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 THE 
 
 I i 
 
 Centennial History 
 
 
 OF 
 
 We"b^tef Coui]ty, 
 
 m^' 
 
 1 T8 
 
 >!©■ 
 
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 A LSO T H E C I T V. () F 
 
 FORT DODGE. 
 
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 Bil R. G. MORGAN. Ffq.. iritJi ArldenrJa nj},; AiipnuU.r hij Gro. H'. BUIZEE, Es,i. i 
 
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 1876. ? 
 
 TIMES JOB PKINTIXG ROOMS, LAW BLOCK BASEMENT. 
 
 FORT DODGE, IOWA. 
 
 i ^ 
 
 T 
 ? 
 
 V. 
 
 i^^— . ' 'fi l l ! »■ ■ 
 
Centennial History 
 
 OF 
 
 We"b^tef Coutity, 
 
 ITS 
 
 Towns Am Townsi+iipi 
 
 ALSO THE 
 
 City of J^oft Dod^e. 
 
 / 
 
 Btj E. Q. MORGAN, Esq., witli Addenda and Appendix bij Geo. W. BRIZEE,Esq, 
 
 ■J^^i 
 
 187 6. 
 
 TIMES JOB PRINTING ROOMS, LAW BLOCK BASEMENT. 
 
 FORT DODGE, IOWA. 
 
•v- 
 
 J 
 
 r 
 
 y" 
 
 44873 
 PREFACE 
 
 The compiler of the following pages had intended to write a short history of Fort Dodge. 
 Much of tlie material would have been from memory— more from that promised to be furnished 
 by various old settlers, and a still greater portion from conversations had years ago with Major 
 William Williams, and others of the early settlers, together with such asssistance as might 
 have been derived from a careful search of the public records. Hiivin<? been allowed to peruse 
 certain manuscripts, of which E. G. Morgan, Esti., was the author, written liy him to have been 
 read at the local centennial celebration on the Fourth of July, 1876, but whicli he failed to deliver 
 in consequence of the rain-storm that day, I became impressed with the amount of sta; istical 
 and other information it contained, and believing it to be much superior to anything I could have 
 given to the public, requested the use of such m inasjript for publication. To ths, Mr. Mor jan 
 very kindly assented, aai as a result, the public have the benefit of his labjis. 
 
 The b:o.;raphical sketches are written by myself, and are coufln hI mos.ly to acciuaintances 
 of olden times. Same of them, tlio m iin ni?idents of whose lives are given, will have tlieir first 
 intimation of our intentions, upon seeing their names in these pages. No man has paid, 
 or promised a consideration of any kind on such account. We publish these sketches simply 
 because we deem t'lem interesting reading in;ittfr, and l)plieve such interest will increase with 
 years. 
 
 It is hoi);'i.l an 1 bilieval th it opies ol tliis histo,-y will bi p;-3s3rved in families and 
 eljewhere, and that it miy becoino the basis upon which the historian of 1976 my found his 
 record of events. 
 
 Tlie anecdotes herein relate.l are believei to b3 strictly true. Those detaile,! as having 
 transpired where the author w.is present, are pracisaly as related. Others are from good 
 authority— tlie evidence of such as were auditors and witnesses. 
 
 The state of society twenty years ago was much mire favorable to the development of the 
 ludicrous than at present, and if we could collate for this work, the good jokes and trite 
 sayings of those days, we would lie able to furnish a volume better filled witli mirth-provoking 
 articles than any comic iiublication of the day. 
 
 While we have labored in collecting the facts, anil putting them in form for p.iblicatioi. 
 Mr. Charlks K. Dknison has busied liimself upon tlie mechanical dei)artnient. U" any profits 
 result or losses occur, we share them alike. 
 
 GEORGE W. BRIZEE. 
 
/ 
 
 HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY. 
 
 HOW THE COUNTY WAS FORMED. 
 
 The third General Assembly of the State of Iowa, which csnveiverl at Iowa City, on the 3d 
 day of December 1850, passed an act entitled " An act to establish new counties and to define 
 their boundaries," which was approved January 15th, 1851. 
 
 By this act, the territory lying within townships number 86, 87, 88 and 89, nor'h of ranges 27, 
 28, 29 and 30, west of the 5th p. m., were constituted a county, which was named Yell. 
 
 By an act of the fourth fteneral Assembly, approved January 12th, 1853, the counties of 
 Yell and Risley, now Hamilton, were united in one and named Webster. 
 
 The fifth General Assembly again changed the boundaries of the county by enacting the 
 following: "That the townships numbered, niiietx. an i ninety-one, of ranges number 27, 
 2S, 29 and 30, whi di hiv3 hsre'oforj been a part of Humboldt co mty, shall be, and are hereby 
 attached to Webster. Approved January 24th, 1855." At this time Webster county contained 
 forty congressional townships of six miles squire, equal to 921,600 acres of land, then the 
 largest comity in the State. 
 
 ORGANIZATION OF WEBSTER COUNTY. 
 
 Chapter 12. laws of the fourth General Assembly, approved January 12th, 1853, attached 
 Yell and Risley counties to Boone county, and prescribed the manner in which they should 
 be organized. By virtue of this act the citizens of Webster county, in March, 18.53, petitioned 
 the Hon. Saml. B. McCall, County Judge of Boone county, to order an election for county 
 officers. The judge issued an order for an election to be held on Monday, tlie 4th day of 
 April 1853. The election was held. The whole number of votes cast was sixty-three, and 
 ' eturns made to the judge of Boone county, who, on the 9th day of April, 1853, issued certificates 
 to the following officers : County Judge, Wm. Pikrce ; Clerk of the District Court, Jes.sk 
 Goodrich ; Recorder, James Hook ; Prosecuting Attorney, Geo. W. Halt., and John H. 
 COFER each received twenty-eight votes— a tie ; Sheriff, James Doty ; Coroner, Theodorub 
 EsLicK ; School Fund Commissioner, Loudowic Maricle and John Tolman, each 
 received twenty-seven votes— a tie ; Surveyor, George W. Hall ; Drainage Commissioner, 
 D.\niel Gaylor ; Township Assessor, Samuel Eslick ; Justices of the Peace, John 
 H. Cofer and John Tolman ; Constables, John Devore and Chas. Burchard ; 
 Township Trustees, Isaac Hook, Andrew Grossclose and John Gaylor ; Township 
 Clerk, Loudowic Maricle. 
 
 The first official act of Judge Pierce of which there is a record, was the issuing of a 
 marriage license. May 14, 1853, to John Jacob Holmes, who was then Hospital Steward at 
 the fort, and Miss Emily Lyox. a housekeeper for the officers. Soon after the organization of 
 
COUyXIES ATTACHED TO WEIiSTER 
 
 the county, the District Judge of the Fifth Judicial District appointed three conimisslonei-s to 
 select a site and locate a county seat. They selected the southwest quarter of section 6, 
 township 87, north of nuifje 26, and a town was laid out and named Homer. 
 
 In March 1856, the citizens of the county petitioned the Hon. \Vm. N. Mehervev, County 
 Judge, to order an election on the question of removing the county seat from Homer to Fort 
 Dodge. The election was held^on the 7th day of April 185rt, and as soon as an office could be 
 procured, the records were taken to Fort Dodge and the present county seat established. 
 
 COUNTIES ATTACHED TO WEBSTER FOE ELECTION, JUDICIAL 
 AND EEVSNUE PURPOSES. 
 
 By chapter 142, laws of the fifth General Assembly, approved January 24th, 18.55, the 
 following unorganized counties were attached to this county, to-wit : Wright. Humboldt, 
 Pocahontas, Palo Alto, Kossuth, Hancock, Winnebago, Bancroft and Eniinett. These 
 counties were all organized by the County Judge of Webster, as follows : 
 
 WRIGHT. 
 
 By an order of tlie County Court of AVebster county, an election was i»ehl in 
 the County of Wriglit, August Gth, 18.'55, and David Dean was elected County Judge. A full 
 set of county officers was chosen, and the returns made to the judge of Webster. At this 
 time Wright county polled twenty-eight votes. 
 
 KOSSUTH. 
 
 At the general election held on the Gth day of August, 1855, Kossuth county was organized 
 in the same way as Wright. There were thirty-two votes polled and Asa C. Call was elected 
 County Judge, and Lewis H. Smith, County Surveyor. 
 
 HUMBOLDT. 
 
 About the first day of April, 185", Hon. Saml. Rkks, llien County Judge of Webster, 
 deputized Henuy A. Ckamek, at that time a resident of Humboldt county, as Deputy Slieriff, 
 and gave him a warrant for tl\e holding of an election in that county, on the first Monday in 
 Aiiril, with orders to serve tlie same. Ckamek took his warrant and went to Huml)oUlt county, 
 but found the homes of the settlers deserted, tliey liaving fled to Fort Dodge from fear of the 
 Indians, who were at that time reported as being on their way down the Des Moines river. 
 Cramer found food cooked and warm on the stoves. He helped himself to eatables and 
 returned his warrant unserved. .ludge Hees snlise(iuently issued liis warrant for an 
 election to be held on the first Monday in August, 18.57. The election was held and 10;i 
 votes polled. The returns made to the judge of this county, show Jonathan Hutchison 
 elected County Judge, A. McLean Treasurer aii<l Ueeonler, and Hknuv A. Ckamek, Coroner. 
 
COUNTIES ATTACHED TO WEBSTER. 
 
 WINNEBAGO. 
 
 This county was organized by an order of the County Court of Webster, previous to the 
 general election held the second Tuesday in October 1857. The. retuiiis made to the County 
 Court show that there were twenty-seven votes c^st, and- Robert Clark received the whole 
 number for County Judge. 
 
 PALO ALTO. . 
 
 On the 23d of September, 1858, the County Court of Webster ordered an election to be 
 held in Palo Alto county, on the second Tuesday in October following. The election was 
 held, but the returns being irregular the election was held to be void. 
 
 On the 22d of November 1858, the Court again issued an 'order for an election to be held on 
 the 20th day- of December 1858, and a full board of county offltrers was elected. 'These returns 
 made to the Court show that Jame.s Hickey was elected' Courity Judgfe, and' John M. 
 MuLRONEY, Treasurer and Recorder. The whole number of 'votes cast 'was' f'Orty-fOUr. 
 
 EMMETT. 
 
 On the first day of January, 1859, the County Court Of Webster- issued an orcler for an 
 election to be held in Emmett county on the 7th day of February following. The returns show 
 that an election was held on that day at which there were cast twenty-six votes for county 
 officers. A. Jenkins, was elected County Judge, and Standley We.ston, Treasurer and 
 Recorder. 
 
 POCAHONTAS. 
 
 This county was organized by an order of the County Judge of Webster county, who issued 
 an order the 19th day of February 1859, directing an election to be held on the 15th day ot March, 
 following. At this time a full board of county officers was elected. The returns show that 
 twenty-three votes were cast, and David Slosson elected County Judge, and Wm. H. Hait 
 Treasurer and Recorder. 
 
 HANCOCK. 
 
 The records of Webster county show no county organization of this county. 
 
HENRY LOTT— THE FIRST SETTLER IN WEBSTER COUNTY. 
 
 Henry Lott, the first settler in the County of Webster, erected the first cabin nt- a/ tlie 
 mouth of the Boone river, on hind now owned bY I^oudowic Maricle, in section 24, township 
 87, range 27. The date of his settlement is unknown. He was found there in 1846, by the 
 pioneers, engaged in the laudable enterprise of selling whisky to the Indians, stealing their 
 ponies and running them off to the south. He cultivated but little land. Lott was a slim, dark 
 eyed, shrewd man, with a fair education., and claimed to have been born in the New England 
 States. His first wife, who was a daughter of one of the early Governors of Ohio or Pennsyl- 
 vania, died in the winter of 1846 and was buried without a coffin, puncheons being placed at 
 the bottom, sides and ends of the grave, the body lowered and others laid over the 
 renuiins. Her grave is m the cemetery on the Vigors' farm, section 25, township 87, range 27. 
 
 Lott in his dealings with the Indians was so unfair, that they finally became suspicious of 
 him, threatened his lite and in tne winter of 1846, drove him from his cabin, but did not 
 meddle with his family. His two sons, fearing for the safety of their father, followed him, 
 became lost and separated, and one was frozen to death near Elk Rapids. His remains were 
 subsequently found, placed for protection from the wolves in a pile of drift-wood, and against 
 the wishes of Lott, who desired to cremate the body, was buried in the spring near where it 
 was found. 
 
 After the death of his first wife, Lott married the daughter of Francis McGuike, one of 
 the first settlers in Yell township, subsequently built a cabin on the bank of the Des Moines 
 river, on the farm now owned by Clark Fuller, near the spot where in later days stood the 
 steam saw-mill of Samuel Tod, and spent his time trading with the Indians, hunting and fish- 
 ing. Here his second wife died on the 10th day of December, 1851, and is buried on section 27, 
 township 88, range 28, but all traces of the grave are now obliterated. 
 
 In November, 1853, Lott made a claim near Lett's creek, in Humboldt county, which he and 
 his son occupied, and laid in as a winter's supply— three or four barrels of whisky and some 
 goods, as he said, " with a view of trading withthe Indians." 
 
 In January, 1854, Lott and his son went to the camp of the old chief, Sidom-i-na-do-ta h 
 who was then living on the creek, a mile west of Lott's cabin, and telling him that there was a 
 drove of elk feeding on the bottom lands, induced the old Indian to mount his pony and go 
 with them. Lott and his son followed, shot and killed him, and that night disguised as Indians, 
 attacked the chief's wife, mother and six children and murdered all but two, a little girl aged ten, 
 who hid in the bushes, and a boy about twelve years old whom they thought they had killed 
 and left for dead. He recovered and escaped. Some ten days elapsed before the murder was 
 discovered. Then his cabin was found to have been burned and his wagon tracked to Holiday 
 creek, he avoiding Fort Dodge. At Mr. Tho.s. Holliday's the first intelligence wiis had of 
 him. He passed there with his old covered carriage, containing his household goods, while his 
 son led the Indian's pony heavily packed with furs. At the house of Mrs. I. Garmok, then near 
 the mouth of the Hoone river, Lott and his son stayed over night and offered for sale furs and 
 other articles. Here his actions attracted the attention of other guests who were spending the 
 night at Mrs. Garmoe's. Major Williams, who was among the number, made the remark that 
 something was wrong with Lott. His son refused to go to the barn and feed the horses after 
 dark. He had the Indian's pony with him tlicn, but knowing his mode of " raising ponies," 
 no line suspected the great crime lie had cnimnittiMl. 
 
TOWNSHIPS OF WEBSTER COUNTY 
 
 After the troops had been ordered from Fort Dodge, Gov. Hempstead issued a commission to 
 Major William Williams, granting him authority, if necessary, to raise men, and Iceep the 
 Indians iu check, and as far as possible, keep peace between them and the settlers. The 
 roving bands who inhabited this portion of Iowa were very friendly to the Major. His 
 word to them was law, and to prevent an Indian war, which was threatened, he promised 
 them that Lott should be captured, and worked faithfully to fulfill that promise. The civil 
 authorities of the county assisted him with the strong arm of the law. A subscription was 
 circulated throughout the country, furds raised, and every settler took an interest in his 
 capture. While Lott had traits of character that were admired, many of the settlers were 
 afraid of him. 
 
 Sidom-i-na-do-tah was the leader of the band that drove Lott from his home in the 
 winter of 1846, and it is said that he then swore he would have revenge. After the death of his 
 second wife he gave away his little twin daughters and his infant son, taking with him to Hum- 
 boldt county, the son before mentioned, who was about fifteen years old. After leaving Mrs. 
 Gabmoe's, nothing definite is known of Lott. It was reported that he fled to Council Bluffs, 
 joined an overland train bound for California, and was killed in a quarrel on the planis. But 
 it is thought by those who knew him best, that this was a ruse to keep the officers in search 
 from following him. After search for Lott had been abandoned, the skeleton of the old 
 Indian was found, and the fact reported to the county officers at Homer, who decided that 
 under law, it was necessary to hold an inquest over the the murdered chief. 
 
 Father John Johns, the then acting Coroner, summoned a jury and went up to examine the 
 remains. They collected a few Indians together and examined the boy and girl who had escaped 
 the massacre. None of the Indians present could understand English. Granville 
 Berkley, Prosecuting Attorney for the county, took the testimony of the Indians and 
 pretended to interpret it. The interpretation was disputed by Wm. K. Miller, an old frontiers- 
 man, and a laughable scene ensued. Berkley quoted authors which Miller could not answer. 
 The former obtained from the Indians The skull of the dead chief, which he took to Homer. The 
 records in the Coroner's office of the County of Webster, contain no account of the verdict of 
 this jury. 
 
 TOWNSHIPS OF WEBSTER COUNTY. 
 
 WASHINGTON. 
 
 Webster County is divided into twenty-one precmcts or townships, as follows : 
 Washington was the first township organization in the county, and embraced all the terri- 
 tory now contained in Webster and Hamilton counties. It was. organized by an order issued 
 by the County Court of Boone county. The first election was held on Monday, the 4th day of 
 April. 1853, at which time the first township officers in the county were elected. The follow- 
 uig were the officers chosen : Township Assessor, Samuel Eslick ; Justices of the Peace, John 
 H. CoFER and John Tolman ; Constables, John Devore and Charles Burchard ; 
 Township Trustees, Isaac Hook, Andrew Groseclose and John Gaylor ; Township 
 Clerk, LouDOWic Maricle. 
 
8 . TOWNSHIPS OF WEBSTER COUNTY. 
 
 In August, 1853, Judge Wai. Pikrce diyided the county in three township?, and left Wa|li- 
 ington all the teiritory nortli of township 87 in tlie county. In March, 185", the.pountyC'odrt 
 again changed the boundaries, whicli, with ;i slight cliange made in 1870, were the boundaries 
 Washijigton now contains, to-wit : All of township 88, north of range 27, and sections 1, 12, .13, 
 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 35, and 36, township 88, range 28, east of the Des Moines river. 
 
 The oldest settler in this town, now there js Geo. C. Goss. The first school taught 
 was by Mrs. Francis B. Drake, in a log house on section 25, township 88, range 28. Mrs. 
 Drake taught three months, had twenty-eight scholars enrolled, and on the la.st day of the 
 school one of the directors callinl and paid the ^teacher her wages in gold. This district, then 
 number four in the county, received that year .S29 92 public money troin the school fund. There 
 are now eight school-houses in the townsliip, two hundred and three scholars enrolled— two 
 hundred and sixty-seven between the ages of five and twenty-one. 
 
 The I?\'angelical Lutheran JNorwegians have a church organized in 1870 ; they have a mem- 
 bership of fifty-four, hold their meetings 'in the school-house on Brushy, and are in a prosperous 
 condition. Their pastor is the liev. O. A. Sauer. There is a union society organized 
 who hold their meetings at the school house near Francis Brewer's, and are supplied once 
 in four w'eeks by Kcv. L. S. Coefix; a S'elf-supporting missionary. The Methodist Episcopals 
 organized a church here in 1854, and for a long time it was the leading chui'ch in the county. 
 The members have moved away'and the church to-day has no permanent pastor. 
 
 HARDIN. 
 
 Hardin township as. organized in August 1853, contained all the territory in. township 
 KC, in the county. It was named by the County Judge inhonorof Joseph Hardin, who settled 
 in 1849,.on section 21, township 8£, range 27, and subsequently built the large hotel at Hook's 
 Point. The boundaries of the town were subsequently changed by the formation of new town- 
 ships, and now it embraces all of township 86, north of range 27, east of the Des Moines river. 
 The oldest settler of this town, now there, is Andrew Johnson. The first death was that of 
 a child of Rev. John Linn, in October 1850. The first birth was a daughter to the same gentle- 
 man. Tills event occurred on the 4th day of January, 1851. The first school taught in the 
 township was in the summer of 1854. This was then District No. l. and the amount of public 
 money i)aid by the School Fund Commissioner was"?"19 72. There are now two school -houses in 
 the township, two hundred and two scholars between the ages of five to twenty-one, and 
 one lumdrcul and sixty-nine enrolled in the schools. 
 
 In the summer of 1854, the lifcv. Mr. SivTitH of Fairfield, Iowa organized the first Sweed Meth- 
 odist church with thirty members. Tiiey have a large society, and are building a meeting-house 
 to cost §4,000. In the fall of 1854, the Rev. Mr. Hokanso^-" organized a Sweed Lutheran Church 
 with ten membei-s. They now have a good meeting-house whicli cost §1,000, and a member- 
 ship of twenty-six. In 1856, the Sweed Baptists organized with eighteen members and soon 
 after engaged the Rev. Mr. Fisk. Their meeting house is in Hamilton county. The society 
 is ill a pj-osperous condition. 
 
 There is a steam saw-mill in Hardin. 
 
 WEBSTER. 
 
 Webster township originally embraced all the territory in township 87, in Webster and 
 Hamilton counties. After the division of the counties in 18.07, the County Court ordered the 
 township re-organized, to contain all that part of townsliip 87, north of range 27, east of the Des 
 
TO n:is[SHiES,pF:^ tf;ebsi;jsb. qouNJY. 
 
 9 
 
 Moiues river: Oa the fir.t ^ondao^'S AprU^iaa/; .^^ "t<?^nsl^P w^..^^^a,^^ 
 
 M A RTPT F ' who settled on the farm where he now resides ui 1818. 
 
 ?rm'sr 101 was private, taught in 185., hy the Hon. K. W. W. A.cok. in a sinall lK.se 
 on section 13. There are now flvescUool-hou.se., with two hundred and Ave scholars attending, 
 -xnd two hundred and thirty-three between the ages of nve and twenty-one. 
 
 Tiriirst Church organized was h.y the m^X B. Moktoomeby, Methodist Episcopal, m 1 52 
 .t the lolittf W1.0AM PXKKCK. Thi, church W.S suhseauently inoved to Homer, after that 
 town was located, and the society have now a good.house of worshi^,^ ,^ ^^_,_ , ,^ . . 
 
 W AH RONS A; 
 
 ^AHKO.,A township. w.s.oi^anued:on,th,. 3d day of March. 1856, ,M ^'^^^^^ 
 thenfl^edhy-the qounty Court, ere, as fallp>..: . Goniniencing ^^ ^'^f ^^^^ «^^ ^^^ 
 county of .^ehstai-.thenpe e.^t^on.Baid,cavinty,line to the rang, ^^^^ ^^''^ '^^^^ on 
 ti.encJ^south o..a«g. lin. t. the corr^tion Ui>.,.hen.e -^ ^^^'^^^^^'^ fl^^'X^:, 
 range line.to the^^prtheast cor,e,.of,seQUon:l.. ^o^.ship..88, r^ig.<2Z.,hen^^^^^ 
 
 Moi^e., river, t*ieu,e.4o^.. aid. river, to, the south line .f, section 8, ^^^^^^^ 
 ,the«c,e west.ta fhe.couu^y liuMhence nor-h to.the plac^K^f beginning, c,oi,tamuiK,toui, bundled 
 and seventy square ttviles of land. . :,,<■', ,7 ■: ,■'■'. ' • ^,' "' ''■',;„„, house built 
 
 The first election was held on the first Monday in April 1856, m the oldlog ^f^'^^^"^^ 
 .y the government. At this election, A. M. Daw... was chosen ^^^ "^^ ^ ^^^l^^^^^-^^^ 
 and H F Watson for Constable. Watson subsequently resigned, and Chables i^^, 
 k" h! Js, altiug county Judge, appointed- e'.H. A.b.e to fill t.e vacancy^ ^^^ZZTZ 
 the papple .at Houi^r. d.te™ed to play a jol^e on our tavynsman, Hon. ^^^^^^^ 
 casting aeyeral vo.tes.fer hi.n for Cprone,,.talcing,<^r,, hp....ver, to elect Eev. ^^^^^^ 
 Itinerant preacher, who, lived, upon .the west ban. of .the Des Moines riye ^^ 
 Plains. This reverend gentlen|an cou)d .shoot,a ]^m, Mn^^ '^ P-^^ treft or preach, and pei^oun 
 either task with the same ability. ,, , , ■ -' ' ,'• f ^f ti.nt n.i,r.P a 
 
 The township of Wahkonsa was named in honor of a young Indian chief of that name, a 
 son of the old chief Ink-a-pa-do-ta. , He,.vvas a very handsome .a^d intelligent youth and 
 frequently vjsited Fort Dodge. In the winter of 1854-55, he, with his ,ister and others, , a 
 to^ town and camped at night on the ground floor of the old hotel hearii^„his "W • " 
 morning, Ex-Govcrnor CvKUS C. Cakpenteb came into the offlce, when the Indi.n bdle 
 broke out into an uncontrollable fit of laughter. Those present tried to ascertain the cause of 
 her mirth. For answer, she pointed at the head of the honorable gentleman, and e-^^--^- 
 Hedgehog, hedgehog!" The Governor, who was then a young man and :^^-^:''^'^^-' ^'J ^ " 
 hair quite short, and it had assumed a position at right angles with his ^^^^^^^^^ 
 hilarity of the Indian princess, and her rather inelegant comparison. Mr. Cabpenteb 
 enjoyed her amusement as well asany one present. 
 
 The first settler m the present township of Wahkonsa outside of the "^y, "ow heie, .. 
 Mrs. GEO. H. ROGEBS. This township is now in the Independent School District of Foit 
 
 """Th'e first sernron preached was by the Kev. J. B. Montgomebv in 1851. In 1852 he formed a 
 society and held meetings. This circuit at that time extended from below Polk City to Foi 
 Dodge. Father Montgomeby is now residing in Boonsboro, near ninety years of age, i 
 mental faculties well preserved, and he still remembers with pleasure his long and lonesome 
 
10 TOWNSHIPS OF WEBSTER COUNTY. 
 
 rides over his seventy-five mile circuit, and tlie liospitality wliicli tlie early settlera sliowed to 
 liim on all occasions. From this time the liistory of Wahkoiisa tawnsliip Ls that of Fort 
 Dodge. 
 
 YELL. . 
 
 Yei.l tovvnsliii) was organized Marcli 3d, 1856, by an order of tlie County Coiu-t. Its oriRinal 
 territory embraced all of townships 86 and 87, north of ranges niimliers 27, 28,29 and 38, west 
 of tlie Des Moines river. Tlie first settler in this towiisliip after Hknkv Lott, was Squire 
 M<:'(;uiRE, wlio now resides in section 15, town. 87, range 27. This township received the original 
 name of tlie county. Tlie first election was held at the house of Stephen Stark, on the first 
 Monday in April, 1856. The fli-st school was organized in 1856, and Mrs. Eli S. Geykr 
 taught thirty scholars. There are now one hundred and fifty-two scholars in the township. 
 ElderSPARK organized a Baptist cliurch in Yell in 1856. They still keep up a society, have no 
 stated supply, and report but twenty -nine members. Several yeara ago, the society built a 
 meeting-house, wliich is near the center of the township. No Sunday schools reported. (Iran- 
 viLi.E Bkrklry says he found Henrv Lott living in this townsliip wlien he came up with 
 Major Olm.stead to locate the site for a fort, and stayed all night with him. At that time 
 Lott was thirty miles north of any settlement. The present boundaries of Yell township were 
 established by the County Court, September Uth, 1858. They embrace all of town. 87, north of 
 range 27, west of the Des Moines river. There is a steam saw-mill in this township, owned by 
 Lynde & ILES, and John Beam has one of the best veins of coal in the county. 
 
 DAYTON. 
 
