. Maxwell.
Assistant Librarian, Jessie Maxwell.
StrpRKHE Court.
Chief Justice— Wm. H. See vers, Oskaloosa.
Jitdy**- James G. Day, Sidney.
James H Kotlirock, Tipton.
Jo.seph M Bick, Fort Jladison.
Austin Adams, Dubmiiie.
AlCy Gen.— Smith McPherson. Red Oak.
Clerk— E. .1. Homes. Des Moines.
licporter—ioha S. Qunuells, Des Moines.
?[^
HISTORY
TAMA COUNTY,
lOAATJ^.
ih^
C H A PTER I
INTRODUCTORY.
AS the changes of less than lialf a cen-
tury are contemplated, one can scarcely
realize or comprehend that the wonderful
results of Time's marvel-working hand are
the achievements of a period so brief as
to be within the remembrance — almost —
of the present generation :
Let us turn back, as it were, the leaves
of Time's great book to but little more
than a (juarter of a century ago, and the
stranger would have gazed upon a land-
scape of wondrous beauty ; selected by
the Sioux and Dakotahs as their camping-
ground, with that singular appreciation of
the beautiful which nature has made an
instinct in the savage. These vast and
rolling prairies were as green then as
now ; the prairie flowers bloomed as thick-
ly, and diffused their fragrance as bounti-
fully. We are in the haunt of the red
man, with scarcely a trace of civilization,
while the freedom of bird and beast
reigns supreme. But, to-day, what a con-
trast ! 'Then, all was as nature had form-
ed it, with its variegated hues of vegeta-
tion ; in winteV, a dreary, snow-mantled
desert — in summer, a perfect paradise of
flowers. Now, all traces of the primitive
are obliterated ; in place of the tall prai-
rie grass and tangled underbrush, one be-
holds the rich, waving fields of golden
grain. In place of the dusky warrior's
rude cabins are the substantial, and often
elegant dwellings of the thrifty farmers,
and the " iron horse," swifter than the
nimble deer, treads the pathway so re-
cently the trail of the red man. Then, a
sickle of fire annually cut away the wild
herbage, and drove to its death the stag ;
now, it is the home of the cereals, and
nourishes on its broad bosom thousands of
tons of the staple products of the great
Hawkeye State. Then the storm drove
the wolf and stag to their hiding place;
- ^9
r
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
J±.
now, the blast drives the herd of the hus-
bandman to comfortable shelter. The
transtormation is complete.
In this volume it will be the aim of the
historian to record the progress of Tama
("ounty, from its earliest settlement to the
present time ; to show the changes that
from time to time have been made, and
how they were brought about, and to re-
cord the life work of individuals who have
been instrumental in effecting the change.
It will thus be seen to embrace events
which many will think insignificant.
" Great events find ready record," says
a well known writer, " but minor doings
are often neglected until they become so
obscured by the dust of time as to be for-
ever clouded. ^ et from such humble ori-
gin may spring the mightiest results! Tlie
1 istory of men's lives is often incomplete
through the negligence of those whose
duty it was to record the dates of births,
or deaths, or happenings, which have
proved epochs in the woi'ld's progress.
History is commonly regarded but the
doings of rulers, who have the world for
their theatre of operations, and the fate
of empires foi their subject. Such grave
performances are of necessity remember-
ed ; but, they are no more in themselves
worthy of preservation, than are the sim-
plier deeds of heroism which pioneers so
modestly participated in ; yet, when the
careful student seeks for the moving for-
ces which made thrones tremble, he is too
often rewarded but meagerly. The peo-
ple are seldom recorded in history. In
rare exceptions may be found a clearer
ray of light on humbler undertakings, but
they serve only to show the other failures
stronger by contrast. The Pilgrim
Fathers who survived the shock of
the first rude winter are recorded
in the sparse annals of New Eng-
land, and their descendants revert
with pride to those heroic ancestors ;
but the fifty pilgrims who died during
that bleak season are never spoken of by
name, though they are none the less wor-
thy of undying reverence. Again, had
some one more thoughtful than the rest
among John VNinthrop's band, which, two
and a half centuries ago set deep the
seeds of civilization on the rough shores
of Massachusetts, how invaluable would
that book now be to those who might pre-
pare a great work on Boston's history."
This is, indeed, true, and realizing the
fact, this work has been compiled. Thou-
sands of facts are herein recorded, and
individual sketches of hundreds of citi-
zens, living and dead, are here placed in
an enduring form. These men and women
are, or have been actors in the drama of
the settlement and development of Tama
county. By inserting these sketches, in
addition to other matter, is preserved not
oidy the recital of historic fact, but a suh-
current of individual deeds runs through
all, giving a realisin to the narrative
which could be imparted in no other way.
"^^
^IV
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
233
CHAPTER II
PHVSICA!. GEOGRAPHY OF TAMA COUNTY,
Novvliere in the great State of Iowa is
Tama county surpassed for its beautifuJ
scenery ; its rolling prairies interspersed
and diversified wiili natural and dunics
tic groves; its meandering streams and i1^
carpet of flowers and verdure. It al^c
ranks among the first -as to Agricultural
resources, and wealth, as it stands to-d:i;-.
Tama i-nunty citizens may well lie pro ,
of llicii' lionic.
LOCATION.
Tama county lies nearly in the center
of the State, being five counties from the
east, north, and south State lines and seven
from the west. It is bounded on the north
by Grundy and Black Hawk counties; on
the south by Poweshiek ; on the east by
â– Benton ; and on the west by Marshall and
Grundy counties. It comprises town-
ships 82 to 86, north, inclusive, of ranges
1-3 to 16 west inclusive, containing 720
square miles or 470,000 acres of land.
SUB-UIVI.SIONS.
Tama county is sub-divided into twenty-
one civil townships, each comprising a
full congressional township except two —
Tama and Toledo — which together make
one congressional township. These civil
townships are named as follows, com-
mencing with the north-east corner:
Geneseo, Buckingham, Grant, Lincoln,
Spring Creek, Crystal, Perry, Clark,
Oneida, Carroll, Howard, Carlton, Indian
Village, Toledo, Tama, Otter Creek, York,
Salt Creek, Richland, Columbia, and High-
land.
TOPOGRAPHY.
The county of Tama is one of the best
in the State for general agriculture and
stock-raising purposes. It is well watered
in almost every part, its principal stream
being the Iowa River, which enters the
county on section 6, township 83 north,
range 16 west (Indian Village township)
and pursues nearly a southeast course,
through Indian Village, Tama, Richland
and Salt Creek townships, emerging on
section 36, in the latter township. This
stream affords some tine water-power,
which has been utilized to some exient
an account of which will be found in the
township histories. Among the other
streams are Deer Creek, Wolf Creek,
Four Mile Creek, Twelve Mile Cresk, Otter
Creek, Salt Creek, and Richland Creek.
Deer Creek takes its rise in Marshall
county, entering Tama on section 30,
Spring Creek township, and pursuing a
southeasterly course, empties into the
Iowa River near Tama City. Wolf Creek
has two branches which rise in Grundy.
The two form a junction in the northern
vl^
r
^^ ^ — i^
±=fk*
HISTORY OF TAaiA COUNTY.
part of Spring Creuk township pursuing
a torturous course through the townships
of Spring Creek, Crystal, Perry, Buck-
ingham, and Geneseo, emerges from sec-
tion 24, in the latter township, and
finally empties into the Cedar River.
Four Mile Creek and Twelve Mile Creek
are tributaries of Wolf Creek, the for-
mer heading iu Lincoln township, and the
latter in Grant. One branch of Sal Creek
heads in Crystal and the other in Clark
township. The two form a junction on
section 34, Oneida township, and flowing
south empty into the Iowa River on sec-
tion 36, Salt Creek township. Otter Creek
heads in Carroll township, flows south-
east and empties into the Iowa River on
section 20, Salt Creek township. Rich-
land Creek heads in Highland township,
flows east through Highland, Columbia
and Richland townships, empties into the
Iowa River on section 13, in the latter
township. The various streams have
numerous triiutaries which help to swell
the whole and afford water for stock.
Timber is found along the banks of
various streams, but principally along the
Iowa river, where the timber belt ranges
from a few rods to three miles iu width.
Nearly one-seventh of the county may be
said to consist of timber lands including
oak " opening land." 'J he remainder of the
county is a beautiful rolling prairie, the
soil of which is what is usually denomina-
ted a black loam.
GKOLOGICAL.
In the year 1848 the Treasury Depart-
ment of 'he Government employed David
Dale Owen, of Indiana, to make a geolog-
ical survey of Wisconsin, Iowa and Min-
nesota. He soon after took the field in
person, and in 1852 the Governn ent pub-
lished his report in a large volume, accom-
panied with maps, all of which contains a
mass of highly valuable and interesting
matter. He was i he pioneer geologist of
the upper Mississippi Valley and his great
labor and work has formed the foundation
for all wlio have, or all who may, succec'cl
him.
By an act of the Legislature o'' Iowa
approved January 23, 1 855, the Governor
of Iowa, by the advice and consent of the
Senate was authorized to nominate a per-
son competent to make a geological sur-
vey of the State, and in accordance James
Hall, of New York, was appointed, and
during the years J 855-6-7, completed the
survey, and in 1858 the State published
his report in two volumes.
By another act of the Legislature of
Iowa, approved March, 30, 1806, Charjes
A. White, was appointed State Geologist
for two years, and he also proceeded to
make another geological survey of the
State, and his report was published in
18T0 in two volumes. This report also
contains much valuable and interesting
matter and is a valuable addition to that
of its predecessors.
Since then nothing has been done by the
State to acquire more knowledge either of
her mineral wealth, her palaeontology, or of
the remains of the silent pre-historic races
that lie entombed in her soil. The end and
aim of all these surveys, was to give a gen-
eral outline of the geology of the Slate,and
from the means and time to which they
were confined, it was impossible for them
to give an e-xtended local survey to each
county, therefore one must be content with
what is had from them, together with what
V
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
H^
observations and reports that have been
made by private parties. The following,
regardingthe geological formation of Tama
county has been taken from these various
reports:
In T^ma County neither coal or mineral
has been found in paying quantities, yet
coal exists and sandstone has been found
not only along the river banks, but in the
bluffs in the norihern part of the county.
Stone can be found in abundance in Carl-
ton and Spring Creek township, and in
Fifteen Mile and Si.\ Mile Groves, while
in the southwestern part of Indian Vil-
lage township can be found limited quan-
tities of stone. This stone is of peculiar
formation, and belongs to the subearbonif-
erous lime-stone of the lower series di-
vided into three classes. St. Louis lime-
stone, Keokuk or Kinderhook lime-stone
and upper and lower Burlington lime-
stone. The solidity and compactness of
the formation renders it susceptible of the
highest polish. The bedsaie some twelve
feet in thickness consisting of three layers
divided as follows:
First. Thin bedded sandy limestone
three feet; Second. Thin bedded volitic
limestone fourfeet; Third. Heavy bedded
irregular limestone, gray with bluish tinge,
s X feet ; and below this will be found thin
beds of carboniferous limestone, from 8
to JO feet.
The Keokuk or Kinderhook limestone
is composed largely of fine grained, yel-
lowish sandstone.
The Burlington limestone formation con-
sists of distinct calcareous divisions which
are separated by a series of silicious shale
and chert together .with nodular masses of
flint, the whole mixed with a smaller pro-
portion of calcarious matter. It affords
much valuable material for building pur-
poses, but which is confined, however, en-
tirely to its stone. It is seldom that it
affords anything suitable for ashlar, but
for the purpose of common masonry it is
excellent, as it endures e.\posure to the
atmosphere and frost without appreciable
change. Good lime can be made from it,
but the greater part of the lime is made
from the upper division, bei'ause it usu-
ally produces a whiter quality. The upper
division furnishes excellent quarry rock
wherevei it is exposed. The rock is also
strong and endures exposure well. The
color of some portions of this division is
so nearly white and its texture somewhat
crystaline, that the purer pieces resemble
marble. Although the area occupied by
the outcrops of this formation in the
county, is comparatively small, yet the
fossil remains which it presents are 6f the
most remarkable character and profusion.
The only remains of vertebrates which
the formation has afforded, are those of
fishes an ] sua Is which in some loca ities
are numerous.
The St. Louis limestone formation, as it
exists in Tama county consists of three
tolerably distinct sub-divisions, principally
dependent on lithological character. They
are magnesian, arena, ceous and calcarious.
The first and lowest consists of a series
of yellowish gray, more or less magnesian
and usually massive layers. The ,secoiid
is yellowish or light gray, friable sand-
stone. The third or upper division is
principally composed of light i;r;4\ com-
pact limestone, sometimes uniformly bed-
ded, but it often has a concretionary and
even a brecciated character. It furnishes
- 9
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
excellent material for quick lime even
when it is so concretionary and brecciat-
ed that it will not serve a good purpose
for building material, and is usually too
soft for any practical use. It contains a
great many fossils and is very attractive.
At Indiantown, in Tama county, the
sub-carboniferous formation appears, com-
mencing at the water level of the Iowa
River.
No. 1. Yellowish shaly fine grained, -0 feet
sandstone.
No. 2. Light gray volitic Iime,<tone, in heavy
layers, 15 feet.
No. .3 Soft irregularly bedded, mfltrnesian
limestone pa.ssing U|i into [lurer and more reg-
al .rly bedded linn stone, 40 feet.
The surface deposits to which the name
of drift is applied, has a far wider ilistri-
bulion than anj' o her surface deposit. It
meets the eye almost everywhere, cover-
ing the earth like a mantle and hiding the
stratified rocks from view, except where
they have been exposed by the removal of
the drift through the erasive action of
waters. It forms the soil and subsoil of the
greater part of the State, and in it alone
manyof our wells are dug and our forests
take root. Occasionally it is itself covered
by another deposit;as for example the bluflF
deposit, in which case, the latter forms the
soil and subsoil. The drift is composed of
clay, sand and gravel with boulders, pro-
miscuously intermixed, without stratifica-
tion or any other regular arrangement of
its material.
The clay drift, which is always present
in greater or less projxirtion, is always im-
pure; always finely distributed throughout
the whole deposit, but not unfrcquently ir-
regular masses of it are separated from
other materials. Its color is usually yel-
lowish from the peroxyd of iron it con-
tains, and which when it is burned into
bricks gives them a red color.
The sand of the unaltered drift is seldom
separated from the other materials in any
degree of purity, but it is not unfrcquent-
ly the case that it exists in excess of the
others; and in some cases small accumula-
tions or pockets of it are found, having a
considerable degree of purity wliile the
gravel is largely derived from rocks that
are more or less purely siliciv.ius, but occa-
sionally they are found to be of granite
composition.
So small a portion of Tama county is
occupied by the coal measures that it is
scarcely worth while to mention it, though
coal leposits have been found in the
northern part of the county, and it is imt
improbable that other discoveries *)f it
may yet be made in o;her portions.
In Indian Village township, bed iS'o. •_'
is well expose ^ and is extensively quarried
for lime. Near Le Grand, in the east ri)
part of Marshall county, only a few miles
west of Indiantown, No. .3 of the preced-
ing section is well exposed, showing a
thickness of about forty feet from the
lerel oi the river. No. 1 and 2 do not
appear, they having passed beneath its
surface by a western dip, aided by the
stream. The exposure here is composed
almost entirely of light brown or biifl:'
colored limestone, more or less magnesian,
and in some of the more calearious layers
a slight tendency to volitic structure is
seen. Some of the layers are cherty, but
a large part of it is quite free from silici-
ous matter.
The stone is largely quarried for various
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
purposes, and the finer layers, which fre-
quently have a beautiful veining of per-
oxyd of iron, are wrought into ornamental
and useful objects, and is known in the
market as " Iowa Marble." Several other
exposures of the Kinderhook beds are
owned in Tama and Marshall Counties,
one hj H. S. Dickson and one by David
Houghton. Those first mentioned are the
principal ones.
In this county the volitic member is
well exposed at several places where it is
quarried and used for the manufacture of
lime of excellent quality. It has been
proposed to manufacture this volitic stone
into table tops, mantles, etc., but although
it may be made to receive a fair polish and
its volitic structure gives it considerable
beauty, it is feared that the well known ten-
dency of ail volitic limestone to become
fragmentary will be found to render it
worthless for such purposes. However,
that near Montour and Indiantown prom-
ises to prove valuable for such uses.
CHAPTER III.
INDIAN OCCUPANCY.
Long before the advent of white man,
the entire State of Iowa, then called the
Beautiful Land, was occupied by Indian
tribes, chief among which were the Sacs
and Foxes. Both these tribes were at one
time powerful nations, and stood promi-
nent among the aborigines of America.
They were formerly two distinct nations,
and resided near the waters of the St.
Lawrence. By the Government they have
always been treated as one people, al-
though keeping up customs among them-
selves calculated to maintain a separate
nationality, and in their own government
they were separate. The Fox Indians
moved to the west, and settled in the vi-
cinity of Green Bay, on Lake Michigan,
but becoming involved in a war with the
French and neighboring tribes, were so
much reduced in number that they were
unable to sustain themselves against their
hoBtile neighbors. The Sac Indians had
been engaged in a war with the Iroquois,
or six nations, who occupied the country
which now comprises the State of New
York, and had become so weak that they
were forced to leave their old hunting
ground and move to the West. They
found the Fox tribe, their old neighbors,
like themselves, reduced in number by the
â–ºrr
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
â– 4-
havoc of war, and from a matter of neces-
sity, as well as sympathy, they united
their fortunes, and became in the sense of
association, one people. The date of their
removal from the St. Lawrence is not defi-
nitely known. Father Hennepin speaks
of the Fox Indians being at Green Bay,
then known as the Bay of Puants, in
1760. The date of their removal from
Green Bay is unknown, but gradually they
branched out, and occupied large tracts of
land in Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin. At
this time they were famous for their prow-
ess in war.
When the " Black Hawk purchase " was
made, a portion of this State was retained
by the Indians, consisting of four hun-
dred square miles, and known as â– ' Keo-
kuk's Reserve."
This reservation was along the Iowa
river, and therefore Tama county formed a
part of it.
In the early ]>art of the present century
— ill 1803, the first Council of the French
Republic ceded the Province of Louisi-
ana to the United States. At that time
tlie greater portion of the territory which
now constitutes Iowa was in the possess-
ion of the tribes of the Sacs and Fo.\es,
who were acting at that time as confeder-
ate tribes.
From this date the Indians ceded away
by treaty tract after tract of this the most
beautiful country the sun ever shown
upon, until to-day in this great State of
Iowa they hold only a few lumdred acres
of land in Tama county, and this only in
re-purchase from the white man.
In accord with the progressive and ag-
gressive spirit of the American people,
the G 'vernment of the United States
made the last treaty with the Sac and Fox
Indians in the fall of 1842, for the remain-
ing portion of their lands in Iowa. The
treaty provided that the Indians should
retain possession of all the lands thus ced-
ed until the autumn of 184.5. These lands
laid along the Iowa river, extending south-
easterly, and embraced the southeastern
part of the State. Their principal vil-
lage at this time was Ot-tum-wah-no,
where the city of Ottumwa now is. As
soon as it became known that the treaty
had been concluded there was a rush of
emigration to Iowa, and a great number of
temporary settlements were made near
the boundary of the Indian line, awaiting
the day set for the Indians removal. As
the day approached hundreds of families
encamped along the line, and their tents
and wagons gave the scene the appear-
ance of a military expedition, but the
United States military authorities had pre-
vented any settlement, or even the mark-
ing out of claims by any monument what-
ever. To aid them in marking out their
claims when the hour should arrive, the
settlers had placed piles of dry wood on
the rising ground at convenient distances,
and at a short time before twelve o'clock
of the night preceding the day set, these
were lighted, and when the midnight hour
arrived, it was announced by the discharge
of firearms. The night was dark, but this
army of occupation pressed forward, torch
in hand, with ax and hatchet, blazing lines
with all manner of curves and angles.
When daylight came and revealed the
confusion of these wonderful surveys, ma-
ny disputes arose, settled generally by
compromise, but sometimes by violence.
While this scene was transpiring the
-C «"
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Iht,
retreating Indian was enacting one, more
impressive and melancholy. The winter
following the treaty was one of unusual
â– severity, and the Indian Prophet, who had
disapproved of the treaty, attributed the
severity of the winter to the anger of the
Great Spirit because they had sold their
country. Many religious rites were per-
formed to atone for the crime. When the
time arrived for leaving Ottuniwa — where
they had gathered — a solemn silence per-
vaded the Indian camp ; the faces o£ their
stoutest men were bathed in tears, and
when their cavalcade was put in motion,
toward the setting sun, there was a spon-
taneous outburst of frantic grief.
The Sac and Fox Indians were then re-
moved to Kansas upon a reservation giv-
en them. In the years 1859-60 they ced-
ed to the Government that reservation,
and removed to the lands now occupied
by the original tribes, in Kansas. Three
hundred and seventeen Indians of the
Fox or Musquakie tribe, after their re-
moval, returned to Iowa and settled in Ta-
ma county. The Government permitted
them to remain, and by virtue of an act
passed March -2, 1867, they are permitted
to receive their share of the Tribal fund,
which is the interest only on the amount
due them from the Government for their
lands. This branch of the tribe began
buying the tract of land which they now
occupy as a reservation in Tama township,
Tama county, with their annuity, and now
own nearly 1400 acres. It cost 828,000,
and is held in common, about 200 acres be-
ing used for cultivation. Their personal
property is valued at ^20,000, mostly in
horses. The strongest local attachment
exists among them for their present home,
it being the home of their fathers. They
cannot forget the past with all its associ-
ations, and will never consent to remove
from their present jjlace. They have
from the earliest moment been friendly to
the whites, and while no very marked de-
gree of civilization has been attained, yet
they are a peaceful, honest, and contented
people, possessed of a good degree of
moral character, and have a brighter out-
look for the future.
As to the present condition of the In-
dians, the following, which is an extract
from the report by U. S. Agent Geo. L.
Davenport, in August, 1881, treats at
length :
"According to ihe census taken of this
tribe last winter, they number 91 men,
104 women, 77 girls and 83 boys. Popu-
lation in all -355.
" In the spring, the Indians, with the
assistance of the Agency farmer, plowed
160 acres of land, and planted it with
corn, beans, squash and potatoes. Their
crops were well cultivated and looked very
promising, when, in the early part of July,
heavy storms set in, which caused the Iowa
river to rise and overflow all the valley,
the water rising four and five feet over
their fields and village, destroying all
their crops and" doing great damage to
their fences ; and forcing the Indians to
move their families to the adjacent hills.
This calamity will cause great suffering to
their families unless they receive their
annuities, which they have all along re-
fused to do.
" Their principal chief, Man-ma-wah-ne-
kah, died in the early part of July. The
tribe are in mourning for his death. He
was very much beloved, and had great in-
— «
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
i^
titionce with them. He was tboroughly
Indian in his ideas and sentiments, and
was very much opposed to making any
progress in civilization,
"In a short time this tribe .will hold a
council with their people to determine
what they will do in regard to signing the
pay-roll and receiving their annuities,
wliichhave up to this time accumulated to
be quite a large sum. Last winter I ob-
tained the names and ages of all their peo-
ple, without their consent or assistance.
But the tribe* were quite displeased, and I
had to explain to them that I was obliged
to carry out the instructions received from
the department. I have informed them
that they can now receive their annuities
by the head of each family signing the
pay-rolls, and I believe they will do so in
a short time.
" These are a very good people. They
have behaved remarkably well during the
past year. Their conduct toward the white
people has been very friendly, honorable
and upright. Their women are modest
and chaste ; their children are brought up
strictly, and behave well. I have not
heard of a single instance of a quarrel or
disturbance of any kind during the past
year. The principal chief and council
have done all they could to suppress in-
temperance among them, and there have
been but few cases of drunkenness among
the young men during the past year, and
then it has been the fault of the white
man that gets the liquor for them.
" In regard to schools, the old Indian ele-
ment is very much opposed, and the chil-
dren are forbid attending. But the young
men make good progress in learning to
read and write, and many of them can
read and write in English. Quite a num-
ber of women have attended the industri-
al school, and have made very good prog-_
ress in making their garments and learn-
ing to do household work.
" Our teacher died in the early part of
the month, after a long illness. She had
accpiired a knowledge of the Indian lan-
guage, and was very much beloved by the
women and children. It will take some
time before we can overcome the preju-
dice the Indians have to regular schools.
It will require patience, perseverance and
kindness to succeed.
" The Secretary of the interior has kind-
ly allowed me to purchase implements, by
which I have been enabled to help the
working Indians to carry on their agricul-
tural work, and it has given them great
encouragement.
"The number of deaths during the
year has been ten, and the number of
births five.
" The school building used for the
agency is in good order and repair, and is
the only building belonging to the Gov-
ernment.
Very respectfully,
Geo. L. Davknpokt,
United States Indian Agent."
INDIAX AGENTS.
