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An Illustrated History

OF

MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

A COMPLETE CIVIL, POLITICAL, AND MILI
TARY HISTORY OF THE COUNTY, FROM
ITS EARLIEST PERIOD OF OR- .
GANIZATION DOWN TO 1896.

INCLUDING SKETCHES OP PIONEER LIFE, ANEC
DOTES, BIOGRAPHY, AND LONG-DRAWN
REMINISCENCES SPUN OUT BY THE
" OLDEST INHABITANT."

BY
FRANK HICKENLOOPER,
ALBIA, IOWA.
1896.
Sold Only on Subscription.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1896,
By FRANK HICKENLOOPER,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.

TO
THE OLD SETTLERS WHOSE FAITH IN THE FUTURE OF
MONROE COUNTY
WAS UNSHAKEN BY THE MIDNIGHT CHORUS OF THE WILD WOLVES, THE
STING OF THE WINTER'S FROST CREEPING THROUGH THE "CHINK
ING" OF THE CABIN WALLS, THE SWEEP OF THE PRAIRIE FIRES,
THE DEPLETED MEAL-CHEST, THE STROKE OF THE PRAIRIE
RATTLESNAKE, THE PALL OF THE "DEEP SNOW," AND THE
LONELINESS OF THE PRAIRIE CABIN— HUSBANDS AND
WIVES, YOUTHS AND MAIDENS, WHOSE BRAVE,
TRUE HEARTS AND WILLING HANDS DEFIED
THE WILDERNESS] AND IN AFTER YEARS
MADE IT TO BLOSSOM AS THE ROSE,
THIS VOLUME IS MOST SINCERELY DEDICATED.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
Before unfolding the contents of this volume, the Author
desires to express his deep sense of obligation to those who
have kindly aided in the preparation of this work, and espe
cially to Rev. E. L- Waring, of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and A. R.
Barnes, of Albia — two gentlemen pursuing parallel paths in
life : the former a minister of the gospel and one of the " path
finders" in pioneer church mission work; and the latter a
veteran in both journalism and the War of the Rebellion.
To the former the Author is indebted for valuable assist
ance in tracing the history of the Methodist Episcopal Church
in Monroe County. From the latter the Author has received
various forms of encouragement and valuable aid, especially in
having granted him access to the historical data contained
in the preserved files of the newspapers of the county from
1854 to the present time.
Thb Author.

INTRODUCTION.
It is with a mingling of both pride for the locality of
one's birth and a .sincere desire to preserve the annals of
its community that tlie writer has undertaken the author
ship of this volume. It may perhaps be a source of regret
that the work has not been performed by abler hands; and
especially by some one who ha® seen with his own eyes the
procession of events as they have transpired. However, in
porportion to the disadvantage of being of a later generation,
the writer has endeavored, by special pains and untiring1 ap
plication, to attain the same result as that which would have
been achieved with less difficulty by one whose life has
been a part of the history of Monroe County from its earliest
organization down to the present time.
No words of surprise need be uttered at the mutations
which time has wrought within the comparatively brief
period of the county's life.
That Monroe County should, in the course of time,
become one of the garden-spots of earth, was a natural
sequence. Already it has been verified in part; and the
most sanguine dreamer may fail to see through the mist of
the future the full grandeur of that which is yet to be.
The annals of a community should not be classed as
something trivial or commonplace. The history of a county
ought to be preserved, in order that some day it may offer
to the historian, whose field is of wider scope, details to
augment the sum total of a State's, or even of a nation's
history. Another reason why it should be preserved: it sets up
to posterity examples of exalted manhood and womanhood,
as revealed in the lives of the pioneer settlers. They were
men and women with brave hearts and unclouded hopes.
Their hands were willing and their faith was strong. They
"blazed" out the lines of their habitations in the forests,
ahd broke the violet-studded sod of the prairie, in. good
faith of a future home.
They built their "claim-pens" in the "New Purchase,"
not that they intended to acquire the land for purposes of
speculation and trade, but that they might mark the places

8 HISTORY OF MONROE COVNTY, IOWA.
of their homesteads as soon as the Government placed the
land upon the market.
And there was still another "claim-pen" built by the
early settler, which stood as a monument of his faith and
as a testimony of his intention to remain and occupy the
land: it was a small enclosure built about with fence-rails
to keep out the wild animals or the tread of careless feet;
it was the tabernacle of the young father's and mother's
parental love, set up in the wilderness, with the wild rose
and the violets as the vessels of the sanctuary; it was the
little grave of perhaps their first-born infant. They did
not carry the little rudely constructed coffin with its precious
treasure back to their old home for burial, but they planted
it beneath the wild sod of the prairie, or in the lonely
forest glades, knowing, as they planted a wild rose for a
head-stone, that some day a marble shaft would take its
place, that some day the tangled forest would disappear,
and that through the embellishing touch of civilized life the
little tomb would be ranged with others in avenues of
flowers and rows of marble and granite in the village
cemetery. For accuracy of statement, the author, in many in
stances, has relied solely on the memory of old settlers,
which, in a few cases, may lead to slight error. He has
also assumed the liberty of incorporating a few personal
reminiscences, anecdotes, and personal allusions, without
consulting the wishes of those whom their narration would
involve in publicity. These reminiscences he has regarded
as already belonging to the public, ancl, they, have been
assigned a place in this volume merely to afford the reader
any pleasure he may derive from their perusal.
The roster of the Monroe County soldiers who served
in the War of the Rebellion has been compiled from the
Adjutant-General's Reports, mainly. The Reports them
selves contain frequent inaccuracies, which have been cor
rected in this volume, wherever the errors concerned the
Monroe County volunteer. The roster is complete; yet it
is possible that a few names have been, omitted, owing to
the fact that occasionally a volunteer enlisting from Monroe
County gave his post-office address as in some adjoining
county. This frequently occurred; and the Adjutant-Gen
eral's Reports thus fix his residence in some other county.
This fact will account for any omissions on the part of
the author.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 9
At the close ofthe war many of the non-commissioned
officers were promoted in rank, and their promotion was
never reported or recorded in the office of the Adjutant-
General. Owing to this fact, the roster herein may not
in every case give the promotions, as they were made at
a late period, by the Governor of the State.
In the preparation of this volume the author has done
the very best his limited ability would allow, and hence
feels that he need not consume space by inserting apologies.
Frank Hickenloopek.
Albia, Iowa, September 1, 1896.

History of Monroe County, Iowa.

CHAPTER I.
General Remarks.
If all existing land-marks were obliterated, leaving no
means of identifying the surface of country comprising
Monroe County, Iowa, the boundary lines could be relocated
by going down to the mouth of the Arkansas River, where
there is an imaginary line running east and west, known
as a "base line." Here the surveyor would find another
imaginary line, crossing the base line at right angles and
extending north and south. This latter line is called a
meridian line, and that one which the surveyor would have
to follow in the search for Monroe County is known as the
Fifth Principal Meridian.
Beginning where these two lines intersect, and ex
tending east and west, and north and south, are lines marked
by spaces 6 miles apart, which are numbered 1, 2, 3, etc.
Six miles north of the base line, on the meridian line, town
ship 1 is marked, and the township adjoining it on the west
would be described as township 1, range 2, west. Proceeding
northward until township 71 is reached, here the surveyor
should turn his course due west, and proceed a distance of
16 townships, as indicated by the sixteenth range line west
from the Fifth Principal Meridian. These range lines,
which are those spacings on the base line, are exactly 6
miles apart; but, in order to keep them equidistant, their
course has to be slightly rectified about every 40 miles, else
the distance between them would increase with the curva
ture of the earth. These shiftings of lines are known as
"correction lines." These lines are 24 miles apart north
of the base line, and guide or meridian lines are 54 miles
apart. Meridian lines are astronomical lines.
By following the course indicated, the surveyor would
arrive at Urbana Township, situated in the southeast corner
of Monroe County. This township is therefore described
as township 71, range 16. west of the Fifth Principal
n

12 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Meridian, and by this system, all the land in the State of
Iowa was surveyed by the Government.
In making this Government survey, section lines were
also run off, 1 mile apart, east and west, and north and
south; and as each Congressional township was laid out 6
miles square, there are 36 sections' in each Congressional
township, and 640 acres in a section..
In all cases where the exterior lines of townships to
be divided into sections and half-sections exceeds or does
not extend 6 miles, the excess or deficiency is specially
noted, and added to or deducted from the western or northern
ranges of sections; hence fractional subdivisions of sections
are found on their northern or western borders.
To number the sections in a township, beginning is
made at the northeast corner section of the township, and
the sections are numbered from 1 to 36, by numbering from
east to west and from west to east alternately. Thus
section 6 is the northwest corner section, while section 7
adjoins it on the south, and section 12 would be next south
of section 1 ; section 13, likewise, would be the second section
south of section 1, and so on.
Monroe County is in the second tier of counties from the
southern line of the State; and is the fifth county in the
tier, from the Mississippi River. All the counties in this
tier west of Henry County have but 12 Congressional town-
shipseach,having4 townships in tiers running east and west,
and 3 north and south. Monroe, therefore, is less by 4
townships than her northern and southern neighbors.
The townships of Monroe County lie in the following
order, enumerating them from east to west, and beginning
at the southeast corner of tlie county: Urbana, Monroe,
Franklin, and Jackson ; Mantua, Troy, Guilford, and Wayne ;
Pleasant, Bluff Creek, Union, and Cedar.
Albia, the county seat, is situated in the northern half
of section 22.
Monroe County is from 500 to 700 feet above the level
of the sea, and varies somewhat, in both geological arrange
ment and exterior character. While its drift formation is
not different from' that of its neighboring counties, the south
western portion of Monroe County is probably outside of
the region of the great coal-producing portion of the lower
coal measure of the State. While this fact has not hitherto
been positively admitted by geologists, investigations of

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 13
recent years prove pretty conclusively that the townships
of Jackson .and Franklin lie west of the western border of
the lower coal-bearing district, and it is quite probable that
the western portion of Monroe Township also extends
beyond these limits, as the lower coal-bed apparently dis
appears at the town of Moravia.
The southwestern portion of the county is a plateau,
which seems to blend abruptly into the geological structure
of the great southwestern water-shed. Its drift deposits
are of greater thickness than those in eastern Iowa and
other localities within the district of the Des Moines basin.
The lower part of Jackson and Franklin Townships are
drained by the tributaries of the Chariton River, which
flows into the Missouri River. The northern and middle
portions are drained by Cedar Creek, which empties into the
Des Moines River.
While it is true that the lower coal-beds extend farther
westward, along Cedar Creek, to the north of this locality,
it is barely possible that the coal worked on Cedar Creek and
White-breast may lie at a great depth beneath a vast accumu
lation of drift. If it does, it probably lies at a depth of from
300 to 400 feet, as a drilling was made at Moravia to a depth
of 300 feet without finding any trace of the lower coal-bed.
The only fact. to encourage this conjecture is that the
Cedar basin seems to have cut itself to a great depth in
this drift deposit.
MomroeandUrbanaTownsMps occupy a lower elevation,
and are drained by the headwaters of Soap and Avery
creeks. Little or no prospecting for coal has ever been made in
Urbana Township, yet it is quite probable that in addition
to the upper coal-bed, which crops out everywhere along
Avery Creek, and which is about 3 feet in thickness, with an
interval of fire-clay of about 8 inches in the center, the
locality is underlaid by a rich deposit of the lower coal,
which in Monroe County reaches a thickness of 8 feet in
some localities.
As the upper portion of Monroe Township, particularly
a few miles north of Foster, is on rising ground, no special
effort has yet been made to locate the coal, which doubtless
lies at a depth of about 300 feet; and as Troy Township
rises still higher, prospectors have not yet been tempted to
make much search in this township, in the vicinity of Albia.

14 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. IOWA.
By referring to a profile of the C, B. & Q. Railroad survey
it will be seen that Albia is situated on a high knoll or
eminence, and whether the coal strata pass through this
rise, unbroken, is a matter for conjecture.
Not until the Government had surveyed Iowa into Con
gressional townships were the counties established and
surveyed. Counties were created by legislative acts of the
Territorial Council and General Assembly, which later took
the place of the Council when the State was admitted into- the
Union. The State Constitution provides that in organizing
a county it shall be composed of not less than 12 Congres
sional townships.
As all surveys are subject to slight inaccuracies, later
surveys do not exactly conform to the original Government
survey. For instance, a county surveyor, beginning to
survey a township, starts at the southeast section and runs
north. The section lines which the Government has estab
lished he adopts as his own survey — i. e., he makes hds own
measurements to conform to them; but when he gets to the
northern line of the township, the variation in measure
ments of the two surveys result in what are known as
"fractional tracts," and as the surveyor runs westward after
reaching the north line, these same variations occur on the
west line of a section. Thus fractional tracts are found on
the north and west lines of townships, and what was in
tended for a forty-acre tract by the first survey becomes by
the second either more or less. Deeds of transfer are for
this reason worded thus, in speaking of the amount to be
transferred: "More or less, according to the United States
survey of the same."

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 15

CHAPTER II.
Speculation.
While it is not within the province of the historian to
record history which has not yet transpired, the writer can
not refrain from1 a casual introspection concerning the
destiny of Monroe County.
All terrestrial tilings have an end, as well as a begin
ning; and in the somewhat vague theme of this chapter, one
positive conclusion may be adduced — viz., that Monroe
County will some day come to an end. Whether this end
is brought about by fire and sword; by the peaceful re
adjustment of political boundaries; by the whisk of the tail
of some malicious comet; or by the inevitable "crack of
doom" — no one can say.
The past affords no basis upon which to even form a
conjecture as to the ultimate fate awaiting the subdivisions
of the United States, or even of the Republic itself. In the
present age the spread of human intelligence has elevated
the standard of justice so high that war and invasion can
scarcely be reckoned as an agent effecting the downfall of an
enlightened state, or, more properly speaking, of its trans
formation into some other political division.
There is a probability that at some distant day town
ships will enlarge their functions until their political
organization shall be not very different from that of the
boroughs or townships of England and other densely popu
lated regions, but this would not affect the existence of
counties. No reason can be conceived, at present, why the
boundaries of the several States should be disturbed or
obliterated, and new divisions of the domain substituted,
thus redistrioting the land into smaller or greater sub
divisions. County seats, located as they usually are, in or near
the center of counties, will have a period of life coexistent
with that of the counties in which, they are situated. Their
growth will be measured by the resources of their respective
counties, and not by industrial advantages possessed by
them over less favored1 neighbors. The great cities of the
country will become fewer in number, until, by that universal

16 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
law of natural selection which adds to the favored, to the
extinction of the weaker, the smaller cities of the continent
will arrive at a stand-still or tend to decay, while the greater
will add to their size, wealth, and grandeur. It is the same
law which enables the giant oak of the forest to lift its head
above a grove of thousands of saplings, when all had
apparently equal advantages of growth.
There is a. system of modern philosophy wliich asserts
that all physical manifestations operate in cycles. If this
be true, civilization, too, in shifting from continent to conti
nent, may some day complete the cycle. The stork and the
bittern then will perch upon the Arc de Triomphe, or the
wild jackal howl through the valley of the Hudson or
scamper through the deserted thoroughfares of New York.
The worn-out and rocky wastes, where now only broken
columns and fragments of chiseled friezes, facades, and
domes mark the burial-places of proud empires, may some
day be awakened by the touch of the returning rod of empire.
The indolent Arab, sitting ^ross-legged beneath the
shade of a giant cactus, will watch some sturdy race of
foreigners gather up the fragments of tiles and bricks and
stones, cart them away, and with plowshare turn under a
new growth of soil. By fertilization and culture the land
will again produce, and a new race will rebuild cities and
make railroads, cut canals, and cultivate soil reenriched by
the mold of desolation and by the sweep of the soil-laden
winds of the wilderness.
"Cleopatra's Needle," overthrown and submerged in
the soil of Manhattan Island, may be exhumed in some far-
distant age, and carried back to the valley of the Nile from
whence it came.
A broken shaft, over which the sands of the Potomac
River have drifted for thousands of years, may tell the
future archeologist of a Washington ; or the washing away
of the shore-line of Lake Michigan may, ere its waters cease
to roll, reveal a colossal horse and rider, which to-day stands
in Lincoln Park to perpetuate the memory of Grant.
. What destroying force, then, shall accomplish this
desolation? Shall it be the tooth of time, alone, or the
canker of a worn-out, polluted, and vicious race?
In the United States civilization may not reach its zenith
for thousands of years. Then will begin the equally slow
process of decay; the contest for supremacy will begin.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 17
Upon the theory of selection, the strong will oppress and
enslave the weak ; those who have accumulated wealth will
pass from luxury to indolence and vice; Government will
become tainted with crime and intrigue; the population
will be so great that the soil will not sustain it; the people
will no longer be self-supporting by legitimate industry, and
the stronger will prey upon the weaker; a feudal condition
will assert itself, and this population will dwindle away or
shift to other zones.
Then it will be that States will be broken up or subjected
to principalities of some despotic form. Counties will lose
their identity, and thus Monroe County, with her once proud
capital, shall have run her race. Away down beneath the
surface, submerged like the relics of proud Ilium, some one
will find a corner-stone of some stately palace — presumably
the parliamentary palace of the Board of Supervisors — and,
digging beneath it, he will find a sealed receptacle contain
ing coins bearing the undefinable inscriptions, "E Pluribus
Unum," "United States of America," etc. He will also' find
valuable parchments, and, among them, a copy of this book.
Then some archeologist will turn up with a "Rosetta Stone,"
and by its aid translate the documents, and thus perpetuate
the history of Monroe County and the deeds of her illustrious
citizens.

18 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

CHAPTER HI.
Organization.
Shortly after that vast southwestern territory known
as the Louisiana Purchase had been acquired by the United
States, from France, Congress, by an act of 1804, divided
this new possession into two bodies. That lying below the
thirty-third parallel of north latitude was called the Terri
tory of Orleans; and the remaining portion was known as
the District of Louisiana. This latter, for political purposes,
was engrafted on to Indiana Territory.
In. 1805 the District of Louisiana was merged into a
Territory of its own. In 1807 another subdivision was made,
and the Territory of Iowa was created, which was at first
attached to the Territory of Illinois, and later, in 1812, to
Missouri Territory.
When Missouri was admitted as a State, in 1821, Iowa
was again an outcast, until 1834, when she clung toi the skirts
of Michigan Territory. By this time all the region west
of the Mississippi and north of the north line of Missouri
had been purchased from the Sac and Fox Indians, and
comprised Michigan Territory. It was usually referred to
by the people of Illinois and other Eastern States as "The
Purchase." In 1836 the Territory of Wisconsin was created by an
act of Congress, and Iowa Territory was again placed in the
keeping of a new foster-parent, by being attached to Wis
consin. In 1838 Iowa Territory was given a separate
Territorial government, but it still included a part of Wis
consin, west of the Mississippi River.
In 1846, after considerable wrangling over the boundary
question by the people of the Territory, they finally voted
in favor of going into the Union as a sovereign State, and
accordingly Iowa was admitted^ December 28, 1846.
Several years prior to the admission of Iowa as a State,
the Territorial Council had passed an act to organize new
counties, as will be seen in ¦ Chapter 34 of the Revised
Statutes of Iowa, 1843:

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 19
"An Act to establish new counties and define their bound
aries, in the late cession: from the Sac and Fox Indians,
and for other purposes.
"Sec. 4. The following boundaries shall constitute a
new county, to be called Kishkekosh, to-wit : Beginning art
the northwest corner of Wapello County; thence west on
township line dividing townships 73 and 74, to range 20,
west; thence south on said line to> the northwest corner of
Appanoose County; thence on the township line dividing
townships 70 and 71; thence east to the southwest corner
of Wapello County; thence north to the place of beginning;
which county, with Wapello and the territory lying west,
shall be attached to1 Jefferson County for judicial, revenue,
and election purposes."
This same bill provided for the creation of ten other
counties, and also made provision for their survey as soon
as the Indian treaty could be ratified.
The first measure to conserve the peace in these newly
organized counties was the appointment, by the Governor,
of justices of the peace for the various precincts throughout
the counties so created.
On the 1st of May, 1843, the Indian title became extinct,
and immediately followed an influx of sturdy pioneers, a
further account of whose incursion and pioneer life will be
found elsewhere in this volume.
The name Kishkekosh seemed harsh to the ears of the
white settlers, and the name was subsequently changed to
that of Monroe County.
The name Kishkekosh was given to the county in honor
of a minor chief of the Sac and Fox band, and the name, in
the Indian tongue, is said to mean "a savage biter."
Kishkekosh was a member of Black Hawk's suite, who
accompanied that redoubtable chieftain, after his capture,
in his tour throughout the East, and1 by contact with civiliza
tion rapidly learned the manners and customs of the white
race. It is said that, in a superficial way at least, he
assumed the graces of a Chesterfield, and grew particularly
gallant towards the squaws of his tribe, when he returned
to his people to inculcate among them the customs of the
whites. In sitting down to a meal, he would first assist the
dusky lady guests to the food; and he carried this spirit of
gallantry so far as to' attempt to correct the state of slavery
to which the squaws were subjected by their oppressive
lords, by enjoining the latter to do the drudgery themselves.

20 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
It is said that he entered intoi this reform with so much
zeal that he actually set the example himself.
Black Hawk never made his predatory incursions as
far west as Monroe County, when there was any white prey
within its borders. He died in 1837, at Iowaville. Yet it
is quite probable that many a fierce encounter has been
waged on Monroe County soil between the Sacs and Foxes
of eastern Iowa and western Illinois and the Iowas, Potta-
wattamies, and other less powerful tribes west of the
Mississippi River.
The very name of Black Hawk was sufficient to strike
terror into the hearts of the pioneer settlers of eastern Iowa,
Illinois, and Indiana.
Most writers, describing the personal appearance of
Black Hawk, represent him as the very embodiment of all
that is fiendish and terrible; but Joseph Hoskinson, one of
the pioneer settlers of Iowa, who died at his home in. Monroe
County a few years ago-, and who was present at the treaty
between the Government and the Sacs and Foxes, where
Burlington now stands, informed the writer that Black
Hawk was the handsomest Indian he ever saw. He stood
near him at the treaty and admired the imperial bearing of
the chief. While he showed the treachery and cunning of a fiend —
like Red Jacket, he would "not bend the knee." No
imperial crown ever sat upon a prouder head, and no mon
arch ever merited a coronet of higher token of fidelity to his
people than Black Hawk. How strange it is that the hand
of fiction has never woven about the harsh outlines of his
memory the softening gauze of sentiment and romance !
Until the 13th of February, 1844, all the territory west
of Wapello County, including Kishkekosh. County, was
attached to Wapello County for election and judicial pur
poses, and the first court whose jurisdiction included Kish
kekosh County was held in Ottumwa in September, 1844;
but the character of the litigation was mainly disputes over
claims to land.
At that time, the homestead laws were different from
those of the present day, and were also- more lax in their
provisions. Every person entitled to the homestead privi
lege was allowed a half-section of land — 160 acres in prairie
and 160 acres of timber. The earliest settlers took their
claims before the land was placed upon the market for home-
steading, and for several years held them by virtue of "squat-

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 21
ter sovereignty," intending to enter the land when placed
upon the market. When the land was finally opened for
filing, many of the settlers did not have the funds for making
the homestead entry, but continued to hold their claims.
There was always someone in the country who had a little
spare money with which to contest claims occupied by the
"squatter." While he had this lawful right, he seldom had
the effrontery to exercise it.
Necessity, the mother of invention, devised a means of
protecting the "squatter's" interests. Judicial proceedings
were expensive, and, even if resorted to, would have afforded
no relief to the "squatter."' The "Club law" was accordingly
instituted by the settlers to' protect themselves and their
neighbors from the "claim-jumper." While it was not in
strict accord with the laws of the land or the equity of
indiseriminating justice, the great body of the people, in
whose interests all written laws should be framed as against
the opposing few, construed it as "Vox populi, vox Dei" —
"The voice of the people is the voice of God."
Some brave pioneer settler would select a claim, but,
being unable to make a homestead filing on it at once,
would erect a "claim-pen" — i. e., a log pen sixteen feet square
and four rounds high; this would hold his claim for six
months, at the end of which time it was presumed he would
have completed a cabin. Frequently, however, owing to
sickness or other unavoidable cause of delay, he failed to
erect a domicile or make the necessary improvements on his
claim. Then would the "claim- jumper" attempt to take
possession by moving on to the land or into the vacant domi
cile, in case the "squatter" had temporarily abandoned it.
The captain of the "Club" was at once notified, and the entire
population — for everybody belonged to- the "Club" — turned
out, and, marching, to the usurper's stronghold, would force
him to depart. Sometimes the "jumper" became defiant,
and was roughly handled by the "Club," but usually he
quietly acquiesced in their verdict, and vacated without
protest. While at this day the "Club-law" may seem somewhat
revolutionary, yet no rule for the regulation of society has
ever been placed in the statutes by a higher tribunal than
that of the sturdy pioneers of Monroe and other counties in
their struggles in the wilderness to support and provide a
home for themselves, their wives, and their little ones.
The first election held in Kishkekosh County took place

22 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
at the house of W. G. Clark in the autumn of 1844; and in
the spring of 1845 the precinct was duly organized into an
independent county by an act of the Council and House of
Representatives of the Territory of Iowa. The act also
provided for the location of a county seat, and following is
the text of the bill:
"An Act to organize the County of Kishkekosh and to
provide for the location of the seat of justice thereof.
"Section 1. Be it enacted by the Council and House of
Representatives of the Territory of Iowa, That the county
of Kishkekosh be, and the same is hereby, organized from
and after the first day of July next ; and that the inhabitants
of said county shall be entitled to all the privileges to which
by law the inhabitants of other organized counties of this
Territory are entitled, and the said county shall constitute
a part of the First Judicial District of this Territory.
"Section 2. That, for the purpose of organizing said
county, it is hereby made the duty of the Clerk of the
District Court of said county, and in case there should be
no* such Clerk appointed and qualified, or for any cause such
office should become vacant on or before the tenth day of
July next, then it shall be the duty of the Sheriff of Wapello
County to proceed immediately after the tenth day of July
to order an election in said county of Kishkekosh for the
purpose of electing three County Commissioners, one Judge
of Probate, one County Treasurer, one Clerk of the Board of
County Commissioners, one Surveyor, one County Assessor,
one Sheriff, one Coroner, one County Recorder, and such
number of Justices of the Peace and Constables as may be
directed by the officer ordering such election; the officer
having due regard for the conveniences of the people; which
election shall be on the first Monday in the month of August
next. And' that the officer ordering such election shall
appoint as many places for holding elections in said county
as the conveniences of the people may require, and shall
appoint three Judges of Election for each place of holding
elections in said county, and issue tickets to said Judges for
their appointment ; and the officer ordering said election shall
give at least fifteen days' notice of the time and place of
holding said election, by at least three printed or written
advertisements, which shall be posted up at three or more of
the most public places in the neighborhood where each of
the polls shall be opened as aforesaid.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 23
"Section 3. That the officer ordering the election afore
said shall receive and canvass the polls and grant certificates
to the persons selected to fill the several offices mentioned
in this Act, and in all cases not provided for by this Act.
The officer ordering said election shall perform the duties
of a Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners until there
shall be a Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners
elected and qualified for said county under the provisions of
this Act. "Section 4. Said election shall, in all cases not pro
vided for by this Act, be conducted according to the laws
of this Territory regulating general elections.
"Section 5. The officers elected under the provisions
of this Act shall hold their offices until the next general
election, and until their successors are elected and qualified.
"Section 6. The officer ordering the election in said
county shall return all books and papers which may come
into his hands by virtue of tiiis Act to the Clerk of the Board
of County Commissioners of said county, forthwith after
said Clerk shall be elected and qualified.
"Section 7. That the officer conducting said election
shall be allowed the same fees for services rendered by
him, under the provisions of this A ct, that are allowed by
law for similar services performed by the Sheriff in similar
cases. "Section 8. That the Clerk of the District Court of
said county of Kishkekosh may be appointed by the Judge
of said court, and qualified at any time after the passage of
this Act; but shall not enter upon the discharge of the
duties of said office prior to the 1st day of July next.
"Section 9. That all actions at law in the District Court
for the County of Wapello, commencing prior to the organ
ization of the said county of Kishkekosh, when the parties
or either of them reside in said county of Kishkekosh,
shall be prosecuted to final judgment, order, or decree, as
freely and effectually as if this Act had not been passed.
"Section 10. That it shall be the duty of all Justices
of the Peace residing within said county to return all books
and papers in their hands, appertaining to said office, to the
nearest Justice of the Peace which may be elected and
qualified for said county under the provisions of this Act.
And all suits at law or any official business which may be in
the hands of such Justice of the Peace, and unfinished, shall

24 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. IOWA.
be completed or prosecuted to final judgment by the Justices
of the Peace to whom such business or papers may have
been returned, as aforesaid.
"Section 11. That the County Assessor elected under
the provisions of this Act, for said county, shall assess the
county and in the same manner and be under the same
obligations and liabilities as now are or may hereafter be
provided by law, in relation to Township Assessors.
"Section 12. That James A. Galliher, of the county of
Jefferson, E. S. Rand, of the county of Van Buren, and
Israel Kister, of the county of Davis, be, and they are hereby,
appointed Commissioners; or any two of them shall meet
at the house of W. G. Clark, Esquire, in said county, on the
first day of July next, or at any other such time within a
month thereafter as a majority of said Commissioners may
agree upon, in pursuance of their duties under this Act.
"Section 13. Said Commissioners shall first take and
subscribe the following oath, to-wit: 'We do solemnly
swear (or affirm) that we (or either of us) have no personal
interest, either directly or indirectlj7, in the location of the
seat of justice in the county of Kishkekosh, and that we will
faithfully and impartially examine the situation of said
county, taking into consideration the future as well as the
present population; also to pay strict regard to the geograph
ical center of said county and locate the seat of justice as
near the center as an eligible situation can be obtained;'
which oath shall be administered by the Clerk of the Dis
trict Court or Justice of the Peace of the county of Kishke
kosh; and the officer administering the same shall certify
and file the same in the office of the Clerk of the Board of
County Commissioners of said county, whose duty it shall
be to receive the same.
"Section 14. Said Commissioners, when met and quali
fied under the provisions of this Act, shall proceed to locate
the seat of justice of said county; and as soon as they shall
have come to a determination, they shall commit to writing
the place so selected, with such name as they may see
proper, and a particular description thereof, signed by the
said Commission and filed with the Clerk of the Board of
County Commissioners in which such seat of justice is
located, whose duty it shall be to record the same and
forever keep it on file in his office, and the place thus
designated shall bethe seat of justice of said county.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 25
"Section 15. Said Commissioners shall each receive the
sum' of two dollars per day, while necessarily employed in
the duties enjoined on them by this Act, which shall be
paid by the county, out of the first fund arising out of the
sale of town lots in the said seat of justice.
"Section 16. That the territory west of said county be,
and the same is hereby, attached to the county of Kishke
kosh for election, revenue, and judicial purposes.
"Section 17. The judge of the First Judicial District
may appoint such time for holding court in said county as
he may deem proper and convenient.
"Section 18. This Act to take effect and to be in force
from and after its passage.
"Approved June 11, 1845."
On the fifth day of August, 1845, the committee named
to select the location for a county seat chose the spot where
Albia now stands, and named the place Princeton.
At the same time an election was held throughout the
county to elect the various county officers, as provided in
the bill. Wareham G. Clark was elected Probate Judge;
James Hilton, Clerk of the District Court; Jeremiah Miller,
Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners; T. Templeton,
Treasurer; John Clark, Sheriff; and Joseph McMullen,
Moses H. Clark, and J. S. Bradley for County Commissioners.
John Massey, who still resides on his farm a couple of
miles south of Albia, surveyed the county seat-in the summer
of 1845. When the 'survey was made, it was found that one
John Stephenson owned a part of the site selected by the
committee, but, after some wrangling over the matter, the
dispute was finally settled by arbitration.
In the original survey of Princeton, the streets were
run due east and west, and north and south. Each street
was made sixty feet wide, and each block contained eight
lots, except the four blocks fronting on the public square,
whose lots were but half the size of the others. This original
plat of the town has long since been lost, with the record
book in which it was placed, and it is not definitely known
whether the plat was ever recorded.
Scarcely had Princeton been selected as the county
seat when she found herself confronted by a rival. A post-
office had been established at Clarksville in January, 1846,
with Levi Dungan as postmaster. While Princeton was

26 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
but a hamlet, Clarksville was no larger, and the claims
which the latter presented for consideration were embodied
in the following: "PETITION.
"To the Honorable Council and House of Representatives of
the Territory of Iowa:
"Your petitioners, citizens of Kishkekosh County, Iowa,
ask of your honorable body the adoption of a bill referring
the re-location of the seat of justice of the county to the
people, at the coming election in April, 1846.
"Your petitioners ask of your honorable body that the
citizens of said county may be privileged to vote for Prince
ton or Clarksville as the future seat of justice of said
county. "Your petitioners would respectfully represent to' your
honorable body that the location of the seat of justice of
said county by Commissioners appointed by your honorable
body has resulted much to' the dissatisfaction of a large
majority of the inhabitants of said county.
"Your petitioners believe that it is for the interest of
the present, and will also be for the interest of the future
population of said county, that its seat of justice should be
re-located. "Your petitioners would respectfully represent to your
honorable body that the quarter-section on which the town
of Princeton is located is three miles east of the geographical
center of said county, to its nearest point ; that it is fifteen
miles from the west line of said county, and eight and one-
half miles from the east line of said county; that the
geographical section upon which the town of Clarksville is
located is one mile north and one and one-half miles east
of the geographical center of said county; that it is a hand
some, eligible town-site, and is situated upon the main
divide running diagonally through the county from the
southeast corner to the northwest corner of the county.
And it is far superior as a central point for natural divide
roads, and is one and one-half miles from two good mill-
sites, on Cedar River, with good ridge roads running to the
same, and good bodies of building timber convenient to
said mill-sites; that the town of Princeton is situated four
and one-half miles from a good mill-site, and a road cannot
be obtained nearer on suitable ground.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 27
"Your petitioners would respectfully say to your honor
able body that two, only, of the Commissioners officiated in
the selection of the present town-site (Princeton), and that
they commenced their labors on Tuesday evening at about
four o'clock on the fifth day of August, ultimo, and finished
om Friday following, examining the county as such not to
exceed two and one-half days, mainly without roads and
when the exuberance of vegetation would necessarily retard
their examination.
"Now your petitioners' firmly believe that no Commis
sioners can, in so short a time, sufficiently examine this
county, and that in this hasty examination' great injustice
has been done our county.
"Your petitioners would respectfully represent to your
honorable body that there were polled at the present August
election in said county one hundred and thirty-two votes
for Congressional Representative, and the same number for
and against the Constitution, and that the number of voters
within the county will not materially swell the above number
at the present time; and that while the population is small,
and before any expense shall have been incurred by the
improvement of the said town of Princeton, the question
of selection should be referred to the people.
"Your petitioners fully believe that if the town of
Princeton is suffered to remain the seat of justice in said
county, that it will ever be a subject of contention between
the citizens of the county, and that an inland county like the
present Kishkekosh should have as central a location as
could be selected.
"Your petitioners would further say that that portion
of the county lying west of the geographical center is not
settled as fully and as thickly as it is east of said center,
and for this reason, that the east part of the county lies
the most convenient to the Old Purchase, on which most
of the settlers are at first dependent for the common neces
sities of life; but that the west portion of the county will
compare favorably with any other portion of the county;
that it has fine bodies of timber and good prairie, and will,
in all probability, very soon be as densely settled and im
proved as any other portion of Iowa"
To this petition were attached the following signatures :
Robert Husted, H. W. Brown, Geo. Root, Elijah John
son, Henry Barnes, N. E. Hendrix, Wm. Hendrix, Amos

28 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Strickland, R. O. Strickland, Joshua Flecheart, Geo. Weaver,
Daniel Mcintosh, Daniel Chance, John Chance, John Sap-
penfield, John Hammer, Nathaniel P. Jackson, Michael
Hittle, James Findley, Orlando Myers, Solomon Robinson,
Peter Cain, M. H. Clark, Henry H. Harrison, Geo. Bougher,
Win. H. H. Davis, Jacob Hammer, Daniel Cone, David
Ramsey, Matthias Hogg, Allen C. Phinney, Christopher K.
Wilson, Andrew Gillespie, Wm. Records, Joseph McMullen,
T. G. Templeton, Jonas Wescoatt, James McCarroll, H.
Runnels, Eliphalet Johnson, Samuel Tyrrell, John Miller,
Job Rogers, Madison Anderson, Nelson Wescoatt, Wm.
Bailey, Michael Blair, John Bougher, J. G. Epperson, Wm.
Stewart, Oliver Tyrrell, John Clark, N. B. Preston, Levi
Dungan, James Stephenson, Roland Inghan, John Stephen
son, Harden Searcy, John Bailey, H. F. Bailey, Wm. Garland,
Nelson Cain, E. H. Brandon, Geo. Cain, I. C. Layton, A.
Wilson, Reuben D. McKinnev, Wm. Murphy, Wm. Miller,
Jeremiah Miller, Orrin Miller, Aaron Pickerell, Wm. Y.
Beadle, Chas. Anderson, Jas. Anderson, Orrin Wilson, B.
F. B. Bates, Harry Miller, Daniel Judson, Philander L.
Tyrrell, Josiah Edmonds, Marshall S. Tyrrell, Elam Judson,
Smith Judson, Chas. Bates, Homer J. Tyrrell, James O.
Render, Lewis M. Bentley, Nathaniel Newman, Andrew
De Koven, Thos. E. Forest, John Copple, Willis Stephens,
Ezra P. Cone, Leonard Copple, Jesse Combs, Samuel Cane,
Joseph H. P. Stewart, John H. Wilson, James Stewart,
Nathan H. Wilson, Wm. Clodfelter, Solomon Byerley, W. G.
Clark, Thos. Goppedge, Isaac Hopper, Ivan Beebe, Peter
Wells, James Hilton, John Stephenson, S. J. Warden, Otho
Williams, Jesse Walker, Allan Williams, Joseph Kerns,
Marvin Williams, Walter H. Cross, Harry Cross, Thos. H.
Brock, Jacob M. Davis, Samuel Davis, Jonathan Mason,
John Davis, Wesley Cain, C. H. Brandon, Willoughby
Randolph, Geo. H. McLaughlin, Geo. Cain, Thos. Williamson,
Abner Barbour, Jackson Scott, William Bisland, John M.
Mclntyre, John McGinnis, Peter Johnson, Jas. Brandon,
Robert Finley, Robert Henderson, Perry Runnells, Abram
Williams, Geo. Cline, James Pomeroy, Anson Wiseman,
John M. Wallace, James R. Bruce, Levi Hagan, David
Cooper. Notwithstanding that the foregoing petition was ac
companied by an indorsement from one John Bailey, who
certified among other things that he had lived on the creek

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 29
for about nine months, and had explored the stream both
ways, and had found elegant timber, good rock, and fine
spring water in abundance, etc., for a verification of which
statements he invites the public to visit his residence, about
five miles southwest of Clark's Point; and notwithstanding
the averments in the foregoing petition, to the effect that
there were "two> good mill-sites" on the lordly "Cedar River,"
within one and one-half miles of Clarksville, the county seat
remained at Princeton.
•The patrons of tlie town of Princeton, however, retorted
by a
"REMONSTRANCE.
"To the Honorable Council and House of Representatives of
the Territory of loioa in Legislature assembled:
'• Whereas, A petition is gotten up for an Act to be passed
by your honorable body for an election to decide whether
our county seat shall remain at Princeton, or be removed to
Clarksville; "We, the undersigned citizens of said county, feel it
our duty to oppose the same, believing your Honors will see
the propriety of this opposition in the following reasons.
to-wit :
"We, as a county, petitioned your honorable Legislature
for Commissioners to be appointed by them to locate our
county seat, which was granted, and according to law they
have acted. Although the petition aforesaid is said to contain
evidence that said Commissioners traveled and labored but
two and a half days, it is well known to us to be a misrepre
sentation. We know they commenced operations on Tues
day in said county, and stuck the stake on Saturday follow
ing, on the northwest quarter of section 22, range 17, west.
"We oppose said petition from the fact that at least two-
thirds of their signers have never seen the location of either
Princeton or Clarksville, and know nothing of the propriety
or impropriety of removing it.
"Again, many of the names on the petition were under
the age of 21.
"The northeast corner of the county being more thickly
settled than the south, but not likely to be so in the future,
serious inconvenience will necessarily be suffered by future
population. The center of the county is in Cedar Bottom,
consequently not suitable for a. town. Your Commissioners

30 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
located Princeton on the center line of the county running
east and west, and the north-and-south line on the west of
the town is just three miles from the center.
"Again, the quarter of land Princeton contains is worth
at least double, to the county, what the quarter at Clarksville
is worth, from the situation of both. Clarksville is a nar
row, crooked ridge, interrupted by sloughs, while Princeton
is a beautiful, level prairie.
"We oppose the unnecessary expense for the county to
make an election on the subject.
"Your petitioners, therefore, request your honorable
body to let the county seat of Kishkekosh County remain at
the town of Princeton, according to its location, for which
your petitioners would ever pray."
To this remonstrance were attached the following
signatures :
F. R. S. Byrd, Aliathan Newton,, Noah Bonebrake, John
Bonebrake, Geo. W. Bethards, Wm. Olney, Josiah C. Boggs,
L. M. Boggs, Jeremiah Wilson, A. M. Walker, John Walker,
Michael Lower, John Lower, Jas. McRoberts, Wm. Scott,
Jas. R. Boggs, Joseph Lundy, Wm. Bellsland, Eliphalet John
son, Abram Tilley, Lawrell Tyrrell, Creath Renfro, John
Renfro, John B. Gray, John A. Massey, Abraham Webb,
Andrew Gillespie, Andrew Elswick, Jonathan Elswick,
Calvin Elswick, John Walker, F. New, Jabez Tuttle, Thorn
ton F. Chapman, Thos. R. Barbour, Christopher K. Wilson,
Abner Harbor, Jas. T. Bradley, Horace I. Tyrrell, F. Healy,
Robt. M. Hartness, Oliver Tyrrell, Philander Tyrrell, I.
Beebe, G. Judson, Joseph Bruce,, John Midlain, Wm. Mc
Bride, George Anderson, Job Rogers, John Gunther, Israel
Green, Oliver P. Rowles, David Rowles, James Hardestay,
Reuben Mock, Thos. McSouth, Ira Beebe, Peter Miller,
Andrew Barber, B. F. B. Bates,, Chas. Anderson, Wm. H.
McBride, Wm. Buchanan, Geo. Day, Jas. Gordon, Jas. Mcln
tyre, Jacob Zigler, John M. Mclntyre, John R. Bruce,
Mesach Pluffs, Lawson Bradley, Orwin Judson, Wm. Bone
brake, A. Dorothy, Smith Judson, Harry Miller, Chas. Bates.
Joseph Franks, John Webb, Wm. Lower, Jacob Bonebrake.
M. Cross, Alfred Marvin, Geo. Marvin, Foster Marvin, John
Mock. To the petition calling for an election to reestablish the
county seat, and in behalf of the town of Clarksville, there
were 149 signatures, and to the remonstrance were attached

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 31
88 names, among which Ira Beebe and Wm. McBride each
subscribed his name twice. The names of Andrew Gillespie,
Ira Beebe, Philander L. Tyrrell, and B. F. B. Bates occur in
both petitions.
An election was held in April, 1846, and it was decided,
by a bare majority of 4, to allow the county seat to remain at
Princeton. Accordingly, on January 19, 1846, the Legisla
ture passed a bill permanently locating the county seat at
Princeton, or Albia, as it was named in the bill — an act hav
ing been passed the same day changing the name.
At the county-seat election there was considerable polit
ical wire-pulling. At the same election some officers were to
be elected, among which was a delegate to the constitutional
convention called for the purpose of adopting a State consti
tution. Wareham G. Clark, W. H. H. Davis, and Mr. Leigh
ton were the aspirants. The Princeton crowd were Whigs,
and Clark and Davis were Democrats, but the Whigs entered
into a compact to support Davis if he would use his influence
in behalf of Princeton. He did so, but the Whigs went back
on him and voted for Leighton. Mr. Clark, on the other
hand, was elected delegate by a good majority.
The county-seat question now being settled for all time,
the Board of Commissioners, consisting of Smith Judson,
Wm. McBride, and Andrew Elswick, met on the 17th of
August, 1846, for the purpose of arranging plans to erect a
court-house. According to specifications, the structure was
to be 20 feet square and 14 feet high, and constructed of
hewn logs 7 inches in thickness and hewn, on two sides, and
the cracks between the logs were to be not more than 3 inches
wide at the corners. The roof was to be composed of clap
boards 3 feet in length and nailed to rafters hewn on one side.
The gable ends of the building were to be weatherboarded
in the prevailing architecture of the period. The architect
undertaking the erection of this edifice was placed under a
bond of $160 to secure its completion by the 25th of
September. Another session of the Board of Commissioners con
vened in extra session on the 18th of August, to consider
plans and proposals for the chinking and daubing of the
court-house, and the transaction of other matters of im
portance. In 1847 the subject of liquor trafic came up, and at the
April election a vote was taken on the proposition to issue

32 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
a license for the sale of intoxicants; 82 votes were cast in
favor of license, and 42 against the measure.
When the court-house was finally completed, and the
contractor paid for the job, which amounted to $75, the Board
of County Commissioners next began to canvass the question
of erecting a county jail. In April, 1848, arrangemenls were
made to build a jail 16 feet square. The walls, loft, and
floor were to be composed of hewn logs 1 foot square, and
there was to be one window 14x16 inches, secured by suit
able fastenings. Alpheus Miller and Doster Noland were
awarded the contract for building the jail. The cost of the
structure was $174.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 33

CHAPTER IV.
Early Political Methods.
As early as 1848, Empire's evil star began to flit her fit
ful beams upon the political organization of Monroe County.
The Democrats had attained the zenith of power, but the
aggressive and rapidly increasing Whig element had be
come so formidable a rival that to maintain the ground held
by one, and to advance the line of pickets of the other, polit
ical acumen was taxed to its utmost. At that period the polit
ical fabric was not so intricately interwoven as at present,
and it was almost impossible for the politician to get in his
"fine work" without detection. Yet, to offset this disadvan
tage, the manipulator of party interests was not so greatly
hedged in by the law as he is now ; and however unscrupulous
his methods, the statutes offered little remedy for correcting
the abuses of partisanship.
At the time we speak of (1848) a Congressional campaign
was to be waged in the First Congressional District, of which
Monroe County was then a part. Monroe County had a
Democratic majority over the Whigs, but the eastern coun
ties of the district had a large Whig following, who exhibited
a burning desire to defeat the Democrats, by methods doubt
less equally questionable if necessary.
The Whigs brought into the field Daniel F. Miller for
Congress, and the Democrats nominated Wm. Thompson, of
Mt. Pleasant. At this time many of the Mormons of Illinois, in making
their hegira from Nauvoo, had located temporarily in dif
ferent localities in southern Iowa, to rest and recuperate be
fore proceeding onward across the plains to the Salt Lake
valley, whither Joseph Smith, their saint and leader, had
prophesied they should be gathered under the immediate
supervision of the Lord.
As before stated, all the territory lying directly west of
Monroe County, as far as the Missouri River, was attached to
Monroe County for election and jndicial purposes.
This unorganized territory comprised the tier of coun
ties now consisting of Lucas, Clark, Union, Adams, Mont
gomery, and Mills. Several small settlements of Mormons

34 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
were made in one or more of these counties; one was at
Garden Grove, in Lucas County. The Mormons were the
first to settle Lucas County, and, indeed, many of the early
settlers of Monroe were Mormons, but they had lost faith
in their doctrine and made up their minds to embrace the
belief of their "Gentile" neighbors, and remain.
In this connection it will be of interest to state that some
of the most conspicuous and highly esteemed families resid
ing in Monroe County at the present day were apostates
from the Mormon Church. That branch of the "Hairy Na
tion" locating in Mantua and Urbana townships was largely
composed of ex-Mormons; but, as the extravagant doctrines
of the "Latter -Day Saints." as they chose to style themselves,
and their sometimes predatory exploits among their "Gen
tile" neighbors, have attached considerable odium to the
Mormons as a church organization, those who apostatized
and are now living in Monroe County are a little reticent
about speaking of their connection with the Mormon Church.
In this digression it is but just to add that these apostates
had joined the Mormon Church before the doctrine of polyg
amy had been ingrafted into their creed; consequently
none of them either sanctioned or practiced polygamy, as
they withdrew from the church as soon as Brigham Young
began to inculcate polygamy in the doctrines of the sect.
The Mormons of Nauvoo had always been Democrats.
and it was but reasonable to suppose that in their exit to the
west they had brought along with them their political as well
as their spiritual convictions* They had formed a settle
ment on the Missouri River in Pottawattamie County, at a
place called Cainsville, which occupied the present site of
Council Bluffs. There were a. considerable number of Mor
mons at this settlement, and if their votes could be secured
in the Congressional canvass of the First District, their
strength would constitute a balance of power.
In furtherance of this scheme, the Board of County Com
missioners, consisting of Andrew Elswick, Wm. McBride,
and Geo. R. Holliday, and Dudley C. Barber as clerk, all
Democrats, made the following order for the establishment
of an election precinct in Pottawattamie County, "which lies
directly west of Monroe County" :
"Ordered by said Board, That that portion of country
called Pottawattamie County, which lies directly west of
Monroe County, be organized into a township, and that

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 35
Cainsville be an election precinct in said township, and that
the election be held at the Council House in said village; and
that Chas. Bird, Henry Miller, and Wm. Huntington be ap
pointed judges of said election; and that the boundaries of
said township extend east as far as the east Nishnabatna."
This order was promulgted by the Board on July 3, 1848.
Pottawattamie County, as everyone knows, does not "lie
directly west of Monroe County," being one tier of counties
north of the Monroe County tier. The geography of western
Iowa was not very well known at that time, and for the pur
pose of ascertaining whether the Mormon settlement at
Cainsville was included in the territory directly west of
Monroe County. Judge Mason and Judge Weber, the latter
a surveyor, were sent west on a surveying tour to ascertain
the exact geographical location of the precinct of Cainsville.
Notwithstanding the fact that the location of Cainsville
is at least twenty miles north of the northern line of Monroe
Couny (Mills County lying between), these gentlemen re
turned with the information that the Cainsville precinct fell
within the jurisdiction of Monroe County. It seems that
they had also made a survey of the political sentiments of the
Mormons, for they reported them as solidly Democratic.
This was encouraging news to the party, but when the
matter leaked out, and the design of the scheme became fully
apparent to the Whigs, the latter were thrown into great
consternation. Emissaries were dispatched by both par
ties to the Mormon stronghold to negotiate for the Mor
mon vote. Their woes and persecutions were duly com
miserated by the agents of each party. They were petted
and fondled and pitied and cajoled like the laboring class
are to-day, by political demagogues. But the unexpected
was destined to occur at that day as well as at the present.
The Mormons, at the election on the 7th day of August, 1848,
voted solidly for the Whig candidate.
Whether this sudden and altogether unlooked-for change
in the political convictions of the "Latter-Day Saints" of
Cainsville was attributable to the use of money cannot be
definitely stated. It is charged that the Democrats offered
but one thousand dollars for their votes, while the Whigs
raised the amount to twelve hundred, and thereby secured
the vote. While this assertion may be true, it is equally prob
able that the Mormons had lost faith in the Democratic
party, and wanted to experiment on a change of administra-

36 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
tion. Under the existing administration they had been
driven from place to place and had failed to secure the
rights of religious liberty, as they claimed was guaranteed
them under the Constitution, and in their exasperation they
probably voted the Whig ticket through mere caprice, or
through a desire to experiment with the Whig dotctrine.
J. C. Hall, a prominent Democrat of Burlington, on hear
ing of the disaster to his party at Cainsville, mounted his
trusty horse and set out for Albia to take counsel with his
party in Monroe County, and possibly devise some means of
preventing the canvass of the vote of Cainsville. He arrived
in Albia in advance of the Cainsville poll-book.
The Board convened to canvass the vote on the 14th day
of August. The canvass was made at the log cabin of
Dudley C. Barber, the clerk of the Board of Commissioners.
Among those present was Dr. Flint, a brother-in-law of
Barber, and an intensely zealous Democrat. Israel Kister,
of Jefferson County, was also present. A heated discussion
arose as to the validity of the Cainsville returns. Mr.
Mark, who was afterwards postmaster at Albia, was also
present, and championed the cause of the Whigs. After
considerable wrangling, it was concluded to make another
examination of the returns, when the Cainsville poll-book
could not be. found. It had miraculously disappeared from
the table, where it had quietly rested a few moments before.
It finally became apparent that the book had been surrepti
tiously concealed or stolen. A row ensued, and pistols
were drawn, but no blood was shed. It is not definitely
known who stole the poll-book, but it was strongly surmised
that Kister spirited it away from the room and carried it off
in his saddle-bags-. It is at least claimed, by a gentleman
whose statements cannot be impeached, that Kister ad
mitted the purloining of the book. Some say it was thrust
through a crack in the "puncheon" floor and afterwards
fished out.
The Democratis had a majority in the Congressional
District, and Miller, the Whig candidate, contested his seat,
on the grounds of fraud in the poll-book incident. The case
was sent back from Congress to be decided in the courts.
The case was tried at Keokuk, and in the trial which ensued
further light was shed on the stealing of the Cainsville
poll-book. It transpired that either Kister or Dr. Flint
had secretly deposited the book in the saddle-bags of Judge

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 37
Mason, the gentleman already referred to in this incident,
and that that gentleman was unaware that it was there
until he had gone to his home at Agency, and opened the
saddle-bags. In the trial of the case, Thompson, the Demo
cratic nominee, got Mason to defend his case. Miller called
upon Mason to show his authority to act for Thompson;
whereupon Mason drew from his pocket what he supposed
was the authority, but it proved to be the missing poll-
book. Miller then stated to the court that he had just come
into possession of what he had been looking for for a year —
the missing book.
The District Court decided that the returns from the
Cainsville precinct gave a majority to Miller, the Whig
candidate, and Miller was admitted to his seat in the
thirty-first Congress.
Thompson, in the meantime, had taken his seat at the
opening of the session, but when the case went to Keokuk
for trial, he returned from Washington to defend his claims^
The final adjustment of this Congressional dispute was
not made until after the State election of 1850, in which
Bernhart Henn, of Fairfield, was elected to Congress, and
took his seat in 1851. Henn was a Democrat of the
Buchanan school.
During the last session of 'the thirty-first Congress the
Thompson-Miller case was taken up and disposed of in the
District Court. It was ordered that another election be
held in the district in September, 1850, to fill the vacancy —
the court holding that neither party to 'the contest had been
duly elected. In this election the Democrats carried Monroe
County, but the district was carried by the Whigs; and
Miller was elected and served during the last session of the
thirty-first Congress.
This Congressional contest was so bitter that it en
gendered a spirit of party acrimony which did not subside
until the Whig party was superseded by the Republican
party, at the opening of the Civil War.

38 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

CHAPTER V.
Miscellaneous Topics.
The early settlers of Monroe County were composed
mainly of people from Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio,
Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, and Pennsylvania. There
are to-day probably a greater number from Indiana than
from any other State; and there are no doubt more people in
the county to-day from the States of Illinois, Indiana, and
Ohio than from all the other States in the Union.
The Missourians never showed much partiality for Mon
roe County, nor to the State at large, for during that period
when the migration of settlers from adjoining States was
at its highest point, the breach which was gradually
widening between the North and South seems to have placed
a check on Northern emigration as early as the period of
Buchanan's administration.
Later, the intense sectional !ha|tred aroused by the
border warfare still further impeded emigration from
Missouri, and the term "border ruffian" seems, even at this
late day, to occasionally stir up a long-dormant feeling of
reproach in the recollections of the pioneers of southern
Iowa. It is probable that the enactment of the famous Kansas-
Nebrsaka Bill also had something to do towards discourag
ing emigration from Missouri to Iowa. On the enactment
of this bill, Missouri poured a flood of emigration westward,
for the purpose of augmenting the pro-slavery sentiment in
Kansas and Nebraska, and also of acquiring homes.
The "Sucker" of Illinois was lured here by the mag
nificent stretches of prairie, ln going from east to west,
one first encounters the border of the great prairie region
of the continent in western Illinois and Iowa. This transi
tion is very marked in Monroe County. To the east of
Monroe, the Des Moines and Mississippi valleys interrupt the
uniformity of the surface by their broad wooded valleys and
the narrow ridges between their innumerable tributaries.
To' the west of Monroe, a complete change takes place.
The river valleys are narrower and shallower, and the
upland tracts of timber disappear. The prairie region then
rolls away unbroken to the Rocky Mountains.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 39
A line drawn north and south through Monroe County
presents much the same characteristic. From the rolling
prairies of Mahaska County to the grassy steppes of Minne
sota and the Dominion territory is one expanse of prairie.
Our southern neighbor, Appanoose County, with her
wooded ridges and brushy pastures, may be said to define
the physical limits or mark the boundaries, in a physical
sense, of the North and South. The surface of Missouri is
broken by the Chariton, Grand, Nodaway, Missouri, and
other rivers; and, indeed, this line of demarcation may be
located six. or eight miles south of Albia, on Soap Creek.
From that point south to the Gulf there are no natural
prairies of any considerable extent.
Those who isettled in Monroe County in the early days,
and who had come from Pennsylvania, North Carolina,
Virginia, and other mountainous localities, did not consider
the beautiful grass-grown prairies of the county fit for
human habitation. They scouted the idea that crops
would grow where the wild, prairie grass waved in a sea of
emerald. They selected the densely wooded creek bottoms
and made their clearings in the forest. They were ac
customed to the rock-strewn hills of their native States,
and were instinctively lured to those localities which most
closely resembled their own, which they had left.
It will seem strange at this day that the beautiful
prairies (the word "prairie" in French means "meadows")
of Monroe County, growing in grass and studded with wild
sweet williams, asters, and golden rod, and a profusion
of other flowers, should for several years remain untenanted
by those who had come here to acquire homes.
Those who- were a little slow about making choice (?)
selections of claims were obliged finally to settle on prairie
tracts like what is now the farm of Hon. O. P. Rowles, and
that of John. Collins, a few miles south of Albia, and other
magnificent estates within the county.
The ox-team and the break-plow were the two most
potent factors of pioneer civilization. The plow was con
structed as follows: the settler would remove the two, front
wheels from his wagon and place them on a rudely con
structed axle made from au oak sapling 6 or 8 inches in
diameter and about the length of an ordinary wagon axle;
the plow, which had. a very long moldboard and a prodigious
wooden beam, was partially suspended between the two

40 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
wheels of the trucks by an upright frame resting on the
axle; a long lever extended from the front end of the plow-
beam back to the upright frame, where it was secured by
a wooden pin; there was a series of auger-holes in the
upright frame, and the depth of the furrow could be regu
lated by simply removing the adjusting pin from one of
the holes and lifting or bearing down on the lever. There
has never been a plow manufactured since then so suitable
for turning under wild sod and hazel-brush as this rudely
constructed break-plow of our fathers. It could not rise
out of the furrow when it struck a root ; it could be set to any
desired depth, and it would stay there; with two or three
yoke of oxen attached, it would cleave its way through
almost anything; when it encountered a "running-oak," it
did not "pass by on the other side," like the Levite, but it
went through it and turned it under.
When the county was first settled there was little under
brush. The hazel, which some years later became so
abundant on the prairies, grew very sparsely. Prairie fires
for ages had swept the prairie whenever vegetation was. in
condition to' burn, and these kept down hazel and other
shrubbery; but when the settlers began to take precautions
against the ravages of fire, a dense growth of oak and other
varieties of trees began to grow into low upland thickets,
much to the detriment of the farmers in after years.
In the early days of Monroe County the forests supplied
an abundance of fine saw timber, and even at the present
day there are several good bodies of white oak in Urbana
Township, in the vicinity of Elisha Leech's saw-mill.
There were originally, along the streams, many mag
nificent walnut-trees, which at the present day would have
yielded a handsome profit by shipping them to Eastern
cities. They were thoughtlessly chopped down and split
into fence-rails or sawed into plank.
The oak predominates in this county, and there are at
least eight different varieties — viz., white oak, red oak,
black-jack, yellow oak, post-oak, burr-oak, and a low shrub
variety, known as chincapin-oak, or running-oak. There are
also a few chestnut-oak, wliich grow more plentifully along
the streams in western Iowa.
The white oak and burr-oak are the most valued for
lumber and building purposes, owing to their greater lasting
qualities. Yellow oak decays in a short time. Red oak, while

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 41
not quite so lasting as white oak or burr-oak, makes good
saw timber, owing to its straight growth. Black-jack is
more abundant throughout the county than all the other
varieties combined. The tree does not grow as large as
some of the other varieties and it is of little value for lumber
or building. The chestnut-oak is closely allied to the burr -oak, and
is rarely found within the county.
The post-oak grows on the uplands and occurs in dense
thickets. This variety seldom attains a. greater diameter
than 6 inches.
The running-oak is in the form of a shrub; and also
grows on the uplands. It is a great annoyance to the
plowman, since its roots are hard to remove. It bears a
nutritious acorn.
There are two varieties of elm, the slippery-elm and
the water-elm. The former is nearly as lasting as oak if
kept above ground; the latter is absolutely worthless for
any purpose. There are also, two varieties of hickory, the shell-bark
and the soft-shell, or pig-nut.
The black walnut is the only native variety of walnut
within the county. When growing on the uplands it does
not attain a great height, but in the valleys its growth is
very exuberant.
There are two varieties of maple. The soft- wood maple
is found occasionally along streams in a native state, and
when planted as a shade-tree, grows rapidly, and may be
seen on nearly every farm in the county. The other variety
is a dwarfed variety, growing on low ground, and commonly
called box-wood or swamp-maple.
The white ash also grows in the forests of the county.
Like the maple, it is not largely distributed. The hackberry
is a rough-barked tree, which is occasionally found solitary
in the woods.
The poisonous' buckeye, or horse chestnut, is frequently
met with along the creeks^ Its wood is of little or no
value. The soft linden, or lind, as it is commonly called, is
another tree growing almost everywhere. It is a handsome
tree, and is much used for making "caps" for coal props.
It is also used to some extent in the manufacture of cheese-

42 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. IOWA.
boxes. It blooms twice in a season, and the bloom yields
considerable food for the honey-bee.
The aspen is the stateliest tree of the Monroe County
forest. It is of rapid growth, but its lumber is always more
or less "wind-shaken," and, when green, contains a greater
proportion of water than other wood; for this reason it
warps badly and splits when sawn into lumber.
There are also two varieties of locust. The black locust
occurs both on uplands and in valleys, but never attains a
larger size than about 16 inches in diameter. On the up
lands it does not live long, as the worms infest the wood
and in a few years kill the tree. The black locust lasts
longest of any native wood in the county, especially when
underground. The honey-locust is much less numerous.
There are also several varieties of willows and poplars,
besides crab-apple, white-thorns, etc.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

43

THE OUTPOST.

CHAPTER VI.
In Defense of the Flag.
On the breaking out of the Civil War, Monroe County,
from her close proximity to the pro-slavery border, was one
of those new counties upon which the evil stroke of war fell
with a heavy hand. She was ill prepared at the time to make
the great sacrifice, but the record of her soldier boys, and of
her fathers, upon whose locks time had left its frost-marks,
shows that they not only took their lives in their own hands.
but bowed to a still greater sacrifice, in leaving behind, in
privation, their wives and little ones, to battle with hunger
and possibly to suffer at the hands of guerrilla hordes from
across the Missouri border.
No pen of later days can depict the thrilling scenes that
still haunt the memories of those who lived in that joyless
spring of 1861. The robin and the bluebird were trilling
their happy notes; and the wild flowers were blooming on

44 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
the hillsides and in the forests, innocently unconscious of
impending harm ; but there was a blanched look upon every
cheek. The farmer did not hitch up his plow and go out into
the fields; the merchant locked his store door to attend the
"Union meeting." There was the roll of the drum in the
streets, and the shuffling of feet in measured tread by night
and day; there was the singing of patriotic songs by the
choir of female voices upon the roof of the court house, and
the hurried enrollment of volunteers. Then came the day
when the boys said good-bye to their parents, their friends,
and their sweethearts, wives, and little ones. The young
wife tried to smile through her tears in trying to assure her
husband that she would take care of things until he came
back; then when he said good-bye, and the column was
marching away, she lingered at the front gate, watching him
disappear perhaps forever, and it was then that she felt the
weight of helplessness and despair. The young soldier was
hurried to the front before he scarcely learned the use of a
musket. He saw for the first time the maneuvering of regi
ments, and heard the jarring sounds which only can come
from the rapid wheeling of artillery over rough ground. He
had perhaps seen cannon before in his Northern home, but he
had only known them as a harmless engine for celebrating
public events. He now saw in their blackened visage the en
gine of death. He knew that from their sulphurous throats
would belch the iron hail of death instead of the gala-day
salute of his peaceful Northern home.
Then there were those who, for sufficient reasons, could
not go to the war; they had to remain behind, and to their
ears, no less loyal than those of the boys at the front," came
the echoes of the guns at Ft. Sumter and Manassas. They
read the reports of the scathed and bleeding army of
McDowell being cut down by the Bull Run batteries, and of
the Northern army being hurled back upon the city of Wash
ington, and they realized that they were tied at home, power
less to offer one stroke for the liberty for which others were
striving. Then up from that dreaded border, like auroral stream
ers, shot the malignant tongues of disloyalty and secession,
which stirred up bitterness and strife between friends and
neighbors. Nobody could foresee wliich side would come out
victorious in the gathering conflict. The housewife scarcely

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 45
dared to express her views to her next-door neighbor, lest
they should invite strife; for in the days of '61 the public
brain was aflame and maddened with partisan zeal, and for a
time there were disloyal families in Monroe County, and they
were families of social influence. As the war progressed,
and success to the Union arms began to appear more favor
able, these disunion sympathizers somewhat modified their
disloyal sentiments; but whether the change was due to sin
cere convictions unconsciously instilled by patriotic sur
roundings, or to politic considerations, cannot be stated,
and need not be stated at this late day, if known. Most of
those whose sympathies were with the South, and who were
liable to conscript duty, skipped to the far West to avoid the
draft which was ordered in the latter part of the war. They
were designated "draft-skedaddlers" and "moss-backs."
Some, however, may have evaded the draft merely through
a dread of military hardships or a disinclination to stand up
and be shot at.
There were many trials and hardships that the soldier
of Monroe County had to meet and undergo which were not
experienced by many of those enlisting from older counties.
This county was still new, and domestic improvement -had
not progressed far enough to secure to the settlers many of
the comforts of life. Most people were poor. Everybody
came to the county poor, a few years previous, and the great
majority of those who enlisted were men who were either
clearing out homes for themselves and families, on the wild
prairies, or were helping dependent parents to establish a
home for their old age.
The volunteer's pay of thirteen or fourteen dollars a
month was of course inadequate for the support of a family
during his absence, and he felt that at best he would have to
return at the close of the war and begin anew with the priva
tions which he had just begun to surmount when his country
called for his aid. He was offering too, to the Union, the best
part of his life — a time when he should be laying the foun
dation for his calling.
The quotas of volunteers to be furnished by Iowa under
the Federal calls were as follows:

46 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
For 3-months men (75,Q00), volunteers  2,643
For 500,000 men, volunteers  17,617
For the July 2, 1862, call for 300,000, volunteers  10,570
For the August 4, 1862, call for 300,000 men, to be
drafted  10,570
Total for volunteers  41,400
For August 18, 1862, call for men to fill up old
regiments  8,005
Total  49,405
Monroe County's quota from this total was 630, of
which 619 were raised without drafting, leaving a deficit of
only 11 to be raised by draft or voluntary enlistment.
The quota of Appanoose County was  876
The number furnished was  705
Leaving a deficit of  171
The quota of Mahaska was  1,087
Number furnished  946
Leaving a deficit of  141
Wapello's quota was  1,063
She furnished  1,225
An excess of  • . . . . 162
Lucas County's quota was  423
The number furnished was  419
Leaving a deficit of but . . . . <  4
The following roster of Monroe County volunteers is
compiled mainly from the Adjutant-General's Reports and
is as nearly correct as it is possible to get them. The
Adjutant-General's Reports contain frequent inaccuracies,
which it has been the aim of the author to herein correct:
The greater portion of volunteers enlisting in the ser
vice from Monroe County were mustered into the Sixth,
Twenty-second, and Thirty-sixth Iowa Infantry, and the
First Cavalry.
Company E of the Sixth was composed very largely of
Monroe County men. The list of volunteers for this com
pany overran the maximum limit of enrollment, and a num
ber of men were assigned to other companies.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 47
In the Thirty-sixth Infantry, Companies A and K were
chiefly composed of Monroe County men.
In the official roster of these companies the residence of
a volunteer in many instances is placed in some adjoining
county, when he really enlisted from Monroe County. This
was when his post-office address was in some other county,
residence being inferred from post-office address.
The Sixth Iowa Infantry was one of those regiments of
the Northern army over whose head seemed to hang the pall
of an avenging fate. The Sixth Iowa was composed of boys
fresh from the fields and cities of Iowa. They were en
rolled, mustered in, and hurried off to the front before they
fully realized the great responsibilities which devolved on
them as conservers of the nation.
They were boys with the steady eye and unwavering
columns of veterans. The regiment suffered the greatest
loss in killed and wounded of any Iowa regiment. It lost in
action 7 officers, and 100 men; 18 officers were wounded, and
469 men. ln the Thirty-sixth Infantry there were killed in action
during the war 35 men, and 25 men died of wounds; also
235 died of disease, 1 committed suicide, and 142 were
wounded. Companies A and K were made up from Monroe County.
The Eighth, Seventeenth, and Twenty-second Iowa Infantry
contained a large number of volunteers from the county;
also the First Cavalry. There were also a good many Mon
roe County men in the Thirty-seventh Infantry, or "Gray-
, beard Regiment." SECOND IOWA INFANTRY.
Jas. M. Porter, age 23, private, Co. H; must, in May 1, '61;, wounded
six times at Corinth, yet staid on the field; pro. 6th corp.
Wm. McCreary, age 27, private, Co. K; must, in May 6, '61.
Wm. H. H. Ashbury, age 20, private, Co. K; must, in May 6, '61; re
jected—loss two fingers.
Conrad Stucker, age 41, private, Co. K; must, in May 6, '61; rejected.
— cause unknown.
John Coen, age 20, private, Co. K; must, in May 20, '61.
H. G. Judson, age 21, private, Co. K; must, in May 20, '61.
Harrison Smith, age 30, private, Co. K; must, in May 20, '61; re
jected—physical disability.
Zach. M. McAlister, age 23, 3d corp., Co. K; must, in Nov. 1, '61; pro
moted fifth sergeant.

48 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY.
Fred F. Weed, age 19, 3d ser., Co. A; must, in July 17, 'Cl; killed at
Shiloh.
Geo. R. Watson, age 23, 3d ser., Co. A; must, in July 17, '61.
Daniel McCoy, age 32, 1st ser., Co. A; must, in Dec. 21, '61.
Edward Freeman, age 28, 2d lieut, Co. B; must, in April 17, '62; re
signed June 11, '62.
Jas. H. Spurling, age 29, private, Co. B; must, in July 17, '61; killed
at Shiloh.
Andrew J. Egbert, age 28, private, Co. B; must, in July 17, '61.
Isaac R. Plymate, private, Co. B; must, in July 17, 'Cl.
John Hardin, age 19, private, Co. B ; must, in July 17, '61.
Geo. W. Scott, age 28, private, Co. B; must, in July 17, '61.
Lewis Armstrong, age 20, private, Co>. C; must, in July 17, '61;
wounded at Shiloh.
Solomon Kellogg, age 23, private, Co. C; must, in July 17, '61;
wounded at Shiloh and died at Keokuk.
Jas. Kellogg, age 25, private, Co. C; must, in July 17, '61; wounded
at Shiloh and died at Keokuk.
Walter Smith, age 24, private, Co. C; must, in July 17, '61; killed at
Shiloh.
Robt. F. Stewart, age 21, private, Co. C; must, in July 17, '61.
Henry L. Tucker, age 21, private, Co. C; must, in July 17, '61.
Michael Combs, Jr., age 19, 1st ser., Co. D; must, in July 17, '61.
Sam'l D. Ham, age 20, private, Co. D; must, m July 17, '61.
Sam'l Sumner, age 21, private, Co. D; discharged at La Mine Bridge
for phthisis Jan. 17, '62.
Thos. Sumner, age 34, private, Co. D; discharged at St. Louis for con
sumption, Aug. 22, '61.
Aimer Swift, age 20, private, Co. D; must, in July 17, '61.
M. J. Swift, age 21, private, Co. D; must, in July 17, '61.
Geo. W. Trussell, age 43, private, Co. D; must, in July 17, '61; died
at Jefferson City, Mo., Oct. 29, '61.
Henry Saunders, age 39, captain, Co. E; must, in May 24, '61.
Calvin Kelsey, age 29, 1st lieut., Co. E; must, in July 1, '61; died at
Cairo, 111., 1865, of cholera.
Leander C. Allison, age 20, 1st lieut., Co. E; must, in May 24, '61;
promoted captain Jan. 4, '64; wounded at Mission Ridge.
John H. Orman, age 23, 2d lieut., Co. E; must, in Feb. 17, '62; wound
ed at Shiloh and resigned Nov. 23, '62.
David J. Hayes, age 33, 1st ser., Co. E; must, in July 17, '61; killed
at Shiloh.
Jas. Evans, age 25, 2d ser., Co. E; must, in July 17, '61.
Henry Roberts, age 25, 3d ser., Co. E; must, in Sept. 27, '62; wounded
at Missionary Ridge and Kenesaw Mountain.
Alex. McDonald, age 36, 4th ser., Co. E; must, in Sept. 27, '62.
Oliver Boardman, age 21, 5th ser., Co. E; must, in Sept. 27, '62; killed
at Black River Bridge, Miss.
Robt. A. Wills, age 21, 1st corp., Co. E; must, in Sept. 27, '62.
Richard W. Courtney, age 30, 3d corp., Co. E; must, in Sept. 27, '62;
wounded at Griswaldsville, Ga., and discharged for dis
ability, '65.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 49
Elihu Hill, age 28, 4th corp., Oo. E; must, in July 17, '61; discharged
for disability Jan. 21, '62.
B. F. Scott, age 25, 5th corp., Co. E; must, in July 17, '61.
Henry Chamberlain, age 21, 6th corp., Co. E; must, in Sept. 27, '62.
Wm. Jenkins, age 37, 7th corp., Co. E; must, in July 17, '61.
Henry Roberts, age 24, 8th corp., Co. E; must, in July 17, '61.
Owen J. Prindle, age 21, 8th corp., Co. E; must, in Sept. 27, '62.
David C. Ely, age 27, 5th ser., Co. E; must, in July 17, '61.
Henry Chamberlain, age 21, 5th Corp., Co. E; must, in Sept. 27, '62.
Hiram Hull, age 31, 6th Corp., Co. E; must, in July 17, '61; discharged
at Keokuk, Nov. 25, '62, for chronic diarrhea.
Geo. W. Hibbard, age 20, 7th corp., Co. E; must, in Sept. 27, '62.
Jas. Amber, age 31, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61; discharged
at St. Louis, April 2, '62.
John A. Burris, age 27, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61; died at
Sedalia, Nov. 17, '61, of congestion of brain.
Geo. A. Brown, age 20, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61; wounded
at Shiloh.
Josiah N. De Tar, age 20, private, Co. E ; must, in July 17, '61.
Grandon Hendrix, age 20, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61;
wounded at Shiloh.
Matthew W. Kemper, age 25, private, Co. E; must, iri July 17, '61.
Thos. J. Smith, age 22, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61; wounded
at Shiloh.
Isaac Lafever, age 29, musician, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61.
Noah Carmach, age 29, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61; wounded
at Shiloh.
Thos. B. Buchanan, age 30, wagoner, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61; dis
charged for disability, Dec. 4, '61.
AVin. Bradley, age 24, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61; died at
Memphis of brain fever, July 3,'62.
Thos. Baker, age 19, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61; wounded
at Shiloh.
Elijah P. Bradley, age 20, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61.
Cyrus Blue, age 18, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61; wounded
at Shiloh.
Calvin Barnard, age 21, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61; wounded
at Dallas, Ga.
Edward A. Canning, age 23, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61;
promoted to 1st lieutenant, 1863.
Wm. B. Crawford, age 26, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61; killed
at Shiloh.
Samson Cooper, age 26, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61; dis
charged at St. Louis for disability.
David Cooper, age 23, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61; dis
charged at Syracuse, Mo., for hepatitis.
John E. Carhart, age 21.
Chas. H. Claver, age 20, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61; wounded
*at Shiloh.
David S. Cone, age 21, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61; discharged
in 1862 for lameness.
"Wm. Collett, age 21. Drivate. Co. E; must, in July 17. '61.
Patrick Conway, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61.

50 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. IOWA.
Jas. B. Duncan, age 21, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61; killed
at Shiloh.
Oliver P. Evans, age 21, private, Co. E;, roust, in July 17, '61; killed
at Shiloh.
John Easter, age 21, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61.
Alexander Easter, age 19, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61.
Thos. Fullerton, age 21, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61; wound
ed at Shiloh and died of wounds at Keokuk.
John W. Forrest, age 24, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61; dis
charged for disability in '62.
Ira W. Gilbert, age 20, private, Co. C; must, in July 17, '61; wounded
at Missionary Ridge.
Francis Gilbert, age 20, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61.
H. Hickenlooper, age 21, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61; wound-
at Missionary Ridge; promoted corporal.
Levi. S. T. Hatton, age 18, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61.
Jas. W. Hare, age 18, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61; wounded
at Shiloh.
Jas. A. Hickcox, age 21, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61; killed
in battle, Jackson, Miss.
John M. Hayes, age 28, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61.
Willis S. Hayes, age 21, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61.
James M. Hayes, age 26, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61.
Ephraim Conklin, age 18, private, Co. E; must, in Feb. 29, '64; addi
tional enlistment — three years.
Ira B. Hutchins, age 26, private, Co. E; must, in Feb. 29, '64; died at
Scottsborough, Ala.
N. B. Moore, age 22, private, Co. E; must, in June 2S, '64; killed at
Atlanta.
John H. Hiteman, age 20, private, Co. E; must, in June 28, '64.
Chas. V. Holsclaw, age 20, private, Co. E; must, in June 28, '64; died
of typhoid fever at St. Louis, Dec. 4, '64.
Jonathan S. Knight, age 20, private, Co. E; must, in June 2S, '64.
Geo. A. Looman, age zl, private, Co. E; must, in June 28, '64; wound
ed at Shiloh.
Thos. H. Looman, age 19, private, Co. E; must, in June 28, '64.
John T. Little, age 18, private, Co. E; must, in June 28, '64.
Geo. Lee, age 20, private, Co. E; must, in June 28, '64.
Albert Myers, age 18, private, Co. E; must, in June 28, .'64; died of
convulsions at Tipton, Mo., Feb., '62.
O. S. McCoy, age 19, private, Co. E; must, in March 11, '64.
Elias A. Miles, age 22, private, Co. E; must, in March 11, '64; taken
prisoner at Shiloh and paroled.
Joseph McKissick, age 25, private, Co. E; must, in March 11, '64;
wounded at Shiloh.
Dennis McCarty, age 22, private, Co. E; must, in March 11, '64; died
at La Mine Bridge, Mo., Jan., '62.
Andrew Mock, age 35, private, Co. E; must, in March 11, '64; died at
Sedalia, Mo., of typhoid fever, Dec, '61.
Martin Pierson, age 23, private, Co. E; must, in March 11, '64.
Owen J. Prindle, age 21, private, Co. E; must, in March 11, '64; pro
moted to 8th corp.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 51
John T. S. Price, age 19, private, Co. E; must, in March 11, '64; dis
charged at La Mine Bridge for debility, Jan. 2, '62.
Robt. B. Rumsey, age 23, private, Co-. E; must, in March 11, '64; dis
charged for disability at Memphis.
Hem-y Roberts, age 24, private, Co. E; must, in March 11, '64.
Allan Roberts, age 19, private, Co. E; must, in March 11, '64; dis
charged for disability.
Ashbel Sperry, age 25, private, Co. E; must, in March 11, '64; trans
ferred to 8th Iowa Infantry, Company C.
Wm. Swayny, age 21, private, Co. E; must, in March 11, '64; killed at
Shiloh.
Thos. J. Smith, age 22, private, Co. E; must, in March 11, '64; wound
ed at Shiloh.
John W. Service, age 20, private, Co. E; must, in March 11, '64;
wounded at Shiloh.
Saul Swayny, age 21, private, Co>. E; must, in March 11, '64.
Jas. H. Turner, age 28, private, Co. E; must, in March 11, '64.
Robt. G. Wallace, age 22, private, Co. E; must, in March 11, '64; dis
charged at St. Louis for disability, Dec. 19, '61.
Wm. H. Waugh. age 20, private, Co. E; must, in March 11, '64; killed
at Shiloh.
Wm. S. Whitmore, age 20, private, Co. E; must, in March II, '64;
wounded at Shiloh and discharged at Keokuk, Aug. 15, '62.
Edward S. Weed, age 21, private, Oo. E; must, in March 11, '64.
Thos. McKissick, age 25, private, Co. E; must, in March 11, '64;
killed at Shiloh.
Casper Dull, age 45, private, Co. E; must, in March 11, '64; rejected on
account of over age.
Chilo McClean, age 46, private, Co. E; must, in March 11, '64; reject
ed on account of over age.
Thos. J. Forest, age 17, private, Co. E; must, in March 11, '64; re
jected—under age.
Jas. Stoddart, rejected— rheumatism.
Milton Cox, age 27, private, Co. E; must, in Oct. 19, '61.
John L. Harrison, age 26, private, Co. E; must, in Oct. 19, '61; killed
at Shiloh.
Thos, Hinton, age 23, private, Co. E; must, in Oct. 15, '61.
Ben. F. Kiinbler, age 23, private, Co. E; must, in Oct. 19, "61.
Jas. H. Murphy, age 28, private, Co. E; must, in Oct. 19, '61.
Jas. H. Wills, age 18, private, Co. E; must, in Oct. 15, '61; died at
St Louis of diarrhea, May 12, '62.
Andrew Singer, age 31, private, Co. E; must, in Oct. 17, '61.
Stephen J. Gahagan, private, Co. E; must, in Oct 17, '61; transferred
to Company K; taken prisoner at Shiloh.
Nathaniel Carter, Co. E; must, in April 15, '61; died of wounds re
ceived at Shiloh.
Geo. W. Hibbard, age 20, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61.
Matthew Kemper, age 25, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61.
David C. Ely, age 27, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61; promoted regi
mental wagon master.
Henry Chamberlain, age 21, corporal.
Hiram Hull, age 31, corp., Co. E; must in July 17. '61.