 This township was organized September 14, 1858, by an order of tlie County Court, and the 
 first election was held in the school-house at Dayton, the second Tuesday in October, 1858, 
 The boundaries were originally all of township 86, range 28, and that part of township 
 sa, range 27, Wv^st of the river, except sections i, 2, and 3. Tlie oldest settler in this townsliip^ 
 is Andrew Peterson, who settlled on section 34, townsliip 86, range 27, in 1S48. The ft'rst 
 school-house built in Dayton was in 1857, and Stephen Kellev tauglit eiglit scholars the 
 same year. There ai'e now eleven school-houses in the township, wliere schools are taught, and 
 they average an attendance of four hundred scholars. There is one steam saw-mill. Dayton 
 is the largest townsliip in the county, and the second in i)opulation. 
 
 OTHO. 
 
 Otho township was organized March 2d, 18.57, and contained all of township 88. north of 
 laiiu'cs 28 and 29, west, lying west of the Des Moines river. The first election was held at the 
 hoLise of Norman Hart, in April, 1857. In October, 1S71, the Board of Supervisors set off 
 township 88, range 29, leaving the boundaries of the township at i)resent, th;it part of township 
 8s. north of range 28, west of the Des Moines river. The oldest settler in Otho township, now 
 tlicrc, is Norman H. Hart, who came in the fall of l«.53. The first school in tliis township 
 was taught by Mrs. (}ko. D. Hart, in a small building, ten by twelve, on tlie northeast of 
 niiitluMst i)f section 28, ir. the summer of ik:>7. There are now four school-houses, with one 
 liunilrcd and twenty-two scliolars enrolled, and one hundred and lifty-two scholars in the 
 townshi)! between the ages of five and twenty-on(\ 
 
TOWNSHIPS OF WEBSTER COUNTY. U 
 
 The first Congregational church of Otho was organized by the Rev. T. N. Skinner, the 
 13th of March, 1855, with Ave members. They now have eighty-two members. The society 
 purchased, some years ago, five acres of land, upon which they have built a parsonage, valued 
 at $1,600. 
 
 Tliere are seven coal mines now being worked in this township, which give employment to 
 seventy miners. There is one steam saw-mill in Otho, which is operated the greater portion of 
 the year in cutting native lumber. 
 
 Spartan Lodge number 226, 1. O. of O. F., located in the town of Otlio, was organized June 
 26th, 1871, by Deputy Grand Master J. W. Roper. Tlie first officers were, D. R. Fuller, N 
 G. ; S. D. Atherton, V. G. ; E. W. Sorber, Treasurer ; E. O. Parkhukst, R. S. ; B. B. 
 Goodrich, P. S. The number of members at present belonging are thirty-flve. Deaths since 
 the lodge was established, two— J. M. Williams and R. L. Levson. The present officers are 
 W. K. Graves, N. G. ; A. M. Smith, V. G. ; L. H. Pratt, Treasurer ; D. R. Fuller, R. S. ; J. 
 L. Ford, P. S. 
 
 There Is also a Rebekah Lodge, Virginia number 51, who hold their meetings in the same 
 hall, and have a membership of thirty-two. 
 
 SUMNER. 
 
 Sumner township was named in honor of the late Charles Sumner, of Massachusetts. 
 The boundai'ies remain now as when first organized. Sumner contains all of township 
 87, north of range 28, west of the Des Moines river. On the 2d day of March, 1857, the County 
 Court of Webster county ordered an election to be held at the house of James Douglas, on 
 the 6th day of April following. At this election thirty-one votes were cast. The first schoo 1 
 taught in this township was in 1857, Mrs. E. V. Moore, teacher. The first school-house in the 
 township was erected in the village of Buchanan, in 1859. There are now eight school-houses, 
 two hundred and thirty-three scholars [between the ages of five and twenty-one, and one 
 hundred and fifty-six enrolled in the schools. In Sumner are located the celebrated Crooked 
 creek coal mines, which furnish employment to a large number of men. [For churches, secret 
 societies, etc., see Vesper.] 
 
 DOUGLAS. 
 
 By an order of the County Court, made on the 3d day of March, 1857, all of the territory 
 lying in townships 89 and 90, north of ranges 29 and 30, west of the Des Moines river, were 
 formed into a township and named Douglas, in honor of Stephen A. Douglas. The first 
 election was held at the house of Thomas Jackson, on section 17, township 89, range 29, in 
 April, 1857. Before September 20th, 1859, the Court ordered township 90, of ranges 29 and 30, 
 formed into a township, thus leaving Douglas township 89, of ranges 29 and 30. Ou November 
 6th, 1860, range 30 was taken from Douglas, leaving the township as it now is— all of township 
 89, north of range 29, and that part of sections 7, 18, and 19, in township 89. range 28, west of the 
 Des Moines river. The first settler in this townsliip, now there, is Lorenzo S. Coffin, who 
 bought his claim of E. H. Albee, in Januarv, 1855. The first school was taught in 1856, by 
 Mrs. W. C. Ainsworth. at tlie Lumpkins' school-house. Tliere are now seven school-houses 
 in the township, and an average of one hundred and forty-seven scholars. 
 
12 township:^ of WEIiS^TER COUNTY. 
 
 1 
 
 JACKSON. 
 
 , . This towuslup\yas.prgan.ized Sept. 20tli, 1859, by an oiilor of the County Board. The terri- 
 tory embraced was township 90, of ranges 29 and 30. The first election held in the township was 
 at the house of Kkhard r. Fuklong, October l ith, 1859. On Nov. 6th, i860, tUe County Court 
 ordered township 90," range 29, set off and a tbwnsfiip named Cass, fornjed.of that territory, but 
 the township of Cass was never organized. On the lOth day of October, 1865, township 90, range 
 29, -was, by an order of the Board of Supervisors detached and named Deer Creek. 
 
 The iirst settler in Jackson township now (here, was Hugh Coli-ins. The first school 
 taught ii^ the township was in the si.mmer of 1856, by Mrs. Petkr Donahue, in a log house on 
 section .36. There are now three schools in the township and the mmiber of scholars is one 
 hundred and forty-one. 
 
 The first church prganized in this township w;vs St. Patrick's Catholic church, which in 1871, 
 completed a large house of w^orship on sections 19 and 30. This church has a membership of 
 one hundred families, and the only meeting house in the township. 
 
 In 1870 a union Sabfeath school was organized at Jackson Center,' with a present member- 
 ship of forty. Union service is also held in the school-house and Kev. L. S.' Cof'FiN officiates. 
 
 JOHNSON, 
 
 Tm.s township 'embraces the congressional township of 89, north of range 30, and wits 
 organized November Gth, 1860, by an order of the County Court. The first election was held at the 
 house of Wm. FRESTCJif. The first school held in the township was taught by Miss M.a.ry 
 J. Stevens on section 2, in a claim cabin, and so careful was she of the settlers right's that she , 
 allowed his cook -stove and bed to remain in the room. This was in the summer of 1857. This 
 township has now Ave school-houses and an average attendance of one hundred and seventy- 
 eight scholars. There are one hundred and ninety-four eiirolled between the ages of five and 
 twenty-one. The first settler in this township wnk CiKO. W. Young, who settled where he now 
 resides on section 1, in March 185.5. 
 
 There was a Methodist Episcopal church organized in this township as early as 1860. 
 Tliey still have meetings, but many of the members having moved from the county, they are 
 unable to sustain a pastor. 
 
 BADGER. 
 
 Badger township was taken from Wahkonsa by an order of the Board of Supervisors, 
 October 10th, 1865, and when organized contained townsiiip 90, north of ranges 27 and 28, west. 
 Range 27 was, October I4th, 1873, taken from Badger, and the present boundaries of the 
 township are all o) township 90, north of range 28, west, and that part of township 90, i^orth of 
 range 29, lying east of the Des Moines river. The first settler in this township was Stephen 
 Maher, who settled on section 19, township 90, range 28, in the spring of 1856. The first 
 school organized in the township was taught by Miss Susan Callkjan, in 1862, in the granary 
 of M. Mitchell. Tliere are now seven school-houses in Badger, and one hundred and thirty- 
 eight children between the ages of five and twenty-one, of which one hundred and thirty are 
 enrolled in the schools. This township h:us a large supply of native timber, and the inhabitants 
 are all farmers. 
 
TOWNSHIPS OF WEBSTER COUNTY. ' 13 
 
 DEER CREEK. 
 
 The township of Deer Creek was organized by an order of the Board of Supervisors 
 October loth, 1865, and the 8rst election was lield at the Long school -house. At this election 
 there were twenty-four votes cast, of which Daniel W. Prindlb received twenty-three for 
 Supervisor. Deer Creek township embraces all of township 90 north of range 29, and that part 
 of township 90, 1'ange 28, west of the Des Moines river. The first settler in this township was 
 Daniel W. Prindle, who built his cabin in March, 1855. 
 
 The first school was taught by Miss Helen (jArdneb in a log cabin on section 26, in 1862. 
 There are now four school-houses in Deer Creek, one hundred and thirty-one children be- 
 tween the ages of five and twenty-one, ninety-two of whom are enrolled in the schools. 
 
 This township has a fine quarry of sand-stone, and several mineral springs. 
 
 FULTON. 
 
 This township embraces all of township 88 range 30. It was organized by an order of 
 the Board of Supervisors, made in September, 1868, and the first electiori was held at the house 
 of J. L. French, November 3d, 1868, at which time John B. Soott was elected a member of 
 the Board of Supervisors. The first settler in the township was Wm. Chase, who resides on 
 the north half of the northwest quarter of section 24, township 88, range 30. The first school- 
 house built and school taught, was in the year 1869, on section U, and Miss J. A. Churchill 
 was the teacher. There are now four school-houses in the township. Number of scholars 
 between five and twenty-one years, eighty ; number of voters in the township, 33. 
 
 LOST GROVE. 
 
 Lost Grove township was organized October I8th, 1869, and embraces all the territory of 
 township 86, north of range 29. The township received its name from the name 
 of a grove wliich stood near the center of the township flfteeen miles distant from any other 
 timber. The first settler in this township was Ralph Mitchel. Mrs. Ralph Mitohel 
 taught the first school in the township. There are now five school-houses, one hundred and two 
 scholars attending school, and one hundred and twenty-seven between the ages of five and 
 twenty-one. The first church organized in the township was the Swede Evangelical Lutheran, in 
 1871. They hold their meetings in the Danielson school-house and have a membership of one 
 hundred and nine. The Rev. C. J. Hembokg, pastor. There is a union Sunday school organ- 
 ized, and nearly all the children in the township attend. 
 
 PLEASANT VALLEY. 
 
 Pleasant Valley township was organized October 11th, 1870, with its present territory and 
 township 89, range 27. November 5th, 1872. the Board of Supervisors set oft' township 89, range 
 27, leaving Pleasant Valley as it now is, containing only sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16 
 and 17, township 88, range 28, and that part of section l, township 88, range 29, east of the Des 
 Moines river. 
 
 Pleasant Valley is the smallest township in the county and the richest so far as developed 
 in mineral wealth. Here are found the extensive coal works of Messrs Duncombe & Rich- 
 ards, and the Fort Dodge Coal Company. 
 
14 ■ TOWNSHIPS OF WEBSTER COUNTY. 
 
 This township has the largest deposit of gypsum found in a body in Iowa. Messre. Ring- 
 land, Vincent & Mkservev supply their large mill with gypsum from this township. This mil] 
 gives employment to a large numl)er of men, and manufactures yearly over two thousand to ns 
 of stucco and a like quantity of land plaster. 
 
 The first settler in the township was Thomas Holiday. The rtrst school was taught 
 by Miss Curtis, in 1856. There are now three school-houses, and three hundred children 
 between the ages of five and twenty-one, one hundred and forty-two of whom are enrolled 
 in the schools. There is a post-office, (Coalvdle), an<l two stores, in Pleasant Valley, 
 
 ELKHORN. 
 
 The town of Elk Horn was detached from Otho by an order of the Board of Supervisors, 
 October 10th, 1871, and the first election held. Elk Horn embraces all of government township 
 88, north of range 29, except a part of section 1, which is east of the river. The first school 
 organized in this township was in 18.58, and Mrs. Geo. D. Hart taught twelve scholars. There 
 are now nine schools in the township, with an average of one hundred and fifty scholars. On 
 the 4th of August, 1871, an Evangelical Lutheran church (Norwegian! was organized with 
 eleven members. Tliey now have one hundred and sixty-five members, and hold their meetings 
 in the school-house. The Rev. O. A. Sauek, pastor. The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran 
 church was organized in this township in 1871. They hold their meetings in the Tappek school-, 
 house ; have a membership of eighty-eight, and on every third Sunday in the month the Rev 
 P. A. PiHLGKEN officiates. 
 
 GOWRIE. 
 
 This township was organized October 10th, 1871, and embraces township 86, north of 
 range 30, west. Tlie first settler in the township, outside of the village of Gowrie,.was John 
 Steinholm. Th('n> were no settlers in this township until the Des Moines & Fort Dodge 
 railroad was built, and the village of Gowrie established. The township has but little history 
 apart from the village. Quite a large emigration has come in during the past six 
 montlis, and the township is settling up rapidly. There are two school-houses outside of 
 tlie village, wliere schools are taught. 
 
 COLFAX. 
 
 This township was organized by an order of the Hoard of Supervisors, November 5th, 187J > 
 and named after the Hon. Schuyler Colfax. The fir.st election was held atthe Kelley schoo 
 house. The first school was taught by Miss May Keltz, in 1871, at her father's house. There 
 are now four school-houses in the townshi]), in which schools are taught. The number of 
 scholars between the ages of five and twenty-one is one hundred and ten. There are to-day 
 thirty-eight families and forty-nine voters in the township. Robert Wood is President of the 
 School Board. This townshij) is well watered, and is one of the finest in the county for raising 
 stock. Tlie first settler in the township was Hicxry E. Kelley. This townsliip comprises 
 township so. u<)i1h of range 'J7. west. 
 
TOWNSHIPS OF WEBSTER COUNTY. 15 
 
 CLAY. 
 
 Clay township was organized November 5th, 1872, by an order of the Board of Supervisors, 
 and the first election held at the house of Samuel Atherton. This township embraces tlie 
 congressional township of 87, north of range 29, west, and was named in honor of the illustrious 
 orator and statesman, the gallant Henky Clay. The first settler in this township was Frank 
 B. Drake, in the fall of 1867. The first school taught was by Luther W. Hulbard. In the 
 winters of 1871 and 1872, he had a class of twelve scholars. There are now three school-houses 
 in the township, with an average attendance of sixty-two scholars. In 1872 a Sabbath school 
 was organized, which is in a prosperous condition, and in the fall of 1875 the Methodist 
 Episcopals organized with seven members. This township is all prairie, and well adapted to 
 grazing. There are now forty-six families residing in the township. 
 
 NEWARK. 
 
 Newark township was organized October I4th, 1873, and embraces all the territory in 
 township 90, north of range 27, west. The oldest settler in this township, now there, is Mr. John 
 Teters. He came from Newark, Ohio, and therefore prevailed upon the Board of Supervisors 
 tio name the township Newark in honor of his native town. The present number of scholai"s in 
 the township attending school is thirty-nine ; number in the township between five and twenty- 
 one, forty-eight. There are two school-houses in the township. 
 
 ROLAND. 
 
 KoLAND township was the last township organized in the county. It embraces township 
 87. north of range 30, west, and was organized by an order of the Board of Supervisors, October 
 12th, 1875. The first settle)- in this township was O. O. Myrboc, who settled on the southe:ist 
 quarter of section 12, in the fall of 1870. Miss Helen Cook taught the first school in the 
 summer of 1875. There is but one school-house in the township. The township now has thirty- 
 one dwelling houses. Kesho is the post-oflice, and has a daily mail. 
 
TOWNS AND VILLAGES OF WEBSTER COUNTY 
 
 VESPER. 
 
 Vesper, formerly Tyson's Mills, is located on tlie west bank of the Des Moines river, on 
 section 12, to.viisliip 87, range 28. The first settlement was made as early as 1855, when Messrs. 
 R333 & W.tfiar or33t3i C'.i3 tirst j^Jin saw-mill, which is still used for that pnrpose. The 
 towasitjaal mill property subsequently passed into the hands of Oliver Tyson, who, in 
 1833, addad tliareto a flaurinj mill and did an extensive business as miller, merchant, miner 
 a;i 1 faraiM- u;itil the fill of 1875, whsu he sold out to Messrs. Boxd & Po.st. Vesper has a gooi 
 school-house two stores, several shops and a hotel. 
 
 The Mithodist Episcop lis organized a church here in 1857 with six members. They hold 
 their m33tings in the school-house, have now a membership of ten, and their present pastor is 
 the Rev. Geo. D. Hook. 
 
 The Congregationalists organized a church at Vesper in isi)3 with nine members. They now 
 have a m3mb3rship of nineteen and hold their meetings in the school-house. Their present 
 pastor is Rev. T. Fawkes. 
 
 In tha spring of 1S37, Rjv. AvKixSMncH orgi liz; 1 a Trniversali-itsociety and subsequently 
 a church. He built a hall twenty-six by forty-six, which the society has used as a place of 
 worship. They have now a membership of twenty-five, and are the only Universalist society in 
 Webster County. 
 
 The German Evangelic il church has an organization and a house of worship in Sumner 
 townsliip. They hive a me;ni)orsliip of sixty-five, and their present pastor is Rev. F. W. 
 Fisher. 
 
 Vesper lodge number 3')5, I. (). of O. P., was organized January 14th, 1875. The present 
 oflicers are E. P. Young, N. G. ; J. A. Paddock, V. G. ; A. F. Boomar, R. S. ; E. B. Price, 
 P. 8.,andG. 1". Williams, Treasurer. Whole number of members, thirty-eight. 
 
 Sumner lodge number 437, 1. O. of G. T., was organized December 8th, 1868, and has now a 
 membership of sixty-five. This lodge has lost four members by death since the date ol its 
 orginization. The present o;ti3ers ar^ Walt. Williams, W. C. T. ; Laura Williams, W. 
 V. T. ; W. C. HUMPHREY.S, W. S. 
 
 An iron bridge is under contemplation at this place over the Des Moines river, which, when 
 completed, will connect Vesper and Lxckawanna and add greatly to the prosperity of the town. 
 
 Tlie building of the Webster City & Crooked Creek railroad is hailed with joy by the people, 
 who look forward to the time when they can transport their coal and otber merchandise to 
 market more rapidly and with greater ease than is now done by wagon. 
 
 DAYTON. 
 
 Dayton, tlie largsst village in t'.ve county, except Fort Do Ige, is situated on the southeast 
 quarter of the northeast quarter of section 14, townsliip 86, range 28. It was laid out, platted 
 and recorded as a town by Benjamin F. Allison, in November, 18.56. 
 
 The first school-house was erected and the first school organized in 1857. There is now 
 a good school-house with an average daily attendance of eighty pupils. 
 
TO^yXS AND VILLAGES OF WEBSTEB COUNTY. 17 
 
 Tlie first chuicli organization in Dayton was tlie Swede Metliodist Episcopal in 1857. Tliis 
 society lui.s a good meeting-lioiise and a iiieniheiship of one luindred and seventy. Tlieir 
 present pastor is Kev. Axdrew Erii'KSOX. 
 
 Tlie second cinircli organized was tlie Methodist Episcopal in 1858. This society lias no 
 meeting-house, but hold their meetings in the school-house. They have a niembership of 
 twenty-flve, and the Rev. G. D Hook is their present pastor. 
 
 In 1869 the German Lutherans organized a church at Dayton. They hold their meetings In 
 the country school-houses, having a membership of fifteen families. TheEev. Mr. Gkafei.man 
 IS pastor. 
 
 In 18G2 the Swede Lutherans organized a society and subse(iueiitly erected a large and 
 commodious house of worship. They now have a membership of two hundred ami fifty-four. 
 Their pastor is Rev. C. J. Kkmboru. 
 
 In 1865 the Baptists organized a church. They now have a membership of twenty-six, hold 
 their meetings in the school-house ami are supplied by the Rev. J. D. Cassadv. 
 
 The Sunday schools are well attended, and about seventy-five scholars receive instructions 
 
 The business of the town is represented by three dry-goods, two grocery, two drug, one 
 hardware and one .jewelry store ; a hotel, several shoi)s, and one steam flouring-mill. 
 
 JoHX Hadixk :'s the oldest settler in the town, now there, and has done much to build up 
 this inland village. 
 
 HESPERIAN. 
 
 Hespekiax. formerly Buchanan, was .'aid out, platted and recorded as a town site, June 
 16, 18.59, on tlie southeast quarter of section 16, township 87, range 28. The original proprietors 
 had great hope that their town wauld eventually beconi3 the county seat of the county. After 
 several unsuccessful attempts to have the countfy seat removed, and its final permanent loca^ 
 tion by the building of a .$40,000 Court-house at Fort Dodge, the original proprietors, in 1859, 
 sold their town site and emigrated to Calerado. Hesperian contains now a school-house, 
 post-office and three dwellings. The Baptists have a church organization and hold their 
 meetings in the school-house— Rev. J. I). Cassady, pastor. The United Brethren have also a 
 church organization— their pastor is Rev. H. ]M. Porter. 
 
 BORDER PLAINS. 
 
 Border Plains, was laid out. platted and recorded as a town in Scpteiiiber, 1857, by 
 Ar.RAHAJi Inoles, on the southwest qua'ter of the southeast quarter, and the southwest 
 iiuarter of section thirty, township 88, range 27, and at that time was a place of some 
 importance. The improvements at this time consisted of a large steam saw-mill, two stores, 
 shops, etc. It being centrally located in the county, the public gatherings and conventions of 
 the county were generally held in the Border Plains school-house. During the war of the 
 the rebellion this town becLuiie almost depopulated and to-day is not half as large as in 1857. 
 
 DUNCOMBE. 
 
 DUNCOMBE, a station on the Iowa Falls & Sioux City railroad, nine miles east of Fort 
 Dodge, was laid out and platted July 20th, 1870, by the Iowa Falls & Sioux City railroad 
 company. The town is located on the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 4, 
 township 88, north of range 27, west. There is a hotel, two stores, several shops, an elevator 
 and ware-houso. 
 
18 TOWNS AND VILLAGES OF WEBSTER COUNTY. 
 
 GOWRIE. 
 
 GOWKIE, a town on the Des Moines & Fort l)oilj;c lailroiKi, was laid out, platted and 
 recorded by Edwakd A. Lvnd, October 1st. i«7o. it is located on sections l and l.i in 
 township 86, range 30, and was the first station on the Des Moines & Fort Dodge railroad in 
 the county. Messrs. Lyni>, Stkphkns, Madden J. Y., and (i. H. Poia'KH, were the first 
 settlers. At this time the township was attached to Yell. Tlie tirst school was taught in the 
 sunnner of 1871, by Miss Ai.ick Wkhstkk, who taught a class of six scholars. They now have 
 a fine two-story sch()ol-l)uilding, which was erected in 1872, at a cost of over two thousand 
 dollars. Two teachers are employed, and al>ont seventy-five scholars attend school. There is a 
 union Sunday school with fifty scholars. The first sermon preached in Gowrie was on February 
 lOth, 1871. by the Rev. S. Bascom, to a congregation of si.xteen. The text chosen was : " Who 
 despiseth the day of small things?" The Congregational and Methodist societies have each 
 a church organization, (iowrie has three dry goods, two groceries, one drug, one hardware' 
 and one furniture store, several shops, and two good lunilier yards. A large amount of grain 
 and stock is shipped from this station. 
 
 BARNUM. 
 
 Haumm, a station on the Iowa Falls & Sioux City railroad, nine miles west of Fort Dcxlge 
 was laid out and platteil Feliruary 2d. 1ST.'), by the Iowa Falls & Sioux City railroad eoiiipany. 
 The town is located on the southeast quartei' of the northeast quarter, anil the northeast (luarter 
 of the southeast ([uarter of section 22, township Sii, north of range 30, west. Uarnun has a i)ost- 
 ofllce, depot and store. 
 
 CALLENDER. 
 
 Thk town of Callender is situated upon section 12, town 87. range 30, and was platted and 
 recorded by Aonks and .Iamks Callendkr, June 15th, 1875. This town contains a depot, post 
 olhce, Kesho, one store, an agricultural depot, etc. The Des Moines & Fort Dodge rail- 
 road company established a depot at this point in the fall of I8();i, and erected a house— twenty 
 by sixty. There being but little business here, a track was laid under the Imilding, which was 
 then loaded on flat-cars and taken to Tara. and the station abandoned until the fall of !87r>. 
 w hen the j)resent depot was built. 
 
 LACKAWANA. 
 
 Lackawanna, the iiresent terminus of the Webster City & Crooked creek railroad, was laid 
 out and idatted in .Inly, lH7(i, by the WebsterCity & Crooked creek railroad and coal company. 
 The town is located on the east bank of the Des Moines river, (m section 12, township S7, north 
 of range 28, west, and being situated in the center of the great coal district of northwesteni 
 Iowa, is expected to become a town of imi)ortance. 
 
 J HDD. 
 
 .ILDD. the last town laid out in Welister county, is at the junction of the Iowa division of 
 the Illinois Central and WebsterCity & Crook.yl creek railroads. The town is located on the 
 northeast (luarter of the northeast iiuarter of section 1, in townshij) 8S. north of range 28. The 
 projuletors of the town have labored faithfully to make .ludd a success, but that fell 
 destroyer fire, has so far managed to keep ahead of the proprietors. The latest 
 disi>atches state that they have fitted np a caboose for a boarding-house, and have the 
 material on hand to rebuild their fire-stricken city. No donlit is entertained tait that it 
 will be a success, its only drawback being its close proximity to "Ilaskalia.' which, being 
 jealous of her new rival, has asked her projuietor for additional means to make her the greaf 
 city of the plain. 
 
J. F. DUNCOMBE. C. B. RICHARDS. 
 
 THE DUNCOMBE& RICHARDS COAL COMPANY, 
 
 PROPRIETORS OF THE 
 
 ^ai[t §odqe §mmond god &ine, 
 
 AND THE CELEBRATED 
 
 CARBON COAL MINES, 
 
 GENERAL OFFICE, ROOM NO. 1. LAW BLOCK, SIXTH ST. 
 W9JIT &eBam, .... s&wm, 
 
 JOHN F. DUNCOMBE, GUS. T. PETERSON, C. B. RICHARDS, 
 
 Presidext. Secrktaky. Treasurer, 
 
 -OFFICE OF THE— 
 
 GREENE COITY COAL COMPANY, 
 
 PROPRIETORS OF THE 
 
 (jrand Junction Diamond Coal line 
 
 AND THE CELEBRATED 
 
 SNAKE CREEK COAL MINES. 
 
 All letters should be addressea to (Jreene County Coal Coiupauy, Fort Dodge. 
 ROOM NO. I, LAW BLOCK, SIXTH STREET- 
 
 The above mines are all owned and operated by Duncombe & Richards, each mine 
 producing different kind of coal— each adapted to special uses— the Carbon being the 
 purest and best coal yet discovered on the line of the Illinois Central R. R., and the 
 Snake creek being superior to any coal in the State for gas purposes and for black- 
 smiths' use, having been thoroughly tested. All orders for lump or nut coal should be 
 addressed to DUNCOMBE, & RICHARDS, Fort Dodge, Iowa. 
 
B. QRAYSON, 
 
 |eal Jstate jgent and |ealer in ^uM 
 
 f'% 
 
 -AND 
 
 CITY PROPERTY. 
 
 (Agency Estahlishcd in 1855.) 
 
 OFICE OVER FIRST NATIONftL BANK. 
 
 FORI DODGE, - - - IOWA., 
 
 FOR SALE :— One Hnndred Thousand Afres or more of lands desirably located in 
 various parts of the State. These lands embrace selections made at an early day, and 
 include tracts that are unsurpassed for farminii i)urposes. and are convenient to tinib er, 
 coal mines, towns and railroads. 
 