The first Indian Agent for this tribe
was Hon. Leander Clark, of Toledo. He
was appointed July 1, 1866, and served in
that capacity until July 10, 1809, when he
was succeeded by Lieut. F'rank D. Garret-
ty,"U. S. A., under the regulation trans-
ferring the Indian Bureau to the War De-
partment. Lieut. Garretty served until Oc-
tober 5, 1870~ when Leander Clark sue-
^.
jj-
'â– ^
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
ceeded him, and again became agent. In
September, 187:2, Mr. Clark was relieved
by Kev. A. R. Howbert, of Belle Fon-
taine, Ohio.
In April, ISVS, Thomas S. Free became
agent of the Musquakie band. He took
active steps to accomplish the advance-
ment of the Indians in education and
farming. In August, 1875, a school-house
was built at a cost of $1200, in which A.
B. Somers first taught. Mr. Free is now
at Sioux Falls, D. T., practicing law.
In June, 1879, George L. Davenport
was appointed to succeed Thos. S. Free,
and is the present officer. Mr. Davenport
has had a varied and eventful life. He
was born on Rock Island, Nov. 15, 1817,
the eldest son of Col. Geo. Davenport, be-
ing the first white child born in that part
of the country. The city of Davenport
was named in honor of his father, who
was one of its founders. George was
nursed by an Indian maid, and his play-
mates were Indian boys ; he therefore
learned to talk their language about as
soon as he did English. At an early age
he was adopted into the Fox tribe, and
called " Mosquake," and was always a great
favorite with them. His early education
was gained at the school of an invalid sol-
dier at Fort Armstrong, and at the age of
ten he was sent to attend school at Cin-
cinnati, O., where he remained two years,
then returned to the Island, and was plac-
ed in the store of the American Fur Com-
pany, of which his father was a. member,
remaining until this post was given up in
1843. During this time he attended school
a part of the time at the Illinois College
at Jacksonville, at the Catholic Universi-
ty at St. Louis, and at the Wineliester
Academy, in Virginia. In the fall of
1837 he accompanied, by request, the Sac
and Fox delegations of chiefs to Wash-
ington, and visited other large cities. In
1832 he made the iirst claim west of the
Mississippi, and built the first frame house
in the territory. During the early days
of the city of Davenport he was among
the most zealous workers for the city's suc-
cess, and for many years was one of the
most prominent of her citizens. He was
president of the Merchant's Bank and
Davenport National Bank for eighteen
years ; was president of the City Gas Cor-
poration for twenty-two years. In 1871
he was elected a director of the Chicago,
Rock Island & Pacific Railway, and held
that position for five years. He was mar-
ried in 1839, and lost one son during the
late rebellion. Politically, Mr. Daven-
port is a Republican. He is an affable,
pleasant gentleman, and as a business man
is upright and honorable. For the place
he holds he is well fitted, and his labors
are leaving their marks.
THE INDIAN NAME.
It is quite generally believed that the
name by which the Indians in Tama coun-
ty are known — Musquakies, [sometimes
spelled Misquakies ] — is a misnomer which
they have been given since they have liv-
ed here. But this is a mistake, as is also
the theory that the name was derived from
the fact that they were a portion of Keo-
kuk's followers in trying to avoid the last
Black Hawk war, and means " Deserted."
When the Sac and Fox Indians occupied
the northeastern part of the United States
they were called by their proper Indian
names : Sockees for Sack ; and Mus(pia-
kies for Fox. When the French landed
t
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
LliU
upon the shores of that portion of the
continent, they named them Sac and Rey-
nard, or Fox. The former band have fi-
nally accepted that name ; but the latter
tribe, among themselves, still hold to the
name " Musquakies," which means in their
tongue " red men ; " or, " Musqua " red ;
" kies," people.
CUSTOMS, HABITS AND PECULIARITIES OF THE,
MUSQUAKIES.
Much has been written in regard to the
customs and habits of the Indian tribes
of the northwest and as a description of
one was supposed to apply to all, many of
these articles have been reproduced as a
treatise upon the Musquakies, or the tribes
which at one time occupied the "Black
Hawk Pill-chase." But most of these ar-
ticles in many of the customs and peculi-
arities they recite are entirely erroneous
and, as a whole, very much exagerated.
Contrary to the inference which would
be drawn from them, the tribes of the Sac
and Fox Indians, since their contact with
the whites have always to a certain degree
been civilized, and the pioneers who were
associated with them during the early
days when the red skins called this region
"home," agree in the opinion that, as a
rule, their ideas of justice and morality
were but a few paces in the rear of those
held by "civilized humanity." The habits
and customs of this tribe of to-day, do
not diifer very much from those of early
days. Very few of them deign to wear
the dress of the white man, generally
wealing a blanket over the shoulders,
feathers in the hair, and not infrequently
painted fantastically about the face, neck
and arms. Beads and cheap brass jewelry
usually adorn the neek and ears, and the
Indian maids wear large and massive
bracelets. The blankets are all highly
colored, as, in fact, is all of their clothing.
Instead of being frivolous, they are as
a rule thrifty and industrious, but the
squaws are made to do the hardest labor.
Few quarrels are had among themselves,
and they are always peaeable to Whites.
Since their occupancy of the little reser-
vation in Tama county there has only
beeh one crime committed.
They are more religiously inclined than
the white man, believing in God and rec-
ognizing the existence of a Supreme Being
whom they call the Great Spirit. Their
conception of God differs only in part
from that held by the Christian world.
To them He is an individual being — a su-
preme personage. They know nothing of
Jesus Christ and have no traditions that
tend to indicate a belief in any such per-
sonage. They have a devil whom they
designate as the Bad Spirit. To both are
offered sacrifices. Their religion partakes
more of the Jewish Creed than that of any
other and abounds in numerous forms and
customs, quite similar to the old customs
first practiced by the Hebrews. They
have a Bible which they call "Meeschaum."
It is made up of about twenty-seven parts
and the whole is written in strange signs
only intelligible to the Indians, and the
contents are never explained to the whites.
There are about half a dozen of these
"Meeschaum" in the tribe; they all worn
and old and are handled with the greatest
care. The word "Meeschaum" in the In-
dian tongue means "Holy words or laws."
Meetings of worship are held which last
for tlivee and four hours, and a separate
and distinct language is used for religious
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
243
talk and worship. They listen with great
interest to the explanation of the white
man's belief and religion, and have tradi-
tions which have been handed down from
former generations that are -almost iden-
tical with Bible parables and illustrations.
One of these traditions is that long years
ago, when even the race of red men was
in its infancy, there came a rainy season
to the land inhabited by the fore-fathers
of the Indians. It continued to pour
down in drenching torrents for nearly " two
moons." The land became covered witli
water. It rose until even the liighest hills
began to disappear beneath the waves. The
red men seeing that the end was not yet,
resolved to cast their lot upon the waters
and trust to the Great Spirit for safety.
All the canoes that could be found, were
collected together and bound with lariats.
When the proper time came the raft was
ladened with the necessary food, blankets
and a few musk i-ats, and all got aboard as
the last high mound was submerged by the
rapidly rising waters. For many days and
nights the bark tossed to and fro, the rain
ceased, and they only waited for the water
to go down. A musk rat was dropped over-
board. He sank toward the bottom and
after remaining some time returned to the
surface with clean paws and clambered
into the raft. This indicated that the
water was yet too deep to reach bottom. In
a few days the experiment was repeated;
but with the same result. In a few days
more the muskrat was again put overboard
and after being down a few moments
came to the surface with his paws covered
witli nuid, and again disappearing to re-
turn no more. This was the hoj)eful sign
they had looked for ami in a few days the
canoes rested upon the summit of a high
mountain. It is readily seen tliat this
tradition is merely another version of the
Bible narrative of Noah and the ark; told,
it is true, in a rude way, but the truths are
still intact and the Indians tirmly believe
in its authenticity.
The Musquakies have a system of self
government. They are divided into three
families or clans, which are each repre-
sented by a chief; then there is a council
consisting of a number of braves who are
chosen with reference to their general in-
telligence or else those who have distin-
guished themselves in war or otherwise,
in addition to these there is a "Uusiness
Chief," who is the highest in authority;
he attends to the business, leads them in
case of war, and is the general executive.
Nothing is done except what is agreed to
by the council and their wishes are car-
ried out by the head chief. Whatever be
their decree most of the people at once
submit to it without the need of perswa-
sion or force, and it is very seldom that
even the slightest of their laws are vio-
lated. There are sometimes exceptions to
this in the cases of young men who obtain
liquor from the whites and wh' n under its
intluence will pay but little attention to
the laws of the chiefs.
The present "Business Chief" is "Mali-
tah-e-(jua" who years ago distinguished
himself in war with the Sioux. His name,
in Indian tongue, indicates the office he
holds : Major-General or Leader.
'I he names of the principal clans, or
families are Wolf, Elk and l^ear. 'J'lie
name of the Wolf Chief is Muk-we-posh-
e-to, which signifies " Old Bear." He is
only about nineteen years of age, and
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
therefore does not have much weight in
the council.
The Elk Chief is " Wah-ko-mo," mean-
ing 'â– clear or bright." He was born on
Turkey River, Iowa, and is about 65
years old. His words have great influ-
ence with the tribe, and he is, in one
sense, a leader of the council.
The Chief representing the Bear fami-
ly is Push-e-to-nik, who is about 4.5 years
old.
As a rule, the offices of the Indians are
hereditary. When a chief dies his son
takes his rank, and, if too young, they
either wait until he has reached the years
of discretion, or the remaining chiefs ap-
point some one to fill the vacancy until
the heir attains maturity. If any one of
the ti ibe does wrong, his face is blacked,
and he is obliged to fast a day or more,
according to the nature of the crime or
offense.
They arc very much opposed to educa-
tion, because, they say, "We don't want
our children to grow up like white chil-
dren. When white people come to our
village we treat them well, the children
stand back; but when the Indian goes to
town the white children throw stones at him
and call him names." They have a school
house but are so predjudiced against edu-
cation that it is hard work to get a young
Indian into it. The old braves would not
venture in until all the desks were taken
out. They say that if they are educated
they will become mean like the white
man — "White man awful smart but awful
mean." They say the "white man is so
mean that when he dies his God puts him
in an uwful hot place and burns him for-
ever, but the Indian's God is more merci-
*^>
ful, and the mean Indian less wicked; the
Great Spirit sifts him like the chaff and
the good Indian goes to the happy hunting
ground beyond the river where the bad
Indian and the white man never comes."
They have a faith that laughs at the im-
possible, and their confidence in the ways
and workings of the Great Spirit for good
would put to shame many faithless white
men.
Some of the Indians are very intelligent
and philosophical. At one time Judge
Leander Clark, who was their agent, asked
one of the chiefs if he would allow one of
his boys to be brought up by Mr. Clark as
a white boy. The chief shook his head
and upon being asked why, replied: "If
you took my boy he would be brought up
like a white man; the Great Spirit never
intended that he should be a pail face or
He would have made him white; He has
made him red and intends he should be
brought up like red men. Would you let
me bring up your white boy like red men "/
Then you can have my Indian boy to bring
up like white man."
The Indians have a way of expressing
themselves in writing and often write let-
ters to acquaintances in Nebraska and the
Indian Territory. Some of the Indians
claim that they still own a strip of land
crossing the State of Iowa, ten miles wide,
claiming that at the time of the last treaty
that much was reserved to them, ^^'hethor
the majority of the Indians believe this is
not known, as it is seldom, if ever, spoken
of to-day, by any of them.
After the birth of a child the mother
keeps a separate tire and eats alone, and
the brave does not go near to see either
mother or child ,until the little one is at
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
least a month old.
The Indians cannot swear until they
learn the English language in which to
express it. The Indian language contains
no words that could be used for profanity,
and the worst thing one Indian can call
another is " a dog " or " a fool," which is
considered a deadly insult.
The Indian village is located near the
center of the reservation. In the spring
they move to the fields and until the crop
is sown, camp where they are at work.
As soon as the spring's work is done they
move into the village and have an easy
time until the crop matures. They then
move back to the fields and remain until
the crop is gathered. After this the In-
dians — most of them at least,- — leave their
Tama county home and spend the winter
in some of the adjoining counties, only to
make their appearance when the time for
spring work again rolls round. They do
that for the purpose of finding maple trees,
game and charity.
In a retrospective view of the tribe,
while residents of the Tama county but
one marked scene of violence can be re-
called. This occurred upon the morning
of June 13, 1874, resulting in the murder
of a Pownee Indian. The facts as given
by the Tama City I'ress of June 19, 1874,
are as follows :
"On the morning of June 12, 1874, four
Pawnee Indians came to the camp of the
Misquakies, and remained all day and the
night of the 12th. On the next morning
one of them while but a few steps from the
wick-iup was approached from behind by
one of the Musquakies called " Black
Wolf," who drew a revolver and fired three
shots. The first entering the back of the
head, and passing through the brain lodged
under the skull in front ; the second one
passing into the base ofthe neck,pas8ed up-
ward toward the head and came to the sur-
face near the right ear ; and the other was
mearly a scalp wound. The last two
wounds were not necessarily fatal, but the
first one bore unmistakable evidence of the
intention of him who held the fatal
weapon. At the first shot the Pawnee
went down, and the other two must have
hit him while in the act of falling. When
we reached the camp, the Pawnee, had
been buried, and not fearing a dead
Indian, we had no necessity for the pro-
fessional assistance of either of the gentle-
men who accompanied us. Soon after, the
coroner, deputy sheriff, Indian agent and
several other parties appeared upon the
scene, and the dead Pawnee was resur-
rected, brought to Tama city, togethei
with his murderer and on Saturday even-
ing an inquest was held by E. M. Beilby,
county coroner."
When it was proven that Black Wolf
did the bloody deed, a warrant was issued
and delivered to deputy sheriff Bartlett
who arrested him and lodged him in jail.
Black Wolf remained in jail until Febru-
ary 18, 1875, when he was discharged, the
witnesses failing to appear against him.
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246
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
CHAPTER IV.
THE BEGINNING.
To the readers of local history the
chapter relating to the early settlement,
the first events and beginning of the his-
tory of a country, is of general interest.
Especially is this the case with pioneers
themselves ; those who have witnessed
the changes that have been made ; who
have seen a trackless wilderness or prairie
transformed into a beautiful country, and
tilled with an enterprising and happy peo-
])le. He reads here slowly and critically,
every word recalling memories of the past,
which for a generation have been buried
among a host of recollections which now
arise before him like a dream. His old
associations, the deeds, the trials and bat-
tles against hunger and cold, while set^
tiers were few and far between, and
wolves howled about the little log cabin,
sending a chill to his heart ; and the wind
(hiving the sifting snow through the crev-
ices — all arise now vividly before him.
Often it is with pleasure he can recall
these recollections, viewing with satisfac-
tion the thought that he lived through it
all to see a thrifty and wealthy land, dot-
led with school-houses and churches, and
villages and cities.
But again it will be with sadness that
the past is recalled, as thoughts spring up
of the dark and painful side of weary
davs. How a wife, whose virtues, bravery
and simplicity will always be remember-
ed, or a child, prattling in its innocence
being called from earth to its eternal
home, was laid away under the cruel sod
in solemn quietude, by the rough and ten-
der hands of hardy pioneers. Time had
partially allayed the sting, but the wound
is now uncovered by the allusion to days
gone by, and the cases are not a few,
where a tear of bitter sadness will course
down the cheek in honor of the memory
of those who have departed.
Notwithstanding the many disadvanta-
ges, and even sorrows attendant upon the
first steps of civilization, and the adversi-
ties to be encountered, the pioneers led a
happy life. The absence of the aristo-
cratic and domineering power of wealth
and position must have been a source of
comfort and satisfaction. Merit alone in-
sured equality, and this could not be sup-
pressed by tradition. The brotherhood of
man was illustrated in a sincere and prac-
tical way, and hospitality was not consid-
ered so much of a christian trait as a du-
ty to humanity.
EARLY SETTLEMEN'T.
To learn with any degree of accuracy
the first actual settler of a locality that has
been settled for a generation is a more dif-
ficult task than would be imagined.
There is only one rule which can be adopt
9)
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^%<M^.
%-C<yTL(P(r-iO
J^=±l^
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
249
ed, anil that is to state the arrivals in the
order in which they came, giving the
dates as given by the parties themselves,
and let the reader judge for himself.
For years past there has been controversy
over the question as to who was really the
very first settler in Tama county. The
historian does not dispute a single claim,
but presents the statement of each claim-
ant. The matter was submitted to the
(Teneral Committee appointed by tlie Old
Settlers Society for the revision of the
history, and they decided that full cre-
dence should be given the statements of
the settlers themselves, as there was no
way of either proving or disproving the
claims.
According to the dates given the histo-
rian, the first to locate in the territory
now comprising Tama county, with a
view to secure a permanent home, was the
Yaudorin party, who came from Henry
county, and settled in York township May
•21, 1849. The principal part of the little
colony was William Riley Vandorin, his
wife Rachel and tw'o children. With
them came two hirwi men, James Van-
dorin and Isaac McKern ; Ephraim Whit-
taker also came with his wife and two
children. William Riley Yandorin and
his wife's brother, Isaac Smith, came to
Tama county in the fall of 1848, and took
the claims upon which they afterward set-
tled, and then returned to Henry county,
where the family had been left. In Hen-
ry county Smith was taken sick, and de-
layed the party starting until May 9, 1849.
When they finally got started. Smith was
left to follow in June, as he was still un-
able to travel. Vandorin had five yoke
of cattle, and Whittaker four, and thg
mud was so bad that often it took the
whole drove of nine yoke to pull one of
the wagons. They were obliged to leave
their breaking plows by the wayside.
Vandorin settled upon the place he had
selected in section 22, York township,
where he had erected a cabin, upon the
low lands. In 1851 the hard rains came,
flooded' the cabin and surr undings, and
Vandorin built another one upon the
bluffs, where he moved his family and
stock. Ephraim Whittaker took a claim
south of Irving, in what is now called
Salt Creek township, about 5 miles from
Vandorin's. He stayed until fall, but
thought the country was " too new " for
him, and returned to Henry county. The
first furrow of land was turned by Van-
dorin and Whittaker June 3, 1849. The
men planted it in pumpkin seed and corn
raised quite a lot of corn, and nearly a
hundred wagon loads of pumpkins. Van-
dorin's claim was entered away from him
in 1854, and he took up another quarter.
In 1883 he was living iu Coon Rapids,
Carroll county, loM'a. In the chapter up-
on "Reminiscences" will be found an
interesting account of the settlement of
this party, by Mrs. Rachel Vandnrin.
James Vandorin and Isaac McKern,
who have been mentioned as being hired
men, only remained until fall, returning
to Henry county. They both took " squat-
ter's claims."
During the fall of the same year, 1849,
another party made their appearance and
became citizens of Tama county. These
where the Wilkinsons, consisting of the
mother, three brothers, Anthony, Robert
and William, and three sisters, who all
settled in township 82, range 13 now
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
!t
Salt Creek. Their arrival in Tama coun-
ty was on the 14th day of October, 1849;
they came from Coshocton county, Ohio.
Anthony and William had been soldiers
in the Mexican war and had ju.st received
their "land warrants," which they in due
time located. The brother Robert pur-
chased land near them in the same town-
ship. They immediately commenced build-
ing a hewn log cabin on the southwest
(juarter of section 21, which was then own-
ed by Robert. In the "Reminiscence
Chapter" will be found an interesting ac-
count of their settlement by Anthony
Wilkinson. Anthony and William still
live in Salt Creek township, the oldest liv-
ing settlers in Tama county.
Anthony Wilkinson was born in Ireland,
July 28, 1817. At the age of fourteen he
came with his parents to America, spend-
ing the first three years clerking in a store
in Prince George county, Maryland, after
which he joined his parents in Ohio, where
they had settled on a farm. Shortly after,
he commenced work at the carpenter trade
and followed that business the greater part
of the time until coming to Tama county
in 1849, as stated. Here he located land
on sections 19 and 20, where he still re-
sides. November, 1850, he married Miss
Sarah A. Grahapi, a native of Ohio. They
have a family of seven children — Milton
H., Albert A., Lincoln P., Grant, Thomas,
Mary A. and Edith. In 1 846, Mr. Wilk-
inson enlisted and served under General
Taylor in the Mexican war. After eight
months of active service he was taken
prisoner by the Mexicans and suffered un-
told distress and exposure for seven months.
After the seige and surrender of the City
of ISIexico, he was liberated on parole.
He now owns a fine farm of 357 acres, but
pays special attention to the raising of
fine stock. He is highly respected as a
man and citizen.
William Wilkinson, also a native of
Ireland, was born August -3, 1820. When
fourteen years of age, 'he came with his
parents to America, and located on a farm
in Ohio, where he remained until 1847,
when he enlisted and went with General
Scott to Mexico, participating in the Mexi-
can war. He served eighteen months and
on receiving his discharge, returned to
Ohio. In 1849, he came to Iowa, finally
locating in Salt Creek township, Tama
county, on section 21, where he has since
made his home. In 1852, he married Miss
Sarah Hollepeter, of Ohio. They have
had a family of twelve children — Theres-
sie J., Harriet I., Francis E., Charles A.,
William E., (dead ) Josiah A., Martha E.,
Harry O., Robbie (deceased) Kate A.,
Mabel E., and Reeba A. He has a large
farm and is highly respected as a citizen.
The next to arrive in Tama county with
a view to securing a home, was Isaac
Asher, who passed through the fertile ter-
ritory of the Iowa Valley, during the year
1847. In his meanderings he finally ar-
rived near the present site of Indiantown,
just over the line in Marshall county, on
the 18th day of May of that year, and
made a temjiorary settlement. Isaac
Asher was a native of Tennessee, but
when a young lad, removed to Shelby
county, Indiana, where in 1823 he was
married to IMartha Greer. In 1845, with
his wife and family of nine children, he
started for the great west, and on the last
day of the year named, they crossed the
Mississippi river at Hurlington. Here
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
they remained for eighteen months when
they again pushed westward, and on the
18th of May, 1847, halted just over the
line, in Marshall county, as stated. Here
on June 13, 1848, Elkanah Asher was
horn — the first birth in that county. The
family remained upon that place until
November, 1849, Mr. Asher often travers-
ing many parts of Tama county in quest
of game. At the time mentioned — in
November, 1849, he moved his family into
Tama county and located on section six, of
what now comprises Indian Village town-
ship. A tew years later he removed to
section eight, in the same township where
he remained until the time of his death,
which occurred in 1800. His widow still
occupies the homestead.
This comprised all the arrivals up to
the year 1850. Many had in the mean-
time came this far west and then turned
back disheartened and discouraged by the
newness of things, and some even had
pushed on westward in hopes of coming
to some more beautiful spot, but they were
merely transients, whose names if they
were learned at all, have long been for-
gotten.
At this time the law favored " squatters
cfaims " aud some of these roving, rest"
loss pioneers, would, while passing through,
drive a stake, on which were carved their
initials. Markets were far from them,
traveling tedious and hard, and when a
trip was made, a good deal of study was
had so as to be sure and get all that was
ro(juired for the ne.xt six months. Be-
tween the different settlements there was
little or no communication, and, in fact,
for several years after the time they were
made in 1849, to one, the other was hardly
known to exist. The Vandorins, on Salt
Creek, in what is now York township ; the
Wilkinsons on the Iowa river, in what is
now Salt Creek township, and the Ashers
in the western part of the county, for
several years never once heard of each
other, and lived in almost seclusion, hav-
ing only the society of themselves, and
the transients who chanced to pass through.
A little garden truck and some corn was
raised, but they mostly lived upon what
game they procured, and fared sumptuous-
ly, for game was plenty and a good share
of the time was spent in hunting.
During the year 1850, a few actual set-
tlers moved in, although a number of those
who afterwards came and located perma.
nently, came and secured claims there-
Many passed through, along the Iowa
river, which was a thoroughfare for emmi-
grant travel, and many of these stopped
for a short time.
Rezin, A Redman came in the fall of
1850, brought a load of goods and put up
a shanty. He then left William Boaz with
the stock and returned to Indiana.
W. L. Brannan and family, Samuel J.
Murphy and family, James Umbarger and
family came in the fall of this year but
only remained a few weeks.
Robert Arbuthnot came early in 1850
and settled in Salt Creek township.
In 1851, the southern part of the county
received a number of settlers, among
whom were Rezin A. Redman, William
Blodgett, the Carters, Eli Chase, Anthony
Bricker, Levi and D. D. Appelgate, New-
ell Blodgett, William Taylor, Eli and John
Daily, John Dooly and Mr. Warner.
Rezin A. Redman, who is first mention-
ed was a well-known early settler. He
A
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HISTORY OF TAJyiA COUNTY.
came from Jaek.son county Indiana, mak-
ing his first trip to Tama county in the
fall of 1849, with J. C Vermiiya, and
locating land warrants in timber land, in
what is now Tama township. In the fall
of 1851 he moved his family to his new
home, and remained for several years.
He was a tailor by trade, but desired to go
into the mercantile business. When he
left Tama county he went to Marengo and
opened a general merchandise store; was
not very successful, as he was visionary,
his notions too high liown and extravagant,
and he soon failed. It is said that Redman
erected the first cabin in Tama county
north of the Iowa River.
William Blodgett came from Jackson
county, Indiana, from whence came
a number of the early settlers of Tama
county. He came west in 1851, and on
the 1st day of August of that year, set-
tled upon a claim where Tama City now
is. He is a brother-in-law of Judge J. C.