52 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Geo. R. Watson, age 23, private, Oo. A; must, in July 17, '61.
Joshua Lee, age 19, Co. C; must, in July 17, '61; taken prisoner at
Shiloh.
Jas. McGonegal, age 20, private, Co. C; must, in July 17, '61; pro
moted corporal.
Jas. Amber, age 31, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61.
John Burris, age 27, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61; died at
Sedalia, Mo., Nov. 17, '61.
Geo. A. Brown, age 20, private, Co. E; must in July 17, '61; wounded
at Shiloh.
Josiah N. De Tar, age 20.
Grandon Hendrix, age 20, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61;
wounded at Shiloh, but rejoined regiment and served dur
ing the war.
Hilas Kells, age 18, private, Co. E; must, in July 17, '61; wounded at
Shiloh and died at Cincinnati, O.
Sam'l D. Harn, age 20, private, Co. D; must, in July 17, '61; wounded
at Missionary Ridge.
Michael Combes, Jr., age 19, private, Co. D; must, in July 17, '61.
Warren Turk, private, Co. G; must, in July 17, '61.
Sam'l Sumner, age 21, private, Co, G; must, in July 17, '61; killed at
Atlanta by the bursting of a shell.
SEVENTH INFANTRY.
Tobias S. Benson, age 24, 3d ser., Co. F; must, in Feb. 11, '62.
Conrad Stoker, age 41, 4th ser., Co. F; must, in July 11, '62.
Calvin Walden, age 28, private, Co. F; must, in July 11, '62.
Henry C. Marck, age 19, private, Co. F; must, in July 24, '61.
EIGHTH INFANTRY.
Henry C. Markham, age 40, cap., Co. I; must, in Sept. 2, '01; resigned
at Sedalia, Dec. 21, '61.
Calvin Kelsey, age 29, cap. Co. I; must, in Dec. 1, '61; taken prisoner
at Shiloh.
John G. Harron, age 27, 1st lieut, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; re
signed at St. Louis, 1861.
Andrew Robb, age 51, 2d lieut, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; resigned
at Sedalia, 1861.
Jas. Noffsinger, age 27, 1 ser., Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; died of
dysentery at Camp Sherman, Miss., Sept. 10, '63.
Thos. R. Robb, age 26, 2d ser., Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; killed at
Shiloh.
Porters W. Codner, age 24, 3d ser., Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61.
Albert Haywood, age 24, 4th ser., Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61.
Robt. Fullerton, age 18, 5th ser., Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; died of
wounds at St. Louis, Oct. 21, '61.
Jonathan C. Payne, age 27, 5th ser., Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61.;
taken prisoner at Shiloh.
John F. Wright, age 25, 6th ser., Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61.
Robt. M. Myers, age 27, 1st corp., Oo. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; dis
charged at St. Louis for disability, Oct. 21, '61.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 53
Michael Cahoe, age 27, 1st corp., Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; taken
prisoner at Shiloh.
Elias C. Hunter, age 26, 2d corp., Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61.
John Haver, 2d lieut, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61.
Joseph N. Lyon, Co. I; must, in June 24, '61.
Wm. Kelsey, age 19, 3d corp., Co. I; must in Sept. 12, '61; taken pris
oner at Shiloh.
Henry Judson, age 22, 6th corp., Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; reduced
to ranks at Keokuk for disobedience, Nov. 10, '62.
Henry Gordon, age 21, 3d corp., Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; killed at
Shiloh.
Martin Acheson, age 22, 7th corp., Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; wound
ed at Corinth, Oct. 4, '62.
Jas. Catteru, age 44, 8th corp., Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; reduced
to ranks at Keokuk for disobedience.
Geo. T. Lease, age 39, 8th corp., Co. I; must, in Aug. 10, '61; taken
prisoner at Shiloh.
David Carter, age 19, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61.
Thos. Ellison, age 42, wagoner, Co. I; must, in Nov. 10, '61.
Isani Adcox, age 23, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; discharged
at St. Louis, March 13, '62, for disability.
J. A. Breek el, age 22, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; taken pris
oner at Shiloh.
David Carter, age 19, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61.
Chas. Covert, age 24, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61.
Nathaniel D. Clark, age 18, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61.
Chas. E. Fox, age 35, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; wounded
in right shoulder.
Wm. Z. Free, age 23, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; promoted
to 6th corporal.
Hem-y C. Gordon, age 21.
Wm. H. Hittle, age 18, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61.
Daniel Hammer, age 24, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61.
John Holmes, age 18, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; died of
fever at Quincy, Mo., March 16, '62.
Cyrus Judd, age 25, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61.
John Judson, age 25, private, Co. 1; must, in Sept. 12, '61; died in hos
pital, St. Louis, Nov. 20, '61.
Harlow Judson, age 18, private, Co. 1; must, in Sept. 12, '61; taken
prisoner.
Robt. Level, Jr., age 21, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; taken
prisoner at Shiloh.
Wm. McMichael, age 43, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; taken
prisoner at Shiloh.
Chas. McClain, age 44, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; killed
at Shiloh.
Miles Woodford, age 18, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61.
Albert C. Nolan, age 22, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; dis
charged for disability at Corinth, June 14, '62.
Wm. H. H. Paisley, age 21, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; dis
charged for worthlessness at Sedalia, Feb. 16, '62.
Albert Paisley, age 18, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; dis
charged for worthlessness at Sedalia, Feb. 16, '62.

54 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Elijah Robb, age 18, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61.
Silas R. Shipley, age 37, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; dis
charged by order of Gen. Ord at Corinth, July 5, '62,
Amosy E. Sweet, age 22, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; dis
charged for worthlessness at Sedalia, Feb. 15, '62.
Sylvester A. Sperry, age 28, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; dis
charged for worthlessness at Sedalia, Feb. 15, '62.
Andrew Singer, age 31, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; trans
ferred to Co. E, 6th Iowa Infantry, Oct. 17, '61.
Oliver T. Taylor, age 18, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; taken
prisoner at Shiloh.
Wm. A. Trowbridge, age 18, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; dis
charged for disability at Sedalia, Mo., Feb. 4, '62.
Wm. J. Welshire, age 41, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61; trans
ferred to First Nebraska Infantry, Dec. 31, '61.
John A. Wright, age 25, private, Co. I; must, in Sept. 12, '61.
Geo. Opie, age 18, private, Co. I; must, in Oct 3, '61.
THIRTEENTH INFANTRY.
Jas. M. Robb, age 25, 1st lieut., Co. H; must, in Sept. 17, '62; enlisted
as private Nov. 21, '61.
John A. Robb, age 16, musician, Co. H; must, in Nov. 2, '61.
Jas. G. Boyle, age 19, private, Co. H; must, in Nov. 2, '61; discharged
for chronic diarrhea, Oct. 23, '62.
Jas. Bain, age 21, private, Co. H; must, in Nov. 2, '61.
David M. Conley, age 19, private, Co. H; must, in Nov. 2, '61.
Thos. Elder, age 20, private, Co. H; must, in Nov. 2, '61; wounded in
foot at Shiloh.
Jas. C. Eggin, age 24, jprivate, Co. H; must, in Nov. 2, '61; wounded
in arm at Vicksburg.
W. D. Harrison, age 18, private, Co. H; must, in Nov. 2, '61.
Sam'l Little, age 18, private, Co. H; must, in Nov. 2, '61; died at Mont
erey, Tenn., May 26, '62.
Louis A. Meeks, age 24, private, Co. H; must, in Nov. 2, '61; deserted.
Harvey W. Norman, age 21, private, Co. H; must, in Nov. 2, '61:
wounded at Atlanta, Ga.
Thos. Porter, age 27, private, Co. H; must, in Nov. 2, '61.
Alex. C. Watson, age 18, private, Co. H; must, ih Nov. 2, '61; wound
ed in mouth at Atlanta.
Chris. C. Woodcock, age 20, private, Co. H; must, in Nov. 2, '61; died
at Monterey, Tenn., May 26, '62.
Hardin Wilson, age 27, private, Co. C; must, in Jan. 1, '64.
Alva F. Woodcock, age 19, private, Co. H; must, in Nov. 2, '61.
Geo. R. Robinson, age 32, private, Co. D; must, in July 25, '64; wound
ed slightly at Stephenson, Ala., and again at Kingston, N.
O, March 9, '65.
Jas. R. McDonald, age 19, private, Co. H; must, in Oct. 15, '61.
John M. Kuhn, age 23, private, Co. H; must, in Oct. 15, '61.
FIFTEENTH INFANTRY.
Geo. W. Kuhn, age 29, 6th corp., Co. I; must, in March 29, '62; died
of wounds at Keokuk, May 11, '62.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 55
Geo. Anderson, age 45, private, Co. I; must, in Jan. 24, '62; trans
ferred to Co. K, 17th Iowa Infantry, March 1, '62.
David Boon, age 45, private, Co. I; must, in Jan. 24, '62; discharged
for disability at St. Louis, May 25, '62.
John A. McGee, age 29, private, Co. I; must, in Jan. 24, '62; severely
wounded in jaw at Corinth.
Marshal H. Wilson, age 21, private, Co. I; must, in Jan. 24, '62; killed
at Shiloh.
SEVENTEENTH INFANTRY.
Oliver B. Smith, age 20, private, Co. F; must, in Jan. 24, '62.
David A. Craig, age 29, cap., Co. H; must, in April 11, '62.
Chas. Eubanks, age 29, 5th ser., Co. H; must, in April 11, '62.
Jas. Craig, age 20, 1st ser., Co. H; must, in April 11, '62.
Jackson Johnson, age 21, 5th corp., Co. H; must, in April 11, '62.
Thos. Beezley, age 21, 6th ser., Co. H; must, in April 11, '62.
Oliver M. Archer, age 20, private, Co. H; must, in April 11, '62.
Wm. H. Cummings, age 22, private, Co. H; must, in April 11, '62.
Noah Clodfelter, age 18, private, Co. H; must, in April 11, '62; dis
charged at Corinth, Nov. 20, '62 — disability.
Dominic Carr, age 27, private, Co. H; must, in April 11, '62; promoted
3d sergeant, captured at Missionary Ridge.
Sam'l Enochs, age 19, private, Co. H; must, in April 11, '62.
John Fitzpatrick, age 23, private, Co. H; must, in April 11, '62.
Joseph Hollingshead, age 19, private, Co. H; must, in April 11, '62.
AVm. Hilliard, age 42, private, Co. H; must, in April 11, '62; dis
charged for disability at St. Louis, June 8, '62.
Aaron V. Howard, age 18, private, Co. H; must, in April 11, '62; died
at Keokuk of congestion of brain, April 15, '62.
Isaac Link, age 18, private, Co. H; must, in April 11, '62.
Sam N. Link, age 18, private, Co. H; must, in April 11, '62.
John McCoy, age 19, private, Co. H; must, in April 11, '62.
Chas. McMichael, age 18, private, Co. H; must, in April 11, '62.
Thos. M. Paisley, age 18, private, Co. H; must, in April 11, '62; died
of dysentery at St. Louis, May 25, '62.
John AV. Sage.
Cyril Tempton, age 24, private, Co. H; must, in April 11, '62.
Alexander Trimble, age 18, private, Co. H; must, in April 11, '62.
Simon D. Mock, age 21, private, Co. H; must, in April 11, '62.
Robt. M. Mock, age 22, private, Co. H; must, in April 11, '62.
AVm. A. Walker, age 33, private, Co. K; must, in March 7, '61.
Geo. Anderson, age 44, private, Co. K; must, in March 1, '62; joined
Co. I, 15th Inft, and discharged for disability July 12, '62.
Geo. Rybolt, age. 32, 4th corp., Co. K; must, in April 16, '62.
John Anderson, age 19, private, Co. K; must, in April 16, '62; wound
ed slightly in arm at Iuka, Miss., Sept. 19, '62.
David AVarner, age 19, private, Co. K; must, in April 16, '62.
EIGHTEENTH INFANTRY.
G. W. Vance, age 27, 1st corp., Co. C; must, in Aug. 8, '62.
John F. Evans, age 22, 2d corp., Co. C; must, in Aug. 8, '62.
Sam'l F. Newell, age 24, 5th corp., Co. C; must, in Aug. 8, '6?

56 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Victory F. Aubrey, age 34, 7th corp., Co. C; must, in Aug. 8, '62.
E. A. Couchman, age 18, private, Co. C; must, in Aug. 8, '62.
David H. Easley, age 18, private, Co. C; must, in Aug. 8, '62.
P. H. Fitzpatrick, age 21, private, Co. C; must, in Aug. 8, '62; wounded
slightly.
Abraham" Iseley, age 18, private, Co. C; must, in Aug. 8, '62.
Stoddard Jenison, age 24, private, Co. C; must, in Aug. 8, '62.
Jas. M. Kemper, age 24, private, Co. C; must, in Aug. 8, '62.
John F. McClure, age 27, private, Co. C; must, in Aug. 8, '62.
Andrew H. Howard, age 19, private, Co. F; must, in Aug. 8, '02.
TWENTY-SECOND INFANTRY.
Robt. M. AVilson, age 47, cap., Co. D; must, in Sept. 10, '62.
Wm. Phinny, age 28, lieut, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62.
Matthew A. Robb, age 28, 2d lieut., Co. D; must, in Aug. 26, '62.
N. B. Humphry, age 22, 1st ser., Co. D; must, in Aug. 26, '62.
Richard AV. Shahan, age 38, 2d ser., Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; dis
charged for disability, Aug. 4, '63.
M. L. Clemmons, age 30, 3d ser., Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; wound
ed slightly in left thigh at Vicksburg.
Nathaniel Hays, age 43, 4th ser., Co-. D; must, in Aug. 28, '62.
John AV. Flynn, age 25, 5th ser., Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62.
N. T. Frederick, age 21, 1st Corp., Oo. D; must, in Aug. 26, '62.
Nathaniel G. Teas, age 33, 2d ser., Co. D; must, in Aug. 26, '62; killed
in battle at Vicksburg.
N'ewt. B. Gordon, age 30, 3d corp., Co. D; must, in Aug. 26, '62.
Thos. B. Buchanan, age 32, 4th corp., Co. D; must, in Aug. 26, '62.
Chas. H. Stephenson, age 21, 5th corp., Co. D; must, in Aug. 26, '62;
captured Sept. 19, '64, at Winchester.
Eleven Hambler, age 21, 6th corp., Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; dis
charged Feb. 4, '63, for disability.
Geo. W. Buchanan, age 21, 6th corp., Co. D; must, in Dec. 24, '62;
wounded slightly in the head at Vicksburg.
Harry M. (iibson, age 27, 7th corp., Co. D; must, in Aug. 26, '62.
John B. Grimes, age 21, 7th corp., Co. D; must in Sept. 2S, '62.
Ferdinand Wood, age 34, 8th corp., Co. D; must, iu Aug. 26, '62;
wounded at Vicksburg and transferred to invalid corps.
Chester AV. Farrar, age 27, musician, Co. D; must, in Aug. 28, '62;
killed at Vicksburg.
Benjamin Drummond, age 39, wagoner, Co. D; must, in Aug. 26, '62;
transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps.
Amos Adkison, age 27, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 30, '62.
Jas. V. Adkison, age 22, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62.
E. L. Anderson, age 22, private, Co. D; Aug. 26, '62; wounded nt
Vicksburg, May 27, and died of wounds May 24, '63.
Francis M. Anderson, age 18, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62.
John Burch, age 24, private, Co. D ; must, in Aug. 28, '62.
Sam'l Byerley, age 21, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 26, '62; killed at
Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 1864.
AVm. Barber, age 35, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62.
J. T. Bellman, age 36, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 57
Abner Barnard, age 21, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; killed at
Vicksburg.
Henry M. Collins, age 25, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62.
W. AV. Cook, age 25, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 26, '62; wounded
at Cedar Creek, Jan. 19, and died Jan. 2, '65.
AVm. Conway, age 41, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62.
Acquillia Combs, age 33, private, Oo. D; must, in Aug. 26, '62.
S. R. Conley, age 21, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; captured
at Vicksburg; wounded at Cedar Creek.
El vin Drummond, age 29, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; killed
at Vicksburg.
David Darrow, age 22, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 26, '62.
H. Drummond, age 27, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; killed at
Vicksburg.
Adrian Durby, age 25, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; trans
ferred to invalid corps Jan. 15, '64.
Chas. M. Forrest, age 17, private, Co. D; must, in Feb. 13, '64.
E. F. Eshom, age 18, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 26, '62; died at
New Orleans, Mo., of dysentery, July 21, '64.
Jas. A. Eshom, age 23, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; killed
at Vicksburg.
Geo. AV. Eshom, age 21, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 26, '62; died of
typhoid fever at Rolla, Mo., Dec. 17, '62.
Andrew Eccles, age 29, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; died at
Vicksburg of typhoid pneumonia.
Thos. J. Forest, age 21, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 26, '62; dis
charged Dec. 19, '62, for debility.
Chas. B. Foshier, age 24, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; died
Dec. 19, '62.
Sanford R. Fuller, age 27, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62.
John B. Grimes, age 21, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; pro
moted 7th corp. and died on steamer City of Memphis, June
9, '63, of typhoid fever.
John H. Hittle, age 28, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62.
Thos. B. Hickenlooper, age 20, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 2S, '02.
Thilip Hertzer, age 18, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 28, '62; captured
at Indianola, Tex., Feb. 22, '64.
Wm. Hardenbrook, age 18, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; dis
charged for disability, Feb. 25, '63.
J. H Holbrook, age 41, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 28, '62; wounded
at AVinchester, Sept. 19, '64, and died Sept. 20, '69.
Isaac Hayes, age 19, private, Cq. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62.
Horace H. Judson, age 23, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62.
J. A. Kesler, age 24, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62.
Henry Kritzer, age 25, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; captured
Sept. 19, '64, at Winchester, Va,.
AVm. Lundy, age 31, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 26, '62.
Sam'l Lloyd, age 31, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 26, '62; wounded
and captured at Vicksburg and died of wounds June 8, '63.
Jas. Lindsay, age 28, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; killed at
Vicksburg.
G. AV. Lefever, age 24, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; wounded
severely in foot at Winchester and died Oct. 26, '64.

58 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Geo. H. Miller, age 27, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; killed at
Vicksburg.
Cornelius E. Miller, age 18, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62.
Geo. W. McManis, age 22, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 26, '62.
O. S. McCoy, age 18, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; discharged
for disability, June 26, '63.
Alex. McCahan, age 21, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62.
Jacob D. Mock, age 35, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; wounded
slightly in right foot, May 22, '63.
Jas. A. Moore, age 19, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; wounded
severely in hip at Cedar Creek.
Cy. T. McConnell, age 21, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62;
wounded May 22, '63, and discharged Jan. 29, '64.
Geo. W. Maiden, age 21, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 28, '62; killed
at Vicksburg..
Isaac Mock, age 18, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 26, '62; died July
18, '63, on steamer Crescent City.
W. H. Needham, age 21, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62.
W. H. Norman, age 21, private, Co. D; must in Aug. 27, '62.
C. C. Pyeatt, age 19, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 26, '62; died of
disease, May 2, '63, at Milliken's Bend, La.
Jacob S. Ray, age 29, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; wounded
and died June 12, '63, at Memphis, Tenn.
Sam'l Rose, age 43, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 26, '62; died of
chronic diarrhea at New Orleans, Sept. 28, '63.
Wm. M. Runnells, age 18, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 26, '62.
John A. Robb, age 31, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 26, '62; killed at
Vicksburg.
H. F. Rogers, age 21, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 26, '62; captm-ed
May 22, '63, and died Jan, 5, '65, of diarrhea.
Noble A. Rogers, age 27, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62;
drowned at St. Louis, Sept. 18, '62.
Arthur Rose, age 18, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 30, '62; deserted.
Hugh Sinclair, age 21, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62.
P. S. Stone, age 30, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62.
Ashbill Sperry, age 26, private, Co. D; must in Aug. 26, '62.
Chas. M. Smith, age 18, private, Co. D; must in Aug. 27, '62; died
Jan. 3, '64, of typhoid fever, at Mustang Island, Tex.
N. P. T. Smith, age 18, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; dis
charged for disability, June 26, '63.
AVm. H. Salyer, age 22, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; trans
ferred Sept. 15, '63, for promotion in 2d Mass. Vols.
Thos. B. Tate, age 21, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; wounded
May 22, '63, and discharged Jan. 29, '64, for disability.
Fred. A. Tibbals, age 44, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; dis
charged for disability, June 4, '63.
J. N. A'an Pelt, age 26, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; wounded
severely in the head and leg at Winchester, Sept. 19, '64,
and discharged for disability, Jan. 30, '65.
Thos. J. Wilson, age 31, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 30, '62.
Joel Webb, age 24, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; captm-ed at
Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, '64.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 59
Abraham Wallick, age 42, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; trans
ferred to Invalid Corps.
J. L. D. Williamson, age 38, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 26, '62; de
serted Sept. 28, '62.
W. C. Wilson, age 19, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '62; wounded
severely in both thighs.
Geo. W. Kimball, rejected on account of rupture.
Henry E. Crawford, rejected on account of enlargement of heart.
Chas. T. Hartley, age 24, 2d corp., Co. H; must, in Aug. 27, '62.
Anthony Berner, age 24, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 27, '62.
Pleas P. Card well, age 42, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 27, '62;
wounded severely in both feet, May 22, '63, and discharged
Dec. 26, '65.
Allen Cloud, age 41, private, Co. H; must in Aug. 27, '62; wounded
ait Vicksburg in left arm and discharged for disability Sept.
14, '63.
John Y. Davis, age 20, private, Co. D; must, in Aug. 27, '65; wounded
at Vicksburg and died June 23, '63, at Memphis.
Geo. W. Flint, age 27, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 27, '62; wounded
slightly in head at Winchester.
Peter L. Fowler, age 19, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 27, '62.
S. W. Geeslin, age 24, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 27, '62.
H. H. Grosvenor, age 30, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 27, '62.
Thos. Griffiths, age 23, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 27, '62.
John Hall, age 30, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 27, '62; died Aug. 13,
'63, at Benton Barracks, of diarrhea.
E. P. Huffman, age 25, private, Oo. H; must, in Aug. 27, '62; wound
ed in right breast at Vicksburg and died Aug. 14, '63.
G. M. Huffman, age 18, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 27, '62; captured
Jan. 22, '64, near Lavacca, Tex.
Geo. Hunt, age 23, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 27, '62; wounded in
right arm and shoulder at Vicksburg.
A. H. Maxwell, age 20, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 27, '62.
Alex. Miller, age 19, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 27, '62; eaptured
at Winchester, Sept. 19, '64, and died a prisoner at Salis
bury, N. C.
Nicholas Alfred, age 19, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 27, '62.
John Olston, age 22, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 27, '62; died at
Vicksburg, June 26, '63.
G. H. Patton, age 28, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 27, '62.
M. Phillips, age 22, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 27, '62.
Jas. W. Stearns, age 20, private.
Wm. Winterstein. THIRTY-SIXTH INFANTRY.
Moses Cousins, age 35, surgeon, Co. A; commissioned Sept. 3, '62.
; Michael Hare, age 44, chaplain, Co. A; commissioned Nov. 7, '62.
Daniel Ivens, age 44, hospital surgeon, Co. A; must, in Oct. 4, '62.
Martin J. Varner, age 35, cap., Co. A; must, in Oct. 4, '62.
John Walker, age 39, 1st lieut., Co. A; must, in Oct. 4, '62.
John M. Porter, age 37, 2d lieut., Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; pro
moted to 1st lieut. and captain in '64; wounded twice at
Mark's Mills.

60 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
David H. Scott, age 37, 1st ser., Oo. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; captured
at Mark's Mills.
Asa S. Baird, age 38, 2d ser., Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; cap
tured at Mark's Mills.
Davidson P. Bay, age 26, 3d ser., Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62;
wounded in right shoulder by guerrillas in Yazoo Exp. and
died at Tyler, Texas, in '64.
David Ross, age 31, 4th ser., Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; died at
Carbondale, 111., Dec. 5, '62.
George P. Barton, age 25, 5th ser., Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62.
AVashington Shahan, age 29, 1st corp., Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62:
died at Keokuk, Nov. 15, '62.
David M. Warren, age 27, 2d corp., Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62.
Chas. S. Deyo, age 33, 3d Corp., Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; cap
tured at Mark's Mills.
Michael Hittle, age 21, 4th corp., Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62.
Laurel H. Tyrrell, age 39, 5th corp., must, in Sept. 11, '62.
Jacob Hittle, age 42, 6th corp., Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62.
Sam'l B. Tyrrell, age 30, 7th corp., Oo. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; died
at Keokuk, Nov. 15, '62.
AVm. Snethen, age 44, 8th corp., Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; dis
charged for disability, Jan. 24, '63.
David Lyon, age 30, musician, Co. A; must in Sept. 11, '62; died at
Keokuk in '62.
Henry Bain, age 19, musician, Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; discharged
at Keokuk for disability.
Jas. H. Morris, age 35, wagoner, Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; dis
charged for disability, Dec. 1, '63.
John Barnes, age 26, private, Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; died at
Ball's Bluff, Ark., Aug. 11, '63.
Benjamin Bennett, age 38, private, Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; killed
at Mark's Mills.
Teter Boyer, age 31, private, Oo. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; killed at
Mark's Mills.
Sam'l Burnett, age 28, private, Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62.
Ephraim Bristow, age 43, private, Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; died
at St.- Louis, Jan. 6, '63.
Jas. H. Allen, age 18, private, Co. A; must in Feb. 20, '62; died at
Little Rock, July 30, '64.
Thos. L. Castle, age 25, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 20, '62.
Geo. O. Catron, age 20, private, Co. A; must, in March 9, '62; wound
ed April 25, '64; died June 23, '64.
Wm. Carhart, age 21, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 20, '62; accident
ally drowned at Little Rock, Ark., July 20, '64.
Alexander Elder, age 25, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 28, '62; wound
ed and taken prisoner April 25, '64.
John Foreman, age 18, private, Co. A; must, in Nov. 23, '62; taken
prisoner.
John Kreitzer, age 18, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 20, '62; taken pris
oner at Mark's Mills.
Geo. Lindsay, age 21, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 20, '62.
David C. Moore, age 32, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62; wounded
at Elkins' Ford, Ark.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 61
Joseph Meadow, Co. A; wounded and taken prisoner at Mark's Mills.
Wm. E. McKissick, age 18, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 20, '62; taken
prisoner at Mark's Mills.
Jas. McKissick, age 40, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62; taken
prisoner at Mark's Mills, also wounded.
Almond McNeil, age 42, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 20, '62; taken
prisoner at Mark's Mills.
Wm. Martin, age 31, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62.
G. F. Stephenson, age 19, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 20, 62; cap
tured at Mark's Mills.
Marshal Law, age 27, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62; mustered
out as lieutenant.
Robt. Martin, age 22, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62; wounded
at Mark's Mills and died of wounds.
Geo. W. McBride, age 19, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62; dis
charged for disability, Sept. 9, '63.
Joseph Middaw, age 38, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62; wound
ed slightly and captured at Mark's Mills.
Samuel D. A. Mahin, age 18, private,' Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62.
Geo. W. Miles, age 30, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62.
Geo. W. Mahin, age 24, private, Co. A; mustered in Feb. 26, '62.
Sylvester Mifford, age 22, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62.
Lewis S. Maddox, age 32, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62.
Jas. Nickel, age 24, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62.
Thos. Nickel, age 22, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62; wounded
July 5, '64, Yazoo Expedition.
AV. D. Nelson, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62.
Jas. M. Osborn, age 24, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62; died oC
chronic gastritis at Keokuk, Jan. 5, '64.
David Parks, age 27, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62; captured
at Mark's Mills.
Wm. H. Phelps, age 22, private, Co. A;- must, in Feb. 26, '62.
Thos. G. Robb, age 22, private.Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62.
Ephraim D. Rathbum, age 18, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62;
discharged Nov. 17, '63, at Keokuk, for diarrhea.
John T. Riddle, age 19, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62.
Henry Reitzel, age 25, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62; died April
7, '64, at Camden, Ark.
Newton Scott, age 20, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62.
W. H. Smith, age 39, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62; died Aug.
31, '63, at Keokuk.
Lorens S. Shepherd, age 26, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62;
wounded.
Daniel Shepherd, age 23, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62; killed
' at Mark's Mills.
Darius Stacy, age 35, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62; captured
at Mark's Mills and died of fever at Tyler, Tex., June 13, '64.
John C. Taylor, age 19, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62.
AVm. D. Miller, age 40, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62.
AVm. C. Watson, age 22, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62.
W. W. Wills, age 25, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62.
Wm. Warwick, age 33, private, Co. A; must in Feb. 26, '62.

62 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, ''IOWA.
Geo. W. Wilson, age 22, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62; dis
charged for chronic diarrhea at Keokuk, Jan. 30, '64.
John N. Wilson, age 25, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62.
John J. Cattern, rejected on account of fractured leg.
R. K. Nelson, rejected on account of loss of teeth.
Nathan Meek, rejected on account of hemorrhoids.
Jas. J. Henderson, rejected on account of pulmonary weakness.
Edward Ryne, rejected on account of injured arm.
Robt. Lyons, rejected on account of varicose leg.
Timothy Breese, age 43, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62; dis
charged July 13, '63.
Wm. P. Cone, age 18, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62.
.las. Carhart, age 18, private, Co. A; must. Feb. 26, '62.
AA'rn. Castle, age 26, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62; captured
at Mark's Mills.
Daniel Crawford, age 36, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62; dis
charged at Keokuk, March 27, '65.
Zellek H. Collens, age 22, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62; died
at Little Rock, '64.
Thos. A. Carter, age 20, private Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62; wound
ed at Elkins' Ford, April 4, '64.
AVin. Carhart.
Jas. G. Conley, age 27, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62; drowned
at Little Rock, July 2, '64, while bathing.
Joseph Cattern, age 21, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62.
Joseph Colclasure, age 22, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62; died
in '63 at Shell Mound, Miss.
John M. Connett, age 40, private, Co-. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62; cap
tured at Mark's Mills.
Isaiah H. Conley, age 29, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62.
John W. Clodfelter, age 25, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62; died
of disease at Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 20, '63.
Perry Crawley, age 37, private, Co. A; must in Feb. 26, '62; died Feb
27, '63.
John Dempsey, age 25, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62.
H. M. Chedister, age 23, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '62; captured
at Mark's Mills.
Wm. H. Dean, age 34, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 20, '63; captured
at Mark's Mills and died Sept. 24, '65, at Tyler, Tex.
John H. Deats, age 20, private, Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; died at
Keokuk of chronic diarrhea, June 22, '63.
Jacob Elder, age 29, private, Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; died at
Memphis, Tenn., Sept. 16. '63.
Wm. G. Elder, age 19, private, Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62.
Albert Grimes, age 41, private, Co. A; must in Sept. 11, '62; wounded
slightly and captured at Mark's Mills.
Jacob Gray, age 20, private, Co. A; must in Sept. 11, '62.
Richard R. Gunter, age 32, private, Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; dis
charged for disability March 12, '63, at St. Louis.
Geo. AV. Grass, age 30, private, Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; captured
at Mark's Mills.
Wm. A. Hamilton, age 19, private, Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; died
at Helena, '63.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 63
Jacob Hull, age 23, private, Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; discharged
for disability, Dec. 19, '63.
AA7m. Homes, age 26, private, Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; died at
Helena, Ark., '63.
Harry Hoburn, age, 27, private, Co. A; must in Sept. 11, '62; dis
charged Nov. 19, '63, for disability.
John Harbison, age 23, private, Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '63:
Geo. W. Harper, private, Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '63.
Harry Hendrickson, age 28, private, Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62.
Frederick Hiteman, age 25, private, Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62.
AVm. Humphrey, age 39, private, Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; died
at Keokuk, Nov. 10, '62.
Sam'l J. Hendricks, age 31, private, Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; dis
charged April 11, '63.
Jacob Hendrix, age 22, private, Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; cap
tured at Mark's Mills.
Henry Harger, age 22, private, Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62.
Isaac M. Hill, age 30, private, Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; wounded
and died at Elkins' Ford, Ark., '64.
Dan'l Ivens, age 44, private, Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; promoted
hospital steward, Oct. 4, '62.
Wm. H. Knight, age 21, private^ Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; died
at Little Rock, Ark., March 22, '64.
Patrick Kennedy, age 28, private, Oo. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; died
at Keokuk, Oct. 13, '63.
.Elijah T. Knight, age 27, private, Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; dis
charged Nov. 30, '63.
Jas. C. Lyons, age 22, private, Oo. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; died at
Keokuk, Dec. 3, '62.
Alfred Lowe, age 36, private, Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62; discharged
for disability March 24, '63. '
John Lucas, age 33, private, Co. A; must, in Sept. 11, '62.
Nelson Derby, age 18, private, Co. B; must, in Sept. 3, '62; captm-ed
at Mark's Mills.
John W. McMabill, age 22, private, Co. B; must, in Sept. 3, '62.
Thos. J. McCormack, age 26, private, Co. B ; must, in Sept. 3, '62.
Hiram A. Pratt, age 22, private, Co. B; must, in Sept. 3, '62; captured
at Mark's Mills.
Jacob AVest, age 38, private, Co. B; must, in Sept. 3, '62; captured
at Mark's Mills.
Levi AVest, age 31, private, Co. B; must, in Sept. 3, '62; discharged
for disability at St. Louis.
John H. T. Harn, age 18, musician, Co. C; most, in Sept. 18, '62.
Wilson Burris, age 30, private, Co. C; must, in Sept. 18, '62; captured
at Mark's Mills.
O. P. Huntington, age 21, private, Co. C; must, in Sept. 18, '62; dis
charged, for disability at Helena, Ark.
Uriah Link, age 24, private, Co. C; must, in Sept. 18, '62; severely
wounded and captured at Mark's Mills.
Matthias Lamon, age 24, private, Co. C; must in Sept. 18, '62; dis
charged for disability at St. Louis.
Dan'l H. Sumner, age 21, private, Co. C; must, in Sept. 18, '62; cap
tured at Mark's Mills.

64 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Michael K. Tedrow, age 35, private, Co. C; must, in Sept. 18, '62; cap
tured at Mark's Mills.
Richard Hobson, age 26, 5th corp., Co. D; must, in Sept. 6, '62; cap
tured at Mark's Mills.
Peter Stuber, age 23, 6th corp., Co.D; must, in Sept. 6, '62.
AVm. Amos, age 18, private, Co. D; must, in Sept. 6, '62; captured
at Mark's Mills.
Geo. Amos, age 23, private, Co. D; must in Sept. 6, '62.
Jas. M. Blair, age 25, private, Co. D; must, in Sept. 6, '62.
Geo. W. Blair, age 22, private, Co. D; must, in Sept. 6, '62.
Dan'l T. Fall, age 18, private, Co. D; must, in Sept. 6, '62; captured
at Mark's Mills.
Benj. F. Gordon, age 18, private, Co. D; must, in Sept. 6, '62; captured
at Mark's Mills.
David F. Gray, age 22, private, Co. D; must, in Sept. 6, '62.
John S. Gray, age 19, private, Co. D; must, in Sept. 6, '62; captured
at Mark's Mills.
Thos. Myers, age 24, private, Co. D; must.' in Sept. 6, '62.
Joseph Roberts, age 22, private, Co. D; must, in Sept. 6, '62; dis
charged for disability at St. Louis.
Philip Stuber, age 18, private, Co. D; must, in Sept. 6, '62; discharged
at Keokuk for heart disease.
John G. Steele, age 23, private, Co. D; must, in Sept. 6, '62.
Abram Umbenhower, age 19, private, Co. D; must, in Sept. 6, '62;
captured at Mark's Mills.
John D. AVestfall, age 43, 4th corp., Co. F; must, in Oct. 4, '62.
AVm K. Kemper, age 22, 3d ser., Co. F; must, in Oct. 4, '62.
Thos. A. Duckworth, age 25, 6th corp., Co. F; must, in Oct. 4, '62.
Martin L. Landis, age 18, musician, Co. F; must, in Oct. 4, "62.
John M. Collett, age 18, private, Co. F; must, in Oct. 4, '62.
Robert Etheredge, age 19, private, Co. F; must, in Oct. 4, '62; dis
charged at Helena for disability.
Elihu Ma.nley, age 21, private, Co. F; must, in Oct. 4, '62.
AA'm. Eads, age 37, private, Co. F; must, in Oct. 4, '62; discharged
at Helena for disability.
Alex. Eads, age 29, private, Co. F; must, in Oct. 4, '62.
Jas. C. Evans, age 38, private, Co'. F; must, in Oct. 4, '62; died of
disease at Little Rock, Aug. 6, '64.
David Evans, age 28, private, Co. F ; must, in Oct. 4, '62.
John Marchbanks, age 32, private, Co. F; must, in Oct. 4, '62; dis
charged at St. Louis for disability.
Nimrod Marchbanks, age 37, private, Co. F; must, in Oct. 4, '62.
Chas. B. Main, age 26, private, Co. F; must, in Oct. 4, '62; killed
at Mark's Mills.
John R. May, age 19, private, Co. F; must, in Oct. 4, '62; discharged
for disability.
Ephraim Nicholson, age 21, private, Co. F; must, in Oct. 4, '62;
wounded slightly and captm-ed at Mark's Mills.
Wm. P. Smith, age 18, private, Co. F; must, in Oct. 4, '62; died of
consumption, Nov. 1, '63, at Little Rock.
Andrew B. Prayther, age 25, private, Co. F; must, in Oct. 4, '62.
Luther C. Roland, age 21, private, Co. F: must, in Oct. 4, '62.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 65
Alexander C. Sheeks, age 18, private, Co. F; must, in Oct. 4, '62; died
Nov. 27, '62, at Keokuk.
John T. Sheeks, age 24, private, Co. F; must, in Oct. 4, '62.
Isaac H. Sheeks, age 21, private, Co. F; must, in Oct. 4, '62.
Wm. B. A. Carter, age 23, musician, Co. K ; must, in Sept. 15, '62.
Geo. W. Brott, age 26, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; wounded,
captm-ed, and died at Mark's Mills.
Luther C. Bailey, age 42, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62.
Jacob Hager, age 25, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62.
Jas. B. Phillips, age 35, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; dis
charged at St. Louis for disability.
Joseph S. Robertson, age 35, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62;
died of typhoid fever at Keokuk, June 17, '63.
Robt. Turner, age 19, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; died at
Keokuk, Nov. 10, '62, of inflammation of brain.
Geo. W. Noble, age 33, capt, Co. K; must, in Sept 15, '62.
John Webb, Jr., age 35, 1st lieut., Co. K; must, in Sept 15, '62.
John Lambert, age 28, 2d lieut., Oo. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62.
John A. Hurlburt, age 28, 1st ser., Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62.
Geo. Hickenlooper, age 36, 2d ser., Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; mus
tered out as lieutenant.
Josiah T. Young, age 31, 3d ser., Co. K; must, in Sept. 13, '62; wound
ed slightly and captured at Mark's Mills.
Eli Moak, age 35, 4th ser., Co. K; must, in Aug. 18, '62; captured at
Mark's Mills.
Ira Hawkins, age 31, 5th ser., Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; died at
Memphis of diarrhea, March 17, '63.
Wm. S. Collins, age 34, 1st corp., Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; reduced
to ranks.
Moses Edwards, age 19, 1st corp., Co. K; must in Sept. 15, '62.
Benj. Kimbrell, age 36, 2d corp., Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; cap
tured at Mark's- Mills.
Jonathan Potts, age 35, 4th corp., Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; died
at Helena, Ark., of fever, May 15, '63.
Sam'l J. McGinnis, age 29, 4th corp., Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62.
Jas. W. Taylor, age 38, 5th corp., Co. K; must, in Oct. 15, '62; cap
tured at Mark's Mills and died of wounds and exposure in
prison at Tyler, Tex., June 13, '64.
Edward Eads, age 38, 7th corp., Co. K; must, in Oct. 15, '62; captured
at Mark's Mills.
Jas. Monflyhan, age 32, Sth corp., Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; cap
tured, at Mark's Mills.
AVm. E. Neville, age 36, Sth corp., Co. K; must, in Oct. 15, '62.
Edward D. Pugh, age 32, musician, Co. K; must, in Sept 15, '62; re
duced to ranks.
John R. Milligan, age 18, musician, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62.
Henry H. Andrew, age 20, wagoner, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; cap
tured at Mark's Mills.
Martin Anderson, age 20, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62.
A. L. Anderson, age 30, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; died of
congestion of bowels, Aug. 6, '63, at Helena, Ark.
Martin J. Anderson, age 20, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62;
wounded severely at Jenkins' Ferry, Ark., April 30, '64.

66 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Creed H. Amos, age 19, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; died at
Helena of inflammation of lungs.
Andrew Bennett, age 23, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62.
Wm. Brawdy, age 24, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62.
A. M. Bailey, age 26, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 16, '62; captured
at Mark's Mills.
Calvin G. Baily, age 21, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; dis
charged at Little Rock for disability, Oct. 30, '63.
Wesley Banister, age 22, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; killed
at Mark's Mills.
Levi Banister, age 19, private, Co. K; must, in Sept 15, '62; captured
at Mark's Mills.
Thos. Barker, age 35, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; wounded
slightly at Elkins' Ford and captured at Mark's Mills.
Aaron A. Campbell, age 25, private, Co. K; must in Sept. 15, '62; cap
tured at Mark's Mills.
Thos. H. Case, age 22, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; captured
at Mark's Mills.
Joseph Chambers, age 30, private, Co. K; must, in Sept.. 15, '62; cap
tured at Mark's Mills.
Henry W. Cline, age 19, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; killed
at Mark's Mills.
Lewis Davis, age 41, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62.
John Day, age 34.
John Epperson, age 22, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; died at
St. Charles, Ark., June 3, '65.
Stephen M. Ely, age 22, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62.
Jas. G. Gibson, age 32, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62.
Nathan Hummel, age 33, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; Killed
at Mark's Mills.
Larkin Harlow, age 21, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; dis
charged for disability, Jan. 14, '63.
Wm. P. Hannon, age 35, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; died
Aug. 21, '63, at Clarendon, Ark., of congestive chills.
Henry Humston, age 28, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62.
Jacob Hagar, age 25, private, Co. K; must in Sept. 15, '62; captured
at Mark's Mills.
Rowland Judd, age 27, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; cap
tured at Mark's Mills.
AVm. G. Jackson, age 33, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; cap
tured at Mark's Mills.
Wm. AV. Keeling, age 35, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; cap
tured at Mark's Mills.
Robt. M. Kirkendall, age 35, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62.
Elisha Ken worthy, age 19, private, Co. K ; must, in Sept. 15, '62.
Calvin Lemons, age 19, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62.
Lewis Montgomery, age 19, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62.
Andrew J. Manley, age 21, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62.
Joseph Morford, age 22, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62.
John R. Milligan, age 18, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; dis
charged Aug. 23, '65, at Keokuk.
Wm. W. Moss, age 25, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 67
Wm. H. Morris, age 21, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; died of
bronchitis, Feb. 16, '63.
Jackson Maxwell, age 20, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62;
wounded and captured at Mark's Mills.
Jas. A. Murphy, age 37, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; cap
tured at Mark's Mills and died July 12, '64, at Tyler, Tex.
Daniel O'Neil, age 23, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; captured
at Mark's Mills.
Ole Olston, age 37, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; died at Little
Rock, Sept. 24, '63, of typhoid fever.
David W. Potts, age 25, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; died at
Helena, April 11, '63, of typhoid fever.
Jacob G Potts, age 23, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; captured
at Mark's Mills.
Jonathan Potts, age 24, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; died
at Keokuk, Nov. 15, '63, of measles.
Nicholas Pfendler, age 33, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62.
Eli Robins, age 44, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; died of
small-pox at St. Louis, Jan. 15, '63.
Edwin Robins, age 23, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; captm-ed
at Mark's Mills.
Byron Richmond, age 19, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62;
wounded and captured at Mark's Mills, died of wounds.
Hiram F. Ray, age 24, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62.
Jas. Stewart, age 29, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62.
David A. Smith, age 18, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; died at
Keokuk of measles, Nov. 27, '62.
Thos. Smiley, age 24, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62.
AVm. Stephens, age 26, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; captured
at Mark's Mills.
Chas. B. Smith, age 20, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; captured
at Mark's Mills.
Wm. H. Taylor, age 24, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; died of
typhoid fever, Oct. 24, '62.
Jas. T. Thair, age 25, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; eaptured
at Mark's Mills.
Thos. M. Thornton, age 26, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62;
wounded at Elkins' Ford.
Reuben M. Thorpe, age 24, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; cap
tured at Mark's Mills."
John Thomas, age 19, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; eaptured
at Mark's Mills.
Geo. Wiggins, age 21, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; captm-ed
at Mark's Mills, and died at New Orleans of diarrhea.
Jonathan Witham, age 43, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62.
Smith V. Wattles, age 18, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 15, '62; killed
at Mark's Mills.
Chas. Campbell, private, Co. K; rejected on account of hernia.
Michael Rolaud, private, Co. K; rejected on account of hernia.
John Holsclaw, private, Co. K; rejected on account of rheumatism.
Wm. I. Long, private, Co. K; rejected on account of fits.
Wm. Moss, private, Co. K; rejected on account of broken collar bone.
David Scott, private, Co. K; rejected on account of rheumatism.

68 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Geo. Vansci, private, Co. K; rejected on account of fits.
John A. Walker, private, Co. K; rejected on account of broken ankle.
Chas. E. White, age 31, private, Co. K; must, in Nov. 10, '62.
AVm. F. Sperry, age 18, private, Co. K; must, in Feb. 20, '64; wounded
and taken prisoner at Elkins' Ford, Ark. ; died Dec. 1, '64,
at Camden, Ark.
Leander Tyrrell, age 19, private, Co. K; must, in Feb. 20, '64; taken
prisoner at Mark's Mills.
Valentine Warren, age 18, private, Co. K; must, in Feb. 22, '64;
wounded at Elkins' Ford, April 4, '64.
Joseph AVarren, age 18, private, Co. K; must, in March 31, '64; died of
disease, July 13, '64, at Little Rock.
James Warrick, age 27, private, Co. K; must, in March 9, '64; died at
Memphis, Oct. 4, '64, of chronic diarrhea.
Samuel Hughes, age 24, private, Co. D; must, in March 5, '64; died
of measles at Little River, Mo., April 3, '64.
Sam. T. Boals, age 18, private, Co. K; must, in Feb. 11, '64; taken
prisoner in Arkansas, April 25, '64.
Thos. J. Keeling, private, Oo. K; must, in Feb. 25, '64; died at Little
Rock, May 20, '64.
Chas. B. Reed, age 19, private, Co. K; must, in Feb. 29, '64; taken
prisoner in Arkansas, April 25, '64.
Abraham P. Waugh, age 19, private, Co. K; must, in Feb. 29, '64; died
at Mark's Mills, May 7, '64.
Wm. J. Young, age 18, private, Co. K; must, in Feb. 11, '64; taken
prisoner in Arkansas, April 25, '64.
John A. Anderson, age 21, private, Co. K; must, in Feb. 20, '64.
Calvin M. Anderson, age 19, private, Co. K; must in March 29, '64.
John Anderson, age 18, private, Co. K; must, in Oct. 20, '64.
Azariah Banister, age 19, private, Co. K; must, in Feb. 25, '64.
Sam'l Bain, age 40, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 26, '64.
Sam'l Christy, age 27, private, Co. K; must, in Oct. 20, '64.
Wm. F. Downs, age 18, private, Co. K; must in March 27, '64.
Wm. Glass, age 44, private, Co. K; must, in Oct. 20, '64.
Wm. R. Judson, age 36, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 10, '64.
Thos. H. L. Knight, age 19, private, Co. A; must, in March 9, '64.
Chas. A. Livingston, age 18, private, Co. A; must, in Feb. 20, '64.
Eben W. Loper, age 18, private, Co. K; must, in Feb. 20, '64.
Peter Miller, age 21, private, Co. K; must, in Feb. 20, '64.
Jas. H. Nelson, age 17, private, Co. K; must, in March 4, '64.
Christopher Nickles, age 35, private, Co. K; must, in Feb. 13, '64.
Algernon Repp, age 20, private, Co. K; must, in Feb. 24, '64.
THIRTY-SEA^ENTH INFANTRY.
("Graybeard Regiment")
Henry C. Markham, age 49, 1st lieut., Co. G; must, in Nov. 14, '62.
Wm. AVelsh, age 52, 5th ser., Co. G; must, in Sept. 9, '62.
Isaac Drury, age 62, private, Co. G; must, in Nov. 13, '62.
Asahil Parmenter, age 65, private, Co. G; must, in Nov. 13, '62; dis
charged for disability, July 4, '64.
Job Rogers, age 55, private, Co. G; must, in Nov. 14, '62; died of
disease, May 1, '63.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 69
Curtis King, age 80, private, Co. H; must, in Dec. 13, '62; discharged
for disability, March 20, '63.
Andrew Sweeney, age 62, private, Co H; must, in Nov. 20, '62.
Ishmael Robinson, age 49, private, Co. I; must, in Nov. 19, '62.
Robt. Lyon, Co. I; went into quarters and died at Muscatine of
typhoid fever, May 27, '62.
John J. Duncan, age 45, 2d lieut, Co. K; must, in Nov. 28, '62.
Danford Cross, age 53, 5th ser., Co. K; must, in Nov. 12, '62; dis
charged Sept. 29, '64.
Thos. Sumner, age 47, 4th corp., Co. K; must, in Nov. 12, '62.
Bennett Cline, age 57, private, Co. K; must in Nov. 12, '62.
Nathan English, age 45, private, Co. K; must, in Nov. 12, '62; dis
charged for disability, May 5, '63.
Calvin Furgason, age 42, private, Co. K; must, in Nov. 12, '62; dis
charged for disability, April 11, '63.
Enoch Goliher, age 48, private, Co. K; must, in Nov. 14, '62; wounded
Aug. 15, '64; accidentally run over by cars, Memphis, Tenn.
AA'm. Miles, age 45, private, Co. K; must, in Nov. 12, '62.
Chas. Smith, age 47, private, Co. K; must, in Nov. 12, '62.
Dan'l Shelby, age 47, private, Co. K; must, in Nov. 12, '62.
Reese Wolfe, age 47, private, Co. K; must, in Nov. 12, '62; died of
disease, Sept. 3, '63, at Alton, IU.
Thos. J. Auspach, private, Co. K; rejected for being under age.
Adam Smith, private, Co. K; rejected for being under age.
FORTY-SIXTH INFANTRY.
Henry Miller, age 35, 1st lieut., Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
Josiah L. Duncan, age 40, 2d lieut, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
Dan'l M. Miller, age 22, 2d ser., Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
Wm. Eads, age 38, 1st corp., Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
Creed C. Scott, age 21, 3d corp., Co. G ; must, in June 10, '64.
John Mullinix, age 38, 4th corp., Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
Dan'l Etter, age 38.
N. W. Wilcox, age 21, 8th corp., Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
C. C. Hays, age 18, musician, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
Frederic Prindle, age 18, musician, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
John McCreary, age 45.
J. M. Anderson, age 18, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
Dan'l O. Amos, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
Addison Boggs, age 18, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
Clark N. Bone, age 18, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
Jas. A. Bone, age 18, private, Co. G ; must, in June 10, '64.
Jacob R. Cowger, age 42, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
John Conway, age 19, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
Ezra T. Cone, age 21, private, Co. G; must in June 10, '64.
Elisha C. Dawson, age 21, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
Jas. W. Dent, age 18, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
John Elder, age 18, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
Michael Follen, age 18, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
Francis Gilbert, age 23, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
John S. Gibson, age 18, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
Robt. G. Gibson, age 19, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.

70 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Squire Grissom, age 18, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
Thos. J. Hollingshead, age 20, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
John Q. Hamilton, age 18, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
Josiah Kellogg, age 43.
Elias M. Miller, age 18, private, Co. G; must in June 10, '64.
A. F. W. B. Morford, age 21, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
Wm. H. McConnell, age 18, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
Chas. A. Martin, age 18, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
Frank O. Mark, age 18, private, Co. G ; must, in June 10, '64.
Leander D. Phinny, age 33, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
John A. J. Sims, age 23, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
Sam'l Smith, age 18, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
RoUings A. Snethen. FORTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY.
Nathan B. SuUivan, age 18, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
Dexter M. Taylor, age 18, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
Thos. A. Tucker, age 40, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
Wm. A. Thornton, age 21, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
G. A. Ulrick, age 19, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
Jas. B. Araughn, age 26, private, Co. G; must, in June 10, '64.
FIRST CAVALRY.
Field and Staff.
Dan'l Anderson, age 40, major; must, in July 10, '62; promoted from
captain of Co. H.
Henry L. DashieU, age 26, commissary; must, in Aug. 26, '62; promoted
from 4th sergeant of Co. H.
Thos. H. Elder, age 25, B. H. S.; must -in Oct. 7, '62.
Wm. Mann, age 25, B. V. S. ; must, in Oct. 7, '62.
Roster of Companies.
Dan'l Anderson, age 40, capt, Co. H; commissioned Sept. 23, '01.
Riley Wescoatt, age 33, capt., Co. H; must, in July 10, '62; promoted
captain in '65.
A. U. McCormack, age 24, 2d lieut., Co. H; must, in July 10, '62; pro
moted captain.
Sam'l T. Craig, age 26, 1st ser., Co. H; must, in Sept. 1, '62; pro
moted lieutenant and quartermaster.
E. R. Rockwell, age 33, com. sur., Co. H; must, in Nov. 1, '62; wound
ed in lower jaw at Clinton, Mo., April 7, '65.
W. H. Harris, age 20, 3d ser., Co. H; must, in Aug. 3, "61; died of
typhoid fever, Keytesville, Mo., ov. 5, '62.
Josephus Hays, age 19, 3d ser., Co. H; must, in Nov. 5, '62; died
Nov. 25, '63.
Henry L. DashieU, age 26, 4th ser., Co. H; must, in Sept. 1, '62; pro
moted Q. M. S., 2d bat; promoted regimental com. Aug.
26, '62.
Isaac S. Jones, age 27, 1st corp., Co. H; must, in Aug. 10, '61.
Jas. H. Cowan, age 21, 2d corp., Oo. H; must, in Jan. 1, '63.
A. G. Chambers, age 35, 3d corp., Co. H; must, in Jan. 1, '63; dis
charged at Jefferson City, Mo., Feb. 6, '62.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 71
J. R. Castle, age 30, 3d corp., Co. H; must, in Feb. 7, '62.
Jas. McCoy, age 33, 4th corp., Co. H; must, in Feb. 7, '62; discharged
by Gen. Halleck, June 26. '62.
H. G. Bales, age 19, 6th corp., Co. H; must, in Feb. 7, '62.
Nathan Gilbert, age 22, 7th corp., Co. H; must, in Feb. 7, '62.
Reitzell Blair, age 25, 8th corp., Co. H; must, in Feb. 7, '62.
D. C. Kenworthy, age 22, bugler, Co. H; must, in Sept. 1, '62.
Wm. Sharton, age 23, bugler, Co. G; must, in Feb. 7, '62.
S. J. Hunt, age 27, farrier, Co. H; must, in Sept.l, '62; reduced to
ranks, July 1, '62, and discharged for disability.
Benj. Shuman, age 31, farrier, Oo. H; must, in July 1, '62; died of
chronic diarrhea, -Nov. 30, '63, at Little Rock.
John Dull, age 44, farrier, Co. H; must, in Aug. 10, '61; died at Little
Rock, Oct. 13, '63, of diarrhea.
Henry Wood, age 37, wagoner, Co. H; must, in Aug. 10, '61.
W. H. Adams, age 19, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 10, '61.
Silas Adams, age 26, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 10, '61.
Jas. C. Allen, age 24, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 10, '01.
Jos. S. Bates, age 24, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 10, '61.
Sterling S. Bates, age 24, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 10, '61.
S. H. Babb, age 24, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 10, '61.
Washington Bernard, age 32, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 10, '61.
F. P. Birkhall, age 28, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 10, '61.
D. H. Bristow, age 19, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 10, '61; died at
Memphis, Sept. 26, '63.
F. Burdan, age 20, corp., Co. H; must, in Aug. 10, '61.
N. A. Carroll, age 18, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 10, '61.
David Carnes. age 19. private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 10, '61.
Wm. H. Cowan, age 19, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 10, '61; pro
moted sergeant.
Jas. Craig, age 29, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 10, '61.
Thos. H. Dull, age 19, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 10, '61.
Chilon Dixon, age 19, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 10, '61.
Thos. H. Elder, age 25, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 10, '61; pro
moted hos. sur., 2d bat., Oct. 7, '61.
Thos. Fauts, age 24, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 10, '61; discharged
for disability, Sept. 13; '62.
J. H. Ferman, age 21, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 10, '61.
Henry C. Gilbert, age 18, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 10, '61.
A. J. Harrison, age 24, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 10, '61; dis
charged at Burlington, August, '61.
Isaac Hartsuck, age 22, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 10, '61.
Lafe. Harris, age 18, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 10, '61; died of
typhoid fever at Jefferson City, Jan. 29, '62.
Josephus Hays, age 19, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 3, '61; promoted
3d sergeant.
C. H. Holmes, age 21, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 3, '61; died Nov.
8, '65, of diarrhea.
Richard S. Knight, age 20, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 3, '61.
W. B. Kendall, age 39, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 3, '61.
C. O. Leary, age 42, private, Oo. H; must, in Aug. 3, '61; died June
9, '63, at Rollo, Mo.

72 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Wm. Mann, age 25, farrier, Co. H; must, in Aug. 3, '61.
Dyas Neil, age 21, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 3, '61.
David AV. Scott, age 25, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 3, '61; died
Jan. 6, '64, of diarrhea.
M. AV. Sullivan, age 20, private, Co. H.
Ben. J. Shuman, age 31, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 3, '61.
Israel Shepherd, age 21, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 3, '61; dis
charged Dec. 8, '62; died at Springfield, Mo., Dec. 9, '62.
Geo. Sturgis, age 23, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 3, '61.
Robt Sinclair, age 29, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 3, '61.
W. H. Spurgin, age 19, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 3, '61.
Robt AV. Tuttle, age 21, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 3, '61.
Mason M. Swift, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 3, '61; rejected— over
age.
V. M. Guinn, age 21, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 3, '61.
H. H. Jefferson, age 21, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 3, '61.
C. A. Emery, age 23, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 3, '61.
Geo. C. Thompson, age 21, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 4, '61.
Albert Gilbert, age 25, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 3, '61; died of
typhoid fever, Dec. 26, '62, at Prairie Grove, Ark.
L. B. Hazard, age 23, private, Co. H; must in Aug. 3, '61.
Joseph B. Teas, age 18, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 3, '61.
S. M. Kester, age 18, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 3, '61.
J. L. Staggers, age 25, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 3, '61.
L. R. Frenier, age 23, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 8, '62.
Abram Remson, age 28, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 8, '62.
D. H. Ferman, age 24, private, Co. H ; must, in Aug. 8, '62.
John Gilbert, age 25, private, Co. H ; must, in Aug. 8, '61.
W. T. Maxwell, age 24, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 8, '62.
L. B. Carlton, age 21, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 8, '62.
Albert T. Hart, age 18, private,, Co. H; must, in Aug. 8, '62.
John Hampton, age 29, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 8, '62.
J. F. B. Searcy, age 36, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 8, '62; dis
charged for disability, Feb. 23, '65.
A. K. George, age 19, private, Co. H; must, in Aug. 8, '62; died Nov.
7, '63, at Georgetown.
D. M. Elder, age 18, private, Oo. H; must, in Aug. 8, '62.
Dallas Richardson, age 19, private; must, in Feb. 24, '64; unassigned
to company in Adjutant-General's Report.
Arch. Sinclair, age 18, private; must, in Feb; 24, '64; unassigned
to company in Adjutant-General's Report.
Wm. AV. Davis, age 18, private, Co. H; must, in Feb. 25, '64; killed
Feb. 28, '65, near Memphis, Tenn.
John M. Sprague, age 26, private, Co. H; must, in Feb. 22, '64.
Geo. Leas, age 18, private, Co. H; must, in June 20, '64.
SECOND CAVALRY.
Sam'l Austin, age 18, private, Co. K; must, in March 19, '64.
Alonzo O. Barber, age 34, private, Co. L; must, in March 10 '64
J. M. Taylor, Co. K.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 73
THIRD CAVALRY.
Geo. AA'. Stamm, age 23, 1st ser., Co. K; must, in July 16, '62; pro
moted 1st lieutenant, '64.
AVm. Austin, age 19, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 14, '61.
Jas. M. Miller, age 21, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 14, '61.
N. N. AVilliamson, age 27, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 14, '61.
W. S. Lewis, age 42, B. V. S., Co. K; must, in Nov. 27, '61.
W. H. H. Asberry, age 24, 5th ser., Co. E; must, in Sept 4, '61; dis
charged for disability at St. Louis in '62.
Alvin H. Griswald, age 26, 2d lieut., Co. K; must, in Sept. 14, '61;
killed in ambush, Village Creek, Ark., June 27, '62.
Thos. Commons, age 25, 5th ser., Co. K; must, in Sept. 1, '62.
A. D. AVoodruff, age 34, 6th corp., Co. K; must, in Sept. 14, '61; re
duced to ranks.
Arthur K. Ewing, age 30, wagoner, Co. K; must, in Sept. 3, '61.
W. H. Blake, age 22, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 3, '62; promoted
corporal.
Thos. Bornian, age 24, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 3, '61.
John Cuch, age 18, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 3, '61.
G. W. Holt, age 30, private, Co. K; must, in Sept. 3, '61.
Robert TyrreU, age 18, Co. K.
A. J. Graves, age 18, teamster, Co. N; must, in Sept. 12, '61.
FOURTH CAVALRY.
John H. Ryan, age 19, private, Co. F; must, in Nov. 23, '61.
Andrew N. Stamm, age 35, 1st ser., Co. G; must, in Oct. 1, '62; pro
moted 2d lieutenant; served in Mexican War.
SEVENTH CAVALRY.
David R. Copple, age 19, private, Co. I; must, in March 28, '64.
AVm. S. Babb, age 19, private, Co. D; must, in March 28, '64.
THIRD BATTERY.
Andrew H. Robb, age 27, must, in Jan. 1, '64.
Jas. H. Robb, age 20; must, in Jan. 1, '64.
The Draft.
During the latter part of 1862 Adjutant-General Baker
issued an order that a draft be made in Iowa to raise
recruits, but Secretary of War Cameron prorogued the
order, on the grounds that the order should issue from a
Federal source instead of from, the State; but in November,
1864, a draft was made in five townships in Monroe County,
which were in arrears of their respective quotas.
Many of those who were enrolled for draft were ex
empted, owing to disability.
Following is a list of those who were enrolled for draft
in Monroe County:

74 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Urbana Township: Geo. R. Robinson, Alvin Stocker,
Wm. Mahon, Jephtha Robinson, Nimrod Martin, C. C. Van-
cleve, AVm. Mclntyre, Joe Myers, Adam Law, Thos. Forster,
W. R. Stoops, D. J. Mclntyre, Wm. Gutch, and J. J. Dale.
Franklin : Mark Talley, Bryant Finney, Jacob S. Ware,
Thomas Murray, A. D. Palmer, Stewart Townsend, Geo.
Grimes, and Samuel R. Potts.
AVayne: Geo. W. Youtsey, A. J. Phillips,  Bromes,
James S. Hogeland, Daniel Striblen, I'soni Adcock, J. W.
Payne, and Wm. Spurling.
Cedar: S. B. McCarkle, Geo. Kirkendall, Geo. Crosier,
I. L. McCoy, Bartley Murr, Joshua Weaver, Wm. Wills,
Rufus Witham, Alfred Goss, Lot King, Hubbard Wilson,
and Wm. Burnett.
Union: Elias Gilbert, Isaac Hittle, D. C. Watson, and
Michael Heffron. Military Organisations.
The following is a list of the militia organizations in
Monroe- County from 1861 to 1865, as shown by rolls on
file in the Adjutant-General's office:
Monroe Guards, Captain H. Saunders; organized May
11, 1861 ; accepted for Sixth Infantry.
Monroe Light Horse, Captain Daniel Anderson; organ
ized May 11, 1861 ; accepted for First Cavalry.
Volunteer Militia of Urbana Township, Captain J. M.
Taylor f date of organization not given.
Albia Rifles, Captain H. Bachelder; organized August
24, 1861. Stacyville Union Guards, Captain Levi J. Bidwell;
organized June 15, 1861.
Melrose Guards, Captain W. H. H. Lind; organized
October 21, 1861.
Urbana Gravs, Captain J. M. Taylor; organized July
15, 1861. Monroe Guards, Captain Geo. P. Bartow; organized
September 16, 1863.
Melrose Gravs, Captain James M. Blue; organized July
10, 1863. Albia State Guards, Captain John Hull; organized
May 30, 1863.
Franklin Sharpshooters, Captain Jno. L. Smith; organ
ized August 23, 1864.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 75
Military Company of Monroe Township, Captain Elias
Combs; organized August 20, 1864.
Lovillia Independent Company, Union Township,
Captain John Walker; organized August, 1864.
Urbana Union Company, Captain Newton Vancleve;
organized September 3, 1864.
The Albia Invincibles, Captain Levi S. T. Hatton ; organ
ized September 16, 1864.
Union Township Military Company, Captain Allen
Roberts; organized August 27, 1864.
Rough and Ready Company, Mantua Township, Captain
W. J. McCormick; organized August IS, 1864.
Military Company, Cedar Township, Captain John
Amos; organized August 24, 1864.
Pleasant Corner Company, Pleasant Township, Captain
Wm. Glass; organized August 12, 1864.
First Company, Troy Township, Captain Henry Saun
ders; organized August 6, 1864.
Osprey Rangers, Captain John M. Hays; organized
September 6, 1864.
AVayne Township Company, Captain Thos. P. Jones;
organized' August 6, 1864.
Bluff Creek Rangers, Captain Chas. Claver; organized
August 18, 1864.
Gilford Township Company, Captain Isaac P. Babb;
organized August 23, 1864.
Pleasant Township Company, Captain Wm. Robb;
organized August 27, 1864.
A number of companies in the foregoing list of militia
organizations were but partially organized, and did not
receive any arms or accouterments from the State, in
suflicient numbers. Indeed, at the present day, there is
some dispute as to the actual existence of one or more of
these companies, but their rolls are on file in the Adjutant-
General's office at Des Moines.
The threatened invasion of the southern Iowa border
by rebels during the war, and especially during its closing
period, when a guerrilla band did make a raid into Davis
County, called some of this "raw militia" into existence.
They were armed principally with their own squirrel rifles,
shot-guns, and fire-arms of every description. The State
distributed a few old muskets among them, and also sup
plied many citizens with arms, which, when the scare was

76 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
over, and quiet restored, were called in by the Adjutant-
General, and were recovered to the State arsenal with some
delay and difficulty.
In 1875 two' militia companies were organized in
Monroe County. The Albia City Guards, organized inde
pendently of the State militia law, was organized by John
Doner, who is at present sheriff of Monroe County. He
acted as captain of the company. The company was soon
organized as Company E, Fifth Regiment, Iowa National
Guards, and was assigned as the color company of the
regiment, carrying with it the regimental band, with Cass
Ramsay as leader. Captain Doner continued in command
of the company. Captain Doner's company was also en
rolled in the State Militia as Company E.
The other company was chiefly composed of veterans of
the late war, and was enrolled as Company K, with W. A.
Gray as captain. Captain W. S. Coen also commanded the
former company on the resignation of Doner, and Harry
Moore succeeded Gray as captain of the latter. Both
companies disbanded in two or three years.
List of Soldiers Residing in Monroe County Who Enlisted
from Other Localities.
This list was made July 1, 1896.
J. T. Rowe, Company A, 3d Illinois Infantry (Mexican War).
John Walker, Company B, 4th Illinois Infantry.
E. T. Paulline, Company F, 38th Illinois Infantry.
Wesley Donegan, Company A, 10th Illinois Infantry.
C. Stewart, Company E, 12th Illinois Infantry.
Joseph Wallace, Company C, 15th Illinois Infantry.
Fergus Mayor, Company B, 38th Illinois Infantry.
S. M. King, Company E, 20th Illinois Infantry.
Owen O'Maley, Company F, 22d Illinois, Infantry.
G. W. Fordyce, Company A, 33d Illinois: Infantry.
Morgan. Wynn, Company A, 33d Illinois Infantry.
S. M. Brunhall, Company F, 36th Illinois Infantry.
Oscar Moffitt, Company E, 42d Illinois Infantry.
Chas. Gott, Battery A, 3d Illinois Light Artillery.
Spencer Spillar, Company E, 50th Illinois Infantry.
Henry Brown, Company A, 86th Illinois Infantry.
G. W. Anderson, Company K, 65th Illinois Infantry.
J. P. Early, Company F, 93d Illinois Infantry.
Marion Keelon, Company B, 100th Illinois Infantry.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 77
John \\\ Alford, Company 1, 101st Illinois Infantry.
AV. French, Company K, 112th Illinois Infantry.
J. M. Bellman, Company H, 126th Illinois Infantry.
Joseph Wood, Company H, 126th Illinois Infantry.
Thad. S. Stewart, Company K, 137th Illinois Infantry.
Joseph Garver, Company 1, 156th Illinois Infantry.
John Hickson, Company B, 9th Illinois Infantry.
Frank Hartman, Battery G, 1st Illinois Artillery.
Ben F. Rose, Company B, 5th Indiana Infantry.
Clay Eshom, Company A, 14th Indiana Infantry.
Frank Campbell, Company C, 14th Indiana Infantry.
Tim Kennedy, Company C, 20th Indiana Infantry.
Geo. Loer, Company B, 33d Indiana Infantry.
H. H. Mercer, Company E, 15th Indiana Infantry.
Joseph Main, Company A, 37th Indiana Infantry.
A. S. Lidell, Company E, 39th Indiana Infantry .
Ed I. Ramsay, Company B, 43d Indiana Infantry.
S. A. Sparks, Company K, 43d Indiana Infantry.
Geo. Nevins, Company K, 43d Indiana Infantry.
M. M. McDowell, Company H, 44th Indiana Infantry.
Marion Long, Company B, 50th Indiana Infantry.
W. D. Russell, Company D, 97th Indiana Infantry.
David Richart, Company E, 101st Indiana Infantry.
John Willis, Company H, 135th Indiana Infantry.
Wm. Willoox, Company K, 147th Indiana Infantry.
Henry Daring, Wilder Battery.
Z. Elington, Company E, 7th Ohio Infantry.
Joseph Ryan, Company C, 8th Ohio Infantry.
H. B. Moore, Companies B, A, and F, 13th, 27th, and 25th
Ohio Infantry.
Butler Raney, Company D, 15th Ohio Infantry.
J. C. Howay, Company A, 23d Ohio Infantry.
W. N. Crawford, Company B, 36th Ohio Infantry.
C. L. Root, Company K, 39th Ohio Infantry.
W. B. Dewey", Company B, 41st Ohio Infantry.
J. K. Welt, Company E, 52d Ohio Infantry.
Ben Hall, Company B, 62d Ohio Infantry.
Wm. Davis, Company D, 81st Ohio Infantry.
C. L. Nelson, Company O, 81st Ohio Infantry.
J. F. Junkin, Company B, 18th Illinois Infantry.
Chas. McCombs, Company F, 98th Ohio Infantry.
Aaron Millard, Company K, 3d Iowa Cavalry.
C. W. Montgomery, Company H, 58th Illinois Infantry.

78 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Mike Moser, Company F, 2d Ohio Infantry.
A. J. Otley, Company A, 19th Iowa Infantry.
Wm. Porter, Company H, 2d Iowa Infantry.
Ben Robbins, Company B, 3d Iowa Infantry.
S. D. Sarver, Company M, 3d Iowa Cavalry.
Noah Schofleld, Company E, 1st Iowa Colored Cavalry
B. Searcy, Company K, 2d Iowa Infantry.
J. N. Smith, Company E, 61st Illinois Infantry.
N. J. Smith, Company G, 57th Indiana Infantry.
J. G. Thayer, Company D, 15th Iowa Infantry.
J. B. Varner, Company A, 4th Iowa Infantry.
Joe Walden, Company B, 30th Iowa Infantry.
D. W. Williams, Company B, 36th Illinois Infantry.
J. M. AVoodruff, Battery I, 2d Connecticut Artillery.
T. N. Wright, Company K, 61st Illinois Infantry.
Francis May, Company F, 40th Iowa Infantry.
Whaley Wilson, Company A, 40th Iowa Infantry.
Ezra Gurwell, Company — , 45th Iowa Infantry.
Ed Dougherty, Company A, 45th Iowa Infantry.
Eli McAlister, Company E, 4th Iowa Cavalry.
David Hansell, Company B, Sth. Iowa Cavalry.
Frank Perrin, Company A, 5th Iowa Cavalry.
Levi W. Billings, Company B, 7th Iowa Cavalry.
J. W. Nye, Company L, 7th Iowa Cavalry.
Isaac Judson, Battery I, 4th Iowa Artillery.
A. G. Young, Company K, 36th Ohio Infantry.
J. D. Ralston, Company I), 15th Iowa Infantry.
J. W. Neff, Company G, 17th Missouri Infantry.
AVm. Haycock, Company E, 15th United States Infantry.
I. N. Tyrrell, Company I, 2d Kansas Cavalry.
H. C. Beemer, Company B, 6th Kansas Cavalry.
W. T. Johnson, Company G, 19th Kansas Cavalry.
A. R. Barnes, Company C, 8th Wisconsin Infantry.
Wm. Remey, Company D, 35th Wisconsin Infantry.
Thos. Remey, Company — , — AViseonsin Infantry.
Paul C. Oehler, Company I, 1st Arkansas Infantry.
John Dilts, Company C, 12th Michigan Infantry.
Boise Piersol, Company B, 22d Michigan Infantry.
J. H. Miller, Company A, 3d Michigan Cavalry.
Henry Maneor, Company I, 15th Michigan Infantry.
M. J. Brown, Company I, 7th Michigan Cavalry.
D. W. Kenworthy, Company D, 1st Oregon Cavalry.
Wm. Nelson, Company K, 1st Colorado Cavalry.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 79
Wm. Jameson, Company — , 10th Tennessee Infantry.
J. B. Baskett, Company B; 4th Tennessee Cavalry.
G. L. Eaton, Company C, 6th New Hampshire Cavalry.
D. Allison, Company D, 3d Virginia Cavalry.
H. Rosseau, Company F, 1st Nevada Cavalry.
J. J. Budd, Company I, 22d United States Army.
Patrick Ferris, Heavy Artillery.
Matthew Speer, Signal Corps.
Wm. M. Glenny, surgeon, United States Volunteers.
R. C. Davis, Company D, 19th Iowa Infantry.
John Harbison, Company A, 30th Iowa Infantry.
A. Grayson, Company B, 25th Illinois Infantry.
W. B. French, Company K, 112th Illinois Infantry.
W. Gragg, Company E, 2d Missouri Cavalry.
John Hoyt, Company C, 7th! Iowa Infantry.
Jas. Howell, Company I, 7th Kentucky Infantry.
W. J. Johnson, Company C, 16th Illinois Infantry.
J. M. Johnson, Company C, 16th Illinois Infantry.
E. B. Brown, Company D, 177th Ohio Infantry.
D. O. Clapp, Company K, 46th Iowa Infantry.
Francis Clear, Company C, 7th Iowa Infantry.
Monroe Johnson, Company C, 1st Iowa Infantry.
Paris Howard, Company D, 7th Iowa Infantry.
J. D. Clouse, Company H, 7th Iowa Infantry.
S. Beedle, Company I, 7th Iowa Infantry.
Ben Chedister, Company B, 7th Iowa Infantry.
Isom Adeox, Company I, 7th Iowa Infantry.
Sumner Smith, Company K, 7th Iowa Infantry.
W. S. Cousins, Company H, 7th Iowa Infantry.
Jas. Phipps, Company B, 9th Iowa Infantry.
J. J. Moody, Company B, 14th Iowa Infantry.
J. C. Robinson, Company K, 14th Iowa Infantry.
J. M. England, Company I, 14th Iowa Infantry.
O. J. Plymate, Company C, 18th Iowa Infantry.
S. A. Newell, Company C, 18th Iowa Infantry.
Frank Criddlebaugh, Company F, 23d Iowa Infantry.
Andy Riley, Company A, 29th Iowa Infantry.
Jacob Mater, Company B, 30th Iowa Infantry.
J. B. Snodgrass, Company I, 30th Iowa Infantry.
J. H. Hittle, Company D, 32d Iowa Infantry.
G. L. Robb, Company E, 33d Iowa Infantry.
Sam'l Ream, Company C, 33d Iowa Infantry.
J. A. Crozier, Company H, 17th Iowa Infantry.

80 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Richard O'Connell, Battery D, 1st United States Artillery.
Ira G. Campbell, Company B, 83d Illinois Infantry.
Tom Ramey, Company I, 20th Wisconsin Infantry.
John Doner, Battery D, 1st Illinois Light Artillery.
Thos. Boyle, Battery — , 3d Iowa Artillery.
A. H. Leech, Company H, 94th Ohio Infantry.
J. Runyan, Company F, 44th Ohio Infantry.
T. B. Shipley, Company B, 122d Ohio Infantry.
David Nichol, Company G, 174th Ohio Infantry.
T. W. Campbell, Company A, 59th Ohio Infantry.
J. C. Smith, Company B, 176th Ohio Infantry.
L. A. Chamberlin, Company B, 41st Ohio1 Infantry.
H. H. Herrington, Company B, 41st Ohio Infantry.
Geo. Shahan, Company G, 3d Pennsylvania Infantry.
T. B. Hildebrand, Company B, 49th Pennsylvania Infantry.
E. Granley, Company C, 79th Pennsylvania Infantry.
H. Q. Adams, Company H, 140th Pennsylvania Infantry.
Conrad De Ross, Company H, 150th Pennsylvania Infantry.
A. Burlingame, Company G, 168th Pennsylvania Infantry.
D. C. Miller, Goonpany M, 1st Cavalry.
Robt. C. Payne, Company B, 8th Cavalry.
Thos. F. Allison, Battery T, 5th Light Artillery.
A. D. Halsey, Company K, 3d New York Infantry.
W. H. Sanford, Company H, 24th New York Infantry.
Carl Moses, Company I, 24th New York Infantry.
W. T. George, Company A, 143d New York Infantry.
Fred Kurtz, Company T, 15th New York Infantry.
J. F. Randolph, Company F, 27th Missouri Infantry.
E. Husted, Company D, 51st Missouri Infantry.
M. Murphy, Company E, 12th Missouri Cavalry.
W. G. Gregg, Company B, 2d Missouri Cavalry.
John W. Terry, Merrill's Horse.
Fred G. Wentry, Battery B, 1st Missouri Artillery.
J. H. Brewer, Company A, 6th Missouri Cavalry.
The Soldier Dead in Oak View Cemetery, Albia, Iowa.
A complete list of deceased soldiers in Oak View Ceme
tery, May 30, 1896, with date of death as far as known.
Wills, James H, Company E, 6th Iowa Infantry, died May
14th 1862.
Kellogg, Solomon, Company E, 6th Iowa Infantry, Septem
ber 15, 1862.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 81
Lyons, Janies C, Company A, 36th Iowa Infantry, December
3, 1862.
Craig, David, Company H, 17th Iowa Infantry, August 21,
1863.
Smith, W. H., Company A, 36th Iowa Infantry, August 31,
1863.
Webb, John W., Company K, 36th Infantry, September 6,
1863.
Varner, M. J., Company A, 36th Iowa Infantry, September
13, 1863.
Jennings, Daniel, May 28th, 1S64.
McCahan, R. G., Company H, 2d Iowa Infantry, September
18, 1864.
Chamberlain, D., Company H, 2d Iowa Infantry, December
29, 1864.
Woodruff, John W., Company I, 7th Iowa Infantry, May 16,
1865.
Wilson, P. D., Company C, 6th Iowa Infantry, February 14,
1866.
Orman, J. H., Company E, 6th Iowa Infantry, July 4, 1866.
Babb, A. H., Company H, 1st Iowa Cavalry, July 4, 1866.
Boals, S. T., Company K, 36th Iowa Infantry, March 1, 1867.
Buchanan, G. AV., Company D, 22d Iowa Infantry, March
3, 1867.
Parmenter, Asahil, Company G, 37th Iowa Infantry, Jan
uary 3, 1868.
Waugh, Alex, Company F, Sth Iowa Cavalry, July 6, 1868.
Cousins, Moses, surgeon, 36th Iowa Infantry, November 26,
1868. .
Craig, J. W., Company H, 17th Iowa Infantry, October 22,
1870.
Shields, D. W., Conipanv — , 85th Pennsylvania Infantry,
October 17, 1871.
Maxwell, W., Company A, 122d Ohio Infantry, February,
1872.
Codner, J. W., Company I, Sth Iowa Infantry, April 18, 1872.
Wilson, R. M., Companv D, 22d Iowa Infantry, August 25,
1875.
Harding, B. F., Company C, 8th Iowa Cavalry, November 23,
1875.
Ritchie, A. J., surgeon, 2d Kansas Infantry, August 20, 1876.
Norman, W. H., Company D, 22d Iowa Infantry, December
14, 1876. 6 

82 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Hobson, Samuel, Company G, 11th Iowa Infantry, June 1,
1882.
Breese, Tim, Company A, 36 th Iowa Infantry, November 12,
1882.
Tucker, T. A., Company G, 46th Iowa Infantry, 1882.
Smith, T. H., Company D, 16th Ohio Infantry, April 1, 1884.
Smith, T. J., Company E, 6th Iowa Infantry, May 31, 1884.
McMichael, AVm., Company I, Sth Iowa Infantry, February
7, 1886.
Sinclair, Hugh, Company D, 22d Iowa Infantry, July 15,
1887.
Phinney, AVm., Companv D, 22d Iowa Infantry, March 10,
1888.
Lambert, AV. S., surgeon, 6th Iowa Infantry, March 13, 1888.
Wood, J. IL, Company — , 11th Indiana Infantry, August 20,
1888.
Miller, Henry, Company G, 46th Iowa Infantry, February
19, 1890.
Collins, C, Company K, Sth, and F, 19th Indiana Infantry,
January 15, 1891.
James, Blucher, company, regiment, and date of death un
known.
Darling, Cyrus, company, regiment, and date of death un
known.
Cowger, Jacob, Company C, 46th Iowa Infantry, date of
death unknown.
Hilliard, AVm., Company H, 17th Iowa Infantry, date of
death unknown.
Hartzer, J., Company C, Sth Iowa Cavalry, date of death un
known.
Jones, David, Company E, 2d Iowa Infantry, date of death
unknown.
AVaples, Wm., Company F, 17th Iowa Infantry, date of death
unknown.
Beaver, S. F., Company B, 58th Illinois Infantry, date of
death unknown.
Emerson, Benson, 9th Ohio Cavalry, died June 6, 1892.
Newton, Elisha, Company G, 25th Indiana Infantry, died
April 9, 1893.
Ferguson, James, Company E, 6th U. S. C. T., died December,
1892.
Welch, Wm., Company G, 37th Iowa Infantry, August 17,
1893.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 83
Bagley, E. R., Company B, 54th Illinois Infantry, June 26,
1893.
Brock, George W., Company K, 17th Ohio Infantry, date of
death unknown.
Two United States soldiers, name, company, regiment, and
date of death unknown.
Saunders, Henry, captain, Company E, 6th Iowa Volunteer
Infantry, July 16, 1894.
Cuberly, Felix, Companv E, 3d Iowa Volunteer Cavalry,
November 15, 1876.
Kellogg, Josiah, Company G, 46th Iowa Volunteer Infantry,
September 14, 1895.
Sylvester, L. S., Company F, Sth Iowa Volunteer Cavalry,
April 1, 1896.
Powell, Chas., Mexican War, died November 15, 1872.
Teas, Joseph B., Black Hawk War, died February, 1872.
Richardson, D. A., Black Hawk AVar, died May 20, 1874.
Webb, John, War of 1812, December 5, 1875.
Kendall, Francis, Black Hawk War, July 12, 1878.
Lambert, Isaac, War of 1812, died March 15, 1880.
Howard, John, Black Hawk War, date of death unknown.
Hatch, Martin, War of 1812, date of death unknown.
Rose, Benjamin, Mexican AVar, died May 20, 1890.
History of the First Ioica Cavalry.
AVithin the limited space assigned, it is of course impos
sible to give anything near like a complete history of this
brave and intrepid cavalry regiment. To do so would re
quire a volume in itself.
In making this sketch, the writer has obtained his in
formation from various sources — by personal inquiries, the
Adjutant-General's Records, and from a perusal of Chas. H.
Lothrop's very elaborate and accurate "History of the First
Iowa Cavalry."
When the First Iowa Cavalry was organized for the
United States service in 1861, the field and staff was com
posed as follows: Fitz-Henry Warren, colonel; Chas. E.
Moss, lieutenant-colonel; E. E. Chamberlain and Jas. O.
Gower, majors; M. B. Cochran, surgeon; D. B. Allen, assist
ant-surgeon; Jas. Lathain, chaplain; Dr. J. E. Stone, ad
jutant; M. L. Morris, quartermaster.
Of the twelve companies composing the regiment, Com
pany A was enrolled in Lee County and organized at Keokuk,

84 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
with W. M. G. Torrence as captain. He was afterwards pro
moted to major; and was also promoted to colonel of the
30th Iowa Infantry.
Company B, the "Hawkeye Rangers," was also organized
in the spring of 1861, with W. E. Leffingwell as captain.
Later he was succeeded by Sam'l F. Burdett. This company
was enrolled chiefly from Clinton and Jackson counties.
Company C was enrolled from the counties of Des
Moines, Louisa, and Lee, with Levi Chase as captain.
Company D was enrolled from Warren and Madison
counties, and organized with P. G. Bryan as captain.