 ^^rni-KS rKKFKCTKD, TAXKS I'AII), COI-LKt: TIONS M.\I)E, KTO., ETC 
 
FORT DODQ-E 
 
 'Wjekwm'm miXaXa. 
 
 The oldest Mill in Northwestern Iowa. 
 
 AZWATS IN GOOD REPAIR. 
 
 Fanners will find it to their advantage to deal with my mill. 
 
 FLOljR, MEAL, ETC., ALWAYS ON HAND FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE FOR 
 
 GRAIN. 
 
 CHRISTOPHER ARJVOLV. 
 
VCOUNKU MAKKK.T STKKKT AN M ITISMC SQIAKKJ 
 
 FORT DODGE. " . IOWA- 
 
 All ipcisdus (Icsinms of gcttiiifj; 
 
 FIKST-CL^SS AVORK 
 
 mail bra.u>lH-sof I'HOTOCKAl'H V should oall at (..u-o ''"'^.e convhu-ed of M^^^^ 
 1 hiv spent n.ai.v vcais in tli.- Art. and received instni.-tions from some of the lead.n, 
 nli.tounaphers of the Worhl. a.nou, whon, is the ..elebrated ROCHEK. of Chicago, 
 who received the fust prize at the }j;reat exhibition at \ leiina. 
 
 — ++ 
 
 Photographer, 
 
 A. & P. SWALM, 
 
 KDirOKS AND PKOI'KIKTOHS OF 
 
 III m\ m\i mmm, 
 
 (KSTAl'.l.ISHKD IN 185o.) 
 
 The Oldest Paper in Webster County. 
 
 llepublican in ,.olilics. bright an.l ^^^^^^ l^™"^ and fearless opinions upon all 
 
 4- + .^ 
 
 TlIK BKST ADVEKTlSlNti MEDIUM IN NOKTHWESTEUX IOWA. 
 
 + + 
 
 + + 
 
 Terms $2 00 per year, and good advice thrown in. 
 
 When vou want a ,oo.l political paper, a V^y^^i-^j-^^^ c'S'Len.p" '''" '"'' 
 sense ol ihe word, come in and see us. jVlaiKet hiuei. (oiiiei \a u\\<. 
 
 .. ■ , A. &. 1". SWALM. 
 
 Send for our ailvertism.i; rates. ■^- "" 
 
H. BEECHER, 
 
 ATTORNEY AT L,A"W, 
 
 GENERAL LAND 
 
 a:; d 
 
 INSURANCE AGENT, 
 
 FORT nODOn, - - - - IOWA. 
 
 HAS A FULL SET OF ABSTRACTS OF TITLE OF WEBSTER COUNTY. 
 
 A residence of more than twenty-one years enables nie to have a thorough knowledge 
 of real-estate matters. 
 
 LANDS IN THE COUNTIES NORTH AND WEST OF THIS CITY FOR SALE, 
 
 TAXES PAID, AND ALL OTHER BUSINESS OF THAT 
 
 NATURE ATTENDED TO. 
 
E. G-. LARSON, 
 
 AND DKALKR IN 
 
 Fiarnishing Groods; 
 
 FOUT DOIXiK, - - - IOWA. 
 
 Has .always on hand a stock of clotlis. cnibracinu the latest styles, I'roni wluch cus- 
 tomers may make selections. 
 
 {^"Siiits or sei)arato atti<'l('s of clothing made to order upon short notice an'' 
 and at reasonable terms. All clotliiiifr manufactured at this Shop warranted to fit. Th^ 
 custom of the public respectfully solicited. 
 
 GE ORGE RICHARDS, 
 
 ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW, 
 
 A X 1) — 
 
 FIRE INSURANCE AGENT, 
 Fort Dodge, -. - - - lo^va. 
 
 ^^WILL ATTEND TO ALL BUSINESS ENTRUSTED TO HIS CHARGE.„.^J 
 
 AN(JUS McBANK. W. M. (JRANT- 
 
 McBANE & GRANT, 
 
 m M. m 'm m m. M r 
 
 Fort Dodere, - - lo^va. 
 
 EXCHANQE BOUGHT AND SOLD. 
 
CITY OF FORT DODGE. 
 
 L\IK\\ 
 
 FoKT DoixiK. the county-scat of Webster county, is situated upou lli' east Itank of tlie 
 J)es Moines liver, two liuntlied miles due west from Dubuque, one luuidrcd and twcniy miles 
 due east from Sioux City, and eii;hty miles north of Des Bloines, in hititude 4-J dei;rees, i?6 
 minutes, 15 seconds, and longitude 17 degrees, 17 minutes, 37 seconds west of Wasiiiugton. 
 
 By an order of the Secretary of War, issued May 31st, 1850, for the protection of the frontier 
 settlements of Iowa, a post was ordered established onllie^ast bank of the Des Moines river 
 opposite the month of the Lizzard fork. \^ 
 
 On the 14th day of July, 1850, Brevet Bng;\lier (ieue'al Ci.AHKK, eomuianderof the Sixth 
 military department, ordered Brevet Major Woods, with his comiian\- K. Sixth infantry, to 
 l)roceed to construct aud garrison a. military post at the iioint designated in tlie order of the 
 Secretary of War, reserving eight miles in length along the rive.r and two miles in depth on 
 each side, as a military reserve for the use of the government. During the summer of 1850 the 
 post was established, and in lionor of (ieneral Clakkk named Fort Clarke. On the 25tli day of 
 June, 1851, by order of Major General Scott the name of the post was changed to Kort Dodge. 
 On the .iotli day of March, 1853, Brevet Brigadier (ieneral Clarkk ordered the garrison to be 
 Itroken up, and marched l)v the most jjracticalile route to the new post on the Minnesota river. 
 Tlie waters on the rivers being high, it was late 'in Si pteniber before the order was fully carried 
 into effect. 
 
 After the troops abandoned Foit Dodge, ]Major W'ii-i.iajis remained, and in connection 
 with John Lemp purchased secMon lo. on which the fort was built. ti';;eUi"r with the 
 improvement.s, from the State of Iowa. 
 
26 Ttil^ CITY OF FORI' iJOhiiF. 
 
 Ill March, ia'>4. the town site was platted and /ecoided. At tliat time tlie only inhabitants 
 of the town were Major Wm. Wilmams. Jamks B. Wilmams, John M. Hkfley and Wm. 
 K. MiLi.KK and family. On the 'Jiitli day of March, John Scott, with his brotlier Kohkkt and 
 family, came, and on the 2Htli day of June, C. C. C'ari'KNTer. Later in tlie season E. H. 
 Albee came, and in the fall Daniel W. rniMH.K. ('has. Hkhok, Wm. H. I'm' .mis, K. H. 
 COLBliKN and (itliers. and made a .settleincnt. 
 
 At this time C ('. ('ak('KNTK1! oiicned tlie first school in a small lou liuildinu l)ack of the 
 old Walikonsa hotel and taiifiht twenty scliolais. and Wm. U. Mii.i.kk, oixMied his famous 
 liotel, the Walikonsa. In the s|iiiiiji of is."., S. \',. Oi.nkv, II. r.KK( hki;. J. I.. Chkynev, 11. .\. 
 Cramek. John F, Dincomhe, (Ieo. U. Sherman, John (I.vraohtv, U. I'. I'jlri.ono. Thos. 
 Sargent, Angus McHane, A. M. Dawlev, A. Morrison, R. E. CAltrENTER and a hcst of 
 others arrived, and when Miller's dinner-bell would rin^ fifty persons would make a rush for 
 the table, wliicli was set for the accommodation of only ten. The ten lucky ones would eat 
 and Mrs. Miller and her daughters wash the dislies, replenish tlie supplies and again ring the 
 bell. In this way tlie guests were fed, those coming last getting their meals three liours after 
 the first. In May, 1855, William IIougks bought out Miller and at once set a well 
 piovisioned table that would accommodate one liuiulred guests, and our scdiool-master left his 
 good bed, consisting of a board laid on two baircls, wiili an army blanket for a matress and 
 anotlier for a cover, and sought repose between clean sheets and a straw bed on an iron bed- 
 stead. At this time the iiopulation of the town was about one hundred and fifty, the greater 
 portion of wliicli were y<mng men ; a majority of them are now scattered from Maine to 
 California. Tliose were not days of toil. Our hard-working lawyers, doctors and merchants of 
 to-day could then have been seen pitching (luoits with twenty dollar g<d(l pieces, or in their 
 rooms writing home to their " sisters," 
 
 It was at tills time that S.\m. M. Roi'.i-.in.s organized the Walikonsa hook and laditer 
 company, and after laying in a good supply of the " benzine " kept for sale by the County Agent 
 at Homer, ''for medicinal aiiu mechanical purposes only." he saw alight in the roon' occupied by 
 the correspondent of the Cincinnati £/i'/iu/ti-. Imagining a fire, he ordered his men up with 
 their ladders. In a moment the whole upper story of the hotel was stripped of furniture ; 
 beds, bedding, etc., lay in the street. But the correspondent refused to leave, and in an angry 
 moment told Sam. he was drunk. Then came the order to charge, and out went the corres- 
 pondent. 
 
 The first frame building erected in Fort Dodge, aside from tlie fort buildings, was the small 
 house on lot 3, block s. This house was enclosed in May, 1855, and u.sed as an oftice. It is now 
 ownetJ and occupied by Mrs. Amanda McGrew. The first brick building was erected by 
 Morgan & Beer, in the fall of 1855, is on Fifth street, and now owned by Isaac Gaumoe. 
 
 Major Wm. Williams was the first post-master. His office was in the back part of the 
 store occui)ied by Jas. B. Williams & Co., one of tiic old fort building.s, and Dr. S. B. Olney, 
 the first physician, occupied a canto of the same store for his office, laboratory, bed-room, etc. 
 A. M. 1).4.WLKY sold goods in a small log building now standing near the foot of Market street, 
 and lived with his family in a small shed addition, .John F, DuNfOMiiE, our first attorney at 
 law. hung out his shingle in the broker's offline of Henn, Williainis & Co. Hezkkiah 
 Beechek, finding no room in wliich to displav his iaw-library, burned a kiln of lime neai' the 
 railroad-bridge and built the grout building, now stamling on Williams street. Tuos. Saroent, 
 desiring a home for his wife and family, shouldered his a.\ and marched to the woods, wliere he 
 cut the greater pait of the timber for the house he now oecui)ies on Third street. John 
 Gaha<;hty erected a log house, the first residence building erectetl in Fort Dodge, in the rear 
 of me brick he now occupies on Williams street, and preserved his library, while he s])eni his 
 time burning lime ami getting together the mateiials for his bri 'k Inmse. E. H. Ali'.ee ran a 
 supj)ly train from Muscatine and Foil Dcs Moine.s- to the fort, often co',Mi)eUn.i.; with tlie Acekly 
 
THE CITY OF FORT DODGE. 21 
 
 stage in carrying passengers, at the same time cultivating the farm enclosed on the bottom south 
 of town, while Mrs. ALBEE.the first woman in Fort Dodge who now lives here, opened her house 
 to all wJio came until it was full to overflowing. Daniel W. Prindle, after assisting in 
 liuUding the first store building erected in town, purchased a team and hauled goods from 
 Muscatine, often having for a load down, the Keceiver of the Land-Ottice, with his guardand 
 boxes of gold coin. Messrs. Cheynev and Ckamek, after building a house for themselves, 
 assisted their neighbors in building houses when not engaged in improving their claims. 
 Angus McBane. preferring "to wear out than to rust out," drew his logs to Hinton's mill, 
 saw them on the carriage, and tlien loaded his wagon with the lumber, never losing sight of the 
 log until the last board was sawed. A lack of confidence in the integrity of the man of the mill 
 led to this extra caution. With the lumber thus obtained, he erected on Williams street, 
 opposite the Wahkonsa hotel, a banking house that he, in connection with Wm. & K. K. 
 Wilson, subsequently occupied. This was the first building erected here for such purpose. 
 Wm. H. Plumb at once turned his attention to farming and the raising of blooded stock. Geo. 
 J?. Sherman opened the first grocery store, wliere he furnished the early settlers with choice 
 groceries, often exchanging them for furs, deer skins, or any other commodity that would bear 
 transportation to market, then at Muscatine. Koreet E. Carpenter assisted in subdividing 
 the townships on the northern boundary of the State, and worked the balance of the time on 
 his homestead. Thus time passed until fall, when a valuable acquisition to our population was 
 made by the introduction of several families containing young ladies. Then the led shirts were 
 laiil aside and a white shirt helped to make the toilet of the Fort Dodge beaux. The hook and 
 ladder company was abandoned, the sales of the County Agent grew less, churches were 
 organized and quietness reigned in town. 
 
 Tlie improvements up to this time bad all been made on Williams street, west of Sixth. At 
 this time two stores were built on Market street, the oldest of which has just been torn down 
 by Mrs. Schaupp. 
 
 As winter approached the squatters began to come in from off their claims, and the hotel 
 and boarding houses being full, " batchelor's halls " were opened. It was no uncommon sight 
 to see a young batchelor broiling his venison ham or making doughnuts, or on an extra occasion 
 l)eggiiig the loan of a few spoons or an extra platter of sonic fair house-wife who had them to 
 spare, that he might feed his hungry comrades. 
 
 Tiie wiiter of 1855 and 185C was cold, and snow lay on the ground all winter to the depth of 
 ten inches. On the 8th of December it rained all day and at night snowed nard from the north- 
 east. Young Day, a son of the Eev, Mr. Day, who lived near the slide, crossed the ford near 
 the lower bridge, and although the lights from tne town were discernable, he allowed his horses 
 to turn about and wander down the river. One horse he mired in a ravine near Phil. 
 Karcher's, tied another to a tree, and the third he rode into a hole near John Measles', 
 killing the horse and injuring himself, so that he crawled out upon the prairie and froze to 
 death. This was tiie first death from freezJug, but during the winter there were several west of 
 this. 
 
 By an Act of Congress approved May 15th, 18.56, a grant of land was made to the State of 
 Iowa for building a raihoad from Dubuque to Sioux City. At a si)ecial session of the Legislature, 
 which convened at Iowa C!ity July 2d, t85G, this grant was given to the Dubuque & Pacific railroad 
 company, who at once ran a iireliminary line, selected their land and sought of the county 
 subsidies. This comity, under a promise that the road should be built at once, and Fort Dodge 
 made a point, voted .$2U0,00() of bonils. This gave the town a new start, and more stores were 
 o))ened, new hotels built, and the town grew rai)idiy, and for fear there would not be room 
 enougli for all lliat came, additions to the town \\eie surveyed and i>latted. 
 
28 THE SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE. 
 
 SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE. 
 
 In the montli of l''i'l)ni:iry, isr>7, u stroUiu;; band of Sioux Iiuliaiis, iiiimlx-riiiu; ahotit scvoiity, 
 includiiiK from twenty-five to thirty warriors, invaded the settlements on the Little Sioux river 
 in lUiena Vista and Clay eounties, destroyed the cattle, horses and provisions of the settlers, 
 and drove them from their Jiomes at midnight to seek sheltiT with neighbors who were miles 
 away. After destroyiuK all tlie property they could find, and ((inimitting outrages too horrible 
 to relate, they passed on up the Little Sioux to Lake okoboji and Spirit Lake, in Dickinson 
 county. Here on or al)out the l.^tli of March they first killed Mr. (iAHi>.VER, his wife anvl son 
 and took with them as a captive a daughter about fifteen years of age. They then attacked 
 the dwelling of Mr. Luck, a son-in-law of Mr. (Iardnkr, killing him, his wife and two 
 children. They next attacked Mr. Mattock, about one mile from (Jakdxkk's, and killed 
 Mattock, his wife and five children. Across tlie outlet of tlie lake from Mattock's was 
 the house of Messrs. Gkaxukr, Snvdkr and Hknriott, together with .Joseph HARSH.MAN,a 
 visitor from Emmett City. Here the Indians had some fighting to d(), and from appearances a 
 severe confli'jt must have tnken place, and th.o four young men lia I probably gone to the relief 
 of Mr. Mattock and his family. Signs of In<liaus liaving been killed or wounded were seen, 
 and Mr. Harriott was found in a sitting position in a snow bank, his Sharp's rifle broken and 
 lying near him, and a Colt's revolver in his hand, only one barrel iiaving been tired. The 
 Indians next killed Mr. Howe and Mr. Noble and four children, taking Mrs. Thatcher and 
 Mrs. Howk [Jiisoners. Mr. Mari'.le, living two miles north of Howe's, they killed, and took 
 Mrs. Marble piisoner. Near the lake shore the bodies of Messrs. Clark and Lieu, of 
 Waterloo, were found. Several others were found afterwards near the lakes. After the Indians 
 had killed all the people in (lie vicinity of Spirit Lak**, they crossed over the Sfate line to 
 Si>riiigrield, in Minnesota, and attacked the settlement there. The peojjle were not taken 
 unaware, having heard of the slaughter at the lakes. Here Iheylirst attacked the house of 
 Mr. Stewart, killing him, his wife and two children. The citizens, on hearing the firing at 
 Mr. Stewart's, rushed into the house of Wm. L. Church, now of Webster City, where they 
 defended themselves bravely. Miss L. Sw.\R(;kr, a sister to Mrs. Church, ran bullets while 
 M:s Church loaded the gun and fired at the Indians, one of whom as he came from the stable 
 with the harness on his arm, suddenly dropped his load and uttering a cry of i)ain disappeared. 
 It is believed that he shortly after passed to " the happy hunting ground " of the Indians. The 
 news of the massacre at the lakes was brought to Fort Dodge by Mr. Abner Bell 
 and Mr. Williams, of Little Sioux river. Messengers were at once sent to Webster City and 
 Homer for arms, ammunition and men to march to the relief of citizens on the frontier. The 
 two i)laces furnished forty men and Fort Dodge eighty, which were divided into three 
 companies of torty men each and offlceis elected as follows : Chas. B. Richards. Captain of 
 company A.; Johx F. Duncomhk, Captain of company B., and J. C. Joh.vson, Cai)tain of 
 company C, while Major William WilliAms had corumand of the battallion. 
 
 .\ young Indian by tlie name of .Iosm, who had lived with a Mr. Cakteh, of Kmmett 
 county, during the year 185(i. came to him and divulged tlu; i)lan of operation of the Indians, 
 which wa-s to come down the Des Moines river to the forks in Humboldt county, and kill ami 
 destroy everything on their march. He urged Mr. Carter to flee with his family. Josh was 
 the boy left by Lott for dead when he killed old Sidomixadota. The volunteers, learning 
 this, set out the morning of the 24th of .^L-rch, and after a hard day's work through snow-drifts 
 facing a keen northwest wind camped the first night on Badger creek. From there on to 
 Oranoer's claim in Kmmet comUy the troops traveled on foot, at times hauling the baggage 
 wagons with ropes through ravines tilled with snow, and at others making a raft to float across 
 the men and accoutrements and swimming their horses, sleeping at night on the snow covei-ed 
 ground with their clothes fio/en ^Wn. On Moiid-.y. the .tiitli, th"y met a party of fleeing 
 
THE SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE. 29 
 
 settlers ri-Gin Springfield, many of whom had been residents of this connty, and upon learning 
 that the soldiers from Fort Ridgely had seared the Indians away, they at once turned their 
 attention to the relief of the sick and wounded, sharing with them their provisions and 
 blankets and sending them with an escort to the nearest settlement in Palo Alto county. 
 
 This done, a company of twenty-three yolunteered from the main body to go to the lakes 
 and bury the dead. They went and buried twenty-nine and started across the prairie for the 
 Irisli settlement in Palo Alto county, as it was then called. The snow having melted the 
 l)rairie was covered with water. Coining to a large slough the company separated, some 
 deciding to go one way and some another, and late ?.t night all but two arrived at the settle- 
 ment, a few with their limbs badly frozen. Two of the company. Captain J. C. Joh>\son, of 
 Webster City, and Wji. Burivhox,i)er, of Fort Dodge, were lost upon the prairie. When last 
 seen they were tearing up their blankets and binding them upon their feet, their boots frozen so 
 liartl that they could not get them on. Days, weeks and months were spent by their surviving 
 friends in searching for them, and it was not until August, 1868, that their bones and their guns 
 were found lying side by side, and within sight of the settlement. These relics were gathered 
 up and brought to Fort Dodge, when one of the largest funerals ever held in the city 
 attested the love and respect of the people. 
 
 OUR FIRST STEAMBOAT. 
 
 In the spring of 1859, the business men of Fort Dodge organized a stock company for the 
 purpose of raising funds to build a steamboat to navigate the Des Moines river. The stock was 
 readily taken and Captain Aaron F. Blackshire and others were sent to Pittsburg to 
 superintend the building of the boat. A small stern-wheel boat of fifty tons capacity, witli 
 adjustable smoke-stack and pilot-house, so as to enable it to go under tlie bridge at Des 
 Moines, was built, lannehed and sent by the w;)y of the Oliio and Mississippi to Keokuk, then 
 up the Des Moines to Fort Dodge. Tlie name of this boat was the " Charles Rogers." 
 
 One dark night in the month of April, 18.)9, as Captain Blackshire came steaming up the 
 river, he blew the whistle so long and loud that the citizens imagined a Mississippi river fleet 
 had arrived, and before he could land at the levee and make fast the bow line, the banks of the 
 stream were lined with men, women and children, anxious to get a sight at the new comer. 
 Captain Blackshire made some half a dozen trips with the boat to Des Moines and Keokuk, 
 bringing up emigrants, groceries and provisions, and loading down with potatoes and grain . 
 Excursion parties at half rates. Then the water getting low the boat was taken down to ilie 
 White river and sold. 
 
 Ten years elapsed before our citizens again heard a whistle, but in 18(59 the iron horse was 
 heard on the prairie to the east of town. 
 
 THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 
 
 The first school-house was erected in Fort Dodge in 185G on Locust street near the corner 
 of Sixth, and is now known liy the name of the "old brick." 
 
 At that early day it was the only public building in the town, and was used for holding 
 the courts, political meetings, churches, festivals and all other affairs considered ol public 
 utility. It was there that the tocsin of war was sounded, on the news of the Spirit Lake 
 massacre in the earlv spring of 1857, and two companies organized to visit Spirit Lake, bury 
 the dead and cliastise the Indians. It was in this service that the lamented Burkholder. 
 of Fort Dodge, and .Johnson, of Wel)ster City, lost their lives. 
 
30 
 
 THE PUBLIC SCHCULS. 
 
 Tlip n 1st school was tavight in this building by Henry Gunn lUiring the winter of 185(; 
 and iHiiT, and dismissed on the news of the Indian massacre, the house being occupied in the 
 mean time by the early settlers north and west of Fort Dodge, all of whom fled to our town 
 witli their wives and little ones, for protection against the cruel savages* until the danger liad 
 passed, and the Indians had left for more congenial cliuies. Tlie old school-house is in a fair 
 state of preservation, and is regarded with veneration to-day, by several of our business men 
 and ladies, whose first lessons were learned tiu'reiii. It is doing good service to-day; the 
 upper room is occupied by the Ccruiau scliool, and tlic lower story by tiie Haptist church,, wlio 
 held service there every Sabl)atli. 
 
 OUR LADY OF LOURDES— CATHOLIC SCHOOL. 
 
 This school was established and the original building erected Ity Father .Iohn Maijsh in 
 18(52, on what is known as "Seminary Square," a beautiful plat of ground just north of the 
 Catiiolic church, and donated by the proprietors of Fort Dodge. 
 
 After the death of Father Mahsh, the school was broken up, the finances of tlie school 
 owing to the sparse poi)ulatiou not justifying the "Sisters" to remain. In September 1873. the 
 Sisters of Mercy from New York, took (;harge of the sdiool, since which time additions have 
 been made to tlie building, and still more room is needed to accommodate tiie sciiolars desiring 
 to attend. The number of teachers and number of scholars at the present time Ls one liuiidred 
 and eighty. 
 
 GERMAN SCHOOL. 
 
 Thk German school was established in Fort Dodge in ISC'), and for a long time was lulil in 
 the Lutheran church. The school at present is held in the old brick school house, and is under 
 the cliargc of Prof. .T. Rademachek, who has 68 pupils. The English branches are taught one 
 half the day and tlie German the other half. This school receives its entire support from the 
 parish of the St. Paul (ierman K. I.. Church. 
 
 ST. MARK'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL PARISH. 
 
 THK.St. Mark's Protestant Ki)iscopal Parish wasorganizcd .T.ily 2_>d. 185.5, by electing E. H. 
 Albee and John L. Chevnev, wardens. Rtethen B. Olnev, Chas. H. Ali.kn, Fkedek- 
 ICK BooTT, Albert Morrison, Andrew Miller, William O. Ki'«(jles, Hezekiah 
 Bekcher and Thomas Sar(;ent were elected vestrymen. At this tin.e the Rev. E. W. 
 Peet held service and preached in the upper story of the Wahkonsa hotel. At a meeting of 
 the vestry lu-hl on the 23d day of July 1856, at which the rector. Rev. Henry W. Lee, D. 1).. 
 and tlie Rev. E. W. Pebt were present, it was resolved toerect a chapel if $1,000 could be raised. 
 The Bishop held service on Sunday July 27th, in an unfinished store-room, and administered 
 the rites of baptism and confirmation. On the l«tli day of Dec. 1857, the Rev. J. B. Fairchilp 
 was elected rector. At tliis time the parish agreed to raise *3t)n per annum toward the salary 
 of tlie rector. In the spring of 1858 the society purchased tne lot now occuiiied by them on 
 Sixth street, between Williams and Clinton, and commenced work on the church. The Rev. 
 .1. B. Fairchild remained as rector until the church was enclosed in I85ii. 
 
 Tlie Rev. Chas. T. Stout is now rector of the parish, his incumbency dating from Oct. 1st, 
 1873. On the 28th day of June 1876. Rector Rev. H. B. WHiprLK, D. D. Bishop of Minnesota, 
 acting for the ecclesiastical authority of this diocese consecrated the church building. The 
 communicants of this parish now number ninety-three. The Sunday school in connection with 
 this church lias a liundrcd uicniln-rs. The rector is Suiierintendent. Tlicir duirch property is 
 valued at .•>4.00o. 
 
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 31 
 
 FIRST COISGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 
 
 The first Conj;regational church of Fort Dodge was organized by the Rev. T. N. Skinnbr, 
 ill March 1856, with seven members, who for a time held their meetings in tlie old log school- 
 house. Mr. Skinner was succeeded in 1857 by the Rev. William Kent who pi-eached to the 
 society in the "old brick school-house." In 1861 the Congregational and Presbyterian societies 
 united in the support of the Rev. Chas. F. Boynton as pastor and remained together until 
 
 1863. 
 
 In August, 1869 the organization of the first Congregational churcli was disbanded and the 
 Rev. David Wirt reorganized tlie present cliurch with a membership of twenty-one. They at 
 once purchased their lot on Market street between Thrift and Merritt streets and commenced 
 the erection of a chapel. The present membership of the church is forty-five, and the pastor 
 Rev. D. M. Breckenrid(}e. Connected with this church is a Sunday school under the super- 
 intendence of Prof. A. W. Stewart which has a membership of one hundred and eleven. The 
 church property is valued at .$2,500. 
 
 CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC CHURCH. 
 
 Corpus Christi Catholic Cliurch, was organized by the Rector Rev. Bishop Mathias 
 LoKAS of Dubuque, assisted by Father John Vahey in May 1856. At this time the society 
 purchased lots number 1. 2 and 3, block 59, and commenced their present church which was 
 completed in November 1857. In Decemlier following Rev. Father John Marsh came to Fort 
 Dodge, and remained with the society until bis death on the 22d of February 1864. Father 
 Marsh was a man beloved by all who knew him both within and out of the church. During 
 Ids life-time the society grew, and the school under his charge as well as the temperance 
 societies prospered. The present clergyman. Father T. M. Lenehan has done much to 
 enlarge the church as well as to build a fine parsonage, and additions to the school building. 
 This society built the first church edifice in Fort Dodge, and have now a membership of two 
 hundred families. 
 