Vermiiya. and is still living near his origi-
nal claim.
Eli Chase settled with his family in
what is now Columbia township in March
1851.
Early in the spring of 1851, Anthony
Bricker, and family and Levi Appelgate,
came from Indiana. Appelgate settled in
what is now Carlton township, while
Bricker crossed the line and settled in
Marshall county for a few months when
he moved into Tama county. Here he
remanined for a number of years, and now
after having made his home in several
states, lives in Idaho Territory. Levi
Appelgate divides his time between Tama
county and Nebraska.
David D. Appelgate came in the fall of
1851, and made his home with his brother
Levi. He still lives in Toledo, has served
the county many j^ears in an official ca-
pacity and is now engaged in the practice
of law.
Newell Blodgett came during tjie sum-
mer of this year and located in Indian
Village township, where he still remains.
William Taylor located at Imliantown
in May, 1851, and still lives in the same
township. He is a native of Ohio, l)ut
came to Iowa directly from Illinois.
Eli Daily came with his family from
Jackson county, Indiana, in the summer of
1851, and located near Indiantown, where
he opened a farm and remained until the
time of his death, in 1860. He had been
one of the associate Judges of the co\inty
from whence he came and was a man of
worth and intelligence; a quiet, good citi-
zen and an honest man.
John Dooley came at about the same
time, from Jackson county, Indiana and
settled near Daily with his family. He
only remained a few years. He is spoken
of as a plain, good, sociable and honest
farmer.
The man Warner was a German, who
settled near Indiantown in 1851; but not
much is remembered of him.
By this time the southen part of the
county contained quite a settlement, but
there was still room for more, and arrivals
with a view of settling were received with
cordiality. The year 1852 witnessed
many additions, among the new settlers
being Christain and David F. Bruner, J.
C. Vermiiya, J. H. Ilollen, W. T. Ilollen,
the Morrison family, William Potts
Thomas Everett, Widow Croskrey and
sons, William TI. Wesley, John, Joseph
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
;in(l Jacob ami one girl, Mr. IJeabout,
Pt'ter Overmire, William Schammerhorn,
15. W. Wilson, Thomas Skiles, William
t'ruthers', Washington Abbott, J. H. Voor-
hies, William Martin, the Myers brothers,
Ilonry Lance, Richard Podmore, John
(4olwitzer, Zebedee Rush, Isaac Butler,
Samuel (liger and family.
Christian Bruner and his son David F.
Bruner and their families came to Tama
county from Ohio in 1852, the former ar-
riving in the summer and the latter in the
fall, and making permanent settlements.
Both had been here in the fall of the pre-
vious year. Christian settled in Howard
township where he erected the first saw-
mill in the county; was largely interested
in the platting of Monticello, and was
otherwise a prominent man in early times.
David F. Bruner settled in Toledo town-
ship, where he still lives. He was the
first treasurer and recorder of the county
elected, and in the chapter upon " Repre-
sentation " a sketch of his life will be
found.
In March, 1852, J. C. Vermilya came
with his family and located in what is now
Tama township, where he still lives. He
was the first judge of Tama county after
organization, and is noticed at length in
the chapter upon " Representation. "
On the 27th of April, 1852, J. H. Hol-
len and family and W. T. Hollen, from
Jackson county, Indiana, landed in Tama
county, settling where Tama city now
rests. They are still residents of the
same township, and have taken an active
and prominent part in the development of
the county. J. H. Hollen was one of the
first Justices of the Peace in the county.
The Morrison family consisted of the
old gentleman, William Morrison, his wife
and two sons, George and Henry, togeth-
er with a son-in-law, William Potts, also
came in this year. They had taken
claims and done breaking here in the fall
of 1851, and in the spring of 1852 moved
in, the Morrisons settling in Columbia
township, and Potts in Richland, although
at that time there were no township divis-
ions. The old gentleman and wife are
dead and buried there on the old home-
stead. George was a married man ; he
remained until 1871, when he removed to
Missouri, where he has since died. George
was quite a prominent man in early days,
was one of the first Justices of the Peace
in the county, was postmaster of Ola post-
office in 1853, and was a man of fair abili-
ty. His great fault was, that he was too
good natured for his own good ; being a
man of strict integrity and too inclined to
think all men like himself. Henry Morri-
son remained here until 1871, when he
went to Kansas, where he still lives. He
was an easy going, clever and genial man.
William Potts died at an early day.
Thomas Everett came to 'Jama county,
with his family, from Ohio, in the fall of
1852, and settled in the territory which
now comprises Columbia township. He
remained there until the time of his death,
which occurred a number of years ago.
His family still live on the farm. He was
a large, heavy man, a first rate farmer and
had accumulated a large property before
his death. Thomas Everett had been a
soldier in the war of 1812, and participat-
ed in the battle of Lundy's Lane, under
General Scott. He very much resembled
General Scott.
Widow Croskrey and her sons, William
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
£t.
II., Wesley, John, Joseph, and Jacob,
and one daughter, settled in township 82,
range 15, in the fall of 1852. Mrs. Cros-
krey died there and the sons are still liv-
ing in the county. The daughter married
Geo. W. Louthan, and now lives in
O'Brien county.
Mr. Beabout settled in Salt Creek town-
ship in 1852 with his family. Not much
is remembered of him more than that he
was a native of Tennessee and left this
county years ago.
Peter Overmire came to Tama county
in the spring of 1852, and located in Tole-
do township. He was a native of Ohio,
born in Perry county of that State, Feb-
ruary 1, 1814. He is a son of Jacob and
Mary ( Guima ) Overmire, who emigrated
to Ohio in 1810, being among the early
settlers of Perry county. Here Peter
grew to manhood, receiving an education
in a log cabin. When eighteen years of
age, he went to Sandusky county, where
he became acquainted with and married
Miss Elizabeth Hill on June 24, 1838.
Five children blessed this union — Eve,
John F., Levi W., Silas and Mary C.
Mr. Overmire left Ohio, went to Indiana,
and, in the summer of 1851, emigrated to
Iowa City, where he spent the winter,
emigrating in the spring of 1852, to Tama
county, and settled on section 6, in Tole-
do township. About the time of his ar-
rival, there was a heavy snow storm, the
snow falling to the depth of eleven inches.
Mr. Overmire went to work and soon
erected a log cabin, one among the first in
the township, here he remained four years,
when he removed to the vicinity of Monti-
cello. In tl>e spring of 1860, he moved to
his present farm, where he has since resid-
ed. His farm consists of eighty acres of
land under good cultivation, valued at
§40.00 per acre, and twenty acres of tim-
ber. Mr. Overmire is a member of the
Baptist church and his wife of the
J^utheran.
The Myers brothers came from Indiana
and located in Toledo township, Tama
county,in June,1852. Noah was the princi-
pal factor of the party, his brothers being
James, a young man, and Angelo, wlio
â– was married. Noah was the first school
fund commissioner of the county, and a
j)rominent and influential politician in ear-
ly days. He onl}' remained in the county
five or six years. He now lives in Mis-
souri.
B. W. Wilson and Thomas Skilos set-
tled with their families in what is now
Salt Creek township, south of the river.
William Cruthers settled with his fami-
ly north of the river, in the same town-
ship, lie left the county some years ago.
Washington Abbott and William Mar-
tin settled with their families in the west-
ern part of the county in 1852.
Samuel Giger, E. Moler and R. A. Run-
die all settled in the county during the
year 1852. They are noticed elsewhere
in this work.
The northern part of Tama county did
not lie in the same path of travel as the
southern part. It seems that the valley of
the Iowa River was followed by emigrants
mostly from Davenport, Muscatine and
other points in that direction. Northern
Tama laid directly in the path of those
coming by way of Dubuque. Thus it was
much later in receiving settlers. The Io-
wa river was an established highway for
travel, and in many places 100 miles west
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
of Tama county, there were settlers be-
fore any settled in northern Tama, ten
miles from the river. The first settlers
in the northern part of the county were
Norman L. Osborn, David Dean and his
two sons, Ira and Lewis, who arrived Jan-
uary 1, 1852. During the summer and
fall of that year, the following named
made their appearance, and swelled the
settlement in that vicinity : Samuel Dun-
kle, Mr. Springmyer, Nelson Usher, Vol-
ney Carpenter, Patrick Casey, John Con-
nolly, Jonas P. Wood, Joseph and John
Connell, William D. Hitchner, Joshua C.
and L. E. Wood, Wesley A. Daniels, Dan-
iel Connell, senior, Robert Connell and
his sister Margaret, and Otto Story.
Norman L. Osborne came to Tama coun-
ty in January, 1852, and claimed the
southeast quarter of section 20, Bucking-
ham township. After a few months he
sold this claim to Mr. Dunkle, and remov-
ing to what is now Perry township, enter-
ed the northeast quarter of section 10.
In 185:i he again sold out to the Taylor
Iirothers, and entered the northwest quar-
ter of the same section, where he broke
several acres and built a log house. Two
years later he sold to Stephen Klingaman,
and sought a new field for speculation.
At last accounts he was in Missouri. Mr.
Osborn was a good man, of more than or-
dinary intelligence. lie and his family
were well liked by his neighbors.
The same year David Dean and family
came and settled on the southwest quarter
of section 27, Perry townshij). His son
Ira entered the southeast quarter of sec-
tion 28, and another son, Lude, settled on
the northeast quarter of section 33. They
all sold out in 1855, and went west. One
*^i=
of the sons is now at Goldfield, Wright
county, where he keeps a grocery store
and meat market. The Dean family came
from Indiana, and went from here to
Wright county some time in 1857 or 1858.
They were good neighbors.
Mr. Dunkle came to the county in 1852,
and purchased the farm of Norman L. Os-
borne, but did not remain long, selling his
farm and removing from the county.
Another early settler who came in the
year 1852, was Patrick Casey, a native of
Ireland. He settled on secton 25, Buck-
ingham township. In 1854 he sold his
farm and went to Geneseo township, where
he lived for a few years, and then remov-
ed to Kansas.' He is not living. Mr. Ca-
sey was a full-blooded Irishman, and like
all the rest of his race was genial and
warm-hearted.
Otto Story came to Tama county with
the Dean family in 1852, and made a
claim on section 33, Buckingham town-
ship. He did not prove up his claim, but
sold in 1854, and went to Wright
county.
The same year Mr. Springmeyer came
and setttled on section 26, Buckingham
township, where he remained a short time ;
then went to Cedar county in this State.
Some time in June of 1852, Jonas P.
Wood, William D. Hitchner, and Joseph
and John Connell came together, and set-
tled in what is now known as Perry town-
ship.
J. P. Wood entered 400 acres of land
in the northwest quarter of section 4, the
north half, of the northwest quarter of
section 5, in township 80, range 14 ; and
the southeast quarter of section 3, in
township 83, range 15. In October of
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
that year, Mr. Wood returned to Ohio
and brought out his family. He still lives
here on section 4, Perry township. Two
brothers of Mr. Wood, Joshua C. and
Lyman E., came with him to Iowa, on his
return from Ohio. J. C. now lives on
section 33, Buckingham township, and L.
E. resides on section 6, Perry. Sketches
of them will be fourd elsewhere.
William Ilitchner, who settled in what
is now known as Perry township, commit-
ted suicide in 1874. Details of this may
be found in the chapter "Miscellaneous."
The Connell brothers located on the
north half of the southwest quarter of
section 4, Perry township, and were join-
ed in the fall of that year by their father,
Daniel Connell, now deceased ; their
brother, Robert, who died in 1876 ; and a
sister, Margaret. Jo.seph Connell died in
September, 1854, while on a trip to Vin-
ton ; John Connell now resides in Toledo.
Daniel Connell, Jr., came seyeral years
hiter.
W. A. Daniels, also a settler of 1852,
located on the west half of the southeast
(juarter of section 33, Buckingham, where
he still lives.
Nelson Usher and his son-in-law, Vol-
ney Carpenter, came in 1852, the former
entering the south half of the southwest
ijuarter of section 4, and also a part of the
northwest quarter of section 9, in Perry
township. He sold in 1854, and went
west. His son-in-law. Carpenter, followed
iiim and at last accounts were both in
Oregon.
This brings the settlement of the whole
county up to January, 1853, after which
lime immigration set in rapidly. It is un-
necessary to carry the settlement any
further in this chapter, as this subject is
treate i at length in the history of the
various townships, where the most of the
pioneers who have here been brietlj' treat-
ed, and those who may have been omitted,
will receive due and lengthy notice.
THE COtrUTY NAME.
Tradition says that the name which
Tama county bears, was given in honor or
remembrance of the wife of the Indian
chief " Poweshiek," after whom the coun-
ty joining Tama on the south was named.
In the Indian tongue, the name signifies
beautiful, pleasant or lovely. This is gen-
erally accepted and believed to be the
true source from which came the name of
the county. There is another theory ad-
vanced, however, which sets forth that the
name was derived from that of an Indian
chief " Pottama. "
OKGAXIXATIOX.
The occupancy of this territory l)y In-
dians is treated at length in another chap-
ter. In 1845-6, the tribe was removed to
the reservation assigned them in Kansas,
but many of them wandered back to the
old hunting grounds, and began settling
uj)on the tract of land wliere they yet re-
main. Soon afterward the territory of
Tama county was attached to lienton coun-
ty for Revenue, Judicial and civil purpo-
ses, to accommodate the few settlers. A
portion of the county was surveyed in
1843, and it was completed during 1845
and 1846 by A. L. Brown and his corps of
assistants. In 1848 entries of land were
made and soon afterward the pioneers be-
gan drifting into Tama county. In 1850
the U. S. census gave the county a popu-
lation of eight, but in reality it was about
double that number. This rapidly increas-
''/â– â– /
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
259
ed until in the spring of 1853 there were
a number of neighborhoods in various
parts of the county, which made a total
population of considerably over 200. Early
in 1853 the settlers began talking â– f the
need of having some political organization.
After considerable agitation, the matter
was brought to a culmination by the pre-
sentation of a petition to the county judge
of Benton for the organization of the coun-
ty into townships. This petition was sign-
ed by most of the inhabitants of the coun-
ty ; but who they were it is impossible at
this late day to tell, as the petition itself
has years ago been destroyed.
Upon receiving this application, the
county judge of Benton county issued or-
ders for the organization of Tama county
into three civil townships. These orders
have also been lost ; but Daniel Connell,
of Gladbrook, was thoughtful enough to
make a transcript of the one authorizing
the organization of the northern part of
the county. This one reads as follows :
" State of Iowa, ) ss
Benton County, j'
7'o N'. L. Osborne, John Connell and Da-
vid Dean:
You are hereby notified that the Coun-
ty Court of said County has this day or-
ganized the following described townships
into a Civil Township, for Judicial purpo-
ses, viz : Townships 85 and 86, in range
13 ; 85 and 86, in range 14 ; 85 and 86, in
range 15, west, in Tama County, Iowa;
and has appointed you the Trustees of
said Township, and you are hereby au-
thorized to call, according to law, and
give necessary notice, and hold an e'.ec-
lion on the first Monday of April, A. D.,
1853, as provided for in the Statutes.
( Signed ) J. C. Traer,
Clerk of the Court.
By order of County Judge."
The order bore no date, but it is pre-
sumed to have been made some time in
February, 1853. An informal meeting of
the citizens was held to give name to the
towns thus organized. The men failing to
agree, it was left to Miss Margaret Con-
nell, and she named it Buckingham, in
honor of Gov. William A. Buckingham,
of Norwich, Connecticut.
By this it will be seen that Buckingham
embraced the territory now organized in-
to the following civil townships : Gene-
seo, Buckingham, Grant, Crystal, Perry
and Clark.
The other two orders mentioned hereto-
fore were for the organization of Howard
and Indian Village Townships. Howard
embraced the territory now comprising Co-
lumbia, Toledo, Tama, Howard, Carroll,
Otter Creek, Richland, Salt Creek, York
and Oneida. Indian Village embraced all
the balance of the county. The electors
of Buckingham met at the house of Nor-
man L. Osborn ; those of Indian Village
at the house of Eli W. Daily, and those
of Howard at the residence of Rezin A.
Redman. The townships were thus legal-
ly organized. Thus was the territory of
Tama county first set apart from all else,
and the wheels of local government started.
In the meantime a movement for a coun-
ty organization had been set on foot, and
in March, 1853, a majority of the citizens
of Tama county petitioned the County
Judge of Benton County for the necessa-
ry order for a county organization. The
order was accordingly issued, command-
ing that an election be held on the first
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Monday in May, 1853, for the election of
county officers, who should j'erfect the
county organization, and serve until {he
ensuing regular election in August. On
the day set the election was held, and re-
sulted in the choice of the first county of-
ficers of Tama County, as follows :
County Judge, Tallman Chase ; Prose-
cuting Attorney, John Huston ; Clerk of
the Courts, J)avid D. Applegate ; Survey-
or, ^yesley A. Daniels. For School Fund
Commissioner, David F. Bruner and An-
thony Wilkinson received an equal num-
ber of votes, so neither was elected.
The entry upon the record books regard-
ing this election is a curiosity. A third of
a century has nearly obliterated the marks
of pen and ink, but, as best it can be read,
the entry is here presented verbatim :
" Be it remembered that on day of
March 1853 a majority of the citizens of
Tama county petitioned to the Judge of
Benton county Iowa, to be organized,
where upon receiving the said petition, an
order was issued to hold an election on
the first Monday in May 1853. Due notice
was given, the election was held and the
Returns was made to Benton county, the
following officers was elected : Tallman
Chaise, Co. Judge ; John Huston, Pros.
Atty ; David D. Applegate, Clerk of the
District Court.
David F. Bruner and Anthony Wilkin-
son was tie for School Fund Commission-
ers. Wesley A. Daniels, Surveyor.
The following officers qualified in time
prescribed by law : John Huston, Pros.
Atty.; David D. Applegate, Clerk of the
District Court and Wesley A. Daniel, Co.
Surveyor. John Huston,
Pros. Attv."
^'
Several of the officers didnot (jualify, as
the emoluments of the office would not
pay for the trouble, and the regular elec-
tion for officers for the full term would
take place the following August. A local
writer says of it: "They realized that
they might not be in office long enough to
get their seats warm before bein^ invited
to step down and out." However, these
were the first county officers ever elected,
and as was the j>revailing custom of those
days, it is said they indulged, one and all,
in a jolly time. Thus was the judicial
life of Tama county " brought before the
world."
Those officers who did qualify, wfnt lo
Vinton, Benton county, to be sworn in by
the county Judge of that county. Tluisc
who qualified afterward, were sworn in by
the prosecuting attorney of Tama county.
On the fourth Monday in July, lSo3,
the first term of court was held, and, as
Tallman Chase, who had been elected
county Judge had not qualified, this term
was presided over by the prosecuting at-
torney, John Huston. It was held at the
house of Huston in Indian Village town-
ship. At this time David F. Bruner was
appointed Treasurer and recorder to .serve
until the ensuing August election. Nor-
man L. Osborn was appointed Siierifif as
he had failed to qualify within the time
set by law.
The tie for school fund commissioner
was settled by the appointment of Noah
Myers to the office.
On the first Monday in Augu.st, 1853,
Tama county was permanently organized
by the election of county officers for the
regular term of two j-ears. There were
seventy-two votes polled, and from the
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
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returns it seems that politics did not enter
into the campaign at all. There were
three candidates for county judge, John
C. Vermilya, James H. Hollen and J. P.
Wood, and the former was successful by
a majority of four votes. There were
two candidates for Treasurer and Record-
er, John Ross and David T. Bruner.
Ross being successful by a majority of 20.
For Sheriff, there were three. Miron
Blodgett, W. F. Hollen and N. L. Osborn,
and the first named came out ahead with
eleven votes to spare. The "woods were
full of candidates ; " for coroner, there
being Franklin Davis, who received 40
votes ; Zebedee Rush, 15 ; J. H. Voor-
hies, 10 ; Franklin Vorn, 4 ; and Wesley
A. Daniels, 18 ; Wesley A. Daniels was
elected surveyor with but little opposition.
This makes the list — county judge, John
C Vermilya ; treasurer and recorder, John
Ross ; sheriff, Miron Blodgett ; coroner,
Franklin Davis ; surveyor, Wesley A.
Daniels. The board of canvassers at this
election was composed .of John Huston,
Robert Wilkinson, and William Booher.
Tliere were three voting precincts. How-
ward, Buckingham and Indian Village.
LOCATION OF THE COUNTY SEAT
As soon as the organization of the
county was permanently effected, the mat-
ter of the location of the county seat pre-
sented itself. Hon. James P. Carlton,
Judge of the Fourth Judicial District, ap-
pointed Joseph M. Ferguson of Mar-
shall county, and R. B. Ogden, of Powe-
shiek county, commissioners to ^locate a
seat of justice for Tama county. They
met at the house of John C. Vermilya, on
the '20lh day of October, 1853, and start-
ed out in (piest of a location. They first
examined a quarte"- section near Bruner
Mill, in Howard township. At this time,
this was about the most notable point in
the county. The town of Monticello had
been here platted, and a saw mill erected
by Christian Bruner. The commissioners
were strongly inclined to locate it at this
point. David '^r. Bruner offered to give
20 acres from the north part of his farm,
on section 4 ; Christian Bruner offered
twenty acres of the town site of Monti-
cello, and twenty adjoining it on the north.
But this difficulty arose : Adam Zehrung
owned one-half of the townsite of Mon-
ticello, and he refused to donate any of it,
but insisted upon keeping the very centre
of the town. In lieu thereof he offered
to give twenty acres of bottom land, be-
longing to his son, which was not fit to
erect a house upon. The commissioners
looked the matter over, and tried to per-
suade Zehrung to give it up, and all the
neighbors joined, but to no avail. Chris-
tian Bruner offered to buy the land, pi-o-
posing to give three times its value, but
Zehrung refused to sell at any price, think-
ing the county seat would be located
there any way. Then Christian Bruner
offered 160 acres of raw prairie, lying
near the present location of Howard cem-
etery, but this the commissioners refused
to consider, because it was too far from
water, and was not suitable. The Com-
missionerSjthen moved' on and examined
other locations.
In the meantime quite a crowd of citi-
zens had assembled, but the extreme
southern part of the county had scarcely
heard of it Finally Noah Myers started
out to get help in the effort to secure the
location as far south as possible. Going
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
on a run to J. H. Hollins, he •roused him
by exclaiming . " What in thunder are
yi)u laying aronnd here for, when there is
a county seat at stake ? " llollen had not
licard that the commissioners had arrived,
hut it did not take him long to under-
stand the situation, as Myers liad been
with the commissioners. In a few mo-
ments they had decided upon a plan to get
it located where Toledo now rests. At
that time this was school land, and was
claimed by John Sporh, Solomon Huf-
ford, John Ross and Peter Overmire.
The commissioners had decided not to
consider bids of less than 80 acres, and
HoUen and Myers immediately started for
the houses of these settlers to get them to
offer 20 acres each, thus making 80, which
they at once agreed to do, so it only re-
mained to arrange with the commission-
ers, llollen and Myers came upon the
commissioners at the farm ot Samuel
Walkup, and after a short explanation the
whole crowd moved toward the present
site of Toledo. "While they were passing
the house of Solomon IIufFord, R. B. Og-
den, one of the commissioners, picked up
a stake and sharpened it, without sayinga
word. When they arrived upon the spot
now occupied by the Toledo Hotel Block,
he halted and exclaimed : " Gentlemen,
here is the spot that shall be the future
county seat of Tama County I " lie then
drove in the stake with an ax, which had
been brought for the purpose. This clos-
ed their labors. The location was de-
scribed as follows : Southwest ([uarter of
southeast quarter, and west half of south-
east (piarter of southeast quarter ; and
south half of the northwest quarter, of
the southeast (juarter, of section 15, town-
ship 83, range 15.
The commissioners had the right to
name the future county seat, but for some
reason they failed to do so, and it took
the name of Toledo from the postoffice,
which had been established during the
summer, with J. H. Holien, as postmas-
ter. Mr. Holien got the name from read-
ing the book, " Knight of Toledo, in
Spain. "
FIRST EVENTS.
The first marriage in the county was
that of Myron Blodgett to Miss Sarah
Cronk, August U, 185.3. The happy
couple were united by John C. Vermilya,
county judge. Thi-s was Judge Vermi-
lya's first effort in this line and he was not
a_ little embarrassed, it is said. Blodgett,
in a joke, called upon him immediately
after he qualified.
The second marriage was that of Fred-
erick L. Knott to Martha Gayor, in Buck-
ingham township, on the ICth of October,
1853, the ceremony being performed by
Rev. S. W. Ingham, who still resides in
the county, ripe with many years of u.seful
labor.
The first death in the county was Frank-
lin, a son of David F. and Catharine Bru-
ner who died September 19th, 1852.
The second death as near as can be as-
certained, was that of Miss Maria Blodg-
ett, which occurred early in the spring of
1853.
The next was William T., a son of Mr.
and Mrs. J. H. Holien, who died April 1,
1853. The little one was horn February
9, 1853.