DANIEI, ANDERSON, Col. First Iowa Cavalry.
Company E was organized in Henry County, with AVil
liam Thompson as captain. He afterwards commanded the
regiment. Company F was enrolled chiefly in the counties of
Washington and Johnson, with Jas. O. Gower as captain.
He afterwards rose to major and then to colonel.
Company G, known as the "Hardin Rangers," was en
rolled from the counties of Hardin, Dubuque, Black Hawk,
Jones, and Delaware, with Jas.~D. Thompson as captain.
Company H was enrolled in the counties of Monroe and
Lucas, and organized at Albia, with Dan'l Anderson as cap
tain, afterwards colonel of the regiment; Riley Wescoatt

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 85
as first lieutenant, afterwards captain; and Wm. S. Whise-
nand as second lieutenant, afterwards captain and major.
Company I went from Wapello and Keokuk counties,
with a few from Hancock County, 111. I. W. Caldwell was
elected captain and rose to the rank of major and lieutenant-
colonel. Dr. David C. Dinsmore was first lieutenant and W.
H. Kitterman second lieutenant; Dinsmore was promoted
to captain. Company K, or "Union Rangers," was enrolled in Clay
ton, Allamakee, and AVinneshiek counties, with Robt. L.
Freeman as captain.
In pursuance of an order from the Governor, these com
panies were directed to meet, at Ottumwa, June 5, 1861, to
organize into a regiment. An organization was accordingly
completed and Fitz-Henry Warren was chosen colonel.
At this time no call had been made to Iowa for cavalry,
and, indeed, but one regiment of cavalry had been called, and
that was the First Illinois Cavalry. It was mustered into the
United States service but a few days before.
By an act of Congress approved in July of that year, the
number of companies constituting a cavalry regiment was
raised from ten to twelve. This added to the First Cavalry
Companies L and M.
The men of Company L were from Dubuque, Jackson,
and Jones counties. H. H. Heath was captain.
Company M was called "The Black Plume Rangers," and
the men were mostly from Clinton County. It was organized
with W. H. Ankeny as captain. The Iowa Legislature ten
dered this regiment to the Secretary of War as an indepen
dent regiment. The men of the regiment owned their own
horses, and after having been mustered into the service at
Burlington and taken a temporary position at Keokuk, Col.
AVarren offered his regiment to Major-General John C. Fre
mont, whose headquarters were at St. Louis. Fremont de
clined to accept the regiment unless they would sell their
horses to the Government for $119 a head for all that would
pass inspection. They were fine horses and were worth
much more at that time. Besides, the Government allowed
the owner of a horse forty cents a day for use and risk of his
animal. An appeal was taken to the Secretary of War, and
a peremptory order was issued from the War Department
directing Fremont to receive the regiment with their horses
and horse equipments, and to pay the owners of the horses
fm-f-r fpnts ner dav for their use.

86 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
The regiment was then assigned to Camp Benton, near
St. Louis, being conveyed thither on board boats. Six of the
companies were carried as far as Montrose on board the
Jennie Whipple, and from there the Hannibal City took them
to St. Louis. The other four companies went down on the
next boat about forty-eight hours later, leaving Companies
L and M at Burlington, to await their equipments. They re
mained until October 13th.
While the first section of the regiment was on its way
down the river, and while passing Alton, 111., a man on a
bluff fired at the boat, but the ball fell short and imbedded
itself in a barge, among the horses. The shot was evidently
aimed at a group of troopers sitting around the pilot-house.
On October 18th, Companies A, B, F, and G, under com
mand of Captain Leffingwell, were ordered to join Pope, and
embarked on Missouri River steamers, which transported
them to Camp Price, near Jefferson City, and afterwards
joined Pope at Humansville and became his body-guard.
On November 1st a forced march was made to Spring
field to receive a threatened attack by General Price on the
3d, but Price did not put in an appearance. He was hover
ing around Springfield, but a few miles south of the town,
and Fremont's army was anxious to make a dash at his rebel
hordes. They were doomed to a bitter disappointment, how
ever, for on November 2d General Hunter, arriving to re
inforce Fremont, was ordered to supersede the latter. Hun
ter, in taking command, evacuated Springfield and fell back
to the Missouri River. This left the southern part of Mis
souri to the mercy of Price's army. A short time later Gen
eral Halleck succeeded Hunter.
A short time after the first battalion of the regiment
took the field, Companies C and H, under command of Cap
tain Levi Chase, were ordered to Rockport, via Jefferson
City. Here they joined Prentice in his campaign in northern
Missouri, after which they returned to Jefferson City to
spend the winter.
About this time. Companies D and I were ordered out,
under command of Captain Caldwell, to join General Pope.
They joined the first battalion at Syracuse, a small town in
Morgan County. After a series of marches and skirmish
ing now and then, the regiment finally got its real taste of
war at the battle of Blackwater, on the 19th of December,
1861. In this engagement the enemy surrendered uncondi-

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 87
tionally, after making a running fight. In this fight Com
panies A, D, F, and I, and small detachments of B and G,
were absent on scout duty, but 350 men of the First Cavalry,
under command of Torrence, and 75 men from the Fourth
United States Cavalry, together with a section of Missouri
Light Artillery, all under the command of Colonel Jeffer
son C. Davis, of Indiana, captured 11,900 of the enemy, in
cluding officers and men.
Early in 1862 the First Iowa Cavalry was divided into
seyeral small detachments, some doing cavalry guard duty,
others scouting, skirmishing now and then, and drilling
whenever not otherwise engaged.
On January 8, 1862, the First Battalion of the First Iowa
Cavalry, a portion of Merrill's Horse, commanded by Major
Hunt, and a squadron of Ohio Cavalry, all under command
of Major Torrence, of the First Iowa Cavalry, were ordered
by General Pope to attack some rebel camps in the vicinity
of Silver Creek, in Randolph County, Missouri. The rebel
force consisted of about 800 men, under command of the
noted Poindexter. The army fled after a short encounter,
leaving about 60 of their number killed; 100 wounded, and
all their equipage and 200 horses to the Union forces. The
latter lost 5 killed and about 20 wounded. The Union force
engaged in the battle of Silver Creek was 520 men.
Through January and February the regiment was oc
cupied almost daily throughout northern Missouri, partici
pating in innumberable skirmishes with the enemy. Now
and then a fugitive slave took refuge within their lines.
In November the First and Third Battalions of the regi
ment, commanded by Gower, joined General Blunt's com
mand in an attack on the rebel general Hindman. The battle
of Prairie Grove was fought, and in that memorable battle
the First Iowa Cavalry supported one of Blunt's batteries.
Blunt, with 5,000 men, joined Herron, and together they
crushed an enemy of 25,000 men, which was the means of
reopening Missouri to the Union cause.
At the end of 1862 the regiment had to send for 275 re
cruits to fill up its depleted ranks.
On April 21, 1863, a detachment of 500 of the regiment,
and 250 of the 8th Missouri Cavalry, all commanded by
Major Caldwell, of the First Iowa, joined Vandever in an
attack on General Marmaduke in southwestern Missouri.
On the morning of May 1st the command attacked the

88 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
rear of the enemy at a place about 40 miles from Chalk
Bluffs, and, after a running fight wliich lasted all day, the
enemy was finally driven out of the State.
In June the regiment, in command of Lieutenant-Colonel
Anderson, took up a march to join General Davidson at
Pilot Knob, in his contemplated move against Little Rock.
It was a tedious march of nearly two hundred miles, mostly
through the swamps of the White and St. Francis rivers,
which were infested with guerrillas.
On the 9th the command reached White River,, near
Clarendon. The regiment participated in almost continuous
operations. They had a fight with the enemy at Montevallo,
Mo.; another at Lot's Peach Farm; and another at Big Cliffs,
At this latter place Judge Dashiell, of Monroe County, then
a quartermaster of the Second Battalion of the First Iowa
Cavalry, was dangerously wounded in the lungs. Several
companies of the regiment next participated in a skirmish
at Clear Creek, St. Clair County, Mo>.
In the autumn of '62 Colonel Warren was promoted to
the rank of brigadier-general, and the command of the regi
ment fell on Captain Jas. O. Gower.
On September 20, 1862, the regiment took up a line of
march for Springfield, the city having been threatened by
the enemy. It arrived on the 27th.
In October the regiment, with brigade and division,
marched southward to join Blunt and Brown in a contem
plated attack on the enemy of 13,000 under Cooper, near
Newtonia. The enemy retreated on their arrival.
On the 16th of November the regiment was transferred
to General Herron's division.
It is impossible to follow minutely the operations of the
regiment while under General Herron, as space is limited,
but we find that they were a fire-brand to the guerrilla hordes
of Missouri, and usually fought greatly superior numbers,
and nearly alwaysxgot the better of them.
On August 18, 1863, the regiment, with the brigade and
division, crossed the AAliite River, and on the 25th it was
skirmishing with Marmaduke's cavalry, driving it to its
stronghold at Bayou Metoe.
The charge at Bayou Metoe was led by Colonel Dan.
Anderson, commanding the First Iowa Cavalry. It was
made to save the only bridge across the stream, and the regi
ment was galled terribly by the rebel batteries and infantry

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 89
on either side of the stream. The enemy, finding they could
not hold the bridge, set fire to it and it burned. In this de
termined charge Colonel Anderson had his horse shot from
under him, and the regiment lost several killed and 36
wounded. The regiment proved of efficient service to Steele in the
capture of Little Rock.
During the campaign Lieutenant Sam'l T. Craig was de
tached on staff duty with General Davidson.
Following is a report of his, concerning movements in
the vicinity of Helena : "Devall's Bluff, August 26, 1863.
"Brigadier-Oeneral J. W. Davidson:
"Dear Sir, — In compliance with your special order, I
took charge of the steamboat Progress at Clarendon, Arkan
sas, and proceeded down White River and thence up the
Mississippi, arriving at Helena, Arkansas, at midnight on
the 17th inst.
"I delivered your dispatch to the Adjutant-General at
post, to be forwarded to General Steele in the morning, he
having moved his forces for Clarendon, Arkansas, the
15th inst.
"We took coal and proceeded to Memphis, Tenn.; arriv
ing there on the 18th inst., at ten o'clock, and delivered your
letter and presented requisitions for ammunition to Lieuten
ant-Colonel Benmore, assistant adjutant-general Sixteenth
Army Corps, District of Memphis; the steamer Progress
being much damaged, caused by its running into the river
banks and breaking its wheel.
"The stream. White River, is so crooked and narrow, and
the captain and pilot either had determined to sink the boat
or were so frightened that they caused the boat to run at
such a rate of speed that she could not make the bends of the
river at many places without striking the bow and then
whirling round; and being a stern- wheel boat, she was much
damaged. Captain Sweet required to the 20th instant to re
pair her.
"Having ascertained from the Ordnance Department
at Helena and Memphis that Lieutenant Hubbard did not
procure ammunition for the batteries on account of the in
formalities in the requisition, I reported to General Hurl
bert and informed him of the necessity of your getting the
ammunition, and he ordered the Ordnance Department at

90 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Memphis to issue ammunition upon my requisition for bat
teries and small arms required by the division.
"The steamer being repaired and landed, we proceeded
down the Mississippi at 3 o'clock p. m., on the 20th inst,
arrived at Helena on the 21st., at 6 o'clock a m. Quarter
master Noble, of the post, took charge of the steamer and
loaded her with convalescent soldiers of the Twenty-seventh
Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers and commissary stores.
"We proceeded from Helena on the 22d inst. at 6 o'clock
a. m., arrived at the mouth of White River at 3 o'clock p. m.,
and were ordered by the Admiral in charge of the gun-boats
and convoys to assist the steamer Sallie List in towing two
barges of hay up White River, but refused to furnish us with
a convoy. "We proceeded up White River, and our cargoes being
wide, and the river narrow, and the night very dark, we at
tempted to anchor, but our anchors being insufficient to hold
our cargoes (the hay barges being placed between the
steamers, the front barge extending about half its length in
front), with some difficulty we steamed up the river until we
arrived at a point where the banks of the stream were low
and marshy. We tied up at the cut-off about two miles be
low St. Charles Landing on the night of the 23d instant, and
by placing lumber on the shore, we were able to put out a
picket guard; but were not molested during the night, for
it was impossible for our enemy to approach us on account
of the marshy ground.
"At daylight we proceeded, and while passing Crock
ett's Landing, about 7 o'clock a. m., the enemy fired into our
boats several volleys with small arms from the north bank of
tlie river, and wounded six men on the steamer Progress.
"The lieutenants in command of the convalescent
soldiers not showing any disposition to command, notwith
standing they outranked me, I took command, and, with the
assistance of my ordnance sergeant, rallied the convales
cent, and forming protection for the men, by placing boxes
of hard-tack around the outer railing of the boat, and placing
their knapsacks on the same, they were caused to kneel down
and fire upon the enemy without waiting further orders.
There being two surgeons on the Sallie List, the wounded
were taken below, and are doing well and properly cared for.
"Having one section of the Fifth Ohio Battery on board
I placed the gun on front of the barge of hay, which extended

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 91
in front of the boats about half its length, and the sergeant
in charge of the gun was able toi shell the timber in which
the enemy were concealed. This had the desired effect and
dispersed them.
"I had placed guards over the pilots, from the fact that
the one piloting the Progress had threatened to turn our
cargo over to the enemy before we returned. But it so hap
pened that when we were fired upon, Captain Sweet was at
the wheel and stood unflinchingly at his post, notwithstand
ing that his pilot-house was pierced by the enemy's bullets,
showing the dangerous position he occupied.
"The pilot-house of the steamer Sallie List was well pro
tected with sheet-iron, but the pilot deserted his post, and
the mate of the same had suffered or allowed the boat to be
cut partially loose from our own, so that she was dragging
us ashore — evidently planned so that the enemy could board
our boats. But with the assistance of my ordnance sergeant,
with revolvers in hand, we went on board of her and
demanded that the mate make her fast to our boat, which
he did immediately, and, with the untiring energy and
efficiency of Captain Sweet, we steamed up the river; and,
under my directions, the sergeant in charge of the piece of
artillery shelled the banks of the river on the south all the
way up to Clarendon wherever the banks were sufficiently
high for the enemy to approach the river. A squad of col
ored people at one place approached and made signs for us
to land, but I did not think it prudent.
"Our loss was six wounded — three severely and three
slightly; one was Brown, clerk of the sutler of Merrill's
Horse; the other five were of the Twenty-seventh Wisconsin
Infantry. We arrived at Clarendon, Ark., on the 24th inst.,
and were ordered by the commander of the post to wait for
convoy. "AVe proceeded from Clarendon with convoy on the 25th,
and arrived at this place at 7 o'clock p. m. on the 26th, and at
once commenced loading on wagon-train all the ordnance,
for the purpose of transporting the same to your command
at Brownsville, Ark.
"Hoping that the above and foregoing report will be
sufficient for my seeming delay, I have the honor to be.
General, Your obedient servant,
(Signed) "Sam'l T. Craig,
"2d Lt. Co. H, 1st Iowa Cav. Div.,
"Department of the Missouri."

92 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
On October 1, 1863, Colonel Anderson, by order of Gen
eral Davidson, was placed in command of the Second Cav
alry Brigade, Major Caldwell being in command of the regi
ment, and on the 15th of the same month it went into camp
for the winter a couple of miles further down the river.
Tn 1864 the First Cavalry waived its right to a furlough,
and joined with General Steele in the Camden expedition,
which was really to cooperate with Banks in the Red River
expedition. A part of the regiment, having lost their horses,
marched as a dismounted battalion of infantry, Captain A.
U. McCormack, of Monroe County, commanding one of the
companies. On the 23d, Colonel Daniel Anderson having been placed
in command of the post at Little Rock by order of General
Steele, the command, numbering about 7,000, went on a
skirmishing expedition to the south of Little Rock. They
encountered the enemy almost daily. Their first encounter
was at Benton; then, on March 9th, at Arkadelphia; April
2d, at Spoon ville; April 3d, near the town of Antoine; the
3d and 4th, at Elkins' Ford; the 10th and 12th, at Prairie de
Anne; the 14th, at White Oak Creek; the 15th, at Camden
Cross-roads and the capture of Camden; the 25th, at Mono
Creek ; the 30th, at Jenkins' Ferry.
After the Camden campaign, the veterans crossed the
Arkansas River on their homeward march for a furlough,
arriving at St. Louis on May 9, 1864. From St. Louis the vet
erans came on to Burlington on the 16th, and departed for
Hieir homes on a furlough.
On the 23d their furlough expired, and they returned to
St. Louis on the 25th. At this time Coloned Anderson re
signed, and Major Wm. Thompson was promoted colonel of
the regiment. Soon after their arrival, the veterans were mounted on
horses and ordered to northern Missouri, where they per
formed considerable scout and skirmish duty until October,
when they were ordered to Jefferson City to oppose the en
trance of Price into Missouri.
For a time the regiment encountered frequent collisions
with guerrillas and border ruffian hordes, and in a large
measure checked the operations of these lawless bands.
On September 27th Bill Anderson captured Centralia
and also the express train from St. Louis.- After robbing the
express, baggage, and passengers of $30,000, he found a

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 93
squad of the First Cavalry boys on the train. There were
23 of them, and they were separated from the passengers,
arranged in a line, and shot.
On the 27th Major Johnson, commanding detachments
of Missouri Militia, in all 147 men, followed the trail of the
guerrillas to Centralia ,and attacked the combined forces of
Bill Anderson and those of the Todds, Pools, and Thrailkill.
Johnson did not know their exact numbers, and rashly
attacked them against the advice of loyal citizens of the
town. Johnson and his men were nearly all killed, except
Lieutenants Jaynes, Gill, and Moore, and 20 of the men. The
guerrillas lost but 3, and 10 wounded. Johnson was scalped
and many of his men were mutilated in various ways. Frank
James, the noted outlaw, was one of Anderson's men.
When General Price, at the head of 25,000 rebels, com
posed of guerrillas and soldiers of the rebel army, occupied
a position in the vicinity of Jefferson City, in his memorable
raid into Missouri, the First Iowa Cavalry and the Thirty-
ninth Missouri Infantry were ordered to that place to combat
his forces. They participated in almost daily brushes with
the enemy on their march to unite with the other Federal
forces. With Rosecrans' and Pleasantson's forces, the regi
ment harassed Price's army from place to place until about
the 25th of the month, when it was totally defeated and de
moralized. Marmaduke, Crawford, Cabill, and other noted
rebel leaders were captured.
After the defeat of Price's army, the Union forces re
traced their course into Missouri, and part of the regiment
returned to Jefferson City and participated in the election of
Lincoln; a part of the regiment accompanied Rosecrans, as
train-guard, to St. Louis ; and the remainder went to Jeffer
son City, but was also transferred to St. Louis by steamer on
the 15th and 16tlTof November.
The regiment remained in St. Louis until the 16th of
December, when it again went out for active service. It re
visited the region of the White and St. Francis rivers, the
scene of its first conflicts, and from thence went to Little
Rock. On the 14th of January, 1865, Major Jenks, with a force
consisting partly of a detachment of the First Cavalry, was
ordered to attack General Cooper with a force of 1,600 men
up the Arkansas River. They went by boats, and killed and
wounded 90 of the enemy.

94 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
On the 22d an expedition under General Carr, consist
ing of the First Iowa, First and Third Missouri, and Tenth
Illinois Cavalry, Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry, and the
Twenty-fifth Ohio Battery, was sent below Camden to at
tack the rebel general Green. Colonel Wm. Thompson com
manded the Second Cavalry Brigade, and Major John
McDermott commanded the regiment ; Lieutenant Sam'l T.
Craig, of the First Cavalry, also acted as brigade quarter
master. On their march they passed Mark's Mills, and passed
through the battle-field where General (now Governor)
Drake, with the Thirty-sixth Iowa Infantry, had a desperate
encounter with a superior force, and was defeated on account
of the overwhelming number of the enemy. The bodies of
the dead soldiers had been placed in shallow graves, and the
hogs and other animals had dug many of them from their
resting-places, exposing their skulls and bones to view.
After engaging in several skirmishes with the enemy,
the regiment, on February 1, 1S65, was detached from the
brigade and ordered to Memphis.
While stationed at Memphis the following named officers
of the regiment were assigned to special duty: Captain R.
M. Reynolds, acting assistant inspector-general; Lieutenant
Sam'l T. Craig, acting assistant adjutant-general.
The next move was an expedition into Mississippi, in
which the command had frequent skirmishes with the
enemy, but sustained no serious loss.
The regiment returned to Memphis on March 11th, and
then, in company with other regiments, went on a tour into
Tennessee, At about this time Richmond had fallen, and the First
Iowa Cavalry, the Fifth and Twelfth Illinois, Second Wis
consin, and Seventh Indiana Cavalry regiments were ordered
to Texas on June 15th. They were transferred by boat, and
arrived at Natchez on the 25th.
At Alexandria, General Custer took command of the
troops, and here began a series of abuses and ill treatment
on the part of Custer, towards the regiment, which is a last
ing blemish to the character of the long-haired hero, who ii>
after years met a terrible fate in the Little Big-horn
massacre. The First Iowa had been recommended to him as the
next best in efficiency of any regiment in the United States

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 95
service, the first being one in the regular United States
service. Yet, notwithstanding the special recommendation of
Generals Herron, Schofield, Blunt, Rosecrans, Davidson,
Steele, Carr, and others, besides that of the Military
Bureau at AA/ashington, General Custer seems, for some
strange reason, to have visited on this regiment all the
indignities and abuses of which the most insolent martinet
could conceive. About this time Custer issued an order
against foraging, imposing severe penalties against any
caught confiscating cattle belonging to the inhabitants of
the country. Private Clure, of the First Iowa, was accused
of knowing who killed two beeves that had been killed
by a foraging party and brought in from the country. He
did not know who killed them, yet his head was shaved and
he was given twenty-five lashes on suspicion that he did
know. The indignation of the regiment was so great that
Surgeon Chas. H. Lothrop, of the regiment, states, in his
history of the regiment, that good Colonel McQueen, a strict
Presbyterian, swore like a trooper, threatening that "if
Custer again attempts to lay violent hands on a First Iowa
soldier, I will here say has hide will not hold corn, by God !"
Governor Stone laid the case before the Iowa Legis
lature, and a rousing resolution was passed, denouncing
the outrage on the part of Custer. The matter finally went
to Major-General Sheridan, who ordered the insult rectified.
Custer, in vindication of the act, accused the entire com
mand of infamy and insubordination.
The war was now over, and while the command re
mained at Hempstead, the time was mostly taken, up in
horse-racing. Custer was fond of the sport, and had a
horse'which he called Jack Rucker, on which he and his
friends bet a great deal of money; but one day the boys
brought into camp a strange nag, which outran that of the
general, and the result was that he was out considerable
money. On November 19th General Custer sent Assistant
Quartermaster Sam'l T. Craig to Galveston to procure sup
plies for the troops.
From Hempstead the command was transferred to
Austin, where the troops remained until January 24, 1866,
when, by a general order, the First Iowa, Third Michigan,
and Seventh Indiana regiments were mustered out of the
service.

96 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
All the troops entertained a wholesome hatred towards
Custer. His acts of insolence were doubtless rendered
more unbearable from the fact that his command felt that
the war was over, and that there was no further necessity
for their presence in Texas. Custer complained that he
could not induce them to wear pants, but Lieutenant-Colonel
A. G. McQueen, of the First Iowa, says that in many in
stances they had none to wear; some had to go< shirtless,
and others barefooted.
Previous to the mustering out of the regiments, General
Custer and his staff had been mustered out of the service by
order of the War Department, and Brigadier-General S. D.
Sturgis assumed command, and Colonel and Brevet Briga
dier-General Wm. Thompson was placed in command of
the First Brigade. History of the Sixth Iowa Infantry.
In July, 1861, the Sixth Iowa was mustered into the
United States service at Burlington, with John A. McDowell
as colonel; Marcoe Cummings, of Muscatine, lieutenant-
colonel; John M. Corse, of Burlington, major.
Company A, Captain H. W. Gray, was enrolled from
Linn County; Company B, Captain Daniel Iseminger, was
enrolled from Lucas and Clarke counties; Company C,
Captain D. M. Stump, was enrolled from Hardin County;
Company D, Captain M. M. Walden, was enrolled from
Appanoose County; Company E, Captain Henry Saunders,
was enrolled from Monroe County; Company F, Captain S.
P. Glenn, was enrolled from Clarke County; Company G,
Captain John Williams, was enrolled from Johnson County;
Company H, Captain W. Galland, was enrolled from Lee
County; Gompany I, Captain F. Brydolf, was enrolled from
Des Moines County; Company K, Captain W. Denison, was
enrolled from Henry County.
To most of the boys of the Sixth, that Sunday morning
of April 7, 1862, when the rebels assaulted General Grant's
center at Shiloh, may now seem like a dream. It was their
first real taste of war. Many of the boys of the regiment
had never seen a battle, nor heard the roar of artillery until
the preceding day. The regiment had been mustered into
the service at Burlington, and on August 3d had been
ordered to Keokuk, and after participating in a movement

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 97
to repel a threatened attack of rebels on Athens, Mo., on
August Sth, the regiment was hurried off to St. Louis,
August 9, 1861, for the seat of conflict.
On the 19th of September, 1861, the regiment was
ordered to Jefferson, City, and on the 7th of October it was
merged into Fremont's army at Tipton, Mo., where the army
of 30,000 was reviewed by the Secretary of War and
Adjutant-General Thomas, on the 13th of the same month.
The Sixth Iowa was among the troops that made a
forced march to Springfield, a distance of seventy-five miles,
in two days, on short rations. When they arrived November
3d, Fremont was relieved by Hunter, and on the 9th the
regiment was ordered back.
It remained at Sedalia until December 9th, when it
marched to Lamine Bridge ; and on January 22, 1862, it was
stationed at Tipton to perform guard duty. Colonel Mc
Dowell, who was mustered into the service as colonel of this
regiment, was at this time absent on leave, and Lieutenant-
Colonel Cummings took command of the regiment. Major
Corse was also absent, being1 detached on the sftaff of
General Pope as adjutant-general.
The Sixth was ordered to Pittsburg Landing on March
9th. On April 6th the regiment was assigned a position
near Owl Creek in the vicinity of Shiloh Church.
For a detailed statement of the part taken' by the Sixth
Infantry we are indebted to H. Hickenlooper, a member of
Company E of the regiment, who kindly supplies us with the
following: "On the morning of April 6, 1862, the First Brigade
of the Fifth Division of Grant's army was encamped with
its right resting on Owl Creek, and its left out towards
Shiloh Church. Colonel McDowell, of the Sixth Iowa,
commanded the brigade, and Lieutenant-Colonel Cumininigs
commanded the Sixth Iowa Regiment ; this regiment was the
extreme right regiment of the brigade and of the whole of
Grant's army at that place. The rebel column did not
attack this brigade in its position, but moved to the left
and made their attack on the line on the left of this brigade.
"About this time Colonel McDowell discovered, or
thought he disicovered, that Cummings was intoxicated, and
ordered him under arrest; and the command ofthe regiment
then devolved upon Isemmger, of Company B, he being the
ranking captain. Soon the regiment, with the brigade,

98 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
was ordered to> the left, and the regiment took a position
about a half-mile to the left, or east of the first position,
and there fought a short time, and several were killed and
wounded at this place.
"Meantime the rebels had driven our line back on the
left, or east of us, and the brigade was marched to the rear
and left about a mile, and joined onto McClernand's right.
Here the brigade charged the rebel line and drove it back
about a quarter of a mile, and held this position about three
hours, during the most desperate fighting of that whole day.
"Here Captain Iseminger was killed, and the com
mand of the regiment by rank should have devolved on
Captain Walden, but Colonel McDowell ordered Captain
Williams, of Company G, to take command of the regiment.
He, too, was soon badly wounded and unable to command,
and Captain Walden, being offended, would not assume com
mand, and for a long period during the battle the regiment
had no commander.
"Lieutenant-Colonel Cummings, who was under arrest,
got a gum and fell into the ranks of Company E, Captain
Saunders' company, and fought 'like a Turk.'
"The regiment held this position until about 3 o'clock
p. m., and the rebels were fighting in front, to the right, and
to the right rear; when General Sherman came galloping
up to our rear and told us, 'For God's sake, get out of here.
or you will all be captured!' The regiment, as well as all
other regiments in that line, moved to the rear with great
alacrity, without any regard for military tactics — in fact,
we 'skedaddled' for about a mile, when trie regiment rallied
and re-formed under command of Captain Saundersi, who
was next in' rank to Captain AAralden. The whole line was
slowly moved back towards the Tennessee River. Regi
ments, brigades, and divisions were badly mixed up.
"The Sixth Iowa took a position in the line about three
regiments to the left of a battery of heavy guns — four 32-
pound siege-guns and two 32-pound howitzers. There was
no support for the battery. Meantime Captain Walden had
assumed command of the regiment, and presently we saw
old Colonel Webster, chief of artillery, riding down the
line on a white horse and making an effort to get a regiment
to support the battery. The first two regiments nearest the
battery refused to move, and he came on down the line
to the Sixth Iowa and asked Captain Walden to move his

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 99
regiment up to the battery, with wliich request the captain
complied, and the regiment was placed in position in the
rear of the battery, and just in time to meet a charge of
the rebels. Never was a battery worked better than that
one until the rebel line was almost to the guns ; when the
gunners shouldered their swabs and fell back to the rear.
"It was now after sundown, and the artillery kept up
a continuous fire, and the gun-boats, Tyler and Lexington,
in the river, about half a mile from the month of the ravine
over which the rebels had to (xoajtagkept up a furious cross
fire. At length, when it was almost dark, too' dark to see
farther than a few rods in our front, the rebel masses came
on again, and with a rush, almost to the guns., when, again
the regiment charged past the guns and met them with
another volley, and then continued to fire as fast as the
men could load and shoot, until there was nothing in our
front to be seen or heard, except the groans and cries of
the wounded rebels.
"The regiment again retired to the rear of the battery
and remained there the balance of the night, but the
batteries all along the line and the gun-boats1 in the river
kept up an occasional firing all night.
"Some time after the musketry fire had all ceased along
the line, an officer came down the line and told us General
Buell had arrived on the opposite side of the river. Soon
General Buell himself and staff came riding along in rear
of our line. Three cheers were proposed for him and the
stars and stripes, which were given with all the vim left in
our throats, but it was rather sorrowful cheering.
"Soon Nelson's division came marching past our front,
regiment after regiment, with their bands playing, and
appearing fresh and vigorous, and all the night through
regiments and batteries kept passing along, takinig positions
in our front. We remained at the battery that we had
supported. In the fore part of the night there came up a
storm of great fury, which continued all night.
"Before daylight Buell's men and Lew Wallace's' men,
who had come up in the night, commenced to' move out in
front; at about daylight, and about a mile in front of our
line, the fighting commenced, and the firing was by volleys
and ran all along the line for two' or three miles away to
the southeast, south, and southwest, and continued without
intermission for several hours.

100 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
"General Sherman ordered the Sixth to remain in its
position at the battery until nearly noon, when he came
along and ordered it to follow General Oglesby, but soon
Colonel Garfield came and took command, and Oglesby left
for some other part of the field. Soon the regiment passed
the line of battle. The rebels had fallen back. The regi
ment passed the church and on, into a field growing in
bushes and small timber, when suddenly it ran into a rebel
battery concealed in the bushes. The battery shelled the
regiment briskly for a short time, when it limbered up and
fled to the rear.
"Thus ended the part taken by the Sixth Iowa Infantry
at the battle of Shiloh.
"Lieutenant-Colonel Cummings was court-martialed
and dismissed from the regiment, but he afterwards went
to New York, where he became colonel of a New York
regiment, and greatly distinguished himself in some of the
battles about Richmond."
After the siege of Corinth the Sixth Iowa went west
along the line of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad,
repairing track and bridges which the rebels had destroyed
after having evacuated Corinth. On or about July 4, 1863,
the regiment moved against Price at Holly Springs, and
drove the rebels from their position.
Then, on the 17th of July, they arrived at Memphis
and remained for three months doing provost guard duty.
Then in October the division, including the Sixth Iowa,
went on an expedition into' Mississippi and returned in a
week, to find that a battle had been fought at Corinth.
Then shortly after, in November, Grant's' army started
for Vicksburg in his attack on the rear. The Sixth was
included in General J. W. Denver's division of Sherman's
corps and accompanied Grant's army. On the march to
Vicksburg Sherman returned with a portion of his corps to
Memphis, and General Denver's division continued with
Grant. General Van Dorn came in the rear and destroyed
the entire army supplies at Holly Springs ; forcing the Union
army back to the Memphis and Charleston Railroad.
The Sixth Infantry in January, 1863, was stationed at
various points along the railroad, mounted on mules, which
the soldiers had captured. During its stay near Grand
Junction, the Sixth made frequent raids into Mississippi.
Early in June the regiment arrived in the vicinity of

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 101
Vicksburg and was placed in General Park's command of
the Ninth Army Corps, doing outpost duty.
On the surrender of Vicksburg, July 14th, the regiment
was marched back to Black River to drive back Johnson's
army, and on the 6th, while hemmed in', in a bend of the
river, had a severe brash with the enemy, but succeeded in
driving it back, and in crossing the river.
The regiment arrived at Jackson on, the 10th, and from
the 10th to 16th participated in almost constant skirmishes
with the enemy. On the 16th the fighting was so severe
that on the following morning the rebels had entirely
abandoned the city, after having burned their supplies.
After the battle of Chickamauga, the regiment, together
with the entire Fifteenth Army Corps, was loaded in boats
and taken to Memphis, Tenn., and then set out on a 400-mile
march through Tennessee to Missionary Ridge, and partici
pated in that battle. After the battle, the regiment was
sent up to Knoxville, Tenn., to relieve Burnside, and
returning a short time later, went into winter quarters at
Scottsborough, Ala., and on April 1, 1864, started home on
a thirty-daysi furlough.
The regiment returned to the front, and marched with
Sherman to Atlanta and took part in all the engagements
before that city. Tlie corps (the Fifteenth) was under
command of General Logan. Mission Ridge.
The Sixth Iowa Infantry arrived in the vicinity of
Lookout Mountain three or four days in advance of Sher
man's corps.
The regiment and brigade was ordered up Lookout
Valley as a diversion, taking a position on the mountain in
the rear of the rebel lines, remaining two nights and a day,
making a big noise to deceive the rebels as to numbers.
On the second day of their arrival the enemy attacked
the regiment in force, when it retired down the mountain.
The Sixth then pursued its march down the valley, marching
all night and arriving at Moccasini Bend in the morning.
It crossed on pontoon bridges, which were being continually
broken by rafts floated down the stream by the rebels, and
then took a position opposite the mouth of the Chickamauga
River.

102 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
In the meantime the battle of Lookout Mountain was
in progress across the river. About midnight of November
23d the army recrossed the river at its mouth, and were
assigned a position on the extreme right of the corps. It
then moved forward to Mission Ridge, and, charging up the
ridge, deployed as 'skirmishers.
On the 25th the brigade was ordered, with picks,
shovels, and guns, to advance on the enemy. This was the
opening of the engagement, and, after repeated charges,
they gave up the hope of forcing the enemy back. The
boys would charge on the lines, and, being hurled back,
would retire over the brow of a hill to re-form. They re
mained here all night, and in the morning found that the
enemy had retired.
After the fall of Atlanta, the regiment went on the
famous march to the sea; was at Savannah a short time,
and then, after a long and memorable campaign through
Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia, rounded up at the
city of Washington, at the close of the war, and was a
conspicuous regiment in that grand review up Pennsylvania
Avenue. Lieutenant-Colonel Cune, of Burlington, was the last
commander of the regiment.
The regiment took a prominent part in the" battles, of
Shiloh, Resaca, Mission Ridge, Dallas, Big Shanty, Kenesaw
Mountain, Jackson, Black River Bridge, Jones' Ford,
Griswaldsville, and numerous fights of less note, and was
mustered out of the service at Louisville, Ky., July 21, 1865.
History of the Thirty-sixth Iowa Infantry.
The following sketch was kindly furnished by Hon.
Josiah T. Young, a member of the regiment :
"This regiment was organized in August, 1862, from the
counties of Appanoose, Monroe, and Wapello. C. W. Kit-
tredge, of Ottumwa, was its first colonel. He had seen ser
vice as captain in one of the companies of the Seventh Iowa
Infantry, and was wounded in the battle of Belmont, Mo.
Being somewhat recovered, Govenor Kirkwood commis
sioned him for the Thirty-sixth. F. M. Drake was made
lieutenant-colonel, E. B. Woodward major, A. H. Hamilton
adjutant. The place of rendezvous was Camp Lincoln, on
the banks of the Mississippi River above Keokuk. By the

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

103

20th of September, 1862, the companies had arrived and
were assigned quarters in commodious barracks. The Thir
tieth Iowa, Colonel Abbott, was then preparing for active

C. W. KITTREDGE, Col. Thirty-Sixth Iowa Infantry.
service at the front. Our regiment settled down at once to
the duties of camp life. The companies had received some
instructions before leaving home in infantry drill. Scott's
Tactics was used, and 'Hay foot, straw foot !' could be heard

104 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
on the drill-grounds. Major J. B. Teas, of Albia, had seen
service in the Black Hawk War and was instructor for Com
panies A and K a portion of the time. At Camp Lincoln the
company officers were soon able to instruct their commands
in all the drill necessary in the school of a soldier.
"The first guns used were Belgian or Austrian rifles
with sword bayonets. Our blue uniforms came ere long,
and each man soon began to feel himself a soldier. The regi
ment was regularly mustered into the service of the United
States on the 4th day of October, 1862, at Camp Lincoln,
Iowa, by Lieutenant 0. J. Ball, of the regular army.
"The fall election came on for the choosing of State
officers and members of Congress, and the Thirty-sixth Iowa
voted in camp. Captain M. J. Varner was on the board of
election. Mr. J. B. Grinnell was elected to-the lower house.
On November 28, 1862, six companies were embarked on
board the Fred Lorenze, and on the 29th the remaining four
companies on the Harrison, and next day landed in St. Louis
and marched out to Benton Barracks, where the command
found quarters and engaged in the duties incident to the
-preparation for the active life of soldiers. Regular details
were made on us for men to serve on camp guard, fatigue
duty, policing camp, etc. The regiment was in Benton Bar
racks from December 1st to 19th; on the latter day orders
came to "fall in," for we didn't know where. The order was
obeyed, and the regiment was soon on board the Jennie
Deans and Warsaw, which landed it in Memphis, Tenn., Tues
day evening, December 23, 1862.
"On this trip, when nearing Columbus, Kentucky, the
regiment was ordered to prepare for battle, which it did. On
reaching the landing-place in Columbus, we were hurried on
shore, marched to an open place, and formed into line of bat
tle — rifles freshly loaded and forty rounds in cartridge-
boxes — to wait for Forrest. The night wore away, Forrest
did not come, and the regiment marched on board of the
boats. The first night in Memphis the men of the command
slept by their guns in Court Square, Memphis, around the
marble bust of General Jackson — a beautiful place, nice
shade-trees, every prospect pleasing. A day or two later we
were moved to Fort Pickering, being the exact line where
General Jackson prepared to receive Packenham and his
army in 1815. The stay here was brief, as on the last day of
the old year we were landed in Helena, Arkansas, in the
midst of a rain-storm.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 105
"Helena was and is the county seat of Phillips County,
Arkansas. At the time of our arrival it was held by some
5,000 Union forces. It was a sort of supply station for our
army, and was garrisoned largely by convalescent soldiers.
Fort Curtis was manned by several heavy guns located so
as to command the shores and hills of the river. The regi
ment went on duty in whatever capacity placed, and was fast
learning a soldier's duties, when General Gorman sent a
force of men to Moon Lake on the east bank of the river,
about twelve miles below Helena, and blew up the embank
ment, letting the water from the river overrun the whole
country. "By the 26th of February, 1863, the Yazoo Pass expedi
tion, several thousand strong, was on its way down toward
Fort Pemberton, Mississippi. General Clinton B. Fiske was
in command. The Thirty-sixth Iowa was on the steamboats
Mariner and Lavina Logan. The river was crooked, narrow,
and deep — trees on its bank hung over the water, making nav
igation slow and difficult. Many times the boats were greatly
injured — in some cases their smoke-stacks were knocked
down and the "gingerbread work" nearly all broken off.
Two or three rebel boats were in our front; these were ehased
by our fleet. One, the Parallel, a large boat loaded with cot
ton, was fired and abandoned by the enemy. The burning
bales illumined far and near the wooded shores of the
crooked river. Fort Pemberton was situated at the conflu
ence of the Yallabeesha and Tallahachie rivers. Below this
the stream is known as the Yazoo River. Major-General W.
AV. Loring was in command of the fort. We were halted at
the village of Greenwood by obstructions in the river. The
Chillicothe, one of our gun-boats, first engaged in an artillery
duel with the enemy, which made a loud noise, but no results.
"Next day, March 1 3, 1 863, our regiment was sent to the
front, and held in battle-line while the naval forces on the
Union side carried on a furious fight with great guns, which
lasted several hours. The next morning witnessed the re
newal of artillery fight with Pemberton until an 18-pound
shot from the enemy's line entered one of the port-holes of the
Chillicothe, killing 4 and wounding 7 of her men. The fight
was kept up on our part by the gun-boat De Kalb and by our
land batteries until sundowm. The next morning the com
mander of the Union forces concluded to give it up and start
back up the river, which he did.

106 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
"General Quimby, with a force of several thousand men.
met us on the 27th of March and assumed command. All
our forces were soon in motion, going down to give Fort
Pemberton another turn. But on March 23d he received an
order from General Grant to go back up the river, abandon
ing the seige of Fort Pemberton. While in camp in front of
Fort Pemberton the Thirty-sixth was ordered out on an ex
pedition of exploration to find a way of approach to the fort,
but no way was discovered. Water was in our way in all
directions. That trip made many cases of sickness in our
ranks. The men were compelled to wade in water waist-
deep in some places, and exposure brought on sickness, which
resulted in death during that spring and summer. The regi
ment reached Helena again on the 8th day of April, 1863, and
went into camp near Fort Curtis, where it did garrison duty.
About the 2d day of May the Third Iowa Cavalry got into a
fight with Dobbins' rebel guerrillas at Lagrange, about
twenty miles from Helena, and lost several men, killed,
wounded, and prisoners, including Adjutant Lowe, son of
Governor Lowe, who was mortally wounded. The Thirty-
sixth Iowa, with other troops, was ordered out to help the
cavalry.. We went, but the rebels were such good runners
that we did not overtake them. The men of the command
got lots of good chickens and other things good to eat. Time
passed, and soon it began to be in the talk of those best
posted that the rebels would attack us.
Battle of Helena, July 4, 1863.
"General B. M. Prentice was in command of all our
forces. He had about 3,800 men for duty, behind strong
earth-works mounted with good guns. The gun-boat Tyler,
Lieutenant J. M. Pritchett commanding, was in the river in
front of the town. Batteries A, B, C, and D were so located
as to favor the defensive and prevent the bringing up of
artillery by the enemy. The rebel general Holmes brought
7,646 men to the attack early on Saturday morning, July 4,
1863. Having arrived within five miles on the morning of the
3d, his front well covered by cavalry, who permitted no one
to passthem riverward, he rested his men till midnight, when
they were moved to within a mile or so of the outworks,
where they halted till daybreak, and then pushed on. Gen
eral Price, with a force of 3,095, assaulted Battery C under a

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 107
withering fire from the Union lines, Fort Curtis, and the
gun-boat Tyler. He succeeded in capturing some of our
guns, but only for a little time. The fire from our guns was
more than could be endured by men alive. Some regiments
took refuge behind a church; in an incredibly short space of
time that church was lying in splinters over the hillside
scene of conflict, and 700 men surrendered to our people and
were marched down the river, placed on board of boats, and
were on their way to prison at Alton, Illinois, before the bat
tle was over. The Thirty-sixth took part in the engagement
from opening to close. It was in the rifle-pits at Battery A
with a reserve, with its line reaching to' the Sterling road.
'General Marmaduke was here trying to force his way in.'
The Twenty-ninth, Thirty-third, and Thirty-sixth Iowa won
their first laurels in battle.
"Hon. John F. Lacey. who was present and saw, says:
'Price's charge with his Missourians was a terrible one.' The
hills and ravines were full of his dead and wounded. So it
was with Fagan in front of Battery D. The rebel columns
came down over the hills during the gray of the morning of
that 4th of July. They came with the rebel yell so well
known by Union soldiers. Solomon Reynolds, a Thirty-sixth
man on picket, was killed by the first volley from the advanc
ing rebel line. When Price took Battery Q, swarms of his
men ran for Fort Curtis. Instantly all the great guns on the
fort and in the Tyler down at the river belched forth their
volleys of death, which caused the invaders to 'about face.'
Colonel Kittredge led the Thirty-sixth in this battle, and was
well pleased with the gallantry of his men and the result of
the fight. The enemy retreated to Little Rock, and left their
dead to be buried by our men on Sunday, July 5, 1863.
"Holmes admits his total loss at 1,636. General Prentice
says: 'We captured 1,100 prisoners and buried nearly 300
rebels, while our loss was less than 250 in all.' The battle
lasted from daylight until 1 1 o'clock. The Thirty-sixth had
not eaten breakfast when the long roll sounded, and there
was no time to eat till after the battle.
Capture of Little Rock.
"The surrender of Vicksburg and other victories having
left General Grant's army unemployed, Major-General Fred.
Steele was sent to Helena to fit out and lead an army for the
capture of Little Rock, Ark. About 6,000 men, with 22 guns,

108 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
left Helena on August 11, 1863, under General Steele, for
Little Rock. The weather was very hot and dry, and march
ing was slow and difficult. The sick-list was very large.
Those of the Thirty-sixth were sent in charge of Lieutenant
D. H. Scott, on a boat, via the mouth of the White River, to
DeA7all's Bluff, and set off on the ground without sufficient
tents to shelter them. Captains Varner, of Company A, and
Webb, of Company K, were very sick and soon died; at least
1,000 men were on the sick-list when, on August 30th,
Steele's forces left White River for Brownsville, which was
reached September 1st.
"On the 3d they reached Bayou Metoe, passing over the
ground where a fight between our cavalry and the enemy had
taken place. Some cavalry men of the First Iowa were
killed. Colonel Dan Anderson's horse fell under him and the
colonel made a narrow escape. General Davidson, with
6,000 cavalry men and 18 guns, added to our fighting ability
very much. The skirmish fighting at Brownsville and Bayou
Metoe was by our cavalry and artillery. The enemy had
eitcted a fort on the level land north of the Arkansas River
and placed in it men and arms to defend it against the
'Yanks.' Long-handled pike-poles were provided, with
sharp iron points, with which to prod men to death. Steele
caused the banks of the river to be cut down and a pontoon
bridge laid six or eight miles east of the city of Little Rock,
and sent several regiments, including some of our Iowa
cavalry, across to the south side of the river, thus flanking
the fort entirely. The enemy soon found this out and evacu
ated the fort, retreating pell-mell for the city. We had
camped the night before at Mill Bayou, from which a forced
march began, which ended in the capture of Little Rock. A
large Union flag floated from the tall flagstaff on the State-
house at 5 o'clock p. m. The fighting, began by the rebel
skirmishing parties early in the morning, lasted till nearly
sundown. This was on September 10, 1863. The rebels set
fire to and partly burned their pontoon bridge over the
Arkansas below town, also a boat fitting up for a- gun -boat
(the Pontchartrain), about six cars, a machine shop, and
other public property, and fled en masse from the city in the
direction of Arkadelphia. Steele's forces marched into
camp, the bands playing 'Yankee Doodle' and the men shout
ing with all their might. Great clouds of dust arose from
the tramping of the enemy and our cavalry in pursuit.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 109
The sound of our cannon was heard away into the night,
while in pursuit. Many old citizens fled along with the rebel
army, leaving their houses and other property in the hands
of the 'Yanks.' At first the Thirty-sixth went into camp north
of the river, and later established permanent quarters for
the winter near the State arsenal, southeast of the city. We
supported a battery on the north bank of the river, which
required much double-quick marching on the 10th, and the
men of our command were very tired when night put an end
to the contest. We lost no men in battle, but the mortality
by sickness was terrible.
"One of the notable events of that winter was the cap
ture and execution of a rebel spy. David O. Dodd, a young
man, was caught, tried, and condemned to hang on the 8th of
January, 1864. The writer witnessed his execution — a sad
sight indeed. He was hung on the campus of St. John's
College, Little Rock, the school in which he had received his
education. A hollow square of Union troops was formed,
into which the wagon containing the condemned man and
his coffin and a chaplain was driven, under the gallows.
After prayer by the chaplain, at a signal given, the end-gate
of the wagon fell, and with it the young man, dangling be
tween earth and sky. One or two shrugs of the shoulders
and drawing up of the lower limbs, and all was over. A copy
of a letter written by him a short time before may serve to
impress the reader with the solemnity of this case.
" 'Military Prison, Little Rock,
" 'January 8, 10 o'clock a.m, 1864.
" 'My dear Parents and Sisters, — I was arrested as a spy
and tried, and was sentenced to be hung to-day at 3 o'clock.
The time is fast approaching, but, thank God! I am not afraid
to die. I expect to meet you in heaven. Do not weep for
me, for I will be better off in heaven. I will soon be out of
this world of sorrow and trouble. I would like tosee you
all before I die, but let God's will be done, not ours.' I pray
God to give you strength to bear your troubles while in this
world. I hope God will receive you in heaven. There I will
meet you. Mother, I know it will be hard for you to give up
your only son, but you must remember it is God's will.
Good bye. God will give you strength to bear your troubles.
I pray that we may meet in heaven.. Good-bye. God will
bless vou all. Your son and brother, " 'David O. Dodd.'

110 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Camden Expedition.
"General Steele left Little Rock on March 23, 1864, in
command of the Seventh Army Corps, to cooperate with
General Banks' Red River expedition. After the first day
out from Little Rock, we had about thirty days' fighting,
some times in front — at other times in the rear or on either
flank. At Spoonville it began, and Elkins' Ford, Prairie de
Ann, Camden, and Mark's Mills were each in turn the scene
of conflict. Company K started on this march with 53 men all
told. The Thirty-sixth was present and took part in each
of these fights. Its loss was inconsiderable until at Mark's
Mills; in that fight it had 8 men killed or mortally wounded.
The regiment lost in all 49 killed and the remainder cap
tured; only one or two men escaped. Jonathan Witham, of
Company K, was knocked down by a spent ball, and when he
became conscious he found himself alone. He walked all
the way to the Union lines at Little Rock, hiding in daytime,
traveling at night ; he was nearly dead when he reached our
outside pickets. Lieutenant-Colonel Drake was in com
mand of the brigade, the Forty-third Indiana, Thirty-sixth
Iowa and Seventy-seventh Ohio, and received a wound in
one of his lower limbs above the knee, which seemed mortal.
He and all others severely wounded were left behind and
finally paroled and exchanged, but those able to march were
taken in a southwesterly direction towards Texas.
"The battle occurred on the forenoon of Monday, April
25,. 1864 ; the march to prison began that afternoon, and con
tinued without stopping until sundown Tuesday, when we
reached the Washita River. At this point the prisoners
were allowed to rest and eat whatever they were fortunate
enough to find. The writer snatched an ear of corn from a
mule at the roadside, just before stopping; a fire was kindled,
some dry sticks burned, and the corn was roasted in the
ashes; this, with coffee from grounds in Robert Turner's
can, which had been boiled and used Monday morning for
breakfast, served for a meal for 'Mess 3.' Chaplain Hare
said it was the best coffee he ever tasted. Our marches were
kept up until on Sunday, May 15, 1864, the big gate of the
prison stockade at Camp Ford, Smith County, Texas, swung
wide open to receive the 1 ,200 or more new men. We were
marched into our future home, halted in line, and listened to
a speech from Colonel Hill, commander of the camp. Then
we sat down, looked about us, and wondered how long we

X"

#;•

112 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
would have to stay in that horrible place — no shade,
shelter, or anything else necessary to our life. We were very
hungry and began to hunt for something to eat. The writer
paid a one-dollar greenback for one. 'pone' of coarse corn-
bread. A little latter he sold his blue dress coat for $75, Con
federate money, and bought for that sum nearly seven
pounds of flour. Corporal Eads set a can of old-fashioned
'salt-rising,' and with it baked a loaf of bread. In this way
we had a little bread. Confederate beef, Texas long-horns,
came in about every third day. Weevil-eaten corn, ground
into coarse meal on the horse-mill, was dealt out every second
day. The ration was one-quarter of a pound of meat and a
pint of meal per day.
"On the 23d of July, 1867, Major A. H. Hamilton and
Captain John Lambert, of Company K, and Allan W. Miller,
of Company C, made their escape. At that time the writer
was lying sick under an old gum-blanket, stretched on poles,
which served as some protection by day and night. The
major came to' my bed to say 'good-bye.' Before going, he
advised me to make a soldier's will, by leaving word with
some of my comrades as to the disposition of my effects at
home. He told me I was a very sick man, and might not
get well. I thanked him for his advice, but told him I
expected to come out of that prison. I never for one moment
gave up to die there. If I had,, I would in all probability
have died there. The three men walked to the west gate
and presented a pass to go to the blacksmith shop south of
the camp. It seemed to be properly signed and counter
signed, and the guard let them out. From my lowly bed,
lying on my side, I watched them go away past headquarters
and over the ridge towards the south, out of sight. They
had hired a darky to bring some grub to them in the woods,
which he did. Lambert was a good blacksmith, and they
were carrying two old axes that needed up-setting. The
axes were soon left by the roadside and those three men
were many days traveling north before they reached the
Union lines. Miller and Lambert soon died, but Major
Hamilton survives.
"On the night of the 28th a subterranean tunnel was
opened through the stockade, by prisoners, and a lot of them
escaped. Most of them were brought back, having been
caught by blood-hounds. That tunnel was weeks in prepara
tion, having been begun in a shanty, many rods from the

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. H3
stockade. Tlie dirt was carefully deposited in small quan
tities here and there over the ground, ,so as not to attract
attention. The boys going out made a mistake; they kept
passing out until after daylight, "and a sentry, seeing them
pass out from the tall weeds and grass as though they had
come up out of the earth, fired his gun and raised the
alarm. "On Tuesday, June 21st, from my place Jrn camp, I
looked across the narrow depression of the land between
us and the rebel headquarters south, and saw a rebel officer
flog a colored woman. My attention was drawn by her
cries as he laid on the blows across her naked shoulders
and back with the cat-o'-nine-tails. I was not brought up
an abolitionist, but this sight made one of me. Two or
three little children of hersi stood partly behind the cabin
and saw their mother being beaten, and the little fellows
cried too. I also got mad. It was no wonder this country
suffered so terribly in the war.
"Along about July 1st, the prisoners began to die very
fast. Three died during the night of that day.
"On the 2d some prisoners tried to escape, and the next
day the following order was posted upon a, board at the
meal-box : " 'Headquarters Camp of Federal Prisoners,
" 'Near Tyler, Texas, July 3, 1864.
" 'General Order No.  .
" 'Hereafter, any Federal prisoner detected in trying
to make his escape from prison, either in the act or after
he has made his escape, will be shot by the one capturing
him. '• 'By order of Lt.-Col. J. P. Border. " 'B. W. McEachen,
" 'Lieutenant and A. A. Adjutant.'
"Camp Ford was an enclosure of possibly 6 acres of
land, 4 miles north of Tyler, Smith County, Texas. The
stockade was made of half-logs 12 feet in length, 4 feet of
same set in the ground. The spring supplying water was in
the southwest corner of the stockade. It was fairly good
water. Wood for use in cooking and fuel was cut on the
lands nearest the camp', and usually carried on the shoulders
of men. There were two gates — one in the north, the other
at the southwest corner of the camp. The boys of the
Thirty-sixth were paroled for exchange in February, and on

114 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
the 15th of that month they bade adieu to Camp Ford
forever, and took up their line of march for Shreveport,
La At that place they were embarked on board rebel
transports, the Nina Sims, Doubloon, and Texas, and reached
the mouth of Red River, Louisiana, February 25, 1864, where
they were exchanged for a like number of rebels. When
we reached the mouth of that crookedest of rivers, the
Yankees on board began to yell for joy, and it is the private
opinion of the writer that those old Spanish live-oaks on
the banks of the Mississippi had not witnessed such noise
since they began their tree life. A great big flag floating
over the United States gun-boat Tennessee caused the yelling.
The Magenta, a large lower-river steamer, came up the
river and was drafted intoi the service to carry the 'boys'
to a camp of distribution in New Orleans, which' was
reached by daylight February 26th. The Louisiana cotton-
press camp of distribution furnished good quarters for the
squad of 1,500, who went to work getting hair cut, beards
trimmed, new clothes, new everything — and in a short time
all were ready to go north. Those who had been prisoners
were granted prisoners' furlough of thirty days from Cairo,
111. They came up, enjoyed the fresh air and good victuals
in Iowa homes, and returned and rejoined their regiment
(that portion of it left at Camden, Ark.) in April, 1864, at
Saint Charles, Ark. These escaped Camp Ford, but they
were participants in the battle of Junkins' Ferry under
Steele on his retreat from Camden.
"The reunited regiment remained on White River, at
St. Charles, Devall's Bluff, and at the mouth of the river,
doing such duty as came to hand, till August 24, 1865,
when they received their discharges and were sent to
Davenport, Iowa, and paid off, about September 7, 1865.
Colonel Kittredge issued his farewell oider,~which I copy
in closing: " 'Headquarters 36th Iowa Inft.,
" 'Davenport, Iowa, Sept. 6, 1865.
" 'General Orders No. 20.
" 'Officers and Soldiers:
" 'Your commanding officer, upon the final discharge
of the regiment and its return to civil life, desires to express
his admiration of the conduct of both officers and men for
the past three years; and to express the hope that in civil

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 115
life all will prove, as heretofore, true men and worthy of the
high distinction of being called Iowa soldiers and citizens —
and I have no doubt that the new duties devolving upon
you will be as promptly and faithfully performed in the
future as those of the past have been.
" 'In bidding the command farewell, your commanding
officer is happy toi express his high appreciation of the
meritorious services of the command and his personal
knowledge of their individual worth, and trusts that your
future may be as happy and prosperous as your past has
been arduous and illustrious; and now bids you adieu
with heartfelt wishes for your individual happiness and
prosperity.' "The number of men enlisted in the regiment at first was
988; total aggregate, old soldiers and recruits, was 1,240;
killed or mortally wounded at Mark's Mills, 49. There had
been 280 deaths since organization ; 20 more died soon after
discharge; we lost 30 men on the road and at Camp Ford.
We started on the Yazoo Pass expedition with 600 men.
"Josiah T. Young,
"Sergeant Co. K, 36th Iowa"
History of the Twenty-second Iowa Infantry.
The Twenty-second Iowa Infantry was organized in
1862, and on the 10th day of June of that year, the regiment,
commanded by Colonel Wm. M. Stone, afterwards Governor
of Iowa, rendezvoused at Camp Pope in Iowa City. There
were seven oomfpanies of this regiment organized from
Johnson County, one from Jasper, one from Monroe, and
one from Wapello County.
The regiment was mustered into the United States ser
vice on the 9th of September, 1862. On the 14th of Septem
ber the regiment was shipped by rail to Davenport. From
that point it was transported to St. Louis', on board the
steamer Metropolitan. Arriving in St. Louis, the men were
assigned quarters at Benton Barracks, and here the regi
ment remained for a week or more. On September 22d the
regiment was placed on cars and shipped to Rolla, Mo., where
it remained1 until January 27, 1863, when it was assigned
to the army of General Davidson at West Plains, Mo. It
was then brigaded with the Twenty-first and Twenty-third
Iowa Infantry, the Eighth and Eighteenth Indiana Infantry,
and the Eleventh Wisconsin regiments. These regiments

116 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. IOWA.
constituted the First Brigade of the First Division of the
Army of Southeast Missouri.
The army, after remaining at West Plains for about
two weeks, took up its line of march for Iron Mountain, at
which place it arrived on the 26th day of February, 1863.
The army remained at Iron Mountain until the 9th day of
March, when orders were issued to join General Grant at
Vicksburg. The army marched by way of Ste. Genevieve
and Milligan's Bend, La. The corps staid on the west bank
of the river and remained about two weeks. By the first
day of April tlie entire Army of Southeast Missouri had
concentrated their strength at Milligan's Bend, where Grant
was making preparations for the Vicksburg campaign.
When the troops were concentrated at this point, the
Twenty-isecond Iowa, Eleventh Wisconsin, the Twenty-first
and Twenty-third Iowa, constituted the Second Brigade,
Fourth Division, Thirteenth Army Corps. General Carr
commanded the division, and General McClernand com
manded the corps.
On the morning of the 12th of April, 1863, the brigade
proceeded to Richmond, La., where they had a brush with a
small body of rebel cavalry, defeating it. The brigade
then pushed on to Perkins' Landing to await the arrival of
the corps. A fleet of transports and gun-boats, having succeeded
in getting past Vicksburg, arrived in the vicinity of Grand
Gulf on the 28th of April. The Thirteenth Corps, having
gone on down the river from Milligan's Bend, arrived in
the vicinity of Grand Gulf, and were taken on board the
assembled transports, with a view to malting an assault on
the rebel batteries along the river. In front of the trans
ports were the Federal gun-boats, pouring their shot and
shell into the rebel batteries. It was a terrific duel, and
the troops on board the transports saw it all in plain view.
The engagement lasted all the afternoon of the 29th of
April, and on the 30th the Union forces passed on down the
river and crossed a short distance below. The fleet which
engaged the rebel batteries was headed by the gun-boat
Benton, and every soldier of the Twenty-second Iowa has a
vivid recollection of seeing the white sheets of smoke rolling
out over the surface of the river from the gun-boats, followed
by the tremendous report of the cannon. Then they saw
the batteries on shore, responding with their deafening re-

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 117
tort. They watched the duel all the afternoon. It was a
terrible cannonade, but no results of any consequence were
achieved, save the dismounting of some of the enemy's guns.
The object in taking the troops on board the transports was
evidently to use them in a combined attack on the rebel
stronghold, but it was soon ascertained that they were too
strongly fortified. The troops were landed and marched
down the levee, three miles below Grand Gulf, and waited
until morning.
» During the night the gun-boats and transports suc
ceeded in passing the rebel batteries, and arrived in time
to take on board the Thirteenth Army Corps, which had
proceeded by land. The corps was transported down the
river about sixteen miles below Grand Gulf, near the village
of Bruinsburg, Miss., and here it took up its line of march
for Port Gibson. In the attack at Port Gibson the Twenty-
second Iowa Infantry was placed in the extreme front.
The night was dark, and, notwithstanding the uncertainty
of firing in the darkness, the enemy poured a steady stream
of shot and shell into the ranks of the advancing Union
column. The Twenty-second Iowa was joined by the
Twenty-first and Twenty-third Iowa Infantry, and the
Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry, but before these regiments
took position the Eighth and Eighteenth Indiana Infantry
were first to follow the Twenty-second in the assault. These
regiments, comprising the brigade, were in command of
Colonel Wm. M. Stone, of the Twenty-second Iowa
The fight began at about 1 o'clock on the morning of
May 1st, when the advancing column was within about three
miles from Port Gibson. In the midst of the opening as
sault, the First Iowa Battery had been placed in position
and the Twenty-second Infantry was ordered to support it
The rebel line was composed of artillery in front and infantry
back of it. After about one hour's fighting, the rebel line
was forced back to a stronger position about a half-mile to
the rear. At this juncture firing ceased on both sides, on
account of the darkness, and the Union forces lay down on
the field and slept on their guns until daylight. When day
dawned, other regiments had come up and taken their
positions in the Union ranks, and the enemy was strongly
entrenched on Thompson's Hill. Two' companies of the
Twenty-second (Company H, Captain Shrader, and Company
G, Captain Hawkins) were sent out as skirmishers to feel

118 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
the enemy. The entire brigade followed and then the corps.
Up the hill the advancing Federal column swept, like lines of
breakers against a reef. The enemy resisted stubbornly for
a time, but finally began to relinquish its footing. Then at
this stage there arose a series of prolonged cheers from the
assaulting columns, which ran along the entire line. The
rebels were releasing their grasp like some monster in its
death- struggles: They finally gave way and broke in con
fusion. Their whole line was thrown into a rout, and they
fled in great confusion in the direction of Jackson. The
Union forces captured several hundred prisoners and a
few pieces of artillery. The rebels, after being pursued
three or four miles, re-formed and took up a position on the
outskirts of the town, to endeavor to cover the retreat of
their panics-stricken army. An artillery duel was kept up
for several hours, when the rebel batteries were silenced.
In this engagement the Twenty-second Iowa was again
called on to support the batteries, and endured a murderous
Are from the enemy's guns at short range. The Second
Brigade was then ordered to' advance and carry the enemy's
works by storm. The Twenty-second deployed two of its
companies as skirmishers — Company B, Captain Gearkee,
and Company H, Captain Shrader. These two companies
opened the attack. The brigade could not reach the enemy's
works, on account of an intervening impenetrable growth of
cane and underbrush, but received and returned their fire
until the rebels fled. The next morning, the Union forces
followed up the retreating enemy, and, after pursuing them
for several days, drove them into Jackson. Colonel Stone
now returned to the command of the Twenty-second, having
been succeeded in his command of the brigade by General
M. K. Lawler.
On May 13th the Second Brigade arrived at Mississippi
Springs; having passed through Raymond. At Raymond,
General Carr's division waited to hear the result of Sher
man's expedition to Jackson, and the Twenty-second was
ordered to remain at this point to guard the train.
When the rebels evacuated Jackson, the Twenty-second
took up its line of march for Champion Hills, and en
countered the enemy at Black River Bridge, on the morning
of the 17th. General Carr's division led the advance. The
rebels were on the Vicksburg side of the river, up on a hill
side. They opened fire on the Union columns before the

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. UQ
latter had gotten into line of battle. The enemy's pickets
were encountered about two miles from the bridge, and
the rebels were very strongly fortified behind rifle-pits along
the margin of a swamp or bayou.
General Lawler ordered his brigade to charge on these
works, and the Twenty-second Iowa, led by Colonel Kins
man, led the van, followed by the Twenty-first Iowa and
Eleventh Wisconsin. The Second Brigade dashed across
the open plain like a troop of destroying fiends. They drove
the enemy from their entrenchments, but their ranks were
decimated by the riflemen behind the pits. The enemy broke
and fled, and when the brigade leaped into their trenches,
the Twenty-second Iowa assaulted their left wing, cutting
off the retreat of the enemy before they all could reach the
river. A few, however, reached the river and attempted to
swim across, but many of the number were drowned, as the
stream was running swiftly. As the enemy had burnt the
bridge across the river, the Thirteenth Army Corps had to
camp on the battle-field.
On the evening of the 18th a pontoon bridge was thrown
across the river, above, and the corps took up its march on
the Jackson and Vicksburg road for Vicksburg. The enemy
fell back into the city, on the approach of Grant's army.
On the 19th the Union army reached Vicksburg and all day
the batteries on both sides kept up a constant cannonade.
At 2 o'clock in the afternoon the Federal infantry made a
desperate charge on the works and after a couple of hours
of hard skirmishing all were driven back save the Thirteenth
Corps, which succeeded in securing an advanced position
within 500 yards of the enemy, where a range of hills covered
them from the enemy's fire. In this charge, E. B. Judson,
of Company H, was struck in the nose by a grape shot, and
received a painful wound.
On the night of the 20th the regiment was engaged in
throwing up entrenchments for the fight on the next day.
The men were so weak from exhaustion and short rations,
Alex McCahan, a corporal of Company D, says, that they
could not do as much work as ten-year-old children. The
next day was spent in continuous rifle-practice between the
two opposing forces, but with little effect.
On the 22d Colonel Stone received an order from
General Grant to get his regiment ready to lead the assault
to be made on that date The Twenty-'second was ordered

120 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY', IOWA.
to cast off everything that would impede their movements,
except their guns and accouterments. The regiment was
instructed to charge for a position midway between the two
lines, and hold it as a rallying-point. It was about midnight
when the brigade stole noiselessly over the brow of the hill
and then crept cautiously down the ravine, sometimes being
obliged to crawl on their hands and knees, owing to
obstructions which the enemy had placed there. They
finally passed down to- the desired position without being
discovered by the pickets of the enemy, which were but
twenty yards distant. It was now about daylight, and the
brigade lay down on the hillside to rest until the assault
should be sounded. At 9 o'clock the brigade was formed
into battalions with the Twenty-second Iowa in the advance,
followed by its two gallant consorts, the Twenty-first Iowa
and the Eleventh Wisconsin. Promptly at 10 o'clock
Colonel Stone was ordered to advance, and that instant the
regimental colors went sweeping over the hill like a fire
brand of death, followed by a thousand bayonets glistening
in the morning sun. It was like the columns of the Russians
dashing against the walls of Plevna.
The stronghold covered about a half-acre of ground,
and the walls were 15 feet high, and surrounded by a ditch
10 feet wide. While hurling his regiment against this
fortress, Colonel Stone was wounded, and had to withdraw.
Lieutenant-Colonel Graham took command, and with a
small force reached the ditch, but could not climb over.
Then the rebels began to throw hand-grenades among the
assailants. As soon as they would strike the ground they
would explode. The boys of the Twenty-second would
catch them in their hands as they came over the parapets
and toss them back into' the rifle-pits of the rebels, to
explode — a frightfully realistic game of ball or lawn-tennis.
Hugh Sinclair, of Company D, who died in Monroe
County, July 15, 1887, and whose remains now rest in Oak
View Cemetery at Albia, was one of the assailing party
who got into the fort.
After three or four hours' fighting, the regiment fell
back to the shelter of a hill.
The party who got into the fort was led by Sergeant
Joseph Griffiths, and consisted of about 15 men, among
whom was Sinclair. They climbed the wall by raising one
another up the wall. They planted tlie colors on the ram-

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 121
part of the fort. The attack was a failure, and the Twenty-
second Iowa and her two- fighting-mates, the Twenty-first
Iowa and Eleventh Wisconsin, remained on the field, giving
the enemy blow for blow until their ammunition was entirely
exhausted. Grant, seeing that an assault was useless, began the
memorable siege. Day by day his army advanced their
rifle-pits, until finally they were up to the walls and the
enemy ran up a white flag.
The next morning after the surrender of Vicksburg the
entire Union army, save a. small garrison, left Vicksburg for
Jackson, where the enemy had massed in force. The
Twenty-second, when it started away from Vicksburg, did
not have more than 150 men fit for duty. While the Twenty-
second was marching out of Vicksburg, and while passing
Hospital Surgeon AVhite's headquarters, White wheeled a
barrel of whisky in front of his quarters and knocked in
the head of the barrel. Each man was permitted to take
a tin cup full of whisky, and none declined. Some wanted
to fill their canteens, but strict orders were given that no
canteens should be dipped in. Alex McCahan obeyed the
letter of the command, but having a small tin pail with him,
he dipped it in and went on his way rejoicing.
When Sherman's forces reached Jackson on the 9th of
July, the troops were arranged in line of battle. The
Twenty-second was placed on the south side of the Vicks
burg road leading to the city. Company F, commanded by
Captain Cree, and Company G, commanded by Sergeant
J. K. Duncan, were deployed as skirmishers. Tbe rebel
batteries opened with grape and canister, and the infantry
had its position in a body of forest near by, from which
they opened a heavy fire of musketry. The Federal columns
made a dash against the enemy's works, but were hurled
back in confusion.
On the 16th the enemy evacuated the city, anticipating
the attack which had been planned for the 17th. After
Jackson had been taken, the Twenty-second Iowa was em
ployed for a few days in tearing up railway track, and on
the 24th of July returned to Vicksburg.
While the army was on its return most of the Twenty-
second boys were worn ont with hard service. Most of the
ambulance horses were pressed into service to draw the
artillery, and many soldiers who had in some manner pro-

122 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
cured mules on which to ride were forced by the officers to
give them up for use in drawing the artillery. Corporal
Alex McCahan, of Company D, had gotten possession' of
an old mule in some way. McCahan was completely ex
hausted, and had to depend on the mule for transportation.
The mule was a large, raw-boned one, but a good traveler.
Wm. Conway, a chum of McCahan's, also secured a little
old mule, which was totally worthless. One day, while on
the march, the two men ran upon a magnificent double-
seated carriage, which was trimmed in frosted silver and
upholstered in the richest velvets. They obtained some
ropes and improvised a set of harness, and hitching their
mules to it, moved along in great state for a few days;
finally, however, a heavy gun caisson ran over it, and
mashed it into ihe earth. The drivers once more mounted
their steeds and continued the march, until an officer ap
proached Conway and ordered him to dismount, that they
might hitch the mule to a gun. Conway was an Irishman,
and of course showed fight; the officer pulled him off and
took his mule. McCahan, seeing an officer approach him,
stopped opposite a large stump, and began to' take off Ms
blanket as if he intended turning the mule loose. The
officer approached and ordered him to deliver him the mule.
McCahan pretended to be very glad to dispose of the mule,
saying that it was of no use to him, and that he would
be glad if the officer could do anything with it. The officer
so far forgot himself as to address McCahan in a respectful
tone, and inquired if the animal was good for anything.
McCahan replied that it was of no use to himself, and,
while seemingly in the act of removing the rope bridle, said
the officer could have him, accompanying the tender with
an affected, sardonic grin. The officer, supposing the mule
was worn out, then rode off without saying another word.
AVhen out of sight, McCahan slowly climbed on the mule's
back and galloped off to a thicket, and followed the train
at some distance, so he would not be seen by the officers.
He states that if there had been no stump where he dis
mounted, he could not have climbed on the mule's back, as
he was so weak from exhaustion and ill health. He rode
the mule to near Vicksburg and then gave it to Arthur Rose,
of Company D, who drove it to a cart.
The regiment remained a month atVicksburg, and then
the army was loaded on the transport Baltic and taken to

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 123
New Orleans. They next embarked by way of the Gulf to
Texas, and landed on Mustang Island, 70 miles from Mata
gorda Bay. On the 29 th the regiment went on an expedition
against Fort Esperanza. The enemy, on their app'roach,
blew up their magazine and fled the town. On December.
2d the regiment went into camp at De Cruz's, on the
peninsula. On January 2, 1864, the regiment, with the division,
was taken on board the steamer Matamoras and landed' at
Old Indianola, up the bay about 40 miles, where they spent
the winter. Here the First and Second brigades were con
solidated and formed the First Brigade of the First
Division. In the meantime Colonel Stone had recovered from
his wound, and returned to his command a short time before
Jackson capitulated.
While the army was at Vicksburg, Colonel Stone was
elected Governor of Iowa, and here he took final leave of
Ins command. While stationed at Old Indianola, a squad of the regi
ment encountered a full company of mounted Texan
Rangers. A desperate fight took place, about 15 miles from
camp. There were over 100 of the Rangers, and about 25
of the regiment. The squad held them at bay for several
hours, but were finally surrounded, when they surrendered.
Among those who' were captured were John Flemming and
Wm. Bechtel, of Company A; Philip Hertzer, of Company
D; Gabriel Hoffman, of Company H; Carl Bedner, of Com
pany K; and Wm. Franklin, of Company F. Hertzer lived
in Monroe Township, and was of German extraction'. He
is now preaching in the Southwest.
In the spring the regiment returned to New Orleans,
and then went on Banks' Red River expedition, nearly as
far up as Alexandria, and then, meeting Banks on his return,
returned to New Orleans, crossing the river at Algiers.
They then embarked on an ocean steamer and sailed
around Cape Hatteras to Fortress Monroe, and then
ascended the James River to' Bermuda Hundred Landing,
near City Point, Grant's headquarters. The regiment next
went into the rifle-pits at Petersburg, going into the Army
of the Potomac. They remained here a few weeks during
July and August, 1864, and then returned down the James,
and up the Potomac to Washington.

124 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
On August 2, 1864, the regiment took up quarters at
Georgetown Heights, in Maryland, overlooking the city of
Washington; and on the 14th took up a line of march to
join Sheridan's column. The rebel general Early was
• chasing Sheridan down the Shenandoah A7alley, and the
Twenty-second Regiment, with the division and brigade, was
hastening through Drainsville, Leesburg, and Hamilton,
over the Kitoctan Mountains. The army marched through
Sneeker's Gap, of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and at mid
night arrived at the Shenandoah River at the foot of the
mountains. Here the troops waded the stream, and at
daylight reached Berryville, where they joined Sheridan.
AVhile marching from Berryville towards Harper's
Ferry, Horace Judson, Marion Anderson, Hugh Sinclair,
and Alex McCahan, members of Company D, went out one
day on a foraging tour into the country. They met a
-traveling equipage, consisting of some women, a load of
furniture or two, and a negro driver. They halted the
cart and began to inspect the cargo. A tightly corked
barrel aroused the interest of the boys, and McCahan
made a vigorous attempt to punch a hole in the head
with his bayonet. It was a slow process, and Judson,
growing impatient, shouted to McCahan to' stand to one
side. He did so. and Judson, raising his Enfield rifle, blazed
away at the head oi the barrel. A tiny stream of whisky
began to trickle out at the bullet-hole, but it did not come
out fast enough. Judson raised his gun again and sent
another ball through the barrel-head near the upper edge.
McCahan says that now a beautiful stream spurted out in
the form of a golden rair.bow. The boys held their canteens
and filled them with the precious fluid, and then reverently
plugged up the holes, so that no more of the liquor could be
lost, and allowed the cart to proceed.
On the morning of the 21st of August the army went
into a position along the bluffs of the Potomac. The left
rested on the river and the right extended to the foot of the
Blue Ridge. The Twenty-second Iowa was stationed near
the center. The enemy made an assault, and, after several
days' skirmishing, fell back to Bunker's Hill on the 27th.
On September 3d Sheridan ordered the Eighth and Nine
teenth Corps, which latter now included the Second Brigade,
to marchtoBerryville,wherealargerebelforcewas massing.
The Eighth Corps was attacked in the evening, by the enemy,

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 125
near Berryville, but drove the rebels back. The Second
Brigade occupied a position on the right of the Eighth Corps.
In this position the forces skirmished until midnight, when
they lay down in a drenching rain to rest until daylight.
On the arrival of daylight the enemy retired to their fortifi
cations on the Opequan.
The army, having now thrown up a line of works, re
mained until the 18th; and on the 19th, at about 2 o'clock
in the morning, began its march on Winchester. The
Sixth Corps was on the right, the Nineteenth in the center,
and the Eighth on the left, as tlie army advanced. At
about daylight the cavalry forming the advance guard en
countered the enemy and drove in his pickets; and at about
9 o'clock the Nineteenth Corps arrived and formed a line
of battle on a range of hills about a mile from the Opequan
and facing the enemy. While the line was forming, it was
shelled by the enemy's batteries for a short time; then a
silence fell along, the line like a calm before the opening of
a tempest. Presently the command "Forward!" was given,
and the army moved forward to the attack. The Twenty-
second Iowa was on the left of the brigade, and the brigade
itself was on the extreme left of the Nineteenth Corps. The
enemy was in a heavy belt of timber and about a mile of
open field intervened between the two hostile armies. As
the Union army advanced, they were met by a volley of
artillery, and when within about 500 yards of the'enemy's
line the latter poured in a deadly stream of grape and
canister. The Twenty-second Iowa, with a yell, dashed
forward on the double-quick and gained a stone wall within
100 yards of the enemy, where they made a stand for an
hour. The Sixth Corps, which was at the left of the regi
ment, began to fall back; and then, as they were pursued
by the enemy in their retreat, the Twenty-second broke and
was forced back by the enemy. General Grover finally
succeeded in re-forming his men, and, charging the rebels,
drove them back at all points.
The action of the Twenty-second Iowa Infantry at the
battle of Winchester furnishes one of the most gallant and
intrepid exploits of the war. While the Union forces were
being pushed back, the regiment rallied under a withering
fire of the enemy and completely routed them. In this
great battle the Twenty-second Iowa lost 109 men, killed,
wounded, and missing.

