jy o ^ 'iu ^ . s y/ & HISTORY T A MA County, IOWA, TOGETHER WITH SKETCHES OF THEIR TOWNS, VILLAGES AND TOWNSHIPS, EDDCATIONAl CIVIL, MILITARY AND POLITICAL HISTORY; PORTRAITS OF PROM- INENT PERSONS, AND BIOGRAPHIES OF REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS. H ISTO R Y OF IOWA, EMBRACING ACCOUNTS OF THE PRE-HISTORIC RACES, AND A BRIEF REVIEW OF ITS CIVIL AND MILITARY HISTORY. ILLUSTRATED >if\ ExtirifiiiislHiicMt .ii I niliaii Titles 46 The F.)i-1 MiHii-oii s,iilrin.-iit 47 Flint llilN, 47 The Da\ciiiii.ii s.iiliinvirnm>Ml Clerkship *59 Speaker of ibe House ISK the General Assembly 459 • .lu.ls; 463 Auditor 4«» ler and Recorder 4'0 Kerorder 47:3 Clerks of Court* 477 Slieriir.,. f!- County Surveyor *pu id Commissioners 485 ijerintendent 485 Proseewtliit; Attorney 486 Drainage Commissioners 4^6 CHAPTER XIV. INSIKANCi;, ENDOWMENT AND OTHER AS- SiKlATIiiNS 487 iild SeitliM-s' Society 487 Fanners" Mutual Aid Company 488 Iowa Mutual Henetit Association 48S Mutual Endowment Association 490 CHAPTER XV. THE WARFOR THE UNION 493 Second Inlantry 498 Fifth Infantry 488 EiKht h I nf a ntry 498 Ninth Infantry 498 Tent li Infantry S-' KIcvenlh Infantry ?0o Twelth Infantry oUa Thirteenth Infantry 505 Fonileenth Infantry SOo Sixteenth Infantry 50i Kit-htee„th Infantry o07 Twentv-lourth Inlantry 508 Tweni\ -seventh lulantry 519 Twenl'veinhlh Infantry 519 Korty-sevinth Infantry 530 First" Cavalry 530 Second Cavalry 531 valry 531 Fifth Sixtl! Ci valr ilhCavalry • i«\ ,ight Artillery !».- T..iirti-erl DlMld *'" Honored Dead. CHAPTER XVI. 535 EDUCATIONAL _^^ , ... County Superintendent of Schools oto Normal Institutes ..•••• •.■••. 2tA Tama County Teachers' Association 54- Western College '>='*' CHAPTER XVU. THE MEDICAL I'llOFESSION 581 First Physicians in the County W)i Tama Citv Physicians ^- T,.licln fhysieiana *» Tiaer Physicians »i? Dysart Physicians 580 (iladhronk Physicians J^ Chelsea Physicians Sffi Garw Elbi rlti! Ph' 1 Phy ..idiantown Physicians. Montour Physicians — -H' PAGE Richland Physicians 687 Irving Physicians 558 Mooreville Physicians 587 Crystal Physicians 587 Tama County Medical Association 587 CHAPTER XVIII. ACRICCLTURE AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIE- TIES 588 The first Fair 589 Tama County Agricultural Society 590 Agricultural .Association of Tama County 593 Traer District Agricultural Society .592 Tama County Horticultural Society .592 CHAPTER XIX. RAILROADS .593 The First Railroad in Tama County 594 Chicago i- Northwestenn .596 Toledo & Northwestern .597 Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern 605 Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 605 W^isconsin, Iowa & Nebraska 606 Projected Railroads 6(ki CHAPTER XX. BUCKINGHAM TOWNSHIP 608 Settlement 608 Organic 627 Educational 628 Religious 629 Historical Items 631 Postoflices esi The Larches 632 CHAPTER XXI. CUtLTON TOWNSHIP 6:0 Settlement and Growth 6:14 Organic 638 Items of Interest. . IKW Religious 640 Railroad Matters 642 Kars PostoHice 642 Town of G.\hwi;; iu;i Educational 646 Postoffice 646 Societies 646 CHAPTER XXU. CARROLL TOWNSHEP 648 Settlement of Carroll 6»9 Organic 653 Religious 65:j Educational 653 First Things 654 CHAPTER XXIII. CLARK TOWNSHIP 6.55 Settlement 6.55 Orjrnnie 6t>l Eiluiational 662 Kttie Postoffice 662 Historical Items 66:1 Town ok Dtsabt 66;t liusiness Matters and Men 663 H.itels 667 Postoilices 670 Eilcat ional 671 Hcligiou.s 671 CH.APTER XXIV. COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP Early Settlement Organic s> ^ The Township Name Educational Religious Postofflce Village of Columbia. Historical Items CHAPTER XXV. CRYSTAL TOWNSHIP. Early Settlement Organic Items of Interest — Educational Postoffices Religious CHAPTER XXVI. GENESEO TOWNSHIP Settlement Organic Educational Religious Historical Events Postoffice ViLL-VGE OF MOOREVILLe. CHAPTER XXVII. GRANT TOWNSHIP Settlement Organic Educational Various Items of Interest. . The Church in Grant Allendale Stock Farm CHAPTER XXVIII. HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP Early settlement Organic First Things Educational Religious CHAPTER XXIX. HOWARD TOWNSHIP Settlement FirstEvents Organic Religious MoNTicELLO Village CHAPTER XXX. INDIAN VILLAGE TOWNSHIP.... Early Settlement Organic Historical Items Educational indiantown, ob bntlerville. LeGrand Station Potter Town of MONTonB Development Postofflce Organic Religious Societies Educational CHAPTER XXXI. LINCOLN TOWNSHIP Settlement Organic Fifteen Mile Grove Postofflce . Colville Postofflce Items of Interest CHAPTER XXXII. ONEIDA TOWNSHIP 829 Early Settlement S30 .Historical Items °37 CHAPTER XXXin. OTTER CREEK TOWNSHIP 838 Early Settlement 838 Organic 842 Postoffices 843 Gladstone '?<3 Educational 844 Historical Items of Interest 844 CHAPTER XXXn'. PERRY TOWNSHP 844 Early Settlement 844 Organic 868 Historical Items 868 Educational 869 Religious 870 Wolf Creek Postofflce 873 West Union Village 873 Buckingham Village 874 City of Tr.aer 874 Development 874 Postofflce 891 Educational 892 Religious 8^ Societies 896 CHAPTER XXXV. RICHLAND TOWNSHIP 898 Settlement 898 Historical Items AW Organic 905 Educational 90* Religious 906 Village of Helena 908 ViLL-\GE OF Eureka 908 CHAPTER XXXVL SALT CREEK TOWNSHIP 909 Early Settlement 909 Organic 916 Historical Items •. 916 Educational -Jig ReUgious 917 Irving 91i Chelsea 918 CHAPTER XXXVII. 921 SPRING CREEK TOWNSHIP Settlement ^1 Organic J^ Various Items 932 B.ADGER Hill 933 Gladbrook 935 Growth and Business Development 9:35 Postofflce 944 Incorporation 945 Educational 946 HeUgious 946 Societies 948 CHAPTER XXXVIII. TAMA TOWNSHIP 948 Settlement 949 Items of Interest 955 Postofflce 956 Organic 956 Tama City 958 Banks 960 Tama City Brewery 974 Tama Creamery 974 •F TABLE OF CONTENTS. Paper Mill »:5 Brfck 975 Furniture Manufactory 9ia Tama Hvdi-aulic Power »76 Postofflce • 9S0 Incorporation S85 Educational 9*6 Religious ""Si Societies "91 CHAPTER XXXrX. TOLEDO TOWNSHIP 993 Early Settlement S94 Historical Items 1005 Organic 1WJ6 City of Toledo ino8 Early Settlers UWii Busines Interests IIW Toledo City Bank 1038 Organic 1032 Postofflce 1034 Educational 1035 Religious 10-39 CHAPTER XL. YORKTOWNSHfP ''^°^ Early Settlement losj Organic 1059 \ILLAGE OF WAI.TAM 1059 Village of Eluekso.v 106I Village of Vinisq 1062 Postofflces loij Mills ■ ■ 1004 Historical Items ioa5 Religious io6« Education iggj; CHAPTER XLI. EVENTS OF INTEREST 1067 Criminal io67 Gold in Tama county !m!I..'.'.10"H A Blizzard 11.! 1070 Accidents Ii!"!"!!ll070 First Settlement in Tama County !."!l081 BIOGRAPHICAL PAQB Abbott, John 792 Abbott, Washington... 702 Adams, N. H. H 7fi0 Adelbert, Sydney 8.5G Aldrii-h. Sylvcs Ale I, ,. 111 i.Jr 10 Ale.xiiinliT, Ale.xandiT, (icorKc Oils Allard, .loseph 724 A Hard, Jonathan 724 AUard, Albert »40 Allard, G. P 931 Allen, Isaac L 318 Allen, Isaac I> 4.57 A lien, John 467 Ames, J.T 632 Antrim, Adin 867 Appelgate, D. D 329 Appolgate, W. E 1024 Appleton, Richard W.. 58B Arbuthnot, S. W 6fi9 Armstrong, T. K 1019 Arter, Jacob 653 Asher, Isaac 250-791 Austin, Robert E 34tj Austin, Michael 325 Averill, J. C 8"S| Babb.navid 771 Babb, Quincy 771 Babli, Anthony L 771 Biibcmk. Maxson 841 Baker. D.W 712 Bailey, Jehial 1002 Bailey, Alanson H 781 Bailey, George L 3:!;j Baldv, P. L .ifiS Baldy H. T .571 Baldwin, Henry 102s Baldwin, C. H 820 Balfour, William 715 Ballard, Jeremiah 571 Barbour, Dr.vden 8fil Barker, George 7.50 Barnes. Charles 900! Barton, Edward 569 Baxter, C. A 784 Beach. R. B 6.VJ Bcardshear, W. M 559 PAGE Beatty , Henry 856 Beery, Samuel E 637 Relden, H. B 1027 Bent, Lorenz .569 Henesh, Frank 1063 llrntley, C. B 975 liciison, Alvin 629 lii'nnett, Eli S 751 Benedict, E. H 351 Best, B 880 Bern, A. C 824 Berry, S. W 940 Billerbeck. Jacob 825 Bisel. Benjamin 733 Bishop, J. B. M 475 Bishop, Jonathan S .... 697 Bishop, Charles A 698 Bishop. John 1000 Blodgett. Miron 478 Boehmke, F. Uolens, Eugene B 320 isomer, F. A. Bonnov, M. II Bonney, O. D Bowe,' E. R 1031 Brown, Fred W.. . Brown, Timothy Bruner, D. F Bruner, Benjamin. Bruner, Adam Bruner, Solomon . Brush. John B Bull, John G Bunee, Hiram Burge, James Burt, L. N. B. C Burris, H. C Burright, Orrin Butler, M. S Bvwater, A By water, W. C Bywater. Napoleon. Calderwood, Hugh. Camery, ,James M . . Camery, Denton .. Cainpljell, John Campbell, John P.. Cannon, E. J Gary, Lyman PAGE . 370 . 316 . 470 Bowen, W. H 887 Gary, L. H Bowdle, J Bovennrer, Samuel Boynton, H. W Bradley, James M.. Bradbrook. Walter.. Bradford, T. F Bradshaw, Homer S. Bradshnw, C. B Bruinerd. Orson T.. Itninnan. W. L llninaman. Henry.. lirnsh, Hugh lireebt. Adam Bronnan, Edward 730 Brewer, James 947k'lay. Hiram Bricker, .-inthony KMlClausen, Hein; Bricker, Truman 983 Cleveland, E. Brooks, J. H 982 Clough, J. E.. Brooks, James H 951 Ciidy, Lynmn BrockwaT, A. L 827 Cohrt, Johann Brockman, N.J 64:1 Cold, F. G... Brown, William 751 Cold, C.J. C. Brown, H. A ,546(Cold, J. F. G.. 469 Cart, S. M 781|Carpenter, E. S .571lCarmichael. Lewis.. 795 Carmichael, E. L . . 6ti6,Carraiehael, H. F. ... Casey, Michael Casey, Patrick Chambers, G. M Chase, Tallman Chase, Stephen. . . Churchill, Harry E.. Clark. Leander Clark, Rush lark. .., . ^ PAGE Colebauph, A . F 813 Collins, C. C 877 Collins, Andrew 857 . 744 Conant, George W.. 636 .1004 Conant. Marion A Kio . VM Conant. W. L 581 . 711 Conant William 5.83 . 02KCimnell. Daniel, Sr. . 945 . .569|Connell, Daniel 944 . . 9.55jConnell, John 457 . 636iCoolidge, Liberty.....' 903 . 837lCone, Albert G 865 . lOSOiConklin, Charles H 311 . 565,Conrerse, John T 663 , . 922|(yOry, Henry 920 , . 922 Cory, John". ' t;8;) .. 6;J7 Cory, William .'.'68:1 I Corns, William 567 . . 657 Cordner. Adam... . I0;i9 ..1020|Corfman, John loOI ..102l!Co8krey, William H . . 661 Countryman, S. S . . 902 Covell, C. E .1034 Cowan, Robert.. .. 476 Cram, J. F . . 572jCrawford, C. H .. 987|Crenshaw, B. F .. 968:Crittenden, George .. 964|Cron, James.. . . 965|Cronk, J. G... . 966|Croskrey, Wesley'.. . . 730Cumming8, Martin. . . 611 Cummings, A . . 913 Cummings, John... 621 .. 463 Cummings, Thomas.... 618 .. 794 Cummings, W. H 958 . . 1012 Cuther, M. L SSO .. 465 Cuthbertson, A ..... 785 . . 888 Daniel, Wesler A ,561 .. 901 Davis, Franklin 483 . . 714 Davis, C. L 705 .. 976 Davis, John R 761 .. 664 Davis, Henry E 625 . 855 Davis, Henry F 914 .. 7irDavies. A ft' 106O . 8241 Davidson, James 762 . 824 Davenport, George L. 241 .. 828Day, H 909 lft5.S 915 . 718 901 324 618 TABLE OF CONTENTS. ncLnn.l. W. A Dp Lung, Gibson W. Dillmuii, S. S 51 Diiifri'o, Allen Dinsdale, James.... Dinsdale. L. P Di.Ton, L. J Dodd. Edward Dodd, Andrew Donavon, Jerry Donaldson, Andrew Dooley , M. V Dowd, J. J Downs, T. L Downs. W. A Doyle, John Draper. Norman Duncan. Charles F... Dnpre, T. A Dysart, Joseph Ebersole, E. C Edmonds, Alonzo... Edwards, G. G Edwards, George A. Ellwood, George C. Ellwood, J. D Elmer, O. F Emmett, Patrick... Eraerling, Charles... Enderton. James — Eshbiiugh, Frank.. Fshliaufih, John A. F. G ower, J. W .. 793Grau, J. M .. K2(iGray, John K . TliS Gray, Charles .. T9ti fii-aham, James R.. ■ T12 Graham. T. A '*'■' Graham, J. H ■ 9WGravatt, O ■ W Graham, William H .. :i52 Granger, Robert... ..1029Green, J.V.B .. 545 Greve, Johann .. 809 Gregory, D. B 68*Grinnell, J. B. . 622|(}rover, George H.. .. 669[Guernsey, Elijah... . .. 843 Guernsey, A. W.... Haagen, Charles. .. Gait, John Gallagher, William. Gallagher, D. K... (;allagher, William, (iallagly, Thomas... (iarner, William Gardiner, John Gaston, Hugh F.... Gethmann, Louis... Giger, JohnH (iiger, Samuel Giger, I. F Gloss, Albert Goding, O. W Goding, F. W Goodenow, Fitch... Goodric-b, G. H naiigrii, v.iiHiicc :334 Habenioh, J. H •JfiliHall, H. A 10« Haminitt, Benjamin. "3" Hamilton, J. M 939 Haney, O. M "10 Hancock, AmosB... 93' Hai-t, John W "2f Harris, J. F "■t- Harris, Thomas "57 Harris, William 1)8- Harman. E '>f'~ Hartsock, William. .. 'i'^1 Harmsen. John ''■■'8 Harrison, W. H ■ *'0'' Harrison, W. H ■ (iTO Harrison, E. W o34 Hartshorn, H. A . . jHaworth, James ■ ™8|Haworth, Alpheus... 10'l;Haworth, Shepard... • 651lHawk, W. H . 696 Hayes, C. E • SO'iiHaves, J. M • "ISlHealT, Henry M... • 6.i9'Hedge, James B ■ ■'84iHeidlebaugh, John... ■ 3.5i;Helm,Woodhull ■ 479|i.fg]nj, Varnum • "^TiHelm, Phineas ■ 624 Hendrirks, John P.. . "oSI Hendricks, John... . ?«JlHild, John • 900|HiU, Joseph • S58|Hinegardner, D. S .. ■ SaijHitchner, W. D ■ J^^Hixson, P • 34niHoag. Joel . 8bo;Hodgin, K. F • ^I'Hollen, J. H 101-' Holstead, W.H 4*'9 Homan, Charles • 6b5 Horton, Silas H Houghton, William.. 61b Howard, H. W ■ '80 Howard, John ■ "**'' Howard, A. L ■ ?84Huey, John ■ 8.<) Hufford, Abraham... ^^8 Hughes, D. L ''26 Hull, James L ■ *«liHulett, L. D. ■ 930 Hurd, Fayette ""Hutchison, G. A . T7BI • flj tngham, S. W . 902i[nnes, James ■ 56«lrrish, CharlesW • 5«6:ives, T. N • "831jacobs, Hoface ■ 325 Jacobs, Claus F Jackson, Andrew — Jackson, T. Walter.. Jameyson, Charles... Jaqua, Gamaliel Jensen, P Jensen, John Johnson, Alexander Johnson, Charles Johnston, W. F Johnston. W. S Johnston, Wesley — Jons, Claus Jones, P. C .Toralemon, J. C Junker, F. W Keeler, R. W Keith, L. P Kelly, S. V. R Kellogg, William P . . Kendrick, J. C Keown, William Kephart, E. B Kenp, Martin Kiescr. J..hn G Kile. Mrs. Ibl.v. . - ■. Nidi, liis a. William B... Kinne, L. G Kinner, William Kinner, James M — Ivinner. John A Kline, Walter Kline, William Klingamon, George. Knapp, B. L Knight, Thomas L. . Knoop, Christian Knowlton. C. F Kober, John Kober, George KoUman, William... Kremenak, J. W — Krouse, William — PAGE I McAlpine, John 886 'McAnulty, Hugh 982 iMcClain, Willliam 6.52 1 McClaskey, John R 474 SBR MrCliirr. George W. n \I, James.. 967 782 LaDow, B. B LaDow, Alexander, Ladd, John A Ladd, Daniel C Ladd, W. T. V...... Lage, Fred Lamb, Wi.liam L .. Lamb, D. C Lamb, Jacob W Langley. E. T Lauderdale, J. H.. Law, Andrew Lawson, G. B Lee, Simon A Leibrandt, C. A — Leland, S. C Lesser, Wallace B.. Levering, Noah — Lewis, Norman Liebty, Peter Life, John Life. George M Livingston, David. Loder, William Logan, .James Long, Simeon D — Loop, Anson Loop, Charles Loupee, Lewis.. .. Louthan, John B Loiithan, Wallace B... Ludwig, H Lnndt, John Lynde, Edward McAlevy, Samuel E... ,k, JuhnF.... --.' w.-i Miniiick Brothers., sss I.",' Ml ( ,.~h. Andrew 861 I \i( ( ijiikcn, Alexander 755 KHii M,( r.iith. James 755 111::: Mctiiilugh, James 825 5WI McDonald, George W.. 664 .575iMcGee, Charles F 941 1023lMcIlhinney, Andrew.. 744 iMcIntire, Daniel 745 int7M,-Tntire, R. G 346 .Spiers, Alexander 822 Spire, Christopher. 822JSprole, William MCi Wager, Harvey 728 Stevens, H. J 943 Wagner, H 1014 Stevens, J. H .j8(i Waldon, M. M 451 .1055 Stevens, C.J 477VValls, Solomon 707 laiS Stewart. Andrew J.... 913 Walker, G. W 904 1K)6 Stewart. James 7.i9 Walters, W. C 1012 888|Stewart, William 660 Walz, John 678 470 Stewart. Joseph .546, Ward, J. F 970 6:i8jSterretl, A. H 546iWarren, T. E 475 Stevi nson, .lohn 708i Watson, James 757 Stivers, William H ;J27 Watsor, 'I homas 758 Stiger, H.J 3:!9 Way. Stiger, S 1016' Stone. Benjamin Iol3 ' ,323 Stoner, David. ' .1054 1013 jjOjIStoakes, Henry S.54 1030 Stoakes, George 8.54 9,39 Stoakes, John 853 "tiolStoakes, Eleazer 728 -fijStoakes. William H... >i.-|Stniikes, Mathias ■ ;,;,:Sto:,kes. .1.x s-.-ISt. 1(1.1,11.1. Lvman H.. ■ :j'4i,jst.,.l.iar,|, William H ■ ,i,s.-,.St..d.,ar.i. I,e,.nunl.,, 31., Stoddiir.l. William,., ■ 7,3ist<,d.l.irPle. T. C 7:s .loeOiTemple. E. W 73 304 Terpenning, Hansom . . . 83i . 570 Thomas, B. F 6.5' .585 Thomas. Enos 64; . 660 Thompson, Benjamin, ijfi' . 686 Thompson, S ,57; 77.) Ihompson, J. A 90! . 1026 Tlerney, Daniel 621 y^:^ Tiffany, W. H 34 gijITode, Claus Wi 900 Toland, David. . . . 9.V . it;7 Tompkins. A 460-8;« j<77 r.imlinsnn, William Sol Townsend, J. S Qnq Townsend. .lohn S.. 7^Turbett. W. S ;is> Turnbull. Richard 575 rrowbndgo, James 680 . 671 1 .1003 . 883 Van.^nken. .Tames I . H-)7 VanHoiii. i>..t,.r s ■ 079 VanVlier. Heniy. , 800 \ anilever, Willinm. W'eaver, Frank... Weaver, Solomon . Weir, Thompson 749 Wentch, P. P 656 West, S. Newell 733 West, Alexander W... 842 Wescott. D. G 9a5 Whannell, Peter 707 (>5tiiW"hannell, Robert 74.8 0.58 Whannell, Thomas 708 07slWheaton, Andrew J... 473 077 White, Isaac W 732 OTTiWhite, Nathan 862 i;:: Whitten. C. C 604 Whitaker, Thomas 959 Whitmoie, William 834 Wiebenson, E 939 Wies, Claus 826 Wieting, Nathan C 319 Wild, John 1025 Wiles, J. C 833 Willey, James A 910 Wilson, John , 855 Wilson, M. C 959 Wilson, James 458 Wilson, C. A 774 Wilbur, George L 348 Wilson. West 701 Willett.J. W 336 Wilcox, Svlvester 842 Willard, H. F 926 Williams, (JeorgeS. .. 912 Wilcoxon,T. D. H 795 Wilkinson, A 250 Wilkinson, Wm 250 Williamson, W. H 836 Williamson, H. A 479 Winn. Walter F 379 Wing. J. B 569 Winders. Hiram 772 Wise, Adam &51 Withers, W. J 884 Withington. H. H 78.5 Wood. F. C 347 Wood.W. H :H7 Wood, George 670 Wood, Alfred 611 Wood, Joshua C. Wood. Lynia _ Wood. Lvman E Wonser, W. W. . Wonser, F.J. M Worrall, W. P Worden, William Woolley, E. M Woolley, H. M Woodward, J. H Wylie, Robert 84« 847 Veiser. Jacob \'e. iiniins, Rfibert. ^ .mug, W. K . .. i^'oungman, J. W. PORTRAITS -9 ^ PAOE Dailev, George L 321 Baldwin, C. H 499 lieardshear, W. M 553 Brooks, J. H 509 Brunei-,1). F 303 Carmichael, L nm Clark, Leander 3.57 Corns, William 961 CumminffS, A 619 Ebersole, E. C Fellows, B. W..., Guernsey, A. W. Harrison, W. H Hartshorn, H . A Haworth, James Hedge, James B Hollen, J. H Kccler, R. W.. Kephart, E. B. Kinne, L, G... 331 Lamb, Jacob W 436 Lite, John 471 Mann, S. S 93:) Murray, Thomas 275 McAnulty, Hugh 415 Parker, J. C 481 PAGE Sleesor, James 76;) Sl.'ssor, W. T 753 Smith, E. K .377 Smith, Franks 583 Struble, G. K 4!I9 Thompson, Benjamin.. 563 Townsend, J. L 699 Whannell, Thomas 709 Winn, W. F 933 Willett, J. W 454 Wilkinson, A 347 Certificates of the Committees. Below is given a copy of the certificate, signed by the committee appointed by the Old Settlers' Society, to revise and correct the' general history of Tnma county, and also committees from each township to revise and correct the histories of the various townships, showing that the publishers have complied with their prom ises, and did their utmost to produce a reliable and complete history of the county. The following is the cei^ tiflcate of the general committee: ' "We, the undersigned, members of the general committee, appointed by the Old Settlers' Society of Tama county, to correct and revise the manuscript of the History of 'Tama county, written 'and compiled by the Union Publishing Company, of Springfield, Illinois, do hereby certify that wo did, to the best of our ability and recollection, examine said manuscript, and made all the changes and additions that we in our judgment deemed necessary, and as corrected approve the same : W. C. Salsbury, i J.C. Vermilya, | F. Davis, I J. H. Hollen, \Ciimmiitee. D. F. Bruner, I L. Clark, G. H. Struble, J Following is the certificate of the committee for the respective cities and townships: "We, the committee appointed by the Old Settlers' Society, to revise and correct the history [of our res- pective townships] for the History of 'Tama county, written and compiled liy the Union Publishing Company, of Sprin'. field, Illinois, do hereby certify that said manuscript was submitted to us, and that we diii make all the changes, corrections and additions that we in our judgment deemed necessary, and as corrected approve the same:" J. V. B. Greene, W. A. Daniel, J. C. Wood, J. T. Ames, — Buvliinghain Kobert Whannell, William Kline, J. C. Fleming, J. H. Scott, —Grant. C. H. Baldwin, 8. V. K. Kellev, J. F. G. Cold, —Lineuln. J. P. Wood, G. Taylor, —Perm. William li. King, R. Yeomans, A. Bywater, —Sprlnij Creek. C. W. Dobson, John Peterson, —Carltim. .James Trowbridge, L. Stoddard, Jacob Croskrey, Eli Chase, —Columhia. Quincy W. Babb, Jacob Koons, J. B. Merritt, -HiiihUtiMl. J. C. Wiles, O. N. Mason, —Oneida. A. Wilkinson, James A. Wllley, —Salt I 'reck. L. H. Shugart, Amos Rogers, Jas. li. VanAnken. James Haworth, G. M. Fee, Adam Wise, J. L. Townsend, J. B. Wvlle, J. B. M. Bishop, — ( 'rystal. J H. Giger, J. H. Tindall, L F. Hammitt, —HuwarO. Abram Tompkins, J. M. Hayes, C. E. Haye», D. C. Lamb, —Utter Crcelt. W. T. Hollen, William Blodget, B. A. Hall, —Tama titwn.'*hii) and City. Joseph Dvsart, T. S.Talmage, Charles L'nger, — riiii*. J. L. Gedford, Harney Wager, Theodore Moore, John Riley, —Geneeeo. Edward Ruggles, .\ . N . Poy neer, .1. M. Bradley, (i. 1). H. Wilcoxon, —Indiiin Vniygr. James F. Cram, John M. Ramsdell, —BicliUiml. Franklin Davis, A. La Dow, A.J. Wheaton, William E. Rogers, —Tiiledii tiiwH.'ttiipand City. 2y_ k. HISTORY OF IOWA. CHAPTER I. THE traveler, in wending his way across the fair State of Iowa, with its evidences of civilization upon every hand; its magnificent churches with spires pointing heavenward; its school-houses almost upon every hill; palatial residences evincing wealth and refinement, cannot realize that, less than a half century ag-', this "beautiful land" was the home only of the red man, who roamed at will over the fair and fertile prairies, hunting in the woods and fi-hing in its streams. The change would seem too great for him to realize. But it is in 'eed true. These churches, these school-houses, these pala- tial residences, th'se railroads, these tele- graph and telephone wires, all have been erected or placed here within the space of a half century. Before the advent of the Red Men, who were found in possession by the Europeans, -who inhabited this country, is a subject yet unsolved, and is shronded in mystery. That there were human beings of a distinct race from the red men of later days, is gen- erally conceded, but scientists fail as yet to agree as to their nature and origin. That this continent is co-existent with the world of the ancients cannot be questioned. Every investigation instituted under the auspices of modern civilization confirms this fact. It is thought by many that the firs' inhabitants came fr^m Asia, by way of Behring's Strait, and in large numbers. Majrnificent cities and monuments were raised at the bidding of tribal leaders, and populous settlements centered with thriv- ing villages sprang up everywhere in man- ifestation of the progress of the people. For the last four hundred years the colo- nizing Caucasian has trodden on the ruins of a civilization whose greatness he could on'y surmise. Among these ruins are pyramds similar to those which have ren- dered Egypt famous. The f'yramid of Chalula is square, each side of its base being 1,3-35 feet, and its height 172 feet. Another pyramid north of Vera Cruz is formed of large blocks of highly polished porphyry, and bears upon its front hiero- -» — sRT HISTORY OF IOWA. glyphic inscriptions and curious sculpture. It is 32 feet square, and a fli<;ht of 57 steps conducts to its summit, which is 65 feet high. The ruins of Palenque are said to extend 20 miles along the ridge of a moun- tain, and the remains of an Aztec city, near the banks of the Gila, are spread over more than a square league. The principal feature of the Aztec civilization which has come down to us was its religion, which we are told was of a dark and gloomy character. Each new god created by their priesthood, instead of arousing new life in the people, brought death to thousands; and their grotesque idols exposed to drown the senses of the beholders in fear, wrought wretchedness rather than spiritual happi- ne.ss. In fact, fear was the great animating principal, the motive power which sustained this terrible religion. Their altars were sprinkled with blood drawn from their own bodies in large quantities, and on them thousands of human victims were sacri- ficed in honor of the demons whom they worshipped. The head and heart of every captive taken in war were offered up as a sacrifice to the god of battles, while the victorious legions feasted on the remaining portions of the bodies. It is said that during the ceremonies attendant on the consecration of two of their tem- ples, the number of prisoners offered up in sacrifice was 12,210, while they them- selves contributed large numbers of volun- tary victims to the terrible belief. The race known as the Mound-Builders next attracts the attention of the ethnolo- gists. Throughout the Mississippi Valley, including many portions of Iowa, are found mounds and wal's of earth or stone, which can only have a human origin. These mounds vary in size from- a few feet to hundreds of feet in diameter. In them are often found stone axes, pestles, arrow- heads, spear-points, pieces of flint, and other articles. Pottery of various de- signs is very common in them, and from the material of which they are made geol- ogists have attempted to assign their age. Some have thought that the Miund- Builders were a race quite distinct from the modern Indians, and that they were in an advanced state of civilization. The best authorities now agree that while the comparatively civilized people called the Aztecs built the cities whose ruins are occasionally found, the Mound-Builders were the immediate ancestors of the In- dians De Soto first saw, and little different from the Indians of to-day. The origin of the Red Men, or Ameri- can Indians, is a subject which interests as well as instructs. It is a favorite topic with the ethnologist, even as it is one of deep concern to the ordinary reader. A review of two works lately published on the origin of the Indians, treats the matter in a peculiarly reasonable light. It says : "Recently a German writer has put for- ward one theory on the subject, and an English writer has put forward another and directly opposite theory. The differ- ence in opinion concerning our aboriginals among authors who have made a profound study of races, is at once curious and in- teresting. Blumenbach treats them in his classifications as a distinct variety of the human family; but, in the three- fold divi- sion of Dr. Latham, they are ranked among the Mongolidie. Other writers on races r- HISTORY OF IOWA. H regard them as a branch of the great Mon- golian family, which at a distant period found its way from Asia to this continent, and remained here for centuries separate from the rest of mankind, passing, mean- while, through divers phases of barbarism and civilization. Morton, our (minent ethnologist, and his followers, Nott and Gliddon, claim for our native Red Men an origin as distinct as the flora and fauna of this continent. Pricliard, whose views are apt to differ from Morten's, finds reason to believe, on comparing the American tribes together, that they must have formed a separate department of nations from the earliest period of the world. The era of their existence as a distinct and isolated people must probably be dated back to the time which separated into nations the in- habitants of the Old World, and gave to each its individuality and primitive lan- guage. Dr. Robert Brown, the latest authority, attributes, in his 'Races of Man- kind,' an Asiatic origin to our aboriginals. He says that the Western Indians not only personally resemble their nearest neighbors — the Northeastern Asiatics — but they re- semble them in language and tradition. The Esquimaux on the American and the Tchuktcis on the Asiatic side understand one another perfectly. Modern anthro- pologists, indeed, are disposed to think that Japan, the Kuriles, and neighboring regions, may be regarded as the original home of the greater part of the native American raoe. It is also admitted by them that between the tribes scattered from the Arctic sea to Cape Horn there is more uniformity of physical feature than is seen in any other quarter of the globe. The weight of evidence and au- thority is altogether in favor of the opin- ion that our so-called Indians are a branch of the Mongolian family, and all additional researches strengthen the opinion. The tribes of both North and South America are unquestionably homogeneous, and, in ail likelihood, had their origin in Asia, though they have been altered and modi- fied by thousands of years of total separa- tion from the present stock " If the conclusions arrived at by the reviewer is correct, how can one account for the vast difference in manner and form between the Red Man as he is now known, or even as he appeared to Columbus and his successors in the field of discovery, and the comparatively civilized inhabitants of Mexico, as seen in 1521 by Cortez, and of Peru, as witnessed by Pizarro in 1532 ? The subject is worthy of investigation. In the year 1541, Ferdinand DeSoto, a Spaniarl, discovered the Mississippi river, at the mouth of the Washita. He, how- ever, penetrated no further north than the 35th parallel of latitude, his death ter- minating the expedition. It was thus left for a later discoverer to first view the "beautiful land." In a grand council of Indians on the shores of Lake Superior, they told the Frenchmen glowing stories of the "great river" and the countries near it. Mar- quette, a Jesuit father, became inspired with the idea of discovering this noble river. He was delayed in this great un- dertaking, however, and spent the interval in studying the language and habits of the Illinois Indians, among whom he expected to travel. In 1673 he completed his pre- parations for the journey, in which he was to be accompanied by Joliet, an agent of -^ 20 HISTOKY OF IOWA. the French Government. The Indians, who had gathered in large numbers to wit- ness his dej)arture, tried to dissuade him from the undertaking, representing that the Indians of the Mississippi Valley were cruel and blood thirsty, and would resent the intrusion of strangers upon their do- main. The great river itself, they said, was the abode of terrible monsters, who could swallow both canoes and men. But Marquette was not diverted from his pur- pose by these reports, and set out on his adventurous trip May 13; he reached, first, an Indian village where once had been a mission, and where he was treated hospit- ably; thence, with the aid of two Miami guides, he proceeded to the Wisconsin, down which he sailed to the great Missis- sippi, which had so long been anxiously looked for; floating down its unknown waters, the explorer discovered, on the 25ih of June, traces of Indians on the west bank of the river, and landed a little above the river now known as the Des Moines. For the first time Europeans trod the soil of Iowa. Marquette remained here a short time, becoming acquainted with the In- dians, and then proceeded on his explora- tions, lie descended the Mississippi to the Illinois, by which and Lake Michigan he returned to French settlements. Nine years later, in 1682, La Salle de- scended the M'ssissippi to the Gulf of Mexico, and, in the name of the king of France, took formal posession of all the immense region watered by the great river and its tributaries from its source to its mouth, and named it Louisiana, in honor of his master, Louis XIV. The river he called " Colbart," in honor of the French Minister, and at its mouth erected a column and a cross bearing the inscription, in French: ' 'LOUIS THE OHEAT, KING OP FBANCE AND .NAVAnilE, KEIGMN'G APEIL 9, 1682." France then claimed by right of dis- covery and occupancy the whole valley of the Miss'ssippi and its tributaries, includ- ing Texas. Spiin at the same time laid claim to all the region about the Gulf of Mexico, and thus these two great nations were brought into collision. But the country was actually held and occupied by the native Indians, especially the great Miami Confederacy, the Miamis proper (anciently the Twightwees) being the east- ern and most powerful tribe. Spain having failed to make any settle- ment in the newly-dii-covercd country, it was left for France to occupy the land, and that government, soon after the dis- covery of the mouth of the Mississippi by La Salle, in 16S2, began to encourage the policy of establishing a line of trading posts and missionary stations, extending through the west from Canada to Louis- iana. In 1762, France, in a time of extreme weakness, ceded all the territory west of the Mississippi, including what is now Iowa, to Spain, which power retained pos- session until October 1, 1800, when it retroceded it to France. This latter power ceded it to the United States in 1303, for the sum of $15,000,000. On assuming control, the United States organized all that region west of the Mis- sissippi and north of the Territory of Orleans as the District of Louisiana. In 1805 the District of Louisiana was organ- ized into the Territory of Louisiana. «C «" ^— ^1^ HISTORY OF IOWA. Thib Territory was subsequently divi'ied, and now forms seven great States — Louis- iana, Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas and Nebraska. CHAPTER II. INDIANS AND INDIAN WARS. For more tban one hundred years after Marquette and Joliet trod tbe virgin soil of Iowa, and admired its fertile plains, not a single settlement had been made or attempted, nor even a trading post estab- lished. The whole country remained in the undisputed pos.session of the native tribes, who often poured out their life blood in obstinate contest for supremacy. That this Stale, so aptly styled "The Beautiful Land," had been the theatre of numerous fierce and bloody struggles be- tween the rival nations for possession of the favored region long before its settle- ment by civilized man, there is no_ room for doubt. In these savage wars the weaker party, whether aggressive or de- fensive, was either exterminated or driven from its ancient hunting grounds. When Marquette visited this country in 1673, the Illini were a very powerful people, occupying a large portion of the State ; but when the country was again visited by the whites, not a remnant of that once powerful tribe remained on the west side of the Mississippi, and Iowa was principally in the possession of the Sacs and Foxes, a warlike tribe which, originally two distinct nations, residing in New York and on the waters of the St. Lawrence, had gradually fought their way westward, and united, probably after the Foxes had been driven out of the Fox River country in 1846, and crossed the Mississippi. The death of Pontiac, a famous Sac chieftain, was made the pre- text for war against the Illini, and a fierce and bloody struggle ensued, which con- tinued until the Illini were nearly de- stroyed, and their hunting grounds pos- sessed by their victorious foes. The lowas also occupied a portion of the State, for a time, in common with tbe Sacs, but they, too, were nearly destroyed by the Sacs and Foxes, and in " The Beautiful Land " these natives met their equally warlike foes, the northern Sioux, with whom they maintained a constant warfare for the pos- session of the country for many years. In 180.3, when Louisiana was purchased by the United States, the Sacs, Foxes and lowas possessed the entire State of Iowa, and the two former tribes, also, occupied most of Illiuois. HISTORY OF IOWA. The Sacs had four principal villages, where most of them resided. Their largest and most important town — if an Indian village may be called such — and from which emanated most of the ob- stacles encountered by the Government in the extinguishment of Indian titles to land in this region, was on Eock river, near Kock Island ; another was on the east ba.k of the Mi^sissippi, near the mouth of Henderson river ; the third was at the head of the Des Moines Rap- ids, near the present site of Montrose ; and the fourth was near the mouth of the upper Iowa. The Foxes had thr^e principal villages. One was on the west side of the Missis- sippi, six miles abovo the rapids of Rock river; another was about twelve miles from the river, in the rear of the Dubuque lead mines ; and the third was on Turkey river. The lowas, at one time identified with the Sacs of Rock river, had withdrawn from them and become a separate tribe. Their principal village was on the Des Moines river, in Van Buren county, on the site where lowavillenow stands. Here the last great battle between the Sacs and Foxes and the lowas was fought, in which Black Hawk, then a young man, com- manded one division of the attacking f. rces. The following account of the bat- tle has been given: "Contrary to long established custom of Indian attack, this battle was commenced in the day-time, the attending circum- stances justifying this departure from the well-settled usages of Indian warfare. The Rattle-field was a level river bottom, about four miles in length, and two miles wide near the middle, narrowing to a point at either end. The main area of this bottom rises perhaps twenty feet above the river, leaving a narrow strip of low bottom along the shore, covered with trees that belted the prairie on the river side with a thick forest, and the immediate bank of the river was fringed with a dense growth of -wil- low. Near the lower end of this prairie, near the river bank, was situated the Iowa village. About two miles above it and near the middle of the prairie is a mound, covered at the time with a tuft of small trees and underbrush growing on its sum- mit. In the rear or this little elevation or mound lay a belt of wet prairie, covered, at that time, with a dense growth of rank, coarse grass. Bordering this wet prairie on the north, the country rises abruptly into elevated broken river bluffs, covered with a heavy forest for many miles in ex- tent, and in places thickly clustered with undergrowth, affording convenient shelter for the stealthy approach of the foe. "Through this forest the Sac and Fox war party made their way in the night, and secreted themselves in the tall grass spoken of above, intending to remain in ambush during the day and make such observa- tions as this near proximity to their in- tended victims might afford, to aid them in their contemplated attack on the town during the following night. From this situation their spies could take a full sur- vey of the village, and watch every move- ment of the inhabitants, by which means they were soon convinced that the lowas had no suspicion of their presence. "At the foot of the mound above men- tioned the lowas had their race course, where they diverted themselves with the HISTORY OF IOWA. 23 excitement of horse-racing, and schooled their young warriors in cavalry evolutions. In these exercises mock battles were fought, and the Indian tactics of attack and defense carefully inculcated, by which means a skill in horsemanship was acquired that is rarely excelled. Unfortunately for them this day was selected for their equestrian sports, and, wholly unconscious of the proximity of their foes, the warriors re- paired to the race-ground, leaving most of their arms in the village, and their old men, women and children unprotected. "Pash-a-po-po, who was chief in com- mand of the Sacs and Foxes, perceived at once the advantage this state of things afforded for a complete surprise of his now doomed victims, and ordered Black Hawk to file off with his young warriors through the tall grass and gain the cover of the timber along the river bank, and with the utmost speed reach the village and com- mence the battle, while he remained with his division in the ambush to make a sim- ultaneous assault on the unarmed men whose attention was engrossed with the excitement of the races. The plan was skillfully laid and most dexterously exe- cuted. Black Hawk with his forces reached the village undiscovered, and made a furious onslaught upon the de- fenseless inhabitants by firing one general volley into their midst, and completing the slaughter with the tomahawk and scalping- knife, aided by the devouring flames with which they enveloped the village as soon as the fire-brand could be spread from lodge to lodge. "On the instant of the report of fire-arms at the village, the forces under Pash-a-po-po leaped from their couchant position in the grass, and sprang, tiger-like, upon the un- armed lowas in the midst of their racing sports. The first impulse of the latter natur- ally led them to make the utmost speed to- ward their arms in the village, and protect, if possible, their wives and children from the attack of their merciless assailants. The distance from the place of attack on the prairie was two miles, and a great number fell in their flight by the bullets and tomahawks of their enemies, who pressed them closely with a running file the whole way, and the survivors only reached their town in time to witness the horrors of its destruction. Their whole village was in flames, and the dearest objects of their lives lay in slaughtered heaps amidst the devouring element, and the agonizing groans of the dying, mingled with the exulting shouts of the victorious foe, filled their hearts with maddening despair. Their wives and children who had been spared the general massacre were prisLiners, and together with their arms in the hands of their victors; and all that could now be done was to draw off their shattered and defenseless forces, and save as many lives as possible by a retreat across the Des Moines river, which they effected in the best possible manner, and took a p.^sition among the Soap Creek hills." Previous to the settlement of their vil- lage on Rock river, the Sacs and Foxes had a fierce conflict with the Winnebagos, subdued them and took possession of their lands. At one time this village contained upward of 60 lodges, and was among the largest Indian villages on the continent. The number of Sacs and Foxes in 1825 was estimated by the Secretary of War to 24 HISTORY OF IOWA. be 4,600. Their village was situated in the immediate vicinity of the upper rapids of the Mifsissippi, where the flourishing towns of Rock Island and Davenport are now situated. The extensive prairies dotted over with groves, the beautiful scenery, the picturisque bluffs along the river banks, the rich and fertile soil pro- ducing large crops (if Corn, squash and other vegetables with little labor, the abundance of wild fruit, game, fish, and almost every- thing calculated to make it a delightful spot for an Indian village, which was found there, had made this place a favorite home of the Sacs, and secured for it the strong aitachment and veneration of the whole nation. The Sioux located their hunting grounds north of the Sacs and Foxes. They were a fierce and warlike nation, who fflen dis- puted possessions with their rivals in savage and bloody warfare. The possessions of these tribes were mostly located in Minne- sota, but extended over a portion of Norlhira and Western Iowa to the Mis- souri river. Their descent from the north upon the hunting grounds of Iowa fre- qui utly brought them into collision with the Sacs and Foxes, a: d after many a con- flict and bloody struggle, a boundary line was established between them by the Government of the United States, in a treaty held at Prairie du Chien in l.'-25. Instead of settling the difficulties, this caused them to quarrel ail the more, in conse m- pany with one of his men, I'ike went on shore on a hunting expedition, and follow- ing a stream which they supposed to be a part of the Mississippi, they were led away from their course. Owing to the intense heat and tall grass, his two favorite dogs, wliicli he had taken with him, became ex- hausted, and he left them on the prairie, supposing that they would follow him as soon as they should get rested, and went on to overtake his boat. After reaching the river he waited some time for his canine friends, but they did not come, and as he deemed it inexpedient to detain the boat longer, two of his men volunteered to go in pursuit of them, and he continued on his way up the river, expecting that the two men would soon overtake him They lost their way, however, and for six days were without food, except a few morsels gathered from the stream, and might have perished had they not accidentally met a trader from St. Louis, who induced two Indians to take them up the river, and they overtook the boat at Dubuque. At the latter place Pike was cordially received by Julien Dubuque, a Frenchman, who held a mining claim under a grant from Spain. He had an old field piece, and fired a salute in honor of the advent of the first Amer- ican who had visited that part of the Ter- ritory. He was not, however, disposed to publish the wealth of his mines, and the young and evidently inquisitive ofiicer obtained but little information from him. Upon leaving this place. Pike pursued his way up the river, but as he passed beyond the limits of the present State of Iowa, a detailed history of his explora- tions does not propm'ly belong to this vol- ume. It is sufficient to say that, on the site of Fort Snelling, Miunesita, he held a ^^ 26 HISTOEY OF IOWA. council with the Sioux, Sept. 2.3, and ob- tained from them a grant of 100,000 acres of land. Jan. 8, 1806, he arrived at a trad- ing post belonging to the Northwest Com- pany, on Lake De S.able, in latitude 47 * . Tills company at that time carried on their immense operations from Hudson's Bay to the St. Lawrence ; up that river, on both sides along the great lakes, to the head of Lake Superior, thence to the sources of the Re^l Eiver of the North, and west to the R cky Mountains, embracing within the sco))e of their operations what was subse- quently the State of Iowa. After suc- cessfully accomplishing his mission and performing a valuable service to the whole Northwest, Pike returned to St. Louis, ar- riving there April 30, 1806.. Before the Territory of Iowa could be open to settlement by the whites, it was necessary that the Indian title should be extinguished and the original owners re- moved. The Territory had been pur- cha-^ed by the United States, but was still occupied by the Indians, who claimed title to the soil by right of possession. In order to accomplish this purpose, large sums of money were expended, besides the frontier being disturbed by Indian wars, terminated repeatedly by treaty, only to be renewed by some act of oppression on the part of the whiles, or gome violation of treaty stipulation. When the United States assumed con- trol of the country, by virtue of the Louis- iani purchase, n arly the whole Stale was in possession of the Sacs and Foxes, a powerful and warlike nation, who were not disposed to submit without a struggle to what they C'jnsidered the encroachment of the pale faces. Among the most noted chiefs, and on.e whose restlessness and hatred of the Americans occasioneil more trouble to the Government than any other of his tribe, was Black Hawk, who was born at the Sac Village, on Rock river, in 1767. He was simply the chief of his own band of Sac warriors; but by his energy and ambition he became the leading spirit of the united nation of Sacs and Foxes, and one of the prominent figures in the history of the country from 1804 till his death. In early manhood he attained dist no- tion as a fighting chief, leaving led c;»m- jiaigns against the O.-ages and other neigh- boring tribes. About the beg nning of the present century he began to appear prominent in affairs on ihe Mississippi. His life was a marvel. He is said by some to have been ihe victim of a narrow prejudice and bitter ill-will against the Americans. Upon the cession of Spain to France, in 1801, it did not give up possession of the country, but retained it, and by the au- thority of France transferred it to the United States in 1804 At that time Black Hawk and his band were in St. Louis, and were invited to be present and witness the transfer; but he refused the invitation, and it is but just to say thai this refusal was caused probably more from regret that the Indians were to be transferred from the jurisdiction of the Spanish authorities than from any t-pecial hatred toward the Americans. In his life he says: "1 found many sad and gloomy faces because the United Slates were about to take possession of the town and country. Soon after the Americans came I took my b md and went to lake leave of my Spanish HISTORY OF IOWA. 27 father. The Americans came to see him also. Seeing them approach, we passed out of one door as they entered an- ot^er, and immediately started in our canoes for our village on Buck river, not liking the change any belter than our friends appeared to at St. Louis. On arriving at our village, we gave the news that strange people had arrived at St. Louis, and that we shouh! never see our Spanish father again. Tne information made all our people sorry." IJovember 3, 1804, a treaty was con- cluded between William Henry Harrison, then Governor of Indiana Territory, on behalf of the United States, and five chiefs of the Sac and Fox nation, by which the latter, in consideration of §2,234 worth of goods then delivered, and a yearly annuity of $1,000 to be paid in goods at just cost, ceded to the United States all that land on the east side of the Mississippi, extending from a point opposite the Jefferson, in Missouri, to the Wisconsin river, embra- cing an area of over 51,000,000 of acres. To this treaty Black Hawk always objected, and always refused to consider it binding upon his people. He asserted that the chiefs or braves who made it had no au- thority to relinquish the title of the nation to any of the lands they held or 'occu- pied, and, moreover, that they had been sent to St. Louis on quite a different errand, namely: to get one of their people released, who had been imprisoned at St. Louis for killing a white man. lu 1805 Lieutenant Pike came up the river for the purpose of holding friendly i-ouncils with the Indians and selecting sites for forts within the territory recently acquired from France by the United States. Lieut. Pike seems to have been the first American whom Black Hawk ever met or had a personal interview with, and he seemed very much prepossessed in his favor. He gives the following account of his visit to Rock Island: "A boat came up the river with a young American chief and a small parly of soldiers. We heard of them soon afier we passed Salt river. Some of our young braves watched them every day to see what sort of people he h.ad on board. The boat at length arrived at Rock river, and the young chief came on shore with his interpreter, made a speech and gave us some presents We in turn presented him with meat and such other provisions as we had to spare. We were well pleased with the young chief; he gave us good advice, and said our American father would treat us well." Fort Edwards was erected soon after Pike's expedition, at what is now Warsaw, Illinois, also Fort Madison, on the site of the present town of that name, the latter being the first fort erected in Iowa. These movements occasioned great u:. easiness among the Indians. When work was commenced on Fort Edwards, a delegation from their nation, headed by some of their chiefs, went down to see what the Ameri- cans were doing, and had an interview with the commander, after which they returned home and were apparently satis- fied. In like manner, when Fort Madison was being erected, they sent down another delegation from a council of the nation held at Rock river. According to Black Hawk's account, the American chief told them that he was building a house for a trader, who was coming to sell them goods cheap, and that the soldiers were coming ^ 28 HISTORY OF IOWA. to keep him company — a statement which Black Hawk says they distrusted at the lime, believing that the fort was an en- croachment upon their rights, and designed to aid it getting their lands away frcra thorn. It is claimed, by good authority, that the building of Fort Madison was a violation of the treaty of 1804. By the 11th article of that treaty, the United States had a right to build a fort near the mouth of the Wisconsin river, and by article 6 they had bound themselves "that if any citizen of the United States or any other white persons should form a settle- ment upon their lands, such intruders should forthwith be removed." Probably the authorities of the United States did not regard the establishment of military posts as coming properly within the meaning of the term "settlement" as used in the treaty. At all events, they erected Fort Madison within the territory reserved to the Indi- ans, who became very indignaut. Very soon after the fort was built, a party led by Black Hawk attempted its destruction. They sent spies to watch the movements of the garrison, who ascer- tained that the soldiers were in the habit of marching out of the fort every mornini; and evening for parade, and the plan of the party was to conceal themselves near the fort, and attack and surprise them when they were outside. On the morning of the proposed day of the att ck, five soldiers came out. and were fired upon by the Indians, two of them being killed. The Indians were too hasty in their move- ment, for the parade had not commenced. However, they kept up the attack several days, attempting the old Fox strategy of setting fire to the fort with blazing arrows; but finding their efforts unavailing, they soon gave up .ind rtturned to Rock river. In 1812, when war was declared between this country and Great Britain, Black Hawk and his band allied themselves with the British, partly because he was dazzled by their specious promises, but more prob- ably because they were deceived by the Americans. Black Hawk himself declared thai the}' were forced into war by being deceived. He narrates the circumstances as follows: "Several of the head men and chiefs of the Sacs and Foxes were called upon to go to Washingt n to see their Great Father. On their return they re- lated what had been said and done. Th^y said the Great leather wished them, in the event of a war taking place with England, not to interfere on eiiher side, but tore- main neutral He did not want our help, but wished us to bunt and suppoit our families, and live in peace. He said that Britii-h traders would not be permitted to come on the Mississippi to furnish us with goods, but that we should be supplied with an American trader. Our chiefs then told him that the British traders always gave ihfm credit in the fall for guns, powder and goods, to enable us to hunt and clothe our families. He repeated that the traders at FortMadison would have plenty of good?; that we should go there in the fall and he would supply us on credit, as the British traders had done." Black Hawk seems to have accepted the proposition, and he aud his people were very much pleased. Act- ing in g lod faith, they tilted out for their winter's hunt, and went to Fort Madison in high spirits to receive from the trader their outfit of supplies; but after waiting some time, they were told by the trader M'y HISTORY OP IOWA. !^ that he would not trust them. In vain they pleaded the promise of their Great Father at Washington; the trader was inexoiable. Di.s.appuinted and crest fallen, the Indians turned sadly to their own vil- lage. Says Black Hawk: "Few of us slept that night. All was gloom and discon- tent. In the moruiug a canoe was seen ascending the river; it soon arrived bear- ing an express, who brought inte'iigence that a British trader had landed at Rock Island with two boats filled with goods, and requested us to comu up immediately, be- cause he had good news for us, and a variety of presents. The express presented us with tobacco, pipes and wampum. The news ran through our camp like fire on a prairie. Our lodges were soon taken down and all started for Kock Island. Here ended all our hopes of remaining at peace, having been forced into the war by being deceived." He joined the British, who flattered him, and styled him "Gen. Black Hawk," decked him with medals, excited his jealousy against the Americans, and armed his band; but he met with defeat and disappointment, and soon abandoned the service and came home. There was a portion of the Sacs and Foxes, whom Black Hawk, with all his skill and cunning, could not lead into hos- tilities to the United States. With Keokuk ("The Watchful Fox") at their head, they were disposed to abide by the treaty of 1804, and to cultivate friendly relations with the American people. So, when Black Hawk and his band joined the fortunes of Great Britain, the rest of the nation remained neutral, and, for protec- tion, organized with Keokuk for their chief. Thus, the nation was divided into the "War and Peace party." Black Hawk says he was informed, after he had gone to the war, that the nation, which had been reduced to so small a body of fighting men, were unable to defend themselves in case the Americans should attack them, and, having all the old men, women and children belonging to the warriors who had joined the British, on their hands to provide for, a council was held, and it was agreed that Quasb-qua-me (The Lance) and other chiefs, together with the old men, women and children, and such others as chose to accom^jany them, should go to St. Louis and place themselves und' r the American Chief stationed there. Accord- ingly they went down, and were received as the "friendly band" of Sacs and Foxes, and were provided for and sent up the Missouri river. On Black Hawk's return from the British army, he says Keokuk was intro- duced to him as the war chief of the braves then in the village. He inquired how he had become chief; and was in- formed that their spits had seen a large armed force going toward Peoria, and fears were entertained of an attack upon the village; whereupon a council was held, which concluded to leave the village, and cross over to the other side of the Mis- sissippi. Keokuk had been standing at the door of the lodge when the council was held, not being allowed to enter on account of never having killed an enemy, where he remained until Wa-co-me came out. Keokuk asked permission to speak to the council, whiih Wa-co-me obtained for him. He then addressed the chiefs. He remonstrated against the desertion of their vill.age, their own homes, and the ^' 30 HISIORY OF IOWA. graves of their fathers, and offered to defend the village. The couucil consented that he shou'd be their war chief. lie marshaled his braves, sent out spies, and advanced on the lead- ing trail to Piioria, but returned without seeing the enemy. The Americans did not disturb the village, and all were satis- fied with the appo niment of Keokuk. Like Black Hawk, he was a descendant of the Sac branch of the nation, and was born on Rock river in 17S0. He was of a pacific disposition, but possessed the elements of true courage, and could fi.:ht when occa- sion required with cool judgment and heroic energy. In his first battle he en- countered and killed a Sioux, which placed him in the rank of warriors, and he was honored with a public feast by his tribe in commemoration of the event. In person, Keokuk was tall and of portly bearing. In his public speeches he dis- played a commanding attitude and grace- ful gestures. He has been described as an orator, entitled to rank with the most gifted of his race. He spoke rapidly, but his enunciation was clear, distinct and forcible; he culled his figures from the stores of nature, and based his arguments on skill !"ul logic. Unfortunately for his reputation as an orator among white people, he was never able to obtain an interpreter who could claim even a slight acquaint- ance with philosophy. With one excep- tion only, his interpreters were unac- quainted with the elements of their mother tongue. Of this serii,.us liindrance to his fame he was well aware, and re- tained Frank Labershure, who had re- ceived a rudiniental education in the French and English languages, until the latter broke down by dissipation and died. Kei'kuk was thus compelled to submit his spetches for translation to uneducated men, whose range of thought fell far below the flights of a gifted mind, and the fine imagery drawn from nature was be- yond their power of reproduction. Keokuk had sufficient knowledge of the English language to make hir.i sensible of this bad rendering of his thoughts, and often a feeling of mortification at the buiiglin^efforts was depicted on his coun- tenance while speaking. The proper ])!ace to form a correct estimate of his ability as an orator was in the Indian council, where he addressed himself ex- clusively to those who understood his lan- guage, and witnessed the electrical effect of his eloquence upon his council. He seems to have possessed a more sober judgment, and to have had a more intelli- gent view of the great strength and re- sources of the United States, than his noted and restless cotemporary, Black Hawk. He knew from the first that the reckless war which Black Hawk and his band had determined to carry on could result in nothing but disaster and defeat, and he used every argument against it. The large number of warriors whtim he had dissuaded from following Black Hawk became, however greatly excited with the war spirit after Stillman's defeat, and but for the signjl tact displayed by Keokuk on that occasion, would have forced him to submit to their wishes in joining the rest of the warriors in the field. A war dance was held, and Keokuk took part in it, seeming to be moved with the current of the rising storm. When the dance was over, he called the council together to pre- '^. ^ HISTORY OF IOWA. pare for war. He made a 8peech,in which he admitted the justice of their complaints against the Americans. To seek redress was a noble aspiration of their nature. The blood of their brethren had been shed by the white man, and the spirits of their braves, slain in battle, called loudly for vengeance. ' I am your chief," said he, " and it is my duty to lead you to battle, if after fully considering the matteryou are determined to go; but before you decide to take this important step, it is wise to inquire into the chances of success " He then portrayed to them the great power of the United States, against whom they would have to contend, and thought their chances of success was utterly hope- less. 'But," said he, "if you do deter- mine to go upon the warpath, I will agree to lead you on one condition — that before we go we kill our old men and our wives and children, to save them from a linger- ing death of starvation, and that every one of us determine to leave our homes on the other side of the Mississippi." This was a strong but truthful picture of the pros- pect before them, and was presented in such a forcible light as to cool their ardor and cause them to abandon their rash undertaking. From this time there was no serious troulle with the Indians until the Black Hawk war. The treaty of 1804, between the United States and the chiefs of the Sac and Fox nations was never acknowledged by Black Hawk, and, in 1831, he established him- self with a chosen band of warriors u|)()n the disputed territory, ordering the whites to leave the country at once. The settlers complaining. Governor Reynolds, of Illi- nois, dispatched General Gaines with a company of regulars and 1,500 volunteers to the scene of action. Taking the Indians by surprise, the troops burnt their village, and forced them to conclude a treaty, by which they ceded all their lands east of the Mississippi, and agreed to remain on the west side of the river. Necessity forced the proud spirit of Black Hawk into submission, which made him more than ever determined to be avenged upon his enemies. Having ral- lied around him the warlike braves of the Sac and Fox nations, he recrossed the Mis- sissippi in the spring of 1832. Upon hearing of the invasion, Govenior Rey- nolds hastily collected a body of 1,800 volunteers, placing them under command of Brig.-Gen. Samuel Whiteside. The army marched to the Mississijipi, and, having reduced to ashes the Indian village known as " Prophet's Town," pro- ceeded several miles up Rock river, to Dixon, to join the regular forces under Gtn. Atkinson. They formed, at Dixon, two companies of volunteers, who, sighing for glory, were dispatched to reconnoiter the enemy. They advanced, under com- mand of Major Stillman, to a creek after- wards called "Stillman's run," and, while encamping there, saw a party of mounted Indians at a dittance of a mile. Several of Stillniin's party mounted their horses and charged the ludians, killing three of them; but, attacked by the main body, under Black Hawk, they were routed, and, by their precipitate flight, spread such a panic through the camp that the vhole company ran off to Dixon as fast as their legs could carry them. On their arrival it was found that there had bi-en eleven killed. The -=> pv HISTORY OF IOWA. party came straggling into camp all night long, four or five at a time, each squad positive that all who were left behind were massacred. It is said that a big, tall Kontuckian, with a loud voice, who was a Colonel of the militia, upon his arrival in camp gave to Gen. Whiteside and the wondering multi- tu4e the following glowing and bombastic account of the battle: "Sirs," said he, "our detachment was encamped among some scattering timber on the north side of Old Man's creek, with the prairie from the north gently sloping down to our encampment. It was just after twilight, in the gloaming of the even- ing, when we discovered Black Hawk's army coming down upon usin solid column; they displayed in the form of a crescent upon the brow of the prairie, and such accuracy and precision of military move- ments were never witnessed by man; they were equal to the best troops of Wellington in Spain. I have said that the Indians came down in solid columns, and displayed in the form of a crescent; and, what was most wonderful, there were large squares of cavalry resting upon the points of the curve, which squares were supported again by other columns fifteen deep, extending back through the woods and over a swamp three-quarters of a mile, which again rested on th; main body of Black Hawk's army, bivouacked upon the banks of the Kish- wakee. It was a terrible and a glorious bight to see the tawny warriors as they rode along our flanks attempting to out- flank us, with the glittering moonbeams g.istening from tlieir polished blades and burning spears. It was a sight well calcu- lated to strike consternation in the stoutest and boldest heart; and, accordingly, cur men soon began to break, in small squads, for tall timber. "In a very little time the rout became general, the Indians were soon upon our flanks, and threatened the destiuclion of our entire detachment. About this time Maj. Stillman, Col. Stephenson, Maj. Per- kins, Capt. Adams, Mr. Hackelton and my- self, with some others, threw ourselves into the rear to rally the fugitives and protect the retreat. But in a short time all my companions fell bravely fighting hand-to- hand with the savage enemy, and I alone was left upon the field of battle About this time I discovered not far to ihe left a corps of horsemen, which seemed to be in tolerable order. I immediately deployed to the left, when, leaning down and placing my body in a recumbent posture upon the mane of my horse, so as to bring the heads of the horsemen between my eye and the horizon, I discovered, by the light of the moon, that they were gentlemen who did not wear hats, by which token I knew they were no friends of mine. I therefore made a retrograde movement, and recovered my position, where I remained some time, in thinking what further I could do for my country, when a random ball came whist- ling by my ear, and plainly whispered to me, 'Stranger, you have no further busi- ness here.' Upon hearing this, I followed the example of my companions-in-arms, and broke for tall timber, and the way I ran was not a little." For a long time afterward Maj. Stillman and his men were subjects of ridicule and merriment, which was as undeserving as their expedition was disastrous. Still- man's defeat spread consternation through- ^ HISTORY OF IOWA. 33 out the Slate and nation. The number of Inilians was greatly exaggerated, and the name of Black Hawk carried with it asso- ciations of great military talent, savage cunning and cruelty. A regiment sent to spy out the country between Galena and Rock Island, was sur- prised by a parly of seventy Indians, and was on the point of being thrown into dis- order, when Gen. Whiteside, then serving as a private, shouted out that he would shoot the first man who turned his back on th3 enemy. Order being restore'd, the bat- tle began. At its very outset Gen. White- side shot the leader of the Indians, who thereupon commenced a hasty retreat. In June, 1832, Black Hawk, with a band of one hundred and fifty warriors, attacked the Apple River Fort, near Galena, de- fended by twenty-five men. This fort, a mere palisade of logs, was erected to afford protect!' >n to the miners. For fifteen con- secutive hours the garrison had to sustain the assault of the savage enemy; but, knowing very well that no quarter would be given them, they fought with such fury and desperation that the Indians, after losing many of {heir warriors, were com- pelled to retreat. Another party of eleven Indians mur- dered two men near Fort Hamilton. They were afterward overtaken by a company of twenty men, and every one of them killed. A new regime: t, under the command of Gen. Atkinson, assembled on the banks of the Illinois, in the latter part of June. Major Dement, with a small party, was sent out to rtjconnoiter the movements of a large body of Indians, whose endeavors to surround him made it advisable for him to retire. Upon hearing of this engage- ment. Gen Atkinson sent a detachment to intercept the Indians, while he with the main body of his army, moved north to meet the Indians under Black Hawk. They moved slowly and cautiously through the cjunlry, pissed through Turtle Vil- lage, and marched up along R ick river. On their arrival news was brought of the discovery of the main trail of the Indians. Considerable search was made, but they were unable to discover any vestige of In- dians, save two, who had shot iwo soldiers the day previous. Hearing that Black Hawk was encamped on Ro k River, at the Manitou village, they resolved at once to advance upon the enemy, but in the execution of their de- sign they met with opposiiion from their officers and men. The officers of Gen. Henry handed to him a written protest; but he, a man equal to any emergency, ordered the officers to be arrested and escorted to Gen Atkinson. Within a few minutes after the stern order was given, the officers all collected around the Gen- eral's quarters, many of them with tears in their eyes, pledging themselves that if for- given they would return to duty and never do the like again. The General rescinded the order, and they at once resumed duty. THE BATTLE OF BAD-AXK. Gen. Henry marched, on the 15th of July, in pursuit of the Indians, reaching Rock river after three days' juuiney, where he learned Black Hawk was encamped further up the river. On July 19 the troops were ordered to commence their march. After having made 50 miles, they HISTORY OF IOWA. were overtakon by a terrible thunder storm, which lasted all night. Nothing cooled, however, in their courage and zeal, they marched again .^0 miles the next day, encamping near the place where the In- dians encamped the niglitbefore Hurrying along as fast as they could, the infantry keeping up an equal pace with the mounted force, the troops, on the morning of the 2 St, crossed the river connecting two of the four lakes, by which the Indians had been endeavoring to escape. They found, on their way, the ground strewn with ket- tles and articles of baggage, which, in the haste of retreat, the Indians were obliged to throw away. The troops, inspired with new ardor, advanced so rapidly that at noon they fell in with the rear guard of the Indians. Those who closely pursued them were saluted by a sudden fire of musketry from a body of Indians who had concealed them elves in the high grass of the prairie. A most desperate charge was made upon the Indians, who, unable to resist, retreated obliquely in order to out- flank the volunteers on the right; but the latter charged the Indians in their ambush and expelled them frc.m their thickets at the point of the bayonet, and dispersed them. Night set in and the battle ended, having cost the Indians sixty-eight of their br.avest mm, while the loss of the lUinois- ans amounted to but one killed and eight wounded. Soon after this battle. Gens. Atkinson and Henry joined their forces and pursued the Indians. Gen. Henry struck the main trail, left his horses behind, formed an advance guard of eight men, and marched forward upon their trail. When these eight men came within sight of the river, they were suddenly fired upon, and five of them killed, th^ remaining three maintain- ing their ground till Gen. Hei ry came up. Then the Indians, charged upon with the bayonet, fell back upon their main force; the battle now. became general; the In- dians fought with desperate valor, but were furiously assailed by the volunteers with their bayonets, cutting many of the Indians to pieces and driving the rest into the river. Those who escaped from being drowned found refuge on an island. On hearing tte frequent discharge of mus- ketry, indicating a general engagement. Gen. Atkinson abandoned the pursuit of the twenty Indians under Black Hawk himself, and hurried to the scene of action, where he arrived too late to take part in the battle. He immediately forded the river with his troops, the water reaching up to their necks, and landed on the island where the Indiana had secreted them- selves. The soldiers rushed upon the Indians, killed several of them, took the others prisoners, and chased the rest into the river, where they were either drowaed or shot before reaching the opposite shore. Thus ended the battle, the Indians losing three hundred, besides fifty prisoners; the whites, but seventeen killed and twelve wounded. Black Hawk, with his twenty braves, retreated- up the Wisconsin river. The Winnebagos, desirous of securing the friendship of the whites, went in pursuit and captured and delivered them to Gen. Street, the United States Indian Agent. Among the prisoners were . the son of Black Hawk and the prophet of the tribe. These, with Black Hawk, were taken to *?!< f- HISTORY OF IOWA. Washington, D. C, and soon consigned as prisoners at Fortress Monroe. At the interview Black Hawk bad with the President, he closed his speech deliv- ered on the occasion in the following words: "We did not expect to conquer the whites. They have too many huuses, too mmy men. I took up the haichet, for my part, to revenge injuries which my people could no longer endure. Had I borne them longer without striking, my people would have said : 'Black Hawk is a woman; he is too old to be a chief; he is no Sac' These reflections caused me to raise the war-whoop. I say no more. It is known to you. Keokuk once was here; you took him by the hand, and when he wished to return to his home, you were willing. Black Hawk expects, like Keo kuk, he shall be permitted to return, too." By order of the President, Black Hawk and his companions, who were in confine- ment at Fortress Monroe, were set free on the 4th day of June, 1833. After tlieir release from prison they were conducted in charge of Major Gar- land, through some of the principal cities, that they might witness the power of the United Slates and learn their own inability to cope with them in war. Great multi- tudes flocked to see them wherever they were taken, and the attention paid them rendered their progress through the coun- try a triumphal procession, instead of the transportation of prisoners by an officer. At Rock Island the prisoners were given their liberty amid great and impressive ceremony. In 1838 Black Hawk built him a dwelling near Des Moines, this State, and furnished it after the manner of the whites, aid' engaged in agricultural pur- suits and hunting and fishing. Here, with his wife, to whom he was greatly attached, he passed the few remaining days- of his life To his credit, it may be said that Black Hawk remained true to his wife, and served her with a devotion uncommon air.ong Indians, living with her upward of forty years. At all times when Black Hawk visited the whites he was received with marked attention. He was an honored guest at the old settlers' reunion in Lee county, Illinois, at some of their meetings, and received marked tokens of esteem. In September, 1838, while on his way to Rock Island to receive his annuity from the Government, he contracted a severe cold, which resulted in a severe attack of bilious fever, and terminated his life Oct 3. After his death he was dressed in the uniform presented to him by the President while in Washington. He was buried in a grave six feet in depth, situated upon a beautiful eminence. The body was placed in the middle of the grave, in a sitting position upon a seat constructed for the purpose. On his left side the cane given him by Henry Clay was placed upright, with his right hand resting upon it. His remains were afterwards stolen and car- ried away, but they were recovered by the Governor of Iowa, and placed in the museum of the Historical Society at Bur- lington, where they were finally destroyed by fire. -^. nsr- J^ 36 HISTORY OF IOWA. CHAPTER III. INDIAN TREATIES. As has already been stated, all Iowa was in actual possession of the Indians when purchased by the United States Govern- ment, and for purposes of settlement by the whites, could only be obtained by forcible ejectment or re-purchase from those inhabiting the country. This was effected in a series of treaties and pur- chases, of which a synopsis is given: The territory known as the "Black Hawk Purchase," although not the first portion of Iowa ceded to the United States by the Sacs and Foxes, was the first opened to actual settlement by the tide of emi- gration which flowed acro's the Missis- sippi as soon as the Indian title was extinguished. The treaty which provided for this cession was made at a council held on the west bank of the Mississippi, where now stands the thriving city of Davenport, on ground now occupied by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific R. R. Co , Sept. 21, 18.32. This was just after the "Black Hawk War," and the defeated savages had retired from east of the Mississippi. At the council the Government was repre- sented by Gen. Winfield Scott and Gov. Reynolds, of Illinois. Keokuk, Pashapaho and some thirty other chiefs and warriors were present. By this treaty the Sacs and Foxes ceded to the United States a strip of land on the eastern border of Iowa, fifty miles wide, from the northern boundary of Missouri to the mouth of the Upper Iowa river, containing about 6,000,000 acres. The western line of the purchase was parallel with the Mississippi. In consider- ation of this cession, the United States Government stipulated to pay annually to the confederated tribes, for thirty con- secutive years, ISO, 000 in specie, and to pay the debts of the Indians at Rock Island, which had been accumulating for seventeen years, and amounted to -§.50 000, due to Davenport & Farnham, Indian traders. The Government also generously donated to the Sac and Fox women and children whose husbands and fathers had fallen in the Black Ilawk War, 35 beef cattle, 12 bushels of salt, 30 barrels of pork, 50 barrels of flour, and 6,000 bushels of corn. The treaty was ratified February 13, 1833, and took effect on the 1st of June following, when the Indians quietly re- moved from the ceded territory, and this fertile and beautiful region was opened to white settlers. By terms of the treaty, out of the Black Hawk purchase was reserved for the Sacs and Foxes 400 square miles of land, sit- uated on the Iowa River, and including within its limits Keokuk village, on the right bank of that river. This tract was known as Keokuk's reserve, and was occu- pied by the Indians until 1836, when, by HISTORY OF IOWA. 37 a treaty made in September between them and Gov. Dodge, of Wisconsin Territory, it was ceded to the United States. The council was held on the banks of the Mis- sissippi, above Davenport, and was the largest assemblage of the kind ever held by the Sacs and Foxes to treat for the sale of lands. About one thousand of their chiefs and braves were present, and Keokuk was the leading spirit of the occasion, and their principal speaker. By the terms of this treaty, the Sacs and Foxes were removed to another reser- vation on the Des Moines river, where an agency was established at what is now the town of Agency City. The Government also gave out of the Black Hawk purchase to Antoine LeClare, interpreter, in fee simple, one section of land opposite Rock Island, and another at the head of the first rapids above the island on the Iowa side. This was the first land title granted by the United States to an individual in Iowa. Gen. Joseph M. Street established an agency among the Sacs and Foxes very soon after the removal of the latter to their new reservation. He was transferred from the agency of the Winnebagos for this purpose. A tarm was selected, upon which the necessary buildings were erected, in- cluding a comfortable farm house for the agent and his family, at the expense of the Indian fund. A salaried agent was era- ployed to superintend the farm and dispose of the crops. Two mills were erected — one on Soap creek, and the other on Sugar creek. The latter was soon swept away by a flood, but the former remained and did good service for many years. Connected with the agency were Joseph Smart and John Goodell, interpreters. The latter was interpreter for Hard Fishes' band. Three of the Indian chiefs — Keo- kuk, Wapello and Appanoose — had each a large field improved, the two former on the right bank of the Des Moines, back from the river, in what is now " Keokuk's Prairie," and the latter on the present site of the city of Ottumwa. Among the traders connected with their agency were the Metsrs. Ewing, from Ohio, and Phelps & Co , from Illinois, and also J. P. Eddy, who established his post at what is now the site of Eddy ville. The Indians at this agency became idle and listless in the ab- sence of their natural and wonted excite- ments, and many of them plunged into dissipation. Keokuk himself became dis- sipated in the latter years of his life, and it has been reported that he died of de- lirium tremens after his removal with his tribe to Kansas. On May, 1S43, most of the Indians were removed up the Des Moines river, above the temporary line of Red Rock, having ceded the remnant of their lands in Iowa to the United States, Sept. 21, 1837, and Oct. 11, 1842. By the terms of the latter treaty, they held pos- session of the "New Purchase" till the autumn of 1845, when most of them were removed to their reservation in Kansas, the balance being removed in 1846. Before any permanent settlement was made in the Territory of Iowa, white ad- venturers, trappers and traders, many of whom were scattered along the Mississippi and its tributaries, as agents and employes of the American Fur Company, intermar- ried with the females of the Sac and Fox Indians, producing a race of half-breeds, whose number was never definitely ascer- tained. There were some respectable and HISTORY OF IOWA. excelleut people among them, children of some refinement and education. For in- stance: Dr. Muir, a gentleman educated at Edinburg, Scotland, a Surgeon in the United States Army, stationed at a mili- tary post located on the present site of Warsaw, married an Indian woman, and reared his family of three daughters in the city of Ivei)kuk. Other examples might be cited, but they are probably exceptions to the general rule, and the race is now nearly or quite extinct in Iowa. August 4, I82+, a treaty was made be- tween the United States and the Sacs and Foxes, by which that portion c f Lee county was reserved to the half-breeds of those tribes, and which was afterward known as the "half-breed tract." This reservation is the triangular piece of land containing about 119,000 acres, lying between the Mississippi and the Des Moines rivers. It is bounded on the north by the prolonga- tion of the northern line of Missouri. This line was intended to be a straight one, run- ning due east, which would have caused it to strike the Mississippi river at or below Monlrose;.but the surveyor who runit took no notice of the change in the variation of the needle, as he proceeded eastward, and, in consequence, the line he run was bent, deviating more and more to the northward of a direct line as he approached the Mis- sissippi river, so that it struck that river at the lower edge of the town of Fort Madi- son. "This erroneous line," says Judge Mason, '"has been acquiesced in as well in fixing the northern limit of the half-breed tract as in determining the northern boundary line of the Slate of Missouri." The line thus run included in the re'»erva- tion a portion of the lower part of the city of Fort Madison, and all of the present townships of Van Buren, Charleston, Jef- ferson, Des Moines, Montro.ie and Jackson. Under the treaty of 182+,the half-breeds had the right to occupy the soil, but could not convey it, the reversion being reserved to the United Stales. But Janu.iry 30th, 1843, by act of Congress, this reversionary right was relinquished, and the half-breeds acquired the Ian Is in fee simple. Tbis no sooner done than a horde of speculators rushed in to buy laud of the half-breed owners, and, in many instances, a gun, blanket, a pony or a few quarts of whisky was sufficient for the purchase of large estates. There was a deal of sharp prac- tice on both sides. Indians would often claim ownership of laud by virtue of being half-breeds, and had no difficulty in prov- ing their mixed blood by the Indians, and they would cheat the speculators by selling land to which they had no rightful title. On the other hand, speculators often claimed land in which they had no owner- ship. It was diamond cut diamond, until at last things became badly mixed. There werj no authorized surveys, and no boun dary lines to claim, and, as a natural result, numerous conflicts and quarrels ensued. January 16, 1838, Edward Johnstone, Thomas S. Wilson and David Brigham were appointed commissioners by the Wis- consin Legislature, clothed with power to settle their difficulties, and to decide upon the validity of claims, or sell them for the benefit of the real owners. The act pro- vided that these commissioners should be paid six dollars a day each. Tne commis- sion entered upon its duties, and continued until the next session of the Legislature, HISTORY OF IOWA. when the act creating it was repealed, in- validating all that had been done, and depriving the commissioners of their pay. The repealing act, however, authorized the commissioners to commence action against the owners of the half-breed tract, to re- ceive pay for their services in the District of Lee county. Two judgements were obtained, and on execution the whole tract was sold to Hugh T. Reid,the sherifiE exe- cuting the deed. Mr. Reid sold portions of it to various parties; but his own title ■was questioned, and he became involved in litigation. Decisions in favor of Reid and those holding under him were made by both District and Supreme Courts; but in December, 1850, these decisions were finally reversed by the Supreme Court of the United States, in the case of Joseph Web-ter, plaintiff in error, vs. Hugh T. Reid, nnd judgement titles failed. About nine years before the judgement titles were finally abrogated as above, another class of titles were brought into competition with them, and, in the conflict between the two, the final decision was obtained. These were the titles based on the "decree of partition" issued by the United States District Court for the Ter- ritory of Iowa, May 8, 1841, and certified to by the clerk on the 2d day of June of the same year. Edward Johnstoae and Hugh T. Reid, then law partners at Fort Madison, filed the petition for the decree in behalf of the St. Louis claimants of half-breed lands. Francis S. Key, author of the Star-Spangled Banner, who was then attorney for the New York Land Company, which held heavy interests in these lands, took a leading part in the measure, and drew up the documents in which it was presented to the court. Judge Charles Mason, of Burlington, pre- sided. The plan of partition divided the the tract into 101 shares, and arranged that each claimant should draw his proportion by lot, and should abide the result, what- ever it might be. The arrangement was entered into, the lots drawn, and the plat of the same filed in the Recorder's oflice, October 6, 1841. Upon this basis the titles to the land in the Half-Breed Tract are now held. We subjoin a synopsis of the different treaties male with the Indians of Iowa: 1. Treaty with the Sioux. — Made July 15, 1815; ratified December 16, 1815, This treaty was made at Portage dus Sioux of Minnesota and Upper Iowa, and the United States, by William Clark and Ninian Ed- wards, Commissioners, and was merely a treatise of peace and friendship on the part of these Indians toward the United States at the close of the war of 1812. 2. Treaty icith the Sacs. — A similar treity of peace was made at Portage des Sioux, between the United States and the Sacs, by William Clark, Ninian Edwards and Auguste Choteau, on the 13th of Sep- tember, 1815, and ratified at the same date as the ab )ve. In this the treaty of 1804 was re-aflirmed, and the Sacs here repre- sented promised for themselves and their bands to keep entirely separate from the Sacs of Rac'c river, who, under Black Hawk, had joined the British in the war just then closed. 3. Treaty with the Foxes. — A separate treaty of peace was made with the Foxes at Portage des Sioux, by the same commis- sioners, on the 14th of September, 1815, and ratified the same as the above, wherein 1" I - ^k HISTORY OF IOWA. the Foxes re-affirmed the treaty of St. Louis, of November 3d, 1804, and agreed to de- liver up all their prisoners to the officer in command at Fort Clark, now Peoria, Illi- nois. 4 Treaty with the loicas. — A treaty of peace and mutual good-will was made between the United States and the Iowa tribe of Indians, at Portage des Sioux, by the same commissioners as above, on the 16th of September, 1815, at the close of the war with Great Britain, and ratified at the same date as the others. 5. Treaty with the Sacs of Hock Jiiver. — Made at St. Louis, on the 13th of May, 1816, between the United States and the Sacs of Rock river, by the Commis- sioners, William Clark, Ninian Edwards and Auguste Choteau, and ratified Dec. 30, 1816. In this treaty that of 1804 was re- established and enforced by the chiefs and head men of the Sacs of Rock river, and Black Hawk himself attached to it his sig- nature, or, as he said, "touched the goose- quill." 6. Treaty of 1824.— On the 4th of August, 1824, a treaty was made between the United States and the Sacs and Foxes, in the city of Washington, by William Clark, Commissioner, wherein the Sac and Fox nations relinquished their title to all lands in Missouri, and that portion of the south- east corner of Iowa known as the "half- breed tract" was set off and reserved for the use of the half breeds of the Sacs and Foxes, they holding title in the same man- ner as Indians. Ratified Jan. 18, 1825. 7. Treaty of August 19, 1825. — At this date a treaty was made by William Clark and Lewis Cass, at Prairie du Chien, be- tween the United States and the Chippe- was. Sacs and Foxes, Menominees, Winue- bagos, and a portion of the Oliawas and Pot awatomies. In this treaty, in order make peace between the contending tribes as to the limits of their respective bunting grounds in Iowa, it was agreed that the United States Government should run a biHindary line between the Sioux, on the north, and the Sacs and Foxes on the south, as follows : Commencing at the mouth of the Upper Iowa river, on the west bank of the Mis- sissippi, and ascending said Iowa river to its west fork; thence up the fork to its source; thence crossing the fork of Red Cedar river in a direct line to the lower fork of the Calumet river, and down that fork to its junction with the Missouri river. 8. Treaty of 1830.— On the loth of July, 1830, the confederate tribes of the Sacs and Foxes ceded to the United States a strip of country lying south of the above line, twenty miles in width, and extending along the line aforesaid from the Missis- sippi to the Des Moines river. The Sioux also, whose possessions were north of the line, ceded to the Government, in the same treaty, a strip on the north side of the boundary. "I'hus the United States, at the ratification of this treaty, February 24, 1831, came into possession of a portion of Iowa forty miles wide, extending along the Clarke and Cass line of 1825, from the Mississippi to the Des Moines river. This territory was then known as the "Neutral Ground," and the tribes on either side of the line were allowed to fish and hunt on it unmolested until it was made a Winne- bago reservation, and the Winnebagos were removed to it in 1841. HISTORY OF IOWA. 9. Treati/with the Sacs and Foxes and other tribes. — At the same time of the above treaty respecting the "Neutral Ground" (July 15, 1830), the Sacs and Foxes, Western Sioux, Oraahas, lowas and Missouris ceded to the United States a por- tion of the western slope of Iowa, the boundaries of which were defined as fol- lows: Beginning at the upper fork of the Des Moines river, and passing the sources of the Little Sioux and Floyd rivers, to the bank of the first creek that falls into the Big. Sioux, or Calumet, on the east t-ide; thence down said creek and the Calumet river to the Missouri river; thence down said Missouri river to the Missouri State line above the Kansas; thence along said line to the northwest corner of said State; thence to the high lands between the waters falling into the Missouri and Des Moines, passing to said h'gh lands along the dividing ridge between the forks of the Grand river; thence along said high lands or ridge separating the waters of the Missouri from those of the Des Moines, to a point opposite the source of the Boyer river, and thence in a direct line to the upper fork of the Des Moines, the place of beginning. It was understood that the lands ceded and relinquished by this treaty were to be assigned and allotted, under the direction of the President of the United States, to the tribes then living thereon, or to such other tribes as the President might locale thereon for hunting and other purposes. In consideration of three tracts of land ceded in this treaty, the United States agreed to pay to the Sacs |i3,00(i; to the Foxes, $3,000; to the Sioux, $ ?,000; to the Yankton and Siutee bands of Sioux, $3,000; to the Omahas, $1,500; and to the Ottoes and Missouris, $2,500— to be paid annually for ten successive years. In addition to these annuiiies, the Government agreed to furnish some of the tribes with b'ack- sniiths and agricultural implements to the amount of 1:200, at the expense of the United States, and to set apart $3,000 an- nually fur the education of the children of these tribes. It does not appear that any fort was erected in this territory prior to the erection of Fort Atkinson on the Neu- tral (iround in IS-to-''!!. This treaty was made by William Clark, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and Col. Willoughby Morgan, of the United States First Infantry, and came into effect by proclamation, February 24, 1831. 10. Treaty with the Winnebagos. — Made at Fort Armstrong, Rock Island, September 15th, 1832, by General Wiufie'd Scott and Hon. John R-ynolds, Governor of Illinois. In this treaty the Winne- bagos ceded to the United States all their land lying on the east side of the Missis- sippi, and in part consideration therefor the United States granted to the Winne- bagos, to be held as other Indian lands are held, that portion of Iowa known aa the Neutral Grounds The exchange of the two tracts of country was to take place on or before the Ist day of June, 1833. la addition to the Neutral Grounds, it was stipulated that the Uuiled States should give the Winnebagos, beginning in Sep- tember, 1833, and continuing for twenty- seven fcuccessive years, $10,000 in specie, and establish a school among them with a farm and garden, and provide other facili- ties for the education of their chi dren, not to exceed in cost $3,000 a year, and to con- ^ HISTORY OF IOWA. tinue the same twenty-seven successive years. Six agriculturists, twelve yoke of oxen, and plows and other farming tools were to be supplied by the Government. 11. Treaty of 183-2 loith the Sacs and Foxes. — Already mentioned as the Black Hawk purchase. 12. Treaty o/ 1836 with the Sacs and Foxes. — Ceding Keokuk's reserve to the United States, for which the Government stipulated to pay $30,000, and an annuity of 110,000 for ten successive years, to- gether with other sums and debts of the Indians to various parties 13. Treaty of 1837.— On the 21st of October, 1837, a treaty was made at the city of Washington, between Carey A. Harris, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and the confederate tribes of Sacs and Foxes, ratified February 21, 1838, wherein another slice of the soil of Iowa was ob- tained, described in the treaty as follows: "A tract of country containing 1,250,000 acres, lying west and adjoining the tract conveyed by them to the United States in the treaty of September 21, 1832. It is understood that the points of termination for the present cession shall. be the north- ern and southern points of tract as fixed by the survey made under the authority of the United States, and that a line shall be drawn between them so as to intersect a line extended westwardly from the angle of said tract nearly opposite to Rock Island, as laid down in the above survey, so far as may be necessary to include the number of acres hereby ceded, which last mentioned line, it is estimated, will be about twenty- five miles." This piece of land was about twenty-five miles in the middle, and ran off to a point at both ends, lying directly back to the Black Hawk purchase, and of the same length. 14. Treaty of Relinquishment. — At the same date as the above treaty, in the city of Washington, Carey A.Harris, Commis- sioner, the Sacs and Foxes ceded to tl e United States all their right and interest in the country lying south of the boundary line between the Sacs, Foxes and Sioux, as described in the treaty of August 19, 1825, and between the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, the United S ates paying fence up the middle of the main channel of the river last mentioned, to the mouth of the Sioux or Calumet river; thence in a direct line to the middle of the main chan- nel of the St. Peters river, where the Wa- tonwan river — according to Nicollelt's map— enters the same; thence down the middle of the main channel of the said river to the middle of the main channel of the Mississippi river; thence down the middle of the main channel of said river to the place of beginning. These boundaries were considerably more extended than other Western States, and Congress therefore amended the '^'on- stituiion, by act approved March 3, 1845, as follows: Beginning at the mouth of TV HISTORY OF IOWA. 57 the Des Moines river, at the middle of the Mississippi; thence by the middle of the channel of that river to a parallel of lati- tude, passing through the moulh of the Mankato or Blue Earth river; thence west, along said parallel of latitude, to a point where it is intersected by a meridia > line 17 ® 30' west of the meridian of Wash- ington City; thence due south, to the northern boundary line of the State of Missouri; thence eastwardly, following that boundary to the point at which the same intersects the Des Moines river; thence by the middle of the channel of that river to the place of beginning. Had these boundaries been accepted, they would have placed the northern boundary of the State about 30 miles north of its present location, and would have deprived it of the Missouri slope and the boundary of that river. The western boundary would have been near the west line of what is now Kossuth county. But it was not so to be. In consequence of this radical and unwelcome change in the boundaries, the people refused to accept the act of Congress, and rejected the Con- stitution, at the election held Aug. 4, 1845, by a vote of 7,656 to 7,235. May 4, 1846, a second Convention met at Iowa City, and on the 18th of the same month another Constitution, prescribing the boundaries as they now are, was adopted. This was accepted by the people, August 3, by a vote of 9,492 to 9,036. The new Constitution was approved by Con- gress, and Iowa was admitted as a sov- ereign State in the American Union, Dec. 28, 1846. The people of the State, anticipating favorable action by Congress, held an election for State officers October 26, which resulted in Ansel Briggs being de- clared Governor; Elisha Cutler, Jr., Secre- tary of State; Joseph T. Fales, Auditor; Morgan Reno, Treasurer; and members of the Senate and House of Representatives. The act of Congress which admitted Iowa gave her the 1 6th section of every township of land in the State, or its equivalent, for the support of schools; also, 72 sections of land for the purpose of a university; also, five sections of land for the completion of her public buildings; also, the salt springs within her limits, not exceeding 12 in number, with sections of land adjoining each; also, in consideration that her public lands should be exempt from taxation by the Slate, she gave the State five per cent, of the net proceeds of the sale of public lands within the State. Thus provided for as a bride with her marriage portion, Iowa commenced house- keeping on her own account. A majority of the Constitutional Con- vention of 1846 were of the Democratic party; and the instrument contains some of the peculiar tenets of the party of that day. All banks of issue were prohibited within the State. The State was prohibited from becoming a stockholder in any cor- poration for pecuniary profit, and the Gen- eral Assembly could only provide for pri- vate corporations by general statutes. The constitution also limited the State's indebt- edness to $100,000. It required the Gen- eral Assembly to provide public schools throughout the State for at least three months in the year. Six months previous residence of any white male citizen of the United States constituted him an elector. A HISTOET OF IOWA. The government was started on an economical basis. The members of the General Assembly received, each, two dol- lars per day for the first fifty days of the session, and one dollar per day thereafter. The sessions were to be biennial. The salaries of the State officers were limited the first ten years as follows: Governor, $1,000 per annum; Secretary of State, $500; Treasurer of State, $400; Auditor of State, $600; and Judges of the Supreme Court, $1,000 each. And it may be said here that these prices did not discourage the best talent of the State frorn seeking these positions, and that during these ten years none of these officers were ever known to receive bribes, or to steal one dollar of the public money. At the time of organiza- tion as a S'ate, Iowa had a population of 116,651, as appears by the census of 1847. There weie twenty-seven organized coun- ties in the State, and the settlements were being rapidly pushed toward the Missouri river. CHAPTER VI. GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OP THE STATE. The first General Assembly was com- posed of nineteen Senators and forty Rep- resentatives. It assembled in Iowa City, November 30th, 1840, about one month be- fore Congress passed the act of admission. The most important business transacted was the passage of a bill authorizing a loan of $50,000 for means to run the State government and pay the expenses of the Constitutional Convention. The election of United States Senators was called up at this session, and was the occasion of much e.xcitement and no little hard feeling. Tbe Whigs had a majority of two in the House and the Democrats a majority of one in the Senate. After repeated attempts to control these majorities for caucus nom- inees, and frequent sessions of a joint con- vention for purposes of an election, the attempt was abandoned. A public school law was passed at this session, for the or- ganization of public schools in the State. In pursuance of its provisions, an election f.r superintendent of public instruction was held the following spring, and James Harlan received a majority of the votes cast. After the election the Democratic Secretary of State discovered that the law contained no provision for its publication in the newspapers, and he claimed it had HISTORY OF IOWA. 59 not gone into effect. He, therefore, and the Governor, refused Harlan a certificate of election. The Supreme Court sustained their action. At this first session of the General As- sembly, the Treasurrr of State reported that the capitol building was in a very exposed condition, liable to injury from storms, and expressed the hope that some provision would be made to complete it, at least sufficiently to protect it from the weather. The General Assembly re- sponded by appropriating 12,500 for the completion of the public buiMings. At the first session, also, arose the question of the relocation of the capitol. The western boundary of the Stale, as now determined, left Iowa City too far toward the eastern and southern boundary of the State; this was conceded. Congress had appropri- ated five sections of land for the erection of public buildings, and toward the close of the session a bill was introduced pro- viding for the relocation of the seat of government, involving to some extent the location of the State University, which had already been discussed. This bill gave rise to much discussion, and parlia- mentary maneuvering almost purely sec- tional in its character. It provided for the appointment of commissioners, who were authorized to make a location as near the geographical centre of the State as a healthy and eligible site could be ob- tained; to select the five sections of land donated by Congress, to survey and plat into town lots not exceeding one section of the land so selected; to sell lots at public sale, not to exceed two in each block. Having done this, they were then required to suspend further operatioi s, and make a report 9f their proceeding to the Governor. The bill passed both Houses by decisive votes, received the signature of the Gov- ernor, and became a law. Soon after, by "An act td locate and establish a State University," approved Feb. 25, 1847, the unfinished public buildings at Iowa City, together withthe ten acres of lands on which they were situated, were granted for the use of the University, reserving their use, however, by the General Assembly and the State officers, until other provisions were made by law. The Commissioners forthwith entered upon their duties, and selected four sec- tions and two half sections in Jasper county. Two of these sections are in what is now DesMoines township, and the others in Fairview township, in the southern part of that county. These lands are situated between Prairie City and Monroe, on the Keokuk & DesMoines railroad, which runs diagonally through them. Here a town was platted called Monroe City, and a sale of lots took place. The number of 415 lots were sold, at prices that were not con- sidered remarkably remunerative. The cash payments (one-fourth) amounted to 11,797.43, while the expenses of the sale and the claims of the Commissioners for services amounted to $2,206.67. The Com missioners made a report of their proceed ings to the Governor, as required by law but the location was generally condemned When the report of the Commissioners showing this brilliant financial operation had been read in the House of Represent atlv.s, at the next session, and while it was under consideration, an indignant member, aTterward known as the eccentric Judge McFarland, moved to refer the report to a A 60 HISTORY OF IOWA. select committee of five, with instrHctions to report "how much of said city of Mon- roe was under water, and how much was burned." The report was referred, with- out the instructions, but Monroe City never became the seat of government. By an act approved January 15, 1849, the law by which the location had been made was re- pealed, and the new town was vacate'd,the money paid by purchasers of lots being refunded to them. This, of course, re- tained the seat of government at Iowa City, and precluded for the time the occu- pation of the building and grounds by the University. At the same session $3,000 more were appropriated for completing the State building at Iowa City. In 1852, the fur- ther sum of 15,000, and in 1854 $4,000 more were appropriated for the same pur- pose, making the whole cost $123,000, paid partly by the general Government and partly by the State, but principally by the proceeds of the sale of lots in Iowa City. After the adjournment of the first Gen- eral Assembly, the Governor appointed Joseph Williams, Chief Justice, and Geo. Green and John F. Kinney Judges, of the Supreme Court. They were afterward elected by the second General Assembly, and constituted the Supreme Court until 1855, with the exception that Kinney re- signed in January, 1854, and J. C. Hall, of Burlington, was appointed in his place. Hall was one of the earliest and ablest lawyers of the State, and his memory will long be cherished by the early members of the profession. Some changes having occurred by death and removal, the Gov- ernor was induced to call an extra session of the General Assembly in January, 184S, with the hope of an election of United States Senators. The attempt, however, was again unsuccessful. At this ses.sion, Charles Maion, William G. Woodward and Stephen Hempstead were appointed Com- missioners to prepare a code of laws for the State. Their work was finished in 1850, and was adopted by the General As- sembly. This "code" contained, among other provisions, a code of civil practice, superseding the old common-law forms of actions and writs, and it was admissible for its simplicity and method. It remained in force until 1863, when it was superseded by the more complicated and metaphys- ical system of the revision of that year. The first Representatives in Congress were S. Clinton Hastings, of Muscatine, and Shepherd Lefiier, of DesMoines county. The second General Assembly elected to the United States Senate, Augustus Caesar Dodge and George W. Jones. The State government, after the first session, was under the c -ntrol of Democratic ad- ministration till 1855. The electoral vote of the State was cist for Lewis Cass, in 1848, and for Franklin Pierce in 1852. The popular vote shows that the Free-Soil element of State during this period very nearly held the balance of power, and thai up to 1854 it acted in the State elections to some extent with the Democratic party. In 1848 Lewis Cass received 12,093 votes, Zachary Taylor 11,043, and Martin Van Buren,the Free-Soil candidate, 1,226 votes, being 176 less than a majority for Cass. In 1862, Pierce lec^ived 17,762 votes, Scott 15,855, and Hale (Free-Soil) 1,606, being for Pierce 301 votes more than a majority. 