William Ililchnerand wife had a daught-
er born to them on December 1st, 1852,
and it is claimed upon good authority that
f'
At
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
this was the first birth in the county.
They lived in Northern Tama.
The first fire and destruction of projier-
ty in the county, was the burning of the
log cabin of Alexander Fowler, in what is
now York township, in the fall of 1853.
The first county warrants Nos. 1, 2, :i
and 4, amounting to $19.50, were issued
October IS, 1853, to David F. Bruner for
services as assessor of Howard township.
The first flouring mill was erected by
C. Bruner late in the winter of 1854. He
did not get to grinding until the spring of
1856.
About the same time the Iiidiantown
mill was erected.
As early as July, 1852, a methodist de-
vine — Rev. Hesswood — held religious ser-
vices at Indiantown, in the cabins of
various settlements, but no organization
was effected.
The next preaching in Tama county was
by the Rev. Stone, a Presbyterian minister
from Iowa City, in the winter of 1852-3.
Services were held at the house of Chris-
tian Bruner, in Howard township.
Religious services were held at the
house of Norman L. Osborn in Perry
township in the latter part of May, 1853,
with Rev. Solomon W. Ingham as preach-
er. The reverend gentleman organized a
class the same time and Ira Taylor was
appointed leader. This meeting was held
on what is now the site of Traer under
the auspices of the Methodist Episco])al
church and the organization was known as
the " Tama Mission."
Their first quarterly services were held
Novembet 26, 1853, as the house of Zebe-
dee Rush, near Toledo, and Elder Ingham
delivered the sermon. Thev built their
first church in Toledo in 1856.
The first Congregational Church in
Tama County was organized at Toledo In
December, 1754, with a membership of
nine. Rev. George H. Woodward was tllfe
first pastor and came in 1856. They
erected and dedicated toeir first church in
1860.
The first regular Baptist Church was
organized at Toledo, May 20, 1855 with
a membership of sixteen persons, and
Rev. George G. Edwards as pastor.
The first Presbyterian Church in Tama
County was organized by the settlers of
Cai'lton township on the 20th of August,
1855, called "Rock Creek Church" with
ten members and James Laughlin and
James Reed as elders.
The first citizen to become naturalizeil
was Gotlieb Waggoner, who received his
final papers from Judge Smyth on the 20th
of May, 1856. At the same time John
Waltz was naturalized.
The first will probated was the will of
James Hatfield, deceased, on the 2'7th day
of November, 1854, in County Court, by
John C. Vermilya, County Judge.
The first letters of Administration were
issued to Nathaniel E. Horton, October
23rd, 1854. Amos Hatfield was the first
guardian appointed by the County Court
on November 29th 1854.
The first lopge of " Free and Accepted
Masons " was organized at Indiantown.
Their dispensation was received August
4, 1867. Their charter was received Jime
2, 1858, and called "Polar Star Lodge, No.
115." The charter members were W. C.
Salsbury, W. M.; Charles Gray, Jr., S.
W.; S. Cronk, J. W. It was named by
Judge Salsburv.
^
^t
i\
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Prior to the latter part of 1883, the
pioneers traveling through this region
usually followed trails, paths, kept the set-
ting sun straight ahead and followed any
yther devise to keep in the right direction.
On July 1, 1S.53, a Slate Road was laid out
by the Legislature, running from Marengo
to Fort Dodge through the southern part
of Tama county. During the year fol-
lowing (1854) a mail route was established
from Merengo to Marietta, in Marshall
county along this road. Prior to this, in
the summer of 1853 a post office had been
established with James H. Hollen as poet
master. In January, 1854, a post office
was established at Kinnesaw, with An.
thoiiy Wilkinson as post master, his com-
mission bearing the date of February 27,
1854. These — the State road, mail route
and post offices — were the tirst established
in the county. They gave material aid to
the settlers, and seemed in a degree to
li(^ a connecting link bgtween their east-
ern homes and the Far West.
In August, 1853, the A. D. Stephen's
and Hardin county road was located.
In December of the same year a State
road running from A. D. Stephen's place
to Indiantown was located running north
from the Iowa river, and with the streams
temporai'ily bridged proved a great benefit
to the country. .
Early in 1854, a road was located from
J. H. Hollen's place, near the Iowa river
running northwesterly to James Laugh
liiis house in Carlton township.
On the 30th of May, 1854, the Black
Hawk and Toledo road was located by
way of Toledo and Ijuckingham to l.lai'k
Hawk county.
On the 15th of July, the same year, a
road from Bruner's mill in Toledo town-
ship to Salt Creek, was located and opened.
On July 29, 1855, a road from Vinton
to Newton by way of Toledo was located,
and others followed rapidly, showing that
Tama county pioneers had the determina-
tion, energy and enterprise to carry it
through, and to have the county open to
travel and free communication.
THE FIRST FOUKTU OF JULY CKI.EliRATlON
IN TAMA COUNTY.
Buckingham township has the honor of
passing into history as the first to celebrate
the anniversary of American Independ-
ence. It took place in 1853, and was en-
tered into with a zeal and patriotism which
has never since been surpassed. Probably
no celebration since that time in Tama
county has been more thoroughly enjoyed,
and at that time, all being socially equal,
the brotherhood and common interest of
human beings was felt and illustrated in a
way that made the occasion doubly hai)i)y.
The most important 'workers in the
movement to inaugurate the celebration,
were, Col. John Connell, J. C. Wood, J.
P. Wood and Wesley A. Daniels. A sub-
scription paper was started, which was
signed by about twenty persons subscrib-
ing in all, the amount of i;9.75 ! The col-
lector of this subscription was Joshua C.
Wood, and the list is still in his hands.
The preamble is in the hand-writing of
John Connell, and is in a good state of
preservation, l)Ut the names signed are fast
being obliteriited. One name, remember-
ed as that of Alvah L. Dean, cannot be
distinguished at all, and those of L. E.
Wood and Joseph Connell can barely be
read. John Connell and J. C. Wood went
to Cedar Ra])Ids and procured the neces-
r
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
265
sary eatables, as that was the nearest point
where provisions could be obtained. It
was the intention to have the celebration
begin in the morning of July 4, 1853, but
the day before a heavy rain came and the
streams were swollen to unusual propor-
tions, so that it was with difficulty that
those who attended, I'eached the place to
open the ceremonies in the afternoon and
many were prevented from coming. About
seventy-five persons were present, and had
it not been for the high water, it is said
that nearly the whole county would have
been in attendance. Swings were put up
which furnished amusement for the young
people ; some good singing enjoyed and
the balance of the afternoon spent in
social talk and having a pleasant visit.
Several short speeches were made but no
oration. In the evening a fine supper was
prepared, which the assemblage greatly
enjoyed, and the feast to this day, is often
spoken of as being the best the partici-
pants ever ate. After this they all return-
ed to their homes, feeling that the day had
been well spent.
In 1854 a celebration was held at Ver^.
milya's Grove, near the present site of
Tama City. It was very largely attended)
there being about 500 persons present.
Orations were delivered by Alfred Phil-
lips and Rev. Mr. Petefish. A table 200
feet long was spread and all were fed in
royal style. A notable feature was ice
water, the ice having been furnished by J.
C. Vermilya. No liquor was on the
.ground and not a drunken man was seen.
CHAPTER V-
COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
For a few years prior to the organiza-
tion of Tama county, the territory now
comprising it was attached to Benton for
civil and judicial purposes.' On the 10th
of March, 1853, the voters of Tama coun-
ty presented a petition to the County Judge
of Benton asking for a separate organiza-
tion. This was granted and the county
efEected a temporary organization by the
election of the following named officers:
Tallman Chase, County Judge; David D
Appelgate, Clerk of Courts; Norman L.
Osborn, Sheriff; John Huston, Prosecu-
ting Attorney; Weslty A. Daniels, County
Surveyor; David F. Bruner and Anthony
Wilkinson received an equal number of
votes for School Fund Commissioner, but
Noah Myers received the appointment.
This election was held on the first Monday
of May 1853, and as the organization was
6 "V
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
T
merely temporary, many of the officers did
not qualify.
The next and first regular election was
held on the first Monday in August, 185.3,
and the following ofBeers were elected:
County Judge, John C. Vermilya; Treas-
urer and Recorder, John Ross; Coroner,
Franklin Davis; Surveyor, W. A. Daniel;
Sheriff, Norman L. Osborn. This set the
governmental wheels of the coimty in
motion, and their busy hum has since con-
tinued without interruption. The details
of matters pertaining to organization, elec-
tions and coimty officers, will be found
elsewhere in this volume.
In early days the mode of county gov-
ernment differed very much from that of
the present day. The executive depart-
ment was vested in what was termed a
"County Court," whichexercised the same
jursidiction and had the same powers
which are now held by the County Board
of Supervisors, and in addition to this
had jurisdiction in all cases of a civil
nature which now come before the Circuit
Court, together with probate and marriage
license matters. The court consisted of
the County Judge, Sheriff and a Clerk.
The former had all the authority and the
two latter, when they acted at all, were
assistants. Thus the office of County
Judge was one of much importance.
ACTS OF THE COUNTY COURT.
On the organization of Tama county it
comprised three townships — Howard, In-
dian Village and Buckingham. Each of
these townships was organized by order of
the County Judge of Benton county.
The qualified electors of Howard town-
ship met at the house of Rczin A. Red-
man, and organized the township, t],,.
boundary lines of which were as follows :
Beginning at the southwest corner of
township 82, north of range 15 west,
thence to the northwest corner of town-
ship 84, north of range 15 west, thence
east to the north east corner of township
84, north of range 13 west, thence south to
the southeast corner of township 82, north
of range 13 west, thence to the place of
beginning.
Indian Village township was organized
at the house of Eli W. Daily Its boun-
dary lines were as follows, as described in
the records of the County Court : " Con-
taining the west tier of Congressional
townships in said county, which is town-
ship 82, north of range 16 west,
and tt!)wnship 83, north of range
16 west, township 84, north of range 16
west, township 85, north of range 16 we§t,
and township 86, north of range 16 west."
The qualified electors of Buckingham
township met at the house of N. L. Os-
born, and organized the township, which
was bounded as follows : — " Beginning at
the southwest corner of township 85, north
of range 15 west, thence north to the
northwest corner of township 86, north of
range 15 west, thence east to the south-
east corner of said county, thence south
along said county line to the southeast cor-
ner of township 85, north of range 13
west, thence west to tlie place of begin-
ning."
The first session of county court was
held at the house of John Huston, in In-
dian Village township in 1853.
Tallman Chase who had been elected
county judge, had failed to qualify, and
this term was presided over by the prose
pUling attorney, John Huston.
J±=:^
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
267
The first term of the county court, pre-
sided over by Judge Vennilya, was held
at the house of the Judge in October,
1853. At this time the officers of the
county made settlement with the county
judge. The record is as follows : —
Fees received by County Judge | 2 10
Fees received by Clerk 3 35
Fees received by Recorder aud Treas-
urer
Due County Judge for salary 10 40
Due Clerk for five month's salary 17 40
Due Recorder aud Treasurer for five
months salary 12 50
Warrants No. 1, 2, 3 and 4 were issued
in f.avor of David Bruner for services ren-
dered in assessing Howard township. The
amount issued was for $19 50.
The third record made by the County
Judge was the report of the commission-
ers to locate the county seat, of which
mention is made elsewhere in this work.
At the April term, 1854, the county of-
ficers again made settlement, the record
of which is as follows:
Fees received by the Couniy Judge for
last quarter $5 15
Fees received by Clerk for last (luarter. . 2 60
Fees received by Recorder and Treasurer
for last quarter 37 00
Balance due County Judge for last quar-
t«r 7 35
Balance Clerk for last quarter 9 90
At this term a warrant was issued to
the Sheriff for the organization of the
following named townships.
Carlton township to contain all of In-
dian Village township that lies north of
the Iowa river, its first election to be held
at the house of William Murtz on the
first Monday in April, 1854.
Richland township to contain all of
Howard township that lies south of the Iowa
River, the first election to be held at the
house of Aluson P. Rich on the first Mon"
day in April, 1854.
Salt Creek township to contain all of
Howard township that lies east of the west
line of range 15 west and north of the
Iowa river, the first election to be held at
the house of Levi Marshes, on the first
Monday in April 1854.
At the August term, 1854, settlement
was made by the county officers, showing
the following amounts :
Fees received by county Judge for last
quarter |8 85
Fees received by Clerk for last quarter. . 3 20
Fees received by Treasurer and Recorder
for last quarter 37 90
Salary due county Judge 16 58
Contingent expenses of county Judges
allowed by Prosecuting attorney 75 00
Clerk's salary . 16 58
Treasurer and Recorder's salary 16 58
Prosecuting Attorney 9 00
On the 5th day of February, 1856, the
county Court met and received the petition
of a number of the citizens of Bucking-
ham township, for its division and the
creation of a new township. The
prayer of the petitioners was granted
and a township was organized comprising
Congressional township 86, north of range
13 west of the 5th principal meridian, 1o
be known as Geneseo township.
At the same term the townships of Co-
lumbia, Otter creek, and Toledo were
formed. The township of Columbia was
formed from the township of Richland
and was made to comprise Con-
gressional township 82, north of range
15, and that portion of township 83 range
15, that lies on the south side of the Iowa
river. Otter Creek township was formed
from Howard township and was made to
^1
e
1
kn
268
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
comprise all of Congressional township 83,
north of range 14, and that portion of town-
ship S-2, range 1 4, that lies on the north side
of the Iowa river. Toledo township was
also formed from Howard and made to
comprise that part of Congressional town-
ship 83, range 15, lying north of the Iowa
river. Howard township, thus divided,
as described upon the record " shall em-
brace only the congressional townships 84,
range 15, and township 84, range 14, and
no more, and be hereafter bounded by the
said lines, bounding said Congressional
township and no more and no less."
The election for Howard township was
ordered to be held at the house of Benja-
min Hammit ; in Otter Creek township at
the house of A. Tompkins ; irt Geneseo
at the house of Nathaniel Spencer ; in
Columbia at the house of Joshua Burley.
On the second of October, 1854, by
order of the County County, a proposition
was submitted to the people " For or
Against the Distraining of Sheep and
Swine from running at large in the county
from and after April 1st, 1855." The vote
was canvassed by John C. Vermilva,
County Judge, Zachariah T. Shugart and
Benjamin Hammit, and it was decided
that " ninety votes were cast for Distrain-
ing, and forty-nine votes cast against Dis-
training." Therefore it is presumed they
wire "Distyained."
The first case of pauperism in Tama
t'ouiity was that of Charles Potter's fam-
ily. It seems that Potter had deserted
his family, leaving them destitute. The
County Court ordered that the property
he had left be used for the sustenance of
the deserted family. This record bears
the date of March 5, 1856, at which time
Alfred Phillips is acting iii the capacity
of ex-office County Judge.
At a term of County Court held upon
the 10th day of Mrch, 1856, the town-
ship of Salt Creek was divided and that
of York was formed, as embracing town-
ship 84, range 13, and township 83,
range 13. Notice was given to James R.
Craham to call the first election at his
house on the first Monday in April, 1856,
and organize the new township. A jie-
tition was presented to the Judge on the
22nd of March, 1850, to again consolidate
the townships, but he refused to comply
with the request.
Judge Vermilya, at a session held on
the first day of May, 185(), appointed John
H. Myers as agent of the county for one
year to sell liquors for medicinal, mechani-
cal and sacramental purposes. The record
adds " subject to revocation for cause or at
my pleasure ; annual salary of agent shall
be dollars. "
At the same term thi' boundaries of the
townships of Salt Creek and ^'ork, were
slightly ch.anged.
At the July term, in IS5(i, a settlement
was made with the county officials and it
appears from the records tha,t, for the
quarter ending .luly Tth, they had ie<-ei\eil
salaries as follows :
John G. Vermilya, t'ounty Judge, $ 4 50
D D. Applegate, Clerk cf Courts ','.) 35
G. Q. Staley, Treasurer and Recorder, . . . l(!(i 25
Salarly due Judge over what had bieii
received 45 .50
Balance due county frini C'leik, i) 35
" " " " .Staley l>(i 25
Due Prosecuting Attorney for salary,. ... 20 00
Due Sheritf for salary, . . 5 00
Then followed receipts from the various
officers.
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
269
On tlie 9th of August-, 1850, it appeared
to the Judge that the removal of the agent
for selling intoxication liquors in the Vil-
lage of Toledo, would be a benefit to the
citizens, and he therefore revoked the
license he had given to John H. Myers,
and appointed Ira J. Wilkins, of Toledo
township, in his stead.
The labors of the 3'ear 1857 were opened
by the county court in session on the fifth
of January, at which the usual settlement
with the county officers was made.
At the March term in 185*7, the t wn-
ship of Crystal was formed by the division
of Buckingham; and Carroll was formed
by the division of Howard. A warrant
was issued to J. S. Bishop to organize
Crystal, and one to Nathan Fisher to
organize Carroll.
The Judge fixed tlie bonds of various
officers as follows: County Treasurer,
j;iO,000; Sheriff, $10,000; Justices of the
Peace, $1,000; Constables, |1,000.
During September of this year the name
of John C. Vermilya drops from sight,
Leander Clark taking his place, signing
the records as county Judge.
In December 1857, the county Judge
ordered that the School Fund Commisioner
file a bond in addition to what had been
filed in the amount of $17,000, the former
amount not being deemed sufficent. L. S.
Frederick was Commissioner at this time.
On the 12th of February 1858, James
Thorington, of Davenport was appointed
special agent to select the swamp lands
belonging to this county.
About the same time, the entry being
dated March 1st, the township of Buck-
ingham was divided and Perry townsliip
was set off and ordered organized the
warrant for calling the first election being
issued to J. W. Southwick. The meeting
was duly held on the first Monday in
April 1858, at the store occupied by Geo.
W. Free, Jr , in the village of West Union,
and an organization was permanently
effected.
The boundaries of the townships of
Toledo, Columbia, Richland and Otter
Creek were also slightly changed. Carl-
ton was divided and Spring Creek town-
ship created. A warrant was issued to
G. M. Finch commanding him to call the
first election of the new township at the
house of William B. King.
At a session of the county Court on
March 3, 1859, the county Judge, ordered
that the following proposition be submit-
ted to the legal voters of Tama county,
viz: "Shall the county Judge in behalf of
said county issue county bonds to the
amount of $40,000 to draw interest at the
rate of six per cent per annum, as a dona-
tion to the Iowa State Agricultural College
and Model Farm, and the Board of Equal-
ization of Tama county be authorized to
levy upon taxable property of said county
two and one-half mills upon the dollar of
the valuation thereof, annually until an
amount sufficient to li<iuidate said bonds
and int rest shall be raised; the first levy
to be made at the meeting of said board
for the levy of ordinary taxes in the year
1859, all to be done expressly on the con-
dition that the said "Iowa State Agricul-
tural College and Model Farm" shall be
located in Tama county."
The election was duly held and resulted
in there being 444 votes in favor of the
proposition and 195 against it. The offer,
however, was not liberal enough and Story
^IV**
** « »^
iK
â– 210
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
county secured the college.
The following entry appears upon the
record under the date of May 19th 1859,
and explains itself.
"To the Hon. Leander Clark, County
.Judge of Tama county: This is to certify
that at a meeting of the Presidents of the
several township school districts in Tama
county, the County Superintendents were
allowed the sum of $100 by the said board
of Presidents for the year ending April
5th, 1859.
Signed, ( W. C. Salsburv, Chairman,
f T. A. Grauam, Sec'y.
At the July term of 1859 the matter of
settlement with the various county officials
again came up, and the following entry
was made as to their salaries for the quar-
ter ending July 4th, 1859, viz:
Couuly Judge had Received $ 2 35
CouBty Clerk had Received 128 45
County Treasurer and Recorder R'c'd. . . 12H 90
Salary due Judge above what he had
Received 97 65
Salary due Sherifl" 10 00
Due County from Clerk 28 45
Due County from Treas. and Recorder 23 90
Then follows the receipts from the
officers.
It will be noticed that often a long time
elapses between the date of the extracts
given. The balance of the time was spent
in routine work, such as the issuance of
marriage licences, attending to petitions,
and like matters of no especial interest.
In the winter of 1859-60, the General
Assembly passed an act which was duly
signed by the Governor changing the mode
of government in the various counties in
the State, and creating the county Board
of Supervisors. This body took charge of
nearly '^11 of the business formerly attend-
ed to by the Judge of the County Court
The office of County Judge, however, was
continued until 1869, that officer having
only jurisdiction in probate matters and
the issuance of marriage licenses. Noth-
ing of note transjjired and a list of the
various gentlemen who held the office of
County Judge, will be found in connec-
tion with the chapter upon National, State
and County Representation, where sketch-
es of each will also appear.
In the new system — the Board of Super-
visors — consisted of one member from
each township.
ACTS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
Pursuant to law, the first meeting of the
Board of Supervisors was held on the 7 th
day of January, 1861, at the court house
in Toledo. It was organized by appoint-
ing Jonathan Peterson, temporary chair-
man. The various townships were repre.
sented by the following gentlemen — their
respective townships and terms being
marked opposite their names :
Anthony Bricker, 1 year Indian Village
Wesley A. Daniel, 2 years ; .Buckingham
T. Forker, 2 jears. Richland
Wm. Gallagher, Jr.. 1 year Howard
B. A. Hall. 2 years Toledo
Rohison, Johnston, 2 years Highland
Lucius Kibbe, 2 years Carroll
A. C. Marslon, 1 year Spring Creek
G. G. Mason, 1 year Oneida
M. Mitchell, 1 year Otter Creek
Janathan Peterson, 1 year Carlton
8. C. Rogeis, 2 years Crystal
P. L. Sherman, 1 year Geneseo
J. W. Southwick, 1 year Perry
T. S. Talmuge, 1 year Clark
Isaac Toland, 2 j ears CoUuubia
James A. Willy 2 years Salt Creek
L. B. Dresser, 2 years York
The board proceeded to the election of
a permanent chairman which resulted in
^he choice of P. L. Sherman, he receiving
*^^=^
k^
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
271
ten votes and Jonathan Peterson seven.
Gommittees were appointed to draft rules
for the government of the body and order
of business.
At the same session tlie board appropri-
ated the sum of $104, for the support of
the poor persons and paupers already on
the county for the six months ending July
1st, 1861.
On the 11th of January, 1861, the com-
mittee appointed to investigate the school
fund matter reported as follows:
"We, your committee appointed to ex-
amine into the affairs of the School Fund
beg leave to make the following report:
Having examined the books and papers
eonnected with the said School Fund we
find the reports of the officers correct.
We also ascertain that there are three
thousand and two hundred acres of land
belonging to the said fund, the sales of
which have been declared fraudulent. We
also ascertain that there are 960 acres of
these lands on which the payments have
been made and patents issued. We there-
fore recommend that the sales of these
lands on which the patents have been
issued, be considered legal, and that here
after taxes be levied on the same."
A. Bricker, )
G. G. Mason, V Committee.
T. S. Talmage, )
On the 5th of June, 1861, Spring Creek
township was divided, and a new civil
township under the name of Lincoln, was
created. A warrant was issued to Joseph
Preseott, commanding him to call the first
election at his house.
During this term Judge Leander Clark
presented his resignation as County Judge,
and it being referred to a committee, was
r?^
reported on as follows :
" Whereas, Leander Clark, our county
judge, has handed in his resignation, to
take effect as soon as his successor shall
be appointed and qualify, therefore.
Resolved, That we believe it due to Le-
ander Clark to acknowledge our obliga-
tions, and that of our constituents, for the
faithful and impartial manner in which he
has performed his duties.
Resolved, That while we believe it
would be for the interest of the county
that the Judge should continue in service ;
at the same time, in .accordance with his
desire, we reluctantly grant his request ;
Resolved, That considering the legal
ability, business tact and stability of many
of our citizens, we trust we shall be able
to fill the vacancy thus occasioned by one
who will not disappoint the expectations
of our constituents.
S. C. Rogers,
( Signed ) J. Peterson,
B. A. IIali,,
Committee.
The following day John Allen was ap-
pointed to fill the vacancy.
The matter of appropriating money for
the purchase of a poor farm came up at
this meeting, but was defeated.
The excitement of the war began over-
spreading the country about this time, and
T.ima county was not long in officially
taking the right position.
Uuder the date of June 8, 1861, the
Board of Supervisors unanimously adopt-
ed the following resolution, which was
presented by W. A. Daniels :
" Whereas, The time has come when
every patriot should show his devotion to
the Government in a way that cannot be
misunderstood, and as it is the duty of
;nv*
ht.
272
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
every one to aid in subduing rebellion and
wipiiii/ traitors from the face of this ' fair
land ; " Therefore, be it
Hesolved, That the Board of Su})ervi-
sors of Tama county pledge themselves
and the county for the support of the fam-
ilies of residents of the county who may
volunteer and be called into service by
the government as long as they are de-
tained in such service ; also, all other ap-
projjriations that may be required of us
to aid in maintaining the government and
enforcing the laws."