126 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
On the 20th, after driving the rebels through Winchester
and on to' Fisher's Hill, the rebels made a strong stand at
the latter place, and the pursuing Union column attacked
them on the 22d. The Twenty-second and Twenty-eighth
Iowa were ordered to attack the enemy's rifle-pits on the
heights in front of Fisher's Hill. They drove in the enemy's
skirmishers about 4 o'clock ; then these two regiments, with
the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth New York, charged
on the enemy's line and drove it back at all points. In this
flght the regiment lost but 4 men.
It was now dark, but the Twenty-second Iowa and its
invincible fighting mate, the Eleventh Indiana, followed up
the retreating foe to Woodstock, a distance of 15 miles from
Fisher's Hill. All night long these two regiments kept up
a skirmishing fire on the retreating enemy, and succeeded
in capturing several hundred prisoners. While encounter
ing the enemy's rear guard, the latter opened with a volley
of artillery and several of the regiment were killed. The
latter poured in several volleys of musketry, when the
enemy broke in disorder. For several days the victorious
Union force harassed the retreating enemy, and then
occupied Harrisburg until the 6th of October.
Sheridan now fell back to Cedar Creek. Here the army
was disposed as follows: the Eighth Corps occupied the
left, resting on the north fork of the Shenandoah ; the Nine
teenth Corps was placed in the center, and the Sixth Corps
on the extreme right ; the line forming a semicircle. On the
13th the enemy assaulted the Eighth and Nineteenth Corps'
pickets. The Twenty-second Iowa and the Thirteenth
Connecticut then assaulted the enemy, but the latter fell
back Without responding.
During the night the enemy withdrew to' the defense
of Fisher's Hill. On the morning of the 19th the Eighth
Corps was attacked by the enemy and driven from their
position, and to the rear of the Sixth and Nineteenth Corps.
The Twenty-second Iowa cut loose from the brigade
to save a battery, but when it had advanced to> within 200
yards the rebels had taken the battery, and the regiment
fell back to the brigade.
The army then began to fall back towards Winchester,
when that familiar episode of the campaign occurred, in
which Sheridan met the retreating army, and, re-forming
the men, drove back the enemy, and, largely through

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 127
Grover's Nineteenth Corps, achieved a memorable victory.
The enemy were driven through their camp and over Cedar
Creek, and thousands of their number were captured along
with their train of artillery.
In this engagement the regiment lost 77 men, killed,
wounded, and missing.
On the 20th the regiment was sent up the Blue Ridge,
over the trail of Early's retreat. The route was thickly
strewn with guns and accouterments. The regiment then
returned to camp at Cedar Creek until the 9th of November,
when it went into winter quarters at Winchester.
On emerging from winter quarters, the regiment went
by rail to Baltimore, and from thence by ocean steamer to
Savannah, Ga., where the regiment was mustered out.
At the battles of Winchester and Fisher's Hill there
were wounded in Company D: Joseph H. Holbrook, arm
and leg shot off; Wm. C. Wilson, both thighs severely in
jured; Geo. Lefever, right foot injured; Jas. H. Van Pelt,
severely injured in head and leg. Henry C. Kritzer and
Chas. H. Stephenson were taken prisoners.
At Cedar Creek there were wounded in Company D:
Samuel Byerly, wounded in abdomen mortally (since died) ;
James Moore, severely wounded in hip ; W. W. Cook, badly
wounded in hip. Sam'l R. Conley, Joel H. Webb, and
Calvin H. Bray were taken prisoners.
At Vicksburg there were killed in Company D : Corpo
ral Nathaniel G. Teas, Jas. A. Eshom, Chester W. Farrar,
Ezra L. Anderson, Samuel Byerly, Abner Barnard, Elmer
Drummond, Hezekiah Drummond, Jas. Lindsey, Geo. W.
Lefever, Geo. H. Miller, Geo. W. Maiden, John A. Robb, and
David H. Willey. The wounded in Company D were: Geo.
W. Buchanan, wounded slightly in the head ; Munsen L. Clem-
mons, wounded slightly in the thigh; Jacob D, Mock,
wounded slightly in the foot; C. T. McConnell, wounded
in the jaw; Jacob S. Ray, wounded in chest and arm; Thos.
B. Tate, severely wounded in left ankle; Ferdinand Wood,
slightly wounded in elbow.
In February, 1863, while the regiment was marching
from White Plains, Mo., to Iron Mountain, it passed by a
squalid hut in the timber. Alex McCahan says it was the
most woe-begone habitation he ever saw. The house con
tained a man, his wife, and several small children ; all were
nearly naked, and appeared half starved. The man's name

128 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
was Calvin Bray. He came to the fence and asked per
mission to enlist. He stated that he could not live any
longer where he was located, and that he might as well go
along with the regiment. He was taken into Company D,
and, after drawing his first pay, sent it to his family and
had them removed to some point of safety. He went
through the war and was taken prisoner at Cedar Creek.
On his release he rejoined the regiment, and on the 5th of
April, 1865, died at St. Louis, of diarrhea. He was return
ing north to meet his family at Rolla, Mo.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

129

C, B. & Q. DEPOT, ALBIA, IOWA.

CHAPTER VII.

Railroads.
Monroe County has six railroads traversing her do
main — namely, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail
way, the Albia, Knoxville & Des Moines Railway (a branch
of the C, B. & Q.), the Iowa Central, the Centerville, Moravia
& Albia Railway, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail
way, and the Wabash (now defunct).
Plans for securing railroads for Albia were projected
as early as 1865, when the Chicago,, Burlington & Quincy
Railway Company, or the Burlington & Missouri Railway
Company, as it was then called, proposed to extend their
line westward from Ottumwa to Albia and Chariton.
The company wanted Monroe and Lucas counties to
raise $100,000 to secure the road, threatening to locate the
line through some other territory if that amount was not
guaranteed. The people of Monroe County granted the right of way,

130 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
depot grounds at Albia, and took about $14,000 of the com
pany's stock, which was afterwards bought up by Perkins
and"other officers of the company at from 15 cents to 20 cents
on the dollar.
The C, B. & Q. traverses the entire portion of Monroe
County from east to west, a distance of a little more than 27
miles, and its assessed valuation per mile, in 1896, was
$12,570, or a total value of $349,647.
At about the same time that the C, B. & Q. Railroad
was secured to Monroe County, a scheme was put on foot to
secure a north-and-south outlet by means of the Iowa Cen
tral and the Northern Missouri roads, which latter had ex
isted on paper for some years previous.
About $100,000 was subscribed to secure the Iowa
Central from the Mahaska County line down to Albia, its
southern terminus. The road was completed to Albia in
1871, and then the people of the county conceived a plan to
have a continuous line from the far North down to the Gulf
States, by reviving the plans for the construction of the
North Missouri Railroad, which had for a few years lain
dormant. General Drake, of Centerville, proposed to build a road
from Centerville north to Albia, and thus connect the Iowa
Central with the M., I. & N., a road of which he was then
president, and which belonged to the Wabash System. He
assured the people of Monroe County that the road would
be extended on to Des Moines in a year or more from the date
of its completion to Albia, if Monroe County would vote a
tax for its construction. This tax was to amount to the sum
of $20,000; and about $6,000 additional was subscribed to
buy the right of way. The tax of $20,000 was levied in Mon
roe and Troy townships, the people voted to be thus taxed,
and the road was built.
To forestall the scheme of the AVabash folks, the C, B.
& Q. constructed a spur from Albia to Moravia They in
tended to push the road to Centerville, and to some point
farther south; but when the AVabash people completed the
Centerville, Moravia & Albia Railway, the "Q." abandoned
the scheme and permitted their spur to terminate at Moravia.
This spur was to have been a continuation of the Albia,
Knoxville & Des Moines spur, just completed.
The contract for building the C, M. & A. Railroad was
let to Kennedy & Flemming, and work began in March, 1880.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 131
On beginning their work, Kennedy & Flemming mortgaged
the road-bed to the Farmers' Loan and Trust Company, of
New York, to secure a loan of $400,000. These contractors
failed in 1880, with liabilities amounting to $12,000. Center
ville people held most of the claims against the construction
company. The C, M. & A. Company was liable to the con
struction company to the extent of its indebtedness, in the
sum of four or five thousand dollars. Kennedy refused to
pay his laborers, with the excuse that the measurements
were incorrect. General Drake proposed that a re-measure
ment be made, and that Kennedy accompany the engineer.
This was agreed to, but that night Kennedy & Company
skipped for parts unknown. Many of Kennedy's creditors
were Monroe County farmers living along the route, who
had performed labor and supplied provisions to the con
struction company. It is also asserted that some of these
farmers made an arrangement with Kennedy & Company to
perform labor in payment of the tax which they voted to the
aid of the C, M. & A. Company, and that no credit was en
tered in their favor when the tax was collected.
The M., I. & N. began running trains into Albia in Au
gust, 1880, but for several years since its completion it did
not flourish. For several years it has only been operated be
tween Albia and Centerville, having abandoned its track
between Albia and Harvey, its junctional point on the
Wabash. The road at present is operated in conjunction
with the Central, and, in addition to a good freight traffic, is
giving the public good passenger service, with two trains
each way daily. Its length in Monroe County is 11 miles,
and its assessed valuation per mile, in 1896, was $2,000, or the
total value of the road within Monroe County was fixed at
$22,000. General Drake is president of the road, and Russell
Sage, of New York, is vice-president. Sage is president of the
Iowa Central also.
The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy spur from Albia to
Moravia, herein referred to as being abandoned, ceased to
operate its line, a few years after its completion, and it is
doubtful if the road will ever be rehabilitated. For this
reason it and the defunct Wabash are not shown on the map.
It was originally known as the Moulton & Albia Railway,
and its length from Albia to Moravia is 14 miles. In 1896 its
assessed valuation per mile was $500. At present the road
bed has reverted to the original property-holders, over whose
lands the line lay.

132 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
The abandoned AVabash track between Albia and Har
vey, which is known in the railway directory as the Wabash,
Des Moines & St. Louis Railway, has 11 miles of track in
Monroe County, and its assessed valuation per mile is $2,500.
Its title has not yet lapsed by failure of the company to oper
ate the line within the time fixed by law.
The Kansas City Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee &
St. Paul Railway traverses the southern portion of Monroe
County from east to west. It has 10 miles of track within
the county, which in 1896 was assessed at a valuation of
$4,000 per mile. Tt passes Avithin 9 miles of Albia, and at
Moravia it has transfer facilities with the C, M. & A. Rail
way. It was built in the summer of 1886, and has a large
coal-carrying trade, besides good passenger traffic.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 133
CHAPTER VIII.
The Press.
The church, the school-house, and the local press may be
justly termed the "holy trinity" under whose watchful eye
civilization is gradually lifted to a higher plane. While they
are of equal potency as civilizing agents, it is indeed strange
that the country newspapers should not be maintained by
the public, the same as the public school system. Instead of
these twin offspring sharing the same patrimony, the press,
like Ishmael, is an outcast from the parental bosom.
AMiile the country publisher should be, and invariably
is, the best and smartest man in the community, he is per
mitted to exist merely through sufferance. Nobody loves
him, and yet through his paper he is expected to love every
body. He is not regarded as a fellow-creature, liable to
error, or to the periodical demand for alimentary sustenance.
He must be "without spot or wrinkle" in the eyes of the ex
acting public. He is not an individual, but an "institution."
His real worth is never realized until his form is locked in
the chaste form of death. Then his funeral is celebrated
with great festivity and pomp. The funeral procession is as
long as that of the wealthiest citizen in the village. His
rival publisher writes a lengthy obituary notice, extolling
his many virtues, praising his worth as a citizen, father,
husband, and friend, and winds up with a peroration to the
effect that the loss to the community, of the late lamented, is
one which time cannot fully repair. To publish even a coun
try newspaper requires a high degree of talent, which in any
other public channel would command a handsome salary,
but the unappreciative public is insensible of the sacrifice.
The first paper established in Monroe County was called
the Albia Independent Press. It was edited and published by
A. C. Barnes, the father of the present proprietor of the
Albia Union. The paper, which first made its appearance
October 10, 1.854, was independent in its political views, as it
so stated. Yet it now and then exhibited a decided leaning
towards the new Abolitionist party, which had not yet be
gun to gather to itself much popularity. In the issue of the
Independent Press of September 26, 1855, the publisher has
this tn sav of slavery:

134 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
"We have never deemed it our calling or duty to say
much about slavery, though we have ever regarded it as an
unavoidable evil to both master and slave, in the original
slave States. But if slavery had not been extended and was
not now being extended over the limits where it was when the
Union was formed, we would probably scarcely ever speak
or think of it, and we have hoped long since that its agita
tion would cease. When it had nearly ceased, after the pas
sage of the fugitive slave act, the patriots who had abhorred
some features of that act had smothered their feelings of
opposition and were quiet. Soon again pro-slavery men
opened afresh the agitation by their efforts to extend the
area of slavery. We did not object to the slave-owner with
a posse from a slave State taking the fugitive slave back, but
we do object to being made a party to assist him by com
pulsory laws, and then again a party to assist in procuring
new slave territory, and not allowed to desist nor not al
lowed to say one word on pain of being called an abolition
ist, and charged with endangering the Union. Nor will we
consent to being gagged on any account. We would check
fanaticism on the subject of slavery as we would on every
other subject, and still preserve and defend the liberty of
speech and the rights of conscience."
In the same issue were the minutes of the Agricultural
Society. Jas. B. Turner, E. P. Cone, and John Phillips were
the committee to award premiums on ox-bows made within
the county; Robt. Saunders, E. M. Moore, and Jas. B. Turner
were the committee on jacks and mules; and Wm. Robinson,
Hillah Hayes, and Andrew Trussell the committee on stal
lions and brood-mares.
There was also a paragraph giving a statement of the
electoral vote for President in the approaching election of
1856. The fifteen Southern States showed 120 votes, and the
Northern States 176 votes in the electoral college.
The Press hoisted the standard of Fremont and Dayton,
notwithstanding its former non-partisan professions, and in
the November election the county gave Fremont 622 votes
and Buchanan 603.
In another issue is given the schedule rates for hauling,
as fixed by the Teamsters' Association of Albia, as follows :
River hauling, per hundred  $1.50
Hauling by the day  3.00
Hauling by the load, in town  30

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 135
Hauling from Phelps' mill  $0.75
Hauling from Babbs' mill  50
Hauling from Easley's mill  2.50
Hauling from Soap Creek mill  3.00
Hauling from Bremen mill  2.50
Hauling from Blakesburg mill  3.00
Hauling lime from Judson's  2.75
Another interesting communication to the Press of
July 2, 1856, is the report of the Democratic convention of
Urbana Township. Following is the report, verbatim:
"The meeting was organized by calling Lewis Arnold
to the chair, and R. B. Arnold acted as secretary. Our able
and indefatigable prosecuting attorney, T. B. Perry, being
present, addressed the meeting in defense of Democratic
principles. He spoke warmly of the action of the Democracy
at Cincinnati, and congratulated the Democratic party upon
the nomination of such men as Buchanan and Breckinridge.
His remarks were duly appreciated by all present.
"On motion, 15 delegates were appointed to attend the
convention at Albia; viz., George Reading, M. S. McAlister,
G. R. Halliday, C. O. Vancleve, Doster Noland, R. K. Stoops,
Jas. Goodman, W. T. Barnhill, Nimrod Martin, Jas. Mclntyre,
Joseph Caldwell, John Hawk, Levi Herod, and Wm. Dale.
"Ordered, that where delegates fail to attend, any dele
gate of the township may act as a substitute, or the delegates
present to cast the full vote.
"On motion of Geo. R. Robinson, Esq., a committee of
five were appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the
sense of the meeting. The chair appointed Geo. R. Robinson,
John Hawk, W. P. Wilson, R. B. Arnold, and Fountain Ken
nedy said committee.
"The committee reported the resolutions as appended,
which were unanimously adopted.
"Resolved. That the proceedings of this meeting be pub
lished in the Keokuk Weekly Times and the Albia Independent
Press. "Whereas, The present political excitement and the
threatened dismemberment of our glorious confederacy de
mand of every friend of constitutional liberty an open and
outspoken expression of sentiments, expressive of the in
terest felt in the perpetuation and extension of our incompar
able institutions, and thoroughly convinced as we are, and
ever have been, of the truth and justice of the Democratic
cause — cherishing, as we have ever done, an unwavering faith

136 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
in the honesty, integrity, and intelligence of the American
people — we have never entertained a doubt of the final
triumph and ultimate success of the principles of that party.
"Resolved, That we cordially endorse the action of the
Democratic national convention at Cincinnati — that we will
give 'a pull, a long pull, and a pull all together' for the nomi
nees of that convention.
"Resolved, That in the persons of Jas. Buchanan and
John C. Breckinridge, of Kentucky, we have statesmen. of
the highest order, tried and experienced in home and foreign
policy, gentlemen whose character cannot be reached by the
foul shafts of abolition calumny.
"Resolved, That we deprecate all attempts to agitate the
slavery question or any other sectional issue which tends to
alienate the affections of the people, and draw one section of
the people against the other.
"Resolved, That we approve most heartily the course of
our talented and energetic representatives in Congress,
Messrs. Jones and Hall, for so nobly sustaining Democratic
principles and securing to Iowa the grant of land to aid the
construction of her railroads; and we feel a sense of humilia
tion at the conduct, speeches, and sentiments of Messrs. Har
lan and company — exponents alike of the principle of 'Sam'
and 'Sambo.' "Resolved, That we duly appreciate the motives of the
patriotic Clay and Webster Whigs, who, like Preston and
Marshall of Kentucky, Toombs and Stephens of Georgia, and
Benjamin of Louisiana, and others, have joined the Democ
racy and are battling for those principles on which the
fathers of the Republic based our social fabric.
"Resolved, That we have no feeling of respect for those
who affiliate with that class of politicians who recognize a
'higher law' and who recommend as a code of morals, 'Sharp's
rifles and the resistance of law unto a bloody issue.'
"Resolrcd, That we abide by the decision of the Albia
convention to be holden on the Sth of July, and hereby
pledge a hearty support to' the nominees. Our motto is,
'Principles, not Men,' In the language of Buchanan, 'Men
arc but the creatures of a day. Principles are eternal.'
"The meeting adjourned, cherishing the belief that the
country and State would give handsome majorities for the
Democracy in August and November.
'"Lewis Arnold, Chairman. R. B. Arnold, Secretary.
"Avery, Monroe Co., June 28, 1856."

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 137
The Independent Press then refutes a prevalent rumor
that John C. Fremont is a slave-owner, by publishing some
correspondence between Daniel F. Miller, the Whig member
of Congress from the First District, of which Monroe County
was then a part, and Horace Greeley. Miller writes to
Greeley stating that the Democrats were making the charge
that Freniont owned twenty-three slaves held in servitude
in the South. He requests Greeley to ascertain from
Fremont whether the charge is true or not; and Greeley
replies in part as follows:
"AVell, Friend Miller, — What would you have us do
in the premises? The report is false — an inexcusable, un
mitigated lie — we have authority for so reporting it. * *
"Col. Fremont is not a slave-holder; but suppose he
were — what of it? Do not you and I recognize the right to
hold slaves in slave States? Have we not repeatedly voted
for slave-holders whom we knew to be right on the great
issues at stake? Is it not quite likely that we may do so
again? Read the letter of Adam Beatty published in your
last, and say whether you would not far sooner support
him for President, avowed slave-holder as he is, than any
'Dough-face' in America? Would you not rather vote for
Breckinridge than for Buchanan? * * * But suppose
you run this particular lie into the ground, you will have
accomplished nothing, while the spirit which prompted its
fabrication remains in existence. Next day you will be
told that Freniont is a Catholic; and, though this is as
false as the other, it will be easy for Hookem Snivey to assert
that Peter Snooks told him that he heard Fremont tell him
he was a Roman Catholic, or saw him attending mass, or
something to that effect. Will you waste a week running
down this lie also, and then where are you?"
Among the display "ads" is one which reads:
"Beef Hides Wanted. — I will pay the highest price for
any dry and green hides delivered to my shop on the south
side of the Square, Albia. P. Morgan."
Morgan afterwards located in Des Moines, and built
the Morgan Hotel, for a long time the largest hotel in the
city. Mr. Barnes, the publisher, was a most exemplary and
pious gentleman, and had such a particular abhorrence to
profanity that he states in a paragraph that it shocks him
to hear boys swearing while playing on the streets. He

138 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
concludes the paragraph by stating that it had been inti
mated to him that his own boys were beginning to swear.
He assures the public that if there is any truth in the rumor,
he will be sincerely thankful for being informed of it, and
that he will not be offended. Evidently his friends were a
little derelict in reporting any appearing tendencies towards
juvenile profanity in the case of little Alpheus, or, at least,
it would appear that the proper corrective had not been
interposed soon enough.
Mr. Barnes, in the issue of the Press of October 17, 1855,
administers a little fatherly advice to T. B. Perry touching
the evil of the young attorney's ways. He reproves him on
two counts: one was for Mr. Perry's presumption in aspiring
to the county judgeship, and the other was for procuring
whisky "at the doggery kept near Bremen, with which to
promote his interests in the campaign just prior to> the
August election." The kind-hearted editor states that Mr.
Perry is still a young man, and that the opportunity is still
open for him to live down his youthful errors. He pardons
his offense, but expresses the fear that the young man is on
the downward road. This thrust had been provoked by Mr.
Perry having alluded to Mr. Barnes as a "Know-Nothing"
in a speech at a big Democratic rally at Albia.
Mr. Barnes conducted the Press until the 17th of June,
1857, when it suspended.
The Weekly Albia Republican made its appearance
November 5, 1857, under the management of W. W. Barnes,
a son of the pioneer journalist and a senior brother of A. R.
Barnes, the present proprietor pf the Albia Union, and C. E.
Topping. After running four months, Topping went to
Michigan to visit his relatives and obtain funds to pay for
his interest in the paper. He never returned ; and Stephen
R. Barnes bought the interest of his brother W. W., and
published the sheet until 1859, when he sold the paper to
Josiah T. Young and T. B. Gray. Young called the paper
the Monroe County Sentinel.
The Republican was uncompromising in its opposition
to the extension of human slavery. It made vehement
assaults on Buchanan and his tardiness or inaction with
regard to checking the rapidly advancing crisis of 1860-61.
In one issue the publisher calls upon Congress to impeach
Buchanan. The Sentinel, under the management of Messrs. Young

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 139
and Gray, was Democratic in politics. Mr. Young at that
time was a staunch supporter of Stephen, A. Douglas.
The Sentinel, in criticising Governor Kirkwood's in
augural address, makes some disparaging comments on the
Governor's recommendation that a memorial be presented
to Congress praying for the enactment of a homestead law.
The editor of the Sentinel "touches up" his contemporary,
the publisher of the Blade, and a Republican, by the caustic
accusation that the latter openly and unblushingly de
nounces the fugitive slave law, and holds that a citizen
of the North is under no moral or legal obligation to report
or intercept runaway negroes from the South. In speaking
further of this startling propaganda, the Sentinel man tells
his readers that it is whispered that there are several men
in Monroe County who entertain similar views.
In the issue of the Sentinel of December 8, 1860, Eli
De Tar gushes forth in a poetic strain. The poem is entitled
"Montgomery Taken at Last." At the end of the poem the
poet somewhat mars the rapture of the song by a sordid
allusion to himself and the "Big Brick":
"Remember the place in the Big Brick,
Where I 'U sell cheap for cash,
But never on tick!"
In the Sentinel of May 25, 1861, is a leading editorial,
called forth by threats of mobbing the Sentinel office. The
publisher protests his loyalty to the Union, and points out
the grave consequences liable to ensue in case the Sentinel
office or its publishers should be molested by a mob. Mr.
Young by this time had retired from the paper as editor,
although he still owned it.
In another issue is published the proceedings of the
Urbana Township Democracy in a meeting assembled to
discuss the war question. The sense of the meeting was
that the only feasible plan of settling the momentous
question was by peaceful diplomacy; civil war was unjusti
fiable and inimical to constitutional liberty as established
by our forefathers, etc. While the position taken by the
Democracy of Urbana Township at the time may have been
located on the extreme limit of the border line between
pro- and anti-slavery, their public meetings and utterances
do mot indicate an approval or indorsement of the secession
movement then assuming form in the Southern States. They

140 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
did not believe it was right for the South to withdraw from
the Union, and at the same time they felt that it was usur
pation of power for the North to hold the South in bonds of
union against its wishes. In short, the Democratic party
of 1860-61 persisted in their entreaties to persuade the South
to stay in, if possible; but if not, then the Lincoln adminis
tration at Washington should not hinder their withdrawal
by force of arms.
Later on, the sentiments of the publishers of the Sentinel
(J. T. Young and J. H. Denslow, the latter having taken
Mr. Gray's place) seem to gradually modify in behalf of the
expedient of suppressing the Rebellion by force of arms. In
the issue of the Sentinel of September 28, 1861, the paper
says, in an editorial :
"It is necessary to fight for the country, and the hotter
the war the sooner peace. AVe have been, and are yet, in
favor of using all proper means for the restoration of the
Union and preservation of all onr rights under the Consti
tution, but would much rather that we could get along with
out a bloody war. But the fortunes of war are upon us,
and fight we must!"
The Sentinel, however, in commenting on a prevalent
rumor that the President and Cabinet had taken under
advisement the question of acknowledging the Southern
Confederacy, makes this remark: "Under existing circum
stances, this is the best thing the new Administration can
do towards settling our difficulties peaceably."
The columns of the Sentinel from 1860 to 1861 are
largely taken up with reports of meetings called to' discuss
the war topic. They are termed "Union meetings," and
were participated in by men of all parties. Fort Sumter
had been fired upon. Most of those in the North who had
hitherto hoped for a peaceful adjustment of the dispute,
and who had bitter ly censured the President and his
Cabinet, now united on common grounds with those who
had espoused the cause of the North from the start. At one
of these meetings, April 27, 1861, the following resolutions
were adopted :
"Resolved, That it becomes all good and loyal citizens
to stand by the stars and stripes and defend our glorious
Union against internal rebellion or other invasion.
"Resolved, That any man in our midst who in any way

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

141

encourages or supports secession or rebellion, or gives aid
and comfort thereto, is a traitor and should be dealt with
as such. "T. B. Perry.
"T. B. Gray."

Hon. JOSIAH T.'YOUNG, Ex-Secretary of State of Iowa.
It was during Mr. Young's connection with the Sentinel
that an editorial appeared in its columns assuring Governor
Pickens, of South Carolina, whose State had lately adopted

142 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
a secession ordinance, that if the North attempted to apply
coercive measures towards the Southern States threatening
secession, a fire in the rear would roll up from the North
to harass the invading Northern army on its march down
to the scene of conflict. This utterance became known as
his "fire-in-the-rear speech," and in later years, when his
political views had become completely changed by his ex
perience and observation as a Union soldier, the allusion
to the expression bore with it a touch of humor.
This "fire-in-the-rear" utterance is commonly con
founded with a letter which he wrote to Governor Pickens,
of South Carolina, at about the time that State was
deliberating on the question of going out of the Union;
but, as will be seen from a perusal of the letter itself, no
such expression occurs.
Mr. Young was a Democrat, and the tenor of his letter
to Governor Pickens was not unlike that of hundreds of
other Democrats within the county at that time.
Not long after, Mr. Young enlisted in the Union army;
he made a good soldier, and endured the hardships of a
squalid prison-pen at Tyler, Texas. Whatever may have
been his position at one time concerning the issues of the
war, there was no ampler testimony of a citizen's loyalty
and devotion to the cause of human liberty than that shown
by the Union soldier who carried his musket at his side by
day and slept upon it by night.
The following is Mr. Young's letter to Governor Pickens,
copied verbatim : "Albia, Iowa, Jan. 14, 1861.
"To His Excellency, Gov. Pickens, Charleston, S. C:
"Sir, — It is with feelings that I cannot describe, that
impress me at the present moment, that I undertake to pen
an epistle to you.
"Pardon me for addressing you, but I feel such an
anxiety for the safety and perpetuity of our common country
and her institutions that I cannot keep silent. The first
thing I wish to mention is, that not all the men in the North
who voted for Mr. Lincoln are abolitionists. Quite a num
ber of persons within my own knowledge voted the Republi
can ticket because of their great dislike to the Administra
tion at Washington. They wished a change of men at the
head of affairs, at the same time never dreaming that by so
voting they were helping to precipitate the nation into civil

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 143
commotion and confusion. Others voted for Mr. Lincoln be
cause of the free-farm plank in his platform, not caring
whether slavery was voted up or down.
"So far, I have been talking only of those who have voted
the Republican ticket. It is proper to say that in the young
and thriving State of Iowa there were at the last election
nearly sixty thousand votes cast in opposition to the sec
tional views and narrow, contracted ideas of the Lincoln
party. In my opinion, there are at present more than sixty
thousand men in the State who, if the election should be held
to-morrow, would vote a conservative ticket as opposed to
fanaticism. "The above statements being facts, is it fair for South
Carolina and other States to break up the Union? Is it
fair for us to pass ordinances of secession — destroy this
government, the best ever made by human hands, and leave
thousands of true and loyal citizens in the old deserted edi
fice — citizens always true to the Union, and all the rights of
every section of the country, who have stood by the old ship
of State through sunshine and through storm?
"You are, my dear sir, taking the right tack to make
enemies of those who were your friends. You do not offer
the poor boon offered by the angels to Lot in Sodom. You do
not give us a chance to escape from the thralldom of Aboli
tion, for you desert us in Congress, at a time when the pres
ence of your representatives is absolutely necessary to pre
vent our enemies from carrying on their measure so destruc
tive to the peace, happiness, and future well-being of the
whole country. Thousands and tens of thousands of the peo
ple of the North are the friends of the South—have con
tended for their rights in the common territories; for the
execution of the fugitive slave law as it is; for the right of the
slave-holders to hold their negroes as property in the slave
States ; for the right of the owner to carry his slave from one
State to another, passing through a free State without dan
ger of losing his property. Shall these friends of yours, who
have adhered to your fortunes, and to the Constitution and
laws, now be deserted by you and left to fight on amid the
bewildering gloom that now enshrouds our erstwhile happy
country? No! you will not leave us; you will seek redress
of all grievances in the Union under the Constitution. There
are more conservative men in the North, your friends, than
there are of you, all told. Yet you propose to render us pow-

144 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
erless in action for good, by your secession movement.
Secession! Secession!.' There is no such thing as peaceable
secession, and the scenes already being enacted by your
State and by the Government at AVashington prove the
assertion. If you persist in your course, you will destroy
yourselves and us too. You will engulf us in the terrible
maelstrom of civil war ; widen the breach now already open ;
compel those who are otherwise your friends to take part
against you.
"The wise master-builder counts the cost of the edifice
before building. The sage ruler, contemplating war with a
neighboring nation, sits down and calculates the number of
men and the amount of money necessary to carry it on.
Have you estimated the value of the advantages you propose
to enjoy out of the Union, over and above those which are in
it? I entreat you, as you love your country and mankind, to
consider well the course you are taking — a course that will
plunge the nation into bloody war and destroy, for this age
at least, the hopes of the friends of Christianity and Peace,
also of Civilization and Progress, of Commerce and Agri
culture. "O that the Being who controls the destiny of nations
would intervene and spare our people and prosper us as He
has hitherto done! Yours very respectfully, "J. T. Young."
The Sentinel suspended on the 2d of November, 1861.
The Jeffersonian Blade was a contemporary of the Senti
nel, and was Republican in politics. It was established Janu
ary 26. 1860, by James Noffsinger. In May, 1861, Noffsinger
retired, and Geo. Hickenlooper and Aaron Melick assumed
the management. The Blade of August 14, 1860, gives rather a graphic
pen-picture of Henry Clay Dean, who addressed the people of
Monroe County that week:
"The first argument the speaker presented was his great
toe, about the size and color of an old-fashioned toad. It
stuck out of his sock about a foot, and was very much ad
mired by the ladies. AAre should have stated that the speaker
commenced his speech by preparing to go to bed — that is,
hauled off all his duds — but his shirt and breeches.
"The next argument introduced by Mr. Dean was this:
'If you want a discussion, bring on your man; I will make

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 145
him feel as happy as he can be in the flesh. I will skin him
and hang him up to rot!' "
It would appear that pioneer life was not without its
social festivities. The Blade publishes a card from A. 0.
Barnes, announcing that he would serve watermelons at his
home two and one-half miles east of Albia, on Friday after
noon of the 24th instant, at 4 o'clock. All who could not
come on that date were requested to come on the following
Tuesday afternoon.
The Blade of October 15, 1861, announces to its patrons
that in consequence of one of its publishers (Mr. Melick) hav
ing gone to Iowa City for a few days' visit with friends and
relatives, there would "be no paper next week."
The Blade ceased to exist October 15, 1861, and up from
its ashes, phcenix like, rose the AlbiaWeekly Gazette, published
by Melick and Young. In January, 1862, Melick retired and
Mr. Young ran the paper until the following April, when he
laid down his pen and took up his musket in defense of the
Union, and in the years that followed his political senti
ments were changed and his party faith rechristened by the
"baptism of fire."
The Weekly Albia Union, the well-known Republican
organ of Monroe County of to-day, was established by Mat
thew A. Robb, May 20, 1862. The sheet then, as now, was
Republican in politics.
The columns of the Union during the war period were
filled chiefly with war news from the front. No other topic
was of interest to the people. The soldier boys wrote letters
home for publication, from the scenes of hostility. The tele
graphic wires were charged day and night with reports of the
movements of the armies. Mothers watched the papers
eagerly for the list of "killed and wounded," or to read the
"latest telegraphic news."
The Union of March 26, 1863, contains an editorial con
cerning an organization known as the "Golden Circle," an
alleged organization composed of rebel sympathizers. Fol
lowing is the article :
"Any society formed for the overthrow of this Govern
ment can have but a temporary existence. Such associa
tions may do us much harm and materially embarrass the de
signs of government, but they never can permanently resist
its power and effectually supplant it. The Knights of the
Golden Circle exist here, and in most of the townships
16 

146 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
throughout the county, but nobody fears them except as they
do the midnight assassin or the torch of the incendiary.
Whatever of evil they will ever accomplish, at most, cannot
go far beyond the destruction of a small amount of private
property and the secret assassination of a few individuals.
Even this would be a melancholy state of affairs, but no one
would deem such disasters equal to the great calamity which
must befall us if this Government is destroyed. The leaders
of the Copperhead Democracy pretend to be ignorant of any
such associations, and deny that they have any knowledge
of their existence, but they cannot cover up and conceal the
monster deformity and loathsome organization by any such
mild pretense."
While the name was familiar to every one, the existence
in Monroe County of such an organization was probably a
myth. In the first place, those identified with the movement
would have been apprehended by the loyal citizens of the
county, and, under the high tension of excitement existing
at the time, would have been roughly dealt with. Public
sentiment was so wrought up that it is quite probable that
if any secret movement had been undertaken, to furnish aid
and comfort to the South, the promoters of the movement
would have been apprehended and lynched. The public
brain was heated to madness, and in the blindness of intense
partisan feeling many of these acrimonious charges made by
tlie respective political parties against each other had no
real foundation. The "Golden Circle" was a real organization in some
parts of the North and it may be true, and indeed quite likely,
that it had its agents at work throughout the country, but in
thinly settled localities like Monroe County, where most peo
ple were loyal to the Government, it would have been impos
sible for the emissaries of the "Golden Circle" to have estab
lished a working foothold. It is stated on reliable authority
that an organization of this kind existed at Blakesburg, just
over the county line in Wapello County. The term was used
more as a malediction against the more active and partisan
Democrats of the county than anything else, as nearly every
noted Democrat was branded as a Knight of the Golden
Circle. The Union of March 3, 1864, contains a letter written by
Rev. Jacob Wyrick, of Monroe County, to Jacob Hittle, a
soldier of the Thirty-sixth Iowa Infantry, stationed with his

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. IOWA. 147
regiment near Little Rock. As the letter discusses the sub
ject of human slavery from a scriptural standpoint, we copy
it just as it appeared in the Union. The reverend gentle
man's orthography is decidely unique, and we forbear to
attempt to reconstruct it.
"Monroe County Iowa, Dec. 13, 1863.
"Dear brother, — I take my pen in hand to let you now
that I am well at the present and all of my family and yours
was also well last Monday. I was thare and saw all of them,
and we talked of you, and I red the speach that you sent
home, part of that speach is good when he gives it to all
the high officers, I think that he tells the truth but when he
attempts to justify the linkion prolamation and amansipation
then he leaves the truth and the law of god for him and all
the mansipations cant read in gods word and justify it,
if they can I want them to turn down a lief and gave me the
chapter and verse so that I may read it too for I isay it cant
Be found only by them that says that Sprinklinge of Baybies
is baptism will you please read the 13 and 14 chapters of
pauls letter to the romans here You see he commands no
man to be a Judge of another mans servants of his own
master and now we thousands put themselves up as Judges
of another mans servants of his own master O may god
help me to turn from disobedience to serve the only and
true god by obedience to his lawes.
"Thence turn with me to the 6 chapter of effisians and
5 verse and hear you finde that thay are commanded to
obey thare masters and if these abolishen can sho me that
it is the word of god that telles us that it is rong to rule
over them we will be Able to show them that the lord
conterdicts himself but I as a man say that no man can do
it, thence turn with me to the 4 chapter of Collassians and
first verse and here you sea that the lord through the apostle
commanded the masters to give to thare servants that wich
was just and equal now if it was rong as the abolishens say
then the lord would have sed set him free but remember
well that no man can sho that and turn down the lief s whare
the spirits sed so. thence turn with me and read the sixth
chapter of the first timothy and hear the lord speak to
many servants to count thare own masters worthy of all
oner so if god sayes thay are worthy of all oner why do
Gault and all other abolishen say that it is no oner may god
spare them for denying his word is my prayer for them all.

148 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. IOWA.
makel and debby and all the family is well I want you Both
to receive my love and remember me until death I pray that
you may get back home safe Brother it does seam strange
to me to read your solem letters and read in them that
you desire the struggle to go on and hear that you voted
for stone when he is aposed to peace on any termes untill
the last visage of slavery is wiped out. o brother why will
men vote for the cause that will keep them from thare
wives and children and vote for the dagger to> be pushed
on that pearces ther one hartes. I want you to show this
letter to all the abolishen and tell them to anser me I pray
for you and I want you to pray for me I am yours truly
"Jacob Wyrick."
On the 7th of August, 1862, Mr. Robb retired from the
Union; he enlisted in the Twenty-second Iowa Infantry,
and was killed at Vicksburg. M. V.. Brown bought the
sheet, and Geo. W. Yocum did the editorial work. In 1863
G. W. and B. F. Yocum became editors and proprietors. In
1865 Val Mendal purchased this plant, and five years later
he took C. M. Clapp in with him as editor and partner.
When' Mr. Clapp retired, in 1872, C. L. Nelson took editorial
charge and did all of the editorial work, Mr. Mendal being
the sole owner of the paper.
In 1882 Tom', Hutchinson succeeded Mr. Nelson as
editor for a short time, and on October 5th of the same
year Mr. Mendal sold the paper to Hon. J. T. Young and son.
These gentlemen conducted the paper until April 17, 1884,
when ex-Lieutenant-Governor M. M. Walden bought the
concern. Mr. Walden had Congressional aspirations at the
time, and did not assume active management of the paper.
Mr. Young continued as the editorial writer, and Frank
Hickenlooper acted as local editor for a time.
On March 4, 1886, Walden sold the paper to Alpheus R.
Barnes, who has been the sole editor and proprietor up to
the present time. Mr. Barnes has been at the helm for the
greatest length of time of any of the Union's former pro
prietors. He is assisted quite efficiently by his son Horace,
a young man of strict integrity and of considerable promise,
well calculated to take up the cudgel in behalf of the public
welfare and good government whenever age shall require
the senior member to lay it down.
Mr. Barnes has his paper located in a handsome and
well-equipped brick building on the southeast corner of the

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Square, and owns the block as well as the newspaper plant.
He is a veteran in journalism, and will doubtless die in the
harness, a natural death. His bold and aggressive methods
of conducting a paper have won for him some enemies, which
would be an inevitable consequence with anyone conducting
a high-mettled sheet for so long a time. Whatever may
be said of Mr. Barnes' qualifications as a journalist, he has
a wide circle of staunch supporters, and is a high-minded
gentleman, was a brave and loyal soldier, and is the head
of one of the best and most highly esteemed families in the
State. The Albia Republic was a Democratic paper, started by
A. C. Bailey in August, 1868. It existed for about a year,
when the plant was purchased by Messrs. Ragsdale and
Hills. The Republic was a fair and faithful exponent of
the Democratic doctrine, and might have established itself
permanently had it not been that the Democratic support
within the county at that time was very meager.
Ragsdale and Hills converted the concern into a Repub
lican paper, under the name of The Spirit of the West. The
sheet made its first appearance December 1, 1869. In 1870
Hills withdrew, and one E. B. Woodward took his place.
In June of the same year Woodward was succeeded by C.
McConnell, and in October of the same year a man named
Brown succeeded McConnell. In April, 1871, 1. S. Carpenter
and C. C. Berger bought the paper, and in the same year
B. F. Yocum succeeded Mr. Berger. In 1872 Yocum retired
and left the concern solely to Carpenter. In 1872 Ben F.
Elbert identified himself with Carpenter, and James Haynes
became editor. January 16, 1874, J. C. Peacock & Company
bought the plant and ran it six weeks, and then sold it to
W. H. McConnell & Company, who removed it to Kearney,
Nebraska. The publication led a checkered existence from
first to last; not so much from incapacity on the part of its
managers as from the fact that the local field could not
support two Republican papers, and it was impossible for
The Spirit of the West to gain a permanent foothold where
the Albia Union held the patronage.
In 1874 the Reform Weekly Leader made its appearance
under the management of Porte AVelsh. The sheet was very
rambling in its political tenets, and did not espouse any
party cause in particular while under the management of
Mr. Welsh. It was one of that class of so-called independent

150 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
newspapers which float around in a sea of ethereal thought,
and exalted but impracticable social theories, yet ready, like
the barnacle, to attach itself to whatever it may come in
contact with. It was published simultaneously at Albia
and Oskaloosa. . On April 18, 1874, R. Tell Coffman bought
the Albia concern, and J. M. Humphrey acted as associate
editor. It finally, in 1874, espoused the cause of the Demo
cratic party,- but early in 1875 it collapsed.
The Albia Reporter was. the next newcomer in Monroe
County journalism. It was established by G. N. Udell and
G. C. Miller, April 10, 1875, and professed to be independent
in politics, but s.oon enlisted under the banner of Horace
Greeley and the Liberal-Democrat movement of that year.
It did not run longer than a few months.
The next paper to attempt to attain the "north pole"
of journalistic success in Monroe County was the Industrial
Era, which made its appearance in 1875. F. A. Mann
leased the plant from Geo. C. Fry, of Batavia, Jefferson
County, Iowa, who had conducted it as a Grange organ.
Mann converted it into a Greenback paper, and ran it until
August 14, 1879, when he retired and his place was taken
by Geo. Tucker, of Albia, who ran it for four months in the
interest of the Greenback party. D. M. Clark, of Wayne
County, was running for State senator that fall, on the
fusion ticket, and Monroe County was carried by that
gentleman, largely through Mr. Tucker's efforts.
In the latter part of 1879 Geo. Stamm leased the Era
and continued it as a Greenback organ until May, 1882, when
he retired. His paper made a strong fight to secure the
enactment of the Iowa prohibitory amendment, which was
voted upon by the people of tlie State on June 27, 1882.
The Albia Era, as it had been named by Stamm, was
now leased from its owner, Mr. Fry, by Henry J. Bell, a
brilliant young student and ardent advocate of Federal fiat
money. Mr. Bell conducted the paper about a year, and was
succeeded by H. E. Davis, of Bloomfield. "Davis staid with
the Era a short time, and finally Mr. Foster, the well-known
weather prophet, succeeded as publisher. The paper ex
pired and was never resurrected when Foster let go of it.
The Era was never a success financially.
E. O. Davis, at about this time, established The Opinion,
a sheet in the interest of the Union Labor party, but it died
down in a few months. Wallace Miner had charge of it for
a short time. The paper was a failure financially.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 151
In 1.876 O. H. Wood established The Plaindealer at
Melrose. The following year it was transferred to Albia
and conducted as a temperance paper. It finally became a
Democratic organ, but in 1878 it collapsed. A short time
afterwards Tom Leonard revived the sheet as a Democratic
organ. John Doner, in 1879, took charge of the plant and
started the Albia Democrat, running it about three years.
Some time later, after the paper had become defunct, Hon.
T. B. Perry, and perhaps other leading Democrats in the
county, recognizing the necessity of a party organ in the
county, bought the plant, and placed its management in
the hands of Messrs. Weber and Howard. These gentlemen
built the concern up into a thrifty party organ. Mr. Weber
was the most adroit and active party manager the Democrats
have ever had in Monroe County. He proved to be a Moses
to lead them out of political bondage. By his efforts the
county was carried by his party; and under Mr. Cleveland's
first term of the Presidency he was given the Albia post-
office. Mr. Howaid, his partner, attended to the local and
mechanical departments, and besides being a first-rate
printer, was a talented writer, especially in a light, humorous
vein. Both gentlemen are now located in Utah.
In 1890 they sold out to W. E. Cherry, a gamey young
newspaper man from the western part of the State. Mr.
Cherry conducted the paper as a Democratic organ until
1894, when it was purchased by D. R. Michener, who in 1895
sold it to Campbell Brothers. These gentlemen did not
succeed with it, and later in the year Frank Morris acquired
an interest in the Democrat.
Early in the spring of the present year (1896) H. M.
Belvel and H. H. Crenshaw, both of Des Moines, bought the
Democrat, and are now publishing it. Mr. Belvel is a news
paper man of more than ordinary literary ability, and spends
part of his time in Des Moines editing a syndicate letter,
which is supplied to about seventy-five Democratic weeklies
throughout Iowa He is high-strung and aggressive in the
enunciation of his party creed. He is the newspaper corre
spondent whom Senator Finn, of Bedford, chastised some
years ago at the Capitol at Des Moines for publishing some
malodorous statement concerning the latter.
In 1889 Messrs. Mendel and Nelson, both well-known
veterans in local journalism, launched the Albia Herald, a

152 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Republican paper. They ran it a few weeks and then sold
it to a Mr. Crider, who continued it for about a year as a
Republican sheet, when it succumbed through a lack of
patronage. The concern was well managed, but it was impossible
for it to establish itself in the territory of so formidable a
rival as the Union, whose right of priority seemed to be so
well recognized by the public that it felt indifferent to the
welfare of the newcomer.
AAThen Mr. Crider abandoned the Herald, Hal Holesclaw
and Mark Sylvester took hold of the plant and started a
small independent daily, called the Albia News. It lived
only about three weeks, and then collapsed.
In 1890 M. M. Hinton established the Monroe County
Progress in the town of Lovilia It was conducted as an
independent paper, but disclosed a slight tendency towards
the Populist party.
In 1891 Messrs. Gass and Swayne started a Populist
organ at Albia, called The People's Defender, and in 1892
Mr. Hinton brought his plant to Albia and consolidated it
with the Defender, the organ thus united taking the name of
The Progress-Defender. It is the official organ of the Popu
lists of the county. Mr. Hinton is its sole publisher and
proprietor. The Albia Republican was launched at Albia, October
24, 1894, by the Whittaker Brothers, a pair of journalistic
hustlers from Oklahoma Territory. It started as a Republi
can paper, but was an advocate of the free and unlimited
coinage of silver, a position which the Populists and major
portion of the Democratic party espoused in 1895 and 1896.
Finding that these views did not meet the endorsement of
the Republican party, the manager soon ceased the cham
pionship of free silver, apparently without any qualms of
conscience. In July, 1896, the AA7hittakers sold the paper to Val
Mendel and a gentleman named Sebille, from Bedford, Iowa
These gentlemen are now managing the sheet, endeavoring
to place it on a paying basis. It is issued both daily and
weekly, and is a nice, clean sheet.
AAlien the Whittakers sold the sheet, Charles, one of
the firm, located in California, and is now publishing a
small paper, called The Olive Branch, at the town of
Cucamonga Harry, the other brother, remained, at Albia

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 153
a few weeks, and, becoming involved in a social scandal,
left for parts unknown, leaving his wife behind.
AArhile the Whittakers had control of the Republican,
they made a vigorous effort to secure the county printing.
Wagons and bicycles were awarded to the person securing
the greatest number of subscribers to their paper. The
Board, of Supervisors, on the face of the sworn subscription-
list of the three local papers, awarded the county printing
to be placed with the Progress-Defender and Republican. The
Albia Union contested the award, and carried it into the
District Court for trial. The jury failed to agree, and a
new trial is now pending.
The Union alleged that several hundred of the Republi
can's certified yearly subscribers were not bona fide, as
they were 25-cent subscribers. The Republican's list
exceeded that of the Union by several hundred, and this
excess, the Union alleged, was made up of 25-cent sub
scribers. The Union also alleges fraud. There was but
little doubt that the Republican's subscription list was made
up largely of 25-cent subscriptions, and whether these should
be recognized as bona fide yearly subscriptions is a problem
for the courts to decide.
In addition to the secular press of the county, the
Messenger Publishing Company of Albia have lately started
a small weekly in quarto form, going by the name of The
Messenger. Its staff of publishers consists of L. J. Harring
ton, office editor; E. G. Powers, associate editor; and F. K.
Morris, business manager. The publication is devoted
exclusively to religious topics, and is an exponent of the
modern doctrine of "holiness," or entire sanctification.

154 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

CHAPTER IX.
County Government.
When the county was first organized, it was under the
triumvirate of three officers, known as the Board of County
Commissioners. Their duties were restricted mainly to the
organizing of townships within the county, the laying out of
town plats,, the location of public highways, the levying of
taxes, the canvass of election returns, and the auditing of
public claims and accounts. Their duties were identical
with those of the Board of Supervisors of the present day.
Their tax levies were not burdensome, as will be seen by the
action of their meeting of August 20, 1848:
"Ordered, That there be levied a tax of 5 mills upon all
the taxable property of Kishkekosh County; a tax of £ mill
for Territorial purposes, subject to the order of the Legisla
ture of the Territory, and also a poll-tax of 50 cents upon
every male person in the county subject to a poll-tax."
W. G. Clark was the first man to be elected to a public
office in the county. He was elected justice of the peace in.
August, 1844.
Following is a list of County Commissioners given in
the order of their election from 1845 to 1851, when their
office was discontinued: Joseph McMullen, Jas. S. Bradley,
Moses H. Clark, Jeremiah Miller, clerk; Wm. McBride, An-
dew Elswisk, Smith Judson, Dudley C. Barber, clerk;
Andrew Elswick, Wm. McBride, Geo. R. Holliday, Smith
Judson, Geo. Holliday, John Clark, Geo. R. Holliday, John
Clark, and Lewis Arnold. Geo. W. Piper was clerk from
1849 to 1851.
From 1851 to 1861 the county was under the rule of an
autocracy, consisting of a single officer, called the County
Judge. Those who served as County Judges were D. A.
Richardson and James Hilton. In 1855 J. N. Massey was
elected to the office, but it was decided that he was ineligible
to the office, owing to the fact that when elected he held the
office of School-fund Commissioner. John Phillips was his
opponent, and as he was also incumbered with a Federal
office, being postmaster at Albia, the office was declared
vacant, and Judge Richardson held over. The case was con
tested by John Webb, and Judge Richardson, Lewis Arnold

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

155

and Hillah Hayes constituted the tribunal to try the case.
They held that the office was vacant.
It was during Judge Hilton's term that the construction
of Monroe County's present court-house was begun. There
was considerable opposition to its construction at the time,
and especially to its location in the town park, which did not
comprise a part of the town plat set apart for public build
ings. Judge Hilton, however, bluntly ordered the structure
built in the center of the park, and the order was obeyed.

THE MONROE COUNTY COURT-HOUSE.
The Sentinel, at the time, stated that two designs of
architecture were submitted, and that the design chosen by
Judge Hilton was the worse of the two, being after the
architecture of the Tudors. In later years it seems that
none of the county's citizens have ever refused to become an
occupant of the building on account of the alleged medieval
style of architecture. The average office-seeker does not
seem to care whether the style of the building is Ionic, Doric,
Tuscan or medieval, so long as he gets a chance to occupy
the building.

156 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
In 1 861 the office of County Judge was abolished by an
act of the Legislature, and another Supervisor system
adopted. It consisted of one member from each of the twelve
townships. Those who served as members from 1861 to 1871, when
the plan was further changed so that the number of mem
bers was restricted to three, as at the present time, were as
follows, serving in the order of their enumeration:
1861: J. M. Richardson, William Mercer, Sebastian
Streeter, Warren L. Rail, D. J. Prayther, John Kirby, John
Clark, John McFarland, Hiram Hough, W. G. Clark, W. A.
Lamaster, John Hayes.
1862: R, \AT. Moss, C. L. Osburn, H. Hough, J. McFar
land, AVm. Mercer, . Samuel Richmond, D. J. Prayther,
Michael Campbell, John Clark, T. C. Crouch, W. A. Lamaster,
J. R. Stock.
1863: R. W. Moss, Joseph Robb, C. C. Osburn, Lot
King, Henry Freeland, M. Campbell, John Clark, W. F.
Walker, Hiram Hough, T. C. Crouch, W. A. Lamaster, J.
R. Stock. 1864 AYareham G. Clark, R. W. Moss, Joseph Robb,
C. C. Osburn, Lot King, H. Freeland, W. B. Hill, W. A.
Dean, G. W. Gammond, W. A. Lamaster,, J. R. Stock, W. F.
Walker. 1865 : AVashington Atkins, H. Fullerton, C. C. Osburn,
R. M. Thompson, W. H. H. Lind, W. B. Hill. W. A. Dean, J.
L. Anderson, S. G. Finney, W. G. Clark, W. A. Lamaster, J.
R. Stock. 1866: AY. V. Beedle,, H. Fullerton, T. H. Duncan, R. M.
Thompson, AV. H. H. Lind, L. McGuirk, W. A. Dean, J. L.
Anderson, S. G. Finney, O. P. Rowles, W. A. Lamaster, J. R.
Hurford. 1867: W.V. Beedle, S.Wyckoff, T. H. Duncan, D. Cross,
Wm. Kelsey, L. McGuirk, John Clark, J. McCormick, S. G.
Finney, O. P. Rowles, W. A. Lamaster, J. R. Hurford.
1868: J. R. Hurford, AVm. Kelsey, G. W. Grass, S.
Wyckoff, R, A. Hewitt, D. Cross, L. McGuirk, John Clark, J.
McCormick, S. G. Finney, Jas. Hilton, W. A. Lamaster.
1869: Lewis Henninger, H. R. Teller, J. Findlay, Jr.,
J. S. Hogeland, Wm. Jenkins, L. McGuirk, W. R. Ross,
Samuel Bain, S. G. Finney, Jas. Hilton, W. A. Lamaster, J.
R. Hurford. 1870: Lewis Henninger, H. R. Teller, J. Findlay, Jr.,

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

157

J. S. Hogeland, Wm. Jenkins, L. McGuirk, AV. R. Ross,
Samuel Bain, G. W. Reading, W. D. Kinser, AV. A. Lamaster.
V. G. Kemper.
The members of the present system were :
1871 : H. R. Teller, P. T. Lambert, and C. A. Miller.
John Clark, H. R. Teller, and C. A. Miller.
John Clark, C. A. Miller, and Wm. Hardy.
John Clark, J. B. Bell, and H. L. Vosburg.
John Clark, H. L. Vosburg, and Wm. Mercer.
John Clark, H. L. Vosburg, and Joseph Nichol.
John Clark, Joseph Nichol, and T. B. O'Bryan.
Joseph Nichol, Val Fuller, and T. B. O'Bryan.
Val Fuller, T. B. O'Bryan, and David Hammond.
Val Fuller, J. R. Hurd, and Thos. O'Bryan.
J. R. Hurd, Thos. O'Bryan, and David Hammond.
J. R. Hurd, David Hammond, and Geo. Kerr.
J. R. Hurd, Thos. O'Bryan, and Wm. Mercer.
W. A. Koontz, Thos. O'Bryan, and J. B. Castner.
Herman Snow, Thos. O'Bryan, and J. B. Castner.
J. B. Castner, John Walsh, and Herman Snow.
John Walsh, Herman Snow, and Edward Can-

1872:1873: 1874:1875:
1876: 1877:1878: 1879:1880:1881: 1882: 1883:1884:1885:1S86:1887:
ning. 1S88:
Berr3. 1889:
Lahart. 1890:
Canning. 1891:
Canning. 1892:
Lahart. 1.893 1894
18951896

John Walsh, Edward Canning, and Henry
Edward Canning, Henry Berry, and William
Henry Berry, William Lahart, and Edward
William Lahart, Henry Berry, and Edward
Edward Canning, Henry Berry, and William

Henry Berry, William Lahart, and Geo. L. Robb.
Geo. L. Robb, Elmer Thayer, and Wm. Lahart.
Geo. L. Robb, Elmer Thayer, and J. C. Currier.
Elmer Thayer,. J. C. Currier, and Wm. Davis.
Mr. Kerr died soon after election, and Wm. Mercer was
elected to fill the vacancy.

Sheriffs.
John Clark. 1845; Ezra P. Coen, 1847; D. Durall, 1851;
Willis Arnold, 1853; John M. Porter, 1855; E. R. Rockwell,
1857; Riley Wescoatt, 1859; E. P. Coen, 1861; A. J. McDon
ald, 1865; J. M. Robb, 1871; Sam'l F. Miller, 1877.

158 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
When the Monroe County Bank went down, October 11,
1882, Sheriff Miller was involved in the affair in some man
ner, and resigned the office of Sheriff. The County Board of
Supervisors appointed Martin Clever to fill the unexpired
portion of his term up to the time for holding the general
election, when P. L. Hoskins was elected for the remainder
of the vacant term.

J. P. LAMBERSON, Ex-Sheriff of Monroe County.
John M. Menan was elected in 1884, but was incom
petent to fill the office and resigned. The County Board ap
pointed W. AV. O'Bryan to fill the vacancy up to election, and
J. W. Lewis was elected to fill the remaining portion of the
vacancy. L. T. Richmond served one term, in 1886; C. M. Forest
then served two terms, and J. P. Lamberson served two
terms. The next is the present incumbent, Captain John Doner,
who was elected in November, 1895, on the Populist ticket.
He was elected in the face of a heavy Republican majority in
the county, given to other nominees.
Probate Judges.
The office of Probate Judge was consolidated with that
of County Judge, when the County Commissioner system

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 159
was abandoned. After this change had taken place, there
were three Judges elected. The entire list of these J udges
was: W. G. Clark, 1845; Geo. AV. Reading, 1847; W. P.
Hammond, 1862; A. A. Mason, 1863; Geo. Hickenlooper,
1866. The emoluments of the office were not quite so dis
tinguished as those which attach to the title of a judge of
the present day, but each official contrived to cling to the
title, and for all intents and purposes it is just as good a
title socially as if prefixed to the name of a member of the
Supreme Court. Clerks of the District Court.
Jas. Hilton, 1845; Jonas Wescoatt, 1848; Jacob Webb,
1850; S. E. L. Moore, 1854; Sam'l Buchanan, 1856; W. E.
Neville, 1858; Henry Miller, 1860; Josiah T. Young, 1867;
John W. H. Griffin, 1873; Henry McCahan, 1896.
Circuit Judge.
Henry L. DashieU held the office of Circuit Judge from
1869 to 1873. County Auditor.
On the suspension of the office of Probate Judge, in 1868,
the office of Auditor was created to take its place. Geo.
Hickenlooper, who was Probate Judge when the Auditor's
office was created, performed the Auditor's duties for one
year; Samuel T. Craig then held the office until December
30, 1877; John W. Moss succeeded to the office in 1878;
Edward A. Canning, 1883; A. J. Cassaday, 1885; J. W. Van
Gilder, 1887; John R. Clark, 1892; B. P. Castner, 1894 to
1896. Treasurer.
T. G. Templeton, 184ia; C. W. Anderson, 1846; John
Webb, 1855; D. A. Noble, 1856; John M. Wilson, 1860; John
R. Duncan, 1862; Harrison Hickenlooper, 1866; John R.
May, 1870; Harrison Hickenlooper, 1874; Edward McDon
ald, 1876; John W. Moss, 1880; David Hammond, 1885;
Johri C: Coffman, 1889 ; John M. M. Roberts, 1895-6.
Recorder.
In 1865 the office of Recorder was created, Prior to that
time the functions of the Recorder were performed by the

160

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

Treasurer. John R. Duncan, who was Treasurer when the
change was made, held the office of Recorder until 1867, when
Jas. Coen was elected in that year ; Calvin Barnard, 1869 ;
J. R. Castle, 1875; C. AV. Prindle, 1878; Ed. I. Ramsay, 1880;
Boyd Miller, 1887; Ed. I. Ramsay, 1891; John Morrissey,
1894; Robt. Clapp, 1896.

Wm. E. ELDER, Ex-Superintendent of Schools of Monroe County.

School Superintendent.
Samuel Adams, 1855; E. M.Bills, 1856; J.W.H. Griffin,
1865; W. A. Nichol, 1869; Thos. Kelly, 1872; A. J. Cassa-
day, 1875; AVm. E. Elder, 1879; H. J. Bell, 1881; D. W.
Nevins, 1890; A. J. Henderson, 1894; Mrs. Angie Reit-
zel, 1896.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 161
County Attorney.
In 1896 the office of the County Attorney was created.
Prior to that time the Prosecuting Attorney's jurisdiction
was coextensive with that of the judicial district, but it was
found expedient to institute a change, owing to the increase
of official duties devolving on the district prosecutor.
Those who have occupied the position in Monroe County
are: Ed. Morrison, 1887; Fred Townsend, 1891; N. E.
Kendall, 1896. Coroner.
The office of Coroner in the earlier period of Monroe
County's history was rather an intermittent one. Some
times an officer was elected, and at other times the place was
vacant, in which latter case the Sheriff was supposed to at
tend to any duties pertaining to the holding of inquests.
Some of those who have served as Coroner were: John
Webb, Dr. Moses Cousins, Casper Dull, Jacob Webb, Wm.
Webb, Maurice O'Connell, and Dr. Gray, the present in
cumbent. Monroe County in the General Assembly.
Monroe County was represented in the State Senate by
Jas. Davis, Barney Royston, H. B. Hendershot, D. Ander
son, AVarren S. Dungan, W. C. Shippen, E. M. Bills, Martin
Read, A. C. Reck, H. L. DashieU, A. A. Ramsay, Dr. Cassatt,
and T. B. Perry, the present Senator, elected from the Mon
roe-Marion district
Tn the House by Chas. Anderson, Wm. M. Allison, N. B.
Preston, Henry Allen, M. A. Goodfellow, Samuel Gossage,
John Reitzel, L. O. Haskell, O. P. Rowles, John Clark, H. L.
DashieU, A. A. Ramsay, B. F. Elbert, Jas. Hilton, L. O.
Haskell. A M. Giltner, R. W. Duncan, J. M. Robb, Jas. Hoge
land, A. A. Ramsay, J. C. Robinson, Austin Jay, and D. H.
Scott. Monroe County Agricultural Society.
In a financial sense, the Monroe County Agricultural
Society never prospered.
The society was organized in 1853, and the officers were
Joseph Sherod, president; Wm. Robinson, vice-president;
V. K. Read, secretary.
In 1858 Elisha Hollingshead was made president; and
Lewis Arnold, John Castle, Sr., W. W. Fall, E. P. Cone,
n 

162

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

Michael Lower, J. W. Boyd, Andrew Lamaster, Gordon
Pike, John Walker, D. Gladson, W. H. H. Lind, and Jon
athan Hancock were made vice-presidents. P. T. Lambert
was corresponding secretary and J. M. Humphrey recording
secretary; John Clark was elected treasurer.
In 1886 the society reorganized as a corporate body,
so as to receive the annual fund appropriated by the State
to the agricultural societies of the various counties in the
State.

Hon. AUSTIN JAY, Ex-Representative of Monroe County.

In 1885 or 1886 the Society ceased to hold its annual
fairs and since then the organization has dissolved as a
corporate body. The grounds on which the fairs were held,
situated about a mile northeast of Albia, are now owned by
Mr. Geo. AAralton, and the inclosing wall has nearly all
fallen down. The first county fairs were held in Mock's
addition to the city of Albia, just north of Dr. Gutch's
present residence.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 163
The Albia Post-Offlce.
As in all other cities and towns on the face of the earth,
where there is a postal system, the Albia post-office has
been a bone of contention on every change of administration.
It is the highest persimmon growing on the local tree of
party patronage, and he who wields the longest partisan
pole invariably knocks off the coveted fruit. Usage and
the finesse of political party management have established
a sort of "order of succession" governing the aspirant's
heirship to the post-office.
The "heir apparent" is in most cases the publisher of the
administration party organ of the town or county in which
the post-office is situated. He is not only supposed to have
the "pull" on the Congressman of the district, but is usually
the chairman of the county central committee — the fountain-
head from which source all advantages in the contest flow.
The chairman of the county committee makes the recom
mendation to the State committee chairman, or to the mem
ber of Congress, and if the county chairman wants the post-
office — which he invariably does — he recommends himself,
if he is a shrewd diplomat. There is only one rule in the
game under which this move can be check-mated. If the
publisher of the paper has no office, and wants the post-
office — which he invariably does — the central committee
man cannot place himself in check with the publisher by
recommending himself. The "divine rights" of these two
individuals are vested in the equity of rewarding the news
paper man for the martyrdom he has suffered in behalf of
his party, and in the case of the committee man, for his
faithful stewardship as a party worker.
Thus it is that the office is seldom bestowed on a citizen
on the basis of genuine merit and business capacity. This
is why the impracticable plan of electing the postmaster by
popular vote is so often urged.
The next step towards securing the post-office is to start
a man around with a petition to secure the names of persons
who are supposed to be desirous of having the applicant
appointed. The petition states in the start that the "under
signed subscribers" are of that party persuasion to which
the administration adheres, and it never omits to wind up
with the assurance that for the speedy appointment of the
candidate "we, the undersigned, will ever pray." These
"prayers," which are rolled in upon the Postmaster-General,

164 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
are scarcely ever heard at the appointing functionary's
throne of grace, and the work of securing the signatures is
usually a useless effort.
Dudley C. Barber was the first postmaster at Albia.
He held the office until 1849; John Marck held until 1851;
John Phillips until 1861; Wm. Collins until 1865; Jas. H.
Morris until 1866; Thos. G. Craig held the office for about
three months, but was superseded by Mr. Morris, who again
held the office until he was succeeded by Val Mendel in
1877. In 1882 J. P. Early succeeded Mendel, and held the
office until 1886. A. J. Weber, of the Albia Democrat, was
appointed by the Cleveland administration, and after some
months' delay in the Senate in securing the confirmation of
his appointment, he took the office and conducted it until
1888, when he resigned on the election of Harrison to the
Presidency. A. R. Barnes was appointed to the place under Harri
son's administration, and served nearly four years, when he
was bounced for "intense partisanship," by the next Cleve
land administration, a few months before his commission
had expired. In 1881, when President Garfield was assassinated, and
Chester A. Arthur was sworn in as President, J. P. Early
became an aspirant for the Albia post-office, then being
held by Val Mendel, who was appointed at the beginning of
Hayes' term of office. M. E. Cutts, the member of Congress
from the Sixth District, declined to use his influence in
behalf of either party — at least, it was so understood. Mr.
Mendel, however, went to Washington and learned, as he
states, that Mr. Cutts never presented his petitions and
endorsements to the Department. He accused Mr. Cutts
of secretly furthering the interests of Mr. Early. He ac
cused Hon. B. F. Elbert with the commission of all the
alleged trickery resorted to in securing the appointment of
Early. 'Charges of fraud were bandied back and forth from
one aspirant to the other, but the general public took little
interest in the matter, and cared still less which man got
the office. Both were popular men in the county, and each
represented a distinct faction of the Republican party in
the county. In this connection it may not be out of place to note the
lack of unity of the Republican party in Monroe County,

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 165
which has existed for some years, and which exists at the
present day. Sometimes this spirit of dissension is so
bitter that it has more than once proven the instrument of
bringing defeat to the party.
. On the beginning of Mr. Harrison's term of the Presi
dency, Mr. Early and A. R. Barnes were aspirants for the
post-office. Both men secured a formidable list of sub
scribers to their respective petitions. The contest waxed
so warm that Mr. Lacey, the member of Congress from the
Sixth District, declined to discriminate in behalf of either
contestant, and finally settled the dispute by visiting Albia
and inducing the interested parties to toss up a coin to end
the contest. They tossed, and Mr. Barnes won the place.
To alleviate Mr. Early's probable disappointment, Mr. Lacey
secured for him a Federal appointment as a special land
agent in the West. He resigned the place some time later.
This latter contest has promoted some discord in the
Republican ranks in the county, which continues to the
present time, and will no doubt be revived and heightened
should a Republican President be elected next November,
calling forth the appointment of another postmaster for
Albia. Mr. Barnes, it is understood, is already in the
field, anticipating \he election of Mr. McKinley to the
Presidency.

166 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

CHAPTER X.
Banks and Bank Failures.
During the early '60s N. W. Brown, D. Steele, and his
brother H. K. Steele established a bank of deposit at Albia.
The concern did a general banking business under the old
Iowa State banking statute. Brown was president, D.
Steele treasurer, and H. K. Steele cashier. The practical
management of the concern, however, seems to have been
under the cashier.
In 1870 the funds on deposit in the bank disappeared
and H. K. Steele left for parts unknown. The funds on
deposit were chiefly the small savings of private individuals,
and the amount aggregated about |25,000. Nearly every
body who had accumulated a little surplus money had
placed it in this bank, and when the concern went down,
there was great excitement.
Israel Mills, one of the largest depositors, went in pur
suit of Steele, and arrested him at Cincinnati, Ohio, and
brought him back to Albia Here Mr. ^Steele promised his
creditors that he would disgorge the embezzled funds.
Some of his creditors arranged with his custodian, Mr. Mills,
that the prisoner be driven to the court-room, where negotia
tions looking towards a settlement were to be arranged.
Steele feigned sickness, but he was loaded into a sled and
started for the court-house, but while emerging on the
Square the sled was boarded by a crowd of creditors and
the entire party was driven rapidly out of town. Mr. Mills,
who had Steele in custody, was forcibly ejected from the
sled. The sleighing party drove to the residence of Thomas
Brandon, in Franklin Township, but, being pursued by
Sheriff McDonald and posse, pushed farther to the south
west and entered Wayne County.
Steele made some satisfactory verbal promises to his
custodians, and he was brought back to the custody of Mr.
Mills. He then went back on his promises, and finally was
arraigned on a charge of perjury and obtaining money under
false pretenses.
He was never punished for his crimes. The people
never recovered their money, and Mr. Steele spent the
remainder of his days in Albia.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 167
Mr. Steele laid the blame on the president of the bank,
and probably on this account escaped conviction. The
bank president, in turn, shifted the responsibility on Wag-
staff & Company, bankers, of New York. It was a clever
piece of thievery, and Mr. Steele never succeeded in living
down the calumny which clung to Ms name.
A part of the embezzled funds belonged to one or
more of the churches. He made no discrimination, but
seized every cent he could get his hands on, and held it to
the last, even at the risk of being lynched by an outraged
community. The next bank failure occurred in 1883. The Monroe
County Bank, which was established at Albia on March 15,
1875, by T. S. Tharp & Company as a joint stock company,
was instituted on a solid basis, so far as the financial
backing of its stockholders was concerned. It was not
begun as an incorporated banking institution under the
State banking laws. Its correspondents were Geo. Opdyke
& Company, New York, and the First National Bank of
Chicago. Its stockholders were T. S. Tharp, D. M. Miller,
Lewis Miller, AV. M. Tharp, Jas. Elder, Zadoo Chedister,
Fred Seifert, N. E. Hendrix, John Thompson, J. B. Bell, L.
S. Chedister, Nelson Gillespie, B. P. Tharp, Cyrus Kerr, J.
B. Turner, A. M. Andrews, Clendenin Boggs, Geo. P. Cramer,
H. Hickenlooper, Robt. Simpson, Geo. Kerr, Martin Clever,
J. A. Edwards, J. M. Richardson, Parmenus Tuttle, Dr. J.
H. Russell, B. Fritz, T. E. Bower, Dr. T. H. Elder, Monroe
Miller, M. R. Miller, J. Baldauf & Company, and Henry
Miller. Various changes were made in its management from
time to time. T. S. Tharp retired from the concern before
its fall. At about the time of its dissolution Lewis Miller
was president, John Clemons vice-president, and Dan'l M.
Miller cashier. Lewis Miller, John E. Carhart, D. Miller,
Zadoc Chedister, John Clemons, J. D. Shields, L. O. Haskell,
Cyrus Kerr and Matthew Elder were its board of directors.
The bank claimed a capital stock of $50,000, and a sur
plus of $10,000 just prior to its collapse.
The board of directors was composed of men who had
no knowledge of banking methods, and it was an easy matter
for the cashier, Mr. Miller, to so juggle the books that the
board of directors did not suspect any crookedness. The
directors had implicit confidence in Mr. Miller's honesty and

168 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
competency, and probably never took the pains to make a
close scrutiny into the affairs of the bank.
In December, 1882, Edward A. Temple was appointed
receiver of the bank, the concern in the meantime having
made an assignment in favor of J. A. Edwards. In April,
1883, Mr. Temple made to the District Court the following:
RECEIVER'S REPORT.
Liabilities.
Claims filed with receiver to April 1, 1893  $190,044 89
Assets.
Cash collected by assignee  $2,591 02
Cash collected by receiver  2,307 44
$4,898 46
Bills receivable.  $53,555 88
Less probable loss on same  45,097 00
$8,458 88
Less collections  4,898 46
Leaving available bills receivable  3,560 42
Ft. Scott and Gulf Ry. stock estimated at 80 cents. 800 00
Amounts available for dividends and expenses. . 9,258 88
Bills receivable held as collateral (a large portion
of which is held to be forged paper)  24,889 00
Overdrafts (mostly against certificates of deposit
held by creditors)  9,307 30
Bank buildings and fixtures at cost  $12,500
Less incumbrance, say  8,500 4,000 00
Other real estate  $10,000
Less say  7,000 3,000 00
160 shares mining stock, Co. stock — no value.
80 shares A., K. & D. R. R. stock — no value.
Bills receivable, but which, according to the
books, have never been paid, but missing
from the assets of the bank  33,421 84
Total assets  $50,455 18
Deficit  $139,589 71

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 169
In the four years and nine months of the bank's existence
it appears that it lost over $16,000 ; notwithstanding this loss,
the concern declared dividends and created a surplus fund.
There was actually a shortage in the cashier's accounts,
after allowing for all credits, still unaccountable for, to the
amount of $163,925.29. AVhile the books of the bank showed
the assets in bills receivable to be about $74,000, and the
liabilities on certificates of deposit to be only about $30,000,
the real facts were that the assests were only about $14,000,
and the liabilities on certificates of deposit to be about
$142,000. As additional liabilities, there were bills payable,
sold, and cash received to the amount of $27,500, of which
there was no entry on the books of the bank. The books
of the bank showed that the cashier had paid out, up to
October 11, 1882, the sum of $4,129.52 more cash than he
had received up to that date. He evidently failed in many
instances to give credit where cash was received.
The condition of the bank was found to be in such a
tangled condition that it. is impossible to give a detailed
statement of the wreck, within this limited space. The
story is one of mismanagement and gross corruption. It
is a story of forgery and embezzlement committed by the
cashier without the knowledge of the other officers of the
bank. Mr. Miller, the cashier, was arrested, convicted of em
bezzlement, forgery, and fraud, and sentenced to seven years
at hard labor in the penitentiary at Fort Madison, Iowa
He served out his term, less the usual time commuted for
good behavior. At one time he was one of the most popular
men in Monroe County, and save his complicity in the bank
affair, led a strictly moral and upright life, so far as gener
ally known. Since his release from the penitentiary he has
resided in Kansas.
The First National Bank of Albia is the oldest bank now
doing business in Monroe County, and for many years has
transacted probably three-fourths of the banking business
of the county. It was started January 7, 1871, by J. H.
Drake as president, and B. F. Elbert as cashier. The board
of directors consisted of John A. Drake, John H. Drake, An
drew Trussell, John B. Lockman, B. F. Elbert, T. S. Tharp,
Job P. Jay. It began with a capital stock of $50,000, and has
always weathered through periods of financial unrest with
out any embarrassment.

170 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
In 1885 B. F. Elbert retired from the bank as cashier,
and was succeeded by Thos. D. Lockman, who for ten years
previous had been with the bank, as assistant cashier. Mr.
Lockman still discharges the duties of cashier, and is assisted
by Mr. Roy A If or d.
The institution at present has a surplus fund of $30,000,
and its non-interest-bearing deposits exceed $150,000. A
large majority of the stock remains in the Drake family,
where it has existed since the creation of the bank.
A short time after the failure of the Monroe County
Bank, the Albia National Bank was established in Albia on
the northwest corner of the Square,, where the First National
Bank is located at present. Wm. Bradley, of Centerville,
Iowa, was president of the concern, Captain W. F. Vermil
lion vice-president, and J. R. Hays cashier. It was a sound
and well-conducted institution, but it never prospered. The
local patronage was not sufficient to maintain two banks,
and in three or four years the enterprise was abandoned.
The Albia State Bank was established at Albia, March
26, 1891, by Judge H. H. Trimble, of Davis County, Iowa, and
Senator T. B. Perry, with an authorized capital stock of
$50,000. S. W. Pennington, a son-in-law of Mr. Perry, has,
from its beginning, acted as cashier. The institution, while
enjoying a fair degree of prosperity, does not transact a large
volume of every-day routine business. The concern is never
without an abundance of funds, and its management is safe
and reliable. Thos. Brandon for many years has conducted a local
banking business at Melrose, Iowa, on a limited scale. His
banking operations are chiefly restricted to exchange, loans,
and discounts. The concern is on a sound financial footing,
and is of great advantage to the town.
Trussell & Eslinger, at Foster, Iowa, act as an auxiliary
of the First National Bank of Albia in the exchange busi
ness; and Chamberlin & Carson, of the same place, are
correspondents of a large Chicago banking house.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 171

- CHAPTER XI.
Judge Lynch and Criminal Matters.
Notwithstanding the oft-repeated assertions of senti
mentalists that there was less crime committed in the good
old pioneer days, it remains a hard, unrefuted fact that there
was actually more lawlessness in pioneer days, in proportion
to the population, than now.
Education, which goes a long way towards subduing the
ranker, unrestrained human passions, had not so wide a
spread as now, and while there were really not many flagrant
criminals in the community, guilty of the higher crimes,, the
dockets of justices of the peace were crowded with records
of neighborhood broils, assault and battery, hog-stealing,
burglary, and now and then an attempt to commit murder.
The first murder in the county was committed by James
Gordon, on the 29th of September, 1854. On the morning
of that date Gordon used some offensive language to his
sister. Gordon's step-father, Thos. Arnold, ordered the
former to leave the house. Gordon delayed, and Arnold
seized his gun and attempted to drive him out, when Gordon
stabbed him twice, once in the side and once in the abdomen.
Arnold died in a few hours, and Gordon fled. He was over
taken and captured by Sheriff Porter and posse, and brought
back to Monroe County for trial. He stood his trial for com
mitment, under Squire Teas, on the charge of attempting to
commit murder. He was released on $800 bail for his ap
pearance in court, and later was acquitted on sustaining a
plea of self-defense. The crime was committed about five
miles southeast of Albia, on a farm now owned by John
Haller. The following is a sample of the criminal dockets of
those days, and was the docket of State cases in the May
term of the District Court of 1866.
State of Iowa vs. A. M. Myers,, charged with murder in
the second degree; change of venue from Mahaska County.
State of IowTa vs. Thos. Barker, attempt to commit rape;
continued, the defendant not having been arrested.
State of Iowa vs. I). P. Clay and Jacob Hull, larceny;
continued.