7\s ?A HISTORY OF IOWA. The question of the permanent location of the seat of government was not settled, and in 1851 bills were introduced for its removal to Fort DesMoines. The latter appeared to have the support of the major- ity, but was finally lost in the House on the question of ordering it to its third reading. At the next session, in 1853, a bill was again introduced in the Senate for the re- moval of the seat of government to Fort DesMoines, and, on final vote, w^as just barely defeated. At the next session, how- ever, the effort was more successful, and January 15th, 1855, a bill relocating the Capital within two miles of the Raccoon Fork of the DesMoines, and for the ap- pointment of Commissioners, was approved by Gov. Grimes. The site was selected in 1856, in accordance with the provisions of this act; the land being donated to the State by citizens and property-holders of DesMoines. An association of citizens erected a building for a temporary capitol, and leased it to the State at a nominal rent. The passage by Congress of the act organizing the Territories Of Kansas and Nebraska, and the provision it contained abrogating that portion of the Missouri bill that proh bited slavery and involuntary seivitude north of 36 ° 30' was the begin- ning of a political revolution in the North- ern States, and in none was it more marked than in the Slate of Iowa. Iowa was the "first free child born of the Missouri com- promise," and has always resented the de- struction of her foster parent. In the summer of 185i there was a tacit coalition or union of the Whig and Free- Soil elements of the State. Alarmed at the aggressive spirit manifested by the ad- herents of the peculiar institution, the Free-Soilers, who almost held the balance of power in the State, readily adopted as their candidate the Whig nominee for Gov- ernor. Many of the old-line Whigs aban- doned their party because of this coalition, but many strong and able men among the Demo'crats co-operated with it. James W. Grimes was the nominee of the Whigs, and Curtis Bates, of Polk county, was the nominee of the Democratic party. Grimes was then in the vigor of his manhood, and all the energies of his being appeared to be aroused by what he denominated the aggressions of the slave power. He was thoroughly in earnest, and canvassed most of the organized counties of the State. The people flocked by the thousands to hear him, and were electrified by his elo- quence. No one of the opposition at- tempted to meet him in debate. The re- sult was his election by a majority of 1 ,404 in a vote of 21,794. A majority was also secured in the General Assembly on joint ballot of the two Houses in opposition to the Democratic party. The opposition party in 1854-'5 were known as anti-Ne- braska Whigs. A caucus of this opposing element nominated James Harlan as their candidate for United States Senator, Geo. G. Wright for Chief Justice, and Norman W. Isbell and Wm. G. Woodward for Judges of the Supreme Court. A portion of the opposition, however, refused to go into this C-iucus, or to abide by its decision as to the United States Sen- ator. They were the personal friends of Ebenezer Cook, of Scott county. A joint convention was secured, and the Judges of the Supreme Court were elected. 62 HISTORY OF IOWA. After frequent balloting and adjournments, it was at last understood tbat Cook's friends had yielded, and would support Mr. Harlan. When the hour arrived to which the joint convention had adjourned, messengers were sent to the Senate by the House, to inform that body that the House was ready to meet them in joint conven- tion. Before this message could be de- livered, the Senate had adjourned over until the next day. The anti-Nebraska Senators, however, entered the hall of the House and took their seats in joint conven- tion. Much confusion prevailed, but finally a President /»'(? tem, of the conven- tion was chosen, and Mr." Harlan was elected. His seat was contested, and his eltclion declared invalid by the United States Senate. At the next session of the General As- sembly, held in 1857, Mr. Harlan was re- elected, and was permitted to take his seat. The year 1856 marked a new era in the history of Iowa. In 1854 the Chicago & Rock Island railroad had been completed to the east bank of the Mississippi river, opposite Davenport. In the same year the corner-stone of a railroad bridge that was to be the first to span the "Father of Waters," was laid with appropriate cere- monies, at this point. St Louis had re- solved that the enterprise was unconstitu- tional, and by writs of injunction made an unsuccessful effort to prevent its comple- tion. Twenty years later in her history St. Louis repented her folly, and made atonement for her sin by imitating Iowa's example. January 1st, 1856, this railroad was completed to Iowa City. In the mean- time two other railroads had reached the east bank of the Mississippi — one opposite Burlington and one opposite Dubuque — and these were being extended into the interior of the State. Indeed, four other lines of railroads had been projected across the State, from the Mississippi to the Mis- souri, having eastern connections. May 15th, 1856, Congress passed an act granting to the State, to aid in the con- struction of railroads, the public lands in alternate sections, six miles on each side of the proposed lines An extra session of the General Assembly was called in July of this year, that disposed of the grant to the several companies that pro- posed to complete these enterprises. The population of Iowa was now 500,000. Pub- lic attention had been called to the neces- sity of a railroad across the continent. The position of Iowa, in the very heart and center of the republic, on the route of this great highway of the continent, began to attract attention. Cities and towns sprang up through the State as if by magic. Capital began to pour into the State, and had it been employed in devel- oping the vast coal measures and establish- ing manufactories, or if it had been expended in improving the lands, and in building houses and barns, it would have been well. But all were in haste to get rich, and the spirit of speculation ruled the hour. In the meantime, every effort was made to help the speedy completion of the i ail- roads. Nearly every county and city on the Mississippi, and many in the interior, voted large corporate subscriptions to the stock of the railroad companies, and issued their negotiable bonds for the amount. Thus enormous county and city debts were incurred, the payment of which these mu- HISTORY OF IOWA. nicipalities tried to avoid, upon the plea that they had exceeded the constitutional limitation of their powers. The Supreme Court of the United States held these bonds to be valid, and the courts, by man- damus, compelled the city and county authorities to levy taxes to pay the judg- ments recovered upon them. These debts are not all paid, even to this day; but the worst is over, and the incubus is in the course of ultimate extinction. The most valuable lessons are those learned in the school of experience, and, accordingly, the corporations of Iowa have ever since been noted for economy. In 1856 the Republican party of the State was duly organized, in full sympathy with that of the other free States, and at the ensuing presidential election the elec- toral vote of the State was cast for John C. Fremont. The popular vote was as follows : Fremont, 43,954; Buchanan, 36,- 170, and Fillmore, 9,180. This was 1,396 less than a majority for Fremont. The following year an election was held, after an exciting campaign, for State officers, resulting in a majority of 1,406 for Ralph P. Lowe, the Republican nominee. The Legislature was largely Republican in both branches. In June, 1854, a Board of State Com- missioners contracted with the DesMoines Navigation Railroad Company, an organ- ization composed principally of New York capitalists, to undertake the work, agree- ing to convey to the company lands at $1.25 an acre for all moneys advanced and expended. In the meantime difficul- ties arose in regard to the extent of the grant. The State claimed lands through- out the whole extent of the river to the north line of the State. The Department of the Interior changed its rulings under the several administrations. The Com- missioner of the General Land Office cer- tified to the State about 320,000 acres of land bel. w the Raccoon Fork of the river, and about 270,000 acres above it prior to 1857, when he refused to certify any more. This led to a settlement and compromise with the Navigation Company in 1858, whereby the company took all the land certified to the State at that date, and paid the State ?!20,0C0 in addition to what they had already expended, cancelled their con- tract and abandoned the work. The General Assembly granted to the DesMoines Valley Railroad Company the remainder of the grant to the State line, to aid in building a railroad up and along the DesMoines Valley ; and Congress, in 1862, extended the grant, by express enactment, to the r.orth line of the State. The most injurious result to the State, arising from the spirit of speculation pre- valent in 1856, was the purchase and entry of great bodies of Government land within the State by non-residents. This land was held for speculation, and placed beyond the reach of actual settlers for many ye.ars. From no other one cause has Iowa suf- fered so much as from the short-sighted policy of the Federal Government in sell- ing lands within her borders. The money thus obtained by the Federal Government has been comparatively inconsiderable. The value of this magnificient public do- main to the United States was not in the few thousands of dollars she might exact from the hardy settlers, or that she might obtain from the speculator who hoped to HISTORY OF IOWA. profit by the settlers' labors in improving the country. Statesmen should have taken a broader and more comprehensive view of national economy, and a view more in harmony with the divine economy that had prepared these vast fertile plains of the West for the "homes of men and the seats of empire." It was here that new States were to be builded up that should be the future strength of the nation against for- eign invasion or home revolt. A single regiment of Iowa soldiers during the dark days of the Rebellion was worth more to the nation than all the money she ever ex- acted from the toil and sweat of Iowa's early settlers. Could the statesmen of forty years ago have looked forward to this day, when Iowa pays her $1,000,000 annu- ally into the treasury of the nation for the extinction of the national debt, they would have realized that the founding of new States was a greater enterprise than the retailing of public lands. In January, 1857, another Constitutional Convention assembled at Iowa City, which framed the present State constitution. One of the most pressing demands for this con- vention grew out of the prohibition of banks under the old constitution. The practical result of this pro^iibition was to flood the State with every species of "wild-cat" currency. Our circulating medium was made up in part of the free-bank paper of Illinois and Indiana. In addition to this, we had paper issued by Iowa brokers, who had obtained bank charters from the Ter- ritorial Legislature of Nebraska, and had their pretended headquarters at Omaha and Florence. Our currency was also well assorted with the bills from other States, generally such as had the best reputation where they were least known. This paper was all at 2, and some of it from lu to 15 per cent, discount. Every man who was not an expert in detecting counterfeit bills, and who was not posted in the history of all manner of banking institutions, did business at his peril. The new constitution made ample provisions for house banks under the supervision of our own laws. _ The limitation of our State debt was en- larged to $-'50,000, and the corporate in- debtedness of the cities and counties were also limited to five per cent, upon the valu- ation of their taxable properly. The Judges of the Supreme Court were to be elected by the popular vote. The permanent seat of government was fixed at DesMoines, and the State Uni- versity located at Iowa City. The qualifi- cations of electors remained the same as under the old constitution, but the schedule provided for a vote of the people upon a separate proposition to strike the word "white" out of the suffrage clause, which, had it prevailed, would have resulted in conferring the right of suffrage without distinction of color. Since the early or- ganization of Iowa there had been upon the statute books a law providing that no negro, mulatto or Indian should be a com- petent witness in any suit or proceeding to which a white man was a party. The Gen- eral Assembly of 1856-'7 repealed this law, and the new constitution contained a clause forbidding such disqualification in the future. It also provided for the education of "all youth of the State" through a sys- tem of common schools. This constitution was adopted at the ensuing election by a vote of 40,311 to .38,681. HISTORY OF IOWA. 65 October 19, IBS'?, Gov. Grimes issued a proclamation declaring the City of Des- Moiues to be the capital of the State of Iowa. The removal of the archives and offices was commenced at once and con- tinued through the fall. It was an under- taking of no small magitude; there was not a mile of railroad to facilitate the work, and the season was unusually dis- agreeable. Rain, snow and other accom- paniments increased the difficulties, and it was not until December that the last of the tffects, — the safe of the State Treasurer, loaded on two large "bob-sleds," drawn by ten yokes of oxen, — was deposited in -the new oapitol. Thus Iowa City ceased to be the capital of the State after four Territo- rial Legislatures, six State Legislatures and three Constitutional Conventions had held their sessions there. In 1856 and 1858 large appropriations were made for the erection of public build- ings and the support of the unfortunate classes, and a loan of $200,000 was author- ized. During the years 1858-60, the Sioux In- dians became troublesome in the north- western part of the State. They made frequent raids for the purpose of plunder, and on several occasions murdered whole families of settlers. In 1861 several com- panies of militia were ordered to that por- tion of the State to hunt down and expel the thieves. No battles were fought, the Indians fleeing as soon as they ascertained systematical measures had been adopted for their punishment. In 1870 the General Assembly made an appropriation and provided for the appoint- ment of a Board of Commissioners to commence the work of building a new cap- itol. The corner-stone was laid with ap- propriate ceremonies November 23, 1871. The building is a beautiful specimen of modern architecture. When Wisconsin Territory was organ- ized, in 1836, the entire population of that portion of the Territory now embraced in the State of Iowa, was 10,531. The Terri- tory then embraced two counties, Dubuque and DesMoines, erected by the Territory of Michigan, in 1834. Since then, the counties have increased to ninety-nine, and the population in 1880 was 1,624,463. The following table will show the population at different periods since the erection of Iowa Territory: Year. Population. 1838 22,589 1840 43,115 1844 ■ 75,152 1846 97,588 1847 1 16,651 1849 1 52,988 1850 191,982 1851 204,774 1852 230,713 1854 326 013 1856 ..5:9,055 1859 638,775 1860 674,913 1863 701,732 ] 865 750,699 1867 902,040 1869 1,040,819 1870 1,191,727 1873 1,251,333 1875 1,366,000 1880 1,624,463 The most populous county is Dubuque, 42,997. Polk county has 41,395, and Scott 41,270. Noli only in population, but in HISTORY OF IOWA. everything contributing to the growth and greatness of a State has Iowa made rapid progress. In a little more than thirty-five years its wild but beautiful prairies have advanced from the home of the savage to a highly civilized commonwealth, embra- cing all the elements of progress which ciiaracterize the older States. Tlie first railroad across the State was completed to Council BlufiFs in January, ISGt The completion of three others soon followed. In 1854 there was not a mile of railroad in Iowa. Within the succeeding twenty years, 3,765 miles were built and put in successful operation. The present value of buildings for State institutions, including the estimated cost of the capitol, is as follows : State Capitol $2,500,000 State University 400,000 Agricultural College and Farm. 300,000 Institution for the Blind 150,000 Institution for the Deaf and Dumb 225,000 Iii>littitions for the Insane 1,149,000 Orphans' Home 62,000 Penitentiaries 408,000 Normal School 50,000 R form School 90,000 The State has never levied more than two and one-half mills on the dollar for State tax, and this is at present the consti- tutional limit. The State has no debt. No other influence has contributed so much to the progress and development of Iowa as the newspapers of the State. No class of men have labored more assiduously and disinterestedly for the development of the State and the advancement of her ma- terial interests, than her editors. There are now published in Iowa 25 daily papers, 364 wtekly papers, and 13 monthly publi- cations. These are as a rule well supported by the people. Such is briefly a summary of the history and resources of I.wa. There is perhaps no other country on earth where so few people are either rich or poor as in Iowa; where there is such an equality of condi- tion, and where so many enjoy a compe- tence. The law exempts from execution a homestead to every head of a family. Every sober, industrious man can in a short time acquire a home. Iowa is the home for the immigrant. The children of the laboring man have no prejudice of caste to overcome in the effort they may choose to make for the improvement of their condi- tion in life. Here all men enjoy the alien- able blessings of 'life, liberty and the pur- suit of happiness," not only unfettered by legal disabilities, but also uutrammeled by those fixed conditions of social and busi- ness life that elsewhere result from accu- mulated wealth in the possession of the few. As education is free, so also the ave- nues of success are open in every pursuit and calling. The highest, incentives exist to exertion. Labor and effort, whetiier manual or mental, are held alike honorable; and idleness and crime are alone consid- ered disreputable. Thriving cities and towns dot the lanil; an iron network of thousands of miles <>f railroads is woven over its I road acres; 10,000 school-houses, in which more than 500,000 children are being taught the rudi- ments of education, testify to the culture and liberality of the people; high schools, colleges and universities, are generously endowed by the State; manufactories are --r HISTORY OF IOWA. busy on all her water-courses, and in most of her cities and towns. We quote from judge Nourse: ''The great ultimate fact that America would demonstrate is, the existence of a people capable of attaining and preserving a su- perior civilization, with a government self- imposed, self-administered and self-perpet- uated. In this age of wonderful progress, America can exhibit nothing to the world of mankind more wonderful or more glo- rious, than her new Stales — young empires. born of her own enterprise, and tutored at her own political hearlh-stone. Well may she say to the monarchies of the old world, who look for evidence of her regal grandeur and state: 'Behold, these are my jewels !' And may she never blush to add: 'This one in the center of the diadem is called Iowa !" ' The following is the census of Iowa by counties, as taken by the National Gov- ernment at each decade: CENSUS OF IOWA. COUNTIES. 1840. 1850. 1860. 1870. 18c0. 984 1.533 12. 237 11,931 451 8,4tl6 8.244 4,232 4 915 7,906 57 3.724 147 281 1,612 12, 949 940 58 4,336 5, 427 52 20,728 18, 938 383 5,244 13. 764 8,677 11. 024 19,611 180 31.164 105 12,073 3,744 1, 309 5,074 1. 374 793 3,058 3, 982 4,614 17, 868 16. 466 1,319 22, 4S4 S1.7f6 14, 584 1S.528 17, 034 1,5P5 9.951 1,602 2,451 S 464 19, 731 4,722 1,967 10, 180 8,735 l,.'i23 27, 771 35, 3.57 2, 530 12,019 16, 565 12,018 17, 432 S7. 2.56 1,389 38, 969 1,392 16, 973 10. 768 4, 738 11, 174 4. 627 6, 399 7,061 11, 199 11, 188 777 3, lai 19.791 . * 16. 636 7,448 673 135 735 24. 888 23,913 20, 833 Bremer 14.0 1 517 18, 547 7,537 14, 293 5, .'>95 ..11 12 351 16, 943 1,253 3,941 18, 937 11,461 8, 240 14, .S34 709 11,512 4,248 1,101 8i!l 3,873 2,822 28,829 36, 764 12,413 Dallas 834 7,264 965 1,759 12, 988 18, 746 Davia . . 16. 468 15, 336 Delaware 163 .5, 577 17, 9. 2 33, 099 1.901 3,069 10,841 42, 997 1.550 625 22, 258 14, 677 10. 248 1,244 17,653 IS, 725 frnn Iv" 12,639 Guthrie 14, 863 T^ 6 1 HISTORY OF IOWA. CENSUS OF IOWA— Continued. COUNTIES. 18-10. 1850. 1860. 1870. 1880. 1,6H9 179 5,440 3,621 18,701 3, 168 332 43 8, OiO 18. 493 9,883 15. o:i8 17, 573 13.306 13,271 416 29, ■.'32 18,!M7 10, 370 5,766 6, 0.55 !»9 13, 6S4 8, 9:il 21. 4«3 6, 8S2 2, 5;'6 2-.'C 16, 664 22.619 8., 116 17. 839 24, 898 19, 731 19,4)4 3,351 37,910 28.8,va 12,877 10, S-'S 221 13, 884 25. 5 8 84, 436 17, 576 8,718 9.588 3,654 12,724 5, 934 21,688 715 11,252 3, 453 17,808 Hardin 8,' 707""' 3, 172 20, 8-26 10,837 6,341 Ida 822 7,210 1,280 9,904 4, 4T2 3,007 4, 822 '18,861'" 5,444 4, 9:i9 471 19, '221 1,411 Jnsper 25, 9li8 17, 478 25, 4-J'J 2,773 1, ■19 1 471 Jones Keokuk 81, 'J.')!) Kossuth 6,093 1,373 1,937 6,179 Linn Louisa 13, 14K Lyon 1.173 5, 9-9 5,483 338 7,3.39 14,816 16, 81 1 6,015 4,481 3,40a 832 8,612 1, 256 16, 444 8 17, 825 Mahaska Marion 85, 111 Marshall 23, 7..2 Mills Mitchell 9,055 MOIIOB «,884 13,719 15, 895 1,942 5,731 O'Biion 4, 155 2,219 551 4^419 132 143 103 11,6-2t 4.»Ud 5,668 2,9-23 246 25, 9.W 818 10 4, OSl 5.285 3, .190 2 012 17, 081 14,518 10. 281 14,835 6,4(9 2,B04 168 13,942 1,119 751; 653 9, 97.') 1,336 2,1!<9 1.446 27. 857 16. 893 15, 581 5,691 1,411 88,509 8,549 . .170 11, e.'ii 16, 131 6,989 fi,9r6 17, 672 22, 346 17,980 18, 958 11,287 10, 484 1, 52K S3. 570 6. 172 2,892 2,392 19,66r 4, 131 Plymouth 8,Sf'7 3,713 Polk 4.511 7, 828 615 48. 395 39, 846 Poweshiek 18, 93n 12, 0.-J5 2,140 .^986 41, 270 Shelby 12, 696 6,426 16, 966 8 804 81,5-5 15, 635 Union 14 9S0 6,146 12,270 8,471 961 4,957 340 17, 042 2S,88J Warren 19, 578 1,594 20. 373 wavne ...::::::"::::"::::;::::::::::: 16, 127 15. 9.-.0 4,917 f«6 23. 9;i7 14,997 7,953 Wright 5.062 Total 43. lis 192, 214 674,913 ' 1,191,792 1,6'34,463 r

-% ^ HISTORY OF IOWA. 69 r CHAPTER .VII, GKOLOGY — TOPOGKAPHT — WATER COURSES. Geologists divide the soil of Iowa into State, and adjacent to the Missouri river. three general divisions — drift, bluff and Although it contains less than one per cent. alluvial. The drift occupies a much larger of clay in its composition, it is in no re- part of the surface of the State than both spect inferior to the best drift soil. The the others. The bluff has the next greatest alluvial soil is that of the flood plains of area of surface, and the alluvial least. All the river valleys, or bottom lands. That soil is disintegrated rock. The drift de- which is periodically flooded by the riveis posit of Iowa was derived, to a consider- is of little value for agricultural purposes; able extent, from the rocks of Minnesota; but a large part of it is entirely above the but the greater part of Iowa drift was de- reach of the highest flood, and is very pro- rived from its own rocks, much of which ductive. has been transported but a short distance. The stratified rocks of Iowa range from In northern and northwestern Iowa the the Azoic to the Mesozoic, inclusive; but drift contains more sand and gravel than the greater portion of the surface of the elsewhere. In southern Iowa the soil is State is occupied by those of the Palaeozoic frequently stiff and clayey. The bluff soil age. The table below will show each of is found only in the western part of the these formations in their order: BTSTEMB. AGES. GROUPS PEKIOUS. FORMATIONS. EPOCHS. THICKN-E88 L\ FliET. Dr \ 1 ift 10 to 200 50 130 lOii 200 20 aoo 75 90 196 ns ao 35(J 80 i L ower Cretaceons ■^ishnahotaiiy Sanrietone 1 Sabcarboniferons Hamilton Niagara a^aia Llme^toiie 1 \ Si S50 SOU 80 250 300 50 Tr^nt^.n Lmit-stnDe ■;t Peter's Saiirtstone ^ Huronian t"^' ^ (s r " ^^ _±=£k: 70 HISTORY OF IOWA. AZOIC SYSTEM. The Sioux quartzite is found exposed in natural ledges only upon a few acres in the extreme northwest corner of tbe State, upon the banks of the Big Sioux river, for which reason the specific name of Sioux quanzite has been given them. It is an intensely hard rock, breaks in splintery fracture, and of a color varying, in different localities, from a light to deep red. The process of metamorphism has been so complete throughout the whole formation, that the rock is almost every- where of uniform texture. The dip is four or five degrees to the northward, and the trend of the outcrop is eastward and westward. LOWER SILURIAN STSTEH. Primordial Group. — The Potsdam sand- stone formation is exposed only in a small portion of the northeastern part of the State. It is only to be seen in the bases of the bluffs and steep valley sides which border the river there. It is nearly value- less for economic purposes. No fossils have been discovered in this formation in Iowa. Lower M'ignesian Limestone. — This formation has but little greater geographi- cal extent in Iowa than the Potsdam sand- stone. It lacks a uniformity of texture and stratification, owing to which it is not generally valuable for building purposes The only fossils found in this formation in the State are a few traces of crinoids, near McGregor. The St. Peters sandstone formation is reraarkab'v uniform in thickness through- out its known geographical extent, and it occupies a large portion of the northern half of Allamakee county, immediately beneath the drift. I'reyiton Group — With the exception of the Trenton limestone, all the limestones of both Upper and Lower Silurian age in Iowa are magnesian limestone — nearly pure dolomites. This formation occupies large portions of Winneshiek and Allama- kee counties and a small part of Clayton The greater part of it is useless for eco- nomic purposes; but there are some com- pact, even layers that furnish fine material for window-caps and sills. Fossils are so abundant in this formation that in some places the rock i.s made up of a mass of shells, corals and fragments of trilnbites, cemented by calcareous material into a solid rock. Some of these fossils are new to science and peculiar to Iowa. The Galena limestone is the upper form- ation of the Trenton Group. It is 150 miles long, and seldom exceeds 12 miles in width. It exhibits its greatest develop- ment in Dubuque county. It is nearly a pure dolomite, with a slight admixture of silicous matter; good blocks for dressing are sometimes found near the top of the bed, although it is usually unfit for such a purpose. This formation is the source of the lead ore of the Dubuque lead mines. The lead region proper is confined to an area of about 15 miles square in the vicinity of Dubuque. The ore occurs in vertical fissures, which traverse the rock at regular intervals from east to west; some is found in those which have a north and south direc- tion. This ore is mostly that known as Galena, or sulphuret of lead, very small -^ HISTORY OF IOWA. quantities only of the carbonate being found with it. Cincinnati Group. — The surface occu- pied by the Maquoketa shales is more than 100 miles iu length, but is singularly long and narrow, seldom reaching a mile or two in width. The most northern exposure yet recognized is in the western part of Winneshiek county, while the most south- erly is in Jackson county, in the bluffs of the Mississippi. The formation is largely composed of bluish and brownish shales, sometimes slightly arenaceous, sometimes calcareous, which weather into a tenacious clav uj5on the surface, and the soil derived from it is usually stiff and clayey. Several species of fossils which characterize the Cincinnati Group are found in the Maquo- keta shales, but they contain a larger num- ber than have been found anywhere else in these shales in Iowa, and their distinct faunal characteristics seem to warrant the separation of the Maquoketa shales as a distinct formation from others in the group. UPPER SILURIAN STSTBM. Niagara Group. — The area occupied by the Niagara limestone is 40 and 50 miles in width, and nearly 160 miles long, from north to south. This formation is entirely a magnesian limestone, with a considerable portion of silicious matter, in some places, in the form of chert or coarse flint. A large part of it probably affords the best and greatest amount of quarry rock in the State. The quarries at Anamosa, LeClaire and Failey are all opened in this forma- tion. DEVONIAN SYSTEM. ITamilton Group. — The area of surface occupied by the Hamilton limestone and shales is as great as those by all the form- ations of both Upper and Lower Silurian age in the State. Its length is nearly 200 miles, and width from 40 to 50. A large p^rt of the material of this is quite worth- less, yet other portions are valuable for economic purposes; and, having a large geographical extent- in the State, is a very important formation. Its value for the production of hydraulic lime has been demonstrated at Waverly, Bremer county; the heavier piers and other material re- quiring strength and durability. All the Devonian strata of Iowa evidently belong to a single epoch The most conspicuous and characteristic fossils of this formation are brachiopodes, corals and mullusks. The coral Acervularia Davidsoni occurs near Iowa City, and is known as "Iowa City marble" and "Bird's Eye marble." CARBONIFEROUS SYSTEM. Of the three groups of formations that constitute the carboniferous, viz: the sub- ■ carboniferous, coal measures and Permian, only the first two are found in Iowa. Subcarboniferous Group. — This gioup occupies a very large area of surface. Its eastern border passes from the northeast- ern part of Winnebago county, with con- siderable directness in a southeasterly direction to the northern part of Washing- ton county. It then makes a broad and direct bend nearly eastward, striking the Mississippi at Muscatine. The southern and western boundaries are to a consider- able extent the same as that which separates it from the real field. From the southern part of Pocahontas county it passes south- east to Fort Dodge, thence to Webster City, thence to a point 3 or 4 miles north- J. :k 72 HISTORY OF IOWA. east of Pldora, in Hardin county, thence southward to the middle of the north line of Jasper county, thence southeastward to Sigourney, in Keokuk county, thence to the northeastern corner of Jefferson county, thence sweeping a few miles eastward to the southeast corner of Van Buren county. Its arc is about 250 miles long, and from 20 to 50 miles wide. The Rinderhook Bech — The most south- erly exposure of these beds is in Des- Moines county, near the mouth of Skunk river. The most northerly now known is in the eastern part of Pocahontas county, more than 200 miles distant. The princi- pal exposures of this formation are along the bluffs which border the Mississippi and Skunk rivers, where they form the eastern and northern boundary of DesMoines county; along English river, in Washing- ton county; along the Iowa river in Tama, Marshall, Hamlin and Franklin counties, and along the DesMoines river in Hum- boldt county. This formation has consid- erable economic value, particularly in the northern portion of the region it occupies. In Pocahontas and Humboldt counties it is invaluable, as no other stone except a few boulders are found here. At Iowa Falls the lower division is very good for building purposes. In Marshall county all the limestone to be obtained comes from this formation, and the quarries near Le Grand are very valuable. At this point some of the layers are finely veined with peroxide of iron, and are wrought into both useful and ornamental objects. In Tama county the oolitic member is well exposed, where it is manufactured into lime. Upon exposure to atmosphere and frost it crum- bles to pieces; consequently it is not valu- able for building purposes. The remains of fishes are the only fossils yet discovered in this formation that can be referred to the sub-kingdom Vertebrata; and so far as yet recognized, they all be- long to the order Selachians Of Articu- ticulates, only two species have been recog- nized, both of which belong to the genus Phillipsia. The sub-kingdom Mollusca is also largely represented The Radiata are represented by a few crinoids, usually found in a very imperfect condition. The sub-kingdom is also represented by corals. The prominent feature in the life of this epoch was molluscan. It overshadowed all other branches of the animal kingdom. The prevailing classes are: Lamellibranch- iates, in the more arenaceous portions; and Brachropods in the more calcareous por- tions. No remains of vegetation have been detected in any of the strata of this formation. The Burlington limestone formation consists of two distinct calcareous divi- sions, separated by a series of siliceous beds; both divisions are crinoidal. The Burlington limestone is carried down by the southerly dip of the Iowa rocks, so that it is seen for the last time in the State in the valley of Skunk river, near the south- ern boundary of DesMoines county, which is the most northerly point that it has been found, but it probably exists as far north as Marshall county. Much valuable mate- rial is afforded by this formation for eco- nomic purposes. The upper division furnishes excellent common quarry rock. Geologists are attracted by the great abundance and variety of its fossils — cri- noids — now known to be more than .300. •e*1(S — ^ fV J, ^L^ HISTORY OB^ IOWA. 73 The only remains of vertebrates discov- ered in this formation are those of fishes, and consist of teeth and spines. Bones of bony fish, on Buffingtou creek, Louisa county, is an exposure so fully charged with these remains that it might with pro- priety be called bone breccia. Remains of Articulates are rare in this formation; so far as yet discovered, they are confined to two species of trilobites of the genus Phillipsia. Fossil shells are very common. The two lowest classes of the sub-king- dom Radiataare represented in the genera Zaphrentis, Amplexus and Syringaposa, while the highest class, Ecliiiioderms, are found in -most extraordinary profusion. The Keokuk limestone formation is to be seen only in four counties — Lee, Van Buren, Henry and DesMoines. In some localities the upper siliceous portion is known as the Geode bed; it is not recog- nizable in the northern portion of the formation, nor in connection with it where it is exposed, about 80 miles below Keo- kuk. The geodes of the Geode bed are more or less masses of silex, usually hol- low and lined with crystals of quartz; the outer crust is rough and unsightly, but the crystals which stud the interior are often very beautiful; they vary in size from the size of a walnut to a foot in diameter. This formation is of great economic value. Large quantities of its stone have been used in the finest structures in the State, among which are the postoffices at Dubuque and DesMoines. The principal quarries are along the banks of the Missis- sippi, from Keokuk to Nauvoo. The only vertebrate fossils in the formation are fishes, all belonging to the order Selachians, some of which indicate that thdlr owners reached a length of 25 or 30 feet. Of the Articulates, only two species of the genus Phillipsia have been found in this forma- tion. Of the Mollusks no Ceph.alopods liave yet been recognized in this forma- tion in Iowa. Gasteropods are rare; Brachiopods and Polyzoans are quite abundant. Of Radiates, corals of genera Zaphrentis, Amplexus and Aulopora are found, but crinoids are most abundant. Of the low forms of animal life, the proto- zoans, a small fossil related to the sponges, is found in this formation in small num- bers. The St. Louis limestone is the uppermost of the sub-carboniferous group in Iowa. It occupies a small superficial area, consisting of long, narrow strips, yet its extent is very great. It is first seen resting on the geode division of the Keokuk limestone, near Keokuk; proceeding northward, it forms a narrow border along the edge of the coal fields in Lee, De.-^Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Washington, Keokuk and Ma- haska counties; it is then lost sight of until it appears again in the banks of Boone river, where it again passes out of view under the Coal Measures, until it is next seen in the banks of the DesMoines, near Fort Dodge. As it exists in Iowa, it consists of three tolerably distinct sub- divisions — the magnesian, arenaceous and calcareous. The upper division furni-shes excellent material for quicklime, and when quarries are well opened, as in the north- western part of VanBuren county, large blocks are obtained. The sandstone, or middle division, is of little economic value. The lower, or magnesian division, furnishes a valuable and durable stone, exposures of N" HISTOEY OF IOWA. which ar# found on Lick creek, in Van Buren county, and on Long creek, seven miles west of Burlington. Of the fossils of this formation, the vertebra'es are represented only by the remains of fish, belonging to the two orders. Selachians and Ganoids. The Articulates are represented by one species of the trilobite, genus Phillipsia; and two ostracoid genera, Cythra and Beyricia. The MoUusks distinguished this formation more than any other branch of the animal kingdom. Radiates are exceedingly rare, showing a marked contrast between this formation and the two preceding it. The Coal Measure Group is properly divided into three formations, viz: the Lower, Middle and Upper Coal Measures; each having a vertical thickness of about two hundred feet. The Lower Coal Measures exists eastr ward and northward of the DesMoines river, and also occupy a large area west- ward and southward of that river; but their southerly dip passes below the Middle Coal Measure at no great distance from the river. This formation possesses greater economic value than any other in the whole Stale. The clay that underlies almost every bed of coal, furnishes a large amount of material for potters' use. The sandstone of these measures is usually soft and unfit for use; but in some places, as in Red Rjck, in Marion county, blocks of large diuiensions are obtained, which make good bui'diiig material, samples of which can be seen in the State; Arsenal, at Des Moines. But few fossils have been found in any of the strata of the Lower Coal Measures, but such animal remains as have been found are, without exception, of marine origin. All fossil plants found in these measures, probably belong to the class Acrogens. Specimens of Calamites and several species of ferns are found in all the Coal Measures, but the genus Lepidoden- dron seems not to have existed later than the epoch of the Middle Coal Measures. The latter formation occupies a narrow belt of territory in the southern-central portion of the State, embracing a superfi- cial area of about 1,400 square miles The counties underlaid by this formation are, Guthrie, Dallas, Polk, Madison, Warren, Clarke, Lucas, Monroe, Wayne and Appa- noose. Few species of fossils occur in these beds. Some of the shales and sandstone have afforded a few imperfectly preserved land plants, three or four species of ferns, belonging to the genera. Some of the carboniferous shales afford beautiful speci- mens of what appears to have been sea- weed. Radiates are represented by corals. The Mollu.ck cliff and ledges, and also oc- curring abundantly in similar positions along both sides of the valleys of the smaller streams and of the numerous ravines coming into the river valley. The most northerly known limit of the deposit is at a point near the mouth of Liza d creek, a tributary of the DesMoines river and almost adjoining the town of Fort Dodge. The most southerly point at which it has been exposed is about six miles by way of the river, from the north jrly point mentioned. The width of the area is un- known, as the gypsum becomes lost be- neath the overlying drift, as one goes up the ravines and minor vallej'S. On either side of the creeks and ravines which come into the valley of the Dcs Moines river, the gypsum is seen jutting out from beneath the drift in the form of ledges and bold quarry fronts, having almost the exact appearance of oidinary limestone expo ures, so horizontal and reg- ular are its lines of stratification, and so similar in color is it to some varieties of that rock. The principal quarries now opened are on Two-Mile creek, a couple of miles below Fort Dodge. Age of the Gijpsimi Depmit — No trace of fossil remains has been found in the gypsum or associated clays; neither h.is any other indication of its geologic age been observed except that which is affoided by its stratigraphical relations; the most that can be said with certainly is that it is newer than the coal measures, and older than the drift. The indications afforde I by the stratigraphical relations of the gy| - sum deposit of Fort Dodge are, however, of considerable value. No Tertiary de- posits aie known to exist within or near the borders of Iowa, to suggest that it might be of that age, nor are any of the Palaeozoic strata newer than the subcar- boniferous unconformable upon each other HISTORY OF IOWA. ihL^ as the other gypsum is unconformable upon the strata beneath it. It therefore seems, in a measure, conclusive that the gypsum is of Mesozoic age; perhaps older than the cretaceous. The lithological origin of this deposit is as uncertain as its geological age. It seems to present itself in this relation, as in the former one, — an isolated fact. None of the associated strata show any traces of a double decomposition of pre-existing ma- terials, such as some have supposed all de- posits of gypsum to have resulted from. No considerable quantities of oxide of iron nor any trace of native sulphur have been found in connection with it, nor has any salt been found in the waters of the region. These substances are common in associa- tion with other gypsum deposits, and by many are regarded as indicative of the method of or resulting from their origin as such. Throughout the whole region the Fort Dodge gypsum has the exact appear- ance of a sedimentary deposit. From these facts it seems not unreasonable to en- tertain the opinion that this gy|)sum origin- ated as a chemical precipitation iu com- paratively still waters which were satu- rated with sulphate of lime and destitute of life; its stratification and impurities being deposited at the same lime as clayey impurities which had been suspended in the same waters. Physical Properties. — ATurh has already been said of the physical character of this gypsum; but as it is so different in some respects from other deposits, there are still other matters worthy of mention in con- nection with those. According to the re- sults of a complete analysis of Pr.if.Einery, the ordinary gray gypsum contains only about eight per cent, of impurity, and it is possible that the average impurity for the whole deposit will not exceed that pro- portion, .so uniform in quality is it from top to bottom and from one end of the region to the other. As plaster for agri- cultural purposes is sometimes prepared from gypsum that contains thirty per cent, of impurity, it will be seen that this is a very superior article for such purposes. The impurities are of such a character that they do not in any way interfere with its value for use in the arts. Although the gyp.sum rock has a gray color, it becomes quite white by grinding, and still whiter by the calcimining process necessary in the preparation of plaster of Paris. These tests have all been practi- cally made in the rooms of the Geological Survey, and the quality of the plaster of Paris still further tested by actual use and experiment. The only use yet made of the gypsum by the inahabitants is for the purposes of ordinary building stone. It is so compact it is found to be comparatively unaffected by frost, and its ordinary situa- tion in walls of houses is such that it is protected from the dissolving action of water, which can, at most, reach it only from occasional rains, and the effect of these is too slight to be perceived after the lapse of several years. Hon. John F. Buncombe, of Fort Do'^ge, built a fine residence of it in 1861, the walls of which appear as unaffected by exposure and as beautiful as they were when first erected. Several other houses in Fort Dodge have been constructed of it,includii)g the depot buildings of the Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad. Marv of the sidewalks iu the V8 fflSTORY OF IOWA. town are made of the slabs or flags of gyp- sum which occur in some of the quarries in the form of thin layers. MINOR DEPOSITS OF SULPHATE OF LIME. Sulphate of lime in the various forms of fibrous gypsum, selenite and small amorphous masses, has also been discov ered in various formations in different parts of the State, including the Coal Measure shales near Fort Dodge, where it exists in small quantities, quite independ- ently of the great gypsum deposit there. The quantity of gypsum in these minor deposits is always too small to be of any practical value, usually occurring in shales and shaly clays. Associated with strata that contain more or less sulphuret of iron, gypsum has thus been detected in the Coal Measures, the St. Louis lime- stone, the Cretaceous strata, and also in the Dead Caves of Dubuque. SULPHATE OF STEONITA. This mineral is found at Fort Dodge, which is, perhaps, the only place in Iowa or in the valley of the Mississippi where it has as yet been discovered. There, it occurs in very small quantities in both the shales of the Lower Coal Measures and in the clays that overlie the gypsum deposit, and which is regarded as of the same age with it. The mineral is fibrous and crys- talline, the fibers being perpendicular to the plane of the layer; it resembles, in physical character, the layer of fibro-crys- talline gypsum, before mentioned. Its color is of light b'ue, is transparent, and shows crystalline facets upon both the upper and under surfaces of the layer, of the upper surface being smaller and more numerous. The layer is probably not more than a rod in extent in any direction, and about three inches in maximum thick- ness. Apparent lines of stratification occur in it, corresponding with those of the shales which imbed it. The other deposit was still smaller in amount, and occurred as a mass of crystals imbedded in the clays that overlie the gypsum at Cummins' quarry, in the valley of Sol- diers' creek, upon the north side of the town. The mineral in this clay is nearly colorless, and somewhat resembles masses of impure salt. The crystals are so closely aggregated that they enclose but little im- purity in the mass, but in almost all other cases their fundamental forms are ob- sured. This mineral has almost no prac- tical value, and is only interesting as a mineralogical fact. SULPHATE OF BAKTTA. In Iowa this mineral has been found only in minute quantities. It has been de- tected in the Coal Measure shales of De- catur, Madison and Marion counties, Devonian limestone of Johnson and Bre- mer counties, and, also, in the lead caves of Dubuque. It is in the form of crystals or small crystalline masses. SULPHATE OF MAGNESIA. Epsomite, or native Epsom salts, having been discovered near Burlington, all the sulphates of alkaline earths of natural origin have been recognized in Iowa; all except the sulphate of lime being in very small quantity. The Epsomite mentioned HISTORY OF IOWA. was found beneath the overhanging cliff of Burlington limestone near Starr's Mill. It occurs in the form of eiBorescent encrusta- tions upon the surface of stones, and in similar small fragile masses among the pine debris that has fallen down beneath the overhanging cliff. The projection of the cliff over the perpendicular face of the strata beneath, amounts to near 20 feet at the point where Epsomite was found. The rock upon which it accumulates is an im- pure limestone, containing also some car- bonate of magnesia, together with a small proportion of iron pyrites, in a finely divided condition. By experiments with this native salt in the office of the Survey, a fine article of Epsom salts was produced, but the quantity obtained there is very small, and would be of no practical value on account of the cheapness in the market. CLIMATH. The greatest objection to the climate of this State is the prevalence of wind, which is somewhat greater than in the States south and east, but not so great as it is west. The air is pure and generally bra- cing, — the northern part particularly so during the winter. The prevailing direc- tion of the wind during the whole year is easterly. Correspondingly, thunder-storms are somewhat more violent in this State than east or south, but not near so much bo as toward the mountains. As elsewhere in the Northwestern States, easterly wind- bring rain and snow, while westerly ones clear the sky. While the highest temper- ature occurs here in August, the month of July aver.ges the hottest, and January the coldest. The mean temperature of April and October nearly corresponds to the mean temperature of the year, as well as to the seasons of spring and fall, while that of summer and winter is best represented by August and December. Indian summer is delightful and well prolonged. Untimely frosts sometimes occur, but seldom severely enough to do great injury. The wheat crop being a staple product of the State, and is not injured at all by frost, this great resource of the State continues intact. TOPOGRAPHY. All the knowledge we have at present of the topography of the State of Iowa is that derived from incidental observations of geological corps, from the surveys made by railroad engineers, and from barometri- cal observations made by authority of the Federal Government. No complete topo graphical survey has yet been made, lut this will doubtless be attended to in a few years. The State lies wholly within, jnd com- prises a part of, a vast plain, and there is no mountainous or even hilly country within its borders; for the highest point is but 1,200 feet above the lowest point; these two points are nearly 3U0 miles apart, and the whole State is traversed by gently flowing rivers. A clearer idea of the great uniformity of the surface of the State may be obtained from a statement of the gen- eral i^lope8 in feet per mile, from point to point, in straight lines across it. Per Mile. From N. E. corner to S. E. cor- ner of State 1 ft. 1 in. From N. E. corner to Spirit Lake, 5 ft. 5 in FromN.W corner toSpiritLake, 5 ft From N.W. corner to SW. cor- ner of the State 2 ft. HISTORY OF IOWA. From S. W. corner to highest ridge between the two great rivers (iu Ringgold county).. 4 ft. 1 in. From the highest point in the Slate (near Spirit Lake) to the lowest point in the Slate (at the mouth of DesMuines river) 4 ft. We thus find that there is good degree of propriety in regarding the whole State as belonging to a great plain, the lowest point of which within its border, the south- eastern corner of the State, is only 444 feet above the level of the sea. The aver- age height of the whole State above the level ot the sea is not far from 800 feet, although it is a thousand miles from the nearest ocean. These remarks are, of course, to be un- derstood as applying to the State as a whole. On examining its surface in detail, •we find a great diversity of surface by the formation of valleys out of the general level, which have been evolved by the actions of streams during the unnumbered years of the terrace epoch. These river valleys are deepest in the northwestern part of the State, and consequently it is there that the country has the greatest di- ver.sity of surface, and its physical features are most strongly marked.- The greater part of Iowa was formerly one vast prairie. It has, indeed, been estimated that seven-eighths of the surface of the State was prairie when first settled. By prairie it must not be inferred that a level surface is meant, for they are found in hilly countries as well Nor are they confined to any particular variety of soil, for they rest upon all formatiors, from those of the Azotic to those of the Creta- ceous age, inclusive. Whatever may have been their origin, their present existence in Iowa is not due to the influence of cli- mate, of the soil, or of any of the under- lying formations. The real cause is the prevalence of the annual fires. If these had been prevented fifty years ago, Iowa would now be a timbered country. The encroachment of forest trees upon prairie farms as soon as the bordering wood- land is protected from the .innual prairie fires, is well known to farmers throughout the State. The soil of Iowa is justly famous for its fertility, and there is prob- ably no equal area of the earth's surface that contains so little untillable land, or whose soil has so high an average of fer- tility. Ninety-five per cent, of its surface is capable of a high state of cultivation. LAKES AND STREAMS. Lakes — T he lakes of Iowa may be prop- erly divided into two distinct classes The first may be called drift lakes, having had their origin in the depressions left in the .'surface of the drift at the close of the gla- cial epoch, and have rested upon the undis- turbed surface of the drift deposit ever since the glaciers disappeared. The others may be properly termed flumatile or allu- vial lakes, because they'^ have had their origin by the action of rivers while cut- ting their own valleys out from the surface of the drift as it existed at the close of the glacial epoch, and are now found resting upon the alluvium. By "alluvium" is meant the deposit which h.as acciMnulated in the valleys of rivers by the action of their own currents. It is largely composed of sand and other coarse material, and HISTORY OF IOWA. Lk upon that deposit are some of the best productive soils in the State. It is this deposit which forms the flood plains and deltas of our rivers, as well as the terraces of their valleys. The regions to which the drift lakes are principally confined are near the head waters of the principal streams of the State. They are consequently found in those regions which lie between the Cedar and DesMoines rivers, and the Des Moiues and Little Sioux. No drift lakes are fouud in Southern Iowa. The largest of the lakes to be found in the State are Spirit and Okoboji, in Dickinson county, Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo county, and Storm Lake in Buena Vista county. Spirit I-ake. — The width and length of this lake are about equal, and it contains about 12 square miles of surface, its north- ern border resting directly on the boun- dary of the State. It lies almost directly upon the great water-shed. Its shores are mostly gravelly, and the country about it fertile. Okoboji Lake. — This body of water lies directly south of Spirit Lake, and has somewhat the shape of a horse-shoe, with its eastern projection within a few rods . of Spirit Like, where it receives the out- let of the latter. Okoboji Lake extends about five miles southward from Spirit Lake, thence about the same distance westward, and it then bends northward about as far as the eastern projection. The eastern portion is narrow, but the western is larger, and in some places 100 feet deep. The surroundings of this and Spirit Lake are very plea-aut; fish are abundant in them, and they are the re- sort of myriads of water-fowl. Clear Lake. — This lake is situated upon the water-shed between the Iowa and Cedar rivers. It is about 5 miles long, 2 or 3 miles wide, and has a maximum depth of only 15 feet. Its shores and the country around are like that of Spirit Lake. Stokm Lake. — This lake rests upon the great water-shed in Buena Vista county. It is a clear, beautiful sheet of water, con- taining a surface area of between 4 and 5 square miles. The outlets of all these drift lakes are dry during a portion of the year, except Okoboji. Walled Lakes. — Along the water-sheds of Northern Iowa great numbers of small lakes exist, varying from half a mile to a mile in diameter. One of the lakes in Wright county, and another in Sac, have each received the name of "Walled Lake," i,>n account of the embankments on their borders, Trhich are supposed to be the work of ancient inhabitants. These embank- ments are from 2 to 10 feet in height, and from 5 to 30 feet across. They are the result of natural causes alone, being refer- able to the periodic action of ice, aided to some extent by the action of the waves. These lakes are very shallow, and in win- ter freeze to the bottom, so that but little unfrozen water remains in the middle. The ice freezes fast to everything on the bot- tom, and the expansive power of the water in freezing acts in all directions from the center to the circumference, and whatever was on the bottom of the lake has been thus carried to the shore. This has been going on from year to year, from century to century, forming the embankments which have caused so much wonder. k. HISTORY OF IOWA. Springs issue from all the geological formations, and form the sides of almost every valley, but they are more numerous, and assume proportions which give rise to the name of sink-boles, along the uplard borders of the Upper Iowa river, owing to the peculiar (issued and laminated charac- ter and great thickness of the stra'a of the age of the Trenton limestone which under- lies the whole regioa of the valley of that stream. No mineral springs, properly so- called, have yet been discovered in Iowa, though the water of several artesian wells is frequently found charged with soluable mineral substances. Rivers. — The two great rivers, the Mis- sissipi and Missouri, from the eastern and the western bouirdaries, respectively, of the State, receive the eastern and western drainage of it. The Mississippi with its tributaries in Eastern Iowa drain two- thirds of the State, and the Missouri with its tributaries drain the western third. The great water-shed which divides these two systems is a land running southward from a point on the northern boundary line of the State, near Spirit Lake, in Dickinson county, to a nearly central point in the northern part of Adair county. From the last named point this highest ridge of land between the two great rivers continues southward, without change of character, through Ringgold county, into the State of Missouri; but it is no longer the great watershed. From that point another ridge bears off southward, through the counties of Madison, Clarke, Lucas and Appanoose, which is now the water-shed. All streams that rise in Iowa occupy, at first, only slight depressions of the land, and are scarcely perceptible. These uniting into larger streams, though still flowing over drift and bluff deposits, reach consid- erable depth into these deposits, in some cases to a depth of nearly 200 feet from the general prairie level. The great(=r part of the streams in West- ern Iowa run either along the whole or a part of their course, upon that peculiar deposit known as bluff deposit. The banks even of the small streams are often five to ten fe<^t in height and quite perpen- dicular, so that they render the streams almost everywhere unfordable, and a greij. impediment to travel across the open country where there are no bridges. This deposit is of a sHghtly yellowih ash color, except when darkened by decay- ing vegetation, very fine and silicious, but not sandy, cot very cohesive, and not at all plastic. It forms excellent soil, and does not bake or crack in drying, except limy concretions, which are generally dis- tributed throughout the mass, in shape and size resembling pebbles; but not a stone or a pebble can be found in the whole df posit. It was called "silicious marl" by Dr. Owen, in his geological re- port to the Government, and he atlribuies its origin to an accumulation of sediment ■ in an ancient lake, which was afterwaid drained, and the sediment became dry land. Prof. Swallow gives it the name of "bluff," which is here adopted; but the term, "la- custrine" would have been more appro- priate. The peculiar properties of this deposit are that it will stand recurely with a precipitous front 200 feet high, and yet is easily excavated with a spade. Wells dug in it require only to be walled to a point just above the water-line. Yet, com- HISTORY OF IOWA. ik pact as it is, it is very porous, so that water wbich falls on it does not remain at the surface, but percolates through it; neither does it accumulate within it at any point, as it does upon and within the drift and the stratified formations. The thickest deposit yet known in Iowa is in Fremont county, where it reaches 200 feet. It is found throughout a region more than 200 miles in length, and nearly 100 miles in width, and through which the Missouri runs almost centrally. This fine sediment is the same which the Missouri once deposited in a broad depression in the surface of the drift that formed a lake-like expansion of that river in the earliest period of the history of its valley. The extent of the deposit shows this lake to have been 100 miles wide and more than twiee as long. The water of the river was muddy then as now, and the broad lake became filled with the sediment which the river brought down. After the lake became filled with the sediment, the valley below became deepened by the con- stant erosive action of the waters, to a depth sufficient to have drained the lake of its first waters; but the only effect then was to cause it to cut its valley out of the deposits its own muddy waters had formed. Thus along the valley of that river, so far as it forms the western boundary of Iowa, the bluffs which border it are composed of that sediment known as bluff deposit, forming a distinct border along the broad, level flood plain, the width of which varies from five to fifteen miles, while the orig- inal sedimentary deposit stretches far in- land. Chariton and Grand rivers rise and run for twentj'-five miles of their course upon the drift deposits alone. The first strata that are exposed by the deepening valleys of both these streams belong to the Upper Coal Measures, and they both continue upon the same formation until they make their exit from the State, (the former in Appanoose county, the latter in Ringgold county,) near the boundary of which they passed nearly or quite through the whole of that formation to the Middle Coal Measures. Their valleys deepen gradually, and 15 or 20 miles from the river they are nearly 150 feel below the gen- eral level of the adjacent highland. When the rivers have cut their valleys down through the series of limestone strata, they reach those of a clayey composition. Upon these they widen their valleys, and make broad flood plains or " bottoms," the soil of which is stiff and clayey, except where modified by sandy washings. These streams are prairie streams in their upper branches and tributaries, but flow through woodland farther down. The proportion of lime in the drift of Iowa is so great that the water of all the wells and springs is too " hard " for washing purposes, and the game substance is so prevalent in the drift clays that they are always found to have sufficient flux when used for the manufac- ture of brick. Platte river belongs mainly to Missouri. Its upper branches pass through Ringgold county. Here the drift deposit reaches its maximum thickness on an east and west line across the State, and the valleys are eroded in some instances to a depth of 200 feet, apparently, through this deposit alone. Tha term "drift deposit " applies to the soil and sub soil of the greiter part ^7 T' A ■^ HISTORY OF IOWA. of the State, and in it alone many wells are dug and our forests take root. It rests upon the stratified rocks. It is composed of clay, sand, gravel and boulders, promis- cuously intermixed without stratification, varying in character in different parts of the State. One Hundred and Two river is repre- sented in Taylor county, the valleys of which have the same general character of those just described. The country around and between the east and west forks of this stream is almost entirely prairie. Nbdmnay river is represented by east, middle and west branches. The two for- mer rise in Adair county, the latter in Cass county. These rivers and valleys are fine examples of the small rivers au,d valleys of Southern Iowa. They have the general character of drift valleys, and with beautiful undulating and sloping sides. The Nodaway drains one of the finest agricultural regions in the State, the soil of which is tillable almost to their very banks. The banks and the adjacent nar- row flood-plains are almost everywhere composed of a rich, deep, dark loam. N'ishnabotany river is represented by east and west branches, the former having its source in Anderson county, the latter in Shelby county. Both these branches, from their source to their confluence, and also the main stream from there to the point where it enters the great flood-plain of the Missouri, run through a region, the surface of which is occupied by the bluff deposit. The West Nishnabotany is probably without any valuable mill-sites. In the western part of Cass county, the East Nishnabotany loses its identity by becom- ing abruptly divided up into five or six different creeks. A few good mill-sites occur here on this stream. None, how- ever, that are thought reliable, exist on either of these rivers, or on the main stream below the confluence, except, per- haps, one or two in Montgomery county. The valleys of the two branches, and the intervening upland, possess remarkable fertility. Boyer river, until it enters the flood- plain of the Missouri, runs almost, if net quite, its entire course through the region occupied by the bluff deposit, and has cut its valley entirely through it along most of its passage. The only rocks exposed are ihe upper coal measures, near Reed's mill, in Harrison county. The exposures are slight, and are the most northerly now known in Iowa. The valley of this river has usually gently sloping sides, and an in- distinctly defined flood-plain. Along the lower half of its course the adjacent up- land presents a surface of the billowy character, peculiar to the bluff deposit. The source of this river is in Sac county. Soldier rivet The east and middle branches of this stream have their source in Crawford county, and the west brancli in Ida county. The whole course of this river is through the bluff deposit. It has no exposure of strata along its course. Little Sioux river. — Under this head are included both the main and west branches of that stream, together with the Msplo, which is one of its branches. The west branch and the Maple are so similar to the Soldier river that they need no sep- arate description. The main stream has , 4^ '^ HISTORY OB" IOWA. its boundary near the northern boundary of the State, and runs most of its course upon drift deposit alone, entering the region of the blufP deposit in the southern part 'of Cherokee county. The two prin- cipal upper branches near their source in Dickinson and Osceola counties are small prairie creeks within distinct valleys. On entering Clay county the valley deepens, and at their confluence has a depth of 200 feet. Just as the valley enters Cherokee county it turns to the southward, and be- comes much wii^ened, with its sides gently sloping to the uplands. When the valley enters the region of the blufif deposit, it assumes the billowy appearance. No ex- posures of strata of any kind have been found in the valley of the Lttle Sioux or any of its branches. Floyd river. — This river rises upon the drift in O'Brien county, and flowing south- ward enters the region of the bluff deposit a little north of the centre of Plymouth county. Almost from its source to its mouth it is a prairie stream, with slightly sloping valley sides, which blend gradually with the uplands. A single slight exposure ■ of sandstone of cretaceous age occurs in the valley near Sioux City, and which is the only known exposure of rock of any kind along its whole length. Near this exposure is a mill-site, but farther up the stream it is not valuable for such purposes. Hock river. — This stream passes through Lyon and Sioux counties. It was, evi- dently, so named from the fact that con- siderable exposures of the red Sioux quartzite occur along the main branches of the stream in Minnesota, a few miles north of the State boundary. Within the State the main stream and its branches are drift streams and strata are exposed. The beds and banks of the streams are usually sandy and gravelly, with occasionally boulders intermixed. Biff Sioux River. — The valley of this river, from the northwest corner of the State to its mouth, possesses much the same character as all the streams of the surface deposits. At Sioux Falls, a few miles above the northwest corner of the State, the streams meet with remarkable obstructions from the presence of Sioux quartzite, which outcrops directly across the stream, and causes a fall of about 60 feet within a distance of half a mile, pro- ducing a series of cascades. For the first 25 miles above its mouth, the valley is very broad, with a broad, flat flood-plain, with gentle slopes, occasionally showing indistinctly defined terraces. These ter- races and valley bottoms constitute some of the finest agricultural land of the re- gion. Oa the Iowa side of the valley the upland presents abrupt bluffs, steep as the materials of which they are composed will stand, and from 100 to nearly 200 feet high above the stream. At rare intervals, about 15 miles from its mouth, the creta- ceous strata are exposed in the face of the bluffs of the Iowa side. No other strata are exposed along that part of the valley which borders our State, with the single exception of Sioux quartzite at its extreme northwestern corner. Some good mill- sites may be secured along that portion of this river which borders Lyon county, but below this the fall will probably be found insufficient and the locations for dams in- secure. *^ HISTORY OF IOWA. Missouri River. — This is one of the muddiest streams on tbe globe, and its waters are known to be very turbid far toward its source.- The chief peculiarity of this river is its broad flood-plains, and its adjacent bluff deposits. Much the greater part of the flood-plain of this river is upon the Iowa side, and continues from the south boundary line of the State to Sioux City, a distance of more than 100 miles in length, varying from three to five miles in width. This alluvial plain is esti- mated to contain more than half a million of acres of land within the State, upward of 400,000 of which are now tillable. The rivers of the eastern system of drainage have quite a different character from those of the western system. They are larger, longer and have their valleys modified to a much greater extent by the underlying strata. For the latter reason, water-power is much more abundant upon them than upon the streams of the western system. DesMoines River. — This river has its source in Minnesota, but it enters Iowa before it has attained any size, and flows almost centrally through it from northwest to southeast, emptying into the Mississippi at the extreme southeastern corner of the State. It drains a greater area than any river within the State. The upper portion of it is divided into two branches, known as the east and west forks These unite in Humboldt county. The valleys of these branches above their confluence are drift valleys, except a few small exposures of subcarboniferous limestone about five miles above their confluence. These ex- posures produce several small mill-sites. The valleys vary from a few hundred yards to half mile in width, and are the finest agricultural lands. In the northern part of Webster county the character of the main valley is modified by the presence of ledges and low cliffs of the subcarbonifer- ous limestone and gypsum. From a point a little below Fort Dodge to near Am.ster- dam, in Marion county, the river runs all the ivay through and upon the lower Coal Measure strata. Along this part of the course the flood-plain varies from an eighth to a mile or more in width. From Amsterdam to Ottumwa the subcarbonifer- ous rocks pass beneath the river again, bringing down the Coal Measure strata into its bed; they rise from it in the ex- treme northwestern part of VanBuren county, and subcarboniferous strata re- sume and keep their place along the valley to the north of the river. From Fort Dodge to the northern part of Lee county the strata of the Lower Coal Measures are present in the valley. Its flood-plain is frequently sandy from the debris of the sandstone and sandy shales of the Coal Measures produced by their removal in the process of the forma- tion of the valley. The principal tributaries of the Des Moines are upon the western side. These are the Raccoon and the three rivers, viz: South, Middle and North rivers. The three latter have their sources in the re- gion occupied by the Upper Coal Measure limestone formation, fl )W eastward over the Middle Coal Measure.'^, and enter the valley of the DesMoines upun the Lower Coal Measures. These streams, especially South and Middle rivers, are frequently bordered by high, rocky cliffs. Raccoon 'C ?-, HISTORY OF IOWA. 87 river has its source upon the heavy surface deposits of the middle region of Western Iowa, and along the greater part of its course it has excavated its valley out of those deposits and the Middle Coal Measure alone. The valley of the Des Moines and its branches are destined to become the seat of extensive manufac- turies, in consequence of the numerous mill-sites of immense power, and the fact that the main valley traverses the entire length of the Iowa coal fields. Sku?ik river. — This has its source in Hamilton county, and runs almost its en- tire course upon the border of the outcrop of the Lower Coal Measures, or, more prop- erly speaking, upon the subcarboniferous limestone, just where it begins to pass be- neath the Coal Measures by its southerly and westerly dip. Its general course is southeast. From the western part of Henry county, up as far as Story county, the broad, flat flood-plain is covered with a rich, deep clay soil, which, in time of long- continued rains and overflows of the river, has made the valley of Skunk river a ter- ror to travelers from the earliest settlement of the country. There are some excellent mill-sites on the lower half of this river, but they are not so numerous or valuable as on other rivers of the eastern system. Iowa river. — This river rises in Han- cock county, in the midst of a broad, slightly undulating drift region. The first rock exposure is that of subcarboniferous limestone, in the southwestern corner of Franklin county. It enters the region of the Devonian strata near the southwestern corner of Beaton county, and in this it continues to its confluence with the Cedar in Louisa county. Below the junction with the Cedar, and for some miles above that point, its valley is broad, and especi- ally on the northern side, with a well- marked flood-plain. Its borders gradually blend with the uplands as they slope away in the distance from the river The Iowa furnishes numerous and valuable mill-sites. Cedar river. — This stream is usually understood to be a branch of the Iowa, but it ought, really, to be regarded as the main stream. It rises by numerous branches in the northern part of the State, and flows the entire length of the State, through the region occupied by the Devonian strata and along the trend occupied by that formation. The valley of this river, in the upper part of its course, is narrow, and the sides slope so gently as to scarcely show where the lowlands end and the uplands begin. Be- low the confluence with the Shell Rock, the flood-plain is more distinctly marked, and the valley broad and shallow. The valley of the Cedar is one of the finest re- gions in the State, and both the main stream and its branches afford abundant and reliable mill-sites. Wapsipinnicon river. — This river has its source near the source of the Cedar, and runs parallel and near it almost its en- tir^course, the upper half upon the same formation — the Devonian. In the north- eastern part of Linn county it enters the region of the Niagara limestone, upon which it continues to the Mississippi. It is 100 miles long, and yet the area of its drainage is only from 12 to 20 miles in width. Hence, its numerous mill-sites are unusuallv secure. HISTOEY OF IOWA. Turkey river — This river and the Upper Iowa are, in many respects, unlike other Iowa rivers. The difference is due to the great depth to which they have eroded their valleys and the different character of the material through which they have worked Turkey liver rises in Howard county, and in Winneshiek county, a few miles from its source, its valley has attained a depth of more than 200 feet, and in Fay- ette and Clayton counties its depth is in- creased to 300 and 400 feet. The summit of the uplands, bordering nearly the whole length of the valley, is capped by the Ma- quoketa shales. These shales are under- laid by the Galena limestone, between 2C0 and 300 feet thick. The valley has been eroded through these, and runs upon the Trenton limestone. Thus all the forma- tions along and within this valley are Lower Silurian. The valley is usually narrow, and without a well-marked flood-plain. Water-power is abundant, but in most places inaccessible. Upper Iowa river. — This river rises in Minnesota, just beyond the northern boun- dary line, and enters our State in Howard county before it has attained any consider- able size. Its course is nearly eastward until it reaches the Mississippi. It rises in the region of the Devonian rocks, and flows across the outcrops, respectively^ of the Niagara, Galena and Trenton lime- stone, the lower raagnesian limestone, and Potsdam sandstone, into and through all of which, except the last, it has cut its val- ley, which is the deepest of any in Iowa. The valley sides are almost everywhere high and steep, and cliffs of lower raagne- sian and Trenton limestone give them a wild and rugged aspect. In the lower part of the valley the flood-plain reaches a width sufficient for the location of small farms, but usually it is too narrow for such purposes. On the higher surface, however, as soon as you leave the valley you come immediately upon a cultivated country. This stream has the greatest slope per mile of any in Iowa, and consequently it fur- nishes immense water-power. In some places where creeks come into it, the valley widens and affords good locations for farms. The town of Decorah, in Winne- shiek county, is located in one of these spots, which makes it a lovely location; and the power of the river and the small spring streams around it offer tine facilities for manufacturing. This river and its tributaries are the only trout streams in Iowa. Mississippi river. — This river may be described, in general terms, as a broad canal cutk,out of the general level of the country through which the river flows. It is bordered by abrupt hills or bluffs. The bottom of the valley ranges from one to eight miles in width. The whole space between the bluffs is occupied by the river and its bottom, or flood-plain only, if we except the occasional terraces or remains of ancient flood-plains, which are not now reached by the highest floods of the river. The river itself is from half a mile to nearly a mile in width. There are but four points along the whole length of the State where the bluffs approach the stream on both sides. The Lower Silurian formations compose the bluffs in the northern part of the State, but they gradually disappear by a southerly dip, and the Ijluffs are con- ^ HISTORY OF IOWA. 89 tinued successively by the Upper Silurian, Devonian and Subcarboniferous rocks which are reached near the southeastern corner of the State. Considered in their relation to the pres- ent general surface of the State, the rela- tive ages of the river valley of Iowa date back only to the close of the glacial epoch; but that the Mississippi and all the rivers of Northeastern Iowa, if no others, had at least a large part of the rocky portions of their valleys eroded by pre-glacial, or, per- haps, by palaeogoic rivers, can scarcely be doubted. CHAPTER VIII. IOWA AKD THE REBELLION. By her record in tlie war of the rebellion Idwa proved herself a truly loyal State. The Presidential campaign of 1860 was an exciting one, and the fact that civil war might be inaugurated in case Abraham Lincoln was elected, was well understood and duly considered. The people of Iowa indulged in no hatred or ill-will toward any section of the country, but were deter- mined to hold such opinions upon questions of public interests, and vote for such men as to them seemed for the general good, uninfluenced by any threat of violence or civil war. The General Assembly of the State of Iowa, as early as 1851, had by joint resolu- tion declared that the State of Iowa was " bound to maintain the union of these States by all the means in her power." The same year the State furnished a block of marble for the Washington Monument at the national capitol, and by order of the General Assembly there was inscribed upon its enduring surface the following: '•Iowa — Her affections, like the rivers of her borders, 'flow to an inseparable Union." The time was now approaching in her his- tory when these declarations of attachment and fidelity to the nation were to be put to a practical test. Certainly the people of no State in the nation could be more vitally interested in the question of our national unity than the people of Iowa. The older Stales of the Union, both North and South, were repre- sented in its population. lowans were nearly all immigrants, bound to those older communities by the most sacred ties of blood, and most endearing recollections of early days. In addition to these consider- ^ 90 HISTORY OF IOWA. alions of a personal cliaracler, there were others of the gravest political importance. Iowa's geographical position as a State made the dismemberment of the Union a matter of serious concern. The Missis- sippi had been for years its highway to the markets of the world. The people could not entertain the thought that its navigation should pass under the control of a foreign government. But more than this was to be feared the consequence of introducing and recognizing in our national system the principal of secession or disin- tegration. If this should be recognized as a right, what security had the States of the interior against their entire isolation from the com- merce of the world, by the future secession of the Atlantic and Pacific States? And the fact also remained, that secession or separation removed none of the causes of war. Whatever there was in the peculiar institution that created differences of sen- timent or feeling, or caused irritation, still existed after the separation, with no court or constitution as the arbiter of rights, and with the one resort, only, of the sword to settle differences. In secession and its logical and necessary results, we saw nothing but dire confusion and anarchy, and the utter destruction of that nation- ality through which alone we felt that our civil liberties as a people could be pre- served, and the hopes of our civilization prepetuated. The declaration of Mr. Buchanan's last annual message, that the nation posssesed no constitutional power to coerce a seced- ing State, was received by the great majority of our citizens with humiliation and distrust. Anxiously they awaited the expiring hours of his administration, and looked to the incoming President as to an expected deliverer that should rescue the n.ation from the hands of traitors, and the control of those whose non-resistance in- t'^vJ her destruction. The firing upon the national flag at Sumter aroused a burning indignation throughout the loyal States of the Republic, and nowhere was it more intense than in Iowa. And when the proclamation of the President was pub- lished, April 15, 186r, calling for 75,000 citizen soldiers to "maintain the honor, the integrity, and the existence of our national Union, and the perpetuity of pop- ular government," ihey were more than willing to respond to the call. Party lines gave way, and for a while, at least, party spirit was hushed, and the cause of our common country was supreme in the affec- tions of the people. Peculiarly fortunate were the people of Iowa at this crisis, in having a truly representative man as ex- ecutive of the State. Thoroughly honest and thoroughly earnest, wholly imbued with the enthusiasm of the hour, fully aroused to the importance of the crises, and the ra^-^nitude of the struggle upon which '' were entering, with an indomit- able A'lU under the control of a strong common sense, Samuel J. Kirkwood, was, indeed, a worthy chief to organize and direct the energ.es of the people. Within thirty days af ler the date of the President's call for troops, the First Iowa Regiment was mustered into the service of the United States, a second regiment was in camp ready for the service, and the Gen- eral Assembly of the State was convened in special session, and had by joint resolu- % HISTORY OF IOWA. ^W tion solemnly pledged every resource of men and money to the national cause. So urgent were the offers of companies, that the Governor conditionally accepted enough additional companies to compose two additional regiments. These were soon accepted by the Secretary of War. Near the close of May, the Adjutant Gen- eral of the State reported .that 170 compa- nies had been tendered the Governor to serve against the enemies of the Union. The question was eagerly asked, " Which of us will be allowed to go? " It seemed as if Iowa was monopolizing the honors of the period, and would send the larger part of the 75,000 wanted frcm the whole North. There were much difficulty and consid- erable delay experienced in fitting the first three regiments for the field. For the First Infantry a complete outfit (not uni- form) of clothing was extemporized, prin- cipally by the volunteered labor of loyal women in the different towns — from mate- rial of various colors and qualities, ob- tained within the limits of the State. The same was done in part for the Second Infantry. Meantime, an extra session of the General Assembly had been called by the Governor, to convene on the 15lh of May. With but little delay, that body authorized a loan of $800,000, to meet the extraordinary expenses incurred, and to be incurred, by the Executive Department, in consequent e of the new emergency. A wealthy merchant of the Stale (ex-Guv -Merrell, then a resident of McGregor) immediately took from the Governor a contract to. supply a complete outfit of clothing for three regiments organized, agreeing to receive, should the Governor so elect, his pay therefor in the State bonds at par. This contract he executed to the letter, and a portion of the clothing (which was manufactured in Boston, at his order) was delivered at Keokuk, the place at which the troops had rendezvoused, in ex- actly one month from the day in which the contract had been entered into. The re- mainder arrived only a few days later. This clothing was delivered to the soldiers, but was subsequently condemned by the Gov- ernment, for the reason that its color was gray, and blue had been adopted as the color to be worn by the National troops. Other States had also clothed their troops, sent forward under the first call of Presi- dent Lincoln, with gray uniforms, but it was soon found that the Confederate forces were also clothed in gray, and that color was at once abandoned by the Union troops. If both armies were clothed alike, annoying, if not fatal, mistakes were liable to be made. While engaged in these efforts to dis- charge her whole duty in common with all the other Union-loving States in the great emergency, Iowa was compelled to make immediate and ample provision for the protection of her own borders from threat- ened invasions on the south by the seces- sionists of Missouri, and from danger of incursions from the west and northwest by bands of hostile Indians, who were freed from the usual restraint imposed upon them by the presence of regular troops stationed at the frontier posts. These troops were withdrawn to meet the greater and more pressing danger threatening the life of the Nation at its very heart. The Governor of the State, in order to provide for the adequate defense of Iowa's ^i HISTORY OF IOWA. L borders from the ravages of both rebels in arms against the Government and of the more irresistible foes from the Western plains, was authorized to raise and equip two regiments of infantry, a squadron of cavalry (not less than five companies) and a battalion of artillery (not less than three companies). Only cavalry were enlisted for home defense, however, but in times of special danger, or when calls were made by the Unionists of Northern Missouri for assistance against their disloyal enemies, large numbers of militia on foot often turned out, and remained in the field until the necessity for their services had passed. June 13th, Gen. Lyon, then command- ing the United States forces in Missouri, issued the first order for the Iowa volun- teers to move to the field. The First and Second Infantry immediately embarktd in steamboats and proceeded to Hannibal. Two weeks later the Third Infantry was ordered to the same point. These three, together with many other of the earlier organized Iowa regiments, rendered their first field service in Missouri. The First Infantry formed a part of the little army with which Gen. Lyon moved on Spring- field, and fought the bloody battle of Wil- son's creek. It received unqualified praise for its gallant bearing on the field. In the following month (September), the Third Iowa, with but very slight support, fought with honor the sanguinary engagement of Blue Mills Landing; and in November the Seventh Iowa, as a part of the force com- manded by Gen. Grant, greatly distin- guished itself in the battle of Belmont, where it poured out its blood like water — losing more than half of the men it took into action. The initial operations in which the bat- tles referred to took place were followed by the more important movements led by Gen. Grant, Gen. Curtis, of this State, and other commanders, which resulted in de- feating the armies defending the chief strategic lines held by the Confederates in Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri and Arkan- sas, compelling their withdrawal from much of the territory previously controlled by them in those States. In these and other movements, down to the grand cul- minating campaign by which Vicksburg was captured and the Confederacy perma- nently severed on the line of the Missis- sippi river, Iowa troops took part in steadily increasing numbers. In the in- vestment and siege of Vicksburg, the State was represented by thirty regiments and two batteries, in addition to which eight regiments and one battery were employed on the outposts of the besieg- ing army. The brilliancy of their exploits on the many fields where they served, won for them the highest meed of praise, both in military and civil circles. Mul- tiplied were the terms in which expres- sion was given to this sentiment, but these words of the journals of a neighVjoring State: "The Iowa troops have been heroi s among heroes," embody the spirit of all. In the veteran re-enlistment that dis- tinguished the closing month of 1863, above all other periods in the history of re-enlistment for the National armies, the Iowa three-years' men (who were rela- tively more numerous than those of any other State), were prompt to set the ex- ample of volunteering for another term of equal length, thereby adding many thousands to the great army of those who HISTORY OF IOWA. Iht^ gave ibia reueweJ and practical assurance that the cause of the Union should not be left without defenders. In all the important movements of 1864 and '65, by which the confederacy was pen- etrated in every quarter, and its military power finally overthrown, the Iowa troops took part. Their drum-beat was heard on the banks of every great river of the South, from the Potomac to the Ilio Grande, and everywhere they rendered the same faithful devoted service, maintaining on all occasions their wonted reputation for valor in the field, and endurance on the march. T«-o Iowa 3-year cavalry regiments were employed during their whole term of ser- vice in the operations that were in progress from 1863 to 1866 against the hostile In- dians of the Western plains. A portion of these men were among the last of the volunteer troops to be mustered out of ser- vice. The State also supplied a consider- able number of men to the navy, who took part in most of the naval operations pros- ecuted against the Confederate power on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, and the riv- ers of the West. The people of Iowa were early and con- stant workers in the sanitary field, and by their liberal gifts and personal efforts for the benefit of the soldiery, placed their State in the front rank of those who be- came distinguished for their exhibitions of patriotic benevolence during the period covered by the war. Agents appointed by the governor were stationed at points con- venient for rendering assistance to the sick and needy soldiers of the Slate, while oth- ers were employed in visiting, from time to time, hospitals, camps and armies in the field, and doing whatever the circumstances rendered possible for the health and com- fort of such of the Iowa soldiery as might be found there. Charitable enterprises also found a ready support in Iowa. Some of the benevolent people of the State early conceived the idea of establishing a home for such of the children of deceased soldiers as might be left in destitute circumstances. This idea first took form in 1863, and in the follow- ing year a home was opened at Farming- ton, VanBuren county, in a building leased for that purpose, and which soon became filled to its utmost capacity. The institu- tion received liberal donations from the general public, and also from the soldiers in the field. In 1865 it became necessary to provide increased accommodations for the large number of children who were seeking the benefits of its care. This was done by establishing a branch at Cedar Falls, in Black Hawk county, and by secur- ing, during the same year, for the use of the parent home. Camp Kinsman, near the city of Davenport This property, by act of Congress, was soon afterward donated to the institution. In 1866, in pursuance of a law enacted for that purpose, the Sol- diers' Orphans' Home (which then con- tained about 450 inmates), became a State institution, and thereafter the sums neces- sary for its support were appropriated from the State treasury. A second branch was established at Glenwood, Mills county. Convenient tracks were secured, and valu- able improvements made at all the different points. Schools were also established, and employments provided for such of the children as were of suitable age. In every way the provision made for these wards 94 HISTORY OF IOWA. of the State has been such as to challenge the approval of every benevolent mind. The number of children who have been inmates of the home from its foundation to the present time is considerably more than 2,000. No bounty was paid by the Slate on account of the men she placed in the field. In some instances, toward the close of the war, bounty, to a comparatively small amount, was paid by cities and towns On only O! e occasion, that of the call of July 18, 180), was a draft made in Iowa This did not occur on account of her proper lia- bility, as established by previous rulings of the War Department, to supply men under that call, but grew out of the great necessity that there existed for raising men. The Government insisted on tem- porarily setting aside, in part, the former rule of settlements, and enforcing a draft in all cases where sub-districts in any of the States should be found deficient in their supply of men. In no instance was Iowa, as a whole, found to be indebted to the General Government for men, on a selllemeiit of her quota accounts. Not satisfied with merely doing her duty under the law, Iowa, of her patriotic gen- erosity, did more than was required. The I7th, 18th and 37th regiments of infantry, the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9lh regiments of cav- alry were all enrolled, not to meet any call from the General Government, but to enable citizens of the State to enlist un- der the banners of the Union, in excess of all demands which could lawfully be made. The State also contributed a large num- ber of men and many officers to regiments in Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota, and out of a population of less than 2,000 arms-bearing colored citizens, raised nearly a whole reg- iment of African troops. But besides the troops thu-i regularly enrolled within the State, and those who formed part of regi- ments in neighboring States, there were not a few of Iowa's citizens in the regular army, in the different staff departments of the volunteer army, and in commands to far distant States. Those, also, should be noticed who were called upon to protect the Stale and adjoin- ing States from raids, to preserve the inter- nal peace of the State, etc., in 1861, wlien Northern Missouri was overrun by preda- tory bands, and the loyal citizens were being driven from their homes by hun- dreds, and suffering in life, person and estate, the border Iowa yeomanry, unskilled in anything pertaining to war, responded to the Macedonian cry of their neighbors and speeded across the line to help them to the number of 1,500; they were armed with old fowling pieces and antiquated militia gear, but they proved effective, nevertheless, their hearts being in the right place. In the same year three expeditions were sent out to beat back the Jackson bushwhackers who were advancing on Iowa, driving out the Union people on their way. These expeditions numbered about 1,300 men, and performed valuable service in Missouri On the northern bordc r, during the same year, the Sioux City cavalry, ninety- three men, and Captain Tripp's company, about fifty men, were employed to protect the borders against the Indians. In 1862, under authority of the General Assembly, the Northern and Southern Border Brigades were organized — the one HISTORY OF IOWA. for the protection of the State against guerilla bands on the south along the entire border, the other to keep in check the dis- affected Indians intent on mischief in the northwest. There were five companies of the Northern Border Brigade, two hun- dred and fifty men, and ten companies of the Southern Border Brigade, seven hun- dred and ninety-four men, judiciously stationed at exposed points. For two years the State, at her own expense, sup- ported these organizations. There can be no doubt that this was a wise expenditure, considering the service done — that of stay- ing murder, rapine and arson, which were threatening to stalk through the State. Subsequently eight hundred militia in eleven companies were called out to sup- press the celebrated Talley treason in Keokuk county, and five hundred on ac- count of the disturbances in Poweshiek and Davies counties. At the beginning of the war, the popu- lation of Iowa included about 150,000 men presumably liable to render military ser vice. The State raised for general service thirty-nine regiments of infantry, nine regiments of cavalry, and four companies of artillery, composed of three years' men; one regiment of infantry, composed of three months' men, and four regiments and one batallion of infantry, composed of 100 days' men. The original enlistments in these various organizations, including 1,727 men raised by draft, numbered a little more than 69,000. The re-enlist- ments, including upward of 7,000 vete- rans, numbered very nearly 8,000. The enlistments in the regular army and navy, and organizations of other States, will, if added, raise the total to upward of 80,000. The number of men who, under special enlistments, and as militia, took part at different times in the operations on the exposed borders of the State, was probably as many as 5,000. As an inevitable result of war, many became prisoners, and suffered the cruel- ties of Libby, Andersonville and other "pens" in the South, which have become famous the world over, solely because of the incredible barbarities practiced in them. Considerable portions of the 8th, 12th and 14th Regiments were captured, after hard fighting, at Shiloh; the 16ih was nearly all surrendered at Atlanta; the I7th atTilton; the 19th at Sterling farm; the 36th at Mark's Mill. Many escaped heroically from rebel imprisonment, and the narratives of their sufferings would make many interesting volumes. Every loyal State of the Union had many women who devoted much time and great labor toward relieving the wants of our sick and wounded soldiery, but for Iowa can be claimed the honor of inaugu- rating the great charitable movement which was so successfully supported b/ the noble women of the North. Mrs. Harlan, wife of Hon. James Harlan, United States Senator, was the first woman of our country among those moving in high circles of society who personally visited the array and ministered to the wants of the suffering soldiery. In many of her visits to the army, Mrs. Harlan was accompanied by Mrs Joseph T. Fales, wife of the first State Auditor of Iowa. No words can describe the good done, the lives saved, and the deaths made easy by the host of noble women of Iowa, whose names it would take a volume to print. 'A: HISTORY OF IOWA. Every county, every town, every neighbor- hood in the State had these true heroines, whose praise can never be fully known, till the final rendering of all accounts of deeds done in the body. The contributions of the State to "sanitary fairs" during the war were enormous, amounting to many hundred thousand dollars. Highly suc- cessful fairs were held at Dubuque, Mus- catine, Burlington and Marshalltown, while all the towns contributed most gen- erously to fairs of a less general nature. All this must be added to the work of the many "Florence Nightingales" of Iowa, whose heroic sacrifices have won for them the undying gratitude of the nation. It is said, to the honor and credit of Iowa, that while many of the loyal Stales, o'der and larger in population and wealth, incurred heavy State debts for the purpose of fulfilling their obligations to the Gene- ral Government, Iowa, while she was fore- most in duty, while she promptly discharged all her obligations to her sister States and the Union, found herself at the close of the war without any material additions to her pecuniary liabilities incurred before the war commenced. Upon final settle- ment after restoration of peace, her claims upon the Federal Government were found to be fully equal to the amount of her bond issued and sold during the war to provide the means for raising and equip- ping her troops sent into the field, and to meet the inevitable demands upon her treasury in consequence of the war. It was in view of these facts that Iowa had done more than her duty during the war, and that without incurring any con- siderable indebtedness, and that her troops had fought most gallantly on nearly every battle-field of the war, that the Newark Advertiser and other prominent Eastern journals called Iowa the " Model State of the Republic." In the following pages a brief account is given of each regiment, which was cred- ited to Iowa during the war. TnK FiKST Regiment was organized under the President's first proclamation for volunteers for three months, with John Francis Bates, of Dubuque, as Colonel; William H. Merritt, of Cedar Rapids, as Lieutenant-Colonel, and A. B. Porter, of Mt. Pleasant, as Major. The regiment was mustered into the service of the United States May 14th, 1861, at Keokuk. The different compa- nies were independent military organize tions before the war; and teadeied their service before the breaking out of hostili- ties. The regiment was in quirters in Keokuk for two weeks, During this time they became proficient in the use of arms, and they learned something of practical camp life. June 13th, the regiment re- ceived orders to join General Lyon in Missouri. They immediately embarked on board a steamer, and by midnight were at Hannibal, Mo., where they slept on the floor of a large warehouse. They pro- ceeded without delay to the interior of the Slate, where Gen. Lyon had just defeated Gov. Jackson with his so-called Stale troops. Joining Lyon, they were soon given a taste of active service. For two months tliey were almost constantly on the march, and occasionally skirmished with the enemy. August 10th, a sharp battle was fought with the enemy at Wilson's Creek, when the gallant and HISTORY OB^ IOWA. noble Gen. Lyoii was killed, and the regi- ment lost 10 killed and 50 wounded. After the battle the regiment proceeded to St. Louis, and tlieir three mouths having expired, were mustered out August 25 th, 1861. The number of officers and men in this regiment were 959. Of these 13 were killed, 13 died, 141 were wounded, and three were missing. The Second Infantry was organized soon after the commencement of the war, with Samuel R. Curtis, of Keokuk, as Colonel; James M. Tuttle, of Keosauqua, as Lieutenant-Colonel; and M. M. Crocker, of DesMoiiies, as Major; and was mustered into the service of the United States, at Keokuk, in May, 1861. It participated in the following engagements: Fort Donel- son, Sliiloh, advance on Corinth, Corinth, Little Bear Creek, Ala., Resaca, Ga., Rome Cross Roads, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, in front of Atlanta, Jan- uary 22, 1804, siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, Eden Station, Little Ogeechee, Savannah, Columbia, Lynch's Creek and Bentonville; went with Sherman on his march to the sea, and through the Carolinas, home. This regiment was one of Iowa's most distinguished commands in the war. It was the first three years' regiment, and it left for the theatre of war even before the First Regiment, by a few hours. Its companies were enrolled during that first splendid enthusiasm which followed the bombardment of Fort Sumter, and they contained many men of talent and reputation. The regiment especially dis- tinguished itself in the capture of Fort Donelson, in entering which it was awarded the post of honor. It was then thai the unenthusiastic Gen. Halleck pro- nounced the Iowa Second the " bravest of the brave." The Second Veteran Infantry was formed by the consolidation of the battalions of the Second and Third Vet- eran Infantry, and was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 12, 1865. The total number of officeis and men who iulisted in this regiment was 1,247. Of this num- ber during the war 65 were kil ed, 1.S4 died, 330 were discharged, 268 were wounded, 14 were missing and 24 were captured. The Third Infantry was organized at about the same time as the Second, with Nelson G. Williams, of Dubuque county, as Colonel; John Scott, of Story county, Lieutenant-Colonel; William N. Stone, of Marian county, as Major, and was mustered into the United States service in June, 1861, at Keokuk. The regiment was en- gaged at Blue Mills, Mo., Shiloh, Hatchie river, Matamoras, Vicksburg, Johnson, Miss., in the Meridian expedition at At- lanta, in Sherman's march to the sea, and through the Carolinas to Richmond and Washington. The regiment was veteran- ized and organized as a battalion in 1864, but before the officers received their com- missions the battalion bravely fought itself out of existence at the battle of Atlanta. The remnant was consolidated with the veterans of the Second, and the regiment was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 12, 1864. The total number of officers and men in the regiment was 1,074. Of this number, during the war, 57 were killed, 133 died, 231 were discharged, 269 were wounded, 10 were missing, 93 were captured and 19 were transferred. ^ HISTORY OF IOWA. The Fourth Infantry was organized with G. M. Dodge, of Council Bluffs, as Colonel; John Galligan, of Davenport, as Lieutenant-Colonel; Wm R. English, of Glenwood, as Major. The regiment was engaged at Pea Ridge, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Vicksbui-g, Jackson, Look- out Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Ring- gold, Eesaca and Taylor's Ridge. It came home on veteran furlough February 26, 1864; returned in April; was in the cam- paign against Atlanta, Sherman's march to the sea, and thence through the Carolinas to Washington, and home; was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 24, 1865. The total number of officers and men in this regiment was 1,184, of whom 01 were killed, 205 died, 299 were discharged, 3.38 were wounded, 5 were missing, 44 were captured and 37 were transferred. The Fifth Infantry was organized with Wm. H. Worthington, of Keokuk, as Colonel; C. Z. Mathias, of Burlington, as Lieutenant-Colonel; W. S. Robertson, of Columbus Ciiy, as Major, and was mus- tered into the service of the United States, at Burlington, July 15, 1861. The regi- ment was engaged at New Madrid, siege of Corinth, luka, Corinth, Champion Hills, siege of Vicksburg and Chickamauga. Went home on veteran furlough in April, 1864, the non-veterans went home in July, 1864, leaving 180 veterans, who were trans- ferred to the Fifth Iowa Cavalry. The Fifth Cavalry was mustered out at Nash- ville, Tenn., August 11, 1865. The regi- ment had done brave service, and amply deserves the high encomium passed upon it by the generals of the army. The total number of officers and men in the regi- ment was 1,037, of whom 65 were killed, 126 died, 244 were discharged, 288 were wounded, 103 were captured, and 50 were transferred. The Sixth Ixfantry was organized wiih John A. McDowell, of Keokuk, as Colonel; Markoe Cummins, of Muscatine, as Lieut-iuant-Colouel; John M Corse, of Burlington, as Major; and was mustered into the service of the United States July 6, 1861, at Burlington. It was engaged at Shiloh, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Jackson, Black River Bridge, Jones' Ford, in Sher- man's march, then returned through the Carolinas. The regiment served with dis tinction at the siege of Jackson, winning high praise from General Smith, command- ing. It marched through most of the Southern States, thousands of miles, and bore its share of fatigue with unflinching devotion to duty. The total number of officers and men in the regiment was 1,013, of vhom 109 were killed, 157 died, 265 wer>. discharged, 355 were wouiidt-d, 3 were missuig, and 8 were transferred. Tuis Seventh Infantry was organized with J. G. Lauman, of Burlington, as Col- onel; Augustus Wentz, of Davenport, as Lieut. -Colonel; E. M. Rice, of Oskaloosa, as Major; and was mustered into the United States service at Burlington, July 24, 1861. The regiment was engaged in the battles of Belmont, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Cor- inth, Rome Cross Roads, Dallas, Big Shanty, Keneoaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, siege of Atlanta, July 22d in front of Atlanta, Sherman's campaign to the ocean, through the Carolinas to Richmond, and thence to Louisville. Was mustered *^^ "t s \ ' HISTORY UF IOWA. out at Louisville, Ky., July 12, 1865. The battle in whicli the Seventh did the most service was that of Belmont, in which it lost '2-21 in killed, wounded and missing. The regiment, by four years of faithful service, earned as honorable a name as can be found anywhere in the annals of our volunteer soldiery. TheSeventii contained altogether 1,133 officers and men, and of these, during the war, 98 were killed, 178 died, 21(1 discharged, 354 were wounded, and 29 were iransferred. . The Eighth Infantry was organized with Frederick Sttfel, of the regular army, as Colonel; James L. Gedds, of Vinton, as Lieutenant-Colonel; J. C. Ferguson, of Knoxville, as Major; and was mustered into the service of the United States Sep- tember 12, 1801, at Davenport, Iowa. The regiment was engaged in the following battles: Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, Jack- son and Spanish Fort. Was mustered out at Selma, Ala., April 20, 1866. The Eighth fought nobly at Shiloh for ten hours, but was finally forced to surrender. Most of the command then suffered in rebel prisons for eight months, when they were paroled or released. A portion of the regiment was not surrendered, and it went into the famous "Union Brigade." The regiment was re-organized in 1863, and performed faithful service until mustered out in 1866. It was on duty in Alabama nearly a year after the collapse of the Re- bellion, and by the "Campaign of Mobile" earned as waim a reception as Iowa gave to any of her returning heroes. Of 1,027 officers and men, 53 were killed, 1S7 died, 314 were discharged, 288 were wounded. 