On the 25th of July, 1861, D. D. Ap-
pelgate, clerk of courts, issued the follow-
ing notice and call for a special meeting
of the board of supervisors, viz. ;
•' Wheeeas, The undersigned Clerk of
the District Court of Tama County, Iowa,
has been requested in writing by a major-
ity of the members of said board to call a
special meeting for the object hereinafter
set forth : —
Notice is hereby given that there will
be a special meeting of the Board at the
Court-House in Toledo Iowa, said county
and State, on Monday, August 5, A. D.,
1861, at 12 o'clock M., of said day, for the
purpose of taking into consideration the
matter of making an appropriation for the
organization of a Military Company from
Tama County for the war, and the support
of the families of Volunteers, and other
matters connected therewith."
Accordingly at the appointed time the
Board convened with all the members
present. On motion Messrs. Forker and
T. Walter Jackson were invited to ad-
dress the Board, the latter complying. On
motion of Mr. Mason, Daniels,Gallagher
and Hall were appointed a committee of
three, to rejiort the amount necessary to
equip the " Tama county Rifles, " as rec-
onmiended in the Governor's circular.
Mason, Peterson and Rogers were appoint-
ed a committee of three, to report a plan
for the supjjort of families of volunteers.
The committee last named made a re])ort
which was adopted by the Board as fol-
lows :
lieiiolriid, That for the purpose of sup-
porting the families of volunteers during
their service from the time of enlistment
until they are discharged, that there be,
and hereby is, appropriated out of the
County Treasury the sum of live dollars
per month for the wife and two dollars
per month for each child under twelve
years of age, of each volunteer.
'â– 'â– Hesolved, That when a father or moth-
er is dependent on a volunteer for support,
they shall receive five dollars per month
each, and also when a brother or sister un-
der twelve years of age are dependent,
they shall receive two dollars per month
each, during his time of service. "
" Resolved, That all volunteers who shall
be entitled to the above appropi-iations
shall file with the County Clerk, their
affidavit as to the number of their family
and age of their children.
" Hesolved, That said appropriations be
paid monthly upon orders of the clerk of
the Board of Supervisors, who shall keep
articles of clothing as recommended in
the Governor's circular, making an aggre-
gate of six hundred and thirty-seven dol-
lars and fifty cents. Also that the sum of
one hundred and twelve dollarsand fifty
cents be appropriated and placed in the
hands of the clerk of this Board, for tlie
purpose of clothing a further number of
^-*
"
B^
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
273
men as above, until the number of men
readies one hundred and one, the amount
drawn for each man to be seven dollars
and fifty cents, and we would further rec-
ommend that an agent be appointed to go
to Chicago and make, the purchases. " It
was then
Jiesoli'ed That B. A. Hall, act as agent
to go to Chicago. Thus the comjiany wa.s
duly organized and equipped.
John Connell was also special agent for
a time to purchase clothing and supplies
for volunteers. The following entry re-
lative to his agency is rather amusing :
" A statement was also received from
Mr. Connell in regard to his expenses in
going to Chicago to buy the clothing,
showing that he had exj^ended thirty-one
dollars and forty cents, and had received
from the county the sum of thirty dollars.
On motion the account was considered
square. " Then on motion Mr. Connell
was tendered a vote of thanks for the
manner in which he discharged his duties.
On the third of September, 1861, the
Board i>assed the following resolutions :
First — "That we do not consider it ex-
pedient to make a specific api>ropriation
l(ir the support of families of volunteers
who may hereafter enlist in the service of
the State or Government during the pres-
ent war, from this county."
Second — "Resolved that the appropria-
tions now made for the support of the
families of the volunteers of Tama county
be e.vtended during the war to the families
of those volunteers who now receive the
benefit of said appropriation, who may be
killed or die while in the service of the
United States."
The first resolution was presented by
G. G. Mason and the latter by J. A.
Willey.
Just before the Board adjourned G. G.
Mason, presented the following which was
adopted:
"Resolved, that we will grant aid to the
families of volunteers who may hereafter
enlist for the war from this county as far
as we may judge to be for the interest of
all parties concerned."
S. C. Rogers followed by presenting
the following concerning the soldiers,
which was adopted:
"Resolved, that we are highly gratified
with the comfortabla quarters furnished
for the military company from tnis county,
and pleased that the soldiers acquiesce in
the strict discipline enjoined upon them,
and sincerely hope that all will be faithful
in every respect to their superiors and
their Country.
At the October session the Board passed
additional resolutions relative to furnish-
ing aid to the families of volunteers. This
closed the labors of the Board for the
year 18G1.
The second annual meeting of the Board
of Supervisors convened at the court house
in Toledo on the 6th day of January 1862>
as required by law. The following newly
elected members qualified and took their
seats:
John A. Tenny ; Indian Vilhiiie.
Adam Haibaugb Howard.
W. B. King Spiing Creek.
G. G. Mason Oneida.
N. Lewis Otter Creek.
Jonathan Peterson Carlton.
T. F. Clarke Geneseo.
Amos Kile Perry.
T. S. Talmage : Clark.
G. W. Morehouse Lincoln.
'f^
J4>
274
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
The Board then proceeded to organize
by the election of B. A. Hall as chairman
for the ensuing year, and by the appoint-
ment of the various committees.
At this session a committee appointed
to examine the county property, reported
that: "having viewed the county buildings
would say that although they are not what
we should like to see in our county, still
we find them in a passable condition; we
think there is a little, and but little repair-
ing required at the present time."
On the same day the following resolu-
tion was adopted by the Board: " WJiereas,
the county of Tama in response to the call
of the Governor furnished the "Tama
county Rifles" with a fatigue dress at an
expense of upwards of $800 or thereabouts.
Therefore, Resolved that the clerk of this
Board be instructed to present to the legis-
lature a bill of particulars of clothing fur-
nished and expenses incurred by the county
and that our Senator, Hon. Joseph Dysart,
and our Representative, Hon. Leander
Clark, be requested to use all proper efforts
to have the same promptly adjusted."
It will be remembered that August 5,
1H61, the Board passed a resolution, appro-
priating f;5.00 per month for the wife and
$2.00 per month for each child of volun-
teers. At this session, January 1862, it
was reported that according to the provis-
ions of the act named, there had been paid
$1,047, up to December 12, 1861. This
was for the families of members of the
"Tama county Rifles."
Another relief appropriation was resolv-
ed by the Board October 16, 1861, for the
support of the families of the company
raised by William II. Stivers, known as
Company G. of 14th, Iowa Regiment, the
wife to receive $4.00 per month and the
children $1.00; no family to receive more
than $7.00 per month.
The committee appointed for the pur-
pose of summing up, reported. "We find
the whole amount expended for clothing,
sustenance and transportation of said com-
pany to Marengo (Rifles), $1,052.14.
We have received from the U. S. Disbursing
officer I 20o 00
We further e.\pect the State will refund
about I 847 94
There has been expended for the sup-
port of the families of volunteers:
For the first company up to December 12th
1861 .1' 1,047 00
For the second company 94 00
Total 1,141 00
This will amount in one year to 3,984 00
County Order No. 1 was issued at this session to
John Allen, for the sum of 7 45
No. 2 and No 3 to D. D. Appltgate.
At the opening of the Jtme session in
1862, the Chairman announced the vacancy
in the oftice of Supervisor from Carlton
township occasioned by the death of Jona
than Peterson, and presented the creden-
tials of James Roakes, who had been ap-
treasury, pointed. Mr. Roaks appeared,
qualified and took his seat as a member.
On the fourth of June the Board de-
clared the office of county Judge vacant,
occasioned by the removal of John Allen
from the county, and appointed T. F.
Bradford, to fill the vacancy.
On the following day Mr. Forker of-
fered the following resolution which was
adopted :
" Jic-iolved, That the families of commis-
sioned oflieers of the 'Tama county Rifle
•^
'U
\
::0^^
(^^^^^ 4^-
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
277
company' shall not be allowed to receive any
more of the appropriation made August
5th, 1861, by this board from the county
Treasury from June 1st, 186-2, unless said
families become in neady circumstances."
Mr. Rogers, |a-esented the following
vote of thanks which was adopted :
"Hesolved, that the thanks of this board
be tendered to Orrin Burright, of Crystal
township, for his gratuitous services as
<lrtimmer, together with the use of an
omnibus and for horses in carrying volun-
teers to different points in the county for
the purpose of soliciting volunteers and
finally to Marengo."
On the 18th of August, 186-i, a special
session of the Board of Supervisors was
held for the purpose of taking steps to till
the quota of the county in answer to the
President's call for 600,000 men. It re-
sulted in appropriating the sum of |i25 to
each volunteer who should enlist under
the present call of the president." At
the next meeting of the board, in Septem-
ber, it was resolved that the act above re-
ferred to did not express fully the inten-
tions of the Board, and it was declared
that, the intention was to give this bounty
of ^'25, only to residents of the county.
Mr. Tenny at the same session offered
the following resolution which was at once
adopted : Whereas Isaac Butler has, in
view of the condition of officers of our
county, and the wants of the families of
those who are now fighting the battles of
the country, generously offered to give his
foes as Justice in all State cases previous
to this date, amounting to- about nine dol-
lars for the benefit of said families there-
fore resolved that the thanks of this board
be tendered him for his generosity."
It seems that the Adjutant general had
credited Iowa county with thirty-six vol-
unteers, who had enlisted from Tama
county, and at the September session S. C.
Rodgers was appointed agent of the coun-
ty, to go to the office of the adjutant Gen-
eral and have the mistakes rectified.
At the opening of the October session,
in 1862. Samson Strong presented his
credentials of appointment as Supervisor
from Carlton township in place of James
Roakers who had gone to the war. Mr.
Strong qualified and took the seat.
The third annual meeting of the board
convened at the court house on the
5th of January, 1863, and organized by
the selection of B. A. Hall as chairman
for the ensuing year. The following were
the newly elected members:
B. A. Hall Toledo
R. Johnston Highland
Peter McRoberts Carroll
J. S. Tovvnsend Crystal
J. A. Willey Salt Creek
Geo. W. Selvy York
6. W. Morrison .Columbia
T. Forker Richland
D. C'onnell Buckingham
G. D. Berry : . ...i Howard
Nothing of special interest transpired
until December of this year when, on the
2lst day of the month, a special meeting
of the board was held for the purpose of
offering bounties to volunteers, and to
provide in the best manner that the board
should see fit for the families of those
enlisting. The following was unanimous-
ly adopted by the board being presented
by T. Forker:
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
^
"He it Re.tolved by the Board of Super-
visors of Tama county, Iowa, that the sum
of ten thousand dollars or so much there-
of as may be necessary, be and the same
is hereby appropriated from the funds to
be hereinafter raised for the purpose of
paying bounties to persons who have or
may hereafter enlist in the ser\'ice of
the United States under the last call made
by the President for 300,000 volunteers;
that a tax of four mills on the dollar shall
be levied on the taxable property of said
L-ounty at the next regular meeting of
said board for levying county taxes for the
special purpose of paying the appropria-
tion hereby made; and further, that each
volunteer under said call shall receive a
warrant on the Treasury of the county for
the sum of ^100 payable at the oftice of
the county Treasurer of said county on or
before January 1st, 1866, with ten percent,
interest from January 1, 1864. But the
Hoard of Supervisors shall have the right
til order said warrants paid at any time
after they are issued by L'ivingthirty days
notice in .some newspaper published in
said county, if there be one, and if not
by causing a notice for the same length of
time to be posted on the court house door,
after which time all interest on said war-
rants shall cease; and be it further resolv-
ed * * that the family of each volunteer,
who are residents of said county enlisting
under said call, shall be entitled to draw,
the same amountfrom the County Treasury,
as the families of the members of Com-
pany G, 14th Regiment Iowa Volunteers,
upon filing of affidavits and complying in
all respects with the regulations made
for the members of said Company " G."
It seems that at this term there was a
little difficulty in regard to the seat of one
of the members. The record states :
" Mr. James A. Miller presented his cre-
dentials as member from Lincoln town-
ship in place of Mr. Morehouse, who bad
removed from the township ; Mr. More-
house contested the right of Mr. Miller to
appear as a member of said Board from
Lincoln township- Mr. Forker moved that
Mr. Miller be entitled to his seat as a
member of this Board, carried and Mr.
Miller came forward and qualified. "
J. T. Shugart presented his credentials
as a member of the Board of Supervisors
from York township in place of ^Mr. Selvy
who had removed from the county. He
qualified and took his seat.
The fourth annual session of the Board
convened at the court house in Toledo^
January 4, 1864. Peter McRobcrts was
made chairman pro-tem., and the follow
ing members elect a])j)eared and (jualified,
representing the townships named :
Indiiin Village A. Urickcr
Howard Wm. Gallagher, Jr
Spring Creek V. S. Bartlell
Oneida Josiah Thomas
Otter Creek A. Tompkins
Carlton Wm. Conant
Genesee T. F. Clark
Perry Daniel Connell
Clark Joseph Dysarl
Lincoln I A Miller
The Board then proceeded to effect a
permatient organization by the election of
B. A. Hall, chairman for the ensuing
year.
At this session a committee was in-
structed to investigate the matter of buy-
ing a poor farm for the county. Another
:>>
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
279
committee was instructed to issue a proc-
lamation that at the next general election
the question would be submitted whether
sheej) and hogs should run at large or not.
It was also resolved that bonds of the
county to the amount of $1500, be issued
to pay bounty warrants.
At the June session Mr. Taplin was ap-
pointed as supervisor from Indian Village
township.
'I he Board resolved at its September
session 1864. to submit the question of
building a court house. The proclama-
tion read:
"Whether the Board of Supervisors
shall on or before the first day of June,
1865, order and contract for the erection
of a court house within the village of
Toledo, the county seat of said county;
probably costing over $2,000, provided
that in no case and under no circumstances
shall the said contract for the building and
finishing and furnishing of said court
house exceed the sum of |!20,OuO. The
proposition was defeated at the polls.
The Fifth annual meeting of the Board
convened at Toledo on January 2nd 1805,
and organized by the election of P. L.
Sherman Chairman, for the ensuing year.
The following newly elected members ap-
peared and took their seats, viz
Geueseo P. L. Sbcrmau.
Buckingham G. Jaquii.
Lincoln A. C. Brockway.
Carroll .' S. Doolittle.
Toledo W. F. Johnston.,
York L B. Dudd.'
Sail Creek ....: S. Prill,
Columbia J. Ros^s.
Highland E. M. Po>neer.
It was ordered that $5.00 be the bounty
paid for wolf scalps.
The war committee made a report at
this session stating that "upon a careful
examination of the books in the clerk's
office we find that there has been paid on
relief warrants for the benefit of soldiers
families the sum of $9,155.66, for the year
ending January 1st, 1865; also that the
amount paid during the month of Decem-
ber last is $785 which is less than the av-
erage monthly expenditures for the year
past; from which we infer that this branch
of the county expenses has reached its
maximum and is giadually on the de-
crease."
On the 5th of January, 1865, Hon. Jos.
Dysart offered the following resolution and
moved its adoption.
Whereas, "The President of the United
States, has issued his proclamation calling
for 300,000 volunteers to be enlisted before
the 15th day of February 1865. There-
fore, be it resolved, that each volunteer
drafted man or substitute mustered into
service of the United States under said
call shall be entitled to receive a county
warrant of the denomination of $200, pay-
able January 1st 1868, with interest at six
per cent from the 15th day of February,
1865, provided that no warrant shall be
issued until the certificate of the Provost
Marshal of this district or that of the
Aj't. General of Iowa be filed in the
office of the Clerk of this Board, showing
that the i)erson claiming the same, shall
have been credited to some township in
Tama county; and provided further that
the number of warrants issued to volun-
teers, drafted men or substitutes of any
township, shall not exceed the quota of
volunteers, demanded of such township un-
der the above named call, and further be
'f
-^
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
it resolved that a tax of two mills on the
dollar, on the taxable property of Tama
county shall be levied by the Board of
Siii)ervisors of said county at the time of
levying taxes in 1R60, and every subse-
ijuent year thei'eafter until said warrants
with the interest thereon are paid.
The power to direct the payment of the
whole or any part of the warrants that
may thus be issued is reserved by the
Board of Supervisors, by giving thirty days
notice by publication in some newspaper
in Tama county, or posting such notice on
the court house door, and all interest there-
after shall cease."
The resolutions were unanimously
adopte<l.
At the June session C. N. Knapp pre-
sented his appointment as Supervisor from
Sprijig Creek township; John Ransdell
from Richland township, Mr. Anthony,
from Oneida, and all (jualified and took
their seats.
The war committee on the 8th of .June,
1 865, reported "that the amount now be-
ing paid out of the relief fund monthly for
the benefit of soldier's families is 1748.
At the September session a resolution
was passed to the effect that a proposition
be submitted to the legal voters of Tama
county at the general election held in
October, 1865, for the purpose of deter-
mining whether or not said county will
donate the swamp lands and the proceeds
of the swamp lands and the proceeds of
said swamp lands belonging to the county
or held by the county, to the Iowa Central
Railroad Company, provided, said road
would build through the county. (See
Railroad (^hapter.)
At the .same term the bond of the county
Treasurer was fixed at §60,000.
The railroad matter came up in different
form at the same session and was decided
that the following question be subraittSS
to the voters of the county; whether the
people would donate the sum of 840,000 to
the Iowa Central R. R. Company to be
used in building the same in this county,
and a tax of four mills on the dollar be
levied in the year.s 1866, 1867 and 1868, to
pay the same. It carried at the polls.
A resolution was passed about the same
time offering a bounty of 10 cents upon
each pocket gopher killed. This was pre-
sented by Mr. Tompkins.
The war committee consisting of A. N.
Poyneer, L. B. Dodd and Wm. Gallagher,
again reported this term, but treated of
nothing except local matters.
G. G. Mason appeared at the October
session and qualified as Supervisor from
Oneida township. *
The sixth annual session of the Board
commenced on January 1st 1866, at the
court house in Toledo, and Mr. Johnston
was chosen temporary chairman. 1 he
following named appeared and qualified
as members from their various townships,
they being the members-elect:
Genesee P. L- Sherman
Clark Joseph Dysart
Richland Turner Forker
Perry James Wilson
Indian Village. A. C. Tenny
Carroll B. Dickerson
Salt Creek A. B. Haucox
Howard W. Gallagher
York Z. T. Shugart
Oueida Nathan Harmon
Spring Creek C. N. Knapp
Otter Creek J. H. Brooks
Carlton A. Donaldson
Lincoln W. C. Thomas
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
:l^
The Board permanently organized by
the election of P. L. Sherman chairman
for the ensuing j'ear.
It was resolved that each Su]>ervisor con.
stitute a committee of one in their respec-
tive townships, for the purpose of seeing
that none of the families of soldiers
suffered.
Nothing of especial interest transpired
during this year.
The Board convened at its Seventh
Annual session on the 7th of January 1867,
A. Donaldson took the chair pro tern and
upon the roll being called the following
named gentlemen were found to be pres-
ent representing their townships:
Otter Creek .James Brooks
Columbia William Cory
Oneida B. Dicliersoa
Clark Joseph Dysart
Carlton A. Donaldson
Richland T. Forker
Crystal C. C. Guilford
Howard William Gallagher
Toledo W. F. Johnston
Buckingham W. T. V. Ladd
Lincoln Greenwood Prescott
Carroll Joseph Powell
Highland A. N. Poyneer
Geneseo P. L. Sherman
Indian Village A. C. Teuny, Jr.
Perry James W dsou
The record states of York, Salt Creek
and Spring Creek "no representatives."
The matter of electing a permanent chair-
man was then taken up and resulted in
the re-election of P. L. Sherman, over
James Wilson and A. Donaldson.
The matter of erecting a court house
received attention at the September ses-
sion 18G7, when the following resolution
was presented and read by Mr. Johnston,
and adopted by the Board.
Resolved, "By the Toledo court house
Association that for the consideration here-
inafter expressed, the said Association do
hereby release to Tama county the "One
Hundred Dollars" heretofore contracted to
be paid as rent for said house by said
county and agree to furnish said building
according to the plans and specifications
as soon as said building can be reason.ably
completed, and then to give the full con-
trol of said building and grounds to said
county so long as said county shall use the
same for county purposes. Provided said
county shall appropriate the sum of $5,000
to help finish said building. * * *
W. F. Johnston, President,
A. J. Free, Secretary.
The sum of $5,000 was then appropriated
in compliance with the resolution of the
Association, and the court house became
county property.
At the October session 1667, the county
officers ware authorized to move into the
court house as soon as possible.
For 1868 the Board commenced their
year's labor on the 6th of January. Mr.
Tompkins was chosen temporary chairman
and the following new members sworn in:
Geneseo T P. L. Sherman
Oneida Martin Leavens
Spring Creek H. P. Willard
Howard Wm. Gallagher
Clark Joseph Dysart
Otter Creek A. Tompkins
Carlton C. Bratt
Indian Village A. C. Tenny, Jr.
Salt Creek James A. Willoy
Perry W. Rogers
P. L. Sherman was unanimously elected
A«
l\^
HISTORY OF TAJtf A COUNTY.
chairman for the ensuing year.
At the .Tune session R. J. Hall appeared
and ijualified as Supervisor from Crystal
township in place of Mr. Guilford who had
removed from the township.
The township of (xrant was created on
the 2nd of June, 1808, the resolution read-
ing as follows:
llettolred, "That this Board do grant the
prayer of the petition of John W. Flera-
mingand others asking that the congres-
sional township described as township 86,
range 15, be set off from Buckingham
township and be organized into a civil
township to be known as "Grant." That
the Clerk of this Board be directed to re-
cord the boundaries of said township as
required by law. That he issue a warrant
for holding the next general election."
At the same session the Board passed a
resolution encouraging the cultivation of
shade trees.
During September the Board decided
that at the next general election the ques-
tion should be submitted to the legal voters
of Tama county whether the Board of
Supervisors should be authorized to oiler
and cause to be paid a bounty for the ex-
termination of pocket gophers in Tama
county.
On the ninth of September 1868, Mr.
Willard offered the fol'owing resolution
to the board, moving its adoption. It ex-
plains itself :
" /ieso/red, That whereas, a child be-
longing to Mr. Healy.of Spring creek, Tama
county, Iowa, was lost or kidnapped on or
about the 2nd day of September, A. D.,
186a, and whereas, report is being circu-
lated that said child was kidnapped.
Therefore resolved that the Clerk of this
board be authorized to offei a reward of
five hundred dollars for the arrest of the
kidnapper, and return of the child, and
that said reward he published in the three
county papers, for three consecutive
weeks." ( See chapter " Miscellaneous.")
At the September session Mr. Dysart
moved to change the name of •' Tama city
township " to " Tama township." It was
carried.
The ninth annual session of the board
commenced January 4, 1869. A. Tomp-
kins was chosen as temporary chairman.
The members who were present are record-
ed as being Messrs. C. Bratt, E. S. Beck-
ley, Jos. Dysart, T. Forker, A. N. Poy-
iieer, Martin Leavens, B. A. Hall, (4.
Jaqua, Jos. Powell, W. Rodgers, P. L.
Sherman, A. Tompkins, Tenney, U. T.
Willard, Jacob Loutzenheiser, J. S. Town-
send, Jno. Flemming, C. H. Baldwin, H.
L. Smith A. Wilkinson. P. L. Sherman,
from Geneseo, was duly elected chairman,
for the ensuing year.
At this session it was,
" liesolced, That in the opinion of this
board the time has come to purchase a
farm to be known as the "Poor Farm of
Tama county.
During the same session J. R. Stewart,
the county Superintendent presented a
lengthy paper to the board, showing the
condition of educational matters.
During this year the name of Thomas
S. Free as Clerk of the board drops from
sight, but reappears on the records as
"Audilor."
The years work of 1870 was inaugu-
rated by the board in the session com-
mencing on January :i, 1870, M. Wilkin-
son was chosen as temporary chairman.
1'
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
283
Messrs. Willard, Withington, Sapp, Sher-
man and Staley, all took the necessary
oath qualifying them as the newly-elected
members of the board. B. A. Hall was
elected permanent chairman.
Nothing of importance came before the
board this year, their time being mostly
occupied in routine work.
During the winter of 1869 and 18':0 an
act was passed by the General Assembly
changing the mode of government from
what had been practiced for a decade past.
The board of Supervisors was to consist of
three members from the county at large
instead of one from each township. The
new board was elected at the general
election in the fall of 1870.
The new board first met on the second
of January, 1871, and was composed of
Leander Clark, G. .Jaqua and A. N. Poy-
neer although at the opening of this 8^'s-
sion only Leander Clark and A. N. Poy-
neer were present. The following day all
were present and Leander Clark was elect-
ed chairman for the ensuing year.
At the June session a resolution was
presented to the board favoring the sub-
mission of the question to the voters as
to whether or no, there should be five
supervisors. It was lost.
For 1872 the board consisted of A. N.
Poyneer, G. Jaqua and John Ramsdell,
the latter, having been elected in the fall
of 1871 to succeed Mr. Clark. A. N.
Poyneer was elected chairman for the en-
suing year.
At the June session of this year it was
Resolved, That the question be submit-
ted to the legal voters of the county
" whether or not the swamp lands, now
owned by said county shall be sold and
the proceeds thereof be devoted to the
purchase of a poor farm in and for said
coun':y of Tama."