172 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
State of Iowa vs. Moses Cousins, Jr., and W. B. Cousins,
keeping intoxicating liquors with intent to sell in violation
of law. State of Iowa vs. Chas. Ross, assault with intent to com
mit murder. State of Iowa vs. Darcus Billings, abandoning a human
child; continued as above.
State of Iowa vs. Samuel Rinehart, perjury; acquitted.
State of Iowa vs. Jasv A. B. Sims and Geo. Edwards,
larceny; continued.
State of Iowa vs. Jas. W. Atkinson, assault with intent
to commit murder; acquitted.
State of Iowa vs. Jas. Austin, nuisance, keeping intoxi
cating liquors; indictment.
State of Iowa vs. Martin Cone, petit juror, fined $10 for
contempt of court, for disrespectful language; fine remitted.
Not long afterwards, Clay, who is mentioned in the fore
going docket, stole a horse from Thomas Forster, residing a
few miles west of Blakesburg. Mr. Forster and Mr. Thayer,
now of Avery, and a member of the Monroe County Vigilance
Committee, tracked the thief into Missouri and captured him
at Gallatin. Thayer started home with him and Forster re
mained at Gallatin in search of his horse. Thayer placed
his prisoner on the horse which Forster had ridden to Galla
tin, and had his feet tied together underneath his horse.
When approaching Albia near the Coal Creek bridge, three
miles southwest of town, two men sprang out of the bushes
and handed Clay a revolver. Clay struck Thayer a murder
ous blow on the side of the face, which knocked him from
his horse. Thayer still wears the scar. Clay then made his
escape. Clay was a chum of Jake Hull, the Gibsons, Garrett
Thompson, and others.
In September, 1866, James Austin, who ran a grocery
and saloon in Albia, on the south side of the Square, shot
and killed Thos. Davis in the former's saloon in a quarrel over
two glasses of beer. Austin was finally acquitted on estab
lishing a plea of self-defense. His case was tried at Center
ville on an indictment for murder in the second degree.
In November, 1866, two young men by the name of
AViley, who lived on Cedar Creek, and who had been indicted
by the District Court for stealing cattle, made their escape
from the custody of J. L. Duncan, who was guarding them at
his residence. They were handcuffed and chained together,

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 173
when they escaped, and, making their way to Cedar Creek
during the night, in some way succeeded in breaking their
shackles. They secreted themselves in a coal-bank near
their father's premises. The latter, discovering them,
brought them to Albia and delivered them over to the
authorities. They were sentenced to the penitentiary for
six months. On the night of September 21, 1868, Chas. Brandon, of
Mahaska County, was taken to the woods and hanged by a
crowd of Vigilantes from Monroe County. Brandon was
accused of horse-stealing. An action was instituted in court
for $10,000 against the lynchers, and $800 damages awarded.
The defendants were Reuben Way, Daniel C. Gladson, Mat
thew Maddox,, B. F. Deats, Lewis Maddox, Wm. Martin, Jas.
Hoagland, Geo. Neal, and Wesley May.
On August 5, 1869, Thos. S. Hulligen, proprietor of the
Gilmore mill at the hamlet of Urbana, in Urbana Township,
was fatally stabbed by Geo. W. Wallace. Wallace and Jeff
Hawk, the latter the engineer attending the mill machinery,
got into an altercation, and in the quarrel the former kicked
Hawk in the face. Hawk armed himself with a carpenter's
mallet, when Hulligen interposed and ordered Wallace to
leave the mill. Wallace refused, and Hulligen seized him
and attempted to eject him, and while in the act of thrusting
him through the door, Wallace stabbed Hulligen in the
breast. Hulligen then released his hold, and, seizing a club,
struck Wallace a blow on the head. Wallace again stabbed
his victim, and was again struck by the club in the hands of
the wounded man. Hulligen died in a few hours, and the
murderer escaped, but was soon captured. He was tried on
a charge of murder in the first degree, and was sentenced to
seven years in the penitentiary, where he served out his term.
In 1866 Ross and Mann^. two notorious horse-thieves,
were sentenced to the penitentiary at Ft. Madison. Ross
was sent up for five years and Mann for two years.
The most noted chapter, however, of this reign of terror,
when Monroe County and adjoining counties were overrun
by a gang of horse-thieves, was the lynching of Garrett
Thompson by Monroe County Vigilantes in June, 1866.
During that year, and for three or four years previous, the
settlers lived in a constant dread of an organized band of
outlaws, whose operations extended over Illinois, southern
Iowa, and Missouri. The most notorious of these criminals

174 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
was Garrett Thompson. He and several others of the gang
had drifted into Iowa at the close of the war, and had been
active in the guerrilla movement on the Missouri border,
where they had full opportunity to ply their lawless calling
while under the disguise of auxiliaries of the Confederate
army of Missouri. So thoroughly organized was this gang
that the civil authorities were unable to capture them, or
to bring them to justice whenever the Vigilantes succeeded
in making an arrest. The committee finally concluded to
mete out summary justice to the next thief that fell into
their hands.
On the night of June 13, 1866, James McFadden had a
fine span of horses stolen ; and on the night of the 16th Mr.
Woodruff was robbed of $90 in money; and on the next night
E. M. Bill had a horse stolen, together with one belonging
to Benjamin Ashbury. Not long previous, Henry Wilson
had a horse stolen and never recovered; also a horse was
stolen from Mrs. Taylor, a neighbor of Wilson and the
widow of Jas. Taylor, of the Thirty-sixth Iowa Infantry,
who was captured at Mark's Mills and who died in prison
at Tyler, Texas. On the same night that Ashbury's horse
was stolen, saddles and bridles were stolen from Robert
Buchanan. A short time previous, a wagon was stolen
from Mr. Joseph Bone,
At this juncture the Vigilance Committee began a
systematic hunt for the outlaws. They started out in every
direction of the compass, determined to ride for two days,
and if in that length of time any trace of the thieves could
be found, they resolved to follow in pursuit until a capture
was made. One squad of the pursuers struck the trail
between Albia and Blakesburg, and followed the fugitives
into Van Buren County, where they lost the trail.
Suspicion finally rested on Garrett Thompson, who
lived about four miles west of Blakesburg, where the
Christian church now stands, close by the Center school-
house in Urbana Township. Thompson was absent when
the horses were stolen, and returned with a new wagon a
week later. He told several conflicting stories concerning
how he came in possession of the wagon. It was also
discovered that Thompson's daughter, Mrs. Ellen Ellis, stole
the Bone wagon, assisted by Harrison Gibson. The wagon
was tracked to the residence of Mr. McWilliams, in Missouri.
As the Vigilance Committee had come into possession

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 175
of sufficient evidence to hold Thompson in custody, they
arrested him, together with Thomas Smith, Harrison Gibson,
John Hull, Hiram Hull, and the two Hill brothers, of
/Wapello County. Thompson was arrested near Blakes
burg while attempting to make his way to Missouri. Smith
was arrested the same night, in Albia.
Thompson was brought to Albia and guarded by Sheriff
McDonald in a building where the Union office now stands.
His arrest attracted a, large crowd. The Sheriff had his
prisoner in the front room, and while Colonel Anderson was
cross-questioning him, the room began to fill with spectators.
Finally, the Sheriff, seeming to realize that tliere was some
thing significant in the movement of the crowd, placed his
man farther in the rear, and seeing Mart Giltner and a few
others making a stealthy forward movement, McDonald
sprang to his feet, and, drawing a large revolver, ordered
the crowd to stand back. At the same time Thompson
began shouting to the crowd that if they hanged him, they
would be hanging an innocent man.
The crowd then seized Thompson and started out of
town with him. When near the fair-grounds, where Dr.
Gutch's residence now stands, they had wagons in waiting
to carry all to the timber. AVhile the mob was en route on
foot to the wagons, the Sheriff stepped into the street and
commanded the bystanders to "fall in." Some obeyed the
order, and a small posse was organized to pursue and rescue
the prisoner from the mob.
Geo. Cromer, a harness dealer and a pugnacious spirit,
who was with the mob, seeing the Sheriff rallying his posse
in the rear, ran back and charged upon the posse. Captain
John Porter, who had been conscripted into the posse,
squared off for a fight with Cromer. The warlike motions
of the two belligerents attracted the attention of the rescu
ing party, and the prisoner was forgotten. In the meantime
the mob had loaded the prisoner into a wagon and were on
their way to Avery Creek.
They pitched tent at a point about six miles southeast
of Albia, in the woods, close to where Samuel Miller lived for
many years. Messengers were sent out in every direction
to summon the populace. The other prisoners were brought
on the grounds and closely guarded.
About 500 people had assembled by noon of the next
day. A sort of court was improvised on the grounds, under

176 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
an elm-tree. A chairman was appointed, and the sense of
the meeting was taken, which was that a jury of twelve
good men be impaneled to try the prisoners. A marshal
was chosen, who excluded all boys from the grounds, and
persons of a suspicious character. He was also instructed
to preserve order and prohibit profane or boisterous lan
guage. The jury was then called, and the witnesses and the
prisoner brought forward. After a thorough examination,
the jury retired, and, after careful deliberation, returned a
verdict of "Horse-stealing and other outrages — viz., hOuse-
burning and murder."
Then the foreman arose and in a loud voice, which
reechoed throughout the still forest, announced to the vast
throng the verdict. A motion was then made that "Garrett
Thompson be hanged by the neck until he is dead." Some
one then made a motion to amend, so that the prisoner be
simply tarred and feathered. This latter motion was finally
withdrawn, and the original motion carried with but one
dissenting voice.
A committee of ten was then appointed to notify the
prisoner of his sentence. He was given twenty minutes to
confess or to make any statements. He refused to divulge
anything, and the time was extended to forty minutes; he
still refused to confess, seeming to be under the impression
that the people were trying simply to frighten him.
Then they began to attach a rope to a branch of the
tree, and a wagon was wheeled under it. The prisoner was
ordered to get into the wagon; he did not comply, and was
lifted in by the crowd. He still believed their movements
were but a ruse to frighten him into a confession. A goods-
box was placed upon the wagon, and he was told to mount
it, . after the wagon had been wheeled directly under the
tree. He refused to mount, and Andy Stamm stepped
brusquely forward, and, addressing him, exclaimed: "G — d
d — n you! get up and die like a man." He was placed upon
the box, and a member of the Vigilantes adjusted the noose.
Even then the prisoner exhibited no anxiety, still hoping
to be released at the last moment. D. H. Scott then offered
a fervent prayer for the salvation of the soul about to be
launched into eternity.
When Mr. Scott began the prayer, Thompson then
realized for the first time the seriousness of the situation.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 177
He said that if they would grant him a little time, he would
try to divulge something. Time was given, but at the
expiration of forty minutes he divulged nothing. The other
prisoners were then brought forward, and placed in a row
in front of the gallows. To them it was a moment of
terrible suspense. They did not know but what they, too,
would be executed next. The wagon was then pushed from
under the tree, and while it was in motion, and the doomed
man was clinging on it with but the tips of his toes touching
it, he muttered that he had killed one man. The next instant
the wagon passed from under him, and the huge body of
the Missourian dropped with a thud. At the same time a
swarm of caterpillars, or "measuring-worms," dropped from
the overhanging branches', suspended by their webs, as if
in mimicry of the horrible tragedy.
The other prisoners were withdrawn, and the crowd
dispersed, save a few who remained to assist the son and
wife of the executed outlaw to lift the body into their
wagon. When this was done, the wife and son drove off
with the body, vowing vengeance on the citizens. They
went towards Eddyville, and told the settlers along the way
that their relative had fallen out of the wagon and that a
wheel of the wagon had run Over his neck and broken it. All
the other prisoners were released, except Tom Smith, who
turned State's evidence and thus saved his neck. Smith
was a Monroe County soldier, and had some friends among
the soldiers, who had known him as an inoffensive man. It
was probably largely due to their influence that he escaped
the doom of Thompson.
He afterwards admitted his complicity in horse-stealing,
but stated that for two years he did not know he was
handling stolen horses. He spent the remainder of his life
in Albia, and regained the respect and confidence of the
community. At a later meeting of the Vigilance Committee, in June,
1866, a note was presented and read incriminating David
Marvey and John Foster, two suspicious characters living
near Orleans, a siriall village in Appanoose County, near the
State line. A committee of three was detailed to go and
arrest these two men, and in obedience to their instructions
they went to the vicinity of Orleans, and learned that two
men had been seen near Drakeville riding suspicious-look
ing horses. The parties were arrested, and twenty or more
12 

178 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
of the citizens of Davis County volunteered to escort the men
with their captives to Monroe County. The prisoners were
placed on horseback, and the same evening the troop arrived
at the residence of AVm. Stoops. As it threatened rain, the
prisoners were taken to private residences and guarded until
the next morning. In (he morning, the populace were noti
fied of the arrests, and hundreds gathered on the grounds.
A motion was made that a committee of three be ap
pointed to wait on the prisoners separately, and to receive
any confessions which they might be induced to make. They
were to assure the men that if they made a clear, plausible
confession of all their thefts which would implicate others
engaged with them, and also lead to the recovery of stolen
property, they would be turned over to the civil authorities
to stand trial by due course of law, instead of being lynched
on the spot. The prisoners confessed to the stealing of
twenty or thirty horses and several hundred sheep. The
prisoners were then delivered to the sheriff of Davis County,
together with a copy of their confession.
At this meeting of the committee R. B. Arnold sug
gested that John Hull, who had been arrested with Thomp
son, but who had been acquitted through a lack of sufficient
evidence against him, be brought before the committee to
explain for what purpose he and Harrison Gibson had pur-'
chased a quantity of nitric acid. It was confessed that they
had given the acid to Garrett Thompson, who had used it in
burning the foreheads of a couple of horses which had been
taken up by Mr. Selby, of Urbana Township, and which
were supposed to have been stolen and turned loose by
Thompson. By applying the acid, white spots could be pro
duced in the face of a dark-colored animal, thus concealing
its identity. The horses were produced on the grounds as
evidence. Hull was then released from custody.
AArhen Tom Smith was arrested and confined in the Ot-
tumwa jail, Isaac AVatson, E. M. Bill, and A. M. Giltner vis
ited him and obtained a full confession. He stated that the
Hulls were the most active and desperate horse-thieves of
the band. He also stated that Thomas Forster's stolen team
was down in Missouri,, near where D. P. Clay and Jake Hull
were living. Forster then went to Missouri and recovered
his team, which he had not seen for nearly two years.
Smith also made other important disclosures which satisfied
the Vigilantes that his statements were true.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 179
The two Hulls were arrested and placed under $1,600
bonds to appear in court. Their case was continued to the
November term, 1867, and their trial was conducted at Ot-
tumwa on a change of venue. Hiram was acquitted through
some intricacy of the law, but John was convicted and sen
tenced to the penitentiary for five years. He took an appeal
to the Supreme Court, and, pending its decision, was re
leased on $1,000 bonds. He fled the country, and left his
bondsmen to forfeit the amount. Clay was also arrested, as
already stated herein.
To the prompt and summary action of the Vigilance
Committee is due the credit of exterminating one of the most
daring hordes of outlaws that ever terrorized a civilized
community. The members comprised the very best element in
society, and in view of the tardiness and uncertainty of the
civil power in punishing criminals, the action of the Vigil
ance Committee has always been approved by the public.
Some years prior to the episodes narrated in this chap
ter, Monroe and other southern border counties were over
run by a band of horse-thieves whose organization was more
extensive than that of subsequent date. A chain of oper
ations extended from Indiana to Nebraska, and a complete
record of their lawlessness is given in a little volume found
in nearly every pioneer library, entitled "Bandits of the
Prairie." A detective named Bonny finally came in their midst,
in the disguise of a counterfeiter. He gained their con
fidence, learned their secrets, and, like a sleuth-hound,
tracked them one by one to their hiding-places and arrested
them. But few of the band escaped the gallows. Monroe
County was scarcely organized at the time, and none of the
gang were lynched on Monroe County soil. The Hodge
brothers were hung in \ran Buren County.
Shack Phipps was another member of the gang, and was
a relative of the Long men. Phipps reformed, and settled on
a farm in the western part of Iowa. There is at least one
other member of this notorious gang residing at present in
Monroe County. He was a boy at the time, but was accused
of being an accomplice. Whatever may have been his rela
tion to those bandits at one time, he has since lived down the
stigma by a most exemplary life. He has since then held
responsible offices of public trust, and ever since the writer
first knew him, many years ago, he has been held in uni
versal esteem.

180 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
The murder of Chris McAlister, a farmer who lived
near Blakesburg, in Wapello County, on the night of
November 6, 1883, led to one of the most sensational lynch-
ings ever recorded in the history of the State. For some
months after the tragic event no clue could be discovered
towards the apprehension of the murderer.
At length suspicion began to attach itself to Pleas
Anderson, a married man of about forty years of age, who
lived on a farm in Urbana Township.
Since the date of the murder, Anderson had made
occasional remarks which appeared suspicious to his neigh
bors, and his strange actions on several occasions tended
to strengthen the suspicions. Anderson already had an
unenviable reputation as a pugilist, bully, and a ruffian in
a general way. He had, at different times, been mixed up
in several shooting scrapes, and was known throughout all
the southern tier of counties of Iowa as a hard citizen. He
and his brother William were finally arrested June 8, 1883,
on a charge of complicity in the murder of McAlister, on
an information sworn out by L. T. Stewart, of Blakesburg,
based on circumstantial evidence.
They were lodged in the Ottumwa jail, and on examina
tion William was released, no evidence being shown to
implicate him.
Pleas was examined before Justice Orr, of Ottumwa,
and enough circumstantial evidence was drawn out in the
examination to warrant the holding of the prisoner to await
the action of the grand jury. He was indicted for murder
in the first degree, at the next term of the District Court,
and his attorneys secured for him a change of venue to
Mahaska County.
Anderson was arraigned in court at Oskaloosa, Decem
ber 13, 1883, and indicted on the charge of murder in the
first degree; and, after a long and tedious trial, lasting over
a week, he was acquitted. There seemed to be a state of
general disapprobation in consequence of the acquittal of
Anderson, yet he returned to his home in Urbana Township.
About this time his residence was consumed by fire, and he
moved in with his father-in-law, Mr. Fielding Barnes, whose
residence is about two miles southwest of Blakesburg.
Anderson, on his return, conducted himself rather in
solently, especially towards the witnesses who had testified
against him in his late trial. On the night preceding the

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 181
murder of McAlister, he shot into the house of S. G. Finney,
a neighbor. For this he was indicted by the grand jury of
Monroe County at its fall term of 1883, but, after a long
delay, he was tried and acquitted.
On Monday evening, December 29, 1884, five men resid
ing in Monroe County went to the residence of Fielding-
Barnes, who lives near Blakesburg, and where Pleas Ander
son and family were residing, Anderson being the son-in-law
of Barnes. The men secreted themselves near the barn, and
when Mr. Barnes and Anderson came to the barn to feed
the stock for the evening, the men covered them with
revolvers. Anderson was seized and driven to Blakesburg
in a sled. From Blakesburg he was taken to the Prairie
school-house, two miles east of Blakesburg, and while en
route, the mob informed everybody that Anderson would be
tried for the murder of McAlister.
About 9 o'clock p. m. the crowd, which had increased
to one hundred or more people, was called to order by the
leader of the Vigilance Committee, and a jury of eight
persons was appointed to determine what punishment should
be meted out to the prisoner. A short time after a verdict
had been rendered convicting the prisoner of killing Mc
Alister, eight masked men suddenly filed into the room,
disguised in old quilts and blankets. They marched in and
surrounded Anderson, and one of them, picking up a rope
which lay on the floor, and which contained a noose, placed
it around his neck, and the prisoner was thus led out and
loaded into a sled and driven to the locality where the
murder was committed.
On arriving at McAlister's place, a sled was driven
under a large cottonwood-tree and the rope passed up over a
limb. Anderson was then lifted upon a spring-seat, which
was placed on the sled. He was placed with his face
towards the door in which McAlister was murdered, and
given a few moments to talk. He protested his innocence,
and requested a person in the crowd to draw off his boots,
which was complied with. He also requested some one to
tell his wife to keep the children together and try and do
the best they could. The sled was then driven from under
him, and he was hung-. The mail-carrier from Ottumwa,
passing early next morning, saw the body hanging and
reported the fact. The body was frozen stiff when cut down.
Several, if not all, of the lynching- party were afterwards

182 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
apprehended and brought before the grand jury, but they
were released without punishment. It was generally sup
posed that the murder of McAlister was perpetrated by two
persons, but no second party was ever apprehended.
On the 22d of March, 1893, Lewis Frazier, a German
living between Carbonado and Oskaloosa, called at the
house of Mrs. AA7. H. Smith in Hiteman, to see his wife, who
was a sister of Mrs. Smith. He wanted his wife to either
return home with him, or else give him the custody of their
two children. She refused, and a quarrel ensued. Mrs.
Smith took up the quarrel, and Frazier stabbed her fatally.
She died in about twenty minutes. Frazier fled, and was
pursued and captured by Deputy Sheriff Joe Lewis and an
assistant deputy, about four miles from Hiteman, on the
same day. The officers started to return to Hiteman with
their prisoner, but were overwhelmed by a mob of about a
hundred men from the mines. They seized Frazier and hung
him on a tree in Hiteman in the evening of the same day of
the murder. At the inquest held over the remains none
of the witnesses seemed to recognize any of the lynchers.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 183

CHAPTER XII.
Miscellaneous Topics.
On tbe election of Grant and Colfax, in November, 1868,
the Republicans of Monroe County held an enthusiastic jolli
fication in Albia. Wrm. Davis, a negro barber who had been
brought up fron the South at the close of the war, was called
on for a speech. He mounted a platform, and in the course
of his remarks recounted his experience and hardships as a
slave on a Southern plantation. He spoke of his adventures
as a Union soldier, and, later, his experience as a citizen of
the Union. His remarks were loudly cheered by the crowd.
Several negro children were brought and sent to Monroe
County in 1.864-5. These first arrivals considerably ruffled
the feelings of those who entertained pronounced scruples
against the mingling of the two races. It is related that one
day, while passing the residence of Wm. AVelsh, just south
of town, R. E. Robinson, a gentleman residing in Monroe
Township, saw a couple of small negro children playing in
the yard. The spectacle was overwhelming to the honest
farmer. It called up in his mind a long train of evil conse
quences resulting from the emancipation of the black race.
The spectacle was a premonition of the debasement and ulti
mate coalescence of the two races. It was a public day of
some kind, and there was a long train of farmers' wagons be-
.liind. Mr. Robinson arose in his vehicle and addressed the
crowd in an animated and eloquent oration. He called upon
his friends to note the degradation which the emancipation of
the slave had entailed upon a superior race, in the humiliat
ing spectacle before them.
Hugh McQueen was another youth sent up from the
South. He bore but a faint trace of African blood, which
was seldom detected. He was something of a beau among
the young ladies of Monroe Township, and it was not gener
ally known that he was of African descent. Andrew Stamm,
an Iowa soldier, in some way got possession of the boy while
he was a slave in the South. He found him sitting on a fence.
and the boy either followed him voluntarily or was coaxed
away.

184 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
On August 31, 1868, a hickory pole of prodigious height
was reared in Albia, by the local Democracy, as a symbol of
the "Old Hickory" or Jacksonian type of Democracy. It
was during the campaign when Seymour and Blair were the
Presidential standard-bearers of the Democratic party. It
was jointed, and the sections secured by iron bands. A year
later one Davis, a Democrat who had invested a dollar in the
pole, and who therefore claimed to be a joint stockholder, cut
the pole down for fire-wood.
In the Sentinel of 1860, in an article descriptive of early
times, J. T. Young tells the following incident :
"Standing in a small grove of timber near the east line
of the township, and owned by old Mr. Gillespie, who sold
it to its present owner, Thomas Hickenlooper, is a log-
cabin. The grove is composed of a thick growth of small
saplings and underbrush. A long time ago, it is said, a
panther made his home in this dark and secluded spot.
His screams were heard at night by friend J. W. Mclntyre,
who lived about a mile from the grove.
"The animal would occasionally sally forth to some
neighboring sheep-pen, ten rails high (and such rails as Mr.
Lincoln never split), take one of the fattest sheep, and make
off with it as easily as a cat would carry a mouse. Mr.
Panther went to Milton Mclntyre's sheep-pen one night,
picked up a sheep, and made off with it, when he was beset
by the dog. This raised Milton's spunk, and he gathered a
club and made at the panther, which fled and was never
seen again."
The legendary panther, or "painter," as it was usually
termed in the vernacular of the pioneer settlers, was an
animal the very mention of whose name spread terror in the
hearts of children, a few housewives, and not a few timid
men. While it was generally regarded as an animal of great
ferocity, there is no record of its ever having attacked any
one. Nobody ever saw a dead panther, and the phantom
form of the live animal was never calmly viewed by mortal
gaze, save only by an occasional furtive glance while the
"painter" crossed some dark, secluded -path in the forest.
In fact, about the only tangible proof of the existence of the
"painter" was the very abundant auricular evidence of
hearing the animal's blood-curdling screams by night. The
scream is said to be not very unlike that of a terrified woman.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 185
These screams, which terrified whole neighborhoods, can
be heard almost any night in the forests. They are uttered
by a very small owl, between the size of a screech-owl and
that of a large horned owl. It is about the size of a pigeon,
and has no "horns" on its head. The real panther does not
scream, but utters a sharp, prolonged screech. It is about
the size of a dog, and very shy and cowardly.
It is quite probable that there were a few of these
animals passing through the forests at times, but it was
the common wild cat that so often became confounded with
the panther. The wild cat is about the size of a small dog, and is
of a gray color, marked with small specks. It has a
large head, small ears, and a short tail. It is very destruc
tive to young pigs, lambs, and poultry. It was abundant
in the forests of Monroe County, but soon disappeared on
the advent of settlers.
If the animal were a large specimen, and the beholder's
imagination vivid, he raised the report that he had seen
the "painter." The "painter," how7ever, was a sort of Satyr
of some utility to the settlers. If a settler knew of a fine
patch of wild blackberries which he wished to save for his
own use, he circulated a story that the "painter" had been
seen or heard in the vicinity, and the berries would be
unmolested. The Canada lynx was another animal allied to the wild
cat which occasionally passed through a neighborhood.
It was a little larger than the wild cat, and had long, pointed
ears and a short tail. Its fur was marked with larger spots.
It was probably the real prototype of the "painter."
Wild game in those days was quite plentiful in Monroe
County. Deer were quite common in the '60s, and up to
about 1870 one or more might be seen passing through the
county. They were the common Alrginia deer of the West
and South. The bear and bison had been extinguished long before
by the Indians, and the writer has no knowledge of any bears
having been found by the white settlers, save one, which
was killed on one of the Avery creeks long ago, by Butler
Delashmut and others, of Eddyville.
Wild turkeys were once abundant in the forests, but
of late years have become all but extinct. Occasionally one
is still seen in the woods, but probably within a half-dozen

186 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
years there will not be one in the eojmty. Twenty years ago
thenelds and ^Tarries swarmed with prairie-chickens. They
usually hatched in Minnesota and farther north, and came
southward in September and remained until June. They
congregated in immense flocks, and hunting them was a
great delight to the sportsman. Occasionally a small flock
is still seen in the winter season.
Wild geese, ducks, and other water-fowl are also
transient guests, and alight occasionally in ponds, while
passing. Squirrels are still plentiful in some localities within
the county, but they, too, are destined to go, forever, with
the ultimate destruction of the forests. There are two
varieties, the gray and the fox squirrel. The latter is a
little the larger.
There are a few raccoons, and the skunk is still plentiful
and keeps on amicable terms with man. The badger has
become extinct, and the prairie-wolf has about become so.
The timber-wolf was a larger species, but was never
numerous. The circular wolf-hunt of thirty years ago was one of
the grandest fete days in the county. The settlers would
set out on some appointed day, and converge to some
previously arranged center, designated by a pole. They
would blow their horns, ring bells, and discharge fire-arms
as they traveled along, and at a certain hour all would
surround the pole in a solid phalanx. Here no guns were
allowed, and any wild animals caught within the circle
were dispatched by dogs. The usual catch of these hunts
was a few skunks and occasionally a fox.
There are two varieties of fox, the gray and the red fox.
They are few in numbers.
Rabbits are still plentiful, and as they are capable of
rapid increase, they will remain a long time. The ground
hog, or woodchuck, inhabits the woods and is quite
plentiful. The prairie gray squirrel belongs to the marmot or wood
chuck family, and dwells on the prairie. A smaller species,
known as striped squirrels, or chipmunks, infest the woods,
and in the meadows are found still another variety, also
striped. These two species are about the size of a small rat.
The pocket gopher is disappearing rapidly. The otter
has long since disappeared, but the mink and musk-rat are
still denizens of the county.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 187
The rattlesnake is the only poisonous snake in the
county. There are still a few pheasants, and an abundance of
quails. The wild pigeon, once so numerous, is now extinct.
Strikes.
In February, 1880,, the coal-miners working in the Albia
Goal Company mines, at Cedar Creek just west of Albia, who
were out on a strike, were replaced by negroes.
Henry Miller, president of the company, conceived the
idea of trying to operate the mines by negroes. He went to
Missouri and secured a force of raw negroes, and put them
to work in the mines. They learned the trade rapidly, and
made a good livelihood for themselves and families, and were
less inclined to place the interests of their employers in
jeopardy by strikes.
The striking white miners, however, on finding their
places taken by the blacks, assumed a threatening attitude
towards the latter, and doubtless blood would have been
shed if the company of militia stationed at Albia had not
appeared upon the scene to repress any outbreak. On Sat
urday night, of February 21st, the negroes were fired upon
by the strikers. The negroes returned the fire, but no one
was hurt. These were the first colored miners that came
into the Monroe County mines.
"The Deep Snow."
"The deep snow" represents a period in the chronology
of pioneer times, from which all old settlers reckon dates —
as, for instance, three years before "the deep snow" the con
test over the county seat occurred ; or, tlie first school-house
in the county was built five years before "the deep snow," or
in 1844. Likewise the first marriage occurred in this year,
being that of Nelson Wescoatt and May Searcy. Three
months later the bride died of fever. Or, if the settler
wishes to recall the period when horse-stealing was prevalent
in the county, he will say that it was the winter after "the
deep snow," or in 1850. The event itself occupies the same
relationship to local pioneer chronology that Noah's flood
does to Christian chronology, or the flood of Deucalion to the
chronology of Greek mythology.
The snow began to fall about the first of December, 1848,
and continued until April 6, 1849. The snow was three feet

188 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
deep on the level, and it was very severe on both domestic as
well as wild animals. Large numbers of deer were caught
when a crust had formed on the surface of the snow, which
impeded the speed of the animals, but enabled the dogs to
pursue them on the surface without breaking through.
In passing through the forest at the present day, one
will occasionally meet with a decaying monument of this
memorable snow, in the form of stumps of trees cut during
the winter of the snow, when the axman walked on the sur
face, borne up by the crust. These stumps usually stand
about six feet in height, and have often attracted curiosity
in those who do not recall the incident of "the deep snow."
Nationality.
The first settlers of the county were mostly of American
birth; but not long afterwards a colony of Germans settled
on Coal Creek, in a locality sometimes alluded to as "Dutch
Ridge." This locality was originally one of the most barren
and unpromising regions in the county. It was composed of
white oak soil, covered with underbush and dense growths
of saplings. Just why the prudent, thrifty German should
have selected this region was always a mystery to the native
settler. The German always had plenty of money, and he
could have had his pick of the land. What was still more sur
prising, he thrived and prospered on this wild "Dutch
Ridge." He laid up money and improved his farm, while
the native settler, located in the garden-spots of the county,
scarcely made a living.
There were the Hertzers, the Mertzes, the Wiedmans,
the Landsbergers, the Steinbergers, the Manleys, and
others. They were a hardy, industrious, and law-abiding
community, and have transmitted to> posterity an equally
creditable class of citizens in the present generation.
For many years, Philip Hertzer, or "old Dutch Philip,"
as his rilany friends have affectionately styled him, was, by a
sort of universal reverence, acknowledged to be the chief
counselor of the colony, or a sort of ""burgomaster."
These Germans never took any special interest in local
politics, and during every political canvass in the county the
"Dutch Ridge" became a much-coveted vineyard to the
stump-speaker. They were fond of their beer, and when the
State prohibitory law was enacted, the inhabitants of "Dutch
Ridge" became disgusted with the Republican party, and
withdrew their allegiance to it.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 189
Whenever a party leader desired to augment the
strength of his party in the county, he considered it highly
necessary to establish diplomatic relations with "Dutch
Philip." Then, on election day, the Germans would be out
in force. "Dutch Philip" would be their counselor, and
Judge Hilton and Tom Baldwin, each representing his re
spective party, might be seen wreathed in seductive smiles,
bestowing their blandishments upon the apparently en
raptured German voters, and incidentally setting forth the
merits of their respective parties. The good-natured and
sagacious German usually listened with an expression of
well-affected interest and profound deference, but before
either party champion could get his man started towards the
ballot-box with the proper ballot snugly folded within his
vest-pocket, the latter could invariably be seen meandering
behind the school-house in company with "Dutch Philip."
The Irishman is always the first on the ground every
where. There is no place under the sun where you will not
find him. He forges to the front, not only in a geographical
sense, but in a social and political one as well. If a public
policy is to be consummated, an Irishman pushes it through;
if a sortie or charge is to be made, or a forlorn hope led into
the death-valley of an enemy's guns, an Irishman is at the
head. He has done everything for the advancement of other
nations, and nothing for his own little down-trodden isle. He
is an Irishman for Ireland as long as he lives on the isle, but
as soon as he steps ashore at Castle Garden he becomes an
American citizen at heart, and really does not require the
naturalization act of courts, which he avails himself of as
soon as the prescribed term of residence is up. On landing,
he immediately discards his nice, neat moleskin knee-
breeches and high hat, and dons a pair of blue overalls, takes
up a shovel, a peddler's pack, or a policeman's "billy," and
goes to work. He attends all political meetings, and votes
the Democratic ticket as soon as he gets his naturalization
papers — and sometimes before. When he becomes a citizen,
he does not waste his energies in sentimental and equally
futile attempts to redeem his own unhappy native isle from
its thralldom. Deep in his heart he feels her unhappy con
dition, but fie feels that his labors and statesmanship in the
new world are of too high a value to be interrupted by a
sentiment that cannot be realized, or a dream that can never
be fulfilled.

190 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. IOWA.
The west half of Monroe County is largely settled by
Irishmen. Their farms are all well cultivated, and yield
their owners a comfortable living. Like the Germans, they
selected a wild, broken region for their homes; but this is
more readily accounted for by the fact that they came to
Monroe County with small means and were obliged to select
cheaper lands. Most of the Irish vote the Democratic
ticket. Notwithstanding the rural disadvantages which many of
the neighborhoods of this Irish colony possess, most of the
brightest young professional men of Monroe County are
either Irishmen or the sons of Irishmen. The O'Bryans,
the Carrs, the Richmonds, the Mchols, Ed. Morrison, Jas. M.
Robb, and A. J. Cassady, and others, are of the legal pro
fession; and Ed. A. Canning, while a prominent citizen and
highly valued public official, may yet turn his attention to
jurisprudence and become a successful lawyer with the rest.
The extensive development of the mining industry with
in the county has of late years invited other nationalities
into our midst. A large majority of the miners — say three-
fourths — are AVelsh and English. The remaining fourth is
made up of Americans, Swedes, and a few Italians, French,
Scotch, and Belgians. Tliere are no Irish miners, and but
few Germans. The Dutchman will not venture into the
dark, and the Irishman always wants to be on top. The
English and AVelsh miners are the most successful miners,
as for centuries the calling has been hereditary with them.
There is but slight national distinction between them. The
English are from Durham or Cornwall.
Methods of Fa rining.
When the early settlers began to till the virgin soil of
Monroe County, each farmer adopted the methods of his own
particular State. The "Pennsylvania Dutchman," accus
tomed to the rocky, loose soil of Pennsylvania, brought with
him his monster cast-iron plow. It would not "scour" in our
Western soil, so he discarded it with many a sigh.
The New England Yankee's methods were quite unique,
and greatly amused the "Hoosier," the "Sucker," and the
Kentuckian. The prairie soil was decidedly different from
that of the Eastern States, and it required several years' ex
perience for the husbandman to get started on the right
track. In the earlier period flax was a staple crop. It was

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 191
cultivated exclusively for the fiber. About the time the
plant was in bloom, the farmer's wives and daughters would
go into the fields and pull up the flax by the roots. It was
then soaked in water for awhile, to bleach. Then it was
hauled in and placed in larger bunches, where it was allowed
to "rot" — i. e., the woody part beneath the bark or fiber was
allowed to decay. Then the farmer would "break" it. A
"flax-break" was a rudely constructed appliance for breaking
the woody portion of the flax. It consisted of an oak frame
five or six feet in length and about two feet wide, and
supported on four legs. Within this frame, and placed
parallel and extending the long way of the frame, were a
series of wooden bars, an inch or two apart, with sharpened
edges. Then upon the upper side of this frame, and hinged
to it, was another frame constructed the same as the lower
one, the edges of its bars mashing into the space between'
the lower bars when the upper frame was shut down against
the latter. The farmer would then raise the upper frame
with one hand, place a bunch of flax crosswise on the lower
frame of the "break," and then thrust the upper frame or
hinged lid down upon the flax. This movement was re
peated until the stalk of the fiax was crushed and broken
in small particles, the fiber or bark remaining uninjured by
the operation. In this state it was passed to the housewife, who ran
it through the "hackle" to remove the bits of woody material.
The "hackle" was a board about ten inches wide and about
fifteen inches long. Sharp-pointed nails were driven
through this board about half an inch from each other over
the entire surface. The wife would draw the flax through
this "hackle," handful by handful, when it was finally ready
to be spun into thread or "filling." It was then ready for the
loom. Every dutiful housewife could operate a loom in
those days, and a young lady who was not accomplished in
spinning and weaving was shunned by the matrimonially
inclined young men, and*usually lived an old maid.
Weaving was always a medium of exchange, and it
was no uncommon thing for the young wife, in embarking on
life's voyage, to do weaving for a yoke of oxen for her young
husband. The writer's mother did weaving for a quantity
of corn, at ten cents per bushel. She wove at the rate of
about fifteen cents a yard. We are not quite certain but
that she wove the cloth for her prospective husband's flax

192 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
wedding-breeches, for the fabric showed that especial care
had been expended on it. The cloth thus made was very
coarse, and of a greenish gray color. The greatest objection
to it was that it never wore out. If we mistake not, our
first pants were constructed out of a discarded pair of
parental trousers, doubtless those which did such excellent
service on the marriage occasion already spoken of.
After the lapse of a few years, the settlers began to
raise sheep, and to convert the wool into cloth. If the cloth
was constructed solely of wool, it was called "jeans"; but
if the "chain" was composed of cotton or flax, it was called
"linsey." The ladies preferred linsey for their wearing
apparel, as it was of a little finer texture, say 700 threads
"of warp to the yard.
In 1860 John Young (father of Josiah T. Young) and sons
started a woolen factory at Albia. A short time later they
put in "carding" machinery, which was a great convenience
to the settlers. The factory burned in 1862, but in 1866 it
was rebuilt and operated by Wallace & Rambo for several
years. Some of the prominent families of early days affected
certain colors in homespun flannel. These family colors
were a sort of "coat of arms" in the family. For instance,
the flannel and jeans worn by the family of Elias Fisher
in Urbana Township was a dark walnut brown interspersed
with streaks of yellow, something like a tiger's skin. The
house of Noland was represented by a butternut brown.
All old-timers will remember the long-tailed butternut coat
of Doster Noland, garnished with large white bone buttons.
When this eminent veterinary surgeon moved to Missouri,
he wore the big coat, and is doubtless wearing it yet, if
alive. The Hayes, Baldwins, and Whites, all being related,
had one common family color. It was a kind of checked
arrangement, broad bands of red and narrow streaks of the
same color, with a blue background. "Rich" Hayes still
clings to this color. He is still alive, and some years ago
sold his farm in Monroe Township, and moved to Missouri
and got religion. The family color of the Haller family was
a sky-blue jeans marked with still lighter colored bars or
streaks. Moses Haller, the patriarch of the family, still
lives at Selection, in Monroe Township. He has lost his
eyesight, but can hear distinctly, and recognizes everybody
by their voices. He keeps well posted on all that transpires
in the neighborhood.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 193
Probably the very first implement for tilling the soil
was the heavy hoe. Many of the early settlers, as we have
before stated, emigrated from Indiana, and Indiana was
largely settled by Kentuckians; hence many of the early
settlers of Monroe County were of Kentucky stock. They
were proficient in the the use of the hoe, and had to be,
perforce of necessity, as they were dependent upon it for
their "Johnny-cake." The Southern pioneer could not "go
wheat bread," and if placed on a diet of wheat bread, he
got all out of sorts, and lost faith in the countiy, and had
no desire to work.
The early farmers did not produce anything for market
except hogs, and these had to be driven to Keokuk or
Alexandria to market. The pioneer hog was vastly superior
to the modern porker in intellect and correspondingly in
ferior in all other points. He was called the "hazel-splitter,"
and was a long-legged, big-headed, sharp-backed animal,
that could run like a race-horse and hold his own among
wolves and wild cats. He was usually of a "sandy" color,
and spent his time in the woods from May to December, and
not unfrequently shifting for himself all winter. He sub
sisted mainly on roots and nuts, and late in the fall he
fattened on burr-oak acorns. All the farmer had to do, when
his hogs grew fat enough for market, was to capture them,
and this was sometimes as thrilling an experience as a
wolf -hunt in Siberia. One fall the writer's grandfather sold
an old sow to Captain Wilson, who drove her, with several
hundred others, to Burlington,, a distance of one hundred
miles. The next spring or summer the identical sow came
home to see her pigs from which she had been heartlessly
separated the fall before. She walked all the distance, and
was lean and haggard when she arrived. She made her
escape at Burlington. She was again delivered to Mr.
Wilson, the drover.
Every farmer had his "ear-marks" registered in the
County Judge's office, and by means of ear-marks every
person was enabled to identifv his own hogs from those of
his neighbors. The "ear-marks" of no two persons could
be alike, and he whose ear-marks had been registered took
precedence' over others in a dispute.
The forests contained herds of wild hogs which had
strayed from their owners or succeeded in evading capture.
13 

194 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
These were hunted with dogs, and were exterminated in
a few years.
Among the first plows used for breaking wild sod were
the "bar-share" plow and the Carey plow. The latter
seemed to be the favorite. Tbe "bar-share" plow consisted
of an iron plate lying flat on the ground with a wooden
mold-board slanting slightly from its middle. In the Carey
plow the rear end of this iron plate turned up behind and
formed a part of the mold-board.
Then came the long-beamed break-plow, already de
scribed in a previous chapter, and which every person who
has passed the residence of John Massey, south of Albia,
during the last twenty-five years, has noticed leaning against
the front-yard fence. Some months ago the writer, in pass
ing, had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Massey's son, Ressie,
plowing with this relic of a past generation. He was
scouring it along the right-of-way of the railroad by way of
preparing it for farming purposes.
After the ground had first been broken with the big
prairie plow, the ground in later years was turned over by
the "diamond" plow or "stirring" plow; and when the corn
was planted and ready for cultivation, a small one-horse
"diamond" plow was at first used; then came the "single-
shovel," and next the "double-shovel," and along about 1870
the modern "cultivator" was introduced. This plow re
quired two horses, and actually plowed a row of corn in
one trip, instead of going up on one side of the row and
returning on the other side, as was done with the "double-
shovel." The farmer doubted the utility of the "cultivator,"
it professed to do too much — plowed a row of corn in just
half the time required by the "double-shovel"; and when
some fellow devised one on which the plowman could ride,
the inventor was regarded as a wild dreamer or lunatic.
Reaping implements went through the same gradual
transition. First came the small semicircular "reap-hook."
This was the implement of the mountains and hills of the
South and of the East, where there were but small patches
of grass or grain, growing among rocks and in narrow
valleys. As the Western farmer's field of grass became larger,
a speedier implement was evolved, iri the form of a scythe,
and for grain the "cradle" was invented. These, too, were
at length superseded by the two-horse mower for grass, and

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 195
the old-fashioned Manna and McCormick hand-rake reapers
for grain; these were considered miracles of inventive
genius. Finally the "self-rake" reaper and mower combined
was brought out, and it was thought that perfection was
attained. A machine cost $175 or $200.
In about the year 1870 the Marsh harvester was in
vented. It was a ponderous machine, requiring four horses
and three men to run it. It had a platform, on which two
men rode and bound the grain as it was delivered from a
canvas carrier, something similar to those now used on
self-binders. The machine proved a failure. . It was too
heavy, and if the ground was soft, it would not work at all.
It was the antecedent of the self-binder of the present day.
To see the modern self-binder as it lightly sails around
through the grain-fields, doing its work to perfection in grain
in all conditions, one naturally wonders if it, too, will in
time be supplanted by a machine of higher perfection. It
does not seem susceptible of further improvement. It is
light-running, and is constructed of steel, to insure strength
and a reduction of weight.
The development of the live-stock industry, and the
consequent increase in the acreage of tame grass, has led
to, the adoption of superior machinery for the handling of
hay. Most of the hay in the county is stacked and handled
by means of stackers and loaders.
There is an alternating law in agriculture by which
prices of farm products rise and fall periodically, and the
careful study of which enables the shrewd farmer to make
money, even in times of financial depression. It "cannot be
better demonstrated than by a citation to the live-stock
industry. About the year 1892 the bottom suddenly dropped
out of the cattle market. For some years a surplus of cattle
had been gradually accumulating. The famine of that
time precipitated a crisis in prices, and the country was
gorged with an overplus of unmarketable cattle.
Prices ranged so low that everybody grew discouraged
and hastened to get rid of their stock at ruinously low prices.
People quit raising cattle, and very few had the foresight
to realize that at that particular time the farmer should be
using his utmost efforts to replenish his herds in anticipation
of a shortage. The shortage at length came, and prices
went up, and are up at the present date. Just at the time
when the cattle market had gone to pieces, horses com-

196 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
manded a fair price. The cowman then turned his attention
to raising horses, with the result that at present the horse
market is as" greatly depressed as the cattle market was
some years ago. The farmers have quit raising horses, and
in a few years there will be a brisk demand for good horses
at fair prices. Thus the markets are subject to a rise and
fall as certain in their recurrence as the ebb and flow of
tides. The farmers of Monroe County are in a reasonable
degree prosperous. None are so poor but that they know
where the next meal is to come from. None are so hard
pressed that they have not the means to clothe themselves
and their families and have a change of apparel for Sunday
wear. Many are growing wealthy, and the vast majority
of them live in comfort and enjoy the envious reputation
of being honest, intelligent, and respected above all other.
vocations in life.
The farmer of the country constitutes the keystone in
the arch of local prosperity. The dweller of the town feels
an unfeigned admiration for him and h's family, and although
his exterior polish may not be so dazzling, or his wife's and
daughter's dress so stylish as that of the city lady, his and
their general esteem weighs as much as the attainments of
the other in the social scale.
The farmer-boy has outgrown those rural distinctions
which once built a brush-fence between himself and the
social world. Better roads, the bicycle, the "covered
buggy" and fast team, increased population, railroads, rural
churches, the increase of country villages, and the later
improvements in the common school system have all com
bined to bring him out into the open "clearing." When
once out, and he gets his bearings, he forges to the front.
It is a curious fact that most of our county officers were
from the country. The same is true of the Monroe County
bar. The country offers better encouragement to the
growth and development of the mind. No checks are placed
on its growth through idleness, social abstractions, or
through the still more pernicious effect of evil associations
and intemperance. Roads and Road-Working.
The highways of Monroe County are at present mostly
located on established lines. The first roads, like the "trail"
of the Indians, ran straight, regardless of divisional lines.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 197
The main design was to "get there," and with this very laud
able end in view, the people traveled in as straight lines as
the character of the surface would permit. At one time the
settler respected the course of those pioneer highways, and
did not deign to set the road out on the line, as long as all his
land was not fenced. Later, when he found it necessary to
do this, the changing of the road was attended by bitter re
monstrances from his neighbors. Every man wanted the
road to remain just where it was first located, except when it
cut through his own farm, when he assumed the right to
"throw it out" on the line. If the new route was rough and
crossed a stream, the farmer making the change was ex
pected by an unwritten code of honor to put in the bridge
partly himself, and, with the friends of the new road, work
gratis the route to render it passable for teams. Many of the
highways throughout the country are but 40 feet in width,
but of later years 60 feet has been prescribed as the proper
width, and the Board of Supervisors will not establish a
highway of less width.
The highways are kept in repair by means of public labor
levied in form of a tax. Every able-bodied citizen between
the age of 21 and 45 years is required to perform two days'
labor in payment of a poll-tax of $3.00; in addition to this
poll-tax, he pays a property tax in labor, levied on his tax
able property; and in addition to these, he is liable to' a small
cash levy, which tax must be paid in cash, with which to pur
chase material, implements, etc., for highway purposes. Of
course he has the privilege to pay his poll and property tax
in cash, or of employing a substitute to do the work.
Formerly the poll-tax was fixed at $1.50, but it was
doubled with the expectation that more labor would be ex
pended. Notwithstanding the doubling of the time required,
about the same amount of actual labor was bestowed upon
the roads, until the advent of the grader. Under the old
method, the roads were worked twice in a season, usu
ally in May and September. The farmer was "warned"
out on a fixed date, to appear with a team or some suit
able implement, at 8 o'clock. He put in his appearance
anywhere between 8 and 12. Sometimes he came with
an old hoe, an ax, hatchet, or anything that might be
construed as coming under the head of an "implement."
Sometimes he did not bring anything, and beguiled the time
in holding the handle of a plow for a few moments between

198 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
long intervals, or in loading scrapers and sitting on the
ground to await the return of the empty scraper. The squad
was under the direction of the Road Supervisor, but when
ever his official's back was turned, the men repaired to a
shady fence-corner to crack jokes, argue politics or religion,
or talk horse; on the reappearance of the Supervisor, they re
sumed work. If a tree were to be chopped down, a grub re
moved, or a culvert to mend, the Supervisor had to do the
work, while the men dropped their tools and gathered around
to inspect the work and offer suggestions as to the proper
mode of doing it.
If a man has any bodily infirmities, he is exempt from
the poll-tax, but not from the property tax. He appears
promptly on the date set to work the roads, armed with a
physician's certificate of disability. Being an invalid, he
escapes the poll-tax, but labors day after day until he has
"worked out" his property tax at the customary rate of $1.50
per day, or $3.00 with a team.
Of late years road-working as a diversion or source of
social rural enjoyment has been greatly improved on by the
introduction of the grader. Everybody now rides on the
grader. The seat alone is wide enough to accommodate three
men, and each may hold a pair of lines attached to his own
team. Six horses pull the grader, and the Supervisor stands
behind the drivers and operates the levers and otherwise
commands the machine. One or two men usually act as
grooms or footmen to accompany the equipage in case the
teams do not act nicely, and two or three men with a road
plow do a little plowing at the roadside at certain intervals
during the day. One man holds the plow handles, another
drives the team, and if there is a third one who could not be
accommodated on the grader, he "beams" the plow — i. e., sits
on the beam to force the nose of the plow deeper into the
ground. Then the man with the hoe is supposed to get in his
work. He traverses the entire length of the road district,
and chops up noxious weeds, such as burdock, "bull" thistles,
and cockle-burs. If he runs out of these before quitting
time, he chops dog-fennel or anything he comes across, be
cause his job is considered a "soft" one, and he may be as
signed to something less congenial.
The job next in degree of "softness" to that enjoyed by
the man with the hoe is the hunting up of the road scraper

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 199
or plow. These are always at the other end of the district
when the men went to work, and some man has to go after
them with a team and wagon. It takes at least a half-day to
find them, as the.y have to be tracked from house to house,
and, when found, usually have to go to the blacksmith shop
for repairs, at the public expense, as they have been passed
around among the farmers to serve in scooping out ponds,
scraping up manure, etc., until some fellow breaks them,
when they are left on the spot to be hunted up by the Super
visor in road-working time. The Road Supervisor is. for
bidden to loan these implements, but the order is seldom,
if ever, strictly obeyed. If, however, the Supervisor declines
to allow his neighbors the use of them, his refusal is looked
upon as a high-handed usurpation of official power.
Within recent years there has been considerable talk
of improving the public roads, but there is no feasible way of
doing so, other than by the efficient use of the grader and
proper drainage. Paving is out of the question, as there is
no available supply of material within easy reach.
The iron bridge has not yet been introduced, but doubt
less will be ere long.
Fashions, Dress, and Love-Making.
Monroe County was never so far outside the pale of
civilization as to render wearing apparel superfluous, al
though it is said that many of the children of the "Hairy
Nation" ran naked in the summer time and barefooted all
the year round. Every one who was not afraid of the rattle
snakes went barefooted in summer. The young ladies
turned their feet out to grass, say the last of May, and kept
them on it until about the middle of September or the first
of October, ahd from then on throughout the -winter wore
their Sunday shoes. WThen they walked for miles to "meet
ing" on Sundays, those who were most careful and prudent
took off their shoes and stockings and cooled their shapely
white feet in the dust until nearing the meeting-house, when
they would slip to the roadside, give their feet a few
"swipes" in the tall grass to remove the dust, and replace
their shoes. Many a stately dame in the county to-day could
testify to this from experience if she would — and why should
she not? It was no discredit.
The men and boys began to goi barefooted a little ear
lier in the season, say as soon as grass came. Shoes were

200 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
not worn by the men at that time, nor for years later, as
articles of dress. The coarse boot was worn throughout
the week, and the more fastidious young men indulged in
light calfskin boots, with high, narrow heels, for Sunday
wear. If these boots had attractive fancy tops, the dude
of those days wore his pants stuffed inside of them, and sat
on the front row of "puncheons" at meeting, with his legs
crossed at a conspicuous height, much to the admiration of
the fair sex.
Among the "mashers" of those days were Colonel Dan
Anderson, Anson Rowles, Wm. Webb, Jake Webb, Bob Gor
don, and others. Gordon finally became insane, and one
day disappeared and was never again seen.
Colonel Dan Anderson lived to attain considerable dis
tinction in after years as a public man, in both civil and mili
tary capacities, as well as a successful attorney, and at one
time he was favorably mentioned in the local papers as a gub
ernatorial candidate. But with all the gallant Colonel's fame
and prowess in later years, he was not "in touch" with the
good graces of his sweetheart's parents, at the time when,
like Daniel of old, he began to receive visions (visions of the
matrimonial state). The girl was willing, but the old folks
were not. In Missouri they could get married without a
license, and without the expenditure of the unavoidable
license fee, which in all cases had to be paid in advance. The
young Adonis procured a "covered" buggy, at that time a
rare luxury, and his sweetheart rolled up her "Sunday-go-to-
meetin' dress" in a bundle, together with her "hoops," and
doubtless other bleached muslin articles of female apparel
essential to a bridal trousseau. The bundle was concealed in
the prairie grass near the roadside, on the outskirts of the
village, and the lovelorn swain drove round, ostensibly to
give the girl a short buggy-ride. They then made "lickety-
sfflit" for the Missouri line, were married, and had the license
fee saved with which to go to housekeeping.
AVhile the prevailing fashions in dress, in those days,
would appear quaint now, they were no more outlandish
than at present. While the dame of thirty years ago incased
her lower limbs in a prodigious hoopskirt, the belle of the
present day lavishes this same superabundance of material
on her arms, and lets her legs get along as best they can, with
nothing of greater consequence than a mere skirt. Like in
flammatory rheumatism sometimes does, the style has simply

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 201
shifted from the legs to the arms, and it cannot very well be
helped. The big sleeves of to-day do not appear to be sus
tained by means of hoops or a wire frame-work; neither are
they stuffed. The material is starched stiffly, and their puff
is preserved by means known only to the wearer.
The "sky-scraper" bonnet was an institution of a
little earlier antiquity, but was worn by some as late
as the pioneer period of Monroe County. Then came the
"shaker" made of straw or palm-leaf. It somewhat re
sembled a calico sunbonnet in form, except that it was nar
rower. It looked a little like a sugar-scoop. They did not
have any tails to them when purchased, and the first thing
the purchaser had to do, on buying one, was to sew a tail to
it, composed of cloth. Its beauty was ephemeral, as it soon
lost its whiteness. The ladies kept it pretty well bleached
by frequent baptism in a jar of buttermilk. Another way
to bleach it was to place it near the top, inside an inverted
barrel; then they smoked it all day with sulphur fumes.
The odor of the sulphur remained with the "shaker," but
that was not objected to in society, as sulphur and the odor
from it was reckoned a safeguard against the prairie itch
in those days. From that day to this, the bonnets, both great
and small, have come and gone, each year witnessing some
strange mutation in style, and bringing with the change
fresh joys and gladsome smiles to the wearer.
After the linsey period, came the woolen mill, which en
abled the settlers to exchange their wool for cloth manufact
ured at the factory and of a little handsomer appearance.
Casinet was a heavy cloth for masculine wear, composed
partly of wool and partly of cotton. It wore like buckskin.
A calico dress was the one thing altogether lovely in
the eyes of the pioneer maiden. It cost from 25 to 50 cents
per yard, but most of the well-to-do ladies managed to secure
one for Sunday wear, or in which to array herself when cir
cus day came. Many a poor girl, as noble and handsome as
the fairest queen of earth, has wept until her eyes were red
because she did not have a nice calico dress to wear to meet
ing, or in which to entertain her beau on Sunday night.
The acquirement of a pair of hoops was not so difficult a
matter. If her father refused to invest in a pair of "store"
hoops, the maiden went into the forest and selected a grace
ful grape-vine, and improvised a pair of hoops, which, to all
external appearances, were fully up to the highest pinnacle
of the fashion.

202 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
About a dozen years ago the hoopskirt again made its
appearance, but it had lost its old-time rotundity, and was
but the shadow of its former self. It soon disappeared; but
some day it will rise again, to fly in the face of providence
and tempt fate.
About twenty years ago the ladies conceived an infatua
tion for dress-goods of a flaniing color and marked in large
figures like bed-spread calico. It was called "Dolly Varden"
dress-goods. At another period, some years later, every girl
wore spotted calico, called "polka dot," and a bevy of" chat
tering, rollicking young ladies would look like a flock of
guineas. The "Mother Hubbard" is the greatest monstrosity of
all. It haunts, like a specter, every lady's closet, but seldom
walks forth in the broad light of day. For a while it made
a bold, defiant effort to gain the street, but was soon rele
gated to the back yard, where it is occasionally seen scamper
ing stealthily between the kitchen door and the wood-pile or
pump, but instantly vanishing within doors on the approach
of an intruder. In appearance it resembles a bag of table
salt of prodigious size, the gathering-string at the top corre
sponding to the collar. Unhappily, the Mother Hubbard
differs in one respect : it has no bottom in it, like the salt-bag.
Courtship in those days was conducted under about the
same underlying principles as now — i. e., the object to be at
tained was marriage. The science was in a much more rudi
mentary state then, but the end seemed to justify the means.
The process was sufficient unto the day, and every couple who
were in the right frame of mind managed to strike up a
match. They did it without buggy-riding (there were no
buggies then), without lawn tennis parties, without sipping
lemonade through rye-straws, or spooning at the ice cream
table. They did not even have a sofa on which to sit on the
veranda at late hours, when Cupid is supposed to lurk in the
vicinity. The swain courted his sweetheart in the presence
of her folks, because the cabin had but one room ; and when
the other members of the family wished to retire for the
night, the lovers had to hold up a bed-quilt between them
selves and the beds, until the old folks were safely tucked in
bed. The swain then told his story of love in the faint,
wavering light of the tallow-dip, and had to be brief about it,
for the light was liable to go out at any moment. When they
went to singing-school, they rode horseback, if he had two

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 203
horses ; if he had only one, and it carried double, he took her
on behind and she hooked her arms around his waist to stick
on. If they had to ride bareback, and encountered a steep
hill to descend, they drew "Old Fan's" tail np over their
shoulders, and, by holding on to it, avoided slipping forward
over the animal's withers.
Thomas Smith, of Urbana Township, who died some
years ago, used to relate his love-making experience. He
was fat and jolly, and it seems that the incident did not
permanently blight his heart. He went by the irreverent
appellation of "old Bean Smith."
He and old Sam Daal were rivals for the hand of the
widow Vandever, who lived over the line in Missouri. It
took a day or two to make the trip, and it was vitally im
portant that both suitors should not make their calls on the
same night, because there was but one room in the house.
and the widow and her lover were obliged to sit up all
night. There was neither straw-stack nor a dwelling-house
near the widow Vandever's, and if both beaus called on
the same date, one would have to go' home, as there was
no other place to lodge.
One night, a short time after "old Bean" had called,
Daal shuffled in, not knowing that his rival was present.
He was attired in his bare feet, as it was his custom to go
barefooted on all occasions. There was a big rain that night,
and the creek was up so high that the lover could not recross
to return home. Both suitors sat up with the widow all
night, but, as Smith arrived first, he held the "right-of-way,"
and did all the wooing, while Daal had to remain a silent
spectator with his chin resting in his hands and his elbows
supported on his knees. He was a "Pennsylvania Dutch
man." About daylight he slowly raised his head and ob
served : "I likes snapper better as c-o-o-n."
This confession seems to have been in conformity with
the widow's own epicurean tastes, and as snapping-turtles
were abundant on the creek, the declaration went straight to
her heart; for she married Daal shortly afterwards and the
two subsisted happily on "snapper" for many years.
While in some respects the methods employed in pioneer
courtship were of a tendency calculated to discourage the
candidate, there were other phases of the process which in
turn greatly facilitated the practitioners in ascertaining the
"lay of the land," so far as any opposition from the girl's
parents and brothers was concerned.

204 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
If the girl's father or brother put the young man's horse
up and fed it, it was a tacit understanding all round that
the matrimonial negotiations between the lovers had the
hearty approval of the family ; but if the poor animal was
left hitched to the fence to shiver and freeze with cold, the
young man took the hint, and either gave up> the enterprise,
or, in company with the girl, ran off to Missouri and got
married in defiance of the old folks. Thus a young man
did not have to encounter the modern disadvantages of
uncertainty, and was able to lavish his affections and good
money on the girl in an intelligent and definite manner.
Nowadays he does not know which way "the cat is going
to jump" until the invitation cards are out. He simply
invests his money and affections and takes his chances, the
same as when dallying with the wheel-of -fortune spindle.
After the young folks got married, the bride, if of a well-
to-do family, furnished the feather-tick and a quilted "com
fort" or two, and usually one cow, which every girl on
contemplating marriage "claimed" from her pa's herd as
her property. The cow was usually well paid for by the
young lady in the way of services rendered her pa by
"dropping" corn, or hoeing sod-corn, or performing some
other field labor. The bridegroom usually supplied a horse,
or, under more auspicious circumstances, a mare and colt.
His mother usually gave him a pair of blankets, a straw-
tick, and sometimes a bedstead. These, together with a
cook-stove, a few dishes, and a pig or two, were about all
a young married couple needed in the way of furniture for
the first year ; but invariably at or near the end of the year
the young couple added to their collection of household
utensils a rectangular box, mounted on the two semicircular
halves of a barrel-head, each placed transversely near either
end of the box and nailed edgewise on the bottom.
The "wool-picking" was a social event corresponding
in some respects to the tea-party of the present day, only
the hostess did not resort to the preliminary formality of
issuing invitation cards; she did not receive her guests in
a satin gown, and the hour and minute when the guests were
expected to depart were not stated, as on an invitation card.
When the guests had all assembled, the wool was
placed in bunches upon the chairs. Chairs were usually of
the "split-bottom" variety — i. c, the bottoms were formed
of strips of hickory or lind bark interwoven. (There was

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 205
always a handy man in every neighborhood who bottomed
chairs.) Then the wool was beaten with sticks until it
was loosened up, and the grit and dirt dropped down through
the chair bottom. The guests then took it by small bunches
and "picked" it with their fingers until the fibers were all
loosely intermixed. AVhile doing this, they chatted and
gossiped just as ladies now do over their tea.
After being "picked," the wool was ready to be washed.
It was usually taken to some clear pool of water of some
neighboring stream, and, when placed in tubs of hot water,
was tramped by barefooted boys until of a snowy white
color, when it was taken to the carding machine, greased,
and run into "rolls," or long loose ropes about the diameter
of one's finger. These were then ready for the big spinning-
wheel, which was to be found in every well-regulated
family. This wheel was a wooden circle, about five feet in
diameter, and in the center of its periphery was a groove,
in which ran a band or cord, which, acting as a belt in con
nection with the spindle, caused the latter to revolve with
great rapidity when 'the wheel was put in motion. The
housewife would moisten the end of the "roll" with her
thumb and finger, place it in contact with the spindle, start
the wheel by means of a short stick held in the hand, with
which she struck a spoke of the wheel with a propelling
movement. The wheel was made to revolve with great
rapidity. The spindle, humming cheerfully, would twist
the "roll" into a strand of yarn the length of the roll, when
another roll was spliced on, and a continuous thread was
thus spun. The "Hairy Nation."
When the Lord confused the tongues at the building of
the tower of Babel, a small colony, finding that they could
not babble with any degree of satisfaction, concluded they
would follow Horace Greeley's advice and "go west and
grow up with the country." They departed in eight small
vessels, which were "tight like unto a dish," as the report
says. They finally landed on the New England coast, in the
State of New York, where they grew into a great nation.
They inhabited America for about fifteen hundred years*
and were finally all destroyed for their wickedness about
six hundred years before Christ. The prophet Esther wrote

206 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
their history. He lived to witness their entire destruction,
and deposited his record where it was afterwards found by
a colony of Jews, who came from Jerusalem six hundred
years before Christ, to repeople America. This last colony
were descendants of the tribe of Joseph. They increased
rapidly, and finally became divided into two mighty nations.
One of these nations was called the Nephites and the other
the Lamanites, Nephi being the leader of one branch and
Laman of the other.
The Lamanites were dark-skinned, and did not take
much to civil pursuits. They wore feathers down their
backs, and bear-claws as ornaments around their necks.
They were copper-colored, and became skilled with the bow.
The Nephites were fair-complected, and received enlighten
ment. They were highly favored of the Lord, and received
visions and the gift of prophecy, and finally were favored
with a personal appearance of the Lord.
The two tribes got along nicely for a while, and by close
application to study soon learned to talk in a language of
their own. The children of these pioneer families learned
their A B C's rapidly, and multiplied on the face of the
earth. The two tribes finally drew the color line, and fell
out. They began a war of extermination.
The Nephites occupied the lower portion of North
America and Central America. Here they built the cities
of Ottulum, Gadiandi, Gimgimno, and others, in the reign
of King Jacobuggath the Second.
The old sunken city of Port Royal, on the Nicaragua
coast, submerged far beneath the surface of the blue depths
of the ocean, was one of these ancient cities; for, as the
prophet Coriantimer said: "Behold, the great city of
Zarahemla have I burned with fire, and the inhabitants
thereof. And behold, that great city of Moroni have I
caused to be sunk into the depths of the sea, and the in
habitants thereof to be drowned. And behold, the great
city of Moronihah have I covered with earth, and the in
habitants thereof, to hide their iniquities and their abomi
nations from before my face. The city of Gilgal have I
caused to be sunk; yea, and the city of Onihah and the
inhabitants thereof, and the city of Mocum and the inhab
itants thereof; and waters have I caused to "come up in the
stead thereof."
Mormon was a gentleman who lived at that time and

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 207
wrote a history of his people. AArhen he died, his son Moroni
continued the records down to A. D. 1820, and then deposited
them in a vault on a hillside, called Cuinorah, in what is
now Oneida County, Manchester Township, New York.
Here the records remained until Joseph Smith, in 1824,
was directed to the spot by an angel of the Lord. The
angel showed Smith the locality, but would not let him take
them up until he had spent four years in prayer and fasting.
Then in 1827 the angel escorted Joe to the spot and told
him he might dig. Joe dug, and pried open the vault, and
found two tablets of beaten gold containing Hebrew
characters. "And lo! the angel of the Lord, who had
previously visited him, again stood in his presence, and he
was filled with the Holy Spirit, and the glory of the Lord
shone round about him."
Smith claimed further, that with the tablets he found
two clear stones, corresponding to the urim and thummim
of the Bible. These he looked through and translated the
inscriptions, from which he devised the "Book of Mormon,"
which contains the foregoing narrative.
The Nephites were all exterminated by the Lamanites.
The Lamanites were the American Indians. Smith had
previously found a pair of very clear pebbles, and the
thought occurred to him to turn them to some account.
At about that time a gentleman named Spaulding,
having visited the country of the Montezumas and made a
study of Aztec and Toltec archeology, wrote a fictitious
sketch, purporting to be a history of the early settlements
of America, prior to the times of Columbus. Joe Smith
stole the manuscript before Spaulding got it printed, and
as soon as the latter died, he, with the aid of Sidney Rigdon,
dressed it up into what they called the "Book of Mormon,"
on which is based the religion of the Mormon Church.
Later, the Mormons, under the leadership of Smith, were
driven from place to place; and when they were expelled
from Nauvoo, 111., after the assassination of their prophet
in the Carthage jail in 1846, they, under the leadership of
their new prophet, Brigham Young, began their long march
for the Salt Lake basin. While en route many stopped
along the way to rest and raise a crop before continuing
their wearisome journey. Some settled in Davis County,
Iowa, while others settled in Monroe County and at Garden
Grove, Lucas County, and other places in the West.

208 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Those who settled in Davis County were called the
"Hairy Nation," and the same appellation was applied to
those who settled in Monroe County, in Mantua Township.
AVhile they had been Mormons, they apostatized when
Young, the new leader and prophet, began to inculcate the
doctrine of polygamy. It will be remembered that polygamy
was not instituted in the church until Brigham Young was
selected as their leader. Hence the "Hairy Nation" were
never polygamous Mormons.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 209

CHAPTER XIII.
Early Joys and Sorrows.
AVhile the early settlers had to encounter many hard
ships, there were still a few threads of gold running in the
woof and warp of their pioneer lives. Their cheeks were
aglow with health, their hopes were strong, and their hearts
were light.
There were no social barriers excluding the poor from
the rich; all were poor in this world's goods, yet all enjoyed
a wealth of honor, social equality, and contentment. Some
times the meal-chest became empty, and before Haymaker's
mill had been built on Cedar Creek, a domestic strait of this
kind entailed considerable inconvenience on the settler. A
milling trip required from a week's to three weeks' time.
Sometimes the settler had to "wait his turn" for several
days. When this was the case, he slept in the mill at night,
or used his own wagon as a sleeping apartment. He also
took along provisions for several days, and if these became
exhausted, he had his rifle and fishing tackle with which to
solve the dilemma. The mills were located at Bentonsport,
Keosauqua, or sometimes the settler had to go as far as
Burlington. When there were deep snows or impassable roads, every
body ran out of bread-stuff and had to either live on boiled
corn or else take their corn to the home of the writer's
grandfather, Thos. Hickenlooper, who lived where the town
of Foster now stands, and grind their grist on a hand-mill
something similar to the spice-mills now seen in grocery
stores. It was operated by a crank, and contained a fly
wheel about two feet in diameter. Grinding on this mill
was laborious work, and, like the mills of the gods, ground
slowly; but not exceedingly fine, like the latter, for the buhrs
were dull. The remains of the old mill are still lying about
the old Hickenlooper homestead.
It may seem strange to state that during the first few
years of the county's settlement water was scarce. The
settlers either did not know where to dig for it or else there
was none on the fiat, high, prairie regions. Old settlers
still claim that there was but little living water in the
14 

210 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. IOWA.
ground until after the soil had been broken and cultivated
for several seasons. It all drained off into streams, the
virgin sod shedding it without absorbing it. Nobody ever
thought of constructing ponds or reservoirs.
The prairie-itch was another pioneer luxury which the
people of the present generation do not enjoy. It usually
entered on a seven-years lease with the latter, but at the
end of that period the lessee was seldom evicted from the
premises. It ran through families, and many well regulated
families were never without it. It was a sort of heirloom
in those families. It is generally understood that the itch
is fostered by habits of filth and unwholesome neglect of
the bodily condition, thus inviting a small animal parasite
to burrow near the surface of the skin, subsisting on the
impurities of the blood. It is hard, however, to account for
the greater prevalence of the disease in early days unless
it may be referred toi the fact that in those days of
scarcity of clothing many people were obliged to wear a
single suit for a great length of time without change or
washing. This, of course, rendered the skin impure, and
made it possible for the parasite to seize a foothold.
The Charivari.
In 1847 tliere were but four families in the village of
Albia. Two of these families occupied the little log court
house^ — viz., the Flints and the Marcks. Dr. Flint had two
charming daughters — Amy and Nancy. Jonas Wescoatt
won the heart of the fair Amy, and Robert Meek, who for
many years since was one of the proprietors of the well-
known woolen mills of Bonaparte, la., wooed the equally
charming Nancy. The wedding was to be a double affair,
and special efforts were taken by the contracting parties
to evade the inevitable charivari.
On the 10th of October the wedding day was arranged,
and Mr. Meek drove over in a spring-wagon, and the plan
was to drive to Eddyville immediately after the ceremony
and escape the serenading crowd. During the evening of
the 9th the boys "got wind" of the affair on the morrow,
and of the plans to escape ; so they took off one of the wagon-
wheels and concealed it. No trace of the wheel could be
found, and the bridal parties were thrown into great con
sternation. When the hour fixed for the marriage arrived,
the justice made his appearance on time, but the bridal

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 211
quartet was conspicuously absent. The assembled crowd of
boys grew uproarious in their glee, for they thought the
wedding had been postponed. The justice, however, had
been notified to return home and reappear in the evening
and tie the knot secretly. He did so, and the newly coupled
quartet repaired to the cottage of Mr. Wescoatt to spend the
night. In the meantime, however, when Mr. Michael Lower,
the justice, reappeared, he was followed by a spy, who saw
the nuptial proceedings and communicated the fact to the
crowd. Late at night they stormed the WTescoatt strong
hold and forced the garrison to capitulate. The charivari
was a grand success, and each bride was compelled to
present herself to receive the blessing of the crowd.
In the morning the missing wheel was found by the side
of the wagon. An Interesting Find.
One fall, in the '50s, Dr. Gutch, then a young medical
student, was teaching school near where Maxon now stands.
One day, during the noon hour, he and the school-boys were
out on the hillsides, gathering hazel-nuts. They saw a
strange object some distance away, near the roadside. Some
thought it a deer, others a mad dog having a fit. They crept
cautiously up to it to investigate, and they finally discovered
that it was a man. They approached the apparently lifeless
form, and discovered it to be that of Joe McMullen. Gutch
examined his pulse, and then remarked : "Damned if he ain't
alive !" They carried him to a hay-stack near by, and in due
time he became conscious, and returned home. He had just
made a horse-trade with Jesse Snodgrass, and had gotten
$15 to boot He had considered it a good trade; and to get
the better of Jesse Snodgrass, in a horse-trade was an
achievement worthy of celebrating by taking a drink at
Harrow's grocery. He had taken a little too much, and on
his return home had become "becalmed."
Bee-Hunting.
The early settlers found the forests alive with wild
honey-bees. Almost anyone could find a bee-tree by stroll
ing through the woods and examining every knot-hole in the
trees; but the professional bee-hunter had a more method
ical way of locating the hive. The honey-bee, as everyone

212 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
knows, flies straight, or in a "bee-line," to its home, when
laden with honey, and in order to get the exact bearings of
the bee-tree, the hunter took the "course" of the homing-bee.
There were several ways of securing these observations. One
way was for the hunter to lie down flat on the ground in the
midst of a growth of wild flowers, and as the bee which came
to work on the blossoms took its departure, the falcon-
eyed bee-hunter got its "course" and followed it up. Some
times the distance would be a mile or more.
It is said that when the bee-hunter became old and dim
of eyesight, he seized the bee, and, removing its sting, thrust
in its place a tiny white feather, and then released the insect.
In its flight homeward he could follow with his eye the white
feather for a long distance. This, however, is perhaps a
popular vagarism.
Another method was to attract the bee to a certain lo
cality by means of "bait." This bait consisted of a pair of
corn-cobs placed in a fruit-can and saturated with a saline
fluid always available. The bees would gather in large num
bers, and the hunter, lying on his stomach underneath the
suspended "bait," got his "courses."
Another method was to go into the forest and burn
honeycomb, when the scent of the burning would attract
the bees. Sometimes a bee-tree would yield as high as several
hundred pounds of honey, and the hunter's accumulation of
sweets was usually stored in "dug-outs," or large troughs
made of cottonwood logs.
Among the writer's earliest recollections are several of
these old "dug-outs" stored in his grandfather's smoke-house.
They had at first been used to hold honey, then, later, as re
ceptacles for containing pork; and, within the writer's recol
lection, held soft soap. Barrels were not SO' plentiful as
now, and it was an easy task to hollow out a large log of soft
wood to take their place.
Bee-trees are still frequently found in the woods, but the
hives do not thrive, and seldom live through the winter. The
bees are from tame colonies, and they do not seem to adapt
themselves to habitations in trees.
The Log-Cabin.
The nearest approach to a "house not made with hands"
was the log-shanty of the "squatter." The logs did not so

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 213
much as have the bark removed, and the floor, at least, was
made by the Supreme Architect of the universe, for it con
sisted of the bare ground. The chimney was made of sticks
and mud, and the roof was formed of clapboards, or, not un
frequently, of layers of slough-grass.
This dwelling was but a temporary structure, and as
soon as the "squatter" made up his mind to take a claim, he
set about to erect a more elaborate building. He cut the
finest white oak logs which he could find in the forest, hewed
them perfectly square and smooth, and with his ox-team
hauled them to his building-site. Then he invited the entire
community to the "house-raising." This was a tremendous
social affair. The neighboring housewives, for a radius of
ten or twelve miles, came in and helped bake pumpkin pies.
or brought them with other victuals already cooked. The
young ladies came too, but, as they were "dressed up" in
their "hoops," they merely "set around," or helped wait on
the tables. In the crowd there were always men who were locally
famous as good "cornermen" — i. e., men who could carry up
the corner of a log-house with more skill than others. One
of these was selected for each of the four corners, and, as
might be supposed, each vied with the other in a contest of
skill. When the writer's grandfather's house was erectea,
the prospective occupant of the structure offered a premium
of a bushel of potatoes to the "cornerman" doing the best
job. Allan White bore off the prize, though Lewis Arnold
came in as a close second.
This house was built in 1848 or 1850, and was a large
two-story. It was then sided with lumber hauled from "the
river" and was skirted with two verandas and all painted
white. It was one of the largest edifices in the neighbor
hood, and its owner, in consequence of a kind of baronial
homage, accorded to him by his neighbors through a venera
tion for the size of the house and the number of chimneys,
elected him "squire," and his son Charles constable, which
emoluments they shared for several years. The house is
still standing, and when remodeled, a few months ago, the
huge square logs were found to be as firm and solid as when
they were placed in position nearly forty years ago; but the
"cornermen" are all long since dead.
When a house was raised, and the "puncheon" floor laid,
the festivities were concluded by a big dance, or "ball," as

214 HISTORY OF MOHRVE COUNTY, IOWA.
the eminently respectable tone of the pioneer dance was en
titled to be termed. It was a thoroughly cultivated and re
spectable affair, and was very different from many of the
public dances of the present day.
The "Hoedown."
Such is the name commonly applied to the free-for-all
public dance. While those who participate in the "hoe
down" are by no means rude or scantily civilized, yet at the
public dance-house they come in contact, and for the time
being, at least, are placed on the same social level, with
persons of both sexes whom they would not recognize on
the street or in the home.
At the common "hoedown" those French terms used
by the man who "calls off" are Anglicised into plain English;
for instance, the caller will shout the familiar term "Chassez
partners !" but in the "hoedown" whirl it is translated into :
"Swing your taw,
Everybody dance to please Grandpa!"
Another term is indicated thus :
"Crow hop out and bird hop in,
All jine flippers and swing 'em agin!"
Or, if the gentleman is directed to swing to the right
and the lady to the left, the man who "calls off" shouts
from his elevated position on the inverted barrel: "Jay
bird to the right, yellow-hammer to the left !"
Taken as a whole, the "hoedown" has its legitimate
place in society, and ought not to be too harshly criticised.
Camp-Meetings and Water-Melons.
Unhappily, the old-fashioned Methodist camp-meeting
is a joy of the past. The church edifice has long since
gathered the people away from "God's first temples" and
encompassed them by frescoed walls and vaulted ceilings.
Instead of "Coronation," "Antioch," and "Old Hundred"
rolling out upon the assemblage of rich and poor alike in
a flood of harmony, awakening a spiritual warmth in every
heart, the fashionable church walls reecho the superb strains
of some lofty anthem, which, while sung by a trained choir,
accompanied by violin, cornet, and pipe organ, yet fails to
find a responsive chord in every heart.
The aged sister, old-fashioned in both her ways and her
garb, likes to go where she can try to sing; even though
she cannot "carry a. tune." At the old-time camp-meeting

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 215
she could both exercise her discordant voice and wear her
plain bonnet and calico gown without being stared at.
The meeting was conducted under the foliage of some
grove, or sometimes beneath a great tent. Those who at
tended from a distance lived in tents pitched on the grounds,
where they cooked their meals and slept at night on straw-
beds. The camp-meeting was usually held in September,
and the water-melon was the fruit offering and the fried
chickens the burnt offering at this sacred tabernacle.
Of later years, the modern "holiness" offshoot of the
United Brethren Church, and a kindred organization split
ting off from the Methodist and other churches, and taking
the name of "Friends,", have each revived the old-time
camp-meeting to some extent. They hold periodical sessions
in camps, and in their devotional practices are distinguished
by a fervor in some cases amounting to a frenzy. At times
the subject lies in a cataleptic state for hours, unconscious
of surroundings. The "Hardshell" or Missionary Baptist preachers of
early days approached nearest to the ideal conception of
John the Baptist of any of the champions of Christ. While
they did not subsist on locusts, they may have begirted them
selves with leathern girdles. At any rate, they were usually
of a migratory species of divine, ranging up and down the
streams and holding revivals in the little school-houses.
They scorned to preach for money and always guaranteed
salvation "without money and without price-ah." They
affixed the syllable "ah" to the end of every sentence as a
sort of declamatory balance-wheel to regulate the inflections
of their voices They were good men in any capacity, but
they had a particular aversion to high-toned churches, and
to preachers who wore "biled" shirts and paper collars.
The writer remembers old Brother Jackson, who used
to "labor" down on Soap Creek. "Brethren and sisturn,"
he used to say, "I ain't one of them big guns who preaches in
the great cities like Centerville and Moravia and Albia and
Ottumwa-ah, but hit's always been my lot to preach in the
dark corners of the earth-ah, whar the pot biles the slowest
and the purse is the lightest-ah !"
Brother Jackson's dramatic illustration of the sinner's
imminent danger of hell-fire was clothed in all the fervent
imagery of Dante's "Inferno." "And now, dyin' sinner-ah.
you are hangin' by a cord to a limb that bends over the lake

216 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
of fire and brimestone-ah. The blue blazes of etarnal heil-
fire have about burned the limb in two. It bends, it crack
les as its wood is roasted, and your body settles further
down into the lake! Then the cord takes fire, and is burnin'
in two-ah, and that is how you are hangin' to-night-ah. Your
thread of life is about burned in two, and your soul is settlin'
down in the lake of unquenchable fire-ah."
Jim Pollard, when at the flood-tide of his spiritual zeal,
was a power in the land. AVhen he ascended the pulpit, he
invariably removed his coat, and later on, as he warmed up,
threw off his vest, and by this time the sermon began to as
sume a funnel-shaped form, and those of the congregation
nearest the pulpit began to scamper for back seats.
One Sunday morning, while mowing slough-grass in the
Soap Creek bottom, the Lord came to him in a vision and
recommended that he mend his ways. He (Jim) said: "As I
swung the scythe to and fro, the stubbles would strike
against it, and the scythe would say: 'Go to meetin', Jim!
go to meetin', Jim !' Then when I would whet the blade, the
scythe-stone would say, as it struck it on either side: 'Go
quick, go long! go quick, go long!' "
On another occasion Brother Pollard called at the home
of Dr. Arnold in Urbana Township, while the family were
at breakfast. They had boiled cabbage, and Jim was spe
cially fond of boiled cabbage. "Won't you sit up and take
breakfast with us?" asked Mrs. Arnold. "Ah, no!" was
his reply, as he looked wistfully at the dish of cabbage; "I
am too full of the love of God to hold cabbage!" He had
just returned from a revival.
On another occasion he had just returned from a preach
ing tour in Missouri, and had received a call to preach at the
school-house at Albany. He began his discourse with this
exordium: "Brethren and sisters, Jonah was puked out of
the whale to go and preach to the people of Ninevah, and I
have just been puked out of Missouri to preach to you-uns!"
Embryo Tillages.
There are numerous sites of former villages in Monroe
County, which, like Goldsmith's "Sweet Auburn," have
vanished, save now and then a garden flower to mark the spot
"where once the garden smiled." In the spring and summer
of 1856 immigration was at its flood-tide. In every neighbor
hood a village was laid out, the interests of which were

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 217
boomed by the projector of the town. There were no rail
roads in the county at that time, and no one locality had any
advantage over its rival in the matter of location. In time,
however, most of these hamlets died down from the effect
of the natural law of a survival of the fittest.
In the summer of 1856 the village of Fairview, or, Cuba,
as it was subsequently named, was laid out in Mantua Town
ship. The place exists to-day only in name, and is a few
miles east of the town of Avery. At one time it was a
promising village, but the C, B. & Q. Railroad passed north
of it, and the town of Avery killed it.
Eldorado, in Cedar Township, was also started and
looked promising on paper. It boasted of two houses.
In 1858 a Mr. Evans laid out the town of Osprey, and it
had one house as a starter. It soon died.
Smithsfield and Hollidaysburg were also candidates for
municipial greatness, but soon shared a like fate.
Pleasant Corners, in Pleasant Township, situated about
a mile north of the present village of Frederic, was once a
lively village. It had a store, blacksmith shop, and a
"Seceder" church. To-day it is one of the loveliest spots in
the count}7, but it has ceased to be a village.
Urbana City was started about the same time. It was
once a flourishing village, and was the seat of Soap Creek
civilization and commerce. It contained a flouring mill,
school-house, blacksmith shop, two stores, a shingle-splitter.
and a saloon. To-day it is a corn-field.
Along about the year 1890, Frank Fritchle laid out the
town of Minerstown, a half-mile west of the present town of
Foster, in Monroe Township. The town was regularly sur
veyed and platted, and was intended as a rival of Foster,
just starting. There was but one house erected in the town,
but the streets and avenues remain on paper, and are well
preserved. Selection is a post-office five miles south of Albia on the
Centerville, Moravia & Albia Railway. Some years ago it
boasted of a water-tank and general store, but it never grew,
and while there is still a store at the place, the tank has been
removed, and the railway station building has been locked up
for years, there being no agent at the place.
The "Water-Witch."
Necessity is said to' be the mother of invention, and as
water is one of the necessities of life, it may also be stated

218 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
that it is the maternal relative to the "water-witch." If this
mystical personage may also be permitted to claim a paternal
progenitor, we will say that Ignorance is the father of the
"water-witch." When the country was new, water, as we
have already stated, was often scarce, or difficult to locate
in veins in the earth. Then, like a Moses smiting the rock
with his rod, the "water-witch" arose with his "divining-
rod," to tell people where to dig. Professors of this occult
science usually selected some fruit-bearing twig — a forked
switch, each prong a foot or more in length. He grasped
each prong in the hand and walked around with the switch
pointing in front. In passing immediately over a spring in
the earth the stickrwould point downward, according to pop
ular belief. The switch, in the hands of a right good "witch,"
would be so persistent in its efforts to point downward that
it is claimed that in grasping it tightly the "witchV grip
would sometimes rub off the bark from the twig, or even
break it. A good "witch" could always tell how far down
the water might be found. The "divining-rod" was a little
capricious in its action. It would not point down if actually
held over a pond of water, or water in plain view. It was a
way it had of doing, and the witch did not make any efforts
to explain the seeming contradictory phenomenon.
Schools and School-Teachers.
The fountain-head from which may indirectly be traced
all that is worthy of historic record is the little school-house.
From its lowly and sequestered location hovers the star of
civilization and enlightenment, which, like the star over the
manger at Bethlehem, illuminates the world with a prophetic
light no less hopeful or propitious.
Popular education is the keystone supporting the tri
umphal arch of human greatness. It is neither the college,
seminary, nor university which is lifting enlightenment
and happiness to the skies. It is the little white school-house
throughout the land poised upon a thousand hills.
The first school-house erected in the county was built
in Pleasant Township in 1844. It was known as the Pleasant
School, and later, the surrounding township was named
Pleasant Township in honor of the little school-house. It
stood on the Gray farm, and Lorania Adams, of Blakesburg,
was the first teacher. Dudley C. Barber was the next teacher,
and taught the winter term of 1844.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

219

In the early '50s Hon. T. B. Perry, our present State
senator, taught a school in the village of Albia At that
time there was no school-building and the school was con
ducted in the little frame M. E. Church building. Some years
later, Mrs. M. A. R. Cousins taught a select school in Albia
Mr. Marck was also a successful teacher in the early days of
Albia, but these private schools of course afforded but meager
facilities for educating the children, and Professor George
instituted the Albia High School, which he conducted for a
long time.