8 were missing, 394 were captured, and 38 were transferred. The Ninth Infantry was organized with Wm. Vandever, of Dubuque, as Colo- nel; Frank G. Herron, of Dubuque, as Lieutenant-Colonel; Wm. H. Coyle, of Decorah, as Major. The regiment was in the following engagements: Pea Ridge, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, siege of Vicksburg, Ringgold, Dallas and Lookout Mountain. It also participated in the Atlanta campaign, Sherman's march to the sea, and the return home through North and South Carolipa to Richmond. Was mustered out at Louisville, July 18, 1865. The Ninth Iowa was recruited and organ- ized by its first colonel, W^m. Vandever, who was, in 1862, maieutenant- Colonel, and Henry O'Conner, of Musca- tine, as Major. The regiment participated in the battles of Jackson, siege of Vicksburg, Bayou Ra]iids, Bayou de Glaze, Pleasant Hill, Old River Lake, Tupelo, Nashville and the Mobile campaign. The Thirty-fifth served bravely in a dozen battles, and traveled 10,000 miles. On its return home, it was greeted with a most hearty recep- tion, and a reunion of old soldiers. The regiment was mustpred out at Davenport, August 10, 1865, and paid and disbanded at "Muscatine six days later. Of 984 offi- cers and men, 38 were killed, 208 died, 192 were discharged, 95 were wounded, 3 were missing, 15 were captured and 65 were transferred. The Tiiirtt-Sixth I.vfantry was or- ganized in the summer of 1862, with Charles W. Kittredge, of Oltumwa, as Colonel; F. M. Drake, of Unionville, Appanoose county, as Lieutenant-Colonel, and T. C. Woodward, of Ottumwa, as Major. The regiment was mustered into the service of the United States, at Keo- kuk, October 4, 1862. The Thirty-sixth was engaged at Mark's Mills Ark., Elkins' Ford, Camden, Helena, Jenkins' Ferry and other places during the "Little Hock expedition." The regiment suffered greatly from sickness Before it was fully organized, even, small-pox and measels attacked the men, and the com- mand lost 100 men. Then it was obliged to encounter the malarial fluences of Yazoo river and Helena. Before they recovered their vigor fully,more of them were forced to surrender to the rebels. The regiment was mastered out at Duvall's Bluff, Ark , August 24, 1865. Of 986 officers and men, 35 were killed, 258 died, 191 were dis charged, 166 were wounded, 460 were cap- tured and 24 were transferred Thb Thirty-Sbvbnth Infantry was generally known as the "Gray-beard Reg- iment." It was composed of men over 45 years of age, and hence not subject to military service, but their patriotism in- duced them to enlist, and the services of the regiment were accepted by the Secre- tary of War, for post and garrison service. HISTORY OF IOWA. It was organized with George W. Kincaid, of Mu'catine, as Colonel; Geo. R. West, of Dubuque, as Lieutenant-Colonel, and Lyman Allen, of Iowa City, as Major. The muster-in took place at Muscatine, Decem- ber 15, 1862. The regiment served at St. Louis in guard of military prisons, then on the line of the Pacific railway, then at Alton, 111. Here they remained guarding the rebel prisoners till January, 1864, when they moved to Rock Island to perform similar duties until June 5. They served the next three months, in very hot weather, at Mtnipliis. Thence the command moved to Indianapolis. From here five compnnies went to Cinciniinli, three to Cohirnbus and two to Gallipolis, Ohio At these posts they remained till i\Iay, 1865 This "Gray- b( ard Regiment" was the only one of its kind in the war, and it received many favorable expressions from commanding officers under whom it served. It was mustered out ^'ay 24, 186-5, the day of the grand review at Washington. The Thirty- seventh was the first Iowa three-years' regiment to come home, ^nd wa^ mustered out thus early by special request of General Willich, in whose brigade they were, in or' er that they might save their crops, most of them being farmers. Of 914 officers and men, 3 were killed, 145 died, 359 were discharged, 2 were wounded, none were missing and none captured. The Thirty-Eighth Infantry was re- cruited in August, :SG?, and mustered into the service of the United States at Du- buque, November 4, with D. H. Hughes, of Deeorah, as Colonel; J. O. Hudmitt, of Waverly, as Lieut -Colonel; and Charles Chadwlck, of West Union, as Major. The regiment participated in the siege of Vicksburg and Banks' Red River expe- dition, and was consolidated with the Thirty-fourth Infantry, January 1, 1865. Of all Iowa's regiments, the Thirty-eighth was most unfortunate in regard to sick- ness. It had not been in the service two years when more than 300 enlisted men and a number of ofiicers had died of disease. Duiing the same period 100 had been discharged for inability. There were long weary weeks when there were not enough well men to take care of the sick — not even enough to bury the dead. It was at last obliged to give up its own existence. Though the regiment had not had an op- portunity to achieve biilliant renown in the field, it did fulfill a no less honored destiny than many whose banners were Covered with the names of battles It did all that men could do — it gave itself up for the good of the service. Of its 910 men, 1 was killed, 314 died, 120 were dis- charged, 2 were wounded and 14 were transferred. The Thtrty-Ninth Intantry was or- ganized with H. J. B. Cnmmings, of Win- terset, as Colonel; James Eedficld, of Redfield, Dallns county, as Lieutenant- Colonel; and J. M. Griftiihs, of DesMoiiies, as Major The regiment was engaged at Parker's Cross Roads, Tenn., Corinth, Allatoona, Ga , Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, and was in Sherman's march to the sea, and through the Carolinas to Rielimond. The regiment was one of the most distin- guished in the field, and met with a royal welcome from the warm hearted people ^ no HISTORY OF IOWA. of Iowa, on its return home. It had pre- viously taken part in the grand review at Washington. It was mustered out at Washington, June 5, 1S65, and was dis- banded at Clinton, Iowa. Of its 933 officers and men, 41 were killed, 143 died, 123 were discharged, 113 were wounded, 206 were captured and 16 were transferred. The Fortieth Infantry was the high- est in numerical order of Iowa's three- year's regiments, but not the last to leave the State. Three or four other regimental organizations, too, were commenced, but not completed. Some 300 men were enlisted for the Forty-first, who united with the three companies of the Four- teenth,, stationed at Fort Randall, Dakota Territory; another regiment, to be called the Forth-second, was attempted, with camp at Dubuque; and still another, at Ottumwa, was to be called the Forty- third. The.se attempts were unsuccessful in so far as the complete formation of an infantry regiment after the Fortieth was concerned. The Fortieth was organized at Iowa City, November 15, 1862, with John A. Garrett, of Newton, as Colonel; S. F. Cooper, of Griunell, as Lieutenant- Colonel; and S. G. Smith, of Newton, as Major. The regiment participated in the siege of Vicksburg, Steele's expedition. Bank's Red River expedition, and the battle of Jenkins' Ferry. It was called the "Cop- perhead Regiment," by political partisans, but it bore its share of the fatigues of war in a patriotic way that might have been emulated by some of their political ene- mies The fact is, moreover, the regiment always gave a small Republican majority. though the contrary was believed for a lime. The Fortieth was mustered out at Port Gibson, August 2, 1865. Of 900 offi- cers and men, 5 were killed, 196 died, 134 were discharged, 43 were wounded, 3 were captured, and 26 were transferred. The Forty-Fiest Infantry was never completed as an infantry regiment. It con- tained three companies lis infantry or- ganization was under the command of John Pallee, of Iowa City. Under authority h\>ra the War Department, these three companies became K, L and M of the Sev- enth Cavalry. The Forty - Fourth Infantry was raised in the summer of 1864. Generals Grant and Sherman being actively en- gaged with large armies against the enemy, the Governors of the Northwestern States proposed to the authorities of the War Departmeiit to send into the field a consid- erable number of troops for a short term of service, who might relieve others on guard and garrison duly at the rear, and thus be the means of adding largely to the force of drilled and disciplined men at the front. Tliis proposition was, after a time, accepted, and the term of service was es- tablished at KG days. Gov. Stone accord- ingly is!^ued his proclamation calling for such troops, and the citizens responded with four regiments and one battalion. Because commissions had been issued to persons designated as officers of the Forty- first, Forty-second and Forty-third Regi- ments, which were never organized, how- ever, although conciderable was done in the way of their formation, the number of the regiments of 100 days' men commenced HISTORY OF IOWA. with Forty-four. This regiment was under the command of Colonel Stephen H. Hen- derson, and was mustered in at Davenport, June 1, 1864. The regiment did garrison duty at Memphis and La Grange, Tenn., and was mustered out at Davenport, September 15, 1864 Of 867 officers and men in the Forty fourth, 1 was killed and 18 died. There were no other casualties. The Forty-Fifth Infantry was mus- tered in at Keolr^ ^t HISTORY OF IOWA. 11! additional sum might be required should be assessed upon the parents sending, in proportion to the length of time sent. In 1 846, the year of Iowa's admission as a State, there were 20,000 scholars, out of 100,000 inhabitants. About 400 school districts had been organized. In 1850 there was 1,200, and in 1857 the number had increased to 3,265. In March 1858, upon the recommenda- tion of Hon. M. L. Fisher, then Superin- tendent of Public Instruction, the Seventh General Assembly enacted that "each civil township is declared a school dis- trict," and provided that these should be .livided into sub-districts. This law went into force March 20, 1858, and reduced the number of school districts from about 3,500 to less than 900. This change of school organization resulted in a very material reduction of the expenditures for the compensation of district secretaries and treasurers. An effort was made for several years, from 1867 to 1872, to abolish the sub-district system. Mr. Kissell, Superintendent, recommended thia in his report of January 1, 1872, and Governor Merrill forcibly endorsed his views in his annual message. But the Legislature of that year provided for the formation of independent districts from the sub-districts of district townships. The system of graded schools was inaugurated in 1849, and ntw schools, in which more than one teacher is employed, are universally graded. Teachers' institutes were organized early in the history of the State. The tirsl official mention of them occurs in the annual report of Hon. Thoo-as U. Benton, Jr., made December 2, 1850, who said: "An institution of this character was organized a few years a^o, composed of the teachers of the mineral regions of Illinois, Wiscon- sin and Iowa. An association of teachers has also been formed in the county of Henry, and an effort was made in October last to organize a regular institute in the county of Jones." At that time, although the beneficial influence of these institutes was admitted, it was urged that the ex- penses of attending them was greater than teachers with limited compensation were able to bear. To obviate this objection, Mr. Benton recommended that " the sum of $150 should be appropriated annually for three years, to be drawn in installnieiits of $50 by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and expended for these insti- tutions." He proposed that three institutes should be held annually at points to be designated by the superintendent. The expense of this would be trifling, and all recognized the benefits to be derived; and yet no legislation was had until March, 1858, when an act was passed authorizing the holding of teachers' insti- tutes for periods not less than six working days, whenever not less than 30 teacher^ should desire. The superintendent was authorized to expend not exceeding $100 for any one institute, to be paid out by the county superintendent, as the institute might direct, for teachers and lecturers, and 11,000 was appropriated to defray the expenses of these institutes. Mr. Fisher at once pushed the matter of holding institutes, and December 6, 1858, he reported 'to the Board of Education that institutes had been appointed in 20 counties within the preceding six months, and more would have been held but the w HISTORY OF IOWA. appropriation had been exhausted. At the first session of the Board of Education, commencing December 6, 1858, a code of school laws was enacted, which retained the existing provisions for teachers' insti- tutes. In March, 1860, the General Assembly amended the act of the Board by appro- priating "a sum not exceeding 850 annually for one such institute, held as provided by law in each county " In 1865, the super- intendent, Mr. Favllle, reported that "the provision made by the Slate for the benefit of teachers' institutes had never been so fully appreciated, both by the people and the teacher.s, as during the last two years." By an act approved March 19, 1874 normal institutes were established in each county, to be held annually by the county superintendents. This was regarded a very decided step in advance by Mr. Abernethy, and in 1876 the General Assembly estab- lished the first permanent State Normal School, at Cedar Falls, Black Hawk county, appropriating the building and property of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at that place for that purpose. This school is now "in the full tide of successful experiment." The present public school system is ad- mirably organized, and if the various offi- cers who are entrusted with educational interests of the commonwealth continue faithful and competent, .should and will constantly improve. Funds for the support of public schools are derived in several ways The 16th section of every congressional township was set apart by the General Government for school purposes, being one-thirty-sixth part of all the lands in the State. The minimum price of these lands was fixed at one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. Congress also made an additional donation to the State of 500,000 acres, and an ap- propriation of five per cent, on all the sales of public lands to the school fund. The State gives to this fund the proceeds of the sales of all lands which escheat to it; the proceeds of all fines for the viola- tion of the liquor and criminal laws. The money derived from these sources consti- tutes the permanent school fund of the State, -which cannot be diverted to any other purpose. The penalties collected by the courts for fines and forfeitures go to the school fund in the counties where col- lected. The proceeds of the sale of these lands and the five per cent, fund go into the State treasury, and the State distributes these proceeds to the several counties accord- ing to their request, and the counties loan the money to individuals, for long terras, at eight per cent, interest, on security of land valued at three times the amount of the loan, exclusive of all buildings and im- provements thereon. The interest on these loans is paid into the State treasury, and becomes the available school fund of the State. The counties are responsible to the State for all money so loaned, and the State is likewise responsible to the school fund for all moneys transferred to the counties. The interest on these loans is apportioned by the State Auditor semi- annually to the several counties of the State, in proportion to the number of per- sons between the ages of five and twenty- one years. The counties also levy an annual lax for school purposes, which is apportioned to the several district townships in the same way. A district tax is also levied for the same purpose. The money HISTORY OF IOWA. ?t^ arising from these several sources consti- tutes the support of the public schools, and is sufficient to enable every sub-district in the State to afford from six to nine months' school each year. The burden of direct taxation is thus lightened, and the efficiency of the schools increased. The taxes levied for the sup- port of the schools are self-imposed. Un- der the admirable school laws of the State, no taxes can be legally assessed or col- lected for the erection of school houses iiitil they have been ordered by the elec- tion of a district at a school meeting legally called. The school houses of Iowa are the pride of the State and an honor to the people. If they have been built some- times at a prodigal expense, the tax-payers have no one to blame but themselves. The teachers' and contingent funds are determined by the Board of Directors, under certain legal instructions. These Boards are elected annually, except in the independent districts, in which the Board may be entirely changed every three years The only exception to this mode of levy- ing taxes for support of schools is the county school tax, which is determined by the County Board of Supervisors. The tax is from one to three mills on the dol- lar; usually, however, but one. In 1881 there were in the State 4,339 school districts, containing 11,244 schools, and employing 21,776 teachers. The average monthly pay of male teachers was $32.50, and of female teachers $27 25. There were 594,730 persons of school age, of whom 431,513 were enrolled in the public schools. The average cost of tuition for each pupil per month was $1.62. The expenditures for all school purposes was $5,129,819.49. The permanent school fund is now $3,5<7,123.82, on which the income for 1881 was $234,622.40. In each county a teachers' institute is held annu- ally, under the direction of the county superintendent, the State contributing annually $50 to each of these institutes. THE STATE UNIVERSITY. By act of Congress, approved July 20, 1840, the Secretary of the Treasury was authorized to "set apart and reserve from sale out of any of the jiublic lands within the Territory of Iowa not otherwise claimed or appropriated, a quantity of land not ex- ceeding two entire townshij)s, for the use and support of a University within said Territory when it becomes a State." The first General Assembly, therefore, by act approved February 25, 1847, established the "State University of Iowa," at Iowa City, then the Capital of the State. The public buildings and other property.at Iowa City, were appropriated to the University, but the legislative sessions and State offices were to be held in them until a permanent location for a Capital was made. The control and management of the University were committed to a board of fifteen trustees, to be appointed by the Legislature, and five were to be chosen every two years. The Superintendent of Public Instruction was made President of this Board. The organic act provided that the University should never be under the control of any religious denomination whatever; and that as soon as the revenue from the grant and donations should amount to $2,000 a year, the University should commence and continue the instruc- tion, free of charge, of fifty students annu- HISTORY OF IOWA. ikL allv. Of course the organization of ibe University at Iowa City was impracticable, 80 long as the seat of government was re- tainer! there. In January, 1849, two branches of the University an 1 three normal school-s were establisiied. The branches were located at Fairfield and Dubuque, and were placed upon an equal fooling, in respect to funds and all other matters, with the University at Iowa City. At Fairfield, the Board of Directors organized and erected a building at a cost of |;2,500. This was nearly de- stroyed by a hurricane the following year, but was rebuilt more substantially by the citizens of Fairfield. Tnis branch never received any aid from the State, and, Jan- uary 24, 1853, at the request of the Board, the General Assembly terminated its rela- tion to the State. The branch at Dubuque had only a nominal existence. The normal schools were located at An- drew, Qskaloosa and Mt Pleasant. Each was to be governed by a Board of seven Trustees, to be appointed by the Trustees of the University. Each was to receive $500 annually from the income of the Uni- ver.sity fund, upon condition that they should educate eight common-school teach- ers, free of charge for tuition, and that the citizens should contribute an equal sum for the erection of the requisite buildings. The school at Andrew was organized No- vember 21, 1849, with Samuel Ray as Principal. A building was commenced, and over $1,000 expended on it, but it was never completed. The school at Oskaloosa was started in the court hor.se, September 13, 1852, under the charge of Prof G. M. Drake and wife. A two-story brick build- ing was completed in 1853, costing S2,473 The school at Mt. Pleasant was never or- ganized. Neither of these schools received any aid from the University fund, but in 1857 the Legislature api>ropriated $1,000 for each of the two schools, and repealed the laws authorizing the payment to them of money from the University fund. From that tifne they made no further effort to continue in operation. From 1847 to 1855, the Board of Trus- tees was kept full by regular elections by the Legislature, and the trustees he^d fre- quent meetings, but there was no actual organization of the University. In March, 1»55, it was partially opened for a term of 16 weeks. July 16, 1855, Amos Dean, of Albany, N. Y , was elected President, but he never entered fully upon its duties. The University was again opened in Sep- tember, 1855, and continued in operation until June, 1S5G, under Professors John- son, Wellon, Van Valke: burg and Grifiin. The faculty was then re-organized, wiih some changes, and the University was again opened on the third Wedi:esday of September, 1856. There were 124studef)ts (83 males and 41 fen)ales) in attendance during the years 1856-7, and the first regu- lar catalogue was ]niblished At a special meeting of the Board, Sep- tember 22, 1857, the honoiary degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred <>n D. Franklin Wells. This was the first degree conferred by the University. The new constitution, adopted in 1857, definitely fixed the Capital at DesMoines, the St^te University at Iowa Ciiy, and pro- vided that it should have no branches. In December of that year, the old capitol building was turned over to the Trustees of the University. In 1858, $10,000 wtre ^; ^A HISTORY OF IOWA. appropriated for the erection of a board- ing hall. The Board closed theUnivtrsity April 21, 1858, on account of insufficient funds, and dismissed all the faculty ex ept Chancellor Dean At the same time a res- olution was passed excluding females. Tills was soon after reversed by the General Assembly. The University was re-opened Septem- ber 19, 1860, and from this date the real existence of the University dates. Mr. Dean had resigned before this, and Silas Totten, D D ,LL D . was elected President, at a salary of 12,000 August 19, 1862, he resigned, and was succeeded by Prof. Oli- ver M. Spencer. President Spencer was granted leaveof absence for fifteen months to visit Europe Prof. Nathan R. Leonard was elected President j»ro te7n. President Spencer resigning, James Black, D D., Vice-President of Washington and Jeffer- son College, Penn., was elected President. ITe entered upon his duties in September, 1868. The Law Department was est.ablished in June, lt68, ai.d, soon after, the Iowa Law School, at DesMoines", which had been in successful operation for three years, was transferred to Iowa City and merged in the department The Meilical Department was established in 18ti9. Since April 11, 1870, the gov- ernment of the University has been in the hands of a Board of Regents. Dr. Clack resigned in 1870, to take effect December 1; and March 1, 1871, Rev George Thatcher was elected Presi- dent. In June, 1874, the chair of military instruction was established, and Lieuten- ant A. D. Schenk, Second Artillery, U. S. A., was detailed by the President of the United States as Professor of Military Science and Tactics. In June, 1877, Dr. Thatcher's connection with the University was terminated, and C. W. S'agle was elected Pn sident. He was succeeded in 1878 by J L. Pickard, LL D., who is the present incumbent. The University has gained a reputation as one of the leading institutions of the West, and this position will doubtless be maint.iined. The present educational corps consists of the following besides President Pickard: in the Collegiate De- partment, nine professors and six in- structor--, including the Professor of Mili- tary Science; in the Law Department, a chancellor, two professors and four lec- turers; in the Medical Department, eight professors and ten assistant professors and lecturers. ■j}fo preparatory work is done in the University, but different high schools in the State, with approved courses of study, are admitted as preparatory departments of the University, whose graduates are ad- mitted without examination. Common schools, high schools and university are thus made one connected system. The present number of students in the Collegiate Departnaent is: males, 163; females, 69; total, 2.32; in Law Depart- ment, 140; in Medical Department, 195. STATK NORMAL SCHOOL. This is located at Cedar Falls, Black Hawk county, and was opened in 1S76. The institution trains teachers for our schools, and is doing excellent, thouffh limited, work. What is wanted is more HISTORY OF IOWA. room and increased facilities of every kind. Other institution.^ of a similar kind sliould also be established throughout the State. STATE AGBICtri.TlTRAT, COTXEGB. The State Agricultural College and Farm were established by act of the Gen- eral Assembly, approved March 23, 1858. The farm was located in Story county, at Ames. In 1862 Congress granted to Iowa 240,000 acres of land for the endowment of schools of agriculture and the mechani- cal arts. In 1864 the Assembly voted #20,000 for the erection of the college building. In 1866 191,000 more were appropriated for the same purpose. The building was completed in 1868, and the institution was opened in the following year. The college is modeled to some extent after Michigan Agricultural Col- lege. Tuition is free to pupils from the State over sixteen years of age. Students are required to work on the model farm two and a half hours each day. The faculty is of a very high character, and the institu- tion one of the best of its kind. Sale of spirits, wine and beer as a beverage is for- bidden by law within three miles of the college. The current expenses of this institution are paid by the income from the permanent endowment. A. S. Welch, LL. D., is President, and is assisted by twelve professors and eight instructors. Whole number of students admitted, 2,600; present number, 240. The college farm consists of 860 acres, of which 400 are under cultivation. Besides the State University, State Agricultural College and State Normal School, ample provision for higher edu- cation has been made by the different religious denominations, assisted by local and individual muniBcence. There are, exclusive of State institutions, 23 universi- ties and colleges. 111 academies and other private schools. All these are in active operation, and most of them stand high. A list of the universities and colleges, and a brief notice of each, is herewith given: Amity College is located at College Springs, Page county. S. C. Marshall is President. There are 6 instructors and 225 students. Burlington University is located at Bur- lington, Des Moines county. E. F Stearns is President of the faculty. There are 5 instructors and 63 students. Callanan College is located at Des Moines, Polk county. There are 14 in the faculty, of which C. R. Pomeroy is Presi- dent, and 18S students are enrolled. Central University is located at Pella, Marian county. It is an institution of the Baptist denomination. Rev. G. W. Gard- ner is President of the faculty, which numbers 7. There are 196 students. Coe College is located at Cedar Rapids, Linn county. S. Phelps is President. There are 10 in the faculty and 100 students. Cornell College is located at Mt. Vernon, Linn county, and is un'"!er the control of the M. E. Church. W. F. King is Presi- dent. There are 20 instructors and 400 ^' HISTORY OF IOWA. students. This college is oue of the highest in character, and has a large at- tendance. Drake University is located at Des Moines, Polk county. G. T. Carpenter is President, and is ably assisted by 25 in- structors. There are 125 students. Grisioold College is located at Daven- port, Iscott County, and is under the control of the Episcopal Church. W. S. Perry is President. There are 7 instructors and 80 students. Iowa College is located at Grinnell, Po- weshiek county. G. F. Magoun is Presi- dent. There are 14 instructors and 359 stu lents. The institution is one of the leading colleges in Iowa, apd is perma- nently endowed. Iowa Wtsleyan University is located at Mt. Pleasant, Henry county,. W. J. Ijpaulding is President. There are 6 in the faculty, and over ICO students in at- tendance. The University is under the auspices of the M. E. Cijurch, and enjoys a high degree of prosperity. Luther College is situated in Decorah, Winneshiek county. L. Larson is Presi- dent of the faculty, which numbers 10. There are 165 students in' attendance. Clin College is located at Olin, Jones county. C. L. Porter is President. Ofkaloosa College is situated in Oska- loosa, Mahaska county. G. H. McLaugh- lin is Pres dent. The faculty numbertt 5, and the students 190. very high. The college stands Penn College is situated in Oskaloosa, Mahaska county. B. Trueblood is Presi- dent of the faculty, which numbers 5. There are l75 students in attendance. Simpson Centenary College is located at Indianola, Warren county. E. L. Parks is President. There are 9 instructors and 150 students. " Tabor College is located at Tabor, Fre- mont county. Wm. M. Brooks is Presi- dent. The college was modeled after Oberlin college, in Ohio. The faculty consists of 6, and there are 109 students. Upper Iowa University is located at Fayette, Fayette county, and is under the control of the M. E. Church. Rev. J. W. Bissell is President. There are 11 instruc- tors and 350 students. This University stands very high among the educational institutions of the State. University of Des Moines, at DesMoines, has 5 instructors and 80 students. Whittier College was established at Salem, Honry county, by the Friends. J. W. Coltrane is President. There are 4 instructors and 105 students. liiverside Institute. — This school is located at Lyons, on a beautiful elevation overlooking the Mississippi river. Rev. W. T. Currie is the Principal of this Academy. 1-20 HISTORY OF IOWA. DJJAF AND DUMB INSTIl UTB. By an act of the Legislature of Iowa, ap^iiovoil January 24, 1855, the Iowa losti- tiite for the Deaf and Dumb was estab- lished at Iowa City. In 186G a great effort was made to re- move the Institute to DesMoines; but it was finally permanently located at Council Bluffs, and the school opened in a rented building. In 1868 Commissioners were to locate a site, and superintend the erection of new building, for which the Legisla- ture appropriated $125,000. The Com- missioners selected 90 acres of land two miles south of the city In October, 1870, the main building and one wing were completed and occupied. In February, 1877, fire destroyed the main building and east wing, and during the summer following a tornado blew off the roof of the new west wing and the walls were partially demolished. About 150 pupils were in attendance at the time of the fire. After that, half of the class were di>missed, and the number of pupils re- duced to 70 The present officers are: B. F. Clayton, President, Macedonia, term expires in 1886; A Rogers, Secretary, term expires 1884; John H. Stubenranch, term expires in 1884. The county superintendent of schools annually reports all persons of school age that are deaf and dumb; also those too deaf to acquire learning in the common schools. The cost per pupil is $28 per quarter, and is paid by the parents or guardian ; but when unable to do so, the expense is borne by the respective county The regular appropriation is $11,000 per annum, drawn quarterly. Parents and guardians are allowed to clothe their children. The whole number adrnitted to the Institution is 631. Present number, 221. Last biennial appropriation, $37,83U. COLLEGE FOR THE BLIND. The first person to agitate the subject of an In-titute for the Blind was Prof. Sam- uel B^con, himself blind, who, in 1852, established a school of instruction at Keokuk. The next year the Institute was adv)pted by the State, and moved to Iowa City, by act of the Legislature, approved .January 18, 1853, and opened for the re- ception of pupils, April 4, 1853 During the first term 23 pu()ils were admitted. Prof. Bacon, the Principal, made his first report in 1854, and suggested that the name be changed from "Asylum for the Blind" (which was the name first adopted) to that of " Institution for the Instruction of the Blind." This change was made in 1855, and the Legislature made an annaal appN'priation of $55 per quarter for each pupil; afterward this appropriation was changed to $3,000 per annum Prof. Bacon was a fine scholar, an eco- nomical manager, and in every way adapted to his position. During his administration the institution was, in a great measure, self-supporting by the sale of articles manufactured by the blind pupils. There 'was also a charge of $25 as an admission fee for each pupil. Prof. Bacon founded the Blind Asylum at Jacksonville, Illinois. In 1858 the citizens of Vinton, Benton county, donated a quarter section of land and $5,000 for the establishment of the asylum at that place. On the 8th of May, 'f^ HISTORY OF IOWA. 127 that same year, the trustees met at Vinton and made arrangements for securing the donation, and adopted a plan for the erec- tion of a suitable building. In 1860 the contract for enclosing was let to Messrs. Finkbine and Lovelace, for $10,420. In August, 1862, the goods and furniture were removed from Iowa City to Vinton, and in the fall of the same year the school was opened with 24 pupils. The institution has been built at a vast expenditure of money, much greater than it seemed to require for the number of occupants. The Legislative Committee, who visited the college in 1878, expressed tlieir astonishment at this utter disregard of the titness of things. They could not understand why $282,000 should have been expended for a mas.-iive building for the accommodation of only 130 people, costing the Slate over $5,000 a year to heat it, and about $500 a year for each pupil. The present officers are: Robert Car- others, Superintendent; T. F. McCune, Assistant Superintendent; Trustees: Jacob Springer, President; M. H. Weslbrook, J. F. White, C. O. Harrington, W. H. Leavitt, S. H. Watson. Whole number of occupants, 436. Present number, males, 3C; females, 50. Salary of superintendent, $1,200; assistant, $700; trustees, $4.00 per day and mileage. Annual appropriation, $8,000, and $128 per year allowed for each pupil. Annual meeting of trustees in June. Bienuial appropriation in 1880, $3,000. IOWA HOSPITAL FOB THB INSANE The Iowa Hospital for the Insane was establibhed by an act of the Legislature, approved January 24, 1855. Gov. Grimes, Edward Johnson, of Lee county, and Chas. S. Blake, of Henry county, were appointed to locate the institution and superintend the erection of the building; $4,425 were appropriated by the Legislature for the site, and $.500,000 for the building. The commissioners located the institution at Mount Pleasant, Henry county, and a plan of the building was drawn by Dr. Bell, of Massachusetts. The building was designed to accommodate 300 patients, and in Octo- ber work commenced, superintended by Henry Winslow. The Legislature had appropriated $258,555.67 before it was completed. One hundred patients were admitted within three months. In April, 1876, a portion of the building was de- stroyed by fire From the opening of the Hospital to the close of October, 1877, there were admitted 3,684 patients. Of these, 1,141 recovered, 505 were improved, 589 were discharged unimproved, and 1 died. During this period 1,384 of the pa- tients were females. The trustees are elected by the Legisla- ture, and all officers are cho,sen by the trustees. Superintendents are chosen for six years. Dr. Eanney was first chosen in 1865; salary, $2,000 annual. Whole number of patients admitted, 4,598; present num-. ber males, 298; present number females, 235 Trustees paid $5 per day and mile- age, not to exceed 30 days each year Annual meeting, first Wednesday in Octo- ber; quarterly, January, April and Sep- tember. Present officers are: Mark Ranney. M. D , Superintendent; H.M.Bassett, M.D., J. P. Brubaker, M.D., and Max WiUe, M.D., assistant physicians. sf'V 12S HISTOKY OF lO'A'A. HOaPITAL FOB THE INSANE, AT INDEi'ESD- The Legislature of 1S67-8 adopted meas- ures providing for an additional hospital for the insane, and an appropriation of $125,- 000 was made for that purpose. Malurin L. Fisher, of Clayton county, E G. Mor- gan, of Webster county, and Albert Clark, of Buchanan county, were appointed com- missioners to locate and superintend the erection of a building. ' These commis- sioners commenced their labors June 8, 1868, at Independence. They were author- ized to select the most desirable location, of not less than 320 acres, within two miles of the city of Independence, thnt might be offered by the citizens free of charge. They finally selected a site on the west side of the Wapsipinicon river, about a mile from its banks, and about the same distance from Independence. The contract for building was awarded to David Arm strong, of Dubuque, for 188,114. It was signed November 7, 1868, and work was immediately ommi-nced. George Josse- lyn was appointed superintendent of the work. The first meeting of the trustees was called in July, 1872 At the Septem- ber meeting, Albert Reynolds, M. D , was elected Superintendent of the Hospital; George Josselyn, Steward, and Mrs. Anna B. Josselyn, Matron. The Hospital opened May 1 ,1 873. Whole number of patients admitted, 2,000; pres- ent number (1882), 533; males, 290; fe- males, 243. Biennial appropration (1880), $35,300. The present officers are: G. H. Hill, Superintendent; term expires in 1882; salary, IKSOO. H. G. Brainard, M. D., Assi.stant Superintendent; salary, 11,000. Noyes Anpleman, Steward; salary, ^000. Mrs. Lucy M. Gray, Matron; salary, $600. soldiers' orphans' home. This institution is located at Davenport, Scott county, and was originated by Mrs Annie Wittenmeyer, during the late rebel- lion. This noble woman called a conven- tion at Muscatine, September 7, 1S63, for the purpose of devising means for the education and support of the orphan chil- dren of Iowa, whose fathers lost their lives in defendiuG; their country's honor. The public interest in the moveu ent was so great that all parts of the Stale were largely represented, and an association was organized, called the Iowa State Orphan Asylum. The first meeting of the trus- tees was held February 14, 1864, at Des Moines, when Gov. Kirkwood sixgge-ted that a home for disabled soldiers shcu'd be connected with the Asylum, and arrange- ments were made for raising funds. At the next meeting, in Davenport, the fol- lowing month, a committee was appointed, of which Mr. Howell, of Keokuk, was chairman, to lease a suitable building, solicit donations, and procure suit.ible furniture. This committee secured a l:.rge brick building in Lawrence, Van Ruren county, and engaged Mr. Fuller, of Mount Pleasai.t, as Steward. The work of prepa- ration was conducted so vigorously that July 13, following, the executive commit- tee announced that they were ready to receive children. Within three weeks 21 were admitted, and in a little more than six months the soldiers' orphans admitted numbered 70. -\^ ^^ HISTORY OF IOWA. Miss M. Elliott, of Washington, was appointed the first Matron, but she resigned the following Februiry, and was succeeded by Mrs. E G. Piatt, of Fremont county. The Home was sustained by voluntary contributions, until I8tjti, when it was taken charge of by the State. The Leg- islature appropriated $10 per month for each orphan actually supported, and pro- vided for the establishment of three homes. The one in Cedar Falls was organ- ized in 1665; an old hotel building was fitted up for it, and by the following Jan- uary there were 96 inmates. In Octnber, 1?69, the Home was removed to a large brick building about two mles west of Cedar Falls, and was very prosperous for several years; but in 1876 the Legislature devoted this building to the State Normal School. The same year the Legislature also devoted the buildings and grounds of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home, at Glenwood, Mills county, to an Institution for the Sup- port of Feeble-Minded Children. It also provided for the removal of the soldiers' orphans at Glenwood and Cedar Falls Homes to the institution located at Daven- port. The present officers are: S. W. Pierce, Superintendent; Mrs F.W. Pierce, Matron. Whole number admitted, 1,525; present number, males, 79; females, 90. The 18th ■Grand Army Corps appropriated |-2,000 to build eight cottage*, school house and other buildings; these have been completed, and the home will, when finished, accommo- date 200 children. Superintendent's sal- ary, 11,200 per annum. Trustees are elected for two years. ASYLUM FOR FEEBLE-MINDED CHILDREN. An act of the General Assembly, ap- proved March 17, 1878, provided for the establishment of an asylum for feeble- minded children at Glenwood, Mills county; and the buildings and grounds of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at that place were taken for this purpose. The asylum was placed under the management of three trustees, one of whom should be a resident of Mills County. The grounds to be used were found to be in a very dilapidated condition, and thorough changes were deemed necessary. The institution was opened September ], 1876, and t^^e first pupil admitted Septem- ber 4. By November, 1877, the number of pupils had increased to 87. The whole r umber admitted has been 257. Present inmates number ^00. PENAL INSTITUTIONS. The first penal institution was estab- lished by an act of the Territorial Legisla- ture, approved January 25, 1839. This act authorized the Governor to draw the sum of %20,000, appropriated by an act of Congress in 1838, for public buildings in the Territory of Iowa. It provided for a Board of Directors, consisting of three persons, to be elected by the Legislature, who should superintend the building of a penitentiary to be located within a mile of the public square, in the town of Fort Madison, county of Lee, provided that the latter deeded a suitable tract of land for the purpose, also a spririg or stream of water for the use of the periitentiary. The first directors were John S. David and John Claypole. They were given the power of appointing the warden, the latter HISTORY OF IOWA. to appoint his owu assistants. The citizens of Fort Madison executed a deed of 10 acres of land for the building, and Amos Ladd was appointed superintendent June 5, 1839. The work was soon entered upon, and the main building and warden's house were completed in the fall of 1841. It conlinued Jo meet ■with additions and im- provements until the arrangements were all completed according to the design of the directors. The estimated cost of the building was $55,93.3.90, and was designed of suflicient capacity to accommodate 133 convicts. Iowa has adopted the enlightened policy of humane treatment of prisoners, and utilizes their labor for their own support. Their labor is let out to contractors, who pay the State a stipulated sum therefor, the latter furnishing shops, tools, ma- chinery, etc , and the supervision of the convicts. The present officers of the prison are: E. C. McMillen, Warden, elected ISVS and 1880; Hiel Hale, Deputy Warden; W. C. Gunn, Chaplain; A. W. Hoffmeister, ■ Physician; M. T. Butterfield, Clerk. The whole number of convicts admitted up to the present time (1882) is 3,387. Number of males in 1881, 350; females, 3; number of guards, 33. The Warden is cho.sen biennially by the Legislature, and rtceives a salary of S2,000 per annum. ANAMOSA PENITENTIAKT. In 1872 the first steps toward the erec- tion of a prison at Anamosa, Jones county, were taken, and by an act of the General Assembly, approved April 23, this year, William Ure, Foster L. Downing and Mar- tin Heisey were appointed commissioners to construct and control prison buildings. They met on the 4lh of June, following, and selected a site donated by the citizens of Anamosa. The plan, drawings and specifications were furnished by L. W. Foster & Co., of DesMoines, and work on the building was commenced September 28, 1872. In 1873, 20 convicts were trans- ferred from the Fort Madison prison to Anamosa. The officers of the Anamosa prison are: A E, Martin, Warden; L. B Peet, Deputy Warden; Mrs. A. C. Merrill, Chaplain; L. J. Adair, Physician; T. P. Parsons, Clerk. The whole number admitted since it was opened is 8! 6. Number of males in 1882, 133; females, 2. Salaries of ( ffieers the same as those of the Fort Madison peni- tentiary. BOTS' REFORM SCnOOL. By act approved March 31, 18G?, the General Assembly established a reform school at Salem, Henry county, and pro- vided for a Board of Trustees, to consist of one person from each Congressional District. The trustees immediately leased the property of the Iowa Maimal Labor Institute, and October 7 following, the school received its first inmate. The law at first provided for the admission ( f children of both sexes under 18 years of age. The trustees were directed to organ- ize a separate school for girls. In 1872 the school was pevmanently located at Eldora, Ilar.lin county, and §45,000 were appropriated for the neces- sary buildings. In 1876 the law was so amended that only children over 7 and under 16 years of age were admitted. HISTORY OF IOWA. 131 The children are taught the elements of education, in particular the useful branches, and are also trained in some regular course of labor, as is best suited to their age, dis- position and capacity. They are kept until they arrive at majority, unless bound out to some responsible party, which relieves the State of their care. Occasion- ally they are discharged before the age of 21, for good conduct The institution is managed by five trus- tees, elected by the Legislature. Whole number of boys admitted, 8J8. There are l04 inmates at present, and also 63 in the girls' department, at Micheliville. The biennial appropriation for 1880 was $.0,900. STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. By act of the General Assembly ap- proved January 28, 1857, a State Historical Society was provided for in connection with the University. At the commence- ment, an appropriation of §250 was made, lo be expended in co'lecting and preserv- ing a library of books, pamphlets, papers, paintings and other materials illustrative of the history of Iowa. There was appro- priated the sum of $500 per annum to maintain this Society. The management consists of a board of 18 curators, nine appointed by the Governor and nine elected by vote of the Society. The State Historical Society has pub- lished a series of very valuable collections, including history, biography, sketches, reminiscences, etc., with quite a large number of finely engraved portraits of prominent and early settlers, uiuLt the title of "Annals of Iowa." STATE AGRICULTUKAL SOCIETY. This Society is conducted under the auspices of the State, and is one of the greatest promoters of the welfare of the people under the management of the State government. It should receive more pe- cuniary assistance than it does. The Society holds an annual fair, which has occurred at Des Moines since 1878. At its meetings subjects are discussed of the highest interest and value, and these pro- ceedings are published at the expense of the State The officers are a President, Vice-Presi- dent, Secretary, and Treasurer and five Directors. The last hold office for two years, and the other officers one year. FISH HATCHING-HOUSE. This was established in 1874, and has for its object the supplying of rivers and lakes with valuable fish. The General Assembly first appropriated the sum of 13,000. Three fish commissioners were appointed, and the State is divided into three districts, one for each commissioner. The Hatching-House was erected near Anamosa, Jones county, and is conducted in the same manner as similar houses in other States. Since 1876 there has been but one commissioner, B. F. Shaw. Mr. Shaw is enthusiastic in his work, and has distributed hundreds of thousands of small fish of various kinds in the rivers and lakes of Iowa. The 16th General Assembly passed an act in 1878 prohibiting the catching of any kind of fi,sh oxcept brook trout from March until June of each year. ^ 132 HISTORY OF IOWA. CHAPTER X. The Territory of Iowa was organized in 1838, and the following Territorial officers were appointed by President VanBuren: Governor, Robert Lucas, of Ohio; Secre- tary of the Territory, William B. Conway; Chief Justice, Charles Mason, of Burling- ton; Associate Justices, Thomas S. Wilson, of Dubuque, and Joseph Williams, of Pennsylvania; Attorney-General, M. Van Allen, of New York; Marshal, Francis Gehon, of Dubuque. The first election was for members of the Territorial Legislature and a delegate to Congress. The Democracy controlled the Legislature by a large majority. The vote on Delegate was as follows : Wm. TV. Chapman, Dem 1,490 PeterH. Engle, Dem 1,454 B. F. Wallace, Whig 913 David Rorer, De;i-. 605 Mr. Talliafero 30 The election of 1839 was for members of ihe Second Territorial Legislature, and created little interest. In 1840, the year of the "hard cider campaign," the interest was awakened, and both parties put in nomination candidates for Delegate to Congress. There was also an election for Constitutional Convention, whicli was defeated. The vote on Dele- gate was as follows: A. C. Dodge, Dem 4,009-515 Alfred Rich, Whig 3,494 Mr. Cburchmaa 93 The Whigs held a convention in 1841, at Davenport, on the 5th day of May, and adopted the following platform : Whereas, It has pleased the Governor of the Universe, by one of those inscrutable acts tlie righteousness of which no man may question, to take from the Ameiicai; people their beloved Chief ^Magistrate, William Henry Harrison, and transfer him frvm this to another, and, we trust, to a better world; therefore, Resolved, Tliat we sincerely mourn over and deplorL the loss of one whose services in every department of society have been so pre-emi- nently useful. As a citizen, he was beloved for his rectitude and benevolence; as a soldier, dis- tin^;uished for his bravery and success; as a statesman, his ability, purity and patriotism were remarkable; as a Christian, he was humble and pious. In short, his whole character was made up of traits seldom to be found in men occupying the place in society he filled, and is worthy if imitation by all those who love their country. Beaolced, As a token of our sorrow on this providential bereavement, we will wear the usual badije of mourning thirty days; and that We concur with President Tyler on recommend- ing to the people of the Unite I States that the 14th of May be observed as a day of fasting and prayer. Resolved, That we have full confidence in the ability and current political sentiments of John HISTORY OF IOWA. •K Tyler, who, by the voice of the people and the Providence of God, now fills the Executive Chair of the United States. Resolved, That we recognize in John Cham- bers, the gentleman lately appointed tcj the Ex- ecutive Chair ot Iowa, a sterling Democratic Whig; one whose early life is honorably identi- fied with the history of our late war with Great Britain; imd whose uniform devotion t > the best interests of our country affords us a sure guar- anty of his usefulness in this Territory. Alfred Eich was again nominated for Delegate to Congress. The Democrats held their convention June 7, at Iowa City, and passed the fol- lowing resolutions : Whereas, The Federalists, or self-styled Whigs of Iowa, flushed with their recent victory in the Presidential contest, and secure in the enjoyment of power, are laboring zealously and perseveringly to efl'ect a revolution in the polit- ical character of thi; Territory, to accomplish which all their united energies wiil be brought into action at the next general election; ani. Whereas, The Democrasy here, as well as elsewhere, believing the principles of their party to be based upon the immutable and eternal doc- trines of right and justice, feel it to be their duty to maintain and assert them upon all prop- er occasions — in the heir of defeat as when tri- umphant; and. Whereas, By union and harmony, exertion and activity, we can administer a rebuke to the arrogant spirit of Federalism, at our next gen- eral election, which, while it will exhibit Iowa to the Democracy of the Union in the most en- viable light, will also demonstrate to the enemies of our principles the futility and hopelessness of their efforts to obtain the ascendency; there- fore, Resolned, That it is the duty of every Democrat of Iowa, no matter what may be his station in life, to be watchful, vigilant and active in main- taining the ascendency of his party in the Ter- ritory; audit is earnestly urged upon all that they lay aside local questions and sectional feel- ings, and unite heart and hand in exterminating their common enemy, Federalism, from the Territory. . Resolved, That Iowa, In defiance of the efibrts of the National administration to throw around her the shackles of Federalism, is, and will con- tinue to be. Democratic to the core; and she spurns, with a proper indignation, the attempt of those in power to enslave her, by sending her rulers from abroad, whose chief recom- mendation is, that they have not only been noisy, but brawling, clamorous politicians. Resolved, That in the appointment of David Webster to be Secretary of the State, we see the destinies of our beloved country committed to the hands of a man who, during the late war with Great Britain, pursued a course to which the epithet ol "moral treason" was justly ap- plied at the time. In the gloomiest period of the war, Mr. Webster was found acting, upon all occasions, in opposition to every war meas- ure brought forward by the friends of the country; and the journals of ConjH'ess and speeches of Mr. Webster clearly established the fact that, though not a member, he connived at and leagued in with the traitorous Hartford Con- vention. Resolved, That the recent astounding and extraordinary disclosures made by the stock- holders of the United States Bank, with regard to the mismanagement, fraud and corruption of that wholesale swindling institution, prove the correctness of the course of the Democracy of the Nation in refusing to grant it a new charter, and redounds greatly to the sagacity, honesty and Roman firmness of our late venerable and iron-nerved President, Andrew Jackson. Resolved. That the distribution of the public lands is a measure not only fraught with evil, on the grounds of its illegality, but that, were it carried into effect, would greatly prejudice the rights and interests of the new States and Ter- ritories. Resolved, That a permanent prospective pre- emption law is the only cflectual means of securing to the hardy pioneer his home, — the 134 HISTORY OF IOWA. result of liis enterprise and toil, which alone hii9 brought our lovely and cultivated plains from the rude hand of nature to their present high state of cultivation. Jieaolved, That in Thomas H. Benton, the bold -and fearless leader of the Democracy of our country, on this as well as all the matters of western p ilicy, we behold the poor man's true and firmest friend, in whom, as the advocate of their interests and rights, they have the highest confidence, and on whom they can rely for sup- port and protection in the enjoyment of rights and privileges which it has ever been the policy of the Feder.dists to divest them of. Resolved, That Democracy is based upon the principles of equal rights and justice to :\11 men; that to deprive man of the privileges bestowed upon him by the laws of natun'and his country, without yielding him a just equivalent, is to take from him all that renders lile worthy his possession — independence of action; such we believe to be the eft'ect of the recent order of the present Chief Magistrate. Resolved, That we respect all, of whatever station, who boldly and fearlessly advocate our rights and secure us in the free enjoyment of the same, while we heartily despise and con- demn those, come from whence they may, who are leagued with our enemies in their efforts to wrest from us our homes and sacred altars. Resolved, That it is the characteristic doctrine of Democracy to secure to all the enjoyment of rights and privileges inalienable to freemen, and that the proscription of foreigners by the Federalists is a contracted effort to secure to themselves the inestimable privileges of free- dom and free government, and thus cut jS a l:'.rge portion of the human family from rights which the charter of our liberties declare are granted tD all. Gen. A. C. Dodge was placed in nom- ination, and elected by the following vote: A. C. Dwdgo, Dem 4,828—513 Alfred Rich,- Whig 4,315 No platforms were adopted by the par- ties in 1842: neither was there in 1843. William 11. Wallace was nominated by the Whigs and A. C. Dodge by the Dem- ocrats for Delegate to Congress. The vote stood: A. C. Dodge, Dem 6,084—1,273 William Wallace, Whig 4,81-3 On the 9lh day of January, 1844, the Whigs met in convention, at Iowa City, and without making nominations adopted the following platform: Resolved, That ■ ublic meetings for the free in- terchange of feelings and opinions on the part of the American people, in regard to important measures, are interwoven with our political insti- tutions, and necessary to the perpetuity of our national liberty. Resolaed, That it is the duty of all patriots to keep a watchfui eye upon their rulers, and to resist at the threshold every inroad to cor- ruption; that we deprecate the prostitution of the patronage of the President and of the dif- ferent officers of the Government to the services of a parly and the practice of offering the officis of honor and profit as a reward for political treachery; that we believe this exercise of ; owcr to be eminently dangerous to the political integ- rity and patriotism of the i ountry, and that a limitation to one Presidential term \\ould, in a great degree, arrest the progress of corruption and political profligacy. Resolved, That inasmuch as the States, in the formation of the constitution, surrendered to tl.e General Government exclusive control of all the sources of incidental revenue and reserved to themselves the right of taxation alone as a source of revenue to meet their individual wants; justice, reason, and common honesty require that the General Government should provide an incidental revenue equal to all the wants of the Government, without resorting to the proceeds of the public lands «r the odious and oppressive measure of direct taxation as contcnde;! for by the so-called Democratic party. ^ HISTORY OF IOWA. Resolved, That we regard the proceeds of tlie sales of public lands as the legitimate property of the States, and as only a trust fund in the hands of the General Government, and that the trust should te executed without further delay by a distribution of the same among the States and Territories; that this measure is especially a debt of justice at this tioie, when many of the States are groaning with taxation and almost driven to bankruptcy by an accumulation of debts, which have resulted in a great measure from the ruinous policy of the so-called Demo- cratic party. Resolved, That we deprecate experiments in- legislation where the result is uncertain and un- ascertainable, and that while we should avoid the errors of the past, we should cling with unflinching tenacity to those institutions which have successfully stood the test of experiment, and have received the sanction and support of the framers of the constitution. Resolved, That we deem the establishment of a national currency of certain value and every- where received, as indispensably necessary to the greatest degree of national prosperity; that the international commerce of this widely ex tended country is greatly retarded and heavily burdened with taxation by the want of a com- mon medium of exchange, and that it is the constitutional duty of the Gener.il Government to remove all impediments to its successful pros- ecution, and to foster and encourage the internal commerce and enterprise, the interchange of commodities among the States, not only by a reasonable system of internal improvements of a general character, but also by furnishing to the nation a currency of equal value in all parts of its wide-spread domain, and that the exper- ience of the past fully proves that this end has been accomplished by a national bank, can be again accomplished by a national bank, aud in no way so safely and so certainly as by the agency of a well regtdated national bank. Resolved, That a tarifif which will allbrd a Rev- enue adequate to all the wants of the General Government, and at the same time protect the agricultural and mechanical industry of the American people, is a measure necessary to secure the prosperity of the country, and warmly advocated by the Whig party of this Territory. Resolved, That although we have no right to vote at the approaching Presidential election, yet we look forward to the exertions of our friends of the States for the elevation of Henry Clay to the Chief Magistracy of the Union with intense interest and assurance of our most ardent wishes for their success. Resolved, That governments should be admin- istered so as to produce the greatest good to the greatest number, aud that this is true Democracy; that the self-styled Democratic party, by the policy they have pursued for the last ten years in their efforts to destroy the prosperity of our farmers and mechanics by rejecting a tariff for revenue and protection, by destroying the bett currency ever possessed in any nation, by seek- ing to deprive us of all currency except gold and silver, in refusing to the indebted States relief by paying to them their proportion of the proceeds of the public lands, in their continued uniform and violent opposition to all measures calculated to advance the national and individ- ual prosperity, by means of the encouragement of commerce and internal improvements, by a narrow and selfish policy in couv-rting the ex- ecutive power into an engine of party, by their federal and aristocratic exertions to maintain the veto power, and consolidate all the powers of Government in one leader, thereby rendering the administration of the Government a mere machine of party, in their repeated efforts to undermine and destroy the constitution and laws of Congress, by openly disregarding the rights secured by those laws, in their demoraliz- ing eflTorts to induce the Slates to disregard their honor and repudiate their debts, in their open violation of private rights, by repealing charters and violating the obligation of contract; in short, by their whole policy and principles which, in a time of peace, and abundant crops, and with the smiles of heaven, have reduced this wealthy, proud and prosperous nation to actual bank- ruptcy, Lational and individual, they have for- feited the name of Democrats, and as a pariy are no longer to be trusted with the reins of power. 7^y 133 IIISTOEY OF IOWA. The Democrats adopted no platform in 1844. The Legislature on the 1 2th of February, 1844, passed another act submitting the question of a constitutional convention to the people, which was carried. A consti- tution was framed by this convention, and Congress passed an act providing for the admission of Iowa as a State; but curtail- ing the northern and western boundaries. At an election held in April, 1845, the people rejected the constitution. The August election, 184.'), was for Delegate to Congress. Ralph P. Lowe secured the Whig nomination, while A. C. Dodge was nominated for re-election by the Demo- crats. The vole stood: A.C.Dodge, Dcm 7,513—831 R. P. Lowe, Whig, 6,681 In April, 1876, delegates were chosen to a second constitutional convention, which met at Iowa City, May 4, 1846. The con- stitution framed by this body was accepted liy the people in August, Congress having repealed the obnoxious features respecting boundaries, giving Iowa the territory to which it was justly entitled. After the adoption of this constitution, the Whigs met in convention at Iowa City, September 25, and nominated the following State ticket: Governor, Thos. McKnight; Secretary of State, James H. Cowles; Auditor of State, Eastin Morris; Treasurer of State, Egbert T. Smith. The following platform was adopted: Resolved, That, considering it our duty, as Whigs, to effect a thorough organization of our party, and, by use of all honorable means, faith- fully and diligently strive to ensure the success of our political principles in the State of Iowa. Resolved, That we, us Wbigs, do prout'.ly and unhesitatingly proclaim to the worl'' the follow- ing distinctive and leading principles, that we, as a party, avow and advocate, and which, if carried out, we honestly believe will restore our beloved country to its prosperity, and its insti- tutions tc their pristine purity: 1. A sound national currency, regulated by the will and authority of the people. 2. A tariff that shall afford sufficient revenue to the national treasury and just protection to American labor. 3. More ; erfect restraints up"n executive power, especially upon the exercise of the vetf.. 4. An equitable distribution of the proceeds of the sales of the pul lie lands among all the States. 5. One Presidential term. 6. Expenditure of the surplus revenue in national improvements that will embrace tht great rivers, lakes, and main arteries of com- munication througboul our country, thus secur- ing the most efficient means of defense in war and commercial intercomse in peace. Resolved, That the re-enactment of the thrice condemned sub-treasury, which will have the effect of drawing all coin from circulation and locking it up in the vaults and safes of the Gen- eral Government, the passage of McKay's Bi'tish tariff bill discriminating in favor of foreign and against American lubor, and striking a blow, intended to be fatal, to home market for Ameri- can agricultural productions, and the executive veto of the river anJ harbor bill which paralj-zes the western farmer's hope of just facilities for transporting his surrlus products to a maiket, and cripples the euegies of commerce in every division of the Union, should consign the present administ ration to a condemnation so deep that the hand of political resurrection could never reach it. Resolved, That we hold these truths to be self- evident, that the fort^- -ninth degree of north latitude is not fifty-four degrees, forty minutes; that James K. Polk's late letter was a deception and falsehood of a character so base as none but the most dishonorable mind would have resorted to; that McKay's tariff is not a judicious revenue w HISTORY OF IOWA. 137 tariff affording incidental protect to American industry; that the annexation of Texas is not a peaceful acquisition; that lamp-black and rags, though called treasury notes and drawn on a bankrupt treasury, are not the constitutional currency, and that locofocoism is not Democ- racy. Resolved, That we believe the American sys- tem of Hetiiy Clay, as exemplified in the tariff of 1842, is essential to the independence and happiness of the producing classes of the United States; that in its protection of home protec- tions it nerves the arm of the farmer and makes glad the hearts of the mechanic and manufac- turer by ensuring them a constant and satisfac- tory remuneration for their toils, and that it is found by the test of experience to be the only permanent check on the excessive importations of former years, which have been the principal cause of hard times, repudiation, bankruptcy, and dishonor. Resolved, That we regard the adoption of the constitution at the recent election, by reason of the highly illiberal character of some of its pro- visions, as an event not calculated to promote the future welfare and prosperity of the State of Iowa, and that it is our imperative duty to pro- cure its speedy amendment. Resolved, That we pledge ourselves to use our utmost exertions to keep up a thorough organi- zation of the Whig party in Iowa; and although our opponents claim erronerusly, as we believe, to possess an advantage in numbers and depend upon ignorance, prejudice and credulty for suc- cess, yet, having a superiority m the principles we profess, we have implicit confidence in the dawning ef a brighter day, when the clouds and darkness of locofocoism will bu dispelled by the cheering rays and invigorating influence of truth and knowledge. On motion, it was Resolved, That we i-ecommcnd to the support of the people of Iowa, at the coming election, the ticket nominated by this convention; that we believe the candidates to be good men, and that the members of this convention, in behalf of those for whom they act, pledge to them a cordial and zealous support. The Democratic Convention was lield September 24, which nominated the fol- lowing ticket: Governor, Ansel Briggs; Secretary of State, E. Cutler, Jr.; Auditor of State, J» T. Fales; Treasurer, Morgan Reno. The following platform was adopted: Resolved, That the conduct of James K. Polk, since he has been President of the United States, and particularly during the last session of Con- gress, has been that of an unwavering and un- flinching Democrat; that Young Hickory has proved himself to be a true scion of Old Hick- ory; and we tender to him and his coa Ijutors in the executive department the gratitude of the people of the State of Iowa. Resolved, That the recent session of Congress has been one of the greatest importance to the people of these United States, since the lime of Mr. Jefferson, and we confidently regard the acts passed by it, particularly the passage of the Independent Treasury Bill, the settlement of the Oregon question (though the people of Iowa would have preferred 54, 40), and the re- peal of the odious tariff act of 1843, as destined to advance the welfare, promote the interest, and add to the peace and harmony not only of our people, but of the civilized world. Resolved, That the repeal of the unjust, un- equal and fraudulent tariff act of 1842, at the recent session of Congress, deserves the highest praise from the people of Iowa, and entitles those members of Congress who voted for it to the lasting gratitude of all good citizens; that by its minimum and KpecIHc duties — by its unequal and unjust protection of the captaiists and moneyed institutions, and by its casting the burden of taxation upon the laboring masses, and exempting the uper ten thousand, it was absolutely a federal tariff, based on the doc- trines of the great God-like Belshazzerof Massa- chusetts, viz: "Let the Government take care of the rich, and the rich take care of the poor"; that the conduct of the Vice-President of the United States, upon that great question of the age, entitles him to the highest place in the con- fidence of the Democracy of the United States. HISTORY OF IOWA. Resolved, That all modes of raising revenue for the support of Government are taxes upon the capital, labor and industry of the country; and that it is the duty of a good government to impose its taxes in such a manner as to bear equally on all classes of society; and that any government which, in levying duties for raising revenue, impresses burdens on any one class of society, to build up others, though republican in form, is tyrauical in deed, ceases to be a just government, and is unworthy of the confidence or support of a free people. Resolved, That the separation of the public moneys from the banking institutions of the country, in the passage of the Independent Treasury Bill, meets the approbation of this Convention, and the recent vote of the people of this Slate, adopting the Constitution, is a de- cisive indication of public sentiment against all banlving institutions of whatever name, nature or disciiptiou. Resolved, That the repeated unjust aggression of the Mexican people and Mexican Government have long since called for redress, and the spirit which has discouraged, opposed and denounced the war which our Government is now carrying on against Mexico, is the same spirit which op- posed the formation of a Republican Govern- ment, opposed .Jefferson and denounced the last ■war with Great Britain, and now, as they did then, from a federal fountain. - Resolved, That General Taylor and our little army have won for themselves the everlasting gratitude of the country, for which they will never, like Scott, be exposed to a shot in their rear from Washington or any other part of the country. liesnlved. That we repudiate the idea of party without principles; that Democracy has certain fixcl and unalterable principles, among which are equal rights and equal protection to all, un- limited ri;;hts of sudi ge to every freeman, no properly qualifications or religious tests, sov- ereignty of the people, subjection of the Legis- lature to the will of the pople, obedience to the iu.struclions of constituents, or resignation, and restriction of all exclusive privileges to corpo- rations to a level with individual rights. Resolved, That henceforth, as a political party, we are determined to know nothing but Democ- racy, and that we will support men only for their principles. Our motto will be: Less leg- islation, few laws, strict obedience, short ses- sions, li«nt taxes, and no State debt. The vote on Governor was as follows: Ansel Briggs, Dem 7,626—247 Thomas McKuight, Whig 7,379 The office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction having been va'jated, it was provided in the act that an election should be held the first Monday in April, 1817, for the purpose of filling the office. The Whigs placed James Harlan in nomi- nation, and the Democrats, Charles Mason. Harlan was elected by a majority of 413 out of a total vote of 15,66-3. By act approved li'ebruary -24, 1847, the Legislature created a Board of Public Works for the improvement of DesMoines river, and provided for the election of a President, Secretary and Treasurer of such on the first Monday in August. The Democrats in State convention at Iowa City, Jime 11, placed the following ticket in the field: President of Board, H. W. Sample; Secretary, Charles Corkery; Treas- urer, Paul Brptton. The following plat- form was adopted: Whhkeas, Our country is at present engaged in an expensive and sanguinary war, forced upon her against her will, and carded on to repel aggravated and repeated instances of in- sult and injustice; and, Wnp.ttEAS, There are those among us, native- born Americans, who maintaiu that Mexico is in the right and the United States in the wrong in this war; and, WHKiiE.\s, The public mind is, at the present time, agitated by other great questions of na- tional policy, in relation to which it is proper that the Democracy of Iowa should speak out r HISTORY OF IOWA. 139 through their repretentativea here assembled; therefore, Resiiloed, That we indignaDtly repel the charge made by the Whig press and the Whig leaders, that the war is one of aggression and conquest. The United States, we fearlessly assert, have for years submitted to treatment at the hands of Mexico which, by any European government, would have been regarded as a good cause of war, and which our own government would have made cause of quarrel with any transat- lantic power. Reaolved, That we triumphantly point to the repeated etl'urts made by our government, since the commencement of the war, to re-open nego- tiations with Mexico with a view of putting an end to hostilities as evidence of the pacific motives by which it is actuated, and we rely upon this testimony for the jusiificalion of our government in the eyes of the civilized world. We also point, with the highest satisfaction, to the humane and Christian like manner in which the war has been conductod on our part, show- ing, as it does, that the United States have thrnughout ncted upon principle in every respect worthy of the enlightened ana civilized age in which we live. Resolved, That we have the most unlimited confidence in the ability and siatesman-like qualities of President Polk; that the measures of his administration, standing, as they have done, the test of time, have our most cordial approbation; that in the prosecution of the war with Mexico, he and the several members of his cabinet have evinced the most signal energy and capacity; that the brilliant success of our arms at every point, and the fact that in the short space of one year more than one-half of Mexico has been overcome by our troops, and is now in our possession, furnishes a refutation of the assertion sometimes heard from the Whigs, that the war has been inefSciently conducted, and that the country has the amplest cause to con- gratulate itself that, great and important as the crisis is, it has men at the head of aifairs fully equal to the emergency. Resolved, That the thanks of the American people are due to Major-Generals Scott and Taylor, their officers and ineu, for their cournge, bravery and endurance; that in the victories they have achieved, they have shed imperishable honor upon their country's flag at the same time that they have won for themselves, one and all, chaplets of imperishable renown. Resolved, That in the demand which now ex- ists in the countries of the old world for Ameri- can provisions, we have an illustntion of the incalculable benefits which are sure to result to the United Stales, and particularly to the great West, from reciprocal interchange of commo- dities; that the agriculturists of Iowa have sen- sibly partaken of the benefits resulting from this liberal system of policy, and in the name of the Democratic party of Iowa, wo tender to President Polk and the Democratic members of Congress our thanks for the enactment of a tariff, which is likely to have the effect of caus- ing foreign countries to still fiuther abolish their restrictions upon American grain and American provisions. Resolved, That the evidence to be found in the fact that, within the last three months, the enor- mous sum of fifty-five millions of dollars has been oflered to be loaned to the G:)vernment at a premium, is a proud vindication of the finan- cial ability of the Government, at the same time that it rebukes with merited severity the croak- ing of those who, at the commencement of the war, predicted that the treasury would be beg- gared in less than a year, with no means of re- plenishing it. Resolved, That we approve of the conduct of the Democratic members of ourfirst State Legis- lature. Under the peculiar circumstances by which they were surrounded, their conduct was such as became them, and is sustained by the entire Democracy of the State. Resolved, That the Democratic party have ever regarded education as the only means of pre- serving and perpetuating our republican institu- tions; that it is now and ever has been solicitous for its extension throughout the whole length and breadth of our land; and that it is one of the chief objects of the Democratic party of this State to establish such a system of free schools as will enable every child within its borders to HISTORY OF IOWA. qualify himself to perfonu all the duties devolv- ing upon a citizen of this favored country. Resolved, That we pledge ourselves collectively to support the nominees of this convention; that in our respective counties wc will spare no ettorts to promote their success; that we will permit no selfish consideration, no sectional feel- ings, to influence us, but, rallying under the banner of the good old cause, the cause of De- mocracy, we will march on to victory, triumph- ant victory I The Whigs nominated for President of the Board, Geo. Wilson; Secretary, Madi- son Dagger; Treasurer, Pierre B Fagan. Sample was elected over Wilson by 510 majjrity, out of a total vote of 16,250. The Whigs of Iowa were fir^t in the field in 1848, meeting in convention May 1 llh, at Iowa City. They nominated for Secretary of State J. M. Coleman; Auditor, M. Morley; Treasurer, Robert Holmes. The following platform was adopted : The Government of the United States is based upon and exists only by the consent of the peo- ple; and, Whrreas, It is the duty as well as the rights of the citizens of the United States to meet in their primary capacity, whenever their judg- ment may dictate, to examine into the affairs of the Government; and, Whereas, This right carries with it the power to approve the conduct of their public servants, whenever approval is merited by faithfulness and integiity, so it equally confers the duly of exposing imbecility, seltishness and corruption, when they exist in the administration of the Re- public, and of denouncing those who. disregard- ing the examjile and admnuilions of the Fathers of the Ke|)ubUc, are abandoning the true prin- ciples on whiih our civil institutions are found- ed, and proclaiming and currying out measures that cannot but prove detrimental to the har- mony and best interests of the Union, and may eventuate in the overthi'ow of our present Re- publican form of government; therefore, Resolved, By the Whigs of Iowa, through their Representatives in State Convcnting assembled, that the Government of the United States is a limited Government, divided into three depart- ments, each having its appjv liate sphere, and separate and well-defined duties to perform; that it is necessary to the stability and perpetu- ity of our in?1itulions, that the Executive, Leg- islative and Judicial Departments should be kept distinct, and confined to their legitimate duties; and that any encroachi :ent, by one de- partment, upon either of the others, is a viola- tion of the spirit and letter of the constitution, and should call down the severest reprehension of the American people. Resolved, That the admonition of a late Presi- dent of the United States, "Keep your eye upon the President," should especially recommend itself to all the people in times like the present; ttiat the Government can only be kept pure by the constant watchfulness of the people and the i,xpres!>ii)n of their loudest censure, when spec- ulation and corrupt!! n is detected. Resolved, That entertaining these opinions, we have no hesitation in declaring that the eleva- tion of James K. Polk to the Presidential oflice was a sad mishap to the Auieiican Government; and that his administration, by its total aban- donment of the principles of true Republican- ism, as taught by Washington, Jefferson and Madison; by its encroachments on the national constitation, and its entire disregard of the will of the people, as expressed through their Rep- resentatives in Congress; by its denunciations of its own constituents, its futile attempt to misrepresent facts and conceal the truth, its endeavors to prostrate the industrial energies of the people and discriminate in favor of the man- ufactures and machinery of Europe, its violation of its own much lauded system of finance, the sub treasury, thereby furnishing the people with promise to pay its uflicers with gold and silver; by its war, commenced without the assent of the war-m ^king power, against a weak and dis- tracted sister Republic, while at the same time, it ignobly and cowardly crouched before the lion of England, and to:)k back its own asser- tions; its public debt of one hundred millions HISTORY OF IOWA. 141 and its sacrifice of human life; its veto of meas- ures that met theapproval of every former Pres- ident; and, worse than all, by its infamous at- tempt to rob of their well-earned laurels, won on the tented field, in the heart of the enemy's country, those who commanded the armies of the Republic, and bring them into unmerited disgrace before the American people, — by this aggregation of misdeeds, has signalized itself as the worst, most selfish and corrupt adminis- tration tire United States ever had. Resolved, That, while we concede that it is the duty of every citizen to support his country when engaged in a conflict with a foreign power, yet we equally insist that it is the duty of the people to hold their public servants to a strict accountability, and honestly to condemn what- ever their judgment cannot approve; that we indignantly hurl back the imputation of James K. Polk and his parasites, that the Whig party of the Unicn are wanting in love of coun.try, and deficient in its defense, and in evidence of the patriotism of the Whig party, we proudly point to the commanding gi-mrals, the distin- guished officers and the brave soldiers who, in our army in Mexico, have shed luster upon them- selves and renown upon the flag of their country. Resolved, Thai, believins the war tciminated, our convictions require us to declare that the war with Mexico was a war brought on by the Executive, without the approbalion of the war- making power, that had the same prudence which governed the administration in its inter- course with Great Britain, relative to the settle- ment of the Oregon question, exercised toward Mexico, a nation whose internal dissensions and weakness demanded our forbearance, the war w.)uld have been averted, and the boundaries between the two nations amicably and satisfac- torily settled. Resolved, That we are in favor of the applica- tion of the principle contained in the Wilniot proviso (so called), to all territory to be incor- ponited into this Union, and are utterly opposed to the further extension of slave territory. Resoloed, That our opposition to the sub- treas- ury and the tariff of 181.5 has not been dimin- ished by the evidence furnished us of tlieir oper- ations; that they are twin measures, calculated and designed to depress the free labor of the country, for the benefit of a minority of the people — the o'le operating to lessen the price of labor, and bring down the wages of freemen, and the other throwing open our ports for the introduction of the productions of the pauper labor of Europe, thereby crippling our own man- ufacturers and compelling them either to sacri- fice their laborers or close their business; that the one has failed as a disturbing system of the Government, the administration having been compelled to resort to banks and paper in making their payments, aud the other, as a rev- enue measure, has proved entirely inadequate to the support of the ordinary expenses of the Gov- ernment; that the one, by withdrawing from circulation, and shutting up in its vaults a large amount of specie, and the other, by overstock- ing the market with foreign goods, have largely coutiibuted towards, if they have not entirely produced, the present financial difficulties; and that we cannot but foresee that the country will soon be visited, if these measures are continued, with a coii^mercial revulsion aa great and disas- trous as that of 1837. Resohed, That the profession of the adminis- tration of James K. Polk, that it is in favor of, and devoted to, an exclusively metal lie currency, while it is issuing millions u. on millions of paper money, in shape of treasury notes, irre- deemable in specie, is an insult to the American people, and deserves the unqualified denuncia- tion of every lover of truth and honesty. Resolved, That the great West, whose popula- tion and commerce arc rapidly increasing, bear- ing, as it does, its full proportion of the public burdens, is entitled to some consideration at the hands of the General Government, and to some participation in the Union; that the Mississippi river is to the whole Mississippi Valley what the Atlantic is to the Eastern and the lakes are to the Northern States; that if it is constitutional to clear and improve any harbors in the latter, it is equally constitutional to do the same in the former; that the River and Harbor Bill of the last session of Congress contained only appro- 142 HISTORY OF IOWA. pri itious for work that had met the approval of Jac-kson and Vin'?urrn; that the veto of that measure by the Executive was a high-handed usurpanon upon the rights of the pei^ple and their representatives, uncalled for and unntces sary, and that, by th;vt act, James K. Pulk proved himself false to the principles .'f his pre- decessors, and hostile to the future growth and best interests of the West. Resolved, That in view of the misrule, venality and infractions of the Constitution which have characterized the present administration, we deem the approaching Presidential election one of the most important that Las occurred since the ori^anization of the Government; that it is necessary to the preservation of the institutions bequeathed to us by our fathers, that there should be a change of rulers as well as a change of measures; that, animated by a sincere desire to promote the welfare and honor of our coun- try, we have determined to buckle on our armor and enlist for the war; and, in the language of one who never faltered in his devotion to his country, we call upon every Whig in Iowa to "Ar'iuse ! Awake I Shake oflf the dew-drops that glitter on your garments I" and, in company with your brethren throughout the Union, "Once more march forth to battle and to victory 1" Resolved. That, although the Whig party of Iowa has expressed a preference for General Taylor as the Whig candidate for President, yet thiy deem it due to themselves to declare that they commit the whole subject into the hands of the Whig National Convention, and whoever may be the nominee of that bod}- for President, the Whigs of Iowa will give him a cordial sup- port. Resolved, That locofocoism in Iowa has proved itself ;i faction, "held together by the coercive power of public plunder," and devoid alike of generosity and principle; that, under cover of an assumed love of law and order, it has under- taken and cast from office a citizen chosen by a large majority of the popular voice, while, at the same time, it is represented in Congress by men elected without the shadow of law; that in foist- ing into the halls of Legislature, men who had no right there, for the purpose of carrying out their own selfish designs, they were guilty of a clear violation of constitutional law, and of usurpation upon the rii^hts of the people; and that the Whig members of the Legislature, by lef using to i;o into the eleclicn of Senators and Supreme Judges, whde those iiidividu..ls exer- cised the functions "f Representatives, truly reflected the will of their constituents, and de- serve the thanks of every friend of good gov- ernment. Resolved, That we most cordially commend to the support of the people of Iowa the ticket placed in nomination by this convention, of State officers a:.d electors of President and Vice President; that they are citizens distinguished for their ability, integrity, patriotism and cor- rect moral deportment; and that we pledge to this ticket a full, hearty and zealous co-opera- tion in the ensuing canvass, with the contident assurance that if every Wiiig does his "duty, his whole duty, and nothing short of his duty," at the ballot-box, they will receive from the people of Iowa a majority of their suffrages Resolved, That we are watching with deep in- terest the recent movements in Europe, indica- ting as they do, the spread of popular liberty, and the determination on the part of the masses to throw oil' the fetters of despotism and kingly rule; that we joyfully admit into the brother- hood of republicanism the new republic of France, trusting that an all-wise Providence will guide and watch over the destinies of the new government and establish it on a permanent basis; and that to the masses of the other na- tions of Europe, who are now struggling to be free, we tender our warmest sympathies, and bid them a heartfelt God-speed in their efforts to obtain a recognition of their rights aud liberties. The Democrats placed the following ticket in nomination at a State convention held June 1st, at Iowa City: Secretary of State, Josiah H. Bonney; Auditor, Joseph T. Fales; Treasurer, Morgan Reno. The official vote showed Bonney to be elected Secretary of State by 1,212 majority, out of a total of 23,522. HISTORY OF IOWA. The campaign of 1849 was opened by the Democrats, who met in convention at Iowa City, and nominated William Patter- son, President of Board of Public Works; for Secretary, Jesse Williams; Treasurer, George Gillaspie. The platform adopted by the convention was as follows: Resolved, That, in view of the large interest at stake in the judicious and vigorous prosecution of the public works on the DcsMoines river, and in view also of the efforts on foot by the Whig party to obtaia the control and direction of the same, by means of a Whig Board of Public Works, it is important that the Democracy of the State should take immediate and energetic steps toward a thorough and complete org miza- tion of the party, and be ready on the day of the election to secure to themselves, by a tri- umphant majority, the choice of the oflRcers; aud that, while we cordially and unrcst-rvedly recommend the nominees of this convention to the confidence and support of the people, we should also take occasion to admonish our friends, that in union there is strength, and in vigilance, success. Retohed, That this convention has received, with feelings nf profound grief, the intelligence of the death of that pure patriot aud able states- man, James K. Polk, late President of the United St ites;and that for his eminent and distinguished services to his country, for his faithfulness to principle, aud for his purily of private life, his memory will ever live in the cherislnd recollec- tions of the Democracy of the nation, by none more honored than the people of this State. Resolved, That we recur with pride to the tri- umphant success, the splendid achievements, and the imperishable renown of the late admin- istration; and that, while we point to these as the glorious results of past labors, we should re- member that, as they were gained by a strict adherence to honest principles anil the adoption of an honest policy, they can be sullied or im- paiied only by a base abandonment of them upon the altar of expediency, or by a disgrace- ful surrender in the form of coward silence. Resolved, That we still adhere as firmly as ever to the principles and measures which dic- tated and governed the course of the late admin- istration; and that we derive a high pleasure from the fact that a Democratic Senate is vouch- safed to us as ah impassable barrier between the federal high tariff, bank and paper policy, hopes and designs of the present dynasty, and the gold and silver currency, and low tariff and inde- pendent treasury policy of the people. Resolved That the administration of Gen. Taylor, as far as it has proceeded upon its mis- sion, has uablushingly falsified every promise and grossly violated every pledge given before the election by its nominal chief; that a party which can go before the country upon one set of issues, and immediately after its installation into power enter upon the practice of another set, is more than ever deserving of the reproba- tion of the world, and of the continued and uncompromising hostility of the Democratic party. Resolved, That General Taylor, for the part which he has played, or has been made to play in this d sgiaceful game of deception, has dis- pirited a want of honest principle or weakness of mind and character, which equally disquali- fies him for the place he holds, and fully justi- fies the worst predictions ever made agains! his fitness for the Presidency; and that, although we may once have admired the soldier in the tented field, we are now reluctantly brought to condemn and to repudiate the cipher in the cabinet of the country. Resolved, That the removals in this State have been made without cause and in direct viol ation of the professions of General Ta_\ lor, before the election; and that the appointments which have followed have been made in equal violation of the same professions. Resolved, That the appointment of a bureau officer from this State, in the person of Fitz Henry Warren, is an act deseiving the censure and undistinguished condemnation which it is receiving from a large mij.iriiy of the Whigs of Iowa; and that his retention in oflice, in the face of these open and emphatic exiiressious of HISTORY OF IOWA. public disgust, is well calculated to prepare the mind of every one to be surprised at nothing, in the way of moral turpitude, which may mark the future character of General Taylor's admin- istration. Resolved, That the Democrats who have been removed from office in this State by the federal and proscriptive administration now in power, retire from iheir respective posts without re- proach from government, and with the unim- paired coutidence and respect of the Democracy of the Stale. Resolved, That we deprecate any separate and sectional organ izutions, in any portion of the country, having for their object the advocacy of an isolated point involving feeling, and not fact— pride, and not principle, as destructive to the peace and happiness of the people and dan- gerous to the stability of the Union. Resolved, That inasmuch as the Territories of New Mexico and California come to us free, and aie free now by law, it is our desire that they should remain forever free; but that until it is proposed to repeal the laws making the country free, and to erect others in their stead for the extension of slavery, we deem it inexpedient and improper to add to the further distraction of the public mind by demaudiug, in the name of the Wilmot Proviso, what is already ami)ly secured by the laws of the land. The Whig.si met in convention June 30, at Iowa City, where they nominated the following ticket: President of Board, Thomas J. McKean; Secretary, William M. Allison; Treasurer, Henry G. Stewart. The following platform was adopted: Resolved, That this convention has unlimited confidence in the integrity, ability and patriotism of the people's President, General Zachary Tay- lor. The illustrious services he has rendered his country in forty years' devotion to her in- terests and her glory in the field, and the abun- dant evidence he has given since his inaugura- tion as Chief Magistrate of the Republic, of the possession of eminent administrative talents, afford a sure guaranty that his administration will be devoted to the highest and best interests of the country, the whole couutiy, and nothing but the country. With such a lender, one who has successfully encountered every danger, whether in front, rear or rank, we may look with conlidence to the speedy lestoratiou of the country to her true Republican destiny. Resolved, That, in the opinion of this meet- ing, the recent demonstration of public senti- ment inscribes on the list of executive duties, in characters too legible to be overlooked, the task of reform, and the correction of those abuses which have brought the patronage of the Federal Government into conflict with the freedom of election; and that as vacancies by death are few, by resignation none, the task of reform and the correction of those abuses can be accom- plished only by remov d ; and we regard the wail- ings of the locofoco press at the salutary and essential changes which the administration has seen proper to make, as involving a disregard of the important truth here referred to, and a contempt of the first principles of Democracy. Resolved, That the welfare and interests of the people of Iowa imperatively require an amend- ment to the State Constitution, by which the incubus, imposed in some of its provisions upon their resources and prosperity, shall be removed. Resolved, That the people have a right to demand that this question shall be submitted to them for their action, and in the judgment of this convention they will be recreant to their interests if they do not visit their condemnation upon a party that, with professions of Democ- racy perpetually upon its lips, has shown itself in practice to be destitute of the true principles of Democracy. Resolved, That the course of the dominant party of this State, in the late General Assemldy, in its daring assaults upon the most sacred pro- vision of the constitution; in the outrage which it committed against the great principles of civil and religious liberty, in depriving one of the counties of the State, as a punishment for the free exercise by its voters of the elective fran- chise of the rights of representation, in ex- cluding it from all the judicial districts of the ^<5 ^ illSTORY OF IOWA. State, and in its flagitious attempt to destroy its organization altogether, and to excommunicate its inliabitants, indiscriminately, from the pro- tection of civil society; in its contemptuous refusal to allow the people of the State the priv- ilege of expressing their opiuiou on the sul^ject of a convention to amend the State constitution; In its refusal to instruct the Senators in Con- gress from this State to favor the policy of the Wilmot Proviso, by excluding tlie institution of slavery from our newly acquired Territory; in its attempt to create new offices, not demanded by the public interest, as a sort of pension to partisan favorites — offices which would have im- posed new burdens in the shape of increased t:ixation without any corresi)onding benefit, — and in its reckless prodigality ot the public money, should consign it to the perpetual con- demnation of a free people. Resolved, That we are opposed to the exten- sion of slavery into territory now free, and that we believe it to be the duty of the Fedrral Gov- ernment to relieve itself of the responsibility of that institution, wherever it has the constitu- tionitl authority so to do; and that the legislation necessary to efEect those objects should be adopted. Resolved, That for the compliment paid to our State, in the appointment of one of our fellow- cilizeus to the important office of Assistant Postmaster, the President is entitled to our thanks. Besoloed, That we commend the ticket pre- sented by this convention to the people of this State for their cordial support. Patterson was elected President over McKean by a majority of 712 out of a total vote of 22,632. The Whigs met in convention May 15, 1850, at Iowa City, and made the follow- ing nominations: Governor, James L Thompson; Secretary of State, Isaac Cook; Auditor of State, William- H. Seevers; Treasurer of State, Evan Jay; Treasurer of Board of Public Works, James Nosier. The resolu' ions adopted were as follows: Resolved, That every day's experience vindi- cates the sentiment proclaimed by the Whig State Convention last year, that the wt-lfare and interests of the people of Iowa imperatively require an amendment to the State constitution, by which the incubus imported in some of its provisions upon their resources and prosperity shall be removed. Resolved, That the people have a right to de- mand that this question shall be submitted to them for their action, and in the judgment of this convention they will be recreant to their interests if they do not so determine by their votes at the approaching election. Resolved, That we have undiminished confi- dence in the integrity, ability and patriotism of the people's President, General Z. Taylor, and in the wisdom of the policy by him recom- mended to Congress. . Resolved, That the Whigs of the country owe it to themselves and the great principles they profess to cherish, to give the President a Con- gress disposed to co-operate with him in his patriotic purposes to serve the country, instead of pursuing a factious opposition to the bitter end. Resolved, That we cherish an ardent attach- ment to the union of the States, and a firm de- termination to adhere to it at all hazards and to the last extremity. Resolved, That we hail with the highest grati- fication the rising of a new Slate upon the borders of the Pacific, and that we are in favor of its immediate admission into the family of States upon no other conditions than those im- posed by the constitution of the United States, and untrammelled by any question of Territorial legislation. Resolved, That while we hold it to be the duly of all to be ready and willing to stand to and abide by the provisions of the constitution of the United States, we are nevertheless free to re- affirm, as we now do, the opinion heretofore ex- pressed by the Whig party in Iowa, that we are in favor of free men, free territory, and free States. HISTORY OF IOWA. Resolved, That the Surveyor General's office of Wisconsin and Iowa, under the control of the Democratic party, hag been, and is, an engine of vast political power, and that its extensive patronage has been used to subserve the interest of that party. We, therefore, re- spectively and earnestly request of the President of the United States the immediate removal of CAl. Booth, Esq. , the present incumbent, and the appointment of one who will not use the patronage of this office for political ends. Resolved, That we cordially recomnend the candidates nominated by this convention, for the various State offices to be filled at the next August election, to the confidence and support of the people of Iowa. The Democrats met at Iowa City June 12, 1850, and nominated the following ticket: Governor, Stephen Hempstead; Secretary of State, ■ G. W. McCleary; Auditor, Wm. Pattee; Treasurer, Israel Keister; Treasurer Board Public Works, George Gillaspie. The following platform was adopted: Resolved, That the events of the past year, having served to demonstrate the soundness and wisdom of the resolutions adopted by the last Democratic State Convention, we re-assert and re-adopt them, as follows: Resolved, Th.it we recur with pride to the tri- umpliaul success, the splendid achievements and the imperishable renown of the late admin- istration; and that; while we point to these as the glorious results of past labors, we should remember that, as they were gained by a strict adherence to honest principles, and the adoption of an honest policy, they can be sullied or im- paired only by a base abandonment of them upon the altar of expediency, or by a disgrace- ful sui'rt^nder in the form of a cowardly silence. Resolced, That we still adhere, as firmly as ever, to the principles and measures which-dic- tated and governed the course of the late admin- istration; and that we derive a high pleasure from the fact that a Democratic Senate is vouch- safed to us as an impassable barrier between the Federal high-tarifif, bank and paper policy, hopes and designs of the present dynasty, and the gold and silver currency, low taiiff and independent treasury policy of the people. Resolced, That the administration of General Taylor, as far as it has proceeded upon its mis- sion, has unblushingly falsifieJ every promise and grossly violated every pledge given before the election by its nominal chief; and that a party which can go before the country upon one set of issues, and immL-diately after its installation into power enter upon the practice of another set, is more than ever deserving of the reproba- tion of the world, and of the continued and un- compromising hostility of the Democratic party. Resolved, That General Taylor, for the part which he has played, or has been made to play, in this disgraceful game of deception, has dis- played a want of honest principle, or a weakness of mind and character, which equally disquali- fies him for llie place he liolds, and fully justifies the worst predictions ever made against his fit- ness for the Presidency; and that, although we may have once admired the soldier in the tented field, we are now reluctantly brought to con- demn and to repudiate the cipher in the Cabinet of the country. Resolved, That the removals in this State have been made without cause and in dinct violation of the professions of General Taylor before the election; and that the appointments which have followed have been made in equal violation of the same professions. Resolved, That it is as gratifying to the pride as it is creditable to the patriotism of the Dem- ocrats of Iowa, that prominent statesmen of all parties, in seeking for a satisfactory adjustment of the difficulties which unfortunately exist be- tween the slave and non-slaveholding States, are found uniting, in main, on the pol'icy of non- intervention; and while they arrogate to them- selves no right to question the course of other Slates on this subject, they point to the fact, with feelings of unmingled saiisfaction, and they, in co-operating wilh those who are striving t • preserve the Union, are required to "tread no steps backward." 