In the fall of 1872 G. Jaqua was re-
elected his own successor, .and when the
board first met in January 187.3, he ap-
peared and took the oath. A. N. Poyneer
was re-elected chairman for the year 1873.
At the .June session the board passed
the following rather significant resolution:
" Whereas : The Hon. M. M. Walden
has donated to the school fund of this
county $236.65, as a part of the proceeds
of what has been called the "salary
â– grab," therefore.
Resolved, That believing the partaker
in unjust gains is as bad as the principal,
we herewith instruct the Auditor to return
said donation, preferring to trust in Prov-
idence and our own efforts for the educaj
tion of our children rather than to dis
honest gains, however obtained.
For 1874 the board consisted of John
Ramsdell, G. Jaqua, and S. W. Huttou,
the 1 tter having been elected to succeed
A. N. Poyneer. John Ramsdell was cho-
sen chairman for the ensuing year.
The fifteenth annual meeting of the
Board was commenced on January 4th,
1875, and the members were G. Jaqua, S,
W. Button and J. H. Lauderdale. Mr.
Lauderdale was the member-elect and he
qualified and took his seat. G. Jaqua was
elected chairman of the board for the
ensuing year. Routine work occupied the
attention of the board during this year.
The sixteenth annual session convened
on January 3d 1876, the board being com-
posed of S. W. Hutton, J. H. Lauderdale
and Theo. Clark, the latter having been
elected in the previous fall to succeed G.
284
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Jaqua, and the latter gentleman became
Representative of Tama county in the
General Assembly. S. W. Hutton was
chosen chairman for the ensuing year.
A special meeting of the board was
held in August, 1870, for the purpose of
acting upon a petition of citizens of
Chelsea and vicinity asking that a ditch
drain and embankment be constructed
from Long Point on the Iowa river south-
easterly to Otter Creek. The scheme was
defeated.
The board for 1877 was composed of J.
II. Lauderdale, Theo. Clark and H. H.
Withington, the latter named being the'
incoming member. lie qualified at the
opening of the .January session and took
his seat. Mr. Lauderdale was elected
chairman for the ensuing year, Mr. Clark
was in feeble health and was unable to at-
tend the meetings of the board. On the
4th of December he resigned his office
and Joseph Dysart was appointed to fill
the place.
R. M. Tenny was elected Supervisor in
the fall of 1877, and thus the board for
1878 was composed of II. H. Withington,
Joseph Dysart and R. M. Tenny. Mr.
Withington was elected chairinan for the
ensuing year.
At the .lune session it was resolved that
the question be submitted to the people
whether the Board of Supervisors should
be increased to five members. It was sub-
mitted at the ensuing general election and
defeated.
The following was adopted on the same
day:
"WiiEKEAs, It is uncertain what is the
bounty for killing a wolf , lynx, swift or wild
cat, in this county. Therefore be it
liesolval. It be fixed at *2.00 per scalp
in addition to the one dollar allowed by
law."
For the year 1879, the board was com-
posed of the same gentlemen as the year
previous, Joseph Dysart having been elect-
ed his own successor. H. H. Withington
was elected chairman for the ensuing
year.
The same board officiated in 1880, II.
II. Withington being re-elected.
In the fall of 1880 A. Z. Rawson was
elected Supervisor to succeed R. M. Tenny.
Thus for the year 1881, the board was
composed of Joseph Dysart, IL II. With-
ington and A. Z. Rawson. H. II. With-
ington was elected chairman for the en-
suing year.
At the April session the Auditor pres-
ented a certificate from the Secretary of
the State showing length in miles, of the
several railroads in Tama county, and ihe
assessed value thereof as follows.
Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern
(Pacific Division) 18 miles, assessed at
*4,000 per mile.
Chicago &, Northwestern, 25.38-100
miles, assessed at -i!lO,575 per mile.
Toledo & Northwestern, 22.14-100
miles, assessed at |;2,000 per mile.
In 1882, the board first met January
2, at the court house in Toledo, being
composed of A. Z. Rawson, II. II. With-
ington and B. Smith, the latter being the
member-elect. H. H. Withington was
elected chairman for the ensuing year.
The official bonds of the various officers
were fixed as follows:
l\^
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
County Treasurer |100,000
County Auditor 10,000
Sheriff 15,000
Coroner 2,000
County Superintendent 1,000
County Surveyor 1,000
The work of the year 1883 was inaugu-
rated by a meeting January 1st. The
board consisted of A. Z. Rawson, B.
Smitii and Joseph Dysart, the latter be-
ing the new member.
Mr, Dysart presented a resolution which
was adopted at the January session, fixing
tlie salary of the County auditor at $1200
per annum, sheriff $300 per annum exclu-
sive of fees ; deputy clerk, deputy Audi-
tor and deputy treasurer, each $50 per
month.
At the general election in the fall of
1882, it was decided by the people that
hereafter there should be five members of
the Board of Supervisors.
CHAPTER VI.
OTHER OFFICIAL MATTER.
In this connection are presented various
official matters, which, although too brief
to place in a chapter separately, are too
important to be entirely ignored. The
items have been gathered from records
and from interviews with those familiar
with sucli matter.
MATRIMONIAL.
This is a matter which often attracts
attention when treated historically. In
various lands the marriage rite is solem-
nized in different ways and by different
ceremonies ; in all, the acts of the con-
tracting parties must be understood by
each, and by the community in which
they live as being a mutual agreement to
hold the relations toward one another as
man and wife. In this State a license has
always been required ; or in lieu thereof,
for a number of years, a couple could be
married by publishing their intentions
through a public assembly, although in
Iowa it was never practised to any great
extent.
The first marriage that appears on the
record books of the county was solemnized
on August 14, 1853, more than thirty
years ago. The parties were Miron Blod-
gett and Sarah Cronk. They were mar-
ried by John C. Vermilya, County Judge.
It was the first marriage solemnized in the
county subsequent to its organization.
In early days young men and maidens
were not married in the grand style which
usually characterizes marriages of the
present time. They did not wait for
riches to come before marriage, as is gen-
erally the present custom, but married
and lived in simple and comfortable style,
and generally lived happily and gained
"IV"
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
the respect of their neighbors by attend-
ing to their own business. There were no
" diamond weddings " in those days and
the extravagance that often now attends
the marriage ceremony was unheard of.
The old folks were plain, economical and
hospitable people, and the young folks
were imbued with the same attributes that
characterized their fathers and mothers.
They were willing to commence house-
keeping in a style corresponding with
their means, trusting to the future for
larger houses and more expensive furni-
ture.
There are many rich anecdotes of the
rustic marriages in early days, but where
possible they are treated in connection
with the history of the townships in. which
they occurred. How, when the time came,
the blushing and rosy maid, would drop
her milk pails, throw off her apron and
tying on her sun bonnet, clamber into the
lumber box wagon, while "John" in his
over-alls and farm boots would take up
the whip, and the oxen would move off
with the bridal procession to the " Squires "
who did the " jining of the knot. "
One of these anecdotes, which is not
located and therefore cannot properly be
placed in the townships, is here given.
In an early day a young couple, fresh
from the wilds of the frontier, sauntered
into one of the pioneer villages, entered a
store and, confronting the proprietor, told
him that " they wanted to get married. "
■' Why, " said the merchant, " I — I — can't
do any marrying. " " Well, if you can't,
I'd like to know who can. We're goin' to
get married, you bet " said the aspiring
young bride-groom with a gushing look at
the damsel at his side. "I tell you, " said
the merchant ; "you go over to the post-
master, I think he can do the job for
you." The young couple started off with
great joy to find the man who could mar-
ry them. They found the postmaster and
told him that they had come to " git mar-
ried. " This rather dazed the mail man
and he told them " he couldn't marry. "
" But, " says the bride-groom, " the man
over there in that store said you could,
and I guess he ought to know. " " Well
I guess he ought ; that's so," said the post-
master. " It seems to me that I've seen
something about marrying somewhere in
the instructions to postmasters. Yes, I
guess that's all right. " Accordingly the
couple were ranged in front of him and
in the most approved style he pronounced
them " Mr. and Mrs., as provided by the
U. S. postal regulations. Go your way,
keep your mouths shut and you'll be hap-
py. " As they turned to leave, he remark-
ed, "only a dollar a piece, please. "
The following is a list of all the mar-
riages that occurred in the county for the
first few years after organization, as taken
from the record in the office of the Clerk
of Court:
Miron Blodgett and Sarah Cronk, mar-
ried on August 14, 1853, by John C. Ver-
milya County Judge.
Granville Dennis and Elizabeth Jane
Shephard December 4, 1853, by Rev. S.
W. Ingham.
Fred L. Knot and Martha Taylor Octo.
ber 16, 1853, by Rev. S. W. Ingham.
George Wier and Mary Jane Rush De-
cember 25, 1853, by Judge J. C. Vermilya.
George McCharabers and Cordelia A.
Lux, October, 16, 1853, by Robert Wilkin-
son, Justice.
•r^
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 287
'
The marriages during the year 1854,
December 17, by John C. Vermilya, Coun-
were as follows.
ty Judge.
Solomon W. Ingham and Cynthia Tay-
George Carter and Phebe Ann Cronk,
lor, .January 28, by Andrew Coleman.
December 25, by John Vermilya, Coun y
.James W. Grant and Mary E. Wilkin-
Judge.
son, April 13, by Rev. S. Dunton.
John Zehrung and Mary E. Connell, No-
Jacob Bruner and Susan Ashby, April
vember 26, by Rev. D. H. Petefish.
16, by John C. Vermilya, County Judge.
Joseph A. Brown and Margaret Hill,
Alpheus Goodpaster and Mary Hill,
December 3, by Rev. D. H. Petefish.
April 29, by John Connell, J. P.
The following is a list of the marriages
Wm. H. II. Hill and Sharloc Helm,
for the year 1855, without going so par-
M,ay 21. by John Connell, J. P.
ticularly into dates:
Logan McChesney and Lucy A. Ilancox,
P. B. Hill and R. Dice by Rev. D. H.
March 20, by A. Ladow Licentiate.
Petefish.
Martin S. Slate and Charlotte M. Dingey
William Blanchard and Sarah Wilkins,
July 4, by Rev. Solomon Dunton.
by N. B. Hiatt, J. P.
Joseph Riddle and Mary Ann Yoste,
Jacob Yost and Sarah Ann Sparks, by
September 3, by J. C. Vermilya, County
John C. Vermilya, County Judge.
Judge.
John Allman and Julia K. Voorhies, by
George W Voorhies and Carlista J.
Rev. Wm. Armstrong.
Dingee, September 27, by John C. Ver-
William Leach and Elvina He'm by
milya, County Judge.
Tobias R. Shiner.
Mark Webb and Catharine Voorhies,
Harrison Wisehart and Elcy Ann Ap-
September 27, 18.54, by John C. Vermilya,
pelgate by John C. Vermilya.
Judge.
William T. Hollen and Sarah Bruner,
Angelo A. Myers and Nancy Ross, by
John C. Vermilya, County Judge.
Sfi)teniber 17, by Benjamin Hamraitt, J.
John Eakins and Sophyna L. Leonard,
P.
by John C. Vermilya, County Judge.
Josei)h Davis and Rebecca Bruner, Sep-
Elias H. Price and Sarah Hatfield by
tember 17, by Benjamin Ilammitt.
Newton B. Hiatt, J. P.
James Giilen and l.ydia Grover, Octo-
ber 11, l)y J. C. Vermilya, County Judge.
George More and Mary Ann Howard,
September 10, by N. B. Hyatt, J. P.
Nathaniel E. Horton and Eunice Mary-
ette Horton, October 26, by John Connell,
P. L. Baldy and Asenith McChesney, by
John C. Vermilya.
Robert Carter and Eliza Ross, by Judge
VernJlya.
Truman Prindle and Emily M. Michael,
by Judge Vermilya.
Hiram Pickett and Louisa E. Miner, by
J. P.
Wm. Blodgett and Veteria A. Ladow,
August 22, by A. Ladow, Licentiate.
N. B. Hiatt, J. P.
David Hunnevvell and Katharine Myers
by Judge Vermilya.
L
J,
Hugh Hammitt and Nancy Zehrung
Newton Sanders and Mary McDormand
(t r-
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.ku
9)
1
288 HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
by Geo S. Williams, J. P.
Adam Zehrung and Dorcas Denison.
Elias HalHeld and Ellen S. Rich by
Isaiah Hunnewell and Minerva Chase.
Jmlye Vennilya.
Martin Richardson and Elizabeth Mc-
Andrew J. Litell an 1 Ann Ilammett by
Pheters.
Judge Verniilya.
Ephriam A. Suthard and Elizabeth Jor-
William Kandall and Marintha Riccard
dan.
by John C. Vermilya, County Judge.
Alpheus Harworth and Elizabeth Fee.
Jacob C. Zehrung and Caroline Gettis
Horace A. Hartshorn and Philida Kyle.
l)y Judge Vermilya.
Samuel Long and Eliza Early.
Albert Keneday and Sibel Harris, by
Judge J. C. Vermilya.
Henry C. Foster and Mary Jane Olthy.
John Bruebaker and Racheal Liimm.
Robert Foster and Nancy Hunter, by
Rev. W. N. Brown.
J. S. Edmands and Malinda Shugart.
Reuben Huffman and Maria Zehrung. by
Francis M. Davis and Martha Jane Ap-
Benjamin Hammitt.
p legate.
Tyler Blake and Nancy J. Dairs, by
Charles Barnes and Harriet Hatfield.
Benjamin Hammitt, J. P.
Lorenzo R. Dobson and Mary Judge.
Chas. T. Stewart and Mary A. Sadler, by
Jonas P. Wood and Margaret Connell.
Judge J. C. Vermilya.
Riley Haworth and Melissa J. Fisher.
Andrew Rorke and Sophia Earhurt, by
Mathias Travis and Rachael Davis.
Isaac Butler, J. P.
Francis Henry and Sarah Myers.
The list for 1S.5G materially increases
John Connell and Catharine Graham.
as follows:
Rezin Overturf and Henrietta Byron.
Newlon F. Crosley and Rebecca J,
L F. Drake and Rachael Overturf.
Marvin.
Elias H. Bowens and Elizabeth Powell.
Fredrick Frederich and Susanah Mitch-
T. J. Staley and E. J. Graham.
ell.
Alonzo Helm and Emily Recksten.
George Cook and Sarah House.
David Gillespie and Francis A. Har-
John D. Smith and Mary Mann.
man.
Henry Wilson and Absila Boling.
Benjamin Rush and Rebecca Corfman.
J. C. Wood and Elizabeth Kile.
Ephriam Jeffries and Catharine Ross.
W. M. Dunlap and Fannie A. Johnson.
Jesse Hoj)kins and Rebecca Myers.
Andrew Hanna and Sarah J. Bates.
(xeorge. Wyvill and Nancy Southard.
Geo. W. Shiner and Jennette Leffler.
Elijah T. Rust and Julia K. Edwards.
Tiberius Donaldson and Emily A. Fay.
James Pickett and Nancy Bennett.
J. Wiliamson and Mary Richey.
William W. Davis and Eliza Jane Par-
J. L. Graham and A. Wood.
ker.
Samuel Walker and Arminda Paxon.
Cyrus Shelton and Mary Ann Southard.
Andrew McPheters and Rachael Ab-
<
John H. Carlton and Sarah Stoddard.
bott.
I
John Newton and Martha Arbuthnot.
The following table shows the number
-♦i
t9
^
' '
. . —
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'^.""
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^1
^
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
of marriages contracted from 1853 to 1883
inclusive :
1853
5
1869
..140
1854
35
'..27
1870
151
1855.... 7..
1871
...134
1856
45
37
1872
..125
1857
1873
1874
163
1858
49
49
50
.150
1859
1875
181
1860
1876
1877
...195
1861
41
...180
1862
44
1878
. . . 176
1863
50
1879
...Ito
1864
68
1880
...180
1865
80
1881
. . .224
1866
124
1882
...204
1867
115
1883 to April 1st.
. ... 67
1868
138
Total
.3,399
A glance at the foregoing figure.s .shows
conclusively that the matrimonial market is
affected by the state of the times. In 1857
hard times set in and the marriage list de-
creased in ratio. Again in 1874, banks
suspended and a season of depression set
in and fewer marri ges were contracted.
The war too caused a falling off in the
number of marriages annually contract-
ed, but in 1866, when the boys got home
the market at once jumped back to and
above its normal condition.
ABSTRACT OF ASSESMENTS FOR TAMA COUNTY, FOR
THE YEAR 1882.
No. of Acres, exclusive of Town
Properly 452,301
Value exclusive of Town Property.. $4 299,624
Total exemption for trees planted. . . 102,516
Total after deducting exemptions...
Aggregate value of Realty in towns.
Aggregate value of R. R. property.
Aggregate value of Personal Proper-
ty including horses and cattle ....
Total valuation of Tama County. .
4,197,108
551,073
380,840
1,400,573
6, 529,594
REALTY VALUE IN TOWNS AND CITIES.
Dysart $47, 344
Chelsea, 18,052
Traer 76,560
Toledo City 120,382
Tama City 202,364
Gladbrook 31,130
Garwin 6,705
Montour 29,159
Other small towns 19,374
Total .551,073
VALUATION OF LIVE STOCK.
No. ' Val.
Cattle assessed in the county.. 31,917 $383,817
Horses " '• " .. 11,670 401,880
Mules " " " .. 543 23,086
Sheep " " " .. 3,043 3,376
Swine " " '• ..37,115 98,223
Total valuation $910 383
COUNTY BUILDINGS.
The first building really used for official
purposes was the house of John CI. Ver-
milya, County Judge, which stood about
one-half mile east of the present site of
Tama City. It was a log building and.
there was not room in it scarcely for a
jury to sit. Judge Verrailya soon took
proper steps for the erection of a court
house, and the contract was let to T. A.
Graham for the sum of $1,300. The court
house was completed in the latter part of
1 854, and « as a commodious, two story
frame building, which stood on lot 2, in
block 5, Toledo. This building served the
purpose until 1866, when it was sold.
During the year 1865, the people of
Toledo agitated the question of a new
court house, as it was realized that a larger
one was needed. At a meeting held in
Toledo, there was a Court House Associa-
tion organized, with A. J. Free as secreta-
ry ; and W. F. Johnston, W. H. Harrison
290
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
D. D. Applegate, T. A. Graham, N. C.
Wieting and G. R. Struble as trustees.
The matter was settled and bids for the
erection advertised for, upon plans and
specifications submitted. P. B. McCul-
lough, of Toledo, was the successful bid-
der, and he began the construction of the
building. lie failed to complete it, and
H. 15. Belden agreed to finish it under the
contract. The cost of the building was a
trifle over S22,000, of which all but about
$5,000 was paid by the association, and it
was donated to the county. The building
occupies a fine site, standing near the cen-
tre of Toledo, in the Public Park, and
presents an elegant and imposing appear-
ance. The grounds have been beautified
by shade trees, which were planted years
ago. The basement is of stone, the build-
ing is of brick and is roofed with corru-
gated iron. A large belfry surmounts the
building. The first floor is divided into
the county oflices, the court room and office
of the county superintendent occupy the
upper story.
The county jail stands just northeast of
the court house, and is a fine brick struct-
ure 30 X .34 feet, two stories in heighth.
It was erected in 1869, and was first occu-
pied in 1870. The upper story contains
six pleasant rooms and is occupied by the
jailor or sheriff and family. The lower
story, or jail proper, contains a large
wrought iron cage, 22 x 2.5 feet, with
sleeping ap.artments, for the close confine-
ment of prisoners. The outer door lead-
ing into the hall is also wrought iron, and
the inner one is a grated door. The en-
tire building is covered with a wrought
iron roof.
TAilA COUNTY POOE FAEM.
At the general election in 1875, the
proposition of purchasing a poor farm and
the erection of necessary buildings, was
submitted to the voters of Tama county.
It carried by a large majority, and the
Board of Supervisors purchas' d of A. J.
Wheaton, a tract of one hundred and
fifty acres in section two, township 83,
range 15, for $6,750. The contract lor
remodeling and enlarging the building
was awarded to the Tama Hydraulic
and Builders' Association, for §4,084.65,
while Kent and Conklin were the archi-
tects.
The house is on a high elevation, a dry
and healthy location ; it has been rebuilt
and greatly enlarged, and various changes
instituted. As the building appears from
the road it is more suggestive of an East-
ern suburban hotel, or something of that
kind than a charitable institution. Its
extreme length from north to south is 84
feet, its width varies, being, we believe,
24 feet and 34 feet. It is divided up into
the rooms, kitchen, dining room, halls
and bed rooms. It is so arranged that
there are three different stair-cases lead-
ing to the second story, so that in case of
fire the upper story could be easily empti-
ed of its occupants and contents, no mat-
ter in what locality the fire might be. The
furniture is plain and substantial, though
neat. Near the kitchen is an excellent
well and a large cistern in which a force
pump has been placed for protection
against conflagration. The farm is well
stocked with implements, and everything
seems to be in good, healthy condition.
The place is under the charge of Mr. Abel
Child, who with the assistance of his
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
k^
amiable wife, seem to be the right people
ill the right places. It requires a pecu-
liar disposition and manner to make a
success of such an instituion, and Mr. and
Mrs. Child seem to be possessed of that
peculiarity.
There is a certain discipline required,
which, while it is kind and gentle, must,
at the same time, be strict enough to easily
quell any refractory or perverse spirit
which will at times show itself even under
the most generous and favorable circum-
stances.
Mr. Child keeps the farm in business
like manner, and each month makes out
duplicate reports, one copy of which is
filed in the Auditor's office, while the
other is preserved for reference, either for
himself or any one that many be visiting.
Abel Childs, Superintendent of the
County Poor Farm, was born in Broome
county, N. Y., September 4, 1S34. His
parents, Josiah and Betsey (Aplington)
Childs, died when he was a mere child,
and he was reared by his grandfather Ap-
lington, in Broome county, where he grew
to manhood. At the age of twenty-one he
left New York and removed to Ogle coun-
ty, Illinois, where he engaged in farming.
In 186'2, he was married to Miss Margaret
Lawson, a daughter of John Lawson, a
native of Scotland. She was born in
Paisley, Scotland. Her father was enga-
ged largely in the dyeing business, and at
the time of the World's Fair, he took the
first premium on Paisley shawls. Mr. and
Mrs. Childs are the parents of five child-
ren : Mary, Fleeda, Lizzie, Fred, and Ros-
coe. In the spring of 1856 Mr. Childs
came to Tama county, and located in Car-
roll township, remaining until 1876, when
he received the appointment to his present
position. In politics he is a Republican,
and has held several local offices of trust
in the gift of the people.
ATTEMPT TO MAKE A CHANGE.
In the Fifteenth General Assembly
which convened at Des Moines, in Janu-
ary, 1874, a bill was introduced in the
Lower House to cut oflf the northwest
corner townships of Tama county, and
annex them to Grundy county. These
townships were Lincoln and Grant. The
following extract from the House Journal
relates to the matter:
"Tracy called up H. F. 191, to provide
for a submission to the voters of Tama
and Grundy counties the proposition to
detach township 86, north range 15 and
16 west, from Tama county and attach
the same to Grundy county, and moved
that the rules be suspended, bill be con-
sidered engrossed and read a third time
now, and advocated the bill.
"Marlin, of Tama, asked for delay, in
order to receive an expression from the
people of the townships named. He be-
lieved it a plan to make Grundy county
square. Thought the people of Tama
knew nothing of the matter. He had not
heard of it himself until this bill was in-
troduced."
After some discussion the bill was laid
over. It met with unqualified disapproval
in Tama county, it being a scheme to
make Grundy county square by disfiguring
Tama, and the people in the townships
affected, soon manifested their desire to
remain as they were. Remonstrances
were circulated and extensively signed,
which defeated the bill.
IV
^t
^
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
POPULATION OF TAMA COUNTY.
The population of Tama county is made
up of foreigners and Americans in about
the same ratio as 1 to 6. They are all a
hard working, industrious class, as is
abundantly testified by the fact that the
county is lo-day recognized as among the
leading counties of Iowa. The time of a
great majority of the citizens is devoted
to agricultural pursuits, yet a healthful
proportion find employment in manufac-
turing and other industrial enterprises,
and mercantile pursuits.
In the fall of 1849, the population of
Tama county did not exceed 20. In the
spring of 1849, there was not a white man
within the boundaries of the present
county. To show how rapidly the popula-
tion increased: In 1852 it was 262 ; in
1854, 1,103; in 1856, 3,520; in 1859,
5,340; in 1860, 5,285; in 1863, 7,027;
in 1805, 7,882; in 1867, 11,105; in 1809,
14,254; in 1870,10,131; in 1873, 16,343 ;
in 1875, 18,771 ; in 1880, 21,585. At pres-
ent there are only 23 counties in the State
that exceed it in population ; and there are
77 that fall below it.