Mrs. ANGIE REITZEI,, Superintendent of Schools of Monroe County.
In 1863 the population of the Albia school district be
came so large that the Christian and Baptist church was
rented for school purposes. The next year the School Board
levied a 5-mill tax and bought the dwelling-house of W. G.
Hatton, which faces the Commercial Hotel on the west, and
which is now occupied by Mr. Wm. Peppers.

220

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

A 2EESE & C0.CH/.

ALBIA HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

221

to 1868 the independent district of Albia erected a three-
story brick building on the site where the magnificent High
School building of to-day stands. It cost $28,000, but in
1878 it was destroyed by fire. The present structure was
built in 1.879 at a cost of about $30,000, which price is remark
ably low for the dimensions and character of the edifice. It
is one of the best school edifices in southern Iowa, and the
Albia High School ranks among tlie first of any in the State
for educational success. Its graduates are eligible to en
trance into the State University.

SOMK SWEET GIRL GRADUATES, CLASS OF '96, ALBIA HIGH SCHOOL.
In 1894 the Grant School building was erected in the
South Park addition to Albia. It is a handsome three-story
brick, designed to accommodate the lower grades of the High
School. It cost $10,000.
The principal of the High School holds his term of office
for three years. Professor Hollingsworth is the present in
cumbent. His staff of assistants for the school-term just
closed consists of Miss Martha McQuade, 1st assistant;
Mrs. L. B. Carlisle, 2d assistant; Mrs. H. G. Hickenlooper,

222

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

Sth grade; Mr. Albert Ewers, 7th grade; Miss Alice White,
6th grade, Miss Myrtle Harlow, 5th grade, consolidated;
Miss Maggie Harlow, 4th grade; Miss Orphia Rigdon, 3d
grade; Mrs. O'Bryan, 2d grade and primary grade. Miss
Myrtle Harlow's department was transferred to the Grant
School.

GRANT SCHOOL BUILDING, ALBIA, IOWA.
The teachers of the Grant School were : Mr. L. Bay, 7th
and Sth grades; Miss Myrtle Harlow, Sth and 6th grades;
Miss Laura Dashiell, 4th and 5th grades ; Miss Daisy Sales,
primary grade.
The old-time pedagogue is a creature of the past. He is
a genus now well-nigh extinct, and the very agent which it
was his mission to promote has tended to his own extinction.
He was a creature of meager education and not unfrequently
of a low order of intellect. In some cases, however, the old-

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 223
fashioned school-master was fairly educated for the times,
and he was usually the best informed man in the neighbor
hood. He could read, write, and "cipher," and that was
about the whole range of learning in those days. If the pupil
passed beyond these, he was looked upon with suspicion.
He was acquiring too much "book-larnin," which, in the esti
mation of the pioneer "fogy," was a certain precursor of
moral ruin. The schoolmaster's local reputation of being a
savant, rested on his profound knowledge of mathematics,
and whenever two farmers got into a dispute as to whether
a hilly row of corn contained more corn-hills than a level one,
reasoning from the analogous assumption that a serpentine
line, if drawn taut, would thereby be increased in length,
they referred the problein to the school-master, from whose
unbiased and dispassionate decision there was no appeal.
Algebra was not taught in the common branches at that
day, but there was a rule in arithmetic, known as "Position,"
which in some measure supplied the place of an algebraic
equation, in certain problems. The rule consisted in assum
ing any number as a basis of calculation, and then, as one
would be found to exceed the number to be ascertained, and
the other less than that number, their relative relation to the
given number would be noted and the required number
found. The rule was, as the total of the errors are to the
given sum, so is the supposed number to the true one re
quired. There was "Single Position" and "Double Posi
tion." The rule for "Double Position" was to place each er
ror against its respective position, multiply them cross-wise,
and if the errors were alike — that is, both greater or less than
the given number — divide the difference of the products by
the difference of the errors, and the quotient was the answer ;
but if the errors were unlike, the sum of the products should
be divided by the sum of the errors.
But the "Rule of Three" was the repository of the school
master's mathematical genius. There was the "Rule of
Three Direct" and the "Rule of Three Inverse," the "Single
Rule of Three" and the "Double Rule of Three." This rule
and that of "Position" were obsolete, however, within the
history of Monroe County.
Then came "Vulgar Fractions," and then "Exchange,"
which latter was very voluminous.
In later years, when Joseph Ray introduced his mathe
matics in text form, his "Third Part" was the arithmetic in

224 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
which the student found himself hopelessly engulfed in the
intricacies of mathematics. The first snag he ran up against
was a "sum" called "John Jones' Estate." Here he usually
turned back to "review"; but if he succeeded in crossing
this mathematical Rubicon, he forged on until he ran head
long into the "dirty page." The "dirty page" contained some
-miscellaneous problems which were intended to be solved by
analysis. This page wore out long before the other pages,
notwithstanding the constant use of the "thumb-paper." It
was called the "dirty page" because it was soiled by long
occupancy by the pupil.
The student, when he reached about his nineteenth
year, quit school; but he usually discontinued school in
summer several years earlier.
In the primitive school-houses the writing-desk was the
most conspicuous fixture next to the "master" himself. This
desk was arranged all around one side of the room, and was
constructed of planks about a foot in width. This desk the
boys industriously carved with their jack-knives until every
inch of the surface bore the handiwork of some youngster
who afterwards carved his name in the roster of citizenship,
if not in the niche of fame.
The "master" set the copies for the pupils, writing with
a pen made from a goose-quill. There was no system of pen
manship then in vogue, and the pupil merely imitated the
handwriting of the "master," whether it was good or bad.
If it was not quite "Spencerian" in elegance or legibility,
it usually inculcated a moral precept, such as "A studious
boy will learn his lessons well," or "Moments of time are like
grains of gold," etc. The boy squared his elbows, grasped his
pen with the firm grasp of a mariner upon his oar when pull
ing his surf-boat through a. heavy sea, then he lowered his
head until his eye was on a level with his desk, and, glancing
alternately at the copy and the point of his pen, proceeded
to imitate the handwriting, using his tongue as a sort of
lever to regulate the strokes of the pen. After constructing
a few words of the copy, he would prod his neighbor with the
point of his pen, or carve a few cuneiform characters on the
desk with his knife, as an abstraction from the strain on his
mental powers. !
Grammar was also taught, but with indifferent success.
Spelling was the chief occupation of the school-room
and the pupil learned to spell by conning over long columns

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 225
of words in Webster's blue-backed speller. This speller con
tained two illustrated narratives, which were intended to
convey to the youthful mind an indelible example of hon
esty. The tragic fate of old dog Tray was set forth as a warn
ing to those who go in bad company. There was also a pict
ure of the bad boy up the farmer's apple-tree. The farmer
first asked him in a gentlemanly way to come down; he de
clined, and then the farmer began to pelt him with turf; still
he staid up the tree ; then the farmer, seeing that kind words
and turf were useless arguments, concluded to see what
virtue there was in stones. Another episode, involving the
principle of equity, was that of the farmer's bull that gored
his neighbor's ox.
After Webster's speller came McGuffey's spelling-book.
It contained a more thorough treatise on the science of
orthography, and had "dictation exercises," showing the ap
plication of synonyms of the English language. Its main
feature, however, was its long columns of words.
The writer at one time enjoyed the distinction of being
one of the "crack" spellers of the district. At this time the
spelling-school was at the zenith of its popularity. The spell
ing-school would be announced about a week before the night
set. Then a challenge would be sent to a neighboring dis
trict. The recipient of the challenge would marshal the best
spellers of the school, and all would be on hand at the ap
pointed place. Two persons — usually a young man and his
best girl — would "choose up." Then, after the seats had all
been arranged around the walls, the teacher or person whose
duty it was to "give out" would have the two choosing parties
"guess the page," and that one making the closest guess
would have the first choice of spellers in the crowd ; the other
party then made the second choice, and the "choosing" went
on alternately until all were selected on the two sides. The
next thing to decide was whether to "stand up and spell
down" or to "send runners." One plan was usually adopted
before recess and the other after. Invariably the former
plan was adopted after recess, and then came the tug of war,
when all had "missed" words and taken their seats except
the champion spellers. They held their ground for a long
time, but one by one would go down, usually on some trifling
word "missed" by mere inattention on the part of the pupil
"missing" it. Then the teacher would turn back to "cham
ois" ; "chamois" was at the head of a long column of words of
15 

226 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
mixed phonetic character, and the whole page was considered
the hardest of any to spell in the book. When "chamois"
would be "given out," the partisans of the respective sides
would cheer, and listen with bated breath when the teacher
got down to "daguerreotype," because this word was one of
the hardest to spell of all. Finally all would go down except
two, representing the rival schools. They would hold the
floor sometimes for an hour, and sometimes it would result
in a drawn battle, neither party missing a word.
Of late years a radical change in the method of teaching
orthography has been adopted, and the dear old spelling-
school of hallowed school-days memory has become an insti
tution of the past. Even to' this day, the recollection of the
spelling-school somewhat softens the harsh outlines of our
otherwise austere disposition, as the vision arises of the
freckle-nosed school-girl with whom we used to "choose up."
Her flaxen hair was split at the ends, and stood out behind
her ears like a ram's horns, and yet we felt, when sitting by
her side, a good deal like one is supposed to feel when sitting
beside the throne of grace. She could not spell "putty,"
yet we always chose her first, so we could sit next to her
and whisper to her how to spell her words. The spelling-
school was one of the redeeming features of an otherwise im
perfect system of instruction, and since it has grown obso
lete, the general knowledge of correct spelling has suffered
materially. The popular school-games were "black-man" and "town-
ball." "Black-man" was played by both girls and boys.
Some one would be "black-man," bases would be planted a
few rods apart, and the "black-man" would charge down on
the school, who would make a run for the opposite base. If
the "black-man" succeeded in catching anyone, the latter
would become one of the "black-man's" imps, and would
help catch the others, until all were caught but the big,
rough, overgrown school-boy; to take him was a difficult
task, as not more than one could succeed in getting hold of
him at one time. It was a delicious experience to have one's
school-mate sweetheart catch him; then the youth would
struggle, seemingly to free himself, but really to necessitate
the girl putting her arms around him to hold him, an ex
pedient which she invariably found highly necessary. She,
in turn, would seldom make much effort to escape her "black-
man" beau. It was a great game for the promotion of

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 227
school-day courtship, or "puppy-love" — a malady with which
we have all been afflicted at some time or other.
"Town-ball" was the antecedent of the modern popular
play of "base-ball." "Two-cornered cat" was another game
of ball, in which but four boys participated in a game.
The teacher in those days usually "boarded round," and
it was the custom on the arrival of Christmas to bar out the
teacher. On the day before Christmas the teacher would
arrive at the school-house in the morning to find the door and
windows barricaded. The big boys would be inside, and
•'terms of surrender" would be written on a piece of paper
and slipped out to the teacher. This document usually speci
fied a treat of a bushel of apples, candy, or, in the ruder set
tlements, whisky. The teacher invariably demurred, and
stormed and railed in sometimes real and sometimes affected
rage^ and if he did not supply the treat, or make a promise to
do so, he was often seized by the crowd and carried bodily to
some neighboring creek and threatened with a "ducking"
through a hole cut in the ice. Sometimes the teacher climbed
to the roof and placed a board over the chimney, forcing the
smoke into the room filled with pupils. Then the boys would
have to drown out the fire if they had water, and if not, their
victory was lost.
In the year 1847 or 1848 a tall, lank Yankee came into a
district in Urbana Township. He was from away down east,
and was well dressed and "put on, airs." His style of dress
so astonished the peaceable denizens of Soap Creek that the
new-comer not only became an object of curiosity, but of un
enviable criticism as well. One day he went to the local
"swimmin'-hole" on Soap Creek to wash. Some mischievous
boys stole his clothes and the young man was in a desperate
strait. He crept through the forest, until he arrived near a
dwelling, when he called for the men folks to bring him
some clothing. The men were not at home, but four big
hounds responded, and, seeing the fugitive naked, mistook
him for some big game, and gave chase. The young man
climbed a tree, and as the hounds bayed "treed," two young
ladies heard the well-known notes of the hounds and
hastened to ascertain what they had "treed." After discov
ering the game, they beat a hasty retreat and apprised the
men folks of the situation, when the latter brought some
clothing and released the young man, who soon left the
country, overcome with mortification.

228 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Soap Creek Jurisprudence.
The region drained by the classical Soap Creek was al
ways a fruitful locality for the lawyer. These barristers of
bygone days were not as profound in legal lore as some of the
expounders of Blackstone of to-day, but they were usually
equal to any occasion on which their talent and oratory
might be called into requisition.
Every time the stream itself would overflow its banks,
a half-dozen law-suits would be among the evil results of the
flood. One settler's fence-rails would be swept away and be
lodged on the land of his neighbor farther down the stream.
The latter would seize them and claim them as his own. If
the dispute could not be settled by the amicable arbitrament
of a big fight, a law-suit was the inevitable result. Innu
merable important rulings have been made from time to time
by "his Honor," the justice of the peace, involving the rights
of property, and the views taken by the various justices in
summing up the evidence in the matter concerning the own
ership of the rails have been rather kaleidoscopic.
Our old friend, Samuel G. Finney, who resides near
Blakesburg for some years past, has usually been retained in
cases of a civil nature; and R. B. Arnold is usually on one
side or the other, also.
If it is a criminal case, Bill Kinser is much sought for
by the defense, and usually brings his client out unscathed.
His manner before the magistrate or "jury is vehement, and
if his case is a hopeless one in which ordinary construction of
the law would be unavailing, he usually succeeds in impress
ing the court by means of a superabundance of stupendous
oratory. He would not hesitate to engage in a legal duel
with the Chief Justice of the United States on a disputed
legal point, and if before a court of his own vicinity, would
carry off the prize.
Bill Knapp and Levi Wood are another strong brace of
local attorneys. Knapp's legal success is somewhat ham
pered by conscientious scruples, as he is of a religious turn,
and preaches occasionally. AVood's efforts in the legal pro
fession are unfettered by influences of a similar nature, and
his opportunities have full swing.
Adam Hopkins settled on Soap Creek in about the year
1845. He could read and write, and served as justice of the
peace for a number of years. His son Perry was usually
elected constable. Uncle Adam knew very little about the

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 229
law, but he had one special merit : he carried out the in
terpretation of it to the letter. In one of his law-books — a
sort of "Justice's Guide" — was a blank form for rendering
judgments, and, as an example, the costs were inserted in
the proper space as. $3.50. So whenever it becarue his duty
to issue judgment, he always made the costs $3.50, as if this
amount were a fixed sum prescribed by law, like a marriage
license fee or a poll-tax. This was, of course, divided be
tween himself and son Perry. When witnesses demanded
their fees, Hopkins informed them that $3.50 was the maxi
mum limit of costs allowed by law, and that if they expected
fees, they would have to look to the party who had them
subpoenaed. Hopkins always fined a man for fighting, but occasion
ally indulged in the same diversion himself. He and Eleven
Dean got into a fight, and Dean was getting the better of
him, when Hopkins' son Perry, by virtue of his official capac
ity as constable, rushed in and struck Dean a blow over the
head with a billet of wood, at the same time exclaiming in a
loud and official tone of voice: "I command the peace in the
name of the State of Iowa" Hopkins regained his feet, and,
seizing a club, dared Dean or any of his friends to "come on."
Dr. Udell sewed up the opened scalps, and peace once more
brooded over the temple of Justice
In 1850, during the horse-thief period, Squire Harris
was justice of the peace. One day a stranger rode up and
swore out a warrant for a man who, he alleged, had stolen a
horse. While Harris was issuing the warrant, another
stranger rode up to the cabin and arrested the first man. The
latter was riding a stolen horse, and was attempting to work
a "blind," to shield himself.
Some Pioneer Episodes.
In early times, the forests, as we have stated already,
swarmed with wild bees, and whenever the hunter found a
"bee-tree,'' he carved his initials on the tree, which evidence
of ownership was universally recognized and respected.
Old Ben Ashbury, who ran a blacksmith shop in Urbana
Township, accused Newt Vancleve of cutting a marked
bee-tree, and, as it was looked upon as a most heinous of
fense, Newt very naturally resented the charge. Bad blood
sprang up- between the two, and as old Ben had the reputa
tion of being a "good man," and as young Vancleve had his

230 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
honor to vindicate, it was looked upon as an inevitable re
sult that the two would be bound to meet, and that when
this inevitable result occurred, it would be as the meeting of
two fierce tides — Greek would meet Greek, when the con
flict came. One day Vancleve was passing the blacksmith
shop. Old Ben came to the door, evidently spoiling for a
fight. He accosted Newt with mock suavity. With an
affected softness of manner, indicated by a courtly bow and
swing of the hand, he addressed him : "How do you do, New
ton, and how are you prospering in this beautiful land of milk
and honey?" The allusion to honey seemed to have a sting in
it, and Newt told him it was none of his "d — d business."
Then they went at it. Newt, like young David of old, car
ried a stone, and with it struck the Goliath-like Ben on the
head, knocking him senseless. He thought he had killed
him. He raised his head and wet his face with water from
the slack-tub, and then, procuring some help, carried his
victim into the house, where he attended him with the utmost
care until he revived. When Ben returned to consciousness
and found the young man attending him, it challenged his
admiration and gratitude, and ever after they were warm
friends. Ashbury is said to have been a man of many good traits
and good intelligence, but he had a violent temper and loved
to fight. On another occasion he and a man named Meeks
struck up a fight in Blakesburg over politics. Meeks was a
Southern sympathizer, or, at least, a Buchanan Democrat.
Ashbury was an abolitionist, and struck Meeks with a hand
saw, and came near cutting his throat. He then got Meeks
down and pulled his hair.
On still another occasion some wild boys, in passing his
house, annoyed him by calling out : "Hello, old Bogus ! come
out here!" (Bogus was a name the boys gave him.) Some
days later, on meeting the boys, old Ben reproved a young
Grimes for his conduct. Grimes denied having been one of
the disturbing party, and Ben struck him with a carpenter's
square, which came near killing him. Ashbury was arrested
and taken before Squire Hiram Hough. Hough had just
been elected justice, and was not familiar with the wording
of an action for assault and battery; so, after making sev
eral efforts, he gave up the attempt with the excuse that he
wished to go to mill. The case was then taken before. Squire
Thomas Hickenlooper. The aborted information drawn bv

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 231
Hough showed that the defendant had been brought before
him on a charge of "psalt and battery." It was a great day
in Squire Hickenlooper's court. The whole country gath
ered in, and took both dinner and supper with the unfortu
nate justice and family, whose pantry stores were depleted
thereby. The jury retired to the corn-crib to weigh the evi
dence and bring in a verdict, and the crowd waited in the
yard. Old Ben had a peculiar habit of thinking out loud,
and while moving about in the throng, oblivious to all, he
soliloquized on the shortcomings of some of the witnesses
who had testified against him, to the great amusement of the
listening crowd. "There's old 'Batterhead' ; he always was
a liar, and they say that back where he came from nobody
believed him on oath. And the T — s ain't much better; old
'Crane-neck' says that she can recollect when  used to go
without soles to his shoes, back in Indiana, and his own
mother says that he used to be accused of stealin' sheep."
Old Ben is still alive, and is 91 years of age. He lives
at Tingley, Iowa, but is nearing his end rapidly.
Pioneer Fogyism.
AVhile the world is full of superstition, even at the pres
ent day, much of the old-time rot and rubbish growing out of
an intermingling of ignorance and superstition has been
swept away by the advance of education and a higher plane
of intelligence. AVhile superstition itself may not find as
ready lodgement in the mind at the present day, there are
yet thousands who do not or cannot eradicate their vagar-
isms and absurd fancies by philosophical inquiry or rational
analysis. Many farmers, eA'en at the present day, will not plant
potatoes or garden truck except during certain phases of
the moon. If he administers veterinary treatment to his pigs, calves,
or other live stock, it must be when the "sign is right," or the
animals will surely die. The "sign" which he consults is
nothing more or less than the signs of the zodiac. For in
stance, if the sign is in the heart, the pig will surely die; at
this fatal period the earth is passing through the constella
tion Leo. When the sign is in the neck, it is not quite so bad ;
this is when the earth is in the constellation Taurus. When
the sign is in the feet, it is still better, since the sign is "go
ing down," and the inflammation can with greater facility
take its departure at the ends of the toes.

232 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Another popular fallacy was that if a board were placed
on the grass at a certain period of the moon's age, the grass
would grow underneath it; but if placed there at another
phase of the moon, the grass would not grow.
The housewife, when she saw a spider descending its
web from the ceiling, knew that she would receive a visitor
that day.
The young man or young lady who had warts rubbed
them with an onion and then buried it beneath the window,
and the warts were supposed to disappear.
The quack doctor and many of the old women of pioneer
days incorporated these pernicious fancies in their medical
practice. The midwife invariably recommended a rabbit-
skin as a soothing application for the "weed." "Sheep-nan-
nie tea" was good for measles.
A friend of the writer, residing in Blakesburg, and who
is himself a physician, relates an episode and vouches for its
truthfulness. Dr. Prather was a quack doctor and a "Hard
shell" Baptist preacher combined; he assisted people in
coming into the world, and also prepared them for their
advent into the next. Brother Prather was called to the
bedside of a Mrs. Jones, who was suffering intense pain ; and.
after making a thorough examination. of the patient, he an
nounced: "Yes, I see what the trouble is; I have been trou
bled in the same way myself." One of the old women pres
ent, who knew more about the patient's condition than the
doctor did, disputed with him, explaining that it was impos
sible for a person of his sex to be similarly afflicted. The
doctor and the women finally agreed in a diagnosis of the
case, and the physician stated that he must have the skin of a
black cat to lay upon the patient's stomach. "It must be a
very black one, and better send the boys out to hunt one
while we pray." A crowd joined in the chase, and several
black cats were brought in, including one polecat. The poor
woman died during the night. Brother Prather said that if
he had arrived a little sooner, he could have saved her ; but
when he preached her funeral sermon, he stated that "her
time had come — the Lord had seen fit to take her to his own."
The "Hardshell" Baptist believed more in the skin of a black
cat than he did in foreordination and predestination, in the
case of his patient, for he still insisted that he could have
saved her if the cat-skin had been applied soon enough.
Our medical friend relates another story of Dr. Prather,

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 233
and if the reader doubts his veracity, further substantiation
of the tale may be added by the fact that there are to this
day many living descendants of the yellow dog in the case.
Bob Martin broke a leg, and Prather was sent for. Prather
prescribed the skin of a yellow dog in which to bind the
fractured limb. One was killed, and the skin promptly ap
plied. The patient recovered, but the leg was crooked
Prather explained that defect by saying that the dog had a
few white spots on its belly, which had been overlooked.
The fumes from burning chicken feathers were consid
ered a powerful remedy in alleviating the pains of childbirth.
The lack of intelligent and skilled medical practitioners
in early days added most to the hardships of the early set
tlers. However, they were mostly of robust constitutions
and were seldom sick.
They Killed the Family Pig.
In about the year 1850, Wareham G. Clark and James
Tracy started to Burlington with a load of wheat to have it
ground into flour. While en route, a heavy snow1 fell and
buried up the grass upon which the farmers were dependent
for feed for their oxen. They were compelled to feed their
oxen wheat along the road, and as they were five weeks mak
ing the trip, it took most of the wheat to feed the team. In
their absence, their wives ran short of breadstuffs. The
ladies were near neighbors, so they concluded to butcher a
hog. They called it up out of the woods. One seized it by
the hind legs, and the other knocked it in the head with an
ax. They then scalded and dressed it, and on hog and
hominy they lived until the return of their lords.

234

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

THE MONROE COUNTY JAIL.

CHAPTER XIV.
The County Jail and County Finances.
At the June session of the Monroe County Board of
Supervisors of 1S91 a petition, signed by 227 citizens and tax
payers of the county, praying the submission of a proposition
to build a county jail and jailer's residence in Albia at a cost
of $12,000, was submitted to the Board for action, in the
premises. The proposition was voted upon at the general election,
and carried by a vote of 1,412 in favor of, and 814 against,
the measure. Accordingly, at the June session of the Board of 1892
that body ordered that the county be bonded in the sum of
$25,000, $12,000 of which was to apply to the building of the

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 235
jail and jailer's residence, and .$13,000 to be applied in
liquidation of the county's indebtedness, and to be known as
the county bond fund. These bonds were issued in sums of
one thousand dollars each, and bore 5 per cent interest, pay
able semi-annually. They were to mature in 1902 ; but the
county reserved the right to redeem them before maturity in
the following manner: those numbered from 1 to 12 to be
paid any time before maturity, and those numbered from 13
to 25, both inclusive, to be paid any time after five years, and
before maturity.
Prior to the $25,000 issue, there were $3,500 of old bonds
outstanding, held by Cleveland (Ohio) parties. These our
County Treasurer paid off May 25, 1896.
In the present year (1896) an additional bond levy of
$20,000 was made to meet current indebtedness. •¦
None of the principal of the $25,000 has been paid, so
far; but at present there is on hands in the county treasury
the following available funds: county funds, $4,290.46; jail
funds, $4,719.87. This amount can be paid on the bonds at
any time; towards liquidating the principal and meeting the
semi-annual interest, which latter becomes due in July.
The First National Bank of Albia holds all the bonds
now outstanding, and took them at a liberal premium. The
late $20,000 issue matures in 1906, but may be paid at any
time prior to that date
For several years the county tax levy has been placed
at the highest limit authorized by law ; and yet the county,
year after year, has been running behind in its current in
debtedness, and if some remedy is not soon interposed, em
barrassing results will ensue ere long. There is but one way
to remedy the evil, and that is to' require township assessors
to assess property at its actual value. There are grave de
fects in the present system of levying county taxes, and the
County Board ought to exercise closer and more judicious
supervision in the matter than it has hitherto shown.
The consolidated tax levy for 1896 was 15 3-10 mills,
and while the county levy was 6 mills — the maximum limit
prescribed by law — the entire levy consolidated is not up to
the maximum limit. The county bond tax is also placed at
the highest limit.
The statutes authorize the Board of Supervisors to
assess and levy each year on the taxable property of the
county, in addition to the levy authorized for other purposes,

236 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
a sufficient sum to pay the interest on outstanding bonds
accruing before the next annual levy, and any portion of the
principal which, at the end of three years, the sum raised
shall equal at least 20 per cent of the amount of the bonds
issued; at the end of five years, at least 40 per cent of the
amount ; and at and before the date of maturity of the bonds
shall be equal to the whole amount of the principal and in
terest. Such money arising from these levies constitutes
the bond fund. This bond fund cannot be used for any other
purpose. Under the provisions of the code, the Board of Super
visors have the power to levy a tax of ^ mill on the dollar to
pay off these bonds, if the annual levy is found insufficient,
and this provision does not hinder the county from adopting
a still higher levy; but the proposition has to be first sub
mitted to the people for approval. .
The county tax of 6 mills can also be increased by special
act of the Legislature, but the proposition would also have
to be submitted to the people for their approval, and they
would vote it down. There is always a disposition on the
part of the people to cry down any proposition to increase
taxation, and, on the other hand, they call loudly for "lower
taxes, lower taxes"; but in the midst of this popular cry
there is a financial skeleton lurking in the county's closet — a
"Banquo's ghost," continually rising and pointing with its
finger to the accumulating indebtedness of the county.
The County Board has always used the utmost economy
in making appropriations, and the building of the county
jail was a wise and economic measure. Prior to its con
struction prisoners were taken to jails in adjoining counties,
at considerable expense. For instance, if a prisoner had to
be transferred to Chariton, twenty-five miles distant, the
sheriff was allowed 10 cents per mile milage or $2.50 ; and 40
cents an hour for services, which made $5 or $6 more; then
the prisoner's and officer's transportation should be added,
and the amount is considerable. Monroe County has a
splendid and amply secure jail, and it is well worth every
cent of its cost.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 237

CHAPTER XV. > I
The Methodist Episcopal Church.
As has already been stated, the church is one of the
trinity of the church, school-house, and printing-press, which
molds civilization and brings order out of chaos.
The organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church
in Monroe County was about contemporaneous with that
of the county itself. It did not wait for social organization
to take form, being ever on the alert for new enterprises;
but in the month of August, 1843, and within four months
after the opening of the county for settlement, the Rock
River Conference, then having charge of the work in Iowa,
at its session in Dubuque, being the first annual conference
ever held in Iowa, mapped out a district including the "New
Purchase," and projected a mission west of the Des Moines
River, to which it gave the name of Soap Creek Mission,
after the name of the stream in AVapello and Monroe
counties. This Mission was designed to cover all of the "New
Purchase" south and west of the Des Moines River and above
Van Buren County; and Rev. Wm. Hulbert, a young man
just admitted into the Conference, was sent to it as the pio
neer missionary of the church to this part of Iowa. Mr.
Hulbert located at Agency, at that time about on the border
of civilization. Some of those points within his charge at
which he preached were Alexander May's, near where Attica
now is; and another was at the cabin of James R. Boggs, a
mile or two northeast of Albia. He preached only once at
May's, and on that occasion his horse broke loose and re
turned to Agency, swimming the Des Moines River. Its
owner, on returning, paddled down the river in a canoe from
Eddyville to Ottumwa, and from thence walked home, car
rying his saddle on his back. Rev. Hulbert is still living,
and resides at San Leandro, California.
The Bloomfield Mission was created in 1844, and Bloom
field, Davis County, was the headquarters of this mission.
Jesse L. Bennett and Jas. F. New were sent out as preachers,
but Bennett did not remain in the work long in this mission,
but chose other fields of labor in the cause of Christianity.

238

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, ALBIA, IOWA.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 239
New continued in his charge alone, and his field of labors
embraced all the settlements west of the Des Moines River
from the old base line, where Troy now is, northwest to the
White-breast Creek, 100 miles. There was neither ferry nor
bridge to accommodate the traveler, and the mission was
about 300 miles in circumference.
As Mr. New's territory was rather too extensive for one
minister, Rev. Allan W. Johnson, of the Eddyville Mission,
was directed by the presiding elder, Rev. Milton Jameson, to
supply the gap made by the retirement of Bennett. Rev.
Johnson took the territory west of Eddyville, and filled the
field for one quarter, preaching monthly.
In 1844 Johnson formed a class at Boggs', near Albia.
The members were John Lower, leader,' Prudence Lower, Jas.
R. Boggs, Jerusha Boggs, Josiah C. Boggs, William Scott,
and Abiathar Newton and wife.
The next year another class was formed south of Albia,
at the house of David Rowles. Of this class Rebecca Rowles,
the wife of David Rowles, Oliver P. Rowles, Miranda Smith,
Andrew Elswick and wife, John and Matilda Massey, Nancy
Mock, and Hillah Hayes and wife were original members.
Of this number, John Massey. and Oliver P. Rowles are still
living in Monroe County. Nancy Mock lives in Oregon, and
Hillah Hayes and wife are residing near Ness City, Kansas.
For his three months' service west of the river Rev.
Johnson received 75 cents in money. After this, a minister
named M. S. Frame assisted New in his mission work, and
that year 263 members were reported to the Conference.
In the fall of 1845 the mission was divided, and the upper
part, including Monroe County, was called the Upper White-
breast Mission. New was continued in this part of the field,
and occupied a cabin four or five miles west of Ottumwa, on
a farm owned by John Kirkpatrick ; later he lived near Albia,
and also resided on English Creek, in Marion County, for a
short time. New afterwards went to Missouri, and then to
Arkansas, where he was shot down by some desperado, who
had robbed his post-office and stolen some horses in the neigh
borhood, and whom he and others were attempting to cap
ture. He is described as a "sledge-hammer" type of clergy
man, and was an active and zealous Christian.
In the fall of 1846 the field was called simply the White-
breast Mission, and Michael H. Hare and AV. AV. Knight were
the preachers. That fall, the county seat having been lo-

240 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. IOWA.
cated at Albia, Hare formed the first class in the town by
consolidating the two country classes at Boggs' and Rowles'.
This new class comprised substantially the membership of
the two old classes, with the addition of A. C. Wilson and
wife, John Webb, Sr., and wife, S. B. Gossage and wife, Arvine
White and wife, W. L. and Celia Knight, Thos. Myers, A. 0.
Barnes and wife, John Phillips and wife, Geo. W. Noble and
wife, Jas. Tate, Riley Wescoatt, Thos. Guinn and A. C.
Johnson. The services in those days were, for the most part, held
in the little log court-house on the east side of the Square.
Rev. Knight died in 1847, and Hare was left with the
entire supervision of the charge. He afterwards became a
presiding elder of the Albia District, and in 1862 enlisted in
the army arid served as chaplain in the Thirty-sixth Iowa
Infantry. He died at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, July 27, 1868.
In 1847 Revs. Hugh Gibson and Joseph Ockerman were
assigned to the mission. Gibson afterwards went to Cali
fornia, and died there, a member of the Conference.
Ockerman's health having finally failed in 1847, the pre
siding elder, Rev. O. O. Stewart, for want of a licensed
preacher, appointed a private member of the church to take
charge of the local work. This young man's name was
Strange Brooks. He was licensed to exhort, and began his
labors in 1848. Brooks was in time licensed to preach, and
later engaged in church work in Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma,
southern Illinois, and Colorado, where he now resides.
In 1848 the Conference records first mention the name
of Albia. In that year the upper part of the White-breast
Mission was set off to the Knoxville Circuit and the remain
der was constituted the Albia Mission; and it remained a
mission until 1851, receiving more or less support from the
Missionary Society. For eight years this aid was expended
for the support of the church, and towards maintaining its
pastors. The ministers during this time sent to the mission were :
1848, A. G. Pierce, Joseph Ockerman; 1849, Janies Q. Ham
mond ; 1850, Robert L. Cock. Of these, Pierce is still living.
Cock's name was changed by the Legislature into Cole; and
under that name he preached at Chariton until his death.
In 1851 the Albia Mission became the Albia Circuit, by
which name is meant, that it assumed its own support, and it
continued such down to 1865. During this period it had the

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 241
following preachers: 1855, Chas. Woolsey; 1856-7, F. W.
Evans; 1858, I. P. Teter; 1859, Thos. Audras; 1860, J. W.
Latham; 1861, Jas. Haynes; 1862-3, W. C. Shippen; 1864,
Annie H. Schaf er. Of these, Johnson, Woolsey, Latham, and
Schafer are dead.
During this period the ministerial work became more
and more restricted. In 1851 the appointments througnout
the circuit were as follows : Albia — Rev. Knight, three miles
northwest of Albia; Rev. Woolsey, still further north; Rev.
Davis, northeast of Albia, down in the "Hairy Nation," east
of the Allen school-house, Chillicothe, then on Keokuk Prai
rie opposite Ottumwa, Milburn's school-house, Blakesburg,
at a grove southwest of Blakesburg, and at Potts', eleven
miles southwest of Albia.
In 1852 the appointments south of the river in Wapello
County were placed in the newly formed Chillicothe Circuit.
In 1844 the old quarterly conference shows the preaching
places were: Albia, Hinton's, Knight's, Hamilton, Sumner's,
Bluff Creek, Noe's, Davis', Shields', Potts', Ingham's, Hayes',
and Newcomers' Point.
In 1854 a circuit was formed called the South Grove
Circuit, with John Jay as preacher, which took in all the
county appointments except Knight's, Hayes', and Ingham's,
and in that year a new appointment was added — viz., Sut-
cliff 's. The next year this South Grove Circuit took the name
of Hamilton Circuit.
In 1865 Albia was first designated as a station, although
it still retained one outside appointment — viz., Reitzel's
School-house. Since then, the appointments to the station
have been as follows: 1865-6, F. W. Evans; 1867, Joshua B.
Hardy; 1868, Jesse Craig; 1869, R. B. Allender; 1870, John
Harris; 1871, E. H. Winans; 1872-3, Thos. Stephenson;
1874-5, Ira O. Kemball; 1876, John Havnes; 1877, C. L. Staf
ford; 1878-9, W. G. Wilson; 1880, B. F. Karns; 1881-2, C. B.
Clark; 1883, 1. P. Teter again; 1884, G. H. Power; 1885, W.
F. Cowles; 1886-7, J. A. Boatman; 1888-92, D. C. Smith;
1893-4, W. R. Stryker; 1895-6, E. L. Schreiner.
Of these, Rev. Karns resigned after 18 months of in
cumbency, and his place was filled by Miss Annie Downy.
C. B. Clark, on account of family affliction, filled only six
months of the year, and his place was taken by Rev. Groome.
Harris, Haynes, and Power are dead.
16 

242 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
From authentic sources it appears that at least 13,000
persons have been connected with the Methodist Episcopal
Church since its beginning in 1846.
In 1843 the Des Moines District was formed, with Rev.
Henry Summers, the pioneer presiding elder, in charge of it.
The next year Rev. Milton Jameson was sent to it, and since
then the districts embracing Albia and vicinity and the pre
siding .elders have been as follows:
Des Moines District — 1844-6, Milton Jameson; 1847-8,
I. I. Stewart; 1849-50, Andrew Coleman; 1851-3, John
Hayden. Ottumwa District — 1S54, Joseph Brooks.
Albia District— 1.855-58, James Q. Hammond; 1859-62,
M. H. Hare; 1862-65, Jas. Haynes.
Ottumwa District— 1866, W. C. Shippen.
Albia District— 1867-69, John Burgess; 1870-71, R. B.
Allender. Ottumwa District— 1872-3, R. B. Allender; 1874-5,G. N.
Power; 1876-9, Banner Mark; 1880-3, W. G. Wilson; 1884-7,
I. P. Teter; 1888-93, J. W. McDonald; 1893, D. C. Smith.
Haynes took Hare's place when the latter entered the
army, and D. C. Smith was appointed to fill the vacancy
caused by the death of McDonald in 1893.
Joseph Brooks served for four years as editor of the
Christian Advocate at St. Louis, and afterwards was an officer
in the army, and later in the reconstruction troubles in
Arkansas, where he acquired national note as one of the
principals in the Brooks-Baxter gubernatorial embroglio at
Little Rock, some years ago. Each party claimed to have
been elected governor under a varying construction of the
State constitution, and as neither would yield, the contestants
each rallied an armed force, and the affair assumed a martial
aspect. Baxter held the executive office.
Of these sixteen presiding elders, nine are dead — viz. :
Jameson, Stewart, Coleman, Hayden, Brooks, Hammond,
Hare, Power, and McDonald.
AVithin the fifty years of the church organization, 53
ministers have served in the vicinity, as pastors and presiding
elders. In the early years of the Church, its financial support
was very meager. For instance, in 1846-7 the amount raised
for ministerial support, outside the regular missionary fund,
was $57.75. In 1852-3 the circuit paid the elder $36.00 and

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 243
the pastor $300.00; in 1853-4 the elder received $37.50 and the
pastor $350.50; in 1854-5 the elder got $72.50, the preacher in
charge $408.13, and the junior preacher an even $100. In
1858-9 Rev. Teter received $346.08. The station started out
with an estimate for the pastor for $800, but the records
credit only $674.10 collected that year for all purposes.
Since that time, with the increase of numbers and ability.
there has been a markedimprovement in this regard.
The Iowa Conference held its twenty-seventh session
with this church, commencing September 28, 1870, under the
presidency of Bishop E. R. Ames, with Rev. E. H. Waring
as secretary. The roll at the opening session contained just
100 names. Since then 38 of this number have died, and 37
are still members of the Conference, but 10 only are in active
work. In 1850 the first church was completed in Albia. It was
a frame structure, about 30x45 feet in size, with one door
facing the east; large windows filled with small-sized panes
of glass, and seats and pulpit to correspond with the general
plain style of architecture. It stood one block north from
the northwest corner of the Square, where two lots were pur
chased for the edifice at a cost of $18.00. The first trustees
were Oliver P. Rowles, Michael Lower, John Webb, Jr., D. J.
Moore, Jas. Tate, Andrew Elswick, and John Lower. In 1867
this frame building gave way to a one-story brick structure,
with an addition on the west, which was added by Rev. Ira
O. Kemble, at his own expense, during his pastorate.
During the war, several colored parties, then known as
"contrabands," made their way across the southern border,
and, being Methodists, were assigned to the "amen corner"
in the old frame church. The colored brethren were fond of
running in and out during services, and to prevent this con
fusion they were invited to occupy seats in the rear near the
door, when the new church was ready for services. One old
colored brother refused to occupy the new place in the
church, and when invited to do so, he and his followers arose
and filed out and never returned to the church.
At length, the old brick church qould not accommo
date the increasing membership, and the lots and edifice were
sold and the present handsome edifice erected one block
south of the southwest corner of the Square, at a cost of
$13,000. This edifice was formally dedicated by Dr. J. W.
Clinton on February 28, 1892.

244 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
The Presbyterian Church.
On the 23d day of August, 1851, after a sermon by Rev.
L. J. Bell, a missionary of the Assembly Board, the initial
steps were taken in Albia towards the organization of a
Presbyterian church. David Wills and his wife Sarah,
Martha Wills and Eveline Wills, Samuel Noble, Margaret
Casey, David Burnside and his wife Emily, John Young and
his wife Rachel, David H. Scott and his wife Mary were the
charter members of the church. They presented certificates
and other satisfactory evidence of having been members of
the Presbyterian Church elsewhere. An election was then
had, and David Wills and John Young were unanimously
chosen elders. It was resolved that the organization be
called the "First Presbyterian Church of Albia."
December 20, 1851, at a session of the board, David
Wills and John Young were "moderated" by Rev. AV. J.
Frazier. At this session Mrs. Mary Noble, wife of Samuel
Noble, was received to the communion. The ordinance of
baptism was then administered to her and her infant son,
Alvis Emmett. Rev. W. J. Frazier administered the Lord's
supper. At the next session, May 1, 1852, 'the ordinance of bap
tism was administered to Margaret Ann, infant daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Scott.
On January 2, 1854, the first annual report from March,
1853, to March, 1.854, was submitted :
Number communicants received on examination  5
Number communicants received on certificate  19
Number adults baptized  1
Number infants baptized  7
Funds for Commissioner  $ 2.00
Funds for church and religious purposes  37.50
Funds for Bible cause  5.00
This report was approved by the Des Moines Presbytery
at Libertyville, March 16, 1864, by D. V. Smock, moderator.
In a session held April 5, 1856, the name of Rev. J. M.
Bachelor first appears as moderator. Among those received
into the church at this session were Mr. James Collins and
his wife Sarah. Mr. Collins died at his residence, a few miles
south of Albia, early in the spring of 1896.
At a session of the board of March 13, 1857, Samuel Noble
and D. H. Scott, having been previously elected elders, were

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 245
duly installed in the office. At this same session Miss Mary
Saunders and Mary A. Bachelor, the latter the infant
daughter of Rev. Bachelor and wife, were taken into the
church by baptism. Rev. P. H. Jacob performed the rite.
The annual report from 1856 to 1857 shows 63 members
added, and 1 deceased. Total in communion, 87; and also
shows the minister's salary to have been $333.33.
On Saturday evening, February 6, 1858, Charles McClain
was summoned to appear before the session to answer the
charge of getting drunk. Samuel Noble and David Wills
had previously been sent as a committee to expostulate with
the erring brother. The charges and specifications were as
follows :
"Whereas, It is commonly reported that you, Charles
McClain, have been guilty of unchristian conduct in several
instances: "1st. Of being in the habit of using intoxicating
liquors. "2d. Of quarreling with and using profane language
while quarreling with the McMichaels.
"3d. Of a violation of the Sabbath day, as well as of the
civil law, in going on the Sabbath and taking and driving off
a yoke of oxen that were held under execution.
"4th. Of using scurrilous and vulgar language on the
same Sabbath evening towards Carlos Kelsey.
"5th. Of using profane language towards Mr. John
Kelly on Saturday, December 30, 1858."
Samuel Noble was appointed prosecutor of the case,
and McClain defended himself. All the charges except the
fourth specification were sustained, and McClain was
suspended. In 1.858 the pastor's salary was raised to $500. There
were in communion 95 members that year.
During one or two sessions of July, 1858, Mrs. Esther
Boyle prefers charges of falsehood against Brother W. W.
Mathias,also againstSisterMathias"for talkingin aslander-
ous and unchristianlike manner about me at different times,
once at Mr. Duncan's, and once at Mr. David Rowles'." In
the case of Mr. Mathias, the session suspended him until he
would repent. Sister Mathias was not suspended, but the
moderator was directed to administer to her a mild admoni
tion in the presence of the session.
The next year McClain was permanently suspended, he

246 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
manifesting no feelings of repentance Mr. Mathias, how
ever, repented of his sin, confessed his error, and was rein
stated. At a session of December, 1859, Miss Mary Welsh was
hauled up before the session for dancing. She refused to
admit that she committed a sin in dancing, but promised to
desist from the amusement in future, since the church con
sidered it wrong. The session took no further cognizance of
the charge. However, it seems that the sinful Mary danced
again in 1860, for the records show that she again received a
"citation" to appear before the session of April 3d. She
again acknowledged the charge, again professed deep peni
tence, and again escaped with a reproof and admonition.
At the session of August 22, 1860, Mrs. Eliza Shields
submits a paper setting forth that:
"Whereas, Mrs. Eliza Shields feeling aggrieved at certain
charges which have been extensively circulated against her
in this community by Rev. J. N. Pressley, of the United
Presbyterian Church of Albia, which charges are: 1st,
that about the first Sabbath of September, 1858, she had ap
plied to him and his session to become a member of his
church, and was received on such application, and so was a
member of that church at the time of her being received into
the Presbyterian Church ; 2d, that in support of this charge
he had said her name had been read out publicly on commun
ion Sabbath, in company with the names of many others, as
having been received; 3d, that Mrs. Shields, in denying the
above statements, had accused the Rev. Mr. Pressley of lying;
she therefore asks the session to investigate those charges,
and requests that the following witnesses be cited to appear,
to give testimony in the matter — viz., Mrs. Hannah Robb.
Mrs. Jane Robb, Miss Mary Ann Buchanan, and Miss Mary
Lyon." The following persons were also summoned as wit
nesses: Mrs. Samuel Noble, Mr. David Wills, Mr. James
Robb, and Mr. David Forcythe. The latter, who was clerk
of the United Presbyterian session, did not heed the sum
mons to appear, and was absent, as was also Mrs. Buchanan,
another member of that church. After a fair and impartial
judicial church trial, the session found that Sister Shields
had never applied for membership in the United Presbyterian
Church; that her name had never been publicly read out;
that her name was not even on the record book of the United

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 247
Presbyterian Church. Then the tribunal concluded its ses
sion by professing its high esteem and cordial fellowship
towards the United Presbyterian Church, and declares that
nothing in its decision should reflect on Brother Pressley.
It further states that there was no evidence that Sister
Shields ever called Brother Pressley a liar.
In 1878 it appears that John A. Edwards, a member of
the church, became in some measure dissatisfied with Rev.
Bachelor, the pastor. Edwards withheld a portion of his
usually liberal pecuniary support of the church, and even
hinted that the pastor ought to resign. A formal concilia
tion was finally made, and Mr. Edwards signed a written
statement to the effect that possibly he might have misap
prehended the pastor's utterances and motives', and pro
fessed deep repentance and desired the forgiveness of the
pastor. Rev. Bachelor also signed a statement exonerating
Brother Edwards from any acts of malice, admitting also
that the brother's actions were justifiable under the con
struction he had placed upon the pastor's utterances; he
also receives Mr. Edwards back into the fold. A few days
later the quarrel broke out afresh, and the pastor signs
another statement to the effect that Brother Edwards had
already disavowed his good concessions expressed under
his signature. He censures him for declaring "that he
would make no promise of any pecuniary support; thereby
declaring that the small amount he had given during the
last year (while in his offense) was all he expected to give."
It seems that at about this time the pastor had tendered
his resignation as pastor, for the sessional record contains
this entry: "Report of Judicial Committee.
"The Judicial Committee to whom was referred the
resignation of Rev. J. M. Bachelor as pastor of the church
of Albia, would report: that after hearing very fully
from both the pastor and elder from that church, they are
duly impressed with the importance of emphasizing their
sense of the sacred character of the pastoral relation; that
the Lord Jesus Christ himself gave pastors ; that it is sinful
and dangerous to do that which tends to part asunder 'that
which God hath joined together'; that any rude conduct
is of the nature of an assault on the ordinances of God.
"With double force would we address the members of

248 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
session, who at their ordination solemnly vowed to study
the peace, unity, and purity of the church.
"When in any instance it becomes advisable to ask
for a dissolution of the pastoral relation, we would remind
them that there is a proper method of procedure in our
book. "But that any member of the church and especially
any member of the session, who should cease attending
the ordinances of God's house administered by the pastor,
and withdraw his support in whole or in part, and decline
to cooperate with his pastor in order to break up the
pastoral relation, presbytery declares to be schismatical,
and a breach of ordination vows, and highly censurable.
"While your court are fully alive to the greatness of
the sacrifice required in the dissolution of the pastoral
relation of well-nigh a quarter of a century's duration,
which being the only one the pastor ever had, and the
object of his first and only love, in whose families, are
associations dearer than life, yet we are compelled to look
the facts in the face and agree with a majority of the
session — the fast friends of the pastor — that in view of
the sadly divided condition of the church — for the pastor's
comfort and usefulness — the resignation of the pastoral
charge ought to be accepted, and though exceedingly sorry
for this necessity, and expressing our heartfelt sympathy
with the pastor, this is the recommendation of your com
mittee. "J. H. Potter.
"Josiah T. Young."
This expression of excessive kindness did not kill the
pastor, as might be expected. He removed shortly after
wards to Osborn, Kansas, where he is engaged to this day
in ministerial work. He is an able minister, and was
greatly reverenced by his fl ock ; notwithstanding, his church
at Albia, at about the time of his resignation, had settled
into a state of spiritual lethargy, which is often the result
of retaining one pastor too long.
In September, 1878, Rev. E. L. Williams succeeded
Rev. J. M. Bachelor as "supply" of the First Presbyterian
Church at Albia His labors dated from August 18, 1878,
and were to continue one year. At the end of the year he
was invited to the pastorate, but stated that he was not
prepared to accept the call. However, he agreed to remain
as "supply" for six months longer for $400, which proposi
tion was accepted by the session board.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 249
At a session dated September 20, 1880, Rev. Samuel
Ollerinshaw was selected as pastor for six months, to
succeed Mr. Williams. Salary to be not less than $400;
$35 was also appropriated to defray his expenses and two
weeks' services at Albia Brother Dan'l Miller also received
the thanks of the session for his services as bookkeeper
and colleotor, and was re-elected for another year. In
later years this gentleman acquired considerable notoriety
as an expert bookkeeper, as cashier of the Monroe County
Bank. At a session of December 4, 1882, Jacob Kimball and
Geo. Hartzer were suspended from the church on a charge
of "walking disorderly," and of neglecting the means of
grace; and in July of the next year Brother Daniel M. Miller
was suspended for getting away with the funds of the
church. On August 31, 1885, a joint session of the Presbyterian
and United Prebyterian churches of Albia was held for
the purpose of considering a proposition to junite both
congregations into one. Elders A. Bain, J. C. Rhea, W. E.
Elder, and Daniel Forcythe represented the United Presby
terian Church, and Samuel Noble, D. H. Scott, A. A. Mason,
John A. Edwards, and Josiah T. Young represented the
Presbyterian Church. Considerable discussion was had
on the subject of union, but nothing was accomplished. The
United Presbyterian brethren consented to unite if the other
church would take the organ out of the church, adopt close
communion, and sing psalms, none of which propositions
were consented to.
On August 9, 1886, Rev. T. F. Boyd, of Marysville,
Kansas, was chosen pastor to succeed Rev. Ollerinshaw.
He was guaranteed a minimum salary of $800 a year, and
as much above that amount as could be raised.
April 1, 1889, the session signed a call to Rev. E. B.
Linn to act as pastor, guaranteeing him $800 a year and
the use of the parsonage. Mr. Linn is still the pastor of the
church in Albia, and is a zealous and efficient worker.
The following is a statistical report of the church made
to the presbytery, for the year ending April 1, 1890 : Elders,
4; deacons, 2; added on examination, 8; added on certificate,
7; total communicants, 170; baptisms, adults, 5; infants, 4;
Sunday-school membership, 125; contributions to home
missions, $40; foreign missions, $46; education, $8; Sabbath-

250 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
school work, $18; church erection, $8; freedmen, $9; General
Assembly, $16.20; congregational expenses, $13.90; miscel
laneous, $15.
The report for 1892 shows: Total communi cants, 183;
Sabbath-school membership, 100; home missions, $74; for
eign missions, $58; education, $15; Sunday-school work,
$11; church erection, $7; relief fund, $15; freedmen, $5;
aid for colleges, $15; General Assembly, $17; congrega
tional, $1,336.17; miscellaneous, $85.
The report for 1894 gives : Number of elders, 16 ; dea
cons, 2; added on examination and certificate, 15; total com
municants, 200; no baptisms; Sabbath-school membership,
140; home missions, $104; foreign missions, $48; education,
$11; Sunday-school work, $1.4; church erection, $23; relief
fund, $13; freedmen, $7; aid for colleges, $14; General
Assembly, $27; congregational, $1,627.71.
For the year 1895 the following is the statistical report
of the condition of the church as reported to the presbytery :
Elders, 6; deacons, 3; added on both examination and certifi
cate, 15; total communicants, 206; baptisms, 15; Sabbath-
school membership, 150; home missions, $109; foreign mis
sions, $82 ; education, $8 ; Sabbath-school work, $14 ; church
erection, $8; relief fund, $18; freedmen, — ; General As
sembly, $21.18; congregational, $1,293.12; American Bible
Society, $5 ; miscellaneous, $50.
At a session of May 3, 1896, Rev. E. B. Linn, the pastor,
submitted his resignation, to take effect July 1, 1896, assign
ing as the cause the ill health of both himself and wife; and
at the next session, May 10th, after due consultation, the
board determined on the following proposition :
"Pastor, Rev. E. B. Linn, to have one month's vacation,
commencing July 1, 1896, with leave of absence for August
and September if he so desires, and his salary to go on all the
time, except that the expense of supplying the pulpit for
August and September shall be paid from salary; Brother
Linn, if possible, is to secure supply for those two months."
The proposition was accepted by the pastor, and, at the
end of the three months, he returned to his charge slightly
improved in health. Rev. Witte acted as a supply during
his absence. The first church edifice erected by the Presbyterians of
Albia was a brick structure, 30x40 feet, and one story. It
occupied the site of the present church, which was finished

HISTORY OF MONROE BOUNTY, IOWA. 251
in 1873. The size of the latter is about 38x70 feet, with base
ment story, used for prayer-meeting and library. The cost
of the building was $8,000.
Besides the pastors already enumerated, Revs. S. C.
McCune, of Oskaloosa; Rev. H. P. Barnes, of Clyde, Ohio;
and Rev. S. W. Pollack, now of Centerville, Iowa, each pre
sided for a short time.
The Presbyterian choir, as at the present composed, in
cludes a high grade of musical talent, and the church stands
in the front rank of popularity.
The Associate Presbyterians ("Seceders").
When Monroe County was first settled, many, of the pio
neer settlers, wishing to profit by closer fraternal associa
tions, naturally grouped themselves together in communities
or colonies; hence the Catholic community in the western
half of Monroe County, the Dunkers or old German Baptists
nea? Cuba in Mantua and Pleasant townships, the Methodists
in the upper half of Bluff Creek Township, and the Presby
terians in Pleasant and a part of Bluff Creek townships.
An incident of early times will serve to illustrate the
colonizing methods of the "Seceders." Old Billy Piper lived
on a claim in the Snodgrass neighborhood. The farm is now
owned by Mr. Lathan. Piper was not a "Seceder" by any
means, but Jesse Snodgrass and his surrounding neighbors
were. It was, of course, desirable on the part of the "Seced
ers" to locate settlers in their midst who were of the same
religious persuasion as themselves. One day Jesse Snod
grass brought into the neighborhood a man from Ohio. The
man was a "Seceder," and hence was a very desirable man to
locate. Old Billy Piper was grubbing near the roadside
when Mr. Snodgrass rode up with his man. After a friendly
salutation and introduction of the two strangers, Mr. Snod
grass thus opened negotiations for the purchase of the claim
in behalf of his man: "Would ye sell yer claim, Misther
Piper? Sure an' ye are a foine mon, an' a gude neighbor,
but ye are not the kind of a mon we want wi' us, an' we would
loike til git rid of yes." This very frank admission greatly
incensed the old unregenerate anti-"Seceder," and, seizing
a fence-stake, he made after the offending neighbor, who beat
a hasty retreat, leaving his horse behind, hitched to the fence.

252 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
They are a sturdy race, those old "Seceders," and their
names are linked with the birth, growth, and exalted man
hood of the county. Some of their tenets seem a trifle at
variance with the popular ideas of the nineteenth century
concerning fraternal union, but it is a fact that there are
remarkably few "goats" in their flock to be finally separated
by the Master of the Sheep-fold. While their church does
not keep pace with some of the others in growth and popular
ity, it is a good church to join, for those who merely desire to
get to heaven, because they are all going to get there. This,
of course, applies as well to the United Presbyterians and
other strains.
They are instructed in piety from infancy, and their
nursery songs are the lullaby of the Psalms. They speak of
the seventh day as the "Sabbath" instead of saying "Sunday."
They discountenance the singing of hymns in public wor
ship on the ground that they are of human construction,
and not inspired. They do not encourage the attendance of
their members at other churches, and advocate non-com
munion. They adhere to old land-marks, which, while they
may forbid the pilgrim to cut across lots in his Christian pil
grimage, or to depart into shady by-paths which even may
again emerge into the highway, make the way certain.
In wading the Jordan of Christian experience and
earthly stewardship, he treads on no stepping-stones save
those which have been worn smooth by the foot-prints of his
ancestors and those mentioned in the "field-notes" of the
"Westminster Confession." He does not risk his footing on
those newly added stepping-stones of other denominations,
lest they rook or totter on their bases. He even lifts his
garments while passing over them. His honesty, too, is as
immutable and rock-ribbed as his faith, for who ever heard
of a "Seceder" in good standing in his church neglecting to
pay his debts? His daily acts are under the scrutinizing
espionage of the session board, and the least irregularity
means suspension.
Membership in the church is measured by the ratio of
birth and mortality of the members, for no proselytes from
other religious bodies ever join the Associate Presbyterian
Church, and none of those to whom the doctrine has been
transmitted by heredity ever leave it.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. . 253
Pleasant Township was the cradle of the white race
in Monroe County, and no sooner had the settlers arrived
than they framed a church organization. Among the
charter members of this organization at Pleasant Divide
were Geo. Humphrey, Robt. M. Hartness, Wm. H. McBride,
John Walker, and the Snodgrasses, Achesons, Andersons,
Buchanans, McDonalds, Vances, and Porters.
At a meeting of the session board of December 4, 1847,
convened at the house of John Walker, William McBride
was chosen chairman; he was also elected collector and
treasurer, and a trustee as well. John Walker and John
Acheson were also elected trustees. At this meeting it
was ordered that a suitable book be purchased for the use
of the treasurer of the congregation, and following is a
copy of the treasurer's report :
"There was 50 cents put into my hands for purchasing
said book. Said book was purchased at the sum of 37^
cents. Balance due, 12£ cents. (Signed) "Wm. H. McBride,
"Treasurer."
Then follows a statement of
"Monny paid over to Mr. Scot by the following persons:
Jessy Snodgrass . .  $3 25
John Walker  2 00
Wm. H. McBride  0 75
Geo. Anderson  2 00
Wm. McBride  2 00
Total  $10 00
"Do. to Mr. Scot:
Wm. McBride  $100
John Walker  100
Geo. Anderson  1 00
Jessy Snodgrass  1 00
John Acheson  50
Wm. H. McBride  50
Total  $5 00

254 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
"Paid monny to Mr. Linsy by following names, to-wit:
Wm. McBride  $1 00
Robt. M. Hartness  1 00
John Walker  1 00
Geo. Anderson  100
J. C. Acheson  50
John Acheson  50
Alex. McDonald  50
Wm. H. McBride  50
Gus Omphrey  50
Jesse Snodgrass  100

Total  $7 50"
Another financial report, dated October 9, 1847, reads:
"Receaved 25 cents from the following persons :
Mr. Darter  $0 25
Alex. McDonald  50
J. C. Acheson  50
Geo. Anderson  1 00
Mathew Acheson  50
Wm. McBride  1 00
Misses Alison   50
Wm. H. McBride  50
Sam'l Buchanan  50
John Walker  1 00
Jessa Snodgrass  1 00

Paid over to Mr. McDoewl  $7 25"
Rev. D. Linsey preached for the congregation during
its earlier organization, and then Rev. John Vance acted as
pastor until 1857, when Rev. Samuel Hindman took charge.
At this time a proposition was made to unite with another
branch of the Presbyterian Church, called the Union or
Associate Reform. The Associate Reform Church was
divided on the proposition, and at a meeting of the session
on September 20, 1856, a motion was adopted to oppose the
contemplated union.
In 1858, when the consolidation was effected, the
Pleasant Divide Church did not enter into the union, and
has retained its original organization to the present day.
The congregation held worship at their church, which was

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 255
built in 1850. It occupied the site of their present church,
which stands near Henry Elder's.
In 1887 the old church was replaced by the new one,
which cost over $3,000. AVhen the church was completed,
a motion was introduced and adopted in a church session,
February 1, 1854, directing that a rail fence be put around
the graveyard, and that each family in the church furnish
20 rails with which to build the fence.
The Associate Presbyterians in those days had a very
methodical way of raising church revenues and collecting
arrears. Upon each member a tax was levied, and the levy
was based on the valuation of his property. The amount
had to be forthcoming, but the debtor was often allowed
to postpone payment until "money came into his hands."
He was required to give his note, however, for the amount.
Money was also raised by charging the member a "stipend"
for a seat in the church. If he failed to pay the "stipend,"
the seat was sold to someone else. In 1857 it appears from
the records that Messrs. John Castle, Sr., Wm. McBride, and
Henry Elder were appointed to assist the trustees in
levying a tax for funds to pay the pastor.
This plan of raising church revenues was a good one.
and might be adopted at the present day, with happy results.
If the notes were not paid, the next step was to enter suit
in the courts; but this last resort was seldom or never
necessary. AVhen the two churches united in 1858, a dispute arose
over the ownership of the Pleasant Divide church edifice.
The case went into the courts, and it was decided that it
belonged to the United Presbyterian body. The Associate
body then bought it from the former.
Rev. Hindman continued to preach at Pleasant Divide
until about the year 1861, when Rev. Jas. Shearer took
charge and preached until 1873, when he ceased his clerical
labors, and for a year or two the pulpit was "supplied" by
the presbytery. Rev. Jas. N. Snodgrass rendered efficient
service as one of these "supplies."
In 1877 Rev. H. S. Acheson assumed charge of the
society, and is the present pastor. The organization has a
membership of about 75.
On October 21. 1880. an auxiliarv branch of the church
was established at Albia. with John Lathan and John
Patton as elders, and Rev. Wm. Porter as pastor. He still

256 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
has charge of the congregation. The membership at
present comprises 35 persons, and among the charter mem
bers were Rev. Wm. Porter and wife, John Lathan and wife,
C. C. Acheson and wife, Wm. Castle and wife, Ed I. Ramsay
and wife, James Garrett and wife, H. J. Bell and wife.
Dr. F. C. Maughlin and wife, John Castle and wife, Mrs.
Spencer, Jas. Hammond and wife, Mrs. Jane Nichol, and
Wm. J. McKissick and wife.
In early times the "Seceders" of Pleasant Township
and the fellows of the "Hairy Nation" did not get along
very amicably together. Their hostility during the period
when the "Club law" was a regulating factor in the
community was somewhat similar to the warfare between
the early Puritan fathers and the aborigines of Plymouth.
Old Henry Elder might be characterized as the terrible
fighting deacon of Plymouth, Miles Standish, and old
Laurel Tyrrell, on the part of the "Hairy Nation," as the
fierce Wattawamet; but, as was the fate of the red man,
Tyrrell's head was never hung up on the ridge-pole of the
church as a warning to the braves of the "Hairy Nation."
"And, as a trophy of war, the head of the brave Wattawamet
Scowled from the roof of the fort, which at once was a church and a
fortress."
. At the time of the "Club" regulations, the homestead
law had not yet been enacted. A settler could preempt
from the Government by paying $1.25 per acre for 160
acres of the domain, or Mexican land warrants ranged from
one dollar per acre down as low as fifty cents per acre.
Under a preemption law of that day, a settler could hold
a quarter-section a year before being required to pay out on
it. At the end of the year the occupant of the claim was
usually poorer than he was at the beginning. He could not
get away, and about all he could do was to arrange some plan
in concert with his neighbors by which he could hold on to
the land by virtue of the rights of "squatter sovereignity."
It was to protect him thus that the "Club" was called into
existence, as we have stated elsewhere in this volume. As
the "squatter's" claims were not based on any legal rights
conferred by the statutes, the "Seceder" colonists did not
recognize the sanctity of the regulations adopted and en
forced by the "Club" organization. If they found a tract of
land on the plat at the land office marked by a "V," which
designated it as vacant, though in reality a "squatter" occu-

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 257
pied it through the support of the "Club," they felt little
hesitancy, in many instances, in preempting it or "jumping"
the claim. As they did not believe in secret societies, they
seemed to place the "Club" organization in the same category
of evils, and for that reason, doubtless, they did not enter
into the organization. The "Hairy Nation" looked upon
them with suspicion anyway, for, as Jas. Coen says in his in
teresting "Sketches of Early Times," they had many strange
customs. They were very industrious, cultivated large fields,
rode in painted wagons, used horses instead of oxen, and
worked six days in the week. They did not even fight as a
recreation, and would not drink whisky at Harrow's grocery
on Saturday afternoons.
Mr. Coen states further, that when they built a school-
house at Half-way Prairie, and fitted up a stove in it instead
of a fireplace, this innovation met the further disapprobation
of the "Hairy Nation," and when they began to build a
church, it was considered an overt declaration of war. For
what purpose could they need a church, unless to be used as
a fort? The pulpit was evidently designed as a sally-port
from which the besieged might emerge in a final encounter,
after the stronghold had been invested.
At length these strained relations culminated in an open
rupture. A man named Geo. P. Little entered a forty-acre
"claim" on Miller's Creek. Little was a "Seceder," and a
"squatter" claimed the tract. The "Club," of course, pro
tested vigorously, but Little paid no attention to their
threats. One day, in midwinter, he borrowed a horse from
James Carhart and rode to Albia, armed with an old "pepper
box" pistol. That very day the "Club" had met to take final
action in his case. On his return from Albia the "Club"
discovered him and gave chase. Little took the Eddyville
trail, with about twenty of the mob in hot pursuit. The pur
suers gained on him, and finally one of them caught up with
him and attempted to seize his horse's bridle. Little held
his revolver in his hand, cocked, and ready for any acts of
violence, but as the pursuer reached the bridle his horse
stumbled, and the fall discharged his pistol. The pursuer
then kept his distance, thinking the shot had been aimed pur
posely at himself. Little gained the house of Carhart, and
then took refuge in the house of Henry Elder, hotly pursued
by the mob.
The niiin who had caught up with Little was his friend

258 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Andy Robb. He was endeavoring to assist in Little's escape.
He soon arrived at Elder's and, seizing a sled-standard, saun
tered out into the road among the mob, charged them right
and left, threatening the entire crowd with destruction if
they did not retire. They retired, and a few days later the
"Club" met and resolved to exterminate the "Seceders," wipe
them off the face of the earth, and raze their church to the
ground. Zed Chedister went to Mr. Tucker's to borrow his gun.
He stated that he wanted to kill "Seceders" with it. He did
not get the gun, and his pleasant anticipations of killing
"Seceders" were never realized.
Further commenting on these disturbances, Mr. Coen
says in his "Sketches of Early Times":
"A meeting of the 'Club' was held a few days later, when
war was declared and it was ordered to raise the 'Nation'
and wipe out the 'Seceders,' and to begin by burning their
church, fixing a time for the bonfire. Runners were dis
patched to call out the chiefs and braves of the "Hairy Na
tion,' 'Bull-frog Nation,' 'Hell-string Nation/ and all the
friendly tribes, with their arms, ammunition, and plenty of'
'snake-bite' medicine. The war-whoop was sounded through
out the land. The gathering of the invading forces con
tinued until the evening of the appointed day, when they took
up their line of march for the 'Seceder' church.
"Meanwhile, news from the war-dance had reached the
'Seceders,' who, disdaining to sue for peace, took up the
hatchet and prepared for the impending conflict. Messen
gers were sent from house to house.
'• 'And there was hurrying to and fro,
And gathering tears, and tremblings in distress,
And cheeks all pale,'
as the stern-visaged 'Seceders' left their homes with their
rifles, ammunition, and bullet-moulds. Throughout the day,
the wooded valleys along the frozen waters of Miller's Creek
and Bluff Creek and the landscapes of Half-way Prairie and
North Prairie resounded with the familiar cry of their ances
tors: 'Dinna yehear it? Dinna ye hear it? Dinna ye hear
the slogan?' "By the time they had gathered at the church, reen-
forced by Sheriff Ezra P. Coen, and a squad of friendly 'Hell-
strings,' they had but settled down to a comtemplation of the
horrors of war, when away over the prairie towards the
'Bullfrog Nation,'

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 259
" 'Like the dread northern hurricane,
That sweeps the broad plateau,
Flushed with the triumph yet to gain,
Came down the serried foe,'
who, finding the building occupied by an unknown quantity,
marched to a grove near by, and went into camp.
"Next day both armies prepared for the approaching
conflict. After some time, in which some seemed inclined
to open the battle, a commissioner was sent to the church to
demand a surrender. They were invited into the building,
shown the strength of the besieged, and informed they were
ready to flght it out. There was some parley as to the causes
of the war, and the commissioners returned to camp.
"Some of the invaders favored moving on the enemy's
works, but others favored further attempts at diplomacy,
and so some hours were spent in conference of the commis
sioners. The more warlike of the belligerents became im
patient at the delay. Each party stood to his arms and
glared at each other across the prairie. After considerable
negotiations, each party cooled off, and some kind of a
truce was fixed up without the arbitrament of arms."
The Covenanters.
The Covenanters are yet another variety of Presby
terians. They organized in Pleasant Township in 1860. In
that year Rev. Neal was sent as a "supply," and preached
until 1865, when he was succeeded by Rev. Jas. Love, whose
ministerial labors extended down into the '80s.
Rev. J. A. Thompson then preached until about the year
1892, when Rev. McBurney assumed charge, and held the
place until about the beginning of the year 1896, when he re
signed and went to Oklahoma. The church does not have
any regular minister at present.
The Covenanters erected a church edifice in 1871, on the.
Hicks place, just east of the "Seceder" church.
Like the "Seceders" and other strains of Presbyterians,
the Covenanters are characteristic for their sturdy manhood
and thrift. They, too, are of Scotch origin, and their faith
is the same as it was in the days of Charles, the Pretender —
nothing has been added and nothing taken from it.
The distinguishing characteristic of the Covenanters'
faith is that Christ suffered and died to purchase not only
spiritual blessings and salvation, but that the great sacrifice
also covers the temporal welfare of mankind. They hold

^60 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
God has an ever-present existence in all things mundane,
and that therefore human governments and laws framed
for the well-being of society should be recognized as deriv
ing their being through the direct interposition of God. They
insist that God should be recognized in the United States
Constitution, and they refuse to vote as long as it is not so
directed. They hold that it would be sacrilege or impious
to vote under a constitution infidel in character, insomuch
as it does not recognize God.
Some years ago, while U. K. Bates was assessing in Man
tua Township, he called to assess the property of Rev. J. A.
Thompson. Mr. Thompson demurred, when called upon to
make oath to his statements, and refused to pronounce the
usual clause, "so help me God." He wanted, as a final com
promise, to abbreviate the phrase by leaving off the word
"God." Finally, however, when he was told that the law
required this of him, he acquiesced.
Mr. Bates then called on Rev. Acheson, of the Associate
Reform Church. This gentleman thought the word "God"
was not sufficiently strong, and added to it by saying.
"Almighty God."
Following is a list of some of the original members of the
Covenanter Church, their names being all more or less well
known in the history of Monroe County: AVm. Pressley,
Adam Orr, the Hebrew and Sinclair families, Wm. Chisholm
and his wife and mother, Thos. Nichol and wife, Rev. Jas.
Love and family, Wm. Huston and family. Jas. Irwin and
family, Jas. Dougherty, Joseph Pervis, David Forcythe, Sr.,
and family, John Bedford and family, Hugh Hawthorn and
family, the Dunn family, Arthur G. McKeown, Samuel Kil
patrick and family, and AVm. Allen and family.
The United Presbyterians.
The United Presbyterian organization in Monroe
County, while formed by a union of the Associate Reform
and Associate Presbyterian bodies, also contained a few
recruits from other Presbyterian societies throughout the
county. Rev. J. N. Pressley was the first pastor of the new
organization, and began in 1858, the year the two churches
united. At present there are two United Presbyterian organi
zations in Monroe County; one at Albia, and the other -four

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 261
miles north of Albia, known as the Service United Presby
terian congregation.
From the register of this congregation we copy an
historical sketch, which, while a part of it may be but a
repetition of statements already recorded concerning the
Associate Reform Presbyterian Church, is a reliable record:
Historical Sketch of Service United Presbyterian
Congregation.
"The exact date of organization is lost. With a view
to organization, a ineting was held at the house of Mr.
Simeon AVycoff, March 10, 1856. There were present at
that meeting Messrs. Wm. Robb, Samuel Elder, John Hen
derson, Thos. Wilson, Andrew Robb, Samuel Henderson,
Samuel Thompson, Wm. B. Kendall, and WTm. Richard.
Thos. Wilson was chairman and Samuel Conley was secre
tary of that meeting. The meeting made arrangements to
secure five acres of land from Wm. Robb, as a church site;
and also decided that the church building should be of stone.
"This meeting adjourned to meet at Wm. Robb's March
24, 1856. The same persons were present, and in addition
Mr. Thos. Bell. At this meeting, on motion of Wm. Robb,
it was decided that the new organization should be called
Service. Wm. Robb and Sam'l Conley were appointed to
draft a petition to the Associate Presbytery for a new
organization. "This meeting adjourned to meet April 7, 1856, at the
house of Samuel Conley. Here the records fail. According
to some who took part in these proceedings, Wm. Robb
carried the petition for a new organization to the Associate
Presbytery, but did not secure a favorable response until
a subsequent meeting.
"The congregation was organized at the Half-Way
Prairie school-house by the Rev. Samuel Hindman, probably
in the month of June, 1856. The elders in the new organi
zation were Wm. Robb and Samuel Conley.
"At the meeting for organization Simeon Wycoff was
elected an elder. Soon after he was ordained and installed
and Joseph Robb installed as elders in the congregation.
"There are no records or register showing the growth
of the congregation from the time of its organization to
the union of the Associate Reform and Associate churches,
May, 1858.