7U HISTORY OF IOWA. Resolved, That, regarding the preservation of our happy form of government as paramount to all other considerations, and believing that the threatened danger may be averted, we approve of the bill recently introduced into the United Stales Senate by the Cumuiittee of Thirteen, generally known as the "Curnpromise Bill." Resolved, TU.it, as this bill authorizes the im- mediate admission of C.iliforni.i, organizes the Territories of New Mexico and Utah, provides for the settlement of the Texan boundary ques- tion, enforces the provisions of the constitution with regard to the reclamation of persons escaping from service, aud abolishes the slave trade in the District of Columbia, we believe its adoption, as a whole, would be hailed as a peace- ottering by an overwhelming majority of the people; nor is our contidence in the wisdom of the measure diminished by the fact that the ultraists of both extremes are found united in opposition to it, but rather increased. Resolved, That the late decision of Secretary Ewing, by which the State of Iowa has been robbed of nearly a mil 'ion of acres of valuable land, and the improviment of her principal interior river, retarded, if not wholly destroyed, is an act which finds no justification in the pre- cedent or usages of the government; that it is a derogation of both the letter and s-^irit of the act of Congress making the donation, and that, in the name of the people of Inwa, we feel called upon to denounce it as illegal and unjust. Resolved, That this decision, taking away from the State, by a Whig administration, the greater portion of a valuable grant, made to it under a Democratic rule, the people of Iowa have suf- fered a wrong which, w hile they have no alterna- tive but submission, thoy cannot but feel most deeply and sensibly that the administration at Washington is not less responsible for the deci- sion than those who defend it; and that it is the duty of the Democracy to arraign them at the bar of public opinion at the approaching election for aiding and abetting in crippling the energies of our young and expanding commonwealth. Resolved, that President Taylor's Cabinet have, in the recent G ilpliin swindle and other specula- tions of the same kind, proven to the world that their promises of retrenchments and reform in the administration of the government were made to deceive the people, and not with the intention of being kept. Resolved, Th-it the present Governor, Secre- taryof State, Auditor and Treasurer, whose terms of office are about to expire, each and all of them, by tiie honest, efhcient and impartial discharge of their duties, deserve the cordial approbation of the people of the State of Iowa. Resolved, That we confidently present the nominees of the convention to the voters of the State of Iowa for their support; and that we, ourselves, will individually use all honorable mgans to secure their election. The official vote on Governor was as fol- lows: Stephen Hempstead, Dem 13,J8G i,083 James L. Thompson, Whig 11,403 William Penn Clark 575 In 1851, for Superintenrient of Public Instruction, the Democrats nominated Thomas H. Benton, while the Whigs sup- ported William G. Woodward, an Inde- pendent candidate. Benton was elected by a majority of 1,351. In 1852 the Whigs were early in the field, meeting in convention at Iowa City, February 26, and placing in nomination the following ticket: Secretary of State, J. W. Jenkins; Auditor of State, Asbury Porter; Treasurer of State, Hosea B. Horn. The following platform was adopted: Resolved, That we most cordially approve of the administration of President Fillmore, and have the fullest confidence in the executive ofliccrs of our government, and that the admin- istration of our foreign and domestic affairs deserves our highest admiration and firmest support; and we have the assurance that under such an administration our lepublic will always be safe. ^ 149 HISTORY OF IOWA. Resolved, That our wannest gralitiide is due to those of whatsoever political party, who have, /for the last two years, battled for the union of these States, and that we now regard the question out of which our apprehension of disunion arose as settled no^D and forever. Resuleed, That we rejoice to see our Demo- cratic fellow-citizens in the Western States occupj'ing a part of our political platform, es- pecially that relating to currency, to the im- provement of rivers and harbors by appropria- tions from the national treasury, and a revision of the tariff of 1846. Resolved, Thai, as by alone followinc the advice of the illustrious Father of our Country lor three-quarters of a century, our nation is 1 rosperous and happy, we are still for adhering to that whic-h teaches us to be at peace with all nations, ard to form entangling alliances with none. Resolved, That the delegates to the National Convention be left free to act according to their own judgment, when they meet their brethren in the Natiotal Convention, to nominate candi- dates for President and Vice-President of the United States, according to the lights that there may be presented, anc^ so to act as to harmonize conflicting claims and interests, and to maintain the integrity of the Whig party and the ascend- ancy of Whig principles. Ifesolved, That it is the opinion of this con- vention that a convention to revise the constitu tion of the States should be called at as early a day as is practicable; and, with a view to the advancement of this object, it is hereby recom- mended to State and local candidates in every part of the State to make this issue distinctly and strongly before the people. Resolved, That this convention request the executive committee of the State, and ot each county and of each district composed of several counties, to effect a comidete and iffii-ient or- Lianization of the AVhig parly in their respective counties and districts. The Democratic convention met May 28th, at Iowa city, and nominated the fol- lowing ticket: Secretary of State, Geo. W. McCleary; Auditor, William Pattee; Treasurer, M. L. Morris. The following ]ilatforra was adopted: Resolved, That paramount to all questions of a party or sectional nature, we are in favor of "The Union now and forever." Resolved, That to carefully regard the rights of States, is the only possible way to strengthen and perpetuate our glorious confederacy. Resolved, That a strict construction of the Constitution of the United States is the only safeguard for the rights of the States, and that we fully recognize the doctrine of the Virginia and EentU' ky resolutions of 17118 and 1799 and the Baltimore platform of 1844. Resolved, That we are oppo.srd to a national bank, a high protective tariff and all measures and monopolies of a like nature, and are in favor of the independent treasury and tariff of 1836. Resolved, That we are opposed to a wasteful, extravagant and corrupt system of internal im- provements; but hold that improvements of a national characli-r may properly be made with the nation's money, and that, in justice, the general government, as a great landholder in the ^t ites, should contribute of her huge domain to those public enterpiises by \\hich her interests are secured and promoted and the value of that domain enhanced. Resolved, That we are in favor of the " com- promise" as a final settlement of the question which has so long agitated the country upon the subject of domestic slavery. Resolved, That we arc opposed to " nullifica- tion" oi evcii' kind, whether in the legislature of Vermont, 'r in the latitude of South Carolina, and are in favor of a faithful execution of laws of Congn ss until they are repealed, or declared inoperative by the proper tribunals of the country. Resolved, That our adopted citizens well deserve the poliiie.il blessings which are now extended to them by the existing naturaliza- HISTORY OF IOWA. 4, tiou laws passed by our Democratic forefathers, and we are opposed to any alter.ition of them sougl.t for by native "Americanism." Jirsnlced, That we are opposed to the nomi- nation of a candidate for the Prisidency upon the naked idea 'f availability, but are in favor of a candidate whose principles are known to be national and in conformity to tiie timti-honored tenets of the Dumocralic party. Resolted, That we are in favor of the nominee of the BrtltiuK re convention, as our candidate for the Presidency, and to such nominee we pledge our hearty and individual support. In regard to State policy — Resolved, That we heartily concur in the great principles of judicial and financial reform which are agitating the civilized world, and which have to some extent been recognized by the adoption of our revi&ed code; but at the same time repro- bate many of tlie provisions as destructive of the great ends sought after, and earnestly recom- mend a thorough revision of all obnoxious fea- tures. The official vote for Secretary of State was as follows: George Q.McCleary, Dem 16,834—1,857 J.W. Keukins, Whig 15,037 In 1853 the Democrats inaugurated the campaign by nominating David C. Cloud for Attorney General, and adopting the following resolutions: Resolved, That the delegates this day in con- vention assembled, congratulate the Democracy of the Union, upon the emphatic verdict of the people in favor of Democratic principles, as ex- pressed in the election of Franklin Pierce and Wm. R. King, to the Presidency and Vice-Pres- idency of tliis Republic. Resolved, That we recognize as principles car- dinal in the Democratic faith: "The election of all officers by the people." "The limits of State indelitcdness." 'Equal taxation" — cocipelling the pr:>perty of the rich, invested in stock, to bear its pr iporlion of the public burthen of con- tribution to the taxes of the State. The restraint of the legisl itive power — confining it to the legitimate subject of general legislation, and the crowning glory of repeal, which secures the people sovereign from ever becoming slaves to any law or charter passed by their servants. Resolved, That a wise political economy de- mands a more liberal system uf disposing of the public lands, and that the prosperity of the country, and the happiness of individuals would be eminently promoted by the passage of a law giving the public domain in limited quantities to actual settlers at a price covering the cost of survey an,l other necessary expenses. Resolved, That no species of industry should be fostered to the injury of another, that no class of men should be taxed directly or indi- rectly for the benefit of another; that every de- scription of industry should stand or fall on its own merits, and that cunimerce should be uufet- teied, and, like the air, free. Resolved, That tlie Democracy of Iowa adhere to the known and long-established doctrines of the partj relative to the currency. Resolved, That to the Democratic, Republican, State and federal institutions, resting on univer- sal suffrage and universal eligibility to office, do these United States owe their unexampled pros- peiity among nations, and that it is our duty to sympathize with every pe^^ple struggling against tyrants for freedom. Mr. Walker introd iced the following resolutions, which, on motion, were adopt- ed : Resolved, That the present Commissioner of the DesMuines Improvement, General V. P. Van Antwerp, by the fidelity, energy and ability with which he has discharged the duties of his respon- sible position, is entitled to the highest esteem and gratitude of the people of this State. Resolved, That to his faithful and judicious eflcirts we are indebted to the final grant by llie general government of the fund for the Des Moines River Improvement, sufficient and ample to ensure a completion of the work, and develop the resources of the DesMoines Valley. ^' 150 HISTORY OF IOWA. Re.ioloed, That in prosecuting the uegntiatlons for the State, he has displayed unsurpassed per- severance, industry and discretion against the most trying discouiagements and embarassments, and that he has not only faithfully improved every opportunity to advance the interests of his trust, but has signalized his term of service by measures wliicU will identify his name with the successful completion of the public works. Resolved, Thirefore, that in his voluntary re- tirement from the office which he hasso ably tilled, we hereby tender to him, in convention of the Democracy of the State, the endorsement, "Well done, good and faithful servant." The NMiigs made no nomination, but supported Samuel A. Ivice for the office of Attorney-General. Cloud was elected over Rice by 7,5(34. In 1854 the Democrats convened on the 9lh of January, at Iowa City, placed the following ticket in the tield, and adopted a platform: Governor, Curtis Bates; Secre- tary of State, Geo. W. McCleary; Auditor of State, Joseph L. Sharp; Treasurer of State, Martin L. Morris; Attorney-General, David C. Cloud; Supt. of Public Instruc- tion, Jas. D. Eads. The following is the platform : Jiesolced, That we, the delegates of the various counties of Iowa, in State Democratic Conven- tion assembled, do hereby re affirm and pledge ourselves to the principles of the Baltimore Na- tional Convention of 18.'52, and that we hold and cons der them as constituting the true platform of the Democratic platform, and aa fundamental and essential with all true Democrats. Resalved, That we look upon ourselves as members of the real National Deniocratic party, a parly radically identical in all parts of the Union; and that we have no sectional views to gratify, no selfish designs to accomplish, but are wholly devoted to the Union, harmony and success of the cause; we therefore repudiate all disaffection on sectional or personal grounds, and denounce all bickering among ourselves and most earnestly recommend "union, har- mony, concession and compromise," as a nucleus for universal observance Resolved. That we have increased confidence in tlie talents, and in the integrity and patriotism of ErauUlin Pierce, that his admiuislmliou of the g.ivernmeut have been distinguished by wisdom, firmness and unwavering adherence to its sound Democratic principles; that he has fully redeemed the pledges given to the Ameri- can people, previous to his election. Resolved, That we regard tl.e right of instruc- tion ris the sheet anchor, the main pillar ol our freedom; and that wu are determined never to surrender it, but to the last stand by and defend it, convinced, as we thoroughly are, that it is only by frequent and rigid exercise of this in- valuable privilege that the Democratic character of this government can be preserved, and we believe the agent who disobeys to be unworthy the confidence of his constituents, and that he ought to resign his seat. Resolved, That the liberal principles embodied by Jefferson in the Declaration c f Independence, and sanctioned in the constitution, which makes ours the land of liberty and the asylum of the oppressed of every nation, have ever been cardi- nal principles in the Democratic faith, and every attempt to abridge the privilege of becom- ing citizens and the owners of soil among us, ought to be resisted with the same spirit which swept the alien and sedition laws from our statute books. Resolved, That in the recent develoj mcnt of the grand political truth of the sovereignty of the people, and their capacity and power of self-government, we feel that a high and sacred duty is devolved with increased responsibility upon the Democratic parly of this country as the party of the people, to sustain and advance among us constitutional "liberty, equality and fraternity," by continuing to resist all monopo- lies and exclusive legislation for the benefit of the few, at the expense of the many, and by vigilant and constant adherence to those prin- ciples and Compromises and strong to upheld the Union as it was, the Union as it is, and the HISTORY OF IOWA. Union as it slwuld be, in the full expansion of the energies and capacity of this great anj pro- gressive people. Resolved, That we look upon the speedy or- ganization of Nebraska Terdtory as a highly important object, and that its northern boundary should coincide, or nearly so, with the latitude of the northern boundary of Iowa. Resolved, That we hereby pledge ourselves to abide the decision of this convention, and to use all honorable means to secure the election of the nominees. • Resolved, That the proceedings of this con- vention be published in all the Democratic papers iu the State, and copies be sent to the President, heads of depart meuts, and to our Representatives in Congress. The Whig8 met at Iowa City, February 22, and nominated the following ticket: Governor, James W. Grimes; Secretary of State, Simeon Winters; Auditor of State, Andrew Jackson Stephens; Treasurer, Eliplialet Price; Attorney-General, James W. Sennett. The following is the jilal- f orm : Resolved, That an experience of seven years under our present constitution has demonstrated that that instrument is not suited to the politi- cal, the agricultural and commercial wants of the State or the Spirit of the age; that the wants of the people demand a constitution making liberal provisions for the promotion of works of internal improvement, and providing, also, for a well regulated system of banking, which will relieve the people of this State from the onerous and oppressive burden they now suffer in the shape of indirect taxation paid to the banks of others States, whose money is in circulation among us. Resolved, That, in common with the Whig party throughout the Union, we recognize the binding force and obligation of the act of Con- gress of 1820, known as the Missouri Conijjro- mise, and we view the same as a compact between the North and South, mutually binding and obligatory, and as a final settlement of the question of slavery within the geographical limits to which it applies. Resolved, That we most unqu.ilifiedly and emphatically disapprove of the etlorts now being made in Congress to legislate slavery into the free Territory of Nebraska, and we do most heartily recommend to our Senators and Repre- sentatives iu Congress to oppose by all honor- able means the passage of the Nebraska Bill, as reported by Senator Douglas, of Illinois; and that we cannot otherwise look upon the pretense by Mr. Douglas and his aiders and al)ettors, that "the 8th section of the Missouri Compromise is su])pressed by the acts of 1850," than as a propo- sition totally unreasonable and absurd on its face, conceived it bad faith and prompted by an ignoble ana most unworthy ambition for party and personal political preferment; and that we do, as citizens of the West and the free State of Iowa, most earnestly desire to see an immediate organization of Nebraska Territory, without any infringement of the solemn compact of 1820 commonly called the Missouri Compro- mise. Resolved, That, as Whigs and citizens of the great valley of the Mississippi, we are heartily in favor of that well regulated Whig policy of liberal appropriations by the geneial govern- ment, for works of internal improvement of a national character, and that we view all navi- gable waters in the country, whether rivers or inland seas, as eminently national in their char- acter, and recommend to our Senators and Representatives in Congress to endeavor, by all honorable means, to procure appropriations for such purposes, and especially for the removal of obstructions to navigation in the Mississippi river. Resolved, That we view the proposition of Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, to effect an improvemeiu by the levying of tonnage du- ties on the internal commerce of the country, as entirely inadequate to the accomplishment of such a purpose, and only calculated to impose heavy and unjust burdens on the people of the West, in the shape of indirect taxation, without HISTORY OF IOWA. sociuiiig to tbem any of the proposed advan- tafrcs. ReHolfe'l. That we unreservedly and cordially approve of the course and conduct of the Hon. Jdlin P. Cook, our Representative in Congress from the Second Congressional District, and we hereby pledfie ourselves to sustain him in his able and independent course. WiiKUEAS, The object of our educational sys- tem was to place the means of a common school education within the reach of all; and Where.^s, Under its present management more than one third of the proceeds of the fund set apart to cherish an I maintain that sys- tem is annually absorbed by its constitutional guardians, subjecting it to a loss, in the year 1851, of 110,751.40 to pay the salaries and ex- penses of the Superintendent of Public Instruc- tion and Commissioners of the School Fund, and leaving only the sum of $20,600.11 to be dis- tributed among the public schools; and WnEUEAS, The duties of said officers may all be discharged by other State and county officers, without anyor«*ith but a trifling expense to said fund; therefore, Resoloed, That sound policy and enlightened philanthro|iy demand such legislation and amendmelit to our constitution as will preserve this fund inviolate to the purposes origii'ally intended as an inheritance, to our children and their posterity. Resolced, That we are in favor of a donation, by Congress, of public lands, in limited qu^ioti- ties, to actual settlers. Resoloed, That we believe the people of this State are prepared for, and their interests re- quire, the passage of a law prohibiting the man- ufacture and sale of ardent spirits within the State as a beverage. The official vote on Governor was as fol- lows: .1 ancs W . Grimes, Whig 23.0'25 1,823 Curtis Bates, Pem 21,202 The election of 1855 was for minor offi- cers. The Democrats met in convention, Jai:uary 24, at the Capitol, and nominated the following ticket: Commissioner Des Moines River Irapiovement, O. D. Tisdale; Register DesMoines River Improvement, Wm. Dewey; Register Land Office, Stark H. Samuels. The following is the plat- form adopted: Whereas, It is in accordance with the Dem- ocratic party, to declare, from time to time, its views upon the various political principles that occupy the attention of the country; therefore, Resolved, That there has been a period in thfl history of our country, when we could with more confidence proclaim to the world our entire adherence to and ajjpioval of the old landmarks of the Democratic party. 2. That the temporary success of our foes being a result of an abandonment of principles on their part, and of the aggression of discordant elements, brought together for mercenary ends, affords no grounds for alarm; but confident of the correctness of our principles, and of the in- tegrity of the masses, we appeal to the sober, second thought of the peo.ile with no fears as to the verdict they may render. 8. That we declare our firm determination to sustain the principles recognized as correct, in reference to slaverj' agitation, to support the constitution faithfully, to carry out its provis- ions, and dii^countciiance all incendiary move- ments that tend to the overthrow of our govern- ment, from whatever source they may originate. 4. That the efforts being made to colonize free negroes in their native land, is a measure that commends itself to every philanthropist as being the only favorable plan for the ultimate accomplishment of the first wish of every friend of freedom. 6. That we endorse, to the fullest extent, the compromise measure of 1850, believing those measures to be conslilutional, just, and proper. 6. That in changing his domicile from one portion of a republican ;:overnment to another, man does not divest himself of his political, moral or natural rights, nor can he be deprived V HISTORY OF IOWA, of Ihcm (ithcrwise than as he has consented to constitutionally. 7. That the liberal principles embodied by Jeft'erson, in the Declaration of Independence, ■ and sanctioned in the constiiution, which makes ours the land ol liberty and the asylum of the op- pressed of every ualiun, have ever been cardinal principles in ihe Democratic faith, and every at- tempt to abridge ihe right of becoming citizens and the owners of soil among us ought to be re- sisted wilh the same spirit that swept the alien and sedition laws from the statute books. b. That we adhere to the doctrine of an un- restrained religious liberty, as established by the constiiution of ihe United Slates, and sustained by all Democratic administrations. The Whigs held their last State conven- tion at Iowa City, January 25, 1855, and, without resolutions, made the following nominations: Commissioner on DesMoines Eiver Improvement, Wm. McKay; Regis- ter DesMoines River Improvemeut, J. C. Lock wood; Register Land Office, Anson Har.. The official vote for Commissioners was as follows: William McKay, Whig 24,743—4,737 O. D. Tisdale, Dem 20,006 A vote was taken this year on the pro- hibition liquor law, with the following re- sult: For the law 25,55.5—2,910 Against the law 22,645 While the Whig party in. this State ap- parently was in a well organized condition, throughout the Union it was undergoing a process of disintegration. In the South it was being absorbed by the American or Know Nothing party, and in the North by the newly organized Republican party, born out of the issues growing out of the slavery question. Representatives of the Republican party met in convention at Iowa City, February 2-2, 1856, and selected the following ticket: Secretary of State, Elijah Sells; Auditor, John Patten; Treas- urer, M. L. Morris; Attorney General, S. A. Rice. The following platform was adopted at the same time and place. United in a common resolveto maintain right against wrong, and believing in the determina- tion of a virtuous and intelligent people to sus- tain justice, we declare — 1. That governments are instituted among men to secure the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 3. That the mission of the Republican party is to maintain the liberty of the press, the sov- ereignty of the State, and the perpetuity of the Union. 3. That under the constitution, and by right, freedom is alone national. 4. That the federal irovernment, being one of limited powers, derived wholly from the consti- tution, its agents should coustiue these powers strictly, and never exercise a doubtful authority — always inexpedient and dangerous. 5. If the plan is Jeffersonian, and the early policy of the government is carried out, the fed- eral government would relieve itself of all re- sponsibility for the existence of slavery, which Republicanism insists it should and means it shall do, and that regarding slavery in the State as a local institution, beyond eur reach and above our authority, but recognizing it as of vital con- cern to every citizen in its relation to the nation, we well oppose its .«pread, and demand that all national territory shall be free. 6. That the repeal of the Missouri Compro- mise, and the refusal of the slave power to abide by the principles on which that repeal was pro- fessedly based, make the national domain the battle ground between freedom and slivery; and while Repubiicans stand on a national basis, and will ever manifest and maintain a national spirit they will shrink from no conflict and shirk no responsibility on this issue. 7. That the slave power, the present national administration and its adherents, having violated >^« I s r HISTORY OF IOWA. this policy, and the pnncii)les on -n-liicb it is based, by a disHegard of the law and its own profession, by enjroachments upon the State and personal rights, and by breaking solemn covenants of the country, make the iss;ie whether freedom shall be limited to the tree States, or slavery to the slave States, and make that issue absorbing and paramount. Resoloed, That the firm, consistent, and l)atriotic course pursued by the Republican numbers of the present Congress, during the arduous protracted struggle for the speakership, meets with our cordial approval, aud we recog- nize ill Hon. N. P. B:aikc a statesman of mature abililies, a Republican of reliable character; and we hail his elecli!e not embracing or recognizing these is liny part or parcel of the Democratic creed; that Democracy is equnlity against privilege, freedom against aristocracy , liberty against licentinus- ness. strict construction against latitudinarian interpretations of the constitution, Inw and order against anarchy and violence, and the peace, har- nionj', prosperitj' and perpetuity of our glorious Uniou to the end of time. The entire Republican ticket was elected. Sells, for Secretary of State, received 40,- 687 votes and Snyder 32,920. There were three elections in 1857 — the first in April, for Superintendent of Public Instruction, Register of Land Otlice and De>Moines River Commissioner; the sec ond in August, for the purpose of a vote on the new constitution; the third in Octo- ber, for Governor and Lieutenant Gov- ernor. The Democrats nominated the following ticket: Superintendent Public Instruction, Maturin L. Fisher; Register, Theodore S. Parvin; DesMoines River Commissioner, Gideon Bailey; Governor, Benj. M. Samuels; Lieutenant-Governor, Geo. Gillaspie. The Republicans nominated the follow- ing ticket: Superintendent Public In- struction, L. A. Bugbee; Register, W. H. Holmes; DesMoines River Commissioner, H.F. Manning; Governor, Ralph P.Lowe; Lieutenant-Governor, Orau Faville. The following Republican platform was adopted: United in a common resolve to maintain right against wrong, and believing in the determina- tion of a virtuous and intelligent people to sus- tain justice, we declare: 1. That governments are instituted among men to secure the inalienable rights of life, lib- erty and tte pursuit of happiness. i. That the mission of the Republican party is to maintain the liberties of the people, the sovereignty of the States and the perpetuity of the Union. 3 That under the constitution, and by right, freedom alone is national. 4. Tliat the Federal Government being one of limited powers, derived wholly from the con- HISTORY OF IOWA. stitulion, ils agent- sliould construe tbose powers strictly, and uever exercise a doubtful autburity, uhvays inexp(^dient and dangerous. 5. Tbat if this Jeffersonism and early policy were cairied out, the Federal Government would relieve itself of all respousibiiily for the exist- ence of slavery, which Republicanism insists it should, and means it shall do, and that regard- ing slavery in the States as a local institution, beyond our reach, and above our authority, but recognizing it as of vital concern to the nation, we still oppose its spread, and demand that all national territory nhuU be free. 6. That the repeal of the Missouri compro- mise, and the refusal of the slave [.ower to abide by the principle on which that repeal was pro- fessedly based, made the national domain the battle ground between freedom and slavery, and while Republicans stand on a national basis, and maintain a national spirit, they will shirk no responsibility on this issue. 7. That the slave power — the present national administration and its adherents having violated this policy, and the principles on which it is based, by a disregard of law and its own pro- fessions, by an inv..sion of the State and per- sonal rights, and by breaking solemn covenants, has forced upon the country the issue whether freedom shall be limited to the free States or slavery to the slave States, and makes that issue absorbing and paramount. Resolved, That the recent opinicm of the Su- preme Court of the United States, in the Dred Scott case, is the most alarming of those bold innovations upon the rights of the free States which have marked the administration of the government for years past, as sectional and disloyal to the spirit of our free institutions. We regard it as virtually revolutionizing the judicial action of the government, if tolerated; by giving to s'avery a national instead of a local character; opening free States and free Terri- tories for its diffusion; reducing to the condi- tion of chattels those who are recognized by the constitution as men, belying the sentiments of the Declaration of Independence, and casting reproach upon the action of those who, amid toil and peril, laid deep the formation of the Union. 2 That the National Administration has brought disgrace upon the country by so long tolerating the demoralizing and heaven-defying practices of Brigham Young and his followers in Utah. The ei ibarrassment experienced by the present administration in reaching :.nd cor- recting the evil, is mainly attributed to the doc- trine embodied in the Kansas Ncbr.iska Bill, and the retention of the U. S. soldiery in Kansas to overawe unoflVnding men, instead of sending them to Utah, where the authority of the gen- eral government is bn.zenly detied, is humili- ating evidence of perversion of the powers of the national government. 3. That we invite the affiliation and co-opera- lion of Ireemen of all parties, however difEering from us in other respects, in support of the principles herein declared, and believing that the S|iirit oi our institutions as well as the con- stitution of our country, guarantee liberty of conscience and equality of rights among citi- zens, we oppose all legislation impairing their security. 4. That we congratulate the people of Iowa upon the new constitution, for many reasons, but most of all in view of the fact that it enables them to provide for themselves a sound currcuc}', and places the annual election in October instead of August, thus consulting the convenience of an agricultural population. . 5. That it is a deliberate conviction of this convention, that the next Legislature should provide a system of banking that will secure to the State a circulating medium, redeemable at all times, within its limits, in gold and silver; and we will support for State officers and the Legis- lature such, and such only, as are avowedly qualified favorable to this result. 6. That the administration of Governor Grimes deserves and receives our warmest en- dorsement, and that the thanks of all who love the character and prosperity of the State, are due to him, as well as to the Legislature, for their eflbrts to bring to justice a dishonorable public servant, defeat speculation, and prevent 156 HISTORY OF IOWA. the squunileiing of llic fund consfcr.ited to the educiition of the children of the State. 7. That in the nominees for Governor and Lieutanant-Governor we recognize men capable and honest, and every way worthy the support of the liejublican parly of this Slate. Tlie Democrats adopted the following platform : As to national policy — 1. That we have undiminished confidence in the present admini-trution. That the policy ado|iled is eminently wise and proper, and should Command the support and approval of every rational u.an. 2 That the opposition to President Buchanan is now composed of the fire eaters of ihe South and the Black Republicans of the North, who are vieingwith each other in abusing the aamin- istn'lion and Democratic party. We tlierefore place lliem in the same category, and brand them as a united opposiiion, and will treat them alike as faclionists, disunionists and ene- mies of the Democracy and the country. 3. Tliit we will maintain and preserve the Constitution of the United States, with all its checks and balances, and that treaties made by the President and Senate, laws passed by Congn-ss under the Constitution, and decisions made by the Supreme Court of the United States, are equally binding on the people, and must be maintained in order to preserve the country from anarchy, and that it is the duty of eveiy citizen to sustain these departments of government agaiust the assaults of bigots, fanat- ics and traitors. As to State policy — 1. That we will preserve and maintain the insiitutions of this State in a jnst lelation and hajmony toward the general goverr.ment, and we repudiate and condemn any effort that ha> bien made, or may be made, which asserts the right or remotely lends to bring our State into collision orcouflict with the general government. 3. That the conflict of ihe Black Republican party, acting through their Representatives in passing a law authorizing the Kegroes and In- dians to become witnesses against the citizens of this State, was an unjustifiable innovation upon the laws of the State, passed without ne- cessity, and the first step towards a system to equalize the black and white races. 3. The late Constitutional Convention, com- posed of a large majority of Black Ripublicau members, openly advocated the equality of the black and while people, and unanimously lecom mended, through an appendage to the constitu- tion, that the word "white" be stricken from that insliumert; we, therefore, feel free to charge upon that parly the design and purpose of abolitionizing Ihe people of this State, and I lacing the negro upon an equality with the while man. 4. That the National Democracy of Iowa re- gard the new constitution just adopted by the people, in many of its features, as essentially anti-Democratic, unjust, and containing prin- ciples that tend to subvert the distinction be- tween the black and white races; and looking to equality between them. We, therefore, now proclaim open and undis- guised hostility to each and every action and part of said instrument which contains these ob- no.xious provisions, and wc here raise the stand- ard of opposition and refoim, and call upon every true patriot in the Slate to carry these questions to the ballot-box, and to elect ofiicers for government of the Slate who will take every honorable measure to reform acd amend said constitution. o. That the laws of the last Legislature ap- portioning the State into Kepiesentative districts and the adoption of that law by the lale Black Republican Constitutional Convention, by which the majority of the members of the General Assembly are given to a minority of the people, and many thousands of our citizens are virtually disfranchised, was a tyrannical and llagitious outrage, — a violation of every principle of a Republican Government, — and demands the seveiest rebuke from the people; that we lucog- nize in these proceedings a manifest conspiracy against the rights of the majority, and a wanton violation of ihe principles of our Republican form of Government. lilSTOUY OF IOWA. 6. That the refusal of thu late Constitutional Convention to allow the constitution to become the su|>reiue law of the land, when sanctioned and adopted by a majority of the people, and postponing the taking effect of portions . f the same for more than two years after its adoption, which was avowedly done to withhold political power from I he people, and retain it in the hands of already condemned oflicers, is an insult and an outrage upon the people, and deserving our condemnation. • 7. That the Democracy of the State of Iowa take this method of expressing their gratitude and confidence iu the Hon George W. Jones, our Democratic Senator, and the Hon. A. Hall, late Democratic Representative, for their faith- ful adherence to Democratic principles, and their untiring vigilance for the welfare of our young and proiuising State. Fisher was elected Superintendent over Buzbee by 505 m gorily; Manning over Baily, for t'omniissioner, by 315; Lowe over Samuels, tor Governor, by 2,149. The cam|)aign of 1858 was opened by the Republicans, meeting in convention at Iowa City, June 17, and adopting the fol- lowing platform: WnERE.vs, We, the representatives of the Republicans of Iowa, being again permuted to assemble in State Convention, deem this a fitting occasion to briefly express our views of national and State policy, and to afflrui our adhesinn to the principles of constitutional liberty, for which we have been long and earnestly con- tending. We believe this Republic specially ordained by the blood and treasure of our fore- fathers for the free homes of the mechanic, the operative and the farmer, and we, their f'esccnd- ents, are determined it shall be preserved and administered for our common welfare; and that the great problem of the ability of the people to govern themselves shall be clearly solved in the onward progress and prosperity of our Republi- can constitution; manifesting to the nations of this earth that :he free spirit of tliis nation is uuconquered and unconquerable; therefore, Resolved, That the principles laid down in the Philadelphia platform, adopted on June 17, 1850, are founded upon the Constitution of the United States, are consonant with the teachings of Christianity, and are most heartily endorsed by the convention. 3. That in the contest now waging between freedom and slavery, our sympathies are wholly and strongly with the former»-lhat we have no truce to ofi'er, no mercy to ask, that with us the watchword is victory or death. 3. That the effort made to extend the area of slave territory on this continent, by the Demo- cratic party, is contrary to the spirit of the age and the genius of our institutions. 4. That by the passage of the English swindle for the admission of Kansas into the Union under the infamous Lecompton Constitution, whereby an unjust discrimination is made in favor of slave and against free States in the amount of population required to form a State government, the so-called national Democracy have proven devotion to slavery extension, thi ir opposition to the interests of free labor, and their total disregard of the popular will. 5. That the new doctrine of the so-called Democratic party originated by Chief Justice Taney, in the Dred Scott decision, and carry slavery into our national territory, has no foun- dation in the Federal Constitution, is at war with the verities of our history, civil and judi- cial, and this is calculated to tolerate the en- slaving of our race in all the States. 6. That we view with satisfaction the course of those who, without respect to party feeling, and uninfluc need by the threats and in scorn of the bribes and corrupting influences of the Duchaiian administiation, boldly, and as free- men tigblin^' for freemen's rights, opposed with all Ihi ir might the passage of the Lecompton Constitulion and the English swindle throusih Congress, and we trust that among the people tliere will continue the san;e strong opposition to the encroachments of the slave pnwer, whiih they have so gallantly manifested befoie the uathin. ^s HISTORY OF IOWA. 7. Tb:it we louk forward bo; efully to Ibut good time, not far distant, when it shall be deemed k'sitima'e, proper and constitutional for this government to extend its protecting care over free !al)or, the commerce and industrial inltrcsts of all the country, instead of bending ils whole energies and treasure for the aggrand- izement of a slavebolding aristocracy in one section of the Union. 8. That the corruption which stalks abroad at noonday, pi rvading every department of the National Government, the gross and shameless use of Presidential imwer and patronage to in- fluence the action of Congress, the astounding increase in national expenditures in a time of peace and universal financial embarrassment (involving, as it does, a debt of forty-five mil- lions of dollars, and an expenditure of nearly one hundred millions of dollars during a single financial year), briuLing upon the government the burning disgrace of bankiuptcy and threat- ening the onerous burthens of direct taxation, demand a solemn, earnest protest from us in behalf of the people of Iowa. 9. That the mismanagement and reckless squandering of the school fund of the State by the late Seperintendent of Public luotruclion, and the manner in which this sacred fund has been dealt with in many counties in the Siate, as developed b)' the investigation already insti- tuted, under a Republican State administration, demonstrates the wisdom of that thorough ac- countability and scrutiny provided for by the State Legislature. 10. That we, as Republicans, pledge our- selves to use all honorable eflforts to promote the administration of the State and general government with strict economy and a just regard to the growing interests of our State and Union. 11. That our State should have that consider- ation from the general government to which her resources, power and future prospects entitle her, and that we will demand from the general government five per cent, of the i)roceeds of those lands hitherto entered with land warrants within the State; the improvement of the navi- gation of our great inland seas, and such addi- tional grants of lands to aid the building of railroads through unoccupied portions of Iowa as will upbuild the population and wealth of our State and the general welfare of our cummon country. 12. That the members of this convention heartily eudv^rse the candidates nominated to- day for the vaiious (fficcs, and promise thtir united and zealous support in the ensuing cam- paign, and, if their labors can achieve it, a triumphant election. 13. That the entire Republican delegation in Congress are entitled to the gratitude of the nation for their able and zealous advocacy of true Republican principles; and that our imme- diate Representatives, Messrs. Harlan, Curtis and Davis, have the unqualified approbation of their constituents for the talented and efficient manner in which they have represented the State of Iowa, and especially for the earnest lud uncom))i()mising opposition waged by them against the Lecompton English Bill bribe and other tyrannical abuses of the present adminis- tration. The following ticket was then nomi- nated: Secretary of State, Elijah Sells; Auditor of State, J. W. Caitell; State Treasurer, John W. Jones; Attorney-Gen- eral, S. A. Rice; Register of State Land Office, A. B. Miller; Com. of DesMoines River Improvi inent, Wm. C. Drake. The Democrats met June 2.3 at Des Moines, nominated the following ticket and adopted a platform: Secretary of State, Samuel Douglas; Auditor of State, Theodore S. Parvin; Treasurer of State, Samuel H. Lorah; Attorney-General, Jas. S. Elwood; Commis.sioner DesMoines River Improvement, Charles Baldwin; Register of Land Office, James M. Reid. The following is the platform: The Democrats of Iowa, through representa- tives in State Convention assembled, proclaim their unalterable devotion and adhesion to the principles embodied in the resolutions following: HISTORY OF IOWA. 159 Jiesolced, That we adopt, abide by, and will cherish and defend t).e platform of principles promulgated by the representatives of the De- mocracy of the nation, when assembled in national convention, at Cincinnnti, in June, 18.JG, believing, as we do, that the platform there laid down is bro.id and strong enough to uphold and sustain every tnie patriot, and with such only do we desire comp mionship. 2. That all attempts to engender sectional prejudice and animosities are pregnant with mischief, tend to hinder the progress and devel- opment of our country, and must, if persisted in, lead to the dismc mberment of the union of the States and the destruction of the only free government of the world. 3. That the rights of the people should be maintained alike against the encroachment of federal power, the Z' al of blind partisanitm and wiles of unscrupu ous and demagogue politi- cians, and that ihe office of the Democratic parly is to see these cardinal principals main- tained in their pariy. ""^ 4. That the a;:ilation of the slavery question tends to weaken the bonds of our union by de- stroying toat Confidence vvhicli should exist between the difl'erent States, and begetting sec tional animosiiies, and that it is the duty of all true patriots to frown upon such attempts, and secure, by all honorable means, the discredit alike of the extremists of the South and Nurth. 5. That the decision of the judicial tribunals of the State and Kecieral Government should be itspicied, must be submitted to, obeyed and carried into efl'ect; and that any attempt to set them at defiance is a step toward anarchy and confusion, tends to impair respect for the gov- ernment, and merits the unmeasured cnnden.na- tion of all law-abiding and peaceably disposed citizens. 6. That the outrages recently committed on our shipping by ollicers of the British Govern- ment demands an immediate and unequivocal denial and auulogy; that now is an appropriate tinit to settle finally the question 'of the rights to visit and seiiich vessi-ls D the seas, and in the event an -ajxilogy is refused, the arrogmt pre- tensions of European powers should try the "last resort" of nations, the cannon's mouth, and the world taught the lesson that our flag cannot be degraded, nor our nation insulted with impunity. 7. That the administration of State affairs in low a for the last four years, under Republican rule, is of a character to warrant the most rigid investigation by the people, and that the expo- sure thus far of their speculations, fraud and extravagmce calls for the denunciation of all honest men 8. That an empty treasury, extravagant ex- penditures, and the stifling of 'uvesligation into corruiilion, by Republican ofBcials of Iowa, should be sufficient to arouse t-ix-payers to the enormous outrages perpetrated upon the people's treasury, and absolutely deiuand a change in the administration, that the guilty may be brought to punishment, and our State preserved from utter bankruptcy. 9. That the Democracy of Iowa pledge to the l)e(>ple their earnest, persistent and uuilterable purpose to reform the State government, and to bring to condign punishment whoever may be found guilty of criminal default in any of its departments. The Republicans carried the State by an average majority of 3,000. The Republicans were again first in the field for the State campaign of 1859. They met in convention, June 22, at Des Moines, and nominated the following ticket: Governor, S. J. Kirkwood; Lieu- tenant-Governor, Nicholas J. Rusch; Su- preme Judges, Ralph P. Lowe, L. J. Stockton, Caleb Baldwin. The platform adopted was as follows: Possessing an abiding confidence in the intel- ligence and patriotism of the American people, an unwavering faith in their devotion to the eternal principles of liberty, as they came from the hand and heart of the fathers of the Repub- lic, and invoking the blessing of heaven upon our eS'.irls to maintain them in their purity, we 160 HISTORY OF IOWA. commcud Ihem most cordially to tlii; sympathy and support of the Republicans of Iowa and of the Nation. Resolved, That we entertain an abiding confi- dence in the cardinal doctrines contained in the Republican National platform uf 1856, and re- affijming the same, we commend them anew to the discriminating consideration of the people. 2. That the sum of nearly one hundred mil- lion dollars, supposed to be necessary to sujiport the government under rule of the Africanized Democracy, is incompatible with just ideas of a simple, economical Republican government, and the issue of National shinplasters to meet such demand shows the hopeless financial degreda- tion of the present administration. 3. That we condemn the principles advocated by the Democratic party — no prohibition of slavery in the Terriiories— and pioclaim as our principles, no interferencs with liberty by the President, by Congress or by the federal court. 4. We claim for citizens, native and natural- ized, liberty and conscience, equality of rights and the free exercise of the right of suffrage. We favor whatever legislation and administra- tive reform that may be necessary to protect these rights, and guard against their infiiuge- raent or abuse, and opp se any abridgment whatever of the rights of naturalization now secured to emigrants, and all discrimination between naturalized citizens whatever, by the amendment of the State constitution or other- wise. And we cordially approve of the action taken bj' the Republican Slate Central Commit- tee in regard to the amendment proposed by the Massachusetts Legislature to its constitution. 5. That the Republican party will forever oppose the demand of the touthern Democracy for the enactment of a slave code for the Terri- tories. 6. That we look with horror upon the revival of the slave trade, and view with alarm the apathy and abortive attempts of administration and judiciary in arresting and bringing to trial and justice those who have recently been guilty of ojien infractions of those laws of our country which declare it piracy, and in sending such as have been arrested to places of trial where in- dictment was doubtful and acquiital certain; and while we will oppose, by every just means, the repeal of those laws, we will also insist upon their being hereafter faithfully executed and enforced, even though it involve the exercise of the full power of the federal government. 7. That we arc in favor of granting to actual settlers suitable portions of the public lands free of charge; and we do most unqualifiedly con- demn the course of the present slavery Democ- racy in Congress, in opposing and defeating, in the United States Senate, the Homestead bill, which was designed to secure free homes for free people, whether of native or of foreign birth. 8. That the rights of citizens are equal, and they are equally entitled to protection at home and abroad, without regard to nativity or dura- tion of domicile; and that the late refusal by the federal government, as e.\pressed in the late official communication of Lewis Cass, Secretary of State, to guarantee against arrest and de'eu- tion, abroad, of naturalized citizens, on the ground of their allegiance to foreign power, is a cowardly abandonment of the true and noble position liitherio occupied by our government. 9. That we re-assert, as cardinal principles of Republii anism, the m dntenance of a strict economy in public expenditures, and the prompt and faithful discharge by public ollicers of their public duties; and we congratulate the people of Iowa that the present State officers are honest and enjoy their confidence in the execution of their official duties. 10. That while our State tax has been largely reduced, being less in 185S than the preceding year, and less the present year than in 1858, the increasing county taxation is becoming so bur- dt-nsome as to call imperatively for reform in the system of county administration. Tbe Democrats met at DesMoines, June 23, adopted a platform, aud placed tbe fol- lowing ticket in the field: Governor, A. C. Dodge; Lieutenant-Governor, L. W. Bar- bitt; Supreme Judges, Charles Mason, T. ^ HISTORY OF IOWA. 161 S. Wilson, C.C. Cole. The following is the platform; as to National policy: Whereas, In view of the double relation in wh ch we stand toward ibe federal government on the one hand, and our own State on tbe other, we deem it expedient and proper, before enter- ing upon a contest wbich may, in no small de- gree, influence the character and destinies of both eovernments, to adopt and promulgate the following declaration of piinciples for the gov- ernment of our conduct: ResoUed. That wc affirm the principles of the national Democratic platform of 1856, and re- assert the doctrines of non-intervention therein contained, as the ground upon wbich a national party can be maintained in these confederate States. 2. That the organized Territories of the United States are only held in their Territorial Condition until they attain a sufficient number of inhabitants to authorize their admission into the Union as States, and are justly entitled to self-government and the undisturbed regulation of their own domestic or local affairs, subject only to the constitution of the United States. ' 3 That, inasmuch as the legislative power of the Territories extends undeniably to all right- ful subjects of legislation, no power can prevent them from passing such laws upon the subject of slavery as to them may seem proper, and whether such laws, when passed, be constitu- tional or not, can be finally determined, nit by Congress, but by the Supreme Court on appeal, from the decisions of the Territorial courts. 4. That tlie Supreme Court of the United States, being under the constitution, and an independent co-ordinate branch of the govern- ment, with a tenure of office which cannot be changed by the action of parties, through the instrumentality of Congress, we hold the Democ- racy entirely irresponsible for its doctrines, and in no case conclusively bound by the same, except so far as to inculcate obedience to its decisions while they continue in force. 5. That without courts of justice, both State and national, respected by the people, and sus- tained in their proper functions by popular sen- timent, anarchy and violence become inevitable, and all rights of both person and property be- come insecure and worthless. 6. That the action of the public authorities in some of the States, in attempting to set at defiance by State authority, decisions of the Supinme Court and acts of Congress passed in accordance with the constitution, is the very essence of nullitication. 7. That a tariff for revenue alone is the true policy of this country, but an incidental protec- tion is one of its legitimate consequences. The amount of duties levied should be limited to the necessary wants of the government, and they should be so apportioned as to fall as lightly as possible upon the people, by whom they are eventually to be paid. 8. That it is a doctrine of the Democratic party that all naturalized citizens are entitled to the same protection, both at home and abroad, that is extended to the native-born citizens, and that even a voluntary return of such citizens to ' the land of their birth, for a temporary purpose, does not place them beyond the range of that protection, but that our government is bound to shield them from injury and insult while there, at every hazard. 9. That the expansion of our national domain is desirable whenever it shall be necessary for the safety, happiness and prosperity of the Re- public, and we will hail with pleasure the acqui- sition of the island of Cuba, whenever it can be effected with justice and in accordance with the wishes of the people thereof , and as a nation we can never assent to its appropriation by any of the powers of Europe, and will iucui all the hazards Of war to avert such a result. 10. That the building of a railroad connecting our Atlantic and Pacific coasts, by grants of the public lauds along the line thereof, or by any other constitutional means, will meet with the hearty approval of the Democracy of Iowa. 11. That we are in favor of granting a home- stead of 160 acres of land by Congress to actual settlers, subject only to such restrictions as will exclude speculators from the benefits of such acts. HISTORY OP IOWA. 13. That we are in favor of an economical administialiou of the federal government, and will lend our best efforts to those who advocate reform and retrenchment in our national expen- ditures. 13. That we are unconditionally opposed to the re opening of the African slave trade; that its revival would not only renew those cruelties which once provoked the indignation of the civ- ilized world, but would entail a foul blot ou our country's fair escutcheon. 14. That we cordially tender to the Democ- racy of the Union an invitation to unite with us in maintaining our organization on principles indicated in the foregoing resolutions, and that we earnestly appeal to them to drop past differ- ences, and assemble again as a band of brothers under the panoply of the constitution and Union. As to State policy — Resolved, That the burdens of taxation have increased and are increasing under the present administration of State affairs, and that a com- plete and thorough reform of existing abuses and expenditures is demanded by the highest interests of the people. 2. That the Democracy cordially and sincerely invite emigrants to settle in the State, promising them all the protection and right they have en- joyed under the laws of Congress since the days of Jefferson; and that we earnestly deplore the acts of the Republican party in Massachusetts, and their attempts in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, to confer upon the uncouth, semi-barbarian neero from the South the right of sufl'rage and office in one year, and requiring for the same purpose of the naturalized citizens a residence of two years after naturalization, equivalent to an extension of the period for nat- uralization to seven years, thus degrading the foreign white man below the negro and mulatto. 3. That we are opposed to the policy inaugu- rated in this State by the Republican jiarty, by which the immigration to this State of the Afri- can race is encouraged and promoted, thus bringing cheap negro labor into direct competi- tion with the labor of the white man, and tilling our State with a class of population that can never become citizens thereof; and we are in favor of a chiinge which shall discourage and prevent the settlement of that race among us. 4 That, since the border States of Ohio, In- diana and Illinois exclude the free negroes of the South from their limits by stringent laws, Iowa will become the great receptacle of the worthless population of the slave-holding States, to the exclusion of an equal number of free white laboiers, if the present Republican policy be persisted in. 5. That such a policy leads necessaiily to the intermixing of black and white children in the common schools, or the necessity of dividing the common school fund to maintain separate and independent schools in every locality where free negroes reside. 6. That the Democracy demand a total repeal of the provisions of our State constitution, and the law made in pursuance thereof, requiring negro children to be admitted into our common schools, or separate schools, to be supported out of the common school fund for their education. 7. That the Maine liquor law is inconsistent with the spirit of a free people, and unjust and burdensome in its operations; it has vexed and harrassed the citizen, burdened the counties with expense and litigation, and proven wholly use- less in the suppression of intemperance. 8. That we favor a total change in the present common school system, so as to give the people the full benefits of a common school education without the cumbersome machinery and enor- mous expense which the present system requires. The vote for Governor was as follows: L. J. Kiikwood, Rep. 56,506—2,964 A. 0. Dodge, Dem 58,542 The campaign of 1860 was the most ex- citing one in the history of the State, and, next to that of 1840, the most exciting campaign in the history of the Govern- ment. Abraham Lincoln had been nomi- nated by the Republicans for the Presi- dency; Stephen A. Douglas by the North- ern wing of the Democracy; John C. HISTORY OF IOWA. ^k_ Breckenridge by the Southern wing, and John Bell bj' the Union party. The Re- publicans of Iowa met in convention at Iowa City, May 23d, and selected the fol- lowing named candidates : Secretary of State, Elijah Sells; Auditor of State, J. W. Cattell; State Treasurer, Charles C. Nourse; Register of State Land Office, A. B. Miller. The platform adopted was short, and as follows : Reaohed, That this coDvention approve and endorse the platform of principles laid down by the late Republican convention at Chicago, as the true and sound exposition of Republican doctrine, which we are prepared lo advocate and defend. 2. That, in reference to State policy, the Re- publican party of the State of Iowa are in favor of a rigid economy in the expenditures of the public money, and the holding of all public offi- cers to a strict accountability. 8. That the Republicans of the State of Iowa in convention assi^mbled, do hereby endorse the nominations made at the Chicago convention, of Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois, for President, and Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine, for Vice-President, and pledge to them the undivided support of the party of the State. 4. That this convention have full confidence in the nominations made by it to-day, both for State and national officers, and we recommend them with entire unanimity to the support and confidence of the people of Iowa. The Democrats held their convention July 12, at DesMoines. Their ticket was as follows: Secretary of State, James M. Corse; Auditor of State, Geo. \V. Max- field; Treasurer of State, John W. Ellis; Attorney-General, Wm McClintock; Reg- ister of Land Office, Patrick Robb. Their platform was as follows: Resolved, That the Democracy of Iowa, by their delegates in the State convention assem- bled, do hereby most cordially endorse and approve of the Democratic National Couventiou. which convened at Charleston on the 23d day of April, and which concluded its labors at its adjourned session, in the city of Baltimore, on the 23d day of June, by the nomination of Stephen A. Douglas for the Presidency. 2. That this convention heartily endorses and approves the platform enumerated by said convention; and that we will give that platform and the nominees of the national Democracy for the Presidency and Vice-Presidency, Douglas and Johnson, our most zealous and energetic support. 3. That retaining unabated confidence in the intelligence, integrity and patriotism of the people, the Democracy of luwa firmly adhere to the doctrine of non-intervention and popular sovereignty, laid down in the said plalform, as presenting the only just and practicable solution of the question of domestic slavery. 4. That the Iowa delegates to the National Democratic Convention are entitled to the thanks of their constituency for the able and faithful manner in which they discharged the duty entrusted to them, and that this convention heartily approves of their action in said body. 5. That in view of the fact that efforts are being made in some of the States to form so- called union electoral tickets, pledged to vote for this or that candidate for the Presidency, as circumstances may subsequently determine, the Democracy of Iowa totally disapprove of all attempts to compromise the integrity of the Democratic party organization, by putting Dem- ocratic candidates for electors upon the same ticket with candidates who are not pledged to vote, if elected, for Douglas and Johnson, and for no other persons whomsoever. 6. That we approve of a homestead law, giv- ing to every citizen of the United States a home for himself and family; and that this convention recommend to our Representatives in Congress to use their best eflbrts to procure *he passage of a law for that purpose. 7. That we cordially invite all conservative national men to fall into the Democratic ranks and help to crush the hydra-headed monster. Congressional Intervention. ^^ HISTORY OF IOWA. 8. That Ihe dominant party, called Republi can, during the brief period it has . been in power, inflicted upon the people of Iowa a con- stitution and laws, the result of which has been the constant perplexity of the people, the crea- tion of an enormous, unconstitutional debt, and the imposition of taxes too grievous to be borne, thereby exhausting and using up the hard earn- ings of the industrious and the prudent — all of which call loudly for reform at the hands of the people. 9. That it is high time there should be a change of men in power and policy in govern- ment; that the Legislature should pass more wholesome and stringent laws, by which men in official station occupying a judicial capacity, either as din ctors and oflBcers of banks or rail- road companies, shall be made jjersonally liable for an improper use of the moneys of the people entrusted to their care and custody. 10. That the Democratic party of the State of Iowa is committed to and pledges itself to carry out, so soon as it obtains the administra- tion of the affairs of the State, the following measures of State policy: 1. A reduction of the enormous and unneces- sary expenses of the irovernment, which have grown up under the administration, and through the corrupt partisan management of the so-called Republican party. 2. A reduction of the appropriationsof money for extraordinary purposes. 3. A reduction of appropriations for chari- table institutions and purposes, to the necessary requests of those classes of the unfortunate, for which it is the duty of the State to fully and liberally provide 4. To reduce the excessive taxation which now burdens the people and consumes the hard earLiugs of the industrious aud frugal. 5. The construction of buildings for the use of our charitable institutions upcm plans com- mensurate with, the wants of those institutions and the ability of the State, without attempting to imitate the grandeur or magnificence of the public buildingti erected for similar purposes in old aud wealthy States or Goveniments. 6. The early revision of the State constitu- tion, so as to free il from those features which render it justly obnoxious to the people. 7. The amendment of our banking laws so as to throw reasonable restrictions upon the operations of the banks, and to secure the peo- ple against the frauds and swindling which, un- der e.xisting laws, enacted by Rejiublican legis- lators, in the interests of the banks, may be practiced by bank officers, of which the system has already furnished its fruits in two important cases. 8. That we are in favor of removing" the stocks or other securities, pledged for the prompt redemption of the issues of the banks, from the the custody and control of the Stale Bank to the custody of the Treasurer of the State. 9. The increase of these securities to such an extent as will furnish ample protection to the people in using the issue of the banks, which is imperatively demanded as the officers of the State B;ink themselves admit that at the present time there is no real security for the redemption of the notes of the banks. 10. The entire separation of the finances of the State from the banks, and a repeal of all laws luthoiizing either State or county officers to depi sit public money with the branches of the State Bank, save at their own risk. Resolved, further. That the Democratic party is opposed to any and all attempts to create an I normous State debt. In violation of the consti- tution, for the puri>ose of promoting thcschemes of plunder, of railroads or other sjieculators. 3. That the system inaugurated by the Re- publican party of erecting unnecessary and use- less offices for the purpose of providing for the politically lame, halt or blind, and Ihat we hold the revi-nues of the Government should be ap- plied strictly and economically to the legitimate wants of the Government. 3. That while we are in favor of fostering popular education, until the means of liberal education be placed within the reach of every child in the State; that while we are in favoi of providing liberally and justly for all the bcnev olent institutions of the State, and for all classes HISTORY OF IOWA. 165 of the unfortunate, which humanity demands shall be ; rotected and cared for, — we are op- posed to enormous appropriations of public money for uncalled for purposes, or placing large sums of money in the hands of men, poli- ticians or unscrupulous persons, to be wasted in promoting private and political interests, instead of applying the same to the purpose for which the appropriations were made. For Secretary of State the official vote was as follows : Elijah Sells, Rep 70,706—13,670 J. M. Corse, Dem 57,036 When the campaign of 1861 was inau- gurated the war for the Union was in progress. The Republicans met in con- vention, and placed in nomination Samuel J. Kirkwood for Governor; John R. Needham, for Lieutenant-Governor; Ralph P. Lowe, for Supreme Judge. The fol- lowing platform was adopted: 1. Renewing our declarations of unalterable devotion to the constitution and Union of the States, to the doctrine of the DecUiration of In- dependence, and to the law of submission to the will of the majority, constitutionally expressed, we again commend each and all of these corner- stones of our government to the unchanging affection of the people of Iowa. 2. That this convention, in behalf of its own immediate constituency, of all patriotic citizens, acknowledges, with profound gratitude, the prompt dedication of life and fortune by our gallant volunteers, in response to the appeal made to a loyal people by a patriotic President, and in this action, creditable alike to the admin- istration and to the people, we witness a return of the noble spirit of the revolution. 3. That the new doctrine of secession is a wicked abomination, as abhorrent to patriotism, as it is alien to the constitution, demoralizing in its principle, and destructive in its action, a dis- guise to treisou, and an apology for traitors, the ruin of commerce, and the dissolution of political society, the mother of all political crimes and the sum of all villainies, and as such we utterly re- ject and hold it in absolute detestation. 4. That government always means coercion when its lawful authority is resisted, and those who oppose "coercion," necessarily oppose kov- ernmeut itself, aud deny to it the o: ly power by which it can be maintained. Auli-coercion, therefore, is only another of their disguises of treason, by which they hope so to weaken the' government at present as to overthrow it in the future, and we brand it as hypocrisy and repu- diate it. 5. Having, by our first war of 1776, won our indep' ndence and established our glorious con- stitution and Union, and having, by our second war of 1818, maintained our national integrity against the most formidable of foreign foes, it now remains for us to establish that integrity for all years to come against internal foes, aud in this third and hist great trial of our country's history, in its struggle to maintain that system of government which has been the admiration of the world, whoever hesitates or falters should receive the execration of mankind, as he surely will the reproaches of posterity. 6. The value of the constitution and the Union cannot be measured by dollars and cents, nor by the span of a human life, and there should be no limit to appropriations of men and money for their preservation, except the amount requi- site for certain success. We therefore cordially approve both the action of the President in call- ing for men and money, and the action of Con- gress in placing at his disposal more of both than he demanded, thus giving assurance to the world of the unalterable determination of this government to perpetuate its existence as estab- lished by our fathers, to crush out the foulest rebellion known to. history, and liberate the loyal people of the rebellious States from the odious despotism and terrorism which have wrenched from them the blessings of peace and prosperity in the Union of the States, and we demand the prosecution of the war until the insults to our national flag and authority are avenged by the restoration everywhere of law aud order, and the supremacy acknowledged on its own terms. HISTORY OF IOWA. 7. In the State affairs we demand all the economy consistent wiih the public safety, and all the liberality required for the comfort and efflci<»ncy of our volunteers, and for the protec- tion of the State a£ainst invasion. To that end we approve the action of the 61 neral Asstmbly, al its special session, in making appropriations for war purposes. 8. We heartily invite co-operation with us of men of all parties, whatever their former politi- cal ties, who adhere to these sentiments, and who unite in the patriotic support of the present loyal administration of the governmenl. The Democrats nominated Wi'liam H. Merritt for Governor; M.aturia L Fisher, for Lieut.-Governor; James L. Elwood, for Supreme Judge. Their platform was as follows: The people of the State of Iowa who regard the constitution of tl.e United States in its judi- cial relation to the States and people as inter- preted by the Supreme Court, and its political principles as enunciated from time to time by the Democratic party, and as applied by several successive administrations in carrying on the government of the United States, beiue assem- bled by their delegates in convention, in the Capitol at DesMoines, on the 2411; day of July, 1861, do make and proclaim to their fellow citi- zens of the sister States of the Union, the follow- ing declaration: Whereas, In the vicissitudes which are inci- dent t all governments, to human safety, and to civiliza ion, the government and the people of the United States have become involved in a civil war, which threatens alike to be disastrous to the form of government which experience has proved to be the most conducive to the happi- ness of mankind, and to result in imposing upon the present and future generations onerous burdens, which it should be the duty of a gov- ernment having any regard for the well being of the people to avoid, it becomes the incumbent dutv upon the people for whose benefit alone government is instituted, and who, having the light to either alter or abolish it when it ceases to be administered for their hai)piness and pros- perity, have also the right to determine and direct how it shall be administered when they fled it departing from the principles u;)on which it was founded, and to be |)recipitating into waste and ruii. the fabric of civil society, instead of preserving the people in peace, piomoling their prosperity, and securin;^ their rights. Viewing, therefore, dispassionately, the present condition of our distracted country, and with the single purpose of miking an effort to avert impending and other threatened calamities, and of restoring peace, founded upon that fraternal patriotism which gave birth to the American Union, and which preserved its integrity till the election of a President upon a principle which was hostile to the constitution of the United States and antagonistic to the vested right of the people of nearly half the States of the Union, do declare — 1. That we regard the present condition of the country, the civil war in which the people are engaged, the effort to dismember the Union and all the concomitant evils which afflict us as a nation, as the legitimate result of the success- ful teaching of the doctrine and policy of the "irrepressible conflict;" a doctrine and a policy which arraj'ed northern sentiment in antagonism to the constitutional rights of the people of the si ive States, aud which proclaim an "irrepres- sible" and unceasing hostility to the domestic institutions of our brethren of the South. 3. That, notwithstanding the pi'ovocation given to the people of the South by the mani- festation of hostility toward their institutions, by a majority of the people of the Norih, we unequivocally condemn the course they have pursued to obtain a redress of their grievances, believing, as we do, that, aided by the conserva- tive people of the Northern States, their griev- ances would have been redressed, and their rights and interests respected and secured in a constitutional manner and by constitutional means. 3. That we are heartily opposed to the doc trine of secession, a pulitical heresy, unwar- ranted by the constitution, detrimental to the HISTORY OF IOWA. 167 best iuteresls of the whole country, and destruc- tive of the Union and that glorious heritage of liberty bequeathed to us by our fathers. 4. That our obligations to the goverument, the duty we owe to posterity and the advance- ment of political freedom throughout the world, alike, command of us the pnservalion and per- petuity of our federal Uuiou, and we hereby pledge the whole power of the Democratic party to every just and constitutional means to main- tain the same, whether its Uestniction be at- tempted by the insidious teachings of the higher law doctrine of the Abolition Republican party, or by the open attacks of men in armed rebellion against it. 5. That, as we were taught and admonished by the experience of every free people whose political existence was extinguished by the assumption of arbitrary power and the violation of fundamental principles, to resist the encroach- ment of executive prerogatives, we therefore emphatically and unequivocally condemn the assumption of unauthorized power by the Ex- ecutive of the United States, or by any other ofiicers of the government. 6. That our Union was formed in peace, and can never be perpetuated by force of arms, and that a republican government held together by the sword becomes a military despotism. 7. That the Democratic party are in favor of a convention of the difierent States of the entire Union, as soon as the same can be properly had, for such legislation as may secure equal and full rights to all sections of this Union, and a full representation of all the States, and a removal of the agitation of the question of slavery from the halls of Congress and the States of the Union. 8. That we repudiate the modem heresy that the States of this confederacy never had an independent existence distinct from the federal government, and are indebted for their present position in the Union to that government, as a gross insult to the common sense of the country, and a shameless falsification of historical facts, unworthy of the source from whence it emin- ated, and unless promptly met with a stern re- buke on the part of the people, fraught with cousequences fatal to the liberties of the country. 9. That we are irreconcilably opposed to all paper money banking, as being a system of legalized swindling, to be indulged in only by the designing capitalist, and are opposed to every species uf paper, except commercial pa- lmer, for the transaction of business and trade, and in favor of a speedy return to a specie cur- rency; and, if for a time we must submit to the banking system, we recommend that the bank law be so amended as to make each stockholder individually liable (to t.'.e fall extent of his property not exempt from execution) for the debts of the bank, and to subject their corpora- tions to such restraints as to make them amen- able to law. 10. That we are opposed to a tariff of duties upon imports, for the purpose of protection, as creating monopolies, and that, in the present crisis of atiairs, when the laborer Is poorly paid and the products of agriculture are almost worthless, it is the interest of the people that the present burdens imposed upon these articles which enter into the consumption of the poorer classes of our citizens be at once removed. The ofiicial vote for Goveruor was as follows: S. J. Kirkwook, Rep 69,8.53-16,608 William H. Merritt, Dem 43,245 The Democratic convention was held at the Capitol in 1862, and the following ticket nominated: Secretary of State, liichard H. Sylvester; Auditor, John Browne; Treasurer, Samuel H. Lorah; Attorney-General, Benton J. Hall; Regis- ter of Land Office, Fred. Gottschalk. The following is the platform adopted: 1. That the constitution and the Union and the laws must be preserved and maintained in all their rightful supremacy, and that rebellion against them must be suppressed and put down; and that we are in favor of the employment of all constitutional means for that purpose, not merely by force of arms, but by such other ^k 168 HISTORY OF IOWA. measures as common sense, reason and jjatriot- ismwill readily suggest to the governing powers. 2. That the true interests of the country, as well as the dictates of humanity, require no more war or acts of war should be prosecuted or done than are necessary and proper for the prompt and complete suppression of the rebel- lion. 3. That the present war, as avowed by the President and Congress, and understood by the people, was commeuced and prosecuted for the purpose of 'suppressing the rebellion, and pre- serving and vindicating the conslilulion of the Union and the laws, and for that purpose only. 4. That the doctrines of the secessionists and of the ab ilitionists, as the latter are now repre- sented in Congress, are alike false to the consti- tution and irreconcilable with the unity and peace of the country, the first liave already involved us in a cruel civil war, and the others (the abolitionists) will leave the country but little hope of the speedy restoration of Union or peace, unless the schemes of confiscation, eman- cipation, and other unconstitutional measures, which have been lately carried and attempted to be carried through Congress, be revoked by the people. 5. That the doctrine of State necessity is unknown to our government or laws, but the constitution and the laws arc sufficient for any emergency, and that the suppression of the free- dom of speech and the press, and the unlawful arrest of citizeus, and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, in violation of the constitution in States where the civil authorities are unim- peded, is most dangerous to civil liberty, and should be resisted at the ballot-box by every freeman of the land. 6. That this is a government of white men, and was established exclusively for the white race; that the negroes are not enlitled to and ought not to be admitted to political or social equality with the white race, but tliat it is our duty to treat them with kindness and considera- tion, as an inferior and dependent race; that the right of the several Stales to determine tlie position and duties of the race is a sovereign right, and the pledges of the constitution require us, as loyal citizens, not to interfere therewith. That the party fanaticism or the crime, which- ever it may be called, that seeks to turn the slaves of the Southern States loose to overrun the North, and into competition with the white laboring classes, thus degrading their manhood by placing tliem on an equality with negroes in their occupation, is insulting to our race and meets our emphatic and unqualified condemna- tion 7. That the purchase of the slaves by the government, as proposed by the President, will impose an enormous and unendurable burden upon the present generation, and entail upon posterity grievous exactions. 8. That Congress, in the enactment of the late tariff and tax bills, and the President by his avowal, have imposed unfair and unjust enact- ments upon the people at large, by discriminat- ing in these acts in favor of the compar.ilively wealthy, and against those who are least able to bear the burdens of taxation. 9. That we recur with patriotic pride to the bravery and valor of the officers and soldiers of all the Iowa regiments exhibited in the struggle upon the many bloody fields in which they have been engaged; and that this convention, in be- half of the Democracy of this State, tenders to them a united testimony to their valor, and devotion to the constitution and the Union, and ofl"er to the friends and families of those who have fallen upon the field, its sincere sympathy and condolence. 10. That viewing the glories of the past and contemplating the realities of the present, we believe there is no hope in the future for the perpetuity of our government, but by preserving the constitution inviolate and in respecting it by both government and people as a sacred deposit of individual and State rights; in an economical and systematic administration of the govein- ii.ent by which corruption will be prevented, extravagance restrained, expenditures reduced, and heavy taxation rendered unnecessary; in cultivating among the people that spirit of American fraternity which once knew n-j North, ^® HISTORY OF IOWA. no South, no East, no West, except as parts of one unbroken Union; in submitting questions which might arise hereafter, effecting the legal rights of States to the judicial tribunals and not to the executive or legislative branch of the goverumeut. And firmly believing in the efficiency of the principles herein enunciated, we implore the blessing of God upon our efforts to have them applied to the admin isi ration of the government, and we appeal to our fellow citizens who love the constiiution and Union as it was before its harmony was disturbed by abolition fanaticism, and its bonds broken by rebellion. The Republicans met at DesMoines and nominated as follows: Secretary of State, James Wright; Auditor of State, Jona- than W. Cattell; Treasurer of State, VVm. H. Holmes; Attorney-General, Charles C. Nourse; Register of the State Land Office, Jusiah A. Harvey. The platform adopted lead as follows: We, the delegates of the Republican party of Iowa, assembled to declare anew our political belief, and to select candidates for important official positions, present to the people the fol- lowing as our articles of faith: 1. That the constitution of the United States is the fundamental law of the land; that it was adopted by our fathers to establish justice and secure the blessings of liberty to themselves and their posterity; that in accordance with the forms prescribed by that instrument, and by the laws of Congress, Abraham Lincoln was elected by the voluntary suffrnges of the people as the Chief Magistrate of the United States for the term of four years; that before he had taken the oath of office or exercised any of the powers with which he had been clothed, certain States of the Union passed ordinances of secession, assuming thereby to be no longer a part of, nor subject to the laws of, the United States; that soon afterward they organized a separate con- federation, proclaimed their independence of and hostility to the federal government, and from that time to the present have waged cause- less, merciless and barbarious warfare against the republic, to which they owe perpetual grati- tude and allegiance. 9. That for the maintenance of the govern- ment, in this the hour of its peril, it is the duty of every citizen to devote time, labor, property, life; that we, as the representatives of an organ- ized association of citizens, publicly pledge all our energies and substance, should they be needed, for the governmental defense. 3. That we have undiminished confidence in the President of the United States, that he is faithful to his pled:;es, is honest and determined in his purposes to crush the rebellion and main- tain the union of the States, and that we earn- estly endorse the action of our Representatives in Congress in aiding to pass laws for the aboli- tion of slavery in the District of Columbia; for the perpetuation of freedom in all the Territo- ries of the republic; for the confiscation of the property of rebels, and clothing the President with authority to use the slaves of traitors for all military purposes. 4. That we abhor all sympathizers with seces- sion, who, to cover their treasonable sentiments, raise the cry of abolitionism; but that, on the contrary, we will honor any loyal citizen, what- ever may have been his former political associa- tions, who will sustain, with all his jiower, the struggle of Democratic Republicanism against traitorous aristocracy. North or South. 5. That, extending a hearty welcome to those who are present with us in this convention who have left the so-called Democratic party, we in- vite all loyal citizens, regardless of former political associations, and who are in favor of giving the national administration their honest support, to co-operate with us, and we commend to all of such the patriotic words of the lamented Douglas, who said: "There is only two sides to this question. Every man must be for the United States or against it. There can be no neutrality in this war^-only patriots or traitors." 6. That we reiterate the demand for an eco- nomical administration of our national and State government, and for a punishment of fraudu- lent contractors and plunderers of the public treasury. ITO HISTORY OF IOWA. 7. That the valor of our soldiers and sailors, and especiallj' those of our own Statu, on every battle field to which they have been called, has earned for them a lasting gratitude, and com- mended themselves and their families to our practical sympathy and aid. 8. That the State of Iowa will prompily fur- nish hiT quota of troops culled for by the recent proclamalion of the Piesident, and any addi- tional number which the public service may require. y. That the voluntary enlistment of our adopted citizens in the army and navy, and their tjied valor on our battle-fields, have demon- stratea the warmth of their patriotism and an appreciation of liberty and good government wliich have earned for them the proud name of American citizens and soldiers. 10. That as citizens of a loyal State, whose patriotism, ' oth at home and upon foreign battle-fields, has spoken for itself, w* earnestly ajjiieal to the incumbents of the legislative and executive departments of the government, to use every legitimate means in their possession to crush the rel)ellion, and if, as a last measure for the preservation of the republic, it shall become necessary to blot out the institution of slavery from the soil of every State, we will say Amen, letting the consequences fall upon the wicked authors of the war, and leaving the final issue with God. The official vote on Secretary of State was as follows: James Wright, Rep 66,014—15,205 Richard H Sylvester, Deto 50,809 In 186-3 the Democrats met in conven- tion at DesMoines, and nominated Malurin L. FLsher for Governor. Mr. Fisher sub- sequently declining, Gen. James M. Tuttle was substiluttd; John F. Lumcombe was nominated for Lieutenant Governor, and Charles Mason for Supreme Judge. The following was the platform adopted: In view of the circumstances that have brought us together, we hereby lesolve: 1. That the will of the people is the founda- tion of all free government. That to give effect to this will, free thought, free speech and free press are absolutely indispensable. Without free discussion there is no certainty of sound judgment; without sound judgment there can be no wise government. 2. That it is an inherent and constitutional right of the people to discuss all measures of their government, and to approve or disapprove as to their best judgment seems right. That they have a like right to proi)(ise and advoc.le that policy which, in their judgment, is best, and to argue and vote against whatever policy seems to them to violate the constitution, to imperil ilicir liberties, or to be deirimental to their welfare. 3. That these and all other rights guaranteed to them by the constitution are their i ights in war as well as in tmies of peace, and of fur more value and necessity in war than in peace: for in peace, liberty, security and property are seldom endangered; in war they are ever in peril. 4. That we now say to all whom it may con- cern, not by way of threat, but calmly and firmly, that we will not smrender these rights, nor submit to their forcible violation We will obey laws ourselves, and all others must obey them 5. That there is a manifest difference between the administration of the government and the government itself. The government consists of the civic and political institutions created by the constitution, and to the people owe allegi- ance. That administrations are but agents of the people, subject to their approval or con- demnation, according to the merit or demerit of their acts. 6. That we are opposed to the war for the purpose of canyiugoul the emancipation j)rocla- mation of the President of the United States; and if the Federal administration expect a united North to attend its efforts to sup, ress a rebellion, it must not only come back to its object of the war, as set forth in the Crittenden resolution adopted by the House of Representa- tives in July, 1861, but it must, in its dealings HISTORY OF IOWA. 171 wilh the people of the States, infringe upon no one single right guaranteed to the people by either the federal or State constitutipns. 7. That we declare our determined opposition to a system of emancipatiou by the State upon conipeDSation to be made out of the treasury of the United States, as burdensome upon the people, unjust in its very nature, and wholly without warrant of the constitution. 8. That we declare that the power which has recently been assumed by the President, where- in, under the guise of military necessity, he has proclaimed and extended, or asserts the right to proclaim or extend, martial law over States where war does not exist, and has suspended the writ of habeas corpus, Is unwarranted by the constitution, and its tendency is to subordinate the civil to the military authority, and subvert our free government. 9. Thai we deem it proper further to declare, that we, together with the loyal people of the State, would hail with delight any manifestation of a desire on the part of the seceded States to return to their allegiance to the government of the Union; and, in such event, we would cor- dially and earnestly co operate with them in the restoration of peace and the procurement of BU :h proper guarantees as would give security 'to all iheir interests and rights. 10. That the soldiers composing our armies niertt the warmest thanks of the nation. The country called, and nobly did they respond. Living, they shall know a nation's gratitude; wounded, a nation's care; and, dying, they shall live in our memory, and monuments shall be raised to teach posterity to honor the patriots and heroes who offered their lives at their country's altar. The widows and orphans shall be adopted by the nation, to be watched over and cared for as objects fully worthy of the nation's guardianship. 11. That we will adhere to the constitution and the Union as the best, it may be the i last, hope of popular freedom, and for all wrongs which may exist, will seek redress under the constitution and within the Union by the peace- ful but powerful agency of the suffrages of a free people. 12. That we hail with pleasure and hope, manifestations of conservative sentiment among the people of the Northern States in their elec- tions, and regard the same as the earnest of a good purpose upon their part to co-operate with all citizens in giving security to the rights of every section, an'l maintaining the Union and constitution as they were ordained by the foun- ders of the republic. 13. That we will earnestly support every constitutional measure tending to preserve the union of the States. No men have a greater interest in its preservation than we have. None desire it more; none who will make greater sacrifices or endure more than we will to accom- plish that end. We are, as we have ever been, the devoted friends of the constitution and the Union, and have no sympathy with the enemies of either. 14. That the establishment of military gov- ernment over loyal States where war does not exist, to supersede the civil authorities and sup- press the freedom of speech and of the press, and to interfere with the elective franchise, is not only subversive of the constitution and the sovereignty of the States, but the actual inaugu- ration of revolution. 15. That we denounce as libelers of the Democratic party and enemies of the countiy, the men who are engaged in representing the Democracy as wanting in sympathy with our galh.nt defenders. 16. That we earnestly denounce the authors of those heresies, seceasionism and abolitionism, which have culminated in an armed rebellion, desolated our country and brought sorrow to the heart of every person in this broad laud. The Republicans met at DesMoine?, June 1 7th, and adopted the following platform : We, a convention of representatives of the loyal people of the State of Iowa, assembled under the call of the Republican organization of the Stale, as an expression of the views which shall govern our political action, do declare: 1. That when our fathers formed our consti- tution, and founded thereon a republican form of goverumeat, they intended to and did grant to thiit government full power to sustain its natural existence. 2. That whenever the life of the Republic is endangered, either by invasion or rebellion, the constitution justifies the use of all necessary me lus known to civilized warfare in resisting invasion or suppressing rebellion. 3. That we fully and heartily endorse the policy of the administration, and we will to the utmost continue to sustain the government in suppressing the rebellion, and to eflfecl that object we pledge our fortunes and our lives. 4. That the gratitude of a free people is due to our soldiers in the field, both native and foreign born, for that heroic valor by which they have honored us and sustained the flag of our country, and we guarantee to them con- tinued encouragement and support 5. That we have witnessed with pride and admiration the bravery and heroism of Iowa soldiers, and we recognize in their brilliant ca- reer a history for the State of Iowa, second to that of no other State in the Union. 6. That we approve of the action of the Gen- eral Assembly of the Slate, in enacting a law giving to our brave soldiers in the field an opportunity to vote at our elections, and we earnestly hope that no technicality may deprive them of their right. 7. That this convention hereby tenders to Hon. Siimuel J. Kirkwood the cordial thanks of the loyal people of Iowa for the able, fearless, and patriotic discharge of his duties, during the two terms he held the office of Governor of the State. 8. Finally, we declare that the preservation of the constitution and the Union is above and beyond all other interests, and that all questions of party, of life, and of properly, must be sub- ordinate thereto. At that convention the following ticket was nominateU: Governor, Williaiu M. Stone; Lieutenant-Governor, Enoch W. Eastman; Judge of the Supreme Court, John F Dillon. The official vote on Governor was as follows : W. M, Stone, Rep., 86,12^—38,174 J. M. Tuttle, Dem 47,948 The year 1864 brought with it another Presidential campaign. The Republicans placed in the field for re-election Abraham Lincoln, while the Democrats nominated General George B. McClellan. In Iowa the Democrats met in convention at Des Moines, June 16th, and placed in nomina- tion the following named, without adopt ing resolutions: Secretary of State, John H. Wallace; Attorney-General, Charles A. Dunbar; Treasurer, J. B. Lasli; Auditor, H. B. Ilendershott; Register State Land Office, B. D. Holbrook; Supreme J idge, Thomas M. Monroe. The Republicans held their convention July 7th, at DesMoines, when they nomi- nated the following ticket: Supreme Judge, C. C. Cole; Secretary of State, James Wright; Auditor of State, John A. Elliott; Treasurer, Wm. H. Holmes; Attorney- General, Isaac L. Allen; Register Laud Office, J. A. Harvey. The platfoim adopted was as follows: Resolved, That we hereby ratify the nomina- tion of Abraham Lincoln for President, and Andrew Johnson for Vice - President of the United States, for the next term, and we pledge for them the electoral vote of Iowa, 2. That we cordially approve and adopt the platform of resolutions presented by the National Union Convention at its recent session in Balti- more, and that we most heartily endorse the action of Congress in repealing all laws for the return of fugitive slaves and abolishing the inter-State coastwise slave trade. 3. That the brave sons of Iowa who have gone forth to defend the cause of liberty and Union on the battle-fields of the South, and ^ ~Q> \ HISTORY OP IOWA. 173 whose heroic achicvemeats have shed imperish- able glory on our State and nation, we offer our highest praises and our most fervent gratitude, and that our State government should continue to make liberal provisions for the protection and support of their families. 4. That to the women of Iowa, whose patriotic labors have contributed so much moral and material aid and comfort to our sick and wounded soldiers, we tender our heartfelt thanks. A Peace Convention was beld at Iowa City, August 24th, when the following res- olutions were adopted : Wherbas, We believe that there is indispu- table evidence existing that the Union miiy be restoreji on the basis of the federal constitution; and, Whereas, We further believe that a vigorous prosecution of this abolition war means the speedy bringing about of a division of the Re- public; and being ourselves in favor of a restored Union, and against the acknowledgment of a Southern Confederacy, therefore, be it Resolved, That the war now being prosecuted by the Lincoln administration is unconstitutional and oppressive, and Is the prolific source of a multitude of usurpations, tyrannies and corrup- tions, to which no people can long submit, with- out becoming permanently enslaved. a. That we are opposed to the further prose- cution of the war, believing that the Union can be preserved in its integrity by the President agreeing to an armistice, and by calling a national convention of sovereign States, to con- sider the terms upon which all the people may again live together in peace and harmony. 3. That believing war to be disunion, and desiring to stop the further flow of precious blood for a purpose so wicked as disunion, we respectfully urge the President to postpone the draft fnr500,000 men "to be driven like bullocks to the slaughter," until the result of an armistice and national convention of States is known. 4. That in the coming election we will have a free ballot or a free fight. 5. That should Abraham Lincoln owe his re- election to the electoral votes of the seceded States, under the application of the President's "one-tenth" system and military dictation, and should he attempt to execute the duties of the President by virtue of such an election, it will become the solemn mission -of the people to depose the usurper, or else be worthy the slavish degradation, which submission under such cir- cumstances, would seem to be their just desert. 6. That if the nominee of the Chicago con- vention is fairly elected, he must be inaugurated, let it cost what it may. 7. That, in respect to the gereral relations which do and ought to exist between the federal and State governments, we approve and will ad- here to the principles in the Virginia and Ken- tucky resolutions of '98— to the interpretations thereof by Jeflfeison, Madison and .Jackson— and to the resolutions passed by every Democratic convention held in this country — to all of which special reference is here made, in utter condem- nation of the war, and of its incidents. 8. That in respect to the new and disturbing element of our times— negro equality— we shall maintain that the status of the inhabitants (black, white and mixed) of the States, vviihin their respective States (now soutiht to be con- trolled by federal bayonets), is, and ought to be, an exclusively State regulation; that the African negro is not our equal in a political or social sense; and that every usurping attempt, by fed- eral force, so to declare him, will meet with our determined resistance. 9. That the foregoing preamble and resolu- tions be .submitted to our delegation to the Chi- cago convention, for their consideration. The official vote at the November elec- tion, on Secretary of State, was as follows: James Wright, Rep 90,(i33— 40,090 John H. Wallace, Dem 49,943 The Republicans were the first to meet in convention in 1865. They met at Des Moines June 14th, and selected the follow- ing ticket : Governor, Wm. M. Stone; Lieutenant-Governor, Benjamin F. Gue; •<, a 1. HISTORY OF IOWA. Siipt. of Public Inslruciion, Oran Fajville; biipieine Judge, Geo. G. Wright. The platform adopted was as follows : Resolved, That the perpetuation of the federal Union, with all guarantees of Republican liberty which its founders contemplated, is the most sacred political duty of American citizenship. 2. That during the four years of war, inau- gurated by pro-slavery traitors, the great truth has been demonstrated, in devastation and death, that the nation cannot exist half slave and half free, and believing that political and relis^ious freedom is the natural right of man- kind evir* where, we do most fervently pray, and shall most earnestly labor, for the ratifica- tion of that amendment to the fundamental law which provides for the abolition of slavery throughout all the States and Territories of the federal Union. 3. That, to the end that the consequences of treason may be made so appalling that never again shall it be inaugurated upon the United Slates soil, we recommend the permanent dis- fraucliisenient of leaders of the rebellion, civil and military; and that the late President of the so-called Confederate Slates of America, as the deepest embodiment of criminal barbarity, be brought to tlie speediest trial and swiftest execu- tion, regardless of the habiliments, under the immunities of which he sought, in the day of his calamity, to take refuge. 