 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
 
 The first Presbyterian churcli of Fort Dodge was organized Sept. 21st 1856, by Rev. S. T. 
 Wells, missionary. Maj. W. Williams, Jannette J. Williams, Samuel Rees, Eleanor 
 Rees and Andrew Miller were enrolled members. Andrew Miller and Samuel Rees 
 ordained elders. The church received a donation from the proprietors of the town of lot 3, 
 block 25, valued at $100, Sept. 24th 1856, and at once commenced erecting a house of worship 
 which was completed and first occupied the beginning of the year 1858. Rev. E. D. Dodder 
 was ihe first minister. The church when organized belonged to the Presbytery of Dubuque 
 now to the Presbytery ef Fort Dodge and has a membership of 100, with Rev. L. C. Gray, p it-tar. 
 Tlie Sabbath School in connection with this church numbers 100 and is under the superinten- 
 dence of W. H. Johnston. Cliurch property consists of lot and churcli building worth about 
 
 .$1,5(10. 
 
 FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
 
 The first M. E. Church of Fort Dodge was organized Nov. 14th 18.57 by the Rev. C. H. 
 Lawton, pastor and Rev. J. M. Rankin, presiding elder. In the summer of 1858 the society 
 purchased lots 4 and 5 in block 25, Fort Dodge, and commenced building their first meeting 
 house, which Avas completed and ready for occupancy in the spring of 18.59. Hon. Stephen 
 B. AYRES(now of Penn Yan, N. Y.) was the originator, and devoted his energies to its com- 
 pletion, giving his personal attention to the building. At this time the membersliip of the 
 
32 RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 
 
 cliiucli was siiKill Mild a pinlioii of tlie time witliiiiit a iiastor. In 1ST4 the society i)urcliascrt 
 two lots on the coinc;' of Williams an'' Tliiift stici't and commenced the erection of their 
 present ehnrcli. This bviilding altlioujih in an nnlinished state has cost the society inchidint,' 
 the lots about SlT.oiK). The present jiastor is the Rev. J. A. Pottkk, and the Presiding Elder 
 Kev. T. M. Williams. The present mcmhership of the church is 150. The Sabbath School in 
 coiincclioM with this cliiircli is under the siiperiiiteudciicc of Kor.KKT K. Caki-entkh. and has 
 an attcuilance of \M scholars. 
 
 ST. PAUL'S GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. 
 
 St. Paul Church was organized by the Kev. Dr. F. FxivENSchkr of Fort Dodge in \mn with 
 a iiieiubership of seven families. In 18G4 the society erected their stone church ou Hernhart 
 strc(>t Ix'tween Fifth and Sixth, to which they have since made a large addition. This church 
 liaN a Iiieiubership of sixty-live families, witli alioiit l'.mi coniiiniiiicauts. Their iiresent Pastor 
 is the Kev. .T. L. Crakmkk. In place of a Sunday School, Catechetic se vices are held every 
 S;ib bath afternoon, which are atteiuletl by old and young. This church is connected with the 
 German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio, Missouri and other states. To St. Paul is 
 intrusted the sui)(>riiitendence of the church inission in the state of Iowa. They have engaged 
 a missionary whose duty it is to visit all (ierman Lutheran settleniiMits tliat are wlthout-a 
 Pastor in the state, lie is now visiting about eighty parishes. The church building and lot 
 of the society are value'', at .-;.'«)','.',). 
 
 GERMAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 
 
 The German Evangelical Churcli was oigaui/fd in the snmnier of lsi;5 by the Kev. H. 
 La(;eschtttzk with twelve nienibers. They erected and dedicated their cliurch building on 
 Williams street lietween Thrift and INIerritl in the suiumei of lsi;s. This church has now forty- 
 five membcis. Present pastor. Kev. (i. YorNMiiu.oon. In connection with this church is a 
 Sunday School under the suiierintendance of Win. Loncjiiknuv. This school has a good 
 (ierman liluary and a menibersliip of forty. The cliiucli and n^al estate is valued at .S4000. 
 
 INDEPENDENT LUTHER.vN CHURCH. 
 
 The Independent Lutheran church of Fort Dodge, was organized in the sunnner of 1808, by 
 Kev. C. L. ('LArsf)x of St. Ansgar Iowa, with a membership of eighteen. This society Is at 
 present without a icstor. Their membership at the present time is tliirty. 
 
 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. 
 
 The first Baptist church of Fort Dodge was organized June Kith, 1871, by the Kev. H. D. 
 We.vvek, with ten members. The church now has a membership of fifty-seven. The Baptist 
 Sunday school, of wliieh Thko. H.\wi^ey is Superintendent, has a membershi|) of sixty. This 
 society has imrchased a lot at the corner of Market and Thrift streets, and are erecting a large 
 and comiiiodliius house of worship. Their pi'csent pastor is the Kev. (Jeo. W. Fueem.\n ; 
 present value of projierty, .■?;>,;;!;!). 
 
 SWEDE EVANGELICAL LUTHERaN CHURCH. 
 
 The Swede Evangelical Lutheran church was organized with tliirty members in the summer 
 of 187.3, by the Kev. H. Olson. The society has erected a comfortable house of worshi)) in 
 West Fort Dodge, at a cost of .'?1,7<)(). Their present meml)ership is sixty. They have aSabbatli 
 school with a membersbip of twenty-one. Their present p.istor. Kev. P. A. Pihl(;i{KN. 
 i-esjdes liere. bill spi'iids .1 ))ortion of his lime at Mausoii and ICIkhoni. 
 
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 3a 
 
 FIRST SPIRITUAL SOCIETY. 
 
 The First Spiritual Society of Fort Dodjie was organized in April, 1864, by Dr. John 
 Mayhew. now of Washinfiton, D. C, with eleven members and C. F. Weston elected Pres- 
 ident. Tlie present membership of the society is 12.3, and Geo. W. Henrv, President. A 
 Sunday school was organized April -Ith, 1869, under the name of "The Childrens' Progressive 
 Lyceum." Whole number of scholars enrolled since the date of organization are 205. Present 
 number attending, sixty-live. Superhitendent Mrs. James Sw.vix. Number of volumes in 
 librarv 12.5. 
 
 WEBSTER COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY. 
 
 The Webster County Bible Society was organized Oct. 7th, 1858, by the election of the fol- 
 lowing officers : AVillii AM Willams. President, C. C. Carpenter, Vice President, SA-MxrEi; Rees, 
 Treasurer, Stephen B. AVer.s, Secretary. A constitution adopted and a siibscription' amount- 
 ing to .«14.25 raised. The following counties were embraced in the association : Webster, 
 Calhoun, Humboldt, Pocahontas, Kossuth. Palo Alto. Emmett, Sac, Buena Vista and Dickiiu- 
 son. June .30th. 1865, a branch society was orginized at the Lu-MPKiNs' school-house, and D. 
 S. Skinnek, elected President, and E. Mavnard, Secretary. In January, 1873, branches were 
 established at Otho and Tysons Mills. The present officers are Wodlsey Welles, Pre?ident . 
 S. B, Olney, Vice Pre.sident, Isaac Oarmoe,' Treasurer, E. E. Prusia, Sseretary. The de- 
 positoi-y is located at Port Dodge. The assetts of the society are now .•S333.69 over and above 
 all its r\abilities% 
 
 ASHLAR LODGE, NO. Ill, A. F. & A. M. 
 
 Ashlar Lodge 111, received from the Grand lodge of the State of Iowa, its charter June 
 2(1. 1858, and on the 9th day of July following, D. G. M. Saji. M. Robins installed the followiug- 
 officers : Egbert Bagg, W. M., Stephen B. Olnev, S. W., Henry Carse, J. W., Lewis; M. 
 ()LCOTT,Treas.. William Williams, Sec. The whole number of members belonging since date 
 of organization is one hundred and eighty-one. The present officers are Myron Chili>s, W. 
 M. ; Solan B. Prindle S. W. ; John L. Marshall, J. W. ; Sydney- .T. Bennett. Tieas. ; 
 Moses H. Bliss, Sec'y, with a membership of one hundred and twenty-six. Whole number of 
 deaths since date of organization, three : James A. Humphrey, who died at 1 a. m., Feb- 
 ruary 24th. 1866, aged forty-one years; Chauncy H. Kingsley, who died at 3 a. m., March 
 13tTi. 18T0, aged thirty-eight years, and William Williams, who died at 9 a. m., February 
 26th, 1874, aged seventy-eight years. 
 
 DELTA CHAPTER, NO. 51, R. x. M. 
 
 Delta Chapter No. 51, received its charter, and the first officers were instiilled November 
 1st, 1870, by D. G. H. P., S. H. Packard. The whole number of members belonging since date 
 of organization is fifty-seven. The present officers are Lewis E. Hurlbut, H. P. ; Erastus G. 
 Morgan, K. ; Samuel Rees, S. ; John Hutchison, Treas. ; Royce W. Johnson; Sec'y, with 
 a membership of forty-nine. Companions Chauncy H. Kingsley, and William Wiu.i ajis 
 are the only members who have died. 
 
34 SBCIRET SOCIETIES. 
 
 CALVARY COMMANDERY, NO. 24, K. T. 
 
 (•.\i.\ Ain Coiiiiiiiinlary Nd. -.n liclil llu-ir liist in'cliiii A'.>ri' -jist, 1S74. K. (i. Com. nriiKN 
 K. SiiKim AN i)r('si(liiii;, received their cliaitcr October 2:1 1. IHH. aii'l on tin- 7tli day of D.n;. 
 same yeai. 1>. K. (1. <"oiii. .TdUN ("'. I'AKisii installed the ollieei's. The pf; sent inembefshii) of 
 the commandery is forty-one. The oflieers are Nki.son H. Kvkkt.s K. C. ; Kkastus (1. MoR- 
 <;.\N. (!iMi. .Vixii.i'in s I''. Mk.skkvkv. ('. (!. ; S.vMiKi, ItKKs. Tr.Msur>M- ; Lkw'is K. llciti.isu r, 
 Keeorder. 
 
 OLIVK L()l)(ib:, NO. S5, I. O. ol O. F. 
 
 ()i.i\ K Lodiie Xo. s.'i was orjianized at Homer and ri>eeived its charter < )et. sth. LS'iU. Wil- 
 liam N. Mksk1!\ K\ was the lirst Noble (I rand. In is")'.) the county si-at hivin'4 been i-emoved 
 fioin Homer to Fort Dod^e. the Craml Lod.nc was jietitioned for consent to remove the lodf^e 
 to l'"orI |)od,L;e which was, planted. Durnii; the first ten years after the lodne was established 
 at Fort Dodye many of the nn-mhers removed from the town, and for a Ioul,' period there wore 
 no meetings held. In 1KG9 it was again revived and has since that tinn^ l)een in a i)rospen)ns 
 condition. The whole iinmber of tneml)ers belonjiing since tiie date of its organization is one 
 hundred and ninety : iiresent nieinbershiii. one hnmlred and five. The ini'sent oHieers are 
 IVlAi!Ti>' Wiiirr'-,. N. C. ; .loii.N C. Watkins, \'. (1,; Samuki. J. KoisicKTSON, K. S. ; John 
 M Aitsif.\i,L. 1". .S. ; l)i;\rKi; .V. Wrli.ich, TreasuriM- ; Itev. I). D. H.\lste.\i>. Ciniplain. Tlu-re 
 has lieen no (leath am nig th :• meiubers of thi ■; lodge. The linanrial condilion of the lodge is 
 
 WAHKO>SA ENCAMPMENT NO. 53. 
 
 Was organized February iTtli. 1S72. and has a nieniliershi]) of thirty-six. The i)i-esent 
 otlieers are S. AV. (iuAY, ('. 1'.: S. ,1. Koikkktson. H. 1'.; .1. ('. Watkixs. S. W. ; l>. A. 
 Wklleh. S. : A. IMcI.KAN. 
 
 GRACE REBEKAH DEGREE LODGE. NO. 00. 
 
 (;i;A('K Lodge No. ."iO was instituted 0!-tol)er -J.'d, ISTf, and has at pn>sent sixty-two mem- 
 bers. Present (dlicers are .1. \\ . Itofi;!!. N. (;. ; Mrs. .M. F. Fai itcH i ld. V. (!. ; .Mrs. H. \V. 
 liHUics. Secretary ; Mrs. W. l>r,\ifKi .n, Treasurei'. anil I!. 15. (io')i)Ui('H. Clmplain. 
 
 GOOD TEMPLARS. 
 
 I'liK lirst (lool Temphus' lodge. Evergreen \o. l.T.. was organi/.ed in Fort Do Ige. No.ember 
 J St. ls.->7. The last oflieers of tliis lodge, in.stalled in the tall of l«(!l, were .Iame.s H. Thomas, 
 W. ('. T. : MissMAKiA B. Wkli.es, W. V. T., and Emanuel E. Prus.sia, Secretary. The 
 membership at tliat time wa.s thirty-eight in good standing. In the spring of 18l>2, several of the 
 members of Evergreen lodge entered the army, and after several nnsneeessfiil atteiniits to call 
 a meeting, for want (d a i|Uorum. on May .">th, bsiL', the membeis of Evergreen lo,lge. No. lof) 
 .met at their hall and v<de(l to surrender their charter. 
 
 WAIIKONSA LODGE, NO. 4()4.. I. O. G. T. 
 
 Was organized .Vpril 1st, '.H(i8. with nineteen members. The lirst Wortiiy Chief Tenii)lar 
 was .1. .V. Roi.len, and . I. H. Hawkins Secretary. The total memliershi)i of this lodge was 
 forty-eight. They held tlndr meetings in Henkv's hall during the summer ; in the fall they 
 liad to abandon thi' hall and they then held their meetings in the court-house. When eiild 
 
.SECRET SOCIETIES. 35 
 
 weather came on they were unable to keep warm, and at the hist meeting, held November 6th, 
 1 SOS, voted unanimously to surrender their charter. Tiie officers at that time were Chas. M. 
 l!ui)Esri>i., W. C. T. ; Miss MARY E. BoYNTON, Secretary. 
 
 FORT DODGE LODGE, NO. 12., I. 0. G. T. 
 
 This lodge was organized and received its charter March 29th, 1875. The first officers were 
 lU'v. Horace L. Bowers. W. C. T., and Wm. H. Thomas, W. S. The whole number of mem- 
 IxMs belonging since date of organization is two hundred and ninety; number at present in 
 good standing, one hundred and forty. This lodge is in a good condition, and hold their meet- 
 ings in WoLFiNdER's liall. Tiie present officers are Johx I). Lambert, W. C. T. ; Miss Lena 
 McStav, W. V. T. ; Miss ViXA Lamkert. W. S ; (iEO. H. Roberts, W. F. 8. : Miss Jennie 
 Halstkai). W. T. ; V. H. EioHMY, W. C. ; James Fremino, VV. M. ; Miss MiNNiE TiNKCOM, 
 AV. I. (i. ; AloNZO Howei.I.. W. O. (i. 
 
 BAND OF HOPE. 
 
 The Band of Hope was organized under the title of J.venile Templars, and on the 8th of 
 March, 1876. reorganized under the name of the Band of Hope. This society has eighteen 
 lionorary members, besides a membership of two hundred. The present ofllcers are S. W. 
 C'l U.K. Superintendent : Mrs. James Swain, Assistant Superintendent, ;ind Will. A. Berry, 
 
 Secretary and Trcasnrei-. Tliey Imld weekly meetings ui (iood Templar hail. 
 
 BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES. 
 
 The Emerald l!ene\olent Association No. 1. of Iowa, was organized in Octobe;, 187.'), with 
 seven members. Tlie present officers are Joseph O'Neil. President : Edward London, first 
 Wee President ; Patrick Scali-v, Treasurer, and P. J. N..on.\n, Secretary. This society has 
 a' present a meinl)erslii|) of sixty. 
 
 FATHER MATHEWS' TEMPERANCE SOCIETY. 
 
 This society was organized October 3d, 187.5, and since its organization over six hundred 
 |i( isons have taken a pledge to abstain from all intoxicating drinks. The society has a library 
 of over five hundred volifmes, and a branch society in Jackson township. The present olticers 
 are Wm. Ryan, Piesident ; Rokt. Allen, First Vice Pr.'sidei^t ; R. P. FiTRLON<i, Treasurer ; 
 1'. A. NooN.VN, Secretary, J. N. Conway, Librarian. 
 
 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT. 
 
 The liulcpemlcnt Disliict was organized and established December 3d, 18(U, comprisnig all 
 111 Foit Dodge. Wahkonsa and t'olfax townships. Schools were taught in the various townships 
 in rented buildings, and educational affairs were not neglected. In 1868 the district purchased 
 tlie block now occui)ic(l by our graded school, and erected the building burned in .January, 
 1S71. Happily for the district the building was fu.ly insured, and the losses fully paid by the 
 several insurance c(nni)anies. 
 
 During the same year the jtresent building w as erected, and has been in successful o|)eration 
 uji to tlu' jiresent time. 
 
 In due time Colfax townsliij) was taken from the indeperdent district, and four houses 
 erected withni the same at a cost of .*<l,or)0 each, and one in West Fort Dodge at a cost of .>)il.520. 
 The total cost of buildings and grounds within flic present district amounts to .S4r>,.520. The 
 
36 [XlJEPENDEyT SCHOOL DISTBICT. 
 
 total assessed valuation of all property within the district is $792,557. The whole number of 
 children in the district between the ages of five and twenty-one is one thousand, three hundred 
 and seventy-two, of which the number enrolled in our public schools during the past year was 
 seven luiudred and fifty-nine, or less tlian flfty-six per cent. Tlie total amount paid for 
 teachers' salaries in 18GG was $1,389.87, including Colfax townsliip. The total amount paid for 
 teachers' salaries during the year ending .luuc .'ioth, 187G, was .>!7,(>72.13. Tlie total expenditures 
 of the district during the past year was .$15,9!)1.8G. This seems like a foiniidable increase i>t 
 expenditures in ten years, yet the growth of p ipulation, and the increased necessities of the 
 rising generation would seem to demand it. 
 
 OUR NATIONAL HOLIDAY. 
 
 Thk scvciily-fifth anniversary of our National ludei)cndcncc, tlie Fourth day of .Inly, 1851. 
 was celebrated in Fort Dodge in a manner liecoming patriotic citizens. On tliis day the SiMis of 
 Temperance, who at tluit time were rei)resented here by a few of the officers andnumy of the 
 men then stationed at Fort Dodge, and wlio liad an active worl<ing division, ludding their 
 meetings in tlie old theater, whicli stood near tiie foot of Williams street, concluded to cclebnite 
 their national holiday. Tlie arrangements having been made and the invitations issued to a tfw 
 settlers then living south of tne Fort, a large liospital tent, eiglity-four by thirty-two, was 
 pitched upon the ground where Daniel M. Ckosby's house now stands, and a hicltory flag- 
 staff erected seventy feet in lieight, where floated the stars and stripes. A beautiful repast was 
 furnished and sjiread upon tables under tlie tent. The morning had been hot. with many signs 
 of rain, and the settlers put tlieir wagou-covers on before leaving liome. Just as the evercLsfs 
 were to coniinence, the rain came pouring down and drove them all under the tent. Here, far 
 from home and kindred, the soldier aiul tlie settler spent the balance of the day. in feasting 
 and enjoyment. And there are still with us citizens wiio will long niueniber tlieirfirst Fouitli of 
 July in Fort Dodge— that of 1851. 
 
 T know of no iiiorc ajipropriate way of closing tliis short skctcli tliaii by Huotiug tlie tollovv- 
 ing lines from Foit Dodge's gifte 1 poet. 
 
 All hail to the dawn of our Centenni-il birth, 
 ■MMory to God and iieace to men on eartli." 
 The (■liimiug liells—tlie cliildrens' joyous cry 
 King o'er tlie land their cheering melody. 
 From north to south a liai)py people riiise 
 Their loud bosannas and tlieir hymns of praise. 
 While gentle peace enlivens every sense. 
 We render heartfelt tlianks to Providence. 
 Abuiulant blessings evei'ywherc Iwivc crowned 
 The circling sciisous in their ainiuiil round— 
 The varied liarvi;sts of surpassing yield 
 Teciiiing, have blest ea<'h cultivated field. 
 O'er the blue waters of the wide-spread seas. 
 Our flag of commmerce floats on every breeze ; 
 Stern labor, too. with every art allied, 
 Have all our wants ingeniously siiiiplied. 
 No mtu'c 'mid factions shall a hostile band 
 Imbue with lilial blood our native land- 
 No more the gMlliug cluiiiis of slavery 
 Shall crush a people destined to be free.. 
 Hut everywhere sluill e<iiial laws prodainv 
 .\ stanOard iierfect— ei|ual rights the same- 
 Real worth alone to test the righteous plan. 
 .\nd elev;ite the dignity of man. 
 One and iiiiileil, pros]icioiis. Lcreat and free. 
 
OUR KA Tl OX A L H OLID A Y. 31 
 
 Siiy, who can read our future destiny? 
 Let each resolve on this auspicious day 
 To love his country and her laws ol)ey ; 
 By honest means all needful ends to gain, 
 And reap by noble acts an lionest name, 
 Discarding party for its aim and end, 
 But country ever in its stead defend ; 
 Ah, then, in time sliall countless millions bless. 
 Tlieir clieiislied homes replete witli happiness. 
 Then 'mid our galaxy, no State nK)re blest 
 Than Iowa, our own, iiueen of tlie west ; 
 Our gorgeous flag to gem, no star more briglit. 
 SluUl shed amid its folds a purer light. 
 
 MINERAL RESOURCES OF WEBSTER COUNTY 
 
 COAL. 
 
 In respect to the coal in Webster county, it may l)e snid truly to defy all rules laid down on 
 the subject. Knowledge of tlie general principles in relation to coal-beds seems to be of little 
 benefit in prospecting in this county. Tiie locality is its own peculiar law and each discovery 
 supplying a new feature. There seems to have been so far tliree disi inet beds discovered within 
 the county, the first discoveries, of coui'se, being made l)y means of out-cropings along the 
 ravines. More recently there has been considerable prospecting from the surface by meius of 
 boruig, with varied failures and success. 
 
 The first coal-mine worked in the couut> was aI)ove the town of For t Dodge I'j nule, 
 on the east side of the river by the soldiers, prior to 1854. Tliis vein was tlfl'ee feet, soft coal. 
 Ught and free. Tlie opening cauglit fire and burned a long time, consuming over an acre, when 
 a slide occurred, smothering tlie fire and filling half the rivrr channel, and is now known as the 
 '■;iiilg slide," 
 
 In \S'M, E. E. Coi.nuRN, who h id made ii pre-emption ou the west side of the river, opened 
 •<i vein and supplied the denuind witli coal at ten to twelve cents per bushel. This coal was hard 
 and heavy, forming strong and unyielding clinkers, and using up cast-iron in a short time. Tliis 
 vein vyas nearly level \vith tlie river, and about three feet in tliickness. 
 
 ^exttbe Hon. S^jml. Kees opened a vein l)elow town, on the east side, within one mile, 
 thirty to thirty-sj.x iuclies thick, and worked i: supidyingthc demand for some time with a much 
 better iirticle. ■* 
 
 After this, numerous drift openings were made south of the town on both si<Ies of the river, 
 dittering as to (juality.of coal and tliickness of veins, until in 186G, Hon. Sil.\s Corev opened a 
 vein on Holiday creek, six miles down the river on east side, with an e.xpose of at least five feet, 
 wliicli attracted considerable atttention, causing several parties to visit it, who expressed many 
 opinions as to the dipinng and extent of the vein. In 1867, Hon. J. F. Duncombe, purcluused 
 this and leased and contracted for several tracts in that vicinity, and finally organized the Holi- 
 day Creek Coal Company, and built one and a half to two miles of rail w;iy, and opened up the Co- 
 rey tract which proved a rich pocket, the coal from six to ten feet thick and of fair quality, wliicli 
 ' was shipi)cd m )stly, until they sold to what is now known as the Fort Dodge Coal Company, who 
 
38 NINERAL HESOUKCES OF UKHSTKH COUNTY 
 
 worked the same for eighteen moiitlis. tlieu removed the fixtures to tlie works purcliased <it 
 Catt. Young, of Sioux City, who liiul opened on sections 8, and 17, towusliip k8, range 28. four 
 miles from town, south-east, where tlu>y are now taking out about twenty-five ears per day. 
 Tlie oftiee of tlie couipauy is located lU'ar the ccnlral depot. A. F. (!i ntiiku Istlic casliicraud 
 agent. 
 
 DiNCKMisK \- IkiciiAiJDs have also opcui'd and arc npiTatiiij; a vein near liy the Fort Dodge 
 Coal Company, both using the same road Iniili by Dim omiik >*t KuriAitDs to transport their 
 ears to Central Railway, a distance of three miles, ilie locomotive power lieinj; fiinii'-lied by the 
 Fori Dodge Coal Company. These veins iire between three an<? four feet. 
 
 .lAMKs HitowN also opened a vein at ( arlion. live miles east of theCenlral laihvay.ou 
 section :!, township ss. range I's, now owned and operated liy Di-.vcoMi'.K ^: IIicii Anns. 
 
 Stixe, Ckaic. Coiucv, Mil, I. Bros.. Hart, Coia.iNs. Thornton and many others have 
 opened drifts and are delivering coal by teams, Mr. Ckak; now working thirly-tive men in iiis 
 drift. 
 
 NVll.l.soN \- Fink, of Webster t'ily. have built a narrow gauge coal radwaN' from Central 
 railway to Tyson's Mill, and have opened some drit't mines. On any of the wagon-roads lead- 
 ing west, noi-thwest and north may be seen large amoiiids of tins coal on its way to prairie 
 homes. 
 
 Such has been the growth and developmeul ol this coal interest that it is estimated that 
 one thousand tons are sold daily. 
 
 It is now supi)ose(l that we have jilenly of coal, and that the Webster county coal lield is a 
 very important one. from tlie fact that it is tlu' northern terminus of the Iowa coal-lield. the 
 St. I.ouis limestone, which is the undei lying stata. conung to the surface fifteen nules north of 
 here. 
 
 GYPSUM. 
 
 It is now geiR'rally coneed'^d that Welister county eoulains one of the largest deiiosits of 
 gypsum, available for mechanical and agricultural purposes, with an outlet and market, im this 
 e(mtinent. .Iamks 1Iai>t>. in his State Geological Keixirt. •'ays : • As no attempt has yet been 
 made to deternune the extent of this gypsum deposit, it nniy, perhaps.be considered premature 
 to speak of its value in an economical i>oint of view, but from what is already known, there is 
 very little doubt but that Iowa contains gypsnm enough to supply the Mississipjii valley bir 
 t;enturies to come." .Mau\ important discoveries have been made of this deposit since Ins 
 examimition and rejiort, which render certain what he left to eonjectin-e. From its great 
 abnndanee, proximity, oi)en exposure, roads ea.sy of access liy rail or otherwise, and facilities 
 for (luarrying, thousand.s of perches are used annualh in Fort Dodge audits surroundings, in 
 the construction of foundations. c(dlars. well walls, pavements, culve'ts. residences, out 
 buildings and other purposes. Its eheapriess over lime and sand-stone has led to its use for 
 these various purposes, and while we see no impropriety in thus using it. the stranger is apl to 
 regard it as willful waste. There is no other deposit known to be in the State, and this is within 
 a limit of five or six miles around our eity. with some heavy beds within its corporate limits. It 
 is conceded to be of the most superior (luality. containing only, about eight per cent, of 
 impiuity. while the general average is that of about thirty. We can scarce estimate its v.ilue 
 when fully developed, and thus far no ettort has been made in that direction. exc<'i)t wlial has 
 been accomplished by 1{in<;i.ani>. Vintknt & Mkskkvkv. proprietors of theCardiir mills 
 some two mih's --outh of Fort Dodge. 
 