The population of the various town-
ships and towns in the county, as given by
the census of 1867, 1875 and 1880, were as
follows :
1867
1875
1880
Buckins;h:im
436
707
215
99
437
273
337
668
844
575
711
776
616
569
343
593
902
1059
389
514
687
Carltou
1009
Carroll
790
Clark
1109
818
Crystal
747
694
Grant
599
Highlaiul
193
886
1330
38
703
Howard
900
Indian Village exclvsive of
912
624
Montour, town of
457
Oneida
Otter Creek
Perry, exclusive of Traer
Richland
Salt Creek
Spring Creek
Tama, exclusive of Tama
City
Tama City
Toledo, exclusive of town
Toledo City
Clielsea
Traer, town of
York
Total.
741
451
773
9'<
239
1374
805
1875
1043
778
870
106;
713
222
1197
655
1022
740
1120
18, 771
1880
874
997
812
808
960
974
566
1289
719
1026
263
1100
1149
21, 586
FIRST INSTRUMENTS RKCOBDED.
The earliest entry which affected Tama
county land was made while the territory
now comprising Tama county formed a
part of Benton county, and was first en-
tered upon the books of that covmty, and
when Tama was organized was transcribed
into Tama county books. It bears the
date of January 5, 1849, and is an inden-
ture transferring the southwest quarter of
section 25, township 83, range 16, now
Indian Village town.ship, from Isaac VV.
Tibbetts of Tippacanoe county, Indiana,
to Samuel Opp, of Montgomery county,
Indiana, for the sum of ii400.
The first deed entry upon the books
which were opened for Tama county after
its organization bears the date of July 19,
1859. It is a conveyance of 160 acres of
land in township 83, range 15, from Jacob
S. Staley, of Johnson county, to William
Blodgett, for the sum of «;200. The wit-
ness to the execution of the instrument
was Edward Connelly.
The second deed entry is dated August
25, 1853, and conveys a piece of land from
Le Grand Byinton to Noah Myers.
The first real estate mortgage entered
upon the Tama county records, was made
^
=t^
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
295
on June 19, 1856. In this instrument
Robert Crawford mortgages to Samuel
Strouse, for the sum of $258, several pie-
ces of land lying in Tama county. The
mortgage was witnessed by T. Walter
Jackson, and recorded by T. J. Staley,
County Recorder and his deputy, L. B.
Nelson.
FINANCIAL.
The following are the various amounts
of taxes levied from 1856 to 1883.
For the year 1856 $ 15,266,87
" " " 1857 16,164 13
â– ' " " 1858 35,094.32
" " " 1859 21,015.55
'• " " 1860 16.543.20
•• " " 1861 31,148.20
" " •' 1863 29,458.35
1863 .3.5,850.84
1864 57 -,690.86
1865 59,399 75
1866 79,376.78
1867 90,749.03
1868 85,043.06
1869 110,630,35
1870, 118,448.77
1871 306,056.16
1872 145,986.47
1873 112.471.49
1874 102,534,12
1875 120,369,31
1876 126,386 37
1877 123,173.25
1878 119,61-9.71
1879 187,239.58
1880 120,326.97
1881 117,655.49
1883 172,626.43
CHAPTER VII
PIONEER LIFE.
In this chapter it i.s the design to pre-
sent some of the interesting and peculiar
phases of frontier life. It is not the pur-
pose to here portray conditions and cir-
cumstances that apply to every case, but
to pick out from the mass of material
some of the most extreme cases, and be-
longing properly to the extreme frontier.
While as a means of variety here and
there are stated occurrences and conditions
which have existed up to within a very
recent day. It is impossible to single out
Tama county as an issolated case in the
description of pioneer life, for it finds its
parallel in almost every county in the
State and throughout the entire west. And
it is, on the other hand, just as impossible
to limit the portrayed so as to just precise-
ly fit and cover given cases, and territory.
Pioneer life must be taken as a whole, and
as it existed a third of a century ago in
the west. Some of the illustrations may
not apply to the exact manner in which
this or that particular settler got along,
nor is it the intention that it should, but
it is attempted to show what has been
done in the early development of the
Great West.
â– But a little more than a third of a cen-
tury ago Tama county was not in existence ;
>te*
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
the territory comprising it was as wild and
desolate as the Indians who inhabited it ;
and there was not a white settler within
its bounderies. When the Wilkinsons,
the Ashers, and the Vandorins, Brst among
the determined pioneers settled here they
found an unbroken, uncultivated and un-
inhabited prairie. Wild beasts, and but
little less wild savages roamed at will over
the prairie, through the groves and forests
and along the waters of the Iowa river,
their domain knowing no bounds. The
miniature forests skirting the prairies
were to be felled, cabins erected, homes
prepared, mills built, and the river and
creeks made to labor for the benefit of
mankind. The beautiful prairies were to
be robbed of their natural ornaments, and
the hand of art was to assist in their dec-
oration. Who was to undertake this
work? What will be the effect of their
labors upon future generations?
Tama county pioneers had many diffi-
culties to contend with, not the least of
which was the journey from civilization to
their prairie homes. The route lay for
the most part through a rough country ;
swamps and marshes were crossed with
great exertion and fatigue ; rivers were
forded with difficulty and danger ; nights
were passed on open prairies, with the sod
for a couch and the heavens for a shelter ;
long, weary days and weeks of travel
were endured, but finally "the promised
land " was reached.
EARLY MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.
The young men and women of to-day
have little conception of the mode of life
among the early settlers of the country.
One can hardly conceive how great a
change has taken place in so short a time
In a new country, far removed from the
conveniences of civilization, where all are
compelled to build their own houses, make
their own clothing and procure for them-
selves the means of subsistence, is is to be
expected that their dwellings and garrtR-nts
will be rude. These were matters con-
trolled by surrounding circumstances and
the means at their disposal.
Some few of the earliest settlers con-
structed what were called " three-faced
camps " or in other words, three walls
leaving one side open ; but this was, in
reality only resorted to by some of the
transient squatters who only remained
long enough to find a purchaser for their
claim to the land, and then move on
farther west to repeat the process. These
" three-faced camps are desci'ibed as fol-
lows: The walls were built seven feet
high, when poles were laid across at a dis-
tance of about three feet, and on
these a roof of clapboards was laid, which
were kept in place by weight poles placed
on them. The clapboards were about four
feet in length and from five to eight
inches in width, split out of white oak
timber. No floor was laid in the "camp."
The structure required neither door, win-
dow, or chimney. The one side left out
of the cabin, answered all these purposes.
In front of the open side was built a large
log heap, which served for warmth in cold
weather and for cooking purposes in all
seasons. Of course there was an abund-
ance of light, and on either side of the
fire, space to enter in.
They were probably more easily con-
structed than the ordinary cabin, but in
this region very few are remembered,
as having been built. A more common
f-
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
297
place of abode was what might be called a
" four faced camp." This was constructed
in a good deal the same manner except
that it had four sides.
The cabin was a material advance for
comfort, in home life. This was built of
logs, the spaces between the logs being
filled in with split sticks of wood called
" chinks," and daubed over both inside
and out, with mortar made of clay. The
floor, sometimes, was nothing more than
earth tramped hard and smooth, but it
was commonly made of " puncheons," or
split logs with the split side turned up-
ward. The roof was made by gradually
drawing the top to the ridge pole, on cross
pieces, laying the " clapboards," which be-
ing several feet in length, instead of being
nailed were held in place or kept from
rolling off by " knees " placed against the
one below, which served as a prop. For a
fire-place, a space was cut out of the logs
on one side of the room, usually about six
feet in length, and three sides were built
up of logs, making an offset in the wall.
This was lined with stone, if convenient ;
if not, then earth. The flue, or upper
part of the chimney, was built of small
split sticks, two and a half or three feet
in length, carried a little space above the
roof, and plastered over with clay ; when
finished it was called a "cat and clay"
chimney. To describe it more minutely,
the sticks are laid just as bricks are, with
mortar; the clay is mixed with cut straw
or grass to prevent it from crumbling, and
then the outside and inside were plastered
with the clay and rubbed smooth with the
hands. The door was made by cut-
ting a space in one side of the room of the
required size, the door itself being made of
clapboards secured by wooden pins to two
crosspieces. The hinges were also some-
times of wood, while the fastenings con-
sisted of a wooden latch catching on a
hook of the same material. To open the
door from the outside, a strip of buckskin
or leather was tied to the latch and drawn
through a hole a few inches above the
latch-bar, so that on pulling the string the
latch was lifted from the catch or hook,
and the door was opened without further
trouble. To lock the door, it was only
necessary to pull the string through the
hole to the inside. Here the family lived,
and here the guest and wayfarer were
made welcome. The living room was of
good size, but to a large extent it was all
— kitchen, bed-room, parlor and arsenal,
with flitches of bacon and sometimes rings
of dried pumpkin suspended from the
rafters.
Sometimes in the more extreme cases a
pioneer's cabin was erected of poles that
one man could lay together; without
" notching," after reaching about the
height of a man, it would be covered witli
the bark taken from some Indian's aban-
doned " Wick-e-up," the cracks tilled
with prairie grass, and skin hung upon the
inside and outside to keep the wind from
blowing out the grass. The skins thus
used were wolf, bear, deer, elk, and fre-
quently buffalo. The fire was built on
the ground and a hole left in the roof for
smoke to escape. No floor was had until
the season came to " peel Linn bark." A
door would be made, almost always in
these extreme cases, of an elk skin. In
cases of this kind the beds were made of
prairie hay, spread on the ground floor.
Sometimes, a forked stake would be driven
LliU
298
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
into tlie ground at an e(jiial distance from
two walls which were at right angles, and
])oles laid through the fork to the walls.
On this would be laid " shakes" and brush
until (juite a fair bed stead would be the
result. For bed clothes, when quilts were
wanting, skins and robes would make up
the deficiency, and in cases like those just
mentioned, skins were almost wholly used.
In a great many instances all of the house-
hold furniture was home-made, blocks
being used for chairs, and rude benches,
which were made from "shakes" with
the " easy side up," holes boi-ed in the
bottom and rude legs inserted. A place
fur cooking utensils was made by boring
holes in the wall, placing a smooth shake
upon pegs which had been driven in, and
a shelf was complete. In these extreme
cases the pioneers usually had a few
knives and forks and plates, but there
were many who had neither. Rev. S. W.
Ingham, who was the pioneer Methodist
preacher in this part of the State, told the
writer that he had many times, notwith-
standing he was given the best, sat upon a
rude block, which he doubted not conformed
to the usual rule of " easy side up," and in
eating, cut his venison upon a piece of
bark laid on his knees, using his own jack-
knife. It is difficult to describe some of
the tables used, they were of all shapes
and sizes, sometimes a "shelf" would be
made upon which the victuals were served.
Sometimes a box or two in which the
clothing was stored, pegs would be driven
yito the log walls and clothing hung upon
them. Books were very seldom found in
these extreme cases, except probably a
fraction of a book here and there, which
was well thumbed. In one corner was
placed the trusty rifle, and just above it
were hung the powder horn, shot flask and
hunting pouch. Often a loft was made to
the cabin for a sleeping place and the
storage of " traps " and articles not in
common use. This was reached by a lad-
der secured to the wall. Sometimes the
bed rooms were separated by sheets and
blankets suspended from the rafters, but
until the means of making these partitions
were ample, they all lived and slept in the
same room. If a stranger was present,
partaking of the hospitality, the light
would be blown out when the old folks
wished to retire ; the children would un-
dress while the " stranger was looking the
other way." Frequently the pigs and
chickens inhabited the same room.
Familiarity with this mode of living did
away with much of the discomfort, but as
soon as improvement could be made, there
was occasionally added to the cabin an ad-
ditional room, or a " double log cabin,"
being substantially a "three faced camp,"
but generally the old cabin was replaced
by a better one.
The furniture in the cabin corresponded
with the house itself. The articles used
in the kitchen were as few and simple as
can be imagined. A "dutch oven," or
skillet, a long-handled frying pan, an iron
pot or kettle, and sometimes a coflfee pot,
constituted the utensils of the best fur-
nished kitchen. A little later, when stone
formed the base of the chimney, a long
iron " crane " swung in the chimney place,
which on its " pot-hook " carried the boil-
ing kettle or heavy iron pot. The cook-
ing was all done on the fire-place and at
the fire, and the style of cooking was as
simple as tb€ utensils. Indian, or corn
1'
:fz
^1
^-"k ^
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
meal, was the common flour, which was
made into " pone " or " corn-dodger, " or
"hoe-cake," as the occasion or variety de-
manded. The " pone " and the " dodger"
was baked in the Dutch oven, which was
first set on a bed of glowing coals. When
the oven was filled with the dough, the lid,
already heated on the fire, was placed on
the oven and covered with red hot coals.
When the bread was done it was taken
from the oven and placed near the fire to
keep warm while some other food was
being prepared in the same "oven" for
the forthcoming meal. The "hoe-cake"
was prepared in the same way as the
dodger — that is, a stiff dough was made of
the meal and water, and, taking as much
as could conveniently be held in both
hands, it was moulded into the desired
shape by being tossed from hand to hand
then laid on a board or flat stone placed at
an angle before the fire and patted down
to the required thickness on the "johnny,
cake board." In the fall and early win-
ter, cooked pumpkin was sometimes added
to the meal dough, giving a flavor and
richness to the bread not attained by the
modern methods. In the oven from which
the bread was taken, the venison or ham
was then fried, and, in winter, lye hominy,
made from the imbroken grains of corn,
added to the frugal meal. The woods
abounded in honey, and of this in pioneer
times, the early settlers had an abundance
the year round. For some years after the
very first settlement, corn meal formed the
staple commodity for bread ; but as soon
as the settlers began trading at Cedar
Rapids, flour could be obtained more easi-
ly than corn meal, for the reason that it
was easier to grind.
These simple cabins were inhabited by
a kind and true-hearted people. They
were strangers to mock-modesty, and the
traveler seeking lodgings for the night, or
desirous of spending a few days in the
community, if willing to accept the rude
offerings, was always welcome, although
how they were disposed of at night the
reader may not easily imagine ; for, as
described, often a single room would be
made to serve the purpose of a kitchen,
dining-room, sitting room and parlor, and
many families consisted of six or eight
persons.
CHAEACTER OF THE PIONEERS.
The character of the pioneers of Tama
county falls properly within the range of
the historian. They lived in a region of
exuberance and fertility, where Nature had
scattered her blessings with a liberal hand.
The fair suj^ply of timber, the fertile prai-
rie, and the many improvements constant,
ly going forward, with the bright prospect
for a glorious future in everything that
renders life pleasant, combined to deeply
impress their character, to give them a
spirit of enterprise, an independence of
feeling, and a joyou.sness of hope. They
were a thorough admixture of many na-
tions, characters, languages, conditions
and opinions. There was scarcely a State
in the Union that was not represented
among the early settlers. All the various
religious sects had their advocates. All
now form one society. Says an early wri-
ter : " Men must cleave to their kind, and
must be dependent upon each other. Pride
and jealousy give way to the natural yearn-
ings of the human heart for society. They
begin to rub off the neutral prejudices;
Jl
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
one takes a step and then the other ; they
meet half way and embrace ; and the
society thus newly organized and constitu-
ted is more liberal, enlarged, unprejudiced,
and, of course, more affectionate, than a
society of people of like birth and char-
acter, who bring all their early prejudices
as a common stock, to be transmitted as
an inheritance to posterity. "
They were bound together by a feeling
that all were equal and were laboring and
striving for a common end. They had
all left more or less comfortable homes
in the eastern States, and cast their lot in
a country where there was nothing save
the intrinsic merit of the location. Here
they were all on equal footing ; riches
could give no advantage, even had they
existed, and the absence of the aristocratic
element that is now so painfully apparent
in society, must alone have been a great
source of comfort to the pioneers. They
all felt an equal interest in the improve-
ment and development of the country, and
to the softening and smoothing over of
the rough edged disadvantages against
which they had to contend. Everyone
was thought of and treated as a brother.
Their public gatherings were like the re-
union of a parted family, and the fact that
there was no rivalry, made the occasions
doubly joyous. Their hospitalitj' knew
no bounds. If a traveler pulled the latch
string, it was considered that, as a matter
of course, he should receive an equal share
with the rest of the household, be it much
or little.
CLOTHING.
In this respect the settlers differed con-
siderably, but were dressed as a rule as
plain and simple, as their houses were
built. Necessity compelled it to be in
conformity to the strictest economy. The
clothes which the early settlers brought
with them were worn smooth, and darned
until it was impossible to tell from what
material the garment was originally made
sometimes, and in fact in the cases of
squatters, almost always, the men were
dressed as much in skins as anything else.
In summer, nearly all persons, both male
and female, went barefooted. Boys and
most men, never thought of wearing any-
thing on their feet, except during months
of the coldest weather, when Imckskin moc-
casins were worn. These useful articles
were made by taking a tanned piece of
skin, cutting it after a pattern to the right
size, then it would be stitched and puck-
ered with deer sinew. The latter came
from the neck of the deer, and was small
enough to run through a darning needle,
yet strong enough to " hang a man." The
moccasins were very common until the set-
tlement was quite well advanced. It is a
fact that Rev. S. W. Ingham, who for
many years travelled this region as the
pioneer Methodist preacher, was ordained
elder with moccasins on his feet.
Clothing was but one of the many things
in which the pioneers stinted themselves
Every move they made was hindered by
some disadvantage, which constantly re-
minded them of labor to be performed and
time which must pass to evolve comfort
and convenience from the former condi-
tion of affairs. It is well for "young
america" to look back on those early
days. It involved a life of toil and hard-
ship, but it was the life that made men of
character. Tama county to-day has no
better men than the immediate descend.
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
301
ants of those who labored thus, and the
actors themselves have not yet all passed
away. One who had passed through pio-
neer life in the eastern portion of the State,
wrote that " the boys were required to do
their share of the hard labor of the clean-
ing up the farm, for much of the country
now under the plow was at one time heav-
ily timbered, or was covered with a dense
thicket of hazel and young timber. Our
visits were made with ox teams, and we
walked, or rode on horse-back, or in
wagons, to ' meeting.' The boys ' pulled,'
' broke ' and ' hackled ' flax, wore tow shirts
and indulged aristocratic feelings in fring-
ed 'hunting-shirts' and 'coon-skin caps,'
' picked ' and ' carded ' wool by hand, and
' spooled' and ' quilled' yarn for the weav-
ing till the back ached."
Industry such as this, supported by an
economy and frugality from which there
was then no escapes, necessarily brought
its own reward. Change and alterations
were to be expected, but the reality has
distanced the wildest conjuncture; and
stranger still, multitudes are still living
who witnessed not only the face of nature
undergoing a change about them, but the
manners, customs, and industries of a
whole people almost wholly changed.
Many an old pioneer sits by his fireside
in his easy chair with closed eyes, and
dreams of the long ago, in sympathy with
the poet describing eastern pioneer life,
and seeing here and there strains that are
parallel to his own experience.
"The voice of Nature's very self drops low,
As though she whispered of the long ago,
When down the wandering stream the rude canoe
Of some lone trapper glided into view,
And loitered down I he watery path that led
Thro' forest depths, that only knew the tread
Of savage beasts and wild barbarians,
That skulked about with blood upon their hands.
And murder in their hearts. The light of day
Might barely pierce the gloominess that lav
Like some dark pall across the watei's face,
And folded all the land in its embrace ,
The panther's screaming, and the bear's low
growl.
The snake's sharp rattle, and the wolf's wild
howl.
The owl's grim chuckle, as it rose and fell
In alternation with the Indian's yell.
Made fitting prelude for the gory plays
That were enacted in the early days.
â– 'Now, o'er the vision, like a miracle, falls
The old log cabin with its dingy walls.
And crippled chimney, with the crutch-like prop
Beneath, a sagging shouldei at the top.
The 'coon skin, battened fast on either side.
The wisps of leaf tobacco, cut and dried ;
The yellow strands of quartered apples hung
In rich festoons that tangle in among
The morning glory vines that clamber o'er
The little clapboard roof above the door ;
Again, thro' mists of memory arise
The simple scenes of home before the eyes ;
The happy mother humming with her wheel ;
The dear old melodies that used to steal
So drowsily upon the summer air.
The house dog hid his bone, forgot his care
And nestled at her feet, to dream, perchance.
Some cooling dream of summer-time romance.
The square of sunshine through the open door
That notched its edge across the puncheon floor,
And made the golden coverlet whereon
The god of slumber had, a picture drawn
Of babyhood, in all the loveliness
Of dimpled cheek, and limb, and linsey dress.
The bough-filled fire-place and the mantle wide,
Its fire-scorched ankles stretched on either side,
Where, perchance upon its shoulders 'neath the
joist,
The old clock hiccoughed, harsh and husky
voiced ;
Tomatoes, red and yellow, in a row,
Preserved not them for diet, but for show ;
The jars of jelly, with their dainty tops ;
Bucches of pennayioyal and cordial drops,
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ik
302
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
The flask of camphor and vial of squills,
The box of buttons, garden seeds and pills.
And thus the pioneer and helpsotne aged wife
Reflectively reviews the scenes of early life."
WOLF HUNTING.
In early day.s more mischief was done
by wolves than by any other wild animal,
and no small part of their mischief con-
sisted in their almost constant barking at
night which always seemed menacing and
frightful to the settlers. Like mosquitos
the noise they made appeared to be about
as dreadful as the real depredations they
committed. The most effectual, as well as
the most exciting, method of ridding the
country of these hateful pests, was that
known as the circular wolf hunt, by which
all the men and boys would turn out on an
appointed day, in a kind of circle com
prising many square miles of territory, with
horses and dogs, and then close up toward
the center field of operation, gathering,
not only wolves, but also deer and many
smaller " varmint." B'ive, ten or more
wolves, by this means, would be killed in a
single day. The men would be organized
with as much system as a small army,
every one being posted in the meaning of
every signal and the application of every
rule. Guns were scarcely ever allowed to
be brought on such occasions, as their use
would be unavoidably dangerous. The
dogs were depended upon for the final
slaughter. The dogs, by the way, had all
to be held in check by a cord in the hands
of their keepers until the final signal was
given to let them loose, when away they
would all go to the center of battle, and a
more exciting scone would followthan can
easily be described.
This plan was frecjuently adopted in
most of the neighboring counties : but not
a single instance of such a hunt has been
found in Tama county, by the historian.
BEE HUNTING.
This wild recreation was a peculiar one
and many a sturdy pioneer gloried in ex-
celling in this art. He would carefully
watch a bee as it filled itself with the
product of some sweet flower or leaf bud,
or water and notice particularly the direc-
tion taken by it as it struck a " bee-line "
for its home, which, when found, would
generally be high up in the hollow of some
tree. The tree would be marked, and in
the fall a party would go and cut down the
tree and capture the honey as quick as
they could before it wasted away through
the broken walls in which it had been so
carefully stowed by the busy little bee.
Several gallons would often be taken from
a single tree, and by a very little work,
and pleasant at that, the early settlers
could keep themselves in honey the year
round. By the time the honey was a year
old it would turn white and granulate, yet
be as good and healthful as when fresh.
This was called by some "can-died" honey.
Another plan of finding the nest was to
take a little honey in a box, and burn it a
little, so that it would scent the air. This
never failed to draw bees if there were
any near. Then the box would be put
away and the bee followed. Every now
and then the hunter would make .some
mark with his foot so that if he lost the
bee he could " take a sight," and by fol-
lowing exactly the direction of the bee
could find the honey; for the bees fly as
straight as a bullet.
SNAKES.
In pioneer times snakes were numerous,
such as the rattlesnake, massasauga, many
r|r
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4
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
305
bl
varieties of large ^ e snake, garter, wa-
ter snake and others. A few rattlesnakes
were found in this region, and some very
large ones, but they were not very numer-
ous. The massasauga, which is often
confused with the rattlesnake, were very
plenty. They are an ugly looking snake,
fom eighteen inches to two feet in length,
clumsy, and of a dirty brown color. They
have three or four rattles, which they use
as a warning. They are poisonous, but it
was very seldom, if ever, that their bites
proved fatal, or even resulted in much in-
convenience to the unfortunate. A weed
called "Indigo Weed," which grows in
this country, was much used for the bites,
the recipe having been learned from an
old Indian. Others found it just as effect-
ual a cure to bury the foot— if that was
the part bitten — in the cold mud for half
.ui hour, pouring water upon it to keep up
the moisture.
RELKJIOX.
The religious element in the life of the
pioneer, was such as to attract the atten-
tion of those living in more favored
lilaces. The pioneer was no hypocrite.
If he believed in horse-racing, whisky-
drinking, card-playing, or anything of
like character, he practiced them openly
and above board. If he was of a religious
turn of mind, he was not ashamed to own
it. He could truthfully sing
"I'm not ashamed lo own my Lord,
Or blush to speak liis name."
But the pioneer clung to the faith of
his fathers, for a time, at least. If he was
a Presbyterian he was not ashamed of
it, but rather prided himself on being one
of the elect. If a Methodist, he was one
to the fullest extent. He prayed long
and loud, if the spirit moved him, and
cared nothing for the empty form of re-
ligion.
AGEICULTURE.
In the earlier settlement of this section,
ponds, marshes and swamps abounded,
where to-day are found cultivated and fer-
tile fields. The low and flat places were
avoided for the higher grounds not only
on account of the wetness, but for sani-
tary reasons. Agricultural implements
and the mode of tilling the soil were nec-
essarily much more rude than at the pres-
ent day.