4. That, with proper safeguards to the purity of the ballot-box, the elective franchise should be based upon loyalty to the constitution of the Union, recognizing and affirming equality of all men before the law. "Therefore, we are in favor of amending the constitution of our State by striking out the word 'while' in the article of refuge." 5. That we extend to Andrew Johnson, in his assum|ilion of Presidential respousiliililies, our contidence and support, pledging for the patri- otic masses of Iowa a continuance of the same devotion to the federal flag which was promptly extended to his predecessors. 6. That now the war is practically ended, and our brave citizeu soldiery of Iowa maj' return to their homes and avocations of peace, we extend to them the grateful thanks of the people, and a welcome, such as only the patriotic and the brave are entitled to receive. 7. That every man who voluntarily left his home in this State, before or during the rebellion, with a view to serve the cause of treason in the rehel army or navy, and also every man who left his State to avoid military service, due from liim to the government, should be forever debarred by constitutional provision, from holding publi: office, and from the exercise of the rights of suf- frage in this State. 8. That we approve the act'ons of our State executive in his hearty support of the general government, and we tender the thanks of this convention for the faithful administration ol his office. 9. That we humbly return thanks to Almighty God for the deliverance of our State and nation from the further perils of war, and that we de- voutly recognize His hand in the great work which has been wrought in the last four years, for our people and for humanity. The next convention held tliis year was a "Soldiern' Convention," or, as the body termed itself, "The Union Anti-Negro Suf- frage Party," which convened at the Cap- itol August 23d, and adoptt d a platform and selected candidates for the various offices to be filled, as follows: Governor, Gen. Thos. H. Benton; Lieut.-Governor, Col. S. G. VanAnda; Supreme Judge, H. H. Trimble; Supt of Public Instruction, Capt J. W. Senate. The platform read as follows : We, the delegated representatives of the sol- diers and loyal citizens of Iowa, leeliug pro- foundly grateful for the restoration of peace after four years of bloody war, have met to- gether, as free American citizens, to adopt such measures as in our judgment will most certainly tend to perpetuate our glorious union of Slates, and with the blessings of free institutions and HISTORY OF IOWA. iTo the peace bo happily restored, hereby adopt the foIlowiDg platform of principles, viz: 1. We are in favor of the Monroe doctrine. 2. We sustain the administration of Presi- dent Johnson, and especially endorse his recon- struction policy, and we pledge him our earnest and unqualiiitd support. 3. We are opposed lo negro suft'rage or to the striking of the word "white" out of the article on sufi'rage in our State constitution, and will support no candidate for office, either State or national, who is in favor of negro suffjage or of the equality of the white and black races. 4. We are in favor of the amendment of the constitution of the United States, abolishing shivery and the ratification of the same by our next Legislature 5. That, inasmuch as we do not sufficiently know the sentiment of Ihc people of the State in regard to the prohibitory liquor law, we deem it expedient to refer this matter to the different county conventions lo taUe such action in the matter as by them is deemed proper, and to instruct their Senators and Representatives accordingly. 6. We are in favor of the brave soldiers and marines who have faithfully served their coun- try in the army and navy of the United States, and especially of the crippled or disab'cd sol- diers, having the preference for all offices of profit, honor or trust, either by appointment or otherwise, where they .are equally competent and qualified to discharge the duties of the office or the trust reposed. 7. That we cherish with grateful remem- brance the memory of our dead soldiers, and ever will be ready and willing to lend our aid, sympathy and. protection to the crippled and disabled soldiers, and the widows and orphans of the war. The Democrats also held a convention, made no nominations, but adopted the fol- lowing platform: 1. That we heartily rejoice in the suppres- sion of the great rebellion and the preservation of the Union, and give unfeigned thanks to Almighty God for the restoration of peace. 2. In order that this peace may be permanent and its effects speedily and widely felt, we be- lieve it is the duty of every patriot to sustain cordially the present policy of President John- son in reconstructing the States recently in rebellion. 3. That the establishment of a monarchy on the soil of this continent is in direct defiance of the Monroe doctrine — a doctrine accepted and recognized by all true Americans; and it is the duty of the Government of the United States to see that the people of Mexico are freed from the oppression of foreign bayonets, and the republic restored. 4. That we favor rigid economy in the national and State expenditures, and will insist on the reduction of the numberless horde of useless office-holders who feed like locusts on the hard earnings of the people. 5. That we earnestly condemn the trial of American citizens for civil ofl'euses by courts- martial and military courts, in States and dis- tricts where civil law is unimpeded in its opera- tions and in full fore;. 6. That we are radically opposed to negro equality in all its phases, and accept the issue tendered by the late Republican convention of the 14th of June in making that doctrine the chief plank in its platform by proposing to strike the word "white" out of the article on suffrage in the constitution of Iowa. 7. That the attacks on General Sherman, originating in the War Department at Washing- ton, and servilely copied and endorsed by many of the leading Republican papers of the Stale, are the offspring of envy and fanatacism, and will recoil with crushing force on the heads of his calumniators. 8. That we feel a just pride in the progress of our army and navy, and especially of the soldiers of Iowa, who, under Grant and Sher- man, have made a lasting and glorious record of their patient endurance of sulfering, their ad- mirable discipline and indomitable valor. 9. That we hail with joy the return of these brave men from the liattlefiild, and extend to them our grateful thanks for their services and 176 HISTORY OF IOWA. a hearty welcome to their homes, and believe that it is the duty, as it will be the pleasure, of their fellow-citizens to see that a due proportion of the civil honors and offices of the State shall be distributed among them, and the fostering care of the public extended to the widows and orphans of those who died in the service of their country. 10. That the nssassinatian of President Lin- coln was an act of unmitigated barbarism, and one that should be held in utter abhorance by every good citizen. The official vote for Governor is as fol- lows: William M Stone, Rep 70,445-16,375 Thos. H. Benton, Anti Negro Suf. 54,070 Questions growing out of reconstruction of Southern Slates afforded the issues for 1860. The first convention in this State was held by the Republicans at the Capi- tol, June 20, where the following ticket was nominated: Secretary of State, Col. Ed. Wright; Treasurer, Maj. S. E. Rankin; Auditor, J. A. Elliott; Register of State liand Office, Col. C. C. Carpenter; Attor- ney-General, F. E. Russell; Reporter of Supreme Court, E. H. Stiles; Clerk of Supreme Court, Lieut. C Linderman A platform was adopted, which reads as follows: Resolved, That the first and highest duty of our free government is to secure to all its citi- zens, regardless of race, religion or color, equality before the law, equal protection from it, equal responsibility to it, and to all that have proved their lovalty by their acts, an equal voice in making it. 2. That the reconstruction of the States lately in the rebellion belongs, through their representatives in Congress, to the people who have subdued the relicllion and preserved the nation, and not to the executive alone. 3. That we heartily approve of the joint resolution lately passed by the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress assembled, pro- posing to the Legislature of the several States an additional article by way of amendment to the federal constitution, and we pledge the' rati ficaiion of that ameuJment by the Legislature of Iowa. 4. That in the firm and manly adherence of the Union party in Congress to the above prin- ciples, we recognize new guarantys to the safety of the nation, and we pledge to Congress our continued and earnest support. 5. That we are in favor of the eiiforccmenl of the Monroe doctrine, and that we extend to all people struggling to preserve nationalitj' or to achieve liberty, our warmest support 6. That we are in favor of the equalization of the bounties of soldiers who faithful))' served their country in the war for the suppression of the rebellion. 7. That we are in favor of the nomination and election to office of such persons as are known to possess honesij' and capacity, and we unqualifiedly condemn dishonesty and careless- ness iu every department of the public service, A conservative convention was called, which convened at DesMoines June 27, and nominated the following ticket: Sec- retary of State, Col. S. G. Van Anda; Treasurer, Gen. Poe A. Slone; Auditor of State, Capt. R. W. Cross; Attorney-Gen- eral, Capt. Webster Balinger; Supreme Court Reporter, Capt. J. W. Senate; Clerk, Lewis Kinney. The followlDg platform was adopted: 1. We hold that the constitution of the United States is the paladium of our liberties, and that any departure from its riquircmenls by the legislative, executive or judicial departments of the government is subversive of the funda- mental principles of our republican institutions. 2. Repudiating the radical doctrine of State rights and secession on the one hand, and the centralization and consolidation of federal authority on the other, as equally dangerous, and believing that no State can secede, and the '^ HISTORY OF IOWA. 17V war hiiving been prosecuted on our part, as ex- pressly declan d by Congress itself, to defend and maintain the supremacy of the constitution, and to preserve the Union inviolate, with all the dignity, equality and rights of the States unim- paired, the federal arms having been victorious, we hold that all the States are still In the Union, and entitled to equal rights under the cnnstitu- tion, and that Congress has no power to exclude a State from the Union, to govern it as a terri- tory, or to deprive it of representation in the councils of the nation, when its representatives have been elected and qualified in accordance with the constitution and laws of t! e land. 3. While we fully concede to the federal government the power to tr.force obedience to the constitution and laws enacted in conformity with it, and to punish those who resent its legiti- mate authority in the several States, we believe in the raainteuance, inviolable, of the rights of the States, and especially of the right of each State to order and control its own domestic insti- tutions according to its own judgment, exclu- sively, as es'sential to that balance of power (m which the perfection and endurance of our political institutions depend. 4. We hold that each State has the right to prescribe the qualifications of its electors, and we are opposed to any alteration of the State constitutions on the subject of suffrage. 5. We consider the national debt a sacred obligation, and the honor and reservation of the government as irrevocably pledged for its liqui- dation; no obligation, incurred in any manner whatever in aid of the rebellion, should ever be assumed or paid. 6. The nation owes a lasting debt of gratitude to our soldiers and sailors of the late war for the suppression of the rebellion; and in the bestowal of public patronage by election or apjiointmcnt, preference should be given to those competent to perform duties required, and as a positive reward for their services, tlie government should give to each of those who have fallen in the ser- vice, or have been honorably discharged, or their legal representatives, one hundred and sixty acres of land; and justice to those who entered the service in the early part of the war d' mands that immediate provision should be made for the equalization of buunties, 7. We cordially eudor.-e the restoration policy of President Johnson as wise, patriotic, consti- tutional, and in harmony wiih the loyal senti- ment and purpose of the people in the suppres- sion of the rebellion, with the platform upon which he was elected, with the declared policy of the late Piesidi nt Lincoln, the action of Congress, and the pledges given during the war. 8. We regard the action of Congress, in refus- ing to admit loyal representatives from the States recently in rebellion, as unwarranted by the constitution, and calculated to embarrass and complicate, rather than adjust, our national trouble. 9. The ratification by the legislatures of the several States of the amendment to the consti- tution of the United States, for the abolition of slavery, settles that question virtually, and meets our hearty approval. 10. We are opposed to any further amend- ments to the constitution of the United States until all the States are represented in Congress, and have a vote in making the same. 11. We are in favor of a strict adherence to the Monroe doctrine, and extend to all people struggling to preserve nationality and liberty our warmest sympathy. 13. All ofl:cers entrusted with the manage- ment of funds should be held to a strict account- ability for the faithful application of the same, and in case of the defalcation or misuse of such funds, they should not be permitted to evade responsibility by implicating irresponsible agents selected by themselves. Any party that counte- nances such evasion becomes accessory to the crime. The Democratic convention assembled July 11th at DesMoines. No Democratic candidates were selected, save for two offices, the committee on nominations recommending that the convention nomi- nate candidates for Clerk and Reporter of l^ 17; HISTOEY OF IOWA. the Supreme Court, and "thai, we recom- mend and will co-operate with the conser- vative element of the Republican party in their eflForts to restore the Union and de- feat radical disunionism, and for that purpose hereby agree to suj)port their candidales." The convention named (Japt. Albert Stoddard for Clerk of the Supreme Court, and Capt. Fred Gottschalk for Reporter. The following resolutions were adopted: Resolved, That the Democracy of Iowa will adhere in the present and the future, as in the past, with uniullering fidelity iiud firmness to the oiganization of tlie Deiuucrutic partj', and to its ancient and well settled principles, as enunci- ated by Thomas Jellerson, the great apostle of American Democracy, and as acknowledged and accepted by the party from the foundation of the government, and especially of equal taxa- tion and representation of all the States subject to tiixa'ion. 2. That the one great question of the day is the immediate and unconditional restoration of all the Slates to the exercise of their rights within the federal Union under the constitution, and that we will cordiully and actively support Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, in all necessary and proper means to carry out his policy as directed to that end, and especially in securing immediate representation in the Senate and House of Representatives, to the eleven States from which it is now unconsti- tutionally aud arbitrarily withheld. 3. That for the purposes above set forth we will co-operate in public meeting, conventions and at the polls with all men without reference to past parly position, who lionestly, and by their acts and votes as well as by their profes- sion, support the President in his policy of res- toration as declared. 4. That the exemiition of United States bonils from ti,ix is nothing else th.in exemption of rich men from tax, because they are rich, and tliey lax the poor m.in because he is poor. Hence, justice and equality require that said bonds should be taxed. 5. That striei and impartial justice demands that tlie expenses of the general government as well as the State governments should be paid by the peojile according to their abiliiy and not ac- cording to their necessities. Ilence we are opposed now, as in the past, to the high tariff which tends to burden the producer (or the ben- efit of the manufacturer. 6. That the so called Maine liquor law is in- consistent with the genius of a free peojile, and unjust and burdensome in its operations. It has vexed and harrussed the citizens, burdened the counties with expenses, and proved wholly useless in the sup|iression of inlemperanee. The opinion of this convention is that the same ought to be repealed. 7. That the plunder of the State treasury, by Governor Stone and accompl ees, calls for the coudeuinaticn of every honest m.in in the St.%le, and if the radicals of the last Legisl-ituie had been true to the interests of the people, they would not have labored to save the criminals, but would have piosecuted them to a speedy and condign punishment. 8. That we are in favor of a prompt and effective enforcement of the Monroe doctrine, and we heartily sympathize with the people of every country struggling for their liberties. 9. That we approve of the National Union Convention to be held at Phil idclphia on the 14th of next month; that we approve of the principles and policy set forth in the address of the Democratic members of Congress, urging the Democracy of the nation to unite with the objects of that convention. 10. That the memory of the brave officers and soldiers who lost their lives fiyhting for the Union during the recent rebellion, is embalmed in the hearts of the American people, and that justice, as well as huminity, demands at the hands of the American pi'ople that the widows and orphans of those who died in the Union service shall be duly provided for by liberal pensions; that there shall be an equalization of bounty so that those who breasted the war at .k HISTORY OF IOWA. 179 the start shall share the equal pecuniary mu- nificence of those who entered the army at a later date. 11. That we most cordially sympathize with the movement now being made by the friends of Ireland to obtain the independence of that glorious country from under the yolie of English tyranny, and that we bid them God speed in the noble work, and ho|ie that the subject of the independence of Ireland will continue to be agi- tated until ihe Emerald Isle shall stand out in full and bold relief on the map of the world as one of the independent nations of the earth. On Secretary of State the official vote was as follows: Ed. Wright, Rep 91,227—35,373 Q. G VanAuda, Dem 55,854 In 1807 the Republicans met in conven- tion at DesMoines, June 19th. They nominated for Governor, Col. Saml. Mer- rill; Lieutenant-Governor, Col. Juo. Scott; Judge of Supreme Court, Hon. J. M. Beck; Attorney-General, Maj . Henry O'Connor; Superintendent Public Instruction, Prof. D. Franklin Wells. The following is the platform adopted by the convention: 1. That we again proclaim It as a cardinal principle of our political faith that all men are equal before the law, and we are in favor of such ameudmenls to the constitution of the State of Iowa as will secure the rights of the ballot, the protection of the law and equal rights to all men, irrespective of color, race or religion. 2. That we apprt.ve of the military recon- struction acts passed by the 39th and 40th Con- gress. The illiberal construction by unfriendly officials depriving these acts of their energy and vitality, we demand that Congress assemble in July to carry out by additional enactments the tme and original intent of said acts, the restora- tion of the rebel States upon a sure and loyal basis. 3. That the promt trial and punishment, according to law, of the head of the late rebel- lion, for his infamous crimes, is imperatively demanded for the vindication of the constitu- tion and the laws, and for the proper punish- ment of the highest crimes, it is demanded by justice, honor and a proper regard for the pro- tection of American citizenship, and by a due regard for the welfare and future safety of the republic, and it is due not only to the dignity of the nation, but in justice to the loyal people who have been so heroic in their devotion to the cause of the consiilution, the Union and liberty, and to the soldiers of the Union who survive and the memory of the heroic dead. 4. That we are in favor of the strictest economy in the expenditures of public money, and that we demand at the hands of all officials, both State and national, a faithful and rigidly honest administration of public afl'airs. 5. That the Republican members of the Con- gress of the United States are entitled to the thanks of the nation for their flniiness in resist- ing the conspiracy to turn over the control of the government to the hands of traitors and their allies, and defeating the purpose of a cor- rupt Executive, and thus sustaining the interests of liberty, in a great and dangerous crisis in our history. The Democracy were in convention July 26th, and nominated the following ticket: Governor, Charles Mason ; Lieutenant- Governor, D. M. Harris; Supreme Judge, J. H. Craig; Attorney-General, W. T. Baker; Superintendent Public Instruction, . M. L. Fisher. The platform adopted by the convention was as follows: Resolved, That the maintenance, inviolate, of the rights of the States, especially the rights of each Slate to order and control its own institu- tions according to its own judgment exclusively, is essential to that balance of power on which the perfection and endurance of our political fabric depends. 2. That we believe each State has the right to regulate the elective franchises for itself, and, as citizens of the State of Iowa, are opposed to striking the word "white" out of our State con- stitution. V 180 HISTORY OF IOWA. 3. That the existing tarifl" laws are unjust and heavily burdensome to the agricultural States, wilhout bcins of a- corresponding benefit to the government, and only of advantage to a few manufacturing States, and should be re- pealed or greatly modified. 4. That all classes of property should pay a proportionate rate toward defraying the ex- penses of the government. We are therefore in favor of taxing government bonds the same as other property. 5. That we are in favor of repealing the pres- ent liquor law of this State, and in favor of enacting a well regulated license law in lieu thereof. 6. That we are in favor of an amendment to the constitution of our State giving to foreigners the elective franchise after they have declared their intention of becoming citizens of the United Stales, and have resided in the State one year. 7. That we demand of our public officers in the State of Iowa and in the United States the strictest economy in order to reduce the present burdensome taxation, and we denounce in the severest terms the profligacy, corruption and knavery of our State officers and Congressmen. 8. That the denial of representation to ten States in the Union, thiough odious military reconstruction, in violation to the constitution, should meet the unqualified oppostion of every good citizen. On Governor the official vote was as fol- lows: Samuel Merrill, Rep 90,200—27,240 Charles Mason, Dem 63,900 The year 1868 brought with it another Presidential campaign. Ulysses S. Grant was the Republican nominee for President, and Horatio Seymour that of the Demo- crats, in Iowa the campaign was opened by the Republicans, who nominated the following ticket : Secretary of State, Ed. Wright; Auditor of Slate, John A. Elli- ott; Treasurer of State, Maj. Samuel E. Rankin; Regi.-iter of State Land Office, Uol. C. C. Carpenter; Attorney-General, Major Henry O'Connor. The following platform was adopted : We, the delegates and representatives of the Republican party of Iowa, in convention assem- bled, do, for ourselves and party, resolve — 1. That it is as important that the principles of the Republican party should control, in the administration of the State and nation now, and for the future, as at any time since that party's organization; and that the restoration to power, under any pretext or any form of party organi- zation of the men who would again apply the principles and policy of the pro-slavery party before and during the war, to the present and future administration of State and national aftairs, would be an evil of the greatest magni- tude, and full of danger to the country. 2. That, while we recognize the fact that the electors of Iowa are to act individually and directly upon the proposed amendment to the constitution of the State; and while we reC')g- nize that the principles embodied in said amend- ment are more sacred than party ties, and above all consideration of mere parly policy, never- theless we deem it proper to again proclaim it as a cardinal principle of our political faith, that all men are equal before the law, and we are in favor of the proposed amendment of the consti- tution of the State of Iowa, which will secure the rights of the ballot, the protection of the law, and equal justice to all men irrespective of color, race or religion 3. That we demand the strictest economy in the administration ot our State and national government. 4. That we are in favor of the nomination of U. S. Grant as our candidate for President, and as a guarantee of his life and safely as well as that of the nation, our delegates are especially enjoined to secure, as our candidate for Vice- President, a Republican of unswerving fidelity and unimpeachable integrity. 5. That the views, purposes and principles of the Republican organization of Iowa has ever ^4<^ — ^ HISTORY OF IOWA. been well defined, understood and sustained, and we are resolved that the Republican stiindard shall never be lowered or compromised; that on the battle-field, at the polls, and in the councils of the nation, Iowa has ever been radically in earnest in fighting for and maintaining our lib erty, our Union, the rights of mm and the honor and integrity of the nation; and that we expect and demand of the national convention to as- semble at Chicago on the 20lh inst., an unequiv- ocal avowal of our principles, and upon such platform we propose to meet and overwhelm our political opponents. The Democracy met at DesMoines and made nominations as follows : Secretary of State, David Hammer, Register of Land Office, A D. Anderson; Treasurer of State, L. McCarty; Auditor of State, H. Dun- lavey; Attorney-General, J. E. William- son. They also adopted the following res- olutions : Resolved, By the Democracy of Iowa, in con- vention assembled, that the reconstruction policy of Congress is unconstitutional and destructive of the spirit of American liberty, and, if carried out, will inevitably result in a permanent mili- tary despotism. 2. That the present depressed condition of the country, with its prostrated business, jiara- lyzed industiy, oppressive taxation and political anarchy, are the direct results of the unwise and unconstitutional legislation of the dominant party in Congress. 3. That it is the avowed object of the Con- gressional pulicy to continue in power the most venal and corrupt political party that ever dis- honored any civilization; a policy vindictively enacted and mercilessly prosecuted, with the unconstitutional purpose of centralizing and perpetuating all the political power of the gov- ernment in the dominant radical party in Con- gress. 4. That for the maintenance of the national credit, we pledge the honor of the Democracy of Iowa; but that we will unalterably oppose that policy which opposes to pay the rich man in gold and the poor man in depreciated currency; and that we believe that the currency which is good enough to pay the soldier, the widow and the orphan, is good enough for the bondholder; and that the bonds of the government, which are made payable on their face in "lawful money," popularly known as greenbacks, having been purchased with that kind of money, may be justly and honorably redeemed with the same; and it is the duty of the government to pay them ofif as rapidly as they become due, or the financial safety of the country will permit. 5. That the national bank system, organized in the interest of the bondliolders, ought to be abolished, and the United States notes substi- tuted in lieu of a natumal bank currency, thus saving to the people, in interest alone, more than $18,000,000 annually; and until such system of banks shall be abolished, we demand that the shares of such banks in Iowa shall be subject to the same taxes. State and municipal, as other property of the State. 6. That it is the duty of the United States lo protect all citizens, whether native or natural- ized, in every right, at home and abroad, without the pretended claim of foreign nations to per- petuate allegiance. 7. Tbat we are in favor of the repeal of the prohibitory liquor law, and of the enactment of a judicious license law in its stead, 8. That we are opposed to conferring the right of suffrage upon the negroes in Iowa, and we deny the riuht of the general government to interfere with the question of suffrage in any of the States of the Union. 9. That the soldiirs of Iowa, in the recent great revolution, exhibited a spirit of patriotism, courage and endurance, under great privation and sufferings, that have wou for them the ad- miration of the nation, and entitle them to the kind recollection of their countrymen and the aid of a graceful government. 10. That Hon. Geo. H. Pendleton, of Ohio, is the first choice of the Den\ocracy of Iowa for President of the United States. On Secretary of State, the official vote stood as follows: J, 182 HISTORY OP IOWA. Ed. Wright, Rep 120,265 45,801 David Hammer. Dem 74,464 The Republicans, in 1869, re-nominated Samuel Merrill for Governor; — Waldon for LieutenaiitGovernor; Jolin F. Dillon for Supreme Judge; A. S. Kissell for Superintendent of Public Instruc ion. They adopted the following resolutions: Resolced. Thai we heaitili endorse the admin- istration of Governor Merrill as economical and honest, and that it deserves, as it lias received, the hearty approval of the people of Iowa. 2. That we unite upon a continuance of strict and close economy in all deparlmciits of our State governnieut in bihilf of the maintenance of the happy financial condition to wliich our State has attained under Republican rule. 8. That the means now in the State treasury, and which may become avail al)le, outrht to be issued for the purpose of defraying the neces- sary expenditures of the State government, economically administered, and for no other purpose; and no State taxes, or only the mini- mum absolutely required, should be levied or collected until such means are exhausted, to the end that the burden of taxation may be made as light as possible. 4. That we rejoice in the glorious national victory of 1868, which has brought peace, happi- ness and prosperity to our nation; and we heartily endorse the administration of General Graul. 5. That the publio expenditures of the na- tional government should be reduced to the lowest sum which can be reached by a system of the most rigid economy; that no money should be taken from the national treasury for any work of internal improvements, or for the erec- tion of any pulilic buildings not clearly neces- sary to be made or erected, until the n.itional debt is paid or greatly reduced. That all the money that can be saved from the national revenue, honestly collected, should be applied to the reduction of the national debt, to the end that the people may be relieved of the burthen of taxation :'.s rapidly as practicable. 6. That we endorse and a; prove the policy which the present Secretary of the Treasury of the United States lias pursued. The Di-mocrats placed in nomination the following ticket: Governor, (-Jeorge Gillespie; Lieutenant-Governor, A. P. Richardson; Judge of the Supreme Court, W.F. Brannan; Superintendent of Public Instn ction, Edward Jaeger. They, also, adopted as a platform the following: Whereas, Upon the eve of a political c.mvass, the tiiiio-huuored usage of our party requires that a platform of principles be announced for the government ofrthose who may be elected to of- fice; therefore, be it ResUved, That the Democratic party view with alarm tlie action of an unscrupulous majority in C^ongress, in its attemi>t to absorlj the powers of the executive and judicial departments of the government, and to annihilate the rights and functions reserved to the State governments. 2. That we favor a reform iu the national banking system, looking to an ultimate abolition of that pernicious plan for the aggrandizement of the few at the expense of the many. 8. That now, as in time past, we are opposed to a high protective tarifl', and that we will use everj' eflbrt to prevent and difeai that system of national legislation which will enrich a small class of manufacturers, at the expense of the great mass of producers and consumers, and that we are in favor of such reforms in our tarifl' system as shall promote commerce with every nation of the woild.- 4. That the pretended trial, conviction and execution of persons not in the military or naval service of the United States, by military commis- sion, is in direct conflict with the constitution, and we denounce the same as unworthy of a free people, and disgraceful to the American govern- ment. 5. That we demand no more, and will submit to nothing less than the settlement of the Ala- bama claims according to the recognized rules of international law, and that we declare it to be A HISTORY OF IOWA. 183 the duty of the government to protect every cit- izen, whether naturalized ornative, in every right of liberty and property throughout the world, without the pretended claims of foreign nations to their allegiance. 6. That we are in favor of, and insist on, an economical administration of the national and State governments, that the people may be as speedily- as possible relieved from the load of taxation with which they are now oppressed, and that public ofHcers should be held to a strict accountability to the people for their ofEcial acts. 7. That a national debt is a national curse, and that while we favor the payment of the present indebtedness according to the strict let- ter of the contract, we would rather repudiate the same than see it made the means for the establishment of an empire upon the ruins of constitutional law and liberty. 8. That in the opinion of this convention the so-called Miiine liquor law, which now disgraces the statute books of the State of Iowa, ought to be repealed at the earliest possible moment. The campaign of 1870 was short, the first convention being held by the Demo crats at DesMoines, August 10. The nominations made were as follows: Sec- retary of State, Charles Doerr; Auditor of State, Wesley W. Garner; Treasurer of State, William C. James; Attorney-Gen- eral, H. M. Martin; Register of State Land Office, D. F. Ellsworth; Reportei of the Supreme Court, C. H. Bane; Clerk of the Supreme Court, William MoLenan; Judge of the Supreme Court, long terra, J. C. Knapp; Judge of the Supreme Court, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resig- nation of Judge Dillon, P. Henry Smythe; Judge of the Supreme Court to fill the va- cancy occasioned by the resignation of Judge Wright, Reuben' Noble. They adopted the following platform: The representatives of the Democracy of Iowa, coming together in a spirit of toleration and de- votion to the doctrines of representative govern- ment, and relying for final success upon public discussion and the intelligence and patriotism of the people, deem the present convention a fitting occasion to proclaim the following as the prin- ciples of the Democratic party of Iowa: Resolved, That the internal revenue system of the United States is unendurable in its oppres- sive exactions; that to impose burdens upon one classof citizens, or upon onebrmch of industry, to build up another, and to support an army of office-holders to enforce their collection, is an abuse of the taxing power, and that we are in favor of the collection of all taxes through State government. 2. That we are opposed to the present unjust and unequal tarill" system, and in favor of one which, while adapted to the purpose of raising the eecessary revenue to provide for the liquida- tion of our national indebtedness, to meet the expenditures of an economical administration, will not .rosperity and national security Ihruughout the country; that at last the De.nocratic party have nominally abandoned tlie princiiiles which they have heretofore maintained, and announced their adhesion to the principles of the Republi- can party, and are endeavoring to steal into power by nominating recent Republicans. But with full confidence of our glorious triumph in the present campaign, both in this State and the nation, we hereby reiterate and re atlirm the great principles that have governed and controlled the Republican party in the past, and pledge to the people their maintenance in the future. Resolved, That the nomination of our present able, earnest and incorruptible Chief Magistrate, Ulysses S. Grant, for re-election to the Pjesi- dencyof the United States, and of Henry Wilson, of Massachusetts, for Vice-President, meets our unqualified and hearty approval. 3. That we are in favor of the most rigid economy in the administration of the affairs of this State and the nation. 3, That we are opposed to any legislation. State or national, that tends to unjustly dis- criminate between individual interest and that of corporations, believing that property, whether held by individuals or corporations, should bear their equal and just portion of the public bur- dens. V 188 HISTORY OF IOWA. 4. That we are opposed to all further grants of land to railroad or other corporations, and the public domain which is the common heritage of the people of this country should be sacredly held by the government for the use and benefit of actual and bona fide settlers. 5. That we hereby endorse the recommenda- tion of General Grant, that emigrants be pro- tected by national legislation, and that all cfTorts on the part of the government of the State or nation to encourage emigration from foreign countries meet our approval; and we hereby commend the labors of the officers of the State in their efforts to encourage and secure emigra- tion to this State. 6. That we cordially endorse the nominations made by this convention, and pledge to the nominees our hearty, active and earnest support. A " straight " Democratio convention was held at DesMoines, September 6th, which adopted the following platform, and placed in nomination a ticket: Resolved, That the coalition ef office hunters at Cincinnati and Baltimore, whereby Horace Greeley, a life long, mischievous and unchanged Republican, was presented as Democratic candi- date for Presidency, merits the condemnation of every honest elector, and we repudiate the same on behalf of the unpurchasable Democracy of the State of Iowa. 2. That, with Chas. O'Connor and the Louis- ville National Convention, we believe that Horace Greeley, above all other living Ameri- cans, is the recognized champion of the pernic- ious system of government. Intermeddling with those concerns of society which, under judicious laws of State enactment, should be left to individual action, and as such, he cannot consistently or safely receive the vote of any Democrat. 3. With the Louisville convention, we also believe that the principles of the dual Republi- can party, one faction of which is led by Grant and the other by Greeley, are inimical to consti tutional free government, and husiile to the fun- damental basis of our union of co-ordinate self- governing States, and that the policies of said dual party are in practice demoralizing to the public service, oppressive upon the labor of the people, and subversive of the highest interests of the country. 4. That we will act upon the advice of said convention, and for national regeneration will form political associations, independent of either branch of said dual party, and nominate and sup- port, in the ajjproachingfall elections. State and district candidates who are in harmony with said convention, and who are opposed to all the prin- ciples, policies and practices of said dual parly; that we heartily endorse all the proceedings of the Louisville national convention, and pledge to its nominees, Charles O'Connor and John Quincy Adams, our most cordial support. 5. That the supposed availability of Horace Greeley, as a coalition candidate, upon which alone his name found any support, having already signally failed, it becomes the duty of the Baltimore delegates to formally withdraw from the lists a name which so manifestly fore- dooms the national Democratic party, with all its hopes and aspirations, to merilable and dis- honorable defeat. 6. That the alacrity with which the Demo- cratic press of Iowa, wiih one honorable excep- tion, has championed the corrupt Greeley con- spiracy, presents the most scandalous defection in all our political history, an.idst which the sturdy devotion to sound principle, exhibited by the Audubon county Sentinel and the Chicago Timet, is especially gratifying, and we there- fore urge upon the Democracy of Iowa a diter- mined effort to give the Times and Sentinel an extensive circulation throughout the entire Slate, and such other reliable Democratic jour- nals as may be hereafter established. 7. Tlial it is the sentiment of this convention that we proceed to nominate a full O'Connor and Adams electoral ticket and substitute Demo- cratic names on the Slate ticket, where Repub- licans have been phiced in lieu thereof, and that we suggest that where Republicans have bien nominated for Congress by Ihe so called Demo- crats and Liberals in the seveial Congressional HISTORY OF IOWA. districts, tliat Democrats in favor of the Louis- ville nominations be substituted in their stead by the several Congressional districts. The following State ticket was nomi- nated by the convention: Secretary of State, L. S. Parvin, who subsequently de- clined and Charles Baker was substituted; Treasurer, D. B. Beers; Auditor, J. P. Cassady; Attorney-General, A. G. Case; Register, of Land Olfice, Dave Sheward. The following is the official vote on Sec- retary of State: J. T. Young, Rep 132,359—57,863 E. A. Quilbert, Lib. andDem 74,497 D. B. Beers, straight Dem 1,333 The* Republican State Convention for 1873 met at DesMoiues, June 25, and nominated, for Governor, C. C. Carpenter; Lieutenant - Governor, Joseph Dysart; Judge of Supreme Court, J. M. Beck; Supt. of Public Instruction, Alonzo Aber- nethy. The following platform was adopted: The Republicans of Iowa, in mass convention assembled, make this declaration of principles: We hold the Republican party to be a political organization of those American citizens who are opposed to slavery in all its forms; who believe that all men are entitled to the same political and civil rights; who believe that all laws, State and national, should be made and administered so as to secure to all citizens, wherever born or whatever their color, creed, condition or occu- pation, the same rights before the law; who believe in free schools, free opinion and universal education; who believe that American society and the American people should all be raised to the highest possible plane of liberty, honesty, purity, intelligence and morality, and that all laws should be made and the government con- stantly administered with this aim in view, and that no parly has a right to support of the people which it not inspired with this purpose. Believ ing that the Republican party is still controlled by these principles, and that it is now, as it has been from its beginning, an organization of the best auJ purest political sentiment of the country, we, as Republicans, renew the expres- sion of our devotion to it, and our belief that we can secure through it the political reform and the just and necessary measures of legislation, and of relief from monopolies and other abuses of power which the country so much needs; therefore. Resolved, That, proud as we are of most of the past record of the Republican party, we yet insist that it shall not rely upon its past achieve- ments; it must be a party of the present and of progress; and as it has preserved the Union, freed the slave and protected him from the oppression of the slave-master, it will now be direliot to its spirit and its duty if it does not protect all our people from all forms of oppres- sion, whether of monopolies, centralized capil al, or whatsoever kind the oppression may be. 2. That we insist upon the right and duty of the State to control every franchise of whatever kind it grants; and while we do not wish that any injustice shall be done to the individual or corporation who invest capital in enterprises of this kind, we yet demand that no franchise shall be granted which is prejudicial to the public interests, or in which the rights and interests of the State and the people are not carefully and fully guarded. 8. That the producing, commercial and in- dustrial interests of the country should have the best and cheapest modes of transportation possible; and while actual capital invested in such means of transit, whether by railroad or otherwise, should be permitted the right of reasonable remuneration, an abuse in their man- agement, excessive rates, oppressive discrimina- tions against localities, persons or interests, should be corrected by law, and we demand con- gressional and legislative enactments that will control and regulate the railroads of the coun- try, and give to the people fair rates of trans- portation, and protect them against existing abuses. 4. That we heartily applaud the active meas- ures of the late Congress, in ferreting out and ^. 190 HISTORY OF IOWA. exposing corruption. We have seen, with pro- found regret, in the developments made thereby, evidences of political and official corruption, and the abuse of responsible positions by men of all political parties, to further personal ends, and we demand pure official conduct and the puuishmenl of unfaithful public men. who, having betrayed the confidence freely extended to them, shall not be shielded from the disgrace of their acts by any partisanship of ours, and we denounce all credit mobilier transactions and all official misconduct of whatever form. 5 That we believe that whenever a person holding any position of trust given him by Ihe people, is guilty of fr.iud or embezzlement, he should be convicted and punished under the criminal laws of our land, in addition to the re- covery from him or his bondsmen of the amount 80 embezzled. 6. That the act of the majority of the mem- bers of the last Congress, in passing what is known as the back-pay steal, by which they voted into their pockets thousands of dollars which did not belong to them, as well as the act of those who voted against the same and yet re- ceived the money, is most flagrantly improper and infamous, and should secure the political condemnation of all who were party to it; and we demand that the provisions of the said act by which the salaries were increased, shall be promptly and unconditionally repealed. 7. That we sympathize with every movement to secure for agriculture and labor their due in- fluence, interests and rights, and the Republican parly will be their ally in every just eftorl to at- tain that end. 8. That we are desirous of political reform, and for honesty, economy an ? purity in all offl cial administration; that to secure this is the duty -.f every citizen; that to this end every good man should feel bound to participate in politics, and to make an end to bad men forcing their election by securing a party nomination, we declare it the duly of every Republican to oppose the election of a bad and incompetent candidate, whether he be a candidate upon our own or upon any other ticket. The question of monopolies began to agitate the people to a great extent at this time and the opposition to Republicans united under the name of anti-monopolists. An Anti-Molopolist convention was held at Des Moines, August 12th, and the follow- ing ticket nominated Governor, Jacob G. Vale; Lieutenant-Governor, Fred. O'Donnell; Supreme Judge, B. J. Hall; Supt. of Publiclnstruction, D. M. Prindle. The following platform was adopted at this convention: Whereas, Political parties are formed to meet public emergencies; and when they have discharged the duty which called them into being, they may become the means of abuse as gross as those they were organized to reform; and. Whereas, Both of the old political parties have discharged the obligations assumed at their organization, and being no longer potent as instruments for the reform of abuses which have grown up in them, therefore we deem it incon- sistent to attempt to accomplish a political reform by acting with and in such organization; there- fore, Resolved, That we, in free convention, do declare, as the basis of our future political action, — 3. That all corporations are subject to legisla- tive control; that those created by Congress should be restricted and controlled by Congress, and that those under State laws should be sub- ject to the control respectively of the Stale creating them; that such legislative control should be in expressed abrogation of the theory of the inalienable nature of ihartertd rights, and that it should be at all limes so used as to prevent the moneyed corporations from becom ing engines of oppression; that the property of all corporations should be assessed by the same officers, and taxed at the same rate as the pro- perty of individuals; that the Legislature of Iowa should, by law, fix maximum rates of freight to be charged by the railroads of the State, leaving them free to compete below the rates. ^ c ^ HISTORY OF IOWA. 3. Thiit we favor such modification of our banking system as will exleud its beiufits to the whole people, and thus destroying all monopoly now enjoyed by a favored few. 4. That we demand a general revision of the present tariflf laws that shall give usiiee salt, iron, lumber, and cotton and woolen fabrics, and reduce the whole system to a revenue basis only. 5. That we will not knowingly nominate any bad man to office, nor give place to persistent seekers therefor, but will freely seek for our- selves competent officers — as heretofore, politi- cal leaders have sought office for themselves — and that we will nominate only those known to be faithful and in sympathj' with these declara- tions, and will, at the polls, repudiate any candi- date known to be unfit or incompetent. 6. That we demand the repeal of the back salary law, and the return to the United States treasury of all money received thereunder by members of the last Congress and of members of the present Congress. We demand a repeal of the law increasing salaries, and the fixing of a lower and more reasonable compensation for public officers, believing that until the public debt is paid and the public burden lightened, the salaries of our public servants should be more in proportion to the awards of labor in prfvate life. 7. That we are opposed to all future grants of land to railroads or other corporations, and ' elieve that the public domain should be held sacred to actual settlers; and are in favor of a law by which each honorably discharged soldier or his heirs may use such discharge in any government land-office in full payment for a quarter-section of unappropriated public lands. 8. That public officers who betray their pledges or trust are unworthy of renewed con- fidence, and those who criminally trifle with tlje public funds must be punished as criminals, regardleis of their previous influence or the political importance of their bondsmen. 9. That we arc in favor of a strict construc- tion of our constitution by our Supreme and other courts, and are opposed to the exercise of the doubtful powers by judicial or other officers. 10. That in the corrupt Tammany steal, the credit mobilier fraud, the congressional salary swindle and official embezzelements, and the hundreds of other combinations, steals, frauds, and swindlf'S, by which Democratic and Repub- lican legislators, congressmen, and offlce-holders have enriched themselves, and defrauded the country and impoverished the people, we find the necessity of independent action and the importance of united effort, and cordially invite men, of whatever calling, business, trade, or vocation, regardless of past political views, to join us in removing the evils that so seriously affect us all. The vote was light, and on Governor was as follows: C. C. Carpenter, Rep 10.5,133—34,113 J. G. Vale, Anti-M...i 81,020 An Anti-Monopoly conventiou was held at DesMoines, June 23, 1874, which nom- inated the following ticket and adopted the following platform: Secretary, David Morgan; Auditor, J. M. King; Treasurer, J. W. Basner; Attorney-General, J. H. Keatley; Clerk of Supreme Court, Geo.W. Ball; Reporter of Supreme Court, J. M. Weart. The following is the platform: Resolved, That we, the delegated representa- tives of the people of Iowa, favorable to the organization of an independent political party, laying aside past diflerences of opinion, and earnestly uniting in a common purpose to secure needful reforms in the administration of public affairs, cordially unite in submitting these decla- rations: 1. That all political power is inherent in the people; that no government is worthy of pre- servation or should be upheld which does not derive its power from the consent of the gov- erned, by equal and just laws; that the inesti- mable right of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness should be secured to all men, without distinction of race, color or nativity; that the maintenance of these principles is essential to the prosperity of our republican institutions. ^^ IIISTOEY OF IOWA. and that to this end the federal constitution, with all Its amendments, the rights of the States, and the union of the Slates must and shall be presei-ved. 3. That the maintenance inviolate of the rights of the States, and especially of the right of each State to order and control its' own domestic institutions according to its judg- ment exclusively, is essential to that bal- ance of power on which the perfection and endurance of our political fabric depends; and that we denounce as a criminal excess of constitutional power the policy of President Grant's administration in fostering the enormi- ties perpetrated in certain States of the Union in arbitrarily interfering with their local affairs, in sustaining therein the usurpations of aliens and irresponsible adventurers, whereby certain men have been illegally invested with oflScial authority, and others deprived of their constitu- tional rights, oppressive laws enacted, burden- some taxation imposed, and immense and ficti- tious indebtedness created, resulting in the degradation of those States, and the general impoverishment of their people. 8. That the conduct of the present adminis- tration, in its bold defiance of public sentiment and disregard of the common good, in its prodi- gality and wasteful extravagance, in the innum- erable frauds perpetrated under its authority, in its disgraceful partiality for and rewards of un- worthy favorites, in its reckless and unstable financial policy, and in its total incapacity to meet the vital questions of the day, and provide for the general welfare, stands without a paral- lel in our national history, and the highest con- siderations of duty require the American people, in the exorcise of their inherent sover- eignty, to correct these accumulating evils, and bring the government back to its ancient land- marlts, patiotism and economy. 4. That the faith and credit of the nation must be maintained inviolate; that the public debt, of whatever kind, should be paid in strict accordance with the law under whiih it was contracted; that an over issue of paper money being at variance with the principles of a sound financial policy, the circulating medium should be based upon its redemption in specie at the earliest practicable day, and its convertibility into a specie equivalent at the will of the holder, and that, subject to these restrictions, it is the duty of Congress to so provide, by appropriate legislation, that the volume of our government currenc}' shall at all times be adequate to the general l)usiness and commerce of the country, and equitably distributed among the several States. 5. That tariffs and all other modes of taxa- tion should be imposed upon the basis of rev- enue alone, and be so adjusted as to yield the minimum amount required for the legitimate expenditure of the government, faithfully and economically administered, and that taxation to an extent necessary to the accumulation of a surplus revenue in the treasury, subjects the people to needless burdens and affords a temp- tation to extravagance and official corruption. 6. That railroads and all other corporations for pecuniary profit should be rendered subser- vient to the public good; that we demand such constitutional and necessary legislation upon this subject, both State and national, as will effectually secure the industrial and producing interests of the country against all forms of corporate monopoly and extortion, and that the existing railroad legislation of this State should faiihfully be enforced, until experience may have demonstrated the propriety and justice of its modification. 7. That while demanding that railroads be subject to legislative control, we shall discoun- tenance any action on this subject calculated to retard the progress of railroad enterjirise, or work injustice to those invaluable auxiliaries to commerce and civilization. 8. That the limitation of the Presidency to one term, and the election of President, Vice President and United States Senators by a direct popular vote, and a thorough reform of <5ur civil service to the end that capacity and fidelity he made the essential qualifications for election and appointment to office, are proposed reforms which meet our hearty endorsement. 9. That we demand such a modification of the patent laws of the United States as shall nv HISTORY OF IOWA. 193 destroy the monopoly now enjoyed by the man- ufacture of agricultural and other implements of industry. 10. That the personal liberty and social rights of the citizens should not be abridged or con- trolled by legislative enactment, except in so far as may be necessary to promote the peace and welfare of society. 11. That holding in grateful remembrance the soldiers and sailors who fought our battles, and by whose heroism the nation was preserved, we insist that Congress shall equalize the boun- ties and grant to eaeh one of them, or to his widow and children, a homestead of one hun- dred and sixty acres of land from the unappro- priated domain of the country. 12. That we desire hereafter to be linown as the Independent party of Iowa, and recognizing the individual conscience of the voter as para- mount to the claims of the. party, ask the co- operation of those only to whom this declaration of principles and the candidates nominated by this convention may commend themselves worthy. The Republican convention, which con- vened July l8t, at DesMoines, put in nom- ination for Secretary of State, Josiah T. Young; Treasurer of State, Wm. Christy; Auditor of State, Buren R Sherman; Reg- ister of State Land Office, David Secoi; Attorney-General, M. C. Cutts; Judge of Supreme Court, E. J. Holmes; Reporter of Supreme Court, John S. Runnells. The following is the Republican platform: We, the representatives of the Republican party of the State of Iowa, in convention assem- bled, do adopt the following platform of princi- ples: Besoloed, That as the policy of the Republi- can party in relation to finance, has atlorded the people not only a safe, sound and popular cur- rency, of equal and uniform worth in every portion of our common country, but has like- wise greatly improved the credit of the country at home and abroad, we point with pride to its record and accomplishments in this regard. And while re-affirming the policy announced by the party in the national conventions of 1868 and 187:3, and triumphantly endorsed by the people at the polls— a pulicy which, while contributing to the public credit has also enhanced the indi- vidual and collective prosperity of the American people — we favor such legislation as shall make national banking free to all, under just and equal laws, based upon the policy of specie re- sumption at such time as is consistent with the material and industrial interests of the counlry, to the end that the volume of currency may be regulated by the national laws of trade. 3. That we reaffirm the declaialion of the Republican national platform of 1872, in favor of the payment by the government of the United States of all its obligations in accordance with both the letter and the spirit of the laws under which such obligations were issued, and we de- clare that in the absence of any express provis- ion to the contrary, the obligations of the gov- ernment when issued and placed upon the mar- kets of the world, are payable in the world's currency, towit, specie. 3. That under the constitution of the United States, Congress has power to regulate all "com- merce among the several States," whether carried on by railr.iads or other means, and in the exer- cise uf that power Congress may, and should, so legislate as to prohibit, under suitable ; cnalties, extortion, unjust discrimination, and other wrong and unjust conduct on the part of per- sons or corporations engaged in such commeice; and, by virtue of the same constitutional power. Congress may and should provide for the im- provement of our great natural water-ways. 4. That the Stale has the power, and it is its duly, to provide by law for the regulation and control of railway transportation within its own limits, and we demand that the law of this State passed for this purpose at the last session of the General Assembly shall be upheld and enforced until it shall be superseded by other legislation, or held unconstitutional by the proper judicial tribunal. 5. That we feel bound to provide all appro- priate legislation for the full and equal protec- ^1^ A 194 HISTORY OF IOWA. tion of all citizens, white or black, native or foreign born, in the enjoyment of all the rights guaraotced by the c institution of the United States and the amendments thereto. 6. That the |27,000,000 reduction in the estimated general government expenses for the coming fiscal year meets our hearty commenda- tion, and shows that the Republican party on questions of retrenchment and economy is carry- ing out in good faith its oft repeated pledges to the people. 7. That we are in favor of an amendment to the constitution of the United Stales, providing for the election of President and Vice-President by a direct vote of the people. 8. Tliat while inventors should be protected in their just riahts of property in their inven- tions, we demand such modifications of our patent laws as shall render the same more fair and equitable to consumers. 9. That the faith of the Republican party is pledged to promote the best good of the civil service of the country, and that we, as Republi- cans of Iowa, demand that only honest and capable men be elected or appointed to office, and that we commend tlie position of the party in instituting investigations of corruption in office, sparing therein neither friends nor foes. 10. That since the people may be intrusted with all questions of govermental reform, we favor the final submission to the people of the question of amending the constitution so as to extend the rights of suffrage to women, pursuant to action of 15th General Assembly. On Secretary of State the vote stood: J. T. Young, Rep 107,243—28,183 David Morgan, Dem 79,060 For the campaign of 1875 the Doruocrats, Liberal Republicans and Anti-Monopolists met at Des Moines, June 24th, and nom- inated a State ticket headed by Shepherd Lefler for Governor; Lieutenant-Governor, E. B. Woodward; Judge of Supreme Court, W. J. Knight; Supt. of Public Instruction, Isaiah Donane. The following platforn was then adopted: The Democrats, Liberal Republicans, and Anti Monopolists of the State of Iowa, in delegate convention assembled, declare, as a basis of per- manent organizttiou and united action, the following principles: 1. A firm adherence to the doctrine of politi- cal government, as taught by Jefferson, Madison, and other fathers of the republic. 2. A strict adherence to the constitution in all measures involving constitutional power. 8. The supremacy of the Republican govern- ment within the sphere and reservation of the local authority of the constitution as opposed to the concentration of all powers in a strong cen- tralized government. 4. Absolute prohibitiim of military inicrfer- ence with the local State elections, and the peaceful assembling and organization of the State Legislatures, except in the manner clearly defined in the Constitution. 5. Honesty in the administration of the public officers, and strict economy in the public expenditures. 6. All officers to be held to a strict accounta- bility for the misuse of the public funds or for the prostitution of their powers for private use. 7. The preservation of all the rights of every citizen, without regard to race or color. 8. The reservation of the public Unds for the benefit of actual settlers, and opposition to any further grants to corporate monopolies for any purpose. 9. The restoration of the Presidential salary to f 25,000. No third term. 10. That we are n favor of the resumption of specie pavment as soon as the same can be d me without injury to the business interests of the country, and maintain a sufficient supply of national curiency for business purposes; opposi- tion to present national banking law. 11. A tarifiE on imports that will produce the largest amount of revenue, with the smallest amount of tax, and no imposition of duiies for HISTORY OF IOWA. 195 the benefit of manufactures at the expense of agricultural interests 12. We are in favor of the repeal of the present prohibitory liquor law, and the enactment of a practical license law, strictly enforced, as the best guard against, and the safest solution of, the evils of intemperance, 13. That we are opposed to all legislation that restricts any citizen in his individual or social rights and privileges. With this declaration of principle and policy, in the language of our biethren of Ohio, we arraign the leaders of the Republican party for their extravagant expenditure and profligate waste of the people's money, fortheiroppressive, unjust, and defective system of finance and taxa- tion; for their continued tyranny and cruelty to the Southern Stales of the Union, and their squandering of public lands, their continuance of incompetent and corrupt men in the offices at home and abroad, and for their general mismanagement of the government, and we cor- dially invite all men, without regard to past party association, to co-operate with us in removing them from power, and in securing such an administration of public affairs as char- acterized the purer and better days of the .republic. The Rei)ublican convention at Des- Moines placeil in nomination for Governor, S. J. Kirkwood ; Lieutenant-Governor, Joshua G. Newbold; Judge of Supreme Court, Austin Adams ; Superintendent Public Instruction, Alonzo Abernethy. The convention also adopted the follow- ing platform: Reauhed, That we declare it a cardinal prin- ciple of the Republican faith that the republic is a nation, one and indissoluble, within which the constitutional rights of the States and of the people to local self-government must be faith- lully maintained. 2. That wc favor the early attainment of -cur- rencj' convertible with coin, and therefore advocate the gradual resumption of specie pay- ments by continuous and steady steps. 3. That we favor a tariff for revenue, so adjusted as to encourage home industry. 4. That the earnest efforts of the government to collect the revenue, prevent and punish frauds, have our unqualified approval. 5. We are opposed to further grants of land to railroads or other corporations, but we de- mand a reservation of public domain for settle- ment under the homestead laws, and for other bona fide settlers. 6. We demand such a revision of the patent laws as will relieve industry from the oppression of monopolies in their administration. 7. That we cordially approve the policy of the present administration in the settlement of difficulties between ourselves and other nations, by arbitration, instead of appealing to arms. 8. The Republican party of Iowa is opposed to a third term. 9. We demand that all railway and other cor- porations shall be held in fair and just subjection to the law-making power. 10. We stand by free education, our public school system, taxation of all for its support, and no division of the school fund. 11. That our national and State administra- tion of public affairs have our hearty support. 12. We cordially invite all who are opposed to the restoration of the Democratic party to power, to forget all past ;iolitical differences, and unite with the Republican party in maintaining the cause of true reform. 13. The persistent and tyrannical efforts of the enemies of the Union, by murder and intim- idation of the enfranchised citizens, and the ostracisms and proscriptions of the white Repub- licans of the South, for the purpose of rendering null and void this amendment, merits the con- demnation of every honest man. 14. That we heartily endorse the action of President Grant in enforcing the laws when called upon to do so by the proper authorities of the State. The Prohibitionists of the State met and nominated for Governor, Rev. John H. ^r^ 19d HISTORY OF IOWA. Lozier, and adopted the following plat- form : Whereas, The traffic in and use of intoxi eating liquors as a beverage, is the greatest evil of the present age; and, Whereas, The legal prohibition of said traffic and use of liquors is the prime duty of those who frame and execute laws for the public wel- fare; iind, Whereas, The existing political parlies, in their Slate platforms, have either ignored or re- pudiated the foregoing principles, the one de- claring for license, the other refusing to pass a resolution opposed to the repeal of the existing prohibitory law of our State; therefore. Resolved, That the temperance people of Iowa are, by thfs action of these political parties, forced to seek the promotion of their objects by such organizations and combinations as may prove most i ffeclive for the success of the tem- perance Crtus-e, without reference to previous political iiffili.ilion. 3. That we most cordially approve the policy of the present aduiinislraliou in the setilenieul of difficulties between ourselves and other na- tions, by arbitration, inste:id "f appealing to arms; and also the eSorts now being made to codify the international laws so that a World's Peace Congress may be established before which all international difficulties may be adjusted, and thus "nations learn war no more." 3. That the desecration of the Christian Sab- bath by public amusement, such as target shoot ing, dancing, theatrical performance, and kin- dred practices, together with ordinary business traffic, except by persons conscientiously ob- serving the seventh day of the week as a Sab- bath Clay, augurs evil to the public morals, and that the laws of our State, touching Sabbath desecrations, should be rigidly enforced. 4. That we are in favor of maintaining our free school system at the expense of the whole people, and without the division of our school fund with any sectarian ori^anization whatever, and. in favor of such legislation as will secure the education of all children within our State in the elementary branches of conimiui school edu- cation. 5. That the doctrine of professed political parties ought to be, is, and shall continue to be, powerless to control men bound by their convic- tions to the mountain of great moral prin.iples, and we call upon all concerned in the promotion of public morals to promptly and earnestly re- buke the policy now inaugurated by such pro- fessed leaders, and to seek its overthrow. 6. That we earnestly recommend that the temperance people of the several counties promptly form county organizatiims, looking to the election of such Representatives in our Leg- islature, and such officers as will enact and en- force laws for the promotion of the foregoing principles, leaving the question of calling a con- vention for the nomination of State officers and of further organizing to an executive committee to be elected by this convention. The vote on Governor was officially an- nounced as follows : S. J. Kirkwood, Rep 124,8-.r)-31,57G S. Lefler, Dem 93,279 J. H. Lozier, Pro 1,397 The financial depression during the sec- ond administration of Grant was such as to influence the formation of a new party, known as the Greeiibick party, or, as it was styled in national convention, the Na- tional Greenback Labor party. Peter Cooper was the candidate of this party for the Presidency, while the Republicans nominated Rutherford B. Hayes, and the Democrats Samuel J. Tilden. The Green- back men of Iowa held a convention May lOlh, at DesMoines, and adopted the fol- lowing resolutions : WuEnEAS, Labor is the basis of all our wealth, and capital cannot be accumulated except as the product of industry, or human "life, given out in the daily labor of the toiling millions; and, Whereas, Money is, in essence, only a certi- ficate of service rendered, and hence the solution HISTORY OF IOWA. of the financial question lies at the bottom of all true government, and is the paramount issue of the present campaign, in which the Democratic and Republican leaders have failed to take the side of the people; therefore, we, the citizens of Iowa, in mass conveniion assembled, do thus organize the Independent party of Iowa, and declare our faith in the following principles: 1. That it is the duly of the government to establish a monetary system, based upon the faith and resources of the nation, in harmony with the genius of this government, and adapted to the demands of legitimate business. 2. That we demand the immediate repeal of the specie resumption act of January 14, 1875, and that the circulating notes of our national and State banks, as well as the local currency, be withdrawn from circulation, and their place supplied by a uniform national currency, issued direct from the government, the same to be made a legal tender for all public and private debts, duties on imports not excepted, and inter- changeable at the option of the holder for bunds bearing a rate of interest not to exceed 3.65 per cent, per annum. 3. We demand that the present bonded debt of the country be refunded as speedily as pos- sible into registered interchangeable bonds that shall bear interest at a low rate, not exceeding 3.65 per cent, per annum. 4. We are in favor of the repeal of the act of March 18, 1869, -making greenbacks payable in coin, and making 5-20 bonds jierpetual or pay- able only in coin and thus unjustly discrimin- ating in favor of the money interest. A Greenback State ticket was nominated at a convention held September 20th, and these additional resolutions were adopted: 1. We are in favor of the adoption of the platform of the Indianapolis National Conven- tion. 2. We recognize the rights of capital and its just protection; we condemn all special legisla- tion in its favor. 3. We demand a reduction of official salaries, proportionate to the reduction of the profits on labor. 4. We demand a remonetization of silver. 5. We demand the equality of the soldiers' bounties 6. We approve and endorse the nomination of Peter Coojier for President, and Samuel F. Gary for Vice President of the United States. The following is the ticket nominated: Secretary of State, A. Macready; Auditor of State, Leonard Brown; Treasurer of State, Geo. C. Fry; Register State Land Office, Geo. M. Walker; Superintendent Pub. Instruction, Rev. J A.Nash; Supreme Judges, Charles Negus, Oliver R. Jones. The Republicans placed in nomination the following, at a convention hehl in Des Moines: Secretary of State, Josiab T. Young; Auditor, Buren R. Sherman, Treasurer, Geo. W. Beinis; Register of Land Office, David Secor; Supreme Judges, W. H. Seevers, J. H. Rothrock; Attorney- General, J. F. McJunkin; Superintendent Public Instruction, C W. VonCoelln. At the same time they adopted as a platform the following: 1. We are for maintaining the unity of the nation sacred and inviolable; for the just and equal rights of all men; for peace, harmony and brotherhood throughout the nation; for men of unsullied honesty, and purity of chajacter and public trust, and for the swift pursuit and un- sparing punishment of all dishonest officials, high or low. 2. That we are in faver of, and we demand, a rigid economy in the administration of the government, both State and national. 3. That we favor a currency convertible with coin, and therefore ailvocate the gradual resump- tion of specie payment by continuous and speedy steps in that direction. 4. That we demand that all railway and other corporations shall be held in fair and just sub- jection to the law making power. 5. That we stand by free education, our school system, taxation of all for its support, 'A: 198 HISTORY OF IOWA. and no diversion of the school fund from the public schouls. 6. That we cordially iuvite immigration from all civilized countries, guaianteeing to emisjrants the same political privileges and social and re- ligious freedom we ourselves enjoy, and favor- ing a free and unsecturiau system of common schools for their children with ours. 7. That in James 6. Blaine we recognize a pure Republican and patriot, and one well worthy to be chosen as the standard-bearer of the Republican party in the coming campaign. The Democrats, in convention at Des Moines, August 30th, adopted the follow- ing: Resohed, By the Liberal Democratic party of the State of Iowa, in conveution ;isscmliled, ihat we adopt as our plalfoim of jirinciples the reso- lutions and declarations of the National Con- vention at St. Louis, and earnestly approve the sentiments of the eminent statesmen of the party, lion. Samuel J. Tilden and Thomas A. Hend licks, 80 ably presented in their letters of acceptance of the nominations at said conveu- tion. The following is the Democratic ticket: Secretary of State, J. H. Stubeiiraiich; Treasurer of State, W. Jones; Auditor of State, VV'. Growneweg; Register of State Land Office, H. C. Ridernour; Attorney- General, J. C. Cook; Judges of Supreme Court, W. I. Hayes, W. Graham. The vote on Secretary of State was as follows: J. T.Young. Rep 172,171 J. H. Stubeurauoh, Dem 112,115 A. Macready, Gr 9,436 Young's majority over all 50,620 In the cani])aign of 1877 the Republi- cans met first in convention at Des Moines, June 28, where they nominated the following ticket: Governor, John H. Gear; Lieutenant - Governor, Frank T. Campbell; Supreme Judge, James G. Day; Supt. of Public Instruction, Carl W. Von Coello. The following is the platform: Acting for the Republicans of Iowa, by its authority and its name, this convention declares: 1. The United Slates of America is a nation, and not a league, by the combined workings of the national and State governments under their respective institutions. The rights of every citizen should be secured at home and protected abroad, and the common welfare promoted. Any failure on the part of either national or State governments to use every possible consti- tutional power to afford ample protection to their citizens, both at home and abroad, is a criminal neglect of their highest duty. 2. The Republican part^' has preserved the government in the commencement of the second century of the nation's existence, and its prin- ciples are embodied in the great truths spoken at its cradle — that all men are created as ecjuals; that they are endowed by the Creator with cer- tain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of Ijappiness; that for the attainment of these ends governments have been instiluied among men deriving their justice from the consent of the governed, which con- sent is evidenced by a majority of the lawful suffrages of citizens, determined in the pursu- ance of the law. Until these truths are univers- ally recognized and carefully obeyed, the work of the Republican party is unfinished, and the Rejjublican parly of Iowa will stand by its colors and fight the good fight to the end. 3. The permanent pacification of the southern section of the Union, and the complete protec- tion of all citizens in the free enjoyment of all their rights, is a duty to which the Republican parly stands sacredly pledged. The power to provide for the enforcement of the principles embodied in the recent constitutional amend- ments, is vested by these ameiKlineuts in the constitution of the United States, and we declare it to be the solemn duty of the legislative and executive departments of the government to put in immediate and vigorous exercise all their powers lor removing any just causes of discon- tent on the part of any class, and for securing '7\ r HISTORY OF IOWA. -K^ to every American citizen complete liberty and exact equiility in the exercise of the civil, politi- cal and public rights. To this end we impera- tively demand of Congress and the Chief E.KCcu tive a courage and fidelity to these duties which shall not fuller until the results are placed beyond doubt or recall. 4. That the public credit should be sacredly maintained, and all the obligations of the gov- ernment honestly discharged; and that we favor the early attainment of a currency convertible with coin, and therefore advocate the gradual resumption of specie payments by continuous and steady steps in that direction. 5. That the silver dollar having been a legal unit of value from tlie foundati.m of the federal government until 1873, the laws under which its coinage was suspended should be repealed at the earliest possible day, and silver made, with gold a legal tender fot the payment of all debts, both public and private. We also believe that the present volume of the currency should be maintained until the wants of trade and com- merce demand its further contraction. 6. That the investment of capital in this State should be encouraged by wise and liberal legislation, but we coudeum the )iolicy of grant- ing subsidies at public expense, eirher to indi- viduals ot corporations, foi their private use. 7. That we demand the most rigid economy in all departments of the government, and that taxation be limited to the actual wants of public expenditure. 8. That we favor a wisely adjusted tariff for revenue. 9. That we hold it to be a solemn obligation of the electors of Iowa to be earnest in securing the election to all positions of public trust of men of honesty and conscience; to administra- tive affairs, men who will faithfully admiuistet the law; to legislative affairs, men who will represent, upon all question?, the best sentiment of the pc.oi>le, and who will labor earne.-tly for the enactment of such laws as the best interests of society, temperance and good morals shall demand. 10. That we rejoice in the honorable name of Iowa, that we are proud of the Stale's achieve- ments, of the degree of purity with which its public affairs have been conducted, and the soundness of its credit at home and abroad. We pledge to do whatever may be done to preserve unsullied the State's reputation in these regards. The Greeubackers met at DesMoines, July 12, and nominated, for Governor, D. B. Stiibbs; Lieutenant-Governor, A. Macready; Supreme Judj;e, John Porter; Supt. of Public In.struction, S. T. Ballard. The convention also adopted the following platform : Whereas, Throughout our entire country, labor, the creator of all wealth, is either unim- ployed or denied its just reward, and all produc- tive interests are paralyzed; and, Whereas, These results have been brought about by class legislation, and the mismanage- ment of our national finances; and. Whereas, Alter generations of experience, we are forced to believe that nothing further can be hoped for through the old puliiical parties; therefore we make the following dec- laration of principles: 1. We demand the unconditional repeal of the specie resumption act of January 14, 1875, and the abandonment of the present suicidal and destructive policy of contraction. 2. We demand the abolition of national banks, and the issue of legal tender paper money, by the government, and made receiv- able for all dues, public and private. 3. We demand the remonetization of the silver dollar, and making it a full legal tender for the payment of all coin bonds of the govern- ment and for all other debts, public and private. 4. We demand the equitable laxation of all property, without favor or privilege. 5. We commend every honest effort for the furtherance of civil service reform. 6. We demand the repeal of all class legisla- tion and the enforcement of such wise and pro- gressive measures as shall secure equality of rights to all legitimate interests, and impartial justice to all persons. 200 IIISTOEY OF IOWA. 7. We demand a reduction of offices and sal- aries, to the end that there be less taxation. 8. We demand Ihat the Independents of Iowa sustain and endorse the principles of railroad legislative control, as expressed by the highest judicial authority, not as enemies of public enterprises, but as friends of the whole country and of the people. 9. We demand that all legal means be ex- hausted to eradicate the tiafiic in alcoholic beverages, and the abatement of the evil of intemperance. 10. We are opposed to all further subsidies by either the Stale or general government, for any and all purposes, either to individuals or corporations. 11. We invite the considerate judgment of our fellow citizens; of ail political parties, upon these our principles and purposes, and solicit the co-operation of all men in the furtherance of them, as we do believe that upon their accept- ance or rejection by the people, the weal or woe of our beloved country depends. The Democracy met in convention this year at Marslialltown, and nominated the following ticket: Governor, John P. Irisli; Lieutenant-Governor, W. C. Janieti; Su- preme Judge, U. C. Boardman; Superin- tendent of Public Iiistru tion, G. D. Culli- 8on. They also resolved — 1. The Democracy of the State of Iowa in couvenli m assembled hereby declare in favor of a taritl' for revenue, the only economic home rule, the supremacy of civil over military power, the separation of church and Stale, equality of all citizens before the law, oppositiim to the grantiug by the general government of subsidies to any corporation wliatever; and we believe, 2. The destruction of the industry of the country and the pauperism of labor are the in- evitable fruit of the vicious laws enacted by the Republican party. 8. That as a means of relieving the distressed portions of the community, and removing the great stringency complained of in business cir- cles, we demand the immediate repeal of the specie resumption act. 4. That we denounce as an outrage upon the rights of the people the enactment of the Re- publican measures demonetizing silver, and de- maud the passage of a law which shall restore to silver its monetary power. 5. That we favor the retention of a green- back cuirency, and declare against any further contraction, and favor the substitution of green- backs for national bank bills. 6. We congratulate the country upon the ac- ceptance by the present administration of the constitutional and pacilic policy of locil self- government in the States of the South, so long advocated by the Democratic party, aud which has brought peace and harmony to that section. Aud in regard to the fu ure linancial policy, in the lauiiuage of our national platform adopted in the New York convention, in 1868, we urge, 7. Payment of the public debts of the United Slates as rapidly as practicable, — all the money drawn from the people by taxation, except so much as is requisite for the necessities of the government, economically administered, being honestly applied to such payment when due. 8. The equal taxation of every species of property according to its value. 9. One currency for the government and the people, the laborer and the office holder, the pensioner and Ihe soldier, the producer and the bondholder. 10. The right of a State to regulate railroad corporations having been established by the higher court of the country, we now declare that this right must be exercised with due regard to justice, as there is no necessarj' aistagouism be- tween the people and corporation, and the com- mon interests of both demmd a speedy restora- tion of former friendly relations through just legislation on iMic side, and a cheerful submis- sion thereto on the other. 11. Rights of capital and labor arc equally sacred, aud alike entitled to legal protection. They have no just cause of quarrel, and the proper relations to each other are adjustable by HISTORY OF IOWA. uational laws, and should not be tampered by legislative interference. 12. That we favor a repeal of the present pro- hibitory liquor law of the State, and the enact- ment of a well-resulated license law instead, and all the money derived from license to go to the school fund of the State. A State Temperance or Prohibition con- vention assembled at Oskaloosa August 30, and nominated Elias Jessup for Gov- ernor, and adopted, as a platform, the fol- lowing : Whbkeas, Intemperance is the enemy of all — the drinker, the seller, the financier, the states- man, the educator and the christian; therefore, be it Resolved, By the temperance peuple of the State of Iowa, that we hold these truths to be self-evident, and we do hereby declare them as the basis of our i>olitioal action. 3 We recognize intemperance as the great social, moral, financial and political evil of the present age; that it is not an incident of intelli- gence and refinement, but is one of the worst relics of barbarism; has produced the lowest and most degraded foi m of government; and there- fore should be overthrown by all republican governments. 3. We claim that all men are endowed by their Creator with the inalienable right of free- dom from the destructive eflectsof intoxicating liquors, and the right to use all lawful and laudiable means to defend themselves and their neighbors against the traffic as a beverage within our State. 4. That governments are insiituted for the purpose of restraining and prohibiting the evil passions of men. and of promoting and protect- ing their best interests; and that, therefore, it is the duty of a government to use all its powers to make it as easy as possible for men to do right and as difficult as possible to do wrong. 5. We believe that the prohibition of the traffic in intoxicating liquors is the only sound legislative theory upon n hich this vexed ques- tion can be solved and the nation saved from bankruptcy and demoralization. Therefore, we insist upon the maintenance and enforcement of our prohibitory law, and upon such amendments thereto as will place ale, wine, and beer under the same condemnation as other intoxicating liquors. 6. That this great evil has long since assumed a political form, and can never be eliminated from politics until our legislatures and courts accomplish its entire overthrow and destruction. 7. We hereby declare that, since we believe prohibition to be the only sound legislative policy, and since law is only brought to bear upon society through its officers, legislative, judicial, and executive, we therefore can and will support only those men who are known to be tried and true temperance prohibitory men. 8. We believe that in the security of home rests the security of State; that women is by her very nature the acknowledged guardian of this sacred shrine; that intemperance is its greatest enemy; therefore we claim that the daughters of this commonwealth, as well as her sons, ought to be allowed to say by their votes, what laws shall he made for the suppression of this evil, and what person shall execute the same. 9. We believe the importation of intoxicat- ing liquors from foreign lands, and their protec- tion by the United States government, while in the hands of the importer, and inter-state com- merce in the same, cripple the power of State governments in enacting and enforcing such legislation as is and may be demanded by the people. The vote on Governor was as follows: John H. Gear, Uep 121,546 D. P. Stubbs, Gr 38,228 John P. Irish Dem 7U,3o3 Elias Jessup, Temp 10,639 Gear had a majority over Irish of 23,193, but the combined opposition vote was greater by 674. In 1878 the Greenbackers held the first State convention, assembling at Des Moines April 10th, and nominated for Secretary of State, E. M. Farnsworth; i) >y ^1. HISTORY OF IOWA. Treasurer, M. L. Devlin; Auditor, G. V. Swearenger; Treasurer, M. Farrington; Altoriiey-General, General C. H. Jackson; Jiidgeof SupreraeCourt, J G. Knapi>; Cleik of Supreme Court, Alex. Runyoii; Reporter Supreme Court, Geo. VV. Rutherford. They adopted the following platform: Whereas, ThrougUout our entire couniry the value o.f real estate is depreciated, iuduslry para- lizcd, inide depressed, business income and w^.gLS reduced, unparalleled distress inflicted upon the pooler and middle ranks of our people, the land filled with fraud, embezzlement, hank- rupcy, crime, suffering, pauperism, and starva- tion; and Whekeas, This state of things has been brought about by legislation in the interest of and dictated by money lenders, bankers, and bondholders; and, Whekbas, The limiting of the legal tender quality of greenbacks, the changing of currency bimds into coin bonds, the demonetizing of the bilver dollar, the exempting of bonds from taxa- tion, the contraction of the circulaiing medium, the proposed forced resumption of specie pay- ments, and the prodigal waste of the public lands, were crimes against the people, and so far as possible the results of these criminal acts must be counteracted by judicious legislation. 1. We demand the uncondilional repeal of the specie resumption act of January 14th, 187.5, and the abandonment of the present suicidal and destructive policy of contraction. 2. We demand the abolition of national banks and the issue of a full legal tender paper money by the government, and receivable for all dues, public and private. 3. We demand the remoiictization of the silver dollar, niMkini; it a full legal tender for thepaynientof all coin b mds of the government, and for all other debts, public and private, and that the coinage of silver shall be placed on the Same looting as that of the gold. 4. Congress shall itrovide said money ade- quate to the full employment of labor, the equit- able di»lributi(in of its products and the require- ments of business. 5. We demand that Congress shall not, under any circumstances, authorize the issuance of in- terest-bearing bonds of any kind or class. 6. The adoption of an American monetary system, as proposed herein, will harmmize all difterences in regard to tariff and federal taxa- tion, distribute equitably the joint earnings of capital and labor, secure to the producers of wealth the results of their labor and skill, mus- ter out of servii e the vast army of idlers, who, under the existing system, grow rich upon the earnings of others, that every man s-nd womm may, by their own efforts, secure a competence, so that the overgrown f'^/rluues and extreme poverti' will be seldom found within the limits of our Republic. 7. The Government should, by general enact ment, encourage the development of our agri- cultural, mineral, mechanical, manufacturing and commercial resources, to the end that labor may be fully and profitably employed, but no monopolies should be legalized. 8. The public lands are the common property of the whole people, and should not be sold to speculators, nor granted to railroads or other corporations, but should be donated to actual settlers in limited quantities. 9. It is inconsistent with the genius and spirit of popular government that any species of private or corporate pioperty should be ex- empt from bearing its just share of the public burdens. 10. That, while the interests of the labor and producing classes throughout the nation are identical, North, South, East and W^est, and while it is an historic fact that the war of the rebellion was inaugurated in the interests of a class kindred to that which oppresses us, thert- fore we declare that the Government of the United States shall never pay any part or por- tion of what is known as the confederate or rebel debt. 11. We demand a constitutional amendment fixing the compensation of all State ofBrers, in- HISTORY OF IOWA. 203 eluding members and employes of the General Assembly. 12. We demand a general reduction of all county and court expenses, with a reduction of offices, to lessen oppressive taxes. 13. We demand that all just and legal means shall be used for the evils of intemperance. 14. We invite the considerate judgment of our fellow-citizens of all political parties upon these, our principles and purposes, and solicit the co-operation of all men in the furtherance of them, as we do believe that upon their accept- ance or rejection by the people, the weal or woe of our beloved country depends. The Democrats assembled in convention June 7tL, and nominated the following ticket . Secretary of State, T. O. Walker; Auditor, t'ol. Eiboeck; Treasurer, E. D. Fenn, Register of State Land Office, T. S. Bardwell; Judge of Supreme Court, Judge J. C. Knapp; Clerk of Supreme Court, M. V. Gannon; Reporter of Supreme Court, J. B. Elliott, Attorney-General, John Gib- bons. The convention adopted the fol- lowing platform : We, the Democracy of Iowa, in convention assembled, cougnitulate the country upon the restoriition of home rule to the South and the era of peace brought about in response to the demands of the national Democracy, and make this declaration of principles: 1. In favurof a tariff for revenue only; honest and economical home rule; the supremacy of civil over military power; the separation of the church and Stale; the equality of all citizens before the law; opposition to granting by the general government of subsidies to any corpora- tion whatever. 2. We believe the financial system of the Republican party has been one of favor to the moneyed mouopolits, uf unequal ta.xalion, of exemptions of class, and of a remorseless con- traclion that has destroyed every enterprise which gave employment to labor, and therefore we denounce it, its measures and its men, as responsible for the financial distress, misery and want which now afflict the nation. 3. Labor and capital have an equal demand upon and equal responsibility to the law. 4. Public officials should be held to strict accountability, defaulters should be severely punished, and riot and disorder promptly sup- pressed. 5. We deprecate the funding of our non-in- terest bearing debt, and insist that our bonded debt be refunded at a rate of interest not ex- ceeding four per cent. 6. We favor an equal recognition of gold, silver and United States notes in the discharge ol public and private obligations, except where otherwise provided by contract, and to the end that the same be secured, we favor the uncon- ditional repeal of the resumption act, and the coinage of silver on equal conditions with gold. We oppose any further retirement of the United Stales notes now in circulation, and favor the substitution of United States treasury notes for national bank bills. 7. We declare it as our opinion that it is the duty of- the government to take immediate steps to improve our great Western rivers, and that the means provided should be commensurate with the importance and magnitude of the work. 8. Thorough investigation into the election frauds of 1876 should be made, the frauds should be exposed, the truth vindicated, and the crimi- nals punished in accordance with law, wherever found. 9 The management of our State institutions by Republican officials has been and is lotori- oiislj' corrupt, and a disgrace to the people; we therefore demand a thorough investigation of the same, and the punishment of all parties who have betrayed their trust. Resolved, That we accept and re-affirm the doc- trine of Mr. Tilden upon tht war claims as a proper adjustment of the national policy con- cerning that class of claims upon the public treasury. The Republicans held their convention June 19, and nominated the following «<^ a HISTORY OF IOWA. ticket: Secretary of State, Capt. John A. T. Hull; Auditor, Maj. Buren K. Siierinan; Treasurer, George W. Bemis; Register State Land Office, Lieut. James K. Powers; Judge of Supreme Court, Col. J. H. Rothrock They also adopted the following platform: 1. That the United States of America is a nation, not a league. By the combined work- ings of the national and State governments, under their respective constitutions, the right of every citizen should be secured at home and abroad, and the common welfare promoted. Any fiiilure on the part of either the national or State governments to use every possible consti- tutional power to affird ample protection to their citizens, both at home and abroad, is a neglect of their liighest duty. 2. Against the assaults of traitors and rebels, the Republican party has preserved these gov- ernments, and tht'y represent the great truths spoken to the world by the Declaration of Inde- pendence, that "all men are created equal;" that they "are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that for the attainment of these ends, governments have been instituted among men, deriving just jiowcrs from the consent of the governed," which con- sent is evinced by a majority of the lawful suffrages of the citizens.determined in pursuance of law; and in order that this end may be justly and f ullj- reached, the Republican party of Iowa demands that every qualified elector in every State, North and South, Democrat or Republi- can, while or black, shall be permitted, un lis- lurlied by force and unawed by fear, to vote at all elections at the jilace prescribed by law, and nouhere else, just once, and no more than once; and that every vote so cast shall be honestly counted, and that every person chosen by such votes to any office shall be freely inducted into it, and effectively supported in the discharge of his duties; and every well informed person knows that with such freedom of elective action and honest administration as are herein de- manded, at least five of the Southern States are Republican by a large majority, and that they arc cow in the hands of the Democratic party, sole'y through force, fraud, intimidation, and failure to enforce the principles herein set forth. 3. The pel manent pacification of the southern section of the Union, and the complete protec- tion of all its citizens in all their civil, political, peisonal and property rights, is a duty to which the Republican ))arty stands sacredly pledged. In Older to redeem this pledge, it placed the recent amendments in the constitution of the United Slates, and upon the righteous basis of said amendments it will go forward in the work of pacification until peace shall come through right doing, and contentment through justice. 4. The Democratic dogma of "home rule," which seeks to shut out from participation in the political affairs of the southern Slates all citizens who oppose the Democratic party and are not natives of said Slates, and ir. obedience to the spirit to which every man from the north, of republican sentiments, is termed a "cariiel- bagger," is hereby denounced as the worst jdiase of State rii-'bts yet developed, and we demand for tlie people of Iowa absolute freedom to go whithersoever they may please within the limits of the nation, to utter llieir sentiments by speech or by press upon all subjects touching their interests, and all matters of public concern. 5. That the armed conHicl between the traitors and the rebels who sought to destroy the republic, and the patriots «lio defended it, was more than a Ui; 1 of jihysical force between Greeks. It was a struggle of right against wrong, of a true civilization against a false one, of a good government against anarchy, of patriots against traitors, wherein the Republican party was the defender of right, the c^.ampion of a true civilization, the promoter of good govern- ment, and in whose ranks patriots maicbed against traitors; and who ever fails to regard the Republican party from this standpoint and in this light, fails to comprehend its character, its achievements, its purposes, and its duties, and whoever treats with the Democratic party from any other standpoint, manifests incapacity HISTORY OF IOWA. 205 to understand palpable facts, and will be obei- whelmed with disaster. 6. That the soldiers who fought the battles of the republic are entitled to special credit for the heroism which they displayed, for their unselfish devotion to liberty and order, and for the gre;it fact that the war "turned out as it did;" and discredit, in like degree, attaches to the traitors and rebels u ho fought to destroy the nation. Whoever fails to appreciate these facts, is derelict in the duty he owes to the parly. 7 That the Republican party is the party of order as opposed to all lawlessness in whatever quartei' the same may arise, or in whatever form it may appear. 8. That the wisdom of the financial policy of the Republican party is made manifest by its resulls. It has brought specie and paper iiracli- cally together mouths before the dale li.\ed by law for l.'.e resumption of specie payment by the goverv.uient; ii. has given to all classes mouej' of the same value; it has placed our nation on an equal footiug with the other great natious of the world in tdl matters of finaucial concern; it has promoted the refutiding of the national debt at a low rate of interest; it has maiutaiued the national ci edit; and auy change in this policy which tends to obstruct it in its worli of restor ing specie payment, whereby paper currency becomes absolutely as valuable as gold and silver stand ird coin; of revivmg business, pro- moling industry, and maintaining the public credit, is hereby denounced as wholly evil and injurious to the best interest of the country. 9. That the organized raid on the treasury by the Southern Democratic members of Congiess, for payment of hundreds of millions of dollars of rebel war claims, is an unpaialleled impu dence, and a present danger against the success of which the triumph of tr.e Republican party is our only security. 10. That we favor a wisely adjused tariff for leveuue. 11. In the matter of the faithful admiuistra tion of the iiublic funds, the Republican parly challenges tlie closest scrutiny, and invites com- parison with any and all other agencies in pub lie or private affairs. Notwithstanding the vast sums, amounting to thousands of millious of dollars, collected and distributed by Republican adminislration, the percentage of lof^s is less than can be shown by any other political parly that has ever been entiusted with the control of pniilic affairs, or by individuals in their own ju'lvate business. This shows that the charge of corruption made against the Republican party is as grouudlessly impudent as was the attempt of the Southern Democracy to destroy the Union wantonly wicked and atrociously cruel. 12. The title to the Presidential term was definitely and finally settled by the forty-fourth Congress, and any attempt to open it is danger- ous, illegal, and ^unconstitutional, and the Republican party of Iowa will resist all efl'orts not founded on the constitution and the existing laws to displace the present possessor of said title, and it is a source of sincere cougratulati m that the firm attitude assumed by the Republi- can party of the country in this regard forced a majority of the House of Representalives to disavow the leal but covert purposes of the so- called Potter investigation. 13. That the eflolrs of the Democratic party in Congress to cripple and render ineflicient the army and navy of the United Slates is most earnestly condemned, and all efforts looking to a permanent reduction of the same, with a view to a future reorganization, whereby the official stations may be in whole or in part supplied by officers who engaged in rebellion against the nation, who hold to the doctrine of secession, and who acknowledge primary allegiance to a Slate, are hereby denounced as dangerous to the peace of the country and to the permanence of the Union. 14. That it is not only the right, but the duty, of every good citizen at party caucus, in the party conventions, and at the polls, to use his best efforts to secure the nomination and elec- tion of good men to places of official trust, and we disapprove of all interference with the perfect freedom of action of any citizen in the exercise of said right and in the discharge of said dutv. HISTORY OF IOWA. 15. Thai person^ tt-mperance is a must com- mendable virtue in a people, and the practical popular movement now active througout the State, for the promotion of temperance, has our most profound respect, sj-mpathy, and approval. 16. That we demand the most rigid economy in all departments of the public service, and rigid retrenchment in all public expenses in all possible directions, and the reduction of taxa- tion to the lowest limits consistent with efficient public service. In the direction of such economy and retrenchment, we heartly commend the action of the Republican legislature in reducing the expenses of the State in the sum of four hun- dred thousand dollars, and this example set by the State, should be followed in all other depart- ments of our government. 