MINERAL RESOURCES OF WEBSTER COUNTY. 39 
 
 ROCK. 
 
 TnEHK is an abundance of linie-stoic and sand-stone in the county. Tlie t'onner isot' a very 
 flue (luality, and not only makes goLH\ lime, but woilvs up into excellent iMiilding material. 
 Near Parson's mill, about nine miles soutli of the city, tliere is a ledj;e of liniestome some 
 sevenly-five or eighty feet in elevation above tlie tw^i of tlie river. 
 
 In truth, there is an abundance of rock in the county, which in tmu'. will have a great 
 connnercial value. It may have lieen a million years since the corals deposited their sliells 
 where then was the bed of the ocean, and thus foriiBed o>ur limestone. It was done mider the 
 guiding finger of Him who doetli all things well, and wlio d(w-s nothing in vair. 
 
 isr O T E s 
 
 In giving the history of Wahkonsa township, on i)age<), it will lie noticed thU Mr. Mokg.^n 
 believes Wahkoxsa to have been a son of iNK-A-i'A-no-rA. I tlunk he could have scarcely 
 fallen into a greater error. In tlr.^ year isv). a society w.h for. n:vl in this city, n im:nl the 
 " Wahkonsa Library Club." The name was given in. tlie Sentinel which I at the time, assis.ed 
 in editing. The Dubmine Herald wanted to know what " Wahkonsa " meant, and Major 
 William,'* gave the desired niformation. It was, that Wahkonsa was the .son of IJmpa- 
 SHOTA (smoky-day) ; that he was very intelligent and u.seful to the first settlers ; that he 
 would map out the whole country northwest of tins in sail 1, o- dirt, wit'.i a stick. Those who 
 best knew Ink-A-pa-do-ta, say he had but one son — a slioit, stout Indian, who was iiresuiued 
 to be above twenty-two years old at the time of the massacre at Si>irit Lake. His name was 
 C <)M-A-i)f)-(;A, and he was killed near Fort Hidgely, Minnesota, during the summer of lff.^7 He 
 died flghting. When the massacre at Spirit L-aUe occurred, Wahicon.sa went to Fort Ilidgely 
 and delivered himself u]), a thing very unlikely for him todo if he had been Ink-a-pa-do-ta's 
 son. Mrs. Marp.le, whom 1 interviewed in Chicago, after her captivity, for the Time,^ of that 
 city, declared most emphatically that Ink-a-pa-do-ta had but one sou in the band, and that 
 son was CoM-.\-no-CA. We think there is no doubt of tlie correctness of our position in this 
 resjK'ct. 
 
 Ill the history of Badger townshii). it is related tluit tlie first settler was Stephen 
 Mayhki!. and tliut he settled on section 19. We are now told that the section was 13, range 2;i, 
 and that the first teacher was Mrs. M€(;ill. Mr. M()K(iAK has taken a great deal of pains, 
 and is generally very correct in his statements. 
 
 On page 27, John Measles shoukl read Joshua Measlks. 
 
 Under the head of public schools, on jiage :«), second line from the top. it is stated that, 
 " during the winter of is.w, and 18.57," etc. This err(U- is apjiarent. It should read 185(1 and ls.'57. 
 Since the publication of a jiaitof the history in the journals of Fort Dodge, many claims 
 have been made to first residence in some of the townships. Anumg the rest, it is asserted that 
 John Wake was the first settler of Otho ; tliat he made his hojue there in 185^, and died in the 
 fall of \m(i. and tliat in ISiiS) Philip Hawlev married his widow. We do not see that this con- j 
 flicls with Mr. Mouoan's account. 
 
40 POKTIiV. 
 
 J^ POEM. 
 
 ISV JOHN CAHAHHTV, KS(/. 
 
 L;in(l of my birtli ami home. Amcricii ! 
 Thy fiiaiit sticiifitli to iiuilclilcss iiiaiiliooil jirowii, 
 
 Witli hamicr waviiit^ o'er eacli land and s<'a. 
 Thy march to jj;rcatm>ss all the nations own. 
 
 Hope of mankiml, base, tynuiny o'erthiown, • 
 Oppression van(inisii(Hl. every people free ! 
 
 Thy glory's i)ath. like Heaven's emblazoned aone, 
 The world encircles. All hearts turn to Thee— 
 Home of the oi)i)ressed— j^uardian of true Liberty. 
 
 hand of the free ! tliy star-hemmed biinner rose, 
 Like meteor gleaminy; thwart the temi)est clond. 
 
 When stalwart hearts mixed deadly steel with foes. 
 And the moist earth drank deep the crimson tlood. 
 
 Thou, undismayed, the thunder-battle stood. 
 My country, ever victor in the field. 
 
 Twice Albion's vauntini; power and pride withst<ioil ; 
 A Fresichmau's courage is his guardian shield. 
 Will life to country give, but never, never yield. 
 
 Bhind as the balmy, breathing birth of si)ring. 
 Art thou in peace, ushering to unfold 
 
 Thy tetMuing harvests, nature's ottering. 
 Spread wide tlie clie(picred tields of waving gold. 
 
 Forage o'er fairest tields the fleecy fold- 
 Arts and twin science matchless trophies gem 
 
 Thy coronal. O'er all, thy name's enrol'd 
 On fame's jiroud fane ; No Jewelled diadem 
 E'er crowned or graced a nobler, braver race of nieii. 
 
 Mii.jestic Land ! emuraciiig every zone. 
 The ocean floods thy wide-stretched borders lave. 
 
 iSublime, terriflc, impetuous, alone, 
 Niagara leaps. Shrieks ocean's timid wave. 
 
 City gem, thy lakes, on his l)osom borne 
 The boundless tribute of a thousand streams. 
 
 The father of tlie waters— mythic gown— 
 -A continent course. Ah ! who but deems 
 Thy mission far beyond all vain, ntopean dreams. 
 
 ■Oh Greece, sole mist-ess of an ancient worhl, 
 "Nor less her rival thou, imperial Uome ! 
 
 Wbattho' thine compiering banners were unfnrleil 
 O'er prostrate nations?— in arms and arts ulone 
 
 Surpassing all? Not ages can atone 
 Nations rent— sacked cities— all enslaved. 
 
 From high estate ingloriously w.ere hurl'd 
 Adown the abyss by rank ambition paved. 
 May thou, my country, from a fate like theirs be saved. 
 
 Conquerers and captives, alas ! in turn. 
 Their glory long departed ; ruins tell 
 
 Of fallen greatness. The monumental urn. 
 Triumphal arcii— the crown and sibyl's siiell — 
 
 Like splendid pageants on the vision dwell ; 
 Have they, who else in time's dread march e'er won. 
 
 One model man. whose virtues all excel— 
 Sublime, majestic, unadorned, severe— 
 As great, as just, as wise, as our behivcd Washington' 
 
 -i" 
 
(41) 
 
 M. F. FAIRCHILD & CO., 
 
 DEALER IN 
 
 ADAMS & FRENCH HARVESTERS, 
 
 COOPER WAGONS AND GENERAL AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS. 
 
 Also 
 
 Pianos, Organs, and other Musical Instruments. 
 
 l^°Sheet imisic a specialty. We supply the latest i)iefes . Everything 
 in the li lie of sheet music, instruction books, etc., will be ordered when not in stock 
 at the lowest prices. 
 
 I). A. McKINLAr, ■ TH08. SARGENT, 
 
 Skc'y, UuButiUE, lA. (tEn'l Ag't, Ft. Dodge, lA 
 
 LAND OFFICE 
 
 OF THE 
 
 DUBUQUE & SiOUX CITY RAILROAD COMPANY, 
 
 FORT DODGE, - - - lOW^A. 
 
 . We otter l"»ir sale U)0,90!) acres of laud situated along the line of the Illinois Central 
 railroad, in the counties of Calhoun, Buena Vista, Pocahontas, Sac, Webster, Wriy;lit. 
 Haiiiilteu, Hardin, and other counties, 
 
 ON L(dNG TIME, AND IN QUANTITIES AND PRICES TO SUIT PLECHASERS 
 
 I als« have a large list of improved and wild lands iu various counties ; also city 
 l>ropeity in iFort Dodge and its additions, and in the new town of Callender, Webster 
 county., Iowa. . THOMAS SARGENT. 
 
^V\^. N^. JVIESERVEY. 
 
 ATTORNEY AT LAW 
 
 A N 1) - 
 
 Fort IDodsre, - - Towa, 
 
 I HAVE FOR SALK 5(),noo ACRES OF LAM) IX WKBSTER AXO HAMILTON 
 
 COUNTIES. 
 
 WEBB VINCENT. 
 
 S. T. MESERVEY. 
 
 B. HUTCHINSON. 
 
 -OFFICE OF— 
 
 VINCENT, MESERVEY & CO., 
 
 Wliol.KSAl.K AND KKTAIL DKA 1,K1!S I .\ 
 
 Drugs, Paints, Oils, Wall-Paper and Stationery. 
 
 I'ltESVni I'TIOXS C.IRKFULZY COM/' OlSDED. 
 
(43) 
 ESTABLISHED 1855. 
 
 E. E. PRTJSI^, 
 
 Wliolesale and retail dealer in 
 
 HEAVY AND SHELF 
 
 m ^ lyr Mk, ^. 
 
 1^ 
 
 STOVES, IRON^. STKEL, XAILS, GLA^S. 
 
 Wagon and Carriage Wood stock. 
 
 BUILDING MATERIAL OF EVERY DESCRIPTION, 
 
 Cement, plaster, Blosbiu}; coal. I'ence-wire. fence-barbs, tin and copper ware, seal es, 
 mining-tools, )iovvder, etc.. etc. 
 
 |^~Onr stock is always full and conijdete and sold at the lowest cash prices - 
 
 MAIiKKT STREET, FORT DODGE. 
 
 E. E. PRVSIA. 
 
(■M) 
 
 L. D. LOVELL 
 
 *PR0I'HIKT()1U — 
 
 H til iiJtili iJiii 
 
 Fort Dodge, 
 
 loAva 
 
 friiviiig recently leased, lefitted, refiiniislied. and thorou'^hly renovated the Wkstkrx 
 HorsK. I am now prepaied to furnisli first elass aeeonmiodations to man and beast 
 at tlie most reasonable jiriees. 
 
 g'KBM 9WS WQ iMi^& F'^Qt^ ^StSt TM^gJVS. 
 
 Iliipint;. li> <-liarKing fair prices and uivini; llist-elass aeeonimoilations, to secnre a 
 hare of yonr iiatroiuifie. I remahi. 
 
 Very Trnlv Yours. L. D. LOVJiLl,. 
 
(45) 
 
 Chas. C. Sraeltzer, 
 
 ATTORNEY AT LAW, 
 
 FORT DODGE. - - IOWA. 
 
 No case taken without tlie usual retainer, except by special agreement. 
 
 [^^"COLLECTIONS MADE AND AMOUNTS ALWAYS PROMPTLY REMITTED 
 
 CHAS, C. SMELTZER, 
 
 REAL ESTATE A^ENT, 
 
 FORT DODGE, - - IOWA. 
 
 REAL ESTATE BOUGHT AM) SOLD. ABSTRACTS OF TITLE MADE, TAXES 
 
 PAID, ETC. 
 
 m experience of more than twenty-one years has enabled mg to fam iliarize 
 myself with real estate matters in the northwestern pai't of the Stat e. 
 
J. SWAIN, 
 
 DKAKKi: IN 
 
 NEWSPAPERS AND STATIONERY, 
 
 jroUT DODGE, - - lOW.i. 
 
 GEO. V. PATTERSON, 
 GENERAL AUCTIONEER, 
 
 rORT DODGE. - - IOWA. 
 
 Having been engaged in tlie ;il)()ve naininl hnsines.s lor a long time. I otter my 
 serviees to sneli as have goods or .stock tlu-y wish to dispose of at Auction. 
 
 PA^TTERSOlSr 
 
 n o 
 
 T 
 
 ON MAIN STREET. WEST OF T E PUBLIC SQUARE. 
 
 (iuests at tills house will lind an excellent table, good rooms aiid clean beds, wliilc 
 tlie cliiirges are less than simihir accoimiiodations can be iirocured for elsewlu're. 
 
 GOOD STABLING OX THE PKEMISES. 
 
 ENCOURAGE YOUR OWN. 
 
 G. E. WIL.^ON, 
 
 DKAl.Kl! TN 
 
 Che^iring and Smoking Tobacco, 
 
 .MKK1{S( IIAIM AND OTDER PIPES, TOB AC(()-li()X ES. POUCHES, 
 
 Ere, ETC. 
 
 .V N I) 
 
 MANUFACTURER OF CIGARS. 
 
 1 can and will sell cigars clnMper and better than those furnished by commi'rcial 
 tia\eleis. Why. then, will no! the |i:Mi]ile of Wi'h-iler couuty auil viciiiit.v encourage 
 their ow n indiisirie>'.' 
 
J. L. PLATT. 
 Prks.. Kewanek. 1 1 
 
 (-tT) 
 
 A. T. HALL, A. F. (iUNTHER, 
 
 Secv., C'hica(;o. Salesman & Coi.lectok. 
 
 FORT DODGE 
 
 COAL COMPANY, 
 
 OFFICE NEAR ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAlLRaAD DEPOT. 
 
 Fort DodQ'e, - - lo^sva. 
 
 HP:sT QUALITV of IOWA C0,\L FrKXlSHEI) IN AXV (QUANTITY Ul'ON 
 
 SHORT NOTI(.'K. 
 
llitiiilll Hillii 
 
 ox THE EAST SIDK OK FIFTH STKKKT. NFAR MAIN, 
 
 WM. C. HAILSTOCK, - - Propietor. 
 
 Shaving, hiiii-dipssiiii);, shiimpooin^. liair-flying, otc, etc., doiio in tlie highest style 
 of tlie art. 
 
 ADIES' AND CHILDRENS' HAIR-DKESSING A SPECIALTY. 
 
 LAW AND COLLECTION AGENCY 
 
 O F 
 
 GEO. B. SHERMAN, 
 
 JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, 
 
 IN AND FOi; WAHKOXSA TOWXSHir. IXCLrDIXC TKF (UTY OF FORT 
 DODCE. WEBSTER (M)rNTY. IOWA. 
 
 All oollcctioiis jilacpil in liis hands will be attended to witli fidelity and despatch. 
 
 OFFICE ON FIFTH ST., OPPOSITE OCCIDENTAL. HOTEL, 
 
 FORT DODGE, - - - IOWA. 
 
ADDENDA. 
 
 There is something so almost true in tlie following poem, read at a meeting of the old set- 
 tles' society in January, A. I). 1871, held at the eourt-house, that we reproduce it, hoping that 
 so far as we are concerned, the reader will make due allowance : 
 
 THE EARLY SETTLERS. 
 
 BY JOHN HAIRE. 
 
 " "Westward, the Star of Empire takes its way," 
 
 Thus sang a poet once in early day. 
 
 But had he had the happiness to lodge 
 
 At the Wahkonsa tavern, in Fort Dodge, 
 
 As kept in fifty-five, by William Hodge, 
 
 His visions of the west would there expand 
 
 To vast proportions ; such a fight for land 
 
 Was never seen before nor since, I ween. 
 
 The land sharks on their mettle went in keen 
 
 For the broad acres, with their swamps and sloughs. 
 
 It mattered not, no man would then refuse 
 
 A piece of land wherever lie could flml 
 
 A chance to enter, they were '• going it blind " 
 
 In those bright. Joyous, happy halcyon days— 
 
 "Days of our youth, when every spot could please ;" 
 
 When men, devoid of care, their time did pass 
 
 With golden eagles, playing pitch and toss ; 
 
 When 'nnui'i the circle passed the knotty riddle. 
 
 And Huuii)hrey sang, and Pollock played the fiddle. 
 
 And (iaraghty, with his refulgent muse, ' 
 
 Sang sonnets to the stars, then got the blues, 
 
 And swore that nowhere, short of the north pole, 
 
 Was ever found so d d corrupt a hole ; 
 
 When every bed up stairs (I tell no fable) 
 
 In the Wahkonsa, was a good card-table, 
 
 When bags of gold strewn round were deemed not risky, 
 
 But woe, alas ! to a sti'ay flask of whisky ! 
 
 Each agent, then, as he retired to bed. 
 
 Had his black bottle snug beneath his head ; 
 
 And in his dreams, he mingled with his slugs 
 
 Of whisky from the bottle—" d n the bugs !" 
 
 These were the happy, hai)py days of yore, 
 
 (The olden times when no man here was poor) ; 
 
 When Merritt, and Van Antwerp, and Dan Finch, 
 
 And old Judge Mac were never known to flinch, 
 
 JUit took their drop in con\fort— " nix cum rouse " — 
 
 (I use this ]ihrase to rhyme witli old Ike Crouse) 
 
 Who joined them in their revelry and glee ; 
 
 For like King Cole, a merry soul was he. 
 
 When Bagg, Brizee, Sam Kobbins and Bob Gray, 
 
 And Sattord heli)ed to vocslize the day. 
 
 To make night hideous with their flercest yells, 
 
 And wake the echoes in the Soldier dells ; 
 
 When land agents* land ofllces you'd meet 
 
 At early dawn, out in tlie pulilic street, 
 
 And other offices not quite so sweet ; 
 
 When Grayson ke])t his bachelor's free hall. 
 
50 I'UETHV 
 
 Rack of 15cn Brown's, and at liis triunpet call 
 
 His STKADV (?) hoarders sallied one and all, 
 
 l-"roni the' Oscaloosa trying to navijjate 
 
 To his iiotel, to f;et a bite to ate ; 
 
 Wiien Skiinier, Berkley, Fineh and Timber Wood, 
 
 Mixed rum witli law— His IIoNOU callkd ir<;o()ii 
 
 iMir at tlie r.Ai!, or on the .judge's bench, 
 
 Old ^lac was partial to his Urother Fiiudi. 
 
 When Sargent, Stoekdale, Kounts, and other lights 
 
 Of those gay times, spent liappy days and niiihts, 
 
 Pitt Cook and r.roadiiead. Wilsons and .MacUane, 
 
 In finding who eonld drink the most champagne ; 
 
 When Wdliam Wdson van(piisl)ed in the fight. 
 
 Closed up the door and s.-id '•tiik hank is tkjht !' 
 
 When Heeeher, Uicha:<ls, llees, and Kuggles, too, 
 
 Helped ns along in early struggles, true 
 
 As needle to the \wh\, our banner bright. 
 
 Borne by these heroes, trinniplied in the tight ; 
 
 We vauipiished Homer, wliii)ped out Border I'lains. 
 
 (Of which, alas, but little now remains). 
 
 And as a trophy r:;r our \alor meet. 
 
 Secured Ix'yoiid recall, the couiily-seat. 
 
 No mall in those good times e'erhad the i)htliisie. 
 
 And if lie had we were well st-) 'kel witli physic ; 
 
 For Oluey, XicUolson and Pease. 
 
 Wer-' bold enough to conijuer all disease ; 
 
 J?esides a si)r:g of true nobility. 
 
 Kenownetl for polish and gentility, 
 
 A noblenian, a Celt, or No" man— 
 
 I don't know which— one Pat. 0'(iorniau, 
 
 Shed on our tuwn the lustre of his mind— 
 
 His forle was not the deaf, the laur' no.- blind. 
 
 But on the negro he was mighty great, 
 
 As Dawley can to you wi*h truth relate. 
 
 The Major, then, as now. the father 
 
 Of our good town, I would much rather 
 
 Not sound his i)i-a.ise, lest, perhaps, 
 
 I tell he senietimes took liis schnai'Ps. 
 
 He loved to gaze on female charms. 
 
 His greatest weakne s was— scHOoi.-M.inMS. 
 
 A bevy once from Cedar Falls 
 
 He brought ; who is there but recalls 
 
 The pleasant time he had providing 
 
 TlHMU with places of abiding. 
 
 His iih'asure greater w^as, perchanci'. 
 
 When he got up that Indan dance 
 
 Out on the common, ne'er was seen, 
 
 A prettier sight than Johnny Green, 
 
 As round him slow the iquaws all waddled. 
 
 Alas! the ladies all skeiladdled 
 
 As he unmindful of his duty 
 
 To be discreet, the dirty, sooty 
 
 Old scamp, pulled off his coal and vest 
 
 And would, no doubt, i)ull olf the rest 
 
 Of his apiiarel, but the Major 
 
 Stood up in wrath and mighty rage, or 
 
 Other f<'eling, 1 can't tell. 
 
 And told the old chap to go to h- II 
 
 ( )r some sindi climate. I forget 
 
 What phu'c it was— he went, '•you bet." 
 
 Some one has said he was desirous 
 
POETRY. 51 
 
 To hear about our Gov'uor, Cyrus. 
 Well, lie was here in early days, 
 And now mist ti;j;ure in our lays. 
 A right good fellow, then as now, 
 And studious, with a thoughtful brow. 
 He went about with book in Hand. 
 When he was not surveying land. 
 I know he made a telling speech 
 
 Once, a' a party of eg(1 no(!. 
 That showed some day to power he'd reach. 
 
 Though tlien his fut .re was iJJCOd. 
 But who could tell, that early date. 
 He would he (Governor of our State? 
 (!ood men like him who have the nerve 
 1\) strike out boldly, well deserve 
 Such great success, ujay it attend 
 Him in his career to the end. 
 
 " Full many a gem of i)urest ray serene. 
 
 The dark, unfathoiued caves of ocean bear ;" 
 Fidl many a hero hi those days was seen. 
 
 Slow wend his way to make a call on Haire, 
 And slower and less steady was his track. 
 
 As in the mud his devious course he bore. 
 And with a heavy step he wandered back 
 
 From classic precincts of the Nev\' York store. 
 Attest it, heroes of these ancient days. 
 
 Come, Boottand Coibuni, (iaraghty and Lynch, 
 Come, verify the justice of my lays, 
 
 Bol) Wilson, Albee, Morrison and Finch, 
 
 And in our early settkinent was blent 
 
 Divinity, with chemistry and law : 
 We had Clagg and Arnold, Bissell, Swain and Kent, 
 
 All men with characters without a Haw. 
 
 Whose names the coudng age will honor with eclat. 
 
 Tnen there was Duncombe, Beecher and .lim Strow, 
 
 And Garaglity, who Blackstoue did explain, 
 Meservey, Bagg. and others, I don't know. 
 
 And Stockdale. who had swamp land on the brain, 
 
 Men whose great merits I can't here explain. 
 
 If, in my feeble efforts, I have here 
 
 Forgot to chronicle the honored name 
 Of any noble, worthy pioneer, 
 
 I pray forgive the error, and don't l>lame 
 
 The bard ; he loves, respect* you all the same. 
 
 AVhat shall I say here of that noble band 
 
 Of lad'es who were with us in those days? 
 Who braved the hardships of this far o!1: land 
 
 To smoothe the tenor of our rugged ways? 
 
 No pen of uune can meed them livilf their praise ! 
 
 Tiie hallowed meni'ry of their presence then 
 
 Is as the suulighl's peuetrating ray. 
 D>tlusing radiance in some lonely glen. 
 
 Contented with tlu^ sombre shade to play. 
 
 Cheering some lonrly trav'ler on his way. 
 
 They were the sunbeams of our darker hours ; 
 
 They were our mo; ning auil our ev'ning stars ; 
 Sweeter were they than all the sununer flowers. 
 
 And brighter than a long-tailed comet, far : 
 Molasses candv could not near compare 
 
i 
 
 52 POETHY. 
 
 With thorn in sweetness. How can I reveal 
 The fragrance of llieir presence in tlic air. 
 
 Those sweet emotions that we nsed to feel, 
 
 " Whieh I can ne'er express, yet cannot well conceal?' 
 
 Shades of (lei)arted comrades, list to me, 
 
 If from above you look, or from l)elow, 
 Onr kind regards, as you may plainly see. 
 
 We send you greeting f-oin this vale of woe ; 
 Your honored names 1 never mentioned once. 
 
 "Twould make us sad. whatever lie your doom, 
 (In lilissful glory, you are all. perchancei, 
 
 As sleeping tenants of the silent toml), 
 We drop for you a sympathetic tear, 
 And wish, alas ! in vain, that you were here. 
 
 And now, farewell, old pioneers. 
 
 Who"ve listenetl to my simple song ; 
 May guardian angels, from the spheres, 
 
 Protect you. and your joys prolong. 
 
 IJSCIDENTS. 
 
 Ix the year 18.i7, John F. Duxcomiuc was a candidate for the legislature against (". V. 
 CARfKNTEK. At tlic recpiest of A. S. WHITE, proprietor of tlie Seii'Uiel, und the gentleman 
 first nain'^d, I stopped in the city, (for I had business at many land offices though 
 here most of the time) edited the paper, and stumped a part of the dis- 
 trict, composed of nineteen counties. During this time JakI': Bei.l, who lived in the southern 
 part of the county, came to the city and recpiested John M. Stockdai.k. then Kegister of the 
 land otticc. and myself to go down to the Swede settlement and make speeches. Upon the day 
 aiipointed. Thojias Sargent, then Receiver of the land oHice. W. O. Rufi(;i,Es, candidate for 
 County Treasurer against E. (J. Mokcan, Stockdale and myself started on our missi m to 
 enlighten the natives. At that time there was a (piestion before the i)eople relating to the 
 establishment of banks in the State, and Mr. Stockoai.e, in his addre.ss, discoursed on finan- 
 cial matters most learnedly. I was not much snri)rised that he was not applauded. I 
 deemed him too i)rofound for such a crowd— that he lacked judguient of human nature ! 
 What was needi'd most was elo<inence— stirring ai>i)eals, poetical language— 1 would do it 1 
 He had not acquiied his political education in Chicago 1 He had not addressed the sovereigns 
 of America at ward meetings, like myself. When it came my turn to address that audience, 
 I talked eloipiently aViuit the Indian expedition— how John F. Di'ncombe had risked his 
 young life and rendered invaluable services in the Spiiit Lake expedition. I pinched the 
 eagle until it fairly screamed ! Xo one applauded me. I really did not know 
 wiiat to do, think, or .say. After the andience began to depart, Uell came up to us and 
 conlidentially said : " Hoys, yon have done splendid ; I never heard you speak so well ; there 
 wasn't a d—d one of 'em could understand you. You see they are all Swedes, but 1 cm tell 
 'em !" I shall never forget the expression of Stockdai.e'.s countenance. 
 
 When Judge McFarl.^nd was holding court in this city, in I8.j5-(i, and there was no conrt- 
 hou.se, it looked stormy one afternoon, and an attorney, we believe it was (1r.\nvii,le 
 Berkley, moved that the court adjourn on account of the threatening appearance of tlie 
 skies. Tlie .fudge looked about in every direction, and said : " (Jod Almighty reigns above, 
 and .Iu<lge M<'Fari-.vni> reigns Vielow ; tliere will be no storm, and consei|uently no adjouiu- 
 nient. (lentlenien, go on with your case." 
 
 In \H.V>-r>. court was aecustoine 1 toV>eheldin an nnlinished building on Williams street. 
 Judge McFaki,ani>, of Hoonsboro, was hohling term. Upon one occasion, .Iame.s M. Woods, 
 of Burlington, known as "Timber Wooii." was summing up a case to a jury, and was declaim- 
 ing in one of his high (lights. Suddenly a donkey, hitclied upon the outside, drowned the 
 orator's voice. The Judge, sitting very (piietly in his chair, exclaimed: " ()ne-at-a-time, 
 I Timljer !— one-at-a-time !" 
 