In the cultivation of wheat the land
was planted the same as to-day, then it
was often harrowed with a wooden-tooth-
ed harrow, or smoothed by dragging over
the ground a heavy brush, weighed down,
if necessary, with a stick of timber. It
was then sown broadcast by hand, at the
rate of about a bushel and a quarter to
the acre, and harrowed in with the brush.
The implement used to cut the wheat was
either the sickle or the cradle. The sickle
was almost identical with the " grass
hook " in use, and the cradle was a scythe
fastened to a frame of wood with long,
bending teeth, or strips of wood, for cut-
ting and laying the grain in swaths.
There were few farmers who did not
know how to swing the scythe or cradle,
and there was no more pleasant picture on
a farm than a gang of workmen in the
harvest field, nor a more hilarious crowd.
Three cradles would cut aboiit ten acres a
day. One binder was expected to keep
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
itp with the cradle. Barns for the storage
of theunthresheJ grain are comparatively
a " modern invention," and as soon as the
shock was supposed to be sufficiently
cured, it was hauled to some place on the
farm convenient for threshing, and there
put in stack. The threshing was per-
formed in one of the two ways, by flail or
tramping with horses. The flail was used
in stormy weather, on the sheltered floor,
or when the farm work was not pressing;
the threshing by tramping commonly in
clear weather, on a level and well tramped
clay floor. The bundles were piled in a
circle of about fifteen to twenty feet in
diameter, and four to six horses ridden
over the straw. One or two hands turned
over and kept the straw in place. When
sufficiently tramped the straw was thrown
into a rick or stack, and the wheat cleared
by a "fanning mill," and before fanning
mills were introduced, by letting it fall
from the height of ten or twelve feet,
subjected to the action of the wind, when
it was supposed to be ready for the mill
or market.
THE CLAIM SYSTEM.
During the first few years of the early
settlement of this country, the United
States government encouraged the claim
system. This induced many speculators
to turn their eyes toward the western
states. It furnished lucrative business for
many who had been hovering between
civilization and barbarism. Their plan
was to keep just beyond the line of set-
tlement and pick out the best claims,
holding them until some actual settler or
speculator would come, then they would
sell out and again move westward to re-
peat the same. The law provided that
the land should be sold to the highest bid-
der, but not for less than ^1.25 per acre,
and it was seldom sold for any more than
this. It was generally understood, atid in
fact enforced, that those who had selected
a certain piece of land should have it.
One township of land was sold each day.
The sales took place in Des Moines.
When the day set for the sale of a town-
ship came, all those who had established
claims in the township in question were
present. As soon as the bid reached ?!l.'25
per acre, the hammer came down instant-
ly. If a rash speculator did now and
then get in a bid for a little more, some-
times no attention was paid to him by the
auctioneer, and the land would be knock-
ed down to the claimant, but the person
who did bid against the actual settler
would be " laid hold of," and would re-
ceive a severe ducking in the river. In
some cases like this the obnoxious bidders
have been almost killed by the " settlers
rights men."
9 V
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k.
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
307
CHAPTER VIII
TAMA COUNTY COURTS.
Man is an imperfect being, and, as such,
requires that laws shall be enacted for his
government. When the Almighty placed
Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
he gaye laws fof their observance, with
penalties attached for their violation.
The children of Israel, after leaving the
Egyptian land, were given the "ten com-
mandments," the principles underlying
which, have been the basis of all laws
from that time to the present. The exist-
ence of laws necessarily implies the ex-
istence of courts wherein all questions of
law shall be determined. This fact being
determined, the framers of the state con-
stitution instituted certain courts of jus-
tice with well defined powers. Changes
have been made in the jurisdiction of
these courts from time to time, but the
rights of every citizen of high or low de-
gree have ever been maintained.
FIRST TRIALS.
The first trial of any kind in this county,
as near as can be ascertained, was held in
18.52, under what was commonly called the
Court House Tree," which was subse-
quently destroyed by lightning. It was a
most novel case, and was tried in a still
more novel form. It appears that J. H.
Hollen, had come into the county, and
after prospecting around finally located
upon a tract of land which a man by the
name of Carter claimed he had entered,
but when Hollen investigated the matter,
he found that this George Carter had been
claiming lands in all parts of the county.
As a party came and located he claimed it
as his, and rather than give up their choice,
he was generally paid his demands, and
thus he realized more money than the
farmer or emigrant could by cultivating
the land for years. This was tried with
Mr. Hollen, who when he found out the
scheme determined to resist it. Hence
the trial. Mr. Hollen was summoned, and
after due preliminaries the matter was re-
ferred to a committee with full power and
authority, both men binding themselves to
be governed by the decision. The referees
chosen were John Guin of Benton county,
and W. L. Brannan of Marengo, Iowa
county; but these not agreeing, Mr. Dillon,
of Marengo, was added to the committee,
and after hearing the evidence on both
sides, the defendant was discharged and
his claim to the land endorsed.
The first case to be tried by a regularly
organized court was the State of Iowa vs.
Thos. Everett, on charge of larceny, befoie
.Jas. H. Hollen, Justice of the Peace, near
the present site of Tama city. A shoe,
maker, by the nanie of John Aldrich, made
a pair of boots for Wm. Blodgettand fixed
jhe time when he should call for them.
Thos. Everett, an old gentleman, and a
k^
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
man who onjoycd a joke, found that Blod.
gett would not call for the boots within the
time fixed and accordingly called at the
shoemakers and told him that Blodgett had
sent him for the boots. Blodgett's credit
being good, Aldrich delivered the boots
and Everett put them on and wore them
with great satisfaction. Soon after Blod-
gett went for his boots, and much to his
chagrin and mortification found that Ev
erett was wearing his boots. The shoe-
maker and Blodgett became considerably
exercised and filed information for stealing
and had Everett arrested, who came into
o*)urt wearing the boots with considerable
gusto, and plead not guilty. Alford
Phillips appeared for the State, and Noah
Myers, as counsel for the defendant. Aid-
rich was firstsworn, when he testified, that
the boots were worth $5, when the Pros,
ecuting Attorney arose with great deliber-
ation and demanded a jury on behalf of
the State. The Justice said that he was
going to give them all a "square deal,"
and allowed a jury trial. Everett was
bound over to the district court where the
case was dismissed.
The next trial, or at least in the southern
part of the county, was that of Dr. Hiram
Patty, who came to the county with a few
bottles of medicine and some surgical in-
struments. He soon ingratiated himself
into the graces of a few of the prominent
men in the neighborhood, and eventually
to such a degree that he borrowed of some
of them money to go to Iowa City, and
purchase drugs as he was going to start
a drug store. The money and a valuable
horse, with true pioneer confidence was
loaned him. Neither the money, horse or
man were ever seen by the creditors. The
few goods and books he left were after-
ward sold to partly pay the men who loan-
ed the Doctor the funds. The Doctor
afterwards located and remained for a
short time at West Irving.
DI.STEICT COURT.
Upon organization, Tama county became
a part of the Fourth Judicial District,
which under the constitution of 1846, was
composed of the counties of Benton, Boone,
Dallas, Iowa, Jasper, Johnson, Linn, Mar-
shall, Polk, Poweshiek, Story and Tama.
Several changes were made in the district,
from 1850 until 1857, and when it was
abolished in 1858, it comprised the coun-
ties of Tama, Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Linn
and Washington.
On the 16th day of August, 1854, Hon.
William Smyth, District Judge, for the
Fourth Judicial District, issued an order
for a term of court to be held at the house
of John C. Vermilya. This house was a
small log cabin located about one-half
mile east of the present site of Tama City,
on section 26, which was used as a free
tavern, clerk's office and court house until
the erection of a court house at the county
seat. On Friday the loth day of Septem-
ber, 1854, at 11 o'clock a. m., court was
duly opened, with William Smyth on the
bench.. There were also in attendance,
David D. Appelgate, Clerk; Alford Phil-
lips, Prosecuting Attorney, and Miron
Blodgett, Sheriff.
At this term there were three civil cases
on the docket, as follows: Rezin A. Red-
man vs. Noah Myer, School Fund Com-
missioner, and Robert Carter for writ of
mandamus and injunction; Jacob W. Ap-
pelgate, vs. Mary A. Appelgate, petition
(^
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
for divorce, and Andrew D. Stephens, vs.
Noah Myers, School Fund Commissioner.
All of these cases were continued.
The first grand jurors empaneled were
as follows: C. B. Slade, H. Van Vliet,
Giles Taylor, Joseph Jack, W. H. H. Hill,
John Freemer, Henry Stokes, G. P. Tocum,
James H. Hollen, William Blodgett, J. W.
Appelgate, H. R. Rich, T. A. Graham, P.
McRoberts and Jonas P. Wood.
Thtt first petit jnry was as follows: G.
Smith, J. D. Geddis, T. Marshall, N. Bates,
E, W.- Daily, J. H. Vanhorn, J. H. Yoor-
hies, L. Olney, John D. Spohr, J, A. Wil.
ley, M. Mitchell, and N. Fisher. J. L-
Carter was sworn as bailiff.
The first jury trial was the case of Eli
Innman vs. William J. Booher to recover
a note and oook account. The jury con-
sisted of George Smith, J. D. Gettis,
Thomas Marshall, Nathan Fisher, Norton
Bates, E. W. Daily, J. H. Van Horn, J. H.
Vorhies, L. Olney, J. D. Spohr, J. A.
Willey and M. Mitchell. The jury being
duly sworn, after hearing the argument of
counsel and charge of the court, retired in
the cu.stody of A. S. Curtis, sworn as
bailiff. The jury rendered its verdict,
finding for the defendant a judgment, and
assessed the amount of his recovery at
five dollars.
At this term the following members of
the bar were present : Isaac M. Preston,
George D.. Woodin, James S. Childs,
Joseph B. Young, Richard B. Groff,
James D. Templin and Alford Phillips.
The second term of the court was held
at the court house in Toledo, commencing
May 22, 1855. Tama county was still in
the Fourth judicial district and William
Smyth Judge. There were eight cases on
the docket for this term.
On the opening day of the term Alford
Phillips, Esq., moved that Timothy Brown
be admitted to the practice of law by the
court. Whereupon Messrs. Templin,
Woodin and Phillips were appointed to
examine the qualifications of Brown, and
after so doing, and reporting favorably re-
garding the same, a certificate was ordered
to be issued to Timothy Brown, as an at-
torney before the courts of Iowa.
The may term of 1 856, was the third term
of the district court, and convened at the
court house in Toledo, on the 20th of the
month named, with Hon. William Snifth
still on the bench. At this term on mo-
tion of C. J. L. Foster, Eugene B. Bolens,
T. Walter Jackson, and N. C. Wietung
were admitted to the bar.
The grand jury, which had been em-
panelled, reported two indictments to the
court. The first was against John Burge,
for malicious mischief in cutting and
maiming an animal. The second against
J'ames Harris, for passing counterfeit
money. They were both acquitted.
Hon. William Smyth, who had been
judge up to this time, belonged in Linn
county. He was appointed to the office on
October 6, 1853, to succeed James P.
Carleton, of Johnson county, and qualified
on the 10th day of the same month On
April 3, 1854, he was elected by the
people and served until January, 1857,
when he resigned. Judge William Smyth
was a native of the Emerald Isle, and
emigrated to this country about 1838. A
year or two later he settled in Linn county.
He came to the State ignorant and poor;
but educated himself and became wealthy
;fr
-14*
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
and one of the ablest lawyers in Iowa.
After resigning the bench he entered the
service upon the breaking out of the war,
as colonel of the Slst Iowa infantry. In
September, 1864, he resigned his commis-
sion. He was at one time a member of
Congress. Col. Smyth was a large and
rather portly man. In his deportment he
was kind, candid and dignified. His
merit as a soldier consisted in his kind
care for his men, and in his great bravery.
He was not an apt tactician. It is said he
would sit quietly on his horse under a
sharp fire of the enemy while determining
upon the proper command to be given to
his regiment for a designated movement.
Not long after entering the service, he
was ordered by his brigade commander,
while drilling his battalion, to throw it
into a certain position. Not remembering
the proper command, he turned to his ad-
jutant with, " Lieutenant, what shall I
say?"
At the May term of 1857, the Hon.
Isaac Cook began his term of office as.
judge, having been appointed by the
Governor. Tama county was still in the
Fourth judicial district. A good deal of
business was on the docket for this term.
On the second day of the term the grand
jury reported to the court an indictment
for murder against Earnest Olleslaugher
(or Olislaeger). On the 23rd of May the
grand jury returned an indictment against
Arthur T. Butler for murder. Both par-
ties asked a change of venue to Johnson
county, which was granted. This case is
given in full in another place.
The May term of court was opened in
1858 by the clerk, but as Judge Cook did
not appear, it was adjourned until the Oc-
tober term, when there were five indict-
ments for selling intoxicating liquors, and
three for larceny reported by the grand
jury.
Judge Isaac Cook was appointed by the
Governor January 28, 1857, and qualified
March 20. In April following he was
elected by the people and served until the
district was abolished by law in 1858.
He belonged in Marion and afterward re-
moved to Cedar Rapids. He died a few
years ago. He was a good lawyer, but
slow to decide.
By the reconstruction of the districts in
1857, Tama county became a part of the
Eighth Judicial District, which was com-
posed of the counties, Benton, Cedar, Iowa,
Johnson, Jones, Linn and Tama. William
E. Miller, of Johnson county, was elected
judge, October 12, 1858, and served until ap-
pointed Colonel of the Twentj'-eighth
Iowa Infantry Volunteers, August 10
1862. The first term for Tama county
that he presided over was the February
term, in 1859. Judge Miller was a native
of Pennsylvania, born in 1823. In his
personal appearance he is prepossessing;
is heavy set, with broad square shoulders,
and is about five feet, eight inches in
height. His hair and eyes are both dark,
and the expression of his countenance is
frank and manly. He has a heavy, firm
voice, and exhibited much ability while
on the bench. As a military man he was
a good disciplinarian, and was regarded
by his regiment as a good and brave offi-
cer. At the time of entering the service
Col. Miller was afflicted with a trouble-
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
311
some disease which the exposures and
hardships of the field so aggravated as to
compel him to resign his commission'
He left his regiment just before it march
ed on the Vicksburg campaign. He is
now practicing law in Des Moines, has
been on the supreme bench one term.
In September, 1862, Norman W. Isbell,
of Linn county, was appointed judge by
the Governor to fill the vacancy occasion-
ed by the resignation of Judge Miller.
On November 14, 1862, he was elected,
and served until August 31, 1864, when
he resigned. He died soon after.
Honorable Chas. H. Conklin, of Ben-
ton county, succeeded Judge Isbell, being
appointed by the Governor August 19,
1W64, and in November was elected. He
resigned one year later. His fir.st term in
Tama county was the September term, in
1864. C. R. Scott, of Jones county, was
appointed district attorney, October 1,
1 864. He was elected in November of
the same year, and re-elected in October,
1866.
Judge Conklin was a native of New
York, born in January, 1831. In his early
<lays he studied law, and was admitted to
the bar in Steuben county. New York, in
February, 185.5, where he soon afterward
opened an office. In May, 1866, he aban-
doned all his brilliant prospects in New
York, and removed to Benton county,
Iowa, where he immediately entered into
the active practice of law. As stated, in
1864 he was appointed to the bench of
the district, and succeeded so well as a
judge, that when in 1865, he resigned,
there was a general feeling of regret
throughout the district. As soon as he
resigned he re-entered upon the practice of
law at Vinton, which he continued until
the time of his death, March 16, 1875.
In 1867, mid the duties and labors of a
full practice at the bar, he found time to
write and publish "Conklin's Treatise,''
a most valuable work on the duties of)
and practices before, justices of the peace
in Iowa. As a lawyer, Judge Conklin
was bold, honorable, logical and candid,
clear in statement, strong in argument,
and always deferential and polite. He
was almost invincible in the presentation
of his facts, the application of the law to
the testimony, and in the influence of his
eloquence over the hearts and minds of
the jurors. His bearing in the presence
of the court and bar was always dignified
and courteous, while his cases were always
thoroughly digested and understood. In
his death the bar lost a power for its ele-
vation, and he was mourned by a wide
circle of friends.
Nathaniel M. Hubbard, of Linn county,
succeeded Conklin, being appointed by the
Governor, November 15, 1865, and quali-
fying on the first of December. He is
still living in Cedar Rapids, and is one of
the attorneys of the C. & N. W. R. R.
The next Judge of the Eighth Judicial
District was Hon. James H. Rathrock, of
Cedar county, who commenced his duties
for Tama county at the February term of
court in 1867. C.R.Scott was still dis-
trict attorney. In 1870, the name of Wm.
G. Thompson appears as district attorney.
Judge James H. Rothrock was
born in Pennsylvania in 1832, and at an
IV
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
early day came to Iowa and located in
Cedar county. In 1861 he was elected to
the general assemby and in August of the
following year he was appointed Lieuten-
ant Colonel of the Thirty-Fifth Iowa. In
the latter part of 1863, he resigned and re-
turned home, engaging in the practice of
law in partnership with Wm. P. Wolf, M.
C. In 1866 he was elected to the bench
of the Eighth Judicial District and was
re-elected 1870 and 1874, the last time by
the entire vote of both parties. In 1876,
he was appointed by the Governor to the
high office of Judge of the Supreme court,
and resigned to accept the position. He
is still a member of the supreme bench.
Colonel John Shane was the next Judge
of this district, being elected in 1876. He
held his first term in Tama county in Sep-
tember of that year. There were also
present at this term of court, Mile P.
Smith, District Attorney; Robert E. Aus-
tin, Sheriff, and C. J. Stevens, Clerk of
court.
John Shane was born in Jefferson county
Ohio, on the 26th of May, 1822, and was
educated at the Jefferson college in Penn-
sylvania. After graduating, he taught
school for a few years in Kentucky, and
then, returning to Ohio, studied law in the
office of E. M. Stanton, who has since been
Secretary of War. Shane was admitted to
the V)ar at Steubenville, in 1848, where he
continued in the practice until 1855, when
he removed to Vinton, his present home.
When the rebellion broke out he enlisted
as a private in Company "G," 13th Iowa
Infantry; and on its organization was
elected its captain. He was promoted
Major, October 30, 1861, and soon after-
ward made Colonel of his Regiment. After
the close of the war he returned to his
home and resumed the practice of his pro-
fession, which he continued until his re-
election to the bench of the Eighth Dis-
trict. Judge Shane is a large man, his
weight generally being about two hundred
and ten pounds. He has sandy hair — per-
haps red — a florid complexion and blue
eyes, looking out through a large, round,
good natured face. When in good health
he was of an easy, joyial nature, relished a
joke and fond of good living.
Toward the latter part of Judge Shane's
term of office his health failed, and a
stroke of paralysis for a time made him
mentally incable of filling the position.
In the fall of 1882, the Republicans met in
convention and again nominated him for
the judgeship; but this action was recon-
sidered and another convention was held
by which James D. Griffin w'as nominated
in his stead and was duly elected. A Dem-
ocrat was elected for district attorney in
the person of J. H. Preston, of Cedar Rap-
ids, at the same time.
CIRCUIT COURT.
By an act of the General Assembly,
passed and approved April 3rd, 1868, Cir-
cuit Courts were established in this State,
and each Judicial District was divided into
two circuits, in each of which, at the gen-
eral election in November, 1868, and every
four j'ears thereafter, a Circuit Judge
should be elected. Four terms of court
were proyided per year in each county in
the circuits. By this act the office of
County Judge was abolished, and all busi-
ness of a legal nature pertaining to that
office was transferred to the Circuit Court,
which was also to have concurrent jurisdic-
tion with the District Court in all civil
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
D^
actions at law, and exclusive jurisdiction
of all appeals and writs of error from jus-
tices' courts, Mayors' courts, and all other
inferior tribunals, either in civil or criminal
cases.
Tama became a part of the First circuit
of the Eighth district upon the law cre-
ating the circuit courts going in force.
An order was issued by Judge James H.
Rothrock, commanding that the circuit
court should convene at Toledo for the
year 186», as follows : Cfn the third Mon-
day in January ; on the third Monday in
April ; on the first Monday in August ;
and on the third Monday in October.
Accordingly on January 18, 1869, the
first term of circuit court convened at
Toledo with Hon. William E. Miller on
the bench. There were also present
Knight Dexter, sheriff ; and L. B. Blinn
clerk of court. Upon the calling of the
venire the following jurors answered :
John Ramsdell, George Reed, H. H. Wil-
liams, Robert Wilkinson, Alonzo Rines,
William Clark, John Flathers, P. W.
Dumbauld, Samuel Edwards, E. Granger
and T. A. Hopkins.
The first case which came up was en-
titled Mary Manny vs. James W. Coburn
and V. Sumner. It was settled.
As stated, Hon. William E. Miller was
the first circuit judge. He was elected in
the fall of 1868, and served until he was
appointed to the supreme bench of the
State in 1870. Judge Miller was a native
of Pennsylvania, coming to Iowa in 1852
and settling in Iowa City. At an early
day he was judge of the district court of
this district, and is noticed at length in
that connection.
Succeeding him to the circuit bench
Hon. George R. Struble, of Toledo, was
appointed to fill the vacancy, and began his
duties in 1870, continuing in that capacity
until the fall of 1872, when, owing to a
press of other business, he resigned and
W. J. Haddock was appointed his successor-
Judge Struble made an excellent judge,
logical, clear, prompt and impartial, giving
the same universal satisfaction that has
characterized his administration in what-
ever position the people have placed him.
He is at present Speaker of the House of
Representatives ot Iowa, and is treated at
length elsewhere in this volume.
Judge W. J. Haddock was succeeded by
John McKean, of Anamosa, who assumed
official duties in January, 1873. Four
years later he was re-elected and served
until January, 1881. Judge McKean was
a native of Lawrence county, Pennsyl-
vania, born in July, 18.3.5, being of Scotch-
Irish descent. The family came to Iowa
in 1854 and located in Jones county.
Young McKean returned to the east in
1856, and in 1859 graduated from the
Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, Pennsyl-
vania. Returning then to Iowa he com-
menced reading law and was admitted to
the bar in 1861 at Anamosa, where he at
once commenced practice and still remains.
He was a democrat until the civil war
burst upon the country, and shortly after-
ward from a war democrat became an out
and out republican, to which party he owes
his repeated political honors. Prior to his
election as judge he represented his county
several times in the General Assembly.
Judge McKean is a tall, spare man, with
dark hair, complexion and eyes. He was
very well liked on the bench and was an
♦7i
10
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
excellent equity lawyer. One peculiarity
— or rather misfortune — remembered of
him is that he usually had a stiff neck, and
when he wished to look to the right or
left he must turn his whole body.
In the fall of 1882 Christian Hedges
was elected Circuit Judge, and is the pres-
ent incumbent. His home is in Marengo,
Iowa county, where he has been practicing
law for a number of years. He is a good
lawyer, and makes a dignified and satis-
factory judge. He is a large, portly man,
weighing over two hundred pounds, and is
a genial and pleasant conversationalist.
COUNTY COURT.
In 1851, by an act of the General As-
sembly, county courts were established
and the office of county judge created.
By the same act the office of probate
judge was abolished, as was also the
offices of county commissioners, the du-
ties of the oounty commissioners and pro-
bate judge devolving upon the county
judge. The county of Tama not being
organized till 1853, it had no probate
judges or county commissioners. The first
county judge to serve was John C. Ver-
milya, and the first regular term of court
was held at his house in October, 1853.
Upon Judge Vermilya devolved the duty
of perfecting the organization of the
county dividing it into townships an such
other work as was necessary to perfect a
system of county government. Judge
Vermilya was succeeded to the office by
the following gentlemen, in the order
given: Leander Clark, John Allen, T. F.
Bradford, T. A. Graham and Maj. T. S.
Free. During the latter's term of office
the judgeship was abolished by law, and
Mr. Free was made ex-officio county audi-
tor. During the year 1861 the board of
county supervisors was created, which
took considerable business from the coun-
ty judge. The proceedings of the county
court will be found in connection with the
chapter upon government, and sketches of
the county judges in the chapter upon
" representation."
CHAPTER IX.
THE BAR OF TAMA COUNTY
There is no subject connected with the
history of the county, of more general in-
terest than a faithful record of its bar.
In reviewing the history of the bar, it
must be borne in mind, that as the pros-
|)crity and well-being of every community
depends upon the wise interpretation,
as well as the judicious framing of its
laws, therefore it must follow that a record
of the members of the bar must form no
unimportant part in the county's history.
Upon a few principles of natural justice
is erected the whole superstructure of
civil law, tending to relieve the wants and
meet the desires of all alike. The busi-
ness of the lawyer is not to make the laws.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
315
but to apply them to the daily affairs of
men. But the interests of men are divei--
sified, and where so many interests and
counter interests are to be protected and
adjusteil, to the lawyer and the judge are
presented many interesting and complex
problems.
Change is everywhere imminent. The
laws of yesterday do not meet the wants
and necessities of the people to-day, for
the old relations do not e.xist. New and
satisfactory laws must be established.
The discoveries in the arts and sciences,
the inventions of new contrivances for
labor, the e 