17. That the Republican party of Iowa de- mands an honest, faithful and < fficienl discharge of duty by all rof a judicious license law. 18. That we favor holding all public servants to a strict accountability, and their prompt and severe punishment for all thefts of public money and maladministration of public offlce. A Temperance convention was held at Cedar Ripids .June 16th, and adopted the following platform : Reaoloed, We recognize the traffic in intoxicat- ing liquors as the great moral, financial, social, and political evil of the present age; that it is one of the worst relics of barbarism; that it lias always been the moving cause of crime, and is, therefore, subversive of our republican form of government, and should be overthrown. 3. We believe that the prohibition of the traffic of intoxicating liquors is the only sound legislative theory upon which this vexed ques- tion can be solved and the nation saved from bankrupcy and demoralization; therefore, we insist upon the maintenance and enforcement of our prohibitory liquor law, and upon such amendments by the next Legislature of the State of Iowa as will place ale, wine, and beer under the same condemnation as other intoxicating liquors. 3. We believe that in the security of home rests the security of the State; that woman is by her very nature the acknowledged guardian of this Sacred shrine, and that intemperance is its greatest enemy, therefore we claim that the daughters of this commonwealth, as well as her sons, be allowed to 8ay,iby their vote, what laws should be made for the suppression of this evil, and what persons shall execute the same. 4. That the present movement inaugurated by the temperance organizations of tire Slate to prohibit the manufacture and sale of alcoholic liquors, except for mechanical and medical pur- poses, including malt and wine liquors, meets our active support. 5. That we, as the Prohibitionists of the State of Iowa, in view of the great questions of public interest effecting the perpetuity of our general government, which are now absorbing the thought and action of all our people, deem it inexpedient and unwise to nominate a State prohibitory ticket at the present time. A portion of the convention in favor of the nomination of a State ticket seceded, and nominated a State ticket, headed by G. T. Carpenter for Governor. Mr Car- penter declining, D. R. Dungan was substi- tuted. The rest of the ticket was composed "* ^^ 'I ik. HISTORY OF IOWA. as follows: Litulenaiii-Governor, Fiank T. Campbell; Judge of the Supreme Court, J. M. Beck; Supt. of Public Instruction, J. A. Nash. The Greenbackera assembled at Des Moines May 28th, and nominated a ticket as follows: Governor, Daniel Campbell; Lieutenant-Governor, M. M. Moore; Su- preme Judge, M. H. Jones; Supt. of Pub- lic Instruction, J. A. Nash. The follow- ing platform was adopted: Whereas, The sovereign and supreme power of the American Union is vested in the free will of the citizens tlieieof, who have an equal and unquestioiiiible right to express that will as to them St ems best adapted to secure the peace, perpetuate the liberty, and promote the pros perity of each individual, as well as to enhance and protect the common welfare of our country; and, Whereas, This power has been delegated to unworthy servants, who have diverted it from its original purpose, whereby grievous wrongs have been perpetrated on the masses of the people, subjecting them to gross injustice, widespread poverty, untold privations, and business paralyzatioa; and, Wheukas, These grievances have been greatly augiimeuled by limiting the legal-tender quality of the greenbacks; by loaning the credit of the government to national bank corporations; by changing liovernmenl bonds into coin bonds, and making the same exclusively payable in gold, by the conversion of a non-interest bearing cireuliiling medium into an interest bearing government debt; by defrauding labor of empl>y- ment; by ihe ruinous shrinkage in the value of property; by the depression of busintss;b3' the willful restrictions phiced upon the remanetizn- tion of the silver dollar; by the exemption of capital from its just share of the burden of taxa- tion; by the contraction of the greenback cur- rency; by the forced resumption of specie pay- ment; by the increase in the purchasing power of money, and its attendant hardshi, s on the debtor class; by declaring poverty a ciime, and providing punishment therefor; by the criminal waste of the public domain, through enormous grants of land to rai'road corporations; by oppressive taxation; by high rates of interest for the use of money; by exorbitant salaries and fees to i)ublic officers; by official Corruption in the administration of public affairs; and, Wheheas, a moneyed despotism has grown up in our land out of this state of att'airs, which eon trols the law-making power of our country, dictates judicial decisions, wields an undue influence over the chief executive of the nation — in the consideration of the laws passed for the benefit of the peojile, thus enabling the money power to carry on its schemes of public plunder, under and by which colossal foriuues have been gathered in the hands of the ambitious and un- crupulous men whose interests are at war with the interests of the people, hostile to popular government, and deaf to the demands of honest toil; ihcrefore, we, the representatives of the Union Greenback Labor Parly of Iowa, adopt the following as our platform of princip'es: 1. The general government alone to issue money; the amount in circulation to be fixed by a constitutional amendment upon a per capita basis; calling in of all United States bonds, and the payment of them In full legal- tender money. 2. That the national banks, as banks of issue, must be abolished by law, and the legal tender greenback money of the government of the United States shall be substituted for their cir- culation. 3. That we demand the unlimited coinage of the silver dollar of the present standard weight and fineness, 4. That the American people owe a debt of gratitude to the Union soldiers that can never be fully paid, and in recognition of their patri- otic services we endorse thearreamges of pen- sions, and favor the passage of a bill providing for the equalization of bounties similar to the one vetoed by ex-President Grant. 5. That »ve view with grave ajjprehension the continued oppression of the people by cor- porate powers; and while we execrate the inhu- man treaiment of 4he Union soldiers in prison ^S i> "v -^ HISTORY OF IOWA. pena of the South during the rebellion, we con- demn the violence of partisan spirit in the legisla- tive halls of Congress, which seeks to revive the dead issue of the past while conspiring agdnst and deliberately refusing to provide measures of relief adequate to the living necessities of the present. 6. That it is the right and duty of all qualified electors of any State n the Union to vote accord- ing to their conscientious convictions, and to have that vole honestly and fairly counted; and that any attempt to interfere with that right, either by threats of bands of armed men or the use of troops at the polls, or l)y fraud in con- ducting the election, or bribery in making out the returns, or by threats to dismiss from service, or any other means by which that right is abridged, is a crime that should be severely punished 7. That the officeholders of our country are the servants and not the masters of the people, and that these officers should be removed and punished to the full extent of the law whenever they betray the public trust confided to them; and we demand that all official fees and salaries, commencing with the President, should be re- duced from twenty-five to fifty per cent.; and we further demand the strictest economy in the administration of our courts of justice, and in all other federal and State officers. 8. That we highly commend the moral re- form of men and the elevation of families by agencies of the temperance cause, and demand the use of all just and legal means for the sup- pression of the evils of intemperance. 9. That all real estate be assessed to the owner, and the tax thereon be paid by him, pro- vided, that in case there is a mortgage or ven- dor's lien upon the land, and he pays the whole tax, that he may deduct, as payment on said lien, the pro rata share of the tax. 10. That the revenue law of the State shall be amended so that the penalty or interest on the sale of delinquent taxes should not exceed the sum of ten percent, per annum, and that the time of redemption shall be extended to a teim of five years. 11. We favor the repeal of the present rail- road commissioners' law, and the adoption of a suitable legislative action to reduce and equalize fiei^ht 13. That the prison convict labor shall never come in competition with free labor, by the contract system, under any name. Resolved, That we approve the bold and inde- pendent stand taken by our Greenb ick repre- sentatives in Congress; and we especially endorse the conduct of Messrs. Weaver and Gillette in their conduct with the combined opposition of both old parties. 2. That the nominees of this convention are the candidates of the Greenback party of Iowa, and in no case will we recognize the right of any person or persons to alter or change the ticket here nominated, except to fill vacancies occa- sioned by death, in which case the central com- mittee shall not place on the ticket the names of any person or persons who are identified with either of the old parlies. The Republicans assembled at Des Moines, June 11, and nominated the fol- lowing ticket: Governor, John H. Gear; Lieutenant-Govenior, Frank T. Camjibell; Supreme Judge, J. M. Beck; Supt. of Public Instruction, C! W. Von Coelln. A platform was adopted as follows: 1. That the United States of America is a nation, not a league. This is the doctrine of the constitution, confirmed by the result of the war of the rebellion. The Democratic party denies Ibis, and opposes to it the doctrine of State rights, which includes the power of a State to dissolve its connection with the Union, therefore it is dangerous to the national life to trust it to the Democratic party. 2. Upon the foregoing doctrine of nationality depends the power of the republic to protect its citizens in all other rights, both at home and abroad, and from its denial by the Democratic party have resulted the barbarous outrages per- petrated on citizens in all of the disturbed sec- tions of the Southern States, and redress can be HISTORY OF IOWA. hiid alone llirough the administration of public aflairs in the several departments of the govern- ment by the Republican party. 3. We denounce the attempt of the Demo- cratic parly in Congress to render the federal elections insecure by the repeal of the election laws of the United States as dangerous to a free and pure expression of the voice of the people through the ballot-box, and as tending to subject said elections to the dominations of the bull- dozing elements of the Southern States, and of repeaters and promoters of fraud in the city of New York and elsewhere, and the resistence made to the accomplishment of this result by the Republican Senators and Representotives in Congress, and by President Hayes in his veto messages, is accorded our profound commenda- tion. 4. That we approve of the financial policy of the Republican party, and refer with pride to its results. The Southern Democratic rebellion for the perpetuation of slavery and the enforcement of State rights forced an enormous iutcrest- beariug debt upon the people, which, in August, 1805, reached its highest point, and ihen amounted to |2,S81,580,294.96, requiring an an- nual interest payment of $150,977,697.87. On the 1st of August next, when the Republican refunding operations will be completed, this Democratic debt will be reduced to |1, 797,613. 700.00, with an annual interest charge of but $83,778,777.50, showing a reduction in the prin- cipal of $,583,880,594.96, and of the annual interest charge of $57,203,619.37; and we declare this debt shall be honestly paid in honest money, and to this end are in favor of keeping our coin circulation at its largest practicable volume, and of maintaining our paper currency where the Republicau party has placed it— at par with coin; and to the further end that the dollar earned by labor shall be worth as much as the dollar earned by capital. 5. Concirniug further financial legislation, we say, let us have peace, undisturbed by Con- gressional tinkering, that our business interests may levive, investments of more idle capital be encouraged, commercial interests fostered, and the general welfare promoted. 6. The profit arising from the coinage of gold and silver should inure to the benefits of the government, and not to the advantage of private owners of bullion, as this tends to diminish the burdens of the tax-payers, and no part of the tax-paying currency should be converted Into the new tax-paying list. 7. We favor a wisely-adjusted tariff for rev- enue. 8. We demand a strict economy in the impo- sition of public taxes and expenditures of pub- lic money, and such just reduction and equali- zation of the salaries and fees of public officers as shall place them on an equality with like po- sitions in private employment. 9. That we renew our expression of profound gratitude to the soldiers and sailors of the Union, and denounce the removal of employees of this class by the Democrats in Congress, and the ap- pointment, in their stead, of members of the Confederate army. 10. That we re-affirm the position of the Re- publican party heretofore expressed upon the subject of temperance and pr.ihibition. The vote on Governor was as follows : John H. Gear, Rep 1.57,571 H. H. Trimble, Dem 85,056 FT, Campbell, Gr 45,433 D. R. Dungan, Temp 3,258 Gear, over all 23,838 The campaign of 1 880 was an exciting one. James A. Garfield was the Repub- lican candidate for the Presidency; Win- field S. Hancock, the Democratic; J^.mes B. Weaver, the Greenback; Neal Dow, the Prohibition. The Republicans of Iowa were first in tbe field this year, meeting in convention at DesMoines April 7'h, and nominating for Secretary of State, J. A. T. Hull; Treasurer, E. H. Conger; Auditor, W. V. Ijucas; Attorney-General, Smith McPherson; Register of State Land Office, J. K. Powers. They also resolved — 1. That we insist on the nomination of well- known Republicans of national reputation for ^r HISTORY OF IOWA. 211 ability, purity and experience in public nfEairs, and adhesion to Republic;m princij les. for Pres- ident and Vice-President of the United States, by the National Kepublicaa Convention. 2. That, as Republicans of Iowa, recognizing in the Hon. James G. Blaine a man of tried in- tegrity, of uncompromising loyalty and patriot- ism, of commanding ability both as a leader and statesman, and a fearless advocate of the prin- ciples which have preserved the Union and given undying luster to the party of which he is the admired representative, we take pleasure in re- cording the fact that he is the preference of the Republicans of Iowa for the ottice of President of the United States. And while we pledge our- selves to support the nominee of the Chicago convention, we nevertheless declare it is our conviction that no otlier candidate will develop the enthusiasm or call out the number of votes that would be polled by the American people for James G. Blaine, as the standard-bearer of the Republican party in the national contest of 1880. 3. That the delegation of this convention to Chicago be instructed to cast the vote of Iowa as a unit; and that the delegation be further in- structed to use all honorable means to secure the nomination for President of the Hon. James G. Blaine. The Greenback party assembled in con- vention May 19th, at Des Moines and nominated Secretary of State, G. M. Wal- ker; Treasurer of State, Matthew Farring- ton; Auditor of State, G. V. Swearengen; Attorney-General, W. A. Spurrier; Register of State Land-Office, Thos. Hooker. The following is the platform adopted : We, the National Greenback Labor Party of loAva, decide, as our first broad principle of faith, that that which is created is subservient to the power that created it. Besulted, That all currency, whether metallic or paper, necessary for use and convenience of the people, should be issued and controlled by the government, and not by or through the bank Corporations of the country; and when so issued shall be a full legal tender for the payments of all debis, public and private. 2. That so much of the interest bearing debt of the United States as shall become redeemable in the year 1881, or prior thereto, being in amount 1782,000,000, shall not be refunded beyond the power of the government to call in said obligations and pay them at any time, but shall.be paid as rapidly as possible, and accord- ing to contract. To enable the government to meet these obligations, the mints of the United States should be operated to their full capacity in the coinage of standard silver dollars, and such other coinage as the business of the country may require. 3. That as the producing classes are now enslaved by interest-bearing debt, therefore we are unalterably opposed to all bonded indebted- ness. 4. That the payment of the bond in coin, originally paj-able in lawful money, was a. gift to the bond-holder, and the payment of the soldiers in paper, when by contract payable in coin, was and is an unjust discrimination in favor of the bondholder; therefore, we demand, in justice to the soldier, that he be paid accord- ing to contract. 5. That we are opposed to the importation of Chinese semi-barbarous labor, regarding it as a paralyzing and degrading system, that will, unless checked, undermine American free labor 6. That we demand the immediate passage by Congress of a law for the equalization of soldiers' bounties similar to the one vetoed by President Grant 7. That the right of suffrage, free press and speech, are the inalienable rights of every citi- zen of the United States. 8. That we denounce the discrimination between government clerks and government laborers, the clerks working six hours and the laborers ten hours. 9. That we are opposed to a large standing army, either national or State, in times of pro- found peace, eating out the substance of the people. ;if- HISTORY OF IOWA. 10. That we will continue to ngitate the sub- ject of reform in this State, until official salaries shall bear a just proportion to the incomes of the people who pay them. 11. That the last legislature of our State, in failing to pass the innocent purchaser bill, the bill to re "uce court expenses, the bill to protect the destruction of sheep from the ravages of clogs, the bill to cut down our tax penalties, the bill to reduce the rate of interest, have neglected the best interests of the State, and ought to be turned ought of power. 12. That the State should not sell contract labor to compete with free labor. 13. That as citizens of Iowa we feel proud of, and extend our heartfelt gratitude to Messrs. Weaver and Gillette, for their noble and untir- ing efforts in the halls of Congress to Secure the rights of the worthy toiling millions. 14. That we, as the National Greenback Labor Party, know no North, no South, no East, no West. 15. T!iat all banks of issue and all monopolies must go. The Democrats met at Des Moines, Sep- tember 2d, and nominated a ticket as fol- lows: For Secretary of State, A. B. Keith; Treasurer, Martin Blim; Auditor, Chas. I. Barker; Attorney-General, C. A. Clark; Register of State Land-Office, C. A. Dougherty. They also resolved: 1. We, the Democracy of Iowa, in delegate convention assembled, endorse the platform of the party adopted at Cincinnati, and pledge our earnest eS'orts in its behalf. 2. The Democracy of Iowa are heartily in favor of the national nominees, Hancock and English, as they give a decided assurance of pure and more thoroughly careful admistration of national i.ffairs. 3. We are in favor of a judicious license law, and condemn all efforts to legislate against those natural rights which do not trespass upon those belonging to the whole community, and we applaud the action of our representatives at DesMoines in the Eighteenth General Assembly for their manly and able opposition to the at- tempt at sumptuary legislation made by a Re- publican legislature. The vote on Secretary of State stood as follows: J. A. T. Hull, Rep 181.166 A B. Keith. Dem 10.5,760 G. M. Walker, Gr 8^',780 Scattering 422 Hull over all 4.5,204 In the campaign of 1881, the first con- vention held was by the Democrats, at DesMoines, June 16. They nominated for Governor, L. G. Kinne; Lieutenant- Governor, J. M. Walker; Judge of Su- preme Court, H. B. Hendershott; Supt. of Public Instruction, W. H, Butler. The convention adopted the following plat- form: The Democratic party of Iowa, in convention assembled, re-alBrm the national platforms of 1876 and 1880, demand strict economy in all public expenditures, a strict accountability of all public servants, and declares — 1. For tariff reform, ultimating in simpler revenue system, with commercial freedom as its issue. 2. That we oppose all sumptuary laws, and the proposed prohibitory amendment to the constitution in all it steps and stages as the most offensive form of sumptuary regulation. 8. That the great agricultural and producini; interests of the country should be emancipated from the burdens of monopoly put upon them by Republican rule, and as a feature of such relief, for the cheapening of transportation by government appropriations for improvement of the Mississi|ipi river, its navigable tributaries and other water-ways. 4. That we execrate the constant official cor- ruption grown into Republican practice, and that the demand of our national platform for civil service reform is freshly emphasized by the immoral spectaclie of Republican factions dis- ■^r^ HISTORY .OF IOWA. turbing the public peace, not by the agitation of great measures of statesmanship, but by a vulgar quarrel over the partition of public spoils, and a squabble for the opportunities of oificial theft. The Greenback convention was held at Marshalltown, June 2, and the following ticket nominated: Governor, D.M. Clark; Lieutenant-Governor, James M. Holland; Supt. of Public Instruction, Mrs. A. M. Swain; Supreme Judge, W. W. William- son. The following platform was adopted by the convention: 1. The right to make and issue money is a sovereign constitulionai power to be maintained by the people for the common benefit. We de- mand the abolition of all banks of issue, and the substitulion of full legal tender greenbacks in lieu of their notes. 2. We ojipose the refunding of the national debt or the issue of interest- bearing non-payable bonds upon any pretext, and demand the pay- ment and destruction of those outstanding at the earliest possible moment. 3. We demand a gradual income tax, where- by capital shall bear a just share of the public burden. 4. We regard the act substituting a railroad commission for laws governing freight rates in the State as a fraud secured by the railroad companies through a Republican legislature, and demand its repeal. While we favor liberal na- tional appropriations for the creation and im- provement of waterways, we demand laws protecting the people of Iowa from discrimina- tion, pooling, watering of stock, drawbacks or rebates, and all unjust charges on the part of railroads, until such time as the people, who built most of these roads with land grants, taxes and subsidies, shall own and operate or fully control them. 5. We demand a revision of our patent right laws, placing a fair limit upon the royalties of inventors, and protecting the people from injus- tice. 6. We demand that all land grants forfeited by reason of the non-fulfillment of conditions by railroad comjianies shall be at once reclaimed by the government, and henceforth that the public domain be reserved exclusively for homesteaders or actual settlers. 7. We demand absolutely Democratic rules for the government of Congress and State legis- latures, placing all representatives of the people upon an equal footing, and taking from all com- mittees a veto power upon proposed legislation 8. We denounce as most dangerous the re- strictions of the right of suffrage in many States, and its abolition in the District of Col- umbia, and demand equal political rights for all men and women. 9. Believing that all questions afEecting the public interest should be decided by the people, we favor the submission of the proposed consti- tutional amendment to the popular vote. 10. We demand that all ballots in this State shall be of uniform size, color and material, and that each party having a State organization shall have one member on the election board of each township precinct. 11. We favor the abolition of the electoral college, and the election of President, Vice- President and Senators of the United States by a direct vote of the people. 12. In the furtherance of these ends, we ask the co-operation of all men and women, without regard to previous party affiliation or prejudice. The Republicans met at DesMoines, June 7, and nominated the following ticket: Governor, Buren R. Sherman; Lieutenant-Governor, Orlando H. Man- ning; Supt. of Public Instruction, John W. Akers; Judge of Supreme Court, Austin Adams. The convention also adopted the following platform: We, the representatives of the Republican party of Iowa, demand anew of the people of the State their fullest' confidence and support, because of the faithfulness of the party, in the State and in the nation, to party pledges; be- cause of the marvelous devotion it has shown in support of the Union; because of its abhorrence jjs 214 HISTORY OF IOWA. of slavery and iiolygam^-, aud of its successful efforts to crush the one, and of its persistent struggle to get rid of the other, sure to go on to its final extirpation; because of its active inter- est in the relief of struggling and oppressed humanity everywhere; because of its detennin- ation to abolish all inequulities of citizenship, to give all men of all races and nationalities in this land equality of civil and political rights; be- cause of its efforts to establish temperance, to educate the people and build up all moral forces; because it has been earnest in its efforts toward honest and economical government, and has been swift to correct abuses when it has discov- ered them; because it has steadily maintained the financial honor of the nation, is rapidly dis- charging its great war debt, and has made the recent financial history of the government the marvel of nations; because it has protected the labor of (he country, and built up its agricultu- ral and manufacturing interests, and promoted the means of internal commerce by judicial leg- islation; because it is positive and progressive, and will, in the future, as in the past, prove its capacity to grapple promptly and successfully with every emergency of the nation, and with every question affecting the people's interests; and, finally, because it will secure a complete and lasting unification of the country, entire peace and concord, upon the statute basis of free schools, free speech, a free press and a free ballot. In the spirit of the purpose that has redeemed former pledges and produced these results, the Re])ubUcan party of Iowa resolves — 1. We re-affirm the Republican, national plat- form of 1880, and insist upon its enforcement in its relation to the several affairs of the nation, the States and the Territories, in order that sound policies shall pievail in the nation, and ample protection be afforded toils citizens in all of their rights of citizenship in the several States; and that the territories be made as abso- lutely free from the debasing presence and per- nicious influences of polygamy as the States now are of slavery. 2. AVe congratulate this country upon the election of James A. Garfield, and the national admiustration upon the vigorous manner in which it has undertaken_to ferret out fraud and suppress extravagance in public expenditures, to secure the personal and commercial rights of our people abroad, to deal justly with the Indian wards of the government, and upon the con- spicuous success of its financial policy. 3. That we are in hearty sympathy with the spirit of recent conventions for supplementing and improving the great water routes of the nation, and cordially endorse all measures which look toward a practical and judicious improve- meutof the magnificent water-ways which nature has afforded us for cheaply transporting the immense commerce of the States, and therefore developing the immense resources of the interior of our national domain. 4. That we recognize railways as one of the most potent agencies in our national progress, but one which by reason of its relation to the people, must be kept subordinate to the interests of the people, and within the legislative control of Congress and the State. That in the spirit of its usefulness, it must be dealt with in fairness and without injustice. But we are in accord with the popular demand, that the unquestion- able legislative power shall be used to protect the people from any abuse and unjust exactions. 5. That the plenary power of Congress over the subjectof patent, should be so exercised as to protect the people against the wrongs and abuses which have been developed and are practiced under the present system of laws relating to patent rights, and we ask our senators and repre- sentatives in Congress, to lend their best efforts to the accomplishment of this end. 6. That the position attained in our com- merce by American meats and live animals, demand the enactment of effective legislation by both the nation and the States, for the sup- pression of such diseases as are calculated to interfere with this important feature of our foreign trade. 7. That in pursuance of the uniform justice of the Republican party to observe the pledges and perform the promises made and given in its platform, we declare that the provisions in the HISTORY OF IOWA. platform of 1879, for the submission of the so-called prohibitory amendment of the con- stitution of Iowa, to a vote of the people at a special and non-partisan election should be enforced, in order that the good faith of the party may be maiutained, and that the people in this government of the people, by the people, and for the .people, may have an opportunity to express their wishes concerning the pending iimendment, regardless of party affiliations, and with perfect freedom from all party restraint and influences. CHAPTER XI, TERRITORIAI, AND STATE OFFICERS — A RETROSPECT. In the limited space of this State his- tory, slsetches of the various Territorial and State officers cannot be given, though they would be of great interest. It is thought best, however, to insert sketches of the three Territorial Governors. These have been prepared by Hon. Samuel Mur- dock, of Clayton county, a gentleman than whom none are better qualified for the task. Robert Lucas. In the spring of 1832 the celebrated Indian Chief, Black Hawk, in violation of the treaty of St. Louis in 1804, which he himself had ratified in 1816, and again partially ratified in 1831, started with his band, composing a part of the Sac and Fox Indians, ascended Rock River to a considerable distance, where he took up a strong military position. Gen. Atkinson, with a large number of United States troops and volunteers from the surrounding country, immediately pur- sued him, with the intention of forcing the cunning chief either to retire or give him battle.- And in compliance with this reso- lution, he dispatched forward Major Still- man, with three or four hundred volunteers, to reconoitre the position of Black Hawk. But Stillraan had before him a "Warrior tred;" a man who had been born and cradled upon the battle-field; one who had followed his father through many a hard- fought battle with the Cherokees; one who had stood shoulder to shoulder with Tecumseh at Brownstown and the Thames; one who, by experience, understood both the tactics of the white man and the Indian; one who had mingled in the strife and carnage of every desperate and bloody battle along the whole western border for nearly half a century before. As soon as he heard that Stillman was approaching his camp, he made preparations to meet him, and in doing this he planned and accomplished one of the greatest and most HlSrOIiY OF IOWA. skillful military stratagems known to modern times. Stillraan, underrating the character of the man before him, rushed, with his whole force, into the very jaws of death; his troops were thrown into the worst kind of disorder, and fell around him dead and dying over the field. Bravely did Stillman attempt to rally his men and bring them into order, which he came very near doing; but the eagle eye of an old warrior was looking over that field, and just at the moment when the tide of battle seemed to hang in a balance, this brave old warrior puts him- self at the head of a chosen number of his gallant braves, and with a yell that sent a thrill through many a bold and daring heart, rushed to the charge, dealing death and destruction in his way. Stillman ordered his men to fall back, but all was now utter confusion, and the retreat became a perfect rout. Thus, sir, commenced the short and bloody "Black Hawk War," a war in which few laurels were won, and nothing found to admire save the daring bravery of the savage commander. It is not my purpose to fol- low it further; its history is a history of the most disgraceful outrages and vile treacheries on the part of the Americans; and but for the noble conduct of the gal- lant Dodge connected with it, ought to be blotted forever from the recollections of American history. The war ended by the capture of "Black Hawk" through the treachery of the Win- nebagos; and a treaty was concluded with him on the 21st of September, 1832, at Rock Island, by which he ceded to the United States a large tract of land, west of the Mississippi, which became kuowu as the "Black Hawk Purchase." This war had its important effect;* in the his- tory of the Great West; it brought into notice the rich valley of the R' ck river; it laid open to view the wealth and treas- ures locked up for past ages in the lead mines of Wisconsin; it opened to the view of the emigrant a rich and fertile valley, lying between the Mississippi on one side and the Missouri on the other; and long before the stipulations of the treaty of 1832 could be carried out, thousands rushed pell mell into the new land, ming- ling savage and civilized life together. The National Legislature has never yet been able to keep up in making the neces- sary laws for their protection, with the great tide of civilization, as it rolls on- ward, year after year, upon the heels of retreating savages. On the 20th of April, 1836, Congress passed a law for the organization of the Territory of Wisconsin, by the provisions of which the northern boundary of Wis- consin extended west in a zigzag direction from a point opposite the main channel of Green Bay through Lake Superior, touch- ing the White Earth river, thence down said river to the main channel of the Mis- souri, thence down the Missouri to a point due west from the northwest corner of the Stale of Missouri, etc.; thus, you see, in- cluding within the bounds of Wisconsin all the lands and territoiy which now compose the great • Slates of Iowa and Minnesota. It was soon evident that this atrangement could not last long; Young America had crossed the Mississippi, and had left a natural boundary behind him; stretching his eyes three hundred miles ^i HISTORY OF IOWA. 217 west, his vision rested upon another, and with this in view, he demanded a separa- tion, whicn no Congress at that time dared to refuse. On the 13th day of June, 1838, Congress passed an act organizing the Territory of Iowa into a separate and distinct govern- ment. This was the era of many a dar- ling project OB the part of Young Amer- ica, which he has since carried out to per- fection and success; while at the same time it became the era of many a "bubble bursted" in the shape of fallen cities and deserted capitols. Cassville, below you, was once, in expectancy, a proud metropo- lis, and the seat of a more than Chinese Empire. The act took eflFect from and after the 3d day of July of that year, with all the requisites of a. separate and inde- jiendent exis'.ence. Robert Lucas, of Ohio, the person whose name heads this article, was appointed by Mr. VanBuren, her first Governor, in con- nection with Willian B. Conway, of Penn- sylvania, Secretary Governor Lucas, at the time of his appointment, was quite an old man, and far advanced in the decline of life; he had spent his best days in the service of his country. His youth was spent amid the strife and storms of a cruel and desperate border war. He was engaged in almost every battle from the Huron to the Thames. He had mingled personally in almost every skirmish on the frontier during the war of 1812, and his history was full of romantic adventures, hair-breadth escapes, and bold and daring encounters. He had seen the Great Wost territory pass from a howling 'wilderness, and become the abode of millions of freemen who could cultivate their own vine and fig tree, wor- ship at their own shrine, with none to fear or make them afraid. He had seen Ohio a despondency, a little colony, struggling for existence, with almost her entire male population drafted for a border war, and he left her for Iowa, the third among a confederation of States, the greatest, the moat powerful, and at the same time the most proud and glorious republic the world ever saw. He commenced his public career in Ohio in her infancy; he assisted, by his valor and courage, to drive back the mur- derous foe who hung upon the borders to glut his vengeance on the innocent child at its mother's breast. And not until the Indian had buried the tomahawk, and England had ceased to desolate her fron- tiers, did he quit his post and return to enjoy himself in the peaceful avocations of private life. He mingled in her halls and in her councils, and his name con- nected with almost every public act of that great State, which gave her prosperity and greatness; and as a tribute to his worth and a reward for his services, she conferred upon him, in his declining years, the otKce of Governor. It was soon after his term of office ex- pired in Ohio that he received from the President the Governorship of Iowa. It was during his term of ofKce as Gov- ernor of Ohio that the dispute arose between that State and the territory of Michigan, in relation to their respective boundaries, which came very near plung- ing both of them into a cruel, desperate and fratricidal war. The matter was set- tled, finally,,by giving Ohio all she claimed; and in order to keep the youngest child of - a 218 HISTORY OF IOWA. tbe Republic in these days from being naughty, she was given a strip of poor territory, two hundred and fifty miles from her, and north and west of the main channel of Green Bay. He commenced his career in Iowa with all the bouyancy of youth and better days, and looked forward with a great deal of interest to the day when he should see her a proud and noble State. Scarcely bad he time to look around him and gather information, in his new field of labor, before he found himself involved in another que.stion of boundry, between Iowa and the State of Missouri. Missouri had set up a claim to a strip of ccHiiitry about six miles wide extending along the south line of our whole State; and on this strip of land she had several times attempted to collect taxes and en- force her laws. The settlers resisted these claims of Missouri, and appealed to the Governor for protection. No sooner was their case made known to him than he resolved to call forth all the military force he could procure, and for this purpose he issued his proclamation. Hundreds responded to his call, and in a short time he had col- lected here and there through the territory a set of men who only wanted a nod from their commander, and they would have thrown themselves against odds into the very heart of Missouri. Gov. Roggs, of Missouri, had also called on his State for assistance, and he, too, was on his march with a desptrate set of men to assert his claim. Had those two forces have met, nothing could have prevented a dreadful and fatal encounter. But wise councils prevailed, and the legislature of Iowa, to its everlasting credit, drew up and passed a preamble and resolutions requesting both Governors to suspend hostilities until the first day of July thereafter. These resolutions had the desired effect; military preparations were suspended by both parties, and an- other cruel and fratricidal war averted. The matter was afterwards submitted to Congress, where, through the influence of A. C. Dodge, with his uncle, Dr. Linn, who was at that time a Senator in Congress from Missouri ; the matter was finally settled by giving to Iowa all she ever claimed. Thus ended the celebrated "Missouri war," a war whose history is full of fun and anecdote, a war which has since fur- nished the theme for many an idle, but interesting romance; and a war which will only be remembered in machine verse and burlesque song; for "Missouri shall many a day" "Till of the bloody fray " "When the Ilawkeyes and Pukies" "First met on her border." Governor Lucas never forgot the inci- dents of this war during his life; and long after the difficulties had passed away, he never could talk about it without flying into a passion at the conduct of Missouri. He cherished a holy hatred for the land of "Pukes" during his lifetime. Not long after the difficulties with Mis- souri were settled, he got into a desperate quarrel with the legislature, and for a time, everything about the capital wore a bel- ligerant asj)ect It will be recollected that at that time the legislature was filled exclusively by young men; "mere boys," HISTORY OF IOWA. as it was said of tbem at the time, and a higher set of fellows than they were, could scarcely be found They looked upon Iowa as their own and each of them looked himself as the future Senator, Governor, or chief justice of a future State, which he himself was at that time laboring to bring about; and the history of occurring events will show, that with a large number of them, their early antici- pations turned out to be true; and with those who are still in obscurity, but yet in the prime of life, abrightaiid happy fu'ure is still before them. The Governor was an old man, and, as they thought, tinctured somewhat with "Foggyism," and they did not hesitate to declare that he was here for the office, and for the office alone, and that as soon as his term expired, he would return again to Ohio, as all Governors of new Territories have generally done. What wonder, then, thpt between such elements, there should, in the course of events spring up a collision. The Governor attempted from time to time, to check these young law-makers in their public expenditures, and did not hesitate to call them a set of profliigates. In retaliation for these acts on the part of the Governor, the legislature appointed a committee, consisting of James W. Grimes, since United States Senator, Chauncy Swan> who subsequently died at sea on his return from California, and Laurel Summers, afterwards United States Marshal for Iowa, to inquire into his power, and define his duties This committee after due delibera- tion, gravely reported to the legislature, that the Governor had full power and autliority to vote all acts of the legislature, of every kind, name and description, except acts for the appropriation of money, and then asked to be discharged from the fur- ther consideration of the subject. But the matter did not end here, for the legis- lature on the 16th of January, 1840, instructed their delegate to Congress, W. W. Chapman to use his influence in procuring a law, allowing the people to elect their own Governor, and provided in this resolution, that the Governor himself should circulate it. This resolution he took good care to approve, and actually sent copies of it to Washington city. He was removed from the office of Governor, after the 4th of March, 1831, and John Chambers, of Kentucky was appointed to succeed him. After his removal he returned to private life, and resided at Bloomiugtoa for a number of years. He returned to Ohio and ran for Con- gress, but was defeated, after which he again returned to Iowa, and if I mistake not, was a member of the firct constitu- tional convention. Old age crept upon him at last, and he died a number of years ago, at Muscatine. He was always a Democrat of the Jack- sonian school, and throughout a long public life he was strictly and religiously honest. He was not a man of much talent, but his long public life had made him familiar with the whole routine of public affairs. With his intimate aquaiutance with public men and public affairs, he could have written an admirable history of the Great Wests. But he has left nothiug behind him save his own acts. V ^j 2_ 220 HISTORY OF IOWA. In person, he was tall and slender, and in his younger days, capable of enduring great hardships. As her first Governor, and one of her truest and best friends, he will live on the pagi'S of Iowa's history, when statues of marble and brass, shall have crumbled into dust. John Chambers. On the 4th day of March, 1841, William Henry Harrison was inaugurated President of the United States. He was carried into office through one of the most renowned and exciting political campaigns our coun- try has ever witnessed. During the administration of Mr. Van Buren, his immediate predecessor, our country, and indeed the whole civilized world, was visited by one of those great commercial revulsions which seems peri- odically to take place in the affairs of man. Never before had our country witnessed and felt such a universal depression of all kinds of business, nor could the most gifted seer in commercial pursuits tell how or when this great commercial calamity would end, or be remedied. The people thought they could look back into the administration of General Jack- son, when the deposits were removed, as the primary cause of all the distress in every ramification of trade which followed during the administration of his successor, and in order, as they supposed, to apply a remedy, and restore confidence and secu- rity again to the country, demanded a change in the affairs of the government. For twelve years previous to 1S40, the government had been in the hands of a party calling themselves "Jack on Demo- crats," and from their long tenure in office, many of them had come to the conclusion that they owned them in their own right, and that almost every office in the gift of the President was a life tenure. Acting upon this principle, many of these incumbents had become notoriously cor- rupt, and appropriated the money belong- ing to their respective offices to their own private and pecuniary profit. These things, added to the commercial distress I have mentioned, increased the popular clamor for a change, and General Harrison was triumphantly elected Presi- dent. And although the writer of this article heard him declare in a public speech that he would suffer his right hand to be cut off before he would remove a public officer for opinion sake alone, yet one of the first acts of his administration was the removal of Robert Lucas from the Governorship of Iowa, and the appoint- ment of John Chambers, of Kentucky, to succeed him. He arrived in Iowa a short time after he had received his appointment, and imme- diately took possession of his office. He was a Whig, and of that Kentucky school of politics, in his day, which took rather a conservative view of public affairs. He was an old man, and had seen some service in his day. He was among the Kentucky volunteers on the frontier during the war of 1812, and distinguished him- self in several skirmishes with the Indians, and was looked upon as one of Kentucky's bravest men. Everything in Iowa was in the hands of the Democrats; they had, since the formation of the Territory, filled every office; they had controlled and di- ^ ;r§^ HISTORY OF IOWA. t>^. rected its whole legislation; they had carved and cut every act to suit theui- selves. So that when the new Governor arrived he found Iowa in the hands of a joint stock company, with the shares above par, and none to dispose of at any price. These same stockholders had been for several years accustomed to look upon his predecessor, although one of their own faith, with considerable distrust; and need we wonder that when a new man made his appearance among them, of opposite faith, that, for a time at least, he should receive the cold shoulder? He had been appointed for four years, and in all p>robability would remain his time out; but four years was an age, at that time, to those who in fact controlled the destinies of a future republic. A plan was therefore set on foot hj those who owned the largest shares in the com- pany, to bring about a revolulion,to change the form of government, to establish a State; and, in obedience to this plan, the legislature, on the 16th day of February, 1842, provided that at the August election following, a vote should be taken for or against a convention to form a constitution for the State of Iowa. At this time the general government had paid all the ex- penses of the Territory, in hard money. At every session of every court, in every county throughout the whole Territory, the Judge, the District Attorney, and last, though not least, the United States Mar- shal, or one of his deputies, always ap- peared together. As soon as the court was over, and justice had been meted out with unsparing hand, the Marshal called up the Grand and Petit Juries, and the witnesses upon all criminal trials, cashed all their accounts in half dollars, and they went their own way over the broad prairies, whistling or singing that good old tune, "Uncle Sam is rich pnough to give us all a farm." Taxes they did not feel, for there was no occasion to gather them, and I know of no happier State on earth than where man can live and enjoy all the sweets of unre- strained liberty, be assured of protection from aggression and 224 HISTORY OF IOWA. crossing the "Laurel Hills" of his own State. Behind him rolled the waters of the "Blue Juniata," on the banks of which he had spent, in merry glee, his youthful days. He had heard and read of strange countries that lay far off towards the set- ting sun, through which broad rivers run, and spreading landscapes unfolded to human eyes the most rare and magnificent beauty. These things inspired his youthful mind ■with a spirit of wild adventure — "fields looked green far away" to his imagination, and he left the Fcenes of his early youth, severed the strong and loving ties that bound him to the land of his nativity, bid farewell to all that was dear to him on earth, and with his youthful gaze fixed upon that star which never sets, he launched forth into the wilds of Wisconsin, a stranger in a strange land, an adventurer seeking his own fortune, depending upon his own exertions, with no recommend save an honest countenance and genteel deportment. This young man was James Clark, who in after years became the able, talented and popular Governor of Iowa. He remained in Wisconsin, working at his trade as a printer, until after the or- ganization of the Territory of Iowa, when he removed to Burlington, where the first legislature of Iowa assembled. After the death of Mr. Conway, he was appuinted, by Mr. Van Buren, Secretarv of the Terri- tory, which ofhce he filled with great credit to himself and satisfaction to the people. During the time he held this office he contributed, by his kind, gentle and amiable manner, to soften the feelings of hatred and distrust which at one time ex- isted between leading men of the Territory. Whoever had business at his office found him a kind, gentle, quiet, amiable man, always ready and willing to do whatever ■ was desired of him, regretting, at the same time, that he could do no more. No man ever labored harder in an office than he did, and it always seemed to me that his whole pride and ambition was to serve some one, and by so doing make himself nseful to his fellow man. During the lime he was Secretary he underwent great labor, but notwithstand- ing the large amount of business he trans acted, he still found time to write for the press, and contributed many valuable articles touching the future greatness of Iowa. After he retired from the offiue of Secre- tary, he returned again to the Printing office, and became the leading Editor of the Burlington Gazette. To the columns of this paper he devoted his wliole ener- gies, and by so doing, made it the leading democrat paper of the territory; a position which he has held to this day. After the inauguration of Mr. Polk as President of the United States, in 1845, he removed Mr. Chambers, and appointed Mr Clarke to succeed him as Governor of Iowa. Previous to his appointment, he had been elected by the people of his county, a delegate to the first convention which assembled to form a constitution for the State of Iowa In this convention he dis- tinguished himself, both for his talent and personal demeanor, and contributed to the pages of that constitution, these great ele- mentary principles which lie at the founda- tion of human rights. And, although that constitution was defeated, he still had the satisfaction of >^. HISTORY OF IOWA. seeing their spirit and meaning transferred to another, and still continued as the fun- damental law of our State The first legislature, after he received his appointment of Governor, assembled at Iowa City on the first Monday of Decem- ber, 1845. His message to the legislature after its organization is a model of style and clearness. He set forth the importance of an early extinguishment of the Indian title to all the lands within the limits of Iowa, and urges the legislature to memorialize Con- gress to purchase a tract of land on the upper Mississippi for a future home for the Winnebagoes, and thus induce them to part with their title to a large tract of country known as the "neutral ground," a recommendation which the general government soon after acted upon and carried out. As soon as the "Blackhawk Purchase" had been surveyed, and it was discovered that it contained within its bounds large tracts which were supposed to contain valuable mineral, these tracts were reserved from market, and the government set itself up as a great landlord to lease out these lands at a stipulated rent. Mr Clarke soon saw the evil and injustice of such a system upon the inhabitants of Iowa, and he set himself at work to break it up; and it was through his influence and exertions that the land was afterwards thrown into market. There was not a barrier in the future greatness of Iowa that did not call forth his attention, and he had the grand satis- faction of seeing everything that he re- commended for the benefit and prosperity of Iowa afterwards carried out, and carried out, too, precisely, as he had suggested and wished. He seemed to be aware that he would soon be called upon to pass over the government, over which he presided with so much skill and ability, into the hands of the real sovereigns of the soil, and he was determined that nothing should be left undone by him to retard her future greatness. On the 16th day of January, 1846, the legislature passed, once more, an act for the purpose of electing delegates to frame a constitution for the State of Iowa. This time the friends of a State govern- ment took it for granted that the people of the territory wanted a constitution, so the legislature provided that at the April election following the passage of this act, the people of the territory should elect delegates to a convention. Accordingly, at the April election delegates were.elected, and the convention, agreeable to said act, consisting of thirty-two members, instead of seventy as in the previous convention, met at Iowa City on the first Monday of May, 1846, and after a session of eighteen days produced a constitution, which con- stitution was submitted immftdiately fol- lowing, and was adopted by them as their constitution for the Stale of Iowa, Thus you see that Iowa, from a colony, a dependency, a territory, jumped, in the short spac^ of seven months, from the time the act above mentioned first passed, to that of a sovereign independent State. After the result was known, the Gover- nor issued his proclamation for a general election in November following, at which election Ansel Uriggs, of Jackson county was elected Governor of the State. ;i^ 226 HISTORY OF IOWA. This proclamation was the last public act of James Clarke, for as soon as the new Governor was quulitied, he turned over to him all the archives of his oflice, and returned once more to the printing office, Again be scattered through Iowa his beautiful editorials through the columns of the Burlington Gazette, until the name and fame of Iowa became known throughout the length and breadth of the land. He appeared at the capitol at the first session of the State legislature under the new constitution, to which body he deli- vered an affecting and iiteresting farewell letter, then stood back quitely during the whole of the session, and gazed with indig- nation upon his countenance at the dread- ful strife, storms and bitterness which was manifested during the entire session. Never since the organization of the ter- ritory, had any man seen, or even dreamed of anything like it; every man seemed to look upon each other as being itj his way to places of honor and profit, and it became a cut and thrust game. Both parties were without leaders, or if they had them, the leaders themselves stood in great need of being led. Neither done anything — neither party could do anything. When one party made a move it was instantly checkmated by the other. Speech after speech was made, each one declaring himself a patriot and a true lover of his country, ready at all times to bleed and die for her. No one could do anything for the reason that none of the rest would let him. They ate, drank, grew fat, and returned to their seats, only to play the same game over again as on the previous day. They in- stituted a court for the trial of any offender who should attempt to bribe any one of their number; and whenever such a tribu- nal is constituted, there is always sure to be some one to try. Now and then during the session some poor devil was snatched up, arraigned and tried for indiscretely showing his money to some one of its members. But such trials only served to lionize the victims, and it- looked to an outsider as if these scamps themselves had purposely committed these offenses in order to bring themselves into notice, and thereby claim themselves to be the victims of a cruel persecution. In vain did they meet in joint conven- tion for the purpose of electing Judges of the Supreme Court and Senators. Every vote, some anxious aspirant in the "lobby" would brighten up, thinking perhaps this time the lucky card would turn up; but, alas! for human hopes, he lacked just onb vote of an election. Your humble servant was an idle and curious looker-on at most of the interest- ing scenes which took place at this seseion, and if it was not for the notes that he took at the time, he could hardly tell at this day whether these scenes were real, or whether they were the productions of an idle and troubled dream. They finally adjourned without electing either Judges or Senators, and the State toddled along very well, half State, half Territory. This was the last time, I believe, that Mr. Clarke ever appeared at the legisla- ture. He died soon after, at Burlington, with that horrible scourge, the cholera. This closed the earthly career of a just and noble man, cut off in the prime of life and in the midst of a useful career. .•^ S> V, -- J 01 ^. ®1 HISTORY OF IOWA. 227 r He was married to a sister of General Othkb Territorial Officebs. Dodge, and this fact beiug known at the ikcretariea. time of his appointment as Governor, drew Wm. B. Conway; 1838, died 1839. upon the Dodge family the title of the James Claik, 1839-41 "Royal Family." But whatever might have been said in this respect, the appoiutr ment was due to Mr. Clarke, nor could it 0. H. W. Stull, 1841-3. Samuel J. Burr, 1843-5. Jesse Williams, 1845. have been bestowed upon a better man, or Auditur$. OKe moi-e competent to fill it. Jesse Williams, 1840-43. He was the third and last Territorial Governor of Iowa, and, like the other two William L. Gilbert, 1843-45. Robert M. Secrest, 1845. who preceded him, as soon as he had passed Treaaurert. the office into the hands of his successor, Thornton Baylie, 1889-40. he gently and calmly laid down and died. Morgan Reno, 1840. He was a tall, slender man, of* a mild and Judges. Charles Mason, Chief Justice, 1838. Joseph Williams, 1838, amiable disposition, and had quite a femi- nine look. He left a family behind to mourn his sad loss. His history is without Thomas S. Wilson, 1838. a stain or reproach, and throughout his whole life no man ever imputed ought against his character as a man and a citi- Presidents of GouneiL Jesse B. Brown, 1838-9. Stephen Hempstead, 183&-40. zen. M. Bainridge, 1840-1. J. W. Parker, 1841-3. John D. Elbert, 1843-3. I have thus given yon a few random Thomas Cox, 1843-4. sketches of the three Territorial Governors 8. Clinton Hasting, 1845. of Iowa, together with a few of the prin- Stephen Hempstead, 1845-d. cipal events in the history of Iowa, con- Speakers of the Houss, nected with their administration. William H. Wallace, 1838-9. Most of the incidents contained in these Edward Johnson. 1839-40. sketches I have given from memory alone, Thomas Cox, 1840-1. having been myself an eye-wituess of, and personally cogn^zant of many of the facts. By these sketches you not only see the Warner Lewis, 1841-3. James M. Morgan, 1843-a James P. Carleton, 1843-4. James M. Morgan, 1845. character and noble traits of the three George W. McLeary, 1845-fl. good and wise men, but you see that under thuir care and protection, a young and thrifty State sprung into existence in the short space of eight years from the time when the whole Territory was the home of State Officers. Oover7u»-s, Ansel Briggs, 1846-50. Stephen Hempstead, 1850-64. James W. Grimes, 1854-58. It J the savage. Ralph P. Lowe, 1838-00. ® k V a r "» tfi . I *A » .. C J < 228 HISTORY OF IOWA. Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1860-R4, John W. Jones, 18.59-63. William M. Stone, 1864-68. William H. Holmes, 1863-67. Samuel Morrill, 1868-72. Samuel E. Rankin. 1867-73. Cyrus C. Carpcnti-r, 1873-76. William Christy, 187:3-77. Samuel J. Kirkwuod, 1876-77. George- W. Bl-uus, 1877-81. J. Q. NcWbokl, 1877-78. Edwiu n. Conger, 1881. John H. Gear, 1878-83. Buren R. SheimaD, 1883. Attorney- Oenfr^t. David C. Cloud, 1853-.56. Lieuienn nt- Oooernor*. Samuel A. Rice, 1856-60. Oran Faville, 1858-60. Charles C. Nuurse. 1860-64. Nicholas J. Rusch, 1860-63. Isaac L. Allen, 186.>'r,. John R Needham. 1863-64. Frederick E. Bissell. 1866-07. Enoch W. Eastman, 1864-66. Henry O'Connor, lS-;r-72. Benjamin F. Oup, 1866-68. Marcena E. Cults, 1873-76. John Scott, 181)8-70. John F. McJunkin, 1877-81. M. M. Walden, 1870-73. Smith McPherson, 1881. H C. Bulls, 1873-74. • Joseph Dysart, 1874-76. Adjutant- Oemralt. Joshua G. Newbold, 1876-78. Daniel S. Lee, 1851-55. Frank T. Campbell, 1878-83. George W. McLeary, 1855-57. Orlando H. Manning, 1883. Elijah Sells, 18.57. . This office was created by the new constitu- Jesse Bowen,' 1857-61 tion, September 8, 1859. Nathaniel Baker, 1861-77. Secretaries of StaU. John H. Luby, 1877-78. W. L. Alexander, 1878. Elisha Cutter, Jr., 184G-48. Joseph H. Bonney, 1848-50. Registers of the State Land Ojiet George W, McClcary, 1850-56. Anison Hart, 1855-57. Elijah Sells, 1856-63. Theodore s. Parvin, 1857-59. James Wright, 1863-67. Amos B. Jliller, 1859-63. Ed. Wright, 1867-73. Edwin Mitchell, 1863-63. Josiah T. Young, 1873-79. Josiah A. Harvey, 1863-67. J. A. T Hull, 1869. Cyrus C. Carpenter, 1867-71. Auditors of Siati. Joseph T. Fales, 1846-50. William Pattee, 18.".0-^4. Aaron Brown, 1871-75. David Secor, 1875-79. J. K. Powers, 1879. Andrew J. Stephens, 1855-59. Jonathan W. Catlell, 1859-65. Superintendents of Publie Instruction. John A. Elliott, 186.5-71. John Russell, 1871-75. Rueu R. Sherman, 1S75-81. William V. Lucas, 1881. James Harlan, 1847-18. Thos. H. Benton, Jr., 1848^54. James D. Eads, 1851-57. Joseph C. Stone, 1857. Malurin L. Fisher, 1857-53. Treasurers of Stat*. Oran F.iville, 1864-67. Morgan Reno. 1846-50. 1). Franklin Wells, 1867-63. J Israel Ki.^ler, 18.J0-53. A. S. Kissell. 1868-73. \ Martin L. Morris, 1853-59. Alonzo Abcrnelhy, 1873-76. d ® k \^ (a r- "» te V ' ■ , Aj 5 !i^ J 0- ^>, jr ■< HISTORY OF IOWA. 229 Curl W. Van Coelen, 1876-83. James Grant, 1853-54. John W. Akers, 1883. Reuben Noble, 1854-.56. This office was created in 1847 and abolished Samuel McFarland, 1856-57. in 1858, and the duties then developed upon Ihe Stephen B. Shekdy, 1857-59. secretary of the Board of Education; it was re- John Edwards, 1859-61. created March 23. 1864. Rush Clark. 1861-63. Jacob Butler, 1863-65. State Printers. Ed. Wright, lf6.')-67. Garrett D. Palmer and Gecro Paul, 1849-51 John Russell, 1867-69. WilliKmH. Mcnitt, 1851-5B. Aylctt R Cotton, 1869-71. William A. Horuish, 1853. James Wilson, 1871-73. Den. A. AliUouey and Jos. B. Dorr, 1853-55. John H. Gear, 1873-77. Peter Moriarty, 18.i5-5T. John Y. Stoue, 1877-79. John Teesdale, 1857-61. Lore Alford, 1880-81. Fruuci-s W. Palmer, 1861-69. G. R. Struble, 1883. Frank M. Mills, 1861J-71. G. W. Edwards, 1871-73. Chief Justices of ihe Supreme Court. Rich. P. Clarkson, 1873-79. • Charles Mason, 1847. Frank M. Mills, 1879. Joseph Williams, 1847-48. S. Clinton Hastings. 1848-49. State Bindert, Joseph Williams, 1849-.jr>. William M. Coles, 1855-58. George G. Wright, 1855-60. Frank M. Mills, 1858-67. Ralph P. Lowe, 1860-63. James 8. Carter, 1867-71. Caleb Baldwin, 1863-64. J. J. Smart, 1871-75. George 0. Wright, 1864-66. H. A Perkins, 1875-79. Ralph T. Lowe, 1866-08. Matt. Parrott, 1879. John F. Dillon, 1868-70. Chester C. Cole, 1870-71. Secretaries of Board of Education. James G. Day, 1871-73. Joseph M. Beck, 1873-74. T. H. Biuton, jr , 1859-63. W. E Miller, 1874-76. Oraii Faville, 1863-64. Chester C. Cole, 1870. This office waa abolished March 23, 1864. William H. Seevers, 1876-77. Presidents of the Senate. Jame^ G. Day, 1877-78 James H. Rothrock, 1878-79. Thomas Baker, 1846-47. Thomas Hughes, 1847-18. Joseph M. Beck, 1879-80. Austin Adams, 1880-83. ■ John J Selman, 1848-49. William H. Seevers, 1883. Enos L'lwe, 1849-51. W. E. Leffingwell, 1851-.53. Associate Justieet. Malurin L. Fisher, 18.53-55. Joseph Williams, held over from territorial W. W. Ham 11 ion, 1855-57. government until a successor waa appointed. Under the new constitution the Lieut.-Gover- Thomas S. Wilson, 1847. nor is President of the Senate. John F. Kinney, 1817-54. George Greene, 1847-55. Speakers of the Boute. Jonathan C. Hall, 18.54-55. Jesse B. Brown. 1846-48. William G. Woodward, 1S55. J Smiley H. Bonham, 1818-50. Norman W. Isbell, 1855-57. L e) George Temple, ISJO-o',', Lacon D. Stockton, 1856-60. I9 ^ V^ 9 r-' "^ e ^t 4; HISTORY OF IOWA. Caleb Baldwin, 1860-64. Ralph P. Lowe, 1860. George G. Wright, 1880. John F. Dillion, 1864-70. Chester C. Cole, 1864-77. Joseph M. Beck, 1868. W. E. Miller, 1870. James Q. Day, 1870. United States Senator*. Augustus C Dodge, 1 84^-55. George W. Jones, 1848-59. James B. Howell, 1870. George Q. Wright, 1871-77. James Harlan, 183-65. James W. Grimes, 1859-69. Bamuel J. Kirkwood, 1868. James Harlan, 1867-7.3. William B. Allison, 1873-79. Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1877-81, William B. Allison. 1879. James W. McDiil. 1881. Members op House of Reprkskhtativks. 1846-47— S.Clinton Hastings, Shepherd LeflSer. 1847-49— Wm. Thompson, Shepherd Leffler. 1849-51— Wm. Thompson, Dan. F. Miller, Shepherd Leffler 1851-53— B. Henn, Lincoln Clark. 1853-55— Bernhart Henn, John P. Cook. 1855-57 -Aug Hall, Jas. Thorington. 1857-59— Samuel R. Curtis, Timothy Davis. 1859-61— Samuel R. Curtis, Wm. Vandever. 1861-63— Samuel R. Curtis, J. F. Wilson, Wm. Vandever. 1803-65 — James F. Wilson, Hiram Price, Wm. B. Allison, J. B. Qrinnell, John A. Kasson, Asahel W. Hubbard. 186^-67— James F Wilson, Hiram Price, Wil- liam B. Allison, Josiah B. GrinncU, John A. Kasson, Asahel W. Hubbard. 1867-69— James F. Wilson, Hiram Price, Wil- liam B. Allison, William Lougbbridge, Grenville M. Dodge, Asahel W. Hubbard. 1869-71— George W. >l<;Crary, William Smyth (died September 80, 1870, and succeeded by Wm. P. Wolf), William B. Allison, William Louglibridge, Frank W. Palmer, Charles Pome- roy. 1871-73— Geo. W. McCrary, Aylett R. Cotton, W. G. Donn.in, Madison M. Walden, Frank W. Palmer, Jackson Orr. 1873-75— Geo. W. McCrary, Aylett R. Cotton, W. G. Donnan, Henry O. Pratt, James Wilson, William Loughbridge, John A. Kasson. James W. McDill, Jackson Orr. 1875-77— Geo. W. McCrary, John Q. Tufts, L. L. Ainsworth, Henry O. Pratt, James Wilson, Ezekiel S. Sampson, John A. Kasson, James W. McDill, Addison Oliver. 1877-79— J. C. Stone, Hiram Price, T. W. Bur- dick, N. C. Deering, Rush Clark, E. 8. Samp- son, H. J. B. Cummings, W. F. Sapp, Addison Oliver. 1879-81— Moses A. McCoid, Hiram Price, Thomas UpdegrafiT, N. C. Deering, Rush Clark (died in May, 1878, and succeeded by Wm. G. Thompson), J. B. Weaver, E. H. Gilletle, W. F. Sapp, Cyrus C. Carpenter. 1881-83— M. A. McCoid, S. 8 F.irwell, TUos. Updegraff, N. C. Deering, W. G. Thompson, M. E. Cutts, John A. Kasson, W. P. Hepburn, C. C. Carpenter. Present State Ofticerb. Oovernnr, Buren R. Shennan. Secretiiry, John A. T. Hull. Vepiiti/ Seeretiiry, Wm. T. Hammond. Auditor, Wm. V. Lucas. Jiep'ity Auditor, Rufus L. Chase. Book keeper. L. E. Ayies. Treasurer, Edwin U. Conger. Deputy Treo surer, C. R. Chase. Jiejistrr Lnnil-office, Jas. K. Power*. JJeputy Register, John M. Davis. Sup't Pub. Inat , John W. Akers. Printer, Frank M Mills. Binder, Mat. Parrott. Adjutant Genernl, \\. L. Alexander. Superaitendent Weights arid Measwet, Prof. N. R. Leonard. Librarian, Mrs. 8. B. Maxwell. Assistant Librarian, Jessie Maxwell. StrpRKHE Court. Chief Justice— Wm. H. See vers, Oskaloosa. Jitdy**- James G. Day, Sidney. James H Kotlirock, Tipton. Jo.seph M Bick, Fort Jladison. Austin Adams, Dubmiiie. AlCy Gen.— Smith McPherson. Red Oak. Clerk— E. .1. Homes. Des Moines. licporter—ioha S. Qunuells, Des Moines. ?[^ HISTORY TAMA COUNTY, lOAATJ^. ih^ C H A PTER I INTRODUCTORY. AS the changes of less than lialf a cen- tury are contemplated, one can scarcely realize or comprehend that the wonderful results of Time's marvel-working hand are the achievements of a period so brief as to be within the remembrance — almost — of the present generation : Let us turn back, as it were, the leaves of Time's great book to but little more than a (juarter of a century ago, and the stranger would have gazed upon a land- scape of wondrous beauty ; selected by the Sioux and Dakotahs as their camping- ground, with that singular appreciation of the beautiful which nature has made an instinct in the savage. These vast and rolling prairies were as green then as now ; the prairie flowers bloomed as thick- ly, and diffused their fragrance as bounti- fully. We are in the haunt of the red man, with scarcely a trace of civilization, while the freedom of bird and beast reigns supreme. But, to-day, what a con- trast ! 'Then, all was as nature had form- ed it, with its variegated hues of vegeta- tion ; in winteV, a dreary, snow-mantled desert — in summer, a perfect paradise of flowers. Now, all traces of the primitive are obliterated ; in place of the tall prai- rie grass and tangled underbrush, one be- holds the rich, waving fields of golden grain. In place of the dusky warrior's rude cabins are the substantial, and often elegant dwellings of the thrifty farmers, and the " iron horse," swifter than the nimble deer, treads the pathway so re- cently the trail of the red man. Then, a sickle of fire annually cut away the wild herbage, and drove to its death the stag ; now, it is the home of the cereals, and nourishes on its broad bosom thousands of tons of the staple products of the great Hawkeye State. Then the storm drove the wolf and stag to their hiding place; - ^9 r HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. J±. now, the blast drives the herd of the hus- bandman to comfortable shelter. The transtormation is complete. In this volume it will be the aim of the historian to record the progress of Tama ("ounty, from its earliest settlement to the present time ; to show the changes that from time to time have been made, and how they were brought about, and to re- cord the life work of individuals who have been instrumental in effecting the change. It will thus be seen to embrace events which many will think insignificant. " Great events find ready record," says a well known writer, " but minor doings are often neglected until they become so obscured by the dust of time as to be for- ever clouded. ^ et from such humble ori- gin may spring the mightiest results! Tlie 1 istory of men's lives is often incomplete through the negligence of those whose duty it was to record the dates of births, or deaths, or happenings, which have proved epochs in the woi'ld's progress. History is commonly regarded but the doings of rulers, who have the world for their theatre of operations, and the fate of empires foi their subject. Such grave performances are of necessity remember- ed ; but, they are no more in themselves worthy of preservation, than are the sim- plier deeds of heroism which pioneers so modestly participated in ; yet, when the careful student seeks for the moving for- ces which made thrones tremble, he is too often rewarded but meagerly. The peo- ple are seldom recorded in history. In rare exceptions may be found a clearer ray of light on humbler undertakings, but they serve only to show the other failures stronger by contrast. The Pilgrim Fathers who survived the shock of the first rude winter are recorded in the sparse annals of New Eng- land, and their descendants revert with pride to those heroic ancestors ; but the fifty pilgrims who died during that bleak season are never spoken of by name, though they are none the less wor- thy of undying reverence. Again, had some one more thoughtful than the rest among John VNinthrop's band, which, two and a half centuries ago set deep the seeds of civilization on the rough shores of Massachusetts, how invaluable would that book now be to those who might pre- pare a great work on Boston's history." This is, indeed, true, and realizing the fact, this work has been compiled. Thou- sands of facts are herein recorded, and individual sketches of hundreds of citi- zens, living and dead, are here placed in an enduring form. These men and women are, or have been actors in the drama of the settlement and development of Tama county. By inserting these sketches, in addition to other matter, is preserved not oidy the recital of historic fact, but a suh- current of individual deeds runs through all, giving a realisin to the narrative which could be imparted in no other way. "^^ ^IV HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 233 CHAPTER II PHVSICA!. GEOGRAPHY OF TAMA COUNTY, Novvliere in the great State of Iowa is Tama county surpassed for its beautifuJ scenery ; its rolling prairies interspersed and diversified wiili natural and dunics tic groves; its meandering streams and i1^ carpet of flowers and verdure. It al^c ranks among the first -as to Agricultural resources, and wealth, as it stands to-d:i;-. Tama i-nunty citizens may well lie pro , of llicii' lionic. LOCATION. Tama county lies nearly in the center of the State, being five counties from the east, north, and south State lines and seven from the west. It is bounded on the north by Grundy and Black Hawk counties; on the south by Poweshiek ; on the east by ■ Benton ; and on the west by Marshall and Grundy counties. It comprises town- ships 82 to 86, north, inclusive, of ranges 1-3 to 16 west inclusive, containing 720 square miles or 470,000 acres of land. SUB-UIVI.SIONS. Tama county is sub-divided into twenty- one civil townships, each comprising a full congressional township except two — Tama and Toledo — which together make one congressional township. These civil townships are named as follows, com- mencing with the north-east corner: Geneseo, Buckingham, Grant, Lincoln, Spring Creek, Crystal, Perry, Clark, Oneida, Carroll, Howard, Carlton, Indian Village, Toledo, Tama, Otter Creek, York, Salt Creek, Richland, Columbia, and High- land. TOPOGRAPHY. The county of Tama is one of the best in the State for general agriculture and stock-raising purposes. It is well watered in almost every part, its principal stream being the Iowa River, which enters the county on section 6, township 83 north, range 16 west (Indian Village township) and pursues nearly a southeast course, through Indian Village, Tama, Richland and Salt Creek townships, emerging on section 36, in the latter township. This stream affords some tine water-power, which has been utilized to some exient an account of which will be found in the township histories. Among the other streams are Deer Creek, Wolf Creek, Four Mile Creek, Twelve Mile Cresk, Otter Creek, Salt Creek, and Richland Creek. Deer Creek takes its rise in Marshall county, entering Tama on section 30, Spring Creek township, and pursuing a southeasterly course, empties into the Iowa River near Tama City. Wolf Creek has two branches which rise in Grundy. The two form a junction in the northern vl^ r ^^ ^ — i^ ±=fk* HISTORY OF TAaiA COUNTY. part of Spring Creuk township pursuing a torturous course through the townships of Spring Creek, Crystal, Perry, Buck- ingham, and Geneseo, emerges from sec- tion 24, in the latter township, and finally empties into the Cedar River. Four Mile Creek and Twelve Mile Creek are tributaries of Wolf Creek, the for- mer heading iu Lincoln township, and the latter in Grant. One branch of Sal Creek heads in Crystal and the other in Clark township. The two form a junction on section 34, Oneida township, and flowing south empty into the Iowa River on sec- tion 36, Salt Creek township. Otter Creek heads in Carroll township, flows south- east and empties into the Iowa River on section 20, Salt Creek township. Rich- land Creek heads in Highland township, flows east through Highland, Columbia and Richland townships, empties into the Iowa River on section 13, in the latter township. The various streams have numerous triiutaries which help to swell the whole and afford water for stock. Timber is found along the banks of various streams, but principally along the Iowa river, where the timber belt ranges from a few rods to three miles iu width. Nearly one-seventh of the county may be said to consist of timber lands including oak " opening land." 'J he remainder of the county is a beautiful rolling prairie, the soil of which is what is usually denomina- ted a black loam. GKOLOGICAL. In the year 1848 the Treasury Depart- ment of 'he Government employed David Dale Owen, of Indiana, to make a geolog- ical survey of Wisconsin, Iowa and Min- nesota. He soon after took the field in person, and in 1852 the Governn ent pub- lished his report in a large volume, accom- panied with maps, all of which contains a mass of highly valuable and interesting matter. He was i he pioneer geologist of the upper Mississippi Valley and his great labor and work has formed the foundation for all wlio have, or all who may, succec'cl him. By an act of the Legislature o'' Iowa approved January 23, 1 855, the Governor of Iowa, by the advice and consent of the Senate was authorized to nominate a per- son competent to make a geological sur- vey of the State, and in accordance James Hall, of New York, was appointed, and during the years J 855-6-7, completed the survey, and in 1858 the State published his report in two volumes. By another act of the Legislature of Iowa, approved March, 30, 1806, Charjes A. White, was appointed State Geologist for two years, and he also proceeded to make another geological survey of the State, and his report was published in 18T0 in two volumes. This report also contains much valuable and interesting matter and is a valuable addition to that of its predecessors. Since then nothing has been done by the State to acquire more knowledge either of her mineral wealth, her palaeontology, or of the remains of the silent pre-historic races that lie entombed in her soil. The end and aim of all these surveys, was to give a gen- eral outline of the geology of the Slate,and from the means and time to which they were confined, it was impossible for them to give an e-xtended local survey to each county, therefore one must be content with what is had from them, together with what V HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. H^ observations and reports that have been made by private parties. The following, regardingthe geological formation of Tama county has been taken from these various reports: In T^ma County neither coal or mineral has been found in paying quantities, yet coal exists and sandstone has been found not only along the river banks, but in the bluffs in the norihern part of the county. Stone can be found in abundance in Carl- ton and Spring Creek township, and in Fifteen Mile and Si.\ Mile Groves, while in the southwestern part of Indian Vil- lage township can be found limited quan- tities of stone. This stone is of peculiar formation, and belongs to the subearbonif- erous lime-stone of the lower series di- vided into three classes. St. Louis lime- stone, Keokuk or Kinderhook lime-stone and upper and lower Burlington lime- stone. The solidity and compactness of the formation renders it susceptible of the highest polish. The bedsaie some twelve feet in thickness consisting of three layers divided as follows: First. Thin bedded sandy limestone three feet; Second. Thin bedded volitic limestone fourfeet; Third. Heavy bedded irregular limestone, gray with bluish tinge, s X feet ; and below this will be found thin beds of carboniferous limestone, from 8 to JO feet. The Keokuk or Kinderhook limestone is composed largely of fine grained, yel- lowish sandstone. The Burlington limestone formation con- sists of distinct calcareous divisions which are separated by a series of silicious shale and chert together .with nodular masses of flint, the whole mixed with a smaller pro- portion of calcarious matter. It affords much valuable material for building pur- poses, but which is confined, however, en- tirely to its stone. It is seldom that it affords anything suitable for ashlar, but for the purpose of common masonry it is excellent, as it endures e.\posure to the atmosphere and frost without appreciable change. Good lime can be made from it, but the greater part of the lime is made from the upper division, bei'ause it usu- ally produces a whiter quality. The upper division furnishes excellent quarry rock wherevei it is exposed. The rock is also strong and endures exposure well. The color of some portions of this division is so nearly white and its texture somewhat crystaline, that the purer pieces resemble marble. Although the area occupied by the outcrops of this formation in the county, is comparatively small, yet the fossil remains which it presents are 6f the most remarkable character and profusion. The only remains of vertebrates which the formation has afforded, are those of fishes an ] sua Is which in some loca ities are numerous. The St. Louis limestone formation, as it exists in Tama county consists of three tolerably distinct sub-divisions, principally dependent on lithological character. They are magnesian, arena, ceous and calcarious. The first and lowest consists of a series of yellowish gray, more or less magnesian and usually massive layers. The ,secoiid is yellowish or light gray, friable sand- stone. The third or upper division is principally composed of light i;r;4\ com- pact limestone, sometimes uniformly bed- ded, but it often has a concretionary and even a brecciated character. It furnishes - 9 HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. excellent material for quick lime even when it is so concretionary and brecciat- ed that it will not serve a good purpose for building material, and is usually too soft for any practical use. It contains a great many fossils and is very attractive. At Indiantown, in Tama county, the sub-carboniferous formation appears, com- mencing at the water level of the Iowa River. No. 1. Yellowish shaly fine grained, -0 feet sandstone. No. 2. Light gray volitic Iime,art of the present century — ill 1803, the first Council of the French Republic ceded the Province of Louisi- ana to the United States. At that time tlie greater portion of the territory which now constitutes Iowa was in the possess- ion of the tribes of the Sacs and Fo.\es, who were acting at that time as confeder- ate tribes. From this date the Indians ceded away by treaty tract after tract of this the most beautiful country the sun ever shown upon, until to-day in this great State of Iowa they hold only a few lumdred acres of land in Tama county, and this only in re-purchase from the white man. In accord with the progressive and ag- gressive spirit of the American people, the G 'vernment of the United States made the last treaty with the Sac and Fox Indians in the fall of 1842, for the remain- ing portion of their lands in Iowa. The treaty provided that the Indians should retain possession of all the lands thus ced- ed until the autumn of 184.5. These lands laid along the Iowa river, extending south- easterly, and embraced the southeastern part of the State. Their principal vil- lage at this time was Ot-tum-wah-no, where the city of Ottumwa now is. As soon as it became known that the treaty had been concluded there was a rush of emigration to Iowa, and a great number of temporary settlements were made near the boundary of the Indian line, awaiting the day set for the Indians removal. As the day approached hundreds of families encamped along the line, and their tents and wagons gave the scene the appear- ance of a military expedition, but the United States military authorities had pre- vented any settlement, or even the mark- ing out of claims by any monument what- ever. To aid them in marking out their claims when the hour should arrive, the settlers had placed piles of dry wood on the rising ground at convenient distances, and at a short time before twelve o'clock of the night preceding the day set, these were lighted, and when the midnight hour arrived, it was announced by the discharge of firearms. The night was dark, but this army of occupation pressed forward, torch in hand, with ax and hatchet, blazing lines with all manner of curves and angles. When daylight came and revealed the confusion of these wonderful surveys, ma- ny disputes arose, settled generally by compromise, but sometimes by violence. While this scene was transpiring the -C «" HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. Iht, retreating Indian was enacting one, more impressive and melancholy. The winter following the treaty was one of unusual ■ severity, and the Indian Prophet, who had disapproved of the treaty, attributed the severity of the winter to the anger of the Great Spirit because they had sold their country. Many religious rites were per- formed to atone for the crime. When the time arrived for leaving Ottuniwa — where they had gathered — a solemn silence per- vaded the Indian camp ; the faces o£ their stoutest men were bathed in tears, and when their cavalcade was put in motion, toward the setting sun, there was a spon- taneous outburst of frantic grief. The Sac and Fox Indians were then re- moved to Kansas upon a reservation giv- en them. In the years 1859-60 they ced- ed to the Government that reservation, and removed to the lands now occupied by the original tribes, in Kansas. Three hundred and seventeen Indians of the Fox or Musquakie tribe, after their re- moval, returned to Iowa and settled in Ta- ma county. The Government permitted them to remain, and by virtue of an act passed March -2, 1867, they are permitted to receive their share of the Tribal fund, which is the interest only on the amount due them from the Government for their lands. This branch of the tribe began buying the tract of land which they now occupy as a reservation in Tama township, Tama county, with their annuity, and now own nearly 1400 acres. It cost 828,000, and is held in common, about 200 acres be- ing used for cultivation. Their personal property is valued at ^20,000, mostly in horses. The strongest local attachment exists among them for their present home, it being the home of their fathers. They cannot forget the past with all its associ- ations, and will never consent to remove from their present jjlace. They have from the earliest moment been friendly to the whites, and while no very marked de- gree of civilization has been attained, yet they are a peaceful, honest, and contented people, possessed of a good degree of moral character, and have a brighter out- look for the future. As to the present condition of the In- dians, the following, which is an extract from the report by U. S. Agent Geo. L. Davenport, in August, 1881, treats at length : "According to ihe census taken of this tribe last winter, they number 91 men, 104 women, 77 girls and 83 boys. Popu- lation in all -355. " In the spring, the Indians, with the assistance of the Agency farmer, plowed 160 acres of land, and planted it with corn, beans, squash and potatoes. Their crops were well cultivated and looked very promising, when, in the early part of July, heavy storms set in, which caused the Iowa river to rise and overflow all the valley, the water rising four and five feet over their fields and village, destroying all their crops and" doing great damage to their fences ; and forcing the Indians to move their families to the adjacent hills. This calamity will cause great suffering to their families unless they receive their annuities, which they have all along re- fused to do. " Their principal chief, Man-ma-wah-ne- kah, died in the early part of July. The tribe are in mourning for his death. He was very much beloved, and had great in- — « HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. i^ titionce with them. He was tboroughly Indian in his ideas and sentiments, and was very much opposed to making any progress in civilization, "In a short time this tribe .will hold a council with their people to determine what they will do in regard to signing the pay-roll and receiving their annuities, wliichhave up to this time accumulated to be quite a large sum. Last winter I ob- tained the names and ages of all their peo- ple, without their consent or assistance. But the tribe* were quite displeased, and I had to explain to them that I was obliged to carry out the instructions received from the department. I have informed them that they can now receive their annuities by the head of each family signing the pay-rolls, and I believe they will do so in a short time. " These are a very good people. They have behaved remarkably well during the past year. Their conduct toward the white people has been very friendly, honorable and upright. Their women are modest and chaste ; their children are brought up strictly, and behave well. I have not heard of a single instance of a quarrel or disturbance of any kind during the past year. The principal chief and council have done all they could to suppress in- temperance among them, and there have been but few cases of drunkenness among the young men during the past year, and then it has been the fault of the white man that gets the liquor for them. " In regard to schools, the old Indian ele- ment is very much opposed, and the chil- dren are forbid attending. But the young men make good progress in learning to read and write, and many of them can read and write in English. Quite a num- ber of women have attended the industri- al school, and have made very good prog-_ ress in making their garments and learn- ing to do household work. " Our teacher died in the early part of the month, after a long illness. She had accpiired a knowledge of the Indian lan- guage, and was very much beloved by the women and children. It will take some time before we can overcome the preju- dice the Indians have to regular schools. It will require patience, perseverance and kindness to succeed. " The Secretary of the interior has kind- ly allowed me to purchase implements, by which I have been enabled to help the working Indians to carry on their agricul- tural work, and it has given them great encouragement. "The number of deaths during the year has been ten, and the number of births five. " The school building used for the agency is in good order and repair, and is the only building belonging to the Gov- ernment. Very respectfully, Geo. L. Davknpokt, United States Indian Agent." INDIAX AGENTS. The first Indian Agent for this tribe was Hon. Leander Clark, of Toledo. He was appointed July 1, 1866, and served in that capacity until July 10, 1809, when he was succeeded by Lieut. F'rank D. Garret- ty,"U. S. A., under the regulation trans- ferring the Indian Bureau to the War De- partment. Lieut. Garretty served until Oc- tober 5, 1870~ when Leander Clark sue- ^. jj- '■^ HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. ceeded him, and again became agent. In September, 187:2, Mr. Clark was relieved by Kev. A. R. Howbert, of Belle Fon- taine, Ohio. In April, ISVS, Thomas S. Free became agent of the Musquakie band. He took active steps to accomplish the advance- ment of the Indians in education and farming. In August, 1875, a school-house was built at a cost of $1200, in which A. B. Somers first taught. Mr. Free is now at Sioux Falls, D. T., practicing law. In June, 1879, George L. Davenport was appointed to succeed Thos. S. Free, and is the present officer. Mr. Davenport has had a varied and eventful life. He was born on Rock Island, Nov. 15, 1817, the eldest son of Col. Geo. Davenport, be- ing the first white child born in that part of the country. The city of Davenport was named in honor of his father, who was one of its founders. George was nursed by an Indian maid, and his play- mates were Indian boys ; he therefore learned to talk their language about as soon as he did English. At an early age he was adopted into the Fox tribe, and called " Mosquake," and was always a great favorite with them. His early education was gained at the school of an invalid sol- dier at Fort Armstrong, and at the age of ten he was sent to attend school at Cin- cinnati, O., where he remained two years, then returned to the Island, and was plac- ed in the store of the American Fur Com- pany, of which his father was a. member, remaining until this post was given up in 1843. During this time he attended school a part of the time at the Illinois College at Jacksonville, at the Catholic Universi- ty at St. Louis, and at the Wineliester Academy, in Virginia. In the fall of 1837 he accompanied, by request, the Sac and Fox delegations of chiefs to Wash- ington, and visited other large cities. In 1832 he made the iirst claim west of the Mississippi, and built the first frame house in the territory. During the early days of the city of Davenport he was among the most zealous workers for the city's suc- cess, and for many years was one of the most prominent of her citizens. He was president of the Merchant's Bank and Davenport National Bank for eighteen years ; was president of the City Gas Cor- poration for twenty-two years. In 1871 he was elected a director of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, and held that position for five years. He was mar- ried in 1839, and lost one son during the late rebellion. Politically, Mr. Daven- port is a Republican. He is an affable, pleasant gentleman, and as a business man is upright and honorable. For the place he holds he is well fitted, and his labors are leaving their marks. THE INDIAN NAME. It is quite generally believed that the name by which the Indians in Tama coun- ty are known — Musquakies, [sometimes spelled Misquakies ] — is a misnomer which they have been given since they have liv- ed here. But this is a mistake, as is also the theory that the name was derived from the fact that they were a portion of Keo- kuk's followers in trying to avoid the last Black Hawk war, and means " Deserted." When the Sac and Fox Indians occupied the northeastern part of the United States they were called by their proper Indian names : Sockees for Sack ; and Mus(pia- kies for Fox. When the French landed t HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. LliU upon the shores of that portion of the continent, they named them Sac and Rey- nard, or Fox. The former band have fi- nally accepted that name ; but the latter tribe, among themselves, still hold to the name " Musquakies," which means in their tongue " red men ; " or, " Musqua " red ; " kies," people. CUSTOMS, HABITS AND PECULIARITIES OF THE, MUSQUAKIES. Much has been written in regard to the customs and habits of the Indian tribes of the northwest and as a description of one was supposed to apply to all, many of these articles have been reproduced as a treatise upon the Musquakies, or the tribes which at one time occupied the "Black Hawk Pill-chase." But most of these ar- ticles in many of the customs and peculi- arities they recite are entirely erroneous and, as a whole, very much exagerated. Contrary to the inference which would be drawn from them, the tribes of the Sac and Fox Indians, since their contact with the whites have always to a certain degree been civilized, and the pioneers who were associated with them during the early days when the red skins called this region "home," agree in the opinion that, as a rule, their ideas of justice and morality were but a few paces in the rear of those held by "civilized humanity." The habits and customs of this tribe of to-day, do not diifer very much from those of early days. Very few of them deign to wear the dress of the white man, generally wealing a blanket over the shoulders, feathers in the hair, and not infrequently painted fantastically about the face, neck and arms. Beads and cheap brass jewelry usually adorn the neek and ears, and the Indian maids wear large and massive bracelets. The blankets are all highly colored, as, in fact, is all of their clothing. Instead of being frivolous, they are as a rule thrifty and industrious, but the squaws are made to do the hardest labor. Few quarrels are had among themselves, and they are always peaeable to Whites. Since their occupancy of the little reser- vation in Tama county there has only beeh one crime committed. They are more religiously inclined than the white man, believing in God and rec- ognizing the existence of a Supreme Being whom they call the Great Spirit. Their conception of God differs only in part from that held by the Christian world. To them He is an individual being — a su- preme personage. They know nothing of Jesus Christ and have no traditions that tend to indicate a belief in any such per- sonage. They have a devil whom they designate as the Bad Spirit. To both are offered sacrifices. Their religion partakes more of the Jewish Creed than that of any other and abounds in numerous forms and customs, quite similar to the old customs first practiced by the Hebrews. They have a Bible which they call "Meeschaum." It is made up of about twenty-seven parts and the whole is written in strange signs only intelligible to the Indians, and the contents are never explained to the whites. There are about half a dozen of these "Meeschaum" in the tribe; they all worn and old and are handled with the greatest care. The word "Meeschaum" in the In- dian tongue means "Holy words or laws." Meetings of worship are held which last for tlivee and four hours, and a separate and distinct language is used for religious 1^ 4*- HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 243 talk and worship. They listen with great interest to the explanation of the white man's belief and religion, and have tradi- tions which have been handed down from former generations that are -almost iden- tical with Bible parables and illustrations. One of these traditions is that long years ago, when even the race of red men was in its infancy, there came a rainy season to the land inhabited by the fore-fathers of the Indians. It continued to pour down in drenching torrents for nearly " two moons." The land became covered witli water. It rose until even the liighest hills began to disappear beneath the waves. The red men seeing that the end was not yet, resolved to cast their lot upon the waters and trust to the Great Spirit for safety. All the canoes that could be found, were collected together and bound with lariats. When the proper time came the raft was ladened with the necessary food, blankets and a few musk i-ats, and all got aboard as the last high mound was submerged by the rapidly rising waters. For many days and nights the bark tossed to and fro, the rain ceased, and they only waited for the water to go down. A musk rat was dropped over- board. He sank toward the bottom and after remaining some time returned to the surface with clean paws and clambered into the raft. This indicated that the water was yet too deep to reach bottom. In a few days the experiment was repeated; but with the same result. In a few days more the muskrat was again put overboard and after being down a few moments came to the surface with his paws covered witli nuid, and again disappearing to re- turn no more. This was the hoj)eful sign they had looked for ami in a few days the canoes rested upon the summit of a high mountain. It is readily seen tliat this tradition is merely another version of the Bible narrative of Noah and the ark; told, it is true, in a rude way, but the truths are still intact and the Indians tirmly believe in its authenticity. The Musquakies have a system of self government. They are divided into three families or clans, which are each repre- sented by a chief; then there is a council consisting of a number of braves who are chosen with reference to their general in- telligence or else those who have distin- guished themselves in war or otherwise, in addition to these there is a "Uusiness Chief," who is the highest in authority; he attends to the business, leads them in case of war, and is the general executive. Nothing is done except what is agreed to by the council and their wishes are car- ried out by the head chief. Whatever be their decree most of the people at once submit to it without the need of perswa- sion or force, and it is very seldom that even the slightest of their laws are vio- lated. There are sometimes exceptions to this in the cases of young men who obtain liquor from the whites and wh' n under its intluence will pay but little attention to the laws of the chiefs. The present "Business Chief" is "Mali- tah-e-(jua" who years ago distinguished himself in war with the Sioux. His name, in Indian tongue, indicates the office he holds : Major-General or Leader. 'I he names of the principal clans, or families are Wolf, Elk and l^ear. 