INCIDENTS. ^^ 
 
 I. would be a sou.ce of a.uuse.nent to our ciUzensof tUe .. n. nn ^^y^^^,Z 
 ,.w the poUticial meetings %^^l^^'ZS^_^:^^:Si^^.c^^i^.Xe tori^.. 
 eighteen to twenty years ago. ^l-n - ^^^ • « n .J^^ _^^^^^^ _^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^.^ ^^^^^^ .^^ ^^^ 
 
 (ieneral Assembly against Hon. <-':2,,^^-^^^^' _ ^.-.^ ,ens attended. Their conduct was not so de- 
 log cabins, Where m.t --^J- ^^^ w^ III S^KU^Se fro.n sucha gathering as the orator, 
 eorous as at present. A .lug ot n luskj vv as ■^'' ^ ^ ' , ,^l,i,l, ,^,,^ generally before the 
 
 and when these An,encan ^^^^'-^S"^,;';^^ ^ " ,„ , t\elr up oar was sufficient to dr.ve wolves 
 speaker had arrived, they were :^''''^^^'^^'^^^^,,,a for a great distance. A meeting 
 iito their holes or cause the l»--^^-^V'' f J^ . *",,'[„;^X^^^ the fall of 1857. near the house of 
 of this kind was held on the l.zzaM ^^:^^^^^;^,, elty. an.oug them Dk. Nicho.- 
 .JOHN MCLAUGHLIN. *^;"^? '^i:"^;;'^'^',;' LE and a. W. BRiZEE. The nieetlng was the largest 
 SON, Major Williams, John M. ^^^'^^'^l''''; " . ^n^se from Fort Dodge, and a sort of plat- 
 we had seen. Thirty or forty were l'^ f ^Z"*^;' ^^^'. ^^^ .^"'t1 1 after was -m. unusual luxury and 
 forn. erected, composed of thre.. boar ^^^^^^ ,^^^ ^^^ ^^^^, ,,,, exnner 
 
 denoted the rapid a.lvance ^"^^n^^^V^ to he blush a party of untutored Apaches. 
 
 hove in sight, there arose a yell ^^'^^j ~ 'l^^J ^^ „,^i,„y. A settler named John White 
 
 Bv the side of this plattorm was a ^^« f^ "-^ .^^^^^^Xj^ .^i^k, or go through with the motions. 
 ,.ad this in charge, and each new come™ que e.1^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ 
 
 Upon the appearance of Mapr Wi/^^^^^^'^^^ii^j'^^n^^^ He was then followed by Stock- 
 
 ,u.,ed to drink and speak. The h.tte. 1- ^ ^ -dm a J^^^^ ^_^^^^,^ _^^^^^^^^^_ ^,^^ „ 
 
 i.ALE, DR. NICHOLSON and BRI/.EE J * his t ^^^^ staud, jug m hand, "our 
 
 ^saida nvan present las face bea.nn^^^^^^^^^^ ^ taking an<.ther nip with ns." 
 
 •it'iis Si Z^^'^:::^^::^ -d as we drove home we could hear them 
 
 cheer until we were t)ut of sight. 
 
 1 ... thit Mpcurred in this county was at the olQ 
 THE first legal Investigation ^"^ -'^ '-',;.; V^X^ 
 Wahkonsa house, before Judge ,rf,^;;-,,;,3^"'Tio families, named respectively Shippy 
 Webster county for Judicial and "tlnn pu pose^^^^ ^^^^^,^ ^^ ^,^1;,^^^^^. ,,,ek and 
 
 and Mc^CoRMiOK, lived about ^^^^^^^^^ S.nch of the' Des Moines river, further south, 
 the MCCORMICKS near the east bank »« «^« ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ,l,^,i,ig the mouth of August the 
 They had a feud in relation to a ''"'^^ ^'^^^^^ .^^^ Gavit and Washington Shlppy appeared 
 MCCORMICKS were chopping wood « tins cla a McCormlck dead. James 
 
 on the scene. Gavlt Shippy had a r fle with ^^^ ^'^ "g^^j^'^^j.^.^ediately left the country, while 
 
 Mccormick returned the flre ^^ l'«^ .f^J ;.^ ';^ll ^' rged with murder in " aiding, assisting 
 Washingtonwasarrestedandbroughttotnsi^ace c^i^^^^^ ^.^^^^^.^^^^ j^^^^ p_ !,„,,. 
 
 and abetting," etc. C. B. Richards, ^^°^,*^"'^"».^f;\"2;,^tion, and Counselor Howe, from 
 combe and Hcui. Wm. N- Mes^^ ^^^^'^^^^'^ ^Z^ twi, days to get In the testimony 
 Spirit Lake, and George W. ^''^''^^^/J'^! , ',; '\,<,,i,,,ed here before, and there was a large 
 and hear arguments. Nothing of ^^^''^^^ "^' ;',;', ^f .§1,000. his father signiug the bond, 
 attendance of citizens, hashing on was he dm tle^i^niot ^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^.^ ^^^. 
 
 The Old gentleman ^!>on^^^^^J^ S^ lmJ^P-'--d us for our services. If this 
 
 ^::^::TX^^:^:^^^^^ ^emmd him of what is stm a moral obligation : 
 
 JOHN Schaekner was the ^^;>f^^^^^^^:^Z:'Z:. ^^ hadt^e^^Se 
 „.anly man came from the city of ^^w Y^^,;- ^n confined in a belt. This guest de- 
 intention of buying land ^'^ ^^ ' ^^^7^^^^, ^e was fearful of being robbed. " How niuch 
 sired a private room, and st'^ted h s reason he ^^ .. ^^^,^ thousand do ars 
 
 money have you?" said the '^^»'""''\^.,,.^^ '/;*^5^ .. wnv. my boy Frank has more than 
 with you," repeated «^'HA-kneh appaie^^ .^ ^^^^^ ,,^^^^ ,.^,^ ^^.^^ ,,„ 
 
 "r lS;ri!" '"tS^^ - SSSmi ;^r \nen t^ steal then. Money could be obtained 
 fXi'wlse with little labor. ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^.^^^^ 
 
 IN the year 1859, Hinxox kept the ^a . a. h ki ^. ^^^^^ ^.^^ ^^ Napoleon, which he 
 to acuuire a literary repu ation. «^;^; . '", ^' J'; ,, „oy for a clerk, who removed his book- 
 ke,>t unon his desk and often i«;^;\- H*^. ';';'^ point'where the French Emperor was about to cross 
 mark each day one week and ;;eif «« it to the p mU ^^^^^^^^^ descended Into the plains 
 
 the Alps. HINTON succeeded ^*^ '^ "^^^^^'/^ ^,,„tel, and the conversation turning upon histor- 
 of Italy, one day a S^^'^'^''^'' ^'''VrZt7^<^^To^ was a mighty smart man ; he crossed the 
 ical matters, Hinton observed : That w apol 
 Alps six times in one week." 
 
54 "/'" /iKN/Z-i^'ATN Alili(lAI). 
 
 OLD RESIDENTS ABROAD. 
 
 \Vk liiivc IK) (Idulit liut that many of our readers would feel an interest in tcnowing what 
 has heconip of a number of old residents who mij;rated from this jdace to " Pike's Peak "— 
 now ('olora(h). 
 
 We first saw Dr. C. R. BissKi.L in the fall of 1859, at Mountain City. He connnenced the 
 practice of medicine, hut l>eiii}? soon after elected Judf;e of the Miners' Court, abandoned the 
 practice. He acquired fpiartz mininji i)roperty and sold out ni lR<i:i, for .•?()(), (too cash. We last 
 saw him in 1«G7, in New York. He claimed Bridgeport, Connecticut, iis his home. He had in- 
 vested all Ills means in Connecti(uit State bonds. Dr. (J. (i. Bisski.i>, his elder brother, had pos- 
 sessed himself of considerable iiroperty, but had not sold it. while the youngest brother, Ed- 
 ward BrssKLL, met with no success. 
 
 WiXTOX SMrTH, who came here at a very early date, lived in town and •)wned a claim 
 about two miles u]) the river, on the west side, had > bntcber-shoii in Mountain City In 1x50, in 
 partnership with one Witch eh. Ujion our return in 1S()5. after an jibsence of a little over three 
 years, we found him the owner of a line of stages running .between Central City and (ieorgc- 
 towu. He appeared to be doing well. 
 
 Sam .M. RoBKixs eaniH to Mountain City in the sunnuer of 1859. We asked him what Ik^ 
 intended to do. aulhe replii'il "pvactic'liw"— ml h > did ! He w^iit inio a new mining districi 
 and the very first territorial legislature, h'? turned up a verit i)le S !u ito;'— ^ ilU; I tlure mnuUier 
 of the Council. When the war broke out ho obtained a Caiitaiu's commission, and at its close 
 became Major in the regular army. Both in 1SG5 and 1807 we saw him in Denver clothed with 
 the insignia of his rank. 
 
 Wm. p. Pollock canie to us at Mcnuitain City in isci, after the election (if Lixcoi.x. with a 
 rciiuest that we sign a petition for his aiipointmentas U. S. Marshal. We sigii'd, but it did him no 
 good. The aiipoin tees were all from The States. He mined for a time near Russell's (Uilch, 
 but soon abandoned that locality and cros.sed Mie mountains into Summit county, w-here we 
 found him at Breckenridge, the county seat, in 1865. ISGO, ISGT as Recorder, making large sums of 
 money and the owner of considerable iiroiierty. 
 
 Wfe met C. C. Caupkxteh at Mountain City uiion one occasion, but see no call for detailing 
 his siiceessfhore than our own— whatever that niav have been. 
 
 So.ME idea of the knowledge of law entertaiu(>d among t'le administ ratois of justice in 
 minor courts in old times, may be formed from the following : In the summer of 1858, a suit was 
 entered before Squire Cofkix, in Douglas township, against Tho.mas Cai.lkjan, who was 
 charged with maliciously maiming, by cutting, some of a neighbor's cattle which liad repeatedly 
 broken into his enclosure and destroyed his corn. We knew that no evidence could be adduced, 
 except that the defendant in an angry mood had told the plaintiff that he would shoot such 
 cattle if they were not kept up, and prepared ourself accordingly. The case was tried, (Jeokcjk 
 RiCHAKDs ai)pearing as plantltr's counsel. We read the law and submitted the case. What 
 was our astonishment upon hearing the cou't deliver his opinion, thus : " Mr. Callkiax, since 
 this suit was lirst instituted before me, I have made up my mind to do justice in the case. 
 I have been amon* your neiglibors making intpiiries. and they all think you cut those 
 cattle and ought to l)e fined," &c. It was a civil suit— was apiiealed. and uiioii consultation the 
 plaintiff dro|)pcd it. Mr. Coffix was a very good man— a man of blameless character, but 
 was ignorant of the fact, while he was zealous to do wha*^ he conceived to be substantial justice . 
 that he was '^mud to render a verdict in accordance witli law and evidence produced in court, 
 and that the very words he used in indicating his judgment, would legally subject any judicial 
 oflicer to impeachment. 
 
(55) 
 
 ISriISrTH YEAtl. 
 
 ^\q ^on ©odge ^iii\e^ 
 
 WITH 
 
 JANUAKY, 1877, RESUMED AS A AVEEKLY, AT ,-2 TERYEAR.IX ADVANCE 
 
 Hiiviiig put i 
 
 n a lii-st-class Power Press, it is now prepared to till onlers for 
 
 FIEST-CLASS JOB PULIS'TLNG. 
 
 ,• * .* T ..i-„>v Piivinco and other live ipiestions of 
 
 it'a valuable advertising medium 
 
 L. R. TRAliSr, - - Proprietor 
 
James JB. A^illiams, 
 
 LAND, LOAN AND TAX BUYING AGNT. 
 
 ABSTSATOR OF TITLES, 
 
 MAURICE D. 0'rONNp:LL '====: 
 
 District Attorney iitli Jiulipial District. lu. "^^ ^- ^^INGER . 
 
 O'CONNELL & SPRINGER, 
 ATTORNEYS ^T L^W, 
 
 FLINT & HaLlT"""""""^ 
 
 Maiuifai'turer.sof and dealers in 
 
 PURE CONFECTIONERY 
 
 OF ALL KL\D8 
 
 WHOLESALE AJVB RETAIL 
 
 Owr Goods are all warranted strictly 'pure 
 
 ^THSTREET, N«AR MARKET, FOKT iX.i.OE, loWA. 
 
 REAL ESTATE k INSURANCE 
 
 rORT DODGE, - . . jqwa 
 
WITTER H. JOHNSTON, 
 
 ATTORNEY AT LAW, 
 
 FORT DODGE, - - IOWA 
 
 MRS. E. M. HOLLOW AY. Proprietess, 
 
 FIFTH STREET, FORT DODGE, IOWA. 
 
 GOOD STABLl.YG IJ\' COJVJVECTIOJ^. 
 
 G-US. T. PETERSON, 
 
 OFFICE IN liA-W BLOCK, FORT DODGE, lOW^A. 
 
 JOHN GARAOHTY, 
 
 ATTORNEY AT LAW, 
 
 FORT DODOE, - - lOW^A 
 
R. P. FURLONG. 
 
 GENERAL STORE, 
 
 NORTa SIB3 PUBLIC SQUARE. 
 
 Fort Dodffe, - - lo^va. 
 
 INSURftflCE & REfiL ESTATE AGENT, 
 
 FouT iioixii:, - - Kni.i. 
 
 Sell, Rent and Lease Farm and dUij Prouerfi/ 
 
 OFFIf'H OVKK McBAXE & (lUAXT'S B.VXK. 
 
 I N S U R A TT CI E A G T-" N T, 
 
 LAW TU.OCK, FORT HOIMiE. lOAVA. 
 
 Rpprospiits t'lo followiim coinnMnies : AniiTif.-in. riiilailpl]) bia : Fii'o Association 
 ri\i1a(loli)liia ; Royal Caiiailiaii : AIi'rc])aiits'. of Xowirk : Wcstclipstpv, Npw York ; 
 <;iranl, rhila(lpli)liia : NortliwpstPin National, Milwaukee ; (iennan, Freeport ; Water- 
 town, New York ; Iowa State, Keokuk. 
 
 GreoT'sre "W. Bassett. 
 
 — AND— 
 
 Agent for Iowa Agricultural College, 
 
 OFFICE <»VK1{ .MKI}"-!! ANTS- NATIOXAFv HANK. 
 Market Street, Fort Dodge. lo-wa 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 EX-GOVERNOR C. 0. CARPENTER. ^ 
 
 in company with Anuus M( ^'^/'f; ^ .^"^^^^ Cakpfnter was one of the most kind-hearted 
 
 her more accomplished, but old settlers will remember he, still-.is th. sam. „..>.a, 
 woman. 
 
 HEZEKIAH BEEOHER. i 
 
 HKZK.OAH BKKCHKU was bo.n in Mie town of Bethauiy, New ^-^^J^;:^^:^';;^^;:^:^: 
 on the 19th dav of June, 1821. In youth he took a si^ecial course at ^ '^'« ^ °."; ^f" f ^ '' \^' l\'. , 
 g uluated in the law department of the same institution. He w..s ^^^^^^^.^f^^ 
 Ivirin Tannnrv is.'-.i From Connecticut he went to Chicago, and aftei stop,)inK t.ieic a lew 
 mon IS h em^:.Sed to Des Moines. On the 28th of March, A. D. '«^' ^^ «-"VnIn'^e"tntf 
 eSaied in tht practice of law. entering land ^'^ ^^"^^'-:^^''''\''''''';'.'^^Z^1^^n 
 He'married Miss Elkanok Mokuisox in Deceaiber, 185S. and has «-»*'"-';' '\'»;'^;, .,','; 
 this city since that time. He has me^ with cousUerable ^; «;. ,^.,^^^';,. ^Z;,,;^ ; t^;' 
 in the msurance busine.ss. besides that of his regular profession. Mi. Bk...hkr li.i^ till. I many 
 local oHicial positions, and refused the cjudidacy of a great many more. 
 
 MAJOR WILLIAM WILLIAMS. 
 
 MA.TOK WILLIAM WILLIAMS was born inareensburgh, West.norelaml conidy Penn|^l- 
 vanS. on th. 0th day of December, ITOG. He acquired his title of Maj- - ^ « St ite t , 
 and did not as is generally presumed, hold a commission under the United States feoveiumem 
 H^c^n'S'^rt Dodge aJi; elsewhere stated, with the soldiei., and was a l-^j; ;^,^«« 
 was universally respected and filled many honorable commissions "."f 'i . ^°;.^ ;"'„7\ 
 the State. He was the first civilian who settled in this city ^iHi h'^ fa uu J J^^^^'J^ 
 life it is imnossible to ascertain for reasons not recessary to state. He died t ebi uai y -btli, is 4, 
 IS'lsevrtySht years. There are few men we have met for whom we have entertained so 
 much respect. 
 
 < C. H. VINCENT. 
 
 C. H. VINCENT came to Fort Dodge from Erie county, P<^»»«>'1^=^'"=V" "'Jvf' AlARE^r 
 His family followed in the snc..eeding August, consisting of ™^ j!^^'^^'''^' 
 
 VINCENT WEHB VINCENT and BETH VINCENT. C. H. VINCENT 'l^^'l .''\I' «'""'" V A-i^cENT 
 
 Hi; sons are now leading merchants of this city, W.nn being one '^^"^ . ^'-l^^^,^.' .^l' 
 Meservev & CO., and Ringland. Meservkv & Vin<'Ent, while Beth is the jumo. pait 
 nerof Wheeler & Vincent. 
 
60 BIOGRAPHICAL SKKTCHES. 
 
 JOHN F. DUNCOMBE. ^ 
 
 Hon. J(JII.\ K. Diincomhe \v;is boni in Erie, P(>iiiisylv;uii;i, (k-tolxM' 22, 1831. He gnuluated 
 at the Allcyliany Collej^e, and iinmciliately thereafter attended Centre College, Danville, 
 Kentucky, from whicli he was also a graduate. He read law m p:rie with M.vksh.vll & 
 ViNCKNT, and having heen admitted, he practiced for a short time in his native city. He came 
 to Fort Dodge in 1855, and tliough young, at once occupied a leading position, not only at the bar 
 l)ut in political life. He opened his law offlce in the l)anking house of Hkn'N, Williams & Co. 
 -Neglecting to mention many incidents in the life of tliis gentleman, we find him in 1857 a caii- 
 diilate for rejiresentative against Ex-iJov. C. C. C.^rimcxteb. C.vupexteu obtained his seat. 
 We have our opinions as to the justice of his claim. In the year 1858, Mr. Duxcojir.E married 
 •■ MOLLIE Williams," a daughter of Major Williams, a young lady whom all regarded with 
 respect and an acknowledged social leader of female society in this section of the State. The 
 same year he was elected State Senator, where he rendered services to his constituents which 
 we feel well assured, will, after a time, be properly appreciated. Being one of the 
 editors of the Democratic journal published at the (!ai)ital <luring his term, and often at the 
 .state-house, we think we have abundant rea.son togive an opinioiL In 1860, Mr. Duncombe 
 was a candidate for Presideutial elector on the Brecken'biixj E ticket. In the year 18C.3, he 
 was a candidate for Lieutenant (iovernor on the sanje ticket with General Joel Tittle, a 
 "kangaroo" affair, which endured defeat. In one respect the gentleman has received a 
 acknowledgement. The Democratic party, to wliich he had always been attached, has twice 
 since nominated him for congress, and always for delegate to the State conventions ; has been 
 nonunated for .Judge of the Supreme Court ; has been elected to the legislature several times, 
 and though a party adverse to him in principle has been in power, where talent, sterling wortli 
 and intelligence have been required, his services have at times been called into re(iuisition. as 
 for instance, his unsought appointment as Regent of the State University. It nuiy be well 
 enough to state in this connection that Mr. Duncombe was a delegate to the National Demo- 
 cratii- convention which nominated Horace (iREELEY for tiic Presidency. He supported that 
 gentleman during the canvass, anil has since classed himself as an Independent. He has, in 
 fact, entirely withdrawn from political life— his large i)ractice at the bar and immense 
 coal mining interests, monopolizing his entire attention. Mr. Duncombe is. and 
 always has beeiu a most energetic man. He has had move to do with railroads tending 
 thither than any man in Iowa. If we had .space, we would give particulars not only in 
 this but other respects. Such men as .John F. Dun(;ombe are seldom appreciated until they 
 die. It is then that the people wonder why they or their fathers, did not honor them more. 
 
 Tlie foregoing is no i)roper biography of Mr. Duncombe. It could not be written in full in 
 so snuill a compass as this little work contains. We have given a few incidents occurring to our 
 niemorv, and which we have been able to otherwise obtauL 
 
 ^ 
 
 BENJAMIN GRAYSON. 
 
 Ben.tamin CrRAY.soN was born at Belmont, Lowdon county, Virginia, on the 27th day of 
 October, 18^3. After the usual rudimentary education ac<iuired in his native place, he placed 
 himself under the tuition of Professor Benedict, of the Washington Observatory, who assumed 
 the charge of ai)rivate class in the capital city. He completed his studies at the mathenuitical 
 school of Ben.iamin Hallowell, at Alexandria. Virginia, with the intention ultimately of 
 joining the coast survey, in which service he had obtained an appointment. Finding that a 
 class-mate would be pleased to accept his prospective position, he resigned in his favor. 
 During his studies, the feature of whicli liad been mathematical, it had been tlie 
 aim of Or.wsox to become acquainted witli civil engineering. After some service in the line 
 of his profession in the east, Major Bu('K1.in, chief engineer of the Hannibal & St. .lo. rail- 
 road in Missouri, made overtures to the gentleman to take charge of the western division of 
 that road. This position was accepted, and Mr. (Irayson attended to his duties 
 acceptaltly until the fall of 18.54. He then resigned and in casting about for a new Held of labor. 
 stoi)ped in Des Moines for the sp.ice of three months, opening a real estate ollice. Fort Dotlgc 
 began to attract much attention, and (Irayson dcterinin(>d to adopt this point as his home. He 
 arrived on the istli day of October, 18.5.5, and building an ollice commenced a very successful 
 career in matters connected with real estate. On the 27th day of October, 18.58, Mr. (Jrayson 
 was married to Miss Nannie S. Khodes, at St. Louis, Missouri. She was a daughter of Hilary 
 M. Khodes, a captain in the United States navy. Mr. Gray.son has since that time continued 
 in the real estate business and managed it with care •ind prudence, and is one of the few who 
 have anything left of the golden harvest succeeding the opening of the GoTcrnment land offlce 
 in this city. 
 
-f^ 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 61 
 
 CHARLES. B. RICHARDS. 
 
 Hon. Charles B. Richakds Avas born in Wairensburg, Warren connty, New Fork, on 
 the 13th day of Angu.st, 18.32. His father was Pelatiah Richards, a gentleman wlioni we 
 well knew in early life as President of the Glen's Falls Insnrance Company. Mr. Richard's 
 motlier was a Benkdict, of Albany. The name of the family is well known in the judical 
 annals of the State. 
 
 The subject of this sketch graduated at l/nion College, Schenectady, New York, and then 
 entered upon a course of study at the Polytechnic Institute, in Troy, the same State, after 
 which, he read law with Joshua A. Spencer, adistinguished attorney of Utica, New York. In 
 1854, Mr. Richards was admitted to practice in all the courts of law in that State. Soon after 
 this* he received a commission as Brigade Engineer of the 14th brigade, fourtli division of the 
 militia of the State. 
 
 .ludge Richards removed to Fort Dodge in the spring of 18.56, and as soon as elegible was 
 elected Prosecuting Attorney, and for a time was acting County Judge. We were in liis com- 
 pany upon the occasion of the Spirit Lake expedition, and we will bear witness to his gallantry 
 and kindness of heart. Judge Richards was then a man of marvelous powers of 
 endurance, and his thoughts seemed to be constantly upon the welfare of the men under his 
 command. His beai'ing upon the occasion spoken of, added in a great measure to his subse- 
 quent success and popularity. In June, 1857. he married Mary Olcott, daughter of L. M. 
 Olcott. In 1858 Governor Grimes appointed him Commissary General of the State ; Governor 
 Lowe subsequently re-commissioned him. He had charge of and disbursed the money to the 
 State troops on the northwestern frontier. 
 
 In 18(il. Judge Richards was ap|)ointed Register of the U. S. hind oftice, and his com- 
 mission was once renewed, but he resigned, so that he could exerci.se the duties of President of 
 the First National B-uik, to wliich position he was elected in 1867. 
 
 In 1865, the Judge becauie associated with Hon. John F. Buncombe in the develop- 
 ment and working of certain coal claims in Moingona, Boone county. These were afterwards 
 sohl. 
 
 Passing nuiny events in the life of this gentleman where he has exhibited remarkable 
 energy and business talent, we come to the well-known fact that in 1872, Judge Richards 
 became associated with Hon. John F. Duncomhk in the coal business ; that it is now one of 
 the most, if not tlir most successful company in the northwest, owning mines in this and 
 (iieene counties and other points. The pay-rolls of the company now amount to. i?l;),ooii per 
 month, their business as well as the value of their property is daily increasing. Taking in view 
 Judge Richards' prospects, and his success in the pastas a criterion, who can guess the 
 amount of his future accumulations. 
 
 DOCTOR NICHOLSON. ^^ 
 
 Doctor W. L. Nicholson was born in Tippcrary county, Ireland, in 1832. He came to this 
 continent at 1853. and landed in (Quebec, after which he went to Lewistown, New York, but not 
 meeting with, or caring for nuK^li success there, he wandered westward. In i,s.56. Rev. John 
 Vkhev's colony came here, and with it the Doctor. For a time he remained comparatively 
 unknown, and made part of his living with a flsliing rod and gun, with the use of both of which 
 he was an expert. We remember very well of his shooting one hundred and twenty-eight 
 l)rairie chickens during an afternoon on the west side of the Des Moines river. In the (HHirse of 
 the war. the Doctor went into the thirty-se('ond Iowa regiment. This was ni 1862. From first 
 Lieutenant he be(!aine regimental suigeou, and at the cIo.se of the "unpleas- 
 antness" was mustered out bearing tlie rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After coming home he 
 married Miss Anna J. Leonard. She died in the fall of 1874. Dr. Nicholson married Miss 
 Sarah L. Sherman in the fall of 1870. There is a pretty incident connected with this last 
 attair, wliich might well become the text of some writer of a novel. The Doctor now enjoys a 
 tine practice. 
 
 E. E. FRUSIA. 
 
 E. E. Prusia was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1835. He removed from thence to Des 
 Moines in 1849, and came to Fort Dodge in the fall of 1855. He opened a little slab shanty back 
 of Williams street, in the rear of Bkuce's office. The Arm name was then Prusia & 
 Klinedoh. The last named gentleman died in 1865, and Mr. Prusia married Miss Mary 
 A.COLWE L, of this place, in October, 1869. He is now one of the best established and 
 most reliable merchants of the city. 
 