262 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
"An Associate Reform congregation had been formed
at the Half-Way Prairie school-house in September, 1854,
by the Rev. Fee. In this congregation were John Fullerton,
Geo. Griffin, R. K. Nelson, and David Forcythe, including
their families and others, making in all eleven members.
Geo. Griffin and R. K. Nelson were the elders. The con
gregation was supplied by Rev. Fee, Rev. Miller, Rev. White,
Rev. R. A. McAyeal, and Rev. J. N. Pressley.
"Soon after the union of the Associate Reform and
Reformed churches, the congregation at Service received
considerable accessions from Half-Way Prairie Associate
Reform congregation. There are no records to show that
there was a formal union. There is, however, a record of
a united communion meeting held in the Campbellites'
church, Albia, September 3, 1858, by the Rev. J. N. Pressley.
"At that time the record states that the session of Albia
consisted of Dr. A. A. Ramsay, Dr. Stewart, J. C. Acheson,
and David Forcythe; the sesion of Service, of Joseph
Robb, Wm. Robb, Samuel Conley, Geo. Griffin, and Simeon
Wycoff; the session of Pleasant Divide, of Matthew Elder,
Samuel Wallace, R. K. Nelson, and AVm. McBride. These
sessions, it is carefully noted, were each represented in the
united communion service. In each of these, it will be
noticed, there is an elder of the Associate Reform congre
gation. It would seem then that almost immediately after
the union the Associate Reform congregation was absorbed
by the three surounding Associate congregations, Service
getting the largest share.
"The joint communion seems to have been a very happy
one. Afterwards, if not before, the Associate Reform and
Associate people, except those who still hold the Pleasant
Divide Associate organization, were completely united.
"Returning now to Service alone, the congregation was
without a settled pastor from the time of its organization
until November 13, 1858, when a call for half time was
made for the Rev. J. N. Pressley; Albia taking the other
half. Mr. Pressley was duly installed some time between
May 4 and July 13, 1859.
* "On August 25, 1859, a paper was handed into the
Presbytery of Pleasant Divide — being a part of Service
congregation — asking the privilege of calling Rev. J. N.
Pressley a part of his time. This privilege was granted.
This request probably meant a division of Mr. Pressley's

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 263
time between Service and Pleasant Divide, as two places
of preaching in one congregation, as there is no subsequent
account of a call.
"There is no definite information left concerning Mr.
Pressley's work in the congregation — its accessions, its
membership, all unknown. He was a man of marked
ability in the pulpit — a champion defender of the truth.
He was called on several occasions to take part in public
discussions, in which his great intellectual ability was
strikingly exhibited. At a meeting of the Presbytery at
Knoxville, June 18, 1862, a mutual request was handed in
from the Rev. J. N. Pressley and the Albia and Service con
gregations for a dissolution of the relation between them —
the pastor having been called to what was adjudged a more
important field of labor. On motion, it was resolved that
said relation be dissolved, but Pressley would not be under
stood as conniving at or encouraging irregularities in the
dissolution of such relations,
"The work in which Mr. Pressley engaged after leaving
this charge was the financial agency of Washington College.
He returned, however, to the pastoral work at Grandview
and Harrison, in the Presbytery of Keokuk. He has now
gone to his reward. He died at Grandview, Iowa, August
22, 1866, aged 56 years.
"The church building was raised and enclosed during
Mr. Pressley's pastorate. This was done during the summer
of 1860. Temporary seats were secured and the church
remained unfinished and unfurnished until after the war.
It was a period of hard struggling. The country was new
and many were hard-pressed for means to make their
necessary or much needed improvements. Some who
could not contribute money proffered gratuitous labor.
This present church, pleasant, though not grand, was the
result. "The congregation was vacant until April 13, 1864,
when a call, in connection with Albia, was sent to the
presbytery, addressed to Mr. J. P. Black, a licentiate under
the Presbytery of Mansfield. At this meeting Mr. Black
was present, and was received under the care of the presby-
terial certificate from the Presbytery of Mansfield. The
call from Albia and Service was presented ; Mr. Black asked
a day. On the next day, April 14, 1864, he signified his
acceptance, and trials were assigned for ordination. At a

5

264 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
meeting of the presbytery June 15, 1864, Mr. Black, having
delivered satisfactory trial discourses, was ordained and
installed as pastor.
"There are no records giving special information con
cerning Mr. Black's work in this congregation. Upon the
general testimony of the people, it may be said that Mr.
Black was a faithful pastor. As a preacher, though
retiring, perhaps to a fault, he was a man of considerable
ability. His backward, retiring disposition probably
hindered somewhat in his work.
"At a nit't'iing of the presbytery August 31, 1865, he
offered his resignation of the pastorate of Service and Albia,
assigning as his reasofis : 'Lack of interest in the cause and
a failure on the part of prominent elders and members to
perform their duties." At a meeting of the presbytery at
Service Church October 5, 1865, Dr. A. A. Ramsay, Joseph
Robb, and Wm. Rambo appeared as commissioners of the
congregations, and reported 'that it had been decided to
acquiesce in the pastor's request.' On motion, Mr. Black
was released. Mr. Black is still engaged in ministerial
work, but has not since been pastor of a congregation.
"Again the congregation was vacant, until April 11,
1866, when a united call from Service and Albia, addressed
to Mr. John Hadden, a licentiate under the inspection of
the Presbytery of Muskingum, was handed in to the presby
tery at a meeting at Somerset. Mr. Hadden, being present,
was received with the understanding 'that he should procure
and hand in a certificate, in due time.' The call, being put
into his hands, was by him accepted.
"At a meeting of the presbytery at Service Church,
June 19, 1866, Mr. Hadden presented satisfactory trial
discourses and was ordained and installed as pastor.
During Mr. Hadden's pastorate no church register showing
details of his church work was kept.
"At a meeting of the prebytery at Somerset, April 21,
1869, the union of Albia and Service was dissolved and the
whole of Mr. Hadden's time given to Albia. He continued
his labors in Albia until his death, which occurred August
25, 1872. His age was 34 years. He graduated at Muskin
gum College in June, 1862, and at Alleghany Theological
Seminary in the spring of 1865. He was a successful pastor,
both at Service and Albia. His social qualities contributed
largely to his success. He maintained the most agreeable

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 265
relations with all his brethren in the ministry — was on
good terms with all, and intimate with many. His qualities
of heart endeared him to Ms brethren, not only of his own,
but also of other denominations. He had a happy combina
tion of social and moral powers, which made him a most
excellent, agreeable, and useful man.
"Your present pastor came here as supply in the early
part of 1869. Your call addressed to him was handed in
to the presbytery, presented, and accepted November 16,
1869. •Since he came to the congregation, the register
shows 111 persons that have been taken into membership,
59 on profession and 52 on certificate, though the mem
bership before was probably 100. With all these apparently
encouraging accessions, the decrease by removal, death, and
discipline has been so large that the membership of the
congregation at present is only about 113."
The foregoing sketch was written by Rev. S. C. Marshall.
The next to succeed him was Rev. John Pattison, who as
sumed the pastorate in the '70s. Rev. Boyd assumed charge
about the year 1883 or 1884, and was succeeded by Rev.
McKernon, who had charge of the congregation until 1895,
when he resigned his pastorate.
The Service pulpit, at present, is filled by Rev. Knipe.
At the present time, the Albia congregation is without a
preacher. The Cumberland Presbyterians.
This variety of the Presbyterian Church is at present
without an organization in Monroe County.
In about the year 1870 there was an organization in
Monroe Township of 30 or 40 members. The first
minister in charge was Rev. Wheelis, with whom was
associated Rev. Wallace.
In 1872 Rev. Smith McCall preached for a year, and
was succeeded in 1874 by Rev. Hewitt.
The organization then died out; the members going
into other churches.
Among the members were Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Enix, Mr.
and Mrs. Blakely Dinwiddie, and Elias Combs and wife.
The Christian Church.
In the year 1847 Isaac A\ratson and old "Uncle Johnnie"
Mock, two of the pioneers of this county, drove up to

266 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Marion County, where Rev. Aaron Chatterton, a Christian
or Campbellite minister, was holding a revival meeting, and
on their return, brought the minister back with them. He
began a series of meetings in the old school-house in Albia,
and also preached occasionally at the home of "Old Jimmie"
Robinson, four miles south of Albia
A church was soon organized, containing among its
charter members: John Mock, Mrs. Margaret Mock, his
mother, Mrs. Zerelda Watson, Mrs. Margaret Hollingshead,
"Old Jimmie" Robinson and wife, Peter Robinson, Miss
Eveline Robinson, Robt. E. Robinson, Miss Angeline Robin
son, Miss Cornelia Robinson, Miss Zerelda Robinson, Miss
Martha Robinson, and Miss Helen Robinson.
Chatterton did not confine his labors to Monroe County
exclusively, but the next year Elder Joseph Caldwell as
sumed the pastorate of the newly organized church. He
resided a few miles southeast of Albia, and drove in every
Sunday to preach.
In 1851 Elder Mott took charge of the church, and
remained about a year; and in 1856 he was succeeded by
Elder Reuben Garriott, the father of Mrs. David Ireland,
of Albia. In about the year 1863 Elder Amos Buchanan assumed
the pastorate and preached until 1867.
In 1868 a young infidel or Universalist school-teacher
named Free Waldron, hearing the quite noted theological
debate between Elder Chatterton, of the Christian Church,
and Rev. Frank Evans, the little oratorical giant of the
Methodist persuasion, became converted to the church
represented by Mr. Chatterton, and in the same year began
to preach. He preached for seven years, and built up the
organization into a church of considerable influence and
popularity. He was a fine singer, and a gentleman of more
than ordinary clerical ability. He had the faculty of in
fusing spiritual life into his church, and while his popularity
was at its zenith the church enjoyed a phenomenal growth.
At this time an episode occurred which completely
crushed the minister in the locality, and for a time disrupted
the church. A Miss Fanny Arnold, a young lady of one of
the best families in the county, who made her home in the
family of Mr. Waldron, made public certain allegations
against the minister which gravely impugned his Christian
character. A church trial was conducted at the residence

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 267
of Isaac Watson, and the charges investigated. The allega
tions made by the young lady did not accuse the elder with
the commission of acts of immorality, but with conduct
frivolous and unbecoming a minister of the gospel. Among
the charges was one that the minister insisted on her sitting
on his lap while milking the cow, and other festive mani
festations. Most of the members of the flock did not
believe the charge, but some of those who did withdrew
from the church, and Mr. Vincent Reed, who had been
one of the most active members, went so far in his denuncia
tion of his pastor as to publish a pamphlet setting forth
the alleged sins of the elder. It is said this pamphlet was
mailed to every locality where Mr. Waldron was retained
in ministerial work. Mr. WTaldron is now in Missouri, and
is still an efficient and zealous niinister of the gospel.
In 1875 Elder J. B. Vaughter came to Albia and set to
work earnestly to get the organization on its feet again.
Two years previous Elder AValdron had entered negotiations
with the Baptist brethren for a swap of church buildings,
and with the cooperation of Elder Vaughter the trade was
completed. The Baptists owned the edifice from which the
present Christian Church building was remodeled. The
Christians owned the building in the Fourth Ward now
owned by the United Presbyterians. It was rather small
for them. The Baptist organization was meager, and there
was an incumbrance of four or five hundred dollars on the
church. The two churches traded edifices, and the Chris
tians assumed and paid off the indebtedness. The church
then made some extensive improvements in the building;
towers were added, and a wing built on, under Brokaw's
pastorate. When the first edifice was erected, iri the early '60s,
Willis Arnold donated the lot, and also donated labor in
erecting the building. The carpenter work was mostly
donated free, by members of the church.
Vaughter preached a year, and was succeeded by Elder
Allan Hickey, in 1876. He preached three years.
Elder E. J. Stanley then had charge for one year, and
the next year Elder Orange Higgins filled the Albia pulpit.
In 1881 Elder J. K. Cornell was employed, and in 1883
was succeeded by Elder Edward O. Sharp, who preached
for one year.
In 1884 Elder J. H. Ragan assumed the pastorate, and
held it for three years.

268 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
G. L. Brokaw came in in 1889, and remained two years.
Elder R. A. Martin succeeded him in 1891, and preached
one year. In 1892 Elder Harold Monser took charge, and
preached for one and one-half years.
In 1893 Elder W.- J. Hastie, the present incumbent, was
employed. Nearly all of the gentlemen named possessed a high
standard of ptilpit eloquence. Buchanan, it is said, was a
remarkably eloquent divine, and was greatly loved by his
flock. Edward 0. Sharpe was known as "the boy preacher."
He was still under age when he occupied the Albia pulpit,
yet was a youth of remarkable eloquence. Rev. Monser
was also a fine orator and logician, and perhaps outranked
all others in elegance of delivery.
Besides the foregoing list of pastors in charge, there
were several evangelists, who: preached throughout the
county from time to time, conducting revival meetings. The
first revival meeting was conducted by Chatterton; then in
March, 1868, Elder Hobbs, of Des Moines, held a meeting of
remarkable success in Albia. Elder N. E. Cory and Prof. G.
T. Carpenter also preached in Albia at intervals.
There is also an organization near Avery under the pas
torate of Elder Aaron Pearson, who holds several other
appointments throughout the county in addition.
For many years the Christian Church has maintained an
organization both in Monroe and Urbana townships. At
Selection some members of the Christian Church contributed
towards the erection of the United Brethren church of that
place, in 1888 or 1890, hoping to hear an occasional sermon
by preachers of their own denomination. It was agreed that
the Christian denomination should have access whenever
the pulpit was not occupied by the United Brethren minister,
a small rental being levied on them by the United Brethren
organization for the purpose of keeping up repairs, provid
ing illumination, fuel, and other incidental expenses.
In about the year 1890 the Christian organization in
Urbana Township erected a neat frame church building,
near the Center school-house, at a cost of $1,075. The organi
zation has no preacher at present, but Rev. Pearson preached
for them until about the year 1895. Among those who were
active in the building of the church at that place, and who
are members of the organization, are Mrs. Elizabeth Forster,
Mrs. Braden and daughter Alta, Mr. Wheatly Forster and

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 269
wife, William Smith, Irvin Smith and wife, Wm. Robinson,
Jephtha Robinson, Geo. R. Robinson and wife, Mrs. Hiram
Long, David Mahon and wife, Mrs. Chas. Miller, Nimrod
Martin, Geo. Shaw and wife, Warner Shaw and wife, Dr. C.
N. Udell, of Blakesburg, David Jay, Daniel Williams and
wife, H. D. Carroll and wife, and Mrs. Fannie Carpenter.
There is also a small following of the church on Soap
Creek, under the pastoral care of Rev. Moses Lockman.
Besides the regular elders in charge at Albia, there
have been several ministers engaged in the outlying appoint
ments. Among these were Rev. Ades, who preached at vari
ous places within the county from 1887 to 1890. Also Rev.
McCray, a young student of Drake University, who filled the
country pulpits a short time after Ades.
In- 1889 an organization was made in Bluff Creek Town
ship, east of Lovilia, known as the Osburn appointment.
They have a church edifice, and the membership is about 35.
In the early '70s a union chapel was built in Urbana
Township, near the Wapello county line and south of Blakes
burg, in the Jay neighborhood. Elder Pearson preached three
years, beginning in 1891, at which time he organized the
church with a membership of about 45. The organization
contained the following officers: Herman Snow and Noah
Smith, deacons ; David Jay and E. E. Thayer, deacons ; and
Mrs. Candace Jay, clerk. A handsome church has lately
been built on the site of the old "Jay Chapel" at a cost of
about $1,300. It is 28x40 feet in dimensions.
In 1895 Elder C. L.- Walker, of Batavia, preached at the
union chapel. |
The present membership of the Albia church reaches
nearly 500, and they pay their minister a liberal salary.
They have lately purchased a lot on Main Street, with a view
to erecting a more commodious church edifice.
The United Brethren Church.
The first organization of this church was made in the
Clodfelter neighborhood, about four miles southeast of
Albia, in 1854. In 1845, however, Rev. Wm. Bird, an evan
gelist, preached occasionally near Hayden Smith's, south of
Albia a. couple of miles, where John Collins now resides.
Rev. Kohzad preached in 1855, and the next year Rev.
McLaughlin. In 1858 Rev. Byerley took charge of the con
gregation. He was succeeded by Rev. Jacob Bonebrake.

270 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
The charter members of this first organization were: Wm.
Clodfelter and family, Hudson Martin and wife, Richard
Martin and wife, Jas. Martin, and Samuel Miller and wife.
Since about the year 1860 the church went down, and no re
organization was made until 1880, when, through the efforts
of W. H. Trussel, who lives in Monroe Township, Rev. Wm.
Kelsey was induced to preach at the Hayes school-house and
elsewhere throughout the county. An organization was
formed, and then Rev. Myer succeeded Kelsey as pastor.
Myer conducted a successful series of meetings at Selection,
during which the church received many accessions. He was
enthusiastic in his work, and was the most successful min
ister that has ever led the United Brethren flock in the
county. After preaching several years, both in Monroe and
Appanoose counties, in which latter an organization has ex
isted for many years at Salem Chapel, he located in Kansas
and became a presiding elder in the church. He was suc
ceeded by Rev. Schaffer, who also preached several years in
both appointments.
Rev. Smith came next, and then Rev. Heitegman as
sumed charge. He did not preach out his full term, and was
succeeded by Rev. Rebok. Rev. Benson came next, and
filled the pulpit for one or more years, and was succeeded by
Rev. AVoodson. Woodson died before his term ended, and
Rev. Wm. Whitlock filled out the term. Rev. Brooke next
took charge and is at present the pastor.
Of late years, a part of the United Brethren Church
have taken up the doctrine of "holiness," or entire sanctifi-
cation. Rev. Whitlock was one of the most zealous pro
moters of this society, and did considerable evangelical
work throughout the State, taking a tent with him. For
some time the "holiness" folks remained in the United Breth
ren Church, but later have organized some sort of society of
their own, a sketch of which will follow in this chapter.
The United Brethren Church in Monroe County contains
about 50 members. The church is thrifty and progressive.
It formerly opposed secret societies, but of late their consti
tution has been so amended as to take in members of the
secret and benevolent organizations. This change will
doubtless add to the growth and popularity of the church,
as hitherto the anti-secret society sentiment excluded many
influential and worthy members.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 271
In 1884 a handsome church edifice was erected, near
Selection, in Monroe Township, where services are held semi
monthly. The old pioneer organization held its services in
the Clodfelter school-house in Urbana Township, not far from
where Samuel Miller lived for many years.
The Dunkers.
The Dunkers, or German Baptists, have an organization
near Cuba, a few miles east of Avery. At present there are
about 80 members. The church is of German origin, but
many of the membership in Monroe County are native born,
and of English nationality.
In 1888 a faction of the church withdrew from the main
body and styled themselves "The Old Order." Some of
the younger members began to manifest a liking for buttons,
instead of hooks and eyes, and the church in general, they
thought, had begun to relax its rigidity in its long-adopted
custom of plainness of dress. They therefore withdrew,
and Elder John Stama had charge of the faction for four
years. This faction is now about extinct in Monroe County,
there being but one or two members. left, since the recent
death of David Kingery and wife, who were prominent mem
bers. There is still another offshoot from the church, known
as the Progressive Dunkers. The question of dress does not
enter into their religion at all, and every member is free
to dress as he or she wishes. There is no organization of
this faction in Monroe County.
The church proper contains at present the following
officers: Hiram Berkman, John Follis, elders; Willis
Rhodebaugh, minister in first degree ; Abram Morgan, Aaron
Moss, "Ren" Morgan, John Miller, Wm. Adkison, deacons.
In the summer of 1885 a church edifice was erected
about two miles east of the town of Avery. It is a sub
stantial structure, 36x70 in dimensions, and is of the plainest
architecture. Among the list of present membership are: Hiram
Berkman, wife, and two daughters, John Follis and family,
Lewis Miller and wife, "Aunt" Ruth Miller, Mrs. Isabel
Miller, Geo. Thornton, Mrs. Dora Snow, Miss Ann Ronk,
Mrs. Mary Henderson, Mrs. Ellen Moss, Mrs. Abigail Dres-
kill, Miss Flora Beebe. Miss Martha Beebe, Jasper Beebe,
Mrs. Emma Henny, Peter Miller and wife, Lewis Miller and

272 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
wife, AVarder Miller and wife, Elisha Leech and wife, Miss
Rhoda Hunt, Mrs. Matilda Bailey, Mrs. Olive Morgan, Mrs.
Eliza Morgan, Wm. AVarner and wife, Mrs. Martha Warner,
Mrs. Mary Roberts, Joseph Miller, Mrs. Jane Roberts, Mrs.
Ann Whetson, Mrs. De Moss, Mrs. Martha Coffman, Mrs.
Lucinda Miller, Mrs. Nancy Millard, Mrs. Drucilla AVood-
ruff, Mrs. Margaret Rogers, Mrs. Rosanna Hansel, Mrs. Ida
Pearson, Mrs. Malinda Hardsock, Mrs. Ella Beebe, Mrs.
Amanda Miller, Marshall Bonnett and wife, Mrs. Sarah
Ferrall, Mrs. Hannah Ferrall, Mrs. Dell Ferrall, Mrs. Emma
Bonnett, Mrs. Sophia McMullen, Mrs. Mary Adkison, Frank
Roberts and wife, Sam'l Roberts and wife, Miss Emma
Funk, Miss Maimie Follis, Miss Annie Follis, Miss Amy
Beebe, Victor Pearson, Henry Butler, John Miller and wife,
Martin Snow, John Brewer and wife, John Dreskill, and
Miss Nettie Dreskill.
Among the old charter members were John Hansel
and wife, Daniel Miller and wife, Peter Miller and wife,
David Kingery and wife, Wm. Warner and wife, Mrs.
Abigail Miller, Mrs. Sarah Moss, and Frank Myers.
Elder Frank Myers was the first minister. He was
succeeded by Elder Daniel Miller, who died in 1883. Since
then, Elder Hiram Berkman and Elder John Follis have
had charge of the congregation. Elder Berkman was
ordained in 1881, and was associated with Elder Miller in
the pastorate up to the death of the latter.
The Baptist Church.
The Baptists organized in 1855, with a small member
ship. They ceased to hold meetings in Albia in 1863, but
two years later they held meetings in the Christian church,
and in 1867 they built a church edifice, which in later years
passed into the hands of the Christian denomination, and
forms a part of the latter's present structure.
Rev. J. C. Miller had charge of the Albia congregation,
and in later years Rev. Mace acted as pastor for a time, but
at the present there is no organization in Albia.
There is also an organization in the western portion of
Monroe Township, in the Woodcock-Thomas neighborhood,
but they do not hold regular services there. In this con
gregation were the Woodcocks, Thomases, Youngs, and the
Varnum family. The church building was erected in about
the year 1860.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. IOWA. 273
There is also another organization at Lovilia, and an
other at Hiteman. At the latter place they have a com
modious church building and a large membership.
An organization was made at Lovilia early in the '60s,
but it died out, and no reorganization was made until 1893.
They used the other church edifices as places of worship,
and have at present a membership of 49. The present
deacons are Jas. Stewart, A. F. Cobb, and H. H. Cormany.
Their present pastor is Rev. Lanningham, who divides his
time with the Hiteman class. Elder Dewees organized the
first class, and the next preacher was Rev. Todd. Rev. Hicks
took charge in the later '60s, but, becoming entangled in a
scandal in which one of the sisters of his flock was co-related,
the preacher withdrew, and the church went to pieces.
For many years the Missionary Baptists have had a
kind of loose organization in the southern portion of the
county. The term "Hardshell" has been applied to the less
progressive element of the church, probably owing to their
incorrigible opposition to modern church usages and doc
trines. This crustaceous appellation may also be in part
owing to the rude or unsophisticated appearance of many of
the members, together with their close-communion ideas.
They seldom had church edifices, but congregated in school-
houses, in which they became noted for the fervency and
vigor of their revival meetings. The ministers were unedu
cated, but usually possessed a combination of backwoods
eloquence and shrewdness which crowned their efforts with
success. In about the year 1890 Rev. Geo. Raney, of Appanoose
County, built up a large and prosperous membership of
Baptists in the vicinity of Foster, and, chiefly through his
efforts, a handsome church edifice was erected at Foster. A
couple of years later it burned down and was rebuilt in 1894
and 1895. The church at Foster is in a prosperous condition,
and the pulpit is now filled by Rev. Smith. The congregation
have also erected a parsonage for their pastor.
The African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The colored Methodists were organized in February,
1873, in the old Baptist church in Albia, by Rev. Benson. The
following is a list of some of the prominent members: Mr.
Jones, Mr. Henry Jones, Mr. Alf. Grayson, Mrs. Sarah Gray
son, Rev. Cornelius Thomas, Mrs, Mary Furgason, Mrs. Rilda
18 

274 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Hedge, Monroe Davis, Mrs. Indiana Thomas, and Elijah
Morris. Rev. Benson served in the pulpit two years, Rev. Hutchi
son, two years; Elder Holmes, one year; Rev. Johnson, two
years; Rev. Rhinehart, two years; Rev. Malone, one year;
Rev. Hammond, one year; Rev. Rhinehart, again one year;
Rev. Williams, two years; Elder Peterson, one year; Rev.
Addison, one year; Rev. Taylor, two years; Rev. Johnson,
one year; Rev. F. W. Lewis, one year; Rev. Ford, one year;
Rev. James, one year ; Rev. Rhinehart, again one year.
The present church structure was built in 1884, and the
parsonage in 1895. Grace Episcopal Church.
In 1867 Bishop Lee organized an Episcopal church in
Albia with H. K. Steele, Geo. Hickenlooper, and a Mr. White
as vestrymen. Mr. Hickenlooper did not belong to any
church, but his wife was a member, and it was probably
through her membership that he enjoyed the emoluments of
the office. Rev. J. E. Ryan, of Ottumwa, assisted the bishop
in the organization.
Rev. Labaugh was their first regular preacher or rector.
He continued his services until 1872 or 1873, when the organ
ization succumbed to financial embarrassment. At about
this period they erected a church building, largely by means
of funds advanced by Mr. Labaugh.
The church building was that now owned by the Catholic
society on Benton Street. It passed out of the hands of the
Episcopal society through the foreclosure of a mortgage.
The society still continues to hold services in Albia.
They congregate in a hall over the Albia State Bank, and
Rev. Whittam is the rector.
The Roman Catholics.
The Catholics numbered among the pioneer settlers of
Monroe County, and were in the county before Iowa became
a State. They early displayed that spirit of enterprise and
devotion to their religion which has marked their course in
every land and in every epoch of Christian history. Since
then, four churches have been built in Monroe County and
the society is flourishing.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 275
The membership in Monroe County is largely made up
of our Irish population. They are quiet and industrious, and
very greatly reverence their priest. The priests who have
had charge of the organizations in the county have all been
highly educated men, and an embellishment to any. com
munity. They are not only capable of rendering wise spir
itual counsel to their parishioners, but also give temporal
advice in matters of a worldly nature.
In order to illustrate the obedience with which the par
ishioners conform to the wishes of the priest, an incident is
related as an actual occurrence, but the writer cannot vouch
for its truth, though the episode probably occurred.
Some years ago, when they were raising funds with
which to erect a church, the times were rather hard for an
enterprise of this kind, and the story goes that the priest,
from his position in the pulpit, would assign certain dona
tions to certain members of the parish; for instance, the Carrs
would be directed to donate so many dollars, the Malones so
many, etc. The priest, pointing to one old gentleman, said:
"And you must give ten dollars." Whereupon the faithful
parishioner arose, and in a meek though mildly remonstra-
tive tone began : "May it plaze yer riverince, toims are verra
hard an' the price of hogs is" — but at this stage of the re
monstrance the priest, pointing his finger at him, shouted:
"You sit down, sir!" The old gentleman sat down, and a
few days later somebody in Albia remarked to him that the
priest was a little hard on him. "Yis, he wor," was his re
ply; "but the money will have to coom." "What will be the
result if you fail?" was next asked. "His riverince would
sind me to the divil if I refused."
In 1854 or 1855 the Catholics built a log church in the
northeast corner of Hugh Fitz-Patrick's field. It stood by
the side of the little grave-yard, which faced the Albia and
Chariton highway. The spot where this little church stood
is now growing in grass, but the place will long be remem
bered by the friends and descendants of those pioneer set
tlers who attended mass in this humble cabin of long ago.
The society was organized by Rev. Father Krakel, a Ger
man, who conducted mass in the early '50s, and who is now
the venerable pastor of the principal parish in Ottumwa,
Iowa. Among this band of zealous pioneer Christians were
the Carrs, Coadys, Conners, Cullenanes, Stacks, McDonalds,

276 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Moloys, McDonoughs, Sinnots, and Sculleys. Through
their efforts the handsome St. Patrick's Church at Stacyville
was begun in 1860. This edifice was designed by Father
Clifford, a young clergyman of rare talent and amiable
social traits. The structure is built of stone. It is 100 feet
in length, 60 feet wide, and 50 feet in height. It was an
arduous undertaking to build it, at the time, and it was sev
eral years before it was completed. The parishioners were
mostly poor at that time, and it was a great sacrifice on the
part of many to contribute of their means. At one time
this church interior, with the altar, statuary, and paint
ings, was classed as one of the handsomest in southern Iowa.
Among later settlers who were most active and liberal
in their endeavors to complete the church were Edward
O'Bryan, the Kelliher families, John Welsh, the Malones, the
Colemans, and several others equally generous.
St. Patrick's Parish has had the following pastors since
its organization: Fathers Krakel, McMenomy, Gleason,
Malone, Cannon, Harrison, Ryan, Monyhan, Hayes, and
Gaule. The latter is the present pastor.
The church edifice at Stacyville was built in 1864, and
the ceremony of laying the corner-stone was observed May,
19, 1864. Bishop Smyth, of Dubuque, was present, and con
ducted the services. He placed the corner-stone, and be
neath it was deposited a bottle, hermetically sealed, con
taining the following: "Idibus Maii jumpe in feste pentecoste,
anno domini 1864. Pio Nono, Papa Feliciter Ecclesiam
Regente. Abraham Lincoln, Praside Statuum Faderoto-
rum America Septenrionalis. Wm. M. Stone, Guberna-
culum Status Iowa tenente. Illius Reomo Clemens Smyth,
Biscopus Dubuquensis, hunce Primarium Lapidum. Inagno
Coneorsu populi circumstante et equituum exoronte rite et
solemniter posnit." There were also deposited with this
record a silver five-cent piece, a five-cent bill of fractional
currency, and a twenty-cent bill of currency; also a copy of
the Albia Union of July 8, 1863— all of which are doubtless
quietly resting to this day in their sealed receptacle.
In 1870 the Catholic community of Melrose organized.
They erected a humble church edifice, but the society in
creased so rapidly that more room was soon required. The
old building was sold, and is now John Foutch's barn ; and
the present handsome and commodious building succeeded

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. IOWA. 277
it. Father O'Reilly is the priest who presides over these
people. Out at Weller stands a neat little church, built by the
Catholics. As it is too small, it will soon be replaced by a
larger structure.
The organists at these churches are: at Stacyville,
Mrs. W. W. O'Bryan; at Melrose, Miss T. McGrath; and at
Weller, Miss Wallace. Their respective choirs, especially at
Stacyville, attract the attention of all musical ears. The
music is said to be exquisite.
In 1874 Father Harrison organized a congregation in
Albia They bought the Episcopal church when it was sold
by foreclosure, and at present they hold service twice a week.
Father Ryan preached two years after Harrison's two
years' service; then Father King took charge, and led the
society for eight months during 1877-8. Father Daily then
preached eight years, and was succeeded by Father Quinn,
who preached three years. Father Fitz-Simmons next as
sumed charge, and preached a year, and was succeeded by
Father McCarville, who took charge in May, 1895, and who
is now at the head of the society.
The Albia church has about 125 members living within
the city.
The Catholic population of Monroe County reaches beyond
2,000. There are at present, 224 in AVayne Township, 542 in
Jackson Township, 312 in Guilford Township, 398 in Cedar
Township, about 200 in Union Township, and about 200 dis
tributed throughout the other townships, with about 125
in Albia. The Society of Friends.
The Friends Church came into existence in Albia in the
year 1895, through the policy of the Methodist Episcopal
Church in expelling certain of its members for alleged insub
ordination to the doctrine of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
A part of the latter church imbibed the doctrine of "holi
ness," or entire sanctification, insisting that this was the
basic principle of original Methodism as enunciated by John
Wesley. On being expelled, they affiliated with the Monroe
County Holiness Association, and participated with the lat
ter in their camp-meetings and cottage prayer -meetings.
As the Holiness Association is inter-denominational in
character, embracing a membership from all churches, ye^-

278 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
not being denominational itself, the Monroe County exiles
from the Methodist Church decided not to join the Holiness
Society as a body, but to investigate the tenets of the
Friends organization at Oskaloosa Accordingly they sent
a delegate to Oskaloosa to request membership with the
Friends of Oskaloosa.
Rev. G. M. Lemon, of Oskaloosa, superintendent of the
Oskaloosa Quarterly Meeting, came to Albia, and, after
fully investigating the matter, returned and sent a committee
to Albia to examine applicants for membership. A favor
able report was submitted by the committee, and an organi
zation was made at Albia, which is known as the Albia
Monthly Meeting of Friends. They congregated in Perry's
opera house for a time, but later changed their place of meet
ing to Love's hall, where they meet at present.
The society, beginning with 40 members, has increased
to nearly 250. They held meetings at Cedar Mines, where
they gained about 100 proselytes. They also held services
at the Morris school-house, about five miles west of Albia,
where they gained about 50 accessions. Their pastor is
Miss Lorena Tyrrell, a lady of remarkable energy and ability.
She is universally beloved by her flock, and has been emi
nently successful in her pastoral duties.
The Albia Friends Church is officered by four deacons—
namely, A. H. Humeston, Eli McAlister, Mrs. D. W. Nevins,
and Mrs. Sarah Ireland. Mr. Harry Van Schoiak is clerk,
and Dr. E: G. Powers corresponding secretary.
Early this fall (1896) they intend to erect a church edifice
in Albia, which will have as large seating capacity as any in
Albia. It will be erected two blocks north of the northwest
corner of the Square and one block north of the Cramer
Hotel. It will be a frame building, and it is expected that it
will be completed during the present year.
The church creed of these Friends is the same as that of
the original Friends, or Quakers, except that in the former
faction tbe regulations of dress are eliminated. There is
another striking contrast in their manner of worship. The
original Friends, or Quakers, are silent and undemonstrative,
while the latter are quite the opposite, often being carried
beyond the point of diginity in their religious fervor.
The Monroe County Holiness Association.
In 1892 the doctrine of "holiness," or entire sanctification,
became a conspicuous theme with a certain element of

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 279
the Methodist, United Brethren, and a few of the Baptist
societies in Monroe County. They are very zealous in their
convictions, and while participating in public worship some
of them become so wrought up by their emotions that their
feelings approach something like a spiritual frenzy. When
seized by this feeling, it is not uncommon for the subject to
sink into a sort of trance, and remain in this condition some
times for hours. This phenomenon usually transpires while
the subject is experiencing the explusion of inbred sin by the
influence of the Holy Spirit. The change, they assert, which
their spiritual state undergoes in its transition from a sin
ful state to one of absolute sinlessness is instantaneous, irre
sistible, and overwhelming. Their souls are then isolated
from all worldly temptations, and all inbred sin is rooted out.
Some of the more emotional of the members adhere to
the doctrine of Christian science, and profess to heal dis
eases through divine interposition.
Among the charter members of this society were Chas.
Bay, Jas. Neil, D. C. Crowell, G. H. Clemmons, T. H. Parker,
L. H. Parker, Joseph Parker, and Mrs. Parker, his mother,
and the latter's daughter, Mrs. Maring, D. W. Nevins, Dr.
Powers and wife, W. R. Kelsey, the Patersons, Mrs. L. A.
McCreary, Mrs. Sarah Ireland, Rev. Wm. Whitlock and wife,
J. A. Bigelow and wife, Dallas Winecup and wife, Isaac
Trimble, D. C. Currier and wife, Mrs. Hurford, A. H. Hume-
ston and family, and Sol Hickman.
S. H. Humeston, of Albia, is president of this society,
and Mrs. Sarah Ireland is vice-president, Miss Bertha Hume
ston secretary, and Isaac Trimble treasurer. The society is
inter-denominational in character, and is governed by a Com-
mitttee of Council. The membership within the county is
about 200.
Their doctrine is very simple, and is about the same as
that of the Salvation Army. It teaches simplicity of dress
and the Golden Rule, without any accompanying "isms."
Each member is expected to follow his own conscience in dis
cerning the right. They disregard the usual outward cere
monials observed by the orthodox churches, and devote
their attention to simple piety.
They have no church edifices, and employ no pastors for
their local Organization. They worship usually in a tent at
certain intervals, and employ some noted evangelist of their
persuasion to conduct a camp-meeting.

280 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

CHAPTER XVI.
Average Crop Yield of Monroe County for 1895^ and Otiier
Statistical Items.
The following figures are taken from the Iowa Agri
cultural Report for 1895.
The average yield per acre of agricultural prod
ucts was: AVinter wheat, bushels  22
Corn, bushels  40
Oats, bushels  34
Rye, bushels  16
Timothy seed, bushels  3.6
Clover seed, bushels  2
Millet seed, bushels  18
Potatoes, bushels  134
Sweet potatoes, bushels  136
Buckwheat, bushels  141
Sorghum, gallons  108
Hay, timothy, tons  1
For these staple products, the prices on December 1st
averaged as follows :
Winter wheat  $0.42
Corn  19
Oats  14
Rye  20
Timothy seed  1.32
Clover seed  4.50
Millet  25
Potatoes  20
Sweet potatoes  87
Buckwheat  45
Sorghum  55
Hay, timothy  7.00
The average price per head for cows on same date was
$28, and that of horses $34.
In 1895 there were 10 counties in Iowa which gave a
higher yield per acre of winter wheat than Monroe County.
The counties of Greene, Tama, and Guthrie averaged 25

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 281
bushels per acre, which was the highest. Carroll, Dallas,
and Adair gave an average of 24 bushels to the acre, and
Palo Alto, Fremont, Van Buren, Henry, Muscatine, and
Washington 23 bushels per acre. Monroe County, with her
average yield of 22 bushels, came next.
Little or no spring wheat has been sown in Monroe
County within recent years.
In 1895 the highest yield of corn per acre was made by
Fremont County, showing 50 bushels per acre; while that of
Monroe County was 40 bushels. The highest average yield
of oats was made by Montgomery County, showing 71
bushels per acre; while that of Monroe was 34.
For the present year (1896) the average yield for Monroe
County of the foregoing staples will be much greater than
for 1895, with the exception of the oat crop. The growth of
the latter crop was so exuberant that a large proportion of
the acreage within the county blew down before it was
headed out, and it did not fill well. The corn crop is prob
ably the heaviest the county has ever produced, and its aver
age yield per acre will reach nearly that of the corn counties
bordering on the Missouri River.
During the last three or four years the yield per acre of
the hay crop has been decreasing, though the acreage has not
been reduced. This is mainly owing to the gradual usurpa
tion of the fields of timothy by blue-grass. During the recent
seasons of drought the timothy, making a light growth, and
in many cases yielding no seed, permitted the blue-grass to
take its place. The blue-grass, maturing the earliest of all
grasses, made a rapid growth in the spring, when there was
a little moisture in the earth. Its seed matured, germinated,
and choked out the timothy, which had about succumbed to
the dry weather.
The most protracted drought will not kill blue-grass.
It becomes parched and brown, and even its roots become
dried out and apparently dead. In this condition the plant
will, lie dormant for months; but when the rains come, the
roots return to life and the plant soon regains its verdure. It
grows in great profusion on all kinds of soil, and especially
on unimproved lands and timber soil, and affords valuable
grazing for live stock.
In 1895 there were 1,215,437 head of horses in the State
of Iowa, and of this number Monroe County had 8,961.
There were only 9 counties in the State having a less num-

282 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
ber — viz., the counties of Osceola, Dickinson, Emmett, Win
nebago, Worth, Hancock, Palo Alto, Ida, and Pocahontas.
Pottawattamie County had 21,695, and showed the largest
number ; and Dickinson County, with her 5,211 head, showed
the smallest number.
In 1895 Iowa had 3,273,525 head of cattle, of which
number Monroe County had 14,546. Fayette County showed
37,910 head, being the highest number; and Emmett County
had the smallest number — 7,720 head.
In the same year there were 3,895,316 head of hogs in the
State, and Monroe County had 6,763 head. Cedar County
stood first with her 67,593 head; and Dickinson County
came last, with but 4,847 head.
In 1895 Monroe County had 12 cheese factories, far out
numbering any other county in the State; the next highest
number being in Humboldt County, in which there are
but 5. While Monroe County stands without a rival as the
banner cheese-producing county in the State, she contains
but 1 creamery. Bremer County has 28, Dubuque 27, Jones
20, Fayette 22, and Linn 24.
Some years ago the farmers of Monroe County tested
the relative profits yielded by these two industries. A
creamery was established at Albia under the management
of competent and experienced managers. Milk routes were
established throughout the county, traversing almost to the
remotest parts. The milk was brought to the creamery
every day by wagons sent out by the creamery. At the same
time the cheese industry had gotten fairly under way; but,
after a test of one season, the farmers and dairymen decided
that there was more profit in sending their milk to the cheese
factories, and in thus supporting the latter, the former in
dustry was abandoned.
Monroe County contains 271,408 acres of land, whose
assessed valuation in 1895 was $2,320,235. This valuation
included town lots. The assessed valuation of personal
property was $680,498. The assessed valuation of railroad
property was $579,342, making a total assessed valuation of
$3,580,175. The State tax for the same was $9,194.85; and the
county, district, and city taxes were $97,846.
In 1896 Monroe County contained a population of 15,870

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 283
people. There were also 5,269 youth enumerated in the
county in that year.
The amount of the permanent fund held by Monroe
County in 1895 was $60,912.14, and the amount of interest
apportioned was $890.46.
To-day there are doubtless 20,000 or 30,000 acres of wild
land in Monroe County, lying idle. While it presents con
siderable diversity in quality, the most of it is good soil, and
will afford good pleasant homes to those who have the brawn
and sinew and enterprise to occupy and develop it. The
greater part of this land consists of timber and brush lands,
and at present can be bought at from $5 to $20 per acre, aver
aging say $12 per acre. Of course, the locality in many
cases is not at present the most enjoyable; but, with the
rapid change in conditions which is steadily taking place,
the remotest fastnesses of the county are destined in a dozen
years hence to emerge into a happier and more advanced
state of civilization. The refining influence of education is
reaching out on every hand, wealth and enterprise join hands
with education, and with their combined influence the county
will improve and each succeeding generation will be an im
provement on its predecessor. School-houses and better
public roads are breaking up the coarser phases of rural life.
There is no locality within the county so remote from civili
zation but that the farmer can get his mail in a half-hour's
drive. With his" good team and carriage, he now drives to
the county seat after supper; whereas, in former years, it
took him about all day to make the trip with his team of
"plugs" and heavy lumber wagon.
Every foot of tillable Monroe County soil ought to be
in cultivation. The poorest farm in the county will at least
furnish a home for somebody. Nobody has ever been known
to starve to death on a Monroe County farm. He can con
trive to make a living, at least, and make it honestly. He has
the satisfaction of sitting under the shade of his own apple-
tree, and the land is his, clear down to the center of the earth.
For $400 or $500 he may be able to purchase a solid section
of the earth, a quarter of a mile wide, a quarter of a mile
deep, and over 3,000 miles in length. It cannot be taken
from him for debt, and his domicile cannot be broken into
by force, without legal permission. He has a right to de
fend his domicile against the invasion of others, even to the
extremity of depriving the intruder of life.

284 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
To be the owner of land adds dignity to citizenship. He
is a "free-holder," and enjoys rights and privileges of fran
chise not accorded to those who are not owners of realty. Be
can borrow money and secure the loan by real estate security,
when others could not negotiate the same loan, though they
offered the most abundant security in the nature of personal
effects. Security for the loan of school or other public funds
must be based on real estate. It is property which thieves
cannot break in and steal, nor moth corrupt.
Bee Culture.
Bee culture, as a commercial industry, has within recent
years been occupying the attention of a few of the farmers
throughout the county. Ever since the country was first
settled, the people have kept a few colonies of bees for home
consumption of honey, but, beyond supplying their own
tables, the enterprise has been attended with varying re
sults — in most instances with failure.
The methods pursued by the bee-keepers of former
years were very primitive. The common form of a bee-hive
was a section of a hollow log about four feet long, and any
diameter from a foot up to two feet. About midway in this
"gum" two cross-sticks were inserted as a support for the
honeycomb. A broad board was nailed over one end of the
"gum," as a roof, and the bottom end was left open. To get
at the honey, the bee-man took the family ax, and with its
edge pried up the cover sufficiently to blow smoke into the
hive. As soon as the smoke reaches a bee it capitulates,
but before this stage of the attack, the farmer expected to get
stung a half-dozen times at least, for the slightest jarring of
the hive will bring a horde of intrepid warriors from out the
hive. He did not seriously object to their stinging him if
they did it in a satisfactory way, but they would never do
that; they would invariably crawl up his pant-legs, and, be
fore getting in their work, strike terror into the heart of the
farmer by a kind of premonitory humming. The agony of
this suspense was further increased by the sensation pro
duced by the bee climbing slowly up his bare leg. A man
with a strong heart and iron nerve could sometimes stand
this; but when a bee got into his whiskers, he grew panicy
and his iron nerve ran riot. His first instinct was to call to
his wife for assistance, but invariably she remained at her

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

285

post in the kitchen door, laughing at him until with a wild
yell he broke for some neighboring shrubbery, followed by a
train of winged pursuers. Sometimes he never ventured
back to replace the cover on the "gum."

a!
a a
X a B,o ><

Then, if he did not succeed in subduing the bees, he
spoiled the honey in digging it out of the hive with a knife
and spoon, and usually drowned half the bees in the torrents

286 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
of honey flowing from the lacerated comb. Honey in this
condition was, of course, unfit for market; and he only aimed
to produce enough for home consumption.
Later, when patent hives were introduced, they were
all more or less unsatisfactory, and did not conform to the
instincts of the bee.
Within recent years, however, the bee-hive has been
highly perfected, and the bee industry, which is still practi
cally in its infancy, in Monroe County, is already achieving
gratifying results.
C. H. Clark, a son of the late Wareham G. Clark, and
who resides five or six miles southwest of Albia, has no doubt
pursued the industry with the most conspicuous success of
any bee-keepers in the county. He has at present from 40
to 60 colonies, but intends to increase the number to at least
100. He has his apiary on 88 acres of land, and estimates
that on an area of 6 square miles 100 colonies of bees could
be successfully maintained. He uses a nine-frame hive, and
his experience has evolved some very important facts. He
uses a square frame instead of one rectilinear in form. His
reasons for adopting this form of frame are: the queen bee
invariably builds her cell in the center, and for some reason,
best known to the bee itself, bees build their supply of honey
above the queen's apartment, and leave the lower portion
for brood-cells and bee-bread. When Mr. Clark finds the
upper half of the frame filled with honey, he removes the
frame and turns it upside down, and by thus shifting the
position of the frame until all four sides have been in their
turn changed, the bees are forced to build in the boxes above,
when they would otherwise have selected the frames.
From Mr. Clark's experience, he has determined that 100
colonies will produce 6,000 pounds of honey in a season. He
sells his honey at from 10 cents to 20 cents per pound. If
his product averaged 15 cents per pound at wholesale, 100
colonies would yield him a profit of $900 annually. Forty
acres of land would be all the land necessary, and he could
follow farming besides. He could sow say 10 acres of buck
wheat to facilitate his bees in their honey-gathering, but they
would not be altogether dependent on that, as the forest
bloom, such as basswood, white clover, fruit blossoms, field
clover, and the wilderness of asters, golden rod, and other
yellow wild flowers that bloom in early autumn along fence-
rows, highways, and stubble-fields, usually make abundant

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. IOWA. 287
food for bees. Of course there would be seasons through
which he would have to feed his bees perhaps all winter.
Mr. Clark has two varieties of bees, the Italian and Cari-
nolia. He thinks the Italian is the best, because it can
reach the honey cavity in a large proportion of the red field
clover bloom. The Carinolia is a bee imported from Austria,
and he considers this variety next best, having in his apiary
about 20 colonies.
The first to engage in bee culture in this county was
Peter Brown. Oaks and Bachelor next started an apiary,
but soon abandoned the enterprise.
Within recent years R. B. Arnold, of Urbana Township,
has been pursuing the industry quite successfully in con
nection with horticulture and farming. He has 30 colonies,
and intends to keep on increasing the number.
Henry Burner, Austin Jay, L. Snow, David Kenworthy,
Alfred Weilman, and others are successful bee-raisers in
Monroe County.
Mr. Clark, whose judgment in all practical matters can
be fully relied on, states that from his personal experi
ence, bee culture in Monroe County can be made a highly
remunerative industry, and he earnestly recommends its
investigation. Political.
The political cast of Monroe County for many years
has been pretty evenly divided, the two dominant parties
being the Republican and Democratic parties.
For many years there has also been a third party within
the county, known under various names, such as the Green
back party, Union Labor party, Prohibition party, and
Populist party of the present time.
These various third party organizations, save the Pro
hibitionists, derive most of their recruits from the Demo
cratic party; hence they have exhibited a more cordial feeling
towards the latter party than towards the Republican party,
and it is not uncommon for the Democratic party and the
third party, whatever it may be, to fuse on a county ticket.
When this course is taken, the Republican party is often
in a slight minority; but when all three parties bring out
a separate local ticket, then the Republicans are in the
ascendency. The increased mining population has added
strength to the Populist party of the present time, since

288 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. IOWA.
a large majority of the miners favor the Populist doctrine.
The Democratic and Populist parties were of about equal
strength in the earlier part of 1896, but later in the season
the free silver agitation, then at its height, drew many
Democrats into the Populist ranks, and left the Democratic
party third in rank.
The following official tables show the strength of the
respective political parties in the county from 1889 to 1895.
The vote was on State officers. 1895. # J>
Drake. Babb. Crane.
Pleasant  88 48 42
Bluff Creek  117 25 31
Union  95 72 22
Cedar  51 50 46
Wayne  26 61 24
Georgetown (precinct)  26 40 22
Hiteman (precinct)  104 33 164
Troy  142 30 63
Albia, 1st AVard  84 30 21
" 2d Ward  94 45 17
" 3d AVard  62 15 12
" 4th Ward  92 35 37
Mantua. .'  79 14 24
Avery (precinct)  64 10 105
Urbana  55 62 33
Hiltou (precinct)  57 54 18
Foster (precinct)  30 30 74
Franklin  39 50 36
Jackson  62 136 14
Total  1367 848 805
1894.
McFarland. Dale. Crane.
Pleasant  134 58 69
Bluff Creek  131 23 23
Union  113 80 29
Cedar  67 52 56
AVayne  32 71 16
Georgetown (precinct)  32 54 16
Hiteman (precinct)  Ill 24 167
Troy  131 26 65

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA,
McFarland,
Albia, 1st Ward  104
" 2d Ward  116
" 3d Ward  62
" 4th AVard  95
Mantua  81
Avery (precinct)  81
Urbana  58
Foster (precinct)  45
Hilton (precinct)  74
Franklin  61
Jackson  70
Total  1618

289

Dale.

Crane.

26

17

24

24

13

12

32

34

12

29

11

125

68

27

22

73

41

18

54

38

137

8

832

846

1893. Jackson.
Pleasant  117
Bluff Creek  126
Union  85
Cedar  48
Wayne  38
Georgetown (precinct)  28
Hiteman (precinct)  100
Troy  147
Albia, 1st Ward  95
" 2d Ward  102
" 3d Ward  40
" 4th Ward  96
Mantua  136
Urbana  57
Foster (precinct)  45
Hilton (precinct)  78
Franklin  39
Jackson  74
Total  1451
1892. Cummings.
Pleasant  95
Bluff Creek  128
19 

Boies.

Joseph .

83

32

31

10

80

23

68

22

75

11

56

13

29

132

39

52

35

16

48

20

18

8

40

28

44

108

83

29

37

65

41

16

59

30

130

8

996

623

Witmer. 107

Joseph. 34

41

9

290 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Cummings. Witmer.
Cedar  60 75
Union  103 105
AVayne  30 77
Georgetown (precinct)  37 60
Hiteman (precinct)  93 45
Troy  143 44
Albia, 1st AVard  103 37
" 2d Ward  107 46
" 3d Ward  45 20
" 4th AVard  96 51
Mantua  145 39
Urbana  55 107
Hilton (precinct)  78 50
Foster (precinct)  51 33
Franklin  59 81
Jackson  73 151
Total  1501 1169
1891. Wheeler. Boies.
Pleasant  89 126
Bluff Creek  148 53
Union  104 126
Cedar  -  82 98
Wayne  41 74
Georgetown (precinct)  16 87
Hiteman (precinct)  74 70
Troy  150 71
Albia, 1st Ward  112 55
" 2d Ward  99 46
" 3d Ward  54 24
" 4th Ward  93 77
Mantua  161 75
Urbana   56 no
Hilton (precinct)  86 55
Foster (precinct)  47 40
Franklin  72 88
Jackson  75 154
Total  1559 1420

Joseph. 16
25 14 14
125 691213 4
15
117 15 17
40 83
550

Westfall. 11 1
4 1
05
1853 3
10 14
74 3 2
17 0 1

208

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 291
1890. McFarland. Chamberlain. Brown.
Pleasant  89 108 9
Bluff Creek  125 53 7
Union  108 111 4
Cedar  80 93 3
AVayne  34 76 1
Georgetown (precinct)  25 80 3
Hiteman (precinct)  55 46 10
Troy  172 78 23
Albia, 1st Ward  103 48 1
" 2d Ward  106 41 2
" 3d Ward  48 18 0
" 4th Ward  89 61 4
Mantua  140 95 20
Urbana  62 112 4
Hilton (precinct)  84 49 4
Foster (precinct)  46 28 25
Franklin  60 73 2
Jackson  68 155 1

Total  1494 1325 125
1889. Hutchinson.
Pleasant  102
Bluff Creek  128
Union  105
Cedar  67
Wayne  35
Guilford  42
Troy  148
Albia, 1st AVard  101
" 2d Ward  93
" 3d Ward  48
" 4th Ward  87
Mantua  146
Urbana  55
Monroe  100
Franklin  63
Jackson  65
Total  1385 1268 78

Boies.

Downing.

150

6

49

9

111

5

77

o

61

1

90

0

86

13

41

1

47

1

22

0

52

8

93

19

110

7

82

5

63

0

134

1

292 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
In the foregoing tables the first column of figures
denote the Republican vote; the second, the Democratic;
and the third, the third party vote. The figures given for
1892 were for presidential electors.
At the general election of 1895, the Republican vote
for Governor, in Monroe County, fell 54 votes short of the
number cast for the Lieutenant-Governor on the same
ticket ; Parrott receiving 1421 votes. During that campaign,
there was also a Prohibition vote in the county of 112 votes.
A majority of these were drawn from the Republican
party. There were three county tickets in the field — viz.,
the Republican, Populist, and Democratic tickets. D. H.
Scott, the Republican nominee for Representative, received
1440 votes; McCauley, Populist, 908; and Campbell, Demo
cratic, 720.
In 1894 the Democrats and Populists of Monroe County
united their forces, but the Republicans carried the county
against their combined vote. McCahan, Republican nominee
for Clerk of the District Court, received 1727 votes; and
Moore, the fusion candidate, 1588 votes.
In 1893 the People's party took the "middle of the road"
and nominated a county ticket of their own. The vote that
year for Representative was: Jay, Republican, 1475; Moss,
Democrat, 894; Clarkson, People's party, 773.
In 1892, also, there were three local tickets in the field
for a part of the offices to be filled. McCahan, Republican,
for Clerk of the District Court, received 1483 votes ; Wyatt,
Democrat, received 1205; and Bates, People's party, 524.
John R. Clark was elected Auditor by a fusion vote of the
People's party and Democrats. Morrissey was also elected
Recorder by Democrats and Populists.
The Democrats and People's party fused in 1891, but the
Republicans elected their ticket in the face of the united
opposition. Jay, Republican, received 1601 votes; and
Pettit, fusion candidate, 1587.
In 1890 the Democrats and People's party advocates
united their strength against the Republicans, but were
defeated by the latter. The vote on Clerk of the District
Court was: Griffin, Republican, 1666; Forster, fusionist,
1224. Manufacturing.
Monroe County contains one manufacturing concern of
considerable magnitude — viz., the Western Manufacturing

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

293

Company. This plant is located at Albia, and was estab
lished in January, 1895. It incorporated under the State
laws, with an authorized capital stock of about $50,000.
The amount paid in, however, falls below that sum. It or
ganized with the following officers : Fred Townsend, presi
dent ; W. S. Scott, vice-president ; J. R. Clark, secretary and
treasurer; W. S. Scott, H. I. Clark, O. F. Smith, Chas. Israel,
and E. C. Hulbert, directors.

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WORKS OF THE WESTERN MANUFACTURING COMPANV, AI.BIA, IOWA.
The plant was located at Osceola, Iowa, prior to its
organization in Monroe County, but as this county offered
better transportation and fuel facilities, a local organization
was formed of Monroe County gentlemen, the machinery
was brought here and increased facilities added to the new
organization. The company builds a very popular pattern
of hay-ricker and rake; they also manufacture iron pumps
of a high grade, and other mechanical sundries.
The company has not been in operation long enough
here to solve the problem of whether a manufacturing plant
will succeed in Albia or not. The greatest obstacle which
inland manufacturing enterprises have to encounter is the

294

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

large establishments of the manufacturing centers, whose un
limited capacity enables them to reduce all expenses to a
minimum. Having this advantage, they are enabled to
place their products before consumers at a price which will
driVe the smaller competitor into bankruptcy. The superior
merits of the products of the Western Manfacturing Com
pany, however, may achieve for the company a fair degree of
prosperity. The concern usually employs from fifteen to
twenty men. Its management is in the hands of staunch
and reliable business men.

ALBIA CANNING FACTORY, AI.BIA, IOWA.
The Albia canning factory was organized in 1894 as a
joint stock company, incorporated under, the laws of the
State. Its authorized capital stock was $21,000, of which
amount $10,500 was paid up. The company was under the
management of eleven directors: E. W. Byers, Ed. A. Can
ning, John R. Duncan, Max Loeb, J. S. Moon, A. A. Mason,
John Forster, C. C. Acheson, C. W. Smallwood, J. C. Robe
son, and Tom D. Lockman. E. W. Byers was president,
Chas. W. Smallwood secretary, and J. S. Moon treasurer.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 295
Owing to the crop failure of 1894, the management con
cluded to not operate the factory that summer. On accept
ing the plant from the contractors, the directors started the
machinery to see that everything was in good working order.
Everything appeared satisfactory, and the company received
the plant. On starting up in 1895, for the first time, it was
found that the machinery, and especially the engine, was not
set properly, and some expense was incurred in readjusting
it. A well was also lacking, also piping and other fixtures,
to supply all of which cost the company nearly a thousand
dollars. The machinery for working corn did not work satisfac
torily the first season,, and a large quantity of the canned
product spoiled. Then the company paid the farmers more
for the corn than they ought to have done in order to realize
any profit on it. The result was that at the end of the first
season's operations the company found itself $2,000 poorer
than in the beginning. This, with the additional outlay in
curred by supplying the well and meeting other deficiencies,
discouraged the stockholders, and at a meeting it was or
dered that the factory be sold to pay off the indebtedness.
It was bought for $3,000 by Messrs. John Ralston, Max Loeb,
J. S. Moon, G. H. Hobson, Tom D. Lockman, and R. O. Cramer,
who are the present directors and proprietors.
The concern continues its charter as an incorporated
body, and its capital stock is fixed at $3,000, all of which is
fully paid up. It is establishing itself on a prosperous basis
at present, and is under the management of R. O. Cramer.
¦ Albia also contains a drain-tile factory, but it is not in
operation at the present time. It is under the management
of J. W. Harvey. It is not in a flourishing condition, owing
to inability on the part of the proprietor to find a steady
market for the product of the factory.

296 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

CHAPTER XVII.
Towns and Villages.
Albia, the present county seat of Monroe County, was
first incorporated as a town in 1856, though in the summer
of 1845 John Massy surveyed the town site when it was
known as Princeton. The place at present contains a little
more than 2,500 population. As we have stated elsewhere,
John Stephenson claimed the quarter-section on which the
village was located. He was the first settler in the neigh
borhood. The original plat contained but two wards, defined by
the alleys running north and south from the Square in the
center of the plat.
Joseph B. Teas was Mayor, and Robt. E. Craig was
Recorder; Aldermen — East Ward, Joseph H. Halbrook and
Samuel Buchanan; West Ward, Samuel Hebrew and Daniel
Mcintosh. Mock's and Gray's Additions were included in 1859, and
Mason and Koontz's, or South Park Addition, was added in
1892 or 1893.
In 1848 the village of Albia was chiefly a grass-plat.
The public park in the center of the Square was a tangled
mass of wild grass and "shoe-string" willows. John Marck
and family lived in a little frame building on the southeast
corner, where the Albia Union office now stands. Then about
half way across the Square, on the south side, stood the
shanty of Dr. Warrick. On the west were the little sheds
occupied by Messrs. Park, Harrow, and Buchanan. On the
east we,re Scott Arnold and the court-house, and on the
northeast corner was Dan Richardson's.
One block north of the northeast corner of the Square,
on the site owned for many years by Dr. Lambert stood
the little log jail. Just north of the jail stood the residence
Of A. C. Barnes.
John Webb was also one of the first settlers of the town,
and kept in his house a small quantity of goods.
At the present time the following is nearly a complete
list of business firms of Albia:

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

297

Anderson & Hollingshead, grocers, east side of Square ;
the present firm has been doing business for ten years.
Robb Brothers, grocers, east side of Square; in business
for thirty years.
Miss A. C. Young, general merchandise, east side of
Square; in business five years.
D. A. Maiken, general merchandise, east side of Square ;
in business eight years.
W. K Hardenbrook, harness, buggies, etc., east side of
Square; in business twenty-two years.

NORTH SIDE SQUARE, ALBIA, IOWA.
John E. Waugh, meat market, east side of Square; in
business two years.
S. K. Smith, barber, east side of Square; in business ten
years. Chas. Claver, second-hand goods, east side of Square;
in business twelve years.
Fred Stucky, shoemaker, east side of Square; in busi
ness thirty years.
AV. W. Menach, barber, Benton Street; in business
thirty years.

298

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

Anderson & Gray, marble dealers, Benton Street; in
business two years.
I. S. Jones, blacksmith, Benton Street; in business
thirty-one jears.
Henry Johnson, meat market, Benton Street; in busi
ness seventeen years.
Samuel T. Craig, grocer, Benton Street; in business
fifteen years.
J. O. Varner, grocer, Benton Street; in business ten
years.

EAST SIDE SQUARE, ALBIA, IOWA
E. Dougherty & Son, furniture and undertaking, north
east corner of Square; in business twenty -three years.
J. T. Arnold, Star Laundry, Main Street; in business
one and one-half years.
R. Simpson, pumps, coal, and grain, Main Street; in
business many years.
Chas. Olson, general repairing and upholstering. Main
Street ; in business twelve years.
Electric Light and Power Company, A. R. Jackson, pro
prietor.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

299

Royal A. Adams, blacksmith and implements, Main
Street. (See further mention near end of this volume.)
B. W. Crabb, blacksmith, Jefferson Street; in business
one year. O. C. Palmer, livery, Jefferson Street; in business four
years. L. A. McCreary, livery and feed, Jefferson Street, in busi
ness sixteen years.
T. C. Ballew, lumber, Jefferson Street; in business five
years.

WEST SIDE SQUARE, ALBIA, IOWA.
Jas. Dyson, restaurant, Jefferson Street; in business
six months. Harry Smith, Eureka Chop-House, Wall Street; in busi
ness three years.
Thomas & Rosser, grocers, Wall Street; in business
ten years. N. A. Anderson, pumps and general repairing, Wall
Street; in business five years. (See further mention near
end of this volume.)

300 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Mark M. Baker, proprietor, New Cramer Hotel ; in busi
ness six months.
S. S. Pill, restaurant, Wall Street; in business two
years. Preston & Israel, merchant tailors; in business one year.
Scott & Milligan, barbers; in business one year.
Tobey & Anderson, cigar manufacturers; in business
three years.
AV. A. Alford, merchant tailor; in business one and one-
half years.
G. W. Hartsuck, meat market; in business four years.
J. Roberts, druggist, north side of Square; in business
five years. D. C. Johnson, millinery and ladies' furnishing goods,
north side of Square; in business five years.
Cal Koontz, jeweler, north side of Square; in business
twenty-one years.
C. L. Nelson, insurance, north side of Square; in busi
ness thirty years.
Skean & Zook, furniture and undertaking, north side
of Square; in business five years.
E. Skean, grocer, north side of Square; in business
fourteen years.
F. E. Dawson, photographer, north side of Square; in
business two years.
Chris. Rudd, baker and restaurant, Wall Street.
Abe Goodman, clothier, north side of Square; in busi
ness eight years.
W. H. Kreger, bakery, north side of Square; in business
four years.
C. S. Barger, hardware, north side of Square; in busi
ness two years.
M. W. Duncan, books and stationery, north side of
Square; in business nine and one-half years.
J. C. Morrison, druggist, north side of Square; in busi
ness twenty-nine years.
G. N. Ewers, boots and shoes; present business two
years. Henry Varner, harness-maker, south side of Square;
in business one year.
Joseph Mclnnis, grocer, south side of Square; in present
business one j'ear.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. IOWA.

301

Curtis Mock, Vienna Bakery, south side of Square; in
business two months.
R. O. Cramer, dry goods, south side of Square; in busi
ness twenty-nine years.
G. W. Cramer, merchant tailor, south side of Square; in
business forty-two years.
L. B. Fuller, manager South Side Book Store; in busi
ness twelve years.
S. M. Tovrea, grocer, south side of Square; in business
four and one-half years. (See further mention near the end
of this volume.)

SOUTH SIDE SQUARE, ALBIA, IOWA.

Acheson & Kelly, grocers, south side of Square; in busi
ness four years.
S. S. Smith, boots and shoes, south side of Square; in
business twenty-six years.
J. H. Love, Jr., dry goods, west side of Square; in busi
ness ten years.
Wilkin Brothers, grocers, west side of Square; in busi
ness nine years.

302 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. IOWA.
Ramsay Realty Company, northwest corner of Square;
in business six months.
Mrs. L. Buff on, millinery, west side of Square; in busi
ness twelve years.
Mrs. Mary Clark, combination store, millinery, general
merchandise, wood, fuel, fence-posts, and material for coal
mines. Prizer Clothing Company, Odd Fellows' Temple, west
side of Square; in business three years. (See additional
mention near the end of this volume..)
H. A. Prizer & Brother, dry goods, Odd Fellows' Temple;
in business six years.
Paulline & Son, tailors, Odd Fellows' Temple, base
ment; in business one and one-half years.
G. R. Carden'& Company, druggist, west side of Square;
in business three years.
Globe Clothing House, Sol. Loeb, proprietor, west side
Square ; in business one year.
J. T. Porter, cigar-maker, west side of Square; in busi
ness four years.
Jas. Pheney, grocer, west side of Square; in business
thirty-seven years.
W. N. Moon & Son, general merchandise, west side of
Square; in business twenty-nine years.
Max Loeb, clothier, west side of Square; in business
twenty-eight years.
J. T. Rowe & Son, carpenters, Benton Street; in busi
ness twenty years.
Walter Cokingham, wagon-maker, Benton Street; in
business twenty-seven years.
Sparks & Rowe, blacksmiths, Benton Street ; in business
twenty-six years.
Tom Teas, blacksmith, Benton Street ; in business nine
teen years.
Clark Brothers, implements, Benton Street ; in business
twenty-one years. (See further mention near the end of this
volume.) E. H. Wilson, novelty store, Benton Street; in business
four months.
Miss C. Hamilton, millinery, Benton Street; in business
six months. Jas. Stewart, feed store, Main Street; in business six
months.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. IOWA. 303
Wilson Brothers, livery and feed, Main Street; in busi
ness six months.
Saunders & Warner, blacksmiths, Main Street ; in busi
ness four years.
Hobson Brothers, lumber ; in business two years.
AV. E. Whited, livery; in business ten years.
S. Eaton, barber, southwest corner of Square; in busi
ness six months.
Wm. Peppers, implements ; in business twenty-two
years. Albia State Bank, south side of Square; in business
six years. First National Bank, northwest corner of Square; in
business twenty-five years.
Albia Roller Mills, M. M. Edward, proprietor.
Commercial Hotel, one block south of southwest corner
of Square; J. M. Titus, proprietor.
J. R. AVallace, Diamond Laundry, near Central Depot;
lately burned out.
The Semi-Weekly Union, southeast corner of Square; A.
R. Barnes, publisher and proprietor.
The Progress-Defender, Wall Street; M. M. Hinton, pub
lisher and proprietor.
The News, west side of Square; Belvel & Crenshaw,
publishers and proprietors.
The Messenger Publishing Company, west side of
Square. Monroe County Republican, daily and weekly, Benton
Street; Sebille & Mendal, publishers and proprietors.
L. E. Lambert, jeweler; in business six years.
Cottage Hotel, at C, B. & Q. depot; Wm. Campbell,
proprietor. Byerley Hotel, A. J. Byerley, proprietor.
Albia Bicycle Manufacturing Company, Heiserman &
Anderson, proprietors; in business one year. (See further
mention near end of this volume.) Avery.
The town of Avery was established when the C, B. & Q.
Railway "Was put through, in 1868. The present population
is about 400, but the population varies according to the
condition of the mines, as it is strictly a mining town. The
houses are small and unattractive. The town is five or'

304

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

six miles east of Albia, on the Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy Railway.
At present the place contains the following named
business firms:
Dr. J. R. Cady, physician ; eight years residence.
Dr. Montgomery, physician, eleven years residence.
Dr. A. M. Tait, physician, five years residence.
Smoky Hollow Coal Company, eleven years in business.
Central Coal Company, just opening up.

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STREET IN AVERY LOOKING WEST.
W. H. Tedrow, lawyer and insurance; four years in
business. T. L. Evans, general merchandise; eight years in
business. Hotel, Mrs. Ella Morgan.
J. G. Thayer, notary public.
A. L. Criddlebaugh, barber.
John Melcher, meat market ; in business six months.
L. R. Pearson, general merchandise; in business sixteen
years.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 305
The town also contains a Methodist Church organization
and church edifice.
In the vicinity of Avery are situated the Chisholm
Mines. They are now about worked out, and the village of
Chisholm will of course disappear with the exhaustion of
the coal supply. However, a new coal enterprise has just
gotten itself on foot in the vicinity, which promises to
develop into an extensive coal plant. It is known as the
Central Coal Company, and its headquarters are at Avery.
The mines are on the Iowa Central Railway, and the camp
will be named Lockman, in honor of Thos. D. Lockman,
of the First National Bank of Albia The company has
control of about six hundred acres of coal lands, underlaid
by a vein of coal averaging four feet in thickness. The
mines will be operated by means of a "slope." Wm. Evans
is president of the company, Enoch Evans treasurer, and
Thos. L. Evans secretary. The company began operations
in 1896. In about the year 1870 Avery was, in the zenith of her
prosperity. The mines were the most extensive of any in
the county, and the miners made good wages.
They formed an association and built the Miners' In
stitute — a sort of epitomized Tammany Hall. The building
is still used as a public hall, but the organization has gone
down. It was a social club, and had for its object the
educational and social improvement of the miners and their
families. The club had a good library, and the "Institute"
was doubtless beneficial to the miners.
Hynes City.
This lately christened village lies one and three-fourths
miles southeast of Avery. The locality is also known as
"Smoky Hollow."
Here the Smoky Hollow Coal Company operate their
mines. The company's mines have a capacity of about
1000 tons of coal daily. J. L. Evans is at the head of the
concern, and the company has been in business eleven years.
Faley Hynes acts as superintendent of the mine, and P. H.
Hynes is secretary. The mines are entered by two "slopes,"
and ventilation is supplied by means of fans.
Hynes City contains a population of from 250 to 300
people. The town was projected in 1892, when six houses
were built by John T. Evans, and the place increased
rapidly.

306 HISTORY OF M ON ROE COUNTY, IOWA.
In 1894 the town contained forty more houses; then the
town was formally christened by Mr. Horace Barnes, of
the Albia Union. The place was named in honor of P. H.
Hynes, secretary of the Smoky Hollow Coal Company and
manager of the Avery Supply Company. His brother,
Faley Hynes, it is understood, comes in as a joint sharer
of the honor.
About forty rods east of Hynes City is located the
Famous Coal Mines, or Nos. 1 and 2. of the Smoky Hollow
Coal Company.
Hynes City has a large store in its midst, owned by
the Avery Supply Company; and also a school-house. In
addition to these, there is soon to be established a black
smith shop and post-office. Foster.
In 1889, when the Marion and Kansas City Division of
the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway was completed
through Monroe County, a side-track was put in, near Soap
Creek, and about nine miles southeast of Albia The stop
ping-place was called Soap (.'reek Siding, and as soon as
Ira Phillips and E. I. Foster began to establish a coal plant
in the vicinity, trains began to stop regularly ; but a station
had already been established at Brompton, about two miles
east of Foster, where the railroad company erected a tank
and constructed a large reservoir.
By the time Mr. Phillips had gotten the mine in
operation, which went by the name of the Soap Creek Coal
Company, several buildings had gone up, erected by the
coal company. A large boarding-house and another equally
large store building were erected among the first by the
Ottumwa Supply Company, an auxiliary of the coal com
pany. The store was conducted as a "company store,"
issuing "scrip" to the miners instead of currency. This
"scrip" was emitted in this way: The coal company paid its
employees once a month in currency. If a miner needed
goods or provisions before pay-day, and had no credit with
merchants or cash with which to. buy, the coal company
would issue him an amount of "scrip," the amount depend
ing on the account in his favor, against the company, for
his labor. This "scrip" was current at the company store,
in exchange for merchandise. The store was an extensive
concern, and handled all lines of merchandise, but, like all

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

307

"company stores," it was not popular with the people. The
upper floor of the building was used as a hall.
Shortly after the village began its existence it was
christened Foster, in honor of E. I. Foster, of Cedar Rapids,
Iowa, the principal investor in the mine enterprise. The
Messrs. Phillips then retired from the concern, but Henry
Phillips, who was president of the Ottumwa Supply Com
pany, continued to run the store; not, however, in con
junction with the coal company. The building burned
down two or three years later, and was never rebuilt.

ftf*5fe"-<

'-7 ¦- Syy

A GLIMPSE OF FOSTER, LOOKING WEST.
While sinking the shaft in 1888 or 1889, a very unfortu
nate and fatal accident occurred, which attached to Mr.
Phillips considerable ill feeling in the community. Mr.
Phillips was running the hoisting engine, and the half of
a kerosene barrel was used as a "bucket" with which to
hoist the. dirt. Ed. Dial and Rolla. Williams, two young
men working in the pit, were being hoisted in the "bucket"
to the top of the ground; while ascending and passing
through the curbed aperture at the top, Williams' head

308

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

struck a cross-bar and he fell out of the "bucket," down to
the bottom of the pit, a distance of nearly 200 feet, and was
instantly killed. He was a young man of good family and
highly esteemed, and Mr. Phillips was harshly criticised

DRUG STORE OF WOODRUFF & PABST, FOSTER, IOWA

it being alleged that he did not slow up the engine while
the men were entering the top of the pit. A civil suit
followed, being instituted by W. D. Kinser, adminTstrator

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. IOWA.

309

of the estate of the deceased, and a small amount of dam
ages was awarded the plaintiff.
Foster now contains about 800 population, the figures
varying, according to the state of activity of the mines.
In October, 1891, G. AV. Bever, of Cedar Rapids, invested
in the mine, and the company was reorganized with E. I.
Foster president and Chas. Fugle manager. The firm name
was changed to that of the Deep Vein Coal Company, and
under that name it is at present incorporated. The plant has
a capacity of 1000 tons of coal daily, but from 500 to 700
tons is its usual daily output.

DEEP VEIN COAL COMPANY'S WORKS, FOSTER, IOWA.
The company originally purchased 320 acres of coal
land, paying about $40 per acre for it. Since then it has
acquired nearly that much more, but has sold a consider
able portion of its surface, retaining only the coal. The
company at the present time has removed 30 per cent of
the coal from underneath its tract. The mine is ventilated
by a fan, which forces down 40,000 cubic feet of air per

310 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
minute. The coal is a superior grade of steam coal,
and the output is sold in Iowa, Minnesota, and Dakota.
Most of the buildings in Foster are owned by the Foster
Land and Town-lot Company, a corporation said by the
incorporators to be distinct and separate from the coal com
pany. Both concerns, however, bear the same date of organi
zation, and E. I. Foster is president of each. Some of the
coal land lately purchased was bought by the Foster Land
and Town-lot Company, and the coal company mines the
coal. The Deep Vein Coal Company have $200,000 invested
in the plant, and it is next to the largest in the county. The
mines for the last eight months have been running on
nearly full time, and the company has paid to its employees
during the present year $100,000. The coal company has
no "company store," and pays its men every two weeks.
The population of Foster is largely made up of English
and AVelsh. There are also a number of Swedes, and a
few Italians and Scotch. The Welsh are fine singers, but
many of them are intemperate. The Italians are quiet and
peaceable, but are fond of their beer. They are quite
social among themselves, and about every Saturday night
congregate around a keg of beer. They drink and sing
all night, but do not affiliate with Scotch, Welsh, and
English. The Swedes are much more quiet, and at the same
time more temperate. Those who do drink, however, get
a quantity of raw alcohol, sweeten it, and dilute it with
hot water, drinking it hot. This is the Swede's national
drink. The Scotchman drinks anything, from bay rum to
whisky, and never gets enough.
Taken on the whole, they are all a jovial set of fellows,
and the better one gets acquainted with them the more he
likes them. They lead uncertain lives in the mines, and
every miner of ten or twenty years' experience has had
his injuries and miraculous escapes.
Foster is an incorporated town and is an excellent
trading point; and boasts of a baseball team of considerable
local fame.
The -Foster Cornet Band ranks as one of the best in
the State of Iowa. Mr. Hughes, the pit-boss of the mines,
is a lover of music himself, and has had opportunity to
draw to Foster some of the best band-players in the countrv.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

311

A good band-player — and there are some good ones among
the miners — can always secure work in the Foster mines
through Mr. Hughes. Following are the names of the
members of the Foster Band: Samuel Webb, conductor;
Thos. Berdinner, clarionet; Samuel Webb, solo clarionet;
Robt. Dalzel, first cornet; Jas. Dazel, solo clarionet; Winter
Giles, E flat cornet; Joseph Thomas,. first alto; Harry Webb,
second alto; John Marshall, first trombone; John Caldwell,

C, M. & ST. PAUL RAILWAY TRESTLE, FOSTER, IOWA.
second trombone; Robt. Muffit, third trombone; Wm. Dalzel,
euphonium; Chris. Thomley, B flat bass; Jack AArebb, E flat
bass; John Dalzel, E flat bass; Geo. Saunders, bass drum;
James Kennedy, snare drum; Robert Hughes, general
manager. Foster at present contains the following business firms:
Deep Vein Coal Company.
Hilton Coal Company, whose plant is near Hilton, but
whose headquarters are at Foster.
Chamberlin & Carson, general merchandise.

312 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
R. M. Bixby, hardware and tinware.
Mrs. Treat, confectionery.
Rowles & Hickenlooper, general merchandise.
Wilson Brothers, general merchandise.
G. W.-Buck, meat market.
Rupert Brothers, grocers.
Trussell & Eslinger, lumber, implements, hardware, and
banking. AVm. Miller, general merchandise, restaurant, and livery.
Mrs. France Jones, hotel.
Mrs. Bowley, hotel arid boarding-house.
McCoy Brothers, livery and draying.
 Furgason, racket store.
AVoodruff & Pabst, drugs and stationers. (See further
mention near end of this volume.)
Alex Reed, barber.
Richard Williams, justice of the peace.
Frank Hawk, Mayor and post-master.
C. P. Jones, blacksmith and wagonmaker.
Blucher Hutchins, blacksmith.
J. H. Treat, coal company blacksmith.
Foster has two churches, with a large membership in
each. They are the Baptists and Methodists. The Baptists
erected a commodious church edifice in 1891-2. It burned
in 1894, and iu 1895 a new structure was completed,, which
is a handsomer building than the first, and would be a
credit to any locality. They also built a parsonage for
their pastor.
Foster is twenty-three miles southwest of Ottumwa.
There is an unlimited supply of coal in the vicinity, and it is
quite probable that other coal enterprises will soon
spring up. Blakesburg.
This village is one of the oldest hamlets in the county.
It was named in honor of Theophilus Blake, who, with
Cyrus Vancleve, laid out the town in 1850. The greater
portion of the town lies in Wapello County.
The first white woman who ever resided in Blakesburg,
or on the spot where the town now stands, was a Mrs.
Smith, who, on the death of her husband, married Len
Daggett. She lived on the present site of Blakesburg a
whole year before she saw another white woman. Some

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

313

of Mrs. Smith's children and grandchildren still live in
Urbana Township. She was the grandmother of Elmer
Thayer's present wife.
Since the C, M. & St. Paul Railway was built through
the town, it has grown considerably, and large shipments
of live stock are made all the year round.
Blakesburg is growing rapidly and the town is sur
rounded by a prosperous community. A handsome $3,000
school building is now in process of erection, besides other

STREET IN BLAKESBURG.

building improvements. The town has about 400 inhabit
ants, and it is not an incorporated village. There are large
bodies of coal lying along Avery Creek, two or three miles
north of the town, which, when developed, will doubtless
make the town one of considerable importance.
Following is a list of the business firms doing business
in Blakesburg in 1896.
G. L. Redmon, restaurant; in business three years.
L. Campbell & Son, druggists; in business four years.

314 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
M. H. Abernathy, general merchandise; in business
three years.
C. N. Thompson, meat market; in business twenty-six
years. AVm. Angel, hotel; in business two months.
Wilson & Durby, general merchandise; just beginning
business. Frank Fritz, hardware; in business two years.
AVm. Fritz & Brother, general merchandise, lumber and
implements; in business ten years.
AVm. Rowe, blacksmith; in business sixteen years.
Chas. Reading, blacksmith; in business sixteen years.
Geo. Chedister, barber; in business three years.
A. V. Tinsley, livery; in business four years.
David Zigler, saw and planing mills; in business five
years. W. H. Kolman, hardware; in business three years.
Henry AVeidman, boots and shoes; in business seven
years. Mrs. Harrington, hotel; in business one year.
John F. Lober, harness and groceries; in business
seven years.
Mrs. Semiramis Barnes, a young widowed lady, has
held the office of postmistress during the Cleveland admin
istration. Blakesburg, in this particular, has been most
fortunate, as the present postmistress' predecessor was a
young lady, Miss Effie Reading.
Blakesburg has two churches and three doctors. Dr.
C. N. Udell is one of the most successful practitioners in
Monroe and Wapello counties. He is also a preacher, poli
tician, writer, philosopher and sage. Drs. Ray and
Torrence are each skillful physicians.
The Baptist Church built an edifice two years ago, and
has about 30 members. Rev. Garrison is in charge. The
Methodist Episcopal Church erected a building about eight
years ago. Its membership is about half a hundred. Rev.
Ingham is in charge of the congregation at present.
Hilton.
Hilton was originally a flag-station about midway
between Albia and Moravia on the G, M. & A. Railway.
It contained a post-office, and in 1893 or 1894 H. Herrington
started a small store and ran it for a year or more. At the

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 315
present time there is a prospect of the place taking a
boom, as a coal company has secured an option on a large
body of coal land in the vicinity, comprising 400 acres, which
by thorough drilling was found to contain on an average
five feet of coal, at a depth of 215 feet, where the shaft is
located. The present shaft has a capacity of 300 tons daily.
The company is known as the Hilton Coal Company,
with headquarters at Foster. The company's lands abut
against the Iowa Central Railway. The town has been
platted, and already contains seven houses. The company
was incorporated January 1, 1896, with a capital of $25,000,
$4,000 of which has been paid in. L. A. Chamberlin is
president, A. L. Wright vice-president, and A. R. Chamberlin
treasurer. The present town plat is about a half-mile east
of the station or platform. Melrose.
Melrose has about 500 population, and is fifteen miles
west of Albia on the C, B. & Q. Railway. It is situated in
-the midst of a Catholic community, and the name itself
has an Irish ring to it, like Tyrone.
The site of Melrose was first claimed by John Drew,
in 1847; but the town was not laid out until 1866.
In 1857 the first school was taught in the town by
Sarah Prindle, and the next year a commodious school-
house was built. The first store was started by T. C. Stewart
in 1860. In 1861 the post-office was established, with J. D.
S. Peacock as postmaster.
Among the earlier settlers were A. D. Brown, J. P.
Currier, T. C. Stewart, J. Davenport, John McCoy, Adam
Youtsey, - Win. Gilbert, Willis Gilbert, Wm. Bernard, J.
Robinson, Pat Coady, and Orson Glass.
Following is an enumeration of the business firms of
Melrose in 1896:
Sumner Smith, notary, pension agent, and insurance;
in business twenty-two years.
W- R Briles & Company (W. R. Briles and D. Riordan),
druggists and pharmacists ; in business four years.
Jas. Duggan, postmaster and merchant; in business
since 1881.
Thomas Brandon, banker; established in 1881.
L. Lemly & Son, hardware and farm implements; in
business five years.

316 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Geo. Sone, breeder and importer of thoroughbred
stallions. Wm. Ford, blacksmithing; in business twenty-two years.
F. L. Sailing, harnessmaker.
M. D. Sullivan, general merchandise and justice of the
peace; in business sixteen years.
J. C. O'Conner, druggist; oldest druggist in Monroe
County — in business twenty-five years.
A. G. Paschal & Son, general merchandise; in business
fifteen years.
W. S. Curry, groceries, boots and shoes; in business
one year. Cleveland Hotel, Mrs. S. AV. Albert, proprietor; in
business ten years.
Providence Hotel, P. G. Dever, proprietor; in business
two years.J. P. Currier & Son, meat market and grain ; in business
four years.
Western Exchange Hotel, C. H. Whelan, proprietor.
Mary Heffron, millinery and dressmaking.
Riordan & Blair; in business two years.
A. O. Lee, lumber; in business thirty years.
Wm. Lahart, general merchandise; in business twenty
years. P. C. Murphy, bakery and confections.
W. W. O'Bryan, attorney at law and notary.
Stacyville.
This hamlet is seven miles north of Melrose, and con
tains the principal Catholic church in Monroe County.
East of Stacyville, three miles, is the hamlet of George
town, and Tyrone is south of Georgetown and nine miles
west of Albia.
AVest of Albia three miles are located the once bustling
coal mines known as Cedar Mines, now about extinct. The
Cedar Valley and Albia coal companies had their plants
here. Frederic.
This village is located on the Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy Railway, about four miles east of the town of Avery,
and about two miles south of what was once the village of
"Business Corners." The town was laid out by. Messrs

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 317
Hale and Hamilton when the railroad was built. The place
was named in honor of Frederick Joy, a former president of
the B. & M. Railroad.
The village contains perhaps 150 people, and those en
gaged at present in business are:
Hawthorn & Hansel, general merchandise; in business
six months. S. A. Worley, blacksmithing and implement dealer; in
business four years.
Akers Grocery Company, general merchandise; in busi
ness three years.
Reeves & Company, general merchandise; in business
two years. Grove Brothers, general merchandise; in business
twenty-eight years.
Frederic Coal Company, controlled by Chas. Akers,
who has an optiori on the plant and eighty acres of land.
Hiteman.
The town of Hiteman is the largest town in Monroe
County outside the city of Albia. At present (1896) the
place contains a population of between 1400 and 1500, and
is situated on Cedar Creek, six miles northwest of Albia.
The town was platted September 1, 1890. The location is
broken and was selected more to suit the convenience of the
Wapello Coal Company than with a view to symmetry or
beauty. The population is made up almost exclusively of
miners. They consist of Americans, English, Welsh, Swedes,
Scotch, Germans, and negroes. The negro population oc
cupy the southern part of the town.
Those engaged, in business in Hiteman in July, 1896,
were: W. A. Dovenspike, Hiteman Hotel; in business two
years. Wm. Morrissey, postmaster.
Dr. McFall, physician ; in business two' years.
B. O. Meadows, barber ; in business two years.
Hiteman Supply Company, J. P. Early, manager; in
business six years.
Sam White, blacksmith and wagon-maker; in business
one and one-half years.
Wm. Kennedy, livery; in business two and one-half
years.