'J'lie name of the Wolf Chief is Muk-we-posh- e-to, which signifies " Old Bear." He is only about nineteen years of age, and HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. therefore does not have much weight in the council. The Elk Chief is " Wah-ko-mo," mean- ing '■ clear or bright." He was born on Turkey River, Iowa, and is about 65 years old. His words have great influ- ence with the tribe, and he is, in one sense, a leader of the council. The Chief representing the Bear fami- ly is Push-e-to-nik, who is about 4.5 years old. As a rule, the offices of the Indians are hereditary. When a chief dies his son takes his rank, and, if too young, they either wait until he has reached the years of discretion, or the remaining chiefs ap- point some one to fill the vacancy until the heir attains maturity. If any one of the ti ibe does wrong, his face is blacked, and he is obliged to fast a day or more, according to the nature of the crime or offense. They arc very much opposed to educa- tion, because, they say, "We don't want our children to grow up like white chil- dren. When white people come to our village we treat them well, the children stand back; but when the Indian goes to town the white children throw stones at him and call him names." They have a school house but are so predjudiced against edu- cation that it is hard work to get a young Indian into it. The old braves would not venture in until all the desks were taken out. They say that if they are educated they will become mean like the white man — "White man awful smart but awful mean." They say the "white man is so mean that when he dies his God puts him in an uwful hot place and burns him for- ever, but the Indian's God is more merci- *^> ful, and the mean Indian less wicked; the Great Spirit sifts him like the chaff and the good Indian goes to the happy hunting ground beyond the river where the bad Indian and the white man never comes." They have a faith that laughs at the im- possible, and their confidence in the ways and workings of the Great Spirit for good would put to shame many faithless white men. Some of the Indians are very intelligent and philosophical. At one time Judge Leander Clark, who was their agent, asked one of the chiefs if he would allow one of his boys to be brought up by Mr. Clark as a white boy. The chief shook his head and upon being asked why, replied: "If you took my boy he would be brought up like a white man; the Great Spirit never intended that he should be a pail face or He would have made him white; He has made him red and intends he should be brought up like red men. Would you let me bring up your white boy like red men "/ Then you can have my Indian boy to bring up like white man." The Indians have a way of expressing themselves in writing and often write let- ters to acquaintances in Nebraska and the Indian Territory. Some of the Indians claim that they still own a strip of land crossing the State of Iowa, ten miles wide, claiming that at the time of the last treaty that much was reserved to them, ^^'hethor the majority of the Indians believe this is not known, as it is seldom, if ever, spoken of to-day, by any of them. After the birth of a child the mother keeps a separate tire and eats alone, and the brave does not go near to see either mother or child ,until the little one is at -» ■> 0^ HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. least a month old. The Indians cannot swear until they learn the English language in which to express it. The Indian language contains no words that could be used for profanity, and the worst thing one Indian can call another is " a dog " or " a fool," which is considered a deadly insult. The Indian village is located near the center of the reservation. In the spring they move to the fields and until the crop is sown, camp where they are at work. As soon as the spring's work is done they move into the village and have an easy time until the crop matures. They then move back to the fields and remain until the crop is gathered. After this the In- dians — most of them at least,- — leave their Tama county home and spend the winter in some of the adjoining counties, only to make their appearance when the time for spring work again rolls round. They do that for the purpose of finding maple trees, game and charity. In a retrospective view of the tribe, while residents of the Tama county but one marked scene of violence can be re- called. This occurred upon the morning of June 13, 1874, resulting in the murder of a Pownee Indian. The facts as given by the Tama City I'ress of June 19, 1874, are as follows : "On the morning of June 12, 1874, four Pawnee Indians came to the camp of the Misquakies, and remained all day and the night of the 12th. On the next morning one of them while but a few steps from the wick-iup was approached from behind by one of the Musquakies called " Black Wolf," who drew a revolver and fired three shots. The first entering the back of the head, and passing through the brain lodged under the skull in front ; the second one passing into the base ofthe neck,pas8ed up- ward toward the head and came to the sur- face near the right ear ; and the other was mearly a scalp wound. The last two wounds were not necessarily fatal, but the first one bore unmistakable evidence of the intention of him who held the fatal weapon. At the first shot the Pawnee went down, and the other two must have hit him while in the act of falling. When we reached the camp, the Pawnee, had been buried, and not fearing a dead Indian, we had no necessity for the pro- fessional assistance of either of the gentle- men who accompanied us. Soon after, the coroner, deputy sheriff, Indian agent and several other parties appeared upon the scene, and the dead Pawnee was resur- rected, brought to Tama city, togethei with his murderer and on Saturday even- ing an inquest was held by E. M. Beilby, county coroner." When it was proven that Black Wolf did the bloody deed, a warrant was issued and delivered to deputy sheriff Bartlett who arrested him and lodged him in jail. Black Wolf remained in jail until Febru- ary 18, 1875, when he was discharged, the witnesses failing to appear against him. ^pv* *k^ 246 HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. CHAPTER IV. THE BEGINNING. To the readers of local history the chapter relating to the early settlement, the first events and beginning of the his- tory of a country, is of general interest. Especially is this the case with pioneers themselves ; those who have witnessed the changes that have been made ; who have seen a trackless wilderness or prairie transformed into a beautiful country, and tilled with an enterprising and happy peo- ])le. He reads here slowly and critically, every word recalling memories of the past, which for a generation have been buried among a host of recollections which now arise before him like a dream. His old associations, the deeds, the trials and bat- tles against hunger and cold, while set^ tiers were few and far between, and wolves howled about the little log cabin, sending a chill to his heart ; and the wind (hiving the sifting snow through the crev- ices — all arise now vividly before him. Often it is with pleasure he can recall these recollections, viewing with satisfac- tion the thought that he lived through it all to see a thrifty and wealthy land, dot- led with school-houses and churches, and villages and cities. But again it will be with sadness that the past is recalled, as thoughts spring up of the dark and painful side of weary davs. How a wife, whose virtues, bravery and simplicity will always be remember- ed, or a child, prattling in its innocence being called from earth to its eternal home, was laid away under the cruel sod in solemn quietude, by the rough and ten- der hands of hardy pioneers. Time had partially allayed the sting, but the wound is now uncovered by the allusion to days gone by, and the cases are not a few, where a tear of bitter sadness will course down the cheek in honor of the memory of those who have departed. Notwithstanding the many disadvanta- ges, and even sorrows attendant upon the first steps of civilization, and the adversi- ties to be encountered, the pioneers led a happy life. The absence of the aristo- cratic and domineering power of wealth and position must have been a source of comfort and satisfaction. Merit alone in- sured equality, and this could not be sup- pressed by tradition. The brotherhood of man was illustrated in a sincere and prac- tical way, and hospitality was not consid- ered so much of a christian trait as a du- ty to humanity. EARLY SETTLEMEN'T. To learn with any degree of accuracy the first actual settler of a locality that has been settled for a generation is a more dif- ficult task than would be imagined. There is only one rule which can be adopt 9) -»fV ^%e spring of 1860, he moved to his present farm, where he has since resid- ed. His farm consists of eighty acres of land under good cultivation, valued at §40.00 per acre, and twenty acres of tim- ber. Mr. Overmire is a member of the Baptist church and his wife of the J^utheran. The Myers brothers came from Indiana and located in Toledo township, Tama county,in June,1852. Noah was the princi- pal factor of the party, his brothers being James, a young man, and Angelo, wlio ■was married. Noah was the first school fund commissioner of the county, and a j)rominent and influential politician in ear- ly days. He onl}' remained in the county five or six years. He now lives in Mis- souri. B. W. Wilson and Thomas Skilos set- tled with their families in what is now Salt Creek township, south of the river. William Cruthers settled with his fami- ly north of the river, in the same town- ship, lie left the county some years ago. Washington Abbott and William Mar- tin settled with their families in the west- ern part of the county in 1852. Samuel Giger, E. Moler and R. A. Run- die all settled in the county during the year 1852. They are noticed elsewhere in this work. The northern part of Tama county did not lie in the same path of travel as the southern part. It seems that the valley of the Iowa River was followed by emigrants mostly from Davenport, Muscatine and other points in that direction. Northern Tama laid directly in the path of those coming by way of Dubuque. Thus it was much later in receiving settlers. The Io- wa river was an established highway for travel, and in many places 100 miles west HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. of Tama county, there were settlers be- fore any settled in northern Tama, ten miles from the river. The first settlers in the northern part of the county were Norman L. Osborn, David Dean and his two sons, Ira and Lewis, who arrived Jan- uary 1, 1852. During the summer and fall of that year, the following named made their appearance, and swelled the settlement in that vicinity : Samuel Dun- kle, Mr. Springmyer, Nelson Usher, Vol- ney Carpenter, Patrick Casey, John Con- nolly, Jonas P. Wood, Joseph and John Connell, William D. Hitchner, Joshua C. and L. E. Wood, Wesley A. Daniels, Dan- iel Connell, senior, Robert Connell and his sister Margaret, and Otto Story. Norman L. Osborne came to Tama coun- ty in January, 1852, and claimed the southeast quarter of section 20, Bucking- ham township. After a few months he sold this claim to Mr. Dunkle, and remov- ing to what is now Perry township, enter- ed the northeast quarter of section 10. In 185:i he again sold out to the Taylor Iirothers, and entered the northwest quar- ter of the same section, where he broke several acres and built a log house. Two years later he sold to Stephen Klingaman, and sought a new field for speculation. At last accounts he was in Missouri. Mr. Osborn was a good man, of more than or- dinary intelligence. lie and his family were well liked by his neighbors. The same year David Dean and family came and settled on the southwest quarter of section 27, Perry townshij). His son Ira entered the southeast quarter of sec- tion 28, and another son, Lude, settled on the northeast quarter of section 33. They all sold out in 1855, and went west. One *^i= of the sons is now at Goldfield, Wright county, where he keeps a grocery store and meat market. The Dean family came from Indiana, and went from here to Wright county some time in 1857 or 1858. They were good neighbors. Mr. Dunkle came to the county in 1852, and purchased the farm of Norman L. Os- borne, but did not remain long, selling his farm and removing from the county. Another early settler who came in the year 1852, was Patrick Casey, a native of Ireland. He settled on secton 25, Buck- ingham township. In 1854 he sold his farm and went to Geneseo township, where he lived for a few years, and then remov- ed to Kansas.' He is not living. Mr. Ca- sey was a full-blooded Irishman, and like all the rest of his race was genial and warm-hearted. Otto Story came to Tama county with the Dean family in 1852, and made a claim on section 33, Buckingham town- ship. He did not prove up his claim, but sold in 1854, and went to Wright county. The same year Mr. Springmeyer came and setttled on section 26, Buckingham township, where he remained a short time ; then went to Cedar county in this State. Some time in June of 1852, Jonas P. Wood, William D. Hitchner, and Joseph and John Connell came together, and set- tled in what is now known as Perry town- ship. J. P. Wood entered 400 acres of land in the northwest quarter of section 4, the north half, of the northwest quarter of section 5, in township 80, range 14 ; and the southeast quarter of section 3, in township 83, range 15. In October of rrv* ^t fe> HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. that year, Mr. Wood returned to Ohio and brought out his family. He still lives here on section 4, Perry township. Two brothers of Mr. Wood, Joshua C. and Lyman E., came with him to Iowa, on his return from Ohio. J. C. now lives on section 33, Buckingham township, and L. E. resides on section 6, Perry. Sketches of them will be fourd elsewhere. William Ilitchner, who settled in what is now known as Perry township, commit- ted suicide in 1874. Details of this may be found in the chapter "Miscellaneous." The Connell brothers located on the north half of the southwest quarter of section 4, Perry township, and were join- ed in the fall of that year by their father, Daniel Connell, now deceased ; their brother, Robert, who died in 1876 ; and a sister, Margaret. Jo.seph Connell died in September, 1854, while on a trip to Vin- ton ; John Connell now resides in Toledo. Daniel Connell, Jr., came seyeral years hiter. W. A. Daniels, also a settler of 1852, located on the west half of the southeast (juarter of section 33, Buckingham, where he still lives. Nelson Usher and his son-in-law, Vol- ney Carpenter, came in 1852, the former entering the south half of the southwest ijuarter of section 4, and also a part of the northwest quarter of section 9, in Perry township. He sold in 1854, and went west. His son-in-law. Carpenter, followed iiim and at last accounts were both in Oregon. This brings the settlement of the whole county up to January, 1853, after which lime immigration set in rapidly. It is un- necessary to carry the settlement any further in this chapter, as this subject is treate i at length in the history of the various townships, where the most of the pioneers who have here been brietlj' treat- ed, and those who may have been omitted, will receive due and lengthy notice. THE COtrUTY NAME. Tradition says that the name which Tama county bears, was given in honor or remembrance of the wife of the Indian chief " Poweshiek," after whom the coun- ty joining Tama on the south was named. In the Indian tongue, the name signifies beautiful, pleasant or lovely. This is gen- erally accepted and believed to be the true source from which came the name of the county. There is another theory ad- vanced, however, which sets forth that the name was derived from that of an Indian chief " Pottama. " OKGAXIXATIOX. The occupancy of this territory l)y In- dians is treated at length in another chap- ter. In 1845-6, the tribe was removed to the reservation assigned them in Kansas, but many of them wandered back to the old hunting grounds, and began settling uj)on the tract of land wliere they yet re- main. Soon afterward the territory of Tama county was attached to lienton coun- ty for Revenue, Judicial and civil purpo- ses, to accommodate the few settlers. A portion of the county was surveyed in 1843, and it was completed during 1845 and 1846 by A. L. Brown and his corps of assistants. In 1848 entries of land were made and soon afterward the pioneers be- gan drifting into Tama county. In 1850 the U. S. census gave the county a popu- lation of eight, but in reality it was about double that number. This rapidly increas- ''/■■/ ■;f^^-^^^-^ir-^-'^'^^ J^l HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 259 ed until in the spring of 1853 there were a number of neighborhoods in various parts of the county, which made a total population of considerably over 200. Early in 1853 the settlers began talking ■ f the need of having some political organization. After considerable agitation, the matter was brought to a culmination by the pre- sentation of a petition to the county judge of Benton for the organization of the coun- ty into townships. This petition was sign- ed by most of the inhabitants of the coun- ty ; but who they were it is impossible at this late day to tell, as the petition itself has years ago been destroyed. Upon receiving this application, the county judge of Benton county issued or- ders for the organization of Tama county into three civil townships. These orders have also been lost ; but Daniel Connell, of Gladbrook, was thoughtful enough to make a transcript of the one authorizing the organization of the northern part of the county. This one reads as follows : " State of Iowa, ) ss Benton County, j' 7'o N'. L. Osborne, John Connell and Da- vid Dean: You are hereby notified that the Coun- ty Court of said County has this day or- ganized the following described townships into a Civil Township, for Judicial purpo- ses, viz : Townships 85 and 86, in range 13 ; 85 and 86, in range 14 ; 85 and 86, in range 15, west, in Tama County, Iowa; and has appointed you the Trustees of said Township, and you are hereby au- thorized to call, according to law, and give necessary notice, and hold an e'.ec- lion on the first Monday of April, A. D., 1853, as provided for in the Statutes. ( Signed ) J. C. Traer, Clerk of the Court. By order of County Judge." The order bore no date, but it is pre- sumed to have been made some time in February, 1853. An informal meeting of the citizens was held to give name to the towns thus organized. The men failing to agree, it was left to Miss Margaret Con- nell, and she named it Buckingham, in honor of Gov. William A. Buckingham, of Norwich, Connecticut. By this it will be seen that Buckingham embraced the territory now organized in- to the following civil townships : Gene- seo, Buckingham, Grant, Crystal, Perry and Clark. The other two orders mentioned hereto- fore were for the organization of Howard and Indian Village Townships. Howard embraced the territory now comprising Co- lumbia, Toledo, Tama, Howard, Carroll, Otter Creek, Richland, Salt Creek, York and Oneida. Indian Village embraced all the balance of the county. The electors of Buckingham met at the house of Nor- man L. Osborn ; those of Indian Village at the house of Eli W. Daily, and those of Howard at the residence of Rezin A. Redman. The townships were thus legal- ly organized. Thus was the territory of Tama county first set apart from all else, and the wheels of local government started. In the meantime a movement for a coun- ty organization had been set on foot, and in March, 1853, a majority of the citizens of Tama county petitioned the County Judge of Benton County for the necessa- ry order for a county organization. The order was accordingly issued, command- ing that an election be held on the first r j j" — ^ ^ • t^ HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. Monday in May, 1853, for the election of county officers, who should j'erfect the county organization, and serve until {he ensuing regular election in August. On the day set the election was held, and re- sulted in the choice of the first county of- ficers of Tama County, as follows : County Judge, Tallman Chase ; Prose- cuting Attorney, John Huston ; Clerk of the Courts, J)avid D. Applegate ; Survey- or, ^yesley A. Daniels. For School Fund Commissioner, David F. Bruner and An- thony Wilkinson received an equal num- ber of votes, so neither was elected. The entry upon the record books regard- ing this election is a curiosity. A third of a century has nearly obliterated the marks of pen and ink, but, as best it can be read, the entry is here presented verbatim : " Be it remembered that on day of March 1853 a majority of the citizens of Tama county petitioned to the Judge of Benton county Iowa, to be organized, where upon receiving the said petition, an order was issued to hold an election on the first Monday in May 1853. Due notice was given, the election was held and the Returns was made to Benton county, the following officers was elected : Tallman Chaise, Co. Judge ; John Huston, Pros. Atty ; David D. Applegate, Clerk of the District Court. David F. Bruner and Anthony Wilkin- son was tie for School Fund Commission- ers. Wesley A. Daniels, Surveyor. The following officers qualified in time prescribed by law : John Huston, Pros. Atty.; David D. Applegate, Clerk of the District Court and Wesley A. Daniel, Co. Surveyor. John Huston, Pros. Attv." ^' Several of the officers didnot (jualify, as the emoluments of the office would not pay for the trouble, and the regular elec- tion for officers for the full term would take place the following August. A local writer says of it: "They realized that they might not be in office long enough to get their seats warm before bein^ invited to step down and out." However, these were the first county officers ever elected, and as was the j>revailing custom of those days, it is said they indulged, one and all, in a jolly time. Thus was the judicial life of Tama county " brought before the world." Those officers who did qualify, wfnt lo Vinton, Benton county, to be sworn in by the county Judge of that county. Tluisc who qualified afterward, were sworn in by the prosecuting attorney of Tama county. On the fourth Monday in July, lSo3, the first term of court was held, and, as Tallman Chase, who had been elected county Judge had not qualified, this term was presided over by the prosecuting at- torney, John Huston. It was held at the house of Huston in Indian Village town- ship. At this time David F. Bruner was appointed Treasurer and recorder to .serve until the ensuing August election. Nor- man L. Osborn was appointed Siierifif as he had failed to qualify within the time set by law. The tie for school fund commissioner was settled by the appointment of Noah Myers to the office. On the first Monday in Augu.st, 1853, Tama county was permanently organized by the election of county officers for the regular term of two j-ears. There were seventy-two votes polled, and from the HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. *-^ returns it seems that politics did not enter into the campaign at all. There were three candidates for county judge, John C. Vermilya, James H. Hollen and J. P. Wood, and the former was successful by a majority of four votes. There were two candidates for Treasurer and Record- er, John Ross and David T. Bruner. Ross being successful by a majority of 20. For Sheriff, there were three. Miron Blodgett, W. F. Hollen and N. L. Osborn, and the first named came out ahead with eleven votes to spare. The "woods were full of candidates ; " for coroner, there being Franklin Davis, who received 40 votes ; Zebedee Rush, 15 ; J. H. Voor- hies, 10 ; Franklin Vorn, 4 ; and Wesley A. Daniels, 18 ; Wesley A. Daniels was elected surveyor with but little opposition. This makes the list — county judge, John C Vermilya ; treasurer and recorder, John Ross ; sheriff, Miron Blodgett ; coroner, Franklin Davis ; surveyor, Wesley A. Daniels. The board of canvassers at this election was composed .of John Huston, Robert Wilkinson, and William Booher. Tliere were three voting precincts. How- ward, Buckingham and Indian Village. LOCATION OF THE COUNTY SEAT As soon as the organization of the county was permanently effected, the mat- ter of the location of the county seat pre- sented itself. Hon. James P. Carlton, Judge of the Fourth Judicial District, ap- pointed Joseph M. Ferguson of Mar- shall county, and R. B. Ogden, of Powe- shiek county, commissioners to ^locate a seat of justice for Tama county. They met at the house of John C. Vermilya, on the '20lh day of October, 1853, and start- ed out in (piest of a location. They first examined a quarte"- section near Bruner Mill, in Howard township. At this time, this was about the most notable point in the county. The town of Monticello had been here platted, and a saw mill erected by Christian Bruner. The commissioners were strongly inclined to locate it at this point. David '^r. Bruner offered to give 20 acres from the north part of his farm, on section 4 ; Christian Bruner offered twenty acres of the town site of Monti- cello, and twenty adjoining it on the north. But this difficulty arose : Adam Zehrung owned one-half of the townsite of Mon- ticello, and he refused to donate any of it, but insisted upon keeping the very centre of the town. In lieu thereof he offered to give twenty acres of bottom land, be- longing to his son, which was not fit to erect a house upon. The commissioners looked the matter over, and tried to per- suade Zehrung to give it up, and all the neighbors joined, but to no avail. Chris- tian Bruner offered to buy the land, pi-o- posing to give three times its value, but Zehrung refused to sell at any price, think- ing the county seat would be located there any way. Then Christian Bruner offered 160 acres of raw prairie, lying near the present location of Howard cem- etery, but this the commissioners refused to consider, because it was too far from water, and was not suitable. The Com- missionerSjthen moved' on and examined other locations. In the meantime quite a crowd of citi- zens had assembled, but the extreme southern part of the county had scarcely heard of it Finally Noah Myers started out to get help in the effort to secure the location as far south as possible. Going " "^ fl ^- — ► HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. on a run to J. H. Hollins, he •roused him by exclaiming . " What in thunder are yi)u laying aronnd here for, when there is a county seat at stake ? " llollen had not licard that the commissioners had arrived, hut it did not take him long to under- stand the situation, as Myers liad been with the commissioners. In a few mo- ments they had decided upon a plan to get it located where Toledo now rests. At that time this was school land, and was claimed by John Sporh, Solomon Huf- ford, John Ross and Peter Overmire. The commissioners had decided not to consider bids of less than 80 acres, and HoUen and Myers immediately started for the houses of these settlers to get them to offer 20 acres each, thus making 80, which they at once agreed to do, so it only re- mained to arrange with the commission- ers, llollen and Myers came upon the commissioners at the farm ot Samuel Walkup, and after a short explanation the whole crowd moved toward the present site of Toledo. "While they were passing the house of Solomon IIufFord, R. B. Og- den, one of the commissioners, picked up a stake and sharpened it, without sayinga word. When they arrived upon the spot now occupied by the Toledo Hotel Block, he halted and exclaimed : " Gentlemen, here is the spot that shall be the future county seat of Tama County I " lie then drove in the stake with an ax, which had been brought for the purpose. This clos- ed their labors. The location was de- scribed as follows : Southwest ([uarter of southeast quarter, and west half of south- east (piarter of southeast quarter ; and south half of the northwest quarter, of the southeast (juarter, of section 15, town- ship 83, range 15. The commissioners had the right to name the future county seat, but for some reason they failed to do so, and it took the name of Toledo from the postoffice, which had been established during the summer, with J. H. Holien, as postmas- ter. Mr. Holien got the name from read- ing the book, " Knight of Toledo, in Spain. " FIRST EVENTS. The first marriage in the county was that of Myron Blodgett to Miss Sarah Cronk, August U, 185.3. The happy couple were united by John C. Vermilya, county judge. Thi-s was Judge Vermi- lya's first effort in this line and he was not a_ little embarrassed, it is said. Blodgett, in a joke, called upon him immediately after he qualified. The second marriage was that of Fred- erick L. Knott to Martha Gayor, in Buck- ingham township, on the ICth of October, 1853, the ceremony being performed by Rev. S. W. Ingham, who still resides in the county, ripe with many years of u.seful labor. The first death in the county was Frank- lin, a son of David F. and Catharine Bru- ner who died September 19th, 1852. The second death as near as can be as- certained, was that of Miss Maria Blodg- ett, which occurred early in the spring of 1853. The next was William T., a son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Holien, who died April 1, 1853. The little one was horn February 9, 1853. William Ililchnerand wife had a daught- er born to them on December 1st, 1852, and it is claimed upon good authority that f' At HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. this was the first birth in the county. They lived in Northern Tama. The first fire and destruction of projier- ty in the county, was the burning of the log cabin of Alexander Fowler, in what is now York township, in the fall of 1853. The first county warrants Nos. 1, 2, :i and 4, amounting to $19.50, were issued October IS, 1853, to David F. Bruner for services as assessor of Howard township. The first flouring mill was erected by C. Bruner late in the winter of 1854. He did not get to grinding until the spring of 1856. About the same time the Iiidiantown mill was erected. As early as July, 1852, a methodist de- vine — Rev. Hesswood — held religious ser- vices at Indiantown, in the cabins of various settlements, but no organization was effected. The next preaching in Tama county was by the Rev. Stone, a Presbyterian minister from Iowa City, in the winter of 1852-3. Services were held at the house of Chris- tian Bruner, in Howard township. Religious services were held at the house of Norman L. Osborn in Perry township in the latter part of May, 1853, with Rev. Solomon W. Ingham as preach- er. The reverend gentleman organized a class the same time and Ira Taylor was appointed leader. This meeting was held on what is now the site of Traer under the auspices of the Methodist Episco])al church and the organization was known as the " Tama Mission." Their first quarterly services were held Novembet 26, 1853, as the house of Zebe- dee Rush, near Toledo, and Elder Ingham delivered the sermon. Thev built their first church in Toledo in 1856. The first Congregational Church in Tama County was organized at Toledo In December, 1754, with a membership of nine. Rev. George H. Woodward was tllfe first pastor and came in 1856. They erected and dedicated toeir first church in 1860. The first regular Baptist Church was organized at Toledo, May 20, 1855 with a membership of sixteen persons, and Rev. George G. Edwards as pastor. The first Presbyterian Church in Tama County was organized by the settlers of Cai'lton township on the 20th of August, 1855, called "Rock Creek Church" with ten members and James Laughlin and James Reed as elders. The first citizen to become naturalizeil was Gotlieb Waggoner, who received his final papers from Judge Smyth on the 20th of May, 1856. At the same time John Waltz was naturalized. The first will probated was the will of James Hatfield, deceased, on the 2'7th day of November, 1854, in County Court, by John C. Vermilya, County Judge. The first letters of Administration were issued to Nathaniel E. Horton, October 23rd, 1854. Amos Hatfield was the first guardian appointed by the County Court on November 29th 1854. The first lopge of " Free and Accepted Masons " was organized at Indiantown. Their dispensation was received August 4, 1867. Their charter was received Jime 2, 1858, and called "Polar Star Lodge, No. 115." The charter members were W. C. Salsbury, W. M.; Charles Gray, Jr., S. W.; S. Cronk, J. W. It was named by Judge Salsburv. ^ ^t i\ HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. Prior to the latter part of 1883, the pioneers traveling through this region usually followed trails, paths, kept the set- ting sun straight ahead and followed any yther devise to keep in the right direction. On July 1, 1S.53, a Slate Road was laid out by the Legislature, running from Marengo to Fort Dodge through the southern part of Tama county. During the year fol- lowing (1854) a mail route was established from Merengo to Marietta, in Marshall county along this road. Prior to this, in the summer of 1853 a post office had been established with James H. Hollen as poet master. In January, 1854, a post office was established at Kinnesaw, with An. thoiiy Wilkinson as post master, his com- mission bearing the date of February 27, 1854. These — the State road, mail route and post offices — were the tirst established in the county. They gave material aid to the settlers, and seemed in a degree to li(^ a connecting link bgtween their east- ern homes and the Far West. In August, 1853, the A. D. Stephen's and Hardin county road was located. In December of the same year a State road running from A. D. Stephen's place to Indiantown was located running north from the Iowa river, and with the streams temporai'ily bridged proved a great benefit to the country. . Early in 1854, a road was located from J. H. Hollen's place, near the Iowa river running northwesterly to James Laugh liiis house in Carlton township. On the 30th of May, 1854, the Black Hawk and Toledo road was located by way of Toledo and Ijuckingham to l.lai'k Hawk county. On the 15th of July, the same year, a road from Bruner's mill in Toledo town- ship to Salt Creek, was located and opened. On July 29, 1855, a road from Vinton to Newton by way of Toledo was located, and others followed rapidly, showing that Tama county pioneers had the determina- tion, energy and enterprise to carry it through, and to have the county open to travel and free communication. THE FIRST FOUKTU OF JULY CKI.EliRATlON IN TAMA COUNTY. Buckingham township has the honor of passing into history as the first to celebrate the anniversary of American Independ- ence. It took place in 1853, and was en- tered into with a zeal and patriotism which has never since been surpassed. Probably no celebration since that time in Tama county has been more thoroughly enjoyed, and at that time, all being socially equal, the brotherhood and common interest of human beings was felt and illustrated in a way that made the occasion doubly hai)i)y. The most important 'workers in the movement to inaugurate the celebration, were, Col. John Connell, J. C. Wood, J. P. Wood and Wesley A. Daniels. A sub- scription paper was started, which was signed by about twenty persons subscrib- ing in all, the amount of i;9.75 ! The col- lector of this subscription was Joshua C. Wood, and the list is still in his hands. The preamble is in the hand-writing of John Connell, and is in a good state of preservation, l)Ut the names signed are fast being obliteriited. One name, remember- ed as that of Alvah L. Dean, cannot be distinguished at all, and those of L. E. Wood and Joseph Connell can barely be read. John Connell and J. C. Wood went to Cedar Ra])Ids and procured the neces- r HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 265 sary eatables, as that was the nearest point where provisions could be obtained. It was the intention to have the celebration begin in the morning of July 4, 1853, but the day before a heavy rain came and the streams were swollen to unusual propor- tions, so that it was with difficulty that those who attended, I'eached the place to open the ceremonies in the afternoon and many were prevented from coming. About seventy-five persons were present, and had it not been for the high water, it is said that nearly the whole county would have been in attendance. Swings were put up which furnished amusement for the young people ; some good singing enjoyed and the balance of the afternoon spent in social talk and having a pleasant visit. Several short speeches were made but no oration. In the evening a fine supper was prepared, which the assemblage greatly enjoyed, and the feast to this day, is often spoken of as being the best the partici- pants ever ate. After this they all return- ed to their homes, feeling that the day had been well spent. In 1854 a celebration was held at Ver^. milya's Grove, near the present site of Tama City. It was very largely attended) there being about 500 persons present. Orations were delivered by Alfred Phil- lips and Rev. Mr. Petefish. A table 200 feet long was spread and all were fed in royal style. A notable feature was ice water, the ice having been furnished by J. C. Vermilya. No liquor was on the .ground and not a drunken man was seen. CHAPTER V- COUNTY GOVERNMENT. For a few years prior to the organiza- tion of Tama county, the territory now comprising it was attached to Benton for civil and judicial purposes.' On the 10th of March, 1853, the voters of Tama coun- ty presented a petition to the County Judge of Benton asking for a separate organiza- tion. This was granted and the county efEected a temporary organization by the election of the following named officers: Tallman Chase, County Judge; David D Appelgate, Clerk of Courts; Norman L. Osborn, Sheriff; John Huston, Prosecu- ting Attorney; Weslty A. Daniels, County Surveyor; David F. Bruner and Anthony Wilkinson received an equal number of votes for School Fund Commissioner, but Noah Myers received the appointment. This election was held on the first Monday of May 1853, and as the organization was 6 "V HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. T merely temporary, many of the officers did not qualify. The next and first regular election was held on the first Monday in August, 185.3, and the following ofBeers were elected: County Judge, John C. Vermilya; Treas- urer and Recorder, John Ross; Coroner, Franklin Davis; Surveyor, W. A. Daniel; Sheriff, Norman L. Osborn. This set the governmental wheels of the coimty in motion, and their busy hum has since con- tinued without interruption. The details of matters pertaining to organization, elec- tions and coimty officers, will be found elsewhere in this volume. In early days the mode of county gov- ernment differed very much from that of the present day. The executive depart- ment was vested in what was termed a "County Court," whichexercised the same jursidiction and had the same powers which are now held by the County Board of Supervisors, and in addition to this had jurisdiction in all cases of a civil nature which now come before the Circuit Court, together with probate and marriage license matters. The court consisted of the County Judge, Sheriff and a Clerk. The former had all the authority and the two latter, when they acted at all, were assistants. Thus the office of County Judge was one of much importance. ACTS OF THE COUNTY COURT. On the organization of Tama county it comprised three townships — Howard, In- dian Village and Buckingham. Each of these townships was organized by order of the County Judge of Benton county. The qualified electors of Howard town- ship met at the house of Rczin A. Red- man, and organized the township, t],,. boundary lines of which were as follows : Beginning at the southwest corner of township 82, north of range 15 west, thence to the northwest corner of town- ship 84, north of range 15 west, thence east to the north east corner of township 84, north of range 13 west, thence south to the southeast corner of township 82, north of range 13 west, thence to the place of beginning. Indian Village township was organized at the house of Eli W. Daily Its boun- dary lines were as follows, as described in the records of the County Court : " Con- taining the west tier of Congressional townships in said county, which is town- ship 82, north of range 16 west, and tt!)wnship 83, north of range 16 west, township 84, north of range 16 west, township 85, north of range 16 we§t, and township 86, north of range 16 west." The qualified electors of Buckingham township met at the house of N. L. Os- born, and organized the township, which was bounded as follows : — " Beginning at the southwest corner of township 85, north of range 15 west, thence north to the northwest corner of township 86, north of range 15 west, thence east to the south- east corner of said county, thence south along said county line to the southeast cor- ner of township 85, north of range 13 west, thence west to tlie place of begin- ning." The first session of county court was held at the house of John Huston, in In- dian Village township in 1853. Tallman Chase who had been elected county judge, had failed to qualify, and this term was presided over by the prose pUling attorney, John Huston. J±=:^ HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 267 The first term of the county court, pre- sided over by Judge Vennilya, was held at the house of the Judge in October, 1853. At this time the officers of the county made settlement with the county judge. The record is as follows : — Fees received by County Judge | 2 10 Fees received by Clerk 3 35 Fees received by Recorder aud Treas- urer Due County Judge for salary 10 40 Due Clerk for five month's salary 17 40 Due Recorder aud Treasurer for five months salary 12 50 Warrants No. 1, 2, 3 and 4 were issued in f.avor of David Bruner for services ren- dered in assessing Howard township. The amount issued was for $19 50. The third record made by the County Judge was the report of the commission- ers to locate the county seat, of which mention is made elsewhere in this work. At the April term, 1854, the county of- ficers again made settlement, the record of which is as follows: Fees received by the Couniy Judge for last quarter $5 15 Fees received by Clerk for last (luarter. . 2 60 Fees received by Recorder and Treasurer for last quarter 37 00 Balance due County Judge for last quar- t«r 7 35 Balance Clerk for last quarter 9 90 At this term a warrant was issued to the Sheriff for the organization of the following named townships. Carlton township to contain all of In- dian Village township that lies north of the Iowa river, its first election to be held at the house of William Murtz on the first Monday in April, 1854. Richland township to contain all of Howard township that lies south of the Iowa River, the first election to be held at the house of Aluson P. Rich on the first Mon" day in April, 1854. Salt Creek township to contain all of Howard township that lies east of the west line of range 15 west and north of the Iowa river, the first election to be held at the house of Levi Marshes, on the first Monday in April 1854. At the August term, 1854, settlement was made by the county officers, showing the following amounts : Fees received by county Judge for last quarter |8 85 Fees received by Clerk for last quarter. . 3 20 Fees received by Treasurer and Recorder for last quarter 37 90 Salary due county Judge 16 58 Contingent expenses of county Judges allowed by Prosecuting attorney 75 00 Clerk's salary . 16 58 Treasurer and Recorder's salary 16 58 Prosecuting Attorney 9 00 On the 5th day of February, 1856, the county Court met and received the petition of a number of the citizens of Bucking- ham township, for its division and the creation of a new township. The prayer of the petitioners was granted and a township was organized comprising Congressional township 86, north of range 13 west of the 5th principal meridian, 1o be known as Geneseo township. At the same term the townships of Co- lumbia, Otter creek, and Toledo were formed. The township of Columbia was formed from the township of Richland and was made to comprise Con- gressional township 82, north of range 15, and that portion of township 83 range 15, that lies on the south side of the Iowa river. Otter Creek township was formed from Howard township and was made to ^1 e 1 kn 268 HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. comprise all of Congressional township 83, north of range 14, and that portion of town- ship S-2, range 1 4, that lies on the north side of the Iowa river. Toledo township was also formed from Howard and made to comprise that part of Congressional town- ship 83, range 15, lying north of the Iowa river. Howard township, thus divided, as described upon the record " shall em- brace only the congressional townships 84, range 15, and township 84, range 14, and no more, and be hereafter bounded by the said lines, bounding said Congressional township and no more and no less." The election for Howard township was ordered to be held at the house of Benja- min Hammit ; in Otter Creek township at the house of A. Tompkins ; irt Geneseo at the house of Nathaniel Spencer ; in Columbia at the house of Joshua Burley. On the second of October, 1854, by order of the County County, a proposition was submitted to the people " For or Against the Distraining of Sheep and Swine from running at large in the county from and after April 1st, 1855." The vote was canvassed by John C. Vermilva, County Judge, Zachariah T. Shugart and Benjamin Hammit, and it was decided that " ninety votes were cast for Distrain- ing, and forty-nine votes cast against Dis- training." Therefore it is presumed they wire "Distyained." The first case of pauperism in Tama t'ouiity was that of Charles Potter's fam- ily. It seems that Potter had deserted his family, leaving them destitute. The County Court ordered that the property he had left be used for the sustenance of the deserted family. This record bears the date of March 5, 1856, at which time Alfred Phillips is acting iii the capacity of ex-office County Judge. At a term of County Court held upon the 10th day of Mrch, 1856, the town- ship of Salt Creek was divided and that of York was formed, as embracing town- ship 84, range 13, and township 83, range 13. Notice was given to James R. Craham to call the first election at his house on the first Monday in April, 1856, and organize the new township. A jie- tition was presented to the Judge on the 22nd of March, 1850, to again consolidate the townships, but he refused to comply with the request. Judge Vermilya, at a session held on the first day of May, 185(), appointed John H. Myers as agent of the county for one year to sell liquors for medicinal, mechani- cal and sacramental purposes. The record adds " subject to revocation for cause or at my pleasure ; annual salary of agent shall be dollars. " At the same term thi' boundaries of the townships of Salt Creek and ^'ork, were slightly ch.anged. At the July term, in IS5(i, a settlement was made with the county officials and it appears from the records tha,t, for the quarter ending .luly Tth, they had ie<-ei\eil salaries as follows : John G. Vermilya, t'ounty Judge, $ 4 50 D D. Applegate, Clerk cf Courts ','.) 35 G. Q. Staley, Treasurer and Recorder, . . . l(!(i 25 Salarly due Judge over what had bieii received 45 .50 Balance due county frini C'leik, i) 35 " " " " .Staley l>(i 25 Due Prosecuting Attorney for salary,. ... 20 00 Due Sheritf for salary, . . 5 00 Then followed receipts from the various officers. HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 269 On tlie 9th of August-, 1850, it appeared to the Judge that the removal of the agent for selling intoxication liquors in the Vil- lage of Toledo, would be a benefit to the citizens, and he therefore revoked the license he had given to John H. Myers, and appointed Ira J. Wilkins, of Toledo township, in his stead. The labors of the 3'ear 1857 were opened by the county court in session on the fifth of January, at which the usual settlement with the county officers was made. At the March term in 185*7, the t wn- ship of Crystal was formed by the division of Buckingham; and Carroll was formed by the division of Howard. A warrant was issued to J. S. Bishop to organize Crystal, and one to Nathan Fisher to organize Carroll. The Judge fixed tlie bonds of various officers as follows: County Treasurer, j;iO,000; Sheriff, $10,000; Justices of the Peace, $1,000; Constables, |1,000. During September of this year the name of John C. Vermilya drops from sight, Leander Clark taking his place, signing the records as county Judge. In December 1857, the county Judge ordered that the School Fund Commisioner file a bond in addition to what had been filed in the amount of $17,000, the former amount not being deemed sufficent. L. S. Frederick was Commissioner at this time. On the 12th of February 1858, James Thorington, of Davenport was appointed special agent to select the swamp lands belonging to this county. About the same time, the entry being dated March 1st, the township of Buck- ingham was divided and Perry townsliip was set off and ordered organized the warrant for calling the first election being issued to J. W. Southwick. The meeting was duly held on the first Monday in April 1858, at the store occupied by Geo. W. Free, Jr , in the village of West Union, and an organization was permanently effected. The boundaries of the townships of Toledo, Columbia, Richland and Otter Creek were also slightly changed. Carl- ton was divided and Spring Creek town- ship created. A warrant was issued to G. M. Finch commanding him to call the first election of the new township at the house of William B. King. At a session of the county Court on March 3, 1859, the county Judge, ordered that the following proposition be submit- ted to the legal voters of Tama county, viz: "Shall the county Judge in behalf of said county issue county bonds to the amount of $40,000 to draw interest at the rate of six per cent per annum, as a dona- tion to the Iowa State Agricultural College and Model Farm, and the Board of Equal- ization of Tama county be authorized to levy upon taxable property of said county two and one-half mills upon the dollar of the valuation thereof, annually until an amount sufficient to liassed the following resolutions : First — "That we do not consider it ex- pedient to make a specific api>ropriation l(ir the support of families of volunteers who may hereafter enlist in the service of the State or Government during the pres- ent war, from this county." Second — "Resolved that the appropria- tions now made for the support of the families of the volunteers of Tama county be e.vtended during the war to the families of those volunteers who now receive the benefit of said appropriation, who may be killed or die while in the service of the United States." The first resolution was presented by G. G. Mason and the latter by J. A. Willey. Just before the Board adjourned G. G. Mason, presented the following which was adopted: "Resolved, that we will grant aid to the families of volunteers who may hereafter enlist for the war from this county as far as we may judge to be for the interest of all parties concerned." S. C. Rogers followed by presenting the following concerning the soldiers, which was adopted: "Resolved, that we are highly gratified with the comfortabla quarters furnished for the military company from tnis county, and pleased that the soldiers acquiesce in the strict discipline enjoined upon them, and sincerely hope that all will be faithful in every respect to their superiors and their Country. At the October session the Board passed additional resolutions relative to furnish- ing aid to the families of volunteers. This closed the labors of the Board for the year 18G1. The second annual meeting of the Board of Supervisors convened at the court house in Toledo on the 6th day of January 1862> as required by law. The following newly elected members qualified and took their seats: John A. Tenny ; Indian Vilhiiie. Adam Haibaugb Howard. W. B. King Spiing Creek. G. G. Mason Oneida. N. Lewis Otter Creek. Jonathan Peterson Carlton. T. F. Clarke Geneseo. Amos Kile Perry. T. S. Talmage : Clark. G. W. Morehouse Lincoln. 'f^ J4> 274 HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. The Board then proceeded to organize by the election of B. A. Hall as chairman for the ensuing year, and by the appoint- ment of the various committees. At this session a committee appointed to examine the county property, reported that: "having viewed the county buildings would say that although they are not what we should like to see in our county, still we find them in a passable condition; we think there is a little, and but little repair- ing required at the present time." On the same day the following resolu- tion was adopted by the Board: " WJiereas, the county of Tama in response to the call of the Governor furnished the "Tama county Rifles" with a fatigue dress at an expense of upwards of $800 or thereabouts. Therefore, Resolved that the clerk of this Board be instructed to present to the legis- lature a bill of particulars of clothing fur- nished and expenses incurred by the county and that our Senator, Hon. Joseph Dysart, and our Representative, Hon. Leander Clark, be requested to use all proper efforts to have the same promptly adjusted." It will be remembered that August 5, 1H61, the Board passed a resolution, appro- priating f;5.00 per month for the wife and $2.00 per month for each child of volun- teers. At this session, January 1862, it was reported that according to the provis- ions of the act named, there had been paid $1,047, up to December 12, 1861. This was for the families of members of the "Tama county Rifles." Another relief appropriation was resolv- ed by the Board October 16, 1861, for the support of the families of the company raised by William II. Stivers, known as Company G. of 14th, Iowa Regiment, the wife to receive $4.00 per month and the children $1.00; no family to receive more than $7.00 per month. The committee appointed for the pur- pose of summing up, reported. "We find the whole amount expended for clothing, sustenance and transportation of said com- pany to Marengo (Rifles), $1,052.14. We have received from the U. S. Disbursing officer I 20o 00 We further e.\pect the State will refund about I 847 94 There has been expended for the sup- port of the families of volunteers: For the first company up to December 12th 1861 .1' 1,047 00 For the second company 94 00 Total 1,141 00 This will amount in one year to 3,984 00 County Order No. 1 was issued at this session to John Allen, for the sum of 7 45 No. 2 and No 3 to D. D. Appltgate. At the opening of the Jtme session in 1862, the Chairman announced the vacancy in the oftice of Supervisor from Carlton township occasioned by the death of Jona than Peterson, and presented the creden- tials of James Roakes, who had been ap- treasury, pointed. Mr. Roaks appeared, qualified and took his seat as a member. On the fourth of June the Board de- clared the office of county Judge vacant, occasioned by the removal of John Allen from the county, and appointed T. F. Bradford, to fill the vacancy. On the following day Mr. Forker of- fered the following resolution which was adopted : " Jic-iolved, That the families of commis- sioned oflieers of the 'Tama county Rifle •^ 'U \ ::0^^ (^^^^^ 4^- HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 277 company' shall not be allowed to receive any more of the appropriation made August 5th, 1861, by this board from the county Treasury from June 1st, 186-2, unless said families become in neady circumstances." Mr. Rogers, |a-esented the following vote of thanks which was adopted : "Hesolved, that the thanks of this board be tendered to Orrin Burright, of Crystal township, for his gratuitous services as > HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 279 committee was instructed to issue a proc- lamation that at the next general election the question would be submitted whether sheej) and hogs should run at large or not. It was also resolved that bonds of the county to the amount of $1500, be issued to pay bounty warrants. At the June session Mr. Taplin was ap- pointed as supervisor from Indian Village township. 'I he Board resolved at its September session 1864. to submit the question of building a court house. The proclama- tion read: "Whether the Board of Supervisors shall on or before the first day of June, 1865, order and contract for the erection of a court house within the village of Toledo, the county seat of said county; probably costing over $2,000, provided that in no case and under no circumstances shall the said contract for the building and finishing and furnishing of said court house exceed the sum of |!20,OuO. The proposition was defeated at the polls. The Fifth annual meeting of the Board convened at Toledo on January 2nd 1805, and organized by the election of P. L. Sherman Chairman, for the ensuing year. The following newly elected members ap- peared and took their seats, viz Geueseo P. L. Sbcrmau. Buckingham G. Jaquii. Lincoln A. C. Brockway. Carroll .' S. Doolittle. Toledo W. F. Johnston., York L B. Dudd.' Sail Creek ....: S. Prill, Columbia J. Ros^s. Highland E. M. Po>neer. It was ordered that $5.00 be the bounty paid for wolf scalps. The war committee made a report at this session stating that "upon a careful examination of the books in the clerk's office we find that there has been paid on relief warrants for the benefit of soldiers families the sum of $9,155.66, for the year ending January 1st, 1865; also that the amount paid during the month of Decem- ber last is $785 which is less than the av- erage monthly expenditures for the year past; from which we infer that this branch of the county expenses has reached its maximum and is giadually on the de- crease." On the 5th of January, 1865, Hon. Jos. Dysart offered the following resolution and moved its adoption. Whereas, "The President of the United States, has issued his proclamation calling for 300,000 volunteers to be enlisted before the 15th day of February 1865. There- fore, be it resolved, that each volunteer drafted man or substitute mustered into service of the United States under said call shall be entitled to receive a county warrant of the denomination of $200, pay- able January 1st 1868, with interest at six per cent from the 15th day of February, 1865, provided that no warrant shall be issued until the certificate of the Provost Marshal of this district or that of the Aj't. General of Iowa be filed in the office of the Clerk of this Board, showing that the i)erson claiming the same, shall have been credited to some township in Tama county; and provided further that the number of warrants issued to volun- teers, drafted men or substitutes of any township, shall not exceed the quota of volunteers, demanded of such township un- der the above named call, and further be 'f -^ HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. it resolved that a tax of two mills on the dollar, on the taxable property of Tama county shall be levied by the Board of Siii)ervisors of said county at the time of levying taxes in 1R60, and every subse- ijuent year thei'eafter until said warrants with the interest thereon are paid. The power to direct the payment of the whole or any part of the warrants that may thus be issued is reserved by the Board of Supervisors, by giving thirty days notice by publication in some newspaper in Tama county, or posting such notice on the court house door, and all interest there- after shall cease." The resolutions were unanimously adopteervisor con. stitute a committee of one in their respec- tive townships, for the purpose of seeing that none of the families of soldiers suffered. Nothing of especial interest transpired during this year. The Board convened at its Seventh Annual session on the 7th of January 1867, A. Donaldson took the chair pro tern and upon the roll being called the following named gentlemen were found to be pres- ent representing their townships: Otter Creek .James Brooks Columbia William Cory Oneida B. Dicliersoa Clark Joseph Dysart Carlton A. Donaldson Richland T. Forker Crystal C. C. Guilford Howard William Gallagher Toledo W. F. Johnston Buckingham W. T. V. Ladd Lincoln Greenwood Prescott Carroll Joseph Powell Highland A. N. Poyneer Geneseo P. L. Sherman Indian Village A. C. Teuny, Jr. Perry James W dsou The record states of York, Salt Creek and Spring Creek "no representatives." The matter of electing a permanent chair- man was then taken up and resulted in the re-election of P. L. Sherman, over James Wilson and A. Donaldson. The matter of erecting a court house received attention at the September ses- sion 18G7, when the following resolution was presented and read by Mr. Johnston, and adopted by the Board. Resolved, "By the Toledo court house Association that for the consideration here- inafter expressed, the said Association do hereby release to Tama county the "One Hundred Dollars" heretofore contracted to be paid as rent for said house by said county and agree to furnish said building according to the plans and specifications as soon as said building can be reason.ably completed, and then to give the full con- trol of said building and grounds to said county so long as said county shall use the same for county purposes. Provided said county shall appropriate the sum of $5,000 to help finish said building. * * * W. F. Johnston, President, A. J. Free, Secretary. The sum of $5,000 was then appropriated in compliance with the resolution of the Association, and the court house became county property. At the October session 1667, the county officers ware authorized to move into the court house as soon as possible. For 1868 the Board commenced their year's labor on the 6th of January. Mr. Tompkins was chosen temporary chairman and the following new members sworn in: Geneseo T P. L. Sherman Oneida Martin Leavens Spring Creek H. P. Willard Howard Wm. Gallagher Clark Joseph Dysart Otter Creek A. Tompkins Carlton C. Bratt Indian Village A. C. Tenny, Jr. Salt Creek James A. Willoy Perry W. Rogers P. L. Sherman was unanimously elected A« l\^ HISTORY OF TAJtf A COUNTY. chairman for the ensuing year. At the .Tune session R. J. Hall appeared and ijualified as Supervisor from Crystal township in place of Mr. Guilford who had removed from the township. The township of (xrant was created on the 2nd of June, 1808, the resolution read- ing as follows: llettolred, "That this Board do grant the prayer of the petition of John W. Flera- mingand others asking that the congres- sional township described as township 86, range 15, be set off from Buckingham township and be organized into a civil township to be known as "Grant." That the Clerk of this Board be directed to re- cord the boundaries of said township as required by law. That he issue a warrant for holding the next general election." At the same session the Board passed a resolution encouraging the cultivation of shade trees. During September the Board decided that at the next general election the ques- tion should be submitted to the legal voters of Tama county whether the Board of Supervisors should be authorized to oiler and cause to be paid a bounty for the ex- termination of pocket gophers in Tama county. On the ninth of September 1868, Mr. Willard offered the fol'owing resolution to the board, moving its adoption. It ex- plains itself : " /ieso/red, That whereas, a child be- longing to Mr. Healy.of Spring creek, Tama county, Iowa, was lost or kidnapped on or about the 2nd day of September, A. D., 186a, and whereas, report is being circu- lated that said child was kidnapped. Therefore resolved that the Clerk of this board be authorized to offei a reward of five hundred dollars for the arrest of the kidnapper, and return of the child, and that said reward he published in the three county papers, for three consecutive weeks." ( See chapter " Miscellaneous.") At the September session Mr. Dysart moved to change the name of •' Tama city township " to " Tama township." It was carried. The ninth annual session of the board commenced January 4, 1869. A. Tomp- kins was chosen as temporary chairman. The members who were present are record- ed as being Messrs. C. Bratt, E. S. Beck- ley, Jos. Dysart, T. Forker, A. N. Poy- iieer, Martin Leavens, B. A. Hall, (4. Jaqua, Jos. Powell, W. Rodgers, P. L. Sherman, A. Tompkins, Tenney, U. T. Willard, Jacob Loutzenheiser, J. S. Town- send, Jno. Flemming, C. H. Baldwin, H. L. Smith A. Wilkinson. P. L. Sherman, from Geneseo, was duly elected chairman, for the ensuing year. At this session it was, " liesolced, That in the opinion of this board the time has come to purchase a farm to be known as the "Poor Farm of Tama county. During the same session J. R. Stewart, the county Superintendent presented a lengthy paper to the board, showing the condition of educational matters. During this year the name of Thomas S. Free as Clerk of the board drops from sight, but reappears on the records as "Audilor." The years work of 1870 was inaugu- rated by the board in the session com- mencing on January :i, 1870, M. Wilkin- son was chosen as temporary chairman. 1' -^ — »t >^ HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 283 Messrs. Willard, Withington, Sapp, Sher- man and Staley, all took the necessary oath qualifying them as the newly-elected members of the board. B. A. Hall was elected permanent chairman. Nothing of importance came before the board this year, their time being mostly occupied in routine work. During the winter of 1869 and 18':0 an act was passed by the General Assembly changing the mode of government from what had been practiced for a decade past. The board of Supervisors was to consist of three members from the county at large instead of one from each township. The new board was elected at the general election in the fall of 1870. The new board first met on the second of January, 1871, and was composed of Leander Clark, G. .Jaqua and A. N. Poy- neer although at the opening of this 8^'s- sion only Leander Clark and A. N. Poy- neer were present. The following day all were present and Leander Clark was elect- ed chairman for the ensuing year. At the June session a resolution was presented to the board favoring the sub- mission of the question to the voters as to whether or no, there should be five supervisors. It was lost. For 1872 the board consisted of A. N. Poyneer, G. Jaqua and John Ramsdell, the latter, having been elected in the fall of 1871 to succeed Mr. Clark. A. N. Poyneer was elected chairman for the en- suing year. At the June session of this year it was Resolved, That the question be submit- ted to the legal voters of the county " whether or not the swamp lands, now owned by said county shall be sold and the proceeds thereof be devoted to the purchase of a poor farm in and for said coun':y of Tama." In the fall of 1872 G. Jaqua was re- elected his own successor, .and when the board first met in January 187.3, he ap- peared and took the oath. A. N. Poyneer was re-elected chairman for the year 1873. At the .June session the board passed the following rather significant resolution: " Whereas : The Hon. M. M. Walden has donated to the school fund of this county $236.65, as a part of the proceeds of what has been called the "salary ■grab," therefore. Resolved, That believing the partaker in unjust gains is as bad as the principal, we herewith instruct the Auditor to return said donation, preferring to trust in Prov- idence and our own efforts for the educaj tion of our children rather than to dis honest gains, however obtained. For 1874 the board consisted of John Ramsdell, G. Jaqua, and S. W. Huttou, the 1 tter having been elected to succeed A. N. Poyneer. John Ramsdell was cho- sen chairman for the ensuing year. The fifteenth annual meeting of the Board was commenced on January 4th, 1875, and the members were G. Jaqua, S, W. Button and J. H. Lauderdale. Mr. Lauderdale was the member-elect and he qualified and took his seat. G. Jaqua was elected chairman of the board for the ensuing year. Routine work occupied the attention of the board during this year. The sixteenth annual session convened on January 3d 1876, the board being com- posed of S. W. Hutton, J. H. Lauderdale and Theo. Clark, the latter having been elected in the previous fall to succeed G. 284 HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. Jaqua, and the latter gentleman became Representative of Tama county in the General Assembly. S. W. Hutton was chosen chairman for the ensuing year. A special meeting of the board was held in August, 1870, for the purpose of acting upon a petition of citizens of Chelsea and vicinity asking that a ditch drain and embankment be constructed from Long Point on the Iowa river south- easterly to Otter Creek. The scheme was defeated. The board for 1877 was composed of J. II. Lauderdale, Theo. Clark and H. H. Withington, the latter named being the' incoming member. lie qualified at the opening of the .January session and took his seat. Mr. Lauderdale was elected chairman for the ensuing year, Mr. Clark was in feeble health and was unable to at- tend the meetings of the board. On the 4th of December he resigned his office and Joseph Dysart was appointed to fill the place. R. M. Tenny was elected Supervisor in the fall of 1877, and thus the board for 1878 was composed of II. H. Withington, Joseph Dysart and R. M. Tenny. Mr. Withington was elected chairinan for the ensuing year. At the .lune session it was resolved that the question be submitted to the people whether the Board of Supervisors should be increased to five members. It was sub- mitted at the ensuing general election and defeated. The following was adopted on the same day: "WiiEKEAs, It is uncertain what is the bounty for killing a wolf , lynx, swift or wild cat, in this county. Therefore be it liesolval. It be fixed at *2.00 per scalp in addition to the one dollar allowed by law." For the year 1879, the board was com- posed of the same gentlemen as the year previous, Joseph Dysart having been elect- ed his own successor. H. H. Withington was elected chairman for the ensuing year. The same board officiated in 1880, II. II. Withington being re-elected. In the fall of 1880 A. Z. Rawson was elected Supervisor to succeed R. M. Tenny. Thus for the year 1881, the board was composed of Joseph Dysart, IL II. With- ington and A. Z. Rawson. H. II. With- ington was elected chairman for the en- suing year. At the April session the Auditor pres- ented a certificate from the Secretary of the State showing length in miles, of the several railroads in Tama county, and ihe assessed value thereof as follows. Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern (Pacific Division) 18 miles, assessed at *4,000 per mile. Chicago &, Northwestern, 25.38-100 miles, assessed at -i!lO,575 per mile. Toledo & Northwestern, 22.14-100 miles, assessed at |;2,000 per mile. In 1882, the board first met January 2, at the court house in Toledo, being composed of A. Z. Rawson, II. II. With- ington and B. Smith, the latter being the member-elect. H. H. Withington was elected chairman for the ensuing year. The official bonds of the various officers were fixed as follows: l\^ HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. County Treasurer |100,000 County Auditor 10,000 Sheriff 15,000 Coroner 2,000 County Superintendent 1,000 County Surveyor 1,000 The work of the year 1883 was inaugu- rated by a meeting January 1st. The board consisted of A. Z. Rawson, B. Smitii and Joseph Dysart, the latter be- ing the new member. Mr, Dysart presented a resolution which was adopted at the January session, fixing tlie salary of the County auditor at $1200 per annum, sheriff $300 per annum exclu- sive of fees ; deputy clerk, deputy Audi- tor and deputy treasurer, each $50 per month. At the general election in the fall of 1882, it was decided by the people that hereafter there should be five members of the Board of Supervisors. CHAPTER VI. OTHER OFFICIAL MATTER. In this connection are presented various official matters, which, although too brief to place in a chapter separately, are too important to be entirely ignored. The items have been gathered from records and from interviews with those familiar with sucli matter. MATRIMONIAL. This is a matter which often attracts attention when treated historically. In various lands the marriage rite is solem- nized in different ways and by different ceremonies ; in all, the acts of the con- tracting parties must be understood by each, and by the community in which they live as being a mutual agreement to hold the relations toward one another as man and wife. In this State a license has always been required ; or in lieu thereof, for a number of years, a couple could be married by publishing their intentions through a public assembly, although in Iowa it was never practised to any great extent. The first marriage that appears on the record books of the county was solemnized on August 14, 1853, more than thirty years ago. The parties were Miron Blod- gett and Sarah Cronk. They were mar- ried by John C. Vermilya, County Judge. It was the first marriage solemnized in the county subsequent to its organization. In early days young men and maidens were not married in the grand style which usually characterizes marriages of the present time. They did not wait for riches to come before marriage, as is gen- erally the present custom, but married and lived in simple and comfortable style, and generally lived happily and gained "IV" -4 » HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. the respect of their neighbors by attend- ing to their own business. There were no " diamond weddings " in those days and the extravagance that often now attends the marriage ceremony was unheard of. The old folks were plain, economical and hospitable people, and the young folks were imbued with the same attributes that characterized their fathers and mothers. They were willing to commence house- keeping in a style corresponding with their means, trusting to the future for larger houses and more expensive furni- ture. There are many rich anecdotes of the rustic marriages in early days, but where possible they are treated in connection with the history of the townships in. which they occurred. How, when the time came, the blushing and rosy maid, would drop her milk pails, throw off her apron and tying on her sun bonnet, clamber into the lumber box wagon, while "John" in his over-alls and farm boots would take up the whip, and the oxen would move off with the bridal procession to the " Squires " who did the " jining of the knot. " One of these anecdotes, which is not located and therefore cannot properly be placed in the townships, is here given. In an early day a young couple, fresh from the wilds of the frontier, sauntered into one of the pioneer villages, entered a store and, confronting the proprietor, told him that " they wanted to get married. " ■' Why, " said the merchant, " I — I — can't do any marrying. " " Well, if you can't, I'd like to know who can. We're goin' to get married, you bet " said the aspiring young bride-groom with a gushing look at the damsel at his side. "I tell you, " said the merchant ; "you go over to the post- master, I think he can do the job for you." The young couple started off with great joy to find the man who could mar- ry them. They found the postmaster and told him that they had come to " git mar- ried. " This rather dazed the mail man and he told them " he couldn't marry. " " But, " says the bride-groom, " the man over there in that store said you could, and I guess he ought to know. " " Well I guess he ought ; that's so," said the post- master. " It seems to me that I've seen something about marrying somewhere in the instructions to postmasters. Yes, I guess that's all right. " Accordingly the couple were ranged in front of him and in the most approved style he pronounced them " Mr. and Mrs., as provided by the U. S. postal regulations. Go your way, keep your mouths shut and you'll be hap- py. " As they turned to leave, he remark- ed, "only a dollar a piece, please. " The following is a list of all the mar- riages that occurred in the county for the first few years after organization, as taken from the record in the office of the Clerk of Court: Miron Blodgett and Sarah Cronk, mar- ried on August 14, 1853, by John C. Ver- milya County Judge. Granville Dennis and Elizabeth Jane Shephard December 4, 1853, by Rev. S. W. Ingham. Fred L. Knot and Martha Taylor Octo. ber 16, 1853, by Rev. S. W. Ingham. George Wier and Mary Jane Rush De- cember 25, 1853, by Judge J. C. Vermilya. George McCharabers and Cordelia A. Lux, October, 16, 1853, by Robert Wilkin- son, Justice. •r^ ^ 4 k_ -» • ^^ a ^ ■^ HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 287 ' The marriages during the year 1854, December 17, by John C. Vermilya, Coun- were as follows. ty Judge. Solomon W. Ingham and Cynthia Tay- George Carter and Phebe Ann Cronk, lor, .January 28, by Andrew Coleman. December 25, by John Vermilya, Coun y .James W. Grant and Mary E. Wilkin- Judge. son, April 13, by Rev. S. Dunton. John Zehrung and Mary E. Connell, No- Jacob Bruner and Susan Ashby, April vember 26, by Rev. D. H. Petefish. 16, by John C. Vermilya, County Judge. Joseph A. Brown and Margaret Hill, Alpheus Goodpaster and Mary Hill, December 3, by Rev. D. H. Petefish. April 29, by John Connell, J. P. The following is a list of the marriages Wm. H. II. Hill and Sharloc Helm, for the year 1855, without going so par- M,ay 21. by John Connell, J. P. ticularly into dates: Logan McChesney and Lucy A. Ilancox, P. B. Hill and R. Dice by Rev. D. H. March 20, by A. Ladow Licentiate. Petefish. Martin S. Slate and Charlotte M. Dingey William Blanchard and Sarah Wilkins, July 4, by Rev. Solomon Dunton. by N. B. Hiatt, J. P. Joseph Riddle and Mary Ann Yoste, Jacob Yost and Sarah Ann Sparks, by September 3, by J. C. Vermilya, County John C. Vermilya, County Judge. Judge. John Allman and Julia K. Voorhies, by George W Voorhies and Carlista J. Rev. Wm. Armstrong. Dingee, September 27, by John C. Ver- William Leach and Elvina He'm by milya, County Judge. Tobias R. Shiner. Mark Webb and Catharine Voorhies, Harrison Wisehart and Elcy Ann Ap- September 27, 18.54, by John C. Vermilya, pelgate by John C. Vermilya. Judge. William T. Hollen and Sarah Bruner, Angelo A. Myers and Nancy Ross, by John C. Vermilya, County Judge. Sfi)teniber 17, by Benjamin Hamraitt, J. John Eakins and Sophyna L. Leonard, P. by John C. Vermilya, County Judge. Josei)h Davis and Rebecca Bruner, Sep- Elias H. Price and Sarah Hatfield by tember 17, by Benjamin Ilammitt. Newton B. Hiatt, J. P. James Giilen and l.ydia Grover, Octo- ber 11, l)y J. C. Vermilya, County Judge. George More and Mary Ann Howard, September 10, by N. B. Hyatt, J. P. Nathaniel E. Horton and Eunice Mary- ette Horton, October 26, by John Connell, P. L. Baldy and Asenith McChesney, by John C. Vermilya. Robert Carter and Eliza Ross, by Judge VernJlya. Truman Prindle and Emily M. Michael, by Judge Vermilya. Hiram Pickett and Louisa E. Miner, by J. P. Wm. Blodgett and Veteria A. Ladow, August 22, by A. Ladow, Licentiate. N. B. Hiatt, J. P. David Hunnevvell and Katharine Myers by Judge Vermilya. L J, Hugh Hammitt and Nancy Zehrung Newton Sanders and Mary McDormand (t r- » — . — »• . -^ fl k.. -» ♦ .ku 9) 1 288 HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. by Geo S. Williams, J. P. Adam Zehrung and Dorcas Denison. Elias HalHeld and Ellen S. Rich by Isaiah Hunnewell and Minerva Chase. Jmlye Vennilya. Martin Richardson and Elizabeth Mc- Andrew J. Litell an 1 Ann Ilammett by Pheters. Judge Verniilya. Ephriam A. Suthard and Elizabeth Jor- William Kandall and Marintha Riccard dan. by John C. Vermilya, County Judge. Alpheus Harworth and Elizabeth Fee. Jacob C. Zehrung and Caroline Gettis Horace A. Hartshorn and Philida Kyle. l)y Judge Vermilya. Samuel Long and Eliza Early. Albert Keneday and Sibel Harris, by Judge J. C. Vermilya. Henry C. Foster and Mary Jane Olthy. John Bruebaker and Racheal Liimm. Robert Foster and Nancy Hunter, by Rev. W. N. Brown. J. S. Edmands and Malinda Shugart. Reuben Huffman and Maria Zehrung. by Francis M. Davis and Martha Jane Ap- Benjamin Hammitt. p legate. Tyler Blake and Nancy J. Dairs, by Charles Barnes and Harriet Hatfield. Benjamin Hammitt, J. P. Lorenzo R. Dobson and Mary Judge. Chas. T. Stewart and Mary A. Sadler, by Jonas P. Wood and Margaret Connell. Judge J. C. Vermilya. Riley Haworth and Melissa J. Fisher. Andrew Rorke and Sophia Earhurt, by Mathias Travis and Rachael Davis. Isaac Butler, J. P. Francis Henry and Sarah Myers. The list for 1S.5G materially increases John Connell and Catharine Graham. as follows: Rezin Overturf and Henrietta Byron. Newlon F. Crosley and Rebecca J, L F. Drake and Rachael Overturf. Marvin. Elias H. Bowens and Elizabeth Powell. Fredrick Frederich and Susanah Mitch- T. J. Staley and E. J. Graham. ell. Alonzo Helm and Emily Recksten. George Cook and Sarah House. David Gillespie and Francis A. Har- John D. Smith and Mary Mann. man. Henry Wilson and Absila Boling. Benjamin Rush and Rebecca Corfman. J. C. Wood and Elizabeth Kile. Ephriam Jeffries and Catharine Ross. W. M. Dunlap and Fannie A. Johnson. Jesse Hoj)kins and Rebecca Myers. Andrew Hanna and Sarah J. Bates. (xeorge. Wyvill and Nancy Southard. Geo. W. Shiner and Jennette Leffler. Elijah T. Rust and Julia K. Edwards. Tiberius Donaldson and Emily A. Fay. James Pickett and Nancy Bennett. J. Wiliamson and Mary Richey. William W. Davis and Eliza Jane Par- J. L. Graham and A. Wood. ker. Samuel Walker and Arminda Paxon. Cyrus Shelton and Mary Ann Southard. Andrew McPheters and Rachael Ab- < John H. Carlton and Sarah Stoddard. bott. I John Newton and Martha Arbuthnot. The following table shows the number -♦i t9 ^ ' ' . . — ■^ » '^."" > r- ^1 ^ HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. of marriages contracted from 1853 to 1883 inclusive : 1853 5 1869 ..140 1854 35 '..27 1870 151 1855.... 7.. 1871 ...134 1856 45 37 1872 ..125 1857 1873 1874 163 1858 49 49 50 .150 1859 1875 181 1860 1876 1877 ...195 1861 41 ...180 1862 44 1878 . . . 176 1863 50 1879 ...Ito 1864 68 1880 ...180 1865 80 1881 . . .224 1866 124 1882 ...204 1867 115 1883 to April 1st. . ... 67 1868 138 Total .3,399 A glance at the foregoing figure.s .shows conclusively that the matrimonial market is affected by the state of the times. In 1857 hard times set in and the marriage list de- creased in ratio. Again in 1874, banks suspended and a season of depression set in and fewer marri ges were contracted. The war too caused a falling off in the number of marriages annually contract- ed, but in 1866, when the boys got home the market at once jumped back to and above its normal condition. ABSTRACT OF ASSESMENTS FOR TAMA COUNTY, FOR THE YEAR 1882. No. of Acres, exclusive of Town Properly 452,301 Value exclusive of Town Property.. $4 299,624 Total exemption for trees planted. . . 102,516 Total after deducting exemptions... Aggregate value of Realty in towns. Aggregate value of R. R. property. Aggregate value of Personal Proper- ty including horses and cattle .... Total valuation of Tama County. . 4,197,108 551,073 380,840 1,400,573 6, 529,594 REALTY VALUE IN TOWNS AND CITIES. Dysart $47, 344 Chelsea, 18,052 Traer 76,560 Toledo City 120,382 Tama City 202,364 Gladbrook 31,130 Garwin 6,705 Montour 29,159 Other small towns 19,374 Total .551,073 VALUATION OF LIVE STOCK. No. ' Val. Cattle assessed in the county.. 31,917 $383,817 Horses " '• " .. 11,670 401,880 Mules " " " .. 543 23,086 Sheep " " " .. 3,043 3,376 Swine " " '• ..37,115 98,223 Total valuation $910 383 COUNTY BUILDINGS. The first building really used for official purposes was the house of John CI. Ver- milya, County Judge, which stood about one-half mile east of the present site of Tama City. It was a log building and. there was not room in it scarcely for a jury to sit. Judge Verrailya soon took proper steps for the erection of a court house, and the contract was let to T. A. Graham for the sum of $1,300. The court house was completed in the latter part of 1 854, and « as a commodious, two story frame building, which stood on lot 2, in block 5, Toledo. This building served the purpose until 1866, when it was sold. During the year 1865, the people of Toledo agitated the question of a new court house, as it was realized that a larger one was needed. At a meeting held in Toledo, there was a Court House Associa- tion organized, with A. J. Free as secreta- ry ; and W. F. Johnston, W. H. Harrison 290 HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. D. D. Applegate, T. A. Graham, N. C. Wieting and G. R. Struble as trustees. The matter was settled and bids for the erection advertised for, upon plans and specifications submitted. P. B. McCul- lough, of Toledo, was the successful bid- der, and he began the construction of the building. lie failed to complete it, and H. 15. Belden agreed to finish it under the contract. The cost of the building was a trifle over S22,000, of which all but about $5,000 was paid by the association, and it was donated to the county. The building occupies a fine site, standing near the cen- tre of Toledo, in the Public Park, and presents an elegant and imposing appear- ance. The grounds have been beautified by shade trees, which were planted years ago. The basement is of stone, the build- ing is of brick and is roofed with corru- gated iron. A large belfry surmounts the building. The first floor is divided into the county oflices, the court room and office of the county superintendent occupy the upper story. The county jail stands just northeast of the court house, and is a fine brick struct- ure 30 X .34 feet, two stories in heighth. It was erected in 1869, and was first occu- pied in 1870. The upper story contains six pleasant rooms and is occupied by the jailor or sheriff and family. The lower story, or jail proper, contains a large wrought iron cage, 22 x 2.5 feet, with sleeping ap.artments, for the close confine- ment of prisoners. The outer door lead- ing into the hall is also wrought iron, and the inner one is a grated door. The en- tire building is covered with a wrought iron roof. TAilA COUNTY POOE FAEM. At the general election in 1875, the proposition of purchasing a poor farm and the erection of necessary buildings, was submitted to the voters of Tama county. It carried by a large majority, and the Board of Supervisors purchas' d of A. J. Wheaton, a tract of one hundred and fifty acres in section two, township 83, range 15, for $6,750. The contract lor remodeling and enlarging the building was awarded to the Tama Hydraulic and Builders' Association, for §4,084.65, while Kent and Conklin were the archi- tects. The house is on a high elevation, a dry and healthy location ; it has been rebuilt and greatly enlarged, and various changes instituted. As the building appears from the road it is more suggestive of an East- ern suburban hotel, or something of that kind than a charitable institution. Its extreme length from north to south is 84 feet, its width varies, being, we believe, 24 feet and 34 feet. It is divided up into the rooms, kitchen, dining room, halls and bed rooms. It is so arranged that there are three different stair-cases lead- ing to the second story, so that in case of fire the upper story could be easily empti- ed of its occupants and contents, no mat- ter in what locality the fire might be. The furniture is plain and substantial, though neat. Near the kitchen is an excellent well and a large cistern in which a force pump has been placed for protection against conflagration. The farm is well stocked with implements, and everything seems to be in good, healthy condition. The place is under the charge of Mr. Abel Child, who with the assistance of his HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. k^ amiable wife, seem to be the right people ill the right places. It requires a pecu- liar disposition and manner to make a success of such an instituion, and Mr. and Mrs. Child seem to be possessed of that peculiarity. There is a certain discipline required, which, while it is kind and gentle, must, at the same time, be strict enough to easily quell any refractory or perverse spirit which will at times show itself even under the most generous and favorable circum- stances. Mr. Child keeps the farm in business like manner, and each month makes out duplicate reports, one copy of which is filed in the Auditor's office, while the other is preserved for reference, either for himself or any one that many be visiting. Abel Childs, Superintendent of the County Poor Farm, was born in Broome county, N. Y., September 4, 1S34. His parents, Josiah and Betsey (Aplington) Childs, died when he was a mere child, and he was reared by his grandfather Ap- lington, in Broome county, where he grew to manhood. At the age of twenty-one he left New York and removed to Ogle coun- ty, Illinois, where he engaged in farming. In 186'2, he was married to Miss Margaret Lawson, a daughter of John Lawson, a native of Scotland. She was born in Paisley, Scotland. Her father was enga- ged largely in the dyeing business, and at the time of the World's Fair, he took the first premium on Paisley shawls. Mr. and Mrs. Childs are the parents of five child- ren : Mary, Fleeda, Lizzie, Fred, and Ros- coe. In the spring of 1856 Mr. Childs came to Tama county, and located in Car- roll township, remaining until 1876, when he received the appointment to his present position. In politics he is a Republican, and has held several local offices of trust in the gift of the people. ATTEMPT TO MAKE A CHANGE. In the Fifteenth General Assembly which convened at Des Moines, in Janu- ary, 1874, a bill was introduced in the Lower House to cut oflf the northwest corner townships of Tama county, and annex them to Grundy county. These townships were Lincoln and Grant. The following extract from the House Journal relates to the matter: "Tracy called up H. F. 191, to provide for a submission to the voters of Tama and Grundy counties the proposition to detach township 86, north range 15 and 16 west, from Tama county and attach the same to Grundy county, and moved that the rules be suspended, bill be con- sidered engrossed and read a third time now, and advocated the bill. "Marlin, of Tama, asked for delay, in order to receive an expression from the people of the townships named. He be- lieved it a plan to make Grundy county square. Thought the people of Tama knew nothing of the matter. He had not heard of it himself until this bill was in- troduced." After some discussion the bill was laid over. It met with unqualified disapproval in Tama county, it being a scheme to make Grundy county square by disfiguring Tama, and the people in the townships affected, soon manifested their desire to remain as they were. Remonstrances were circulated and extensively signed, which defeated the bill. IV ^t ^ HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. POPULATION OF TAMA COUNTY. The population of Tama county is made up of foreigners and Americans in about the same ratio as 1 to 6. They are all a hard working, industrious class, as is abundantly testified by the fact that the county is lo-day recognized as among the leading counties of Iowa. The time of a great majority of the citizens is devoted to agricultural pursuits, yet a healthful proportion find employment in manufac- turing and other industrial enterprises, and mercantile pursuits. In the fall of 1849, the population of Tama county did not exceed 20. In the spring of 1849, there was not a white man within the boundaries of the present county. To show how rapidly the popula- tion increased: In 1852 it was 262 ; in 1854, 1,103; in 1856, 3,520; in 1859, 5,340; in 1860, 5,285; in 1863, 7,027; in 1805, 7,882; in 1867, 11,105; in 1809, 14,254; in 1870,10,131; in 1873, 16,343 ; in 1875, 18,771 ; in 1880, 21,585. At pres- ent there are only 23 counties in the State that exceed it in population ; and there are 77 that fall below it. The population of the various town- ships and towns in the county, as given by the census of 1867, 1875 and 1880, were as follows : 1867 1875 1880 Buckins;h:im 436 707 215 99 437 273 337 668 844 575 711 776 616 569 343 593 902 1059 389 514 687 Carltou 1009 Carroll 790 Clark 1109 818 Crystal 747 694 Grant 599 Highlaiul 193 886 1330 38 703 Howard 900 Indian Village exclvsive of 912 624 Montour, town of 457 Oneida Otter Creek Perry, exclusive of Traer Richland Salt Creek Spring Creek Tama, exclusive of Tama City Tama City Toledo, exclusive of town Toledo City Clielsea Traer, town of York Total. 741 451 773 9'< 239 1374 805 1875 1043 778 870 106; 713 222 1197 655 1022 740 1120 18, 771 1880 874 997 812 808 960 974 566 1289 719 1026 263 1100 1149 21, 586 FIRST INSTRUMENTS RKCOBDED. The earliest entry which affected Tama county land was made while the territory now comprising Tama county formed a part of Benton county, and was first en- tered upon the books of that covmty, and when Tama was organized was transcribed into Tama county books. It bears the date of January 5, 1849, and is an inden- ture transferring the southwest quarter of section 25, township 83, range 16, now Indian Village town.ship, from Isaac VV. Tibbetts of Tippacanoe county, Indiana, to Samuel Opp, of Montgomery county, Indiana, for the sum of ii400. The first deed entry upon the books which were opened for Tama county after its organization bears the date of July 19, 1859. It is a conveyance of 160 acres of land in township 83, range 15, from Jacob S. Staley, of Johnson county, to William Blodgett, for the sum of «;200. The wit- ness to the execution of the instrument was Edward Connelly. The second deed entry is dated August 25, 1853, and conveys a piece of land from Le Grand Byinton to Noah Myers. The first real estate mortgage entered upon the Tama county records, was made ^ =t^ HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 295 on June 19, 1856. In this instrument Robert Crawford mortgages to Samuel Strouse, for the sum of $258, several pie- ces of land lying in Tama county. The mortgage was witnessed by T. Walter Jackson, and recorded by T. J. Staley, County Recorder and his deputy, L. B. Nelson. FINANCIAL. The following are the various amounts of taxes levied from 1856 to 1883. For the year 1856 $ 15,266,87 " " " 1857 16,164 13 ■' " " 1858 35,094.32 " " " 1859 21,015.55 '• " " 1860 16.543.20 •• " " 1861 31,148.20 " " •' 1863 29,458.35 1863 .3.5,850.84 1864 57 -,690.86 1865 59,399 75 1866 79,376.78 1867 90,749.03 1868 85,043.06 1869 110,630,35 1870, 118,448.77 1871 306,056.16 1872 145,986.47 1873 112.471.49 1874 102,534,12 1875 120,369,31 1876 126,386 37 1877 123,173.25 1878 119,61-9.71 1879 187,239.58 1880 120,326.97 1881 117,655.49 1883 172,626.43 CHAPTER VII PIONEER LIFE. In this chapter it i.s the design to pre- sent some of the interesting and peculiar phases of frontier life. It is not the pur- pose to here portray conditions and cir- cumstances that apply to every case, but to pick out from the mass of material some of the most extreme cases, and be- longing properly to the extreme frontier. While as a means of variety here and there are stated occurrences and conditions which have existed up to within a very recent day. It is impossible to single out Tama county as an issolated case in the description of pioneer life, for it finds its parallel in almost every county in the State and throughout the entire west. And it is, on the other hand, just as impossible to limit the portrayed so as to just precise- ly fit and cover given cases, and territory. Pioneer life must be taken as a whole, and as it existed a third of a century ago in the west. Some of the illustrations may not apply to the exact manner in which this or that particular settler got along, nor is it the intention that it should, but it is attempted to show what has been done in the early development of the Great West. ■ But a little more than a third of a cen- tury ago Tama county was not in existence ; >te* HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. the territory comprising it was as wild and desolate as the Indians who inhabited it ; and there was not a white settler within its bounderies. When the Wilkinsons, the Ashers, and the Vandorins, Brst among the determined pioneers settled here they found an unbroken, uncultivated and un- inhabited prairie. Wild beasts, and but little less wild savages roamed at will over the prairie, through the groves and forests and along the waters of the Iowa river, their domain knowing no bounds. The miniature forests skirting the prairies were to be felled, cabins erected, homes prepared, mills built, and the river and creeks made to labor for the benefit of mankind. The beautiful prairies were to be robbed of their natural ornaments, and the hand of art was to assist in their dec- oration. Who was to undertake this work? What will be the effect of their labors upon future generations? Tama county pioneers had many diffi- culties to contend with, not the least of which was the journey from civilization to their prairie homes. The route lay for the most part through a rough country ; swamps and marshes were crossed with great exertion and fatigue ; rivers were forded with difficulty and danger ; nights were passed on open prairies, with the sod for a couch and the heavens for a shelter ; long, weary days and weeks of travel were endured, but finally "the promised land " was reached. EARLY MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. The young men and women of to-day have little conception of the mode of life among the early settlers of the country. One can hardly conceive how great a change has taken place in so short a time In a new country, far removed from the conveniences of civilization, where all are compelled to build their own houses, make their own clothing and procure for them- selves the means of subsistence, is is to be expected that their dwellings and garrtR-nts will be rude. These were matters con- trolled by surrounding circumstances and the means at their disposal. Some few of the earliest settlers con- structed what were called " three-faced camps " or in other words, three walls leaving one side open ; but this was, in reality only resorted to by some of the transient squatters who only remained long enough to find a purchaser for their claim to the land, and then move on farther west to repeat the process. These " three-faced camps are desci'ibed as fol- lows: The walls were built seven feet high, when poles were laid across at a dis- tance of about three feet, and on these a roof of clapboards was laid, which were kept in place by weight poles placed on them. The clapboards were about four feet in length and from five to eight inches in width, split out of white oak timber. No floor was laid in the "camp." The structure required neither door, win- dow, or chimney. The one side left out of the cabin, answered all these purposes. In front of the open side was built a large log heap, which served for warmth in cold weather and for cooking purposes in all seasons. Of course there was an abund- ance of light, and on either side of the fire, space to enter in. They were probably more easily con- structed than the ordinary cabin, but in this region very few are remembered, as having been built. A more common f- HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 297 place of abode was what might be called a " four faced camp." This was constructed in a good deal the same manner except that it had four sides. The cabin was a material advance for comfort, in home life. This was built of logs, the spaces between the logs being filled in with split sticks of wood called " chinks," and daubed over both inside and out, with mortar made of clay. The floor, sometimes, was nothing more than earth tramped hard and smooth, but it was commonly made of " puncheons," or split logs with the split side turned up- ward. The roof was made by gradually drawing the top to the ridge pole, on cross pieces, laying the " clapboards," which be- ing several feet in length, instead of being nailed were held in place or kept from rolling off by " knees " placed against the one below, which served as a prop. For a fire-place, a space was cut out of the logs on one side of the room, usually about six feet in length, and three sides were built up of logs, making an offset in the wall. This was lined with stone, if convenient ; if not, then earth. The flue, or upper part of the chimney, was built of small split sticks, two and a half or three feet in length, carried a little space above the roof, and plastered over with clay ; when finished it was called a "cat and clay" chimney. To describe it more minutely, the sticks are laid just as bricks are, with mortar; the clay is mixed with cut straw or grass to prevent it from crumbling, and then the outside and inside were plastered with the clay and rubbed smooth with the hands. The door was made by cut- ting a space in one side of the room of the required size, the door itself being made of clapboards secured by wooden pins to two crosspieces. The hinges were also some- times of wood, while the fastenings con- sisted of a wooden latch catching on a hook of the same material. To open the door from the outside, a strip of buckskin or leather was tied to the latch and drawn through a hole a few inches above the latch-bar, so that on pulling the string the latch was lifted from the catch or hook, and the door was opened without further trouble. To lock the door, it was only necessary to pull the string through the hole to the inside. Here the family lived, and here the guest and wayfarer were made welcome. The living room was of good size, but to a large extent it was all — kitchen, bed-room, parlor and arsenal, with flitches of bacon and sometimes rings of dried pumpkin suspended from the rafters. Sometimes in the more extreme cases a pioneer's cabin was erected of poles that one man could lay together; without " notching," after reaching about the height of a man, it would be covered witli the bark taken from some Indian's aban- doned " Wick-e-up," the cracks tilled with prairie grass, and skin hung upon the inside and outside to keep the wind from blowing out the grass. The skins thus used were wolf, bear, deer, elk, and fre- quently buffalo. The fire was built on the ground and a hole left in the roof for smoke to escape. No floor was had until the season came to " peel Linn bark." A door would be made, almost always in these extreme cases, of an elk skin. In cases of this kind the beds were made of prairie hay, spread on the ground floor. Sometimes, a forked stake would be driven LliU 298 HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. into tlie ground at an e(jiial distance from two walls which were at right angles, and ])oles laid through the fork to the walls. On this would be laid " shakes" and brush until (juite a fair bed stead would be the result. For bed clothes, when quilts were wanting, skins and robes would make up the deficiency, and in cases like those just mentioned, skins were almost wholly used. In a great many instances all of the house- hold furniture was home-made, blocks being used for chairs, and rude benches, which were made from "shakes" with the " easy side up," holes boi-ed in the bottom and rude legs inserted. A place fur cooking utensils was made by boring holes in the wall, placing a smooth shake upon pegs which had been driven in, and a shelf was complete. In these extreme cases the pioneers usually had a few knives and forks and plates, but there were many who had neither. Rev. S. W. Ingham, who was the pioneer Methodist preacher in this part of the State, told the writer that he had many times, notwith- standing he was given the best, sat upon a rude block, which he doubted not conformed to the usual rule of " easy side up," and in eating, cut his venison upon a piece of bark laid on his knees, using his own jack- knife. It is difficult to describe some of the tables used, they were of all shapes and sizes, sometimes a "shelf" would be made upon which the victuals were served. Sometimes a box or two in which the clothing was stored, pegs would be driven yito the log walls and clothing hung upon them. Books were very seldom found in these extreme cases, except probably a fraction of a book here and there, which was well thumbed. In one corner was placed the trusty rifle, and just above it were hung the powder horn, shot flask and hunting pouch. Often a loft was made to the cabin for a sleeping place and the storage of " traps " and articles not in common use. This was reached by a lad- der secured to the wall. Sometimes the bed rooms were separated by sheets and blankets suspended from the rafters, but until the means of making these partitions were ample, they all lived and slept in the same room. If a stranger was present, partaking of the hospitality, the light would be blown out when the old folks wished to retire ; the children would un- dress while the " stranger was looking the other way." Frequently the pigs and chickens inhabited the same room. Familiarity with this mode of living did away with much of the discomfort, but as soon as improvement could be made, there was occasionally added to the cabin an ad- ditional room, or a " double log cabin," being substantially a "three faced camp," but generally the old cabin was replaced by a better one. The furniture in the cabin corresponded with the house itself. The articles used in the kitchen were as few and simple as can be imagined. A "dutch oven," or skillet, a long-handled frying pan, an iron pot or kettle, and sometimes a coflfee pot, constituted the utensils of the best fur- nished kitchen. A little later, when stone formed the base of the chimney, a long iron " crane " swung in the chimney place, which on its " pot-hook " carried the boil- ing kettle or heavy iron pot. The cook- ing was all done on the fire-place and at the fire, and the style of cooking was as simple as tb€ utensils. Indian, or corn 1' :fz ^1 ^-"k ^ HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. meal, was the common flour, which was made into " pone " or " corn-dodger, " or "hoe-cake," as the occasion or variety de- manded. The " pone " and the " dodger" was baked in the Dutch oven, which was first set on a bed of glowing coals. When the oven was filled with the dough, the lid, already heated on the fire, was placed on the oven and covered with red hot coals. When the bread was done it was taken from the oven and placed near the fire to keep warm while some other food was being prepared in the same "oven" for the forthcoming meal. The "hoe-cake" was prepared in the same way as the dodger — that is, a stiff dough was made of the meal and water, and, taking as much as could conveniently be held in both hands, it was moulded into the desired shape by being tossed from hand to hand then laid on a board or flat stone placed at an angle before the fire and patted down to the required thickness on the "johnny, cake board." In the fall and early win- ter, cooked pumpkin was sometimes added to the meal dough, giving a flavor and richness to the bread not attained by the modern methods. In the oven from which the bread was taken, the venison or ham was then fried, and, in winter, lye hominy, made from the imbroken grains of corn, added to the frugal meal. The woods abounded in honey, and of this in pioneer times, the early settlers had an abundance the year round. For some years after the very first settlement, corn meal formed the staple commodity for bread ; but as soon as the settlers began trading at Cedar Rapids, flour could be obtained more easi- ly than corn meal, for the reason that it was easier to grind. These simple cabins were inhabited by a kind and true-hearted people. They were strangers to mock-modesty, and the traveler seeking lodgings for the night, or desirous of spending a few days in the community, if willing to accept the rude offerings, was always welcome, although how they were disposed of at night the reader may not easily imagine ; for, as described, often a single room would be made to serve the purpose of a kitchen, dining-room, sitting room and parlor, and many families consisted of six or eight persons. CHAEACTER OF THE PIONEERS. The character of the pioneers of Tama county falls properly within the range of the historian. They lived in a region of exuberance and fertility, where Nature had scattered her blessings with a liberal hand. The fair suj^ply of timber, the fertile prai- rie, and the many improvements constant, ly going forward, with the bright prospect for a glorious future in everything that renders life pleasant, combined to deeply impress their character, to give them a spirit of enterprise, an independence of feeling, and a joyou.sness of hope. They were a thorough admixture of many na- tions, characters, languages, conditions and opinions. There was scarcely a State in the Union that was not represented among the early settlers. All the various religious sects had their advocates. All now form one society. Says an early wri- ter : " Men must cleave to their kind, and must be dependent upon each other. Pride and jealousy give way to the natural yearn- ings of the human heart for society. They begin to rub off the neutral prejudices; Jl HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. one takes a step and then the other ; they meet half way and embrace ; and the society thus newly organized and constitu- ted is more liberal, enlarged, unprejudiced, and, of course, more affectionate, than a society of people of like birth and char- acter, who bring all their early prejudices as a common stock, to be transmitted as an inheritance to posterity. " They were bound together by a feeling that all were equal and were laboring and striving for a common end. They had all left more or less comfortable homes in the eastern States, and cast their lot in a country where there was nothing save the intrinsic merit of the location. Here they were all on equal footing ; riches could give no advantage, even had they existed, and the absence of the aristocratic element that is now so painfully apparent in society, must alone have been a great source of comfort to the pioneers. They all felt an equal interest in the improve- ment and development of the country, and to the softening and smoothing over of the rough edged disadvantages against which they had to contend. Everyone was thought of and treated as a brother. Their public gatherings were like the re- union of a parted family, and the fact that there was no rivalry, made the occasions doubly joyous. Their hospitalitj' knew no bounds. If a traveler pulled the latch string, it was considered that, as a matter of course, he should receive an equal share with the rest of the household, be it much or little. CLOTHING. In this respect the settlers differed con- siderably, but were dressed as a rule as plain and simple, as their houses were built. Necessity compelled it to be in conformity to the strictest economy. The clothes which the early settlers brought with them were worn smooth, and darned until it was impossible to tell from what material the garment was originally made sometimes, and in fact in the cases of squatters, almost always, the men were dressed as much in skins as anything else. In summer, nearly all persons, both male and female, went barefooted. Boys and most men, never thought of wearing any- thing on their feet, except during months of the coldest weather, when Imckskin moc- casins were worn. These useful articles were made by taking a tanned piece of skin, cutting it after a pattern to the right size, then it would be stitched and puck- ered with deer sinew. The latter came from the neck of the deer, and was small enough to run through a darning needle, yet strong enough to " hang a man." The moccasins were very common until the set- tlement was quite well advanced. It is a fact that Rev. S. W. Ingham, who for many years travelled this region as the pioneer Methodist preacher, was ordained elder with moccasins on his feet. Clothing was but one of the many things in which the pioneers stinted themselves Every move they made was hindered by some disadvantage, which constantly re- minded them of labor to be performed and time which must pass to evolve comfort and convenience from the former condi- tion of affairs. It is well for "young america" to look back on those early days. It involved a life of toil and hard- ship, but it was the life that made men of character. Tama county to-day has no better men than the immediate descend. HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 301 ants of those who labored thus, and the actors themselves have not yet all passed away. One who had passed through pio- neer life in the eastern portion of the State, wrote that " the boys were required to do their share of the hard labor of the clean- ing up the farm, for much of the country now under the plow was at one time heav- ily timbered, or was covered with a dense thicket of hazel and young timber. Our visits were made with ox teams, and we walked, or rode on horse-back, or in wagons, to ' meeting.' The boys ' pulled,' ' broke ' and ' hackled ' flax, wore tow shirts and indulged aristocratic feelings in fring- ed 'hunting-shirts' and 'coon-skin caps,' ' picked ' and ' carded ' wool by hand, and ' spooled' and ' quilled' yarn for the weav- ing till the back ached." Industry such as this, supported by an economy and frugality from which there was then no escapes, necessarily brought its own reward. Change and alterations were to be expected, but the reality has distanced the wildest conjuncture; and stranger still, multitudes are still living who witnessed not only the face of nature undergoing a change about them, but the manners, customs, and industries of a whole people almost wholly changed. Many an old pioneer sits by his fireside in his easy chair with closed eyes, and dreams of the long ago, in sympathy with the poet describing eastern pioneer life, and seeing here and there strains that are parallel to his own experience. "The voice of Nature's very self drops low, As though she whispered of the long ago, When down the wandering stream the rude canoe Of some lone trapper glided into view, And loitered down I he watery path that led Thro' forest depths, that only knew the tread Of savage beasts and wild barbarians, That skulked about with blood upon their hands. And murder in their hearts. The light of day Might barely pierce the gloominess that lav Like some dark pall across the watei's face, And folded all the land in its embrace , The panther's screaming, and the bear's low growl. The snake's sharp rattle, and the wolf's wild howl. The owl's grim chuckle, as it rose and fell In alternation with the Indian's yell. Made fitting prelude for the gory plays That were enacted in the early days. ■ 'Now, o'er the vision, like a miracle, falls The old log cabin with its dingy walls. And crippled chimney, with the crutch-like prop Beneath, a sagging shouldei at the top. The 'coon skin, battened fast on either side. The wisps of leaf tobacco, cut and dried ; The yellow strands of quartered apples hung In rich festoons that tangle in among The morning glory vines that clamber o'er The little clapboard roof above the door ; Again, thro' mists of memory arise The simple scenes of home before the eyes ; The happy mother humming with her wheel ; The dear old melodies that used to steal So drowsily upon the summer air. The house dog hid his bone, forgot his care And nestled at her feet, to dream, perchance. Some cooling dream of summer-time romance. The square of sunshine through the open door That notched its edge across the puncheon floor, And made the golden coverlet whereon The god of slumber had, a picture drawn Of babyhood, in all the loveliness Of dimpled cheek, and limb, and linsey dress. The bough-filled fire-place and the mantle wide, Its fire-scorched ankles stretched on either side, Where, perchance upon its shoulders 'neath the joist, The old clock hiccoughed, harsh and husky voiced ; Tomatoes, red and yellow, in a row, Preserved not them for diet, but for show ; The jars of jelly, with their dainty tops ; Bucches of pennayioyal and cordial drops, ^' ■|V ik 302 HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. The flask of camphor and vial of squills, The box of buttons, garden seeds and pills. And thus the pioneer and helpsotne aged wife Reflectively reviews the scenes of early life." WOLF HUNTING. In early day.s more mischief was done by wolves than by any other wild animal, and no small part of their mischief con- sisted in their almost constant barking at night which always seemed menacing and frightful to the settlers. Like mosquitos the noise they made appeared to be about as dreadful as the real depredations they committed. The most effectual, as well as the most exciting, method of ridding the country of these hateful pests, was that known as the circular wolf hunt, by which all the men and boys would turn out on an appointed day, in a kind of circle com prising many square miles of territory, with horses and dogs, and then close up toward the center field of operation, gathering, not only wolves, but also deer and many smaller " varmint." B'ive, ten or more wolves, by this means, would be killed in a single day. The men would be organized with as much system as a small army, every one being posted in the meaning of every signal and the application of every rule. Guns were scarcely ever allowed to be brought on such occasions, as their use would be unavoidably dangerous. The dogs were depended upon for the final slaughter. The dogs, by the way, had all to be held in check by a cord in the hands of their keepers until the final signal was given to let them loose, when away they would all go to the center of battle, and a more exciting scone would followthan can easily be described. This plan was frecjuently adopted in most of the neighboring counties : but not a single instance of such a hunt has been found in Tama county, by the historian. BEE HUNTING. This wild recreation was a peculiar one and many a sturdy pioneer gloried in ex- celling in this art. He would carefully watch a bee as it filled itself with the product of some sweet flower or leaf bud, or water and notice particularly the direc- tion taken by it as it struck a " bee-line " for its home, which, when found, would generally be high up in the hollow of some tree. The tree would be marked, and in the fall a party would go and cut down the tree and capture the honey as quick as they could before it wasted away through the broken walls in which it had been so carefully stowed by the busy little bee. Several gallons would often be taken from a single tree, and by a very little work, and pleasant at that, the early settlers could keep themselves in honey the year round. By the time the honey was a year old it would turn white and granulate, yet be as good and healthful as when fresh. This was called by some "can-died" honey. Another plan of finding the nest was to take a little honey in a box, and burn it a little, so that it would scent the air. This never failed to draw bees if there were any near. Then the box would be put away and the bee followed. Every now and then the hunter would make .some mark with his foot so that if he lost the bee he could " take a sight," and by fol- lowing exactly the direction of the bee could find the honey; for the bees fly as straight as a bullet. SNAKES. In pioneer times snakes were numerous, such as the rattlesnake, massasauga, many r|r "^ W^on^-^yz^^ ^1 4 HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 305 bl varieties of large ^ e snake, garter, wa- ter snake and others. A few rattlesnakes were found in this region, and some very large ones, but they were not very numer- ous. The massasauga, which is often confused with the rattlesnake, were very plenty. They are an ugly looking snake, fom eighteen inches to two feet in length, clumsy, and of a dirty brown color. They have three or four rattles, which they use as a warning. They are poisonous, but it was very seldom, if ever, that their bites proved fatal, or even resulted in much in- convenience to the unfortunate. A weed called "Indigo Weed," which grows in this country, was much used for the bites, the recipe having been learned from an old Indian. Others found it just as effect- ual a cure to bury the foot— if that was the part bitten — in the cold mud for half .ui hour, pouring water upon it to keep up the moisture. RELKJIOX. The religious element in the life of the pioneer, was such as to attract the atten- tion of those living in more favored lilaces. The pioneer was no hypocrite. If he believed in horse-racing, whisky- drinking, card-playing, or anything of like character, he practiced them openly and above board. If he was of a religious turn of mind, he was not ashamed to own it. He could truthfully sing "I'm not ashamed lo own my Lord, Or blush to speak liis name." But the pioneer clung to the faith of his fathers, for a time, at least. If he was a Presbyterian he was not ashamed of it, but rather prided himself on being one of the elect. If a Methodist, he was one to the fullest extent. He prayed long and loud, if the spirit moved him, and cared nothing for the empty form of re- ligion. AGEICULTURE. In the earlier settlement of this section, ponds, marshes and swamps abounded, where to-day are found cultivated and fer- tile fields. The low and flat places were avoided for the higher grounds not only on account of the wetness, but for sani- tary reasons. Agricultural implements and the mode of tilling the soil were nec- essarily much more rude than at the pres- ent day. In the cultivation of wheat the land was planted the same as to-day, then it was often harrowed with a wooden-tooth- ed harrow, or smoothed by dragging over the ground a heavy brush, weighed down, if necessary, with a stick of timber. It was then sown broadcast by hand, at the rate of about a bushel and a quarter to the acre, and harrowed in with the brush. The implement used to cut the wheat was either the sickle or the cradle. The sickle was almost identical with the " grass hook " in use, and the cradle was a scythe fastened to a frame of wood with long, bending teeth, or strips of wood, for cut- ting and laying the grain in swaths. There were few farmers who did not know how to swing the scythe or cradle, and there was no more pleasant picture on a farm than a gang of workmen in the harvest field, nor a more hilarious crowd. Three cradles would cut aboiit ten acres a day. One binder was expected to keep HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. itp with the cradle. Barns for the storage of theunthresheJ grain are comparatively a " modern invention," and as soon as the shock was supposed to be sufficiently cured, it was hauled to some place on the farm convenient for threshing, and there put in stack. The threshing was per- formed in one of the two ways, by flail or tramping with horses. The flail was used in stormy weather, on the sheltered floor, or when the farm work was not pressing; the threshing by tramping commonly in clear weather, on a level and well tramped clay floor. The bundles were piled in a circle of about fifteen to twenty feet in diameter, and four to six horses ridden over the straw. One or two hands turned over and kept the straw in place. When sufficiently tramped the straw was thrown into a rick or stack, and the wheat cleared by a "fanning mill," and before fanning mills were introduced, by letting it fall from the height of ten or twelve feet, subjected to the action of the wind, when it was supposed to be ready for the mill or market. THE CLAIM SYSTEM. During the first few years of the early settlement of this country, the United States government encouraged the claim system. This induced many speculators to turn their eyes toward the western states. It furnished lucrative business for many who had been hovering between civilization and barbarism. Their plan was to keep just beyond the line of set- tlement and pick out the best claims, holding them until some actual settler or speculator would come, then they would sell out and again move westward to re- peat the same. The law provided that the land should be sold to the highest bid- der, but not for less than ^1.25 per acre, and it was seldom sold for any more than this. It was generally understood, atid in fact enforced, that those who had selected a certain piece of land should have it. One township of land was sold each day. The sales took place in Des Moines. When the day set for the sale of a town- ship came, all those who had established claims in the township in question were present. As soon as the bid reached ?!l.'25 per acre, the hammer came down instant- ly. If a rash speculator did now and then get in a bid for a little more, some- times no attention was paid to him by the auctioneer, and the land would be knock- ed down to the claimant, but the person who did bid against the actual settler would be " laid hold of," and would re- ceive a severe ducking in the river. In some cases like this the obnoxious bidders have been almost killed by the " settlers rights men." 9 V Jl k. HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 307 CHAPTER VIII TAMA COUNTY COURTS. Man is an imperfect being, and, as such, requires that laws shall be enacted for his government. When the Almighty placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden he gaye laws fof their observance, with penalties attached for their violation. The children of Israel, after leaving the Egyptian land, were given the "ten com- mandments," the principles underlying which, have been the basis of all laws from that time to the present. The exist- ence of laws necessarily implies the ex- istence of courts wherein all questions of law shall be determined. This fact being determined, the framers of the state con- stitution instituted certain courts of jus- tice with well defined powers. Changes have been made in the jurisdiction of these courts from time to time, but the rights of every citizen of high or low de- gree have ever been maintained. FIRST TRIALS. The first trial of any kind in this county, as near as can be ascertained, was held in 18.52, under what was commonly called the Court House Tree," which was subse- quently destroyed by lightning. It was a most novel case, and was tried in a still more novel form. It appears that J. H. Hollen, had come into the county, and after prospecting around finally located upon a tract of land which a man by the name of Carter claimed he had entered, but when Hollen investigated the matter, he found that this George Carter had been claiming lands in all parts of the county. As a party came and located he claimed it as his, and rather than give up their choice, he was generally paid his demands, and thus he realized more money than the farmer or emigrant could by cultivating the land for years. This was tried with Mr. Hollen, who when he found out the scheme determined to resist it. Hence the trial. Mr. Hollen was summoned, and after due preliminaries the matter was re- ferred to a committee with full power and authority, both men binding themselves to be governed by the decision. The referees chosen were John Guin of Benton county, and W. L. Brannan of Marengo, Iowa county; but these not agreeing, Mr. Dillon, of Marengo, was added to the committee, and after hearing the evidence on both sides, the defendant was discharged and his claim to the land endorsed. The first case to be tried by a regularly organized court was the State of Iowa vs. Thos. Everett, on charge of larceny, befoie .Jas. H. Hollen, Justice of the Peace, near the present site of Tama city. A shoe, maker, by the nanie of John Aldrich, made a pair of boots for Wm. Blodgettand fixed jhe time when he should call for them. Thos. Everett, an old gentleman, and a k^ HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. man who onjoycd a joke, found that Blod. gett would not call for the boots within the time fixed and accordingly called at the shoemakers and told him that Blodgett had sent him for the boots. Blodgett's credit being good, Aldrich delivered the boots and Everett put them on and wore them with great satisfaction. Soon after Blod- gett went for his boots, and much to his chagrin and mortification found that Ev erett was wearing his boots. The shoe- maker and Blodgett became considerably exercised and filed information for stealing and had Everett arrested, who came into o*)urt wearing the boots with considerable gusto, and plead not guilty. Alford Phillips appeared for the State, and Noah Myers, as counsel for the defendant. Aid- rich was firstsworn, when he testified, that the boots were worth $5, when the Pros, ecuting Attorney arose with great deliber- ation and demanded a jury on behalf of the State. The Justice said that he was going to give them all a "square deal," and allowed a jury trial. Everett was bound over to the district court where the case was dismissed. The next trial, or at least in the southern part of the county, was that of Dr. Hiram Patty, who came to the county with a few bottles of medicine and some surgical in- struments. He soon ingratiated himself into the graces of a few of the prominent men in the neighborhood, and eventually to such a degree that he borrowed of some of them money to go to Iowa City, and purchase drugs as he was going to start a drug store. The money and a valuable horse, with true pioneer confidence was loaned him. Neither the money, horse or man were ever seen by the creditors. The few goods and books he left were after- ward sold to partly pay the men who loan- ed the Doctor the funds. The Doctor afterwards located and remained for a short time at West Irving. DI.STEICT COURT. Upon organization, Tama county became a part of the Fourth Judicial District, which under the constitution of 1846, was composed of the counties of Benton, Boone, Dallas, Iowa, Jasper, Johnson, Linn, Mar- shall, Polk, Poweshiek, Story and Tama. Several changes were made in the district, from 1850 until 1857, and when it was abolished in 1858, it comprised the coun- ties of Tama, Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Linn and Washington. On the 16th day of August, 1854, Hon. William Smyth, District Judge, for the Fourth Judicial District, issued an order for a term of court to be held at the house of John C. Vermilya. This house was a small log cabin located about one-half mile east of the present site of Tama City, on section 26, which was used as a free tavern, clerk's office and court house until the erection of a court house at the county seat. On Friday the loth day of Septem- ber, 1854, at 11 o'clock a. m., court was duly opened, with William Smyth on the bench.. There were also in attendance, David D. Appelgate, Clerk; Alford Phil- lips, Prosecuting Attorney, and Miron Blodgett, Sheriff. At this term there were three civil cases on the docket, as follows: Rezin A. Red- man vs. Noah Myer, School Fund Com- missioner, and Robert Carter for writ of mandamus and injunction; Jacob W. Ap- pelgate, vs. Mary A. Appelgate, petition (^ r^=*L HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. for divorce, and Andrew D. Stephens, vs. Noah Myers, School Fund Commissioner. All of these cases were continued. The first grand jurors empaneled were as follows: C. B. Slade, H. Van Vliet, Giles Taylor, Joseph Jack, W. H. H. Hill, John Freemer, Henry Stokes, G. P. Tocum, James H. Hollen, William Blodgett, J. W. Appelgate, H. R. Rich, T. A. Graham, P. McRoberts and Jonas P. Wood. Thtt first petit jnry was as follows: G. Smith, J. D. Geddis, T. Marshall, N. Bates, E, W.