62 ^ . BIOORAPUICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 DR. S. B. OLNEY. "^ 
 
 Du. S. H. Oi.NKV w;is lidiii ill thf town of Morraii. Sarato.ua coiinty, N(!\v York, and from 
 tlieiioe iciiiovcd to Wood county, Oliio. wlicii hut twelve years old. He l)et;au the study of 
 uu'diciiie in 1S44, and coiiinieneed its practice in the sjiriiif;' of 1847. He has devoted his entire 
 attention to iiis profession ever since. The Doctor came to Fort l)od;j;e on the 1st of Api'il. is".."), 
 and occupied one of the buildings between the old Wuhkoiisaand the residence of Major Wii,- 
 Li.VMs. ou the north side of Williams street. Dr. Olxky always seemed to have a good ))rac- 
 tice. On tlie Kith day of April, 18(>2. he received an itppoiutnienl as Surgeon of theTliirty- 
 .second ii'fiimeiit, Iowa Infantry volunteers, and having become sick in the service, retired 
 from it on the last of .lanuary, I8(i4, and coming home resumed practice as a physician. Dr. 
 Or.NKv'.s i>ractice is of the hoin(i;p:ithic school. In m itt-rs of religion he is an K|)isc()palian ; 
 i.s a Mason— aniemher of Ashlar lodge, and has been Worthy Master twelve out of the nine- 
 teen years since it was chartered ; is a member of Delta (.;hai)ter of Koyal Arch Masons, and of 
 Calvary Commandery No. •2-1 of Knight Temphirs. Dr. Olxkv has never sought or held a 
 l)i>litical ollice, with the exception of scliool iljicclor. 
 
 MIRAM KEEPER 
 
 MiKAM Kkefek was born in Coeymans, Albany county. New York, in the year 1SU4. lu 
 early life he was apprenticed to a carpenter and joiner at Albany. As soon as he had learned 
 his trade, he commenced his business life as a contractor. Pursuing that line of business for 
 some years, he at last became uneasy with the monotony of eastern life and concluded to 
 accept HoKACE GuEEi.EY'.s advice and "gowe.st." rite first moved to McHenry county, Illi- 
 noi.s, 1856 ; but Illinois was too far east for the subject of this sketch, and be came to Webster 
 county, in April, 1858. He then engaged in the lumber business, and formed one of the firm of 
 Ulaxdex, Noutox & Co. About one year since, IMr. Keefkk parted with his interest in the 
 concern. His connection '.vith the establishnieiir was (luite protiLable, and he is now supposed 
 tK) be in easy circuiuslances. 
 
 Mr. IvEEEEK, since his residence here, has tilled various public p,)sitions, such as member of 
 the council, school board, etc. He is a Knickkkhockkr, and consetiuently no ottice-seeker ; 
 simply a business man, and as such, so far in his life, has proved quite successful. 
 
 f-> G. V. PArrERSON. 
 
 C. V. I'A'rTKUsox was born in D.itchess coiuKy, N.jw York, on Fi-ilikill I'iaiin, in 1821, 
 and came to this city in 1855. He was a builder by trade, and iollo.viiu sucii occupation, con- 
 structed some of our first impartant public structures, such as the old brick school-house on 
 Locust street. \Vhen the St. Charles hotel was put uii in 1857, he was the architect. For a time 
 he kept a restaurant. At one period he was dei)uty sheritf. He is a good auctioneer, and keeps 
 one of the bes' public houses in northwestern Iowa. 
 
 ^HON. L. M. OLOOTT. 
 
 L. M. Oi.co-rT was born in lio(ddiigliaiii, Windham county, Vermont, ill the year 1812. In 
 185(5, he moved to Fort Dodge, and engaged in tlie real estate business. In 18t>2 was County 
 Judge of Webster county, which position he belli until 18(>4. Judge Oi.cdTi' has since filled 
 many honovable iiositions in the cit\' and county. 
 
 R. P. FURLONG, k 
 
 H. P. FuuLoxc; was born in Jetterson, Lincoln county, Maine, on the 4tli da\ of 
 January, 1828, and came to Fort Dodge in 18.55. He ILrst engaged in the business of farming, but 
 is now a niei(diant. He is imrsuing business in a store facing the i)uldic square. 
 
 J. SWAIN. 
 
 J. Sw.MX was born ill New Hampshire, in ISKi, Hud moved from that place to Livingston 
 county, New York, during the year 1818. He c;ime to Fort Dodge in 1858, and has been engaged 
 in mercantile ))nrsuits since. 
 
BWdRAPHlCAL SKETCHES. 63 
 
 CHARLES CLARKE SMELTZER. 
 
 Hon. Chabi>es Clarke Smeltzek was born in Loiulon county. Virginia, on the 29th of 
 January. 1837. Wlien lie was quite young tlie family moved in Fredericks county, Maryland. 
 He worked on a farm and at intervals attended sehool until his father sold the place and moved 
 to Middletovvn, the same State. Here Mr. Smeltzeu pursued a more regular course of study 
 and entered Dickinson College, Carlisle. Pennsylvania, :\.s a soplimore, though he flnaUy grad- 
 uated at Union, Schenectady. New York. He then took a course in the law department of the 
 same institution. After spending some time in the office of (iov. I.owe. of Frederick City, 
 Maryland, he came west. For a short time he settled in (Jalena. Illuiois. from thence went to 
 Dickinson county about the time of the Spirit Lake massacre. Finally he moved to Clay 
 county, where he became County Judge, hut soon after resigned. In 1861 he was elected to the 
 legislature. It was during his term that the Indian disturbances took place, better known as 
 the New Ulm masjacre, in Minnesota, about seventy miles frnui the line. Smeltzkr was very 
 active in getting troops stationed in the northwestern counties to protect the inhabitants. He 
 engaged in mercantile pursuits in 1SC2. m this city, and retained such interest about two years, 
 still having an office on Williams street, Xew York, an 1 o;)e;ating in mining and other stocks. 
 In 1865 he built a uuui')er of l)usin('« houses in this city, and WIS on'M)f the incorporators of 
 the First National bank, of which he was for a lon^ tim;^ Vice President. He was a member of 
 the Board of Sui)ervisors from Wahkonsa township a few years ago ; a candidate for Circuir 
 Judge, and subseciuently for Congress against Hon. Jacksox Ork. Mr. S^meltzer is now 
 engaged in the practice of law and in real estate matters. 
 
 V 
 
 DANIEL W. PRINDLE. 
 
 Daniel W. Prindle was l)orn in Sandgate, IJcnnington County. Vermont. Mnrch ^oth, 
 1834. His father, Desmond Prinole, was several times a member of the Vermont legi.sla- 
 ture. and a gentleman intimately identified with the iiolitical and business interests of his 
 locality for many years. His mother was a daughter of Dr. TircKKU, a pliysician of much note 
 in hs l(»?ality and time. Tlie sub.iect of this sketch grarlu-ite<l at Washington Academy, Salem. 
 Washington county. New York, in 18.52, when he ac^cepted a business situation witli an uncle 
 in New York City, where he removed f(U' two years, when he emigrated to Iowa, coming to Fort 
 Dodge in ^)ecember, 1854, and engaged in business of different kinds luitil January, 18.57, when 
 he married Lucy M. Hurd, of his own native i)lace and removed upon his farm four miles from 
 Fort Dodge, and for several years engaged in farming and stock raising. He remover! to Fort 
 J)o(lge in 1874, and engaged in the giain business as the successor of Col. L. Blanden. 
 
 WM. N. MESERVEY. ^^ 
 
 Hon. Wm. N. Me.servey was one of the first settlers of this section of Iowa. He was 
 born in Dearborn county, Indiana, in 1820, and after the usual course of studies pursued by 
 gentlemen of his i)rofession, was admitted to practice law in 1843. He afterwards removed to 
 De Witt county, Illinois, where he ac(iuired a prominent position. In 1853 he came to this 
 county and settled in Homer. His family followed the next year. He succeeded Pierce as 
 County Judge and filled that position when the county seat was removed to Fort Dodge by 
 means of his decision. He soon after followed the county seat, and has lived here 
 ever since. There has scarcely been a public enterprise in the county with which 
 he has not been connected. All men of ability have enemies as well as friends. The people 
 have freciuently expressed their appreciation of the gentleman in a manner quite honorable to 
 him. 
 
 THOMAS SARGENT. ^ 
 
 Thomas Saruent was born in Lewisburg. Pennsylvania, July 19th, 1819, and removed to 
 Fort Dodge in the summer of 1855, where he succeeded Ceneral Van Antwerp as Keceiver of 
 the government land oflice, receiving his appointment in the summer of 1857, and held that 
 l)osition until September, I8<;i. He has been several times elected Supervisor, 
 has been a land agent and has charge of the real estate of the Dubuque & Sioux City rail- 
 road company and Iowa Homestead company. He was appointed to the latter iiosition in 1864, 
 and the forni"r in 1874. i\Ir. SAR<ip;NT has been one of our oldest and most reliable business 
 men. 
 
64 lilOGHAl'HICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 SAMUEL REES. 
 
 Hon. Samuki. Keks. was born on tlie Ttli of Novcnihcr, Ihit, in llaniilton county, Ohio. 
 When twHvc years old lie worked on a farm, and afterwards clerked in a store mitil in 
 1S.T2, after llie house lie had been with failed, he alternately read law, tannlit school and 
 boated on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. In May. lx.")4. he started for California, but believiii}; 
 when he reachetl l)es Moines that a good chance i)reseiited itself, he opened business as a land 
 a^ent. While there, the land district was divided, and he iniinediately e.anie to Kort Dodge and 
 opened an oflice. His residence dates from Sei)tember or October, IS.W. He was elected Comity 
 JudKC in iH.'iT, and in IRW, to the (Jeneral Assembly. In isiiT he was an independent candidate 
 for the Assembly from the counties of Webster, Calhomi, Toeahontas and Hiiniboldt, and again 
 elected. .Iiidge Ukks was again returned to the legislature in ix;.''>, and the next year became the 
 Democratic- candidate for congress in this district, when he was, of course, defeated by the Hon. 
 Adih.son Ollivkk. althouL'h he made a strong run at home. The Judge is a member of the 
 Presbyterian ehureh, a Free and accepted Mason and a Kniglit lemplar. 
 
 ISAAC YOUNG. 
 
 Hon. Isaac Youn<; was born in Warren county. New Jersey, in the year t8;W. He was ;; 
 founderyman by trade, and conducted that business twenty-one years in the county of his 
 nativitv. In 1S52 he moved to the City of Sandusky, Ohio. He eame to Black Hawk county, 
 Iowa, ill IS.")? and from th 'iice to this county in the fall of 1K5H, where he stopp 'd for a short time. 
 Levi Young had preceded the family, and i)re-empted a ((uarter section of land on Deer creek, 
 about nine miles from thi-! city. To this the family repaired, consisting of Isaac Young, his 
 wife, M. Young, L. L. Young, K. C. Y'' >iing, W. C. Y'oung and Levi Y'oung, who died in the 
 military service in isijt. Hon. Isaac Young had l)een assistant revenue collector and for a num- 
 ber of years County Judge of this county. He died October 6th, 1875, aged seventy years. 
 
 ALBERT MORRLSON. 
 
 Alkf.kt MoKiiisoN was born in Biltimore, (Irafton county. New IIaini)shire, in the year 
 1818. Hi- studies during youth were mainly of tiie mathematical onler, and he became a iiro- 
 fessional civil engineer. In is.'):?, he procured a position on the survey of the Marietta & Cin- 
 cinnati railroad, and held suirli i)osition until the road was coiu))leted. He then came to Fort 
 Dodge ill the sunim -r of 18.5") and oi>ened a land-location otli(!e, nearly o|)p )site the old Wah- 
 konsa hotel, east of \ M. Dawley's store. For several years Mr. Morrison was Coiiiity Sur- 
 veyor, Superintendent of Schools, and rauk'd well among the lordh/ land agents. When times 
 becani" dull, Mr. .Morrison returned to Ohio, wliere he did very well, but .somehow conceiving 
 t!iat there was soni:' of the "golden fleece " still left at Fort Do.lge, he returned in ISfiJ, and has 
 resided here ever since. 
 
 ISAAC G.\RM()E. ^' 
 
 Isaac (Jaumok was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, A. D. 18ii7, and moved to Iowa 
 in 1847. He came to Webster county in 18.5t. and married tlie widow, Mrs. Johnson, heretofore 
 spoken of in the sketch of the life of Henkv Lott, as Mrs. Gakmok. In IHiJi, Mr. (Jakmok 
 w:us elected Treasurer and Recorder. He served in that capacity four years, and then engaged 
 in the dry-goods business. Since then he has been a real estate agent, and is now in that 
 business 
 
 K JOHN HAIRE. 
 
 John Haikk was hovii in Ireland, and emigrated to the I'nited States in isis. He came to 
 F M-t Dodge in I8."i« ,iiid established a grocery near tin- public square, where for many years In- 
 did a thriving business. He was, and is, well known throughout the county. He still resides in 
 thiscity,an(i is, as then, a merchant. Though we have been absent many years, most of the time 
 III the liocky mountains, our recollection of the gentliMii i i and his business is ([iiite distinct. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 65 
 
 CHRISTOPHER ARNOLD. *^ 
 
 tHKi.-iiii n)i; AnKdLD is (if nudiiiiii statiiie, idluist fijuue. and liealtliy oilmmimn. IU- 
 .stands lixc l(cl Mi;d ttn liuLts in liis Icots. ; iid wci^LMw o liiu.dif d aiid l\\ i iii \ iMninds. is 
 lallier lliick, .-ft. lias;, gccd n.iiKCiilar activity, and a strong lease on life. Willi u mniive 
 Im ] (i; 11 I 111 i<i((. villi ^iii'l, n (nti-l. l.e is ii : 1 h d lo f ;,l,t m o (.>;-Iii))y il.i i aiilc ..r life 
 I'tw iim all 11 i.u dilifedit or (cni^isl^nt. \Vitl,( iit ostf ntalioiis sl.cw orsni;t]ficial liaii.T\. he 
 j;iies taliiih at wliait ver lie lias to do, tiid dues it as tlionjjh 1 nt one of tlie oidinaiv iiicidrnts 
 (if life. lit j;,sd;ik lair tiij;(d wiili .tiay. lull. i( i i.d kaUiH s, high foieln :.d. ;iiid lar.ne, 
 t<_ vjjli and ;.cli\ !■ biriii. 11iuiii;h ll.e i eu ( i.1i\ c fai ulli( s he i.s uialded to give ai a -h:ii< i- ili;it 
 Viaetical luiowlfdge that olheis niifjht ii i.iiiie a Icng coni.'-e of itat-on and .•-tndy h> iiill\ .-.im- 
 luelund. He i.^ fiim, l.nt not i^liiLl oiii. (< n 1 alive tnly in deft nee of right, .social, yn nsc r\,'d, 
 (iinily attached to friends, gfr.eioiis in his inleixonrse with nun. liltial in his vieu.- iJiid i.mev- 
 (iltnt, inilhiiil ; nd faiidtaling in his bnsiness and social life. 
 
 t t HKr.-'iiiini'K Ae:nold is a native of the city of Nitdciiihall, AViirtt.nilii i'j.*i;*-riiiaiiy, 
 w here he A\ as 1 oin Febniary ^411i. 1812. He sptnt several yeais at school in his nauvr,ii\ . ;iiid 
 giadiiated in is-lf. tu ni Latin Gynasiiniiin, Tngelfingen, AViiiteniherg. 
 
 ^ In is^s he .was ai lonited Chief of T'olice of the city of Esglingcn, ore of tlie old in iiu-s, 
 
 \vliich at that time (cn'lained over fifteen thonsand inhabitants, \\liich position hc-iilUd with 
 sati sfaction to the given n.uit rintil tlie treaking out of th.e revolution in 1853, win n lii,« liiM ral 
 views not being in haiii.ony with those of AVilt^iam, the King, hecoireluded "'discieiii'ii ilo- Ui-t- 
 jer luirt of valo)-," ;i;d obtaining ijassj.orts "for a fiieiid," bid his iijxtive count r\ adim. mul 
 alter .'•iinidiiig sen, e i;n:e in i-\viti:crhu:d and P'lance, he sailed for America, landing m ,\'e\v 
 York ill Ihe lail of lf,'4. funi tleie lie ^\ tut to Erie, Puinsylvania, engaged in Imimiu ss and 
 sub.-i iiv.i nth SI nt for his wife and two children, who joined him in 18.55. TlrepmiHTiy lie had 
 aitiniitd in (liimany having betn ccnflscatcd. he had to ccnm.ence new in tbf '\\'rsu-rn 
 "World, aid liiiding 1 i,-ii:(ss oveidi lie at Erie, he c( iiclui id to seek his fortune on iln- fnijiiier, 
 ■-IS this jioi I ion of 1<\\ a was thill called. In the siiiiiig of h^'.'JT he came to Fort Dod;:'-. i-arryliig 
 all his worldly 1 o>.-i >>i(ir.s ill a small satcliel. Hut he still had energy left, and buiicivv ing a 
 stove he ciniiid lie fiist taller shop in FoitDidge in a small room oir Wllliani- .-ii'-i'l. iie- 
 twei 11 S( i I nd Mid '1 bird, ar.d as j-con as he tonid save money enough, so to do, hi' scui fdi- hi.s 
 wife ; lid liiili- « IMS. Ill" is."9 Mr. Abxoi.I) was elected Town Clerk of Wahkonsa i>.<Mis|iip. 
 since svliirh lime he has held many important positions of honor ana trust, in ibc riiy and 
 tdwii^hip. and has been connected with the School Board (a position he is emineiiily 'inaliiied 
 Id till) since the organization of tlie city district. In the fall of ]86.'>, he iiurchascd ■■i' .Messrs. 
 ]\I(ir,(AN .V i;i< II UM'S ib.e mill piopeily he now owns, just north of the railroad i>iidi;c>. :iiid 
 snbsciiiiiiiily Imilt a dam aciossthe river, at a cost of .^10,000. The floods liav '■ iiijuicd liis 
 (!; in. and iln- laige goiges of ice have crushed out portions, but Sir. Arnold not Uinivving the 
 n.ia.iDiig nt ilie woid fail, lias "put his shoulder to the wheel " without calling on Il-'iciilcs for 
 help, ami lias i<-|iaiitd his mill and dam from the ravages of ice and floods, ha\ in- >i>cni fur 
 this i:iiiii(i.-c aldiic. during llie jiast ten years over .■;';tt,()(.0. He now has one i.i iiici"-st 
 furnished mills in iioithwesteru Iowa, with all the modern improvements. Mr. .\ i;nmi.iis 
 energy and pci.-c\ei aiice have not alone been ex)ien(led on his mill. Twice has ilic liic lb ml 
 destroyed his Idoi-k .it the corner of Market and Fourth streets, yet to-day he has mh,- ,.r iin' 
 tiiiest l>rick blocks in I he city, where only fdiir months ago lay a mass of smoi.lderiii.L iiiin<. 
 
 --- ISRAEL JENKLNS. 
 
 IsuAKr. .Tkn KINS was born in Falls township, Bucks county, Pemisylvauia. -m iiic i,;rli 
 of Februar\-. isTj. He learned the carpenter's trade and became a contractor. His s..ii. .hin .\ 
 S. .iKNKiNs. preceded him in his residence, and was well known as a land agent wlon i h. -nh- 
 ject of this sketch came to Fort Dodge. We were in the stage with ^Mr. Jknk i v.. v\ ii..n he 
 came to the cil\-. It was in March, 18.")7. He has resided here ever since. 
 
 0. RAjSK. 
 
 Ch-VKi.ks li.vNK was born ill Wiirtemlierg. (lermaiiy, A. I). l8'-'8. He emigiaien i.. ili<- 
 
 United States in l.s.'ii.'. and stonped for some years in Crawford county, Ohio. In ls..i; In- <■-., lo 
 
 Fort Dodge and opened a liakery. and continued in that business four years. I'm- i In- |i:,st 
 
 twelve years he has been engaged in the mercantile business in his present locali' n .Market 
 
 street, in this city. 
 
66 BlOi^RAPHICAL SKETCHES, 
 
 ■^ HENRY BURKHOLDER. 
 
 Hkvhv HiaKHdi.DKit was liorn in I/iiu-aster enmity, roiiiisylvania, in tlic year iw)". In 
 early life lu- was a clntliicr. In tlir year ls43 lie icniovcu lo lu-nluii, Holnifs county. Ohio, 
 whiM-c lie was enga.ncd in nicieantilf imrsiiits. Tlie family moved to this city in tliu spiini; of 
 ls.'>(;. It consisted of Henry lUukliolder, his wile, .1. Davis IJurkholder, Susan E.. wife of ex- 
 Covernor Carpenter ; Saruli M., wliom we knew as "•Tillie,"— siie married U. E. Carpenter, and 
 lias since died ; Wni. E. HurkhoUler, who lost his lift,' in the S|)irit Lake expedition, of March 
 lt<.'>7 : Barton Burkholder, killed at the battle of Winchester, \'ir>;inia, September 18(H ; Walter 
 I'.uikholder, now a inereliant in Fort Dodge ; Arthur lUirkholder, Clerk in the Tre;usury depart- 
 ment at Washinj^ton. Mr. lUirkholder has always been a useful citizen and though manyof the 
 family died young, they lived long enough, each and every one, to command the respect of a 
 large circle of friends and ac(iiiaintaiices. 
 
 A curious circumstance may lie related of (uic of the family. Wm. E. Hurkholder. He was a 
 candidate for Treasurer and liecoider at the time he voluiiieered in one of the companies under 
 ]Major Williams, to go to Spirit Lake. He was elected after he had died. We w^ere quite inti- 
 mate with him— he was a brave and gallant gentleman. Henry IJurkholder still lives in the 
 city and is a merchant. 
 
 A . M. DA\VLEY\ 
 
 A. M. Dawlkv w.n born on the liUli day of March. 18*1. at Chilicotlie. Ko.ss county, 
 Ohio. He afterwards removed to Lasalle. Illinois, and read law. In February is."), he married 
 Miss Ella Parker of Dexter, Maine, and moved to Fort Dodge on the 7th day of April followng. 
 Mr. Dawley wa.s the lir.st .D-stice of the Peace in the lowiishi)). He opened a store in the build- 
 ing where Hailstock's barber shop now is, in June 185"). 'Plie building is the first brick business 
 house Iniiltin town. In l.s.")i; he bought out Wilson & McHaiie's interest in the store room on 
 Williams street and moved into it. It is nearly opposite the Walikonsa. Dawley had a very fine 
 store. In the fall of l^.jT he s(dil out and following the natural bent of his nature read law. He 
 subsefiuently became llegister :'f the (lovernment land ollice which position he filled in 18G9 and 
 ls7;i. He occupied a large farm three miles north of town and cultivated it for a time. Mr. 
 Dawley has recently been admitted to practice at the liar, and will devote his time and talent in 
 the furnre to its pracljce, 
 
 DAVID rE.SSLEK. 
 
 D.wii> Fesslf.r was born in the Province of P.adeii. (iermany, A. 1). 18;w, and emigrated to 
 the city of New York in l«.j2. He came to this State and .settled in the city of Des Moines 
 in is.i.'j. After doing business in that city about three years, he moved to Fort Dodge in isriS, 
 and engaged in the clothing trade in the land-otlice building on Williams street, occupying a 
 room about twelve by fourteen feet. Six months later he moved to a building near wliere the 
 court-house stands, owned by HKMtv l.LKKKOLDKK. During the year I8jr), he purchased a 
 frame building and did business in it until 1S7-J, when lie erected his present brick store. Mr. 
 Fesslkii is one of oui' well-established fortunate merchants. 
 
 .; p. R. BALDWIN. 
 
 p. II. Baldwin was b irn at West Liberty, Logan county. Ohio. In youth he learned the 
 trade of .saddle and harness maker. He came to this city in is")?, and opened his shop in the 
 old commissary building on Williams street. He continued in such business until 18fil. He 
 thwi entered the military service, in which he continued three years. After his term of service 
 had expired he returned, and in 1870 he entered into the business of selling agricultural iinide*- 
 inents, being agent for the McC'ormick reapers. He does a general business in the agrii iiltural 
 miilement line, and his place is on the west side of the public s(iuaro. 
 
 f-, GEORGE S. RINGLAND. 
 
 (iKOHfiK S. Kix<:i.ANii was born in Pennsylvania, and coming to Fort Dodge in ISof), 
 opened a land-location ollice. He is the senior partner of the lirm of Eixclaxh. Vixcknt & 
 .Mkskkvkv. who own the i)Iaster-mill near this city. It is generally known as the "gypsum 
 mill." and is the only establishment of the kind in the State. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 67 
 
 GEORGE B. SHERMAN. ^-^ 
 
 Geoki;e B. Sherman was born in Sandgate, Bennington courty, Vermont, January 7tii, 
 18.33. He lived upon a farm until sixteen years of age. From 1848 to 1850 he attended school at 
 the Troy Conference Academy. He entered Bethamy College, Betliamy, Virginia, in 1852, and 
 graduated July 4lh, 1854. He came to Fort Dodge in October, 1854, returned home to Vermont 
 and came to Fort Dodge with the intent of making it his permanent residence in April, 1855. 
 His first employment was as clerk in Major William Williams store. He contuiued in tliis 
 employment about three months and in September, 1855, erected the first store-room in Fort 
 Dodge after the town was laid out, going into the timber to cut the logs with which tlie lumber 
 and shingles were made. In December. 1855, he became connected witli N. B. Alorrison in 
 Inisiness and under the firm name of Sherman & Morrison sold goods until some time in the 
 month of December, 18.57. From 18G3 until isno, Mr. Sherman occupied a clerl<ship in the 
 Treasury Departnient at Washington. Meanwhile Mr. Sherman studied law at the Columbia 
 law college, Washington, and was admitted to practice in the courts of the District of 
 Columbia. Mr. Sherman returned to Fort Dodge in tlie fall of 1869 and became a partner of M. 
 I). O'Coiuiell in the practice, the linn name being O'Connell & Sherman. In 1871 he was 
 elected Mayor of the city and served one term. The conlinement of office life did not agree 
 with Mr. Slier. nan. and he accepted an apiiohitmeiit as route agent in the postal service in 
 December, 1872. His duties were performetl between tliis place and Sioux City. In the fall of 
 1876, he was elected Justice of tlie Feace, and is now filling tlie duties appertaining to that 
 office. 
 
 JAMES B. WILLIAMS. ^ 
 
 James B. Willams was born May lltli, 1837, in Blair county, Pennsylvania. He came to 
 Fort I)^)dge with his father. Major Williams, on the 4th of February, 1850. For some time 
 anterior to tliis. Mr. Wi'liams had lived in Muscatine. Wlieu his father received the appoint- 
 ment of Sutler, Mr. Williams tended the store and assisted m the transaction of tlie business. 
 He afterwards became connected witli Jno. Lenip in business and had a store on Williams 
 street. His father was postmaster, and tlie office was kept in the rear of the building, in 
 1800 Mr. Williams retired from the mercantile business. When the war broke out he took an 
 active part, and in August, 1862, joined Company " I,"' Thirty-second Iowa Infantry Volun- 
 teers. He remained with his company and regiment until discharged, performing his duties 
 faithfully. In 1863 Mr, Williams was married to Annie R. Marshall, of tliis city. For several 
 years past lie has liad a desk in tlie Auditor ".s office in the court-house, where he has been 
 engaged in the land and loan business, making abstracts of title, etc. We have known Mr. 
 Williams about twenty one years. He is one of the friends of our youth whom we shall not be 
 apt to forget. 
 
 JACOB KIROHNER. 
 