318

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

Wapello Coal Company; in business six years.
J. W. Loach, restaurant and bakery; in business two
years. Drs. Avery and Palmquest, physicians; Dr. Avery has
been located three years, and Dr. Palmquest three months.
Mrs. Olive James, millinery and dressmaking; in busi
ness four years.
Dr. AV. O. McFall, physician; in business three years.
Dr. Fred A. Poligue, physician; in business one year.
The fraternal institutions are also well represented.

WAPELLO COAL COMPANY'S WORKS, ALBIA, IOWA.

In 1893 the Freemasons established a lodge, known as
Perfect Square Lodge, No. 526. Thos. Bridges is at present
worshipful master; Sam'l Chase, senior warden; Owen
Reese, junior warden; J. W. Lewis, treasurer; W. F. Narber,
secretary; J. J. Davis, senior deacon; David Jeffreys, junior
deacon; W. H. Thomas, senior steward; Alf. Neighbors,
junior steward; W. L. Morgan, tyler. The order has no
building, but has a lease on the I. O. O. F. Hall.
The Knights of Pythias brought their organization from
Kirksville, Iowa, and have been firmly established in Hite-

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 319
man ever since. Their organization is styled Richland Lodge,
No. 151. They have 108 members.
The Odd Fellows organized in 1894. They have 79 mem
bers, and their lodge is known as the Hiteman Lodge, No 548.
The present officers are: J. H. Nelson, N. G.; Ed. C. Moses,
vice-grand; J. H. McAuley, recording secretary; Peter N.
Swanson, permanent secretary; and Wm. Wild, treasurer.
The Odd Fellows have a large two-story frame building
nearly completed. The lower floor will constitute an opera
hall, and the upper one will be fitted up for a lodge room.
The hall is 86x36 feet in dimensions.
The Hiteman Supply Company is by far the most ex
tensive mercantile firm in Monroe County. The concern
was incorporated in 1890, and is in reality an auxiliary of
the Wapello Coal Company. It is a corporate concern, with
an authorized capital stock of $50,000, and has issued stock
to the amount of $30,000. J. C. Peasley, president of the
Wapello Coal Company, is president of the Hiteman Supply
Company, H. L. Waterman is vice-president, S. A. Corey
secretary and treasurer, J. P. Early manager, and O. L. Can
ning cashier. The following persons assist as salesmen:
Chris. Peterson, John Spar, Miss Henrietta Dinsmore, John
Morgan, Thos. Barker, Ed. Early, AV. S. Scott, and I. T. Wil
liams. -The store building is 48x96 feet in dimensions, and
the firm handles every line of goods from lumber to nutmegs.
The Wapello Coal Company was incorporated in 1880,
with an authorized capital stock of $900,000, but only
$730,000 has been issued. J. C. Peasly, of Chicago, is presi
dent, H. L. Waterman vice-president, and H. E. Jarvis, of
Burlingtori, secretary. The company owns about 5,500
acres of coal land in the vicinity, which cost the company
about $24 per acre on an average. The workable coal aver
ages 5 feet in thickness, and the company has removed about
10 per cent of its coal. The C, B. & Q. Railway consumes
the entire output of the plant. The company has paid to its
employees during the present year $250,000, and the average
net earnings of a miner is about $500 per year. The shaft is
160 feet in depth, and there are about 450 men employed in
the mines. Only one vein of coal is worked at Hiteman. The daily
capacity of the plant is 1,000 tons, and the daily output aver
ages about 800 tons. The company have a "tail-rope" system
in the mines, and have two fans for ventilation purposes.

320 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
The fans send down about 90,000 cubic feet of air per minute.
The following persons have charge of the mines: Phil
Waterman and his father, Sen. H. L. AVaterman, civil en
gineers; mechanical engineers, John Zentz and Thomas
McGuire; hoisting engineer, L. S. Cousins; pit-boss, W. B.
Powell; inside foremen, Wm. Barkwell and Owen Reese;
top-boss, Mark Greeley; blacksmiths, R. D. Morgan and A.
L. Hirst. The company contemplates sinking another shaft this
year, about a mile north of the present one, and similar to it
in extent and plan.
Wherever there is a mining camp there is a large Welsh
population. In a camp of say 1000 population there are
about a half-dozen different families by the name of Thomas;
then there are about an equal number of Jameses, Morgans,
Lewises, Williamses, Reeses, Hugheses, Llewellyns, and
Joneses; these are all names very common among the Welsh.
On account of so many different families bearing the same
name, it is customary in Wales, in writing a person's name,
to affix to his name the first name of his father, and to that
of his father, the name of his father. For instance, in writing
John Morgan's name the Welsh word "ap" follows it, "ap"
meaning "son of" — thus, John Morgan ap Gorner ap Owen;
Gomer and Owen being the father and grandfather, respect
ively, of John Morgan.
Wherever these Welsh names are found in a community
you may expect a musical neighborhood. The towns of
Hiteman and Foster contain a large number of very fine
singers, some of whom have been educated in some of the
best musical schools in Europe. For several years the Hite
man Glee Club has maintained the reputation of being one
of the best glee clubs in the State.
The town supports a very fine cornet band. Following
is a list of the members: Jas. Amsbury, leader; Wm. Phil
lips, cornet; P. C. Williams, clarionet; Hugh Williams,
alto; Geo. Darby, alto; Henry Longacre, trombone; John
Neighbor, trombone; Frank Laundeen, 2d cornet; Jack
Cooper, tuba; Jack O'Holland, bass drum; Lincoln Hirst,
2d cornet; Thos. Williams, snare drum; Andrew Johnson,
tuba ; Jas. AVild, baritone ; Wm. Morrissey, B bass.
In 1892 the School Board of Hiteman built a nice frame
school-house. The main building is 30x60 feet, with a wing
26x36 feet.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. - 321
Hiteman contains six church organizations — viz., the
Baptist, Congregational, Swedish Lutheran, Swedish Meth
odist, AVelsh Baptist, and Colored Baptist.
The Baptists organized and built a church structure in
1894. The building is 28x60 feet. Rev. McDowell organized
the congregation. The Congregational Church was organized by Rev. Wm..
Thomas, and a church edifice erected in 1892. The church is
made up largely of Welsh, and the present membership is
about forty. Rev. Owen Thomas, the present pastor, has
been preaching for the class for two years.
The Swedish Lutheran Church was organized in 1893.
They have a small church edifice. Rev. B. M. Glyn is the
present pastor. He also conducts a. day school, teaching the
Swedish language.
The Swedish Methodists were organized by Rev. Erics
son in 1892. He has charge of the congregation at present,
This organization has about 30 members. They own a
church building, 18x28 feet.
The Welsh Baptists built a church in 1892, 16x20 feet
in dimensions. Their organization contains twenty-five
members. Rev. D. R. Morgan is their pastor.
The Colored Baptists organized in 1890. They consist
of about 15 members.
But the one institution of the town which inspires the
citizens of Hiteman with intense pride is the Hiteman Base
ball Nine. It swathes the town in a flood of glory, and the
first thing the citizen speaks about, in welcoming a visitor to
the place, is the immortal nine. He will tell you that the
club have lost but two games in two1 years. The roster of
this glorious band is as follows: Dr. McFall, manager;
Wm. Everett, captain; Wes Bladgett, pitcher; Henry Dins
more, right field; Jas. L. Baxter, center field: Edmund
Thomas, left field: Roe Torrence, first base; Wm. Tiley,
second base; and Wm. Stephenson, third base.

21-

322 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

CHAPTER XVIII.
Some Battles with the "Hairy Nation."
The next dearest thing to the heart of the citizen of
the "Hairy Nation," after a drink of whisky at Harrow's,
was a free-for-all fight. Every man of them was a warrior.
They did not fight so much through provocation or on
account of any desire to avenge any imagined grievance, but
they fought merely for recreation. They loved it. It was
a race peculiarity.
They did not all inhabit the eastern portion of the
county, for there were a few in the northern part. The
Goodwins and Gladsons lived in Bluff Creek Township,
but they were not loyal to the Mantua crowd. They did
not belong to the "Nation."
At that time, Soap Creek had not yet come to the front
as a fighting nation. The Kinser clan, however, were "good
men," and whenever they felt inclined to take a little recre
ation, they came to Albia to fight with the Gladson-Goodwin
crowd against the Tyrrell-Judson gang. They were allies
of the Goodwin gang.
In 1851 Geo. Cramer was clerking for A. C. Wilson.
The North and South met and united their forces against
the "Hairy Nation." When the braves began to assemble,
Geo. Cramer instinctively barricaded the store door, by
running a heavy bar across the entrance. At length an
assailing party came round to the store, found it locked,
and then they tried to break in the door. In vain they threw
their weighty bodies against it to break it in. Old Billy
Kinser, father of W. D. Kinser, of Moravia, was among those
inside the store, and probably induced Cramer to open the
door to hasten on the "festivities." At any rate, young
Cramer, who was about 18 years of age, raised the portcullis,
and the besieging party rushed in. There was a barrel of
ax-handles in the room, and each party seized one. The
crowd was fighting mainly among themselves, probably just
to keep in good fighting trim whenever the Northern, band
put in an appearance. Bill Kinser got an ax-handle, and
used it in a free-and-easy manner among the crowd, knocking
one of the Judsons flat on the floor. Cramer mounted the

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 323
counter with an ax-handle, and whenever a member of the
crowd of combatants circled within reach of his ax-handle,
the handle came down without stint on the hirsute cranium
of the Mantuan.
In 1858 Geo. Cramer was deputy sheriff of Monroe
County. Some of the Judsons had been "pulled" for getting
too hilarious at Harrow's saloon. Henry Judson, when
arrested, gave bond for his appearance in justice's court,
but, on the day set for the trial, neglected to appear.
Cramer went down to the "Nation" to arrest him. When
he brought his prisoner through Cuba, a crowd of the
"Hairy Nation" arose and rescued their fellow-chieftain
from the officer. Captain Saunders happened to be at Cuba
that day, and with his assistance Cramer rearrested his
man, and while he held the crowd at bay with a brace of
pistols, Saunders loaded the prisoner into the buggy and
away they drove towards Albia, followed by a cavalcade
o.f the mob, shouting and firing their pistols at every jump
of their nags. The pursuers and pursued kept up a running
fire until they reached Albia. AVhile the prisoner was
being conducted towards the office of AVm. Davis, the justice
of the peace, an attempt was again made to rescue him.
There were the Tyrrell s and Judsons and other braves
of the "Nation" among the attacking party, and Mart
Giltner, George Knight, Oliver Garrott, AVilliam Boals,
Tom Tucker, and others among the crowd of "minute men."
George Knight used a pitchfork, Geo. Cramer his fists and
a revolver, Captain Saunders his fists, Tom Tucker an ax-
handle, and others used clubs. One of the Judsons ripped
open Wm. Boals' shirtcollar with a big knife, and while
Tom Tucker was shoving Laurel Tyrrell into the jail door,
the latter kicked backward, striking Tom on the chin and
knocking out two of his teeth. Milt Smith hit one of the
Tyrrells on the head with a brickbat, and the crowd thought
the man was killed.
The "Hairy Nation" was finally whipped in the fight,
and the prisoner was gotten to the justice's office, and prob
ably re-fined, and others of the party were lodged in jail.
At another time he was wanted for some slight offense.
George Cramer went to bring him in. He located him in
the woods, chopping away at a big tree. When the tree
was about ready to fall, Cramer approached him from the
rear. He did not see the officer until he was within a few

324 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
feet from him. Judson then, on discovering him, made a
jump for his rifle, which leaned against a neighboring tree;
but before he could cock it, Cramer had him covered with
a revolver. Captain Saunders was also with Cramer, and
the three started for Albia, going through a field. Judson
wanted to go by way of Cuba, but was told that his captors
had had a little experience with him not long before, and
that they thought it best to leave the village on their
route. While going through the field, Judson inquired what
they would do if he concluded to not go any further. Cramer
told him they would simply make him go. Then he laid
down, and would not move. Cramer had a rope on his
horse; with this he tied Judson, and, attaching one end to
the horn of the saddle, the procession proceeded a short
distance, when the prisoner concluded to go along volun
tarily. Old man Strickland was also a "good man." He lived
a few miles north of Albia, and whenever he felt an inclina
tion to "clean out the town," his first warlike preparation
was to pull off his shirt. One day he was out in the streets
of Albia, preparing to engage the crowd in battle, but in
removing his shirt he neglected to unbutton the wristbands.
He got the garment over his head, but his hands would not
come through the sleeves at the wristbands. His antagonist,
seeing the advantage, opened the attack. Strickland,
appreciating the necessity for prompt action, stooped and,
placing one foot on each sleeve, pulled, like one skinning
a squirrel, until the sleeves gave way and freed his
hands. He then sailed into his foe, but was arrested and
lodged in the old jail. At this period the old jail leaned
considerably to one side, and when a guard was placed
over him, he objected; he thought it was unnecessary
to guard the side of the jail which leaned, as "any man
would be a d — d fool to venture to escape from the side
which leaned."
How a Sixth Iowa Cavalry Boy Got His Whisky.
Thomas Boyle, of Foster, who was a member of the
Third Iowa Light Artillery, relates an anecdote on his friend
John Gelson, an Irishman, who' belonged to Company B,
Sixth Iowa Cavalry. In 1863 and 1864 this regiment was in
Sully's command, stationed in the Cheyenne country, near
Ft. Pierre.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 325
It was on Christmas, and the boys wanted a little
whisky, but did not have the money to buy it, and the sutler
would not be "stood off" for the pay. Gelson got two jugs,
filled one with water and the other was empty. Appearing
before the sutler, he ordered the empty jug filled with
whisky. The sutler filled it. Gelson, on receiving it, in
quired how much it was worth. The sutler informed him
that it would cost five dollars. Gelson appeared disap
pointed, and objected to paying so much. The sutler was a
heartless fellow, and told Gelson that if he thought it was too
much, to hand the jug back. Gelson did so, but handed the
jug that contained the water instead of the whisky. The sut
ler was none the wiser, and the boys celebrated Christmas
on whisky that did not cost a cent.
The Oldest Citizen Born on Iowa Soil. • '
John Adams, of Mantua Township, claims to be the first
white male person born on Iowa soil. He is 76 years of age,
and was born in 1820 at a trading post on the Missouri River,
where the city of Council Bluffs now stands. The city had
not been platted at that time, nor in 1824, when a French
trader named Hart built a cabin on the bluffs near the large
spring known as "Myner's Spring." The employees of
the American Fur Company called the localitv "La Cote de
Hart," or "Hart's Bluff."
It may be necessary, however, for Mr. Adams to defend
his claims to the honor of being the first white child born
within the State, against those of Julien Dubuque's band
of miners who settled along the Mississippi River in 1788.
Although Mr. Adams may have been the first white American
born in Iowa, it is quite certain that there were white chil
dren born in Iowa among the French traders prior to 1820.
Dr. Muir settled in Lee County in 1820. He was a sur-
geon.in the United States army, and some years later located
in Galena, 111., and practiced law, and then returned to
Keokuk. He had an Indian wife when he located in Lee
County, and was the father of four children, some of whom
were born in Iowa, as early, at least, as 1820.
Mr. Adams came to Monroe County in the '50s. Then he
located in Wapello County, and then returned to Monroe
County in 1873. From Council Bluffs he emigrated to
Ohio, and from thence to Black Hawk County, in 1850.

326 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Yankee Pumpkins as Parlor Sets.
In early times chairs were a luxury which every pioneer
family, however well regulated, could not always afford.
Nail-kegs, too, were scarce, but the settlers soon began to
use a chair not made with hands. It was the big Yankee
pumpkin. In the early '50s Nat Williamson went "sparking" over
the line in Wapello County. In those days it was customary
for the young men to court their girls in droves. William
son, Tom Commons, and Joe Carwell went over in a gang to
"set" Salina McFarland, Miss AATay, and Miss Sutton. They
did not have chairs, but the lovers sat on pumpkins. They
were never popular with lovers, however, as a pumpkin
would not support two without wabbling.
Old Documents.
"Territory of Iowa
Kiskekosh County
"to eny Cunstabal in said county greeting in the name
of the united states of america you are hereby commanded to
atach so much of the goods and chatchels money receipts of
Simon Cochron except such as the law exempts as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the claim of sixteen dollars and seven
cents and cost of suite in hoosoever possession the same may
be found in your county and presincte that the goods and
chatchels so attached may be subject to ferthar Prosedings
thare on as the law requires and also to summon the said
Simon Cochron if to be found to apere before mee a Justice
of the peace of the Mcintire precinct in said county at my
office tharein on the 19 day of July 1845 at 12 ocloek of said
day to anser into II. M. Smith plantif and also that you
summon all such pursens as garnisheez as may be derected
by the said plaintif to apere before me at the time and
place aforesed to anser such intirguations as may be pro-
ponded to them and of this rit make legal servis and due
returns given under my hand this 9 day of July A. D. 1845.
"Archibald Dorothy
"Justice of the peace"
On the back of this "rit " is found the following:
"This rit came to hand July 9 at P. M. 9 ocloek."
"leved this 10 day of July, one thousand seven hundred
and twenty rales bilt in fense tin achres braking two log

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 327
cabens three achres and a half of buckwheat whith all and
singulare belonging to the with in. cowhorn all the buv
named property laying in township seventy one"
"garneshed Mr. Scot and A Trussle leved on by Flem
ming Tice July 10 1845"
"the demand $16.7 cents at the request and resque of
the plaintif I impour Flemming Tice to execute this rit
"Archibald Dorothy
"Justice of the peace"
Here is another order for the delivery of certain "goods
and chattels" :

"Territory of Iowa
Kishkekosh County
Troy Township.

To any constable
in said County
greeting:

"In the name of the united states of America you are
hereby commanded to cause to be delivered without delay
to Henry B. Bones herein (if he gives the security required
, by law) the following goods and chatties to wit: ten hogs,
one sow of a dirty white couler and her ear marks destroyed
by dogs, three barrows marked with a crop off the left ear
and an underbit in the right and a slit in the same; and five
pigs coulered black and white and no ear marks, and sum
mon Andrew Galaspy defendant, to be and appear before
me, a justice of the Peace in the above named county, at
my office tharein, on the 15 day of January 1846, at 9 ocloek
A.M. of said day, to answer unto the said plaintiff, in a
plea of replevin, and of this writ, make due service and
return, given under my hand this 8th day of January, 1846.
"Geo. Deay,
"Justice of the Peace."
Some Early Milling Exploits.
In 1848 Newt Vancleve went to Bonaparte with a grist
of milling. When he got down as far as Big Soap Creek,
he found the stream out of its banks, caused by a recent
heavy rain. There were no bridges ; and as the family had
scraped the bottom of the meal-barrel, there was no alter
native but to get to mill in some way. He found a big
cottonwood log lying across the stream above the current.
Over this he carried each sack of corn to the opposite bank ;
then he took the wagon apart and carried it across, piece
meal. The wagon-bed he floated across by attaching a rope
to it. He then swam the team across, and then went on

328 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
his way. It took him nine days to make the trip ; on return
ing, he found the creek still out of its banks. He left the
wagon and milling at Madison Mclntyre's, and swam the
team across the stream and got home. He and his father
returned a week later for the wagon and grist.
Mr. Vancleve is still living in Urbana Township, and
relates another incident. In 1850 Hamaker's mill was
established on Cedar Creek, and here the settlers took their
"grinding." One day, while en route to mill, he overtook
Hon. Josiah T. Young with an ox -team, also on his way to
mill. Mr. Young was in his bare feet and was reading a
volume of Gibbon's "Rome" while en route.
' Mr. Vancleve passed him, got his grist ground, and
both started on their return, home. Mr. Young stopped at
Strickland's, a few miles north of Albia, to water his oxen.
Old man Strickland was drunk, and got after Mr. Young's
bare feet with a switch, making him hop around over the
premises quite briskly.
In 1867 John Edwards made a proposition to the people
of Monroe County to build a mill in Albia if the people
would subscribe $600 towards the enterprise. The mill was
erected, but the amount of bonus was never made up.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 329
CHAPTER XIX.
Educational.
Monroe County offers as good educational advantages
as any county in the State.
The course of study pursued in the Albia High School
is just as thorough as that taught in the colleges, and it
requires twelve years to complete the course. Latin, how
ever, is the only foreign language taught. Prof. H. C.
Hollingsworth is the present principal. He receives an
annual salary of $1300.
There are six graded schools in Monroe County — viz.,
Albia, Avery, Foster, Hiteman, Lovilia, and Melrose. In
1895 there were enrolled in the schools: Albia, 701 pupils;
Avery, 110; Foster, 139; Hiteman, 305; Lovilia, 97; and
Melrose, 126.
In 1896 there were 102 school-houses in the county, and
in 1896 there were 161 teachers enrolled in the office of the
County Superintendent. Following is the list as taken
from the County Superintendent's books :
Mrs. Della Angel, G. M. Abegglen, Mary Abegglen,
Chas. Abegglen, W. T. Bussear, Mamie Bucher, Emmett
Bay, A. H. Bain, W. H. Bates, D. W. Bates, Sadie Baldwin,
Laura Burgason, Bessie Bradley, Alice Burgason, Ada
Burgason, Amanda Burgason, Clara Barber, Mollie Barber,
Fred Bowen, Mrs. Mary Baker, Clara Chisholm, Myrta Cox,
J. J. Carr, Olla Cobb, Anna Castle, Alice Cromwell, Mrs.
L. B. Carlisle, Stella Cobb, Maggie Canning, Mary Carmody,
Ella Cady, Rose Clark, Cassie Craig, Josie Craig, Bert Court
ney, Mary Cummings, Fannie Dunleavy, Mary Drury, Libbie
Davis, Nellie Delana, Laura Dashiell, A. E. Elder, Jennie
Ewers, Albert Ewers, Mattie Emanuel, Clara Forest, M. C.
Falvey, Mary Fuller, Mamie Follis, Ada Foster, Anna
Fall, Chas. E. Fulton, Mattie Ferguson, Florence Ferguson,
Wm. Fallon, Emma Funk, Stella Fulton, Ora Fisher, Anna
Fulton, Lillie Gillaspie, Ida Gillaspie, Jessie Gray, John O.
Hawk, Eva Harris, Alice Howk, Margaret Hawk, Mrs. H. G.
Hickenlooper, Ruth Higgenbotham, Sol. Hickman, John
Hickman, Cyrus Hickenlooper, Maggie Harlow, Myrta Har
low, Dora Haugh, Zulah Holtzclaugh, Maude Ireland. Effie

330 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Junkins, Nettie Junkins, Estella Johnson, L. E. Johnson,
Lila Judson, Albert Johnson, Joseph Kelleher, Ella Kirby,
E. G. Kussart, Rosa Leech, Lucy Lemaster, Ella McDonald,
Maude Mullen, Ethel Mullen, Mary Miller, Allie Murray,
Frankie McKissick, Rhoda McGilvery, Nettie McCoy, Anna
Morrissey, Clara Noland, D. W. Nevins, Mary Neil, Lizzie
O'Brien, Mrs. Mary O'Bryan, E. B. Piper, Mattie D. Peter
sen, J. W. Payne, Alice Quillan, Mary Quinn, Mrs. Hattie
Robinson, May Rigdon, Maggie Ryan, Mary Ryan, Effie Robi
son, V. L. Ray, Pearl Riggs, Otto Runyan. Julia Riordan,
D. H. Rouse, Ghas. Richey, Orpha Rigdon, J. W. Robison,
Addie Rogers, A. W. Richardson, Josie Sexton, Delia Sinnott,
J. M. Sterrett, Mary Shearer, Bid Sullivan, Stella Scott, Jen
nie Sinclair, Arthur Spencer, Daisy C. Sayles, Alice Stone,
G. W. Stocker, G. Z. Stocker, Katie Sexton, Mary Simons,
H. A. Stites, Minnie Sullivan, Thomas Stewart, Maggie Sin
nott, Ollie V. Smith, Geo. H. Shahan, Lottie Totman, Edith
Tibbals, Ella Tubaugh, AV. H. Tedrow, Hattie Thompson,
Etta Thompson, Mabel Ury, Katie Whalen, Osie West, Katie
AVinslow, John AVycoff, Emma Way, Merlin Wilkin, Nora
AVilkin, Alice White, Ruth Wirt, Mary Wiedman, Charles
Young, Mrs. Jennie Thaver, Mrs. Jennie Warner.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 331

CHAPTER XX.
The Mining Industry.
At the present time Monroe County ranks third in the
list of coal-producing counties in the State; but it is safe to
venture the prediction that within the next five years she
will occupy a place at the head of the list.
Mahaska County is at present the largest coal-producing
county in the State, producing, in 1895, 902,430 tons of coal,
valued at the mines at $1,209,256.
Appanoose County came next, with her 350,000 tons,
valued at the mines at $420,000.
Monroe County followed, with 313,354 tons, valued at
the mines at $391,692.
It should be here stated that the foregoing figures repre
sent the condition of the coal industry at the period of the
great financial panic of 1894 and 1895, when all industries,
and notably that of mining, were completely paralyzed.
During this memorable period of depression the coal industry
suffered most of all. The railroads, having little or nothing
to haul, did not need coal for steam purposes. The factories
throughout the country ran on half or quarter time, and
many completely shut their shops. From this source another
portion of the coal demand was cut off. The winter was
mild and not much coal was required as fuel. Then the coal-
miners' strike added to the depression and curtailed in a
large measure the output in 1895. Hence it is that the
figures given do not express the normal condition of the
mining industry in Monroe County.
In 1893, just on the eve of the financial crisis, Monroe
County produced 641,805 tons of coal.
In 1895 Mahaska County had 28 mines in operation, Appa
noose had 72, while Monroe County had but 18, and 6 of this
number are but "slopes," or country banks, some employing
but one or two men during the winter months.
The State Mine Inspector divides Iowa into three mining
districts, and the First District comprises the counties of
Adams, Appanoose, Davis, Lucas, Monroe, Page, Taylor,
Wapello, Warren, and Wayne. Of these, Monroe, Lucas,
AYapello, and a part of Davis are the only counties within

332 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
the First District which yield any coal from the lower coal
seam. The others named work a 3-foot vein, with an inter
val of about 8 inches of fire-clay in the middle of the seam.
This 3-foot vein also occurs in Monroe County, but the coal
at present is not mined for shipping purposes, and is worked
only in country banks, for local consumption as fuel.
In no locality in the mining districts of Iowa is the prod
uct of this thin coal vein very suitable for steam purposes.
It is lighter, and while it is superior for fuel purposes to
that of the lower coal lying at a greater depth, it does not
find a market as steam-producing coal. Its quality in Mon
roe County is not quite so good as in Appanoose County, yet
this, however, may be due to the fact that up to the present
no tests of its quality have been very extensively made in
Monroe County, in regions overlaid by a thick rock roof.
Where entries have been driven to any considerable dis
tance from surface exposure and beneath thick superin
cumbent strata of rock or slate, the quality of the coal is
perceptibly improved. This coal seam is unvarying in thick
ness throughout the county, and crops out along all the prin
cipal streams. It is preferred for fuel purposes to the lower
coal, even in Monroe County, and no doubt it will command
a good commercial value in the future, when there is a greater
demand for it than now.
About 50 feet below this seam there is another one, about
16 inches in thickness, which is usually from 100 to 150 feet
above the lower coal seam. Another seam of about the same
thickness occurs above the 3-foot vein in localities within the
county. Monroe County, like Mahaska, occupies the center of the
great coal-bearing district of Iowa, which, beginning at
Webster County, parallels the Des Moines River on either
side, as far down as Van Buren County. This area is classed
by geologists as the "lower coal measures." The thickness
of these coal measures in Monroe County is variously esti
mated at froiri 200 to 400 feet, and contains, as already stated,
several seams of coal of varying thickness, from 8 feet down
to as many inches.
The lowest stratum of coal is by far the most important
commercially, as the vein is of the greatest thickness, and
also superior in quality for steam purposes. It does not lie
in a continuous or persistent stratum extending over any
considerable areas, but occurs in lenticular basins or pockets.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 333
some of which are of large extent. These pockets doubtless
represent the inequalities of surface of the earth, during the
glacial period, when the mass of vegetable matter drifted in
and formed beds of coal.
When it is remembered that the coal-fields of Monroe
County are practically in an undeveloped state at the pres
ent time, it is reasonable to conclude that she will soon over
take and outrank Mahaska County as the banner coal county
of the State. Much of the available coal supply in Mahaska
County has already been mined, and with the present number
of mines and the amount of capital and enterprise expended
in mining operations in the county, her output is destined
soon to diminish with the exhaustion of her present already
thoroughly worked mining camps. A large amount of Mon
roe County coal lands are held in reserve in anticipation of
an early advance in prices incident on the diminution of the
coal supply in neighboring localities.
The distribution of coal in Appanoose County is doubt
less confined to a less area than that of Monroe County, and
the lower vein is not present at all in any locality within the
county. A 3-foot vein is the only one worked in the county,
and it is near the surface and is easily accessible by means
of drifting into the earth. This does not require an ex
pensive equipment, and with the rapidly increasing number
of mines which take the place of those worked out, the out
put will soon begin to diminish. Moreover, the quality of
the coal, while superior for domestic purposes, cannot be
placed on the market as steam coal, and in the summer sea
son the industry is usually partially suspended, and often
altogether so, on account of finding a light market for
the coal. For purposes of State inspection, the coal-producing
area of Iowa is divided into three mine-inspection districts.
Each of these is under the supervision of a Mine Inspector
appointed by the Governor. The First District comprises the
counties of Adams, Appanoose, Davis, Lucas, Monroe, Tay
lor, Wapello, Warren, and Wayne.
The counties of Appanoose„ Monroe, and Wapello are
the only three counties of the district which are of any im
portance as coal-producing counties.
The three named, together with Mahaska County, of
the Second District, are the mining centers of the State.
The Second Inspection District of Iowa comprises the

334 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
counties of Jasper, Jefferson, Keokuk, Mahaska, Scott, and
Van Buren, and the Third is made up of the counties of
Adair, Boone, Dallas, Greene, Guthrie, Marion, Polk, Story,
and Webster.
For organization and various other purposes, the mining
districts of Iowa, irrespective of the mine-inspection dis
trict division, are divided into the Northern, Des Moines,
Central, and Southern districts. Some of these districts
are known as "low coal" districts, the term "low coal," in
mining parlance, meaning coal occurring in shallow seams —
the 3-foot vein, for instance, of Appanoose, of the Southern
District, or of Boone and Webster of the Northern District.
This "low coal" is distinguished as "mining coal," or
coal to mine which the miner has to use his shovel and pick
alone. He merely digs the fire-clay from the seam, and
wedges or pries the coal out, without resorting to> "shooting"
or blasting. This coal readily separates from the shale or
slate roof, and as it rests on a bed of fire-clay, it freely
separates from the latter. In order, however, to mine such
coal, the miner has to remove a portion of the upper or
lower, or sometimes both upper and lower, adjacent strata,
in order to get sufficient height in his room for operating
purposes and for the passage of mules drawing the cars.
Owing to this extra amount of labor which the miner has
to perform, he receives a higher price per ton for the amount
of coal mined than if the coal was "higher."
The price per ton for coal mined is fixed by common
agreement between operators and miners throughout the
coal-mining districts of the United States. This schedule
of prices for Iowa was fixed in 1893; and since then oc
casional violations of that basis led to one of the most
extensive strikes or suspensions of labor in the mines that
the mining industry in the West has ever experienced. The
history of that strike may not be fairly well understood by
those not immediately interested, as the causes that led
to it were not altogether local in character.
During the eight-hour strike movement of 1890, when
most of the various organized labor organizations through
out the United States struck for eight hours of labor instead
of ten hours, the United Mine- Workers of America were
drawn into the strike movement. The miners did not
demand of the operators ten hours' pay for eight hours'
work, since the miner is paid by the ton for his labor; but

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 335
the theory was, that by reducing the number of hours for
each day's labor more men could be provided with work in
getting out a required amount of coal.
In obedience to an order from the national organization,
the Monroe County miners struck; they held out for several
weeks, but at some of the mines their demands were not
acceded to by the operators, and the strike was abandoned.
The movement was not well generaled, and, one after an
other, the camps resumed work without having achieved
any advantage.At the termination of this strike, the Iowa miners with
drew from the national organization, owing to a lack of
support, and in 1893 a. State organization was perfected,
which took the name of The Iowa Miners' Association, with
its headquarters at Foster, Iowa. J. T. Clarkson was
chosen president of the organization, and Richard Williams,
also of Foster, was secretary and treasurer.
That year brought the forerunner of the great financial
distress of the country. All departments of trade be
came stagnated, the arteries of commerce became clogged,
and money ceased to circulate freely. Every kind of
business succumbed to the general distress. The farmer
could not get anything for his products. Transportation
shrunk to a minimum, and factories curtailed their output.
This, of course, affected the coal trade in a large degree.
The operators of mines could not find a market for all their
output at former prices. They found that they could not
pay operating expenses by paying the schedule rate per ton
for mining the coal, and most of the operators began to cut
below the schedule rate, which had been fixed in 1893 and
which is known as "the 1893 basis." This rate was as
follows: For mining coal in the Southern District, com
prising the counties of Appanoose and Wayne, $1.00 per ton ;
Central District, comprising Monroe, Marion, Mahaska,
Keokuk, and Wapello counties, 75 cents per ton; Des Moines
District, $1.00 per ton; Northern District, comprising Boone
and Webster counties, $1.00 per ton.
At the time the general strike or "suspension" was
ordered in 1894, by the National United Mine-Workers of
America, the Iowa miners were not members of that organi
zation, and were really not parties to the calling of the
strike at that time. The order was given to strike on the
21st of April, 1894, and after many urgent appeals from the

336 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
national officials and from miners within the State, the
President of the Iowa Miners' Association issued a call for
a miners' convention to meet at Albia on May 3d, for the
purpose of considering the appeals from the national
organization, for cooperation. After hearing reports from
every mining camp within the State, it was found that
about two-thirds of the delegates were opposed to a strike
or to participating in the "national suspension."
A report was submitted by each delegate, wliich
showed that a reduction had been made, of 20 cents per ton
on coal mined in the Southern District, where "low coal"
is mined; 25 cents per ton reduction in the Des Moines
District, and 20 cents per ton in the Northern field. This
reduction affected about 65 per cent of the mines in the
State, not including What Cheer and other eastern mines.
Several of the Monroe County mines, however, did not
make any reduction, among which was the Deep Vein Coal
Company at Foster. Yet, notwithstanding, the strike went
into effect at that place, the same as if the company had
violated the 1893 compact.
In the convention, a motion to suspend work was voted
down by one majority. The next day a motion was carried
to reconsider the vote, and, when acted on, it was carried by
a majority of eleven votes, that, in view of the reductions
made in' the State, which were threatening to produce a uni
form reduction of 20 cents per ton, over the State, by reason
of competition compelling the operators who had not so
reduced the price per ton for mining to meet the operators
in the market who had made the reduction, it was. resolved
that the president issue a call for all miners, in the State to
stop work; which was done, and the miners were idle until
June 11, 1894, when the following agreement was entered
into by the parties to the contract:
"Whereas, The miners of Iowa are to-day idle because
of their action in joining the movement known as the
'national suspension'; therefore be it
"Resolved, By the operators and miners of Iowa, in
joint convention assembled, at Oskaloosa, on this 9th day of
June, 1894, that the scale of wages for mining coal, and the
rules and regulations in force during 1893, be restored
(excepting so far as these may be modified by the acts of
the Twenty-fifth General Assembly of Iowa), and that the
same continue in effect until April 1, 1895.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 337
"Resolved also, That whereas there have been no acts
of violence committed at any of the mines here represented,
it is agreed by the operators here assembled that there
shall be no discrimination used against their men on account
of the part taken in the suspension.
"Resolved further, That it is the aim of the Iowa
operators to always deal fairly with their men; they agree
that they will be glad to consider complaints at any time,
and that they stand ready at all times to properly adjust
any wrongs that may exist.
"Resolved further, That the operators of ilowa whosef
signatures are hereto attached will recognize the written
request of any or all of their miners to' pay over to any
committee or its treasurer any sum per ton due such men,
it being understood that said committee may dispose of
such sums of money as they deem expedient, and that the
operators have no interest in such sums after they have
been paid over as above.
"It is agreed by the representativesi of the miners of the
State, who are duly authorized to act, that all miners in
the State shall return to work, commencing Wednesday,
June 13th, at all mines willing to resume on the above basis.
"In witness whereof we hereunto attach our respective
signatures." To this were attached the following signatures: J. W.
Reynolds, President Executive Board ; J. T. Clarkson, Secre
tary; W. S. Scott, President Dis. 13, U. M. W. of A.; Julius
Fraum, Secretary and Treasurer Dis. 13 U. M. W. of A.;
Robt. . Cunion, Foster; Jas. B. Williams, Wapelluka; Robt..
Downs, What Cheer; Elisha Holland, What Cheer; Geo.
Richard, Colfax; W. F. Lewis, Wapelluka; Thos. H. Davis,
Des Moines; Robert Cowan, Angus; AVm. Mitchell, Flagler ;
White-breast Fuel Company, by Paul Morton, President;
Oskaloosa Goal and Mining Company, by E. H. Gibbs,
President; What Cheer Coal Company, by E. M. Trescott,
Superintendent; Chicago Coal Company, by D. C. De Wolf,
President; Star Coal Company, by C. H. Rathburn, Secre
tary; Wapello Coal Company, by H. L. Waterman, Vice-
President; Excelsior Coal Company, by Geo. Ramsey, Super
intendent; Black Swan Coal Company, by Thos. Beck;
Hickory Coal and Mining Company, by J. H. Ramsey, Super
intendent; Boone. Valley Coal and Railway Company, by
Hamilton Brown; Lower Vein Coal and Railway Company,
22 

338 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
by Hamilton Brown; Boone Coal and Mining Company, by
Hamilton Brown; luka Coal Company, by H. Booth, Presi
dent; Oak Hill Coal Company, by S. R. Rawlings; Columbian
Coal Company, by W. A. Durfee, General Manager; Smoky
Hollow Coal Company, by J. J. Evaris, Proprietor.
Thus ended one of the most extensive and far-reaching
strikes that this country has ever seen. It affected at -one
time fourteen thousand mine employees."
At the convention at Albia, which ordered the Iowa
miners to strike, J. T. Clarkson resigned his office of presi
dent of the Iowa Miners' Association, but occupied the posi
tion of secretary at the time he attended the National Execu
tive Board meeting at Columbus, Ohio, June 4, 1894, when it
formally voted to declare the "national suspension" off, and
to permit every mining district to make any kind of arrange
ments they chose between the miners and the operators.
Mr. Clarkson was opposed to the strike from first to last ;
but, under the overwhelming pressure brought to bear on
the Iowa miners, and the persistent entreaties of the miners
themselves, he yielded to their wishes, and called the con
vention. Later he accepted the office of vice-president of the
Iowa Miners' Association, but resigned in 1895, and has since
then devoted his talent and energy to the practice of law.
Whether this great strike resulted in any material ad
vantage to the miners of Iowa is a matter of doubt. The
Deep Arein Coal Company, of Foster, Iowa, refused to enter
the agreement, and the strike was prolonged at the place
for some weeks. That company had never violated the '93
•schedule, and had paid its employees promptly every two
weeks. Moreover, it had to face the competition of other
mines which operated on a reduced scale for mining, but it
gave its men work (though not on full time) as long as they
wished work: Mr. Foster, president of the company, took
exceptions to one clause of the agreement requiring his com
pany, on request of the miners, to become their agent in the
collection of certain dues or "relief funds." The miners at
Foster at length signified their willingness to resume work
without having secured any concessions from the company,
but their action cost the company the loss of some valuable
coal contracts, wliich, on account of its inability to fill them
at the time of the strike, were placed with other companies,
which had already gone to work.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 339
During the strike many of the miners and their families
were reduced almost to destitution. The relief fund was in
adequate, and the appeals sent out to the farming community
for donations fell on unsympathizing ears. The farmers
would not contribute to their support, and met the solicitors
with the retort : "Why don't you go to work if you are starv
ing? We have to work for whatever we can get, in order to
keep the wolf from the door." The farmers could not see the
wisdom of a strike at a time when all business was already
paralyzed by a financial panic. They felt that they them
selves were in the same boat, and refused both material and
moral support to the strike movement. Their aid was not
withheld through a lack of charity, for they felt that it would
be fostering a social evil to encourage men in idleness.
Probably a majority of the sober reflecting miners were
opposed to the strike ; but in a mining community there are
ruling spirits, whose counsels are listened to and heeded by
the rank and file. Sometimes these bosses are unscrupulous
men, who go by the name of "agitators." There are a few
of them in every mining camp, and they are a source of mis
chief to both operators and miners^ In all treaties with
operators they are careful to have the latter agree to a clause
which binds the operator to not make any discrimination
against them and their active followers for having abetted
the strike. Notwithstanding these promises on the part of
the operators, and notwithstanding the enactment of a
statute in the laws of the State, forbidding this discrimina
tion, the "agitator" soon finds himself out of employment in
the mines. He goes from mining camp to mining camp seek
ing work, but he is invariably known to the company in some
way, and is told his services are not desired. He usually
goes to work with the rest of the. miners, but he invariably
lands in some part of the mine where there is bad air, "low
coal," or a treacherous roof. He is not a favorite with the
"pit-boss," and is assigned by him to the least desirable part
of the mine, where he cannot earn a living by his labor.
The scale of wages for mining coal, as agreed to by the
joint convention at Oskaloosa, June 9, 1894, which scale was
a continuation of the '93 scale, and was to be in force until
April 1, 1895, was not strictly observed by the parties to the
contract, and in the spring of '95 the operators and miners
met in convention at Ottumwa, March 29th. In this conven
tion an agreement was entered into, which is known as the

340 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
"Ottumwa Agreement," and in which it was agreed that the
"93 scale would be observed from April 1, 1895, to April 1,
1896. It'seems the operators entering into this compact found
themselves unable to carry out its provisions, and a reduc
tion was made, which precipitated another strike, by the
operators in the Northern, Southern, and Des Moines dis
tricts refusing to sign or abide by the agreement.
In the Southern District nearly all the men went out on
account of a reduction of from 10 to 15 cents per ton. A levy
of $1.00 per head was placed on every miner working
throughout the districts, but this aid was soon exhausted,
and the striking miners were advised by the State organiza-
ton to temporarily resume work at the reduced schedule
price. This advice was given out in a circular signed by J.
T. Clarkson, as president pro tem., and Julius Fraum, secre
tary and treasurer of the Iowa Miners' Association.
In Monroe County the fixed schedule for mining coal
has for several years been the same as that of Mahaska
County — viz., 70 cents per ton for summer and 80 cents for
winter, or 75 cents on an average. The State Mine Inspector
of the First Inspection District gives the following prices for
the various counties comprising the districts:
Appanoose and AA-ayne counties, per ton  $1.00
Central District, comprising Mahaska, Monroe, Ma
rion, Keokuk, and AVapello counties, per ton  75
Des Moines District, per ton  1.00
Northern District, comprising Boone and AVebster
counties, per ton  1.00
The State Mine Inspector, however, in his report of the
First District, for the year ending June 30, 1895, places the
average price for mining coal in Monroe County at 66 cents
per ton, in Mahaska County at 75 cents per ton, arid in Appa
noose County at 88 cents per ton.
The writer has no knowledge of any rate in Monroe
County lower than 70 cents.
The State Mine Inspector's Report for the year 1895
gives the following as the number and character of the min
ing plants of Monroe Countv:

MONROE COUNTY.

Name of Company, Firm, or

Name of Superin

Post-Office

Kind of

Plan of Working

How Vent

Kind of
Power

Shipping

Operator.

tendent.

Address.

Mine.

Mine.

ilated.

Used.

or Local.

Wapello Coal Co.

P. H. Waterman.

Hiteman.

Shaft.

Room and Pillar.

Fan.

Steam.

Shipping

Smoky Hollow Coal Co.,

No. 1.
F. Hynes.
Avery.
Slope
Room and Pillar.
Fan.
Steam.
Shipping
Smoky Hollow Coal Co.,
No. 2.
F. Hynes.
Avery.
Slope.
Room and Pillar.
Furnace .
Steam.
Shipping
Deep Vein Coal Co.
C. H. Fugle.
Foster.
Shaft.
Room and Pillar.
Fan.
Steam.
Shipping
Enterprise Coal Co.
Thos. Lewis.
Albia.
Shaft.
Room and Pillar.
Fan.
Steam.
Shipping
Chicago & Iowa Coal Co.
W.G. Richardson.
Cedar M.
Shaft.
Room and Pillar.
Furnace.
Steam.
Shipping
Iowa & Wisconsin Coal Co.
D H. McMillan.
Albia.
Shaft.
Room and Pillar.
Fan.
Steam.
Shipping
White-breast Fuel Co.,No.lO
T. J. Phillips.
Ottumwa.
Shaft.
Room and Pillar.
Fan.
Steam.
Shipping
Diamond Coal Co , No. 1.
A. B. Little.
Coalfield.
Slope.
Room and Pillar.
Fan.
Steam.
Shipping
Diamond Coal Co., No. 2.
A. B. Little.
Coalfield.
Shaft.
Room and Pillar.
Fan.
Steam.
Shipping
Fredric Coal Co.
Clarence Akers.
Fredric.
Shaft.
Long Wall.
Furnace .
Steam.
Shipping
Wilson Coal Co.
P. F. Jackson.
Fredric.
Shaft.
Long Wall.
Furnace.
Horse.
Shipping
Remey Bros.
Wm. Remey.
Albia.
Slope.
Room and Pillar.
Furnace.
Horse .
Local.
W. D. Russell.
W. D. Russell.
Albia.
Slope.
Room and Pillar.
Furnace.
Horse.
Local.
Smiley Bros.
Smiley Bros.
Albia.
Slope.
Room and Pillar.
Furnace .
Horse.
Local.
Hartyer Bros.
Hartyer Bros.
Albia.
Slope.
Room and Pillar.
Furnace .
Horse.
Local.
John K. Manley.
John K. Manley.
Albia.
Slope.
Room and Pillar.
Furnace.
Horse .
Local.
Geo. Combs.
Geo. Combs.
Albia.
Slope.
Room and Pillar.
rurnace .
Horse.
Local.
I-*
05 K:
6ft*jo© ftOEgo§ US
2
342 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
In addition to the foregoing, two more companies have
organized and begun operations since 1895 — viz., the Hilton
Coal Company, of Hilton, Monroe County, and the Central
Coal Company, near Avery, a further description of which
is found elsewhere in this volume.
Few of the mining concerns within the county have
achieved much success financially within recent years. Labor
disturbances have been one cause, and a sharp competition
in the coal markets another.
The expense of mining in some of the localities is much
greater than elsewhere, owing to unsatisfactory roofing,
"faults" in the coal, hilly or uneven condition of the inner
surface of the mine, and a variety of other hindrances.
In many cases the railroads themselves have discrim
inated against certain coal operators, the roads being more
or less identified with coal enterprises themselves. Those
coal companies which are accorded the special favoritism or
patronage of the railroads are successfully operated and
those concerned make money.
The fifty days' strike of 1894 was certainly an ill-advised
move on the part of the miners of Iowa They had no local
grievances to set right; they struck out of sympathy for a
horde of turbulent foreigners working in the mines of the
Eastern States — a population consisting largely of Sclavs,
Huns, and other European nationalities, little governed by
civilization or the requirements of good citizenship. The
loss to the miners themselves, entailed by the strike of 1894,
amounted, in the First District, to 299^584 tons of coal, and
$399,226 in earnings, or a decrease of 18.5 per cent of
earnings. Following is a list of accidents occurring in the mines
of Monroe County for the two years ending June 30, 1895 :

Date.
Nov. 6, '93.
Dec. 29, '93.
March 8, '94.
May 10, '94.
May 12, '94.
Nov. 20, '94.
Nov. 27, '94.
Dec. 22, '94.
Aug. 25, '93.
Dec. 23, '93
Feb: 16, '94.
Feb. 17, '94.
July 16, '94.
July 16, '94.
July 18, '94.
Aug. 13, '94.
Oct. 16, '94.
Oct. 31, '94.
Nov. 27, '94.
Nov. 27, '94.
Dec. 22, '94.
Jan. 21, '95.
Feb. 4, '95.
Feb. 13, '95.

Name.

Julius Koehler.
John Kelly.
Robert Roberts.
Thos. McManamon.
John Wiguall.
Chas. Ricker.
John A. Jones.
Frank Bennett.
E. T. Ades.
James Wilson.
John Gustafson.
Frank Adolphson.
W. A. Bednan.
Ben Thomas.
Aug. Fleming.
Chas. V. Kirk.
Barry Nicholson.
Wm. McKinny.
James Dyson.
Geo. Taylor.
Victor Johnson,
O. Polander.
Swan Nelson.
John Bagnell.

Cause of Casualty.

Killed by fall of slate.
Killed by fall of slate.
Killed by fall of slate.
Killed by fall of slate.
Fell into shaft, killed.
Killed between cars.
Killed by shot.
Killed by powder explosion.
Bruised by slate.
Leg broken by fall of rock.
Spine injured by slate.
Leg broken by fall of slate.
Burned by blown-out shot.
Burned by blown-out shot.
Right leg broken by slate.
Back hurt by fall of coal.
Burned by pipe igniting powder.
Strained hip from fall of slate.
Burned by blown-out shot.
Burned by blown-out shot.
Burned by explosion of powder.
Right leg broken by fall of slate.
Left leg broken by fall of slate.
Bruised by fall of slate.

Name of Company or Firm.

Where Located

Wapello Coal Co.
Enterprise Coal Co.
White-breast Fuel Co.
Wapello Coal Co.
Smoky. Hollow Coal Co.
Smoky Hollow Coal Co.
Iowa & Wisconsin Coal Co,
Deep Vein Coal Co.
Deep Vein Coal Co.
Iowa & Wisconsin Coal Co.
Wapello Coal Co.
Wapello Coal Co.
White- breast Fuel Co.
White-breast Fuel Co.
Enterprise Coal Co.
Enterprise Coal Co.
Enterprise Coal Co.
Iowa & Wisconsin Coal Co.
Iowa & Wisconsin Coal Co.
Iowa & Wisconsin Coal Co.
Deep Vein Coal Co.
Wapello Coal Co.
Wapello Coal Co.
Wapello Coal Co.

Hiteman.Albia.Chisholm.Hiteman. Avery.
Avery.Albia. Foster.Foster.
Albia.Hitema'n.Hiteman.
Chisholm.
Chisholm.
Albia. Albia.
Albia.Albia. Albia. Albia.
Foster.Hiteman. Hiteman.
Hiteman.

oa©ft*so©ft '
©©
©
i< O

CO

344 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
At half past 8 o'clock on the morning of November, 1894,
a tremendous explosion occurred in the mines of the Iowa
and Wisconsin Coal Company, two miles west of Albia. It
occurred in what was known as the back entry of the main
South. It had been allowed to fall in some time previous,
and was now being opened up again by taking a "skip" off
the rib. The work had proceeded in this way till at the time
of the occurrence it was twenty feet ahead of the last break
through where the air was traveling, and 1,250 feet from the
bottom of the shaft.
The explosion was caused primarily by a shot having
been fired. The hole for the shot was a 2^-inch hole, and it
contained four and one-half common charges of powder.
.The hole was 6 feet deep, and was 12 inches out of perpen
dicular. The shot was fired by a squib. Four men sat near
the shot, inside the break-through and in the main entry.
Two other men were 90 feet distant. These men were burned
worse than those in close proximity to the shot. The shot
spent its force in the air, blowing out the tamping without
breaking up the coal. The flame from the shot seemed to
ignite in the air of the entry either an accumulation of gas
or "dust." In this explosion John A. Jones was killed and
James Dyson and George Taylor were severely burned and
maimed for life. The exact cause of the explosion was some
what of a mystery to mining experts.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 345
CHAPTER XXI.
Railway Casualties.
Early on the morning of July 13th, 1869, a freight
train, consisting of an engine and twelve freight cars, one
baggage car, one sleeper, and one passenger coach, in
charge of Conductor H. S. Miller, of Burlington, rumbled
slowly down the grade west of Albia, on the C, B. & Q.
Railway. There had been a heavy rain that night, and
Coal Creek was running out of its banks.
Engineer Peter Ericsson and David Deffinbaugh, fire
man, sat in their places on the lookout for accidents. They
had been warned that the track was unsafe, and that large
quantities of sand had been washed out from under the
piling of the bridge which spanned Coal Creek. The
bridge was made on pilings, and was about twenty feet high.
When about the center of the bridge, the engine went down
with a crash, into the water, followed by seven of the cars.
The water was fifteen or twenty feet deep; and the cars,
after rising to the surface, floated slowly down the stream,
turning over and over in their passage, until they finally
lodged against trees.
The engineer and fireman were submerged with their
engine, and as the engine settled to the bottom of the stream,
the men climbed out through a window, and, coming to the
surface, floated down with the current and saved them
selves. When the train left Burlington, a man named Wm.
Herriott, with his four children, took passage in one of the
ill-fated box-cars. They were en route to Taylor County,
with a team and wagon, but at Burlington concluded to
ship on board the cars. Their wagon and team were taken
on board the train, and Mr. Herriott and children remained
in the car with the wagon. Their car was one that went
down into the watery chasm. The father and one little
girl escaped from the car. The child, having crawled
through the partially opened side-door, pried the door a
little wider open and her father was liberated, and in about
an hour both were taken off the car and towed to dry land
by means of ropes.

346

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

The other three children were drowned, and their
bodies were not recovered until some hours later. The
children's ages were 12, 11, 10, and 8, respectively. Emma,
the oldest daughter, was the one who made her escape.
William, 12 years of age, together with his sisters aged 10
and 8, respectively, were those drowned.
A coroner's inquest fixed the blame for the accident on
the railroad company, and the company at once asked Mr.
Herriott to name the amount of damages. He named

WRECK ON THE IOWA CENTRAL RAILWAY, AUGUST lo, 1896.

$1,000 as the amount, which the company paid forthwith,
and also tendered him $700 more, which was accepted. The
company also paid all tho expenses, making the total bill
of $2,000. Mr. Herriott was well satisfied with this settle
ment, and the railway company was equally glad to escape
with so small a sum. The corpses were taken back by
friends to Bureau County, Illinois, for burial, and the father
and mother continued their journey to Taylor County, the
latter having in the meantime joined her husband.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 347
At this time Tom Potter, who afterwards became Gen
eral Superintendent of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy
Railway system, was the station agent at Albia.
On the night of the 15th of August, 1896, another
casualty, quite similar to the. foregoing, except that it
was not attended by loss of life, occurred on the Iowa
Central Railroad, a short distance west of the village of
Hickory, in Monroe County. A south-bound passenger
train, due at Albia at 9:15 p. in., with McCarthy as con
ductor, Eads engineer, and Shopes fireman, in passing
over the first bridge west of Hickory narrowly escaped
being precipitated into the stream. There had been a
tremendous rain, and the accumulation of drift washed
against one of the piers had swept away one of the bents
of the bridge. The engine passed over this in some un
accountable manner, but the baggage car began to settle.
The engine was instantly detached, and passed on over
with her crew, en route to Albia. The next bridge was 100
feet in length, and about 25 feet in height. It was a wooden
structure built on piling, and spanned Miller Creek, which
at the time of the accident was much swollen by the recent
rain. The engine had no sooner gotten fairly on the bridge
than, without a moment's warning, it went down into the
chasm with a tremendous crash, alighting in five or six
feet of water.
None of the crew were injured in the least degree. The
men climbed out of the cab, and passed along the side of
the engine until they caught hold of some projecting
timbers, and drew themselves out of the wreck. The
engine sustained but slight injury, and within the next
forty-eight hours an inclined track was built to it, when a
huge Mogul engine was harnessed to it by means of a long
cable, and the engine was drawn out. If the train had
passed safely over the first bridge, its fate at the second
one might have been terrible to contemplate.

348 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.

CHAPTER XXII.
The Independent Club Guards. "January 1, 1844.
"We, the undersigned, believing it necessary for the
better security of our claims, to protect ourselves against
foreign as well as domestic aggression, and to settle all dis
putes between individual claimants, and all right to claims
according to our neighborhood or club law, do form ourselves
into a club or company known as the- 'Independent Club
Guards of Kishkekosh County.'
"Article I. All persons known as claim-holders in
this county may become members of this society by subscrib
ing to these articles and the claim laws.
"Article II. On motion, two members of said company
shall be declared viva-voce tellers, to receive the vote of the
Club in their choice for Captain, Lieutenant, and Six Best
Men. "Article III. These officers so elected shall serve one
vear from the first Monday in April, 1844, to the first day of
May, 1845.
"Article IV. It1 shall be the duty of the Captain, or, in
the absence of the Captain, of the Lieutenant, or, in the
absence of both, of the Best Men, to call upon the company
to appear at command, and proceed with said officer to hear
and decide all rights to claims according to our claim laws,
and to put the claimant having the right to said contested
claim in full and peaceable possession of the same, and
protect him in said possession, fully and effectually.
"Article V. Any officer who shall refuse to act shall,
by a two-thirds vote of the members of said company, be
deprived of his office and hold only membership.
"Article VI. The company shall then proceed to elect
officers to fill all vacancies.
"Article VII. Any claimant whose name is attached
to our claim laws may appeal to the Captain of the Guards
and state to him his grievances, or, in absence of the Captain,
to the other officers, and they shall protect said claimant

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 349
fully in possession of his claim, without further trouble to
said claimant. "Alexander Kemp, Captain.
"James McRoberts, Lieutenant."
Masonic.
On June 25, 1855, Albia Lodge, No. 76, A. F. and A. M.,
was organized at Albia, with 78 charter members. The
first officers were John Bone, W. M.; Samuel Gossage, S. W.;
W. C. Hatton, J. W.; Wm. Mercer, S. D.; Henry Saunders,
J. D.; John McKnight, Secretary; R. M. Hartness, Treasurer;
Joseph Benone, Tyler.
This lodge went down finally, and in December, 1889,
Astor Lodge, No. 505, was instituted. This lodge at present
contains 70 members. The present officers are : Ed Cooper,
W. M.; A. J. Beckett, S. W.; W. J. Hastie, J. W.; Tom D.
Lockman, Treasurer; B. F. Duffy. Secretary; G. W. Hartsuck,
S. D.; Geo. D. Miller, J. D.; S. H. Hobson,*S. S.; B. E. Clark,
J. S.; J. H. Tobey, Tyler.
Royal Arch Masons, Monroe Chapter, U. D., was organ
ized July 20, 1896. Its officers at present are : I. S. Jones,
Most Excellent High Priest; J. H. Easter, Most Excellent
King; Jonathan Hartsuck, M. E. S.; Ed M. Noble, Treasurer;
A. J. Beckett, Secretary; Tom D. Lockman, C. H; J. H.
Tobey, P. S.; Geo. D. Miller, R. A. G; S. D. Love, G. M. 1st
Veil; A. R. Jackson, G. M. 2d Veil; J. H. Love, Jr., G. M.
3d Veil; Jerry Willcox, Tyler. This lodge contains 22
members. Knights of Pythias.
Troy Lodge, No. 31, was organized July 15, 1875. It
organized with 24 charter members. The officers were E.
C. Hurlbert, P. C; W. M. Glenny, C. G; Val Mendal, V. C;
C. P. Cone, Prelate ; Jas. Morris, K. R. and S. ; Geo. Coleman,
M. F.; D. M. Miller, M. E.; Homer Duncan, M. A.
The present officers are: Morris Loeb, C. C; R. E.
Hindman, V. C; H. B. Holesclaw, Prelate; John Grace, M.
A.; Harry Smith, J. G.; Jas. Moody, O. G.; Fred Mason, K.
of R. and S.; L. B. Edwards, M. of E.; Roy Alford, M. of F.;
Lee Rowe, M. of W. The I. 0. O. F.
Monroe Lodge, No. 81, was organized October 11, 1855, _
with the following charter members: John Clark, Thos.

350 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Kenworthy, S. D. Ramey, A. G. Chambers, R. M. Hartness.
There were about 50 members at the close of 1856. The
first officers were: S. D. Ramey, N. G.; Thos. Kenworthy,
V. G.; John Clark, Secretary; R. M. Hartness, Treasurer.
The present officers are: John Hoyt, N. G.; W. J.
Lewis, V. G. D. O. Clapp, Recording Secretary; J. P.
Lamberson, Permanent Secretary; J. R. Duncan, Treasurer.
The present membership is 154.
Prior to 1860 there was an encampment at Albia, but
in that year it surrendered its charter.
Albia Encampment, No. 19, I. O. O. F., was organized
by Robert McCormack in 1876. At the present time the
organization is not doing any active work, there being but
15 members. The organization is intact, and has funds
in its treasury. The officers at present are: J. P. Lamber
son, Chief Patriarch; S. F. White, High Priest; I. L. Mills,
Senior Warden; J. R. Duncan, Junior Warden; S. M. King,
Scribe.
The A. O. U. W.
The Ancient Order of United Workmen organized at
Albia in 1884. The present membership is 160. The
present officers are: E. Mart Noble, M. W.; Josephus
Kester, Foreman; Wm. Anderson, O.; S. M. King, Financier;
J. O. Varner, Receiver; N. S. Anderson, P. M.; G. W. Stamm,
Recorder. The object of this organization is both fraternal
and for insurance. Modern Woodmen of America.
Earnest Camp, No. 264, was organized in November,
1886. The present membership is 26. The present officers
are: Chas. Olson, Venerable Consul ; Jesse Brewer, Worthy
Adviser; Harry C. Payne, Clerk; S. M. King, Banker;
Robert Ford, Escort; S. M. King, Physician; Jas. Brewer,
Watchman; F. Turner, Sentry; S. T. White, Delegate to
State Camp; Dr. Hoover, S. M. Tovrea, and W. M. Crane,
Managers. This society is also fraternal and for purposes
of insurance. Woodmen of the World.
Organized at Albia the 4th of August, 1896, with a
membership of 50. J. T. Clarkson, Consul Commander-
J. W. Noble, Lt. Adviser; Chas. Craig, Clerk; W. T. Shields'
Banker, E. T. Paulline, Escort; Vern Noble, Watchman;

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 351
J. W. Alford, Sentry; Messrs. Hyatt and Bartram, Physi
cians; W. P. Brewer, C. N. Hyatt, and F. G. Chase,
Managers. The Rebecca Degree, I. 0. 0. F.
Mary and Martha Lodge, No. 37, an auxiliary of the
Odd Fellows, was organized in October, 1875, by Mr. and Mrs.
John R. Duncan, Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Anderson, Mr. and Mrs.
E. C. Hurlbert, Mr. and Mrs. L. P. Phinny, and Mr. and Mrs.
A: C. Barnes^ This lodge flourished for some years, and
then became inactive.
In 1895 Albia Rebecca Lodge, No. 323, was chartered
on the 24th of July, and the officers of that organization are:
Mrs. Tovrea, P. G.; Mrs. W.I. Shields, N. G.; Mrs. Max^Loeb,
V. G.; Mrs. Dr. King, Secretary; Mrs. David Brusser, Finan
cial Secretary; Mrs. W. F. Hill, Treasurer; Mrs. John
Watkins, Chaplain; Mrs. J. P. Lamberson, Warden; Mrs.
Jas. Flanders, Conductor; Mrs. Samuel Pill, Inner Guardian;
D. O. Clapp, Outside Guardian; J. P. Lamberson, R. S. of
N. G.; Mrs. A. Goodman, L. S. of N. G.; Max Loeb, R. S. to
V. G. ; Mrs. J. T. Jones, L. S. to N. G. The present member
ship of this lodge is 65. Woodmen Circle.
Organized September 16, 1896, with a membership of
24. The officers are: Mrs. Margaret Hyatt, W. G.; Mrs.
W. I. Shields, Adviser; Mrs. W. Hartsock, Clerk; Mrs. Sam
Tovrea, Magician; Mrs. Frank Edwards, Attendant; Dr. R.
T. Bartram, Physician; Mrs. J. J. Moody, I. S.; Mrs. Ed.
Francis, O. S.; Mrs. Hattie White, Organist; Mrs. Francis,
Mrs. Lamberson, and Mrs. Shields, Managers. The object
of the society is social and beneficiary.
Grand Army of the Republic.
Orman Post, No. 337, a semi-military post, was organized
in Albia in 1884, and at present contains about 60 members.
Following is a list of the officersrof the organization for the
present year: R. C. Payne, P. C; G. W. Fordyce, S. V. C;
Wm. Haycock, J. V. C; J. L. Duncan, Q. M.; S. M. King,
Surgeon; J. T. Young, Chaplain; H. Hickenlooper, Adjutant;
H. B. Moore, O. D.
The P. E. 0.. Sisterhood.
Chapter H of this ladies' fraternal society was organ
ized in Albia the 31st of August, 1884. The charter mem-

352 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
bers were Miss Nannie Lockman, Miss Flora Perry, Miss
Minnie Early, Miss Metta Boals, Miss Carrie Duncan, Miss
Lou Porter, Miss May Porter, Miss Minnie Richie, Miss
Mabel Richey, and Miss Etta Neville. Since the chapter
organized, there have been 168 initiations, and the member
ship at present numbers 50 active members.
The present presiding officers of Chapter H are Mrs.
Maud Anderson, President; Mrs. Minnie Duncan, Vice-Presi
dent; Miss Angie Koffman, Recording Secretary; Mrs Inez
Edwards, Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. Jennie Duncan,
Treasurer; Mrs. Nellie Moffett, Chaplain; Mrs, Josie Hobson,
Guard. The objects of the society are general improvement; the
inculcation of faith, purity, truth, justice, and charity; the
advantages of social relations; and the perpetuation of
fraternal love.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 353

CHAPTER XXIII.
H or se-B reeding.
The first horses in Monroe County were a small hardy
breed that were crossed with the Indian ponies of the fron
tier. The Illinois. Missouri, and Wisconsin horses at that
time came chiefly from the stock mixed up with the horses of
the adjacent Indian tribes. The pioneer settlers of Iowa did
not bring many horses with them, but used oxen for the first
few years. When they did begin to bring in horses, they pro
cured most of them from the adjoining States, above men
tioned. They were horses that weighed from 1000 to 1100
pounds. They were easily kept, and would subsist on sweet
pumpkins if the hay and grain supply ran short. They would
even live through the winter by browsing in the forest on
bark, buds, and twigs of trees, together with what blue-grass
they could find.
In about the year 1875, Jas. B. Turner and one or two
other gentlemen began to import Norman horses from France
into Monroe County, and a short time later a large Clydes
dale stallion, named Highland Chief, was brought over
the water. The Clydesdales were of ponderous size, but they were
a little too coarse for the horse market, and the English
Shire or draught horse replaced the Clydesdales. The Shires
and Normans are the favorite breeds in Monroe County
at the present day, and many fine animals of these classes
have been brought to the county within recent years. The
old-fashioned "plug" horse has entirely disappeared, and
most of the horses now raised by the farmers are of a high
grade. Among those who have been active in the importation
and breeding of heavy horses were Jasi B. Turner, A. M.
Giltner, Jas. H. Love & Son, Wm. Peppers, and Fred Galliers.
While farmers and breeders have been devoting atten
tion to heavy horses for the market, they have also paid con
siderable attention to speed horses, so that to-day Monroe
County contains some of the best goers in the State. W. B.
Griffin, of Albia, in the summer of 1896, purchased a trot
ting stallion, named Ernest Wilton, which is claimed to be

354 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
the fastest animal ever brought into the county. It is five
years old, and has a three-year old record of 2 :27|. It was
brought from Paris, Kentucky, and those who are competent
to judge say the horse will be able to beat 2:15. Mr. Griffin
has another good horse, named Stewart Eddy, and has over
a dozen brood-mares, among which is Soprano, a mare
formerly owned by ex-Governor Brown, of Michigan, who at
one time refused $5,000 for her. This mare is the dam of
three 2:30 performers, and dam of Coldridge, 2:05|, and
Choral, 2:09£ Mr. Griffin sells his horses in all parts of the
United States, and even in Germany.
In addition to Mr. Griffin's operations, several other
gentlemen have been very successful in the fast stock enter
prise. M. E. Hennion & Son have some good Kentucky
strains of Wilkes stock. Euxine, a handsome stallion, with
a record of 2 :25^, is owned by Willis Hennion. It is a fine-
looking horse, and is very speedy. Walton & Clark own
another good horse, named Castleman. It is highly bred and
a good goer. A few years ago Jas. H. Love & Son were the
owners of Newton, a 2 :22 stallion. This horse, which at that
time was the best in the county, was sold to a gentleman in
Dakota, but he left a valuable progeny in Monroe County,
among which is a handsome brown owned by Jas. Titus,
which promises great speed when its training is completed.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 355
CHAPTER XXIV.
The 1896 Canvass.
The political canvass for the election of county officers
for the year 1896 brought into the field the following named
gentlemen as party nominees on. the Republican ticket: For
Auditor, Josiah T. Young; Clerk of the District Court, J. W.
H. Griffin; Recorder, Robt. O. Clapp; Member of the Board,
J. K. Watson ; County Attorney, J erry Wright.
The Democrats and Populists united their forces and
brought out: For Auditor, John Welsh; for Clerk of the
District Court, Geo. Stamm; Recorder, A. E. Dille; County
Attorney, J. T. Clarkson; Member of the Board, John W.
Shahan. Any one of the above candidates would make a capable
and efficient officer to discharge the duties of his office, but
at the date of this writing it cannot be definitely prophesied
who will be elected in the general election in November.
Hon. Josiah T. Young is a self-made man, and climbed
up from obscurity and poverty. He was elected to the office
of Secretary of State, and served two terms, during Governor
Carpenter's incumbency as chief executive of the State.
Later he was elected to the General Assembly, and has filled
other offices of public trust in a satisfactory manner. He
was a good soldier and a victim of a Southern rebel
prison-pen. J. W. H. Griffin has discharged the duties of Clerk of
the District Court for so many years that the Monroe County
bar, irrespective of party lines, looks upon him as an indis
pensable fixture. He usually receives considerable support
from the opposition and is universally popular.
Robt. O. Clapp is a candidate for re-election. He has
made a good officer, and receives considerable support
through sympathy, he being a cripple with but one leg.
Jerry Wright is a young attorney of Albia, just feather
ing out in the legal profession. He is full of enterprise, and
will no doubt be. competent to discharge the duties of his
office, if elected.

356 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
J. K. Watson is one of Monroe County's most staunch
farmers, and will make an excellent Member of the Board
if elected. Mr. Welsh is a very popular farmer from the west side
of the county: He formerly served as a member of the
Board of Supervisors, and he is just as capable and deserv
ing of the office of Auditor as any man in his party.
George Stamm was a Union soldier, has always lived an
honorable, upright life, and well deserves some official
recognition at the hands of his party. He is a Populist at
heart, but was formerly a. Republican. Welsh is a Democrat.
A. E. Dille is a well-educated young married man, and is
a good penman. He was formerly a Republican, but some
years ago espoused the third party cause.
J. T. Clarkson is a rising young attorney with two or
three years' experience at the bar. He is climbing up from
humbler walks in life, and bids fair to reach an exalted rank
in the profession. His first vocation was that of a coal-
miner, but he has selected the law as his life-profession. He
is a Populist or third party man, and a few years ago acquired
some prominence through his connection with organized
labor movements.
Geo. W. Shahan is a well-to-do and practical farmer of
Mantua Township. He well understands the needs of the
county, and has its interests at heart, and would no doubt
make a safe and efficient Member of the Board if elected.

Map of Monroe County, Iowa. 1

n.xix

MARION

R. XVIII COUNTY

P. XVII MAHASKA

P. XVI COUNTY

8. XIX

APPANOOSE

R. XVI II HUDSON-KIMBERLY PUB LO. EMORSK. 0. MO. R.XVII

COUNTY

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, '. >V
CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTION 

CHAPTER I.
Geographical location.— "Base-lines," "correction lines," range anil
meridian lines.^Geological character and probable extent of
the coal deposit  11
CHAPTER II.
When Monroe County shall come to an end. — A horoscope of her des
tiny, and mere speculation as to her future greatness, later decay,
and ultimate dissolution  15
CHAPTER III.
Monroe County as a part of the "Louisiana Purchase." — Monroe
County when comprising a portion of Illinois Territory, also when
a part of Missouri, Michigan, and Wisconsin Territories, respect
ively. — Organization of Kishkekosh (later Monroe) County.-— Kish
kekosh, the Indian chief — his chivalry and friendship for the
whites. — Black Hawk. — The early homestead laws. — The "Club
law." — Claim-jumping and "claim-pens."— The county-seat con
test. — Princeton (afterwards named Albia) and Clarksville the
rivals. — Building the log court-house and log jail  18
CHAPTER IV.
Early political methods.— The Mormon settlers.— Stealing of the Cains
ville poll-book, and the Congressional embroglio of 1848 resulting
from the act  33
CHAPTER V.
Early types of settlers. — Primitive methods of farming. — Different
species o' forest trees  38
CHAPTER VI.
Monroe County in defense of the flag.— Quotas of troops called out by
the Federal calls. — The draft. — Roster of regiments, showing the
age, rank, company, date of enlistment, and list of casualties
of Monroe County soldiers enrolled in the Second, Sixth, Seventh,
Eighth, Thirteenth, Fifteenth, Seventeenth, Eighteenth, Twenty-
second, Thirty-sixth, Thirty-seventh, Forty-sixth, and Forty-e ghth
Iowa Infantry Regiments, the First, Second, Third, Fourth, and
Seventh Cavalry Regiments, and the Third Iowa Battery.— Early
militia organizations. — JAst of old soldiers residing in Monroe
County who were enrolled from other localities, giving regiment
and company. — List of the soldier dead in Oak View Cemetery,
giving regiment and company and date of death. — History of the
First Iowa Cavalry.— History of the Sixth Iowa Infantry.— His
tory of the Twenty-second Iowa Infantry.— History of the Th'rty-
Kixrh Iowa Infantry  43

358 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
CHAPTER VII.
Monroe County's railroads.— The building of the Burlington and Mis
souri River Railroad.— Building the Wabash road.— The Iowa Cen
tral Railroad— The Centerville, Moravia, and Albia Railway.— The
Albia, Knoxville, and Des Moines Railway and the Chicago, Mil
waukee, and St. Paul Railway.— Taxes and bonus raised for the
construction of railroads by the people of Monroe County  129
CHAPTER VIII.
History of the press in Monroe County. — Urbana Township Democ
racy. — Letter written by Horace Greeley on the subject of Fre
mont's alleged ownersh'p of slaves.— Mr. Barnes' little boys learn to
swear. — Young T. B. Perry is reproved by the Independent Press
for his presumption in aspiring to be County Judge, and for pro
curing whisky with which to advance his political interests. —
Resolutions passed by the Urbana Township Democracy in 1861,
in denunciation of the abolition movement. — Hon. Josiah T.
Young's letter to Gov. Pickens of South Carolina on the subject
of rebellion. — Old Henry Clay Dean's speech at Albia in I860.—
The "Knights of the Golden Circle." — Rev. Jacob Weyrick writes
a letter to Jacob Hittle in justification of human slavery, from a
scriptural standpoint  133
CHAPTER IX.
Early county officers. — Building of the present court-house. — Mo.ir.e
County Agricultural Society.— The Albia post-office.— Methods of
obtaining appointments as postmaster  154
CHAPTER X.
Failure of H. K. Steele's bank.— The Monroe County Bank failure-
Other banks in the county  166
CHAPTER XI.
Murder of Jas. Gorden.— The criminal docket of 1866.— Lynching of
Chas. Brandon.— Murder of Tom Hulligen.— Killing of Thomas
Davis.— .Horse-thief bands.— Lynching ;of Garrett Thompson.—
Murder of Chris. McAlister.— Lynching of Pleas. Anderson-
Lynching of Lewis Frazier  17]
CHAPTER XII.
Negro contrabands.— Milt Mclntyre's fight with a panther.— Raising of
the "Hickory" pole in Albia in 1868.— Wild game in Monroe Coun
ty in early days.— The circular wolf-hunt.— Coal-miners' strike at
Cedar Mines in 1880.— Negro miners.— The "Deep Snow."— Weav
ing cloth in early days.— The "flax-break" and "hackle."— Doster
Noland's big butternut coat.— Roads and road-making.— Pioneer
fashions in dress.— Love-making.— Courtship of Col. Dan Ander
son— Courtship of old Sam Daal.— The wool-picking and the
spinning-wheel.— Rise and progress of civilization in the "Hairy
Nation"  jg^

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA. 359
CHAPTER XIII.
Early joys and sorrows. — Milling trips.— The prairie-itch as a social
institution. — The charivari. — An interesting find.— Bee-hunting.—
The log cabin.— The "hoe-down."— Camp-meetings and water mel
ons.— The "Hardshell" Baptists.— Bro. Jackson's sermon on hell-
fire.— Jim Pollard gets "too full of the love of God to hold cab-
bage."^Embryo villages— The "wat^r-wi^eh."— School-i and school
ma'ams.— The pioneer school-master.— Soap Creek jurisprudence.—
The big fight of old Ben Ashbury and Newt Vancleve.— Other big
fights and law-suits.— Pioneer fogyism— Old Dr. Prather.— They
killed the family pig  209
CHAPTER XIV.
Building of the county jail and late financial matters.— Bonding the
county.— The county tax levy. — The accumulating deficit of county
funds.— Authority of the Board of Supervisors  £34
CHAPTER XV.
History of the Methodist Episcopal Church. — The Soap Creek Mis
sion. — The Bloomfield Mission.— The Upper White-breast Mission.—
The Eddyville Mission. — The Knoxville and Albia Missions. — Com
plete list of Methodist ministers identified in ministerial work from
the organization of the Church in Monroe County down to the
present time. — History of the Presbyterian Church in Monroe
County. — History of the Associate Presbyterians or "Seceders." —
The "Seceder" war with the "Hairy Nation." — The Associate Re
form Presbyterians. — Union of the Assoc'ate and Associate Reform
bodies and the organization and history of the United Presby
terian Church. — The Covenanters.— The Cumberland Presbyte
rians.— Complete history of the United Brethren, Chiistian, Baptist,
Episcopal, Catholic, and other church societies in Monroe County .—
Laying the corner-stone. of the Catholic church at Stacyville —
Pioneer preachers and the growth and progress of the various
church societies. — Historical sketch of Service Unitrd P. e byterian
Congregation.— The Dunkers  237
CHAPTER XVI.
Average crop yield of Monroe County for 1895 and other statistical
items.— Bee culture.— Political matters.— Strength of the respective
political parties in Monroe County from 1889 to 1896.— Manufac
turing  280
CHAPTER XVII.
The city of Albia.— Avery.— Hynes City. — Foster. — Blakesburg.— Mel
rose. — Stacyville.— Fredric— Hiteman  296
CHAPTER XVIII.
Some battles with the "Hairy Nation." — How a Sixth Iowa Cavalry
boy got his whisky.— The oldest white settler born on Iowa soil.—
Yankee pumpkins as parlor furniture.— Extracts from some old
justice's dockets.— Some early milling exploits.— How Newt Van
cleve crossed Soap Creek on a foot-log with a team, wagon, and
grist when the stream was out of its banks  322

360 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
CHAPTER XIX.
Educational topics.— Roster of Monroe County teachers  329
CHAPTER XX.
The mining industry.— The lower coal measures. — Mine-inspection
districts.— The eight-hour strike movement of 1890.— The organi
zation of the Iowa Miners' Association.— The 1893 schedule. — Rates
for mining coal throughout the various mining districts. — His
tory of the great coal-miners' strike or "suspension" of 1894. — The
"Ottumwa agreement." — Miners' convention at Albia. — The "agita
tor." — List of coal companies operating in Monroe County, their
daily capacity, capital invested, etc. — List of accidents occurring
in the mines of Monroe County for the two years ending June 30th,
1895.— The Jack Oak explosion  331
CHAPTER XXI.
Railway casualties.— The drowning of the Herriott children in the
Coal Creek bridge accident. — Wreck on the Iowa Central in Au
gust, 1896  345
CHAPTER XXII.
The Independent Club Guards.— The history of the Free Masons in
Monroe County.— The Knights of Pythias.— The I. O. O. F— Albia
Encampment, No 19.— The A. O. U. W.— The Modern Woodmen of
America.— Woodmen of the World.— Tiie Rebecca Degree, I. O. O.
F — Woodmen Circle— The G. A. R— The P. E. O. Sisterhood. .348
CHAPTER XXIII.
Horse-breeding and fast horses  353
CHAPTER XXIV.
The 1896 political canvass.— The tickets nominated.— Map of Monroe
County  355

• • • A. J JLJC • • •
Semi=Weekly Union.

ESTABLISHED IN 1862.

A. R. BARNES, Publisher and Proprietor.

published Evei^ Tuegdaif and Friday

READ

THE UNION ^
FOR ^»t*£k!i

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A YEAR.

The
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Is the only
§j$ ^ Democratic Paper
In Monroe County.

BEIiVEli 8t C^EflSJlAtU,
PUBlilSHEt^S.

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Subscription Price, $1.00 per Year.

SEMI-WEEKLY
Progress=Defender. ESTABLISHED 1890.
$ €< 0
M. M. HINTON, Editor and Proprietor.
ALBIA, - - IOWA.
*J& •'ft Jft
»» »J5 »•»

THE PROGRESS-DEFENDER has, by far,
the largest circulation of any paper in Mon
roe County, and therefore it is the best advertis
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All home print. Job Printing a specialty. It
circulates extensively among all classes of people,
and will prove a valuable helper to your business
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ODD FELLOWS' TEMPLE, • ALBIA, IOWA.

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DEALER IN AND MAKER OP

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Keeps in stock, or can get any and all appliances
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Also always keeps in stock choice Comb and Ex
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Choice Italian and Carinolia Bees.

Queens range in price from 75 cents to $3.00, ac
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will also give personal service to the care, hand
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can be gotten to induce him to go.

Address all orders and communications to
C. H. CLARK,
ALBIA, IOWA.

W. GRANT CLARK. JOHN R. CLARK.
CLARK BROS.
The Oldest Established Firm In Monroe County.
. . . DEALERS IN . . .
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Extensive Dealers in Timothy, Clover and Other Seeds.
Vehicles of all Kinds, Sleighs, Cast Sleds, Etc.
We invite the public to call on us
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RliBlfl, IOWfl.
G. M. HEISERMA.N, Managei. A. ANDERSON, Foreman.
ALBIA CYCLE CO.

MANUFjLCTVRMRS of .

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Repairing and Rebuilding a Specialty.
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MAKERS OF

Pumps of all Kinds,
AND FOR ALL PURPOSES.
Also Hay=stackers, Rakes and Machinery.

Machine and Foundry Work of all kinds
promptly and satisfactorily done.
Can save you money on Pipe Fittings and
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Call and get our figures when in need of anything in our line.
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A Full Line of PATENT MEDICINES Always on Hand.
When in town call and see us.
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General Practitioner. #
Special Attention Given to Suvgevy and
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The Doctor is anxious to practice for those who pay him.— Editor.