- Daily, J. H. Vanhorn, J. H. Yoor- hies, L. Olney, John D. Spohr, J, A. Wil. ley, M. Mitchell, and N. Fisher. J. L- Carter was sworn as bailiff. The first jury trial was the case of Eli Innman vs. William J. Booher to recover a note and oook account. The jury con- sisted of George Smith, J. D. Gettis, Thomas Marshall, Nathan Fisher, Norton Bates, E. W. Daily, J. H. Van Horn, J. H. Vorhies, L. Olney, J. D. Spohr, J. A. Willey and M. Mitchell. The jury being duly sworn, after hearing the argument of counsel and charge of the court, retired in the cu.stody of A. S. Curtis, sworn as bailiff. The jury rendered its verdict, finding for the defendant a judgment, and assessed the amount of his recovery at five dollars. At this term the following members of the bar were present : Isaac M. Preston, George D.. Woodin, James S. Childs, Joseph B. Young, Richard B. Groff, James D. Templin and Alford Phillips. The second term of the court was held at the court house in Toledo, commencing May 22, 1855. Tama county was still in the Fourth judicial district and William Smyth Judge. There were eight cases on the docket for this term. On the opening day of the term Alford Phillips, Esq., moved that Timothy Brown be admitted to the practice of law by the court. Whereupon Messrs. Templin, Woodin and Phillips were appointed to examine the qualifications of Brown, and after so doing, and reporting favorably re- garding the same, a certificate was ordered to be issued to Timothy Brown, as an at- torney before the courts of Iowa. The may term of 1 856, was the third term of the district court, and convened at the court house in Toledo, on the 20th of the month named, with Hon. William Snifth still on the bench. At this term on mo- tion of C. J. L. Foster, Eugene B. Bolens, T. Walter Jackson, and N. C. Wietung were admitted to the bar. The grand jury, which had been em- panelled, reported two indictments to the court. The first was against John Burge, for malicious mischief in cutting and maiming an animal. The second against J'ames Harris, for passing counterfeit money. They were both acquitted. Hon. William Smyth, who had been judge up to this time, belonged in Linn county. He was appointed to the office on October 6, 1853, to succeed James P. Carleton, of Johnson county, and qualified on the 10th day of the same month On April 3, 1854, he was elected by the people and served until January, 1857, when he resigned. Judge William Smyth was a native of the Emerald Isle, and emigrated to this country about 1838. A year or two later he settled in Linn county. He came to the State ignorant and poor; but educated himself and became wealthy ;fr -14* HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. and one of the ablest lawyers in Iowa. After resigning the bench he entered the service upon the breaking out of the war, as colonel of the Slst Iowa infantry. In September, 1864, he resigned his commis- sion. He was at one time a member of Congress. Col. Smyth was a large and rather portly man. In his deportment he was kind, candid and dignified. His merit as a soldier consisted in his kind care for his men, and in his great bravery. He was not an apt tactician. It is said he would sit quietly on his horse under a sharp fire of the enemy while determining upon the proper command to be given to his regiment for a designated movement. Not long after entering the service, he was ordered by his brigade commander, while drilling his battalion, to throw it into a certain position. Not remembering the proper command, he turned to his ad- jutant with, " Lieutenant, what shall I say?" At the May term of 1857, the Hon. Isaac Cook began his term of office as. judge, having been appointed by the Governor. Tama county was still in the Fourth judicial district. A good deal of business was on the docket for this term. On the second day of the term the grand jury reported to the court an indictment for murder against Earnest Olleslaugher (or Olislaeger). On the 23rd of May the grand jury returned an indictment against Arthur T. Butler for murder. Both par- ties asked a change of venue to Johnson county, which was granted. This case is given in full in another place. The May term of court was opened in 1858 by the clerk, but as Judge Cook did not appear, it was adjourned until the Oc- tober term, when there were five indict- ments for selling intoxicating liquors, and three for larceny reported by the grand jury. Judge Isaac Cook was appointed by the Governor January 28, 1857, and qualified March 20. In April following he was elected by the people and served until the district was abolished by law in 1858. He belonged in Marion and afterward re- moved to Cedar Rapids. He died a few years ago. He was a good lawyer, but slow to decide. By the reconstruction of the districts in 1857, Tama county became a part of the Eighth Judicial District, which was com- posed of the counties, Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Tama. William E. Miller, of Johnson county, was elected judge, October 12, 1858, and served until ap- pointed Colonel of the Twentj'-eighth Iowa Infantry Volunteers, August 10 1862. The first term for Tama county that he presided over was the February term, in 1859. Judge Miller was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1823. In his personal appearance he is prepossessing; is heavy set, with broad square shoulders, and is about five feet, eight inches in height. His hair and eyes are both dark, and the expression of his countenance is frank and manly. He has a heavy, firm voice, and exhibited much ability while on the bench. As a military man he was a good disciplinarian, and was regarded by his regiment as a good and brave offi- cer. At the time of entering the service Col. Miller was afflicted with a trouble- HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 311 some disease which the exposures and hardships of the field so aggravated as to compel him to resign his commission' He left his regiment just before it march ed on the Vicksburg campaign. He is now practicing law in Des Moines, has been on the supreme bench one term. In September, 1862, Norman W. Isbell, of Linn county, was appointed judge by the Governor to fill the vacancy occasion- ed by the resignation of Judge Miller. On November 14, 1862, he was elected, and served until August 31, 1864, when he resigned. He died soon after. Honorable Chas. H. Conklin, of Ben- ton county, succeeded Judge Isbell, being appointed by the Governor August 19, 1W64, and in November was elected. He resigned one year later. His fir.st term in Tama county was the September term, in 1864. C. R. Scott, of Jones county, was appointed district attorney, October 1, 1 864. He was elected in November of the same year, and re-elected in October, 1866. Judge Conklin was a native of New York, born in January, 1831. In his early HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. excellent equity lawyer. One peculiarity — or rather misfortune — remembered of him is that he usually had a stiff neck, and when he wished to look to the right or left he must turn his whole body. In the fall of 1882 Christian Hedges was elected Circuit Judge, and is the pres- ent incumbent. His home is in Marengo, Iowa county, where he has been practicing law for a number of years. He is a good lawyer, and makes a dignified and satis- factory judge. He is a large, portly man, weighing over two hundred pounds, and is a genial and pleasant conversationalist. COUNTY COURT. In 1851, by an act of the General As- sembly, county courts were established and the office of county judge created. By the same act the office of probate judge was abolished, as was also the offices of county commissioners, the du- ties of the oounty commissioners and pro- bate judge devolving upon the county judge. The county of Tama not being organized till 1853, it had no probate judges or county commissioners. The first county judge to serve was John C. Ver- milya, and the first regular term of court was held at his house in October, 1853. Upon Judge Vermilya devolved the duty of perfecting the organization of the county dividing it into townships an such other work as was necessary to perfect a system of county government. Judge Vermilya was succeeded to the office by the following gentlemen, in the order given: Leander Clark, John Allen, T. F. Bradford, T. A. Graham and Maj. T. S. Free. During the latter's term of office the judgeship was abolished by law, and Mr. Free was made ex-officio county audi- tor. During the year 1861 the board of county supervisors was created, which took considerable business from the coun- ty judge. The proceedings of the county court will be found in connection with the chapter upon government, and sketches of the county judges in the chapter upon " representation." CHAPTER IX. THE BAR OF TAMA COUNTY There is no subject connected with the history of the county, of more general in- terest than a faithful record of its bar. In reviewing the history of the bar, it must be borne in mind, that as the pros- |)crity and well-being of every community depends upon the wise interpretation, as well as the judicious framing of its laws, therefore it must follow that a record of the members of the bar must form no unimportant part in the county's history. Upon a few principles of natural justice is erected the whole superstructure of civil law, tending to relieve the wants and meet the desires of all alike. The busi- ness of the lawyer is not to make the laws. ;^ *-^ HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 315 but to apply them to the daily affairs of men. But the interests of men are divei-- sified, and where so many interests and counter interests are to be protected and adjusteil, to the lawyer and the judge are presented many interesting and complex problems. Change is everywhere imminent. The laws of yesterday do not meet the wants and necessities of the people to-day, for the old relations do not e.xist. New and satisfactory laws must be established. The discoveries in the arts and sciences, the inventions of new contrivances for labor, the enlargement of industrial pur- suits, and the increase and development of commerce, are without precedence, and the science of law must keep pace with them all; nay, it must even foreca.st the event, and so frame its laws as will most adequately subserve the wants and provide for the wants of the new condi- tions. Hence, the lawyer is a man of to- day. The exigencies he must meet are those of his own time. His capital is his ability and his individuality. He cannot bequeath to his successors the character- istics that distinguished him, and at his going, as a general thing, the very evi- dences of his work disajipear. Anthony Thornton, President of the Il- linois State Bar Association, in 1878, in an address before the association, thus speaks of the lawyer: " In the American State the great and good lawyer must al- ways be jirorainent, for he is one of the forces which move and control society. Public confidence has generally been re- posed in the legal profession. It has ever been the defender of popular rights, the champion of freedom, regulated by law, the firm support of good government. In times of danger it has stood like a rock and breasted the mad passions of the hour, and firmly resisted tumult and fac- tion. No political preferment, no mere place, can add to the power or increase the honor which belong to the pure and educated lawyer. The fame of Mans- field and Marshall and Story can never die. 'Times' iron feet can print no ruin- trace' upon their character. Their learn- ing and luminous exposition of our juris- prudence will always light our pathway. It is our duty to preserve the prestige of the profession. The past, at least, is se- cure; the present and future summon us to action. With the progress of society and the increase pf population, wealth and trade, varied interests arise, and nov- el questions requiring more thought con- front us. A disregard of the law has been developed, crime meets us unabash- ed, and corruption stands unmasked in the high places of the laud. It is no fancy picture that the law has, to some extent, lost its authority, and it is only the shade of that which once was great. Hence, new duties are imposed and a firmer cour- age is required. ***** The exaltation of the profession is a duty enjoined upon us. It is a debt which only death. can discharge. Lord Bacon has said: ' Every man is a debtor to his pro- fession, from the which, as men of course do seek to receive countenance and profit, so ought they of duty to endeavor them- selves, by way of amends, to be a help and ornament thereto.' Every lawyer is a debtor to his profession. If worthy, it gives him an honorable character and "^^ , 4« — »- 316 UIS'J'ORY OF TAMA COUNTY. liigli position. The lawyer sliould prize and love his i>rofession. He should value its past renown, and cherish the memory of great men whose gigantic shadows walk by us still. He should love it for the intrinsic worth and innate truth of the fundamental truths which adorn it." THE BAR OF THE PAST. The bar of Tama county has numbered among its members some who have been an honor, not only to the county, but to the state as well. So far as material was accessible, sketches are given of each at- torney who has practiced before the courts of the county. If any are omitted it is be- cause their names have been forgotten, and not from intention. The peculiarities and personalities which form so pleasing and interesting a part of the lives of the members of the bar, and which, indeed, <-onstitute the charm of local history, are in a great measure wanting. Unlike the fair plaintiff in the famous Bardell vs. Pickwick, we have no painstaking "ser- geant to relate the facts and circumstances of the case." Of those attorneys who resided in the county at one time, and are now either dead or have quit practice, or gone, the historian will speak first. Later, of the present bar. Among those who have ))racticed before the courts of Tama county and who have been resident lawyers, were the following: Alford Phillips, Timothy Brown, Mr. .lohnson, Isaac L. Allen, Noah Levering, T. Walter Jackson, Nathan C. Wieting, Charles J. L. Foster, Eugene B. Bolens, Paul (2ueal, Albert Stoddard, T. F. Brad- ford, John G. Safely, Charles H. Craw- ford, G. II. Goodrich, Homer S. Bradshaw, William Reickhoff, Michael Aunist, George Raines, Charles R. Appelgate, Thomas S. Free, J. ,W. Stewart, Mr. Bangs, Mr. Crafts, W. L. Crozier, C. E. Hibbard, E. M Doe, George W. Stinson, G. P. Griswold, Randolph & Hotchkiss, Captain J. G. Strong, A. Branaman, Mr. Dougherty, Mr. Townsend, Frederick & Hartshorn. About the first attorney to locate in Tama county was Alford Phillips, who came here in the fall of 1853 and located upon a farm near the present site of Tole- do. He was a native of New York, quite an intelligent man, and was the second prosecuting attorney of Tama county. He still lives in Toledo. Timothy Brown, who was among the most successful of Tama county's early lawyers, was born near Cooperstown, Otsego county. New York, on the 2Tth of December, 1827. When Timothy was four years of age, his parents removed to Un- adilla, on the Susquehanna river, where he shared the advantages of winter schools, and after his majority, was for three terms a student of the Unadilla Academy. At the age of twenty-one he became a law student in the office of Hon. J. C. Grego- ry, of that place, now of Madison, 'Wis- consin. After two years study he enter- ed the office of his uncle, Elijah Brown, of Milford, New York. At the end of a year his uncle moved to New York City, and Timothy having been admitted to the l)ar, opened an office and began his pro- fessional career. In the spring of 1855, closing his business in Milford, he moved to the west and settled in Toledo, Tama county, Iowa, where he practiced law; a ■^« .- ►fv* ^' HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 317 portion of the time being in partnership with Isaac L. Allen. In 1857, he removed to Marshall county. In the county seat excitement, he took an active part, and just before the county seat was pemia- nently located at Marshalltown, he re- moved to that place and there still remains. As a lawyer, Timothy Brown has been de- cidedly successful, and is considered one of the best attorneys in this part of the State. His great forte lies in the way he works up a case, and brings out the details ; he is a good jury lawyer, but is slow to answer a sharp hit by an opposing attor- ney, usually paying no attention, and pushing right n with his case. Mr. Brown is something above medium, in stature, standing six feet in height and weighing about one hundred and eighty-seven pounds. Politically, he is a Republican. A good story is told of Brown by the old settlers, which will serve as an indica- tion as to the color of his hair when he came here. In February, 1856, he, in com- pany with Dr. P. L. Baldy, and P. L. Willey, procured horses and dogs, and started out for a wolf hunt, through the Iowa river and Salt Creek bottoms. Wolves were plenty, and it was not long until three were scared up and away went the bold hunters, horses, and dogs in hot pursuit. Tim'shorse was a superior ani- mal to those ridden by his companions and he was rapidly distancing them. They crashed over the prairie, up hill and down hill, and through the bottom land of Pla- quemin Creek, with terrific force. Brown was some distance ahead and was gaining at every step ; his stirrups were flying, and he was hanging on for dear, life, while his waving hair furnished a beacon for those in the rear. Suddenly — when he was about 3 mile east of the present site of Chel- sea — his horse made a limge and with a crash went down back-deep into one of the treacherous sink-holes of the Plaquemin bottoms, while Brown went flying right over the horse's head and into a hole a few feet in advance ! The others rapidly came up and pulled Tim out and then with difficulty, extracted the horse. Neither was seriously hurt, Tim mounted and again they set out for the wolves, but soon found that they had got away, and the hunters gave up the chase. When they returned to Toledo, the news of the esca- pade got out and the people began con- gratulating themselves, saying that as " Tim had struck head first, it was lucky there was a heavy coat of snow, as it would surely have set the prairie a fire. " Tim's head of hair— like Albany, New York — was "forty miles from Aubuin.' An attorney named Johnson, located in Toledo in the early spring of 1855 and re- mained for a few months. He was a young man probably 26 years old, and a fine looking fellow. He had been admit- ted to the bar previous to coming here, and was a well read, and capable man, a lawyer of good ability. There was but little bus- iness to do here, and he did not even make enough to pay his board. Finally becom- ing discouraged he took his earthly pos- sessions in his grip-sack and quietly walked out of town leaving his bills unpaid. He afterwards wrote to Col. John Connell, stating that he was sorry he had to do it, but he " could not bear to eat other peo- ple's bread and molasses so he left." Just as he was leaving the place he was met by Dr. Baldy, who vis r- r A^ — ^ \^ HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. remarked jokingly : " Hello ! running away?" "Oh! no," he replied, blushing considerably and went on. As time went by and he did not turn up, the people came to the conclusion that that was just what he had done, although when the doctor spoke to him, such a thing as its being true was the fartherest from his mind. [There has been some controversy as to the name of this lawyer, but a majority of the early settlers agree that it was .John- son.] Isaac L. Allen was one of the most able attorneys who have honored the bar of Tama county. He was a native of Ver- mont, but came to Tama county from Marion, — where he had been in practice for a short time, — in the fall of 1855. He was a single man at the time, but was married in the summer of the following year. He at once opened an office, and in partnership with Timothy Brown, com- menced the practice of law. He was well posted, a graduate of the Albany Law school, and also a classical graduate of some eastern college. He had a good share of the business of early days, and was very successful. In 1858, he was elected district attorney, was re-elected in 1862 and served until elected Attorney General of Iowa in October 1864. During this year his health failed and in January, 1866, he was obliged to resign his office on account of softening of the brain. In the fall of 1865, he purchased property in Marion, and removed to that place. He rapidly grew worse and was finally placed in the Insane Asylum where he died in December, 1868. His partnership with Timothy Brown, continued until Brown w'ent to Marshalltown in 1857, from that date until 1863 he was alone in business. In 1863 he and George R. Struble, formed a partnership which continued until he re- moved to Marion. Soon after his death his wife returned to New York. Isaac L. Allen was an excellent lawyer, both in office and before a jury, perhaps the latter was his great lever of success. He was a good speaker, and had a strong argumen- tative and logical mind. Before a jury he was perfectly at ease, and in pleading drew vivid and practical illustrations. Noah Levering came to Tama county in the spring of 1856 located at Toledo, and was among the first attorneys in the coun- ty. He was a native of Ohio, had a fair education and was admitted to the bar after his arrival in Toledo. He made a first-rate lawyer, and had his .share of the business. He remained a few years and then went to Sioux City where he still lives. T. Walter Jackson came to Toledo in April, 1856, in company with Nathan C. Wieting. Being both ad- mitted to the practice of law, they at once formed a partnership and opened an office Jackson was a native of West Troy, New York, and was about twenty-two years of age at the time of coming here. He and Mr. Weiting had been school acijuaintances in a New York seminary. Jackson was one of the most eloquent and brilliant orators the State has ever possessed and certainly the county has never had his equal. He was well posted, especially in history, a good judge of human nature, and had that wonderful power of word-painting which would carry an audience with him, almost breath- less. His mfluence over an audience was ~i » V ^ 4*— «- :b^ HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 319 something remarkable ; his logical and eloquent flights would hold his hearers spell-bound and speechless,until reaching- the climax, when, after a moment of pain- ful silence, the pent-up feeling burst with the wildest ajjplause. He built up a very extensive practice and became very popu- lar in the new country. In ISSV he was elected to represent,,liis district in the Leg- islature, and was recognized as the most able and powerful orator in that General Assembly. When the war broke out Mr. Jackson enlisted and served for a short time. In a few months he returned to his old home in West Troy, New York — hav- ing been married while here — and engaged in practice there. He was afterward an attorney in some of the largest and most important cases in Albany, New York. He continued in liis profession until the time of his death, which occurred in 18T0. As a lawyer, T. Walter Jackson was bold, logical and self-reliant, and his p'^wer be- fore a jury was almost unlimited. To show how he was held by the bar : On one occasion while he was yet a young man, he was employed for the prosecution of a murder trial which had been trans- ferred from this to Johnson county. His opposing counsel — for the defense — was I. M. Preston, who was conceded to be one of the leading attorneys in this part of the State. Preston, in speaking of the case afterward said that, he made his plea one upon which he devoted all his talent and energy, and considered it one of the best efforts of his life. After finish- ing, he turned the jury over "to Jackson and took a seat outside the room. Jack- son began, and in a few moments, as Mr- Preston said, "The audience began to crowd toward the railing ; I heard Jack- son and got up and went inside the bar. I never heard such eloquence ! My argu- ments dwindled into insignificance and I saw the case passing beyond my reach. It was the most able plea I ever heard." This is a sufficient eulogy to Mr. Jack- son, and he was all that it implied. Had it not been for the fault that has ruined so many great men, he might, years ago, have occupied the highest position in the gift of the people of the State. Nathan C. Wieting became a member of the bar of Tama county in the spring of 18.56, and his residence in Toledo has been continued since that time, although he has not been actively engaged in the profession. Nathan C. Wieting is a na- tive of Otsego county, N. Y., born June 8, 1 828. His parents were John C. and Katie C. (Planck) Wieting, both of German descent. His grandfather was a soldier in the war of the revolution; his father was a farmer, who was also born in New York, and who died in March, 1874, at the advanced age of 74 years. His mother died in February, 1853, at the age of forty-five years. Nathan C. was the oldest of a family of nine children seven of whom are still living, having lost one brother in the war of the rebel- lion. Three of the family, beside him- self, are in Iowa, P. G. Wieting, in Tole- do, Mrs. Arena A. Sewell, at Dennison, and Mrs. Lucinda M. Ti])ple, at Manches- ter, Iowa. Nathan was brought up on his father's farm having the advantage of dis- trict schools until nineteen years of a^e, when he struck out for himself, and began teaching in the winter and attending a HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. '^ seminary in the summer. When 26 years of age he began reading law, and during the following year started west and land- ed in Tama county on the l7th of .April, 1856. The same spring he was admitted to the bar and commenced practice. He has made extensive trips to Kansas, Miss- issippi, and recently to Florida. Mr. Wieting edited for a number of years the Iowa 7runscript,ihe first paper established in the county, and has also at various times been interested in other newspaper enter- prises, as will be seen by a glance at the press chapter. He was prosecuting attor- ney of the county, and has been deputy United States assessor, and also deputy collector of Internal Revenue. Mr. Weiting is a medium sized heavy set man, with dark complexion ; a gentleman in every sense ; unassuming in manner ; yet with the force of will, and confidence in his own resources, which know no such word as fail. He is an excellent writer, and a man with a vast amount of informa- tion. Charles J. L. Foster became a member of the bar of Tama county in 1856, loca- ting at Toledo. He was a native ■ f Michi- gan ; was a married man but left his wife at his old home while he sought a location in the west ; she arrived as soon as he had decided to permanently locate. His father was a prominent and wealthy man in Michigan, and Charles was given the bene- fit of a collegiate education, as well as law training. He had been admitted to the bar and had e gaged in practice before coming to Tama county. He was a good lawyer and a fair orator, although the business of the then new country did not furnish enough work to keep him busy. After three years sojourn in Toledo he removed to Powesh- iek county. He afterward represented that county in the Lower House of the General Assembly of the State Eugene B. Bolens came to Tama county locating at Toledo in the summer of 1856. He was a native of Ohio ; a married man and brought his family, con- sisting of a wife and one child, with him. They both died shortly after his arrival. For a time he was engaged in the publication of the Toledo Tribtme but de- voted some of his time to the practice of law. He remained until 1860, having been married again in the meantime, and then removed to La Crosse, st 'ppiug a short time at various points before reaching his final destination. Bolens was a man hard to describe ; small, quick, wiry, and of a nervous temperament. He was sharp, quick witted, and, when excited, vindicative and lost his self control. He, had formerly been a whig, politically, but something had changed him and while here he was a Democrat and Secessionist, his talk having the same ring of treason; that characterized Brick Pomeroy through the rebellion. As a lawyer he had fair success considering the times ; he was studious and industrious in his business, shi'ewd and wiry with his cases and a for- cible talker before a jury. Paul Queal came to Tama county at an early day from Onondaga county, New York and located at Toledo. He only re- mained a few months when he moved fur- ther west. He was a young man, smart, quick witted and intelligent, w ith good ^•*a^ m ^ ■§^ffi^V^ ^^ »^ HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. prospect for success in life. Albert Stoddard became a member of the Tama county bar in 1859, locating at Toledo. He was a native of Connecticut, but came here from Fort Madison, where he had been for several years, editing a newspaper. He was admitted to the bar at that place, and commenced practice soon after his arrival here. When the war broke out he enlisted, became Captain of Company C, 10th Iowa Infantry, and served to the close of the rebellion. Re- turning, he resumed the practice of law continuing until the time of his death, which took place about 1870. Mr. Stod- dard was a good writer, easy and full of pith, and made an excellent newspaper man ; but did not make as successful a lawyer as his friends had imagined ; not for want of ability, but for some reason he soon lost interest in it. He was really more successful than the average lawyer but not what he might have been. He was a good deal of a politician and made a good stump speech. Socially he was a ])leasant, genial aTid rather talkative man, and had an easy, good natured and jovial disposition which found vent in cracking jokes. He was deputy assessor of Inter- nal Revenue, under John Connell, during the Andy Johnson administration. His family remained in Toledo a few years after his death and then removed to Illi- nois. T. F. Bradford came to Tama county in 1861, and began the practice of law. He WIS a native of Tennessee, from which State he had been driven by the excite- ment preceding the war. He had been admitted to the bar and in practice in Tennessee and while here was very suc- cessful in his profession. He was a good jury lawyer and had a good knowledge and understanding of the law. In June, 1862, he was appointed County Judge by the Board of Supervisors to fill the va- cancy occasioned by the resignation of Judge John Allen. After serving out the unexpired term he returned to the practice of law. In October, 1863, he was elected County Judge but resigned within a few months to enter the army. When Brad- ford came to Tama county he had a dread of going to war, knowing that in case of capture he would be shown no mercy, having formerly been a Southerner, and was sore afraid that some scheme of con- scription would be inaugurated whereby he would be forced into the service. But as the war progressed he became very pa- triotic and finally returned to Tennessee and volunteered in a regiment which had been raised by his brother. About one- half the regiment was composed of ne- groes, and was stationed at Fort Pillow about seventy miles above Memphis, on the Mississippi. Early in 1864 the Fort was surprised by General Forrest and the whole regiment massacred. T. F. Brad- ford who had been promoted to theCaptain- cy,being shot down whi e holding the Union flag. Mr. Bradford's widow remained in the county four or five years, and subse- quently married Col. C. K. Bodfish. They separated and she removed to Mar- shalltown where her brother, H. E. J. Boardman lives. T. F. Bradford was a man of great honor and integrity, faithful to a friend and bitter to an enemy. He was a pleasant, genial man socially, of easy habits, and made many friends. John G. Safely was a member of the :w* .u ^ » K> HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. Tama county bar, located at Toledo. He was born in Cohoes, New York, Novem- ber 2, 1839, and died in Perry township, July 12, 1879. He was but one year old when his parents moved to Iowa and set- tled in Cedar county, so he knew no other llian his Iowa home. In boyhood he showed great taste for books, and notwith- standing the imperfect school privileges of a half century ago, as compared w'th those of to-day, he made rapid advance- ment, and was early prepared for college. He graduated from Cornell College with full classical honors, in 1859, when he was twenty years of age. The stormy times of 1860-61, soon diverted the attention of the young graduate from any plans for the fu- ture, which he may have entertained. Prompted by a desire to serve his threat- ened country, and to do what he could to avert the danger, in whatever capacity, he onlisted as a private in Company K, Elev- enth Iowa Volunteers. His abilities and brave conduct were such, that, befor • the close of the war, he was promoted to the captaincy of Company I, same regiment, and served until the close of the rebellion. Of the many engagements in which his regiment participated, the following may be mentioned: Shiloh, Seige of Corinth, Battles of Corinth, Vicksburg, Atlanta {•.impaign, and the Battle of Atlanta. At the last named, he received a severe wound, from which he never fully recov- ered. In reporting the Uattle of Atlanta, Colonel Abercrombie used the following language: " I would make mention of Sergeant Major John G. Safely, who, with the First Sergeant of Company K, John A. Ruck (afterward killed — brave fellow). and a party of picked men numbering thirty or forty, made a dash over the works held by the enemy, bringing back more than their own number as prisoners, amongst whom were a Colonel and a Cap- tain." On January 1, 1865, he was pro- moted to the captaincy of Company I, and was mustered out of the service with his regiment at Louisville, Kentucky, July 15, 1865. The war over, and while enjoying needed rest at his father's home, he was nominated and elected by the Republicans of Cedar county, to represent them in the State Legislature. He discharged his du- ties in such a manner as to reflect credit upon the judgment of those who elected him, and honor upon himself. At the ex- piration of his term in the legislature, he re-commenced preparation for his life- work, by entering the law school at Ann Arbor. He graduated in 1867, and came to Toledo, where he formed a partnership with W. H. Stivers. He was married in 1868 to Miss Jennie Fraseur, of Cedar county. Three children were born to them — Fred, Jessie and Bertha. Mr. Safely continued in active and successful practice until 1876, when, his health fail- ing, he retired to his farm, where he re- mained until the time of his death. Since her husband's demise, Mrs. Safely has suc- cessfully managed her large farm of 1000 acres. The Safely farm lies about three miles southwest from the village of Traer, in Perry township. Charles H. Crawford was also a member of the Tama county bar for some time, located at Toledo. He was a native of Mendota, La Salle county, Illinois, read law and was admitted to the bar at that f^ -fe> HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 325 place ; then attended the University of Michigan, and graduated in law. He then returned to La Salle county, Illinois, and in 1869, in company with Hon. L. G. Kinne, came to Iowa and located in Tole- do. For a few months he and Mr. Kinne practiced in partnership, when they dis- solved and L. G. Kinne became a partner of D. D. Appelgate, while Mr. Crawford continued practice alone. He remained in Toledo for about two years, a portion of the time being city attorney ; then re- turned to his old home, Mendota, Illinois. In a short time he removed to the city of Chicago, where he is still following his profession, living in Hyde Park. Craw- ford was a married man, a pleasant, gen- ial, sociable fellow, and a first-rate lawyer. G. H. Goodrich became a member of the Tama county bar, settling in Toledo in about 1870. He was a native of Massa- chusetts, came to Iowa a few years previ- ous to the time mentioned, and located in Tama City, where he was employed as clerk in one of the banks. After practic- ing for a short time alone, in 187.3, he be- came a partner of Judge Geo. R. Struble. This business relation was continued for about four years, when, for two years he practiced alone, and then removed to Mar- shalltown. After a year's sojourn in the latter city, he moved to Des Moines, where he still lives. When last heard from, he was employed as collector for some Chica- go wholesale house. He was fine ap- pearing, a good lawyer before a jury, having a good voice, and commanding pres- ence. During his stay in Tama county, he was married. Homer S. Bradshaw located at Toledo "^Jls in 1871, and o))ened a law and collection office. He came from Mechanicsvillo, Iowa, where he had been employed for a number of years as principal of the pub- lic schools. He was a well educated man, and had a comparatively good practice, proving himself of more than ordinary legal ability. He has recently removed to Ida Grove, Iowa, where he is still in prac- tice. William Reickhoff came to Tama coun- ty and located in Toledo, in 1862, engag- ing at black-smithing. In 1872 he sold his shop and engaged in the law and real estate business. In 1875 he began ab- stracting and remained here until 1881. He was a native of Germany, or at least of that descent, and was a married man. As to law, he never pretended to do very much, devoting his whole attention to real estate, abstract and loaning business. He was a careful and untiring business man, thoroughly honest and reliable, and be- came rich while here. He was very out- spoken, and in argument or discussion, when excited, would talk very plain, re- gardless of other's feelings, being hard to manage in this respect, although, consid- erable of a politician, he never held any office here, it being thought he talked too plain. lie never attempted public speak- ing. In 1881, he removed to Orange City, this State, where he still lives. Michael Austin was a member of the bar of Tama county fiom 1874 to 1880. He came here from Grinnell, being a grad- uate of the college of that place, and en- tered into partnership with George L. Bailey. He was a fair lawyer and had a good promise, although just commencing ^1 A^ HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. practice, having been admitted to the bar just prior to coming here. He was genial and affable and became popular, serving the city at different times as attorney and mayor. Uijon leaving Toledo he returned to Grinnell, gave up the practice of law and became agent for a company handling header harvesters. About 1874, a couple of young lawyers located in Toledo and opened an office near where the postoffice now stands, and remained for about six months, when they left for parts unknown. Their names can- not be recalled. R. G. Mclntire, the present county aud- itor, practiced law in Toledo for some time, then removed to Traer. George Raines was for many years one of Toledo's practicing lawyers. He was an old settler in the county, and was for many years in the ministry. In 188:3 he removed to Dakota. Charles R. Appelgate was for some time engaged in the practice of law in Toledo, in partnership with his father, D. D. Ap- pelgate. He was a graduate of the law department of the Iowa State University. Among others who have been admitted to the bar here, or who have practiced for a time in Toledo are : Col. John Coniiell, Daniel Connell, Jr., T. A. Graham, Thomas S. Free, J. W. Stewart. Personal sketches of most of these gen- tlemen appear elsewhere in this volume An attorney named Bangs was one of the first lawyers to locate at Tama City. He lo- cated there in 1866, and remained for nearly two years. None remember where he came from or where he went. He was married ; abo\it 45 years of age ; a man of considerable ability, well read in law, a fair speaker and had sufficient traits," but did little, if any, business while in Tama City. Mr. Crafts located at Tama City in 1867, and remained for about one year. He came from New York, was a man about thirty years of age, with a family, and had been admitted to the bar previous to his coming here, although not in practice. He was a very good speaker, and was well read in law, but did not understand how to make its application. After leaving this place he went to Cedar Rapids ; his whereabouts at present are unknown. W. L Crozier was for a time engaged in the practice of law at Tama City. He had been prosecuting attorney of Dubuque county, but came here direct from St. Louis, to which place he returned after leaving Tama City. He was a man of fine ability as a lawyer, a good speaker and well informed on almost every subject. In personal appearance, it has often been remarked that he looked very much like Stephen A. Douglass. He is not living. C. E. Ilibbard came to Tama City from Massachusetts in 1868. He had been in practice in his native State, and was a good lawyer, both in office and before a jury. He remained here for about four years and returned to Boston, where, when last heard from, he was engaged in his profession. K. M. Doe came to Tama City from Iowa City in 1870, and began the practice of law. After remaining a few years he returned to Iowa City where he won quite a reputation as an equity lawyer. He sub- sequently removed to Texas. Was a graduate of the Iowa State University, and had a good dfeal of acquired as well as ^^^=i^ J'- -* — "l it. HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 327 natural ability. George W. Stinson located in Tama City in 1875, coming from Kansas where he had been in the practice of law. He formed a partnership with O. H. Mills and remained two yeans, when he returned to Kansas and located at Phillipsburg. He was a very successful lawyer. ■ G. P. Griswold practiced law in Tama City for about one year. He came here from Michigan in 1878, and from here went to Marshalltown. He had been in practice before coming here and was a good general lawyer. The law firm of Randolph & Hotch- kiss, opened an office in Tama City in 1881 and remained in practice for a short time. Captain J. G. Strong located in Trear soon after the village started, coming from Tama City. He remained for several years and then removed to Grundy Center. From there he moved to Brett, where he still lives. He was a well educated man and a successful lawyer. A. Branaman, commenced practice in Traer about 1874, and continued for sev- eral years, when he went to Dysart where he started a bank. He is now in Grundy Center. Mr. Douglierty, a native of Kentucky, practiced law in Traer for five or si.x months. About 1875 Mr. Town.send came from Washington, D. C, and opened a law of- fice in Traer. He had been clerk in some of the government departments, was a smart fellow and a good lawyer. He re- mained about one year when he returned to his old home in Washington where he is now running a pension law office. Frederick Hartshorn, a graduate of the law department of the State University located at Traer in 1879, and opened a law office He remained for about ten months, when he moved to Clarion where he still lives. S. C. Leland, the present clerk of court of Tama county practiced law in Traer for some time, lie is noticed elsewhere in this chapter. THE PRESENT BAR. The bar of Tama county of to-day has many able representatives. Almost with- out an exception, they are men of expe- rience and thought ; gentleman and schol- ars. In this connection are presented per- sonal sketches of all those from whom a sketch could be obtained. They are ar- ranged in the order in which the gentle- men commenced practice in the various towns of the county. The list comprises the following : W. H. Stivers, Hon. George R. Struble, D. D. Appelgate, C. B. Bradshaw, Hon. L. G. Kinne, George L. Bailey, Hon. E. C. Ebersole, S. C. Le- land, James A. Merritt, W. J. Ham, H. J. Stiger, William L. Lamb, J. W.Lamb, W. G. Sears, Wallace B. Louthan, Daniel Reamer, A. M. Moore, F. J. M. Wouser, O. H. Mills, A. W. Guernsey, W. H. H. Tiffany, James W. Willett, W. W. Wouser, Robert E. Austin, E. Harmon, James Fowler. E. T. Langley, Orson T. Biainerd, R. G. Mclntire, N. C. Rice, F. C. Wood, W. H. Wood, George L. Wil- bur, E. H. Benedict, C. H. Roberts, Rich- ard Fitzgerald, W. V. Dooley. Prominent among the attorneys of To- ledo is William H. Stivers, of the law firm of Stivers & Louthan. Mr. Stivers com- menced the study of law while working at his trade— blacksmithing— and after five Pv HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. fe^ years spent in this manner, came to Toledo, read law, and in March, 1857, was admit- ted to the bar at Marion, Linn county. He was born on the 18th of May, 1830, at what is now Attica, Wyoming county, New York. His father was a blacksmith by trade, and as soon as William became of sufficient age, lie learned the trade and folio «'ed it until coming to Toledo in 1856. On the 22nd of August, 1852, he was married to Miss Emily Baugh, of Jones county, this State. Four children have been born to them — Emma, wife of M. J. Boyle, of Toledo ; Seward J., George Sumner, and Lillie V., wife of W. B. Louthan,' junior member of the firm of Stivers & Louthan. Hon. George R. Struble, the present Speaker of the House of Representatives of Iowa, and a member of the law firm of Struble & Kinne, Toledo, has been a prominent lawyer in Tama county for the past twenty-three years. He was born July 25, 1836, in Sussex county. New Jersey. His parents were Isaac and Emma T. (Cox) Struble, both of whom are still living near Toledo, Iowa. When quite young, Mr. Struble removed from New Jersey to the vicinity of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and there remained with his pa- rents until their removal to Chesterville, Ohio, in 1847. In 1856, Mr. Struble left Ohio, came to Iowa, and located first in Iowa City, but only remained in that place until the following spring, when he came to Toledo, Tama county, and has since made this his home. Mr. Struble was married at Toledo, Iowa, on the 19th of April, 1860, to Miss Sophia J. Nelson, daughter of Seth B. and Jane Nelson, and niece of Rev. Dr. H. A. Nelson, formerly of St. Louis, now of Geneva New York. Mr. Struble first commenced the study of law in the office of T. Walter Jackson, and was admitted to the bar in February, 1860, at the regular term of the district court. Judge W. E. Miller presiding. In 1863 he formed a partnership with Isaac L. Allen, under the firm name of Alien «fc Struble. The partnership continued xxntil 1865. During most of the time of this ^ partnership, Mr. Allen was occupying the / position of Attornej'-General of the State. In 1870, Mr. Struble was elected judge of the circuit court of the Eighth judicial district, and held that responsible position until 1872. Mr. Struble was elected a member of the House of the 18th General Assembly of the State of Iowa, and re- elected to the 19th General Assembly, of which he was elected Speaker in 1882. He is now practicing law in Toledo, in partnership with L. G. Kinne, under the firm name of Struble & Kinne. He is also a member of the loan firm of H. J. Stiger & Co., and is one of the directors of the Toledo Savings Bank. In politics he is a republican, and is a member of the Congregational church of Toledo, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Struble have been blessed with six children ; Agnes N., wife of Hiram Baldwin, cashier of Toledo Savings Kank ; .VlayT., Gertrude N., Jessie F., George Herbert and Grace. Judge Struble is of medium height, well proportioned and is a tine appearing man ; has a high forehead, a keen, penetrating eye. Socially, he is pleasant, affable and courteous, though al- waj's cosidering business paramount to so- cial ties. As a lawyer, he is quick to see a point, has a ready and eloquent flow of language to " push it ; is a forcible "^c r- r HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 329 speaker, well educated in his profession, and withal a most successful practitioner. Judge Struble is a man in whom not only the county, but the State may take pride ; and the honors that have been bestowed upon him have only served to make him more deserving of them. In his public life he has fully demonstrated himself to be a man of thorough integrity and ster- ling worth, possessing qualities which make him a leader among men. D. D. Appelgate has been one of Tole- do's attorneys since 1868, and is among the oldest settlers of Tama county. He was born in Jackson county, Indiana, October 31, 1829, and was there reared upon a farm. In 1848 he left Indiana and came to Iowa, locating in Cedar county, where he remained until September, 1851, when he came to Tama county and located in Carlton township. In the spring of 1853, he was elected the first clerk of courts of Tama county ; was re-elected from time to time and served until Janu- ary, 1869, in the meantime reading law with Isaiic L. Allen, ex-Attorney General, of Iowa, and in 1868, was admitted to the bar. He has followed the profession ever since. In 1&56, Mr. Appelgate was mar- ried to Miss Margaret McLaury, of Dela- ware county, New York. They have si.x cliildren. He was formerly an "old line Whig, " but since the organization of the Republican party, has advocated its prin- ciples. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the A. 0. U. W. organi- zation, a much respected and worthy citizen. C. B. Bradshaw was born December 2(5, 1839, at Richmond, Jefferson county, Ohio. Ilis parents were Harvey and Susan ( Sul- livan ) Bradshaw ; the former a native of Connecticut ; the latter of Pennsylvania. His father died at Mt. Vernon, Iowa, November 8, 1 861 ; and his mother in Juno, 1873, at Toledo, Iowa. His father was a Methodist minister, and at the time of his death, agent of Cornell College, Mt. Ver- non. The family consisted of two sons — C. B., and H. S. Bradshaw, the latter practicing law at Ida C4rove, Ida county, Iowa. C. B. was reared in Ohio, receiv- ing his early education in the common schools. He came to Iowa in the spring of 1860, and entered Cornell College, remain- ing until August, 1862. At that time he enlisted in Co. F. 24th Iowa Vol. Inf'ty, joining Grant's forces at Helena, Arkansas» started to Vicksburg, but before reaching there, was in the battles of Port. Gibson and Champion Hills, reaching Vicksburg on the 24th of May, 1863, a' d was there during the seige of that city. In July, 1865, he was discharged at Davenport, where his regiment disbanded. He then went to Michigan and entered the law de- partment of Ann Arbor University, grad- uating in 1867. Mr. Bradshaw was admit- ted to the bar of Iowa, at Marion, Linn county, at a term of the district court. Judge Rothrock presiding. He then came to Toledo, and formed a partnership with G. R. Struble, which continued until the fall of 1870, at which time Mr. Struble withdrew from the firm to enter upon the duties of Circuit Judge, to which office he had been e'ected. Mr. Bradshaw has since been alone in business. He was married in December, 1867, to Miss Mary Ann Hayzlett, daughter of William and Elizabeth Uayzlett, a native of Linn coun- ty, this State. Mrs. Bradshaw graduated in the classical course at Cornell Collejre. *^ HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. ics. Manual exercise was a feature of the curriculum, and Mr. Ebersole found it beneficial to his health. He graduated in 1862, in a class of 5.3. He engaged for a few months as teacher in the celebrated Tracy Institute at Tarrytown on the Hud- son, and then returned home. He enlisted in the spring of 186.3 in Dick's ( detach- ed ) Pennsylvania Cavalry, but was dis- charged in October following. During his last year in College, he was elected tutor at Otterbein, but did not accept. In July, 1863, he was e'ected Professor of Mathe- matics in Western College, Iowa, holding the chair two years. In the spring of 1864, he enlisted in the " Student's Com- pany, " ( Company D., 44tli Iowa Infant- ry, Col. Stephen H. Henderson command- ing) to serve 100 days. On the expira- tion of that period, he resumed his duties in the College. He was married Septem- ber 25, 1865, to Francis E. Spencer, a teacher in the same College. Resigning their situations, they entered into an en- gagement to teach in the Fort Madison Academy, but Mr. Ebersole's health again failing, the"y abandoned teaching and moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In the fall of 1866, Mr. Kbersole went to Chicago to pursue the study of law, and was engaged as tutor in a private family. Again illness interfered with Jjis studies and he went to Penrsylviinia to aid in the final settle- ment of his father's estati'. This duty discharged, he returned to Iowa and pur- chased a tract of land near Jefferson, Green county, with the intention of com- bining out-door interests with mental study, but a disastrous fire put an end to this sclieine. Returning to Cedar Rapids, he was tendered the management of " Western College " and accepted. The students, by petition to the Trustees, pro- cured his election as President in June, 1868, Init on the same day he was elected Principal of the Preparatory Department, and assistant Prof' ssor of Ancient Lan- guages in the Iowa State University. He accepted the latter position, which he held for two years. Ad interim, he had conti nued his course of preparation for the legal profession, and, resigning his appointment in the University, in June, 1870, he was admitted to the bar at the Circuit Court of Johnston county. Judge W. E. Miller pre- siding. Mr. Ebersole began practice at Iowa City, where he was associated with J. H. Coon, and later with Judge Z. C. Luse. In the spring of IS'Zl, he went to Adel, Dallas county, Iowa, where he pur- sued his profession, and after a few months formed a partnership with S. A. Calvert, now Judge of one of the circuits of the Fifth Judicial District, under the the firm name of Ebersole & Calvert. He sold his business interests to his partner and went to Arkansas, prospecting. On his letiirn, he was appointed Principal of the High School at Cedar Rapids, which he taught one year, his wife assisting. In 1873, he formed his present business rela- tion with J. W. Willett, ( see sketch) and located at Toledo, Iowa. This is now the oldest and one of the most prosperous of the law-firms in Tama county. Mr. Eb- ersole served as Mayor of Toledo in 1876 and 1877, and again in 1881, and has acted in other municipal positions. In 1882 he was elected Reporter of t' e Supreme Court of Iowa, for four years. Mr. Eber- sole is a man of keen observation, dis- criminating judgment, ripe scholarship. -%' HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. :l^ possessing a mind *0, before Judge Shane. Early in the spring of 1882, he associated himself with his brother, in Dysart, under the firm name of F. C. & W. II. Wood. In April, 1883, this partnership was dissolved, VV. H. Wood retiring. The first lawyer at Gladbrook was Geo. L. Wilbur ; the second was E. H. Bene- dict. Both are still representing the legal profession at that place. George L. Wilbur was born February 23, 1835, in Randolph, Norfolk county, Mass. lie was the eldest son of Lockhart and Sarah (Spear) Wilbur. He received his education at Stetson high school in Randolph, from which institution he grad- uated in 1854, and became an assistant teacher in the school for one year, when he entered the law office of A. B. Berry, intending preparation for the bar. Before completing his studies he came to Tama county, Iowa, in March, 1857, and settled on land bought by his father the year previous, in what is now known ns Lincoln township, and pursued the calling of a farm- er until 18t)2,.when he enlisted as a pri- vate in Capt. Woodburg's company "K" 23d Iowa Infantry. While in rendezvous at Des Moines he was placed on detatched service as clerk in the Adjutant's office. While in Missouri he was appointed Di- vision Ordnance Sergeant on the recom- mendation on Col. Kinsman ; remained in that position until relieved by General Davidson, commanding United States forces in Southwest Missouri; re-appointed to the Adjutant's office as clerk ; was pres- ent at the battle of Black river ; was by the side of the gallant Kinsman when his young life was given up on that bl ody field ; participated in the succeeding siege of Vicksburg ; reported as clerk at head- quarters 13th "A. C." by order of General Ord ; remained at those headquarters un- til the corps was abolished by General Grant ; and was then ordered to report to the headquarters military division of WestMississippi, Maj -Gen. E. R. S. Canby commanding ; on Canby's recommenda- tion was appointed captain in the U. S. col- ored infantry, which was declined ; ap- pointed second lieutenant headquarters troops of the Gulf ; detatched and placed on staflF of General Canby as acting as- sistant Adjutant General, serving in this capacity until June 24, 1865, when he was discharged from the service on surgeon's certificate of disability ; returned to Iowa and settled in Marshall county, and en- gaged in farming until 1875, when he re- sumed the study of the law and was ad- mitted to the bar. He opened a law office at Traer, in partnership with S. P. Shef- field, under the firm name of Sheffield & Wilbur. On the dissolution of the partr nership, he removed to Gladbrook, where he still continues in his profession. Po- litically, Mr. Wilbur is a radical republi- can casting his first vote for President, for Abraham Lincoln. He was married Sep- tember 10, 1858, to Miss Adella W. Mon- lux, daughter of George and Martha (Bailey) Monlux. They have had eight children — Nellie A., wife of William B. Artz ; Otis A., George, Jessie, Sadie, An- nie, Hent and Ada. Nellie A., was the first child born in Lincoln township, Tama ,7 HISTORY OP TAMA COUNTY. 351 county, Iowa. Mr. Wilbur is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Legion of Honor and V. A. S. fraternity. E. H. Benedict is a native of Linn county, Iowa, born in 1856. His parents were L. D. and Sarapta (Minter) Benedict, tlie former a native of New York ; the lat- ter of Ohio. His father died in 1877, in Linn county, this State, where he had spent a part of his life. The subject of this sketch received his education at Lenox Collegiate Institute at Hopkinton, Iowa, and afterward took a course of law at the Iowa State University, where he graduated in 1882. He then came to Gladbrook, this county, in the fall of that year and opened a law office, doing a general law and col- lecting business. Mr. Benedict is a straight republican and has always trained with that party. His wife was Miss Ada M. Fay, a daughter of John H. and Isabella (Ward) Fay. C. II. Rol)erts, who represents the legal fraternity at Montour, was born in Man- chester, Indiana, in 1840, his parents being Samuel and Maria (Clark) Roberts, both natives of New England. In 1842 the family moved west and settled at Fort Madison, Iowa. C. H. received a good education, and in 1809 went to Tama City, where he remained until December, 1870, when he removed to his present location, and has since devoted his attention to the practice of his profession. He was admit- ted to the bar at Marion, L"nn county. Richard Fitzgerald, Esq., of Carlton township, is a native of Dupage county. III., born in 1845. He is the son of P. H. and Mary (Barry) Fitzgerald, natives of Ireland, who emigrated to America about the year 1888, settling in New York State, there re- maining until 1843, when they moved to Dupage county, 111. They raised a family of eleven children, Richard P., the iftabject of this sketch, being the fourth. In May, 1804, Richard enlisted as a private in Com- pany A, 140th Ills. Vol. Infty. for 100 days, and was discharged in November of that year. On February 18, 1865, he re- enlisted in Co. G, 156th Ills. Vol. Infty., to serve for one year. June 9, 1865, he was promoted to the position of Ist sergeant of his company, and soon after was recom- mended for a Lieutenantcy; but, owing to the close of the war, he only had charge of his company for a short time before he was mustered out of service, in October, 1865. Mr. Fitzgerald was educated in the common schools of Whiteside county. Ills. After his discharge from the service, he returned to Illinois, and from there went to Lyons, this state, where he attended school. In May, 1866, he came to Tama county, settling in Carlton township, where he now resides. Mr. Fitzgerald, since his youth, has had a desire to become a member of the bar, and has for years improved his leisure time by reading the works of eminent authors, and for a num- ber of years has ^practiced in the lower courts of the county. The event of his life occurred on February 26, 1883, when he was admitted to'the bar at the regular term of the district court, over which Judge James D. Giffins presided. Mr. F. was married on the 24th day of Septem- ber, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth L. Welton, who was born in Moultrie county, 111., in 1843. By this union there have been two children — Charles E. (deceased) and Ella 14 r HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. E. Mrs. Fitzgerald is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. F. was formerly a Re- publican, but at present is an anti-monop- olist. * M. V. Dooley, lawyer and insurance agent, living in Spring Creek township, was born on the 8th of August, 1851, at La Salle, Ills., a son of P. L. and Anna (Green) Dooley. He received his educa- tion at the Polytechnic Institute, St. Louis, and graduated a Bachelor of Arts at St. Vincents College of Cape Girardeau, Mo. He was principal of public instruction at La Salle Ills., for four years, until 1878, and was admitted to the bar at Ottawa, Ills. In 1879 he removed to Cedar Rapids and took up life insurance as his profession. He is now general agent of the Iowa Mu- tual Benefit Association, of Tole lo, Iowa. In politics he is a Democrat, casting his first vote for President for Horace Gree- ley. He is a Roman Catholic in faith. On the 27th of December, 1881, he was married to Miss Kate M. Cole, daughter of T. M. and Mrs. .lulia (Duncan) Cole, a graduate of St. Mary's Academy, of La Salle, Ills., who has been principal of the intermediate department of the public schools of La Salle for five years. By this union there is one daughter, Mary Anna, born on the 27th of January, 1883. CHAPTER X. THE PRESS. *1^^ Tama county has had an abundant op- portunity to test the value of newspapers as aids in building up business centers and making known its resources to the outer world, while its civilizing influence has been almost unlimited ; and, as a general thing, its citizens have always manifested a lib- eral spirit or purpose towards the various journalistic enterprises that have been in- augurated in their midst. It must be truth- fully said, that in dispensing their patron- age to the press, they have been tolerant and magnanimous, as they have been rea- sonably generous to journals of all parties. It may be difticult to correctly estimate the advantages derived by Tama county, in a business point of view, from the influence of the press ; which at various times has called into requisition respectable, if not eminent, talent in the advocacy of local interests, which has had a tendency to inspire its citizens, as well as friends, far and near, with a hope and confidence in its prosperity. In every community there are shriveled souls; who.se participation in the benefits of enterprise is greater than their efforts to promote the public welfare. These are the men who will never subscribe for a newspaper, but will always be on the alert to secure, gratuitously, the first perusal of their neighbors' papers. These are the •-. S.|iv HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. k. croakers who predict evil and dispa,rago enterprise. But, with very few excep- tions, the press of this region, or the (immunity through which they circulate, has never been cursed with such drones. On thQ contrary, as patrons of the press, Tama county citizens have established a good name. As records of current history, the local press should be preserved by town and county governments iu their archives for reference, as these i)apers are the repositories wherein are stored the facts and the events, the deeds and the sayings, the undertakings and the achieve- ments that go to make final history. One by one these things are gathered and placed in type ; one by one the papers are issued ; one by one these papers are gathered to- gether and bound, and another volume of local, general and individual history is laid away imperishable. The volumes thus collected are sifted by the historian, and the book for the library is ready. There should be some means devised by which press records might be preserved and made accessible. This, of course, is attempted in all offices, but, as a general thing, files are sadly deficient ; still by diligent search and much inquiry, enough data has been gleaned to supply a toler- ably accurate record of the county press ; but if any inaccuracies or omissions are noticeable, they may be attributed to the absence of completeness in the files. THE TOLEDO TRIBUNE. This was the first newspaper established in Tama county. It came to public light through its first issue on April 21, 1856. M. V. B. Kenton was the editor. The avowed principles of the paper were inde- pendent, although in practice it was re- publican. Its size was a six column folio, all home print, and started out with a fair advertising patronage considering the con- dition of the country at this time. The files for the first year have all been lost. Sometime during the year Mr. Kenton sold the office to H. T. Baldy, and returneil to Ohio, his native State. Mr. Baldy was a physician by profes- sion, and a man of good ability, but he knew comparatively nothing of the news- paper business. He was a good writer, however, and was full of push and energy. In the Tribune's issue on April 22, 1857, Mr. Baldy says : "Fellow citizens of Tama county: As the first volume of the Iribmie is about to close, we wish to say a few words in rela- tion to our paper, and to the course we in- tend to pursue in the future. " As an inducement to you, fellow citi- zens, to continue your subscriptions for the next year, and to make it satisfactory to all parties and creeds, we will commence with the second volume to publish an Independent paper. We think this is the best means to allay party excitement and restore harmony, now that the presidential election has passed by, and party politics about ceased. We hope this will meet the approbation of all. ***** * * * Fellow citizens, will you sustain your county paper ? We think we shall have your approving smile and generous aid. The press is certainly the index of your intelligence, and will be the exponent of your views. We have labored under many disadvantages ; first, we are no prin- er ; in the next place we have had a very is HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. -i^ cold 1 ffice to work in during the winter, so ■ that our paper at times, has not presented as good an appearance as we could have wished. It lias been uphill business thus far, hut our motto is •' CtO Ahead. " The inscription which he placed at tlie mast-head was : " A Family Journal — Devoted to Truth, Justice, Humanity and the news of the Day. " Among the liome advortiaers in this issue, were the following : T. W. Jack- son, N. C. Wieting, Appelgate & Staley, Isaac L. Allen and Timothy Brown, attor- neys ; John Council, J. P. Wood, Isaac Butler, T. A. Graham, J. Burley and John Zehrung, real estate agents ; H. T. Baldy, and W. A. Daniels, physicians. The Tole- do advertisers were, C. G. Trusdell, gen- eral merchandise, Staley & Zehrung, C. D. Fanton and II. M. Mettkeflf, gift distri- bution ; J. A. Ballard, boot and shoe ma- ker ; Merchant & Davis, general merchan- dise ; William Ilarkins & Bro., drugs ; G. G. Edwards, photographer ; Kains & VVaugh, Toledo Hotel ; Robert M. King, hardware ; Chinn tfe Cannon, cabinet ware; and C. G. Butkereit, tailor. There were also many advertisements from Muscatine and Iowa City. Mr. Baldy in a short time, sold a_share of the paper to T. W. Jackson, and in August, 1857, it was purchased by George Sower, now one of the proprietors of the Jl'/rshall Times and E. B. Bolens, a law- yer, the paper being run in the name of Mr. Bowers. In assuming control, they said : "Politically, we shall be strictly neutral — emphatically Knmc Nothings. " A short time afterward, although no an- nouncement of change in proprietorship was made, the name of E. B. Bolens took the place of George Sower. In this shape matters remained until the 28th day of October, 1858, when the books, good-will and material were all sold to N. C. Wiet- ing and George Sower. The former took full control, and the name of the paper was changed to THE KlWA TRANSCRIPT. Mr. Bolens then retired from the edito- rial field in Tama county. In closing his connection with the paper, he published a short valedictory, in which' there creeps a vein of feeling of disappointment, say- ing : " If we should again assume the re- sponsibility of a publisher and editor, we shall do so under true " colors " and with the flag of " Democracy and the Union, " instead of Independent. Mr. Wieting at once made the paper Republican, and soon enlarged and other- wise greatly improved its appearance. In taking charge, he said, among other things: "In religion we are independent, yet ever extending a cordial invitation to the clergy of all denominations, for such con- tributions, free from the taint of sectarian- ism, as they may see fit to present. In National politics, in compliance to our Qwn feelings and judgment, as well as, we think, to the requirements of a large majority of the citizens of our county, we are and must be a Republican." In a short time Sower went out of the firm and Mr. Wieting disposed of half the oflice to T. J. Staley. The paper was run with good success for several years, r HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY, part of the time J. F. Farley being inter- ested in it, Staley having retired. Mr. Wietiug had full control during the bal- ance of the time. In November, 18GG, the ofKce was moved to Belle Plaine, Iowa, where the material has since been used on the lielle Plaine Union. TAMA COUNTY REPUBLICAN. This paper was established in the winter of 1860-67, the first issue making its ap- pearance early in January, 1867. J. T. Rice was the founder. He was lately from Mount Vernon, where he had been in attendance at the Cornell College. In a short time J. T. Stewart purchased an interest, but did not, however, remain con- nected with the Repuhlicati very long. He sold to M. B.. C. True, who, in a few months, purchased the entire office. Rice went to Denver, Colorado, but soon re- turned to Tama county. During M. B. C. True's management the name of the paper was changed to "the TOLEDO CHRONICLE," under which caption it still runs. He was from Jones county, and came to Toledo in 1868. Mr. True was a man of fine educa- tion, with a great deal of natural ability. He was not as successful with the Chron- icle as had been hoped and expected by his friends, from the fact that he was too apt in his articles to overshoot the intelli- gence of the average reader of a country paper. On finance, political economy, or any of the great subjects, he could write telling and forcible articles; but he could ncjt come down to plain, local work. He continued publishing the paper until lS7:i, when it was leased to Warren Harman, and he removed to Lincoln, Nebraska. Soon after his arrival in Nebraska he was admitted to the bar, and began to practice law; being also for a time interested in a daily paper at Lincoln. A few years ago he removed to Crete, in that State, and is again running a weekly paper. He has become a prominent man in Nebraska pol- itics, and has served one term in the Gen- eral Assembly of that State. During Mr. True's residence in Toledo he made many warm friends; he was firm and positive in his convictions; pleasant, though rather retired, and a man of honor and integrity- In the issuff of January 16, 1873, M. B. C. True retired from the management, say- ing in his announcement of the fact: " * * * How long the re- tirement will continue is uncertain. For the year 1873 Mr. Warren Harman will publish and edit the Chronicle. He is fully competent and is commended to the good people of Tama county. It may be proper to remark here that the ownership of the Chronicle is now vested in a joint stock company, named and styled. The Chronicle Company, in which the under- signed is a stockholder. In vacating the editorial chair which he has occupied for the last four years and a half, he regretfully ceases his weekly com- munication with his many personal friends all over the county — a communication that has become a daily pleasure. M. B. C. TiuE." Mr. Harman was better calculated for a local writer than Mr. True. He came from Mount Vernon, and had also been in attendance at Cornell College. After re- • tiring from the paper he removed to Ce- dar Rapids, where he still remains en ^■(j r- r ^ HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. gaged in the real estate business and the practice of law. lie was a single man; genial, pleasant, good-hearted and well liked. With the issue of December 25, 187.3, Warren Ilai'man retired from the editor- ship of the Chronicle, the office having been sold to James B. Hedges, who in a short time enlarged and otherwise greatly improved its appearance. In assuming control, Mr. Hedges presented the follow- ing terse article as his "salutatory," in the issue of January 1, IS'74: " It is customary for persons taking charge of a newspaper to commence his editorial career with some kind of salu- tatory or greeting, we presume you will expect something of the kind at the pres- ent time and hope you will bear with us while we try to tell you something of our plans and purposes for the coming year, and in fact as long as we have control of this paper. " And in the first place we would state that we have bought the office and moved here, and expect to stay here as long as we receive a fair degree of support from the citizens of Toledo and Tama county. " Having come hero to stay and cast our interests in with yours, we shall do all in our power to assist in the upbuilding and advancement of our town and county in ,every respect. It will be our constant aim to make The Chronicle one of the best local papers in central Iowa, and we shall try to make each number an improvement on the preceeding one, and to this end we invite the assistance of every resident of the county — in furnishing us items and sending us communications on matters of general interest. Politically, The C7ironicle will continue to ailvocate the views and doctrines of the Republican party, believing that to be the great party of progress and reform. We will ever be found lighting against mo- nopolies of every kind, and defending the interests of the farmers and mechanics and laborers. " As soon as we can make all necessary arrangements, we intend jjutting an entire new dress on the paper and just as soon as our patronage will warrant it, we will en- large to an eight column sheet. When we get our new dress we propose making The Chronicle one of the handsomest pa- pers in the State, and it only remains with the business men to say_ whether we shall enlarge it or not. It is also our intention 10 put into the office a first class job de- partment with which we will be enabled to do all kinds of job printing such as cards, circulars, letter heads, bill heads, state- ments «&c. «&c., in as good style as is done anywhere East or West, and at Chicago prices. "Trusting that we may merit and re- ceive a generous and hearty support the en- suing year, and that it may be one of pros- perity and happiness to us all, we close by wishing you each and every one a happy New Year. J. B. Hedge. January 1st, 1874. Mr. Hedge still owns and publishes The Chronicle. When he assumed the control the circulation was about 300, which he has increased to 1,000. The paper is a nine column folio, all printed at home. It is neatly gotten up, well printed and edited, and contains more original matter than any paper in the county. Mr. Hedge >N* ^^=^ HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 357 is a thorough newspaper man, well edu- cated ; a man of extensive reading and an easy and forcible writer. James B. Hedge was born in Jackson county, Iowa, on the 19th of March, 1849. His parents were of English descent, al- though both were born in America ; and were lineal descendants and indirect heirs of the Hedge's of England who left such vast estates, which are now in litigation. His father was a carpenter and cabinet maker. James B. was brought up at school and in 1858 commenced learning the printer's trade. At nine years of age he began attending Cornell College, and, irregularly attended for over three years In 187.3 he came to Toledo and in Septem- ber purchased the Toledo Chronicle, taking charge in the following January. Mr. Hedge was married January 25, 1872, to Nellie C. Palmer, of Marshalltown, for- merly of New York City. They have three children — John Garnett, James B_ Jr., and George R. THE PRESS AT MONTOUE. The various j)apers which have in the past been published at Montour are all de- funct, and as no files of them are to be found, a full history cannot be obtained. The first paper published in the town was f undedby W. W. Yarhamin 1867 and was known as the Oxford Jjeader. Mr. Yarham furnished the people with weekly news for about eighteen months, when he sold the paper to W. M. Patrick and soon after- ward to M. B. C. True, who removed the material to Toledo. In 1879 A. A. Blackman founded the Montour Review which soon passed into the hands of D. A. Ellis & Bro., who con- tinued its publication until the fall of 1882 when they removed the same to Bancroft. THE TAMA COUNTY UNION. This was the first newspaper published at Tama City. Cyrus B. Ingham was the founder, and the first issue made its ap- pearance on the 26thof April, 1866. The first copy struck off is now in the hands of J. H. Hollen, of Tama City, who to en- courage the enterprise paid $20 for it. At this time Tama City was known as luka. The editors of the paper were C. B. Ing- ham and C. E. Heath, it being a six column folio. Under tke heading the following motto appeared : "O! seize on truth where'er 'tis found, Among your friends, among your foes. On christian or on heather ground, The plant's divine where'er it grows." For two years the paper continued in this management, meeting with good suc- cess, both in advertising and in circulation. It then went into the hands of W. G. Cambridge, who changed the name to THE TAMA CITIZEN. He enlarged it to an eight column folio. During his management the paper had a good support and circulation. In the kitter part of 1875, Mr. Cam- bridge was taken seriously ill and the issue of the paper was stopped. A few m 'Uths later the material was sold to F. J. M. Wonser, and on the eighth day of October, 1875, the paper resumed issue under the head of THE TAJIA HERALD. It was made a nine column folio. Mr. Wonser remained editor and proprietor of the Herald until June 2, 1882, having changed the size of the paper at different times to a six column quarto, and eight column folio. On the date named, the riV Ll£V 358 HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. present proprietor and editor, W. W. Wonser, purchased and took charge of the office. On December 29, 1882, the size of the Herald was enlarged to a six column (juarto — the only quarto form newspaper published in the county. It has a large and increasing circulation, and, it is the in- tention of the enterprising proprietor to add a power press to his already well equipped office. W. W. Wonser is a lawyer by profess- ion and in connection with the chapter upon the "Bar of Tama county" a person- al sketch of him will be found. He is an educated and well-read man upon all toj)ics and is a forcible and pungent writer. TAMA CITY IIEKALD OF ECONOMY. This was the title of a newspaper en- terprise carried on in Tama City in 1868. It was a monthly sheet, distributed gratu- itously through the city and surrounding country in the interest of the business men, its object being the advancement of the business prosperity of the town. It was well written, neatly printed and fur- nished a correct directory of Tama City at the time it flourished. The editor and proprietor was William Heath. TAMA COUNTY LIHEKAL. This was a campaign paper started in the interests of the "good and true Democ- racy," by Hon. L. G. Kinne of Toledo. This was for the general campaign of 1872 and the publication ceased soon after the election. The printing was done at Marshalltown, and it was one of the most ably edited papers ever published in the county. / CHELSEA 1'EOPLE's FKIEND. This paper was started at Chelsea in November, 1873, as an eight page, four- column-to-the page sheet. The founder was C. Fremont Neal. It was a well got- ten up paper, but for some reason lived but a few months. The editor-in-chief was a Spiritualist. THE TKAER CLIPPER. This paper was established by Bernard Murphy, in 1874. It was an eight column folio, and made its first appearance on the 1st of January, 1874. Mr. Murphy was a good printer and an excellent writer. He continued to manage the paper until Au- gust 16, 1876, when it passed into the hands of Averill Brothers & Beatty. On January 1, 1877, they enlarged the paper to a nine column folio, and printed the paper entirely in the home office. In the fall of 1878 Averill Brothers bought Beat- ty's interest, made it one of the official papers of the county, and attempted to make a metropolitan paper of it. In this shape it continued until the night of the 24th of December, 1878, when the office was destroyed by fire. The proprietors struggled on, notwith- standing this discouraging event, until the 20th of July, 1879, when it passed in- to the hands of Hon. James Wilson, James Morison and R. H. Moore. In a short time the latter named gentleman withdrew from the firm, and Wilson & Morison continued to conduct it until No- vember, 1881, when Hon. .Tames Wilson assumed full control On the first day of April, 1882, a half interest in the office was purchased by O. J. Smith, and the firm became Wilson & Smith. In the issue of April 6, 1882, Mr. Smith said: jpy i^ HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 361 " It is usually customary when a new man takes the helm as editor, that he make an editorial bow, and salute his pat- trons by declaring his aims and intentions, and make promises concerning the course he proposes to pursue, but * e shall forego the custom on this particular occasion. * * * We shall simply add, however, that we shall try to the best of our ability to aid Mr. Miller in making the Clipper second to no county paper in the Fifth congressional district in point of excel- lence." (). .J. Smith had for eight years been ed- iting the Shellsburg Record, was a natural and thorough newspaper man, and was very highly spoken of by the press in this part of the State. He at once became one of the editors of the Clipper. In this shape the paper remained until the first of August, 18.S2, when Hon. James Wilson, having been nominated for Congress, and pressed by other business, sold his inter- est to G. Jaqua. In closing his connec- tion with the Clipper, among other things he said : " I give over the care of the Clipper with regret. It is like a member of my family that I have worked for and thought for anxiously. It was poor and weak, it is strong and vigorous. Three years ago it had but few subscribers, now it has many. It was then a burden of expense, it is now a source of profit. Much of its success as a business enterprise is due to the untiring attention of Mr. James Morison, whose pride of locality induced him to devote time and thought to it. The present well filled local page and well appointed job office is due to the master hand of Mr. Smith. So, really, the work that we set out to do, to put a home paper on its feet, is done. It has the sympathy of a superior farming community and the confidence of a class of business men seldom equalled for honor and enterprise in the State. Jasles Wilson." Hon. Gamaliel Jaqua at once assumed editorial duties. He was well known to the public, having settled in Buckingham township in 1856. He is a native of Ohio, born in Preble county, that State, Decem- ber 30, 1828. He grew to manhood in Preble county, remaining at home with his parents until eighteen years of age, as- sisting upon the farm and attending dis- tiict school. From this time he began teaching school during the winter months and attending school in the summer, until he attained his majority. He was appoint- ed examiner of teachers for Preble county, and was afterwards elected county super- intendent of schools. In 1856, as stated, he came west and located upon a farm in Buckingham township, and divided his at- tention for some time between teaching and farming. In 1866, he was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors and filled this office for a number of years. In 1875, he was elected to represent Tama county in the House of Representatives; and served for two terms, making a most industrious and faithful representative. He is a man of culture and education, well read on all subjects, a sound and logical writer, and well fitted for the editorial po-.- sition he fills. In introducing himself to the readers of the Clipper, Mr. Jaijua said : »fr 4*- HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. " Having ])urcliaseil the half interest of the C!ij>pir belonging to Hon. James Wil- son, in taking his place upon the same, it is only fit and proper for me to say that I shall to the best of my abilities, try to sus- tain for it the same reputation it now has in the county and elsewhere. Being a resident of the county for the last twenty- five years, it is needless for me to assure the public of the political course to be pursued in this paper while conducting the same. Republicanism is founded in the principles of justice and right and those claims will be set forth without fear or hesitancy. We shall treat all with cour' tesy and with a spirit of kindness and, while we shall maintain with fervor, what we deem to be right, we hope to accord to all who differ with us an opportunity when space permits, to give their views to the public. * * * ." Thus the firm became Jaqua & Smith, who still own and conduct the paper. The Clipper is a neatly printed, nine column folio, well filled with home advertisements and local and general news. It has a cir- culation of over 1,300 and is among the most able, influential and prosperous county papers in the State. Tama County Indki-endent. This newspaper enterprise was establish- ed by Rudolph Reichnian in 18T4. It was an eight column folio and made its first appearance on the 4th of July, 18'74. Po- litically it was independent and supported the anti-monopoly ])arty, contributing largely to the election of the candidates on that ticket during the fall. On August 1, 1S77, S. W. Grove leased the office and ran a paper for a few months, when it again passed into Mr. Reichman's hands, and was shortly afterwards sold to Nathan C. Wieting. The Founder of this Paper, Rudolph Reichman, was born on the loth of March 1821 in Schleswig-Hol- stein, Germany. He is a son of Christian and Anna Dorothea ( Hansen ) Reichman ; his father being a printer by trade. He received his education at the High School of his native town. At the age of 16 he entered into apprenticeship in a printing office at Hamburg, Germany, serving as an apprentice for 5 years and 3 months. He traveled over a great portion of Europe for about seven years, working at his trade in different.places In 1850 he came to the United States, landing at Quebec, •Started for Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where he settled down and published a news pa- per in gerraan, called the Wisconsin Reptihlikiiitcr. He remained at the head nf that paper, for about one year, when he moved to Milwaukee, was engaged as fore- man in the office of a german daily called the VolksbliUt, until the spring of 1852, when he came to Davenport, Iowa; when in partnership with Mr. 'I'heodore Guelich, he started a german weekly called Der Democrat. He remained there until 185(5, then opened a real estate office which he continued until 1859, when on account of his health, he went to Mercer county. Ills., and engaged in farming until 1805 ; in the spring of which year he came to Tama county, Iowa, settling on sections 35-85- IG, Spring Creek township, where he has owned in all about 1,300 acres of land. He now has a farm of 400 acres on sections 26 and 35 also 85 acres on sections 2-85- 15. Here he r<.'mained until fall of 1373, "TT ifi" Ja__^ HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 303 when he removed to Toledo, Iowa, where in ls74 he edited and published tke Tama county Independent. He sold his paper in 1878, and retired from active life. He now resides at his private residence and owns several lots and warehouses near the depot, in Toledo. Mr. Reichman held the office of Justice of the Peace until the fall of 1S73 in Spring Creek township. In politics, he is an Independent and cast his first vote for president for John C. Fremont in 1856. He was married in 1847, at Bremen, Germany, to Anna Gotte, a daughter of Johann F. and Meta (Bru- ening) Gotte, by which union there are live children : — Ferdinand Gustav, Johan- na Ernestine, Fannie, Henrietta and Louise Antoinette. As soon as N. C. Wieting purchased the Independent, he changed the name to THE TOLEDO TIMES, and *Vill Clark became interested in the publication of the paper. Clark had for two years been publishing the Pemnan's Help, and the office of that paper was merged into that of the Times. He re- mained in partnership with Mr. Wieting in publishing the Times for a year and ten months, when he returned to his old home in Delaware county. New York, where he still lives, publishing the Andes Recorder. Mr. Wieting continued alone with the Times until April 1, 1881, when he rented it for one year to J. C. Prelim & Son. After remaining in their charge for about six months, Mr. Wieting pur- chased their lease and sold the office to Smith & Dillman. A large circulation had been worked up and the Times was one of the most popular newspapers in the county. Mr. Wieting was an easy and forcible writer, having had many years experience in literary work, and a man possessing a vast fund of information. lie was editor of the first newspaper estab- lished in Tama county, and was among the first lawyers. (See bar chapter.) On July 8th, 1881, the Twi&s was chang- ed from a weekly to a semi-weekly publi- cation, and also changed from a six column quarto to a six column folio. The editors said of the change : " There will be no change in our terms, either for subscrip- tion or advertising. " This was continued until September 23, 1881, when it resumed the old size and day of weekly publica- tion. With the issue on October 13, 1881, J. C. and A. A. Prehm retired from the man- agement, Mr. Wieting, as stated, having sold the office to E. H. Smith and J. W. L. Dillman. In their " good bye article, " the Messrs. Prehm, say : "With this issue, our connection with this paper ceases. For three months, we have in connection with this, published a paper for Eagle Grove. We have dispos- ed of our interest here and will at once remove to the Grove and devote our undi- vided attention to the interests of our pa- per at that place. In taking our leave, we feel that we are severing newly form- ed ties. We were weekly becoming more and more interested in our five thousand readers. But so it is. What is our loss, will be your gain. Messrs. Smith and Dillman will serve you better than we have. Our associations have been pleas- UISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. ant. The business men have been gener- ous, and we have learned to feel at home among the good people of Toledo, for whom we bespeak a bright future. I'KEUM AND SON. Smiiii and Dillman, at once assumed control, clianged the form of the Tunes from a six column quarto to a nine column folio, and greatly improved its typographi- cal ap))earance. E. H. Smith became edi- tor ami J. W. L. Dillman, publisher. In this shape the management continued unlil August 3, 1882, when E. H. Smith ilicl^ ton, the latter being a practical printer. The Democrat is now a well printed, neat- ly arranged, nine column folio, and its editor, Hon. L. G. Kinne, is one of ihe most able editorial writers in the State. Mr Kinne is the law partner of Hon. George R. Struble, and is noticed at length in the bar chapter. H. J. Stiger, is also a member of the bar and is treated in the same chapter. The Democrat has a very large and growing circulation ; its editorials are strong and powerful, and the local columns in " make-up " style of writing and news, are second to no local paper in the State, TAMA CITY PRESS. The following is a history of this news- paper written by Samuel D. Chapman, son of the founder of the paper, and publish- ed in his "History of Tama county: " "In consequence of the expression of the political views of the Republican pa- pers in the county, the Democrats in Tama City and vicinity were desirous of estab- lishing a D mocratic paper, and S. M. Chapman, father of the writer, was per- suaded to embark in the enterprise, and under .he above name the first number was issued January 1st, ]s74. . After publishing but a few issues the paper was turned over to J. 1>. Sjiafford and W. S. Mesmer, who issued it for a number of months, but, on account of want of capital, these gentlemen soon withdrew, and the paper went back into its first owner's hands who, again resumed the responsibility of publishing it. He after- wards sold an interest to S. W. Grove, and the paper was enlarged to a si.Y column .juarto, published every Friday morning ^« by Chapman & Grove, with good success, having a large circulation and recognized as an efficient advertising medium, until the latter part of 1875, when it passed into the hands of J. B. Chapman, son of S. M. Chapman, who run the paper ; making- it one of the official papers of the county, until the latter part of 1877, when the ma- terial was sold to J. G. Strong, and re- moved to Grundy Center." THE penman's help. Will Clark established this paper at Toledo in March, 1877. It was devoted to the interests of penmen and penman- ship. In April the name was changed to The Album iif Pen Art, and it became an eight page semi-monthly, with a circula- tion that extended over thirty-two states of the Union as well as Canada, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. It was well gotten up and ably edited. In 1878 the office of the Penmaii's Help was consoli- dated with the Toledo Thnex and Mr. Clark became associated with N. C. Weiting in the publication of that paper. In 1879, Clark withdrew and returned to New York, his native State. DYSAKT KJ;PORTEK. This was the first newspaper establish- ed in Dysart, the first issue making its ap- pearance on the 2 2nd day of March, 1878. The founder was T. N. Ives, who was po- litically an "Independent" and conducted his paper on those principles. In his sa- lutatory he said: " Through many vicissi- tudes, which have been alike trying to our patience and our pockets we have at length surmounted the manifold obstacles that ever attend the starting of a newspa- er, and to-day present to the public the r- HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. ihL^ first niiiuber of the J)i/s