 Christian Kikchner came to Clay county, in this State, in the .spring of 18.59. His family 
 consisted of eleven cliildren. The following named members of the family resided with liiiii 
 ui)on a claim made by him where is now the town of Peterson, in Clay county : J. A. Kirchner, 
 .lacob Kindiuer, C. KircliU'^r, Jr , Philip Kirchner, William Kirchner, Mary Kirchner, Barbaiy 
 Kirchner, Lottie Kirchner, Lena Kirchner, and Julia Kirchner. They were visited by Ink-a- 
 pa-do-tah's band in the fall of 1856. On their return they pinned a juece of a percu.ssion cap- 
 box upon Jacob Kirchner's breast, and made as though they were firing at him. He laughed at 
 them and the Indians ceased firing, calling him "brave sinokemin." He was a mere 
 boy at the time. They roblied the house of nearly all it cj'.itained and the Kirchners had a 
 liard time to get through the winter. In 1807 Jacob Kirchn'T-r and C. Kirchner came to this city 
 to reside. Jacob Kircliner first engaged in the sash and blind business. In Marcii, 1875, he 
 tx)ok possession of the steam mill where he is now doing bunness, and has run it ever since. He 
 is reckoned as one of our substantial business mm. 
 
 ;< 
 
 JOHN GARAGHTY. 
 
 John Gakaghty was born in Lancaster, Ohio, April 23d, 1813, He read law with W. H. 
 Hunter. Esq., of the same city, and afterwards became his ])artner. After the organization of 
 Lancaster as a city, he became tlie first Mayor. This was in 1853. At the close of liis term of 
 office he came to Fort Dodge. This was in May. 18,55, He built a log cabin and the next year 
 put up the first brick residence that was erected in the city. Mr. Garaghty has been engaged 
 in the ])ractice of law since he came to this city, and we are quite sure enjoys to a great degree 
 the public confidence. 
 
68 liioaiiAPHicAL SKET( nt:s. 
 
 X 
 
 ERASTUS GOULD MOKGAN. 
 
 J'^KAsTi's (i. MoiuiAX is the oldest sou of Joliii ('. Jloijiiin, deceased, wlio was tlie son of 
 Krastiis, \\li() was tlie sou of Titus, wiu) was tlie sou of Joseiili, who was tlu' sou of Natliauii'l, 
 wlio was the sou of Mih's, wlu) euiijiiated from "Wales iii Ki.'iii aud settled iu Sidiuylield, Massa- 
 chusetts. Erastus 11. was horu iu Naples , Oulaiio ciruty. !N( w York. .lauuaiy 31, 11^29, studied 
 base hall at the district school aud graduated w itlmut a diaph uia at IJushei ville Acadeuiy, iu 
 1850; was clerk iu a store uutil March, H-t'o, whcu lie ( uiigiated to Iowa iiiul settled at Fort 
 Dodge, ou the 2'Jth day of A|)ril, the sauie year. After huildiug the fust brick house erected 
 iu the towu. he eutered th(> ollice of (ieueral Veri)lauk Vau Autwfr)). theu Iteeeiver of iiublic 
 uuinies at Koi't Dodge, as a clerk, which positiou he occupied uutil tlie fall of is'iT, wlieu he was 
 elected Treasurer aud l{ec(U-(lei' of Webster couuty, aud suliseiiueiitly re-elected iu 1859. Iu 
 IHU'.', he, iu couuectiou with Hou. Chas. K. Kichards erected the liouiiiig mill uow owued by C. 
 Arnold. In iwa; he was elected cashier of the First National Bank of Fort Dodge, which 
 liositiou he lillod uutil 187ii. He was uuirried Kovtniber istli, iH.oT. to Miss Ilaiiuah "Wilder, of 
 Bristol. Xew York. They have a family of five childreu. Mr. Morgan's first literary production, 
 "The (.'eutennial History of Webster County," was written at the request of the couiiuittee, to 
 be read at the celebration held iu Fon Dodge July Fourth, lS7(i. The time allotted him for the 
 j)urpose of gathering facts necessary for the production of a work worthy to be calh'd a histiir\', 
 was short, aud he wrote hastily expecting to sulis(i|Uciitly levise the matter foi- publication. 
 Sickness and other causes deterred him frciii so thiiiig ar.d the reader now lias in the foiegoing 
 historical sketch of Webster county the tirst effort of ouc who we 1 elie\e would, witli piactice, 
 l»atienei' and pei severance, become a historian. 
 
 ANGUS McBANE. 
 
 A>h;is MrB.\XK was born iu Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1828. When about twenty-one 
 years of age he emigrated to California, where he staid about four years aud was nuite success- 
 fid. He then came to Fort Dodge in the year 18.'j5, and estaldishcd a bank i.uder the liim name 
 aud style of Wilsons. JMcBaue «S; Co. It is juoba bU' that l\lr. McBar.e is the only oue who know s 
 how much capital he had when he came to this city. We have heard it variously estiiiiated 
 at from .■tJbo.iKio to •'!?2O,0i.o. We know that for a time he made money very fast. After continuing 
 iu iiartnership with the Wilsons for about three years. Mr. ilcBaue became a partner of ANallaee 
 Marlatt. For the last eight years Mr. McBaue has litcu a partner of Wm. Grant as a banker 
 on Market street. His wealth is vari(uisly estimalcd at fioiu .'^K^d.ico to 81C0,fct0. 
 
 J A RED FULLER. 
 
 J.MtKi) Fi'i.LKK, Esq., was b(un ill Colchester, Delaware county. New Y(uk. August KJtii, 
 1821. He came this county in 18.57. During the war he attached himself to Captain Kingland's 
 company of the Thirty-second Iowa, and served nearly three years. Aft<'r his discharge and 
 return home he i)urchased a farm in I'leasant A'alley township, and comiiu need faimiug. In 
 18(">:'>, he was elected County Tieasurer, aud tilled the ollice two years. Iu ls74 he was eleetrd 
 Couiitv Itccorder. aud was rc-ch'cted iu the fall of ls7ii. 
 
 ~^ 
 
 .JONATHAN HUTCHISON. 
 
 "Ma.iou .loxATiiAN HirciiisoN was born in Wayne county, Ohio, on tiie l!tth dayof .luue. 
 1871, aud came to Fort Dodge iu 1854. II e ii.oved hcie with the intuit of niakiug it his home in 
 18.58. In .Vugust, 18(i2, he went into the army as Captain of Comii.-iuy " I." Thirty-sccdud Iowa. 
 He remained in the service three years. He was clcctfd County Treasurer iu October, I8r.7, 
 and has tilled the ollice ever .since. 
 
 JACOB CROUSE. 
 
 .lAcor. CuoisK was horn iu Siu'ry county North Carolina. 1S24. He was a fanner from his 
 youth. Mr. Crouse came to Webster county iu 18.53, and settled near the moutli of Boone river. 
 Hamilton aud Webster had not theu been divided. He moved in 18(;,3 on his farm on Brushey. 
 lie I rsides now live miles riiia' town on Ilolidav creek. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 69 
 
 GEO. W. BRIZEE. 
 
 Geo. W. Brizke whs born at Catskill, Greene County, New York. Being iinmaiTied, we 
 believe we will not give the date. We attended a select school, kept by K. L. Koss, for many 
 years in our native town ; then attended an academy in Salem, Washington county, and Ball 
 seminary, in Hoosic Falls, kept by 11. L. Lord, son of President Lord, of Dartmouth College. 
 We looked at William^town College, Massachusetts, and afterwards at Union, Schenectady. 
 Neither President INIark Hopkins of the former, or Dr. Nott of the latter admired us, and the 
 tutors were equally perverse ! We were admitted to practice law first in all the courts of New 
 York, then to the Supreme Court of Vermont; next to all the courts of Illinois; then to the 
 United States District and Circuit Courts, and was admitted at Fort Dodge in 1857. We had 
 been here most of the time for a year and a half previously, In March, 1859. we started for 
 Colorado and did well, but got rid of our means before we left. Daring the war we were in an 
 Iowa regiment rtrst— after in the Forty-third Missouri. We are not ashamed of our record in 
 that regiment. Since the war we have been to the Colorado mines three times, and always nuvde 
 money, but money and ourself never could keep company long. We were never mercenary— 
 always charitable ! We have been connected as contributor, correspondent or editor of the 
 following journals : Vermont Gazette, Bennington Vermont ; Chicago Post, (partner with R. P. 
 Hamilton, grandson of Alex. Hamilton.) Fort Dodge Sentinel, (editor at intervals for two years, 
 A. S. White, proprietor,) Chicago Tim:^, Dis Moines Tiineti, a.ssistant editor ; Dailfj Neim, St. 
 Joseph. Missouri— editor in chief. 18iii ; New York World, correspondent from Colorado ; Sun- 
 day HciaM, Troy, New Y'ork, editor; Whitehall Times, New York, 1808, editor; Saturday 
 Bulletin, Troy, 1869, editor ; Peru Sentinel, Indiana, 1873, assistant editor ; La Porte Chroniele, 
 Indiana, 1874, assistant editor ; Peru DaHij Tim>', Peru, Indiana, 1875, editor in chief. 
 
 CHARLES E. DENNLSON. 
 
 Charles E. Dexxison was born in Cold Spring. .Tefterson county, Wisconsin, on the 
 7th day of December, A. D. 18.50. Was a farmer's boy until thirteen years of age. Latest 
 occupation has been in connection with " The Cenennial History of Webster County." 
 
SPIRIT LAKE EXPEDITION. 
 
 Wk had lifcii ill Fort Dculfje Ix'l'ori', and wore pretty well acciuaiiited when we arrived at 
 tlie Wahlvdiisa House about tlie uiithUe of Marcli, 1857. There was a terrific exeitement. The 
 Indians liad lieeii Uilliuji whites in the vicinity of Sjiirit Lal<e. A ineetin}; was being held at 
 the old brick scliool house, and Duneoinbe and Itichards, and the father of the town, Major 
 Williams, had been haranguing the crowd. Others had been exjieudiug eUxiuence and there 
 was a general ambition witli each man to kill an Indian. Judge Richards 
 
 raised a company, of which he was Captain, and we joined as a private ; John F. Dunconibe 
 got up his c(nupany— a V(M'y tine one : Captain J. C. Johnson, of Webster City, assisted by 
 .Iiulge Maxwell, raised another comiiauy and their services were acceiited by Major Williams, 
 who helil a conmiission under the authority of the State to ju'eserve the peace and raise lueu 
 when necessary on the frontier to prevent Indism depredations. There was one hundred and 
 ten men of us when we lelt the town on the 24th of March. is.'JT. We marelied up Williams 
 street and halted near the Major's house, then we marched by the Catholic church, crossing 
 Soldier creek and camped the tir.st night on Badger. When we left, the women waved Mieir 
 handkerchiefs and little children cheered us on our way. The second night we were at Dakota, 
 and the third, on a swell of the i)iaiiie, miles from timber, where we suffered very much. The 
 next day we arrived at McKnight's Point. The snow, of which there was an abundance, began 
 to be soft, and where the prairie was rolling it became necessary for us to tread a track for the 
 baggage wagons. One day while in Palo Alto county, a part ot the advance guard came riding 
 back and reported Indians at the front. They were not Indians, however. It was a party of 
 settlers driven from Springlield, just over the line, in ^liniiesota. We remember of them Wm. 
 L. Church, his wife, and Lusella Swanger, her sister, who had a bullet in her slioulder ; a man 
 named Thomas, who was shot in the arm. which had to be amputated ; a boy named Stewart, 
 vvho.se father, mother and sisters had been killed, and who tmly saved himself by lying down 
 by the sid" of a log while the butchery was going on, and a man named Sliigh'y. There were 
 several other grown persons and many children with this (uowd. The women had wadeil the 
 I)es Moines river and had become wet and had their clothing frozen about them. When they lirst 
 saw us they believed we were Indians, and gave themselves ii)) for lost. We m^'de tliem as 
 comfortable as possible, dividing our blankets. The next day the Major sent them with a guard 
 to the '• Irish settlement '■—Kmmettsbugh. Then we pursued oiir way and caiiipe<l at Mud 
 lakes and the day following at Granger's claim, thirteen miles from Spirit Lake. 
 
 When we had arrived at the last mentioned point. Major Williams detailed a number of men. 
 we believe about sixteen, to proceed to the lake and bury the tlead. Being a newsi)aper corres- 
 pondent, we thought we had the right to accompany the crowd. Diiucombe advised us not to 
 go, and Major Williams positively forbade it. He told us afterward that it was on account of 
 sore feet. The burying of the dead and other matters are detailed in E. (',. Morgan's part of 
 this work. 
 
 Our detacluiieiit inarched iniiiiediately for lioUK'. It was on Saturday about two o'clock 
 when we reached Cylinder creek. Any of us could step across it on our way up. but on our 
 return it was at least a (piarter of a mile wide. We made boats of our wagou-boxes. calking 
 them with blankets. Major Williams, Charles B. Richards, .folin F. Duiicombe and some others 
 crossed and got to Shippy's claim, where they passed Saturday and Sunday nights. They ditl 
 the best they could to rescue us, but of no avail. There was no timber in five or six miles, and 
 the wind blew a hurricane. C. C. Carpenter, Frank A. Stratton, Winton Smith 
 and myself lay together covered with a blanket and had a small piece of 
 canvass to break the wind. It was attached to the wheels of a wagon near our 
 heads. There we lay without anything to eat until Mondiy morning, when we crossed on the 
 ice. There was no dimculty whatever in removing horses and v. agons in the siiine way at the 
 same time. Though there was water all about iis. we had not dared to leave our berths to gel 
 a drink— fearful of freezing before we could get back. It was upon this dreadful Saturday 
 afternoon that I'.urkholder and Johnson perished. On the return of the detail they cho.se to go 
 around a slough wliicli the others marched through. They finally took off their boots to cross 
 
SPIRIT LALE EXPEDITION. 71. 
 
 it, and could not get tlieni on again. Tlieir feet being bandaged up with rag", they traveled with 
 difticulty while the cold was intense. It is said that ••whom the Gods love die young." We 
 were intimate with them both, particularly with BurkJiolder. They were noble young men. 
 
 We made our way back to Fort Dodge from Shippy's in sciuads. Gov. Carpenter. Frank A. 
 Stratton, " Lew." a fellow who teamed for Humi)hreys,. Winton Smith and ourself, stopped the 
 last night out at Cramer's claim in Humboldt county. We afforded our companions much 
 amusement by going through the ice on Badger creek and just keeping our neck out, after 
 which we pursued our way to Fort Dodge. 
 
 A big meeting was held at the brick school-hoase ouiour return, The Major reijorted to the 
 citizens, and Duncombe, Kiehards and others made speeches. The scare, however, was kept up 
 for weeks, not only here, but in Wright and other counties. 
 
 The origin of this Indian difliculty was as f illows : Ink-a-pa~do~ta"s band had camped on 
 Herron and Si)irit lakes and vicinity for a long time. In the fall <if 1S5(; they went down 
 throutfh Clay county to Siuithland.. They ciuuineneed stealing and the settlers disarmed them. 
 It was intended to return their arms, but they moved oft' in the uight. They went to Correction- 
 ville, to Cherokee, to Taylor's claim, to Kirchner's, to Mead's, and to {4illett's Grove, taking all 
 t he arms and ammunition they could lay their hands on, and robbing as they went, becoming 
 worse as they approached Spirit Lake, where the massacre was perpetrated. We interviewed 
 Mrs. Marble in Chicago at the Blossom house, in the sunimer of 18.57,, for the Chicago Tuhcs. 
 She said that after the massacre tlie Indians encamped on, Herron Lake, about twenty miles 
 north of Spirit Lake, and staid there several weeks, keeping out a- strict watch. Coiu-a-db-ta,. 
 Ink-a-pa-do-ta's son, took Miss Gardner for his sqnaw. Mrs. Thatcher was shot while crossing 
 the Big Sioux river. Two La Parle Indians bought the captives and took them to an agency. 
 The price i)aid was a pony and five gallons of whisky. Miss Gardner was afterwards brought tO' 
 Fort Dodge and lived for a time at Major Williams' house. 
 
^ii I'DETUY 
 
 Rt:aD at the old settlers* meeting, march 23,1872 
 
 \:\ .KilIN II. \ IKK 
 
 I'm u"'iii!.' to siii^ ;i ^ooit old soli!;- aliout tlic fjooil old times. 
 Mill III!' grauil old liaiid of ))i()n(H'rs, who ciunt' Irom oilier eliiiies, 
 I'.. Grille up tiiese iirairies. and never seek repose, 
 rill liny made this dreary wihlerness to hlo.ssoni like tlie rose— 
 llii-i brave old band of iiioneers. all of the olden time. 
 
 Ihi- Nand of ancient settlers had a very lar^c estate. 
 rii.-\ i-lainied most of the land in the northern part of the State : 
 iMi.-h man then had his town plat in the most enehintiiij;- spots. 
 iliC' II iiliJI -litr. iiiul II ifiilil iiiiiir. vuiiiitil xi'ili (liid curiiir hits 
 '1 his grand old band of i>ioneers. all of an ancient time. 
 
 I'll.- mansions of flii-se jjioiieers were simple ami miUiin . 
 Kill Ml theii- arehiteetiire liere I do not mean to speak ; 
 
 S dwelt in eal)ins built of logs, while others eiiiiped out : 
 
 St.iiH- lived ill tents, while others had their dwellings made of groni — 
 J'liis ajjcient band of pioneers, all <if the olden time. 
 
 J lie .-c.stumes of those pioneers were of the plainest kind. 
 
 \ .at ivwr vest, but .just had pants. iriDi shiii-tnil nut hchiiid; 
 
 Tley wore llieir i)ants uiside llieir boots, as o'er the hills they sped, 
 riicir llanuei .shirts and misex were of iimsl n fuliintt nil— 
 Tbis brave old liand of pioneers, all of the olden time. 
 
 T'lc liabit.s of those i)ioneers were plain, as plain could be. 
 riic\ never tane-ed eoffee. and they eared still less for tea ; 
 Tb.-.v smoked their pijjes and sang their songs, and freely did partake 
 . ft i.i.iirbun and fat haenn. old rye and johnny-eake— 
 •Jbcse noble, line old pioneers, all of the iddeii time. 
 
 S.iiiiic:i.jiiies these gallant fidlows. as liistor>- ndates. 
 I ■r.M.-..Mit tlieir bunks would fall !<t night, and crash their tine old pates, 
 Mid sad to say, some pioneer, who was well when going to lied. 
 I'loiii iiiniblingout this way at night, next morniim unt up diinl— 
 Tiiese glorious old pioneers, all of the olden time. 
 
 Tlic r\|,loits of these l)iolieels beat the times of Ibibiii Ilooil. 
 v.. briiver hearts e'er roameil the wilds since Noah stcmmeil the flood. 
 \\\\i-\\ luekless wights tramped on their rights, irith f<(tt)icri and cind Uti 
 Tiiiit nidc thin} oil nimn a niil. liki riimn and old Ciirr— 
 Tbese grave old aiicieiil settlers, all of the olden lime. 
 
 Ill imiiily sp<irts tliese heroes bold were not amiss nor slack, 
 lit iissiiKinsliiii they did excel, ask Kogers' old Cray .lack : 
 III /.lira style thi-y iiainleil him. the like was neve- seen. 
 /■'..( irlnrr ditnii ndturi urdirrd hhick. then st lipid him ml and ijircn — 
 Tbi-se glorious old i)oineei-s of the olden time. 
 
 Jii ciirly (lays these heroes from the Khilie ami from llie .Mps, 
 N\ ciii after Ink-a-pii-<l'>-t!''i ii'"' '•'■■* braves to take their scalps, 
 They painted up in war-like style, and Arnold with great eare, 
 Shaved close tlieir heads, but on to)i he left a tuft of hair— 
 'I'liese brave old iiueient settlers, all of ihe olden time. 
 
POETRY. 73 
 
 .Tlien for the foe they niarclied on foot across the creeks and streams, 
 And many a hero liad a tight with Indians— in his dreams, 
 Oft in the cold and stilly nigiit iiiqitisithritoif: led 
 
 Him to stick out his hand from nnder his buttalo robe as he lay by the camp fire, to 
 find if that tuft was still on the top of his head— 
 This brave old band of pioneers, all of the olden time. 
 
 Our steamship line, in those old times, to foreign lands did ply ; 
 We were a i>ort of entry then, that is when our stream was high; 
 Our Captain Aaron then did fling his banner to the breeze. 
 And in the Charlie Rogers, sailed on the raging seas— 
 
 In these old grand and pleasant days, all of the olden time. 
 
 Enll many a, time and oft did he to us unfold. 
 The dangers of the angry deep, wnen mighty billows rolled, 
 And how his crew and he one day murdered a big whale 
 With a pitchfork (tliey had no harpoon) as by Elk Kapids they did sail— 
 This brave old jolly Captain, all of the olden time. 
 
 For piety those pioneers took a very righteous stand. 
 They kept a watchful eye always upon the prairie (promised) land, 
 And as their voices soared aloft to supplicate their God, 
 They prayed all day and tlirougli the night " more acres of sod "— 
 .These worthy, pious pilgrims, all of the olden time. 
 
 :Some of those grand old pioneers around our town still Iceep, 
 While some are in the country raising cattle, hogs and siieep ; 
 But town or country, come, my boys — I say it without fear.s — 
 I>et"s join together, one and all. give them three rousing cheers— 
 Those glorious old pioneers, all of the olden time. 
 
 J. AV. ROPER 
 
 I'UOI'KIEXOK OF 
 
 TRANSFER WAGONS 
 
 BUSINESS ESTABLISHED IN 1872. 
 
 fJacob Sdimoll 
 BAKER cS^ CONFECTIONER, 
 
 ox MARKET STREET, OPrOSITE 3IcBANE & GRANT'S BANK. 
 
 Farmers and others desiring lunches will find this the best place in the city. '^-. 
 
<T4) 
 
 Hoadquarters. 
 
 CKDAH FALLS, 
 
 Iowa. 
 
 IJrancli oflicc iit 
 FOKT DODCE, 
 Iowa. 
 
 HA.KR1S ct COLE BROS., 
 
 Purap Mlanuractu-rers 
 
 AM> UEAI.KHS IN- 
 
 FO RT DODGE 
 
 J. GOLDSWOBTHY, - - Proprietor. 
 
 [R.^, I'LOWS. BUGGIES and FAR.M .MACniNEllY IN 
 WOOD AND IRON DEPARTMENTS, 
 
 and does General Jobbing, Horse Shoeing iacluded. 
 
 Shops on first street east of Court-house, south of Market street. 
 
 E. M. DUNNING, 
 
 FKED. SALE AND 
 
 LIVERY STABLE, 
 
 REAR OF FORT DODGE HOUSE, FORT DOlXiE. IOWA. 
 
 MY RIGS ARE FRESH AJ^D J\'EW. 
 
 JOHISr T, REASER, 
 
 Blacksmithiu^, Horse Shoeing*, 
 
 PLOWS REPAIRED AND HARDENED. 
 
 Ali otlierdepartineiits of bhu'ksuiithin!:: attended to. My plare of Imsiiiess is tlit 
 <dd stone shop west of tlie Fort Dodge House and south of pulilk- scpiare. 
 
(75) 
 
 r, G. SLATE, 
 
 0^1t^l^^« 
 
 PRACTICE ESTABLISHED A. U. 1859. 
 
 Koonis over Wilkeson's Bakery and Kestaiiraiit, two doors south of Berry's block) 
 on Fifth street. 
 
 FORT DODGE. - - lO'WA 
 
 J. H. WILKESON & CO., 
 
 Wholesale and retail 
 
 Oysters in all styles in their season. Ice cream in its season. Parties supplied upon 
 reasonable terms. 
 
 V. N. BROWN. NICHOLAS FLEEK. 
 
 BroAvn & Fleek, 
 
 WAGON m umku imn, 
 
 CORNER OF MARKET AND LEMP STEETS. 
 
 Repairing- promptly attended U), where the use of either iron or wood is called for. 
 ^r-WE SOLICIT THE CUSTOM OF THE PUBLIC AN.J WILL TRY TO PLEASE. 
 
C. LAUFERSWEILER, 
 
 MamifiK-tiiicr and ik-alcr in 
 
 ^^jp]^ j^TTi?*^ Vina' Tsr 
 
 f^ 
 
 IMctuif I'iaiiics made ti) order. Mattiesscs, Mirrors, Wtiod and Metallic Coftiiiis, 
 rndcrtakiii.n iiroiuplly attended to. 
 
 MAlfKET STREET, FORT DODGE, IOWA. 
 
 A. WHITE. . R- MEIGS. 
 
 JVEei^'s & Co., 
 
 Maniitaetnrers of 
 
 SUPERIOR STONE WARE. FIRE BRICK, DRAIN 
 
 FORT DODGE. ... IOWA. 
 
 THOMAS & STRICKLER, 
 
 , COAi Z^ 
 
 On Market street, one block east of the conrt-houso. 
 !®-THE HIGHEST PRICE PAID FOR FURS AND HIDES...^a 
 
 C. IIA.NK. 
 
 DEALER IX 
 
 m If ^ o oi © i^,. 
 
 Hats, Caps, Clothing, JSfotions, etc., 
 
 ()i'r<tsrn:TiiK fiksi national i?ank, fokt dodge, ioava. 
 
(7T> 
 
 R. H. HIGGINS, 
 
 Dealer in 
 
 GROCERIES, DRY GOODS AND NOTIONS. 
 
 CROCKERY AND GLASSWARE, FLOUR, FEED AXD COAL, 
 
 Fort Dodge, - - Iowa. 
 D. W. PRJNDLE, 
 
 (SUCCESSOR TO L. KLANDEN) 
 
 Dealer in 
 
 GRAi:^ A. JN D SEEDS 
 
 OF ALL KINDS. 
 
 ^VLSO CEMENT, STUCCO, SALT, ETC., 
 CENTRAL ELEVATOR, FORT DODGE, IOWA. 
 
 A. H. LEIGHTON, 
 
 SHEET IRON and TIN WIRE WlNUFflCTOaY 
 
 MA.RKET STREET, FORT DODGE, IOWA. 
 
 Job work promptly and carefully attended to. Table and poeket cutlery for s;ile. 
 I have the agency for the Howe Scales ; also the rubber bucket chain pump. 
 
 Dr. S. B. OLN^EY, 
 HOM OEOPATHIST; 
 
 Residence and office on Sixth street, between Williams and Market streets, w est 
 side of street. 
 
 Lire. 
 
(78) 
 
 FLORY & BROWNELL, 
 
 DEAJ-KUS IN 
 
 FARM MACHINERY, 
 
 FORT DODGJS, - - lOJlA. 
 
 Agents I'ditlic lUu'keye IJeapcr^: Mowor, KIward Harvester ami Keystone Planter. 
 iWA COMPLETE ASSOKTMENT OF FARMING TOOLS KEPT OX HAND. 
 
 HORS£ SHOEING, 
 
 P. W. SHERMAN, 
 
 MARKET STREET, FORT DODGE. IOWA. 
 
 Mr. Sherman's sho]) is a little west of the Patterson House, on the o|)iiosite side of 
 the street. He solicits patronage and guarantees satisfaction. 
 
 WALTER BURZHOLDER, 
 
 DEALER IN 
 
 STAPLE AND FANCY GROCERIES, 
 
 MARKET ST.iEET. 
 
 Butter, eggs, and other country produce taken in exchange for goods. 
 
 F. R. BA^LDWIN", 
 
 DEALER IN 
 
 mmmfii mfitvmmB, 
 
 WEST SIDE OF PUBLIC SQUARE, FORT DODGE, lOW^A. 
 
(T9) 
 8. B. PRINDLE. E. H. YOrNT. 
 
 PRINDLE & YOUNT, 
 
 WHOLESALE AND RETAIL 
 
 !STS 1^ I 
 
 JFOST DODGE, _ _ IOWA. 
 
 OWEN COMWAY. 
 
 DEALER. IN 
 
 Lumber, Lath, Doors, Shingles, Glazed Sash, 
 
 -AND— 
 
 MlOULDIISrGS, 
 
 CORNER FOURTH & "WALNUT STS., FORT DODGE. lOW^A 
 
s.u 
 
 (80) 
 
 1858 1877 
 
 DAVID FESSLER, 
 
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